of God was tested by domestic trials of | no ordinary character. First, in the early removal by death of his eldest son, a young man of great promise, a local preacher amongst our Wesleyan brethren. Also, much sorrow, anxiety, and expense with his second son, who at length left for a distant land; but after some years he had the great satisfaction to hear that his fervent prayers on his behalf were answered in his conversion to God; he joined the church of Free Will Baptists in America. Then came other bereavements, and trials more painful than death to a man of such spotless in

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tegrity; yet his language amidst all was, Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.'

As the infirmities of age increased his memory failed, but his faith remained unclouded. The last passage of Scripture he repeated shewed his unshaken trust in God. Flesh and heart fail me, but God is the strength of my heart, and he will be my portion for ever.' He died November 22ud, 1859, in his 82nd year.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.' E. G.

CONFERENCES.

THE MIDLAND CONFERENCE met at Melbourne, on Easter Tuesday, April 2nd, 1861. Rev. T. Lovekin, of Old Basford, preached in the morning. Rev. T. Gill presided at the afternoon meeting. From written or verbal reports it appeared that since the winter Conference 145 had been baptized, 169 were now candidates for baptism, and eleven had been restored to fellowship. After singing the doxology, the following business was attended to:

1. The New Conference Plan. The Secretary and Rev. W. R. Stevenson, having prepared a Conference Plan for the next five years, it was unanimously agreed to. The plan is as follows:

1861.

Easter.-Melbourne. Whitsuntide.-Quorndon. September.-Ashby. December.-Leicester.

1862.

Easter.-Beeston.

Whitsuntide.-Coalville. September.-Old Basford. December.-Loughborough.

1883.

Easter.-Kegworth.
Whitsuntide.-Hugglescote.
September.-Leake & Wymeswold
December.-Nottingham.

1864.

Easter.-Measham.
Whitsuntide.-Castle Donington.
September-Barton.
December.-Derby.

1865.

Easter.-Sutton Bonington.
Whitsuntide.-New Lenton.
September.-Ilkeston.
December.-Burton-on-Trent:

2. Winter Conference.-Christmas week, or the week following having been found an inconvenient time for holding the Winter Conference, it was agreed: That in future the Winter Conference be held on the second or third Tuesday in December; that the particular week be determined by the nearness of the Tuesday in it to the time of the full moon; and that the Secretary give notice of the Conference in the November Magazine.

8. Persons eligible to be members of Conference. After a further discussion

on the traditional rule,' the Conference adopted the following amendment: That it be understood that the appointment by the churches of delegates to the Conference is not indispensible; and, in the event of any important question arising on which the votes of the Conference are to be taken, all accredited members of churches in the Conference who may be present, shall be entitled to vote, after the ratio per church as stated in the traditional rule.

3. Travelling expenses of the Secretary of the Conference. A case having been presented from the church at Lenton, suggesting that the Secretary, as the servant of the Conference, and expected to attend every Conference, should have his travelling expenses defrayed by Conference; it was agreed: (1) That the Conference acknowledges the obligation to defray the travelling expenses of its Secretary; (2) That an annual collection be made for the incidental expenses of the Conference and for the Secretary's travelling expenses at the Whitsuntide Conference.

The next Conference to be held at Quorndon, on Whit-Tuesday, May 21st; and that Rev. C. Burrows, of Measham, preach in the morning. Rev. C. Burrows preached in the evening.

J. J. GOADBY, Secretary.

THE CHESHIRE CONFERENCE Was held at Wheelock Heath, on Wednesday, April 3rd, 1861. The morning service was opened by Mr. Bailey, of the College, Nottingham, and the Secretary, preached from 1 Cor. i. 27. The reports of the churches were more pleasing and satisfactory than they have been for some time past. Baptized seventeen, candidates fourteen. After much consideration upon the subject of a Chapel Building Fund, it was moved:

1. That this Conference do form a local Chapel Building Fund.

2. That a Committee be formed consisting of the following gentlemen, R. Pedley, of Crewe, C. Bate, of Tarporley, A. Wright, of Stoke-uponTrent, and the Rev. J. Maden, of Macclesfield.

3. That in consequence of the friends at Congleton becoming connected with the Particular Baptists, we instruct our Secretary to inform the Association of this change, that the name may be erased from the list of churches in our denomination.

4. That all the churches in this district collect for the Home Mission before next Conference, and that the money be given to aid the friends at Stoke-upon-Trent.

5. That the next Conference be held at Stoke-upon-Trent, on the second Monday in October, and that the Rev. R. Pedley be the preacher.

6. That the thanks of this Conference be given to the Secretary for his sermon in the morning.

JAMES MADEN, Secretary.

THE LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE Was

held at Whittlesea, on March 28th, 1861. In the morning the Secretary read and prayed, and brother Wilson preached from Leviticus x. 1-3. In the afternoon verbal or written reports from some of the churches were presented, from which we gathered that 29 had been baptized since the last Conference, and that 46 remained candidates for baptism.

all the churches to whom circulars are An earnest wish was expressed that

sent, would either return the circulars or send a representative to the Conference.

Brethren Watts and J. Wherry, having visited Castleacre, for the purpose of making some arrangement respecting the General Baptist church at that place, (now destitute of ministerial aid) thought it advisable, under all circumstances, to recommend their uniting with the Particular Baptist church in the same village, and thus becoming with them a branch of the church at Swaffham, under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. Woods, and this arrangement they succeeded in effecting. These brethren given their report, and having presented a copy of the resolutions passed, it was unanimously resolved:

That this Conference approves of the steps taken by brethren Watts and J.Wherry, and sincerely thanks them for the services which they have rendered.

A letter was read from brother R. Wherry, stating that the present condition of the Gedney Hill chapel trust deeds is satisfactory.

Resolved, that brother R. Wherry be requested to prepare a petition in favour of Sir. S. M. Peto's Nonconformists Burial Act,' to be signed by the chairman and secretary of this Conference, and forwarded to the House of Commons for presentation.

That the next Conference be held at Spalding, on June 13th, and that brother Hester be requested to preach in the morning.

In the evening, brother Allsop read and prayed, and the Secretary preached from Heb. xiii. 8.

As the Home Mission accounts for this district will be made up at the next Conference it is very desirable that all Home Mission monies should be sent to the Treasurer, Mr. R. Wherry, Wisbech, before that time.

THOMAS BARRASS, Secretary.

P.S. For the interest and satisfaction of those friends who have contributed to the funds of the Home Mission in this district it may be desirable to append the following statement of facts, (kindly supplied by brother J. Wherry,) relative to the rise and progress of the movement that led to the formation of the General Baptist church in the neighbourhood of Castle

acre.

The Wendling and Great Dunham church was formed in May, 1840. To this church Castleacre was united; and subsequently Hale and Barney. For some time the friends resident at Great Dunham and Hale have worshipped with the Particular Baptists at Necton; and several have joined the church there.

Some of the friends from Wendling, occasionally worship with the Particular Baptist church at East Dereham.

The branch church at Barney is supplied by brethren from the Fakenham and Foulsham Particular Baptist churches; and now, as reported above, Castleacre has been incorporated with the Particular Baptist church at Swaffham. Had this step been deferred,

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the supplies for the pulpit must necessarily have been obtained from our Particular Baptist brethren, as we have no churches in that district, aud there did not seem the slightest reason for hoping that one of our own ministers could be sustained there. Since the commencement of the effort in 1840, nearly 200 persons have been baptized; many of whom have left the neighbourhood, and not a few have been removed to a better world. The others are, for the most part, united aforementioned. It is hoped therefore, with the Particular Baptist churches

that a rich reward has been obtained

for the labour and money expended, although a self-supporting cause in connection with our own denomination has not been raised. T. B.

THE 59TH NORTH DERBYSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Belper, on Good Friday, March 29th, 1861, when a good number of friends assembled. The meeting was opened by brother Smith, of Belper, after which brother Argile, of Ripley, was elected chairman. From the reports it appeared that 33 had been baptized since the last Conference, and that 28 remained as candidates; numbers not even approximated since the Good Friday Conference at Ripley, two years before, when they were almost exactly the same. As reported there were, Crich, 25 baptized, 6 candidates; Duffield, 1 candidate; Kirkby, 2 candidates; Ripley, 7 baptized, 19 candidates; Smalley, 1 baptized. After the reports had been given, the doxology was sung, and business proceeded with.

1. Plan for Home Missionary. The deputation appointed to wait upon the churches, and adoption of the plan for the mainteurge upon them the nance of a Home Missionary amongst them, approved at the last Conference, gave their report, after hearing which it was resolved: That this Conference cannot do less than express its regret at the apathy of some and the refusal of others to assist in so desirable an effort for their restoration to spiritual life and prosperity.

a

2. Application from Tagg Hill. The friends at Smalley and Tagg Hill, having amicably separated, a request was brought from the latter place for admission into the Conference as separate church. The request was granted; but regret was expressed at the same time, that our small churches should, on any grounds, weaken them selves by separation.

3. Churches sending no reports. Great regret was felt that several churches, notwithstanding they had received written announcements of the Conference, neglected to send either reports or delegates. Some difficulty was felt as to what would be the best course to pursue; but, after considerable conversation, it was agreed that the following be a standing rule of this Conference, viz: That if any church neglect to send a report for two successive Conferences, a written admonition shall be sent by the Secretary; and if such church neglect again after such admonition, it shall be considered as withdrawn.

4. Appointment of Secretary. That the cordial thanks of this Conference be presented to the Secretaay for his services during the past three years, and that he be requested to continue to fill the office for the next three

years.

5. Weekly Offering. The subject of the Weekly Offering was introduced, and the fact was elicited during the conversation that followed, that several of the churches in the Conference had adopted the system, and it was resolved: That this Conference rejoices to find that several of the churches connected with it have adopted the Weekly Offering, and recommend the rest of the churches to do the same.

6. The Conference and Milford. The Conference having never assembled at Milford, and the friends there being desirous that it should meet at their place, it was agreed: That the Conference appointed for Hucknall, on Good Friday next, meet at Milford instead, if the Hucknall friends give consent.

7. The next Conference was appointed to meet at Sutton Ashfield, on

Monday, August 5th, 1861, to commence at two o'clock. A public meeting to be held in the evening.

Tea was provided in the chapel, after which a public meeting was held, which was well attended. Many new revival with which God has so signally converts were there, the fruits of the blessed the neighbouring churches of Crich and Ripley. Some of these gave interesting and affecting sketches of their own spiritual history, which were most earnestly listened to. The meeting was also addressed by brethren Needham, of Ripley, Kenwick, of Duffield, and Shakspeare, of Crich. Several striking instances were narrated illustrative of the power of prayer in connection with the enforcement of the truth; several revival melodies were also sung, and altogether it was felt to be one of the most soul-stirring and delightful Conference meetings that had taken place in recent years. Our prayer is that God would send us many such.

W. SHAKSPEARE, Secretary.

PINCHBECK.-Two young men were baptized at this place after the morning service, on Lord's-day, March 3rd.

CRICH.-On Lord's-day, March 24th, 1861, twenty-four persons were baptized in the Baptist Chapel, Crich, being the first-fruits of the great religious awakening with which God has visited this place and neighbourhood. The chapel was crowded, and many were unable to gain admittance. In the afternoon they were received to the Lord's table. It was the most memorable day in the history of the church. Others are waiting for the same ordinance. Our hearts rejoice in the Lord. 'Praise ye the Lord.'

MARCH, Cambridgeshire.-On Lord'sday, the 31st March, after a discourse

MARCH, Cambridgeshire.-As usual, on the 29th March, we held our Good Friday tea meeting. There was a large gathering of friends. We spent a very happy and, we trust, a very profitable evening. In addition to excellent speeches, the choir sang several fine musical pieces, which tended materially to enliven the meeting.

BIRCHCLIFFE.-On Good Friday, we held our annual meeting for the reduction of the debt on the chapel premises. About 250 took tea in the school-room. The provision being gratuituously made, the proceeds, including a few subscriptions, amounted to upwards of £26. At seven o'clock, we held a public meeting in the chapel, Mr. James Lister in the chair. The meeting was addressed by Messrs. Lister, Jackson, Mitchell, Atkinson, and the minister of the place. It was stated that about £125 would be left as debt on the whole property. The pastor, in his address, suggested a plan by which the whole could be easily removed in twelve months, and the chairman authorized him to state that if £100 could be raised, the whole should be cleared off. The plan suggested was much approved, cordially adopted, and we have no doubt of its perfect success.

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LINCOLN.-On Sunday, March 31st. the anniversary services were held in the Corn Exchange Hall. Rev. T. W. Mathews, of Boston; and Mr. J. Greenwood, of the College, Nottingham; preached. The ordinance of believers' baptism was administered both after the morning and afternoon sermons, and the ordinance of the Lord's supper after that in the evening. On Easter Tuesday, a most interesting meeting was held in the same room. About 400 persons sat down to tea, the trays being given by the friends. The meeting was addressed by Revs. T. W. Mathews, the chairman, who gave a brief sketch of the history of the Lincoln church; J. Lewitt, of Nottingham, on Work for God and its Reward;' J. F. Stevenson, B.A., of Nottingham, on 'The General Baptists; and G. Hester, of Long Sutton, on Conversion.' We are happy to hear that the prospects of the church at Lincoln are very encouraging.

REMOVAL.

THE REV. J. CHOLERTON, of Pinchbeck, having accepted an invitation from the church at Sutterton, intends commencing his labours at that place the first Sunday in July.

MISCELLANEOUS.

SUTTON COLDFIELD, Staffordshire.Some eighty years have now passed away since the General Baptists, out of Leicestershire, first introduced themselves into this part of the country. Great has been the opposition which the General Baptists at Sutton have had for many years to contend with, on account of the power held and exercised by the Church of England and Roman Catholics. But now our prospects are brightening. On Easter Monday, we held a meeting of unusual interest; the morning being devoted to the distributing of tracts and visiting the people, calling at every house; in the afternoon we met at the chapel for prayer. Tea was provided at half-past four o'clock; after which a meeting was held, when several addresses were delivered, by the writer and an old friend, Mr. Smart, who gave us a full and lucid account