from a conviction of their truth, but to palliate, if they can, a life of licentiousness. I can say from experience, these maxims never gave me satisfaction, even at the time I professed to embrace them. I never got quit altogether of my early impressions. I felt a secret conviction that there was a truth in what 1 had been taught in early life, and that I was now quite wrong. I always looked for some favourable opportunity, when I should retrace my steps; but, when I was making resolutions to do so, every new assault of temptation quite overcame me, and bore down all the good resolutions I had formed. I now feel that there is nothing in these systems under which I tried to shelter myself, which I can lay hold of in the time of trouble." Being asked if he was accustomed to attend any place of worship, he replied, "At first I did; but I afterwards gave it up, and used to spend the Sabbath either lounging in my room, or walking about the streets. For some years past, I have gone regularly nowhere." In the prospect of death, however, he seemed deeply impressed with a sense of his guilt, and to cling to the doctrine he had heard in early life, but had long forgotten, that an atonement has been made for the guilty, and that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin. He seemed to experience the deepest remorse at the recollection of his criminal conduct, and most feelingly lamented that he could not get his mind impressed as he wished, with what he now saw to be the deeply interesting truths contained in the word of God. In this state, his strength gradually declined. I saw him repeatedly, and in a few weeks after I first saw him, he expired. What a melancholy picture have we here of the dreadful danger arising to the young, from associating with unprincipled companions,-with those who would encourage them to cast off the fear of God, and, by endeavouring to infuse into them their infidel and licentious opinions, betray them to their ruin!-Innes's Present from Age to Youth.

ADVICE TO CHRISTIAN PARENTS.-I know nothing so much calculated to impress the mind of a child, as a father or mother taking him apart, and praying for him in his presence. It thus shews that child the deep interest the parent feels in his future happiness; and I have no doubt that such prayers, though forgotten at the time, have after many years been remembered, and produced the most blessed effects. It will not, I hope, be thought out of place if I refer to my own experience. When a boy at school, I was asked to spend a week with the late Dr. Hamilton, formerly of Dunbar, afterwards of London, a very pious man, connected with the Methodist body, and grandfather to that justly popular minister, the Rev. James Parsons of York. On the Sabbath afternoon, he called his two boys, about my own age, and myself, into his room, and after praying fervently for us by name, he desired us to go to our rooms, and think of what he had been asking for us. This is the first occasion, so far as I recol

lect, on which I felt the importance of being prepared for eternity. It was then I understood something of the privilege of prayer. I felt it to be the highest honour to be permitted, nay invited, to come into the presence of the eternal God, in the name of Jesus, to implore pardoning mercy and sanctifying grace. I consider such a feeling, in a greater or less degree, as a test of character, and forming a part of the mental history of every one who truly embraces the gospel. Accordingly, in a pastorate of above half a century, I have always been partial to the plan of personal conversation with the young. The great point here is to make such an interview strictly conversational, and as easy as possible. This is something different from mere public preaching. Such is a necessary professional engagement. Men tell us we must preach; it is by this we have our living. On the other hand, this private intercourse is a manifest expression of personal kindness, of the interest we take in the happiness of our young friends. But another advantage is, that in such a private interview, we are sure we have the attention of those we address, which cannot often be said in our public preaching.-Approaching, then, the end of my pilgrimage, I mention this part of my own experience here, and if it shall lead one christian parent or minister to adopt a plan which I consider uncommonly fitted to be useful, the object of its being recorded will not be altogether lost.-Ibid.

CHRIST OUR PATTERN.-We have in the character of Jesus Christ, a pattern of perfection, which we may safely follow, and the only one we may follow without exception. For there we see how God himself would live, nay, and how he did live, when among men in the person of Jesus Christ. He not only brought life and immortality to light by his resurrection from the dead, but opened up, and went before, as the Captain of salvation, in the way that leads to that eternal life, setting an example that we may follow his steps. And accordingly we find, that in all the directions he gave for entering into life, this was always the concluding part-"Follow me." And thence he lays it down as a general rule, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be." And the Apostle John speaks the same language: "He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked." This is a matter of the utmost importance, and is not to be accomplished by observing some one or more pieces of his example, or to copy from thence this or the other virtue, as I have heard some speak. The whole must be taken together; and as the apostle wisely directs, "the same mind must be in us that was in Christ Jesus ;" and as another advises, "Arm yourselves with the same mind which was in him when he suffered for us in the flesh." A large field, and which deserves to be very particularly considered, as indeed it takes in the whole system of practical christianity.Riccaltoun.

THE ANNUAL MEETINGS.

Since our going to press last month, most of the Annual Denominational Meetings have been held in London; and many of them seem to have been more interesting and more largely attended than usual.

BAPTIST UNION.-The Thirty-seventh Annual Session of the Baptist Union was held at the Baptist Mission-House, Moorgate-Street, on Friday, April 27th. The usual proceedings of the Union were varied by the delivery of an able and impressive Introductory Address by the Rev. Thomas Morgan, of Birmingham, after which, the Report of the Committee was read by the Rev. J. H. Hinton. The Report recorded the very pleasing fact, that the clear average increase in the churches, "after having, during seven successive years, and by an uninterrupted progression, been reduced from ten per annum to little more than one, has at length begun to augment, and has been, for the year ending the 1st of January last, nearly four." A resolution was passed expressive of gratitude for the sign thus given of returning prosperity; also one recommending services on Lord's-day, the 10th of June, and the week following, for seeking the increased out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. A communication from the Secretaries of the Union, in reference to this resolution, will be found on the subsequent page.

Mr.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.— The Annual Meeting of the members of the Baptist Missionary Society was held in the Baptist Mission - House, Moorgate - Street, on Tuesday morning, April 24th. Phillips, of Melksham, having being called to the chair, the Secretary read the minutes of the Committee, which detailed the proceedings in reference to the proposed Incorporation of the Society, and the ultimate withdrawal of the plan "on account of the differences of opinion," with regard to it, "among the supporters of the Society." The Treasurer's account shewed a balance of £4946 against the Mission. On Thursday, April 26th, the Annual Public Meeting was held in Exeter-Hall; S. M. Peto, Esq. M.P. occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. N. Haycroft, of Bristol; J. Jordan, of Enstone; H. Dowson, of Bradford; T. Boaz, of Calcutta; A. Sutton, and W. Barton. The Report, or an Abstract of the Report, we hope to present in our next number.

BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-The Anniversary of this Institution was held at Finsbury Chapel, on Monday evening, April 23rd. Mr. Alderman Challis occupied the chair, and Addresses were delivered by the Revs. A. M. Stalker, of Leeds; J. Branch, of London; H. S. Brown, of Liverpool; and S. Green, of London. The Report of the Committee,

which was read by the Rev. S. J. Davis, shewed that the number of central stations supported either wholly or in part from the funds of the society, was 111; the number of subordinate stations, 186; the number of additions to the churches during the year, 562; and the present number of members, 4,335. Also, that the missionaries calculated that they preached the gospel weekly to 23,000 of their countrymen; and that the brethren at the village stations, many of whom are unsalaried, had been favoured with very considerable success. The Report concluded by a very earnest and forcible appeal for increased contributions towards the funds of the society, which were £530 in arrear.

BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY.-The Annual Meeting of this Society was held in Finsbury Chapel, on Tuesday evening, April 24th. R. Harris, Esq. M.P. occupied the chair. The Report, which was read by the Rev. F. Trestrail, was an interesting document. It stated that there are in connexion with the Society 15 churches, of which the missionaries are pastors; that the churches consist of more than 500 members; and that the additions during the year amounted to 138. The Treasurer's Report shewed a balance against the Society of £1670. The Revs. C. M. Birrell, W. Hamilton, and J. Bigwood ably addressed the Meeting.

THE HANSERD KNOLLYS SOCIETY.-The Annual Meeting of the Hanserd Knollys Society was held on Thursday evening, April 26th, at the Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-Street. Jas. Lowe, Esq. occupied the chair, and the Meeting was addressed by the Revs. Messrs. Green, Newman, J. J. Brown, Trestrail, and Black; and by Messrs. C. Jones, Pewtress, and Underhill. The Report stated that the expectations with which the Society was formed had been fully realised; that during the year the number of subscribers had risen from 1007 to 1300; and that the balance in favour of the Society amounted to £40.

The

ANTI-STATE CHURCH ASSOCIATION.-The Meeting of the Council of this Association was held at Radley's Hotel, Blackfriars, on Wednesday, May 3rd. The Rev. J. Burnet occupied the chair. The Report of the Executive Committee presented a full and interesting statement of the operations of the Association, and expressed great gratification and thankfulness at the success which had attended their labours. Treasurer's account presented a balance of £188 in favour of the Society. Resolutions were passed condemnatory of the Regium Donum, and of Mr. Shore's imprisonment, also recommending more active and direct efforts for carrying out the objects of the Association. On the evening of the same day, the Annual Meeting was held in Finsbury Chapel; Dr. Thomas Price occupied the chair, and the meeting was ably

and eloquently addressed by the Revs. W. Brock, J. Burnet, Thomas Spencer of Bath, G. H. Stoddart of London, and by Edward Miall, R. Harris, and L. Heyworth, Esqs. The meeting was very large and enthusiastic, the interest being increased by the presence and advocacy of Messrs. Spencer and Stoddart, both clergymen of the Church of England.

THE BAPTIST UNION.

To the Editor of "The Church." Dear Sir,-By direction of the Committee of the Baptist Union, we beg to call the attention of the churches, through your columns, to a resolution passed at the Annual Session of the Union, on the 22nd of April. It was then moved by the Rev. G. W. Fishbourne, seconded by J. H. Allen, Esq., and resolved unanimously,

"That the pastors and churches in the denomination be affectionately invited to appoint services on Lord's-day, the 10th of June, and in the week following, for seeking the increased out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, and the extension of godliness among them."

It will be in the recollection of all the brethren, that an invitation, substantially similar to this, was issued by the Union last year, under a deep feeling of concern produced by the continued diminution of the yearly rate of average increase deducible from the returns of the churches. The repetition this year is much more than a matter of form or of routine. The brethren assembled at the recent Annual Session received, with no common gratitude and delight, the information that the returns last made exhibit an augmentation of the rate of annual increase, as compared with the preceding year: and combining with this fact the testimony borne by those to whom the actual state of the churches is somewhat extensively known, they felt themselves encouraged to hope that signs were appearing of returning prosperity. Under this aspect of things, they felt that there were inducements of peculiar power to a united resort to the throne of grace. Surely the mercy we have received should be gratefully acknowledged in the presence of Him from whose undeserved bounty it has come: nor can it be either unwarranted on our part, or unpleasing to the Giver of all good, that we should convert mercies thus graciously given, into a plea for a more copious blessing. Prayer-united prayer-always important, has much to encourage and to quicken it now; and the committee earnestly hope that the concurrence of the pastors and churches with the invitation now sent forth by the Union will be still more general and fervent than it was in the year 1848. May the God of Zion vouchsafe to us at least that he is preparing a blessing for us, that he is preparing us for a blessing. We are, dear Sir, on behalf of the Committee of the Baptist Union,

Yours in our common Lord,

J. H. HINTON,

E. STEANE,

May 7th, 1849.

Secretaries.

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND
TRACTARIAN VIEWS.

The present Archbishop of Canterbury published, in a work entitled " Apostolical Preaching considered," a strenuous defence of Baptismal Regeneration. That part is now reprinted, we presume under his auspices, under the title, " Regeneration in Baptism an Apostolical Doctrine." We have seen his arguments. He assumes that Infant Baptism is right,-shews that the Apostles always address the baptized as regenerated, and hence draws the irresistible conclusion, that all baptized persons are to be viewed as regenerate,-ergo, infants having been born unregenerate, must have been regenerated in baptism. When will our Pædobaptist brethren awaken to perceive the tendency of their practice? Unless they can refute the sentence above in italics, the Archbishop and the Tractarians are right. Nothing would be such a deathblow to Puseyism, and Popery too, as the renunciation of Infant Baptism by evangelical Pædobaptists.

LADY HEWLEY'S CHARITY.

This long-disputed case is now settled. The only Baptist trustee is S. M. Peto, Esq. Bloomsbury, London. A fitter gentleman could not be found probably to represent the Denomination in the trust; but how, after the last legal decision, which gave the Baptists an equal standing with the English Presbyterians and Independents, the trustees consist of three Scotch Presbyterians, three Independents, and one Baptist, we are utterly at a loss to comprehend. Six Pædobaptists and one Baptist! Moreover, the next Baptist trustee is to be chosen by the six surviving Pædobaptists!

NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL, AT KIRKSTALL.

The first stone of a new chapel, about to be built by the Baptist denomination at Kirkstall, was laid on Tuesday, May 15th. The attendance, which was large, consisted of friends from neighbouring churches and the inhabitants of the village. The stone, after the usual religious services, was laid by James Richardson, Esq., and this done, a very able address was delivered by Dr. Acworth, president of Horton College. In the evening, upwards of eighty friends took tea together. The whole proceedings were of a most encouraging character. The Rev. Jonas Foster, of Farsley, officiated as chairman, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. G. Mitchell, of Horsforth; A. M. Stalker, of Leeds; Mr. Lord, of Ipswich, and other gentlemen. The new chapel, which is to be a neat plain building, it is estimated will cost about £450, towards which, upwards of £150 has already been subscribed.

WHITCHURCH, HANTS.

On the 8th of May, Mr. Charles Smith, late of Horton College, was recognised as the pastor of the Baptist church. Whitchurch, Hants. The Revs. D. Katterns, of London, J. Morton (Independent), and Dr. Godwin, of Bradford, took part in the service.