BIBLICAL NOTES AND QUERIES. WILL Some of the brethren enlighten me upon the subject narrated in 1 Kings, 13th chapter? The old prophet that dwelt in Bethel in the days of Jeroboam, appears to have acted in a very improper manner in not himself denouncing the idolatrous practices of his neighbours, and in pursuing after the young prophet, and by an infamous lie causing him to return to Bethel and thereby incur the anger of God. The young prophet appears in the narrative to have been of a faithful, bold and forgiving character, and to have performed his mission with success, and with glory to God; yet, because he hearkened to the advice of the old prophet, and returned as he supposed at an angel's voice, he met with an untimely death. Query,-Where is the fairness and equity of this, that the best is slain and the worst is allowed to live apparently without reproof, and to end his days in peace ? C. [We shall be glad to receive observations and replies to the above query up to the 14th of February.—Ed.] Biography. MEMOIR OF THE LATE MR. CHARLES BIRBECK, OF BIRMINGHAM. BY HIS SON-IN-LAW. CHARLES BIRBECK was born in the city of Worcester, in December, 1789. His father died when Charles was young, leaving a widow and seven sons, of whom Charles was the sixth. In early life, Robert, the youngest of the family, was made the subject of saving grace, through the instrumentality of a fellow-workman, who was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Society in the above city. Robert greatly interested himself in behalf of Charles, and had the pleasure of seeing him brought to Christ in the year 1813. As far as can be ascertained, it is believed that his conversion was the quiet but effectual working of God's Spirit, unattended by any sudden or alarming means: the Sun of Righteousness gradually rose upon his soul with healing in his wings; and as by faith he beheld the face of God's reconciled countenance, his soul rejoiced in the Saviour's love. He immediately united himself to that branch of the Wesleyan Church worshipping in Pump Street, Worcester, and became till the end of life a constant, assiduous, and daily student of the Bible-commonly rising at three or four o'clock in the morning for the purpose of meditating upon God's Word. His piety soon assumed an active form. During several years he travelled to villages in the vicinity of Worcester for the purpose of teaching in Sabbath schools-in which exercise he was very successful; and often after his school duties were ended, he would stay till evening, in order to speak to the villagers of the Saviour's love. In 1821 he was appointed to succeed his brother Robert (who had gone to his rest) as class leader, and soon after preached his trial sermon in Pump Street Chapel, from Luke xv. 2, "This man receiveth sinners." For many years his name stood on the circuit plan as a local preacher. In 1840 he removed to Birmingham, and for a short time laboured in connection with the Wesleyan Association, but afterwards united himself with the Cherry Street Society, and continued in communion therewith until the expulsion of Messrs. Everett, Dunn, and Griffith, in 1849; when regarding that act as contrary to the spirit of the gospel, he seceded. The last seven years of his life were spent in active and zealous work for God and the church; more than ever did he labour and pray for Zion's prosperity; and, as life became shorter, his desire was more intense that God would make him useful. As a man, our departed friend was not free from the infirmities of human nature; he had his faults, of which he was fully aware, and but few men were more ready to acknowledge them. As a Christian, he possessed some fine traits of character, the fruit of long and frequent intercourse with God. He was essentially a man of prayer: in this exercise he felt a delight, and was never so happy as when unburthening his soul at the throne of grace. It was his delight to "take everything to the throne," and the most prominent characteristic of his soul when there was intense earnestness. He prayed with all his might-he caught hold of the "horns of the altar," and seemed to say, "I will not let thee rest until thou make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." The writer can bear testimony that he loved the house of God and the place where his honour dwelleth; that nothing gave him more pleasure than the prosperity of the church-nothing more pain than her lukewarmness. As we may readily conceive, he carried his love of prayer into the pulpit, and frequently made it the subject of discourse. 'Pray without ceasing," and "Lord, teach us how to pray," were amongst his favorite texts, though all his sermons bore the impress of the cross of Christ. As a preacher he was simple in illustration, clear in diction, and earnest in manner; while the matter of his discourse was plain, unadorned gospel. There was no display, nor attempt at display-there was nothing very profound-yet there was a freshness and an originality in what he said, arising chiefly from a thorough and intense study of God's word, which made his preaching powerful and acceptable; and his discourses generally were considered true and faithful enunciations of the gospel of the grace of God. He was much attached to the doctrines of Wesley, and loved to speak of the fulness and freeness of God's mercy to fallen man; but his hand and heart were ever warm towards those who differed from him on doctrinal subjects. He was no bigot in reli 66 gious matters; he would as soon preach for the Baptists or Independents as for the Wesleyans: yet verily he was a Methodist. As a father, he was affectionate in the extreme: he cultivated the greatest fondness for his children. He made every child the subject of prayer, and lived to see some of those petitions answered in their conversion. The last time he conducted family devotions, his soul seemed unusually earnest about his children, and in the midst of his exercises he exclaimed—“O Lord! I do beseech thee to save my children.” He was a man of remarkable activity of body, cheerfulness of mind, and regular habits, and his family naturally looked forward for many years more of his cheerful and happy society. But it was not to be. On the 12th of November he caught a severe cold, which considerably diminished his strength; still no fear was expressed as to his recovery. On the 22nd, however, symptoms of congested liver appeared, which bade defiance to medical skill, and left no doubt as to the issue. On the 29th he was visited by the writer, and in conversation with him, said, "I'm on the rock, I'm on the rock-that's the place." He had unfailing faith in the righteousness of Christ. On the morning of the 31st, he addressed his almost heartbroken wife for the last time, and said, "All is well,—all is well!" Soon after he charged his only son with the care of the family he was leaving behind, and entreated him to meet him in heaven. He continued rapidly to sink away; and on the morning of the 1st December, just as day was dawning, he quietly, and without a struggle or sigh, passed from earth to heaven, "where the wicked ceased from troubling, and the weary are at rest.' He has left a widow and seven children to mourn his departure; but they sorrow not as those without hope. "May our last end be like his." Bewdley, Jan. 1, 1857. JOSEPHUS BAILEY, Baptist Minister. MEMOIR OF JAMES COBB, OF SUTTON BRIDGE, IN THE WISBEACH CIRCUIT. OUR dear friend was born, we believe, at Hythe, in Kent. At an early period he went to sea; and in consequence had but little opportunity of obtaining school instruction. In the course of his voyaging, he visited Sutton Bridge; and though he did not remain long, he formed an attachment to the person to whom he was afterwards united in marriage, not quite two years before he was called away, and this place he seemed to make choice of as a home. He was married in October, 1854; up to which time, and some months after, he did not appear to manifest any concern about his soul and eternity. In 1855, we commenced a series of special revival services on Monday, Feb. 12th, and continued them up to the Friday following. On the Wednesday evening, after a sermon by Bro. J. Goodacre, Sen., upon the New Creation, and during the prayer meeting, an extraordinary divine influence was experienced, and our departed brother, with three or four others, obtained a sense of the divine favour. The writer was kneeling by his side when this happy event occurred, and well remembers the heavenly radiance that shone upon his countenance at the time. No circumstance has since transpired that has given us cause to question the reality of the change that was then produced. Two evenings after the above occurrence, our brother spoke freely his state of mind at the fellowship meeting, in his own nautical style. In a short time after this, he was called to leave the people with whom he had associated himself, and commit himself to the care of Providence, upon the mighty deep. Before leaving home, however, he pledged himself voluntarily to abstain from all intoxicating drinks. He was generally employed in the foreign trade, and was consequently but little at home. When he returned from this voyage, however, it was evident that he had improved considerably. He seldom missed taking a part in the prayer meetings. His addresses to the throne of grace on these occasions proved him to be no stranger to the duty of prayer. We have not heard whether he prayed with his shipmates during the year 1855, but the above circumstance makes it probable that he did. He sojourned among us again a short period during last spring, and evidenced his growth in grace by his punctual attendance on the means of grace. It has transpired that, during his first voyage in 1856, although it does not appear there was any one in the ship who feared God, he read the holy scriptures to and with his shipmates, when practicable, and commended them and himself to the care of his heavenly Father every night. During the voyage which proved his last, he expressed himself as being happier than he had ever been in his life,-his lot having been cast with a pious captain. The vessel in which he sailed was bound to Marseilles, where he was very ill, and had to be removed to the hospital. Captain Smith has furnished particulars of his last hours, which we here subjoin. They demonstrate the excellency of the religion of Jesus Christ, and its sustaining and animating influence in the hour of nature's dissolution. The letter is dated "Constantinople, October 28, 1856," and is addressed to the sorrowing widow of our departed friend and brother. It was enclosed in another to Captain S.'s father, with a request that his mother might gently break the melancholy tidings to Mrs. Cobb. "MY DEAR MRS. COBB,-Before this is put into your hand, you will have been made acquainted with the melancholy event which has occurred, by which we have been unexpectedly plunged into the deepest sorrow; and through which you are deprived of one of the best of husbands, and myself of a true friend and faithful servant. I informed you of his having been attacked with dysentery, and of his being in the H to stop the progress of the disease. Not being better when we had it would be best to leave him in the hospital; and the doctor advi took it so much to heart, and begged me so earnestly not to leave obliged to take him on board again. I got the best advice I could effort in my power for his recovery, but it was a most obstinate all the power of medicine to check its progress. He became gradual third day after leaving Marseilles, he took a most unfavourable tu day, Sept. 18th, at 7 p.m., he died. But, for your comfort, it is my p you that, from the first, he was perfectly resigned to the will of God whole of his affliction, he expressed his confidence in him, and posse peace of mind. "When it became evident to me that we should lose him, I w much over him: he put his arm around my neck, pulled me to him, saying: 'What are you weeping for, Capt. Smith? I'm going to Je for me.' When taking his leave of the mate, he exhorted him to see then, with an energy I shall never forget, sang 'O happy day, that fix'd my choice On thee, my Saviour and my God,' &c. Mrs. S. asked him if he had anything to say to you? He said-' Go can leave her in his hands. Tell her to meet me in heaven.' And sh expired, I heard him in fervent prayer for you, that you might be save join him again in the better world. Such a triumphant victory must consolation to you. Let me beseech you to meet your loss with the s and trust in God with which he met the grim monster. He was perfe was the will of God; and so am I-for more could not have been donehe was fully resigned; and never once seemed to desire it otherwise." So lived, and so died, in the sure and certain hope of a to eternal life, when "The greedy sea shall yield her dead," our late brother, James Cobb, aged 27 years, after a pr Christ for one year and about nine months. Mr. Bushell improved the event on Sunday evening, Nov. the substance of these remarks was read, at the close of a discourse, to a large and very serious congregation, many of deeply impressed with the solemnity of the occasion, as w by the tears which so freely flowed. "O may we triumph so, When all our warfare's past; Sutton Bridge. T. Bu ADVICE TO A PREACHER.-Aim at souls in every sermon. you preach and have no souls converted, weep, and fast, and cry to God. Tell the people of God your feelings; pour the your preaching; depend upon the Holy Ghost, and sinners sha verted to God.-Rev. J. Caughey. |