means, so that many thousands at Hamburg and its vicinity, in Holstein, Hanover, Bremen, Oldenburg, &c., have heard of the name of Jesus from his lips.

He married September 9, 1833, and has left five children from eight to sixteen years of age.

When the church was formed in 1834, brother Lange was appointed by the board of the American Baptist Missionary Society to labour with me in the Lord's vineyard. This last endearing connection continued till sickness and death brought it to a close. Not long after the formation of the church, our departed brother was chosen one of its deacons, which office he filled with much devotedness, till laid aside by his severe and protracted illness. Our brother had great firmness of character, and he adhered with an unwavering mind to the truth as he had received it from the divine oracles. He twice suffered imprisonment, and once or twice confiscation of goods, without being in the least shaken in his purpose to follow Christ. On points of doctrine we were of one heart and one mind; Christ and his finished work was all his hope and salvation. His conversion and, as much, his perseverance, he ascribed to sovereign and unchanging grace, and the holiness and devotedness of his life were a sufficient defence of these glorious and soul-refreshing truths.

In 1842, when in consequence of the awful judgment with which God visited this city, eighty persons were housed in the old warehouse, then our chapel, brother Lange took the oversight of these, no easy task, and he managed everything so well, that both the people and the authorities were satisfied.*

In his family he kept up that authority with which God has invested husbands and fathers, and it was in consequence a well regulated family, the more so as Mrs. Lange went fully into all his plans. I have seldom or ever seen a family in which the children showed more implicit obedience to their parents, than did these dear children.

I must now draw to a close; I have lost my oldest and most tried friend, brother, and fellow labourer; no, not lost him, but only parted for a short season, for soon we shall meet again, with all those who were given to us, as the fruit of our imperfect labours. My brother has gone before me, and is already swelling the chorus of "the spirits of the just made perfect before the throne of

God and the Lamb."

*In the discharge of this trust Lange's gentleness was most efficiently confronted with the rough characters placed under his surveillance; many a quarrel among them, on the very point of breaking out into violence, was averted and peace restored by the influence of his kindness, so that at length every difference was at once referred to him, and his decision absolutely and instantly submitted to by these men, who felt the greatest respect and attachment for their faithful and kind friend.

Mr. Wilkin of Hampstead, to whom the letter containing this statement was addressed, in transmitting it to us makes the following observations:

"Seldom have I met with a more lovely exhibition of Christian character than in dear Lange, and I feel it a pleasure and a privilege to convey to you the sketch of his life which I have just received from brother Oncken. I should be greatly happy if any of our richer brethren should feel disposed to confide to me, as a token of their regard for the memory of the departed, some pecuniary help for his poor widow and five children thrown on the kind providence of God. present their only earthly reliance seems to be their father's earliest friend and father in Christ, brother Oncken, who is endeavouring to assist them, the elder by seeking employment, and the younger by contributing to their education. But expences must be involved in this, towards which I entreat the contributions of your readers."

At

BASSAGE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. At Bassage, half a mile from the baptist chapel at Eastcombe, a new church has recently been built where baptismal regeneration and similar unscriptural tenets are enforced. With the hope of counteracting this procedure in some measure, Mr. W. Davis has, at his own expense, fitted up very tastefully a spacious room at Bassage that will hold three hundred people, which was opened for public worship by the pastor of Eastcombe, on Lord's day Evening, December 23, 1849., when it was literally crowded.

ORDINATIONS.

CHIPPING SODBURY.

The Rev. F. H. Rolestone, late of Burnham, Somersetshire, having accepted the invitation of the baptist church Chipping Sodbury, entered on his new sphere of ministerial engagements the first Lord's day of the new year, with cheering indications to cncourage hope that his labours would not be in vain.

MANCHESTER.

The church meeting in York Street chapel, Manchester, having very cordially invited Mr.

Richard Chenery late of Ipswich to the pastoral office among them, he has accepted the invitation, and entered upon his labours with the commencement of the year.

SHACKLEWELL.

The Rev. Samuel Green, late of Lion St., Walworth, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Shacklewell to become their pastor, and will enter upon his labours at the commencement of this month, the Rev. John Cox who has hitherto been pastor of the church retiring on account of ill health.

DERBY.

On Tuesday Evening, January 8th, the Rev. John James Owen, late of Leicester, was recognised as pastor of the baptist church Duffield Road, Derby. The service was commenced by reading the Scriptures and prayer, by the Rev. James Gawthorn (independent), after which an instructive introductory discourse was delivered, by the Rev. James Edwards of Nottingham, and the Rev. W. F. Poile briefly addressed the church; the Rev. J. G. Pike offered very solemn and fervent petitions for pastor and people, and the Rev. J. P. Mursell of Leicester delivered an address on the nature, design, and duties of the Christian ministry; the hymns were read by the Rev. W. R. Stevenson, and the service closed by the Rev. J. Corbin. The attendance was large, and the service, though unavoidably protracted to a late hour, deeply interesting and solemn.

BRISTOL.

Mr. Robert Tubbs, late of Ashdon, Essex, having accepted an invitation from the baptist church, Thrissell Street, Bristol, entered upon the duties of the pastorate the first sabbath in January.

RECENT DEATHS.

MRS. ELIZABETH MAY.

Mrs. May, of Culmstock, Devon, was born at Appledore, North Devon, in the year 1785. Her parents were respectable in their class; her father was, to the close of his life, a steward to a gentleman in the neighbourhood, and as honest a man as ever existed. Her parents were strict church people, but as she was a weakling from her birth, she was permitted to attend the independent chapel, as the parish church was a considerable distance. There she sat under the ministry of the late Rev. Richard Evans, who was a sound gospel minister. Under a sermon by him from "Thou God seest me," she received her first permanent religious convictions. No

6

sooner had she been brought to the Saviour than she manifested a decision of character that is rarely seen. Her religion became ap parent to the church and the world. Not long after her conversion to God her attention was directed to the subject of baptism. The only baptist in the town was Miss Hernaman (see Bap. Mag., p. 168, 1848.) She applied to her for some ideas on the subject. She replied, "I shall say nothing to you on the subject, only Search the scriptures."" She immediately formed the determination to do so, and her now bereaved husband well remembers, how in his evening visits to her, she would direct his mind to the same subject, and how they used to search the word together, until both were convinced that the immersion of believers was the only baptism of the New Testament. The change that had passed in her mind, would not pass unnoticed by her parents, and fears were entertained by them to what this might grow. On the visit of the bishop she was obliged to go to confirmation. This, however, did not cure her heresy, and her father determined to send her out of the way of danger. He sent her to the care of an uncle in the town of Brixham. The late Rev. Thomas Roberts of Bristol was then pastor of the baptist church at Brixham; she applied to him for baptism, and was baptized by him before her return to her own home. After her return, she had to endure the bitterness of opposition. Even a place of retirement was denied her; her own bedroom was not to be available for the purpose, and often has she been obliged to resort to places of secrecy where few would think of going. Being rendered so very unhappy at home, she resolved to leave, and seek a situation. She soon found one in a pious family in the town of Ilfracombe, where she engaged as an assistant in a draper's and grocer's shop. There she was very happy with the family, which was then almost the only evangelical family in the town. The old Presbyterian interest, had had its vitals eaten out by Arianism. That good man was the instrument of preserving the little spark alive. He conducted prayer meetings, and read gospel sermons, and exerted all his influence to revive the cause. Being a watering place, some of the evangelical clergy would visit it in the season. A visit from the late Mr. Biddulph of Bristol, was the means of the conversion of a young lady, who soon made acquaintance with the subject of this memoir. Another young lady, a native of the town, had just arrived from Cornwall, where she had been converted and joined with the methodists. The three were soon united in the bonds of christian love. They often met for prayer and religious conversation, and after a while, commenced a Sunday school. The seasons these young people enjoyed together were of the most pleasing character. Several letters of the deceased, now in the

possession of her husband, written at this time, are very delightful. We might give extracts, but must study brevity. Not long after this the town was visited by the Rev. Daniel Gunn, late of Christchurch. The first time he preached there, there were only sixteen persons in the chapel. Coming from the place he said to our friend, "Why Betsy, the hearts of this people are as cold as the walls that surround them." It was not long ere the house began to fill, and it was soon thronged by a numerous congregation. He took those young females under his instruction, and led them on both in spiritual and general knowledge. The Sunday school too which they had originated, shared his attention, and was raised to respectability under his influence. While all this was going forward, our friend had an attack of rheumatic fever, by which she was brought almost to the grave. By good medical attendance, and kird attention, she got better and returned for a while to her father's house to recruit her strength. On returning to her situation she had another attack, the air of the place was too strong, and again she was obliged to take refuge under her father's roof for a permanency. Opposition by this time had entirely ceased, and for sometime before their death, she had the pleasure of seeing both her parents under the sound of the gospel. She had, however, no evidence of their conversion to God.

On returning health she would not be inactive. She had, in connexion with another friend, a large class in the Sunday school; and it is a remarkable fact, that with one or two exceptions, all that class were converted to God.

In the year 1813 she became the wife of her now bereaved husband, and during the period of nearly thirty-six years no one could have sustained that relationship with more prudence, piety, or judgment. She was on all occasions her husband's counsellor. There were never any concealments between them, and it was seldom he had any reason to regret taking her advice. Her judgment was so sound-her mind so strong-and her piety so apparent, that he could feel his heart repose in her with the greatest confidence. She never sustained the relationship of mother.

In the year 1818 providence opened the way for her and her husband's removal to Barnstaple. A few months before, a baptist church had been formed there of only twelve members. The friend who had the management of affairs, was soon about to remove. He, and the other friends here, thought of Mr. and Mrs. May as proper persons to take their place; and as there was no baptist interest at Appledore, their minds were soon made up to leave. Here she had to sustain the character of a deacon's wife. Here she manifested the same judgment, piety, and integrity that had ever actuated her. Amidst all the trials the church had to encounter, she never

gave way but stood her ground in every difficulty. Amidst all her physical weakness,shepossessed a degree of moral courage, and strength of mind, which bore her up when many would have sunk. On one subject, however, she and her husband were not exactly as one. He undertook the responsibility of building a new chapel at Barnstaple, which was very likely to have brought them into difficulties. Though there was a deal of trouble in the affair, they had at its close to erect their Ebenezer.

In the year 1828, she was called to leave a beloved circle of friends at Barnstaple. Her husband had for nearly three years been preaching to a little church at Croyde, and they had given him an invitation to become their pastor. He felt he had done his work in Barnstaple, and thought it his duty to accept the call. There she was introduced to several superior young people to whom the word had been blessed, to all of whom she was made useful in informing their minds, and forming them in fact in religious principle and conduct. Some of our young friends had to endure considerable opposition in the commencement of their christian course, but she was their counsellor and friend, they depended on her judgment, and seldom found themselves led wrong. There she and her husband spent eight happy and useful years of their lives.

In the year 1836 some circumstances took place at Croyde which caused a removal. The church at Pill, near Bristol, invited her husband to take the pastoral office, which he felt it his duty to accept. Here again she was thrown into a circle of young friends to whom she was very useful. But in 1837 she and her husband at the same time were visited with typhus fever, which produced effects in her system she never got rid of, and though she was still useful, she was never able to exert herself to the degree she had done. The place itself did not agree with her, a constant head-ache was her daily companion. Here too she was beloved by all who knew her. One of our friends there, in writing to her husband after her lamented decease, says, "I would rather feel the pain I now feel on her removal, than never have had the priviledge of knowing her." The state of her health induced her husband to seek another sphere of labour.

In 1843 she removed to this place (Culmstock.) Though illness and increasing years had destroyed much of her energies, yet she was always found at her post. Let who would lounge away the sabbath, she never forsook her place in the house of God, though she had every sabbath a mile to walk, until she was absolutely obliged to do so. The last time she walked to Prescott, her husband was obliged to put his arm round her waist to support her on her way. This was her last visit to the hallowed spot, until she was

The baptist chapel at Willenhall having been of late inconveniently full, and its enlargement being contemplated, on Wednesday, Dec. 26th, 1849, a tea meeting was held in the national school, kindly lent for the occasion by the Rev. G. H. Fisher, M.A., the incumbent of the parish. This kindness and liberality were greatly enhanced by the fact that a short time ago the Rev. gentleman was left in a minority of eight out of three or four hundred (led on chiefly by baptists) in an attempt to impose a church-rate for the purchase, &c., of a burial ground. The room was very tastefully decorated, and between four and five hundred occupied the tables. After tea, Mr. E. Jones the minister of the above place of worship took the chair. On the platform were the Revs R. Davis and Watson Smith (independents), J. Voller, J. Williams, D. Wright, T. E. Wycherly, and J. Davis. After appropriate and impressive addresses a subscription was started, which reached the handsome sum of £190. The enlargement will furnish additional sittings for about two hundred; the estimated cost is about £400, and operations will commence (D.v.) as soon as the weather will permit.

COLLECTANEA.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION LIBRARY.

An important meeting of the superintendents of the London Sunday-schools and the

Mr. Latter made

a

committee of the Union was held at Silver street school-room, December 7th, in order to make effective some very liberal library and reading-room arrangements of the parent committee. After tea, Mr. H. Althans presided, opening the proceedings in his usual impressive manner. luminous statement of the proposed arrangements. The Reading Room, 60, Paternosterrow, had been founded when literary institutions were not; its subscriptions had been reduced to five shillings; and, under vigilant and energetic supervision, it had become the best theological library in London open to Sunday-school-teachers. A circulating department had been opened; valuable lectures had been delivered; yet the numbers availing themselves of these advantages had never exceeded 140. The committee had now determined to extend these important benefits, viz., to open the reading room from five to ten every evening, at a nominal subscription of ONE SHILLING PER YEAR to every teacher in any Sunday-school subscribing to any of the four London auxiliaries, who shall present a written recommendation from his superintendent. This room is supplied with an invaluable reference library; with religious periodicals of every denomination; with six or eight religious newspapers; with globes, &c., &c.; with lectures, and a circulating library of 1200 volumes, including such works as Macaulay's England, Alison's Europe, &c. Teachers of unconnected schools would pay the same subscription as heretofore.

Mr.

Latter then alluded to the benefits derivable from the habit of reading good books. The following practical suggestions were elicited in the course of the conference, in which Mr. Cuthbertson, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Porter, Mr. Gover, Jun., Mr. Hartley, Mr. S. K. Bland, Mr. Ingold, and one or two others, took part. 1. If teachers do not qualify themselves better, Sunday-schools will sink lower than they are at present. 2. Every superintendent should aim at all his teachers forming the habit of diligent preparation for their work. 3. It will help this, if superintendents succeed in inducing teachers to use the library and reading-room, as they will thus be brought into contact with teachers who really prepare, and will be furnished with the best materials for preparation. 4. Every superintendent should determine that no effort of his shall be wanting to induce every teacher in his school to join the library, &c., to be now so extended. Let him, therefore, (a) Set the example, by joining himself. (6) Explain the matter to every teacher, inducing them to follow his example; taking down the name and address of each teacher, and receiving their shillings. (c) Get them tickets from 60, Paternoster-row; distribute them; arrange for his teachers to go in a body the first night, with himself at their head, to show them the way. (d) Watch diligently,