the liberal sum of £16 12s. On the following day the children were regaled with tea and plum cake, after which they removed to a field (kindly lent by Mr. Deacon) in which they enjoyed themselves in various sports, and were well supplied with nuts and sweetmeats. J. N.

BURNLEY LANE.-On Sunday, June 14, two sermons were preached in the above place by the Rev. J. Harvey, Vice-President of the Baptist College, Bury, after which collections were made on behalf of the Sabbath school, amounting to the sum of £70 3s. 10d.

EDGESIDE.-Two sermons were preached in this chapel by the Rev. T. W. Mathews, of Boston, on behalf of the Sabbath school. In the morning an address was delivered by the minister, Rev. J. Stapleton. Collections were made to the amount of £30 3s.

BARTON FABIS DAY SCHOOL.-The annual examination of this school was held as usual, on Whit-Thursday, and was con. ducted by Mr. Jarrom, the master, and Mr. Bertenshaw, of the British School, Coalville. At its close, the Rev. I. Stubbins, formerly missionary in Orissa, expressed the pleasure he felt in being present, and said, considering the severe and searching character of the examination, he had never seen a number of boys and girls acquit themselves in a more satisfactory manner; a circumstance which reflected great credit on their own diligence, and displayed real thoroughness on the part of their preceptors. The Rev. J. Salisbury, M.A., of Hugglescote, referred to the very creditable way in which the boys passed their examination in Latin, as well as in Biblical and English History. Indeed, the entire examination, including the recitations and singing, appeared to give immense satisfaction, and the general impression seemed to be that the school had never been in a higher state of efficiency than at the present time. After the examination, about four hundred sat down to tea, the trays for which were gratuitously furnished. In the evening the choir, under the able leadership of Mr. Dennis, and assisted by friends from Ashby, Burton, Hinckley, &c., gave a concert, which was numerously attended, efficiently conducted, and loudly applauded. As the school is supported exclusively by voluntary contributions, a collection was made in the course of the evening, and the amount realized, including the proceeds of tea, was £33 3s. 6d. Votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies who provided tea, to the friends who assisted at the concert, and to Mr. William Thompson, who, with his accustomed generosity, placed a field at the disposal of the Committee.

BAPTISMS.

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NOTTINGHAM, Stoney Street.-On Lord'sday, May 3, the Rev. J. Greenwood, after an eloquent baptismal sermon, immersed thirteen candidates, all from the Carrington branch. Nine of them were males, and four females. Amongst the number were two men and their wives, a father and son, and two brothers and a sister. The thirteen, with three others restored, of whom two were husband and wife, were received into fellowship the same day at Carrington, before a large congregation, by Mr. A. Brittain. It was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

BURTON-ON-TRENT.-On Sunday, June 7, the Rev. J. P. Tetley baptized ten; four of these were from the Sunday school, three from the Established Church, two from the Free Methodists, and one from the Primitive Methodists. Six of these brethren and sisters, along with one brother baptized previously, were the same day received into church fellowship with us; the remaining four preferring to continue their connection with those churches of which they were members previous to their baptism.

GREAT BERKHAMPSTEAD.-On Thursday evening, Feb 27, after a very appropriate sermon by the Rev. I. Preston, of Chesham, our pastor baptized four candidates, among whom were his two eldest daughters. Also, on the 6th of June, five other young disciples confessed Christ by baptism. May they all be kept faithful, and walk humbly with their God.

CASTLE DONINGTON. On Lord's-day, June 7, four persons were baptized in the river Trent by the Rev. E. Hall Jackson. A large concourse of spectators lined the bridge and the margin of the stream. The service appeared to have a solemnizing influence, and the most pleasing order prevailed.

PETERBOROUGH.-On Lord's-day, June 7, eleven persons were baptized by Mr. Barrass, and have all been received into church fellowship. In the above number there were four husbands and their wives.

OLD BASFORD.-On Lord's-day, June 7, thirteen of our senior scholars, one teacher, and one who had been a scholar more than thirty years ago, made a public profession of their faith in Christ by baptism. W. B.

PINCHBECK.-June 3, after an appropriate sermon by the Rev. J. Staddon, four young persons were baptized, and were received into the church the following Sunday.

CHESHAM.-The Rev. I. Preston baptized three persons on Friday evening, May 29, and received them into the fellowship of the church on Whit Sunday.

were heartily sung, and a neat and pertinent address, on "The necessity of personal piety in order to the prosperity of the denomination," was delivered by the Rev. 1. Preston, of Chesham. At the same time the subscribers and committee of the Chilwell College met in one of the schoolrooms for the transaction of business. Mr. Scott, of Sutterton, in the chair. The meeting was well attended, and was both long and lively. There were six applications for admission to be considered, after disposing of which the Rev. S. Cox read the general report and those of the Tutors and Examiners. The Treasurer presented the Balance Sheet of the College, which showed that the expenditure had been met, and that a small surplus remained. Three candidates were received on the usual probation, another application was favourably received, one withdrew his application after having passed the preliminary examination, and one application was declined. A long discussion occurred in reference to part of the report presented by the Theological Examiners on the Sermons of the Students, which were read before them. The complaint made was that several of these sermons, while good as compositions, were on subjects less directly evangelical than they had hoped to heara complaint which, we trust, will induce a wiser choice, in future, of the sermons to be submitted to the Examiners.

On Tuesday morning many assembled at the early prayer meeting and conference. Between the hymns and prayers the Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., of Spalding, spoke of the extra services which have been held in his church, and of the very large additions which have been made to its numbers. The address, on "the means of edifying the church," was delivered by the Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A. Prayers were offered by brethren W. Bailey, R. Ingham, and T. Stevenson.

The

At ten o'clock the Chairman of the Association, the Rev. Thos. Goadby, B.A., took his seat and commenced the public business of the session. Committees were appointed to prepare reports on several cases, such as the Great Wilbraham Case, the Irish Church Question, and the Augmentation of Ministerial Incomes. Chairman then introduced a deputation from the General Baptist Assembly in London, consisting of the Revs. J. C. Means and J. Martin, who both addressed the meeting, and called on Dr. Underwood to reply to them. After a brief address, in which he referred to the past history of the General Baptist body, and the more recent proceedings of that portion of it which is now known as the Old Connexion, Dr. Underwood moved the following resolution: "That we cordially reciprocate the

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good wishes of the Assembly of the Old Connexion of General Baptists, and that we welcome the Revs. J. C. Means and J. Martin, as messengers from them to the present Association." For some particulars respecting the Annual Assembly we refer our readers to the Intelligence department of the present number of the Magazine.

When these matters had been transacted the Chairman rose to deliver his Address, which was protracted, discursive, and in some parts so thrilling and eloquent as almost to overpower the auditory. The address was followed by the very highest commendations from the Revs. S. Cox, T. W. Mathews, Drs. Burns and Underwood; and a resolution that it be printed and circulated as extensively as possible was carried with acclamation. Prayer was then offered by one of the brethren for the special blessing of God to accompany the chairman's very elaborate speech. The remainder of this sitting was occupied in receiving two new churches, Lydgate, near Todmorden, and Swadlincote, in Derbyshire; also in considering reports from the Ministers' Reception Committee, and in re-appointing the Committee for arbitrating in cases of misunderstandings in churches. No occasion for calling this Committee together had arisen during the past year.

At 1.30 a numerous party dined together in the lower school-room, and about forty old students had a separate dinner at the County Hotel, at which the tutors and the treasurer and secretary of the College were invited as guests. After dinner the Rev. Isaac Stubbins acted as Chairman, and the Rev. R. Ingham as Vice-Chairman. Varios sentiments, but no toasts, were proposed by the chairman and others, which were responded to by Dr. Underwood, President of the College, and Rev. S. Cox, Secretary. The Committee of Management was re-appointed to make similar provision for the next Students' Annual Dinner. It is believed that this annual meeting of collegiate brethren, with the officers of the College, will tend to secure a more general interest in its welfare, and some augmentation of its pecuniary resources.

At three o'clock the large school-room was nearly filled with the subscribers to the Foreign Mission. Mr. Newman, of Louth, presided; the minutes for the year were read and approved; the state of the funds was explained by the treasurer; the secretary's report was received as read; the vacancies in the Committee were filled up, and a few other things were amicably discussed; and this full and friendly meeting of the supporters of the Mission was brought to a pleasant close.

At half-past six the beautiful chapel in Osmaston Road was well filled by the

friends of the Home Missionary Societies. Mr. Arnold Goodliffe, of Nottingham, an old and faithful advocate of Home Missionary labours, appropriately presided, and excellent addresses were delivered by the Revs. Dr. Burns, J. H. Atkinson, of Halifax, T. Barrass, of Peterborough, and Thos. Goadby, B.A., of Derby. A little interval was allowed for brief impromptu speeches by Mr. Bayley, of Barnet, Mr. Marshall, of Loughborough, and Dr. Underwood, of Chilwell. A good collection was made, and the conviction generally prevailed that this was one of the best meetings ever held in connection with our Home evangelistic efforts. Great interest is now awakened on behalf of the stations to which the help of the District Societies is afforded, such as Dewsbury, Longton, Swadlincote, &c. We may hope that the contributions toward the spread of the gospel by our body in our own country will become general and liberal, bearing a more reasonable proportion to those which are given in support of foreign missions.

On Wednesday morning devotional exercises were conducted from seven to eight o'clock; an admirable address was also delivered by the Rev. W. Evans, of Stalybridge, and followed by free conference on the part of several brethren.

At eleven o'clock the spacious chapel was nearly filled for public worship. The general prayer was offered by the Rev. H. Ollard (Independent) of Derby, and the Rev. S. Cox delivered a very graphic and experimental sermon from the text in Jer. xx. 9. A very earnest request was made at the close of the Association that Mr. Cox would send his sermon for publication in the Magazine-a request with which we hope he will comply.

The company at dinner in the schoolroom was much greater than on the previous day. Meanwhile the Trustees of the Hymn Book met at their annual dinner in one of the hotels. After sixteen years from the publication of the New Hymn Book, all the trustees, except two, survive, and all were present on this occasion. Notice was taken of this fact by the brethren, and one of them was desired to give thanks to God, on behalf of the whole, for the Divine goodness in their preservation, and for the grace which had enabled them to conduct their annual business with uninterrupted harmony and comfort. It was found that the profits from sales had been somewhat less than in previous years, and that it would be necessary to diminish the allowance to the trade, or else to raise the price of some of the editions, which have been sold at a positive loss. To this latter course objections were felt, and so the former step was decided pon. In order to encourage the sale of

the double column edition its price was reduced from half-a-crown to two shillings.

In the afternoon of Wednesday the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered to a large number of communicants. The service was a very hallowed one, and characterized by the utmost order and solemnity. The proceeds of the collection, which exceeded £14, were generously presented by the pastor and deacons of the Mary's Gate church to the Fund for the Widows and Orphans of Missionaries.

The Foreign Missionary Meeting on Wednesday evening was quite crowded. The Mayor of Derby, Thos. Roe, jun., Esq., presided. Rev. J. C. Pike read parts of the Report, and speeches of a high order were delivered by the Revs. T. W. Mathews, J. Alcorn, J. Lees, I. Preston, W. Hill, and H. Wilkinson. The collection amounted to a little more than £26.

On Thursday morning, at seven o'clock, public worship commenced. After reading and prayer by Rev. J. Lockwood, of Bradford, the Rev. J. Harrison, of Birmingham (as the substitute of the Rev. W. Orton, of Bourne, who was hindered from being present) preached a brief sermon from Isaiah lxii. 1, 6, 7.

Precisely at nine o'clock the business of the session was resumed, after prayer had been presented by the Rev. J. Cookson, M.A., Lincoln. The first business was that of the College, at Chilwell. The Rev. S. Cox presented the Report of the Committee, which was heartily received. This was followed by the Treasurer's Report. The Treasurer stated that nearly £40 were still required to clear off the College debt, and expressed the hope that the amount would at once be raised. After a little pause in the proceedings, this sum was either given or promised; and thus terminates one of the most important pecuniary efforts which has engaged the attention of the denomination. The Rev. S. Cox was re-appointed as Secretary, and Mr. Marshall, of Loughborough, as Treasurer. The examiners were cordially thanked for their services. They were, in theology, the Revs. J. Salisbury, M.A., and C. Clarke, B.A.; and in classics and mathematics, the Revs. John Clifford, LL.B., J. Martin, B.A., and J. Greenwood, M.A. The names of Messrs. J. G. Winks, E. Johnson, and Clarke were added to the General Committee, and the House Committee was re-appointed. The whole of the College business was conducted with much vigour, and concluded with the singing of the doxology.

The Board of Reference for ministers who desire to change their spheres, and for churches seeking new ministers, was re-appointed. It consists of the Revs. Drs. Underwood and Burns, T. W. Mathews,

and R. Ingham. A report was received from the Home Missionary Centenary Committee recommending that the Rev. Thos. Goadby, B.A., be the secretary, and Mr. A. Goodliffe, of Nottingham, the treasurer. Certain brethren were added to the Committee, and many observations were made by different speakers concerning the importance of the Fund, and the necessity of earnest, hopeful, and united effort to establish it. Robert Wherry, Esq., presented the Report of the Association Fund, showing a balance in hand of £44 7s. Reports were next read of the Union Baptist Building Fund, of the Hymn Book, and of the Magazine. From the trustees of the Hymn Book a donation was made to the Association Fund. The Editors of the Magazine were thanked for their services, and re-appointed. But in addition to this, and in conformity with their own suggestion, a committee was appointed to consider the propriety of placing the periodical on a broader basis than it rests upon at present, so that it may not be considered, in any way, as a private undertaking on the part of those who are Editors for the time being.

The business sitting was closed with a prayer by the Rev. S. S. Allsop, in anticipatory reference to the subject of the Association Letter. At the time appointed this document was read to a full assembly by its writer, the Rev. J. Clifford, LL.B. "The Non-attendance of Professing Christians at Public Worship," was handled forcibly and faithfully. He referred to the fact as too palpable to be denied, dealt with a few of its causes, and enlarged copiously on its consequences. A most hearty vote of thanks was moved and supported by various speakers, and carried with acclamation by the gratified assembly.

After dinner on Thursday some routine business relative to the Home and Foreign Missions, such as additions to the committee and the re-appointment of Officers, was transacted. Some cases from Conferences to the Association, of which there is never any lack, especially of such as emanate from the east, were fully discussed. They were all patiently, and some of them very pleasantly, considered. It was decided to hold a service for the benefit of our Sunday schools on the morning of Wednesday, from nine to eleven o'clock, the time when public worship begins. A deputation to the Premier, for the exemption of school premises from poor rates was appointed.

A report was received from a small committee, previously selected, to discuss the means of augmenting ministers' incomes, and after a short discussion was adopted. The Bible Translation Society

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was warmly recommended to our churches, in consideration of its having greatly assisted our Mission. The draft of a petition in favour of the dis-establishment of the Irish Church was adopted. It was resolved to print the Association Letter in a separate form. The next Association to be held in Sheffield. The Rev. J. Salisbury, M.A. to be the chairman. The Rev. J. Alcorn, of Burnley, to be the preacher on Wednesday; the Rev. H. Crasweller, B.A., of Derby, in case of failure. The Rev. W. Orton to preach on Thursday morning, or Rev. W. Taylor, of Leeds, in case of failure. The subject of the next Letter to be," Lessons for General Baptists of the present day taught by the deeds of our fathers;" the Rev. J. J. Goadby, Leicester, to be its writer.

The total number baptized this year is 1130; an increase of 152 over those baptized last year. By new churches 102 members have been added. The present

number of members in all the churches is 20,686. The number reported last year was 20,399. So that there is a reported increase of 287-rather a small thing comparatively, but one calling for devout thankfulness for what it is in itself, and as showing that it is now time to leave off the lamentations in which we have been indulging during the last connexional year. Now that the tide is turning in our favour we hope there will never be an ebbing, but a steady rise and swell, and perpetual enlargement.

The last acts of the Association were the passing of votes of thanks to the Preachers, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Assistant Secretary, the Ministers of our churches, and the friends who so hospitably entertained the visitors. To these ordinary acknowledgements was added one of a singular and notable character, viz., to the rector of All Saints' Church for suspending the usual ringing of the neighbouring bells to avoid any disturbance in our meeting. In the evening of Thursday a Free Conference was commenced at half-past six o'clock, but as the printer was waiting for this report we were not able to include any more particular account of it. One beloved friend was especially conspicuous by his absence from this most delightful Association-the late Robert Pegg, Esq.-one of the best friends of the denomination, and to whom both the Derby churches are largely indebted for their spacious and elegant sanctuaries. As our present hasty sketch is finished in his own library, where many of his happiest hours were spent, we cannot refrain from this passing allusion to the "good deeds that he did for the house of his God, and for the offices thereof."