come quickly.' I said, 'Well, Charles, I shall have to come to the same trying hour, which is to leave this world, and to go to another; and I want you to tell me if our religion is true; or have we been deceived by it? or by Mr. Wells, or by the Bible?' and he answered, 'No, we have not been deceived; it is all true: and will you give my love to brother WELLS, and tell him to go on (as the Lord shall enable him), to tell out those everlasting truths of that everlasting covenant, and tell him it is all true, and tell him not to give way to no man; tell him to go deeper than ever, and tell him nothing else will do in a dying hour.' He said, I wish he was here; could tell him what he has never seen, as he has not been so near Jordan as I now am;' and I then said, 'Is heaven the beautiful and happy place as we suppose it is?' and he said, "O, you don't know, neither can I tell you, the glory that I see.' I now begged him to lay down, as his strength was exhausted: this was eleven o'clock, Thursday morning; he then lay very still; and in about half an hour, I said, 'How do you feel now?' He said, 'HAPPY IN CHRIST, through precious faith,' and he said, Will you help me sing,' and I said, I cannot ;' then he said, 'Have this hymn sung over my grave

"Jesus! thy blood and righteousness." And tell Francis to give it plenty of mouth, and if I could hear him I would help him sing too, and tell brother Wells to sing too; it will not hurt him, as my very soul is in it.' He said no more to me; but about twelve o'clock I saw both hands lifted up; and he said in a low tone, 'Not unto me; not unto me, O Lord! but unto Thy name'-and, as Mr. Wells rightly observes, went home to finish the sentence, at ten minutes past twelve, p.m., April 13th, 1865." Yours truly in the faith,

GEORGE HUNT.

THAME, OXON.-OPENING NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL. The Baptist Church and congregation, who have for some years past met in an old chapel, situated up a long narrow passage, being anxious to obtain a more commodious building in a better situation, were moved to make the attempt; the first meeting for the purpose was held in the Market Hall on the last day of August, at which Mr. Wale presided; upwards of £125 was then promised; contributions have continued to come in till, by the day of the opening, nearly £250 has been raised. The chapel is situated in Park-street, the main thoroughfare from the station, and is a prominent object as you enter the town. There is a small porch, an iron palisading in front, facing you as you enter is the gallery behind the pulpit, backed with two circular windows, bordered with stained glass, and beautifully shaded behind with a cluster of fine old trees, through which the light falls with mellowed softness on the interior: underneath the gallery is the schoolroom and

vestry, capable of holding a goodly number of children. There is a capacious platform. The sittings are all open, and oakstained; will accommodate about 350 persons; it has been built at a cost of about £550. The weather on the day of the opening was beautiful; friends came in from Oxford, Ickford, Crendon, Asket, Sydenham, Colnbrook, Wycombe, and the services of the day commenced with a prayer meeting, from nine till ten. Mr. Wale presided; the brethren Howse, Waters, Elton, and Pearce, fervently invoked the Divine blessing. At half-past ten the service began. The chapel was comfortably filled; Mr. Smith, of Oxford, gave out the hymns; and Mr. Wale preached a sermon from Matt. ii. 11; it was truthful and eloquent. Dinner was given by one of the friends, provided in the British schoolroom, kindly lent for the occasion; about seventy sat down. In the afternoon Mr. Cozens preached from Prov. xviii. 2; after which, nearly 400 took tea in the British school: the provisions for the tea was given by the Church: a large number of ministers from the other causes were present during the services. Messrs. Hardie and Brown, the Independent and Wesleyan ministers of the town; Smith, of Oxford; Allen, of Ickford; Thompson, of Asket; not forgetting our warm-hearted and devoted pastor, Mr. Joseph Clarke, who had every reason to regard the past with gratitude, the present with joy, and the future with hope. The evening service was held in a beautiful close, surrounded by green trees, as the congregation was far too large to get in the chapel; there being from 800 to 1,000 present. Mr. Cozens gave out the hymns. Mr. Wale, at the wish of many of the friends who had to leave by the seven o'clock train, preached a short sermon just immediately after singing and prayer. The text was Leviticus xxiii. 8: this part of the evening service closed at a quarter before seven; but as 600 or 700 persons remained, Mr. Wale, at the request of the friends, preached a second sermon on Rev. xi. 1. The services of the day closed at quarter before eight. The gross proceeds of the day amounted to nearly £36; the whole of which went to the liquidation of the debt. The feelings of our hearts were, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake."

E. C. BIRD.

MR. HANKS AT CHATHAM.-Anniversary of Enon Chapel was held Lord'sday, June 11th. Such a solemn and affecting season was never before known at similar services. A week previously, the great "Head of the Church," who ofttimes works "in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform," was pleased to remove from our midst a brother (and deacon), who had endeared himself to all who knew him, by the uniform affability and Christian kindness with which his "precious Jesus" (as he

Ah!

was wont to call him) enabled him to conduct himself. Brother Hanks, of Woolwich, preached in the morning from Isa. lii. 13. I think as the "ministering spirits" around the throne desire to look into these things; and if the souls of the glorified who "rest in their beds" (Isa. lvii. 2) in the uprightness of Christ, are transported with joy as they listen to the tidings these heavenly messengers bring from the courts of the Lord's house on earth, there must have been rejoicing on account of Christ alone being exalted. The overcoming charms of dear Emmanuel's love were blessedly experienced that morning. As God's servant, in an ecstasy, exclaimed, in the course of the sermon, "Lift him up, higher, higher, higher," the heart-feelings of many were, "Higher than all the heights of heaven, sound Jesus' endless praise." See Ps. xl. 1-3; and exvi. 1-9; Isa. xii. beloved, there is a divine reality in such a religion as this, because "the Holy Ghost is also a witness to us." The Lord give his desponding ones the blessedness of this witness in their hearts. In the afternoon, brother Wall, of Gravesend, preached from Jer. xxxi. 14. The goodness of the Lord was a sweet theme. Our brother gave a touching relation of his feelings regarding the loss he has sustained in dear Mrs. Wall. He knows now the force of the words, "They two shall be one flesh." (Eph. v. 31, 32.) One bereaved heart, at least, in that assembly had sympathy and fellowship with him. In the evening, the death of our dear brother (peculiar circumstances forbidding it being postponed) was improved by brother Hanks, from the text in Acts xi. 24: "He was a good man"— describing the goodness of the God-ManMediator, which extendeth to the saints, to the excellent of the earth, in whom is all his delight. Then stated the nature of man, not one being good until made so by the regenerating grace of the Holy Ghost: the end of this good man, peace. He then read a paper containing an account of the dying experience of the good man in Christ, whose presence we miss in the sanctuary below; after which our brother H. gave out the following hymn, which was sung,—

"In vain my fancy strives to paint The moment after death, The glories which surround the saint When yielding up his breath," &c. The solemn and affecting service concluded in prayer. The anniversary services were brought to a close on Tuesday, after a public tea meeting, and a sermon in the evening by brother Wall, from 1 Peter i. 5. The above services will be long remembered with peculiar feelings. The Lord give testimony to the word of his grace

When Christ is crown'd, saints victors found
O'er sin, and death, and demon,
To join the song, may numbers throng,
Who were new-born at Enon."

J. C.

(The lines on some future occasion.)

SOUTHERY & BRANDON CREEK.On Wednesday, June 7th, three sermons were preached in these parts, by C. W. Banks. The morning sermon was in the chapel at Southery; the afternoon and evening, at Brandon Creek, in a large tent erected by Mr. John Porter, on his own premises. A large party of friends from Southery, Little port, and from the surrounding fen districts assembled together, and filled the tent: tea was provided between the services, and about 120 sat down to tea, while a numerous army of waiters, &c., served them with things needful and nice. We believe the services were accompanied by a blessing from the Lord; and we pray for prosperity to attend the zealous efforts of Mr. John Porter, his father, brother, and friends, who certainly unite and labour most strenuously for the well-being of those who favour the cause of truth; and it would be to us a real pleasure to help in any way the formation of a New Testament Church in those parts. We believe the day is not very far distant. The venerable John Clark, once of Hull and since of Downham Market, is now labouring with pleasing acceptance at Ely, Mr. Newborn having removed to the Tabernacle, at Hastings. The Ely friends have thus had the benefit of the ministry of two most aged and honourable men of God; Mr. Newborn being, we understand, eighty five, or more; and Mr. Clark travelling on between seventy and eighty. Of both it may be said, "they still bring forth fruit in old age." At Littleport, the Baptist cause is still without a pastor; but they are progressing; and good men supply their pulpit. At Lakenheath, Mr. De Frane has been preaching in the chapel, Mr. Daniel Smart has left; and in the Baptist chapel, Mr. George Wright (not the Beccles bishop) stands in ministerial honour, but in domestic sorrow, having lost his much valued partner in life. At Norwich, Mr. John Gowing has retired from the ministry; and has quietly sat down, waiting for his good Master to call him to a higher seat in a holier kingdom. May our aged and beloved brother often enjoy real and soul-contenting fellowship with his heavenly Father. Mr. John Corbitt, (says friend Bormond,) has returned. from Plymouth to Orford-hill, looking strong and happy; his people gladly receiving him again in every sense "safe and sound:" and, truly, in these days of most awful railway slaughters, it is no little mercy to be carried thousands of miles without shock or sacrifice. The circular letters of the Associations, we hope to receive in due course.

CHEERFUL NOTES FROM HOUNSLOW.- [The following is like a little nosegay from off the Hounslow hills.]DEAR BROTHER BANKS,-Eighteen months have rolled round since you first inserted our preaching appointments. We send you our sincere thanks for so doing; and wish also to thank those ministers that have so

kindly come forward and helped us in carrying on the worship of God; and, above all, we desire to feel truly grateful to the God of all our mercies, that he has been mindful of us in our low estate, and that he has not given us over to the will of the great enemy of souls. We have been favoured with the Church at large, where she says in the Songs of Solomon ii. 3:"As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." Thus we have found it good to wait upon the Lord; and have had our spiritual strength renewed; and although the enemy has come in times without number like a flood, the Lord has been our rock and present help in time of trouble. When the way has been edged up, the dear Lord has made a way, so that we have passed over. I trust he is now about to answer our many prayers that he would be gracious unto us by sending one statedly in our midst. Brother Evans has accepted the unanimous call of the Church to supply us for six months; and we think we can observe the clouds going before us in the matter, and also the cloud, if it be only as a man's hand, rising out of the sea. increasing in our congregation, and we have had some little increase in the Church; and we believe the word has been faithfully sown; and we are looking for the blade to again appear;-the dews of heaven to descend, and the sun to shine, and the wind to blow upon our little garden, that the smell thereof may be as "a bed of spices." May the dear Lord bless you also in your labours in his vineyard, and give you an abundant entrance into his eternal rest at the end of your days, is the sincere desire of, yours truly, ALFRED JEFFS.

We are

SURREY.-MR. VESSEL, Having known you for many years, I wish to give you a word of encouragement, and your readers a little information. I am an old Londoner, but as I am getting near the "terminus," I have turned off the main line on to a village sideing; and I go about to different places to hear the Gospel, which is to me more than all the world beside. I have been looking and listening a little; and I will tell you I have discovered a good deal of strong Protestant feeling in the minds of our country Christian people; and hope the day is far distant when the powers of darkness will be permitted to cover our land. At Guildford, I sometimes hear Cornelius Slim; he is a serious and sound preacher; at other times I hear his neighbour Hillman, who has a secured incumbency there, and preaches the Gospel; there is a smart little man by the name of Joy at Horsell, who is faithful; but I am frequently at the new chapel, at West End, Chobham, where Mr. Lambourn ministers. I hear him with confidence and soul-satisfaction, although no one knows me. On Sunday, June 18th, on seating myself in

Mr. Lambourn's chapel, I found he was gone out seeking for health, and a very pleasant and happy-looking preacher gave us that day three good sermons, assisted in prayer by that smiling brother they call "hearty Meadows." We had a good day, and I was told the preacher's name was Charles Turner, pastor of the Baptist church at Ripley; and I was invited by a friend to go the next day to Mr. Turner's chapel, at Ripley, where a sermon was to be preached by Mr. Stevens, of Mayford; and a lecture was to be delivered on "The Watch-words and Warnings of Prophecy," by C. W. Banks. Accordingly we went. Mr. Stevens gave us a neat Gospel sermon -the people heard him gladly; and, after tea, Mr. Turner read and expounded Matt. xxiii., and then came the lecture. The chapel was well crowded, and the people were much interested in the different features of the address. I really wished the Lecturer could stand amidst thousands in every village in the country. I do honestly believe good would be effected. May our God arise and have mercy upon Zion. So prays,

A CITIZEN IN THE COUNTRY.

THE LATE W. TITES' DAUGHTER. -Chesterton, Cambs. I forward you the account of the death of Mrs. Sarah Northfield, aged 32, died 30th April, 1865, daughter of the late Mr. Tite, Baptist minister of Potton, Beds. Mrs. N. had for months previous to her death suffered from decline, but as her end drew near, the weight of soul matters was more and more felt, until from pressure from within that weight could be plainly seen by all who visited her for spiritual intercourse. She suffered much under the condemning power of the law; but, shortly before her end, her soul was blessed, liberated; and entered into some of the sweets of that rest which remain to the people of God here. For some time past, her husband and small family hung much upon her mind, but now she could sweetly leave them all in the hands of the Lord. On one occasion brother Cook was called up in the night to spend a little time in prayer by her, as she was suffering from great darkness of mind; after which she appeared much comforted. On the Lord's day before her death, I saw her, and had many precious words from her lips, and such was the strength of her faith, she said, was it the Lord's will the next Lord's-day she hoped I should bury her; at another time she said, "I am sure I love the Lord; and if I had strength how I could sing." We hope she is now singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. JOSEPH LEVETT.

GLEMSFORD.-PROVIDENCE CHAPEL. The anniversary of our Sabbath school was holden Sunday, May 28th. Mr. D. Wilson, of Clare, preached morning and evening. Mr. S. Willis (a member of the Clare Church), in afternoon, from Solomon's Song i. 4; congregations were large; col

lections good. On the following Monday afternoon, teachers and children, 133 in number, met in the chapel, where a good tea was provided. Public service in the evening was commenced by prayer by brother Cook, a Sabbath school teacher. Mr. Kemp (our pastor) delivered opening address, urging the necessity of Sabbath school instruction, and the benefits arising therefrom: he also referred to the happy death of two girls who were connected with the school. The prayer offered at the funeral of one was the means of causing the mother to seek earnestly for her soul's salvation: she has since been baptized, and is an honourable member of the church. Brethren Deeks, Kerridge, and Whorlow made warm-hearted speeches, and our prayer is for a blessing to rest upon the services. Sabbath day, June 2nd, Mr. Whorlow baptized for Mr. Kemp two males. W. MERRINGTON.

NEWBURY HOUSE, HORNSEY RISE. AT a meeting held at the Chapel House, Hornsey Rise, on Friday, May 26th, 1865, convened by Mr. Waterer and his friends, and which was attended by brethren Wyard and Son, Anderson, and Hazleton, the following resolution, moved by Mr. Hazleton, and seconded by Mr. Anderson, was adopted unanimously, after which it was signed by Mr. Wyard, who presided on the occasion:-Resolved-That having heard the statements made by Mr. Waterer and his friends, among whom are members of the churches presided over by brethren Foreman, Milner, Bloomfield, Green, and others, in relation to the formation of a Strict Baptist Church in Hornsey Rise, we are of opinion that they are perfectly justified in their proceedings hitherto, and are deserving the support of the friends of truth." "Signed, GEORGE WYARD."

BOTTISHAM LODE, CAMBS.-Services were held here on Thursday, June 22nd, in anticipation of repairs and improvements of the Baptist chapel. In the morning, our good brother Marks, of Cambridge, gave us a luminous description of the new covenant in its true features and distinction from the old covenant of works. Jeremiah xxxi. 31. In the afternoon and evening, our long-tried friend, brother Foreman, was quite at home in illustrating the doctrine of reconciliation to God by the death of his Son, as the effect of the Holy

Spirit's operations on the heart, from Rom. v. 10; and also on the subject of the believer's meetness for the inheritance above, from Col. i. 12. The services were truly seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The proceeds amounted to nearly £11; and £35 more is promised; a few pounds more are still needed to complete the object. J. HOWELL

KEDDINGTON.-We have tidings from that industrious hive of bees in Keddington; and we find they are re-building and enlarging their chapel, schoolrooms, &c., &c.; and they hope to open soon after harvest. They have been wonderfully helped by that GoD who has ever been their friend; but the great work which they have been compelled to commence in order to meet the necessities of the people and the neighbourhood, lays heavy on some. We should be glad to hear that the worthy minister, Mr. Murkin; or our esteemed brother, Mr. John Dillostone, of Woodland Green and Sturmer Nurseries, had received some handsome donations.

DACRE PARK.-The anniversary services were held on Whit-Monday. Mr. Wale preached in the afternoon. There was a goodly congregation, among whom were several ministers. After tea, a public meeting was held, at which the brethren Banks, Brunt, Wall, of Gravesend, and Woollacott, of London, spoke on the work and symbols of the Holy Ghost; it was a time of refreshing from on high.

WALWORTH-EAST LANE.-It is in contemplation entirely to modernise the interior of this chapel, and to improve the ventilation. We strongly recommend the church to do so efficiently and at once.

Deaths.

On the 17th of May, Mr. George Ince, preacher of the Gospel at Winchmorehill, Middlesex, was suddenly called to his heavenly rest: his removal is deeply lamented by a large circle of beloved friends. His mortal remains were interred in the cemetery at Ilford on the 24th. Mr. Dickerson, of London, conducted the service, and also preached a funeral sermon on the 7th June, to a numerous congregation, at the Independent chapel, kindly lent for the occasion. "Blessed are they who die in the Lord."

Č. G.