and pressing, it is earnestly hoped that God will dispose the hearts of his people whom he has blessed with the means, to render prompt and liberal aid. "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver." The contractor is Mr. Foster, of Bristol. It is expected that the chapel will be ready to be opened some time in June, 1858.

GREAT SAMPFORD, ESSEX.-On Wednesday, July 22nd, a tea-meeting was held in connection with the Sabbath school in this place in a beautiful meadow kindly placed at the disposal of the teachers by Mr. J. Portway. The Sunday school children walked in procession through the village, after which they returned to the field. A large party sat down to tea in a commodious and beautifully decorated tent. In the evening, under the presidency of the Rev. W. C. Ellis, a public meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. B. Sainsbury, W. A. Gillson., J. C. Rook, and - White.

operation of the Christian public, as a portion of the debt (£70) still remains unliquidated, which would press heavily on the church at Wells. Any friends who may feel inclined to aid in a good cause can forward their donations to the Rev. B. Davies, Close Hall, Wells, Somerset.

OLDHAM.-On Wednesday evening, July 29th, the young men in connection with the Sunday school of the Baptist chapel, Oldham, held a meeting for mutual improvement. About seventy young men sat down to tea. After tea the Rev. J. W. Ashworth was called to the chair, who, after singing and prayer, introduced the business of the meeting. Messrs. M. Holladay, J. T. Gale, Shepley, Mason, and Orme, addressed the meeting; and the chairman concluded by calling upon the young men present to attempt great things and expect great things, remembering that "what man has done, man may do."

public meeting took place, which was presided over by R. Cooke, Esq., and addressed by the chairman, the Revs. J. Venimore, T. A. Wheeler, W. A. Courtenay, James Cubitt, J. Hassler, and J. H. Lummis, of Horton College. The friends of this interest have been induced to make this enlargement, which will accommodate about an additional 200 persons, in consequence of the large increase recently made to the congregation. The contributions already received have been liberal, and in some instances persons unconnected with the cause have cheerfully and largely subscribed.

NEATISHEAD.-The services connected POLE MOOR, YORKSHIRE. On July with the re-opening of the Baptist chapel 27th, a meeting was held in the Baptist in this village were held on Tuesday, 28th chapel at Pole Moor to originate a move- July. In the morning the Rev. T. A. ment for the erection of a new place of Wheeler preached, in the afternoon the worship there, the present place having Rev. James Cubitt; and in the evening a become too small. About 300 persons sat down to tea. After the tea a sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Walters, and at the close a list of persons enrolled their names as subscribers. The estimated cost is £1,200., above half of which was given or promised at the meeting. The friends at Pole Moor need a larger chapel; they are doing nobly themselves and deserve the kind sympathy and aid of Christian friends. SHEPTON MALLET, SOMERSETSHIRE.— On Tuesday, July 28th, a place of worship for the use of the Baptist denomination was opened in this place. Hitherto, there has been no chapel, and the friends have been obliged to hold their services in a cottage, but the number of attendants increasing, some property was obtained, consisting of a house and garden; the total cost of the purchase and the necessary alterations being £135. Towards this, the friends at Wells, Shepton Mallet and the neighbourhood, have subscribed £65., leaving a debt on the place of £70. The opening services were held with hopeful prospects of success. In the afternoon, a prayer-meeting was held and an address delivered by the Rev. G. McMichael, B.A., of Bridgwater, after which a tea-meeting, and in the evening a sermon by the Rev. T. Winter of Bristol. The other brethren taking part in the services were the Revs. T. Davies, G. Pulling, and B. Davies. This endeavour has been originated, and will be sustained until the cause is more advanced, by the Baptist church at Wells; and they desire the prayers and benevolent co

EARL'S COLNE, ESSEX.-On Sunday, July 26th, the usual anniversary sermons on behalf of the Sunday school were preached by the Rev. W. A. Gillson. The congregations were large and the collections very liberal. On the following Wednesday, the children were regaled with beef and plum pudding, while at five o'clock tea was served to 170 visitors. Several ministers attended, and the day was closed by speeches on education and by prayer.

ISLE ABBOTS.-The annual meeting of the schools in this place was held on Wednesday, August 12th, when sermons were preached by the Rev. J. A. Spurgeon, of London; after which 800 persons sat down to tea.

HORTON COLLEGE.-The annual services of the new session were held on Wednesday, the 5th ult., at Westgate Chapel. At the morning meeting the Rev. Dr. Acworth presided, supported by the treasurers, the secretaries, the Rev. C. Daniell, the Rev. S. G. Green, and

ETC.

DOVER.-On 15th July, at a church teameeting held in Salem Chapel, Dover, the pastor, the Rev. A. Pitt, presented a handsome dressing-case to Mr. William Holtum, for many years a devoted deacon of the church, and also a writing-desk to Mrs. Holtum, in the name of the members, on the occasion of their leaving the town for a

time.

DEPTFORD.-On Monday, August 10th, sion of the departure of Mr. Sindall, the a valedictory service was held on the occamembers of the church and congregation, secretary of the chapel and school. The the teachers of the Sunday school, and the scholars of his own class, presented various objects expressive of their gratitude and

many other ministers and gentlemen. A de- | TESTIMONIALS, PRESENTATIONS, votional exercise was conducted by the Rev. C. Williams, of Accrington, after which the president read the report. It appeared that a generous offer of land at Apperley Bridge had been made to the society on advantageous terms by Robert Milligan, Esq., but that no arrangement had been concluded. After the reading of the report, it was resolved to postpone its publication for a month, in the expectation that at a special committee meeting, which is convened for the 2nd of September, something definite and final will be decided. Twenty-one students enjoyed the advantages of the institution during the last session, and the present number is the same; four having entered upon ministerial work, and four having been admitted for the ensuing year. High testimony was given to the Christian conduct and theological soundness of the students, as well as to the acceptable character of their pulpit labours. The reports of the examiners were unusually full and satisfactory. From the testimony of these gentlemen, the literary and theological character of the institution appeared to be successfully maintained. The financial statement showed a deficit of above a hundred pounds; the figures, as nearly as could be given by Mr. Stead, being, receipts, 1,010.; disbursements, 1,120. It was, however, stated, in subsequent conversation, that several subscriptions and collections were still expected before the closing of the year's accounts; in addition to which, a confident hope was expressed that the friends of the institution would

not allow an adverse balance to remain on

their books for the first time in more than twenty years. In the evening, after a devotional service, conducted by the Rev. James Edwards, of Nottingham, a sermon of remarkable pathos and beauty was addressed to the students by the Rev. Francis Tucker, of Camden-road Chapel, London,

from 1 Cor. ii. 2. A collection was after

wards made for the institution; and the
Rev. H. Dowson concluded with prayer the
services of the anniversary.

ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION
SERVICES.

BUILTH.-The Rev. George Straffen, of Presteign, having accepted the invitation of the above church, and entered upon his labours, an ordination service was held on July 16th; the morning service was conducted by the Rev. D. C. Davies, the Rev. D. Jarman, and the Rev. Enoch Price; in the afternoon by the Rev. R. Lloyd and the Rev. D. P. Davies; and in the evening by the Rev. E. Price, the Rev. E. Griffiths, and the Rev. D. C. Davies. The services were well attended.

esteem.

and

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.

The Rev. J. C. Pike, of Quorndon, has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church, Dover-street, Leicester. A large number of friends requested him to continue his labours in the town, and upon obtaining his consent have engaged the spacious room known as the "New Hall." haven, has received a cordial and unanimous invitation to the pastoral charge of the church at Middleton Teesdale, Durham, purposes entering upon his stated labours the first Lord's day in August.— The Rev. W. A. Popley resigns the pastorate of the Baptist church, at Lymington, at Michaelmas next.-The Rev. W. Bull, B.A., late of the Baptist College, Bristol, the church at Sutton-in-the-Elms, Leicesterhas accepted the unanimous invitation of shire, to become their pastor, and will enter upon his labours on Lord's day, August has accepted the cordial invitation of the 30.-The Rev. J. M. Ryland, of Earby, church in Moor-lane, Bolton, and enters upon the pastorate on the first Sabbath in October, with encouraging prospects of

Mr. William John Wilson, of White

success.

RECENT DEATH.

MR. JOSEPH WILSON. Died at his residence, Beaufort-street, Chelsea, July 5th, in the 73rd year of his age, Mr. Joseph Wilson, a member, and for several years a deacon, of the Baptist church, Battersea. He was born in the vicinity of Leicester-square, London, January 13th, 1785, and passed the period of his early life without any remarkable occurrence. In 1806 he married Miss M. A. Young, to whose piety and devotedness he

always expressed himself as greatly in- locality. Here also he was called to act as debted; not unfrequently remarking, "Be- a deacon, but the vicissitudes through which fore I became acquainted with my estimable the church had to pass, and the trying cirwife I entertained pharisaical principles, cumstances in which it was placed, requir which she soon led me to see would not ing more attention and energy than he, serve as a passport to heaven." Not many with his shattered frame, was capable of months after their union, Mr. and Mrs. rendering, he resigned his office, and res Wilson became members of the church in turned to spend the remainder of his days Orange-street, and remained in connection in fellowship with the Christian friends with it until a change took place in their views with whom he had been so long and so respecting the ordinance of baptism; they happily asssociated. His reunion with then removed to Eagle-street Chapel, and were them was of short duration. His decayed baptized in February, 1813, by the late Rev. strength and increasing infirmities perJoseph Ivimy, under whose pastorate they mitted him only to enjoy occasional continued upwards of twenty years. Severe visits, and these were mostly on ordinance affliction in his family rendered it desirable Sabbaths, which he appeared greatly to that our friend should seek a suburban resi- value as seasons of spiritual refreshment. dence some distance from his house of busi- His delight in the Lord's day and attachness; he accordingly took up his abode for a ment to the Lord's house were strong even brief period at Wandsworth, and subsequent- in death. He had anticipated much pleasure ly at Chelsea, where he ended his days. In in being at the communion on the first 1835 his membership was transferred to the Sunday in July; but instead of joining on church at Battersea, and he was chosen to that day the communion of saints on earth, the office of deacon, the duties of which he he was summoned away to the fellowship of assiduously and faithfully discharged until the blessed in heaveninterrupted by enfeebled health; this, together with the distance he had to walk to the house of God, prevented so regular an attendance as he desired, and he was induced, in 1849, to join the church in Paradise-row, on account of its being nearer, and in the hope of his rendering valuable assistance to the cause of Christ in that

"Where the assembly ne'er breaks up,

The Sabbath ne'er shall end."

His death was eminently that of the righteous. He departed in peace "looking," as he expressed himself, "for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto life eternal." I. M. S.

Notes on the Month.

ONE theme still fills every heart and every tongue in all circles India is the sole topic. And no wonder. Commercial men remember that for a hundred years that vast continent has been a mine of wealth to this country. In military circles it is felt that the prestige of our arms has rarely been so rudely assailed, and never was there a more imperative necessity to vindicate our boasted supremacy. Patriots burn with zeal for our country's honour; party politicians see an inviting arena for factious debate; philanthropists mourn over inevitable bloodshed, and sadly admit that prompt severity is now the truest mercy; whilst Christians deplore valued lives suddenly cut off in the midst of successful labours, mission work arrested on its earliest and noblest field, churches decimated or scattered, and fields "white unto the harvest" trodden down and laid waste under the iron heel of war. To many has the news from India a more direct and personal interest; friends and brethren, children and parents are there, their lives trembling in the balance, and those who love them with the tenderest affection can do nothing but pray.

In this very fact, however, we can already see good being elicited from evil. As in the time when Herod "stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church," we read, "that prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God;" so now a new energy and power has been infused into our meetings for prayer. Throughout the land special and ordinary assemblies for devotion have been attended by numbers unusually large, and the petitions for India have been marked by unwonted fervour. No price is too great to pay when, as the result, the church is made more earnest and "instant in prayer." Surely, never

was there so imperative and urgent a call upon the slumbering church to arise and pray as is afforded by these lamentable events. To that call a general and earnest response is being made. To our troops engaged in the conflict we may address the eloquent words of Robert Hall, with even deeper meaning and truth than as first used by him,-"While you are engaged in the field, many will repair to the closet, many to the sanctuary; the faithful of every name will employ that prayer which has power with God; the feeble hands which are unequal to any other weapon will grasp the sound of the Spirit; and from myriads of humble, contrite hearts, the voice of intercession, supplication, and weeping, will mingle in its ascent to heaven with the shouts of battle and the shock of arms."

Much surprise has been expressed that so long a period should have elapsed before Delhi is taken, and its capture has been confidently looked for by each mail. Those, however, who have expected that the small force before the city could take it by a coup de main, can hardly be aware of its great strength. It is seven miles in circumference, contains 200,000 inhabitants, is to a great extent built of strong, stone houses, from which a murderous fire of musketry could be kept up on troops in the streets; it is defended by a wall, composed of huge blocks of granite, strengthened with towers and bastions, outside which is a broad deep moat; to the east it is still further protected by the Jumna, which flows past its walls. Its defences have lately been much strengthened, the fortifications thrown up by order of Lord Auckland having been designed to render it impregnable, except by the operations of a regular siege. Such a city, held by 30,000 disciplined troops, amply supplied with all munitions of war, with no mercy to look for, and fighting with the courage of desperation, is not to be taken with the ease which our newspaper writers have expected. We fear that whenever the assault takes place, it will be with frightful carnage on both sides. It must be remembered likewise in further explanation of the delay, that the handful of British troops in India are so fearfully outnumbered that they cannot afford even to gain a victory with much loss to themselves. This the insurgent Sepoys well know, as is shown by one of their intercepted despatches, calling upon their fellow-soldiers to join them, in which they say, "One defeat to us is ten to the British." They are right. A few dearly purchased victories would just now be fatal.

In comparison with this one all-absorbing theme the other events of the month seem trivial and insignificant, nor do they possess any absolute importance. The debates in Parliament have been both factious and uninteresting; the disagreement about the Danubian Principalities is so enveloped in diplo. matic mystery, that it is neither understood nor cared for by the people at large, the importance attached to the return of Bright for Birmingham, is a striking illustration of the dearth of great men in the House; the snapping of the American telegraphic cable is not accepted by its promoters as a defeat, but only as a postponement of victory. The glorious harvest weather we have enjoyed, securing to us, as it does, "the staff of life" for another year, should awaken within us emotions not merely of gladness, but of gratitude, "Oh! that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, for his wonderful works to the children of men."

Editorial Postscript.

Too late for incorporation with our article on the subject, we have received the circular letter of the Western Association, which met at Yeovil. The subject of the letter, written by Mr. McMichael, was the Special forms of opposition to the progress of the gospel, and the best means of combating them. The preachers were, brethren Green, Birt, Newnham, and Price. Resolutions were passed in behalf of the Bible Translation Society, the Baptist Irish Society, and with reference to the rights of Dissenters in the new cemeteries. Bridport and Ilfracombe were recommended as chapel cases. Twenty-seven churches report a clear increase of 25 upon a total of 1,988 members.