was held in Pembroke Chapel, and closed a delightful series of services.

WOKINGHAM.-July 13th, interesting services were held in connection with the entire removal of the debt incurred in the erection of the above chapel. In the afternoon the Rev. W. Brock preached. Tea was provided in a tent near the chapel, of which 350 persons partook. After this the friends returned to the chapel, when the pastor, the Rev. P. G. Scorey, gave a somewhat detailed account of the efforts which had been made to erect and pay for the commodious house of prayer in which they were assembled. A statement of the finances was followed by addresses from Revs. F. Stevenson and II. Bulmer, of Reading. The evening service immedietely commenced, when the Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A., preached. The chapel was opened just three years ago, and the total cost amounted to £1875. About £1700 has been raised by the congregation and friends in the vicinity, and the remainder by friends at a greater distance. That so large a sum should have been given in so short a time has exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine of those engaged in the undertaking, and affords another pleasing proof of the efficiency of the voluntary principle.

RAMSGATE-Cavendish Chapel, having undergone extensive alterations, was reopened for Divine worship July 7th, when the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, preached two sermons to overflowing audiences. The collections after both sermons amounted to £50. On Sunday, the 10th, the reopening services were continued, when two sermons were delivered by Signor A. Gavazzi, and £20 was collected. On the following evening Signor Gavazzi delivered a lecture on "Garibaldi," and delighted his audience whilst he described the character and private life of the great hero, and traced his public career as a patriot and warrior. The collection after the lecture amounted to £6 6s., making a total, from the whole of the reopening services, of £76 6s.

RAYLEIGH, ESSEX.-On Tuesday, May 17th, the large and handsome school just completed was opened. A sermon was preached in the afternoon by the Rev. Daniel Katterns, of Hackney. A public meeting was held in the chapel at night, when the Rev. Messrs. Cave, Wastell, and Hayward, of London; and the Rev. Messrs. Lanthois, Oliver, Richardson, Nugent, Taylor, and other ministers from the surrounding towns and villages, delivered congratulatory addresses.

COLNEY HATCH, Middlesex. The foundation-stone of a new chapel in this place

was laid on the 5th July, by Joseph Tritton, Esq. The chapel is calculated to seat 310 persons, and will probably cost nearly £1,300. The ground, which is freehold, has been paid for; this cost £200. A public meeting was held, the Rev. J. Fleming, of Kentish Town, in the chair. The Revs. Arthur Hall, W. Brock, jun., F. Wills, J. Marks, W. L. Brown, and Messrs. A. O. Charles, Puget, Goodyear, and Ryder, spoke. Before the meeting closed, the cash received, and promises given, amounted to £311.

KIDDERMINSTER.-On the 27th June a meeting was held in the Music-hall, which brought together some 500 persons of every denomination of the town, to help the Baptist friends in their building fund for a new chapel. Alderman Turton presided, and the Revs. T. Marsden, B.A. (Independent); S. Dunn, of Atch Lench (Baptist); W. Symonds, of Pershore (Baptist); and Thomas Fisk, the pastor of the church, suitably addressed the meeting. About £550 have been already collected and promised, and the pastor will thankfully acknowledge the aid of all who feel interested in the extension of Christ's kingdom.

GLASCOMBE, RADNORSHIRE.-Special services were held in this village on the 12th and 13th July. The Baptists had a preaching station in this place upwards of 200 years ago, and efforts are being made to re-open a Baptist cause in this village. The services were well attended, and impressive sermons delivered by the Revs. G. Llewellyn of Erwood; W. H. Payne, Presteign; G. Phillips, Evenjobb; J. Jones, Rock; T. T. Phillips, Painscastle, and T. Havard, of Franksbridge.

On

NEWBRIDGE, MONMOUTHSHIRE. Monday, the 6th July, a new church was formed at this place. Mr. W. Prosser, of Pontypool College, was ordained pastor, and four brethren were set apart to the office of deacons. The ministers who officiated on the occasion were the Revs. D. Morgan, of Blaenavon; J. G. Davies, of Beulah; J. Lewis, of Tredegar; Dr. Thomas, of Pontypool; W. Roberts, of Blaina; S. Williams, of Nantyglo; and T. Recves, of Risca.

WYLE COP CHAPEL, SHREWSBURY.—On June 19th, the Rev. J. D. Alford, late of the United Methodist Free Church, and Mr. Skemp, a local preacher from the same body, were baptized by the Rev. J. Smith, of Pontesbury. Mr. Alford is now open to supply vacant churches with a view to the pastorate. Communications addressed to him, care of Mr. Skemp, Bilston, will be immediately forwarded.

WALWORTH-ROAD, LONDON.-The foundation-stone of new school-buildings about to be erected in connection with Walworthroad Chapel, was laid on June 15th, by W. H. Watson, Esq. In the evening a public meeting was held, George Bayley, Esq., in the chair, when addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Brock, S. Cowdy, S. Coley (Wesleyan), W. Groser, Esq., J. Corderoy, Esq., J. Eastty, Esq., and the pastor, the Rev. W. Howieson. The estimated cost, including fittings and furniture, is £2,200.

WEST ROW, WILLENHALL.-The jubilee of the Baptist chapel in this place was celebrated on June 23rd, when a sermon was preached by the Rev. C. Elven, of Bury St. Edmunds, after which several hundreds of people assembled upon a plot of ground opposite the chapel, when the foundationstone of a house for the minister was laid by the Rev. J. P'. Lewis, of Diss, who also delivered an address. Addresses were also delivered by the Revs. W. W. Cantlow, of Isleham, and W. Lloyd, of Barton Mills.

CLEVELY, OXON.-The foundation-stone of a new chapel was laid on June 22nd, by Robert Ryman, Esq., and one of a new school by Miss Kimber; after which an address was delivered by the Rev. W. Allen, of Oxford. A sermon was preached by the Rev. T. Hughes, of Woodstock. There was a good gathering of friends from various parts, among whom were some ministers and deacons from neighbouring churches. The chapel will be entirely free from debt, through the liberality of Robert Ryman, Esq., and his two sisters.

WELLINGTON, SOMERSET.-On the 5th July, the memorial. stone of the new schoolrooms, in connection with the Baptist church, was laid by James W. Sully, Esq., of Bridgewater. After the laying of the stone, addresses were delivered by Mr. Sully, the Rev. G. W. Humphreys, Mr. Pollard (architect), Mr. Haddon, the superintendent of the school, and by Mr. W. D. Horsey, jun. In the evening a public meeting was held, presided over by W. D. Horsey, Esq.

HANBURY-HILL CHAPEL, STOURBRidge.—The above place was re-opened on July 5th. A sermon was preached by the Rev. Hugh Stowell Brown, of Liverpool. On the following Sunday the re-opening services were continued. In the morning the sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Newman; and in the evening by the Rev. Benwell Bird. The collections amounted to £31 0s, 7d. The cost of the alterations is £440, towards which £312 have been subscribed, CARRICKFERGUS.-The foundation-stone of a new Baptist chapel in this place was

laid on the 4th July, by R. Galway, Esq., J.P. The Rev. W. Hamilton, the pastor, gave an address, after which the Rev. Mr. Fletcher prayed. There was a large gathering of people of different denominations who manifested much Christian affection, many of whom had given substantial proof of the interest they felt in the undertaking by their liberal subscriptions.

NANTYWELAN, RADNORSHIRE.-The anniversary of the Baptist chapel in this place was held on the 15th; the Rev. T. Havard, of Franksbridge, the Rev. D. Evans, of Dudley, the Rev. W. H. Payne, of Presteign, the Rev. D. Davies, of Dolau, the Rev. J. Jones, of Maesychelun, and J. Evans preached. The collections amounted to about £8. The Nantywelan anniversary will be long remembered with pleasure by those who were present.

HIGHBURY HILL, ISLINGTON.-On July 17th, was formed at Barnsbury Hall, Islington, by the Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A., a church consisting of thirty members. It is intended to erect a place of worship on a piece of ground obtained for the purpose at Highbury-hill. At their first meeting, held on Monday evening, Mr. Hinton was chosen unanimously to the pastorate of this church.

LLANGOLLEN.-The anniversary sermons this year at the English Chapel, Llangollen, were preached by the Rev. Thomas Burditt, A.M., Haverfordwest College, on June 19th. The collections were larger than at any previous anniversary. The English friends were much cheered by this first visit of Mr. Burditt to North Wales.

UXBRIDGE.-Signor Gavazzi delivered to a large audience an address upon the progress of the Gospel in Italy, on July 7th last, on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the settlement of the Rev. G. Rouse, Lowden, as pastor of the church.

BRYMBO. The foundation-stone of a new chapel was laid on June 13th by Rev. R. Evans, of Liverpool. The Revs. J. Jones, J. Jaines, and J. Lyon also took part in the proceedings.

RECENT DEATHS.

REV. F. WILES.

On March 24th, the Rev. F. Wiles, Baptist Minister, Hay, Breconshire, fell asleep in Jesus. He was eminent in holiness. All who knew him believed that he feared the Lord greatly. He not only preached Christ, but lived Christ; and no doubt but that he is now with Him whom it was his pleasure to exalt. Funeral sermons were preached in all the chapels in the town.

J. H. SMALL, Esq.

The late Joseph Harpham Small was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, on the 18th of July, 1794. His parents were truly pious, and consistent Christians, and endeavoured to train their children for heaven. By the inscrutable providence of God they were early called to their rest, dying within two months of each other, and leaving a family of six young children. Before her death his mother said the Lord had graciously assured her of the salvation of all her children. The last has now passed away, and there is every reason to believe they have assembled an unbroken group in the home above. The family were now left to the care of a grandfather, who well took the parents place over the bereaved little ones. He was one who set the Lord before him in all things, and undertook his charge as a work assigned him by God. The house of God was his delight, and he was never known to be absent from his place in it, when health permitted, and the sanctuary was open for public worship. When he lived at a distance from the town he always brought his dinner in the morning of the Lord's-day, and remained till its close. And when on his son's death he removed into the town to conduct the affairs of his grandchildren, he regularly each Sabbath supplied every person with bread who liked to do as he had done.

Thus was the subject of this sketch the child of many prayers, and often has he repeated Cowper's words :

"My boast is not that I deduce my birth

From loins enthroned, or rulers of the earth, But higher far my proud pretensions rise; The son of parents passed into the skies." Thus environed by Christian influence he grew up outwardly moral, but a stranger to the work of grace in the heart, till he was about sixteen years of age, when an elderly female, whom he hardly knew, came into the shop where he was an apprentice, and asked him if he would read a book if she were to give it to him? He said he did not like to promise without knowing what it was; but eventually she persuaded him. She then went away, but soon returned bringing a copy of "Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul." According to promise he read it, and from that time his whole being was changed. He went as usual with his friends to the chapel he was accustomed to attend, but they not knowing the inward workings of his mind conversed with him no more pointedly than they had done before. So after two or three weeks, during which the sorrow of his heart had greatly increased, he went to

the Methodist chapel. There he was immediately accosted with the question, "what had brought him there?" he replied, "he wanted to know how his soul might be saved." He was at once understood. They took him unto them, "and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly;" and he never rested till the Lord by His Spirit spoke peace to his heart. This took place at prayer in his own room. Thenceforth he gave himself to the Lord's service and people. He remained in church fellowship with the Wesleyans to the close of his apprenticeship, but though eminently catholic in his love to all who love the name of Christ, and anxious to bring all to the knowledge of the Saviour, his views were not altogether Wesleyan, and, therefore, on commencing life as the head of a household he returned to the church of his fathers of his early predilections,-the Baptist Church, and with it remained in communion till his death, a period of nearly fifty years.

In 1819 he married, and for some years enjoyed so much temporal and spiritual happiness, that his elder brother used to say of him, "Joseph was going to heaven in easy slippers." But the Lord saw fit to interrupt this happiness, and change his smooth path into a very rough and thorny one. In 1825 he lost his wife under most painful circumstances, and though Divine grace enabled him to say, "it is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good," yet, the shock to his system was so great that the effect was felt to the end of his life. Finding business irksome to his crushed spirit he declined it, and retired with his young family to Hinckley, in Leicestershire, where he is still remembered with much affection, from his constant and arduous endeavours to do good to the bodies as well as to the souls of all within the sphere of his influence. It is worthy of notice, that during the whole of the time he was in business on his own account he invariably attended the week evening services. No press of customers caused him to neglect the house of God.

In 1838 he returned to Boston, still wherever he went it was his great aim to be useful in the world, and more particularly in the Church of Christ. Of course, like all other Christians his joy in God was not always equally full. At one time he could sing with the prophet, "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." At another time he would have to "feel after the Lord if haply he might find Him." But he has been heard irequently to say "that in the fifty-three

years he had been on the Lord's side, he had never had the slightest desire to leave Him or His people."

It is greatly to be regretted that there is no early record of his inner life. Some of his family think there is one, but, hitherto it has not been found. In a recent diary, commencing 1st of January, 1859, he writes:-"The new year has come in, and with it new mercies, and new duties too. In the midst of much imperfection and sin, the Lord does not overlook me, but draws me still to Himself, and will not suffer me to seek happiness in anything short of Him."

In January, 1860, he had his first attack of paralysis. It was slight and apparently soon removed. He writes, "I am nearly restored in four days. I hope to profit by it, and have my soul brought nearer to my God.

"Nearer my God to Thee-nearer to Thee,
E'en tho' it be a cross that raiseth me."

In consequence of this seizure it was thought it would be better for him if he resided in a more quiet place, and he accordingly retired into the country. His apparently re-established health, in a very short time seemed to afford the hope to his friends that by the blessing of God on the means employed, his life would be considerably prolonged. But the Lord in His infinite wisdom saw differently. During the second year of his retirement, his health gave way, and in the autumn of 1862, he returned to Boston, as he knew and said, to die. His disease now made steady progress, seizing one faculty after another. His memory was very greatly affected on almost every point except his personal interest in his Saviour. On this he was always clear and happy. His face would invariably light up with a joyous smile on any allusion to it. His recollection too of Scripture and of hymns was most remarkable, even to within a few hours of his death. A day or too before that sad event took place he said, "I shall soon be home now." Not much notice was taken of this at the time, thinking he had forgotten where he was; but it was remembered afterwards. On Thursday morning the 17th of April last, he was seized with a fit from which he never recovered, though he did not pass from earth till the following Friday night. A few hours before he breathed his last, when sight and speech had entirely gone, and many thought him quite unconscious, it was observed to him that Jesus had passed through the dark valley before him. An expression of plea

sure instantly passed over his face. He then asked, "Is Jesus with you now you are in it?" From the movement of his tongue it was evident that he tried his utmost to say,-Yes! but he could not articulate. Thus he calmly breathed his soul into his Redeemer's care, to join his friends above in singing of salvation through the blood of the Lamb, for ever and ever. None knew his worth so well as those intimately acquainted with him. Those closely associated with him in domestic life, cannot remember a single act or word inconsistent with true Christian character, and his widow cannot recal even a single unkind or angry look directed to her during the ten years they were together, so affectionate was he in home-life. Over the dark and deep river he has crossed safely, and in the endless, boundless shore of God's eternity, he is received into an everlasting habitation, has taken possession of the mansion his Saviour has prepared for him.

His earthly remains were laid in the Baptist Cemetery, contiguous to Boston, in sure and certain hope of rising again at the resurrection of the just,-of the dead in Christ which rise first.

On Lord's-day, 8th of May last, his death was improved in Salem Chapel, Boston, by an impressive sermon from the Rev. J. N. Chappel, addressed to a large and attentive auditory; the text chosen being 2 Tim. i. 10. The lamented subject of this memoir was an active deacon and assiduous local preacher in connection with the above-named place of worship for some years prior to his affliction. S. V.

Boston, July, 1864.

MR. WILLIAM DENYER.

We

It is desirable to embalm the memory of the worthy dead. We cannot afford to lose the benefit that may be derived from the remembrance of their virtues. need all the healthy stimulus to holy action which lively recollections of departed worth can yield. Hence it is proper to commit to the safe keeping of a religious magazine, for ready reference, useful facts in the history of dear friends now sleeping in Jesus.

And more than this, such records may become means of blessing to many who had not previously known the subjects of them, and may glorify God by affording new evidence and illustration of the power of that grace which saves and sanctifies. These and other considerations induce the writer to offer the following notice of our deceased brother.

William Denyer was born sixty years

ago, at River, in the parish of Tillington, in the county of Sussex, where his father, George Denyer, was farm bailiff in one family for more than forty years. Until he was about fourteen years of age, William assisted his father on the farm, when he removed to Tillington, and entered the service of a builder. Here he manifested a thirst for knowledge, and placed himself in an evening school. At the age of seventeen, having a considerable taste for floriculture, he sought and obtained a situation as undergardener at Crocker-hill, in the same county, where after some time he was advanced to the position of head gardener. Still wishing to progress in his favourite pursuit, he apprenticed himself for two years at Chesure Hall. After this, he took a situation in the same line in the county of Kent, from which he removed to the service of Sir Godfrey Webster, Bart., at Battle Abbey, where he could cultivate and apply his floricultural knowledge. His strong and faithful attachment to the principles and practices of Protestant Nonconformity at length led to his leaving the service of the baronet, who nevertheless often employed him at the Abbey, and patronized him in his business as nurseryman, which on retiring from the Abbey he had commenced. At what particular period of his life he became savingly interested in divine things, the writer is unable to ascertain, but he was in union with an Independent Church at Dartford when he came to Battle. His mind had been exercised on the subject of believers' baptism while in communion with the Pædobaptists, but his way was not clear for the carrying out of his convictions of truth and duty. In the year 1834 Mr. Denyer was baptized and united with the Church meeting in Zion Chapel, Battle, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. Garner. Four years after this, he was chosen to "the office of a deacon, which he used well, and purchased to himself a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."

For twenty-six years, until he "finished his course," he served his Divine Master in that relation, in which he gained the distinction, "good and faithful servant." Mr. Denyer took a deep interest in the welfare of a Sabbath-school connected with the cause at Battle, but situated at the hamlet of Netherfield, four miles dis

tant. Here he laboured for the space of thirty years, teaching the young, and frequently preaching to their parents and others, "the word of life." In addition to his other labours, he became a superintendent of the Zion Chapel Sunday School, which office he filled well, until the sickness came which proved to be unto death. For the pecuniary support of the Redeemer's cause, he weekly "laid by in store as God had prospered him, and he commended the practice to others as a scriptural, pleasant, and effective mode of sustaining the interests of religion. Simple trust for salvation in the merits of Christ characterised him in the activities of life and on the dying bed.

This servant of the Lord, after several months' illness, and a few days of exceedingly difficult breathing, arising from a complication of disorders, died calmly on Thursday, March 24th, 1864. His mortal remains were placed in the Battle cemetery on the Monday following, and were accompanied thither by a large number of sorrowing friends, among whom were not a few of the respectable inhabitants of the town, as well as members of the church, and teachers and scholars of the Sabbath-school, the tradesmen of the town meanwhile

showing their respect by partially closing their shops. On the following Lord's Day evening Zion Chapel was crowded to excess, and many went away unable to find room, when the minister of the place improved the death of this "brother beloved." Sermons in improvement of the event were subsequently preached by the pastor at the sub-stations, Netherfield and Whatlington, where our departed friend had often broken the bread of life to the people. It speaks well for the Christian life of Mr. Denyer that even men of the world, as well as men of God, without exception, acknowledge the excellence of his character. He was a man who strove for peace and purity in the church; and who aimed at the conversion of sinners to God, and not without success. May we who remain "in the body pent," for a brief period longer, follow the deceased as he followed Christ, and aim at greater degrees of moral and spiritual eminence than even our beloved brother attained!"Be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."