"For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Now David spoke from experience. He was driven out by Saul, as you are aware, among heathen nations, and there he heard language and saw deeds which grieved his righteous soul; there he witnessed nothing but blasphemies against the God of heaven and earth; there he saw images set up as objects of worship. How wretched and how miserable he must have felt; just as you would feel in the midst of a Roman Catholic population in the worst of countries. For you do not see Catholicism here in England in its real aspect. It is obliged to appear in decency; it is obliged to put on its Sunday's clothes in England; it does not dare to appear-not yet-in its working clothes. But in some foreign countries you would hear the language and see the doings of Catholicism, and you would feel as though you were next door to hell itself. You would then think of the spirituality of the preaching of the pure Gospel; you would then think of the vitality that is sometimes realized in the house of the Lord. Ah! you would think, what a contrast! I would indeed rather be a door keeper; I would indeed rather as the margin reads, sit in the threshold of the house of God, where God is, than to dwell in these horrible tents of wicked

ness.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly, Lord of hosts,

blessed is the man that trusteth in thee."

A PREACHING TOUR OF 15,000 MILES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

On board the "City of Melbourne" Steamer, bound for Sydney, Nov. 26th, 1866. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EARTHEN VESSEL.

Ar the close of my lecture and exhibition of dissolving views, at the hospital for the insane of New Norfolk as reported in my last letter, the Rev. I. Sheehy, Roman Catholic priest, of New Norfolk, came and shook hands with me in the most

friendly manner. He said that he had never seen such beautiful, and life-like views, and behaved to me in the kindest possible manner. I was truly surprised because one of my illustrations represents Christian and giant Pope with the bones and skulls of the martyrs, and the giant is saying to Christian, "You will never mend till more of you be burned." And it is the more remarkable because it is well known that I have been engaged for a long while exposing that gigantic mystery of iniquity, the "mother of harlots and abominations of the earth,.' And that the Roman Catholics everywhere have been going about to kill me; no one believed I should escape with my life, but I have escaped because the Lord has been my shield. When they found that I was not to be frightened with their threats, then they used other tactics, treated me with kindness, for instance, when I first visited Hobert Town, they were all up in arms against me. One of the Hobart Town papers wrote a leading article against me, because I had written against and exposed Popery, and thus they tried to damage me in the object of my lectures. And at the Queen's Asylum for destitute children, I offered to exhibit my views to the 500 children in that asylum; my offer was refused, in consequence of the dominant influence of Popery, one of the matrons being a Roman Catholic, and of course did not believe in my representations of John Bunyan. But on this occasion the same paper wrote the most flattering and complimentary criticisms upon my lectures. I have inclosed one, and I was this time requested to visit the asylum, with my views and lectures. I went quite prepared for the cold shoulder from the matron. Judge my surprise when I arrived, that lady met me at the door, and received me in the most courteous manner. "Which room would you like, sir? you may have which you please." Having made my choice, this lady who before took no notice of me, now smiling, said, "If you will have the kindness to let me know what assistance you require, you shall have it," &c., &c. When I had made all my

necessary arrangements, tea was ready, and I was invited to tea with four Roman Catholic ladies, who received me with great attention. When the lecture was over, I was leaving the asylum, when the matron invited me to supper which was all ready, assuring me that she esteemed it quite a favour in my accepting her invitation, and that I had placed them under the greatest obligation! The next day I came for my things; by the time that they were packed, dinner was ready, when I was again invited to partake of the unexpected hospitality of this rigid papist, who I could now see was acting the Jesuit; for she had provided a sumptuous dinner for me, and was as extravagant as she could be in expressing her pleasure with my company. Having a lecture to deliver that night at the Independent chapel upon the Pilgrim's Progress, illustrated with the views, I invited my lady friends to honour me with their presence, for that was the only means by which I could acknowledge their kindness to me. My invitation was accepted, and they were present to witness that which they are taught it is their duty to destroy whenever the opportunity may offer. Till then, it will be in this way that the Jesuits will throw Protestants off their guard, by kindness and by charity. And alas, alas! how many there are in these days of false charity under Jesuitical influence believe Popery is not now, what it was in the dark ages. Strange infatuation, and worse than all, Protestants are neither cold nor hot, and as a consequence of their frightful apathy and indifference, the enemy has been for a long while sowing his tares, and our eyes are now opening with astonishment, at the extraordinary growth and increase of Popery. We may sleep, but Popery never sleeps; we may cease to watch, but Popery is always watchful, we may become weary, but Popery never tires, never misses an opportunity of inserting the end of the Papal wedge, and never omits to follow up the pressure until it be driven home. What Hogan said when he warned Americans many years since against

the

the progress of Popery in United States, is now alas, too true of all the Australian Colonies, Take heed lest ye begin to decay before you come to full maturity. And I regret to say, that symptoms of this are now apparent; already I can see the hectic flush of moral consumption upon the face of our adopted land; already I can see a demon bird (Popery) of ill omen, plunging its poisoned beak into the very vitals of our national existence, stopping here and stopping there, only to dip his wings in the life streams of our natural existence, with the sole view of giving its spread more momentum, until it encompasses the whole length and breadth, centre and circumferance of our continent. But I must proceed. I left the rural district of New Norfolk, for Hamilton, Bothwell, Green Ponds, Oatlands, Ross, Campbell Town, Perth, Longford, Westbury, Deloraine, and Launceston. I must not attempt to give you any particulars of these towns wherein I lectured and in most of them preached the Gospel of Christ, for if I were to do so, I should fill your Vessel to the discomfiture of my fellow voyagers. After having travelled many hundreds of miles through the beautiful island of Tasmania, I arrived in Launceston, and was received with great kindness by my venerable brother Dowling and his good wife. He is now in his eighty-seventh year, and is still preaching the same Gospel that he used to preach when in old England. If it was not for loss of memory and voice, he could preach as well as ever, for in bodily health he is quite well, but of course at eightyseven, he is now the old man. As we were walking up one of the streets in the town one day, we passed some children who remarked one to the other, "That's old Mr. Dowling." After awhile he said to me, "I can remember the time as though it was but yesterday, when they used to say of me, That boy's going to preach,' after awhile, it was 'young Dowling' then it was, "Mr. Dowling, and now it is Old Dowling."" During my stay in Launceston I preached and baptized for my dear

brother. By those who love the truth I was acceptable, and many expressed their desire that I might settle in Launceston. Brother Dowling is very desirous that a man of God and truth may be settled over the Baptist church in York street, and that he would gladly resign his pastorate into the hands of such an one. But, alas, such an one is not to be found. I have known some who have come out to Australia as ministers of truth; because of the bitter spirit they have manifested they have deprived the truth that they have preached of its native savour and acceptableness, because they have not preached the truth in love, while they themselves have become fire-brands among the people, and have been the means of more harm than good, for they have caused the truth to be evil spoken of. I could say a great deal upon this subject but for the present I forbear. While at Launceston, I did very well with my lectures and views, but I was in want of £20 more. could not see how to obtain it unless I arranged for more lectures which would detain me in Launceston longer than I desired. I therefore cast the burden of my want upon the Lord, who in His own way granted me my request. I was requested to preach in one of the inland towns on a Tuesday evening I had preached there three times one Lord's-day on my way to Launceston. On this occasion, there were seventy-two persons present which was a good number for a week night.

I

The

people listened to the word preached with great attention, and hoped that I would come again. I was to lodge at the very hospitable house of a rich squatter; the wife is a Chrstian indeed, and was formerly a member of the late Joseph Irons. She rejoiced with great joy, in that the truth was preached as she loves to hear it. Her husband has not made a public profession, but is looked upon as an hopeful case. He has built the chapel and schools at his own expense. This lady put five Sovereigns into my hand saying, "This is for yourself." As we were driving home in the carriage. The gentlemen looked at me and said, "If what you

have preached to night is truth, that which was preached last Sunday is lies." I replied, "Sir, I am confident of this, that what I have preached to-night, I know is the truth." "Yes! yes," he said, "I am sure that it is. I wish that you would come and preach for us next Lord's-day." I told him that I could not as I expected to be 300 miles away by that time. After awhile he looked at me very earnestly and said, "Mr. Mc. Cure, do come. Oh! that "do come," took hold of my mind, in such a way, that I could not shake it off.

Next day I had to preach at Launceston, "docome" went with me all the way, and would not leave me when I arrived, but at length compelled me to write back and say that I would come, and preach on Lord's-day. I therefore made my arrangement accordingly. On Lord's-day I again preached to them the Gospel of Christ. I felt that the Lord was with me and that the word had free course. When we arrived home from the evening service, the gentlemen said to me, that he had never before heard a sermon that had taken hold of his mind as the one I preached in the morning, he wished me good night for he could say no more. I was now warming myself by the fire, when the only son of this gentlemen who is about twenty-two, said to me, "I am truly thankful that you have been here to-day; oh what a contrast between the preaching of to-day, and what was preached in the chapel on Lord's-day! Will you acccept this £5 as a small token of my thankfulness to you?" In the morning we were having an early breakfast for I had an engagement at Launceston for the night. While at breakfast the gentleman gave me £5. While we were taking our first cup of coffee, all of a sudden he said to me, "Mr. McCure I wish that you would read and pray, you have only just time to do so, the coach will be up directly." I im

mediately read the 46th Psalm, and prayed, and was then obliged to hurry off without my breakfast. As I was leaving he said to me, "When you arrive in Sydney if you find that the door is shut against you there remember there is one opened for you here. If

you cannot come yourself, do try and send us some one who will preach the whole counsel of God, 1 will gladly pay all expenses myself," &c.

I left by the coach with thankful feelings, in that the Lord had directed me to preach in that town, and had made use of me in blessing the word, and that I had reaped some fruit, to the amount of £15, and secondly, I felt that I should like to comply with their request to settle among them if the Lord would send me ; for unless the Lord sends me I dare not go. I arrived in Launceston where I was to deliver two lectures for the Benevolent Asylum, and the town mission. I now wanted £5 to make up the £20 that I required; and the steamer was to leave at midnight on Tuesday.

person,

Just as I was about to commence my second lecture, a gentleman came up to me and gave me a letter, which I put in my pocket. I had no personal knowledge of this I had seen him in the chapel where I had preached, and had heard that he should in reference to my say, preaching, that the Lord had blest it to his soul, that to him it was like a resurrection. The lecture being I hurried off to the steamer, and then opened the letter, which contained blank verse, addressed to me for my encouragement, and a five pound note, signed, LAZARUS.

over,

The following is a copy :

Go in the strength of the Lord our God, And seek not acceptance with men of rod; Let His righteousness be the theme of thy song,

And the burden thou bearest will vanish 'ere long.

The gold and the silver belong unto Him, But the finest has dross, and, 'ere long will grow dim

Till tried in the furnace,-aye, seven times o'er,

Then its lustre remains to shine evermore. Tho' the wilderness journey be rough to thy feet,

The monster before thee, Apollyon to meet; And should the red dragon-the stream roll before,

He'll herald thee safe till the journey is o'er There's a time and a season for all things below,

And that now conceal'd thou shalt hereafter know;

Let thine eyes look straight forward, not even a glance

To the right or the left, lest the subtle entrance,

The world is grown heavy, the night's coming on,

The epoch appointed before the bright sun, Into darkness is turned; and the doctrine that's true

From east unto west do the people eschew. In these days, 'tis written, much evil shall be

And great is the number that float on the sea,

Of empty professors, and still must drift on, But the rock is immovable we are upon. These things, my brother, be still in thy mind,

And the brethren stir up as occasion thou find;

For he who so doth-and the true ensign hoist,

Shall be deem'd a good minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.

LAZARUS, Launceston.

Thus my glorious and always faithful Jehovah Jireh provided for his poor and needy servant the full amount that I required; and not only did he thus provide, but, as the God of all grace did he provide and give unto me souls for my ministry and seals for my hire.

I took my farewell of that honoured and faithful servant of Christ the venerable pastor Dowling, most likely never to see each other in this world again.

I

At Deloraine, thirty miles from Launceston, there is a small Baptist cause of truth, and there is a good man who is there preaching the Lord Jesus Christ; his name is Pullen. Mrs. Pullen was a member of Mr. Wells, I forget her maiden name. She is a mother in Israel, and is as much in love with the truth as ever. preached three sermons, and the certain sound found out those who know it, "Salvation is of the Lord." Brother Pullen, the pastor of the little church, is very much cast down because of the low state of things in the cause of Deloraine, and throughout Tasmania generally. Three faithful ministers of the Gospel are now wanted for Tasmania; men of Bunyan's determination and spirit, when he said, "The Almighty being my help and shield, I will suffer until even the moss shall grow on my eyebrows if frail life continue so long, rather than violate my faith and principles."

By the steamer, "Black Swan," I arrived in Melbourne, and from

sailed that it was down to 28.96, with every appearance of a severe gale. The steamer was kept on her course for some time, till the storm raged with such fury that the helm was put hard up, with an intention to run back to Portland; but the thick weather prevented the land from being seen, and to heave to was out of the question, as the sea at that period had risen to a fearful height; so she scudded before it, and thus we were driven back 150 miles before the storm; and by the good hand of God we came to a place of refuge in Apollo Bay," where the gale was ridden out in safety.

66

I arrived in Melbourne, and there preached for brother Ward, whom I found quite well, and who is blowing the Gospel trumpet with all his might. I stayed for the night with my old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, who are as kind as ever to those who preach and honour the Lord Jesus Christ; and at the same time they will not have anything to do with those who want to wear part of Christ's crown themselves; and I don't blame them. The next day I left Melbourne by the steamer Coorong," for Adelaide. After a fearful passage of five days and five nights (which is sometimes accomplished in forty-eight hours) we arrived in Adelaide; because "The Lord holds the wind in His fist, and the waters in the hollow of His hand." Our steamer behaved most admirably during the gale, which appears to have been very equally distributed all along the coast; for many lost their lives during that fearful night. The captain's fault was, that he called at "Warrnambool to take in potatoes; and, notwithstanding that we were overladered, he took on board fifty-two tons of potatoes, which were packed up on the deck from one end to the other. While this was going on there was the falling glass indicating a change, though it was not until she

On Sunday morning the weather became more moderate, and the steamer was under way at eight a.m.; but during the conclusion of the voyage strong south-west and westerly winds prevailed. She would have reached the anchorage at about midnight under a full head of steam; but after passing Cape Willoughby the engines were slowed as we entered the gulf, so as to take the bar at daylight; and by six o'clock we safely arrived at the wharf, with the experience of the 107th Psalm.

"For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof." "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men."

JOHN BUNYAN MCCURE. (To be concluded next mail).

In Memoriam.

MANY believers in the truth have recently been called home. Mr. J. Nichols, many years editor of Zion's Trumpet; and a minister of the Gospel in London, Harwich, and elsewhere. After a long affliction, he departed in peace on Friday, Feb. 1st, 1867. Mr Stringer preached a funeral sermon: and some particulars may be given another month. A correspondent from Cave Adullam,