CONFERENCES.

I. CHESHIRE CONFERENCE.-The following appointments were made by the Conference held at Wheelock Heath on March 27th. Foreign Mission, Rev. Z. T. Dowen; Home Mission, Mr. R. Pedley.

S. HIRST, Secretary.

II. EASTERN CONFERENCE. The spring meetings were held at Wisbech on April 19th. In the morning brother Nichol, of Chatteris, preached to a goodly number of friends from 2 Cor. v. 14.

In the afternoon (brother Bentley presiding,) very gratifying reports from the churches were received, shewing 144 baptized, 41 candidates, and 41 received from other churches since last Conference. Whilst the numbers of received and candidates were unitedly one in excess of the corresponding period of 1881-2, the baptisms were more by 99.

Chilwell College.-The Secretary reported ten non-subscribing churches written to appealing for collections and subscriptions, with the result that five did not reply, two pleaded poverty, and three were favourable.

Case from Lincoln.-An appeal was read from this church asking the Conference to solicit the help of the Home Mission Committee in the building of new chapel and schools in this ancient city. The appeal was signed on behalf of the church by the well-known Thomas Cooper (one of the members), and by G. Hood, the Secretary, and set forth both the urgency of the case, and also the pleasing fact that already land adjoining the present premises had been secured by a member, and was to be generously presented to the church for the site. On the motion of brother Orton, seconded by brother Barrass, it was unanimously resolved, "That we present the case of the Lincoln church-with our heartiest commendation-to the General Home Mission Committee."

Home Mission.-The accounts were passed, the Treasurer thanked and reappointed, and it was agreed that all monies in hand, with those that may yet come, be sent to the general Treasurer.

Representatives to the Home Mission Committee.-Brothers T. Barrass, S. H. Firks, J. Jolly, B.A., and J. C. Jones, M A., were re-elected.

Foreign Mission.-Brothers J. C. Jones, M.A., and W. Orton, were re-elected.

Board of Reference.—J. C. Jones, M.A., re-elected.

Assistant Preachers' Association -The President, Mr. W. R. Wherry, reported between 1,300 and 1,400 services held by the brethren at an outlay for expenses only-notwithstanding this, a balance of £25 2s. remains due to the Treasurer.

New Chapel at Gedney Hill.-A scheme for this was brought forward by Mr. Wherry, according to which an iron chapel, capable of seating 80 persons, was to be put up at a cost of not more than £100. The land for a site, in the centre of the village, has already been secured, and the Gedney Hill people having themselves raised £10 for the proposed chapel, will do more when building operations commence. Meanwhile the Conference agreed "to ask the churches to support a scheme for a new chapel at this village."

Arrangements for next Conference.This to be held at Louth on Sept. 13th. Preacher, brother Bentley, of Wisbech; in case of failure, brother G. H. Bennett, of Bourne.

A Home Missionary Meeting in the evening; addresses by brethren Orton, Nichol, and Barker, with a collection for that object, brought the meetings to a close. CHAS. BARKER, Sec.

III. The MIDLAND CONFERENCE met at Coalville, May 16. At 11 a.m. the Rev. J. C. Forth preached. Business in the afternoon.

A letter having been read by the Secretary from the Rev. J. H. Atkinson, late

of Leicester, resigning the office of Chairman, in consequence of his acceptance of the pastorate of the Baptist Church, Richmond Street, Liverpool, it was resolved that "whilst we greatly regret the resignation of Mr Atkinson, we, at the same time, express our cordial good wishes for his future happiness, and for his success in his new sphere of labour."

Mr. James Hill, of Derby, was appointed Chairman for the year.

The Revs. J. Maden and S. H. James were cordially welcomed into the Conference.

The following brethren were appointed te represent the Conference on the Denominational Committees :

:

Home Mission.-R. F. Griffiths, W. H. Tetley, and W. Bishop.

Foreign Mission.-S. S. Allsop, E. Carrington, and J. Maden.

Board of Reference.-T. Goadby, J. Salisbury, and James Hill.

The term of office of the Secretary having expired he was cordially thanked for the services rendered by him to the Conference during the last six years.

The Rev. R. Silby was appointed Secretary to the Conference for the next three years.

A resolution of deep sympathy with the Rev. E. Bott in his heavy affliction was passed.

An able paper was read by the Rev. W. R. Stevenson on "The Duty of our Churches towards lapsed members." After an interesting discussion the writer was heartily thanked, and also urged to forward the paper to the magazine.

The Rev. A. Firth, of Mansfield, was appointed to preach at the next Conference, to be held at Duffield, Oct. 16th.

Public service was conducted by the Rev. C. W. Vick, of Loughborough.

The Conference was exceedingly well attended and much interest was shown in all the services. J. SALISBURY, Sec.

IV. WARWICKSHIRE. The Spring Conference was held at Salem Chapel, Longford, April 30. Papers were read by the Revs. A. T. Prout and L1 H. Parsons, on "The Attitude of our Churches in relation to other denominations, with especial reference to the Salvation Army." A lively discussion followed, and the writers, after having been well and righteously bruised, were anointed with a vote of thanks.

In the afternoon, after devotional exercises, a hearty vote of welcome was passed in favour of the Rev. Willott Rice, of Wolvey, to whom, accordingly, the President gave the right hand of Conference fellowship.

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The case of Austrey, Appleby, and Polesworth was reported upon by the President and by the Secretary on behalf of the Rev. G. Needham of Barton. It was resolved that the report be received, and that, under existing circumstances, the Conference is unable to take further action in the matter.

The case of Cinderbank was dealt with by the President, who very frankly, and in the best spirit, expressed regret at having exceeded the instructions of the Conference in the enlargement of the deputation to Cradley Heath, and sincerely hoped that any offence unwittingly caused would be forgiven and forgotten.

The President then delivered an address on "Home Mission Work," for which he was thanked.

The Revs. C. Hood and A. H. Lee were appointed to represent the Conference on the Foreign Mission Committee; the Revs. W. Lees and J. R. Parker to serve on the Home Mission Committee.

Reports from the churches showed: Gross gains, 112; gross losses, 50; candidates, 25; inquirers, 19.

The Rev. W. Lees was unanimously requested to retain office as President throughout 1883.

A cordial vote of sympathy with the Revs. J. R. Parker and D. Asquith, who were prevented by illness from attending the meetings of the Conference was very heartily passed.

Vicarage

Next Conference :-Place, Walk, Walsall; Paper writer, Rev. J. R. Parker, or in case of failure, Rev. D. Asquith; Preacher, Rev. A. T. Prout; time, Monday, Oct. 15, unalterably.

Warm thanks for their kind attention to the comfort of their guests were accorded to the friends at Salem, and right well were they deserved. Dinner and tea were well served to goodly companies. The merry tea table showed how the Longford fare was enjoyed.

The Rev. D. Asquith being unable to fulfil his engagement as Conference preacher, his place was taken by the Rev. E. H. Cantrell, whose sermon was good grain out of the great Husbandman's barn. LL. H. PARSONS, Secretary.

CHURCHES.

ARNOLD.-Closing of the G. B. chapel. On April 22nd, two sermons by Rev. F. Todd. Collections for the New Chapel Building Fund. April 23rd, public tea and meeting in chapel for the last time. Addresses by J. Sharman, J. Burton, F. Shacklock, H. Trueman, and T. Gamble. The chapel was opened for worship on May 15, 1822.

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BELPER -On April 16th one of the friends in connection with the chapel gave a tea and entertainment consisting of songs, recitations, readings, etc. The Sunday-school brass band gave two pieces. Mr. A. Swan, of Duffield, presided. A report was read of last year's work, from which it appeared (although a small church) they had raised over £160 by subscriptions, monthly teas, sale of work, suppers, entertainments, scholars brick money, and £2 from America, towards paying for land for a new chapel. The report thankfully acknowledged indebtedness to all friends both far and near who had in any way helped, and to God for his goodness. The meeting was successful, and about £5 was realized.

BIRMINGHAM, Longmore Street—Anniversary services April 29th. Sermons were preached by Revs. A. T. Prout and A. H. Collins, and in the afternoon the pastor gave an address to the young on "a Good Name." April 30th, tea at five o'clock. Amos Roe, Esq., presided at the meeting in the chapel. Speakers: A. H. Collins, J. J. Knight, J. E. Wallett, J. P. Warner, W. Cullins, and the pastor. The choir and ladies rendered willing aid at all the services, which were successful.

LONDON, Praed Street.-On May 1st a very successful concert was given by the choir in aid of the New Organ Fund. The first part consisted of sacred music; the choir rendering the choruses "Then round about the starry throne" (Samson), "O Father whose almighty power" (Judas Maccabeus), and "God is a Spirit" (Bennett), with good effect. The solo vocalists, Mrs. Roe, Miss Easterbrook, Mr. James, and Mr. E. A. Baker, also gave songs which were much appreciated. The principal feature in the second part was the solo and chorus from Bennett's "May Queen," "With a laugh as we go round," by Miss Clara Clark, and the choir. The concert closed by the choir singing "Pinsuti's "Good Night.". Mr. F. R. Kinkee and Mr. W. J. Green were the accompanyists, the former having also given very efficient aid by playing an organ and a pianoforte solo. Mr. H. Sampson conducted. Nett proceeds, £6.

LYNDHURST.-The seventh anniversary of the pastorate of Rev. W. H. Payne. Sermons, May 13th. MACCLESFIELD. Chapel anniversary services April 29 and 30. The Rev. Z. T. Dowen, pastor, preached to very full congregations. Collections, £22 12s.-a substantial advance on the average. Monday a goodly number took tea, and at the public meeting stirring and useful addresses were delivered by the Revs. G. J. Allen, B.A., (Congregationalist), J. B.

On

Maltby (Wesleyan), D. Round, and Z. T. Dowen. The chair was occupied by J. Broadhead, Esq.

SCHOOLS.

LONDON, Commercial Road.-On May 8th the school-room was re-opened after being closed two Sundays for renovation, at a cost of £85, by a tea and a symposium. The pastor presided, and among the speakers was Mr. Page, deacon of a Freewill Baptist Church in New York.

PETERBOROUGH, Queen Street.-Specially with a desire to stir up those of the scholars who are church members to take a personal interest in the work of the Sunday school, and with a hope that the meeting might result in the more intelligent apprehension of their duties as Christians, arrangements were made to hold a social meeting, to which the teachers, the deacons, and all those of the scholars who are church members should be invited. The meeting took place on Tuesday evening, May 1st. Eighty-five sat down to tea, which was kindly given by a friend. About twenty more came in time for the meeting. Rev. T. Barrass presided, and addresses were delivered on the following subjects: (1.) The cultivation of a loving spirit towards others. (2.) Our duties in every day life. (3.) Our duties in the class. (4.) Reverence in the worship of God. (5.) Necessity of private prayer and Bible study. These subjects were respectively dealt with by Messrs. Heath, Bonshor, Dickens, Dennison, and Burch, two of them being deacons, and three teachers. A hymn in harmony with the subject was sung after each address. After a few remarks from Mr. Jackson, the superintendent, and Mr. S. Coleman, the meeting was closed with singing and prayer. We cannot but

think that the school must be benefited by the practical suggestions and earnest exhortations contained in the addresses. The number of the scholars who are church members is 61.

SCHOOL ANNIVERSARIES.

ARNOLD. On May 6th, school sermons were preached by Mr. W. Richardson, of Nottingham, in the Methodist New Connexion Chapel, kindly lent for the occasion. Crowded congregations. Collections, £18.

AUDLEM.-The school sermons were preached by the pastor, Rev. G. Towler. Congregation overflowing in the evening. Collections 30 per cent. above last year. BEDWORTH, Croxall Street.-Preacher, Rev. J. Parker. Collections, £8.

BULWELL, Notts.-May 6th. Preachers, Revs. W. Stone, of Leeds, and R. Silby,

of Hyson Green. Tea on Monday. Interesting meeting afterwards. Pastor in chair. Recitations, dialogues, and singing by the children. Proceeds, £18 13s. 6d. DENHOLME.-May 13. Preacher, S. Warrington, of Sowerby Bridge. Collections, £30 78.

LONGFORD, Salem.-Preacher, Rev. J. Parker. Collections, £30 2s. 6d. Much to the pleasure of his friends the Rev. J. Parker is able to occupy his pulpit again after his sudden and dangerous illness. LONGTON.-May 20. Preacher, Rev. S. S. Allsop. Collections, £32.

NANTWICH. Anniversary sermons, April 22nd, by Rev. Gethin Davies, B.A., Classical Tutor of Llangollen College. Good congregations. Collections in excess of last year.

WALSGRAVE-ON-SOWE.-Preacher, Rev. J. Parker. Collections, £8.

OUR MINISTERS.

CAMP, REV. G., senior student of Chilwell College, has received and accepted an invitation to the church at Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. He expects to commence his ministry on the first Sunday in June.

CLIFFORD, JOHN, M. A., after two months absence in the South of France, received a most enthusiastic "Welcome Home" at Westbourne Park Chapel, London, on Thursday, May 17th. The Rev. W. J. Avery presided, and addresses were given by various officers and members of the church. The Treasurer, Mr. T. Lilley, presented Mr. Clifford with 150 guineas in the name of the church and congregation. On the following evening the General Baptist Preachers' Institute entertained its President, Mr. Clifford, and presented him with an address and a beautiful marble timepiece.

TO THE

WALSALL. - PRESENTATIONS REV. W. LEES -On Saturday, May 12th, a crowded meeting was held in the large Temperance Hall to take farewell of the Rev. W. Lees. The chair was occupied by the Rev. F. G. Littlecot, Vicar of Rushall, who was supported by the Revs. N. Kelynack (Wesleyan), E. M. Fitzgerald (vicar of St. Paul's), W. Foster (Wesleyan), E. W. Johnson (curate of Butts, Walsall), A. Hampden Lee, &c., &c. The presentation, (which consisted of a beautifully illuminated address, suitably framed, and a massive marble timepiece, inlaid with coloured stone and gold) was handed to Mr. Lees in the name of the Gospel Temperance Union, of which he had been president. At the close of the meeting deafening cheers

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were given for Mr. Lees by the 1,200 or more persons who were present.

On Sunday, the 13th of May, Mr. Lees preached farewell sermons in the Stafford Street chapel, and on the following Wednesday a farewell tea meeting was held in the adjoining school-rooms, when over two hundred of the friends met together. The evening meeting in the chapel was presided over by Mr. Councillor Marshall. Letters of apology were read from some of the clergy and ministers of the town. Suitable addresses were delivered by the Revs. A. A. Cole (Baptist), T. Hindsley (Independent), E. W. Cantrell, N. Kelynack (Wesleyan), and A. Hampden Lee. Mr. Marshall, in the name of the Stafford Street church, presented Mr. Lees with a Walsall-made purse of crocodile skin, containing forty sovereigns. The Rev. Hampden Lee, in the course of his address, referred to Mr. Lees' connection with the Vicarage Walk church, and said that a few of the friends there wished his speech to have a good peroration, so they asked him to conclude by handing a five pound note to Mr. Lees, as a further token of their affection and esteem. Mr. W. Oakley, Mr. S. S. Allsop, and other friends also took part in the Meeting.

BAPTISMS.

BRADFORD, Tetley Street.-Five, by B. Wood.
DERBY, Osmaston Road.--Eight, by W. H. Tetley.
GOSBERTON.-Three, by G. F. Pitts.
HITCHIN.-Seventeen, by F. J. Bird.
KIRKBY, EAST.-Five young men, all from
the Sunday-school, by G. Robinson.
LEICESTER, Carley Street.-Thirteen, by J. C.
Forth.

LONDON, Bethnal Green Road. - Four, by W.
H. Smith.

LONDON, Commercial Road.-Two, by J. Fletcher. Praed Street.-Three, by W. J. Avery. Haven Green.-Six, by Č. Clark.

LYNDHURST.-One, by W. H. Payne.

NANTWICH.-Five, by Price Williams.
STALYBRIDGE.-Eight, by C. Rushby.
TODMORDEN.-Two, by W. March.

WALSALL, Stafford Street.-Eighteen, by W.
Lees.

MARRIAGES.

BENNETT-NEEDHAM.-April 19th, 1883, at the Baptist Chapel, Ripley, by the Rev. B. Hackett, assisted by the father of the bride, the Rev. G. H. Bennett, of Bourne, Lincolnshire, to Mary, second daughter of the Rev. G. Needham, of Barton Fabis, Leicestershire, and one of the adopted children of Mr. and Mrs. Bembridge.

KIRKMAN-DEACON.-May 10, at the Baptist Chapel, Hugglescote, by the Rev. H. Wood, Mr. Edward Kirkman, of Keyham, Leicestershire, to Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Deacon, of Hugglescote Grange.

LEES-CARTWRIGHT.-May 17, in the Trinity Wesleyan Chapel, Walsall, by the Rev. N. Kelynack, assisted by the Rev. A. Hampden, Lee, the Rev. W. Lees, late of the Stafford Street Baptist Church, and now of Crewe, to Harriet

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Cartwright, Lady-missioner, Trinity Wesleyan Church, Walsall.

PINCHBECK-HAYWARD.-May 10, at the Baptist Chapel, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, by the Rev. J. Salisbury, M.A., assisted by the Rev. C. Clarke, B.A., Frederick, son of Mr. A. Pinchbeck, of Horncastle, to Emma Hayward, niece and adopted daughter of Mr. John Salisbury, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

WILLIAMSON-Roos.-May 14, at Commercial Road Chapel, London, by Rev. J. Fletcher, Thos. D. Williamson, to Mary Cunegonda, only daughter of Gerardus Franciscus Roos.

OBITUARIES.

CHAPMAN, MRS. MARY, widow of John Chapman, of London, formerly of Loughborough, (founder of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, and author of "The Cotton and Commerce of India"), entered into the endless rest on May 11th, 1883, in her 82nd year. Mrs. Chapman was the senior member of the church at Praed Street and Westbourne Park, having been in unbroken communion for about forty-seven years with that church, of which her husband had been one of the deacons. She was the last surviving member of the family of which the late John Wallis, of Lenton, and the Rev. Joseph Wallis, of Leicester, Tutor of the College, were loved and honoured members. J. W. C.

Fox, WILLIAM, of East Kirkby, was born Feb. 4, 1809, at Sutton-in-Ashfield, and died January 13, 1883. From his funeral sermon, preached by Rev. A. Firth, of Mansfield, and published by request, we learn that his paternal grandfather was for some time pastor of the church at Kegworth, and afterward at Nottingham. At the age of three he lost his mother. In early life he had to begin the stern hard battle of life. Some few years were spent in farm service; then he left it, and while yet young, learned to work in a stocking-frame. About this time he became acquainted with a staunch old General Baptist, Mr. John Garrett, father of the Mr. Garrett who laboured for God first at Crich, then at Salford. John Garrett induced Mr. Fox to come to the Sunday-school, taught him the alphabet by himself, and in this way he learned to read. At this time he attended the ministry of the Rev. Hardstaffe, and through his efforts he was converted and baptized more than fifty years ago (April 22nd, 1832), by the Rev. J. Burrows. He became a Sunday-school teacher, and an occasional local preacher. He called himself a "gap-stopper." In his preaching he was clear, definite, solid, good. He had a firm grip of truth. "He believed, and therefore spoke." He became a deacon; a useful, faithful, conscientious deacon. He was an earnest worker in the Temperance movement, and a staunch Nonconformist. In the year 1867 he commenced the General Baptist cause at East Kirkby by holding a Sunday-school and public services in a hired room, until the building of the present chapel. And as an evidence of his earnest work we have only to mention that the Sunday-school now consists of 200 scholars and teachers, and the church of 93 members. He was a General Baptist. The General Baptist of North Nottinghamshire. "He was a faithful man, and feared God above many." Jacob-like, he called his wife, children, and grandchildren together on the Wednesday evening before his death, and spoke words of parting which will not soon be forgotten. "He fell asleep in Christ his Lord; He gave to Him to keep

The soul His great love had redeemed,
Then calmly fell asleep."

KIDDALL, MRS. FRANCES ANN, the beloved wife of Mr. Geo. Kiddall, of Louth, was called to her heavenly home early on Sunday morning, Feb. 18th, 1883. For more than twentysix years she had been a most valuable member of the Eastgate Baptist Church. In her Christian character and life, beauty and strength were most admirably blended. She was prudent in counsel, steadfast in service, and patient in suffering. A memorial sermon was preached by her pastor from the phrase, "At home with the Lord," 2 Cor, v. 8 (Revised Version,

PARKER, MISS ANN, of Louth, after a lingering and painful affliction, entered on her rest April 1st, 1883, aged sixty-eight. For more than sixteen years she was a very faithful and beloved member of the Eastgate Church.

SHEPHERD, THOMAS.-The church at Castle Donington has sustained a great loss in the death of its eldest deacon, Thomas Shepherd, which took place April 5th, in the 84th year of his age. He was converted early in life, was baptized in the Trent, and joined the church at Castle Donington, where he remained till his death, his membership extending over sixty-four years. His whole life was a manifestation of unpretentious piety. About the year 1842 he was honoured with a place in the diaconate, in which he purchased to himself a good degree, serving his Lord and the church with much zeal and faithfulness. He took special interest in the spiritual welfare of the young. In his Bible class, which he conducted for several years, not a few "passed from death unto life." For their nurture and growth in grace he held class meetings and prayer meetings at five o'clock in the morning. Many in the town and neighbourhood cherish grateful recollections of his affectionate endeavours to promote their best interests. On Lord's-day evening, April 15, special reference was made to his life and death by the pastor, R. J. Beecliff, who preached from the words suggested by the deceased just previously to his death, viz., 2 Tim. iv. 6-8. In his life he eminently adorned the gospel; throughout a long affliction he patiently endured as seeing him who is invisible; and "crossing the narrow stream of death," expressed many a longing to be "with Jesus, which is far better."

TENNANT, MARTHA, of Tetley Street Church, Bradford, a church which has been greatly thinned of late by death, was one of the oldest members, and one of the most steadfast. She Iwas the widow of one of the first deacons of the church, who was himself one of the eleven members that constituted it at its commencement. He was a good man, and feared God above many. He early left our late sister with several children to bring up, an important duty which she has accomplished with the greatest credit. She was much attached to our principles, and in various ways supported them to the best of her ability. While able she was noted for her punctuality and regular attendance at the house of God, the services of which she loved exceedingly. She was a pillar in the church; one that was not to be moved. But to do justice to her character is impossible in the space at command. Suffice it to say that although she was far from being perfect, she was a good Christian woman, one who loved the Saviour, showed piety at home, and glorified her heavenly Father by the holy consistency of her life. She lived to a good old age, and died in peace, after a very short illness, in her 75th year. May her children, who call her blessed, meet her in the better land; and may all the members of our church, and all who may read these lines, follow her as she followed Christ. B. W.