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but litttle more than fifty years old, had, in some material parts, fallen into premature decay, and had become unsafe for assemblies of people. Hence, repairs to a considerable extent were absolutely necessary. Then, the style of architecture, which was of no regular order, but which at the tea meeting was facetiously denominated 'agricultural,' or barn-like, was hardly in keeping with the improved taste of the times; it was therefore determined to alter this by putting on a new roof. This resolution was taken, not merely as a matter of taste, but also for increased security; and this, on uncovering the roof was found not only to justify, but to require the alteration. The chapel is therefore now, not only repaired, but renovated from the floor to the roof, and ceiling. The pews are modernized and made more commodious and convenient, and altoge. ther, the place is so altered and improved, as, from unsightly and inconvenient, to have become pleasant and agreeable. The cost of the alterations will not be much short of £300. Towards this subscriptions and collections will probably amount to more than £100, which, considering the depression of agricultural produce, we regard with gratitude, as indicating a good feeling towards the cause, in our friends and the public.

On the Lord's day, Mr. Underwood of Lon. don preached in the morning and evening, and the stated minister in the afternoon. Collections upwards of £15; and on the Wednesday morning, Mr. Wigner, of Lynn, preached, and in the evening we had a very lively and agreeable tea meeting, which was addressed by our esteemed brethren Barrass, Lyon and Wigner, and by the writer. For the efficient and kind services of all our brethren, as well as for the good will and assistance of our neighbours, we are sincerely grateful. The excitement of extraordinary meetings is now past for this occasion, and the work of maintaining and verifying the hopes excited is before us. Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

J. JONES.

CROPSTON, near Leicester. New church formed. The few friends who have recently maintained preaching and a Lord's day school at Cropston, were favoured with the delightful and profitable services of brother Wigg, on Lord's day, Nov. 9, for the special purpose of being formed into a church. At halfpast two the brethren assembled, and were addressed very affectionately and scripturally on the privileges they were entitled to enjoy, and the duties they would be expected to per. form as members of a church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Being desired to testify their wish for such a fellowship by standing up, all the brethren rose and stood while the right hand

of fellowship was given to them, through their official representatives. Brother Goodliffe, whom they had invited to serve them as pastor, and brother Job Smith, whom they had elected to the deacon's office. The celebration of the Lord's-supper formed the closing part of the afternoon service; there being a few members of one of the Leicester churches, and from Rothley, who partook with us.

The sermon in the evening was from Rev. iv. 1.-A door was opened in heaven.' A crowded audience listened with deep interest to the preaching; and the subject will live in the hearts and memories of those who were present for a long time to come.

The day was in character with the season as it respects the weather-dull, drizzling, dirty and cheerless, forming the contrast of the moral state of the friends gathered for worship.

Tea was partaken of in the place of worship, when a goodly number of out town friends gathered round the trays. A better place is much needed. The friends would gladly undertake the erection of a small chapel could ground be met with. It is gratifying to be able to state that the little interest draws around it the good wishes of the inhabitants generally. May we not hope that He who has thus opened a door will open once more efficiently to serve his cause in, and to accomodate the many who are willing to attend on the means of grace. May the little one become a thousand, and all, the saved of the Lord. W. G.

ANNIVERSARIES.

PORTSEA. Clarence Street.-On Monday evening, Oct. 20th, a service of an intensely interesting kind, was held in the above chapel, in commemoration of the seventeenth anniversary of Mr. Burton's ministry. Preparatory to the public service, a tea meeting was held in the spacious School room adjoining the chapel. The trays were kindly given by the ladies of the congregation. The crowded state of the room rendered the adjournment to the chapel at seven o'clock, anything but unwelcome, and the doors being open for the admission of the members of the congregation, the entire chapel was soon filled by a respectable and deeply affected audience. Our respected townsman, W. Bilton. Esq., a member of the Clarence street congregation, was called to occupy the chair. Addresses were delivered, and resolutions proposed and seconded, of a very important kind, by the Rev. Messrs. Compton, Sapcoat, Neave, and Arnot; also by Messrs. J. Sheppard, Post Master, and Dr. Henderson, of the "Portsmouth Guardian," and several very kind letters of apology were read from other ministers of the neighbourhood, who were unable to be present. The most interesting part of the service consisted in the presentation of a handsome copy of Bagster's Comprehensive Bible, with the date of the anniversary, and a suitable inscriptio n.

The scene at this moment was certainly deeply affecting; a scene never to be erased from the memory of those who were permitted to be present, and one that will recur in all its touching beauty, when the snows of age have fallen on the head of him, whose amiable spirit and faithful services for a series of years had called for such a demonstration of affectionate

regard, and upon the head of the youngest of the congregation. When the Rev. gentleman came forward he was greeted by a burst of enthusiasm, perfectly overwhelming. He ac knowledged the gift in a beautiful and appropriate style, and spoke for three-quarters of an hour, in a tone of manly eloquence blended with christian charity, which we never heard surpassed. The excellent choir of the chapel, led by Mr. Haskell, and aided by the Messrs. Fuller, and others, varied the delightful service by appropriate anthems. The proceeds of the anniversary, we are happy to hear, amounted to the noble and liberal sum of £35. The anniversary sermons were preached on the previous Sunday, in the morning by the Rev. E. H. Burton, and in the evening by the Rev. R. Compton, of Lyndhurst; and it is gratifying to find that the contributions upon these occasions are increasing. church and congregation are in a very flourishing state, and we feel assured that great good must redound to the populous neighbourhood in which the chapel is situated, from the faithful, talented and affectionate ministry of its excellent pastor.-From the Port of Portsmouth Guardian of Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The

BIRMINGHAM--On Lord's day, Oct. 26th, 1851, two excellent and impressive sermons were delivered by the Rev. J. Burns, D.D., of London, in Lombard St. Chapel, after which collections were made to liquidate the remaining debt, occasioned by the recent alterations of that place of worship. On the following evening two hundred persons took tea together in the meeting-house, and afterwards an interesting public meeting was held. The Rev. G. Cheatle presided; and the Revds. Dr. Burns, Brewin Grant, B.A., Thos. Swan, M. Landells, and other ministers took part in the proceedings. The chapel was altered and greatly improved two years ago at an expense of £240, and at this second anniversary the whole amount was cleared off.

GOSBERTON.-On Lord's-day, Oct. 5, 1851, two excellent and impressive sermons were preached in the G. B. chapel, by brother T. Barrass of Holbeach; and on Monday, Oct. 6th, we had our annual tea-meeting, which was provided for gratuitously by the friends of the church. The meeting afterwards was addressed by brethren Jones, (our minister) Barrass, Golsworthy, of Sutterton, and Beven, (Indep.) of Pinchbeck. A very good feeling pervaded the whole of the services, and we trust that good will come out of them. T. G.

STALYBRIDGE.-On Lord's-day, Nov. 9th, two excellent sermons were preached by the Rev. R. Nightingale, of Castle Donington, for the support of our Sabbath School. The congregations were good; and the collections amounted to the liberal sum of £32 5s. 8§d.

BROMPTON, Yorkshire.-The new General Baptist chapel erected in this village was opened for divine worship, on Lord's-day, Nov. 9, 1851. The Rev. T. Horsfield of Bradford preached in the morning, from John iii. 16, and in the evening from 'O Jerusalem,

&c.

wilt thou not be made clean? and when shall it once be?'-Jer. xiii. 27; the Rev. R. Hardy of Queenshead preached in the afternoon, from Rom. i. 16,-'I am not ashamed,' On Monday, 10th, the Rev. R. Hardy preached in the afternoon, from Psa. lxxxvii. 6. At half past four a public tea meeting was held Addresses were dein our preaching room. livered by the chairman, Mr. Stubbings, the Revds. T. Horsfield, R. Hardy, W. Lewis of Darlington, D. Peacock of Masham, J. B, Lister, and G. Dawson of Northallerton.

On Lord's-day, Nov. 16th, the Rev. G. Catterall of Boroughbridge preached at Brompton, in the morning, from, 'Jesus saith unto Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these ?'-John xxi. 15; in the evening from 1 Thess. ii. 13; and at Northallerton in the afternoon, from, 'Continuing invices were well attended; some of them exstant in prayer.'-Rom. xii. 12. All the serlightful services been enjoyed. All the preachcessively crowded. Seldom have such deers seemed to aim not only at impression on behalf of the pecuniary claims of this new place of worship, but at the conversion of sinners. The proceeds of the opening services, together with the subscriptions, amounted to £58, leaving a debt on the chapel of £122. We are exerting ourselves to reduce this debt. Should any friend feel disposed to render any assistance, donations, however small, will be thankfully received, and may be sent to our minister, Mr. W. Stubbings, Northallerton, Yorkshire. T. H.

MELBOURNE, Derbyshire. Special Services. Removal of Debt. The church at Melbourne is one of the oldest in the G. B. Denomination. It was formed in 1760; and united in forming the New Connexion' in 1770. Joseph Donisthorpe preached the first sermon here, on the Green Hill' about 104 years ago. The first place of worship was erected in 1750, enlarged in 1782, and rebuilt in 1832. The present beautiful chapel cost, besides the old materials incorporated, about £800.

After our anniversary services last year it was resolved to remove, if possible, the entire debt of £126 which still remained on the chapel and school rooms, and private sub. scriptions were subsequently entered into for this purpose.

On Lord's-day, Aug. 31, 1851, sermons were preached by Mr. Winks of Leicester, and a tea meeting was held on the following day. Mr. R. Pegg of Derby was in the chair. Messrs. Nightingale, Yates, Lethbridge, Winks, Wood, and Gill, delivered appropriate and earnest addresses, which were listened to by a large and delighted audience, and interspersed with suitable pieces of sacred music. During the meeting it was announced that the entire debt was cancelled; and that the chapel and school-rooms were free. The congregation then sung with much earnestness, Praise God from whom all blessings flow,' &c. One of the speakers afterwards made a somewhat severe attack on the capacities and appearance of the old school-rooms, strongly urging their demolition, and the erection of new ones. That appeal was well received, and has not been in vain. Five hundred yards of freehold land have been purchased, adjoining our grave yard; and the arrangements are now completed for erecting new school-rooms, (to be 51 by 24 feet without,) a minister's vestry, and a reading room to correspond in style with the chapel. Part of the new land will be built upon, and the other part added to the burial ground. In removing the debts and arranging for new erections, the friends in the church and congregation have fested a very encouraging degree of liberality

and unanimity.

BAPTISMS.

LOUTH, Walker-Gate.-On the evening of the 13th ult, three friends were baptized here. Our esteemed pastor preached from Acts ii. 40; and our aged friend, Mr. Catley, prayed and delivered a short but animated and appropriate

address.

S. N.

Tuesday the 30th of Dec. The Rev. J. G.
Pike of Derby will preach in the morning at
half-past Ten, and the Rev. J. Goadby of
Loughborough in the evening at half past Six.
Tea will be provided in the school-room.

ALMANACKS.-Among the very numerous
publications of this kind for the year 1852,
which are candidates for the public favour,
none are perhaps more deserving than those
'The Chris-
published by the Tract Society.
tian Almanack for 1852,' we are happy to in-
form our readers, is equal to its valued
predecessors. It is adorned with a view of
the interior of Exeter Hall during the May
Meetings.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN PRUSSIA.-The

days of all the Free Congregations, and congegations of German Catholics are numbered. By a Ministerial order they are henceforth to be deprived of all support from the communal authorities, direct or indirect; and where such support has been granted for a fixed period, it is no longer to be paid. The preacher, or head of the 'Free' congregation of Berlin, was some time since expelled the city. The official order grounds the refusal of the support already granted on the principle that all mani-porated bodies, and, therefore, could not legally these congregations are not regularly incoraccept such promises or engagements. It also asserts that they have gradually ceased to be religious societies at all, and have of late years degenerated into mere political societies, inculcating doctrines inconsistent with the principles of civil and social order. As such they are to be everywhere suppressed and it is their duty to carry out the Ministerial extinguished, and the officials are warned that instructions diligently. In several provincial towns the order had been anticipated by the police, as numerous reports of closed meeting houses and dissolved congregations have reached Berlin. There is no hope, however, that the measure will increase the number of adherents to any of the Established Churches. Most of the 'congregations' were widely separated from them, and from any known form of dissent retaining any of the general articles of the Christian creed. Altogether the religious parties in Germany are in a singular state of confusion. The mysticism of Swedenborg has allied itself to the spiritual hierarchy of the Irvingites, with its realization on earth of the gradations of Archangels, Angels, and Apostles, the bearers of those sacred titles being also frequently at variance that cannot find any such ranks recognized with the very earthly power of the police, by the state. Beside the intensest fanaticism may be found the pantheism of Spinoza and the cold negation of Proudhon, in itself but the system of Hegel pushed to its utmost logical consequence.-Times.

LOUGHBOROUGH, Wood-Gate.-On Lord'sday, Nov. 2, after a sermon by the pastor, four young persons were added to the church by baptism. One of the young men was the eldest son of Rev. E. H. Burton of Portsea, and another the fourth son of the pastor of Wood-gate church.

REMOVALS.

THE REV. JOHN BATEY has removed from Sheffield to Burnley. He commenced his labours on the first Sunday in November, with very encouraging prospects, It is intended to open the new chapel on Good-Friday next.

the

May

REV. G. NEEDHAM, late of Brook-street, Derby, has recently removed to serve G. B. church at Audlem, Cheshire, every blessing attend the labours of our young friend in this interesting sphere,

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE NEXT MIDLAND CONFERENCE Will be held at Carley Street chapel, Leicester, on

STOLEN MOMENTS AT THE LYRE.

BY THOMAS GOADBY.

No. II.-A LOOK TOWARDS THE HILLS.

YON high upheaved and heaven-aspiring hills,
Which seem to own no brotherhood with earth,
But claim a kindred with the sacred skies,
Rise they before us voiceless, meaningless?
Stand they not there like everlasting teachers
With silent eloquence directing man,
Beyond the boundaries of this little world,
To something higher, nobler far, above?
Stand they not there types of all holy men
Who, raised above the tainted air of earth,
Live in the purer atmosphere of heaven;
And with the calm and placid eye of faith,
Lifted above the seen and temporal,
Gaze ever on the eternal and unseen?
Those hills rise not in vain. All things conspire
To make them eloquent to man.
The sun
Brightens at early morn with golden light;
And with sweet farewell beams kisses at eve
Their lofty peaks; while in the vale below
Slow creep the shades of night: to tell us how
God lifts the light of his bright countenance,
And holy joy sheds her sun gleaming smiles
Upon the good, who rise above the world

And climb toward heaven, when on the worldling's heart
Who clings to earth and grovels in the dust,

Sadness and disappointment and despair

Shadow their giant forms. The uncaverned wind,
Bending the forest in its onward march,

Battles around them, and the sieging storm

Booms its loud thunders, and wings forth its shafts
Snatched from the lightnings quiver, o'er their heads,
As firm, nnmoved and scatheless, still they stand,
Though man's proud temples tremble to the base;-
To shew us the security and strength
Which virtue has, beleaguered by her foes,
When her foundation has been wisely laid
Upon the Rock of Ages. Then the robe
Of pure white snow which hoary winter throws
In shining beauty round them, while below
His cheerless frown, darkens the dreary vale,
Reminds us that those only will be clothed
With robes of light above, whose lives have been
One constant stretching forth to things divine,
One ceaseless aspiration after God.

Oh ye who dwell amid the hum of men,
And cringe in vile world-worship with the crowd,
Look forth unto the hills and learn of them;
For ever do they teach eternal truth,

And with a voice divine cry out-'Aspire,

Children of clay, to immortality;

Lift up your hearts on high, to heaven-to God!'

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MISSIONARY OBSERVER.

LETTER FROM REV. J. BUCKLEY. Cuttack, Sep. 1, 1851.

MY DEAR BROTHER,- We have had much to humble us and teach us our dependence upon the Lord since I last wrote. The death of our dear sister, Mrs. Miller, was a solemn and affecting Providence; and the continued and severe illness of brother Wilkinson is a very painful dispensation; but as these trials befal us by the appointment of the Most High, it is ours humbly to bow and bless the name of the Lord. God is saying to us by these events, Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen.' The cause in which we are engaged is infinitely dearer to Him than to its warm. est earthly friends; and He can make these events which to us appear so mysterious and trying, to fall out to the furtherance of the gospel. Let us hope and pray that this may be the issue. You will probably receive in. telligence of brother Wilkinson's health ten or twelve days later than any I can give. It is painful for him, and his beloved wife, that he should have to leave his appointed sphere of labour for so long a time as four months! but I sincerely hope, if it be the Divine will, that this change may avert the necessity for his return home. The future is, however, in the Lord's hands, and he will do that which is for the best. Pray for us that our trials may purify us from all admixture of self and sin in our motives and actions, (how much there is in all of us that cannot be approved by him who is of purer eyes than to behold evil!') and that we may be vessels of honour, sanctified and meet for the Master's use. I have several times lately thought of one of Matthew Henry's prayers; May our hearts be humbled under humbling providences.'

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Nor is this all; one of our American brethren, Mr. Bacheler of Balasore, is obliged to leave for America. The ill health of his estimable wife renders this painful step indispensably necessary; but I hope after two or three years absence, they may be permit. ted to return, long to labour for the good of Orissa. They expect to leave India in De. cember next, and to go via England; so

trol. He appointsin what part of the firmament they shall shine, and how long their grateful light shall be continued.

In the midst of the trials and afflictions that befal one and another, I am thankful to tell you that the Lord has not forsaken us nor forgotten us. A few have recently been added to the churches at Cuttack and Choga; and one or two others are waiting for admis. sion. It would be most delightful if we could tell you of hundreds and thousands being pricked to the heart, gladly receiving the word, and being baptized in the name of the Lord, but the additions of twos and threes who have, it is trusted, experienced a gracious change is not to be despised; indeed, when the immortality of spiritual blessings is considered, the salvation of one is an event of transcendent and infinite importance. I think of the matter on this wise: if a considerable number of persons were perishing in the water, and if a benevolent person, after much exertion, should save two or three of them from death, what thankfulness and joy he would feel in thinking that he had been privileged to save a few of his fellow-creatures from the jaws of death. A benevolent nature could have no purer or more elevated satisfaction than such reflections would give; and hard indeed would be the heart that could feel no sympathy with his satisfaction and joy in rescuing a few from a watery grave, because much the larger number perished. Such is the satisfaction we should feel in the quiet, though by no means rapid progress of the cause amongst us. Multitudes are living and dying in sin, and going where redemption cannot reach them. Over them we dowe cannot but mourn. In Zion's ways we see but here and there a traveller, and some of those who appear to be in the way often grieve us by their careless and inconsistent walk. Still, while God honors his servants to save, though it be but a few souls from death, we will be thankful and rejoice. Your affectionate brother, J. BUCKLEY.

that you may probably see them. If you LETTER FROM REV. I. STUBBINS.

should do so, remember Philippians ii. 29. Few are the stars that shine in this dark land, and it is very afflictive when one and another are taken from their orbs; but it is very encouraging to remember that these stars are in the right hand of Christ-thereforo very dear to him, and subject to his con.

Berhampore, near Ganjam,
August 23, 1851,

MY DEAR BROTHER GOADBY,-Your very welcome general epistle, full of encouragement and information, reached us at a time when of all others consolation was most need

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