gregation found their old Register book quite full; and desirous of having a new one provided in the best form for securing all the purposes of such a depository, they stated various cases, and obtained the opinions of several respectable barristers on the subject. In consequence of the recommendations of these legal advisers, they procured a book of printed blank forms, which has ever since been kept in the vestry, where it is deposited with other writings and documents belonging to the congregation;* and, on any woman coming to return thanks after child-birth, one of the forms is filled up and signed by the minister. There was no stated minister at the time this book was made, nor for several years after; but the officiating minister always signed the book.t

A book containing blank forms was recommended for the following, among other reasons

-

CONFLAGRATION AT SAREPTA.

(Extract from a Circular Letter.) It has pleased the Lord our God, whose ways are often inscrutable, but always righteous and full of love, to visit our congregation at Sarepta in Russia with a very heavy disaster. On the 9th of August last, about one o'clock in the afternoon, a fire broke out in one of the out-houses of the Tobacco manufactory; and as all those premises were built of wood, and by the long continued drought and heat had become like tinder, the flames spread with such rapidity, that all hu man help proved vain; and in the short space of four hours and a half, the shops, with all the buildings be

2. These forms secure the insertion of name, place, and date, in a uniform and explicit manner, so as not to be doubtful or misunderstood. Before the law provided printed forms in parish churches, there were entries in the register books with very surprising omissions. Some wanted the name! others the date--and you could not always know whether it was a birth or a burial that was intended. Printed forms remedy all this.

3. A book of this kind, kept fair, and every entry regularly signed by the officiating minister, if produced in any court of law, would carry the evidence of its authenticity along with it.

It needs only be added, that in case of any mistake, no erasure or blot should be suffered, nor any leaf torn out. "Error" may be written in the

*The Register Book, being public property, should on no account be in the custody of an individual, but deposited in a convenient place of safety. + Some of your readers may like to be informed that books of this description are kept for sale by Mr. Penny, Wood-street, Cheapside, London; and may be had by ordering them of any bookseller in town or country.

thecary's shop, the large distillery, the warden's house, the two large houses of the single brethren, with all their shops and farming premises, and twenty-four dwelling-houses, (comprising three-fourths of the whole settlement,) were laid in ashes. Thus twenty-eight families, all the single brethren, seventy in number, and about twenty families of workmen and servants, were bereft of their habitations. When the fire had reached the most dangerous place, between the single brethren's house and the closely adjoining out-buildings of the minister's house, it pleased God to grant success to the unwearied exertions of those who came to our assistance, and to put a stop to the progress of the devouring element; otherwise in half an hour more, the whole settlement of Sarepta would have been converted into a melancholy heap of ruins, and all its inhabitants left without a home.

Any contributions for the relief of the suffering congregation at Sarepta, will be most thankfully received by the ministers of all the brethren's congregations, and by C. I. Latrobe, Secretary of the Unity of the Brethren in England, No. 10, Nevil's-court, Fetterlane.-Subscriptions will also be received by Messrs. Hoares, Bankers; Seeley and Son, 169, Fleet-street; Hatchard and Son, Piccadilly.-N.B.

Sarepta is a settlement of the United Brethren, in Russian Asia, near Czarizin, on the Wolga. It was first established in the year 1765, by five brethren from Herrnhut, in the hope that it might be the means of bringing the Calmucks, and other tribes in the vicinity, to the knowledge of the truth. The population has by degrees increased to nearly 500 inhabitants. The attempts made during the first fifty years of its existence, to effect the conversion of the surrounding heathen, did not prove successful: but a subsequent effort in the year 1815, to which the brethren were encouraged by a liberal grant from the Directors of the London Missionary Society, has been blessed to the conversion of several souls, and the gathering of a small flock of Calmucks, who are at present encamped in the plains adjoining Sarepta.

An Account of the Church of Christ assembling in the old Meetinghouse at Isleham, Cambridgeshire. THE 24th of August, 1662, ought never to be forgotten by the friends of religious liberty, as the time when so many learned, faithful, and godly ministers of the gospel were obliged, for conscience' sake, to leave their stations of usefulness. This period is not less to be remembered as the era at which many of our dissenting churches date their origin.

The dissenting cause in this village may be traced back to the days of Holcroft, and so to the passing of the Act of Uniformity.

After the ejectment of Holcroft from Basingbourne in this county, he was determined, if possible, not to neglect the spiritual concerns of the people; who had previously formed them selves into a congregational church from different and distant parts of the county. It now being impracticable for them all to assemble in one place, as they had done before, he met them in separate societies, to pray and preach, and administer to them the Lord's supper. One of these societies met at Thurlow's house at Cambridge, another at Barrington, another at Clopton, one at Eversden, one at Guyhorne, one at Waterbeach, &c. &c.-See Bap. Regis. No. 18, page 234.

Some of these followers of this truly great and pious man, who resided at or near this place, and others who lived at Guyhorne, (as appears from the Church-book at Isleham,) about

the year 1680, united themselves to the church at Rothwell, in Northamptonshire, under the pastoral care of Mr. Richard Davis. Having continued members there until the year 1693, they were dismissed, and were formed into a church at Guyhorne, choosing David Culey as their pastor.

The number of members dismissed from the church at Rothwell was 40, who resided at different places; some at Guyhorne, some at Thetford (nearEly), some at Soham, and others at Isleham. At each of these places Mr. Culey preached, and administered the Lord's supper.

The following year it was agreed at a church-meeting held at Soham, that where there should be the greatest number of members, that place should be the seat of the church. Isleham and its vicinity having the greatest number about this time, the church business was transacted there, and the other places were considered branches of the church at Isleham.

as

Mr. Culey continued to exercise the office of pastor until the year 1699, when for some crime (the nature of which does not appear) he was cut off from their communion.

The exact number of members at

this time does not appear, but it must have been very considerable, as it included persons from Barton_ Mills, Burwell, West Dereham, Ely, Exning, Fordham, Freckenham, Guyhorne, Hilgay, Lanwood, Little Port, Mendlesham*, Mildenhall, Moulton, Newmarket, Reach, Soham, Swaffham, Thetford (near Ely), &c. &c. Several of these places have now distinct churches.

For about seven years the church remained without a settled pastor, and Robert Moody (a ruling elder) was in the habit of preaching the word of life to his brethren. In the year 1706, Mr. Samuel Campion, a member of a church at Wellingborough, was invited to preach at Isleham; and he was set apart to the pastoral office Nov. 29, 1708. Mr. Campion continued to labour here with a favourable reception, and a considerable degree of success, until the year 1724, when the Lord called him to shine as the brightness of the firmament, and having turned

* Mendlesham is nearly thirty miles from Isleham. In the year 1715, twenty-one members, who resided in its vicinity, were dismissed from Isleham, and formed themselves into a church at this place.

The year before the death of Mr. Campion, the place of worship in which the congregation now assembles was built, as appears from a stone in the south-end, bearing the date of 1723. After the death of this good man, the church again remained without a settled minister for four or five years, when Mr. Thos. Mumford, a member possessing preaching abilities, became their pastor. He was a plain experimental preacher, advancing the truths of the gospel in an unadorned style. It was once said in the hearing of Dr. Conder, that Mr. Mumford of Isleham was a blundering preacher. "Be it so," returned the Doctor, "still he blunders out many precious truths."

Many of the people here were at this time very much drawn aside from the simplicity and holy tendency of the gospel, by the hyper-Calvinism of Hussey and others. These sentiments were not a little encouraged, after the death of Mr. Mumford, which took place in or about the year 1748, by the preaching of Mr. Cranston. Though there were some who appeared delighted with the Crispism of Mr. Cranston, there were others who had more scriptural views of the doctrines of divine grace, and hence he did not preach long at Isleham, yet quite long enough to poison the minds of several of his hearers with his sentiments. Such preaching is, (as Mr. James has said of the papal priesthood,) “like a poison-tree in the garden of the Lord." Its deleterious effects are often seen in repressing the growth, and fading the flowers, of plants previously the most flourishing.

Mr. Cranston being removed (after having preached about four years) in 1753, Mr. Samuel Lambert was invited to preach to the people at Isleham. Mr. Lambert was a member of the church assembling in College-lane, Northampton, then under the pastoral care of Mr. W. Jolley. He came to Isleham under very unfavourable circumstances, arising from the prejudice of those who were in love with Mr. Cranston's Antinomianism. Having supplied the people, however, for four

Mr. Lambert continued to discharge the ministerial functions with a good degree of success, both at Isleham and West Row, (a hamlet belonging to Mildenhall,) at the latter of which places he preached every six weeks. This place, before the death of Mr. Lambert, became a separate interest. Its present pastor is Mr. Leonard Ellington.

The church and pastor met with considerable trouble, about the year 1777, from some of the members both at West Row and Isleham, who encouraged smuggling by purchasing uncustomed goods. This practice was very firmly opposed by the pastor, and several of the members; but such was the perverseness of some, that they would neither yield to reason scripture, and the result was, that the church was broken up, and no person was admitted to subscribe again to their covenant who would encourage such fraudulent proceedings.

nor

Mr. Lambert had many supports as well as discouragements during his long career at Isleham. In the year 1790, Mr. Morris, one of the members of this church, and a few other pious persons in and about Newmarket, (the place of his residence,) were formed into a church there. Mr. Morris had previously encouraged the preaching of the gospel at Newmarket; and though it then met with much opposition, (as it has more or less continued to do in that dissipated place,) the Lord has not disregarded this effort to extend his kingdom, but has smiled on the labours of his servants, and the cause is now going on with a considerable degree of prosperity under the ministry of Mr. Lee.

Mr. Lambert had the honour of sending out from the church at Isleham two most affectionate and godly ministers; Mr. Thomas Barron, who preached the gospel successfully at Cottenham for many years, and Mr. William Brown, who was the worthy and affectionate pastor at Keysoe in Bedfordshire for more than fifteen years.*

*See Baptist Magazine for September, 1819. Mr. Brown was the only son of a grand-daughter of Mr. Campion.

Towards the close of Mr. Lambert's life he met with considerable uneasiness from Mr. Gisbourne, who was at that time preaching at Soham. Many of Mr. Lambert's hearers, and especially some hopeful young persons, left him to go to hear Mr. Gisbourne. The result of this was, that when the mask was taken off by the Soham preacher, and the Doctrine of the Trinity openly opposed, the Isleham hearers forsook him; but instead of returning to the old place, many of them formed themselves into a separate interest of General Baptists, which is now under the pastoral care of Mr. R. Compton.

Having preached at Isleham for fifty-two years, and having nearly completed the seventy-fifth year of his age, Mr. Lambert was taken to the enjoyment of that "rest which remains for the people of God." It is recorded of him in the Church-book, that "with great faithfulness, and considerable success, he preached the gospel here. At an early period of life he was an afflicted man, and so continued till his last hours; yet such was his zeal for God, that though his health was much impaired, he constantly attended to the public and private duties of his office till within three months of his death. He was favoured with a desirable share of spiritual enjoyment a few days preceding his dissolution. On the 2d of November, 1805, he was dismissed from the church militant, and we are persuaded that he is now happy in the church triumphant."

The pastors at Isleham had hitherto been Pædobaptists, but at the death of Mr. Lambert, the Baptist members forming the majority, they chose as the successor of Mr. Lambert, Mr. Hugh Mackenzie, a Baptist minister. Mr. Mackenzie was ordained pastor of this church, Nov. 19, 1806. Messrs. Norman, Nicklin, Oates, and Tull being engaged in the services.

esteemed and affectionate pastor of the Baptist church at Barton Mills, who had been in the habit of speaking from the scriptures towards the close of Mr. Lambert's life, was, by Mr. Mackenzie and the church at Isleham, called to the ministry in 1807. In 1811, a church being formed at Barton Mills, he was ordained pastor; in which place the Lord has owned his pious and disinterested labours for much good.

At the resignation of Mr. Mackenzie, the church again became destitute of a pastor; when, through the medium of their respected friend Mr. Brown of Keysoe, a letter was addressed to the present pastor, then a student at Stepney, who having preached for some time, was eventually or dained on the 3d of November, 1819.*

Thus we perceive that this part of the Lord's vineyard has existed as a distinct society for more than a century; and, though assailed in all directions with nipping blasts and malig, nant storms, the vine has not yet been destroyed.

To the existing society there are, from the review we have taken, powerful motives for gratitude to the Great Head of the church, for having preserved them from any gross departure from the truth as it is in Jesus. Notwithstanding the various attacks of heterodoxy in its Socinian and Antinomian forms, the arm of Almighty Power has defended, and the stream of Sovereign Mercy has comforted, this Hill of Zion.

This sketch should also excite to holy diligence and zeal, not only in this church, but in all our churches. We see what the zeal of our forefathers accomplished. They met with difficulties, but their love and fortitude surmounted them; and by their instrumentality the word of life sounded out into various places. In the unwearied activity of Holcroft, and others of a kindred mind, we have an example highly worthy of our attention and

This review should likewise excite an earnest spirit of prayer, that the Lord would not depart from us; but that by the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit he would greatly revive us. "God be merciful to us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us."

Isleham, August 6, 1823.

J. R.

* See Baptist Magazine for March,

BAPTIST Auxiliary Home Missionary SOCIETY.

THURSDAY, November 6, 1823, a meeting of ministers and friends was held at the Rev. Mr. Phillimore's, Kingston, Surry, when the following resolutions were agreed to.

1. That this meeting feels deeply concerned at the low state of religion in some churches of the Baptist Denomination, at the affecting circumstance of the dissolution of other of our churches, and in general at the state of ignorance and destitution of a gospel ministry in the south-west of Middlesex and parts adjacent.

Hoby, Ivimey, Phillimore, Pritchard; Messrs. Bailey, Bowyer, Carto, Irving, Keene, Long, Mills, Martes, Ruff, Truelove.

All communications to be made to the Treasurer or Secretary, as above.

AUG. 5, at FERNEY, near Geneva but in France, and the residence of Voltaire, a Bible Society was formed. In this beneficent work the Baron de Stael was the prime mover; but a peasant, who was at the meeting, spoke with such feeling as to make a deep impression. Thus, at length, the blessed antidote will be circulated from the very spot whence the archinfidel issued his poisonous attacks upon Christianity! Here, too, it is proposed to erect a Protestant evangelical church: and the Government

3. That it appears to this meeting, that the united efforts of all the societies now in existence, and the means now employed, are inadequate to meet the necessities of the case; and that it is our duty to do the utmost in our power to supply the lamentable deficiency.

4. That a Society be formed, in connection with the Baptist Home Missionary Society, to be denominated The Baptist Auxiliary Home Missionary Society for the South-west of Middlesex, and parts adjacent.

5. That every person subscribing not less than half-a-guinea per annum be a member of this Society; and that ministers subscribing be members of the Committee, ex-officio.

6. That, from the Subscribers to the Society, a Committee of not less than twelve be chosen to manage its concerns, five of whom shall be a quorum.

7. That the Committee shall meet quarterly; and that in case urgent business shall occur in the intervals, it shall be competent for the Secretary to summon a special meeting.

8. That Mr. John Ruff, Upper Rathbone-place, be the Treasurer, and the Rev. B. Wilmshurst, No. 10, Bedborough-street, London, be the Secretary.

9. That the following persons be members of the Committee for the ensuing year, with power to add to their

number:

Rev. Messrs. Cramp, Coles, Dyer,

hundred Napoleons for the purpose. The inhabitants of the district are poor; but, compared with their slen der means, they have contributed much.-Above £259 are required to complete the necessary sum, and this, it is hoped, may be derived from the christian charity of England, (to which an appeal from fellow-christians is never made in vain.

ASSOCIATIONS.

MAY 20, 21, at Olney, the NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ASSOCIATION. Moderator, Mr. Simmons. Sermons by Messrs. Perkins, James, and Cox, (Rom. x. 2. Rev. xxii. 3. John xix. 25.) Devotional services by Messrs. Simmons, Evans, Patrick, Bumpas, Hall, Knowles, Atkins (Indep.), Daniel, Morris (Indep.), and Anderson. Collections were made for the Provident Society, and the Association Fund, Circular Letter, "The Cause and Cure of a Spirit of Lukewarmness in Religion." 34 Churches, 2853 Members in 33 of them, (there being no Letter from Walgrave). Increase of members 50. Next Association at Nottingham, Whit Tuesday and Wednesday, 1824.

June 3, 4, KENT AND SUSSEX ASSOCIATION at Eyethorn. Sermons by Messrs. Smith (1 John iii. 2), Blakeman (Isa. Ix. 1), and Coleman (Josh. xxiv. 15). Devotional services by Messrs. Giles (J.), Groser, Gates,