spirit, and resolved in Divine strength are enabled to present a brief sketch of the strenuously to maintain and uphold the history of this excellent minister, which doctrines and ordinances of the gospel, as we hope will not be uninteresting or undelivered by our Lord and his apostles. profitable to our readers.

JOHN HOWE, Secretary.

WEST BROMWICH, NEAR BIRMINGHAM. ON Lord's-day, April 12, the Sundayschool sermons were preached at the Baptist Chapel, West Bromwich, near Birmingham; those in the morning and evening by the Rev. William Stokes, of Manchester; and that in the afternoon by the Rev. J. P. Carey, of Wolverhampton. The attendance throughout the day was very large, that of the evening being crowded in every part, and many returned, not being able to enter. The collections amounted to £40.

BAPTISM.

Mr. Swan was born at Manchester, of Scottish parents, Jan. 5th, 1795. They were descended from a pious ancestry on both sides, of the middle class. When he was six years old, the family returned to Scotland. He was converted when he was about sixteen years of age, and, his father dying, the chief care and support of his widowed mother devolved on him. It was his invariable practice, night and morning, to conduct the worship of the family-never omitting to sing a portion of the old psalms, as used in the Presbyterian churches.

About this time, he placed himself under the ministry of Dr. John Colquhoun, of Leith, (we presume, the author of "Spiritual Comfort,") a minister of the Estab lished Kirk. Here he continued several years, with great profit to himself, and with then existing in the church. much enjoyment of the fellowship-meetings

WATERBARN.-On Good Friday, April 10, an interesting service was held in the Baptist Chapel, Waterbarn. At two o'clock, P. M., a large congregation assembled in the A circumstance now took place which chapel, when, after a sermon by our pastor, occasioned an alteration in his views as reMr. Howe, from the words :-"By what authority doest thou these things?" the or- and led to his connection with our denomi spects one of the ordinances of the gospel, dinance of baptism was administered by nation. In the course of his pulpit exer him to nine young persons from the Sabbath-schools in connection with the second cises, Dr. Colquhoun lectured upon the church at Bacup and Waterbarn. Of these, Acts, which involved the discussion of six were from the congregation meeting at questions of church government, and stirred the Mechanics' Hall, Bacup, and the re- The result was that many of them went up a spirit of inquiry among his hearers. maining three from that at Waterbarn. The service was felt to be peculiarly solemn over to the Independents, and some to the and impressive. The address at the water- He became convinced of the duty of believ Baptists. Mr. Swan was among the latter. side, first to the candidates, and then to the spectators, moved many to tears, and ers to be immersed on a profession of their faith in Christ, and of the nullity of infant we hope and pray may lead many to avow themselves on the Lord's side. At the con- love of Christ to keep his commands, as sprinkling. He felt constrained by the clusion of the service, the members of the recorded Matt. xxviii. 19, and illustrated united church, with several friends from a distance, partook of tea together in the by the uniform practice of the apostles. He subsequently removed to Edinburgh, school-room, and the special service of the where he attended the instructive ministry day was concluded by a very refreshing of the Rev. Christopher Anderson, and was and, we trust, profitable meeting for prayer baptized by him in a river, on the 17th of and mutual exhortation. We record, not October, 1817. Mr. Swan had for some in vain boasting, but with fervent gratitude to God, this token of his favour, and years cherished a strong desire to be enpray that upon us, and upon all the gaged in the work of the ministry. Having churches of the saints, may be plentifully court Chapel, he was sent out to preach in been approved by the church in Richmondpoured out the healthful Spirit of his grace. the village of Gilmarton.

He was at this

time a corrector of the press at Messrs. MEMOIR OF THE REV. THOMAS SWAN. Oliver and Boyd's, publishers, and conIr is our mournful duty in the present tinued there till March, 1821, when upon number to record the decease of our beloved the application of his pastor to Dr. Ryland brother the Rev. Thomas Swan, late pastor and Mr. Crisp, he was received as a student of the Baptist church, Cannon-street, Bir- at the Baptist Academy, Stoke's Croft, mingham. Having received for review the Bristol. Having completed his term there, sermon preached on the occasion by the he studied two sessions at the Edinburgh Rev. J. A. James, and the Rev. I. New, we University. Being thus well furnished and

disciplined as to his mind, he was selected to become Professor of Theology in the College at Serampore, under the direction of those distinguished missionary brethren, Carey and Marshman. "Not finding this situation all he expected, he relinquished it, and returned to England;" not, however, without a testimony of respect and affection from Dr. Carey and the Committee, who regret his departure, and witness to the usefulness of his labours.

increase of true religion and the evangelization of the world.

Mr. Swan was distinguished by a high degree of moral and spiritual excellence which, by Divine grace, he maintained to the end. His character commanded universal esteem, and contributed in no small degree to his usefulness. "His piety was as unsuspected and manifest, as his morality in the minutest things was unblemished and conspicuous. The finger of scorn never He was not long unemployed. On his pointed at him-the tongue of slander never arrival at Liverpool, in July, 1828, he assailed him-the serpent's tooth of malice found a letter from the church in Cannon-never bit him. Few men have been left to street, Birmingham, inviting him to supply the more quiet enjoyment of a blameless their pulpit for a month. He subsequently and harmless life." His cordial manner and received a cordial and unanimous invitation to become their pastor; and entered upon the office in January, 1829. Here he laboured twenty-eight years, "the esteemed and beloved pastor of an affectionate and devoted people."

As a minister, Mr. Swan was distinguished by useful rather than brilliant talents. In the pulpit, he was remarkable for his faithfulness and fearlessness in the proclamation of the truth. "The cross," observes Mr. James, "in its atoning efficacy towards God, and all its justifying and sanctifying power towards man, was his great-his constant theme. It is worthy of notice that he had recently transcribed, and in November last preached, the first sermon he ever delivered in Cannon-street, on justification by faith; and this was the sermon he was about to deliver when seized with the fatal attack. There at the cross he began, at the cross he stood, at the cross he died !" Unhappily, Mr. Swan read his sermons, which rendered him less popular than he would have been; but his manner was affectionate and earnest, and clearly showed that his heart was in his work.

He

As a pastor, he was truly laborious and devoted. He did not seek ease, or emolument, or fame. He watched for souls as one that must give account, that he might do it with joy, and not with grief. He was instant in season and out of season. not only spent much of his time in visiting the poor, the sick, and the dying, in his own congregation, but his services were cheerfully rendered when called in requisition beyond that circle. At the same time, he sympathized strongly with every truly Christian and philanthropic object, and gave them, as far as other duties permitted, his active support. He was the determined enemy of injustice and oppression, and the fast friend of the widow, the fatherless, and the forsaken. He felt a deep interest in the social welfare and institutions of his country, and a yet deeper concern for the

genial disposition made him many friends, and his simplicity and integrity were such, that you never could suspect his motives, even where you might doubt the correctness of his judgment. His bearing towards his brethren was exceedingly kind and affable; and when he administered reproof, he did it in so pleasing a manner that you could not be offended. Doubtless he also had his failings; but they were such as, to a candid observer, would be lost amid the many and sterling excellencies of his character.

With such qualifications, it is not sur-
prising that he should have been favoured
with long-continued usefulness in the same
sphere. "Few ministers in the denomina-
tion," says Mr. Showell, in his introductory
sketch to these sermons, "have been blessed
with a greater measure of success, peace,
and prosperity in the church, than Mr.
Swan." During a pastorate of twenty-eight
years, more than twelve hundred members
were added to the church; "a degree of
success," says Mr. James, "which is granted
comparatively to few of God's servants."
"His predecessors' path

Right worthily he trod;
And Pearce, and Birt, and Swan,
Meet on the mount of God.
"And here let thousands tell,

(For thousands can declare)
His unremitting toil

For those who claimed his care. "Nor did his gracious Lord

His labours fail to own,

As numbers now attest

Who are before the throne." But it is time for us to present the closing scene of his honourable and useful life. We cannot do this better than in the language of Mr. James. In compliance with the request of the committee of Shireland Hall School, for the education of the sons of ministers, he had gone to Scotland to solicit contributions towards that institution. On Lord's-day, March 8th, he was engaged to preach in Glasgow. He went, accompanied

by a married daughter, to the place of wor- conveyed to Cannon-street Chapel, where ship, and, at the commencement of the ser- the Rev. Isaac New delivered the funeral vice, took his seat in his usual health on the oration, and the Rev. T. Morgan, who for platform. "A psalm was given out; and, a short time, fifty years since, was pastor of while waiting to occupy the chair from the church, gave a short address. Other which he was to deliver his message, the ministers, including Revs. George Cheatle, invisible messenger, with noiseless wing, Charles Vince, J. J. Brown, J. A. James, arrived with a commission to seal up his A. G. O'Neill, and P. Sibree, took parts in testimony, and to bid him to the presence the service, either in the chapel or at the of his great Master." He had had a slight place of sepulture. Many thousands atseizure before in the pulpit in Cannon-street, tended, and a feeling of deep and solemn the first Lord's-day in January, 1856, but interest pervaded the assemblage. this was the fatal stroke. "He rose calmly, Funeral sermons were preached for our yet in an agony, from his place, retired with departed brother at Cannon-street meetinghis daughter to an ante-room, and, being house, on Sabbath, March 22, 1857; in the seated, said he had never known such pain morning by the Rev. J. A. James, and in in his head before. 'Father,' exclaimed his the evening by the Rev. Isaac New. alarmed daughter, 'you cannot, you must We are happy, also, to state that, by the not preach!' The ruling passion, strong in resolution of the church and congregation death, replied 'I must; and if I cannot over which our lamented brother presided see my notes (for his vision was then failing), so many years, a fund is being raised for I will preach without them.' As if strug-the benefit of the widow. This is a genegling against the 'last enemy' for one more rous, practical, and well-deserved memorial, opportunity to do service for Christ, he and we hope will be well sustained. staggered back to the platform, but in vain.

SOCIETY.
Golcar.

He rose a second time, and returned to re- RECEIVED FOR BAPTIST EVANGELICAL turn no more." He was borne, insensible, to an inn opposite the place of assembly. In the afternoon of the same day, a telegraphic dispatch was received at Cannon

On

BY REV. E. FRANKLIN.

Mr. J. Crowther

Mr. J. Crowther

Widow Eastwood
A Friend
E. S. J.

street Chapel, informing them of the dan- Mr. E. Franklin
gerous illness of their pastor, and requesting Mr. James Franklin's
the immediate presence of Mrs. Swan.
the forenoon of Monday, a second telegra-
phic message was received, informing his
friends that he was still living, though per-
fectly unconscious, and that Mrs. Swan had
arrived safely. At half-past seven o'clock,
the same evening, while the church was as-
sembled in prayer, a telegraphic messenger
arrived with the following communication:
"Mr. Swan died at ten minutes past six
this evening. Break it to the family. His
end was peace."

Thus closed the career of our dear departed brother.

"His heart was in his work,
His harness still was on,
When lo! a voice was heard-
'Servant of Christ, well done!
"Relinquish now the field,-
Receive the free reward:
Rise, and partake the joy
Of thy exalted Lord!'
"Servant of Christ, farewell!
Our hearts and lips rejoin ;.
The loss, the grief are ours,-
The gain, the victory thine."

£ s. 4.

Mr. Jonathan Hirst
Mr. John Taylor
Mr. John Winpenny
A Friend
Mrs. Quarmby
Mrs. Joseph Taylor
Mr. Law, Heppenstall.
Mr. Richard Ainley
Mr. Eli Smith
Mr. John Hirst
Mr. John Ramsden
Mr. Joseph Dyson
Mr. J. Ramsden
Mr. Henry Fisher
B. Beaumont
R. S. H.

.....................

0.10 0

0.10 0

0.10 0

070

050

050

050

.......

Widow Lockwood
A. F. R.

Mr. John Iredale
Mr. Eber Iredale
Mr. John Tate

The mortal remains of our lamented brother were removed at the request and ex- Mr. J. Harrison pense of the church at Birmingham, and Mr. Joseph Sykes were interred at the General Cemetery on Mr. J. Dyson Monday, March 16th, amidst a large con- Mr. Thomas Newton course of spectators. The body was first Mr. J. Wilkinson

Memoir of Eustace Carey. By HIS WIFE.
London: Pewtress and Co., 4, Ave Maria-

lane.

We were particularly pleased that our esteemed brother, Mr. New, both in his oration and his sermon, was so equal to the If we may judge from the effect A book that will be valued by the on our own minds, the way in which he Christian public on account of the esti has discharged his duty will raise him, in-mation in which the subject of the memoir tellectually and spiritually, in the estima was held. The fly in the pot of ointment tion of his brethren. The oration is full of is the pedantic style of the biographer. The good sense, good taste, and good feeling. omission of many pages that might well And so is the sermon. After showing, from have been spared would have reduced the Rov, i. 18, that Christ has authority over price of the volume, and (to our taste) endeath and over the invisible world, he pro-hanced its value at the same time. ceeds to the consideration of the mediato

B.

Gems for the Afflicted. Selected by One who has been long in the Furnace. London: Arthur Hall, Virtue, and Co. Dublin J. Robertson. Birmingham: John W. Showell. 1857, pp. 128, 18mo.

rial life of Christ. He remarks, that Christ is alive for evermore, 1st. To carry on the great work of salvation in the world; 2nd. To befriend his people amidst the sorrows of life, and to secure their spiritual improvement; and Srl. To overrule all events for the welfare of his church. We should like to have quoted some of his pungent sentences under their several heads, but our limited space forbids. We do, however, earnestly recommend our readers, and es-tory and instructive thoughts, sometimes pecially our ministerial brethren, to procure this small and inexpensive manual, believing that it is eminently calculated to raise the tone of their piety and devotedness 0.

This is a selection, in four parts, from above fifty different authors, of choice passages in poetry and prose, on the subject of affliction. It contains a variety of consola

quaintly, and at other times eloquently expressed, and will be found an acceptable companion to all who, like the author, have 0. been "in the furnace."

Postscript.

TO THE READERS OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH MAGAZINE. WE beg to inform our readers and the Baptist public generally, that our valued brother, the Rev. H. J. Betts, has been compelled, from the rapidly increasing claims of a prosperous church and congregation, to resign the editorship of the Primitive Church Magazine. His resignation was received with regret at the recent meeting of the Baptist Evangelical Society, and his side and gratuitous services, during a period of eight years, were very warmly acknowledged by the brethren assembled. They expressed in earnest terins their sense of his generous and self-denying exertions in the cause of pure Christianity, and parted with him as with a brother who had faithfully served them in the Lead. From this time, consequently, the editorship of this Magazine will pass into other hands; and while it will be the earnest aim of the new officer to preserve and if possible, to increase its efficiency as the organ of our distinctive principles, he respectfully solicits the co-operation of ministerial and other brethren in all parts of the country, as indispensable to the success of the periodical, which he intends shall continue to be the faithful and unflinching advocate of "the truth as it is in Jesus." A circular containing a fuller exposition of his views, will shortly be issued by the new Editor, and addressed more particularly to the supporters of our principles throughout the country; and it will greatly encourage himn in the commencement of his labour, should that address be favoured with a fraternal response. All communications for the Editor, and books for review, to be forwarded early in each month to the publishers, 25, Paternoster-row; or to the following address,-71, Robert-street, C. on M,

Manchester.

S.

ted by JOSEPH BRISCOE, 28, Banner Street, in the Parish of St. Luke, in the County of Middlesex, nd published by ARTHUR HALL and GEORGE VIRTUE, 25, Paternoster Row, in the Parish of St. Faith, under St. Paul's, in the City of London.-FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1857.