ven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. His dust now slumbers in the tomb. No costly monument preserves his memory. No sculptured marble records his deeds. His grave will soon be unknown amongst the green hillocks that surround it. His name will perhaps be forgotten even in his native village. But when at the consuma tion of all things, the fame and the exploits of heroes, and poets, and philosophers, shall prove worthless as their faded crowns, and INTELLIGENCE. THE YORKSHIRE CONFERENCE assembled at Shore, June 6th, 1854. In the morning Mr. Joseph Horsfall was ordained to the pastoral office over the church at Shore. Conference business was attended to in the afternoon. Mr. Taylor of Allerton prayed and Mr. Horsfall presided. The meeting was large. I. A letter was read from the church in Manchester, stating that they had met with another disappointment in reference to obtaining a minister-that the church was never in such a critical state as at the present that several who were wont to bear a moderate share of the burden had grown weary of contending with difficulties, and others seldom came near the chapel hence the few friends left are very much discouraged. After some conversation, the Conference concluded to refer this case to the financial committee. 2. The case from the retiring trustees of Burnley Lane property was again brought before the meeting. After a lengthened conversation, the Conference recommended that the trustees of Enon chapel, Burnley, convey the Burnley-lane property over to that church by signing a deed of declaration, and ultimately a new trust deed; and that the Burnley lane friends at once pay up all arrears in interest, and the principal money in £50 instalments at successive periods of six months. One instalment to be paid when the deed is prepared and signed. And if after the conveyance of the property, the Burnley Lane church will borrow the money and pay it in at once, the Conference thinks this will be the preferable plan. And it is also recommended that the Enon friends be released from all other responsibilities. 3. The church in Salford reported, through the medium of a letter, their spiritual and financial state, and solicited pecuniary assistance from the Home Mis. sion. This case the Conference referred to the financial committee. 4. A similar report was received from the church at Denholme, which was also recommended to the consideration of the same committee. 5. Mr. Hardy was appointed to write to the church at Burnley Lane, and request them to recommend the Burnley church to be received into the Conference. The statistics of the churches which reported are as follows:-At Call Lane, Leeds, the congregations are improvingfour have been baptized and two received. At Prospect-street chapel, Bradford, the attendance on the means of grace is very discouraging, and the congregations are declining. 2nd church, three have been baptized. They have a few hopeful enquirers at Allerton. The church at Queenshead has added three by baptism, and a few more are in a hopeful state. They have six candidates for baptism, and a number of hopeful enquirers at Heptonstall Slack, At Lineholm, they have eight candidates. They have baptized six at Burnley Lane; have two candidates, and a few enquirers at Staley bridge; two have been baptized. They have baptized one at Manchester, and one at Salford. The congregations are improving at Ovendon. At Denholm, they have baptized six, and have a number of enquirers. They have unity and peace at Gambleside. At Todmorden, the congregations are pretty good, the prayer and experience meetings are well attended, and the Sabbath school is encouraging. At Baccup, they have received two, have two candidates and a few enquirers. No visible change at Birchcliff, Shore, Halifax and Vale. The next Conference will be held at Clayton, on Monday, August 14th, 1854. Mr. B. Wood of Salford to preach. J. SUTCLIFFE, Sec. pro tem. ANNIVERSARIES. SEVENOAKS.-The Annual Sermons in behalf of the Sabbath School were preached to good and attentive congregations, by Messrs. Finch and Beazley of London, on Sunday, June 18th, 1854. of its regular attendants, and to the pleasure of its occasional beholder. A CORRESPONDENT. SUTTERTON.-An organ having been erected in our chapel, opening sermons Messrs were preached on Sunday, May 21st, by Mathews and Twelvetrees, of Boston, to large and interesting congregations. On the following day a tea meeting was held, after which a selection of anthems and favourite pieces was perform On the following Monday evening, a tea-meeting was held, which was well attended; after which addresses were deli-ed on the organ, by Mr. G. F. Bayley, asvered by: Rev. J. Felkin, Messrs. Yates, Beazley, Barling, and Grover, on subjects connected with Sabbath-school instruction. The report showed an increase of about forty children during the last fifteen months; and the teachers have reason to believe that the Master is smiling on their efforts, and blessing them in their work. DERBY, Sacheverel Street.-The annual sermons for the reduction of the chapel debt were preached by Rev. S. C. Sarjant, of London, June 18th. The tea meeting on the following evening was well attended, and edifying addresses were delivered by brethren Cholerton and Hill, of Leicester College; Preston, of Ashby; Sarajnt, of London; Lewitt, of Coventry; and Underwood, the pastor of the Church, who presided. The collections and proceeds of the tea amounted to about £40. The Juvenile Society, formed nearly a year ago, to collect weekly subscriptions for the reduction of the debt, has obtained upwards of £34. During the past year, a minister's vestry and a good class room adjoining have been erected and neatly furnished; the expense of which has been met by separate subscriptions. WIRKSWORTH.-The annual sermons for the sunday school were preached on Whitsunday, by the Rev. W. Underwood, of Derby, to very crowded congregations. The collections were larger than usual. were IBSTOCK.-The school sermons preached on the 18th of June by Rev. W. Underwood, of Derby. The chapel overflowed, and the collections were upwards of £10. RIPLEY.-The anniversary sermons for the chapel debt were preached on Sunday, June 25th, by Mr. Freckleton, a student, in place of Rev. H. Ashberry, of Sheffield, who was unwell. On the Tuesday following a goodly company took tea in the school rooms, after which a sermon was preached to an attentive congregation by the Rev. W. Underwood, of Derby. This elegant chapel has recently been cleaned and improved, so as to add to the comfort Boston. Addresses were delivered at insisted by the choir from the G. B. Chapel, tervals by Messrs. Alderman Noble, J.P., Mathews, Golsworthy, Man, (from De fifty of our Boston friends encouraged us vonshire,) and Stout (Wesleyan). Nearly by their attendance on the occasion. BAPTISMS. FORNCETT, Norfolk.-It has been known, probably, for some time, by a great part of the connexion, that the General Baptist Church at Forncett, in the county of Norfolk, has been in an unhappy divided state, having no shepherd to guide them, and feed them with the sincere milk of the word. They have rather declined in piety than grown in grace; and instead of looking to the Great Shepherd of the sheep with more than usual earnestness and confidence for his care and protection, they have suffered the enemy of souls to cast clouds and mist before their eyes; so that many of them could not clearly see the way in which they ought to have walked. A few of them resolved to meet to present fervent prayer to God for the conversion of sinners, and for a blessing to attend the labours of the brethren Hunt, Ward, and Dunn, who proclaims to them the word of life. Their prayers were heard and answered; several came forward, and declared themselves to be on the Lord's side. At the request of the friends they were favoured, on Lord's day, June 25th, 1854, with the services of the Rev. J. Stutterd, of Castleacre, when the solemn tended to in the river Horseford. ordinance of believers' baptism was atThe concourse of people was unusually great, some wending their way on foot, some on mules, some on donkeys, some in gigs, and carts, and wagons, and an omnibus. At ten o'clock the solemn service commenced, by singing that well known hymn, "Believers in the days of old Went through the water to the fold." The blessing of heaven was implored, and Mr. Stutterd addressed upwards of a thousand persons at the water side. from Mark xvi. 16,—"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." And at the close of the address, five females and two males were buried with Christ in baptism. And in the afternoon, Mr. Stutterd preached on a revival of religion, from Habakkuk iii. 2,-" O Lord revive thy work." And in the evening he addressed the unconverted, from I Corinthians xv. 52, "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised." The attendance was very good; many were affected, and returned, we trust, to weep and pray. May times of refreshing visit all the churches in the connexion, and our prayer still shall be, Lord save thy people, bless thine inheritance, feed them also and lift them up for ever. Yours truly, J. STUTTERD. DERBY, Sacheverel Street.-On Lord's day, June 11th, four young persons were baptized in Sacheverel street chapel, by the Rev. W. Underwood. MELBOURNE.-On Lord's day, June 4th, nine persons were baptized in the chapel at Melbourne, five females and four males, who were all received into the church in the afternoon of the same day, before partaking of the Lord's supper. The sermon, on "The principle of moral obedience, and its relation to christian ordinances," from Joshua i. 16-17, was preached by Mr. Gill, and Mr. J. Earp baptized the candidates. May they all " adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour," and be "faithful unto death." BRADFORD, Infirmary Street.-On Sabbath evening, May 28th, our baptistry was again opened for the reception of three candidates. A sermon was first preached by Mr. Sole, the pastor of the church, from John xv. 18-19; after which the ordinance was administered in the name of the Holy Trinity. Mr. Horsefield, late of Prospect street, kindly assisted at the services. The newly baptized were duly received into the fellowship of the church on the following Sabbath. LOUTH.-On June 18th the ordinance of believers' baptism was administered to two male candidates, who thus sought union with us, and declared their dissent from the sentiments of the Wesleyans, with whom they were formerly united. R. J. SHEFFIELD.-On Lord's day, June 4th, the ordinance of believers' baptism was administered to three females, in Eyre street chapel; the text was Mark vii. 9. A very argumentative sermon was preached; the congregations were good, and we HALIFAX, Opening of the new General Baptist School-Rooms, North Parade.-On Lord's Day, June 25th, three sermons were delivered in the above place; in the morning by the Rev. John Cockin, and afternoon and evening by the Rev. A. Simons of Pinchbeck. The congregations and collections were good. On Monday evening, 250 of the friends sat down to tea in the same place; after which an interesting meeting was held, presided over by Mr. D. Wilson, and addressed by the Rev. H. Hollinrake, who congratulated the church on the success which had thus far attended their endeavours to erect so substantial and commodious a place of worship. It was just twelve months since he laid the foundation stone of the edifice, and we would gratefully acknowledge the goodimportunate prayer then offered for the preness of Almighty God in giving ear to the servation of the workpeople. The Rev. A. Simons gave some interesting particulars respecting his conversion to christianity, efforts now making for the evangelization and prayed God's blessing to attend the of his kindred. Effective addresses were also delivered by the Revs. E. Bott, R. Hardy, J. Lawton, T. Horsefield, and J. Lockwood; also Messrs. J. Oakes and W. Salter. Collections and proceeds of the tea amounted to more than £25. REMOVAL. J. A. R. BOROUGH ROAD CHAPEL.-The Rev. C. Montgomery Merry has accepted the invitation of the church, and commenced his ministerial labours on Sunday, July 15th, as its co-pastor, (in connection with the Rev. J. Stevenson, A.M.) with very encouraging prospects of success. S. T. LONDON, Commercial Road.-On Tuesday, June 20th, an interesting service was held in connection with our esteemed brother's-Mr. Ebenezer Davis-departure from us for the pastorate of the church at Holbeach. The opportunity was the more interesting from the fact that while one of our dear brethren who had just completed his course of studies at the Leicester college, was about to commence his ministerial career, another dear brother having spent one year at the same place, and with the same object in view, was present, and united with us in our thanksgivings and supplication at the Throne of Grace, that the Great Shepherd the meeting held April 17th was to welcome him amongst his old friends. OPEN AIR PREACHING.-Several of the clergy of the Establishment, and others, have adopted and advocated open air preaching. Among others we notice, the Revds. W. Brock, of London, J. C. Millace, W. Caskin, J. C. Barrett, J. Eagles, S. Randby, J. B. Marsden, of Birmingham, T. Sale, vicar of Sheffield, and several others. We cannot but hope that this is a token for good. endowment, and to rest on the voluntary principle, arguing that so long as the papists received that endowment from the State, they were weakened in their opposition to the Irish Church. Strong opposition was made to the vote for the Irish Regium Donum. This year it was unavailing. In all probability the days of this and similar grants of public money are numbered.-The dog cart nuisance is to be suppressed by law: from Jan. 1, 1855, the use of dogs for drawing carts, &c., will be unlawful. Humanity and public security will be gainers by this act.- -There is a deficiency in the public revenue for the last quarter of £812,789.——————The war with Russia has not yet led to great results. Silistria has been successfully defended by the Turks against the Russians, who are falling back on Bucharest, and, as the allies have formed a junction with the Turkish army, a fearful battle will probably have taken place before the day of our publication. The Czar is very enraged with his generals and army at the failure of their operations on the south of the Danube. It is reported that Sir Charles Napier has asked permission of the Government to attack Cronstadt. July 20-Since we last addressed our readers, several events, bearing on the interests of dissent, and on its position in this country, have transpired. The bill of Sir William Clay, for the total abolition of Church Rates, was lost by a majority of 209 against 182. June 21.-This defeat is regarded as a triumph by the minority. We must try again another session. The Oxford University Bill has passed both the Commons and the Lords, and two clauses were introduced into it, in opposition to the wish of its framers, the Government, by which persons may matriculate, or be entered as students, and by which they may graduate, or take the B.A. degree, without any subscription to the creeds or formularies of the Church of England! Thus the high tory and Church University, which has so long maintained its exclusion and proud privileges, is compelled to open its doors to Nonconformists, and to grant them its honours, if by learning they deserve them. This may not be a great advantage to Dissenters, but it takes away a reproach under which they have long laboured. Surely now, its Whig sister, Cambridge, where persons might matriculate with out subscription, will open its doors and -On the first of August an Antipermit them also to graduate Liberal Slavery Conference will be held in ManCambridge will not be behind illiberal chester, by the "North of England Oxford. The Rev. G. A. Denison has Anti-Slavery and India Reform League.' bitterly remonstrated with the Bishop of Among the subjects to be considered are Ripon for accepting the office of Com--The Results of the West Indian Emanmissioner under this bill: an error he tells his bishop "not easily either to be forgotten or forgiven." -Mr. Lucas, the Irish Catholic member, editor of a popish paper, in a debate about the Irish Church temporalities, strongly advised the Catholics to give up the Maynooth cipation; the aspects of slavery in the United States, with especial reference to the Nebraska Bill; the contemplated seizure of Cuba, and the action of the Fugitive Slave Law; the American Abolitionists, &c. Several well-known advocates of freedom have engaged to be present. Under this head, the Editor proposes to glance at any events of public or denominational importance, which have some bearing on ecclesiastical, educational, or religious affairs. MISSIONARY OBSERVER. RECENT CALAMITOUS FIRE AT BERHAMPORE. APPEAL OF MR. BUCKLEY. hope that the Lines will be removed to another place, and if successful in an applicaton for this object, they will heartily rejoice. The loss is estimated at £600, towards which they hope in India to raise £200. The associated brethren warmly took up the case, expressed sympathy with our suffering friends at Berhampore, especially with brother and sister Wilkinson, in their DEAR BROTHER,-In forwarding the following letters in relation to the recent disastrous fire at Berhampore, I request the attention of all our friends to the claims which the case presents on their benevolent consideration, and generous aid. It will be seen that the Lines (or barracks as we should call them) were placed at the back of the Mission premises, in opposition to the strongly expressed wishes of the Mis-heavy loss, and earnestly recommendsionaries. It is not, therefore, through any oversight or negligence on their part that this heavy calamity has befallen them. It is right to state, that the former chapel was washed away 11 or 12 years since by a flood; and where the beautiful little sanctuary, which is now a heap of ruins-a place where I have often enjoyed the presence of the God of Bethel, and preach ed the word of the Lord-was erected, the friends were few, but the expenses were not without help from home. 100 Rs. (£10) were appropriated from the sale of Midnapore chapel, the native christians contributed liberally, and three friends then connected with the station, and devising the commendation of their fellow christians for liberality, but only ambitious to be approved by the Great Master, gave almost the whole of the remainder; and this circumstance, so honourable then, has not, so far as I remember, been previously published. Several friends have asked me, whether the government will not do something considerable to repair the loss which has been sustained. I have informed them, and am anxious that the whole of the Connexion should know, that at the date of our last letters, the brethren had not any expectation whatever of assistance from this quarter, and indeed had been assured by a kind and generous friend of the Mission, in the Company's service, that it would be a mere waste of time and paper to write to Government about it. They do ed the churches to render their generous and liberal aid. As the regular income of the Society is only adequate to its present demands, and as an increase in it is every way desirable, it is hoped that all that is done in answer to this appeal, will be by special efforts, not interfering with the regular subscriptions to the Society. The details of this calamity, which our God will overrule for good, will be read with painful interest; and while sympathy for the sufferers will be excited, gratitude for the gracious preserver of men will be felt, that the calamity did not occur in the night when it must have been fatal. The affection manifested by the native christians to their pastor in the loss he had experienced will gratify all our friends, and so will the regret which Tama and Rumbhoo expressed at the loss of the Lectures which they received in the Mission Academy. The solicitude of Mr. Wilkinson "first of all to see the house of God up again," will be noted with interest. Subscriptions for this object will be thankfully received by the Secretary, the Rev. J. G. Pike, the Treasurer, R. Pegg, Esq., the Rev. J. Goadby, Loughborough, the Rev. J. Buckley Castle Donington, near Derby, or by any of the General Baptist ministers. As nearly all Mr. Wilkinson's books are consumed, donations of valuable books will doubtless be very welcome. J. BUCKLEY. |