sarily flow from them-an avowed resolution to labor, in every legitimate way, for their abolition- and the adoption of such a plan of organisation, as may secure unity of action without endangering freedom,-will assuredly tend to enlighten the uninformed, to rouse the listless, to embolden the timid, to cheer on the energetic; and, at no distant time, so to elevate the tone of feeling, as to render advisable the agitation of the question both within and without the walls of parliament.

The Executive Committee will cheerfully labor to prepare the business to be submitted to the Conference in such a manner as will most facilitate its deliberations; and, with this view, they will shortly publish the plan of its constitution, and the time and place at which it will be held. Meanwhile, they earnestly entreat their nonconforming brethren, of every denomination, to unite with them in this great enterprise, and to aim at making the proposed movement as efficient for the purpose it is designed to promote, as that purpose is undeniably important. F. A. Cox, Provisional Secretary.

EDITOR'S NOTE.-The doctrine which teaches the pre-existence of Christ's human nature has no foundation, we apprehend, in the word of God. It was the favourite hypothesis of several divines in the last century who imagined that it reconciled some difficult passages of Scripture; but it is now generally and justly rejected. It is, in fact,

.

Arianism; though some who have held it have not considered themselves as Arians. The doctrine of the Trinity is abundantly attested in Scripture, and should be received on the simple authority of the divine word. Every hypothesis invented for the purpose of explaining this mysterious doctrine is liable to serious objections. We must be content to acknowledge our ignorance of things not revealed to us....It does not appear to us at all necessary to suppose that the meaning of our Lord would not be understood by his disciples when he said "this is my body," except he used some gesture, pointing to himself, when he uttered them. That the phrase meant, this bread represents my body, is, in our view, evident; and that the disciples so understood him, we think, is beyond all reasonable question. They called it bread when used in that ordinance, and yet spoke of it as representing our Lord's body. See Acts ii. 42, xx. 7; 1 Cor. x. 16, 17, xi. 23, 24, 26, 29. That it is possible our Lord might accompany the expression with some gesture, we admit; but the idea that this was necessary to prevent the disciples from conceiving the absurd dogma of transubstantiation, does not appear to be correct. Instead of settling the controversy, it concedes too much to the superstitious papist.... The difference between an obituary and a memoir is at first sight palpable; but where is the precise point at which the terms may be convertible is not very easily defined, nor is it important.

THE holy and consistent life of a sincere and devoted Christian is a striking manifestation of the power of divine grace. For this reason, among others, biographical sketches of the lives of pious persons, have ever been contemplated with the deepest interest, by those who desire to honor the Saviour, from whom every excellency is derived. Many sketches of this kind have, from time to time, been placed on record in this miscellany, and in addition to them, we now furnish a short account of Mrs. Green, relict of the late Rev. Joseph Green, formerly the beloved pastor of the General Baptist Church, Lombard Street, Birmingham; a memoir of whom, was given in an early number of the Repository.

MRS. GREEN was born in the year 1760, near the town of Sutton Coldfield, in the county of Warwick. Her parents having received the truth under the ministry of the late Rev. A. Austin, who then preached in a small chapel in the neighbourhood, regularly

took their children with them to the house of God. It cannot be precisely ascertained at what age she received her first religious impressions, though, it must have been while she was very young. By the instru mentality of Mr. A. her mind was enlightened, her heart impressed, and she was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. Till then she was a stranger to the depravity of her nature, and her ruined state as a sinner in the sight of God, she now saw that Jesus Christ, as an Almighty Saviour, was adapted to her helpless condition, and placed her entire confidence in him, for salvation and eternal life. At that time there were but few persons in the neighbourhood who professed their subjection to the authority of the blessed Redeemer in the ordinance of believers' baptism, indeed the minds of the great majority were, as now, strongly prejudiced against it. She however, being convinced that immersion on a profession of faith was a divinely appointed

ordinance, resolved, without any hesitation, to yield obedience to the will of Christ; and utterly regardless of reproach, she offered her. self as a candidate for baptism and Church fellowship, and was baptized in a pond in the neighbourhood, and through a protracted life manifested the reality of her conversion to God, by maintaining a consistent and honorable deportment.

In a few years after her settlement in life, she removed with her husband and a rising family to Birmingham. It is proper to observe here, that a few Christians of the General Baptist denomination, had resided in this town for a number of years, perhaps as far back as the time of the commonwealth; and though the original society had become extinct, there were a few persons holding the same views, who met for worship in a room. With this little band, she and her husband united, and were mainly instrumental in raising the cause, and erecting a house for God.

Our friend was the mother of a numerous family, and many were the trials through which she passed: death removed several of her children while they were young, and others when grown to maturer age. Her husband also, was of a delicate constitution, and suffered much under the influence of nervous debility, but she was a helpmeet for him, and was fitted by the kindness of her disposition, to soothe and comfort his mind, and encourage him in his great work as a minister of the gospel. But in the year 1808 he died; this was an affecting and solemn bereavement, which she bore with great christian resignation. She survived him more than thirty-five years, and it may truly be said of her, she was a widow indeed; that she trusted in God, and continued in suppli. cations and prayer night and day. The writer, on his removal to Birmingham, had the happiness for several years to reside under her roof, and never while memory lasts, will he forget her maternal kindness, and the deep interest she took in his welfare. Oh how sweet is the recollection of those bygone days! Her house was the house of prayer, the Bible her constant companion, and the ordinances of religion her chief joy. In her widowhood she was exercised with many severe trials: a venerable father, two daughters, and her eldest son, she followed to the grave.

The fortitude with which she bore her various calamities was exceedingly great, it was indeed astonishing to witness her steady, and calm resignation, which was undoubtedly the effect of unbounded confidence in God, and a perfect acquiescence in his all-wise arrangements. As a Christian she well understood the principles of the gospel, and in the sentiments which distinguish the Church of which she was a member, she never wavered.

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Her attendance at her own place of worship was regular and constant. An unsteady worshipper is a character not unfrequently found in some congregations; especially in large towns, where there are Churches of various denominations, and consequently something new and attractive is almost constantly taking place in one or other of them. Such individuals, to gratify a restless and curious disposition, are given to wander from place to place; she, however, knowing how much a regular attendance at her own place, contributed to the comfort, respectability, and prosperity of the society with which she was united, dwelt among her own people, nor did she absent herself, till compelled by old age and its attendant infirmities; thus did she exemplify the influence of divine truth upon her heart, and her example became the occasion of exciting and animating others to a regular observance of the means of grace.

Let it not be supposed, however, that she was a narrow-minded Christian, or at all illiberal in her feelings; so far from this, few persons were more charitably disposed towards professors belonging to other Christian communities; she loved them as the friends of Christ, was beloved by them, and often mingled in their society.

To possess the esteem of the wise, and pious, has ever been considered honorable to a person's character, and a certain indication of great moral worth. This was eminently the case with our departed friend: ministers and private Christians in the town, treated her with great respect. The senior ministers of our own denomination, who were the acquaintance of her revered husband, many of whom however she outlived, (as, a Goadby, a Pollard, a Freeston and others,) never visited the town and passed by her door; with her they enjoyed sweet Christian converse, and united in affectionate and devout prayer. Doubtless she has joined their happy spirits in the heavenly world.

A few days before her death, the writer saw her; there was at the time no appearance of a speedy change, indeed she appeared much as she had done for a length of time. She conversed freely and cheerfully. She spoke of Christ as the only foundation of her hope; said her mind was quite happy and that the promises of an unchanging God, were her solace, and support. Ah! little was it thought she was so near her heavenly home! but about the middle of the following week she became poorly with influenza, and her medical attendant was called in; he however, did not apprehend immediate danger, or any cause for alarm,-but in a day or two he called again, and found her fast sinking, and gave his opinion that she could not long survive. Still her mind was peaceful, and serene, and the last words Q

she was heard to utter were in the language of prayer. "Oh Lord, if this illness is unto death, if it please thee, let it not be a long affliction but not my will, thine be done." After this she became insensible, and on the 27th of January, 1844, she expired without a struggle. Thus calmly died our aged and esteemed friend, in the eighty-fourth year of her age, having been a member of the Church more than sixty years. Her remains were interred in the same grave with her honored husband, and on the following Sabbath a funeral discourse was delivered, from Psalm cxvi. 15. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

Birmingham, Feb. 13th 1844.

G. CHEATLE.

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MR. FRANCIS CRIPPS WRIGHTSON died awfully suddenly, at Bird's Hill Cottage, near Measham, Jan. 2nd, 1844, leaving a disconsolate widow and four sons to lament his unexpected departure. He was a candidate for fellowship with the Baptist Church. the previous Sabbath he attended morning and evening services, in his usual health. In the afternoon of the 7th his remains were interred in the Baptist burying ground, and the solemn event was improved by an im. pressive sermon delivered to the Church and congregation, by the pastor, Rev. G. Staples. J. M.

MRS. MARY ADEY died at Measham, Jan. 6th, 1844, after a lingering affliction. She had been a consistent member of the Baptist

Church upwards of three years.

As a wife, she was affectionate and faithful; as a friend, kind and considerate; and as a Christian, she was pious, active, intelligent, and useful. Living, she exemplified the graces of religion; and dying, she proved the truth of its divine principle. Her end was eminently peaceful, "Not weary, worn-out winds, Expire so soft."

Her remains were deposited in the Baptist burying ground, and her death was improved by the pastor of the Church, from the emphatic injunction of the Psalmist, "Be still, and know that I am God." The high estimation in which she was held was manifested by the large concourse of people assembled, and the devout attention paid to the service of the evening. J. M.

LOUISA INGHAM, eldest daughter of the late Rev. R. Ingham, of Belper, died on the 29th of January, at Sheffield, aged twentynine years. She had been a professor of religion eleven years, (having been baptized at Heptonstall Slack, at the age of eighteen,) and a Sabbath-school teacher more than that time. Her illness was short-not quite four weeks; but her mind was peaceful, and full of faith, humility, and resignation. Whenever she manifested the least desire for longer life, it was that she might labor for God, and be a blessing to her widowed mother, and her motherless neice. Her death was improved by the Rev. H. Hunter, of Nottingham, from Job ix. 12.

CHESHIRE AND LANCASHIRE CONFERENCE.. -The ninth meeting of this Confer

ence

was held at Staley Bridge, in the afternoon of Tuesday, October 17th, 1843. The Church at Staley Bridge being without a settled minister, brother Hesketh, of Man. chester, was called to preside. Seventeen brethren represented the seven Churches comprising the Conference. The reports received from the Churches were generally of a very pleasing and encouraging character. Since the previous Conference, thirty-two persons had been baptized, and eight received. There were also eight candidates remaining. The Home Mission committee reported, that a further arrangement had been made to continue Mr. Stenson's services at Congleton for six months longer, and that a grant of £20. had been inade to that station for this purpose. The proceedings of the committee were approved and confirmed. The following brethren were appointed the committee for the ensuing year:-Messrs. Lindley and Prout, of Macclesfield; Hague, of

Mr. The

Manchester; Prestwich, of Stockport; Hyde, of Staley Bridge; and Lowe, of Stoke. Hesketh was appointed secretary. cordial thanks of the meeting were presented to Mr. Pedley, for his valuable services as treasurer; and he was requested to continue them. The secretary was instructed to write to those Churches in the Conference which have not forwarded their contributions to the treasurer, earnestly requesting them to do so as early as possible. The following friends were appointed to collect subscriptions in their various localities, in aid of the Conference funds :-Messrs. Ankers, Congleton; Prout, Macclesfield; Hague, Manchester; Brookes, Staley Bridge; Lowe, Stoke; Gaythorpe, Tarporley; and Pedley, Wheelock Heath.

An application from the Church at Stokeon-Trent, for pecuniary assistance, and the general arrangements connected with the Home Mission business, were referred to the committee.

The attention of the friends was directed

to the advantages of a frequent interchange of services between the pastors of our Churches. A resolution was passed, recommending the forthcoming statistics of the General Baptist denomination to the notice of the friends. It was also further resolved:

9. That the ministers and friends connected with this Conference be requested to direct their attention to the convention proposed to be held in London, on the question of the separation of church and state.

10. That, considering the vast importance of a proper attention to the secular and religious education of the juvenile portion of the community, the attention of our Churches is earnestly recommended to the subject.

11. That the next Conference be held at Tarporley,* on Good Friday, 1844. Brother Hesketh, of Manchester, to preach.

Brother Gaythorpe opened, and brother Pedley concluded the meeting with prayer.

In connection with this meeting, according to previous arrangement, brother Lindley, of Macclesfield, preached on the Monday evening, from Gen. xlix. 10; and on the following Monday, from Psa. lxxxv. 6. In the evening a very interesting Home Missionary meeting was held. Brethren Stenson and Bembridge engaged in prayer; brother Hesketh presided. The meeting was addressed by the chairman, and by brethren Gaythorpe, Prout, Prestwich, and Pedley. The collections amounted to £5.

J. BEMBRIDGE, Secretary.

THE LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Castleacre, on Thursday, March 7th, 1844.

Brother Rose preached in the morning, from Heb. vii. 19. Thirty-six persons were reported as baptized; viz. at Boston 4, Castleacre 13, Wisbech 4, Norwich 8, Yarmouth 7. From several Churches no reports were received.

On the question of a Branch Conference for Norfolk, after the brethren present belonging to the Norfolk Churches had expressed their opinions and wishes, the following resolutions were unanimously passed :

Proposed by brother North, of Stowbridge, and seconded by brother Scott, of Norwich,

"That a Conference be established for the General Baptist Churches in the County of Norfolk, as a Branch of the Lincolnshire Conference; that for the present its meetings be held half-yearly, and that the time of holding them be the Thursday before the full moon in the months of April and October."

Proposed by brother J. C. Pike, and

*This arrangement has since been altered to Stoke-on-Trent, at the request of the Church there, and with the concurrence of the Church at Tarporley, and the Home Mission committee.

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seconded by brother J. Smith, of March,"That the Norfolk Branch Conference send a report of its progress and proceedings to the Lincolnshire Conference, and forward to it all sums raised for the Home Mission; also, that when practicable a deputation be sent from one Conference to the other, and that all members of the one Conference be considered, respectively, members of the other."

Proposed by brother North, of Stowbridge, and seconded by brother Dawson, of Norwich, "That the first half-yearly meeting of the Norfolk Branch Conference be beld at Norwich in October, and brother T. Scott act as secretary pro tem. until the Conference meets and appoint its own officers."

On the subject of providing daily education for the children connected with our congregations and Sabbath schools, a circular from the Baptist Union was read, recommending co-operation with the British and Foreign School Society in preference to denominational movements, and the question was postponed for further consideration at the next Conference.

The Secretary stated that he had been applied to at different times for collecting cards for the Home Mission, and that in compliance with such requests he had had a number printed. The Conference thought they might be generally useful, and requested the Secretary to send a supply of them to all the Churches in the district.

A Home Missionary Meeting was held in the evening. Our venerable brother Ewen presided; and addresses were delivered by brethren Maddeys, Pike, Scott, J. Wherry, Dawson, and Goss. The attendance was large, and the addresses were of an eminently interesting and useful character.

It was felt by all present that this visit of the Conference to its Home Missionary Station at Castleacre was a wise arrangement, and in every way calculated to do good. The attendance of ministers and representatives was encouraging, and even greater than may sometimes be seen in more central parts of the district.

The next Conference to be at Whittlesea, June 6th. Brother Yates, of Fleet, to preach. J. C. PIKE, Secretary.

WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE.-My dear Sir, I am sorry for the omission of dates in the minutes of the Warwickshire Conference; and must beg you, in a future number, to add that the meeting in Birmingham was December the 5th, and the following one at Longford will be held on the 2nd day of April, 1844.

Respectfully, JNO. DUNKLEY.

THE NEXT MIDLAND CONFERENCE will be held at Burton-on-Trent, on Easter Tuesday. Brother Cotton, of Barton, will preach

in the morning. The business of the Conference will be attended to in the afternoon, and a Home Missionary meeting in the evening.

ANNIVERSARIES.

Anni

NOTTINGHAM, STONEY-STREET. versary of the Tract Society.-On February 20th, 1844, at five o'clock in the afternoon, tea was provided in Duke's-place schoolrooms, when about 130 partook of the social beverage. At half past six o'clock the public meeting was held in Stoney-street chapel. Mr. Stevenson, senior deacon, presided. The chairman opened the meeting by expatiating on the benefits Tract Societies were calculated to confer, urging the necessity of every christian to exert his influence in the furtherance of these institutions. The secretary then proceeded with the report. The following is an extract:-"In one of the districts an infidel long rejected the tracts, scorned and ridiculed their contents. Still the distributer persevered, and continued to make application. At length he began to read the tracts-light shone into his mindthe heavenly message found its way to his heart; and he is now often found reading his Testament, and appears very anxious to learn the way to the kingdom of heaven. The prejudices of a Catholic have also been partially removed: being seriously afflicted, the distributer entered into conversation with him concerning the welfare of his soul: he listened with attention, his mind became impressed, and he promised, upon recovery, to attend the chapel. Many who now regu. larly worship in this chapel have been induced to attend through the urgent requests of the distributers; and we sincerely trust, by being brought under the sound of the Gospel, its saving power may be felt and experienced, that the object which this society contemplates may be fully realized. One poor individual having no Testament in her dwelling, the distributer presented her with a copy, which she received with much pleasure; and it is hoped that it may be blessed to her conversion. Many, who in the previous year refused admission to the distributers, now gladly receive the tracts, and peruse them with an interest which leads us to indulge pleasing anticipations. During the past year eight persons in deep affliction have been recommended to our benevolent society. One died very happy, through the visits of the friends; another became seriously impressed; and a third, by their kind and affectionate entreaties, has fled for refuge to the only hope set before her in the Gospel, and expresses, that by their visits she has found redemption in the blood of Christ. Fourteen children, whom we found were not in the habit of attending any Sabbath-school,

we have also procured admission into the one connected with this place of worship. We have 33 districts, 65 distributers, and visit every Sabbath nearly 1300 families."

Rev. H. Hunter, Rev. I. Stubbins, (missionary from Orissa,) and other friends, addressed the meeting. Some pleasing information was elicited wherein religious tracts had been blessed to the conversion of souls in our own immediate neighbourhood. Mr. Stubbins gave a few details of the manner of tract distribution in Orissa, asserting his belief, that there were hundreds in India converted through the reading of tracts, but who probably would never be connected with any Christian society, simply by their being so far removed from any missionary station. He also read and sang a little of "The Jewel Mine of Salvation," in the Oreah language, which rather excited the risible faculties of the audience. S. T.

MEASHAM.-On Wednesday, December 27th, the second annual music and tea meeting, was held in the Baptist Chapel Measham. In the afternoon, there was a concert of sacred music, when the native choir was assisted by the valuable services of Miss Aston, of Birmingham, and other distinguished vocalists and musicians from the neighbourhood. The performances in spirit and execution gave unqualified satisfaction and pleasure. At its close a numerous party sat down to tea, (the trays being gratuitously provided by the friends). Peace and harmony crowned the whole, and forcibly reminded us of the truth of the psalmist's exclamation, "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." In the evening appropriate addresses were delivered by Messrs. Staples, Barnett, Massey, and Orton. The day was one to be recorded in the annals of Baptist enterprise and success. The proceeds amounted to upwards of £30. J. M. HALIFAX. Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 20, the General Baptist Church at this town held their annual tea-meeting. After tea, an interesting meeting was held for exhortation, prayer, or the relation of experience, as the friends who spoke thought proper. Our minister presided: brethren W. Butler, of Heptonstall Slack, and R. Hardy, of Queenshead, were present, and delivered appropriate addresses. One of our young friends who spoke with much feeling, and gratitude to God, for his saving mercies, related, that it was during the sermon preached by brother Butler, to improve the death of our late excellent friend R. Ingham, of Belper, that his mind was seriously impressed with the importance and necessity of religion; and also, that sometime after this, during a sermon by R. Ingham, of Bradford, he was enabled to see clearly the

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