It would far exceed the limits assigned to this sketch, to attempt to trace the life of Mrs. Rees in connection with the several churches over which the writer presided; suffice it to say, that at every place she had the happiness of enjoying the most cordial esteem and full confidence of all who had the privilege of being acquainted with her. reading, and reflection. The love of reading, which she acquired when very young, she cultivated through life. She always had some book, to the reading of which she devoted some portion of time every day. This very habit, instead of encroaching upon domestic duties, greatly facilitated their uniform and cheerful discharge; by the salutary influence it exerted, in keeping the mind active, healthful, and buoyant. And her remarkable equanimity of temper and selfcontrol enabled her to turn every moment to good account. While she was ever prompt and unceasingly active, she never appeared excited and hurried. Among the circle of her acquaintance, she was uniformly kind, affable, and cheerful. Though always ready to express her opinion on disputable points, I am not aware that she ever gave offence to any Christian friend. In short, she was happily blest with "the wisdom that is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." She had resided at Braintree just three years at the time of her decease, and it is a pleasing reflection, that they were, perhaps, the happiest years of her life. The uniform kindness of the people, and the harmony Being dependent on comparatively limited pecuniary resources, and having the charge of a young and increasing family, much of her time was necessarily devoted to the personal superintendence of her domestic affairs (and these matters she never neglected); still by a careful and systematic apportionment of her time, she secured daily opportunities for private devotion, for reading, and frequently for visiting the afflicted and the poorer members of the church. She always took a great interest in conversing with aged Christians, and her attention to them was uniformly reciprocated with grateful and affectionate esteem. The children of the poor also engaged her constant and kindest sympathy. Wherever it was found necessary, she originated societies to supply the destitute with articles of clothing, to enable them to attend the Sunday school and the house of God. In this way she had the happiness of bringing very many of the young under religious instruction, who other-which prevailed in the church, were often wise must have remained in ignorance and wretchedness. In the numerous letters of condolence which the writer has received since her decease, many touching and grateful allusions are made to the extent and efficiency of her exertions in this department. Persons who knew the amount of her daily domestic cares, and who witnessed the order, the subjection, and the happiness which prevailed in her house, have often expressed their amazement as to how she could manage to give so much time to the promotion of the welfare of others. But for some of these remarkable traits of her character, there are reasons to believe, that she was greatly indebted to the example and instruction of her beloved father. She often spoke with grateful admiration of his upright and conscientious attention to every relative duty,of his punctual and unfailing regard to all his engagements-in the family--in the churchand in the world. In these respects he closely imitated the beautiful example of his excellent pastor, whom he held in the highest esteem. Who can estimate the important benefits which result from the upright, punctual, and consistent deportment of a devoted pastor, apart from the blessings which flow from his public ministry! But the only satisfactory solution that can be given of the general efficiency of Mrs. Rees's character and exertions will be found in her own mental peculiarity and habits. She possessed a vigorous mind, which had been well disciplined by. early training, adverted to in the quietude and privacy of home, as a matter of devout thankfulness to Him, whose guidance we had unitedly sought in every movement, and whose favour and presence we had always enjoyed, but which are now to be experienced by each separately, and in very different circumstances, yet not without hope of a blessed and an eternal re-union. The immediate cause of her decease was a somewhat premature confinement, for which no cause could be assigned. She was attended by two medical men, who seemed to think that the case did not indicate any serious danger, till almost the moment. But it appears quite certain from the testimony of the nurse, and that of an old and trustworthy servant, who were with her from the commencement to the close of her sufferings, that she did not expect to survive the event; yet her mind was perfectly calm, she had no dread of dying. She occasionally adverted to the difficulty of giving up her dear young family, but at the same time expressed her full confidence in God's all-sufficiency to provide for them. On one occasion, and when enduring great suffering, she said, "Well, I shall soon be with my heavenly Father." On Friday morning, 12th of January, 1849, about half past seven, she gave birth to a still-born child. Now all danger seemed to be over, and she expressed her devout thanks to God for the strength she had received, evidently hoping that her fears had been groundless. The result, however, proved Thus the tender mother of six young children was suddenly and unexpectedly removed, in the midst of her usefulness, and in the thirty-eighth year of her age. Surely, "Clouds and darkness are round about Him, but justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne." "The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it pi Her mortal remains were conveyed to their final resting place, in the burial ground adjoining the baptist chapel, Braintree, on 19th of January, when the Rev. T. Craig of Bocking delivered an affectionate and solemn address to a very numerous audience who had assembled on the occasion. On the following Lord's day, the Rev. J. Angus, A.M., preached a funeral sermon to a very large and deeply affected congregation, from John xi. 14, 15. Braintree, June 9th, 1849. meetings. At these latter me tings his loss is now severely felt, as also in the leading the praises of the house of God. He was also naturally a man of good sense, and, consequently, in most matters, a very discreet adviser. He was likewise a man of peace, and endeavoured to study the things that made for peace; and while he could state his opinion fully and freely on any subject, he was quite disposed to bear with those who thought and felt differently from himself, an attainment which all the members of our church would do well to cultivate. Mr. Jopling was a worshipper at our chapel as usual on the 29th of April last, and on the evening of that day led the singing, in part at least, and prayed, in his usual health, and evincing a considerable flow of animal spirits. The last hymn sung that night was-" Tomorrow, Lord, is thine," &c. On the morning of the 30th, next day, he was seized with a trouble in the chest, and died that night between eight and nine. This mode of leaving us is a practical lesson to us of the truth of our Lord's exhortation, “Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Let us all take the advice, and "work while it is called to-day, for the night cometh wherein no man can work." MR. JOSEPH JOPLING. The ancient church of Hamsterley, county of Durham, has been called to suffer in many ways lately; several of her very steady and useful members have been laid aside by old age and infirmities; several have removed from our neighbourhood to different parts of the country, and some have been removed by death. Among these may be mentioned the following names:-Mr. Thomas Stephenson, aged 42, he was called hence by a severe ill ness, after about a week's endurance. He had sustained the character of a good man and a useful member of the church for eighteen years. The next, Mrs. Ann White, an exceedingly spiritual and lively Christian, and a person of a very liberal disposition. She had been a member about twenty-three years, and met death in a truly serene and Christian manner. And the above Mr. Joseph Jopling had been a member for nearly twenty years. The family from which he sprang had been connected with the church for about two hundred years. His father had been a deacon for nearly thirty years, and he himself sustained the same office for nineteen years. Mr. Jopling partook of the common lot of humanity, and like the rest of his fellow Christians, he was not without his spots and wrinkles, but he had some excellencies which rendered him a very useful member and office-bearer. He was constant and steady in his attendance at all our meetings, not only the public but the private prayer REV. JOHN SAUNDERS HUGHES. On the 28th of May, at the house of Mr. John Williams, King Street, Carmarthen, his father-in-law, the Rev. J. S. Hughes, baptist minister, Mount Pleasant, Swansea, in the 27th year of his age, after a long and severe illness, which he bore with Christian patience and submission to the will of the Lord. He was subject to deep religious impressions at an early age, and was baptized at the age of fifteen at Aberduar, Carmar. thenshire, by the respected pastor of that church, the Rev. John Williams. He feared God from his youth. At the age of sixteen he began to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. The simple ministerial exercises of the youth greatly affected the young, and so induced the church to cherish the hope to see him one day a man of eminence and great usefulness in the church of God. After making some progress in classical knowledge, first at Ffrua-vale, and afterwards in the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, he entered Stepney College, but his health failed and was compelled to cease from application. Receiving a unanimous invitation from the baptist church at Mount Pleasant, Swansea, he accepted it, and was ordained April 9th, 1845. The blessing of heaven attended his labours; the congregation increased, and many were added to the church. As a pastor he was affectionate, careful, and diligent; he greatly loved his flock, and with thorough determination he devoted himself to the work of the ministry. During the last three years, his health was gradually failing, and when he saw that recovery was hopeless, he resigned his soul to the hands of his Saviour and God without the fear of death. His hopes rested on the cross," he feared no evil in the dark valley of the shadow of death." Thus in the bloom of youth, and with the fairest prospects of usefulness, he sank to an early grave. MRS. RANDLE. May 23rd, 1849, died, in the 77th year of her age, Mary, the beloved wife of R. Randle, nearly forty years a consistent member of the baptist church, New Road, Oxford. A life marked by activity was succeeded by a painful affliction of two years and six months duration; but a firm hope in the Saviour sustained her spirits, and a more peaceful, easy, happy death could not be desired. W. ACWORTH, ESQ. Died, June 5th, at his residence, Hale Cottage, Luton, near Chatham, in the 76th year of his age, after some months of suffering, Mr. William Acworth, father of Dr. Acworth, the president of Horton College, Bradford. MR. MASON. was united with this church he was earnestly pressed to undertake the office of deacon, but his innate humility and diffidence prompted him to decline doing so. On removing his residence to Highgate, he took an active interest in the baptist church there, but still continued to commune with the church in Fetter Lane; but subsequently, having removed to Finchley, he found it impossible to maintain Christian intercourse with a church so distant. At Finchley, when he first removed thither, the cause of evangelical religion was at a very low ebb. There was, however, a small chapel at East End, where the gospel was preached by the agents of the itinerant society, and later by the students of Highbury College. Mr. Mason, in conjunction with some other Christian friends, had formed the design of erecting a more commodious place of worship, when the proprietor of the building, which had been used as a chapel, suddenly refused the further use of it to the congregation. Mr. Mason without delay got his own house licensed as a place of worship, and here religious services were held every sabbath for fourteen months, while the present chapel was being erected, the funds for the building of which were in great part raised by Mr. Mason's assiduous and untiring exertions, seconded by the Christian liberality of the late Thomas Wilson, Esq. The chapel was opened in August 1830. Of the church assembling here Mr. Mason continued to be the sole deacon until a recent period, superintending its secular affairs with equal judg ment and kindness; at first, while the pulpit was supplied chiefly by the students of Highbury College, and subsequently under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Watson, and his esteemed successor, the Rev. G. R. Birch. It is seldom that a church experiences so severe a loss in the death of one of its members as has been felt by the dissenting church at Finchley, in the decease of Mr. Mason, who for several years had filled the office of deacon, with eminent profit to the church and honour to himself. Though connected with an independent church, Mr. Mason After a sudden and brief illness, having been throughout his life a decided baptist. seized with inflammation of the lungs, he was His early training had been in connection called to his rest and his reward on the mornwith the established church; but no deep or ing of Sunday, April 8, in the sixty-eighth abiding religious impression was produced year of his age. His end was tranquil and upon his mind, and he grew up to manhood painless, though soon after the commencement without any serious concern for those things of the attack he became delirious, and did not which can alone make for our peace. On regain the power of collected thought. A one occasion, however, in company with some few weeks only previous to his lamented other young men, he strolled into a church. decease, the members of the church and conHis associates soon went out again, but he gregation had taken an opportunity of testifyremained, and a sermon upon the text, "They ing their affection and esteem for himself and that run in a race run all, but one obtaineth his beloved wife, and their grateful recognition the prize," arrested his attention, and was of their untiring devotedness to the service of blessed by God to his conversion. On mature the church, by the public presentation to reflection and examination, he became con- them of an easy chair and a handsome copy vinced of the correctness of the principles of of the Sacred Scriptures. the baptists, and at the age of about twentytwo was admitted as a member of the church in Prescot Street, London, under the pastoral care of the Rev. A. Booth. He remained a member of this church for several years, but subsequently became connected with that assembling in Fetter Lane Chapel, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Austin, and afterwards of the Rev. Mr. Elvey. While Mr. Mason has left behind him a name which is hallowed in the recollection of all who knew his sincere, cheerful, and unpretending piety. His character exhibited a rare union of unswerving adherence to principle and large charity for those who conscientiously differed from him. He preserved the happy medium of consistently adhering to and asserting his distinctive views on religious questions, without ever thrusting them for wards noisily or obtrusively, and the result was the cordial esteem and respect of all who knew him, whether baptists or independents, churchmen or dissenters. "The memory of the just is blessed." MISCELLANEA. BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SOCIETY. The Committee of the Baptist Theological Education Society respectfully and very earnestly entreat the attention of the members of the baptist denomination to the following statement. It is generally known that this society was instituted in the year 1843, to train young men for the Christian ministry, by placing them under the care and instruction of approved pastors, in whose families they should reside for the two years, which, by the regulations of the society, was the usual term of their engagement. The operations of the society commenced in January, 1845, and from a large number of successive applications, ten candidates have at different times been selected, all of whom have completed their term. They were placed with the Rev. B. Godwin, D.D., Oxford, Rev. J. Jackson of Taunton, Rev. T. J. Gough of Clipstone, Rev. C. Daniell of Melksham, and the Rev. D. Gould of Dunstable; and all the tutors have reported favourably of the character, conduct, piety, and application of the students. Their acceptability as ministers has been proved by their several engagements as probationers, or settlement as pastors of the churches, at Ryde in the Isle of Wight, Athlone in Ireland, Woodside in Gloucestershire, Emsworth in Hampshire, Torchester in Yorkshire, Barnstaple in Devon, Folesham in Norfolk, and at Winchester. One student left his tutor only a short time since, and another intends to pursue his studies for a few months longer at his own expense. Thus eight out of the ten are either settled as pastors, or have the expectation of being so where they are now supplying. Thus it has been proved, by an experiment necessarily conducted on a very limited scale, that the plan is good and has been eminently successful that suitable young men are ready, and would gladly avail themselves of such assistance, that very competent men of long standing in the ministry are willing to undertake the office of tutors, and to devote themselves to the required duties, and that our churches readily receive as pastors those who have been thus educated. The committee in presenting their report, respectfully declare their conviction, that if the system were liberally supported, and extensively carried out, it would, under the divine blessing, convey much benefit to the church of Christ; but while stating this fact they are painfully compelled to express their regret, that their repeated appeals for pecuniary aid have not met an adequate response. Their collector, the Rev. Stephen Davis, has travelled far and made extensive and diligent applications in many counties with very small success. The funds are now exhausted. The contributors, whose continued aid has accomplished what has been done, are widely located. The amount of their contributions is not sufficient to justify the expense of a collector's personal application. Therefore, the committee with deep regret are compelled to announce that the existence of the society is virtually at an end. They have, nevertheless, resolved before their separation to make one more, and probably their last, appeal to the denomination to preserve and render permanent the advantages of this invaluable institution. They respectfully recommend to their friends the contributors resident in the country, to remit donations or subscriptions by post-office order, payable at the Limehouse post-office to the treasurer, Joseph Fletcher, Union Dock, Limehouse; or by drafts on London bankers, crossed Bank of England; and they request that every such remittance may be accompanied by directions as to its disposal, in the event of the discontinuance of the institution; because, failing such instruction, upon the closing of the account, the committee will pay over the balance remaining to the treasurer of the Baptist Building Fund, for the purposes of that society's loan fund. The committee subjoin a general statement of their account. A more detailed account of receipts and expenditure with a list of the contributors will hereafter be given. The expences incurred in commencing the society, by travelling and postage, would not again occur. The employment of a collector at a fixed salary, to travel the country and make the society known, was necessary in order that the experiment might be fairly made, and much credit is due to the collector for the exertions he has put forth. Had his labours been more successful, bad the amount given been enlarged to any considerable extent, his salary and charges had still been the same, and the surplus would have added to the number of students; for had their number been fifty instead of ten, the chief additional cost would have been the remuneration of the tutors. The committee can only mourn that it is their duty thus to record a failure, when the cause demanded a different result. They rejoice, notwithstanding, that good has been accomplished, and sincerely hope that the members of the baptist denomination will yet feel it to be their duty and privilege to do all they can to train holy and gifted men for the great work of the Christian ministry. By order of the committee, JOHN COX, Secretary. Woolwich, May 21st, 1849. BIRMINGHAM. In conformity with the recommendations of the Baptist Union, special services have been held here to invoke the divine influences of the Holy Spirit, for the revival and extension of religion in our churches. They commenced on Lord's day, June 10th; and united public services were held on succeeding evenings of the week at Heneage Street, Mount Zion, and Cannon Street chapels, Prayers were offered or addresses given by brethren Morgan, sen., Pitt (from Ireland), Hull (late of Watford), Walsall (late stu The dent at Bradford), Saunders (late of Sydney) Taylor, Mackay (from Scotland), Daniell, Swan, Roe, and Harwood Morgan. meetings were well attended, and it is hoped these interesting services, and similar ones convened throughout the country, will, under God, be introductory to a great revival of religion among us. LYNN, NORFOLK, Stepney chapel was opened for divine worship in June, 1841. The sum total which has been expended on the fabric, including some interest money for the first four years, is £2829. In November last, the debt was £520, when it was resolved to make an effort for its extinction; in six months from that time, at the expiration of which a series of services were devised to give the finishing stroke to this undertaking, frequent special prayer meetings were held for six weeks to invoke the blessing which has so eminently been dispensed. On Lord's day, June 10th, three sermons were preached and collections made after each, those in the morning and evening by the Rev. J. Aldis of London, and that in the afternoon by the Rev. J. Tindall (Wesleyan) of Lynn. On Wednesday, the 13th, two sermons were preached for the same object, one by the Rev. C. Elven of Bury, and the other by the Rev. J. Sherman, Surrey chapel, Lon don. After public breakfast on the morning of the 13th, addresses were delivered by Messrs. Elven, Sherman, Tindall, Griffiths, and others. In the evening, a public tea meeting was held, of which more than five hundred persons participated-all the trays being gratuitously provided. After tea, an adjournment took place to the chapel, when George Ovenden, Esq., of London, took the chair. After singing and prayer, the Rev. J. T. Wigner, the esteemed pastor, gave the report of the finance committee, and made the gratifying communication that the debt was entirely extinguished, and a balance sufficient remaining to defray all expences. The Rev. J. Bane of Downham and Griffiths of Necton having addressed the large and joyous audience, an unexpected scene was exhibited, which electrified and melted the meeting. Two of the deacons came on the platform, and in the name of the church and congregation presented Mr. Wigner with a handsome gold watch and chain, and Mrs. Wigner with an elegant and costly skeleton timepiece. The pastor, as well as his overcharged heart would permit him, briefly returned thanks, and the Rev. C. Elven in his address feelingly acknowledged this exuberance of affectionate liberality on the part of Mrs. ed by the Rev. S. Pike of Wisbeach, HarWigner. Addresses were afterwards delivercourt of Sutton, Messrs. Groves, and J. Keed, and T. Dawban, Esq. After votes of thanks to the finance committee, the ladies for the this series of deeply interesting services were excellent tea, and to the worthy chairman, closed by the doxology and benediction. YORKSHIRE BAPTIST VILLAGE MISSION. The fourth annual meeting of the Baptist Village Mission was held on the 6th of April, in the preaching room, Armley, when upwards of 130 subscribers and friends took tea together. The meeting was presided over by Mr. William Gatenby of Skipton. The report, which was of the most cheering nature, showed that during the past year two missionaries had been employed,-that upwards of 3,400 household visits had been made,-500 meetings held for preaching and religious instruction,--27 persons baptized on a profession of faith, at the Kirkstall, Armley, and Woodhouse Carr stations, and that a church had been formed at Armley. It was also reported that 5000 tracts had been distributed,-1700 cheap religious magazines sold, 200 children taught in the sabbath schools, 60 of whom had been instructed during the week evenings in writing and arithmetic,-that tours had been made to Pontefract, Skipton, Castleford, &c.,that through the missionaries' visits to Skipton, a most important and hopeful door for preaching the gospel of the kingdom had been opened, and that Skipton had been |