public services of the sanctuary. Still the sanctifying and blessed truths of the Gospel, which for so many years he had earnestly and affectionately proclaimed with the lip, and which had perfumed his life with the beauties of holiness, shone forth with clearer and intenser light, to life's latest hour: and the words of the inspired penman became in his case words of verity and truth -Hoary heads are a crown of glory, if found in the way of righteousness. To the last, Mr. Knight was conscious; and surrounded by all his children, the vital spark' fled to its permanent home and rest. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit; they rest from their labour and their works do follow them. 6 On Monday, Feb. 3, Mr. Knight's remains were committed to their final resting-place, in the burialground, adjoining the chapel. At At two o'clock a procession was formed to the chapel, headed by Dr. Parsons, of Shilton, and the deacons of the church over which Mr. Knight had presided. Immediately after the corpse were the relatives of the departed, followed by a large number of the members of the church and congregation,nearly all of whom were in mourning, -and a number of friends from Bulkington, Withybrook, Coventry, and other places. After reading a suitable portion of Scripture, the Rev. W. Chapman, of Longford, delivered a solemn and impressive oration over the body. It was then removed to the grave, where a hymn was sung, commencing Unveil thy bosom faithful tomb, Awhile to slumber in the dust.' and a short address delivered by Mr. Chapman to the vast concourse of spectators who had assembled to show their appreciation and high regard for one who had for so many years laboured amongst them. 'Servant of God, well done! Rest from thy loved employ; The battle's fought, the victory's won,— Enter thy Master's joy!' On Sunday, the 9th of February, the Rev. T. Stevenson, of Leicester, preached Mr. Knight's funeral sermon to a crowded congregation. The preacher selected as his text the 7th and 8th verses of the 13th chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, &c.; and in the course of a solemn discourse gave a true delineation of Mr. Knight's character as a minister of the Gospel. The crowd then assembled was an evidence they had met to do honour to one who was brought up, who lived and died amongst them. On the great cardinal truths of the Gospel, his discourses were marked by clearness, soundness, and elegance; whilst the fact that he had been a scholar, and then a teacher in the Sabbath-school; then a member, afterwards a deacon, and finally for thirty-five years pastor of the same church, was the strongest possible proof that he possessed extraordinary natural gifts -was endowed with eminent piety. MR. J. KEMP, JUNR., Thurlby Grange, near Alford, Lincolnshire.When quite a child this friend was taken by his honoured parents to the General Baptist Chapel, Northgate, Louth, the church being then under the pastoral care of the late Rev. F. Cameron; and from early life he gave evidence of very sincere attachment to the General Baptist Denomination. In the year 1846, the family removed to Thurlby Grange, and his parents became members of the ancient General Baptist Church at Maltby-le-Marsh, then under the ministry of the Rev. J. Kiddall. Jesse, who was the third child, and second son, was taken to Maltby regularly until the year 1854, when an attempt was made to revive the cause at Alford which was reunited to Maltby as one of its branches. From this time our young friend attended the Alford chapel occasionally. He took great interest in the singing, was the means of Obituary-Mrs. Stevenson. procuring a harmonium, and, up to the time of his last illness, presided over the choir. When the cause began to improve, a few friends felt that a Sabbath school might be collected and carried on, and the attempt had his hearty approval and vigourous help. The school was opened on Lord's-day, April 11th, 1858. He was one of its first teachers; and during the remainder of his short career, he was connected with it as teacher, superintendent, treasurer, and secretary. Notwithstanding his zeal, however, he was not yet a member of the church: but in the winter of 1859, Our church was visited with a very gracions manifestation of the presence of our Great Master, and among those who felt the effect of His merciful visitation was the subject of this sketch; and he and four others were baptized on the evening of Christmas-day of that year. The following entry respecting the service appears in the church book:-The evening was anticipated with the greatest interest. Long before the time for commencing the service the chapel was crowded to excess, and many were unable to enter the building. The subject of the sermon was the baptism of the Redeemer; at the close of which five dear friends were baptized. The second name is that of Jesse Kemp, Junr., Thurlby Grange. From this time until the beginning of his last illness his zeal and energy continued. His Sabbaths, as a rule, were spent at Alford. To attend a prayer meeting, or a meeting of the teachers, he regularly came three miles, often on foot. Nor was it in his zeal alone that the warmth of his heart was seen; his purse was ever ready when the interests of the cause seemed to call for pecuniary help. He was in his place for the last time on the evening of Lord's-day, December 8th, 1861, when he complained of a slight cold, but came to the prayer meeting the following evening. He returned home, and for some weeks his life seemed to hang upon a 263 thread; but it was not until the last week that serious apprehensions were felt, and even then, almost to the last day his friends cherished the hope that his life might be spared. On the Thursday, however, his reason failed. The utmost anxiety respecting him was felt in the town and neighbourhood, as all knew him, and the great majority highly esteemed him. All that medical skill and human kindness could devise was tried in vain. It was remarked that those around him seemed like persons engaged in some deadly conflict and vanquished at every point, or, like those who are engaged in some great game of chance; but defeated at every move, and at length, after a most determined struggle, disease and death triumphed, and he sank to rest, surrounded by weeping, but helpless friends, a few minutes past twelve on Sabbath morning, January 12th, 1862, aged 28 years. The state of his mind in the near prospect of death could not be ascertained as he was quite insensible. During his last illness, however, he was asked by his mother as to his hope for a future world, when he expressed his entire confidence in the Saviour. His remains were interred in the Maltby grave yard, near to those of an only and beloved sister, who died nearly eight years since. Sermons having reference to his death were preached on the following Lord's-day. The chapel was filled to overflowing, and the deep solemnity of the scene will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it. J. C. S. MRS. STEVENSON, SENR.-The subject of this obituary was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Butt, of Stantonon-the-Wolds, in the county of Nottingham. She was born in the year 1779, and was one of ten children. Though feeble as a child she survived all her brothers and sisters, and lived to the advanced age of 82. She was blessed with a pious mother, who was a member of the General Baptist church, then embracing Leake and Wymeswold, Hose and Broughton. From her childhood she accompanied her mother to the Wymeswold Baptist chapel, and there her early instructions ripened in her conversion to God. She was brought to realize her own interest in the Saviour's merits and to rejoice in His pardoning mercy. That sanctuary was embalmed in her memory as her spiritual birth place. She was baptized in the year 1795, when sixteen years of age. From the time of her union to the church she was very hearty in the Saviour's cause. She frequently attended the chapel twice on the Sunday, and as Wymeswold is four miles from Stanton, she would walk sixteen miles to and from the services in the same day. In the year 1801 she was married to Mr. William Stevenson, by whom she had eight children. In 1817 they removed to a farm called the Turn Post Farm,' situated about a mile from Wymeswold. They continued to reside here till 1846, when they retired from business and removed to Wymeswold, where they both ended their days. Mr. Stevenson died Feb. 14, 1857; Mrs. Stevenson died August 2, 1861, leaving behind her three sons and two daughters, all of whom are in Christian fellowship. Mrs. Stevenson was buried by the side of her husband in the grave yard adjoining the General Baptist chapel, Wymeswold; and her death was improved from Psalm xlvi. 10. nections. She often spoke of this young, G. S. On MATILDA HULL died February 7, 1862, 'Will shrine her name in mem'ry's light, 'What is our duty here? To tend Mrs. Stevenson was a plain unassuming Christian, cheerful and well disposed. She took pleasure in making all around her happy. She was an affectionate wife, an indulgent mother, a kind mistress, and a faithful friend. She was a liberal supporter of the Saviour's cause, and what she did was done with prompitude and cheerfulness. Amidst many mercies Mrs. Stevenson had her trials. JOSEPH ENGLAND.-On March 12th, She lost two children in in- there occurred in one of the coal fancy and one at maturity. She mines, near Ripley what colliers call survived all her own family con- a 'slip,' when our brother Joseph J. U. Intelligence-Conferences. England was crushed beneath a mass of stone nearly two tons in weight. He remained in this position for about fifteen minutes before he could be extricated. In these circumstances, he not only retained his consciousness, but calmly expressed his trust in Christ. He was quickly brought home, but medical skill was of no avail, severe internal injuries having been received, and in about four hours he breathed his last. He had been a member of the church nearly two years, and found his religion to be a source of solace and support in the hour of trial, and in the immediate prospect of eternity. While we deplore the sudden and painful removal of our brother, we are pleased by the recollection that he spent the last three evenings of his life at religious services, and that 265 before he left home in the morning he commended himself and family to God, especially praying that his lamp might be trimmed and his light burning; and at the time the 'bind' fell upon him he was singing that beautiful hymn, the last verse of which is 'And when my latest breath Shall rend this veil in twain, The weekly offering has recently been established at Ripley, and judging from the first three months, a period of great commercial depression, we hope will work well. Our departed brother was a most pleasing illustration of its adaptation and efficiency. G. N. Collection for incidental Conferfence expences. As there had been no notice of the annual Whitsuntide collection for incidental expences, it was agreed: That the collection be made at the next Conference. THE MIDLAND CONFERENCE met at Coalville, on Whit-Tuesday, June 10, 1862. Rev. T. Stevenson, of Leicester, read and prayed, and Rev. Giles Hester, of Loughborough, preached from Gal. ii. 11-16. Rev. Carey Pike, of Leicester, opened the afternoon meeting with prayer, and Rev. J. Cholerton, presided. From the reports, written and oral, it appeared that 144 had been baptized since the last Conference, that 101 are now candidates for baptism, and that four had been restored to fellow-be held at the College at the comship. The following business was at tended to: 3. Chilwell College Funds and the Bicentenary.-After some discussion, the following resolution was agreed to: That we suggest to the Association the propriety of special efforts during the present year for the liquidation of the debt still remaining on the College property; and that for this object, opening services mencement of the next session; that a bazaar be also held in some town thought to be most advantageous; and that additional subscriptions be affectionately solicited. - 4. Creed of the College Trust Deed and Subscription. This subject awakened considerable interest. The following resolution was unanimously passed: That this Conference respectfully represent to the Committee, through the Secretary, the desirableness of submitting a draft of the proposed deed to the Associ- | and congregations are not suffi ation previous to its being engrossed ciently enlightened for final signature; and that in the opinion of this Conference, anything in the shape of subscription or declaration as part of that deed is extremely undesirable. The next Conference will be held at Old Basford, near Nottingham, on the third Tuesday in Sep. (16th); Rev. W. Chapman, of Melbourne, to preach; or, in case of failure, Rev. J. C. Smith. Rev. C. Burrows, of Measham, preached in the evening. J. J. GOADBY, Secretary. THE LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Peterborough, on Thursday, June 12, 1862. In the morning brother Mathews read and prayed, and brother Wilson preached from Ephes. v. 25-27. In the afternoon the reports from the churches were read, and we were thankful to learn that sixtyfive had been baptized since the last Conference, and twenty-four remained candidates for baptism. The Treasurer brought forward the Home Mission Accounts, and stated that he had a balance in hand of £5 16s. 44d. The following grants were voted for the ensuing year:-To Holbeach £10: Whittlesea £10: Lincoln £20. Resolved, 1. That we thank brother R. Wherry for his services as Treasurer, and request him to continue in office during another year. 2. That the case relating to Yarmouth be taken up at the next Conference. 3. That this Conference respectfully proposes that the following resolution be adopted by the Association, and be printed in the Minutes of its proceedings this year, viz: That, as there is reason to believe that bribery at Parliamentary and Municipal elections has rather increased lately than diminished in England; and as there is some ground also to fear that perhaps even the members of our churches as to the immorality and sinfulness of this practice, its degrading effects on every individual implicated in it, and its injurious operation on the civil and religious freedom of the nation;-we recommend our ministers occasionally to make this misdemeanour the subject of their reprehension; with the humble but not unreasonable hope, that by this and other means a virtuous public feeling may be diffused, which, in conjunction with legislative enactments, may tend to achieve the utter extirpation of this disgraceful and ruinous offence. 4. That the Petition now read concerning the compulsory attendance at Church of England Lord's-day schools, of those children, of Dissenters, who attend 'National day-schools,' be recommended for adoption at the forthcoming Associ ation, and be sent to both Houses of Parliament. 5.-That the following case be also sent from this Conference to the next Association, namely,-Is it not desirable and practicable to establish a Denominational Building Fund during this Bicentenary year? 6. That, as the friends at Coningsby need help in the erection of their new chapel, we think it desirable that the Association should recommend their case to the sympathy and help of the churches of the Connexion. 7. That we recommend the ministers of the churches in this district to use those means which they deem most suitable, during this Bicen tenary year, for the exposition and enforcement of Nonconformist principles. 8. That the next Conference be held at Gosberton, on Thursday, September the 8th; and that brother Dyson be requested to preach in the morning. In the evening a public meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by brethren Cotton, Dyson, Wilson, and the Secretary. THOMAS Barrass, Šecretary. |