the parish. I never hear anything from him, he was leading the poor ignorant people but cursing the people from the altar for not blindfold;-that he was making merchandize paying his dues. Another agent writes:— A respectable man present then inquired of me, “Did you call at 's house on the way?" "Yes," said I. "You go there to read to the family, do you not?" "I do," said I. "Well, sir, I am glad to hear it, for I have a bible also, and I read it regularly, and I believe every word of it. I told the priest so the other day, and that I believed Kent-Sevenoaks of the souls of men. I said to him,- You strive to make them believe a lie when you say that you have power to forgive sins, when that no one can forgive sins but one, that is you know that you have not. Yow know God.' The priest then struck me. I took it patiently, and said to him, 'Sir, I tell you that you have acted directly contrary to the spirit and command of our blessed Redeemer ;-you are not one of his true servants, and you will never strike me again. Farewell, sir.'" CONTRIBUTIONS SINCE OUR LAST ACCOUNT. Rochdale-Kelsall, Henry, Esq.. A Gloucestershire Teetotaller.. Diss..... Church Street Sunday School Bacon, Mrs. (don ).... 10 10 0 Vernon Chapel, Bagnigge Wells L. M. (don.) 210 0 Norwich-Coll. at Rev. Mr. Wheeler's 3 12 0 Glasgow Claxton, Mr. Robert... 1 0 0 DEBT DONATIONS. 050 21 61 2 2 4 0 13 2 200 18 8 3 5 18 0 100 570 1 3 6 668 710 0 11 4 0 5 13 0 63 5 6 1 18 0 6 18 7 55 6 0 Gurney, Joseph, Esq., Lavender Hill, Wandsworth.... £ s. d. 10 10 0 1 0 0 In addition to the above, the Secretary has received remittances from Yorkshire and Lancashire, but not the particulars. From Scotland there are many collections, and some subscriptions yet to be received; some were made by the Secretary, and left to be remitted; in other places, and also in some churches in large towns, from which subscriptions are acknowledged, it was not convenient to collect during the visit of the deputation. The collections, however, will be made. The Treasurer begs to acknowledge with many thanks the receipt of eleven pounds and seven pence from "a few friends at Sevenoaks for relief of Ireland in the most useful manner." Also 10s. from an unknown friend for Mr. Eccles. The thanks of the Committee are presented to "the ladies of King Street Chapel, Canterbury," for two boxes of clothing and books for Ireland. Tottenham, for a bundle of clothing. To Mrs. M'All of To Mr. Anthony Young of Ryde, for a truss of clothes to be sent to Mr. Thomas. To E. S. of Bedford, for 5s. for Irish distress. unknown friend for 2s. 6d. for Mr. Eccles. And to many other kind friends for their To an sympathy and promises of speedy aid. Subscriptions and Donations thankfully received by the Treasurer, JOSEPH TRITTON, Esq. Lombard Street; and by the Secretary, Mr. W. P. WILLIAMS, at the Mission House, Moorgate Street; and by the pastors of the churches throughout the Kingdom. COLLECTOR FOR LONDON, REV. C. WOOLLACOTT, 4, COMPTON STREET EAST, BRUNSWICK SQUARE. J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY. QUARTERLY REGISTER OF THE BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SOME months ago carnest application was made to the Committee to increase the amount of their grant to the South Devon Auxiliary. As the Committee were persuaded that much more than the usual amount might be raised in the district, notwithstanding its comparative poverty, if suitable efforts were employed to draw out its resources, the Rev. G. COLE, of Exeter, was urgently requested to visit the missionary stations and the non-collecting churches. With this request, notwithstanding discouraging local predictions of failure, Mr. COLE, at considerable cost of labour and self-denial, complied. He visited, at such intervals as a proper regard to his pastoral duties would permit, about twenty different places. In ten of these places collections have been made; and at most of the others they have been promised. These facts are stated for the purpose of showing what may be done on even an unpromising field, when a brother of suitable qualifications can be induced to undertake the work earnestly and heartily. In the valuable report of his journies, Mr. COLE says:— In these primary efforts, and in others anticipated, I trust it will be clearly understood, that I am sustained by the hope of seeing the means of our auxiliary somewhat adequate to the claims so urgently pressed upon our conscience as well as our attention. We have need to be co-workers with the parent society in its threefold aim. For, 1st. We have destitute places in rural districts to be supplied. 2nd. We feel the calls of old churches in adversity, and would gladly stretch out to them the helping hand, if peradventure, by God's blessing they may be raised up again. And 3rd. We have, as you will read below, various towns of considerable population without a Baptist interest. OLD STATIONS. 1. Thorverton has, by the divine blessing, been yielding fruit of late; and the people, long driven and persecuted, have been comforted by some favourable additions. 2. Christow is also a well attended station, like the other it has been long supplied from Exeter at much cost of labour; and like the former also it is progressing toward the point at which the people will show themselves able to return a sum adequate to our cost in supplying them. Here also the Lord has been with us. 3. Bridestow and its out-stations. Brother Davy is a hard and earnest labourer. His people, who are extremely poor, are nevertheless, renewing their exertions. Our brother finds his encouragement arising at present much more from Lifton than Bridestow. At the former, when with them in October, we had some very lively meetings. At an early prayer meeting, called for half-past five there was a nearly full place. Several have lately been baptized; and some active zealous men appeared to be in great anxiety about a chapel. May the good providence of God succeed them. THE PLACES REQUIRING OUR HELP ARE: have lately extended their help, and we are 2nd. Teignmouth. Containing about 5,000 souls, is only about a mile from Shaldon, and could be worked with it. Once we had a chapel, or rather the occupancy of one; now we have no chapel, no church, no congregation. 3rd. Crediton. The anxieties and entreaties of our friend Mr. C, and a few others in fellowship there, have been fresh upon my mind from my first visit in February till now. Here also we have a little old fashioned chapel, and not in debt. Population 6,000. 4th. Chalford. A Home Missionary would be welcomed in this neighbourhood with the most cordial acceptance. The isolated situation of this village, and the truly rustic character of the inhabitants, give to it additional interest. There is a zealous christian lady K here doing the work of a missionary with considerable acceptance, but is wanted in the sphere whence for a season she has come, and longs to see some messenger to release her, and cheer the people. And 5th. Exminster, Star Cross, and Kenton, would together form a good Home Missionary station, and include in all about 3,000 souls. In the coming spring (D.v.) I shall visit Sidmouth, Axminster, Ottery, and Callyton : at neither place is there any Baptist interest I believe. I have simply given the facts as they have been presented; and shall be most happy to state brighter and better things whenever the facts will justify me. DEARLY BELOVED,-God, in His merciful providence, has done much for you; He has called you by the preaching of the gospel, and drawn you by his gracious Spirit; He has placed you in the number of His saints, and put upon you the profession of His own great name. I beseech you to be thankful for all this. Let me suggest a few Friendly Counsels, in relation to your christian duty, character, and happiness; and may the Lord Jesus make them effectual in promoting your welfare, and His glory. I. BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY. - This The church at Hartlepool is of comparatively recent formation. From the amiable virtue is the basis of all moral excellence, and without it you cannot be spiritually first it has laboured under great disad-minded. If you value His favour, be humble, vantage in not having a suitable place of for " He resisteth the proud." If you would worship. Mr. KNEEBON, formerly of Sun- improve in saving knowledge and enjoyment, derland, became its pastor a few months take your seat at "the feet of Jesus.' If you back; and from the following communi- would have the esteem of your christian brecation it would appear that he is not thren, and would commend yourself to every without encouragement in his work. man's conscience, seek a large measure of tered more graceful words than when He said humility. The "King of Saints" never utto His followers, "learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." II. READ AND REVERENCE THE BIBLE.— As Persuaded that you feel much interest in this mission station, I venture to send you a word or two concerning our present state as a church. I have now been six months in Hartlepool. The number of members at my the being of God is the foundation of all relicoming, and at the last association was twenty-gion, so the word of God is the rule of it. nine. The congregations are improved, the place is generally two-thirds full on Lord'sday morning, and quite full in the evening. Gradual and growing signs of good have appeared, and fifteen persons have been added by baptism, making the present number forty four. We hired a school-room about four months ago, in West Hartlepool-a new rising village of about 1600 inhabitants. It has a new dock, and is about one mile from this town. The congregation there was at the commencement very discouraging; but now several steady and decent persons are attached as regular hearers, and there are pleasing signs of success. I preach there every Lord's-day afternoon, and every Thursday fortnight, and we are going to open a Sabbath school there. One of the hearers has been baptized into the church at Hartlepool. There is neither church nor chapel in the place, and the Methodists occupy a small room like ours. Our Sunday school has lately been reorganized, and is in an improving state. There are ten teachers and about fifty scholars. The people are at peace, and affairs wear rather a cheerful aspect. The weekly contributions are regularly kept up. I have made free to inclose a trifle which I wrote and got printed for my friends here. I thought it might do good, and increase my influence, and perhaps it has done so. The following extracts from the "trifle" infallible record. The taste of this generation III. PRAY MUCH IN SECRET.-Of all means of grace, closet devotion, is, to a lukewarm and formal professor, the most irksome, and hence it is most neglected; but if you possess true religion, and are "led by the Spirit," you feel a sublime pleasure in going to "a desert place" to worship God. Secret prayer is admirably adapted to your present state of existence: for you are in a world of active duties, and painful trials. Silence and retirement sooth the passions, and promote meditation. The daily use of secret prayer, forms also, a tolerable evidence of your sincerity in religion. You do it, not to be seen nor heard of men-not to flatter yourself into a notion of superior sanctity, but from a lively sense of your spiritual wants; as an act of obedience to your divine Lord, and that you may, in a more collected manner acknowledge past mercies, and implore a present blessing. Beloved, I may, of course, conclude that you pray much in secret. God and your own heart are privy to this matter. How spiritually cold is that man, and how feeble and fickle are his efforts in the work of salvation, who holds no secret fellowship with the Almighty. You may take it for a general rule, that if you loathe, and lay aside communion with God, you are in an unrenewed or backslidden state; but if you attend to private devotion with fervour and frequency, you are (cther things being equal) in spiritual health. IV. TRAIN YOUR FAMILY RELIGIOUSLY. There are but few children who see even the form of religion in their father's house. They are not taught to ask for spiritual comforts, nor to acknowledge temporal ones. On the contrary; selfishness, falsehood, anger, and profaneness go round the family circle, from the parent to the infant. Millions, after having thus passed the first fourteen years of life, leave their home, form a part of the public, go from one stage of vice to another, and never come to repentance. Is it at all surprising that the world is full of wickedness and woe? Beloved, are you an unmarried person? On entering wedlock, observe the Apostolic injunction: "be not unequally yoked with an unbeliever," "marry only in the Lord." This duty is as binding upon christians as any other gospel precept. Should you be blessed with children, make your abode a nursery for heaven, and not a breeding place for hell. What peace, order, and joy, are in the habitation of the righteous. V. BE REGULAR IN ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD'S TABLE. This ordinance has special regard to the atonement of Christ: to "his agony, and bloody sweat; his cross, and passion; his precious death, and burial." It is designed to bring his great love to your remembrance by visible tokens, to draw out your best sympathies toward him, and to confirm your attachment to your fellow christians. When you sit at this table, ponder the evangelic story of Christ's sufferings; bring before you the sad doings of Calvary, and pray the Holy Ghost to soften and subdue your heart. A vivid idea of infinite justice-a horror of sin-a prostration of soul as in the dust-and a blissful sense of redeeming love, are proper on such an occasion. "The Master" has said, "do this in remembrance of me." It is the language of affection mingled with grief; it is the language of authority tempered with friendship. It is the farewell voice of your "chief shepherd," and it becomes you to hearken with obedient awe. VI. LOVE AND SUPPORT YOUR OWN PLACE OF WORSHIP. I will not insist upon the obligation in general, but briefly point our your duty in particular. You are a single member of the Saviour's mystical body; and, strictly speaking, you belong to a single church. Your own place of worship, and every thing relating thereto, have the first and strongest claim upon your love, your attendance, and your contributions. If the stones of a building become loose, or fall out, that house will soon "be brought to desolation." If a farmer go and cultivate his neighbour's field, it is foolish misapplication of time and strength. The broken fences and rude briers on his own estate prove him to be a slothful man. So the weak-minded professor, who is attracted from his own people and his own pew by every religious novelty, cannot call himself a member of any church. He does nothing to purpose in the vineyard of Christ; he is a stumbling-block to others. VII. LOVE NOT THE WORLD.-Worldliness and true religion cannot dwell in the same individual, for they are destructive of each other. As a pilgrim on the earth, your treasure, heart, and home are supposed to be in the regions of immortality. How unseemly it is then for you to love this world. The grace of God is designed to correct such a propensity, and to raise your soul to nobler objects. It is granted that lawful industry is binding upon every one; but even lawful things may be abused. They are good only in their due weight and measure. The missionary at Dunchurch, Mr. WEBB, writes: Our attendance continues pleasing. Many appear to feel. I have added seven by baptism; and three have been restored since January last. Our members appear united and prayerful anxiety is exhibited for the conversion of sinners; and I hope their activity in this direction will abundantly increase. I have been able to establish a day school; nearly forty children attend; the governess is dependant on the weekly pence, and I encourage her occasionlly by presenting a few books and by a little personal attendance to teach arithmetic &c. The Sabbath school is three times larger than what I found it; sixty is about the average attendance. Several young people have recently voluntered as teachers. On the whole I have reason to believe my labours are not unblest. Indeed the present state of Dunchurch evidences that the kind aid of the Society has not been ill bestowed. The loss of Mrs. W., which took place in May last, Donations and Subscriptions will be gratefully received on behalf of the Society, by the Treasurer, J. R. BOUSFIELD, Esq. 126, Houndsditch; or by the Secretary, THE REV. STEPHEN J. DAVIS, 33, MOORGATE STREET, LONDON. Much trouble will be saved, Loth to the Secretary and his correspondents, if in making payments by Post Office orders, they will give his name as above; or, at any rate, advise him of the name they have communicated to the Post office authorities. J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY. |