THE DEATH OF THE REV. T. RYDER. JUST as we are finishing "copy," we receive the painful intelligence of the decease, far away from his home and his church, of our dear brother, Thomas Ryder, pastor of Stoney Street church, Nottingham, Three standard-bearers fallen in less than three months. May the Lord console our hearts, and teach us the meaning of these mysterious and distressing events! Our friend was only thirty-six years of age, and was just on the point of completing the fifth year of his ministry at Stoney Street. He had gone to America to recruit his health; and not feeling better, was just on the point of returning, when he was struck down by his disease. Much prayer will be made by our churches, both for the bereaved widow and the afflicted Stoney Street church. When the news reached Nottingham, an influential committee, comprising representatives of almost all the churches in the town, was formed for the purpose of considering what action should be taken in reference to this unexpected and sorrowful event. At the first meeting of the committee, held in the Mayor's Parlour, on October 12th, the Rev. G. R. Thornton, Rector of St. Nicholas, in the chair, it was resolved-"That in consideration of the high regard felt for the character of the late Rev. Thomas Ryder, and as expressive of appreciation of the many public and philanthropic services rendered by him during his residence in the town, a fund be raised as a tribute to his memory, and that the amount be devoted to the purchase of an annuity for the benefit of his widow, or to such other similar purpose as a meeting of the subscribers to the fund may decide." The grounds on which the above resolution was adopted were briefly thesethat the sudden death of Mr. Ryder, at the early age of thirty-six, had rendered it impossible for him to make adequate provision for his widow; that beyond the small amount of the insurance effected on his life (£200) there was little or nothing left for her support; and that the disinterested philanthropy and earnest devotion to the best interests of the town at all times evinced by Mr. Ryder, call for hearty recognition on the part of those who honoured and loved him. Donations of any amount to the memorial fund may be remitted by cheque or otherwise to the Treasurer, Mr. John Bayley, the Park; or to the Hon. Secretary, Rev. R. Dawson, Mansfield Grove, Nottingham; or to Mr. J. Leighton, Secretary of the church. The next issue of our Magazine will contain a full memoir of our brother. GOOD ENOUGH FOR HOME. FOR THE YOUNG. WHEN I met Mattie Simmons at her cousin's, in Philadelphia, last winter, I thought her one of the neatest, prettiest, brightest girls I had ever seen. She would come into the breakfast-room in a nicely fitting dress, a jaunty white apron with pockets in it, and a primrose tie, with a smiling face to set them off. Whenever you met her, her toilet was comme il faut, and her manners were lovely. But lately I paid a visit at Mattie's own home. What witch-work had wrought a change in my darling? She wore the most slipshod shoes, the dingiest wrappers, and the most soiled and twisted collars. She hardly took the trouble to say good morning when she came down stairs. "Has there been a fire?" I inquired. "No!" was the astonished reply. "Has mattie's trunk been lost, or have burglars got into her closet?" "Why, certainly not." "Then, Mattie dear, where are all your pretty clothes gone?" "O, they are all in the house. I think old things are good enough for home, aunt Marjory." A great many young ladies are of Mattie's opinion. They consider anything fit for father and mother to see. They take no pains to be beautiful and attractive in the household. And then they are surprised when their brothers think other boys' sisters nicer than themselves. A girl's dress and a girl's behaviour at home can hardly be too carefully designed. There is a brusque candour about home-folks too often, that makes it harder to be good there than to be good on a visit. But the daughter is the silver clasp of the family circle, and she should never forget that it is her privilege to look pretty, as well as her duty.—Aunt Marjory. I. THE GENERAL BAPTIST ALMANACK AND DIRECTORY FOR 1876 will be published on the 25th of November. It will contain, besides the usual Almanack information, a List of our Churches and Pastors; Items of General Baptist History every General Baptist should know; what General Baptists believe; what they are doing and where they are working; mistakes about them, etc., etc. We shall aim to make this penny Almanack and Directory exactly what is needed by the "rank and file" of our churches. Let Magazine Agents, Deacons, and Pastors, order it in shoals! We shall need a large circulation to save us from loss. II. THE BAPTIST UNION—" RETIRING MINISTERS' AND WIDOWS' FUND."-The circumstance that gives promise of securing perpetual fame to the Autumnal Session of the Baptist Union recently held at Plymouth, is the initiation and enthusiastic adoption of a scheme for providing an annuity of £50 for pastors of churches who have ceased to be able to do their work, and of £30 for their widows. The details of the scheme are not yet fully settled; but from the business-like character of the proposals, and the earnest spirit in which the work is undertaken, we seem at length in a fair way to accomplish one of the most necessary works for the Baptist ministry of Great Britain and Ireland. An appeal is made for contributions towards a capital fund, and Rev. C. M. Birrell, Rev. Dr. Brock, Sir S. M. Peto, Bart., W. Middlemore, Esq., R. Cory, Esq., and W. S. Caine, Esq., are requested to obtain and hold the same till the fund is fully organized. III. "WHAT IS KILLING OUR MINISTERS? Surely there is a cause," is the constantly recurring inquiry in meetings, on the domestic hearth, in chapel vestry, and in public. We have heard several members of our churches, not ministerial, give free utterance to answers on this question. We have letters from others on the same topic. One to hand by this very post, says, rather tartly, the answer may be found in the "Autobiography of the Editor of this Magazine." That is rather personal. Still, we should like to gather a consensus of opinion from the deacons and friends of ministers. They see us. They know our methods of work. None so deeply as they are interested in the maintenance of our health. Let them freely speak unto us of the things which so closely concern the welfare of the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ. We shall be glad indeed to give "free course" to their wise words. IV. SECESSION FROM THE STATE CHURCH.-The Rev. G. Chute, Vicar of Market Drayton, has recently seceded from the Established Church, and uttered some bold words on the occasion of his departure. He says, "Things have now come to that state in the Church of England that she has become apostate. She is the very image of the beast; the very resemblance of popery. The doctrine of transubstantiation is held by the majority of the members of the Church of England. The Prayer-Book is full of pegs on which popery hangs. What brought me finally to a decision to leave the Church was, that after constant care and watchfulness I felt I would rather cut off my hand than be present again at the rite of confirmation in this church. What is the tendency of it? To bring every child in England up as a Ritualist; and therefore it is that I am compelled to relinquish my position in the Church of England." These words are no more brave than true; and the question they urge with burning force into our hearts is, why is this seceder alone? How comes it that so many "evangelicals" can be "partakers of her sins ?" The V. THE NATIONAL PAPIST MANUFACTORY.-But there are other secessions. Oh yes: many! Roman Catholics are boasting about it. Cardinal Manning, in high glee, celebrates the day of the establishment of the Roman Catholic hierarchy in this country, and invites Englishmen to thank God for it, and vaunts the successes they are making. We would as soon thank God for the worst pest we have in society as for priests. "government of the priests" has always been a government of deception, tyranny, and of double-dyed iniquity. And yet these priests are being "made" in our State Church by the score. We have before us a well-authenticated list of more than twenty clergymen who have recently gone over to Rome. As they are Romanists we are glad they are gone to their own place; but it is unbearably galling to think that the nation is supporting a State Church for the manufacture of the worst foes of liberty, prosperity and religion. Oh that God would smite it to the earth! O that the unhallowed alliance of State and Church were broken! Brethren, as you love Christ and men, pray for it every day! REVIEWS VI. THE MONTH OF CONGRESSES.— We have a batch of notes on the meetings held at the beginning of this month; enough, indeed, to fill an issue of our Magazine! Never were the meetings more prophetic of the triumph of righteousness and truth. The State Church is slowly learning self control, has at last taken one lesson in the art of talking quietly, and is actually beginning to consider the needs of dissenters. Congregationalists and Baptists are full of life and energy, and not only understand but are addressing themselves to works 427 Reviews. SCRIPTURE NAMES AND THEIR RELATION TO ANCIENT HISTORY. BY W. G. Hind. SCRIPTURE names are not infrequently so interwoven with the meaning of Scripture that error or ignorance in regard to them exposes to mistake as to the drift and force of the Word. The thorough scholarship, abundant labour, clear expression, compact arrangement, and good sense displayed in this brief treatise, will make it a most useful addition to the "tools" of the expositor of Scripture in. church, and school, and home. THE EXPOSITOR. Edited by the Rev. S. Cox. Hodder & Stoughton. Strahan & Co. THIS periodical steadfastly maintains its place as the best preacher's assistant we know. The luminous exposition of "menuchah" and of the "goel," in the Book of Ruth, by the Editor, Mr. Lumby's richly suggestive paper on the Graphic and Dramatic Character of Mark's Gospel, further instalments of Godet on the Prologue of St. John's Gospel, and of Dr. Morrison on the Hebrews, and the sermon of the late Bishop Thirlwall, place the October number abreast of its predecessors. Ministers will get more of the "marrow" of the Bible from such contributions than from thousands of "skeletons and sketches." BROUGHT HOME. By the author of "Jessica's First Prayer." Glasgow: Scottish Temperance League. London: Tweedie & Co., and Houlston & Sons. ONE of the best Temperance tales we have read. It is free from that common vice of stories, exaggerations and unnaturalness; and indeed, bases itself on events which, in their broad outlines, are unfortunately common place. It is full of pathos, rich in fine feeling, traces with a skilful hand the sophistries by which "Christian" society justifies itself in bringing to the table, day after day, a robber who perpetrates his awful deeds before their eyes; and makes clear the duty of Christians to use the only infallible agent known for recovering the victims of intemperance, viz., abstinence. We urge our readers to get this tale into the libraries of home, school, and church. THE CIRCLE OF TRUTH. By Rev. James Walker. Congleton: Cockayne. AN extremely able, though brief, discussion of such topics as Personal Influence, Giving, Unity in the Church and with the Churches. The suggestions are practical and opportune; and the style in which they are set is fresh, florid, and forcible. HOW TO ANSWER OBJECTIONS TO REVEALED RELIGION. By Miss E. J. Whately. Religious Tract Society. THOSE who are familiar with Archbishop Whately's works will find in this volume much to remind them of the clear-headed, safe, and sagacious author of 66 Easy Lessons on Christian Evidences." To young Christians pestered with the objections of doubters, and anxious to rebut them, it will be a most valuable help. It is elementary in its character: but it is thorough as far as it goes, reliable in its statements, timely and wise in its choice of objections, and apt and cogent in reply. LIFE ON THE DEEP: MEMORIALS OF CHARLES MARCH, COMMANDER R.N. By his Nephew. Rel Tract Society. A MOST interesting photograph of a model seaman. A better biography could hardly be put into the hands of those who go to the sea in ships, and do business on the great waters. A brave heroical adherence to noble principles, an intense and manly Christian life, a genial, frank, and fearless spirit, a sunny cheerfulness, and an active consecration of power to the kingdom of Christ, form a character intrinsically excellent, and a story deeply instructive and attractive. None could read it without enjoying it, none could enjoy it without profit. ANGELIC BEINGS: THEIR NATURE AND MINISTRY. By Rev. C. D. Bell. Religious Tract Society. THIS vol. consists of ten discourses on angelic character and agency as pourtrayed in the Scriptures. Expository in their nature, they are clear in style, sound in exegesis, spiritual in tone, and practical in character. It is a welcome contribution on a theme of much interest. Church Register. AUTUMNAL CONFERENCES. I. CHESHIRE no WAS held at Macclesfield, October 12. Rev. W. March read a paper in the morning, on "How is the Christian Church to Reach the Masses of the People?" Mr. March was thanked for his paper; but through want of time there was opportunity of discussing this important subject. Rev. C. E. Pratt opened the service by reading and prayer. Mr. R. Pedley was voted to the chair at the sitting in the afternoon, and Rev. J. Walker took part in the devotional proceedings. Reports showed nine baptized, and fourteen accepted candidates. I.-Report of Mr. R. Pedley, treasurer of Home Mission Committee, expenditure of £258 2s. 9d.; receipts £242 16s. 8d.; balance due of £15 6s. 1d. A grant of £35 for ensuing year was made jointly to Nantwich and Audlem; arrangements respecting Congleton were left with the Committee; the case of Stockport could not be entertained for want of resources. II. That the members of the H. M. C., with its officers, be thanked for their services, and reappointed for the ensuing year; they are Messrs. Joseph Aston and Roger Bate, of Tarporley; Edward Birchall, of Nantwich; Richard Booth, of Wheelock Heath; Isaac Norbury, of Congleton; R. Pedley, treasurer; and Rev. R. P. Cooke, secretary. C. E. Pratt, of Stoke, and W. Hilton, of Macclesfield, were added to the above list. The ministers of contributing but unassisted churches are eligible to attend on this Committee. III. That in future the Conference arrangements be as follows:-Business at 11.0 a.m.; Devotinal Meeting at 2.30 p.m.; Paper to be read on some religious subject, with discussion to follow, at 3.0 p.m.; in the evening a special sermon to be preached, and collection made in behalf of the Home Mission Funds; the church receiving the Conference to select the preacher for the evening. It is earnestly hoped that this alteration will secure a larger representation of delegates and members as well as of the Christian public at the Conferences. IV. That the next Conference be held at Nantwich on the first Tuesday in April, 1876; Rev. J. Maden to read a paper for discussion, on some subject to be selected by himself. WILLIAM MARCH, Sec. II. LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE MET at Stalybridge, Sept. 29. The morning service was opened by the Rev. W. Gray, and the Rev. W. Smith delivered an address on "The best methods of conducting Inquirers' Meetings." An animated and profitable discussion followed. The Rev. E. K. Everett presided at the afternoon service. From the reports given by the brethren, it was evident that several of the churches were enjoying a large measure of prosperity. 144 baptized; 16 candidates. I.-Preston.-1.-That this Conference regards with extreme satisfaction the steps taken by Mr. Roe to secure the new chapel at Preston for the use of the denomination, and pledges itself to render all the practical sympathy in its power. 2. That the election of trustees for the new chapel at Preston be referred to the Home Mission Committee, along with the following brethren :-Messrs. H. Crossley, J. Bramley, J. Horsfall, and G. White. II.-Secretary.-1.-That the resignation of brother Maden be accepted, and that we hereby express our hearty thanks to him for his unwearied and efficient services as secretary of this Conference for a period of nearly six years. 2. That brother Sharman be appointed secretary, in place of brother Maden, resigned. III. That as the Revs. J. Maden, E. W. Cantrell, and W. Jarrom, are about CHURCH REGISTER. to leave this district, we desire to record the pleasure we have received from fraternal intercourse with them, the benefit we have derived from their judicious counsels in conference, the zeal they have manifested in all denominational efforts; and pray that they may have much happiness and prosperity in their new spheres of labour. IV. That the January Conference shall be held at Halifax, and that the Rev. J. Watmough read a paper in the morning on the "The best method of introducing members into our churches;" to be followed by discussion. Todmorden. W. SHARMAN, Sec. P.S.-The secretary will be pleased to receive subscriptions on behalf of Preston. £300 are wanted at once. III. THE LONDON (or SOUTHERN) MET at Borough Road, Oct. 14. The Rev. G. W. M'Cree in the chair. Though the reports from the churches did not show as great a numerical addition as at the last Autumn Conference, the additions were rather above the average of the past five years; whilst the reports were characterized by much hopefulness and fervour. Additions reported: by profession, 56; by transfer, 28; total, 84. Resolutions were passed with reference to the churches at Tring and Colwell. The representatives of this Conference reported that as yet there had not been a meeting of the Unification Home Mission Committee. The Rev. J. Fletcher resigned his seat on this Committee. Resolved That the Rev. J. Clifford be representative of this Conference, vice Rev. J. Fletcher, resigned. I. That the next Conference be held at Chesham on Monday, May 22, 1876; that devotional services be held in the morning; that the Revs. J. H. Atkinson and G. W. M'Cree be requested to give addresses; that an open-air meeting be held in the afternoon, at which the Revs. Dr. Burns, J. Fletcher, and G. W. M'Cree, be requested to speak; that the Rev. J. Clifford be requested to preach in the evening (if he should feel well enough to do so) or in case of failure, the Rev. R. Y. Roberts. II. That at each Conference a definite date and place be fixed for the next succeeding Conference; that a Committee be appointed annually for the arrangement of Conference business, the said Committee to consist of a president, the minister, ex-officio, of the place at which the Conference is held, two elected members, and the secretary. III.—That for the year 1875-6 the Rev. 429 D. McCallum, of Chesham, be president, and the Revs. Dawson Burns and J. Clifford be elected members of the Committee. IV. That this Conference desires to utter its firm and indignant protest against the recent instructions of the Admiralty as to Fugitive Slaves; and whilst recognising the fact of their suspension, to declare that nothing will satisfy this Conference but their absolute and immediate withdrawal. Further resolved-That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Lords of the Admiralty. In the evening a public meeting was held, at which the Rev. G. W. M'Cree presided; and addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. T. Wigner, of New Cross, and J. Fletcher. The choir of the chapel sang with effect some selections of sacred music. J. WALLIS CHAPMAN, Sec. IV. WARWICKSHIRE, WAS held in the new chapel, Nuneaton, Oct. 5. The Rev. James Brown presided. After devotional exercises, a paper was read by the secretary, subject, "How to increase the interest of the Churches in the Conference." A very useful discussion followed; and thanks were heartily accorded. Business-Reports-baptized, 105; received otherwise than by baptism, 13; candidates and inquirers, 57; gross increase since Oct., 1874, baptized, 46, candidates, 16. The following suggestions, arising out of the morning paper, were adopted : 1. That a moderator or president be elected annually to preside over the Conference during the year. The Rev. W. Lees, of Walsall, was unanimously chosen first president. 2. That the Conference be for the future held on Monday, instead of Tuesday, as heretofore. 3. That a Committee-consisting of the president and secretary, the Revs. E. C. Pike and H. W. Meadow, Messrs. Marshall, Carpenter, Lawrence, and Rollinson-be appointed to consider the propriety of recommending the Conference to undertake some specific work; and to suggest a form of work. 4. That in future, special services be held by the church which will entertain the Conference on the Sunday preceding the visit, and in preparation for it. 5.-That the churches be respectfully requested to pay the expenses of delegates. 6. That the questions of Representation, and of the Voting Powers of the Conference Assemblies, be considered by the Committee appointed under Resolu |