Br. Dowson, of Bradford, preached an excellent and profitable sermon from Isaiah xxxiii., part of 7th verse,The ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly."

At the close of the service, a large number of friends sat down to tea in the school-room.

In the evening, at half-past six, a public meeting was held in the chapel. Mr. W. Shaw again presided, and, after singing and prayer, he made some appropriate remarks, and then called on the following brethren to address the meeting:-J. Howe, of Waterbarn; W. Norton, of Sutton, Surrey; H. Watts, of Golcar; S. Hall, of Chapel Fold; E. Parker, of Farsley; and D. Crumpton, of Salendine Nook.

The hearty thanks of the meeting were presented to the pastor and friends at Milnsbridge, for their kindness in entertaining us, and to the chairman, for his efficient services; and, above all, we felt that our thanks were due to Him in whose name and for whose cause we had been privileged to meet together.

A collection was made in behalf of the society amounting to £6 0s. 8d. J. H.

BAPTIST EVANGELICAL

SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SERMONS.

ON Wednesday evening, April 20th, a sermon was preached at Soho Chapel (Br. Pells'), by the Rev. E. Parker, from Rev. xii. 11, and on the following evening at Meard's Court (Br. Bloomfield's), by the Rev. J. Webb, from Rom. i. 16. [Further reference to these sermons may be expected next month.]

MEMBERS' MEETING.

The nineteenth annual meeting of subscribers and messengers was held at the Baptist Library, 2, Took's-court, Chancery-lane, on Friday afternoon, April 22nd.

After prayer by Br. Howe, Mr. Thompson Oliver was requested to preside. The Secretary read a report of last year's proceedings, which, on the whole, was encouraging. The society is now educating two ministerial students and employing two active missionaries. The cash account

also showed an improvement.

The following resolutions were severally adopted:—

1st. Moved by Br. Box and seconded by Br. Pells-" That the report now read be adopted, and printed under the direction of the committee."

2nd. Moved by Br. Winfield and seconded by Br. J. Oliver-"That the following gentlemen be the officers and committee for the year ensuing: Treasurer, W. Shaw, Esq., Bottom Hall, Huddersfield; Secretaries, the Rev. J. Howe, Stacksteads, near Manchester, and the Rev. E. Parker, Farsley, near Leeds; Financial Secretary, Mr. J. C. Woollacott, New Malden, Surrey; Librarian, the Rev. W. Norton; Editors of the 'Primitive Church Magazine,' the Rev. J. Howe and the Rev. E. Parker." [For General Committee, see annual report.]

3rd. Moved by Br. Stock and seconded by Br. Norton-"That the thanks of this meeting be presented to the Rev. W. Stokes, for the time and attention which he has devoted, for seven years past, to the editing of the 'Primitive Church Magazine.'

4th. Moved by Br. Howe and seconded by Br. Parker-"That this meeting regards the existing demand for ministers holding Strict Baptist sentiments as a call upon the churches more strenuously to support the educational department of the society's operations, and would also express its unfeigned gratitude to God for the continued suceess with which he has favoured the missionary labours of our brethren Forster and Geissler on the continent of Europe."

continent of Europe."

2nd. Moved by the Rev. D. Wassell and seconded by the Rev. J. Stock "That this meeting regards the existing demand for ministers holding Strict Baptist sentiments as a call upon the churches more strenuously to support the educational department of the society's operations."

3rd. Moved by the Rev. J. Pells and seconded by the Rev. J. Woodard -"That this meeting desires to express a hope that the Primitive Church Magazine,' in its efforts to open up and defend the great doctrines of divine grace and the Scriptural constitution of the churches, will be sustained by a more general coöperation and support; and that the new editors, in the difficult post to which they have succeeded, will be effectually aided by the earnest prayers and generous confidence of the churches."

4th. Moved by the Rev. J. Howe and seconded by the Rev. W. Norton

"That the thanks of the meeting be presented to Br. Dickerson for presiding on the present occasion, and to the deacons and friends at Little Aliestreet for the use of their chapel."

The following reports have been kindly furnished by a correspon

dent

The Baptist Evangelical Society elected the new committee for the ensuing year from brethren residing in Yorkshire and Lancashire, a change which seems likely to be beneficial to the management of the society.

The annual public meeting was held at Little Alie-street, the pastor, Mr Dickerson, in the chair. The success which has attended its two admirable missionaries, Mr. Forster and Mr. Geissler, was dwelt on with great thankfulness. The need of ministers at home, who are faithful to the divine doctrines and constitution of Christ's kingdom, was spoken of as a need of the most urgent kind, and one which must be attended to in order to prevent the ruin of some and the estrangement of other churches faithful to God's Word and will. Among the ministers present were brethren Pells, Young, Wassell, Stock, Anderson, Wall, Howe, Frith, and Winfield.

The CHAIRMAN spoke warmly in favour of the society.

Mr. FRITH, of Borough Green, Kent, moved the first resolution. It referred to the society's missionaries. He said, 66 'We are commanded to preach the gospel to every creature. Paul, when he came to Athens, said, 'God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.' I trust that a missionary spirit will be more fostered. The missionaries of this society are men of an apostolic spirit. They count not their lives dear to them. Some persons seem to fear lest there should be too many saved. There will be just as many in heaven as Christ has redeemed and the Holy Spirit shall bring to God; but it has pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save those who believe, and Paul said,' Woe is me, if I preach not the gospel.' Our object is to send forth men called by God, to proclaim the everlasting gospel, that those may be saved whom he has predestined to eternal life."

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Mr. HowE, of Waterbarn, near Manchester, who, with Mr. Parker, of Farsley, near Leeds, are the new secretaries of the society, said, believe that this society is based on Scriptural principles. The weakest man, who has Christ with him, is always in a majority. I feel encouraged by such declarations as these, 'I will work, and who shall hinder' All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me'' Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.' There will not be one vacant seat in heaven. But while we know that such is the Father's pleasure, we have the express command to preach the gospel. Brother Geissler's labours in Saxony Proper, and in the provinces of Saxony, are truly apostolic. He was in danger of three years' imprisonment if taken while in Saxony, but he went and formed a church there; and so great was the joy of its members on that occasion, that they would not have minded if the police had come and taken them. If liberty of conscience could be enjoyed in no other way, they seem willing to go through all

the prisons of Saxony that it might by such means be established."

The CHAIRMAN said that he thought Mr. Geissler occupied the most honourable position among all the ministers of the present day with whom he was acquainted.

Is it

Mr. WASSELL, of Bath, said, in reference to the rising ministry, "I can but think that there is a controversy between Christ and his churches. The number of Strict Baptist ministers is very small. Erring brethren are not ashamed of their departure from the truth, and I wish that we were not ashamed of our adherence to it. I had thought that a Baptist minister was a Baptist minister, and that a Baptist church was a Baptist church; but I have found that they are not so always. If any one has a right to tamper with baptism, he has also a right to tamper with preaching; for they depend on the same authority, and are part of the same law. the minister or the church which is called the pillar and ground of the truth'? It is the church which holds this responsible position. I believe that the fault is in great measure that of the churches. If they confer with flesh and blood in the affairs of Christ's kingdom, nothing will be left but vain jangling. Perhaps a minister comes to preach with a view.' The church ought to act with a view' too. It ought to find its way to the throne of Him who said, 'Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.' If the churches go to God, they will receive from Him ministers who will have his fear in their hearts, and who will teach his truth. But churches sometimes fall in love with a man because they like the curl of his hair, or the knob of his walking-stick, or something else, which is abominable. I know not whether we may not have still more trying times, but, if so, the foundation of God standeth sure. Supposing, however, that God answered a church's prayers; is this society to be considered as a mere meddler with what does not belong to it? It is not. Its part is Scriptural and helpful. If it sees men who have both grace and ministerial gifts, it takes them by the

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hand. It does not stand between them and their Master, nor between them and their consciences; but acts as a servant of the churches for the Lord's sake, and I hope that it will be helped on its way after a godly sort."

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Mr. STOCK, of Devonport, said, 'I could name some twenty Strict churches which have been obliged to adopt the services of Open Communion pastors, with a distinct pledge that they shall be silent on the Open Communion question. I protest against this state of things. I think that a minister who places himself in that position is dishonouring his conscience, and that if I were an Open Communion Baptist, I should not like to do it. I should feel it a duty before God to show my people what I deemed the better way. We know how this pledging generally ends. The minister at length gets the people to forego their requirement, and the church is opened. The Strict churches are going rapidly, one after another. Many of them are small, and have little influence. I am alone in the West of England. We are in no association. We cannot be. In the days of Isaiah Birt and Dr. Steadman there was scarcely such a thing as an Open church there; now there is scarcely a Strict one. At their association meetings, members of the Established Church, and of every denomination, are pressed, by public notice, to come to the Lord's supper. In Cornwall it is precisely the same. There is not one Strict Baptist Church in the whole county. At their association meetings they observe the Lord's supper in the same way. And this movement is going on throughout the kingdom. As to their charity, I will state one fact. We laid out £400 to alter our chapel in Morice-square. I sent a circular to a member of an Open Communion Church at Plymouth, one of the best of men. He refused to give one farthing, and said, 'I never give to a Strict Baptist Church.' Mr. Horton, pastor of the church which seceded from us, and which practises Open Communion at the Lord's table, told me that that gentleman would not give a penny even to him, because they are not Open in membership. It is time there

fore that we stood on our own defence. No one is more opposed than I am to a man-made ministry. If, as a matter of course, when the son of a deacon or leading member joins the church, he is sent to college to be a minister, spiritual power will soon be gone. It is the fault of the churches that they do not send us more young men of the right kind, and more friends. I would recommend the committee, if God sends them the right men, to accept them, even if it should seem rash. Let them get to work. Depend upon it that we shall get the money. The longer I live, the more attached I am to the old-fashioned truth of our fathers. Cleaving to this, we may yet have a great revival of spiritual power among us. I believe in Divine Sovereignty. I am told that Dr. Carey, during the latter part of his life, seldom entered the pulpit at Serampore without referring to it. My own opinions on the point are very strong." Mr. Stock referred to the proneness of some Strict Baptists to divide. Could not this society, he asked, have done whatever the Strict Communion Baptist Society, formed last year, proposes to do! At all events, this society was not going to be burked.

M PELLS and Mr. WOODARD moved a resolution respecting the "Primitive Church Magazine," the editorship of which had been resigned by Mr. Stokes, of Manchester, and had been transferred to Mr. Howe, of Stacksteads, near Manchester, and to Mr. Parker, of Farsiey, near Leeds. The best wishes and kindliest feelings were expressed towards the new editors.

The Doxology was sung, and the Chairman dismissed the meeting.

BAPTIST TRACT SOCIETY. THE annual meeting of the Baptist Tract Society was held at Keppelstreet Chapel, Russell-square, on the 27th of April. For attendance, spirit, and contributions, it was one of the best in its history, though leaving ample room for progress.

The Chairman, JOHN THWAITES, Esq., said, "Many of us can speak, from personal experience, of the value of the preached Word. The only question which we need to ask res

pecting this society is, whether its tracts are consistent with the truth and ordinances of the gospel. If we are satisfied that they are, it deserves our support. Why are the Strict Baptists so cold and supine? Surely we should promote that which we believe to be right, with as much zeal as they display who are promoting error. Our meeting to-night is most unsatisfactory. I hope that in this respect we shall improve, and that God's Word will be so handled tonight that we shall be urged by it to do well. I have confidence that nothing will issue from this society which will be contrary to the truth of God, or the ordinances of his house."

Mr. JOHN T. BRISCOE, the Secretary, read the report. Last year there was a debt of £30 due to the treasurer. This year the debt was not quite £7. The report mentioned a remarkable case of blessing through the distribution of tracts at Keppel-street.

Mr. J. STOCK, of Devonport, said, "I think that a great crisis is not far off. I am as convinced that Strict Communion is in the New Testament, as that the great doctrine of justification is there. I see little of the promised fruits of Free Communion. It seems to be making many persons unfaithful to the truth. It has not yet brought great success. The returns this year of the Baptist Union show an average increase of only one member and a fraction in each church. I contrast this with the state of things in the United States. With a few exceptions all the churches there are Strict. In Wales how different the results; yet the churches there are nearly all Strict. In Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, the churches are Strict; and I think that we have not had in modern days a more interesting chapter of history than that of the German Mission. I have great pleasure in introducing a much-beloved American brother, Dr. Eaton, President of Madison University, New York. He will say a few words to encourage us to adhere to our principles. He is a fast friend of the slave.

Mr. S. COLLINS, of Grandesburgh, Suffolk, said, "I am pleased to meet

the friends here to-night, and especially to see you, sir, presiding over this meeting. Members of the Church of England, Congregationalists, and Wesleyans, seem all to dislike the ordinance of baptism. They are strict themselves, and cannot consistently object to our Strict Communion. Mr. Bevan, the banker, said to me one day. You are such a set of bigots.' I said, 'I think, sir, that you belong to the Congregational body, and that you too are strict. Mr. Dewhirst refused to receive a person a little while ago because, according to your views, he was not baptised.' My opinion is that we shall have to bear the testing of our principles. Roman Catholicism is doing wonders. They find plenty of money, and are at work in all directions. We have not fulfilled our obligations. We can all of us do a great deal better. God will put his own hand to his own truth. The poverty of this society is not because the Baptist denomination is so poor. I visited some friends, for another purpose, who said they were all poor. I said, 'I mean to have £50 out of you to-night.' We got £80, and they all acknowledged that they felt the better for it. The fuller we can fill our tracts with Christ, the better. Let not the committee be afraid lest Baptism and Communion should be made too prominent. they go down in esteem for a time, they will come up again. Keppelstreet has done well in the circulation of tracts. What an honour it is to be permitted to serve Christ. If he said that I should not be allowed to do anything more for him, it would break my heart. £16 will not be too much for the collection to-night."

If

Dr. EATON, President of Madison University, New York, said, "I do not regret having come here to-night, though it was at much sacrifice of feeling, for I had proposed to go and hear an eloquent sermon. My coming is a matter of principle; and I claim no particular merit for doing what I ought to do. I am a Baptist, and a Close Communion Baptist, on principle; and I will give you some reminiscences of how I became a Baptist. I remember the wormwood

and the gall. I was converted in connection with meetings held by Pædobaptists. No Baptist took part in the services. It seemed very plain to me that infant sprinkling was not countenanced by Scripture. The Baptists were called 'bigots,' and chiefly because of their Close Communion. My Pædobaptist friends said that, with my candid mind, they were sure that, on examination, I should come out all right. After reading one pamphlet, I made up my mind to go to the Presbyterian Church, and join it. But I asked myself, How have I been led to this resolution? by the teaching of God's Word, or the Christian spirit diffused through this treatise on Infant Baptism? I felt that I had not been led to it by Scriptural or logical reasons, but by mere feeling; and so I resumed my enquiry into the whole subject. The result was that, before the week was ended, I resolved to postpone action; and it took me a whole year to pursue my way, struggling against the convictions produced by God's Word, before I was enabled to rest satisfied on the question of duty. But then there was another difficulty -that of Close Communion. This was an exceedingly great trial. There was no Baptist Church within ten miles. I asked for an Open Communion Baptist Church; but there was no such church at all, and I had to make up my mind to stay out of every church, or join a Close Communion Baptist Church. Oh! how I should have rushed into an Open Communion Church if there had been one. I went to the little Baptist Church, and told them that on the subject of Close Communion I was not clear; that I had read Robert Hall, and came to them as one who stood upon his ground; that I was in sentiment an Open Communionist; but that of course I must conform to their practice while I was with them. They decided that if I would be orderly in practice, and would not press too strongly my sentiments, they would receive me. But I felt that I must study this subject. I read a work on it, published some time ago in this country. It was by S. G. Fuller, and I am astonished that, having such a