BAPTISMS.

SALFORD, Zion Chapel, Broughton-road. On Lord's-day, Jan. 4th, the Rev. W. J. Garrett baptized one person in the above place of worship; since that period Mr Garrett has been laid aside from his public ministration by very severe sickness, nigh even unto death. Notwithstanding this discouraging chastisement under the hand of Providence, who moves in a mysterious way' relatively to this church and people-the cause has continued to progress and prosper; four more candidates for immersion were publicly baptized on Feb. 4th, before a large congregation, after attentively listening to a most eloquent sermon, preached by the Rev. Mr. Liddell of Pembroke street chapel, Liverpool. On the following Sabbath, the ordinance of the Lord's supper was administered by the Rev. Edward Bott, of Heptonstall Slack, Hebden bridge, to the members of the church, when the right hand of fellowship was extended to each of the newly-baptized members; and after a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, two of the spectators who had for some time previously attended the chapel, applied to the deacons for admission into the church as members. It is worthy of remark that one of the candidates, although born of baptist parents, in Wales, had not attended a place of worship previous to the erection of Zion chapel for eighteen years. Let Zion prosper: the Lord will provide.

R. G. B.

BURTON-ON-TRENT.- On Lord's day evening, Oct. 27th, 1850, two persons, husband and wife, were baptized, and the following Sabbath received into the church; and on Lord's day, Feb. 9th, 1851, three other young persons, all males-two of them brotherswere baptized, after an excellent sermon on the subject of believers' baptism, by our esteemed pastor, the Rev. R. Kenney, from Eph. iv. and latter clause of the 5th verse, 'One baptism,' and were cordially received to communion and fellowship. Our congregations are very interesting and encouraging, and we hope ere long to have to record others who have given themselves to the Lord and then to his people.

FLEET AND HOLBEACH-On Lord's-day, Feb. 2nd, we had a refreshing season at Fleet, when, in the presence of a very large audience six young men were 'buried with Christ by baptism,' and were afterwards received into the church. They are all under twenty years of age, and four of them are teachers in the Sabbath school at Holbeach. We would present on their behalf the prayer of the venerable Jacob, 'The angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads.'

MISCELLANEOUS.

ARNOLD. In the year 1845 the friends at

Arnold erected a new and commodious school room, at a cost of £70. By the vigorous efforts of the teachers and friends, and the kind munificence of those who where not connected with the cause, the handsome sum of £40 was raised; this left a debt of £30 upon the place, which has remained till very recently. It had long been a matter of conversation how and when this £30 could be raised: some were ready to think that it was morally impossible to raise so great a sum under existing circumstances; others thought that half of it might be raised, but never dreamt for a moment that the whole debt would at once be paid off. At length the church and the school united their efforts, and with the blessing of God the great object was accomplished. On Lord's day, Dec. 22nd, 1850, two sermons were preached; on the following Thursday about 150 sat down to tea, after which a very interesting meeting took place; R. Birkin, Esq., late Mayor of Nottingham, took the chair, when addresses were delivered by Rev. G. A. Syme and others. The proceeds of the tea, and the donation of £5 from one who is not connected collections on the previous Sabbath, with a with our denomination, amounted to about £21. A kind friend on the platform promised to give a sovereign on condition that the whole sum was paid off in a month. This acted as a stimulus to the friends, who felt desirous if possible to raise the whole. We are happy to state that the conditions were complied with, and the school room is free from debt. On a subsequent Monday evening we had a thanksgiving prayer meeting, which was numerously attended, and the hearts of all present seemed engaged in praising him who giveth liberally and up. braideth not.

J. S.

REV. R. STOCKS, late of Broughton and Hose, has removed to Macclesfield, and entered upon his labours in January. The congregations are improved, and we hope his labours will be made a blessing.

THE NEW HYMN-BOOK.-After a most careful revision of the copy of Hymn Book prepared by Revds. J. and C. Pike, by the London ministers, a meeting took place of the whole of the Committee and the above brethren, on Tuesday Feb. 11th, when various additions and sundry alterations were agreed upon, and the book was then unanimously recommended to the Trustees for denominational acceptance. It will contain upwards of a thousand hymns, comprising the best from the large selection, the Revival Supplement, Jarrom's Supplement, and a large number from Wesley, Montgomery, and other modern hymn writers. It cannot fail to be one of the most valuable congregational Hymn-Books extant; and it is hoped it will be ready in a few weeks. J. BURNS.

LETTER FROM MR. BUCKLEY.

CUTTACK CONFERENCE, &c.

Cuttack, Nov. 29th, 1850. MY DEAR BROTHER,-By the good hand of our God upon us we have been permitted again to meet in Conference; and it may gratify your readers if I tell them of the interesting opportunities we have enjoyed in the house of prayer, and of the important matters on which we have deliberated in harmony and love. Our last gathering was at the close of the cold season; but it was thought it would be best on this occasion to meet at the commencement, as it would leave us all at liberty to prosecute our work in the country till the increasing heat will compel us to confine our exertions within narrower limits. All the English brethren in Orissa, and, with the exception of Mrs. Wilkinson, all the sisters, have been present at this annual convocation; and from the American branch of the Orissa mission we have been favoured with the presence of brother Renel Cooley and his amiable companion. A little more than a month ago our brother was brought so low from fever that hope of his recovery had well nigh fled; but it pleased the Lord to raise up his servant, I trust for extensive usefulness in this land. The improvement that has taken place in brother Cooley's health since he reached Cuttack has been very gratifying, so that he may now be regarded as fully restored. The first Lord's day after our meeting (Nov. 10th) was one of much pleasurable feeling eight persons, all of them in the morning of life, and all either the children of members or instructed in the Asylumsbaptized in the name of the Lord. The candidates were-Poona, the daughter of Gunga Dhor; Mina, the grand-daughter of Rama Chundra; Rhadee, the daughter of Seebo Naik, and her husband; Kasuri, (from the Asylum-supported by Louth friends) and her husband; Lesso, (rescued from sacrifice,) and Bhagea, (Asylum.) The ordinance was administered by brother Lacey, and much solemn feeling pervaded all our minds as one and another were baptized into Christ. 'Surely the Lord is in this place,' was deeply felt by many. Prior to the baptism brother Bailey preached from the penitent language of the prodigal, 'I will arise and go to my Father,' &c., a subject fitted to have a salutary influence on the minds of all. Let me ask the prayers of all your pious readers that these lambs of Christ's flock may be preserved from the paths of error and sin, and be conducted safely to the heavenly fold. In the afternoon brother Lacey addressed the candidates, ex

-were

horting them to put on the whole armour of God,' and habitually to look to the source of light and power for supplies of strength and grace. An English address was afterwards delivered by myself, from John xii. 27, 28. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?' &c. I think we all felt as we received the memorials of Christ's death, that it was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. An impressive sermon in English by brother Wilkinson, on the blood of sprinkling,' closed the public solemnities of this interesting day. How much is said in both Testaments about blood, and how important that the great doctrine of atonement through the shedding of Christ's blood be the daily food of our own souls and the one great theme of our ministry. We may write Ichabod on our pulpits if the blood of the cross be not pre-eminent in the ministry. Learning, eloquence, talent, may be there, and may be admired by the thoughtless multitude, but spiritual declension and death will reign if the life-blood of the christian system and the only hope of sinful humanity be lacking.

The appointed Conference services were held on the following Lord's-day, the 17th; brother Wilkinson preached in Oriya in the afternoon, from Acts xxvi. 17, 18, I send thee to open their eyes,' &c. The subject was, the deplorable condition of mankind by nature, and the happy change effected by the gospel. It was impressively shown at the close that the subject supplied an animating motive to labour for the propagation of the gospel; this was the most important work in which the servants of the Lord could be employed, and it was one to engage in which angels might covet to leave their thrones. In the evening brother Stubbins edified us in English, by a lucid, sound, and scriptural discourse, on the divinity, humanity, and dominion of Christ, from Rev. i. 17, 18. Both the subjects were appropriately selected, and much important truth was delivered. Monday afternoon brother Lacey delivered the annual address to the native ministers, on walking with God, and the connection between this and the success of their ministry. A very suitable subject, as it appeared me. The text was, Enoch walked with God.' I thought of Pearce's remark, 'It is pleasant speaking for God when we walk with him.' I trust our beloved fellow-labourers will trea sure up in their memories, and practically regard the scriptural instruction communicated to them on this weighty topic. In the evening the native missionary meeting was held, and was one of the most pleasing services of the kind we have had. The speakers were

On

Gunga, Rama, Damudar, and Sebo Naik, and none of them failed. I would wish, if it were not vain to do so, that you could have heard old Gunga illustrate in striking figurative phrase, how, after a long night of gloom the light was gradually shining on Orissa; the sound speech that could not be condemned' of Rain Chundra, on man's ruin and recovery; the musical tones and lucid statements of Damudar, who illustrated the difference between the idolater and the christian when eternity was at hand; and the persuasive closing remarks of Sebo, on the importance of exertion, and prayer for the divine blessing. If you could have heard all this, you would have thanked God and taken courage; but as you could not do so, let the report of the proceedings excite gratitude.

The reports given by the several churches, while disclosing, as usual, some painful facts, furnished much cause for thankfulness and hope. Additions were reported from all the stations, and at some of them the increase had been very gratifying. It was stated that the removals by death had been very numerous, more numerous, I believe, than in any former year; and here it is proper to advert to what was often referred to with much feeling at our public services, as well as at our Conference sittings, -the death of two much-valued and efficient native ministers.

The places of Bamadabe and Bonamallee will not easily be supplied in Orissa. They were tried men; they were men of prudence and piety, and their moral worth was great; they loved prayer, and delighted to speak of their Master to others; they bore, and had patience, and for his name's sake they laboured, and did not faint.' Grace had done much for both of them, and glory has perfected the work. To them the change was, doubtless, a happy one, but by their removal a breach has been made among the labourers in Orissa, which we must pray the Lord of the harvest to repair.

The business that employed our deliberations was varied and important. The ap. pointments of the native ministers engaged much attention, and was, with their concurrence, satisfactorily settled. The tract and publication department usefully occupied much of our time; 8,000 of the Acts of the Apostles were directed to be printed for separate distribution. It was thought that by the blessing of God it might arrest the attention of idolaters, to read how the gospel message was proclaimed in ancient times, and how some received and believed it, while others 'contradicted and blasphemed.' 56,000 tracts on varied subjects, but all designed to lead the reader to Christ, were ordered to be printed. Many of them are to be poetic ones, the natives being very fond of poetry. Brother Lacey reported that he had translated Bunyan's Holy War, as requested by the last

Conference; and it is trusted, with the assistance kindly promised by the Tract Society, (to which our Society and its missionaries are deeply indebted) and with what we may hope by vigorous exertions to raise in India, that we shall be able soon to print it. Bunyan, beyond all British divines, is adapted to the Hindoo mind. Brother Stubbins is engaged in translating 'Line upon Line' and another brother was requested to turn his attention to the preparation of a scripture text book, which, it was thought would be a great boon to our native ministers, if well executed. The Conference also attended to the examination of the students. Each of them read an essay, and three of them read sermons. Erabhan, after a tem. porary suspension, was restored to the institutior.

Makunda's essay was on 'The priestly office of Christ;' Jugoo's on 'The inspiration of the Scriptures;' Sarthi's on 'Salvation for sinners through the Lord Jesus Christ;' and Erabhan's on 'Repentance.' It was thought that the juniors did quite as well as could reasonably have been expected of them; and the productions of the seniors were deemed in a high degree creditable to their ability and application. Makunda's essay evinced an enlightened understanding of the Levitical economy, and a comprehensive acquaintance with the priestly functions of our Lord; the quotations, too, from Scripture, were very pertinent. Jugoo's was a lengthened, elaborate, and masterly production. These two prom. ising young men having completed their academic course, were received as assistant native preachers. A resolution was passed earnestly protesting against the Government donation to Juggernaut, which is not discontinued. It was agreed to resuscitate the 'Dawn,' and that it be published two monthly under its former editor. After our official sittings had terminated, we discussed at the social board the question which is generally considered before we break up,- What more can be done to further the cause of Christ amongst us? The general feeling was, that we are pursuing the right plans, but that if we walked more closely with God, and had a deeper sense of dependance upon him, and greater confidence in him, we might witness more extensive success. The propriety of the sisters accompanying their husbands on their preaching tours was discussed at some length, and the united feeling was, that it was desirable for them to do so, when other duties did not render it necessary for them to remain at home. Thus ended another interesting and pleasing Conference. we all feel that our love to each other and for the work is strengthened by these annual convocations; and when after being refreshed and comforted by the society of kindred spirits, the day of separation arrives, we part

I think