Windsor.... ..........S. Lillycrop. Wokingham...........................................C. H. Harcourt. The meeting was held at Newbury, May 25 and 26, when Mr. Drew was chosen moderator, and Mr. Harcourt secretary. A circular letter, written by Mr. Birt, entitled, "The Sins of the World the Grief of the Church" was adopted. Mr. Tyso preached. King-street ....G. H. Davis. Maudlin-street ...T. Jenkins. ...... Thrissell-street...W. H. Fuller. Dunkerton.... .P. Probert. .E. Webb. ..J. Ricketts. Frome, Badcox-lane.........C. J. Middleditch. Sheppard's Barton. W. Jones. Hanham & Keynsham... ..T. Ayres. Paulton Laverton..... Philip's Norton Pill Wells...... Bradford..... Bratton.... Corsham Corton..... Crockerton Devizes..... Grittleton Melksham... Penknap Shrewton ...J. Fox. W. Croggan. ..J. Daniel. ..J. Spasshatt. H. Webley. .T. Griffin. ..J. P. Siliphant. ..T. Hardick. ..Z. Clift. .C. Stanford. .C. Daniel. ..S. Evans. ....S. Stubbins. .J. Mather, C. Light. Trowbridge, Back-street. W. Barnes. Bethesda......J. Guinnell. Warminster..................G. How. At Shortwood, on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of May, this association held its annual assembly. Mr. Newman of Shortwood was moderator, and Mr. Middleditch of Frome was re-appointed secretary. The sermons were by Messrs. Webb, Daniel, and Probert. A circular letter on The Scriptural Rule with reference to Offences between Christians," which had been prepared by Mr. Fishbourne, was adopted. Among the resolutions passed were the following: "That this association views with considerable alarm, the recent Minutes of the Council on Education, as a still further intrusion of Government inte matters beyond its legitimate control; and most earnestly presses on the churches it represents, the imperative duty of refusing to participate in any grant of public money for educational purposes; yet, while it would most firmly reject all assistance from the funds raised by national taxation, urges on the churches the important duty of renewed and most determined efforts to promote the education of the people, and particularly of the young connected with their own congregations." "That this association, believing most fully that the voluntary principle contains in itself a vitality and power sufficient to meet every claim upon it, and fearing that the late minutes are intended to be followed by a course of measures still further extending the power of the national church, would impress on their Christian brethren the importance of carefully watching the proceedings both of the Privy Council and the Legislature, and of resisting, by all just means, every encroachment on their civil and religious rights. "That this association, believing that at the present time no question exists at all comparable in importance to the liberation of religion from all state interference, and, deeply impressed with the injury to spiritual and vital godliness inflicted by the assumption of any other authority in the church than that of Christ himself, recommends to those members of the churches who are in possession of "That we desire to record our confirmed disapprobation of the Government education scheme, as alike unsound in principle and mischievous in operation, and to express our earnest hope that no dissenters who have objected to this scheme will allow their opposition to be neutra'ized by the adoption of any partial modifications, accommodating the system to their own particular views in special cases, believing as we do that any such compromise will serve to extend, and strengthen, and perpetuate the evils of the general scheme; and we earnestly recommend the churches of this association to admit of no government interference with their educational efforts." Clear increase.. Number of members 36 Sunday scholars Teachers............................................ The association is to meet next year at Back Street, Trowbridge. Number of churches................ Baptized 990 Received by letter 39 Restored 87 At the annual meeting held at Coleford, on the 26th and 27th of May, Mr. Penny was chosen moderator, and the secretary (we believe Mr. Woodrow of Gloucester) requested to continue in office. The circular letter, drawn up by Mr. Butterworth is on "The Diffusion of Divine Truth by the Press." The following resolutions were unanimously adopted : "That this meeting recommends to the members of churches the importance of connecting themselves with some Christian Provident Society, not meeting at a public house, as an especial means of promoting their temporal comfort and counteracting many evils to which other societies are exposed." "That this meeting recognising the spirituality of the religion of Christ, and convinced of the antiscriptural character of the union of the church with the state, earnestly recommends the members of churches to unite with the Anti-state Church Association, as a society worthy of their support, and calculated to promote the principles of the kingdom of Christ." Sunday scholars. Teachers.... Village stations.................................................... The next annual meeting is to be at Kingstanley, on the Wednesday and Thursday of Whitsun week. The annual meeting was at Cloughfold, May 26th and 27th. Mr. Lister was chosen moderator, and Mr. Burchell re-elected delivered by secretary. Sermons were Messrs. Dawson, Aldis, and Harbottle. The circular letter, by Mr. Nichols, is on "The Best Means of Reviving the Piety of our Churches, with a view to the greater extension of True Religion in their respective neigbourhoods." Numerous changes in the ministry during the past year were reported, viz. the resignation of the Revs. J. Har bottle and G. Marshall at Accrington, and of the Rev. J. Lister at Myrtle Street, Liverpool; the removal of the Rev. S. Todd from Bacup to Rochdale; and the election to the pastorate of the Revs. B. Etheridge at Bolton, and J. Ash at Stalybridge. The friends at Irwell Terrace, Bacup, announce their having commenced the erection of a new place of worship at Waterbarn; and a similar movement has been undertaken by the church at Ashton. under-Lyne. The clear increase of members in the associated churches considerably exceeds that of last year; and, while all have felt the pressure of the times, in a greater or less degree, most have had to "sing of mercy." It was resolved : "That this association would express their decided disapproval of the late parliamentary vote, under the Minutes of Council concerning Education; and would earnestly recommend to the churches uniformly to decline all pecuniary help under its authority; and would further urge on them the duty of voluntarily extending the means of education." The first eleven churches in the following list are in Staffordshire; the next six in Warwickshire; and the remaining eight in Worcestershire. Wednesbury Birmingham. ....John Blower. Cannon Street ............T. Swan. Bond Street................. Mount Zion .....J. M. Daniell. Newhall Street............C. Stewart. Heneage Street............C. H. Roe. Livery Street...............A. G. O'Neill. Brom grove... Cradley ..... .T. Davis. W. Barker. .W. Rogers. Kidderminster........J. Mills. Netherton ......... Cats-hill E. Thomas. ..M. Nokes. Stourbridge.. ......... Bewdley..................G. Cousins. The brethren having met at Walsall, May 25, Mr. Williams was chosen moderator. The circular letter, on Consistent Dissent, prepared by Mr. Blower, was adopted. Messrs. Roe, O'Neill, and Daniell preached. The Secretary, Mr. T. H. Morgan, consented to retain office one more year. The following resolutions were passed : "That this Association, deeply sympathizing | sided, and 517 was re-appointed secretary. Statistics. Number of churches.... in the great and interesting subject of popular edu- Messrs. Collins and Bayne preached. "That this Association, feeling that the ultimate triumph of the voluntary principle depends upon the consistent maintenance of the great truth, that the interests of religion and education are beyond the pale of legislative interference,-and feeling that the education scheme of the Committee of Council is no more nor less than one great bribe, by which to unite the masses of the people in support of the Church and State union; and feeling also that for the want of proper training in the true principles of dissent, the people are in danger of being deluded by the offers of the government,-do here, and now solemnly pledge themselves that they will in no circumstances whatever be party to the reception of government aid for the purposes of education." "That the Association views with increasing interest sabbath schools, and considers them an allimportant means of evangelizing the world, and would affectionately urge upon all the ministers, deacons, and members of our churches, to seek to promote their usefulness to a much greater degree, by encouraging the teachers by a frequently expressed affectionate solicitude for their welfare-by keeping a permanent registry of every child who enters their school-and by more frequent special addresses to the young from the pulpit." The association withdrew from the church at Wolverhampton. Statistics. Number of churches........................... 19 32 57 1 90 Removed by death 18 12 25 55 35 Separated Clear increase ........................ 996 667 25 Walsham. NEW CHAPEL. NOTTINGHAM. A number of friends, some time since connected with the baptist church in Georgestreet, Nottingham, but more recently united in church fellowship as a separate body, and meeting for worship in Clinton-street in that town, having obtained the lease of a commodious chapel in Spaniel-row, the above place was opened for public worship en Lord's day, June 20th, and on Tuesday, June 22nd, when sermons were preached by the Rev. James Acworth, LL.D., president of Horton College, Bradford, and the Rev. J. Mortlock Daniell, of Birmingham. The attendance on both occasions was highly encouraging. An expenditure of upwards of £150 had necessarily been incurred in the requisite alteration and improvement of the building, towards which the sum of £102 10s. 114d. was contributed at the collections made at the close of the services. Baptized. 288 Received by letter 43 Restored......... 13 344 215 Clear increase The next annual meeting is to be held in the baptist church at Gladestry, on the 29th the Whitsun week, at Darkhouse. READING. The Rev. John Jenkyn Brown, having resigned his charge at Islington Green, has accepted an invitation to the pastoral office from the church meeting in King's Road, Reading, late under the care of the Rev. J. Statham, now of Cheltenham. DEVONPORT. The Rev. C. Rogers, late of Torquay, has accepted the pastoral charge of the church meeting in Pembroke Street, Devonport. RECENT DEATHS. MR. T. SALE. He Died on Friday morning, June 11th, 1847, after a protracted and painful illness, Mr. Thomas Sale, aged 51 years, for twentythree years a faithful, zealous, and devoted deacon of the baptist church, Wokingham, Berks. In all efforts calculated to promote the good of the church, he was most indefatigable and persevering. His labours in the sabbath school were continued for nearly thirty years with remarkable punctuality and efficiency. As a village preacher he was very acceptable and useful. Possessed of a sound judgment, he was the counsellor of the young and the adviser of the more matured. had in an especial degree a sympathizing heart, always ready to soothe and comfort the afflicted, and in cases of distress cheerfully devoting his influence and personal exertions to procure that relief he was himself unable to afford. In him the church, the school, the village stations, and a large circle of friends have sustained a severe loss. His love to the house of God was a striking feature in his character. In the course of his illness he remarked to his pastor, "I say it not boastingly, but I feel great comfort from the reflection that I have not to reproach myself with ever being absent from the house of God when I could possibly attend. I can truly say, I have loved the habitations of Thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth." This delight in the sanctuary of God he was accustomed to attribute to the conduct and example of his venerable parents, (one of whom still survives him) who from his earliest years expected, nay, even compelled him to attend whenever the doors were open. His father himself, when living, never would allow either business or pleasure to keep him from the house of prayer when the people of God met for worship. The precept thus combined with example, there is no doubt, very powerfully influenced his character and conduct in after life. Thus, if parents wish their children to reverence God's sanctuary, they must not only train them in the way they should go, but themselves set the example of a regular and constant attendance upon the means of grace. A few days before his death, in reply to an inquiry as to the state of his mind, he said, "I can come with the lowest, with the thief on the cross, trusting only for acceptance through Christ." Ile regretted that he had not loved and served God more, saying, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no flesh living be justified," and repeated a verse of Dr. Watts: "Amongst thy saints will I appear, With hands well washed in innocence; The blood of Christ is my defence." The rupture of a vessel during a fit of coughing suddenly released him from the pains and weariness of body he had endured with much patience and submission. May all that knew him follow him as far as he followed Christ. MR. W. ASPLAN. Died, at Bluntisham, Hunts, the 11th of June, Mr. William Asplan, sen., aged 83 years, upwards of sixty years deacon of the baptist church in that place. MISCELLANEA. PROFITS OF THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. In addition to the distribution made at the beginning of the year, the particulars of which were published in our number for February, the proprietors have had the pleasure of making the following grants, at their half-yearly meeting on the 25th of June : M. V...Rev. James Simmons 3 3 The increasing number of widows of baptist ministers who need assistance, render it important that their friends should exert themselves to promote their interests by promoting the sale of this magazine, the only magazine from which baptist widows derive any pecuniary advantage. BAPTIST COLLEGE, BRISTOL. On Wednesday, June 30th, the annual meeting of the friends and subscribers to the Baptist College, Bristol, was held in Broadmead chapel. |