CORRESPONDENCE. THE YORKSHIRE CONFERENCE AND REV. W. BAILEY. 307 DEAR SIR,-At our last Conference, | the population of the entire world. Of its antiquity much might be said, for long before David sang his plaintive melodies, or Isaiah breathed forth his poetic effusions of the life and sorrows of Jesus, the Hindoos had their sages, shastras, and priests. a letter received from brother Bailey, and addressed to the ministers and representatives, was read, and excited considerable interest. By the insertion of the following extracts, I indulge the hope that the Christian solicitude evinced in our Foreign Mission operations on that occasion, will be evidenced and perpetuated. Having unburdened his heart in cordial greetings and pleasant memories, brother Bailey thus writes:-"You are all aware that the province of Orissa has been consigned by the common consent of the Church of God to the General Baptist Missionary Society, and a more suitable field for the agents of this Society would not be found on the whole continent of India. "I have often wondered that this, the Palestine of India, should have been given to one of the smallest tribes of the the Israel of God. One would have thought that this stronghold of idolatry should have been assailed by one of the more powerful battalions of the army of Immanuel. Truly God's ways are not as our ways. Now as of olden time he can make the week victorious over the strong." Comparing the paucity of labourers with the vastness of the field, our brother says, "Hundreds of thousands must die without ever hearing the message of salvation. In Berhampore and its suburbs there cannot be less than 60,000 souls, and in the district, the population, not including the hill tribes, exceeds a million. For two missionaries and four native preachers, to convey the gospel to such masses, they need all to have a voice like Boanerges, and to possess the physical energies of Samson. Oft have you heard the plaintive cry from your missionaries abroad: "The harvest, truly, is plenteous, and the labourers are few, and with tenfold energy we would beseech you, Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.' "The system we are called to attack is an ancient and complicated one. Hindooism is not the mere worship of idols, or the offering of a lamb or goat from the flocks, or the taking of pilgrimages; but something which weaves itself into every event and circumstance of life. It has been called Satan's master-piece, and well may it be thus styled, for it has enslaved directly or indirectly, two thirds of "We are thankful that you take such a deep interest in the Redeemer's cause in this land, and my object in writing is to urge upon you the importance of increased zeal and devotedness to the missionary enterprise. Let me ask you, wherever it is practicable, to have a Juvenile Missionary Association. I believe these institutions have been productive of incalculable good in the Wesleyan, Independent, and Baptist Missionary Societies." Having urged the formation of these youthful auxiliaries, Mr. Bailey continues, "There are special reasons why Lancashire and Yorkshire should do much for India, for I know of no other counties in England that are so indebted to this country. Come with me to this Berhampore bazaar, and I will take you amongst the native merchants, and you shall there see bales on bales of Manchester goods. Cotton and calicoes are sent hither in such quantities, that it is impossible for the Indian weavers to obtain anything like a respectable maintenance. And what I tell you now is a positive fact, that the weavers of the town (and there are many) will sell you goods much cheaper that have been made of English spun cotton yarn, than they will of cotton spun by the hand in Berhampore. Thus it appears that cotton in the raw state, can be taken from this country and exported to England; can there be prepared, shipped back again, and after being sent to this place, 400 miles from Calcutta, can actually be made up cheaper than cotton grown and spun on the spot. Hundreds of natives in this district are clothed with fine Manchester calicoes, and it is not improbable that Indian weaving will in a few years come to an end. Are you aware how much you are indebted to India for cotton? Yes; in 1857, India supplied two-fifths of the amount of cotton received from America, and more than a fourth of the entire supply received in Great Britain. I would have every cotton lord and every artizan in Lancashire and Yorkshire remember that they are indebted to India for their wealth and power. Of what use would all the factories and steampower, and looms be, without the raw material? India is the home of the cotton plant, and the idea of calico weaving | letter. Much, very much, depends upon came from India. If India, then, has the ministers of our churches. done so much for these counties, let them in return try and benefit its people. But I cannot forget that I am appealing to the ministers and office-bearers in the Church of Christ, and the greatest incentive I can bring before you is the love of Christ. If that constrain you, then will you labour and pray for India. May you and all the churches at home be baptized with a missionary spirit, a spirit of love and compassion for guilty ruined man. Were we more under the influence of the Spirit of Him who gave His life for the world, you would be more successful at home, and we more successful abroad." My desire and prayer to God is, that the churches composing the Yorkshire Conference will ponder well and truly the facts and reasonings contained in the above extractions from Mr. Bailey's My dear brethren in the work of the Lord, suffer me to urge upon your immediate attention the suggestion of Mr. Bailey, to organize Juvenile Missionary Associations, where none exist. Teach the young to love the cause of Christian Missions, and you enrich their souls with thoughts, sympathies, and aims of the noblest kind. Our responsibilities in relation to this question are solemn and weighty. Oh, that each may have grace so to discharge them, that the Master may hereafter say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Praying, Mr. Editor, that a double portion of your sainted father's spirit may rest upon you in your pastoral and editorial duties, I remain, yours very cordially, WEEKLY OFFERING. TO THE EDITOR OF THE GENERAL BAPTIST MAGAZINE. DEAR SIR,-At the risk of wearying some of your readers on the subject of the Weekly Offering, I wish just to observe, that we find the second quarter of its adoption equally satisfactory with the first. We have by it not only met all our claims, but we have in addition, paid off an arrear of £15, which was due on our yearly current account at Christmas last We have had no collections, seat rents, or monthly subscriptions; notwithstanding this, I am, as treasurer, in the pleasant position of having several pounds in hand, and we are hoping gradually to remove our chapel and school debts without the usual anniversary collections. I feel no hesitancy in saying, I believe the plan, if properly carried out, would greatly promote the interests of all our churches. Should any of your readers wish for any particulars as to the mode of carrying out the system, I shall be happy to answer any enquiries. I remain, Very sincerely yours, Melbourne, July 15th, 1859. JOHN EARP. P.S.-I know of several churches who have adopted the Weekly Offering, with equal success. Byron-street, Leeds, one; and an Independent minister of Towcester, writes me word that the plan in the church there has realized an increase of 90 per cent. on their former income. Intelligence. CONFERENCE. THE YORKSHIRE CONFERENCE met at 1. That the Home Mission Report, the new chapel, Todmorden, on Tuesday, June 14th, 1859. The secretary read the Scriptures and prayed, and Mr. Walters, of Halifax, preached from John xvii. 16:-"They are not of the world." Mr. Matthias opened the business meeting in the afternoon, and Mr. Thomas Horsfield presided. It was reported that thirty-seven had been baptized since the last Conference, and that sixteen remained as candidates. Resolutions passed: read by bro. Hardy, be adopted. 2. That brethren Wilson and Oakes, of Halifax, audit the Home Mission Accounts for the current year. 3. That the treasurer pay the balance he has in hand to bro. Horsfield, the secretary of the building committee. 4. That the letter addressed to the Conference, by our estimable misssionary bro. Bailey, be now read by the secretary. 5. That we very cordially thank bro. Bailey for his kind and interesting epistle, INTELLIGENCE. and request our secretary to reply to it. 6. That bro. Hardy be thanked for his services as secretary of our Home Mission, and continue in office the ensuing year. 309 A spontaneous effort was made to augment the funds of the Home Mission, Mr. Sutcliffe concluded with prayer. Mr. Walters preached in the evening on behalf of the new chapel. The next Conference will be at Allerton, on Tuesday, August 30th, Mr. Horsfield, of Shore to be the preacher; service in C. SPRINGTHORPE, Secretary. 7. That the thanks of the Conference be given to bro. Springthorpe in retiring from office, and that bro. Thos. Horsfield, of Vale, be secretary of the Conference the morning. for the coming year. OPENINGS. POLESWORTH, near Tamworth.-The Baptist chapel, closed for repairs, painting, &c. was re-opened on June 26th, 1859. Rev. R.J. Langridge, of Nuneaton, preached two sermons. Collections above £5. On Monday, July 4th, a public tea | was provided, about 150 persons were present. After which, a public meeting was held, Mr. Williams, in the chair. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Barker, Wesleyan, Wetherhead, and R. J. Langridge. The proceeds go towards paying the expenses incurred in improving the chapel. The friends are happy to state that nearly the whole expense is cleared off. DAYBROOK, near Nottingham.-The new chapel, erected in connection with Broad street church, Nottingham, was opened for Divine Worship, on Lords'-day, July 3rd. The Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., preached in the morning; and Rev. H. Hunter, in the evening; on Lords'day, July 10th, in the morning, Rev. J. J. Goadby; and in the evening, Rev. J. F. Stevenson, B.A. A tea meeting was held on 4th of July. The services were well attended, and the collections encouraging. Much good has been done in this village by the selfdenying efforts of friends from Nottingham, and by the blessing of God on them. We earnestly pray that this sanctuary may become a great blessing to the neighbourhood, ORDINATION. | BRADFORD, Tetley-street.-On Whit- | the minister from Ephesians iv., and 12 v. Monday, June 13th, Rev. B. Wood was "The Work of the Ministry." In the solemnly set apart to the pastoral office, evening, Rev. J. Sutcliffe read the Scripbefore a large company of church mem- tures and prayed; Rev. J. Tunnicliffe, of bers and other friends. Rev. J. Taylor, Leeds, addressed the church from Exodus of Allerton, read the Scriptures and xvii. 12 and 13 v. The services were prayed; Rev. R. Hardy, of Queenshead, deeply interesting. A hallowed feeling gave the address on the constitution of pervaded the people, and all seemed highly the apostolic churches; Rev. J. Taylor gratified. We hope the union thus formed proposed the questions; Rev. R. J. Sutcliffe, will prove a blessing both to pastor and of Staleybridge, offered prayer, and Rev. people, J. Batey, of Rochdale, gave the charge to BAPTISMS. BROUGHTON.-On Lords'-day, June | five persons in our new baptistry. We 26th, 1859, the ordinance of believers' have several more candidates. baptism was administered to three persons. May they be faithful unto death. W. U. NUNEATON, July 3rd, 1859, after a sermon on the 1st John, v. 3, the minister, R. J. Langridge, baptized five persons, who were received the same day into church-fellowship. A large number of members and spectators were present, R. J. L. ANNIVERSARIES. BARTON DAY SCHOOL.--On Whit | weather was fine, the attendance quite Thursday, June 16th, the sixteenth anni- equal to former years, and the examinaversary of our day school was held. The tion in the afternoon very satisfactory A public meeting was held in the evening, and upwards of £30 were realized by the tea and collection, for the use of the school. BARLESTONE SUNDAY SCHOOL.--On the 26th of June, two useful sermons were preached by the Rev. T Barrass, of Peterborough. The chapel was crowded, and collections quite as good as usual. R H. FORNCETT.-We had our annual tea meeting June 13, the largest and best we ever had. The same week we had a tea meeting at Moulton, one of our preaching places. The new chapel, opened March 13, and large tent, were crowded, more than 500 taking tea. The clergyman has done all his power to hinder us, but our prospects are encouraging. G. M. Cemetery Road, Sheffield.—On Sunday, July 17th, two excellent sermons were preached by the Rev. W. R Stevenson, M.A., of Nottingham, in aid of our Sabbath schools. In the afternoon an BURNLEY, EBENEZER CHAPEL.-On Lord's-day, June 26th, two sermons were preached in the above chapel, by the Rev. H. Ashberry, of Sheffield. Collections were made on behalf of the sabbath school amounting to £40 10s. 6d. We are glad to learn that the friends connected with the above place intend to build a new chapel. They have had an offer of land adjoining the premises by the executors of the late Colonel Har greaves, and are now treating for the same. It is intended to pull down the school rooms and build a new chapel on the site, and to make the old chapel into school rooms. We hope they will sonn be able to carry out their intention in the erection of a neat, substantial, and commodious place of worship.—Burnley Advertiser. MISCELLANEOUS ILKESTON-Testimonial Tea Meeting.—| new chapel, little thinking that in the The friends of the Rev. T. R. Stevenson having resolved to present him with some testimonial of their sympathy and esteem, it was decided to hold a tea meeting, on Monday, June 27th. Having obtained possession of the old chapel on the morning of that day, it was at once decided to hold it in that place, where a platform was speedily erected, and the chapel tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, obtained from the gardens of the neighbourhood. A very large number of Christian friends of all denominations attended. In the evening, a public meeting was held, when the chapel was crowded with sympathizers of the rev. gentleman. About seven o'clock. Mr. Bishop, of Nottingham, was called upon to preside, and opened the meeting by some appropriate remarks as to the circumstances which had called them together, and was rejoiced to see such a meeting expressive of confidence and sympathy with his friend. The meeting was then addressed by the Rev. J. Stevenson, B.A., of Nottingham, in a very eloquent speech, after which, Mr. Armstrong, of Ilkeston, in the name of the friends of Mr. Stevenson, presented him with a purse containing fifteen guineas, voluntarily subscribed by the working classes of Ilkeston, of whom it may be seid, they heard him gladly. The Rev. T. R. Stevenson responded in an address full of feeling, referring to the fact of its being just one year since they were all rejoicing together, at the opening of this short space of twelve months, they would meet under such circumstances as the present. He expressed his feelings towards the working classes of the town who had stood by him-for their love of honesty and fair play-and in reference to the future, assured them he thought it would not be the part of wisdom to stay permanently amongst them, but he should look back to his ministry at Ilkeston as a blessed, happy time, believing his labours had been acceptable. He could assure them he should not forget their happy faces, and thanked them for their present-not simply for its value, but because it was a display of their affection and esteem-and assured them he should ever, in whatever sphere he should be called to labour, strive to benefit the people, and stand up for those principles of eternal truth which must ultimately prevail against all sin and errors. Addresses were afterwards delivered by Rev. J.Goadby, Lenton; R. Murray, Esq., Ilkeston; Mr. J. Spray, New Basford; J. Truman, Esq., and Mr. W. Stevenson. Apologies were made on behalf of several ministers of the town who were unavoidably absent. The meeting throughout was of a most enthusiastic kind, and towards the close the audience audibly expressed themselves as to what they considered the unjust treatment Mr. Stevenson had received at the hands of those who ought to have supported him in his labours. After a vote of thanks to the ladies for tea, and the chairman for presiding, the NOTES OF THE MONTH. meeting terminated about ten o'clock. Our friend will leave the town and neighbourhood of Ilkeston with the good wishes and prayers of the Christian public, that his life may be long and happy, and that he may be eminently useful in the discharge of the duties of a Christian minister. H. C. BAPTIST CHAPEL, ILKESTON.-A meeting of the trustees was held in the vestry of the Old Chapel, on Tuesday, July 5th, 1859. Present, brethren Lambert Small West, Nottingham; James Orchard, Christopher Harrison, and James Hithersay, of Ilkeston; Job Ellis, Old Lenton; Thomas Roberts, Nottingham; Thomas Cresswell, Smalley; and William Wilkins, Derby, (chairman). Resolved, I.-That the following deeds of the chapel be read at the meeting: No. 1. Relating to the Land (copyhold), dated August 6th, 1784. 2. Relating to the burial ground, dated April 9th, 1833. And No. 3. Conveyance of the chapel from John Orchard, the only survivor of 311 the late trustees, to the new trustees now present. II. That the deeds be deposited in the hands of our friend Thomas Cresswell, of Smalley, being one of the trustees. III. That the trustees let the premises for a chapel and school, at a rental of £20 per annum, and that preference be given to the friends about to separate from the present church. IV. That the rent of £20, when obtained, be paid over to the deacons of the church meeting in the new chapel, in Queen-street, Ilkeston. V. That the keys be placed in the hands of Mr. Matthew Hobson, gentleman, of Ilkeston, and that he hold them during the pleasure of trustees, and that he give them up when desired by a majority of the trustees, and that he be empowered to receive the rent of the cottage, and also of the chapel and school, when let. VI. That the particulars of this meet- Nates of the Month. ECCLESIASTICAL. CHURCH dignitaries have strange notions. Canon Wordsworth told the convocation of the province of Canterbury, at their meeting, in June, that he regarded churchrates, as a royalty to Christ, founded by him for the propagation of true doctrine and true religion." The heads of the English hierarchy have surely been sleeping since the days of Queen Anne to talk in this antiquated style. But the House of Commons will awake them before long. We turn with a sense of relief from this subject to notice the laudable efforts of the clergy in the metropolis. The incumbent of St. Paul's, Bermondsey, preached for the fourth time in front of his church, on the last Sunday in June. Six hundred people assembled to hear the zealous preacher. The same day a novel scene took place in the parish church of Trevethin, in Wales. Rev. J. Davies administered the ordinance of baptism to one adult, a young girl about thirteen, and ten children. Two were baptized by inmersion, and eleven by pouring! Dr. Hook has had a purse of 2,000 guineas presented to him by the people of Leeds, and Mrs. Hook a purse of £270.-Mr. Golightly has lost his case, and had to pay costs. The Popish rector of Woollavington, in Sussex, found a friend in the bishop of Chichester.-Out-door services have been held in Covent-garden Market. Revs. S. Thornton, H. Hutton, and others, have preached there to attentive audiences of a thousand persons. Rev. T. Richardson has also preached in front of the Royal Exchange, London.-The special services in Westminster Abbey were brought to a close last month. A church paper called the first evening service, "a rough and imperfect success.' Romanists went on pilgrimage to the On Whit-Monday, about five thousand shrines of Cuthbert, Bede, and Goderic. Finchale Dale, near Durham, the supposed site of Goderic's hermitage, attracted the greatest number of devotees.-A deputation of Roman Catholics waited last month on the Premier to ask for the appointment and workhouses. Lord Palmerston gave of chaplains of their own faith in gaols them encouragement to hope for compliance with their wishes-Prayers have been presented in English and Irish churches to the Virgin Mary and all the saints for the protection of the Pope. At Marseilles the statue of Notre Dame de la Garde has been paraded through the streets. Many penitents walked bare foot in the procession; but the greatest point of attraction was, a bull carrying a little child to personify St. John! Popery |