which Yarmouth peculiarly abounds. Connected with the chapel is a small house, in which resides the minister, Mr. Goss, now in the 86th year of his age. He has for some time been superannuated, and services in the chapel are conducted usually twice on the Lord's day, by local preachers. Under these circumstances no one can wonder that very few persons attend. Still there are a few persons who feel that it is their home, and they yet hope the Lord will visit them in mercy, and favour them with prosperity. The number of members is about fifteen, all in the lower ranks of life. The premises are free from debt, but we could not ascertain that there is any other property or endowment connected with them.

In the town there is another Baptist Chapel, situated, like ours, in one of the public passages, and not in so good a situation. With the minister, Mr. Green, we were favoured with a very friendly and kind interview. He rejoiced that the old place had engaged the attention of somebody that seemed to care for it. His opinion, like that of other persons, was, that if a pious young man, of prudent conduct, and an acceptable preacher, were placed there the chapel would soon be too small to contain his hearers. Of such a young man it may be asked, in what town of respectable population

would he fail to make his way? In Yarmouth he would have the advantage of a chapel to begin in, and a small nucleus of friends, around which others would probably soon gather, as it is thought there is in the town a general preference for the religious views of our Connexion. These are the chief advantages that present themselves to our view in favour of Yarmouth over other towns of equal population, in which to begin a new cause. In our inquiries and consultations we were glad to have the company and assistance of our brother Bott, of Barton.

My friend and partner in this visit, Mr. Barrass, continued in Yarmouth several days, and preached in the chapel on two successive Lord's day evenings. On the first occasion there were present about forty persons, and on the second evening about sixty. From subsequent information he has reason to believe that the population of the town is now considerably above 30,000, in addition to which there is in the summer months a large influx of visitors. The Chapel is in Row, No. 85.

We think the prospect is encouraging either to revive the old cause, or raise a new one, if funds could be obtained to sustain the effort for a few years. J. JONES.

THE CHESHIRE CONFERENCE met at Macclesfield, on Easter Tuesday (April 6th). Bro. Pedley, of Wheelock Heath, in the absence of Bro. Smith, of Tarporley, from illness, preached in the morning. Bro. Pedley also presided at the afternoon meeting. Reports, written and verbal, were received from Macclesfield, Tarporley, Stoke, Wheelock Heath, and Congleton, from which it appears, that four persons have been baptized since the last conference, and that there are several candidates for baptism as well as several very hopeful enquirers.

It was resolved that a Deputation from this Conference, consisting of one friend from Macclesfield and one from Stoke, visit the friends at Congleton, to enquire into their state, and to endeavour to provoke them to renewed zeal.

That each Church in the Conference be requested to make a special Collection for the Home Mission Fund, with a view to assist the cause at Macclesfield.

THOMAS BARRASS.

That the £2 8s. 6d. in the Treasurer's

hands be devoted to the Church at Macclesfield.

That the next Conference be held at

Congleton, on the first Tuesday in October, and that Bro. Maden be invited to preach on that occasion.

That the thanks of the Conference be presented to Bro. Pedley for supplying the place of Bro. Smith, who was absent from illness.

Bro. Gent closed the business with prayer.

THE NORTH DERBYSHIRE CONFERENCE assembled at Wirksworth, on Monday, August 2nd, 1858. Brother Yates, Minister of the place, conducted the usual opening service and presided over the meeting. The reports from the churches were on the whole encouraging, though there were some considerable exceptions. It appeared that seventeen had been baptized since the last conference and twentyone remained as candidates. As reported

these were Belper, one candidate; Crich, three candidates; Hucknall, six baptized and thirteen candidates; Langley Mill, two baptized; Ripley, six baptized and four candidates; Wirksworth, three baptized. From Kirkby, Woodhouse, Sutton Ashfield, and Milford no reports were received, which is much to be regretted. As the Conference comprises a number of churches so comparatively small a deficiency in the number of reports necessarily diminishes its interest and importance. It is hoped, therefore, that in future, if there be any churches that cannot conveniently send delegates they will feel it a duty to forward a written report.

As the state of the harvest was so far advanced a large attendance of friends was not anticipated. The number of friends who assembled, however, very cheeringly exceeded general expectation. The business which occupied the attention of the Conference was not of an extensive or varied character.

1.-The state of the Church at Belper, which church has for a long time received a large share of the solicitude and sympathy of the Conference, and, at its last | gathering, some little pecuniary assistance, was very seriously considered and somewhat lengthily discussed in connection with the position of the Church at Crich. The friends at the former place having expressed their deep regret at the inadequacy of their pecuniary resources for another year, and those at the latter place having expressed their difficulties in relation to the obtaining of suitable supplies, and requested, in this matter, the aid of the Conference, it was resolved, That we deeply regret to hear the discouraging reports from these churches, and, as a Conference, think it advisable, because calculated to promote their own well-being and the Divine glory, that they should unite and form one church.

same time expression was given to an undiminished strength of determination and a deepened conviction of the importance and necessity of the object had in view. It was also stated, that an address to the churches was decided upon, and that the report would be presented at the next Conference.

3.-There being no lay or other member of the churches, in this Conference, qualified to recommend a Minister's widow to the "Widows' Fund," established for their assistance; such qualification consisting in the possession of a lifemembership, which is obtained by the payment of the sum of £5 into the Fund, if the person to be qualified be a minister, (which would be about ten shillings to each church,) or £10 if he be a laymember, it was resolved, That we think it desirable that the churches comprising this Conference should constitute one of its ministers or other members a lifemember of the above Fund, by contributing the required sum.

4.-There being an omission in the last report, in the list of Churches that rendered assistance to the friends at Belper, that omission would here be rectified. Langley Mill was the Church left out.

5. The next Conference will be held at Ripley, on Good Friday next, to commence at Two o'clock. It was agreed that brother Shakspeare preach in the evening, and that the subject be "The way of salvation."

6. After tea a revival meeting of an interesting and animated character was held, when the attendance was good, and appropriate addresses were delivered by the Revs. T. Yates, and W. Shakspeare, and brethren G. Malin and W. Carrington.

W. SHAKSPEARE, Secretary.

THE NEXT MIDLAND CONFERENCE Will be held at Hugglescote, on the Third Tuesday in September (21st). The Rev. J. F. Stevenson, B.A., of Mansfield-road, Nottingham, to preach in the morning. N.B.-The nearest Railway Stations are Bardon Hill and Coalville.

THE LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE Will be held at Fleet, on Wednesday, Sep. 22nd, and not on Thursday, the 23rd, as previously announced.

T. BARRASS, Secretary.

they all be such as shall endure to the end and be saved. J. R. M. GRANTHAM-On Wednesday, May 5th, four candidates were baptized by Mr. H. Watts, at Bottesford, after a sermon from Coll. iii., 1, 3. On Lord's day, June 6th,

they were publicly received into the church. LENTON-After a sermon by our Minister, on June 13th, five young friends put on Christ by baptism. Four females and one male. The same day they were added to the church. Hallelujah!

N. R. ISLEHAM.-July 26th, our esteemed Pastor, the Rev. T. Mee, baptized nine persons, two males and seven females, on a profession of their faith in Christ, in the River Lark, and on the following Lord's day received eight of them into the church by the right hand of Christian fellowship. The other, a Primitive Methodist, remains among her own people.

PETERBOROUGH.-On Lord's day, Aug. 1st, six candidates were baptized in the General Baptist Chapel, and were received into the church.

OLD BASFORD.-On Lord's day, Aug. 8th, 1858, after an impressive sermon, by the Rev. T. Gill, of Melbourne, from Ruth i., 16 and 17, nine persons were baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Six of these are scholars from our Sabbath school, and two are teachers. In the afternoon the ordinance of the Lord's supper was administered by Mr. Gill, and the newly baptized received into the church. Mr. Gill preached again in the evening.

The services of the day were of an highly interesting and profitable kind. The con gregations very good. This being our first baptism since being formed into a separate and independent church, we cannot help but pray that such scenes may be oft repeated, and that the Great Head of the church would continue to smile upon us and bless us. W. B.

BARTON.-We are glad to report that another addition has been made to our number by baptism. On Lord's day morning, Aug. 15, 1858, after a very useful and interesting sermon on the "Freeness of the Gospel," by our junior Pastor, Mr. Holroyd, from the words "the Spirit and the Bride say come," &c. ten dear young friends gave evidence of their attachment to Christ by being buried beneath the wave. In the afternoon, Mr. Bott delivered a most faithful discourse founded on the words of the Apostle, "For as often as ye eat this bread," &c. After which, the newly baptized were recognized and received into church fellowship, and the Lord's supper administered. May the Great Head of the church preserve our young friends from the snares which are so peculiar to youth, and may they constantly keeping watch to their steps adorn their profession. H. J.

LENTON.-On June 6th, 1858, two sermons were preached by our Minister, the Rev. J. J. Goadby, and an address was delivered by the writer, in behalf of the Sabbath school, when the collections and donations amounted to the hands me sum of £28. N. R. SILEBY.-On Lord's day, July 18th, two sermons were preached on behalf of our Sabbath school, by the Rev. T. Stevenson. The collections were good, being considerably in advance of last year. J. R. M. ROTHLEY.-There has been a Sabbath school connected with the General Baptist Chapel, Rothley, for nearly 50 years. In 1845 new school rooms were built at a cost of upwards of £112. A considerable amount was raised at the opening services, and the remaining debt has been gradually reduced to £37. This the teachers determined to pay off during the present year, and a subscription was opened, headed by the superintendent and treasurer of the school for £5 each. August being the month in which the anniversary services have generally been held, two excellent sermons were preached on the 8th by Rev. J. Malcolm, of Leicester, and Mr. T. W. Marshall, of Loughbro., and on the following day a public tea meeting was held (the trays being supplied gratuitously), when about 140 sat down.

The school-rooms and chapel were tastefully decorated by the ladies with flowers and evergreens, and a considerable number of flags and banners bearing appropriate inscriptions, calculated both to charm the eye and cheer the heart, gave to the whole a very pleasing effect. It was announced later in the evening that the proceeds of the tea, collections, and subscriptions were not only sufficient to pay off the debt, but left a respectable balance in hand towards carrying on the school for another year. Congratulatory addresses were then delivered by the Rev. J. Goadby and Mr. T. W. Marshall, of Loughborough, aud the Rev. J. Riley, the minister of the place, who presided. The countenance of each person on separating bore witness to the truthfulness of a remark made by one of the preachers on the Lord's day, "To-day is the day for duty, to-morrow for pleasure."

BARTON.-On Lord's day, July 18th, 1858, two sermons were preached in our chapel, by the Rev. J. Burns, D.D., of London, in support of the Sabbath school. Amount of collections realized, £23 0s. 8d. H. J.

ISLEHAM.-On Lord's day, July 25th, we had our school anniversary when two sermons were preached, one in the afternoon

MEETING OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, held at Boston, July 29th, 1858. The proceedings of the day commenced with a social prayer meeting at seven o'clock, which was attended by a goodly number. After breakfast, by the permission of Bro. Mathews, many again came into the house of the Lord to unite their voices in praise and prayer to Him from whom alone strength and wisdom could be obtained. Mr. Mathews gave out a hymn, and Mr. T. Sharman, of Spalding, engaged in prayer. At ten o'clock the reports of the various schools were read, through which we were delighted to hear that several conversions had been wrought by the operation and influence of our schools, which were thereby made mighty and powerful, "not by might nor by power,, but by the Spirit of the Most High." At eleven Bro Chamberlain, of Fleet, preached from Isaiah xliv., 3, 4, and 5. At two o'clock the meeting commenced by Bro. Mathews giving out a most appropriate hymn, after the singing of which Bro. Starbuck, Jun., engaged in prayer. A large number of teachers and friends being present.

1.-Mr. Noble was elected as chairman for the day.

2.-Mr. Anthony Fish was elected as secretary for the three years.

3.-Vote of thanks to Bro. Starbuck for his service as secretary, during the last six years.

4. That the retiring secretary send a report of this meeting to the General Baptist Repository.

Mr. Judd, Mr. S. S. Starbuck, Messrs. Taylor, Fish, and Kemp, of Fleet.

All felt it good to be there. Altogether this was one of the very best and largest meetings ever held. By the kind arrangement of the G. N. R. as many as 150 friends came from Spalding and its neighbourhood..

JOHN STARBUCK, Secretary. WOOD GATE SUNDAY SCHOOL, LOUGHBOROUGH.-On Lord's day, July 25th, a very interesting Meeting was held at the above Institution, on the occasion of Mr. B. Gray, Sen., retiring from the Office of Treasurer, a position he had held for more than thirty years, during a considerable part of which period he had sustained the Office of Superintendent.

The Teachers and Scholars were assembled in the large School-room, and Mr. Gray was invited to meet them, that he might receive a small testimonial from the Teachers expressive of their high esteem and grateful recollections of the long and important services he had rendered to the school. The gift consisted of two handsome volumes, bound in Turkey morocco, gilt, entitled "Laws from Heaven, for Life on Earth," being Illustrative of the Book of Proverbs, by the Rev. Wm. Arnot. After the singing of an apropriate hymn, Mr. Baldwin, the Superintendent, in a lengthened address presented the books to Mr. Gray. The following note was written in the first volume ::

12. That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Boston friends, for the very cordial reception and excellent arrangements witnessed this day.

At 6.30. p.m. the public meeting was held, at which there was a very large attendance. The good feeling and sympathy manifested was, we believe, the means of inciting fresh hope in the heart of many a discouraged teacher, leading them to make the noble resolution of the Psalmist of old, "We will go forth in the strength of the Lord God." Earnest and encouraging addresses were delivered by Mr. Noble, chairman, Mr. T. Sharman,

to present to you these volumes upon your retirement from official connection with the institution. By this simple gift they desire to express their grateful appreciation of the long and valuable services you have rendered to the school during a period of more than 30 years, as its superintendent and treasurer. They feel sensible that much of the prosperity of the school, both now as well as in years past, may be attributed, under God, to the punctuality and untiring faithfulness with which you ever discharged your important duties. They hope in your latter days you may still enjoy the favour of the Lord and the guidance and con

he had enjoyed with Christian brethren there as the happiest of his life. He could not but feel affected to observe only three or four remaining as teachers upon whom he could look as old friends, for several, whose names he mentioned, had gone to their reward. Wishing the school continued prosperity, he accepted the volumes in the same spirit of affectionate regard with which they were presented, and hoped to leave them to his children as an incentive and stimulus to them.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

August 24. There can be little doubt that a large portion of the Church of England Ministers are veering towards Rome. | The attempts to revive "the Confessional" are not confined to one district or diocese. The Bishop of Oxford has been appealed to as to the proceedings of a Curate, in his diocese, who visited a poor woman in labour and proposed to her offensive and improper questions, which he required her to answer on pain of damnation. The wily prelate fences; and it has been suggested that the Archbishop of Canterbury may "visit the Diocese of Oxford, and inhibit the Bishop." The people of England will not easily be led to popery, whatever may be the tastes and bearings of the Clergy. A large number of the Metropolitan Clergy have, to their credit, memorialized the Shareholders of the Crystal Palace against any opening of that place on Sundays.

The singular mixture of doctrine in the Episcopal Establishment shews very forcibly how little avail subscription to articles. In one place we have all but "flat popery," in another high evangelism. In Leamington is a vicar who dismisses his curate for preaching "Conversion Sermons," while in Exeter Hall such sermons are being preached to thousands.

The Wesleyan Conference closed its labours on Friday, the 13th. The increase for the past year is about 7,000. Nearly £100,000 have been spent in new chapels and £40,000 in the liquidation of chapel debts.

Popery is scarcely able to keep up with the times. The Tablet Newspaper is almost dead. It is to be transferred to London. A New College is being built near Durham.

Heresy prevails in the Brazils. The separation of Church and State is awakening attention among protestants in Switzerland, France, and Germany. This is an omen for good. "The sphere of theological belief and the sphere of government are absolutely and entirely different," the worthy sentiment Lord Stanley uttered as to India, will find abettors in every enlightened country. When it does, church and state will be separated. The sooner the better.

An unhappy controversy has arisen in the Baptist Church, St. Mary's, Norwich, in reference to the communion question which will have, it is presumed, to be settled in the Court of Chancery. The question seems to be "whether in accordance with the Trust Deeds which convey the chapel, &c. to a baptist congregation, that congregation can lawfully admit the practice of open communion." It appears that a strict baptist minister, who is a trustee, is the originator of the controversy. This seems to be a rigorous mode of proceeding. Should Mr. the Trustee, succeed in his purpurpose, every church that has adopted the practice of free communion will have to look into its Trust Deeds.

GENERAL.

The great event of the month is the suc cessful laying of the Atlantic Telegraphic Cable. The failure, referred to last month, lowered our present hopes; but the energy and skill of the gentlemen who had charge of the expedition, led them once again, when the vessels were refitted, to attempt this great work. Hundreds of miles had been lost, but enough remained to reach from Ireland to Newfoundland. And now the great work is done. The cable is 2,200