MR. JOSEPH COCKROFT, of Allerton, died March 15th, 1856, aged 57. He was brought to a knowledge of the truth and to the enjoyment of religion when about twenty-three years of age. A number of young men, his acquaintance, being seriously disposed, he was led through their influence to seek after God. He attended the Independent Chapel and became a member of the church and a superintendent of the sabbath school; but his regard to scripture authority and teaching led him with some others to submit to the ordinance of believers' baptism. Mr. C. with a few others from Queenshead at length formed the General Baptist church at Allerton, of which church he was chosen a deacon and treasurer, which offices he sustained with honour until his death, a period of more than twenty years.

He was much beloved by the members of the church for his uniform kindness and his exemplary character. To the sabbath school, of which he was superintendent from its formation in 1824, he was a warm friend, and remarkably punctual in his attendance. His judgment was sound, his temper cool and cautious, and his attachment to the cause and the denomination ardent. He had, therefore, great influence over his brethren. Few men were more affectionate in their regards to the General Baptist Ministers, and none of these shared more largely in his esteem and kind attention than his own pastor. His attendance at the house of God was constant and exemplary. He was seldom absent even on a week night. He thought that when his minister had been studying and preparing to meet the wants and sustain the piety of his people, that it was their duty and privilege to be present, for their own edification and for his encouragement. Mr. C. had no children. He was a kind husband, and an affectionate friend. His sickness was long and severe, and for several weeks in 1855, his vital powers were so prostrated that he could take little consolation from those promises which had so long sustained him. In the early part of 1856, his health improved, and his wonted cheerfulness returned, and his friends hoped he might be spared to them for many years. But, alas, these hopes were fallacious. His spirituality increased; his conversation was more and more about Christ and heaven; he was fast ripening for glory. But his bodily vigour never returned. He requested his pastor to preach from Ps. xvi. 11, "In thy presence there is fulness of joy," &c., and expressed himself as much refreshed by the sermon. The night before his last attack of sickness, at the prayer meeting he gave out the hymn, "Grace 'tis a charming sound"-and it was remarked that he was unusually earnest in prayer. His last sufferings continued about a fortnight, and were very severe; but his end was peaceful and triumphant. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.

S. A.

Intelligence.

CONFERENCES.

THE MIDLAND CONFERENCE met at Vine Street Chapel, Leicester, on Tuesday December 30th, 1856. Brother Gill opened the morning service and brother Lawton preached from 1 John, ii. 20. "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things."

In the absence of the minister of the church in Vine Street, (who was from home seeking recruited health,) brother Lawton was requested to preside. One hundred and one were reported as baptized since the last Conference, and ninetysix remain as candidates. The minutes of the last meeting having been read, it was agreed that the thanks of Conference be presented to brethren Pegg and Sarjant, of Derby, for their kind and prompt attention to the business entrusted to them, relating to the operation of the New Marriage Act. Some conversation

took place on the subject of the registering of marriages in Dissenting Chapels; and it was resolved that further discussion be had upon it at the next Conference. Brother Lewitt suggested the propriety of recommending the Association to add another column to the Statistical Table in the minutes in which to account for those members, who, having removed to localities where no General Baptist church exists, have become members of other denominations. The suggestion was considered, but not adopted.

A warm discussion took place on brother J. C. Pike's proposals respecting the Academy, contained in an article in the December number of the magazine. A resolution strongly disapproving the scheme was submitted to the meeting; but it was ultimately withdrawn, it was evident, however, that the feeling of the meeting was unfavourable to the proposals. A collection was made to meet the expenses of Conference. Brother W. R. Stevenson, M.A., closed the sitting with prayer. Brother Hunter preached in the Evening.

The next meeting of Conference to be at Beeston, on Easter Tuesday, April 14th, 1857. Brother J. Stevenson, M.A., of Derby, to preach in the morning.

THE YORKSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Birchcliff, on Tuesday, December 30th, 1856. The morning service was opened by Mr. Sutcliffe of Stalybridge; and Mr. David Gathorp, of Tarporley, preached from Acts xxvi. 28. "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

The Conference met for business at Two in the afternoon. Mr. Tunnicliff, of Leeds, prayed, and Mr. Lockwood, minister of the place, presided. According to the reports which were received from the churches 76 had been baptized since the previous Conference and 18 remained as candidates. All the churches did not send reports.

Resolved, 1.-That this Conference regrets the absence of both of the brethren appointed to preach the Conference sermon, and especially so, as no information of their absence was given to the Secretary. In future this Conference would earnestly urge the brother appointed to preach, in case of inability to do so, to give the earliest possible information to the Secretary, in order that a new appointment may be made.

2.-That Mr. Daniel Wilson, of Halifax, be appointed Treasurer of the Conference Fund. A letter from the church at Ovenden was read, soliciting the advice of the Conference respecting the very low state of the cause there.

3. That this Conference is of opinion that the church at Ovenden be advised to unite with the church at Halifax, as such union it is considered would tend to increase the real usefulness of both churches; that the Secretary be instructed to write to the church at Ovenden and explain our reason for this recommendation. 4. That this Conference postpones the consideration of Diagrams for the use of Sunday schools, and recommends the representatives to bring the subject before their respective schools and report to the next meeting.

5. That the Secretary be appointed to receive the surplus money arising from the sale of the Manchester chapel, on behalf of the Treasurer for the Home Mission.

6.-That Mr. Dunn, of Bradford, be the preacher at the next Conference, which will be held at Halifax, on Easter Tuesday, April 14th, 1857. Public service in the evening.

There will be a Finance Committee meeting in the morning, to commence at half-past Ten o'clock. It is requested that all cases from churches or individuals be sent to this meeting.

J. SUTCLIFFE, SECRETARY.

WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE.-The above conference was held at Union Place, Longford, on Tuesday January 13th, 1857.

The morning service was opened by Rev. T. Goadby, B.A. The Rev. G. Cheatle preached an interesting and useful sermon from Isaiah xliv. 21. “O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.'

At the business meeting in the afternoon Mr. Veals presided; brother Burrows prayed at the opening and brother Cheatle at the close. Four were reported to

have been baptized, and there are 29 candidates. Letters were received from Cradley Heath, Netherton, Nuneaton and Walsall.

It was resolved that a friendly communication be addressed to the Netherton and Cradley Heath churches, expressive of sympathy, stimulating them to renewed exertion, and earnestly exhort them to unite, to secure an active and efficient minister.

A vote of thanks was passed to the Secretary for his past services, and brother T. Goadby, B. A. was requested to sustain that office for the next year.

The next Conference to be at Wolvey, brother Veals to preach; and in case of failure W. Chapman.

In the evening a revival meeting was held. Addresses were delivered by brethren Knight, Chapman, Goadby, Cheatle and Burrows. It was a good meeting. W. CHAPMAN.

ANNIVERSARIES.

VALE NEAR TODMORDON, CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY. On Lord's day, December 28th, we celebrated the fifth Anniversary of our new chapel, at which time we were favoured with the ministry of Rev. R. Ingham of Halifax. Collections £20 16s.

On new-year's-day we had our anniversary tea meeting, about 200 sat down to tea, and were afterwards addressed by the Rev. John Batey of Burnley, and other friends.

During the past year we have reduced our heavy debt £70, and are bent upon a further reduction. As an inducement for others to help us, we propose to raise twice as much amongst ourselves as we can obtain elsewhere; so that £1 given to our debt will reduce it £3. We shall be thankful if this allusion to one department of our work of faith and labour of love kindles the sympathy and help of any distant friends, such help will be promptly acknowledged and had in grateful remembrance. ELIAS MARSHALL, Vale Terrace.

BIRMINGHAM, LOMBARD STREET.-On Monday evening, December 29th, the annual tea meeting was held in the above chapel, when more than three hundred sat down, being a larger number than have ever attended on any similar occasion. The chapel was very tastefully decorated, the principal portion being a kind of canopy formed of festoons of evergreens, interlaced with flowers, with the outer ends resting on the tops of the galleries. Appropriate mottoes were fixed on the walls, &c., among which, "Hitherto the Lord hath helped us and our trust is still in Him," round the fronts of the galleries, and "We are in earnest," in a wreath over the pulpit, deserve especial mention. After tea the meeting was addressed by the Revs. T. Swan, C. Vince, J. J. Brown; C. Burrows, of Walsall; E. Payne, of King's Heath; and G. Cheatle, minister of the place; and Mr. Davis, agent in this district for M'Phun's Family Bible, a copy of which was presented to Mr. Cheatle during the meeting.-Birmingham Journal.

SUTTON.-January 13th, we held our annual meeting in aid of the Mission fund, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. C. Wilson, Independent, W. Bailey, Missionary, Mr. Fox, a worthy member with us, and Mr. A. Britton, of Kirkby. Mr. T. Adin, of Sutton, occupied the chair. Mr. Bailey, in addressing the meeting, spoke of the zeal of the Hindoo in his devotion, and the good that had been effected by the labours of the Missionaries, through the power of God working in them. May the prayer of every christian be, that the Lord would still prosper and establish the work of their hands. The amount received from boxes and collection, along with the subscriptions, is £3 4s. 94d. G. B.

TESTIMONIAL OF ESTEEM TO THE REV. WILLIAM ORTON, LOUTH.-The annual members' tea meeting was held here on new-year's-day. The weather was favourable and an unusually large number assembled. The greatest cordiality prevailed. The smiling countenances-the kind sentiments that flowed from heart to heart, and the happy fusion of various classes into one happy family,

showed the genial influence of our holy religion. The repast concluded, all united in singing

"Come we that love the Lord,

And let our joys be known."

Prayer was offered. The Rev. William Orton, who was in the chair, was beginning to address the assembly when it was politely intimated that one of the deacons desired to speak first. W. D. Ditchett, Esq., then arose and addressed the pastor with beautiful propriety, in the course of his address he stated that a very pleasant duty devolved upon him- that the friends were desirous of showing in more than words their value of the ministrations they enjoyed-that it was not the desire merely of a few who were possessed of greater abundance, but of the members at large extending even to the poorest, and that as a token of their approval of the ability and faithfulness and zeal with which the duties of the pastorate had hitherto been discharged, he was deputed by the church to beg the pastor's acceptance of a purse containing twenty guineas. The pastor was for some seconds silent, and then replied that he felt embarrassed by this pleasant surprise that he had received nothing but kindness since his union with the church, and that he felt unprepared for such a proof of their love-that he should indeed have a heart of stone if he did not value them the more and seek with increased anxiety their spiritual welfare, and reminded them of One who was present to witness the graceful deed, and who had said "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me." The meeting then proceeded efficient addresses were delivered by several of the brethren, the spirit of christian amity pervaded the assembly, and at the close the impression prevailed that this was one of the happiest tea meetings that had been held in the church.

DUFFIELD, NEAR DERBY.-Jubilee and Bazaar. It being fifty years in March next since the Baptist cause was introduced into this village, the friends there have agreed to have Jubilee services, and to hold a Bazaar in June next, the proceeds of which are intended to be appropriated to improvements and repairs of the chapel and burial ground, in providing increased accommodation, with other improvements much needed in the chapel. Their object is most kindly to solicit the aid of the friends of sister churches, as union is strength they hope therewith to feel their hands strengthened, their hearts encouraged, and their burden somewhat lightened by the liberality of brethren and sisters of the household of faith. Contributions, either in money or articles for sale, will be most gratefully received on or before the 29th of May next, by Mrs. T. Mann, and Mrs. S. Jennens, Duffield, Mrs. R. Pegg, Vernon Street, Derby, and Mrs. G. Wilkins, 12, St. Peter's Street, Derby. Any manufactured articles of utility, luxury, or fancy of all kinds, plain clothing, children's apparel, ornamental articles, household utensils, drapery, cutlery, books, pictures, toys, prints, smallware, sweetmeats, or any article from a penny whistle to a steam-engine, will be gratefully received. All parcels to be ticketed and forwarded as above, carriage free.

OPENINGS, &c.

NEW LENTON, NEAR NOTTINGHAM, OPENING OF A NEW CHAPEL.Our friends here some time ago secured a most eligible site for a chapel, which they proposed at some future period to erect for the service of God. They were enabled sooner even than they anticipated to realize their purpose; as during the latter part of last year a beautiful structure, with galleries capable of seating 500 persons was reared. It has a good vestry in the rear, and spacious school rooms in the basement story.

This beautiful place was opened for divine worship December 25th, 1856; and on the following Lord's-day. Rev. J. B. Pike of Bourne preached two sermons the first day; and Rev. J. Stevenson, M.A., of Derby, and the Rev. J. Goadby of Loughboro, one each on the Lord's-day. On the following evening,

Monday December 29th, a large tea meeting was held. B. Walker, Esq., at the nomination of Mr. Savige, one of the deacons, presided. Interesting addresses were delivered by Messrs. Frederick Stevenson, E. and W. R. Stevenson, J. P. Hopps, J. Goadby, &c. The collections and proceeds of the tea, &c., amounted to about £120. This sum added to the previous handsome contributions, will leave a debt of only £500 on this excellent sanctuary. May the Lord add his blessing!

Much incon

WOLVEY.-Enlargement of the Baptist Chapel School-rooms. venience had been experienced for the last few years for want of larger accommodation to teach the children composing the Lord's-day Schools. The teachers, with a committee in connection with them, ultimately determined that the old rooms should be enlarged, by adding ten feet more in width to them; also, a new vestry, for the use of the minister, and some other accommodations, which made it necessary to have a new roof altogether, the cost of which was upwards of £70. A re-opening took place December 9th, and the following Sabbath. The Rev. J. P. Mursell, of Leicester, honoured us with his assistance on the 9th, by preaching two interesting and spirit-stirring sermons, after which £24 3s. 5дď. was collected; and the Rev. S. Wigg, of Leicester, kindly assisted us on the 14th, by preaching afternoon and evening, in his usual lively manner, sermons which were very telling and exciting, at the close of which £20 3s. 9d. was collected. These collections, with assistance since received from other sources, amount to about £65. The teachers and committee feel very grateful to all those kind friends who have so liberally assisted them in this object, so important for the rising generation; they desire to acknowledge the goodness of God, saying, "The Lord hath done great things whereof we are glad." The afternoon service on the 9th was opened by the Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., of Coventry, and that in the evening by the Rev. T. Johnson, of Hinckley: both services on the Lord's-day were opened by our valued friend, Mr. W. Crofts, who was so kind as to superintend the erection from its commencement to the close.

BOROUGH ROAD, SOUTHWARK.-A respected correspondent informs us that the church here will shortly be without a minister, and, though the present congregation is small, that the chapel, which is out of debt and will acommodate 1300 people, presents a promising and extensive field of usefulness. Have we no young minister who would devote a few years of judicious labour to the work of gathering the scattered and of rebuilding the walls of this Zion?

BAPTISMS.

RECENT BAPTISMS IN ORISSA.-CUTTACK, August 3rd, two young persons from the Male Asylum were baptized by Mr. Brooks. August 17th, two were baptized at CHOGA. Seven were baptized the same day at BERHAMPORE, when Mr. Hill administered the sacred rite.

BRADFORD FIRST CHURCH.-On Lord's-day, January 4th, 1857, six believers put on Christ by baptism, after a sermon by the pastor, from Exodus xiii. 10, "Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year." On the same day they were received into the church at the Lord's table. "As they have received Christ Jesus the Lord," may they "so walk in him." HUGGLESCOTE. We had a baptism of five here the first new year. All the baptized were received the same day.

Lord's-day in the

J. PAGETT. LOUGHBOROUGH, BAXTER GATE.-On Lord's-day, December 7th, five persons were baptized, and in the afternoon received the right hand of christian fellowship at the Lord's table. It was felt to be a good day.

LOUTH, WALKER GATE.-On Thursday evening, December 18th, 1856, two dear female friends were baptized on a profession of their faith in Christ, after a