most active measures seem to be everywhere taken for the removal of the proximate causes of the disease, and the pestilence has not yet reached anything like the same point of terribleness which it had attained in the same period of the year during the last visitation. We would urge upon our readers to practise the utmost care, as they know how to do, themselves, and to urge the same, as they have the opportunity, on their poorer neighbours. We do not need to urge them to seek the blessing of God on the means that are being used, and especially to commend to Him those who are suffering on a foreign soil, away from all the comforts and aids of home, and amidst circumstances calculated to increase the fury and the terror of the pestilence under which they are dying,

It remains to be seen what will be the effect of the pestilence upon the progress of the War. Our readers have doubtless heard that it was intended to make an attack upon Sebastopol, with the hope of taking it before the approach of winter compelled the close of operations for the present season. It is too probable that the despondency and desolation caused by the pestilence may render it necessary to delay this effort till next year. Bomasund, the chief fortress of the Aland islands, has fallen. Two thousand prisoners having been captured, and some hundreds of men killed.There has been a paragraph in some of the newspapers purporting to be an extract of a letter from an English soldier to his wife, and describing his first service in the Baltic. We cannot forbear to print it for the advantage of those who may not have seen it, for the sake of the striking and impressive view it gives of the reality and individuality of war. "We dispersed at a few hundred yards' distance from the beach, to keep the coast clear whilst the boat's crew made prizes of the guns. The enemy had the advantage of the wood, and also knowing the country well, and a troop of them showed in advance. We were ordered to fire. I took steady aim, and fired on a man at about sixty yards. He fell like a stone. At the same time a broadside from the ship went in amongst the trees, and the enemy disappeared, we could scarce tell how. I felt as though I must go up to him, to see whether he was dead or alive. He lay quite still, and I was more afraid of him lying so than when he stood facing me a few minutes before. It's a strange feeling to come over you all at once that you have killed a man. He had unbuttened his jacket, and was pressing his hand over the front of his chest where the wound was. He breathed hard, and the blood poured from the wound, and also from his mouth, every breath he took. His face was white as death, and his eyes looked so big and bright as he turned them and stared at me,-I shall never forget it. He was a fine young fellow, not more than five-and-twenty. I went down on my knees beside him, and my breast felt so full, as though my own heart would burst. He had a real English face, and did not look like an enemy. What I felt I can never

tell, but if my life would have saved his, I believe I should have given it. I laid his head on my knee, and he grasped hold of my hand and tried to speak, but his voice was gone. I could not tell a word he said, and every time he tried to speak, the blood poured out so, I knew it would soon be over. I am not ashamed to say that I was worse than he, for he never shed a tear, and I couldn't help it. His eyes were closing when a gun was fired from the ship to order us aboard, and that roused him. He pointed to the beach, where the boat was just pushing off with the guns which we had taken, and where our marines were waiting to man the second boat; and then he pointed to the wood, where the enemy was concealed;-poor fellow, he little thought how I had shot him down. I was wondering how I could leave him to die and no one near him, when he had something like a convulsion for a moment, and then his face rolled over, and without a sigh he was gone. I trust the Almighty has received his soul. I laid his head gently down on the grass and left him. It seemed so strange when I looked at him for the last time,-I somehow thought of everything I had heard about the Turks and the Russians, and the rest of them,-but all that seemed so far off, and the dead man so near!" Yes, near,-very near! Oh, that the time may soon come when this and all wars shall cease under the influence of Christianity,-when the reign of" righteousness" shall make room for the reign "of peace" throughout the world!

The only other public news of importance is that Parliament has separated. With the usual forms, and the accustomed address from the throne, the great council of the nation has been dismissed. It will not do to canvass too eagerly the results of the session, when, doubtless, the war, and the questions arising out of it, have interfered so much with the progress of legislation. Dissenters have great reason to congratulate themselves on the effective representation which has been given to their principles, and on the evident progress those principles are making with candid men. We are convinced that the insertion of the clauses we have already adverted to in the Oxford University Act, will not be the last victory of principle in this direction which we shall see.

One of the things to which public thought is at present much directed is the Harvest. At the time we write the prospects continue very cheering, though the falling showers, which have continued for some days, cause some anxiety lest the "bright shining of the sun" should be too long delayed. There is nothing that could so much encourage the hopes of our people, and enable them to bear the burdens that are falling on them, as a good harvest. May He who has "appointed the weeks" for it, give us suitable weather during these few critical days, so that there may be "food for the eater, and bread for him that is ready to perish, and no complaining in our streets !"

HORTON COLLEGE.

The annual services connected with the opening of the college session were held on the 1st and 2nd of August. This being the fiftieth year of the existence of the Institution, and services in commemoration of this fact having been announced, there was a considerably larger attendance than usual, both of friends in the neighbourhood and from a distance. The Rev. Thomas Morris, of Whitchurch, preached very appropriately to the students, and the Rev. Dr. Godwin preached the Jubilee sermon from Psalm xc. 16, 17, with all his old vigour of thought, and appropriateness and One of the excellence of illustration.

chief subjects of discussion at the Annual Meeting, was the desirableness of erecting a new college, subscriptions for which it was resolved to seek at the earliest opportunity. On the evening of the second day a public Jubilee Meeting was held, when Henry Kelsall, Esq., occupied the chair, and an historical memorial was read by the Rev. B. Evans, and addresses delivered by the Revs. C. Larom, and A. M. Stalker, and by W. Littlewood, Esq. It will be seen from an advertisement that the Jubilee memorial is to be printed and published immediately, accompanied by Dr. Godwin's

sermon.

NAUNTON.

On Wednesday, August 2nd, a service was held in the Baptist chapel, Naunton, Gloucestershire, in connexion with the settlement of the Rev. John Lewis, late of King-Stanley, over the church and congregation meeting at Naunton and Guiting. About two hundred sat down to tea. A deeply interesting public service followed, when the chapel was well filled with an intelligent and respectable company, many of whom came from the surrounding towns and villages. Mr. R. Comely, one of the deacons of the church, presided, and the meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr. Lewis, and by the Revs. J. Statham, of Bourton-on-the-Water, J. Arock, of Stowon-the-Wold, and W. T. Henderson, of Banbury. All the addresses were practical in their character, and exceedingly effective. The Rev. Messrs. Milton and Cherry took The part in the devotional exercises. meeting throughout was a very interesting one, and was felt by all to be both pleasant and profitable.

HALIFAX.

The services connected with the opening of the new chapel, which has been erected in this town for the church under the pastorate of the Rev. W. Walters, were held on Friday, the 18th of August, and the following days. The preachers at the various services were the Revs. G. W. Conder, A. M. Stalker, H. S. Brown, Dr. Acworth, H. Dowson, J. E. Giles, and B. Evans. The services were concluded by a public meeting on the Tuesday evening, at which several of the above gentlemen and others spoke. We are glad to hear that the collections altogether amounted to £280. The

chapel is an elegant and convenient structure, built in the best part of the town, and the prospects of success are very cheering.

BAY, BRECONSHIRE.

The Committee appointed by the Baptist Church at Hay, to effect purchase of land, alterations, additions, and new frontage to the chapel, and also the erection of school apartments for day and Sabbath schools, wish publicly to state, that they have realized £180 towards the estimated cost of £250; and they beg, through this medium, to thank those gentlemen and friends who have kindly responded to their appeal for aid, and hope to share continued sympathy until the entire sum be realized. Additional subscriptions would be thankfully received by the pastor, Rev. J. H. Hall, or by Mr. John Bancher or Mr. W. S. Stanley, deacons.

PRESTON.

On Thursday the 10th of August, the Rev. F. Bugby was ordained pastor of the Baptist church, Leeming-street, Preston. The Rev. R. Slate offered prayer, the Rev. W. F. Burchell, of Rochdale, gave an impressive charge to the pastor, the Rev. H. S. Brown, of Liverpool, addressed the church and congregation, in his usual lucid and forcible manner; and at the evening meeting, addresses were delivered by Messrs. Brown, Dunckley, Barker, Martin, Williams, Lee, and Slate. The services were deeply interesting, and will be long remembered by the numerous attendants.

NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL, COMMERCIAL STREET, WHITECHAPEL, LONDON.

The foundation of a new place of worship, which is about to be erected for the congregation worshipping in Little Prescott Street, London, under the pastorate of the Rev. C. Stovel, was laid on the 11th of August, by S. M. Peto, Esq., M.P. Dr. Steane, Mr. Hinton, Mr. Leechman, and Mr. Stovel, took part in the proceedings. At the evening meeting, Mr. Alderman Wire, Mr. Underhill, Mr. Trestrail, Mr. Bigwood, and several other gentlemen, were also present.

SAXLINGHAM, NORFOLK.

Mr. John Nottage has announced his intention of resigning the pastoral charge of the Baptist church at Saxlingham, and the deacons feel great pleasure in testifying that his ministry and character are unimpeachable. Mr. Nottage will, therefore, be open to the invitation of any destitute Baptist church.

RIDGMOUNT, BEDS.

Mr. Thomas Baker, B.A., formerly of the Baptist college, Bristol, having accepted the cordial invitation of the Baptist church in the above place, entered on his pastoral duties there on Sunday, the 20th of August.

WHITEHAVEN.

Mr. W. J. Wilson, late of Newtownards, Ireland, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church in this town to the pastorate.