marks on the well meant efforts of our brethren? Do we cultivate a dogmatical, self-important spirit? Are we more concerned for the interests of our own party than for the spread of true religion? Do we manifest a greater anxiety for the formation of a sound creed than for the cultivation of a heavenly temper? These are some of the hindrances to Scriptural union. They originated, and have too long perpetuated disunion. Away with them! They are the subterfuges of satan. No longer let it be said, "Political governments are tired of war, and the subterranean fires are burning out, and expiring; but the Church is still the scene of conflict and ecclesiastical strife." Without delay let us clear the Church from this odium, an odium of all the greatest; and, having ceased to be obstacles, be it ours to seek with all diligence the promotion of this union. In addition to fostering christian charity, and a disposition to co-operate in plans of general usefulness, let us look to Him above for his crowning blessing. Be this our sentiment, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live!" Heal every breach, sanctify every feeling, and unite every heart, that we "all may be one, even as thou art," and that we may say," Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." G. S. Measham. REVIEW. HISTORY OF THE MACEDONIANS, THE This is a continuation of ancient history, of which the histories of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Medes, Persians, Ly. dians and Carthaginians have already been favourably noticed in our pages. The series is most valuable, and is presented at a very moderate expense. THE MORTIFICATION OF SIN IN BELIEVERS; containing the necessity, nature and means of it; with a resolution of sundry cases of conscience thereto belonging. By JOHN OWEN, D. D. 18mo., pp. 160. Tract Society. The title of this work is a sufficient commendation of it. THE FLY. 16mo., square, with embellishments. Tract Society. Like the others of this class, beautiful and instructive. ADVANTAGES OF SABBATH SCHOOLS, illustrated by Argument and Example. By J. MIDDLETON. 36mo., pp. 96. R. & J. Hil. ton, Nottingham; Hull & Co., Leicester. This little book, in the shape of an address to a young person, presents a variety of facts and considerations tending to lead the childish heart to religion. We trust the author's prayer will be answered, that he may by this book be the instrument of ad. ding one stone to the spiritual temple in the New Jerusalem. VARIETIES. THE BOOK ACKNOWLEDGED; OR THE PROPRIETY OF ATTENTION TO THE SICK. ~Dear Sir,—It is remarked by one of the Apocryphal writers, "Visit the sick and thou shalt be greatly beloved;" and canonical Scripture assures, "Pure religion, and undefiled before God and the Father, is this to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world." I have been reminded of these sentiments by the following incidents, which I should be happy through your pages to present for the consideration of your numerous readers. Last month I took a journey into the next county of about forty miles; and on my return the coach changed horses at a pretty little place twenty miles from the county town. I observed the horsekeeper with a bottle of medicine, which he entrusted to the care of the coachman, and which I found was for some sick person on our route. After passing the seat of one of our nobility, we came to a village, and the coach stopped to commit the medicine to the care of a blind man. Here I made a little inquiry about the blind messenger, and particularly about the sick person for whom the medicine was intended, and found it was for a family named whose farm house we had passed. I saw no chapel in the village, nor any such building for seve ral miles, till we came to the next market town. I began to feel anxious about this sick family-who can tell in what circum. stances death is entering this family? will any one care for the soul of this dying per son! I thought I had scarcely time to attend to the case before I got home, though I did think of writing a letter and sending a good book when the coach returned that evening, and regret I did not. Some per sons perhaps would cut a matter of this kind very short, and say, "Oh, we go out from home to relax ourselves, or attend to business; we can't attend to cases of sick. ness that fall in our way." If they fall in our way will not the good Samaritan, especially if he be a christian, spend the value of a Roman penny or two* to attend to them? When I got home I wrote a serious letter as to a dying person, sent a few suitable handbills, No. 280 Tract Society's, "The Great Error Detected," (my favorite tract,) and a copy of Pike's "Early Religion," to be forwarded for ―, by the coach. Judge of the satisfaction and pleasure which I felt on receiving the following acknowledgement of my humble effort in a beautiful female hand. I will copy the note now lying before me. "B, June 5th, 1842. "Sir, I am desired by my parents to beg you will accept their grateful thanks for your condoling letter and present, from which they (particularly my afflicted mother,) derived much consolation. She has been confined to her room several weeks, but I fervently trust that that Almighty Being to whom alone she looks up for aid, will yet again restore her to her family. With most grateful feelings allow me to subscribe myself, Your humble servant, INTELLIGENCE. THE MIDLAND CONFERENCE was held at Loughborough, on Tuesday, May 17, 1842. Mr. Stevenson, pastor of the Church, presided. Much pleasing information was communicated by the brethren assembled as to the state of the Baptist cause generally, and especially of some of the Churches in the Midland Counties. Amongst others the Churches at Castle Donington, Derby, Hugglescote, Loughborough, and Leicester, appear to be enjoying an unusual measure of prosperity. The number baptized since the last Conference was one hundred and twenty-four, and candidates one hundred and eighty eight. The Secretary for the Home Mission stated that the cause at Coventry was in an improved and rapidly improving state. The congregations have very much increased since Mr. Keighly commenced his labours there, and several persons have been added by baptism. Sheffield, the other Home Mission station, the foundation stone of a commodious place of worship has been laid. Much interest seemed to be felt on the occasion by the other dissenting denominations in the town, whose ministers kindly lent their assistance. The services of the day were highly interesting, and the collections were considerable. The following resolutions were submitted At BENEVOLENS. to the Conference by brother Goadby, and it was agreed, that the propriety of adopting them should be considered at the next Conference. 1. That as the abandonment of the Whitsuntide Conference is not pleasing to several of the friends, the resolution to that effect, passed at the last Conference, be rescinded. 2. That as the Conferences are usually better attended when held in the village Churches, and on the whole are more adapt. ed to be useful, they be held in future according to the plan that was acted on previous to 1834. The following is the rotation:1843.-Easter 1844. .Ilheston. Whitsuntide..Hinckley. Michaelmas.. Castle Donington. Christmas.... Kegworth. - Easter ......Hugglescote. Whitsuntide.. Leake. Michaelmas..Duffield. Christmas... . Loughborough. . Leicester. 1845.-Easter The expence of the effort here stated did not amount, even with the postage of the letter of acknowledgement, to a shilling. 3. That in those places where there are two Churches or more, the Conference shall be held in turn; that when a Church form erly one has been divided, as Ashby and Measham, it shall be alternate; and that when there are several branches of the same Church, as Leake, &c, the previous Conference, with the concurrence of the Church, may decide in which branch it shall be held. After listening to the Report of the brethren, who by appointment had visited Beeston. It was resolved, That the Midland Conference recommend the Associa tion to receive the second Baptist Church at Beeston into the Union. It was agreed, that the next Conference be held at Barton, on the third Tuesday in September, and that Mr. Pike, of Derby, be the preacher. At this Conference the evening service was introduced with reading the Scrip. tures and prayer by Mr. Butler, of Heptonstall Slack, and Mr. Pike, of Derby, preached from 2 Timothy iii. 15-17. E. BOTT, Secretary. The Rev. W. Butler, of Heptonstall Slack; E. Stevenson, of Loughborough; J. Gawthorn, of Derby, (Independent) and J. C. Pike, of Wisbech, took part in the devotional exercises. The weather was remarkably auspicious; the services throughout were deeply solemn and interesting, and the congregations large and respectable. Spirited tea meetings were held on Friday and Monday evenings, after which eloquent and powerful addresses were delivered by Revs. J.Gawthorn, of Derby; E. Stevenson, of Loughborough ; J. Stevenson, of London; J. C. Pike, of Wisbech; J. Goadby, of Leicester; J. Ford, of Derby; Josiah Pike, of Derby; J. Peggs, of Ilkeston; J. Corbyn, of Derby; R. Ingham, of Belper. John Heard, Esq., of Nottingham, presided at the meeting on Friday, and the Rev. J G. Pike on the Monday. The collections, including the profits arising from the tea parties, amounted to the liberal sum of £425. The chasteness and beauty of the chapel excited universal admiration. It stands in a first rate situation, in the centre of the town, upon the site of the late OPENING OF THE NEW GENERAL BAP- residence of Samuel Evans, Esq. The TIST CHAPEL, ST. MARY'S GATE, DERBY. front of the mansion, with its handsome -The interesting services connected with carved stone work, and most of the outward the opening of this neat and spacious place walls, have been retained, which the archiof worship took place on Wednesday, May tect, J. Fenton, Esq., of Chelmsford, by a 18th, and on the following Sabbath. The skilful and judicious arrangement, has been Rev. James Parsons, of York, preached on economically adapted to the purpose of the Wednesday morning from Psalm cxviii. 15, building. The chapel is handsomely fitted 16, "The voice of rejoicing and salvation up, and enriched by a happy appropriation is in the tabernacles of the righteous; the of some of the old carved oak taken from right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. the mansion. The pulpit, with its appenThe right hand of the Lord is exalted; the dages, are unique; the seats, which will right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly;" accommodate 1200 persons, are admirably the Rev. W. Pickering, of Nottingham, in arranged, giving to every hearer a good the afternoon, from 3 John, 2, "Beloved, I view of the pulpit, and presenting to the wish above all things that thou mayest minister an imposing scene. The ground prosper;" and the Rev. J. E. Giles, of floor is devoted to school-rooms and vesLeeds, in the evening, from Psalm xlv. 6, tries. The interior of the Chapel is fitted up "The sceptre of thy kingdom is a right by Mr. Winterton, the Builder, (a member sceptre." The collections were in the morn- of the Church.) It is only forty years ing £103 12s.; afternoon, £52 12s. 6d.; since the first Meeting House was erected and in the evening, £48 12. On the Lord's in the town, which was three times enlarged, day the Rev. John Stevenson, M. A., of under the sucessful pastorate of the present London, preached in the morning from respected pastor, the Rev. J. G. Pike. Gen. xxviii. 17, "This is none other than After the last enlargment it contained nearthe house of God, and this is the gate of ly 700 sittimgs, but has for some years been heaven;" the Rev. J. Goadby, of Leicester, found too small for the increasing congrein the afternoon, from John iii. 16, "God gation. The members of the Church would so loved the world, that he gave his only gratefully acknowledge the kind feeling begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in manifested on these occasions by friends him should not perish, but have everlasting connected with neighbouring Churches, as life;" and the Rev. J. G. Pike, pastor of also by numerous christian friends of other the Church, in the evening, from 1 Cor. ii. denominations in the town and neighbour2, "I determined not to know any thing hood. We desire to be truly grateful to among you save Jesus Christ and him cru. God for his blessings to us, and would pray cified." Collections in the morning £60 that his sacred cause may still abundantly 6s.; afternoon, £45; evening, £98 17s. prosper, to whom alone we would ascribe FENSTANTON.- -On Lord's-day, May 22, eleven persons were formed into a General Baptist Church. Brother Lyon, of Chatteris, addressed the Church and congregation, and administered the Lord's supper. The attendance was good, and the services interesting. We have several inquirers, and hope the endeavour to revive this ancient cause will not be altogether in vain. SEVENOAKS, New Chapel. The old chapel at this place being private property, and having a mortgage upon it of £550, which is double its actual value, the Church has resolved to discontinue the use of it at the end of the present year, not being able to pay the interest of the mortgage, or to collect subscriptions toward the reduction of the principal. A piece of ground on the outside of the old town, but in the midst of a new and rising population, having offered itself, the Church has purchased it at a cost of £40, and has commenced the building of a chapel on this site, the dimensions of which will be 41ft. 6in. by 28ft. 8in, with a vestry beneath the eastern end of it. On Tuesday June 14th, the corner stone of the new building was laid in the presence of a numerous assembly, when Mr. Felkin, the pastor, read the following appropriate portions of Scrip. ture,-Psalms 132,87 and 84, and by solemn prayer besought the Divine blessing on the undertaking. The Rev. H. Chamberlain (Indep.) gave out the hymn, "God in his earthly," &c.; brother W. Underwood, from London, delivered a judicious and excellent address, and the Rev. W. Foster, of Westerham, (Indep.) concluded with prayer. At five o'clock tea was provided in a temporary booth erected on the ground, and afterward another interesting service was held. Mr. Felkin presided. After a suitable appeal to the audience for their sympathy, co.operation and prayer in prosecuting the impor. tant work which has been commenced, called upon various ministerial brethren to address the assembly. It was a happy meeting. It is proper to state that the cost of the burying ground, a quarter of an acre, and the chapel together, will not be less than £500, towards which £190 has been already raised, principally in the town and neighbourhood. The assistance of our Churches in this case, which is recommended by the last London Conference held at Tring, is respectfully, and most urgently solicited, as the circumstances of our friends render them nnable to meet the interest of a large debt. Mr. Felkin intends to make a personal application to as many Churches as he may be able to visit during his midsummer vacation, and hopes he shall meet with the assistance so imperatively needed. RE-OPENING OF THE GENERAL BAPTIST CHAPEL, MEASHAM.-On Lord's-day, May 29th, after painting and finishing, this neat and commodious place of worship was reopened for divine service. The Rev. J. Stevenson, A. M., of London, preached two highly impressive sermons. The congregations were large and attentive, and the collections amounted to £30 8s. 6d. BAPTISM AT MAGDALEN AND LARDS BRIDGES.-On Lord's-day, May 22nd, six after a sermon by the Rev. T. Ewen, from persons were baptized in Mr. North's pond, Romans vi. 3, 4; and on the 29th, at Lards Bridges, two miles from Magdalen, on the Wisbech road, two more followed their despised Redeemer down into the stream, after a very impressive sermon by Mr. Palmer, of Lynn, from, “One thing is needful." Here tea was kindly provided for friends from distant places, by the Church, Mr. Desbury and family. Mr. our kind friends, though not members of Palmer preached in the evening, from, Prepare to meet thy God." The attendance on both days was good, and we hope J. C. S. good was done. 66 BAPTISM AT BILLESDON.-The ordinance of baptism was administered in this place on Thursday evening, June 16th, 1842, to four person, one of them being Mr. Willy, who has been for some time acceptably administering the Word of life in this place. Mr. Goadby, of Leicester, delivered a discourse from Matt. xxviii. 19, 20, and afterwards administered the sacred rite. The congregations were good, and it is gratifying to report that the prospects of this interest are more encouraging than they have been for many years. BAPTISM AT MANSFIELD.-On Lord'sday, June 19th, three candidates were baptized at this place, by Rev. J. Wood, after a faithful sermon from Matt. xxviii. 19. In the evening Mr. W. delivered an impressive discourse from 1 Sam. x. part of twenty sixth verse. The individuals were then publicly recognized as members of the Church. The attendance on both occasions was very numerous, and we trust from the apparent attention paid, and the solemn feeling which appeared to pervade the congregation, that lasting impressions were made on the minds of many spectators. BAPTISM AT NETHERSEAL.-On Lord's day, June 12th, in the morning after the usual order of divine service, eight persons submitted to the ordinance of baptism. In the afternoon a funeral sermon was preached for one of our aged deacons, who died very unexpectedly during the preceding week. The newly-baptized then received the right hand of fellowship, and the ordinance of the Lord's-supper was administered. The chapel was filled to overflowing, and the day, on the whole, was one of unusual in terest and profit. Emotions of mingled joy felt, and deeply felt too, the stroke of divine providence, which had cut down at our side one of the aged veterans in the Saviour's cause, we rejoiced in the conviction that he was carried from the scene of conflict to a and sorrow filled our hearts. While we state of triumph, and that his place was, already, more than filled up from the ranks of the enemy. May the proceedings of the day conduce to the furtherance of the Gospel. BAPTISM AT LONGFORD.-On Lord's day, May 29th, sixteen persons were baptized. Mr. Keighly, of Coventry, preached from Mark xvi. 15, 16. The ordinance was administered in an adjoining canal, and the number of spectators was very great, not less than 4000. In the evening the candidates were received into the Church by the pastor. It was a very interesting day, and our prayer is that they may all be faithful unto death, and then receive a crown of life. We un will terminate in September next. GENERAL BAPTIST ASSEMBLY.-(Old Connexion.)-The assembly was held at Worship-street, on May 17th, (Whit Tuesday) and was attended by several friends from the country, as well as by several members of the Churches in London. The letters from the Churches were read: those Saffron Walden, in Essex, were the most from Trowbridge, in Wiltshire, and from cheering. The former reported the addition of thirteen members by baptism, the latter an addition of six members. Mr. Stephen Blundell, a venerable member of the Church at Cranbrook, was in the chair; and Mr. Squier, pastor of the Church at Deptford, J. C. M. BAPTISM AT BEESTON.-On Lord's-day, May 22nd, four persons were baptized, three of them young persons, teachers in the Sabbath-school. Mr. G. Wright, of Castle Donington preached from Acts viii. 3539, and afterwards baptized the candidates. In the evening the newly baptized were re- LOUGHBOROUGH. Revival Meetings ceived into Church fellowship. The services were held in this place, by the united conwere interesting and well attended. We gregations of the Independents, Particular have several sincere and anxious inquirers. and General Baptists, on June 7th, 8th, W. G. and 9th. On Monday evening a prepar BAPTISM AT HINCKLEY.-On Lord's-day, atory prayer meeting was held in the old June 4th, six persons were baptized, two General Baptist chapel, Wood Gate. An males and four females. On this occasion early prayer meeting was held at seven on Mr. Taylor preached from Mark xvi. 16, Tuesday morning at the Independent chapel, after which the pastor of the place addressed and in the evening, at seven, the same place the large and attentive audience and then was filled. Prayer was offered, and adadministered the sacred rite. We are happy dresses were delivered by Messrs. J. Green, to state that we have several more candi- of Leicester, (P. B.) E. Stevenson, of Loughdates waiting for baptism. boro', and W. Salt, of Hinckley, (Indep.) on the increase of personal religion, seeking the conversion of sinners, and on prayer for the Holy Spirit. On the following morning Baptist chapel, and in the evening the same a prayer meeting was held at the Particular place was much crowded. delivered this evening by Messrs. Mays, of Wigston (Independent); Goadby, of Leices W. S. BAPTISMS AT LEICESTER.-On Lord's day morning, June 5th, twenty-one persons were baptized at Friar-lane chapel, twelve at Archdeacon-lane, and six at Dover street. RESIGNATION.-The Rev. J. Cotton has given notice to the General Baptist Church at Isleham, that his connexion with them Addresses were |