two or three months ago to a Circular Dis- | patch from Earl Grey to the Governors of the Colonies, and to Suggestions for the establishment of schools for the coloured classes from the Educational Committee of the Privy Council, the effect of which would be to subvert the plans of education which the best friends of the negro race have been accustomed to follow. Eighteen pastors of baptist churches in Jamaica have drawn up and signed a statement respecting their educational efforts, to which they are anxious that publicity should be given in this country, and which we commend to general attention as illustrative of subjects interesting to every philanthropist. Our brethren say, referring to the Despatch and suggestions, "By these documents it will be seen that it is proposed to establish and to assist schools, of a religious and industrial character, throughout the island; that the labouring classes shall be compelled, under heavy penalties, to send their children to those schools, or to others which have the approval of the government inspector, and that a new direct tax shall be levied upon the people at large to support the contemplated educational establishment. "Believing as we do that it is no part of the business of the state to provide for the religious instruction of the people, and that the system proposed is essentially unjust in principle, and will prove most injurious in its consequences, we feel bound to protest against it, and to refuse to participate in the pecuniary advantages it offers. "In adopting this course we cherish the confidence that we shall not be deserted by those friends in England who have hitherto kindly assisted us, but that they will by their generous aid enable us to prosecute our efforts for the religious instruction of the rising race in this colony. "In connexion with the Western Union (which comprises about two-thirds of the baptist churches in Jamaica) we have at the present time thirty day-schools and a greater number of Sunday-schools in operation. In the former there are 3000, and in the latter 8000 children, besides adults, under instruction. "These schools are carried on at an expense of at least £2000 per annum, of which nearly one half is raised by the weekly payments of the children and the contributions of our congregations: for the remainder we are dependent on the liberality of Christian friends in England. "The deficiency has, to a great extent, been supplied by members of our own denomination and of the Society of Friends, and by grants of materials from the British and Foreign School Society and the Sunday School Union. "We regret to state that so far from being able to dispense with such kind assistance, we now need it more than ever. In consequence of diminished resources last year we were compelled to close several schools, and to conduct others with less efficient agency than could be desired. We had also to mourn over a great falling off in the numbers attending school, arising principally from the drought and distress which then prevailed. Now, we rejoice to say, nearly all the schools are well attended-in some the numbers have more than doubled, but for want of funds we cannot re-open those that were suspended, nor are we able to yield to the earnest importunities of the people to commence new ones in destitute districts. "The improvement which has taken place, and the increased desire for instruction which has been manifested, we regard as indicative of a better appreciation of the value of education amongst our peasantry, and we feel encouraged to use every effort to continue, and as far as possible to increase the number and efficiency of our schools, that our youth may not be surrendered to the influences of a new educational establishment, which, judging from the state-supported schools now in existence, will be little fitted to train them up in habits of manly independence, virtue, and piety. "Under these circumstances we venture to appeal to our English friends to renew their efforts on our behalf, that we may be enabled, in connexion with brethren of various denominations, to impart a religious but unsectarian education to the rising generation of this island, uncorrupted and untrammelled by state patronage and control. "The necessity of such aid will be evident when we state that we have no wealthy persons in our churches; that they are composed almost entirely of labourers earning from one shilling to one shilling and sixpence per day; that they are heavily taxed to support a church from which they dissent, with the prospect of an equally expensive educational establishment being soon superadded, while they have to defray the whole expenses of our mission, and to bear the burden of debts on school-houses and chapels. "Of the importance of our schools little need be said. Although the want of suitable agency (sickness and death having from time to time deprived us of our most efficient teachers), and more frequently paucity of funds, have rendered it a matter of no small difficulty to keep the schools in existence; and although the children have not attended with the regularity, nor remained the length of time under instruction we could have wished, a vast amount of good has, with the divine blessing, been accomplished. Many thousands have been taught to read the word of God; considerable numbers have made satisfactory progress in other branches of education, while the greater part of the teachers now employed, both in our Sunday and day schools, and others who assist in various ways in the work of God, are indebted to them for whatever instruction they have received. : "That this association, considering the present posture of ecclesiastical affairs in this country, feel that it is high time for voluntaries to give in every possible mode a distinct enunciation of their views, and as one effective means of doing this, would earnestly recommend to all the members of our churches who possess the electoral power, to withhold their vote from every candidate who does not entertain Anti-State-Church principles." At the annual meeting, which was held at Long Buckby, May 25th and 26th, Mr. Burdett presided, and sermons were delivered by Messrs. Pywell and Foster. The circular letter, written by Mr. Brown, is on “The "On the continuance and efficient manage- Peculiar Necessity for Fervent Piety, arising ment of these schools the character of a from the pressing Public Duties of the Chrislarge portion of the next and succeeding tian in the present Day." The following generations in this colony depends. If resolution was passed: abandoned, the fruit of our labours and those of our predecessors will, to a great extent, be destroyed our youth will probably become a prey to the soul-destroying errors of Puseyism, or to an equally dangerous indifference to all saving truth; and the hopes long cherished of the evangelization of Africa by the instrumentality of her emancipated children be blasted. We therefore earnestly entreat our friends not, at this crisis, to withhold the assistance they have in past years so kindly extended to our schools, but rather to increase it, that we may be enabled to provide for the religious instruction of the whole of the rising race within the reach of our influence, on the broad and catholic principles of the founders of the British and Foreign School Society, and to place our schools on equal footing, in all other respects, with those about to be established under government auspices. Statistics. Number of churches furnishing reports... 30 Removed by death Dismissed Excluded..... Withdrawn Clear increase 136 30 5 171 74 29 11 34 148 23 The next meeting is to be held at Kettering. HERTS AND SOUTH BEDS. Six churches in Hertfordshire, and five in Bedfordshire constitute this association. 1 SUFFOLK AND NORFOLK NEW ASSOCIATION. "The Effi cular letter he had prepared on Twenty-four churches in Suffolk, and two approved. It was determined to forward a in Norfolk are associated in this body. protest to the Baptist Union, as in former. years, against the plan of holding the annual meetings of the union in provincial towns. It was also resolved: "That the association, being deeply impressed with the conviction that the small increase of members in the associated churches during the last year calls for humiliation and earnest prayer, recommends that each church should, on the third Monday evening of every month in the ensuing year, have special reference to this want of spiritual prosperity, and should most earnestly entreat of God an enlarged communication of the influences of the Holy Spirit." Ipswich, Zoar Chapel Clarke. .Austin. .Boast. The annual meeting was held at Occold on the 8th and 9th days of June. Mr. Cooper presided, and Mr.Wright was re-chosen secretary. Sermons were delivered by Messrs. Galpine, Irish, Wright, and Collins. The circular letter is on "Baptism in its relation to the Lord's Supper." Statistics. Number of churches.. Withdrawn... Clear increase.. Sabbath scholars.. Village stations.. The next meeting is appointed to be held at Margate, on the 30th and 31st of May, 1848. .26 91 Received by letter........... 32 NEW CHURCH. TAUNTON. On Thursday, Sept. 9th, a new baptist church was formed at Taunton, consisting of thirty-nine seceders from the church in Silver Street, in consequence of that church having introduced the practice of mixed communion. They had received an honourable dismission for the purpose; and five others were added to them, having received a dismission from other churches. The Rev. J. Little of Street presided, and the Rev. D. Wassell of Bath delivered an appropriate charge from "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast This association consists of eleven churches. been faithful over a few things," &c. The Lord's supper was then administered to the 40 ORDINATION. MILL END, HERTS. On Thursday, Sept. 16th, the Rev. T. Carter, late of Fenny Stratford, was publicly recognised as pastor of the baptist church at Mill End. The service was introduced with reading the scriptures and prayer by the Rev. R. Robinson of Luton; the prayer for the pastor was offered by the Rev. W. Payne of Chesham; the charge delivered by the Rev. W. H. Murch, D.D. of Rickmansworth; and the address to the people by the Rev. W. A. Salter of Amersham. In the evening a sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Groser of London. The Revs. J. Cowdy of Chipperfield, W. Ayrton of Chesham, and D. Ives of Gold Hill, took part in the service. RECENT DEATHS. MRS. CLEMENT. On the 22nd of August, Mrs. Clement of Leytonstone, Essex, died at an advanced age, and left a pleasing testimony of her exchanging earth for heaven. Though for many years she was secluded from the Christian world by affliction, yet the interest she took in the great cause of the Baptist Mission was evinced by her devoting money and time to the furnishing of such boxes of useful articles as have, from time to time, been found to be very valuable acquisitions. These labours of love, it is hoped, will have a beneficial influence in inducing others to go and do likewise. MR. JAMES TREASURE. Died, August 31st, Mr. James Treasure, aged seventy. He had been long connected with the church meeting in Badcox Lane, Frome; having been baptized in 1799, and appointed to the office of deacon in 1828. He had also been a teacher in the Sunday school from the time of its commencement, and was chosen superintendent at a very early period of its history. He was seized with angina pectoris while engaged in the school on Lord's day morning, March 21st, and although he rallied in some small measure, so as to attend a few times subsequently both in the school and in the house of God, he gradually declined in strength. His long affliction was marked by very much of mercy, and the event of death was met by him with calm confidence in the justifying righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. The principal feature in his character was that of affection. He was eminently a man of peace, greatly beloved by his pastor, his brethren in office, and all the members of the church. His interment took place Sept. 5th. The children and teachers of the Sunday school surrounded the grave of their departed friend, and he was followed to the tomb by many persons who will ever hold his name in affectionate remembrance. A funeral sermon from Rom. v. 1, a text chosen by the deceased, was preached by Mr. Middleditch to a very large congregation, anxious to show their respect for a valued friend and highly esteemed Christian brother. REV. J. FOX. On the 11th of September died, sincerely mourned by the circle in which he moved, the Rev. Joseph Fox; for nearly six years the laborious, faithful, and affectionate pastor of the baptist church meeting at Paulton, Somersetshire. The removal of this talented and exemplary minister, in the prime of life and the height of his usefulness, is a serious loss, not only to the people of his charge, but to the surrounding neighbourhood and to the church at large. A more extended memoir of Mr. Fox will probably appear. MISCELLANEA. BAPTIST COLLEGE, PONTYPOOL. The annual meeting of this institution was held on Wednesday, the 28th of July, at the new English chapel, Pontypool, when Mr. Mursell of Leicester delivered a very elaborate and eloquent address, and Mr. David Jones of Cardiff preached an appropriate and impressive sermon to the students. A meeting of the subscribers and friends was held in the same place in the afternoon, when several very interesting addresses were given, and various resolutions adopted. There are now sixteen students in the house, and there are on the list about as many more candidates for admission. The treasurer's account showed a heavy balance against the society. The society, however, is much indebted to the liberality of the churches and of numerous friends, among whom C. Conway, Esq., Pontnewydd, deserves honourable mention for his fifth annual donation of £50. Never has an educated ministry been so important for the principality as at the present time, when strenuous efforts are made on one hand to educate, and on the other to pervert and enslave the people, and happily, never was an educated ministry more appreciated by the churches. BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION FOR SCOTLAND. The first report of this institution has just been published. It appears that during the year three students have been partially or wholly maintained from its funds. Mr. Johnstone, under whose care they are placed, bears ample testimony to the devotedness of the young men to their work, and to the diligence and success with which they have pursued their studies. During the past session, some progress has been made in the following branches of education :-Hebrew, Greek, and Latin; mental science and rhetoric; church history, biblical criticism, and theology. Mr. Johnstone has also delivered to his class a considerable portion of a course of lectures on Systematic Theology; and the students have in turn delivered discourses and read essays on different topics, besides regularly taking notes of the lectures and works read. addition to this important course, classes in the school of arts were attended by some of the students during the winter, in which instruction was imparted on chemistry, natural philosophy, and English. In Almost every sabbath during the winter, one or more of the young men have been engaged in supplying vacant pulpits or new stations. The following places have been thus visited by them :-St. Andrews, Dunfermline, Galashiels very frequently, and occasionally Airdrie, Glasgow, Kircaldy, and Duncan Street Chapel, Edinburgh. The station of the Union at Leith has also been regularly kept up, chiefly through the means of their labours. The pecuniary assistance of English Christians is earnestly invoked. PROPOSED NEW COLLEGE IN CALCUTTA. Mr. Boaz, an esteemed missionary of the London Society now in this country, has issued a prospectus in which he says, "It is the intention of the friends of Christian education in Calcutta, should their brethren in Britain render ample aid, to establish in that city, the metropolis of Northern India, A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OR INSTITUTION, for the education of the native heathen, Mohammedan, and Christian youth of the country. In addition to the general educational department, the institution will embrace the other in teresting objects referred to in the following outline. It will comprise : "I. A_Central Hall, with suitable Class rooms. II. A neat and commodious Chris tian Sanctuary. III. A Theological Institution for the education of a Native Ministry; IV. An Orphanage for Native Male and Female Orphans. V. Houses for Native Catechists, Catechumens, and Inquirers. "It is proposed to erect the college on the site of the London Missionary Society's present institution at Bhowanipore, the southern suburban district of Calcutta. UNION OF TWO SCOTCH BAPTIST CHURCHES. On Lord's day, Sept. 5, the baptist church formerly meeting in King's Head Court, Bishopsgate Street, London, united with the church of the same order meeting in Dorchester Place, New North Road. The union is based on strict communion principles, the plurality of elders, weekly communion, and the public exhortation of the brethren. This event has taken place with the cordial and unanimous consent of both bodies; who anticipate from it, under the blessing of the Head of the church, an increase of personal edification and public usefulness. RESIGNATION. The Rev. Thomas Lomas has resigned the charge of the baptist church at Salendine Nook, Yorkshire. COLLECTANEA. CHURCH RATES. At a recent Visitation at Ripon, the lord bishop of that diocese, Dr. Longley, remarked that for the last few years the church had been much agitated in consequence of the conflicting opinions which had prevailed with regard to the law of church-rates. That difficult question had fortunately at length been settled by an authority which it would be difficult to dispute. The Lord Chief Justice had decided that in case of a vestry being called for the avowed purpose of making a rate, that rate might be levied in vestry assembled agreed to it. whether or not the majority of parishioners It had never been disputed, and he believed that it was the duty of every parish to keep in proper repair its own place of public worship; agitated was, as to the manner in which this but the question which had constantly been devolved the duty of doing it. work was to be performed, and on whom been decided that whatever repairs might be It had now ascertained by sentence of the court, or by necessary in the church's fabric must be the duty of the churchwardens to lay an order of the ordinary. It would then be estimate of the cost before a parish meeting, to be summoned in compliance with the provisions of the statute, and all that the to decide, not as to the propriety or otherwise parishioners were then called upon to do was of making the repairs, but simply to make provision for raising the resources necessary for that purpose. "Those, therefore," it has occasion to express their dislike of churchbeen observed, LL who make use of the rates in general, or to offer other vexatious opposition, will throw away their votes, and the necessary rate will be valid, though made only by the minority of those who are present: the case resembles an election for members of parliament, if the majority should rule that no representative should be |