INTELLIGENCE. NEW CHURCH. DESBORO, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. BECKINGTON, SOMERSET. twenty of the friends, was held, the proceeds On Lord's day, December 31, 1848, the new school room adjoining the baptist chapel, Seven persons recently baptized by the Beckington, was opened. Sermons suitable Rev. T. Clements, with nine others, were to the occasion were preached by Messrs. formed into a Christian church on the 6th of Manning and Middleditch of Frome, and by November, 1848. At half-past four o'clock, Mr. John Hinton, who is recently chosen about eighty persons sat down to tea, the pastor of the above church; and on the folwhole of the trays being provided gratuitous-lowing Tuesday, a tea meeting, given by ly, the profits being devoted to defray the expense of repairing and cleansing the chapel. At six o'clock, a public service commenced by Mr. R. Baker of Thrapstone giving out a hymn; when George Cane, Esq., of Grenden Hall, read the scriptures and prayed; after which, the Rev. W. Robinson of Kettering delivered an appropriate discourse After the tea, Mr. Hinton was recognized on the nature and duties of a Christian church; Mr. Clements then prayed. Mr. tive to the school and church were read by as pastor of the church; some statistics relaRobinson said a few words to the persons Mr. Joyce, and the meeting was ably addressentering into fellowship; after which, an ap-ed by the Revs. Manning and Middleditch, propriate hymn was sung, and the ordinance of the Lord's supper was administered to the church and other Christian friends. The formation of a Christian church had not been known in Desboro before. This interest was commenced by the county mission of the particular baptist denomination, and is still chiefly supported by them. A full congregation has been gathered, and there is a good sabbath school. ORDINATIONS. SWAVESEY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. Wednesday, December 11, 1848, Mr. J. C. Wooster, a member of the baptist church at Spencer Place, London, was ordained rastor of the second baptist church at Swavesey; when the Rev. W. Green of Cottenham be. gan the morning service with reading the scriptures and prayer; the Rev. J. Aldis, Maze Pond, London, stated the nature of a gospel church and asked the usual questions; the Rev. G. Bailey of Haddenham prayed the ordination prayer; after which the Rev. J. Peacock, Mr. Wooster's pastor, gave the charge, and closed the service. Met again at three o'clock, when the Rev. J. H. Millard of Huntingdon read and prayed, and the Rev. R. Roff of Cambridge addressed the church. In the evening at six, the Rev. E. Davis of St. Ives prayed, and the Rev. J. Aldis preached an impressive sermon. The services were all much crowded, and Mr. Wooster's prospects are very encouraging. and Messrs. Skurray, Coombs, and Parsons; E. Hancock, Esq., of Bath, being appointed to the chair. A piece, or an anthem, was sung between each address, and the meeting closed under expressions of satisfaction from a crowded audience. BLAENYWAUN, NEAR CARDIGAN. The Rev. John Philips Williams of Pantycelyn, Breconshire, having accepted a unanimous invitation from the church at Blaenywaun, Pembrokeshire, near Cardigan Town, commenced his pastoral labours there on the first sabbath of the present year. dissatisfied with the practice of infant baptism, and the unscriptural arguments by which that practice was defended, he hesitated not to avow his conviction, and to seek to join himself with those who maintained the practice of the apostles. On hearing the account he gave of himself, and his views and principles, I delayed not to comply with his request. The occasion was exceedingly pleasing. Finding him prepared to defend our practice, I requested him to deliver an address at the water-side. The spot is endeared to many of our friends, for there I often baptized in the early years of my ministry-at Paradise, on the margin of the Tyne, a little above Newcastle-the birth-place of the lamented Thomas Thompson, late missionary to Africa, and where in a small chapel I long statedly preached, and not without success. Brother Fisher being baptized, and discovering gifts for the ministry, was patronized by the managers of the Baptist Fund, and placed with me for two years to pursue a course of English study, preparatory to the sacred office. During that period he regularly supplied the church at Rowley and Hindley, and afterwards was unanimously invited to take the oversight of them in the Lord. Here, and in the wide vicinity, he laboured with untiring zeal for nearly thirty years. Within this period four chapels were built in four villages, all within the field of his ministry, and in them all he regularly preached at stated times, blest with a larger measure of success than any minister that had preceded him. Within the last few years of his labours in this quarter, the church amicably became two churches, and two chapels were assigned to each. Mr. Fisher took the pastorate of Broomley and Broomhaugh, generally called Tyne-side; another pastor, now our excellent brother, Mr. James Fyfe, occupying the other two chapels at Rowley and Shotley field. As a preacher my beloved brother Fisher was strictly evangelical, exceedingly earnest and affectionate in his addresses both to saints and sinners. In his public prayers, humility and fervour were breathed in every sentence. If he had a fault in these sacred exercises, prolixity or diffusiveness was that fault; but never to be charged with tameness or dulness. In his natural temper he was one of the most amiable men I ever knew. In friendship and affection I have no expectation of meeting with his equal this side eternity. He had his weaknesses, but his virtues were much more apparent: long will he be affectionately remembered in the wide field to which I have referred, and by none more tenderly than by myself and my family, with whom he was some time an inmate, and thenceforth a most welcome visitor to the day of our final parting. With his labours after he left the banks of the Tyne, which was but a short period VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES. before they were terminated in the grave, I am not acquainted. His dying experience, according to the account I have received, may be expressed in the beautiful language of Dr. Watts: "The gospel bears my spirits up; A faithful and unchanging God In oaths, and promises, and blood;" And in the verse adopted by the memor. able Dr. Carey, for his tombstone at Serampore: "A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, Be Thou my strength and righteousness, Farewell, my dear brother! "Pleasant to me has been thy company;" and though "I shall behold thee no more with the inhabitants of the world," I indulge the pleasing hope of renewed friendship with thee in the skies, and union in the songs of the redeemed before the throne of God and the Lamb. Amen. MRS. HEYWORTH. January 6, died Mrs. Martha Heyworth, of Top of the Height, near Newchurch, Rossendale, Lancashire, (widow of the late James Heyworth, of Flowers, near Bacup) at the had been an upright, consistent, and peaceable protracted age of nearly eighty-five years. She member of the first baptist church in Bacup for the space of fifty-nine years and six months to a day, being, at the time of her death, the oldest member of the church. She late Rev. John Hirst, under whose ministry was baptized on the 6th of July, 1789, by the she with many others sat with great delight until the time of his death. For the last twelve years she was deprived of her natural her God, that she went as long as age and insight, but such was her love to the house of firmities would allow, some one taking her by the arm. often expressing such, lest she should disShe was a woman of many doubts and fears, honour her profession; but, by the grace of God, she was enabled to hold out to the end; and a little while before her departure she was enabled to surmount them all, saying to her daughter, "I want to depart and go to "her last words were, "Happy, heaven;" happy." EDWARD MINES, ESQ. The subject of this narrative departed this life on the 4th October last, in the 73rd year of his age. From the days of his youth he was more or less inclined to the right ways of the Lord, and habituated himself to attend an evangelical ministry of the word of life. But it was not till late in life that he became P decided for God. Upwards of twenty years ago he removed to Diss, Norfolk, on the occasion of a second matrimonial alliance, and the firm religious decision of the family with which he allied himself, was mainly instrumental, under God, in leading him so steadfastly to renounce the world, and identify himself with the people and cause of the Redeemer. This he acknowledged and feelingly said during his last illness, that he "should have to bless God to all eternity that ever he came to Diss." About fifteen years ago, he united with a few others in originating the independent cause in Diss, and on the formation of the church was chosen one of its deacons. After a few years he withdrew, and attended, with his family, the ministry of Mr. Lewis at the baptist chapel. Having embraced scriptural views of the ordinance of Christian baptism, in the summer of 1847 he was baptized, together with his only child, on a profession of repentance and faith, when he addressed the crowd of spectators at the water's side, stating the way by which he had been led, and giving a reason of the hope that was in him. About two months after this he was taken ill, and lingered for twelve months, gradually growing weaker to the day of his death. During the whole of this long affliction his great delight was in the holy scriptures; no other book was of equal interest or gave him the like satisfaction. Let me have the word of God," was his general request. His weakness was extreme, and, therefore, he could read but little, but he derived much comfort from religious conversation, the repetition of hymns and texts of scripture, and the prayers of his Christian friends. When these exercises were concluded, he would often say with tears, "Bless the Lord, O my soul." One hymn, each verse of which ends with the words,- Though he generally felt he could trust the Saviour, he could scarcely be said to possess the joy of faith through the greater part of his affliction, for he often deplored the dark state of his mind, and would say, "I want a view of Christ." During the latter part of his illness his weakness became so great that he suffered much from a lethargic state of mind, so that he could only attend to reading, conversation, and prayer, at intervals; he lamented this, and said, "If I had religion or a Saviour to seek now, I could not do it." Let this be a warning to all, not to put off the concerns of the soul, and preparation for eternity, till they come to the chamber of sickness or the bed of death, for that is the worst place and time to attend to the most important of all concerns, those of the imperishable soul. But our departed brother, having sought and found a Saviour, could, in the extremity of his weakness, rejoice in the thought that "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him; he remembereth their frame, he knoweth they are but dust." One evening, after having poured out his soul in fervent prayer, and repeated many passages of scripture, he feelingly exclaimed,— "Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on thee, He told his pastor on one occasion, that he thought the Lord would not have given him an inclination, as he had done for the greater part of his life, to associate with his people, and linger, as it were, about his sanctuary, if he had not had some designs of mercy towards him, "Surely," he said, "he will not cast me out." It was replied in the words of the Saviour, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." The unremitting kindness of a beloved relative who attended him professionally through his long illness, was often referred to by him with much feeling, as well as the constant visits of his dear pastor, which he daily looked for with much interest, and when referring to the kindness he so often received from friends, he would say, "It is the Lord's goodness to me," and would then offer up earnest petitions to the throne of grace on their behalf. He gradually acquired increasing confidence in God as his latter end drew nigh, so that he could and did adopt this verse as his own,— "And when I'm to die, When, the last sabbath he spent on earth, it was said to him, "Do you not want something to take ?" he replied, "I want Christ." His request was then to have some verses or scriptures repeated to him, which being done, he said, "I do thirst and pant for Christ." Though his decline had been very gradual his change at last to the circumstances of death was rather sudden and unexpected. But feeling the sentence of death in himself, he said, "Oh for an overcoming faith, To cheer my dying hour." The last hour or so of his life, his breathing "Now will I tell to sinners round, He began, but could not finish, "Lo! glad I come, and thou, blest Lamb, together with many other short sentences, After this he became speechless, and was soon released from the suffering, sinful body, to be present with the Lord. A more peaceful, easy, happy death could not be desired. Who is not prepared to say, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his ?" but in order to this he must live the life of the righteous. Were it desirable to exhibit the life and character of the departed, no words could more appropriately do so than those of Paul to the Colossians, "Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints," for he thought well of, and felt kindly towards, the followers of Christ of every denomination. His house and his heart were always open to the servants of his Lord, especially to ministers, who were always welcome to the kind hospitalities of his establishment. He was interred in the family vault at the baptist chapel, Eye, where his father-in-law, the late Rev. W. W. Simp; son, exercised his ministry; and his funeral sermon was preached at Diss, by his pastor, Rev. J. P. Lewis, to a large congregation, composed of different denominations, from 2 Cor. v. 8. On looking at the remains of my dear departed brother-in-law, Edward Mines, which he forsook, October 4th, 1848. "The soul was gone before we knew Wrapt in slumber profound, From his earthly course in peace, November 25, 1848, duct the singing at the old general baptist | chapel in his native town of Maidstone. Having obtained an appointment in the excise he was stationed at Folkestone, where for the first time he witnessed the ordinance of baptism, as administered by our denomination, which made a deep impression upon his mind, and seemed to have a salutary influence on his future course. After a short stay at Folkestone, he was stationed successively at different places in the neighbourhood of Harlow, where his musical talents, sociable disposition, and the exuberant vivacity of his natural temperament, brought him into general notice and gained him many friends; while his frequent attendance upon divine worship and assistance in the singing secured the acquaintance of the ministers and leading members of the congregations where he was situated. After some years, wishing for a more settled home, Mr. Jones resigned his office in the excise; and having entered the married state with every prospect of happiness, he settled at Harlow, and established a school for the board and education of young gentlemen, which, for many years, was large and flourishing. Though he knew the truth, and for the most part felt a powerful sense of its importance, that power was for a long time neutralized by the extreme vivacity of his animal spirits, the charms of the festive circle, and the mirthful song. Hence his faith and piety did not assume a decided character, or induce a public profession till he arrived at middle age, when he was baptized and commenced that Christian fellowship which continued till his decease. He was forty-six years an inhabitant of Harlow, and during the greater part of that time conducted the public psalmody of his fellow worshippers. He was forty years a member of the church, and eighteen one of its deacons, and to all his fellow members was uniformly affable and affectionate. Though firm and consistent as a protestant dissenter, he was always candid and respectful to members of the established church, and to persons of all persuasions, wishing others to enjoy the same liberty which he claimed for himself. Hence he was much esteemed by the congregation at large, by his neighbours in general, and by a numerous circle of relations and friends. And for more than thirty years his pastor found him to be a steady, warm-hearted friend, who filled his place with regularity in the house of God, was always ready to encourage every good word and work, and was anxious for the peace and prosperity of the interest. In the tuition of youth, Mr. Jones always endeavoured to impress on the minds of his pupils the primary truths of religion as an essential part of Christian education, often reminding them that youth is the seed-time for riper years and for eternity. And we have reason to believe that his solemn and affec tionate appeals, with fervent prayer for their welfare, were the means of spiritual good to many of his scholars, some of whom still cherish and express a grateful remembrance of his instructions. For several years past while our aged friend retained much of his innate cheerfulness, he was evidently rising to the maturity of his spiritual life, and anxious to be ready for the final change. During his last illness, and a rapid decay of strength, which continued about seven weeks, he found ample comfort and support in the promises and hopes of the gospel. The desire of life and the fear of death were overcome by a stronger desire, which he often expressed, "to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better." And when the last hour came, and he could no longer expect or wish to spend another sabbath on earth, he was cheered by the hope that he was going to join the loftier songs of the redeemed above, and to spend an eternal sabbath with them in glory. While then the bereaved widow and family of our departed friend must feel their loss, they have abundant cause for thankfulness that he was spared so long, that his powers of body and mind, even at the age of eighty, were so little impaired, that he was enabled to bear his affliction with Christian meekness and patience, and that when the final stroke came he was favoured with an easy change, and calmly fell asleep in Jesus. Thus having served his generation in some happy measure according to the will of God, "he came to his grave in a full ripe age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season.' MR. HENRY QUANT. Mr. Henry Quant, more than forty-eight years a member, and more than thirty-three years a deacon, of the baptist church, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, died "in the Lord," December 16, 1848, and in him was fulfilled that scripture, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season." He had, for many years, read with interest the obituaries of this magazine, and his services to the cause of Christ, entitle him to a record among the many worthy deacons who have had a memorial in its pages. Our departed and beloved friend was born in the village of Whissonett in Norfolk. When quite a young man, divine Providence led him to this town, and although he was destitute of "the one thing needful," some impressions from a pious aunt, who had given him a bible, and prayed with and for him, were not wholly effaced. In consequence of this, he occasionally attended the Wesleyan and independent chapels. At this time there was no baptist cause in Bury, till about fifty years ago a baptist family came to reside in the town, and opened their house for preaching, in which the late |