pastor of the church at Scarboro'-its importance, and our regret, will be estimated from the following statement of the Rev. B. Evans, Scarboro', July 16, 1838. My dear Brother in 1818; of which he has remained pastor ever since. About ninety-nine members have been received into the church since its formation. Several members from Andover were dismissed to form a church there. About twenty have been formed into a church at Collingbourn, formerly one of the stations connected with the church. About forty-eight remain still on the books; while some have been dismissed to London, Bath, Bristol, Andover; and about ten have died in the faith. Preaching is maintained still regularly at L., containing about 600 inhabitants. Three services. Sunday-school, sixty children, with eight teachers." I am anxious to submit the following case to the Committee of the Home Missionary Society, and to solicit your co-operation in it. Some twenty years ago, a neat chapel was built at Burlington Quay, which will seat about 500 A separate church at Fosbury (without a paspersons. It was placed in trust, securing to the pastors of the Baptist and Independent churches tor), of twenty members, has for about fourteen at Burlington the right of occupancy on the years been visited once a fortnight or oftener, Sabbath. Upon this plan, worship has been and the Lord's Supper and Baptism adminisconducted for some years; but, owing to dis-tered to them by the pastor of L. A deacon putes, it has been closed for some time. The there assists on the alternate Sundays. Trustees are determined to sell it, or get rid of it in some way or other, if possible, and have even offered it to the Church parties at B-, to convert it into a Chapel of Ease. The town is rising in importance, it is now a considerable watering-place, and great numbers of persons visit it during the season, and in the course of a few years will exceed B- in every respect. There is no Church; only one Methodist chapel; and a small one belonging to the Ranters. There is no place where a great number of persons can go, and this place is of great use. We always hold our missionary services in it; and, if not retained, it will be a considerable loss to us on this score. Under these circumstances, I have felt it my duty to attempt to secure it as a station for a new and independent Baptist interest. The church at Burlington sanction this, and my esteemed brother Harness, the pastor, is anxious that I should. But I cannot do it alone. I write, therefore, to know if the Society will be disposed to aid me. I have already taken the place, and am to pay a rent of 16l. 16s., the amount of the interest upon the debt. It cost about 11007., and, if it should succeed, I have no doubt a lease of the place could be obtained at the same rent. Now I want a pious, active man to occupy it. He should also with piety and zeal combine some talent, as it is a station of some importance, particularly in the summer. I cannot pledge myself to the whole amount of his salary, but I will raise any sum equal to yours, towards a salary of 1007. per annum. 3. Ludgershall, a district in Wilts, of considerable necessity, and warmly recommended by the Rev. J. New, the respected pastor of the church, at Salisbury; but to which we have, as yet, been unable to render assist lation about 200, congregation about 30, male At Kimpton, three miles and a half, populamembers 4, females 7. No Sunday school. Preaching in a member's house. At Chute, three miles and a half. Population about 300, congregation 60 or 70, male members 4, female 4. Preaching in a member's house. The assistants are 3 deacons, and one gifted and esteemed brother, from a village near: 3 are very poor, having about 9s. per week, to subsist themselves, wives, and five children each. N.B.-A hamlet, called Shodsden, was formerly a station. The word was made useful to two persons, who opened their house for preaching, and one aged, vile, ignorant sinner. They are now dead, and every opportunity and door closed against the gospel there. The pel has also been occasionally preached, as opportunity offered, by the pastor, either in doors or out, at different times, at Whewell, Chilbolton, two Clatfords, another Chute, Everley, Vearnham, Tidworth, Shipton, Appleshaw. gos I very cordially and earnestly recommend the case herein transmitted, to the kind consideration of the Home Missionary Committee, and hope that the friends at Ludgershall, will realize as much assistance as can be conveniently rendered. ISAAC NEW. 4. We sincerely regret being unable to forward a small donation to the Rev. H. W. Jones, the zealous minister of the Tabernacle, Carmarthen, for the subjoined case of Talog. This is the more painful to us, as our Secretary had a personal knowledge of the great good being effected in that vicinity for this small sum; and we fear lest our inability tends to damp the ardour, or impede the labours, of our valued brother, and depress this infant cause. Caermarthen, July 14, 1838. Dear Friend, You have last year sent me 57., for the rise and service of the cause of the Saviour in a village called Talog, for which the few friends there beg to tender their acknow ledgments to the Committee, which, with other assistance, enabled them to procure supplies for nearly every Sabbath. I feel happy to be able to inform you, that the small interest here is gradually thriving, and though attended with many disadvantages for the want of a chapel, yet it wears a very promising aspect. The congregations are numerous. Either seven or eight have been baptized, some restored, and others came from distant churches; so their number is about fifteen. Others will, we expect, from the report we hear, soon join. A spot of ground is procured to build a chapel; the lease is now preparing, and subscriptions have been entered into; and the farmers around will carry all the material gratis. This statement is truly correct, and is it not encouraging? We therefore crave your assistance this year; and by presenting us with 10%. you will greatly assist the weak, and preserve the smoking flax from extinction. We hope to hear from you soon. am, dear Brother, Yours affectionately, H. W. JONES. 5. We have often stated the deep necessities of Cumberland, and of the north generally; the following two cases will again bring it before the Christian public in a striking point of view : 1. Ravenglass.-This letter, from a valued and dear minister of Jesus Christ, will speak for itself, particularly when we say we were obliged to inform him that we were unable to aid him in any way. Whitehaven, Aug. 23, 1838. My dear Sir, I am not aware whether, in your journeyings in the north, you heard any thing of a Baptist interest formed at Ravenglass (a little sea-port in the south-west of Cumberland), and a little chapel built there. May 1 be permitted to put you in possession of some facts connected with the said chapel. It was built about four years ago, and is, through the kindness of friends, so far from being encumbered with a large debt, that towards the 75l. we owe, we have a coal yard connected with the property purchased. which lets for 21. 2s. per annum, and pays the interest of the aforesaid 757., borrowed at a low rate. I have acted as pastor of the church at Ravenglass, off and on, from the time of the building of the chapel, as I had done for a season (perhaps twelve months) before that event. At present the state of my health is such, that I withdraw from taking the oversight of the church, without the intention of ever resuming the office in question, either as it respects Ravenglass or any other church. My doctor has long since pronounced my complaint to be in the heart. So long as I abstain, or nearly abstain, from preaching and other exciting exercises, I preserve a measure of health. When I preach, except, perhaps, occasionally as a supply, my health goes. The question presents itself, What is to be done with or for poor Ravenglass? the pretty little chapel there, and the church of ten members,* exclusive of myself. Maintain a minister they cannot; help to maintain a minister they can.. not; they did neither for me, though the first year I received 301. from another source. We may not have been authorised in building a chapel under such circumstances; I do not say we were. But the thing is done, and, being done, does it not seem a pity that all should fall to the ground? When I say that the population of the town is very small (not 400, perhaps not 300), you may perhaps rejoin that this must preclude assistance from the Home Missionary Society. But, my dear Sir, although the population of Ravenglass is small, and that of the surrounding neighbourhood (an agricultural district) small too, yet it is mournful to think how large a tract of country in every direction around Ravenglass is void of evangelical instruction. There is, indeed, an Independent chapel about six miles distant, and a Methodist chapel about a mile nearer. Putting these out of the question, I know not where the gospel is preached in any place of worship for about twenty miles in one direction and eleven in the other, where there is another Methodist chapel. Evangelical preaching in the Church of England I do not know of, through a line of country of perhaps thirty miles. So that for a Home Missionary, there might be abundant strong, plain, humble, warm-hearted, devoted scope. My dear Sir, can you hold out any hope of assistance? If 301. a year could be obtained from the Baptist Home Missionary Society, or other source of a similar nature, perhaps 207. might be raised in another way, I mean by friends in this part of the kingdom. Waiting your answer and your advice, believe me, my dear Sir, Yours affectionately, S. BLYTH. 2. Whitehaven, a town of 16 or 18,000 nhabitants, and exceedingly destitute. The ew friends there have been making a noble effort, as will be seen from their letter; and this Committee never turned away an application with more heartfelt sorrow than this. In fact, we did not dare to say, We will not aid you; and only put it off till next meeting, to see in the mean time whether the benevolence of some individual or church will not enable us to take it up, and aid it for a few years; when in such a town it will be sure to go alone, without our aid, and help us to go on and establish churches in similar important towns. Oh, Christian brethren, come to our help, and let not such applications be turned empty away! My dear Sir, Maryport, May 17, 1838. When I wrote you in August last, in reply to yours of the 15th of that month, I was forced to answer your first query in the negative, and thus to drop further correspondence on the subject of commencing a cause in Whitehaven, in connexion with the Baptist Home Missionary * More than the same number have, by death or removal, been separated from the church. Society. The friends there, however, have never allowed the subject to fall aside, at least from their minds, and have recently made another attempt to find a person fitted by talents and disposition to begin the cause. Through a mutual friend, Mr. Wilkinson has been in correspondence with Mr. Acworth, the present respected president of Horton College, who has entered warmly into his views, and has prevailed on Mr. Sparkes, now at Horton, to spend between two and three months at Whitehaven, with a view to ultimate settlement, should such be found desirable by all parties. Mr. Acworth has also kindly promised to do his endeavour to see that Whitehaven is regularly supplied, after Mr. Sparkes' engagement is closed, till a settlement be made. Mr. S. comes warmly recommended, and shall meet a kind reception from the few friends who hail his arrival as the beginning of good things. Thus I trust the greatest difficulty is obviated; and I earnestly pray that his beginning may be good, and his latter end greatly increase. I think I wrote you before that the chapel, though rather out of repair, and awkwardly situated, is free from debt, and, with a little expense, may be made very comfortable. There is a small dwellinghouse adjoining it, belonging to the trust, the rent of which has hitherto kept the place in repair. As Mr. Sparkes is expected on Lord's day, 27th inst., some little repairs are now going on. In case I had not answered the other queries in your letter, I may now state that the friends in Whitehaven engage to subscribe the first year among themselves 251., which will be augmented by weekly collections; and by and bye we hope by seat-rents. As to the sum required from the Baptist Home Missionary Society, I should think that 207. the first year would perhaps carry them through without incurring debt, which must be avoided; and 1 think the sum might be gradually lessened each year, till the cause can stand on its own strength. I shall be much disappointed if this be not very early. With respect to the numbers who could be collected at an early period to form a Christian church, there are about twelve baptized individuals at present in Whitehaven, who would be willing to unite; and several others have inti mated a wish to be baptized, were a suitable Baptist minister settled there. In this respect, the present time affords a most favourable opportunity for commencing. And now, my dear Sir, I suppose I need not say much on the urgency of the case. A sight of that large and flourishing port is sufficient to excite the sympathy of every friend of the Lord Jesus for its perishing thousands. There are a few pious and, I hope, laborious and faithful ministers of Christ in the place; but what are they among so many? And to a Baptist with a touch of denominational feeling, to look over the map of Cumberland, and learn that there is but one English Baptist church in the county, over which your unworthy correspondent watches with no little anxiety (for Broughton may be said to be extinct, and Ravenglass, from the infirmities of its respected pastor, hardly maintains its slender footing), surely it must be desirable that some new causes be started, to revive the dying spirit of the old ones, and extend the kingdom of the blessed Redeemer. Since I wrote you in August last, I have baptized four individuals at different times, making in all, since I came here, just three years ago this month, twenty-three persons, besides several, who had been previously baptized, have been added to the church. Is it true that there is a promise of some good at Carlisle? If it is so, it seems a token for good to this too long neglected county. That city is rather far from me, to see it often; but a rail-road from this place to it has just started, which will shorten the distance, both in time and expense; a consideration to poor labouring Baptist ministers, who wish occasional communion with one another. I hope ere long it will be extended to Whitehaven on the other side. But the hour warns me to conclude. May I hope for an early answer? at least when the determination of the Committee is known? May the Lord bless the Society with prosperity, and her missionaries with abundant success in the conversion of souls to God! Believe me, dear Sir, Your's in Christian bonds, H. ANDERSON. The Committee would take this opportunity to commend the example of judicious beneficence, set by a modest friend at Liverpool, to the prayerful consideration of the wealthier members of our churches: "From X. Y. Z. £20, towards the Home Missions in Cumberland," by the Rev. C. M. Birrell. This sum has mainly supported the missionary at Brough, whose labours God is so signally crowning with his blessing; and this Committee, aroused by this generous act, have spent more time, trouble, and money, in promoting the cause of Home Missions in Cumberland this year, than they would otherwise have felt themselves warranted or called on to attempt. May the Lord raise us up meny more such stimulators, and give us grace to arise at their call! Signed on behalf the Committee. C. H. ROE, Sec. INDEX OF SUBJECTS. ACADEMICAL Institutions, 170, 219, 263 Address to a Bride (P.), 527 Deaths, 77, 125, 163, 214, 262, 306, 352, American and Foreign Bible Society, 62, 158, Dedication to Christ Renewed (P.), 382 Breaking of Bread (P.), 204 British and Foreign School Society, 300 Chapels, New, 28, 29, 162, 214, 260, 305, on Psalm XXXIV., 510 Church Establishment, Power of a, 382 Claims of India, 306 Colleges, 128, 170, 219, 263 Colonial Apprenticeship, 11, 32, 161, 171, Colony of New Brunswick, 434 Convention Triennial, 400 Coronation, 220 Covetousness, 218 Deputies of Three Denominations, 161 Earl of Rochester and his Page (P.), 287 Egyptian Horses and Asses, 525 Emancipation, Negro, 32, 79, 171, 356 Schools and Almshouses, 393 Epistle of Justin to Diognetus, 413 Evangelist's Office, 383, 554, 559 Extra Contributions for ten missionaries, 448, Fall of Babylon (P.), 526 Female Orphans, 435 Foundation of Pædobaptism, 423 Hint to Pædobaptists, 264 Home Missionary Register, 93, 185, 501, 573 Idolatry, British Encouragement of, 174 Irish Chronicle, 41, 89, 137, 181, 229, 273, Jesus Bearing his Cross (P.), 527 Letter to American Baptists, 159 Lines to the Author of "A Sabbath Evening List of Deputies of Three Denominations, London City Mission, 303 Missionary Society, 303 Lord's Supper in Workhouses, 355 Management of Societies, 557 Manuscripts of the Old Testament, 520 Daniel's Trials at Babylon, 105, 144, 194, Marriages, Dissenting, 259 Deacon's Office, 215 Memorial to East India Company, 175 Blakeley, Rev. J. R., 415, 462 Uppadine, Rev. T., 374, 557 Ministers' Libraries, 30, 171 Public Meetings in April, 164 Register of Births, 78 Remarks on 1 Cor. VII. 31, 337 Removals, 29, 32, 77, 163, 259–261, 352, Report of C. J. Latrobe, Esq., 121 Retirement, Meditation and Prayer, 283 Missionary Herald, 33, 81, 129, 173, 221, Revival in Boston, 433 265, 309, 357, 401, 445, 489, 561 Mount, Sermon on the, 49 My peace I give unto you (P.), 59 Narrative of James Williams, 27 Emancipation, 32, 79, 171, 356 Obstacles to Christianity in France, 325, 369 Old Testament Manuscripts, 520 Ordinations, 77, 125, 163, 213, 214, 304, 351, 394, 436, 482, 552 Orphans, Female, 435 Paraphrase on Isaiah XXXV., 203 294 Stepney College, 170, 262 Support of Ministers, 381 Religious Societies, 444 Holland, 22, 32, 49, 128, Sunday School Union, 172, 298 Thoughts on Romans I. 9, 466 Title of Baptist Magazine, 165, 220 Tract Society, 172, 299 Translation of the Scriptures, 62, 173 Trials of Daniel, 105, 144, 194, 237 Triennial Convention, 400 Wedding of Cana, 506 Wesleyan Missionary Society, 295 Widow's Fund, 443 Workhouses, 355 Working for Christ, 515 Year, New (P.), 61 |