BAPTISMS. INTELLIGENCE. KIRKBY.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 5th, 1852, we had the pleasure of witnessing the ordinance of believers baptism administered to three persons, by one of our deacons, after an excellent address from, "We ought to obey God rather than man." Consider ing the inclement season, the congregation was large, to witness the sacred rite. May these which have put on Christ, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; and may the time speedily come when the little one shall become a thousand and the small one a strong nation. May the Lord hasten it in his own time. WM. MASON. BURNLEY LANE-On Lord's-day, Dec. 5th, 1852, six were added to our Zion by baptism. Two of them, a mother and her son. The congregations during the day were good. Many sat down at the ordinance, when the newly-baptized received the right hand of fellowship and united with us in showing the Lord's death till he come. W. R. LEICESTER, Dover-street.--On Lord's day, Dec. 5, 1852, four persons were baptized in the presence of "many witnesses." They were welcomed into the fellowship of the church in the afternoon, when a larger number of friends than has been known for some time, met to commemorate the dying love of the Saviour. It was felt by many to be "one of the days of heaven upon earth." BURNLEY, Enon Chapel.-On the evening of Lord's-day, Dec. 12th, 1852, eight persons were baptized by Mr. Batey, after a discourse from Mark xvi. 16. CONINGSBY.-On Lord's-day, Nov. 28th, two more young persons were added to our number by baptism, both the children of friends; one formerly a scholar in the school-the other now a teacher. On the following Sabbath they were received into the church, in the presence of a large number of attentive and deeply affected spectators. We are hoping soon to have a band of active, youthful labourers. ANNIVERSARIES. NOTTINGHAM, Mansfield Road. The Rev. George Gilfillan in Nottingham.-On the second Sunday in November, the anniversary sermons of the Mansfield road chapel were preached by this gifted and eminent man. Notwithstanding the wetness of the weather the congregation in the morning was large, and in the evening the chapel was crowded. The collections amounted to £42. On both occasions we observed individuals representing every variety of religious sentiment, impelled to one place of worship by one man's magnetic renown. Catholic, Episcopalian, Unitarian, Independent, Baptist and Wesleyan, seemed alike eager to see and hear the distinguished critic, whose bold bright pen has been of late so busy in our literature. Both discourses were marked by all that intellectual point-by the graphic illustrations-by the gorgeous affluence of imagery-by those sentences of "linked sweetness long drawn out," which Mr. Gilfillan's numerous readers would be fully prepared to expect. Of the magnificent oration delivered in the evening the writer intends to supply a summary to the next number of this periodical. For the gratification of those interested in the personnel of the Dundee Litterateur we may remark, that he is tall of stature and robustly built, and bears himself with the erectness and energy natural to an ardent and hopeful spirit. He has the florid complexion and light hair of the North-a broad retreating forehead, and He large hazel eyes "earnest as flame." The strong Scotticisms of his emphatic utterconversation which is as lively and brilance lend a peculiar expressiveness to liant as his composition, and in the course of which racy anecdotes rivet attention, and unexpected metaphors startle with his stay in Nottingham Mr. Gilfillan had their singular freshness and power. During several interviews with Mr. Philip James Bailey, of whose great Poem of Festus he has brilliantly expressed his enthusiastic admiration, in the second series of his well known "Literary Portraits." also made a visit to Newstead Abbey, lord Byron's patrimonial residence; an account of which excursion he intimated his intention of transferring to the pages of a future number of "Hogg's Instructor." Newstead is an interesting place at any time, and possessed of associations that appeal with power to cultivated thought and sensibility-but we felt the silence of its halls grow doubly eloquent when broken by so skilled a commentator's words, for we know no critic who seems to have formed so comprehensive and correct an estimate of Byron's character. Justly severe upon his vices, and studious to lift up the lurid warning of that purposeless, wasted, wretched life, with its tragical alien close, the moral verdict does not yet warp the intellectual appreciation. Those who accompanied Mr. Gilfillan that day will not soon forget his interesting notice of the Abbey and the scenes about it. BROMPTON, Yorkshire.-The services connected with the first anniversary of the General Baptist chapel in the above place, were held on the 21st and 22nd of Nov., 1852. Sermons were preached on the Lord's-day by the Rev. W. Long, of Stockton-on-Tees. At Brompton in the morning, from Num. xxiv. 15-18; in the evening from John vii. 37; and at Northallerton in the afternoon, from Luke xv. 10. On Monday, the 22nd, a tea meeting was held in the chapel; after tea our pastor presided, and read over the financial report for the year, which showed that including the collections and the proceeds of the teameeting, £45 had been raised towards the reduction of the debt on the chapel. Impressive addresses were delivered by the Revds. W. Long, T. E. Wycherly of Driffield, J. Harrison of Bedale (Baptists); J. B. Lister and Mr. Dawson of Northal lerton, (Independents) and Mr. Stokill of Low Moore. Our pastor proposed that an attempt should be made to discharge the whole debt on the chapel the next six months, and promised £10. Mr. Dawson, a deacon of the Independent church, Northallerton, seconded the attempt, and promised £1. Some of the members and hearers have promised £1. each; others 10s. It is hoped that all will earnestly help in this good work, that these difficulties to Zion's prosperity may be entirely removed. T. HUNTON. KIRKBY WOODHOUSE.-On Sept. 12th, 1852, the Rev. G. A. Syme, M.A. of Nottingham, preached two excellent sermons on behalf of our Sabbath-school. Collections more than last year. | PORTSEA. Clarence Street.-On Sunday and Monday evenings, Nov. 28th, 29th, services were held in our chapel in celebration of the eighteenth anniversary of the ministry of the Rev. E. H. Burton. On the Sabbath evening the Rev. F. W. Meadows, of Gosport, successor to the late Dr. Payne, preached to a large congregation, from 1 Thess. v. 25. "Brethren pray for us." On Monday evening, at half past five, 410 persons took tea together in the chapel, the trays for which were for the most part kindly provided by ladies of the congregation. The chapel being tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, presented a very pleasing appearance. The chair was occupied by our esteemed friend, W. Bilton, Esq; and the meeting was addressed by the following ministers :-Rev. Messrs. George Rust, Alfred Woodrow, Andrew Bryant, George Arnot and E. H. Burton, also by W. Daw, Esq., of Mile End School, and Mr. John Gamble, late of Kettering. The meeting was lively and impressive; and while each speaker evinced a cordial regard to our pastor, the choir added to the interest of this excellent meeting. LONGFORD.-On Monday, Nov. 22, about 200 of the members of our church met together to partake of tea, to commemorate the tenth anniversary since their pastor first appeared among them, and to endeavour to promote a closer union of heart, and a more earnest spirit of devotedness among each other. The meeting was the first of the kind ever held among us, and was one of a most delightful and cheering character. There were those present who have arrived in the land of Beulah, others who are on the Delectable Mountains, others who are at the Interpreter's house, and others who have just entered the wicket gate (the anachronism is only apparent)— the grey-headed veteran of four-score, and the sprightly girl of thirteen all mingling together, interchanging expressions of christian regard, and encouraging each other in their heavenly pilgrimage. The evening was spent in singing and prayer, and by several of our brethren giving warm-hearted and spirited addresses, in which those features of our state, as a church, were pointed out which were encouraging, and those which called for humiliation and removal. Such a universal and hearty shaking of hands as was manifested at the close we have seldom seen. As the Barton bard once sang, "First one shook hands and then another, May the impressions produced never be effaced, and increased spirituality and zeal soon appear as the fruits of the meeting. OPENING. It FORD.-Our ancient chapel having be.. come too small, and also being uncomfortable and unhealthy, through being too closely seated and low, we have had it enlarged, the roof considerably elevated, and other improvements made, so that the chapel is almost equal to a new one. was opened (though unfinished) on Wednesday, the 27th October, when two excellent sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Aldis, M.A., of Maze Pond, London, from 1 Eph. xxii. 23; and though the weather was very unfavourable, and the water so much out as to run into the conveyances of friends when coming, yet we had good congregations and liberal collections; and 150 friends partook of tea together in the chapel. The trays were gratuitously supplied, and the entire proceeds added to the collection. It was truly a good day. The friends and neighbours have manifested a very liberal spirit; but further assistance is much needed; and any contribution towards the expense incurred will be thankfully received, MISSIONARY OBSERVER. A SHORT SERMON, BY A NATIVE ADDRESSED TO THE BRETHREN IN ENGLAND. [We have much pleasure in inserting the following sensible address. The note at the foot of this page will explain the occasion of its composition.*—ED.] "Brethren pray for us."-1 Thes. v. 25. To the faithful in Christ Jesus in England, the Lord's unprofitable servant, Ghunna Shyam, humbly sending many, many loving salutations, makes this very important request. For what you have done for me for my brethren in the Lord, and for my fellow-countrymen in general, we are indeed greatly indebted to you. When we were dwelling in more than midnight darkness, in the fulness of your compassion you sent the servants of Christ from your midst, who established schools and distributed books; but more especially you conveyed by them to us that great light, even the gospel of Christ, by which we have obtained incalculable good knowledge of sin-by the incomparable Saviour, reconciliation with God-the hope of heaven and every spiritual good; in short we have received blessing upon blessing, and grace upon grace. O brethren, we will never cease to praise God for what you done for us, but especially will we never cease to praise Him for "His unspeakable gift." But beyond all this we have still one request to make, not for silver and gold or for the glittering diamonds or precious stones of earth, but that you would pray to our unchangeable heavenly Father for us, that we may be "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ," and that we may be faithful in our appointed work. This is our petition-this is our desire. Paul, the most distinguished of men, set a high value upon prayer, hence he makes this request to his brethren at Thessalonica -for he knew that many of his wants might be supplied by their prayers. In like manner I would for myself, for my brethren, for them who bear the christian *MY DEAR BROTHER GOADBY,-Some time ago I suggested to "Ghunna Shyam" that it might be well for him to write something to friends in England, and he brought me the following, which I have translated, and forward to you for insertion in the "Observer," if you should think it will be nteresting to your readers. Affectionately yours, Piplee, Oct. 1st. 1852. W. BAILEY, name+ but still continue in unbelief, and for the heathen in general, beseech your prayers. "Brethren pray for us." I. We will venture to assign a few reasons why you should pray for us. 66 1. For our growth in grace. That our piety may be made manifest to that God who "trieth the heart and reins," and who is a "discerner of the much that we may be regarded by men of thoughts and intents of the heart," not so the world as righteous or holy, but that people. For if, like the Pharisees, we make we may be acknowledged by God as his long prayers and be of a sad countenance" merely to be seen of men, and by baptism profess Christ without manifesting any of the real fruits of christianity, and name the name of Christ and dwell amongst his holy flock without having been begotten again by the Spirit of God, and without the our hearts, then all will be fruitless. Pray image of Christ" having been formed in for us, then, that if we hear his word we may hear it in faith; or if we read it, that we may read it with reverence; or if we pray, that we may not do it as though we to memory; but that we may do it with all were children repeating a lesson committed our hearts; for until we do this God can never be well pleased. Pray then that we may bring forth the fruits of the Spiritlove, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, goodness, humility and temperance; that word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, we may as believers be "an example in in faith, in purity." There are many now who profess to be the followers of Christ in Orissa; but it is to be feared that there are "foolish as well as wise virgins;" some care only for the lamp of profession, while others rejoice that they have the oil of divine grace in their hearts. The good seed of the kingdom is sown by the Lord's husbandmen; but, alas! it often falls in stony places and where there is no deepness of earth." O pray that all may bring forth fruit even to a hundred fold; and that having been "created anew in Christ Jesus" all may, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; and as "new born-babes, being fed with the milk of the word that they may grow thereby." 66 These are what we call "nominal christians;' they have forsaken Hindooism, and live in our christian villages, but have not been received into the church. 2. Pray that our love to each other may | increase. Without love the most devoted follower of Christ would be imperfect; we might possess boundless wisdom and every species of wealth, yea we might sacrifice ourselves in the purest fire, yet even then without love we could be perfect in nothing. Paul in writing to the Corinthians has stated the nature, necessity, and durability of this love, (See 1. Cor. xiii.) This love is light in darkness; it conquers enemies, and brings down every blessing from above. In consequence of this love God has likened his church to a family. O that the followers of Christ were more mindful of this principle, then division and strife would for ever pass away. Amid all the commandments of Christ, the new commandment, wherein we are taught to love one another, has been made most prominent. We have often read the fable of "the old man and his sons with much profit. May we then, like the bundle of sticks-which when separated were easily broken, but when bound together none could break-be firmly bound together in this bond of love; and then no enemy can conquer or divide us. Pray then that in this benighted country we may love each other, and by our united strength conquer even Satan and his emissaries. 3. Pray that we may not lose our hope of eternal life. Those things which we counted gain to us in the present world, viz., our caste, our friends, and our relations, we have entirely forsaken, and have become the servants of Christ, that we might, in accordance with the promise of the immutable God, "receive a hundred fold now in this time, and in the world to come eternal life." We do not think for one moment that we are "already perfect," but this one thing we would do, "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." In hope of immortality we would be dead to the world, and are willing to be accounted as "the filth and offscouring of all things." All our prayers, our faith, our singing, our reading, our gifts, all tend to this; for this we bear all the persecution and reproach that may come upon us from the heathen. Amid all the snares and temptations of the world, pray that we may never be "moved away from the hope of the gospel," that we may never leave the path of rectitude for the wages of sin, and that we may never cast away our confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." We are now pilgrims to mount Zion. Many we fear, like Judas Iscariot, and De mas, and Alexander, and Hymenaus, and Philetus, will stumble and fall by the way. Many too, we fear, will, like the Israelites, disregard the voice of God and fall. Some journey half the way; others even when death is near, like Lot's wife, return. "Many are called, but few are chosen." Amongst the thousands of Israel only Joshua and Caleb arrived in Canaan: all the rest perished in the wilderness. Pray, beloved brethren, that none may fall, and that all may enter into eternal life, "for our adversary, the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour." The gospel has only been proclaimed in this country for a limited time, and but few, comparatively speaking, have believed its sacred truths. Many who have believed are weak and ignorant, and may easily fall and lose their crown. As a growing and tender plant, when attacked by the fury of a storm, is instantly torn up by the roots, so many in connection with the church of God in Orissa may easily be destroyed by the evil influence around them. But pray that like hardy builders, we may be able to stand firm amid the storm that may come upon us, that we may "stand, therefore, with our loins girt about with truth," that we may have on "the breastplate of righteousness," that we may be "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace," and that we may with the shield of faith be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and that we may remain faithful unto death, and obtain a crown of life. O pray that it may be ours to stand in the presence of the Lamb, and join in the melodious songs of heaven. 4. Pray for the increase of the kingdom of Christ. Millions in this country are so extremely foolish as to worship lifeless gods and goddesses: and as there are millions of people so there are millions of deities; and Satan, alas! has closed the eyes and ears and understanding of the heathen, that they may continue to hate the truth. The principal god in this country is Juggernauth; and though many of the Hindoo writers affirm that this idol is only wood, and that the far-famed city of Pooree has only been made so for purposes of deception, yet the people have no wish to acknowledge the true God, and to render him homage. For the removal of sin, a thousand means have been tried-bathing, austerity, gifts, counting of beads, pilgrimages, &c.; others trust in the name of Bramha, and do no works at all; in short we who live in the country, and see the works and ways of the heathen, are unable to describe them all; they have closed their eyes to the truth, "lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and be converted." A SHORT SERMON BY A NATIVE PREACHER. Satan has reigned supreme in this country for ages; like some firmly built fort his kingdom is established, and his votaries therein are innumerable. O pray that his kingdom may speedily be overthrown, and the kingdom of Immanuel may be increased; that instead of the reign of the " prince of the power of the air," Christ may reign in the hearts of the children of men; and that by the instrumentality of the faithful the knowledge of the Lord may fill the earth as the waters cover the sea; that his seed may endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven; that all men may be blessed in him, and that all nations may call him blessed. We can already see some of the signs of the coming of the Redeemer's kingdom in every nation. Christ has used a beautiful simile on this subject, in the 13th chapter of Matthew," the kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,-which is indeed the least of all seeds-but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." The kingdom of Christ was small at its commencement; but it has gone on increasing until its members are now found on every shore. The seed has been sown in this country, and we now, though small, see the branches. Your first missionaries, after years of labour, had only one convert, Gunga Dhor. The time was when there was no chapel, or church, or christian village, or dwelling; but we see that God has brought much out of nothing. I should think that there must be, young and old, upwards of a thousand in Orissa who bear the Christian name; several chapels have been erected, several villages established, and several branch stations. Seeing these things we become hopeful, and give thanks unto the Lord. Pray then that the kingdom of Christ may still continue to increase, and that Satan and his works may be destroyed. 5. Pray that the preachers of the gospel, who are labouring especially for the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ, may receive the blessing of the Lord. The Lord Jesus said, "other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. How then can these sheep be brought? Paul, in answer to this question, says, "how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher ?" Pray then to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send forth labourers into his harvest." Pray that if it be the Lord's will the ministers of 53 Christ in Orissa may be spared in health, even to old age, and that they may increase in wisdom, knowledge and strength, and that they may be mighty to use the various spiritual weapons of the gospel for the entire demolition of the vast empire of the prince of darkness. Their work is labourious; in the heat, in the rain and cold, and in much weariness, they wander hither and thither, preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. Pray that the blessing of God may rest upon them and their la bours; that the dead may live, and that the lost may be found; yea that very many through their instrumentality may obtain eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord; that they who "sow in tears may reap in joy," and that they who " go forth bearing precious seed, may come again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them;" that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, we, as the labourers of his vineyard, may receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Pray for this. Amen. Amen. II. but what encouragement have we thus to pray? 1. God is ever ready to listen to the pray. ers of his people. We are his people, and members of one family. Though we speak different languages, and are of different climes and colour, yet we are nevertheless one. We have "one Lord, one faith, and one baptism." We are his purchased people; and surely he will hear us; it is written that "the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers." Our God is a hearer of prayer. From a perusal of the sacred Scriptures we see that many prayers have been heard and answered. "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are; and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months; and he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." When Peter was bound in prison, "prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him," and he heard their prayers and delivered his servant from the hands of Herod the King. But were we to enter into detail and bring to your notice the prayers of Abraham, of Moses, of David, and of Hezekiah and others, both time and space would fail us. But remember that that for which we pray is His work; that we pray for the manifestation of His glory (not another's) and His love, and that his kingdom may come. Surely with such petitions he can never be displeased, but will certainly fulfil the desires of our hearts. As Paul said to his brethren the Thessalonians, so would we say, with all affection, to our brethren in England,-" Pray for us." |