habitants of a civilized country, and not come forward, according to his ability, to teach them the way of life, the plan of salvation? Having been favoured with a glimpse of the Redeemer's glory, and having had a tranisent view of the atonement made for sinners, shall these: blessings be now hid from their eyes? Shall the clouds of ignorance and vice again overspread, these once benighted islands, and Satan be permitted to triumph in our unsuccessful attempts, to send the light of the glorious gospel among them? Surely not; the commencement that has been made, proves that: some have been found willing to co-operate in this good work, and the Committee are confident that, it is only for British Christians to be made aquainted with the foregoing circumstances, and the peculiar exigencies in Scilly, to induce others to come forward and support them.

On Monday the 4th of March, an appropriate prayer meeting was held, in which the two independent congregations in the city, zealously and affectionately united. Their ministers, Messrs. Sleigh and Tidman; publicly assisted in the solemn acts of supplication: these were closed by Mr. Saffery, Mr. Randall's pastor, by whom he was previously addressed. on being presented with a Bible from the congregation, to this effect.

"

My dear brother, I present you with this book, at the request of your friends, and in conformity with my own feelings. It is a token of their love, well adapted to express their approbation of your engagement, and in itself more precious than thousands of gold and silver. Let this word be perpetually before your eyes, and its counsels yet more uninterruptedly within your heart. Now you are ready to say, I delight in this law of the Lord, but when you reach the shores of India, you will have proofs of its value, hitherto unknown. Surrounded there by a vast population, sunk in the abominations of idolatry, and perishing for lack of knowledge, you will see, what it is to want this word of life. Your professed object, indeed, is to make the paper on which it shall be printed in the numerous lan

The inadequacy of the funds of the Baptist Itinerant Society, to maintain Mr. Jeffery, on these islands, induced the Committee to establish a separate fund for the support of this mission; previous to which, however, from the lively interest they felt in its success, and their desire to give him every possible encouragement, they voted him 25l. with a proportionate supply of Bibles, Testa-guages of the East-but let it be conments, and tracts. It is their earnest wish tained, yea, let it be imprinted, also, in to provide for the permanent support of every page of your future life. so zealous a labourer, and the numerous know your compassion for perishing sinschools under his care; but their ability ners.-Occupy your sabbaths, and other to do so, chiefly depends upon the suc-opportunities, in telling them of the sal cess which this appeal may obtain among those who have it in their hearts to do good, and to whom God hath granted the power of performing it.

Any contributions, for this purpose, will be thankfully received by James Pritt, Esq. Treasurer, Wood-Street; Mr. W. Gale, Secretary, No. 70, BasinghallStreet; Mr. Beatson, Pancras-Lane; Mr. Cozens, Wilderness-Row; Mr. Ryley, Orange-Street, Bloomsbury; and Mr. Hanson, 99, Newgate-Street.

BAPTIST MISSION.

THE brethren at Serampore, having earnestly requested that a paper-maker might be sent out, who should not only be fully competent to the superintendence of their manufactory, but well disposed to the labours of the mission; Mr. Joel Randall, a member of the church at Salisbury, offered himself, and was accepted by the committee, as well qualified for the requisite services. His wife, a pious woman, cheerfully consented to accompany him with her only child, an infant daughter.

We

vation it proclaims.-Tell them this is the
true Shaster which reveals the glories of
the eternal God, and the vanity of all
their idols. Tell them, from it, of the
righteous claims of Jehovah, and the
guilt, and direful consequences of their
unprovoked rebellions.While you as
sure them of the inefficacy of all their
oblations, tell them of the Lamb of God
who taketh away the sin of the world.
Tell them of their alienation of heart
from God, cherished by that idolatry to
which they are wholly devoted.-Oh! tell
them of that life and immortality which
are brought to light by this gospel-of
those promises on which you trust
that Saviour on whom you live-and of
that glory which you are expecting. See,
my brother, that this be done in a way
the least repulsive. Let them feel that
you love their souls: that you are
willing to impart to them, not only the
contents of that blessed book, but your
own soul also, because they are deas
unto you. We shall not, my dear bro
ther and sister, cease supplication for you
with the services of this evening. Our
prayer shall be, that you may live long
to glorify God, and promote his cause;

of

and that having this word for the light of our feet, and the lamp of our path, and the influence of the Spirit, who dictated it, for our guide, we may finally meet you with all the redeemed in that world of light, where we shall be able to say of this volume, Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which are therein spoken. We commend you, my dear friends, to God, and to this word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified, Amen.

The Moira, in which, Mr. Randall is about to proceed to India, is the property of Captain Kemp, who is a member of the church in Calcutta. A Clergyman, of the establishment; the Rev. Mr. Hough, the Rev. Mr. Townley, and six other Missionaries, from the London Society, with their wives, accompany them. There is no vessel, which has conveyed so many Missionaries, together, to the heathen world, since the Duff was employed for that purpose. 1

Letters from the Missionaries in India, have been received, during the past week. Mr. W. Carey has been several times very ill: but they were all, at the date of the letters, in good health, and the affairs of the mission were in a prosperous state.

Extract from a Letter to W. Burls,
Esq. received March 27, 1816.

"Mr. and Mrs. Compere arrived safely. They landed at Kingston, January 19, and proceeded next day to one of the estates of the gentleman who has engaged them to instruct his negroes; where they met with a kind reception Mr. C. has sent a very satisfactory journal of his voyage, by which it appears he earnestly sought every opportunity to do good to those around him; he generally preached on the Lord's day, and often conversed, on the subject of religion, with the sailors, and others on board; hopeful impressions were made on the minds of some. The conduct of the captain was very friendly.

NEW CHURCHES FORMED
IN CORNWALL.

water, who preached occasionally, visited this place, and after many discouragements, succeeded in raising a congregation,' and building a small meeting, which was opened in April, 1814. In July following, seven persons were baptized by Mr. James, and, in July, 1815, eight more were baptized by Mr. Dore. Some persons from Ashburton and Chasewater having joined with them, they determined to unite together in church fellowship." In August of the present year, Mr. Smith of Penzance, also baptized there in the presence of an immence multitude of spectators, from all the surrounding parishes. The services are chiefly conducted by Mr. Hodge of Chasewater, and Captains Craze and Bray. About ten more members are able to pray in the meeting; and thus, without the regular aid of any minister, do these lively zealous people carry on a very flourishing interest, in a place, to appearance, little better than a wilderness, and among a people the most in need of divine grace.

LESTWITHE IN CORNWALL,

Two persons have been baptized in a pool, between St. Austle and Lestwithe, in Cornwall. It being the first time this ordinance was ever administered in those parts, an immense assembly, particularly

of miners, was collected together in the

open air. The greatest decorum was observed. Mr. Smith, of Penzance, and Mr. Taylor, of St. Austle, carried on the solem nities of the morning. In the afternoon,› Mr. Smith formed a few pious persons into a church, and administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper unto them. Thus, after many discouragements, an infant interest in the Baptist denomination is raised, in this populous mining neighbourhood. The prospects are particularly gratifying, and arrangements are making for erecting a suitable place for the worship of God.

now

ASSOCIATION AT HELSTON. JANUARY, 1816. The County Association of Baptist Ministers, was held at Helston. Rev. Mr. Smith, of Penzance, preached the preceding evening, SKINNERS BOTHAM. and gave an address at the early prayer Tuis place stands in the very extensive meeting the next morning. Mr. Dore, parish of St. Agnes, about three miles from of Truro, Mr. Price, of Falmouth, and Redruth, and is chiefly inhabited by Mi- Mr. Taylor, of St. Austle, preached; Mr. A new Baptist Church was formed H. Trewhella, of Penzance, Mr. Smith, here, on July 24, 1815. Messrs. James, and others, conducted the devotional, of Truro, and Dore, of Redruth, conducted services. Village preaching has been the services of the day. Captain Craze greatly blessed in this neighbourhood, and. gave the following statement: "In 1812, three neat and commodious houses are Brother Hodge, an engineer of Chase-erected in consequence.

ners.

▼ondon: Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-Street, Soho.

THE

Baptist Magazine.

MAY, 1816.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. ZECHARIAH THOMAS.

*

THE late Zechariah Thomas | through the whole of the Old was the youngest son of Mr. and New Testaments. It was Thomas Morgan Thomas, and also his constant practice, at was born at Esgair-Ithri, in the that early period, to take notes parish of Caio, Carmarthen- of the sermons he heard, and shire, August 13, 1727. Being write down the hymns that brought up in a religious family, were sung at public worship. he was taught the Assembly's Of him, it may be said, "That, Catechism, when a child; and, from a child, he had known the at the age of twelve, he had read holy scriptures," and by them

After he was

The Rev. Joshua Thomas, of Leominster, was his eldest son. In his History of the Welsh Baptists, he says, "In 1760, died my honoured father, in the seventieth year of his age. He was born at Nant-y-llyn, in Cwm-twrch, in the parish of Caio, Carmarthenshire. married, he resided about four years at Ty-hên, near to the place where he was born. There I was born, and my brother Timothy. Then my father and his family removed to Esgair-Ithri, in Cwm-pedol, in the same parish. There he finished his course, after having resided in the place thirty-eight years. It was through him, chiefly, that the Baptists were introduced into the parish of Caio, and that part of the country. He was very active in the cause of religion, in his day. He had been a member of a Presbyterian church, (Calvinistic) for twenty years; but, having been convinced of believer's baptism, and after having thoroughly considered the subject, he obeyed the word of God, however difficult he found it to part with his old friends. He lived to see his five children profess religion, in the same denomination, and three of them preachers of the gospel, viz. Joshua, Timothy, and Zechariah." See a memoir of his eldest son, the Rev. Joshua Thomas, in the Evangelical Magazine, for March, 1798. His second son, Timothy, the father of Mr. Timothy Thomas, of Maes; and of Mr. Thomas Thomas, of Peckham; became the pastor of the church, where his father was a member, and where he continued eminently useful, for nearly thirty years. His brother, in the history before cited, says, It is not proper that I should say a great deal of him, but he was certainly much known and respected, among the Baptist churches in Wales, and his name will be held in high veneration by multitudes, as long as they live." He was the author of the Wisq-Wen, lately re-printed, and other smaller tracts. He died, November 12, 1768, in the forty-eighth year of his age.

66

" he was made wise unto sal- church. Here he soon gained vation." His sister, but a great respect; nor did much little before her death, men-time elapse before he was sotioned, with grateful pleasure, licited to exercise his gifts before the frequent opportunities she the church; and which being and Her brother enjoyed together, generally approved, in 1757, he in prayer, when they were chil- was regularly called to the dren. During the time of his work of the Christian ministry. apprenticeship, being at a con- His preaching being universally siderable distance from home, acceptable, his public engageand from any Baptist society, he ments were frequent and nugenerally attended the preach- merous, both at home and at a ing of Calvinistic Methodists. distance. In 1762, he removed After the expiration of the to a farm called Beudyau, not term of his apprenticeship, he far from his native place, and resided in different parts of the became an assistant preacher to country, and every where was his brother, the Rev. Timothy noticed and esteemed, for his Thomas, at Aberduar, Pénysobriety, faithfulness, and dili- coed, Bethel, and Bwlch-ygence; paying the strictest re-rhiw. Here he laboured with gard to the sabbath, in which his excellent father was a singular pattern, and carefully shunning evil company. In 1748, residing then at the Hay, he was baptized, on a profession of faith, by the Rev. Phillip Morgan, and admitted a mem-gaged much of his attention, ber of his church, at Maesyberllan. His exemplary conduct, during his connexion with that church, so endeared him to its pastor, that a lasting friendship was formed between

them.

great acceptance, till the death of the pastor, in 1768; and in 1771, he, with two other assistant preachers, were ordained co-pastors. Though his business, for the support of an increasing family, necessarily en

yet he now so improved his time, as to devote a part of every day to reading, study, and prayer; and his profiting was apparent to all. During his residencé, for twenty-eight years, at Beudyau, he received many When he was twenty-nine signal mercies, and met also years of age, he married Jane, with many severe trials; but he the eldest daughter of Mr. Rees was enabled to persevere in Thomas, near Landyssyl, Car-abundant labours. One of his marthenshire. Both the father sharpest trials, was the loss of and daughter, being members a very pious and affectionate of the Baptist church at New wife, in 1782. After having Castle Emlyn, he removed to re-been afflicted some years, she, side in that neighbourhood, and at length, was dismissed in faith became a member of the same and peace, from all her pains

The late wife of the Rev. Morgan Evans, of Tynycwm, Brecon; who was a most valuable Christian, and died January 9, 1810.

dark, not only as to a situation in this world, but the scriptures are like a sealed book to me, so that I am afraid I shall be useless in the church. But, looking back, I have reason to erect my Ebenezer, and say, Hitherto the Lord hath helped: and faithful is he that hath promised. He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; and my prayer is, Let none that wait on thee be ashamed, for my sake."

A kind providence, at length, however, appeared for him, by a farm in the neighbourhood, called Llwyn, offering, to which, in 1790, he removed; where he, from that period, resided, and was very comfortable. But, this year, when travelling to a fair at Landyssyl, in company with some friends, he had a fall from his horse. He says,

and sorrows. The last expression she was heard to utter, was, "Precious Jesus." He was thus left with six children, (three having died before the mother,) three of whom were under fifteen. Another severe trial soon succeeded. The lease of his farm expiring, he received notice to quit, but remained, no situation offering, to hold the farm three years, at a most exorbitant and distressing advance of rent. But these trials he was enabled to bear with holy fortitude, maintaining an upright conversation, and labouring in his Master's work, in season, and out of season. While in this painful state of suspense, respecting a situation, he began to think it was the will of providence that he should remove, and received several pressing invitations from churches at a distance. At this" My friends assisted me, and time, he writes to his son,*" I know not the day of my death. I often think, the grave is the house for me, and sometimes wonder I am so long ripening for it, but, not unfrequently, the storm tends to ripen the late corn. Again, soon after, "Possibly, under the painful dispensations which haye lately visited me, I am too ready to say with Jacob, All these things are against me. I am more unhappy in my mind, these late -years, than for forty years before. I have little expectation of being comfortably settled in life again, yet the Lord, I know, is very kind to me. Looking forwards, things appear to me very

set me on the horse, but I was not able to speak, and I rode nearly a mile before I knew where I was; and, when I became sensible, I had not the least recollection of the place or circumstance of my fall. It was a great mercy my life was spared, and that I was not killed on the spot. I also consider it providential, that it did not happen to me in returning from the fair, otherwise it is much if it should not have caused reproach."

Again, he writes, April 10, 1799; "I have been three weeks from home, attended two quarterly meetings, and preached every day I was out. Before I

The Rev. Benjamin Thomas, of Culmstock, Devon, his only son in the ministry; besides whom, he left behind him two sons, and one daughter.