Correspondence.-A Word for Home Missions. ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, to the Master's employ. He claims our talents, our influence, our energies, our all. We all agree in the sentiment, that the Christian teacher rises not to the spiritual nature and moral glory of his office, unless he will truly say, 'For me to live is Christ.' Companions in holy and blessed toil, pardon my temerity in asking:-What is our relative position in regard to the vital question of Home Missions? Have we done what we could? What saith the verdict of conscience-that voice of God in the soul of an upright man? Recent connexional meetings have been hopeful in many respects. The papers read, the specches delivered, the discussions held, the policy recom mended by several warm hearted friends are creating a more healthy Sentiment in the Body; but in my humble opinion, the pastorate among us is at fault. We are verily guilty before God in this matter. The truth must be spoken. I speak it in love. In the Minutes of this year we have the names of 105 ministers, while in the Home Mission Report 14 only ap 23 the Christian pastor is in danger of substituting an earthly for a heavenly call. The distinct and commanding tones of the Macedonian voice, blending with the discordant sounds of inodern English life, may fail adequately to stir his heart, guide his judgment, and control his movements. Social questions, popular demands, secular interests, may compete too successfully with the absolute and paramount claims of the Redeemer to his full and entire consecration. Given the degree and volume of physical power, inherent in any specified agency, does it not follow that the more diffusive and remote the operations on which that power is expended the less there remains for those objects that lie near the centre? And thus it falls out, that while individual churches have pulpit efficiency, Sabbatic service, and congregational zeal, connexional responsibilities are ignored altogether, or talked out of time, or deemed of inferior importauce, to what is styled in hackneyed phraseology, the great questions of the day. Ministers of God, watchmen on the walls of Zion, let us arise as one man, and wipe away This practical indifference 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-can 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 expe- and material resources, and render rience teach that the popular element more united and effective aid in difin our church polity is by no means incompatible with the possession of a vast moral power in the ministry. The curt and pregnant apothegm, 46 Like people, like priest," will apply to every Blessed Jesus, is it our glory and modified development in the ecclesias-joy to call Thee Master and Lord? O tical domain. Let the name of each then, give us grace to work our day of minister appear in the Annual Report, toil in Thy vineyard. May Thy imlet his voice be heard in the church, in perative charge ever awaken responsive the pulpit, in social life, and in frater- echoes in our hearts. nal 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, fusing throughout the length and breadth of our own noble country a sound theology, a true ritual, and a free church. 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 Income for our own cause, nearly Collection for Foreign Mission, about WEEKLY OFFERING AT MEL Collection for Home Mission, about BOURNE. To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. 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. 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 Permit me to close this paper with a also some of their collections for quotation from the British Messenger, foreign purposes, and are intending to in reference to the labours of the Rev. appropriate out of the proceeds of the John Ross, of Hackney, in promoting Weekly Offering, the average amount systematic Beneficence and Weekly of their former collections for these ob- Offering During the last three years, jects. Such an arrangement appears he has travelled 3,000 miles, and in to ine a mistake, and will to some extent seven years, has sold about 100,000, militate against success, and counteract and given away about 600,000 tracts the beneficial influence of the weekly on the subject. Mr. Ross is cognizant plan of giving. The support of our of the fact, that between 400 and 500 institutions should rest on their in-churches have greatly improved in trinsic 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 burdensome 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 The spiritual life, and in pecuniary re- 'A London congregation commenced Correspondence.-Amusements. raising a fund for a special object at a 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 would indeed be following closely the thou gavest to be with me, gave me, example of one who said, 'The woman and I did eat.' 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 his 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. 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, 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 OUR COLLEGE. DEAR SIR,-At the last Association it G. BALDWIN, Treasurer. Obituary. MRS. MARY AGAR died at Leicester, in, from Leicester. There she found a small cause of the Redeemer, and with Obituary.-Mr. William Lane. 27 Aing none; and when they are taken out of the world, their removal creates no vacancy. Our worthy brother is greatly missed. with her own brethren in Christ. In There were many features in our departed friend which are worthy of remark. He was a strong, tall, muscular person. Though his mental cultivation was slender, he had a sound, a pleasing On all the public ordinances of re- vigorous understanding, ligion she was a regular, serious, and vein of good humour, and a decided devout attendant. From the beginning, preference for the practical and useful. she loved the place where God's honour He was not slothful in business, ferof vent in spirit, serving the Lord.' dwelleth; and the whole course her subsequent life was in conformity all the relations of life, as husband, with this promising commencement, servant, master, ueighbour, and friend, affording a fine comment upon those he was exemplary. Some thought him words of David, One thing have I stern and self-willed, but it was for Не desired, that will I seek after, that I want of knowing him better. may dwell in the house of the Lord all honoured the Lord with bis substance, the days of my life, to behold the being ever ready with his purse as well as with his heart, to promote His beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.' Her Christian life was glory. Over and above his ordinary marked by uniform piety and works of calling as a member of society, he bekindness to the poor and needy. She lieved he had a special calling as a often denied herself that she might member of the church. He felt he had a dis inct work to do in his have the more to give to others and to Saviour's service, and he made his the cause of God. Her illness was a member of Christ's gradual decay of nature. She some- calling, as a business of his life. church, the times suffering much pain, yet she was enabled to trust in Him who died for While he loved every denomination of her. She was a devoted friend to her Christians, and took a warmer interest in the denomination to which he beminister, and an affectionate wife, assisting her beloved partner to bear the longed, attending its Associations and labours and trials of life. That hope Conferences, still he felt that his main which had supported her through work lay in connection with the Genmany a trying hour, even in her old eral Baptist cause in Wysall, the place age, sustained her in death. She at of his birth and of his residence, and the last quietly and peacefully fell he performed his work there so earnestly, as though it were only in that asleep in Jesus. one field of activity he would evince himself no common Christian. the social prayer meeting he was ever present, and ready to assist. Of the Sabbath-school he was the leading teacher, superintendent, and treasurer. He laudably and successfully exerted himself in procuring supplies for the pulpit from time to time. It was materially owing to his zeal and devotedness, in connection with Mr. George Bowley, that the chapel was erected in the year 1858. In short, under the influence of redeeming love, his time, talents, strength, and resources, such as they were, were consecrated to the interests of the General Baptist cause And now her happy spirit's flown To a world of light and love divine, SAML. WIGG. MR. WILLIAM LANE.-In the small, At |