And look to dear papa for smiles,
And hear him talk and pray;
But then I knew not it would grow
Still sweeter every day.

Oh, if your first mamma could see,
From her bright home above,
How much of happiness is here,
How much there is of love,

'Twould glad her angel heart, I know,
And often would she come,
Gliding with noiseless spirit-step,
About her olden home.

Much do I love my darling boys,

And much do they love me ;Our heavenly Father sent me here, Your new mamma to be.

And if I closely follow Him,

And hold your little hands,
I hope to lead you up to heaven,
To join the angel bands.

Then with papa, and both mammas,
And her who went before,

And Christ who loves you more than all,
Ye'll dwell for evermore.
Maulmain, 1849.

WILLIAM BENT, BLABY, NEAR LEICESTER.

The fact that the individual to whom the following remarks refer was connected with the poorer classes of society, forms no reason why he should not be introduced to the readers of this excellent magazine; on the contrary, when joined with the mental and religious attainments he was enabled to make, it becomes an additional argument for the brief sketch we now offer.

William Bent was born at Blaby, near Leicester, on the 2nd of May, 1825. His parents (who survive him) were poor, and, consequently, unable to send him to school. Moreover, they were destitute of the unsearchable riches of Christ, and hence it cannot be supposed that they were greatly anxious to nurture their children in the fear of God. From infancy he manifested, however, an unusual fondness for books, and, as he advanced into the midst of youth, was to be seen at play in the streets much less frequently than other boys who were of the same age and placed in the same condition. When quite young he was put to labour in the stocking-frame, and would save the extra pence earned by these means for the purchase of such books as would gratify his curiosity and relieve his thirst for knowledge. Nor were his efforts unsuccessful. His intellect gradually acquired strength; his mind became enlightened; and, by the time of his death, he was in possession of an amount of information far superior to that of many who, unlike himself, have been placed in circumstances altogether favourable to an accomplished education.

He was sent to the Sunday school connected with the Baptist congregation at

As

Blaby in early years; and here his aspirations after knowledge, together with the docility of his mind, rendered him an object of special interest to his teachers. he grew older he frequently attended the means of grace, though it was not until he arrived at his eighteenth year that he manifested any peculiar concern for the salvation of his soul. This concern about that period became very great. Some friend in the neighbourhood having heard of his extreme love for reading, put into his hand a religious book, the title of which we have not been able to ascertain. This book he read with unusual interest, and some observations which it contained on the precariousness of human life deeply affected his mind. The writer made use of the expression, "There is but a thread betwixt life and death." This truth caught its reader's attention, and filled him with a solicitude for his own safety, which nothing was permitted to allay. In great distress he ultimately repaired to one of the members of the church, exclaiming, "Oh, I don't know where to go, or what to do with myself! I am so afraid this 'thread' should break before I am prepared!" His friend conversed with him calmly and freely. He directed him to the fountain of consolation which the gospel supplies, and encouraged him to drink of its healing and purifying streams. The heart of the weeping penitent was comforted. From that period he sought the Lord Jesus Christ by prayer, and endeavoured, by the consistency and the purity of his life, to glorify the Redeemer's

name.

Shortly after this period he became a candidate for church fellowship, and with

five others (among whom were his father and his sister) was unanimously received. The baptismal ceremony was performed by his pastor, Mr. Barnett, May 12th, 1844.

In some twelve months after he was united with the church, the depression of trade induced him and the family to which he belonged to remove to Leicester, with the hope of obtaining a more adequate subsistence. There he remained about two years. With respect to this period of his life we need only remark, that he sat under and derived great profit from the ministry of the Rev. J. P. Mursell. In 1847 he again returned to Blaby with his wife, whom he married in the May of the same year.

His zeal for the cause of Christ and for the happiness of his fellow-men was always apparent, though utterly devoid of clamour or ostentation. It was a steady, persevering activity, generally attended with a fear that he was attempting more than his talents or his circumstances would allow him to accomplish. From the commencement of his religious course, he attracted the special attention of his pastor; and it was not long before hopes were entertained by him that William might be intended by God for the christian ministry, and that it might be wise in due time to introduce him to one of our College Committees. Circumstances shortly arose, however, in the condition of his life, which rendered this latter project impracticable, and hence, perhaps, less was said about the former than would otherwise have been the case. Still the hope of his becoming a preacher of the gospel was not wholly abandoned; and some months ago he was urged by his pastor to set himself apart for the raising of a small and feeble interest about twenty miles from Leicester. liam, however, deemed this too responsible a situation to be assumed without much prayerful deliberation; and before he could decide, he was suddenly marked as the victim of Death. On Friday, August 10th, he was seized with a violent fever, and grew rapidly worse until the following Sabbath evening, when he expired.

Wil

His end was peace. One of his friends, who was with him during the last hours of his life, said to him, "Well, William, you will soon be where the weary are at rest. I do not know that we can do anything more for you now than try to console your mind as you enter the valley"-and he suddenly burst forth in fervent prayer to

God. This friend remarks, "I never heard him pray so firmly and so beautifully before." Having entreated the Lord to display the power of His grace upon him at that solemn season,-having implored the forgiveness of all his imperfections and sins, having expressed his entire confi. dence in the Redeemer, and having sought the Divine blessing upon all dear to his heart, he closed his prayer with the exclamation, "Oh, Lord Jesus, come and receive my spirit! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" Some time afterwards he sang through, with considerable energy, the hymn commencing

"And am I born to die,

To lay this body down?" This effort seemed to exhaust him, and he soon became delirious. The only expression he afterwards ùttered, indicating the state of his mind, was suggested by the tears of his friends. "Why do you weep?" said he; "I can meet death with a smile!"

But "he being dead yet speaketh;" and happy will it be for those who heed his voice. It addresses itself especially to the young, whatever may be their position in the world. It reminds them of the uncertainty of life,-it bids them arise and set themselves to the accomplishment of every noble work within their reach,-it enumerates the blessings which must ever attend the persevering and the holy,-it asserts the independence of the human mind, it shews the incalculable increase which man's greatness must receive from the possession of evangelical religion,-and combines its testimony, with that of millions more, to the sublimity of a christian's death!

Reader the time is short. Learn the secret of all true happiness,-unite yourself to Jesus Christ,-and thus you will become a follower of those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.

MRS. FOSTER, OF FARSLEY. Sarah, the wife of Mr. J. Foster, Baptist minister, Farsley, departed to be with Christ, on the 26th of March, 1850, in the 54th year of her age. She had been a member of the church of Christ thirty years; and in economy, industry, and freedom from guile, and as a keeper at home, has been an example to all ministers' wives.

THE ENGLISH PURITANS.-The Puritans were men whose minds had derived a peculiar character from the daily contemplation of superior beings and eternal interests. Not content with acknowledging, in general terms, an overruling Providence, they habitually ascribed every event to the will of the Great Being, for whose power nothing was too vast, for whose inspection nothing was too minute. To know him, to serve him, to enjoy him, was with them the great end of existence. They rejected with contempt the ceremonious homage which other sects substituted for the pure worship of the soul. Instead of catching occasional glimpses of the Deity through an obscuring veil, they aspired to gaze full on his intolerable brightness, and to commune with him face to face. Hence originated their contempt for terrestrial distinctions. The difference between the greatest and the meanest of mankind seemed to vanish, when compared with the boundless interval which separated the whole race from him on whom their own eyes were constantly fixed. They recognised no title to superiority but his favour; and, confident of that favour, they despised all the accomplishments and all the dignities of the world. If they were unacquainted with the works of philosophers and poets, they were deeply read in the oracles of God. If their names were not found in the registers of heralds, they were recorded in the Book of Life. If their steps were not accompanied by a splendid train of menials, legions of ministering angels had charge over them. Their palaces were houses not made with hands; their diadems crowns of

glory which should never fade away. On the rich and the eloquent, on nobles and priests, they looked down with contempt: for they esteemed themselves rich in a more precious treasure, and eloquent in a more sublime language, nobles by the right of an earlier creation, and priests by the imposition of a mightier hand. The very meanest of them was a being to whose fate a mysterious and terrible importance belonged, on whose slightest action the spirits of light and darkness looked with anxious interest, who had been destined, before heaven and earth were created, to enjoy a felicity which should continue when heaven and earth should have passed away. Events which short-sighted politicians ascribed to earthly causes, had been ordained on his account. For his sake empires had risen, and flourished, and decayed. For his sake the Almighty had proclaimed his will by the pen of the Evangelist, and the harp of the prophet. He had been wrested by no common deliverer from the grasp of no common foe. He had been ransomed by the sweat of no vulgar agony, by the blood of no earthly sacrifice. It was for him that the sun had been darkened, that the rocks had been rent, that the dead had risen, that all nature had shuddered at the sufferings of her expiring God.-Macaulay's Essays.

TURKISH LECTURE ON DRESS." My son," said an old Turk one day, taking his child by the hand, and pointing out to him a Frenchman, just imported in all the elegance of Parisian costume, "My son, look there! if you ever forget God and the Prophet, you may come to look like that!"

"THE ECLECTIC REVIEW,"-DR. PRICE,

AND "THE BRITISH BANNER."

We were much disappointed with the quality of the first numbers of "The Banner," and we suppose most of our readers were so too, and that it circulates but little amongst them. It is, indeed, stated that from a circulation at first of 17,000, it has sunk to not more than 4,000. Still we have always wished to treat the Congregational Union's Editor General with respect and friendship, and "The Banner" has also treated us kindly and handsomely. Lest, however, any of our readers should be also readers of "The Banner," we must enter our protest against the editor's whole proceedings in respect to "The Eclectic" and Dr. Price, as disgraceful beyond parallel in religious Journalism, and worthy only of "The Times" or "The Weekly Dispatch." Of the personal qualities of the editor we know nothing, but we certainly never saw

more painful exhibitions of self-importance, arrogance indeed, and of bigotry, in writing.

Dr. Price was compelled, by the state of his health, to seek another editor for "The Eclectic." The gentleman to whom he sold the property in it, had been a rationalist, but had avowed an entire change of sentiment on the fundamental doctrines of christianity. Dr. Price conceived naturally that one who had been led astray into the popular errors of the day and renounced them, would be a person peculiarly suitable to meet and oppose them. Dr. Campbell thinks that there is reason to suspect that the new editor's conversion was too recent and questionable to warrant confidence. Instead of kindly pointing this out to the parties most concerned, he endeavours to the utmost of his power to ruin "The Eclectic," by pouncing upon a single passage, the meaning of which we affirm, after reiterated examination, he grossly, we should like to hope undesignedly, perverts, and raises

the canting cry of infidelity, for a sentiment identical, as we understood it, with the apostle's in 1 Cor. xv. 19.

Well, Dr. Price owns that he had not been aware that Mr. Linwood's change to orthodoxy was so recent, and thinking, after all that had passed, that Mr. Linwood could not carry on the Review successfully, resumes the editorship himself. This, however, is not sufficient. Dr. Price is a Baptist (though pledged to unsectarianism in "The Eclectic"), and "The Eclectic" is of the most advanced section in politics and ecclesiastical matters. Dr. Vaughan is a Pædobaptist, and his Review, "The British Quarterly," is the organ of dissenting moderatism; hence as we can but fear from the way in which both are brought forwarda vote of no confidence in "The Eclectic" is given by "The Banner," and "The British Quarterly" is announced as being, since its rise, the chief organ of evangelical Nonconformity ! We have been informed that the said "British Quarterly "is supported much more by the subscriptions of wealthy "no progress" men, than by its circulation; and Dr. Campbell, we suppose, hopes now to overthrow the organ of "progress," by raising the old cry of infidelity and anarchy. Well, Dr. Price is a Baptist. Baptists have long been used to such vituperation, and we hope he will not be easily frightened.

In very large capitals, Dr. Campbell requires of Dr. Price" a full and entire renunciation of his errors"!!! Baptists will remember certain persons called Inquisitors, who made requirements, identical with these, of their forefathers, and then burnt, drowned, and beheaded them for non-compliance. What a mercy that bigotry cannot now even scourge in print without looking simply ridiculous or mad!

But another dreadful vial has been poured forth on the head of Dr. Price, and of Mr. Miall too. "They are pre-eminently active in the Anti-State- Church Association." The Association is faultless, admirable, in both its objects and its plans; but it necessarily gives consequence to its most active agents, and these agents, Dr. Price and Mr. Miall, are men of anarchy and infidel tendency, therefore (he reiterates in capitals), "WE NO LONGER STAND IDENTIFIED WITH THE ANTI-STATE-CHURCH ASSOCIATION!" Canterbury, York, Exeter, Bishops all rejoice!__"WE" have left your foe to perish. "THE BANNER" is vanished from his ranks. Your ten millions a-year is safe for another generation. "The Campbells are coming" against you no longer. Batten in peace on the spoil of the nation!

We have done. The man who, for a quarrel in journalism, would break up if he could the distinctive Society of this generation, is a Banner-bearer henceforth, in our judgment, to himself only, or to none for whose aid we care. We recommended the British Banner" to our readers as strongly as we could when it first made its appearance. Humble though we be, we feel it a duty to say, that "WE NO LONGER STAND IDENTIFIED" WITH THAT PERIODICAL!

HORTON COLLEGE.

It affords us great pleasure to hear of a most interesting meeting which took place in the vestry of Sion Chapel on Tuesday evening. The object of the meeting was to present to the Rev. F. Clowes, Classical Tutor of Horton College, a Testimonial of gratitude from those ministers who have left the College, but while there were under his care. The Testimonial consisted of a handsome Timepiece of very chaste and beautiful design, bearing upon a silver plate immediately under the face of the dial, this inscription:

"Presented to the Rev. Francis Clowes, Classical Tutor of Horton College, by those ministers who have enjoyed the benefit of his able and indefatigable labours while resident in that institution, as a small token of their esteem and gratitude.-April 2nd, 1850."

The meeting included the Rev. Dr. Acworth, President of Horton College, and the Rev. H. Dowson and Thomas Aked, Esq. Secretaries, Mr. J. Cooke, Bradford, the Revds. J. Ash, Staley-Bridge, J. Barker, Lockwood, J. Hanson, Miln's-Bridge, G. Mitchell, Horsforth, S. Sugden, Stratfordupon-Avon, J. P. Chown, Bradford, the Students now in the College, and several ladies. The testimonial was presented by the Chairman, Thomas Aked, Esq.-Mr. Chown, on behalf of the subscribers, addressed Mr. Clowes to the following effect:

"It is now, sir, some little time since a few of those who had been favoured with your instructions while at College, felt called upon to make some acknowledgment of the gratitude they owed to you for your able and untiring labours, and of the esteem in which you are held. The idea was no sooner suggested than others entered heartily into the proposal. An appeal was at once made to all your old pupils, now living or in the country, and the response was prompt, hasty, and enthusiastic. It is peculiarly gratifying to find so many men, of such varied tastes and temperaments, living in all parts of the country, expressing sentiments in unison with reference to a subject of which they are all fully cognisant, but upon which no two of them, perhaps, have looked from the same point. And it must be cheering to you, sir, amid your toils and discouragements, to see many from amongst those who have been withdrawn from your care, concur ring to express their sense of the value and importance of your labours, in preparing them for their present engagements. Convinced that some more enduring expression of our regard was called for, we have un ted for the presentation of what we feel to be comparatively a small token of our esteem and gratitude-a Timepiece, of which we now beg your acceptance. We feel quite sure that you will not regard so much the intrinsic value of the offering, as the spirit which prompted it; and it is with this assurance that we beg your acceptance of it, praying that you and your family may long be spared to look upon it,-that every revolution of the hands upon the dial may leave you the more successful and happy in your great work,-the more prosperous and useful in the cause of Christ,-the more peaceful and assured in your own soul,-the more withdrawn from the influence of this world, and the more prepared for the joys and honours of the world to come."

Mr. Chown concluded by addressing a few remarks of affectionate respect to the President of the College, Dr. Acworth, and with a prayer that both Tutors might be spared for many years to labour in training up faithful and devoted men for the service

of God. Mr. Clowes replied in a most kind, christian, and grateful address, and after an hour spent in profitable conversation, chiefly in relation to the interests of the College, the meeting separated-all present being highly delighted with the engagements of the evening.-Bradford Observer.

BAPTIST VILLAGE MISSION.

The fifth annual meeting of the Baptist Village Mission, was held on Good Friday, in the Baptist chapel, Kirkstall, when the subscribers and friends took tea. The public meeting was presided over by the Rev. A. M. Stalker, of Leeds. The report shewed that two missionaries are engaged to preach the gospel publicly and from house to house, that 4,000 visits had been made in Armley, Skipton, Kirkstall, and Woodhouse-Carr; that 1,500 tracts had been distributed, upwards of 200 scholars taught in the Sabbath schools, several hundreds of cheap religious magazines sold, thirty-nine persons baptized on a profession of faith during the year, and since the commencement of the Mission in 1844 ninetyseven persons professed their attachment to the Lord Jesus Christ by being buried with him in baptism. A Committee for the ensuing year was appointed, and auditors to examine the treasurer's accounts. dresses were delivered by several ministers and friends from the neighbourhood. The prospects of the mission are very cheering.

SKIPTON.

Ad

With a view to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, a visit was made to Skipton in the summer of 1848, by Messrs. S. Jones and R. Hogg, of the Baptist Village Mission. An open air meeting was held, and a minister of the gospel disputing the statements made by the brethren on the subject of Baptism led to a discussion for two nights, before some hundreds of people. A house was then opened for occasional preaching, and. a desire for a permanent station being expressed, a large room was taken capable of accommodating 200 hearers, which was opened in Oct. 1849,-Messrs. H. Dowson, J. Tunnicliff, and other ministers, taking part in the services. A Sabbath school was also commenced. The first fruits of the mission were baptized on Christmas day, 1849; and on the 25th of March, 1850, three more brethren were immersed in the river Aire, in the presence of an interesting and attentive company. A church was formed on the 26th of March, when the five newly baptized and six brethren and sisters (dismissed from Baptist churches in the neighbourhood) were united in church fellowship. Messrs. Mitchell of Horsforth, Chown of Bradford, Scott of Sutton, Walton of Earby, Bennett, Hogg, and Jones, attended and took part in the proceedings. The meeting was well attended by members of the congregation; the services were interesting and highly profitable. May the little one become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. The prospects of future usefulness are very encouraging, the people attending being

composed chiefly of individuals who have not, previous to the visits of the mission, attended any place of worship.

TRURO.

On Thursday, February 14th, 1850, the Baptist new chapel was opened for Divine worship, when sermons were preached through the day, by the Rev. N. Haycroft, of Bristol, in the morning, Rev. S. Nicholson in the afternoon, and Rev. R. Young (Wesleyan) in the evening. The next evening (Friday), the Rev. S. Nicholson preached; and on the Lord's-day following, sermons were preached in the new chapel by the Rev. N. Haycroft, morning and evening, and by Rev. E. Nye (Wesleyan) in the afternoon. On the following Monday evening, a public tea-meeting was held in the Music-Hall. The tables were liberally supplied by members of the church and congregation, and a large party of friends from all the various denominations in the town, sat down. The meeting was addressed by the Revs. Messrs. E. N. Tuckett (chairman, and pastor of the church), Nicholas, Roberts, Woolbridge, Jackson, Haycroft, Nye, Merriman, and Mr. J. R. Tuckett. A peculiarly animating and "evangelical alliance" spirit characterized the proceedings of the evening, and in the speakers, every denomination in the town was represented, not excepting the Episcopalian. All the services were exceedingly interesting, the congregations large, and the contributions liberal. The building, which occupies a prominent site in the town, is from the design of Mr. Gambell, architect, Falmouth, and is chaste and beautiful.

IRVINE.

At Irvine, Ayreshire, Scotland, on Thursday, March 14th, the Rev. William M. Thompson, was ordained the pastor of the Baptist church, Irvine. The Rev. Alex. Mc Leod delivered the introductory discourse and asked the usual questions, Mr. Breakenridge, one of the deacons, replied by stating the unanimous call of the church, and Mr. Thompson by giving an account of his life and his motives in accepting the call. The Rev. James Paterson offered the ordination prayer, and the Rev. Christopher Anderson gave the charge from 1 Tim. iv. 12. The Rev. Dr. Innes and the Rev. H. S. Brown, of Liverpool, preached in the evening. These services were attended by the ministers of different denominations, who manifested the most gratifying cordiality.

MINEHEAD, SOMERSET.

On the 18th of March, 1850, a service was held in the Baptist chapel in this town, to take a farewell of Mr. Elliott, its pastor, who is leaving for America, after a pastorate of seventeen years. An address was delivered to Mr. Elliott by Mr. Sutton of Watchet, and prayer offered by Messrs. Standerwick (Independent), and Boynes (Methodist). The deep regard felt for Mr. Elliott was manifested by the largeness of the attendance, and the presentation of a purse of fifty-four sovereigns."