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Mr. John Barker.

strove to do her duty, and to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things.

Her physical constitution had never been strong, and in the summer of 1863 unmistakeable symptoms of disease appeared. She continued to fulfil her duties, however, until the following Christmas, when, by the advice of friends, she gave up her school, and went to reside at Derby with her sister. She was now very ill, but it was hoped that rest, the kind attentions of friends, and medical skill, would have the effect of restoring her to health. This expectation was not realized. She rallied for a short time, and then gradually grew worse. On the 10th January she wrote as follows:-" For the last few days I have been very poorly-just a narrow escape from inflammation. The pain in my right side has been so acute that I did not know how to bear it. However, with my Heavenly Father's blessing, I feel better. Sometimes I wonder what is in the future for me. All looks dark and uncertain; but on the helm there rests a hand other than mine. O, for faith! Even now I see in a measure the kindness of my God in thus gently weaning me from that which I loved so much. I have first given up one little duty and then another, but I know the trial will come, when I leave you all and say, Good-bye; but I will try to hope and trust."

From this time there was no material improvement. She lingered on till the close of the year, and although she suffered much, she bore it with patience and resignation. She never experienced that rapturous joy which God's children sometimes feel as they draw near their "Father's house." Occasionally, indeed, she looked forward to the great transition with somewhat of anxiety and fear, yet, upon the whole, she was remarkably calm and peaceful, sustained by a firm faith in her God and Saviour, and a good hope of a glorious immortality.

On the 15th December she became much worse. Her medical attendant told her relatives she could not live through the day. A Christian friend was called in. He asked if she still felt the Saviour precious to her. She said she did. He offered prayer on her behalf, and shortly afterwards withdrew. In the evening of the same day she fell asleep in Jesus.

MR. JOHN BARKER.

On the 11th of January last, the church at Vale, near Todmorden, lost one of its estimable members and valued deacons in the removal by death of Mr. John Barker. He first made a profession of religion when residing near to Heptonstall Slack. He united with that church, being bap

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tized on the 12th December, 1839. Living nearer to Broad Stone than to Heptonstall Slack, he became more actively identified with the operations of that branch, becoming a teacher and superintendent in the Sunday school, in which school he took a warm interest to the end of life-after removing to the neighbourhood of Vale, annually aiding their funds, and generally paying them an annual visit. He united with the church at Vale in 1856, and during the same year was chosen a deacon. He subsequently became the treasurer and a superintendent of the Sunday school, and held these offices along with others at the time of his decease. He had a vigorous constitution; he was industrious, provident, and successful in business, for many years carrying on business extensively as a grocer, and for a few years also as spinner and manufacturer. With these he was more engaged than his friends or he himself desired; but he arranged to attend some of the week evening meetings, and was happy to spend the Lord's-day in devotional exercises and in holy and benevolent activities. He had also arranged to be liberated from the business of grocer in a few months. It has pleased the Lord to grant him a more complete liberation. His strength was weakened by the way. The strong man bowed himself. Rheumatic fever in a few weeks brought him into the dust of death. A widow and children, a father, brothers, sisters, and Christian friends, are left to mourn their loss, to bow to Him who neither errs nor is unkind, and to make the Uncreated One increasingly the object of trust, worship, and obedience, and the increasing source of consolation and blessing.

During the brief and final affliction of our brother he did not speak largely and particularly concerning the state of his mind. Words of gratitude and praise for present favours and past mercies were frequently uttered. His favourite Scripture was the Psalm beginning, "I will bless the Lord at all times." He expressed the consolation he felt that his times were in the Lord's hands. He assured us that none other than Jesus was his trust. The "dear dying Lamb" whom it was his pleasure on earth to sing, having called him to Himself, it is our desire that his widow and children, all his relations and Christian friends, may so value, trust in, and cleave to, the precious blood of Christ, as the only and allsufficient hope of salvation, evincing faith by works, that all may at last, amid the ransomed throng, sing sweet, and loud, and evermore, and Christ be all the song. The departed was aged fifty-eight years, and his death was improved on the 28th January, from 1 Cor. xv. 29.

Notes of the Month.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

that beautiful island from the aspersions which had been cast upon them. The THE annual spring session of the Baptist speakers were Revs. Dr. Angus, Regent's Union was held on Monday, April 23, at Park College; Dr. Burns; J. Drew, MarUpton chapel, Lambeth-road, London, Rev. gate; J. G. Owen, Rhyl; W. R. Stevenson, J. Aldis, of Reading, in the chair. From Nottingham; N. Haycroft, of Bristol, who the report it appears that the present rate has accepted the invitation to the new of increase in the entire Baptist body is Baptist church in Leicester; Dr. Hoby; about five or six thousand per year; Dr. Evans; Dr. Underhill; M. H. Bom. seventy-nine ministers, fifty-nine of whom pass, Esq., of St. John's College, Camwere from various colleges, had settled bridge; Dr. Foster, of University College, during the past twelve months; twenty- London; Revs. C. W. Denison, Philadelfive new churches had been originated in phia, U.S.; and J. Girdwood, Massathe same period; and between October chusetts, U.S. The following is the reso1864 and 1865, fifty-six new chapels were lution adopted respecting Jamaica:erected, supplying sittings for about twenty- "That the Baptist Union hereby records five thousand persons. Reference was its entire and unabated confidence in their also made to the London Baptist Associa- honoured and beloved brethren, the mistion, the second quarterly meeting of which sionaries in the island of Jamaica, and the has just been held. Great things are ex-churches under their care. That, deeply pected to issue from this organization. touched by the painful trials through We hope now to hear less than formerly which they are still passing, the Union of the Baptists being "a rope of sand." fervently prays that these trials may be An invitation has been received from sanctified to their enlarged spiritual prosLiverpool to hold the autumnal session in perity, and affectionately commends them, that town, and has been accepted. The under their present necessities, to the address to the King of Saxony, it was ex-loving sympathy and assistance of the pected, would obtain for the Baptists of churches at home." Rev. W. R. Steventhat country the liberty they desired. The son, M.A., of Nottingham, whose paper on plan proposed at the autumnal meeting for "Systematic Beneficence" was omitted at securing a really good education for minis- the Bradford autumnal meeting through ters' sons, was also submitted to the Union. the press of other matters, was read, and The resignation of Rev. J. H. Hinton, who referred to a committee, with a view of has so long acted as one of the secretaries taking into consideration the suggestions of the Union, was received with regret. therein contained towards increasing ChrisThe chairman's address was on "The true tian beneficence among Baptists, and, if nature of Dissent, and its consequent possible, to add something to the present claims on ourselves." He defended Dissen- low incomes of many of our ministers. A ters from the misrepresentations which he board was formed for the education of considered had been made against them ministers' children. The evening session by the adherents of the Establishment, was held in Mr. Spurgeon's chapel. and explained the real position held by Prayers were offered by Revs. Dr. Price the Baptist denomination. Their only care and C. Clark, after which Rev. J. P. Chown was, to hold the truth, breathe the spirit, addressed the meeting in an impassioned and do the work of Christ. 66 They were manner on the wisdom of unity in religion. Christians, and it was the fault of others Rev. J. Clifford, M.A., offered prayer, Rev. that they were Dissenters." With what Mr. C. H. Spurgeon gave out a Psalm, and Aldis said on "politics," we have no sym- Rev. Mr. Evans, of Llanberis, delivered a pathy whatever. Mr. Aldis also referred to timely address. After prayer by Rev. the recent sad occurrences in Jamaica, and B. W. Carr, Newcastle, Mr. Spurgeon ably vindicated the Baptist missionaries in spoke, dwelling chiefly on prayer. He

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referred to revivals as being a species of return no members who will be as profuse fanaticism, and thought that many who as Absalom with promises on the hustings took part in them were insincere. Mr. only to laugh afterwards at the gullability Aldis concluded the meeting with prayer. of their supporters. "Honest men to do -The United Methodist Free Church held honest work"-let that be our motto.-One their ninth annual missionary meeting the of the most graceful acts of the Queen has same evening in Exeter Hall. The sta- been the acknowledgment, by autograph tistics of this body of energetic workers letter, in terms of the greatest delicacy and are worth repeating. They have sixteen kindness, of Mr. G. Peabody's more than hundred chapels, nearly three hundred princely gift to the workmen of London. round preachers, over three thousand We doubt not that that letter will touch local preachers, and over four thousand leaders. They have missions at home, in the colonies, and in Africa and China. The annual income of their mission is £8,000!!-Few English Protestants have any idea of the use made by the Romish church on the continent of the season of Lent as a great preaching season. Rev. H. Pigott, the Wesleyan missionary in Milan, has furnished a very graphic description of the three classes into which he thinks their preachers may be divided. We hope to give some account of these reapers of the Pope's harvest next month.

GENERAL.

thousands of hearts on the broad continent of America. Let us hope also that it will tighten the cords of amity and peace between us.-The American President and the legislature are at open rupture. The Bill of Rights, which he had vetoed, has passed both houses, and with an unmistakeable majority of votes. In his anxiety to conciliate the South, Mr. President Johnson is fast alienating from himself the good opinion of the North. We have no fear that the remarkable variance will issue in good, and that another lesson will be given to Europe how grave matters of state can be managed in a Republic. There has been some rumours of "difficulties" through the termination of the treaty about the rights of fishing off the British North American coast, of which the Fenians have been hoping to make capital. They will hope in vain.-The Times has been the dupe of a cruel hoax. A letter was received by the editors of that journal purporting to be from the Foreign Office, and announcing that war was imminent between Prussia and Austria. We are glad to find that the prospects of peace are brighten

THE Reform Debate is the one topic now uppermost in England. The haters of reform are unblushingly revealing themselves; and some of the bitterest of this class are found among the professedly Liberal ranks. It will be in vain for them ever to expect again to be regarded as anything but Tories. The speeches have been of unusual length. Perhaps Mr. Mill and Mr. Bright have hitherto carried the palm as to temper and excellence. The division will have taken place before ing.-The Czar Alexander has been shot this Magazine reaches our readers. All kinds of rumours are afloat as to the issue of the present historical debate. "The Queen's government must be carried on ;" but by whom? The country will have to decide, if the majority for the second reading of the Franchise Bill be small. Should a general election take place, we urge all our readers who have votes to be very chary of giving them to that hybrid politician, a Liberal Conservative. Let us have honest men, who, like Cromwell's soldiers, "will make a conscience of the matter;" and no mere jokers and fashionable loungers at clubs; and especially, let Dissenters take care that they help to

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at by a man in the dress of a peasant. The quick lifting up of the would-be assassin's arm by a bystander, saved the Czar's life. The bystander was at once created a noble. It is thought that the cause of this act was the assassin's loss of property through the recent emancipation of serfs. The court "Jeames" of the Tuilleries has been feasting the minds of lovers of gossip with a minute account of the "manner of life," studies, and precocity of the young prince imperial. An English writer suggests that either the prince is unhealthily precocious, or the "Jeames" is guilty of the grossest and most fulsome flattery.

Marriages.

March 12, at the Baptist chapel, Evenjob, by the Rev. G. Phillips, by licence, Mr. Joseph Knight, son of the late Mr. Joseph Knight, of the Hyms Farm, Radnor, to Miss Hannah Jones, daughter of Mr. John Jones, of Newcastle-court Cottage, Evenjobb, and formerly of the Rise Farm, Lyons-hall, Herefordshire.

March 15, at the Baptist chapel, Rochdale-road, by the Rev. Mr. Taylor, John Greaves, Esq., of Oldham-road, to Mary, eldest daughter of the late Mr. James Lowe, Chapel-street, Salford.

March 21, at North-street chapel, Leeds, by the Rev. R. Horsfield, Thomas, youngest son of Jas. Blakey, Esq., Spencer-place, to Sarah Ann, eldest daughter of Joseph Adamson, Esq., Leeds.

March 21, at Lee Chapel, by the Rev. R. J. C. Marten, B.A., William Willis, Esq., barrister-at-law, eldest son of William Willis, Esq., Luton, Beds, to Annie, eldest daughter of John Outhwaite, Esq., Melville House, Lee-road, Blackheath.

March 30, at the Baptist chapel, Attleborough, by the Rev. W. S. Brown, Mr. William Holl, of Eltham, Kent, to Miss Mary Ann Drake, of Stow Bedon.

March 31, at Camberwell New-road chapel, by the Rev. E. T. Gibson, assisted by the Rev. W. P. Tiddy, uncles of the bride, G. N. Moore, Esq., of H. M. Civil Service, to Mary, daughter of the late Mr. E. R. Tiddy, of the Baptist Mission.

April 4, at St. Mark's church, Nottinghill, Thomas Foster Hartridge, of East Farleigh, Kent, to Jemima Jane, second daughter of the late David Nasmith, founder of the London City Mission, &c., of Lansdowne-road, Kennington-park-west.

April 5, at Regent's Park Chapel, by the Rev. Wm. Landels, Edward Waltham, of Stockwell, to Sarah Ann, second daughter of James Coxeter, of Ivy Lodge, Junctionroad, Kentish-town.

April 15, at the General Baptist chapel, Gosberton, by the Rev. J. A. Jones, Mr. W. Rayner, to Miss Mary Ann Booth, both of Spalding.

Deaths.

March 9, at Stapleford, in the 18th year of her age, Elizabeth Watkinson, the beloved and only daughter of John and Milicent Frettingham. She was cut down in the bloom of life, and removed by the hand of mercy to a higher and happier clime. She was interred at Beeston, by Mr. Underwood and Mr. Hunter.

March 19, at 61, Long-lane, Smithfield, Mr. W. A. Pratt, eldest son of the Rev. W. C. Pratt, of Keynsham, near Bristol, aged 24.

March 26, at Louth, Mr. Frederic Esberger, who was thirty-one years a member of the church at North-gate, and sixteen years a deacon. 'He was a good man, and feared the Lord above many."

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March 30, very suddenly, at his residence, Tame Valley, Dukinfield, Mr. S. Woolley, in his 63rd year, and for more than forty years a consistent member of the General Baptist chapel, Stalybridge.

March 31, John, eldest son of Mr. J. R. Gould, of Epping, in his 15th year.

April 7, at 10, Bedford-place, Bristol, Mr. James Holroyd, of Froane, of phthisis. His last words were, "Blessed Jesus."

April 10, at Coventry, after a short illness, aged 62 years, Mr. Joseph Cooper, senior deacon of the church assembling in White Friars Lane. His end was peace.

April 14, Miss S. Lister, the beloved daughter of Mr. J. Lister, timber merchant, Hebden Bridge, in the 22nd year of her age. Our beloved young friend had endeared herself to a large circle of friends, and her loss is deeply felt both in the Sabbath school at Birchcliffe, in which she was a teacher, and by the chapel choir, where she "played on the instrument."

April 18, at Nottingham, Sarah, the widow of Nathan Hurst, of Nottingham Park, in the 85th year of her age.

April 25, at Little Bowden, Market Harborough, Janet, relict of Mr. Robert Symington, of Sanquhar, Dumfries, in the 86th year of her age.

Recently, suddenly, whilst sitting at his desk, J. E. Ryland, M.A., of Northampton, son of the late Dr. Ryland, of Bristol. He was a man of varied learning, modest deportment, and thorougly christian spirit. He rests from his labours, and his works do follow him."

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Missionary Observer.

VISIT OF THE LIEUTENANT to examine the works of the Irrigation GOVERNOR OF BENGAL TO Company, from which he confidently anCUTTACK, DURBAR, VISIT TO ticipates the most important and valuable MISSION SCHOOLS, &c. results to Orissa. To this Friday was OUR usually quiet station has for several devoted. He went with Colonel Rundall, days been in a state of excitement in Chief Engineer, and other officers, to consequence of the visit of the Honour- Naraj, and was much interested with all able Cecil Beadon, Lieutenant Governor he saw there, and with the admirable of Bengal, who left with his party last manner in which the work had been exnight for the Light House. He was ecuted. On Saturday morning, at eleven accompanied by his private secretary, o'clock, a grand Durbar was held in a Major Raban, Colonel Nichols, superin large pavilion belonging to the Irrigation tending engineer, Mr. Cockburn, (than Company, when the native officers of whom Orissa has never had out of the Government in superior positions, the Mission a warmer friend,) and Mr. Zemindars, and tributary Rajahs, were Heeley, a gentlemen who was for some presented to his Honour. He described time Assistant Magistrate here. His it as "one of the best ordered Durbars Honour arrived early on Thursday morn-over which it had been his good fortune ing, and a notice was shortly after cir- to preside." Some of the Bengali Babus culated that he would be glad to have an very unwisely raised a question which interview with the gentlemen of the sta- was agitated in Calcutta some years ago, tion at twelve o'clock. We went, of and which was fairly and justly settled course, as the representatives of the by the Government. The case is this. Mission, made our bow, and had the A Hindoo going into the presence of a honour of an introduction to the Lieu- superior, takes off the shoes from his feet. tenant Governor. As soon as he under- An Englishman uncovers his head. The stood who I was, he came with Mr. Government wisely allows the educated Ravenshaw, our present Commissioner, natives to adopt the custom of their and said how interested he should be to country, or of ours, as they may prefer, see the Mission Schools and Printing but they cannot have their head and feet Office, and I assured him of the interest both covered. It would be an insult to and pleasure we should feel in his doing the Governor to whom they are intro80. It was very gratifying to us all to duced, and to the other native gentlemen see Mr. Cockburn again in Orissa, look-presented who have uncovered their feet. ing as kind and benevolent as ever, and with a pleasant smile for every one. The interview lasted for an hour, or perhaps for an hour and a half; and as his Honour stood, the rest of us had of course to do the same. After the levee he visited the Government School, Commissioner's Office, Collector's Office, Civil Hospital, Jail, and Lunatic Asylum. Report says that his inspection was a very searching one, and that observing something irregular, or amiss, in the Collector's Office, he remarked on it with unsparing severity. Quite right, I think, that European officers, who expect obedience from their native subordinates should be themselves called to account if negligent or inefficient; and if there was more of this supervision, it would be all the better.

One principal object of his visit was

In this case the Babus who presented themselves in their shoes and turbans gained nothing by their undignified procedure but a mortifying repulse. They were told in a peremptory manner that if their shoes were not taken off, orders would be given at once to the chuprassies (inferior officers) to take them away. Their shoes were, as you may suppose, quickly taken off, and they went into his Honour's presence in their stockings. The address which the Lieut. Governor delivered in Durbar to the Zemindars and Rajahs was long and in many respects highly adapted to the occasion. I could not commit myself to an approval of every sentiment, but it contained many excellent remarks. He addressed them as "My friends." He did not assert "that the British Government had done all, or nearly all, that it is

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