there was any report respecting the building of an Independent Meetinghouse; and that their object was never given up. Those who doubt the truth of this statement, are referred to the Trustees, Mr. Bass of Olney, Mr. Knighton of Stratford, and Mr. Lake of Bulbourne, for information. The Baptist Meeting would have been rebuilt more than a year ago, had it not been for the delay which was met with in finishing the new writings. The part which the writer of this note has taken in the business, arises from no party spirit, and is in opposition to no person or body of persons, unless it be Satan and his kingdom. He has only carried into effect what he has meditated for years. Indeed, ever since he came into the country, he has resolved to spare no exertions in endeavouring to revive the Baptist interest at Stony Stratford, as soon as an opportunity offered in the resignation or death of the old pastor. In further recommending the cause to the religious public, he begs leave to state the following circumstances.

1. It is one of the oldest churches in the denomination, having existed 166 years.-2. The church, though exceedingly reduced, and very poor, has never neglected the observance of the ordinances of Christ; nor has the place (he believes) been shut up for one Sabbath.-3. As to the expediency of rebuilding the Meeting-house, it is sufficient to state, that, though the present place of worship is more than twice as large as the old one, it is already well attended; that a Sundayschool has been established, which is prosperous; and that there is a greater spirit of hearing excited in the town and neighbourhood than at any former peri d in the recollection of the inhabitants.-4. In the town and contiguous villages there is a large population that need evangelical preaching. 5. The case is recommended by five of the nearest Baptist ministers, who have the best opportunity of knowing its merits; viz. Mr. Heighton of Road, Mr. Barker of Towcester, Mr. Crudge of Fenny Stratford, Mr. Wheeler of Bugbrook, and Mr. Simmons of Olney; and the late Mr. Hinton of Oxford, who was a native of a neighbouring town, and had been well acquainted with the Baptist interest at Stratford for many years, recommends it in these words; "An acquaintance of fifty years, with the trials of the afflicted but faithful disciples of Christ at Stony Stratford, compels me to say, I never knew a more urgent or a more

deserving case than this: I cordially recommend it to my christian brethren."

"JAMES HINTON, Oxford."

The writer begs leave to add, that, in making these remarks public, he acts only on the defensive; that he is not desirous of offending those who have circulated the reports referred to, for whom, indeed, he has a great respect; nor of injuring the cause of the Independents at Stratford, to which he sincerely wishes prosperity and the blessing of God.

A brief Account of the Baptist
Church, Aberdeen.

MR. Gilmour, after having spent four years at Bradford Academy, under the care of Dr. Steadman, returned to Scotland, his native country, in 1820. In January, 1821, he came uninvited to Aberdeen; and on February 4, commenced preaching in a hall, which contains about two hundred and fifty people. This place he occupied for more than two years.

Before a year elapsed, some professed to have obtained mercy with faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus, under the preaching of the word; these, with a few others who had before been connected with churches, convened together, &c.; and on October 30, thirteen of us formed ourselves into a church, and called Mr. Gilmour to be our pastor.

On March 7, 1822, a public recognition of the Union already formed took place, and Mr. Gilmour was ordained. Messrs. Barclay of Irvine and Anderson of Edinburgh officiated on the occasion, as follows, viz. Mr. Barclay commenced with singing and prayer; Mr. Anderson adverted to the nature of Christ's kingdom, from Rom. xiv. 17, then asked the church to signify their choice of Mr. Gilmour for their pastor, proposed the usual questions to Mr. Gilmour, and Mr. Barclay offered up the ordination prayer; after which Mr. Anderson addressed Mr. Gilmour from 1 Tim. iv. 12. Met again in the evening, when Mr. Barclay addressed the church from 1 Pet. v. 5, and Mr. Anderson concluded in prayer. The ser vices were impressive, and distinguished for simplicity; they will not be soon forgotten.

Since that time a place of worship has been erected, which seats above 800 people, and was opened March 7, 1823. The number of the church is now upwards of fifty.

From the Rev. Mr. S. Davis to the

Secretaries.
Clonmel, August 16, 1823.

MY DEAR SIR,

Yours of the 6th instant is come to hand. When it arrived I was from home, at Thurles, and the Hills, where I have just spent a week, and returned home two days since, wet through with heavy rain; but through mercy I have taken no cold. I preach ed three times at Thurles, and twice at the Hills, and examined P. Cole's school, which had 105 children present, and a good number of chapters learned since the last inspection. Various are exerting themselves to acquire the gospel of Matthew, or John, when I have promised to all such a new Bible. I have distributed a good number of the prints of our good old King giving the Bible, and the pleasure at receiving them is universal among parents and children. I think it is greatly calculated to stimulate the children to learn, and to promote loyalty wherever they come. I have also given away a considerable portion of the Tracts and Magazines I brought from England, which have proved very acceptable.

You have probably been informed, by Mr. West, that we have just been to Cork and Waterford, and obtained above £30. for the Society. This gave me the opportunity to have our esteemed friend here for a little time, and at Thurles, and at both places my friends were much pleased with his visit and preaching.

the habitations of idleness and immorality, are now exhibiting the pleasing aspect of industry and decency, and praying for blessings to attend the Baptist Society, for sending such a happy mode of instruction (in their own language) into their houses; and according to their own acknowledgment, he who was in the habit of swearing, fears an oath; the drunkard is become sober, and he who stole, steals no more, but labours with his hands to provide things honest in the sight of all men. The young man who conducts the school for me, whose mind was full of prejudice against the truth; contending that none could be saved but those within the pale of the Roman Catholic Church; I have taught to read the Irish Testament in both characters, which he reads and endeavours to explain to his former companions, and stimulates them to a perusal of the sacred volume, as alone able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith in the Lord Jesus

Christ. I called at the house of T.

D. in the manor of N. where I beheld J. F. a middle-aged man, whose appearance was the index of an ill-spent life. There were many other visitants with the family, when I begged their attention to the Irish scriptures, and commenced reading. They all heard me with seeming earnestness; but none was so much interested as F. who could not suppress his sighing. I inquired of all present, what they thought of the things I brought to their ears. F. was the first that answered, and with seeming emotion confessed that he had been, during his past life, an enemy to all righteousness, by wicked works; and anxiously inquired if there was any hope for a vile wretch in his condition. I told him I would give him an answer on the best authority, and read to him the declaration of the Saviour respecting the joy in heaven over a repentant sinner. "Well," said he, "but how can I atone for what is past?" This inquiry directed me to the doctrine of the acquittal of the guilty, without disparaging the nature and glory of Divine justice; and read the first of Romans, and noticed the sixteenth verse, the third ditto, and endeavoured to address their understandings with

the sum and substance of the whole chapter. F. remained silent, and all present expressed their satisfaction that his inquiry led to the consideration of subjects which never occupied their attention before; and they all joined in a hearty invitation to me, to continue with them the remainder of the day; and after I left them, F. accompanied me about four miles, hearing and asking questions from the scriptures; and told me, when I was parting from him, that he would soon pay me a visit at my house, in order to receive further instruction on what he heard that day.

I remain your faithful and very humble servant, JOHN O'BRIEN.

From an Irish Reader to Mr. Thomas. I AM highly pleased to have it in my power to assure you that our schools are flourishing apace, but I fear we cannot commit as much scripture as usual this quarter, however, I am indefatigably exerting myself to inculcate on the minds of my scholars, and the people in general, the importance of reading the scriptures, and hope that my feeble exertions are productive of much good, for the people seem to be highly delighted in hearing the word, and my explanations thereof, for I assure you that I have not a moment to spare morning or evening, but lecturing both in English and Irish in my own house, and in the houses of the poor and ignorant in both parishes. Thomas Bush is my only fellow-helper and companion on these trying occasions: he has been very zealous in his employments. I humbly request you will think of us in your prayers, and implore our heavenly Father to enlighten us, and to give us strength and fortitude to convince the people of their gross superstition, error, and bigotry.

To the Rev. J. West. REV. SIR, Boyle, August 20, 1823.

I hope the Lord has made me useful to some people in this neighbourhood since my last journal to you, but particularly to an aged woman with whom I had a conversation on spiritual things some time ago. She was taken ill about seven days ago, and sent for me in order to read to her; accordingly I did, and never was happier in all my life. When I saw the weak state she was in I read the following passages for her, in or

der to direct her attention to the one object, which is Jesus Christ. John iii. 16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life;" also, Romans viii. 1. "There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." These, and a good many passages similar to them, and I hope the Lord will convey the word with power to her heart, for she was as much rejoiced as any creature could be. am determined to visit her every day while she is sick. There is another young man in this neighbourhood who comes three times a week to my house, learning to read Irish, and I hope he is learning the will of his heavenly Father, for according as he reads, I make it my business to strive to impress on his mind the spiritual meaning of what he reads, and I have great reason to hope that he has benefitted by it since his first visit to my house, for he attends the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Wilson regularly. I went to his house a few days ago, and I was very well employed that day in reading to so many persons, and they all seemed to be very well pleased with what they heard, and made me promise to visit them every week. hope this will be a good opportunity of doing good. Last Lord's-day morning I spent in L—'s house in this town. I endeavoured to impress the importance of the New Birth, and read several passages to confirm the same, such as John iii. 3. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he can. not see the kingdom of God." I continued reading and speaking to them for a long time, may the Lord follow his word with his blessing wherever it is read or spoken.