AN ESSAY ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF TIME: AND OTHER LITERARY REMAINS. By JOHN FOSTER. With a Preface by JOHN SHEPPARD. Edited by J. E. RYLAND, M.A. London: Heaton and Son. WE beg to call the attention of our readers to the publication of this very valuable addition to the Bunyan Library. Besides the posthumous essay on the improvement of time, the volume contains notes of sermons collected from the Oriental Baptist, and letters to various friends. We hope to give a careful analysis of the essay in our next number.

BETTER TIMES COMING, OR MORE ON PROPHECY. London: Tresidder.

THE author of this book scarcely agrees with any of the popular schools of prophetic interpretation. He thinks the latter days' began when Christ was born; that the last end of the indignation,' (Dan. viii. 19.) began 606 after Christ, and will end in 1866; that the time of the end' embraces 107 years, beginning 1788, and ending in 1896, until which time there will be civil war more or less fierce; and yet that the power of darkness is not upon the increase; but that Scripture and common sense teach us that light is on the increase;' that the time of the restitution of all things,' (Acts iii. 21.) can never take place while the earth remains, &c. The book displays less weakness than usually marks the productions of 'unravellers of secrets,' and contains some noteworthy instances of one interpreter exposing the absurdities of another.

A REVIEW OF THE REV. H. VENN ON ST. FRANCIS XAVIER AND CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. London: Burns

and Lambert.

THIS is a Roman Catholic examination of Mr. Venn's account of St. Francis Xavier. Judging from the bilious expressions with which it abounds, we imagine that Mr. Venn

has sadly disturbed the equanimity of the Papists. Not contented with styling Mr. Venn a maniac,' and only seeing in his language 'the delirium of exhorbitant selflove,' this pamphlet vilifies Henry Martyn, Williams, and Judson: Martyn never gained a solitary disciple,' says this sapient critic, Williams was a sordid trader and speculator,' and Judson was an object of ridicule both to Pagans and Protestants!' After this our readers will not be surprised to hear that the Papist writer looks upon all Protestant converts in India, as hypocrites, upon Protestant labour in China as a swindle, and declares that the special feature of Protestant missions the latest reports of them is always in every part of the world is, that the worst!

wretched slanders. The truth never But enough of such

yet needed lies to back it, and will calumnies of a shaven and emascuwin its way despite the foul-mouthed lated priesthood.

THE GENERAL BAPTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN. A Manual of the Christian Principles and Church Polity of the General Baptist New Connexion. By REV. DAWSON BURNS, Co-Minister of New Church-street chapel, London. With an introduction by REV. W. UNDERWOOD, President of the Chilwell College. London: J. Caudwell.

THIS Catechism was one of those submitted to the adjudicators appointed by the Association held in Leicester in 1861. It was not thought adapted to schools, for which the prize was offered, but was deemed more suitable for general circulation. We commend it to the attention of our readers. BESSY'S MONEY: A Tale. By the

author of MARY POWELL.' London: Arthur Hall and Co. A SIMPLE, pleasing, story, written with the naturalness which usually distinguishes this author's productions.

CONFERENCES.

THE YORKSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Shore, on Whit-Monday, May 25th, 1863. In the morning Rev. C. Springthorpe read the Scriptures and offered prayer, and Rev. R. Horsfield, of Leeds, preached from Phil. i. 27. Subject-Christian Citizenship.' The meeting for business was held in the afternoon, over which the pastor Rev. T. Gill presided.

Fifty-three were reported baptized since the last Conference, and a goodly number of candidates remained.

The following resolutions were adopted.

1. That the minutes read, be approved.

2. That the Secretary of this Conference be instructed to inform the church at Heptonstall Slack, that there is a standing rule fixing Tuesday for the Whitsuntide Conference.

3. That we sympathize with the friends at Denholme in their perplexities, and rejoice with them in their success; and that we trust they will be divinely directed, and that we allow them to bring their case before any subsequent Con

ference.

4. That brethren R. Ingham, C. Springthorpe, and W. Gray be appointed to arrange for missionary meetings in the western, and brethren R. Hardy and B. Wood in the eastern part of this district.

5. That the thanks of the Conference be given to the treasurer of the home mission, Rev. R. Ingham, and that we request him to remain in office.

of the Conference and request him to continue another year.

8. That the next Conference be held at Bradford, Tetley-street, on the second Tuesday in September, and that the Rev. C. Springthorpe preach in the morning.

O. HARGREAVES, Secretary.

THE MIDLAND CONFERENCE met at Hugglescote, on Whit Tuesday, May 26th. The day was propitious. and a large number of friends and representatives were present. Rev. R. Kenney, of Burton-on-Trent, read the scriptures and prayed, and Rev. W. M. Anderson, of Ilkeston, preached from Proverbs xxiv. 11-12. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain : If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? and shall not He render unto every man according to his works?

Rev. J. Salisbury, pastor of the place, presided at the afternoon sitting, and Rev. Giles Hester, of Loughborough, prayed. From written or oral reports it appeared that since the last Conference, fifty-seven had been baptized, one hundred and seven were now candidates for baptism, and two had been restored to fellowship. After the singing of the doxology, and the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, the following business was transacted:

1. Congratulatory Address to the Prince of Wales. The secretary reported that the following address had been forwarded to Lieut. Gen. Knollys for presentation to the Prince of Wales:

:-

EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES.

7. That we thank the secretary

The loyal and dutiful address of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers and Representatives comprising the

Conference of the General Baptist Churches in the Counties of Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby.

We desire most respectfully to approach your Royal Highness with our most hearty congratulations on the auspicious event of your Royal Highness's Marriage with the Princess Alexandra of Denmark; assuring your Royal Highness of our loyal attachment to your person, and to that of your August Mother, our most gracious and beloved Queen; and of our increasing and earnest prayers to Almighty God that every earthly and heavenly blessing may descend upon your Royal Highness and the Princess of Wales.

As Protestant Dissenters we highly appreciate the liberty, both civil and religious, which we have enjoyed under the enlightened sway of the illustrious House from which your Royal Highness is descended; and persuaded of your Royal Highness's high regard for the wise counsels of your late illustrious Father, whom it has pleased the Almighty in His inscrutable Providence to remove from us; believing in your Royal Highness's devout attachment to that Protestant faith which is the source of all our liberties, and convinced also of your Royal Highness's sincere admiration for that excellent Constitution which has been bequeathed to us by our forefathers, we confidently look to your Royal Highness as their destined preserver and friend; and fervently pray that you may continue to be a comfort to our gracious Sovereign, and afford opportunity for the increasing attachment of a loyal and grateful people.

Signed, on behalf of the Conference, held at Kegworth, Leicestershire, April, 1863.

W. JARROM, of Kegworth, Chairman. J. J. GOADBY, of Leicester, Secretary.

Since the Conference was held the accompanying reply has been received:

2. Thrussington. Various brethren having called attention to the fact that J. A. James was still preaching for the friends at Thrussington, it was agreed:

(1) That a copy of the resolution about J. A. James passed at the Midland Conference, held at Woodgate, Loughborough, Dec. 2nd, 1862, be sent to the friends at Thrussington; and that they be requested to discontinue all connection with that person. In the event of this request not being complied with, this Conference will at once recommend the Association to withdraw from them, and strike out their name from the list of churches.

(2) That a deputation from this Conference of three brethren confer with the church on this subject, and report, if needful, as from this Conference, to the ensuing Association. That brethren Noble, Harding, and Roper, of Leicester, be requested to act as the deputation.

3. Expression of Opinion upon Slavery. After a warm discussion, the subjoined resolution was passed:

That this Conference desires to

express its continued and unqualified abhorrence of slavery as at present existing in America, and its fervent prayer that the present events agitating the States may issue in the entire emancipation of all on

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4. Standing Question for Discussion. A profitable though discursive conversation ensued on the best mode of enforcing discipline in our churches.

5. Paper to be Read at the Next Conference. The Conference unanimously requested Rev. J. Salisbury, of Hugglescote, to prepare a paper to be read at the next Conference, on Female Agency in the Church.' The annual collection was made for incidental expenses. Amount, £3 2s. 5d.

The next Conference will be held at Wymeswold, on the third Tuesday in September (15th), Rev. C. Clarke, B.A., of Ashby, to preach. In case of failure, the Secretary.

Rev. T. Stevenson, of Leicester, preached in the evening.

J. J. GOADBY, Secretary.

THE LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at March, on Thursday, June 11th, 1863.

In the morning brother Cholerton read and prayed, and brother Dyson preached from Luke xvi. 31.

At the meeting for business in the afternoon the reports from the churches were presented.

Fifty persons had been baptized during the quarter, and four remained candidates for baptism.

The treasurer brought forward the home missionary accounts, and stated that there was a balance due to him of £8 Os. 24d.

N.B.-Monies since received have paid off this balance and left in hand £1 16s. 104d.

The following grants were voted for the ensuing year-to Holbeach, £10; to Whittlesea, £10; to Lincoln, £20.

Resolved

1. That the £50 left by the late Rev. G. Judd, of Coningsby, be not appropriated to the current expenses of the home mission.

2. That, in reply to an application for help, the said legacy be lent, without interest, to the church at

An application was received from the church at Lincoln, soliciting a loan to aid in the erection of a new chapel, but the Conference having no more funds at its disposal was unable to comply with this request. Resolved

That the thanks of this Conference be presented to brother R. Wherry, for his services as treasurer, and that he be requested to continue them another year.

That the thanks of this Conference be given to the secretary for his past services, and that he be requested to continue in office during the next three years.

That the next Conference be held at Coningsby, on Thursday, September 24th, 1863, and that brother Pike be requested to preach in the morning.

In the evening a most interesting home missionary meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by brethren Wilson, Sharman, Dyson, Cholerton, and the Secretary.

THOMAS BARRASS, Secretary.

BAPTISMS.

KIRTON LINDSEY.-On Wednesday evening, February 25th, after an appropriate sermon by our minister from Romans vi. 3-4., three believers put on Christ by baptism, one of whom was in communion with the Wesleyans and desired to continue in fellowship with his own friends, the other two were received into the church the following Lord'sday. J. P., K. LEICESTER, Dover-street.-On May 27th, two friends were baptized.

COVENTRY.-On Lord's-day morning, May 31st, after a sermon from our esteemed minister, Mr. Cross, four dear friends were baptized. In the evening a funeral sermon was preached for one of our oldest members.

J. C.