On Tuesday Evening, January 8th, the Rev. John James Owen, late of Leicester, was recognised as pastor of the baptist church Duffield Road, Derby. The service was commenced by reading the Scriptures and prayer, by the Rev. James Gawthorn (independent), after which an instructive introductory discourse was delivered, by the Rev. James Edwards of Nottingham, and the Rev. W. F. Poile briefly addressed the church; the Rev. J. G. Pike offered very solemn and fervent petitions for pastor and people, and the Rev. J. P. Mursell of Leicester delivered an address on the nature, design, and duties of the Christian ministry; the hymns were read by the Rev. W. R. Stevenson, and the service closed by the Rev. J. Corbin. The attendance was large, and the service, though unavoidably protracted to a late hour, deeply interesting and solemn. BRISTOL. sooner had she been brought to the Saviour than she manifested a decision of character that is rarely seen. Her religion became apparent to the church and the world. Not long after her conversion to God her attention was directed to the subject of baptism. The only baptist in the town was Miss Hernaman (see Bap. Mag., p. 168, 1848.) She applied to her for some ideas on the subject. She replied, "I shall say nothing to you on the subject, only Search the scriptures."" She immediately formed the determination to do so, and her now bereaved husband well remembers, how in his evening visits to her, she would direct his mind to the same subject, and how they used to search the word together, until both were convinced that the immersion of believers was the only baptism of the New Testament. The change that had passed in her mind, would not pass unnoticed by her parents, and fears were entertained by them to what this might grow. On the visit of the bishop she was obliged to go to confirmation. This, however, did not cure her heresy, and her father determined to send her out of the way of danger. He sent her to the care of an uncle in the town of Brixham. The late Rev. Thomas Roberts of Bristol was then pastor of the baptist church at Brixham; she applied to him for baptism, and was baptized by him before her return to her own home. After her return, she had to endure the bitterness of opposition. Even a place of retirement was denied her; her own bedroom was not to be available for the purpose, and often has she been obliged to resort to places of secrecy where few would think of going. Being rendered so very unhappy at home, she resolved to leave, and seek a situation. She soon found one in a pious family in the town of Ilfracombe, where she engaged as an assistant in a draper's and Mr. Robert Tubbs, late of Ashdon, Essex, having accepted an invitation from the bap-grocer's shop. There she was very happy tist church, Thrissell Street, Bristol, entered upon the duties of the pastorate the first sabbath in January. RECENT DEATHS. MRS. ELIZABETH MAY. Mrs. May, of Culmstock, Devon, was born at Appledore, North Devon, in the year 1785. Her parents were respectable in their class; her father was, to the close of his life, a steward to a gentleman in the neighbourhood, and as honest a man as ever existed. Her parents were strict church people, but as she was a weakling from her birth, she was permitted to attend the independent chapel, as the parish church was a considerable distance. There she sat under the ministry of the late Rev. Richard Evans, who was a sound gospel minister. Under a sermon by him from "Thou God seest me," she received her first permanent religious convictions. No with the family, which was then almost the only evangelical family in the town. The old Presbyterian interest, had had its vitals eaten out by Arianism. That good man was the instrument of preserving the little spark alive. He conducted prayer meetings, and read gospel sermons, and exerted all his influence to revive the cause. Being a watering place, some of the evangelical clergy would visit it in the season. A visit from the late Mr. Biddulph of Bristol, was the means of the conversion of a young lady, who soon made acquaintance with the subject of this memoir. Another young lady, a native of the town, had just arrived from Cornwall, where she had been converted and joined with the methodists. The three were soon united in the bonds of christian love. They often met for prayer and religious conversation, and after a while, commenced a Sunday school. The seasons these young people enjoyed together were of the most pleasing character. Several letters of the deceased, now in the possession of her husband, written at this time, are very delightful. We might give extracts, but must study brevity. Not long after this the town was visited by the Rev. Daniel Gunn, late of Christchurch. The first time he preached there, there were only sixteen persons in the chapel. Coming from the place he said to our friend, "Why Betsy, the hearts of this people are as cold as the walls that surround them." It was not long ere the house began to fill, and it was soon thronged by a numerous congregation. He took those young females under his instruction, and led them on both in spiritual and general knowledge. The Sunday school too which they had originated, shared his attention, and was raised to respectability under his influence. While all this was going forward, our friend had an attack of rheumatic fever, by which she was brought almost to the grave. By good medical attendance, and kind attention, she got better and returned for a while to her father's house to recruit her strength. On returning to her situation she had another attack, the air of the place was too strong, and again she was obliged to take refuge under her father's roof for a permanency. Opposition by this time had entirely ceased, and for sometime before their death, she had the pleasure of seeing both her parents under the sound of the gospel. She had, however, no evidence of their conversion to God. On returning health she would not be inactive. She had, in connexion with another friend, a large class in the Sunday school; and it is a remarkable fact, that with one or two exceptions, all that class were converted to God. In the year 1813 she became the wife of her now bereaved husband, and during the period of nearly thirty-six years no one could have sustained that relationship with more prudence, piety, or judgment. She was on all occasions her husband's counsellor. There were never any concealments between them, and it was seldom he had any reason to regret taking her advice. Her judgment was so sound-her mind so strong-and her piety so apparent, that he could feel his heart repose in her with the greatest confidence. She never sustained the relationship of mother. In the year 1818 providence opened the way for her and her husband's removal to Barnstaple. A few months before, a baptist church had been formed there of only twelve members. The friend who had the management of affairs, was soon about to remove. He, and the other friends here, thought of Mr. and Mrs. May as proper persons to take their place; and as there was no baptist interest at Appledore, their minds were soon made up to leave. Here she had to sustain the character of a deacon's wife. Here she manifested the same judgment, piety, and integrity that had ever actuated her. Amidst all the trials the church had to encounter, she never gave way but stood her ground in every difficulty. Amidst all her physical weakness,shepossessed a degree of moral courage, and strength of mind, which bore her up when many would have sunk. On one subject, however, she and her husband were not exactly as one. He undertook the responsibility of building a new chapel at Barnstaple, which was very likely to have brought them into difficulties. Though there was a deal of trouble in the affair, they had at its close to erect their Ebenezer. In the year 1828, she was called to leave a beloved circle of friends at Barnstaple. Her husband had for nearly three years been preaching to a little church at Croyde, and they had given him an invitation to become their pastor. He felt he had done his work in Barnstaple, and thought it his duty to accept the call. There she was introduced to several superior young people to whom the word had been blessed, to all of whom she was made useful in informing their minds, and forming them in fact in religious principle and conduct. Some of our young friends had to endure considerable opposition in the commencement of their christian course, but she was their counsellor and friend, they depended on her judgment, and seldom found themselves led wrong. There she and her husband spent eight happy and useful years of their lives. In the year 1836 some circumstances took place at Croyde which caused a removal. The church at Pill, near Bristol, invited her husband to take the pastoral office, which he felt it his duty to accept. Here again she was thrown into a circle of young friends to whom she was very useful. But in 1837 she and her husband at the same time were visited with typhus fever, which produced effects in her system she never got rid of, and though she was still useful, she was never able to exert herself to the degree she had done. The place itself did not agree with her, a constant head-ache was her daily companion. Here too she was beloved by all who knew her. One of our friends there, in writing to her husband after her lamented decease, says, "I would rather feel the pain I now feel on her removal, than never have had the priviledge of knowing her." The state of her health induced her husband to seek another sphere of labour. In 1843 she removed to this place (Culmstock.) Though illness and increasing years had destroyed much of her energies, yet she was always found at her post. Let who would lounge away the sabbath, she never forsook her place in the house of God, though she had every sabbath a mile to walk, until she was absolutely obliged to do so. last time she walked to Prescott, her husband was obliged to put his arm round her waist to support her on her way. This was her last visit to the hallowed spot, until she was The in heaven." On the 22nd, after her bed had "Comfort through all this vale of tears carried there for interment. She had for several months the sentence of death in herself. She had been long subject to a liver complaint, and towards the close of her valued life it gathered strength. A medical On the morning of the 24th, to her husband man was called in, but it baffled all his skill. she said, "A present help in trouble." You We found it necessary to send for her niece, find him so ? and the day after her arrival she took to her husband prayed with her while she was "O yes." The last time her bed, from whence she rose no more until she sensible, he asked her, what shall I pray for? was carried. The last six weeks of her life," Pray that I may be faithful unto death." was a scene of suffering indeed. It was long before we could make up our minds to believe it would prove fatal, and therefore did not say much to her on the state of her mind, lest it should awaken feelings which might prove prejudicial to her recovery. At length our fears were excited, and we were obliged to believe what we were willing to put off to an indefinite period. 66 The state of mind during her illness was calm as a summer evening. Not a murmur nor complaint escaped her not the least impatience, but a calm submission to the will of God. Sometimes on experiencing some paroxisms of pain, she would say, "Lord, let this cup pass from me-nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done." The first time her husband asked her the state of her mind, her reply was, "peace." You feel your foundation then, "Yes, I do." One morning on asking her how her night had been, she was asked, how has your mind been? She looked up and replied with emphasis, No condemnation." Another time her husband was speaking to her of Christ as the foundation of his people's hopes,, especially in his character as the great High Priest-she replied, "He saves to the uttermost." After a pause, she said, "But suppose it should be all a delusion ?" It was replied, that can never be, has he not said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away?" Besides this, we never heard a doubt from her lips. Satan was mercifully kept from annoying her. One day her husband was standing by her bed witnessing her agonizing sufferings, his own mind agonized at the sight, he said to her, "O that I could bear your suffering for you dear." She looked at him in a manner all her own, held up her finger, and said, "Take care-Be still and know that I am God." On the morning of the 21st, after a night of peculiar suffering, her husband asked her, how her mind had been? She said, "He has told me he will deliver me, He smote me, but He will deliver me." She was asked, how do you interpret that; that you shall recover? "O no," she replied. Much of what she said was lost, she was so weak, and we did not like to put her to the pain of repeating it. To two of our friends she said, "Have Christ in your heart, heaven in your eye, and the world beneath your feet." To her niece who stood by her fanning her, she said, "No pain, no fainting VOL. XIII.-FOURTHI SERIES. Her mind through all her illness was in a sweet spiritual frame. To every one who visited her she had a word to say on divine things. She asked one, as the sun was shining on her bed, "Does the Sun of Righteousness shine on your soul as the sun shines on my bed? He does on my soul." Several friends visited her till the last few days, when we were obliged to admit none to her room, but those who were about her. The last twentyfour hours, she was insensible to all around her, but was evidently in great pain; and on the night of Nov. 27th, at about a quarter to the bosom of her Saviour. She sleeps in eleven, she peacefully breathed her soul into Jesus. On Lord's day, Dec. 5, a funeral sermon was preached at Prescott, to a crowded congregation, by the Rev. E. Probert, of the Pithay, Bristol, who was intimately acquainted with her, and kindly visited us for the purpose, from 2 Tim. iv. 6—8. MRS. HARDICK. J. H. MAY. Warminster, on Tuesday, January 22nd. died, aged 84 years, Mary, the beloved wife of Thomas Hardick. Having had faith in mises to be true, for death had lost his sting, Christ for many years, she proved his proand her sweet experience proved that to her the bitterness of death had passed before she felt his embrace. MISCELLANEA. BURNHAM, SOMERSET. On Wednesday evening, Dec. 26th, a public tea meeting took place at Burnham, at the termination of the pastorate of the Rev. F. H. Roleston, who has removed to Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire. After tea the chair was taken by the Rev. H. Trend of Bridgewater, and appropriate addresses were delivered by the chairman, the Rev. J. W. Cross of Clifton, and the retiring pastor. As a proof of their regard the friends at Burnham, aided by the kind contributions of several members of the established church, purchased a gold watch which was presented by the chairman on their behalf to Mr. Roleston in the course of the evening. P committee of the Union was held at Silver street school-room, December 7th, in order to Mr. The baptist chapel at Willenhall having been of late inconveniently full, and its enlargement being contemplated, on Wednesday, Dec. 26th, 1849, a tea meeting was held in the national school, kindly lent for the occasion by the Rev. G. H. Fisher, M.A., the incumbent of the parish. This kindness and liberality were greatly enhanced by the fact that a short time ago the Rev. gentleman was left in a minority of eight out of three or four hundred (led on chiefly by baptists) in an attempt to impose a church-rate for the purchase, &c., of a burial ground. The room was very tastefully decorated, and between four and five hundred occupied the tables. After tea, Mr. E. Jones the minister of the above place of worship took the chair.ceed in inducing teachers to use the library On the platform were the Revs R. Davis and reading-room, as they will thus be and Watson Smith (independents), J. Voller, brought into contact with teachers who really J. Williams, D. Wright, T. E. Wycherly, prepare, and will be furnished with the best and J. Davis. After appropriate and im- materials for preparation. 4. Every superpressive addresses a subscription was started, intendent should determine that no effort of which reached the handsome sum of £190. his shall be wanting to induce every teacher The enlargement will furnish additional sit-in his school to join the library, &c., to be tings for about two hundred; the estimated cost is about £400, and operations will commence (D.V.) as soon as the weather will permit. COLLECTANEA. SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION LIBRARY. An important meeting of the superintendents of the London Sunday-schools and the now so extended. Let him, therefore, (a) Set the example, by joining himself. (b) Explain the matter to every teacher, inducing them to follow his example; taking down the name and address of each teacher, and receiving their shillings. (c) Get them tickets from 60, Paternoster-row; distribute them; arrange for his teachers to go in a body the first night, with himself at their head, to show them the way. (d) Watch diligently, from time to time, that they make good use of the tickets so obtained. It was stated, that forms of application for membership could be had gratis; and catalogues would be ready, at 60, Paternoster-row, on and after December 20th.-Sunday-school Union Magazine. ence, to be held this year, and for which preparations have already been commenced. The members of the council of the association have been summoned to meet at Radley's hotel, on the 6th of Feb., for the purpose of determining the time and place for holding, and the constitution of, the conference.Nonconformist, Jan. 23. PRIZE ESSAYS. The Committee of the Religious Tract Society offer the following prizes : 1. The sum of £100 for the best work on "The Present State of our Manufacturing and other Working Classes, so far as such classes are affected by Moral Causes, and by Personal Character and Habits, and the best Means of promoting their Temporal and Spiritual Welfare." 2.-The sum of £50, for the second best work. The above prizes not to exceed six printed sheets, or about 144 pages of the usual tract size. 1. A prize of £25 for the best tract on the same subject, not exceeding two printed sheets, or 48 pages of tract size. RESULTS OF MODERN MISSIONS. It is now nearly half a century since the commencement of the modern missionary effort. The following table exhibits the brief results of what has been accomplished in these fifty years among the heathen: 2,000 missionaries. 7,500 assistants. 4,000 churches. 150,000 converts. 3,000 missionary schools. 250,000 children and adults belonging to them. 200 dialects into which the bible is translated. 2.-A prize of £20 for the second best 32,000,000 of bibles scattered over the earth, tract of the same length. 3.-A prize of £15 for the third best tract of the same length. The works described are intended for general circulation, particularly among the labouring classes, and must be popular, and suitable for the present times. The manuscripts to be addressed to Mr. William Jones, Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster Row, London, on or before the 31st of March, 1850.—Christian Spectator. THE ANTI-STATE CHURCH ASSOCIATION. The committee of this society are, we understand, preparing for a vigorous agitation during the sitting of parliament. Last night, the Rev. William Brock and the secretary were to attend a public meeting at Chatham; next Tuesday, Mr. G. Thompson, M.P., and the Rev. D. Katterns, are expected to address a meeting at Brighton; and on the 29th, and following days, Mr. Burnet and Mr. Kingsley are announced to be at Bristol, Worcester, and Cheltenham. Mr. Kingsley is afterwards to visit Leominster, Kington, Ludlow, and Rochdale; and then proceeds on a tour through Staffordshire with the Rev. Joseph Fletcher of Christchurch. The anticipated motion of Mr. Roebuck on the subject of the Irish church, is, we believe, engaging the attention of the committee, who can scarcely fail to adopt measures for elicit ing a strong expression of public feeling in support of Mr. Roebuck's object. Another important item in the committee's programme of operations is the second triennial confer in languages spoken by 600,000,000. Christian Spectator. FRANCE. In a letter to the Religious Tract Society dated Oct. 31, 1849, the Secretary to the Evangelical Society of France, the Rev. F. Monod, says, "Our fellow-labourer the Rev. L. Pilatte, has lately opened a new meetinghouse in the Fauxbourg St. Marceau. His meetings, which take place twice a week, are already attended by several hundred hearers, belonging nominally to the Roman catholic religion, but who show, by the earnest attention with which they listen to the explanatlon of the gospel, that they are inclined to accept the truth. It is easy to understand that the dissemination of tracts is very much extended by those works of evangelisation undertaken in the Faubourgs du Temple, St. Marceau, and St. Antoine, the three most populous districts of Paris. They must be given by thousands to satisfy the demands of the pupils of our schools, their families, and the hearers who attend the meetings. The tracts must be given, not sold, for these three faubourgs are exclusively inhabited by workmen and destitute persons, who accept the tracts with joy and gratitude, but cannot afford to pay for them. Your committee will surely not call in question the necessity of such distribution, when they know that those districts, the poorest and most populous in Paris, are also the most corrupted; this was one of our motives for fixing there our first centres of evangelisation. But if it |