Intelligence-Baptisms, Miscellaneous. at the unanimous request of the previous Conference, prepared a paper on this subject to be read during the afternoon sitting of the Conference ensuing. Mr. Salisbury's paper elicited marked attention for its sound practical character, and after a hearty vote of thanks to the writer, he was requested to allow it to appear, for the purpose of more widely diffusing its usefulness, in the pages of the Magazine. 3. Re-election of the Secretary. The Secretary having been in office the customary term, three years, was thanked for his services, and unanimously re-elected. 4. Prayer meetings. A useful conversation arose on the best method of conducting these meetings. The next Conference will be held at Broad-street, Nottingham, on Tuesday, December 1st, 1863. Rev. J. Parkinson, of Hinckley, to preach, or in case of failure, Rev. T. Yates, of Kegworth. Rev. C. Burrows, of Lenton, preached in the evening. J. J. GOADBY, Sec. BAPTISMS. HOSE.-On Sunday, August 9th, two persons were baptized and added to the church. F. M., H. BRADFORD, First Church. On Lord's-day, September 6th, we baptized five and added them to the B. W., B. church. BURTON-ON-TRENT.-On the 13th of September, four young persons were baptized by our esteemed pastor. Three of whom were received into the church in the evening, the other being about to join another section of the church. One of our young friends has been prevented joining us sooner by severe and protracted affliction. 385 LINCOLN.-Laying the Corner-stone of the New General Baptist Chapel. -The General Baptists at Lincoln have for the past three years been worshipping in the Corn Exchange, in consequence of the old chapel in St. Benedict's Square being unfit for use. The friends have depended upon supplies' up to this year, when the Rev. J. Cookson, M.A., from Boston, America, was unanimously called to the pastorate of the church, which invitation he accepted. The chapel, which has been pulled down to make room for the new one in course of erection, was E. W. C. built in 1701. At that time one COVENTRY.-On Lord's-day, Sep- Richard Sharpe was elder of the tember 6th, 1863, the ordinance of church, and is reported as such until believers' baptism was administered 1711. After his death the chapel to six young persons in the General was without a minister several years. Baptist chapel. Two of the candi-! In 1736 the name of William Penny 'Lord, dost Thou show a corner stone,' : occurs for the first time as elder. | lowered and his Lordship laid the He died in 1752, and no minister's stone with the following words :name is mentioned until 1759, when We lay this stone in the corner of the Association engaged to supply the building which is to be deministers for Lincoln. The cause voted to the worshipping of Alcontinued to decline until 1766, and mighty God, the preaching of the in 1771 it was extinct. It is a gospel of Jesus Christ His Son, and fact worth notice that the New Con- the teaching of the truth of His nexion of General Baptists was Holy Spirit-in the name of the virtually formed at Lincoln. In Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 1769 there was a meeting at Lincoln The assembly then sang the hymn of various ministers and a new as- commencing sociation was formed, which consisted of seven chapels-Boston, Barton, Kegworth, Longford, Loughborough, Melbourne, and Wadsworth, with 1217 members. From that time the General Baptists went on improving, and now they have 152 churches and 20,714 members. In 1824, E. Kingsford became the pastor of the chapel at Lincoln. In 1830 Samuel Wright entered on the pastorate, and resigned in 1852. In 1856 preaching was discontinued in the chapel, and from that time, the friends have worshipped in the Corn Exchange. Soon they became so prosperous and numerous that they took in hand to build a new chapel, the foundation stone of which was laid on Tuesday, September 22, at three o'clock in the afternoon, by the Right Hon. Lord Teynham. A heavy shower occurring at the time the company had to return to the Corn Exchange, where they sang a hymn and offered up prayer. The weather was by this time fine again, and they returned to the site of the new chapel, where his Lordship proceeded with the ceremony of laying the corner stone. In a cavity beneath the stone were placed in a bottle a florin, shilling, sixpence, threepenny piece, a penny, halfpenny, and a farthing, all of the present reign, a history of the church, list of subscribers, the members' names, the building committee, Minutes of the Association, a copy of the Freeman, General Baptist Magazine, Stamford Mercury, Lincoln Gazette, Lincoln Chronicle, and Lincoln Standard. These having been placed in the cavity of the stone, the upper stone was then after which the Rev. W. R. Stevenson, of Nottingham, prayed. The chairman, (Lord Teynham) apologised for the absence of the Rev. Robert Wilkinson, who was suffering from illness at Ilkley Wells. The Rev. T. W. Mathews, of Boston, addressed the people. He said he was glad to be there on that day because it was his birthday, and he was glad to think that it was being honoured by such a ceremony and such proceedings as would follow. Happiness was the object of building a chapel, and he trusted they would all experience that happiness which would last for ever. He had for a good many years looked with great interest upon the site upon which they were now building their new chapel, and he was almost sorry that the old walls had been pulled down. All honour to those who stood there at the building of those old walls 160 years ago, and all honour to those who were there at this time, when these new walls were being built, if they followed the example of their forefathers. It was Jos. Veal who had bequeathed to the General Baptists the property; and the speaker then went through a list of names of those who were members of the church at its commencement in 1701. Lord Teynham concluded with some practical religious exhortations, the doxology was sung, and the company separated. The tea party took place in the Corn Exchange at five o'clock in the evening, when about 300 persons Intelligence-Miscellaneous. sat down to a very bountiful tea, served out by ladies connected with the cause. Afterwards the public meeting was held. The room was well filled by a respectable company. The Right Hon. Lord Teynham occupied the chair. The following gentlemen were on the platform:-H. Twelvetrees, Esq., Rev. J. Sella Martin, of London; Rev. S. Lambrick (United Free Methodist); Rev. J. Thomason (Primitive Methodist); Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M. A., (Classical Tutor at the College, Nottingham); and the Rev. J. Cookson, M.A., pastor of the church. The Right Hon. Chairman read two letters from R. Atkinson, Esq., of Totteridge Park, who regretted his inability to attend. In one of these letters he announced his intention of contributing the sum of ten guineas on the completion of the chapel. The Right Hon. Chairman's address was marked by great fervency of spirit, and was listened to with marked attention. The Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., of Nottingham, Harper Twelvetrees, Esq., of London, and Rev. J. Sella Martin, of London, also addressed the meeting. After various votes of thanks, prayer, &c., the meeting separated at about half-past nine o'clock. The proceeds of the services amounted to about £30. The new building will cost £550, and towards that amount about £300 have been promised, so that about £200 will be required to enable the friends to open this chapel free of debt. THE THIRTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE AND CAMBRIDGESHIRE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' UNION was held at Holbeach, on Monday, July 20th, 1863. At seven o'clock a teachers' prayer meeting was held. At ten o'clock the chair was taken by Rev. J. Cotton, when the reports of the schools were read. At eleven o'clock the public service was opened with reading the Scriptures and prayer by the Rev. J. Staddon, of Pinchbeck, after which the Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., of Spalding, preached a most earnest and practical sermon from Proverbs xi. latter part 30th verse. He that 387 winneth souls is wise. At a quarter past two o'clock the friends again assembled, when the Rev. A. Jones, of Gosberton, was elected chairman for the day. The following business and questions engaged the attention of the teachers and friends. 1. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 2. That the next meeting of the Union be held at Sutterton, on Thursday, July 22nd, 1864. 3. The Rev. W. Dyson, of Long Sutton, be the preacher, or in case of failure the Rev. J. Cotton, of Holbeach. 4. The paper appointed last year to be written by the Rev. T. W. Mathews, (see page 349 General Baptist Magazine, 1862) was read in his absence by the Rev. F. Chamberlain, of Fleet: at its close, it was unanimously resolved, that the best thanks of this meeting be given to brother Mathews for his excellent paper now read, and that he be requested to revise the same and send it to the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine for insertion in that publication. 5. The arrangement for the alternate monthly correspondence with the school during the coming year, will be as follows, viz:-Boston with Pinchbeck, Coningsby and Long Sutton, Fleet and Witham Green, Gedney Broadgate and Sutterton, Gosberton and Holbeach, Spalding and Sutton St. Edmond's. 6. The school at Sutton St. Ed. mond's was received into the Union. The following questions were proposed from different schools and discussed at length. 1. Is it not desirable that the chairman of our annual meeting of this Union should be appointed the year preceding the one at which he is expected to preside? Resolved, that this plan be adopted, and that Mr. T. Squires, of Pinchbeck, be the chairman at the next meeting. 2. Would it not be an improvement on our present plan if the brethren that are to address the evening meeting were invited to do so at least a month before the holding of the meeting, and their election be left with the minister of the place where the meeting is to be held, and with the secretary? Resolved, that the plan now suggested be tried. 3. What plan would the Union recommend as the best for celebrating the annual school festivals? After a long and animated discussion, in which the evils of the present way of celebrating the school treat in some schools was stated, it was moved by brother Jones, of Spalding, seconded by brother Chamberlain, and carried unanimously, That this meeting having heard with extreme regret various reports as to the mode in which some of the annual festivals are conducted, earnestly press upon the various schools composing this Union the importance of rectifying the abuses, so that the meetings may be in harmony with sobriety and spiritual vitality. At a quarter-past six o'clock the evening meeting was commenced, when addresses were given by the following brethren : Payne, of the Baptist College, Chilwell; D. Billing, Gedney Hill; J. Staddon, Pinchbeck; W. Dyson, Long Sutton; F. Chamberlain, Fleet; J. Starbuck, Boston; Robson T. Sharman, Spalding; W. Sharman, Coningsby. During this deeply interesting meeting, which was brought to a close about half-past eight o'clock, the following resolutions were passed: 1. That the thanks of this meeting be given to brother Jones for his excellent sermon, and that he be requested to forward it to the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. 2. The thanks of this meeting be given to the friends at Holbeach for their kind and liberal provision for our comfort and accommodation. The meetings during the day were well attended and deeply interesting. We hope lasting good will arise therefrom. ANTHONY FYSH, Secretary. PROSPECT PLACE, OLD RADFORD.— On Monday, August 31st, the foundation stone of a new chapel, for the General Baptists, was laid at Prospect Place, by T. Bayley, Esq., of Lenton Abbey. The Rev. H. Hunter gave out a hymn and prayed. Mr. Bayley gave a suitable address on the importance of places of worship and Sunday schools in our villages, as well as in our large towns. 'I lay this stone,' said he, the more will be preached, a salvation free cheerfully, because here the Gospel and full will be proclaimed. God the neighbourhood in which it grant that it may be a blessing to stands.' The Rev. H. Hunter gave a short address, stating that every house of prayer was a new testimony to the being and perfections of God, and to our confidence in the dignity of the person and divinity of the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. He then pointed out the influence of the house of God on individuals, families, and communities. Mr. Samuel Tagg, superintendent of the Gas Works, Old Radford, then read a document, a copy of which had been deposited in the stone, contain ing an account of the minister, deacons, and members of that branch of Stoney-street church. Mr. Ruff, town missionary, offered prayer, and Mr. Hunter pronounced the benediction. The friends then adjourned to a large room, where tea was provided, and several addresses delivered. OUR MISSION.-Bradford, Halifax, Clayton, Allerton, and Denholme, have just been visited by the Rev. H. Wilkinson, whose labours have been of a highly interesting character. At the above places our brother has either preached sermons and in several cases he has done or spoken at missionary meetings, both. At all the services the attendance has generally been very revived, love to Jesus has been ingood, the missionary spirit has been creased, the gracious rain from on high has been copiously poured upon the people, and in some instances, the collections Intelligence-Miscellaneous. 389 meeting, when, after singing and have been more than doubled. | After tea we had the usual fellowship Brethren Wood and Beevers have assisted at most of the services, and have been greatly encouraged and refreshed by what they have seen and heard. The meeting at Denholme was rendered very interesting by the presence of the incumbent of the parish, who in addressing the meeting, testified the pleasure he felt at being at a General Baptist missionary meeting, and the unfeigned love which he desired to cultivate toward all the followers of Christ. At Bradford we are already looking for our brother's next year's visit, and in the mean time, we will try to practice the lessons he has already given. THE REV. W. LANDELS received by the last Australian mail a very pressing invitation from a missionary committee at Melbourne to go to that great city and help them. The two Baptist churches there, under the care of Messrs. Taylor and New, are found quite insufficient to meet the growing spiritual wants of that increasingly-important city and its surrounding suburbs. The committee state that a man of firstrate ability is required there to gather around him and to mould the more intellectual and wealthy part of the colonists, who they regret to see are drifting away from the existing congregations. They deem Mr. Landels eminently fitted to occupy the position so much needed, and urge upon him the desirableness of giving the matter his most serious consideration. On Sunday evening, September 20th, Mr. Landels intimated to his crowded congregation that such an invitation had been given, but that though he was prepared to make large sacrifices for the advancement of Christ's kingdom, it would require much thoughtful and prayerful consideration on his part before he could think of leaving the important sphere he has so long filled at Regent'spark chapel. RAPID INCREASE OF EMIGRATION TO AMERICA.-Owing to the excitement produced by the Southern rebellion, public attention has not been much occupied with the phases of foreign emigration to these shores. Nevertheless the tide has been and still is steadily rolling on, with vast benefit to our population. The number of immigrants arrived, and who after arrival, have left this city, during the period between March 1st and August 1st, is 85,046, against 43,410 for the same period in the year 1862. The emigration this year, then, for the period named, is just double what it was last year. There is nothing to restain a tide like this to the Western World.-New York Paper. THE BAPTISTS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The Baptists are making headway in the colony. The Rev. J. L. Parsons arrived in the Orient on Sunday, July 12. For the present he will not take charge of any particular congregation, but help the various Baptist churches in the colony. The Hon. G. F. Angus meets all the expenses connected with his removal from England and his movements for the next twelve months. We cannot help admiring the true benevolence of this honourable gentleman to all the churches of Christ. NEW AUSTRALIAN BISHOPRIC.-A new bishopric is forthwith to be founded in Australia to be called 'the Bishopric of Grafton and Arundale,' and to be created out of the present diocese of New LOUGHBOROUGH, Baxter-gate.-The members' annual tea meeting was held on Monday, September 7th. castle. |