Case from the above church, which, | during the present month, will (under the sanction of the Committee for examining Baptist Country Cases) be presented to the public for their contributions. conveyance, amounts to £370. Amidst our distress we have collected about £30. The church consists of about thirty-six members, but very poor; nothing but absolute necessity would have induced us to enter upon the undertaking; we commenced it with much trembling, and prosecuted it with many fears. Whether we shall see the time when it shall be paid for or not, we hope that our motives are pure." EARTHQUAKES IN SYRIA. THE following are extracts of letters, received from John Barker, Esq. British Consul, dated Aleppo, April 12, 1823: "I am happy to say, that for twenty days past the earthquakes have been so slight not one person in ten has felt them; but still few venture to sleep under roofs supported by stone walls. -The principal difficulty I shall have to encounter is, to make an equal distribution of the charity, when so many persons of various sects and nations prefer claims, which can be rejected only on the ground of the insufficiency of the funds to relieve the distresses of all. The circumstances of the Case are thus stated. "A few individuals formed into a christian church have met for many years in a private room in this town, for the purpose of worshipping God; many inconveniences have been experienced by us for want of a convenient place to meet in, and still more painful feelings, owing to the want of ground to bury the dead; our children not being baptized were refused burial, (though we wanted none of the accustomed ceremonies to be performed,) which proved a very serious trial to us, as none of us were possessed of so much as a garden of our own, and our landlords would not feel satisfied to have any of their land, which some of us hold as tenants, converted into a receptacle for the dead and being very poor, it was difficult for us to bear the expenses of carrying our dead to the distance of twelve miles, and the only Baptist church that was nearer has room only to answer their own necessity. Under these trials we were The admission of the claims necessitated either to baptize our of our fellow-sufferers of the Mahochildren, or to expose ourselves to medan Religion will very much inthose hardships which added great crease the difficulties of the underweight to the domestic afflictions with taking; but I shall gladly encounter which some of us were visited; some them, because now the philanthroindeed sacrificed conscience, and were pic principle, which animated the excluded from the church; but with benevolence of the contributors, will few exceptions we continued to main- not be violated, and their wishes be tain the truth in the midst of tribula- carried into full effect, by the charity tion. Not knowing what step to adopt, being equally distributed to Christians we laid our case before the Association of every sect-to Turks-to Jewsto which we belong in June, 1817. and to Idolators. I need not say Two ministers were deputed to wait that this splendid and unprecedented on the clergyman who had occasioned act of European generosity and symour trouble, to request permission to pathy towards the natives of this bury our children without any cere- country will produce the most benefmony performed; but their application cial consequences, for it cannot fail to was in vain. The bishop was con- prove to the most ignorant and most sulted, who gave his opinion, that to fanatic classes of this population that bury any unbaptized person in a we look upon all God's creatures as church-yard was contrary to the rubric our brethren, and regard every human of the church. We were then advised being in distress as an object worthy to look out for a piece of ground, and of our compassion. Consul-Geneto purchase the same, depending on ral Cartwright has placed at my disthe providence of God for help to pay posal the 40,000 piastres remitted to for it; some years elapsed before we him on account of the subscription. could come to the resolution, but last-My first care has been to point out spring we agreed to do it; we bought a piece of land, and placed it in trust, and now we have built a place of worship upon it, which was opened in October last. The expense of the building, including the purchase and to the Consul-General the most eligible mode for conveying the funds of the Charity to my hands, and, in the inte rim, I am preparing for the execution of the difficult, but most pleasing and honourable, task of distributing the cester, and Berks, was held at Blockley. Engaged, Messrs. Howlett, Joseph Price, Richards, Coles, Nunnick, Taylor, Gray (Acts xi. 23), Hinton (Isaiah xiv. 1), James Hinton, Jun., Mann (Ind.), Richard Pryce, and Jayne. Increase 38. Circular Letter, The Nature and Increase of the Kingdom of Christ. Next Association at Farringdon, Easter Wednesday, 1824. bounty, so as best to give, in due time, | every reasonable security to the Public that the whole amount of their contributions has been faithfully and properly administered.-With this view, I have required from each head of all the different Religious Establishments in this country a detailed list of the necessitous widows, orphans, the maimed, the blind, and otherwise unfortunate persons, directly or indirectly victims of the Earthquakes; THE WELSH SOUTH-EAST ASand, at my solicitation, Mons. Mathieu SOCIATION held at Maes-y-berllan, Lesseps, French Consul-General, and Brecknockshire, June 3, 4, and 5. The Mr. John Van Masseyk, Dutch Consul, following is the list of preachers and have obligingly condescended to fa- their texts on the occasion, viz. Messrs. vour me with their advice and assist-J. Robarts, (Anglesea,) Matt. x. 32; ance, and to grant me the sanction of their names, by co-operating with me in the delicate duty I have to perform. The Charity has been publicly talked of here, and some applications have been made in cases of peculiar interest among the Turks. Claims, with the details of particular cases, are fast coming in, and then a general and more accurate view of the melancholy picture may be taken." London Female Penitentiary. THE Annual Meeting of this Institution was held on the 12th ultimo, at the Crown and Anchor in the Strand; Wm. Wilberforce, Esq. M.P. in the chair. There were present also the Hon. Thomas Windsor, the Right Hon. Sir George Henry Rose, M.P. Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M.P. W. A. Hankey, Esq. T. Wilson, Esq. the Rev. Messrs. Watkins, Bartlett, Ruell, Dr. Winter, Blackburn, &c. &c. &c. The Report of the last year's proceedings was highly interesting. During that period thirty of the inmates had been placed out to service, and thirty-five had been reconciled and J. Jones, (Newtown,) Heb. ii. 10; J. Edwards, (Ruthin,) Jo. xiv. 27; M. Thomas, (Abergavenny,) English, Phil. i. 27; C. Evans, (Anglesea,) Rom. viii. 32; D. D. Evans, (Carmarthen,) Rom. xii. 21; J. Edwards, (London, English, Matt. vi. 10; J. Evans, (Penygarn,) Éphes. i. 10. The letters from the churches were read on Tuesday, and Conference on Thursday. THE CHANGE. CIATION held at Pen-y-bont, LlanTHE WELSH WESTERN ASSOdysul, Carmarthenshire, June 10, 11, and 12. Sermons and preachers: from Heb. xii. 3; J. Robarts, (AngleMessrs. W. Evans, (Aberystwyth,) hundred and forty applicants, ninety-gloffan,) Eph. i. 19, 20; J. James, sea,) Isa. Ixi. 2; H. Davies, Jun. (Llan restored to their friends. Out of one five had been received. From age and infirmity, Lord Carrington has requested to relinquish the situation of President; but to show his unabated approbation of the Society, and of the manner in which it is con ducted, he has requested to be placed in the list of its Vice-Presidents.-W. Wilberforce, Esq. M.P. has kindly consented to become the President of the Institution. ORDINATIONS, &c. MAY 19, 20, the ASSOCIATION of Baptist Churches in the Counties of Warwick, Gloucester, Oxford, Wor (Pont-rhyd-yr-ynn,) Heb. xxv. 9; W. Richards, (Penypark,) Phil. ii. 3'; D. Davies, (Broad Wall, London,) Joel 10; J. Edwards, (Ruthin,) Jo. i. 16; iii. 18; J. Jones, (Newtown,) Phil. iii. 39; C. Evans, (Anglesea,) Col. ii. T. Jones, (Rhydwilym,) Matt. xxvi. 14, 15. The next Association to be at Cwmifor, Carmarthenshire.-It was the general opinion that there were on the field more than 10,000 people. Forty-four sermons were preached in the neighbourhood around, between Tuesday and Wednesday evening, and all within seven miles of the place. JUNE 4, the Annual Meeting of the BEDFORD UNION was held at Bedford; when Dr. Steadman of Bradford preached a very appropriate and impressive sermon, from Heb. xii. 1. In the afternoon Mr. Hillyard, the Secretary, read the Report, and several ministers and friends addressed the Meeting. In the evening, Mr. Cuttriss of Ridgmount preached. The devotional services were conducted by Messrs. Halley of St. Neots, Simpson of Bythorn, Grimes of Bedford, West of Harrold, and Middleditch of Biggleswade. APRIL 23, in the village of LONG WITTENHAM, Berks, a Meetinghouse was opened, and dedicated to the worship of God. Two sermons were preached on the occasion ;-the first by the Rev. John Kershaw, M.A. Abingdou, from 2 Chron. vi. 18;-the second by Rev. Robert Stodhart of London, from 1 Cor. iii. 11. The Rev. Messrs. Wilkins, Keyworth, Howes, and Tyso were engaged in the other religious services, all of which were as highly interesting as they were numerously attended.-About thirty-eight years ago, the preaching of the gospel was introduced into this village, at the urgent request of the late Mr. and Mrs. Field, by the Rev. Daniel Turner, and the Rev. John Evans of Abingdon. During eight or nine years past, the Rev. Samuel Cooper has officiated here once in the fortnight on the evening of the Lord's-day.-It is a fact not unworthy to be publicly stated, as an example of economy, that the Meetinghouse in Wittenham, capable of seating upwards of one hundred and fifty, has been built for the sum of £100, including the purchase of the free-ground on which it stands. MAY 28, was opened at BLACK TORRINGTON, Devon, a Meeting, built at the sole expense of Mr. Chapman of that place, and originally designed for a party among the Pædobaptists. But that gentleman and several others having changed their sentiments respecting baptism, it is now appro priated to the use of the Anti-pædo baptists. - Messrs. Sturges, Veysey, and Metters conducted the services of the day, which were well attended and highly interesting, from the evidences of decided piety among the attending cottagers.-An opportunity is now afforded to those who have ability dual, who by love of the truth and deand disposition of aiding an indivi. cision of character, has exposed himself to loss and inconvenience, which he has but very small resources to meet. JUNE 3, the Rev. Henry Bottle, from tor of the Baptist Church at KEYSOE, Bradford Academy, was ordained pasBedfordshire. Mr. Hogg of Kimbolton began the service with reading the ditch of Biggleswade delivered the inscriptures and prayer; Mr. Middletroductory discourse, and proposed the usual questions; Mr. West of Harrold offered up the ordination prayer; Dr. Steadman (President of Bradford Academy) gave the charge from Phil. ii. 20; Mr. Manning of Spaldwick addressed the church from 1 Cor. xvi. 10; and Mr. Simpson of Bythorn concluded with prayer. Mr. Hinde of Sharnbrook gave out the hymns, and Mr. Burdett of Sutton-in-the-Elms preached in the evening. late student at Bradford Academy, JUNE 12, the Rev. Manoah Kent, was set apart to the pastoral office over the Baptist Church at SHREWSBURY, as the successor of the late John Palmer. Mr. Cooke of Osweshighly-esteemed and very laborious try preached on the preceding evening from 2 Thess. iii. 5. On Thursday morning Mr. Lister of Liverpool explained the nature of a gospel church, from Acts xix. 9, and asked the usual questions; Mr. Birt of Birmingham, nation prayer; and Dr. Steadman of (Mr. Kent's pastor,) offered the ordiJ. Palmer, at his settlement over the Bradford, who gave the charge to Mr. same church twenty-seven years ago, delivered the charge upon the present occasion, from 1 Cor. xvi. 10. In the evening Mr. Birt preached to the church from 1 Thess. ii. 11, 12. Dr. Steadman, Mr. Cooke, and Messrs. Weaver and Urwick (Independent ministers) were engaged in the deve tional parts of the services. St. JULY 2, at ALDWINKLE Peter's, near Thrapston, was opened a new Baptist Meeting-house, when Mr. Parkins, late of Coleman's Green, Herts, was ordained to the pastoral office over the Baptist Church in that place, which was formed September 11, 1822. Mr. Pickering of Brigstock (Independent) began with reading and prayer; Mr. Miller of Tamworth delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions, and received the confession of faith; Mr. Simpson of Bythorn offered up the ordination prayer, with the imposition of hands; Mr. Daniel of Luton gave the charge from 1 Pet. v. 2, 3, 4; Mr. Hillyard of Bedford (Independent) preached to the people from 2 Cor. ii. 16, and concluded with prayer. In the evening Mr. Miller of Woodford commenced the service with prayer; and Mr. Shoveller of Melksham preached from 1 Kings viii. 38, and concluded the services of the day, which were peculiarly solemn and interesting, with prayer. Truly we may say, "The Lord's presence was with us. The erection of this place of worship cost about £500. The collections at the doors amounted to £32. 3s. 6d. The people have been able to subscribe upwards of £100 among themselves, and intend to make an appeal to the benevolence of the religious public. JULY 8, Mr. Hopley, from the Academy at Bradford, was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church at HEMEL HEMPSTED; Mr. Liddon, the late pastor, after having discharged the duties of his office for nearly forty-four years, having been obliged through the infirmities of age to resign his charge. It was the happiness of this good man, at the close of his long ministry, to witness the congregation so numerous, that it was with difficulty his place of worship (which only a few years since had been greatly enlarged) contained the numbers which pressed to hear the word of life. To his successor the words of our Lord, recorded John iv. 38, may with propriety be addressed, Other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. At the ordination of Mr. Hopley, the following ministers were engaged; Mr. Tomlin of Chesham, Mr. Hargreaves of London, Mr. Hunt of Tring, Dr. Steadman of Bradford, Mr. Snell of Bushey, Mr. Clarabut of New Mill, Mr. Brown of St. Alban's, Mr. Upton of St. Alban's, and Mr. West of Chenies. NOTICES. THE Society of Baptist Ministers in and about London, whose weekly meetings have been held more than sixty years house, have lately removed to the house occupied by the Baptist Missionary Society, No. 6, Fen-court, Fenchurch-street. The Society held their first meeting at Fen-court, on Tuesday the 1st ult. at the Jamaica Coffee THE Annual Meeting of the BRIS. TOL and BATH AUXILIARY BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, will commence at Bristol on Tuesday Evening the 5th of August, at Counterslip: (the following day will be occupied by the sermon of the Bristol Education Society.) On Thursday the Public Meeting of the Society will be held at the Great Room, Princesstreet; on the same evening, a sermon will be delivered at Broad Mead; and another on Friday Evening at Kingstreet.-The ministers engaged to preach are, Rev. Mr. Morgan of Birmingham, Rev. Mr. Edmonds of Cambridge, Rev. Mr. Leifchild of Kensington. The following week the services and public meeting will be held at Bath. Summer Evening Soliloquy. SERENELY calm, how soft and mild The solar rays appear, And now, my soul," lay every weight aside, And run with patience to thy journey's end; Fear not the dangers which may thee betide, Since Jesus is thy Saviour and thy Friend. While fragrant flowers and blooming sweets The rivers of his pleasure thou shalt taste, Perfume the evening air! The waving mellow'd crop adorns The wide-extended plain; And birds and beasts, in various forms, The setting sun, the gentle breeze, The smooth, meandering stream, Thy bounteous hand, Almighty God, In thee I live and move, To celebrate thy love. But who can thy vast works declare, Parent of good! to men? G. B. "There is a River, the Streams whereof shall make glad the City of God." Psalm xlvi. 4. PILGRIMS must travel in a barren land: To cheer and animate thee on thy way; waste, "He'll give thee strength sufficient for the day." Soon shall this life of pain and toil be o'er; An endless heritage awaits above: Time brings me nearer to that happy shore, Where faith shall cease, where all is praise and love. O may I still admire that wond'rous grace SATURDAY EVENING. RETIRE, my soul, and cease from worldly care, And let th' ensuing day thy pow'rs employ: Collect thy wand'ring thoughts, and let them share The heav'nly feast of true substantial joy. Ye calls of business, for a while depart, And tarry while I yonder mount ascend: A friend exclaims," My son, give me thy heart;"t And I must to that heav'nly voice attend. "Come, come, ye thirsty sinners," Jesus cries, "And quench your thirst from never-failing springs: I ask no money, I demand no price; * Isaiah xxv. 6. SYDNAS. + Prov. xxiii. 26. The Holy Scriptures. Calendar for August. 3. Moon passes Jupiter V. 45 aft. 4. Moon passes Mars VI. 45 morn. 6. Moon passes Mercury II. 45 morn. 6. New Moon I. 53 aft. Part of the Earth (but not London) passes through the Moon's shadow. 8. Ceres south VI. 40 morn. 9. Moon passes Venus X. 30 aft. 11. Sun (as to longitude) between the Earth and Mercury. 14. Herschel south IX. aft. 21. Full Moon VI. 41 aft. but too far north to pass through the Earth's shadow. 24. 70,000 Protestants massacred in France, A.D. 1572; and abave |