W. Wright, of Huntingdon; and the Rev. G. Murrell, of St. Neot's. Twenty pounds were collected at the door, towards the expense of the erection. The chapel, which is the fruit of the labours of the Rev. G. B. Watkins, the agent for the Association of Baptist and Independent Churches in the county, is eighteen feet by twenty-eight inside. The cost of the building, with other incidental expenses, exclusive of the purchase of the ground, will amount to the sum of £150, which will be paid by the villagers and their friends. This is the only place of worship within a distance of several miles. A Sunday-school has been formed, and there is the prospect of much additional good being done. NEW CHURCH. CHADLINGTON, OXON. On Tuesday, January 11th, a church was formed at this station of the Oxfordshire Auxiliary Home Missionary Society. A series of services had been held at this place, under the superintendence of Mr. Jameson, an agent of the parent society. Mr. Godwin, of Oxford, preached a sermon, and stated the nature of a church, and the duty of its officers. Mr. Blakeman, of Hooknorton, presided at the formation of the church, and offered prayer for the divine blessing. The church elected Mr. Thomas Eden as its pastor, and Mr. Coles and Mr. Townsend as its deacons. Mr. E. Pryce, of Abingdon, addressed the church on the duties devolving on it, in its associated capacity. Mr. Jameson addressed the congregation, and concluded the service. This station has a good chapel, and presents a highly interesting and encouraging prospect. ORDINATIONS. BRAMLEY, YORKSHIRE. The Rev. D. Rees, late of Sheffield, has accepted an invitation from the baptist church at Bramley, recently under the pastoral care of the Rev. C. New, now of Nottingham; and commenced his stated labours there in October last. MAULDEN AND AMPTHILL, BEDS. The public recognition of the Rev. J. Bird, late of Hambleden, near Henley-onThames, as pastor of the baptist church at Maulden and Ampthill, took place on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1841. HILLSLEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. R.White was publicly recognized as the pastor of the baptist church in this village. OLD SAMPFORD, ESSEX. The Rev. B. Beddow, late of Grampound, has recently received and accepted a unani mous call from the church and congregation at Old Sampford, and entered upon his stated labours on Lord's-day, Nov. 20. NEWARK. On Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1841, the Rev. C. Kirtland was publicly recognized as pastor of the first baptist church in this town. A meeting for prayer was held in the morning, at six o'clock, which was numerously attended. The forenoon meeting was commenced with reading and prayer by the Rev. J. Phillips, of Southwell, after which, the Rev. C. New, of Nottingham, delivered a discourse on the constitution of a Christian church. The Rev. G. Pope, of Collingham, asked the usual questions, and offered the ordination prayer, and the Rev. J. Simmons, M.A., of Leicester, addressed the minister from 2 Tim. ii. 15. In the evening, the Rev. J. Craps, of Lincoln, preached a stirring and appropriate sermon to the church and congregation, from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. The Rev. Messrs. Edge and Coles took part in the services of the day. CLOUGH-FOLD, ROSSENDALE, LANCASHIRE. On Wednesday, Jan. 5, Mr. Richard Ward was ordained pastor of the baptist church Clough-Fold. The introductory discourse, and the charge to the minister, were delivered by the Rev. D. Griffiths, theological tutor, and the Rev. J. Harbottle, classical tutor, of the Lancashire Baptist Academy. The Rev. J. Driver, of Lumb, offered the ordination prayer, and the Rev. P. Scott, of Shipley, Yorkshire, preached to the church. The Rev. Messrs. Nichols, Blakey, Lord, and Marshall, took part in the services of the day, were deeply interesting and impres which sive. THRAPSTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. The Rev. B. C. Young, late of Newport, Isle of Wight, has accepted an invitation to become the pastor of the baptist church at Thrapston, and commenced his ministerial duties on Lord's-day, the 9th ult. HOLT, SUFFolk. The Rev. James Cragg having resigned his charge at Shaldon, Devon, has, we are informed, accepted an invitation from the On Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1841, the Rev. church at Holt. VOL. V.-FIFTH SERIES. M RECENT DEATHS. REV. JOHN DYER. The third son of the late respected secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society died at Camberwell, on the 4th of January, in the 33rd year of his age. His decease will be greatly regretted in Canada, particularly at Kingston, where he was pastor of a rising baptist church, to which he was cordially attached. The climate, however, did not agree with his constitution: he returned about three months ago to recruit his health, but in a state of debility too great to be effectually relieved. REV. JAMES STUART. January 8th, 1842, died, aged seventy, the Rev. James Stuart, baptist minister, of Sawbridgeworth, Herts, where he had resided about twenty-eight years, and may be considered as the founder of the dissenting interest in that place. He was a man of a truly Christian spirit, very humble and retiring, and his services were wholly gratuitous. He had been some time laid aside from preaching through declining health, but was always ready to do good; and has left valuable legacies to the Baptist Fund, and some other societies. REV. JOHN COLES. Died, January 9, 1842, Rev. John Coles, for nearly twenty years the devoted and affectionate pastor of the baptist church at Wokingham, Berks. Aged sixty years. MRS. CAREY. The younger sister of the late Rev. Dr. Carey, of Serampore, died on the 20th of January, at the house of her sister, Mrs. Hobson, Boxmoor, in the 76th year of her age. Her life was a scene of continued suffering, which she bore with unrepining submissiveness. Her papers are in the hands of her nephew, the Rev. Jesse Hobson, who promises to communicate a further account of the course which she has finished. MISCELLANEA. TENT SERVICES, HERTFORDSHIRE. These services originated in the suggestion of the president of the Hertfordshire Union, Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart., who, with the suggestion, made the offer of a very liberal contribution towards the expenses which would be incurred by carrying out the plan. The committee of the Union, grateful for the offer made to them, and feeling persuaded that the proposed services would be likely to do much good, appointed a sub-committee to make the necessary arrangements for carrying the suggestion into effect. Early in June the tent services were commenced, in the neighbourhood of St. Albans, by the Rev. Dr. Cox, of Hackney; and they were continued in different parts of the county for five evenings in each week. For some weeks, sermons were also preached in a smaller tent, furnished for that purpose by the president of the Union, in the neighbourhood of those places where the larger tent had been previously pitched, a desire for such an arrangement having been expressed by some of the inhabitants of those places. There have been, in all, seventy-eight services in the tents; and, from the returns made, it appears that the total number of attendants was 20,000; giving an average of nearly 260 at each service. In some cases the attendance was much greater, in others much less, but generally from 200 to 300 attended; among whom were many who had not been accustomed to attend any place of public worship. The benefit of the tent in these services was very apparent. A lowering sky did not prevent the attendance of the weak; a passing noise did not distract the attention of the congregation; nor did a storm disperse the assembly. The attendance was composed chiefly of cottagers; but frequently a considerable number of persons belonging to the middle classes attended. The attendance of these and of professing Christians in different circumstances encouraged others to attend, and checked any disposition to levity among the young; whilst they themselves, in many instances, found it good to be there. The whole amount of the expenses incurred by these services was £141 6s. 10d. NEWCASTLE BAPTIST ANNIVERSARIES. On Monday evening, Dec. 27th, the teachers of Tuthill Stairs Sunday-schools held their annual tea-party in the vestry of the chapel, at which there was a good attendance. After tea, the meeting was addressed by Messrs. J. L. Angas, Bradburn, Craig, Maxwell, and others, who reported the state and prospects of the branch-schools of Hillgate and Elswick, which were of a cheering character; and in reference to the parent school, there was much cause for gratitude in its last year's proceedings, it having been able, by an accession of strength, not only to maintain its own position, but also to send out "detachments" of teachers to the "outposts" abovenamed.- The anniversary meeting of the Tuthill Stairs Juvenile Home and Foreign Baptist Missionary Society was held at a subsequent period of the evening (the Rev. R. Pengilly, president, in the chair), when the PRESENTS TO MINISTERS. report and financial statement were read by the secretary and treasurer. They were of a A most interesting and imposing scene very gratifying nature. By the former it ap- took place recently at the baptist chapel, peared that the society was formed so early Frogmore-street, Abergavenny. The church as 1815, and was the oldest in connexion with and congregation, anxious to testify their atthe baptist missions in this district; and by tachment to their beloved pastor, who for the latter we learn that there had been a conthirty-five years has ministered to the people siderable increase in the society's receipts in holy things, and faithfully dispensed during the past year, the sum being nearly amongst them the "Bread of Life," selected, five times larger than that of the preceding as the most appropriate expression of their year. Various resolutions were spoken to by cordial approbation and esteem, a copy of the Messrs. Craggs, Wilkinson, and others; and Holy Bible; and thus, whilst a portion of the officers having been appointed for the enthe Christian world, in our enlightened Engsuing year, the meeting broke up, all appear- land, is contending for the authority of the ing highly delighted with the proceedings, Fathers, and would obscure the pure light of which, we doubt not, will exercise a healthful truth, they unequivocally and emphatically influence on the minds of the young people, declare their conviction, that the oracles of conductors of the society in question.-On God alone, unencumbered by tradition, conTuesday evening, upwards of one hundred of tain the words of eternal life. The edition the church and congregation of Tuthill Stairs chosen was Bagster's Biblia Polyglotta, baptist chapel held the annual tea-party in quarto, handsomely bound in embossed purthe vestry of the chapel. After tea, the Rev. ple morocco, silver clasps, corners, and tablet, R. Pengilly was called to the chair, and open-with the following inscription :-"The church ed the evening's proceedings in a suitable manner, by narrating the events of the church 'during the past year; and subsequently the meeting was addressed by various parties, on interesting and important topics. The claims of the Baptist Magazine, Baptist Reporter, and Northern Baptist, on the attention and support of the denomination, were advocated in a manner commensurate with the value of these useful periodicals. The meeting was a very agreeable one, and must hereafter be often reverted to with pleasurable emotions. GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHRISTIAN UNION. It is the Rev. W. J. Cross, of Thornbury, not the Rev. W. J. Crisp, as erroneously printed in our last, who is secretary of this union, and to whom persons desiring information respecting its operations are referred. THE LONDON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. The London Baptist Association, consisting of twenty-six churches, held its annual meeting at New Park Street, on Wednesday, January the 18th. At three in the afternoon, a sermon was preached by the Rev. C. Stovel, from Eph. iv. 16-Unto the edifying of itself in love. About seven hundred persons afterwards took tea in the chapel, and at six o'clock the business of the evening commenced, under the presidency of the Rev. J. Aldis. The meeting was principally occupied with the reading of the letters from the churches, from which it appeared that the clear increase reported was one hundred and twelve. The Rev. E. Steane subsequently delivered an address, founded on the contents of the letters. The attendance was very numerous, and a collection of about £17 was made for the objects of the association. and congregation assembling for divine worship in Frogmore-street chapel, Abergavenny, respectfully and affectionately present to their beloved minister, the Rev. Micah Thomas, this sacred volume, as a sincere though inadequate expression of the high esteem with which they regard him as a faithful, laborious, and successful expounder of its contents." About 300 persons, admitted by tickets of one shilling each, partook of tea at the commencement of the evening, which added to the interest of the meeting. The proceeds of the tickets, after paying the expenses, were upwards of £10, which was devoted to the African mission. The Bible, which cost twenty guineas, was supplied by Mr. J. Hiley Morgan, and was presented on an elegant crimson velvet cushion; and it is remarkable that it was the last copy of the edition in the publisher's possession. On Monday, Dec. 27, the members of the baptist church at Diss, with several friends in the congregation, held a tea meeting at a public room in the town, and presented their pastor, the Rev. J. P. Lewis, with a purse of twenty-two sovereigns, as an expression of their attachment, and their high esteem of his labours among them. The following evening the children of the sabbath school were invited to tea by the teachers and friends; on which occasion the pastor was presented by the children with a valuable copy of Watts's Hymns, purchased with their own subscriptions; and by the teachers, with Bagster's smallest Polyglott Bible, bound in morocco. These books were designed to be associated with a handsome copy of the New Selection of Hymns, recently presented by the members of the Bible class. RESIGNATIONS. The Rev. J. B. Walcot has resigned his charge over the baptist church at Ludgershall, Wilts, of which he had been pastor since its formation in May 1818. He was the first resident dissenting minister in the place, having been sent as the Independent minister, in 1817, by the church at Andover, and subsequently baptized by Mr. Millard, at Whitchurch, Hants. As a token of regard, on his leaving Ludgershall, the church and congregation assembling at Fosbury have presented to Mr. W. a royal quarto bible, with marginal references and notes, and a handsome writing desk. As they had no stated minister, he had for more than twenty years regularly preached to them, and administered the ordinances, though at a distance of near seven miles from his residence at Ludgershall. The clergyman's lady also presented Mr. Walcot, on his removal, with a box of fancy articles for the Baptist Mission, which was accompanied with a letter from the clergyman himself, bearing testimony in strong terms to the Christian character he had maintained in his parish, and the regret felt at his departure. The Rev. D. Pledge having resigned his pastoral connexion with the church at Margate, over which he had presided six years, took leave of the congregation on the last Lord's-day in December. A subscription has been raised and presented to him as a token of esteem; and the children of the sabbath school evinced their attachment by presenting to him a handsome bible. The Rev. C. Hart, of Bagshot, Surrey, being about to leave his present charge, is open to an invitation from any destitute church whose locality presents a field for activity and usefulness. CORRESPONDENCE. ON THE SALE OF THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. tion of your numerous readers who possess similar opportunities for such an effort. The plan he has adopted is simple and effective. He went round to the different families at To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR, A deacon of one of the baptist churches in London, who is warmly interest-tending the same chapel with himself, to ined in whatever concerns the extension and prosperity of the denomination, has lately exerted himself to promote the sale of your useful publication in a manner which may be recommended with advantange for the imita quire who was in the habit of taking the Magazine, and to urge it upon the attention of those whom he should find without it. His success has exceeded his expectations, and the result is, that in the limited sphere to which his operations have been confined, four copies of your periodical will circulate this year for every single copy that was disposed of in the year that has just closed. My friend was not a little surprised at the various kinds of reception he met with in the course of his mission. Some to whom he applied did not so much as know that there was a Baptist Magazine in existence; others had taken it years ago, but being dissatisfied with it then, had given it up, and had not turned their attention to it again, although they had perhaps heard some one say it was greatly improved of late; and others he found who had adopted it as their maxim to take nothing of the kind, thinking that as in writing, so in buying books," there is no end." Now, although it may perhaps be safely presumed that there are not many members of baptist churches who have not heard something of the Baptist Magazine, yet it is not too much to suppose that similar indifference and inattention prevail to a considerable extent in other places, which may often require nothing more than such an effort as this to do away. Let but the deacons and influential members of our churches look round among their friends, and recommend the Magazine to the attention of those who do not now see it, and there can be little doubt, I think, that its circulation would be much more widely extended, the standard of intelligence among the members of the body would soon be far higher than it is at present; the principles they profess would be better understood, more highly valued, and more consistently carried out; and the sum for distribution among the widows of the honoured men, who have left the arena of conflict for their resting-place of peace, would be greatly augmented. I remain, Sir, Yours very sincerely, Lambeth, Jan. 3, 1842. tinue their connexion with the church as pas- Lymington, Jan. 4, 1842. J. MILLARD. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-As many are still desiring information relative to the society at Bath for the relief of baptist ministers, and as the third rule of the society has prevented some from becoming beneficiary members, will you allow me to make a remark or two on it, through the medium of the Baptist Magazine? The rule referred to is this,-"That any person who shall have become a pastor of a baptist church after the 24th of June, 1816, may be admitted a beneficiary member of this society on commencing his subscription; so that he shall have paid two guineas within two years next after his ordination, but not afterwards; except that if it shall appear that any minister was unacquainted with the existence of this society in time to enter, as above limited, he may then be admitted on immediate application, by paying a sum equal to one guinea per annum, from the 24th of June, 1816, or from the day of his ordination." Hence it follows, that in order to render aid to the poorest ministers in the denomination, something must be done in reference to this rule, ere they can be benefited by the funds of this society. There is every reason to suppose ON THE BATH SOCIETY FOR AGED AND INFIRM that to any alteration in it there would be MINISTERS, To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR BROTHER,-Will you permit me through the Magazine to express a hope that the suggestion of Mr. Yates on behalf of the Bath Society for Aged and Infirm Ministers will be extensively adopted. Nothing can be more easy than the application of the collection at the Lord's table for March to such a purpose. From a long personal acquaintance with our churches, I have known several instances of aged ministers continuing their pastorate when they ought to have enjoyed the benefits of superannuation, who would have cheerfully resigned their office to more efficient agency, but were compelled to con considerable objection raised by many of its members. Now as this subject was brought forward for discussion at a meeting recently held in this neighbourhood, the following plan was recommended in order to meet the difficulty; viz.—To raise a fund for the specific purpose of enabling any poor baptist ministers in this district of the county to pay the sum required, so as to become members of this society. Several at the meeting engaged to raise or give one guinea each, and others not present doubtless might be prevailed on to do likewise. So that there is every reason to suppose that any in this immediate district who wish to join the society, and who at present are destitute of the means, will soon be able to do so. |