Without robbing their sister Churches, which we hope they never will do, the widespreading new suburbs furnish an immense population, out of which hundreds may be gathered, united, and blest.

LEOMINSTER.-Finding ourselves in this old town some few weeks since, we called on Mr. Nash, the pastor of the Baptist Church in that town. He presented us with a pamphlet giving a historical sketch of the Baptist Church in Leominster from its formation in 1656, to the present time. This book is a singularly interesting document, and furnishes records of many trials, changes, ups and downs, decreasings and increasings attendant upon the Church's progress for two hundred years and more. It is our intention to take special notice of this history. Mr. Nash, the present minister, appears to have endured a great fight of afflictions. His book should be read by all, ministers especially.

HERTS.-A friend says," I have been lately looking in upon a few of our Churches in the Home Counties, and trust some profitable lessons have been derived. The 'Two Waters' Church is a little recovering from the shock which rather disturbed its quiet and happy composure, arising from the cracking of a bell; the pleasing tones of which had charmed rot a few; but its ultimate doleful sounds brought dejection and distress. Alas! alas! what is man? The question the real question is this-was the metal bad-or has Satan, for a season, gained a terrible and dreadful advantage? For the sake of the other bells, and for its own sake how rejoiced should we be, to know that a God-wrought restoration had been throughly established. At AstonClinton, the excellent and long-tried pastor, Mr. Crampin, has been visited by a dispensation most severe, in the loss of a choice young man, his son, by drowning. Knowing the sympathies of brother Crampin to be of the most sensitive kind, we are certain nothing but the everlasting arms could support him under a trial so heart-rending. May the God of all grace, who has made him the honoured instrument of carrying sound Gospel truth to Aston-Clinton, carry him safely through all those trials by which ministers are specially prepared to speak a word in season to those who are in any trouble. Mr. Free, having been preaching in the Town Hall at Chesham, has rather weakened the old chapel, but time and the Lord's blessing will show who are on the right foundation. The good old Baptist town of Tring progresses in the truth under the ministrations of Mr. Bennett and Mr. Edgerton. The Bishop of Akeman street, is growing in usefulness; but the zeal of the young West End pastor will be too much for his physical powers, if his real friends do not endeavour to curtail his out-of-door labours. He is admired and beloved by many for his untiring exertions for the good

of souls; but John Foreman said, 'It is better to wear out than to tear out.' We wish brother Edgerton the richest blessings; but his 'moderation' even in preaching is necessary. He is young, and seems not to have an iron frame. Mr. Searle, the faithful and laborious itinerant of these parts, is working occasionally in all these churches; and is well known as a good man and a brother in Christ of much value. The Bedmont church and its pastor, Mr. Hutchinson, still run on like the horses in Pharoah's chariot. How we wish a fund could be raised to help such devoted men, who, in the cause of Christ, spend all the strength a six-days hard work leaves them for the Sabbath. As his years increase and children multiply, such men as brother Henry require an increase of support: God's promises are ample; they never can fail. Eaton Bray Church has no settled pastor yet. Dunstable Church, with John Inwards for its bishop, and a deaconship of longstanding, looks for showers of blessings. Gadsden Row, and its youthful minister, appear strong in the Lord, happy in themselves, and enjoy prospects of a good harvest. Mr. Bax occupies Mr. Murrell's pulpit at St. Neot's, with liberty, and the cause is sustained." Watford and other places we leave until our friend can write or speak more of the things so essentially needed, unity, prosperity, and peace.

The

IPSWICH.-ORDINATION SERVICES' Zion Chapel, David street, St. Clement's On Tuesday, June 2nd, the ordination of Mr. Samuel Willis to be the pastor of the Particular Baptist church at the above place, was held. A large company were present. After the preliminaries, Mr. Hoddy, of Horham, stated the nature of a Gospel church. He selected for his text, Acts xii. 5, "Peter, therefore, was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." After a few introductory remarks, Mr. Hoddy said that the church of Jesus Christ was not parochial; a person being a member of a certain Christian Church was not obliged to live in the limits of that Church parish. Church of Jesus Christ was not national; it was not supported, not endowed, and not governed by the State. The Church signified an assembly of persons gathered together for a certain object, whether it was civil or religious; the Church of Christ also signified all believers, all Christians, all who had been brought out of darkness into the marvellous light of God's truth, and who had been taught to embrace Jesus Christ as the one and only Saviour. The Church also signified any recognized body of believers met together in fellowship to edify one another, to hallow God's ordinances, and to further God's ends. The materials of a Christian Church consisted also of regenerated persons, and baptised believers. With regard to the latter, Mr. Hoddy condemned the practice of sprinkling infants,

contending that no portion of God's word set forth that children should be baptised, and challenged any one to find it; believers only were the proper persons for baptism, and immersion was the proper mode. The Church of Christ had power to elect its own pastor, deacons, and elders. In conclusion, he expressed his wish that the pastor they were about to receive would be zealous in his work. Mr. Hoddy then requested one of the deacons to state the dealings of Divine providence in bringing Mr. Willis among them, to which Mr. Curtis responded. Mr. Hoddy next requested Mr. Willis to relate his past life, as no man was fit to hold the pastoral office unless he had an experimental knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Willis at some length detailed the incidents of his career from his boyhood to the present time. He spoke of his first convictions of sin, of his call to the ministry, and referred to the doctrines he intended to preach. Mr. Hoddy then requested the members of the church to rise to signify their assent to the appointment. After the usual formula had been gone through, Mr. Willis asked the members and friends to pray for him without ceasing, and the afternoon service closed. Tea was provided. In the evening, Mr. Hill addressed the church from 1 Thess. v 3, "And to esteem them very highly for their works' sake; and be at peace among yourselves." Mr. David Wilson delivered the Charge, from the words of St. Paul, "Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." The proceedings

then closed.

HILLINGDON HEATH-GUTTERIDGE STREET. On Wednesday, June 10th, services were held in connection with this cause of truth of an important character, namely, the formation of a church after New Testament order, and the public recognition of Mr. Z. Turner, late of Exeter, now pastor of the church. Mr. Ponsford gave a very succinct outline of a Strict Baptist Church, proving that the formation of a church on Strict Baptist principles was in accordance with the Word of God. A statement was made as to the origin of the cause, which was followed by Mr. Turner giving an account of his being invited to supply at Belmont Hall, Uxbridge, and subsequently at Gutteridge street; believing that the Lord had a work for him to do here he had come amongst them. The courtship had not been long, but it had been warm, and he had enjoyed the society of the friends here very much. Mr. James Griffiths spoke of his former connection at Hayes as one to be remembered from the many kind friends with which he had been associated; he loved their society, and always should. Mr. Burgess also took part in the service. Several ministers and friends were unavoidably absent. We pray for the peace and prosperity of Zion, and this little cause in particular that the dew of the Holy Spirit may descend upon the

tender herb, and that it may bring forth fruit thirty, sixty or an hundred fold. CORRESPONDENT.

You

TO MR. T. J. MESSER.-Mr. Messer. Dear Brother in the Lord,-Yours came safe to hand. I am glad to find that you are labouring in the cause of temperance, and no doubt doing much good. nevertheless feel that there is yet a nobler cause which, above all, has your best and intensest affection and sympathies, namely, the cause of God and truth. You are now well employed; but how much better still would your time and gifts be employed in preaching the everlasting Gospel to wretched dying men; and I am glad this is your own feeling. How is it so many causes wanting pastors, that you are not settled down, and devoted to some truth-loving cause, where you may be given up entirely to the work of a Gospel minister? I know this is your desire, and should be happy to see you so situated, and be so favoured to bring forth out of the treasury of eternal truth, such things as should quicken the dead, enrich the spiritually living, fill the place, and go on and prosper. And, as you well know, we must rightly divide the word of truth, and so take forth the precious from the vile. We are not to divide our hearers into Whigs and Tories, nor into total abstainers and non-abstainers; but into believers and unbelievers, into saints and sinners, into spiritually dead and the spiritually living, into friends and enemies to God's TRUTHHis sworn and eternal truth. Hoping some vineyard may soon present itself to and for you, yours very sincerely in the truth, J. WELLS. July 16th, 1868,

2, Ampthill place, North Brixton, London.

BOROUGH.-Mr. E. J. Silverton has given notice to the Church in Trinity chapel, that he intends to resign the pastorate the last Lord's-day in September.

SIBLE HEDINGHAM.-REHOBOTH. We held third anniversary of Sabbath School, July 12th. Brother J. W. Dyer, of Harwich (although suffering from indisposition), preached three excellent sermons. It was a time of refreshing. On Monday the children met their teachers at half-past one, and proceeded to a meadow lent for the occasion, where they were regaled with fruit, &c. They then returned to tea, which was provided in the chapel, accompanied by about sixty parents and friends. Brother Wilson took the chair at the meeting. The prizes having been given, and the report read, the meeting was addressed by the superintendent, and Mr. Smith. The chairman strongly advocated the interests of Sabbath Schools. The ministers and friends having been thanked for their kindness, the meeting concluded with prayer. The friends dispersed, thankful it was not

SWAVESEY, CAMBS.-On Wednesday afternoon, July 1st, three persons were baptised in the river at Holywell by Mr. Leach, after a suitable address had been delivered by Mr. Haynes, of St. Ives. The weather being fine, there was a large gathering of people, who conducted themselves with the greatest decorum. God

hath said concerning the elect, "They shall come."

"Yes, they shall come! 'tis heaven's decree, They shall to Jesus bow;

This precious "shall come" conquer'd me, And gives me comfort now.'

There was a public tea meeting in the chapel, and in the evening Mr. Willis, of Somersham, preached an excellent sermon.

PLYMOUTH.-At our last baptismal service, the Lord was pleased to bless the word to the opening of the eyes of five persons to see and feel the ordinance of believers' baptism is the Lord's ordinance. From that evening these persons decided to be baptised. We are hoping to baptise seven the last day of this month. Three or four others have recently cast in their lot with us who are already baptised. These things are encouragements to the faith and hope of those believers in Plymouth called Strict Baptists. They are tokens of the Lord's approving smile upon that part of his spiritual garden planted by himself at Howe street.

"Lo the promise of a shower,

Drops already from above;
O may the Lord upon us pour,
All the spirit of his love."

I am not much acquainted with the condition of Trinity, so well laid out and ably planted by our brethren Wells and Corbitt; during the now nearly three years ministry of our brother at Plymouth, so powerfully aided by brother Wells, there has been one baptising. When does Mr. Wells visit them again? Mr. Vaughan does very well with the Independent Church. What a mercy to be kept. The Lord go on to save us. Amen.

NEWTON ABBOTT.-We are happy to record the faithfulness of God to the Church and people meeting for worship in the old Baptist Chapel, Newton Abbott. After the departure of our late minister, Mr. Pearce, who left us to go to Reading, the Lord raised up and sent among us a young servant from Devonport, Mr. Longford, who has spoken the word of life with much acceptance: his ministry has been a blessing to the aged and the young.

Our young brother was baptised by Mr. F. Collins, at Howe street Chapel, Plymouth, and having received an invitation from the Church to

become their stated minister and pastor, he has accepted the same, and with his family has removed from Devonport to Newton, and has now entered upon his stated labours here. May God make him the means of reviving his church in the power, vitality, and experience of free grace and sovereign mercy.

SHEERNESS.-The fifty-fourth anniversary of Zion Chapel, was holden July 12th and 13th. C. W. Banks preached the sermons on Sunday; Mr. Wall, of Gravesend, preached Monday afternoon; about eighty friends took tea: and at the public meeting addresses were .delivered by the brethren Wall, Hadler, Stanford, jun., Dalton, and C. W. Banks, who said, there were five hard things which required to be done there, ere that part of the church could shake herself from the dust, and put on her beautiful garments. 1. They must raise the cause up out of its present divided and low estate. 2. They must fill the pulpit with a truly powerful and devoted minister of Jesus Christ. 3. They must pay off the debt on the chapel. 4. They must cleanse and renovate the sanctuary. And, fifthly, they must give a good collection that evening. We hope these things for Zion, Sheerness, will be done by the Lord for her people there, for they have for many years stood boldly in defence of truth Divine.

PLUMSTEAD TABERNACLE.-The annual Sunday School treat took place on Monday, June 29th. The conveyances left the tabernacle a little after one for Erith, by the pleasant and picturesque route of Welling and Bexley. After various pastimes in the gardens, nearly 200 children, and between 200 and 300 friends partook of tea. Various amusements were then resumed by the children, in which the friends heartily joined. Hymns and passages of Holy Scripture were repeated by the children. Mr. Warren (the pastor) having offered a few appropriate remarks, the excursionists returned through Belvidere and Abbey Wood. The journey there and back was enlivened by the children, who sang. The proceedings were attended with suc-

cess.

MEARD'S COURT, SOHO.—Mr. W. H. Ibberson entered on his duties on the second Lord's-day in July, as the unanimously elected pastor of Salem chapel. The choice of the church will unquestionably be confirmed and appreciated by the congregation generally. Mr. Ibberson is well qualified for his work. Endowed with true popular talents, and with deep earnestness of manner, he enters on his labours with a brilliant prospect, under the Divine blessing, of becoming one of the most successful ministers of the metropolis. As his name and abilities become known, so he must attract a numerous host of intel

ligent hearers. His first text as pastor of Salem, was "For I am determined not to

know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." And this he declared, if he had a mountain for a platform, and the whole universe for his audience, with a trumpet voice like Gabriel, should be his theme. Salem chapel we hear is to be closed shortly for repairs and alterations.

MAYFORD.-The anniversary of the Baptist chapel here was held on Tuesday, July 21st. Mr. H. Stanley preached an excellent Gospel sermon in the morning from Psalm 1xxii. 16, "There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountain." After a brief introduction, in which the preacher showed that a greater than Solomon was referred to in the Psalm, he noticed four things from the text: 1, provision; 2, position; 3, perfection; 4, prosperity. This handful of corn was Christ, God's great provision for his family; it appeared to be small, but an handful at the first promise, and during the Old Testament dispensation it appeared but small, but it was God's handful. No one could hold more than an handful; so when God gave his own Son, he gave all he could; the greatest gift he had as a provision to save his people from starving, and from the damnation of hell. Mr. Kevan, of Colnbrook, preached in the afternoon and evening two good sermons, and that of the evening especially was much enjoyed. H. CHURCHYARD, H. STANDBROOK, Deacons.

Notes of the Month.

RECEIVED-Henry Kiddle. "Martin FTupper's Rock Protestant Ballads:" published by Simpkins, one shilling. In every sense a handsome, loyal, truthful, poetical and amusing book." A Clerk in the Country," wishes to know what we think of the Bishop of Oxford and Mr. Spurgeon's Letter. We refer him to the singularly curious carte-de-visite leader from "The Daily Telegraph," which is republished in a penny pamphlet, with Mr. Spurgeon's spicy letter. This pamphlet can be had post free for two stamps from Mr. Robert Banks, 30, Ludgate Hill, and contains, we think, a most comprehensive view of the subject. We thank Mr. Thomas Jones, of Norfolk-road North, Park Wood Springs, Sheffield, for his kind note, and its contents. We think there are many Churches in this kingdom would be glad of such a pastor; but, like many a flower in the desert, this "Thomas Jones" is comparatively unknown. We must for distinction sake, call Mr. Thomas Jones (of Blackheath) No. 1; this Mr. Thomas Jones, of Sheffield, No. 2. We shall cheerfully recommend this excellent brother to any people who require a faithful and industrious pastor. "The Book of His Heart, the Secret Prayer of our Saviour on the Cross, during the three hours of Darkness;" this paper is in "Cheering Words" for August. Our old desire that it might prove useful has been very strong respecting this paper; but we

can only try to say "Thy will be done.""Evidence of Christianity, and Signatures of Relation to God," price 4d. London: Nichols and Son, Long Acre. This little book may be useful in correcting some errors; but the title does not appear to us so fully elucidated as we hoped to find it. Perhaps it is simply designated to remove stumbling-blocks.-W. Gill's parcel came safe, but not quite sound. We will write to him. Mr. P's. letter on the desire of the separated ones would not be useful in our pages. We think the deacons were wrong; we believe the pastor's desire was right; but there we must leave it." The Coming Days of Harvest," is the heading of an article in "The Gardener's Magazine" for July, which, under all circumstances, expresses a stronger faith in our Divine Benefactor, and a more enlarged view of the state of the country than anything we have yet read. This article is quoted from "The City Press," but we believe it is from the pen of Shirley Hibberd, Esq., who is the well-known and highly-esteemed editor of that first class serial, "The Gardener's Magazine."-Thanks to Mr. W. Leach, of Swavesey, for his communication. It will not be flung away.-Also to Messrs. Tyl coat and Cole, Brighton, and others, whose letters we are compelled as yet to defer.John Brindle, Mary Corby, John Mason, H. L., F. Collins, J. Burrill, &c., with "Sword and Trowel." all to hand.-Our reporter of Surrey Tabernacle Baptismal service, failed to send the copy. -John Bunyan M'Cure, J. Hooper, S. Foster, W. Evans, Brosley [good], "Old Jonathan's Hymn Book," a twopenny hymnal for every kind of service.-"M. A. E.," and several replies on the Prison Question; but we are so overloaded with Church matter, many things must wait.-Titus, Philemon, H. Banfield delayed again; Memoir of Warboys Church.-Sermon by John Aldis, of Reading."Pillar of Gratitude," by R. G. Edwards.-H. Bourne, Winchester; George Makepeace; a temperance sermon, from R. Cordwell, Gloucester; John Thomas, W. Wilson, Charles Christmas, James Moores; Mr. Newman's "Ups and Downs."

MR. EDWARDS.-Allow me to express my thanks to Mr, E. Mote for reporting, and you for publishing my expression relative to water baptism in the July number of the E. V. The time of reformation, according to Hebrews ix. 10, is (with me) now come; and Colos. ii explains all, especially verses 10 to 15. Those who are fond of the ceremonial, of course, choose to continue the doctrine of baptisms, some by sprinkling, some by pouring, and some by immersing their candidates; while those who understand it in the spirit cease from these conflicting ceremonials and divers washings, it being their consolation to be satisfied with being complete in Christ only, believing as they do the fellowship of Zion is based upon "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." Ephesians iv. 5; I Corinthians xii. 13.

T. EDWARDS.