GENERAL.

WHEN our last month's summary was written, it was yet uncertain whether there would be war between Germany and Denmark. Scarcely was the ink dry on which our words were printed, when the Austrian and Prussian troops invaded Schleswig; and now they have driven the Danish troops before them, and nearly the whole of Schleswig is in their hands. What will they do with it? is the next question. Will they be satisfied with the attainment of what they profess to seek, or will they use their advantage to the injury of the Danish monarchy? In the latter case, we fear that the result will be nothing less than a European war, though we rejoice to know that all parties in Eugland are anxious to keep out of it, if they

can.

Parliament has met, but nothing has yet occurred of importance. The only questions of interest that have arisen have been about foreign polities, on which ministers have been questioned sharply enough. Home polities, however, appear to be all but tabooed. If one were to judge from the proceedings in Parliament alone, one would conclude that the only country in the world of no importance was England.

The most appalling accident by fire ever heard of has been reported this month from a far distant country, Chili-the burning to death in a quarter of an hour of about 2,000 females in a Roman Catholic cathedral. The occasion was the last grand night of a festival which had lasted a month, in honour of the Pope's new dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. "Every corner of the cathedral," we are told, from the ground to the ceiling, and especially about the altar, was a sea of muslin and drapery, flooded with every variety of illumination." After the accident happened, the whole inside of the church -that is the drapery and the roof, and the dresses of the women-were on fire in a few minutes, and the suffocating smoke and fire did their horrid work in an incredibly short space of time. In a quarter of an hour, 2,000 women of all classes and ages, the flower of the female portion of the city, were one mass of suffocated, burnt, and charred bodies! The conduct cf the priests on the occasion has called forth universal execration.

Final judgment has been given in the case of Essays and Reviews." The highest legal tribunal in the country has acquitted the accused; and the opinions taught by them in their respective essays, which formed the basis of the charges against them, have been declared not inconsistent with the articles and formularies of the Church of England. The decision has caused considerable regret, and, in Church circles, alarm also.

Bishop Colenso has been found guilty of heresy by his brother bishops and his metropolitan at the Cape, on all the nine accusations brought against kim. He is, therefore, deprived of his see, but is given till the 4th of March in London, or the 16th of April at the Cape, to file a retractation of his heresies, "full, absolute, and unconditional," in which case the sentence is to become null and void. It will be remembered that the Bishop refused to plead before the court, and only, by his proetor, protested against its jurisdiction. It does not seem to be doubted that his appeal to the English courts will be valid, but it does not appear to be certain yet, whether it will be to the Arch

bishop of Canterbury or to the highest secular

courts.

We are glad to be able to announce that our brother, Mr. Alf, whose imprisonment for the Gospel's sake has been already announced, has been released from his bondage in Poland. Our brother appears to have been treated with unusual severity, having been compelled to wear the prison dress, and treated to prison fare. Even in his imprisonment, however, he seems to have been useful. The prisoners, and even the jailers, received the Gospel at his hands. When he left, he was obliged to promise that he would send copies of the Bible to his companions in bonds and to two of the jailers also.

We deeply regret to announce the death, which took place January 19th, of the Rev. Joseph Harbottle, of Accrington. Mr. Harbottle was formerly, for several years, the President of the Baptist College at Accrington, and both in that position, and since his retirement from it, he was highly and deservedly esteemed and beloved. On the 10th of January he preached, and appeared in his usual health. He was subsequently seized with bronchitis, and in a very few days succumbed to the disease. His funeral took place at Ulverston on the Thursday after his death. On the morning of that day, a service was held at Barnes Street, Accrington, in which the Revs. J. Howe, J. Smith, and P. Scott, took part. After the service, which lasted nearly two hours, a procession was formed, which accompanied the corpse to the railwaystation, on its way to Ulverston.

The Secretaries of the Baptist Building Fund request the insertion of the following letter :"Dear Sirs,-Will you allow me to announce through your columns that our esteemed friend, Joseph H. Allen, Esq., has, through continued illhealth, been compelled to resign the office_of Treasurer to the Baptist Building Fund. The Committee deeply regret the loss of his valuable services, I have, however, pleasure in stating that James Benham, Esq., of 19, Wigmore Street, W. (lately one of the Honorary Secretaries), has kindly acceded to the unanimous request of the Committee, and accepted the appointment in Mr. Allen's stead, and to him all communications for the Treasurer should in future be addressed. me also add that the liberal offer of Sir Morton and Lady Peto, to erect four metropolitan chapels, defraying one-half the entire cost themselves, is on condition that the other half is provided by special contributions to the Baptist Building Fund; but this condition has not yet been met by the denomination. I should be glad, therefore, if you would direct attention to the advertisement in the present number of THE CHURCH.-I am, dear Sirs, yours faithfully, ALFRED T. BOWSER, Hon. Sec.'

DOMESTIC.

Let

NEW ROAD, OXFORD.-A series of services in connection with the jubilee of the New Road Chapel Sunday-school Society, Oxford, has been held during the past month. On Sunday, Feb. 7th, the Rev. John Aldis, of Reading, preached two sermons in the chapel, and in the afternoon a children's service was held in the same place of worship. On Monday evening, the children of the schools connected with the society, including those from Headington, Appleton, and New Osney,

partook of tea in the chapel, after which addresses of a suitable and practical character were delivered. On Tuesday afternoon a large number of persons assembled in Osney town to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of a new school in connection with the Baptist denomination. The new school-room will be about 30ft. by 21ft., and will be capable of holding 100 children. The sum required for its erection is about £300. The foundation-stone was laid by Mrs. Bartlett, who has been for many years connected with the society. Short addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. Allen and Sir Morton Peto, Bart., M.P. Prayer was offered up by the Rev. Thomas Kench, and the children having sung a hymn, the proceedings terminated. At five o'clock the largest teameeting ever held in the city took place in the Corn Exchange. Every part of the capacious edifice was densely crowded, about 800 persons being present to partake of tea. The audience, which was augmented to upwards of 1,000 after tea, included many persons belonging to the various religious denominations in the city, as well as others from the surrounding towns and villages. At the conclusion of the repast, the chair was taken by Sir S. Morton Peto, Bart., M.P., who introduced the proceedings in an admirable and most appropriate address. In the course of his address, Sir Morton adverted to the recent charge of the Bishop of Oxford. Addresses were also delivered by the Revs. N. Haycroft, M.A., C. Vince, W. Allen, G. Warner, and by E. B. Underhill, Esq. In the course of the proceedings, Mr. Allen stated that the church at Oxford had been. honoured in the past by many of its members having been called to the ministry, among whom he mentioned the Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A., Dr. Steane, Dr. Draper, S. Pearce, F. Franklin, T. F. Newman, J. Mathews, W. Teall, W. Bull, B.A. and W. D. Elliston.

KINGSTON-ON-THAMES.-On Thursday, January 14th, this new and elegant edifice, of which the foundation-stone was laid in July last, was opened for public worship. The chapel will seat 760, or with the addition of the school-rooms, which communicate with sliding shutters, more than 1,000 persons. The whole of the buildings and arrangements have commanded universal admiration. The Rev. W. Brock, of Bloomsbury, preached on Thursday, January 14th, at noon. and the Rev. W. Landels, of Regent's Park, in the evening. Between the services dinner was served to the numerous company in the Town Hall, and tea in the school-room, to about 300 persons. On Sunday, January 17th, the services were continued, when the Rev. Dr. Angus, President of Regent's Park College, preached in the morning, the Rev. W. Collings, of Gloucester, in the afternoon, and the Rev. Henry Bayley, pastor of the church, in the evening. On Tuesday, January 19th, a public meeting was held in the chapel, W. Olney, Esq., of London, in the chair. The Revs. W. G. Lewis, of Bayswater, J. E. Giles, of Clapham, W. Collings, L. H. Byrnes, and A. Mackennal, of Kingsston, and W. Higgs and J. Stiff, Esqs., addressed the meeting. On Thursday, January 21st, the Rev. Thomas Jones, of Bedford Chapel, preached an eloquent and impressive sermon from John iv. 24. At every service the congregations were very large. From the report read by the secretary, J. East, Esq., it appears that the total cost of chapel, school-rooms, &c., is £2,750. Of this the builder, W. Higgs, Esq., generously gives £250, reducing the amount to £2,500. Of this sum about half has been raised exclusive of promises. The collections and donations at the opening services amounted to £123 88. 34d.

SHIPLEY, YORKSHIRE.-On Saturday evenin January 16th, a very large and deeply interesti meeting was held in the lecture-room of the abo place of worship, under the presidency of the R R. Green, pastor. The meeting was called to p sent to Thomas Aked, Esq., on his removal fro Shipley Grange to Harrogate, a token of t affectionate regard in which he and his family a held by the members of the Baptist church a congregation. After the pastor had expressed deep regret, and also that of the church, at the l they were about to sustain in the removal of the beloved friend, John Roper, Esq., presented Mr. Aked, in the name of the church and co gregation, a magnificent writing-desk in walnu beautifully mounted and furnished, and beari the following inscription :-"Presented to Thom Aked, Esq., of the Grange, by many friends in t Baptist congregation, Shipley, as an expression esteem for his character, and admiration of h untiring devotedness to the work of Christ, in th church and school, and among the sick and poo during a period of twenty-three years.-Shiple January 16th, 1864." Mr. Aked having wit much feeling acknowledged the gift, Mr. Hallida next presented to Mrs. Äked, in the name of th church and congregation, a beautiful silver vase as an expression of their esteem and affection This presentation was most suitably acknowledge by Robert Aked, Esq., in behalf of his mother Addresses were afterwards delivered by the Re W. Walton, and Messrs. J. Fyfe, H. Walke T. Leversedge, and S. Hainsworth.

AMLWCH, ANGLESEA.-On the 2nd and 3rd last month, a series of most interesting service were held at the above place in connection wit the Baptist quarterly meeting of the island. Owir to the present depressed state of the Missionar funds, it was deemed advisable to make the mee ings subserve more especially the purpose of brin ing the claims of the Society before the delegate of the churches met in conference. Resolution were passed and plans formed and adopted to hol meetings in connection with the missionary caus in every chapel throughout the island. In t public services addresses and sermons were d livered by the Rev. A. J. Parry, Cefnmawr; D Morgan, J. Williams, W. Davies, and C. Lew Esq., Holyhead; and the Revs. J. Jenkins, Lis fachraeth; Isaac James, Beaumaris; J. D. Eva Llangefni. In these services the position a claims of the Missionary Society were broug before the church and congregation of Sal Chapel. The collections for the Society w threefold the amount of the previous years. success of this, the first missionary collection the Association, augurs well for the rest of collections. It is confidently expected that bef the end of next month this Association will h performed its part, not only to redeem the Soci from its present difficulties, but also to raise standard of the fund at least to £40,000,

DAWLEY BANK, SHROPSHIRE.-On Mond January 18th, an interesting meeting was held the school-room of the Baptist chapel, Da Bank, for the purpose of presenting Mr. Sken the late minister, with a purse of gold, as a te monial of esteem, and a mark of sympathy him in the deep affliction which has caused permanent retirement from the Christian mis try. The church had been assisted in their eff by liberal contributions from Cheltenham, Bilste and other places. As some of the collectors not paid in their money, the full amount could be stated, but upwards of £60 had been recei by the treasurer. Addresses having been

livered by Mr. Lovatt (Bilston), Mr. James Jones, jun. (Dawley Bank), and Mr. Clayton (Dawley Green), the chairman presented Mr. Skemp with the purse, and made some appropriate remarks. Mr. Skemp, in the kindest manner, acknowledged the gift. After singing and prayer, the meeting separated.

CRADLEY, WORCESTERSHIRE.-A social teameeting was held on Monday, Jan. 25th, in the Refuge Baptist Chapel, Cradley, the church and congregation feeling a desire to express their sympathy with the widow of their late pastor, the Rev. J. Sneath, who entered into the joy of his Lord in November last. About 300 persons sat down to tea, after which Mr. J. D. Rodway, of Coseley, having supplied the vacant pulpit for the three previous Sabbaths, was called to the chair. After a prayer and a touching address by the chairman the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Bennett, Priestly, Stringer, Woodhouse, Worton, Fellows, Forest, and the Rev. Mr. Bruel.

The

various speakers, being chiefly members of the church, made many touching allusions to their late minister, and a feeling of sympathy for the bereaved family pervaded the meeting. The proceeds of the tea (about £10) have been handed over to the widow.

On

NEWPORT, MON.-The Rev. T. Evans, missionary from Delhi, paid a visit to this town on behalf of the Baptist Missionary Society. Lord's day, Jan. 24th, he preached two excellent sermons in Stow Hill Chapel (the Rev. J. Williams's); and on Tuesday, the 26th, delivered a most instructive and telling lecture in the same place on "The claims of our Indian Mission." Mr. Evans also lectured on Wednesday evening, in Charles Street Baptist Chapel, on " The difficulties connected with missionary work in India"; and on Thursday evening, in the Baptist Temple, Pillgwenlly, on "The Mutiny." Seldom have the labours of a missionary from a foreign field been so acceptable to the churches of the Principality as Mr. Evans's, and we are happy to learn that they have secured a good amount of substantial sympathy in behalf of the society in its present trying circumstances.

FOLKESTONE.-On Thursday, Feb. 4th, a meeting was held in the Town Hall, Folkestone, for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to the Rev. D. Jones, B.A., Baptist minister, who has recently left the town. The mayor, C. Doridant, Esq., occupied the chair, and there were several of Mr. Jones's personal friends and members of his congregation present. The mayor, in making the presentation, offered some appropriate remarks, and then handed to Mr. Jones a handsome gold watch, bearing the following inscription on the case:-"Presented, with a purse of twenty-five Sovereigns, by the church and congregation of Salem Chapel, and the inhabitants of the town, to the Rev. D. Jones, B.A., on his leaving Folkestone, Jan. 26th, 1864." Mr. Jones suitably acknowledged the gift, and a vote of thanks having been passed to the chairman, and to the hon. Becretary, the meeting closed.

LOWER EDMONTON.-Recognition services were held here on Tuesday, January 26th, in connection with the settlement as pastor of the Rev. D. Russell, from the Metropolitan Tabernacle College. The afternoon service was commenced by the Rev. 8. Kennedy, of Tottenham. The Rev. G. Rogers (theological tutor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College) then gave a very impressive charge to the pastor. The charge to the church was then given by the Rev. J. Edwards. In the evening a public meeting was held, when most of the neighbouring

ministers were present. The chair was occupied by the pastor, who opened the meeting with a few appropriate remarks; and then earnest and suitable addresses were given by the Revs. R. Wallace, Tottenham; J. Chalmers, Tottenham; G. Rogers, J. Edwards, J. Jackson, W. M. Robinson, and J. Ward.

ABERDEEN.-A social meeting of the members and friends connected with the John Street Baptist Church of this city, was held in the Music Hall Buildings on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 26tb, when the ministers of the other Baptist churches in Aberdeen, along with those of various Independent and Presbyterian congregations, and a large number of friends, met to welcome the Rev. Stephen J. Davis, who has lately entered upon the pastorate of the church. Between 200 and 300 sat down to tea, after which addresses were given by the various ministers present. The meeting was a most encouraging one, and the spirit of the remarks made by various brethren in the ministry, augurs well for Mr. Davis's prospects of usefulness here, and also assured him of their earnest desire to co-operate with him in all departments of Christian labour.

BRIXTON HILL, LONDON.--On Thursday evening, January 21st, a special service was held in New Park Road Chapel, Brixton, for the recognition of the Rev. D. Jones, B.A. (late of Folkestone), as minister of the church and congregation. W. H. Millar, Esq., senior deacon of the church, presided, and in his opening remarks gave an interesting account of the origin and progress of the church at Brixton Hill. Prayers were offered by the Revs. S. Eldridge and I. M. Soule. Appropriate addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Offord, J. Spence, D.D., W. M. Anderson, and W. H. Watson, Esq. After a few words from the recently chosen pastor, who appears to be entering on his new sphere of labour with encouraging prospects, the meeting was brought to a conclusion by singing the doxology and pronouncing the benediction.

GRANTHAM.-The opening services of the first Baptist chapel erected in Grantham were commenced on Thursday, January 21st. The chapel is a very neat building, capable of seating about 300 persons, and has every convenience for congregations and Sunday-school scholars. The total cost is £520. On the opening day two very eloquent sermons were preached by the Rev. Henry Dowson, of Bradford. At five o'clock a tea party was held in the Exchange Hall. High Street, when about 350 persons sat down to tea. On Sunday, January 24th, two sermons were preached, morning and evening, by the Rev. Henry Watts, of Golcar, near Huddersfield; and on the following Sunday by the Rev. J. Morton, of Collingham.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.-The corner-stone of a new Baptist chapel, at Rye Hill, for the congregation of which the Rev. Wildon Carr is pastor, was laid on the 19th January, with the usual formalities. It will be of an ornate Italian style of architecture, and will consist both of a chapel and school-room, the former accommodating about 1,500 worshippers, and the latter about 900 children. The estimated cost of the building is £3,400. The site has cost £870, making a total of £4,270, towards which funds have been realized or promised amounting to £2,120, leaving £2,150 yet to be raised. Most of the Dissenting ministers of the town took part in the services of the day.

CROSS STREET CHAPEL, ISLINGTON.-The congregation and friends of this church have in little more than a month raised the sum of £300 6s. as a testimonial to their late pastor, the Rev. A. C.

Thomas. This gift, which was presented to Mr. Thomas on the 4th inst., testifies to the esteem and affection in which he is held, as well as to the sympathy felt towards him in his affliction; and when it is considered that nearly 500 members have been received into the church during the eight years of his ministry, it may also be looked upon as an expression of gratitude for his indefatigable and selfdenying labours.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.-The Rev. J. J. Williams, late of Fakenham, has accepted a unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the church at Nayland, Suffolk.-The Rev. E. Le Ferre intends shortly to resign his pastoral charge over the Baptist church at Woodstock, Oxon, and is open to invitation.-The Rev. Joseph Hurlstone having resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church, Penknap, Westbury, Wilts (after labouring there nearly nine years), has accepted the earnest and cordial invitation of the church at Castle Street, Calne, Wilts, and intends to commence his labours there on the first Lord's-day in March.-The Rev. J. E. Cracknell has resigned the pastorate at Blackheath, and has accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the church meeting at Cambray Chapel, Cheltenham, the scene of the labours of the late Rev. James Smith.-The Rev. D. B. Joseph, of Cupar Fife, has received a cordial invitation from the Baptist church meeting at Salem Chapel, Burton-on-Trent, and 'intends to begin his labours there on the first Sabbath in March.The Rev. J. Aldis, jun., late of Lowestoft, has accepted the unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the church, West Lane, Haworth, Yorkshire. The Rev. William Cheetham has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church, New Mill, Tring, Herts.-The Rev. B. Williams has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church at Zion Chapel, St. Clears, and has accepted the cordial invitation of the church at the Tabernacle, Pembrey, in the same county of Carmarthen. He commenced his labours on Lord's-day, February 7th.The Rev. J. H. Blake has accepted the pastorate of the church at Bow, and entered on his duties with most pleasing prospects of usefulness. Mr. Blake will still retain his connection with the Baptist Building Fund.-The Rev. G. Malins, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, having supplied the pulpit for the last few months, has accepted

the cordial and unanimous call of the church meeting in Shaftesbury Hall, Aldersgate Street, to become its pastor, and as such commenced his labours on Lord's-day, February 14th.-The Rev. E. Merriman has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist chapel, Dorchester, Dorset,

PROPOSED RE-PUBLICATION OF THE WORKS OF THE REV. J. H. HINTON, M.A.-Many of our readers must have noticed the advertisement, which has appeared more than once in our columns, announcing the proposed publication of the works of the Rev. J. H. Hinton, in a uniform edition. The proposal is one that cannot fail to interest all who are acquainted with Mr. Hinton's writings, and we sincerely hope that his life and health will be spared so as to enable him to complete this "last gift to the churches." For the sake of those who have not seen the advertisement, we may mention that the new edition will consist of six handsome volumes. These six volumes will contain the whole of Mr. Hinton's theological writings. In addition to his principal works"Theology," "The Work of the Spirit." "The Harmony of Religious Truth and Human Reason," "Responsibility," "Inspiration," "Individual Effort and the Active Christian,' "Athanasia," "Lectures on Acquaintance with God," on "God's Government of Man," and on "Redemption," and the "Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans,"-will be found all his minor publications also-"The Use and Abuse of Prayer,' "Christian Sympathy," Funeral and other Sermons, Controversial Tracts, Ecclesiastical Tracts, &c., &c.; together with a selection of papers contributed to various periodicals. The whole will be carefully edited and revised. The first volume will be put to press as early as possible. and the successive volumes will be published quarterly. The subscription for the whole will be a guinea and a half, which, we are informed, may be paid in one sum, or in three instalments, accord ing to the convenience of the subscriber. We believe that Mr. Hinton has already received the names of a considerable number of subscribers, but not yet sufficient to justify him in proceeding. We have no doubt that this announcement will be all that is needed to induce many of our readen to send him their names at once.-Freemay.

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