OF THE British and Irish Baptist Home Mission. MARCH, 1872. American Sympathy with the Irish Mission. Some time since it was stated in the CHRONICLE that as one result of the visit of Dr. PRICE, of Aberdare, and Mr. HENRY, of Belfast, to the transatlantic churches, committees had been formed to raise funds for the support of additional missionaries in Ireland. Sums varying in amount have been sent to London, and in the assurance that these remittances will be followed by others, the Committee has engaged additional missionaries for the south and west. The following letter from a respected Baptist Minister in Boston, to Dr. Price, will show that the claims of Ireland are not only recognised by our American brethren, but that their sympathy is shaping itself in a form that will be likely-with the Divine blessing-to secure some practical results. We commend the perusal of the letter to the readers of the CHRONICLE: "My dear Brother,-Some of us have felt for a long while past that our American churches have not done the right thing by the Irish Missions,' especially after the warm pledges which they gave at their representative gatherings, when you visited our country. "Feeling somewhat aroused on this and other kindred questions, and desiring to bring our churches into closer sympathy with the missionary work (more particularly in Europe), several of the Boston pastors have formed themselves into a Baptist Missionary Club' for the purpose of keeping ourselves and churches well informed relative to the necessities of European mission fields. "We have appointed a delegation to visit our large centres, such as New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and cities of the west and south, and get the Baptist pastors in each place to organise themselves into societies like our own, and co-operate with us in efforts to evangelise Europe. "Europe is the watchword that will electrify America to-day, and we mean to ring it out until Old Ireland shall hear the sound, and be blessed by our deeds. "The Boston brethren have appointed me to open correspondence with you and Mr. Henry, in order that we may obtain some details relative to the present condition and wants of the Irish Mission.' Will you be kind enough to furnish me with facts which may prove interesting both to ourselves and our people at your earliest convenience. "As soon as the clubs are organised in other cities, we shall transmit such facts to them, and by this means awaken (under God) a simultaneous interest in your good work. "We meet semi-monthly, and would be glad to hear from you as frequently as possible." Affectionately yours, W. V. GARNER. Whitstable. About twelve months' since, Mr. Stanley commenced his labours in this large fishing village, and the following extract from a letter recently received, shows that some progress has been made by our friend :-"When I commenced my labours here, February 19th, 1871, the Baptists were not recognised by the other denominations of the town; and for six months, neither of the neighbouring ministers condescended to speak to me. But I am happy to say that a very different state of things now exists. Ministers and people are now our well-wishers, and are ready to assist us whenever we apply to them for help. Our congregations have greatly improved, and on Sunday evenings they have more than doubled. A Sunday afternoon service which was commenced in the open air last summer has been very successful. During the winter, the service has been transferred to a room (gratuitously lent by the Shipping Insurance Company), which has now become too small to accommodate the congregation. Many have become regular hearers at the chapel services through first coming to the afternoon service. Ten have been added to the church, nine by baptism and one by transfer. One member has died, and one transferred to a sister church, leaving a net increase of eight, making a total of twenty-five. We have many in our congregation in whom we believe the work of grace is begun, and others who are to be publicly immersed next Lord's day. "Our prayer meetings are well attended, and all our members seem heart and soul in the work. "We have not been able to commence a Sunday-school for want of accommodation, but intend doing so as soon as possible." Bredon. : Mr. Edginton, one of the Worcestershire evangelists, has favoured us with the following communication, which will be read with interest :Though sometimes very much discouraged, there are a few things which encourage me. First, I carry the Gospel into many homes where it would but seldom, if ever, be taken if I did not present it. Second, the great majority of the people I visit, gladly welcome me to their homes, not only in seasons of sickness and trouble, but also at other times. Third, the good attendance at my Sunday evening service. As near as I can tell, I should think the average attendance to be about 100, but I cannot succeed in getting many to the morning service. "Though since last spring none have come out and professed Christ, yet I believe there are a few in whom the good work is going on, and who are not far from the kingdom of heaven. "I have reason to think this from the interest they take in the services, and the kind way in which they receive me. I may also add that our Sundayschool still continues to increase, and it is admitted that a great change has taken place in the conduct of some few of the children since they came to school. I have reason therefore to labour in hope, and especially in remembrance of the Divine declaration, 'My word shall not return unto me void.' "I do hope when I send you another report I shall be able to tell you that many have found Him, whom to know is life eternal." Ballycare. Ballycare is a remote outlying district in a hill country in the County of Antrim. Mr. M'Murray has been working steadily and perseveringly during the last eighteen months, and is now encouraged by signs of usefulness:"For some time I thought the heavens were as brass, and the earth as iron, so few were the apparent results of the proclamation of the Gospel of the grace of God.' But now, though I have sown in tears, thanks be to God I am beginning to reap in joy-to see the pleasure of the Lord prosper in my hands. Recently I have received evidences of the smile and favour of Christ upon my humble endeavours to promote his kingdom and glory. A few persons here have lately been brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and despite of much opposition from various causes they have in the Spirit and after the example of their Lord and Master, taken up the cross, and followed him in baptism." Contributions from January 23rd, 1872, to February 22nd 1872. To Rev. John Edwards, of Camden Road, London, for a copy of Dr. Ingham's large work on "Baptism," to each of the Missionaries in Ireland. To Mrs. Beetham, for a parcel of Clothes and Blankets, and 10s. to Mr. Berry of Athlone, for distribution among the poor. To the Pastor's Bible Class, at Arthur Street, Camberwell Gate (Rev. S. Cowdy's) for a box of Clothing to Mr. Douglas, of Portadown, for the poor; and to Mr. E. J. Oliver, for 20s. worth of Tracts from the Baptist Tract Society, for Mr. Douglas. Correction. In the February Chronicle, the subscription of Mr. James Stiff should hav been £1 1s., instead of £1. Subscriptions in aid of the British and Irish Baptist Home Mission will be thankfully received by G. B. WOOLLEY, Esq., Treasurer, and by Mr. KIRTLAND, Secretary, at the Mission House, Castle Street, Holborn, London, E.C. Contributions can also be paid at Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, Tritton, & Co.'s, Lombard Street, London. BAPTIST THE MAGAZINE. DI APRIL, 1872. A Learned Baptist. ISSENTERS are sometimes mourned over by their "candid friends" for a lack of "sweetness and light." The charge, however, is not a a modern one. A century ago Bishop Horsley solemnly assured the Nonconformists of his day that they were "in the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity;" to which good words Robert Hall had the impertinence to reply, "We are certainly in the gall of bitterness, for the bishop has poured upon us his own; and if we are not yet in the bonds of iniquity, it is because the power of his lordship is not equal to his will." If, however, we felt compelled to plead guilty, in part, to Dr. Matthew Arnold's charge, we might urge, in extenuation, that outlaws are not very likely to be exuberant in "sweetness and light;" for those who bring the accusation against us have, as a rule, done all they could to exclude us from the benefits of grammar schools and universities, where the aforesaid sweetness and light were supposed chiefly to be obtained. But we had an impression that Dissenters have contributed, at least, their fair quota to the mental and spiritual treasures of the world. Milton, John Bunyan, and Daniel Defoe were certainly Nonconformists. Had they no sweetness? Were not they light-bearers? Till the time come when their names are blotted from the scroll of fame, we need not fear to meet our enemies "in the gall." Of course no names of modern Nonconformists can be compared with "the first three;" but we have no reason to be ashamed of our compeers. Dissenters hold their own among the learned translators of the Bible, in Westminster Abbey; and even the Baptists can boast of three honoured men there-Drs. Angus, Davies, and Gotch. We wish now, however, to speak of a learned Baptist," who was a |