to whom this communication shall be made known. The proposed inquiry will extend to the Registers or Records, of the description above mentioned, belonging to all the non-conformist churches or congregations such as the Roman Catholics, the Quakers, the Jews, the Scotch Churches in England, and also the Churches of Foreign Protestants in England. But I am directed to observe, that this Circular Letter is more particularly intended for the Ministers, Officers, and Trustees, or other leading Members, of Protestant Non-Conformist | Churches in England and Wales. The Commissioners are very desirous, for the purpose of obtaining the best information by actual and minute inspection and examination, that all existing original Register Books or Births, Baptisms, Deaths, and Burials, and of Marriages before the passing of the Marriage Act in 1753, should be transmitted to them. Registers belonging to any Congregation in London or the neighbourhood, may be delivered to me at this Office any day between eleven and two o clock. Any Register Book belonging to a Congregation in the Country, not exceeding five pounds weight, may be inclosed in a cover, directed as follows: and may be delivered to the nearest Post Office. Where it exceeds that weight, it may be directed as follows: ON HIS MAJESTY'S SERVICE. The Secretary of the and may be sent (as an ordinary parcel) by the Mail Coach, or other safe con veyance. I am further directed to request, that when any Register is delivered or transmitted, a Certificate or statement should accompany it, according to the inclosed Form,* to be filled up as far as can be done; and that such Certifi This "form," which will doubtless accompany the Circular, it was deemed unnecessary for us to print.-ED. cate should be signed, either by the Minister or by one or two of the Trustees or Church Officers, or by such other person as can supply the information required; in the latter case, the reason why no Minister or Trustee or Church Officer signs, should be stated. The Certificate may be annexed to the inside of the Cover, or to the first blank page of the book, or of the first or last book of the series, where there are more | than one. The Commissioners will take charge of the Registers entrusted to them, and be ready to redeliver them, if required. But it will be most advisable, that they should not merely be produced for inspection, but that they should remain under the charge of the Commissioners, in order that at the close of the investigation, they may, if the Legislature should so provide, be safely transferred to the custody of the Registrar-General, or to such other depository as may be directed; and also, that the most effectual means may be adopted for imparting to them, as documentary evidence, more weight, and a fuller legal sanction than they have hitherto received. To those who may feel objections to the depositing of the Dissenting Registers in a Central Public Office, I am iustructed to observe, that when the general system of Registration, appointed by the recent Act, shall come into operation after the 1st of March, 1837, the necessity for keeping Registers at the Dissenting Chapels will cease, and there will consequently be danger of their being lost at all events there will be great and increasing difficulty in proving, for legal purposes, that the document produced in a Court as a Register Book, comes from what such Court will consider as the proper custody. There appears to be no adequate provision against these inconveniences, except the plan of depositing and arranging the documents in a Public Office, when the object of their continuance in private custody shall be at an end. The Commissioners are aware, that some inconvenience may arise from the transmission of Registers which are in present use, 'since the substitute, provided by the late Act for a General Registration, will not come into operation till after the 1st of March ensuing. Should any such inconvenience be apprehended, the Commissioners will, if desired, return the Register with the least possible delay. This may be done with regard to congregations in London, without difficulty; but, with regard to congregations in the Country, the Com missioners would strongly recommend that a new book, of a convenient size, should be prepared for any subsequent entries that may be necessary until the new system of Registration shall come into operation-which supplementary matter may be afterwards transmitted to the proper depository, together with any other books which may have been previously lodged in their office. You will greatly promote the speedy and effectual discharge of the duty entrusted to the Commissioners, by doing all in your power to make this communication known to your congregation, and also in any quarter from which you think information may be obtained. For this purpose, duplicates of the Questions and of the Certificate are inclosed, and additional copies may be obtained from this Office. Any letters in reply to this Circular, or with reference to the subjects herein mentioned, may be sent by the post, addressed as follows: 1. Are you or have you been Minister, Trustee, or Member, or Representative of any Minister, Trustee, or Member of any and what Chapel, respecting the Register of which you can give information; or in what way have you been connected with any such? State the name, denomination, and situation of such Chapel. 2. Is the Chapel or the Congregation subsisting? Or if dissolved, when dissolved? 3. Has any Register Book or Books of Births, Baptisms, Deaths, or Burials, or of Marriages before the Marriage Act of 1753, been kept by the Minister or Trustee or other Church Officer of such Chapel, or in connexion with it? 4. State over what period such Register 5. or Registers extend. How many are there? Who is the minister, who the princi. pal acting Trustees, Deacons, or other Church Officers of the Chapel with which you are connected? 6. In whose custody is such Register Book or Books; and where is it deposited? In whose custody has it usually been kept, and where has it been usually deposited? 7. If you know of any Register being lost, state the time and occasion of the loss to the best of your information. 8. Will you, or will the party having the custody of any Register, produce it or send it to the Commissioners ? By what mode of conveyance will it be sent? If you do not produce or send it, state the reason. 9. If you know of any Register, which is not in your possession, give an account of it, as far as you are able, where it is, and what is the name and address of the person who has it. 10. May any Register sent by you to the Office of the Commissioners, remain in the custody of the Board for the purposes mentioned in the Circular Letter? If you have any objection to its being so deposited, state it. 11. Have you in your custody or power the Register Book (not parochial) of any other Chapel or Burial-ground? 12. Can you give information as to any such Registers in the possession of private persons? Communicate all the information in your power. Signature of the Person answering the above Questions. BAPTIST CANADIAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY (To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine.) SIR, I cannot think of leaving London without expressing, what I deeply feel, my unfeigned gratitude to Christian friends for their liberal attention to the object of my visit to Britain. To this gratitude they are not more entitled for having given, than for the manner in which they have given. The cheerfulness with which contributions have been made both in England and Scotland has often reminded me of Macedonian_liberality, "They prayed us with much entreaty," &c. Expecting soon to leave my native land once more, to join my beloved brethren in Canada, I carry with me grateful remembrances of British liberality and Christian love. A considerable sum is yet necessary in the first instance to establish our institution, as well as annual subscriptions for its subsequent support, and that of the missions; but from the proofs I have had of the readiness to meet the claims of Canada, I cannot doubt these supplies will be cheerfully furnished through the medium of the " Baptist Canadian Missionary Society." There is an important department of our Collegiate Institution to which I fear I have not given sufficient prominence in my representations, namely, the Library. Good books on literature or religion, as it might be supposed, are scarce in Canada; so, also, are philosophical instruments. To supply us with a few of these would be conferring a great benefit; permit me, therefore, to beg attention to this point. Elementary works in Greek and Latin might be of great service to us, though now of little use to the owners. I conclude with the hope that this will not be overlooked by our numerous friends. May the blessing of them who are ready to perish, still continue to rest on my much loved Country! Farewell. JOHN GILMORE. Camberwell Grove, Dec. 15th, 1836. The Rev. J. Davies, of Hatfield Street, Blackfriars, will kindly take charge of donations of books, &c. Subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received by John Try, Esq., 7, Park Place, Camberwell Grove; Rev. John Dyer, Fen Court; and the Rev. E. Davis, 136, Princes Road, Lambeth. The following have been received since your last number was published. Don. Ann. Subs. £ s. d. £ s. d. Mr. J. Bennett... Mr. Bowen... Joseph Gutteridge, Esq. Mr. Woodward. Thomas Bliss, Esq. 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 10 10 0 2 2 0 Miss Gozzard, 2 0 0 W. P. Bartlett, Esq. John Williams, Esq.. Mrs. Flower. 1 Mr. Blades. 1 0 0 Miss Flower. Mrs. Clarke, and Friends. John Brockett, Esq.. H. Tritton, Esq.. Mrs. Holdsworth. 0 0 0 0 Mrs. Stevenson. Baptist Meeting, Trosnant, which was kindly lent for the occasion. Brother S. Price, Abersychan, commenced the service by reading the Scriptures and prayer; brother D. R. Stephen, Swansea, delivered the introductory discourse, brother D. Phillips, Caerleon, asked the questions usual upon such occasions, and brother T. Morgan, Birmingham, supplicated the throne of grace, for a blessing on the union thus formed; after which brother M. Thomas, Abergavenny, delivered an interesting discourse upon ministerial integrity; and brother W. H. Murch, Stepney College, addressed the newly-formed church from Phil. i. 27. WELSH AND ENGLISH BAPTIST EDUCATION SOCIETY, PONTYPOOL (LATE ABER- The above Society held its twentyninth Anniversary, August 3, at the English Baptist Meeting, Lower Trosnant, Pontypool. At half-past ten, A. M., the members of the Society, with other friends, assembled for public worship, when brother J. Evans, Caerleon, read the Scriptures, and prayed; brother T. Thomas, NewcastleEmlyn, preached in Welsh, 1 Tim. iv, 12; and brother E. Williams, M. A., Thrapstone, in English, Eccles. xii. 9, 10. Immediately after the public service, the members of the Society attended to the business of the Meeting, the President, the Rev. T. Thomas, in the chair. Among other resolutions which were then unanimously passed, were the following. Resolved, That this Meeting respectfully and affectionately tender to the Rev. M. Thomas its warmest thanks for the valuable services which by the grace of God he has been enabled to render to this Society. This meeting cannot but feel that the disinterestedness, punctuality, zeal, constancy, and perseverance evinced by its respected friend, in the discharge of the onerous duties of his office as president of this institution during the long period of nearly thirty years, entitle him to much more than this expression of the gratitude of the Society; and begs to assure him, that its earnest wishes and prayers for his peace, happiness, and prosperity, during his remaining days, shall attend him in that more retired station to which he has withdrawn. Resolved, That the thanks of this Meet ing be given to the church assembling in Henrietta Street, Brunswick Square, London, for the very kind and Christian manner in which they have given up their beloved pastor, at the invitation of the Committee to become the President of this Institution, and begs to assure them that they would not have urged his removal from a station of so much usefulness, had they not been fully convinced that the Providence of God was directing their and his attention to a sphere of greater importance to the cause of the Redeemer; and earnestly hope that HE who is the HEAD over all things to the church, may soon and efficiently supply that station which has been thus vacated. Resolved, That this Meeting deeply feels its obligation to the Managers of the Baptist Fund in London, for their valuable grant of books to the Library of the Institution. Resolved, That the thanks of this Meeting be given to those individuals who have kindly advanced the requisite sum for the erection of the new Academy-house at Penygarn, and that the Committee be recommended to adopt immediate measures for making the same the property of the Society, and investing it in TRUST with the existing property of the Society for the purposes of the Institution. the The above Institution, the principal object of which is, to furnish young men designed for the Christian ministry in the Principality, with a thorough grammatical acquaintance with English language, and otherwise fit them for the more efficient discharge of the duties of their office, was conducted for nearly thirty years, at Abergavenny, under the able superintendence of the Rev. M. Thomas, but, in consequence of his having resigned his office in July last, the Institution has been removed to Pontypool, and is now conducted by the Rev. T. Thomas, late of Henrietta Street, London. The Lord grant, that under his care it may yet thrive and flourish, and be made a great blessing to the churches of the Redeemer in the Principality. HERTS. AND SOUTH BEDS. BAPTIST UNION. The autumnal meeting of the Herts. and South Beds. Baptist Union, was held at Leighton-Buzzard, on Wednesday, Oct. 19. The Rev. Wm. Upton, of St. Albans, preached, in the morning, from 2 Thess. i. 12. The afternoon was devoted to the public business of the Association; and in the evening, addresses were delivered to the different classes of character composing the congregation, by the Rev. Messrs. Burgess, Hopley, Theobald, Upton, and Adey. A numerous company took dinner and tea in the school-room. Devotion and harmony distinguished the proceedings of the day. The next meeting of the Union will be held at Market Street, in April, when the Rev. T. Hopley, of Hemel-Hempstead, has been requested to preach, and the Rev. E. Hull, of Watford, to write the Annual Letter to the churches. CHAPEL DEBTS. A General Meeting of the friends connected with the Baptist Denomination in Liverpool, was holden on the 18th of October, in Lime Street Chapel, for the purpose of forming a board to regulate the admission of applications on behalf of chapel debts, on the following principles; Rev. J. Lister, in the chair. Resolved, I. That the Board consist of the ministers, and four members from each congregation of Lime Street, Byron Street, Cockspur Street, and Great Crosshall Street chapels. II. That the Board meet once every quarter. III. That the following considerations shall weigh with the Board in sanctioning cases. 1. No case to be received till the chapel be put into the hands of trustees, and enrolled. 2. A preference to be given to cases according to their proximity to Liverpool, other things being equal. 3. The exertion made by the friends of the chapel soliciting aid, and their avoiding useless expense. 4. The sauction of the churches in the more immediate neighbourhood. IV. That not more than two cases be selected by the Board, for admission each quarter. V. That the cases be sanctioned by the signatures of the Chairman and Secretary. VI. That Mr. John Jones, of Everton Crescent, be Chairman; and Mr. J. J. Godfrey, Surgeon, Renshaw Street, Secretary. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, WEM, SHROPSHIRE. The only account on record of the origin of the Baptist church at Wem, is in the hand-writing of the late Rev. T. Palmer, of Shrewsbury, from which the following extract is taken : In the year 1813, about the month of April, Mr. James Fenn came to reside in Wem; he, with several others, assembled together for reading the Scriptures and prayer; at length they invited the Baptist ministers who resided in the county to come and preach in Wem. A lease was taken of some premises at the end of High-street, which were fitted up at an expense of about £30. This place was opened in Aug., 1813, when Mr. J. Yates, then at Whitchurch, preached from 1 Cor. ii. 2, and Mr. Palmer, of Salop, from Psalm xx. 5. They, with several others, continued to supply Wem, and many attended. was a After some time, Mr. Fenn, who had member of the church in Shrewsbury, been baptized in London, and began to exhort, and also opened a school for the instruction of children; but, being greatly inconvenienced for the want of a larger and more suitable place of worship, after much consultation, application was made to a gentleman, who, having premises in Cripplestreet, sold as much as was deemed necessary for the erection of the present chapel, and a small dwelling-house adjoining, the whole expense of purchase fitting up, &c., was about £566, towards which the sum of £336 has been collected, leaving a debt of £230 upon the place. On the 26th and 27th of September, 1814, the Baptist ministers in the county held their quarterly meeting here, when the new chapel was opened. Mr. Palmer, of Salop, preached from Zech. vi. 15; Mr. Gozney, of Brosely, from John vii. 36. On the 27th, Mr. Hinmers, now of Oakham, preached from John i. 15, when Mr. Palmer baptized four persons. On Jan. 3, 1815, Mr. Palmer again baptized seven others. Mr. Hinmers preached on the occasion from Colos. ii. 6, when the above were formed into a church. Jan. 8th was observed as a day of fasting and prayer, by the church, who afterwards invited Mr. Fenn to become their pastor; and, on February 14th, he was set apart for that office. Mr. Thomas, of Brosely, explained the nature of a Gospel church; Mr. Palmer offered the ordination prayer, accompanied with laying on of hands, and delivered the charge to Mr. Fenn from 1 Tim. iv. 16; and Mr. Pain, of Oswestry, addressed the church. |