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of Navarre, to Richard Hooker, Dr. Watts, Dr. Payson, Mrs. Rowe, and others. The means for its maintenance are divinely appointed, appropriate, essential; must be sought for in prayer, and used when obtained. Such is a feeble outline of a paper to which it was a great privilege to listen. It was logical, eloquent, fervid, intensely practical, and secured the profound attention of a large assembly. A conversation deeply spiritual and subdued in its tone followed, in which several brethren took part. The best thanks of the meeting were given to brother Lees, who closed with a few appropriate remarks. The sitting was closed with prayer.

The afternoon meeting commenced at halfpast two. The Rev. J. H. Wood presided, and prayer was offered by Rev. J. Harrison. Reports from eight out of eleven churches were presented, from which we found that sixty-four had been baptized since our last meeting, and twenty-four remain candidates. Some interesting cases of restoration were referred to.

1. The Minutes of last Conference were read and confirmed.

2. It was agreed so far to alter our rule as to admit to our afternoon meeting not only members of General Baptist churches, but members of all Christian churches.

3. The Secretary having accepted the invitation of the church at March, resigned his office. The following resolution, drawn by brother Harrison, was adopted: "That the very cordial thanks of this Conference be given to brother Allsop for his efficient services as Secretary during the last eighteen months; and at the same time we express our warm attachment to him, our deep regret at his leaving this district, and our earnest prayer for the blessing of God upon him in his future sphere of labour."

4. The appointment of a new Secretary was postponed to our next meeting, S. Allsop having consented to act for another half year.

5. Our next Conference to be held at the new chapel, Gosford Street, Coventry, in the month of April, 1869. The morning paper to be on "The Conversion of the Young, and the best way of dealing with and guiding them when in a state of religious inquiry and concern." That brother J. H. Wood, be the writer. The Conference sermon to be preached by brother Lees, of Walsall.

After tea a conversational meeting was held in the chapel, which was deeply interesting; prayer also being offered by brother Lees and S. Allsop, and G. Smith, of Longford.

At the evening service the chapel was full. Rev. Ll. H. Parsons opened with reading the scriptures and prayer, and Rev. J. Harrison, of Birmingham, preached the Conference Sermon from Matt. v. 14, 16. "Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men," &c. The preacher referred-I. To Christians as the light of the world; their light and life derived from Christ. II. It is their duty to let that light shine, by cheerful and open discipleship, and by active and holy work. III. Their ever present and influential motive to be not their own glory, not even the pleasure they find in their work, but the glory of God. It was a good and impressive discourse, and was delivered with much feeling and power.

Dinner and tea were provided by the Wolvey friends in their own school-room. Representatives were present from Austrey, Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, and a large number from Longford. Altogether it was a good, hallowed, blessed day.

SOLOMON S. ALLSOP, Secretary.
Longford, October, 1868.

THE LONDON CONFERENCE.-A meeting of this Conference was held at Praed Street Chapel, Paddington, Oct. 7, 1868.

The meeting for business was held in the afternoon. The Rev. J. Clifford, LL.B., took the chair. Brother Bunker, of Chesham, prayed. The minutes of the previous Conference were read and confirmed.

From the reports presented it appeared that thirty-three had been baptized, and twenty-three remained as candidates. Several of the ministerial brethren in the district were suffering from affliction, and special prayer was offered for these brethren.

The Secretary reported that the Committee appointed to investigate and advise respecting the chapel property at Aylesbury had met, and several of the Trustees with them. They had passed the following resolutions:

1. That this Committee discovers no provision in the deeds of the chapel property at Aylesbury effectually hindering the leasing of the said property for a term of years.-2. That as the Bucks Association now gives the opportunity of membership to all evangelical Baptist churches in the district irrespective of the distinctions of "Particular" and "General;" and as the Committee of the said Association having commenced a cause in Aylesbury desire at least the temporary use of the property in Cambridge Street, the Trustees of the said property are hereby advised to negotiate with such responsible persons as the Bucks Association may have appointed,

or may appoint, granting them the use of the property for a term of years at a small yearly charge. It was further stated that the Trustees were willing to let the place for £1 per annum for fourteen years, and that the Trustees were waiting the sanction of the Conference. It was resolved,That the recommendations of the Committee respecting the Aylesbury property have the sanction of this Conference.

2. That we cordially welcome the Rev. J. G. Pike to this Conference, and fervently pray that great prosperity may attend his ministry at Commercial Road chapel.

That the next Conference be at Berkhampstead on the last Tuesday in May, and that Dr. Burns be the preacher.

That the Rev. J. Sage, of Wendover, he requested to write a paper for the next Conference.

Brother Harcourt read a paper on "The promise of the Holy Spirit, and the reasons why the church does not realize more largely the Spirit's power. An interesting discussion followed. Resolved,-That brother Harcourt be thanked for his excellent and suggestive paper.

The Secretary preached in the evening on "The Redeemer's mediation and its issue as an encouragement to Christian labour."

JOHN LAWTON, Secretary.

HOSE.-Jubilee.-Services of a deeply interesting character were held to celebrate the jubilee of the Baptist chapel. On Sunday, Oct. 4, two sermons were preached by the Rev. T. Hoe, of Wymeswold. On Monday a public tea meeting was held, after which addresses were delivered by the Revs. E. Stevenson, of Loughborough, J. J. Irving, of Melton, and other friends. On Tuesday evening a sermon was preached by the Rev. E. Stevenson. On Wednesday evening a prayer meeting in connection with the above services was held. On Thursday afternoon the Rev. J. J. Irving preached, and administered the ordinance of baptism to four persons from Melton. There was a public tea meeting at five o'clock. Mr. Irving preached at Clawson in the evening. The collections and proceeds of tea, &c., will be devoted to repairing, cleaning, and improving the chapel.

GEDNEY BROADGATE.-Re-opening of the General Baptist Chapel.-The chapel at this place having been closed for enlargement and improvement, was re-opened on Lord's-day, Sept. 27, when two impressive sermons were preached, afternoon and evening, by the Rev. W. Dyson, of Measham. On the following Monday the Rev. R. A. Johnson (Independent minister)

Long Sutton, preached in the afternoon. At five o'clock a public tea was providedthe trays being given by friends-of which about two hundred partook. In the evening a public meeting was held, presided over by our pastor, the Rev. F. Chamberlain, when addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Dyson, T. B. Summerfield (Holbeach), R. A. Johnson; and Messrs. J. E. Goodacre (Long Sutton), C. Lowth, J. Chantry, J. Starbuck, A. Fysh, W. Franks. The services were all deeply interesting, and well attended. The enlargement has cost about £110; towards that sum £50 was given or promised before the work was commenced, and about £21 was raised at the opening services, for which the friends feel thankful to God who prompted so many to come to their help.

EAST LEAKE.-On Sunday, Sep. 13, the Rev. Thos. Goadby, B.A., preached two excellent sermons on behalf of the debt on the chapel. On the following evening a tea meeting was held in the school-rooms, which was numerously attended. At seven o'clock a public meeting was held in the chapel, when instructive and effective addresses were delivered by the Revs. T. Goadby, T. Bumpus, W. Bailey, and Messrs. Lacey and Baldwin. Proceeds of tea and collections, £23.

WYMESWOLD.-On Sunday, Oct. 11, the Rev. J. J. Irving, of Melton Mowbray, preached on behalf of a small debt on the chapel, and also for a debt incurred by the repairs of the minister's house. There was a tea meeting on the Monday, and Mr. Irving preached in the evening. Proceeds of tea, collections, and subscriptions, £22. The sermons were very practical, and the address on Sabbath morning by Mr. Irving to the children and young people, from "And God heard the voice of the lad," very suitable and appropriate.

BURNLEY, Enon.-On Lord's-day, Sept. 20th, the Rev. Dr. Burns, of London, preached two sermons to crowded congregations in Enon chapel on behalf of the Sunday school connected with that place of worship. On Monday evening he delivered a lecture in the same place, on "Rome in Passion-week," to a very large and appreciative audience. The collections were £104 19s. 1¿d.

HALIFAX.-On Sunday, Oct. 11, were held the annual missionary services. The Rev. T. J. Guest (Wesleyan), of Halifax, preached in the morning, and Rev. H. Wilkinson in the evening. On the following Monday a juvenile tea meeting was held in the school, after which, the missionary meeting in the chapel was addressed by Revs. Guest, Wilkinson, and Atkinson. Rev. R. Ingham presided. The collections at the above services

amounted to £13 4s. 9d. The amount collected by the juvenile branch during the year, by subscriptions in the school, and by the collecting books, &c., is £48 15s. 7d. The total received from all sources during the last twelve months is £63 10s. 4d.

BARROWDEN.-Two very excellent and impressive sermons were preached by the Rev. W. Orton, of Bourne, on Sunday, May 31, on behalf of the Sabbath school. The congregations were large, and the collections amounted to £5 2s. 4d.

[N.B.-This and the next notice have been delayed owing to their being sent to the Printers, instead of to the Editor direct. As the latter had not seen them until a few days ago, he is not responsible for the delay; nor can the Printers be held to be so, as Correspondents have been repeatedly requested not to send to them.-ED.]

EDGESIDE.-On Lord's-day, March 29, two excellent sermons were preached in the Baptist chapel by the Rev. J. Stevenson, M.A., of Derby, after which the collections and contributions amounted to £22, to be devoted to the liquidation of the debt on our chapel.-On Lord's-day, May 24, two very good sermons were delivered by our venerable father, the Rev. T. W. Mathews, of Boston, for the benefit of the Sabbath school. Collections and contributions amounted to £30.

MINISTERS.

DERBY, Osmaston Road.-Recognition Services.-On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Rev. Thomas Goadby, B.A., who has recently entered upon the work of the ministry in Derby, was publicly recognised as the pastor of the church assembling at Osmaston Road chapel. The services were of the most interesting character, and were exceedingly well attended throughout the day. In the afternoon, after a short devotional service which he conducted himself, the Rev. W. Brock, D.D., of London, gave the introductory discourse. He stated in the beginning that he had been specially deputed by his brethren in London to convey to the church at Osmaston Road good wishes and congratulations on the settlement amongst them of his friend Mr. Goadby. He (Mr. Goadby) had been with them in all high esteem and regard; they were sorry to lose him; but if it must be they rejoiced with the church here in his settlement over them. In the name of the churches of the London Baptist Association he bid them "God speed." He should now give an old fashioned though newly prepared address on the principles of Nonconformity. He could wish that the example of Gallio in declining as a

civil ruler to interfere with matters of conscience were generally followed, and basing his remarks on the passage contained in Acts xviii. 14-16, the rev. doctor proceeded to show in his own characteristic way that the State should have no control over religion because (1) of the very object and end of civil government, which had to do with life, person, and property, and not the salvation of souls; (2) of the nature of religion, which was spiritual; (3) of mischief which the intermeddling of State caused to our religion, embarrassing thoughtful men by its inconsistency, misleading irreligious men by prescribing ceremony and sacrament by Act of Parliament, and favouring dependance upon them, and inevitably persecuting the godly and devout as even now in various petty ways was done. The rev. doctor closed an eloquent address with an appeal to the people to uphold, above all things, in this day, the principles of the New Testament. The Rev. W. Underwood, D.D., of Chilwell College, then offered an appropriate and earnest prayer for the newly-elected minister and the church under his charge; after which the Rev. N. Haycroft, of Leicester, delivered a charge to pastor and people, faithfully and pointedly indicating their mutual duties and obligations.-At the evening meeting, the Rev. John Stevenson, M.A., presided, and in the first place, having said a few congratulatory words, called upon the senior deacon to make a statement on behalf of the church as to the circumstances under which Mr. Goadby had been invited to the pastorate of the church, and expressive of the desire of the brethren for his comfort and prosperity.-Mr. Goadby also spoke, stating the circumstances under which he at first gave himself to the work of the ministry, and the leadings of Providence in his course, and declaring it to be his purpose to feed the flock of God and seek to win souls to Christ, and that nothing should turn him aside from this.-Afterwards, the Revs. H. Ollard, F.S.A., H. Crassweller, B.A., A. L. Simpson, of Derby, J. J. Goadby, of Leicester, made most able and effective speeches, congratulating both pastor and people on the occasion, and wishing them a long, and happy, and prosperous union. The Revs. Crosbie, LL.B., of Derby, J. T. Gale, of Loughborough, G. Needham, of Ripley, D. Macallum, of Melbourne, J. Baxandall, of Wirksworth, his Worship the Mayor of Derby, a good number of friends from the different congregations of the town and neighbourhood were present at the meetings, and testified by their presence or by taking part in the proceedings their interest in the services of the day.

THE REV. J. G. PIKE, son of the Rev. Carey Pike, has commenced his ministry in Commercial Road chapel, London, and has received the cordial welcome of the London Conference.

THE REV. S. S. ALLSOP, of Longford, began his labours as pastor of the General Baptist church, March, Cambridgeshire, on the first Sabbath in October.

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BAPTISMS.

HALIFAX. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, after a suitable discourse by our senior pastor, Rev. R. Ingham, two females were baptized by Rev. J. H. Atkinson. They were cordially received into the church on the Sunday following at the Lord's Supper.

WALSALL. On Aug. 30, after a sermon on the baptism of Christ, fourteen were baptized-seven men and seven women, and some of them were deeply interesting cases of conversion.

BOURNE.-On Wednesday, Sept. 2, four persons were baptized, after a sermon by

the pastor from Rom. iv. 3, and on the following Sunday were publicly recognized by the church.

PETERBOROUGH.-On Lord's-day, Oct. 4, four persons were baptized by Mr. Barrass, and, with three others, were received into church fellowship.

LENTON.-Mr. Colman, of the College, who now regularly supplies the pulpit, administered the ordinance of baptism on Oct. 4.

RIPLEY.-Sept. 6, four were baptized and received into the church; and on Oct. 4, six more. Nearly all these are from our Sabbath schools.

NEW BASFORD.-Oct. 4, twelve were baptized by Mr. J. Edwards, after a sermon by Mr. Pepper, student at the College.

WYMESWOLD.-On Sept. 27, three were baptized, after a sermon by Mr. Bailey Acts. viii. 36-39.

FLEET. On Lord's-day, Oct. 4, two males were baptized by the Rev. F. Chamberlain, and added to the church.

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LOUTH, Eastgate. On Oct. 11, two friends put on Christ by baptism.

Notes on Public Events.

ONE of the more important political events of the past month is the Spanish Revolution. The capital of Spain, Madrid, seemed to have been preparing for the event by the prudent working of a revolutionary committee, which had 20,000 trained men under its direction, and which held confidential communications with all the exiled generals, who were ready at any moment to act against the existing government. The utter weakness and badness of that government were obvious from the fact that when Isabella, the Queen, quitted the country there was not the slightest rising in her favour anywhere. The flight was quietly and thankfully accepted as a happy termination of the hated rule of the Bourbons. Without any collision between the army and the people, and by a sort of universal suffrage, a new Provisional Government was chosen to continue in office until the assembly of the Cortes (Kor-tez). The new State Council, called the Junta, is not empowered to decide on the future constitution of Spain, but it has issued a document which contains a declaration of rights. This declaration includes, election by universal suffrage, liberty of education and religion, the freedom of the press,

right of public meeting, the jury system in criminal trials, and the irremovability of the judges. Whether the form of government shall be republican or monarchial, and who shall be its first President or Sovereign, are questions left to the National Assembly, the Cortes, to determine. This Spanish Revolution is remarkable, not only for the tranquility with which it has been effected, but the manner in which it has been regarded by the surrounding nations. Hitherto when such a change has occurred the other European states have taken some alarm. Stocks have fallen, business has been checked, and the population in sympathy with the event have been either smitten with fears or transported with romantic hopes. The Spanish Revolution is the first which has been greeted by the European Exchanges with a rise in the funds. The leaders of the movement have the confidence of their countrymen and the respect of politicians outside. Many difficulties, and some dangers, are foreseen in the future settlement of Spanish affairs. The deficiency of the late harvest, and the indisposition of the rulers to promote the import trade, reduce the people to a state of semi-starvation; while such is the public

distrust of capital that the subscription for the National Loan has realized a very insignificant sum. But the heroes of the age, with Marshall Serrano and General Prim at their head, are proceeding vigour. ously in their efforts to meet the exigencies of the country. The society of Jesuits has been already suppressed, and its property confiscated; and it may be hoped that Spain, relieved of its licentious Queen and of its rapacious priesthood, will regain its long lost prosperity, and rise to something near its ancient eminence.

At home the chief attention centres in the preparations which are made for the coming General Election. The topics on which the opinions of candidates are tested are, as usual, somewhat numerous, but the one most prominent is the proposed disestablishment of the Irish Church. The Tories, who have nothing in the shape of sound argument to employ in its behalf, betake themselves to the pitiful task of prognosticating evils to the land, or to the still worse employment of vilifying the advocates of the impending change. In the meantime the Liberal leaders are growing more resolute in their purpose to remove the crying injustice, the grossness of which is shown more clearly by the report of the Commissioners who have inquired into the present condition of the Irish Church. Mr. Gladstone declares his intention to seek its removal as the discharge of a debt of civil justice, and as a condition indispensable to the success of every effort to secure the peace and contentment of Ireland. The action of the great Liberal leaders is being backed by the opinions of such eminent Churchmen as Dr. Vaughan, of Doncaster, and Dr. Alford, Dean of Canterbury. The latter has sketched the Church of the Future in an article in the 66 Contemporary Review," and has given expression to the most advanced views on the true nature of Christ's kingdom. The work of disestablishing the Irish Church is attracting the consideration of the clergy, and not a few have already declared themselves favourable to it.

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commencement great numbers of them were there. The Rev. H. S. Brown, of Liverpool, preached on the power of religion to make men courageous; and he instanced (1) the courage-giving words, "Our Father," in the Lord's Prayer: (2) the courage-giving principle which is found in the love of Christ: (3) the courage inspired by the hope of eternal life. He cited the instances of courage to be found in the Bible, among the martyrs and confessors, and among modern missionaries; closing with an exhortation to be courageous in defending the truth-in right action as men of business-and in the confession of Christ on all occasions before men.On Tuesday evening the United Missionary Meeting was held in Colston Hall, which was crowded to excess. E. S. Robinson, Esq., presided, and speeches were made by the Revs. J. A. Spurgeon, J. Bloomfield, of Bradford; N. Haycroft, M.A., of Leicester; J. Clifford, LL.B., of London; and Dr. Price, of Aberdare.-On Wednesday morning a devotional service was conducted in King Street chapel, over which Dr. Steane presided. After this the Chairman of the Union, Dr. Gotch, read his Introductory Address, which he entitled, "CHRIST THE CENTRE." After the thanks of the assembly had been voted to Dr. Gotch, and the message of the Committee had been read by Mr. Millard, it was announced that Dr. Brock had been invited to be Chairman for the next year. The most important

paper of the session was then read by Dr. Landells, on the "Causes of Ministerial Failure." which was followed by some good remarks by the Rev. C. M. Birrell, of Liverpool, and others. In the evening there was a Soiree in Colston Hall, under the presidency of Dr. Brock-the speakers being the Revs. C. Vince, S. G. Green, and J. P. Chown. On the following day the Rev. F. Bosworth, M.A., formerly one of the tutors of Bristol College read a history of its celebrities. This was followed by another paper, a report of the Committee on the Sustentation Fund. The debate on this subject, at first very lively, became quite languid, as the difficulties of the enterprize were brought to view. length three resolutions were passed, the first recognizing the need of the fund; the second recommending a Conference between the Committee of the Union and the trustees of funds already in being; the third approving of the attempt to group small churches. The greatest interest was manifested in the preaching services of Mr. Spurgeon. He preached both morning and evening in Colston Hall to closely packed congregations and as multitudes were shut out from the hall an open-air service was held for them in the street.

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