The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-08-05 00:00:00

MARINERS' CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.

A meeting of the members of the Mariners' Church
was held last night, when a beautiful silver sugar-basin,
cream-jug, spoons, and sugar-tongs, were presented to
Mr. John. Thompson; by the teachers and friends of the
Mariners' Church Sunday School, as a token of their
sincere affection. _ .

The Rev. W. MAYNARD occupied the chair, and spoke
at some length on the length of time Mr. Thompson had
laboured in connection with the various associations at-
tached to the church and school, and the regret which
they all felt at the loss of one whom they so highly es•'.
teemed. _ _

Mr. WORRALL then presented the gratifying testimo.
nials to Mr. Thompson, and read the following address :
- - -

Faithful and beloved Brother,—You have now been labouring
in this school, and the different associations in connection with
it, for the past eleven years, (viz., since 1934 to the present
time.) and, we believe, with a single eye to the glory of God,
and to the good of souls; for God, who comma.' deth the light
to shine out of darkness. hath shined in your heart to give the
light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ.
But you have this treasure in an earthen vessel, that the ex-
cellency of the power may be of God.
You have been troubled on every side, yet not distressed ;
perplexed, but not in despair ; persecuted, but not forsaken
cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the
body the dying of the Lord Jesus.
Knowing thy love and faith, which thou bast toward the Lord
Jesus, and toward all saints; we rejoice greatly before God on
your behalf, night and day, praying exceedingly that the com-
munication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknow-
ledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
We have great joy and conso ation in thy love, because the
bowels of the saints are r,_freshed by thee, brother.
This address, with the accompanying testimonial, the teach-
ers and friends of this school present you with, as a small token
of their sincere affection.
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour
of love, and patience f hope in our i ord Jesus Christ, in the
sight of God and our Father; and knowing, brother beloved,
your election of God, we heartily desire to commend you to
God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up,
and give you an inheritance among all them which are sancti-
fied, through faith which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are. your faithful friends in the Lord.
[Signed by W. MAYNARD, Minister of the Mariners' Church,
and about thirty members of the congregation.]

July, 1845.
To Mr. John Thompson

Mr. TriontrsoN then read the following reply to the
address, and expressed in feeling teems the regret which
he experienced on leaving so many friends with whom he
had been associated for such a lengthened period :

Beloved Friends.—l am at a loss to express my feelings to
you upon my retiring from the Mariners' Church, which it has
been my privilege to attend uninterruptedly for the last eleven
years, and occasionally for five years before.
I can say that the Providence of God directed me thither, for
it was within its sacred walls I first tasted a Saviour's love,
which endears to me this church, with the many religious asso-
ciations connected with it. When I look back upon the way I
have been led through good and evil report, I can truly say,
" Hitherto the Lord bath helped me." Can we not discern a
father's hand in supporting us to endure patiently, to press on
cheerfully, in the midst of trials, troubles, and afflictions? And
can we not point to each little association belonging to the
Mariners' rhuich, and say, " See what hath God wrought " ?
During the years we have been connected Vgether, have we not
seen that God hath " chosen the weak things of the world to
do his work"? (I Cor. i. 26-29.) Has he not graciously borne
us witness that our labour has Lot been in vain in the Lord ?
Let us ascribe the praise to him, who called us to a knowledge
of himself, and was pleased to reveal his Son in us. As we
then are to separate, we may remember—
Though sunder'd far, by faith we meet
Around one common mercy seat.
Let us look for that happy period when we shall be absent
from the body, and be present with the Lord. 0 the happiness
of that union. which the redeemed shall enjoy in joining for
ever in the " Song of Moses and the Lamb" !
I thank you for your kind and scriptural address, which will
ever be valued by me as a token of your love and sympathy. I
may from this conclude that I am still remembered by many
amongst you whom I highly esteem. Accept also my thanks
for your testimonial, which is another proof of your sincere
affection, and also a testimony that my feeble efforts have not
been in vain id the Lord. _

Finally, brethren, farewell ! Be perfect; be of good comfort ;
be of one mind; live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you.
I am, your affectionate friend and brother.
August, 1845. J. THOMPSON.

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