able! miserable! miserable! Oh sinners! sinners are dying! Oh father! sinners, sinners, what can be done for sinners? Father, do not spare yourself a moment: God will stand by you.' Just before she died, she said, 'Bless the dear Saviour; 'Happy, if with my latest breath I may but gasp his name, And shout while in the arms of death, 'Sweet, sweet religion! Religion, what treasures are untold,' &c. Among her last words were, 'I am happy.' She died at twelve at night; at midnight did her everlasting day begin. 'I saw the black pall o'er her relics extended; DIED, on May 4th, of consumption, Charlotte, the eldest and beloved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kent, of Laurie Terrace, St. George's road, Southwark, in the twenty third year of her age. A memoir of this amiable and devoted young christian, will be given in a future number. INTELLIGENCE. THE YORKSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Shore, May 13th, 1845. In the morning Mr. W. Robertshaw was ordained to the pas. toral office over the church meeting at this place. The business of the Conference was attended to in the afternoon. The extension of the General Baptist interest to Colne is left with the church at Burnley. The church at Halifax expressed its gratitude in a letter to the Conference for minis terial supplies, and requested a continuance of them till the next meeting. A supply was therefore arranged for them. A written report was received from Leeds. They are united; and their congregations about the same; they have three candidates for baptism, and their Sunday school is in a thriving condition. They are anxious that the churches in Yorkshire should collect for them. The conference concluded to divide the funds of the Home Mission between Bradford and Leeds. Our friends who are attempting to form an additional Home Mission station at Ovendon, requested advice, whether they should be formed into a separate church. This was postponed; and there was arrangement of gratuitous supplies till the next Conference. an A change in conducting the public worship and business of the conference having been proposed, it was agreed to adopt the improved plan. As it was the time for reporting the proceedings of the Home Mission, our friends at Bradford and Leeds were desired to furnish the secretary with the necessary information, and the treasurer also to furnish a finanical statement. Messrs. H. Hollinrake, J. Hodg. son, W. Gill, W. Crabtree, and W. Robertshaw, were nominated as the persons to whom the report might be read for approval. The statistics of the churches are as follows-At Bradford, a little improvement. THE WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Coventry, Tuesday, May 13th, 1845. There was no service in the morning; in the afternoon, Mr. Shore, of Wolverhampton, opened the meeting with prayer. From the reports of the churches it was found, that, since the preceding Conference, forty-five had been immersed, and that eight others were waiting as candidates for that ordinance. The only resolutions passed were 1. That brother Chapman act as Secretary, pro tem. 2. That this Conference has heard with regret and alarm of the proposal now before the legislature of this country, for endowing the Roman Catholic College at Maynooth; that this Conference believes such a step would inflict an injury upon the civil immunities of the inhabitants of this empire, and grossly outrage the principles of religious freedom, by erecting another establishment; and that, believing as it does, that all national churches are unscriptural and antichristian, this Conference pledges itself, by all constitutional and christian means, to seek the overthrow of the alliance between church and state, now existing in these realms. 3. The next Conference to be held at Cradley, on the second Tuesday in Sep. Mr. Shaw, of Longford, to preach In the evening, Mr. Shore preached an interesting sermon, from Col. iii. 11, 'But Christ is all, and in all.' W. CHAPMAN, Sec, pro tem. ANNIVERSARIES. DERBY, St. Mary's Gate,-The third anniversary of the General Baptist chapel, was held on Lord's day, May 25th, 1845. The Rev. J. P. Mursell, of Leicester, preached in the morning, from Psalm ii. 4. and in the evening, from Rom. i. 18; and the Rev. I. Stubbins, in the afternoon, from 1 John iv. 16. The sermons were listened to with great interest. On the following Monday evening, a very interesting tea meeting was held, on which occasion the trays were kindly given by various friends. Upwards of 200 were present, and very animating addresses were delivered, by Revds. J. Gawthorne, of Derby; J. P. Mursell, of Leicester; Rodway, of Gloucester; J. B. Pike, of Shrewsbury; and J. G. Pike, of Derby. During the past year, the members and congregation, meeting in St Mary's Gate chapel, with the kind assistance of some friends from Melbourne, Castle Donington, and Nottingham, have been enabled to raise £1000. towards the debt on the chapel. The church would return their sincere thanks to those friends who have so liberally contributed to this important object. It is with much pleasure they have to acknowledge the goodness of God to them, since the opening of this place of worship, which in general is well attended; 120 have been added to the church since that period, and others are about to unite with it. The collections, including the proceeds of the tea meeting, amounted to £55. 8s. 84d. W. W. QUORNDON.-Sermons were delivered in the General Baptist chapel in this place, on Lord's-day, June 8th, by the Rev. J. Goadby, of Leicester. The congregations were very large; the collections amounted to about £17. On the following evening the children were regaled with tea, provided by private contributions after which they paraded the town; and then assembled in the chapel, with a considerable congregation, when animated and effective addresses were delivered by Messrs. Staddon, Smith, and Goadby. BAPTISMS. BARTON.-Lord's day, June 1st, was to the friends at Barton, a day of pleasing and solemn interest. In the morning, after a sermon by Mr. Cotton, the ordinance of baptism was administered to seven females, by Mr. Derry. Mr. Chamberlain opened the service in the afternoon, and our beloved brother, Mr. Stubbins, preached his farewell sermon. The chapel was crowded; and when, at the close of a very able and interesting discourse on the love of Christ, the de voted missionary proceeded to take his leave of us, in his own faithful, earnest, and affectionate manner. An effect was produced, that will, we trust, be of real and permanent benefit. The candidates were received into the church by Mr. Derry, and at the particular request of the friends, Mr. Stubbins administered the ordinance of the Lord's-supper. His last sermon was preached in the evening, to a large and deeply affected congregation, in the chapel at Barlestone; and thus closed the services of a day that will never be forgotten. The Lord grant that they may be productive of great good, and that our beloved brother, and his not less beloved partner, may long live, and long labour, happily, and successfully, amongst the benighted millions of Orissa. J. C. CONINGSBY.-On Lord's-day, May 25th, the ordinance of believers' baptism was administered to two persons, by brother John Starbuck, after a sermon from Gal. iii. 27, by the minister. The chapel was full, and we are hoping to see better days. BOSTON, Lincolnshire.-On June, the 5th Mr. Mathews, our pastor, baptized thirteen persons; on the Sabbath previous two, and last Sabbath two, making an addition of seventeen within the last fortnight. We have several candidates, and our prospects are exceedingly pleasing. F. M. COVENTRY.-On Lord's-day, May 4th' eight individuals were baptized and received into fellowship, in the General Baptist chapel, in this city. Many spectators came to witness the ordinance, whom, we hope, from the very able manner in which the mode and subjects of it were defended, would be fully satisfied of the seripturalness of our views concerning it. ISLEHAM.-On Thursday, June 5th, four persons put on Christ by being buried with him by baptism. SEVENOAKS.-Lord's-day, May 18, after an appropriate sermon by brother Smith, (pastor of the church,) the ordinance of believers' baptism, was administered to three persons, one male, and two females, in the General Baptist Chapel, Sevenoaks; and in the afternoon of the following Sabbath, the 25th, the ordinance of the Lord's supper was administered, and the newly-baptized received into church fellowship. CASTLE DONINGTON.-Two persons were baptized at the Baptist chapel, Castle Donington, on Lord's day, June 8th. Mr. Owen preached a sermon on the occasion from, Prov. xxiii. 23, Buy the truth and sell it not.' · SMALLEY.-On Lord's day, June 8, 1845, the ordinance of believers' baptism was ad ministered at the above place to eighteen persons; the Rev. J. Felkin preached in the morning to an overflowing congregation, from Matthew xxviii. 19. Although the weather was unfavourable a large concourse of spectators were collected at the water side to witness the administration of the ordinance. The utmost decency and silence prevailed. The services of the day were peculiarly ineresting. A. W. ORDINATION. REV. J. SUTCLIFFE.-On Friday, May 16, Mr. J. Sutcliffe, late a member of the church at Heptonstall Slack, was ordained to the pastorate over the General Baptist church at Stalybridge. In consequence of the Sundayschool jubilee in this town being celebrated on the former part of the day, the ordination services did not commence until two o'clock. The Rev. J. Sutcliffe, F. A. S., of Ashton, (Independent,) commenced by reading suitable portions of the scriptures and prayer. The Rev. R. Ingham, of Bradford, delivered the introductory discourse. Jas. Hodgson, Esq., of Stubbing house, proposed the usual questions to the church and minister, and received the profession of faith. The Rev. H. Holinrake, of Birchcliffe, offered the ordination prayer with imposition of hands by some of the ministers; and the Rev. W. Butler, of Heptonstall Slack, (Mr. Sutcliffe's late pastor), gave a faithful and affectionate charge to the minister from, 1 Tim. iv. 16, 'Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine, continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.' The Rev. A. Dyson gave out the hymns, and the Rev. J. F. Farrent, of Manchester, concluded the services with prayer. In the evening the service was commenced by the Rev. F. C. Dawthwait, (Indep.), of Stalybridge, with reading the scriptures and prayer, and the Rev. J. Tunnicliffe, of Leeds, delivered an impressive address to the people, from Phil. ii. 29, Receive him, therefore, in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation.' The Rev. J. C. Jones, of Leicester college, gave out the hymns and concluded the services with prayer. sacred transactions of the day were of a highly interesting and impressive character. May the Great Shepherd of Israel grant that the pastor may approve himself unto God, by purity of doctrine, fidelity in preaching, and holiness of heart and life, and that the church may hold him in reputation, and en. courage him in the important work, by their prayers, and a continued uniform obedience to the Divine will, so that the pleasure of the Lord may long prosper in our hands. MISCELLANEOUS. The REV. AMOS DYSON, Mossley.-This christian minister who has for many years been FLECKNEY.-On Tuesday, May 13, 1845, the annual tea festival was held at the Gene. ral Baptist chapel, Fleckney, when nearly ninety persons took tea together in the chapel and school rooms-some of the trays were gratuitously furnished by members of the church. The whole proceeds, including collecting cards, &c., amounted to nearly £5 towards the liquidation of the whole debt on the above school-rooms. In the evening a public meeting was held in the chapel, when Mr. R. Senior presided. Mr. Bellamy, of Leicester, opened the meeting with prayer, and suitable addresses were delivered by Messrs. J. Barrows, T. Glover, W. Miller, T. Stanion, and the chairman. NOTTINGHAM, Broad street.-The friends at Nottingham, Broad street, desire with sincere and adoring gratitude to the 'giver of every good gift, and every perfect gift,' to announce the entire extinction of their chapel debt. The subject has occupied our attention for some time past, but in consequence of several other special pecuniary efforts,— such as, the removal of the Academy debt, for which we subscribed and collected £52, in the full confidence that other churches would exert themselves in a similar manner; and the cleaning and beautifying of our meeting house, on which we expended upwards of £80., the whole of which was raised at the time-we were induced to defer it until Nov. last. At a meeting then convened for the consideration of the business, it was resolved, to attempt the annihilation of this encumbrance by the second Monday in the following June. Numerous sums were promised, varying from five shillings to £30., and collecting cards were issued. On the day specified, the 9th inst., we assembled for the paying in of the donations and contributions; when, with an admirable promptitude and cheerfulness, which convinced us that the effort was one of prin. ciple and fixed determination, the friends came forward and fulfilled their engagements. The debt of £240., and £6. interest, were extinguished, and a surplus of £28. realized, which we appropriated to the liquidation of a debt on the school-rooms, incurred by a recent enlargement of them for the accommodation of senior classes. After an excellent tea, for six-pence each, which yielded a profit of seventeen shillings, we spent the evening in presenting thanksgivings to God for the vouchsafement of the ability and disposition to accomplish our object, and in listening to interesting and animating addresses. LETTER FROM MR. STUBBINS. MY DEAR BROTHER,-As another opportunity of posting a line may not for some months occur, I cannot but gladly embrace the present. I will give you a brief sketch of proceedings since that day of almost unexampled, holy, and affecting excitement, the 3rd of June, at Leicester. We returned to our beloved friends at Barlestone on the 4th, and on the day following, after committing ourselves, and those so dear to us there, to the keeping and direction of our heavenly Father, I left that happy home, never perhaps to see it again. After taking an affectionate farewell of several dear and valued friends in Leicester, and receiving from them various expressions of their affection and sympathy, I passed forward to London, and at night found myself at the house and table of our most hospitable friends, the Wilemans. Friday, and the early part of Saturday, brethren Pike, Underwood, and myself, were busy enough attending to the luggage, having it conveyed to the ship, procuring cabin furniture, and many other things, as the ship was to leave the docks early on Monday morn ing. Saturday afternoon, went to Berk hampstead, addressed the young on Lord'sday afternoon, and preached in the evening. Monday night, had a missionary meeting; Tuesday, one at Chesham; Wednesday, tea and public meeting at Boro' Road; Thursday night, preached for Mr. Underwood, and, after preaching, went to Vauxhall, to our kind friends, the Mawbys; Friday afternoon, went to Lyndhurst, where we had a meeting at night; and on Saturday night, joined, at Bishopstoke station, our dear missionary party, consisting of Mrs. Stubbins, Miss Collins, Miss Hill, Mr. Bailey, and Mr. Millar, accompanied by Mrs. Mawby. Miss Hill, I should say, is the daughter of Mr. Hill, a missionary at Berhampore, in Bengal. She has been over for her education, and is now returning. She seems a very amiable, pious, and lovely young per son, and shares Miss Collins's cabin. We reached Gosport about nine, and were delighted to find dear brother Burton at the station waiting for us. On Monday, June 16th, at half-past eleven, we repaired to the vessel, lying three or four miles from the shore. The weather was serene and beautiful. You will suppose what were our mingled emotions as we raised our feet from our happy native isle, never, probably, to set them on it again. A thousand scenes, near and remote, rushed like a mighty restless torrent into our minds. We thought of the land we were leaving, which we now loved better than ever; the affecting scenes at our services at Leicester; the almost unnumbered and unremitted acts of kindness received from friends in almost every place; the parting kisses of our dear smiling children, seemingly unconscious why every one else could scarcely find utterance for the painful word, farewell. When capable of realizing our position we found we were fast receding from the shores of our fatherland. I believe we all rejoiced that we were, and think any one of us would have felt it a sore calamity if we had been obliged to return with the party who accompanied us to the ship. We had not been on board long before our friends were obliged to leave, as the ship was under weigh. The wind was quite against us, so that we got on slowly, till about six last night, when it freshened up and became more favourable. We are now going along rapidly. The captain hitherto is all that we could wishexceedingly courteous and kind. We have on board a German missionary going to Tranquebar. He can scarcely speak any English. About thirty passengers, and more than 100 soldiers going to Calcutta. Brethren Bailey and Millar have both suffered from sea sickness, the former very much-the others are well at present. In Time is gone. Am glad we are where we are, and going whither we are. We love you all, dear friends in England, most affectionately, but we believe it is our duty to go far hence unto the Gentiles. this confidence we gladly bid you farewell, even though it be till we meet in heaven. Pray for us. Remember our darling children at a throne of grace. We trust your annual meeting will be an interesting and important one. We shall think of you, and wish we could be with you, and could hear the addresses at the misionary meeting. If any kind friends are sending letters to us at Madras, they should be posted by the 1st August, and addressed for us on board the Wellesley, Madras,' with via Southampton, and Red sea, written over the top; if to Calcutta, they should be addressed for us care of Isaiah Biss, Esq.,' and sent off by September 1st. After that, regularly to 'Berhampore, near Ganjam, East Indies. Parties writing should be particular to insert across the top, via Southampton, Red sea,' or it will cost them much more. The pilot is now going. Thine ever, I. STUBBINS. Off Dartmouth, ship Wellesley, June 18th. MISSIONARY FAREWELL SERVICES OF THE REV. I. STUBBINS. THE visit to this country of our beloved missionary, the Rev. I Stubbins, occasioned by ill health, has been a great blessing to himself, to our churches, and to our mission. After his arrival, in September, 1843, the health of our friend was slowly but effectually restored, and he was able to devote himself almost wholly to the advocacy of the missionary cause. His labours have been more abundant, and the fervour, eloquence, and interest of his addresses, from the platform and the pulpit, in every part of our connexion, in combination with the frank, generous, devoted, and christian spirit, which characterized his conduct in the social circle, have tended very materially to advance the missionary spirit in our churches. The remembrance of his visits to our friends in every part of the connexion, is cherished with gratitude and delight, and his name is enshrined in their choicest affections. The period of his tarrying in this country, though somewhat extended, has glided away with the rapidity which ever seems to be connected with the interviews of chosen friends. Delighted as we all were to witness his returning health and vigour, and thankful for such a missionary brother, so given up to his great and arduous work, we all felt most reluctant to bid him a long farewell. The appointed time, however, arrived, and the solemn services connected with it were observed at the General Baptist chapel, Dover-street, Leicester, June 3rd, 1845. One reason why our beloved brother selected that place as the scene of his valedictory services, was, his former intimacy with its pastor, who was secretary of the Academy at the time of his admission to that insti. tution in 1833, and an attached friend, who assisted in his ordination at Fleet, in July, 1836; and another reason was, the hospitality and frequent christian intercourse that he had enjoyed among the members of his church. Many fears were expressed by individuals, and some of them scarcely gentle, that the chapel would not be of sufficient capacity to OBSERVER. contain the congregation that would assemble on the occasion; but, after various speculations, it was thought, that, from the unavoidable confinement of many friends in Leicester, in their various avocations, &c., there would be sufficient room for all strangers who might be present. The day arrived. It was computed that six hundred friends, or more, were present from Nottingham, Derby, and other churches in the midland counties, a large part of whom came by special trains; so that the congregation in the morning, consisting of near a thousand people, by virtue of judicious and effective arrangements, were accommodated. It was fully expected that the return of visitors would make ample room for the increased number of local friends that might be able to attend in the evening; but it was computed that near fourteen hundred congregated at that time, who were accommodated by the help of a slight increase of pressure, and the use of the school rooms and vestries. We have never seen a more dense or attentive congregation. While the numbers who were present gave an interest to the occasion, the holy and affectionate fervour, well sustained throughout, constituted the predominant feature of the delightful services of the day. When every one was happy in his effort, it would be almost invidious to particularize any. We shall therefore give simply a brief outline of the services. Mr. T. Stevenson gave out the first hymn; Mr. Wigg, another; and the pastor of the church, the rest. Mr. Derry, of Barton, read and prayed in the morning; Mr. Hunter delivered an animated and appropriate discourse, from Mark xvi. 15; the secretary, Mr. Pike, of Derby, after relating, in a very graphic and effective manner, a few incidents in Mr. Stubbins's missionary career, and alluding to Mrs. Stubbins, Miss Collins, sister of the first Mrs. Sutton, who is going to assist in the school at Cuttack, and Messrs. Bailey and Millar, ordained missionaries, then present, proposed one question to brother Stubbins, relating to the motives which induced him to wish to return to Orissa, the scene of his former labours. This |