Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][graphic]

SHOULDHAM STREET CHAPEL, NEAR PAD

DINGTON.

A view of this chapel, as it will appear when improvements now in hand are completed, will doubtless gratify many of our readers, who know that in the part of the town in which it stands baptist places of worship are comparatively few, and need to be brought into notice. A portion of the brickwork having given way, it has become necessary that the front should be rebuilt; and as it adjoins dwelling-houses on either side, this design has been adopted to prevent its being mistaken for a common habitation. The present pastor, Mr. Blake, deserves encouragement, and we hope he will receive it. The congregation, we are informed, is increasing; nineteen were added to the church last year, and eighteen more during the last six months.

KENT UNION.

This society, instituted in the year 1802, for the benefit of aged and infirm ministers of the gospel, and the orphans of ministers, held its annual meeting at Greenwich on the 6th ultimo. The dividends arising out of its funded property are equally divided every year among claimants, who are legally entitled to

their proportion, and the number of these this year is nineteen; six aged ministers, twelve widows, and one orphan family. The amount to each of these annuitants" this year is eighteen pounds. The congregational collections and donations made specifically for the purpose are applicable to needy cases at the discretion of the committee; who vote according to circumstances, either to annuitants who require additional help, or to others who were not entitled to it by membership, but who have ministered in Kent, sums of various amounts. To widows, orphans, and infirm ministers, eleven gratuities were voted this year, amounting to about £125. The treasurer of this excellent society is Mr. Parnell of Kingsland, and the secretary the Rev. B. Slight of Tunbridge Wells, by either of whom information respecting its affairs will be readily afforded. Though the assistance it yields is far less than is adequate to the necessities of many of those whom it is intended to aid, yet it is highly valuable; and as there are many districts in the kingdom in which there are no such institutions, it would be a happy thing if benevolent Christians at a distance would make themselves acquainted with its plans, with a view of originating something of the same kind for the advantage of those who sustain the pastoral office among them.

RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT.

In this town, which contains about seven thousand inhabitants, we are informed that a few baptists meet for worship in a large commodious room, and are hoping to form a baptist church. To any of our friends who may be about to visit the island, it may be pleasant to know that there is an opportunity to afford countenance to so laudable an effort, and that they may obtain further information by calling on Mr. Anthony Young, 50, Union-street, Ryde.

HISTORY OF THE ORISSA MISSION.

Mr. Peggs informs us that, through the kindness of a few friends, he hopes to circulate three or four hundred copies of this work in India gratuitously. He is about to send one to every missionary in India; and, if he can obtain the co-operation of friends of India, he is anxious that a plan he has devised should be adopted for circulating that and other valuable works among the readers of the English language in the east, at very low prices.

EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT.

Our friends Dr. Cox and Mr. Hinton have taken a trip to the south of France, in consequence of information communicated to the committee of the Baptist Missionary Society a few months ago, respecting some protestants who, with their ministers, have recently embraced our sentiments on baptism, to whom there was reason to believe that a visit from one or two accredited English baptist ministers would be in several respects beneficial.

The Rev. C. H. Hosken, after labouring some years at Troy, in the state of New York, and Patterson in New Jersey, finding the climate there uncongenial with his constitution and that of Mrs. Hosken, has returned to his native land. He brings with him letters from well-known American ministers, attesting the esteem in which he was

held, and their regret at his departure; and he will be glad to enter upon some sphere of usefulness in this country.

By a letter which we have received from Fernando Po, of a more recent date than any which had arrived at the Mission House when the Herald was prepared for press, we learn that Mr. Fuller, whose dying state is there announced, expired on the 23d of April, and that Mr. Clarke, and several of the natives of Jamaica, were on board the Dove, about to sail for that island.

As a general election is commencing, it is probable that many of our friends, who are not much accustomed to the perusal of news

papers, will desire information respecting passing events, such as no monthly publi cation can afford. On this subject we are anxious to offer a few words to those who are the newspaper press. not acquainted with the general character of The observation of many years, as well as that of the last few months, compels us to say, which we do with great regret, that it is vain to expect from papers that are not avowedly dissenting, anything like impartiality or candour on questions relating to the interests of evangelical nonconformists. The daily papers are accustomed to preserve a studied silence respecting the movements of dissenters or to misrepresent them; so that no one who sees a daily paper only, or a weekly paper not conducted by dissenters, however talented, liberal, or respectable in other matters, has the slightest chance of obtaining correct views of passing occurrences which in a religious point of view are of the utmost moment. If there be any exception among the daily papers it is the Morning Advertiser. think it right, therefore, to take this oppor tunity to say, that there are papers conducted by dissenters, which we can with a good conscience recommend. At the low price of one penny per week, the Penny Christian Record gives an excellent epitome of general intelligence. Being published in Jersey, to which island our stamp duties do not extend, it can be sent free of charge by post to any town in Great Britain; and as it has reached its sixty-sixth number, we can speak with confidence both of the principles and the skill of its conductors. Before this meets the reader's eye, they will have commenced also a larger work, price two pence, entitled The Christian Record, which will include The Christian Penny Record, with other matter. For those is an English weekly newspaper, The Nonwho are willing to go to a higher price, there conformist, conducted with great ability and steady adherence to its principles, which are

We

those of the British Anti-State Church Association. Twice a week The Patriot appears, which has been known as the chief organ for the diffusion of dissenting information on

political and semi-political affairs too long to need that we should now speak of its merits. There are two or three other dissenting papers, we believe, of small circulation, which we cannot characterize, having never seen them. Thus, however, it will appear, that for one penny, two pence, sixpence, or ten pence per week, according to their taste or means, dissenters can supply themselves with political information on which they may rely; and we do beseech them not to take their opinions of public men or measures from either aristocratic or democratic journals that are not cordially with them on great religious and ecclesiastical principles; as, if they do, they will find that the light that is in them is darkness.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed][merged small]

ASIA.

CALCUTTA.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, whose transference from Ceylon to the continent of India has been already announced, arrived in Calcutta safely on the sixth of May, where they received a cordial welcome. Mr. Thomas says:

You will be pleased to hear that our dear mine which has the greatest weight attached friends Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, and their little to it. When will you be able to send out one, arrived on the evening of the 6th. They more, and support them? I fear the heavy came by the "Bentinck," and took us rather afflictions with which God has been pleased by surprise, as we hardly thought they would to visit Ireland and Scotland will very seventure to come so soon after Mrs. Lewis's riously affect the Society's income, and that confinement, and especially on account of the consequently you will find it necessary to advanced period of the season. But here curtail rather than extend the Society's exthey are, and I hope will not suffer from the penditure. exposure to which they have been subjected. We have not yet had time to consult respecting the sphere of labour our new brother should occupy; I hope we shall be all guided for the best. Where so many urgent claims press on our attention, it is not easy to deter

You will be pleased to hear that brother Smylie, at Dinajpore, baptized one convert last month, and also that brother Parry, of Jessore, admitted seven by the same ordinance into the churches under his care. Brother Leslie is rather ailing; the rest are in usual health.

The Association of Baptist Churches in the Presidency of Bengal held its annual meeting for the year 1846 at Serampore. It will gratify many of our readers, probably, if we lay before them the minutes appended to their Circular Letter, which the press of other matter connected with our own annual meetings has precluded our doing till now:

................Letter, no delegates.

On the evening of the preceding Lord's DINAJPUR day, a preparatory sermon was preached in LAL BAZAR, Calcutta......J. Thomas, acting Pastor. J. L. Carrau, Deacon. the Mission Chapel, by the Rev. J. MacR. Chill. donald of the Free Church of Scotland, from DACCA................Letter, no delegates. CHITTAGONG ........ ..J. C. Fink. Acts xx. 35.

[blocks in formation]

Ram Jiban.
Nabakumar.

[blocks in formation]

.....Geo. Pearce, Pastor. Balaram.

NARSIKDAR CHOK.........John C. Page, Pastor.
Lakshminarayan Ray.
Pitambar.

MALAYAPUR ..................Khasi.
BALASORE....................................... ..No letter, no delegate.
JELLASORE. .................Jeremiah Phillips, Pastor.

The meeting proceeded to elect a Moderator for the ensuing year. This was done by ballot: the majority of votes being found in favour of brother Leslie of Calcutta, he was requested to preside over the ensuing meetings.

The whole of the letters from the churches were then read, in the order they occur in the Table, and the substance of each given in

Bengali. The Moderator concluded the meet- | materials, others skilled in the native languages* ing with prayer. may render these materials further available by members of our mission churches." translation and adaptation to the instruction of the

The Sub-Committees met in the afternoon. In the evening a Conference was held at the College House, in lieu of the mixed service of former years; several matters of great interest to the churches were introduced and successively discussed.

It was announced to the meeting by the Convener of the Sub-Committee on Books:

1. That brother Pearce had carried through the press a translation of the Tract Society's Companion to the Bible," in the Bengali language the joint labours of brethren Pearce and Ramkrishna; it was a neat 12mo., pp. 398, with copious tables.

2. That brother Wenger begged to submit to the meeting the first sheet of a new magazine in Bengali, bearing the title of the "UPADESHAK." It met with cordial approbation. The publication to be issued monthly, the price not to exceed two annas. It was farther suggested, in case of a deficiency at the end of the year, that the Association meet the deficiency from its funds. The meeting unanimously concurred with the suggestion, and also authorized brother John Robinson to close the remaining expenses of the EVANGELIST, and to communicate with the Standing Committee at his earliest convenience.

3. That a lengthened conversation had

been held on the propriety and practicability of establishing an English Magazine to meet the wants of a large and increasing number of the members of our churches, especially the younger branches of the various congregations. It was cordially commended to the consideration of the meeting.

After a spirited discussion, in which all took part, it was proposed by brother Denham and seconded by brother Morgan, and unanimously agreed to

"That a magazine advocating the principles of the denomination be established, similar to the Baptist Magazine, Reporter, and Record in England, to consist of original articles, general missionary and educational intelligence, as well as occasional selections, translations, and illustrations of the Holy Scriptures, manners, customs, and superstitions of the natives; notices of the spread of Christianity, and eminent men, European and native, who have laboured among the people-in a word, everything calculated to subserve the interests of pure and undefiled religion' in India.

"THE ORIENTAL BAPTIST to be, as its title announces, a denominational work, and published under the auspices of the Association. Though denominational it should practically disavow sectarianism, its columns should be open to free, fair, and manly discussion on all questions pertaining to civil and religious liberty of Christians in India.

"The Home Record to comprise intelligence from all parts of India, Ceylon, and the Tenasserim provinces; its Foreign Record, Europe, Africa, America, West Indies, China, and the South Seas: like its English predecessors, it should incorporate the "Missionary Herald.'

"The Editor's Table to furnish notices of books,

&c., &c.; a column to be reserved for Gems of Divinity and Poetry.

"In conclusion, European brethren should be solicited to contribute well written and well digested

Resolutions were read expressive of the wish of the meeting that brother Leslie undertake the editorial superintendence. Brother Leslie declined on the ground of having pledged himself to several important duties during the year, especially to the superintendence of a new edition of the Hindi New Testament, in addition to other claims. It was proposed by brother Williamson, and seconded by brother Page:

"That for the present a Sub-committee be appointed consisting of the Calcutta brethren; that they meet and consult on the preliminary and ne

cessary arrangements.

sion Press, each number to consist of thirty-two "The magazine to be printed at the Baptist Mispages stitched, with wraper for advertisements and correspondence; price not to exceed four annas, to be paid half yearly in advance."

This was passed unanimously.

The meeting then proceeded to consider the seventh minute of the Standing Committee of the Society bearing the expenses of the de(September 23rd), concerning the propriety legates of distant mission churches to the

Association.

After discussing the question at some length, seconded by brother Robinson," That each it was proposed by brother Morgan and church bear the expenses of its delegates appointed to attend the meetings of the Association." Brother Morgan pointed out the inconsistency of the principle on which the Society had, to some extent, proceeded in former years. This was generally felt, and the future travelling expenses of their delethe ministers pledged themselves to meet gates from the funds of the respective churches.

Proposed by brother Denham and seconded by brother Morgan: :

"That the Standing Committee meet for prayer and association business on the second Monday of the months of March, June, and September successively at Calcutta, Haurah, and Serampore; and that the secretaries be requested to give notice of the time and place of meeting one week previous to its being held, to avoid inconvenience. Each meeting shall be named at the close of the usual busi

[ocr errors]

ness."

Brother Wenger suggested to the members of the Standing Committee for consideration, "the desirableness and practicability of a Baptist Building Fund' in India, and to report at the next Association."

The Conference was closed with prayer by the Moderator.

Wednesday, December 2nd.

10 A.M. Brother Wenger read John xv. and prayed in Bengali, and brother William

*Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Singhalese, Burmese, &c.

« AnteriorContinuar »