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Religious Cracts.

DONATIONS IN AID OF OUR GRANTS.

SINCE the notice on the 86th page of our last number appeared, we have received a note from a friend in Liverpool who offers us facilities for forwarding donations of tracts to Australia. He says:"I called the attention of Mr. Buck, formerly baptist minister at Rotherham, to your remarks in the Reporter for March, and he most cheerfully offers his services in forwarding, at any time, a parcel of Tracts for distribution in Australia, as he meets, on board the different Australian vessels in which he holds religious services, persons of different denominations who most readily would put a parcel in their boxes."

This is just what we wanted, and we shall gladly avail ourselves of Mr. Buck's kind offer of assistance.

We did not expect to find many who were immediately willing to follow the example of the generous friend mentioned in our last. We know that the baptists generally are slow to move until they are satisfied of the propriety of any undertaking. But we shall wait patiently under the consciousness that our desire is only to do good and extend the knowledge of our scriptural principles. Time may be required to show the utility of the proposal, but as it is developed by facts and circumstances, we have no doubt of receiving ultimately, approval and assistance. In the meantime we shall continue to report progress from time to time. All we ask for is such aid as any who approve the design may feel themselves competent to give, whether the amount be smaller or larger. On the 22nd March, we received an anonymous note signed "B. P." The writer says:

"Please accept the enclosed small amount (5s.) to assist in your gratuitous distribution of tracts, or appropriate the same to any other department of Christ's work as you please; and may the presence and blessing of the Almighty accompany your efforts to promote Messiah's kingdom. I am an isolated baptist-have been a constant reader of your valuable Reporter the last ten years, and also your delightful little Pioneer many years; and must take this opportunity, as a christian duty, to

mention what a source of instruction and pleasure I find from month to month in their quiet perusal. Were it not for the intelligence the 'Reporter' contains I should know but very little or nothing of what my beloved people 'the baptists' are doing."

APPLICATIONS.

IRELAND.-1 am very desirous to obtain all the information and assistance I can from you, in regard to tract distribution for the spread of baptist views in this locality; where, as you are most probably aware, there has been a small church in existence for some considerable time, and a pastor supported for it by the Baptist Irish Society. Our respected pastor, who has made great exertions amongst us, of which, most probably, you have received information. He has succeeded in getting our meeting-house rebuilt, so as to accommodate upwards of 200 persons, at a cost of only £180, Thanks to the liberality of our friends across the channel it is all now paid. Our number is about fifty members in fellowship; of which number eight were baptized and added to the church, and four others by profession during the past year. I therefore feel emboldened, as a deacon of the church, to apply to you for assistance to help on this good work. Having seen so frequently in the Reporter what you have done for other small churches in the way of gratuitous supplies, I cherish a hope that you will not overlook this application, as I am most anxious for the dissemination of our views in this locality.

PEMBROKESHIRE.

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Encouraged by the statements made in the last number of your Reporter with respect to grants of tracts, we venture to solicit a grant, as, we think, they would be very useful at the present time especially your "baptism tracts." The baptist cause in this neighbourhood is in its infancy. The people, for the most part, are entirely ignorant of our principles; and, we are sorry to say, that there are those whom we are compelled to designate, "blind leaders of the blind," who would fain keep them so. Talk about "clerical unkindness"-had we time, and you would allow us space, we might fill a few pages

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of your valuable Reporter monthly, headed with the words," clerical unkindness," or "clerical bigotry.' But for all that we are making some progress. The people are beginning to enquire and examine the matter. We have had several baptisms lately, and expect more very soon. No small stir has been created; therefore we should be very thankful for a grant. Please remember, that, although we are weak and our cause young, the field is large.

YORKSHIRE. In our village are a few baptists, who have had a Sunday school in a cottage many years; but in 1852, we completed a building, ten yards by eleven, for the better convenience of the school. We have regular preaching in it by four baptist ministers, who preach to us gratuitously; but our trade is chiefly handloom weaving, which, being so very bad, many of the families are very poor. Through reading your Reporter we take the liberty to request a few Tracts from your liberality.

YORKSHIRE.- I should feel greatly obliged if you would favour me with a few of your tracts. Any of your little one-leaf papers to put into the hands of the careless and of sabbath-breakers; and

BAPTIST.

FOREIGN.

some on infidelity would also be very useful in this town, where infidelity and scepticism abound.

LINCOLNSHIRE.-You, Mr. Editor, know all about us; but for the information of your readers, if you should print this application, let me say that our ancient church in this small town dates from a period long before that wonderful man, whose native place it is, was bornI mean John Wesley. Here, from a window of our old parsonage, he was snatched when a child when the house was on fire. Our friends would be thankful for a few tracts on baptism, for they are yet much needed here, and, with the Lord's blessing, might do good in teaching some, who seem slow to learn, the way of the Lord more perfectly.

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Intelligence.

AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY.-The "Baptist Record," which appears to be the organ of this active and useful Institution, says, January, 1854:"The Friends and Patrons of the American Baptist Publication Society will be gratified to learn that, owing to the steady increase of its business, and the ever new and pressing claims upon its efforts, its enlargement, both as to premises, and a working capital, has become an obvious necessity. And though this growth of the Society, and the claims upon it, bring with them new requisitions upon their liberality, still it is believed that the announcement will be received with pleasure, and hoped that the call for aid will be met by a ready and cordial response. True, its progress has been very gradual, still its course has been progressive; and now it bids fair to move onward with accelerated speed. When, some years ago, the project was proposed to

raise for building purposes the sum of 25,000 dollars, the business of the Society was very small compared with what it is at present; and it is small now compared with what it must be not many years hence. But even now its growth is such as to require more ample room for its transactions, and a larger capital to keep on hand sufficient stock to meet the public wants. To build on Arch-street, in the rear of the house now occupied, is liable to two objections:-first, it has no outlet in the rear for shipment and transhipment,-secondly, it is too small to admit a building adequate even to the present wants of the Society. While such a building would furnish some relief, it would be but partial and temporary; and the question of removal could only be postponed, at most, but for a little season. As a measure both of convenience and economy, it is deemed desirable to concentrate the various branches of the business at one point. This could not be effected, by any arrangement, on our present premises. As it is, all our printing and engraving, with great portion of our

binding, are executed at diverse places and inconvenient distances; which, beside the inconvenience and loss of time thereby occasioned, is attended with many other disadvantages of a more serious character. Had we sufficient room within our own premises to carry on the different branches of our work, it is believed that it would be done better, and could be executed with more promptitude and at smaller cost. It is estimated that a lot, sufficient for all time, and a building, adequate for all our purposes for many years, can be secured in the best location, at a cost of 55,000 dollars. At a recent meeting, the Board appointed a committee of twenty laymen, to raise the necessary funds, and to carry this measure to completion. Two members of the Board, with noble generosity, pledged each 5,000 dollars towards the object. This, with the building fund previously secured, makes a total of 35,000 dollars. The appeal is now being made for the remaining 20,000 dollars; and it is confidently hoped that, by the efforts of the committee and the liberality of brethren in Philadelphia and vicinity, this sum will shortly be obtained. Besides this work, however, it is proposed to raise a fund of 20,000 dollars for publishing purposes. This is needed to put the Society in possession of adequate means to carry on with vigour the multifarious work committed to its care. Many valuable works, both new and old, not on our catalogue at present, should have a place there. Many such works, involving a heavy expense to have them stereotyped and issued, are unavoidably delayed, though greatly needed, for want of means. Works, in foreign languages, to meet the wants of immigrants, are loudly called for; and if prepared at all, must be prepared by our Society. Missionaries and pastors, among the churches composed of foreigners, and professors in our Seminaries, apply to us for books to aid them in their work. Such works will neither be sought nor issued by private publishers. To meet the present wants of Germans, and Swedes, and French, Spaniards, and others, we ought to have a great variety of publications: more will be required soon. We cannot neglect these calls of Providence and be guiltless. They ask for the bread of life, and we must give it.

Towards this further object, one member of the Board, in addition to the 5,000 dollars pledged towards the building fund, offers to pay 1,000 dollars. Who will be the first to follow ? While these vigorous measures are being taken by the the friends of the Society in this quarter, the Board appeal, with confidence, to the friends of the Society abroad, and ask their speedy aid to carry to completion this worthy enterprize. Come forward, brethren, and

make a cheerful, voluntary offering, on this altar, to God and truth. Do not wait for further application, but send your funds or pledges to the office. Complaints are sometimes made that the Society is small and inefficient. Aid us, we pray you, to make it what it ought to be. Let us all unite this once, and make the Society full worthy of the name it bears,—make it what its pious founders, in hope and vision, saw it would be,-make it adequate to the glorious work assigned to it, and let it stand forth before the nation and the world, as one among the mighty instruments, reared by Providence, to meet the nation's and the world's great want-'the truth as it is in Jesus.'"

DOMESTIC.

LYNN, Norfolk.-We have received from a friend in Buckinghamshire a copy of a circular addressed by the pastor of the baptist church in this town, to the "church and congregation" under his care, dated, Dec. 25, 1853, a few extracts from which may interest our readers." The Church was formed about the year 1688, by Sir Thomas Grantham, who preached for a time in our Town Hall, but persecution afterwards broke out, and some of its members were fined under the 'Conventicle Act,' and exiled from the town. Sir Thomas Grantham went to Norwich, where he died, and was buried in St. Stephen's Church, in that city, by the rector. It has had successively 26 pastors, of whom 14 were settled less than five years each, none of the others, save the present pastor, having rendered more than 12 years of service. On one occasion, for some years, the church was destitute of a pastor, and on another, nearly three years. My pastorate has this day completed fourteen years, and one signal fact here deserves mention, viz. -that during that whole period, my services having averaged three on the Sabbath and three in the week, I have never lost but one Sabbath through personal affliction. To the grace of God be this fact recorded. The church, during that period, has increased more than three-fold. It numbered when I came amongst you about 80 members,—454 have been baptized on a profession of faith, 7 of whom are in the ministry partially or entirely; 48 have been received from other churches into our fellowship, in all 502, leaving 280 who have been removed from us; more than 65 of these have died in the faith, about 95 have been dismissed to other christian churches, 70 have removed to other localities, and the remainder have removed under withdrawal, or discipline. We now number 301 in our fellowship. During the fourteen years of my pastorate we have raised eight thousand pounds, making an

average of £570 per year. Besides rendering aid as we have been enabled to various societies which belong to the universal church, it has been our privilege to aid the Baptist Home, Irish, Translation, and Foreign Mission Societies. We have a fund for the sick poor, which has distributed more than £20. per year. The sabbath school numbers 200 children, with nearly 30 teachers, who are all members of the church. Our tract society has rendered good service, but now wants working with renewed vigour. Our chapel and school

libraries want fresh books added to them. 150 meetings of the finance committee have been held; with only three or four exceptions they have been distinguished by deep attachment to the cause, and friendly union with each other. 203 church meetings have been held, at which most important matters have been introduced, having a bearing not only on time but on eternity, and although the fullest liberty has been accorded to freedom of speech, in season, and with courtesy, few have been the times when christian decorum has been violated, and unpleasantness has been the exception, not the rule." We hope we shall be excused by the respected pastor of this church in publishing these facts-others of a more private yet pleasing character we have not given. But is not the writer under a mistake in giving the celebrated old General Baptist "Messenger of the Churches" the cognomen of Sir Thomas Grantham ?

SALENDINE Nook, Yorkshire. The pastor of the baptist church in this place, Mr. J. Stock, having lately received an invitation to become the second classical tutor of the baptist college, Bradford, Yorkshire, which he declined in favour of retaining his present pastorate-the members of the church and congregation, in order to express their satisfaction and gladness at the decision, convened a meeting of the friends, when the senior deacon presented Mr. S. with 80 sovereigns, and Mrs. S. with 20 sovereigns, in beautiful purses worked by two ladies. Mr. S., in suitable terms, acknowledged the kindness of the friends. We hear that Mr. S. has acted in this matter from the most conscientious and disinterested motives, the salary offered him from the college being not far from as much more as that he is now receiving.

TWERTON, Bath.-Mr. E. Clarke, late of Weston, Northamptonshire, was recognized as pastor of the baptist church meeting here, on March 13th, when Messrs. Winter of Bristol, Wassal of Bath, and Morris of Clifton, took part in ccnducting the interesting services.

BOLTON.-Mr. J. J. Owen of Sabden, has accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the baptist church in this populous town.

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REPORTED SECESSION.-An old and trusty correspondent-W. H. B.-informs us that a baptist minister, who was educated at one of our colleges, and is now residing in one of our cathedral cities, contemplates the resignation of his position with the view of entering the establishment. We hope the report is unfounded; but if true, then we think we have a right to ask, how is it that things are now sometimes done which our fathers never heard of, and which, had they heard, would have made their ears tingle and their eyes weep? Haa a taste for medieval ornaments nothing to do with these erratic movements?

TOBERMORY, Mull, Scotland.-Mr. Alex. ander Grant, baptist minister, was presented by his friends, on March 10th, with an elegantly bound copy of the Holy Scriptures and a pair of gold spectacles, as tokens of their high esteem for one who has laboured among them in the gospel for twenty-five years, and whose labours have been blessed by the Lord to many souls, not only in Tobermory, but throughout most of the western Highlands. Many friends assembled on the occasion, and the senior deacon, Mr. Mc Kenzie, presented the gifts.

CHALFORD, Gloucestershire.—Mr. R. White, the pastor of the baptist church in this place, having accepted an invitation to the church at Appledore, Devon, after a social tea, a meeting was held, on Tuesday evening, January 17. Mr. W. Yates of Stroud," presided, who, with several other ministers and friends, expressed high esteem for Mr. White, for the excellent spirit he had displayed during the six years he had resided at Chalford. Several standard works were also presented to Mr. W. as tokens of respect.

AUSTRALIA. It will afford our readers much gratification to hear that the baptist church, Bathurst-street, Sydney, has subscribed £200. for the assistance of Mr. Voller and his family, whose providential deliverance from shipwreck on the island of Amsterdam, in the Indian Ocean, was narrated in our February number.

SHEFFIELD, Eldon Street.-The General Baptist church now meeting in this place are contemplating the erection of a new place of worship in the direction of the Cemetry, where one is much needed. The baptist ministers of Sheffield have expressed their cordial approval of the attempt.

BIRKENHEAD.-Mr. W. H. Bonner, of London, has acceded to the unanimous call of the church at Birkenhead, Cheshire, and enters on the pastorate on the second Lord'sday in this month.

BRISTOL.-Mr. G. H. Davis, pastor of the baptist church, Old King-street, the able and successful opponent of popery, has resigned his charge to become the travelling secretary of the Protestant Alliance.

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