Intelligence. day before the Conference. That the Conference-list be referred back to the Committee, and be re-introduced at the next meeting. 3.-Ashford. It was agreed, that the same Committee, with the addition of Rev. R. Kenney, be requested to prose cute their inquiries respecting this case, and report as early as possible. 4.-Ilkeston.-It was reported by the general secretary of the Home Mission, that the Committee had agreed to make a grant of £25 per annum to this church, on the condition that they secure the services of an efficient minister. 5.-Amalgamation of the Home Mission Districts.-Rev. E. Stevenson reported that the prospects of the Committee were generally encouraging; that it was thought advisable that Yorkshire and Cheshire should form one district, the Midland Counties another, and London and the Eastern Counties the third. The general report will be found elsewhere. 6.-Jamaica.-(1) That in the opinion of this Conference, it is desirable to memorialize Her Majesty's Government on the need for an impartial and official inquiry into the past and present condition of this island, and especially in relation to the recent reported insurrection. (2) That the Leicester ministers prepare this memorial; that it be signed by the chairman of the Conference and the secretary; and forwarded to the Secretary for the Colonies. The next Conference will be held at Melbourne, on Shrove-Tuesday, Feb. 13, 1866; that Rev. J. T. Gale, of Loughborough, be the preacher; or, in case of failure, Rev. W. Hill. Rev. G. Needham, of Ripley, preached in the evening. J. JACKSON GOADBY, Sec. BAPTISMS. NOTTINGHAM, Stoney Street.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 3rd, 1865, we baptized nine candidates, after a sermon by our pastor, and in the afternoon, at the Lord's-table, they were all received into the fellowship of the church. We hope that these are the beginnings of brighter days to us, and that many more may be added to us who are saved. B. Y. NORWICH.-Nov. 6, the ordinance of baptism was administered to six candidates, four of whom were afterwards received into the fellowship of the church. NUNEATON.-On Monday, Nov. 27th, a tea-meeting and recognition service was held in the General Baptist chapel, Nuneaton, in connection with the settlethe church, who, for many years, was a ment of the Rev. S. Willett, as pastor of missionary in Ireland, under the auspices of the Baptist Irish Society. The questions to the church and the pastor were answered in a lucid and satisfactory the following subjects:-"The qualificamanner. Addresses were delivered on tions and duties of a Christian pastor," by the Rev. H. Cross, of Coventry. "The nature and constitution of a ChrisNonconformists," by the Rev. J. Harritian church-our position and practice as son, of Birmingham. "The responsibilities of the pastor," by the Rev. J. Redman, (Independent,) of Nuneaton. "The duties of the church toward their pastor," by the Rev. S. S. Allsop, of Longford. The chapel was beautifully lected from the word of God. A vote of decorated with appropriate mottoes, sethanks was given to the ladies for the excellent tea, and also to the ministers for their able addresses. The meeting closed wit with prayer by Rev. J. Harrison. Mr. Willett enters upon his duties with cheering prospects, having a fine field for usefulness, and earnestly implores an interest in the prayers of God's people. LEEDS, Call Lane Chapel.-Recognition Service.-Rev. W. Taylor, of Stokeupon-Trent, having accepted the unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the church and congregation in the above place, entered upon his duties Nov. 11th. On Monday, Dec. 11th, a special recognition service, preceded by a tea-meeting, was held in the chapel. Various ministers of the town took part. The Rev. R. Horsfield presided, and gave a lengthy introductory address; after which one of the deacons briefly recounted the circumstances which led to the selection of the Rev. W. Taylor as a suitable and desirable pastor, and referred to the unanimity and cordiality of the call given to him. Rev. W. Taylor then gave a short account of his religious experience and views; at the close of which, the Rev. W. Underwood, the President of Chilwell College, delivered an impressive charge to the pastor. The Rev. W. Best, B.A., gave an address to the church; and short speeches followed from the Revs. G. B. Thomas, R. Ward, and H. Marles. The Sheffield, to overflowing congregations. meeting was a most interesting and agreeable one. Mr. Taylor enters upon his duties in Leeds with the utmost good will, confidence, and affection of his people. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, Nov. 20, 21, 22, Mr. Barker delivered three of his popular lectures. The services throughout were a great success, and his visit will be long remembered for the good he has, under God, accomplished, especially among those LINEHOLME, near Todmorden.-On who have followed him in his wanderSunday, Nov. 19th, two sermons were ings amid the gloom and darkness of preached by Mr. Joseph Barker, of infidelity. CHAPELS. THE above is an engraving of the new | Magazine for December, 1856 (page General Baptist chapel now in course of 470), there is an account of a meeting of completion at Birmingham. The build- the "General Committee of the Home ing was partially erected for a place of Mission," held at Loughborough on the worship a few years ago, but was left in 11th of November; and one of the resoan unfinished state. It is in the midst lutions passed by that committee was as of a thick population, many of whom are follows:- "That we fix on Birmingham glad to know that the gospel will soon be as the most important field of labour we proclaimed within its walls. The cost of could possibly occupy." Upon the the building will be about £2,000; and strength of this resolution, and the proit is arranged at present to provide mise of £30 towards the object, the late accommodation for about eight or nine Rev. J. Goadby and the Rev. H. Hunter hundred persons, exclusive of side gal- were appointed a deputation "to visit leries, which may be conveniently erected Birmingham, and make all needful prewhen additional room is required. It liminary inquiries." Particulars of this would be useless in these pages to affect visit will be found in the Magazine for to show the importance of establishing a December, 1856 (page 470). As an second General Baptist cause in Bir- evidence of the extreme anxiety on the mingham, since if the necessity existed part of the Home Missionary Committee ten years ago, it is a circumstance which for the immediate establishment of this claims at the present time the practical second cause in 1856, it is only necessary sympathy of every one who desires "the to state that the resolution was passed extension of the denomination." In the on the 11th November,-the deputation visited Birmingham in the following | although the varied comforts of a good week, and the account of the Committee chapel are in prospect, still there are meeting, together with the visit of the sweet remembrances clustering around two gentlemen named, appeared in the the place which is about to be left, almost next month's magazine: this occurrence creating the desire to remain. It was had at least the appearance of earnest considered a heavy responsibility at the ness in the object. At the next meeting time, for a few persons to engage to pay of the "Home Missionary Committee," more than £50 per annum for rent of held in Leicester Feb. 3, 1857 (see premises, in addition to the expense of Magazine, March, 1857, page 119), it is fittings and accommodation for a congrereported with reference to Birmingham, gation and two schools; but it was done, that £12 had been promised "in addition and on Lord's-day, April 23, the Rev. to the £30 announced at the last meeting F. Chamberlain preached two sermons, of the Committee." In the Magazine and after the evening service formed the for April, 1857 (page 155), it is stated new church, and administered the ordithat "the attempt agreed to be made to nance of the Lord's Supper. On this commence a Home Mission cause in occasion the large room was crowded, Birmingham is delayed for a time," and and many have had reason to rejoice that £5 more has been "subscribed that they were present to witness the towards the effort." Up to this stage of formation of that little church, consisting the proceedings the prospect appeared of seventeen individuals. From that cheering, and those favourable to the period until the present, the Lord has movement were beginning to believe continued to bless the efforts of His that at length something would be at- servants in this part of His vineyard; tempted; but in the Magazine for May, the number of attendants on the means 1857 (page 192), it is stated that the of grace has gradually increased; nine Midland Conference met at Beeston on persons have since been added to the the 14th April, and that "some con- church by baptism, and twelve have versation took place in reference to the been received, making the present numproposal for the establishment of a new ber of members thirty-eight. Under cause at Birmingham, but no resolution these encouraging circumstances, and was passed." In summing up the whole with the prospect in view of future sucof this account, it appears that £47 were cess, the church will apply for recognipromised towards the attempt, and that tion at the Warwickshire Conference; here the matter ended. The object of and in due course for admission into the this insertion is to show that at the General Baptist Connexion. The friends present time there is an opportunity for have subscribed nearly £300, and have those who were really in earnest at the in addition established among themselves former period to come forward with a Building Society for the periodical equal anxiety to assist in the same good receipt of money; into this society they work. The aid solicited is not for have already paid nearly £100, and most the purpose of attempting to establish of the contribution raised upon this plan a cause; and herein it differs from will be lent without interest until the the object of the meetings alluded debt is finally cleared away; from this to. A cause is in existence, and in source a large amount will be raised in such a degree of prosperity as may be a few years. Collecting books have also gathered from the fact that a place of been issued among friends. The promoters worship is in course of completion for of this movement confidently believe that the accommodation of those connected there are many in the General Baptist therewith. In the month of February, denomination who will rejoice in the 1865, a few General Baptists opened a prospect of a second church being room for the purpose of worship, and established in Birmingham; and it is conducting Lord's-day schools; in a short believed that many who have previously time this place became too small, and offered their aid will not withhold it now. the premises at present occupied were J. S. C. secured as a place of meeting until a Donations in answer to this appeal chapel could be obtained. The practical will be thankfully received by G. adaptation of these premises to the rais- Cheatle, Adelaide-street, Vauxhall, Biring of a new cause, has rendered them mingham, Treasurer to the Building peculiarly interesting to many, and Fund. Notes of the Month. ECCLESIASTICAL, moval, because the Church of England did not forbid prayers for the dead!!"-Mr. Hubbard, and other State church champions, have been laying their heads together to devise what can be done to secure lay interest in the Church. Some of the congress advocated "prayer-meetings;— but this proposition was received with little favour. The preference seemed to be for "brotherhoods," and the like.-It is a remarkable proof of the alienation of the Irish party in the House of Commons from their Conservative tempters to hear that they decided in their recent meeting in Dublin, "that the sense of Parliament on the church question ought to be taken on an early day during the coming session, and that they pledged themselves to take measures to have this done."-The most notable ecclesiastical event of the month is the attempt made by the Jamaica legis. lature to bring back the days of the Stuarts convinced that in ordering the removal of THE high church party are becoming in- the stone he was acting contrary to Ecclecreasingly bold. It really seems as if the siastical law. He might veto the erection young enthusiasts, who form the chief of the stone, or order its removal if it constrength of this denomination in the State tained anything contrary to the doctrines Church, were determined to try how far of the church, but not otherwise. The they may carry out their ritualistic mania. only case on the books on this subject is a Dr. Pusey is beginning to talk of union curious one. A widow in the Isle of Wight with Rome, and declares that he can accept had inscribed on the tomb of her husband, the primacy of the Pope. Has he not 66 Pray for the soul of John -" When already accepted very much more? From the clergyman sought to compel its rethe present state of parties, it is not un-moval the case was heard before Sir Herlikely that we shall soon have a fierce war bert Jenner Fust, who decided that the between the ritualistic and anti-ritualistic clergyman had no power to compel its resections of the Establishment. Meanwhile more sensible men among the established clergy are avowing" that their church is the rich man's; that when the poor incline to Christian truth, they join the Dissenters, who treat them as equals, and not as inferiors; that the church has lost immensely in her influence through depending on State pay; and that it is possible for ministers to maintain their independence even though supported by the free-will offerings of the people." Archdeacon Sandford is the editor of the essays by State clergymen who propound these views; and the names of the writers are Revds. T. B. Browning, of Newton-on-Ouse, J. Hamilton, Chipping Camden, and P. S. Bingham, of Derry-hill, Wiltshire. All this is not new to Dissenters; but it is new to find it avowed by men within the pale of the Establishment. -A certain clergyman in South Devon has been making a local fame by seeking to remove a gravestone placed in his church-in that island. A bill was introduced to yard. The friends of the deceased had had engraven on the stone: "Neither can they die any more, for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. For death, the last enemy, is destroyed." He raised two objections against this-that the second "for" was not found in Scripture in that connection, and that the last sentence was a variation of the Authorized Text. He was compelled to acknowledge that the Greek Text warranted the interpretation given of 1 Cor. xv. 26, and was require licenses for all Baptist, Independent, and Wesleyan chapels, for all ministers and teachers in Sunday schools, and with the option of withdrawing the license when the Governor pleased! Fines were also to be imposed in every case of violation, and some offences were to be punishable with seven years imprisonment!! An outcry was at once raised throughout the island, and the bill was withdrawn; but it is still proposed to bring in another bill of the same order "for the repression of unauthorised places of worship, and the pre GENERAL. vention of preaching by unaccredited per- is created.-Mr. Bright has been giving sons." Of course the goverment is to be the Tories "a piece of his mind." His the authoriser, and the accrediter!! We speech at Blackburn stung because of its are very much mistaken if this movement truth. It is in vain that men ask us to does not lead to a closer inquiry into the remember what good measures the Tories Jamaica branch of the State Church, and have passed. We should have to draw to the asking of this question, among upon our imagination for our facts. The others, whether the island cannot do as Birmingham speech was more moderate; well without a bishop as with one, seeing but then he had a different topic. Even the present holder of the crook has lived Mr. Bright is getting hopeful, so let no in a snug retreat near Torquay, England, man despair of Reform.-The Parliament for several years past. It is sheer infatua- is to be opened in February, and by the tion on the part of the assembly to sup- Queen in person. It is said that the pose that any bill of the kind proposed will State robes are to lie on the table, and that ever be sanctioned by our Queen and her the Lord Chancellor will read the speech. liberal advisers, or be tamely allowed by The Queen's chiefest adviser and friend, English Dissenters to pass without long the King of the Belgians, is dead. Cool, and persistent protest. sagacious, disinterested, and fond of fair play, he has left a name which will long be remembered with honour. Once standing with his foot on the throne of England, he has always proved the faithful counsellor of Her Majesty. His eldest son has succeeded to the throne of Belgium.-France has had its usual winter gaieties at Com. piégne, but the Court has now returned to Paris. The day when her ruler gives oracular compliments will already have dawned when these pages reach the eye of our readers. Let us hope that there may be no "slights" to any ambassador.-Russia, unlike the Jamaica wiseacres, is taking a new step in religious toleration. A series of reforms, aiming at the amelioration of the Jews in Poland and other western parts of the empire, are on foot. All Jews, according to a recent ukase, are granted permis. sion to travel and settle where they please. -The Spanish Queen did not receive a very flattering welcome on her State entry into Madrid. The reports of insurrection in HER MAJESTY has been most deeply grieved at the calamitous events in Jamaica, and has herself insisted on a most searching inquiry. Sir Henry Storks has gone to supersede Governor Eyre during the sitting of the Commissioners. At present the names of the gentlemen who are to compose it have not been made known. The deputations on the Jamaica question which waited on Lord Russell and Mr. Cardwell, have been strangely vilified by the Tory press. One organ conspicuous for its passion and fierce hatred of Dissent has ransacked the vocabulary of abuse in its desire to damage the members who composed the last. Take these as a specimen of its "choice phrases," always remembering that some of the leading Dissenting ministers in town and country were among the deputation: "a crowd of vulgar termagants;" "an anti-slavery mob;" "rowdies;" "furious riffraff;" "foul- Malaga are unfounded; but dissatisfaction mouthed agitators"!!! And this in a prevails.-The Italian ministers have rejournal which professes to write as gentle- signed, and the task of forming a new men for persons of the same honourable government has been entrusted to General name! Some strange changes have been Marmora, who held the portfolio of Foreign noticed since the progress of the agitation. Affairs in the fallen Cabinet. The cause Saturday Reviewers speaking fair, writers of the break-down is the inability shown in the Athenæum claiming honour to Bap-by Signor Sella to cope with the financial tists, Solicitors' Journals pronouncing on difficulties of the new kingdom.-The King the illegality of Gordon's execution, while of Prussia has just filled up the post of some of the so-called Liberal papers have Court Chimney Sweep, and has given an howled in chorus with the Tories. Meet- audience to the new dignitary! Why ings have been held in most of the princi- does'nt the King confer this office on a pal towns in England, and a deep feeling noble ? C |