I. The Reports showed 610 persons baptized since Feb. 20, 1877; 68 restored; and 166 candidates.

II. The churches at Kirkby, East Kirkby, and Retford, were received into the Conference.

was

III. The sub-committee appointed to choose a locality for home missionary operations presented the following report, which, after long and careful deliberation, was agreed upon by the Conference :"That we recommend to the Midland Conference the adoption of the offer of the church at Walsall to make their proposed new chapel the site for home missionary operations." (Cf. pp. 142, 143.) IV. The following resolution passed unanimously:--Resolved,—“That we sorrowfully record the decease of our esteemed brother, Mr. W. Bennett, of Sawley, who was, for many years, an attendant at this Conference; that we tender our sincere sympathy to his bereaved family, and to the church of which he was so efficient an officer; and that we desire for them and for ourselves a spirit of holy resignation to the divine will under the great loss which we have jointly sustained."

V. Opening of the New Chapel at Rome. This communication was cordially adopted :-"The Conference sends its hearty congratulations to the brethren forming the Baptist Church at Rome on the erection and completion of the new

Baptist Chapel, and pray that its opening services, and subsequent history, may be attended with signal tokens of the divine favour, and that the church may become an increasing force in the city of Rome in spreading the truths of the Gospel, and in the overthrow of error and superstition."

VI. Resolved,-That the best thanks of the Conference be presented to the Rev. J. C. Forth for his thoughtful and useful sermon.

VII. That the Rev. J. T. Almy be requested to preach at the Conference at Swadlincote on Whit Wednesday next, and in case of failure the Rev. J. R. Parker, of Castle Donington. The Rev. Dr. Underwood was also requested to prepare a paper on "Our Conferences" to be read at the afternoon session.

In the evening a public meeting was held. Jas. Hill, Esq., of Derby, presided. Addresses were delivered by Revs. E. Stevenson, J. T. Almy, J. Parkinson, C. T. Johnson, and Messrs. Hooley and Dalby. J. SALISBURY, Sec.

CHURCHES.

BARTON, &c.-Our annual church meeting was held at Barlestone, March 5th. Most of our numerous stations were well represented. The written and oral reports gave evidence that, as a church, we have had a fair measure of success. During the year we have raised for the ministry, missions, Chilwell College, etc., between £600 and £700, and yet have had nothing extra on hand. We praise God for bestowing upon us the means and the heart to give for the extension of His kingdom. A public meeting was held in the evening. In the absence of brother Needham, through illness, the chair was taken by Mr. Greenwood. Members from the choirs of several of our chapels, ably led by Mr. T. Deacon, jun., of Barton, sang many pieces of music. Addresses bearing upon church and school work were delivered by Mr. Greenwood and our lay preachers, and the meeting, both as to numbers and spirit, was good.

CLAYTON.-The annual tea and festival were held, March 5. 392 persons at tea. The Rev. J. Brown, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Alderman Watson, of Bradford, presided at the public meeting. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Bentley, R. Hardy, J. Stevenson, and Mr.

Sim Hurst, of Rawdon College. The receipts, including £2 2s. from Mr. Alderman Watson, amounted to £13 9s. 3d.

CROWLE. Our new organ was opened Feb. 17, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. E. Compton, of Lincoln, to crowded congregations. On Monday a public tea was held. 177 present. The pastor, Rev. J. Stutterd, presided at the public meeting, and addresses were delivered by Revs. E. Compton, J. A. Hamilton, and T. Foster. Collections £9; which will be divided between the Ladies Sewing Basket, the Home Mission, and Chapel Building Fund. At our new year's bazaar £41 was taken.

GRANTHAM.-The anniversary services of the George Street church were celebrated Feb. 24. Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., preached morning and evening, and Rev. A. Holland in the afternoon. On Monday, at five p.m., a goodly number assembled to tea. Mr. G. S. Hannett presided at the public meeting. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. C. Jones, M.A., A. Holland, G. H. Malins, and H. J. Le Fèvre (pastor). The services throughout were a great success, and the collections liberal.

LONDON, Commercial Road.-Rev. J. Fletcher's fourth anniversary, Feb. 12th. The report mentions 39 added to the church; an increase of £14 in the annual income; and £140 raised for the renova

tion of the Sabbath school.

MELBOURNE. The General Baptist chapel in this place having been closed for a number of months for extensive alterations and improvements, was reopened for public worship on Wednesday, March 6, when two sermons were preached by J. Clifford. The services were continued March 10; the Rev. J. T. Brown, President of the Baptist Union, preached. All the services were very largely attended, and the greatest interest manifested in them. The collections and sale of a few articles remaining from the Bazaar amounted to £75. Universal approval was expressed of the alterations and improvements made, which have thoroughly transformed one of the old meeting-houses of the past century into a chaste and beautiful modern sanctuary. May the glory of the Lord fill the house! On the Thursday following these services Mrs. Jefferson, the much esteemed teacher of the Young Women's Bible Class, having completed the fiftieth year of her work in the school, invited all the scholars now living who had passed through the several classes she had taught during that period, to meet her at a meeting commemorative of her jubilee. About 170 old scholars responded. After tea

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the presentation of a very valuable lady's chair to Mrs. Jefferson, by her old scholars, as an expression of their esteem and love, was made. Addresses were given by Mrs. Coles and Mrs. Jefferson, and a most happy evening was spent.

Mrs.

OLD BASFORD. The Rev. Watson Dyson having accepted the pastorate of North Parade, Halifax, a farewell tea and presentation meeting took place at Old Basford. Nearly 400 persons partook of tea in the school-rooms, after which a public meeting was held in the chapel, which was crowded. The chair was taken by Mr. Thomas Smith (in the unavoidable absence, through illness, of Mr. Councillor Wm. Burton, senior deacon). After short speeches by several of the deacons, the presentation of a beautiful illuminated address, in gilt Oxford frame, and a valuable gold lever watch, was presented, by Mr. Councillor Ford, to Mr. Dyson, on behalf of the members of the church and congregation. Charles and Mrs. Smith also presented Mrs. Dyson (on behalf of the female members and friends) with a very chaste card plate and tea service. In reply Mr. Dyson referred to the unanimity of feeling and purpose which had existed between himself and his people, especially to the fact that during the seven years of his ministry at Old Basford he had never received from any one of his seven deacons an unkind or ungenerous word; also that during that time one hundred and nine persons had been received into church fellowship. He returned hearty thanks for the handsome gifts which lay before him, and spoke of the unmixed kindness of the friends; of the attachment to him of young and old alike; of much consolation and help in times of bodily weakness; of the great results which had been achieved by united effort; and concluded an earnest and touching farewell by a kind tribute to the memory of departed friends, and advice as to future work for and in the vineyard of the Master. During the pastorate of Mr. Dyson a debt on the chapel of £800 or £900 has been entirely extinguished; a new iron chapel at Southwark Bridge has been opened free of debt; the schools and church are well attended, and it is evident from the tone and character of the meeting, and from the utterances of gentlemen of other denominations, that Mr. Dyson leaves Basford with the best wishes of all classes of society.

SAWLEY.-The annual tea was held, March 5. 140 present. After tea a selection of music was performed by the choir, under the leadership of Mr. W. Turner. Financially this has been the most suc

cessful meeting we have had for many years past.

STALYBRIDGE, Wakefield Road-Reopening Services.-After being closed five months for raising organ gallery, lowering and widening singing arch, erecting pitch pine rostrum and communion platform, better lighting and heating, and tastefully beautifying the chapel, at an outlay of £300, it was re-opened for worship on Sunday, March 10, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Alcorn, and also a sermon on Thursday evening, the 14th, by the Rev. W. Evans. The services realized (including £50 from Robert Platt, Esq., of Dunham Hall) £100.

SCHOOLS.

LEEDS, Wintoun Street.-Mrs. Barsby's class held its annual meeting. Essays were read and prizes were given, and Mrs. Barsby was presented with a handsome walnut-wood writing desk by its members. Many old scholars joined in the happy meeting.

MINISTERIAL.

Dr.

J.

AVERY, REV. WM. J., was recognised as assistant-pastor of the church meeting in Praed Street and Westbourne Park Chapels on Monday, March 4th. Clemance preached at three p.m. Clifford presided at the public meeting. Mr. A. Towers spoke of the action of the church in inviting Mr. Avery, and the assistant-pastor responded. The Rev. Professor Goadby, B.A., gave the charge to the minister, and Rev. J. T. Wigner that to the church. Addresses were also given by Revs. W. G. Lewis, J. Fletcher, and J. Evans.

BUCKINGHAM, REV. F. G.-Most interesting services were held at Woodborough Road chapel, Nottingham, on Shrove Tuesday. A Service of Song, "The Desire of all Nations," was performed. Mr. J. Ferneyhough, jun., Superintendent of the Sabbath school, gave an address on S. S. work. Mr. Barwick presented a purse containing £110 10s. in the name of the members and friends of the church to their pastor.

DAVIES, REV. W. E., has resigned his ministry at Wirksworth, and will terminate his service on the last Sunday in April, and is now open to supply vacancies with a view to settlement.

DYSON, REV. WATSON'S, SETTLEMENT.— A welcome tea meeting was held on Feb. 19th, on the occasion of the Rev. Watson Dyson beginning his work as pastor of the church at North Parade, Halifax.

About 300 took tea, after which a public meeting was held. The chair was filled by Mr. T. Illingworth. The Revs. J. Parkes, T. Michael, B. Dale, J. Lawton, W. Gray, J. Godfrey, and Messrs. D. Wilson and J. Holt, gave the welcome for the church Four of Mr. Dyson's late deacons of Old Basford were present, and two addressed the meeting. Had a most encouraging and successful gathering.

SMITH, REV. W. H., has accepted the pastorate of the church at Worship Street, London. His address is 32, Myrtle Street, Dalston, N.E.

TEMPERANCE.

EAST KIRKBY.-On Feb. 10, the Rev. A. Firth preached his first annual Temperance Sermon (by request from the church at East Kirkby) from the words, "We will drink no wine," Jer. xxxv. 6. The place was crowded to excess, and the Temperance Committee have decided to print the sermon.

BAPTISMS.

ARNOLD.-Six, by Mr. Bown.
BOSTON.-Five, by J. Jolly.

EAST KIRKBY AND KIRKBY.-Four, by A. Firth.
HALIFAX.-One, by W. Dyson.

LEICESTER, Dover Street.-Five, by W. Evans. LONDON, Commercial Road.-Four.

LONDON, Westbourne Park.-Thirteen.

LONGTON.-Five, by C. Springthorpe.
WEST VALE.-Three, by B. Wood.

WINDLEY.-Four, by H. A. Blount-the first baptism in the chapel.

WISBECH.-Three, by H. B. Robinson.

MARRIAGES.

ROBERTS-JONES.-Feb. 21, at March Centenary Chapel, by the Rev. S. S. Allsop, Charles, son of Charles Roberts, of Peterborough, to Eliza, only daughter of the late Joseph Jones, of Stonea Grange, Wimblington, near March.

SHENTON-FLOOD.-Feb. 24, in the Baptist Chapel, Macclesfield, by the Rev. J. Maden, Mr. Richard Robert Shenton, to Miss Harriett Flood, both of Macclesfield.

OBITUARIES.

GREEN, Mrs., of Hugglescote, fell asleep in Jesus, Feb. 24, 1878, aged eighty-two years. She was baptized by the late Rev. Thomas Orton, and continued a pious, consistent, and devoted member of the church for sixty-three years. She was a scholar when the Sunday school was established in 1808, and one of its first teachers. A funeral sermon was preached by her pastor, the Rev. J. Salisbury, on Sunday evening, March 3, to a large congregation.

ERRATUM-Obit.-We greatly regret that an error on page 112 escaped us. "ROBERTS, Mr. Alexander," should be "ALEXANDER, Mr. Robert." Will our readers make the correction?