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NEWS OF THE CHURCHES.

be called the THOMAS COOPER MEMORIAL CHAPEL After sermons by Mr. Cooper, the friends at Birchcliffe forwarded, on July 21st, £15 2s. 6d. towards this effort. The pastor, Mr. Anderson, is anxious that other churches should aid them by following such "a noble example."

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

TEACHERS' CONFERENCE.-The fiftysixth annual meetings of the Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire G B. Teachers' Conference was held at Boston on July 24th. Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., preached in the morning. At 2.30 Mr. G Shaw presided, and Mr. E. Guy, of Pinchbeck, read a paper on "How to succeed in Sunday School Work." This was followed by discussion, in which Revs. G. Pitts, J. Jolly, J. Griffin, Messrs. Atton and Green took part. Suitable votes of thanks were given to those who had specially served the Conference, and to the Boston friends who had so kindly cared for the comfort of the assembly. At the evening meeting addresses were given by Revs. J. Harper, F. Jones, G. Pitts, Messrs. Ward, Noble, Dring, and Smith. The reports showed that 220 teachers and 1854 scholars were connected with the Union. The next Conference is to be held at Sutterton. Sermon by Rev. C. Barker. Paper by Mr. C. Noble.

LINCOLN-On July 27th school sermons were preached by the pastor, Rev. George Anderson, to large congregations. In the afternoon a service of song was given by the choir and scholars, entitled, "From the Nile to Nebo." The chapel was crowded, many being unable to gain admission. The connective parts were clearly and distinctly recited by some of the scholars, who had been trained by the pastor. The building was very tastefully decorated with choice flowers, ferns, and mottoes, presenting a very attractive appearance. The collections were in advance of previous years. On Monday the scholars annual treat was held, when they with many friends proceeded in steamers to Washingboro, where on Mr. Graham's farm and in the woods a very pleasant day was spent.

MACCLESFIELD, St. George's Street.On July 23rd, by invitation of Mrs. Dowen (the pastor's wife), the scholars attending Mrs. Bowers', née Miss Hilton's class, and the Sunday school teachers met for tea, supplemented by strawberries and cream. Mr. Dowen, in the name of the class, presented to Mrs. Bowers a marble

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timepiece as a token of loving esteem.On July 27th the pastor, Rev. Z. T. Dowen, preached the school sermons. The service of song, "A Child of Jesus," was given in the afternoon by the choir and friends. Attendances cheering. Offerings of the day, £30 0s. 6d.

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MARKET HARBOROUGH.-School mons July 20th. Preacher, Rev. John Nickalls, of Clipstone. Collections, £5 88. 6d. The scholars' treat took place at Rockingham Castle on 31st July.

PETERBOROUGH -On July 27th school sermons were preached, and an address was given in the afternoon, by Rev. J. Fletcher, of London. Congregations excellent in spite of the unfavourable weather. On the 28th tea and public meeting followed. C. Roberts, senr., took the chair. After prayer by Mr. Colman, addresses were given by Revs. T. Barrass (pastor), J. Fletcher, and brethren Heath and Turner.

POYNTON.-The School sermons were preached on July 27th by Rev. Rowland Evans, of Mirfield. Collections £10 7s. 4d.

WALSALL, Vicarage Walk-On Aug. 10th a special flower service was held. Mr. Harrison (superintendent) presided, and the Rev. A. Hampden Lee delivered the address from the words, "Ye are all children of light, and children of the day." At the close a large quantity of flowers were sent to the hospital, and about forty nosegays were taken to the homes of the poor and sick. A collection was also made in aid of the school funds.

MINISTERIAL.

ASQUITH, Rev. D., preached his farewell sermon at Nuneaton on July 27th.

AVERY, Rev. W. J., will terminate his ministry at Praed Street chapel by the end of this month, he having accepted the post of Assistant (in the Home Mission Department) to the Rev. S H. Booth, Secretary to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland. It will then be exactly seven years since Mr. Avery became associated with Dr. Clifford in the pastorate of Praed Street and Westbourne Park church.

JULIAN, Rev. R. M., (late senior student of Nottingham College) has accepted a unanimous invitation to become assistant pastor with Rev. E. Stevenson at Baxter Gate, Loughborough.

PLANT, Mr. T., of the College, has successfully passed the Matriculation Examination at the London University.

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HUGGLESCOTE.-Two, by G. Robinson. ILKESTON, Queen Street.-Two, by A. C. Perriam.

KIRKBY-IN-ASHFIELD.-One, by Mr. Aked. LONDON, New Bethnal Green Road.-Six, by W. Harvey Smith.

LONDON, Commercial Road.-Five (one a Methodist), by J. Fletcher.

LONDON, Westbourne Park. - Eight, by Dr. Clifford.

LONG EATON.-Two, by H. Wood.

LOUTH, Northgate.-One, by E. H. Jackson. WALSALL, Vicarage Walk.-Eight, by A. Hampden Lee.

MARRIAGE.

CLARKDALE.-July 29th, at Longmore Street chapel, Birmingham, by A. T. Prout, pastor, Mr. H. T. Clark (Secretary of Sunday school), to Miss Annie Maria Dale, of Birmingham.

OBITUARIES.

ATKINSON, MRS., died very suddenly at her residence, 6, Priory Avenue, Sheffield, on Sunday morning, July 13th, 1881. Mrs. Atkinson was born November 28th, 1832. In very early life her mind was brought under religious influences. In her sixteenth year she was baptized, and joined the church at Portmahon, under the pastoral care of the late Rev. J. E. Giles. For about ten years she enjoyed the eloquent ministry of that large-hearted and intelligent man. In the Bible she used at her baptism, and for several years afterwards, there are distinct traces of the texts taken and sermons preached by Mr. Giles, The Book of Revelation especially contains the evidence of the sustained attention she paid to the brilliant course of lectures given by her pastor on that sublime and mysterious portion of God's word. These lectures made a great impression on the congregation; and are still spoken of with lively interest by many who had the privilege of hearing them. After the removal of Mr. Giles to the neighbourhood of Dublin, Mrs. Atkinson had, as her minister, the Rev. J. P. Campbell, from Shipley, the father of the Rev. Owen D. Campbell, M.A., now of Broad Street, Nottingham. Soon after Mr. Campbell removed to Cambridge, she, in company with her sister and some othǝr friends, had their memberhip tranferred to Cemetery Road. From the first she took a deep and active interest in the church and Sunday school. She had the charge of a large senior class of girls, which had been favoured with the intelligent instruction of Miss Wheen, who subsequently became the wife of the Rev. J. H. Atkinson, now of Liverpool. On a new year's day-celebrated in the life of the church by holding the annual church meeting-Mrs. Atkinson-then Ellen Turner-was married to Mr. Cornelius Atkinson, the senior deacon,

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and at the present time, for more than forty years a member of the church at Cemetery Road. This relationship brought her more closely into connection with the affairs of the church, and she always maintained her position with ease, dignity, and decorum. Mrs. Atkinson was at the head of an important millinery business in the centre of the town, which brought her into contact with some of the leading female citizens of Sheffield. Her great business gifts-promptness, honesty, and extreme accuracy-were duly marked, and highly appreciated by her employers; and many ladies with sympathetic tears have expressed a sense of their loss by her sudden death. Mrs. Atkinson had a generous mind, and was liberal to the full extent of her means. Tokens of her Christian kindness found their way into many a humble home, and some of the very poor by her departure have lost a true-hearted and sympathising friend. farewell to the activities of this life, though bitterly painful to those nearest and dearest to her, was in perfect keeping with the general outline of her character. She had risen from her bed and was preparing to fulfil her engagement at the Sunday school, when the dart of death was suddenly cast, and although medical skill was immediately called, she rapidly passed away into her eternal rest. There was a promptness and decision in the act of dying which was quite in harmony with the constant habit of her life. On the following Wednesday morning, her remains were interred in the family grave at the General Cemetery, her minister, Rev. E. Carrington, officiating at the funeral. The most general sympathy was created by the solemn event, and sincere expressions of condolence are offered on every hand to the sorrowing husband, mourning relatives, and lamenting church. A communication from a long-known and very intimate friend of the departed-Mrs. Etherington, of Halifax-may fitly close this too meagre sketch of a valued life. "It has been my lot to have many young people and children more or less under my care during the last forty years, and my testimony I will give in the words of the wise man- Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.'"

G. H.

STUBBS, MRS. JANE, departed this life June 22nd, 1881, at Harrow-on-the-Hill. She was the daughter of William and Jane Woodroffe, of Normanton-on-Soar, and in childhood and throughout her life was marked by a glowing love of right, and a conscientious discharge of whatever she feit to be her duty. This was the chief feature of her character; and, therefore, when, after her marriage to John Morris Stubbs-many years a deacon of the Praed street and Westbourne Park Church-she came into contact with the Praed street people, she was not long before she was baptized on a profession of the faith in Christ she had for some time cherished and enjoyed. The activi ties and associations of the General Baptist churches were especially dear to her. Her memory was stored with their traditions, and her home was ever open to their mi sionaries and ministers. Our work in Orissa and Rome had a large share of her sympathy, and its successes were a deep and pure joy. For more than fourteen years she was afflicted; but was comforted and sustained by the peace of Christ. Like not a few who have suffered from lengthened feebleness and the gradual exhaustion of nerve power, she said, "I feel peace; but I should like to feel joy." Freed at length from the dull weight of pain, and gladdened by the revelation of Christ, she has "entered into the joy of her Lord." J. C.

THE

MISSIONARY OBSERVER.

SEPTEMBER, 1884.

Foreign Mission Committee Meeting.

A COMMITTEE MEETING, numerously attended, was held on Tuesday, August 12th, at Broad Street Chapel, Nottingham.

A SUCCESSOR TO MR. MULHOLLAND.-The sub-committee, appointed to look out for a successor to Mr. Mulholland,* as superintendent of the Mission Press, presented their report, stating that they had "very great pleasure in strongly recommending Mr. James Frederic Hill, the son of our Secretary."

Testimony in favour of Mr. Hill's suitability for the office was given. by various members of the committee; a medical certificate was also furnished to the effect that he was "free from disease, and of a good and sound constitution;" whereupon it was unanimously and heartily resolved that the report of the sub-committee be confirmed. Mr. Hill was then introduced to the meeting, and briefly referred to the operations of his mind in relation to mission work. He thanked the committee for the confidence reposed in him in inviting him to undertake the management of the mission press, and promised, as far as he was able, to promote in every way the interests of the sacred cause. It may be stated that Mr. J. F. Hill is the third son of the Secretary, and was born at Berhampore, Ganjam, India, August 12th, 1873, so that he was twenty-one years of age on the very day of his appointment as a missionary. He expects to leave England for Cuttack about the middle of October, and all will pray that he may have a prosperous voyage, and a long career of usefulness in Orissa. It certainly seems unfortunate that Mr. Mulholland's health should break down in little more than a year after his arrival in India; but against this we may place the lengthened career of our late devoted brother Brooks, who was spared to serve the holy cause for the unusually protracted period of forty years!

ANOTHER MISSIONARY FOR ORISSA.-The question, "Can we send out another missionary to Orissa?" was brought before the meeting and discussed. It was pointed out, on the one hand, that the annual income of the mission was insufficient to meet present liabilities. But on the other it was remarked that Mr. Wood's place had not been filled up; that in the ordinary course of events brethren Buckley and Miller

* See "Missionary Observer" for August, page 814.

could not be expected to labour many more years; that any other failure would involve serious injury to the mission. Under these circumstances it was resolved, "That this committee deem it desirable, as soon as possible, to send another missionary to Orissa; that a subcommittee be appointed to look out for a suitable man; and that it consist of Messrs. T. Barrass, Z. T. Dowen, J. C. Jones, W. March, J. G. Pike, E. Stevenson, I. Stubbins, W. R. Wherry, and the officers of the Society."

Should a suitable candidate be forthcoming the committee will be prepared and pleased to send him to Orissa in the autumn, so as to arrive there during the cold season. In coming to this decision the committee are aware of the state of the finances and of the extra expense it will involve. But they feel that the step is imperative, and that they must either reinforce or retreat. Does any one recommend that our stations should be abandoned-that the work of years should be sacrificed-and the millions of Orissa be allowed to live and die "without God, without Christ, and having no hope in the world?" Selfishness so heartless would make angels weep; would crucify the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame. To prevent this deplorable issue the committee feel bound to go forward. They consider, however, that the responsibility of providing the means rests upon the churches. Most earnestly and affectionately do they entreat each and all to give as the Lord has prospered them. As a denomination we have the money and, with proper organization, we believe it would be forthcoming. Were (1) ALL to give, (2) all to give ACCORDING TO THEIR MEANS, (3) all to GIVE AS TO THE LORD, then the committee would be in a position to send forth not simply one missionary but ten times that number. Even then, compared with the size and needs of the field, the labourers would be few, very few.

Excuses.

BY REV. T. R. STEVENSON.

MISSIONS may be compared to a ship. What name shall we give her? Say, if you will, The Olive Leaf; certainly she is a messenger of peace. Or she might be called The Speedwell, for she is now making rapid headway. Canvas, which long was idly furled, is stretched to its full extent, and her screw revolves swiftly. The crew is motley but faithful, and when perils arise hardly a man is missing at his post. As to the great Captain, to sing His praises would be to "paint the lily and adorn the rose.'

Nevertheless, like all other vessels, she has to encounter storms. Sometimes the weather is ominously rough. Dangerous reefs lie near her route. She ever and anon voyages in the vicinity of treacherous quicksands. Dropping the figure, missions experience grave difficulties both at home and abroad. Have we success, yea, success sufficient to awaken great gratitude and hopefulness? We also have opposition enough to arouse new courage and daring. May we ask our readers' attention to some of the excuses offered for not supporting this grand cause? Only a few can be touched on. We will try to deal with them fairly and faithfully.

ATTEND TO ENGLAND FIRST.

This is an extremely ancient weapon of attack. We wonder that it has not been blunted ere this. Times without number we have been told about

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"charity beginning at home," "seeing that our own land is evangelized before we labour abroad, 'looking after British heathen," etc., etc. There are several answers. If, when you say that we should attend to home first, you merely mean that we should not let foreigners render us indifferent to fellow-citizens, you only utter a truism which nobody disputes. Of course we ought to look well after the land of our birth. But that is not what is commonly intended. This, rather, is the sentiment :-leave India and China, Africa and Polynesia, until Britain is converted.

Why? Who authorizes such a notion? Does God? If so, the matter is settled, and no further word is to be spoken. But if He has taught the opposite, then the cry of "Home first" is for ever floored and flouted. And this is the fact. "Go and teach all nations,"-"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Nothing can be plainer. Christ did not convert all Nazareth ere He preached in Galilee, nor did He save every man in Galilee before He went into Judea. The apostles were not enjoined to confine themselves to Jerusalem, to get it utterly on the side of Jesus, and then to extend their efforts. Far from it. They were to plant the seed of the gospel in as many places as they could, thus constituting each the centre of ever-widening spiritual fruitfulness.

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"Home

Other considerations are well worthy of recollection. First: what would have become of us had this mode of procedure always been acted upon? We should have been heathen. Sunday would have been such indeed and of a truth, since every man of us would on that day have adored the sun. Secondly what a long time it will be before the heathen get the gospel if it is not sent to them until all England is saved! One shrinks from contemplating such a prospect. It is too dreadful to dwell on. Thirdly be it recollected that there is a very real and impressive sense in which some heathen lands are "home." first," you reiterate; do you? Well, you mean by "home" your fellow-citizens, don't you? Please remember that the Hindoos and the Sinhalese are as much subjects of Queen Victoria as the most loyal of us. India and Ceylon are provinces of the British empire. "Home first," our patriotic anti-missionary friend exclaims. All right: we fall in with what you wish. "I thank thee for that word." Heathen lands, such as we have just named, are home. Therefore, if you are the ardent lover of the nation which you profess to be, you will send a handsome donation to the Missionary Society without delay!

CIVILIZE THE HEATHEN, THEN TEACH THEM THEOLOGY.

So some talk. Of course, they are outsiders. No Christian would speak thus. Still, the advice has an insinuating sound and a plausible look-all the more so, by the bye, because the word "theology" is used rather than godliness or piety. As if our sole or main object in sending to pagans was merely to make them sectarians and hair-splitting controversialists! The insinuation is unjust.

Civilize them, and then teach them theology? But what are you to do if the said heathen steadfastly and obstinately decline having any connection with your civilization? which, mark, they often do. Attempts to tame, refine, and improve savages have, again and again, ended in ignominious failure until their hearts were warmed and softened by the gracious, genial influences of the gospel. Not a few European reformers among cannibals and the like have been recompensed for their pains by being killed and eaten up! The fact is quite notorious, that the people who were averse to secular elevation when it was directly attempted, became bright examples of the same after they had sought and found salvation. Savage Island could not have been an Elysium, or its name would have been slightly different. Savage, indeed, it was; so savage that Captain Cook dare not land there, although no coward. How about Savage Island now? Ships regularly visit it, commerce thrives there, education is in a flourishing state. What magic wand has waved over the sea-girt spot, producing such a transformation? The magic wand of missions. Rev. J. Williams, a labourer who has a right to be heard, tells us, "Until the people are brought under the influence of religion they have no desire for the arts and usages of civilized life; but that invariably creates it. The missionaries were at Tahiti many years, during which they built and furnished a house in European style. The natives saw this, but not an individual imitated their example. As soon, however, as they were brought under the influence of Christianity, the chiefs

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