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We must not omit to mention, even here, a political event of great importance, and one which cannot fail to lead to the most important results. It is the secession of the State of South Carolina, and three other States, from the United States of America. The reasons alleged in the Declaration of Causes” for secession adopted by South Carolina, and the speeches of Southern orators, as we find them at length in American papers, all lead to the conclusion that the South regards the North as in hopeless political error-error so great as to make political union no longer practieable. They say the North is become so perverted, that it regards slavery as an "evil," a " sinful institution ;” that its discouragement, and limita. tion even to extinction, is the desire of corrupted Northern hearts: that the election of Mr. Lancom to the Presidential chair merely proves the ascendancy of this feeling: that in two years' time, under his reign, it will become dominant in Congress; and that then the legislative attacks on slavery will begin. They determine, therefore, 10 to await the attack, but to set up for them

in time. What the results of the movement will be, it is impossible as yet to foresee. One the results, most imminent, is the calamity of civil war. It must, however, have an important influence on the position of America in regard to slave If it should lead to the separation of th from this sin against God and man, it can hardly be regarded as a calamity,

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provements had also been made inside the chapel, involving a considerable outlay. The church and congregation were gradually increasing. The chapel was insured for 3001., but 8001., it is thought, will be necessary to repair the ruin. The origin of the fire is wrapt in mystery; we are shut up to the conclusion that it must have issued in some way unknown from one of two fires in the vestry left burning on Sunday evening. Since writing the above, the trustees and committee of the Guildhall Lecture-room and Young Men's Christian Institute have kindly placed their accommodation at our service on Sundays; also the trustees of the British School have kindly offered us their premises for our Sabbath-schools. Indeed Churchmen and Dissenters have vied with each other in practical expressions of sympathy. We will inform you of our plans so soon as formed, and we have recovered from our consternation and surprise.-I am, dear brother, yours truly, A. Pitt.-We are requested to add to the above, that donations in aid of the rebuilding of the chapel, or for the erection of a new one, as may be hereafter determined, will be most gratefully received by the pastor, Rev. A. Pitt, 6, Moor-street, Burton-on-Trent.

NIWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.-On Wednesday, 26th December, the anniversary soirée of the church and schools connected with Bewick-street Chapel, was held. After tea, the Rev. William Walters, pastor of the church, having taken the chair, the devotions of the meeting were led by Mr. David M'Culloch ; after which, the chairman addressed the audience in an effective manner; and Mr. Councillor Henry Angus read an interesting letter from Mr. Henry Angus Wilkinson (prevented by indisposition from being present), in which he referred in a telling manner to the events of the year, including the sale of Tuthillstairs Chapel, and settlement of Mr. Walters as pastor. Mr. S. Culley then stated the satisfactory progress made in the liquidation of the debt on the chapel, nearly 1,0001. having been raised for this object within the year. Mr. John Bradburn reported the state and prospects of Bewick-street School, which were cheering; and Mr. James Potts stated what was doing at Garden-street School. Subsequently the meeting was addressed by Messrs. James Maxwell, Robert Andrews, Rev. J.T. Bannister, LL.D., of Berwick, Mr. Henry Murton, Rey, John Kneebon, of Hartlepool, and others, when the interesting anniversary was brought to a close by the usual votes of thanks.

HENGOED, GLAMORGANSHIRE.-The third jubilee of the building of the first chapel of this very ancient Baptist Church was celebrated on the 27th of December. The previous evening two sermons were preached by the Revs. W. Williams, of Mountain Ash, and J. Lloyd, of Merthyr. On Thursday morning, at half-past eight o'clock, a prayer-meeting of thanks to God for his great goodness to this church was held. At ten o'clock, an interesting sketch of the history of the church was read by Mr. Llewellyn Jenkins, one of the deacons, and son of the late minister, which stated that the ohurch existed in scattered materials nearly 250 years ago, was incorporated in the year 1650, and its first chapel built in 1710, being the fifth Baptist chapel in the principality. After the history was read, four addresses were delivered in succession, by the Rers. B. Evans, Aberdare: E. Evans, Dowlais ; J. Evans, Abercanaid; and T. Price, Abordare. At half-past two o'clock, a prayer-meeting was held, to implore future blessings to the church, when the abovenamed ministers, and the Rev. R. Williams, the present pastor, engaged. At half-past six o'clock,

two sermons were preached by the Revs. B. Evans 1 and E. Evans to a most attentive congregation,

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DOMESTIC. BURTON-ON. TA

BURTON-ON-TRENT.- We very much regret to announce that the Baptist Chapel, Burton-onTrent, was destroyed by fire on Monday, December 31st. The circumstances will, no doubt, excite tbe sympathy of many I and many will be eager to give a helpin

be sympathy of many friends;

eager to give a helping hand e minister and the congregation who are wus suddenly deprived of their house of their as

nes.". The following letter from the Pastor, the Rev. A. Pitt, will give all the requisite

five all the requisite infor. boo write to you,” he says, "“ with a sad Deart, to say that on Monday last our handsome and commodious chapel was reduced to a complete ruin by fire. Last Lord's-day evening I baptized Jour persons, two husbands and their wives, before * goodly company. I announced a watch-night service for the next evening, a lecture on the

ursday evening, an inquirers' meeting at its cose, also a sermon next Sabbath evening to the young. But little did we think the sad reverse that awaited us! On Monday, at three o'olock, word as brought me that Salem Chapel was in flames.' When I got there half the town was convened; ee engines were at work : from every window ame was rolling out as from a furnace. At

ock the fire was completely subdued, and wugot but & blackened, charred, burnt mass re

our once commodious and loved sancary. The fire must have been long at work beel was discovered, which was at three p.m.

an alarm was given, the greater part of the erior was found to be one sheet of flame, Much estruction had been effected before the engines

reach the place. A timber-yard behind the

stood in great danger, as did also the houses on either side and in front of the chapel; but God, in his great mere

nas great mercy, spared these, in response to

y prayers, mixed with tears, offered on the pot. An effort had been set on foot five weeks

free the chapel from a debt of 3501., and

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before to free the chapel II this effort was likely soon to extinction. Several important

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LOWER EDMONTON.-A neat and commodious | pastor of the congregation, Messrs. Williams, Baptist Chapel was opened for worship in this Johnstone, M'Callum, and other gentlemen : and place on New Year's-day. The Hon. and Rev. B. | the entire proceedings were of the most agreeablo W. Noel preached in the morning, and in the after and interesting character. noon the Rev. Dr. James Hamilton. Between the services the friends from a distance partook of a

CHEDDAR, SOMERSET.--A public meeting was cold collation. In the evening, a tea-meeting was

held at the Baptist Chapel on the 1st of January to held, at which Mr. Edwards, the minister of the

take leave of the Rev. W. T. Price, who for nearly chapel, presided, and addresses were delivered by

eight years has held the pastorate of the church in Messrs. Davis, Ward, Turner, Fairburn, and J. P.

Cheddar and the surrvunding villages, and reBacon. On Sunday, Jan. 6th, two sermons were

signed in order to take the oversight of the conpreached by the Rev. J. H. Wilson, of Aberdeen.

gregation meeting in the Corn Hall, Great Yar. The chapel, which is freehold, and has been

mouth. Mr. William Clark, after an affectionate erected from the design, and under the super

addrese, presented, in the name of the friends who intendence, of Donald Campbell, Esq., of Barthol.

had subscribed it, a purse containing twenty omew-lane, will accommodate 300, and the school

sovereigns, as a mark of their esteem and love. rooms and class-rooms provide ample convenience

The meeting was then addressed by the retiring for the instruction of 200 children and young

pastor, the deacons of the church, and other persons. The cost of the whole will be about

friends. £1,200, more than half of which has been already MINISTERIAL CHANGES.-Mr. Thomas Clark, subscribed. The attendance at the services was late of Pontypool College, has accepted a unabi. very good. The sum realised by the various mous invitation to the pastorate of the Baptist services was about £50, making the total amount Church in Market Drayton, Salop, and commenced collected nearly £700.

his labours the first Sabbath in the new year.-Mr. BOOTLE, NEAR LIVERPOOL.-On the 2nd inst.,

Samuel Thompson, late of Rawdon College, has an interesting meeting was held at Bootle, near

accepted the invitation of the Myrtle-gireet Church Liverpool, to take farewell of the Rev. D. B.

to take charge of a mission station in a very des. Joseph, who on that day completed and concluded

titute and populous district on the south side of a term of exactly eleven years' ministry. The chair

Liverpool, and has commenced his ministry.-The was occupied by Richard Johnson, Esq., and the

Rev. W. T. Prise, having resigned the pastorate meeting was addressed by the Rev. C, M. Birrell,

of the church at Cheddar, has commenced his the Rev. W. M. Taylor, Presbyterian minister of

labours as minister of the congregation meeting ra Bootle, and the Rev. J. Walker, Independent

the Corn Hall, Great Yarmouth.-Mr. Morris S. minister of Waterloo-all of whom testified to their

Ridley, of Rawdon College, has accepted an in vihigh esteem of Mr. Joseph. In the course of the

tation to the pastorate of the church at Lydney, evening, the chairman presented the retiring

Gloucestershire, and intends entering on his stated pastor with a purse containing one hundred and

labours on the first Lord's-day in Marcb. - The ten guineas, as an expression of the cordial regard

Rev. Richard Glover, on the unanimous invitation of the church and congregation, on which Mr.

of the Blackfriars-street Baptist church, Glasgow, Joseph delivered a very touching and forcible fare

has succeeded to the pastorate lately vacated by well address.

the Rev. F. Johnstone, who bas returned to his

former charge in Edinburgb.-The Rev. Joon HOUGHTON REGIS.-On Tuesday, the 11th Dec., Walters, of Earl's Colne, Essex, bas accepted s a meeting of the members of the Baptist church unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the Bap; and congregation in this place was con ened, to take tist Church, Broughton, Hants, and commenced farewell of their late pastor, the Rev. J. Lewis, who his labours on the first Lord's-day in the new year. has recently accepted the charge of the Clover -Mr. Thomas Rees, late student at Pontypool street Church, Chatham. About 180 persons par College, commenced his labours at Newtown, Monttook of tea, after which a public meeting was held, gomeryshire, on the first Sunday of the new year, which was numerously attended. Addresses were having received an invitation for a period of su delivered by the Revs. D. Gould, S. Dodge, of months.-Mr. Isaac Edwards, late student at Dunstable, T. Hands, of Luton, J. Lewis, and Pontypool College, has accepted a unanimous ? Mr. Cook, of Houghton. During the meeting, a vitation to the pastorate of the Baptist Churca handsome timepiece and a purse of money were at Lanidloes, Montgomeryshire.-The Rer. 1. presented from the church and congregation as a Hanson, of Idle, Yorkshire, has accepted a unable token of their affection and esteem. The interest mous invitation from the Bethel Baptist Churcb, of the meeting was much increased by a letter from West Bromwich.--The Rev. W. H. Wylie, late of the Rev. H. B. Smyth, vicar of the parish, contain Regent's-park College, has accepted the urbani ing a contribution of one guinea towards the testi mous invitation of the church in Ramsey, Hunt monial, and expressing his sincere wishes for the ingdonsbire, and has commenced his labours. future happiness and prosperity of Mr. Lewis in his new sphere of labour.

BLACKFRIARS-STREET, GLASGOW.-On Tuesday afternoon, January 15th, the Rev. Richard Glover, of South Shields, was formally introduced to the THE REV. J. GEORGE, OF CAMBBRWELL.-Many, congregation of Blackfriars-street Baptist Church, of our readers will regret to hear of the death or Glasgow, as the successor of Mr. Francis Joho this excellent minister of Christ. He had, as 15 stone, who has returned to his former charge in known to his friends, been ill for some time, and Edinburgh. The Rev. William Landels, of London, few weeks since it was rumoured that he had die preached in Blackfriars-street Church, which was a statement which was even made from the purp. well filled, and introduced Mr. Glover to the

in some of the chapels near his own. His life was, congregation. In the evening a soirée of the con. however, spared till Menday, January 7th. He gregation took place in the Merchants' Hall, the died at the age of fifty-six, and was interred Rev. Mr. Glover in the chair. After tea, and soine Tuesday, January 15th, in the Nunhead Cemetery, verses of the 122nd Psalm having been sung, the Reve. W. Howieson, C. H. Spurgeon, the chairman addressed the meeting. Addresses Steane, and other ministers, taking part 1 were also delivered by Mr. Johnstone, the former service.

Obituary.

8 part in the

THE CHURCH.

"Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the

chief corner-stone."

MARCH, 1861.

HOME; OR, THE BLESSING OF BETHANY.

BY THE REV. J. W. LANCE SHALL you be at home to-night, papa ?” said my eldest girl, when the teathings had been removed, and the dusk had been dissipated by the lighting of our new lamp, whose shade had narrowly escaped destruction from the pea-shooter of the youngest of my rifle corps. Yes, I was going to be “at home to-night." This was Friday, and let me see on Monday I had been to the United Prayer Meeting ; on Tuesday I had spent the evening with a friend—and a very pleasant evening it was; on Wednesday, the incumbent-elect of the Brayton Memorial Church was to preach at St. Šimons, so I went, of course, to hear him; on Thursday there were two Committees, the Penitentiary, and the Sailors' Society; and now, on Friday, there are two or three notices on the shelf—"The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society " has a special-meeting to-night at seven, and at eight the Committee of the Tract Society is to meet; a friend, too, in the course of the afternoon, has called in to say that the Women's Club has a tea at half past five, and would take it as a favour if I would look in, if it is only for half-an-hour-nevertheless, I mean to be “at home to-night." And when the children have learnt their lessons, and wearied of their games, and I have drawn them zebras' heads and elephants' trunks upon the slate, and mended the broken windmill, and read a few pages from “Line upon Line," and told them the story of “ The Good Samaritan," and heard from the youngest but one the hymn about “Gentle Jesus," and we have had our family-worship, and my wife hints something about "bed-time," I feel that there is no blessing like the blessing of a home-a home, I mean, where the hallowed name is named, and the hallowed presence welcomed, as it was in the home of Bethany.

And following up the train of thought thus suggested, I think how often that Bame “Gentle Jesus" trod the Mount of Olives, between the crowded city and the quiet village-home of Martha and her sister Mary; how, in that society, which he loved so well, he rested from his labours, and how, in the morning he event forth again to be “ very early in the temple ;" how his last miracle was vrought within the circle of this household ; how it issued in his “ precious death and burial”; and how, after his resurrection, he still seemed to linger round the habitation of the loved ones, as departing spirits aro said to do when released from the confinement of the body. Old, indeed, as human nature, seems to be the belief that the spirits of the departed do thus linger about the scenes of their earthly associations, and that at intervals they may be permitted to revisit those spots where hallowed affections were cherished, and friendships formed that death itself could not dissolve. Something akin to this we discern in the fingering of the Lord at Bethany. After his resurrection and before his ascen$100, after he had given the final commission to the disciples, “ He led them out as far as to Beta hany, and lifted up his hands and blessed them.” Yes! the Son

of Man, about to leave this earth, lingers amongst the loved ones, and bestows his final blessing where he had found the blessing of a home! I can well under. stand that for his own sake Bethany would be the place where he would beston his last farewell; but for the sake of his disciples especially, it was well chosen as the place for the final benediction.

What a homeliness—what a tenderness it gives to the idea of heaven, that the last link in the chain of thought and memory that binds it to earth is BETHANY! It tells us that the “Son of Man" cherishes the memory of the virtues, the sorrows, the trials, the conflicts against sin, which he witnessed and shared there, and that his loving sympathies are with such households still, wherever found on earth. “Wherever," I say; for as with as the time is come when neither at Jerusalem nor yet at Samaria do we worship the Father, so with him in the power of his risen life-neither at Bethany nor Bethlehem, neither at Cana por at Nazareth, but everywhere, he blesses “the habitation of the just." Reader, is the blessing of the Lord in your habitation? Have you realized in the highest sense that there is no place like home”? Truly there is no place like it for gladness and for grief, for solemn trust and sorest trial; no place like it for its anxiety and ease, its duty and reward! What fatal folly is that of the parent the father or the mother--that despises or neglects the home! To see a man, whom God has blessed, and trusted with wife and children, despising the blessing, making light of the sacred trust, this is to see what might be a bright pattern of things in the heavens turned into darkness and confusion, out of which may spring up every evil work.

Who has not mourned over the memory of the great ones of the earth sacrificing domestic bliss, wrenching themselves from family ties, for purposes of mere political aggrandisement? Perhaps the picture of Napoleon's last interview with the Empress Josephine is at this moment hanging in your room—and get for purposes much meaner many of us may be making sacrifices as cruel and as costly, Or we may condemn the misanthropic, monkish tendencies which led me to seek in cloistered solitudes the favour of that God who, had they but known it, was waiting at the threshold of their doors to bless them in their families and their homes; and yet, even in our highly civilized, and semi-christianized social state, are there not some who in selfish solitude ignore the family claims, and count an evening, or an hour, among the prattle and playthings of the children, if not dull, at least something like a “waste of time”? Oh! you whose leisure hours are all absorbed in politics ; or in municipal reforms; or in the company of friends-wise or witty-who have become dearer to you than the friends at home; or in councils or committees -scholastic, or antiquarian, ar benevolent,-yours, I am sure, is not the blessing of Bethany ; yours is not the home over which the Saviour is spreading his hands.

“Benevolent!” yes, even so too; for not even these, no not in their highest spheres, demand such attention as to justify the man who violates or neglecta the sacred trusts of home. I am not pleading against public spirit, or philan. thropy, or religious activity ; nor taking part with those who shield their indolence, or covetousness, under the plea that “charity begins at home;" but only, in this day of endless enterprise, urging the sanctity of home. If the kingdom of God is to be found anywhere, it should be there, and we know who has said, ** Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” But how can we bring our little ones to Christ if we have not come to him ourselves How can we expect them to be the lambs of his fold, if we are not among the sheep that hear his voice and follow him ? The family is God's ordinance; but, like other Divine ordinances, it issues in good or ill, according to the spirit in which it is sustained.

* Let us more fully recognise the family unity and responsibility. It is not indeed, absolutely certain, but it is in the highest degree probable, that your children, in their moral and spiritual character, will be what you are. If you Want to see this illustrated, ponder well, and solemnly, the picture given by the prophet of the idolatrous family in the midst of Jerusalem, and compare it well with the faets of actual life you may now see around you. “The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven” (Jer. vii: 18). And while this presents to us a solemn warning as to the family unity in godlessness, we remember also that the family unity may be developed in piety; for it is possible, by Divine grace, to train up our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

And if you feel how hard it is to do this, remember that He whose last: act on. earth was the blessing at Bethany, is still lifting his hands those hands that were pierced for you even from the heavens to bless; that He waits to bless you with a sense of his love with the precious gift of his Spirit. He is saying even to you“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” He knows all your household cares and family sorrows; and he is saying, “ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Perhaps, in days gone by, you have lost some dear and honoured friend or relative, and now that the soreness of the

wound is healed, you think of such as watching over you, caring for you, in the -anxieties and heart-achings of every day; but, believe it, Jesus is nearer to you

than they are, or can be he knows you more intimately, understands you more thoroughly than they, and he can, even now, be touched with a feeling of your infirmity.

We have spoken of the family unity and responsibility ; perhaps you have felt that out of this, in connection with indiyidual diversities, spring many of the family trials. Here is, upon the whole, let us say a unity of life and aim; but within this wide circle of the family unity there are lesser and eccentric circles of the various individual lives. Differences of disposition, taste, temperament, character, have all to be balanced and harmonised, and the burden of this presses perhaps, sorely upon you. Well, it was so at Bethany. The quiet reflectiveness of Mary--indolence, perhaps, her sister called it-would be a burden to Martha, while, Martha's impetuosity would be a burden and grief to Mary; while Lazarus, again, would have, as head of the household, to bear the burden of both. Yet see, also, how lovingly the Lord Jesus bore the burden of them all; and seeing it, be comforted. Thou art not left alone: be assured that that love is for thee, if thou wilt have it, as surely as for them. And dost thou not love Him? He has sacrificed himself out of his great love for thee, and points thee to Calvary as its great memorial. Hast thou not found him when ze is so near?: He seeks thee still, the Good Shepherd, following the wandering heep. "Well, Mary, I am glad that you have come to Christ,” said a minister to a oor girl who had been converted in the Irish Revival. “Oh, sir,” she replied, it is not so much, I think, that I have come to Christ, as that Christ has come o me!” And is not Christ coming to you also, my reader? And what lave you to do but to accept the proffered mercy ? He is coming to you in his word, and by the gentle teachings and drawings of his Spirit, and by the lessons of his Providence. Perhaps, even now, in sickness or the sharp sorrow of bereavement, he is making you to feel his presence. While the shadow of death has fallen on your home, some gentle voice is at hand to whisper, “The Master is come, and calleth for thee." Through the sudden death of that bright boy, through the lingering sickness of that fair girl, he is telling you what sin is, and how full of woe its work has made the world. For death, even in smiling childhood, is the fruit of sin.

" By one man-Adam-sin entered into the world, and death by sin." But he is telling you also of his redemption; for by one man--the second Adam, the Lord from heaven-righteousness has, entered in, and by it life. Where the

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