a few out of many thousand expressions of similar import, in which her full heart uttered itself by day and by night. those about her, made her suppress afnot! My prayer is become sin, and great deal. It was her habit through returns back cold and heavy upon my life to endure much suffering herself, heart-I am like Bunyan's man in the rather than inflict the slightest pain on iron cage-the terrors of the Almighty another. But she would often, on a distract my soul by day, his wrath sudden, when suppression was no longer frightens me in my dreams by nightpossible, wring her clasped hands, and my spirit sinks within me when I think with a look of inexpressible anguish, of everlasting darkness; shut out from lament her miserable state, in an under God and all his lovely works, and actone; and for above two hundred nights quainted with nothing but his wrath, in that dreadful year, there was rarely poured out to the utmost." These are any exception from her distress and restlessness. At a very early hour, when it could hardly be called morning, she would lay her head upon my You may be well assured, that these arm, and for hours together bemoan her distressing bemoanings were met with wretchedness, in language, the poig-every soothing expression which the nancy of which sunk down into the heart deepest interest, so strongly excited, by the tone of agony in which it was could suggest. The Bible was a very uttered. "O my poor, lost soul-God precious book in those days, and the is a holy God, and is justly angry with one I carried in my pocket was nearly me he hath poured out his wrath against worn out in turning to the passages me--these are the beginning of my eter-marked in every page for her use. It nal--Oh eternal sorrows-There can be is astonishing, Sir, how much mercy no happiness without loving God, and I there appears in the Bible, when we shall never love him he will never are searching for it as for hid treasure: allow such a wretch to love him--he but my trembling companion was wonhath shut himself up from me-he will derfully skilful in finding revelations of not let me see his compassion and mercy, wrath; and her memory brought forth he is all wrath to me; and I shall never most amazing stores of recorded, (though never see him otherwise. I have sinned till then, forgotten) sins, in thought, and against light, and knowledge, and com- word, and deed; but the close of every fort, and peace; and now I can find no such review was, “I have loved myself, peace, no peace for ever. God and his and others, when they pleased me, but goodness is gone from me; my all, my I have never loved God." eternal all is gone; God is mine adversary, when I cry unto him, he heareth (To be continued.) INTELLIGENCE. FOREIGN. HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES IN (Continued from p.342.) (the first son of Rev. Daniel Dimock) who was then a Baptist minister, to settle with them. In 1793, Mr. Dimock entered the pastoral office, which he continues to fill. His labours have been attended with success. During the first year after his settlement, nineteen united with the church, and the season following eighteen more. In 1807, forty were added, principally by immersion. In 1811, mixed communion was relin- so that the present number under the pasquished. In 1814, the addition stated in their letter to the Association, was sixty-one; and in 1820, they were favoured with another out-pouring of the Divine Spirit, so that sixty-six publicly put on Christ. During the past winter and spring, another revival has been experienced here, and twenty-three had been baptized previous to June 23, and the good work was then progressing. One licensed preacher belongs to this church, viz. Mr. John Bezanson. Their number is 148. V. HALIFAX, (First Church).—In 1792, Mr. John Burton, a native of England, who was licensed as a Dissenting Minister, arrived at Halifax, where he preached for more than a year. He then visited the United States, where, being convinced of the propriety of believer's baptism, he went forward in that ordinance, and was ordained a Baptist minister in January, 1794. He naturally expected that his change of sentiment would be painful to Mrs. Burton, but previous to her receiving intelligence of it, she had been led from an examination of the Scriptures, to see that it was her duty to be immersed, and to desire to obey that command of the Saviour. On his return, therefore, in the summer following, she was - baptized by him. They were then the only Baptists in Halifax. He was denied the use of his former place of preaching, and the prospect appeared unpromising. Some few, however, were friendly to him, and he obtained considerable assistance in the United States, as well as in these Provinces, toward procuring a piece of ground, and building a house of worship, and a dwelling-house. toral care of Mr. Burton, is but about 107. VI. LOWER GRANVILLE.-It appears that the Association did not print their minutes previous to 1810. At that time there was a Baptist church in Lower Granville, consisting of 60 members, of which Rev. James Manning was pastor. He, as well as his brother Edward Manning above mentioned, was a native of Ireland, whence he came to this country when young. After their conversion and entrance on the ministry, they travelled extensively, and laboured successfully in both provinces. Mr. James Manning at length settled with this church, of which he continued to be the esteemed pastor till 1818, when he was called from his labours, to enter that rest which remains for the people of God. In 1822, Rev. David Norris, a native of the Province, took the pastoral charge of this church. At that time it had decreased to 25. A revival ensued, and 14 were added during the year following. In 1826, Mr. Norris removed to Frederinton, N. B. where he is now pastor of a church, since which time this church has remained destitute. Its present number is 46. VII. UPPER GRANVILLE.-A church was gathered here by the labours of Mr. Alline; but the date of the constitution of the Baptist church is not known to the writer. In 1810 it contained 55 members, and Rev. Thomas Ansley was their pastor. He is a native of the State of New York, but resided some time in New Brunswick, where he was a clerk in the church of England; but subsequently to his conversion he became a Baptist. He is still the pastor of this church. His labours have been very useful in promoting revivals in various parts of the province; and the church under his care has been favoured with some refreshing seasons; yet it has waded through some severe trials, and has not, on the whole, increased, as the present number is 51. In 1795, a small church was constituted, adopting at first unmixed communion, to which they have always adhered. After the Association had conformed to this system, the Halifax church united with it. It consisted in 1811, of 33 members. The addi- VIII. ONSLOW.-Mr. Alline's preaching tions of white people to this church have in this place excited attention to the subalways been small; but the labours of Mr.ject of experimental religion. Rev. Messrs. Burton, and some others among the blacks in Halifax, and the adjacent settlements of Preston and Hammond's Plains, have been very successful. So many of them were baptized about the years 1817 and 1818, that the church increased to 300. An unhappy misunderstanding, however, has recently taken place, in consequence of which a considerable number have withdrawn; many have been removed by death, some have been dismissed to form a new church on Windsor Road, and most of the white members have joined a Baptist church lately formed in Granville Street, Halifax; H. Harding, T. S. Harding, E. Manning, and J. Dimock, subsequently laboured here with success. Rev. John Payzant, formed a congregational church of 7 members. Some of these persons entertained Baptist senti ments. Under the labours of Rev. Nathan Cleaveland, a native of Norton, N. S. a Baptist church was constituted, upon the system of unmixed communion, in 1809. Mr. Cleaveland remained with them till 1818, when he removed to Chehody, where he still labours. Previous to his removal, there was a special attention to religion in Onslow, and a con siderable increase to the church. Rev., whom she lived in uninterrupted peace for 16 years; four bereaved children; and the church among whom she was a bumble and spiritual worshipper. James Munro, their present pastor, settled with them in 1819. He is a native of Scotland, and was brought up in the sentiments of the Presbyterians. Since his settlement with this church, they have sustained some trouble by reason of the previous introduction of several persons whom they have been obliged to exclude; but they are now proceeding in harmony, and are from time to time, receiving small accessions to their number, which at present is 53. IX. AMHERST.-Mr. Alline's labours here were attended with success. He was succeeded by Messrs. T. H. Chipman, H. Harding and E. Manning, then of the same order. The last named minister having afterwards embraced believer's baptism, called the attention of the people in Amherst to that subject, as did also Rev. Joseph Crandall of Salisbury, N. B. On investigation several were convinced of their duty, and went forward in that ordinance. In 1809, a small Baptist church was constituted. They had no pastor, but were Occasionally visited by several ministers. Discipline, however, was too much neglected, and the church consequently languished. In 1819, the writer (C. T.) began to spend a portion of his time with this church, and the disorders were subsequently rectified. Rev. Samuel M'Culley, who is likewise a member of the same church, and was ordained in 1820, has also preached a part of the time with them for some years. He is a native of the Province, and his parents were Presbyterians. After having been attached to the New Lights for a time, on more mature examination, he embraced his present sentiments. The writer removed to Amherst in 1821, but resided most of the year 1826 in St. John, N. B. He returned thence in the fall of that year, the state of his health and that of his family, indicating this to be the path of duty. He is their present pastor, but spends half his time elsewhere. No special work of grace has been enjoyed for some time, and the state of religion is low. The church, however, is united; but its number is small, being only 21. (To be continued.) The morning of her dissolution, which was sudden, while supported in the arms of her husband, in answer to bis inquiry, “Is all well?" she replied "Yes." Again, he said, "Is Christ precious to you now?" She answered, "He is:" when, stedfastly fixing her eyes on some object, she fell asleep in Jesus. Her remains were interred in a vault in the meeting house, August 31, when an appropriate address was delivered by the Rev. G. Pritchard to a numerous and respectable audience; and on the Lord's day following, her death was improved to a crowded congregation, at her particular request, by her bereaved husband, from Job xxxiii. 24. which was the text selected by her a short time before she died. BIBLE CLASSES. Address of the Committee of the Sunday With the utmost regard to conciseness of statement, the Committee beg leave to advert, first, to the object of Bible classes, and then, to the advantages which may be anticipated from their formation. The leading object of Bible classes may be stated in one sentence. It is to convey to the minds of the young, as accurate and extensive a knowledge as may be found practicable, of the most important contents of the Bible. It is impossible to conceive of any effort more in unison with the grand object of a Minister of the Gospel, than the attempt to render intelligible and interesting to the young of every class, the vital truths, the pure precepts, the instructive histories, and the precious promises of the word of God. The characteristic principle of Bible class tuition is that of catechetical instruction. This principle has the sanction of immemorial usage; having been adopted, with success, by the wisest preceptors in successive generations. Catechisms without number, not only for the purposes of religion, but also of science, may be regarded as so many attestations to the excellence of the general system. But it is important to bear in mind, that the application of the principle is not dependent on a printed form, or on a fixed series of questions and of answers; neither does it necessarily require the labour of committing to memory specific Died, on Lord's day, August 23, 1829, phrases or sentences. If certain truths or Mrs. Jane Dovey, aged 39, wife of Mr. facts have been previously conveyed to the William Dovey, pastor of the Baptist church mind of the learner, with simplicity, with meeting at Jamaica-row, Bermondsey: deep-clearness, and with force, it may be easy to ly lamented by her beloved husband, with the teacher to put to the test, and to elicit, DOMESTIC. Recent Death. the amount of knowledge which the learner may have acquired; and it may not be difficult to the learner, after being a little accustomed to the effort, to express the ideas be has imbibed, in terms the most familiar to his own mind. night, and let plain and pointed questions be addressed to them individually, of such a character as to call forth the knowledge they have acquired by the previous explanation of the chapter, and by their private study of the passage. It may be found equally to facilitate the labours, both of the teacher and of the learners, to use such a help as is to be found in "Judson's Scripture Questions," employed to a great extent in the American Bible classes and re-printed in London, at a very low price, by the Religious Tract Society. If such a course of Bible instruction be steadily pursued by ministers of the Gospel, with earnest prayer for "an unction from the Holy One;" advantages of the very highest character may be expected to result. To some of these the Committee beg leave concisely to advert. Catechisms have been composed for different ages, and for different gradations of progress in knowledge; yet without a succession of catechisms, burdensome to the learner, it is exceedingly difficult to adapt the conveyance of truth to the diversified capacities of children and the different stages of advancement observable among many, even of the same age. Difficulties on the part of the teacher, often increase rather than diminish, as the childhood of the scholar ripens into youth, Reluctance to the continued repetition of a catechism often shews itself, even if a Minister be the catechist; and few comparatively continue to 1. The Christian pastor will be brought be his catechumens, when arrived at that into more immediate and intimate contact period of youth which is, beyond compari- with a most interesting and important part son, the most important, as connected with of the flock entrusted to his care. He will the growth and development of the human discover the most direct avenues, both to character. Now this is the very period of the heart and to the intellect of the different life in which the principle of Bible class in- classes of the young. He will love them, struction may be brought to bear with most and they will love him. They will venerate promising effect, upon the opening and in-him as a father, and confide in him as a quiring mind. If there be a desire of knowledge, and that desire be directed to the treasures of divine revelation, is it not unspeakably important, that the Minister of the gospel should avail himself of this state of mind, with a view to the conveyance of that truth which maketh wise unto salvation? friend. His own qualifications for usefulness among them will increase, by a grow. ing aptitude for the right communication of truth, and a growing delight in the employment. 2. An impulse will be given to parental diligence among the people of his charge. It has been said that some parents have But in what manner, it may be asked, declined sending their children for the catemay the attempt be made by the Christian chetical instructions of the pastor, lest their minister with the greatest probability of suc-deficiency of Scriptural knowledge should cess? The Committee of the Sunday School Union venture, with the most respectful deference, to suggest only a few hints, which, by the blessing of God, may be improved and expanded by ministerial wisdom, and by that practical facility, in devising expedients for doing good, by which they doubt not many of them are distinguished. Let it be supposed, then, that some book of Scripture, such as one of the Gospels, or the Acts of the Apostles, has been selected for familiar explanation. Either at a public lecture, or in a meeting with the young; a chapter or part of a chapter, may be eluci dated with clearness and simplicity of statement, and pressed with affectionate earnestness on the conscience and the heart. The young people of the congregation may be divided into classes, at the discretion of the minister. Two classes—a senior and a janior, may include all the young females of the congregation; and two additional classes may be formed, the one for boys, the other for young men. Let each class meet separately, once in the week, or once in a fort be regarded as a reproach to their parents. When it is expected that children should be sent for such instruction, it will rouse the parents who have been negligent, and give an additional incentive and encouragement to such as are diligent. Pious parents will know how to value their pastor, as a co-adjutor with themselves, in training up their children in the discipline and instraction of the Lord: they will "esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." 3. Pulpit instructions will be rendered more available. On how many minds, especially among the poor and the young, the discourses of the pulpit produce no effect! They are altogether inefficient. They are not even understood. They proceed on the supposition of a habit of attention which is not acquired, and of a facility of apprehension not attained. But the discipline of the Bible class is one of the most efficient means of mental culture ever employed. Every facalty is roused, and placed in requisition. The judgment, the memory, and the power of attention, are vigorously exercised, and progressively strengthened. Where these classes are in operation, sermons are now heard with a listening ear, and, in many cases, by the grace of God, with a susceptible heart. The young people having learned in the Bible class, to love their minister, as well as to understand him, consider themselves as personally concerned, and as personally addressed, when he dispenses the word of life. 4. Young persons are qualified for the important engagements of Sabbath school Teachers. This appears to the Committee to be one of the most momentous objects at which the Christian minister can aim. It is in the highest degree desirable, that the children in Sabbath schools should spend their time on the Lord's day, as much as possible, in obtaining the elements of the knowledge of Christ, and not in the merely preparatory task of learning to read. It is equally important that their teachers should themselves be taught of God, and qualified to teach the children the way of salvation. Let then the teachers form a part of the senior Bible classes; and having been first instructed and examined by the minister, on a portion of the word of God, let the teachers in their respective classes, explain that passage to the children. If they have also the aid of such a book as "Judson's Scriptare Questions," it will be found to render very valuable assistance. Without dwelling at greater length on the advantages which may be anticipated from such a course of Bible education, will it not be readily conceded, that those already specified, present sufficient incentives to enter on the system recommended? May it not be hoped, that God will graciously vouchsafe his special blessing to labours such as these? May they not be expected to contribute most powerfully to that revival of the power of vital religion, which many ministers and churches so ardently desire, so earnestly implore? Let holy diligence be combined with humble dependence, and persevering supplication, and what may we not expect? 'Prove me now herewith, (we may regard the Lord as saying to us,) and see if I will not pour you out a blessing, so that there shall not be room enough to receive it!" It is no new experiment. It has been tried with increasing success, in Scotland and in America, and more recently by ministers and private Christians among ourselves. The well-merited praise of the Rev. Mr. Gunn of Christchurch, Hampshire, for such labours of love, is already in almost all our churches. May there be many diligent and successful imitators! The Committee will only add the expression of their hearts' desire and prayer, that On Wednesday, July 8, Mr. John Dawson, late a student at Bradford Academy, was publicly set apart to the pastoral office over the Baptist church, South Shields, Durham. At seven in the morning, a prayer-meeting was held, to implore the blessing of the Lord upon the services of the day. At half-past ten, the Rev. J. Williamson, of North Shields, commenced the service with reading the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. R. Pengilly, of Newcastle, stated the nature of a gospel church, asked the usual questions, and received Mr. Dawson's confession of faith; the Rev. B. Godwin, Classical Tutor of Bradford Academy, offered the ordination prayer, and delivered an impressive charge from 2 Cor. ii. 14, 15. 16; and the Rev. W. H. Stowell, of North Shields (Independ.), concluded with prayer. At seven in the evening, the Rev. J. Jordan, of Masham, Yorkshire, read and prayed; the Rev. G. Sample, of Newcastle, preached to the church from Ezra x. 4; the Rev. C. H. Rev, of Middleton in Teesdale, and the Rev. R. Thomson, of Wolsingham, read the hymns, and Mr. Dawson concluded the interesting services of the day with prayer. MELTHAM. On Wednesday, July 22, 1829, the Rev. Thomas Thomas, late pastor of the Baptist church in Oldham, Lancashire, was publicly recognized as pastor over the church at Meltham, Yorkshire. Met at two, P. M. when the Rev. James Bond, of Marsden, Independent, read and prayed; after which the Rev. Robt. Hyde, from Saladine Nook, received from one of the deacons satisfactory information that the church were ananimous in requesting Mr. Thomas to accept their call. Brother T. signified that he willingly accepted. Mr. Hyde then delivered a powerful address to |
