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which all who have heard our dear pastor on occasions of this kind know him to be so well qualified to deliver. Truly this was a day long to be remembered.

were obliged to return, finding it utterly solemn and interesting; the sermon, one impossible to obtain admission. Brother of those convincing and forcible appeals John Midgley, from Shore, read the Scripture and prayed, then our minister preached a most powerful and argumentative discourse from "One baptism." A public prayer-meeting was held at the close of the evening service in the body of the chapel, which was filled, during which Mr. Midgley gave an interesting account of a revival which has taken place in his Church at Shore, and which is still progressing. May the "little one soon become a thou. sand, and the small one a strong nation."

JOSEPH WILSON.

BAPTISM AT HINCKLEY.-On Lord's-day, March 7th, 1841, the ordinance of believers' baptism was administered to thirteen persons, eight females and five males, in the General Baptist chapel, Hinckley; on which occasion the Rev. M. Shore (pastor of the place) preached a very appropriate and convincing sermon to a very crowded and attentive audience, from Psalm exix. 60. "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments;" after which he went

down into the water and administered the

sacred rite. Six of the above are young persons, and are active and useful teachers in our Sunday school.

JAMES PRATT.

BAPTISM AT CRADLEY.-On Lord's-day, March 7th, 1841, our hearts were cheered by another addition to our number, four persons, two males and two females, being added to us by baptism. On this occasion our chapel was crowded. This, in connexion with our gradually increasing congregations on the Lord's day, and crowded prayer-meetings, leads us to believe that the King of Zion has heard our prayers, that he is blessing the labours of his servant, and that numbers are seeking to know him whom to know is life eterual. We have now several candidates for baptism.

J. B.

BURNLEY. On Lord's-day morning, Sep. 20th, 1840, the ordinance of believers' baptism was administered to six persons in the river Burn, Burnley; and on Lord's day morning, Feb. 21st, 1841, eight per

sons avowed their attachment to the Saviour

in a similar way. On each occasion the number of spectators assembled to witness the administration of the sacred rite was

large, and they listened to the statements made with pleasing attention.

five:

BOSTON. We have recently baptized we have three or four candidates, and more inquirers.

SETTLEMENT of Rev. Jas. Ferneyhough as pastor of the General Baptist Church, Broad-street, Nottingham, Feb. 23, 1841.— It is known to many of our Churches that we have been without a pastor for nearly all our sister Churches, and the pastors of three years. Our situation was beheld by which, within thirty miles round, kindly came when solicited to assist us at baptisms, and administer to us the Lord's-supper. For this we desire to return our sincere thanks; and also to the Academy, for the assistance we received from the students. It is true our brother Hurst was very useful to us as a preacher, and willing to render in life would allow ; yet, after all, we had no to us any assistance in that way his situation pastor; we were still like sheep without a shepherd. In all our prayers, public and private, we requested to be directed by the Great Shepherd to one that would lead us beside the still waters, and cause us to lie down in green pastures, and feed us with the bread of life. It certainly was the desire of our friends to obtain, if possible, a General Baptist. We therefore applied to four or five of our distant ministers; but I believe not one of them could see his way clear to leave their present situation. We then appointed a special meeting for prayer to God to be directed in this all important affair; and while prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God on our behalf, we accidentally, no, providentially, heard that brother James Ferneyhough, if applied to, would supply us for a month. He was accordingly written to, and came and supplied four Lord'sdays; after which the Church invited him invitation he accepted, and has entered on to become their minister and pastor, which his duties with the commencement of the present year.

It is fifty-three years in April since our late pastor, Mr. Robert Smith, was ordained and only one member is now living who was to the pastoral office over this Church, present on that occasion. Believing it DERBY, BROOK STREET.-On Lord's would be to the advantage of the Church, day, March 7th, sixteen persons were im- as well as the members individually, we mersed in this place, on a profession of invited our aged friend, brother Goadby, of faith in their Redeemer. The chapel was Ashby-de-la-Zouch, to come and assist us densely crowded; the service peculiarly in recognizing brother Ferneyhough as our

pastor. Amongst our members we made the subject as public as we could, and sent printed circulars to all the members within our reach, as well as public notice in the chapel. Accordingly, on the 23rd of Feb., the largest number of our members assembled together that we ever knew on any occasion before. At five o'clock, nearly two hundred sat down to tea in the school rooms; and at seven o'clock we adjourned into the chapel, and sung the 473rd hymn, after which our brother Hurst read suitable portions of Scripture, and then offered a fervent prayer to God for his presence and blessing; and while the 470th hymn was singing, brother Goadby, of Ashby, ascend ed the pulpit, and what from his venerable appearance and scanty locks, (having just recovered from the borders of the grave,) and our general esteem for him, there was a smile of approbation from a crowded congregation. He made a short apology for appearing before them, and said he was getting an old man, and going down hill apace, and was not worth the trouble and expense we had been at in fetching him to this place. After explaining the object of the meeting, he addressed the members on their duty as Christians; 2nd, on their duty as members; 3rd, on their duty to their pastor; and then shortly addressed Mr. Ferneyhough, telling him what duties he had to perform as pastor of the Church; and, in an affectionate manner, addressed those present who were members no where; after which we sung, "Jesus, Lord, we look to thee," and brother Goadby concluded with prayer. I know not when a day was more agreeably spent: the Lord was of a truth present with us. We have many anxious inquirers, ard several can didates for fellowship. Our number at prayer meetings are doubled, and our congregation much increased.

JAMES SMITH.

NEW GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCH, LEEDS, YORKSHIRE. On Lord's-day, Feb. 28th, 1841, a General Baptist Church was formed in the Albion, chapel, Leeds. In the morning an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Butler, from Acts ii. 42. The Rev. J. Goadby, of Leicester, delivered a judicious discourse in the afternoon, on the constitution of apostolic Churches, in which he clearly showed the obligations under which modern christians are laid to observe in all things the pattern given, and pointed out the evils which had resulted from neglecting the model, by forming ecclesiastical establishments, and uniting the Church with the State. Brother Butler asked the usual questions of the

members of the Church, and gave to each the right hand of fellowship; after which the Lord's supper was administered by brother Hudson. In the evening a convincing sermon was preached on the atonement by the Rev. J. Goadby, from 1 Cor. xv. 1-4. Brother J. Ingham, of Allerton, assisted in the interesting services of the day. The attendance morning and evening was small, but in the afternoon very encouraging; several Baptist friends from South Parade, and members of other Christian Churches, being present to witness and sanction the proceedings. The Church is composed of fifteen members, and will require, for a time, the assistance of sister Churches at a distance. An excellent cold dinner was provided for the ministers and friends who came from neighbouring Churches. We trust favourable impressions were made, and hope the services will long be remem. bered with lively gratitude. With propriety we may now say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us ;" and our prayer is, that many may have reason to exclaim in future years, "What hath God wrought!" On Monday afternoon, about 100 persons took tea together in a school-room occupied by the Wesleyan Methodists, who lent it to us for the occasion. After tea a public meeting was held, when, the chair being occupied by Mr. Hudson, several excellent addresses were given by Messrs. J. Ingham, Finnie, Butler, Richanson, J. Andrew, and R. Ingham. The views and feelings expressed by the several speakers were highly gratifying and encouraging. All seemed to enjoy the opportunity, and appeared sincerely desirous for our prosperity in the work of the Lord. Great praise is due to the female friends who prepared the provisions, and presided at the tables on the interesting occasion. Several friends from different christian communities favoured us with their company, and the interest which they took in the welfare of our infant cause, deserves to be recorded as an instance of that charity which breathes good-will to all, and views with complacency the efforts to do good which are made by the disciples of our common Lord. There is room in this town for the individual and combined exertions of all the friends of Jesus; and when Christian Churches hail each other as workers together with God, to accomplish the good of man, the spirit of the Gospel is displayed, and its power is likely to be more extensively acknowledged. May the time come when the disciples of Jesus shall be one fold, under one shepherd, uniting to promote the divine glory, and save a perishing world!

March 13th, 1841.

DISMISSION OF SCHOLARS AT MANSFIELD. On Lord's-day morning, March 7th, 1841, four of the senior scholars were dismissed from the Sabbath school connected with the General Baptist Church in this place, in the presence of the children, and a goodly number of teachers and friends, who were assembled on the occasion. It was an interesting, and, we trust, a profitable season, and from the marked attention manifested, and effect apparently produced, we trust it will be a lasting bless. ing, especially to the young persous dis. missed from the school. Several appropriate verses of hymns being sung, and prayers offered by different friends, the minister, Mr. Wood, in his usual faithful, solemn, and impressive manner, proceeded to dis. miss the scholars. His remarks were found. ed on that serious question of scripture, "How much owest thou unto my Lord The object of his plain and affectionate address was to impress on their minds the importance of religion-the obligations under which they were laid-by the privileges with which they had been favoured, especially in connexion with the school and the means of grace-and the debt of grati. tude they owed for these blessings to God, to their Saviour, and to their teachers, exhorting them, also, to show their esteem for the good received, by their future activity in the school, and anxiety for the welfare of the rising generation. At the conclusion of the address they were pre. sented with a copy of "Pike's Persuasives to Early Piety." They having agreed to become teachers, it is hoped they will be made useful in their day and generation, be instructed in the school of divine grace,

fitted for a place in the Church on earth, and finally reach the Church triumphaut. J. P.

LONDON COMMITTEE FOR THE ABOLI. TION OF BRITISH CONNEXION WITH INDIAN IDOLATRY.-We understand that a committee for this object is in active operation. We have been favoured by the following extract of a letter from one of its active members, recently returned from India.-"I have procured and read your let ter to lord Melbourne. Our committee will be happy to receive and distribute as many copies as you will entrust to them. They may be sent to the Hon. Secretary, P. Cater, Esq., 5, Old Square, Lincoln's Inn.

We are labouring hard, against great difficulties, to promote the abolition of the connexion of the British government with the idolatry of India; and progress is mak

ing, but it is very slowly, and against many obstacles. Our hope is in the Lord! May he incline the hearts of the rulers to com. plete the work of abolition which is certainly begun. I will beg our Secretary to send you a copy of each of the Anti-Idolatry Connexion publications. A new dispatch, with many fair promises, has been sent to India. I hope it will be moved for by Sir R. Inglis. If it is not satisfactory we shall exert ourselves to move the country to petition as widely as possible, and shall be glad of your help.-March 13th, 1841."

MR. STANYON has removed to Melbourne, to supply the Church there for one year. It may not be improper to state, that when brother S. offered himself to the Foreign Mission Cominittee, he was not aware of the intention of the Melbourne Church to solicit his services, and that when the friends at M. sent their invitation to brother S., they were not aware of his proposal to the Foreign Mission Committee. The Church at M. and brother S. have anxiously and prayerfully sought the guidance of the Great Head of the Church, and carefully watched the course of events; and both parties feel a satisfactory persua sion that an overruling Providence has directed brother Stany on to Melbourne.

YORKSHIRE REVIVALS.-A correspoudent remarks, "There has been a reinarkable revival at Shore, and also at Lineholm, and I believe the same may be said

of Bradford. I don't know the exact num

bers, but I believe no fewer than sixty or seventy persons have been baptized at Shore and Lineholm since the last Association." A brief and authentic detail of

the progress of the work of God in these Churches cannot fail to be interesting and profitable.-ED.

REV. R. COMPTON.-Several members of the Church at Berkhamstead, we understand, have presented Mr. Compton with a silver teapot, and Dr. A. Clark's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, as a token of their esteem. Mr. C. has left his charge at this place, and is now open to any call that may present him with an appropriate sphere of usefulness.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.We are informed that Fitzroy Kelly, Esq., M. P., has purchased 400 copies of Mr. Peggs's essay on the abolition of capital punishment, for special circulation, to promote the object to which, like Sir Samuel Romilly, he has devoted his parliamentary life.

MISSIONARY OBSERVER.

LETTER FROM MR. LACEY TO MR. PEGGS.

Cuttack, Jan. 6th, 1841.

My dear brother Peggs,—I cherish your name with a warm and settled affection, as well as that of sister Peggs, and feel disposed to write a few lines to you. We received your affectionate and very welcome letters about a month ago, and now thank you for them. We hope it will not be long before you favour us with the like tokens of your affectionate anxiety. Your letters are always cheering and animating; but more especially this is the character of sister Peggs's communications. And in the first place, beloved friends, allow me to wish you many happy and useful new years; for steam seems to have brought us so near together, that we can almost shake hands, and wish each other the usual blessings of the season. The first comprehensive steamer has just arrived, and by her I got letters and a paper: she is named "The India,” and is to be purchased by the Indian steam people in Calcutta. So now we shall have letters from Suez, without the overland route from Bombay. Though I have commenced a letter for you, I do not know that I have much information of special interest to communicate, and it is this kind of information which is sought in the present day. There are many things of ordinary importance which might be detailed respecting our mission, and these, perhaps, more than any extraordinary occurrence, serve to mark the healthful and steady progress of the cause.

There never was a time when the mission had more numerous efficient labourers than the present; and during this fine cold season, nearly the whole of the European and native labourers are out among the people, scattering the seeds of immortal life; and the minds of the people will be stirred from their lethargy from Midnapore in the north, to near Chickacole in the south, by the agents of our Orissa Mission. A faithful and extensive publication of the Gospel will not be in vain, and I believe that great and glorious results will occur. I have neither time nor space to particularize the labours of my brethren, though a good deal acquainted with them; but I shall give you some few notices of my own visits and journeys among the people, chiefly because you have a better acquaintance with the particular scene of my labours than you have of the field in which our brethren are labouring. I commenced my cold season labours in October, by a visit to Khunditta, where we have a christian colony. The village is named Becher-naggur, after G. Becher, Esq., whom you know, and who gave the ground, and afforded various other assistance to start the colony. Khunditta is forty miles on the Calcutta road, just on the southern bank of the river Kursua. You would be delighted, on your journey to Cuttack, to arrive at this little christian village. It presents, in every way, a break and exception in the surrounding sterility and desolation of the land. Here we have a number of christian families located, and a bungalow and a native chapel. Here the christian natives have had rice to eat in the midst of famine, while others have been perishing for want of food. I leave you to supply the comparison as to spiritual provision. I am exceedingly interested in the prosperity of this christian colony, and long to see similar institutions established all over the country till they fill the land. My object in visiting Khunditta in October was to see the native Christians, visit some inquirers, and make a division of the property accumulated on the little estate. After my return from Becher-naggur, on the 11th of November we all set out on a visit to our southern stations, Berhampore and Ganjam. The brethren had been very importunate in their persuasions for us to go over and see them; and as a change of air promised to be useful, and the journey comported with useful missionary labours, I felt pleasure in going. The district of Khurda is thinly populated, and afforded not many opportunities of preaching the Gospel; but beyond the Chilka lake we found many people, and plenty of opportunities for exertion. Brother Wilkinson is young as a missionary, and his station is a new

one, so that it would not have been just to expect more than preparatory labours. He has a native preacher with him at Ganjam, with whom he visits the bazar and the surrounding villages. He has also a native christian teacher for his orphan asylum, named Krushnoo. This asylum forms part of sister Wilkinson's care. There are several very interesting inquirers at Ganjam, particularly one man, a carpenter, who received his first christian information from dear Bampton. He is a very intelligent and superior man, and will, I hope, be baptized before long. The station of Berhampore presents an appearance of more maturity and greater prosperity. Brother Stubbins is one of the best Indian missionaries: he speaks the language with great freedom and power, and commences at the right end of his work, the proclamation of the Gospel. The state of feeling among the people was something similar to the disposition of a swarm of wasps when their nest is assailed; it intimated that they had heard a good deal of the Gospel, and felt that its tendency is destructive of their idolatry, and the unrighteous system it has engendered. I preached several times in the streets of Berhampore; and while many raged maliciously, numbers listened with great attention to the word which they appeared to think would turn the world upside down. We took a journey to a large village some ten miles beyond Berhampore; but the same bitterness among the brahmins and other interested persons prevailed there also, though others heard the word gladly. Much information is circulated, and much feeling is excited, and the deliberations of the people will be in favour of the christian religion: the dark placidity of the mind is being broken, and thought and consideration are setting in. "The people shall consider, and shall turn to the Lord, and shall worship before him." On the last Lord's-day I was at Berhampore, we had the Lord's-supper together. There was a nice number of native communicants, and I preached in the evening to a house full of European hearers. Brother Stubbins is building a chapel of very respectable dimensions, and his school is prosperous. Mrs. Stubbins, besides attending to the school, visits the females in the town and neighbouring villages, and on the whole the prospects at Berhampore are very encouraging. May our dear brother there long retain his present strength, that he may be enabled to continue long his useful and important labours. On returning, we had not many opportunities of preaching, except a few times at Ganjam, where we made a further stay of a few days. In a very short time after returning from our southern tour, I set out towards the coast on a missionary journey, accompanied by Rama, Doitaree, and Somnath. The latter is a young man, and a young convert of some promise. He wishes to preach, and is under instruction with brother Sutton, and this was his first journey, and may be considered as his trial. He has not any very considerable abilities as a preacher, but makes the people understand something of the folly of idolatry, and the distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel. My first resting place was Paga market-place: it was market day, and we were well employed all day preaching, disputing, conversing, and distributing tracts. Next morning, after sending my native preachers forward, I proceeded to Salpoor, where I pitched my little tent, and went on to Bodamundee market. Rama, Doitaree, Somnath, and myself, were engaged among the people for about three hours. They generally heard the message we proclaimed to them well. A few, who would be thought learned men, were disposed to dispute; but, upon the whole, got little credit by their opposition. From Bodamundee, the next day we visited Lockshmeebur market: it was Lord'sday, and there were many people. Some rcognized me from my former visits a good many years ago. We took possession of one end of the bazar house, and continued preaching and arguing all day till about half-past four o'clock: more than a hundred tracts were distributed. From Salpoor to Lockshmeebur market: it is five miles and a half; and before I got back, I was tired with my walk. After my arrival at my tent, the people came round to hear, and we were employed till ten o'clock explaining the doctrines of the Gospel. The day was spent usefully, though in a very different manner from what it exhibits with you at home. You met your christian flock in peace, and administered to a waiting and willing people the word of life. I did so too, but amidst uproar and confusion, lying,

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