Correspondence-Letter from the Freewill Baptists of America.

The anniversary meetings of the benevolent societies were well attended and the exercises were interesting. More than one thousand dollars were raised for our mission

societies.

305

interesting and memorable season. We thank you, dear brethren, for The delegation was larger than we the kindness and Christian sympathy ever had before. An unusual degree manifested in your last epistle toof harmony and brotherly love per-wards us while our nation is passing vaded all our deliberations and through this mighty struggle for discussions. A large amount of human freedom. While many of business was transacted with much the wealthy, haughty aristocrats of unanimity among the members. England, with those who desire gold and cotton for themselves more than the freedom of 4,000,000 of slaves-those who hate free governments, and oppose the elevation of the poor, are giving us the cold shoulder-building ships for rebel pirates-running our blockades, and otherwise affording aid and comfort to our enemies hearts to learn that the common it rejoices our people, the labouring classes, the lovers of liberty, and the friends of human rights and progress are sympathizing with the loyal men of this country, and ardently desiring the success of our arms, and the everlasting overthrow of the accursed institution of American slavery.

The epistle from the last session of your Association was read in the Conference and entered upon the journal. The minutes of our Conference are herewith forwarded to your present meeting, from which you may learn the statistics of our denomination and the state of religion among us.

The prosperity of our mission and educational interests are much retarded on account of the financial embarrassment occasioned by the civil war which is still raging in our country. In fact all our religious enterprises, including the support of our pastors, and the expense of sustaining the stated means of grace in our churches, are sensibly affected by this awful scourge in our land. Many of our ministers and their sons with thousands of church members have enlisted in the army, and are now engaged in the suppression of this slaveholder's rebellion.

us in the fact that our President has I doubt not you will rejoice with issued the proclamation of liberty to all the slaves in the rebellious States, and they are now flocking by tens and hundreds of thousands to the standard of liberty. It is estimated that at least one half million of slaves have obtained their freedom since this war commenced. About 15,000 have already been mustered soldiers; and it is expected that the into the United States service as number of negro soldiers employed by our government will exceed 200,000 before the close of next autumn.

The system of slavery in our land has received its death blow. The wound can never be healed. This

Still we have enjoyed some good degree of success and religious prosperity. God has not forsaken us. The labours of our ministers and brethren in winning souls to Christ have been blessed; as you will see from our statistical table that more than Six Thousands have been added to our churches by bap-is generally admitted on all sides. tism during the past three years. Our beloved brother Rev. O. R. Batchelor has returned to his former field of labour in Orissa. On account of these war times and the exceeding high rates of exchange we shall not be able to enlarge our missionary force in that country during the present year.

No compromise will ever be made between the North and South to restore this God-abhorred system to its former position. It may be many months, and even years before it entirely expires-there may yet be severe struggles and mighty death throes-but die it must, and die it

Intelligence.

Intelligence-Anniversaries, Ordinations, &c.

H. I.

307

KIRTON LINSEY.-Interesting Tea Anniversary.-On Good Friday, April 3rd, we had our annual tea meeting

casion were read by Orlando Wright. | sea; and the pastor, the Rev. T. T. The interest of the meeting was Wilson, delivered addresses. heightened by selections of music from the great masters, performed by members of the Birmingham Choral Society, assisted by neigh-in the chapel and school-room. The bouring and distant friends, under trays were provided gratuitously, the superintendence of Messrs. It was decidedly the best tea meeting Worton and Barnes. The proceeds we ever had and will be long reof the anniversary, with a few membered. The object of the meetdonations, being upwards of £10, ing was to remove a debt which had will be appropriated to some useful for years hung heavily upon us. improvements upon the chapel. The Our noble hearted brother Mr. Hall, cause at Sutton is prospering. of Hull, who has on previous occasions given strong proofs of his liberality, offered to give two hundred pounds on condition the church would give the remaining fifty pounds, the amount of our debt. The church and a few other friends at once responded to the offer; one brother gave ten pounds, three others gave five pounds each, and several smaller sums with the profits arising from the tea meeting were added. We are now free from debt. tea several short and appropriate addresses were given. We then most heartily sang,

IBSTOCK.-On Lord's-day, June 28th, two very appropriate sermons were preached in the Baptist chapel, Ibstock, by the Rev. E. Stevenson, of Loughborough, in support of the Sabbath-school. Congregations good. Collections £14 9s. 6d. On the following day, the children were provided (by some friends) with tea, plum cake, &c., which they very much enjoyed.

LONG CLAWSON (A branch of the Hose church).-Anniversary services were held in the chapel of the above place, on June 28th and 29th. Rev. G. Staples, of Wymeswold, preached. Mr. S. also presided over the tea meeting on Monday. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Wileman and Hind, Wesleyans; F. Mantle and Jas. Smith. The services were highly satisfactory, both in nature

and result.

F. M., H.

After

'Praise God from whom all blessings flow.' J. P., K.

ORDINATIONS, &c.

REV. J. FINN.-On Whit-Tuesday, May 26, three services were held in Wellington-road chapel, Todmorden, in connection with the ordination of the Rev. J. Finn as pastor of the church and congregation at this place. The Rev. T. Gill, of Shore, opened the morning service with reading and prayer, after which the Rev. C. Springthorpe, of Heptonstail Slack, delivered a discourse upon the nature and constitution of a Christian church.' Rev. W. Gray, of Birchcliffe, put the questions to the church and minister, which were satisfactorily answered by the Rev. J. Finn, and Mr. J. Lord (deacon) on behalf of the church. Rev. R. Ingham, of Vale, offered the ordination prayer. At the conof Ramsey; S. S. Allsop, of Wittle-clusion of the service about sixty

MARCH, Cambs. Sunday school Festival.-On Lord's-day, July 19th, the annual sermons were preached by the Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., of Spalding, to full congregations. Collections were about the usual average. On the succeeding Tuesday the scholars to the number of 300 were regaled with an excellent tea, provided for them in a marquee kindly lent by Potto Brown, Esq. Afterwards, about 400 of the friends of the school took tea together. The evening proving wet, we adjourned to the chapel, which was soon crowded in every part. The Revs. J. Keek, of Cambridge; Wylie,

persons sat down to an excellent | tion to become their minister, and Mr. dinner in the school-room. In the Cross stated the reason which had afternoon, the Rev. J. Alcorn, of induced him to accept the invitation. Burnley, opened the service with He also thanked the meeting for the reading and prayer. The Rev. interest they manifested in his wellW. Underwood, President of the fare by their presence that evening, Chilwell College, delivered the and for the cordial greeting they charge to the minister. The Rev. had given him, and said he should R. Horsefield, of Leeds, addressed need their sympathy, co-operation, the members of the church on their and prayers in the discharge of his 'obligations to their minister,' after high and holy duties. The chairwhich about 130 persons sat down man then declared the union to tea. In the evening a public publicly ratified, and, on behalf of meeting was held, presided over by the ministers of the city, gave Mr. the Rev. W. Underwood, and ad- Cross the right hand of fellowship, dresses delivered by the Revs. T. and a most cordial welcome in their Gill, W. Salter, and J. Finn. The midst, wishing him great success whole of the services were well at- in his new sphere of labour. Imtended, and were of a highly in-portant and interesting addresses teresting and profitable character. Mr. Finn is greatly beloved by the members of his church and congregation. Since his call, two years ago, seventy-nine persons have been added to the church, a new gallery has been erected in the chapel, and the congregations greatly increased. May the Lord still continue to bless both pastor and people for many years to come. J. L.

REV. H. CROss.-On Monday evening, June 8, a tea meeting was held in St. Mary's Hall, to recognize the Rev. H. Cross as minister of White Friar-lane chapel, Coventry. A very large and respectable company sat down to tea, including friends from Wolvey, Longford, and other adjacent places. After the tea, the Rev. W. B. Davies was called to the chair, and was supported on the platform by the Revs. J. Lewitt, of Nottingham; J. McNaughton, of Wolvey; J. Harrison, of Birmingham; H. Cross, and W. Forth, of Coventry. The chairman apologized for the absence of the Revs. E. H. Delf, P. C. Backer, J. Libree, and W. H. Bambridge, who were out of town. He also expressed the pleasure he felt in taking part in the interesting engagements of the evening. Mr. John Knight, on the part of the church, referred at length to the circumstances which led them to give Mr. Cross an unanimous invita

were then delivered by the Revs. J. Harrison, McNaughton, Forth, and J. Lewitt.

REV. E. STENSON has resigned his charge at Sutton St. James, and is open to an invitation from any destitute church. Address-Kislingbury, near Weedon, Northamptonshire.

RE-OPENING.

Friar's - lane chapel.
COVENTRY.-Re-opening of White
Our chapel
whilst undergoing repairs, painting,
having been closed for five weeks,
&c., at a cost (with a new class
divine worship, on Sunday, July 12th,
room) of £60, was re-opened for
when two sermons were preached by
the Rev. Henry Cross, minister of
the place. On the following Monday
evening the Rev. Charles Vince, of
Birmingham, preached a powerful
sermon to a large and attentive
audience. Collections were made
towards the expences, amounting to
£11 0s. 6d. In addition to this sum,
about £40 have been subscribed by
the friends of the cause for the same
object. During the time the chapel
was closed, the congregation, through
assembled for worship in St. Mary's
the kind permission of the mayor,

Hall.

MISCELLANEOUS.

BARTON.-Day-school Anniversary. -On Thursday, the 28th of May, the twentieth anniversary of the above

day-school was held.

Intelligence-Miscellaneous.

is conducted on the British school
system. There are now ninety-
five scholars in attendance. It is
supported by voluntary contributions,
receiving no aid from government,
and is open to children of all de-
nominations. The public exami-
nation of the children in reading,
grammar, geography, mental arith-
metic, and history, occupied the
afternoon from half-past one o'clock
until four, when tea was provided
in the school-rooms belonging to the
chapel, and in a marquee erected in
the adjoining field; the trays being
found gratuitously. More than 400
sat down to tea. In the evening,
at six o'clock, a public concert was
given by the choir, assisted by
several friends from a distance.
Mrs. F. Stevenson, of Nottingham,
sang several selections from Haydn's
Creation, and also Handel's song,
'Angels ever bright and fair.' Mr.
Dennis also gave the national song,
'Rule Britannia,' in the chorus of
which he was joined by the choir, |
which also performed several
choruses by Mozart, Haydn, Handel,
and Himmel. In the interval for
rest Mr. F. Stevenson delivered a
very humorous and eloquent ad-
dress. The choir concluded with
Handel's chorus, Worthy the
Lamb.' The collection in the
evening amounted to £16 8s., which,
together, with the proceeds of the
tea, realized the handsome sum of
£37 8s.
E. H. B.

309

This school or his wife, and secretly viewing them as simple and stupid. They are far more shrewd than is generally supposed. Then the pastor's wife, a town lady perhaps, may not like her position. The house is too small or too humble-looking; her garden is not a pretty one; the kitchen chimney smokes; the cellar is under water in the spring; the retirement is unbearable, or the neighbourhood dull. She thoughtlessly complains to her maid, who straightway carries it into the village. Or perhaps neither husband nor wife knows much of housekeeping; they try to five as town's-people do, but their income proves insufficient. The pastor preaches above the comprehension of the people, of whom he really knows nothing; the church grows more and more empty. He thinks that if he were but in a town, his talents would meet with due recognition. The habit he falls into of attributing his want of acceptance to the stupidity of his flock, not to any defect of his own, quiets his conscience indeed, but rouses anger and opposition in them. And no doubt the preacher in the city has an easier task than his country brother. His congregation is larger; natural endowments find more who are attracted by such. The pastor of some small country districts has a very difficult lesson to learn-faithfulness in little things. Each youth, each child, each useless man, weighs upon his spirits. He Town versus COUNTRY PASTORATES.-- must take thought for them all; Young ministers born and educated must often seek to conciliate them in cities find it difficult to get on in in a manner trying to his own pride. country parishes. Very often they Now, in the town, ten may remain bring with them a contemptuous away unnoticed; ten others will estimate of farmers and labourers, come in their places. But, on the and think that they must let them otherhand, the country pastor has selves down to their level. And as the great advantage of coming into soon as the latter discover that more intimate relations with his their pastor considers himself their flock, and of thoroughly knowing superior, and assumes a condescend-individuals. He who is faithful over ing manner in his intercourse with them, it is all over with his chance of doing good. Least of all can country people tolerate any artificial, affected attempt at doing the popular' on the part of the minister

little shall be set over much. A thorough experience of any single thing, a thorough knowledge of any one heart, is better than a wide, superficial acquaintance with many.Ministerial Experiences.