The Earthen Vessel
A High-Calvinist Magazine “The Earthen Vessel and Christian Record” started in 1845 by Charles Banks (1806 -1886), a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher who served as pastor of several churches in London. He was sole editor of the magazine for more than forty years. Others who filled this role were William Winters (1834-1893), John Banks (1829-1899), Edward Mitchell (1843-1919), Ebenezer Marsh (1853-1913), James Flegg (1865-1938) and William Styles (1842-1914), to name a few. The Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches eventually acquired ownership of the magazine, which became the central platform for communications between the churches belong to or in sympathy with the Association. Although well meaning in purpose and amicable in spirit, Charles Banks opened the pages of his magazine to debate, which led to a division between the churches subscribing to it and other Strict Baptist magazines such as the Gospel Standard.
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The Strict Baptist Denomination
“God’s precious truth is to us of more value than the friendship of men, and knowing it experimentally, as we do, we should be thoroughly dishonest to God and to our own conscience if we did not do our utmost to set it forth, and exhort others, who profess the name of Jesus, to do the same, whether men will receive it or not. The truth we mean is, in our estimation, the only thing worth contending for. It is not a mere scientific or speculative matter, but a living reality. The apostle Jude calls it "the FAITH which was once delivered unto the saints," and urges all true believers to "earnestly contend" for it. It being "once delivered" there is no possibility of any…
