The two subjects introduced by members of the Union, relating to the alteration in the annual report and the preparation of a manual on chapel-building, we deem of great importance, especially the latter. If we had any doubt of the value of such a hand-book, the almost universal approval with which the proposal was welcomed, would have removed it. All present evidently felt that the time was come when some attempt must be made, to prevent the recurrence of the errors into which our past ignorance has led us, and that the mode sugge ted in the resolution submitted to the brethren was worthy of general support. We regret that the proposer of the resolution yielded to the wishes of some, by devolving the preparation of the manual on the General Committee. Had it been committed to a small competent sub-committee, of gentlemen whose known tastes and pursuits peculiarly fitted them for such an engagement, the resolution had been far more effective. As it is now in the hands of the committee, we hope that every effort will be made to prepare expeditiously a manual suited to our denominational exigencies. It would appear probable that from twenty to twenty-five thousand pounds are annually expended on our chapels. We venture to assert, that, without any depreciation in the value of these buildings, from fifteen to twenty per cent. might be saved. Thus we have before us an opportunity of reducing our denominational expenditure some four or five thousand pounds per annum. This will appear the more important from the fact, that it will be found, on the average, that about twenty or twenty-five per cent. on the original outlay, is the proportion of debt usually remaining on a chapel after the first efforts to liquidate it have been made. By economy, therefore, in our expenditure, these debts, which rob the voluntary system of the grace of obvious triumph, may be prevented. We are quite conscious that we have no power to enforce the adoption of designs and plans thus furnished, although there may be prepared a manual of chapel architecture of singular excellence. Such an influence will not be required. The evils are so general and well known that any proposed remedy will be favourably received, and, if found successful, self-interest will secure its universal adoption. We are happy to hear that the committee has commenced its work. We shall watch its progress with considerable interest, and, as the suggestion was first made in the "Record," we shall feel it our duty and privilege to give to it all possible aid in our pages. An opportunity may be afforded, of adverting more at large to the important subject of chapel architecture. We have completed our review of the business of the day, which, technically and correctly, we must call the session of the Union. The other meetings of the brethren must be adverted to more briefly. On Wednesday evening a public meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs Pottinger, Evans, Stovel, Birrell, Hinton, and J. E. Giles, and W. Richardson, Esq. The audience was large, and apparently deeply interested in the proceedings; while the effective addresses of the brethren inspire the hope, that the Baptist Union will now be known and respected by many, who before failed to understand and appreciate its value. During the progress of the meet ing, a spirited effort was made by the estimable pastor of the church to remove the debt still owing to the Treasurer of the Union. The appeal was nobly responded to, and in a short time it was announced that the required amount had been collected. On Thursday evening an exceedingly interesting lecture was delivered in the chapel, on the character and writings of the early English Baptists. The lecturer evidenced his perfect familiarity with his subject; and the con amore manner in which he treated it, threw an interest about his theme, which but few could imitate. His graphic description of the character and life of our forefathers, with his prudent selections from their writings, gave to his illustrations of the subject peculiar force; while the easy, flowing mode of delivery, so characteristic of the lecturer, arrested and sustained the attention of his auditory. We esteem the Secretary of the Hanserd Knollys Society peculiarly adapted to the work to which he has generously committed himself, and we hope that no difficulty will prevent his carrying out a design, as worthy of himself as of the denomination to which he belongs. This lecture ended the meetings connected with this first provincial session of the Union, and there can be left on no mind any doubt of the perfect success of the experiment. We venture to predict that, long, before these provincial gatherings shall have visited two-thirds of the towns deemed suitable for such meetings, the Baptist Union will have assumed a position superior, by far, in energy, unity, and commanding influence, to anything it has hitherto attained. We conclude our review of the session with a well-deserved tribute of gratitude to our friends at Leeds, and especially to their beloved pastor, whose noble and liberal disposition his people have been so forward to imitate. The kindness and hospitality of the friends demand, and have, a more lasting record than our vote of thanks can secure. HOME RECORD. ASSOCIATION OF THE GENERAL BAPTISTS OF THE NEW CONNEXION. THE seventy-sixth annual meeting of the ministers and representatives of churches composing this association was held at the Friar Lane Chapel, Leicester, on Tuesday, June 24th, and three following days. The number of representatives present was unprecedentedly large, being upwards of 270. The Rev. H. Hunter, of Nottingham, was chosen chairman, and Messrs Burns of London, and Butler of Heptonstall Slack, moderators. The greater part of the first day was occupied in reading the reports of the state of the churches, which were in their general tone less cheerful than those of late years, In the evening, there was a discussion on the propriety of establishing religious benefit societies, in order to prevent the necessity of our members joining the Odd Fellows, and other objectionable societies. It was agreed to refer the matter to a committee, for further consideration. The Rev.J. Wallis, president of the General Baptist college, Leicester, in the course of the day pubIicly renounced all connexion with the Regium Donum, of which he had been one of the distributors, and received the applause of a very numerous assembly for the course he had thus adopted. A committee was appointed to consider whether any means could be devised to prevent any ministers of the connexion from receiving this paltry and degrading pittance. On Wednesday morning this committee presented their report, which led to a long and spirited discussion. A series of resolutions prepared by the committee were unanimously adopted, except the first, which ran as follows:-"That this association will not, in future, sanction any minister's name being placed on the minutes, who may, after this period, commence receiving the Regium Donum, or any similar government or parliamentary grant." This resolution was carried by a large majority; the minority, however, gave in their protest, in the following terms:-" Though not thinking it desirable for Dissenters to receive the Regium Donum, yet we conscientiously and decidedly protest against the first resolution (on the subject) adopted by the association." After the general meeting of the Foreign Missions, public worship commenced at half-past ten, and the Rev. T. Burditt preached from Matt. xvi. 18, 19: "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven." In the afternoon the annual missionary meeting was held-J. Hodgson, Esq., of Heptonstall Slack, Yorkshire, in the chair. The report, which was a particularly interesting one, was read by the Rev. J. G. Pike of Derby, the secretary, and the meeting addressed in effective speeches, by the Revs. H. Hunter of Nottingham, W. Butler of Slack, J. Burns of London, T. Yates, and J. C. Pike. In the evening there was a home missionary meeting; and the annual meeting of the academy committee was held. On Thursday, the report of the academy committee was brought in, which led to an interesting discussion on the possibility and the means of augmenting the funds, and the general efficiency of the institution; and resolutions strongly urging its claims upon the consideration of the churches unanimously adopted. The report of the examiners spoke in high terms of the progress made by the students during the past year. In the afternoon, a very animated discussion took place on the subject of capital punishments; a resolution condemnatory of the taking away human life in any case, was carried; but an amendment, "excepting in the case of murder" was supported by so large a minority, that the question was considered as deferred. In the evening, the Rev. E. H. Burton, of Portsea, preached from the words "In the name of our God we will set up our banners," Psalm xx. 5. On Friday, the annual letter to the churches, on "the sacraments," by the Rev. J. G. Pike, of Derby, was read, accepted with much satisfaction by the assembly, and a large number ordered to be printed separately from "the minutes" at a cheap rate, for general circulation. The report of the "General Baptist Repository," the monthly organ of the New Connexion, having been received, various cases from the churches for advice, &c., having been disposed of, and and some formal business transacted, the association closed with singing and prayer by the Rev. H. Hunter. CASTLE DONINGTON. A new place of worship connected with the Baptist church at Castle Donington, was opened at Weston-on-Trent, Derbyshire, on the 18th and 22nd of June, when sermons were preached by the Revds. H. Hunter of Nottingham, J. Jones of March, and J. J. Owen, pastor of the church. The collections, with a few donations, amounted to more than £50. There are now four places of worship connected with this large and influential church. ERRATUM.-In page 479 of the last number, line 8, for guile read Greek. Davis and Hasler, Printers, Crane court, Fleet street. ASIA. CALCUTTA. It is possible you will receive from other pens fuller and perhaps more correct information respecting this, to us, sad and mysterious event; but not being sure that any one will address you on this subject by the present opportunity, I have thought it desirable to give you what information I could. We regret that we have to report the unexpected death of Mr. Mack, pastor of the church at Serampore, and tutor of the college there, who, though not in immediate connexion with our Society, has been acting with our brethren for many years in perfect harmony, and was performing work of great importance. The information was communicated by Mr. Thomas in a letter dated Calcutta, May 2nd. The present mail will convey sorrowful have been excruciating, but his last few hours intelligence. Our esteemed brother Mack, were probably passed without much pain. of Serampore, has been called from the midst He gradually sunk until about half-past ten of his labours and usefulness to his reward. at night, when he ceased to breathe. The Yesterday morning, while making prepara- nature of his complaint rendered communications for writing to you, I received the dis- tion nearly or altogether impracticable: we tressing news from Serampore that brother however did not require his death-bed testiMack had died of cholera, after an illness of mony, his life and conduct proved him to be only a few hours' duration. Though not a Christian indeed-a sinner saved by grace. quite well, I made arrangements to go up to Serampore to attend the funeral, which took place about six o'clock last evening. There were present of our number, brethren Evans, Morgan, and Page; of the London Missionary Society, Mr. Boaz, Mr. Campbell, and Mr. Mullens; also Dr. Haberlin, and, if I mistake not, one or two more ministers, and The loss of brother Mack will be very at least one Roman Catholic priest. Our severely felt. His life seemed invaluable, deceased brother may be said to have been and his labours what could not be dispensed universally esteemed, and his death was felt with; and what our friends at Serampore to be a loss to all of no ordinary magnitude. will do to provide for the carrying on of the I was particularly struck with the great operations in which he was engaged, I cannot number of natives who crowded to witness conjecture. Our young brother Robinson the funeral, and who formed a large and to will no doubt be of great service, but our late me a deeply interesting portion of the multi-brother was no ordinary man, and difficult tude that followed the remains of our departed will it be to fill up the space occasioned by brother to their resting place. At the grave, his removal. Perhaps our friends there will which, I believe, is close by that of the esti- look to us for help, but we are so over worked mable Ward, brother Evans read various already that I dread the consequences of any portions of scripture, which he had selected addition. You must send out men to help as suitable for the occasion, and Mr. Boaz, of us, and that without delay, or depend upon it the London Missionary Society, prayed. Our more than one will soon be in the grave-yard, late friend had been ailing for some days, but or rendered past work by being worked too not so as to cause any alarm. Thinking a much. I believe there is not a soul among us little exercise would do him good, he twice that is disposed to flinch from work, nay, if rode round the town on Tuesday morning. you will not send to our help, we will abide On his return he breakfasted as usual, I be- by our posts, and when worn out, as we soon lieve, and then, according to his custom, had shall be, there fall; but whether you can worship with his boys in the school-room. send us help or not, men must be provided to Shortly after feeling himself unwell, he went carry on the work when we are gone or up stairs, and their medical attendant was can work no longer. Mr. Symes has left called in. He administered some medicine, Dum-Dum, and now the people there but did not apprehend any danger. Within request us to supply them, but I see no an hour or two our late brother became way in which this can be done. Need worse, and by eleven A.M. symptoms of I say more to induce you to have pity upon cholera in its worst form showed themselves. The most energetic means were had recourse to, but without the desired effect, or at least not until nature had become too much exhausted to recover itself from the terrible shock. For several hours his sufferings must us, and send help?-if so, then remember, I |