BAPTISM, Ibstock.-On Lord's-day, August 2, five persons were baptized in the baptistry of the new chapel. This being the first baptism in the new chapel, and indeed in the village, it was attended by a large concourse of people.

COALVILLE.-On Lord's-day, June 7th, two male friends, teachers in the sabbath school, were baptized and added to the church in this place.

MISCELLANEOUS.

REV. W. BAILEY, Farewell Services.-The services connected with the return of this estimable missionary and his family to India, took place at Stoney-street Chapel, Nottingham, on Tuesday, July 28. The congregations were good, and the services very interesting and impressive. In the morning, the Rev. J. Preston delivered a lucid discourse on the Kingdom of Christ; the Rev. E. Stevenson, of Loughborough, offered special prayer for the missionary; the Rev. W. Underwood delivered the valedictory address on christian fortitude. Other parts of the service were taken by Revs J. Lewitt, J. Goadby, &c. At the Public Meeting in the evening, Alderman Heard, Esq., presided, and affective addresses were delivered by Rev. Messrs. Denham, of Calcutta; Smith, of Chittoura; Bailey; J. O. Goadby, &c.

LANGLEY MILL.-On the 11th August, the Sunday School held their Festive Day. At half past two o'clock the teachers and scholars met in the schoolroom, where several interesting addresses were delivered by the teachers and friends on the importance of early piety, which were listened to very attentively, and we trust will not be in vain in the Lord. Afterwards, the scholars were regaled with cake and tea, to which the juveniles did ample justice. They were then conducted into a field, kindly lent for the occasion, where to enjoy themselves in recreation and innocent mirth, which can only be witnessed on such happy occasions as these meetings of school children. The shades of evening coming on, they were again collected in the school-room, the Doxology sung, the Divine forgiveness implored, and His blessing sought. After which all retired to their homes much gratified and cheered by the day's proceedings. We are still waiting for a brighter day, when none shall need say to his brother, know the Lord; but when all shall know Him. The good Lord hasten it in his own time.

T. H. L.

NEW CHAPEL, Epworth.—The Foundation Stone of the New Baptist Chapel, Epworth, was laid on Monday, August 10, by A. Hind, Esq., of Crowle. The spectators were briefly addressed by the Rev. W. Sharman, pastor of the church. After which the benediction was pronounced, and the proceedings terminated.

REV. J. P. HOPPS, after having been the minister of the General Baptist Church, at Hugglescote, about twelve months, on Sunday, August 9, announced to the congregation that he had ceased to be a General Baptist. Mr. H. has, apparently, never firmly held the views which distinguish us as a christian denomination; and, as more congenial to his tastes, he informs us that he has "accepted an invitation to join Mr. George Dawson, of Birmingham, in the ministry of the Church of the Saviour." We have received several notifications of the fact above mentioned, but the statement thus made, must suffice.

IBSTOCK BAZAAR.-The Bazaar in connection with the New Chapel was held on Monday and Tuesday, August 3rd and 4th. Both days were exceedingly favourable, and both brought a large number of visitors to the booth. The proceedings, on the first day, were enlivened with the performances of a well conducted band of music. Nearly £100 worth of articles were placed on the various stalls, about £70 of which were disposed of; the articles remaining being such as can readily be sold. To the amount realised at the booths, may be added about £12 received for refreshments, &c. Many thanks are due to four or five friends, whose strenuous exertions have brought this effort to so successful an issue. About £150 debt remains.

WHITTLESEA.-On Sunday, July 5th, our esteemed minister, the Rev. T. Mee, preached a Farewell sermon from the 1st Philippians, 27, to an overflowing congregation. We are very sorry to part with him, but our inability to support

him render it necessary to his own comfort. We believe that our dear brother leaves for his new sphere of labour, (Isleham), with the prayers and good wishes for his future welfare, of both churchmen and dissenters of every denomination in the town. B.

THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON, will visit Derbyshire for the first time on Wednesday, October 7, when he will preach at Measham in the afternoon and evening.

Notes of the Month.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

August 20.-The services at Exeter Hall, by our Episcopalian evangelicals, have closed for the season. They have been well attended. Some of the preach. ing (for we have read reports of the sermons), has been very wordy and commonplace; but some has been very good. We are glad to learn that St. Pauls is to be used in some way in future in these Spurgeonite efforts. It is also pleasing to know that many zealous clergymen, as well as dissenting ministers, have engaged a good deal in open-air preaching this summer. The common people, and we speak from experience, appreciate these benevolent labours. There are other aspects of "the church," not quite so pleasant. The desertion of London Churches, and the successful application to Parliament for £10,000 to build more churches in the Metropolis; the pertinacious opposition to the Divorce Bill by the Romanist section, and their attempt, in various ways, to enlarge and to swamp it; the contention of the Bishops for fees from the dissenters' sections of the new cemeteries; the attempts to obtain a conference of the High Church party, with their defeat on various questions, indicate that there is little unity combined with the uniformity of the Established Church. As to the Divorce Bill, the Government have yielded that a clergymen shall not be punished or sued if he refuse to marry divorced persons. This concession to conscience is dangerous in a State Church, as objections to read certain parts of the service, to the burying of the dead, baptisms, &c., may be conscientiously urged; and the principle once admitted, that a State Churchman has a conscience, the whole fabric is in danger. The origin of Non-conformity, was the stout refusal, on the part of the State, to recognize this principle, or to grant the liberty of acting upon it. The Ex-Bishop of London is dead. In Canada the Synods have obtained the power of electing their Bishops, and the election of Dr. Cronyn, as Bishop of Huron, has been sanctioned by our Queen! What next?

The Presbyterian Free Church of Scotland, still evinces great vitality. It proposes the extinction of its debts, with a view to more extended operations. It is about to send a deputation to Australia.

The Wesleyan Conference, in Liverpool, has closed its sittings. The statistics of the body have not yet transpired. It is refreshing to know, that while Wesleyan Bishops from the Northern States of America were admitted to the sittings of this body, a minister from slave-holding Carolina was refused, on the ground "that British Wesleyans had renounced all connection with the pro-slavery church of the south." The clear increase on the year is 6,530.

We have as yet made scarcely any allusion to the Baptist celebrity, Rev. C. H. Spurgeon. We have now two papers in reference to him for insertion. We shall perhaps insert both. On Sunday morning, August 10, we heard him in the Music Hall, Surrey Garden. The congregation was some 10,000. All available places for standing or sitting in the area, the three galleries, orchestra, &c., were filled. To say we were gratified, is far too cold a term. We were delighted and thankful to hear such a preacher, such a sermon, delivered to such a congregation. He seems to be a resuscitation of Latimer and of Bunyan. So

plain, so telling, so earnest, so collected, and so right-minded and good. We pray God that his life and health may be long preserved, and that he may be a means of awakening more attention to practical and experimental religion among all classes. The text was Matth. xix, 19. His native humour often awakens a smile, but his earnest and close appeals oftener produce a tear.

Of Romanism we have little to say. It is becoming more rampant in France. Pilgrimages from this country to a shrine in France are projecting. The Pope is on a tour; but he is pestered in every place with petitions for reforms of various kinds.

GENERAL.

The proceedings of our parliament have been prolonged, and the session protracted by the strange and inconsistent opposition of Mr. Gladstone and his Romanist friends to the divorce bill. It was not until Lord Palmerston intimated that he was determined to carry the bill through this session, and that the opposition to its progress was vexatious, that the right honourable gentleman became at all reasonable.

The mutiny of the native troops in India has occupied the attention of both houses. The opposition have failed to obtain much honour by their speeches on this matter, though it is certain the India and home officials have been remiss. Mr. Whiteside had the folly to present a petition for the abandonment of laws passed for the protection of Hindoos who embraced christianity! He was not met with half the firmness that ought to have been displayed. Government are sending out troops to India, and it is hoped the wide spread rebellion will soon be put down. Lord Brougham is becoming conservative in his old age, and is afraid of adding any thing more to the popular element in the House of Commons. At present, it is calculated that not more than thirty out of three hundred and seventy constituencies are free from aristocratic influence. So much for H.B. The tea and sugar duties are to be continued for two years after next April, instead of their being reduced.

Mr. Bright has been returned as member for Birmingham without canvassing, and without opposition. We trust that the great abilities of this statesman (without his crotchets) will be available for good. Birmingham has honoured itself by this proceeding.

The weather has been various during the past month. Some fearful thunderstorms and wet, foggy, and warm days have damaged the corn; but they have improved the grass and turnips.

The Atlantic cable for the electrical telegraph has broken; it is supposed that operations will not be resumed until next year.

The French Emperor has paid a visit to our Queen at Osborne. It is supposed that the settlement of the question of the principalities, and of union against China were part of the reasons of this state visit. The Emperor's last trials of conspirators, said to implicate several distinguished refugees in this country, have not raised him in the estimation of Europe. An English grand jury would not have found "a true bill" against them on the paltry evidence presented. Are such trials and conspiracies necessary for the stability of the French throne, if so, its base is in the sand.

Spain seems to be in a poor way; a dissolute court, a corrupt ministry, a beggaily nobility, and a prostrate people; altogether a hissing and a bye-word for the world. How are the mighty fallen!

Of India we say but little here, except that the intelligence of the fall of Delhi, as given in Mr. Buckley's third letter,* is premature. The tone of his letter shews the anxiety which prevails all over India. We have no doubt of the success of the English, and of the ultimate fall of Hindooism.

The Chinese fleet has been destroyed off Canton. But the Chinamen are learning to fight better than they did.'

*See Observer.

Missionary Observer.

DEPARTURE OF MR. AND MRS. BAILEY AND FAMILY, AND MR J. O. GOADBY.

The noble ship, (Agamemnon), was visited in the E. I. docks on Thursday, August 6. The cabins looked at and fitted up. On the following Monday, August 10, the above friends, with several relations and others, and the secretary, repaired to Gravesend, whither the ship had moved. As we approached the noble vessel, we were struck with her superior appearance, both as to size and shape. On the Tuesday morning, after seeing some hundreds of soldiers go on board, we took boats and mounted her side. The scene was one of the greatest bustle and activity. Pigs, sheep, poultry, bales of goods, packages of all sizes and sorts, were being hoisted on board. We remained on board from 11 a.m., to 1.30 p.m., when it was understood all strangers were to leave the ship. Some of us lunched with the captain and cabin passengers, including several military officers. We feared from the continual stir, we should not be able to obtain a moment's quiet for prayer. This, however, we secured in Mr. Bailey's cabin. It was filled. Mr. Pike prayed briefly, but very appropriately; and then, with deep feeling, we bid all adieu. None but Mr. Bailey seemed to be prepared to go with us on deck. But we kept our boat a little distance, saw the huge anchor weighed, and the steam tug slowly leading the noble ship down the stream. Mr. Bailey, Mr. J. O. Goadby, with two of Mr. B's clildren, came on deck, and their waving handkerchiefs and hats were continued until they were lost to view. On the 12th, Mr. J. O. Goadby wrote to his parents :

"Don't trouble yourselves regarding my happiness and comfort. All is right. I feel I am in the path of duty, and that the hand of my Heavenly Father is leading me on; therefore, fear not." And in a P.S., next day, he says: "I have begun the Oriya, and hope to go on well."

We trust that many prayers will be offered for their safety, and that they will be heard in heaven. The following note has been received from Mr. Bailey :Ship, Agamemnon, August 13, 1857.

MY DEAR BROTHER GOADBY, Since you bade us farewell we have thought much about you; father-land, home, kindred, seem uppermost in our thoughts and imaginations. Two years ago, I was returning home from India, my feelings then were very different from what they are now. But with all the love I bear to my kindred, and the profound respect which I would ever entertain for England and her institutions, I would still be a missionary to the heathen. "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Our passage down the channel thus far, has been very pleasant and satisfactory. The captain seems all one could wish, and, judging from the appearance of the passengers, I think we may calculate upon an agreeable passage to India. We have 42 passengers, 250 soldiers, and the crew, including cuddy servants and mid-shipmen, would not be less than 80, so that on the Sabbath we may have a very large congregation. May we have grace given to us, that we may live to Christ as well as preach for Christ.

We go to India in eventful times. Hundreds of our friends sympathize with us who are going, and with those who are there. Let me entreat them to carry their sympathies to a throne of grace. Would it not be well to have special seasons for prayer?

I would take this opportunity to thank those very kind friends who have helped me to take out a stock of medicines. I will endeavour to furnish some statement for the Observer, of sums collected, and of the way in which the money has been expended.

We are all, through mercy, well. Once more, dear brother, good bye. Mrs. Bailey unites with me in affectionate remembrances to yourself and family, and all the dear friends at Loughborough.

Off the Isle of Wight.

Affectionately yours,

W. BAILEY.

[We doubt not that our readers will peruse with intense interest the letters of our friends from Orissa. Hitherto there has been little cause for fear in that province, as the Madras troops are loyal to the Government. It will be seen, however, by the letters of Mr. Buckley, that there is an undercurrent of sympathy with the rebels, especially among the Mussulmans of Orissa. The native preachers have been, for the present, withdrawn from bazaar preaching. The following letters from Mr. Buckley have all been received during the past month. The last one, dated June 29th, conveys the intelligence of the fall of Delhi, which, by the way, is not confirmed.-ED.]

LETTERS FROM REV. J. BUCKLEY, RELATIVE TO
THE OUTBREAK, &c.

No. I.

Cuttack, June 12, 1857.

DEAR BROTHER,-It is Friday evening, and we have just been reading at family worship, John, xiv,—a most precious portion of scripture, the consolation of which we all need at such a time as this: and have been presenting our earnest supplications at the throne of grace that, if it be the will of God, protection may be vouchsafed to us and to all who desire to dwell "quiet in the land." I now sit down to tell the friends of the mission some of the terrible doings of the last fortnight. It was hoped when our last letters were dispatched, that the fearful storm that was sweeping over the land had spent its force, but alas! it was soon seen that the apparent calm was a treacherous one; the storm is even yet raging with unabated, yea, increasing fury, and the issue no one can foretell. None of us doubt that in the end the Government will crush the lawless murderers who have conspired to overthrow it; but who can tell how many more may fall before peace be restored? Regiment after regiment has raised the standard of revolt. I cannot state the exact number of regiments in the Bengal army that have mutinied; but it must be more than twenty; and as for all the rest, there is not one that can be safely trusted. It seems to me, there is no doubt that a simultaneous rising of the native troops throughout Bengal and the North West was projected, and that the murder of all the Europeans in the country was determined upon. Amid the frightful scenes of confusion and bloodshed that have been witnessed during these few weeks, let us be thankful that the Lord has not given us all up to the insane fury of "bloody and deceitful men." aspect of things continues, however, most gloomy and alarming. Delhi is still in the hands of the insurgents, and there is a strange delay in the marching of the military force at Umballah against it, for the distance is only one hundred and fifty miles. I am sorry to say that nothing as been heard of Mr. Mackay, the missionary; nor of the family of the late Mr. J. Thompson, formerly missionary there. Hardly the faintest hope of their escape, or of the preservation of the christians, can be cherished; but "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints," though it occurs by the hands of violent men. Muttra (a considerable city about the size of Cuttack, containing fifty thousand inhabitants, and thirty miles distant from Agra) has been plundered, and entirely destroyed, I do not hear that more than one European was killed; but the rest had to flee for their lives. I regret that I cannot give any particulars of Mr. Evans, the Baptist missionary there; but I hope that he and the little flock of Christ, gathered from the heathen wilderness, have been preserved by the

The