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delight in labouring for the cause of Christ, that so long as his physical pains and infirmities left him strength enough to wield a pen, he persisted in the performance of his secretarial task; and his pastor and his brethren have the gratifying remembrance of being privileged with his presence and his help at some of their monthly meetings within a very short time before his dismissal from the scene of labour and of suffering. They all attest the fervour of his prayers, the cheerfulness of his temper, the kindness of his disposition, the considerateness of his character, the soundness of his judgment, the generosity of his nature, and the frankness of his hospitality.

As a member of the church universal, Mr. Dupree deserves notice. Although much and conscientiously attached to his own denomination, feeling an honest satisfaction in the connexion with it of such illustrious worthies as Fuller, Carey, and Hall, and watching with deep interest its eastern and western missions, yet he was neither bigoted nor sectarian. He held firmly his own convictions without condemning those who differed from him, refusing the title of Christian and the relation of brother to no man, of whatever denomination, who believed in the atonement of Christ as the ground of salvation. To all such he extended, without hesitation or reserve, the right hand of fellowship. His liberality in support of religious and charitable institutions was fully commensurate with the means at his disposal; and whatever he gave, was given, not merely without grudging, but with that manifest cordiality which doubles the value of an offering. As a protestant dissenter, he well understood, justly appreciated, and manfully asserted his principles; yet never with untimely obtrusiveness, and never with violence or personal offensiveness at all. In the discussions on the factories' education bill, he took the liveliest interest; and, although he did not live to witness the final withdrawal of that obnoxious measure, yet he was satisfied that it had encountered from the Patriot and other journals, and from the dissenting public roused by their appeals, an opposition before which the rash minister would find it expedient to give way.

A description of the scenes that occurred in Mr. Dupree's sick room during his five years painful and fatal affliction, which terminated on the 16th of June, 1843, can be given only by his faithful and assiduous filial attendant. Inexpressibly distressing as it must have been to witness so much suffering which she could neither ward off nor alleviate, yet has she now the comfort of reflecting that she was enabled so long to sooth the declining years, and ultimately the dying hours, of her lamented father, and that she was privileged both to hear his constant prayer and to witness its blessed though severe fulfilment

"With me in the fire remain,

Till like burnished gold I shine, Meet, through consecrated pain, To see the face Divine."

MR. J. HARRIS.

On the 20th day of September, 1843, Mr. J. Harris, deacon of the baptist church at Arlington, Gloucestershire, after a gradual decline of health, exchanged this world for the blessedness of heaven.

For more than thirty years past the grace of God sustained him in a Christian profession of more than ordinary usefulness. Throughout his neighbourhood he was respected for his undeviating integrity and generous hospitality, for much benevolence of heart and kindness of manner. But in his family and in the church his character will have a more enduring memorial, and will leave its sweetest fragrance. His children, brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, joined themselves to his people in early life, and greatly endeared to him the service and fellowship of the sanctuary. Here he was most beloved, and his examples and principles will be best appreciated. To the church at Arlington he was truly a nursing father, both whilst it was connected as a branch with the church at Fairford, and also since its formation into an independent society, and its after settlement with a pastor in the Rev. D. East, and may they long be "spoken of" as a peaceful, happy, and increasing people! For many years before it had been his unremitting care to teach the young, to lead the worship of God, or otherwise to provide instruction for the people at all convenient seasons, In keeping in view a scriptural design, he remembered that the Son of God has the authority "over his own house," and was "faithful above many "to his claims as Lord of the church, and to his clearly revealed institutions. In all matters of church regulation he would give the honour of ruling to (6 one master" of the household, as the surest way and the only divine method of securing unity among the "brethren."

The same grace which distinguished his life attended him also in the valley of death. As the event drew near, he had no disquieting fears, but reposing his soul upon the Lord of life and death, he exclaimed repeatedly, "It is all well! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name," &c.

MRS. SHOWELL.

Mrs. Showell was the subject of divine grace at a very early period of life, and is another instance of the good effects of children being placed at school under the care of those who

are anxious not only that their pupils should acquire knowledge that will render them useful and happy on earth, but prepare them for the bliss of heaven.

Whilst at this school she had the privilege of attending the ministry of the late zealous and eminently pious Mr. Fletcher, vicar of Madeley. The writer of this has often heard her speak with much feeling of the very anxious and painful state of her mind at this time, being so overwhelmed by conviction of sin, that she could not, for a long period, take that comfort to herself which the promises of God are calculated to impart.

There is reason to believe her parents, though very moral, were not possessed of scriptural views on the subject of sin and salvation, and therefore thought that their daughter had imbibed wrong notions on these important subjects; but, through repeated conversations, there is reason to believe they became enlightened, and before their decease were brought to the knowledge of the truth.

In the year 1796 she removed to Birmingham, and was soon after baptized by Mr. Pearce, and admitted a member of the church in Cannon Street, where she has sustained an honourable Christian profession for forty-seven years. Under the ministry of Mr. Pearce she grew in knowledge and in grace.

In 1811 she became a widow, and from that period has been the subject of deep anxieties, but at the same time has experienced many comforts and mercies. Cailed in the meridian of life to struggle with difficulties to rear her four fatherless children, she was deeply anxious not only that they might be fitted for usefulness and respectability in this life, but more especially that in their early days they might be decided for God. In the midst of all her anxieties and troubles, she experienced God to be her refuge and strength, "a very present help in trouble." In consequence of the decease of her husband, she had new duties to perform. She knew how to appreciate family religion, and though deprived of him who had been accustomed to fulfil its duties, she did not allow shame or timidity to prevent her from regularly assembling her servants and children around the domestic altar, and continued to lead their devotions until her sons were able to discharge this duty.

To the constant, affectionate, and earnest petitions she offered for the conversion of her children, two of them are indebted for those serious impressions which led them to surrender themselves unto God. Nor were her supplications confined to family worship. Often did she pray for and with her children in the secret chamber, and she lived to see her prayers answered, having the unspeakable happiness of witnessing them all devoting themselves to God, and uniting themselves to the church of which she was a member.

She was constitutionally anxious and fearful, and often expressed her grief that she did not honour God more by stronger faith, and implicit reliance on his promises. She ever entertained humble views of herself, and felt that if she was saved, it must be by grace alone, and her consolation was, that "Christ was able to save to the uttermost, all who come unto God by him."

The peculiar nature of her last illness prevented her from conversing much, and though her mind was much affected by disease of body, yet there were seasons when she was able to express herself in a connected manner and with satisfaction to her attendants; and even when her mind was so enervated by suffering that it was with difficulty she could make known her desires, it was evident from her broken sentences that her mind was dwelling on God. It may indeed be said of her what is so graphically written by Doddridge :

"When death o'er nature did prevail,
And all its powers of language fail,
Joy thro' her swimming eyes did break,

And mean the thanks she could not speak." But in her case we need not a death-bed testimony, for she lived the life, as well as died the death, of a Christian. She entered upon her rest October 2nd, in the seventysecond year of her age.

W. GILLMAN, ESQ.

On the 16th of November last, at Clapham, in the 83rd year of his age, died William Gillman, Esq., fifty-seven years a member, and forty-three years a deacon of the baptist church at Maze Pond, Southwark. Through that long course of years, he was distinguished by a warm and steady attachment to the house and worship of God, and to the interests not only of the church with which he was united, but of the universal church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who knew him well, and especially Christian ministers of all denominations, will long remember his cordial welcome, and the kindness of heart conspicuous in all his blameless life.

MR. W. BROWN.

Died at Malmesbury, Nov. 19th, 1843, Mr. William Brown, aged seventy years; a member of the baptist church in that town forty-four years, and an itinerant preacher forty years in the towns and villages of Wilts and Somersetshire. He always bore an irreproachable character, and his end was peace.

MR. SAMUEL DYER.

Since the death of the late esteemed Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society, three of his sons have been removed from the

earth, in rapid succession. The decease of one of them, the Rev. John Dyer, pastor of the church at Kingston, Canada, we have already recorded; the eldest son, Mr. James Dyer, died a few months ago; and now intelligence has been received of the death of Mr. Samuel Dyer, the fourth son, an excellent young man in his twenty-seventh year, a member of the church meeting in Devonshire Square. He died on the 10th of August, at Macao, whither he had gone in company with Mr. Thomas Elworthy, with whom he was engaged in extensive mercantile transactions. They were both cut off in less than three weeks after their arrival; Mr. Elworthy dy ing at Hongkong on the 8th of August; and Mr. Dyer at Macao two days afterwards.

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"The committee of the Baptist Union, assured of your deep interest in the question of general education, beg to submit to you a few thoughts on the subject, as it presses itself on their minds at the present crisis.

"The committee met on the 1st of Nov.

for the consideration of the principal aspects of the educational question; and they adopted, with entire unanimity, the following resolutions:-viz.

"I. That this committee, while grateful to an overruling providence for the frustration of the educational scheme developed in the late factories' bill, cannot hesitate to express their conviction that vast as the work of popular education may be, it can be

effectually conducted by popular energies; and that

it cannot be interfered with by government in any manner, without both injury and danger.

"II. That appreciating the urgency with which the late crisis and its happy issue enforce voluntary efforts for the advancement of popular education, and earnestly desirous that the resources of baptist churches in the united kingdom should be universally and systematically applied to this end, this committee warmly recommend to them a cordial and zealous co-operation in such efforts as may tend to diffuse education on the principles of the British and Foreign School Society, as a course most consistent with catholic principles, and most conducive to the public good

"In the principles which the committee, after mature consideration, were thus led to adopt, they anticipate, if not the universal, at least the general concurrence of their brethren; and under this conviction they send them abroad, not for the purpose of information merely, but in order more particularly to engage the co-operation of the churches in the plan thus marked out.

"In seeking to promote the universal diffusion of education on the British system, it is obvious that a commencement should be made with our own neighbourhood. Accordingly, the first recommendation which the committee would place before the churches is, that each should examine whether the means of general education be deficient in its immediate vicinity. Should so large a deficiency be found to exist as to be incapable of remedy by any practicable enlargement of existing schools, and consequently to require the establishment of a new one, it would then be expedient to solicit a combination of the friends of education of all denominations on the spot, in an effort to institute an adequate British school. In such an attempt aid might be sought from the British and Foreign School Society, if local means were insufficient.

"The immediate and surrounding neighbourhood being provided for, a lively sympathy should, of course, be cherished with those parts of the country (unhappily too numerous) for which education must be provided, to a great extent, if not almost wholly, from extrinsic sources; and the efforts which the British and Foreign School Society are making to meet this demand should be cordially

aided, whether by individual subscriptions or by congregational collections.

"In such a course of exertion as the committee have now briefly sketched, it is evident that the baptist churches would be-not, indeed, using scholastic instruction as a means of sectarian increase-but making an effective and proportionate contribution towards the general education of the people: and, upon mature consideration, the committee recommend it in preference to the plan of denominational action. For the great object in view our brethren everywhere can do something, and something more, perhaps, than has yet been done. Were all to do what they could, an invaluable impulse might be given to the educational machinery which is now at work, and an example might be set at once honourable to the denomination, and influential on the members of other communions."

BATTERSEA.

The first anniversary of the re-opening of Battersea Chapel, was held on Monday, Nov. 6. A number of friends met in the vestry at five o'clock for tea. Collecting cards, which had been issued in the course of the preceding month, were then brought in, and it was found that a sufficient sum had been subscribed to liquidate the entire debt on the chapel. For this renewed effort and its result, the congregation are indebted to a kind friend, who offered to contribute £50, if the remainder could be raised by the first anniversary. The subsequent part of the evening was spent in devotional exercises. Thanksgivings were presented to the great Head of the church for the past tokens of his favour, and fervent prayers for its increased prosperity were blended with intercessions on behalf of the heathen.

influenced by curiosity he looked in at the chapel during the time of service, was deeply impressed with what he heard, and from that time till his death he became a regular attendant, although much ridiculed by his family and acquaintance.

On the 2nd of July, 1797, a Christian church was formed, on the principles of open communion and membership. Mr. Hughes met a few of the pious of his auditory in the vestry; and, having previously obtained their dismission, together with his own, from the church at Wild Street, signed the following declaration relative to their observance of the ordinances of Christ, and the increase of their number:

"We, the undersigned, desirous of the privileges connected with religious fellowship and a stated ministry, having already sought the Lord, and we trust chosen him as our Sovereign and Friend, do hereby give ourselves afresh to each other and the Lord, according to the divine will; that, being united into a Christian church, we may render mutual aid as fellow-travellers from earth to heaven. And though we firmly embrace the sentiment peculiar to the baptists, yet espousing with equal determination the cause of evangelical liberty, we welcome to our communion all who give evidence of a change from sin to holiness, who appear to love the Lord Jesus Christ, who are willing to be accounted learners in his school, and who wish to be enrolled in connexion with us; and we hope it will be our united endeavour, and the endeavour of such as may hereafter be added to us, by all means to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace;' to mingle faithfulness, spirituality, and affection in our intercourse; strictly to regard the divine ordinances, as far as we know them; and to walk before the world, the church, our families, and our God, worthy of our heavenly calling."

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The Rev. I. M. Soule gave a brief history of the rise and progress of the cause of Christ Under the able and effective ministry of in connexion with this place of worship. The Mr. Hughes, the congregation increased, and chapel was built in 1736. The Rev. Jona- many were added to the church. In 1798, than Browne was for about fifty years the the chapel was considerably enlarged, and no minister. But there was no Christian church expense was spared to render it commodious formed during the whole of this period. He and substantial. The whole amount, £1200, died in the year 1795. About the same time was generously borne by two gentlemen in the death of the Rev. Dr. Stennett of Wild the congregation, Messrs. Benwell and WayStreet occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Benwell, who mouth; who also long maintained, nearly unwere members of his church, though resident aided, the entire expenses appertaining to at Battersea, hearing a most favourable report the support of the minister and the chapel; of the piety and talents of the Rev. Joseph while the house of the former was always Hughes, M.A., then an assistant tutor at open to the esteemed pastor and other minisBristol, applied to him to visit Battersea on ters, and all his energies were devoted to probation. To this request, after suitable de- increase the flock and extend the good cause liberation, he acceded, and came in the spring throughout the neighbourhood, his family and of 1796. During his probationary ministra-dependents also forming a large proportion of tions, a remarkable instance of conversion oc- the regular attendants at the chapel. curred, in the case of a publican resident in the neighbourhood. He had not been inside a place of worship for many years, but being

On the 14th of January, 1799, the Grove Schools were commenced, for the daily instruction of the children of the poor on sound

scriptural principles; a sabbath school was likewise begun, and many pious persons volunteered their services, and became diligent labourers in this vineyard of the Lord. These institutions have continued to the present time, and through the kindness of God, and his blessing upon the exertions of his servants, have attained a degree of stability and prosperity unprecedented in any period of their former history.

There was a remarkable event occurred to one of the first members of the church, a Mr. Abbot, who, after the death of his wife, became much excited by the fear of dying alone. He often expressed a wish that he might, if it were the divine will, die in the house of God, in the midst of his friends. This was singularly granted, and he seemed to have a presentiment of it; for during the previous week he visited his acquaintance as usual, and intimated to them it would be his last visit. It was so; for he came, as his custom was, to the sabbath morning prayermeeting held in the vestry; and there, surrounded by his friends, he fell backward and expired.

In 1804, the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed; and to Mr. Hughes, more than to any other individual, that institution owes its origin. He became one of its secretaries, and was most devoted to its interests. This new engagement occasioned frequent absence from the people of his charge, which was deeply felt by many of his hearers. Some complaints were made to him on the subject, which called forth an admirable discourse from him one sabbath morning, on Neh. vi. 3, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease whilst I leave it and come down to you?" This sermon, affectionately applied, totally silenced every complaint, and excited in the church earnest solicitude and prayer for the usefulness and prosperity of that important society.

For many years the congregation was large and respectable, till about 1814; when influential establishments in the neighbourhood were broken up, numerous deaths occurred, and several families connected with the chapel were removed from the vicinity, which, added to Mr. Hughes' frequent absence, occasioned a considerable diminution in the attendants, and reduced the church to a little flock, in comparison to what it had been in former years.

From this church four persons were called to the Christian mininistry-Mr. Waters, late of Worcester; Mr. Saunders, late of Liverpool; Mr. Kershaw, late of Abingdon; and Mr. Sharp, of Bradwich, in Devonshire. The late Mr. Foster, also, commenced his studies under Mr. Hughes, and preached his first sermon at Battersea, the manuscript of which is still in the possession of one of the friends,

and is characteristic of the mental energies of that gifted man.

Mr. Hughes was called to his rest Oct. 3, 1833. He had been the faithful and beloved pastor for nearly thirty-seven years, and this church was the only one in which he ever stood in that relation.

In the spring of 1834, the Rev. Edmund Clarke of Truro received a unanimous invitation to the pastorate; but, after labouring about three months among the people with great acceptance and success, he was obliged, in consquence of the delining health of some members of his family, to relinquish his engagement and return into Cornwall. He was succeeded by the Rev. Enoch Crook, who was removed by death on the third year after he entered on his labours.

In January, 1838, the Rev. I. M. Soule became the pastor. Since that time the cause has greatly revived. The church has been multiplied three-fold, and the congregation is still on the increase. A spirit of harmony, devotedness, and zeal extensively prevails among the people. In 1840, a new building, for the boys' school and master's residence was erected, at a cost of £520, which was all paid off by the first anniversary. Last year the freehold of the chapel was purchased, the property invested in trust, and extensive alterations and repairs made in it, at a cost of more than £1000. At the first anniversary of the re-opening of the chapel, the friends met to congratulate each other, and to give thanks to God for his mercy. "The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad; we will be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

MARRIAGES.

At the baptist chapel, Lockwood, Oct. 23rd, 1843, by the Rev. W. Walton, Mr. JOSEPH FOSTER of Bradford, Missionary to Western Africa, to ELIZA, second daughter of Mr. RICHARD CROWTHER of Lockwood.

At the same time and place, Mr. JOSEPH MAPLESTONE of Huddersfield, to JANE, youngest daughter of Mr. RICHARD CROWTHER.

At St. Helier's, Jersey, on the 25th of Nov., the Rev. STEWART WILLIAMSON, baptist minister, to ISABELLA JANET, second daughter of Charles Rowand, Esq.

At the baptist chapel, Ashford, Kent, by the Rev. H. Smith, A.M., Nov. 14th, 1843, THOMAS

EBENEZER, son of the Rev. THOMAS SCOTT, Brabourne, to MARY, the daughter of WILLIAM HAYWARD, deacon of the church at Ashford.

At the particular baptist chapel, Smarden, by the Rev. W. Syckelmoore, Oct. 16th, 1843, Mr. JOSEPH ENGLAND of Smarden, to Miss EMMA HAWKINGS of Stamford.

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