Correspondence. THE COLLEGE. TO THE SUBSCRIBERS OF THE GENERAL BAPTIST COLLEGE. DEAR BRETHREN,-At a recent inter- which I then, in taking office, required to view with the newly appointed Treasurer, be paid; this was generously done. Let it was thought desirable, to prevent any it be so again ;-and in retiring from office, mistakes, to inform you that all monies permit me to add, without stating any due to the present year's account should reasons, in tendering my resignation, I be transmitted to me as usual, but that all thought it expedient to do so; let it not future payments must be sent to George be suspected, however, my interest in the Baldwin, Esq. Long Row, Nottingham. In institution is gone, I still see it to be vilooking over the list I find there are about tally important, and trust I shall ever feel eighteen churches who usually subscribe it to be an incumbent duty to contribute that have not yet sent in their money; to its support, and strive for its welfare. may I request these friends to embrace I quite approve of the appointment of its the first opportunity of making their col- present tutors, and pray that they may be lections and gathering in their subscrip- honoured instruments in God's hands in tions as we propose to audit the accounts training many efficient ministers of the about the 25th of August, I beg also to gospel. If in any respect, through imask those kind and liberal friends who have prudence or otherwise, I have failed to promised special sums towards clearing give satisfaction, I regret it. I trust I am the institution from debt, that they will not ungrateful for the confidence you have favour me with their remittances in time, reposed in me, and I sincerely thank those so that the audit may not be deferred; friends whose sympathy, constancy, and and as Mr. Baldwin intimated that his hearty co-operation have been manifested taking office depended on the debt being in supplying me with means to defray the cancelled allow me to urge upon those necessary expenses of the institution. who were not at the association to lend a I am dear friends, helping hand, as the sum already promised Yours most sincerely, will not make up the deficiency. Ten WILLIAM BENNETT. years ago there was a considerable debt, Sawley, July, 13, 1858. THE COLLEGE. The special effort for defraying the debt-the time of commencing the next session— and vacancy for more students. TO THE GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCHES AND THE FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE. DEAR BRETHREN,-At the last Annual the whole sum would be realized. May I Association held in London, Mr. Baldwin, take this mode of appealing to our friends of Nottingham, consented to become the in every place, and to all our churches to Treasurer of this important institution on render their help in this matter. It is condition that the debt, amounting to undesirable to be always in debt, and as about £140, was paid off in two months. it is hoped that the increased contribuHe very generously led the subscription tions from our churches will in future for that purpose, by a donation of £10, meet the current expenses of the College and he was generously followed by others, (which certainly they would do if every so that in a short time some £66 were church could contribute to its funds), the subscribed. The meeting was not a large present appeal deserves the more prompt one, and as several of our good friends and liberal attention. The following is a from various parts of the connexion were list of the contributions promised at the not present, it was confidently hoped that Association : The Missionaries, per the Rev. Rev. G. Malcolm, Leicester Rev. T. Barrass, Peterboro'... £10 0 01 25 0 5 0 155 Some doubt has been expressed as to O the proper time for the commencement of O the next session. As I do not know the o address of every student, I beg to inform 0 them that a vacation of two months is al0lowed at Midsummer, and that it dates 0 from the week previous to the Annual Association. The 20th of August, then, 500 is the proper time for them to arrive at 0 Sherwood Rise, Nottingham. Those who O have been accepted on probation, will also 0 take this notice as addressed to them. 3122TT 1 0 0 Since the Association a few additional themselves," for such as it may be proper subscriptions have been promised :- to encourage to devote themselves to "the 5 0 0 ministry of the word." Mr. W. Hill, Nottingham Mr. W. Birchnall, Stanford ... JOSEPH GOADBY, I would most earnestly solicit our Loughboro', July 20, 1858. friends to enable us to meet our engagement with Mr. Baldwin, and also to che The Reports will be out in September. rish a prayerful and liberal interest in the Any person wanting copies for canvassing prosperity of this institution, so essential or distribution, is requested to apply for to the future well-being and extension of them to me. our connexion. Obituary. REV. HENRY SMITH, OF TARPORLEY. Our esteemed pastor, the Rev. H. Smith respected. A short memoir will appear died July 6th, in his 44th year. He had in a subsequent number. His funeral serbeen four years and one month with us as mon was preached, July 18, by Mr Yates our pastor. We had enjoyed peace. God of Wirksworth. had blessed his labours. He was much R. B. THOMAS LEUTCHFORD, SEN. The from the wrath to come, and find pardon church at Sevenoaks has suffered a severe and peace through the precious blood of loss by the sudden translation of Mr. their precious Redeemer. Our departed Thomas Leutchford, Sen. from the Church brother in early life was employed as a Militant to the Church Triumphant. The Gentleman's servant, and in that capacity event took place on the 25th February, he discharged his duties faithfully, and to 1858. He had been an honourable and the satisfaction of his employers, he reconsistent member for thirty-one years mained in that calling till after his marand twenty days; he was in his 85th year, riage, and then bound himself as an he has left behind an aged widow, four apprentice to a joiner and carpenter, and daughters, five sons, and forty-six grand- during that period he and his partner sufchildren. Nearly all his children are, we fered many straits and privations, but obhumbly hope, walking in the way to hea- taining food and raiment he learnt to ven. The deceased's youngest son has, we be content. For some years the deare thankful to say, been brought to sit ceased worshipped with the Wesleyans, at the feet of Jesus during the early part but about thirty-three years since he of the great revival in America. May left them and began to attend the those that remain without the camp soon, General Baptist Chapel at Seven-oaks, very soon, be reclaimed or brought to flee when Mr. Brown, who is now in India, was the Pastor, he was soon con- The writer has often been struck with the vinced that it was his duty and privilege very solemn and reverential manner in to be baptized; accordingly, he with his which he stood up and lifted up his eldest son offered themselves as candidates withered hands, and with an audible voice for Christian fellowship, were cordially re- and sincere manner thanked God for the ceived and baptized together on Lord's bounties of his providence, and asked day, February 5th, 1827. for a blessing to attend the reception During the many years he was in busi- of them. For several years he was ness he wrought hard, and was enabled very deaf, and could scarcely hear a to bring up his numerous family with word that the minister uttered, but still honour and credit, but in order to do he shewed how he loved the habitation of which he had to live very frugally, and to God's house and the place where his hobe early and late at his employment. It nour dwelleth. He attended at the last may be truly be said he was a good, kind, celebration of the Lord's Supper, during and patient husband, an affectionate and his life, and two of his daughters, one of watchful father, a sober, peaceable, and his sons, and one of his grandsons were valued neighbour, and that all who tho- communicants with him. The writer drew roughly knew him esteemed him as a truly close to him and prayed very deliberately, honourable and upright man. As a Chris- and the good old patriarch heard every tian he stood very high in the estimation word and sentence and solemnly responded of the church and also the world, it is to every supplication. It was a very sobelieved by the writer that the finger of lemn and affecting season, on that day scorn was never pointed at him, nor is month and at the very same time of the there one black mark connected with his day, we were committing his broken tabername in the church book. nacle to the silent grave in humble hope He was not of the Arab Christian tribe, of a resurrection to eternal life through ever restless, ever wandering; no, no, he the merits of the blessed Saviour's precould truly say "I dwell, I rest, I enjoy cious blood. myself amongst mine own people," if he In the evening before his translation, were absent from the means of grace his he retired, as was his usual practice, to pastor knew that something of importance his chamber half-an-hour before his wife had occurred to prevent his being in his and the rest of the family, to commune place. He did not go to the house of God with his God, he did so and then retired with a soul full of pride, prejudice, or envy; to rest and awoke in the morning in the but with a hungry soul, and consequently presence of his Father and his God. He the spiritual food dispensed, yea, every was found by his wife and daughter about bitter thing to him was sweet. For seve-six o'clock to have fallen asleep in Jesus. ral years he was the senior deacon of the Mark the perfect and upright, for the end church, and he discharged the duties of of that man is peace. his office well. Meekness, modesty, hu- His remains were committed to the mility and Christian charity were distin- grave on Lord's day, March 7th by his guished traits in his character. He oft pastor, and most of his children and his deplored that he needed more firmness Christian friends were present. In the and that he was of too retiring a disposi- evening his death was improved from a tion. His letters to his children, his min- text chosen by the deceased, (Prepare to isters, and other friends show that he was meet thy God), and on the following a man of sound judgment, correct views, Lord's day his minister preached from on all great and fundamental doctrines, Job v. 26, "Thou shalt come to thy grave and that he was earnestly anxious for their in a full age like as a shock of corn comtemporal welfare and fortheir soul's peace, eth in his season. J. F. happiness and growth in the divine life, and some who have long since passed SARAH WRIGHT departed this life June through the cold swellings of Jordan were 7th, 1858, having been upwards of fiftyduring their pilgrimage cheered and en-six years a devoted and consistent memcouraged and comforted by his kind epistles. ber of the General Baptist Church meetHe often retired for secret communion ing at Asterby and Donington near Louth. with his God, and one of his daughters, Our departed sister was the last surviving with whom he ended his days, has fre- child of the late Mr. John Wright, for quently drawn near to his closet door and many years pastor of the above church. has heard him most humbly and fervently She ascribed her conversion to the earpray for himself, his wife, his children, his nest and fervent prayers of her beloved minister, and the Church of God. May father, presented on behalf of his children those prayers be abundantly answered. at family worship. Her resolution to de vote herself to the service of her Saviour, Heaven, and I believe there's one prewas carried into effect publicly, in the pared for me." On the last Sabbath she spring of 1802, when in the ordinance of spent on earth the question was askedbeliever's baptism her honoured parent "Do you regret having professed the rehad the pleasure of introducing her into ligion of the Saviour?" to which she rethe church, she being the last person im- plied, "Oh, no," and added, "I am on the mersed by him before he was taken to his Rock of Ages; I am looking to Jesus." reward. On the day of her death a friend said to Our departed sister was a most sincere, her, "I tear you are in great suffering." She devoted, and consistent Christian, and an replied "Yes, but one hour in Heaven ardent lover of the principles held by the will repay for all I have suffered here be General Baptists. The sphere of useful- low." A little time before she departed ness which our friend was called to fill she was again asked if she trusted in Jesus was necessarily limited, living as she did She replied, "Oh, yes." These were her in a secluded spot, far away from the last words, and shortly afterwards she bustle and turmoil of city life, yet by her gently breathed her last, leaving a placid example she shone like a star in the fir- smile on her counterance, indicative of mament giving light to all around. Her the joy into which her ransomed spirit had attachment to the house of God and all just entered, after having only the day the means of grace was great, never being previously completed her eighty-first year, absent when it was possible for her to at- and it is worthy of note that she died tend; no matter who was absent her in the house in which she was born, having place was sure to be filled, but alas, it is only lived out of it one year during all now vacant; she has gone to worship in her life. According to her request, a higher region that Saviour whom she so her remains were interred in the burialdevotedly loved while a pilgrim here be- ground belonging to the Donington chapel, low. The church, as well as the minister, in the same grave which about fifty-six has lost a sincere friend, for she loved years ago received those of her beloved Zion and sought its prosperity, and when father. Thus they sleep together, and in she could not meet to worship with those the resurrection they will rise together in she loved, her fervent prayers were con- a glorious body like unto their Divine stantly presented that God would bless Saviour's, according to the working wherethe ministry of the word to the conversion by he is able to subdue all things unto of souls, so that his church might be per- himself. petuated from age to age, till time should be no more. The few remaining members Mr. SAMUEL MILSON departed this life of the family have lost a kind and sympa- October 10th, 1857, at Asterby, in the thetic relative; one ever ready to listen eighty-third year of his age. Our departed to their sorrows and trials, and administer friend had for many years been a steady all_the consolation that lay in her power. and consistent member of the General For some considerable time before her Baptist church in this village. It was his death she was unable, through the infir- privilege to be the son of pious parents, mities of advanced age to attend the long since passed into a better world, both public means of grace, but such was her members of the same church. No doubt desire to meet with the people of God their pious example greatly influenced that on a sabbath evening, at her request, their children, several of whom became a few friends would meet in her house for members of different sections of the church prayer and praise, and it was delightful to of Christ. Our departed brother, about hear how she would respond to and unite forty years ago was led to confess Christ with them in their supplications to a in the ordinance of baptism. Like many throne of grace. Great as was the trial to of the followers of Jesus it was his lot to her to be detained from attending the walk in an humble sphere of life. His sanctuary of the Lord's house, she was opportunities for usefulness were companever heard to murmur or complain, but ratively few, but his conduct was consisalways evinced a spirit of meek submis- tent, and his attachment to the house of sion to the will of her Heavenly Father, prayer most ardent, until infirmity dewaiting, as she frequently said, till her prived him of the privilege. During his blessed Lord should see fit to take her to long affliction he was not free from doubts himself. As her end drew near she seemed and fears, yet we believe he was resting increasingly fit for Heaven, spending much upon the finished work of Christ alone for of her time in earnest prayer. On one salvation, and we doubt not he is now reoccasion shortly before her departure she alizing what he sometimes feared he should was heard to say, "There are mansions in never attain. T. B. Thus we have been deprived of two aged Mr. ROBERT ATTERSLEY, deacon of the and worthy members in the short space of General Baptist chapel at Commerciala few months, but we believe our loss has road, London, under the pastoral care of been their gain, and that they are now Rev. G. W. Pegg, suddenly departed this uniting in nobler worship, where neither life December 1, 1857. His death was age nor infirmities can mar their devotion improved to a large and deeply affected in that land of light and glory pre- congregation from Rev. xiv., 13, "Blessed pared for all that love the Saviour. May are the dead that die in the Lord." we be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. T. B. Intelligence. BAPTISMS. TODMORDEN VALE, July. We have FORNCETT.-On Lord's day, June 20th, just added eleven to our number by after a sermon, from Acts xix., 5, five perBaptism, and are in many other respects sons were baptized. The attendance at also richly blest. the water was the largest and most orderly we ever had. Our congregations improve. LOUGHBOROUGH, Baxter Gate.-On Lord's day, April 4th, fifteen persons CROWLE.-On Lord's day, June 20th, were baptized in the Baxter-gate Chapel, three were added to us by baptism. Loughborough. In the afternoon the W. SHARMAN. newly baptized received the right hand of fellowship at the Communion 1858, there was a baptism of four brethren. BILLESDON.-On Lord's day, June 27th, Service; throughout the day the attend- Mr. Finn, of Leicester, preached in the ance was very large, and it was felt to be a very happy season. Again, on July 5th, Narracott baptized the candidates. Mr, morning, from Acts viii., 36, and Mr. eight persons were baptized, which was Narracott preached in the afternoon, and felt to be a good day. Mr. Finn administered the Lord's supper, HEPTONSTALL SLACK.-On Saturday, and received the candidates by the right June 19th, twelve persons having received hand of fellowship. Truly that Sabbath the word were baptized and added to the day was a high day. We have two more church; and on the succeeding Lord's day, candidates. at Nazebottom, six others obeyed the RIPLEY.-On Lord's day, June 13th, divine injunction. six dear friends made a public profession BURNLEY, Ebenezer Chapel.-On Lord's of their faith in Christ, by being baptized. day, June 6th, after a sermon by our re- Five of them are teachers in our Sabbath spected minister, seven persons were bap- school. We hope others will soon follow tized, one male and six females. their example. R. A. W. FINN. OPENING OF CHAPELS, &c. NEW BAPTIST CHAFEL, WILLINGTON.-amounted to the very liberal sum of Thirty On Lord's day, July 11th, the above four pounds and three shillings. chapel was opened for divine worship. The chapel is a very neat building, and Great numbers of people assembled on will seat about one hundred and twenty the occasion from Derby and the sur- people. The entire cost is about two rounding villages. The chapel being too hundred and twenty pounds; the builder small, a tent was provided, in which the was Mr. Edward Dustantry, of Derby. services of the day were conducted. Much might be said about the excelTwo sermons, morning and evening, lencies of the sermons, and the spirit that were preached by the Rev. J. B. Pike, of pervaded the meeting, but it is sufficient Bourne, and one in the afternoon, by the to say that every body was much pleased, Rev. Jno. Stevenson, M.A., of Derby. and it is hoped profited by the whole serThe collections and profits of the tea vices of the day. |