THE GENERAL BAPTIST MAGAZINE. JULY, 1860. THE NINETY - FIRST ANNUAL ASSOCIATION. 10,000; and the third, in 1844, when the Rev. J. G. Pike, of Derby, was chairman, and the total number of members was about 18,000. It is, then, sixteen years since a similar gathering to the one of which we purpose giving a hasty account, was held at Wisbech. WISBECH, the place appointed for the The afternoon train from Peterborough, on Monday, June 18, 1860, brought a considerable number of ministers and friends from the Midland district, from Yorkshire, and from the neighbourhood, to Wisbech, where they received a hearty welcome, and were speedily located at the houses of various friends. The Association was preceded by a devotional meeting, held at seven o'clock on Monday evening, Rev. J. Stevenson, M.A., of Derby, presiding. Fervent prayer was offered by brethren J. Batey, Rochdale; T. Goadby, B.A., Coventry; H. Wilkinson, Norwich; J. Lewitt, Nottingham: J. B. Pike, Bourne; T. Horsfield, Vale, near Todmorden; T. W. Marshall, Loughborough; and Rev. J. Smith, the Independent minister of Wisbech. The meeting was well attended, and a hallowing influence pervaded all On Tuesday, an hour before breakfast was devoted to the reading of States At nine o'clock, Rev. R. Kenney, Burton-on-Trent, according to appointment of the Association held last year, took the chair; and Rev. J. Lewitt, Nottingham, and W. Bennett, Esq, Sawley, were appointed moderators, and Messrs. T. W. Marshall, Loughborough, and W. Newman, Louth, assistant secretaries. Dr. Burns then introduced in an able speech our highly-esteemed brother, Rev. D. M. Graham, M.A., New York, U. S., as a delegate from the seventeenth Triennial Conference of the Free Will Baptists, America. Rev. D. M. Graham, of tall and noble presence and truly English expression of countenance, ascended the platform, and was received by all the ministers and brethren standing. Our American brother acknowledged with deep emotion, the kind welcome thus given; and in a lucid and eloquent speech touched upon the resemblances between the Free Will Baptists in America, and the General Baptists in England in their origin, their difficulties, and their progress. Both began in villages: but, said Mr. Graham, the call of Providence now was, as in apostolic times, to arise and go up to the great cities. Our brother also alluded to the decided course taken by the Free Will Baptists on the slavery question, earnestly appealing to the associated brethren to help them by their sympathies and prayers until the last slave should be free; to the grateful recollection he had of the visit of Dr. Burns and the late Rev. J. Goadby, to America in 1847; to the good influence that that visit and the earlier visit of Dr. Sutton had upon the churches; and to the efforts of the Free Will Baptists in securing an educated ministry. Since the visit in 1847 of the English brethren, 80,000 dollars had been raised and invested in different educational institutions; and over 2,000 pupils are now under teachers of their own views in the state of Michigan, a state about as large as England. An amusing account was also given of the beginning of the Michigan college, of which Mr. Graham was first president. When I first went to the place,' said Mr. Graham, 'I did not find it even on paper; but I looked around, and found an old deserted store, deserted when hard times came. In that store the school began, with four or five pupils. I called one pupil the preparatory class, another the freshmen's, the third the junior, and the fourth the senior. I remember how the snow, drifting through the walls, reminded us that there were warmer places to study in than that. I had then just passed an interesting period of life. I took my young wife to the presidential mansion, a little log hut, worse than anything I saw yesterday in coming here.' An interesting sketch was also given of the history of the Free Will Baptist Church in New York, of which Mr. Graham is pastor; of his success in securing situations for young men who came out from England, and landed in that city, and in reclaiming them from vicious courses. He strongly urged that all General Baptists going to New York should have letters of introduction from their churches to himself. From our ésteemed brother's address we learnt that the Free Will Baptists now number nearly 60,000; that their general institutions were never so well supported and prosperous, and their general prospects never more encouraging. The address was listened to throughout with the deepest interest After resolutions, welcoming our brother, and commending him to the hearty greetings and Christian sympathies and prayers of all our churches, the following was also agreed to: That the Revs. J. B. Pike, J. Stevenson, Dr. Burns, and W. R. Stevenson, be requested to confer with Rev. D. M. Graham, M. A, and make such arrangements as may tend to render his visit to this country beneficial. Our brother's stay is only for four months. He is particularly anxious to visit as many of our churches as possible, especially struggling ones, who may need a word of cheer. The subjoined is his present list of engagements. He will, however, be happy, if arrangements can be made for his visiting during the week, churches in the vicinity of those named, and will preach for them any evening in the week, except Saturday evening. Particulars of such arrangements should be sent to the Editor of the Magazine for publication. Rev. D. M. Graham's Engagements: 243 tion. His address was earnest and eloquent, and left a deep impression on the minds of all present. On Wednesday morning, at nine o'clock, the annual meeting of the College Committee was held in Castlesquare Independent Chapel. From the report it appeared that the funds were in a healthy state; and that two students were about to become pastors of churches. Three young men were received on probation. At eleven o'clock, in Ely-place chapel, after the opening of the service by Rev. W. Jones, of Derby, Rev. I. Preston preached from 9. Derby; Coalville, Monday or Malachi iii. 10, Prove we now here Tuesday. 16. Spalding (query). 23. Bourne. 30. Oct. 7. Sheffield. Louth. 14, 21. London. N. B. The Ministers of the churches are requested to send Mr. Graham word, seven days before his visit, at whose house he will be expected to make his home. His address, while in London will be, Dr. Burns's, Paddington; and letters may be addressed for him to the care of the ministers of the places above mentioned. with, said the Lord of hosts,' &c. The sermon was earnest and impressive, and the practical appeals embodied in an exposition of what was involved in the challenge of the text, found their way to every heart. In the afternoon, at three o'clock, the second public service began. Our brother Thomas Cooper was appointed to preach, and in his absence Rev. W. Jones, who came prepared to supply his lack of service, cheerfully gave way to our brother Graham. Rev. G. Hester read and prayed, and Rev. D. M. Graham preached from 2 Cor. v. 5; Now he that hath The chairman's address followed; wrought us for the self-same thing is but as this will appear in our next God, who also hath given us the earnnumber, we pass on. In the afternoon est of the Spirit.' The popular exan excellent letter was read, by Rev. position, the blunt homely Saxon J. Salisbury, on the Scriptural doctrine speech, and the fervid appeals of of election and predestination. A brother Graham electrified every hearer. warm and lengthy discussion followed, We felt, that with such earnestness of in which many brethren took part, and spirit as was then manifested, his visit from which it appeared that there was, to our churches, would, under God, be even among General Baptists, consider- eminently useful. In the evening, able variation of opinion on the sub. the annual meeting of the Foreign ject of the letter. In the evening, the Missionary Society was held, R. annual Home Missionary Meeting was Pegg, Esq., of Derby, in the chair. held, Robert Wilkinson, Esq., of The chapel was crowded to excess. Totteridge Park, in the chair. After Extracts from the report were read by the reports by the various secretaries the secretary, and addresses given by of the four divisions of the Home Revs. J. B. Pike, T. Goadby, B.A., Mission, addresses were delivered by D. M. Graham, Dr. Burns, E. StevenRevs. D. M. Graham, J. Lewitt, W. R. son; and, as the meeting was now far Stevenson, and W. Middleditch, Secre- advanced, brief speeches by Rev. I. tary of the Baptist Irish Society. Mr. Stubbins, H. Wilkinson, and our valued Graham strongly advocated the es- brother Mr. W. Brooks, the missionary tablishment of a new interest in some printer, who for nineteen years has large town, and suggested Liverpool, been devotedly employed in a highly and again alluded to the desirableness, important work in Orissa. It appeared if General Baptists would expand, of that, owing to extraordinary pressure going into the large centres of popula- on the funds of the society, the expen I diture had been about £600 over the income, and that a clear increase of £300 per annum was needed to carry on present agencies. To meet this, various increased yearly subscriptions and donations have been promised or already received; viz:-J. Heard, Esq, £100 annually; R. Pegg, Esq,, £30; Friends at Tarporley, £30; Mr. W. Newman, £10; Mr. H. Mallett, £10; Mr. R. Wherry, £10; Rev. E. Stevenson, conditionally on fifty annual subscriptions being received for the same or a higher amount, £5; Mr. King, £5, &c. A report of this meeting will appear in the next Missionary Observer. The business of the Association has been unusually interesting. The case from the Midland Conference, on the Conditions of Union, excited a long debate, in which many delegates from the Midland district were prevented from taking a part, owing to their late arrival on Tuesday. The resolution agreed to by the Association on this case was as follows: That this Association regards it as the duty of all the churches in the body to support the three recognized institutions of the Connexion, and resolves that a committee be appointed, who shall earnestly be requested to give this subject their grave consideration, and bring up their recommendation to the next Association; and that the following brethren be that committee. Mr. Thomas Hill, Rev. W. R. Stevenson, Mr. George Truman, Nottingham; Rev. J. Stevenson, R. Pegg, Esq, Derby; Mr. Earp, Melbourne; and Rev. J. J. Goadby, Lenton. A fresh effort was also made towards a fund for the erection of a good building for the College, and many very liberal sums were promised. The preface to the annual College report, to be written by Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., of Spalding, is to be devoted to a further appeal on this subject. Dr. Burns also offered to give fifty volumes towards raising a thousand for the college library, which sadly needs replenishing with good standard works, a challenge which, we hope, will be warmly ac cepted. The revision of the Association rules occupied the greater part of the day on Thursday, after the Academy business had been disposed of. The revised rules will, in future, be printed on the cover of the Minutes. The subject of the relation of the two Baptist bodies, not being sufficiently matured, it was agreed to defer its discussion to an early sitting of the next Association. The accompanying resolution explains itself. Several Christian people at Brisbane, in Queen's Land, having communicated to the late Association, at Wisbech, their earnest desire that a General Baptist Missionary should be sent to the benighted and down. trodden heathens in that distant colony; and their readiness, if the right man can be found to support him at their own expense; it was resolved that the following brethren be a committee, to receive applications from any who may be willing to devote themselves to the Saviour's cause among those degraded tribes; viz:- W. Underwood, J. C. Pike, R. Kenney, Dr. Burns, and T. W. Mathews. Applicants must be under thirty years of age, of sound constitution, fitted for a climate warmer than that of England, of respectable educational attainments, and above all of devoted piety. Letters may be addressed to the secretary of the committee, Thomas W. Mathews, Boston, Lincolnshire. A kind and fraternal letter, addressed to the chairman from Mr. Thomas Cooper was read to the Association, after which it was resolved: (1) That Mr. Cooper's letter be received; and that we express our regret at his absence. (2) That we nevertheless request the general Home Missionary Society at an early opportunity seriously to consider the practicability of obtaining the services of our brother Cooper, at least for some few months in the year, to engage in the work of evangelization in connection with our churches. The church at Lincoln was reported to be in an improving condition, and this resolution was passed respecting the case: That this Association, having heard with much pleasure the report of brother Wood respecting the present state of the prospects of the church at Lincoln, recommends the churches to afford all the ministerial and other assistance they can. The following brethren were recom Marian's First Lesson on Self Sacrifice. mended for reception, by the committee appointed to examine ministers seeking admission into our body, a recommendation which was unanimously agreed to, viz:- Revs. T. T. Wilson, Edinburgh, who will be in Leicester, at Mr. Malcolm's, in July, and open to receive invitations to serve our churches; J. Jefferson, Sheffield; J. H. Beevers, Rotherham; and J. C. Robinson, of New Bradwell. In reference to the Magazine, the Association unanimously agreed: That we express our pleasure in observing the improved character of the Magazine, and that the existing arrangements continue for another year. The Association sittings closed at nine o'clock, on Friday evening, June 22, 1860. The attendance of ministers and delegates was good, considering the distance of Wisbech from the main 245 body of the churches. The clear increase of the Connexion was roughly calculated at 500, so that the present number of members is over 19,000. Great praise is due to the Wisbech friends for the liberal and hospitable manner in which provision was made for the comfort and convenience of the brethren assembled. The next annual Association will be held at Dover-s reet, Leicester; Rev. T. Watts, of Wisbech to write the letter on the non-attendance of the more influential members of our churches at prayer-meetings;' Rev. J. J. Goadby, of Lenton, to be the morning preacher, and the Rev. T. W. Mathews, of Boston, the afternoon preacher for Wednesday; Rev. I. Stubbins, president, or in case of failure, Rev. H. Wilkinson. MARIAN'S FIRST LESSON ON SELF SACRIFICE. 'MARIAN, I wish you would listen The speaker was a pale thoughtful child, apparently about twelve years of age; he was standing at the window watching a heavy fall of snow, and had several times addressed his sister unheeded. Marian, who was seated comfortably before the fire, with the last new novel in her hand, did not seem particularly pleased at the interruption. Well, what is it George? how troublesome you are!' George's question, when at last heard, seemed hardly relevant to the scene before him. 'I want to know the meaning of self-sacrifice?" Self-sacrifice! oh I don't know-at least it would take too long to explain; whatever made you ask that?' Because, don't you remember the sermon on Sunday was all about it; and I thought that perhaps my staying at home instead of going out snowballing was self-sacrifice.' Well, if by staying at home you are denying yourself, sacrificing your. self, I suppose it is,' said Marian rather puzzled: 'what a queer boy you are; I think you would be much better making snowballs than asking those strange questions.' 'But you know mamma would not let me go out because of my cough.' This explanation however was lost upon Marian, who was again_deep_in her book: she had just arrived at what she termed 'the most exciting part,' where the novelist, having brought his hero and heroine into apparently inextricable difficulties, enlists the reader's warmest sympathies on their behalf; while the plot slowly unfolds and every thing ends at last in the happiest manner possible, to the mutual satisfaction of all parties. And Marian was an imaginative girl; in reading tales of this description, she invariably put herself in the place of the heroine, so that any distraction was doubly painful and unwelcome. Pity her then this morning, when a few minutes after, her mamma entered the room in search of her. My dear!' Marian did not hear. |