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MRS. MARIANNE COOK.-For fifty-one years the beloved wife and faithful partner of Mr. T. Cook, of Thorncroft, Leicester, died at her residence on Saturday morning, March 8th. For more than twelve months there has been a gradual and visible decline of physical strength. It was not, however, until the end drew near that serious apprehensions were entertained. A remarkable power of recovery shewn by the physicial constitution kept alive the hope that with the coming spring the enfeebled frame would recoup its energies, and life be continued for some time longer. The issue proved otherwise. After the seventh, Mrs. Cook experienced a night of intense and suddenly developed pain, and then quietly passed to the land of rest. Mrs. Cook was born at Barrowden, in Rutland, on February 11th, 1807. She early lost the care and companionship of her mother, and was compelled to assume the domestic responsibilities of the paternal home-a large farm house. She discharged her onerous duties with commendable fidelity and success; and under the discipline, developed that independence of judgment and spirit, and that remarkable business capacity, which were such prominent features in her character, and which proved so invaluable in Mr. Cook's great travelling and hotel arrangements in later years. Mrs. Cook attributed her earliest religious impressions, to the influence of a fine, noble, old Christian lady connected most directly with the Barrowden church-Mrs. Arnold, whose name lives on in Mr. Arnold Goodliffe, of Nottingham, her worthy grandson. On her marriage, she removed to Mr. Cook's house at Market Harborough, in March, 1833. Here she came under the ministry and personal influence of Rev. F. Beardsall. She was baptized and joined the church in June, 1833; and in the month previous she adopted the total abstinence principle. These two acts settled the two chief guiding principles of her life. Throughout her whole course, in all circumstances, and in all countries, she continued a loyal Christian, a faithful General Baptist, and a staunch upholder of the temperance cause and practice. She was prepared to sacrifice, and did sacrifice, very much for these objects, especially during the first years of her wedded life. In 1841 Mr. Cook removed to Leicester. There Mrs. Cook proved an invaluable helper in the development and successful accomplishment of Mr. Cook's great schemes for facilitating travel at home and abroad. With the desire to provide for the comfort and suitable accommodation of temperance travellers, Mrs. Cook undertook the burdensome task of opening and managing a hotel on strictly total abstinence principles. Her success is attested by the noble building and its admirable arrangements and widely appreciated comforts which stands beside the Temperance Hall, Leicester. On two occasions she, with her late and deeply lamented daugh ter, undertook the colossal business of providing hotel and boarding accommodation for visitors to the great Exhibitions-the first in Paris, and the second in London. In the one 12,000, and in the other 20,000, persons were received and provided for during the seasonin both instances the strictest fidelity was maintained to high Christian and total abstinence principles, and both were crowned with well-earned success. During the last fourteen years Mrs. Cook has been closely identified, as was the late Miss Cook, with the Archdeacon Lane Church, Leicester. Her sympathies were manifested toward all true Christian workers and work; but they centered chiefly on the church and denomination of her adoption. She was always in her place in the sanctuary, when at home and sufficiently well.

Indeed some of her friends thought she unduly taxed her little strength during the last few months by her persistent efforts to be present. But she delighted to join in the services, and frequently expressed the pleasure she found in them. Her religion, like her home and every day life, was more practical than sentimental, or even emotional. She belonged to the Martha's rather than the Mary's of the church. She took a deep interest in the domestic mission and in the young. All the denominational institutions received a measure of her practical sympathy and aid. Especially was she interested in the work of our mission in Rome. She and her daughter gave much time and labour to fitting up the platform, putting down carpets, and decorating the room for the opening services at the public dedication of the Sala; and her practical sympathy with the work carried on by our devoted friends, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, was evinced to the last. sudden and shocking death of her daughter three years and a half ago produced an effect upon her constitution from which it never rallied. From that time the tabernacle has been gradually taken down, till the final stay gave way, and the spirit freed, departed to be with that Lord whom she had sought constantly and faithfully to serve to the end.

The

W. B.

LACEY, JAS. SMITH, late of Loughborough, was born at Kegworth in the year 1816. His earliest years were spent amongst Church of England surroundings and influences, but his first religious impressions were received in Nottingham, when he was about seventeen years of age. On going to reside at Leicester, he attended the ministry of the Rev. T. Stevenson at Archdeacon Lane, and joined the church. About the year 1849 he and his wife removed to Loughborough, where he opened a shop as a boot and shoe maker. The Rev. Joseph Goadby was then pastor at Wood Gate, and Mr. Lacey and his wife and family attended his ministry, which they very highly valued. He became very useful in the church, and for some years "served the office of deacon well." His active spirit found a most congenial sphere in the Sunday school, where he had the conduct of the Young Women's Bible Class, which was numerously attended. It is, perhaps, not too much to say that the twelve years he spent in this important post constituted the most really useful period of his life; for through his instrumentality many were added to the church. Relinquishing that position, he devoted himself to village preaching, for which he manifested considerable aptitude. adopted the plan of preaching in one place for many consecutive Sundays, and visiting the people in their homes; besides which he would often walk to the village and back to preach on the week evening. After working on for some years in this manner, he was invited to take the oversight of the church at Whitwick, but without leaving the business, which his good wife superintended in his absence. Mr. Lacey subsequently took charge of the church at Wolvey, where he laboured with much energy and success, until very trying and unanticipated circumstances necessitated his return to Loughborough again to take his business in hand, until he was able to dispose of it. Soon after, symptoms of failing health shewed themselves. Later on he was a good deal restored; but at last, with seeming suddenness, he succumbed to his affliction, and died on the 5th January last, at the age of sixty-seven. His loss is much deplored by a large circle of friends. The Rev. E. Stevenson improved his death in a suitable sermon at Baxter Gate chapel. B. B.

He

THE

MISSIONARY OBSERVER.

APRIL, 1884.

The Mission Finances.

THE following letter has been prepared by the Mission Organization Committee, and a copy of it sent to every church in the denomination. We trust that, instead of its being laid aside, or consigned to the waste paper basket, it will receive the attention which its importance and urgency demand. Unless the ministers and members of our churches will endeavour to give practical effect to the suggestions made, it is scarcely likely that the object contemplated will be accomplished. By their combined efforts, not only will the £500 required to equalize the present income and expenditure be secured, but the Committee will be enabled to extend the operations of the Mission. With a regular income of £4,000 this could be accomplished, and surely for a denomination of 25,000 persons, this is not too large a sum to raise.

[COPY.]

GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Dear Friends,

Mission House, Wilson Street,

Derby, January 28th, 1884.

It will be seen from the last Report (pages 15, 18; also 77, 78), that owing to extended operations-the present annual income of the Society is insufficient by about £500 to meet the expenditure. It will also be seen, from the report of the sub-Committee on Finance, that no material reduction can be made in the expenditure without serious injury to the Mission. Under these circumstances, it was resolved to augment the income of the Society by at least the sum required.

In order to give effect to this resolution, the question was referred to the Committee appointed to promote organization among the churches for Mission purposes.

At a meeting of this Committee, recently held at Peterborough, the question was duly considered. From information laid before them, they had no doubt whatever as to the ability and willingness of the churches to raise the amount, providing the proper means were adopted. They beg therefore respectfully and earnestly to recommend :

1. That meetings for prayer, for communicating Missionary information, and for promoting a Missionary spirit, be systematically held.

2. That a local auxiliary be formed in connection with every church and Sunday school.

3. That a thorough personal canvass be made throughout each church and congregation, for weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscribers.

4. That collectors, in sufficient numbers (say, one to every twentyfive members), be appointed to gather the sums promised, and to solicit new subscriptions.

5. That copies of the accompanying Circular be placed in the pews, or addressed to members of the church and congregation.

In this effort to relieve the needs of the Mission, may we ask your hearty co-operation? In this case we trust that sufficient funds will be obtained, not only to meet present liabilities, but also to enable the Committee to increase the Mission staff, and respond to the numerous and urgent appeals for help both from Orissa and Rome.

On behalf of the Organization Committee,

Yours faithfully,

THOMAS BARRASS,
S. C. COLEMAN,
CHARLES ROBERTS,

G. H. BENNETT,
H. HILL,

W. R. WHERRY.
W. HILL, Secretary.

The following is the Circular referred to in recommendation No. 5; copies of which may be had on application to the Secretary, Derby.

[COPY.]

GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Dear Friend,

Mission House, Wilson Street,

Derby, January 28th, 1884.

Owing to the extended operations of our Society, the annual income is insufficient-by about £500-to meet the expenditure. The Finance Committee having reported that it is impossible, without serious injury to the Mission, to reduce in any material particular any of the items of present expenditure, it has been resolved to increase the annual income by at least the above amount.

The Committee appointed to promote organization among the churches for Mission purposes (to whom the work of increasing the

THE MISSION FINANCES.

155

income has been entrusted), beg therefore to solicit your sympathy and help towards this object. They will be obliged if you will fill up one of the enclosed forms, and forward it to the person appointed to receive it, who will be glad to arrange for the collection of the Subscriptions, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, to suit your convenience.

On behalf of the Organization Committee,

We are, yours most faithfully,
THOMAS BARRASS,

G. H. BENNETT,

S. C. COLMAN,

H. HILL,

CHARLES ROBERTS,
W. R. WHERRY,
W. HILL, Secretary.

FORM TO BE USED BY NEW SUBSCRIBER.

I shall be pleased to become a Subscriber to the General Baptist Missionary Society, and will give

Signature...
Address.

FORM TO BE USED BY PRESENT SUBSCRIBER.

I shall be glad to increase my Subscription to the General Baptist Missionary Society, and will in future give*

Signature...
Address.....

Here insert the amount, and say whether weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually.

At a recent meeting of the Committee a long conversation was held with reference to the state of the Mission. Mr. Pike, who was present, and received a cordial welcome, strongly urged the necessity of an immediate reinforcement of the mission staff. He referred to the long service and feeble health of Dr. Buckley and Mr. Miller, and to the fact that at Berhampore, Piplee, and Sambalpur, there was only one missionary at each place. Mr. S. D. Rickards, of London, strongly recommended that an immediate effort be made to increase the funds of the Society, so that the means for sending out more missionaries may be provided. In a letter, subsequently received, Mr. Rickards writes:

"Mr. Pike earnestly pleads for more workers, stating his opinion that we are not touching much more than the fringe of the work in Orissa with the force now at our disposal.

"What is to be done? The appeal for better organization in collecting from our various congregations may do something. But surely we want a start made by those who have something laid by' belonging to the Master. In the hope of drawing on these reserves, I am prepared to give £25 on or before the 30th of April next, provided nineteen other friends will contribute not less than £25 each for the help of the Mission by the same date."

"FREELY GIVE."-The children of Israel brought "free-will offerings, every morning, much more than enough for the service of the work," Ex. xxxvi. 3, 5. Shall we bring less, who have received so much more? If our offerings were as free, as constant, or as much, there would be no lack of either men or means for God's work and service.

A Visit to Native Christian Villages.

IN à letter received from the Rev. W. Miller some time ago, he refers to a visit paid to the native Christian villages in the district of Khoordah. He writes:

It is now a week since I returned from Minchinpatna and Khoordah. I reached the former on Saturday morning, the 25th ult. I found the people, with one exception a case of fever-well, and busy transplanting in their fields. Their crops look healthy and promising, as is the case throughout this district. The new water channel, a mile and a half in length, runs through our land and approaches quite near the village, so that when the whole is complete the village gardens may be watered and the tank filled with the greatest ease. The opening out of this channel has greatly improved the land, and will bring a large quantity under cultivation. Our people have applied for and obtained permission to clear a tract of jungle east of their village. Though this jungle is within our boundaries, such is the strictness of the Forest Conservancy Rules, that no jungle can be cleared without an order from the officer in charge. The reservoir, formed by a high substantial embankment nearly a quarter of a mile below the springs, is a splendid sheet of water-in fact, a small lake. The trees on the banks and on mounds in the centre are the haunts of innumerable paddy, weaver, and other birds. Several of the trees were covered with the parent birds feeding their young in the nests, which were most conspicuous and picturesque as we passed by. The conservancy of the jungle has had the effect of alluring tigers near to the village. A monster has taken up his abode not far away, and is the terror of the people. A sikaree went out, but on getting a sight of the brute, fled in terror.

The services of the Sabbath were prefaced by an early prayer meeting. I was struck by the thoughtful and solemn prayer of the sarbarakar. He bears a good character, both as a Christian and collector of rents. He has, since his appointment by Government, taught himself land measuring. He conducts the services in the preacher's absence, and promises to be very useful. At the morning service we had the people from Mungalpore, so that the chapel was full. The afternoon service was also well attended. The building had recently been completely renewed, the inside whitewashed, and the verandahs covered over with slabs of red granite. Altogether it looked very nice and comfortable. The subject of giving more to the cause of Christ was discussed; all the men agreed to increase their monthly subscription. On Monday morning I went to Mungalpore, where the reservoir is-one and a half miles. The most direct way, through rice fields, water, and mud, is not more than one-sixth of the distance. We visited each house and ascertained the state of all. All seemed well. One poor widow, whose husband died of cholera when returning with his cart from Balasore, excited our sympathy. Some of the members here belong to the Khoordah, some to the Piplee church. I suggested that they all should unite with the Minchinpatna church. This was approved by all. On my return to the bungalow I found, among others awaiting me, a brahmin from a neighbouring village who is a large landowner. I was very pleased with the testimony he bore to our people's truthfulness. He said "Our folks the Hindoos—are very deceitful. I now have ascertained that the Minchinpatna people keep their word, and I have decided to let them have some of my land." This is required for the Mungalpore people, whose good rice land is limited.

On Monday afternoon I went into Khoordah. Tuesday morning was spent in visiting the Christians and the few European residents. I also went to the chapel, which I had not seen since its completion. It is a large substantial building, and stands on a large piece of ground enclosed by a fence, near the main road, and is a most conspicuous object. I had arranged to have an Oriya service here at 5.0 p.m. It was, however, made known about noon that if I would arrange for an English service, all the English speaking babus would attend. Hence we had the Oriya service at 3.30 p.m. and at 5 o'clock the English. I believe all the babus were present and the Europeans--indeed, I was taken by surprise to find a congregation of some forty persons on my entering the chapel. My subject was "The grace of God which bringeth salvation," &c., to which, apparently, great attention was paid.

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