£ s. d. £ 8. Leicester, by James Bedells, Esq. 440 050 15 13 6 736 Bury St. Edmunds, by Rev. C. Elven- Juvenile Society (moiety). 2 12 9 9 16 3 100 • 050 Pease, H., Esq., for Schools 0 10 0 Pease, John, Esq. Williamson, Mr. John 0 10 0 Baines, Mr. William Maxfield, Mr. Matthew Porter, Mr. Thomas Robinson, C. B., Esq. Sharpe, Mrs. Sunderland, Mr. Thomas Pease, Jos., Esq. 0 10 0 Wilson, Mrs., collected by 0 12 6 Fifield, Bucks- Reynolds, Mr. John. Foulsham, by Rev. J. Cubitt Burrell, Mr. Crask, Mr. Cubitt, B., Esq. Gibbs, Mr.. Ingham, by Rev. J. Cubitt Cooke, Mr. R. Silcock & Son, Messrs. 0 10 0 0.10 0 050 1 0 0 Viccars, Mr. Thomas Whitmore, Mr. John Wheeler, Mr. S. S... Watts, Miss, collected by W. S. Eccles Collection Ditto in Foust 0 10 0 0 5 0 500 0 10 0 Bainbridge, Master C. Edw. Necton, by Rev. J. Cubitt Baker, Rev. R. Frary, Mr. 050 Silcock, Mr. R. B. Slipper, Mr. 0 10 0 Frost, Dr. 2 12 4 9 16 4 1 0 0 North Shields, by Rev. W. S. 050 Smaller Sums. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, by Rev. W. S. Eccles Bruce, Mrs. J. C. Fenwick, John, Esq.. Wylie, Mr. Robert 0 10 0 0 5 0 050 150 . 1 1 0 Clark, Rev. James 1 1 0 2 2 0 Eccles Small sums after Prayer Further Contributions deferred for want of space, 100 The thanks of the Committee are presented to Mrs. Cozens and Miss Buols, Upper Clapton; Mrs. Hassell, Brixton; and Mrs. Middleditch, Calne, for very acceptable parcels of clothing for the Irish poor. The attention of Christian friends is respectfully directed to the Article entitled "A Word in Season," in the "Chronicle" for November. The appeal there made by a liberal friend has been already responded to by some. It is hoped others will contribute to the alleviation of suffering during the present winter. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, THOMAS PEWTRESS, Esq., or the Secretary, the Rev. CHARLES JAMES MIDDLEDITCH, at the Mission House, 33, Moorgate Street, E.C.; or the London Collector, Mr. JAMES BROWN, 7, Brunswick Place, Wyndham Road, Camberwell New Road, S.; and by the Baptist Ministers in any of our principal towns. OF THE BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. JANUARY, 1859. In compliance with the request of our respected Secretary, I once more addressed myself to the work of visiting the more destitute villages within my reach in these northern parts. During my tour I was necessitated frequently to return home on account of the difficulty of making arrangements to meet my ordinary work. I had a cordial welcome wherever I went, and abundant encouragement in my labours. This year I visited Edmondbynes, Blanchland, Shildon, Ruffside, Blackhallmere, East Butsfield, Cornsay, Muggleswick, Ramshaw, Slaley, Dukesfield, Juniper Dyehouse, Corbridge, Matfen Highhouse, Stamfordham, Kirkheaton, Whittington, Acomb, Lintyford, Winlaton, Sunniside, Marley Hill, Shield Row, Burnopfield Colliery, Lanchester, together with many detached houses lying in my way. My usual course was to visit from house to house, conversing with the inmates as opportunity offered, reading and praying with the sick, giving a word of sympathy and admonition to the bereaved, warning the careless and directing the anxious to the "Lamb slain" for sinners, leaving tracts judged to be adapted to the particular cases, and inviting all to attend the service to be held in the evening. Where I could, when the people were from home, I pushed a tract under the door, and sometimes through a broken window. Tracts to the number of 2791 have been circulated, being the remainder of the grant kindly made last year by the Religious VOL. III. Tract Society, and also a considerable parcel sent to me, carriage paid, by some unknown friend, of the Stirling series," which are admirably suited to the purposes of such a mission. I usually addressed myself also to travellers on the way, and parties breaking stones by the road-side. I preached ar.l addressed congregations of people that were convened to hear me twenty-eight times; the numbers ranging from thirty to upwards of three hundred. At several of the places I preached twice. At Acomb, where I preached on two evenings to very interesting congregations, the second larger than the first, deep impressions were evidently produced. I was urgently entreated to give an entire week's services, and believing that this is the effective mode of following up advantages gained, I intend, as soon as my home engagements permit, to devote a week to that place. Some of these places were visited last year, and it was truly cheering to hear so many say, "We are glad to see you once more; why have you been so long in coming to see us; can you not come more frequently?" On the very first day of my missionary journey, I felt cheered and encouraged in the work by the counsels of an aged pilgrim, far advanced in the journey of life, eighty-five years of age, deprived by her fast-increasing infirmities from attending the means of grace, and seldom visited by any Christian friend. While engaged in visiting from house to house, I found her confined to the room in which she lived. On addressing her, she asked me to pray with her, saying, "she prayed for herself and enjoyed sweet fellowship with her Father in heaven." Explaining to her the object of my mission, she warmly sympathized with it, and said she would pray the Lord to bless me in it. The next afternoon I spoke to a very old man, who was breaking stones by the road-side. On offering him a tract, stating the subject of it, he said, 66 Oh, yes, I have known the Lord forty years, and I expect before long to be with him." Mentioning a few reminiscences of this missionary journey some days ago to an esteemed Christian brother of another denomination, I referred to this old man thus humbly occupied, naming the place H where I saw him; this brother exclaimed, "That old man, many years ago, was the means under God of leading me to the Saviour." Another day sometime after, on my way homeward, I accosted a man working on the road, saying, "Well, my friend, you are mending the road," with the view of inquiring if he was travelling the heavenly road. He asked if I had dropped two tracts for him a little distance off as I passed a few days before; on replying in the affirmative, he said he thought so, and thanked me for doing so, as he had great need of being directed in that way. Only one circumstance more will I refer to now, as I fear I am extending beyond the limits you can assign me. Visiting a farm hamlet on returning home one day, a kind Christian woman asked if I could not stay till a young man who was labouring on the farm came in for dinner, as he was in very deep concern for his soul. I stayed, and found the young man in great anxiety indeed, and seeking peace where no peace could be found. I directed him to the way of salvation through a crucified Redeemer, presented the work of the Saviour under a variety of aspects to meet his evidently peculiar case, and left him, as I hoped, with a glimmering of the truth; but calling to see him some days after, he was just as hopeless as before; subsequent presentations of the truth to his mind have, I hope, through the Spirit, produced a saving change in him, which of course his future walk only will demonstrate. May the great King and Head of his Church own these feeble efforts yet more and more, and may these dark benighted spots, which are yet unhappily numerous in our highly-favoured land, be speedily irradicated by the knowledge of redeeming love, and God be glorified in a great and gracious revival of his work in all the churches of the Saviour. From the Rev. H. W. Stembridge, In laying before the Committee once more a brief account of our position and' prospects as a Church, I do so with feelings of humble gratitude, and earnest hope, mingled with anxiety. My labours during the past summer have not been what I had fondly promised myself they would be. I indulged the pleasing anticipation of proclaiming in the streets and lanes of the town, the glorious tidings of Jehovah's love to a sinful world; and just as I was forming my plan of operations, it pleased God to lay me aside by illness. On leaving my study one Lord's-day morning I fainted; but rallied, and walked to the chapel, when on reaching the vestry I became so ill that my friends had to procure a car 66 riage to convey me home in a state of unconsciousness; my medical attendant being convinced that my nervous system was almost paralyzed by overexertion and anxiety; not having rested a sabbath for more than nine years. In about three weeks I resumed my work, but soon found myself in too weak a state to continue long without entire rest of body and mind. The kind feeling and sympathy of the church and congregation under my care, in connection with the cordial and warm expressions of anxious regard given by the other ministers in the town, I can never forget. The Independent and Wesleyan ministers at a public meeting, as well as in private, urged upon my deacons the necessity of their insisting upon my leaving home for a few weeks of entire rest and engaged to see my place supplied by suitable ministers from the town and neighbourhood; and I feel sure, dear brother, you and the committee will share my feelings of devout gratitude to the God of providence and grace, when I state, that on calling upon the Independent minister to say Good-bye," he stretched forth his hand, and said, "Here, my brother, is something towards paying your expenses; I have abundant reward in the warmhearted and spontaneous manner in which the Wesleyans and my own people have come to me with different sums, they only requiring my extracting from you a pledge, that you will not preach during your absence; you will never know in this world who those friends are; and they insist upon your taking your wife and family with you." The parcel contained 171. In addition to this, a retired surgeon, to whom I had not spoken more than once, but who with his wife have occasionally worshipped with us, waited on me to urge my giving up for a few weeks, and begged my acceptance of 41. towards the expense. These tokens of cordial sympathy from brethren of other denominations were almost overwhelming, and assured me that as a Baptist Church we have at length a respectfully-acknowledged standing in the town. It was a sore trial to be obliged to give up; but my few weeks rest effected, by the blessing of God, a great improvement in my health, though I suffer frequently from nervous depression. not without anxiety, for my work is continually increasing. Up to the time of my illness in June, I had but one Bibleclass, now, in addition to my ordinary services, I have three, an inquirer's meeting, and sabbath-school teacher's meeting, besides attending committee meetings in connection with our local institution. The Gospel of Christ has not been preached in vain; the blessed power of the Holy Spirit has descended upon my humble I am 66 months, though we are but a handful of poor people, nearly one-half of the entire cost of the chapel has been defrayed. 66 efforts; and since the month of June I have added eleven to the Church by baptism and three by letters of dismission. At the same time, we have been called What others may think of this, who are upon to exercise the discipline of the not acquainted with us, I cannot tell; but Church by excluding one, and have dis- to ourselves the fact is marvellous. Had missed another to a sister Church. Our any one told us it would be so when we congregations still present a gradual in- commenced, we should not have believed crease, and I believe if we had only the him; but now there is no alternative-we money to erect side galleries, we should cannot but believe; and, with thankful soon have a large increase. But we can- hearts, we say, The Lord hath done not venture, having a debt already. Oh! great things for us, whereof we are glad.” that God would constrain some wealthy i Our chapel was opened for religious brother to say, If the friends of Jesus at worship on the second day of April last. Bridport are poor, the cause shall not be The Rev. C. Vince, of Birmingham, retarded in its progress for want of funds, preached. On the following sabbath-day, I will send them 1501. for their galleries." Dr. Thomas, of Pontypool, occupied the Such money would be well given. I pulpit. The services were deeply interestexpect within another year we shall be ing, and the collections amounted to 331. hard pressed for room. It may, perhaps, | be asked, How is it, if your congregations present a steady increase, you are not able to support yourselves, and meet your necessities? The reply is easily given. The increase is from the world. Such There were three hundred who sat down persons know nothing when they first to tea, to accommodate whom, the chapel come among us in reference to money and our former place of worship were enmatters connected with the cause of Christ. gaged. The provisions were all given by After awhile they take sittings at a low the members and the friends in the congrerate, until, by-and-by, they begin to under-gation, and the whole proceeds amounted stand the matter and give more. We first wish to secure them and teach them: therefore some time must elapse before we can become self-supporting. Poor as the people of my charge may be, they have warm hearts, and give according to their means. Have the kindness, dear brother, to present our thanks as a Church to the committee for their continued support, and soliciting an interest in the earnest prayers of all, &c. From the Rev. E. Jenkins, Madeley, We have now a chapel erected in which to worship God. It is situated in the best place which we could select in the village. The land upon which it stands is our own property, and the chapel has been legally invested in trust. The building was contracted for and given into the hands of persons who executed their work well, and completed it as cheaply as it could be done. The entire cost, however, including all expenses, is not less than 3201. Towards this sum the Baptist Building Committee, subject to its conditions, lent us 1007.; and four of the members of the Church at a small per centage, lent 2007. In addition, another 301. was borrowed; and so we have hitherto managed to meet every demand. By voluntary contributions and hard work on part of minister and people the debt has been reduced to 2151. Thus, in eighteen On the next day, a tea-party was held, after which there was a public service, when the minister was in the customary manner recognized as the pastor of the Church. to 221. As many as could find room in the chapel attended the public service, and thus we were under happy circumstances installed in our new and comfortable place of worship. Hitherto I have painted the bright side of the picture; but amidst our success in chapel-building, we cannot give ourselves to an unbroken feeling of joy. Circumstances have transpired which fill our hearts with sorrow and anxiety. I mention this as the chief-the loss we have been called to sustain in the bereavement of our dear brother, Mr. Joseph Morgan. I cannot here enter into any lengthened remarks concerning our departed friend, nor is it necessary when I say that he was eminently holy, intelligent, and useful. For any Church or minister to be bereft of such a man is a trying event; but to a small Church such as ours, and an infant cause where every help is needed, it partakes more of the character of a calamity than anything else. Mr. Spurgeon, on addressing his congregation at the Music Hall, once said, in answer to people who spoke in this way, If the Lord were to take such a person from us, what should we do? The cause would soon be brought to an end, and the Church could no longer exist." To this the celebrated preacher replied (and he could say so very happily, for he has hundreds of useful men of God in his Church)-" The Lord can do without that man." The remark is undoubtedly true, and I for one most fully subscribe to the |