to a densely crowded and attentive auditory, after which he administered the sacred rite to the candidates. Three of the persons had formerly been Scholars, and are now useful Teachers in the Sabbath-school connected with this place of worship. As several persons are inquiring the way to Zion, we trust soon to witness the entrance of another penitent professing band into the visible kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the divinely instituted ordinance of baptism. We rejoice to state that we have had especial use for our upper galleries during the past winter, as the congregations have considerably surpassed those of any previous year. COVENTRY.-On Lord's-day, March 13th, the ordinance of believers baptism was administered, at White Friars chapel, Coventry, to three persons, on which occasion an excellent discourse was delivered by C. E. Keighley, minister of the place, from John 1 xxv, "Why baptizest thou?" The congregation was large and attentive. The cause of the Redeemer in this place, which a short time ago was nearly extinct, considering the many difficulties with which it is beset, is now encouraging. We are not without hope that in the course of a few years it will be quite established; and exert a moral influence on the dense population around it. We respectfully crave the assistance of the friends at a distance who have expressed a desire that another attempt should be made to build up this tried and unfortunate interest, in behalf of our incipient operations. Praying that He whose it is to render human instrumentality efficient in accomplishing his gracious purposes, will vouchsafe to own us, and revive us again, that his people may rejoice in him, and the little one become a thousand. CASTLEACRE, NORFOLK.-In the beginning of the year we baptized one female, the first in our New Chapel. On Feb. 20th six others, four males and two females. On both occasions our venerable and beloved brother Ewen was present, and received the new converts into the Church, and administered the Lord's-supper. Much interest was manifested on the solemn occasions, and it is believed lasting impressions were made. We have several hopeful characters, both at Castleacre and Hale, and a few expressing a desire to unite with us. J. W. congregation; after which brother Hull made a few suitable remarks, and then baptized the candidates in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. In the afternoon the Church assembled to receive the emblems of the Saviour's death and sufferings, when the newly-baptized were faithfully and affectionately addressed by the pastor, who gave to each the right hand of fellowship. In the evening a searching appeal was made to sinners, from Acts ix. 5, last clause. J. C. FRIAR-LANE. Twelve persons, six males and six females, were immersed in the General Baptist chapel, Friar-lane, Leicester, on Lord's-day, March 6th, before an attentive and very crowded auditory. The discourse was founded upon the words of Peter, "Lord it is good to be here." H. BOSTON. On the first Lords'-day in February, six persons were baptized at Boston, in the presence of a very crowded congregation, who witnessed the interesting rite (rendered still more so from one of the individuals embracing the ordinance being a beloved child of the worthy pastor of the Church) with becoming seriousness. In the afternoon a large number of the members partook of the elements by which christians are to remember the Lord's death until he come, when nine were received into church fellowship, and a refreshing season was enjoyed. On the first Lord's-day in March five more were received into church fellowship, the ordinance of baptism having been administered on the previous Lord's day evening in the presence of a very large and serious congregation. The number of members in this Church is more than doubled since Mr. Mathews commenced his labours there. On the subject of baptism, excited chiefly by the success of the General Baptist cause in Bos ton, there is a great stir, the opponents of the scriptural mode having attacked it from the press and pulpit, Churchmen, Methodists, and Independents, having each made separate attacks. Meanwhile inquiry is excited, and the cause of TRUTH will be promoted. LONG SUTTON.-On Lord's-day, Feb. 27th, four persons publicly professed their attachment to the Saviour by baptism. This was the second administration of the ordinance in our new place of worship, (the first being in Dec). On the former occasion our minister discoursed upon the mode, and on the latter the subjects for baptism, to large and attenARCHDEACON-LANE. On the first Lord's- tive congregations, from 1 Cor. xi 2. "Now day in March the ordinance of believers' I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me baptism was administered to six persons, in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I three males and three females. The pastor delivered them to you." We have reason to of the Church, the Rev. T. Stevenson, believe that our sentiments on Christian preached a faithful and powerful sermon baptism are making some progress in this from Isaiah li. 11, to a large and attentive town. We have at present several inquirers VOL. 4.-N. S. R NORWICH.-On Monday evening, March 7, 1842, the Rev. T. Scott, pastor of the General Baptist Church meeting in Priory Yard chapel, Norwich, was presented with a handsome silver cream jug, having engraved upon it the following inscription, "Presented to the Rev. Thomas Scott, by the females belonging to the General Baptist Church, Norwich," as a token of christian love towards him, and of the high esteem in which they hold those pastoral labours, the advantages of which they have enjoyed during ten years which he has spent amongst them. The evening was spent in the interchange of the most hallowed feelings and sentiments, and left an impression that such occasional expressions of esteem and affection would cheer the hearts of our pastors, and promote the best interests of our Churches. W. D. WIDOWS' FUND, 109th Anniversary. --The annual sermon on behalf of the society, in stituted in the year 1733, for the relief of the necessitous widows and children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers, will be preached on Wednesday, the 6th of April next, at Carter Lane Meeting House, Doctors' Commons, by the Rev. William Hinks, of Stamford Street Chapel, Blackfriars Road. Service to begin at twelve o'clock, precisely. The General Meeting of the members and friends of the society will be held on Tuesday, the 12th of April following, at the Queen's Arms, Cheapside, at one o'clock, precisely, to receive a report of the proceedings of the past year, together with donations and subscriptions wherewith to carry out the objects of the institution; to appoint managers and officers for the year ensuing; and to transact the usual business of the Annual Meeting. The grants made to 244 widows for the year, ending 25th inst., have amounted to £2753; but it is much feared they must be curtailed in the coming year, as the income for the past year has fallen below the expentiture. 123 MISSIONARY OBSERVER. MISSIONARY BAZAR. MR. EDITOR,-Few things in the present day afford a more pleasing indication of the increasing spirituality and growing efficiency of the christian Church, than the unwearied assiduity of its members in originating schemes, and their untiring activity in carrying out those schemes, for the promotion of the Saviour's glory by the extension of his kingdom in the world. In every department of christian exertion this laudable zeal has been evidenced; but in no one department has it been more plainly observable than in the field of missions. The missionary work has long been regarded as an agency of a highly important nature: it has long been considered as one of the most efficient means employed for the evangelization of the world. This impression the occurrences of late years have contributed materially to strengthen and confirm; and as a consequence, the ingenuity of many sections of the christian Church has been tasked to devise the best means of giving increased efficiency to missionary societies, by supplying their pecuniary demands, and affording them all possible aid. There never was a time when these demands were more pressing, and this aid more urgently needed by missionary societies generally, than at the present; and this remark will apply with peculiar force to the society with which we, as General Baptists, stand more immediately identified. It is an inquiry of peculiar importance to us as a body, How shall we augment our missionary funds? Our female friends, first and foremost in every good work, have devised, and vigorously carried out, on several past occasions, a very feasible plan for doing this. They have held missionary bazars, and the results have been of a very encouraging character. The London friends, emboldened by the success which has crowned efforts of this kind made in the Midland counties, have resolved, in the face of many difficulties, to make a similar attempt at the next Association; and they do most earnestly and affectionately solicit the kindly interest and co-operation of friends in all parts of the Connexion to enable them successfully to carry out their design. Without this interest and co-operation they feel that their attempt must necessarily be an unproductive one; and they venture to indulge the pleasing confidence, that their present appeal will meet with the same kind reception, secure the same christian sympathy, and call forth the same active exertion which were so signally manifested when similar appeals were made by the friends at Spalding and Derby. Contributions for the Bazar will be very thankfully received at Mrs. Amie's, 57, New Church-street, Mary-le-bone. London. EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF MISS DERRY. My very dear parents,-I wrote you from Madras, and gave you a brief account of the kind manner in which our new friends there entertained us. We stayed with them four days, but were not able to go about much on account of the heavy rains. The rainy season has now set in, and vegetation appears truly luxuriant. The greenness of the foliage, contrasted with the large, white dwell ings of the Europeans, (more like palaces than houses) produced indescribable feelings in my mind. These were no doubt heightened by our being so long without seeing houses or land of any kind; but I trust the feeling of gratitude to my heavenly Father, for bringing me and my companions thus far journey, had the ascendancy over on our P. every other feeling, The appearance of the These pro are only a few breaches made in her wallsnone of her strong holds are at present taken. O let not the appeals made to christians in England for an interest in their prayers and efforts be made in vain. We are constrained to feel here, that "it is not by power, nor by might, but by the spirit of the Lord," that idolatry must be conquered; without this we can do nothing. Our passage from Madras to Calcutta took us three weeks. Our anchor was cast opposite Calcutta on Friday, Nov. 26th, about four o'clock, a. m. From the river we had a splendid view of the town called the city of palaces, which is indeed no unappropriate name. My dear friend Miss Brathwaite, of London, gave me a letter of introduction to the Rev. David Ewart, belonging to the Scotch mission. This I forwarded from Kidjure, and Mr. E. received it the same evening as that on which we came in port. The kindness of this gentleman was very great, for though late at night he came on board soon after our arrival and inquired after me, and brought a note from Mrs. Ewart, assuring me of the pleasure they both should feel in my making their house my home during my stay in Calcutta. I could not, however, conveniently go that evening; and thinking my friends Brooks' and Grant's would be ready to go in the morning, he then proposed meeting me on the beach. In the morning our dear friend Mr. Brooks made his appearance, and right glad we all were to see him, and to hear from him that all our dear missionary friends in the field were tolerably well, and that he was expecting Mr. Sutton at Calcutta in a few days. I ought to inform you that I felt myself completely at home at Mr. Ewart's. There is with Mrs. E. a young lady who is a superintendent of a large day school for native girls, who is, I think, every way well qualified for her important work. I happened in the course of our conversation to name my reading Mr. Pike's Guide. "That book," she said, "I have read through several times, and value it very highly." She also told me that when very young she heard Mr. Sutton give an address at the central school in Calcutta, the very school she now superintends, which address made a deep impression on her mind. How well it is to sow the seed beside all waters. On the Sabbath morning I went with Mr. and Mrs. E. to the Scotch kirk. I was much pleased with the simplicity of the services. They have no more of form than we dissenters. I feel truly thankful that there is such a numerous body who hold all those doctrines in their native purity which are essenvial to the salvation of man. 3rd of December, and the following morning I breakfasted with them, and also met our friends the Grant's and Brooks': we seemed like one family. There is no place so much like my own beloved home as Mr. Sutton's, and as they live but a short distance from Mr. Ewart's, I frequently go to see them before breakfast. I must now tell you Podea is married to one of the christian youths employed in the printing office, and come with Mr. S. to Calcutta, and also two of the other girls and their husbands; and now I hope the Barton and Barlestone Sabbathschool children will support a little girl at Berhampore. I did hope, my dear parents, I should have arrived at my journey's end in time to have written you from Berhampore, but I have been necessarily detained at Calcutta too long for that. I have received a very kind letter from Mrs. Stubbins. She is anxious for me to be with her as soon as I can, that I may secure the cold season for learning the language. This appears to me very desirable, but I fear I shall not reach the end of my journey before January. It is a delightful time of the year; every day reminds me of a sunny, cloudless day in England, with a pleasant breeze; travelling is therefore now very pleasant. In the course of a few hours I and our friends the Grant's shall commence our journey towards Cuttack, with a Baptist native preacher, who understands both the Oreah and English languages. Travelling in India is not like travelling in England: it will take us six days to go 150 miles. take provisions with us, and travel in the night and early in the morning, and shall rest during the heat of the day under the shade of a tree. I have just taken leave of Mr. Ewart: I feel overwhelmed with their kindness. Meeting and parting with friends makes me long for the time to come when I shall meet my parents, brothers, sisters, and friends around the throne of the blessed Redeemer to part no more for ever. But let me not desire this till I have done the work which my heavenly Father may appoint me. We And now, my dear parents, let me beg of you not to indulge one anxious thought respecting me. Ever remember into whose hands you have committed me, even into the hands of a faithful and unchangeable God, who has promised never to leave nor forsake them that put their trust in him. I think of a hundred names to which I long to be remembered, but have not room nor time to name them. I love every member of Barton Church, and it is my fervent prayer that they may all grow in every christian grace. Hitherto my cup has overflowed with mercies. All that I want is a heart entirely Mr. and Mrs. Sutton arrived here on the devoted to Christ, that seeks not its own in any thing. For this I pray, and beg a con- LETTER FROM MR. GRANT. Cuttack, Jan. 19th, 1842. My very dear Sir, I received your kind letter the day after we arrived at Calcutta, containing the duplicate of the bill I brought out with me, and also of the one sent to the Rev. W. Yates, D. D. He had kindly presented it, so that the money was payable on our arrival. I intend to send you an account of what I have expended in a future communication. I also acknowledge the reception of a kind, long, and very animating letter from Miss M. A. P. I fully intended to answer some of these letters by the last overland dispatch, but I was very desirous to get safe to Cuttack first, which we expected to do in time to write, but happened to be one day too late. I finished my last by the time we arrived at Madras, lest I should not have an opportunity of sending it ashore, because the weather is generally very bad about the time of the year we were there; but thank God it was very favourable, and we spent five days on shore. We anchored in the Madras roads about twelve on the Saturday night, Oct. 30th. Early the next morning several boats came along side the ship, full of natives almost in a state of nudity. I had read about the swarms of natives, and their wretched appearances, but all that I had read failed to convey anything like an adequate idea to my mind, either of their destitute condition or numbers. In a few hours an accommodation boat came along side with a note from Mr. Vansomerun, Esq., a pious gentleman of Madras, inviting us to stay with him while the ship remained in the roads, stating that he and Mrs. V. were waiting at the beach to receive us We of course were glad to have an opportunity of spending two or three days on shore, and therefore acceded to his kind invitation. This being the Sabbath, in the evening we went to the house of God, which opportunity we enjoyed very much. We continued with these dear friends (whose kindness I shall never forget) till the following Thursday, when we went on board (which was Nov. 4th.) and got under weigh the next morning. The weather, after we left Madras, was much better than we expected. We reached the sand-heads and got a pilot on board the 24th of November. The next day we had a steamer which brought us up the river Hoogly in two days, so that on the 26th of November we |