they are not without God's protection. Severe as the trial may often be, we counsel them to be faithful to their convictions. 'He that voteth even doubtingly is condemned if he vote' (Rom. xiv. 23). Let us regard the favour of God rather than the fear of man. The Advocates of the Rights of God, that is, the Separation of Church and State, and of the Rights of the People, that is, equal political privileges, are the only candidates we ought to choose. The only ones we ought to vote for when they at all come forward. Wherever Dissenters are half the Liberal constituency, let them demand one candidate up to this mark. Such men are right on all other liberal matters.

OUR BAPTIST ANNIVERSARIES.
(By a Visiter.)

It is well known that our Baptist anniversaries, while they class among the "May Meetings" of the metropolis, are always over before May comes in. They commence the season of religious excitement and dissipation, for which London is famed from the close of April to the middle of June. This year, as usual, and, as is most meet, the first service was purely devotional. It was held on the morning of Thursday, April 22nd, in the Library of the Mission-House. Dr. Murch presided; and Messrs. Acworth, Burnet, Leonard, Middleditch, and Stock, offered prayer. The room was comfortably filled; but we were struck with the vast preponderance of ladies. We could not avoid asking ourselves, "Where is the majority of the ministers and deacons of our London churches? and where are the leading male members ?"

The Annual Evening Sermon on behalf of our Foreign Mission was preached in Surrey Chapel, by the Rev. G. H. Davis, of Bristol. It was founded on the words, "Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief." The congregation was not large; and we are grieved to say the collection amounted to little more than the half of last year's.

On Friday morning, the Annual Meeting of the Baptist Union was held in the Mission Library. The Rev. Dr. Cox presided, and delivered the opening address on "The Demands of the Age." It was distinguished by all those excellencies which mark the venerable author's productions. He considered first those demands of the age which must be refused, and then those which must be granted. The discourse will be published in the Baptist Manual; and there is reason to believe that somewhat enlarged it will also be sent forth in a separate form. To all our ministers and churches we earnestly commend it; assuring them of the gratification and profit they must derive from its careful perusal. For the subsequent business of the Union we refer our readers to the forthcoming Manual; taking this opportunity of urging upon the wealthier members of our churches the value of that document, and the importance of their purchasing it, and rendering themselves familiar with its contents.

In the evening, the Rev. B. C. Young, of Cork, preached in Bloomsbury Chapel, on behalf of the Baptist Irish Society. The

text was Rev. viii. 3-5. In the sermon there was much to interest and profit. The extreme nervousness of the preacher, however, interfered greatly with the effect of its delivery. Here, again, the attendance was small.

Sermons were preached throughout the metropolis on the following Sabbath, on behalf of the Foreign Mission.

On Monday morning, the Annual Meeting of the Subscribers to the Baptist Irish Society, was held at the Mission- House. There was a good attendance, and much interest was taken in the Society's operations. It is gratifying to know that the change made last year in the Secretariship, has been greatly to the Society's advantage. The debt has been considerably reduced, the regular funds have increased, and the prospects of usefulness were never brighter than now. The amiable and excellent treasurer, Joseph Tritton, Esq., presided over the Annual Public Meeting, which was held on the Tuesday evening following, at Finsbury Chapel. The meeting was addressed by the Chairman, and Messrs. Bowes, Manning, and Young, all of whom spoke with great efficiency. The attendance was somewhat similar to that of last year.

Mr.

The Home Missionary Society's Annual Meeting was held on the Monday evening, at Finsbury Chapel, and was presided over by Solomon Leonard, Esq., of Bristol. There was a large assembly; and addresses were delivered by the Chairman, and Messrs. Griffiths, Landells, Stovel, and Noel. Griffiths is an agent of the Society, and we wish it had a hundred such agents at work. among the artisans and operatives of our country. He understands the working man, -can enter into his likes and dislikes,-is prepared to grapple with all his objections to Christianity and Christian men, — and yet firmly holds by the gospel as the sole instrument for regenerating and elevating the world. We were sorry to perceive the audience so uninterested and impatient during the speaker's statements. The speech of Mr. Landells was vigorous in thought, beautiful in composition,-to the point,and spoken well. We think something ought to be attempted on a much larger scale in connection with our Home Missionary Society. Mr. Davis, the Secretary, labours most indefatigably in it; giving to its interests his whole time, talent, and strength. His office is no sinecure. Will not the Baptist churches of Britain do something more than they have yet done for our home population?

The Annual Meeting of the Subscribers to the Baptist Foreign Mission, was held at the Mission-House, on Tuesday morning. J. L. Phillips, Esq., of Melksham, presided. The Sub-Committee appointed last year to ascertain whether the home expenditure of the Society could be reduced without impairing the efficiency of the Society's operations, brought up their report. Among other recommendations they counselled the reduction of the Secretaries' salaries by £50 each per annum. It was decided by the meeting that such a reduction would be undesirable. The other points adverted

to in the report were referred to the incoming Committee for their consideration. Amongst the savings effected during the year was a sum of £70, which had been annually lost upon the "Juvenile Missionary Herald" previously to its publication being undertaken by the publisher of "The Church." There was much needless talk about the cost of Deputations visiting the churches on behalf of the Society. We are quite sure the deputation system is advantageous to the Society, and to the churches likewise; and we think the expense is not so great as some may imagine.

The Annual Public Meeting of the Society was held on Thursday morning at ExeterHall. The weather was unpropitious; nevertheless there was a larger attendance than might have been expected. The Chair was taken by S. M. Peto, Esq., M.P. Junior Treasurer of the Society. He took occasion to enlarge on the importance of the Society's securing, as soon as practicable, Native Pastors for our Mission Churches. We are fully convinced that but little good will be effected till this end is attained. Mr. Perceval, who has just returned from Ceylon, -after a stay of twenty-six years in Indiasays, "You cannot meet the wants of India by sending out English missionaries." To the same effect is the opinion of Messrs. Russell and Leechman. The first resolution was moved by Mr. Stanford, of Devizes, in a speech of exquisite beauty. We are sorry the reporters have so slaughtered and mangled it; and hope our "Missionary Herald" will try to obtain it from himself. He was followed by Dr. Tidman, one of the Secretaries of the London Missionary Society. The second resolution was moved by Mr. Leechman, who gave some interesting particulars of his recent visit to India, and seconded by Mr. Gould, of Norwich. After them came Mr. Dunckley, of Salford, in an address of much power, Mr. Rattenbury, of the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion, and George Alexander, Esq., of the Society of Friends. The meeting was far too long; yet, on the whole, was good.

We were prevented from hearing Mr. Leechman's sermon, on behalf of the Mission, at Bloomsbury, on Wednesday morning; but are informed it was, in every way, a superior production.

That excellent Institution, the Bible Translation Society, held its Annual Meeting at New-Park- Street Chapel, on the Wednesday evening. G. T. Kemp, Esq., presided, and the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Arthur, Dowson, Stent, Walters, Russell, and Noel. The attendance was considerably larger than of late years, and the meeting one of much interest. Noel gave in his adhesion to the Society.

Mr.

The Annual Meeting of the Hansard Knollys Society was held at the MissionHouse, on Thursday evening. C. Jones, Esq., took the chair. The speakers were Messrs. Groser, Walters, Underhill, Stock, and Wigner. Do the Baptists of this country know that, unless they speedily come to the help of this invaluable Institu

tion, it must die? Surely there are enough of Baptists, who understand and love their principles, and who honour the memory of their fathers, to save it from so disgraceful a death. Let Ministers bring it before their churches, and Secretaries of Associations before such Associations, and let them try to increase the number of subscribers to such an amount, as shall render the working of the Society easy and successful.

The Anniversary services of 1852 were closed by a Sermon to Young Men, in the Poultry Chapel, on Thursday evening, at eight o'clock. The preacher was the Rev. C. M. Birrell; the text, Heb. vi. 10. The sermon was lucid in arrangement, chaste in expression, and delivered with much fervour. There was a large attendance, chiefly of young men. This sermon was in connection with the Young Men's Missionary Association,-asociety we have already commended more than once, and the history, character, and claims of which we shall probably soon bring more particularly before our readers.

It is the general impression, that the services, on the whole, were not equal in interest to those of preceding years. Why there should be any falling off of interest we cannot conceive. The cause is as good as ever. The Master has the same claims upon us as he ever had. The world's need of our efforts is infinitely greater. God shed down upon all our churches and ministers a richer measure of his Spirit during the present year, so that our next anniversaries may surpass, in profit and delight, all their predecessors! W. W.

ANTI-STATE-CHURCH ASSOCIATION.

May

As the meetings of this Association cannot be noticed with the other Anniversaries this year, we briefly record the particulars of its assembly in a separate paragraph. The annual meeting of the Council was held on the 5th of May, S. Courtauld, Esq., of Bristol, in the chair. The report for the past year was highly encouraging, shewing a large amount of earnest and successful effort, and the increasing popularity of the principles of the Society. The sale of the Library for the Times, and the other publications, had been very gratifying. At the Annual Public Meeting in Finsbury Chapel, Lawrence Heyworth, Esq., M.P., presided. The speakers were the Revs. W. Walters, H. Solly, W. Forster, J. Gawthorn, and Messrs. E. P. Hood, J. Langridge, E. Miall, W. Edwards, and J. Gibbs. The efforts of the Association during the year render it well worthy of the continued support of all conscientious voluntaries.

WEEKLY TRACT SOCIETY.

The fourth Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Freemasons' Tavern, on Friday evening, the 30th of April. In the absence of James Kershaw, Esq., M.P., President, Mr. W. Garlick, the Treasurer, presided. The Rev. W. H. Elliott, the Secretary, opened the business by reading the Report, which stated, that the number of Tracts now published weekly (exclusive

of special issues) was 5,000, and that the receipts for the year just ended, were £339. 16s. 4d., and the disbursements £277. 16s. 3d.; shewing a balance in hand of £62. Os. 1d. The speakers were the Revs. J. B. Brown, W. Kirkus, John Leechman, J. G. Pigg, Lieut. Blackmore, and M. Murphey, Esq.

STEPNEY COLLEGE.

During the Session now closing, students have settled as pastors of various churches. Mr. Samuel Cox at Southsea, Hants, Mr. Thomas Peters at Rayleigh, Essex, as colleague of the Rev. Mr. Pilkington, and Mr. Isaac Haycroft, B.A., at Wisbeach, as successor of the Rev. C. Pike. The prospects of usefulness in each of these places are very cheering. Other students are also supplying, with a view to settlement, at other places. The Examinations of the Session will be held at the close of June, and the next Session will commence as usual in September. May we not ask for this and kindred Institutions, the united prayers of all our churches? Our brethren need and deserve our sympathy, and as their efficiency and future usefulness depend on their being endowed by the divine Spirit himself for their work, fervent and united prayer on their behalf may prove a most precious contribution to the churches of Christ.

MILL-YARD, LONDON.

The Seventh Day Baptist meeting-house, in Mill-Yard, having been closed for four months, during extensive repairs and improvements, was re-opened on the 7th of April; and the anniversary of the opening of the original meeting-house, erected on the present spot 159 years ago, was also celebrated. The sermon on the occasion was preached from Rom. xiv. 12, by the Rev. Joseph Turnbull (Independent minister, and formerly President of Wymondley College); Dr. Murch, and the Revs. W. H. Black, B. Mardon, and J. O. Squier, took part in the service. At the request of friends present, the Rev. W. H. Black gave a short account of the history of the church from 1657, when it met in Whitechapel, High-Street, to the present time, taking especial notice of those members who suffered martyrdom, and fines, and imprisoments for conscience' sake; but some of whom, notwithstanding severe persecution, lived to see the days of toleration, and to become great benefactors to the church. The service was well attended, and it gave great pleasure to all present to witness persons of almost all denominations of christians, Churchmen and Dissenters, joining together to celebrate the anniversary of this ancient church.

TREFOREST, GLAMORGANSHIRE.

On Sunday and Monday, April the 11th and 12th, services were held in connection with the opening of an English Baptist chapel at this place. Sermons were preached in Welsh by Messrs. Davies of Swansea, and W. Jones of Cardiff; and in English by Messrs. Davies of Merthyr, Fuller of

Cardiff, T. Thomas of Pontypool, and Walters of London. The devotional engagements were conducted by Messrs. Cooper of Aberdare, Morgan of Caerwent, Richards and Oliver of Newbridge. All the services were well attended. The English Baptist cause here has existed only about two years, and owes its origin, under God, to the faith, zeal, and perseverance of one pious family. The size of the recently. erected chapel, which is a neat and commodious building, is 50 feet by 35 feet, and will seat about 400 persons. The prospects of Mr. Williams, the present minister, are every way highly encouraging.

LEDBURY, HEREFORDSHIRE.

The Rev. C. E. Pratt, late of St. Austell, Cornwall, having received a very cordial and unanimous invitation from the Baptist church, at Ledbury, Herefordshire, to become their pastor, entered upon his stated labours there the fourth Sabbath of May.

Obituary.

THE REV. THOMAS MILLER.

The venerable pastor of the Baptist church at Rishworth, entered into rest on the 12th of April. Mr. Miller was called to the ministry by the church at Salendine - Nook, and was permitted to spend more than thirty-three years with his late charge. During the last three years of his life he was in a great measure incapacitated for ministerial labour, and the subject of much bodily suffering, which he endured with firm reliance on that gospel he so long and faithfully preached to others. He was peaceful in life, highly esteemed by his church and congregation, and composed in death. His body was consigned to the grave on Saturday, April the 24th; and his death was improved on Lord's-day, May 2nd, to a crowded audience, by the Rev. W. Fawcett, from Acts xx. 24.

MR. ROBERT CAMPION.

The

Died at Nottingham, on the 29th April, Mr. Robert Campion, aged 84 years. He was the senior deacon of the Baptist church assembling in Park-Street chapel, and had long discharged, with unwearied assiduity, the varied duties of his office. Total blindness had of late years prevented him from pursuing those labours-as the visiting of the sick and dying-in which he had been accustomed to find so much pleasure and satisfaction. But with his advancing years, his steadfast faith and piety received yet further enlargement and increase. hoary head was with him seen to be a crown of glory, because found in the way of righteousness, and, after a life of devoted toil in the Great Master's service, he entered into that Master's joy, and was gathered as a sheaf of corn fully ripe into the garner above. He died in a firm and unshaken trust in the finished work of his adorable Redeemer. "Looking unto Jesus," was the lesson of his life, and "I have perfect, perfect peace," were amongst the last words that fell from his lips, ere they were for ever closed in death.