is another of the distinctive features of General Baptists, as being in their view most in accordance with the mind of Christ, and the conduct of the Apostles, and first Christians: and the cover of the Magazine bears also this text, Go ye, therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,' &c., and it appears, there it is supposed, as the ground and warrant of their peculiarity in this particular. Yet it is said, that there are Churches amongst us which practice open communion; and that they do not do so occasionally, merely, but constantly; nor in their own places of worship only, but in other places, and with Christians of a different faith and order, whose baptism they do not even acknowledge to be Christian baptism. I pass no opinion on these doings, much less do I denounce them; but I say, that the circumstance of a want of co-operation in some of our churches in not contributing to all or none of our institutions, is by no means the only or chief instance of a want of 'real union' amongst us. And if one friend regretting this, would recommend a stringent resolution to enforce conformity in one particular, another friend might be solicitous for the adoption of a stringent resolution to secure conformity in another particular. It is most devoutly to be desired, that in the same community of Christians, there should be recognized 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism;' in other words, 'a real union' in the belief of the doctrines of the Gospel, and in the practice of its requirements. But at present we have, unhappily, no such union among us, whatever there may have been in an earlier period of the New Connexion of General Baptists. It is said that we have those amongst us who are Calvinistic in their sentiments, as well as those who are Arminian and churches that practise open communion, and contend for its scripturalness, as well as churches that practise strict communion, and contend for its scripturalness. But, how much soever this want of union may be deplored, its correction, few will think, should be attempted by compulsion. This would be to give up our great principle as Protestant Dissenters, which is resistance of all control over the churches of Christ, in their faith, and order, and practice. I do not see if we agree to require the churches to do this or that as a condition of union with us as a body,' how we can any longer hold the attitude which we now assume, of bold, uncompromising, and consistent opposition to State, or any other control in matters of religion. Religion is a voluntary thing; Christian churches are voluntary unions; they own no one as master but Christ; and they acknowledge subjection to none else. On our principles as Dissenters, we cannot compel them; as soon as we begin to do this we relinquish the principle which led our fathers, and which leads us, to recede from a state establishment, and justify such uniformity-acts as disgrace the reigns of Elizabeth and the Stuart Kings. We can advise, remonstrate, exhort, but we cannot do more. Nor need we wish to attempt more: where argument and suasion, enforced by the Spirit and precepts of the Gospel, fail, compulsion will be found to avail little. I should rejoice if a greater union amongst us could be secured, and should be glad if legitimate means, that would receive general approval, could be devised and adopted with success for this purpose. Yours faithfully, J. K. THE LORD'S SUPPER-WHAT SAYETH THE SCRIPTURE? To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-May I beg permission through you, to ask some one or other of your able correspondents, to give their views on the subject involved in these queries, about which some of your readers feel considerable interest. In what light, according to Scripture, is the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to be regarded? Is it a Church ordinance or not? Is it scripturally cele brated otherwise than by individual churches meeting together in their respective places of worship, in their capacity as of churches? Sometimes we hear of different churches and parts of different churches, of a different faith and order, meeting together in one place for the observance of this rite. Correspondence.-Connexional Organization, and Our College. 147 The avowed purpose for which good ness regularity, respectfully request the people, members of different churches, churches to make their annual collecmeet together and unite in this service, tions, and the subscribers to send in is the exhibition and cultivation of their donations for the College as soon Christian union and affection. If for as possible. An additional advantage such a purpose it is considered scrip- gained by earlier payment will be, that tural for parts of churches of a different as treasurer, I shall be able to lay before faith and order to meet together for the the Association something like a correct united celebration of the Lord's Supper, account of the financial condition of would it be considered scriptural for our College, and not present an account a part or parts of the same church, which, on the present system of payholding the same views as regards ment, must, to a great extent, be mere Gospel truth and requirement, to meet guess-work. for the same object? It is right and I would also suggest to those churches proper for a few members of a Christian which contribute nothing towards the church to meet together for social prayer College, that if we are to have men and praise-and they often do so-would fitted for the ministry, we must have it be considered scriptural for such means to educate them; and who, I friends to celebrate the ordinance of would ask, does not like to sit under a our Lord's Supper before they sepa- preacher from whom we may gather rated? If it would not be considered instruction? A word to the wise is scriptural for a few members of one and enough.-Yours truly, the same church to act thus, how does it become scriptural for several members of different churches, and some of CONNEXIONAL ORGANIZATION. them of a different faith and practice, To the Editor of the General Baptist to unite in the observance of this sacred ceremony? Is that right in the case of DEAR SIR, ID your January numlarge numbers, which is wrong in the ber there appeared a letter signed case of small? A scriptural reply to J. E., Melbourne. Although the full these inquiries would, I have no doubt, usme is not given, we all know the be very acceptable to many of your worthy writer. Permit me to express, readers, and to none more so than through your columns, how heartily I yours, sincerely, INQUIRER. sympathize with that part of the letter commencing "Now I am writing," &c. The friends who attended the Confer OUR COLLEGE. Magazine. G. BALDWIN, Treasurer. Magazine. To the Editor of the General Baptistence at Leicester last autumn would be impressed very painfully with the DEAR SIR,-Allow me, through the fact, that during the last half cenpages of our Magazine, to call the tury several of our churches have acearnest attention of the subscribers and tnally ceased to exist, and that others friends to the loss to the funds of the show signs of gradual decay. Ought institution, as well as to the great we to be indifferent to these things? inconvenience to myself as treasurer, It would be instructive to know, ii, in the present mode of supporting our amongst the three great branches of College. The great bulk of the collec- the Wesleyan churches, such lamenttions and subscriptions are not paid in able results have occurred at all in prountil the latter end of the Connexional portion to their numbers. year, or even till the Association week. In order, therefore, to meet the necessary expenses of the College, money has to be advanced by the bank, on which interest must be paid; and, as I have received up to this date considerably less than at this time last year, the loss in interest will be increased. I would, then, lest that loss be enlarged by further delay, and in order to carry on the institution with something like busi After careful reflection, I come to the conclusion that we suffer as a body, not through our doctrines being contrary to God's word, or through our ministers and members being interior in piety to others, but chiefly through a want of better organisation. I presume those churches who have voluntarily joined the associated body of General Baptist churches, do so for some objects which, as isolated churches, they could not accomplish. Those objects being 1. To strengthen each others hands by counsel and assistance. 2. To make united efforts to extend Christ's kingdom on earth. In order to accomplish these ends, we meet in Conferences and at the Association. The probable expense of attending these meetings and value of the time, exceeds £1000 a-year; and yet, there appears to exist a kind of independent feeling in some churches that, although they have sent their proportion of representatives, and our constitution is as democratic as it can well be made; yet they feel at liberty to disregard recommendations of the Conferences and Association if they think fit. Now, my opinion is, that such things beget weakness (and that committees feel that they are exposed to constant anxiety), and also hinder the establishment amongst us of several very valuable institutions. I hope no one will contend, after the evidence given at the Leicester Conferences, that there is no reason for anxiety and great humility before God. I do not refer now to the need of greater personal piety-that is a matter which comes home to us all as individuals; but to urge upon my brethren, that as we have united for the objects before stated, we should be united in effort as well as in name; and I would support for this end the proposals of J. E. and have every church contribute something yearly to the public institutions Sanctioned by the Associations. Let not the smaller churches say they gain nothing by these institutions, and their connection with the body. Who preaches their anniversary and school sermons, and aids their public meetings, but the ministers of the large towns who have been educated at the College? I should like the Association to exercise the power of advising with churches where religion has been in a declining or stagnant state for years. Would it not often be attended with great benefit to suggest a change in the ministry? It would be easy to point out the great advantages which have followed this step in several of our churches, and yet it is a very delicate and dangerous thing for an individual to suggest. In reading the proceedings of the Associations and Conferences many years ago, we find the church at , requests the advice of the brethren in the choice of a minister, or words to that effect. How seldom do we hear this question asked now, and yet I think it might be with great advantage, not only to the poor and small churches, but also to the influential ones. I trust these remarks will not be regarded in an unkindly spirit by any one. I remain, yours very sincerely, BAPTIST UNION. To the Editor of the General Baptist DEAR SIR,-Allow us, through your columns, to draw the attention of the ministers and other brethren of our denomination to the approaching Aumual Session of the Baptist Union. The Session is to be held on Friday, the 20th of April, at the usual hour of ten in the forenoon. In order to render it more attractive than some of its precursors have been deemed, and to give it a character in fuller harmony with the time, it has been resolved by the committee that the entire forenoon from ten o'clock till one-shall be appropriated to Conference and prayer in relation to the Revival of religion: and that refreshments being had at one o'clock, the regular business of the Session shall be attended to in the afternoon. The Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel has kindly complied with the request of the committee to open the Conference by a short address. The object of the committee in making the arrangement above stated cannot be mistaken, and we are instructed to express their earnest hope that ministerial and other brethren, both in town and country, will so warmly sympathise with it, as to draw in considerable, if not in large, numbers to the meeting. It will be truly gratifying if the scanty attendance, which has so often been both our regret and our reproach, should be exchanged for a numerous gathering. It is obvious also that the whole day should be given up to the proceedings of the Session. Intelligence.-Conferences and Baptisms. Commending this matter to the kind and serious regard of the brethren, we are, dear Sir, on behalf of the committee, Yours faithfully, JAMES HOBY, Chairman. J. H. HINTON, London, March 12, 1860. Secs. We express our warm sympathy with the object of this arrangement, aud CONFERENCES. 149 engage (D.V.) to give our personal attendance and aid. Intelligence. The Lincolnshire Conference was held at Bourne, on Thursday, March 8th, 1860. In the Morning the secretary read and prayed, and brother Watts preached from 1 Chron. xxix, 14. In the Evening brother J. C. Jones, M.A, preached. At the meeting for business in the Afternoon the reports from some of the churches were exceedingly cheering, fifty-two having been baptized since the last Conference, and thirty-six remaining candidates for baptism. It would be well if all the churches would either send representatives or reports. Resolved : 1.-That a petition be sent from this Conference to both Houses of Parliament, praying for the total abolition of church rates. 2. That this Conference deems it very desirable that during the summer months, special efforts be made for the spread of religion in the villages in this district. All the ministers present expressed their willingness to assist in such efforts, and brother Wood, of Sutterton, consented to act as secretary. 3.That the next Conference be held at March, on Thursday, May 31st, 1860, and that brother J. B. Pike be requested to preach in the morning. THOMAS BARRASS, Secretary. NB.-At the next Conference the Home Mission Accounts, for the year, will be made up: it is therefore earnestly requested that all monies for the Home Mission may be forwarded to the Treasurer, Mr. R. Wherry, Wisbech, before that time. (Signed,) JOSEPH ANGUS, D.D. JABEZ BURNS, D.D. BENJAMIN DAVIES, LL.D. JOHN LEECHMAN, D.D. JOSHUA RUSSELL. CHARLES STANFORD. FRANCIS TUCKER. FRANCIS WILLS. The Cheshire Conference will be held at Tarporley, on Easter Tuesday, April 10th. The Midland Conference will be held borough), on at Sutton Bonington (near LoughEaster Tuesday, April 10th; Rev. J. Cholerton, of Coalville, to preach in the morning. BAPTISMS. PADDINGTON, Præd-street. Since our last report we have baptized-on October 30th, five; on December 25th, nine; and on February 5th, five persons. SUTTERTON.-On Lord's-day, Feb. 5, seven were baptized. The baptismal service was very solemn and impressive. Before going into the water, the four young men presented in succession a short but fervent prayer, during which many of the congregation were in tears, and some were brought under conviction of sin.- On Lord's-day, March 4, six were baptized. Two more are waiting to obey the Lord in this ordinance. BOSTON.-On Lord's-day evening, February 26th, after an earnest discourse by our beloved pastor to a large congregation of principally young people, the ordinance of believers' baptism was administered to five persons (one of whom entered upon his 74th year on that day). The following Sabbath they were admitted into the fellowship of the church. ALFORD.-On Lord's-day, February 26th, five friends were baptized, one was a local preacher among the Primitive Methodists, and two others were formerly connected with the same people. The following Sunday they were received into the church. MISSION SERVICES. TICKNALL AND HARTSHORN. Lord's-day, February 26th, the annual sermon in behalf of the mission was preached at Ticknall, by the Rev. John Brooks, of Leicester; and on the fol BERKHAMPSTEAD. - Two persons were baptized on Thursday, March 1st. NEW LENTON.-Seven persons were baptized on the first Sunday in March.lowing Wednesday and Thursday even SHEFFIELD, Barker Pool.-On Lord's day, March 4th, two persons were baptized at the Public Bath, by the minister, Mr. D. T. Ingham, and afterwards received into the church. LONDON, Præd-street.-On Sunday, March 11th, the anniversary sermons of the Sabbath-school were preached by our pastor, the Rev. J. Clifford. On the following Tuesday a good number sat down to a good tea;-afterwards a public meeting was held, at which Mr. Clifford presided, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. D. Burns, A. Johnson, S. Bird, and H. Wylie. The collections amounted to £24, being £8 in advance of last year. £1 12s. 6d. of the amount was raised by the select class of young men. W. H. C. ings, missionary meetings were held at Ticknall and Hartshorn. The chair Mr. J. Earp, of Melbourne, and at the was occupied at the former place by latter by Rev. T. Gill. Addresses were given by the Rev. H. Wilkinson, W. Gray, of Ashby; and J. Brooks. Collections about the same as last year. REMOVALS, &C. RESIGNATION OF THE REV. G. A. SYME.-It is with great regret we learn that the Rev. G. A. Syme, M.A., has been compelled, by continued ill health, to relinquish his position as minister of the Baptist Congregation, meeting in the Mansfield-road Chapel, after a residence in Nottingham of more than eleven years, during which time he has commanded the respect of his fellowtownsmen, and the strong attachment of a numerous circle of friends, by the manly simplicity of his personal character and the consistency and courage of his public career. It will probably be in the recollection of many of our readers that, mainly with the view of recruiting his failing strength, Mr. Syme left England for Melbourne, in the latter part of 1858, having spent a considerable portion of the previous year in Paris and Switzerland, in the same hope. He returned from Australia a few months since no better in health, and is now obliged to abandon completely, for the present, such constant intelectual labour as is needful for the efficient and regular discharge of ministerial duties. Mr. Syme's many friends will be gratified to know, that, though he is retiring from the position he bas filled so faithfully, he has no immediate intention of leaving this town. It is expected that he will be succeeded in the sole pastorate by his colleague, the Rev. J. F. Stevenson, B.A., of the Baptist College, Stepney, and University College, London.Nottingham Paper. REV. H. WILKINSON.-We understand that our brother has received a |