"On August 10, 1826, a Baptist Church was organized in Portsmouth, N. H. consisting of eight members. The labours of our worthy brother, Rev. D. Dunbar, who was preaching with them, were blessed, and the church received some accession of numbers. In the fall of 1826, several persons in the third Congregational church were induced to give their sentiments on the subjects and mode of baptism a more critical examination, and the result was such as might have been anticipated From a prayerful investigation of the Bible, a number became convinced of their duty; and at a meeting of the Society, about the middle of November, it was voted that the meeting house should be opened for Calvinistic Baptist preachers, and the Rev. Mr. Dunbar and his people were invited to occupy it, which was accepted. Mr. Dunbar, however, continued his la-, bours with them but a short time. has been administered at a number of the Baptist churches. We learn that at a footsteps of the Saviour in this ordinance; late baptism at Woburn 19 followed the at Newton, 17; at Charlestown, 6; at Cambridge, more than 20; and on Lord's day, the 15th of April, Rev. Mr. Sharp, pastor of the third Baptist church in Boston, administered the ordinance to 30 persons, in the presence of an immense concourse of spectators. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM HARtford, (N. Y.) TO THE PUBLISHERS OF THE MAGAZINE, DATED APRIL 9, 1827. We are now, in this place, experienc ing a gracious shower of divine grace. The good work has very recently commenced, there is a general excitement on the minds of the people. Our evening meetings, which are frequent, are crowded to overflowing There are, it is probable, as many as eight or ten who have obtained a hope, and numbers who are anxiously inquiring "What must we do to be saved" None, as yet, have united with the church, but we expect a number will come forward soon. On Lord's day, March 18th, I had Christians begin to awake and to be the pleasure of preaching in this place workers together with God. May the of worship, and the privilege of bap-good work increase and prevail in every tizing, in Piscataqua river, Dea. J. Day direction. and wife, with four others, which brought to the baptismal waters a vast concourse of people. It was a solemn and interesting season. Though the spectators were numerous, great silence, attention and decorum prevailed during the whole service. When the Deacon had been bap. tized the following passage was audibly repeated, "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age When his wife was going" down into the water," with great calmness she repeated these lines: Jesus, my God! I know his name, Nor will he put my soul to shame, As she came up straightway out of the water," the following passage was quoted, "They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." All the candidates seemed to enjoy their walk in the path of obedience. On the following Sabbath I preached in Portsmouth, and baptized three more. Thus this infant Baptist Church has received an accession of nine members. O may the time soon arrive when the precepts and examples of Jesus Christ shall be regarded in every place, and by all his professed disciples, instead of the commandments and traditions of men." RECENT BAPTISMS. Since the commencement of the pres ent pleasing attention to religion in Boston and the neighbouring towns, baptism OBITUARY. On BURGISS ALLISON, D D. Departed this life, on Feb. 20th, in Trenton, N. J. the Rev. Burgiss Allison, D. D. in the 74th year of his age. the Thursday following, his remains were respectfully conveyed to the place of sepulture, attended by a numerous train of relatives and friends, when an address was delivered on the occasion by the Rev. William Boswell, from the first chapter of Philippians, 21st verse :-' For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." The subject of this Obituary notice was born in Bordentown, N. J. on the 17th day of August, 1753; his father's name was Richard Allison, who was the fifth in succession of that name; he was a very pious man; his affectionate admonition and exemplary life made indelible impressions upon the mind of his son at a very early age, so that in his fifth year he used, upon some particular occasions, to invite some of the little boys of his own age to join him in prayer. In his 16th year he made a profession of religion and joined the Baptist church in Upper Freehold, State of New Jersey. mediately began to exhort sinners to flee from the wrath to come and turn to the Lord; at the age of 24 he was more fully initiated into the gospel of Christ, and became a regular ordained minister. He received a classical education under He im the tuition of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones, || years successively to officiate as chaplain of Lower Dublin, in the State of Pennsylvania. In the year 1804, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Brown University, in the State of Rhode Island, a mark of respect, it was generally admitted, he was justly entitled to, as a scholar, philosopher, and divine. His capacity for superintending a Seminary was considered such, that at three different times he had application made to him to accept the presidency of different Colleges, which he declined. As a preacher of the gospel he stood 'highly respected in the councils of the church: on intricate and important questions he became the oracle of consultation. The latter part of his ministry was far more lively and animated than formerly; as he advanced in years he became more experimental and practical in his discourses; he was always a close student, and possessed one of the largest private libraries of any minister in the Baptist connexion; in the latter part of his life he enjoyed much more of the sensible presence of the Lord, was much in secret prayer, and generally made a practice to rise in the night and spend some time in prayer, which he found very beneficial, in referring all things to the disposal of an all-wise Providence, which gave him such tranquillity of mind, that it was seldom much disturbed by adverse providences, either private or publick. For many years he acted as Principal of an academy in the village of Bordentown, in this literary establishment, he was eminently useful by sending forth a number of accomplished young men, some of whom have since been called to dignified stations. to Congress, and was Vice President of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. His extensive reading and habits of close thinking; his urbanity of manners, with an unassuming and humble deportment, presented him at all times as the accom plished gentleman, and agreeable com panion; he was a faithful and a loving brother, a tender father, and a constant friend; his temper being affable and courteous, his conversation sensible and instructing, endeared him to all who knew him, and were capable of appreciating his merits. Dr. Allison was richly endowed by nature with a quick perception, sound judgment, and comprehensive mind, possessing naturally a mechanical genius, and being a warm admirer of the fine arts, by the dint of industry and ardent application. he exhibited some useful and beautiful specimens of superiour taste and ingenuity And it has been thought by some, that if he had been more ambitious for fame, and confined his mind more fully to some one particular branch of science, he must have shone conspicuously in the constellation of American philosophers; but he was fond of variety, and thirsting after knowledge as an ardent lover of the truth, he pursued it with unabating ardour; through all the wide and luxuriant fields of nature and art, he sipped at the fount of every flower, and gathered a rich store of useful and interesting information. He was early elected a member of the American Philosophical Society, and was several years one of the secretaries of that Institution; he was chosen four" Dr. Allison was highly favoured with a remarkable constitution, and seldom suffered indisposition till a fatal paralytic stroke, three years ago, prostrated the physical powers, and rendered him helpless. This earthly tabernacle now began gradually to decay, till at length his deeply wearied soul, longing for the fruition of its God, dropped the mortal body for a more durable habitation. He will long live embalmed in the memory of his friends, while his deathless mind reaps incessant joy in the presence of its Lord, He has left behind an affectionate sister, who soothed his sickness till the last, and bathed his venerable face with her tears, and three amiable children to mourn their loss. While tears bedew thy silent clay Trenton True American. "in MISS NANCY SUMNER. On the 23d of September last, Miss NANCY SUMNER died at Roxbury, aged 45. She was, for many years, a highly valued member of the Second Baptist Church in Boston. She adorned her profession, by a life of meek and blameless piety; by a cheerful submission to the allotments of Providence, and a faithful discharge of the duties of her station. Her last sickness was protracted and distressing; but she endured it with unrepining fortitude; and as she sunk into the grave, she visibly acquired an increasing preparation for the heritance of the saints in light." Her reliance on the Saviour was firm, and she, at length, yielded her soul to his care, with that peace, with which a "christian can die." In her will, after providing for the payment of her debts, she bequeathed the surplus of the little property which she had accumulated by her personal industry and prudence, to the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society. The sum thus given amounts to about $200. "By their fruits ye shall know them." "Faith without works is dead, being alone." dolls. 269,74 SAMUEL HUGGENS, Treas. Philadelphia, April 16, 1827. Account of Moneys received by the Treasurer of the General Convention, for the Baptist Board of For. Misions, from Feb. 21, to April 20, 1827. By cash from the Baptist Auxiliary Foreign Mission Soc. of York County, (Me.) by Archibald Smith, Esq. Treasurer, per Rev. D. Nutter, it having been contributed as follows, viz.-From Alfred and Waterborough Primary Soc. 23,12 1-2 do. 10,76 do. 15,42 do. 3,75 Female Primary Society, do. comb, 4,00 75 Male Primary Society, N. Yarmouth, 34,71 33,82 4,59 Male Primary Society, New Gloucester, 10,00 co. do. Portland, George Thurston, Portland, a little boy, for the education of Burman children, 26,00 ,51 212,27 640,00 Rev. I. M Ailen, being in part for collections made by him in the State of Maine, Baptist Church and Society, Hartford, (Con.) per Dea. J. B. Gilbert, Treas. of the Baptist Convention, (Con.) by the Rev. D. Sharp, for Burman Mission, - 37,00 "Female Juvenile Society," connected with the Female Sabbath School belonging to the Second Baptist Church and Society in Boston, to aid in the education of a child at Carey Station, by the name of Margaret B. Doyle, From a physician in Massachusetts, being the proceeds of his professional tabours the first day of the month, to be continued each month, per E. Lincoln, 5,00 HEMAN LINCOLN, Treas. dolls. 1585,80 NOTE. It is the intention of the Treasurer to pub lish in the American Baptist Magazine an account of all moneys received. He therefore requests those who make remittances to examine this publication, by which means they will ascertain whether any moneys have failed to reach him. DEATH OF MRS. JUDSON. The friends of Zion will hang their harps on the willows, while contemplating the mysterious design of Providence in the removal of Mrs Judson, at the crisis of her entry upon her new station, where she would have toiled for the Burmans under the protection of a christian power. But her death may be designed by Heaven to give new life to the ardour of our brethren to sustain Dr. Judson, and his fellow-labourers, under their severe loss, in their further exertions for the establishment and success of this important mission. Our sympathies for Dr. Judson are acute, and our prayers for him ought to be constant and fervent. As we commenced this Number with an interesting communication from our invaluable friend to her sisters, we feel an indescribable sorrow in closing it with the following letter from Mr. Wade, addressed to the Corresponding Secretary of the Board. Rangoon, Nov. 15, 1826. Rev. and very dear Sir, After being on board the Furguson near seven weeks, we at last arrived safely in Rangoon. Our passage was long, tedious, and some parts of it dangerous; all which made us exceedingly rejoice when we got sight of the Burman shore; but, alas, our joy was soon changed to mourning; and I know that and all the other friends of you, the mission will most sincerely sympathize with us when they know the cause of our grief. Our dear, sister and friend, Mrs. Judson, is dead. I cannot express my surprise and grief, when a note was handed me (which came from town while we were some way down the river,) with this postscript, "Tell Mr. Wade that Mrs Judson has died at Amherst " We hoped it might be only a flying report, but it was too soon confirmed by authorities which left no room for doubt. This blow will be felt severely by the christian publick and society in general. It is still heavier on us and the other members of the mission family; then what will be the feelings of her bereaved husband who is now at Ava, when the melancholy news reaches his ears? for it is most prob able he is still unacquainted with the event. From all the information I can obtain, she died of an intermittent fever. During her illness, she had the best medical and other attendance which the place could afford. She died on the 23d or 24th of October, but I am sorry to say I have not learned other particulars connected with her death. Nothing has been received from Dr. Judson since he left Prome, on his way to Ava. Neither have any despatches been received from Mr. Crawfurd the ambassador, since that time; the reason, probably is, boats dare not pass up or down the river on account of robbers. Rangoon is in a miserable condi tion at present, and will probably be so for a long time to come, being subject to the greatest alarm from the daring robberies which are committed daily, and from the preparations which are making by the Peguers to dispute the possession of the place with the Burmans, as soon as the English troops evacuate it; and the time appointed for its evacuation is on the 20th of the present month. Under these circumstances, we feel extremely anxious to get a passage to Amherst immediately. This is the case with every here; so that it will be very difficult and expensive for us to get a passage for ourselves and the few articles which we must necessarily carry with us. one I have been out to the mission house, but it is judged by all quite unwise for us to remain there during the night at the present juncture. We arrived on the 9th, and, from that to the present time, have remained on board ship, but we must leave it to-day, it being inconvenient for the captain to accommodate us while taking in cargo. I must, under these circumstances, take some house in town. We feel that our present circumstances, and those of the mission particularly, call on us and our friends at home to look by prayer and humiliation to him who hath the promises, and with whom all things are possible. God is the refuge to which we flee, both for support under affliction, and protection from danger. we most earnestly desire the prayers of the Board, that the mission may now be permanently established, and the word of the Lord have free course and be glorified in this, and all the other dark places of the earth, even as it is with you. And I shall take the first opportunity of writing you again, after we arrive in Amherst. With much affection, I am very respectfully yours, J. WADE. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF THE BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS. Boston, April 25, 1827. THE Board of the Baptist General Convention for Foreign Missions commenced its Annual Meeting in the Vestry of the Third Baptist Church. Present, Rev. Daniel Sharp, Vice President. Rev. Lucius Bolles, D. D. Corresponding Secr'y. Rev. Stephen Gano, Rev. David Benedict, Rev. N. W. Williams, Rev. J. D. Knowles, Rev. Bela Jacobs, Rev. Elon Galusha, Rev. Charles Train, Rev. G. F. Davis, Levi Farwell, Esq. The Rev. Daniel Sharp, one of the Vice Presidents, took the chair. Letters from Rev. Messrs. Staughton, Brantley, Dagg, Cone, Kendrick, Wayland, and Wilcox, and the Hon. A. Forbes, were presented, offering apologies for absence from the meeting. The journal of the Board since the last meeting of the Convention was then read. Resolved, That the ministering brethren present be invited to a seat with the Board, and to participate in its deliberations; among those, were the Rev. Mr. Yates, missionary from Calcutta, and Rev. Mr. Bourn, missionary from Honduras. The Annual Report was read by the Corresponding Secretary. It having been announced by the Corresponding Secretary that Mrs. Ann H. Judson, the wife of the Rev. Dr. Judson, died at Amherst, in October last, Resolved, That a short time be employed in prayer to Almighty God that he would sanctify to all concerned this alictive dispensation; JUNE, 1827. 21 |