"The Christian village of Chetthingsville and its large teak chapel are destroyed-all but four houses, from which the people kept up so hot a fire that the soldiers durst not approach them. The month previous cholera desolated the village; thirteen Christians were cut down. That church is smitten, afflicted, and discouraged. They are without houses, without rice, without money, and in fear of robbers."

FRANCE.

A letter, dated July 19, states that an evangelist made an excursion in May into a section where his preaching brought strange things to the ears of the people. A great interest was excited. He was arrested, and, with a volunteer helper who had done good service, was sentenced to fine and imprisonment. But the whole region was aroused. The pastor of St. E-- visited the district, and had baptized twenty persons within fourteen days.

EUROPE. ITALY.

Testimony from different quarters concurs in affirming that the word of God is glorified in Italy, notwithstanding all efforts to obstruct its course. Col. Tronchin, president of the Italian Society, Geneva, in a letter to the Rev. Dr. Hallock acknowledging a donation of 500 dollars from the American Tract Society, after mentioning the issue of a collection of hymns in Italian for which a great demand existed, and the intention of the society to publish divers other works, adds:

Italy is now under a pressure that does not allow us to labour with so great facility as we could desire. Nevertheless, the kingdom of God advances. We have received at Geneva several converted Italians, whom we are instructing systematically in the word of God. By this means we hope to furnish good and faithful missionaries for that unhappy country.

The iron hand which crushes Italy has no power to arrest the work of the Holy Spirit. Souls are brought, one by one, to read the word of God and various tracts, which we are enabled to furnish them by providential means. In many places in Piedmont, bible readings are kept up by converts. They are small congregations, it is true, but then the kingdom of God cometh not with observation. We have lately witnessed some gratifying conversions among the Italians. A judge at Naples, a very zealous Catholic, having retired to Rome, witnessed there all the popish abominations, and became infidel and materialistic. Obliged to flee from Italy, he took refuge at Athens, and procured a bible for the purpose of making sport of it, having heard Dr. King, the American missionary, speak of it. He spent a year and a half at Athens, and then left for Constantinople, an infidel still. Being compelled to return to Italy on account of his health, he arrived at Turin ill, and dropped in at a little bible meeting held by one of our missionary friends, and some converted workmen. The Lord there converted him, and he is now with us at Geneva, studying for the ministry. Dr. Merle D'Aubigné approves him, as destined, to all appearance, to become a very able helper.-Macedonian.

HOME.

PONTISBURY, SHROPSHIRE.

The baptist place of worship in this village having undergone a thorough repair, and been made to accommodate a larger number of hearers, was re-opened on sabbath, September 19th, when two sermons were preached by the pastor Mr. Joseph Smith. On Thursday the 23rd a public meeting was held in the chapel, when 350 persons sat down to tea; after which addresses were delivered by the Revs. E. Evans of Snailbeach, T. Jones of Minsterly, A. Crisp of Longden, and B. Price of Tredegar. On sabbath, September 26th, the Rev. B. Price preached morning and evening, and addressed the schools in the afternoon.

The congregations were all very good, and the collections and subscriptions amounted at the close to eighty pounds, leaving a debt of only twenty pounds.

LOWESTOFT.

On Tuesday, September 28th, the new baptist chapel erected in this town for the use of the church and congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. E. Dovey, was opened for divine worship, when two sermons were preached, one in the morning by the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel, M.A., and one in evening by the Rev. William Brock. The devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. G. Gould, T. A. Wheeler, and J. Alexander of Norwich, J. Flower of Beccles, J. S. Russell, M.A., of Yarmouth, J. Lord of Ipswich, J. T. Wigner of Lynn, J. Pike of Gorleston, and I. Dunckley of Somerleyton, who with many other ministers were present on the occasion. Although the weather was most unfavourable the chapel was densely crowded on both occasions, and in the evening, notwithstanding the pouring rain, the audience was so large that Mr. Noel kindly consented to preach in the independent chapel, which was lent for the accommodation of those who could not obtain admission to the opening service at the other place. A public dinner

thirty-five and thirty-eight years ago, and one woman repeated two hymns which she had learnt thirty-eight years since, and which seemed to be indelibly impressed on her memory,and she declared that she had reason to bless God for the instructions she received in the school. A pleasing incident was related of a refractory boy once in the school, who afterwards entered the army. About four months ago a letter was received from him stating that upwards of seventy of the soldiers in the regiment to which he belonged were pious persons, and that he himself had been baptized and had joined a Christian church in India. It was ascertained that there were present several parents and their children who had been old scholars in the same school. After the interrogations addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. J. Cross of Clifton, Rev. F. H. Roleston, minister of the place, Rev. R. P. Thatcher, independent minister of Frampton Cotterell, and Mr. Neale, deacon, exhorting those who were unconverted to attend to their best interests without delay-those who had children to send them to a sabbath-school, and all to a regular attendance on the means of grace.

The Rev. W. J. Cross kindly engaged to give forty copies of Pike's Early Piety to the young persons present, to be distributed at the discretion of the minister. The doxology was then sung, and the meeting closed with prayer.

All appeared highly delighted, and it is hoped that the interesting services will be productive of great and lasting good.

SEVENOAKS.

The Rev. Thomas Shirley has resigned the pastoral office after more than forty years' service, intending still to reside in the scene of his former ministrations.

MARGATE.

The church and congregation assembling in the Ebenezer Chapel, Margate, after waiting for ten months, in the hope of some decided improvement in the health of their esteemed pastor the Rev. I. T. Rogers, have been reluctantly compelled in the absence of such improvement to accept his resignation.

As a testimonial of their affectionate sympathy with his present afflictive circumstances, and as evincing the high estimate they formed of his public and private worth during the short period of his connection with them, they have had great pleasure in presenting him with the sum of fifty guineas, which has been liberally and cheerfully subscribed.

BAPTIST BUILDING FUND.

The Annual Meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday evening, October 12th,

1852, at the Mission House, Moorgate Street, Joseph Fletcher, Esq., Treasurer, in the chair.

Dr. Acworth having engaged in prayer, the Secretary read the following

sums

Report.

The Baptist Building Fund was formed in 1824, and for many years received the Its liberal support of the denomination. object remains the same, viz., "to assist in the building, enlargement, or repair of places of worship belonging to the baptist denomination throughout the United Kingdom." During the earlier part of its history, large were annually contributed to this Society to extend such important aid, and many thousands of pounds have been given to various churches throughout the country to carry forward this practical design. Another year has closed upon the operations of this Fund, and the committee are again called upon to lay before the subscribers the result of their labours, and to make a further and urgent appeal on behalf of the interests of this valuable Society. Since the last annual meeting the Committee have given a careful examination to twenty-two applications from different churches, to nine of which assistance has been granted either by gift or loan, and the larger proportion of the remainder have to undergo a further scrutiny with a view to the same result. There are thirty-five cases, whose united debts amount to upwards of ten thousand pounds; where the churches, generally composed of poor yet devoted members, are anxiously awaiting the issue of an inquiry, with an expectation of relief from this Fund. Under these pressing circumstances, it is somewhat painful for your committee to reflect that they can extend its benefits to so small a proportion of the churches who need them, and in amounts so far below their real necessities. Nevertheless there is some satisfaction in knowing that the aid given is effectual in its kind, and so far as it goes is calculated to produce the most beneficial results. The loan principle is still attended with success, and by means of its operation there is a twofold advantage, the churches are in receipt of a larger amount than they could ever be with only the same amount of funds under the gift system; while the whole sum is gradually and year by year finding its way back into the hands of the Treasurer to be again distributed on the like plan, so that in the end the churches themselves become the channels of mutual assistance and blessing, for every repayment by a church goes to form another loan for the same purpose. And this system of halfyearly instalments so far from being a burden, has often proved a bond of union, and a stimulus to effort, and though every church finds ample personal security for the return of the loan; your Committee are

pleased to report that up to this period all the, instalments have been punctually, regularly, and cheerfully paid. The case relieved by gift (as reported in the last) was on condition that the like sum should be raised by the church; this was promptly done, and thus the whole debt was at once extinguished. With the numerous opportunities of testing the practical value of this Society, it is somewhat a matter of surprise that it is not more generally and liberally supported, but your Committee have reason to believe that the principles on which it is conducted are not sufficiently known to induce a just appreciation of its claims, and that it is needful some earnest effort should be made to bring them more prominently before the pastors and members of our churches. In order to this desirable end, the aid of our pulpits is sought, that the use and importance of this Society may be brought clearly and directly before the people, and your Committee have the pleasure to report that the Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel during the past year called the attention of his congregation to this subject, by preaching a sermon, and making a collection on behalf of this Fund. It is the constant effort of your Committee to spread by this means a wider knowledge of the benefits of this Fund, and to enlist in its cause the members of the denomination at large.

The agency of this Society being gra tuitous, your Committee look for advocacy to their subscribers; and if they will become truly interested in the Society, and observe its working, a large accession to its funds would be the inevitable issue.

The same necessities exist for the continued, or rather the increased, efforts of the Baptist Building Fund. The applications are always more than can be relieved, and the assistance, where given, always inadequate, so that interest on a remaining debt has still to be paid; thus year after year, draining the resources of the churches, and circumscribing their efforts, often bringing pastor and members into difficulty, and casting a reproach on the cause of Christ. Whatever new machinery may be formed for the purpose of spreading the interests of the denomination by means of chapel-building, it will still be required that this fund be liberally maintained. Many of our churches, though long formed, have their usefulness much impaired by reason of this "yoke of bondage" -an old and oppressive debt. Freedom, in this sense, is essential to a right discharge of duty; and this fund, if it can contribute to such an end, is engaged, in no mean degree, in promoting the truth of God.

It is of the highest importance that the strength and spirituality of our churches should be preserved, as far as the absence of pecuniary difficulties will help to secure it.

There is sufficient and more than sufficient in the history of individual members to require their earnest efforts in relation to "the things of this life," but where to these anxieties is added a burden, always "too heavy to be borne," but which, notwithstanding, is viewed as an obligation which must be honourably discharged, there will be but little strength left to concentrate upon the great object of Christian association. The Saviour has taught his disciples to pray "that His kingdom may come, and his will be done on earth as it is i: heaven:" but how, we ask, can the people of God, if enthralled in these heavy chains, imitate, however remotely, those heavenly natures, who, released from the fetters of this world, serve Him day and night in his temple?"-How can they whose energies are mortgaged to the money-lender find adequate opportunities for the nobler duties enjoined upon them as the disciples of Christ? There is apparently no lack of means in the world for purposes which are of doubtful or positively injurious tendency. Support is efficiently given to objects inimical to the principles which we profess and seek to propagate. The spirit of error appears capable of influencing its votaries to contribute their substance to consolidate and extend its power; and it is to our shame if we, holding, as we believe, the "truth," should cease to "contend for it earnestly," or in such a manner as shall be adapted to secure its triumph. Here, then, is one means of aiding the cause of the Redeemer, and by setting "his people free," to make them by this release the more happily devoted to his service.

Your Committee, therefore, with all sincerity, ask once more for a serious and candid consideration of the merits of this society, feeling assured that its interests will commend themselves to every unprejudiced mind. "The time is short;" the day of Christian exertion is not long extended; and while we are happily exempt from these monetary difficulties, it well befits us to help the needy, having the promise of inspiration that we shall not be unsuccessful. "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

The following Loans and gifts had beengranted during the year :

Since the formation of the Loan Fund in 1846, £4700 had been lent to forty-one churches, and had a floating capital of £3247 The following resolutions were carried unanimously

It was moved by George Bayley Esq., seconded by Mr. Poole, Esq.

That the Report now read be received, adopted, and printed under the direction of the Committee.

J. Luntley, Esq. moved, and Dr. Acworth seconded,

The appointment of the Officers and Committee for the year ensuing.

It was moved by W. H. Watson, Esq., seconded by R. Lush, Esq.

That in the opinion of this meeting, the success which has hitherto attended the operations of the Loan Fund, and the advantages which experience has proved it to confer on the necessitous Baptist Churches throughout the country, entitle it to the confidence and support of the denomination at large.

Moved by J. Oliver, Esq., seconded by J. L. Benham, Esq.

That the thanks of this meeting are due, and are hereby presented to W. H. Watson, Esq., the Solicitor, and Mr. John Eastty, the Secretary, for the gratuitous services so kindly rendered by them to the society during the past year.

Moved by N. Eastty, Esq., seconded by Rev. G. W. Fishbourne,

That the cordial thanks of the meeting be presented to Joseph Fletcher, Esq., for his valuable services as Treasurer of the Society, and for his kindness in presiding on this occasion.

APPRENTICESHIP SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of the govenors, members, and subscribers of this society was held at the Congregational Library, Finsbury Circus, on Tuesday, September 28th, 1852, when the three candidates who stood highest on the pole were declared duly elected to the benefit of the institution.

We understand that the Rev. J. Spong, the honorary London secretary, has been compelled to relinquish his office in consequence of increasing ministerial engagements, and has been succeeded by the Rev. J. Vale Mummery, of Richmond Grove, Canonbury, to whom all future communications are to be addressed. This useful society is fully entitled to support from members of our own denomination, as we are informed that nearly one half of its grants have been made to the sons of baptist ministers.