female, who is the mother of a large family, has been for many years a warmhearted member of the Wesleyan body. Before her conversion she was entirely unable to read; but has now a large acquaintance with the word of God. It is from this source alone that she has learned that baptism is the duty of every believer in Christ. She never heard a baptist sermon, nor read a baptist tract, nor witnessed the ceremony of believers' immersion, before the service when she herself was baptized. It is about two years since-from reading the scriptures -she began to think that the original institution of baptism was changed entirely, both in regard to the subjects and the mode. From that time she has often had to defend her views against the attacks of christian friends, and has felt her views confirmed the more she has examined the bible. Her convictions of personal duty became so strong that she sought out Mr. Compston, walking ten or eleven miles on a very hot day, and the same distance back again, to ask for baptism. Her evidences of a change of heart being satisfactory, and her christian character good, her request was cheerfully complied with; and as our brother, the blacksmith, was accepted about the same time, they were baptized together as above stated. May grace, mercy, and peace, rest upon them, and on the Israel of God! ROAD, Isle of Wight.-This station is supplied by lay agency: the attendance is good; and the word of the Lord, having free course, is running and being glorified. On Lord's-day, July 9, one of our brethren baptized two disciples on a profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One of them has been the fruit of his labours. May the Lord keep them faithful. On Lord's-day, Aug. 27, three more disciples followed their Lord into the watery grave, being buried with him by baptism. One of them, now seventy one years of age, has been a follower of Christ nearly forty years, and for many years a lay preacher among the Primitive Methodists. Some time ago he heard a sermon on baptism, and was convinced that it was his duty, and required obedience in order to his having a good conscience. Another brother was seventyfour years of age, and has only tasted and enjoyed the word of life within the last three years; which fact bears out the testimony of scripture, that "at evening time it shall be light." J. T. WHITEBROOK, near Monmouth. — On Lord's-day morning, Sep. 24, after an able discourse by our minister, Mr. Harrison, from the words, "Why baptizest thou then?" two females testified their love to the Redeemer by being buried with him in baptism. The service was solemn and deeply interesting, and we trust a good impression was produced on the minds of many. The following verses, composed by our minister, were sung at the water-side :— "I'm not ashamed of Jesus, But trust upon his word. For he my sins has borne. But I'll confess his name; Though men may count it shame. Of him who came to save. He calls me by his grace; For I shall see his face. Then come, O come to Jesus, For why should you delay? Who reigns enthroned above; And know and share his love. you that our pastor had the pleasure of BEVERLEY.I am happy to inform baptizing four candidates, Oct. 16, after a sermon from Galatians iii. 27. Two of the candidates were nephew and niece of the late Mr. Sample of Newcastle. May they all be faithful unto death, that they may receive a crown of life! J. B. POOLE. We trust the Lord is blessing us. On the first sabbath in May we immersed four; and this month, October, three more. Our congregation is also considerably increased within the past twelve months. BIRMINGHAM, Heneage Street.-I have made up my mind to send you a statement of the baptisms that take place at Heneage Street. On Lord's-day, Aug. 6, our pastor, Mr. Taylor, baptized one male and two females. On October 1, after a powerful sermon from Rom. iv. 3, "What saith the scripture ?" Mr. T. baptized eight males and four females; and these, with two by letter, were added to the church, and partook of the Lord's supper in the afternoon. It was a good day, and I trust our heavenly Father will grant us many such. I would also state, for the encouragement of those that are employed in instructing the young, that several of those baptized were from the sabbath school and the pastor's bible class. D. D. Circus Chapel.-On sabbath evening, Sept. 24, six candidates were baptized by Mr. Landels. They were added to the church the following sabbath. W. H. COWBRIDGE, Glamorganshire. - I am always delighted to read your reports of baptisms, and wish more were reported. I have pleasure in stating that after a few remarks by Mr. Price on believers baptism, and the useless and unscriptural doctrine of baby sprinkling, he baptized one female from our sabbath school, Sep. 24. The chapel was well attended, and great attention paid. We believe the Lord is answering the prayers of his people here, that his blessing may attend the faithful preaching of his word. We have a very good congregation; and our sabbath school is increasing. The can didate was received to the Lord's table the same day. W. N. IDLE, Yorkshire.-After delivering a faithful discourse to an attentive congregation from, "Why baptizest thou then?" Mr. Henry Rowson, of Horton College, Bradford, immersed three female candidates, Oct. 8; two of whom attribute their conversion (under the divine blessing) to his instrumentality. The pulpit is regularly supplied by the students of the above college; and we are happy to add the work of the Lord is prospering in their hands. There are now several inquiring their way to Zion. R. B. ABERDEEN, John Street Chapel. — A pædobaptist minister was baptized by Mr. F. Perkins on Lord's-day evening, October 8. Our friend is open to invitations from baptist churches, being desirous of such a settlement as may prove a sphere of usefulness. SABDEN, Lancashire. - On Thursday evening, Sep. 28, two young men, from our station at Billington, near Whalley, a district thoroughly under high church influence, were baptized upon their profession of faith by Mr. Griffiths, formerly our pastor. The scene was very impressive. Mr. G. delivered an excellent discourse on the subject of believers baptism, full of stubborn facts and convincing arguments. At this station there are several others inquiring the way to Zion, who, we trust, will very shortly follow the example of these two brethren, the first fruits of our labours here. We hope soon to erect a school and preaching W. F. room. LoscoE, Derbyshire.-I have no doubt it will give you pleasure to hear what a good work we have going on at Loscoe, and how greatly Mr. Stuart's ministry is being blessed amongst us. On the 24th Sep., after a very appropriate discourse, Mr. S. baptized eleven persons, ten of whom belong to the Sunday school; and I am thankful to say we have several more inquirers after the way of salvation. H. F. LONDON, Church Street, Blackfriars Road. -We had the pleasure of again witnessing the baptism of seven professed followers of the Lord Jesus, who gave testimony of their love to him by being baptized in his name, on the evening of Sep. 21. Mr. Branch, the pastor, preached; FOREST ROW, East Grinstead, Sussex.- Baptism Facts and Anecdotes. MODE OF ADMISSION INTO BAPTIST CHURCHES.-At this point, a brief allusion may be made as to the manner of admission into baptist churches, or candidates for church communion. To be truly a baptist, more than ordinary decision and resolution is called into exercise; for "a union with our body," remarks Dr. Godwin," presents greater difficulties to be surmounted than in joining most other communities." There is required a public profession of repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ in the act of baptism by immersion; but all that concerns that profession should be as simple and as unostentatious as the examples exhibited in apostolic times. Is much ceremony and parade required in such engagements? To the more timid and the less fluent-"the coming before the church," and "the giving in of experience," has been a source of great discouragement to many, whilst those of a bolder demeanour, and of a more ready utterance, but not more sincere than the former individuals, can, with more ease to themselves, and also with more apparent satisfaction to others, pass through the iniatory ordeal to church membership. The individual character of candidates is mostly known to the churches, and whilst due discretion should be exercised under the influence of christian charity and kindness, every unnecessary impediment should be removed for a free and simple profession of attachment to the Saviour, according to New Testament precedents. Dr. Godwin, in his excellent discourse, suitably offers his views upon the subject: he observes-" Have Progress of Religious Sentiment. Sabbath Schools and Education. POPISH INSTRUCTION FOR THE YOUNG. WHILST British sabbath school teachers are engaged in conducting the young to the fountain of truth in the Holy Scriptures, they will hear with regret and indignation how the enemies of the bible are busily employed in leading the young under their influence to the muddy and stagnant pools of human corruptions. The following is an extract of a popish catechism, drawn up by a jesuit priest, and recommended by a romanist bishop to the young under his care. This bishop, in 1842, pretended to exorcise an evil spirit, which evil spirit, it was declared, was seen going out of the church where the deed was done! Such are the "lying wonders" of popery. Question. Of what use is the sign of the holy cross? Answer. To destroy all sorts of sorcery, and to drive away the devil, ghosts, and all temptations. Q.-In what place will each one arise in the resurrection? A.-Each one will rise in that place where the largest portion of his body remains. Q.-In what form will each rise again? A.–Of a middling stature, with well proportioned limbs, and each according to the sex previously possessed. Q-In what age shall we rise from the dead? A. In the age of Christ; as if we all were thirty-three years old. Q-Shall the world be inhabited again? A.-Some think unbaptized children will inhabit it; but none else, not even the beasts. Q. Is it allowable to take one's wages, or anything else due to us, in a secret clandestine manner? A. He who will act safely in this matter must ask the priest. Q.-Must stolen goods be restored, and the injury made good? A. Yes; and to those whom it belongs, if possible. Q-If the owner is unknown, what is to be done? A.-It must be given to God, as the master of all, in the way of masses, alms, &c., for the benefit of the owner. Q-Are there any more church laws? A. It is commanded, for instance, to pay tithes. Q-Of what should tithes be paid? Q-How does the church punish the non-payment of tithes? A. She commands that such as do not pay shall be excommunicated, and not restored until they have repaid all. Q. What if they were wicked priests who should get the tithes ? A.-Honour is still due to them, for they remain vicars of God. Q-Where is hell? A.-Hell is in the middle of the earth. A.-Not very; for the damned lie packed in it one upon another, like the bricks in a brick oven. Such are the instructions which a popish bishop of the nineteenth century thinks suitable for improving the heart and mind of Roman Catholic youth. Religious Cracts. RELIGIOUS TRACTS IN INDIA.-Some twenty years ago I visited a place called Luckantipore. I found there only one or two families that had embraced the gospel; but, about two months ago, I received a letter giving an account of an association of christians held there; there were 500 persons present, those 500 persons were the increase of the one or two families to which I have alluded. Some six or seven years ago there was an old man, a Mohunta Gooro, as we call them in that country, who obtained a tract from some one, and after reading it, his mind was deeply impressed, and he determined to find out, if possible, the person who had given it. He went and found out the missionary, and brought him into that district; and last year there was an association of christian churches there, and a chapel holding about 500 persons was really crowded with the people who had embraced the gospel in consequence of the tract which that old man had received. While I am speaking about tracts, I would just go back again to the Association of Luckantipore. Some years ago it fell to my lot to receive the papers of the family who first embraced christianity in that village. Among those papers I found a tract; it was not one of the Calcutta tracts,-it was a tract that had been printed at least forty years, and bore the name of the Serampore press upon it. It had probably been received by the individual years before, for it was well thumbed, and had been read well. I believe that the tract was the instrument, in the hands of God, of the formation of the churches which now exist in that part of the country. I say, in one word, that we have attained a vantage ground in India such as we never had before; that weak as our strength is, we have greater encouragements, from the results of missionary labours, to endeavour to propagate the gospel than we have ever yet been permitted to witness. George Pearce. LITTLE AT FIRST, BUT MIGHTY A TRAVELLER through a dusty road And one took root and sprouted up, Love sought its shade at evening time, BAPTIST. FOREIGN. | And age was pleased, in heats of noon, It stood a glory in its place,— A blessing evermore. A little spring had lost its way He thought not of the deed he did, A dreamer dropped a random thought; But strong in being true. The thought was small-its issue great; It shed its radiance far adown, And cheers the valley still. A nameless man, amid a crowd A whisper on the tumult thrown,— It raised a brother from the dust,- O germ! O fount! O word of love! Intelligence. long an absence from my beloved family, and the dear people of my charge, words cannot describe. I am lost in wonder, love, and praise, in reviewing all the way which the Lord has led me during my long, hazardous, and laborious journey. 'Oh to grace how great a debtor, Bind my wandering heart to thee.' I trust the Lord's goodness will not be lost upon me and mine, but that it will tend to lead me to walk more humbly with my God, and to devote myself more unreservedly to his cause. The field is widening before us |