others. In having recourse to the former expedient, the rule is deference to chronology, so far as is consistent with becoming attention to such occurrences as must occasionally form the exception; and, in adopting the latter, necessarily in the absence of the author, the passages selected are those, to whose omission, it is presumed, were he present, his judgment and feelings would suggest the least objection.

The list of churches and ministers presented to our readers, in an early number of the present year, was the result of considerable application and persevering inquiries; and, while it assumes not exemption from inaccuracy, it will, perhaps, be acknowledged to possess a greater degree of correctness than such indices ordinarily attain. It having, also, been thought desirable that an alphabetical list of the ministers of our denomination should be supplied, much time and attention have been devoted to procuring the necessary information, that it might be prepared and appended to the present volume; and, it is hoped, that, with the exception of certain probable oversights, which in such an undertaking are scarcely to be avoided, it will be found both useful and acceptable.

Our most cordial acknowledgments are once more presented to our brethren, whose stated or occasional efforts have, in no inconsiderable degree, sustained the interest imparted by our numbers; and they are respectfully and earnestly solicited to renew, continue, and multiply their favours, that, in connexion with the patronage of our numerous readers, and the blessing of Him to whom we would humbly consecrate and commit all our exertions, the benevolent design of this publication may be perpetuated and extended.

BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1831.

SALTERS' HALL.

progress in the West of England. SALTERS' Hall chapel, long es- don for advice; at length, the Several ministers wrote to Lonteemed one of the most celebrated

places of worship among the dis-general body of ministers in and senters, is situated in Salters' Hall Salters' Hall on Feb. 19, 1719, about London, was convened at Court, Cannon Street. The old disagreeing about subscribing a but meeting-house was erected in the test of orthodoxy, they divided; former part of the reign of King fifty-three were for subscribing a William III. The original Pres-test, and fifty-seven against it. Of byterian church was gathered in the latter, many remained steadthe reign of Charles II., but by fastly Trinitarians; but a very whom is uncertain. The meeting- large minority, at least, became house at Salters' Hall being con- decidedly Arians. There is much veniently situated, has been fixed reason to apprehend, that the great upon, from time to time, for several objection to signing a creed, was lectures of considerable import- not the supposed or implied imance among dissenters. The first position of that creed, but a secret of these was "The Merchant's dislike to the articles it contained. Lecture," being a division of mi I nisters who went off from the Salters' Hall was ever the seat of am not aware, however, that Pinners' Hall Lecture, disapprov-beterodoxy, or had any minister ing of the sentiments of Dr. Crisp, not decidedly Trinitarian, till the to which their brethren, who re- late Rev. Hugh Worthington was mained at Pinners' Hall, gave settled there, who was, most prosupport. This was in 1694. An-bably, an Arian. Dr. Collyer reother, a Lord's day evening lecmarks, "In ture, which was long very popular, agreement occurred as to Calvinprocess of time, a diswas established in the reign of ism, and the latter pastors were William III., and was continued what was denominated Baxterians, into the present century. the last of that line only, was under1735, a course of sermons, by the stood to be an Arian." most learned and popular minis-thington died in 1813; and the Mr. Worters of that day against popery, Rev. Dr. Collyer, still retaining was delivered at Salters' Hall, his connexion with the church at which to this day is regarded as

a valuable work.

In

Most dissenters are acquainted with the transactions of the famous synod at Salters' Hall*, in the beginning of the last century. Arianisin had begun to make rapid

See Bap. Mag. Vol, xi. p. 1, 49, 106. VOL. VI. 34 Series.

Peckham, became pastor of the church at Salters' Hall on the first

Lord's day of Jan. 1814; which he relinquished, through indisposition, in 1825.

the former meeting-house was During the labours of the Doctor, taken down, and a new one erected at the expense of £2000. But on

B

his resigning, a debt of £800 | the Rev. Dr. Collyer, and in the was found remaining upon it. evening, by I. Mann. The ser. Several ministers were engaged vices were numerously attended, for awhile as supplies; but the interest continued declining, till at length, in 1827, the place was sold by public auction, and was bought by individuals of infidel principles. A person of the name of Taylor, and his associates, entered the newly purchased chapel with a design to propagate all the blasphemies which infidelity could suggest.

beloved brother to pass through a piety of our esteemed brother, and very severe affliction; which for fellow-labourer, we doubt not, will many weeks, left his friends under be fully devoted to the salvation the most painful apprehension that of men. A cheering day has his work was done. Yet he, who dawned upon this place, and we is rich in mercy, heard prayer trust the prayer of many will be which was unceasingly offered on answered, who are saying, "Save his behalf; the affliction was re- now, we beseech thee, O Lord; moved, and he was graciously re- O Lord, we beseech thee send stored to those sympathizing bre- now prosperity ?" thren, amongst whom he was shortly I. MANN. to break the bread of life.

On Thursday, Sept. 9th, 1830, a Baptist church was formed at Salters' Hall Chapel, consisting of twenty-one members. On this occasion, the Rev. Joseph Hughes, A. M., of Battersea, delivered a very appropriate address, and gave the right hand of fellowship

to those who were united in church membership; the Rev. Richard Davis, and the Rev. J. B. Shenston engaged in prayer. Mr. Millard stated the leading circumstances which had contri. buted to the formation of the church; and their belief. Messrs. Low and Bousfield, on behalf of the church, presented to the Rev. J. E.Giles their unanimous request that he would become their pastor; to which he made a short reply, stating his full acceptance of the invitation. On Thursday, Sept. 16th, Mr. Giles was publicly or. dained.*

For my views on this point of difference and discussion, I beg this I do, not with any degree a place in your valuable columns; of unkindness towards my brethren from whom I differ, nor with any design to cast picion on their general orthoIt is truly gratifying to be able doxy, nor with an idea that I to add to the above brief account, with clearness and force equal to can state even my own sentiments,

that this infant interest is in a

sus.

state of great promise. The cha- many of my friends, who entertain the same opinion with pel has been very neatly fitted up, a commodious Baptistery me, on this subject; my first dehas been built within it, which sign in writing the following obser has already been repeatedly in vations, was to assist myself, and I send them to you, in the hope use; the congregation is good; a that they may assist others, to form thriving Sunday school is established; and the talents, and a scriptural judgment, on what appears to me, an important point in theology.

* For an account of this service see p. 439, of our Magazine for the last year.

To represent man's ability to repent,and turn to God, independent

into the state of men, in relation to these transactions.

of the operations of the Holy Spirit as a new doctrine," must, I conceive, be through inadvertence. Repentance and turning to God "Every natural man," says Mr. take place only under the adminisCharnock, "thinks he hath power trations of mercy, which are not into renew himself and turn to God cluded in the regular proceedings when he will." There can be but of a moral government. In these, little doubt that this independent punishment undeviatingly follows. ability of men was fully admitted transgression, and obedience alone by Pelagius and his disciples in obtains favour. But in the graancient times; nor has it ever been cious administrations of God, the discarded by the Socinians in any righteous and just governor is merperiod of their history: indeed, ciful to unrighteousness, and sins man's independent ability to re- and iniquities he remembers no pent and convert himself, is not more. The gospel exhibits a sysonly consistent with those systems tem of pardon, conducted indeed of religion that exclude the doc-in righteousness, but also in the trine of original sin, and the per- exercise of most sovereign acts of sonality and operations of the Holy grace. In this scheme, whilst Spirit; but this ability is a neces- men are attended by the utmost sary and essential part of such responsibility, their sins have resystems, as without it there would duced them to a state of entire not be, there could not be, any destitution; they neither possess repentance of sin, and conversion the least claim on the divine favour, to God. The general religious nor can they merit a single blesssystem of our brethren, on whose ing, yet (through a mediator) they views the following strictures are become the recipients of unspeakmade, wholly precludes them from able favours, conferred on them pleading for the necessity of unin- according to the good pleasure of fluenced human ability to repent, their munificent and gracious and turn to God; it must be only God. Were the Divine Being for its consistency with their gene- strict to mark iniquity, all transral belief, for which they contend. gressors would endeavour to avoid But I am free to acknowledge his presence; but there is forgive that it is not the antiquity or novelty, ness with Him, and this forms the but the truth of any doctrine, that only ground and encouragement constitutes its value and import- of the sinner's return to his ofance; and if it be true, that men fended God. have power to repent and turn to God of themselves,uninfluer.ced by the Holy Spirit, the doctrine ought to be received, avowed, and maintained, whatever may be its circumstances. It is its truth that I question, and on this point alone a at issue with its advocates.

To arrive at a just conclusion respecting the erroneousness or truth of this doctrine, it may not be improper to examine into what is implied in repentance for sin, and conversion to God; and then

Thus in repentance and conversion, men are to be considered not merely as moral agents, but also as depraved and guilty crea tures, and the Divine Being not only as a moral governor, but also as the sovereign and most gracious dispenser of mercy. Whilst the whole is conducted in righteousness, it affords the richest display of tender mercies and of loving kindness.

Repentance for sin, and conversion to God, imply a change both