ersons of any of those comprehended in me first paragraph of this article." To argue in favour of the toleration of rotestants, is, it will be perceived, a crime, crime which in fact exposes the public riter who commits it to ruin ! AUSTRALASIA. PARRAMATTA. A letter from Mr. Ham of Sydney to one E the Secretaries of the Baptist Union gives account of the formation of a baptist urch at Parramatta, and speaks of its rospects as cheering. Mr. Ham says:My former account informed you of the rival amongst us of the students Dr. Lang ought out for the ministry, and that among e number was Mr. William H. Carey, hose reception and acceptance among us ed us to invite him, as a probationer for the ministerial work, to labour among our memers at Parramatta for twelve months, with a Sew to the establishment of a new baptist terest for that important locality. From that etter you would also learn that, by the joint fforts of friends in Sydney and Parramatta, fine piece of ground in the best part of the own had been purchased, and a small but eat chapel had been commenced on Sept. Erd, 1850. This place of worship, when uilt, was to cost £300, which, together with 150 expended for the land, made the entire ebt (with incidentals) £500. "In order to obtain assistance to meet this um, brother Carey determined, with the anction of his own people and our church in Sydney, to pay a visit to the neighbouring colonies of Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, to collect for the new chapel. He eft Sydney early in November, intending to eturn in time for the opening of the new chapel, which was fixed for new-year's day; out meeting with the most unexpected sucess, and the greatest kindness and liberality rom Christians of all denominations wherever he went, he was obliged to lengthen the proposed term of his absence. He finally reurned to his charge late in February, having ealized upwards of £160 from the friends of religion in Hobart Town, Launceston, and Melbourne. "Arrangements having been made for the opening of the chapel on new-year's day, a large party went with me from Sydney, with many friends of different denominations, and having engaged a steam-boat for the day we had it completely filled. It was a lovely day in the middle of our summer, and the outward serenity of the scene around seemed indicating prospect; nor was our little steamer without interest on the occasion, being named 'The Brothers,' a name peculiarly descriptive of the party that covered the deck on that day." In the opening services Mr. Ross, a congregationalist minister, Mr. Oram, a Wesleyan minister, and Mr. Ham of Sydney, took the principal parts. In the following April, a church of twelve members was formed, of which Mr. Carey was chosen pastor; it has increased since to eighteen. NEW ZEALAND. In the letter already mentioned, Mr. Ham that we were much pleased with the visit of says, "I have great pleasure in also stating the Rev. D. Dalamore, on his way to Nelson in New Zealand. He cheerfully agreed to unite in the new Baptist Association for the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria. He has promptly sent me his first letter for church in my list for this year. I have now the purpose of my including him and his his official letter before me, from which I copy the following statistical statement : "Baptist Church, Richmond, Nelson, New Zealand. Number of members Baptized in the past year Total... Number of scholars in the sabbath school 36 35 71 40 "He adds, there are 12 or 13 more baptists in the neighbourhood who have not yet joined the church, but he expects they soon will." SYDNEY. Respecting his own station, Mr. Ham says, "In the church we are happy, united, peaceful, and prosperous; never more so since I have been in Sydney. Besides those already added, I have at present several more anxious inquirers and diligent seekers after salvation. These are not all among the young, but there are four married persons, and two of them have large families. "I shall have been labouring four years in Sydney in a few days, and I feel assured there never was a time, during that period, in which there has been so much deep and serious impression on the mind of many in the congregation as at the present moment, while the number of attendants appears to be gradually increasing; although many of our friends are gone to our newly-discovered and celebrated gold fields to seek to make their there but I expect if they do (as year to this date, Nov. 27th, 1851, are as removing of the debt, the church presented follows: Clear increase 10 186" Total number of members.. He adds," Allow me to give you this one caution: not to encourage any ministers to leave their charges at home to come out to this colony under the false notion, that because there is an abundance of gold in our mountains and rivers, that there will be plenty for their support; I can assure you that those who have hitherto got the most of it are such (with very few exceptions) as care nothing about the gospel. If any should be disposed to come out as missionaries to the gold mines, they must have their support guaranteed from home, as there are no churches here to support them. There is a wide field for missionary labour, if there was any society to support the agents." HOME. BACUP. Mr. Thomas Dawson having resigned the pastorate of the baptist church meeting in Irwell Terrace chapel, Bacup, and Orchard Hill chapel, Water Barn, where he has laboured with great diligence and success for near twenty years, has since removed to Byrom Street chapel, Liverpool. Mr. George Mitchel of Horsforth has accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation to become Mr. Dawson's successor, in connexion with Mr. John Howe as colleague and co-pastor, and commenced his labours on Lord's day, March 7th. ROTITERAM. The entire liquidation of the debt on the baptist chapel, Rotheram, was commemorated on Lord's day, 14th of March, when two sermons were preached; that in the morning, by the Rev. Alexander Raleigh of Masbro', and that in the evening by the Rev. C. Larom of Sheffield. The following day a public tea-meeting was held in the chapel. The Rev. Amos Dyson, pastor of the church, reported that the edifice cost upwards of £1500, £460 remained upon it when he (Mr. Dyson) came to preside over the church. Nearly two years ago a most determined effort was made to remove the incumbrance. The members raised £100, a bazaar realized £50 more, and for the rest the pastor had begged successfully. As a small token of their esteem for his untiring efforts in the to him, by the hands of its eldest deacon, Dr. Kitto's Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature, and Dr. Carson's Treatise on Baptism; and also to Mrs. Dyson a china tea service and tray. Several appropriate addresses were delivered by ministers who were present on this pleasing occasion. BLUNHAM, BEDS. The members of the baptist church at Blunham held a tea-meeting on the 23rd of March for the purpose of taking leave of the Rev. C. Morrell, who has accepted the unanimous invitation of the baptist church at Netherton, Worcestershire, to become their pastor. After tea, Blyth Foster, Esq., of Biggleswade, was called to the chair. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Frost of Cotton End, and addresses suited to the occasion were delivered by the Rev. J. Jukes and the Rev. W. Alliott of Bedford. Mr. Morrell took a review of his labours among the people, during the ten years of his pastorate, and expressed the affectionate interest which he should ever take in their well-being; after which, one of the deacons rose, and testified to the respect and esteem which were entertained towards their late pastor, and as a token of it presented to him a purse of ten sovereigns. The ladies who provided the tea for the occasion presented the proceeds to Mrs. Morrell. The meeting, which was very interesting, was closed by affectionate prayer on behalf both of the minister and the church. STOW-ON-THE-WOLD. On Monday, March 29th, the foundation stone of a new baptist chapel was laid at Stow-on-the-Wold, by Mr. Richard Collet of Condicote, when, after the 118th psalm, third part, Watts, had been sung, the Rev. John Statham implored the divine blessing on the undertaking, and the Rev. Thomas Bliss, A.B., delivered an appropriate address. After worship, tea was provided in the old chapel, of which about two hundred partook. A service was held in the evening, at which the Rev. J. Statham presided; prayer was offered by the Rev. E. Amory, and addresses made by the Rev. Messrs. Hull, Bliss, Teal, Cherry, and Ricketts. The meeting was deeply interesting, and a lively hope was che rished that God would graciously revive and prosper his cause in this town. The chapel will be forty-five feet by thirty feet, with schoolroom and vestries thirty feet by twenty feet. The outlay will not be much less than £500, towards which £245 has been already given or promised, and from the kind libe rality evinced, it is hoped that at the opening | Place Chapel, the Rev. John Price of Aberthere will be but a trifling debt remaining. SABDEN, LANCASHIRE. deen, the Rev. Mr. Davies of Cupar Fife, and the Rev. Mr. Bruce, United Presbyterian Church, Cowgate, successively addressed the meeting. Mr. Thomas having tendered thanks both for himself and the church, to his bre The Rev. J. J. Owen of Derby has ac-thren in the ministry for their able services, cepted a unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the baptist church here, and entered on his labours the last sabbath in March. ILFRACOMBE. On Friday, April 9th, the first anniversary services in connection with the baptist denomination at Ilfracombe were held at the public rooms. A sermon was preached in the morning by the Rev. D. Thompson, of Great Torrington. At five P.M. about 120 persons sat down to tea, after which a public meeting was held, when the large room was filled, and it was calculated that at least 250 persons were present. The Rev. S. Shoobridge of Newton Tracy presided, and addresses were given by Mr. Veysey of Great Torrington, and the Revs. B. Arthur of Bideford, S. Williamson of Bristol, S. Newnam of Barnstaple, W. Davey of Combmartin, and E. Merriman, the resident minister. The engagements of the day were deeply interesting, and the presence of many friends from distant places added to the general gratifica tion. EDINBURGH. On Friday, April 9, Mr. Alfred C. Thomas, of the Baptist College, Bristol, and Edinburgh University, was publicly recognized as pastor of the church meeting in Charlotte chapel, Rose Street, formerly under the care of the late Rev. Christopher Anderson. Mr. Thomas entered on his labours there last July, and God has not permitted him to labour in vain, both the church and congregation having steadily increased. and to the members of other churches for their presence on the occasion, the Rev. Mr. Watson terminated the meeting with prayer. Suitable hymns were read during the day by the pastor and his former fellow students, Mr. Price, now of Aberdeen, and Mr. Bullock, now of the Glasgow University. The several speakers gave their cordial welcome to their new coadjutor, and many earnest wishes were expressed that the divine blessing might rest on and render permanent the union that day recognized. On the Lord's day following Mr. Birrell preached twice with great power to large and deeply attentive congregations, the fruit of which it is hoped will be seen after many days. He also delivered a most appropriate address on the Tuesday evening to the church and their newly elected deacons. TREFOREST, GLAMORGANSHIRE. On Sunday and Monday, April 11th and 12th, services were held in connexion with the opening of an English baptist chapel at this place. Sermons were preached in Welsh by Messrs. Davies of Swansea and W. Jones of Cardiff; and in English by Messrs. Davies of Merthyr, Fuller of Cardiff, T. Thomas of Pontypool, and Walters of London. The devotional engagements were conducted by Messrs. Cooper of Aberdare, Morgan of Caerwent, Richards and Oliver of Newbridge. All the services were well attended; the English baptist cause here has existed only about two years, and owes its origin, under God, to the faith, zeal, and perseverance of one pious family. The size of the recently erected chapel, which is a neat and commodious building, is 50 feet by 35, and will seat about four hundred persons. The prospects of Mr. Williams the present minister are every way highly encouraging. At the hour of meeting the chapel was filled in every part. The Rev. Mr. Davies of Cuper Fife having read and prayed, the Rev. W. Lindsay Alexander, D.D., of Argyll Square chapel, delivered a masterly discourse on "the nature of the church of Christ;" and the Rev. C. M. Birrell of Liverpool gave an ABERDARE, GLAMORGANSHIRE. impressive and affectionate charge to Mr. Thomas. The venerable Dr. Innes of Elder On the 13th of April, 1852, an English Street chapel then implored the divine baptist church was formed in this place, and blessing; and his colleague, the Rev. Jonathan the Rev. J. Cooper, late of Soham, CamWatson, addressed appropriate exhortations bridgeshire, recognised as its pastor, on to the church; after which the Rev. Mr. which occasion the following services were Culrap of Stirling closed the service withheld. On the preceding evening, the Rev. W. Jones of Cardiff preached in English, prayer. Jones formed the church, and preached on the occasion. In the afternoon the Rev. T. Davies of Merthyr preached on the deacons' office, and the Rev. T. Price of Aberdare preached in Welsh. In the evening, the Rev. A. G. Fuller of Cardiff preached in English, and Rev. T. Evans of Merthyr in Welsh. ASHDON, ESSEX. The Rev. T. D. Worrall, having accepted the unanimous call of the church at Chowbent, the church at Ashdon is now without a pastor. Mr. Worrall's labours at Ashdon were greatly blessed, and the church regret his departure, but hope his services will prove an abundant blessing in the extensive field where he is now called to labour. BRIDLINGTON, YORKSHIRE. The Rev. G. H. Orchard having found considerable difficulty in his labours for some time past from an affection of chronic bronchitis, has been necessitated to decline the pastorate of this church, from increased illness accompanied by loss of voice. LONDON BAPTIST BOARD. At the Annual Meeting of the Board of Baptist Ministers residing in and about the cities of London and Westminster, held on the 16th of March, the following resolutions were passed unanimously. 1. That the cordial thanks of this Board be presented to our esteemed brother, the Rev. William Groser, for his services as secretary, and that he be earnestly requested to continue them during the ensuing year. to the Rev. WILLIAM GROSER, by the Board of Baptist Ministers, as a testimony of their fraternal esteem for him, and an acknowledgment of his services as its secretary for the last nine years." PAULTON, SOMERSET. The Rev. Richard Bentley, who has been for the last three years the respected pastor of the baptist church, Paulton, feeling called in providence to remove to America, preached two very solemn and affectionate sermons on Lord's day, April 18th; and at a meeting of the church the following evening, it was resolved to present him with a purse as a token of the esteem and affection entertained for him by the church and congregation. His removal is felt to be a loss to the neighbourhood as well as the church, and many prayers for his success and welfare follow him. RIDGMOUNT. The Rev. J. H. Brooks of Ridgmount, near Woburn, Beds, contemplating a removal from that village, is open to invitation from other churches. RECENT DEATHS. MRS. SARAH EDMUNDS. The subject of the following brief memoir was born January 1st, 1754, and was consequently in her ninety-ninth year, at the time of her decease. She was brought up under the training of parents of strictly moral but of high church principles, and was therefore with them a constant attendant upon the performance of divine worship at the esta 2. That as Mr. Groser has now been secretary of this Board for a period of nine years, it is the wish of its members to pre-blished church. It appears that quite in the sent him with some token of their regard and gratitude, at a special meeting convened for that purpose. 3. That Messrs. Green, Kingsford, Bowes, and Fishbourne, be a committee to confer with Mr. Groser as to the nature of the testimonial, and that Mr. Green be convener, and also convener of the Special Meeting of the Board. In pursuance of these resolutions a Special Meeting of the Board was held on the 30th of March, the Rev. John Kingsford, the oldest member of the Board, in the chair, when a copy of Bagster's Hexapla, elegantly bound in morocco, and a handsome copy of Trommius's Greek Concordance on the Septuagint, in two volumes folio, were presented, the former having this inscription : "This volume, in conjunction with A. Tromm: Concord: Græc: LXX, is presented juvenile part of her life, she was impressed with serious thoughts for the safety of her soul, but these like the morning cloud or as the early dew quickly disappearing, proved only harbingers to the future showering of the Spirit's influences, which should remove every cloud of darkness from the soul, and unfold the glorious Sun of righteousness with all his healing virtue to the eye of faith. But with the progress of time her position became changed, having entered upon the married state she began to participate more fully the cares and trials of life, to which the early removal by death of the partner of her days contributed not a little. The God of providence, however, was overruling circumstances for her good and his glory. About this period she was admitted into the friendship of one of the Lord's servants, under whose pious conversation she was led to see her state as a sinner in the sight of God, and finally to flee to Christ for salvation. Having herself found the Lord to be gracious, she felt deeply interested for the spiritual welfare of those by whom she was surrounded, and to promote this object opened her house at the village of Hoo for preaching and the worship of God. This brought upon her the contemptuous sneers of an unthinking world; but that grace which had commenced the work in her soul carried it on; she was enabled meekly to bear every species of persecution and opposition, and was eventually rewarded by the assurance that many who had been most bitter were led in sincerity to embrace the cause of the Redeemer. In the thirty-second year of her age and second of her widowhood, she was privileged openly to avow her love to the Saviour, by public immersion into his death, at the baptist chapel, Clover Street, Chatham, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Knott. This was a day memorable in the experience of the departed, and one to which she would ever refer with pleasure, but at the same time with a deep sense of her own unworthiness. She was thus brought into the fold of the Good Shepherd, and was permitted to adorn her profession by a life of consistency till its close. About six years from this time she again entered the married state, the individual selected (the late Mr. W. Edmunds) being a member of the same church, and who also preceded her into an eternal world. There were no very striking incidents in the personal history of the deceased, but like a trusting helpless child she placed her reliance upon her all-wise Father, and he gently and mercifully provided for and watched over his charge. She would say when spoken to on the subject of God's dealings with her, "Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and I have a goodly heritage." Her chief characteristics were, her deep piety, her habitual love of devotion, and her constant attendance at the means of grace; no light or trifling excuse would be admitted by her as a plea for absenting herself from the Lord's house, and when, borne down by weight of years and their attendant infirmities, kind friends would suggest that she should spare herself the fatigue, she would reply, "No, it is said, They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;" and then a happy smile lighting up her venerable features she would add: "I have often found it so." Her last earthly commingling with the saints was at the table of the Lord on the first sabbath of the present year, her next, having joined the church triumphant, was to "drink the wine new in her to it, "He will not lay upon me more than he will enable me to bear, for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."" During the short illness which terminated her sojourn below, she was permitted to enjoy much of the divine presence, and to express her firm and unshaken confidence in the God of her salvation. At the last interview with some beloved relatives it was remarked, "You have many hours of loneliness" (arising from almost total loss of sight and considerable deafness); she replied with marked emphasis, "No; I am never alone." Upon the hymn commencing, "How firm a foundation," &c., being repeated, she said, "That is sweet; it is indeed precious." Being asked if there were any particular portion of scripture from which she would like her death to be improved, should it be her heavenly Father's will to call her home, she lay apparently in deep thought for a minute or two, and then said, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." "Yes," she continued, "it is all free, unmerited grace." About two hours after this conversation had ended, the aged believer was deprived of consciousness; a lethargic slumber overspread her frame, in which quiet, peaceful state, she remained till the morning of Saturday, January 17th, when, after a slight convulsive effort, her happy spirit winged its way to regions of unsullied bliss, there to abide in the presence of the Lord for ever. The power of vital godliness was strikingly exemplified by the departed. Religion with her was not a secondary consideration, but the one steady, persevering aim of her existence. By her removal from the family circle, those of riper years are deprived of a pattern worthy of imitation, while the young have lost a beloved relative, from whose lips words of wisdom and affectionate advice would constantly proceed. MR. WILLIAM HEBDITCH. The subject of this brief memoir was born at Eastham, near to Crewkerne, in the year 1808. His father, though at that time an independent, was one of the originators of the baptist cause at Crewkerne, where he still continues both a member and an officer. The early history of our departed brother is unknown to the writer, but from the church book it appears that he was received as a member so early as the year 1827. The pious example ever before him at home, and the fervent prayers which there daily ascended from the heart and lips of his beloved parent, had much to do with the |