who all bore testimony to the excellence of her spirit, and the quiet and unrepining manner in which she sustained her acutest sufferings and her heaviest trials.

It was early on the Lord's-day, 7th January last, that her Heavenly Father commissioned Death to terminate her earthly career; and on the day when thousands of her fellow-christians were enjoying the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, she was introduced to the company which no one can number, who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Her end was peaceful; so that it was not known to her beloved sister that her soul had taken its flight into the presence of her

Saviour and her God, for some time after that event had taken place.

"One gentle sigh her fetters broke;

We scarce could say, She's gone,

Before her happy spirit took

Its station near the throne."

Her pastor improved her decease from Psalm xc. 3, "Thou turnest man to destruction, and sayest, Return, ye children of men."

Let christians shew their desire to imitate her bright example; for the same grace which enabled her to glorify her Redeemer in life and in death, will be granted to them, if they are earnest and faithful in the service of their Divine Master. Sheffield.

E. S.

PERSONAL RELIGION AND PERSONAL EFFORT. If those around us are actually perishing; if they have now, in active operation within them, principles which forbid real happiness in this world, and will infallibly sink them into everlasting perdition; where is the cry of horror which we raise

as

we contemplate the catastrophe, and where is the nervous and straining earnestness with which we rush forward to prevent it? Alas! we are too cool to warrant the conviction that we believe what we say! We must surely be describing the condition of some former world, and not that which is before and around us! It cannot be that now there are wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores to heal, brands to snatch from the burning, prisons to unlock, and fetters to break! It is a painting on which we have been looking, and not a reality. It is true, it has all the vividness of life, for we almost hear the sighs of the unhappy; we look on the degraded and fallen, already manacled by evil passions, and they appear to move in convulsive throes, and turn upon us a look as though asking for deliverance. But no, it cannot be! The skill of the artist has deceived us: it is but a picture, or how could we be so apathetic? Among the spectators of this scene, there are some who stand out from the rest, and will not be persuaded that it is art, and not nature, on which they look. Each feature of misery, each fetter of bondage, each restless agonizing muscle, seems to awaken their sympathies, and impel them to measures of relief for the sufferers. While others go away uttering sentimentalities, as the Priest and the Levite swept past the wounded man, these gird themselves for action, and go among the dying and the dead." "Such were we," they say, as they stoop to staunch

that wound, or pour balm into that fainting spirit."Despair not, for your condition cannot be worse than ours was," is their encouraging language. Some of the miserable objects of their pity seek to hide themselves from their gaze, as though too sensible of their deformed and filthy state, but their untiring friends soothe and encourage them.

Such were we, but we are washed, but we are sanctified, but we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God; go to the same source of cleansing, and you will become as whole and clean as we are now." How different are the results from the contemplation of the same scene! Those who passed by on the other side have retired perhaps to hear a discourse on the comforts of religion, or to attend a missionary meeting; while these active philanthropists have won sinners to repentance, put on the defiled a change of raiment, and caused joy among the angels in the presence of God! And why did these remain? Because their souls were pervaded by a deep sense of their own deliverance. Those who passed on, acknowledged human guilt and sorrow, but the theme was not rendered important to them by a personal sense of former degradation, and present spiritual privileges. As those restored to sight will pity the blind; the ransomed prisoner sympathize with those who are yet captive; and the subject of renewed health and vigour look with interest on the pale countenance of the invalid; so will the man who enjoys peace in believing be able to apprehend the real state of the ungodly around him. Irreligion will make men quite insensible to the religious wants of their fellows, for the blind cannot lead the blind. A low state of piety will receive no strong and impulsive impressions from

the sight of spiritual destitution. But eminent personal religion will have the case before it in all its depth and fulness of meaning, and proceed to apply the remedy.Burgess's Eminent Personal Religion the Want of the Times.

A WORD IN SEASON.-Elizabeth, who had been taught better things in the Sunday school, was arrayed in the garb of fashion, and ready for the amusement of the ballroom. As she stood at the glass, placing the last rose amid her clustered locks, she hastily turned round and said to me, "Why, what makes you look so sad? What is the matter? Come, don't be sad any more. Put this lovely rose in my hair, and see how sweetly it will look." I kissed her cheek; and as I bade her good night, whispered" Can you ask God's blessing on the dance, Elizabeth?" She gave me a quick, earnest look, and hurried down the steps. At an earlier hour than usual I heard Elizabeth's voice at the door. I was in my chamber; and when I went down to meet her, I found she had retired to her room. I followed her thither, wishing to see her a few minutes before I slept. She supposed all the family had retired, and her door was unlocked. I entered, and found her on her knees before God: her hands uplifted, and her streaming eyes raised to heaven. "Hear my prayer, O Lord, I beseech thee, and let my cry come before thee," was her language. I returned to her room in about half an hour, and welcomed her home. "Yes," said she, "I have got home. In that bewildered ball-room I danced with the merriest, and laughed with the loudest ; but there was an arrow here," and she laid her hand upon her heart. 'God's blessing on the dance!' Those words rang in my ear at every turn. Oh, if God will forgive the past,-if he will yet receive me, -I will turn my back upon all this gilded folly, and lay upon his altar what I once promised to lay there-my whole heart." We knelt together, and asked God to strengthen the resolution now made in his name. Our prayers have been heard; for, among the group of lovely disciples who keep near their Lord, walking in his footsteps and bearing his cross, few are more humble, consistent, and devoted, than the once gay and thoughtless Elizabeth G.Sunday School Magazine.

FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS.-The gospel holds out immediate relief to a wounded conscience. The same hour that the jailor at Philippi asked, "What must I do to be saved?" he was told that the remedy was at hand; "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." No long course of preparation, no pre-requisites, no previous qualifications are necessary. Should they indeed be sought, they would be sought in vain. Humiliation for sin, love to God, devotedness to him, and victory over sin and the world, are not to be looked for in ourselves, in order that we may, on such grounds, be encouraged to believe; so far from it, that they are spoken of in Scrip

ture, as the certain effects consequent upon believing. The legal spirit of which we are all naturally possessed, leads us to imagine, that we must not embrace the promise of life by Christ Jesus, unless we are some way fitted, prepared, and qualified for so doing. This is a perversion of the free proclamation of the gospel, and turning, in some sort, the covenant of grace into a covenant of works. This is setting the gospel remedy at so great a distance, that it is impossible for us to claim the benefit of it. Whereas, "the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart, that is the word of faith which we preach; that if thou shalt, confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." The glory of this inestimable blessing is that it is absolutely free to sinners, as such, of every rank and degree; and, like the brazen serpent to the wounded, dying Israelites, it is designed to give immediate relief to perishing souls. "Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish." Whosoever will, let him come, without seeking for any kind of recommendation whatever. If he is a sinner, for such the remedy is provided. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." It is a deplorable mistake to look for the effects of faith where the efficacious cause is wanting. Does the

afflicted person say, "As soon as I am cured of this deadly distemper, I will call in the help of a physician ?" The man who has fallen into an horrible pit, whose feet stick fast in the miry clay, wants immediate relief, and never thinks of waiting till he is qualified to deserve it, from the friendly hand which is ready to draw him out. When Peter was sinking in the mighty deep he instantly cried out, "Lord, save, or I perish."-Fawcett's Christ Precious.

"THE LORD IS THE PORTION OF MINE INHERITANCE."-He uses but one word in describing his estate; but it is the most comprehensive. Had he written volumes, and enumerated all the treasures of heaven, earth, and sea, he would have said less, and to far less purpose, than in saying, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance." The greater includes the less. If He be mine, what is the substance of my portion but his fulness? and the measure of my portion but his immensity? and the duration of my portion but his eternity? Yet, this is the truth of the case; in the everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure, he has been pleased to make over himself to his people, with all he is, and all he has. "I will be thy God. I will pardon thy sins. I will sanctify thy nature. I will supply all thy need. I will be a light to thy darkness. I will be strength to thy weakness. I will bless thy bread and thy water. All my ways toward thee shall be mercy and truth. All things shall work together for thy good. I will guide thee with my counsel, and afterward receive thee to glory."Jay.

BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY.

LETTER FROM THE REV. F. TRESTRAIL. To the Editor of "The Church." London, March 17, 1849.

Dear Brother,

The circulation of "The Church" is now so large, that it has become a denominational magazine in the fullest sense. I have watched its progress with great interest, and have felt it both a duty and a pleasure to advocate it wherever an opportunity has offered.

You have often requested me to use its pages occasionally, as a medium of communication with our people and the Society. I regret that circumstances have prevented my doing so; but we must endeavour to make up for lost time. A few facts will interest your readers, especially as very many of them do not see our Chronicle.

I find that some of our friends are not aware that the farm which is occupied at Ballina, is wholly sustained out of the Relief Fund, has no connexion whatever with the general purposes of the Society, except that the Committee, from time to time, have reports from the Relief Committee, respecting the distribution of the monies voted. I wish this to be very distinctly understood. I have also the pleasure to state, that the farm is doing well, and that, during the winter, employment has been steadily given to twenty heads of families, who, but for this plan of relief, would have been without work, and obliged to go into the workhouse. The effect on their habits, by regular wages given for regular work, cannot but be good, while we hope a good example may be afforded to the small occupiers around.

Most of the Mission stations are prosper

ous.

A great work has been going on in Mayo for some two years past, and one is beginning in Cork, which at present is as encouraging as remarkable.

During the past year, a Presbyterian minister, Rev. H. Pollock, A.M., has been baptized at Conlig; a curate in the endowed Church, and formerly a Romanist priest, the Rev. Mr. Mac Namara, with his wife, at Ballina; and Mr. Moriants, of Trinity College, Dublin, at Cork. The two latter can speak in Irish with the greatest ease. All three are anxious to give themselves to the work, and by their baptism and union with us, have lost their means of support. But they did not hesitate for one moment when they saw their Master's will.

"Well, but surely the Committee have occupied such agents, so peculiarly fitted for the work!" your readers will say. No; the Committee dare not. With a crushing debt of £2,000, not one fourth of which has yet been liquidated, notwithstanding

the urgent appeal, both public and private, which has been made, how could they incur fresh liabilities? God is giving us many souls as a rich reward for the labour of His servants in Ireland; but we were never so hampered for want of funds. I entreat your readers to ponder these facts, to pray over them, and to commend the case to Him who has the hearts of all men in His hands. No one can look at Ireland now, and know how deeply masses of her people are agitated by a desire for truth, without seeing the great importance of heartily supporting the Mission. I am, dear Brethren,

Affectionately yours,

FRED. TRESTRAIL,

NEANDER ON INFANT BAPTISM.

[A letter in the Baptist Magazine for March, called attention to the strange fact, that in Kitto's Biblical Cyclopædia, in the article Baptism, the statement that Infant Baptism was not instituted by Christ and his apostles, is suppressed in the later copies; at whose instance it is too easy to guess. It was written by Jacobi, a disciple of the distinguished Church historian, Neander, and authenticated by Neander himself as expressing his views. As their names remain to the article, I wrote to Professor Neander, apprising him of the suppression, and asking whether he or Jacobi had really changed their views,assuring him of the value we put upon such competent and impartial testimony as his, and enclosing a copy of "The Verdict of an Impartial Jury," to shew him the use we make of his opinions. The following is a close translation of his answer. F. CLOWES.]

Dear and highly honoured Sir,

It gratifies me to be able to enter into communication with a man of the sentiments expressed in your kind letter; and in the first place, I thank you sincerely for the kind feeling you manifest towards me.

In respect to your question, I have still the same opinion concerning the origin of infant baptism which I have hitherto propounded in my writings. For the reasons which I have publicly expressed, I cannot deduce it from an apostolic origin.

In a new edition of my Monograph on Tertullian I have had an opportunity to declare afresh my opinion on that subject; and in a few weeks, as soon as the new edition now printing is finished, I will send you a copy by the first opportunity which offers through the booksellers.

I must for myself approve of infant baptism from internal grounds, in virtue of the relation between baptism and regeneration, and from the stand-point of a church already established, of a christian family life corresponding to the idea. I believe that it

proceeded, not from superstition, but from the power of the christian idea and of christian feeling. I cannot, however, believe that a supernatural operation on the child in the moment of performance is connected with infant baptism; for the special reason, that there exists as yet no susceptibility for it.

I must therefore acknowledge that relatively those are right who reject Infant Baptism. The one side has the letter, the other the spirit and the idea, in its favour. May we not, however, think such differences too important, and forget in them the higher nature of christian fellowship? The kingdom of God, to which we all belong, which we serve, for which we have to strive, assuredly consists not in these outward things. May the Holy Spirit increasingly unite in one bond of brotherhood all whose faith cleaves to Christ the one foundation, and pervade their souls with one fire of glorifying love!

I have not just now had opportunity to speak to my friend Jacobi; but I have every reason to think that he still perfectly agrees with me in the subject in question. Sincerely yours,

A. NEANDER.

Berlin, Good Friday, 1849.

PORTRAIT OF THE HON. AND REV. BAPTIST W. NOEL, M.A.

The Christian Times is presenting monthly to its subscribers a portrait of some eminent living divine. It has, very appropriately to the. times, viewed in their christian aspect, begun with a portrait of Baptist Noel. One of Mr. Binney is also out, and one of Mr. James Shore (the Bishop of Exeter's prey), taken in prison, appears in May. The portraits are in royal quarto, and beautifully executed, if those of Mr. Noel and Mr. Binney are to be taken as specimens. Each portrait is accompanied by a biographical sketch in the Christian Times for the week, of the individual in his public character. From the one before us, we learn that Mr. Noel, at that time studying for the law, first "came out" in public at a great meeting on behalf of the martyred missionary Smith.

His

speech then produced a deep impression, and shortly after he took "Holy Orders." His subsequent public life and character, as a preacher and writer, are then very fairly described. It is stated in the conclusion that "the probability is past of his being practically perplexed by a ritual difficulty." We do not want him to join our denomination unless he please. Yet, after what he has written (see our halfpenny tract in which his views on baptism are extracted and arranged), we should rejoice to see him Baptist Noel in a far higher sense than because his "godfathers and godmothers gave him that name" in what he seems to hesitate to call baptism,-we mean in the sense of being led to a voluntary personal baptism, by his well evidenced self-denying love to truth. Indeed, we have little doubt that for one in his position to adopt practically believer's baptism, requires as much courage as to secede from the Established Church.

It would be a second and great act of selfdenial. Let the grace be praised which has led him thus far!

ANOTHER SECESSION FROM THE CHURCH
OF ENGLAND.

Among the higher effects of Mr. Noel's work, it has already been intimated to the public that the Rev. John Dodson, vicar of Cockerham, near Lancaster, has seceded from the Establishment. The fact is important, from the position, connexions, and character of Mr. Dodson. He has been fourteen years in possession of his living, and has enjoyed the greatest happiness with his flock. His income was £650 per annum: the living originally cost his family £7,000. Everything about the church, parsonage, schools, and so on, was picturesque and beautiful-much in the accidents and architecture the result of Mr. Dodson's taste and munificence. We have now to state, in addition to the fact of Mr. Dodson's secession, that his reasons for seceding will be published in a few days; and, if we are not much mistaken, will excite attention, and perhaps get a circulation and an audience, greater than Mr. Noel's Essay has excited or secured. The book will be smaller, and therefore more accessible by the multitude, while its touching and appropriate personalism-its consisting of a statement of those "reasons" which have affected an individual mind, and at length led it to secession and to sacrifice-will give it a power to interest and impress, which no mere general reasonings have. The style, too, we can testify, from personal perusal, is eminently simple, calm, and unaffected, though, here and there, expressions occur of startling pungency, which none could write but a seceding clergyman, and which will be read, by Churchmen and Dissenters alike, with feelings and thoughts that will not be resultless.-Christian Times.

THE REV. JAMES SHORE.

Soon after the publication of our last number, containing a notice of the imprisonment of Mr. Shore, we thought it right to send him a copy of it, enclosing, at the same time, a copy of a petition to Parliament in reference to his case, which had been signed by the church and congregation assembling in the Baptist chapel, South Parade, Leeds. We have since received from Mr. Shore the following note, which will, we have no doubt, interest our readers: The Gaol, St. Thomas, Exeter, April 10th, 1849.

My dear Sir,

I desire to express to you, and through you to the friends at Leeds, my best thanks for your kind sympathy and remembrance of me in my bonds. I am very happy and quite content, though in a prison. I value much the prayers of my friends on my behalf, that I may continue equally supported and cheered by the Divine presence under my present circumstances. It is indeed much to be lamented that laws so contrary to the gospel should be acted on in the middle of the 19th century. I trust, however, that the proceed

ings carried on against me for the last five years for simply preaching the gospel, and which have now issued in my committal to a gaol, will, by the blessing of God, lead my countrymen to see the evils of priestcraft, and tend to liberate religion entirely from legal coercion and restraint.

I beg to repeat my best thanks for your kindness, and 1 remain, my dear Sir, Yours very sincerely,

In the bonds of the gospel, JAMES SHORE. REMEMBER THE FATHERLESS AND THE WIDOW.

We copy the following from "The Nonconformist," April 4:

"One of those mysterious and afflictive dispensations of Divine Providence which occasionally come upon the Church of Christ with distressing force has just occurred at Saint Ives, Huntingdonshire.

The Rev. Eliel Davis, Baptist minister of that place, where he has faithfully laboured for seven years, died on Thursday night, the 29th ult., in the most sudden and alarming He was in perfect health, and retired to rest at eleven o'clock was taken ill-became speechless, and died in five minutes!

manner.

In consequence of this bereavement, it is absolutely necessary to make immediate appeals to the christian public on behalf of the destitute widow and nine fatherless children.

Subscriptions will be most thankfully received, addressed to Mr. John Birt Úlph, St. Ives, Hunts; or to Mr. Joseph Lambert, Fenstanton, Hunts."

We need scarcely add that it will afford, us pleasure to be the medium of transmitting any assistance which our friends may be disposed to render in this distressing case. Subscriptions already received.

The Editors of "The Church"

£1 0 0

0 10 0 0 10 0 050 050

THE ANTI-STATE-CHURCH ASSOCIATION. Those who watched the vigorous operations of this Association during the past year, will be looking forward with interest to the Annual Meeting, which, as will be seen from an advertisement elsewhere, is to be held at Finsbury Chapel, Moorfields, on Wednesday, May 2nd. At any time there would no doubt be a large gathering on such an occasion, but from the character of recent ecclesiastical events, the proceedings will doubtless excite increased interest.

BAPTIST VILLAGE MISSION.

The fourth annual meeting of the Baptist Village Mission was held on Good Friday, in the Preaching-room, Armley, when upwards of 130 subscribers and friends took tea together. The meeting was presided over by Mr. W. Gatenby of Skipton. The report, which was of the most cheering nature, shewed that during the past year two missionaries had been employed, that upwards of 3,400 household visits had been

made,-500 meetings held for preaching and religious instruction,-27 persons baptized on a profession of faith, at the Kirkstall, Armley, and Woodhouse Carr stations, and that a church had been formed at Armley. It was also reported that 5,000 tracts had been distributed, 1,700 cheap religious magazines sold, 200 children taught in the Sabbath-schools, 60 of whom had been instructed during the week evenings in writing and arithmetic,-that tours had been made to Pontefract, Skipton, Castleford, &c., that through the missionaries' visits to Skipton, a most important and hopeful door for preaching the gospel of the kingdom had been opened, and that Skipton had been made a permanent station, that for the various missionary operations £150 had been received,-and that a growing interest was manifested in the operations of the Society. It was also stated that a Mission Chapel, with school, is about to be erected immediately at Kirkstall, towards which £130 had been promised. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Mitchell (Baptist minister), of Horsforth; Waterhouse, Whitaker, and Tate, of Leeds; Jones and Hogg, Village Missionaries; R. Daniel, J. Batley, &c. A committee for the ensuing year was also appointed.

DRIFFIELD.

The ordination of Mr. R. Morris, of Horton College, took place on Good Friday. Mr. Evans of Scarbro' delivered the introductory discourse the evening before. Mr. Johnston of Beverley asked the questions, and offered up the ordination prayer. The young minister was then addressed by his tutor, in an able and interesting manner, from 1 Tim. iv. 16. Mr. Dowson of Bradford preached to the church from 1 Peter iv. 8. The minister and several friends took dinner in the Corn Exchange; and, at halfpast two, Mr. Walters of Preston addressed an excellent discourse to the congregation from John viii. 36. Messrs. Birch of Driffield, Harness and Orchard of Burlington, and J. W. Stewart of Hull, took part in the services. At five o'clock, a large and very respectable company sat down to tea in the Corn Exchange, and was afterwards presided over by Mr. Wheldon of Scarbro', and addressed by Dr. Acworth, Messrs. Orchard, Hithersay, Birch, Jenkin of Horton College, Harness, Walters, Burton, and Evans. At this meeting, Dr. Acworth was unanimously requested to publish his charge. The day was fine, the attendance good, and all rejoiced in the encouraging prospects under which Mr. Morris was entering upon his important field of labour.

DERBY.

Mr. T. Pulsford has decided on leaving Duffield-road, Derby, from the conviction that his usefulness is greatly curtailed, and his health injured, by the smallness and inconvenience of the chapel and vestry. Mr. Pulsford has waited twelve months in the hope that the means of purchasing and enlarging the place would be found; but no resources being available for these purposes, he deems it his duty to retire.