this man for the loss of his treasure, procured him another, The Priest, on being informed of this, wished to get it from him; but M. was so determined not to part with it, that he told the Priest, in the presence of his relations, who were bigotted catholics, that he would not part with his Bible whatever might be the consequence, and that he, from that time, disowned all spiritual subjection to the authority of the Priest. GENERAL MEETING IN LONDON. To the Churches of the Particular Baptist Denomination in the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Beloved Brethren, You are well acquainted with the attempts, which have been made for several years past, to promote an Annual General Meeting of the Ministers and Churches of our denomination. Many of you have expressed your ardent desire to co-operate in such an Union, and some of you have participated in the pleasure that has been enjoyed on these occasions. We feel a pleasing persuasion that this desire has not diminished; and that as the reasons for such a measure are annually increasing, you will manifest renewed zeal in encouraging this important object. At our last Meeting several resolutions were passed, which it was thought would tend essentially to the attainment of the ends proposed by the Union, viz. "to promote among brethren of the same faith an acquaintance with, and an affection for each other, and a mutual co-operation in the work of God." To further these ends it was resolved, 1. "That our Associations throughout the kingdom be requested to depute one or more of their members as messengers; or send a letter, signed by the Moderator, to the yearly Assembly, to report the state of the churches, and any other matter that may contribute to the neral welfare of the denomination.". 2. "That a Circular letter addressed to the Churches be sent, signed by the Secretaries, to some Minister connected with each Association, and to other churches both in town and country, through the medium of their Pas ge tors, or ministers, requesting them to promote the various important objects proposed by the Union," As the period approaches when our Associations in the Country will meet, we, in compliance with the above resolutions, in the name and on behalf of the Society, affectionately urge the consideration of this subject upon the Ministers and Messengers of our respective churches. The expense attending a journey to London, which would be burdensome to an individual, may be easily defrayed by a united Assembly. May we not hope also that those churches which are not connected with Associations will depute their minister to meet their brethren on such an occasion? Brethren, "the time is short." A large part of the portion allotted to us is already passed away. Let us endeavour to "redeem" what may yet remain by improving it to the most important purposes. Some of our brethren în the Ministry, since we last addressed you, have been gathered to their fathers. Is it not desirable that we should all prove that the fallen mantle of a Sutcliff has not descended upon us in vain? Let our younger brethren especially remember that "other men have laboured and that they are entering into their labours !” There is another subject, mentioned last year, which it is necessary for us to repeat, viz. "that it be affectionately recommended that a public collection be made in each of the churches of the General Union, to be applied, according to their own direction, either wholly or in part to the 66 Baptist Mission"-the "Particular Baptist Fund "—the "Widows Fund" -the "Baptist Itinerant Society"the "Baptist Society for promoting the gospel in Ireland," or to one of our "Academical Institutions." Signed WILLIAM BUTTON. Feb. 15, 1815. This church was formed in Sept. 1812, of thirteen persons. Three of these had been members of Mr. Birt's church at Plymouth Dock; one of the church at Ashburtou; one of the church at Reading; and another from a church at Edinburgh. During the same month one of the brethren above mentioned, named Charles Pollexfen, a builder in the Island, who had been called to the ministry by Mr. Birt's church, was set apart to the pastoral office. Since this he has baptized 11 more persons, making the number baptized in the Island 19. They have hitherto assembled in a Tobacco Store for worship, not being able to erect any place for the purpose. The number of stated hearers is from 70 to a 100. New Chapel opened. Oct. 6, 1814. A new Chapel was opened at Horsham, a populous market town in Sussex. The solemnities of the day were conducted by Mr. Upton and Mr. Stodhart of London; and Mr. Chapman of Lingfield. His Grace the Duke of Norfolk has evinced his liberality of sentiment, and noble generosity to Dissenters, by a donation of 50%. The pecuniary exertions of the friends at Horsham have been remarkably liberal, and the congregation sincerely hope, that, when the particulars of the case shall be stated to congregations and individuals, it will not fail to insure their assistance. WELSH ASSOCIATIONS, &c. The Baptist Association in North Wales was held the two last days of June, 1814, at Dolgelly, Merionethshire. Brethren H. Davies, junr. Timothy Thomas, John Morgan, John Davies, John Jones, C. Evans, S. Davies, Francis Hiley, Thomas Thomas, D. Davies, Abel Vaughan, and John Edwards, were engaged. On the two first days of July, a second Association was held at Holyhead, in Anglesea. Brethren Job Edwards, John Jones, John Herring, Robert Edwards, Henry Davies, John James, Thomas Davies, John Davies, Thomas Jones, C. Evans, Francis Hiley, John Jones, Thomas Thomas, Simon James, John Morgan, and Thomas Davies, were engaged. The next Associations in N. Wales will be held, the first at Ruthin, Denbighshire, the last Wednesday and Thursday of June; and the second at Lanarchymedd, Anglesea, first Wednesday and Thursday in July. The increase in both these associations, the past year, is about three hundred. The half-yearly Association of the Baptists in South Wales, was held, the 6th and 7th of October, at Langadog, Carmarthenshire. Brethren Jones of Landysul, Evans of Pantycelyn, Williams of Salem, and Davies of Aberduar, prayed. James of Fishguard, Davies of Velin-voel, Evans, of Carmarthen, Herring of Cardigan, Davies, sen. of Langloffan, B. Davies, and J. Harris, preached. At the ministers' conference it was unanimously agreed, that it is the duty of Christians to exert themselves in promoting missionary societies. On the 3d of Nov. brother D. Thomas was ordained over the Baptist church at Aberavon, Glamorganshire, by prayer and imposition of hands, Brethren J. Harris, W. Michael, D. Richards, and B. Davies, were en gaged on the occasion. Also on the 22d and 23d of Nov. a new meeting house, belonging to the particular Baptists, was opened in Landybie, Carmarthenshire. Brethren J. Davies, W. Evans, J. Watkins, D. Evans, T. Williams, J. Herring, and D. Saunders, were engaged. An auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society is intended to be formed at Swansea, and it is in contemplation to hold a public meeting annually, with a view to carry the design into effect; to commence next summer, of which notice will be given. The quarterly meeting belonging to the North Wales Baptist Association, was held at Denbigh, Dec. 26 and 27, 1814. Sermons by Messrs. R. Edwards, Evan Evans, W. Williams, John Edwards, Samuel Edwards, T. R. Davies, and T. Davies. The devotional parts by Messrs. 1. Edwards, R. Edwards, A. Vaughan, and J, Parry. The hearers numerous, who paid serious attention. The cause of Christ in these parts is in a prosperous state. By Mr. John Lawson, Missionary at Serampore, in the East Indies; Received November 17, 1814. PRECIOUS FAITH.-2 PET. i. 1. SEE Faith, with upward eyes, Her fair possessions in the skies, And waits with outstretch'd hand. She leans upon the cross, Her thundering foes are slain, or bound She waits the voice of God, That calls her to the skies; St. James's Church, Leeds. The religious public having often been solicited to contribute to a case carried through the country by a person of the name of Waugh; the foundation of which was a cause in Chancery-Waugh v. Rev. J. King-which has been pending near 20 years, we think it our duty to the public, that they may no further be misled by any future applications, to inform them that it was decided, Tuesday, Feb. 14th. in favor of the defendant. As soon as the Lord Chancellor had called the attention of the court to this long contested cause, the issue of which involved the ownership of St. James's Church, in Leeds, the Rev. J. King rose, and requested permission to address a few remarks to his Lordship, on some particulars of the case, which had been industriously circulated to mislead the public and injure himself—he hoped, therefore, that his Lordship would not suffer the cause to go out of court, without giving his decided opinion, as to what had really been his conduct toward the plaintiff Lee. At the conclusion of Mr. King's address his Lordship replied, “Mr. King, as to the allegations contained in the pleadings, I think it right to say, and I do say it, without any hesitation, that there does not appear any thing that can, with justice, reflect upon your character, or can in any way impeach it, as having been unbecoming the character of a clergyman, a gentleman, or a christian. His Lordship then turned to the court, and, having summed up the evidence, observed that whatever there might appear in it to the plaintiff of disappointment or hardship, that the bill had not been supported in any of its parts, and must therefore be dismissed with costs. Smith, Printer, John Street, Edgware Road, THE REV. ISAAC BACKUS, A.M. Extracted from Benedict's History of the American Baptists. Mr. Backus was one of the most useful ministers, that has ever appeared among the American Baptists. For about fifty years he was a laborious servant of their churches; and a considerable part of about thirty of the last of them, was devoted to historical pursuits. This excellent man still lives in the memory of thousands of his brethren; but scarcely any biographical sketches of his life are preserved, except what are found in his own writings. Mr. Backus was born at Norwich, Connecticut, Jan. 9, 1724. His parents were pious and respectable members of the Pedobaptist church in that town, by whom he was brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. His mother was a descendant of the family of the Winslows, who came over to Plymouth in 1620; his father sprung from one of the first planters in Norwich. In the New-Light Stir, in Whitfield's time, some of Mr. Backus's connexions united with the Separates, for which Vol. VII. they were harassed and perse- T licans of the parish soon began to distress them for the support of church in Boston, then lately deceased. This agency was merely their worship. Mr. Backus, a-in civil affairs, and was executed mong the rest, was taxed, seized and imprisoned a short time; and then released without paying the tax, or coming to any compromise. Disputes concerning baptism were agitated in this church about this time, which were continued a number of years, and some of the members were constrained, from time to time, to go into the water. In 1751, Mr. Backus was himself baptized, with six of his members, by elder Pierce, of Warwick, Rhodeisland. From this period, until 1756, this church practised open communion; but in that year those that had become Baptists came out, and formed a church upon the gospel plan, and Mr. Backus became its pastor. This was the nineteenth Baptist church in the three states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. From this date to the death of this venerable man, was a period of about fifty years. Nothing remarkable appears to have occurred in the discharge of his pastoral duties; but the part which he took in the general welfare of the Baptist churches, furnishes a number of incidents which ought to be recorded. Mr. Backus early imbibed a settled aversion to civil coercion in religious concerns; he was taught its iniquity, both by experience and observation; and few men have exerted themselves more than he in support of the equal rights of christians. In 1772 he was chosen an agent for the Baptist churches in Massachusetts, in the room of Mr. Davis, formerly pastor of the second one by him, who was entrusted with When the disputes came on which terminated in the revolutionary war, and the independence of the United States, the Baptists united with the rest of the American people in resisting the arbitrary claims of Great Britain; but it seemed to them unreasonable that they should be called upon to contend for civil liberty, if after it was gained, they should still be exposed to oppression in religious concerns. When, therefore, the first continental Congress met in Philadelphia, the Warren Association, viewing it as the highest civil resort, agreed to send Mr. Backus, as their agent, to that convention, "there to follow the best advice he could ob tain, to procure some influence from thence in their favour." When he arrived in Philadelphia, the Association there appointed a large committee, of whom Dr. |