social meeting, and we trust it will long be remembered by them, and be productive of lasting good.

"Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth,
The gift of saving grace;
And let the seed of early truth

Fall in a fruitful place."

A MEMBER.

BAPTISMS. WHETSTONE, near Leicester.-The ordinance of baptism was administered to four persons in our new Chapel in this village on the 11th of February, 1844, when the Rev. J. Goadby preached an appropriate sermon from the commission of our Lord, in the afternoon, and afterwards baptized the candidates. In the evening he delivered a disCourse on "Consecration to God," from Psalm xvi. 2, and afterwards administered the Lord's Supper. These services excited very considerable interest, as there was never known to be a baptism in the village before. In the afternoon the chapel was very much crowded, and it is hoped that the arguments adduced in support of our practice had an enlightening influence on the minds of some who had entertained views of an opposite character. May the Lord grant that we may see many more in this place coming forward to declare themselves on the Lord's side before an ungodly world. J. Y. L.

CROSS STREET, STALYBRIDGE.-Twelve persons were publicly baptized in this chapel on Lord's day evening, January 21st, 1844. The congregation was extremely large. Mr. John Sutcliffe, who has recently come amongst us, preached from Acts ii. 37, 38; afterwards the candidates were immersed by him in the name of the Holy Three.

And

on the 11th of February the Rev. H. Hollinrake, of Birchliffe, administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The services of both days were deeply interesting; and it is confidently hoped that the seed sown will bring forth fruit abundantly to the honor of Christ and the glory of God. W. S.

BURNLEY.-Spiritual results of the Revival at Burnley. In the evening of "the last day" of the year 1843, the pastor of the General Baptist Church, Burnley, in giving a sketch of the progress of the cause during the past year, made the following encouraging statements. "Since the commencement of the year, a considerable number have been added to this Church by baptism. On Lord's-day, April 30th, 1843, sixteen persons were baptized-eight males and eight females. On the 11th of June twenty-eight persons were immersed in the new baptistry which had just been built in the Chapel. On July 23rd ten others went through the water to the fold; and on the 24th of December five inales and four females were buried with Christ by baptism."-Total, 63.

A REVIVALIST.

REMOVAL.

THE REV. THOMAS SMITH, of Staley Bridge, having accepted an unanimous invitation of the General Baptist Church, Hinckley, to become their pastor, commenced his stated labours the first Lord's day in September. We are happy to say, that our prospects are now improving, and we trust that his coming amongst us will, by the Divine blessing, be overruled for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in this town and neighbourhood.

Singular incident connected with the end of a great statesman.-Mr. Pitt died at a solitary house on Wimbledon Common. Not far off, by the roadside, stood, and still stands, a small country inn, where the various parties interested in the great statesman's life were accustomed to apply for information, and to leave their horses and carriages. On the morning of the 23rd of January 1806, an individual having called at this inn, and not being able to obtain a satisfactory reply to his enquiries, proceeded to the house of Pitt. He knocked, but no servant appeared; he opened the door and entered; he found no one in attendance. He proceeded from room to room, and at length entered the sick chamber, where on a bed, in silence and perfect solitude, he found, to his unspeakable surprize, the dead body of that great statesman who had so lately wielded the power of England, and influenced. if he did not control, the destinies of the world. We doubt whether any much more awful example of the lot of morality has ever been witnessed.-Edinburg Review. Oct.

1843.

The influence of fashion.-While the world lasts, fashion will continue to lead it by the nose. And after all, what can fashion do for its most obsequious followers? It can ring the changes upon the same things, and it can do no more. Whether our hats be white or black; our caps high or low; whether we wear two watches or one; is of little consequence. There is indeed an appearance of variety, but the folly and vanity that dictate the change are invariably the same. When the fashions of a particular period appear more reasonable than those of the preceeding, it is not because the world is grown more reasonable than it was; but because, in a course of perpetual changes, some of them must sometimes happen to be for the better. Neither do I suppose the preposterous customs that prevail at present a proof of its greater folly. In a few years, perhaps next year, the fine gentleman will shut up his umbrella and give it to his sister, filling his hand with a crab-tree cudgel instead of it: and when he has done so will he be wiser than now? By no means. The love of change will have betrayed him into a propriety, which in reality, he has no taste for, all his merit on the occasion amounting to no more than this; that being weary of one play thing he has taken up another.-CowPER.

Serious preaching.-Drowsy formality and cus. tomariness doth but stupify the hearers and rock them to sleep. It must be serious preaching, which will make men serious in hearing and obeying it.-BAXTER.

Ministerial difficulty.-The hardness which I have to endure is this:-here are a number of families, which show me every kind of regard, but I see that they are not right; they somehow so combine the things which they hear with the things which they do, that I am afraid they will at last lie down in sorrow. Here is my difficulty. I must meet them with gentleness; but I must detect and uncover the evil. I shall want real kindness and common honesty if I do not. "Ephraim hath grey hairs; yet he knoweth it not. Ephraim is a cake not turned." But if I tell him these things, he and I shall become two persons. He must however be so touched in private; for he will not be touched in the pulpit. He will say, "I am not the man."-CECIL.

Useful preaching-God puts peculiar honor on the preaching of Christ crucified. A philosopher may philosophize his hearers, but the preaching of Christ must convert them. Men may preach Christ ignorantly, blunderingly, absurdly yet God will give it efficacy, because he is determined to magnify his own ordinance.-CECIL.

VOL. 6.-N.S.

Confessor to the Household!-Confessor to the Household seems to have been an official appointment, in popish times, similar to that of Domestic Chaplain to the Queen in the present. The appellation had for many years been dropped; but popery, in its essence as well as in its outward trappings, now coming again into fashion, the Rev. Dr. Wesley has resumed the popish name. What next?

The Educational Movement appears to progress in every part of the kingdom. All parties seem awake to its importance.

Episcopacy in Jamaica.-Upwards of £30,000 was claimed, in the form of rates, in connexion with Episcopacy during one year, in addition to the government provision.

Insurance of Chapels.-It is proposed to estabish a fire insurance company for Wesleyan chapels. They are said to be upwards of £2,000,000 in value.

Scotchmen in London.-It was recently stated, that in the parishes of Mary.le-bone, Paddington, Chelsea, St. George's, and Pancras, there are 5,000 Scotchmen who do not attend any place of worship.

Kirk Affairs.-The following sums have been received on account of the schemes of the Free Church of Scotland, from 18th May, 1843, to 15th January, 1844 :

Education, including schoolmasters and library

India Mission
Home Mission
Colonial Mission
Jewish Mission
Ross and Sutherland
Ladies' Colonial Mission
Female Education in India

£4,220 4 2

5,640 17 9

1.991 3 5

276 12 10 3.940 19 10 2,085 5 43 421 7 6 480 16 11

£19,057 17 10

A Dean's Definition of Baptism.-The rural dean of D.-F., in Dorset, being asked by a dissenter to explain John iii. 7, said, "Oh! it would take him all his life to explain that subject, but he would explain the 5th verse." "I should be glad to hear that." The very learned dean said, "To be born of the water is to be baptized in the Church of England, and to be born of the Spirit is to believe in our Catechism and Prayer-book, and always to keep to the spirit and worship of that Church, as the only apostolic one in all the world."

Dr. Southey and John Wesley "I may state to you, that, in reference to my life of Wesley, I have had letters from dignitaries of the Church of England, from statesmen, and various literary characters, lauding the work, and thanking me for its publication. Mr. Watson's Observations I have not seen, nor do I intend to read them. I rarely read works written against me. I wrote the Life of Wesley independent of party, with as little hope of favour from the churchman as from the dissenter; but no man can take up that life, and read it, who, on laying it down, will not say -John Wesley was a great and a good man. I may have been mistaken, but no man can say 'an enemy hath done this;' an enemy to John Wesley I could not be. Some of my earliest recollections and associations are in his favor. I was in a house in Bristol, where he was, when a mere child. On running down stairs before him, with a beautiful little sister of my own, whose ringlets were floating over her shoulders, he overtook us on the landing, when he took my sister in his arms and kissed her. Placing her on her feet again, he then put his hand upon my head, and blessed me; and I feel" (continued the bard, highly impassioned-his eyes glistening with tears-and yet in a tone of tender and grateful recollection) "I feel as though I had the blessing of that good man upon me at the present moment."

M

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"The Committee have received the following opinions respecting the state of Mrs. Smith's health from two of the most eminent medical gentlemen in Derby.

"After having seen Mrs. Smith, and availing myself of every means by which I could form an opinion respecting her present state of health, together with the probable effect of a residence in a warm climate; and likewise bearing in mind the influences, moral and physical, likely to operate upon one who goes abroad as the wife of a gentleman engaged in Missionary labours; I have no hesitation in coming to the following conclusion:

"That Mrs. Smith is in a very delicate state of health; that the state of her lungs is at this time unhealthy, although not actively diseased; that her constitution and habit is what, in medical language, is termed strumous; thereby predisposing to disease that has already shown itself in the glands of the neck; and, against the consequences of which, a tropical climate is not likely to offer any protection.

"In short, without going into further detail, I consider that it would be rashness in the extreme for Mrs. Smith to relinquish the comforts of England, the facilities for obtaining medical aid, and other similar advantages, of which I fear she will from time to time stand in need; to encounter trials and privations under which I see too much reason to fear that her life would be speedily terminated.

"I regret that my judgment compels me to to give opinions so unfavorable to aims and objects that originate from the most praiseworthy motives; and which, I fear, may throw an equal damp upon the desires of Mr. Smith, but whilst doing so it is a relief to me to feel that I am quite decided as to the opinions and advice which I have here given."

"I have examined Mrs. Smith with care, and I had formed the same opinion as Dr.before reading the above report. I therefore have no hesitation in stating that I perfectly agree with the doctor's report."

"In the position in which the Committee are placed by these opinions, they feel it impossible to proceed further in the case of Mr Smith, but are obliged to give up all thoughts of employing him as a missionary; though in various respects they have been pleased with him, and had no such obstacle occurred, think he might have been usefully employed in missionary labors."

In reference to a friend who has recently visited several Churches, the following resolution was adopted:

"The Committee see much in Mr. J.'s spirit and manner to approve, but do not think him equal to being employed as a missionary at present, and would not be willing to undertake the expense of his education, or that of any other young man, unless there were peculiar reasons for departing from this course."

Some other business that was transacted is contained in the following resolutions, the former of which was adopted as a standing regulation:

Agreed, "That whenever a young man may be proposed for missionary work, enquiry shall be made whether he has formed any connection likely to end in marriage; and that in all instances when this is the case, the Committee will expect satisfaction respecting such female acquaintance, as well as respecting the applicant himself."

Agreed," That the Committee think it desirable that if any well qualified East Indians can be found among our brethren in India they should be encouraged and employed by the Orissa Conference."

The business was transacted with great unanimity; every resolution being adopted without one dissenting voice.

ORPHAN SCHOOL, CUTTACK. BEING an account of five young people in the school at Cuttack, furnished by Mr. Sutton in a note to T. Gwennap, Esq. who subscribes £10. annually to it.

Cuttack, Sep. 15, 1843. MY DEAR SIR,-I suppose that my name

is not unknown to you, though have not had the pleasure of addressing you before; but as I am writing to Mr. Burns, I thought it my duty to address a few words to you as the kind benefactor of several of our dear pupils. My colleague, Mr. Lacey, has doubtless, from time to time, given you such information as you desired respecting the children in the Asylum under Mrs. Sutton's and my own superintendance, and I have therefore only to report progress.

1. Dukhi. Of her baptism you have of course been informed. She is the youngest of the three sisters referred to in the report for 1842, p. 30, and in previous reports. She is in every respect one of our best girls, and has given us no reason to regret that she was so early baptised and received into the Church. She has been asked for in marriage, but she is yet too young (we suppose about 14,) and moreover is rather small of her age, so that we should prefer her remaining in the institution for a couple of years longer.

2. Nimi. We suppose she is about eleven years. She is doing well as a scholar, enjoys good health, is an active girl, but at present manifests no religious feelings. She spins cotton, and begins to take her share in the domestic duties of the school.

3. Bidhà has been long a serious, wellbehaved lad, and during the present year has, I trust, become a decided Christian. He was, after a long probation, received with three others and baptized the first Sabbath in August. He is now employed regularly in the printing office, and will make a good workman; in a year or two more he will earn his own living. This lad was brought

to me for sale by his widowed mother during a season of extreme famine; she has occasionally called for a little relief, but of late we have not seen her; her home is some distance off in the country. He was of the carpenter caste. This is one of those cases over which the eye of philanthropy may drop the tear of thankfulness: and, I trust, you may ever have occasion to rejoice over your patronage of this lad.

4. Rama comes next on the list. He is another steady, and, I hope, a pious boy. He has been a candidate for baptism for some time, but has been kept back partly on account of his extreme youth, and partly with a view to a further test of his religious principles. We can only guess at his age, but suppose him to be under eleven years. He comes daily to me with a lesson in Oriya Grammar, and on Sabbath days attends with others in a class, in which we either read the Bible or the Pilgrims' Progress together.

5. Madiyh.-This is an active intelligent boy, a year or two younger than Rama, and attends the same class with him. Perhaps

99

he will become the best scholar of the lot. He is a good and obedient boy: gives us no trouble; but at present gives no evidence of being under religious impressions.

I need scarcely add the request that you will bear these interesting children on your heart at the throne of grace.-May they be your joy and crown of rejoicing for ever. Accept our thanks for your truly benevolent support of them. Yours truly,

A. SUTTON.

APPEAL FOR MISSIONARIES. Feb. 14th, 1844. DEAR BROTHER, Believing Missionary operations to be of God, and that it is scarcely possible to attach too much im. portance to them, without neglecting what it is in our power to do for the beloved land of our nativity; often contrasting this land of privileges with the dark places of the earth; occasionally reflecting on the persecution by which primitive Christians were scattered abroad, the word of God was more extensively preached, and the purposes of God's unbounded love were more fully accomplished; considering the Missionary efforts put forth within the last fifty years, and the abundant blessing from on high, with which they have been attended; reading of the openings to our works of faith and labours of love in India, China, &c., and of the facilities afforded by the Bible, Bible Translation, and Tract Societies; the information in your last Observer that there was one Missionary student at our Academy, was refreshing. O that young men, students or pastors,* of piety, health, and energy, were more numerously coming forth to embrace the interesting openings amongst the uninstructed millions of heathens, and to obey the loud calls of a gracious providence. Such is the example of Christ, and such is the very essence of our heaven-born religion, that methinks those who are at liberty, and fitted for the work, are justified when their hearts burn with unextinguishable and increasing desire to spend and be spent in the service of Christ, where undying souls, densest darkness, aud vilest iniquity, most abound. If the response given to the late appeal to our Churches on behalf of India, and to a former appeal on behalf of China, be at all adequate to their importance and in proportion to the ability of our Connexion, it would certainly be gratifying to many to

*It is very desirable that one or two very efficient Missionaries should be found to strengthen the hands of our brethren. Is there no healthy, talented, and well-educated Minister of some standing amongst us, whose heart has yearned after such labour or who would be willing to endure it for Christ -ED.

receive intelligence and particulars thereof, through the medium of your interesting periodical. Perhaps the following anecdote, from a book of 'Admonitions,' by the Religious Tract Society, may be seasonable to some lethargic soul; and should it be beneficial to the Lord's treasury, to Him be the praise. "A wealthy, but niggardly gentleman was waited on by the advocate of a charitable institution, for which they solicited his aid, reminding him of the Divine declaration, Prov. xix. 17; 'He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.' To this he profanely replied, 'The security, no doubt, is good, and the interest liberal; but I cannot give such long credit.' Poor rich man! the day of payment was much nearer than he anticipated. Not a fortnight had elapsed, from his refusing to honor this claim of God upon his substance, before he received a summons with which he could not refuse to comply. It was, 'This night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided.""

Let us all live in constant readiness to give an account of our stewardship.

Might not brother Stubbins write a few Missionary Tracts, to be issued from our Depository, and to be in constant circulation?

Might not the Missionary Tracts, recently published by the Religious Tract Society, and intended for children, be distributed on a given day among the children of our Sunday schools, and a collection be made at the same time for our mission, simply to "gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost?"

I remain, yours in Christian affection,

while I was in the place. No one to speak a word of comfort, or to assist, by prayer, or reading the Holy Scriptures, the soul's fond struggles after a glimpse of hope and acceptance with God. One young man I shall never forget. In a moment of madness he determined to go to sea. He had received a very good education, and had served his apprenticeship to a druggist. His mother is, I believe, a widow, living on a small independent property. A few days after going on board, he felt how foolishly he had acted. He was perfectly useless as a sailor, and, as a useless hand, of course was not treated very delicately. Fretting for his friends, and self-reproaches for his conduct, brought on bodily illness. He was attacked with scurvy, or something like it, which took away his sight; and, on his arrival in Calcutta, was a perfect Lazarus in all, except that of his spiritual state. His frequent expression was, "O if I had but my sister here, or some one to care for me.' I said what I could to comfort and instruct him, and to lead him to repose his trust and confidence on that Saviour who died for him. He wept bitterly at the remembrance of his sins. I could not refrain from weeping with him. While praying with him he appeared to respond to every petition; and thus, after commending him to the Father of all mercies, I was about to leave him,-he clung to me as for life, beseeching me either not to go, or to return as soon as possible. I promised to see him the next day, and accordingly went, and took with me some lime juice, a cooling drink, which he seemed to wish for very much. I again conversed and prayed with him, and he seemed somewhat comforted. In a few days he expired, and I saw him no more. Perhaps his mother and sister may never hear what became of him. I may mention another circumstance, similar to the above, only in the affliction ending in death. This man was a mere skeleton, but the most insensible as to eternal things of any person I ever saw. His replies to my questions were very blunt and surly. I did not like

to leave him in this state of mind, but he told me very roughly he could not be bothered about those things. A few days after this, he asked one of the patients to smoothen his pillow, and, as his head was being laid upon it again, he said, with apparent calmness, "I'm off," and expired. I shall never forget this event.

"You have been, my beloved father, long engaged in conducting the Sabbath-school in which I was brought up. No one can tell how far the blessings resulting from such institutions extend. Some time ago I saw quite a boy, from London, in the hospital, ill of fever. He was not, I should judge from his appearance, more than twelve years of age. He was reading the Bible. I asked