MRS. GIPPS. Mrs. Gipps, wife of the Rev. John Gipps of Potter Street, Harlow, Essex, who died, March 6th, 1850, was born in London, Sept. 11th, 1793. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Porter, but her mother even at that time was in a feeble and precarious state of health, and after a few years of suffering and decay was numbered with the dead at an early age. Under those circum stances their beloved child, when only two years old, was taken from home to live with her uncle and aunt, the late Mr. and Mrs. Page of Waltham Abbey, by whom she was beloved, adopted, and provided for as their own child, and with whom she continued to live till their decease. When sickness and the infirmities of age came on and required the most assiduous attention, she evinced the kindness of her disposition, and waited upon them with filial gratitude and affection, doing all she could for their personal and spiritual comfort, and to smooth their passage to the tomb. And when the last of these aged relatives had finished his course she failed not to cherish and revere their memory, as she had before proved herself worthy of their confidence and love. It is a pleasing fact in the memory of our departed friend that she became the subject of sincere and decided piety at the age of seventeen, and thus presented to her young friends in that respect an example worthy to be followed. She ascribed her first serious impressions to the preaching of Dr. Draper, then tutor of Cheshunt College, upon whose ministry the family of Mr. Page sometimes attended. But in the year 1816 Miss Porter was baptized and joined the church at Waltham Abbey, then under the pastoral care of Mr. Eveleigh, whom she highly esteemed, and for whose widow and family she evinced the most benevolent concern. Indeed, upon the death of Mrs. Eveleigh, which soon followed that of her husband, leaving three poor children-the youngest quite an infantunprovided for and without any relative able to take care of them, our departed friend generously undertook the charge. Towards their support she received the usual allowance from that excellent institution, "The Benevolent Society, designed to relieve the Necessitous Widows and Children of Dissenting Ministers in Essex and Hertfordshire," and of which Mrs. Eveleigh had happily become a beneficiary member. With this help she was enabled to provide first for their board and education, and then for their apprenticeship to some useful business by which they might afterwards support themselves and make their way through life with respectability and comfort. As there was no relationship or affinity between this orphan family and Miss Porter, they could have no claim to such generous help, except on the ground of Christian sympathy, but it was purely a work and labour of love. It must indeed have been to her a source of much anxiety, labour, and expense, for many years. But she undertook and performed the engagement with exemplary kindness and persevering wisdom and success, which could not fail to merit the warmest affection and gratitude of the orphan family in after life, and the cordial esteem and admiration of Christian friends. cess, At the commencement of the Waltham Abbey Bible Society, some thirty years ago, Miss Porter took a lively interest in its sucand was a member of the ladies' committee. Nor was she indifferent to other institutions of a local or public character, whether connected with the church of which she was a member or with other persuasions; while by the interest she took in the Sunday schools, in visiting the sick, relieving the poor, and other good works, during her residence at Waltham Abbey, she gained the esteem and confidence of her pastor and fellow members, and of the neighbourhood at large. Upon the death of her aged uncle, Mr. Page, in 1836, and her marriage to Mr. Gipps, our departed friend was dismissed from the church at Waltham Abbey to the one at Potter Street, Harlow, of which her husband had been several years pastor. And from that time to her decease she was enabled by the divine grace to pursue the same useful course, to maintain the consistency of her profession, and "to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." The interest she had before tak in the missionary cause was not diminished but increased and culti vated, when she was called in Providence to another sphere. And when her valued friends, Mr. and Mrs. Sturgeon and Miss Vitou, embarked in the African mission, and began to labour at Fernando Po and the adjacent coast, she felt a still deeper interest in the cause, and continued to correspond with the latter of those friends till the last. But it is unnecessary to state how well Mrs. Gipps fulfilled the duties of her station as a Christian pastor's wife and fellow helper in the Lord. Having been bereft of their only child in its infancy she was, of course, at liberty to devote more of her time and talents to offices of Christian charity than would be prudent or possible for those who have large families or young children to care for. Hence our lamented friend engaged with energy and perseverance in the management of the Sunday schools, as well as visiting and relieving the poor in their afflic tions, reading to them the word of God, praying with them, and distributing Christian tracts. In all things connected with the church she cultivated a peaceable, conciliatory, and prudent spirit, and with cheerful liberality and kindness united with her hushand in adopting one young friend whom Providence has called to the Christian ministry, and helping others in their secular concerns. By these means of usefulness steadily pursued Mrs. Gipps truly served her generation according to the will of God, so as to gain the confidence and esteem of her friends and neighbours, and will long live in the grateful remembrance of many. But during the last twelve months the health of our valued friend had been evi dently impaired, so that she was constrained to give up some of her engagements and to seek the benefit of greater rest and change of air. At the same time the symptoms of decline were not such as to awaken any serious apprehensions as to the issue, but within a week of her decease she had so far recovered her usual strength that she walked out with Mr. Gipps, visited a sick family at some distance, and returned home with the same briskness as on former occasions. But the same night the disease from which she had before suffered returned with more alarming symptoms, and in a few days proved fatal, to the deep and lasting regret of her bereaved husband, the people of his charge, and many friends. Some apprehensions of such a result had been felt for several months by one or two of those friends, but Mrs. Gipps herself, even when the last severe attack came, evidently wished and hoped for recovery that she might do more good. When, however, medicine failed of its effect, and the case appeared hopeless, she resigned herself to the divine will, repeating the words of St. Paul, as descriptive of her aim through life and her hope in death, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Thus confiding in Him as the only and all-sufficient Saviour, she could look forward without fear to the last struggle, when her immortal spirit departed "to be with Christ which is far better." Her mortal remains were buried in the chapel at Potter Street, March 13, by the Rev. Thomas Finch of Harlow, who likewise preached her funeral sermon on the sabbath afternoon following, from the text just quoted, to a full and deeply attentive congregation. And from the discourse delivered on the occasion this brief sketch has been copied, in hope that an example so worthy to be remembered may be useful to others, as well as grateful to surviving friends. REV. W. FRASER. T. F. The esteemed pastor of the church meeting in Regent Street, Lambeth, was released from the afflictions under which he had laboured for some months on Lord's day, April 15. Total deafness combined with almost total blindness, accompaniments of a broken up constitution, were among the trials of faith and patience with which it had pleased his heavenly Father to visit him. We hope for an account of his active and useful career. VOL. XIII.-FOURTH SERIES. MISCELLANEA. REV. F. TRESTRAIL. The following pleasing correspondence between the late secretary of the Baptist Irish Society and its agents in Ireland has been transmitted to us from Waterford : "Waterford, February 20th, 1850. "MY DEAR BROTHER, "At the last meeting of the Baptist Union of Ireland, held in Dublin (August, 1849), it was unanimously resolved to present you with some expression of gratitude and affection, which should be more enduring than a mere vote of thanks and confidence. My brethren have deputed me to procure and to beg your acceptance of the accompanying volumes. If they were to instance the particular qualities which have secured their lasting affection, they would mention as among the most prominent, the faithfulness of your reproofs-the candour with which you have given and received explanationsthe readiness and fulness yet delicacy of your sympathy-the truly fraternal character of your official communications, and the constancy and zeal with which you have sought to advance the best interests of poor Ireland. Though you now have no more place in these parts, you have a warm place in our hearts, and a prominent one in our most solemn supplications. We all pray that the good will of Him who dwelt in the bush may ever rest upon you, and that for many years you may be enabled with increasing efficiency to serve your own generation (and so benefit succeeding ages) according to the will of God. "I remain, my dear brother, "Rev. F. Trestrail." "Mitcham Common, March 30th, 1850. "MY DEAR BROTHER, "A short time ago I received Macaulay's History, 2 vols., most tastefully and handsomely bound, which the brethren connected with the Irish Society voted to me at their last annual meeting, as an expression of their good will on my leaving the office then held by me. "This present possesses some intrinsic value, but that is nothing compared with the value stamped upon it by rendering it the expression of so much regard and esteem. I am far from insensible to the good opinion of my brethren-indeed I covet it; for I could not be happy unless I was loved. To do one's duty simply for this object would be unworthy the simplicity and manliness of the Christian character. To secure it while performing duty, and to have expressions of their regard both earnest and sincere, is a large comfort, and a strong stimulus to future effort. 2 s "Throughout the whole of my connexion with you, it was my earnest wish to be with and act with you, as a brother and a friend. I wished to appear as little as possible in the robes of office. Mere officiality, particularly when it puts on airs of importance, I despise. It is therefore a great satisfaction to me that, in retiring from office, I carry with me your continued regard. "I still have a good dea! to do with your affairs. On the committee, in conference with the admirable treasurer, and my openhearted and zealous successor, the Irish Society is still in my thoughts. And so it will ever be, for my views and feelings have undergone no change with the change of office. "Let me bespeak your cordial good will for my successor. Remember he has not the same advantage as I had of knowing you all before he took office. You will find him open, frank, kind, and sympathizing. But as I knew all your personal concerns as well as your public affairs, and there was no reserve between us, the same state of things can hardly be maintained by him, until he has the opportunity of personal intercourse. "And now, my dear friend, will you kindly convey to my brethren, my most cordial thanks for their handsome present, and for the still more valuable expression of their high approval of my conduct while connected officially with them. May the great Head of the Church condescend to bless them, and make them blessings, far beyond what they have ever yet experienced. "I am, my dear friend, "Rev. F. Bugby." the baptist chapel, Kirkstall, when the subscribers and friends took tea. The public meeting was presided over by the Rev. A. M. Stalker of Leeds. The report showed that two missionaries are engaged to preach the gospel publicly and from house to house; that 4000 visits had been made in Armley, Skipton, Kirkstall, and Woodhouse-Carr; that 1500 tracts had been distributed, upwards of 200 scholars taught in the sabbath schools, several hundreds of cheap religious magazines sold, thirty-nine persons baptized on a profession of faith during the year, and since the commencement of the mission in 1844, ninety-seven persons professed their attachment to the Lord Jesus Christ by being buried with him in baptism. A committee for the ensuing year was appointed, and auditors to examine the treasurer's accounts. Addresses were delivered by several ministers and friends from the neighbourhood. The prospects of the mission are very cheering. SKIPTON. With a view to the extension of the Re deemer's kingdom, a visit was made to Skipton in the summer of 1848, by Messrs. S. Jones and R. Hogg, of the Baptist Village Mission. An open air meeting was held, and a minister of the gospel disputing the statements made by the brethren on the subject of baptism led to a discussion for two nights, before some hundreds of people. A house was then opened for occasional preaching, and, a desire for a permanent station being expressed, a large room was taken capable of accommodating 200 hearers, which was opened in October, 1849, Messrs. H. Dowson, J. Tunnicliffe, and other ministers, taking part in the services. A sabbath school was also commenced. The first fruits of the mission were baptized on Christmas three more brethren were immersed in the day, 1849; and on the 25th of March, 1850, river Aire, in the presence of an interesting and attentive company. A church was formed on the 26th of March, when the five newly baptized and six brethren and sisters (dismissed from baptist churches in the neighbourhood) were united in church fellowship. Messrs. Mitchell of Horsforth, Chown of Bradford, Scott of Sutton, Walton of Earby, Bennett, Hogg, and Jones, attended and took part in the proceedings. The meeting was well attended by members of the congregation; the services were interesting and highly profitable. May the little one become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation! The prospects of future usefulness are very encouraging, the people attending being composed chiefly of individuals who have not, previous to the visits of the mission, attended any place of worship. CORRESPONDENCE. BAPTIST BUILDING FUND. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-The late Mrs. Payne of Camberwell has left a legacy of one hundred pounds to the Baptist Building Fund, which sum her son and executor, Mr. William Payne, has paid to the treasurer free of duty. The amount was immediately remitted as a loan to the church at Romford, Rev. G. Davis pastor, and at Michaelmas next that church will return its first half-yearly repayment of five pounds. It is highly gratifying to the committee to receive and to record these encouraging proofs of the increasing confidence and approbation of the public, and to add that the whole of the instalments due at Lady-day, in return of former loans, were regularly forwarded, and have unitedly made up a loan forwarded to another church. The committee never allow any money to remain on hand; they employ their funds, not to create, but to destroy interest, and thereby to establish a principle in the public mind sufficient in its operation to raise a vested capital equal to the supply of the increasing demand for baptist churches in the country. Trusting that your valuable journal will prove a successful aid, I am, my dear Sir, Very sincerely yours, Union Dock, Limehouse, MRS. BURCHELL'S RETURN TO JAMAICA. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-Our esteemed friend Mrs. Burchell being too poorly on her arrival in Jamaica to write to as many friends as she could desire, has communicated to me her wish that through the Magaizne her grateful remembrances might be communicated to the many kind friends who so hospitably entertained her when in England, and liberally contributed both money and various useful articles to release the schools from their difficulties, for which she appealed. It is very gratifying to hear that these articles are selling well, which is an encouragement still to request similar contributions. Mrs. Burchell had a tedious passage of twelve weeks, and during the voyage symptoms were developed, it was feared, of scirrhus. Some hope is entertained it is not so, yet her health at present seems not very good. She says her mind, although depressed, is tranquil, trusting in that God who has in so many instances sustained her, and feels assured he will not now forsake or lay HANNAH Meredith. P.S. Any friends having contributions of work, or other articles, they wish to have forwarded to Mrs. Burchell, are requested to send them to No. 3, Durham Place, Lambeth Road, as a case will be sent to Mrs. Burchell from there some time in May, and at any future time they will be carefully sent to Jamaica to assist in carrying on the schools so greatly needing support. sant. EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT. The The annual meetings of our principal societies have been well attended and pleaThe weather has been more propitious than for some years; and the visitors from the country have been numerous. series commenced on Thursday morning, April 18th, when a large company of the friends of missions united in supplication in the library of the Mission House. Mr. Bowes, pastor of the church meeting in Blandford Street, London, presided, and prayer was offered by brethren Eustace Carey, Stewart of Hull, Sutton of Orissa, and Jeremiah Asher, a coloured brother from Philadelphia. In the evening, a large congregation assembled in Surrey Chapel. After prayer by the Rev. C. E. Birt, M.A. of Wantage, the Rev. F. Tucker, B.A. of Manchester preached. The text, taken from the language of Moses recorded in the first chapter of Deuteronomy was, "Behold the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee; go up "the sermon, an interesting and possess it;' illustration of the field-the work-and the summons. The principal part of Friday was devoted to the business of the Baptist Union. Dr. Godwin delivered an introductory discourse which gave very general satisfaction to those who heard it, and which will be perused by the readers of our present number with pleasure and advantage. Burns, pastor of a general baptist church at Paddington, having taking the chair, George Lowe, Esq. F.R.S. was re-appointed treasurer, and Mr. Hinton and Dr. Steane, After this, Dr. seats vacated by Messrs. Danford, Daniell, Lowe, Trend, Trest rail, and Underhill. The Treasurers were requested to retain office, and Messrs. Trestrail and Underhill appointed secretaries. secretaries. Some other matters of routine, the Rev. F. Tucker, Solomon Leonard, Esq., having been disposed of, and a Committee and W. H. Watson, Esq., who take the for the ensuing year elected, a discussion arose respecting the propriety of appointing delegates to the approaching Triennial Conference of the British Anti-State-Church Association. After an animated but perfectly good tempered debate, the motion was carried by a large majority. The meeting then unanimously requested brethren Hinton and Groser to represent the Union in that convention. In the evening, a sermon on behalf of the Baptist Irish Society was delivered to a large assembly in the Weigh House Chapel, by the Rev. W. G. Lewis of Cheltenham. The meeting of members of this Society was held on Monday morning, the 22nd, when the Rev. W. P. Williams, who has performed the duties of the secretariat for several months, was appointed to that office. The treasurer, Joseph Tritton, Esq. gratified the meeting by unexpectedly appearing at it, finding himself sufficiently recovered from an illuess which has confined him for several months to be able to attend. In the evening of this day, the Annual Meeting of the Baptist Home Missionary Society was held in Finsbury Chapel, W. H. Bond, Esq. presided; and animated addresses were made by Messrs. Dobney of Maidstone, Stovel of Prescot Street, Haycroft of Bristol, and Chown of Bradford. At the business meeting of the members of the Baptist Missionary Society which was held at Moorgate Street on Tuesday morning, the Rev. W. Robinson brought up the report of the special Committee which had been appointed at the last annual meeting to prepare a schedule of all the property vested in trustees in the name and on behalf of the Baptist Missionary Society. It was received, and then referred to the Committee to carry out its suggestions, so far as they may deem them practicable and expedient. The motions of Messrs. Mursell and Pryce for certain alterations in the constitution of the society were then considered; but after much discussion the whole subject was referred to the Committee to consider and report upon it at the next annual meeting. The same course was adopted in reference to Mr. Venimore's motion, of which he had given notice last year. At the recommendation of the Committee, a resolution was then passed affirming the necessity of a deputation to India, and expressing a hope that Messrs. Hinton and Underhill would undertake the performance of that duty. From the report of the scrutineers appointed to ascertain the result of the ballot which in conformity with annual custom was made for a Committee for the ensuing year, it appeared that the changes made were six; the new members being the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel, the Rev. J. Leechman, the Rev. T. F. Newman, The annual public meeting of the Baptist Irish Society was held in the evening in Finsbury Chapel, George Foster, Esq., of Sabden presiding. Excellent addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Aveling, representative of the Irish Evangelical Society, and our brethren Robinson, Trestrail, and Noel. On Wednesday morning, Bloomsbury Chapel was thoroughly filled. After prayer by Mr. Gould, the successor of Mr. Brock at Norwich, Mr. Noel delivered a discourse founded on the words addressed to Eli, "Them that honour me I will honour." Regarding his hearers as servants of God, members of churches, and Christian pastors, Mr. Noel showed that they might honour God, as the triune God, the God of our salvation, by giving to each of the divine persons the glory due to Him for the work he performs for our advantage;-by giving glory to his word, as his word, making it exclusively the rule of our faith and practice;-by maintaining in his churches the discipline he has instituted, observing his ordinances according to his appointment ;by being obedient in all things to his holy will, unreservedly devoting ourselves to his service;-by being as pastors and churches united and affectionate towards each other, and brotherly towards fellow Christians of other denominations;-by being laborious in endeavours to promote his cause, and convert sinners around us;—-by sending out our ablest men into the ministry of the word, and to the peculiarly arduous work of Christian missionaries;—by taking care to maintain those who have been thus sent forth;and by abounding in prayer and in praise. If we act thus, he showed, we may be sure that God will honour us, for he has said so; and we may expect that in proportion as we thus honour him, he will honour us, by large answers to prayer;-by the progress of our own peculiar opinions derived from his word, on points in which we interpret it more correctly than others; and by making use of us. All whom we have heard speak of this discourse have regarded it as distinguished for beautiful simplicity and useful tendencies; while it appeared to be particularly appropriate as coming from the lips from which it proceeded. The annual meeting of the Bible Translation Society was held in the evening, S. M. Peto, Esq., M.P., in the chair, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. C. E. Birt, the Rev. T. Burditt, S. Nicholson, Esq., of Lydney, G. Lowe, Esq., and Drs. Cox and Byl. |