denominations in Stratford, Henley, Kenilworth, and the surrounding villages. Last Sunday their exertions were devoted to this town. Bills had been circulated announcing the services of the day, which commenced with a prayer meeting in the baptist chapel, at seven o'clock in the morning. At nine o'clock an open-air service was held at the market house, where Mr. Webb delivered a discourse to about 200 people. At the close of the service 200 tracts were dis anticipate any feasible reply. Were any, however, to ask, why should they? we at once answer, because in every county such labours are necessary-very necessary. It would be a work of superorogation to attempt to prove this. And then, as regards the agents, why surely in every county three ministers like brethren Maizey, Webb, and Nash, might be found to consult, and arrange, and set about the work. Are any timorous? So are we sometimes when warm in bed on a winter's morning we lie think-tributed, chiefly among the men and ing of our cold bath. But we go and do it, and have the benefit. So we advise such to do, and not "Linger shivering on the brink." non-commissioned officers of the militia. Mr. Nash returned to conduct the service in his chapel; and the other gentlemen proceeded to the factory yard and other Once engaged heartily, they will not places, distributing tracts. At half-past willingly give up the noble and much-two, another service commenced in the needed enterprize. chapel, where Mr. Maizey preached to a crowded congregation, and announced another open-air service at the market house at five o'clock. A few minutes after six, service began again in the chapel, when Mr. Nash gave an address, in the course of which he defended the proceedings of the day on the ground of their being adapted to meet the religious requirements of the age. Before the congregation dispersed, two other addresses were delivered by Mr. Maizey and Mr. Webb, who left the town next day to prosecute their mission in other localities." Narratives and Anerdotes. WICKLIFFE is the greatest English | First of all as a Christian, he had devoted reformer; he was, in truth, the first his strength to the cause of the church; reformer of Christendom, and to him, but he was at the same time a citizen, under God, Britain is indebted for the and the realm, his nation, and his king, honour of being the foremost in the had also a great share in his unwearied attack upon the theocratic system of activity. He was a man complete! . . Gregory VII. The work of the Wal- While Luther was surrounded by an denses, excellent as it was, cannot be ever-increasing number of scholars and compared to his. If Luther and Calvin princes, who confessed the same faith as are the fathers of the Reformation, himself, Wickliffe shone almost alone in Wickliffe is its grandfather. . . . . As a the firmament of the church. The bolddivine, he was at once scriptural and ness with which he substituted a living spiritual, soundly orthodox, and possessed spirituality for a superstitious formalism, of an inward and lively faith. With a caused those to shrink back in affright boldness that impelled him to rush into who had gone with him against priests, the midst of danger, he combined a logi- friars, and popes. Ere long the Roman cal and consistent mind, which constantly pontiff ordered him to be thrown into led him forward in knowledge, and prison, and the monks threatened his caused him to maintain with persever-life; but God protected him, and he ance the truths he had once proclaimed. remained calm amidst the machinations of his adversaries. "Anti-Christ," said he, "can only kill the body." Having one foot in the grave already, he foretold that from the bosom of monkery would some day proceed the regeneration of the church."-D`Aubigne's English Reformation. "RIVERS OF WATERS."-About four o'clock this afternoon, there was a cry in the encampment-not that the Haghar were coming-not that another troop of robbers and wild people were advancing to attack us-but the cry was,-" El wady jaee!" "The wady is coming!" Going out to look, I saw a broad, white sheet of foam advancing from the south between the trees of the valley. In ten minutes after a river of water came pouring along, and spread all around us, converting the place of our encampment into an isle of the valley. The currrent in its deepest part was very powerful, capable of carrying away sheep and cattle, and of uprooting trees. This is one of the most interesting phenomena I have witnessed during my present tour in Africa. The scene, indeed, was perfectly African. Rain had been observed falling in the south; black clouds and darkness covered that zone of the heavens; and an hour afterwards came pouring down this river of waters into the dry, parchedup valley. This incident of Wady Zintaghoda explains the scriptural phrase "rivers of waters;" for here, indeed, was a river of waters appearing in an instant, and almost without notice.'-Richardson's Travels in Central Africa. CURIOUS FACTS OF NATURAL HISTORY. -In Mexico, the lakes are dry in summer, and the crocodiles lie torpid in the mud. Travellers pass over them without knowing they are there. Persons who desire to find them provide themselves with a harpoon, which they plunge into the mud. When they have found a crocodile, they dig under its tail and hind feet, which they rope together, and so onwards to the head. The animal is thus taken alive without any great danger. Salamanders are found in ponds, marshes, and damp places. Little lizards are caught in traps in France. A small hook attached to a horsehair string is baited with a moth, and suspended before the hole of the lizard. The lizard thus catches the moth, and the naturalist the lizard. Care is necessary to avoid breaking the tail, which is very fragile. The Germans take them in hair-nets, baited with coleoptera. The large kinds, of warm climates, are shot with buck shot. Serpents are dangerous even after they are dead and dried for years. A scratch from the fang of a dead rattlesnake or corbra di capello may be fatal. The teeth of the viper are moveable, like the claws of a cat, and the venom flows along them into the wound. The remedy recommended by M. Boitard, is a dose of alcali volatil, or volatile salts, in a glass of water. Suakes feign to be dead when they cannot escape. When the French naturalists chase serpents they provide themselves with a leather bag, in which kills the reptiles, pincers with a long they place some tobacco-snuff, which handle, and a net attached to a handle and surrounded with small iron spikes. ferred from the net into the bag among The vipers perish soon after being transall thrown into the leather bag together. the snuff: toads, frogs, and lizards are Prior to preparing the serpents, their stomachs are emptied by distending their mouths. It is in May and June that reptiles are found in the brilliant colours of their new skins. NUMERICAL COINCIDENCES. -The marriage of Louis XIII. of France, with the Princess Anne of Austria, met with many obstacles, but was ultimately brought about, in consequence of the following weighty considerations. The name of Louis, or, according to the ancient orthography, Loys de Bourbon, contained thirteen letters, he was in the thirteenth year of his age; and he was the thirteenth King of France of the name of Louis. The Princess Anne d'Autriche had also thirteen letters in her name; she too was in her thirteenth year, and there were thirteen princesses of the same name in the house of Spain. Louis and Anne were born on the same day, of the same month, of the same year. Nothing could be more obvious than that they were born for each other. Similar to the above was the play on the number of fourteen, as connected with the life of Henry IV. He was born in the fourteenth century, fourteen years and fourteen decades after Jesus Christ; he came into the world on the fourteenth of December, and left it on the fourteenth of May he lived four times fourteen years, four times fourteen days, and fourteen weeks; and there were fourteen letters in his name— -Henri de Bourbon. : FOREIGN. Baptisms. INDIA, Serampore Mr. Denham writes, Sep. 2-"In the midst of our trials, God has not left us without a blessing. Several, we may say for India many, have been baptized this year. At Barrackpore, a work of inquiry and revival has been going on among the descendants of the Portuguese and Hindoos, connected with the various regiments stationed there Since I wrote, a son of brother Lawrence of Monghir has been baptized by brother Leslie; he was educated by me, and left last year for employment in Calcutta. A son of brother Williamson, of Birbhoom, who is with us now, will most probably have professed his love to the Saviour before this letter reaches you. May our children arise in the place of their fathers! May God, even our own God, bless them, and make them more useful and successful than we have been!" Chittagong. Mr. Johannes says:-"You will join with me in thanking God that we are yet preserved to preach unto the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ, and that we continue to experience success in our work. Last sabbath, the 27th of March, I had the happiness of immersing four persons. Two of them the offspring of our two first native converts from Chundjâw, in Chittagong, and two East Indians. Both their fathers were educated in the mission school at this place. I have now four more candidates and inquirers." BAHAMAS - Mr. Littlewood says, Aug. 23, "I am glad to be able to state that the smiles of prosperity now rest upon our church; the sabbath school is also in a promising condition. Last sabbath we had the pleasure of baptizing twelve. and of receiving four others into the church, making an addition of above thirty since January. The baptismal scene was peculiarly solemn and impressive; many of the candidates were either scholars in the adult class, or teachers in the sabbath school. Mothers and fathers witnessed their children devoting themselves to the Lord. A sacred awe pervaded the vast congregation as Our friends publicly attested their love for Christ. We have several more candidates to whom we hope to administer the sacred rite in a few months. May the Lord enable all of them to hold fast their profession." At WESTERN AFRICA.-Mr. Saker writes: "We have just now added twelve converts by baptism to our number; on sabbath day last seven were baptized in our river here, and the sabbath previous at Clarence, I immersed five in our mountain stream. These have long waited for the day, and others of whom we are well satisfied, wait only a little longer. There are three at Bimbia who will probably be received the first sabbath I can spend there. My last visit to Clarence seems to have been unusually productive in awakening the minds of sinners, especially the young. Many who heretofore have given us only sorrow, are now humbled and earnestly inquiring after truth. this place we have much hope the word of the Lord will prevail. We are now becoming a body, a visible church. At our last ordinance we numbered not less than thirty believers. This number we could increase to fifty in a few days, but for an excess of caution. A church of thirty, scattered in a heathen town, maintaining among themselves meetings for prayer, and living in united attendance on the means of grace, cannot but be influential. It makes the gospel to be felt even where the preachers of the cross cannot have access. Many, many things are conspiring to give impressions of the importance of the gospel, and distant districts seem only waiting for some to show them the right way. A deep feeling, a wide spread inquiry prevails, and is spreading still wider. Ethiopia will stretch her hands to God at no distant day, and we can but pray, hasten it, Lord, in thy good time." TRINIDAD. Mr. Law says:-"At this place, Savanna le Grande, I baptized seven persons on a creditable profession of faith in Christ Jesus; and was truly delighted with a class of bible-readers in connexion with this church. At Sherringville, there is a great awakening among the people in relation to divine things. The members of the church meet almost daily for prayer and supplication. Many sinners are being convinced of sin, and some have found peace through the blood of Christ. At this place I baptized five converts. There was, at all our meetings, a manifestation of the gracious presence of our God and Saviour." DOMESTIC. of the candidates is a scholar in the sabbath school. In the evening these, with two others, were received into the church at the Lord's table. W. R. LONDON, Devonshire Square.—On Thursday evening, Dec. 1, Mr. Hinton baptized five young females, the children of pious parents; most of whom are members of the church in this place. Each one of these dear young friends is the eldest in the family, excepting one who is next to the eldest, and who is already a member of the church. This very interesting service, Mr. Hinton told us, suggested to him the text he had chosen, in Psalm xlv. 16, which he worded thus: "Instead of the fathers are the children." On this he made the following leading observations. 1. That religion does not run in the blood. 2. That the children of godly parents have many advantages for the cultivation of early piety. 3. That the conversions of such children are matters for much thankfulness, and sources of much comfort and joy to the parents and to the members of the church. Very many children and young people were among the spectators, whom the pastor most touchingly addressed. At the water-side it was a sight truly interesting, solemn, and hopeful. May God grant his people here many such blessed instances of the fulfilment of his promise upon their chil dren in answer to their prayers. T. R. Moorfields, Welsh Baptists. Our pastor, Mr. Williams, after an argumentative discourse on the mode of baptism, ad-suredly shall be promoting our ministered the ordinance to two candidates, Nov. 27. One of these had been a member for several years with the Independents; the other was an aged female, who had been deeply distressed in consequence of having spent so much of her time in the service of a hard master, but was now truly thankful of an opportunity of coming forward publicly to avow her attachment to the Saviour. We rejoice that God is thus blessing the labours of our pastor, and hope soon to see others in greater numbers following in their footsteps. Lambeth, Regent Street.-On the evening of Dec. 1, three believers were baptized into the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. May they persevere even unto the end! IPSWICH, Turret Green.-Our pastor, Mr. Lord, had the pleasure of baptizing, and admitting into church communion, two willing disciples of our Lord and Saviour, on the first sabbath in December. One of these belongs to a very important, though sadly neglected, class of the community-a household servant. It may with truth be called an important class, because so much of our happiness or discomfort in the family depends on the character and conduct of our domestics; and seeing this is the case, and knowing that many employers are lamentably indifferent to the spiritual necessities of those who are in their service, the writer would earnestly recommend to general adoption, a plan which has been for some time iu successful operation in connection with our own place of worshipviz.: a bible class for the especial benefit of young women, whose opportunities for For in promoting their benefit we asimprovement are generally so limited. Spencer Place, Goswell Road.-Six believers were buried with Christ in baptism on Tuesday evening, Nov. 8. Mr. Jennings immersed the candidates. We expect others will soon follow. Eagle Street.-On Lord's-day morning, Dec. 4, the ordinance of believers baptism was administered to three young persons, after a sermon by our pastor, Mr. Francis Wills, from, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized." One C own happiness and social comfort. The other candidate was the subject of much interest and gratitude. Our friend had the benefit of an early religious training, but on leaving the parental roof he mixed drank deep of the inebriating cup; which with the giddy votaries of pleasure, and he found, in his bitter experience at the last, biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. After an absence of some years he returned to his native town; and though for a long season he had duced to enter our chapel. He listened neglected the means of grace, he was into the proclamation of pardon for the guilty; his attention was fixed; bis downward course was arrested; his heart was happily changed; and now, like one of old, he is going on his way rejoicing. He has moreover resolved, in dependence on Divine strength, to abandon for ever the use of that which proved such an enemy to his peace, and hopes henceforth to dedicate all the renewed powers of his mind to the promotion of the cause of Christ, and the best interests of his fellow-men. I may also add, that a young man, connected with an Independent place of worship in a neighbouring town, was baptized at the same time, who returned to unite with his former friends. G. R. G. CORSHAM.-On sabbath morning, Dec. 18, the ordinance of baptism was administered at Ebenezer chapel, by the pastor, Mr. J. Jones, late of Usk. The service was rendered deeply interesting from the fact that two of the candidates were daughters of the late Mr. Spackman, who was senior deacon of the church from the time of its formation until he fell a victim to the flames which destroyed his premises. From the serious and subdued countenances of the spectators, many of whom could not restrain their tears, as well as from the feelings excited in our own bosom, we are convinced that the scene was peculiarly solemn and impressive, and that many fervent prayers were directed to the throne of grace for future divine protection and guidance to those who had thus publicly devoted themselves to God. May he, who is the father of all mercies, still further bless the efforts of his servant amongst us, by granting many such times of refreshing from his presence and the glory of his power. W. N. INSKIP. We baptized two young persons, Nov. 27, after a discourse from, "The baptism of John, whence was it?" We had large congregations all the day; and the behaviour of the people at the water side was remarkably good. The baptized were welcomed to the Lord's table on Dec. 4. May the Lord bless them and make them a blessing! We trust that a good work is going on in other hearts, and that we shall have further additions to report. May I mention a pleasing circumstance? A member of an Independent church near Manchester, who was present at the baptism on Aug. 7, recorded in page 273 of the Reporter for 1853, was convinced at the water-side of his duty to be immersed as a believer in Jesus. Accordingly he has since been baptized, and with him another member of the same church, by Mr. Harvey of Bury, whose church they have joined. PRINCES RISBORO'.-On the evening of Lord's-day, Nov. 13, in the presence of a very crowded congregation, four young persons put on Christ by baptism. More will, we hope, soon follow in their steps. EBBW VALE, Monmouthshire, English. On sabbath afternoon, Nov. 6th, Mr. J. H. Hill, of Pontypool College, immersed two persons on a profession of repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The concourse of people assembled to witness this scriptural mode of publicly putting on Christ was immense, and consisted of persons of different denominations, who listened with respectful attention to the able defence of our principles, given by the preacher, previous to the administration of the ordinance. Mr. Hill supplied us during the last summer's vacation, and his devotion to his temporary charge, and the success which followed, having baptized thirteen persons, led us to seek a more permanent connection. Accordingly, we tendered to Mr. Hill a unanimous invitation to become our pastor, and now we look forward to Christmas next, when his college term will be ended, as the period when we shall be united, and, with our rapidly increasing population, enjoy the benefit of his ministrations. J. L. ABERGAVENNY.-After a very solemn and impressive discourse by the venerable pastor of the church, Mr. M. Thomas-who has since entered the joy of his Lordfrom, "Consider what I say; take advice, and speak your minds," Mr. Price of Abersychan, baptized seven followers of the Saviour, Nov. 13. Six of these were females. The male candidate was a Wesleyan who had lately been engaged in preaching, and had occupied Mr. Thomas's pulpit on the previous sabbath. These were all added at the Lord's table on that day; when it was remarked how much the aged pastor appeared to enjoy the sacred services; though none imagined they would be the last ordinances he would partake in on earth. He only preached on one more sabbath. He has now gone to join the Great Assembly. LEOMINSTER.-After an able defence of the scriptural ordinance of believer's baptism, by Mr. Blackmore, three young disciples of Jesus were baptized by Mr. Lewis. They were all daughters of members. May they be faithful unto death, and then receive a crown of life! G. B. DAWLEY BANK.-Four followers of the Lamb of God put on a profession of his name by baptism, Dec. 18, in the presence of many witnesses. Two were teachers, and one a scholar. Mr. Howe, of Shrewsbury, preached on the occasion, and we hope good will result. J. J. |