The baptist Magazine

many having been brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light. There is at present a very interesting case of a Jewess from the South of France, who has been residing in Liverpool for some time, but now, in this Popish city, seems to be drawn to the Saviour, very gradually, but very beautifully.

"I am happy to say, I and my family are in the enjoyment of tolerable health. I feel much my isolated condition here,-no denominational association-no brother minister within 180 miles, and scarcely any one in the province who would receive me at the Lord's table, on the score of open communion. But I trust better times are before us in Canada."

MISSIONARY MOVEMENTS.

CALCUTTA.

The Rev. A. Leslie has taken a trip up the river Hooghly for the improvment of his health, but we fear with no great benefit thereto. He is not, however, altogether laid aside from his ministerial work.

SERAMPORE.

Since the removal of the Rev. Jno. Robinson into Calcutta, the native church and village of Johnnugger have been placed under the care of Mr. Sampson. A native brother is associated with him in the pastorate. The recognition took place on the 31st of last May, Goolzar Shah, Chand of Baraset, and Mr. Wenger taking part in the service. The wife of a youthful convert, added to the church early in the year, has been baptized, through the prayers and instruction of her husband, whom at first she had refused to join on his settlement at Serampore. There are several other candidates before the church.

SERAMPORE COLLEGE.

The native youth, Bhadun, so long supported by Dr. Elton, has now left the College for the station at Sewry, where he will be placed under the superintendence of Mr. Ellis. Since the 1st July last a fee has been collected from all the students and scholars, varying, according to age and the nature of the instruction, from sixpence to two shillings a month. The result has been an addition to the College funds of £117 in the first five months, but the number of scholars is reduced about one-fourth. The tutors hope that in a short time the numbers will reach their former height. The school fees of about twenty poor lads are paid by four native gentlemen.

AGRA.

On the 15th November Mr. Williams baptized another soldier. Mr. Gregson was engaged in a tour in the district, intending also to visit the great mela at Bhuteshwur.

SEWRY, BIRBHOOM.

The health of Mrs. Ellis has been so entirely broken down, that she is obliged to return to this country. She has accordingly sailed from Calcutta in the ship Hotspur. The Rev. Isaac Allen has entered upon the study of the Bengali language, and is very busy with his pundit and books. He will for the present reside with Mr. Ellis.

HOWRAH.

Many of our friends will be glad to learn that the health of Mr. Morgan seems to be entirely re-established. He is able to take three English services a week, besides Bengali work, without difficulty. He is looking forward to the pleasure of soon adding a young person to the church by baptism.

DINAPORE.

The Rev. J. G. Gregson continues to suffer much from the effects of an illness passed through early last year. He has for the present come to Dinapore for a change of scene and climate, but will probable have to spend the hot season of this year in the hills.

DELHI.

The attendance at all the chapels has much increased, at some it is doubled. Many of those formerly excluded from the churches are also beginning to attend the means of grace. At the monthly church meetings the native pastors preside and record the proceedings. It is expected of every native Christian to give something weekly to the Lord's cause. Some 20 native agents are engaged, and yet several important places are unoccupied. Evening prayer meetings are held in various parts of the city, attended by 20 or 30 persons. There are 24 candidates for baptism. SHANGHAE.

In reporting his arrival at this place, Mr. McMechan says, that during the voyage divine service was held twice every Lord's Day. Also family worship daily, and a service with the sailors. Many of the crew, including the captain, became anxious about their souls. Three persons seemed truly converted to God. MORLAIX, BRITTANY.

Mr. Jenkins reports that the work in this country continues truly encouraging. The meetings at Tremel are well attended; and notwithstanding that the authorization to open the chapel is withheld, the gatherings are not interrupted by the local authorities. There is some probability that the Baptists in France will form themselves into a Union, and hold an annual meeting in Paris.

PORT AU PRINCE, HAYTI.

At the service held in Mr. Baumann's house, the attendance is at present very variable. Although liberty is secured for Protestant worship and the profession of the Gospel, the people generally entertain a great dread of listening to the truth. At the same time few appear to have an intelligent conviction of the dogmas of Rome. It is shortly expected that in consequence of the concordat with Rome, many priests and bishops of that church will arrive.

INAGUA, BAHAMAS.

Mr. Littlewood has just safely returned from his tour among the islands which constitute his sphere of labour. He was also able to visit Cape Haitien, and another port in the island of St. Domingo. We shall hope shortly to give our readers a report of this interesting voyage.

MOUNT PETO, JAMAICA.

The Rev. C. Randall furnishes us with the following statistics of the church under his charge at this station. Since 1859, 405 persons have come forward as enquirers, of whom 200 were baptised. Thirty still remain in the classes. Of those baptised, 63 have been excluded, 8 of whom have been restored. At Gurney's Mount, Mr. Randall's other station, the proportion excluded is not so large. This period embraces the time of the revival.

ENCOURAGEMENTS.

Under this head we propose to arrange a few of the encouraging notes and reports that have reached us, having reference to the financial crisis through which the Society is now passing. They will both cheer our readers and guide to similar action in other parts of the country.

And first, we present the following extracts from a report presented by the Rev. T. Pottenger to the West Riding Auxiliary Committee :

"Special collections have been made by the churches at Armley, Cullingworth, Haworth, Horsforth, Halifax 1st church, Skipton, Slack Lane, and Sutton; besides the proceeds of Tea Meetings at Rawdon and Sion Chapel, Bradford, and free-will offerings after a week evening-service in South Parade School Room, Leeds.

"The Secretary has visited the following Sunday Schools to form, or to encourage, Auxiliaries among the young; namely, Haworth, Halifax, both at Pellon Lane and Trinity Road, Hebden Bridge and Sutton; he has also attended Juvenile Meetings at Bramley and Lockwood; while Public Meetings have been held among the friends at Farsley, Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Horsforth, Lockwood, Shipley, and Wakefield.

"Up to the present time the returns of the canvass are rather more than £350 in Donations, and £210 in Subscriptions, which will net a clear increase of about £150 per annum.

"But these figures do not represent the entire results, because the local Treasurer may have received a few sums which are not included in this estimate, and earnest efforts are being made in some of our Sunday Schools, the proceeds of which will be seen in due time; in some instances private friends have taken the cause into their own hands. Enough has been done, however, to encourage, but not to satisfy us; and we trust that the completion of our canvass will produce an income for the Society more worthy of Yorkshire Baptists, as well as more commensurate with the claims of Him who said, 'Freely ye have received, freely give.'

"In the meetings already mentioned, most valuable help has been rendered by our dear brethren Betts, Chown, Makepeace, Stead; and brother Dowson would have done more if the loss of health had not compelled him to leave home at the time.

"It is due to the Pastors of the churches we have visited to say that they gave us most willing and seasonable aid, while their people received us as 'the messengers of the churches,' if not 'the glory of Christ.' In their hearts we found a deep-rooted love to the Mission, and there is reason to believe that the visits and faithful exhortations of our beloved brethren did very much good.

"So far as this movement has proceeded, the conviction of your Secretary has been much strengthened, that we must depend more for an enlarged income upon the systematic collection of small sums than upon large contributions; for the number is very limited that can give from £1 to £10 per annum, but the name of those who can subscribe their pence weekly is Legion.' Let the 8582 members returned to our last Association give on an average one penny a-week each, and the result would be more than £1,700 per annum; and if 14,525 Sunday Scholars reported in the Circular Letter contributed one penny a-month each, on an average, our Sunday Schools would produce £700 yearly, or a total of more than £2,400. Take off 25 per cent. from this calculation, and even then the result would be a large increase over what is now done. Small sums, systematically collected in the Congregations and Schools throughout the land, would delight and astonish every friend of the Missionary cause."

From our Contribution List it will appear that sums other than those mentioned by Mr. Pottenger have reached us from Yorkshire.

The Deacon of the Church at Lee, Kent, in forwarding the sum of £61 6s. as an extra collection, makes the following encouraging remarks:

"This is altogether an extra effort to meet the peculiar exigency of the Society's funds. Mr. Marten pleaded the cause with happy effect; and I hope not a few amongst us will increase their annual subscriptions. We think you did well to make the circumstances of the Society known in good time, and I trust you are reaping-and will continue to reap--a result that shall tell favourably on the future. Pray don't look backwards, except to bless God for our past success. No, we must maintain our position, and, if possible, strengthen it."

In our January number there is given a very striking example of liberality and zeal in the small church of Inskip, Lancashire. The promises then made have been more than redeemed, for the pastor has forwarded to us the sum of £64 7s. 1d., instead of £55 19s. 1d., the sum at first subscribed. This result has been obtained through devotedness and self-denial, and from a church that does not, we believe, exceed 60 members in number. Is there not a close connection between this liberality and the facts given by the pastor as follows?

"The blessing of God is still resting upon the Church. In three instances husband and wife have been led to the Saviour. In one instance, husband, wife, and servant all profess to have found Christ, so that we have literally households believing and being baptized.

"One or two of those whose names appear on the enclosed list seemed to be beyond hope three months ago, and they are now like new men, and as quiet as children."

Of the progress made in Herts and Beds, the Rev. T. Hands writes as follows:"I find I have done almost as much as I can hope to do in Herts and Beds on behalf of the Mission. What the result has been, or will be, in the aggregate, I cannot tell, as at most of the places the friends either had already taken steps for a special effort, or promised that they would do so, and communicate the result to you. I am happy to say that wherever I have communicated by letter or visit, great interest in the work of the Mission has been expressed; and in every case there has been willingness to aid in the present emergency, and to do everything possible to increase the amount raised in the future."

The Conferences attended by Dr. Underhill in Birmingham and in Lancashire were very encouraging. At Birmingham about sixty gentlemen met, representatives of the churches in Birmingham and the neighbouring country. In Liverpool the friends present came from the city and the churches on the western side of the county. At Bacup were present more than one hundred delegates from the churches of the East Lancashire Union; while the thirty or forty gentlemen present at the Manchester Conference represented sixteen churches, some of which have not for some years contributed to the funds of the Society. The resolutions of this last meeting may be taken to represent the general conclusions to which all the above conferences came. Of course the fruit of these resolutions remains yet to be seen.

"1. That it be recommended to the Churches represented at the present Conference to make special efforts by collections, or otherwise, before the end of March towards meeting the present emergency.

"2. That it be recommended to the Churches here represented to make arrangements in each congregation for increased systematic and continuous contributions to the funds of the Baptist Missionary Society.

"3. That the following gentlemen be a Committee to carry out the foregoing resolutions, and to promote the interests of the Society in the district."

We do not doubt that these manifold efforts will be accompanied by fervent prayer. "To labour and to pray" is the only sure road to success.

HOME PROCEEDINGS.

During the past month Missionary services have been held in Maze Pond London, and Hitchin, at which the Rev. F. Trestrail has been present. The Rev. A. Saker has visited Hitchen, Walworth, and Dunstable; in the latter places being accompanied by Dr. Underhill. Our esteemed brother, the Rev. George Pearce, has been very fully occupied in Herefordshire. The Rev. Thos. Evans has continued his very successful tour through South Wales, preaching three times every Sunday, and holding meetings every evening (except Saturday) of the week. Everywhere the response has been most hearty, and the pecuniary results largely in advance of former years. He mentions one place in which 146 new subscribers were obtained. The Revs. F. Trestrail and J. Parsons have pleaded for the Society in Scotland.

ANNUAL SERVICES.

We have great pleasure in announcing the arrangements for the Anniversary Meetings so far as they have been made. At the Introductory Meeting for Prayer, on the 21st April, in the Mission House, it is expected that our highlyesteemed friend the Rev. Dr. Steane will preside. The Welsh service commenced last year will be repeated this, the Rev. Dr. Price, of Aberdare, having kindly consented to preach. It will take place on the same evening, the 21st April.

On Lord's Day, April 24th, sermons will be preached on behalf of the Society in the chapels of the Metropolis. The Secretaries will be happy to be informed by the pastors and deacons, as early as convenient, of the arrangements already made; or to assist, to the utmost of their power, in effecting them. The completed list will appear in our next issue.

The Annual Meeting of the members of the Society will be held in the Library of the Mission House, on Tuesday morning, April 26th. The chair will be taken at 10 o'clock. The Secretaries request particular attention to the notice below respecting nominations to serve on the Committee.

The Annual Morning Sermon will be preached, as usual, at Bloomsbury Chapel. The Rev. D. Katterns, of Hackney, has kindly promised to preach on the occasion. The evening sermon will be preached at Surrey Chapel by the Rev. A. Maclaren, B.A., of Manchester.

The Annual Public Meeting will be held at Exeter Hall on Thursday, the 28th April. Lord Radstock has kindly consented to preside on the occasion. The speakers already engaged are the Rev. Thos. Evans, missionary from Delhi; the Rev. A. Saker, missionary from Africa; the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, Rev. Kilsby Jones, of Bedford Chapel, Camden Town; and W. McArthur, Esq., of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. The present circumstances of the Society give to these meetings an unusual interest and importance. We do not doubt that our friends will attend in large numbers, and we trust in a spirit of devout and earnest prayer. In anticipation, let the churches seek that the Divine blessing may rest upon every service in an abundant degree.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE COMMITTEE.

The attention of the members of the Society is respectfully invited to this notice in regard to the nomination of gentlemen eligible to serve on the Committee. It is particularly desired that no one may be nominated who is not known to be willing to serve in case of election. A member may nominate any number of gentlemen. The ballot list is made up of the names sent in. The nomination lists must be in the hands of the Secretaries on or before the 31st of March. No list can be received after that day.

FINANCES.

The Treasurers and Secretaries of Auxiliaries are respectfully informed that all contributions which are to appear in the Report, must be sent to the Mission House on or before the 31st instant. For the convenience of the more distant places in the kingdom, the accounts will be kept open three days, and finally closed on the 3rd April. Our friends will please to give attention to this notice.

CONTRIBUTIONS,

Received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from Jan. 21st to Feb. 20th, 1864.

W. & O. denotes that the Contribution is for Widows and Orphans; N. P. for Native Preachers; Extra Collections and Contributions towards the expected Deficiency, are marked Special.

£ s d.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Allen, J. H., Esq.,Aston

Clinton

Benham, J. L., Esq.

T. for Translations.

Marshman, J. C., Esq... Pengilly, Rev. R., Croy220 don