church, read a statement of the steps which had led to Mr. Green's settlement; to which the reverend gentleman replied in a paper rich in beautiful thoughts, tracing the hand of God through his past ministerial life, and expressing confidence and hope in Him as to the future. A recognition prayer was offered by the Rev. Richard Nightingale. The Rev. J. J. Brown, of Birmingham, delivered a valuable address on "The Relation of a Church to its Pastor;" and the Rev. Charles Vince, of Birmingham, one on "The Relation of the Church to the World." The Revs. P. Carey, of Wolverhampton; J. P. Barnett, of Birmingham; D. Evans, of Dudley; B. C. Young, of Coseley; and W. Jackson, of Bilston, welcomed Mr. Green into the district with some of the kindliest words that could be offered; when, thanks having been moved to the chairman, the meeting was dismissed, all feeling that the new pastor had had a pleasing introduction to his promising sphere.

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, BEDS.-On Wednesday, May 31st, the chapel in Hodcliffe-street, Leighton Buzzard, recently purchased from the Wesleyans, for £1,040, was re-opened as a Baptist place of worship. The floor has been raised, and new pews of a modern construction fitted, also a handsome rostrum has been erected, more light has been admitted by two new windows, the seats and galleries grained, the ceiling handsomely decorated, good ventilation from beneath the flooring, and access to the galleries from the outside of the building. The opening services were conducted by the Rev. J. A. Spurgeon, of London, who preached two sermons, afternoon and evening. A tea-meeting was held in the new Corn Exchange, at which nearly 300 persons enjoyed the social beverage. On the following Sunday, the Rev. P. Bailhache, of Hammersmith, preached morning and evening. In the afternoon an address was given to parents and children, after which the Lord's Supper was administered by the pastor, the Rev. J. Mountford. The congregations were exceedingly good at all the services, and the collections also satisfactory. The alterations and improvements, with law expenses, are about £350, towards which about £200 will have to be raised before the place of worship will be entirely free from debt.

COLEFORD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.-Services in connection with the ordination of the Rev. W. H. Tetley were held in the Baptist chapel here on Tuesday, May 23. The morning service was opened at eleven o'clock by praise and devotion, in which the Revs. L. Thomas and R. Stevens, M.A. (Independents) joined. The Rev. J. W. Lance, of Newport, delivered the introductory discourse, which was a clear and masterly exposition of John xvii. 9. The Rev. S. G. Green, B. A., then requested the

recently-settled pastor to give a statement of his doctrinal belief. This was done by Mr. Tetley in an able and interesting manner, and was followed by the ordination prayer, which was offered by the Rev. W. Collings, of Gloucester. The Rev. S. G. Green then delivered an eloquent and instructive charge to the minister from 1 Cor. ii. 10. At the conclusion of the morning service, which was marked by the deepest interest throughout, the ministers and a number of the friends dined together. In the evening, at five o'clock, nearly 500 persons sat down to tea, and at seven o'clock the Rev. Charles Vince, of Birmingham, preached with his usual ease and power to a very large and attentive congregation, from 1 John iii. 3. The day's proceedings will long be remembered by the friends in the neighbourhood.

BLOCKLEY, WORCESTERSHIRE.-The annual meeting of the Baptist church and congregation in this place was held on Thursday, June 8th. The Rev. C. J. Middleditch, late Secretary of the Baptist Irish Society, having recently entered on the pastoral office, the evening was devoted to a statement of the ecclesiastical polity of the New Testament. The pastor having taken the chair, suitable portions of Scripture were read, and prayer was offered by the Rev. R. A. Shadick, of Campden. A resolution, acknowledging the gracious providence of God in the settlement of the pastor, was moved and seconded by Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Belcher, with very appro priate remarks on the occasion of the meeting. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. G. M. Michael, B.A., of Bourton-on-the-Water, on the Constitution of the Church of Christ; by the Rev. A. W. Heritage, of Naunton, on the Relation of pastor and people; and by the Rev. W. R. Irvine, of Ascott, on the Church of Christ the divinely-appointed agency for the conversion of men. Prayer for the Divine blessing in behalf of pastor and people was offered by the Rev. S. Hodges, of Stow-onthe-Wold. The interesting meeting was closed with appropriate thanksgivings, presented by Mr. Comeley, deacon of the Baptist church at

Naunton.

DERBY.-Interesting services have just been held in Agard-street Chapel, Derby, in connection with the ordination of the Rev. J. Baxendale, as minister. The services commenced on the Sunday evening, when the Rev. J. Haslam, of Gildersome, Yorkshire, preached an appropriate and earnest sermon. At half-past two, on the Tuesday, the ordi nation services were continued. The Rev. J. Edwards, of Nottingham, acted as mode rator. After devotional exercises, conducted by the Rev. S. Green, of London, the Rev. W. Crosbie, M.A., LL.B., delivered a very able address on the nature and constitution of a Christian church. A hymn was then sung,

and the Rev. J. Walker proposed the usual questions to the church. On behalf of the church, Mr. Councillor Haslam (one of the deacons), read a very interesting paper, giving a brief sketch of the religious history of the town of Derby from the reign of Richard I. The Rev. J. Walker then proposed the usual questions to the minister. To each the Rev. J. Baxendale returned a separate and very satisfactory answer. The Rev. W. Jones then offered the ordination prayer, and the Rev. H. Crassweller closed the service with prayer and the benediction. CEMETERY-ROAD, SHEFFIELD.-The public racognition of the Rev. Giles Hester, formerly of Loughborough, as the pastor of the church in this place, took place on Tuesday evening, May 23rd. A considerable number of the members of the congregation and their friends sat down to tea in the school-room, and afterwards a public meeting was held in the chapel. The Rev. E. Stevenson, of Loughborough, was called to the chair. Dr. Stacey, of Ranmoor College, the Rev. W. Evans, of Stalybridge, the Rev. J. P. Campbell, the Rev. H. Tarrant, welcomed Mr. Hester in the name of the various congregations of the town. The Rev. Giles Hester heartily reciprocated the kind expressions of feeling, and expressed the hope that the kindly and affectionate intercourse so begun would be continued, and that their connection would be a lasting and profitable one. Earnest and practical addresses were afterwards delivered by the Revs. W. Best, B.A., of Leeds, D. Loxton, Brewin Grant, B.A., J. Calvert, C. H. Boden, J. Breakey, R. Stainton; and by Messrs. B. Baldwin and T. Marshall, of Loughborough. The Rev. J. Newsholme concluded the meeting with prayer.

ST. PAUL'S-SQUARE CHAPEL, SOUTHSEA. -This chapel having been closed for eight weeks for repairs, &c., was reopened on Lord's-day, May 28th. The substitution of a platform for a pulpit and other alterations met with unanimous approval. Hitherto having been excessively plain, it is now a cheerful, handsome, and commodious place of worship. The Rev. S. Murch, B.A., preached the opening sermons. On the following Tuesday a well attended public meeting was held. The Rev. J. Hunt Cooke, minister of the chapel, presided. The Rev. G. Arnott read the Scriptures, and offered prayer, and addresses were given by the Revs. J. Davis, H. Kitching, W. T. Matson, E. G. Gange, and G. C. Taylor. A resolution of thanks to the committee was submitted and carried. The expense has been met, and there are funds remaining towards the payment of an old outstanding, debt which the people are endeavouring to discharge.

FISHERGATE, PRESTON.-A "welcome tea-party" to the Rev. J. O'Dell, the new

pastor of Fishergate Baptist Chapel, Preston, was held in the schoolroom of that place on Thursday evening. There was a numerous attendance. After tea, the chair was occupied by Mr. J. Hamilton, who opened the proceedings with some kind and appropriate remarks. Congratulatory addresses were delivered by Messrs. Shaw, Furness, Leach, Haslam, and Powell, and by the Revs G. W. Clapham, H. J. Martyn, and D. Carnson. Mr. O'Dell also delivered an excellent address, in the course of which he acknowledged the kind wishes that had been expressed for his welfare, mentioned the reasons that had induced his settlement at Preston, and indicated the spirit and manner in which he hoped to prosecute his ministry. On the motion of Mr. W. Thorpe, votes of thanks were accorded to the chairman, to the ladies and gentlemen who had decorated the room, and to Mrs. Powell especially, for the part she had taken in supplying the tables at the tea, &c. At intervals during the evening beautiful pieces of music were sung by the choir.

FOXTON, LEICESTERSHIRE.-The opening of a new chapel at the rural village of Foxton, in Leicestershire, took place on Thursday, June 1st, and was well attended by the leading Dissenters residing in the vicinity. The old chapel was built as early as 1716, and was therefore one of the oldest buildings of the kind in the county. The new chapel has been erected at a cost of about £1,100. The opening services were crowded. The Rev. C. Vince, of Birmingham, preached, and the morning service produced the liberal collection of £92 8s. A cold collation succeeded; and, in the afternoon, a tea-meeting was well patronised. A bazaar of fancy goods occupied the vestry, and included a great variety of articles, presided over by several ladies of the vicinity. The concluding service in the evening was well attended; and the total proceeds of the day amounted to over £300. The chapel is erected in the Gothic style of architecture; and will accommodate 250 people. The total sum obtained at all the services was £342. A harmonium of suitable power and excellent tone was presented to the congregation by the architect, Mr. Shenton.

LANTWIT MAJOR, GLAMORGANSHIRE.— Services in connection with the ordination of Mr. D. T. Philips, of Haverfordwest College, were held at the Baptist Church of this ancient town recently. The services was introduced by the Rev. D. Jones, Anglesea; the Rev. John Emlyn Jones, LL.D., M.A., Merthyr, preached in English, the Rev. R. A. Jones, Swansea, in Welsh. On the morning of Wednesday, the Rev. D. Davis, Cowbridge, delivered an excellent address on the nature of a Christian church. He then proposed a few questions to the youthful pastor, which were answered intelligently and with much emotion; after which Mr. Davies offered an earnest

prayer to God on his behalf. The Rev. Evan Thomas, of Newport, delivered a most thoughtful and thrilling charge to the elected minister from 2 Tim. iv. 2. Dr. Emlyn Jones then followed by a most eloquent address to the church from 1 Thess. v. 12 13. The Revs. E. Thomas and R. A. Jones, preached in the afternoon and evening.

SALFORD.-On Wednesday evening, May 31st, a tea-meeting was held in the schoolroom connected with the Baptist chapel, Great George-street, Salford, and afterwards a public meeting in the chapel, to welcome the Rev. J. L. Whitley, late of East Dereham, to the pastorate. At the public meeting there were present on the platform the Revs. R. Chenery (in the chair), A. M'Laren, A. Mursell, S. Chisholm, and W. Gatenby, &c. Mr. Crossley, one of the deacons, stated the way in which Mr. Whitley came among them; after which, Mr. Whitley gave a short sketch of his own history, and a succinct epitome of the Christian doctrines which he intended to preach. The Revs. R. Chenery, A. M'Laren, A. Mursell, and Mr. Chisholm (Independent), afterwards addressed the meeting in kind and encouraging terms. Mr. Whitley returned thanks for the kind expressions of welcome and sympathy that had been extended to him and his congregation. The members of the choir sang several pieces of music in the course of the evening.

MIDHURST. The anniversary of the Baptist cause at Midhurst was held June 8th. In the afternoon the Rev. B. B. Williams, of Chichester, preached an excellent sermon from John xi. 3. In the evening a public meeting was held. W. Appleton, Esq., of London, occupied the chair, and delivered a suitable introductory address. The Rev. J. Eyres, minister of the place, was then called upon to address the meeting; and afterwards the Revs. J. Gooby, H. Rogers, J. C. Morgan, and H. Appleton, Esq., of Haslemere, delivered addresses on several important and interesting subjects. At the back of the chapel, in a tent tastefully decorated, a bazaar was held in the morning and following day. As the weather was fine, and several parties came from a distance, the meetings throughout the day were large and pleasant.

JERSEY.-We are pleased to learn that our Baptist brethren in St. Helier have secured a locale where the principles of the denomination will for the future be advocated. A neat and comfortable chapel has been purchased, and, the opening services were held on Lord's day, June 25. The Rev. F. F. Medcalf, who

paid a visit to Jersey some few months since, was again invited to conduct these services, which were continued throughout the ensuing week. We hope that some good will result from them, and that our Jersey friends will be blessed in their efforts to advance the Redeemer's kingdom.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.-The Rev. J. Turner, of the Old Swan Chapel, Liverpool, has accepted the unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the church at Wednesbury, Staffordshire. The Rev. W. T. Whitmarsh having accepted the pastorate of the church at Brixham, Devon, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. W. W. Laskey, has announced his intention to resign the pastorate at Shefford, Beds.-The Rev. T. A. Price, of Manorbier, has accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate of the English Baptist church at Aberdare, and intends (D.V.) entering upon his duties the third Sabbath in August.

Mr. S. Crabb, of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon's College, has accepted a unanimous invitation to become the pastor of the church in Aberchirder, Banffshire.-The Rev. J. Gibbs, having announced his intention to resign the pastorate of the church assembling in Salem Chapel, Romford, at the end of the present quarter, is open to invitations to supply vacant churches. His address is Londonroad, Romford.-The Rev. W. Davies, Holyhead, has accepted an unanimous call from Bethel Church, Merthyr Tydvil, and intends to commence his labours there July 30th.— The Rev. E. Jenkins has resumed the pastorate of the church at Madely, Salop, and has commenced his labours. The Rev. W. Payne, in consequence of continued ill health, has resigned the pastorate of the church in the Lower Chapel, Chesham, Bucks, which he has held for nearly thirtyone years.-The Rev. W. Emery, of Hemel Hempstead, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Windmill-street, Gravesend, to become its pastor.-The_Rev. W. T. D. Reynolds, who was formerly for nearly twenty years minister of the Baptist chapel at Earl's Colne, Essex, and afterwards of Henrietta-street Chapel, Brunswick-square, London, has received a unanimous invitation from the Congregational church worshipping at St. Helen's-lane Chapel, Colchester, to become their pastor.-The Rev. D. W. Morris, of Cwmsarnddu, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Baptist church at Bethlehem, Swansea. Mr. D. B. Jones, of Pontypool College, has received a cordial and unanimous invitation from the English Baptist Church, Providence, Canton, Cardiff.