the remaining debt would soon cease even to seem troublesome to the church and congregation. The organ was needed to crown the whole, and it has been introduced under most favourable auspices. We may add that the instrument is much admired both for the power and sweetness of its tone, while its richly diapered front, as seen from all parts of the chapel, is an object of beauty. An organist says: "The builder has achieved a success. The fine, broad, diapason work, sonorous reeds, and finished solo stops, tell exceedingly well. The judicious combination of stops introduced by some of the best German and French with those of the English school, and voiced after their different systems, which Mr. Porritt has studied upwards of twenty years, gives a depth and majesty of tone not attainable by any other method." Mr. A. H. Blankley, the promising young organist, presided at the instrument.

ANNUAL MEETINGS.

BURNLEY, Enon.-The A. M. took place Dec. 25, and was one of the most successful ever held. Five hundred to tea. The after meeting was crowded. A valuable testimonial was presented to the minister, the Rev. W. H. Allen, consisting of a cheque for thirty guineas, and a handsomelybound copy of Chambers's Encyclopædia in ten volumes. Mr. Allen, in responding, spoke of the peace and unity of the church, and the general prosperity which had attended the work of the year. Many members had been added to the church, while the school was filled to overflowing. Addresses were also delivered by Messrs. Taylor, Richard Law, E. Heap, etc.

COALVILLE.-Our A. M. was held Jan. 4. Thirty-seven have been added to the church. Four hundred meetings have been held. £330 collected-which is a large sum in a village of two thousand inhabitants, and from a congregation of working people. A minister's house has been built at a cost of £450. £100 of this is paid. We desire and greatly need help to defray the rest. We are trying to get £50 at once. Do help, friends!

DERBY, Osmaston Road.-Our A. M. was held the first Monday of this year. Rev. T. Goadby, B. A., presided, and addresses were delivered by Rev. J. Wilshire and G. Hill, and other friends. The occasion was one of extraordinary interest, owing to the presence of the pastor-elect, the Rev. George Hill, of Oxford. Hill gave a most interesting and inspiring statement of his convictions as a teacher and purposes as a pastor. Mr. Hill commences his ministry at Derby in March.

Mr.

DISEWORTH.-The A. M. was held on

Christmas-day.

A service of sacred song (Pilgrim's Progress) was given by the choir; Mr. J. W. Read presiding at the harmonium, Rev. T. Yates acting as reader, and Mr. E. F. Read in the chair.

HUCKNALL TORKARD, Notts.-On Monday evening, Dec. 28, a tea meeting was held, the trays being kindly given. Subsequently a public meeting was held, presided over by W. Calladine, Esq., one of our deacons, and addressed by the Revs. J. T. Almy (the pastor), C. D. Crouch, of Bulwell, and Messrs. Buck and Beswick. £12 10s. were added to the building fund. During the past year the friends have raised nearly £400 for this fund, principally among themselves: but we are in urgent need of help.

KIRKBY.-The A. M. was held on Christmas-Day. A service of song was conducted by Messrs. T. Hopkinson; Mr. W. Lime presided at the harmonium; Mr. Allgood, of Annesley, in the chair. £8 collected towards the chapel debt.

LONDON, Commercial Road.-At the annual financial meeting the Treasurer reported a balance of £28. The church gives Mr. Fletcher £20, and adds £30 to his stipend. This is a most gratifying result of our brother's first year's work in the metropolis. We rejoice exceedingly with the church and its pastor both in their spiritual and financial success.

MILFORD.-The A. M. was attended by over a hundred. £20 were cleared off the debt. Mr. T. Fletcher presided, and addresses were given by Messrs. F. Hughes, W. Tomlinson, and C. Lacey. The services of Mr. Lacey have been greatly blessed of God.

NAZEBOTTOM, Hebden Bridge.-On Dec. 26 the A. M. was held, attended by three hundred persons. On the same day there was a Christmas Tree, for the sale of useful and ornamental articles. Preliminary service was held about 2.30 p.m. Rev. W. H. Allen gave out a hymn and offered prayer. James Heap, Esq., of Burnley, delivered an appropriate address, and declared the sale open. In the evening a short meeting was also held, presided over by the pastor, J. R. Godfrey, when addresses were given by Messrs. T. Pickles, W. Pickles, W. Speak, and J. Peel. The proceeds amounted to about £50, which will be devoted to the debt.

those of any previous year. There being a balance in the hands of the treasurer, the meeting presented the pastor with £5, thus making four successive annual meetings in which the friends have ministered beyond their original promise to their pastor's comfort; doing this twice by present, and twice by permanent increase of salary. During the evening a movement was inaugurated to reduce the chapel debt, and the members present promised to give or procure upwards of £100 for the purpose.

SWADLINCOTE.-The A. M. was held Jan. 4. One hundred to tea. Mr. J. Cholerton presided. The secretary, Mr. Crafts, gave the report for the year, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. T. Imms, and Messrs. Cooper, Rowland, Brotherhood, and Crane. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman and the choir rendered highly appreciated service. The desirability of a new chapel was much dwelt upon.

SCHOOLS.

BURTON-ON-TRENT. Two sermons were preached, Dec. 13, by Mr. Thomas Cooper, on the occasion of the opening of the new school-room. Collections, £33 6s. 9d. in aid of the building fund.

ANNUAL MEETINGS.

BIRCHCLIFFE.-Four hundred to tea on Christmas-day. After the tea the pastor presided over one of the best public meetings which it has been our privilege to hold. We were favoured with the presence and help of the Rev. J. Lawton, of Slack, and he, together with several of our own friends, nobly sustained the interest of the meeting to the close. The chapel choir also rendered most efficient service. On New Year's Day the officers, teachers, and senior scholars, met to about one hundred for their annual tea. During the evening, the pastor in the chair, the annual business of the school was transacted, and then the rest of the time was spent in devotional exercises, and a free conference.

BURNLEY, Ebenezer.-Six hundred and thirty-three friends to tea on Christmasday. Speeches, recitations, dialogues, and singing, were given at the meeting which followed, Miss Whittaker presiding at the pianoforte. About £40 were realised towards the debt on the new schools.

EDGESIDE.-Six hundred and sixty to tea on Christmas-day. At the evening meeting, presided over by Rev. J. Watmough, the chapel was crowded to excess. The programme consisted of recitations, dialogues, pieces by the choir, and short addresses by Messrs. H. Howarth, E.

71

Hitchen, T. Brearley, T. Fielding, and W. Proctor.

LINEHOLME.-On New Year's Day our annual meeting was held. Three hundred and fifty to tea. The addresses, dialogues, recitations, and music, of excellent quality, were given at the evening meeting. The Secretary reported seven scholars baptized and added to the church. Rev. W. Sharman, presided.

MANCHESTER, Hyde Road. Mr. T. Worsley presided at the A. M. held Jan. 1. Mr. T. Horsfield gave an address on "Reading, and the right use of Books." The library recently gathered was declared open. Mr. W. H. Don, the Secretary, gave a gratifying report of the year.

STALYBRIDGE.-A large party gathered at our annual tea, Dec. 25, and enjoyed the Messiah, sang by our choir. £18 were obtained for improving the schoolroom by sale of goods. On New Year's Day a large juvenile party was held, and prizes distributed. Rev. E. K. Everett presided.

MINISTERIAL.

GREENWOOD, REV. J., late of Swadlincote, has accepted an unanimous invitation to the co-pastorate of the old church at Barton-in-the-Beans, etc.

MEADOW, H. W., of Upper Westbourne Park, has accepted the pastorate of the church, Gosford Street, Coventry.

MEASHAM.-The Rev. W. Millington, of the College, Chilwell, has accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate of the church at Measham and Netherseal, and commenced his labours Jan. 3.

BAPTISMS-DEC. 17 TO JAN. 16. BOSTON.-Three, by J. Jolly.

DERBY, Watson Street.-Four, by H. A. Blount.

HALIFAX.-Five, by I. Preston. HUCKNALL.-Six, by J. T. Almy. LINEHOLME.-Two, by W. Sharman. LEE MOUNT.-Four, by I. Preston. LEICESTER, Dover Street.-Two, by W. Evans.

LOUGHBOROUGH, Woodgate.-Five, by J. Alcorn.

NORWICH.-One, the pastor's eldest son. NOTTINGHAM, Stoney Street.-Twelve, by T. Ryder.

NUNEATON.-Three, by J. Brown. OLD BASFORD.-Two, by W. Dyson. PETERBOROUGH.-Seven, by T. Barrass. SHORE.-One, by J. Maden. TAUNTON.-Twelve, by J. P. Tetley. TODMORDEN. Twelve, by E. W. Cantrell.

WALSALL.-Eleven, by W. Lees.

WEST RETFORD.-Six, by T. R. Roberts, (two sons of the late pastor, T. Mee).

MARRIAGES.

COOLER JACKSON.-Dec. 29, in London, Joseph John Cooler, Esq., to Mary Martha, eldest daughter of Mr. Richard Jackson, of Empingham, Stamford.

COOPER-SANDERSON.-Jan. 2, at the Baptist chapel, Edgeside, by the Rev. J. Watmough, John Cooper, of Bankend, New Church, to Mary Jane Sanderson, of Hewinhill.

GREENWOOD-SUTCLIFFE.-Dec. 19, at the Baptist chapel, Shore, by Rev. J. Maden, Mr. James Greenwood, of Shore, to Miss Charlotte Sutcliffe, of Lydgate.

LEEDHAM-UTTLEY.-Dec. 31, at Enon Chapel, Burnley, by Rev. W. H. Allen, Mr. James Nelson Leedham, to Miss Mary Ann Uttley, both of Burnley.

PICK-HALL.-Dec. 24, at the Baptist chapel, Sawley, by Rev. J. Stenson, Mr. William Thomas Pick, to Miss Mary Hall, both of Sawley.

READ-GRUDGINGS.-Dec. 23, at Baxter Gate chapel, Loughborough, by Rev. E. Stevenson, Mr. J. W. Read, to Miss M. A. Grudgings, both of Loughborough.

OBITUARIES.

ATKINSON, James, died at Medringham, Lincolnshire, November 2, 1873, in the eightieth year of his age. He dwelt during his youth at Laneham, Notts., the place of his birth. He removed to Retford about 1815, and began at once to attend the old Baptist meeting-house in that town. He was baptized in 1823 by the late Mr. Smedley. One of the candidates at that baptism did great service for God and his kingdom-that valiant soldier of the cross, the late Joseph F. Winks. About this time the subject of this notice was married to a humble, godly woman; but the union was of very short duration, and he remained a widower the rest of his life. Although of retiring habits, he became very useful in the Sunday school and in the church. He was secretary to the school, and was for many years the persevering agent for the magazines published by the late Mr. Winks. He himself was a "constant reader" of the denominational Magazine: it was his cheerful friend and welcome guest to the day of his death. He was a deacon, and the treasurer of the church; in fact, for many years he was considered to be the "backbone" of that old Baptist cause. He never made himself unduly prominent; there was not the slightest trace of officiousness in his conduct. No nature was ever more foreign to the spirit of Diotrephes than his. But he lived Christ. He exerted a marvellous influence upon his friends and

neighbours, upon his fellow-workers and fellow-members in the Christian church; but it was the power of a quiet, a holy, an earnest life. "He is the best man I know in the world," said Mr. Winks on one occasion to his nephew. In 1855 he gave up business in Retford, and removed to Medringham, that he might live with his only daughter. There being no Baptist cause nearer than Lincoln (ten miles distant), he from this time only occasionally enjoyed meeting with Baptist friends at Retford and Sheffield. In the summer of 1873 his strength began to fail, and in October he was taken ill. But his life had prepared him to meet death with quietness and calmness. Some thirty-six hours before he died, he fell into a sound refreshing sleep, and then awoke in a perfect rapture the curtain of the unseen world appeared to have been drawn aside, for he had had a vision of heaven. He said he had seen Martha there (his wife, who had died fifty years before), Joseph Winks, and many others with whom he had been associated in his younger days, but who had already fought the good fight and finished their course. He continued in this most delightful state for some hours, then gradually sank into rest. It was said by his brother, who was present in these last hours, that he had often read of joyful death-bed scenes, and thought many of them overdrawn, but he had never read of anything equal to the joy and rapture expressed at the prospect of being "for ever with the Lord." It was intended that all that could die of him should be laid to rest in Medringham churchyard. His son-in-law had died a few months previously, and when buried in the village burial-ground, the churchyard, a grave had been reserved on each side-one for his wife, one for his father-in-law. As the subject of this memoir was a Baptist, the clergyman of the village refused to allow him to be buried in the spot selected, and himself appropriated a place, saying, "He must be buried there in the lot, or not at all." His brother refused to submit to the tyranny of the parish priest, so had his body brought to Retford, and interred in the Baptist burying-ground. Rev. Giles Hester, of Sheffield, conducted the funeral service in the chapel, and the Rev. J. Dalton took the part at the grave. Of James Atkinson it may be truly said, "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." C. A.

HOOD.-Dec. 22, Eliza, the beloved wife of the Rev. W. Hood, of Ford, near Aylesbury, fell asleep in Jesus, aged 67 years.