BIBLE CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE TRANSCRIPTS
The Bible Christian Magazine 1841&2
R  LOBB 
Published for the Bible Christian Book Committee, By J. Thorne, Prospect-Place, Shebbear, Devon; sold also by all the itinerant preachers

Thanks to a fellow researcher for transcribing these articles
  Below are transcripts that relate to Breage and/or Breage is mentioned
Marazion Chapel Opening CHAPEL OPENING
On Sunday, March 28th, 1841, a new substantial chapel was opened for Divine
Worship in the town of Marazion, county of Cornwall, in the Breage circuit.
Three sermons were delivered on the occasion by Brother J. THORNE; and the
opening services were continued on the following days.  On Good-Friday,
brother J. CHAPPLE preached in the afternoon, and brother J. CORNISH in the
evening.  On Easter-day, three sermons were delivered by brother Chapple;
the attendance generally was very good, but on the Sabbath afternoon that
brother Thorne preached, numbers could not gain admittance; a most gracious
influence pervaded the assemblies, many tears were shed, and it is hoped
that the word preached on the opening days, will have its desired effect,
and prove as seed sown in good ground, so that it may bear fruit an hundred
fold.  The collections during the opening services, amounted to the sum of
£14, 5s.1d. in addition to the above £30, otherwise collected.  The chapel
is built with stones, slated roof, part of it wood floor; 40 feet by 31
without, 19 in the clear; with a gallery at one end: it will comfortably
seat in the pews below, 120 persons, with about 130 free sittings; several
of the sittings are let, and we hope by letting the sittings to place the
building in comfortable circumstances.  The chapel is built on a lease of
one hundred years certain, by paying the fine of  2s. 6d. per year.  By a
united effort, the chapel has been completed, taken up on the Trustee plan,
and regularly made over to the connexion.
The Bible Christians commenced their labours at Marazion about seventeen
years ago, in a small cottage; from thence they removed to a house that was
taken and fitted up for them; but it was a very cold and inconvenient place,
and our people laboured under many disadvantages, for some years, for want
of better accommodation-they have also met with many discouraging
circumstances, but the situation of the new chapel is generally considered
to be very good, and we may adopt the language of the prophet, and say,
What hath God wrought?  The society and congregation are increasing, and
we hope the little Ebenezer will become the birth-place of many in
generations yet unborn.
                                                                            
                    B. NOTT
  Leeds Town, May 17th, 1841
Obituary:  Died at Carzies, Crowan, in the Breage Circuit, Dec. 26th, 1839, aged 17
RALPH, Benjamin years, Benjamin RALPH.  Benjamin was morally inclined, but destitute of
a saving interest in the blood of Christ until April 1839, at which time a
cheering revival of religion took place at Leeds Town; when our departed
brother was, under the ministry of the Bible Christians, truly converted to
God.  There are many now on their way to the celestial country who are
praising God for sending the Bible Christians into this part of the country
to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ; and especially for the revival
above mentioned, by which many that had been brought to God before, were
greatly stirred up to redouble their diligence in making their calling and
election sure; whilst others who were then brought to God, continue to adorn
their profession, and are ornaments to the church.
The following particulars were communicated to me by his leader W. ROBERTS,
who visited him often during his affliction, in company with W. OATLEY one
of his class-mates.  They always found him resigned to the will of him, who
hath said "all things work together for good to them that love God," who is
too wise to err, and too good to be unkind.  The enemy of souls which goes
about like roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, very powerfully tempted
him during his affliction, by which he was very often cast down and
dejected; but the Lord visited him repeatedly, and manifested himself in a
most glorious manner, so that our departed brother could rejoice abundantly,
feeling all his doubts and fears removed, and being conscious of his
acceptance with God, he could say with the Apostle, "I know if this earthly
house of my tabernacle be dissolved, I have a building of  God, not made
with hands, eternally in the heavens."  On December 23rd, brother OATLEY
visited him for the last time; when he found him wrestling with God, in the
most earnest prayer, for grace to bear him up under his affliction, and to
keep him from sinking beneath the water floods, and to preserved him in
peace in the valley of the shadow of death.  Brother OATLEY says, "we sung a
hymn, read a portion or two of God's most holy word, and prayed together; it
was a good time, the clouds were all dispersed, and the Sun of righteousness
shone with lustre and brightness."  All was clear, and both the visitant and
visitor were blessed together, glory be to God.  On asking him some
questions respecting the state of his mind, our departed friend said, I have
no doubt but that my soul will soon be with my dear Saviour in glory, he is
with me now; and has promised to be with me whilst passing through the
valley of the shadow of death: praise the Lord, he is a friend that sticketh
closer than a brother."
Brother ROBERT's last visit was accompanied with the divine presence; to use
his own language, "it was a most glorious time, bless the Lord O my soul,
and all within me bless and praise his Holy name. Amen"
His parents in giving some account respecting the state of his mind, during
his last moments say, "on Christmas day we found him much worse than usual,
apparently sinking into the arms of death; on being asked by his mother
whether he was praying or no, he answered in the affirmative, after which he
fell into a deep sleep for a little time, out of which he soon awoke,
started up, and said,  'I have a hope of heaven now, Billey,' at this time
he saw some person in his bed-room and supposed it to be brother W. OATLEY.
After which he expressed a desire to see his parents in earnest for their
souls, and called out, 'Father I wish, I could see you praying, and you
mother, then things would go better with you.'
"Our departed son soon became so much weaker that death seemed to be
approaching very near.  Many dear friends now surrounded his bed, waiting
the solemn event, to see his last.  His dying words were 'I am going home,'
On his Mother asking him if he was not at home, his answer was, 'I am going,
to heaven mother,' after which he exclaimed, 'I am coming, Glory to God,'
and lifting up his feeble hand in token of victory, his happy spirit took
its flight to the regions of immortality."
His death was improved from Psalm xxxiv.4, at Leeds Town Chapel, to a
crowded congregation, when agreat many tears were shed.  Thus died in holy
triumph, a precious youth in humble life, highly respected.
   B.NOTT
Obituary: Died October 14th, 1840, at Porthleaven, in the parish of Sithney, in the
William Breage circuit, William SYMONS, aged 34, who was born October 10th, 1806, at
SYMONS Trew, in the parish of Breage, and was by occupation a fisherman.  In common
with all the human family he felt the sad effects of the fall, and lived a
stranger to God and destitute of religion, about twenty years.  As it was
custom with young people to attend some place of worship, at one time,
whilst our dear departed brother was sitting under the Bible Christian
ministry, and one of the local brethren was preaching, God owned the word,
he felt the force of truth, and at the prayer meeting held after the
preaching, our dear brother was led, like David of old, to roar aloud for
the very disquietude of his soul; and he sought the Lord sorrowing for some
time.  I am not prepared to state the time when he was set at liberty, as he
left no diary.  The work was deep and lasting, not like the seed that was
sown by the wayside, which was quickly devoured; but like the precious seed
that was sown in a good soil.  Oh that preachers would more fully attend to
the delightful duty of holding prayer meetings after preaching; our departed
friend was always ready to, to assist in them.  He manifested his love to
the cause he espoused, by his constant attendance at all the means of grace,
and it was very seldom that brother SYMONS's seat was empty.  He not only
experienced the blessing of pardon, but he lived in the enjoyment of
sanctification, or holiness, without which, no man can see the Lord.
Brother SYMONS was diligent in visiting the sick; and continued faithful
from the commencement of his Christian career, to the close of his life.
Not like many professors, who are then in and then out of society, our dear
brother was delighted when the church was in prosperity; and could not bear
to hear of any person growing weary in well doing.  He was very pious, gave
all his heart to the Lord, and soon became useful as a class-leader, which
office he faithfully filled for twelve years, and was highly respected by
those who knew him.  As a Christian, he was a burning and a shining light,
an Israelite indeed; as a local preacher, he was to be depended on; no
little thing would prevent brother SYMONS from attending his appointments;
and he manifested his love to the cause he espoused, by attending all the
local meetings, and by making provision for the preachers by lodging them at
his father's house, as members of his own family.  His affliction, which was
the Typhus fever, seized him very violently in his head, which rendered him
quite incapable of doing anything after he was taken ill; but praise God,
his work was done; he had "fought the good fight, and kept the faith."  His
sufferings were very great for somewhat about eight weeks; till he sank down
in the arms of death.  He was greatly beloved, and deeply lamented by the
inhabitants of Porthleaven, and I have not the least doubt but what our loss
is his gain, for the great Head of the church does all things right, "who is
too wise to err, and too good to be unkind."
On Sunday the 18th of October, the day appointed for the funeral, his
remains were taken to the chapel, where his death was improved by brother
J.C. CORNISH, from Jer. xii.5., as the writer was from the circuit at that
time on a Missionary tour.  I was informed that hundreds of people attended
the funeral, when all that was mortal was taken to Sithney Church town, the
place for interment, where his remains were committed to the dust until that
day when the trumpet shall be sounded and the dead hear the voice of the Son
of God.  Our brother is only gone just before us; he is now saved from
burning fevers, from sickness and decline: he is now joined with them who
are gone before.  It may be said of him that he was faithful unto death, and
served his God above many; and although we are separated from him, it is
only for a short time.  May the Lord make the reader and writer faithful
unto death, so that we may meet again where parting is unknown, Amen.
    B. NOTT