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Entelligence.

THE NONCONFORMIST CONFERENCE

AT NORWICH.

We were able to be present at this meeting, in the character of a spectator or hearer merely, and taking no part whatever in the proceedings. The meeting was conducted in an excellent spirit, though we must think it every way unlikely to produce any perceptible impression on the workings of Nonconformity. We were disappointed in the ability with which its objects were advocated, and in the curtailment of the subjects submitted for discussion. Instead of taking into consideration the great subjects proposed in the first advertisement, namely, whether any platform of church government was laid down in the New Testament, and if so, what it was; also any other subjects arising at the Conference; all discussion, on the contrary, was limited to three resolutions of quite subordinate importance, and to one of a practical kind. The three resolutions affirmed, 1st, the duty of christian churches to develop the gifts of their members, meaning thereby the gift of public teaching; 2nd, the necessity of all contributions being strictly voluntary; 3rd, the duty of avoiding lines of demarcation between the rich and the poor in the house of God; these resolutions were commented on, to a large extent quite truthfully, as at variance with the practice of many of our churches. Of course no Dissenter- hardly, indeed, any christian of any denominationwould deny them; all would think their respective denominations did carry them out to a large extent, as far as the state of christianity, in their judgment, permitted. The fourth resolution, though kindly expressed, we thought likely to do great mischief, if any churches tolerated its being carried out. It recommended members in each church to make these resolutions the basis of a kindly but earnest and repeated discussion in their respective churches. needs but a very moderate acquaintance with our churches to feel assured that the persons most likely, in most places, to raise such discussions, are just the persons whom their fellow-members generally would hear with impatience, and whose exhortations would be pronounced an intolerable bore; who might, perhaps, succeed in driving away quiet-loving christians by loquacity and pertinacity, but whose habits of life and devotion, whose self-conceit and ignorance, had not made a favourable impression previously, either on the church or on the world. We think that any number of christians have, of course, a right to meet and confer on topics relating to the welfare or the constitution of the churches; but we certainly think it rather assuming for any such Conference to set members to work to introduce their resolutions into their respective churches as the basis of discussions. "Quo warranto?" ("By what authority doest thou this thing ?") might certainly be

It

said to a self-called Conference, addressing itself to individuals in their capacity of members of organized bodies denominated churches. Those members, in their capacity of members, owe allegiance to the churches they belong to; but, certainly, for them to recognize the resolutions of a body, which was nothing more than a friendly religious party, possessing not a single claim to interfere with the churches as such, would be, in our judgment, to make themselves parties to compromising the independence of those churches. The Conference should have simply published their resolutions, and debates, too, if they pleased, and circulated them widely, leaving them to produce their own impression. What we object to, is the using, as it were, "another man's servants" to accomplish their own purposes; and we certainly think every church ought to refuse admittance to the Conference resolutions as such. On the other hand, if members wish, without reference to any foreign authority, to discuss the state of their churches in any respect, such a course is consistently open to them. The Conference has no proper relation to the churches. It has no claim to be heard as a Conference by them as churches. It was not, on the one hand, called into existence by them as a meeting of their authorized delegates; nor was it, on the other hand, a body like municipal or parliamentary electors from whom the churches sprung. All bodies of men are bound to hearken to delegates whom they themselves have chosen. On the other hand, all delegates, of any kind, are bound to listen to the resolutions and memorials of the electors who chose them. The recent Conference is in neither one position nor the other; and their last resolution we therefore regard as informal, as well as impolitic. And however true the averments of their resolutions, it would be equally undignified and inconsistent with our independence to admit them as the "basis of discussion." We make these free remarks in the kindest spirit, and fully and heartily acknowledging the high motives in which the conference originated. We purpose next year to discuss the topics of the resolutions separately.

CHIPPING-SODBURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
OLD SCHOLARS' MEETING.

The Sabbath school connected with the Baptist chapel, Chipping-Sodbury, Gloucestershire, has been in existence upwards of forty years, and the number instructed in it since its formation has been about two thousand. At the last anniversary held in August it was resolved to hold a meeting of the old scholars, and to get as many of them as possible together at a gratuitous tea. The necessary arrangements having been completed, the meeting was held on Wednesday, October 20th, when nearly three hundred old scholars assembled at the Town-hall, and partook of a comfort

able tea.

After the tables were cleared, the engagements of the evening were opened by singing and prayer. Several questions were then proposed to the assembly, and many pleasing facts elicited. A goodly number were found to be members of christian churches, and several dated their first religious impressions to the instructions they received in the school. There were two persons present who were at the school on the first Sabbath it was opened, more than forty years since, one of whom produced a book which he had received as a reward (the first that was given); it was in good condition, and its possessor appeared to prize it highly. Many were in the school thirty-five and thirty-eight years ago, and one woman repeated two hymns which she had learnt thirty-eight years since, and which were indelibly impressed on her memory. A pleasing incident was related of a boy once in the school, who afterwards entered the army. About four

months ago a letter was received from him stating that upwards of seventy soldiers in the regiment to which he belonged were pious persons, and that he himself had been baptized, and had joined a christian church in India. It was ascertained that there were several parents and their children present who had been old scholars in the same school. After the interrogations, addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. J. Cross, of Clifton, the Rev. F. H. Roleston (minister of the place), the Rev. R. P. Thatcher (Independent, of Frampton Cotterell), and Mr. Neale (deacon). The Rev. W. J. Cross kindly engaged to give forty copies of Pike's "Early Piety" to the young persons present, to be distributed at the discretion of the minister. The dox

ology was then sung, and the meeting closed with prayer. All appeared highly delighted, and it is hoped that the services will be productive of lasting good.

NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL IN NEWCASTLE-LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE.

The

On Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 9th, in the presence of a vast assemblage of persons, the foundation stone of the Baptist chapel in Bewick-street, now in the course of erection for the Tuthill Stairs church and congregation, was laid by the Rev. Dr. Acworth, of Bradford. The total expense of the new chapel, including the cost of the site, is estimated at nearly £3,000. subscriptions, either realized or promised, amount to about £1,250. A further sum will be realized by the sale of the old chapel, and a hope is entertained that the remaining sum, about £600, will be speedily raised, so that the chapel may be opened free from debt. The new chapel, which will be an -ornament to the town, is to be in the Italian style of architecture, and built of stone. It will be seventy-four feet six inches by forty feet inside, having three galleries, and sittings for eight hundred and ten persons. There will be a school-room under the chapel, forty-nine feet by thirty-eight feet

six inches, which can be lengthened to sixty-three. There are also to be three class-rooms, a vestry, and chapel keeper's rooms. Mr. J. Green, jun., is the architect, Mr. Weatherhead the builder. Besides Dr. Acworth, the Rev. Messrs. Pringle, Reid, Bell, Carrick, Stuart, and Dodds, and Messrs. D. H. Goddard and James Wilson, took part in the proceedings connected with the ceremony, or with the very interesting tea-meeting which succeeded it.

OPENING OF THE NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL,

GREAT GEORGE STREET, Salford.

On

On Thursday, October 21st, sermons were preached, morning and evening, by the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel, M.A., and on the following Lord's-day, October 24th, by the Rev. J. Aldis, of London. On the following Monday evening, an interesting tea meeting was held; after which, Edwin Waters, Esq., was called to the chair, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. C. M. Birrell, J. Aldis, F. Tucker, R. Chenery, D. M. Evans, J. Corbett, J. Harvey, and H. Dunckley, pastor of the church. the following Thursday, the Rev. Hugh Stowel Brown, of Liverpool, preached an excellent and practical sermon, concluding the interesting services, which realized £150. The chapel is eligibly situated, easy of access, and elegant in its appearance, capable of accommodating comfortably upwards of 700 persons. The school-room underneath, which is lofty and commodious, will provide for the reception of at least 500 children. The length of the building, from the back of the entrance gallery to the end of the recess behind the preacher, is 82 feet, the width 45 feet. The total cost will be about £2,300, towards which, including the collections at the opening services, £1,400 has been raised, and steps are being taken to adopt measures which, it is hoped, will clear off the whole in a very few years.

HAY, BRECONSHIRE.

The Baptist chapel here, having been closed for alterations and repairs for several Sabbaths, was re-opened on Sunday, October 24th, when three admirable sermons were preached by the Rev. Thos. Thomas, President of Pontypool College. The proceeds of collections, tea-meeting, and a few subscriptions, amounted to £35. In addition to repairs and alterations made to the chapel, a commodious room has been built for Sabbath and day schools, which is regularly appropriated to that purpose, and free to any of the children of the town; and, also, improvements have been made to the dwelling-house attached to and belonging to the property. The whole amount of debt, including some previous liability, is £250, to remove which, any subscriptions would be gratefully received and acknowledged by Mr. J. H. Hall, the pastor, or by the deacons. The town of Hay is situate near the division of England and Wales, so that the friends there are far removed from the more numerous and wealthy of the denomination in England and Wales; but

their sympathy and aid they hope to share by this appeal.

LEITH WALK, EDINBURGH.

The recognition of the Rev. H. J. Betts, formerly of Westminster, as pastor of the church meeting in the Tabernacle, LeithWalk, Edinburgh, took place on Thursday, Oct. 28th. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. T. Dawson, of Liverpool. The usual questions to the pastor were asked by the Rev. W. S. Eccles, of Belfast, who also offered the recognition prayer. The charge was given by the Rev. Dr. Innes, of Edinburgh, and a sermon to the church and congregation preached by On the his co-pastor, the Rev. J. Watson. following evening a public soirée was held, at which Dr. Alexander, of Edinburgh, presided. Addresses upon the necessity of the missionary spirit, the importance of Sabbath schools, the mutual duties of pastor and people, and the value of prayer, were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Wight, Arthur, Dawson, and Thomas. Deep interest was felt in the different services; and the pastor enters upon his labours with encouraging prospects of success.

BAPTIST BUILDING FUND.

At a meeting of the committee of the Baptist Building Fund, held at the Mission House, Moorgate Street, on Tuesday evening, Nov. 9, 1852, it was resolved, "That this committee record with unfeigned sorrow the decease of Joseph Fletcher, Esq., who for seventeen years zealously and faithfully discharged the duties of treasurer to the Baptist Building Fund, whose exertions to promote its objects, liberal subscriptions to its funds, punctual attendance at the meetings of the committee, sound judgment, and enlarged experience, materially contributed to its present prosperity. They would glorify the grace of God as manifested in the deportment of their departed friend, whose character combined sternest integrity with firmness of purpose and tenderness of heart, and who, through his unusually long life, maintained an unswerving adherence to the principles he professed. The committee hope that their divine Master may, in his good providence, direct them to a successor who shall fill the vacant office as worthily and efficiently as he whose death they now record. They desire most respectfully to express their sincere sympathy and condolence with the family of their late esteemed treasurer, and earnestly pray that God would bless and sanctify this bereavement to their present and eternal welfare."

ROMFORD, ESSEX.

the

The Rev. E. Davis, of Romford, Essex, having resigned his pastoral charge, the church has given an united and cordial invitation to the Rev. S. Pearce, of Crewkerne, Somersetshire, after supplying the pulpit for three Sabbaths. This invitation Mr. Pearce has responded to, and commenced his stated labours at Romford, on Lord's-day, Nov. 14th.

BLACKBURN.

The Rev. W. Barker, late of Burslem, Staffordshire, having accepted an unanimous invitation from the Baptist church meeting. in Branch-Road Chapel, Blackburn, entered upon his labours there on the first Sabbath in October, with pleasing prospects of suc

cess.

Obituary.

MR. ROBERT BATEMAN.

Died, at Little Addington, Northamptonshire, on the 28th of October, in the seventyeighth year of his age, Mr. Robt. Bateman, for many years a deacon of the church at Thrapston.

Brought up in connexion with the Established Church, of which his parents were members, he was in early life a frequent. hearer of Dr. Haweis, of Aldwinkle, whose evangelical preaching was at that time exciting great interest in the neighbourhood, and of whose faithful labours he was accustomed to speak with interest to the end of his life. Having become convinced that the teaching and practice of the Church of England, are, in many respects, at variance with the New Testament, Mr. Bateman left it, and in 1795, was baptized by the Rev. Reynold Hogg, of Thrapston. Two years afterwards he united with a few others in forming the Baptist church of which for so many years he was a consistent and useful member, and in 1807 was chosen a deacon of that church, an office he continued to fill until death. And although advancing age, added to other circumstances, prevented his taking that active part in the duties of his office which he had formerly done, he never ceased to cherish a warm affection toward his fellow-members, and to manifest a lively interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the church.

His piety was ardent and cheerful, and his attachment to the house and ordinances of God evinced itself by the regularity of his attendance, notwithstanding his infirmities, and the distance at which, during the latter part of his life, he resided from Thrapston. His firm adherence to principle, had, in a former part of his life, subjected him to persecution for righteousness' sake; but, undaunted by opposition, he continued to follow the Saviour, through evil report and good report, to the end of his course.

He realized much of the consolation of religion in his last illness, and his end was emphatically peace.

MRS. BLAKE, SEN.

Mrs. Blake, member of the church at Shouldham Street, and mother of the Rev. W. A. Blake and the Rev. J. H. Blake, of Sandhurst, Kent, fell asleep in Christ, the 25th of October, after a few hours' illness, aged sixty-two; and her death was improved by the Rev. G. Hall, of Ipswich, on Lord's day evening, Oct. 31st, to a crowded congregation, from Hebrews ix. 27, 28.

THE CHURCH.

VOL. VII.

"Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone."—Ephesians ii. 20.

M.DCCC.LIII.

Creds:

JOHN HEATON, 7, BRIGGATE.

LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO., ARTHUR HALL & CO.,
BENJAMIN L. GREEN.

LEEDS:

PRINTED BY J. HEATON, 7, briggate.

M.DCCO.LIII.

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