God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform.

“His ways are past finding out.” “Lord, make me to know the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am,” and, further, that I may be prepared for that great and solemn change, which I feel sure must soon arrive.

In January, 1862, Mr. Charles Snell was presented to the living at Oulton, vacant by the death of Mr. Fell. He comes into residence, and finds out the relative position of his parishioners, the domestic comforts of some, and the troubles and mishaps, and cares and sorrows of others, all needing a word of counsel, as also a word of consolation, and thus they are supported amidst the trials and conflicts of this mortal life, which are almost continually pressing upon them. Here, then, the good man is inducted into the living.

He asks the aid of heavenly power,
To guard him in the evil hour.

And resolves to warn and teach, according to the standard of divine truth, and resolved to exemplify the bearing of a Christian minister, by the grace of God. To show unequivocally and impressively that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” and then comes free justification by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. He takes his safe stand upon this doctrine, and affirms that it is “God who hath set forth Jesus Christ to be a propitiation, through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins, that are past through the forbearance of God.” And should he be asked, “Is the blood of Christ sufficient to atone for the whole world?” he replies, “Quite so; but only efficient to save those who being justified by faith, enjoy also peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” And, as the apostle Paul asserts, in his fifth chapter of Romans:—“By whom we have now received the atonement.” Truly, this is the comfort wherewith we desire to be always comforted.

Mr. Dovey, the Baptist minister at Lowestoft, preached his first sermon in that town in December, 1844, and continued his ministrations for seventeen years. His last sermon, as pastor was delivered February 23rd, 1862. Mr. Aldis, his successor, came to Lowestoft in the same year. Mr. G. S. Crisp died on the 30th May, 1863, at the age of 79 years. This good man was for many years a preacher of the gospel at the Congregational Chapel, at Lowestoft, and for many years came and preached the word of life at Carlton Colville, and was so engaged at the time the new chapel was built, although soon afterwards called to put off the clay tabernacle, and enter into his rest, of which he had long been seeking and preaching in days that were past. Here, then, the gospel has been preached; sinners have been warned and invited; Jesus Christ hath been set forth as a willing Saviour. But, alas! There are so many who think the gospel is so far beneath their attention they cannot understand how it pleases God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. They refuse to believe that the gospel is of God, and that they are bound to receive it, and must not cavil or raise objections. It is for the acceptance of all who possess any views worth having, and those who still continue to neglect this great salvation will in the end find that it will grind them to powder. Such was the sad experience of that infatuated and misguided wretch who on the 14th April of this year fell by the hand of the executioner, at Ipswich, for the murder of Ebenezer Tye, at Halesworth.

Having now commenced the fifth year of the chapel services at Carlton, it is suggested that a testimonial be presented to Mr. Hinde, expressive of the appreciation of the attendance as to the spiritual services supplied by that gentleman, and ably conducted by him in that House of Prayer. On the evening of Friday, the 15th of January, 1866, a handsome writing cabinet was presented to Mr. Hinde, at the chapel, a large gathering having met on that interesting occasion. I do not exactly remember if the number of services were announced that Mr. Hinde had conducted, but it shall be recorded here with gladness:—During the first year 31 services; second year 51; third year, 46; fourth, 56; and to January 15th, 17; then to the end of the fifth year, 39, making again 56; and these numbers are all exclusive of week evening services, and afterwards they were successfully continued, and we believe are so still. But before I quite take leave of my Carlton friends, I am reminded that there was another earnest and devoted servant of God, a veteran in the Master’s service, and who usually shared each service with his friend, Captain Ducker—I allude now to Mr. Delf, of Lowestoft, who is also gone to his rest. Their last united service was on the evening of November 4th, 1860. We admired the vigilance of the two good and faithful evangelists, who desired to be found instant in season—yea! and out of season!—so that they might finish their course with joy, and serving their generation, by the will of God, entered into rest.

There is just one other incident I cannot pass over in connection with Carlton Chapel. The friends, organised a series of special services, called “Revival Meetings,” in which the writer took part. They were seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The first was held on the evening of March 18th, 1861; the second, March 20th; the third, March 25th; the fourth, March 26th; the fifth, April 3rd: the sixth, April 12th; the seventh, April 17th; the eighth, April 24th, and the last of those services was performed on the evening of the 1st May—happy sacred seasons, and were by some long remembered, and thanking the friends who came to Carlton, I will now take my leave.

Again, as I remember to have taken leave of the Vicar of Lowestoft—Mr. Cunningham—who always took a lively interest in the Pakefield Friendly Society, of which I was still agent, under Mr. Henry Seppings, as secretary, having served under two secretaries previously, who had been removed from the office. There were generally those present at our meetings who were pleased to witness the good man’s smiles, and to hear a few courteous words in furtherance of the well being of the society, which were always well received. I will here insert the inscription on his tomb:

Sacred to the Memory of
FRANCIS CUNNINGHAM,
42 Years Rector of Pakefield, and from 1830 till within a few
months of his death, Vicar of Lowestoft,
Born July 27th, 1785; Died August 8th, 1863,
Aged 78 Years.