degree that must detract from the reputation of the amiable captain, who in many things is deserving of high praise. He was vigilant far beyond many captains. In the matter of public worship he was entirely catholic, for on the second Sabbath he invited the ministers on board to conduct their service in their own way, even omitting the reading of prayers;' but he must have better order, at night especially, or at length fall under severe censure. The Edinburgh is a noble and safe ship, much more agreeable in a storm than the City of Washington, in which I went to England, ministers and churches to the position and claims of our Home Missions? The facts and figures given in the report first-named, are indeed of a startling kind, and loudly call for humiliation before God; combined with the adoption of prompt and vigorous measures, more commensurate with indications of Providence, the grandeur of our principles, and the resources of our denomination. 'Tell it not in Gath; publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,' 2 Sam. ii. 20, that out of 150 Christian communities who inscribe on their banners, One Lord, one faith, one baptism,' thirty-six only have come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty in this field of effort during the past year. Is there not much reason to fear lest we, as a body of baptized believers, should prove unfaithful to that high trust which the Head of the Church has reposed in us? The modern tendencies of society, both in their religious and politico-aspects, are obviously prophetic of the ultimate triumph of those principles which it is our glory and joy to believe and teach. Are not the minor, as well as the grander events now transpiring in the world, all of which are under the control of Him who sitteth King upon the flood, undermining and shattering to pieces the politico-ecclesiastical systems of anWith many regrets I left the shores tiquity? And is not the Bible rapidly of old England. It was no less joyous, advancing to supreme dominion in the however, for that reason to reach my spiritual realm, throughout Christenhome. After completing my journey-dom and the world? Yes, the arm of ings among our churches in England, I paid a basty visit to the continent, seeing something of Brussels, Cologne, Heidleberg, Basle, Geneva, Paris, and some other important cities. Of these I may yet send you some account, and especially have I a few things more to say about my visit among the churches in England. It was interesting to see with what differences of feeling and expression the news of Lincoln's election was received on board, when we came up to the Battery. Some began almost literally to shed tears for the Union in ruins; others began to rejoice, as if they had come to a land for the second time preserved to liberty. For my part, I felt like praying that the successful party may prove itself worthy of its great opportunity to bless our native land,' rendered more than doubly dear to me by what I have seen of other lands. It was my impression till the day before election that it was to occur on the second Tuesday of November, a fact that will show my interest and accuracy in mere political affairs. D M. GRAHAM. A WORD FOR HOME MISSIONS. To the Editor of the General Baptist DEAR SIR,-Will you kindly allow me the Lord is being more fully revealed Correspondence.-A Word for Home Missions. 23 ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, to the | the Christian pastor is in danger of Master's employ. He claims our substituting an earthly for a heavenly talents, our influence, our energies, our call. The distinct and commanding all. We all agree in the sentiment, tones of the Macedonian voice, blendthat the Christian teacher rises not to ing with the discordant sounds of the spiritual nature and moral glory of modern English life, may fail adehis office, unless he will truly say, 'For quately to stir his heart, guide his me to live is Christ.' Companions in judgment, and control bis movements. holy and blessed toil, pardon my te- Social questions, popular demands, merity in asking:-What is our rela- secular interests, may compete too tive position in regard to the vital successfully with the absolute and question of Home Missions? Have paramount claims of the Redeemer to we done what we could? What saith his full and entire consecration. Given the verdict of conscience-that voice the degree and volume of physical of God in the soul of an upright man? power, inherent in any specified Recent connexional meetings have agency, does it not follow that the been hopeful in many respects. The more diffusive and remote the operapapers read, the speeches delivered, the tions on which that power is expended discussions held, the policy recom the less there remains for those objects mended by several warm-hearted that lie near the centre? And thus it friends are creating a more healthy falls out, that while individual churches Sentiment in the Body; but in my have pulpit efficiency, Sabbatic service, humble opinion, the pastorate among and congregational zeal, connexional us is at fault. We are verily guilty responsibilities are ignored altogether, before God in this matter. The truth or talked out of time, or deemed of must be spoken. I speak it in love. inferior importance, to what is styled In the Minutes of this year we have in hackneyed phraseology, the great the names of 105 ministers, while in questions of the day. Ministers of the Home Mission Report 14 only ap- God, watchmen on the walls of Zion, let us arise as one man, and wipe away This practical iudifference of the the stain which now tarnishes the ministry to the enlargement of the shield of our office. Our sublime misbome church lies at the root of the sion is to proclaim the glorious Gospel evil now so generally deprecated. as the sovereign and exclusive remedy Moreover, I beg to submit, Mr. Editor, for the world's woes. To uplift the to those whom it may concern, whether banner with that strange device written any Associational vote can wake up on its crimson folds, Christ and Him this dormant power-cau resuscitate, crucified,' and thus instrumentally to not this talking, but sleeping giant. save souls from death. Let us this May not those heroic spirits who are day, on our knees, and before our God, incessantly bombarding the churches solemnly engage to review our public mistake the key of the position? Com-life, to re-adjust our moral, intellectual, mon philosophy and every day experience teach that the popular element in our church polity is by no means incompatible with the possession of a vast moral power in the ministry. The curt and pregnant apothegm, "Like people, like priest," will apply to every modified development in the ecclesias tical domain. Let the name of each minister appear in the Annual Report, let his voice be heard in the church, in the pulpit, in social life, and in fraternal intercourse, warmly advocating the claims of the Society, and the proposed £1,000 would be speedily obtained. pear. In this busy and many-voiced age, and material resources, and render more united and effective aid in diffusing throughout the length and breadth of our own noble country a sound theology, a true ritual, and a free churcb. Blessed Jesus, is it our glory and joy to call Thee Master and Lord? O then, give us grace to work our day of toil in Thy vineyard. May Thy imperative charge ever awaken responsive echoes in our hearts. Freely ye have received, freely give.' And when our earthly mission shall close, and things seen and temporal shall recede before those which improved, our contributions for other objects show a large increase. For the information of our churches, I just give he particulars of our last two years receipts, compared with the two previous. Income for our own cause, nearly 50 per cent increase. Collection for Sabbath School, about 25 per cent increase. Collection for College, about 100 per cent increase. Collection for Foreign Mission, about 25 per cent increase. WEEKLY OFFERING AT MEL Collection for Home Mission, about BOURNE. To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-We have now nearly closed our second year's trial of the Weekly Offering plan. Although I cannot speak quite positively of the result in the present year, I believe it will prove equally satisfactory with the former. There is one point on which I wish to say a few words. Several of our churches in commencing the plan, are setting aside not only their quarterly collections, seat rents, &c., but also some of their collections for foreign purposes, and are intending to appropriate out of the proceeds of the Weekly Offering, the average amount of their former collections for these objects. Such an arrangement appears to the a mistake, and will to some extent militate against success, and counteract the beneficial influence of the weekly plan of giving. The support of our institutions should rest on their intrinsic merit, and free and voluntary contributions; and their importance and claims should be laid before the people once a year at least, when appeals are made for their support; without this, all interest in them will be likely to languish. The churches need be under no apprehension that the offering weekly made for the sustenance of the cause at home, will render collections for foreign objects irksome and burden some to the people. We have found the very reverse to be the case. It is one of the most pleasing features in the effects of the system with us, that while our own resources have so much 100 per cent increase. Ordinance Collection for the Poor about 40 per cent increase. Such being the fact, is it not the best to enter upon the system, with full confidence in the Christian principle of the Church, and allow it to have full scope without fixing a definite sum for any benevolent object? The plan should be entered on in faith. Doubt and distrust will materially lessen the prospect of success. Whatever claims we have before us, our Weekly Offering goes on as usual, and is cheerfully responded to. . Permit me to close this paper with a quotation from the British Messenger, in reference to the labours of the Rev. John Ross, of Hackney, in promoting systematic Beneficence and Weekly Offering During the last three years, he has travelled 3,000 miles, and in seven years, has sold about 100,000, and given away about 600,000 tracts on the subject. Mr. Ross is cognizant of the fact, that between 400 and 500 churches have greatly improved in spiritual life, and in pecuniary resources for the sustentation of the ministry, as well as of local evangelization, and missionary societies. two advantages resulting from these labours are, the growing dissatisfaction amongst Christians with the present low principles and rate of giving; and the waking up of ministers to lament their past slight examination of the giving question, and the nonperception of the essential connection between a scriptural mode and standard of giving and a scriptural standard of godliness." The 'A London congregation commenced Correspondence.-Amusements. raising a fund for a special object at a recent evening meeting. A working woman, meeting the minister's wife next day, said "I will give a sovereign." To the reply. "We don't want anything from you-you always do your share," she answered, "It will make no difference to me it is in hand-I lay it by weekly out of my receipts."" Jesus unseen, who yet all hearts can see, Yours affectionately, AMUSEMENTS. 25 what you say, Jeffries, about the disease; but how about the cure? that's the question.' 'Oh,' extorted the former, with his accustomed quaintness, 'I have furnished " half," so surely you can complete the job!' I will leave you, dear Mr. Editor, to infer why this recollection of the past came so forcibly to the mind, and will only observe, in passing, that I truly hope you will not think for a moment that I am going to complete the job.' Suffice it for me to point out one or two things which I feel it will be well and necessary for us to bear in mind, whilst we consider our duties in reference to the practices in question. First, then, let us see to it that, in order to shield ourselves, we do not charge the guilt which proceeds from To the Editor of the General Baptist the heart alone, to the means by which Magazine. DEAR SIR,-To know the disease is half the cure' is an old saying, and one which is still worthy of general acceptation. On this account, if for no other reason, I am pleased with the kindness with which you have opened your columns to the varied correspondence which has of late appeared in our Denominational Periodical. One cannot help feeling sure that the more Christians meet-whether it be mentally or personally and exchange their views, or talk over their experiences, the more united, loving, useful, and truly noble will they become. that guilt was brought forth. That In the second place, let us not lose sight of our individuality, and of our individual responsibility. And lastly, never by either word or action let us seem to doubt the superiority and power of truth! If in some of our churches the amusements are permitted, and practised until they are known to be an evil, it is high time the members of that church ascertained the cause. If, as stated by your correspondent Delta,' some one or other of these With this feeling in mind, I confess games are practised at our anniver. I could not help a feeling of disap-saries, to the disturbance of public pointment when thinking over the remarks of your several correspondents, upon the subject standing at the commencement of this letter. I could not but call to mind a kindred feeling ex perienced in the days of my boyhood, at the close of a conversation between two of our village politicians. The Grumbler,' as good old Friend Jeffries was generally called, had been denouncing some of the supposed defects in our state machinery to one of bis neighbours, who, to say the least, had the character of being more amiably disposed than himself; when the latter said, 'Its all very good and true worship,' then I should consider it an utter abomination; but even then I think suppression aloue of the 'Game' would scarcely eradicate the evil. I really had not thought any of the General Baptist Churches thus far degenerated. In conclusion, I would respectfully urge all our friends to follow the example of one who prayed, not that these might be taken out of the world, but that they might be preserved from the evil.' I remain, dear Sir, Cordially yours, HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE To the Editor of the General Baptist DEAR SIR,-I am obliged to the friend Mr. Thomas Richardson also, late of Ticknall, several years a deacon, was a steady and liberal friend of our cause at that place, from the time of his arrival at man's estate to that of THOMAS GILL. OUR COLLEGE. To the Editor of the General Baptist DEAR SIR,-At the last Association it G. BALDWIN, Treasurer. Obituary. MRS. MARY AGAR died at Leicester, in, from Leicester. There she found a her 69th year, December 7, 1860. Of her acceptance with Christ there can be no doubt. She made a public profession of religion thirty-seven years ago, and was baptized in the Friar-lane chapel, and united with the church under the pastoral care of the writer, of which she remained a worthy member until her death. On her marriage she went to reside at Huncote, a small village some seven miles small cause of the Redeemer, and with commendable zeal sought to promote its prosperity. This she did by opening her house for the reception and hospitable entertainment of the ministers of Christ who came from a distance to preach the glorious Gospel of the blessed God: but monthly with her beloved husband, riding over to Leicester, to commemorate at the table of the Lord the love of her Redeemer, |