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Though the attendance at this Conference was large and respectable, yet several churches neglected to send reports. It was therefore agreed to request all the churches to give information of their state to every Conference, either by delegate or letter. This Conference was characterized by a most pleasing unity of spirit' in all its discussions and conclusions.

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Statistics. The first church in Bradford have three candidates, and many inquirers. The second church at this place have baptized two, and have admitted four besides. At Clayton they have a few hopeful inquirand at Queenshead they have baptized four. They have some inquirers at Halifax; -the same at Birchcliff, and their congregations are good. There is no visible change at Heptonstall-Slack, Todmorden, or Gambleside. They have baptized one at Lineholm, and they have a few inquirers. The congregations are improving at Burnley Lane, and they have several inquirers. At Staleybridge they have baptized three, and there are more in a hopeful state.

The next Conference will be at Heptonstall-Slack, Dec. 26th, 1851. The preacher, Mr. Thos. Horsfield; in case of failure,

Mr. Dawson Burns.

Most of the churches connected with this Conference have collected for the Foreign Missions; and the Secretary has transmited £83 4s to the Treasurer to aid its funds.

JAS. HODGSON, Secretary.

ANNIVERSARIES.

CASTLEACRE, Norfolk.-On Lord's-day, Sep. 28th, and Monday, the 29th, we held our anniversary in connection with the interest in this village. On the Lord'sday, very impressive sermons were preached; in the morning the pulpit was kindly occupied by the Rev. J. G. Wright, Primitive Methodist minister, who resides in the village, and in the afternoon and evening by Mr. John Wherry of Swanton Novers, the founder of the General Baptist cause in this village. The congregations were good, and we had the Divine presence during the whole of the day. May the spiritual seed that was sown bring forth an hundred fold.

On the Monday afternoon a large number of our friends assembled in the chapel and took tea, which was provided gratuitously by the friends composing the church and congregation. After tea the meeting was addressed by Mr. Wherry, who occupied the chair, Mr. Stutterd, the pastor of the church, Mr. Dawson of Swaffham, and Mr. C. Whirv of Pelham. Our hearts were gladdened by the announcement of a donation from a kind friend, of £20 towards liquidating the debt on our beautiful house of prayer. The proceeds of the services

amounted to upwards of £7. The friends J. S. retired greatly encouraged.

LEAKE. The anniversary of the Baptist chapel, Leake, was held on the 5th and 6th of October. On the Lord's-day two very interesting and useful sermons were delivered to crowded congregations, by the Rev. E. Bott of Heptonstall Slack, formerly the minister of the place, during whose pastorate the chapel had been enlarged at a cost of nearly £600. This sum, by successive anniversaries, had been reduced to about £26. It was determined, therefore, at this time, entirely to liquidate the debt. The Sabbath day's collections amounted to a little more than £7.

On the following day a tea-meeting was held. The trays were gratuitously provided, and the attendance was exceedingly good, so that the proceeds of the tea, together with the donations of friends, amounted to about £20. After tea addresses were delivered by Messrs J. B. Lockwood, E. Bott, and J. Goadby. A most enthusiastic feeling pervaded the meeting when the pastor announced that the collections, &c., amounted to £27 8s. 4d., and consequently that the chapel was now free from debt. J. L. W.

SEVENOAKS.-On Lord's-day, Sep. 28th, sermons, in aid of the funds of the General Baptist chapel, were preached by the Rev. G. W. Pegg, from London, and the Rev. J. A. Chamberlain, (Indep.,) of Westerham. Also, on Tuesday the 30th, after the tea-meeting, a sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Grigsby, (Indep.,) of Staplehurst. The collections, card money, and profits of the tea, amounted to £18 2s. 8d.

CRICH.-The 12th anniversary of the G. B. chapel, Crich, was held on Lord's-day, Sep. 21st, when two very impressive sermons were preached by Mr. William Shaw of Derby. The collections were fully equal to those of former years.

On Monday, Oct. 13th, a public teameeting was held in the chapel, the profits to be devoted to the enlargement of the newly-formed library in connection with the Sabbath-school. Very animated addresses were delivered on the occasion by brethren Higdon of Holloway, Mills, Leafe, Hardstone, and Cowlishaw.

LONDON, New Church Street.-On Lord'sday, Oct. 12th, the annual sermons for the chapel were preached by Dr. Burns, the pastor. The congregations were large, and the collections liberal. On Monday evening, the annual social tea-meeting was held, at which addresses were given by Rev. W. Underwood, and brethren Balfour, Wilson, and Ashdown. At this meeting upwards of £60 were p edged to

wards the entire liquidation of the mort-menced, when brother Stenson preached a

gage debt on the chapel and premises. On this occasion, too, a copy of Horne's Introduction, in five volumes, superbly bound, was presented by a few friends to the son of the pastor, Mr. Dawson Burns, on the commencement of his public ministry. On the whole this was one of the best anniversaries which we ever held. Z. S.

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SMEETON, Leicestershire. On Lord's day, Sep 14th, the annual sermons behalf of the General Baptist Sabbath School in this village were preached by Mr. Cholerton of Leicester. The congregations and collections were encouraging. SMALLEY.-On Lord's-day, Aug. 17th, two sermons were preached by the Rev. R. Kenney, of Burton-on-Trent, for the support of our Sabbath School. Congregations good, and the collections amounted to the liberal sum of £6. On Monday, Sep. 8, we had our annual tea meeting, for scholars and teachers. In the afternoon the scholars and teachers assembled at two o'clock, and enjoyed themselves in harmless amusements in a field belonging to one of the teachers, until four o'clock, and then repaired to the chapel, when the children were regaled with plum-cake and tea. At five the teachers and friends sat down to tea, to the number of thirty; and at half-past six we had a very interesting meeting; eleven of the children repeated appropriate pieces, commited to memory for the occasion; and addresses were given by friends Hingley, Ford, Weston and Eaton. Altogether it was one of the happiest days we have enjoyed together.

J. C. LEICESTER, Vine Street.-On Lords-day, Sep. 28, two eloquent sermons were preached by the Rev. G. A. Syme, M.A., of Nottingham, when collections were made towards the liquidation of the Chapel debt. On the following day the annual teameeting was held, when we were favoured with the presence of a considerable num

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ber of friends; tea for whom was gratuit ously provided by ladies in our congregation. After tea the meeting was addressed by Mr. Cholerton, who presided, and the Revds. J. Wallis and G. A. Syme. The services were interesting, well attended, and the proceeds about £17.

BAPTISMS.

SAWLEY.-Lord's-day, Oct. 12th, was a highly interesting season to the friends connected with the General Baptist cause, Sawley. At our early prayer meeting the school room was well filled, when the Divine blessing was earnestly implored. At ten o'clock the public service com

convincing sermon on believers' baptism, from John i. 25, to a crowded audience, after which the congregation repaired to the river, that glides smoothly by our village, forming a spacious baptistry, in which brother Nightingale baptized fourteen persons on a profession of their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The calmness of the day, the very large concourse of people, the fact that ten of the candidates had been trained in the Sabbath school, and that a goodly number amongst the spectators were only waiting the bidding of the church to follow their example, rendered the scene peculiarly interesting. In the afternoon the chapel was again crowded, when our esteemed pastor delivered a very suitable discourse from Gen. xxiv. 31, after which the newly-baptized were received into church fellowship, and the Lord's-supper administered to a larger number of communicants than the writer ever remembers to have witnessed. It was a soul-refreshing opportunity. May the Lord bless us with many more such

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LEICESTER. Vine Street.-On Lord's day, August 3rd, 1851, a young man baptized by the minister, Mr Cholerton, after a sermon from 1 John v. 3; and again on Lord's-day, Oct 5th, two females were baptized, after a sermon from Gen. vi. 22.

CRICH.-On Lord's-day, Oct. 5th, five persons were publicly baptized, after an appropriate discourse from Mr. Sims of Belper, and in the evening the newly-baptized were received into the church. We have several more candidates, and some very hopeful enquirers.

LEAKE. The first Lord's-day in Sep. was a cheering day at Leake. After a discourse by the pastor, in the morning, fourteen persons were baptized, most of whom had been scholars in the Sabbath

school connected with our cause. In the baptized were formally received into the afternoon at the Lord's table the newlyfellowship of the church.

J. L. W.

STALEY BRIDGE.-Lord's-day morning, Oct. 5th, our minister preached a baptismal sermon, from Luke xx. 2, 'By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?' after which he baptized three of our senior scholars, (two young men and one female friend.) In the evening they were received into the Church of Christ. May they abide in him.

BURNLEY LANE.-On Sunday evening, Sep. 12th, 1851, six persons put on Christ by baptism, after an impressive discourse to a very crowded congregation, delivered

by our minister, founded on our Lord's commission. May they be as drops before a shower. W. P. BRADFORD. On Lord's-day morning, Oct. 5th, 1851, three persons were baptized in Prospect Street Chapel, Bradford, and in the afternoon received into the fellowship of the church.

SMALLEY.-On Lord's-day, Oct. 12th, our respected friend, Mr Springthorpe, of Ilkeston, baptized three persons, who

were added to the Church. The services

of the day were well attended, and will long be recollected by many as a season of great spiritual enjoyment.

J. C.

LOUGHBOROUGH, Baxter Gate.-Oct. 5th, five persons were baptized in connection with this church.

MISCELLANEOUS.

LEICESTER, Vine Street.-On Lord's-day afternoon, August 31st, twelve young friends were each presented with a beautiful copy of the Holy Scriptures, by our minister, after an address on their dismission from the Sabbath School. We are encouraged in our labours by the interesting fact that three of the number are consistent and useful members of the Church; another is an accepted candidate for baptism; and nearly the whole of the others seem to be under the influence of very serious impressions.

AMERICAN SLAVEBY.-Mr. W. W. Brown, a fugitive slave, has been lecturing on American Slavery, at various places in the midland counties. When at Loughborough, Oct. 22, the spacious area of Baxter

AN APOSTROPHE.

Gate chapel was crowded, and the people heard him with intense interest. At the conclusion, a vote of thanks to the Lecturer was moved by Rev. J. Goadby, and seconded by Mr. F. Stevenson. The former speaker alluded with pleasure to the following and similar resolutions, passed by the F. W. Baptists of America :

The Indiana Yearly Meeting passed the following resolution on the subject of the Fugitive Slave Law:

Whereas the law of God requires us to be merciful to the stranger and commands us not to betray him that wandereth—and whereas the national government has nationalized the institution of slavery and calls upon us, in direct opposition to the gospel of the Son of God, to assist the oppressor in re- capturing the fleeing bondman- -Therefore,

Resolved, That we will obey God rather than man, and to suffer the penalties of the Fugitive Slave Law shall be our only obedience.'

So also the Oiho River yearly meeting.'Whereas the law denominated the Fugitive Slave Law conflicts with the law of God, which forbids the return of the servant to his master: and also the Constitution of the United States, in that it denies the right of trial by jury and the writ of habeas corpus, and offers a bribe to the officer of double fees for deciding in favour of the claimant, and there is no law to call him to an account

Resolved, therefore, That we utterly deprecate the said law, and cannot hold ourselves amenable thereunto, nor bound to obey the requirements thereof.

POETRY.

My Father, hast thou fled? and shall we ne'er
On earth exchange a word of welcome, nor
A look of love? If not on earth, O may
We meet in heaven! The thought that thou art
There, restrains the rising sigh, exhales the
Falling tear, and reconciles thy mourning
Kindred to thy hasty exit from a world
Where still they need thy counsel to direct,
Thy constancy to animate, thy love

To cheer them. Thy course on earth was rugged-
Thy path beset with thorns. But thou hast reach'd
The goal. Thy race is ended. Thy conflict's
O'er. Thy pains are pass'd. Thy sorrows now are
Drown'd in heaven's unfathom'd and exhaustless sea
Of bliss. How changed, unspeakably, thy state
And station! Thy spirit is transferr'd to
Holier and far happier realms.

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MISSIONARY OBSERVER.

GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE CHINA MISSION. RESIGNATION OF MR. JOSEPH HUDSON.

Ar a meeting of the Committee, held in Baxter-gate Chapel, Loughborough, Oct. 15, 1851, a communication was read from Mr. J. Hudson, informing the Committee of his resignation of his engagement as their Missionary at Ningpo, and of his having entered into the service of a Mercantile Establishment in Shanghae. Other letters were also read from American Missionaries at Ningpo and Shanghae, referring to the above event, and also to the serious indisposition of Mr. Hudson sen., and suggesting the necessity of immediately sending forth at least two missionaries to sustain the Station at Ningpo. After serious

deliberation, it was resolved, to accept
the resignation of Mr. J. Hudson, and
to express regret that he had not corre-
sponded with the Society previous to his
retirement from the mission.
It was
also resolved, That the Society is not in
circumstances at present to send other
Missionaries to China. Among other
reasons assigned for the step he had
taken in retiring from the service of the
Society, Mr. Joseph Hudson urges the
fear he had lest the Ningpo Mission
would not be adequately sustained and
encouraged. It was also agreed to invite
Mr. Lacey to spend a year or two in his
native land.

AN APPEAL TO THE ENGLISH GENERAL BAPTISTS FOR INCREASED LIBERALITY ON BEHALF OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.

BY MR. JOSEPH HUDSON.*

to thank God and take courage.' Nothing
now remains but to go on in the work and
labour of love.' Go on, therefore, ye highly
favoured messengers of Christ and of Christ's
Triumph you must. Your arch-en-
emy is already quaking at your succesful
rescue of brands plucked from the burning.
The adversary and calumniator of all things
good is losing, before your courageous efforts,
both the skill and resolution to oppose.
on, therefore, confident of the favour of God,
the supporting presence of Christ, the joyful
and liberal aid of the church.

THE year 1821, christian reader, was not
merely a year, it was an epoch, a period from
which a new computation must be commenced
of the laurels won, the victories gained, the
glory obtained for Jesus Christ and his gos-church.
pel on the heathen battle plains of Orissa. An
epoch of most momentous consequence.
An
epoch fraught with glory. An epoch which
was the harbinger of happiness, salvation,
light and knowledge to the thousands of the
present generation, and to the millions yet
unborn. An epoch precursing the dawn of
immortal light, and advancing to the sure and
total annihilation of death dealing darkness.
Millions are dependent on the messengers of
the Church in Orissa for the knowledge of
God's celestial boon to man-the gift of his
'only begotten Son!" Millions dating from
this important epoch shall know it, shall be-
lieve it, shall be saved by it; God's word is
the pledge. 'All shall know me, from the
least to the greatest.' The difficulties which
marked the first efforts as fruitless and sterile
have passed away. The many obstacles and
doubtful forebodings which discouraged these
incipient proceedings have by indomitable per-
severance and believing prayer been success-
fully surmounted. Nothing now remains but

This letter was in the printer's hands, and in type, before the announcement that Mr. Jos. Hudson had left the Mission, came to hand.-ED.

Go

The day, May 28th, 1821, christian reader, was not merely a day, it was a bright star rising above an horizon of clouds which had long been dark, of circumstances which had long been discouraging. It rose, and past lethargy, past neglect of the eternal interests of the human race, were for ever cancelled. On this day you date the departure from their native land of the two first missionaries sent by the G. Baptist Society to a heathen people. Feeble as the auspicious rays of this bright star were, how vast have been the results! And yet the present results compared with the rational expectations which may be formed of the future, are like the gentle murmuring of the streamlet increasing to the mighty and rapid river, or like the trees of the forest becoming as numerous and as flourishing as the luxuriant blades of grass. Such is the glori

ous success which God has promised shall belong to his future church in the world, and which the present breaking up of the fallow ground, the present missionary exertions of his people, shall bring to pass. 'As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.' The year 1845 was not merely a year, it was an epoch too, of events which it is impossible for the finite mind to conceive a consummation. From this year you date your mission to the vast unconverted empire of China. You attack Satan in his most impregnable stronghold. His masterpiece, his final resource, his last cave of ignominious retreat is now the object of your christian warfare. Receding before the onward triumphant steps of the advocates of truth; cowed by the manly, full, and free exhibition of the glories and lovely character of the cross; defeated by the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit; overpowered by divine grace; these have for the last half century been the symptoms by which the decay and the sure overthrow of Heathendom may be prognosticated. Conquer heathenism in China, and you leave darkness no place of retreat, for this people who have rivetted their idolatrous and sinful systems on one third of the inhabitants of our globe, will doubtless when possessed of saving knowledge be eager to proclaim it to all the lost sons of their race. If China is speedily subdued to the gospel, the hitherto unapproachable wild tribes on the confines of this Empire will soon feel the influence of this sway. Tribe after tribe, and kingdom after kingdom, will become the inheritance of the Lamb. And if Europe and the western world should ever sink into decay and lethargy we may expect there will be amongst this people noble examples of christianity, apostles raised up to arouse the callous hearts of all those who are the prey of scepticism and unbelief. Paganism in China is a mighty fabric: the labourers employed to demolish it are few, and the labours they pursue seemingly insignificant. Paganism in China has had the work of ages to root it deeply on all the customs, institutions, thoughts and habits of the nation. But with all this it had no grades of caste amongst its votaries, no Brahminical usurpation of the religious liberty of the people, no priestcraft that can awe or threaten with authority and thus nullify the declaration of the truth, no fire, torture, excommunication, or separation from friends and family for the convert; the transition from Paganism to Christianity, as regards these external facilities, is an easy task—the regeneration of the inner man, so

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depraved, so licentious, so carnal, this is what will be the climax of difficulty, the mountain of laborious ascent; for of all nations on the earth, the Chinese have hearts the most callous, practical principles the most lax, natures the most perverse, and idolatries the most sinful and wretched. They will be, however, when converted, the largest and most fruitful branch of Christ our vine, the choice gathering of our Father the husbandman.

The day, May 10, 1845, was not merely a day, it was a bright star too under the providential distribution of the Most High. What was done on this day you all know, and believe to have been of God. The little sent forth to leaven the whole lump. The few sent forth to increase and multiply till they become as the stars of heaven for multitude.' The weak sent forth to combat and conquer the strong. Yes! and though it may appear paradoxical and impossible, it is true. From under the dark and rough-looking surface of the heathenism of China shall shoot forth 'first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.'

This recapitulation of the four memorable periods of the establishment of the foreign missions belonging to the G. Baptist Connexion, should force upon all minds the conviction that the prosperity, the gospel principles of the Connexion are all involved in the support which is given to these missions. They are committed by the practical leadings of providence, to uphold and enlarge in unfading verdure the spots which God has given for their cultivation in heathen deserts. A noble allotment! A gracious trust! What wisdom God has displayed in these adjustments of his favours! What proof for the judgment day can be brought of the piety, zeal, and liberality of christian societies, from the manner in which missionary labours are carried on! If one mission were to be lost through want of true zeal and devotion by the G. Baptist Society, what a reproach to hear our Saviour say in eternity, 'I have a few things against thee:' 'I have not found thy works perfect before God.' To obtain a true perception of the steady principle which right motives inspire, it is necessary to look at our Redeemer in all the glow and glorious lustre of disinterested love. A love which no view of personal ignominy could swerve. love of enemies unreturned, rejected, scorned. Christ felt and exhibited true love, not the desire to enlighten the ignorant and save the lost only, but the will to do it, though with the loss of worldly applause and peace, and the alternative to pass a short life of worldly penury and distress. A love unparalleled by the final offering up of his own life for his adversaries. This is the love, and this only will give to the present members of Christ's church those steady principles which allow no worldly considerations to overbalance the de

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