Field, of Hadleigh, had become pastor, and congregations were encouraging, many young people attending. Village stations nicely attended, prayer meetings improved, Sabbath school about the same as last year. Received by experience 3, by letter 2, separated 3, died 2, dismissed 2, present number 65, scholars 56, village stations 5.

Mr. Dickerson continued the reading with the letter from

Walsham-le-Willows.-Mr. W. Barnes, their aged former pastor, had occasionally supplied the pulpit, and usually presided at the Lord's table. Mr. Knell, of Ringshall, usually preached to them. Lost by death 1; present number 72, scholars 69.

Hadleigh. The letter said that Mr. Titus Field having left for another sphere, after eleven years amongst them, they were without a pastor. Received by experience 1, dismissed 2, lost by death 1; present number 59, scholars 48.

Tunstall.-Mr. Wm. Gill, of Willenhall, Staffordshire, had accepted the pastorate, and his work had been blessed by conversions. The church enjoyed unbroken peace, and the prayer meetings were well attended. Sunday school going on well, and a mutual improvement class in the winter evoked much interest. Baptized 3, received 3, dismissed 3, separated 3, died 2, present number 116, scholars 93, 5 villages are preached in; good numbers are gathered, and the word is heard gladly.

Fressingfield.-The past year had been to most of them a trying one with regard to things temporal, with a great need for plenty of faith and patience, and the "promised shoes of iron and brass."

At the commencement of the year, the pastor was brought low by painful affliction. Congregations kept up well; attendance at village stations generally good; Sabbath school prospering. "Some do not attend our prayer meetings, are often absent from the sanctuary on the Lord's day, do not help the church to bear any of its burdens: they are working not at all." May the Lord have mercy on them, and make them fruitful, lest at the last they be "taken away" as withered branches. Baptized 2, received by letter 1, dismissed 2, died 1; present number 75, scholars 86.

Hoxne.-Under trying circumstances a few had held on, but some had left and others had grown cold. Mr. William Harris, who had supplied the pulpit three years, will shortly leave. Morning con

gregations thin, afternoon better. A good school, but hard up for teachers. Dismissed 1, died 1; present number 42, scholars 80.

Lowestoft.-"A little church in the wilderness "had been kept in peace, and the Gospel had been the power of God to it. Mr. H. Knights principally supplied the pulpit. Added 0, lost 0, So we are as we were."

66

Mr. Suggate read the remaining five letters :

Aldringham.-Still without a pastor, but not deprived of the word. Our much esteemed brother, S. K. Bland, has laboured much amongst us, and our hearts have been often cheered and refreshed by that God-glorifying gospel, which, through grace, he has been enabled to proclaim, which has been, we believe is, and earnestly pray may still be blessed to poor sinners. Preaching in our new chapel at Aldeburgh has been continued on Sunday evenings, and is well attended. Baptized 1, received by letter 2, restored 1, present number 55, children in school 61.

Sudbourne.-Congregations good, especially on Sunday afternoons, and the pastor's kindness much appreciated, as the congregation, mostly labourers, are unable to support him as they desire to do. Received by letter 1, died 2; present number 27, scholars 40.

Bradford St. George.-Members generally have taken a lively interest in God's cause, and unity and peace were enjoyed. Congregations mostly good and highly attentive; chapel well filled on Sunday afternoons. Two candidates are proposed for baptism. Sunday school goes on well. Received by experience 1, separated 2, died 1; present number 60, scholars in school 60, teachers 7.

Orford Hill, Norwich.-The pastor's preaching much appreciated, and successful. A spirit of union and love prevailed. A tract lending society, a ladies' working society, and a mutual improvement association have been established. A cottage service has also been well attended. Prayer meetings and week evening meeting services pretty well attended. Sabbath school not prospering. Died 1, baptized 9, received by letter 10, restored 6; present number 112, scholars 35.

Stowmarket.-The church welcomed the association. The attendances during the winter were not so good, owing to the affliction of some and the old age of

others, and more signs of spiritual life were anxiously looked for. A revision of the church book had resulted in the removal of fifteen names, of whom nothing had been heard for years. Prayer meetings and village services not so well attended as could be desired. Sunday school not prosperous. Baptized 3, received by letter 2, erased from list 15, died 2; present number 55, village stations 2, scholars 30.

A collection was then made, and the service closed with singing and prayer by Mr. Brand, of Bungay.

In the afternoon the ministers and messengers met in the Baptist chapel for the transaction of the business of the association, and divine service was held in the tent. Mr. C. Wilson, of London, read the Scriptures and offered the prayer, and Mr. R. E. Sears, of Foot's Cray, Kent, and formerly of Laxfield, preached; his subject being "Jacob's Ladder," as emblematic of the communication of grace between heaven and earth by the mediation of Jesus Christ. In the evening, Mr. Meeres, of London, preached a sermon full of plain, forcible, gospel truth, founded on Psalm cxii. 2. Liberal collections were made at these services on behalf of the poorer churches, after which Mr. S. K. Bland, one of the secretaries, made an appeal for contributions for new canvas curtains and general repairs to the great tent, which he said were much needed and would cost about £15. The whole of this sum was at once generously subscribed.

At six o'clock on Wednesday morning, notwithstanding the rain, a large number assembled at a prayer meeting sustained by messengers from a number of the churches. At nine o'clock the tent was quite filled for another prayer meeting, which was chrracterised by much fervour and solemnity. This was conducted by the following pastors :-Mr. Rumsey, of Cransford; Mr. Large, of Sudbourn; Mr. Knights, of Lowestoft; Mr. Jull, of Cambridge; Mr. W. Houghton, of Blakenham; Mr. Tooke, of Mendlesham; Mr. Palmer, of Norwich; and Mr. Broome, of Fressingfield.

At 11 o'clock a very large congregation had assembled, when Mr. Geo. Shepherd, of London, read the Scriptures and offered prayer, and Mr. Charles Hill, of Stoke Ash, preached from Mark ix. 5: "Master, it is good for us to be here." A sketch of the sermon will appear in the GOSPEL

HERALD, and we need only say that the closely packed audience seemed with one voice to re-echo the text.

Mr. Brand, of Bungay, concluded with prayer.

In the afternoon, Mr. Whorlow, of Stowmarket, opened the service with prayer, and Mr. W. K. Dexter, of Grundisburgh, preached with much clearness and earnest feeling on the apostle's words, "Ye are called in one hope of your calling." Mr. S. K. Bland then gave some report of the business transacted by the representatives of the churches, stating that a profitable letter prepared by Mr. Brand, of Bungay, on the doctrine of "Election," had been adopted, and would be printed for circulation. The claims of the Home and Foreign Missions had been recognised and urged for support, and about £60 had been distributed amongst the needier churches. Mr. Daniel Dickerson, the pastor of the Stowmarket Church, proposed votes of thanks to the many kind friends who had materially aided in rendering these great gatherings successful, specially thanking Messrs. Mills and Payne for the use of the meadow, Mr. Betts for the use of the malting, the the minister and managers of the Congregational Chapel for use of tables and seats, and the numerous friends who had opened their houses and shown much hospitality by day and night to the representatives and visitors. The liberality of visitors was also heartily acknowledged, as was also that of Mr. Newson Garrett, of Aldeburgh, who, in addition to many acts of kindness, had just repaired and painted at his own expense the exterior of the chapel at Tunstall. The parting hymn was then sung, Mr. Kern, of Ipswich, closed with prayer, and the very large gathering dispersed, to meet again, it is hoped, next year at Bradfield, near Bury St. Edmund's.

CROW BOROUGH.

THE friends of the Forest Fold Baptist Church were favoured with a good anniversary on Tuesday, June 1st. Our venerable brother, Mr. P. Dickerson, preached an excellent and suggestive sermon in the morning, from Psalm lxxxix. 15, 16; in the afternoon, Mr. Newton, from Psalm cxvi. 6; and in the evening, Mr. C. Masterson, from John xiii. 36-38. But there was one circum

stance, reminding us that this is not our rest, tending to steady the mind and temper our joys, viz., the absence of our esteemed brother, G. Doggett. Many inquired, on our arrival, as to how our friend was; but we did our best to keep back the mournful news till after the morning service. Then, when the friends were all seated at the dinner tables, we felt impelled, after expressing pleasure in having our dear old friend, Mr. Dickerson, with us once more, to remove all feelings of suspense, and to announce that our brother, Mr. Doggett, was no more.

This intelligence was received with evident emotion by the numerous friends, which cannot be wondered at, knowing how much he was respected and beloved, having been the means of bringing the Gospel into the neighbourhood in the year 1830, and striven assiduously to support the cause.

Mr. Dickerson then rose to make a few remarks, but broke completely down in the attempt, his feelings overcoming him. Mr. Horton, of Uckfield, an old friend of the deceased, also spoke in terms of love and appreciation. It is always painful to part with friends; but in the present case we can but feel thankful to our heavenly Father that so much mercy was mingled with the event of his removal from this vale of tears to the home of the sanctified. He now realises the full import of those lines he so often repeated, "None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good," which were so greatly blessed to his soul many years ago, under a sermon by Mr. Dickerson, in the old barn at Crowborough, and formed the nota bene attached to each hymn composed by himself, to be sung on anniversary occasions. We thank God for what our brother was through matchless mercy; for the grace that upheld him those many years, and now for the abundant entrance given him into the everlasting kingdom.

The cause at Forest Fold has lost a kind and generous friend; but may brother Littleton, who still labours with evident tokens of the divine blessing, and the church over which he presides, be enabled to look unto the everlasting hills and to lean upon the arm of unswerving faithfulness.

We sincerely hope the dear friends who contributed annually for the support of the cause at Crowborough, will kindly continue their much needed aid. Shall be glad to receive any amount for that

object, so that this deserving people may be cheered still, and the cause maintained which was so dear to the heart of our late brother, G. Doggett.

C. MASTERSON. 52, Grove Road, Mile End Road, London, E.

A hymn of praise sung at the anniversary on Tuesday, June 1st.

Great God, we bless and praise Thy name,
That we are spared to meet;
And join to celebrate Thy fame,
And bow before Thy feet.

May we like David homage pay

To Him who's David's Lord,
For having spared us to this day,
To hear Thy sacred word.

May gospel food be spread this day
Within this house of prayer;
And saint and sinner led to say,
We've found our Jesus here.

May all thy sheep sweet pasture find
Within this Forest Fold,
That not a lamb may stray behind,

Nor left to starve with cold.

May all Thy servants here this day
Preach Christ, and Christ alone;
To raise our thoughts beyond dismay
To Him who hath aton'd.

Now to the Father, and the Son,

And to the Holy Ghost,
Be equal praise and glory giv'n,
By all the ransom'd host.

GEORGE DOGGETT.

En

FOREST ROAD, Dalston. THE above cause, after a struggle, has by God's goodness and assistance from friends gained relief from debt. couraging and pleasant meetings were held, at which the attendance was good, and we hope much spiritual profit was realised.

The association kindly gave the sum of £10. The church, pastor, and friends raised over £42, and the collections at the services amounted to nearly £10, so that now the debt is paid, and the building free for the remainder of the term. This was the fifteenth year of the pastorate, during which help has been obtained of God.

The thanks of the pastor and church are tendered to all who helped them to obtain their freedom, J, H. DEARSLY.