played much public spirit, and took an interest in all that concerned the welfare of his fellow men. At the commencement of the Mechanics' Institution formed in Reading he was chosen its president, and he was throughout life an ardent and consistent friend of liberty, civil and religious. A considerable time before his death he gradually retired from business, and for the last fourteen months of his life he resided at North Court, near Abingdon, with his sister, Mrs. Leader, to their mutual gratification and comfort. His latest days were marked by an evident ripening for a better world which, indeed, had been observed in him since his retirement from business. His last illness was short, and a fatal termination of it was not anticipated; it was indeed expected that he would recover until within a few hours of his death. During the early portion of his sickness his mind was in joyful anticipation of a better world, and when his end evidently drew near he took a solemn leave of his relatives, whom he gathered around his bed. Almost his last words were, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace." He died on the 1st of December, 1846, in the 76th or 77th year of his age. No fewer than thirteen sons and daughters and sons and daughters-in-law attended his funeral. MR. JOHN HORSEY. This exemplary Christian was born at Crewkerne in the year 1776. His father, Mr. James Horsey, was a member of the baptist church, Yeovil, though owing to the distance of this town from Crewkerne he usually attended the presbyterian chapel (now unitarian) of his town, excepting on ordinance sabbaths, when he worshipped with his family at Yeovil. It is not known when or by what means the subject of this memoir was brought to the knowledge of the truth. But it seems after his father had left the town he attended but seldom the presbyterian chapel, and usually sat under the ministry of Messrs. Toms, Price, and others, who occasionally preached in the neighbouring villages. The preaching of these good men led him, it is supposed, to yield his heart to God and to consecrate his life to his service. Hence on the 18th of September, 1818, he was baptized by his uncle, the Rev. Richard Horsey of Taunton; his brother, the senior deacon of the church there, assisting him into the water. At this time the gospel was rarely preached in either of the places of worship in Crewkerne. Presbyterianism had degenerated into Socinianism; and the parish church echoed the wondrous doings and infallible doctrines of Joanna Southcot. It appears however from the church book that in 1813 Mr. Willy, a baptist minister, came to reside in Crewkerne, where he opened a school, and shortly afterwards established a meeting for prayer in his house. Subsequently he purchased premises in the extremity of North Street, where he regularly conducted public worship, our friend being one of his congregation and a zealous supporter of him. From this period may be dated the honourable career of Mr. Horsey and the diffusion of orthodox sentiments in Crewkerne. After preaching for about two years Mr. Willy left the town. The cause, however, which he was the means of originating still flourished, so that, after much deliberation, advice, and prayer, the friends resolved to build a chapel. A suitable site in North Street being offered for £180, our departed friend generously paid the money, and also made advances towards the erection of the building. In March, 1820, the chapel was opened for stated worship, the Rev. Messrs. Viney of Bridgwater, Claypole of Yeovil, and Smith of Bath being the preachers on the occasion. On the 18th of June following, the church, consisting of six persons dismissed from other communions, of whom the deceased was one, was formed by the Rev. Richard Horsey of Taunton. In the letter of our friend's dismissal the following passage occurs :-" It is our earnest and sincere prayer that the sanction of heaven may attend your proposed union, and that this may prove the foundation of a large accession to the Redeemer's interest among you." This prayer, uttered so fervently, was in great measure answered in the life of Mr. Horsey, for he lived to see 194 persons added to the church which he had been the means of originating. Soon after the church was formed, Mr. Horsey was unanimously chosen with fidelity and influence to the day of his death, which took place on the 1st of December. He had in general enjoyed good health, and till within four days of his decease pursued his daily vocation with his usual diligence. On the Friday, however, previous to his removal he appeared unwell, and on But notwithstanding all that was done for the following day medical aid was procured. him by his physician, and the many prayers offered for him by his friends that he might be spared a little longer, he gradually got weaker and weaker till the Tuesday afternoon, when his disembodied spirit soared to blessedness of those who die in the Lord. the regions of purity and peace to realize the to be one of the deacons. This office he filled MR. JAMES HIRST. This respected deacon of the baptist church at Stalybridge, Lancashire, died in his eightieth year on the 29th of December. Whilst passing through the lobby of the house he fell down in an apoplectic fit and died in a short time. He had sustained the deacon's office ever since the formation of the church in 1815. On the last sabbath in the year his pastor, Mr. J. Ash, preached a sermon to the aged from the prayer of the psalmist, "Cast me not off in time of old age," &c., to which Mr. Hirst listened with marked attention. MR. R. BOUGHTON. Died, on Friday morning, Jan. 1, after a short illness, aged thirty-three, Mr. Richard Boughton, jun., of Husbourne, Crawley Kiln. He was an honourable deacon of the baptist church, Ridgmount, Beds, and left the world in the possession of a good hope through grace, leaving a widow and three children and a large circle of friends, by whom he was greatly beloved, to lament their loss. MISCELLANEA. PROFITS OF THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this magazine was held on the 17th of January, when the following sums were voted to widows of baptist ministers. The initials alone of each widow are given, with the name of the "contributor" by whom she was recommended. Recommended by Mrs. S. W............Dr. Cox .H. W. Stembridge. M. A............J. H. Hinton... .T. W. Blackmore E. R............J. Richards J. W............D. Davies........ S. D.............J. Richards .Thomas Morgan M. J.............J. Francis It will gratify many of our readers to learn that a chapel, of the elevation of which this is a view, is about to be built for the use of the church under the pastoral care of Mr. Timothy Moore. The place in which they at present worship is not only delapidated, but bears evidence of having been erected in times when it was wisest for baptists to worship where they were least likely to be discovered. The "Walk," as it is called, in which the building is situated, is not a thoroughfare; it is characterized by almost every thing that is repulsive, and the entrance to it from the street is down a flight of dangerous steps. Many good people in the country who think of a baptist minister in London as a highly privileged personage, and of a baptist church in London as an assemblage of affluent and fashionable people, would look upon it with the utmost astonishment, if they could be induced to proceed far enough into the "Walk" to catch a glimpse of the structure. A piece of ground has, however, been purchased in Devonport Street, between Commercial Road and the Back Road, in the midst of an improving neighbourhood, and one unprovided with any place of worship. Encouragement and assistance have been afforded by kind friends; and though the Baptist Building Fund cannot according to its constitution aid any case in the metropolis, we doubt not that help will be cheerfully given by many who know the devotedness and persevering diligence of the respected The following are Subjects for Conference," for the year 1847, appointed by the London Maternal Association at New Broad Street Chapel, Bishopsgate. All mothers who desire information on the subject are invited to attend. The meetings begin at half-past eleven o'clock. Wednesday, February 17.-What is the nature of the provocation alluded to in Ephesians vi., "Provoke not you children to wrath ?" Wednesday, March 17.-How far may the love of praise be allowed and acted upon in childhood? Wednesday, April 21.-What instruction is given to us by the text, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him?" Wednesday, May 19.-What are the prevailing forms in which selfishness betrays itself in early life, and how should the principle be counteracted? Wednesday, June 16. Examine the prayers offered up, and the blessings pronounced by pious parents on their offspring, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, &c. Wednesday, August 18.-How may a mother best interpose to prevent the evils likely to arise from light reading in a family? Wednesday, September 15.-What dispositions of mind must be cultivated by parents in order to render home attractive and happy? Wednesday, October 20.-In what way may mistresses acquire a good religious influence over their servants? Wednesday, November 17.-What are the leading characteristics of the excellent woman as described by Solomon? Prov. xxxi. Wednesday, December 15.-What companions should we seek for our children? It is particularly requested that ladies forming local associations either in town or country will open a correspondence with the London Maternal Association. Communications may be addressed to Mrs. Reed, Cambridge Heath, Hackney; Mrs. Matheson, 5, Palmer's Terrace, Holloway; Mrs. Meredith, 3, Durham Place, Lambeth. JOHN STREET, BEDFORD row. We learn with regret that the Rev. J. H. Evans, the much esteemed pastor of the VOL. X.-FOURTH SERIES. church in John Street, is still prevented by indisposition from preaching more than once on the Lord's day. We understand it is the desire of Mr. Evans and the church to meet with a minister who could regularly supply this lack of service. May the Great Head of the church direct them! REV. J. SMITH OF ASTWOOD. A very interesting jubilee meeting took place at the baptist chapel, Astwood Bank, Worcestershire, on Dec. 31, 1846; when between four and five hundred persons took tea together. Afterwards a public service was held and attended by nearly seven hundred persons, when the Rev. James Smith was presented with a very elegant service of plate, consisting of a coffee-pot, tea-pot, sugarbasin, and cream-ewer, of the value of forty guineas, being a small token of Christian affection from the church and congregation to their beloved pastor, who had entered upon the fiftieth year of his ministry at that place, Dec. 18, 1846. The meeting was addressed by several ministers and at the close of the service the congregation retired highly delighted with the proceedings of the evening. SOHO STREET, LIVERPOOL. At a quarterly tea-meeting on the 28th of December last, after the delivery of several impressive speeches, a purse was presented to the pastor of the baptist church assembling for divine worship in Soho Street, Liverpool, the Rev. Richard B. Lancaster, with the following address :-" Reverend and Dear Sir, We, the members of your church and congregation, desire to avail ourselves of the opportunity which is now afforded us, on the return of this another of our quarterly teameetings, of testifying how highly we esteem your persevering labours amongst us in preaching the glorious truths of the blessed and everlasting gospel. Inadequate as we know any acknowledgment of your invaluable services to be, we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of presenting you with a purse containing £41 1s. 6d. as a token of our respect and esteem. Praying that the God of all grace may continue to bless your ministrations to the strengthening of believers and the conversion of many souls, that the bond of union which now so happily exists between us may long continue, and that when we have done with the cares and troubles of this world pastor and people may be received into everlasting glory, "We are, Rev. and dear sir, "Faithfully yours in Jesus." CORRESPONDENCE. CHAPEL DEBT EXTINCTION AND THE UNITED KINGDOM BUILDING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-In your last number a correspondent very judiciously alludes to the incalculable boon which has been conferred upon our churches by the loan fund in operation in connexion with the " Baptist Building Fund Society," and argues that its excellency surpasses all other modes for accomplishing the desirable object of liberating our churches from their present pecuniary incumbrances. If the fund referred to by your correspondent could be made as efficient as it is "excellent," doubtless it would render all other efforts unnecessary; but ere this consummation can be realized, our Christian friends must make a strenuous effort, and place at the disposal of the committee the sum of £180,000 to £200,000, not as an investment, either to produce simple or compound interest, but as a guaranteed loan fund to provide for the extension of denominational churches in this and future generations. The conception is bold and majestic, but I fear will never be realized. I shall, however, have much pleasure if the united efforts of the Baptist Building Fund Committee should eventually attain this desideratum; but until then, surely every practicable and legitimate means should be adopted to lessen or remove existing burdens. Impressed with this view, I was induced to co-operate with the committee of the "United Kingdom Building and Investment Association," which was formed almost for the express purpose of liquidating, by an easy and gradual process, the debts on our chapels and schools, and which society during the first year of its existence has proved that its benevolent constitution has been fully appreciated by those who had previously sought relief in vain. Your correspondent, however, urges four objections to the operations of this society, the whole of which, if he were acquainted with our rules he would discover, as I shall endeavour to prove, are fallacious. 1st. He remarks it is "inefficient to remove the debts." Can he direct us to any society more efficient? If not, the remark has no force against this. Surely he must be fully aware that the combined efforts of all existing societies have been hitherto unable to conquer this growing obstacle to our prosperity; but if any society is adapted to effect the permanent extinction of our chapel debts, it appears to me, the "United Kingdom Building Society" combines all the requisites for that important object. Let all who have spare capital and desire to make a safe investment, procure shares in this society. They will ultimately realize their principal, with liberal interest, and an ample fund will be realized to satisfy the demands of our churches in distress. 2nd. "That the borrowers will pay a much greater proportion than they receive." This inference is quite incorrect. If this society were formed upon the mercenary bidding system, I fully agree with your correspondent that to apply its operations to the church of Christ would be illegitimate, and I would almost add sacrilege. But what is the fact? I will place but one simple illustration in this letter from which you and your readers will draw your own conclusions, premising that this illustration is equally and uniformly applicable to any amount advanced by the society. I will suppose a church is desirous of borrowing £300 during the first year of the society's existence, in which case they would be required to take five shares, and upon which shares have to pay 10s. per month each during a period of thirteen years; thus you will perceive they realize an immediate advance of £60 per share, which with simple interest at five per cent. amounts to £99, and for which they return to the society, during a period of thirteen years only, the sum of £78. I have annexed a debtor's and creditor's account, so as to render it intelligible to all your readers. Chapel in Account with the United Kingdom Building and Investment Society. Dr. The fourth objection relates to the profits | uniform monitory gauge in provident societies realized by depositors; in reply to which I generally? The Manchester unity of Odd would only remark, if this society can confer Fellows has already many lodges spread over such an unprecedented boon on the borrowers, all England on one system. The various life it must be by the prompt investment of assurance institutions have agents in almost capital by depositors, and to induce such all the towns in the kingdom. Surely the investments they ought to show a fair re- difficulty is not insurmountable in respect to muneration for such outlay; upon these princi- societies founded on right principles, and havples the society was founded, admirably ing an object of importance second only to adjusting the rights and interests of both that of evangelical religion ! parties; upon these principles it has prospered beyond the most sanguine expectation of its originators, and if your correspondent is really anxious for the liberation of our churches from their pecuniary embarrassment, permit me to commend to his attention a copy of the rules of the "United Kingdom Building and Investment Society," and I entertain the most sanguine expectation that he will enroll his name among its future supporters. I am, dear sir, Yours faithfully, PETER BROAD. Tavistock Villa, Shepherd's Bush, January 4, 1847. One other point deserving of consideration is the desirableness of an unsectarian directorship. We have already too many denominational organizations, and should, in a case like this, cultivate common ground and catholic principles. Mutual provision for sickness, &c., is alike important to persons of all creeds, religious and political, and therefore provident institutions should be governed unitedly by men of all creeds. Provident acts are not essentially religious, but pecuniary acts, and therefore it would be well if money affairs were undertaken by men of business rather than ministers of religion. Reverend names may give confidence to the pious of the same faith and order, but are apt to prejudice those of other sects, and also the ON THE FORMATION OF PROVIDENT INSTITU- moral who are unconnected by profession TIONS. ANOTHER LOVER OF PURE MORALS. Berkshire. EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT. with any denomination, a class which above To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. most others it would be the object of such DEAR SIR,-As the establishment of provi- societies to benefit by preserving them from dent or benefit societies on an equitable and contaminating associations. Christian mermoral basis is occupying the attention of chants and tradesmen could be found in large many philanthropic individuals, I feel anxious communities who would become officers and to offer one or two suggestions on the subject. trustees, and thus sectarian aspects might be A respected minister has recommended the avoided. If it be urged that ministers are establishment of ten independent institutions better qualified from their station and characin England and Wales, having their respective ter to give weight to a society, then such depots in as many large central towns. The influence might be superadded by their sancchief objection to this plan is its lack of uni- tion through the press, and by individual formity. In this age of locomotion members recommendation without their becoming prould be continually getting out of the dis-minent patrons and managers. trict of the society to which they belonged, and hence a continuation of payments and reception of benefits would be inconvenient if not wholly impracticable. It appears, then, of paramount importance that a society should be formed in the metropolis for the purpose of promoting district provident in stitutions in various suitable localities on a certain uniform pecuniary basis. Each of these institutions might embrace several counties, might have the care of its own fund, the appointment of its officers and board of management, the adoption of its laws, &c., only recognizing one well-digested and approved scale of payment; and benefits, by which members removing from one locality to another might with ease and equity be transferred to the district in which they were about to reside. Much has been spoken and printed on the incalculable advantages which would have resulted had there been a uniform gauge in the early history of railway projections;-would there not be a similarly inestimable good arising from the adoption of a Our friend Mr. Evans of Calcutta considers the portrait in our January number a very fair representation of Dr. Yates as he last appeared in the pulpit. He gives some interesting particulars respecting the drawing from which the engraving was executed. It was taken by Mr. Grant of Calcutta whilst Dr. Yates was in the act of delivering one of a series of lectures on popery by the united missionaries in Calcutta, in the Durhumtula Chapel-a chapel occupied by a congregation connected with the London Missionary Society, and selected for the purpose on account of its size and central situation. The subject of the lecture was the nature and constitution of the Christian church. "It was a discourse so clear and satisfactory," says Mr. Evans, "that I should be pleased to see it in its entire state transferred to the pages of the |