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notes which relate to baptism is but the repetition of statements which have been repeatedly controverted, and, as we think, disproved. If any teachers in our

schools use the volume, they may take occasion to show the pertinacity with which the traditions of men seek refuge in commentaries on the Word of God.

Intelligence.

PRESENTATION.

STRATFORD, Essex, November 26th.-A handsome silver inkstand and appurtenances were presented to the Rev. G. W. Fishbourne by the church and congregation of Stratford Grove Chapel as a mark of their sincere esteem and regard.

ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION SERVICES.

SOUTHAMPTON, November 13th.-Mr. J. Collins was ordained pastor of the church worshipping in the Carlton Rooms. The services were conducted by the Revs. C. Chambers, R. Caven, M. Hudson, J. B. Burt, G. Rogers, and T. Adkins.

Nov.

CANNON-STREET, BIRMINGHAM. 30th, special services were held in Cannon-street Chapel, Birmingham, for the recognition of the new pastor, the Rev. W. L. Giles, late of Abbey-street Chapel, Dublin. Among the ministers present were the Revs. J. E. Giles, of London (the father of the new pastor), C. Vince, J. J. Brown, R. W. Wilson, S. Chapman. Resolutions of welcome were adopted, and addresses were delivered by the several ministers, including Mr. Giles himself, appropriate to the proceedings of the evening.

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UPTON-ON-SEVERN.-A meeting held on Nov. 25th, at the Town Hall, to give a cordial welcome to the Rev. J. R. Parker, as pastor of the church and congregation in this town. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. T. Wilkin

son,

of Tewkesbury; T. Rose, of Pershore; S. Dunn, Atch Lench; M. Philpin, Alcester; and by the Pastor.

UPTON CHAPEL, (LATE CHURCH-STREET, BLACKFRIARS-ROAD), LONDON,-The Rev. R. G. D. Evans, Metropolitan Tabernacle College, having accepted an invitation to

the pastorate of this church, a public meeting to welcome Mr. Evans was held in the school-rooms of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, on the 1st December. The Rev. R. Robinson, of York-road, Lambeth, presided. Mr. W. Pardon, one of the deacons, stated the circumstances which led to the union. The Rev. G. Rogers (Mr. Evans' tutor) bore a most honourable testimony to the Christian character, standing, and ability of Mr. Evans. The Revs. F. White, of Chelsea; S. Cowdy, of Arthur-street, Walworth; P. J. Turquand, of York-street, Walworth; C. G. Gange, of Portsmouth, and J. Burton, of Park-street, delivered suitable addresses. The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon addressed the church most advisedly and encouragingly.

CIRENCESTER.The recognition of the Rev. J. J. Brown as pastor of the church meeting in Coxwell-street, took place on December 9th. The Rev. J. Frize, of Fairford, asked the usual questions and offered prayer; and the Rev. R. P. Macmaster, of Bristol, preached. A public meeting was held. The pastor occupied the chair, and speeches were delivered by Mr. Wearing, of Swindon; the Revs. J. Davis, of Arlington, R. P. Macmaster, and the Dissenting ministers of the town..

MALTON.-On Dec. 8th, the Baptist chapel, Malton, was re-opened for Divine service, after having been closed for alterations. The occasion was also the ordination of the Rev. J. Clough, as pastor, the services being undertaken by the Rev. J. Acworth, LL.D., and the Rev. S. G. Green, B.A., president of Rawdon College. In the evening a soirée was held in the Assembly Rooms, when the Revs. Dr. Acworth, S. G. Green, B.A., Dr. Evans, C, W. Upton (Beverley) and A. Bowden (Driffield), gave addresses.

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ON Thursday, December 10th, this elegant and spacious structure opened for divine worship. The Rev. W. Landels preached in the morning, and the Rev. H. S. Brown in the evening. At a public meeting held in the afternoon-H. Marten, Esq., in the chairMr, Edwards, the treasurer, read the financial report, which showed that the expense incurred had been £3,625, the builder's account having amounted to £2,570, and the land having cost, with interest, £650. Towards paying off the debt, £1,741 1s. 6d. had been raised, leaving a balance of £1,833 11s. 6d. Certain friends have agreed to guarantee in quarterly payments over ten years, the amount of £1,000. At subsequent services, sermons were preached by the Revs. S. Tipple, of Norwood, A. Mursell, and Watson Smith, of Manchester. The collections amounted to about £150. [We congratulate our friend, Mr. Carey, and his flock, upon the completion of their noble and arduous labours. In scarcely any town in the kingdom was a new chapel

more needed.] Contributions towards the building fund will be thankfully received by the Rev. J. P. Carey, Wolverhampton.

KINGSGATE CHAPEL, HOLBORN.-The Baptist Irish Society having been commenced by a meeting at Eagle Street Chapel on December 6th, 1813, a public meeting was held on the 7th December to commemorate its jubilee. The chair was occupied by Dr. Hoby, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. F. Wills, S. Green, F. Trestrail, W. Miall, C. Room, J. Stanion, C. Middleditch, and Messrs. Pewtress and Heaton.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.

The Rev. E. Jenkins has resigned the ministry of the church at Madeley, Salop. At the request of the committee of the Baptist Irish Society, and by the unanimous invitation of the church at Grange, county Antrim, the Rev. H. H. Bourn has removed from Portadown to that place. The Rev. E. W. Thomas has

Chapel, London.-The Rev. James Howell, pastor of the second Baptist church, Bury St. Edmunds, will shortly conclude his labours there. The Rev. D. Davies, of Waentrodau, near Cardiff, has accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the church at Charlesstreet, Newport.-The Rev. G. D. Evans, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, has accepted a cordial invitation to become the pastor of Upton Chapel, now in course of erection at Barkham-terrace, Lambeth-road, London.-The Rev. C. Wollacott has resigned the pastorate of the church at Little Wild-street. Mr. Wollacott has been engaged in the ministry fifty years, and retires from active labour with the respectful and affectionate wishes of a large circle of friends.

The Rev. S. Hodges, Charlbury, Oxon, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Stow-on-the-Wold.-The Rev: Dr. Leechman, on account of illhealth, has resigned the pastorate of the church at West End, Hammersmith, and has taken up his residence at Bath.-The Rev. S. Allsop, of Whittlesea, has accepted the earnest call of the first Baptist church at Longford, Warwickshire.

Mr. William Williams, of Haverfordwest College, has accepted the unanimous invitation to become the pastor of Abernant Church, Aberdare.-Mr. William Jones, of Haverfordwest College, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Church, Hebron, Dowlais. - The Rev.

James T. Baily has resigned the pastorate of the church, Branch-road, Blackburn, and is open to invitation to supply vacant churches.-The Rev. E. Jones, formerly of Broseley, Salop, has accepted the pastorate of the church at Bethesda Chapel, Trowbridge, Wilts. The Rev. H. T. Wardley, until recently a minister in the Countess of Huntingdon's connection at Worcester, has accepted the pastorate of the Baptist Church at Melbourne, Cambridgeshire.-The Rev. D. Jones, B.A., of Folkestone, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church and congregation at Brixton-hill, and is expected to commence his ministry there on the first Lord's day in January.

ANNIVERSARY AND OPENING SERVICES.

REDDITCH.-The first anniversary of the church at Redditch, was celebrated on Nov. 8th and 9th. On Nov. 8th three

sermons were preached by the Rev. J. R. Parker, of Upton-on-Severn. Nov. 9th a meeting was held, the Rev. M. Philpin, taking the chair. Some very liberal promises were made towards the erection of a chapel, and it is hoped that during the year, sufficient funds may be raised to commence its erection. Addresses were delivered by the chairman, the Revs. J. R. Parker, J. Philips, T. James, J. Bowler, B. Burrows, and W. Forth.

DAMERHAM, WILTS.-The new chapel in this village was opened on the 4th of November. Two sermons were preached by the Rev. C. Stanford, Camberwell. The chapel was crowded, and the services were deeply interesting. The new building will cost about £250, towards which it was announced at the opening £100 had already been raised, more than half this sum having been collected by the kind exertions of Mr. Stanford. The friends of Damerham will be very thankful for further assistance, of which they are much in need.

Commercial-road, Pillgwenlly, Newport, PILLGWENLLY, MON.-The new chapel, Mon., was opened on November 15th. The Rev. D. Evans, of Dudley, preached and also on Monday evening, Nov. 16th. On the 17th, the Rev. J. Williams, of Stow-hill Chapel, Newport, preached, after which the Rev. E. Thomas, pastor of the church, in the new chapel baptized seventeen candidates.

WELLINGTON, SALOP.-The chapel in this town having been closed for improvement, was reopened on Nov. 22nd. Sermons were preached by the Rev. S. G. Green, B.A., president of Rawdon College, and the Rev. H. Bake, (Ind) of Wellington. The sum expended is between £400 and £500, which, with the exception of about £100, has already been raised by the congregation.

COLLEGE-STREET, NORTHAMPTON.--The ancient church and congregation here, presided over by the Rev. J. T. Brown, and of which Dr. Ryland was once the pastor, having for a long time required a new place of worship, at length set about its erection, and on Thursday, Nov. 26th, the place was opened with the customary religious services. The site is the same as before. The new chapel will comfortably seat 1,100. The internal area is 75 by 54 feet, with galleries extending over a spacious vestibule. The sermon in the morning was preached by the Rev. resigned his ministry at Cromer-street

W. Landels, of London. The dinner was provided at the Swan Inn, Derngate, and the company, which numbered about 120 persons, consisted chiefly of visitors from the neighbourhood. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Perry, and speeches were made by Mr. Brown, Mr. Landels, Mr. Mursell, of Kettering, and others. In the evening, a sermon was preached by the Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A., of London, and a large number not being able to obtain admittance, a second sermon was preached in the large room over the school-room, by the Rev. J. Mursell, of Kettering. On the following Sunday, the Rev. J. P. Mursell, of Leicester, preached both morning and evening, and on the Monday evening a public meeting a public meeting was held, the Rev. J. T. Brown in the chair, when addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Brown, G. Nicholson, T. Arnold, T. T. Gough, J. P. Mursell, J. P. Haddy, and others. In the course of the evening it was stated that the cost of the building was about £7,000, and that the receipts, including collections at the opening services, amounted to £5,355.

CLARENDON CHAPEL, LEAMINGTON.-The congregation, for whose use this new chapel has been built, celebrated their freedom from debt on Thursday, Nov. 5th. Tea was served at 6 o'clock in the school-rooms to about 200 persons; and a larger congregation afterwards met in the chapel where addresses were delivered by Dr. Slack, who presided; the Rev. C. Vince and other gentlemen. From a statement read by the Rev. W. A. Salter, the pastor, it appeared that the chapel had been begun in Nov. 1862, had been ready for opening by Midsummer, and would, in a few days, be freed from all incumbrance. The requisite transactions have since been completed, and the chapel is the property of the Trustees, who hold it for a congregation, maintaining the great truths held in common by Evangelical Christians. The building is in the early English style; seats 400 comfortably on the ground floor, contains a gallery with vestries, beneath which can be easily thrown into the chapel, and provides for the baptism by immersion of those who desire it. School-rooms have been com. pleted on the premises since the chapel was opened. The congregations and schools have been very encouraging, and it is hoped that much good will be done in a neighbourhood which is rapidly increasing in population.

RECENT DEATHS.

MRS. PRICHARD, Llandudno.

Mrs. Prichard, wife of Mr. W. Prichard, deacon of the Baptist church, Llandudno, was well-known to many readers of the Magazine.

Mrs. Prichard and her family had much to do under God's blessing with the raising of the baptist church at Llandudno to its present flourishing state.

Her father was one of the first that embraced Baptist principles in that neighbourhood. Hearing the Rev. J: Prytherch, Calvinistic Methodist Minister, from Anglesea, preach from Luke xii. 50, and say that the baptism which Christ underwent was not a mere sprinkling of sufferings, but an immersion in a sea of agonies, he became convinced that baptism by immersion is the Institution of Christ, and that it is impossible to explain the New Testament except on Bap tist principles. For many years he had almost the whole care of the cause at Llandudno on his own shoulders. Mrs. Prichard drank deeply of his spirit, and took such an interest in it as if its fate depended on her activity and faithfulness. Those who did not know her love to Christ thought this officiousness; but others who were acquainted with her sterling worth, knew that it was but the natural expression of inward attachment to Him who died for her. She cherished the highest respect for the servants of Christ; she always deemed it an honour to entertain them under her roof; and she caused the heart of many a poor minister to rejoice. The writer remembers with gratitude and affection her anxiety to cheer and encourage him, when, an inexperienced young man from college, he settled at Llandudno as minister. She was very anxious to provide English preaching for visitors to that delightful watering place. She and her beloved husband exerted themselves to build the commodious English chapel there. When the work threatened to stand for want of funds, they advanced the money; and when it was finished, she, without the knowledge of any one save her Master, furnished it with a communion service, worth about £15, remarking that it was the gift of a friend to the English cause. Last winter her health suffered; she became weaker and weaker, till June 29th, when she fell asleep in Jesus, whom she had faithfully served for thirty-eight years. Many

friends, including several ministers from the adjacent counties, were present at her funeral. May the God who sustained her, and gave her victory in death, enable our sorrowful brother to be faithful unto death, and console his heavy heart! Llangollen. H. J.

Mr. R. W. LOWER, Folkstone. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord yea, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

The truth of this inspired testimony has recently found another illustration in the death of an eminently good man, Mr. R. W. Lower, of Folkstone. He

He

was born at Lewes, in the April of 1796, and after a very short illness, at the age of sixty-seven, was taken to his heavenly rest on Tuesday, October 27th, from his residence in the above town. On Mon day the 26th, he was engaged in the usual affairs of life, and was seen walking in company with his now sorrowing widow. About noon of that day he was seized with the mortal attack, and, although all was done that medical skill could devise, his strength failed him, his hour had come, and he expired_on_the afternoon of the following day. To him, however, somewhat sudden death was in the noblest sense, sudden life. The greater part of Mr. Lower's career was spent in Lewes, where for many years he carried on business as a bookseller. enjoyed the inestimable advantage of having pious parents, by whom his childhood was carefully trained "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" and accordingly he was ever accustomed to connect his conversion to God with the instructions and prayers of his godly mother. From the time of his religious decision and public profession of discipleship by baptism to the time of his death, (a period of two-and-forty years) he illustrated in his character the power of divine grace, and in the course of an active life rendered considerable service of various kinds to the Christian Church. Mr. Lower was marked by great suavity and gentleness of manner, was easily approached and readily communicative. Being a man of a thoroughly public spirit, he took an active and intelligent interest in affairs political and religious. Holding his principles as a Nonconformist with the firmness of enlightened conviction, it is not surprising that on many occasions, when summoned forth by the call of duty, he took a somewhat

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leading part in their public diffusion and defence. Connected for many years with the Congregational community, he was yet a sincere Baptist, both in persuasion and practice, and regularly contributed to the funds of some of our strictly denominational societies. He was animated, however, by a truly Catholic spirit that habitually rose above sectarian limits, and never did he appear happier than when united with Christians of other churches in religious worship or service. About five years ago Mr. Lower removed from Lewes to Folk stone. Attaching himself to the Inde pendent church, (then greatly needing help) he took a prominent part in the management of its concerns, and his services in every direction were efficient and most acceptable. For the sake of health a removal was made to Taunton, where a year was spent, worshipping during that period with the Independent church, where his devoutness and Christian activity made him highly esteemed. the autumn of 1861 he returned to Folkstone, and together with Mrs. Lower, at once cordially united himself with the Baptist church and congregation. And, although his connection therewith was limited to the two last years of his life, yet such were his zeal and usefulness in the cause of Christ, that his name will be remembered with gratitude and affection for many years to come. Mr. Lower came to Folkstone when he was well able to aid its various interests. Rich in the experience of his past li e, possessed of leisure, pecuniary means, Christian knowledge and excellent talents for business, he cheerfully and unsparingly devoted these to his Master's service. Without forcing himself on any one's attention, there were yet but few religious or benevolent institutions in the town, with which he was not actively connected. And when he professed adLerence to any good cause, his adherence was real and not merely nominal. If he gave his name, he also gave his time, money, influence, and energies. Hence his death is regarded as a public loss. He will be missed not only in the church of which he was a member, but also in the Town mission, the British schools, the Bible Society, in all of which, with several other societies, sacred and secular, he took a lively interest and rendered them material help. He will be much missed also in the homes of the poor, and at the bedside of the sick and dying, where is spiritual conversation

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