THE FACE OF THE EARTH. Tract Society. 16mo., square.

THE former of these is a beautiful companion to 'The Jew,' published some years since. The latter is full of interest and instruction. Both are embellished with exquisite wood engravings.

THE CHRISTIAN ALMANACK FOR THE YEAR 1847. Tract Society.

To give a table of the various and useful contents of this almanack, would be to write an article, for which we have neither time nor space. Suffice it to say, it is equal to its predecessors, and, among other things, contains a good engraving of the great eclipse of the sun, which will take place October 9, This is the greatest eclipse, visible in this kingdom, since 1819, more than eight-tenths of the sun's face being obscured.

THE BIBLE ALMANACK, and Protestant Reformer's Calendar, for the year 1847. Edited by the REV. INGRAM COBBIN. Partridge and Oakey.

THIS is a new almanack. Besides other useful matters, it contains a brief practical hint for every day, and a selection of scriptures for morning and evening reading; also, sketches and portraits of the four most dis. tinguished reformers. It is deficient in astronomical information.

THE EVANGELICAL TEXT-BOOK, and Sanctuary Remembrancer, for the year 1847. Partridge and Oakey.

WHETHER the plan of taking notes during the delivery of sermons, tends to edification, we have serious doubts; but the attempt to remember and retain what we hear, and the subsequent insertion of the text and remarks after we return to our closets, in a book kept for the purpose, we regard as a very salutary and useful practice. This is the object for which the book before us is prepared. A page, with suitable divisions, is given to the morning and evening of each Sabbath for the year.

AN EXPOSITION OF ALL THE BOOKS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT, wherein the chapters are summed up in contents; the sacred text inserted in large paragraphs; and each paragraph or verse reduced to its proper head; the sense given, and largely illustrated with practical remarks and observations. By MATTHEW HENRY, Minister of the Gospel. Carefully printed from the original folio edition, with engravings representing scenes, customs, and religious rites. London: Partridge and Oakey.

Or the excellence and value of Matthew Henry's commentary, it is unnecessary to say one word. He is the prince of practical commentators. This edition has the merit of being very cheap, well-printed, embellished, and in a portable form. Who would be without such an invaluable book, when the whole may be had in penny weekly numbers, or in monthly parts, at four-pence half-penny; and the whole for thirty-five shillings? The edition we have cost ten pounds!

ON SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

In reply to a Query.

DEAR SIR,-In the Repository for December are several questions in reference to Sunday-schools, to one of which, namely, 'What are the best means of promoting the religious character of Sunday-schools, and of retaining the older scholars?' I beg to offer a brief reply.

To the first part of this question, What are the best means of promoting the religious character of the school?' I reply, the example of the teachers. Let them exhibit the temper and spirit of Christ; the gentleness, meekness, self-devotedness, and subdued temper, that were seen in him; inculcating right by an appeal to fixed moral principles,

always keeping in subjection in themselves such passions as pride, envy, anger, hatred, jealousy; esteeming others better than themselves; not seeking their own but others' welfare; and the children will take know. ledge of them, that they have been with Jesus, and learned of him; and will thus be trained to love that religion the fruits of which they will see are love, peace, joy, goodness. Teaching can do little here: training will do much; but training children must be mainly by example. Almost all they do, they have learned to do by imitation. An infant of two years old has acquired the ability to speak the language it is accustomed to hear. How has it acquired it? Simply by imitation. If, then, teachers desire that the character of the school should

be religious, let them set an example by acting out religious principle in all they do and say; and they will have their desire accomplished.

Nor is the conduct of the teachers of much less importance in retaining the older scholars; they will not be anxious to leave those whose every act shows solicitude for their welfare. Still, however, teaching must do much here. The scholars have an object in view in coming to a Sunday-school, and, when that is gained, or found not attainable, they will leave, spite of all that can be done to retain them. We have only, then, to discover what it is the older scholars seek for in the school, and then to make that attainable to them; and we shall have no difficulty in retaining them. What then is it? Is it religious knowledge only, or chiefly? Let experienced teachers answer, and I think they will answer, No. What, then, is it? It is general knowledge-reading, writing, arithmetic, history, in all its varieties. Let these have a place in our Sunday-schools, and I venture to say we shall never more hear of any difficulty in retaining the older scholars. Let them be denied, and no power can retain them. But is this work proper for the Sabbath? The Lord of the Sabbath shall answer: Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.'-Matt. xii. Such is his reply: and if attention is paid to what goes before that wherefore,' and of which that is the summing up, I think there will be no question as to his meaning; but that he will be understood to teach here, as elsewhere, that it is lawful to do good in the broadest sense in which that term can be understood, to the bodies and souls of men. But is it good to teach these things to Sunday-school children? What says the Lord Christ? Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto

'Seek the true treasure, seldom found, Of power the fiercest griefs to calm, And soothe the bosom's deepest wound, With heavenly balm.'

you, do ye even so to them.' Was it good for us to learn them? Then it is good they should learn them, and that they should learn them in the Sunday-school, because the legitimate Sunday-scholar has no means of learning them elsewhere.

In the above it is assumed, that only such persons are admitted into Sunday-schools as were contemplated when Sunday-schools were first established, namely, such as are not now receiving the advantages of dayschool education. Unless this is strictly adhered to. all else will be useless, as the pro.. per objects of the Sunday-school charity will be placed in unfair competition, if brought into contact with those who enjoy the advantages of a day-school; and will not be able to bear the consciousness of their own inferiority, and the ill-natured jests of their more fortunate competitors. Our conclusion, therefore, is, that the character of the school will be religious, if the teachers exemplify religion; that, if the scholars have only equal advantages, they will stay in the school as long as they find there is provision made to teach something they desire to learn.

If the question was for teachers to decide, whether the children shall learn religious or common knowledge, then might they decide that they will teach only religious truth, perhaps, with propriety, the teachers can decide what they will teach: the children will decide what they will learn; they have decided they will receive common knowledge at our hands; they will not exclusively religious. The alternative, therefore, is either Sunday schools must yield them common instruction, or they will join the ranks of the openly profligate, the swearer, the Sabbath-breaker, the unbeliever, the thief. Sunday-school teachers, think calmlydecide promptly. I am, dear sir, yours truly, ONE OF THE UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD.

J. MONTGOMERY.

MARY ANN HATFIELD.-It is one peculiar excellence of our holy religion, that it is adapted to mankind in every phase of character, and in every conceivable circumstance. A sovereign specific, devised by infinite Wisdom, it anticipates the wants and woes of sinful, suffering humanity, and provides for both. 6 All, all we want, is here. It is this that fits us to live-this that prepares us to die; and this that can alone stamp immortality with bliss.

'Beyond the narrow vale of time,
Where bright, celestial ages roll,

To scenes eternal, scenes sublime,

She points the way, and leads the soul.'

To seek this pearl of great price,' this one thing needful,' we are called, no less by the Word, the Spirit, and the Providence of God, than by our actual necessities. Possessing it, we lack nothing; destitute of it, we are without every thing. To promote this, is the design of christian biography, in which the subject, 'being dead, yet speaketh.'

Our late sister, Mary Ann Hatfield, was a native of Wirksworth, in the county of Derby; and from a child was brought up in connection with the General Baptist interest in that town. She was thoughtful beyond her years while a girl, having a pious mother, who was anxious to train her up for

God. At a very early period she became a teacher in our Sabbath-school, and in this department of christian labour and philanthropic effort spent many useful years. How mysterious are the ways of Providence! While she was thus endeavouring to teach others the rudiments of learning, the Holy Spirit became her instructor, and taught her, effectually, one of the first principles of the christian religion, viz., the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. Under a sermon by our brother John Richardson, from 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4, she became awakened to a sense of her sinfulness in the sight of God; and, impressed with the importance of giving her heart to him, resolved, in the strength of grace, to make the surrender. She had many inward struggles, but at length was enabled to do so, and found peace through believing, accompanied with an assurance of the Divine favour and a well-grounded hope of heaven.

The

But now came the day of trial. Her Lord had said, 'If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments;' 'Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.' Most anxious was she to testify her love, so that thereby she might enjoy the friendship of Him. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. Believers' baptism she knew to be a divinely-appointed ordinance, and of perpetual obligation in the church. This conviction she could not withstand. voice of duty became imperative. At first she shrunk; ultimately, however, grace triumphed over nature, and she resolved to follow her Lord in the regeneration. The temptation now assumed another form. Her scruples arose not from any doubts touching the scripturalness of the institution, or from a desire to shun the cross, but solely from her sense of unworthiness. With this demon, in angel form, she was called to grapple for some time. Pious, judicious counsel, eventually overthrew the objection, which arose not from overweening scrupulousness, but from unaffected humility. The spell broken, she was happy; light beamed on her soul; and she went on her way rejoicing. I heard her declare, during her last illness, that, when she had given in her name as a candidate for baptism and fellowship, she felt crucified to the world, and the world to her and yet, a person farther removed from enthusiasm, I scarcely ever knew.

Brought within the pale of the visible church, our sister continued, for the space of eleven years, to adorn her profession by a holy life and blameless conversation, constantly labouring to walk worthy of her high vocation. She was not only anxious to avoid the church's censure, but to enjoy its confidence and esteem. Her motto was, 'I am a companion of all them that fear thee,

23

and of them that keep thy precepts.' Naturally serious and thoughtful, she sought the society of those among the church members who most exemplified such mental and moral attributes. Yet, though her piety was of the graver sort, exhibiting nothing of the ephemeral character which is too general among young people now-a-days, it was not of that sombre sort bordering on 'moping melancholy,' but was intelligent and cheerful, commending itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. This happy combination constituted her an agreeable companion and a valued friend, rendered her amiable and beloved in the family circle and in the church, making her alike useful and happy. Her union in marriage with one whose religious sentiments aocorded with her own, who had sympathy with her, in her tastes and pursuits, was justly esteemed one of the greatest blessings of her life; and for such an help-meet our brother, who mourns her loss, had reason to be devoutly thankful. He can witness to the strength and fervour of her piety, and her deep practical acquaintance with the things of God. Religion with her was not a cold abstraction, a barren, speculative thing, but a living active, fruitful principle, that gave law to her thinkings and actings, to every power of her spiritual being. It entered into every thing she did. She not only possessed it-it possessed her. Especially was she careful to show piety at home. Reading the scriptures, devout meditation, closet prayer, and self-examination, were among her favourite exercises. Family worship was a means of grace she highly prized, and most conscientiously observed. This is illustrated by the following trifling incident. Her husband has informed me that if, as it sometimes occurred, he was unexpectedly summoned to business before conducting family devotion, she took the first opportunity of calling him to duty. The worth of such a monitor is not easily estimated. But her love for private religious exercises was scarcely surpassed by her attachment to the public worship of God. The sanctuary was her home. At this spiritual banquetinghouse her soul was refreshed and invigorated; she went with a keen appetite, and returned abundantly satisfied with its provisions. Trifles were not allowed to detain her from this feast of fat things. Indisposition, or some unavoidable circumstance, was only sufficient. Often did her soul long, yea, even faint, for the courts of the Lord; so that she could adopt the language of David in the eighty-fourth Psalm.

It soon became her painful experience, however, to suffer a privation she dreaded. Affliction, who can withstand! Our hea venly Father, whose ways are inscrutable to mortal sight, in infinite wisdom and good

Nor

ness, laid upon her his chastening hand;
but, though tried in the furnace, she could
sing of mercy as well as of judgment. It is
somewhat remarkable, but from a girl she
thought she should die of consumption, the
disease which ultimately terminated her pil-
grimage below. In the first stages of it she
was very minute in her inquiries of a medi-
cal attendant touching the nature of her
malady; but, when told the worst, seemed
nothing dismayed. Her hope was in God;
to him she looked, and on him relied.
was she disappointed. Was ever any? I
trow not. He is a friend that sticketh closer
than a brother. Irritating as was the nature
of her affliction, and painfully protracted as
it proved to be, extending nearly over the
space of three years, she was enabled to bear
it with patient submission, and calm forti-
tude, saying, 'Good is the will of the Lord,
and the will of the Lord be done.' A mur-
mur is not known to have escaped her lips.
When I first visited our sister, she was the
subject of unusual darkness and depression,
owing, doubtless, to her serious indisposition
and long detention from the means of grace.
I tried to encourage her by quoting the
promises, and adverting to the gracious cha-
racter of God in Christ, etc., and succeeded.
Peace was restored, but only for a season.
At intervals she was the subject of doubts
and temptation; alternately hoping and fear-
ing was her experience for weeks. Es-
pecially was she harrassed with the fear of
death. Deliverance at length came. Fre-
quently had I urged her to put in her claim,
and grasp the promises; and now she did it.
In an instant her doubting and fear was
turned to hoping and confiding.
forward she sang,

''Tis all my hope and all my plea-
For me the Saviour died."

Hence

The application of two texts set her mind at

rest.

They were the following: 1 John iv. 17, 18; Heb. ii. 14, 15. She was now enabled to repose on the atonement as on a rock of adamant-had given up the world, husband, children, parents, relatives-talked familiarly with death-looked with composure on the grave, and stood plumed for her flight upward. My last visit to her I shall never forget. As I entered the room, she said, while a smile of ineffable sweetness played on her countenance, 'Come and tell me something about heaven; for I wish to know all I may of it before I arrive.' She now wished only the society of the pious, and desired that none might be admitted to her room but such as could edify her with their spiritual conversation. The last Sabbath morning she spent on earth, was rich in consolation, especially about the time of public worship, while prayer was made for he in particular by the church and congregation. In the evening of that day she read

to her husband, with peculiar fervour and pathos, the whole of that beautiful bymn in our collection, beginning with,

'Descend from heaven, immortal dove.' Arrived at the concluding verse

'When shall the day, dear Lord, appear,' &c.,

she said, with strong emphasis, 'It will not be long.' During Monday a pious relative called to see her, who inquired respecting the state of her mind, to whom she replied, 'I am nearly safe landed.' A short time after, she said, 'I am going home.' Sup. posing her to be slightly delirious, her husband asked, 'Where is your home?' to which she quickly responded, 'Heaven, to be sure!' These were among her last expressions. A few hours more, and she fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. She died April 7th, aged thirty-one years. In her the church has lost an ornament; her husband, an excellent wife; her children,* a tender mother; and her parents, a most dutiful daughter. But their loss is her infinite, ber eternal gain. May they follow her as she followed Christ.

REBECCA BAILEY died at Woodhouse Eaves, August 14th, 1846, aged twenty years. She was the eldest daughter of Richard and Mary Ann Bailey. Our young friend had been brought up in the General Baptist Sunday-school, and on receiving an honourable dismission as a scholar, she became a zealous and devoted teacher, which office she sustained until she was removed by death. She was baptized and became a member of the church about five years ago, from which time she eminently exemplified the graces of the true christian. She was naturally modest and retiring, and of a very delicate constitution. Her last illness was short and severe, and such in its nature as to prevent the intercourse of christian friends; in her more lucid intervals however she expressed herself happy in the Saviour, and died under the animating hope of eternal life. Her death was improved by the pastor of the church to a large congregation, from Rev. xxi. 4, And there shall be no more death.'

FANNY STUBBS.-Died at Quorndon, September 26th, 1846, Fanny, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Stubbs, aged twenty years. She entered the General Baptist Sabbath-school at Quorndon, when she was about five years of age, and continued until the usual age for dismission, when she was dismissed with a copy of the holy scriptures, from which time she was employed as an active and useful teacher up to the time of her last affliction. She was brought to see

* One of these survived only two weeks.

the great evil of sin, and, through divine grace, she received redemption through the blood of the Lamb. After furnishing the church with satisfactory evidence of the great change, she was baptized and received into christian fellowship, November the 2nd, 1845; and continued a consistent member to the time of her death. She died of consumption, after suffering very severely for several months. Her end was truly peaceable and happy. The event of her death was improved to a large and deeply affected congregation from Matt. xxv. 13, 'Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.' This passage was selected by our friend, with a particular request to her pastor to address the young.

MARY ANN WOODFORTH.-Died at Quorndon, Oct 26th, 1846, aged twenty-one years. She was sent when young to the General Baptist Sunday-school, and received the regular course of instruction given in that

25

useful institution. After leaving the school, she regularly attended the chapel, and through grace she was brought to embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. She proposed herself to the church for baptism and fellowship, and was baptised November 2nd, 1845, and continued a very consistent member to the time of her death. She died of fever, after a few days illness. She frequently expressed, to her minister, her perfect resignation to the Divine will, believing, that to live would be Christ and to die would be gain. She was much respected in life, and her death was deeply regretted by her christian friends. The event was improved to a full and deeply attentive congregation, Sunday evening, November 8th.

Thus in about three months the church at Quorndon and Woodhouse has sustained a loss of three very promising young members. But we sorrow not as those without hope, having the fullest confidence that our loss is their gain. J. S.

THE LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE assembled at Spalding, December 3rd, 1846. In the morning, at eleven o'clock, brother Deacon, of Bourne, opened the service by reading the scriptures and prayer, and brother Simons, of Pinchbeck, preached from 2 Cor. ii. 16. The brethren met for business in the afternoon, at two o'clock, when brother But ters occupied the chair. It was agreed,

That the report of the home missionary committee now read, be adopted.

That the said committee be recommended to hold its meetings precisely at ten o'clock, A.M., on the day of the conference.

That the case of the chapel at Stamford be left in the hands of the home missionary committee.

That we cordially recommend the chapel case from Chatteris, to the sympathy and aid of the churches of our Connexion, and of the religious public generally.

That the application from Peterborough for pecuniary assistance be referred to the home missionary committee.

That we cannot entertain the case from the friends at Tydd St. Giles, but that we recommend the church to apply to the following brethren to assist them in their difficulty, viz., brethren Kenney, Jones, Simons, Pike, and Sanby.

That in reply to a case from Pinchbeck, we deem it inconsistent to receive into our churches persons who deny the atoning sacrifice of Christ.

In reply to a case from brother Judd—that, believing that Unitarians do not make a VOL. 9.-N. S.

E

scriptural confession of faith, we cannot re commend our ministers to baptize such per

sons.

A home missionary meeting was held in the evening, which was addressed by brethren K. Sanby, chairman, Simons, Deacon, Chamberlain, Kenney, and Butters.

The next conference to be held at March, on Thursday, March 25th, 1847, brother Ratcliffe to preach, or in case of failure, brother Chamberlain.

R. KENNEY, Secretary.

BAPTISMS.

STOKE-UPON-TRENT.-We have had another visit from our respected friend, the Rev. R. Stanion of Derby, who a short time ago spent three Sabbaths with us, and whose labours at that time were made very useful amongst us. As most of our candidates for baptism in their experience referred to his visit as being blessed to them, it was the request of the church that he should be solicited to preach the baptism sermons, and also receive the friends by giving the right hand of fellowship. Mr. S. accordingly came on the 8th of November, and preached for us. On the following Monday evening he delivered a sermon on baptism, at Hanley Chapel, New Street, which was kindly lent us on the occasion, when five individuals put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Brother Minshall, who occasionally preaches for us, administered the ordinance. On the following Sabbath our brother Stanion again preached for us, and administered the Lord's-supper, receiving