Skipton, delivered a very able discourse on "The nature and constitution of a Christian church." The Rev. W. Stubbins, Northallerton, asked the usual questions and offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. D. Peacock, Masham, delivered a solemn charge to the minister. In the evening, the Rev. W. Varley delivered an appropriate address to the church and congregation.

ABBOTSHAM, Devon.

On the 12th of August, a new building was opened for public worship in this village. In the afternoon, the Rev. T. Winter of Bristol preached to about four hundred persons, and the Rev. Messrs. Shoobridge, Arthur, Williamson, and Thompson took part in the service. Above five hundred

persons sat down to tea in a meadow which commanded a full view of the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening, two public meetings were held; one in the chapel, when addresses were delivered by Dr. Prince late of Africa, the Rev. S. Williamson of Appledore, Capt. Darracott, Mr. Sargent, and C. Smale, Esq.; the other was in the meadow where they had taken tea, when addresses were delivered by the Messrs. Veysey and Mr. Arthur, who gave an account of the origin of the cause and of the chapel, and the liberality of friends towards its erection. So great was the interest felt, arising in a measure from the previous opposition which had been shown, that many persons came from upwards of twenty miles to be present on the occasion. The chapel is a neat Gothic structure, and will seat upwards of two hundred persons. It has been only about three months in building, and through the liberality of friends, by the time this notice goes forth from the press, it will be entirely out of debt, and made over in trust to the baptist denomination,

PRINCES RISBOROUGH, BUCKS.

Mr. J. B. Blackmore of Stepney College having received a unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the baptist church in this place, commenced his regular labours amongst the people on Lord's day, August 15th.

LESSNESS HEATH, KENT.

On Monday, August the 16th, the Rev. J. Pearce was ordained pastor of the baptist church at this place. The Rev. W. Woodard of Ilford explained the nature of a Christian church. The Rev. C. Hoskins of Crayford received a statement of Mr. Pearce's religious experince, call to the ministry, and confession of faith, and offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. J. Branch of London addressed the minister, and the Rev. W. Walters of London

preached in the evening to the church. The devotional services were conducted by Messrs. Blake, Cox, Whitemore, Blakeman, and Whymple.

HORSFORTH, NEAR LEEDS.

Mr. W. Jackson, late student with the Rev. J. Stock of Salendine Nook, under the auspices of the Strict Baptist Society, having supplied the particular baptist church meeting in Zion chapel, Horsforth, from the time of Mr. Mitchel's removal to Bacup in February last, and having accepted a cordial invitation to the pastorate, commenced his stated labours on the first Lord's day in June, and was publicly set apart to the pastoral office on the 23rd of August.

In the afternoon, after devotional services, the Rev. H. Dowson of Bradford gave an introductory address and proposed the usual questions, which were satisfactorily answered; the Rev. J. Whitaker of Heaton offered the ordination prayer, and the Rev. J. Smith of Bacup gave an affectionate charge to the young pastor from 1 Timothy iv 12, the Rev. Mr. Hillyard of Stanningly concluded with prayer.

In the evening, after singing and prayer, the Rev. J. Stock of Salendine Nook preached an appropriate sermon to the people from 1 Thess. v. 13.

LONG CRENDON, BUCKS.

On Tuesday the 14th of Sept. 1852, services were held in connexion with the commencement of a new baptist chapel in this village.

The afternoon service commenced on the ground by singing part of the 132nd psalm, when Mr. P. Tyler of Hadenham implored the divine blessing. The remainder of the psalm being sung, Dr. Cox of London delivered a beautiful and appropriate address, after which he laid the centre stone of of the 156th hymn in the New Selection, and the building. The company then sang part Mr. Bedding of Cuddington concluded with prayer.

About 260 friends having taken tea together in the old chapel, a short and suitable address was delivered by Mr. Howell of Brill, independent minister.

In the evening service commenced by singing. Mr. Elrick of Thame, Oxon, independent minister, read and prayed, and Dr. Cox then preached from the 1st chapter of 2nd Corinthians, latter part of the 24th verse, "By faith ye stand."

BIRMINGHAM.

Mr. Charles Vince of Stepney College having accepted the unanimous invitation of

We are informed that the annual tea-meet ing of New Church Street chapel, Edgware Road, held Monday, Sept. 20th, was rendered peculiarly interesting by the presentation of a testimonial of sympathy and affectionate confidence to the pastor, Dr. Burns. The amount subscribed was one hundred and eleven pounds fourteen shillings, which not only pays the entire expenses of the late malicious prosecution, but formed a small purse of sovereigns, which with the testimonial engrosed on velium and handsomely framed, was presented to him. It is a gratifying fact, that among the large number under the pastoral care of Dr. Burns not one person has been unfavourably influenced, either in the church or congregation, and that the pecuniary and spiritual interests of both were never more prosperous than at the present time. During this year the mortgage and debt has been reduced from £900 to £600. The expense of having the chapel painted and put into thorough repair has been defrayed.

SCOTLAND.

The annual meetings of the Baptist Union and Theological Institution for Scotland were held in the Waterloo Rooms, Edinburgh, during the first week of August. On Tuesday, at eleven, A.M., the general committee met on the business of the Union, and after devotional exercises the various minutes and reports of the executive committee and office bearers and letters from churches were read, considered, and approved. In the evening, the annual sermon was preached by Mr. Maclean of St. Andrew's. On the following morning, after a prayer-meeting from nine to ten, business was resumed. auditors reported that the accounts were correct. At the suggestion of the executive committee, steps were resolved upon by which more efficiently to attain the objects of the association, chiefly by the appointment of auxiliary or distinct committees throughout

directly evangelistic character. Brother W. Walbran of Airdrie was engaged as evangelist. It was reported that in the publication department the Union had been instrumental in publishing within the last six years above five millions five hundred and sixty thousand pages of religious truth. Several interesting cases of conversion were named as known to have taken place during the last year through means of the monthly magazines and tracts. One hundred and twenty-seven believers were reported to have been baptized since last year's meetings. On the evening of Wednesday the annual service was held, when stirring and interesting addresses were delilivered by the brethren F. Johnston, Edinburgh (chairman); W. Walbran (evangelist), D. Wallace, Paisley; John Pearson, Leith; Thomas Maclean, St. Andrew's; James Malcolm, Musselburgh, &c. On Thursday morning the yearly breakfast and meeting of the friends of the Academy closed the business. The tutor's, examinator's, treasurer's, and committee's reports were received and approved. Various addresses, as on the previous evening, were delivered. It was reported that the students were all more or less engaged in preaching, and in particular that Mr. Robert Macmaster had accepted the invitation of a church in Walsall, England, and that Mr. W. Lees was about to commence labours in Glasgow; and also that several new applications for admission were before the committee. A general feeling of confidence prevailed amongst the brethren that, by the divine blessing on their efforts, and particularly upon the arrangements now about to come into operation, increased and abundant success will henceforth attend. The office-bearers were re-appointed with the thanks of the committee, viz., Mr. George Banks, 7, Union Place, Edinburgh, treasurer; Mr. F. Johnston, 44, Rankiallor Street, tutor; and Mr. Thomas Hughes Milner, 31, Greenside Street, editor and secretary.

Clowes, late classical tutor, from ill health, and stated that during the six months' vacancy of the post its duties had been discharged by the president, as far as consistent with his own engagements, and with wonted efficiency. At Christmas, the Rev. S. G. Green of Taunton, having been selected from several competitors, entered upon the office, and had hitherto discharged it successfully. The report of work done was satisfactory, as were also the testimonials of the Examiners. Two students having completed their academic course had left the College; and seven were entering, making up the complement of twenty-seven. The institution remained free from all incumbrance of debt. Several useful works had been added to the library; and the cordial thanks of the committee were given to those gentlemen who by timely donations of modern valuable books had enriched its stores. In this department however much remained to be done. Application had been made for affiliation with the University of London, and the necessary arrangements were nearly completed. The adoption of the report, the appointment of the committee, and other resolutions were submitted to the meeting by the Rev. Messrs. Burchell of Rochdale, Scott of Sutton, Foster of Farsley, Lomas of Leicester, Thompson of Hull, Evans of Scarborough, Dr. Godwin, and M. Illingworth, J. Fawcett, G. Gresham, W. Vickers, Esqrs., with other gentlemen. The necessity of largely augmenting the library was strongly represented by several speakers; some liberal donations toward that object were promised, and a sub-committee was appointed to raise a special fund for the purpose, and to superintend its disposal.

STEPNEY COLLEGE.

The opening of the session of 1852-3 of this institution took place on the 15th of September. A public meeting was held in the afternoon in the college chapel, G. T. Kemp, Esq. in the chair. The report presented a very satisfactory and gratifying statement of the progress of the students in the various branches of classical, mathematical, and theological learning, to which their attention had been given during the last session. Nine vacancies had occurred by the settlement of students over churches and from other reasons, and as many candidates had been accepted for the usual probation. The library has received valuable additions, amounting in all to 131 volumes; and from the treasurer's account it appeared that the income had exceeded the expenditure by £132. The devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. E. S. Pryce, B.A., and Rev. John Kennedy, and various resolutions were moved and seconded by Revs.

J. Leechman, A.M., F. Trestrail, G. Smith, R. W. Overbury, S. Green; and W. B. Gurney, W. L. Smith, and T. Pewtress, Esqrs.

A large company of ministers and friends afterwards took tea together in the college, and at half-past six the Rev. George Smith of Poplar preached an eloquent sermon in Stepney Meeting, kindly granted by the Rev. J. Kennedy.

The collection amounted to between six and seven pounds.

BAPTIST METROPOLITAN CHAPEL BUILDING

SOCIETY.

This society has been actively engaged of late in taking measures to secure sites of land, and hopes soon to be able to announce the commencement of its first chapel. Friends who sympathize in this effort to provide increased accommodation for the inhabitants of our great metropolis will promote the object by early contributions, which will be thankfully received either at the bankers', Messrs. Barclay and Co., Lombard St., or at the Baptist Mission House, 33, Moorgate Street.

RECENT DEATHS.

MR. EBENEZER SMITH.

It is believed that the memoirs of departed believers in Christ presented in the brief obituaries of our magazines, when prepared with a view to the honour of divine grace, and that survivors may imitate the excellencies exemplified and recorded, constitute a valuable portion of the current religious literature of the day. We give, therefore, with a very high and affectionate esteem of his memory, the following account of the late Ebenezer Smith of Sheffield. We are informed that he was decidedly pious in his nineteenth year; but that obstacles prevented for some time his being baptized and admitted to church fellowship. On his removal to Sheffield, in 1835, he became a member of the first baptist church there, under the pastoral care of the Rev. C. Larom; and in 1836 he was called to the deaconship, which office he honourably held till the period of his death, on the twenty-second of May, 1852.

Previously to his settlement at Sheffield, Mr. Smith had resided at Chesterfield and at Manchester, in each place being found in happy connexion with the church of Christ; his early excellence, by rich grace, being indicated in the fact, that while at Chesterfield he was a deacon in the independent church there, under the pastorate then of Mr. Horsey, there being at the time no baptist church in that town. On hearing of his decease Mr. Horsey, his former pastor, thus wrote :

"So your dear brother Ebenezer has passed through the shady vale, and is now joined to the company of immortals. Let my soul be with his soul. No one who knew him and who knows what vital Christianity is, can have the least doubt respecting his final happy state. He was an Israelite indeed in whom was no guile. I never heard of any blemish in his integrity, though he passed through very'trying scenes. In the midst of his troubles, too, he always seemed to me to have his heart alive to the general interests of religion, to the extension and prosperity of the cause of God. He was a man of prayer, and the tone of his mind was spiritual. He was in his element when visiting the sick, and conversing on scriptural topics. As opportunity afforded, he was prepared to do good unto all men, especially to them that were of the household of faith."

Mr. Horsey had been separated from Mr. Smith many years, when he kindly wrote this; but the testimony he bears, having reference to him while they were together, was truly applicable to him afterward through his whole course. The troubles referred to by Mr. Horsey passed away, but our dear friend retained his pious integrity to the last, and showed continued attachment to and concern for the prosperity of the great cause of the Redeemer, his zeal for which was manifest in his cheerful support of home and foreign efforts for the world's salvation; and in his devoted attention to all the interests of the church to which he belonged. It was found that he had been in the habit of occasionally writing down his private religious thoughts and communings. The following extracts from these papers will perhaps best present so much of his history and character as may be further necessary, and will be read, we doubt not, with interest and profit. "Nov. 7, 1847.-Another anniversary of my birth and of my baptism. Sixty-two years since the first event; thirty-four since the second. I have passed through diversified scenes, but all have been characterized by one thing, the mercy of God. This like a golden thread has been continuously manifest, notwithstanding the follies of childhood and youth, and the numerous sins of riper years. I find myself occupying a somewhat important sphere of life, as the head of a large family nearly all grown up, as a member of society, as having been for many years connected with a Christian church, and for some years officially so, as being an occasional preacher of the gospel, and connected with several religious societies. I deeply feel my responsibility to my heavenly Father and to my fellow men. I feel a great anxiety to be useful in the cause of Christ during the remainder of my days; but I fear I sometimes counteract my own desires by unhallowed dispositions and feelings. Thou

God knowest me altogether; and I would fully and freely confess all my sinful propensities and my inconsistencies in spirit and conduct unto thee. May I be kept humble, spiritually minded, kindly affectioned, meek, self-denying, and devout, and bring forth the fruits of holiness. Amen."

"March 25, 1849.-One of my sons has recently been chosen as a deacon in our church. I feel thankful that his past conduct has been such as to win the favourable opinion of the pastor and the members; and I trust that he will discharge his important duties in a consistent and useful manner, and enjoy a large measure of the divine favour. Three of my sons appear to be unacquainted with the power of religion, though regular in their attendance in the sanctuary. I am deeply anxious on their account, and would earnestly desire divine guidance to the most suitable means to convince them of sin and to lead them to Christ; and I would pray that my six children who have been baptized on a profession of faith may give more decided and uniform evidence that they have passed from death unto life, and may walk more worthy of their high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

May 27, 1849.-The power of vital religion in the church generally is, I fear, prevailing to a very limited extent. There is so little of the spirit of prayer, such feeble endeavours for experimental conversation, while the spirit of excitement is encouraged, any appeal to the senses or the intellect is eagerly responded to, to the injury of the devotional spirit and the neglect of self-examination and kindred exercises. Thou great Head of thy church, look graciously upon thy saints of every name, who are in this wilderness exposed to so many corrupting influences; send down quickening grace into the hearts of thy people; awaken them from the apathy and the worldly spirit which prevail so much among them. Let my soul resemble Gideon's fleece, replenished with heavenly grace."

"Jan. 27, 1850.-I feel great occasion for fervent thankfulness for the satisfaction and comfort I frequently enjoy in the service of God; and for the good hope which I possess of being numbered with the heirs of everlasting, life. Let thy grace, beloved Saviour, maintain its influence over my

heart."

"June 16, 1850.-There have been but three persons baptized into our church during the last twelve months, a smaller number than in any year since 1839; but that was followed by a glorious effusion of the Spirit, so that ninety-seven were baptized within the succeeding year, an awakening deserving of most grateful remembrance. Gracious Head of thy church, come again in thy saving power."

"Nov. 3, 1850.--I have been enjoying