twinkling the delicate toilet of their extremities, and imprison them again in elegant and commodious sandals, fastened by ribbons which cross on the top. The guests stretch themselves on their couches of gold and purple; slaves burn precious perfumes in golden vases; young children pour odoriferous essences on the hair of each. The hall is full of balmy fragrance. The candelabra diffuse the most brilliant lustre. The golden panelling of the walls return a dazzling brightness; and the full or softened tones of the hydraulic organ announce the commencement of the banquet. And now course follows course, and goblet follows goblet, the viands and wines being the richest that art could furnish from the land or sea. At length, supper being ended, the guests however being still on their couches and at their wine, the amusements begin, which consist in part of feats performed by jugglers, and of a company of public servants, who, from the things they did, seemed to have bodies pliant as leather and light as air. The only thing wanting to render Seba's supper a worthy specimen of nocturnal Roman feasts, was to produce before the guests one of those spectacles which outrage morals and humanity. Nero's freedman had been too well tutored to refuse them this diversion. Young Syrians, or bewitching Spanish girls, went through lascivious dances, which raised no blush on the brow of rigid magistrates, who forgot, in the house of the vile slave, the respect due to their age and dignity. After the voluptuous scenes of the lewd Celtibe

FOREIGN.

reans, blood was required: for they seem to have been formed by nature to take a strange delight in sudden contrasts. Ten couples of gladiators, armed with swords and bucklers, occupied a space assigned to them, and ten horrible duels recreated the attentive assembly. For a long time nothing was heard but the clash of arms; but the thirst for conquest animated those ferocious combatants, and they rushed with loud cries on one another. Blood flowed on all sides; the couches were dyed with it, and the white robes of the guests were soon spotted. Some of the combatants fell, and the rattles announced approaching death; others preserved in their last struggles a funereal silence, or endeavoured to fix their teeth in the flesh of their enemies standing erect beside them. The spectators, stupified with wine and good cheer, contemplated this carnage with cold impassibility; they only roused from their torpor when one of those men, happening to trip against a table, struck his head on the ivory, and his antagonist, prompt as lightning, plunged his sword into the throat of his foe, whence torrents of black reeking blood inundated the polished ivory, and flowed in long streams among the fruits, cups, and flowers. The deed was applauded; servants washed the tables and the floor with perfumed water, and these stirring scenes were soon forgotten. A last cup was drunk to the good genius, whose protection they invoked before returning home. Soyer's Pantropheon.

fourteen Burmese have been baptized, and there are several hopeful, inquirers. One new preaching station near Kemendine has been occupied. The congreestablishing a church is very encouraggation there is good, and the prospect of ing."

Barisàl.-Mr. Page, under date of August 26th, writes as follows:-"I baptized at Chobekarpar eight persons:five women, of whom three can read the bible, and three men, of whom one can read. All had been candidates for many months. The Lord hold them up unto the end! At Ashkár I baptized two men, one of whom, I hope, will be useful

by and by. He has learnt to read and write since he became a christian, and seems anxious to do good. There are more candidates." Mr. Page baptized another woman at Pàkhar, on the 31st of August.

Agra. At the Cantonment baptist chapel, two believers on the Lord Jesus Christ,-one a European and the other a native, were immersed by Mr. Williams of Cawnpore, on the 31st of August. Benares.-Two persons were baptized at this station on the 7th, and two others on the 21st of August.

Jellasore, Orissa.-On the 19th of September Mr. Phillips wrote thus:-"You will be glad to learn that we still have encouragement to prosecute our labours. On the first sabbath of this month, I had the pleasure of baptizing at Jellasore, a female convert, the wife of a native schoolmaster; and yesterday (the third sabbath) I was permitted to baptize two male converts at Santipore, rescued Khund victim, from the school, and the other lately from the heathen. All three are encouraging cases, and we hope and pray, that grace may be vouchsafed, to enable them to maintain the profession which they have made."

- one

a

Dum Dum.-Mr. Lewis had the pleasure to baptize one European, on sabbath-day, September the 25th.

DOMESTIC.

GLASGOW, Nelson Street.-Since we reported in September last, seven have put on Christ by baptism; six of whom, three males and three females, were young disciples, who had come to the knowledge of the truth through the preaching of the word in our place; the other, who was baptized on the 8th Jan., has long been a believer, but till then had not attended to this ordinance. Previously to his immersion, he stated to a crowded house, that he had long considered himself baptized; but on a careful examination of the word of God, had found out his error, and, therefore, in accordance with the command of Christ, would now hasten to obey: so saying, he stepped into the water, and was buried with his Lord in baptism. J. R.

GOLCAR, near Huddersfield.-On Thursday, Jan. 12, our pastor, Mr. Edward Franklin, baptized two candidates. We expect others will soon follow their Lord through the baptismal stream.

S. T.

CAMBRIDGE, Zion Chapel.-Five believers professed their love to Christ by following him down into the waters of baptism, on Lord's-day, Dec. 25. One of the male candidates had been many years connected with the Independents as a member and itinerant preacher. The other is a teacher in our sabbath school, a young man who promises, under divine favour, to be very useful in the cause of Christ. The Lord is blessing us greatly. Forty-one have been baptized during the past year. Several of that number are young men, who seem to feel the influence and power of the command of him who said,-"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." In other respects, the past year has been an eventful one in our history. The old debt on the chapel, which has long burdened us, has been cleared off, and we have many other proofs that God is prospering us in our way. J. J. A.

BURNLEY, Enon Chapel.-Mr. Batey baptized three disciples, who were thus buried with Christ, on Dec. 25. One of these was the fifth of the same family that Mr. B. has had the pleasure of baptizing. The first in the family was an elder sister, whose conversion has been instrumental in bringing into the church her father and mother and two sisters. This is a remarkable instance of the blessing of God attending his own ordinance. The parents first came to our chapel to witness the baptism of their daughter, and so impressed were they with the solemnity and scriptural characattend the place, and they have now ter of the service, that they decided to given their hearts to God, and followed the Saviour in the same way.

WATERFORD, Ireland.—An interesting service was held at the baptist meeting house in this city, Dec. 25, when our pastor gave an exposition and defence of scriptural baptism, and at its close, Mr. Wilshere baptized a young person, the daughter of a former minister, who, for his amiability and excellence of character, was highly respected. The service was well attended; several persons were much affected, and all appeared to concur in the views which were advocated.

KENNINGHALL, Norfolk.-On the evening of Lord's-day, Dec. 25, Mr. Upton baptized one youthful disciple on a profession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

SOUTH LOPHAM, Norfolk. I have been a reader of your Reporter, and other periodicals, from their commencement, and have done my best to promote their circulation in several localities; but never till now have troubled you with anything for insertion. Permit me now to state that the chapel in this village was opened for divine worship, March 4th, 1852, and brother Harvey, of Kenninghall, was invited to supply the pulpit. On July 17, 1853, two persons were solemnly baptized, upon a profession of repentance towards God, and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ. Probably this was the first time that the ordinance had been performed in this village since the days of King Charles II., when, according to Palmer's Nonconformist Memorial, a baptist minister officiated in the parish church here, and was ejected by the Act of Uniformity. On the afternoon of the same day, eight persons were formed into a church, and partook of the Lord's Supper. On Dec. 25, two females, the wife of a respectable farmer and a young female, followed their Lord and Master through his watery grave. As the baptistry is out of doors, some inconvenience was anticipated from a prospect of unfavourable weather; but, as though the Saviour would sanction his own ordinance with a smile, a brighter winter's morning never shone from the heavens. The attendance was good; every countenance seemed to give expression to an unusual degree of inward peace and joy, while several of the spectators were observed to shed tears at the water side. A sabbath school was now resolved upon; and on the first day of the new year, upwards of twenty poor children assembled at the chapel to receive religious instruction, and several persons offered their services as teachers. -January 8th, the baptistry was again opened, and another female publicly expressed her attachment to the Redeemer by being baptized into the names of the Sacred Three. We continue to pray that we may be made a blessing to this thickly populated, but sadly benighted, locality. We have no vestry or school room, and the chapel has a debt remaining of about fifty pounds, which we are too poor to discharge. No appeal has yet been made to neighbouring churches; but should any friends of the Redeemer, whom he has made stewards over his gold and silver, be disposed to

F

aid this feeble cause, any donations towards the chapel debt, or the erection of school rooms, may be forwarded to Mr. Francis Self, South Lopham, near East Harling, Norfolk. R. H. K.

BACUP, Irwell Terrace.-God has again blessed us with tokens of his approbation. In the afternoon of Dec. 25, after a sermon on the baptism of the Lord Jesus, Mr. Mitchel went down into the water and buried three believers with Christ in baptism. Two of whom were added. The other was a Primitive Methodist. We have no objections to baptize christians from other churches, but would rather recommend such churches to commence the practice of baptizing believers themselves, and thus take a scriptural step towards the apostolic rule, from which they have departed. Would not this be a more excellent way?

D. H. L. THRAPSTON. A young candidate was publicly baptized here, by our pastor, Mr. Cubitt, on Dec. 29, who gave very pleasing evidence of her love to the Saviour. Pious parents taught her to walk early in the ways of the Lord. She had for some time been convinced that she was a helpless sinner, in need of a Saviour; but that which made the most lasting impression on her mind was, the perusal of "The Dealings of God with George Muller." She is young, but, we hope, not too young to prove the reality of her profession by her deeds. J. L.

BRISTOL, Counterslip.- On the first sabbath of the new year, Mr. Winter baptized seven followers of the Lord Jesus. One was a sailor; two had been Wesleyans; and one for several years a deacon of the Independent church under the pastoral care of the late venerable Mr. Jay of Bath.

Broadmead.-On Thursday evening, Dec. 29, after a discourse by Mr. Morris of Hampton, Mr. Haycroft baptized three young men, sons of pious parents.

LONDON, East Street, Walworth.-On Thursday, 29th Dec., six believers followed their Lord's command in the sacred ordinance of baptism-three men and three women. Four had been members of Independent churches. Three of these were from a neighbouring church, the minister of which, now we trust in glory, indulged such a strange prejudice against immersion, as led him to write and speak many uncharitable things against our denomination. This had not the effect upon his hearers in general that he wished, for it has led many to think on the subject, to search the scriptures, and to manifest their convictions by keeping this commandment. One of the above is an occasional preacher, who gave a very appropriate address to the congregation at the waterside, stating his reasons for the change in his sentiments. It would be well for those who cannot see (or rather will not) this plain command, to regard the advice given by Gamaliel to the Jewish council, "Take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."-I may add, that on the first of Sep. last, our pastor immersed eight persons, on a profession of repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, which we omitted to report at the time.

J. S.

CHELSEA, Paradise Chapel.-On sabbath morning, Dec. 25, we had a very interesting service in this place. Our new pastor, Mr. Thomas J. Cole, after preaching on the baptism of the believers at Corinth, (Acts xviii. 8) immersed five believers, among whom were a mother and two of her children, and Mr. C.'s own father. The chapel was filled with a very attentive audience, and good impressions seemed to be made upon many of the hearers. Several have since began to enquire respecting these things.

We

trust the Lord will continue to favour us, and that soon this part of his vineyard will bloom and blossom as the rose.

GREENWICH, Lewisham Road.-Mr. J. Russell, our pastor, baptized four disciples of the Holy Saviour, on Wednesday evening, Dec. 28. Two were teachers.

B. B.

HACKNEY, Mare Street.-On the evening of Dec. 1, after a solemn discourse by Mr. Katterns, from, “A good confession," eight females and one male were buried with Christ in baptism. Two of these were from an Independent church. And on Dec. 29, four more females thus put on Christ, after a sermon by Mr. K., from, "Repent, and be baptized." One of these had been a member of the Established Church. May they all hold on even unto the end! More are expected. E. B.

WOLVERHAMPTON, St. James' Street.— Our pastor, Mr. S. A. Tipple, baptized three females, believers in the Lord Jesus, Dec. 22. One, advanced in life, had been a Wesleyan for many years, and though infirm, went through the service with comfort. Our prospects are now more cheering in this very populous town, and we hope to see better days.

W. R.

CRADLEY, Worcestershire.-On the evening of Lord's-day, Dec. 11, Mr. Sneath preached on the authority which the Word of God gives for the immersion of believers only on a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus; after which three believers were baptized. It was a truthful discourse, the power of which was felt by many. J. F.

HAMMERSMITH.-Five believers were buried with their Lord in baptism, and added to the church under the pastoral care of Mr. Leechman, on January 8. During the past year this church has received larger accessions by baptism than during any former year of Mr. Leech

man's pastorate.

J. H. P.

STALY BRIDGE.-Six young disciples of the Lord Jesus, all from the sabbath school, were publicly baptized on the first Lord's-day of the new year, after a discourse by our pastor, Mr. Sutcliffe. Many spectators were gathered to witness the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. scene. May every one of these adorn the T. H.

GORSLEY, Herefordshire.—On the first sabbath of the new year Mr. Hall bapsatisfactory evidence of repentance totized three females, who had given wards God, and faith towards our Lord

Jesus Christ.

R. L.

BEDALE, Yorkshire. Mr. Harrison, after discoursing on christian baptism, immersed one believer in the Lord Jesus, Nov. 27; who was added to our number.

R. .

WEM, Salop.-On Lord's-day afternoon, Dec. 25, Mr. Rotherham, our pastor, delivered a discourse on baptism; after which he immersed two candidates, who were added to the church on the following sabbath. We hope that others will soon in the same way follow the example of their Redeemer. J. C. HALLIFIELD, Yorkshire.-Mr. Shuttleworth baptized in the river, a christian brother who had been a member with the Independents nearly twenty years. Mr. Hogg, of Long Preston, preached at the water side. This baptism was on

Sep. 4, and should have been reported

earlier.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, Bewick Street. -After a discourse by Mr. R. B. Sanderson, Jan. 1, our pastor, Mr. Pottenger, immersed four believers in the presence of a large assembly, who appeared to be impressed by the primitive character and scriptural significance of the ordinance.

THE SPRINKLING CEREMONY.

We sometimes hear the advocates of this ceremony plead for it on the ground of its being a lovely act of dedication. We suppose the writer of the following paragraph entertained this view of the service. The extract is from the Puritan Recorder, which is, we believe, an American presbyterian publication. We admit that the presbyterians attend to this ceremony in a manner far less objectionable than that which is practised by the episcopalians, and no doubt the writer of this extract was some minister who wished to

attractive form.

set forth the proceeding in the most We have, however, ventured to transfer his graphic description into our pages, and if it should turn any of our adult baptizers into infant sprinklers, the fault will be all our own.

"But within the cottage there is unwonted bustle. A clear, pleasant, refined voice calls to her maid of all work, 'It is nearly time to start, Mary; and as soon as you are ready, come and take baby.' Look, father,' she adds; look, Edward she really knows you. Is she not lovely!' and the little creature is

placed tenderly in the arms of its admiring papa. O, Edward, I do trust we may truly give this child, our first born, kisses its soft cheek and fair brow, and looks into its gentle eyes, thinks his wife's estimate of the baby anything but extravagant.

to our Saviour! And the father as he

And now they set out for meeting.' Mary has many cautions from her young of the flowing white dress: and on they mistress not to disturb the tranquil folds walk over the village green. Many a woman turns round in the wagon and says, I suppose Squire Charlton's baby is going to be baptized.' Many a child face, which is carefully guarded from tries to catch a glimpse of the baby's sun and air, and Mary is proud of her burden.

And now the happy parents take their places in the broad aisle, a few words of exhortation follow from the beloved pastor; he descends from the pulpit. The father receives from the fair young wife his child, and places it in the minister's arms. The baptismal water is sprinkled, the child receives the name of Harriette, and again is laid in her mother's arms,