to light, and from the power of Satan to | God. And when on earth we meet no more, may pastors, teachers and scholars, with all whom we love on earth, meet around the great white throne in heaven, where parting will never be known. I shall be most happy to become a teacher whenever my imperfect services are required.

Sweet Sabbath-school, place dear to me,
Where'r through life I roam,
My heart will often turn to thee
My childhood's happy home.

When all our wanderings here shall cease,
And cares of life shall end,

In God's eternal Sabbath place,
May we our anthems blend.

Your affectionate Scholar.

67

REV. C. JUDD,

OF CONNINGSBY,

Departed this life Jan. 21, 1859.

SARAH WILLIAMSON, Isleham.-The conversion of a soul at any period of life, is so inestimable a mercy, as to inspire angels with joy and gratitude; but if this change be effected in early life, the blessing is more abundant, and calls for the loudest praise. The subject of this brief obituary, Mrs. Sarah Williamson, was brought to the knowledge of the truth in early life, amongst the society of friends, for whom she entertained a very high esteem to the close of her life. Removing from West Row to Isleham, after the death of her husband, she began to attend the preaching of the gospel at the General Baptist Chapel; and soon her views of the divinely appointed ordinance of baptism underwent a change. Feeling it to be her duty to follow Christ, she offered herself as a candidate for baptism and church-fellowship, and was baptised by the Rev. E. Stenson, on the 31st of August, 1848. During the more than ten years of her membership, she endeavoured by God's grace, to live that gospel she professed. Our departed sister's illness was very short, (she was attacked on the 24th, with inflamation of the lungs, and on the 27th she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus) but her prospect of eternal happiness was unclouded. About three hours before her death, when the writer told her he thought that she would soon be at rest, she said "I know that if I sleep in death I shall rest with God," and after engaging in prayer with her she exclaimed (referring to the concluding part of the prayer) "Yes, I know it is all through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." In this happy state she continued from seven p.m. till 10 p.m., and then her spirit took its flight to

the bosom of her God in the sixty-first year of her age.

On Lord's-day evening, Jan. 9th, her death was improved by her pastor, Rev.T. Mee, from Rev. xiv., 13-"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, said the spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

In her death the church has lost a very consistent member, the pastor a kind friend, and a son and daughter a very affectionate mother. May they be led to seek an interest in their mother's God, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind.

MATTHEW LEANORD, Isleham,-On the 27th of December, 1858, died at Isleham, Matthew Leanord, an aged and esteemed member and deacon of the General Baptist Church.

Our departed brother was brought to the knowledge of the truth, under the ministry of the Rev. J. Farrant, and was baptised by him on the 26th of April, 1814, so that for nearly forty-five years he has been connected with the cause of Christ, and more than thirty years of that he honourably sustained the office of a deacon.

What was said of Plato's furniture, that " All was for use--nothing for show," may, with equal propriety, be said of our departed brother. He laboured rather to fill up his place well, and discharge his uties punctually, than make the noise of an axe, or hammer, reverberate his own praise.

Our departed friend enjoyed, for 72 years, uninterupted good health, until about three months before his death. The writer has heard him say he never knew what a day's illness was in his life. He was a great lover of the ordinances of religion. Indeed his love of public worship, and especially of the ordinance of the Lord's supper, increased as he drew nearer

to the eternal Sabbath. Often did he mention the uncommon pleasure with which he attended some of the last sermons he was permitted to hear. At those seasons he was favoured with the most delightful foretaste of that happiness, the fulness of which, it is confidently hoped, he is now enjoying. He was particularly fond of those more private religious meetings, at which the mere professor is seldom seen. About three months ago our dear brother's health began to decline, he seemed fully aware that the Lord was about to remove him; when speaking to his pastor a short time before his death, he said "I feel that I am a poor sinner saved by grace." One of the deacons who was present when he fell asleep in Jesus, said he sat in his chair with his coat off, and died like a child going to sleep. Oh, he said, if the Lord wills it, I should like to die just the same. Thus passed away our aged friend and brother in the seventythird year of his age. His death was improved by his pastor, the Rev. T. Mee, on Lord's day afternoon, Jan. 2nd, from Acts xxi., 16-An old disciple.

MARY WARD, the beloved wife of Mr. Joseph MARSH, of Woodthorpe, Leicestershire, slept in Jesus, Dec. 1st, 1858, aged thirty-five years. Mrs. Marsh was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Knapp, of Frisby, in the same county. She was the subject of early piety, being brought to a saving knowledge of the truth, in the thirteenth or fourteenth year of her age.

The Wesleyan Methodists were the honoured instruments in her conversion to God. She visited with them in christian fellowship, and continued a useful, intelligent, and devoted member of that society up to the time of her marriage about five years ago.

On settling down at Woodthorpe, her husband being a member and deacon of the Baptist Church at Quornden, she decided to unite with the same church. She offered herself for baptism and fellowship, and was cordially welcomed to our communion May 7th, 1854.

We little thought on the day of her union with us that in less than five short years she would be received into the purer fellowship of the church above. But my ways are not as your ways, says the Lord." He who has done it cannot

err.

Our departed sister was an active and cheerful christian. No one, looking at religion, as brought out in her general character, and every day life, would regard

it as a gloomy and melancholy thing. In her life were displayed the beauties of holiness. To talk with her was to perceive that you were conversing with one well schooled in the faith of Christ; to be in her company was to feel that you were in the presence of a good woman.

She was anxious to be useful to others. She purchased and circulated tracts through the village in which she resided. She was always ready to visit the afflicted, and to sooth their sorrows. In the absence of her husband she did not allow family worship to be neglected; but would assemble the servants and members of the family to read with them the word of God, and unite with them in fervent prayer. She felt a deep interest in the welfare of the church, and would often anxiously enquire "How is the work of God going on?" She rejoiced in its prosperity, and mourned over its adversity.

She thought it not a burden, but reckoned it among her privileges to contribute to the funds of the church, and to help on the Ark of the Lord.

We feel that in her death the church has lost one of her most consistent members. Her husband has lost a help-meet indeed; and her two little boys have lost the watchful care of an anxious, pious, and loving mother. The fearful disease which removed her from the church on earth to the church in heaven was consumption; her friends watched the progress of the disease with painful anxiety, and every means was tried to arrest its course-but all in vain.

She observed, a little time before her death, that she should have felt thankful to have been spared a little longer for the sake of her dear husband and children; but she was satisfied that she was in the hands of the Lord, and that he would do right. In one of the last interviews which the writer of this notice had with her, she said the clergyman had called to see her, and she said "I told him I had had an interest in Christ for many years." On observing how important it was to feel quite satisfied on this subject, she replied "I cannot doubt it, the Lord has been very good to me in my affliction, I have had great peace, and I have no fear of the future."

"Not long before she died she said to her husband, "Give my love to my friends, tell them I am going to Jesus"; and after a pause, exclaimed, "Jesus, Jesus," and calmly fell asleep to awake amidst the society of heaven and the hallelujahs of departed saints.

J. S.,

Q.

Resolutions adopted:

deemed impracticable, we should be highly gratified to have his "Letters on Mr. Fuller's Scheme," either in a separate pamphlet, or in the pages of the Magazine.

II. That each church in this conference be kindly and urgently desired to make a collection for our new chapel at Todmorden, and send it by their minister, or representatives on the day of opening.

An animated discussion arose as to the publication of the work of the late venerated Dan Taylor, and it was resolved

III. That, as ministers and representatives of the Yorkshire churches of General Baptists, we should rejoice to see a New edition of the entire works of the late Dan Taylor; but in case their

V. The Chairman stated that the Macclesfield case was finally disposed of.

VI. That Brother Batey be thanked for his sermon, and requested to send it to the editor of the Magazine.

VII. That the next conference be at Queenshead, on Tuesday, April 26th, 1859; and that brother Horsfall, of Shore, be the preacher. Service in the morning.

Brother Maden gave an interesting account of the reviving of the Lord's work at Gambleside. A collection was made at the close of the sitting. Brother Hardy concluded with prayer.

BRADFORD.-On Lord's-day, Jan. 2nd, 1859, in the morning we had a very scriptural sermon by our beloved pastor, Rev. B. Wood, to a good congregation from Isaiah viii., 20.-"To the law and to the testimony." After which three put on Christ by baptism, and may the Lord still prosper us. J. I. COVENTRY.-On the morning of the first Sunday in the year three young persons were baptised by our minister. and afterwards received into fellowship with us.

COALVILLE AND WHITWICK.-We have been favoured of late with several interesting additions by baptism. Feb. 7th, 1858, three persons were added to us; April 4th, two; May 2nd, six; Sept. 5th, four. It was our privilege to commence the present year with a baptismal service. On Lord's-day, Jan. 2nd, 1859, after a sermon by the pastor, the Rev. J. Cholerton, on the first duty of the new year, from the words Rom. vi., 13, "Yield yourselves to God." Four persons were baptised who in the evening after a solemn address from Judges xi., 35.-"I have opened my mouth unto the Lord and I cannot go back," were received into fellowship with us. The congregations were unusually large and attentive.

BIRMINGHAM.-On the last Sabbath evening in December, Mr. Cheatle baptised two persons, and on the following Lord's-day they were added to the church.

J. S. C.

C. SPRINGTHORPE, Secretary.

FLEET.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 5th, three friends were baptised and added to the church. Others are asking the way to Zion.

TYDD, St. Giles'.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 19th, one friend was baptised and received into the church.

LOUTH WALKER-GATE.-On the evening of Monday, the 27th ult., we had three friends baptised. Brother Smith, of Alford, our junior pastor, administered the ordidance. The meeting was addressed by him, and by brother Taylor, one of our college students, who is at present preaching in Walker-gate chapel; and by Mr. Kiddall, who is fast recovering from a four month's illness. On the following Lord's-day, the newly baptised, one of whom is a Wesleyan local preacher, were welcomed to the Lord's table. On the Monday evening afterwards, we had a tea-meeting; it was well attended, and very interesting addresses were delivered. The Walker-gate friends are greatly indebted to those ministers, who, of every denomination in the town, have helped us in our necessities.

LOUTH, North-gate.-On the first Sunday in December four persons, who had been baptised on the previous Thursday, were added to the church.

LENTON.-On the first Lord's-day in October, 1858, five young friends were baptised by our minister and added to the church. On Jan. 2nd, 1859, six more were "put on Christ," by baptism, and

R.

71

ALFORD.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 19th, 1858, one young friend, a teacher in the Sabbath-school, was baptised after a sermon from "And now why tarriest thou?" &c. The chapel was very much crowded. Within the last year and a half a very pleasing change has taken place in the state of the cause. The congregations have, at least, trebled. The singing has been much improved. A new Sabbathschool commenced, and a Tract Society formed.

LONDON, Praed-street.-The last Sabbath in the past year witnessed an increase to the members of this church. The friends here were rejoiced to behold an addition of eight persons to their communion, being the first fruits of the

It was pleasing to see amongst them the only son of our dear departed brother, J. Chapman, one of the deacons of this church from its commencement. The congregations were more numerous than we have been priviledged to witness for some years past. An appropriate and effective sermon was delivered by our pastor with much earnestness, on Acts ii., 41. We have several candidates and enquirers.

GOSBERTON, Sept. 5th, two young persons were baptised by our minister. Mr. J. G. Jones, one was a teacher, and the other was fresh from the Sabbathschool. T. G. L.

LOUGHBOROUGH. Wood-gate.-We held a delightful members' tea-meeting on Monday evening, Jan. 24th. Several brethren, with the pastor, who presided, gave short and interesting addresses; and a handsome New Year's Gift was presented to our pastor, as an expression of affectionate regard.

LONDON.-On the first Sabbath of this year. two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Clifford, and collections made towards defraying the expense of heating the chapel by means of gas, and the erection of a lamp over the porch.

On the following Monday the annual tea-meeting took place, after which a public meeting was held. Prayer was offered by Mr. Morgan, sen., then an interesting and animating introductory address was given by our minister. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Brown, W. Clarke, and T. P. Dexter. At the close of the meeting it was found that the proceeds of the collections at these services amounted to the required sum of £20., the cost of the heating apparatus only, the lamp having been generously given by our friend Mr. Parkins.

E. BROWN, Secretary. MACCLESFIELD, General Baptist Chapel. -In August last, this neat and commodious place of worship, was cleaned, painted, and thoroughly repaired, as well as new matted, the cost of which was upwards of £30. To defray this the friends held a tea-meeting on Monday last, when upwards of 350 were seated. The trays were gratuitously furnished by the members and ladies of the congregation. After tea, R. Pedley, Esq., of Wheelock Heath,

was called to preside. Animated addresses were delivered by the chairman, Mr. P. Gent, and the Rev. J. Maden, minister of the place. Several recitations were given by the teachers and scholars in a manner which reflected great credit on themselves. The performances of the choir elicited the warm and hearty applause of the audience, which separated shortly after ten o'clock, highly delighted with the evening's entertainment.-From the Macclesfield Observer, of Jan. 8th.

CHESHAM.-The twenty-first anniversary of the Benevolent Society, was celebrated on Monday, Dec. 27th, 1858. Nearly 300 took tea in the school-room and vestry. A public meeting was held in the evening. In the absence of the Secretary of the Society, Mr. W. Andrews, through indisposition, Mr. Spriggins read the report which stated that £21 had been distributed during the year, and 420 cases visited and relieved. The Tonic sol-fa class, numbering about fifty members, and conducted by one of our friends, interested the meeting by singing several pleasing melodies. Addresses were delivered by Rev. W. Payne, Mr. Spriggins, and the Pastor.

LOUTH, North-gate.-A debt removed. The schoolroom connected with this place of worship is now free from incumbrance. It is a handsome edifice, and was erected in 1852, at a cost of nearly eight hundred pounds. At the commencement of 1858, two hundred pounds still remained unpaid, and it was agreed that an earnest effort should be made to remove the debt by the close of the year. Circulars were issued, collecting cards were distributed,