and the Rev. H. Cross suitably addressed of money to the building fund, and the assembly. The choir contributed to articles of a suitable character for the the interest of this delightful occasion by bazaar, are respectfully solicited. Any singing some pieces of sacred music. communications may be addressed Mr. Allsop, in an address replete with Mrs. Wm. Newman, Trinity Terrace, Scripture sentiment, indicated the course Louth. he intended to pursue, and the necessity of mutual confidence between minister and people. THE REV. GEORGE TOWLER, of Barrowden, has accepted an earnest and unanimous invitation from the church at Whittlesea, and expects to begin his labours there on the first Lord's-day in May. BRADFORD, First Church.-On Lord'sday, Feb. 21, our chapel anniversary sermons were preached by the Rev. R. Ingham, of Todmorden Vale, and the Rev. J. Makepeace, of Bradford. The congregations were good, and the collections more than last year. GENERAL BAPTIST COLLEGE. THE REV. J. B. PIKE, late of Bourne, THE Treasurer has great pleasure in acLincolnshire, has accepted a cordial and knowledging the following sums which unanimous invitation to the pastorate of he has received since his last report. the Baptist church, Lewes, and commenced his labours on the first Sunday in March. THE REV. W. EVANS, of Chilwell College, has accepted a very cordial invitation to the pastorate of the General Baptist church, Stalybridge. CHAPELS. General Account. Legacy of £100 from Miss Ibbot- Loughborough, Baxter Gate Woodhouse. Longton New Basford .... Purchase Account. .... Rev. J. Lawton BIRCHINGTON, near Margate.- The church at Birchington, near Margate, London, Borough Road is a new and feeble interest-the only Burton-on-Trent one of General Baptist principles in Coventry this part of Kent, except Ramsgate, which, I am informed, is nearly extinct. I am labouring gratuitously and alone amongst a few poor people, whom I have formed into a church in this dark village. Any one who can aid us with a donation in the liquidation of a debt of £25, the remainder of our refitment expenses, required in June, will much assist us in our efforts. We shall be glad to see any General Baptist brother coming into our neighbourhood. There is much work to be done, but we languish for want of sympathy. W. KILPIN, Pastor. OPENING OF THE NEW CHAPEL AT LOUTH.-The friends connected with the Walker Gate General Baptist church, Louth, beg to announce the opening of their new chapel for public worship on Thursday, April 21st; the Rev. W. Brock, of London, and the Rev. R. Ingham, of Todmorden Vale, to preach. John Crossley, Esq., of Halifax, has engaged to preside at a public meeting in the evening. The presence of any friends from other churches of the connexion will be appreciated. Donations £ S. D. 90 0 0 Other Congregational Churches. STEPNEY, Grosvenor Street. — The church and congregation worshipping in Grosvenor Street Chapel, Stepney, gave a congratulatory tea-meeting to their pastor, the Rev. J. Harrison, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, to commemorate his third anniversary, and the second of his pastorate. The tea was provided in the Wesleyan Seamen's Chapel, the rooms of which not being sufficiently large, the meeting took place in the adjoining chapel, where about 500 of the friends assembled. The meeting being somewhat of a private character, not any ministers were invited. Mr. Harrison on entering addressed a few words to the friends, in which he said he hardly knew what form the meeting would assume, Other Congregational Churches. 145 SCARBOROUGH.-The rapid enlargement of this town, and the necessity of providing additional accommodation for visitors during the season, combined with a conviction of the duty of welcoming all Christians as such to the Lord's-table, have induced a few members of the Baptist persuasion to engage the hall of the Mechanics' Institution for the celebration of Divine worship the first day of the week, and a prayer meeting Wednesday or Thursday evenings. Opening services were conducted, March 6th, by Dr. Ackworth, now resident in Scarborough. Notwithstanding the unfavourableness of the weather, the attendance both morning and evening was very encouraging. At the close of the evening service, the Lord's Supper was administered to a goodly number of Christian professors, but would be guided by the programme which had just been placed in his hands. The officers, Messrs. Wickers, Decosta, Clemoes, and Mace, congratulated him on his success since he had ministered to them as a church at Grosvenor Street and Beaumont Institution, and the prospect of soon commencing their new chapel on Stepney Green, having nearly half the money, as suggested by Mr. Spurgeon. They then presented him with a purse of gold, and three volumes of Dr. W. Smith's Dictionary of the Bible; the contributors being the ladies who gave the tea, and the friends who kindly responded to their application for donations. Mr. Harrison, in an affectionate and appropriate speech, thanked the friends for the token of respect given, and prayed that he might long be spared to preach the truth as it is in Jesus. A wholly irrespective of their distinctive selection of vocal music added much to the pleasure of the evening. peculiarities-a practice which it is intended to observe on all similar occasions in future. For the present ministerial assistance will be sought mainly from Rawdon College; but it is hoped that as the season advances the pulpit will be occupied by well-known pastors of the denomination, seeking in this beautiful watering-place a temporary relaxation from the more stated duties of office. YORK. On Sunday, Feb. 28, the second anniversary services in connection with the Baptist cause in this old city were held in the Lecture Hall, the usual place of worship for the present, when two appropriate and impressive sermons were preached by the Rev. J. P. Chown, of Bradford. The services were well attended, and the pecuniary STOW-ON-THE-WOLD.-On Monday, aid rendered satisfactory. On the fol- Feb. 22, 1864, a public meeting was held lowing Tuesday evening the first public in the Baptist chapel, Stow-on-the-Wold, tea-meeting took place, the hall being Gloucestershire, to recognise the Rev. neatly and tastefully decorated for the Samuel Hodges as pastor of the church. occasion, when upwards of 160 friends William Bliss, Esq., Mayor of Chipping of this and other denominations partook Norton, occupied the chair, and opened of tea. After tea, Thomas Aked, Esq., the meeting with a short speech. The of Harrogate, took the chair, but which devotional exercises were conducted by he was obliged to vacate at an early the Rev. W. Cherry, Milton, and the period of the meeting, when his place Kev. W. R. Warburton (Wesleyan), was efficiently supplied by Mr. Cole, of Stow. Three addresses were delivered, Bradford, one of Mr. Chown's deacons. by the Rev. John Christian (IndepenAddresses were given by the Revs. J. dent), Moreton, on "The Principles of Barker, of Lockwood; S. G. Green, Nonconformity," by the Rev. J. WasB.A., of Rawdon College; J. P. Chown; sall, Blockley, on "Relative duties of and Messrs. Newell and Whitwell, of pastor and people," and by the Rev. H. York. Although several of the ministers J. Lambert, on "The theme of the of the city were invited, none were pre- Christian ministry." The Rev. A. W. sent, other engagements being pleaded as Heritage was to have followed, but from an excuse for non-attendance. This the lateness of the hour, his address was was cause both for regret and complaint. postponed until the Tuesday week, when The meeting passed off most favourably, he was to lecture on the "Life and and has given very great satisfaction. Times of Andrew Fuller," and make a The prospects of this little church are collection in aid of the funds of the Bapquite hopeful, and very shortly four tist Foreign Mission. friends will be baptized, on a profession of their faith in Christ, and admitted to its fellowship. BROUGHTON, Hants.-On Thursday, the 3rd March, the friends of the cause here had a social tea, and afterwards a public meeting, on the occasion of the at the ceremony of the afternoon, and settlement of Mr. J. F. Smith, formerly of Regent's Park College, London, late of Göttingen University, as pastor over them. H. M. Bumpus, Esq, M.A., LL.B., presided over the meeting, and addresses were delivered by Messrs. Dead (deacon of the church), Smith (pastor), Parsons, of Abbott's Ann, and Millard, of Andover. BRIGHTON. A Social tea-meeting took place at the Windsor Street Rooms on Thursday evening, the 25th inst., consisting of the church and congregation of the Rev. G. Isaac, who have worshipped in the large upper room of the Town Hall for the last ten months. Upwards of a hundred persons took tea, after which a very pleasant meeting was held. The chair was taken by D. Friend, Esq. Among those present were the Rev. Messrs. Sharpe, Stafford, Haynes, Murden, &c., all of whom, with others, addressed the meeting. A purse of gold was presented to the pastor by Messrs, Cutlach, of East Street, and Tate, of Bartholomew's, being the third given to their pastor on behalf of the people in about thirteen months. The tone of the meeting was very pleasurable and of a truly Christian character. LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Beds. On Thursday, March 17, the foundation stone of the new Baptist chapel, Lakestreet, Leighton Buzzard, was laid by the Rev. Joshua Russell, of Blackheath. The proceedings commenced with singing, and prayer by the Rev. G. H. Davies, of Houghton Regis; after which the Rev. W. D. Elliston, the pastor of the church, briefly stated the circumstances which had led to the erection of a new building for the worship of God in that place. The Rev. Edward Adey gave a brief review of the past history of the church, and gave expression to feelings of confidence and esteem towards the present pastor. The Rev. Joshua Russell then proceeded to lay the stone; after which he delivered a most admirable address, and one very appropriate to the occasion. A hymn was then sung, and prayer offered by the Rev. H. C. Leonard, M.A., of Boxmoor; and the company adjourned to tea, when upwards of 150 persons were present. After tea, the Rev. D. Gould, of Dunstable, on behalf of the church, proposed a vote of thanks to the Rev. J. Russell, for his kindness in officiating embraced the opportunity of saying some quickening and encouraging words to the church, and of expressing his kind regard towards the minister. The proposed vote was seconded by Mr. Joseph Herington, one of the deacons, and supported by the Rev. Thomas Hands. At half-past six o'clock the Rev. W. Chalmers, M.A., of the Scotch Free Church, Marylebone, preached from 2 Tim. ii. 9 "The word of God is not bound." The service was opened by the Rev. H. C. Leonard, M.A. About £70 was received by the treasurer during the day, including the proceeds of the teameeting. CANTERBURY-Opening of the New Baptist Chapel and Schools. This elegant classic edifice was opened for public worship on Thursday, March 17th. The preachers on the occasion were the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel, M.A., and the Rev. J. A. Spurgeon. The building was erected by Mr. H. Wilson, of Canterbury, from plans, &c., furnished by Messrs. Searle, Son, and Yelf, of Bloomsbury Place, and has won the admiration of all who have seen it. In addition to the chapel-which is nearly sixty feet by forty-there is a noble school and lecture hall, vestries, class-rooms, and every other convenience for public worship and the instruction of children. The fineness of the day brought crowds of people to the service from nearly all parts of East Kent. In the morning the place was filled in every part, and in the evening many were unable to gain admission. Dinner, tea, and supper were provided at moderate charges; to dinner there were about 150; tea, 400; and supper, 300. A large portion of the provisions was given by the members of the church and congregation, and the arrangements were under the direction of a ladies' committee. A large number of ministers came to manifest their sympathy with the Rev. C. Kirtland and his friends. On Sunday last the Rev. C. Kirtland commenced his ministry in the new place to large congregations. The collections at the opening services, including £12 as the profit of the dinner, &c., amounted to £162. 13s. 10d. Obituaries-Mrs. Baker. 147 laboured with much success for upwards UPTON-ON-SEVERN, Worcestershire.— of eight years. The proceedings com- The Baptist chapel and school-room in menced with a tea-meeting, which was the above town having been closed for attended by a large and respectable com- seven months, for enlargement and other pany. After tea, J. F. Maddox, Esq., alterations, were opened on Thursday, who presided, presented Mr. Irvine, on | March 17th, when two excellent sermons behalf of the subscribers, with an elegant were preached by the Rev. Charles Vince, writing-desk. He spoke of the respect of Birmingham; the pastor, the Rev. and esteem in which Mr. Irvine is held. John Parker, and the Rev. Stephen Mr. Charles Cox also presented Mr. Dunn, of Atch Lench, taking part in Irvine with a handsome Bible, on behalf the services. The congregations were of the working men. A valuable tea very good, and the collections amounted and coffee service was also presented to to £25. We are pleased to be able to Mrs. Irvine. Mr. Irvine suitably ac- add that nearly every sitting in the knowledged all these gratifying testimo- chapel has been engaged. nials. Obituaries. MRS. BAKER was eldest daughter of William her to laugh at me. In a few days the and Elizabeth Elliott, of Nottingham. Of impressions I had received wore away, Mr. E. a memoir is given in the February and I felt vexed and angry with myself for number of the General Baptist Repository allowing my companions to see how for 1827. He died, October 4th, 1826, ridiculous (as I then thought) I had been having been an honourable member of the church more than forty years, during thirty of which he filled the office of deacon. Under the training of such a father, to whom she was devotedly attached, it is not surprising she should say in a letter, when wishing to become a member of the same church-"From a child I have been sensible of my guilt as a sinner, and that I have daily transgressed the law of God, thereby rendering myself obnoxious to His displeasure; and that if I died without a change taking place in my heart, I could not dwell with the holy spirits above; but these awful truths made little or no impression on my mind. I thought I was too young to begin to think of religion, that I had a long life before me, and that if I then became religious I should be deprived of all the pleasures of youth. When about ten years of age I noticed how frequently and ardently my father prayed for his children—that the young ones might renounce the vain pleasures of this world, and be brought to experience early the blessings of the Gospel. I wondered how it could be that I should be so thoughtless while others appeared so much concerned for me. "When we attended divine service at Hockley chapel, I felt very uncomfortable under a sermon Mr. Smith preached on the occasion of the death of Miss Seals. I felt much alarmed at my awful condition, and could not avoid shedding tears, which one of my companions observing caused From in troubling myself about the concerns of years. Her last illness in its more serious form came upon her suddenly, and in a few days confined her to her room. Almost from the commencement her sufferings were extremely severe, yet her mind was supported under them, and He in whom she had believed did not leave her; when the waves of affliction were passing over her she knew and was persuaded that He was able to keep that she had committed to him against that day. On one occasion her daughter said to her, "Is not Jesus precious to you in this affliction ?" She replied immediately, "Unspeakably, unspeakably!" She imbibed in a great degree the spirit of forgiveness and humility manifested in the life of her Saviour. She invariably knelt at family prayer, even when suffering extreme pain, and has very often said, if any of her family wished to defer it on account of domestic or other duties-"We cannot expect God's blessing unless we ask it;" and so in every important transaction she would pray to be guided by His unerring wisdom. believe myself interested in His sacrifice, a member of the church twenty-seven Satan always either suggested to my mind that it was presumption in me to believe my sins forgiven, or that I had not experienced sufficient sorrow on account of them. In this state of mind I remained for a long time, till I feared that I had grieved the Holy Spirit, and that after all His gracious dealings with me I had by my perverseness caused Him to depart from me. I was ready to give up all for lost when I was encouraged to persevere by the promise written in Prov. viii. 17— I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me. I trusted that if I persevered the Lord would reveal himself to me. With these feelings I heard Mr. Felkin preach from 1 Sam. xxx. 6-David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. While hearing this sermon I was very much encouraged. Mr. F. shewed the reasons why the children of God should delight themselves in Him; and though I did not enjoy an assurance that I was a child of God, yet it was my one desire to be His. I felt to hate sin with a perfect hatred, and to love the ways of holiness, but I could not see my own personal interest in the blood of Christ; I could not say from heartfelt experience that Christ loved ME and gave Himself for ME. I went home and read a sermon of Dr. Watts', on Faith represented in its lowest degrees,' from Isaiah xiv. 22. From this I derived great benefit. I was, through the goodness of God, led to place my whole dependance upon Jesus Christ, and through looking to him with an eye of faith I received that pardon I so ardently desired. I could say, Lord, I believe: help thou my unbelief." And now having found Christ, Throughout her severe afflictions her she desires to know and do his will. She gratitude to God and those who attended adds, "I wish to be baptized because I her was always alive; she invariably looked believe baptism to be an ordinance insti- up to God, and mentally, if not audibly, tuted by Jesus Christ." In this experi- asked His blessing upon the means used ence we see the gradual enlightenment of for her recovery-always adding, "If it be the mind, hatred of sin, a love of the ways thy holy will." On the morning after a of holiness, and simple trust on Jesus Sabbath of great suffering she slept and Christ, together with an intelligent under- appeared much easier, for which her gratistanding of the ground of that dependance. tude to her Heavenly Father seemed unOur friend became a member of the church, bounded. Her medical attendants, for and was soon after united in marriage to whom she had a high respect, came in Mr. William Baker, a member of the same shortly after. They inquired if she felt church. Like all the children of God, she better; she replied, "I do, indeed. Thank was not exempt from the difficulties and God! I feel as though living in a new trials of life; indeed, in her case, they world." On their next visit she asked were bitter and severe; yet under all she preserved so calm and composed an exterior that some of her friends have said, since her removal,-"Is it possible she should have had trouble?" forgetting that it is through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom. Her husband died three years previous to her own death, which occurred Dec. 4, 1849, having been The writer remembers on one morning particularly, when the family being at prayer in her room, she would kneel down, as was her custom, though very ill, the member of the family who was conducting the devotions on repeating the Lord's prayer, and reaching the words, "Thy will be done," was unable to proceed-the heart was too full for utterance, the voice failed, and tears would not be suppressed-which perceiving, Mrs. Baker herself took up the words, and in a faint yet firm voice concluded. them to give their opinion as to whether she would recover. After a pause they replied in as kind a manner as they could, but in the negative. When they had left the room, a near relation stood by her bed; the sufferer looked at her expressively, her eyes filled with tears, and throwing her arms around her relative they wept together. Soon, however, she recovered her |