Spending the whole of her life within a short distance of the place of her birth, her history presents no striking incidents to arrest the attention. Like all the children of God, in every age, her experience was characterized by the usual variations of light and darkness, peace and trouble, joy and sorrow, confidence and doubt; increased at times, perhaps, in her case, by an unusual measure, in some respects, of "The sufferings of this present time." But as her life evinced her sincerity as a child of God, her experience testified to the power of Divine grace to sustain her in the "fiery trial," and she was made to feel the truth of the promise, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon thee, because he trusteth in thee." She was a humble, unobtrusive, and steady follower of Jesus; she loved His house, His people and His cause, and had a keen appreciation of the enjoyments resulting from "the communion of saints." Though often depressed, under a sense of utter unworthiness and insufficiency, she was enabled to realize her interest in the covenant of Divine love, by which she was made accepted in the Beloved, and was made to feel that His grace was sufficient and His strength made perfect in her weakness.

In 1855 she, with her husband, were among the number who withdrew from the church at Hugglescote to form the church at Coalville and Whitwick. Shortly afterwards her health, which had not for years been good, began to decline, but it was not until towards the close of 1857 that she became seriously indisposed; but no apprehensions of an immediately fatal result were entertained until a few days prior to her death. Then a great change was apparent, and it became evident that her end was drawing near. She was permitted to enjoy the peace and comfort and hope which are the portion of those who are in Christ, and reposing her soul on Him she calmly passed through the dark valley to the rest which remaineth for the people of God, on Lord's-day, January 24th, 1858, having maintained an honourable christian profession for more than fifty years.

A very crowded congregation assembled when her death was improved by her pastor, the Rev. J. Cholerton, on the Lord's-day evening following her decease, from the words, Isaiah 1. 9-" Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me?"

JOSEPH STENSON was born at Coleorton, Leicestershire, February 14, 1775, and when a young man entered the militia and was with his regiment a considerable time in Ireland. For many years he seemed utterly destitute of all concern for his soul, and lived without God in the world.

Our

He dated his first definite and decided impressions on the subject of religion to the serious reflections induced by an accident, which he met with in the year 1818, when he was employed at the Parkend Colliery, in the Forest of Dean. Being engaged with a fellow workman in conveying some portions of heavy machinery up the pit shaft, the chain by which the cage was suspended suddenly broke, and the cage in falling smashed to pieces the scaffold upon which the men were standing. One of them fell to the bottom and was instantly killed. friend, after falling some thirty or forty yards, was caught in the middle of the body by a stay which projected a few inches from the side, and remained there suspended in a state of insensibility until he could be rescued. On his recovery from the long illness consequent on the injuries which he had received he united with the Wesleyan Methodists, but soon became a backslider and wandered very far into the paths of sin. After a time, the nearness of death and the necessity of religion to prepare us to meet God was again forced upon his attention by a second accident, which occurred in 1822, at Shipley Colliery, Derbyshire, where he and another were engaged in executing repairs in the engine shaft, when a large capstan rope of several tons weight fell down the shaft, and in a most singular manner he escaped unhurt, while his companion was hurried into eternity. Again our friend showed some regard to religion, but it soon again became manifest that his goodness was like to the morning cloud and early dew, and, literally, his subsequent state became very much worse than the first.

About thirty years ago he returned to the neighbourhood in which he was born, to be employed at the Whitwick Collieries, the opening of which was the origin of the now populous and flourishing village of Coalville. His spiritual condition at that time may be described in two words-he was desperately wicked." His habits of life were earthly, sensual, and devilish; he "drank down iniquity with all greediness." But the Lord had not yet said, "Let him alone;" there were purposes of Divine grace in which even he was comprehended. It seemed as though, in his case,

"Jehovah was resolved to show

What his Almighty grace could do."

Though a willing slave to sin he was made to feel its galling bondage, and was thoroughly miserable. He was induced to attend the House of God. Being thus brought under the influence of the Word it came with power to his soul. Convinced of sin, of righteousness, and of a judgment to come, constraining him under a sense of his guilt and danger to cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner." After a long and severe struggle he ultimately obtained peace in believing, and united with the church at Hugglescote, November 7, 1841, of which he continued a consistent member until 1855, when, with a considerable number of others, he withdrew to form the church at Coalville and Whitwick.

The character and conduct of our friend after he was brought to Jesus evinced the reality of the great change which he had experienced, and practically illustrated the apostolic statement, "Where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound." He had the most humbling views of himself, and was filled with grateful admiration of the free grace of God, as exhibited in his salvation. He loved the House of God and was invariably at all the means of grace. He sought to bring others to the Saviour. Communion with God and with his people was his chief delight. Towards the close of 1856 his robust frame began to give indications that the wear and tear of fourscore years was producing its usual effects. His strength visibly declined, and it soon became evident that his race was nearly run. His affliction was protracted and at times his sufferings were very severe, but he was patient, resigned, full of peace and joy, awaiting and longing for the messenger to come to call him to the upper sanctuary. At length the closing scene drew near. Having testified to the sustaining power of that grace of which he was so distinguished a trophy, just after exclaiming, in the words of the apostle, "Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen," he calmly yielded his spirit into the hands of his Father, God, November 21st, 1857.

His death was improved, by the writer, to large congregations at Coalville from Luke ii. 29, 30" Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation;" and at Whitwick from Zechariah iii. 20-"Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"

T. CHOLERTON.

MRS. STADDON, the beloved wife of the Rev. J. Staddon, of Quorndon, Leicestershire, was the eldest daughter of John and Ann Summerson, and was born at Wallington House, Berkshire, on February 21st, 1808. When she was young the family removed to Halse, in the county of Somerset. In this pleasant village she continued until she was married, in October, 1833, and went to reside in Taunton; from Taunton she removed to Chatham, in Kent; from Chatham to Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire; and from there to Quorndon, Leicestershire, where she finished her earthly course.

She was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth when about seventeen years of age. About that time the ministry of a faithful and devoted minister of the gospel was sanctified by the Divine Spirit to her conversion. She commenced her religious life amidst severe persecutions, but with the apostle she "let none of these things move" her. Her oppositions were such, and from such quarters, as would have prevented less firm and determined spirits from

pursuing the path of life; but she had vowed unto the Lord and she could not go back. She was one of the quiet, calm, and unostentatious followers of the Saviour, and from her early conversion to her last fatal affliction she pursued the path of duty. She had her storms and calms in her providential course, like others, but she pursued one even course of holy service, and, I believe, enjoyed daily intercourse with God. A little more than three years ago the symptoms of the fatal disease which removed her from this vale of tears made their appearance. Her medical men soon declared her case hopeless. She heard their decision with great composure of mind, and observed she believed the Lord could not do wrong. She was entirely laid aside from domestic duties, and nearly the whole of the time confined to her room; and for the first six and the last ten months to her bed. From the beginning of her religious life she loved to read the word of God, and was especially attached to Matthew Henry's Commentary, and during her affliction much time was spent in reading the scriptures and other religious books. She was human, and no doubt had her frailties and failings, like others, but I never met with any one more uniformly calm and resigned than she was through her painful sufferings. Indeed, I never knew her murmur, or once express a wish that it was different with her. I have often heard her thank God for the comforts and enjoyments she had, and frequently would she refer to the promises as sources of consolation in her trying circumstances. On one occasion, while engaged in conversation on the subject of death, she opened a little book of hymns, and said, this hymn describes my state and experience :

"Lord, it belongs not to my care,
Whether I die or live;

To love and serve thee is my share,
And this thy grace must give.
If life be long, I will be glad,
That I may long obey:

If short; yet why should.I be sad,

That shall have the same pay?

Christ leads me through no darker rooms

Than he went through before;

For he that to God's kingdom comes,

Must enter by this door.

Come Lord, when grace has made me meet,

Thy blessed face to see;

For if thy work on earth be sweet,

What will thy glory be?

Then I shall end my sad complaints,
And weary, sinful days;

And join with the triumphant saints,

That sing Jehovah's praise.

My knowledge of that life is small,

The eye of faith is dim;

But 'tis enough that Christ knows all;

And I shall be with him."

About a fortnight before her death her appetite began to decline, and we found her end was near. She sank rapidly the last few days, and on Thursday, the 18th of February, 1858, about nine o'clock in the morning, she roused from her usual tranquility and said, "I must go." The family was immediately summoned to her bedside and saw that she was dying. She was asked-are you happy; are you going to be with Jesus? and she firmly and deliberately replied, "Yes! all is well," and in a few moments calmly fell asleep.

"The nightly dews fall not more gently to the ground,
Nor weary worn-out winds expire more soft."

On the following Tuesday her mortal remains were committed to the grave, in the burial ground belonging to the chapel. The funeral service was very solemnly and appropriately performed by the Rev. J. C. Pike; and on the following Sabbath her death was improved, to a large and deeply affected congre

gation, by Mr. T. W. Marshall, of Loughborough, in a very suitable sermon, from Rev. xiv. 13" And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." She was a careful and industrious wife, a kind and affectionate mother, a faithful friend, and a true christian. If to believe in Christ and observe his commandments; if to live a life of watchfulness and prayer; if to be humble and resigned to the will of God constitute the way to heaven, I believe she walked in that way. M. S. S.

Jutelligence.

CONFERENCES.

THE WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE met at Longford, on Monday, May 10th, 1858. In the morning the Rev. B. Wood, of Bradford, Yorkshire, kindly consented to preach in the absence of Mr. C. Burrows, who with our Secretary, delivered an address in the evening. The Rev. W. Chapman presided in the afternoon. Thirty-nine were reported as being baptized since the last Conference, and twentyone remain as candidates.

The communication from India in reply to our resolution of Sept. 7th, 1857, was read and listened to with deep interest.

In reference to the case from the last Conference respecting the £20 still owing by the Home Mission of this district, on behalf of Coventry chapel, it was resolved :-That it has now become necessary that immediate steps be taken to discharge this small debt. The Conference recommends as the best method of doing it, that each church in the Home Mission of this district pay, on or before the next Conference, a proportion not less than £1 per hundred members; and that brethren Chapman and Langridge write to the churches, and collect the contributions.

Case from Nuneaton." What would this Conference advise a General Baptist church to do with members who occasion trouble and annoyance by the maintenance and advocacy of Calvinistic doctrines?"

After a warm and animated discussion in which it appeared that while we rejoiced in our freedom from catechism, system, or formal creed, and cherished a liberal and catholic spirit, yet the distinctive principles of our denomination were held as firmly and tenaciously as ever by both laity and ministers, it was resolved: -That in case such persons continue to trouble the church, we think that they should first be remonstrated with and admonished, and if this be in vain, they should be requested to withdraw, and if this request be not complied with, the church would be justified, for the sake of its own peace and order, in withdrawing from them.

The establishment of a Foreign Mission Auxiliary in connection with this Conference was suggested, but the question deferred until our next meeting.

A vote of thanks to Rev. B. Wood for his spirited and vigorous exhortation in the morning, was carried unanimously.

The next Conference to be at Birmingham, on the second Monday in September (13th). Our Secretary to preach in the evening, or in case of failure, the Rev. Mr. Langridge. No service in the morning.

THOMA GOADBY, Secretary.

ANNIVERSARIES.

OVERSEAL.-On Lord's-day, April 11th, two excellent sermons were preached in the Baptist chapel, Overseal, by Mr. Allsop, of Castle Donington, for the benefit of the Sabbath school. Congregations and collections good.

MISSONS. The annual services were held on the 14th March and following days. The Revs. W. Miller and J. Lewitt attended as the deputation. The attendance was very good, and the heart-stirring statements of the Missionary, and the eloquent appeals of Mr. Lewitt, were listened to with deep interest. The proceeds of these services were upwards of £26.

MISSIONARY MEETING. An interesting missionary meeting was held at Whittlesea, on Thursday, May 13th, when addresses were delivered by Mr. Wilkinson, from India, and Mr. Barrass, of Peterboro'. Mr. J. P. Halford presided. The attendance was good, and the collection encouraging.

MISSIONARY SERVICES.-On Lord's-day, May 9th, we were favoured with the services of the Rev. H. Wilkinson, from India, who preached in our chapel at Peterboro'. in the morning and evening to good congregations.

On the following evening a missionary meeting was held in our recently erected chapel, at New Fletton, in which brethren Wilkinson, Colman and Barrass took part. As this was the first meeting of the kind that had ever been held in that village, the attendance was large, and much interest seemed to be excited. The amount realized by subscriptions and collections was £20. T. B. CONINGSBY.-On Lord's day, April 18th, brother Miller visited us, and preached appropriate sermons on behalf of the Foreign Mission. The congregations on both occasions were very good.

On Monday evening we held our missionary meeting, the chapel and vestry being quite full.

The minister as usual presided, and the meeting was addressed by brethren of the Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist denominations, with brother Miller, whose long and interesting address, with the Diagrams exhibited, excited great attention. We hope a missionary spirit still exists amongst us. Subscriptions, collections, &c., £16.

KIRKBY.-On Sunday, April 18th, 1858, the Rev. T. R. Stevenson, of Ilkeston, preached our chapel Anniversary Sermons. The congregations were exceedingly good, but the collections were a little less than they were last year.

On Monday afternoon there was a public tea, to which 128 sat down and partook of the refreshing beverage. "The

In the evening Mr. Stevenson gave a very interesting lecture upon Crusades; what they were, and what they did," which was listened to with great attention, and we believe with profit.

A. B. K.

CASTLEACRE, NORFOLK.-On Lord's-day, May 16th, the annual sermons on behalf of our Sabbath school, were preached by our pastor, the Rev. J. Stutterd, to overflowing congregations. And on Monday the 17th, we had a public meeting, Mr. Palmer, of Great Fransham, in the chair. Addressess were delivered on the nature and advantages of Sabbath schools, by our pastor, Mr. Stutterd, Mr. Baker, Baptist minister of Necton, Mr. Brock, of Dunham, and Mr. Frost, of Rougham; Mr. Sarwood, of Necton, concluded the service with prayer. Collection £3 14s. 10d. J. H.

BAPTISMS.

BIRMINGHAM.-On Lord's-day, May 2nd, five persons put on Christ by baptism. One of the candidates is a teacher, and two of them are scholars in our Sabbath school. We entertain hope that others will shortly tread in their footsteps. J. S. C.

SAWLEY.-On Lord's-day, May 2nd, we had another addition to our number by baptism. Mr. Needham delivered a discourse in the morning from Matthew xxviii. 19, after which seven persons, four males and three females, were immersed in accordance with our Lord's command, by Mr. Stenson, in the river Trent. In the afternoon they were received into fellowship, and sat down at the Lord's table. We are happy to state there are others amongst us enquiring the way to Zion.

S.