do." On the Tuesday following, she calmly fell asleep in Jesus. In regard to her temporal matters she has experienced more vicissitudes and trials than many, her husband being unsuccessful in business, and long ago leaving this country. Her children died when young. For many years she has resided with a maiden sister, who is now left in her 86th year, less to lament the temporary separation, than thankfully to anticipate a re-union, where dissolutions, separations, and infirmities, will be for ever unknown. In consequence of our departed sister, when in years past allusion was made to the approaching incapacity and indigence of old age, having frequently expressed her confidence in the comprehensive words of David, Psalm xxiii. 1, a confidence which, being placed in God, was fully verified, her death was improved on Lord's Day, October 26th, from the words, "I shall not want." Psalm xxiii. 1.

MRS. ANN HEWES died at New Basford on the 9th of September, 1856, aged 86 years. She was the widow of Mr John Hewes, who was a very useful and active Christian, to whose influence and exertions may be attributed in a great measure the rise of the General Baptist cause in the above village. The subject of the present notice had been connected with the General Baptist church, Broad Street, Nottingham, nearly 40 years, during which time she had maintained a walk and conversation becoming the gospel of Christ. The goodness of God as manifested in the work of redemption was with our departed friend the principal subject of conversation: for her to live was Christ and to die was gain.

J. H.

REV. WILLIAM HURLEY, formerly pastor of the General Baptist church, Queenshead, Yorkshire, departed this life, at Troy, Missouri, U. S., on August 3rd, 1856, in the 62nd year of his age. He died at the house of a friend after a few days illness. Mr H. went to America in 1832, and took charge of a Baptist church there, and continued in the Christian ministry in the state of Missouri until his death. The gentleman at whose house he ended his days, says of him, "Mr. Hurley was a minister of much note and reputed education and talents." Mr. Hurley was a native of Riton in Warwickshire. He became a student at Mr. Jarrom's academy in 1817, and in 1819 he removed to Queenshead. A new chapel was erected, and the church considerably increased during his ministry there; but in 1829, in consequence of certain troubles he left Yorkshire. He remained with his friends in Warwickshire and Leicestershire some time, and in 1832 removed to the United States.

FRANCES WARTNABY died at Upper Broughton, June 16th, 1856, in the 84th year of her age. For upwards of 40 years she was a member of the General Baptist church in the above place. During the whole of that time she was, it is believed, a sincere christian, a consistent professor of religion, and according to her means a liberal supporter of the cause. Her circumspect life as might be expected was followed by a peaceful death. "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."

T. H.

WILLIAM DRAPER was born in 1786. For a long succession of years he has been an active and honourable member of the General Baptist Connexion. He was baptized at Long Whatton by the late Rev. John Green, and was received into the church then under his care. He has been very useful in the cause, conducting meetings for prayer, giving an exhortation occasionally when the congregation was disappointed of the ministerial supplies, and always ready to render pecuniary support. Our dear brother was also very active in the Sunday school, of which he was a teacher for the space of 42 years. He was also an elder in the church for a many years. The affliction which terminated his course was long and severe, and was borne with truly christian fortitude. He was called to rest from all his labours on the 14th of November, 1856. On the following Sabbath day the event was improved to a large congregation from Hebrews x. 37, by Mr George Whitehead, of Melbourne.

JOSEPH MEAKIN.

Intelligence.

CONFERENCE.

THE LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Sutterton, on Thursday, Dec. 4th. In the morning, in the absence of brother Pike, brother Jones, of Gosberton, preached from James i. 21. The meeting in the afternoon was commenced with prayer by brother Mathews, after which, the reports from the churches were read, from which it appeared that thirty-three had been baptized since the last Conference, and that twelve remained candidates for baptism. In reply to a case from Castleacre, it was resolved,―That it be recommended to the ministers belonging to this Conference to direct the attention of their congregations to the need of a revival of religion, and the means of promoting it, on the first Lord's day in February, 1857. That the next Conference be held at Bourne, on Thursday, March 12th, 1857. Brother Jones, of Spalding, to preach in the morning; in the evening brother Cotton read and prayed, and the Secretary preached from 1 Thess. v. 25.

THOMAS BARRASS, Secretary.

ANNIVERSARY.

PORTSEA.-On Monday evening, Nov. 10th, the Clarence Street Church and congregation met in the Beneficial Society's Hall to celebrate the 22nd Anniversary of Mr. Burton's ministry in Portsea, and it was very observable to those assembled on this occasion that the interest of these services, so far from declining, has progressively increased. The present was by far the largest and most animated meeting of the kind that has ever taken place. The hall in which it was held is the largest in the Island of Portsea, and being more than a mile from the chapel it was feared by some that it would be too spacious for the occasion. However, it was not only filled, but overflowing. Tea had to be provided in the ante-rooms for a large number of persons who could not be accommodated in the body of the hall; and after the removal of the trays, not only the seats, but the aisles and avenues were crowded to excess. There could not have been fewer than 1,200 persons. A large proportion of them were no doubt the regular attendants of Mr. Burton's ministry, while others, under the influence of a kind and Christian catholicity, were present from various christian congregations around us. The chair was kindly and ably occupied by the Rev. F. Medows, successor to the late Dr. Bogue; and addresses, some of them displaying a very high order of eloquence, and eliciting from the crowded congregation loud bursts of applause, were delivered by the following resident ministers, viz.: the Pastor, Mr. Burton, of Clarence Street; Davy, of White's Row; Deighton, of Zion Chapel, Independent; Arnot and Davis; Ebenezer, Baptist; and Oliver, Wesleyan; also by Messrs. Bilton, Burton, jun., Henderson, and Devon. The meeting was much indebted for its interest to the tasteful and well executed performances of the choir. W. BILTON.

MISCELLANEOUS.

TEA MEETING AT CHESHAM.-The chapel and minister's house in this place have recently undergone thorough repairs, and have been rendered more commodious by alterations and additions. The expense of these improvements exceeds £400, and to meet this expense subscriptions have been cheerfully given by the friends generally from the richest to the poorest. To realize an additional sum, and to report the progress made in removing the debt, a large Tea Meeting was held on the last day of September. The Chesham Musical Society, consisting chiefly of christian professors belonging to the dissenting churches, gave its gratuitous services after tea; and addresses were delivered by various ministers. W. U.

MARCH.-The General Baptist Church and congregation at March, resolved to make an effort to remove a debt which remained from the alteration of their chapel and the erection of their branch chapel in the Fen. To their late esteemed deacon, Mr. Booth, there was owing at the time of his decease more than a hundred pounds in full discharge of this, his widow generously offered to accept of fifty-seven pounds within a limited period. This sum, together with fifteen pounds owing to another friend, it was resolved to endeavour to discharge. In accomplishment of this purpose subscriptions were commenced, and on Lord'sday, Nov. 16th, collections were made after excellent sermons by the Rev. J. T. Wigner, of Lynn. On the following day these were followed up by a public Tea Meeting, which was numerously attended by sympathizing friends. The trays being gratuitously furnished, the proceeds, five pounds, were added to the collections. The good feeling and liberality of the assembly were excited by the powerful and christian appeals of Messrs. Wigner; Keed, of Chatteris; Barrass, of Peterborough; and others. The desired object was accomplished with much cheerful and pious emotion. May the services of this anniversary be fruitful of much spiritual profit and brotherly love, and abound in many thanksgivings to God for the grace of liberality imparted to the people. J. JONES.

LONGFORD, UNION PLACE.-On Sunday, November 9th, the Rev. J. Tunnicliff, of Leeds, preached two sermons to crowded congregations at Union-place chapel. The afternoon text was Psalm xxxvi. 7. The evening discourse was founded on Psalm cxviii. 25. Next day more than 500 persons took tea in the new school-rooms belonging to the first Baptist church in Longford, kindly lent for the occasion. A densely crowded public meeting was held in Union-place chapel in the evening. The Rev. G. Veals, minister of the place, occupied the chair. Addresses were given by the Revs. W. Chapman, R. P. Macmaster, G. L. Withers, T. Goadby, B.A., S. Hillyard, and J. Tunnicliff. Several pieces of sacred music were sung by the choir. The collections on the Sabbath and the proceeds of the tea-meeting realised the handsome sum of upwards of £32. This, with £100, which the friends had in hand before the commencement of the present movement, their own contributions and promises since, and the kind donations and pledges of friends of all denominations in the neighbourhood, has reduced their chapel debt of £250 to about £16.

SMALLEY.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 14th, we had two sermons preached for the Foreign Mission. In the afternoon Mr. Bailey pleaded the cause of missions to a respectable congregation; and in the evening Mr. Gray, of Ripley, (to whose kindness we were indebted for the services of Mr. B.) preached. Collections, with subscription, amounted to £7 13s. J. CRESSWELL.

CHATTERIS.-On Sunday, Nov. 30th, the Rev. W. Bailey preached our annual Missionary Sermons, morning and evening, and delivered an interesting address to the children and young people in the afternoon on missionary subjects. The weather was not very favourable, yet the congregations were pretty good, and it is believed the sermon in the evening will not soon be forgotten. On Monday, Dec. 1st, we had our Missionary tea meeting, yielding £2 5s. to the mission. This was followed by one of the largest and best missionary meetings we ever held; the chair being very efficiently filled by Mr. J. Wherry, and good warm-hearted addresses delivered by the Revs. Dyson, Bailey, Keed, &c. The proceeds £11. J. LYON.

BAPTISMS.

CHESHAM.-On Tuesday evening, Oct. 28th, the ordinance of baptism was administered to two young men, by the Rev. W. Underwood, in the presence of many youthful spectators who preserved the greatest stillness and decorum. Other accepted candidates are waiting for the ordinance.

PETERBOROUGH.-On the evening of Lord's-day, Nov. 30th, four persons were baptized, on a profession of faith, in the General Baptist chapel, three of whom have been "added to the church."

ASHBY AND PACKINGTON.-On Lord's-day, Nov. 2nd, seven young friends, all connected with our Sabbath Schools, were baptized and added to the church. BEESTON.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 7th, our minister preached an able discourse on the subject of faith to a crowded congregation, after which, he baptized five believers in the chapel baptistry; four of them were scholars and one a teacher of the Sabbath School. May God bless them. We have some inquirers. Our Sabbath congregations are steadily increasing. May we as a people be alive and healthful. May peace live with us and prosperity attend us. T. N. C. CONINGSBY.-Our baptismal waters have been once more stirred by the immersion of two believers, which took place on Lord's-day, Nov. 30th, when our pastor preached a baptismal sermon to an attentive congregation. May these be as the "drops before the copious shower." S. E. W. BURNLEY, NON CHAPEL.-On Lord's-day evening, Nov. 30th, after a sermon from Acts viii. 38, Mr. Batey baptized three persons on a profession of faith in Christ.

KIRKBY AND KIRKBY WOODHOUSE.-On Lord's-day morning, Dec. 7th, five believers put on Christ by baptism. Contrary to our usual custom through the inclemency of the weather, we had not a sermon at the water side. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, the number of spectators was more than we anticipated. The baptismal sermon was delivered at Kirkby in the evening, when Mr. Ferneyhough of Nottingham, addressed a crowded audience from these words, "What mean ye by this service?" The solemn and interesting services of this day closed with the administration of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, and the reception of the newly baptized into fellowship. May these thus initiated into the church, be as burning and shining lights, ornaments to their profession, adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. A. B. K.

BELPER.-On Lord's-day morning, Nov. 9th, after a sermon by our brother John Taylor, three young friends put on Christ by baptism. In the afternoon our highly esteemed friend and brother the Rev. J. Stevenson, of Derby, after an impressive address received the newly baptized into fellowship with us, and administered the Lord's Supper; we felt it truly good to be there. Also on the 7th inst., the ordinance of baptism was again administered to five dear friends, one of whom is a Wesleyan, and remains with them. The Rev. W. Gray, of Ripley, preached two excellent and telling sermons, and in the afternoon gave the right hand of fellowship to the four friends remaining with us, and administered to the church the sacred emblems of a Saviour's dying love. We have a goodly number of candidates anxiously desiring to confess Christ, so that we have abundant cause to thank God and take courage. E. C. E.

STALEY BRIDGE.-On Sunday, Dec. 7th, two dear young friends from the Sabbath School put on Christ by baptism, and were transplanted into the garden of the Lord. There may they grow in grace, until Christ shall call them home. J. P.

WENDOVER-On Lord's day, November 30, Mr. Williams, late a Methodist minister in Ireland, who has been invited to labour with us for six months, was publicly baptized by the Rev. W. Hood, of Ford, after an appropriate sermon from the words of Christ, "If ye love me, keep my commandments. At the water Mr. Williams gave a very pleasing statement of his views and feelings on the subject of believers' baptism. For a considerable period, from Scripture evidence, he had seen it is duty to comply with the ordinance, but being entirely detached from those who entertain similar views on the subject, he was denied that privilege. The Lord, however, brought him in his kind providence to become acquainted with his people of our denomination, and he felt that it was not only his duty, but his privilege, to cast in his lot among them. For some months Mr. W. has been with us, and his labours have been acceptable and well appreciated. The Lord, we hope, will continue to bless him in all his ministrations. J. FRANKLIN.

Notes of the Month.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

December 20th.-The Puseyites are at fault. An appeal against the judgment of the Archhbishop of Canterbury on the Denison case, to the inferior Court of Arches, has been declared inadmissable. The only hope left for Archdeacon Denison is by an appeal to the judicial committee of the Privy Council, where the Archbishop will be present, if he does not preside. Meanwhile the Bishop of Exeter is publishing a pamphlet against the decision, the Bishop of Bangor also a letter to his clergy to the same purpose, and the Bishop of Oxford has called a meeting of his clergy to consider what is to be done. If Denison is deprived, others, and even Bishops, may set their houses in order. Lord Palmerston, as if in derision of the Tractarians, has elevated an evangelical Bishop to London, and appointed Mr. Bickersteth, a strong evangelical, to the see of Ripon. He has also given a good living to Mr. Blackwood, a leading member of the Protestant alliance! The Irish Episcopal Protestants approve of the decision on the Denison case. Scottish Episcopacy, on the contrary, is so perfectly Puseyite as to have led many, among whom are three or four Duchesses, into the popish communion! "The united Church of England and Ireland," does not now present the best idea of being "one and indivisible." In America too, the Episcopal convention recently held, was by no means peaceful." The conflict, as in England, is between ritualism and ceremonial pomp on the one hand, and evangelism and piety on the other.

Of Romanism, both in England and abroad, we have little to say. The Pope has begun his Christmas ceremonies, and many English, we regiet to say, are at Rome to see the sights. Cardinal Wiseman has been lecturing on the four last Popes, whose benediction he boasts of having received! He is then more than

"thrice blessed." The Bishop of Birmingham is in distress for want of the great legacy from the Shrewsbury estates. He entreats the faithful in his diocese to double their contributions for three years. The popish university in Ireland is failing for want of funds. The Jesuits are active on the continent. In Austria they are giving trouble. In France there are many indications of impatience at the papal yoke.

Lutheranism does not present a very attractive aspect. The persecution of Baptists in Schleswig, Sweden, &c.; the Romish tendencies of some of the high Church clergy in Hungary, Wurtemburg, Bavaria, and even in Prussia, and their attempts to restore the confessional, are awakening alarm and indignation. Are all established churches tending Romeward?

The

Presbyterianism in Scotland in its various forms seems to have some vitality. It is said that the Duke of Buccleugh, though his duchess has turned papist, has contributed some £40,000 towards building churches for the Kirk. The Free Church want £55,000 to clear their buildings from debt, and £43,300 are already subscribed. Their sustentation fund for the past year amounts to about an equal sum. United Presbyterian church has raised, since May, £5,000 for the relief of aged and infirm ministers. In Ireland, on the contrary, where there is the double blight of the Regium Donum and Socinianism, Presbyterianism languishes. Out of five hundred ministers receiving some £70 per annum from the government, there are three hundred whose yearly income is less than £100. Several of the people, "well to do," give little or nothing. Is not this very much the case with Unitarianism even in England?

The numerous sections of Methodists which take the name of Wesley, both in England and America, have lost little of their zeal. In the southern states of America they are, unhappily, the strongest abettors of slavery, but the Metho