volume, which will make it popular and useful.-Mr. Culross, has published a very interesting exposition of the eleventh of John, under the title of Lazarus Revived (5). Though brief and unpretending, it contains the result of much reading and much thought. Among the almost innumerable volumes which have been written on this of Gems for the Afflicted (1) is the title of a portion of Scripture, we do not know one in little volume of extracts from our best which the great miracle at Bethany is religious writers. They are well chosen, and are all very brief. In seasons more graphically illustrated, more clearly elucidated, and more forcibly applied.-A affliction, when long and laboured treatises would be put aside almost with aversion, Protestant Layman has addresed himself to the difficult task of expounding the first these detached sentences would be read and eighteen verses of St. John's Gospel (6) devices to make the Sabbath interesting pondered with advantage.-Among the many We need not remind our readers that this and the Bible attractive to the young, we is perhaps the richest, most suggestive, and most difficult portion of Scripture. That he know of none more effectual than a box of has solved all its difficulties and fathomed Sunday Queries (2), of which the third series all its depths, it would be absurd to expect: lady of one of our most honoured ministers. has just appeared, prepared by the gifted We cannot indeed say that he has added very much to our stock of previous know. They are used, we believe, in the very highest ledge on the subject. But he has written family in the realm, and we have known upon it sensibly well, he has brought to these them to be effectual in awakening inmysterious themes a mind at once inde-terest in a somewhat dull Sunday School pendent and reverential; and has produced a volume which all may peruse with profit. THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. Class Register for 1858.-Bible Class Magazine.-Sunday School Union Magazine.-List of Scripture Lessons. The Sunday School Union have prepared for 1858 an admirable class register, the use of which would, we think, greatly help the teacher in keeping a correct account of the attendance of his class and the conduct of each scholar. At any rate the teacher who has been supplied with a copy of this register will have no excuse for slovenliness. -The Bible Class Magazine, the Sunday School Union Magazine, and the Notes on Scripture Lessons, are too well known among those for whom they are intended to make any comments of ours needful. - If to make Sunday afternoon interesting to the class. If any of our readers find it difficult children, let them procure a box of Sunday Queries, beginning with the first series.— Nelson and Sons have published several additional packets of those beautifully il lustrated cards (3) which have been in circulation for some years. The views in Syria and Mount Lebanon strike us as the most beautiful we have ever seen in this cheap but very effective style. We have received four pamphlets on various matters of personal controversy and disputation, upon none of which do we propose to enter. The names of the pamphlets numbered in the heading 4, 5, 6, 7, will sufficiently inform our readers of their subjects, and will, we are persuaded, make them grateful to us for not leading them through such troubled and dirty waters. any of our readers have not supplied themselves with almanacks and pocket-books they may be interested to learn that the Tract Society have published a Christian 1. Gems for the Afflicted. Selected almanack at a shilling, which contains inby One who has long been in the Fur- formation upon all sorts of subjects for nace. J. F. Shaw.-2. Sunday Queries. which such a book could ever be consulted, Third Series. Greenwood, Liverpool. and pocket-books with pages and spaces for Houlston, London.-3. Views from Bible entering all manner of engagements. A sheet Lands, &c. Nelson & Sons.-4. An Ex- almanack with illustrations has been issued amination of the Facts, Statements, and by Mr. B. L. Green for one penny, very Explanations of the Rev. Dr. S. Davidson, suitable for suspension in school-rooms. &c. By John Kelly. J. Snow.-5. Dr. The Baptist Almanack contains much Davidson: His Heresies, Contradictions, valuable denominational information; and and Plagiarisms. By Two Graduates. the Protestant Dissenters' Almanack gives Wertheim and Macintosh.-6. A Brief an admirable summary of political intelliReply to certain Charges made against the gence and much information useful to all Patagonian Missionary Society by W. P. Nonconformists. We are indebted to it Snow, late Master of the "Allen Gar- for the summary of events in our Almanack diner" Mission Schooner. By the Com- for the Month. MISCELLANEOUS. ANNIVERSARY AND SERVICES. Intelligence. OPENING congregation to obtain the necessary funds have caused them in a measure to neglect some of the societies connected with their place of worship, they resolved on the resuscitation of those societies, under the presidency of their pastor, and for this purpose they held a meeting on Wednesday evening last. A large number of friends sat down to tea, after which Henry Braden, Esq., occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. H. Cooke, S. Wills, D.D., F. Wills, Messrs. Hanson, Crassweller, Couling, Bennett, and others. It was felt by all to be a profitable meeting; PITHAY, BRISTOL.-A tea-meeting was held in the Pithay Baptist Chapel, Bristol, on Monday evening, November 30th, in connection with the twenty-third anniversary of the Rev. E. Probert. After tea the chair was taken by Mr. Probert, who gave an account of the increase and growth of the church during the time of his pastorship, and of the intention they had of building a new school-room, and a new and more commodious chapel. Doubtless, from what has been done already, this object will soon be attained. Addresses were then delivered by the Revs. W. Rose, H. Craik, R. Morris, J. Pratt, T. Jenkins, T. May, and Messrs. Ashmead and Lee. The meeting was very interesting, and certainly very gratifying to the mind and heart of the esteemed pastor. and the friends seemed to be of one heart and one mind, as testified by their unanimity and co-operation. A hope was expressed that the Christian public would yet respond to the earnest appeal of the friends here to help them to liquidate a part of the heavy responsibilities which they have incurred by the erection of their chapel, whereby they have preserved one of the oldest Baptist churches in the metropolis. EPWORTH.-The old Baptist chapel at Epworth, which has been in existence for nearly a century, has been for a long time ill adapted for the celebration of public MONMOUTH.-The Baptist chapel, Monworship, and the congregation have long mouth, having been closed for repairs and felt the desirability of a more suitable build-extensive alterations to make better accoming. This being determined on, the founda-modation, was reopened on Wednesday, tion-stone was laid on the 8th of August last. On Sunday morning, the 29th ult., the Rev. Dr. Burns preached in the new chapel from Matt. xvii. 4, "Lord, it is good for us to be here." The Rev. W. Sharman preached in the afternoon, and Dr. Burns again in the evening. On the following day a public tea-meeting was held, presided over by Mr. T. Sharman. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Ashbury, Moore, and others. Dec. 9th, when the Rev. J. Penny, of Coleford, preached in the afternoon, and a public meeting was held in the evening. The Rev. S. Packer, pastor, presided, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Campbell, M.A., J. Lock, John Penny, and W. Pullen. The contributions and collections were liberal, and congregations good. UXBRIDGE.-On Monday evening, Nov. 23rd, the friends of the Baptist chapel, QUEEN-STREET CHAPEL, WOOLWICH.- Uxbridge, assembled in the school-room to The thirteenth anniversary of the Dorcas take tea, after which an address of conSociety in connection with the above chapel gratulation was presented to the Rev. G. was held on Thursday, December 3rd, when Rouse, who, in returning thanks, embraced the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon preached to a the opportunity to review his work and crowded audience. At the close of the the various societies in connection with the afternoon service between 300 and 400 per- chapel. Afterwards several friends adsons sat down to tea in the spacious school-dressed the meeting. On the previous day rooms. In the evening a public meeting sermons were preached by the Rev. R. W. was held in the chapel, the Rev. Charles Guinness. Hawson (pastor) in the chair. Addresses were delivered by Mr. G. Champion, the Revs. Charles Box, Joseph Wallis, Henry ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION Leonard, M.A., and the chairman. KINGSGATE CHAPEL, HOLBORN.-The friends connected with the above place of worship have for some time past been labouring under heavy pecuniary difficulties, consequent on the rebuilding of their chapel. The great effort made by the church and SERVICES. GRIMSBY.-Avery interesting service was held on Wednesday evening, the 25th of November, to introduce the Rev. R. Smart to the pastorate of the Baptist church, Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire. About 200 friends partook of tea, after which a public selves of the completion of the tenth year of the pastorate of their beloved minister, the Rev. W. Perratt, to give expression to their affection for, and appreciation of, his labours on their behalf. A social tea was held, after which a public service took place, Samuel Hunt, Esq., in the chair, when Mr. Hewett, in the name of himself and others, presented to Mr. Perratt " Kitto's Pictorial Bible," in four vols., splendidly bound; and to Mrs. Perratt a beautiful tea-service. Mr. Perratt feelingly and suitably acknow meeting was held in the chapel. The chair was occupied by J. L. Ekins, Esq., of Woodhurst, Huntingdonshire. Mr. W. Hewson, one of the deacons, and Mr. W. Coals, expressed the cordial welcome of the church to the pastor. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Harcourt, J. Hart, J. E. Coulson, J. Mellor, and R. Allen. The Revs. W. Orton, D. M. N. Thompson, and J. Macpherson took part in the proceedings. The service was of a deeply interesting character, and will long be remembered by many. The prospects are most encourag-ledged the kindness of his young friends. ing. SHACKLEWELL.-The Rev. J. S. Stanion, late of Luton, having accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church, at Shacklewell Chapel, recognition services were held in connection with his settlement on Thursday, December 17th. In the afternoon at three o'clock, after devotional exercises conducted by the Rev. J. Jefferson, the Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel, M.A., preached an impressive sermon from Acts ix. 31. About 160 friends then took tea together, and a public meeting was held in the even ing at half-past six. The Rev. J. Cox, late pastor of the church, presided, and after singing and prayer by the Rev. E. M. Davis, addressed the meeting on the increase of church and chapel accommodation in the neighbourhood during the last twenty-five years. Mr. G. Cox, a member of the church, gave a short account of the past history of the church, and of the circumstances which led to the invitation to Mr. Stanion; and, in the course of his remarks, presented to him a pulpit Bible (a handsomely bound copy of Bagster's Comprehensive Bible), which had been purchased by some of the ladies of the congregation. Mr. Stanion briefly acknowledged the gift, and then expressed his views of the pastoral office, and the causes which led him to devote himself to the work of the ministry. Addresses were delivered "on the relation of the pastor to the people, and the duties consequent thereon," by the Rev. J. Angus, D.D.; on the relation of the people to the pastor," by the Rev. J. W. Todd; and on the duty of the Church to the world," by the Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A. A vote of thanks to the chairman was moved by the Rev .J. H. Cooke, and seconded by Mr. Stanion. The Rev. J. H. Hinton closed the meeting with prayer. 66 TESTIMONIALS AND PRESEN TATIONS. HARLINGTON.-An interesting service was held at the above place on the 1st of December. The young people of the Baptist church and congregation availed them The meeting was afterwards addressed by E. Hunt, Esq., and the service concluded by an address from the Rev. J. W. Shipphird, of Hayes, and prayer by the pastor. The Rev. G. MEDWAY having resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church, at Creech, was presented with a handsome sofa and an affectionate address. Mr. Wm. Maynard, one of the deacons, at the same time, presented him with a Bible 250 years old, as an expression of love and esteem. On Thursday, the 17th of December, the members and friends connected with the Baptist chapel, Mint-lane, Lincoln, presented to their valued and much-esteemed minister, the Rev. William Goodman, B.A., a purse containing thirty guineas, as a small token of their high estimation of his valuable services amongst them during the last six years and a half. MINISTERIAL CHANGES. The Rev. E. HANDS, of Appledore, having received an invitation from the church at Pontrhydyrun, near Newport, has accepted it, and commenced his work on Sunday, November 29th.-The Rev. HENRY WATTS, having accepted the unanimous invitation of the Baptist church at Grantham, to become their pastor, will enter upon his stated labours on the first Lord's day in January.-Mr. W. BURTON from the Baptist College, Bristol, has accepted a harmonious invitation from the Baptist church meeting in Walkergate-lane, Berwick-uponTweed, and commenced his labours there. -The Rev. J. H. JONES has resigned the pastorate of the church at Lay's Hill, and has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Kidderminster. He entered on his labours the last Lord's-day in November. The Rev. JAMES MALCOLM, formerly of Scotland, having resigned his ministry at Maze-pond Chapel, London, has accepted a very cordial invitation to become the pastor of the General Baptist church, Dover-street, Leicester.-Mr. JOHN DAWSON, Baptist Minister, late of Bingley, having received from the church at Bishop Burton a cordial invitation to the pastorate, entered upon his stated labours there on the second Lord's-day in November.BRISTOL COLLEGE.-Three of the senior students Mr. John Davis, Mr. William Burton, and Mr. Edward Wilkes, have accepted cordial and unanimous invitations to become pastors of churches at the following places:Mr. Davis, at Neath, Glamorganshire; Mr. Burton, at Berwick-on-Tweed; Mr. Wilks, at Oswestry, Salop. The friends of our colleges, and those of Bristol especially, will be gratified to learn that these settlements are in addition to the following five, which have also taken place during the present year :-Revs. Arthur Mursell, Manchester; Samuel Brown, B.A., Redruth; Edward Dennet, Northampton ; William Bull, B.A., Sutton, near Leicester; William G. Fifield, Grampound, Cornwall. Correspondence. MINISTERS' LIBRARIES. his ministrations will not be less acceptable To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. or the less likely to be useful to them, because they have directly contributed to MY DEAR BROTHER,-I am a Baptist render them more efficient, while they will minister in a small town, and under what have peculiar pleasure in thinking that I conceive to be peculiarly discouraging they have done something to promote the circumstances, have to preach four times a comfort and usefulness of men, who study, week. and preach, and pray, with a view to the Although my library is not large, it con-highest interests of all their hearers. tains the following works :-"Judson's Memoirs," Jay's Reminiscences," "Conybeare and Howson's Life and Epistles of St. Paul," and ten volumes of "Chalmers's Select Works." These works have been presented to me since 1852, one after the other, at the close of each year, by two young men who attend the place of worship in which I preach. I do assure you that if my salary were ever so large, the volumes in my library ever so numerous, or the demands on my mental resources ever so unfrequent, it would have afforded me much pleasure from time to time to have such evidence of the consideration and esteem of my young friends, under existing circumstances. However you will believe me, when I say the satisfaction I have felt has been exceedingly great. Some of these productions are costly; they are all of them in my estimation intrinsically excellent; they have been presented in a most unostentatious manner, without solicitation either on my part or the part of any one else. Somerset. I remain, W. H. F. [We may be allowed to mention the collected edition of the Works of Dr. Owen, recently pub. lished in Edinburgh, as affording an invaluable addition to a ministerial library. Should the suggestion of this letter stir up any of our readers to go and do likewise," they could scarcely find a better expression of affection than this admirable republication of the works of "the prince of Puritan divines."-ED.] THE HYMN-BOOK. To the Editor of The Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-To corroborate my statement that the preparation of the New Hymn-Book was far advanced before any announcement was made of the "Enlarged Selection," I trust you will allow me to state that it was decided upon early in the year 1855, the necessary preliminary ar rangements and general plan of the book were determined, and in May of that year, three gentlemen were employed to examine Now, my dear brother, I do think there the Hymn Books in existence, and make a are many young persons in our congrega- collection of such hymns as they thought tions, who do not want the disposition or desirable. From that date to the early the ability to imitate such an example. part of 1856, the work of collection and Undoubtedly some of them read the "Bap-arrangement was steadily and successfully tist Magazine;" if, therefore, you will carried on; and the result was that in kindly allow this communication to appear in its pages, a few may be prompted to do so, and I shall have the satisfaction individually of benefiting some of my brethren in the ministry. They, however, will not be the only persons benefited. Those young men and young women too, who may assist their ministers according to their ability-in this way, may rest assured that March, 1856, when nearly 1,000 hymns had been chosen, letters were addressed to authors asking for permission to insert such of their hymns as had been selected for that purpose. It is quite true, as you say, that the Committee of Reference were not invited by me till April, 1856, but I purposely refrained from issuing the invitation until the work was in a condition to be referred Mohammedan, or Heathen; excepting only to them, and when the invitation was sent where that civil control is found to be out I had a proof copy of nearly all the necessary in the securing of personal safety hymns before me. from civil wrongs, and the enjoyments and use of acknowledged civil rights by individual citizens and the community. I regret being compelled to say so much about the history of the book, especially as attention may thus be diverted from the question of its merits, a point on which I have no misgiving. I am, dear Sir, yours most faithfully, In PETITION RESPECTING INDIA. To the Editor of The Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-I was present last week at a very interesting and influential meeting respecting India, held at Mr. Stovel's Meeting House, Commercial Street. accordance with the resolutions passed, a petition to Parliament was adopted. Now, as it is probable that such meetings will be held in most of our large towns, I thought a copy of this petition might be inserted in the Magazine with advantage. It is brief, very comprehensive, adverts to all the facts necessary to justify its prayer, and expresses the object sought to be attained with great propriety and force. It may well serve as a model to guide our friends who may wish to have some such a document before them. I shall be obliged, therefore, if you will kindly insert it. I am, my dear Sir, yours very truly, FREDERICK TRESTRAIL. Mission House, December 21, 1857. PETITION To the Right Honorable the Lords Temporal and Spiritual of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, and to the Honorable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the Baptist Church and Congregation, assembling for Divine Worship in Commercial Street Chapel, Whitechapel, London; and convened with their friends in special public meeting, Humbly sheweth :-That your Petitioners deeply deplore the acts in which the British Government in India has interfered with the divers forms of Religious belief and worship that exist there, because that interference forms one of the sources to which must be traced the disorder and rebellion by which that country is now so bitterly afflicted. That your Petitioners dread, and earnestly deprecate, any exercise of civil power, in controlling religious teaching or worship in India, whether Christian, That your Petitioners are alarmed by the possibility of seeing the civil support of Christianity, Mohammedanism, and Heathen Idolatries, either directly or indirectly, perpetuated by the British Government in India; because any such civil support of systems so incompatible with each other, whether it be equitably or with partiality supplied, is, in effect, a disavowal of all reverence for religion, a dishonour to the British Throne, and offensive in the highest degree to Almighty God. That your Petitioners deprecate any attempt whatever, on the part of the civil power, to put down or even to restrain, the idolatries of India, excepting only that they be no longer, in theory or in practice, admitted as a plea of justification in civil done to individual citizens or the wrongs That your Petitioners deprecate any attempt to enforce the Christian Religion upon the inhabitants of India, either by supporting its ministers with funds, collected forcibly from the people of India, or by raising up in that country an episcopal or any other form of ministry, having special countenance or authority from the civil power, though supported by funds derived from other sources. Because, any such act on the part of the British Government in India would be unjust, provoke hostility to Christian truth in the minds of the Natives, and lay upon the civil government of India a burden which it would be impossible to sustain. Your Petitioners, therfore, pray your Honorable House, to adopt such measures as in its wisdom may seem meet, to relieve the Government of India from the responsibility of interfering with religious belief or worship, and invest it with powers definite and adequate to the protection of all civil rights belonging to citizens or the community: and to relieve the inhabitants of India from all such vexations and injuries, as are, and must be produced by the interference of Government with religion, excepting only where civil rights have been infringed. And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c. BAPTIST CHURCH, AUCKLAND, To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR,-The above church was formed about two years ago, and through the blessing of God, has, up to the present time, continued |