munity which gathered about Oncken formed the kernel of all the rest. In the year 1887, the baptism of the author occasioned the founding of the church in Berlin; thereupon followed those at Stuttgart, Memel, &c. At present there belong to the body, according to the statistics of 1852, forty-two churches, with 356 stations (or affiliated congregations) where divine service is regularly held. The number of members (that is, communicants) was 4,215; the number in the congregations may be set down at 20,000. These churches are united in four associations, viz., Prussia, North-west Germany, Middle and South Germany with Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden. Each of these associations holds annual conferences by delegates, and all the four together form the Alliance of the united churches of baptized Christians in Germany,' which meets every three years (hitherto in Hamburg) by deputies, and discusses and arranges its affairs. For constant management and the carrying out of the resolutions committees are chosen, both from the Associations and from the Alliance, which bear the name of 'managing brethren.' The affairs of the alliance, missions, statis. tics, and dealings with the authorities, are the departments to which they attend. By these churches there have been distributed, from their principal depôt in Hamburg, during the years of their existence (from 1834, when the first church was established), 300,000 Bibles and New Testaments, and 6,000,000 of tracts on matters generally recognised by christians, and that this number would have been still larger if the greatest hindrances had not constantly been offered on all hands to this activity. Speaking generally, I may venture to affirm, that in christian feeling and devout behaviour, the baptists do not come behind converted believers of other christian societies. They are, therefore, entitled to the same esteem and love from the children of God as the others, and it is highly sinful to abandon them to contempt and oppression. 'Take heed,' said the Saviour, that ye despise not one of these little ones.' Shall there be no fear of committing this sin against the command of the Lord towards the baptists also? Do the 300,000 copies of the holy scriptures, and the 6,000,000 of tracts on doctrines held by christians in common, distributed by the baptists in Germany, weigh nothing in the balances of the sanctuary? Are 4000 converts to Christ, who exert their christian influence immediately on 20,000 of their connexions, and in wider circles on the millions of Germany, their friends or their foes do they work for life, or for death? Is it, then, a calamity, if the number of the baptists increases? Is it better that men should perish than that they should become baptists ? Can the evangelical church

guarantee that it will bring to heaven those among whom it hinders the exertions of the baptists? And if not, does not their blood possibly cleave to it, and does it wish to answer for that? But who troubles himself to ask after the fate of the despised and hated sectaries, who, for the most part, move in the lowest walks of social life? The persecuted and imprisoned baptists are not so fortunate as to create a sensation, like the Madiais and the Cunninghames, or to put princes and statesmen into commotion. They receive in their prisons their bread and water, looking up in silence and obscurity to Him who looks from heaven upon earth to hear the sighing of the prisoners, although no tear of sympathy be accorded them by the high and noble of the earth. Oh! when the history of the baptists in Germany, during the nearly twenty years of their existence, shall be unfolded, when the sighs and the tears, the threatenings, the forcible entries of their dwellings, the puffing and blustering of gendarmes and policeofficers, of bailiffs, sheriffs, magistrates, and judges, the thousandfold distresses which they inflicted, who, with oaths and curses, brake up meetings where the most ardent love to God was poured out; when the witnesses of Jesus and hearers of his holy word, transported as vagabonds; when the poorest, deprived of the veriest necessaries; when the bound and imprisoned men, women, and children-when all these are at length presented in a vivid and intelligible picture to the christian public, then will tender and feeling hearts assuredly be touched by it, and mankind will here too admire what the love of Christ can do, and to what joyful sacrifices it can constrain. Our age does not in any respect equal that of our fathers, not even in regard to what is suffered for the name of Jesus; but if the people of God in all times are called upon to make up in their flesh what is yet wanting of the afflictions of Christ, then certainly it is the German baptists to whose lot this has specially fallen in our time."

UNITED STATES BAPTIST COLLEGES.Within the last six years 1,500,000 dollars have been subscribed towards the endowment of baptist colleges and seminaries in this country. The whole number of instructors connected with them is 154; students over 2,500. They have graduated over 4000 students in all; and their libraries contain more than 120,000 volumes.

DEATH IN THE PULPIT.-Rev. W. S. Lloyd, the pastor of two baptist churches a few miles west of Montgomery, died on Sunday, the 12th of March, while performing service. He had commenced his discourse, and after speaking a few moments, exclaimed: "I feel, brethren, I am going," and instantaneously sank down and expired.

DOMESTIC.

HOLYHEAD.—A resident at this important and rising sea-port has forwarded a communication, from which we gather that the Welsh baptists have made strenuous efforts to reduce the debt on their chapel, which was opened in April, 1851. Several additions have also been made to the church by baptisms. But the most important part of

his communication has reference to the

desirableness of erecting an English baptist chapel at Holyhead; and having visited the place during the past summer, we can vouch for the facts stated by our friend, who is a respectable inhabitant. Holyhead is now, by the erection of the tubular bridge over the Menai Straits, the nearest- and ever will be the nearest-overland route to Ireland, and nearly directly opposite the port of

Dublin. Great numbers of English are now

says:

in the place engineers, artizans, and labourers -forming the great western harbour of refuge; the works of which were inspected by the Queen and the Prince when they were on their way to the Irish exhibition last year. Nearly all the people understand English as well as their own curious, and, to us, unattainable language. We speak from personal knowledge; for we have spoken to Welsh congregations, and the people told us that we were understood. We can only add our hope that this case, like that at Ryde, will meet with attention from the baptists of England. Our friend "The brethren here regret very much that there is not an English baptist chapel in this fast-improving town, where there are so many hundreds connected with the new harbour, packets, railway station, &c., (I should say at least 1,500) with only one small English Wesleyan chapel, capable of holding about 250. I think the case ought to be taken into the serious consideration of our English ministers and English churches. Could we succeed to reduce our debt to about £300, we would willingly build another chapel, and partly, if not wholly, support an English minister: but with our present debt, and all our members being nearly of the working class, I am sorry we could not undertake the work alone. If you know of any plan by which this de sirable object could be accomplished, we should be very glad to hear from you."

J. S. KNOWLES, Esq.-On Friday, May 12, the students of Stepney College presented a copy of Bagster's large Comprehensive Bible, richly bound, with silver plate and inscription, to James Sheridan Knowles, Esq., at the conclusion of his lectures on elocution. An appropriate speech, delivered by Mr. Crassweller, the senior student, was feelingly responded to by Mr. Knowles.

Y

HOLLAND FEN, near Boston.-A new baptist chapel was erected in this neighbourhood a year ago, which will seat 130 persons. The land was given by a resident. It is a very neat and comfortable little place; and the congregations are good. Several are joined in christian fellowship, and others branch of the baptist church which meets in are waiting to be received. They form a Salem chapel, Boston. Such is the substance of a statement sent to us by one of the supplies; and we mention these few facts, not because of their importance, but to encourage those well-meaning friends who are anxious to do good in neighbour. hoods which are destitute of any regular preaching of the gospel. Great places can usually command great means; but little places have difficulties to contend with of a peculiar character, which call for, and deserve, the sympathy of the christian public.

LONDON, Rorough Road Chapel.—We regret to hear that the esteemed pastor of the General Baptist church meeting in this place of worship, is again prevented by indisposition from discharging his ministerial duties.

The pulpit is at present supplied by Mr. Charles Merry, formerly a Wesleyan minister in the Channel Islands, who was baptized by Mr. T. Stevenson, at Archdeacon Lane Chapel, Leicester, in January last; on which occasion, before his baptism, Mr. M. gave a lucid and satisfactory statement of the convictions which had been produced on his mind, and which had led to the step he was about to take.

WISBEACH, Ely Place.-Our readers who are acquainted with the painful circumstances in which the church at this place has recently been placed, by the strange conduct of the young man whom they had invited to occupy the pulpit, will be gratified to hear, that that individual has at length been induced to resign a position he ought never to have occupied. We hope that the lesson " on caution in the choice of a minister," which this sad case affords, will not be lost on the churches.

BOLTON.-On Monday evening, April 17, after a social tea meeting, a religious service was held in recognition of Mr. J. J. Owen, late of Sabden, as our pastor. Brethren Skemp of Chowbent, and Mitchell of Bacup, with Messrs. Jones and Best (Independent ministers) took part in the proceedings.

J. K.

MILLS HILL, near Bollon.—Mr. Joseph Knightley, of Horton College, Bradford, has accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the baptist church at this place.

DR. PERREY, of Derby, informs us that he has given notice to the church in Agard Street of his intention to resign, and that he is open to an invitation.

MISSIONARY.

TAVOY BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.Extracted from the Nineteenth Annual Report.-Five and twenty years on the 9th of April, 1853, elapsed, since the first protestant missionary arrived in Tavoy. His first labours were directed to the Tavoyers. Ere long his attention was called to a "strange people," who did not worship idols, and who possessed traditions of the true God. With an imperfect knowledge of the Burmese language, he endeavoured, by means of an interpreter, to make known to the Karens, as well as to the Tavoyers, the way of salvation, through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. They listened with wonder, and the truth failed not to reach their hearts. Evidence of this any christian may find in many who still live, if he will become acquainted with their lives. Some of those who believed in those early days of the mission, went among their countrymen in the Mergui, the Ya, and the Amherst Provinces, to Arrakan and the empire of Burmah. In those places they made known the wonder. ful things they had heard. It was not in vain. Since that time more than one hun. dred churches have been raised up, and more than ten thousand persons have been baptized on a profession of faith in Christ. The present year is an eventful year to this 66 strange people," the Karens, as the entire Bible, in one octavo volume, has been printed, and made ready for their perusal, as well as for generations to come, in their own language. The printing of the Karen bible makes a volume of 1040 pages, large 8vo. and is probably the cheapest bible that has ever been printed in any oriental character, as the printing and binding, including the printer's superintendence, only cost three rupees per copy. The general features of the Karen department of the Society's operations, have been much as in former years. All the churches of both Provinces were visited during the dry season. Those of the Mergui Province by Mr. and Mrs. Brayton, those of this province by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. The school also for native assistants has been in operation in the city; though owing to the Convention of Burman and Karen missionaries in Maulmain, the School was less numerously attended, and taught for a shorter time than usual. past year has been marked with change. The Rev. Mr. Mason has finally been com. pelled, by continued and alarming illness, to leave for England and America. Mr. Mason was the oldest surviving member of the Tavoy Mission. He arrived here just in time to see Mr. Boardman laid to his last rest, and to enter upon the labours of that servant of Christ among the Karens. We

The

report with deep sorrow the death of Shway Pwai, the assistant stationed at Lauloo. He was one of the most devoted men supported by the funds of this Society. He was selected by the Missionary last dry season to assist him in visiting the churches and in preaching the Gospel among the heathen. While thus engaged, he fell a victim to the cholera.

JAMAICA. We depart from our usual custom of not reporting missionary meetings at home, for which we could not find space, in favour of a brief report which we have received from one of the baptist missionaries in this island. For since the baptist churches there became self-supporting, we have not heard so much of them as formerly. We thought, therefore, that our readers would be pleased to have some information of their movements. If these remarks should meet the eye of any missionary in Jamaica, we wish to assure him of our deep interest in their welfare; and shall always be glad to receive intelligence from any of them. "On Tuesday, March 21, two missionary meetings were held at Salter's Hill, St. James. The first for the juvenile part of the congregation, whose attention was directed, 1. To the state of the young in heathen lands. 2. That nothing but the gospel will make them happy. 3. The duty of the young connected with christian churches in reference to christian missions. The second meeting was more particularly designed for the adult part of the congregation. Similar meetings were held on the following day at Maldin; the speakers on these occasions were Messrs. Clarke, Millard, G. R. Henderson, and Dendy. On Friday, the 14th of April, the eighteenth anniversary of the opening of Salter's Hill Chapel was celebrated. Some of the children connected with the day school recited pieces of poetry they had committed to memory; after which a public meeting was held, and resolutions passed expressive of gratitude for the many mercies received since the opening of the place of worship-the duty devolving on christians to maintain the cause of Christand the necessity of prayer for the outpouring of the influences of the Holy Spirit. The resolutions were moved and seconded by four deacons and two members of the church. The pastor stated that of the 780 who were members of the church when the chapel was opened only 160 remained; the greater part of the others had appeared before their Judge to give their final account. And out of four ministers who were then present, and took part in the opening services, one only remained alive; hence the necessity of attending to the injunctionWork while it is called to-day; the night cometh, in which no man can work.””