"I. That this association be denominated The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Auxiliary Baptist Home Missionary Society, and Association of Particular Baptist Churches. "II. That the designs of this Association be to cultivate acquaintance with sister churches, to promote love and unity among all the brethren, but "III. That the congregational order of these churches be maintained inviolate. The general report of the year being sub-chiefly to extend the gospel in the neighbourhood. mitted to the meeting, it was moved by brother Taylor, seconded by brother Hamilton, and resolved, that it be adopted and printed as last year, and the letters from the churches appended. According to arrangement of last year, brother Taylor preached an able discourse on the question, "What is truth ?" on Tuesday evening, in the large and substantial chapel lately purchased by the Cupar church, in which the other meetings were also held. On Wednesday evening the annual soiree took place. After tea, addresses were delivered by brethren Simpson, on Christian Usefulness; Walbran, to the Inquirer; Johnston, the Day of Small Things; Taylor, an outline of the State of the World during the Millennium; Bannister of Perth, Recapitulation; and Vanderlip of New York, on the Denomination in the United States. The intervals between the addresses were appropriately relieved with sacred music of the finest description. The meeting was large, harmonious, and enthusiastic. The sum of £4 10s. was collected, as its subscription to the funds of the Union. On the whole, we are bound to congratulate the churches on the meetings of the present year. They have quieted the fears of many, and exceeded the hopes of all. Not only did they afford a happy season of Christian intercourse and enjoyment, and not only did they inspire the various brethren present with a spirit of greater confidence, zeal, and determination; but in the fruits of last year's labours, they have produced the earnest of still greater progress, and point to the speedy dawn of a brighter day, and the ultimate approach of a rich harvest of triumph! ASSOCIATIONS. CAMBRIDGESHIRE. An association was formed at Swavesey, May 30, 1849, comprising eight churches. "IV. That when God in his providence shall deprive any of the associated churches of the services of its minister, the sister churches shall, upon receiving application, endeavour to render the needed assistance according to their several ability. "V. That we will by all means discountenance a litigious spirit, regarding it as destructive of peace, concord, and amity, which are the honour and felicity of all Christian churches. "VI. That should dissensions or divisions arise in or among any of the churches, or between any of the brethren, and an appeal be made to this body, no discussion shall be permitted, until at least one of the parties concerned shall assure it, that the means of reconciliation appointed by the Head of the church have been tried in vain. Then it shall be competent to this body to endeavour to effect an adjustment of the difference with a view to reconciliation, by any means which are agreeable to the faith or practice of any. word of God, not exercising dominion over the "VII. That each church in this Association annually make a collection in behalf of its funds, and send a letter to the public meeting, containing a report of its condition, number of members, scholars, &c., showing the increase or decrease during the past year. "VIII. That an annual public meeting be held in the month of May, when the letters from the several churches shall be read, a moderator, treasurer, and secretary chosen, appointments made, and the general business transacted. "IX. That each church be at liberty to delegate two messengers to accompany its minister as its representatives at the annual meeting of the Association. Ipswich, Stoke Green J. Webb. Turret Green.........I. Lord. Having met at Turret Green chapel, Ipswich, Thursday, July 5th, 1849, several brethren prayed, routine business was transacted, and the following were adopted as the revised Rules of the Organization: "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 ways 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. "IV. That an annual meeting of the representatives of this society be held at a place appointed by the previous annual meeting, on the first Thursday in July; and that during the services at least one public collection be made on behalf of the funds. "V. That every church in this unior. 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 shall be determined by the church where the annual meeting is held. "VII. That a dinner be provided for the ministers and messengers, and such other friends as may VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES. wish to be accommodated, at a charge not exceeding one shilling and sixpence, and a tea for sixpence, each person. "VIII. That a treasurer and two secretaries be appointed at every annual meeting for the ensuing year. "IX. That each church shall send its contribution to the annual meeting." The above rules having been unanimously agreed upon, it was resolved : "I. That the next annual meeting be held at the baptist chapel, Garland Street, Bury St. Edmund's, on the first Thursday in July, 1850. "II. That at the annual meeting of this Union arrangements be made to facilitate the objects of the Baptist Foreign Mission in this county and that for the ensuing year brethren Elven, Webb, Lord, T. Ridley, Pollard, Lacey, Cowell, Bayley, H. Gill, and Lambert, be appointed a committee for that purpose. "III. The sum of £34 was then voted from the funds of the Union, for the purposes specified in Rule II. with the administration of the Lord's supper to the small church previously gathered. Sermons were preached by brethren Dowson of Bradford, Stalker of Leeds, Roe of Birmingham, Burchell of Rochdale, Stowell, president of Masbro' College, Dr. Godwin of Bradford, Beddow of Barnsley, and Larom of Sheffield. These services were well attended, and gave cheering promise of subsequent success. The chapel, at a sufficient distance from other places of worship, is in the midst of a large population that stands in special need of religious attention. The building is constructed so as easily to admit the erection of a gallery and school rooms. A Sunday school will be gathered immediately. The ground, which is freehold, has been given by Mr. Wood, and nearly £200 have been collected towards the expense of the building, the cost of which will be about £700. This effort is looked upon with favour by Christians of other denominations in the town, several of whom have liberally contributed towards it. In the hands of a suitable minister, for which the little church is now praying, the effort will, by the divine blessing, be a permanent source of spiritual good to many in this town in connexion with the baptist denomination. relatives, he did not make a public profession of religion till Dec. 28, 1828, when he was baptized and received into the church at Bethel chapel, Cheltenham, then under the care of the Rev. James Smith. Upon the secession of the former with several of the members to form the church afterwards meeting at Salem chapel, Mr. Channon, being of the number, was unanimously chosen to the office of deacon, an office which he used well, and in which he continued to the close of his valuable life, to enjoy the confidence and affection of his pastor, his colleagues, and his fellow members. It might be truly said of him, that as a Christian he was "faithful and feared God above many." His general experience was more distinguished by habitual heavenly-mindedness than by any remarkable changes. For many years he had enjoyed peace with God, through faith in the atonement and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. His trials were various and sometimes heavy, but he never manifested impatience, nor yielded to extreme despondency. Prayer was his unfailing resource. He obtained support and relief in trouble by casting his burden upon the Lord. The malady, which at length terminated his earthly course (a peculiar disease of the heart), often caused him severe pain, and excited the apprehension of his friends. On one occasion, after a paroxysm of extreme suffering, he was asked whether his trials and sufferings did not at times diminish his spiritual enjoyments, the reply he made strongly intimated that as his sufferings abounded, so also To another friend with whom he conversed did his "consolations by Christ abound." but a few days before the event, speaking of his departure he said, "The will of the Lord be done." In the domestic circle his humble and consistent piety shone brightly. The family altar was never neglected. His children felt that their eternal interests lay near to the heart of their beloved parent; and the true happiness and union known only in those families in which God is acknowledged and honoured, were realized by them in a large degree. It was the delight of this truly good man to see two of his dear children united to the church; and it is the earnest prayer of the writer of this sketch and many other Christian friends, that a petition he frequently used in prayer may be fully an swered, that all his children might become the children of God. The last act of his life was to engage in prayer with his family; in about two hours after the close of his usual evening service he was called to commence the work of perpetual praise in the celestial temple. He had appeared quite as well as he had been for some time during the day, retired to rest about ten o'clock, and fell asleep. A few minutes before twelve o'clock he awoke his companion, to whom he complained of difficulty of breathing, and ex MRS. PARSLEY. pressed his consciousness of approaching that the bitterness of bereavement was death. His eldest son being in an adjoining alleviated, because she had not "to sorrow room instantly came to the help of his parents. as those who have no hope." Having drank His father was in prayer as he entered the the cup of sorrow herself she was the better room, he had just time to ask him if he then qualified to sympathize with those who had realized the presence and preciousness of the to drink it too: hence the reader will be Saviour, the dying Christian quickly answered prepared for the following appropriate rein the affirmative, and immediately "fell marks, addressed in a letter to a friend who asleep in Jesus." May all those who knew was mourning over the dying bed of her him, and admired his Christian consistency, husband. To us who are blinded by the become followers of his divine Master, and veil of sense it appears that a succession of partakers with him of eternal life. temporal ease and prosperity would be desirable, but the Almighty sees it not so, and therefore is pleased to disappoint our schemes of earthly bliss and interrupt our enjoyments by sending affliction in our families, and thus wounding us in our tenderest feelings. O could we look beyond present things how calmly and submissively should we bow to the dispensations of providence, how much would it relieve our minds to reflect, that all things are under the guidance of a wise and gracious Father, who knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we are bat dust. I should rejoice to hear that you are enabled to bow with humble submission to the will of your heavenly Father, who has promised that all things shall work for good to those who put their trust in him; and let me advise you to be earnest and frequent at a throne of grace, and submit the cause of your afflicted partner and yourself to him from whom alone proceed the issues of life and death.' We know that all things are possible with God, but it is best to be prepared for whatever the worst may be. Oh, may you be guided by his counsel, and may your dear partner be enabled to commit himself and all his concerns to Jesus, who has promised to sustain such as cast their burden upon him. May he see Jesus as having made satisfaction for the sins of his people, and rest his eternal all upon the righteousness and perfect work of the adorable Redeemer. It is not by looking to anything that we have done that can give relief to the mind, for alas! our righteousness is but as filthy rags, but in Christ there is pardon and salvation to all who sensible of their own inability have fled to him. May the Lord in mercy direct his thoughts to these all important truths, and may the Holy Spirit guide him in the application of them to his case, that it may be made evident he is interested in those great and glorious blessings which the apostle describes as being more than eye hath seen, or ear hath heard. Be not afraid, my dear, of speaking to him on his eternal state. I know it is a delicate point to touch upon, but it is of great importance, and calculated above all others to bring satisfaction to your mind." The late Mrs. Parsley of Diss grew to years of maturity a stranger to God, and entered on the duties of married life before she knew her need of a Saviour, or the power of his renovating grace. Her first religious impressions were produced while residing at St. James' in the vicinity of Bungay, through conversation with an individual in the humbler walks of life, who was a member of the church of Christ at Wortwell. The Divine Being often works by feeble means and humble instrumentality in the accomplishment of the purposes of his mercy. After the removal of Mrs. Parsley and her family to the neighbourhood of Disi, she was induced by an aunt to attend the worship of God at the baptist chapel, and having heard the word of truth to profit, continued with more or less constancy to wait on the great Jehovah in unison with his people there for more than forty years. She embraced the doctrines of the bible as her religious creel, the atonement of the cross as the foundation of her hope, the Lord Jesus Christ as her divine and omnipotent Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as her heavenly comforter and guide, by whose influence and agency she drew nigh unto God; and exhibited in a consistent and pious life the practical power of the religion of Jesus. Like most of the true servants of God, "in the world she had tribulation." She was early left a widow, and some years after the dear amiable and promising children in whom she delighted were all removed from her to the world beyond the grave. But these trials though severe she received grace to sustain with submission to the divine will, and could in after years view them as designed for her soul's best welfare. In a letter to a friend written January 1823, she says, "You have heard the melancholy intelligence of my dear daughter's death which I keenly feel. Yet I would be truly thankful that I can say providence is kind in mixing much mercy with the afflictive dispensations he is pleased to call me to pass through, in enabling my dear Marianne to leave so clear a testimony of her happy exit from a trying troublesome world to enjoy the presence of her dear Redeemer through the countless ages of eternity." Thus we have her own evidence The anxiety which this letter displays for the eternal welfare of another was common to her, as indeed it is to all who are truly religious. Hence she spent much of her affliction, and never, he trusts, without time in visiting the afflicted poor, relieving profit to his own soul. Through the greater their temporal necessities out of her own part of her life she was distressed with the bounty, and giving them such religious in- fear of death, though those who understood struction as their circumstances required. the true nature of her piety had no fear for Anxiety to do good to the souls of her fellow her. But latterly this feeling was mercifully sinners, made her for many years one of the removed. More than once she observed that most useful visitors of the Diss benevolent though she felt death to be most solemn and society, which administers pecuniary relief most important, yet that that distressing fear and religious instruction, with reading the of it from which she suffered so many years word of God and prayer. Some years ago she no longer felt. She could trust the she visited the writer in a period of affliction, divine Redeemer with her eternal all, feeling and after suitable conversation knelt down at that nothing short of an interest in the atonehis bedside and offered to heaven a sweetly ment of the cross can sustain the sinking appropriate prayer. In her he has lost a soul in the dying hour. The day before her most kind and truly attached friend, whose death the writer read to her the 2nd chap. friendship was under the influence of Chris- of Hebrews, in which it is said, that Christ tian principle, and was uniformly kind and through death will" deliver them who through constant. She was strictly conscientious, and fear of death were all their lifetime subject therefore before entering on any course, or to bondage." When she said, "That has engaging in any work would ask herself, Is been my case even from a child, but now it right? and after due consideration being thank God I am delivered from it." When convinced of the path of duty, she was resolv-death came it did not alarm her, but she died ed to pursue it. In like manner did she consider the dealings of God, and endeavour to bring her mind to acquiesce in the divine will. Though she was strongly attached to the house of God, as was evidenced by her uniform attendance on the means of grace, both on the sabbath and during the week when health would permit, she never joined the church by a public profession in obedience to the Saviour's known commands. This she regretted, yea, deplored as the light of eternity dawned upon her, and she felt herself drawing near the time when she would have to give an account of her stewardship. Let her dying regrets have their due effect on others who know their Lord's will but do it not. The affliction which terminated in her death was a cancer. In a letter written during the summer of 1848 she thus refers to it. "On Tuesday in last week I was on a sudden attacked with bleeding in the diseased part of my neck, which I suppose continued ten or twelve minutes. I hope to lie prostrate in the hands of God who has given me so many proofs of his indulgent care over me, and who does not afflict willingly, or take pleasure in grieving the children of men. Oh! may I hear the rod, and who hath appointed it. Pray for me that I may not faint in the day of adversity. May I be supported by the manifestations of a Saviour's love to my soul; but that Saviour has been slighted and not sought after with that avidity which ought to have been displayed. His commands have been slighted, and I have now to mourn over my neglect of them." She thus felt that sins of omission were sources of sorrow as well as those of commission, and as much needed the application of the Saviour's cleansing and pardoning blood. The writer had the pleasure of visiting Mrs. Parsley through the whole of her as she lived, praying, and praying too for those dear friends whom she has left behind in the world. In her the poor have lost a generous friend, the cause of Christ a steady and liberal supporter, and the members of her own family one who did not fail to pray for them all. Mrs. Parsley died gently "as fades the summer cloud away" on Friday, April 27th, in the 75th year of her age. Her death was improved by the Rev. J. P. Lewis, at the baptist chapel to a crowded congregation of churchmen and dissenters from Rev. xiv. 13. She has left legacies to various religious objects, amongst which are Home and Foreign Missions. MRS. BROOKS. Ann, the beloved and lamented wife of Mr. Andrew Brooks of the Temperance House, Beamond Cross, Newark, who fell asleep in Jesus, June 25, 1849, aged fortynine years, was brought to the enjoyment of personal religion early in life, and at the age of fourteen was baptized and united to the baptist church, Newark, of which community she continued a most consistent and useful member until removed from the church militant to the church triumphant above. She was a woman of no ordinary attainments in piety and intelligence, and eminently excelled in conversation, especially on religious subjects, which were her delight. In her principles as a baptist and nonconformist she was uncompromising, and ready to advocate them on all suitable occasions. She was always ready for every good word and work, willing to spend and be spent in the service of her Redeemer. She was married young, and called to endure much family and personal suffering |