CONFERENCES.

The LONDON CONFERENCE met at Com. mercial Road, London, October 2nd.

At the business meeting, held in the afternoon, the Rev. J. G. Pike presided. The churches reported 22 baptized, 17 received, one restored, and about 24 can. didates.

Concerning Rushall it was reported that the claims of the late acting trustee were stated to amount to £138 14s. 74d; and the Rev. J. Clifford and the Secretary were appointed to confer with the trustees, who are the Revs. J. A. Briggs, St. Leonard'son-the-Sea; T. B. W. Briggs, Folkestone; T. Rix, Stratford; S. Martin, Trowbridge; and Robert Sale, Esq., Hackney.

Respecting Aylesbury it was stated that the chapel would be re-opened for worship in a few weeks.

The following report of the Committee appointed to consider the Proposals of the General Baptist Assembly was submitted and adopted:"That after careful consideration of the above proposals, and recognizing the great desirability of acting in concert with the churches of the denomination generally, we suggest that at the next Association an interview be sought with the following brethren in order to obtain their advice-Drs. Burns, Ingham, and Underwood, Revs. T. Barrass, C, Clarke, S. Cox, T. Goadby, J. C. Jones, J. C. Pike, I. Preston, W. Sharman, E. Stevenson, and Mr. Newman; and that brother Atkinson be the convener of the meeting."

It was unanimously resolved, "That this Conference heartily approves of the motion in favour of the Disestablishment of the English and Scotch Churches of which Mr. Miall, M.P., has given notice for the next session; and that it recommends the churches in this Conference to promote petitions to Parliament in favour of Disestablishment and Disendowment, and to make such wise and early preparation for the next general election as will enable them to exert their utmost strength in the constituencies."

It was agreed to hold the next Conference at Hitchin, on the last Monday in May-the paper for it to be written by Rev. R. Y. Roberts, on "The Instruction of the Young in Religious Knowledge by the pastors of churches;" all other arrangements to be left to the friends at Hitchin.

The Rev. J. G. Pike was appointed to make arrangements for the next Foreign

Missionary Meetings of the churches in the Conference.

The Revs. J. C. Means, J. F. Kennard, and T. B. W. Briggs, attended as a deputation from the Old Connexion of General Baptists; and the London ministers of the Conference were appointed as return delegates to their Assembly.

Mr. Towers read a useful paper on "Individual Effort for the Conversion of Souls," which was followed by practical suggestions from several of the brethren. The best thanks of the Conference were presented to the writer of the paper.

In the evening a Home Missionary Meeting was held, over which Rev. J. Clifford presided, and very earnest and practical addresses were delivered by the Revs. Atkinson, Batey, Means, and Mr. Robson. J. SAGE, Secretary.

The Half-yearly CHESHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Wheelock Heath, Oct. 1. Rev. I. Watts preached in the morning from Col. i. 27, 28. Rev. R. Kenney presided at the business meeting in the afternoon, and delivered a suitable address. Baptized since last Conference, 10; candidates, 2. There was a good attendance, and some spirited discussion.

1. The Home Mission Committee reported that they had secured the services of Rev. T. P. Cook, of the College, as pastor for Nantwich and Audlem, and he has commenced his duties with encouraging prospects of usefulness. The new chapel at Nantwich is to be opened at the beginning of next year.

2. Mr. R. Pedley, the Treasurer of the Home Mission Committee reported for the year ending Oct., 1872-Expenses, £216 2s. 8d.; receipts, £190 18s. 3d.; balance due to Treasurer, £25 4s. 5d. His report was adopted.

3. That Rev. T. P. Cook be Home Mission Secretary for this Conference, and that he submit a report yearly at the April meeting for its approval, and that his authorized report be afterwards inserted in the Annual Association Report.

4. That the question of holding the Foreign Mission Services at one time in this district be deferred till next Conference.

5. That our thanks be presented to Rev. I. Watts for his earnest sermon.

6. That our thanks be accorded to the Secretary for his efficient services, and that he be re-appointed.

7. Next Conference to be at Tarporley

on the first Tuesday in April, 1873; Rev. W. March to be the preacher; or, in case of failure, Rev. T. P. Cook. That Mr. R. Pedley introduce, at the next meeting, "The Duty of the Church in Relation to the Liquor Traffic."

8. That the case from the London Conference recommending United Action in Home Mission Work throughout all the churches and conferences in the denomi. nation have our heartiest approval.

9. That Rev. I. Watts and Mr. Hilton, of Macclesfield, be a deputation to the Poynton church with a view to their union with this Conference.

10. Mr. R. Pedley urged the attention of the churches to the claims of the Home Mission in the Cheshire district.

W. MARCH, Secretary.

CHAPELS.

On

BOSTON.-On Sept. 22, we celebrated the two hundred and nineteenth anniversary of this church. The Rev. J. Shaw, of London, formerly pastor of the Congregational Church, Boston, was the preacher. the following day we held our annual tea meeting, and in the evening a public meeting, presided over by the pastor, and addressed by Mr. Shaw and other brethren.

On

COALVILLE.-Most successful anniversary services have been held here. Oct. 13, Rev. W. Lees, of Walsall, preached to good congregations. On Monday, 14th, nearly two hundred sat down to tea. In the evening a public meeting, largely attended, was presided over by J. S. Lacey, of Loughborough, and addressed by C. T. Johnson, pastor, Revs. J. Salisbury, M.A., C. Clarke, B.A., J. Wilshere, W. Lees, and Mr. W. Smith. Total sum realized, £21. This was felt to be the best meeting of the kind we have had.

were

HALIFAX, North Parade-Reopening of Chapel. On Sunday, Sept. 15, our chapel was re-opened, when two sermons preached by our pastor. It had been resolved to leave the raising of the money required entirely to the voluntary contributions of the friends, there being no can. vassing. The collections amounted to £126. The chapel has been thoroughly cleaned, re-coloured and ventilated, and the organ decorated. The pipes are light green with maroon and gold stars and fleur-de-lis. Lines of vermilion, blue, and gold, relieve the heaviness of the cornice and case. The pulpit lights have been removed, and now there are three new pendants from the ceiling with forty-two lights each, which marvellously alter the light. The brackets under the gallery

have tripod burners. A safe has also been provided for the chapel and other deeds, and as a depository for the old minute books and registers. The school has also been thoroughly coloured, painted, and improved.

HITCHIN.-Services in connection with the fourth anniversary were held on Oct. 13th and 14th. The Rev. G. Gould delivered two discourses to crowded congregations on the Lord's-day. The pastor, J. H. Atkinson, preached in the afternoon. On the Monday afternoon Dr. Landels, of London, preached to a large and attentive audience. Nearly four hundred persons sat down to tea, and every corner of the building was packed by the large meeting which was held afterwards. The chair was taken by Colonel Griffin, of London. Addresses were delivered by Dr. Landels, Revs. G. Gould, J. Dunlop, of New Barnet, J. Bunting, and J. Aldis, and other friends. The pastor stated that during the year twenty-six had been received into fellowship, making a total of 112 since the formation of the church, and the commencement of his ministry three years ago; that £263 16s. 10d. had been collected during the year; that notwithstanding the removal of Mr. Johnson and family to London, and other valued friends to other places, the weekly offerings are in no degree lessened. The tea and provisions were given. Fifteen trays collected, and the collections amounted to £24 188. 8d.; making a total of about £70. The pastor stated that Mr. Johnson had offered the church the plot of ground for £500, at the same time making them a generous gift of the iron building in which they worshipped. It may be well to add that these anniversary services, by far the most successful of any yet held, were preceded by a week of special prayer. God answered our petitions and sent showers of blessing.

ISLEHAM.-The sixtieth anniversary of our church was held, Sept. 26, when the Rev. H. B. Robinson, of Chatteris, preached in the afternoon. About 250 took tea, and a large congregation was addressed in the evening by several neighbouring ministers, the afternoon preacher, Mr. J. Cope, of the Bank, Newmarket, and the pastor, whose report stated that thirteen had been added to us during the year. The nett proceeds were nearly 80 per cent. above those of former years.-The FEN chapel anniversary sermons were preached by the Rev. G. Towler on Sept. 29th. A tea and evening meeting were held on the following Wednesday. Several friends gave addresses, and nearly £8 were raised.

LONDON, Commercial Road.—On Sunday, Oct. 13, two sermons were preached in

connection with the fifty-first anniversary of the chapel, and the fourth of Mr. Pike's pastorate, in the morning by the pastor, and in the evening by Rev. H. Crass weller, B.A. A public tea meeting was held on Monday, Oct. 14, and addresses were given by Revs. J. Clifford, M.A., J. Harcourt, E. Price, J. Frewin, R. Thomas, M.A., and Messrs. W. Quiney, C. Attersley, and J. L. Wilcox. These services were preceded by a week of special prayer; and both they and the meetings for prayer were exceedingly well attended, and gave great encouragement to the friends.

LONDON, Praed Street.-Anniversary services were held, Oct. 20 and 21. Preachers, Rev. J. J. Goadby and the pastor. Addresses were given at the Monday meeting, over which R. Johnson, Esq., presided, by Revs. Dr. Landels, J. Harcourt, E. Medley, B.A., J. G. Pike, and Messrs. Dexter and Cayford. The report stated that sixty members had been added during the year, and 939 since the commencement of Mr. Clifford's pastorate, fourteen years ago. The church then numbered 67, now 521. The finances of the year were:-General Church Fund, £382 12s. 6d. ; Sunday Schools, £75 4s. 4d.; Church Poor Fund, £64 17s. 6d.; Ministry to the Poor, £38 5s.; Dorcas and Sick Visiting, £10 9s. 5d; Temperance and Band of Hope, £18 16s. 8d.; College, £28 5s.; Foreign Missions, £65 10s.; Centenary, £10; Praed Street Chapel Renovation, £208; New Chapel Fund, Westbourne Park, £637. Total, £1539.

LOUGHBOROUGH, Baxter Gate.-The annual meeting of the members, subscribers, and friends, was convened on Monday, Sept. 30. A large number partook of a free tea, and a yet larger gathering assembled at the public meeting held in the same room. A debt having been recently incurred by the erection of a heating apparatus, and by other improvements. £100 were required. An effort for the purpose of raising this sum had been made, and one object of the meeting was to hear the result of that effort. The Rev. E. Stevenson, pastor, presided, and introduced the business. Mr. G. Adeock, the secretary, made his financial statement, and announced the pleasing intelligence that every promise of money had been fulfilled, and that the liberal sum of £112 8s. 44d. had been contributed. Several friends then engaged in thanksgiving and prayer, and appropriate addresses were delivered by Messrs. G. Adcock, E. Read, Rev. T. Bumpus, W. Main, J. Tuckwood, and J. Warren. Altogether the meeting was a most delightful expression of Christian unity, and a refreshing commemoration of the prosperity which has attended the preaching of "the glorious gospel" in

GRIFFITHS.-On Monday afternoon, Oct. 14, an ordination service took place, when the Rev. R. F. Griffiths, a student from the Baptist College, Llangollen, was received as the pastor of the Baptist church, Tarporley. After the devotional services Dr. Underwood put the usual questions to the minister. Mr. Griffiths having replied, Mr. Joseph Aston, one of the deacons of the church, gave an address on behalf of the church. The Rev. Hugh Jones, President of Llangollen College, preached on the duties of the pastorate from the words, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." The Rev. W. Underwood, D.D., then preached on the Church's Duties from the word's in 1 Cor. xvi. 10. At the conclusion of this service a tea was provided for the friends, when about 120 sat down.

HALIFAX, North Parade-Commemoration Services.-On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the friends, for the third time, celebrated the settlement of the Rev. I. Preston as their

minister. The usual tea party was held, about 350 sitting down. The whole of the building was lighted up for visitors, the school, the ten class rooms, and the newly decorated chapel. Much comfort was felt from the increased accommodation, allowing freedom of transit where crushing and crowding would have existed under the old regime. The meeting was held in the chapel, the Rev. T. Michael in the chair, Mr. D. Wilson, the senior deacon, who has been a member of the church fifty years, stated that 112 persons had joined the church since Mr. Preston came, and that he never knew harmony so prevailing as at the present. To show their respect the scholars nearly filled the gallery, and sung a greeting piece during the evening. Mr. Preston spoke feelingly and thankfully to his flock. The Rev. T. Gill, of West Vale, and Messrs. Holt, Townsend, Binns, Haley, and Stocks, also spoke. The choir and organist added much to the pleasure of the meeting.

LUMMIS.-The Rev. J. H. Lummis has relinquished the pastorate of the General Baptist church, Swadlincote, near Burtonon-Trent.

Mr.

REV. J. WOLFENDEN.-On Monday, Sept. 30, the Rev. J. Wolfenden, late of our College and of Daybrook, was recognized as the pastor of the Baptist church at Morley, near Leeds. About 300 sat down to tea in the Odd Fellows Hall. Rev. T. Haslam (in the unavoidable absence of J. Barron, Esq., Mayor of Leeds), presided. Wolfenden gave a full statement of his conversion to God, his acceptance of believers baptism, and of his purposes as a pastor. Dr. Underwood delivered the charge, and Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., offered the dedicatory prayer. Rev. T. W. Adey spoke on "The Church and the Sunday School," and Rev. J. Horne on "Christian Love."

REV. H. WOOD.-On Tuesday, Sept. 24, services of a very interesting character were held at Barlestone, Leicestershire, on occasion of the ordination of the Rev. H. Wood, of Longton, to the co-pastorate of the Barton church. The introductory discourse, relating to the nature and constitution of a Christian church, was delivered by the senior pastor, Rev. W. Jarrom. The questions to the minister and church, which were all answered in a full, lucid, and satisfactory manner, the question to the church

being answered by the senior deacon, Mr' Norton, were asked by the Rev. J. Salisbury, M.A. The Rev. T. Stevenson offered the ordination prayer, without imposition of hands. The charge to the minister was delivered by the Rev. W. Underwood, D.D. At five o'clock a large number of friends sat down to a well provided public tea. In the evening the Rev. J. P. Tetley, of Burton, conducted the first part of the service, and the Rev. W. Evans preached to the church from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. This was in all respects a good ordination. The services were well attended, and many felt it good to be there. W. J.

DERBY, Osmaston Road.-Oct. 2, eight young men, by T. Goadby.

HALIFAX, North Parade.-Aug. 4, one, by I. Preston.

ILKESTON.-Sept. 15, twelve, by Mr. W. J. Staynes, of Chilwell College.

LEICESTER, Friar Lane.-Sept. 25, five, by J. C. Pike, one of whom continues a member of the United Presbyterian Church. LONDON, Commercial Road.-Sept. 29, three, by J. G. Pike.

Praed Street.-Oct. 9, four.

LOUTH, Northgate.-Oct. 3, six, by G. Parkes.

LOUGHBOROUGH, Baxter Gate.-Oct. 6, by E. Stevenson.

MACCLESFIELD.-Aug. 25, two; Sept. 29, six; by I. Watts.

RIPLEY.-Oct. 2, four, by E. H. Jackson.
STOKE-ON-TRENT.-Oct. 6, two, by W.

March.

SALTER, Rev. W.-On Sunday evening, 13th October, 1872, a funeral sermon was preached in the Ebenezer Baptist Chapel, Netherton, near Dudley, by the Rev. Chas. Clarke, B.A. About twelve months ago the Midland Home Mission adopted this cause at Netherton as one of its stations, and granted £60 a year towards the sup port of a minister. The chapel is well built and commodious. The committee of the above mission and the church worshipping in the place agreed in unanimously inviting the Rev. W. Salter, of Coalville, to become the minister. Mr. Salter entered on his labours there at the beginning of the present year. He left Coalville with many expressions of the esteem in which he was held in that neighbourhood. Public recognition services were held at Netherton in February last. Mr. Salter, in the short space of nine months, had visited from house to house and endeared himself to many, and won the respect of many more who were not in the habit of attending a place of worship. One day he visited six bad cases of small pox; from this are dated the occasion and beginning of his last illness. After five days' illness from stoppage in the bowels, he died on Sunday night, Sept. 22. When asked by one of his friends if he feared to die, he said, "I should have lived to very little purpose if now I feared to die. I know too well whom I have believed." The Rev. C. Clarke took for his text the words of Paul referred to above, "I know whom," &c. The chapel was densely crowded; it is said that hundreds went away not able to gain admis. sion. No Nonconformist minister ever succeeded so well at Netherton as Mr. Salter did in securing the respect of that dense population in so short a time, and just when the fields were whitening for the harvest, he in the Providence of God, was taken to his reward. Deceased was 53 years of age, and leaves a widow and one child, for whom a collection of £7 15s. was made after the sermon.

children, the eldest 18 and the youngest not two years old. Religion was her strength and joy through the long and weary task of training such a family, and she had the satisfaction of seeing several of them join the church. The death of her youngest daughter Emma, wife of the Rev. R. Patinson, was a great shock to her. Another severe trouble was when her second son, the Rev. J. Freeston, became a Unitarian; but at length she became somewhat reconciled, thinking that our Heavenly Father would not reject any sincere wor. shipper even though he might be in error in some points of his creed. In character our departed sister was benevolent and kind. For her children she was self-sacri. ficing; she was a little too strict, perhaps, respecting the amusements of young people, but this proceeded from a great dread of sin. She was very fond of the Baptist Hymn Book; and one of her children says, that among the pleasantest recollections of his boyhood are the Sunday evenings when the whole family, returned from service, sat round a good fire and a clean hearth singing hymns. She greatly revered the memory of her father-in-law, and was a great admirer of the late J. G. Pike, of Derby, J. Goadby, and T. Stevenson, of Loughborough, the latter of whom used to pay her frequent visits. In 1843 she removed with her family to Lenton, where she resided until her death, which took place early in the morning of Sep. 23, 1872. She was connected with the Baptist church in Lenton, and was one of its oldest members. For some years past she was con. fined at home through illness. This she bore with considerable resignation. It was a pleasure to visit her. For a little time before her death she could get no real sleep, so was always drowsy and seemed unable to think and talk very clearly, still she retained her faculties almost to the last. Her end was neither triumphant nor clouded; her faith in the promises sweetened the thought of the future, and she realised the truth of that which says, "Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee." At last she sank into a long and peaceful sleep, which merged into the sleep of death. T. F.

ATKIN.-Oct. 7, at Northgate House, Louth, Anne, relict of the late John Atkin, surgeon, of Billesdon, Leicestershire.