schools, on account of the inadequacy of the funds we hope the known liberality of the British public will render this unnecessary. BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY. LIBERAL PROPOSALS. AN anonymous writer has sent us ten pounds, as a contribution towards £500. to be employed in paying the expenses attending a version of the New Testa ment, of 1000 copies, into either of the Eastern languages: the sum lately stated Extract of a Letter from the Rev. E. by our missionaries as sufficient for such Rogers, to Mr. Ivimey, dated Kilma-signs" Mission House," earnestly wishes a purpose. Our correspondent, who tigue, April 28, 1817. "I hope nothing will prevent my being at the annual meeting in London. "Last Lord's-day, 27th, I preached in a village near Banada, and baptized J. and C. H.* on profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus: I trust they will be an honour to their profession. They were convinced of the propriety of believers' baptism, from reading the New Testament, before I ever spoke to them on the subject. Sometime ago, I thought C. H. rather negligent in the discharge of his duty as a reader, but I find it proceeded from timidity; his life was threatened by some of his neighbours, which, in some degree, prevented him from extending his labours as usual. The mother of these men, who is about 80 years of age, wished to follow the example and command of Christ by being baptized; but I thought it better for her, (and two or three more who applied to me for baptism,) to wait, and consider the subject more seriously. "I baptized them in a small stream, which runs by two or three villages, inhabited by Roman Catholics; and I was informed yesterday, that the inhabitants will not use that water any more, in consequence of its being contaminated by the heretics who were baptized in it. The poor deluded creatures will have to go more than half a mile for water to Boil their potatoes, and for other purposes. "One T. R. (in consequence of hearing me preach one Lord's-day evening, has been ordered by the priest to go to Ball, Crogh-Patrick, and LoughDerreg, to perform stations, and do penance. I suppose he will have to commence his pilgrimage next month. It is lamentable to think the influence the priests have yet over the minds of millions in this country: I think it much easier to bring a heathen to the knowledge of the truth, than a Roman Ca tholic." * See a history of their conversion in a pamphlet, entitled "The Darkness of Superstition," &c. &c. that forty-nine others would imitate his example, and send ten pounds each to the conductors of the Magazine, to be applied exclusively to the accomplishment of such a very important object : which will probably secure to many thousands of our fellow-immortals the knowledge of the way which leads to everlasting life. Another person offers twenty pounds, to be paid on condition of a seminary being formed at Seram pore, for the instruction of native converts, who may be thought to possess gifts for usefulness among the heathen. SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF SUPERANNUATED BAPTIST MINISTERS. Reply to a Paper, signed “Onesimus,” on the Claims of Aged Ministers, p. 199 of our last. To the Editors of the Baptist Magazine. THAT the ministers who have " conducted Zion's warfare, and enlarged her borders," should be "cherished with the dispute. Without question, our churches warmest glow of benevolence," is past will be exposed to just reproach, if they do not anticipate the wants of their veteran leaders, and provide accordingly. But the patrons of a "society just formed," are at issue with Onesimus, respecting the manner of rolling away that reproach; and on this account they offer the following remarks to your readers. Onesimus, a person not acquainted with From the tenour of the" Thoughts" of the rules of the above society, would imagine it was instituted exclusively for ing it was announced to the public, that the benefit of OLD AGE; notwithstand 46 the object of this institution is to make provision for such pastors of Baptist churches as may be incapable of discharging the duties of their office, through age or infirmity." Omitting all soners, when they labour under a misconception of first principles. Onesimus here seems to advert to a long series of years which must elapse before a benef ciary member will be in a state to require and obtain our aid. We wish, for our churches' sake, his premises were correct: but those of your readers who recollect the value, and lament the bre a Rowe, and many other honoured and beloved names, will judge of the validity of an objection built on such precarious ground. notice of their avowed object, Onesimus represents this society as restricting its beneficence to those who are from age and infirmity permanently unable to exercise their office." This quotation is palpably imperfect, and the change of a word in what is quoted, perverts the whole meaning of the sentence. The sixth rule states, "That any beneficiary member, appearing to be permanently in-vity, of the labours of a Pearce, a Webb, capable of exercising the pastoral or ministerial office, by reason of age or infirmity, shall be intitled to benefits according to the rules of this society." It will be, doubtless, granted, that the duties of the pastoral or ministerial office include all the customary exercises thereof. If any beneficiary member of this society should be incapable of discharging these, by reason of age or infirmity of any description, and such incapacity appear likely to be permanent, such member will be intitled to the beuefit of the fund. The mere preaching once on a Lord's-day, or administering the Lord's-supper once a month, (though in many instances these would be justly esteemed an invaluable portion of sacred service,) would not be regarded as the exercise or discharge of duties of the ministerial or pastoral office, contemplated in the above rule; but the honoured invalid would be equally intitled to support, as if he were wholly laid aside.* Onesimus covertly accuses the society just formed of want of liberality. To rebut such a charge, let the plan speak for itself. It proposes to provide a CERTAIN asylum for the aged or infirm; to which the annual receipt, signed by the secretary, and sent to every subscribing minister, is his title deed, under which he will demand his proportion of the funds, which are already considerable: but one guinea a year, for the purchase of this title, Onesimus thinks, will be "an unjustifiable claim on their immediate income." How unhappy it is for rea Viewing the liberal intentions of this society in this particular, some have expressed their alarm lest any should relinquish half their labours, in order to make a claim on the society! These objectors have little knowledge of Baptist ministers: though many of them labour much with a small pittance, they are not the men to relinquish the work they love on any such considerations as this alarm supposes. + Four members of any church, at a penny a week, may free their minister from any more charge, than an additional halfpenny towards this "unjustifiable claim." A hint to poor ministers, Having, as he thinks, set aside a " SOciety just formed," as illiberal and useless, not reaching the cases calling for relief, Onesimus writes, very finely about and about another incipient insti tution, which is to secure-we know not what: for he gives his propositions in so lax a form, that he sends us rambling among old ministers and poor churches, without it being clear to us what he intends to do for either. Only this appears very plainly, that all his provisions, whatever they may be, are to be inde pendent of any claims; and every claim made upon his funds will be considered as an incumbrance! If wealthy people choose to make a fund out of their abundance, and give it away by the hands of Onesimus, we shall not object. Our object is wholly of a different class from his. It is our wish to insure to the disinterested and incessant labourer in the Lord's vineyard, that he shall have an asylum, if age or infirmity should suspend his exertions, or lay him aside. We do not covet that independence which would bring our afflicted brethren, or the grey hairs of our venerable fathers, before us, as paupers seeking an alms; nor will the sacred opportunity of applying our funds to their relief, ever be deemed an incumbrance. While they know and feel that its object presents the tenderest and strongest claim to general support, this society has no wish to impose the tax of a collection, in order to secure its benefits to their minister; as his title would then rest on the willingness or ability of others. More need not be said. Many of our brethren have already appreciated the value of this institution, and every week adds to the number of its patrons and beneficiary members. Neither Onesimus, nor his "more liberal institution," can prevent continual accessions to a society, whose arrangements unite impar tial justice with liberality, and the tenderest benevolence with independence. Signed, by order of the Committee, JOHN PAUL PORTER, SECRETAR The annual sermon will be preached | at Bath, at Mr. Porter's meeting, by the Rev. Isaiah Birt, of Birmingham, on the 11th of June. GENERAL MEETINGS OF THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION. WEDNESDAY, June 25.-Sermons for the Baptist Mission. In the morning at Spa-fields, at eleven o'clock, by the Rev. Joseph Kinghorn, of Norwich. In the evening at Sion Chapel, at six o'clock, by the Rev. Wm. Winterbotham, of Horsley. The Baptist Itinerant Society will meet at seven in the morning, at the Baptist Irish Society will breakfast tegether at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street; and the chair be taken at seven, by Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M. P. NOTICES. Preparing for Publication, The Baptists justified, by Jer. Taylor, D.D. late Lord Bishop of Down and Connor; with an Introduction and Notes, designed to expose the errors of some recent pamphlets. By W. Anderson, of Dunstable. A second Edition of The Darkness of City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate-Superstition receding before the Light of street. Thursday, 26.-In the morning, at eight o'clock precisely, the ministers and Revelation: an authentic Account of the Conversion of twelve Persons in Ireland. No. XXXI. of Periodical Accounts of messengers of the Baptist churches will the Baptist Mission, will be published in meet at Dr. Rippon's, Carter-lane. a few weeks. At twelve o'clock, the annual sermon, The Appendix to No. XXXI. covbefore the Stepney Institution, at Salters'-hall meeting, by the Rev. Mr. Hintaining the last Memoir of Translations, is just published. ton, of Oxford. At six o'clock in the evening, at White's-row Meeting, Spital-fields, a meeting for prayer, &c. on behalf of the Missions. Friday, 27.-In the morning, at six 'clock, the members and friends of the De Protestant Dissenters' Manual. signed for the Children of Dissenters. Price One Halfpenny, or 1s. 6d. per 100. The Report of several Institu tions, and all our Domestic Intelligence, is necessarily deferred. VERSES Poetry. We humbly trust the path he trod Sung at the late Rev. John Vernon's Hath led to heaven, and led to God. Funeral. Beside the grave where Lazarus slept, We thank thee Lord! that thro' thy grace Oh! what an hour when there we meet London: Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-Street, Solo THE Baptist Magazine, JULY, 1817. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. BENJAMIN DAVIES, OF HAVERFORDWEST, PEMBROKESHIRE. THE subject of this memoir was born in the town of Fishguard, in the county of Pembroke. His parents, who knew the grace of God in truth, were members of the Baptist church at Llangloffan, and watched with Christian solicitude over the morals of their children. Having endeavoured to discharge their duty in training up their offspring in the ways of righteousness, their solicitude was graciously relieved by witnessing the power of Divine grace operating on the soul of their beloved Benjamin. At the early age of 15 years, it pleased the Almighty to call him out of darkness into marvellous light, under the ministry of the Rev. Maurice Jones, the present pastor of the Baptist church of Ebenezer, at Merthyr. What the peculiar feelings of his mind were, at the commencement of his spiritual course, is not exactly known; but having felt the power of regenerating grace, and having dévoted himself to God in the ordinance of baptism, he was desirous of making known to others what God had done for his soul. He had no sooner begun to exercise the gifts which heaven had entrusted to his charge, than VOL. IX. his extraordinary zeal and devotion attracted the attention of the church of which he was a member, and giving fair promise of extensive usefulness in the vineyard of his Lord: he was accordingly placed under the tuition of the Rev. Dr. Evans, tutor of the Baptist seminary in Bristol. During the period allowed for academical pursuits, nothing was more conspi cuous in him than that diligence, zeal, and devotion, which adorn the humble and active minister of God. The flame which had just discovered itself in his native country, fed by literary pursuits, and fanned by the breath of heaven, burnt with increasing ardour, attracted the attention of several destitute churches, and, ere the period allowed for academic seclusion expired, various congrega tions earnestly solicited the benefit of his labours. Unaspiring in his disposition, retirement suited him; and the seclusion of a vil lage had irresistible attractions. Accrington, in Lancashire, firstenjoyed the benefit of his stated bours: the church there being destitute of a minister, (and the place presenting a considerable field for usefulness,) he was induced 2 I suasion resided, whom he beheld as sheep having no shepherd; he adopted them as part of his charge, and in season and out of season he laboured for their good. to comply with its solicitations, and was ordained pastor over it. Soon after this event, he married Miss Mary Owen, of Dennant, in his native county. At Accrington his success was considerable: sin-For years did this zealous disciple ners were awakened, saints were continue to supply these separate edified, the church increased in branches of his charge every Sabnumbers, and the pastor and his bath, although ten miles distant flock were nourished with the from each other; and so indefatidews of heaven. But, whilst gable was he in his exertions, that thus cheered with success in his scarcely an evening passed work, several circumstances trans-throughout the year, without his pired which operated on his mind, and, at length, induced him to return to his native county. The success of religion in Pembrokeshire had never ceased to interest his soul; the increasing infirmities of Mrs. Davies's aged parents, which rendered her presence necessary, together with the destitute state of the Baptist church at Molleston, (which had just sent him a pressing solicitation to become their minister,) rested with such weight upon his mind, that he felt obliged to resign his charge in Lancashire. At this period, the conflict of his soul was exceedingly severe anxious to enjoy the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he wrestled much with his Creator for direction, earnestly praying, "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." The Lord gave him direction: he appears to have returned to his native county in the" fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ Jesus." Scarcely had he commenced his ministerial labours at Molleston, ere the Divine Being afforded him new proofs of his favour, aiming the truths he delivered, to the conversion of sinners from the error of their ways, and to the building up of believers in their most holy faith. But his labours were not confined to Molleston: in Haverfordwest a few persons of the Baptist per being engaged in the work of his beloved Master. In Haverford, the Almighty greatly owned his labours, and it was soon discovered that the house in which he preached was much too small to contain the number of his followers. In the year 1788, a respectable friend of his, (although of different sentiments on the subject of baptism,) kindly offered to accommodate him with money for the purchase of land, and the erection of a meeting-house, if a spot suitable for the purpose could be obtained. Divine Providence soon presented it to view; and, in the year 1789, a considerable meeting-house was erected and opened; new seals were given to his ministry, and the pleasure of the Lord was seen prospering in his hand. The number of converts continued to increase in Haverford; until, in the year 1798, it was deemed expedient to form them into a separate church: this event had no sooner taken place, than those disinterested principles, which had before excited admiration, shone forth with increasing splendour; for he immediately relinquished the charge of the church at Molleston, (which had afforded him some remuneration for his labours,) and became pastor of the infant church at Haverford, in which he had no prospect of |