WE beg to call the special attention of our readers to the resolutions touching the Freeman newspaper which we subjoin.

Adam Taylor has confounded John Dennis, who lived at Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire, with J. Denne, who lived at St. Ives. John Dennis was an ancestor of my mother. The house in which I believe he preached, has been in the family ever since, and is mine at present. There is a burial ground belonging to it, in which several generations are interred, and it is still used as such. The tradition of the family says, that one of its members lies there who had his property much diminished by fines, and suffered imprisonment in Cambridge castle for his nonconformity. Ivimey says, the united churches, in 1772, chose Mr. Thomas Barron. I well remember seeing an old minister of this name, (I suppose it was the same person,) at the house in the life time of my relative Mr. Thomas Dennis; and after him Mr. Robert Compton, of Isleham.

The church at Great Wilbraham is quite extinct. At Battisham, two miles distant, there is a chapel which was built in 1819, and put in trust for the Independent denomination. If this is not exactly the consequence of the preaching at Great Wilbraham, there is certainly a close affinity.

At Fulbourne, I believe the cause has been sustained to the present day. There is a flourishing Independent church of which Rev. A. F. Bennett, is the pastor. The church at Melbourne is Particular Baptist.

Yours truly,

THOMAS DENNIS PAUL. Stonygate, Leicester, Feb. 12, 1862.

At a Meeting of Gentlemen, held at the BAPTIST MISSION HOUSE, on Wednesday, January 15th, 1862, the REV. SAMUEL GREEN in the Chair, it was unanimously resolved :—

I. That this Meeting recognizes the importance to the Baptist body of a Paper conducted in accordance with its principles, and widely circulated both in the denomination itself and among the community at large; and that as The Freeman has now been established during a period of seven years, and has, by the breadth and completeness of its intelligence, by its able comments on denominational and public affairs, and by the Catholic spirit whichi has displayed, established its claim to cordial support, this Meeting, without expressing concurrence in all the views put forth in its columns, rejoices in the efficiency with which it has hitherto been conducted, and in the high position which it has attained. Moved by the Rev. Dr. EVANS. Seconded by E. B. UNDERHILL, Esq.

II. That this Meeting regards the present circulation of the The Freeman as affording very gratifying evidence of public approval and confidence: that it is, however, much to be desired that this circulation should be greatly increased, not only to secure for the Paper a larger amount of support, but also, by augmenting its literary power, to promote the welfare of many in our churches and congregations, who, but for its existence, would probably be left without the advantage of such a medium of general and denomin ational information. Moved by the Rev. Dr. GоTCH. Seconded by the Rev. J. BLOOMFIELD.

III. That the occurrence of the BI-CENTENARY of the Ejection of the Two Thousand Ministers by the Act of the Uniformity renders it important that the great princi

ples carried out and illustrated by that event, should be brought clearly and fully before the members of the Baptist community, and the Christian world at large.

That by the wider diffusion thus given to the principles and proceedings of the Baptist denomination, greater efficiency may be secured for its various evangelical associations, SO that the great mission entrusted to this section of the Church of Christ may be more thoroughly fulfilled. Moved by the Rev. J. P. CHOWN. Seconded by the Rev. C. J. MIDDLEDITCH.

IV. That a committee be therefore formed, consisting of the gentlemen present, and of others who may approve of the object, to increase the circulation of The Freeman; and that the Pastors, Deacons, and Members of Baptist Churches be earnestly requested to aid the Committee, so as to secure for the Paper, during the present year, an extent of circulation thoroughly worthy of such an organ, and of the principles with which it is identified. Moved by the Rev. H. Dowson. Seconded by the Rev. Dr. EVANS.

The Rev. F. TRESTRAIL and the Rev. C. J. MIDDLEDITCH were also requested to act as Honorary Secretaries to this Committee.

The names of the gentleman composing the committee will be found among our advertisements.

We are most heartily with our brethren in this matter, and shall rejoice to hear that through their efforts, the orbit of the Freeman has considerably widened. While not always approving the conclusions of the Freeman, we never take it up

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without admiring its admirable spirit and liberality of view. We advise all our readers, whatever newspaper they neglect, not to neglect the Freeman. The only way to secure in the Freeman all that every reader can fairly expect, is to strengthen the hands of its conductors by largely increasing the circulation. We sincerely hope this will be done.

VALE

CHAPEL, NEAR
TODMORDEN.

To the Editor of the General Baptist
Magazine.

DEAR SIR,-The readers of your Magazine are already aware that our esteemed minister, the Rev. T. Horsfield left us in June last, to take the oversight of the Walker-gate church, Louth. Since his departure, he has presented the church at the Vale, with a beautiful and valuable silver plated communion service. On the flagon is the following inscription: This communion service, consisting of flagon, two cups and plates was presented to the General Baptist church, at Todmorden Vale, by Rev. Thomas and Mrs. Horsfield, on the occasion of their removal, June, 1861.' The church at Vale received this with grateful thanks as a proof of the cordial feeling that existed between them and Rev. T. Horsfield and his partner. And we now desire to give their present a permanent record in the pages of your Magazine.

Yours on behalf of the church,
J. C.

HALIFAX.-Sep. 22, 1861, we baptized four persons on a profession of their faith in Christ; Oct. 6, six; Oct. 9, two; Dec. 8, six; Dec. 11, one, an aged female; Dec. 29, five; Jan. 12, 1862, three; and Jan. 26, four. May the Lord continue to add to the church such as are saved. D. W.

BURNLEY.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 1, two persons were baptized; and on Lord's-day, Dec.8, two others followed their Lord, three of them, with six others, were received into the fellowship of the church. R. P. KILLINGHOLME.-Dec. 15, 1861, we baptized a young man who had been brought to Christ chiefly through hearing the Word at our services. At the Lord's supper, when the newly baptized were received to fellowship, we were favoured with a most refreshing season.

were received into the church, and a more affecting and hallowed season has seldom been experienced. S. T. PETERBOROUGH.-On Lord's - day, Feb. 2, two candidates were baptized in Westgate chapel, Peterborough, one of whom was also received into the church, the other remains among the Independents.

LOUTH, Walker-gate Chapel.-On Lord's-day, Feb. 2, four persons were baptized during the evening service, after a sermon on baptism by the minister.

EAST LEAKE.-On Sunday, Feb. 9, 1862, four persons were baptized and added to the church. It was a good day.

BIRCHCLIFFE.--On Lord's-day, Feb. 16, ten persons were baptized and added to the church, we have several more waiting for that ordinance. Our state and prospects are very encouraging. B. W. G.

MISCELLANEOUS.

HISTORY OF The Bradford CHURCH.

RIPLEY.-On the last Lord's-day in Jan. in the evening, seven friends were baptized, four of whom are scholars in the Sabbath-school. The service was very solemn and impressive. R. A.

GAMBLESIDE. On Lord's day, Feb. 2, eleven young men were baptized and added unto the church. NOTTINGHAM, Stoney-street. — On Lord's day, Feb. 2, we baptized twelve friends, and they were added to the church in the afternoon, with one from another church. B. Y.

LOUGHBOROUGH, Baxter-gate.-On Lord's-day, Feb. 2, after an appropriate discourse by Rev. E. Stevenson, from the words, If ye love me, keep my commandments, nine persons were baptized on a profession of their faith in Jesus; six of them being scholars, and two of them teachers in the Sunday-school. In the afternoon, the newly baptized

was no General Baptist church in Bradford; although there were individual members of churches in this district, as well as from churches in the Midland Counties, who had removed into the town in search of employment. In these circumstances, by advice of the Yorkshire Conference, an attempt was made to introduce the cause into the town in the spring of 1831. The Rev. T. H. Hudson, of Queenshead, commenced preaching in a cottage_not far from this place of worship. Afterwards a large room situated in the King's Arms yard, West-gate, was opened for divine service, by the Rev. R. Ingham, sen., of Heptonstall Slack, who preached two excellent sermons to large congregations. This room was found to be very uncomfortable; being contigous to the public-house, the congregations were frequently annoyed by drunken men, horses, and pigs. Another room, much more eligibly situated, in Manor-row, or Skinnerlane, was obtained, which was opened

for divine worship, Oct. 16, 1831, by Rev. T. H. Hudson, of Queenshead, and the venerable Dr. Steadman, of Bradford. In this place numerous congregations were frequently gathered, especially when Rev. T. Hudson was the preacher, and considerable success attended the preaching of the Word. On Lord's-day, June 24, 1832, five persons were baptized by the Rev. T. H. Hudson in Dr. Steadman's chapel, which was lent with great cordiality for the occasion. These five persons, with six others from other churches, were the same day formed into a church in the presence of large congregations. About this time an effort was made by a young man, a member of the church, to establish a Sabbath-school, which was attended with great success. From these tokens of the divine favour and approval the conviction was made upon the minds of the friends, that there was only wanting a permanent place of worship to secure large success. Efforts were made to obtain a suitable plot of land on which to erect a commodious place of worship. After much thought and prayer for divine guidance, we were led to fix upon the site where we now stand; and 60 by 30 yards were purchased for £330. The situation, at that time, was upon the whole considered to be good, especially as it was at some distance from most of the other places of worship, and in the midst of a dense and increasing populalation. W. Tetley, Esq., the owner of the property, was anxious for the erection of a chapel upon the estate, and promised £24 towards the erection, and also that he would allow the purchase money for the land to remain at 4 per cent. per annum. The friends being few and poor this liberal offer was a strong inducement to them in effecting the purchase. In the midst of various difficulties and discouragements the building of the chapel was begun in the spring of 1836, and opened for divine worship on Friday and Sunday, 13th and 15th of January,

105

to

1837. The ministers engaged at the opening were the Revs. Dr. Steadman; Ely, of Leeds; Stevenson, of Loughborough; Butler, of Heptonstall Slack; J. G. Pike, of Derby; and T. Hudson. The cost of the building was £1,500. From the opening of the chapel the cause steadily, though slowly, increased. The Rev. R. Ingham, jun., of Heptonstall Slack, was invited to become the minister. He accepted the invitation, and became the pastor of the church. During the time of Mr. Ingham's pastorate the church enjoyed a large measure of prosperity, increasing from 30 to 230 members. Although Mr. Ingham was not what is popularly termed an eloquent preacher, yet the above result shows that he was both practi cal and useful, while by his gentlemanly and Christian conduct he won the respect and esteem of all classes of the community. In the year 1848 Mr. Ingham removed Louth, in Lincolnshire, to the great regret of the church and all his friends. The next minister was Rev. H. Rose, of Northampton. Mr. Rose was in possession of eminent preaching abilities, but of delicate health. He eventually fell a prey to consumption in the bloom of his days. He died at the early age of 32. During Mr. Rose's ministry there was unhappily a division: a number of members retiring and organizing a distinct church, which we hope and pray will turn out to the furtherance of the Gospel. After the death of Mr. Rose, Rev. T. Horsfield, of Sheffield, became the minister; but at the expiration of four years he removed to Todmorden Vale. On the removal of Mr. Horsfield, the Rev. B. Wood, of Manchester, was invited to become the minister; and having accepted the invitation, he has during the last six years filled the pastoral office; labouring earnestly and devotedly for the establish. ment and extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. It has been stated already that the original cost of the chapel, including the ground, was

£1,500. To this should be added £100 more for pewing the body of the chapel. £110 more for the repairing of the roof, which had to be taken down in consequence of defects in some of the main timbers. Then two large school-rooms were erected at a cost of £500. These sums put together make a total of £2,200. During Mr. Ingham's ministry, this large sum was gradually reduced, so that at the time of his removal the debt was a little more than £500. The amount was further reduced £60 during Mr. Horsfield's residence at Bradford, leaving a balance of £462 10s. This was the amount of the debt in

August, 1860. At this time, the impression gained upon the minds of a few friends that the time had

arrived when an effort should be

made for the removal of the entire debt remaining upon the chapel and school. A special meeting of the friends was convened to consider the propriety of such a step, when it was unanimously resolved that the attempt should In accordance with the resolution, a subscription was at once opened, when more than £150 was promised. This sum has been increased by the proceeds of tea meetings, bazaars, and the liberal

be made.

contributions of various friends.

So that we now have the pleasing hope, nay, are confident, that the object of our desire will be fully attained before this meeting is concluded. In making this statement, we would not cherish any feelings of self-laudation, but rather with adoring gratitude we would exclaim, Behold, what hath God wrought! Yet we do think that the noble efforts of our own friends, and the assistance rendered by others, confirm the truth of that popular saying, 'God helps them that help themselves.' As a church, we are laid under deep obligations to all those friends who have so kindly and generously assisted us; especially T. Salt., Esq., Alderman Brow, H. Wickam, Esq., M.P., and last, though not least, Mr. Counsellor Robertshaw, who has

not only assisted us with his purse, but kindly consented to preside over our meeting this evening. The meeting at which these particulars were given, was then addressed by the Revs. J. Tunnicliffe, of Leeds; C. Springthorpe, Heptonstall Slack; J. H. Beevers, and B. Wood. Before the close of the meeting it was stated that the entire debt was removed, and that there was a surplus of more than £25. This announcement was received with every expression of joy. The doxology was sung, and the meeting separated, highly delighted with the proceedings.

SHORE, NEAR TODMORDEN.-Welcome Tea Meeting.-A public tea meeting was held in the above place, on Saturday, Jan. 18, to welcome the Rev. T. Gill, late of Melbourne, General Baptist church at Shore. Derbyshire, to the pastorate of the As Mr. Gill was well known and much respected in this district, having laboured eight years at Burnley before his removal to Melbourne, an unusual interest was manifested by neighbouring churches and friends in this gathering. 520 persons took tea in the school-room. The meeting in the chapel was sketch of his ministerial history, crowded. Mr. Gill gave a brief

and of the circumstances that had

led to his coming to Shore. The addresses, and in the name of the following ministers gave appropriate churches they represented, cordistrict: Revs. C. Springthorpe, dially welcomed Mr. Gill into the Heptonstall Slack; W. Gray, Birchcliffe; D. Dearden; J. Finn; W. Salter; J. Dearden; W. H. Bastard (United Methodist); James Maden; and J. Alcorn.

The addresses were

interspersed with suitable pieces of sacred music. The interest continued unabated to the close. J. C.

REV. JOHN MCNAUGHTON.-The committee for the reception of ministers into the connexion have received from the Rev. J. McNaughton application for admission into our body, which has been considered and