CONFERENCE. The LONDON or SOUTHERN CONFERENCE held its spring meeting at Berkhampstead, May 27th. The Rev. J. Harcourt in the chair. The Revs. T. B. W. Briggs and J. A. Brinkworth, and Mr. A. J. Marchant, attended as a deputation from the G. B. Assembly, and were welcomed. The reports showed 73 baptized, 79 received or restored, and 38 candidates. The report from Chesham spoke of special success in village work; and that from Borough Road referred to the opening of a Mission Hall, and of the renewal of out-door services. The grant of £100 from the Centenary Fund was acknowledged, with thanks, by the Hitchin church. Resolved,-I. That the churches in the Conference be urged to fill up the Chapel Property Returns as requested by the last Association. II. That the Conference be represented at the forthcoming United Home Mission Committee at Wisbech by the Revs. J. H. Atkinson and J. Fletcher, and Mr. J. M. Stubbs. III. That a Special Evangelistic Conference be held at Tring on Wednesday, July 7th proximo. IV. That the next Conference be held at Borough Road, particulars to be announced in the Magazine. A resolution of sympathy with the Rev. J. Clifford in his illness was passed. The Rev. J. Fletcher preached in the evening. J. WALLIS CHAPMAN, Sec. CHURCHES. BARROW-ON-SOAR.-On Tuesday, Aug. 3, the "Memorial Stones" of a new chapel will be laid by Mrs. Chas. Cross, of Barrow, and Mrs. Thos. Hill, of Nottingham. The Rev. Dr. Underwood will deliver an address, and other ministers will take part in the proceedings. Refreshments will be provided, and special railway arrangements will be made for friends from Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby. Friends, come and help in this important village work. HITCHIN.-The Memorial Stone of the new church in Walsworth Road, Hitchin, was laid July 1, by Mrs. Pegg, of Chesham. Mr. Perry presented the ceremonial trowel to Mrs. Pegg, who then laid the stone, and placed fifty pounds upon it. The Rev. J. H. Atkinson stated that the estimated cost of the church was £2,765, The of which £1,440 had been given or promised, leaving £1,325 to raise. Dr. Underwood then delivered an appropriate address. £50 was then laid on the stone in addition to the gift of Mrs. Pegg. At the public meeting, after tea, there was a capital attendance, the building being well filled. Mr. C. Roberts, of Peterborough, took the chair. Mr. Atkinson stated that the place in which they were now assembled was built by Mr. Johnson, now of London, in 1867, that gentleman having found there was need for a house of God in that part of the town. church was formed in July, 1867. One hundred and sixty members had been received since, being an average of twenty-six per annum. At present they numbered 109 members; last year thirty were added. The meeting was then addressed by the Revs. T. Barrass, J. Dunlop, J. C. Jones, M.A., T. Watts, J. Harcourt, W. Evans, R. Y. Roberts, Dr. Underwood, J. Aldis, and S. B. Driver, who proposed a vote of thanks to those who had contributed to the success of the day. The total collection for the day exceeded £134. The new building is in the early decorated Gothic style, the elevation, as shown on the plans, presenting a very noble appearance. The material used is mainly red brick, with stone dressings. There will be three vestries, and the building will accommodate about 730 persons. The land cost £500, and was paid for within twelve or fourteen months. The architect is Mr. J. Wallis Chapman, of London. HUGGLESCOTE.-The church and congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Salisbury, M.A., have long felt that their chapel was too far removed from the people whom they desired to influence, and that their school accommodation failed to meet their growing need. These considerations have induced them to purchase a plot of land in the heart of the village, upon which commodious rooms for school purposes have already been erected, and their erection fully justified, not only by the increased comfort with which the school can be worked, but also by an increase in the number of scholars. Services in connection with the laying of the Memorial Stones of the chapel were held on Monday, July 19, The weather being very unfavourable, the service out of doors was made as short possible. After the singing of a hymn Mr. Dennis proceeded to lay the first stone, expres CHURCH REGISTER. masons. our sing the hope that nothing but the truth might ever be preached within those walls. The next stone was laid by Mr. C. Starkey, of Coalville; the third by Mr. Gutteridge, of the same place, and the fourth by Mr. J. Smith, of Donington-le-Heath. Four young ladies (Miss M. Smith, Miss Gutteridge, Miss Brewin, and Miss Deacon) had been chosen to present a silver trowel each to the amateur Each stone bears the name of the gentleman who laid it, the date, and the following mottoes respectively, God ""Jesus our Saviour," "The Spirit Father," our Comforter," "Heaven our home." The company then adjourned to the school-room, which had been very tastefully decorated by Mrs. Salisbury, the pastor's wife, and other ladies, where, after singing, reading, and prayer, the Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., delivered an address on the "Principles of the Baptist Denomination." A large company then sat down to a very excellent tea, the materials for which had been kindly given by Mrs. J. Green and Miss Brewin. Tickets for tea were presented to all the workmen engaged at the chapel. After tea a public meeting was held, presided over by W. Bax, Esq., of Leicester, and appropriate addresses were delivered by the Revs. T. Goadby, B.A., J. Greenwood, and W. Evans. The pastor of the church very feelingly acknowledged the kindness of neighbouring churches, especially that of Coalville. The Rev. H. Wood, of Barton, and several friends in the district, took part in the meeting, which was concluded by the singing of the doxology. Although the weather was most unfavourable, the attendance was large, and the handsome sum of £165 was realized. LEEDS, Wintown Street.-The bazaar for purchasing a new organ was held, July 7, 8, 9, being opened by the Mayor of Leeds. It has realized £150. LONDON, Praed Street.-On Monday, July 5, the members of the church and congregation presented the pastor, John Clifford, M.A., LL.B., with a purse, and 110 guineas, as an expression of joy in his restoration to health and service, and love for his character and work. This is but one of the many loving deeds of a most devoted and attached people. LONGTON.-Dear Mr. Editor,-My present attitude in regard to our new chapel movement is one of prayer and work, gratitude and expectation. The God of heaven is stirring up the hearts of dear Christian friends to help us, as the results of my recent tour will, through your kind permission, indicate. My special thanks are due to friends in London for a second, and most generous donation. May 311 ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH.-June 20. Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., preached. Collections, £33 4s. 6d. BARLESTONE.-June 27th. Preacher, Rev. W. Evans. Collections, £15 3s. 10d. BURNLEY, Ebenezer.-June 13. Preacher, Rev. J. Wilshire. Collection, £114 14s. 6d. BURNLEY, Enon.-June 20. Preacher, Rev. T. Goadby, B.A. Collection, £123. BELTON.-June 27. Preacher, Rev. C. T. Johnson. Collections, £27 6s. 5d. BOSWORTH.-April 25. Preacher, W. Millington. Collection, £8 6s. 4d. CLAYTON.-June 27. Preacher, Revs. W. Chapman and H. Johnson. Collections, £70 28. ISLEHAM.-June 27. Rev. W. Jarrom preached. Collections better than ever. LEICESTER, Dover Street. - July 18. Preachers, Rev. G. Hester and Ll. H. Parsons. Collections, £37 16. LONG SUTTON.-July 11. Rev. G. Towler preached to large congregations, and distributed several kinds of books to the scholars. Collections good. MEASHAM.-July 4. Preacher, Rev. G. Barker, of Beeston. Collections, £31 16s. NEWBOLD VERDON.-June 20. Rev. J. Greenwood, preached. Collections, £7 3s. SAWLEY.-June 20. Rev. W. Green preached. Collections, £20. BAPTIST CAMP MEETING.-The Derby and Derbyshire Baptist Preachers' Association held a camp meeting at Kilbourn (on a piece of ground kindly lent by the church), on Sunday, July 12. Although the weather, at times, was very cloudy, it kept fine, and there were very large congregations, especially in the evening, when there was a good few from the surrounding villages. Suitable addresses were delivered by Messrs. Slack, Blount, J. Smith, Harding, and Foster. An after meeting was held in the chapel, to which a large number attended, and from the good feeling manifested it is hoped that the seed has fallen in good ground, and will bear much fruit. BURNS, DR., expects to occupy the pulpit of the English Baptist Chapel, Rhyl, Aug. 8, 15, and 22. DAVIES, REV. W. E., late of New Cross, London, was ordained and publicly recognized as the pastor of the G. B. church at Isleham, Cambs. Rev. W. Jarrom asked the questions, which were answered by the senior elder on behalf of the church. Mr. Davies gave an outline of his belief, which was accepted as entirely in harmony with General Baptist doctrine. The charge to the pastor was given by Rev. A. J. Wilson, and that to the church by Rev. W. Jarrom. Four hundred sat down to the tea which followed, being the largest tea-meeting ever held in Isleham. The chair of the public meeting was occupied by J. Banks, Esq., Fordham, and addresses were given by Revs. S. Hynard, G. E. Ireland, C. Gomm, C. E. Broughton, J. A. Wilson, D. Wilshire, W. Jarrom, and the pastor. Many friends were present from the neighbouring villages, and some from London. The church is prospering, and the chapel needs renovating and improving. Who will help? FELSTEAD, REV. J.-On Tuesday, June 15th, the members of the church and congregation, New Basford, met to take tea, and afterwards presented the pastor with a purse of £14, and a costly album. HILL, REV. GEORGE, late of Oxford, was recognized as the pastor of Osmaston ton Road, Derby, July 8. Dr. Landels preached in the afternoon. The Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., the former pastor, presided, and introduced Mr. Hill as a General Baptist of the old sort. Mr. Storer related the circumstances leading to the settlement of Mr. Hill; and the pastor responded with a statement of his reasons for accepting the pastorate, of his purposes, and of his religious views, stating that he did not differ in theology from his predecessor, Mr. Goadby. Speeches were also delivered by Revs. J. Wilshire, W. Crosbie, M.A., T. Mirams, and W. Cuff. OUR COLLEGE. AT the farewell social gathering of the Students of Chilwell College, June 18th, it was resolved:: "That the cordial thanks of the Students of Chilwell College be given to all those friends who have so generously contributed to their gymnasium fund." And they beg to state that the gymnasium has been erected on the grounds, and is free of debt. Signed on behalf of the Students, BAPTISMS, JUNE 16 TO JULY 17. MARRIAGES. HARDSTAFF TOWERS.-July 9, at the G. B. Chapel, East Leake, by Rev. W. Morris, Mr. George Hardstaff, of Cotmanhay, to Miss Eliza Towers, of East Leake. HAWORTH-ROBINSON.-July 15, at the G. B. Chapel, Edgeside, by Rev. J. Watmough, Mr. D. Haworth, of Shawclough, to Miss S. A. Robinson, of Edgeside. BRADBURY-STRETTON.-July 6, at the Baptist Chapel, Barton, by Rev. H. Wood, Mr. John William Bradbury, of Nailstone, to Miss Mary Stretton, of Barton. OBITUARY. BARWICK.-May 18, on his passage home from Melbourne, Australia, Fredk. William, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Barwick, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, deeply lamented. THE MISSIONARY OBSERVER. AUGUST, 1875. THE ANNUAL MISSIONARY MEETING AT WISBECH. THE Wednesday of the Association week, June 23, was a memorable day in the history of the Connexion. It was crowded with meetings of the most exciting and interesting character; but the Missionary Meeting in the evening surpassed all that we remember in these respects. By half-past six the new and spacious Ely Place Church was densely crowded in every part, and some who came shortly after were unable to obtain admittance. The proceedings were marked by a holy enthusiasm that can scarcely be described, but which may be judged by the fact that, in spite of the terrific heat of the chapel, scarcely an individual left before the close of the meeting, at nearly ten o'clock. Our limited space renders it impossible to give a full report of the speeches, but the extracts that follow will be read with interest both by those who were present, and by others who had not that privilege. The chair was occupied by SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL, M.P., late Lieut.-Governor of Bengal. He said That when he saw that crowded, earnest, and attentive meeting, he could wish that they had been presided over by one who could stir them by eloquence. That gift had not been given to him, but eloquent appeals would be made to them before the conclusion of the meeting. He was in a position to testify to the earnestness, zeal, and success of the missionaries labouring in Orissa, and the immense effect of their labours upon the natives. He was brought into contact with the Orissa Mission in a time of extreme trial, when the country was desolated by a famine more severe than any in modern times, and when the efforts of the officers of the Government were utterly inadequate to cope with the great crisis; then the missionaries gave immense assistance in mitigating the effects of the visitation. It was an especial pleasure to him to meet Dr. Buckley-a most devoted missionary—and to testify to the thoroughness of his work, and that of his excellent wife. When, in consequence of the famine, large numbers of orphans were thrown upon the hands of the Government, Dr. and Mrs. Buckley came forward, and through their able assistance, and with the co-operation of other missionaries, wonderful results were obtained. He hoped and believed the sphere of their Mission would one day be so enlarged that the whole province would be embraced in the report of their operations. He was glad to have met several gentlemen who had returned from Orissa looking like men who had done their work conscientiously and well; for he believed that, however severe their labours might be, there was nothing assisted a man through his trials like good honest work. The people of Orissa, among whom their missionaries laboured, were a most interesting people, and they might hope that, when once the superstition with which they were at present enthralled had been overcome, they would become good christians. Continual interest was come. given to the Mission by its contiguity to the great temple of Juggernath at Pooree, and the opposition there encountered by the missionaries. That temple was resorted to, not only by the people of Orissa, but by pilgrims from every part of India; and the missionaries had great opportunities of sowing the seeds of christianity amongst the crowds flocking thither, by whom they would be carried to their distant homes. It had been his lot to resuscitate the system of village schools in Bengal, and, by giving a moderate education to the poor degraded Hindoos, enable them to hold their own against their more powerful neighbours, They had been successful in establishing several thousand schools; and he trusted, by God's blessing, the good results of that step would soon be apparent. They had received great assistance from the missionaries, against whom, at one time, existed a strong prejudice, which, happily, had been overHe had been taxed by the natives in that he had accepted the assistance of the missionaries and had refused theirs, and he had been asked why he would not employ them and give them assistance. His answer had been-" Let me first see you make similar personal and disinterested efforts such as those manifested by the missionaries and the people of England, and I will entertain your application." He contended that the Government was justified in accepting the assistance of the missionaries in this work of education. There had been a tendency, of late years, for the press, which was in the hands of the richer classes, to forward the interests of the great, and to represent their grievances in preference to those of the poorer classes, and there was a difficulty in finding newspapers and lawyers to protect the interests of the poor. He believed those grievances which were really felt by the mass of the people would never be brought to the knowledge of the people of England unless through the missionaries. There were very serious commercial questions in India under consideration, and the tendency had been in the legislation promoted by the richer classes to throw more taxes on the mass of the people, and to deprive them of their rights and privileges. If these facts were brought home to the people of England by those who understood them, they would see that justice was done to the masses of the people of India; and he had always found that when such questions arose, the person who was really unprejudiced and in a position to testify to any injustice affecting the social interests of the people was the missionary. He did not want them to be political partisans, but there were social grievances on which they were fully competent to speak. Sir George Campbell concluded his long and able address by a reference to the great evangelistic work going on among some of the aboriginal tribes of India, especially the Sonthals in Western Bengal, and the Khassias on the Chinese side of India. Dr. BUCKLEY said it was an especial satisfaction and pleasure to him that that meeting was held in Wisbech. It was more than twice twenty years since he first came to Wisbech, young and inexperienced, with the desire in his heart to serve God, and the hope that he would get assistance at Wisbech for the accomplishment of his purpose. He sat here at the feet of that revered man whose name would ever be fragrant, the Rev. Joseph Jarrom, and it was singular that that evening he should find that five of the six with whom he was associated were present, one having fallen asleep. It was a great satisfaction to find that so able a chairman was presiding over their meeting, and as many in England were not so well acquainted with the public men of India as of their own country, he would refer to one or two important services that he had rendered to the cause of Christ in Orissa. On this head Dr. Buckley spoke as follows:-Sir George Campbell has, as an Indian public servant, rendered much important service to Orissa. More than nine years ago, as one of the judges of the High Court, he pronounced a decision in the case of a christian convert who, for more than two years, had been deprived of his wife and children, and in other ways grievously oppressed, by a wealthy and powerful zemindar. By this decision the children were directed to be restored to the father; and the wife, who was left at liberty to act as she pleased, naturally enough went with them. This able, elaborate, and impartial decision was briefly concurred in by Justice Kemp. When in the autumn of 1866 the indignant voice of the British public required that the frightful mortality of the Orissa famine should be thoroughly investigated, Sir John Lawrence selected him to be the President of the Famine Commission, and a more suitable choice could not have been made. This work |