usefulness of which many living witnesses now bear their grateful testimony. To the numerous cases from distressed Churches and individuals, which every year were soliciting pecuniary aid, she was a liberal contributor. Her solicitude was not to accumulate earthly treasure, but to be rich in faith and good works, and through the grace of God, to have a better and an enduring substance in heaven. Her surviving family and friends have felt both rebuked and admonished, as well as pleased, with a remark which fell from the lips of this aged pilgrim, at the close of the evening service of the last Lord's-day which she was permitted to enjoy. She was eightyfive years of age, she had been three times at the house of God, and in the evening the weather was unfavorable: these things induced a friend who met with her at the door when leaving the chapel, to remark, "Well Mrs. Graves, are you out again this wet evening?" To whom she replied, "Yes; I came this evening, for I did not know whether I might have another opportunity." This proved indeed her last opportunity of public worship on earth. On the following day she was siezed with illness, which though the symptons of it were not considered more alarming by her family than they had witnessed in some former attacks, she thought from the first would end in her dissolution. Her disorder continued with certain variations till the Friday following. During these several days her tranquility of mind was uninterrupted, and her hope of heaven steady and lively. On one occasion in answer to an enquiry, how she did, she remarked, that she felt as if this affliction would bring her to the end of her journey. On another, when reminded of the peace, and joy, and hope, to be derived under affliction and in the prospect of death, from the knowledge of a Saviour, who died for our sins and was buried and rose again from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, she immediately, with her accustomed cheerfulness, replied, in allusion to the text of the preceeding Lord's-day evening, "So you preach and so we believed." (1 Cor. xv. 11.) And even a little time before her departure, when death had imprinted, to a considerable extent, his image on her once cheerful countenance, when reminded of the saving excellency of Christ, her faltering lips with all the energy that exhausted nature could command, instantly rejoined, "Oh yes, in him we hope, in him we trust," and presently after she fell asleep in the Lord Jesus. So composed were her last moments, that relatives who surrounded her bed could not distinctly ascertain that in which her happy spirit left the tabernacle of clay to take its mansion near the throne of God and the Lamb. May her surviving family, and the Church of which she was so

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long an active and ornamental member, be taught by this event, and by the word of the Lord, to be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises!

Her funeral discourse was preached to a numerous congregation on Lord's day evening, Sep. 10, 1843, from 1 Pet. i. 10, 11.

AFFECTING DEATHS AT HINCKLEY.— Death reigns in this world, and attacks its inhabitants under so great a diversity of forms as to baffle the powers of imagination to conceive; yet we never perceive in him the least indication of weakness, or unwillingness for the work of destruction.

In this town there is a family of the name of Payne, butchers, with which we as a Church and congregation have for several years been identified, and which has recently furnished some remarkable instances of human mortality, and given us a most convincing proof that the inhabitants of this world are strictly sojourners: for during the space of little more than three months, no fewer than six persons, nearly related, either by birth or marriage, five of whom, be it observed, were adults, have passed beyond the confines of time, and entered into the region of eternity.

The deceased that have occasioned the following remarks, left this world, as it were, in pairs, as if the Sovereign Disposer of all events, would not permit one to remove out of this life, in order to enter upon a new state, without being speedily succeeded by another.

The first of these departed friends, who acted as the precursor of the rest, was a son's wife, who in Christmas week, was confined of her second child, and having taken cold, she continued some time, mostly in a delirious state, and finally took her leave of all that she esteemed dear beneath the sun. The child impatient, as it were, of being left on earth, in a few days traced the mortal steps of its mother to the grave; left the shores of mortality, and wisely hastened to participate in the felicities of that better country in which sin and sorrow, death and parting, are for ever unknown. This child in a short time was also followed to the house appointed for all living, by two of its father's maternal uncles.

The grandfather of the infant just mentioned, had for several months prior to the death of his daughter-in-law, and posterior to that event, endured the most excruciating pains, occasioned by that terrible affliction, the gravel, which at length became so violent, and debilitating, that nature overwhelmed with indescribable sufferings, could sustain its weakening attacks no longer, and on the 29th of last month, he closed his mortal life, having forced his way to the grave through paroxysms of the most dreadful agonies.

Though it is really distressing to see our beloved friends fall victims in the gloomy valley, even in active conflict with the king of terrors, it is still more affecting to behold them unsuspectedly drop at our feet, whilst they are harmless unexpecting witnesses of the dreadful struggle.

On Tuesday morning, the day before Mr. Payne's interment, a son, who had been appointed by his mother, to superintend those affairs that related to his father's funeral; and who was afterwards expected to act as the head of the family, went to some land, not far distant from the town, at the same time taking with him a young horse, and a cart. On his return home, having placed a boy upon the horse, which being frightened as is supposed, through its novel position, galloped off as fast as its circumstances would permit. He, seeing the dangerous condition of the lad, and being deeply concerned for his safety, held him on its back, as long as he could, then seizing the reins and pulling its head towards him, it planted its foot on his boot, by which disaster being stunned, fixed to the place, and out of breath with running, he was deprived of self command; the shaft instantly knocked him down, and one wheel ran over his body. Though his painful situation was soon preceived, and surgical aid obtained as speedily as possible, no effectual remedy could be applied. He requested the people about him to keep the report of the accident from the ears of his mother, at the same time expressing his hope that he should soon be better, but alas! he gradually grew worse, and terminated his mortal career in the space of half an hour after the occurrence of this painful accident, confirming this greatly neglected, and much abused portion of divine counsel," Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh."

On the Wednesday, it was awfully affect. ing, to see the coffin of the father first brought into the street, and afterwards that of the son, surrounded with spectators of various grades and character, that knew the latter person had been smitten with the hand of death very suddenly, and taken away in the midst of his days, without warning or leave to bid adieu to his mother or brethren. The corpse of the father was first lowered

into the grave, which was immediately joined by that of his son, there to repose till the great and last day when the slumbers of all mankind must be broken, that they may appear in judgment.

In compliance with the request of the bereaved and mourning family, the deaths of the father and son were improved to a very large, respectable, and seriously attentive audience, from these words, "Therefore, be ye also ready." May these unusually solemn instances of mortality be sanctified to the eternal benefit of all their relatives, and more especially to the spiritual improvement of the mother; and may all, at a future period clearly see that the sudden stroke was given by the hand of love and mercy. Hinckley. T. SMITH.

MRS. JOHN WROUT died, aged fifty, at Long Sutton, Nov. 14th, 1843. She had been a member of the Church eighteen years, and was highly respected by a numerous circle of friends. Her funeral sermon was

preached on the following Sabbath to a very crowded congregation, by the Rev. T. Burditt. It was a truly solemn and impressive opportunity.

MRS. Ross, a member of the General Baptist Church at Long Sutton, died, advanced in life, in Dec. 1843. She was a weary, afflicted pilgrim, in humble circumstances. Her experience, in life and in death, was that of a sincere christian.

Sutton, Jan. 8th, 1844. He had long been MR. JER. WINKLY died, aged 51, at Long the subject of distressing and painful affliction. The last few days of life, the disease so overpowered his mental faculties as to leave but few opportunities for the conversation of friends. During the lucid intervals however, he expressed his confidence in the Saviour as the only foundation of his hope. He was a member of the Baptist Church at Long Sutton, and was baptized at Fleet, in July, 1830. His death was improved by the Rev. T. Burditt on the following Lord's-day.

DIED at Chilcote, on the 31st of March, Joseph Copestake, aged 73 years. The deceased had been a consistent member of the Baptist Church about 30 years.

MIDLAND CONFERENCE.-This meeting was held at Burton-upon-Trent, on Tuesday, April 9th. Mr. Kenney opened the morning service by reading Psa. lxxii. and Isa. lii., and prayer. Mr. Cotton, of Barton, preached a useful discourse, on the improve

ment of spiritual gifts, from 1 Cor. xiv., "Seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the Church." In the afternoon, Mr. Butler, of Slack, who was present, opened the meeting with prayer, and the minister of the Church presided. The statements from the

Churches were, as usual, of a diversified character; ninety-two were reported as having been baptized, and eighty-seven as being candidates for the ordinance of believers' baptism.

Power of the Registrar in licensed chapels. -Mr. Winks was requested to give a report upon this subject at the next Conference. Much diversity of opinion prevailed.

Bradwell.-Mr. Kenney, who was present, laid the case of this chapel before the Conference. It was resolved, that the Primitive Methodists are at liberty to occupy it, at the present nominal rent, till the close of their lease in Jan. 1846, upon condition of keeping the place in repair; but we are not disposed to renew the lease, or sell the place.

Delegates to the Anti-state Church Conference. This subject elicited a very animated and useful discussion, It was considered best for the Churches to act in their individual capacity.

The relation of the Derbyshire with the Midland Conference.-The friends comprising the Derbyshire Conference were requested to consider whether they could not merge their conference meeting in the general Conference of the district, or act as a distinct body.

Wolverampton.- Brother Derry was solicited to prosecute his efforts to aid this cause. The report of brother Warren was very encouraging,

Swadlingcote, near Cauldwell. - Brother Norton was advised to retain possession of the ground in question, with the hope, that ultimately a place for divine worship might be built upon it.

The next Conference to be at Hugglescote, on Whit-Tuesday, May 28th. Mr. Pike, of Derby, was engaged to preach on the evils of infidelity contrasted with the benefits of Christianity. In the evening an interesting revival meeting was held, which was addressed by brethren J. G. Pike, Kenney, Warren, Peggs, and Staddon.

J. PEGGS, Secretary.

DERBYSHIRE CONFERENCE.-This Conference assembled at Ilkeston, on Friday, April 5th, and was numerously attended. Brethren Taylor and Boroughs commenced with prayer. The general statements from the Churches were encouraging.

Chesterfield.-Letters were read from our friends, Messrs. Smith and Bombruff, reporting favorably of the progress of this home mission station. Several sums were paid to the treasurer, Mr. Ward, of Ripley, and the Churches were requested to appoint a brother in each Church to attend to the collection of the requisite funds.

Bradwell.-A letter was read from Mr. Lindley, of Sheffield, respecting their chapel, and the necessity for its repairs. It was VOL. 6. N. S.

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resolved, that this case should be referred to to the Midland Conference.

Ashford. It appears, from the statements of Mr. Kenney, that, on account of the burial-ground at the place being so fully occupied, the Independents are purposing to erect a new chapel, and resign this old place into our hands. How desirable that these decayed interests should be resuscitated.

ence.

Belper. A letter was read from this town, "subscribed on behalf of a number amounting to eighteen or twenty persons," representing a very unpleasant state of things, and asking the advice of the ConferThese friends were willing to submit their differences to arbitration; and the two deacons who were present chose Messrs. Pike and Pegg, of Derby, and Peggs and Barton, of Ilkeston. These brethren are desired to visit Belper, to promote the peace of the Church.

Anti-state Church Conference.-Consider. able discussion arose upon this important subject. It was determined to request Messrs. Stevenson, Burns, and Underwood, of London, or any lay brethren they might select, to represent this Conference in the approaching meeting.

Question on attendants at our Conferences. -As a general principle, it was considered advisable that only members of our Churches should be permitted to attend the discussions.

Berridge's Letter.-This was commended to the attention of the friends present, and some copies were taken.

The next meeting to be at Ripley, the first Monday in August. Tea was provided in the school-room, which was much crowded. In the evening a revival meeting was held, which was addressed by Messrs. Boroughs, Wilders, Crooks, Peggs, and Abbott.

J. PEGGS, Secretary,

THE LONDON CONFERENCE was held at Beulah Chapel, Commercial Road, on Easter Tuesday April 9. Brother Heathcote opened the meeting with prayer, and brother Hudson, now supplying the pulpit at Beulah Chapel, was appointed Chairman. The substance of the Reports from the churches is as follows:

Berkhampstead. Lord's day congregation improved, especially the morning. Sunday School flourishing. Have ten candidates.

-Chesham. Congregations very good. Baptized fourteen since last conference.Downton. "The great work is gloriously progressing, and our once almost extinct Church presents exhilirating indications of an outpouring from on high." Preaching three times on Lord's days. Baptized five. Many inquirers. Sunday-school increasing, and well supplied with teachers. Colwell. The Church at peace.-Isleham. Congregations never so good as now. Baptized V

five. London, Commercial Road, has been supplied by brother Hudson since the begining of February, whose labours have been useful to the Church. Baptized three."Our state is peaceful and Borough Road. happy. Have greatly improved our accommodation for Sabbath school purposes at considerable expence. Baptized nine." New Church Street. The cause flourishing. Benevolent institutions, for teaching the young, visiting the sick, &c., in active operation. Baptized sixteen.--Praed Street, Pad. dington. Congregations generally very goodBaptized nine; have six candidates.Lyndhurst. "Moderately prosperous." Baptized three. Rushall. The state of the Church not much altered the last half year.

Sevenoaks. Baptized one; have four candidates. -Smarden. One baptized. Sunday-school in a prosperous state. -Tring. Baptized one; have two candidates. - -Wendover has been well supplied since the lamented death of brother Talbot, by neigh. bouring ministers, and the congregations have rather increased than otherwise. Mr. R. Horsefield, from the Leicester Academy, has accepted an invitation to become our minister, and will commence his labours (D. V.) in June.

N. B. From Ford and Portsea no report.

Cases.

Downton.-Favorable intelligence having been received respecting the Church in this place, it was resolved,-1st, That the Conference congratulate brother Clifton and his friends on the revival of religion among them; and suggest the propriety of having a new Trust Deed executed for the due protection of the property; and also that brother C. should seek the counsel of brethren appointed by the conference to negotiate on this business.-2nd, that brethren Bissill, of Praed Street Church; Dunch, of Commercial Road; and Gover and Kent, of Borough Road, London, be requested to form a com mittee to advise and act in relation to the deeds of the Downton property, with power to visit D. for these purposes if they should find it necessary to do so.

Melton Place, Euston Square, London.This Church, of which Mr. Preston is the pastor, applied for a recomendation to the Annual Association to be received into the Connexion.

After a long discussion the Conference decided so to recommend it.

Anti-State-Church Conference.-The Conference appointed brother Hudson and brother T. Parr, representatives to the approaching assembly in the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand.

The next Conference to be held at Chesham, on the last Tuesday, in Sep. 1844, at eleven o'clock, A. M.

In the evening of this day a revival meet

Conference assembled at Union-place, Longford, on Tuesday, April 2nd. The services of the day were introduced with reading and prayer, by Mr. Smith, of Hinckley, and Mr. Cheatle preached, on the heavenly state, from Heb. xii. 16, "But now they desire a better country, that is a heavenly.

In the afternoon, at half-past two, the brethren met for business. Mr. Cheatle (by the request of Mr. Shaw, minister of the place,) presided. The following resolutions were adopted :—

1. That the consideration of the following plan for the holding of the Conference be deferred until the next meeting :1845...January..... Wharton.

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May..........Coventry. September... Cradeley. 1846...January......Longford. May .........Austrey.

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September...Birmingham.

1847...January......Longford,

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(Union Place.)

May....... Wolvey.
September...Netherton.

The Conference to be held the second Tuesday in each month.

2. That the Secretary be requested to ask the Churches at Hinckley and Thurlaston whether they will admit of the Warwickshire Conference being held there.

3 That the application for advice and assistance from the trustees of the Coventry chapel be referred to the Home Mission Committee.

4. That Mr. Chamberlain be requested to undertake the office of Secretary.

5. That our next meeting be held at Wolvey, on the first Tuesday in October. Mr. Chamberlain to preach.

This meeting was well attended; the reports from the Churches were encouraging, and the various services calculated to constrain those present to ". press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Mr. Derry preached in the evening, from Psalm 1xxiii. 24.

F. CHAMBERLAIN, Sec., pro tem.

ORDINATION.

KIRTON -On Friday, April 5th, 1844, the Rev. W. Stubbings was publicly set apart to the pastoral office over the General Baptist Church, Kirton, Nottinghamshire. In the morning the Rev. W. Easterbrook, (Indep.) of Tuxford, commenced the solemn services, by reading the Scriptures and prayer, and described the nature of a Gospel Church; the Rev. J. G. Pike, of Derby, proposed the usual questions to the Church and minister,

and offered a very comprehensive and impressive designating prayer. The Rev. J. Wood, of Mansfield, delivered a highly instructive and affectionate charge to the minister, from 1 Tim. iv. 16.

In the afternoon the Rev. J. G. Pike, of Derby, preached a very appropriate sermon to the Church, from Heb. xiii. 17; a deep and solemn interest prevailed throughout the services. May the dews of heaven descend both upon pastor and flock.

ANNIVERSARIES.

BARTON. Anniversary of the Benevolent Society. The usual services in aid of this institution were held on Thursday, April 11th. A public meeting was held in the afternoon, at which Mr. Derry presided; and, after a few explanatory remarks by brother Cotton, addresses were delivered by brethren Pegg, Yates, and Goadby. Tea was provided in the school rooms. In the evening, after reading and prayer by brother Goadby, brother Yates preached. Collection, with the profits of the tea, upwards of £4.

J. C.

SMALLEY. Liquidation of Chapel Debt.— On Lord's-day April 7th, 1844, the Rev. A. Smith of Derby preached two appropriate sermons, when collections were made towards liquidating the debt on the chapel, and on the Tuesday following, the congregation, with many friends from neighbouring places, sat down to a public tea, the trays being furnished gratuitously, and the proceeds applied to the same object. The collections on the Lord's-day, with the results of the tea, and several donations offered at the same time, amounted to the liberal sum of £29. As the debt remaining was only £23. it was thus entirely removed, and a surplus of £6. left in hand towards some future improvement in the chapel.

DOVER STREET, LEICESTER.-Sermons were delivered on Lord's-day, April 7th, by Mr. Butler, of Heptonstall Slack, and the pastor of the Church, when collections were made towards the liquidation of the debt on that place of worship. A tea-meeting was held on the Monday evening, which was addressed by brethren Wallis, Butler, Stevenson, Orton, Horsefield, and Lewitt. Though the attendance was not large, there being very few strangers, the proceeds of the tea and the collection amounted to £33., and about £70. was promised for the next anniversary.

TEA-MEETINGS.

BIRCHCLIFFE. An interesting tea-meeting was held at this place on Friday, April 5th, the object of which was to reduce the debt of £130. remaining on the chapel. The trays

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were gratuitously provided, and about 200 friends assembled. A brief account of the rise and progress of the Church in this place was given by Mr. Hollinrake, the venerable pastor. From his statements, it appeared, that, since 1808, £1470., and upwards, had been expended on the chapel, ground, and school rooms. The debt now remaining is about £105. Suitable addresses were de

livered by several brethren. The meeting was a very delightful one, and the proceeds, including £5. from J. F., Esq., amounted to £23. 11s. 6d.

CHESTERFIELD.-On Tuesday evening last, the teachers and friends of the General Baptist Sunday school held their social meeting in their meeting room, Soresby Street, Chesterfield. About fifty individuals partook of tea. The room was very prettily decorated: an alcove, formed of evergreens and artificial flowers, in three arches, was carried across the room, and wreathes from the walls were festooned to the ceiling. Transparencies, with appropriate Scripture mottos, executed in a very neat style, were suspended in different parts of the room. The chair was filled by Mr. James Smith; and interesting and appropriate addresses were delivered by the chairman, Messrs. Roughton, Edmunds, Furness, Slack, Jones, Bombroffe, Bowring, &c. A number of anthems, and other peices of sacred music, were sung in a pleasing and creditable style by the choir; and the whole proceedings were characterized by genuine Christian feeling. The decorations, we understand, were the work of Mr. Saynor, of Chesterfield, on whose taste they reflected great credit.

BAPTISMS.

WOLVERAMPTON.-The Lord still continues to smile on our Church. On Lord'sday, April 7th, we had another addition of five persons; four by baptism, and one who had been baptized previously. Mr. Shore preached, and administered the sacred rite, in the afternoon, and in the evening gave to each the right hand of fellowship. We are happy in having to state, that our chapel is now well filled with attentive hearers, and several more are waiting for baptism.

On the Tuesday following we had a teameeting, for the liquidation of the debt on our spacious school-rooms. All the trays were given by kind friends. A large number of persons assembled to partake of the refreshing beverage. The meeting was afterwards addressed by brethren Shore, Chamberlain, &c. This was a most interesting season, but one feeling seemed to pervade the whole; and the proceeds of the meeting, which were very considerable, were devoted to the object contemplated.