advice appropriate to them severally, and, in calm, collected manner, bestowing upon each his dying blessing.

He had expressed a wish on the day on which he died to have his whole family assembled once more around his bed to receive his last counsels ere the night should close in. It can only be conjectured, however, what those counsels would have been. Ere the appointed hour approached, his breathing was perceived to be getting fainter, and the final scene drew near. One son only could be summoned, and ere he reached his bed his father's voice was silenced. Other members of the family came, but he could not observe their approach. Without awaking from an apparent slumber, without a groan, without even a struggle, his spirit tranquilly departed to dwell with God and to be for ever blessed.

Mr. Barnes of Trowbridge, who was intimately conversant with Mr. Collier during a pastorate of three years at Thrapston, thus writes respecting him,-"His name and memory are very sacred to me. My affection for him was blended with a respect approaching to reverence, originating in my deep impression of the constancy, the faithfulness, the unbending integrity of his nature. The days in which I had him for a co-worker, I shall ever recollect with pleasure, and among the names of my intimate friends who are gone to glory there is none more hallowed than that of Henry Collier."

To gather up two or three of the leading features of Mr. Collier's character, and present them here are all that friendship has now to perform; and this after the detail that has been given will be no difficult task.

Mr. Collier was distinguished by unbending integrity. Mr. Barnes calls it "unbending integrity of nature;" and there was, perhaps, something in Mr. Collier's constitution of mind to induce this integrity. It were, however more proper, and perhaps more congenial with his own views, to regard this integrity as one of the fruits of the grace of God in him. Every action was of transparent honesty, every word of transparent truth. No man ever attained a higher or a more deserved reputation in these respects. He was not to be turned from the course which he regarded the word of God as prescribing, and he could never descend to anything mean and dishonourable. He studied to "have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men."

Mr. Collier's devotion was strongly marked. It was a habit cherished from the dawn of his spiritual life, intermingling also with his whole conduct. Never morose or sombre, he was always prepared for sacred duties, and they who united with him in the prayer meetings in which, both in youth and in the vigour of manhood, he took part, will not soon forget the pathos, the sincerity, the fervour, with

He

which he poured out his heart to God. seemed as if living in holy familiarity with him, while every word betokened an intense, well-regulated, and unaffected humility. Few men could be more appropriately described in the language applied to Nathanael, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile."

Mr. Collier's attachment to the denomination of which he was a member was warm, intelligent, and unflinching. It was not the blind attachment which imagines but little good out of that denomination. In early life he had been an occasional hearer of the late Dr. Haweis, a grateful affection for whose memory he always cherished. All who loved our Lord Jesus Christ Mr. Collier regarded as brethren with whom, in any place and in any religious service, he could hold the most sacred fellowship. With the peculiarities of what is called high Calvinism he had no sympathy, but with many high Calvinists he held the friendliest relations for the truth's sake, which, notwithstanding these peculiarities, dwelt in them. In a word, the creed of Mr. Collier was scriptural, his spirit was devout, and his heart was affectionate. He had defects and faults-who has them not? But these defects were insignificant. His virtues were firm and substantial. God grant to the church at Thrapston and to the bereaved family of our excellent friend that his example may stimulate and cheer them while they follow in his steps and in the steps of all those who are now inheriting the promises!

MRS. BROOK.

S.G.

Mrs. Hannah Brook of Boyd's Hall near Huddersfield, who entered into rest February 21st, aged forty-nine years, was a woman whose uniform excellence won the esteem and admiration of all who knew her.

When a girl about fourteen years of age, her mother was left a widow with three daughters, of whom she was the eldest, and became, after her father's death, the constant companion and comfort of the widowed mother. The precise circumstances attending her conversion are not familiar to the mind of the writer, but at seventeen years of age she was baptized and received into the church at Salendine Nook by the late Rev. Mr. Hyde. At twenty-one she was married to Mr. John Brook of Royd's Hall, who never failed to find in her a true helpmeet, and who with seven children survives to lament his irreparable loss.

In 1843 a church was formed at Milnes Bridge, about two miles from Huddersfield; Mrs. Brook and her husband sought fellowship with the newly-formed church, and to the day of her death she proved a valuable acquisition to its strength and usefulness.

Among the many excellencies which

purposed being over on the Monday, to which she replied, "I hope to be in heaven before Monday;" and so she was, for the next day, the sabbath, at four o'clock in the afternoon, when so many in our churches were returning from the table of the Lord, her ransomed spirit took its flight to the heavenly world to enjoy an eternal sabbath.

Some of her last words were, "I desire to lay quiet hearkening for the sound of his chariot-wheels."

MRS. MARY HIGHAM

Was favoured with religious advantage from her infancy. Intercourse with a pious aunt at Southampton led to serious impressions on her youthful mind. On her return to Lon

don she became a devoted teacher in the sabbath school connected with the congregation of the late Dr. Winter, whose ministry benefitted her much, and, subsequently, one of the efficient secretaries of the Lincoln's Inn Fields Bible Association. Soon after her marriage in 1817, she attended the meetings of the newly-formed church in Burton Street, removing with it to Henrietta Street on the opening of the chapel there, and in 1823 she was baptized and added to that church. She fulfilled the duties of membership with remarkable regularity and constancy, and promoted the interests of the benevolent societies connected with the church with exemplary zeal, especially those of the Mother and Infants' Friend Society.

About fifteen years since, affliction, which had been making gradual progress, prevented regular attendance on the means of grace, and for the last ten years she was almost entirely confined to her home. During this long affliction her faith was generally strong. She endured her great sufferings and privations with exemplary patience and resignation, which when noticed by her friends, ever induced the prompt acknowledgment that no praise was due to her, but to her heavenly Father whose grace alone sustained her.

From the commencement of the present year it was evident her end was approaching, which she gladly observed. Her sufferings were so great that she was obliged to be kept night and day under the influence of opiates, but whenever conscious she longed for departure; her only fear was lest prolonged suffer. ing should induce impatience. She often asked her kind medical attendant how long he thought her likely to live, and if he said she was weaker, her countenance brightened with the prospect of heaven.

During the last four days of her life, she was unable to take any nourishment, and gradually sank. Her end was so peaceful that, although she was carefully watched, the exact moment of death could scarcely be ascertained. She departed this life April

2nd last.

Of her it may be truly said, she was an affectionate and devoted wife, an anxious and tender mother, rejoicing that she had been privileged to see all her dear children baptized on a profession of their faith, and a sincere and faithful friend, not one whose attentions were officious in the time of prosperity, but forgotten, when most needed, in the hours of adversity. As a Christian she loved the truth and practised it, diffident of herself but ever confiding in divine strength; as a member of a Christian church she was sted fast, regular in her attendance as long as strength permitted, and an active agent in the schemes of benevolence she patronized. She had the greatest abhorrence of deception and prevarication, and was frank and truthful in her communications. Of course she had her failings; she was naturally hasty and irritable, but sanctified affliction had enabled her to attain surprising equanimity of temper.

It is not too much to say of her, she was "an Israelite indeed in whom there was no guile." The prevailing state of her mind is well expressed in the text she selected for her funeral sermon, "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life," Jude 21,

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-By direction of the Committee of the Baptist Union, we beg to call the attention of the churches through your columns to a resolution passed at the Annual Session of the Union, on the 22nd of April. It was then moved by the Rev. G. W. Fishbourne, seconded by J. H. Allen, Esq., and resolved unanimously,

"That the pastors and churches in the denomination be affectionately invited to appoint services on Lord's day, the 10th of June, and in the week following, for seeking the increased outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the extension of godliness among

them."

It will be in the recollection of all the brethren that an invitation substantially similar to this was issued by the Union last year, under a deep feeling of concern pro

duced by the continued diminution of the yearly rate of average increase deducible from the returns of the churches. The repetition this year is much more than a matter of form or of routine. The brethren assembled at the recent Annual Session received with no common gratitude and delight the information that the returns last made exhibit an augmentation of the rate of annual increase, as compared with the preceding year; and combining with this fact the testimony borne by those to whom the actual state of the churches is somewhat extensively known, they felt themselves encouraged to hope that signs were appearing of returning prosperity. Under this aspect of things, they felt that there were inducements of peculiar power to a united resort to the throne of grace. Surely the mercy we have received should be gratefully acknowledged in the presence of Him from whose undeserved bounty it has come; nor can it be either unwarranted on our part, or unpleasing to the Giver of all good, that we should convert mercies thus graciously given into a plea for a more copious blessing. Prayer-united prayer-always important, has much to encourage and to quicken it now; and the committee earnestly hope that the concurrence of the pastors and churches with the invitation now sent forth by the Union will be still more general and fervent than it was in the year 1848. May the God of Zion vouchsafe to us at least this token that he is preparing a blessing for us, that he is preparing us for a blessing.

We are, dear Sir, on behalf of the Committee of the Baptist Union,

Yours in our common Lord,

BAPTIST MISSIONARY

Secretaries.

SOCIETY. PROPOSED

CHANGE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR SIR, I take the liberty of addressing to you a few observations in explanation of motions brought forward by Mr. Mursell and myself at the recent meeting of the members of the Baptist Missionary Society, which are to appear in the copy now eirculating of the annual report, and to be the subject of discussion and determination next year. If these resolutions had been brought forward by us, however unconsciously, in any spirit of strife and opposition, the Christian courtesy with which they were received ought I am sure to satisfy us that there is no unwillingness on the part of the members of our society to entertain them in the exercise of that moderation and wisdom which would prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. To those who re

member the alterations in the society's constitution which were made at the time of the jubilee year, the proposed changes will not appear altogether new. In substance they were then proposed by those who now advocate them. They occasioned protracted discussion, and although the regulations which now prevail were finally adopted, the majority in their favour, and against that which may be distinguished as the representative plan of constitution, was not large, nor the arguments adduced such as to lead us to abandon our opinions. I cannot but rejoice therefore that the question is again opened for free and friendly discussion. May I be permitted at this early stage to express the hope that it will be conducted by us all with that Christian forbearance and gentleness which will best conduce to the discovery of the course which it is wisest for us to pursue, and leave behind no painful regret or alienation?

At the time at which our missionary societies commenced their history, the individuals were comparatively few who rendered them assistance in their undertakings. The missionary spirit had to be kindled and circulated amongst the churches, a very large proportion of which would have repudiated connexion with the holy band of men who gave themselves to this glorious work. It was not easy to secure a society at all, and if any could be formed it was necessarily one of individuals. At the present time, however, the number of persons who are professedly interested in our missionary labours has increased to such an extent that it is impossible with the old machinery to obtain their united counsel and co-operation. The danger now is lest principle and zeal, which might be directed to the most satisfactory results, should be discouraged and enervated for want of exercise, or become diverted into inappropriate channels. Notwithstanding that Christians generally throughout the land admit the obligation of Christ's disciples to preach the gospel among foreign nations, there is no proportionate increase in our missionary funds and operations, and a want of coherence and of information on missionary subjects prevails, accompanied by indifference to the welfare and progress of our society. It cannot be expected that persons for any length of time will take an interest in undertakings in which they have no share, and of which they have no knowledge. The great need of the present time in the history of our mission appears to be the discovery of a method by which the great body of our people shall become personally connected and acquainted with its affairs and proceedings. Two ways present themselves in which this may be accomplished. The one is, by breaking up the one society into separate and independent societies, each of which may become a centre of union to the neighbour

hood around, and direct its efforts to a particular part of the missionary field. For example, a society in London for the East Indies, in Liverpool for the West, and so on. I would dismiss this plan without further observation, because there is a more excellent way. It is that of securing a more effective organization of the elements of which our society is composed. These are scattered all over the world. But to a very great extent they exist around centres of combination churches. These are divine institutions, not of human appointment. In them is the teaching of missionary doctrine; in them is offered the missionary prayer; through them are received the missionary supplies; and five-sixths, at least, of the contributors to the society belong to them. The plan we propose is, to entrust the society henceforth entirely to them, to say to them, this is your own society-work it as you please. You have entire control over it; you, not by an organization arising out of you, and to some extent independent of you, but in your very selves, are the society. Henceforth, the churches approving the society and contributing to its funds, in token of the reality of their approval, shall constitute the society itself. Practically, to a very great extent, this is the plan even now adopted, and it has become more prevalent from year to year. The committee, in their fifty-sixth report and general review determined the progress and position of the society by the hold which it has upon the churches. The whole document, which is much more valuable than a common report, suggests the change in the constitution which is proposed, as consistent with the advanced stage to which the society has arrived. In 1837 the churches contributing were 459. On an average of the last three years they are 900; and 1,100 churches are supposed by occasional contributions to approve of the society. Throughout that document the appeal is made to the churches, and wisely have the committee told them of their responsibility. Each church is a centre of influence: let it become at once, by the easiest transition from our present form of organization, a centre for missionary operations, in distributing information, providing supplies, and exercising control; and be recognized as such in the constitution of the society. Admitting, however, that the churches shall henceforth constitute the society, the next question that presents itself is, the mode of their co-operation; and this, it is at once evident, must be by their representatives. A thousand churches of one hundred members on an average belonging to each, cannot assemble for deliberative functions; the representative system is the only one that meets this difficulty. I do not apprehend that practically any inconvenience would occur in giving one or two representatives to each church; but should this be

thought inexpedient, or be found on experiment to work badly, the number might be diminished below even one for each church, either by territorial divisions, or by combining together in choice of representatives churches in members below a certain number. My own preference would be strongly in favour of representation based not upon the amount of pecuniary contribution, but upon the number of the members, one, e. g., for every fifty or a hundred. To explain the principle rather than to contend for details, is however the object of the present letter; and on the latter there can be no doubt we shall be better able to decide, if we can arrive at substantial agreement on the former. There is, however, another course of observa tion which it is proper to pursue, when ex amining the constitution of our society. I refer to the subject of its qualification for membership. It may be presumed that most of the readers of your magazine will be disposed to admit the principle, that religious men should be entrusted with the management of religious institutions, and that the task of propagating the gospel should be attempted by those who obey it. Our terms of membership recognize in no way this great and fundamental principle, and there is nothing in the plan and regulations of the society to prevent it from being, members, committee-men, and all, composed of persons destitute of religious character. Surely, the encouraging promise of the Great Master's presence where two or three are gathered together in his name, would be more consistently pleaded if our regulations were otherwise. The spirit indeed is more than the form, and the life than the raiment, but by all means let the one be consistent with the other, and if the society is, as no one doubts, a society of religious men for religious purposes-of Christ's disciples for the advancement of his kingdom-let the fact appear in the documents which we put forth to the church and the world. If, however, in the constitution of the society, there is nothing to forbid the entrance of the most ungodly of men, there is unhappily that which virtually excludes from membership some of the most sincere and worthy of the society's friends. If there is a man glowing with love to Christ, having few and simple wants, and providing out of a scanty income things honest in the sight of all men, who considers (and who would not wish such matters to be the subject of Christian deliberation ?) that he can spare but ten shillings a year to this society, amongst the many of a similar kind that press upon his attention; though he is a man like Peter or Paul, and live not in Joppa, in the house of Simon a tanner, or in Damascus in the street which is called Strait, but hard by to the Mission House in Moorgate Street, London, yet unless he is a reverend amongst us, he