The principal rules agreed upon as the basis of

this Union are as follows, viz.:

I. That this Society be called "The Suffolk Baptist Home Missionary Union."

II. That its object be the support and extension of HOME MISSIONARY OPERATIONS, by aiding poor and deserving churches, planting permanent stations, and promoting the cause of Christ by local efforts, in any other way approved by the Ministers and Messengers at the Annual Meeting.

III. That any Evangelical Baptist church in the county or its borders, that shall contribute to its funds by subscriptions or annual collections, be eligible for membership.

Clear increase during the year

Number of members

Sabbath scholars

Teachers.....

Village stations

The next Annual Meeting is to be held on the second Thursday in June, 1853, at Botesdale.

SHIRLEY, NEAR SOUTHAMPTON.

The foundation stone of this new chapel was laid on Wednesday, July 14th, by Sampson Payne, Esq., Clayfield House. The assemblage on the occasion was large and respectable. The three baptist ministers of Southampton that are united in this Christian enterprise were countenanced ani assisted in the services by the kind co-operation of the ministers of other denominations in the neighbourhood.

The above service closed about five o'clock, after which nearly three hundred persons took tea together, in a booth erected on the spot, and were in the course of the evening addressed by the Revs. T. Adkin, Southampton, T. Burt, Beaulieu, J. Martin of Lymington, A. McLaren, S. S. Pugh, W. Yarnold and G. Gregg of Southampton, and Griffiths of Romsey.

The company broke up about nine o'clock, and separated cherishing the hope that the building may be completed in a few months, and be known to many generations as the home of " a union church" distinguished for its attachment to the truth as it is in Jesus, and aiding in the establishment of Christ's kingdom in the world.

The committee will require one hundred and fifty pounds beyond what they have in hand, or in promise, to finish the building; they therefore very earnestly solicit the assistance of Christian friends at a distance, and as they apprehend indisposition may prevent their secretary from visiting some that expect him, they will feel very thankful

lic collection be made on behalf of the funds.

V. That every church in this Union be represented at the annual meeting by its minister, and one or two delegated members, who shall be entitled to vote on every subject which may come under their consideration..

VI. That the services of the annual meeting be as follows:-to assemble at half-past ten o'clock precisely, when the morning shall be devoted to devotional exercises, and reading the statistics sent by the churches. The afternoon to be appropriated to business; and the other services to be such as sball be determined by the church where the annual meeting is held.

Michaelmas to the Rev. W. Yarnold, Southampton.

HONITON, DEVON.

Services were held in this town, July 28th, in connexion with the ordination of the Rev. W. Evans Foote, as the pastor of the baptist church, and the laying the foundation stone of a new chapel for his ministrations. The existing chapel being small and inconvenient, that of the independent church was kindly offered and thankfully accepted for the occasion. In the morning the ordination service took place, when the introductory address on

the nature of the Christian church was delivered by the Rev. Thos. Winter of Bristol; the questions were proposed, and the ordination prayer offered by the Rev. G. H. Davis, Mr. Foote's former pastor; and an affecting charge was delivered by the Rev. T. S. Crisp, president of the Baptist College.

In the afternoon the foundation stone of the new chapel was laid in the presence of a large and respectable auditory. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Winter and Davis,

and a liberal collection made towards the new building.

In the evening a sermon was preached to the people by Mr. Davis.

A deep solemnity was thrown over all the services by the melancholy fact that the pastor of the independent church, the Rev. Mr. Wright, had died during the night previous. It was felt by all to be a striking warning to be always ready, and to work while it is called to-day, because the night cometh wherein no man can work.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-Allow me to call the attention of your readers to the subject of the petitions now in course of signature respecting the nunneries existing in this country, and to enclose you a copy of the Memorial to her Majesty praying for the inspection of such establishments.

I am aware that some persons object to this movement, on the ground that any steps taken for their regulation might imply the acknowledged legality of their existence. But whether legal or not, it is certain that they do exist, and are increasing much more rapidly than most people are aware of, and it would be well if immediate attention were given to the matter.

With us, as protestant dissenters, the great principle of religious liberty must ever stand pre-eminent; but while we would allow to all who feel it their duty to live a life of asceticism perfect liberty to do so, we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the conventual system is essentially opposed to liberty both religious and civil, and that while these establishments remain closed to all official inspection, and even to the visits of those related by the nearest and dearest ties to the deluded inmates, they cannot but be considered as most dangerous and pernicious. I am, Sir,

Yours respectfully, MARY

ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN FOR THE INSPECTION AND CONTROL OF NUNNERIES.

To Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith.

The Loyal Address of the undersigned Female Inhabitants of and its neighbourhood,

HUMBLY SHEWETH, That we, the undersigned, your Majesty's most dutiful and devoted Female Subjects, residing in and its neighbourhood, are deeply sensible of the blessings of Civil and Religious Liberty, which, under Your Majesty's Government, we enjoy. We however regret to observe that from one class of our fellow subjects these blessings are in a great measure withheld, in consequence of the existence

in Your Majesty's dominions of the Conventual system-a system which we consider to be altogether opposed to the pure and benevolent character of the Gospel.

females are immured in Nunneries, denied the Under this system, young and inexperienced privilege of free intercourse with their relatives and friends, deprived of the profitable and wholesome discipline of social life, and exposed to concealed dangers; from which unnatural restraint, if they should repent of vows taken in ignorance or rashness, escape is almost impossible.

it is desirable to dispel the mystery which enshrouds That we humbly represent to Your Majesty that these Conventual establishments, and to deprive them of that character of constraint and concealment which painfully contrasts with the precepts of the Bible, and the liberty enjoyed by Your Majesty's subjects.

Relying upon Your Majesty's benevolent care for the welfare of all classes of Your Majesty's subjects, we earnestly beseech Your Majesty to take effectual steps to open these establishments to regular inspection, so that no person may be received into, or detained in, or dismissed from them, without the knowledge of the proper authorities. And that it may please God long to preserve Your Majesty in the full enjoyment of all your Royal authority for the well-being of this nation, and for the furtherance of His own glory, is the earnest prayer of Your Majesty's loyal subjects.

STOW ON THE WOLD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

The foundation stone of a new baptist chapel was laid on the 29th March last, and the opening services were held on Tuesday, August 10th. Mr. Landels of Birmingham preached in the morning, and Mr. Newman of Shortwood in the evening. In the afternoon addresses were delivered by Messrs. Statham, Stevens, Hull, Cross, Bullock, Minton, and Burnet. The devotional services were conducted by Messrs. Bliss, Cross, Cherry, Dunn, Hull, and the minister of the place. It being the busy season of harvest many were prevented from attending, but nevertheless, the place was well filled at each of the services. Most of the neighbouring ministers were present, and all manifested a lively interest in the undertaking. On the following Lord's day two sermons were preached by Dr. Hoby. The morning was very wet, but in the evening there was a crowded congregation. The collections altogether amounted to £52, which leaves a debt of about £100; the whole expense being rather over £500.

HAWORTH.

A hundred years since the first baptist chapel was opened at West Lane, Haworth; and on Lord's day, August 8, the centenary anniversary was observed; when the Rev. J. P. Chown of Bradford delivered two very appropriate discourses to large and listening congregations, in the new place of worship

which has been built on the old site.

COTTENHAM, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. On Wednesday, June 16th, the Rev. M. W. Flanders was publicly recognized as pastor of the Old Baptist Church, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire. The services of the day were opened by the Rev. T. Sutton of Ebenezer Chapel in the same village. The Rev. C. Elven of Bury delivered an intro

ductory discourse, after which the Rev. J. Peacock of London asked the usual questions and offered the ordination prayer. In the afternoon, the Rev. J. Wigner of Lynn offered prayer, and the Rev. T. Robinson of Little Staughton delivered an affectionate charge. The Rev. G. G. Bailey of Haddenham closed. The evening service was commenced by the Rev. W. Nottage of Oakington, after which the Rev. C. Elven of Bury delivered a powerful address to the church and congregation, and closed with prayer.

There were circumstances which rendered these services peculiarly interesting, both to ministers and people. Mr. Smith, one of the deacons, in making the usual statement on the part of the church, distinctly affirmed that they had had their eye upon Mr. Flan. ders ever since he visited them in 1840 to make a collection for the new chapel at Risely; and that, when age and affliction compelled their late pastor, Mr. Meakins, to resign, they were only prevented from giving him an invitation by their knowledge of the fact that he had just removed to Eye, in Suffolk. The interest awakened by this statement was deepened by Mr. Peacock's affecting allusion to the fact that he took part in a similar service on the same spot forty years ago; that he, Mr. Flanders, and Mr. Whiting, were originally all members of the church at Little Staughton, whose pastor was about to deliver the charge; and that there were two other ministers present whom he (Mr. Peacock) had the honour of baptizing in the name of the Lord Jesus.

STEPNEY COLLEGE.

The Annual Session, 1851-2, of this institution closed at the beginning of July with the usual examinations, in Hebrew, Moral Philosophy, Church History, the Greek of the New Testament, and Systematic Theology. The examiners were Revs. Dr. Cox, F. Bosworth, M.A., E. S. Pryce, B.A., and Mr. John Freeman; in Logic, Professor Foster of University College; in Classics, Rev. N. Jennings, M.A.; and in Mathematics, Rev. S. G. Green, B.A., and Mr. West.

The next session commences on the 14th

of September. The annual sermon will be preached on Wednesday evening, the 15th, by the Rev. F. Tucker of Manchester; and the annual meeting will be held in the College chapel, at three o'clock in the afternoon of the same day. Friends and subscribers will take tea as usual at the institution, between the services.

The Rev. W. H. Elliot wishes us to inform cur readers that he has removed from 12, Wharton Street, to 21, Chadwell Street, Myddleton Square, Pentonville.