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right. There is no mistake about it. The old stiles are visible yet; but the path runs too near the preserves of the Rector of Kirkby, who, with an income of nearly a £1000 a year from his parish rarely comes to it except with his dogs and gun. He has stopped the said path, and has already put his poor flock to an expense of £150 in defence of their rights. The case will soon be re-tried in the Court of Queen's Bench, with every prospect of restitution of a valuable right to the poor.

Our Baptist friends, true to their traditions, are foremost in defence of the dear old path trodden by their forefathers from time immemorial, but the defendants are poor and need help. I must tell you that

they have the sympathy and aid of Mr. Mundella, M.P., Mr. Potter, M.P., Mr. Seely, M.P., and Mr. Morley, M.P. Mr. Morley indeed has forwarded £25. Your readers will like to know this much of the case, and there are gentlemen amongst them who thoroughly understand such questions, who will perhaps inquire further into the matter, and lend what help they

can.

Information in detail will be forwarded to all applicants by our friend, Mr. W. Fox, Kirkby Folley, near Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts. Yours faithfully,

E. H. JACKSON. Chapel House, Castle Donington.

Church Register.

CONFERENCES.

THE MIDLAND CONFERENCE will meet at Quorndon, on Whit-Tuesday, June 7. The Rev. J. Jackson Goadby will preach in the morning. The annual collection will be made in the afternoon.

In the evening a public meeting will be held to commemorate the Centenary of the Quorndon chapel. Thos. Hill, Esq., of Nottingham, will preside, The Rev. T. Bumpus will give a sketch of the history of the church. The Rev. Dr. Underwood, T. Goadby, B.A., John Stevenson, M.A., J. C. Pike, I. Stubbins, and C. Clarke, B.A., will deliver addresses.

The last Conference resolved to hold the Whitsuntide meeting at Quorndon in order that many friends might be present to celebrate at an evening meeting the Centenary of the chapel. The Quorndon friends hope that many who attend the Conference will arrange to stay the evening meeting.

CHARLES CLARKE, Secretary.

THE YORKSHIRE AND LANCASHIRE CONFERENCE will be held at Clow Bridge, near Burnley, on Wednesday, June 8, when the Rev. George Needham will preach. Morning service to commence at eleven o'clock.

J. ALCORN, Secretary.

THE WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Walsall May 3rd. The morning service commenced with devotional exercises, after which the Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., read a paper on "The presence of the Holy Spirit in the church necessary for the development of the personal gifts of its members." Conversation followed, in which several brethren took part. It was unanimously resolved,-That a hearty vote of thanks be given to Mr. Goadby for

his excellent paper, and that he be requested to publish it in the Magazine.

The Rev. W. Lees, minister of the place, presided in the afternoon. Mr. R. Bruce engaged in prayer. Reports showed that seventy-four had been baptized during the half-year, and that thirteen remain as candidates. The following business was done :

1. The church at Netherton, an offshoot of Cinderbank, having applied for admission into this Conference, and brethren Lees and Harrison having reported most satisfactorily, it was resolved,-That the church at Netherton be received into the Conference.

2. Centenary Fund.-Resolved,-That this Conference earnestly recommends the churches to make a public collection on some Sunday before the Association; and that the ministers hold themselves in readiness to visit the smaller churches to instruct and stir them up to help in this noble object.

3. Chapel at Willenhall.-The chairman stated he had been induced to purchase a chapel at Willenhall for the sum of £950. The chapel is well situated in the midst of a large population, with no place of worship near, and is capable of seating 650 persons. A few years ago the building was erected at a cost of more than £2000. This place Mr. Lees offers to the denomination for what he has given. After a good deal of conversation the following resolution was passed:-That this Conference earnestly recommends the Association to accept the offer of the Rev. W. Lees in the purchase of Mount Calvary chapel, Willenhall, and to secure it to the denomination.

4. Brethren Lees, of Walsall, and Rollason, of Netherton, were appointed as a

Church Register.

deputation to make inquiries respecting introducing a General Baptist cause in Dudley.

5. The next Conference to be held at Cradley Heath, Tuesday, Sept. 15. The subject of the paper-"The relation of the church of Christ to the temperance reformation." Mr. James Mason, of Walsall, to be the writer. Rev. L. H. Parsons, of Birmingham, to be the preacher.

In the evening the Secretary preached from the parable of the "Lost Sheep."

HENRY CROSS, Secretary.

MIDLAND COUNTIES' BAPTIST LOCAL PREACHERS' ASSOCIATION held its annual meeting, April 18, at Lenton. Officers were elected and other business transacted in the afternoon. After tea a public meeting was held; Mr. Sharman presided, and papers of signal ability on specific subjects were read by brethren Brittain, of Nottingham; Blount, of Derby; and Holmes, of Leicester. Free and profitable discussion followed. The conference was most cordial and satisfactory. J. EDWARDS.

CENTENARY FUND.

The treasurer of the Centenary Fund respectfully requests that the payment of as large an amount as possible of monies be made at the Association to that fund, in order that aid may be afforded to the Building fund, as well as to such other objects as it may be decided by the Association to appropriate it to.

N.B. After dinner each day might be a convenient time to pay and receive monies.

BAZAAR NOTICE.

Mrs. and Miss Cook having kindly undertaken the management of the Refreshment Stall, it is requested that all donations of provisions be sent to their residence, the Temperance Hotel, Leicester, next door to the Temperance Hall.

ANNIVERSARIES.

DERBY.-St. Mary's Gate.- The twentyeighth anniversary of this place of worship was celebrated on Sunday, May 2, and Monday, May 1. Sermons were preached on Sunday, in the morning by the Rev. H. Crassweller, B.A., pastor of the church, and in the evening by the Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., of Osmaston Road chapel. On Monday a tea meeting was held in the school-room, when upwards of 250 sat down. The room was very elegantly and tastefully decorated with azaleas, roses, &c., kindly lent by Mr. Frettingham, Corn Market. The meeting after tea was held in the chapel, under the presidency of the pastor of the church. This being the Centenary year of the Con

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nexion to which this church belongs, the congregation have determined to celebrate the same by raising £1000, for the reduction of the debt, the enlargement of Junction Street chapel, and the general Centenary Fund. Mr. Thomas Meakin gave an interesting account of the proceedings of the committee for collecting the money, and stated that £537 2s. of the amount had been promised. Spirited and animated addresses were delivered by the Revs. Dr. Underwood, of Chilwell College; D. McCallum, of Melbourne; E. H. Jackson, of Castle Donington; J. Wenn, H. Ollard, W. Unsworth, and T. Goadby. The trays for tea, 100 in number, were furnished gratuitously. The entire proceeds of this anniversary, amounting to £68 6s. will be devoted to the reduction of the debt on the chapel.

BIRMINGHAM, Longmore Street.-May 15. Preachers, Revs. T. Stevenson and B. Bird. Collections, £32 8s.-May 16, tea and public meeting. E. Watson, Esq., chairman. Speakers, Revs. J. D. Alford, Henderson, Giles, Malins, and Parsons. In four years the church has grown from 43 to 170.

SABBATH SCHOOLS.

HEPTONSTALL SLACK.-May 15. Preacher, J. Clifford. Collections, £46 6s. Lecture on the following day, on "The work of the week and the worship of the Sabbath."

HALIFAX, North Parade.-April 10, sermons by Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., of Spalding. Collections, £28 2s.

HALIFAX, West Vale.-The government examination of the night school for adults in connection with the regular day school at this place, took place on April 26, when upwards of thirty presented themselves for examination.

RIPLEY.-March 27. Preacher, Rev. G. Needham. Collections over £50.

SHEFFIELD.-May 8. Preachers, Revs. A. J. Bedells and G. Hester. Scholars' service of song in the afternoon. Lecture on Monday evening by Rev. R. Bushell, on "True greatness: its constitution and character." B. Langley, Esq., in the chair. Collections nearly £27.

MINISTERIAL.

E. H. JACKSON, of Castle Donington, has accepted a cordial invitation to Ripley.

J. FLETCHER will close his ministry at Vale, June 26. His address is Vale, Todmorden, near Manchester.

RECOGNITION AND WELCOME OF J. ALCORN TO WOOD-GATE.-May 3, 300 to tea. Mr. T. W. Marshall presided at first, and then the minister. Addresses by Revs. J. Mason, E. Stevenson, W. Bailey, Dr. Underwood, T. Goadby, B.A., J. Alcorn, and Messrs. Marshall, Lacey, Baldwin, and R. Alcorn.

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CRESSWELL.-Thos. Cresswell died June 20, 1869, having been a member of the G. B. church at Smalley forty-two years. He was first united with the Wesleyans at Stanley, but being impressed with the importance of baptism he applied to the minister for it. It was offered to him in the form of sprinkling, but he said, "Sir, I should like to be baptised in the right way, and I think that is immersion;" to which his pastor replied, "If you are immersed you are no longer a member of this society." He was baptized at Smalley in October, 1827, and was for some years an active and zealous Christian; and in 1849 was chosen a deacon. Meetings for prayer and counsel were held in his own farm house, and he was very useful. But for twenty years he was greatly afflicted and could only render partial service to the church. He continued through his sufferings humble and steadfast to the end, and during the last hours of his life delighted to sing, "All is well." G. W.

DOBB.-Ann Dobb died April 6, aged 36, after a long and severe iliness. She was a member of the church at Carrington about eight years. Through much difficulty and trial she evinced a strong interest in the church to which she belonged. Her confidence in Christ was unshaken through her affliction, and her end was peace.

HUDSON.-Thos. Hudson, of Halifax, was brought to a decision for God under the ministry of the Rev. C. Clark. He was somewhat advanced in years at the time of conversion; and being naturally diffident and retiring he unostentatiously, but very satisfactorily, showed his love to Christ and His cause. He bore a lengthened affliction with patience and resignation, and spent much time in reading God's word, prayer, and meditation. the high esteem of an earthly master, which was generously and practically manifested, and the warm affection of kindred and Christian friends, he fell asleep in Jesus, April 22, 1869, aged 67.

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ROSE.-Mrs. Annie Rose, of Ravenstone, near Coalville, died Dec. 17, 1869. She united with the church at Coalville in the previous July, and by her Christian spirit and zealous activity in the Lord's work, won the affection of the members of the church. The name of Jesus was precious to her in death. Her last words were, "Other refuge have I none." "None but Jesus."

SMITH.-May 11, 1870, at 36, Lloyd Street, Greenhays, Manchester, aged 78, Rev. Thos. Smith, formerly minister of the G. B. churches at Hinckley and Stalybridge. His end was peace.

Missionary Observer.

OUR MISSION AND OUR CONTRIBUTIONS.

"OUR MISSION has not only excited the interest of all our constituents, but has secured their admiration and confidence." "Our Annual Report is filled with facts that prove the success and permanence of our work." "Our Asylums are amongst the largest and best conducted in the whole of India," and "Our Missionaries, by their efficiency and devotedness, have won the esteem of all who have known them." These, and similar exclamations, we often hear from the members of our churches. In fact we all feel it an honour that, under the guiding hand of God, we have been enabled to plant such a mission in the very heart and centre of Hindooism.

But the marked silence about our contributions to this Mission, in which we so much glory, and which we think such an ornament and crown, is painfully significant. Our most liberal contributors are not General Baptists, nor men whose religious life has been bound up with the Mission, but casual residents at our stations in Orissa. And we cannot hide the fact if we would, that the largest legacies have been left by men of other denominations. A careful review of our varied sources of income proves either our poverty or parsimoniousness. We have examined the contributions from all the churches for the past year, and the result is as follows:

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without any personal inconvenience or pressure, could raise their donations from 5s. to 7s. 6d., from 10s. to 15s., and from £1 to £1 10s. ? and even this increase would very materially help the funds.

If the income of the Society is ever to meet the demands it must be by an increased scale of contributions. The Sabbath schools and juvenile collectors have nobly done their part, and it remains for us to make an earnest appeal to men and women for a higher scale. Some there are, who have no doubt reached the maximum: but are there not many others, whether Providence bas smiled or frowned, that have given the same sum all through life! We have ventured to confer with some of the best friends and liberal supporters of the Mission, and have been bold enough to ask them, if practicable, to double their contributions; and the response thus far has been most kind and encouraging. If by any means we can induce one-third only of our subscribers of 10s. and upwards to double their contributions, the Committee would be able to send out two or three men.

There is certainly need for extraordinary effort, for we have reached a crisis the like of which has never been known in the history of the Mission. Can we not rise to the difficulties which confront us? Has all the old fire and enthusiasm died out amongst us? Can we, dare we, leave our brethren and sisters to fall martyrs to the climate and work through our neglect? Are we prepared to abandon fields of labour which have cost us so much? If we do not mean to cover ourselves with shame in the eyes of all christendom we must send out more men.

Will our friends, as early as possible, lay this matter to heart, and let me know not later than the second week in June, the amount of increase to their contribution. We plead for men lost to God and all hope of a better life; for men for whom Christ died; for men who, if saved, will intensify the glory of Christ and brighten our joy for ever. W. BAILEY.

Wymeswold, Loughborough.

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SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BRAHMANISM, BUDDHISM, AND CHRISTIANITY: A WORD FOR CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

BY THE REV. GILES HESTER, OF SHEFFIELD.

ONE subject of great importance presents itself in all our considerations concerning missionary work, viz., the existence of a Supreme Intelligence, and the spiritual relations which men sustain to Him. Missions rest upon the acknowledgment of a Supreme mind. The existence of God may be said to be at the basis of all religions. A belief in the Being of God seems to be one of the primary beliefs of the human mind. It is an intuition of the human reason. As the eye was organically formed to receive the light and recognize the objects which that light discovers, so was the mind originally formed to receive God, and recognize the relations in which we stand to Him.

The idea of God is diffused through humanity. It has been distorted, degraded, and in some cases almost obliterated; but still this primordial intuition of the human soul shows itself among all the families of mankind.

Here, then, is ground on which to work. The religious faculty has not to be created: it already exists, a constituent element of the human mind, an ineradicable sentiment of the human heart. This faculty has to be reached, moulded, regulated, and elevated, but not created.

The farther we go back into the history of mankind the more sensible do we become of the truth of this doctrine. None of the ancient nations, the memorials of whose civilization have come down to us, lived without an object or objects of religious adoration. Many of these objects were utterly unworthy of the religious regard paid to them; still they bore testimony to the existence of a religious instinct in the soul. The monuments of Nineveh, Babylon, Egypt, Mexico, contain the undeniable proofs of those religious feelings which once agitated the breasts of millions of human beings.

But in no country in the world do we find the memorials of religion more diffused than in India. India may be emphatically called the land of religion. The Hindoos may be said to be the most religious people on the face of the earth. All the operations of daily life are carried on under the influence of religious feeling, and by the direction of a religious ceremonial.

Their rock-hewn temples and other forms of sacred architecture are still objects of admiration to spectators. Hindooism is one of the oldest of the religions of the world. It must be highly important, therefore, and it ought to be absorbingly interesting, to consider the nature, the genius, the ceremonial, and the tendencies of this ancient and widespread religion.

In considering some of the characteristics of Brahmanism, the prevailing religion among the Hindoos, we shall have to go back to a remote antiquity. If antiquity give a claim to the genuineness of a religion, the Brahman can certainly make good his claim. The religion of the Hindoo existed before Wesley preached his sermons,-before Luther penned his theses,-before Augustine wrote his confessions,-before Paul dictated any of his epistles,-before Christ spake His parables and performed His miracles, before Isaiah saw his splendid prophecies, and probably before David. sang his soul-inspiring psalms. The religious life of India dates back, in its origin, to nearly 2000 years before the Christian era. At a very early period this religious life developed into a religious literature. In fact, all the most celebrated and wide-spread religions of the East have their foundations in ancient books.

Mohammedans rest their faith upon the Koran.

Buddhists rest their faith upon the Tripitika.

Zoroastrians rest their faith upon the Zend-Avesta.

Confucians rest their faith upon the King.

Brahmans rest their faith upon the Vedas.

Three of the most ancient books belonging to the Brahmanical religion are called Vedas, the most ancient and important of which is called the Kig-Veda (Book of Praise). This is supposed to have been written 1500 B.C. It is composed in the Sanscrit language-the ancient, classical, and sacred language of India. The Rig-Veda has been in the hands of European scholars about fifty years. The grammar of the language in which it is written has been mastered, and the whole of the sacred book has

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