provided for the ministers in the school room just by, at the liberal cost of Mrs. Nicholas, a long-standing member and friend of this church, services were conducted again in the afternoon, in which brethren Morris (a student), Edwards of Pembroke, and Williams of Blaenwaen engaged. Then before the last singing, brother Asa. J. Evans, a deacon of the church presented to the young pastor, on behalf of the church and sabbath school in the place, a purse containing twelve sovereigns, with which he might procure books for his library (an excellent and welltimed example, surely will not the donors reap the harvest of this golden seed themselves, in gems of priceless wisdom?) : The evening services equally interesting, crowning the day, engaged the talents and devotions of Griffiths (a student), Davies of Manloes, and Davies of Hermon. It may be said that few have been known to enter on their ministerial work with more than or equally pleasing and impressive prospects as this young brother. May Christ's spirit guide and govern him and the church, and soothe the old pastor's heart to the last! On the first ordinance sabbath after, brother Thomas baptized seven, and a month after twenty-two, professing believers. The Lord send long and lasting prosperity! T. M. RECENT DEATHS. MRS. SMITH. The beloved wife of the Rev. C. Smith, baptist minister at Whitchurch, Hants, fell asleep in Jesus on the 26th of June. A more affecting comment upon the declaration that “ All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field," is not often supplied. A twelvemonth ago last May, the subject of this memoir was taken from the place of her birth and the home of her youth, a joyous, happy bride. She entered upon the duties which awaited "the pastor's wife," with pious zeal and ardent hope; she had won the hearts of the people; the young were gathered around her; plans and schemes were ripening; her husband cheered by her smiles and aided by her counsels and prayers; herself the picture of health, each day was spent in "cheerful godliness," and all was fair for a useful, happy life: but the wind passed over it, and it was gone! "The summons came, her spirit fled, And she was numbered with the dead." bath school, and when a beloved superintendent was suddenly called to her rest, the Rev. Dr. Godwin, then pastor, improved the event by preaching to the young people from "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," &c. This service, which will be long remembered by many now upon earth, and some in heaven, was the means of leading her to give up her entire heart to God, and without reserve to consecrate herself to his service. She was baptized and received into the church on Lord's day, June 7th, 1840. In a short time she was called to superintend the school in which she had taught, and did so in such a manner as to produce and leave a very pleasing and grateful remembrance upon the minds of teachers and children. This office she sustained til near the period of her removal to Whitchurch, as recorded above. Her illness, as before remarked, was brief, but severe, and of a nature which left all her senses and faculties good till the very last. She was first seized on the evening of Thursday, the 20th of June, with what appeared to be a spasmodic affection, which in the night became so violent as to render medical assistance necessary. Nothing serious, however, was apprehended by any except the sufferer herself, who seemed from the first to anticipate death as the result; and the ties it would sever seemed almost stronger than death. She felt their power, spoke of them, wept over them. Sabbath morning brought the announcement of danger, symptoms of inflammation having appeared. This conviction of alarm was soon observed, and upon the first visit of the medical man on Monday morning, the inquiry was put with a calm, firm voice and earnest glance, "Do you apprehend danger, sir ?" The reply was affirmative, and the anxious husband hastened to cheer and console the suffering wife; but his work was done, prayer had been heard, and the struggle was over, and now she became his instructor and his consoler. She at once requested all in the room to kneel down, that while she had strength she might pray with them once more;" and then in the most affecting language thanking and blessing God for all his goodness which she had experienced, acknowledging his right to do "as seemeth him good," committed her husband, her babe (then three month old), her friends and relatives, to the care of God, and her soul into the hands of her Saviour. Turning to her husband, she said, "My dear, we have often together sung Thy will be done,' 'tis now for you to live this sentiment, and for me to die it; pray we may do so like Christians." From this moment all was peaceful, calm, solid triumph of the gospel over the king of terrors; not a doubt was permitted to distress. She had "not one," as she said, "except from a sense of my He life, she remarked, Mrs. Smith was the second daughter of Mr. John Hall, for many years, with his excellent wife, a member of the baptist church at Oxford. She was born on the 21st of May, 1823. The characteristic of her childhood and youth was kindly gentleness. She became very early a teacher in the sab-utter unworthiness." VOL. XIII.-POURTH SERIES. 4 N had been of "but little service," and earnestly | prayed that her "death might be more useful." In accordance with this prayer, she strove in her latest moments to do good. Sending for one and another in whom she felt interested, she said, what we would be disposed to call the right things at the right time, to all who could thus be reached. Nor did she forget those whom her feeble voice could not reach, but charged those around her with messages in each case the most likely to produce the desired effect. Her dying love to the church, congregation, schools, &c., and more especially to her class, to whom a special message was sent by one of their number summoned for this purpose, will not, it is believed, be soon forgotten. MR. DAVID JONES. Died, July 19th, aged seventy years, Mr. David Jones, having served his divine Master for many years with integrity and faithfulness. This eminent Christian who was a member of the baptist church assembling at Bethel chapel, Seaside, Llanelly, sustained the office of deacon in the above church with very great efficiency for several years, and terminated his useful career only by death, which took place rather unexpectedly after a brief illness. Being a man of intelligence, and of great natural courage, combined with Christian love, he was of much assistance to his pastor, and his counsel and advice had great weight in the church. In the sabbath school of which he was among the chief originators, his loss will be particularly felt. Though far advanced in age, and subject to frequent indisposition of late, he was always, when practicable, at his post, rejoicing to exhibit the Christian philanthropist in teaching the young the word which shows the way to heaven. MRS. MARY TESTER. The beloved wife of the Rev. J. Tester of Datchet, departed this life aged 65, Sept. 7, 1850. It was her mercy to be blessed with a pious mother, who brought her up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Being nursed in the lap of the gospel, and the Holy Spirit applying the truth from day to day, she was led to the Saviour for pardon and peace, which she realized in the salvation of the soul. In the youthful part of her life she had to encounter many trials and temptations, but the Lord mercifully preserved her from the evils of the world; and the greatest enjoyment she realized was, in the happy and holy seasons she spent on that day which is "the best of all the seven." ed, for she and her husband were baptized at John Street chapel, under the pastorate of Mr. Evans, where she remained many years one of the most active members of that church in every good work. From thence she removed to Southwark, till 1844, when her husband was chosen pastor of the baptist church at Datchet, Bucks. She went there with him, to labour as a co-worker in the vineyard of the Lord up to the latest period of her life. And the only desire she had to live was for the sake of her husband and the cause of God. "But," said she, "the Lord can do without me, and his will be done." During the long night of affliction, which lasted rather more than five months, her mind was kept in a serene and happy state. No fear or doubts, but peace and tranquillity, looking unto Jesus as she entered the dark valley, fearing no evil, she breathed out her spirit into the hands of Him that gave it, at 8 o'clock on Saturday evening, Sept. 7th. MRS. STALKER. After affliction of chronic disease of the brain, induced by a fall from a conveyance on June 11th, 1845, died in the faith and hope of the gospel, Jane, the endeared and beloved wife of A. M. Stalker, pastor of the baptist church, South Parade, Leeds, on Tuesday, September 17th, 1850, at a quarter to three o'clock, P.M., aged thirty-six years. was a loving and devoted wife, a tender and affectionate mother, an amiable friend, and a brilliant Christian. Those who knew her best loved her most. MISCELLANEA. CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION SOCIETY. She In the months of June, July, August, and part of September, sermons and addresses were delivered at various places in the me tropolis every evening in the week, as well as on the sabbath days, when the weather permitted. The audiences varied greatly in number and character, consisting chiefly of the poorer grade of the labouring population, and ranging from thirty to three hundred persons. The attention was, in general, respectful and orderly; occasional interruptions by queries and jeers were expected and experienced, but nothing like opposition on the part of the people was, in any instance, manifested. The interference of the police on two or three occasions was sufficiently annoying, but this was rather accidental than designed, and will not be repeated. Paddington, Somers' Town, Bagnigge Wells, Caledonian Fields, Hoxton Market, Bethnal Green, Bermondsey, Deptford Lower Road, Borough Road, Field Lane, Walworth Road, Camberwell Before she settled in life, she prayed Green, Kennington Common, and Blackearnestly that the Lord would give her for a heath, have been the scene of these out-ofpartner both a Christian and a minister of the door labours. The tents have been erected gospel; which prayer was graciously answer-only in Bonner's Fields, on Kennington Common, at Lewisham, Battersea, and Brentford, the committee having resolved to restrict its labours almost exclusively to London and its immediate vicinity. Stipendiary agency has been partially employed this season. The Rev. G. Spencer for a fortnight, and the Rev. T. W. Taylder for three months, were engaged, and devoted themselves untiringly to their sacred and arduous work. These continuous efforts entailed a great expense on the society, which, with its present limited means, it is unable to sustain. The autumn has now arrived, winter is advancing, and the lectures to the working classes ought to be resumed on a more extended scale, if possible, than last season. Ministers have kindly offered their gratuitous services; audiences will readily be obtained; but suitable buildings cannot always be obtained gratuitously, and must be hired for the purpose; nor can the needful machinery be put in operation without considerable outlay. Under these circumstances the committee are very properly asking for immediate pecuniary aid. "Hitherto," they say, 66 the society has held on its course, and paid its way, through the divine blessing, rather by special donations of friends, and casual grants from the associations, than by annual subscriptions. The irregularity of income has necessarily given a fitfulness of character to the means employed by the general committee. Wishing, however, to prevent such irregularity in future, and to pursue a more regular and systematic course of action, the committee find it absolutely necessary to make this appeal to their friends for annual subscriptions and immediate donations. "The following statement will show that the appeal is not needless, but indispensable. "The society has no funded property. "The profits on its sales of covered tracts to associations are absorbed by grants to needy districts and for special purposes. "The one hundred affiliated associations appropriate their own funds, chiefly, to local uses, making only occasional grants to the parent society, averaging £40, or eight shillings each, per annum ! "The annual subscriptions, from less than one hundred subscribers, amount to scarcely £100. "The ordinary income of the society is, therefore, only £140, to meet expenses, at the present scale of operations, to three times that amount. "The extension of means of usefulness will necessarily occasion an enlarged expenditure." We hope that this appeal will receive the attention which the urgency of the case demands. There is no city, town, or village in either hemisphere assuredly that needs the activity of Christian missionaries more than London. The agency employed by the Christian Instruction Society is we believe unexceptionable in its character, and quite in accordance with the spirit of the gospel. It will be lamentable indeed if any efforts which it has been accustomed to make are diminished for want of funds; we cordially recommend therefore its present necessities to the consideration of our friends. RYDE. The foundation stone of the schools and vestries in connexion with the intended baptist chapel, was laid on Monday evening, 2nd instant, by the Rev. Samuel Lillycrop of Windsor, who addressed the spectators, after which the Rev. Dr. Ferguson and others offered appropriate prayers. CORRESPONDENCE. TITLES OF RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS' ACT. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR Sir.-More for the sake of others than for my own sake, will you permit me through you to put one case out of manybefore my friend and your correspondent Mr. W. H. Watson, to gain the "additional explanation" which he kindly promises. A freehold chapel and premises at O. have been held in trust almost from time immemorial for the congregation of protestant dissenters from time to time worshipping therein. The deed does not limit the property, as I think no such trust deed should limit it to any specified denomination. The right of appointing successors to the trustees is reserved to such trustees as may be living when the appointment is deemed necessary- perhaps when the number shall be reduced to four or five. The number of trustees now living, in the case I refer to, is four-all away, most of them far away, from the town. They have little sympathy with the present congregation and church, and will not consent to appoint such persons as the church might prefer. Has the "congregation, society, or body" the right or power of appointing, under Mr. Peto's excellent act, even to the setting aside of the old trustees; and what, in that case, would my friend Watson counsel? I believe many congregations are in similar circumstances. While I am writing I may as well say, one great excellence of the act, in my view, consists in its so recognizing the rights of the "congregation," &c., in their place of wor 66 ship, as to shut out all danger to the possession of the property from the death of trustees. Mr. Watson seems to think that the number of trustees should be kept up by appointing as often as death may occasion a vacancy. Congregations," &c., may of course appoint thus frequently, but it should be borne in mind that each memorandum of appointment must bear a stamp of 35s. value. One trustee, five, a dozen, or any other number, may be appointed at the same expense. If I rightly understand my friend Watson, his method of keeping up the complement of trustees may in a few years cost about five or ten times as much as is essential to the preservation of the property. SAMUEL GREEN. DEAR SIR,-I thank you for your courtesy in favouring me with a sight of Mr. Green's letter and allowing my answer to appear promptly in your pages. It would be unsafe to give an opinion on the individual case referred to by Mr. Green without seeing the power of appointment contained in the trust deed, because it is very probable that the power of appointment has lapsed, and then the case would come within both the spirit and the letter of Mr. Peto's Act. But I understand the desire to be to put a more general question, namely, whether where the trust deed prescribes the mode of appointing new trustees, and there is nothing to prevent that mode being adopted, the body who are beneficially interested in the property have the right of their own authority to choose new trustees even to the setting aside the existing trustees, and whether by such choice and a memorandum thereof being signed and sealed according to the Act the property will become legally vested in them. Now it will be at once perceived, that this would be carrying the provisions of the act much further than was contemplated, and would in fact amount to on alteration of the trust deed itself. I feel therefore no hesitation in stating that the act is not intended to interfere with the mode of appointing new trustees prescribed by the deed except in cases where it has become impossible to carry it out; then, and also where no mode of appointment is prescribed, the choice will devolve on the body for whose benefit the property is held. At the same time it is right to state, that if the body beneficially interested should choose new trustees, even where the power to do so does not belong to them, the signature of the memoranda set forth in the schedule to the act, would probably prevent the propriety of such choice being questioned except in the Court of Chancery. There is another point adverted to in Mr. Green's letter-the keeping up the number of trustees. This may involve some little expense, but it is desirable to have the trus tees in sympathy with the body for whom they act. If their assistance is required in reference to the property, great difficulty is occasioned by having them scattered all over the world, as is now frequently the case. In future deeds it will be unnecessary to have so great a number as hitherto has been thought desirable. W. H. WATSON, OWEN'S WORKS. MY DEAR SIR,-Your strong recommend. ation of Owen's works will doubtless make many of your ministerial brethren desire to possess the forthcoming edition, and when it is remembered that Andrew Fuller, and the late Dr. Hamilton of Leeds spoke in terms of praise no less strong than your own, it will be perhaps deemed advisable that all our nonconformist ministers should have the opportunity of studying these inestimable volumes as they come out. Would not many churches cheerfully avail themselves of such an occasion of testifying their love to their pastor, and of assisting him in his work of edifying their souls, if they had the matter laid properly before them? Much is said of pulpit inefficiency, would not a guinea subscription from each church for the space of three or four years just now do much towards wiping away this reproach? Hoping this will be a word in season to deacons, and to members of baptist churches at large, believe me to remain, Yours faithfully, A BAPTIST MINISTER. EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT. Some specimen pages of a small quarto volume which is about to be published by Mr. Blackader of Aldine Chambers, and Messrs. Bagster of Paternoster Row, lead us to think that many of our readers will find it worthy of their attention. It is entitled, The Chronological Testament, and consists of a wide central column in large type containing the text of the common version divided into paragraphs, with a narrow column in smaller type on each side, containing the whole of the translators' marginal readings and many illustrative passages. These are printed at length, so that the reader perceives at once their bearings, without the loss of time which is occasioned by having to turn to the passages when they are merely indicated by references to the chapters and verses in which they are to be found. Several other aids to the reader of various kinds are afforded, which we have not room to specify; but the work itself is expected to be ready for delivery in November. We learn from the New York Recorder that at the commencement at Waterville College, August 14th, the degree of D.D. was conferred on the Rev. Amos Sutton of the General Baptist Missionary Society. |