chair. Reports: 122 baptized, 11 candidates.

Resolved,-1. That we approve of the steps taken by the Dewsbury Committee in raising £150.

2. That we thank Mr. Lister, treasurer of the Home Mission Fund, and Rev. W. Gray, secretary of the same, for past services, and re-appoint them for the year ensuing.

3. Mr. Daniel Wilson, Conference treasurer, was thanked for his past services, and re-appointed.-Rev. R. Ingham and Mr. Stocks were elected to audit his accounts.

4. That, whilst we are grateful to hear of the efforts and success of the friends at Bacup, we regret that we are at present unable to render them any pecuniary assistance.

5. That we petition Parliament not to pass the Government Education Bill; said petition to be drawn up by the Revds. R. Ingham and I. Preston, to be signed by the chairman, and forwarded to R. Shaw, Esq., M.P. for Burnley, for presentation to the House of Commons.

6. That we thank the Rev. J. Alcorn for his efficient services as Secretary of the Conference during the past three years, and pray that he may be increasingly useful to the Denomination, and eminently blessed in his new sphere of labour.

7. That we appoint the Rev. J. Maden, jun., Secretary of the Conference for the next three years.

8. That the next Conference be held at Denholme, on Wednesday, September 28; that the Rev. G. Needham be the preacher; and in case of failure Rev. I. Preston. Morning service to commence at 11 o'clock. J. ALCORN, Secretary.

LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE. Louth, June 2nd. The morning service was conducted in the Eastgate Chapel, and the afternoon and evening in Northgate. In place of the morning sermon an interesting and erudite paper was read by Brother Mathews, in favour of a revision of the authorized version of the Scriptures. The writer of this paper was requested to forward it to our Magazine.

Reports: 131 baptized, 22 received, 10 restored, 22 candidates.

1, The Home Mission accounts were audited. Balance in hand £19 11s. 7d. £15 were voted to the church at Whittlesea. The Home Mission treasurer was thanked and re-appointed.

2. An application having been made from friends at Holbeach, for admission into the Conference as a separate church, it was resolved that a committee be appointed to confer with the friends at Fleet and Holbeach, in order to investigate the state of affairs, and promote harmonious

action; the committee to consist of Brethren R. Wherry, Mathews, Barrass, Winks, and Orton, the last-named to be the convener. The consideration of a grant to Holbeach from the Home Mission Fund was postponed to the next Conference.

3. It was earnestly recommended to the churches represented in the Lincolnshire Conference, to make collections and subscriptions for the Centenary Fund.

4. Resolved to advise the churches to cherish a deep interest in the welfare of the Foreign Mission, and to see that in every church there is an efficient auxiliary society.

5. Resolved to send from this Conference a petition praying the House of Commons to appoint a Royal Commission, in order that improvements may be made in the authorised version of the Holy Scriptures.

"As

Case for the coming Association. it is undeniable, and is indeed acknowledged by well-informed men of all denominations, that many and important improvements may and ought to be made in the authorised version of the Scriptures, this Conference requests the Association to send a petition, and as far as it can to promote the sending of petitions to the legislature, praying that a Royal Commission may without delay be appointed to undertake the revision of the said version."

The next Conference is to be held at Spalding, and Brother Chapman is the preacher.

Mr. Newman presided at the Home Missionary meeting, and addresses were delivered by Messrs. Mathews, Barrass, Orton, Clifford, Sharman, Winks, and Chapman. WILLIAM ORTON, Secretary.

MIDLAND CONFERENCE, Quorndon, WhitTuesday, June 7th, 1870.-At 11 a.m. Rev. W. Bailey read the Scriptures and prayed. Rev. J. Jackson Goadby preached from John iv. 38.

At the afternoon session the Rev. Thos. Bumpus, pastor of the church, presided. The Rev. J. C. Pike offered prayer. Reports showed 104 baptized, 35 candidates, 10 restored since March 8, 1870.

Collection for Conference expenses, £3 15s., leaving a balance in hand of £1 7s.

I. The Government Amendments on the Education Bill-Considerable time was given to deliberation on this question. A desire was generally felt that the best possible measure should be adopted and set to work throughout the country. The Conference appreciated the difficulties of the Government, and without adopting

any resolution, appeared disposed to accept the Time Table Conscience Clause; but the Conference did resolve, and that unanimously and emphatically—

1. That the Bill as it now stands, giving power to the School Boards to teach denominational religion in schools supported wholly or in part by rates, is highly objectionable to this Conference, inasmuch as it is in direct opposition to one of the vital principles of Nonconformity, in seeking to establish a new form of religious taxation, and in permitting sectarian dogma to be taught at the public expense.

2. That a petition embodying the above resolution, signed by the chairman and secretary, be forwarded to the Hon. A. Herbert, M.P., for presentation to the House of Commons.

II. New Regulations for the Conduct of Conference. The following resolutions were adopted ::

1. That a Secretary be elected triennially, that a Chairman and five brethren be elected annually, that the seven act as a business committee to prepare business for the Conference.

2. That there be three Conferences in the year-in March, at Whitsuntide, and in September.

3. That oral and written reports from the churches be presented at the September Conference only.

4. That the morning sitting shall be spent in devotion, and in fraternal conference upon questions connected with the spiritual work of the churches; the subject for conference to be introduced by a paper or address, the introducer to be appointed beforehand, and the subject to be announced in the circulars of the secretary.

5. That the afternoon meeting shall be assigned to matters of business, to conference upon plans and agencies for usefulness in our churches, to the work of the Midland Home Mission: and, when it is practicable, the consideration of questions affecting the secular interests of the churches, and of the working of church agencies, shall be introduced with a paper or an address by a layman.

6. The arrangements for the evening meeting shall be left with the church where the Conference is held, and there shall be a devotional meeting, with addresses, a Home Missionary Meeting, or a Sermon, as may be thought best

N.B.-The above resolutions not to come into operation till after the next Conference.

III. The three brethren who retired by rotation from the Committee of the Midland Home Mission-Messrs. Noble, Thirlby, and Wilford-were re-elected; as

also were the treasurer, Mr. H. Webster Earp, and the secretary, the Rev. C. Clarke.

IV. The church at Carrington, numbering 90 members, on its own application, and on the recommendation of the church at Stoney Street, Nottingham, was admitted as a separate church into the Conference.

V. Next Conference to be at Leake, in September. The Rev. J. Alcorn to preach in the morning; in case of failure the Rev. Thos. Bumpus.

VI. The thanks of the Conference were presented to the Rev. J. Jackson Goadby for his sermon, the subject of which was so opportune to the Quorndon and the Denominational Centenary, and so cheering and stimulating to all workers for Christ.

VII. The Rev. E. Stevenson concluded with prayer.

In the evening a meeting was held to celebrate the Centenary of Quorndon Chapel.

CHARLES CLARKE, Secretary.

THE LONDON CONFERENCE was held in the Walsworth Road chapel, Hitchin, May 25, 1870. The Rev. J. P. Chown, of Bradford, preached in the morning from Rev. xxii. 8.

The Conference met for business at 2.30 p.m. The Rev. J. H. Atkinson presided. The Rev. C. Payne offered prayer.

Reports.-Several of the churches had been favoured with encouraging additions. The friends at Hitchin had baptized thirtythree since the meeting in October. Baptized, 96; candidates, 34.

1. Centenary Fund.-Resolved,―That we earnestly advise such of the churches of this Conference as have not yet contributed to this Fund, to do so without delay.

2. Foreign Mission Committee.-That this Conference desires respectfully to suggest to the Committee of the Foreign Mission Society the desirability of holding at least one of its meetings in the course of the year, at a place convenient for the churches of the London and Eastern Districts; e.g., at Peterborough.

3. Barley. This is a place between Hitchin and Cambridge, containing a chapel which for some years has not belonged to any denomination, and where there are several earnest friends formerly connected with the Praed Street church. Resolved, That we urge our friends at Hitchin and Praed Street to extend their sympathy to the friends at Barley, and help them in any and every way they can.

4. That our very hearty thanks be given to the Rev. J. P. Chown for his excellent

sermon.

5. The Secretary.-Rev. J. Lawton having served five years, tendered his resignation. Resolved,-That the resignation of brother Lawton be accepted, and that the sincere thanks of the Conference be given him for his efficient services during so long a time. The Rev. C. Payne was then elected Secretary.

Next Conference.-To be held at Commercial Road on the first Wednesday in October. Preacher: Rev. J. H. Atkinson. Dr. Burns is requested to read a paper on Temperance in its relation to the churches."

66

At the evening meeting J. Clifford presided, J. G. Pike prayed, and Mr. Chown delivered a most able and interesting lecture on " Photography; chemical, mental, and social." J. LAWTON, Sec.

ANNIVERSARIES.

LOUTH, Eastgate.-Sixth Anniversary. Rev. E. W. Cantrell preached on Lord'sday, May 29. A public tea (trays given) was held in the school-room on the Tuesday following. After tea a meeting was held in the chapel. Mr. S. Salmon in the chair; and addresses were delivered by Mr. Newman, the pastor, J. Clifford, W. Chapman, W. Herbert, and others. The speeches had special reference to the recent settlement of Rev. E. W. Cantrell. J. Clifford preached on Wednesday evening, and the collections, gifts, &c., were £30. The chapel has just been entirely re-varnished and painted, at a cost of nearly £30, and the entire remaining debt is not more than £65.

GREAT GRIMSBY.-The celebration of the first anniversary services in connection with the General Baptist chapel, Freeman Street, took place on Sunday, May 29. J. Clifford preached. The attendance was excellent at both services. On Monday a public tea was gratuitously provided in the most sumptuous manner. After tea Mr. Clifford gave his lecture on "Clogs, Old and New." The proceeds of the whole have realized the very noble sum of over £60 towards the chapel fund.

OPENING SERVICES. PETERBOROUGH.-The Baptist Chapel, Queen Street, was opened on Tuesday, May 24. The Rev. J. P. Chown, of Bradford, preached in the morning and afternoon to excellent congregations. At one o'clock about one hundred persons dined in the Drill Hall, and at five more than 1,500 took tea in the Drill Hall and schoolroom. In the evening the chair was taken by Mr. Roberts, of Peterborough, and addresses were delivered by Revs. S. S.

Allsop, H. Watts, Stanningley, J. H. Millard, B.A., J. P. Chown, F. Chamberlain, E. Bott, W. Orton, T. Barrass (the pastor), and R. Johnson, Esq. The chapel was densely crowded. Many ministers of the city and neighbourhood were present, and took some part in the services. Three of the railway companies issued tickets at one fare for the double journey from many stations. The Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., of Derby, preached on the following Lord'sday to large congregations. The clear amount raised by the opening services will exceed £150. The building is intended to seat eight hundred, and will cost more than £4,000. Architect, J. W. Chapman, Esq., London. Contractors, Messrs. Bell & Son, Nottingham.

BRADFORD, Tetley Street.--The friends of Tetley Street church have just completed the building of new Sabbath schools, and the enlargement and improvement of their chapel. The cost, including an old debt of £470, is £2,646 toward which they have raised £792. Their present debt is £1,854, Dr. Burns, Dr. Underwood, and Mr. Chown, preached at the opening services, which were well attended and very interesting.

SCHOOL SERMONS.

ALLERTON.-June 5. Preachers: Revs. A. G. Russell, M.D., and T. Gill. Collections, £28.

BIRCHCLIFFE. Lord's-day, June 5th. Preachers: Rev. H. Crassweller, B.A., of Derby, and Rev. G. Kenyon (Wesleyan). Collections, £65 2s. 8d.

BARROWDEN.-Whit-Sunday. Preacher: J. Swift, of Morcott.-Whit-Monday. Children had their annual treat.-Whit-Tuesday, Mr. H. Varley preached twice. Collections, £10.-Friday. The mothers of the school children were invited to tea by the teachers.

HUGGLESCOTE.-Second Sunday in May. Preacher Rev. J. Stevenson, M.A. Collections, £44 15.

SHORE.-June, 14. Preacher: J. Maden, pastor. Collections, £62 2s. 8d.

PRESENTATION.

CASTLE DONINGTON AND SAWLEY.-June 16, at the close of the week evening service the oldest deacon, Mr. Shepherd, presented the Rev. E. H. Jackson with a handsome gold watch and chain, about £20 value, as an expression from the friends of both places of their esteem for their late pastor. The young ladies of the Misses Wilkinson and Lockhart's school, in which Mr. J. conducted classes, have also presented him with a large volume

of John Spencer's "Things New and Old," and Robert Cawdray's "Treasury of Similes." Other and minor tokens also show that Mr. Jackson's numerous friends part with him in sincere regret, and with the kindest wishes for his future usefulness and happiness.

MINISTERIAL.

THE REV. ISAAC STUBBINS requests us to announce that his present address is 12, Princess Street, Leicester.

J. FLETCHER has accepted an invitation to the church at New Lenton.

BAPTISMS.

ALLERTON.-May 27, six, by T. Gill. BURTON-ON-TRENT.-Feb. 6, two; April 3, three; May 1, two; June 5, three; by J. P. Tetley.

BOURNE.-May 18, five, by W. Orton. BRADFORD, Tetley Street.-May 29, seventeen, by B. Wood.

CASTLE DONINGTON.-June 5, six, by E. H. Jackson.

CHESHAM.-May 20, two, by C. Payne. CRICH.-June 19, three, by J. Warren. DERBY, St. Mary's Gate.-May 31, seven, by H. Crassweller.

HITCHIN.-June 1, three, by J. H.

Atkinson.

LONDON, Praed Street.-June 8, two, by J. Clifford.

HUNSLEY-WHEATON.-June 1, at the G. B. Chapel, Crowle, Lincolnshire, by the Rev. J. Stutterd, Mr. Fergus Hunsley, to Miss Elizabeth Wheaton, both members of the church and valued Sunday school teachers.

LONGBOTTOM-CHAMBERS.-May 16, by the Rev. T. Mee, Mr. David Longbottom, to Betsy Tutbury Chambers, both of West Retford.

LILLER-MARSH.-May 12, at the Baptist Chapel, West Retford, by the Rev. T. Mee, Mr. Henry Liller, of Rotherham, to Miriam Marsh, of West Retford.

SMITH-READ.-June 8, at Whittlesea, by the Rev. T. Watkinson, Mr. Henry Smith, broker, to Ann, eldest daughter of Mr. Jabez Read, farmer, Whittlesea.

BRIGGS.-Sarah, the beloved wife of Chas. Briggs, died at Quorndon, Dec. 27, 1869, aged 54. When quite young she attended the G. B. Chapel and soon was converted to God. She was baptized June 17, 1838, and maintained her profession of faith in Christ to the end of her days. She was diligent in Christian service, and liberal to the institutions of the Christian church. She calmly fell asleep in Jesus, leaving her friends to sorrow, but not as those without hope.

CRABTREE.-May 2, at Halifax, aged 76, Olive Crabtree. She was a member of the church at North Parade a great number of years. She was baptized at Birchcliffe about the year 1829. About twenty-six years ago she lost her husband, and since that time has witnessed the demise of three of her children; yet all these be

reavements were borne with Christian fortitude. She was laid aside by bodily and mental affliction about four years ago. She grew gradually weaker, and literally slept away, apparently without a struggle.

GREENWOOD.-May 24th, at Halifax, aged 25, Ashworth Greenwood. Seldom has it been our lot to record the death of one who (as far as human judgment can tell) promised so fairly to become one of the standard-bearers in the church militant. Brought up in our Sunday School, he gradually became convinced of his sinful state, and was baptized during the pastorate of the Rev. C. Clark, when 18 years of age. Being of an unobtrusive character, he shrank from great responsibilities, and always desired a humble position. He became a teacher, first of the infant class, and he laboured diligently

and prayerfully with the little ones to teach them the story of the cross. The two great points in his character were his deep affection for his widowed mother and other members of the family, and his thorough unflinching conscientiousness. He took a deep interest in the temperance cause, and everything tending to elevate the young socially and morally. His power of memory and application to study were great, and through this and his perseverance he was soon called upon to take a high position as a teacher in the school. His health began to fail, but not until the commencement of this year was it evident to his friends that he was sinking. As the season advanced he gradually declined, and all hopes of his restoration were dispelled, and he resigned his all into the hands of Him who gave life and can take it away. During the last weeks of his illness he was often visited by his fellow-teachers, who all mourn his removal from their midst. His only desire for life was that he might comfort his mother, but God deemed otherwise; and he often tried to dry up her tears by words of peace, assuring her he "was going to heaven." The 8th of Romans and the 23rd Psalm gave him great consolation.

The

HOLMES.-Mr. John Holmes was the only son of Mr. James Holmes, one of the first deacons, and for many years the treasurer and a principal supporter of the Baptist Church, Archdeacon Lane, Leicester. At the time I was invited to become their minister (upwards of 42 years ago), our late esteemed deacon had not made a public profession of religion, although it may reasonably be presumed that he was a disciple of Christ. church had been in an unsettled state, and whilst a teacher in the Archdeacon Lane School, he had frequently attended the ministry of the late Robert Hall; a privilege to which he frequently referred, and to which I have no doubt he was much indebted in deciding his doctrinal views, and in the formation of his Christian character. From the time I came to Leicester, Mr. Holmes regularly worshipped with us, and took a deep interest in the prosperity of the church. It was several years before he became a member. When chosen to office as a deacon and treasurer, he ever manifested care and scrupulous conscientiousness with regard to official responsibilities. For several years our late brother had commonly assisted in the public worship by reading the hymns; and whether his services were required in the clerk's desk or not, he was sure to be present with us, if health and domestic circumstances would permit. In

the death of Mr. Holmes we lament the loss of a valuable member of the churchkind, affectionate, and very upright. In his friendship he was strictly faithful, as well as cordial; and if sometimes in council he carried prudence to excess, it was observable that he never shrank from bearing his proportion in the obligations imposed on the church and congregation. Our brother was very modest and spare in allusions to his own knowledge and experience of Christian truth. In early life his mind had been severely exercised on the controversy between Socinian and Evangelic sentiments. His choice of the latter was deliberate and decisive. Since his death I have been interested in the copy of a letter, found among his papers, written by himself many years ago, in which this fact, couched in carefully selected terms, is very clearly expressed. But he had no sectarian prejudices, and was no stickler for uniformity of doctrine. Believing and embracing great fundamental truths, he was willing to leave a very broad margin of thought and sentiment to the domain of free inquiry. There was in our late friend an obvious enjoyment of life and strong attachment to it; whilst all his habits were frugal, and verged on uniformity. Although for some time it was apparent that his constitution was gradually giving way, usually his animal spirits were very good, and his mind calm and cheerful. There was no rapture, and no direct desire to die, with his quiet and strong assurance; but he was willing to depart, if the will of God were so; and all the way through his affliction, and down to the gates of death, he was free from fear-peaceful-and sustained by a good hope through grace. Our widowed sister has the satisfaction of knowing that her loving care and ceaseless kindness were appreciated by the departed and his numerous circle of Christian friends. Mr. Holmes has left several sons and one daughter; most of them members of Baptist churches, and strongly attached to the principles of their forefathers.

THOS. STEVENSON.

HURST.-June 16, after a long and painful illness, Joseph Bakewell Hurst entered into rest, aged 22. His family have lost in him an only son, and the church at Burton-on-Trent, of which he was a member from early youth, one of its most hopeful young men. His attachment to the Sunday School, of which he was secretary, was very great; and his desires to serve it impelled him to the most unwearied efforts in the discharge of his office.