for greater nearness to God and likeness to Him, how little do we hear. It seems to us that the consciousness of the presence or the supposed presence of the unbeliever is fostered, till the higher consciousness of the oneness of believers with themselves and with their Saviour is to a great extent lost. Let it not be said that we advocate a selfish piety. The springs of salvation, welling forth from a man's heart, must bless and fructify all around, and in striving to realize the great truths of the gospel for ourselves, whilst our own spiritual strength is renewed, the beauty of holiness will charm even the beholder and draw out his soul more effectually than reiterated supplications for and at him, which often seem the offspring To the Editor of the General Baptist rather of spiritual barrenness than of Magazine. DEAR SIR,-The formality and want of life in our prayer meetings is too apparent to a candid observer. We desire to offer a few suggestions to which this state of things has given rise in our minds. 1. Let them be regarded more exclusively as church meetings, that is, assemblies of believers. We do not mean to imply that attendance on them should be restricted to such, but, as it is reasonable to suppose that few be sides persons in some earnest about religion will attend, let the presence of others be mainly ignored, so that throughout the service the communion of saints may be more fully realized. We can almost envy the early church, | the meetings in the upper rooms or in the vaulted cellars, where, driven by the fires of persecution, and cut off from the unbelieving and time-serving world, the disciples must have realized, in the deep communion of kindred souls, much of the blessedness of the life hid with Christ in God. Our modern meet ings are so much frequented by those who are not church members, and the presence of such is so much dwelt upon, and often uncharitably and unwisely, in the prayers of the brethren, that the sense of Christian communion is, to a great extent, lost, and we feel as though we were mainly met to pray with, and for a company of unforgiven sinners. Of the joys of salvation, of yearnings deep solicitude. 2. Let there be variety and freedom in regard to the expression of emotion. If we look around on the kingdom of nature, we see that its elements develop themselves in ten thousand varied forms, and in the variety of its productions lies much of their charm as well as of their utility. The mind tires of sameness. Remembering then, that in the kingdom of heaven there are diversities of gifts, and that the moods and frames of the human spirit are as varied as is the nature of the soil beneath our feet, and as changeful as is the atmosphere around us, let us not seek to stereotype the forms in which the inward workings of the mind shall find utterance. It seems to us that in expecting at devotional meetings the employment of one unvaried form, i.e., prayer, we are really doing violence to an important principle of spiritual life. Why should it be that exhortation, or the reading of the Word, save in a formal manner, and that rarely by the leader of the meeting, should be by tacit consent excluded? This ought not, we think, so to be. If the Spirit of God deeply impress a truth on the mind of a brother, if some lesson of warning or joyous experience be uppermost in his mind, let him tell it. If some short portion of the written Word come with power to the heart of another, let him read. Is any afflicted, let him pray. merry, let him sing psalms. (Aye, the Is any Correspondence.-Home Missions. SIDE. 103 To the Editor of the General Baptist DEAR SIR,-I was somewhat startled prayer meeting is the place for psalms, | HOME MISSIONS.-THE OTHER if we could but sing as the saints sang before the days of long and short metre.) And as it is a principle of Christian life to weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice, so let all seek to unite in hearty sympathy with the desires and emotions of others, expressed as in the presence of the Father, with childlike freedom, yet with filial reverence. Thus, instead of meetings in which we are shut up to the formal repetition of prayer, or others, for the still more formal recitation of experience, let prayer, experience, and exhortation, under the guidance of the minister or leader, be equally permitted and encouraged, and a barrier to the development of spiritual life, would, we feel assured, be thereby removed. 3. Let the leader of the meeting beware of forcing public exercises upon it. Without referring to what seems to us the objectionable plan of always calling upon individuals by name to lead the devotions, we think that the anxiety sometimes expressed by the president to keep going' is very objectionable. A short silence, broken, may be, by the reading of some quickening word from the Testament of our Lord, would often be impressive and admonitory, surely far preferable to the urging speech on those who feel for the moment unprepared, and who, if they pray, enter into the engagement, under such pressure, much as the unthinking horse rusheth to battle. 4. Let all who engage in conducting the meeting be short in their exercises. Let all affectation in manner be carefully avoided, whether of the slowly solemn, or of the noisy, earnest character. Let simplicity of heart be expressed in simplicity of language, and as Beecher, we think, suggests, in simplicity and openness of countenance. Let us be earnest, but let us be real. This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me,' was said in old time of some. Let us see that it be said of none of us. Yours truly, It is assumed by Mr. Springthorpe that those churches which do not appear in the report are not doing anything for the Home Mission. But is this correct? Is nothing done in the way of Home Missionary effort except through the medium of the Society? Or is it only possible to promote the interests of the Denomination through the institutions of the body? As it appears to me, the real object of the Home Missionary Society is, for the churches collectively, to accomplish that which no one church could do alone. But are there not many churches which do not contribute to the funds of the society, which are essentially Home Missionary churches, and are so to a much greater extent than some that do contribute? And are there not many ministers, whose names do not appear on the list of subscribers, who are doing that for the interests of the Denomination which is not to be represented by a subscription? And, if so, is it right or kind to imply, if not assert, that they are not doing anything for the advancement of our De nominational interests? I am not ashamed to say that I am the pastor of a church which has not yet collected for the Home Mission, and yet the church has done for the Denomination that which will compare favourably with any church in the Connexion. Not yet six years old; composed originally of some sixty persons, though the workers would not exceed half that number; all the members persons who have to obtain their bread by their daily labour; located in a district well deserving the attention of any Home Missionary Society; this handful of persons were desirous of promoting the interests of the Denomination, and they began at home; instead of seeking help from the Home Mission, they have helped themselves, and have raised for the support of the General Baptist cause in the neighbourhood not far short of £800. A good church is established; large congregations and Sabbath-schools are collected; a regular minister is supported; the various organizations of the church have a great and increasing power for good in the neighbourhood; and yet this church is one that is presumed to be doing nothing for the Connexion, and is in some danger of being disowned in consequence. Let the facts say whether this is deserved or not. Having a somewhat extensive acquaintance with the small churches of this, the Midland district, I often hear the question asked, and now ask it of some of your correspondents,- What do the small churches get by being in the Connexion, and what would they lose if not in it?' To this question I will add another,-'What is done to excite, on the part of such churches, a feeling of interest in our Denominational institutions ?' Coalville. I am, dear Sir, Yours very truly, JOHN CHOLERTON. BACUP. efforts the friends, in connection with the cause at Bacup, are putting forth, with a view to the erection of a new chapel in that interesting and rapidly thriving town; where tall chimneys are springing up on every hand like mushrooms, swelling to an enormous degree the numbers already existing. The character of the people may be known from the fact, that here, co-operation exists in its most perfect and prosperous state, from the extensive manufactory down to the cobbler's stall, so that the people's heads are filled with co-op. schemes,' and the theme of their conversation, a good divie.' We consider our progress in numerical strength from the commencement to have been, at least, satisfactory. Our congregations are generally very good, and we believe a new chapel would tend to strengthen our position very materially. To attain so desirable an object the members and friends of the cause, during the past year, have exerted themselves very energetically, and, I may add, successfully, considering they are all working people. In the month of March, of the preceding year, the valuable services of Mr. Thomas Cooper were obtained, who gave a most brilliant series of lectures, and preached three very powerful and eloquent sermons. On that occasion we realized the very handsome sum of £20. In the month of December, of the same year, the services of the same gentleman were again secured, and the sum of £12 cleared; so that by Mr. Cooper's services £32 have been raised. This sum has been further augmented by the combined efforts of the members and friends, teachers and scholars, to the sum of £65 10s., which has been duly put out to the best in terest. Knowing well that a heavy debt is a very serious obstacle to the prosperity of a church, it is not our intention to build till the whole amount, or nearly To the Editor of the General Baptist so, be raised. Magazine. DEAR SIR,- It will, no doubt, give you and your readers generally great pleasure to know something of the Meantime we do not mean to let our efforts flag, but to labour on energetically and prayerfully till our desires are realized. If any of our wealthy brethren in Correspondence.-Jamaica.-Italy, &c. DEAR SIR,-The following pleasing account of the progress of the gospel in Jamaica, will, I have no doubt, be read with interest. It is an extract from the Freeman.' Montigo Bay, Jamaica, Jan. 2. 'I am happy to say that the glorious work is still going on here. All the houses of prayer in town and country are crowded to excess, there is not room for the people either morning or evening. Persons of the most vile character, who never visited the house of God before, but spent their time in the dancing saloon and other low places of amusement and sin, are now crying, "Lord, what shall I do to be saved." The dancing room in Church-street is given up, and is now used for prayer meetings, &c., &c.' Such is a short extract of a letter. I also enclose a short extract from the monthly intelligence of the Evangelical Alliance as to the state of Italy, by an Italian. 'The work of the Lord in Tuscany, and especially in Florence, is advancing under His benediction. The gospel is preached from eight to nine every evening, and in several parts of the city. The places are filled full of people anxious to hear the word of truth. To find a seat it is necessary to go half an hour before the time. You should see the seriousness, the attention, the ardent desire of learning heavenly things. The Bible so lately obstructed, proscribed, given to the flames, is now, it may be said, in every family. I sometimes meet persons reading the New Testament as they are walking. The field is vast, but the labourers are few. I visit relations, friends, and ac 105 quaintances, to whom I speak of the love of God in Christ Jesus. How could I ever have thought I should ever have preached the gospel in my own city. I labour, too, among the priests. I assure you that many amongst them are disposed to abandon popery, but are restrained for fear of dying of hunger. Thank God a great blessing has been with us this week, arising from our daily prayer meetings. I believe the future prosperity of the church of Christ in Italy will take its rise in the spring of life and love, opened in those who are made of one heart and of one soul by the Holy One.' What a field is here opened for Christian effort-how sad it is that we as Baptists can do nothing in it, while our Wesleyan friends are arranging to send missionaries amongst them. I sincerely pray they may be prospered in their labours. Very sincerely yours, Feb. 8, 1861. ་ A DEACON. THE COLLEGE. DEAR SIR,-Mr. Read, Bookseller, of Ipswich, the donor of many books in our library, recently offered me the great work of Henry Stephens, his Greek Thesaurus, which was republished 1816-28, and which cost the subscribers between £40 and £50. It is in eight volumes, folio, well bound, and has been purchased for a small sum, subscribed by a few gentlemen, to whom the opportunity of obtaining this costly work was made known. From one of these gentlemen, Mr. C. Bishop, we are further indebted for the gift of Guthrie's Inheritance of the Saints,' and of a copy of the Dial' Newspaper weekly. THE NEW COLLEGE. Twelve months ago I informed, the readers of the Magazine that Mr. Hill, sen., of New Basford, had given £20 as the foundation of a fund for providing College premises. Our venerable friend having been spared another year has given me £10 more toward the same object, accompanied with the following statement:-'A thank offering for mercies received during the past year, from an old disciple.' See Gen. xxviii. 20, 22, Haggai ii. 8. Mr. Hill requests me to say how anxious he is to hear that his offerings are followed by others from members of the denomination in Nottingham, and all other places, so that the projected College may be com menced before his removal from the world. He is now in his 80th year. I may add that since the printing of the College Report two friends have promised £50 each. Yours truly, W. UNDERWOOD. SUCCESS OF THE WEEKLY Magazine. DEAR SIR,-For the gratification of your readers connected with churches practising Weekly Offerings, and for the encouragement of such as are desirous of seeing that system adopted, I beg, through your columns, to state that Ely-place church, in this town, commenced the system in March last, for the purpose of meeting the incidental expenses. We found at first, and still find to a small degree, an unwillingness on the part of a few to take the envelopes, but with kindly forbearance that unwillingness is speedily overcome, and the result is that our income for the objects named has NEARLY DOUBLED that of previous years. Hoping that all our churches will ere long be in the practice of this excellent and scriptural system of giving. I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully, THE BUNYAN LIBRARY. AN admirable project is now on foot, which has only to be better known to secure the hearty approval of many of our readers. Under the title of the Bunyan Library,' Messrs. Heaton and Son, of 21, Warwick-lane, London, are about to issue a series of standard works by eminent Baptist authors. It will comprise some of the best works by American divines, reprints of English authors not now accessible, and occasionally original works on subjects of denominational interest. Each work will be issued under the direction of a competent Editor, whose name will be announced. There will be four volumes issued yearly, and the subscription will be twelve shillings and sixpence per annum. It is intended to commence The first the series in June next. series is already advertised, and includes The Principles and Practices of the Baptists,' by Dr. Wayland, with a preface by Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A.; Select Works of Rev. Robert Robinson, of Cambridge,' edited by Rev. W. Robinson; The Early English Baptists,' by Rev. Dr. Evans; and The Life and Letters of Mrs. Judson,' by Dr. Kendrick, edited by Dr. Angus. As each volume will be elegantly printed on good paper, handsomely 350 pages post octavo, the subscribers bound, and is to comprise some 300 or will secure a uniform and valuable Baptist Library. The project has our best wishes for its success. REV. G. W. PECG. Obituary. Ir is our mournful duty to announce that our estimable brother, Rev. G. W. Pegg, minister of Commercial-road chapel, London, died on the 10th of February, at the house of his fatherin-law, J. Garratt, Esq., of Chesham. He was only 39, MRS. SARAH OAKES was the daughter of John and Sarah Wilson, who for many years were connected with the General Baptists at Halifax and Queenshead. Her father appears to have joined the church about 1773, when he was about eighteen years of age, and he continued an honourable, respected, and useful member of our Denomination until his death, sixty |