Deaths. Oct. 11, in her 56th year, at the residence and devoted christian, whose unexpected of her sister, at Henton, Isabella, wife of Mr. Henry Stranks, of Buddington, Bucks. Led in early life by the Spirit to give her heart unto the Lord, she soon gave herself to his people, and was baptized at Haddenham, Oct. 25, 1818; and from that time to her death she continued warmly attached to the pastor and people of her choice. Having laid fast hold of the leading doctrines of the New Testament, she habitually ained to carry out their practical principles in her spirit and conduct. She was a great lover of peace, and always sought to promote it. Her bereaved husband and family bear tes timony to her tender and unceasing care for their spiritual welfare. Her prayers were both interesting and instructive. Those for her family were partially answered; and she died in hope that the rest of her family would soon be made partakers of the grace of life. Our friend was much respected, and used her influence in collecting for the bap tist Home Mission and other useful societies. In her last trying and painful affliction, she was calm, relying solely on the merits of her beloved Saviour and his precious promises. When a clergyman came to see her in her dying moments, and offered his priestly aid, she firmly declined, being unwilling to give her sanction to sacramental pretensions, which by no means accorded with her long cherished views of gospel truth. Dec. 10, at Castle Donington, Catherine, wife of Mr. Samuel Wells, aged 74; for many years a member among the General Baptists. [We visited our aged friend a short time before her death, and found her looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.] Dec. 16, at Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Notts., Mr. W. Mason, aged 29, a very active and useful member of the General Baptist church in that village. His remains were followed to the grave by the teachers and scholars of the sabbath school in which he had been long and successfully engaged. Dec. 18, Mrs. Sophia Cooke, of Stalham, Norfolk, a member of the baptist church at Ingham, from the early age of fifteen. Every effort of christian benevolence found in her a liberal supporter, according to her means. Dec. 22, aged 35, Mr. William Charles, a highly valued deacon of the baptist church, Monmouth, from the effects of injury received from a threshing machine on his farm, leaving a sorrowing widow and five children. The church, too, regret the loss of a useful preacher of the gospel. He was a man of inflexible principle, and an earnest removal is admonitory to work while it is called day. The closing scene was calm and peaceful. Dec. 30, at Exeter; Mrs. Gill, grandmother of the Rev. Wm. Gill, Rarotonga, South Sea Islands, in her ninety-ninth year. And Jan. 6, at Clapton Square, after a long illness, Mrs. Sarah Devonshire, mother of Mrs. Wm. Gill, Rarotonga, aged sixty-three. Dec. 31, Ann, wife of Mr. John Felkin, baptist minister, Sevenoaks, aged 54. [We desire to add, that we knew Mrs. F. from her childhood. Her parents were dissenters, and pædobaptists, in a town where baptists were unknown, but, like ourselves, on hearing their principles stated she adopted them at some cost.] its commencement. As a Jan. 12, aged 49, at his residence, Richmond Terrace, Islington, Mr. John Branch, baptist minister. Mr. B. had been connected with the London City Mission nearly from One of the last public efforts of his life was in aid of that institution,-two days before his death. preacher he commenced his ministry at the baptist chapel in the Waterloo Road, where he continued till Sep., 1851. The chapel being too small, he, with a part of the church, removed to the chapel in Church Street, Blackfriars Road, where he ministered with considerable acceptance up to Lord's-day, Jan. 6, on which day he preached as usual, and on Monday evening he presided at a tea meeting, his friends little thinking that would be the last time they would see his face in the flesh. That, however, proved to be the case; for having been a great sufferer every winter for many years, from a deepseated complaint on the chest, he at last sunk under it about twelve o'clock on the day mentioned. His remains were interred in the Abney Park Cemetery; the Rev. John Robinson, clerical secretary of the City Mission, delivering the address at the grave. Jan. 15, at Falmouth, Elizabeth, wife of Mr. S. H. Booth, baptist minister, aged 27. Jan. 16, Jane, wife of Mr. J. Edwards, baptist minister, Nottingham. Mrs. E. was a daughter of the late Dr. Steadman, of the baptist college, Bradford. EMINENT PERSONS. Right Hon. Henry Goulburn, M.P.-Mr. Sergeant Adams.-Dr. Chambers, Physician to the Queen.-Josiah Conder, Editor of the Patriot, formerly of the Eclectic Review, and author of numerous literary works.Mr. James Nisbet, the eminent religious publisher. PUBLISHED BY SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & Co., STATIONERS' HALL COURT. LEICESTER: PRINTED AND SOLD BY WINKS AND SON. AND MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. PRICE TWOPENCE. No. 351. VOL. XXX.] [NO. 147, SEVENTH SERIES, VOL. XIII. TO CORRESPONDENTS.-ADDRESS, J. F. WINKS, LEICESTER. RECEIVED.-J. R. L.-S. J. M.-W. W. H.-E.J.P.-R. P. B.—H. K. B.—R. B. L. -D. E. L.-T. F. P.-B. B. P.-W. S. D.-J. W. B.-H. S. T.-J. S. W.-J. T. W. -J. S. B.-T. M. H.-J. H. B.-J. T. L.-T. P. A.-8. S. B.-T. H. S. B.— A. G. P.-T. R. S.-J. P. L.-H. G. T.-T. N. L.-H. T. B.-G. S. C.-J. W. R.— J. B. B.-W. C. E.-H. H. B.-J. S. C.-G. H. M. BOOKS FOR REVIEW may be sent for the Editor to Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. Stationer's Hall Court, London; or, Book Post Paid, to Winks & Son, Leicester. NOW READY, Parts 1 and 2 of the Cheap Re-issue of the BOYS OF THE BIBLE, And will be published on the first of each month till completed. Agents are respectfully requested to make this known among the Teachers and Senior Classes, in order to obtain Subscribers. The Best Edition may still be had, handsomely bound in extra cloth, gilt edges, price 3s. 6d., and will be sent post free to any part of the kingdom on receipt of postage stamps for the amount. Leicester: WINKS & SON. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & Co. May be had of all Booksellers. THOMAS LOWE'S STEEL PENS ARE THE BEST. MAY BE HAD OF ALL STATIONERS AND PEN DEALERS. MRS Works, 8 and 9, Bordesley Street, Birmingham. RS. TAYLOR begs to announce that the spring quarter in her establishment com- Kegworth, February 21, 1856. Twenty-second Edition, 12mo, 2s. 6d. cloth, lettered, COTTAGE COMFORTS, with Hints for promoting them, gleaned from experience, and enlivened By ESTHER COPLEY. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. TO BAPTIST CHURCHES. NHE Minister of the Baptist Church of Brough and the neighbouring villages, is T desirous of corresponding with any small Baptist Church that may be in want of a pastor. Direct, to the Baptist Minister, Brough, Westmoreland. TO GROCERS, DRUGGISTS, AND CHANDLERS. NO be disposed of, in the above line, a genuine old established business in the midland Tobu For particulares apply to A. Flavell, Market Harborough. WANTED, by a young Lady, a situation as Nursery Governess or Housekeeper, in a small family. Address, B. W., care of Winks & Son, Booksellers, Leicester. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S, RESTORATE PILLS, are peculiarly, adapted for both sexes, all ages, and every climate. Every Family, Sailor, Soldier, Traveller, Emigrant, and Colonist, should possess them. Sold everywhere, 18. ld., 9d., and 4s. 6d. Wholesale Depot, 22, Bread Street, London. THE BAPTIST REPORTER. MARCH, 1856. "CONSECRATION OF CEMETERIES." THERE exists, at the present time, in "Richard Bentley, Jun.," is, we various places throughout the country, expect, a feigned name; indeed the a considerable degree of agitation and whole thing is feigned, except the discussion on the subject of the new "Notes and Illustrations," which disburial grounds, called cemeteries, play considerable research and labour. which had become indispensable in The "MS." alluded to is in the style consequence of the disgustingly crowd- of the "Lost Leaf," which we published ed state of some of the parochial and a few years ago. Whether such a other burial grounds in populous mode of exposing the folly of this places. But the agitation and dis- superstition is the best may be doubted cussion we have mentioned arises not by some, whilst others may consider from objections to the new places, but such exquisite banter as best adapted from the insulting manner in which to its exposure to general contempt. the high church party, in many places, We only add that his worship the are carrying out their superstitious mayor is, we believe, and glorifies notions about consecrating a portion himself in being, in more respects of the ground, and keeping that por- than one, a descendant of that great tion distinct and separate from the "Collossus of Literature," whom our part not so consecrated. In the city old friend Morris, (the biographer of of Norwich, it seems, much excitement Fuller) was wont to call " that torified on this subject exists. We have just and imperial monster"-Dr. Samuel received, by post, a curious pamphlet Johnson. got up in regular medieval style as regards its aspect-for it is printed in "My dear Mr. Mayor,-It is with red and black ink, and a bishop's great satisfaction that your fellowmitre, the sacramental cup, and other citizens see the office of chief magisecclesiastical ornaments adorn it. Its trate filled by yourself at the present title is, "Consecration of Cemeteries time, because they can place unlimited Apostolical and Necessary. A Letter confidence in your well known judgto the Mayor of Norwich (J. G. John- ment and ability. But to myself, as son, Esq.); with a translation of an an ardent lover of the Church of ancient MS., containing a Long-lost England, it is especially gratifying to chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, know that her interests are guarded recently discovered in the library of by so dutiful and pious a son as yourthe Cathedral of Norwich, and Criti-self. I therefore address this public cal Notes and Illustrations. By letter to you. Richard Bentley, Jun." K How often have we thought of the happy state of England when there ] of extra-mural interments. The conwere no sects and schisms to destroy versation immediately turned towards its ecclesiastical uniformity! And as the new burial ground, which the often have we deplored that fatuity in council have, with such wisdom, purour rulers, which has fostered the chased for the city. A gentleman worst evils of dissent, until at length, present was quietly asked about the as the census proved, the schismatics consecration of the ground, when, to are more numerous than the orthodox my disgust, I found the question believers. Had you, my friend, been scoffed at by several of the assembly. intrusted with the necessary power, I ventured upon an expression of surwe should not have to bemoan the prise, that such an ancient custom present condition of the Church as by should be so laughed at; when I was law established. From the cut of the quietly assured by one of the company, beadle's coat to the starch in the that if consecration by a bishop were bishop's sleeves, everything would be necessary, our venerable and venerated perfect in kind and keeping with the prelate could not perform the act. whole system. supposed that his infirm health was alluded to, but was quickly undeceived; for my tormentor said, 'The bishop, as he is called, cannot prove his canonical consecration as a bishop. He cannot, therefore, confer orders, or lawfully perform any other duties pertaining to the Episcopal office.' I But we are fallen upon evil times. Men are not content with the wisdom of the ancients,' and stupidly refuse to bow down to authority unless good reasons be given. They ask questions which betoken a spirit of infidelity, as alien from all respect to our venerated clergy, as from all due reverence to For a moment I was speechless! customs observed amongst us. It is The impious audacity of the assertion distressing to reflect upon the incon- rendered a reply impossible; for I felt venience which such a habit, if not that unless my answer were complete promptly checked, will entail upon us. and conclusive I should only damage I need not remind you of the many the cause of truth and charity. But subjects which have awakened our as soon as I could collect my thoughts, solicitude, as we have conversed about I expressed my surprise at meeting this dangerous symptom in the public with a gentleman who could avow such mind. Our cathedral institutions, our schismatical opinions, and, more esparochial system, our special offices pecially, at the present time. for baptism, the visitation of the sick, joined by saying that no English and the burial of the dead; and, above bishop dared to submit his canonical all, the apostolical succession of our claims to competent judges, and by clergy, are only a few out of many them, said he, I mean such men as topics which we have anxiously thought Grote, or Thirlwall, or Hallam, or of, as we resolved to prepare for the Macaulay, or Stephen. I smiled disworst that could befall us. But little sent, and speedily started a new did we imagine that the time would question. come, at least whilst we lived, when any of these subjects should be discussed with levity, or treated with contempt, in our city. We were mistaken, and must look the present state of things fairly in the face. He re From that evening until this morning I have had no rest, for I have been unable to conceal from myself the frightful possibility, that the opinions of this gentleman are shared by many others who have not courage to avow them. A few evenings since, when you had left the company which your vivacity But to my great joy, when I entered enlivened, and your historical acquire- the cathedral for morning prayers, I ments so much enlightened, a remark was told that our excellent dean wished was loosely uttered upon the question to speak to me at the close of divine |