The General Conference of the Free-will Baptists in America. out streets and avenues for coming generations to fill up, and whose plans of political action contemplate the time when America shall have shaped the destinies of all nations, and be the dominant power in the world, cannot be expected to be satisfied with methods of operation that just meet an existing want, and do not involve and provide for unprecedented growth and almost universal extension. The resolutions in relation to the Foreign Mission will be read with deep interest if not with complete satisfaction. Their staff of missionaries in Northern Orissa was never more efficient than now, and never more useful. Four churches have been gathered, numbering in all one hundred and forty-nine members, and about one thousand children are under instruction. The society is out of debt, and has raised ten thousand dollars during the year. The Free Baptists of New Brunswick have adopted two of the missionaries. Under these circumstances we in England have great cause to be devoutly thankful to God that ever the Free-will Baptists joined us in the evangelization of Orissa. But our own experience in other fields leads us to regard with misgiving the resolution which the Conference adopted favouring the policy of limitation of effort in Orissa, and recommending the maintenance of a staff of missionaries there only sufficiently strong to superintend native agency, while attention should be directed to the founding of new missions to Turkey, to Africa, or to China. The debate upon the proposal to change the name of the Conference indicated a conservative tendency. The old name, "Free-will Baptist," it was twice voted to retain against all competitors. The answers to questions upon points of doctrine and discipline were also indicative of the presence of a good deal of genuine orthodox conservatism. Now and then, however, something specially American crops up. A sister, Miss Ann S. Dudley, spoke with much feeling and propriety, and at considerable length, about her work among the Freedmen, and her determination to give up Orissa for the South. A poet and singer was introduced, and sung one of his own "inspiriting songs," for 365 which he received the thanks of the But The report of the Conference, as it appears in the Free-will Baptist papers, cannot be read without leaving the impression that our American brethren are earnestly and with characteristic spirit doing their work for the Lord. The well-known Secretary of the Conference has resigned, after thirty years service. The Rev. J. D. Stewart will be our correspondent in place of our old friend, the Rev. Silas Curtis. Sixtynine ministers had died since the last Conference, and suitable reference was made to them at the communion service. It was felt to be a solemn call to those who remained to close up their ranks and labour with increased faithfulness for Christ. That thus our prethren will labour we doubt not. Many of them we know, and greatly esteem and love, and we pray God to bless them with abundant grace and large success in their work. That they will see greater things still in their denomination we confidently believe, for the recent Conference shows that; as Mr. Day said of us we may say of them,-"They are earnest men, men of intelligence, many of them men of culture and of earnest souls. They are not satisfied to reproduce their past satisfied with nothing but a future which shall be something grander, richer, better than anything the past affords." May God give them and us to see it! THE YOUNG WITNESS. A LITTLE girl, nine years of age, was witness against a prisoner who was on trial for a crime committed in her father's house. "Now, Emily," said the counsel for the prisoner, upon her being put into the witness-box, "I desire to know if you understand the nature of an oath." "I don't know what you mean," was the simple reply. "There, your honour," said the counsel, addressing the court, "is there anything further necessary to show the force of my objection? This witness should be rejected. She does not know the nature of an oath." "Let me see," said the judge. "Come here, my little girl." Assured by the kind tone and manner of the judge, the little child stepped towards him and looked up confidently in his face with a calm, clear eye, and in a manner so artless and frank that it went straight to the heart. "Did you ever take an oath ?" asked the judge. The little girl stepped back with a look of horror, and the red blood mantled in a blush all over her face and neck as she answered-"No, sir." She thought he meant to inquire if she had ever blasphemed. "I do not mean that," said the judge, who saw his mistake. "I mean were you ever a witness before?" "No, sir; I was never in a court before," was the answer. He handed her the Bible open. "Do you know that book ?" "She looked at it, and answered, "Yes, sir; it is the Bible." "Do you ever read it ?" he asked. "Yes, sir; every evening.' "Can you tell me what the Bible is ?" inquired the judge. "It is the Word of the great God," she answered. "Well, place your hand upon this "Has any one talked with you about your being a witness here against this man?" inquired the judge. "Yes, sir," she replied, "my mother heard they wanted me to be a witness, and last night she called me to her room, and asked me to tell her the Ten Commandments; and then we knelt down together, and she prayed that I might understand how wicked it was.. to bear false witness against my neighbour, and that God would help me, a little child, to tell the truth as it was before Him. And when I came up here with father, she kissed me and told me to remember the ninth commandment, and that God would hear every word that I said." "Do you believe this ?" asked the judge, while a tear glistened in his eye, and his lip quivered with emotion. "Yes, sir," said the child, with a voice that showed that her conviction of the truth of it was perfect. "God bless you, my child!" said the judge; you have a good mother. This witness is competent," he continued. THOSE who desire an additional book on experimental religion will find the small work entitled "Sure of Heaven,"* by Thomas Mills, both good and cheap. The topic commends itself to our judgment and feelings as alike important and attractive. The lowest view which the Christian can entertain of heaven is that it is incomparably better than earth; considered either as a place or a state it is one of superlative bliss. If it is possible to be sure of this future possession, it is in every respect proper to attain the assurance; and as there are true and false ways of seeking the certainty desired, safe guidance in the pursuit is of inestimable value. This work treats of the whole subject in answer to three questions, viz., Can we be sure of heaven? What is assurance of heaven? And, How can we be sure of it? The aim of the author in meeting these pertinent inquiries is so manifestly benevolent, and the style in which his thoroughly Christian sentiments are clothed is so clear and simple, that the book deserves the warmest commendation which any reviewer can award. The next work lying on our table, although scarcely half the size of the foregoing, is one of even greater merit considered in its theological and literary character. It consists of "Seven Sermons," preceded by a Sketch of the Congregation to which the author preached them. Charles Williams is a man conspicuous among the dissenting ministers of the present age, but best known to the religious public by his London; E, Stock, 62, Paternoster Row. labours on the platform, both as a lecturer and a controversialist. Those who admire him in this capacity, and who do not know him as a preacher, will be delighted to find that his ability in the pulpit corresponds with his eminence on the platform. Often asked to publish a volume of sermons, he has consented to issue these seven, not for fame or profit, but to assist in raising £100, which he generously promised toward the reduction of the heavy mortgage on his chapel in Southampton. The history of the chapel is sketched with fidelity and skill, and the sermons are short, scriptural, and beautifully tender and touching. There is nothing to arouse, to astonish, or to inflame the passions, but there is a course of calm consecutive thought running through the whole, and a deep vein of refined emotion which captivates and subdues the reader. The sixth sermon, on Everlasting Punishment, takes the affirmative side of the solemn question, and discusses it in a simple, serious, and scriptural manner. Feeling the doctrine to be a burden, he bears it dutifully, but only for the purpose of convincing men of its reality and equity, and of persuading them to avoid it by a hearty dependence on Him who alone "delivers from the wrath to come." Still more moving, in another direction, is the last sermon on "My Father's house," from which we should be glad to give some extracts, but cannot for want of room. This taste of Mr. Williams' sanctuary food has created in us an appetite for larger meals out of his storehouse, and made us wish that all our younger ministers, by whom he is admired, may strive to feed their people with provisions equally acceptable and wholesome. The Baptist Union Papers are printed separately at twopence each, or neatly bound together in a volume for one shilling. We need not recommend these able productions to any who heard them read at Bristol, but we do advise the many who have not heard or seen them to lose no time in procuring them. One of the sermons preached at the Bristol gathering is also published by request, and may be had for an additional twopence. The title is "Moveable and Immoveable Things," by the Rev. W. T. Rosevear, of Abingdon.* Our Sunday School friends will be interested in a new serial work"Topics for Teachers," by J. C. Gray, of Halifax, author of the "Class and the Desk." Part I. treats of the animals named in the Bible, and it gives a large amount of valuable information, derived from the best sources, for the small price of threepence.-In connection with this help to teachers, we are glad to introduce a new penny book— Children's Psalms and Hymns," just *London: E. Stock. published by Messrs. Haddon & Co. Most of the hymns are well known, but several are original; aud the whole number, amounting to 108, may be recommended to any schools who are not satisfied with what they already possess. We omitted undesignedly last month to announce the appearance of "The General Baptist Messenger," by our brethren of the Old Connexion. The first quarterly number contains, amongst other good papers, a very full report of the "Deputation to Derby" sent by the Assembly at its last sitting. Our friend Mr. Means speaks of the great pleasure derived by Mr. Marten and himself from their fellowship with us at the Derby Association, and hopes that the younger ministers of their section of the body may, in future years, have the privilege which was this year allotted to them. It is published by E. T. Whitfield, 178, Strand, at one penny. The most notable fact in relation to religious literature is the republication, by Cassell & Co., of "Foxe's Book of Martyrs"-two hundred and fifty-two pages for one penny; to be followed by "Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress" complete, at the same price! Poetry. A CHRISTMAS HYMN. "Gloria in excelsis Deo, Et in terra pax, hominibus bonæ voluntatis." CAST out by men, where oxen stalled, A babe was born at dead of night; In outward form so poor and mean, The fount from whence all glories spring, And virtues too, for never yet Was goodness found in any man, But they can trace it up or down, And find it with that babe began; And, wider than an angel's thought, The vast circumf'rences shall fall Of love, and light, and endless goodThat babe the centre of them all. Chapel House, Castle Donington. Still in the manger is He laid; No myrrh, no frankincense, or gold, Not e'en the palm they strew'd of old. We cast ourselves, and lo! our sins Consume beneath His burning feet, While His kind hands stoop down to raise The sinner to His shining seat. Thus man for evermore will see In that weak birth eternal power; And life, and light, and love for all, In that far distant midnight hour. E. H. J. TOILING AND TAKING NOTHING. Luke v. 1-9. THROUGH the lone night the fishers toiled, Attended by a gathering crowd, And linger not so near the land." The weary fisherman replied: "Although the night's fatigue was vain, At thy behest the net, oft-plied, Shall be at once let down again." The obedient deed was promptly done, And quickly crowned with rare success; But such a draught-till then unknownSwelled out the net with dangerous stress. Denominational. The partners in the neighbouring boat And cheerfully their service paid. They floundered and began to sink. Could scarcely credit what he saw. Know ye, whom Christ hath deigned to make "Fishers of men," their souls to gain; Some bootless labours for His sake, And blighted hopes, ye must sustain. But while your nets ye mend, and ply With tact, and patience, and good-will, Be sure the Saviour will be nigh, Those well-used nets to guide and fill. Intelligence. YORKSHIRE AND LANCASHIRE CONFERENCE. The next Conference will be held at Burnley Lane, on Wednesday, Dec. 23. In the morning the Rev. B. Wood, of Bradford, will read a paper on—“ How we may best utilize the individual power in our churches for the extension of the Redeemer's cause;" and the Rev. James Maden, of Shore, will preach in the evening. Morning service to commence at half-past nine o'clock. J. ALCORN, Secretary. SHEFFIELD, Cemetery Road.-On Sunday, Oct. 18, two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Burns, D.D., of London. Subjects: morning-"The Essential Salt -the quantity not prescribed;" evening"The unfailing Saviour." Both sermons were given with much fervour and eloquence. We bad good congregations, and hope that much good will result from them. On the following evening a tea meeting was held in the large school A. A room, when upwards of two hundred sat down together. The trays were given by ladies and friends. A meeting was held afterwards in the chapel, under the presidency of Mr. Councillor Alfred Allott. Fervent and heartfelt addresses were given by the Revs. Dr. Burns, R. Stainton, J. Flather, Giles Hester, W. Whitehead (Rotherham), J. Parkinson (Brightside), and other friends. Collections were made after each service, and at the meeting, and including the proceeds from tea, being clear, upwards of £45 was handed over to the treasurer. J. F. H. NORTHALLERTON.-Most interesting and encouraging anniversary services were held at the General Baptist chapel, on Lord's-day, Oct. 25, when the Rev. W. Taylor, of Leeds, preached afternoon and evening. On the Monday following 240 persons partook of tea, gratuitously provided, which was followed by a public meeting. A very large congregation assembled, and listened with profound attention to addresses from the Revs. W. Taylor (Leeds), W. T. Adey (Darlington), C. Springthorpe (Heptonstall Slack), R. |