Other Congregational Churches.

429

known, several friends thought that the hensive, solemn, and affectionate. The faithful labours of nearly thirty-four Rev. N. Haycroft, M.A., in a vigorous years ought to be acknowledged in some and effective manner, addressed the suitable manner, and it was finally re- church and congregation upon their solved to present the rev. gentleman duties and responsibilities in regard to with a purse of gold, to which has since their new pastor. Among the pastors been added a valuable gold watch. The present, in addition to those who took testimonial was presented at Mr. Ed-upon them the prominent engagements wards's residence in the Park, privately. of the evening, were the Rev. Messrs. The deputation was introduced by John Evans, of Delhi; Cracknell, of CamHeard, Esq., who made the presentation bray chapel; Freeman, of Cheltenham on behalf of the gentleman composing the Haines (Independent); Ashmorth and deputation. In addressing his remarks Symonds, both of Pershore; Heritage, to Mr. Edwards, he expressed the wishes of Taunton; Grace, of Winchcombe ; of the gentlemen present, and of all the and Hodges, of Stow-on-the-Wold. subscribers, that the life of Mr. Edwards LUTON, Wellington-street.-Services might be spared for many years to come. in recognition of the Rev. H. Ashbery He also spoke in terms of the warmest as pastor of the church meeting in Welgratitude and affection of Mr. Edwards's lington-street chapel, Luton, were held pastoral and ministerial labours. Mr. in that place, on Monday, Sept. 26. A Edwards replied to the kind wishes of tea-meeting was held prior to the the deputation and the subscribers as evening service, and was extremely expressed by their leader, and said he well attended. The public meeting was thanked them most heartily for their held at half-past six o'clock, James valuable gift. He expressed himself in Waller, Esq., in the chair. The chairfeeling terms respecting the labours and man having opened the meeting with friendships of the past, his unfailing appropriate remarks, and the Rev. T. R. attachment to the Baptist chapel, George- Stevenson, of Union chapel, having also street, and his desire to forward its in- expressed in hearty words his respect terests at all times to the best of his and affection for Mr. Ashbery, and his ability. After a few remarks from Mr. good wishes for his success, Mr. Pryor, Hazledine, of London, (formerly a deacon the senior deacon, made a statement as of the church,) the deputation withdrew. to the circumstances attending the setThe testimonial consisted of a purse con- tlement of Mr. Ashbery, and Mr. Ashtaining 100 guineas, and a handsome gold bery himself, who was very cordially watch bearing the following inscription: received, forcibly addressed the assem"Presented to the Rev. J. Edwards upon bly in reference to his views and hopes bis retiring from the ministry of the Bap-in entering upon his new charge. The tist church, George-street, Nottingham, Revs. T. Hands, D. Gould, of Dunafter thirty-three years' faithful service, stable, and Brewin Grant, B.A., of by his numerous friends.-Aug., 1864." Sheffield, also delivered kind and approBy the cordial and unanimous invitation priate addresses. of the church, Mr. Edwards is succeeded by the Rev. W. Stacey Chapman, B.A., formerly of Amersham, who commenced his ministry at George-street on the first Sunday of this month.

CHELTENHAM.-On Wednesday evening, Sept. 28, the ordination of the Rev. T. Foston (late of Bristol College) took place at Salem chapel, Cheltenham. The service was begun by Rev. T. Wilkinson, of Tewkesbury. Mr. Foston then gave a short and modest statement of his views of Divine truth; after which, prayer on his behalf was offered by the Rev. G. M'Michael, B.A., of Bourtonon-the-Water. The charge by the Rev. Professor Gotch, LL.D., based on a passage in 1 Peter, was most compre

BAPTIST CHAPEL, Old King Street, BRISTOL.-The Rev. F. Bosworth, who has been suffering for the last twelve months from an accident whilst travelling, and thereby prevented from attending to the pastoral duties of the above church, has resigned the pastorate. At a recent church-meeting a resolution was passed expressive of sympathy with Mr. Bosworth in his affliction, of appreciation of the honourable manner in which he had resigned the pastoral office when unable to fulfil its duties, and of their desire to retain at least in part his pulpit ministrations. Mr. Bosworth bas consented to the wish of the church in this respect, and will, when able to do so, take one of the services on the Lord's-day.

Notes of the Month.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

| fifty miles of Birmingham, the work which

THE first autumnal session of the Baptist Baptists had already done in this vast Union has just been held in Birmingham. area, and the large field which yet reThe "gathering" succeeded, as many now mained to be possessed. Rev. George know, beyond the most sanguine expecta- Gould, of Norwich, read the first paper, on tions of its promoters. The attendance of " Romanism and Scepticism in relation to ministers and delegates was large, repre- Baptist principles." After showing that sentative, and enthusiastic. The sittings of there was no special danger from either the first day were preceded by a short devo- to the members of our churches, and that tional service presided over by Rev. J. H. it was yet seemly to review our principles Hinton; Revs. D. Katterns, of Hackney, if only to guard against forgetting their Dr. J. Prichard, of Llangollen, and H. importance, he gave a very masterly Hunter, of Nottingham, offered prayer. review of the religious history of England The chairman, Rev. J. P. Mursell, of during the last thirty years. He showed Leicester, then gave his opening address; how Puseyism had sprung up and was touching in his own characteristic way on now being fostered, and how, as an inevithe discretion displayed by the selection table reaction against it, rationalism had of Birmingham as the first place of meet- assumed new vigour and life. The statising; on the usefulness of combinations for tics on the increase of the Papists in this religious purposes; on the sensitiveness country were startling indeed; but the of our churches on the subject of inde- writer maintained that the extra machinery pendency, which the Union in no way now in operation in the Papal section of sought to ruffle; on the error of the Union the community was rather to meet the in earlier times, when such undue promi- wants of a numerous population of nence had been given to mere statistical foreigners and Irishmen, and that England reports; on the spirit which should ani- as a nation was still soundly Protestant mate the meetings; and the objects which at heart. The paper secured the most seemed worthy the attention of the Bap- rivetted attention, and a desire was very tists as thus united. These were the emphatically expressed that it should be raising of funds for the erection of meet- printed in a cheap form in order to ensure ing-houses in populous and necessitous for it the widest possible circulation. Rev. districts; the supercession, on practical, Dr. Gotch, of Bristol College, S. G. Green, sound, and safe principles, of the distinc- B.A., of Rawdon College, F. Trestrail, tion between General and Particular Bap- J. H. Hinton, and others spoke briefly. tists; the removal of all national and Rev. W. Underwood, president of Chilwell ecclesiastical exactions from Nonconform- College, read the next paper, on "the ing communities; a careful attention to General Baptists." As we shall give part the Government scheme of education, of this paper in the present number, and which in the hands of a great party is the remaining portion in the succeeding working adversely to the principles and one, it will not be necessary to point out interests of Dissent; and the establishment its special features. We cannot but think, of a denominational fund for the relief of however, that it would have been better to widows of ministers and of superannuated have omitted the summary of sentiments labourers. Revs. W. Robinson, of Cam- which it contains, partly because it differs bridge, and N. Haycroft, M.A., of Bristol, in nothing from the views held by all moved and seconded a vote of thanks to evangelical Christians, and partly because, the chairman for his address. Rev. J. H. however judiciously worded as a creed, it Millard, one of the secretaries of the cannot be expected to express every shade Union, then read an address from the of opinion which orthodox Christians may Committee, which was chiefly taken up hold. Moreover, it is likely to convey a with a statistical view of the region within false impression to outsiders. Our candi

ters.

dates on their application for church mem- | work, and some of the ways by which the bership are not asked to subscribe to any work might be accomplished. The last set of opinions, nor do we expect that was the topic we expected to have received ministers who may be invited by our the fuller treatment. It had, however, but churches to become pastors will attach the scantiest attention. We candidly contheir signatures to any articles whatsoever. fess that if there had been less that was But the prominence given to the summary personal in this paper, we should have of sentiments, notwithstanding the dis-liked it all the better. It is unwise to lay claimer of the writer that he had no out one method for which one person may “commission from the associated brethren have shown peculiar aptitude as the method to confess what they believe," will, we fear, for men of most opposite qualities. Revs. be altogether misconstrued in some quar- Dr. Brock, and J. T. Brown, of NorthampWe regret exceedingly that more ton, spoke briefly upon the subject of the time could not be given to the discussion paper. The last address was read by the of this paper, and to the collateral subject, Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, on "Indithe present relations of the General and vidual effort for the conversion of sinners.” Particular Baptist denominations. Dr. The writer was in very feeble health, had Evans, of Scarborough, moved, and Rev. indeed got up from a sick bed to attend W. Walters, of Newcastle, seconded a vote the session and fulfil the part assigned of thanks to Mr. Underwood for his paper. him, and was therefore but ill-qualified for Revs. T. Stevenson, of Leicester, and J. his task. Unfortunately, as it seems to us, Lewitt, of Nottingham, endorsed the creed, he had sketched out for himself a larger and Rev. J. C. Pike, of Leicester, hesitated plan than was really wise under all the cirto accept it. The sermon in the evening cumstances. The paper was rather a book was by Dr. Brock. The large and splen- than a sketch, and from the weariness did Gothic church in Bristol-road was which all felt through the length of the precrowded to excess. The preacher's text ceding sittings, was not received with the was 1 Cor. i. 17-" For Christ sent me not attention which under other conditions it to baptize, but to preach the gospel." He would have secured. The same gentleman argued that baptism was not efficacious, preached in the evening, Rev. J. Lewitt not essential, not contributary, and not opening the service. There is but one preliminary, to salvation; that it was opinion about the hospitality of the Birreverently to be let alone until men be- mingham people among all those who lieved in Christ. The following morning were fortunate enough to share it; and the session re-assembled in the same the very handsome way in which the local edifice, the brief devotional service being committee catered for the bodily wants of conducted by Revs. Dr. Thomas, James Mursell, of Kettering, and Dr. Angus. After the introduction of Pasteur Dez, of Paris, and a deputation from the Freedman's Aid Society, Rev. C. M. Birrell, of Liverpool, read a paper on "the influence of the present times on personal religion." If Mr. Gould's was the most able paper, this one was certainly the most adapted to reach the conscience. We hope its timely and Christian sentiments will be well pondered by every member of our churches. Dr. Angus and Rev. W. R. Stevenson, indefatigable secretaries, and for the BirM.A., of Nottingham, briefly spoke. The next paper was by Eev. J. P. Chown, on "Church work in large towns." Mr. Chown dwelt at some length on the features of the districts in which the church work had to be done, some of the means by which the church was made ready for her

the delegates deservedly elicited the warmest expressions of gratitude. It is easy to see, now the Union is over, in how many ways it might have been improved. Two things, however, must be secured in the future autumnal meetings: first, three days' session instead of two, in order that each paper may receive its due consideration, and the sentiments of the delegates thereon be more fairly elicited; and the second, some period for free conference. It should be an encouragement for the

mingham committee to know, that in the opinion of one competent to judge, the first autumnal gathering of the Baptist Union was equal to any autumnal gathering of the Independents. The place of the next meeting is not yet decided; but Bristol and Bradford have both been mentioned.

Marriages.

Sep. 15, at Old King Street Baptist | the Rev. T. Foston, minister of Salem Chapel, Bristol, by the Rev. F. Bosworth, Chapel, Cheltenham, to Lucy, eldest daugh- . John S. Eveleigh, of Bristol, to Elizabeth, ter of the late T. Marshall, Esq., of Zouch. daughter of Mr. William Connett, of Wellington, Somerset.

Sep. 18, at the General Baptist Chapel, Macclesfield by the Rev. J. Maden, Mr. John Slater to Miss Elizabeth Harding. Oct. 9, at the same place, Mr. William Ward, to Mrs. Sarah Goulding.

Sep. 21, at Craven Chapel, London, by the Rev. J. Batey, Mr. John Charles August Buchel, of Brighton, to Miss Annie Maria Morgan, Albermarl Street, London. Sep. 21, at the Congregational Chapel, Bowdon, by the Rev. Alexander M'Laren, B.A., William Fowden Simpson, eldest son of Joseph Simpson, Esq., of Park House, Didsbury, to Hannah Maria, eldest daughter of John Thompson, Esq., of Timperley. Sep. 29, at the Baptist Chapel, King's Road, Reading, Berks, by the Rev. J. Aldis, Mr. J. H. Fuller, of Broad Street, Reading, to Harriet, only daughter of the late John Stephens, Esq., of Caversham, Oxon.

Oct. 4, at Hackney, by the Rev. D. Katterns, Albert George, only son of George Kitchen, Esq., M.D., of Enfield, Middlesex, to Honoria Lydia, second daughter of George B. Woolley, of the Eagles, Hackney.

Oct. 5, at the Baptist Chapel, Hugglescote, by the Rev. J. Salisbury, Mr. Joseph Gibbon, of Haydock, near St. Helens, Lancashire, to Mary, second daughter of Mr. William Taylor, Coalville.

Oct. 13, at Battersea Chapel, by the Rev.
Square, to Miss F. Taylor, of Battersea
I. M. Soule, Mr. H. D. Fox, of Finsbury
Square.

bottom, by the Rev. R. Maden, Mr. Ormond
Oct. 13, at the Baptist Chapel, Rams-
Maden, of Manchester, to Miss Lydia
Hollings, of Eastley, Yorkshire.

mingham, by Rev. J. Harrison, George
At Wycliffe Chapel, Bristol Road, Bir-
Frederick Atkins, eldest son of Mr. Coun-
cillor Atkins, York House, Moseley Road,
to Miss Jane Robinson, eldest daughter of
W. Robinson, Esq., Vincent Street, Bir-

Oct. 4, at Sheepshed Baptist Chapel, Leicestershire, by the Rev. J. Bromwich, mingham.

Deaths.

Sep. 22, after a lingering illness, Eliza- | (daughter of the late Rev. Benjamin beth, the beloved wife of W. C. Fuller, Parsons, of Ebley, Gloucester, author of Esq., Whickham Cottage, Kentish Town," Anti-Bacchus,") leaving five motherless aged 64. babes to deplore her loss.--Oct. 13, William, son of the above, aged six.

Sep. 23, at Cheetham Hill, Manchester, of inflammation of the brain, Lucy Louisa, eldest daughter of the Rev. G. W. Conder, aged 13.

Sep. 23, at Newmarket, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, Maria, wife of Isaac Hillier, in her seventieth year.

Sep. 24, at Malvern, Captain Joshua Havelock, Bombay Staff Corps, second son of the late Sir Henry Havelock, of Lucknow, K.C.B., aged 32.

Sep. 26, at 10, Somerford Grove, Stoke Newington, Mrs. Hone, widow of William Hone, author of the "Every Day Book," &c., in her eighty-third year.

Sep. 28, at Cirencester, Eleanor Louisa, third daughter of the Rev. J. J. Brown, in her eighth year.

Sep. 27, aged 29, Amelia, wife of Rev. Wm. Best, B.A., Baptist minister, Leeds,

Mary Higgs, only surviving daughter of
Sep. 30, at Whickham Cottage, suddenly,
Herts, aged 62.
the Rev. James Higgs, late of Cheshunt,

Sep. 30, at 1, Argyle Square, Edinburgh,
the Rev. Alex. B. Thomson, for many years
that city.
an indefatigable opponent of infidelity in

Oct. 3, very suddenly, at Halifax, Miss Butler, daughter of the late Rev. W. Butler, Baptist minister, Heptonstall Slack.

Oct. 3, at his residence, Ashley Hill, Bristol, Adam Holden, Esq., in his eightysixth year.

Oct. 14, Miss Ann Brown, Albion Street, Leicester, aged 54.

borough Street, Leicester, aged 46 years. Oct. 14, Mr. William Beasley, of Marl

Missionary Observer.

A TOUR INTO THE INTERIOR police would have lost a large percentage OF THE KHOND COUNTRY.*