REVIEW. THE WIVES OF ENGLAND, their relative duties, domestic influence, and social obligations. By the author of "The Women of England" Fisher, Son, and Co., London. 8vo., pp. 370. MRS. Ellis, in this admirable volume, gives an able analysis of female character, developed by all those changes that are contingent in a married life. The volume is divided into twelve chapters, under the following heads :-thoughts before marriage -the first year of a married life-characteristics of men-behaviour to husbands confidence and truth-the love of married life-trials of married life-position in so ciety--domestic management-order, justice, and benevolence-treatment of servants and dependents-social influence. It would afford us great pleasure to give a complete sketch of the various and important topics, suggestions, directions, and advices, con. tained in every section of this beautifully written production. That, however, our limits forbid. Its eloquent pages may be consulted again and again by the anxious mother and affectionate wife, for counsel and assistance. Happy would it be for the wives, for the husbands, for the children, and for the families of England, if the coun sels here so kindly and skilfully imparted were universally regarded! To all our fair readers who are about to enter on the married state, and to all those who have entered on it, and who are not above listening to the language of wisdom and experience, we would most cordially recommend this volume. It is the production of no ordinary mind. It is eloquently written, and it will not fail on perusal to excite the respect and gratitude of all intelligent readers. OLD HUMPHREY'S WALKS IN LONDON AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. Tract Society. 32mo., pp. 352. most all the chief things in London that FROM this smartly written pamphlet we learn, that a clergyman sent to a Baptist he might be convinced of the propriety of parishoner a number of books, that by them infant baptism; that the intelligent Baptist discovered in these books doctrines of a from Jeremy Taylor, as follow:-1. That most revolting character, some of which are infants are proper subjects for baptism." 2. That "baptism is the new birth spoken of in Scripture. 3. That "infants dying unbaptized 'go to dwell for ever where God's face does never shine,' or, in other words, to hell." effectively sustained by the author of this MAMMA'S FIRST LESSON BOOK. By a use. THE EAR. Tract Society. THIS is one of the square fourpenny series. Its scientific and religious character is well sustained. THE YOUTH'S BIBLICAL CABINET. No. I. and II. Simpkin and Marshall, London; Waddington, Leicester. ALL who are acquainted with the numerous pious and intelligent papers of this personage will have no hesitation in believ. ing that this is a very interesting volume. To such as are visiting London, and wish to see its sights, and have an intelligent THIS is a new twopenny periodical. companion with them, we would cordially Judging from the numbers now before us, recommend "Old Humphrey's Walks." it is deserving of patronage. Its articles He will interest and instruct them, and are well written, and adapted to increase give additional interest to their visits. Al- the knowledge and love of the Bible. OBITUARY. MR. JAMES DAWSON ended his earthly course in the days of his youth. When career on Friday, Feb. 3rd, aged 72 years. very young he was known frequently to Our deceased brother began his christian mourn over the sins of one who should VOL. 5.-N. S. V have trained him for the Lord, and have led him in the way that he should go. Mr. Dawson was baptized and united to the General Baptist Church in Smarden in the year 1789, when about nineteen or twenty years of age, and from that time till his death, about fifty-three years, he never dishonoured his profession, or grieved the minds of those with whom he was connected. In a punc. tual and faithful attention to the appointed means of grace, and to the various concerns of the Church, he was exceeded by none. Had the chapel and the premises of the Church been his private property and care, he could not have been more vigilant in his regard to them. He was not, however, for ward and obtrusive, and never overrated his own efforts. On the contrary, he was naturally exceedingly diffident and unassuming. He was a man of few words; not a talking, but a doing, christian. In social prayer, and when matters of experience and spirituality were the subjects of conversation, he did not appear to advantage to strangers; but those who knew him best esteemed him most, and admired the modesty of his carriage, and the profound humility of his devotions. He abhorred detraction, and the habit of tale bearing, and never wounded the feelings of his friends by giving it the slightest countenance. Somewhat slow in the formation of his friendships, he was stable in his kind regards to all those whom he entered on his list of friends; but when a friendship was once formed it was for life, except those in whom he confided forsook him. Those who stood many years with him as members of the Church can bear testimony to the truth of this statement. The cause of God lay near his heart. He was very liberal, and such was his dislike to the publicity of what he did, that very few knew the extent of his liber. ality. The erection of our new chapel was chiefly owing to his liberal gift of near £300; and when he arranged for the disposal of his property after his death, he settled on the Church an additional sum of £600, free from government duties, as an endowment, for the support of the service of God in connection with the General Baptist Church in Smarden, for ages to come. He also made other bequests to advance the same interest, and to encourage the same christian community. By these benefits, he, though dead, will long speak, and hold up the hands and strengthen the knees of God's children in his militant Church. In making these arrangements he repeatedly declared, that he never did anything in his life that gave him more satisfaction than his efforts for the cause of God. Our sainted brother, for more than thirty years, in different ways, was a helper in our Sabbathschool, and in this work he was amazingly punctual and persevering. No weather kept him from his post. Whatever would aid this institution always had his immediate approval and sanction. Many of his coadjutors in the work can with pleasure revert to Sabbaths and seasons when they were associated in this interesting employment. May the recollection of his steady zeal inspire our beloved teachers with fresh energy and determination in the discharge of this important work and labour of love! Nothing short of the grace of God could have made our long esteemed friend what he was, and he now doubtless sleeps in Jesus. His labours and anxieties are over. He has passed through the solemnities of death, and realized the blessings of a heavenly state. We who have been his companions in tribulation, are by this privation again called upon to watch and pray, knowing that he that endures to the end shall be saved. Our dear friend was not what would be considered a highly intellectual man. His educational advantages in his youth were few, and his reading was comparatively limited. His society was agreeable. As a tradesman he was diligent, persevering, and scrupulously punctual and exact; strictly following the Scriptural injunctions, "Not slothful in business," "Render to all their due," &c. In this department of life he was a fit example for every man of business. O that every Church abounded with such worthy characters. During the last twelve or eighteen months of his life his mind was greatly impaired, and agitation and distress of mind respecting his safety for a better world was one of the forms in which his malady was displayed. He gradually became more entirely the victim of insanity, the most distressing of all maladies, until death released him from his sufferings. So feeble is dying man! So mysterious the dispensations of God! The mortal remains of our dear deceased friend were interred in the General Baptist burying ground, Feb. 9th, and on the following Sabbath the event was improved by the pastor, from Acts xxi. part of verse 16, "An old disciple," to a numerous and attentive congregation. THOS. ROAF. MR. WILLIAM GRIMLEY was born at Appleby, in the county of Derby. His parents being members of the established Church, brought up their children in the strict observance of its forms, and so strong were the prejudices of William against the dissenters, that, on one occasion having been invited by a relation, whom he was visiting, at Leicester, to attend divine worship with him in a dissenting chapel, he is recollected to have said, that during the service he felt extreme uneasiness. At that time there was no Sabbath school in his native village, and shortly afterwards he became very anxious that one should be commenced at the parish church, and offered his services in its management, but his benevolent desires were not encouraged. After this he became somewhat indifferent towards the establishment, and though he did not immediately, and at once leave it, yet he occasionally attended the preaching of the Wesleyan Methodists, both in his own village and at another a short distance from it, not however that he had any saving knowledge of Christ, or of himself as a ruined sinner, but more as the effect of chagrin and disappointment, in reference to the formation of a Sunday school. In the year 1815, the Rev. J. Barnes commenced preaching at Appleby, and the Baptists were at that time much spoken against in the neighbourhood. Mr. G. at. tended, probably more from curiosity than any other feeling. However, his mind was favourably impressed, for he continued his attendance; and when a meeting house was erected in 1820, and a Sabbath school formed, he offered his services as a teacher, and afterwards became the superintendent; and though he was not then decidedly pious, yet he was strictly moral and of unimpeachable character. By the blessing of God on the ministry of the word he was gradually led to an acquaintance with his lost condition as a sinner, and to place a firm and steady reliance on the death of Christ for salvation. He soon after made a profession of his faith, and was baptized and received into the fellowship of the Church, June 10th, 1827. His father, who had always been kind to him, was opposed to this proceeding; our friend however maintained for him the most affectionate and dutiful regard, and manifested the genuineness of his religion by the uniform consistency of his deportment. His last affliction was severe and protracted, and, as might be expected from the nature of his disorder, he was at times, especially at its commencement, a little peevish, but he became patient and submissive, and for some time previous to his dissolution expressed to his friends his entire resignation to the divine will. On the bed of languishing he was visited by his minister, who was always received with the kindest affection. To him he declared his full and unshaken confidence in the merits of a crucified Saviour, and also expressed his deep concern for the welfare of the cause of Christ and the success of the gospel; the ardency of his attachment to his christian friends, and his longing desire for the salvation of his relatives, and all that were about him. A little before his departure he called his aged parent and other friends around him and affectionately admonished them; nor will his tender anxiety for their spiritual and eternal happiness be soon forgotten. But his end drew near, and taking his medicine, he said, "Lord, if it please thee give thy blessing to the last means, thou canst restore me if thou thinkest fit, and if not, come Lord Jesus, come quickly and receive my spirit home." In this happy frame he died, July 28th, 1842, aged forty-seven. His remains were followed to the grave on the next Lord's-day by the teachers and children of the Sabbath school over which he had presided for twenty years. The solemn event was improved by Mr. Barnes, both at Austrey and at Appleby, from Amos iv. 12, "Prepare to meet thy God," a text which had been chosen by our departed friend. Who does not say on reading this account, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his !" MR. JOB BERESFORD, a member of the General Baptist Church, Crich, departed this life February 8th, 1843, in the 33rd year of his age. The subject of this brief sketch was accidentally killed on the limestone railway. He survived four hours after the circumstance transpired, testifying to all around him the happy effects of that religion which alone can make a dying bed feel "Soft as downy pillows are." His constant language was, " Bless God, Oh what a good God I have. Sinners do not feel what I feel; if they did they would obey him. He expired with similar language on his lips. His mortal remains were interred in the Baptist burial ground." On the following Lord's day, in the evening, his funeral sermon was preached by the minister of the place, to a large and deeply affected audience, from Jer. xxxi. 17, "There is hope in thine end." Lord when thou callest, like him may I go. W. G. INTELLIGENCE. THE MIDLAND CONFERENCE assembled at Hinckley, on Tuesday, April 18th, 1843. Mr. Shore, the minister of the place, presided. Mr. Stevenson, of Leicester, opened the meeting with prayer. This Church being at the extremity of the district, several Churches were unrepresented. There were, however, a good number of ministers and friends from the neighbouring Churches. The reports from the Churches were generally pleasing, and the numbers reported to have been baptized since the last Conference were 131, and 105 are candidates. The doxology was sung with great animation. The following resolutions were adopted : 1. That brother Peggs, our Secretary, be requested to execute the commission given to him at the last Conference, urging the Churches in the district to send representatives to the Conference, or at least a written report; and to report progress at our next meeting. 2. A case being presented from Doverstreet, Leicester, respecting sir James Graham's Factory Bill and the importance of petitioning against it being passed into a law. After an exposition of some of its provisions it was resolved unanimously, 1. That this Conference, representing at least eighty congregations and Sunday schools, cannot but regard the Bill of sir James Graham, now before parliament, as a deliberate and insidious attack on civil and religious liberty. That as this liberty is a right so just in itself, so dear to us as Englishmen, so essential to the existence and maintenance of true and undefiled religion, for which our fathers have laboured, and prayed, and struggled, and bled, and died; they do most earnestly urge the Churches (if such there be) that have not petitioned against it, to do so without delay, and also in every possible way to excite attention to its oppressive, and illiberal character. 2. That we regard the exclusive province of government to be the protection of person and property, and not the education of the people. 3. That we recommend the distribution of the letter of Mr. Baines, of Leeds, to lord Wharncliffe, respecting this measure.* The meeting was deeply interested in this question, and on enquiry it appeared that all of the Churches represented, had prepared petitions, an announcement which was received with great pleasure. It was then resolved, 4. That if sir James Graham adopted lord John Russel's propositions, they should be petitioned against; as involving the same principle of wrong, and tending, by a smoother route to the same result; and, 5. That in the event of this bill progressing through the commons, petitions to the To be had of Ward and Co., London, 5s. 6d. per hundred. lords, and memorials to the Queen be prepared, and forwarded, to prevent its becom. ing law. 3. Mr. Derry read a letter concerning the death of Mr. Grant, who went from the Hinckley Church, which excited consider. able interest. 4. The next Conference to be at Wirks worth, on Whit- Tuesday, brother Derry, of Barton, to preach in the morning. 5. At this Conference brother E Stevenson, of Loughborough prayed, and brother Goadby, of Leicester, preached, from Rev. xxi. 5, "And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." And in the evening, brother A. Smith, of Derby, preached from 1 Thes. i. 11. "The glorious Gospel of the blessed God." Jos. GOADBY, Sec. pro. tem. DERBYSHIRE Conference.-This Con At ference assembled at Duffield, on Friday, Mr. the supplies should preach in the afternoon 2. It was thought highly advisable that at Brampton, whence several hearers come. 3. It was left with the Chesterfield friends to judge of the propriety of engaging another place for public worship. 4. Friend Morton was requested to make deeds of Ashford chapel, and report next inquiries respecting the state of the trust Conference. 5. The Conference expressed its approbation of the intended Mission to China. The next Conference to be held at Crich, on the first Monday in August, to commence at two o'clock. In the evening an interesting revival by brethren Richardson, Argyle, Wilders, meeting was held, which was addressed Peggs, Boroughs, and Taylor. Brother Sims his work in the midst of the years! gave out suitable hymns. The Lord revive J. PEGGS, Secretary. THE LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at March, March 16, 1843. Brother Taylor, of St. James, preached in the morning, from John i. 29, "Behold the Saviour's kingdom. The congregations the Lamb of God," &c. Between thirty in our new place are very much larger than and forty persons had been baptized during formerly. A Sabbath-school has been comthe quarter. The report of the Home Mis- menced. We hope, therefore, under God, sion station at Castleacre and its branches this humble undertaking will be a great was very encouraging. At Stamford also blessing to many souls. May the Lord there appeared a slight improvement. grant what we hope, and his shall be the glory. R. S. A letter was laid before the conference from Mr. S. Ratcliffe, of Norwich, on the subject of a branch Conference for the county of Norfolk. The letter was favour. ably entertained, and it was recommended that Mr. Ratcliffe ascertain the feelings of the Churches concerned, and lay a report before a future meeting. Remarks were made by several of the brethren upon the subject of Sir J. Gra ham's Education Bill, which it appeared would be a serious invasion of the rights and liberties of dissenters. It was resolved that the Secretary draw up a short circular to the Churches of this district, pressing upon them the importance of petitioning against the proposed measure, and by all constitutional means opposing its progress into law. HARTSHORN. Opening of a New Place of Worship.-Perhaps it may not be known to many, that in this village about twenty friends form a branch of the Melbourne General Baptist Church. During thirty years the Gospel has been preached here in a friend's house, and has been made the power of God to the salvation of many souls. For some time our Hartshorn brethren have thought that, if they could erect or fit up a more commodious place of worship, they could be more useful, and the cause would be more prosperous. A dwelling house, suited to their purpose, recently presented itself, has been taken, and made a very neat place. On Lord's-day, March 19th, two impressive sermons were preached, from Isa. xix. 20, and Amos iv. 12, by the Rev. J. G. Pike, of Derby; after which collections were made to defray the expense of the above undertaking. On the following Monday a tea meeting was held, the proceeds of which were for the same purpose. Collections £5. 9s. We are grateful to perceive the desire of our brethren at Hartshorn to do what they can to extend BROOKHOUSE GREEN.-The new General Baptist Chapel at Brookhouse Green, near Congleton, Cheshire, was opened on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1842. In the afternoon, Mr. R. Pedley, of Haslington, preached from Genesis xxviii. 17; and in the evening Mr. Stenson, of Congleton, preached from Jude, verse 3, "The common salvation." The chapel was crowded with hearers. After the afternoon service, about 230 persons took tea in the chapel and house adjoining. The collection, subscriptions, and proceeds of the tea, amount to £80. Since the opening, the place has been weil filled with hearers. A few are wishing to be baptised, and the prospect is cheering. E. S. C. DOVER STREET, LEICESTER.—The anpreached on Lord's day, April 16, by the niversary sermons in this place were Rev. J. Wallis, of London, and the minister of the place. What gave additional interest to the occasion was, that the chapel had been cleaned, and a new pulpit, On desk, and communion table erected. the following evening a very spirited tea meeting was held, when about 300 friends partook of the refreshing beverage. Ad. dresses on dissent, the voluntary principle, Sir James Graham's attempt to interfere with the liberties of dissenters, &c., were given by brethren Wallis, Wigg, Tyers, T. Stevenson, and J. Goadby. The addresses were unusually spirited, eloquent, and argumentative, and the meeting separated at near ten o'clock, highly delighted with the just and liberal sentiments that had been so forcibly urged on their attention. this meeting it was announced, that the collections, the proceeds of the tea, and the subscriptions for the past year amounted to upwards of £87. At MACCLESFIELD.-On Lord's-day, March 26th, 1842, two sermons were preached in the General Baptist chapel, by the Rev. Charles Baker, of Stockport, when the sum of £9 was collected towards liquidating the debt on the chapel; and on Monday, April 17th, there was a public tea party, the trays having been gratuitously furnished principally by our own friends; many of whom, being very poor, have made considerable sacrifices of domestic comfort to enable |