Obituary.-Mrs. Sarah Oakes. two years after the date of his membership. John and Sarah Wilson were great lovers of the Bible, and they brought their children up in the practice of reading it over and over again, from beginning to end. By this means they obtained a general acquaintance with the word of God, and with the relation which one part bears to another; and though this reading was chiefly performed by the elder children, yet the subject of this notice often stated how greatly she was profited by it. In addition to reading the Scriptures, her father would often call his children around him, chiefly on the Lord's-day evening, and talk to them on religious subjects. These means, combined with a good example, and the blessing of God, produced the most pleasing results. The good old man had the happiness, before his removal from this world, of seeing the whole of his nine children members of the church at Halifax. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' Mrs. Oakes was born May 23rd, 1810, and was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth in the seventeenth year of her age, and was baptized in the month of September 1827, along with two of her brothers, and her future husband. She possessed a good know ledge of the truths of revelation and was sound in the faith. She rested upon Christ for salvation, and felt him to be a precious Saviour. She had humble views of herself and would often say that she had not already attained, neither was already perfect; but forgetting those things which were behind, and reaching to those which were before, she pressed towards the mark to obtain the prize of her high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The life she lived in the flesh was by faith in the Son of God, who loved her and gave himself for her. She never distrusted the promises, but had a good hope through grace. Her genuine piety could not be doubted by those who knew her. From the time of her union with the church to its termination her character was uniformly consistent with her profession. The church had 107 never any trouble on her account; for her it never wept till it poured forth the tears of heartfelt sorrow at the tidings of her removal. During the thirty-two years over which her membership extended, she felt a deep and tender concern for the prosperity of the church with which she stood connected. She loved the house of God, and was rarely absent from Divine service on the Lord's-day. Most truly did she sympathize with her dear partner, in the joys and sorrows which he as an office bearer experienced as the result of the chequered scenes through which the church had been called to pass. No one felt more deeply anxious to obtain a new chapel at Halifax than she, nor was any one more delighted when there was a prospect of success. She watched with deep interest all the steps taken to accomplish so important an object, and constantly prayed for their success, The day on which the chapel was opened, was to her a high day, and with grateful feelings and pious exultation, she exclaimed, 'This is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes.' Though she could not take so active a part as some of her sisters in efforts necessary to the extinction of the chapel debt, she beheld those efforts, and sacrifices, and their large yearly results with the greatest pleasure. She looked forward with joyful anticipa tions to the time when the chapel would be entirely free from debt, but alas! she lived not to see it. Mrs. Oakes was married to her be reaved husband in April 1835, and the mutual affection in which the union was founded continued until her dissolution. The oneness of their views, feelings, and efforts, and the constancy of their love resulted in the enjoyment of a large measure of domestic happiness. Her husband found in her a help meet for him,' one in whom he could fully confide, one to whom in all things he could fully unbosom his mind, and one that 'did him good, and not evil all the days of her life.' She was one of those pious females depicted in the following passages, Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.' She was exceedingly attached to her ehildren, and always loved to have them about her. She wished to see them regularly read the word of God, as she used to do when a child. She sought to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and often prayed for their conversion, and expressed to her husband the hope that if ever they joined the church they would be really converted to God. She was also very anxious that they should be attached to and useful in the Sabbath school. During the few brief | periods when she was separated from her family, and visiting amongst her friends, it was noticed by them how deeply devoted she was to those at home; but her family only can fully know her loss. Mrs. Oakes was constant and faithful in her attachments, and was always willing to put herself to incouvenience to oblige her friends. She was no talebearer, nor busybody in other people's concerns. In a quiet and pleasant way she lived at peace with all, and to do good and communicate' was to her a source of unspeakable pleasure. The awful suddenness of her death rendered it impossible to learn much from her dying utterances what was the state of her mind. On the 27th of March, 1860, she retired to rest in her usual health and spirits, and in two or three hours afterwards she was seized with apoplexy of the heart. At first, the symptoms were very alarming, and her husband encouraged her to look to the Lord for help. Yes,' she said very emphatically, the Lord can help. The active means employed for her relief appeared to be very success CONFERENCE. ful; her breathing, which had been very difficult, being greatly improved, and she seemed desirous to be quiet for a short time. But the attack returned with uncontrolable force and notwithstanding all that could be done for her, she breathed her last in a little more than an hour after she was seized. Towards the end of the mortal conflict, a tender parting exclamation of love addressed to her husband was several times repeated; and at the last, just as the soul was on the point of leaving its frail abode, a sweet heavenly smile came over her countenance which proclaimed her conqueror even in death, and led her sorrowing friends to believe that she then saw, what was to them invisible, angels ready to carry her away into Abraham's bosom, or Jesus saying, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' 'One gentle sigh her fetters broke, We scarce could say "She's gone," Its station near the throne.' She was interred in the Halifax Cemetery, on the 31st of March, 1860, Mr. Ingham being unwell the funeral service was very feelingly conducted by the Rev. Enoch Mellor, M.A., of Halifax. While we mourn her lost, it is a source of unspeakable satisfaction to have no doubt as to her high exaltation and happiness. Her sudden and unexpected removal from this world, makes us feel how brief and uncertain human life is, and how unspeakably precious are the doctrines, the precepts, and the promises of the gospel. The prospect of meeting her in heaven will henceforth be the most cherished hope of her bereaved husband and family. The Rev. R. Hardy improved her death to a large congregation from Psalm xxiii. 4. The remembrance of the just is blessed.' This psalm was a great favourite with the departed. Intelligence. Birmingham, on January 14th, 1861. WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE.-This There was no service in the morning. Conference was held at Lombard-street, In the afternoon, brother Cheatle pre Intelligence.-Baptisms, &c. There was no particular business to be attended to, and the chief topic of conversation was, the unparalleled distress prevailing in the neighbourhood of Coventry and Longford. 109 sided, and W. Chapman prayed. | 24th, 1860, when the members of the Twenty-three were reported as baptized male adult bible classes, and a number since the last Conference, and there are of friends enjoyed a very pleasant ten candidates. evening. Addresses were delivered by several friends, and in the course of the proceedings the pastor of the church, the Rev. J. Cholerton, on be half of the teachers of the classes, presented to those of the young men who have not given proof that they are decidedly religious, a copy of Pike's Persuasives; to some who have recently united with the church, James' Christian Progress; and to a few who have been members some time, The Higher Christian Life. The next Conference is to be held at Netherton, on the second Monday in May, at eleven o'clock; W. Chapman to preach, or, in case of failure, brother Cheatle. Brother Lees, of Walsall, preached in the evening. W. CHAPMAN, Sec. pro tem. BIRCHCLIFFE.-On Christmas-day, we held our annual school tea meeting, which, notwithstanding the unfavour able state of the weather, was very numerously attended. About 350 per sous took tea in the school-room, after which we adjourned to the chapel, where a public meeting was held of an interesting character. The pastor presided, and was well and ably supported on either hand by the teachers of the school, several of whom gave addresses of a useful kind. These annual gatherings are found to be seasons of great social enjoyment. B. G. MISCELLANEOUS. COALVILLE.-A very interesting tea meeting was held at Coalville, Dec. ་ THE WEEK OF PRAYER. - Birchcliffe, &c. - The second week in by united meetings for prayer. January was signalized in this district The first meeting of the series was held in Hope Chapel,' (P.B.) Hebden Bridge, on Monday evening, January 7th, Rev. J. Green presided, and Rev. W. Foster (Wesleyan) delivered the address on Christian Union.' The following evening the meeting was held at Wainsgate Chapel,' (P.B.,) presided over by Rev. W. Bamber, and Rev. W. Gray delivered the address on 'The importance of a higher standard of holiness in the church of Christ.' On Wednesday evening the friends met at Salem Chapel' (Wesleyan). On Thursday at Cross Lanes,' (U.M.F.C.,) Rev. C. Springthorpe delivered an address on The Free Circulation of the Word of God.' On Friday evening we met at Slack Chapel,' (G.B.) And on Saturday evening at Birchcliffe. The meetings were all of an interesting and useful kind. G. B. BIRCHCLIFFE - Musical Entertainment.-On Saturday afternoon, Jan, 26th, the members of the Birchcliffe choir met and took tea together in the school-room, and invited the members of The Hebden Bridge Choral Society' to join them. After tea they adjourned to the chapel, where the public had been invited to an entertainment. Selections from Handel's Messiah were performed with much spirit and effect. LEICESTER, Dover-street. - At a numerously attended church meeting, beld February 6th, Rev. James Malcolm, after a short but very kind and respect. ful address, formally resigned the pastorate. In doing so he wished it to be distinctly understood, that nothing of an unpleasant nature had occurred between himself and the officers of the church, nor had he ever received any other than kind treatment from the members generally. The increasing requirements of his family had induced him to take this step, especially as it appeared, after the mature deliberation of the officers and others, that there was but little probability of the church being able to meet those requirements to the extent desired, for some time to come. After a few remarks of a most friendly kind, had been made by several brethren, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : chapel; these things brought our friends into a debt of about £20. On Lord's-day, February 10th, Rev. E. Stevenson, of Loughborough, preached in the afternoon and evening, at Hose, and on the following evening, at Clawson. On the Tuesday evening, a very numerously attended tea meeting was held at Hose. The trays were given to such an extent as is rarely heard of, thirty-two in number,' most freely by Episcopalians as well as nonconformists. After tea, a very spirited meeting was held, the chapel being densely crowded. Mr. F. Mantle, a young friend of great energy and promise, presided. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Silverwood, Primitive Methodist; Wildman, Wesleyan; Glen, Stevenson, and Smith. debt was entirely discharged, leaving a small surplus. The The Rev. James Malcolm, our pastor, having tendered his resignation, in consequence of an invitation to become the pastor of the Particular Baptist MELBOURNE. Special Services. Church, Wellington-street, Luton, we The organ in the Baptist Chapel, at feel, that as his removal to that place this place, was re-opened February 17th will be of considerable pecuniary ad- and 18th, having been restored and envantage to himself, we cannot do other-larged by Messrs. Bevington and Son, wise than accept it. of London, at a cost of £50. That we desire to record our gratitude to Almighty God, for the success which has attended Mr. Malcolm's ministry at Dover-street, and earnestly pray, that his future labours may be still more abundantly blessed. That we express our sincere thanks to Mr. Malcolm personally, for the interest he has taken in our welfare, and especially for his exertions to benefit the younger members of the church and congregation, by most of whom, we doubt not, his removal will be felt as a great loss. And in this expression of thanks, we desire to include Mrs. Malcolm, whose uniform kindness and courtesy, as well as her endeavours to promote the happiness of our young friends, entitle her to our most affectionate regard. Mr. Malcolm's pastorate, at Dover-street, terminated on the 17th of February. F. GROOCOCK, Secretary. HOSE AND LONG CLAWSON.-Some of those who were accustomed to render important help to the cause here have been removed by distance and death. More than ordinary repairs have been required, especially at the Clawson Од Lord's-day, the 17th, T. W. Handford, of Reddings, delivered two excellent sermons to large congregations. H. Bevington, Esq., presided at the organ Melbourne, on the latter occasion. On on the former, and R. N. Ingle, Esq., of Monday, the 18th, there was a well attended tea meeting in the school room. Suitable selections of sacred music Bevington, Esq., again presided at were performed by the choir. H. the organ, and, besides leading the choir in their selections, gave a rich musical entertainment, designed to exhibit the varied contents and power of the instrument, which was much appreciated by those who heard it. Mr. John Adcock, Wesleyan, was called to the chair, and T. W. Handford gave a powerful and instructive lecture on 'The Life and Times of Oliver Cromwell.' Three or four generous friends had promised more than half the amount wanted, and we are glad to learn, that when the proceeds of these services are added, the deficiency will not be great, and will be met by private subscriptions among a few friends. LINEHOLME.-On Saturday evening, February 16th, a tea and public meet Notes of the Month. ing was held to promote the extinction of the debt on the chapel and school. Upwards of 200 persons sat down to tea, and then retired into the chapel, for the public meeting. The report shewed that during the last year the weekly offerings of the congregation amounted to £93 6s. 7d., to which was added £10 from another source, making the total of debt removed by the congregation, chiefly by weekly offerings, £103 6s. 7d., leaving nearly £500 debt remaining on the property. The minister of the place presided, and the meeting was addressed by Rev. E. Potter (Inde 111 Notes of the Month. ECCLESIASTICAL. A STORM is brewing in the State church, and gathers in blackness every day. The Essays and Reviews,' have raised it. Clergymen meet and protest and appeal to their bishops; and bishops sign a 'round robbin,' though evidently puzzled to know how they shall act. One, wiser than the rest, recommends his clergy to set forth evangelic truth with increasing earnestness and simplicity. Meanwhile other clergymen are making themselves conspicuous in their own way-one by appropriating an empty leaden coffin out of the belfry of his church, and another, by horsewhipping a Cambridge divine for omitting the name of Christ in saying grace before meat in the college hall, because a Jew commoner was present! Baptists have gained for themselves great honour in the Cambridge university this year. William Steadman Aldis, Esq., son of Mr. Aldis, the Baptist minister at Reading, has been elected Senior Wrangler. By not subscribing to the formulas of the State church, he loses a fellowship and about £500 a year. Dr. Steane has spoken PARLIAMENT met at the beginning of February. The Government have no reform bill and no promise of one. Nor are they disposed to look favourably on the two independent membersLocke King and Mr. Baines-for their efforts, the first to secure a £10 franchise for the counties, and the second a £6 franchise for the boroughs. Numerous petitions have been presented against a total abolition of church rates, and Harry of Exeter declares that their retention is imperative on all state churchmen. The Dissenters, however, have not been idle. Trelawny has again brought into the House and read a first time his bill for their total abolition; and a very influential conference in favour of its |