LOUTH, Northgate. Re-opening of Chapel. We have raised the roof of our chapel four feet and new-slated it, repaired the lower part of the chapel, erected a platform in the place of the pulpit, put in warming apparatus, painted the place throughout, created a lecture room and a room for tea meeting purposes, put up a new wall and palisading in front, re-lighted the chapel with beautiful pendants from the ceiling, renovated the entire chapel, and made it one of the most beautiful and comfortable places of worship in the town. On Nov. 2nd we re-opened it. Mr. Chapman preached in the afternoon, and Rev. A. Maclaren, B.A., at night, in the Wesleyan chapel, kindly lent for the occasion. Rev. T.W. Handford gave a lecture on Cromwell on Friday night. Rev. J. Salisbury preached on Sunday morning and evening, and Rev. J. Lindley (Wesleyan) in the afternoon. On Monday night a large tea meeting was held, and a public meeting afterwards, addressed by Revs. R. Smart, J. Salisbury, J. Godfrey, J. Lindley, and W. Chapman, and presided over by J. Bennett, Esq., of the Cedars, Louth. The entire services were of a character that will never be forgotten. Proceeds of re-opening services, about £70; these, with subscription and collecting cards, make the sum total amount to about £290. We shall hold a bazaar during the last week in Nov. NORTHALLERTON.-Anniversary sermons were preached Oct. 29th, by Rev. C. Springthorpe, of Heptonstall Slack. On Monday, 30th, tea was gratuitously provided by the ladies; afterwards addresses were given by Revs. C. Springthorpe, W. Best, B.A., P. W. Grant, F. W. C. Bruce, J Myers, R. Crookall, and W. Stubbings. All the services were well attended.

NOTTINGHAM, Mansfield Road. -The Rev. Samuel Cox having intimated to the church here that his "prospective requirements would probably compel him to resign his charge, an earnest and successful endeavour was made to retain him in the pastorate. On Monday, Oct. 23, the members of the church and congregation met in the larger school-room to receive his reply to the proposals they had made to him. F. B Baker, Esq., was voted to the chair, and after prayer had been offered, called on Mr. Cox to address the meeting. In a brief speech, which was very cordially received, Mr. Cox reviewed the past year of his ministry, dwelling inainly on its defects; and then promised not only that he would continue that ministry, but that by God's help he would seek to amend it. He closed by earnestly entreating all present to show a greater devotion to their common spiritual work. The chairman expressed his great pleasure, and that of the congregation, at hearing the decision to which Mr. Cox had

been led; and two of the deacons, G. Truman, Esq., and W. Booker, Esq., cordially endorsed his remarks. Other churches of the Connexion should know, for it may stimulate them to a wise liberality, that the friends at Mansfield Road fully intend to give Mr. Cox £300 per annum. On the following Monday evening Mr. Cox baptized four candidates for membership, two of whom had been led to decision that week; and on the following Sunday evening he preached a discourse by which twelve of the younger members of the congregation were constrained to offer themselves for baptism and the fellowship of the church; so that his decision to remain at Mansfield Road seems to have received the highest sanction, and both he and his friends have been permitted to taste that "joy of the Lord" which is "strength." On Sunday, Nov. 5th, and the following Tuesday evening, the anniversary sermons were preached by Rev. S. Cox, Rev. H. M. Foot, LL.B., and Dr. Allon, of Islington. A tea meeting was held on the Tuesday evening before the service, which was well attended; and the sermon which followed, by Dr. Allon, was characterised not more by its thoughtful eloquence than its spiritual earnestness. The collections came to £68.

66

RETFORD.-- New Chapel.-A most interesting ceremony took place on Wednesday, Oct. 18th, on the occasion of laying the memorial stone of Trinity Baptist Tabernacle. After a short devotional exercise by Rev. W. F. Lynn, the Rev. T. S. King (Independent) delivered an address on the 'Rights and liberties of Nonconformists," which was followed by the Rev. J J Dalton (pastor of the church) presenting a handsome silver trowel to the Mayor of Retford, when he performed the rite of laying the stone in thorough masonic style, to the delight of a large concourse of spectators. The Rev. Giles Hester, of Sheffield, concluded the service with a few earnest words

and the dedicatory prayer. After tea in the Corn Exchange, to which a large number sat down, a public meeting was held in the same building, when the Mayor presided; and, though a church warden, as well as chief magistrate of the borough, he, with Alderman Wilkinson, Councillor Jenkinson, and other officials, highly complimented the Baptists, and wished them abundant success in their devoted spiritual labours.

ROTHLEY.-Re-opening Services. - The chapel having been painted and improved, including a new boarded floor, a raised platform over the baptistery, alteration of pews, &c., was re-opened Oct. 22, 1871, by the Rev. E. Stevenson. On the following Monday a very numerously attended tea meeting took place, after which a crowded public meeting was held in the chapel. Mr.

Riley, of Loughborough, was voted to the chair. Appropriate and effective addresses were delivered by the Revs. E. Stevenson, W. Bishop, and W. Evans, also by Messrs. J. S. Lacey, J. G. Winks, W. Holmes, J. Edwards, and J. Lawrence. The proceeds altogether amounted to £50, being suffi cient to pay off the entire cost of the improvements effected.

WISBEACH.-New Chapel.-The memorial stone of the new Baptist church and schools, Ely Place, Wisheach, was laid on Tuesday, Oct. 24, by R. Wherry, Esq., J.P., Mayor of Wisbeach, one of the deacons of the church. Portions of scripture were read by Rev. T. Watts. A short sketch of the history of the church was read by the pastor, Mr. W. E. Winks, in which was given a curious and interesting account of its formation, July, 1655, by the ordination of all the members and the election and ordination of elders. This account was copied from the "Fenstanton Records," and its peculiar phraseology showed the resemblance borne by the Society of Friends to the early General Baptists. An address was delivered by the Rev. J. Clifford, M.A., LL.B., on "Our place and work as Nonconformists and General Baptists." The Rev. J. C. Pike offered prayer. At the close of the proceedings £52 were laid upon the stone. One of the most interesting features of the service was the singing of a beautiful American hymn, entitled "Our Fathers' God is with us," by the scholars of the Sabbath school. In the evening a meeting was held in the public hall, which was very numerously attended. C. Roberts, Esq., Peterborough, occupied the chair. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Jarrom, T. Watts, J. C. Pike, J. Clifford, H. B. Robinson, Chatteris, J. Smith (Independent), F. Hewitt (Wesleyan), J. Cockett, and the pastor and deacons of the church. The collections during the day amounted to about £90.

SCHOOLS.

HALIFAX, North Parade.-The school has for some time been so inconveniently crowded, that it has become necessary to increase the accommodation. Plans are now in progress for altering the present school-room under the chapel by removing the division walls of of the class-rooms and adding the space to the school; also building out from the organ loft, across the chapel-yard on the east side, a suite of class-rooms three stories high, corresponding with the level of the school floor, chapel floor, and gallery. Access to these classrooms will also be had from the minister's vestry, in case of baptisms, &c. The ground floor of the new building will be divided into class-rooms by sliding-up shutters, so

that the whole can be thrown open for the week-night service. There will also be four class-rooms on the second storey, level with the chapel (one the infant-room with gallery), and three rooms above, forming ten new class-rooms. The building will correspond with the chapel, and will be an ornament to the end of the yard. The cost is expected to be about £600, and the friends in the school have set to work heartily; and, united as they all are and in perfect unison with the church, hope, the coming spring, to have such accommodation that they may be able to invite others to come in.

Testimonial.-On Thursday evening a very handsome writing desk was presented to Mr. Thomas Oakes, by the scholars in tha first select vestry class of females at North Parade Sunday school, the following inscription being engraved on it:-"Presented to Mr. Thomas Oakes as a token of affectionate regard by the scholars of his class in North Parade Baptist Sunday school."-Halifax Courier, Oct. 21, 1871.

MINISTERIAL.

ROBINSON-The Rev. J. Robinson having resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church, Landbeach, Cambs., which he has held a little over four years, will be happy to receive communications from any of our churches needing a pastor. Address, Rev. J. Robinson, Landbeach, Cambs.

STEVENSON, T. R.-On Oct. 30th a recognition meeting was held in connection with the settlement of Rev. T. R. Stevenson as pastor of the Baptist church, Barnstaple, North Devon. Tea was provided in the spacious lecture-room. There was a large attendance. The public meeting which followed was still more numerous. Rev. R. A. Bertram (Independent) presided. Mr. Councillor Hills, one of the deacons, gave an account of the circumstances connected with the invitation given to and accepted by the new minister. Rev. T. R. Stevenson then addressed the meeting. The following friends took part in the proceedings: Revs. F. Bosworth, M.A., E. Edwards, J. Dixon, F. F. Medcalf, W. Cutcliffe, J. F. Avery, J. P. Williams, J. Glover, T. Phelp, B. Brown, and W. T. Whitmarsh. The whole proceedings were of a spirited and highly satisfactory character.

BAZAAR

FOR THE CENTENARY FUND AT THE AssoCIATION AT NOTTINGHAM.-The ladies of the Connexion are respectfully reminded of the proposed Bazaar at the next Association. At a meeting of ladies connected with the Nottingham churches, held on Nov. 23rd, at Broad Street school-room, a committee

was formed, to which Mrs. Ryder has kindly consented to act as secretary. Circulars will shortly be issued; meanwhile the ladies of our churches in every district, gratefully contemplating the advantages of Nottingham as a place for holding the Bazaar, and the well-known public spirit of our friends in that town, are earnestly requested to lose no time in organizing working parties, and preparing suitable gifts for the Bazaar.

The address of the secretary, Mrs. RYDER, is 10, Colville Street, Nottingham.

THE COLLEGE.

As our churches will now be arranging their collections, &c., for the coming year, I beg to ask them, through the medium of our Magazine, to kindly allow the College to have a share in their Christian liberality. I have pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of £44, as the legacy left by the late Rev. H. Hunter, for the institution. The following corrections require to be made in the annual report :--The £1 from London should be, 10s. from Rev. Dr. Burns and 10s. from Rev. Dawson Burns. The £6 11s. 1d. from Staley bridge should be, from Stoke-on-Trent, 10s. being from Rev. W. March instead of Rev. W. Evans. Ford should be, Collection, 16s.; Rev. W. Hood, 10s.; Mrs. Humphreys, £1. Total; £2 6s. T. W. MARSHALL, Treasurer.

OUR FRIENDS IN AMERICA.

HILLSDALE COLLEGE.-The Rev. Dr. Graham, who visited so many of our churches more than a dozen years ago, is now President of Hillsdale College. The College is chartered, and has authority to confer degrees. It is under the control of thirty-five Trustees, two thirds of whom must be members of the Free Baptist Denomination. It has a staff of thirteen professors, among whom we are glad to recognize the Rev. Ransom Dunn, M.A., Professor of Biblical Theology; F. Wayland Dunn, M.A., Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres; George Macmillan, M.A., Professor of Greek and Latin, &c. At the opening of the session in October, and at the inauguration of Dr. Graham as president, there was a large gathering of the friends of the College, among whom were Dr. Calder, the late president; Dr. Day, editor of the Morning Star; Dr. Ball, editor of the Baptist Union; and other eminent ministers. The new president delivered an excellent inaugural address, in which he adverted to the commencement of the college, and traced its progress from the time when it was simply "a College on paper" to its present position. Starting with five students in a deserted wooden store, it has now a fine pile of buildings on a very commanding site, with an annual attendance of more than 600 students. Special efforts are being made to provide endowments for the various members of the faculty, to which Dr. Graham has made` such personal contributions as to win for him the name of "the student's friend."

MINNEAPOLIS.-In this town of more than 20,000 people, though only about sixteen years old, a fine new church has been built for the Rev. H. N. Herrick, who was present at our centenary in Leicester. During his more recent absence on account of failing health, his place has been supplied by the Rev. Charles Payne, late of Chesham. In an announcement of his reaching home again, made in the Baptist Union newspaper, Mr. Herrick says what we are sure will interest many readers of our Magazine: "I find that during my absence of more than two months there has been an increase in the size of the congregation, and a marked increase in the interest of our church, under the very able ministration of the Rev. C. Payne, who has recently come among us from the General Baptists of England. The signs are propitious. The great deep of many hearts seems broken up." W. U.

GENERAL CONFERENCE of Free-will Baptists just held at Hillsdale. Meetings most enthusiastic. Gifts munificent; specially to Colleges. Numerous signs of progress.

SCOTHERN - Fox.- Oct. 10, at the G. B. chapel, Kirkby, by the Rev. C. Forth, Mr. John Scothern, to Miss Eliza Fox. At the close of the ceremony a handsome Bible was presented to the bridal pair, this being the first marriage in the chapel.

WAIT-HOWETT.-Oct. 18, at the Baptist chapel, Whittlesea, by the Rev. T. Watkinson, Mr. John Wait, to Miss Harriet Howett.

RUFF-TINKLER.-Nov. 15, at the same. place, Mr. George Ruff, to Miss Sarah Tinkler.

ORMEROD-STANSFIELD.-Oct. 28, at the Baptist chapel, Shore, by the Rev. James Maden, Mr. James Ormerod, of Shaws, to Miss Sophia Stansfield, of Green-end, in Stansfield. Same day

GREENWOOD-GREENWOOD.

and place, Mr. John Greenwood, of Croft House, to Miss Sarah Greenwood, of Green-end, in Stansfield.

TAGG-ANNIBAL.-Nov. 7, at the Baptist chapel, Bourne, by the Rev. W. Orton, Mr. S. Tagg, Superintendent Gas Works, Radford, to Mrs. Elizabeth Annibal, New Lenton, Nottingham.

MANN. Mrs. Anne Mann departed this life at Loughborough, Sept. 30, 1868, in the 78th year of her age. She and her sister came to reside in Kegworth in 1863. They had been previously among the Particular Baptists, and had been much esteemed by those who knew them best. They soon secured the confidence and love of their fellow worshippers in Kegworth, as they were intelligent and devout, punctual in their attendance at the sanctuary, and liberal in their support of the Saviour's cause. After four years of intercommunion with us they removed to Loughborough. Their departure from Kegworth was much regretted, especially by their pastor and their most intimate friends. A vacancy was made which was not likely to be easily filled up. After a few months of declining health in Loughborough, Mrs. Mann died, leaving her affectionate sister in lonely sorrow. She was buried in the Loughborough cemetery by the writer of this brief notice, who will always think of her intelligent piety, her judicious suggestions, and her faithful friendship, with thankfulness and joy. May her dear sister, who still survives, be "as a shock of corn which cometh in in his season."

"Why do we mourn departing friends,
Or shake at death's alarms?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends,
To call them to His arms.'

T. Y.

MEE.-Sarah Mee, widow, Diseworth, exchanged time for eternity, July 9, 1870. She had been a member of the Baptist church, Kegworth and Diseworth, many years; and few, if any, had been more anxiously concerned for the prosperity of the cause. Her place in the chapel was rarely vacant, either on the Lord's-day or the week evening. She had walked many miles to baptisms, school sermons, con

ferences, and special services. The service of God was her delight; the disciples of Jesus were her chosen companions; the ministers of Christ she highly esteemed for their works' sake; and the hope of heaven was, indeed, as 66 an anchor to her soul." She was very poor, but always ready with her widow's mite. She was very old when she died, but very happy. She was not without faults; but the writer of this brief obituary has seldom met with "an old disciple" who seemed to him more exemplary in her conduct, or more hopeful in her death. The estimation in which her pastor held her may be inferred from the text which he chose for her funeral sermon, Luke ii. 37: "She was a widow of about fourscore and four years, who departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day." Sarah Mee was about 82 years old. "She loved her Saviour, and to Him Her costliest present brought, To crown His head or grace His name, No gift too rare she thought."

T. Y. HINDS.-Elizabeth Hinds, widow, Diseworth, died a few days before Sarah Mee. She had lived away from Diseworth, with her son, several of the last years of her life, consequently she was not well known to me. During her last affliction which was short, she seemed very resigned and cheerful. She spoke of the valley of the shadow of death as "lighted up;" and the last words she spoke were, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Those who had known her longer and better than the writer speak of her as a steady and consistent member of the Saviour's church.

"The graves of all His saints He blest,
And softened every bed;
Where should the dying members rest,
But with their dying Head?"

T. Y.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,

Led and sustained by the good hand of our God, we are brought within sight of another Christmas. Ebenezer! Hitherto the Lord hath helped us. Through much of another year, He who was with us when we started again" has cheered our hearts with His tender and rejoicing love, and held us up in His blissful service with His strong arm; and this gracious help, we would fain believe, He has given us in some measure through the pages of "our Magazine." To Him let ceaseless praise be given; on Him let all our hopes be fixed for days and years to come.

As it so frequently happens in our everyday life, so in the conduct of this Magazine, I find that I have not done all that I hoped nor all that I intended. So large and unexpected has been the literary yield of the denomination, that I have been obliged to keep back papers with which I had been kindly entrusted, in order to give place to documents on questions of present interest, prepared at the request of our Conferences, and inserted in the Magazine by their desire. Another fact deserves mention, showing, as it does, the steadily growing interest of the churches in their organ, viz., the increased amount of information forwarded for the Church Register. True, the cry has been heard from some irreverent lips, "Cut it down! cut it down! Who wants to know that so many persons drank tea together, on such a day and at such a place, and that the place was decorated in the highest style of art?" &c., &c. Still I have only heeded this invocation so far as to draw my pen through unnecessary statements and such eulogistic epithets as "able and effective," "eloquent," "impressive," on the ground that it is everywhere known that the Rev. Jedediah Logicus is always able and effective, and Roger Twistledum, Esq., invariably eloquent. Facts, however small, which serve to illustrate the life and progress of the churches, are never erased; though, for the benefit of all, the largest quantity of information is mostly compressed into the least possible space.

On one subject I have received criticism and complaint, and I invite both; for if not pleasant, but rather grievous, yet afterwards it may work advantage to the Magazine, and that is the main point I wish to secure. I am told that in two instances the Magazine has failed to reach its destination on the first of the month. Therefore, to obviate all risk of delay, it will be issued TWO DAYS earlier than heretofore; and hence I beg my many correspondents to send information for the Register by the EIGHTEENTH OF THE MONTH instead of the twentieth as before. And in any case

in which the Magazine is not to hand BEFORE the first of the month, write to me, and it shall be enquired into, and the error rectified forthwith.

And now just a word or two about the New Year. Besides asking you to look over the programme, I may suggest that I am aiming to meet the necessities of the very varied constituency of this Magazine, and to provide something for young, and middle-aged, and old; for the man of business and the man of study; for deacon, and elder, and pastor. For thoughtful and enquiring young men a competent pen is engaged to write on "The Gospels," describing their origin and history as books, and their relationship to one another. "General Baptists since 1824," by the vigorous and incisive quill of "Old Mortality," will be sure to attract and stimulate the conservatism of age and the radicalism of youth. Young Christians will, I hope, find a "manual," or "guide," in the "Familiar Talks" of 1872; and therefore I ask officers of churches, teachers of Bible classes, and parents, to assist me in bringing these papers to the attention of "young disciples." In answer to a request of Dr. Ingham, "Anglican Church Property" will be discussed in an early number; and in reply to another querist, the subject of the great majority of female members in our churches will be examined.

Again I have to ask aid in increasing our circulation. We ought to circulate at least 700 more copies a month, and we might easily do it if all our ministers and friends were as active in promoting the interests of the denomination through the Magazine as some of them are. The Magazine is cheap, and if we may rely upon what we are constantly being told, it is appreciated and deserves success, and we know that to deserve success is the best way to attain it. Let every reader help, and that right early. December, January, and February are the best months for getting new subscribers. Let ministers and "officers of literature not only retain our old friends but also get new readers amongst the new members of our congregations. We will gladly send copies free to any address forwarded to us, of persons wishing to examine the Magazine with a view to subscribing.