son, E. Haley, J. Skelton, E. S. Brook (West Vale branch), J. Bramley, W. Townsend (Ovenden branch), and others. This resolution was enthusiastically passed: "We, the church and congregation of North Parade, hereby express our gratitude to God for His preservation of the health of our beloved pastor during the last twelve months, and for the restoration of his dear wife from her long and threatening affliction. We record, also, our hearty appreciation of our pastor's unwearying devotion to our highest interests by his private and public ministrations."

REV. THOS. RYDER's recognition services as pastor of Stoney Street church, Nottingham, took place on Tuesday, Oct. 18. At 5.30 p.m. a large number of friends assembled for tea in the excellent school-rooms recently completed (and which were much admired by visitors), and at 7.0 a public meeting was held in the chapel. Addresses were delivered by Revs. Dr. Underwood, W. R. Stevenson, M.A., S. Cox, W. R. Skerry (of Sabden), J. B. Dougherty, M.A., R. Nobbs, J. Matheson, B.A., and T. Ryder.

MISCELLANEOUS.

CARRINGTON.-An Appeal.-The Sabbath school has existed here for more than twenty years without possessing a schoolroom. About four years ago the rent of the rooms then occupied, and in which the school had been conducted for a long time, was doubled, and the teachers being neither able nor willing to pay it, had to "quit;" and no other premises being available, they were compelled to carry on the work under great disadvantages in the chapel, the scholars at that time numbering 120. After remaining in this uncomfortable situation for some months, two rooms in the village became empty, and were obtained at a moderate rental. In these, though small, ill-ventilated, and in other respects inconvenient, the teachers have "managed" until the present time. On the 23rd of September they were again reminded of the insecurity of those who are only tenants, and were thrown into a state of deep anxiety by receiving "notice to quit," the owner of the premises requiring them for another purpose. We have scoured the neighbourhood in search of suitable rooms, but without success. Our scholars now number 170, and our tenancy expires on the 25th December. Beyond this date we shall be without a place in which to teach these little ones of Jesus and the way to heaven; and the operations of our Sabbath school, with its auxiliaries, consisting of a penny bank (which is open to the whole village), a

free night school and library for scholars, and a branch of the Juvenile Orissa Mission, will be seriously crippled, and a considerable number of the scholars must be turned adrift for lack of accommodation. In this critical situation the teachers have resolved to secure a piece of land and build a house of their own. This will involve an outlay of about £250, and as all connected with the cause are working people, who will not be able to raise more than a fifth of the amount required, we are compelled to appeal to the public for assistance. Reference may be made to W. E. Baker, Esq., Carrington; Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., or Rev. J. Clifford. Subscriptions will be thankfully received by the superintendents, Mr. H. Belton, 10, Peas Hill Rise, and Mr. J. Brookhouse, 171, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham.

MARCH.-On Tuesday, Oct. 4, a very interesting gathering of the friends at March was held to celebrate the "jubilee" of Mr. and Mrs. Booth, who have been honourable and useful members of the church here for fifty years. Over a hundred accepted their invitation to tea, and after singing and prayer addresses of congratulation and thankfulness were delivered by the pastor, R. Dawbarn, Esq., Rev. T. T. Wilson (formerly pastor of the church), Messrs. Ewen, Abbot, J. Stanger Smith, Hale (precentor at Metropolitan Tabernacle), Richards, Foster, &c. Not many of our friends are spared to celebrate their jubilee: only one friend is living who was a member when Mr. and Mrs. B. joined the church, and he was present, and in his 83rd year delivered a most interesting and affecting address. Mr. and Mrs. Booth spoke of the way God had led them; the changes they had witnessed in the church and congregation; and expressed their gratitude that they were spared to see a new chapel begun.

THE COLLEGE.

On Tuesday evening, Sept. 13, the sermon at the opening of the Session was preached in Broad Street chapel, Nottingham, by the Rev. Charles Vince, of Birmingham. His subject was, The preaching of the gospel God's ordinance, which was treated with the preacher's usual ability.

Since the opening of the present Session the three senior students, who were offered the privilege of remaining in the College up to Christmas next, have all received and accepted calls to settle over churches. Mr. Jolly began his ministry at Boston, as assistant to Mr. Mathews, on the first Sunday in October. Mr. Silby commenced on the same day at Lineholme. And Mr. Wood goes to Longton on the first Sunday in November, under the auspices of the Midland Home Mission. "Peace be to these brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." W. UNDERWOOD.

WALKER-BEESON.-Sept. 6, in the Baptist chapel, Kegworth, by Mr. Yates, Mr. Francis Walker, to Miss Emma Beeson, both of Kegworth.

FLETCHER-BELTON.-Sep. 19, at Loughborough, Baxter Gate, by Rev. J. Alcorn, Joseph, youngest son of Mr. W. Fletcher, Langley Mill, to Lois, youngest daughter of Mr. W. Belton, of the former place.

GREENWOOD-ASHWORTH.-Sept. 28, in the Baptist chapel, Shore, by the Rev. J. Maden, Mr. Robert Greenwood, of Frieldhurst Terrace, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Ashworth, of Vale Terrace.

WILDERS-WOOTTON.-Oct. 6, by license, in the Baptist chapel, Kegworth, Mr. Joseph Bennett Wilders, to Miss Julia Wootton, both of Kegworth.

NAYLOR-LAW.-Oct. 8, in the Baptist chapel, Shore, by the Rev. J. Maden, Mr. John Naylor, to Miss Alice Law, both of Gate-Bottom, near Todmorden.

Deaths.

FAGG.-Oct. 2, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of J. Fagg, Gas Works, Radford, aged 54 years.

GREENWOOD.-July 23, John Greenwood, of Higher Intack, died in the faith, aged 68 years.

HILLER.—Mr. Louis Hiller, many years a deacon of Cemetery Road chapel, Sheffield, departed this life almost suddenly, Oct. 10, aged 59 years, and was buried in the General Cemetery amidst a large concourse of friends. He was much respected, and is deeply lamented by all who knew him. LAW.-July 2, Sally Law, of Vale, entered into rest, aged 89 years.

BAILEY TO THE SECRETARY. Gibraltar, Malta, Alexandria, and Suez.

My last communication would inform you of our safe arrival at Gibraltar. I am now on board the Hindostan. We are waiting the arrival of the mails from Marseilles, but hope to sail during the evening. We have had thus far a remarkable passage; the weather has been so pleasant and fine. Every thing was most agreeable on board the Bangalore, and I never sailed with more gentlemanly officers, and more agreeable servants and sailors.

We left the "Rock" at ten A.M., on the 15th, and started punctually to the minute, for these steamers start at the appointed time with as much exactness as a railway train. The visit to this fortress was an agreeable break in the journey. The landing of the Governor from our steamer was a very quiet affair. I quite expected we should have had a salute of at least thirteen guns from the batteries, and the ships decorated in the harbour, but there was nothing of the kind. I spent about two hours on shore. I did not climb to the top of the rock, but I ascended sufficiently high to take a survey of the town and surrounding country. Not far from Gibraltar is Roorkee, a town celebrated for its bull fights; but there does not appear to be very much population around the bay. On the "Rock" the races are very varied, but the Spaniards preponderate. The houses are good, but the streets are narrow, and there is a great lack of attention to sanitation. There is an excellent market for fruit and vegetables. Apples, peaches, pears, figs, and grapes in great abundance. The finest grapes were sold for twopence a pound. The melons were very fine and very cheap.

Popery here is in the ascendant. I went into the church at the time of morning service, and saw priests and people "wholly given to idolatry." I could not but look with sorrowful pity on those who are given over to such "strong delusion." The poor women were prostrate at the Confessional, and seemed to be completely under the power of the priest

here to the troops, but I believe he is the only representative of nonconformity.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we were close to the African coast; sometimes so near that we could see with the naked eye all the objects of interest. For many miles, however, there was nothing but wild bleak barrenness; not an inch of cultivation could we see. On Saturday we passed a large town with some very fine buildings, but no one could tell us what town it was. The scenery around the Bay of Tunis was very pretty, and the site of ancient Carthage was pointed out to me by one of the officers. We passed Algiers about ten p.m. on Saturday; had it been earlier in the day we should have had a fine view of the town. On Sunday night, about sunset, we reached Cape Bon, and were so near that the houses were full in view, in fact we could not have been more than two or three miles from the shore. It is rather an unusual thing for ship masters to keep so near land, but this broke the monotony, and added much interest to our voyage.

On Sunday a chaplain of the Bombay Presidency conducted the service in the morning. His text was a very suitable one for a sermon at sea, Mark iv. 37, 38, 39, but there was a painful lack of evangelical truth. Immediately after the service I was requested to preach in the evening. A young Wesleyan minister going to Malta read the service; we had some good old hymns and tunes, and many sang with heart and soul. I was warmly thanked for the sermon, and I was asked whether I should not preach again on the following Sunday. We had a good attendance, and many of the stokers and firemen crowded round the hatchways to listen. I had many pleasant conversations with the sailors and firemen, and I trust that the quiet words spoken on the forecastle and in certain nooks and corners of the ship will bear fruit after many days. Some of the men spoke with intense admiration of the manliness and openness of Dr. Norman Macleod when he was on board their ships. Sailors, of all other classes, treat with contempt parsonic stiffness and pride. Beneath the rough and sometimes rude exterior of the British tar

there is often found a generous and tender heart. I regret I did not bring with me some of Spurgeon's sermons, for sailors look upon him as the ideal man. The son of a chimney sweep from the East end of London, who had some acquaintance with Commercial Road Chapel and our friend Mr. Goadby, mentioned several sermons he had read. Another sailor brought me a copy of the Liverpool Courier with a summary of the sermons preached by Mr. Spurgeon in Myrtle Street Chapel on his recent visit there. My preaching was the means of finding out an old acquaintance in the Madras army that I had not seen for many years; he, like myself, has left his wife and family, and as he is a Christian man, there is a common bond of sympathy between us.

On Monday morning at day dawn we reached Malta-the Melita so memorable in the history of Paul; and as we remained till sunset, I was enabled to see all or nearly all the objects of interest in Valetta, the capital, and Cita Vecchia. I had hoped to have seen St. Paul's Bay, but found it too far. When I can command a little leisure time, I purpose preparing an account for the Magazine of my day's sojourn on the island, for it is one of the most important places in the world's great highway to the East. It is very strongly fortified, and is garrisoned by several regiments of the line and a local corps. We reached Alexandria on Friday morning, the 23rd. One of the first buildings that you see is the Viceroy's palace, but his chief residence is at Cairo. The harbour was full of steamers, and the finest of them carried the Turkish flag. I landed in the afternoon, and took up my abode with several of the passengers at Abat's Hotel. The accommodation was good, and the charges moderate. I could scarcely realize that in the short space of twelve days and a half, inclusive of stoppages, I had been carried to the land of the Pharaohs, so memorable in the history of the patriarchs-the land where Joseph died and Moses was born-the land of bondage-the land of the Passover-and the land where Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus found refuge from Herod the king. It seems to me a most melancholy thing that a land so rich in historic interest should still remain under Mohammedan delusion, and that so little effort should be made for its evangelization. Alexandria is a fine city, and will

increase in commercial importance; the buildings in the principal streets are good, and the square in the centre of the city, with its trees and fountains, its large hotels, banks, offices, and shops, has a most attractive and commanding appearance. The streets are very dirty, and the dogs and pigs seem to be the only scavengers. Like most travellers I went to see Cleopatra's Needle and Pompey's Pillar. I might have gone about more, but the Arabs plague and pester new comers almost to death. To reach these two objects of interest it was n necessary to secure a donkey; and soon as I had made known my wish I was completely_surrounded with men and animals. To make any choice was impossible, for I was fairly overpowered, and thought I should have been pulled limb from limb; the strongest man as a matter of course gained the day.

We left Alexandria by special train on Saturday night at eight o'clock, and reached Suez at six the following morning. At one of the stations we had a beautiful view of the Nile by starlight. The carriages were comfortabie, but by the time we got to Suez we were covered with sand and dirt. If the wilderness was like the sandy desert around this place, without any sign of either animal or vegetable life, I do not wonder that the Israelites should sigh to return to Goshen. Great improvements have been made at this port during the past two years. The ships are moored close to the railway, so that passengers have every possible convenience. I have seen the entrance to the Suez Canal, but there seems little probability at present of its superseding the railway. It is thought that whatever facility of passage there may be, the mails will always be sent by rail, and that passengers will prefer to disembark at Alexandria, and join the steamer again at Suez.

Yesterday (Sunday) was a miserable day. All day long cargo was being taken on board, and not the slightest possible regard was paid to the sanctity of the Sabbath.

The Hindostan is one of the largest ships of the Peninsular and Oriental fleet. We have a large cabin; but as it is on the lower deck, I fear we shall find it intensely hot in the Red Sea. I shall be thankful when the voyage is over, and still more thankful when I see loved friends, European and native, in Orissa; and I most devoutly wish I could cheer

BAPTISM AT CUTTACK. LORD'S-DAY, Sept. 4, was a day of high and holy pleasure at Cuttack. Twenty young friends were baptized and admitted to the fellowship of the church; thirteen of them were from Miss Guignard's Orphanage, and another was the adopted son of Gunga Dhor. Khumboo preached on the occasion from John i. 12, and Ghanoo, after a fervent and appropriate prayer, baptized the candidates. The congregation was large, and the service a very gratifying one. The address in the afternoon to the newly baptized was founded on, "Keep thy heart with all diligence."

The Lord gives His choicest comforts to His people in the time of their deepest trials: so we have found it. Many amongst us, especially the young, appear truly awakened to feel the importance of eternal things; and we have, at the present time, twenty more candidates, to two of whom I may briefly refer. One is the first-born son of our late dear brother, Jagoo Roul. His father's dying charge to him to seek the "hidden treasure" is already, as we trust, bringing forth precious fruit. Another is the only son of our English school-master, Babu D. R. Rout; and I may add that on the mother's side he is a grandson of Gunga Dhor, and on the father's of another native preacher, Pursua Rout. While rejoicing in these pleasing evidences that the Lord is with us, we know that the devil will hinder the good work as much as he can; but the more he fights against Christ, the more we must fight against him.

J. B.

THE YEAR BOOK AND THE

FOREIGN MISSION.

To the Editor of the Missionary Observer.

DEAR SIR,-With great pleasure I have perused the General Baptist Year Book for 1870. As a record of facts it is well worthy of the centenary year, and will be of immense service in time to come. It was, however, with considerable surprise, that I saw the "observa

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tions" of the Secretary on page 56, and presuming that they were not submitted to, or sanctioned by, the Association, I think it should be distinctly understood that for the opinions there expressed the Secretary alone is responsible. Personally I should be very sorry for the statements contained in "observation" (1.) to go forth to our churches, and down to posterity, under the supposed approval of our Centennial Association; and yet, as they appear in the official records, it is possible, without some statement to the contrary, that they might be so regarded. With this remark, will you kindly grant me a little space in which to reply to this said observation-a reply which justice to our Foreign Mission seems to demand?

"Has not," the Secretary of the Association inquires, "the all absorbing attention demanded by the affairs of the Foreign Missionary Society in certain years caused, to some extent, the decrease of the denomination at home ?" And after several statements which appear designed to prove the affirmative of this inquiry, the remark is then made, "Putting the histories of the denomination and of the Foreign Mission side by side, may we not read this lesson—there is a point up to which exertion for the spread of the gospel amongst the heathen is increase of power, beyond it is weakness and difficulty ?" Now, in endeavouring to form a correct opinion on such a subject, is it a safe method of procedure to single out "certain years?" Might not the revision of a single church register-like Stoney Street, Nottingham, or Portsea, for instance, where scores of names have been erased in a year-entirely upset calculations of this character? Or, granting that certain years are to be taken, ought they not to be taken according to some sort of rule, and not any year be pitched upon which seems to favour a mere supposition ? Take an illustration. "In 1824," we are told, "it was resolved to extend the area of the Mission operations as far as the West Indies, and in 1826 it was done. The first year in which our denomination reports a decrease is 1825." Now why seek to associate the unfortunate year 1825 with the Foreign Mission? If certain years are to be associated with it, why not take 1824 when the mission was projected, or 1826 when it was established ? Had this course been pursued the "Tables" would have turned against the theory, as in each of