church we do not take much interest in it." One of the most liberal contributors to the funds of all our institutions, who has passed a jubilee of membership with us, said to me yesterday-"If I were a young man, and had my time to come over again, I would not join the General Baptists: I would join some more spirited and energetic body." I have the pleasure of knowing a considerable number of young and well educated laymen amongst us, and the undissentient opinion of all of them as to the present position of the body is disrespectful, their auguries of the future are gloomy, and, as an inevitable consequence, the hold the denomination has upon their affection and confidence becomes daily feebler. A pastor of one of the largest, and I think one of the healthiest, of our churches, told me the other day, in kindly endeavouring to repress what he believed an imprudent and useless struggle to maintain and improve the college, that he did not believe, if he were to die, his people would send for a successor to the General Baptist Seminary.

It becomes then important to determine what must be the scope and character of an institution which shall have power to act as a firm and permanent nucleus to the body, and which shall impart a trustworthy "solidarity" to our position. It appears to me it must be one which shall thoroughly answer the end in view, of which its most liberal patrons may be proud, and to which the young men of the connexion, both lay and clerical, may look forward with hope as to the future. I should sketch its outline somewhat as follows: Let the College be established at Nottingham, as proposed at the last Association. Don't go about the business in a piggling, niggardly style. Make up your mind to set aside five thousand pounds as an investment in the edifice, furniture, and library. Let this be paid by some twenty or thirty of the most wealthy members of the connexion. In the common hall of the building let a tablet declare the names and donations of those whose love of education and religion had raised the noble pile, and presented it to the body to which they conscientiously belong. (They will all probably take care to dedicate to themselves memorials quite as costly and much less honourable-let them aspire to this prouder marble: posterity will preserve the gilding.) A slight effort of imagination suffices to supply

the list.

*There may be many other friends who would gladly contribute similar sums, but as the writer is pressed for time, if they are omitted in looking round, he trusts they will attribute it to haste, and not be offended.

There is the money. Some may smile, and treat this prospectus as mere romance, but, in perfect good faith, I believe the individuals named could contribute the sums stated without inflicting upon themselves, or families, any inconvenience. If they could, is it, or, is it not, their duty to do so?

If any think the outlay, five thousand pounds, excessive, let me remind them that many of our chapels have cost three and four thousand pounds, and this has been the work of a single church. Is the whole connection to be daunted at five thousand pounds? Bear in mind, that in the list I have given, I have not condescended to go below a donation of fifty pounds; but no one can doubt that many scores and hundreds of lesser donations would be eagerly offered, if the work were once set upon in right good earnest.

Then as for the regulations. Let every donor of ten pounds and upwards be a permanent member of committee, (what in our hospitals and other charities is called a life governor.) Let there be a resident principal, who shall undertake the general management of the institution, the arrangement of the classes, &c., with a leading department of instruction. Let him be assisted by two professors, who shall take charge of separate courses of study, be responsible for the condition of their own classes, and on all points be en rapport with the tutor, by giving stated reports of the progress of the pupils, consulting as to new and improved methods of teaching, choice of class books, &c.

Let it be a recognized rule in the connexion that the annual income of the institution is one thousand a year. Let no man be shabbily paid. Let us not violate morality, and disgust people of honour by grinding down the price of professional labour by dishonest dodging. In a community of nearly twenty thousand, a thousand a year would be about a shilling per annum from each person. This would provide amply the salary of tutor and professors, university scholarships, bursaries, &c., as well as permit the term of education to be lengthened when thought desirable.

To conclude: one question alone remains. Shall it be done. No one can give the answer this must come from the body at large. Our denominational Parliament is about to assemble. Let them address themselves to this matter with the seriousness it demands. Never was there a time when the full purport of the old battle-cry-" awake! arise! or be for ever fallen !" was more applicable to any community, than it is to us now. Shall we be found equal in energy and resources to the occasion? The day alone must declare it.

Nottingham, May 5, 1857,

I

am, Sir, your obedient servant, FREDERICK STEVENSON.

Obituary.

REV. JOSEPH WALLIS.

It is our painful duty to record the death of this eminent christian, the revered tutor of our academy, at the early age of 60. The mournful event took place on Monday, April 27, about two at noon. Mr. Wallis was at Peterborough on the Lord's-day, April 12th, and returned to Leicester, on Tuesday, the 14th, labouring under a slight indisposition from cold. He so far rallied as to visit the Institution on the following day. Other and unfavourable symptoms appeared on the Thursday, and on Friday his medical attendants pronounced him to be in extreme danger. There was but little appearance of improvement until the following Thursday, when he so far rallied that hopes were entertained of his ultimate recovery. These, alas, were not realized, for on the following day he

sunk, so that on Saturday it became evident that his end was drawing nigh, and he gradually descended into the chamber of death. During the whole of his illness, when able to speak, he evinced a consciousness of his position, and a calm and tranquil hope of a better life. He referred on one occasion, with indications of deep feeling, to some things connected with the Institution that had seriously agitated his mind. He was visited by his students on the morning of the day he died. He recognized them, called them by name, and asked the senior one present to pray with him, and for him, adding "I have prayed for you all hundreds of times."

The funeral took place at the Leicester Cemetery, on Saturday, May 2, when, considering that it was in the middle of the market day, a large concourse of friends were collected together. Besides the members of his own family and relatives, several of the dissenting ministers in Leicester, the students, and a considerable number of the General Baptist ministers from the midland district constituted the funeral procession.

When arrived at the Cemetery chapel, the Rev. J. P. Mursell of Leicester, read a portion of Scripture, and delivered a brief but affectionate and suitable address, in which he especially alluded to the catholicity of spirit, and the elevation of refined christian sentiment which were characteristic of Mr. Wallis, and made a touching appeal to the students and young ministers present, who had lost so kind and fatherly a guide and friend in Mr. Wallis. Rev. T. Stevenson, of Leicester, then read some other portions of Scripture, gave out a hymn which was sung, and offered prayer. The mourners, &c., then proceeded through the centre arch of the chapels, and round to the spot where a grave was prepared. The scene on this beautiful ground was now imposing. The gathered multitudes, the beautiful morning, and bold and interesting scenery, and the various monuments in this acropolis, gave to the solemn procession a most impressive aspect. When the coffin was lowered into its resting-place, and the throng gathered round, the Rev. J. Goadby, of Loughborough, standing over the grave, uttered a few words with deep emotion, pronounced the benediction, and the assembly slowly retired.-These few words, are, so far as they can be recalled, inserted here, at the request of the family of Mr. Wallis :

"Here lie the remains of a man, a christian, and a minister, who was loved and esteemed by all who knew him. His kind and gentle spirit, and his good and gracious heart, won the affection and the confidence of all who were within the circle of his acquaintance.

Twenty-four years he was the pastor of one of our churches in London, and near fourteen he has been the sole tutor of our college for the training of young ministers. His various learning, his condescending assiduity, secured the reverence and love of his pupils, and claimed the high regard of the committee and supporters of that Institution.

He was highly esteemed by the christian denomination to which he belonged. Its ministers loved him; and his 'praise was in all the churches.'

But he is gone! The great and good are no more exempt from the stroke of death than the mean and vicious. But it seems as if the world was impoverished by their removal. Their learning is its light; their talents are its ornament; and their virtues its strength. Their grace and kindness, their genial spirit and conversation give a charm to life which would else be a barren and desolate waste.-Alas, my brother! I am distressed for thee! Very pleasant hast thou been to me, to whom thou hast ever been a brother, loving and true; very pleasant hast thou been to thy pupils, to whom thou wast as a father, kind and caring for them; very pleasant hast thou been to all within the range of thy circle, to whom thou wast ever a considerate friend! But thou art gone!Gone to adorn in higher perfection a brighter sphere; and thy removal admonishes us each one to prepare for our own summons !

We commit the body of our beloved and revered friend and brother to the dust, in the certain hope of a glorious resurrection; and our prayer is, that when it shall be our turn to die, we may enjoy a hope as bright, and a consolation as divine, as those which cheered his last hours."

THE REV. J. BURROWS. Brother Burrows' afflictions have, at length, ended in death. After being confined to his house, and in a great measure to his bed, about seventeen months, he gave up the ghost, April 30th, 1857. On the monday, May 4th, he was buried at Ripley. Brother Gray read portions of Scripture; brother Stuart, of Swanwick, (P.B.) prayed in the chapel. T. Yates delivered a short address; and brother College, of Riddings, (Independent,) prayed at the grave. The Ripley friends made very respectable arrangements for the funeral; and brother Ward most hospitably entertained all connected with it at his house. Probably brother Gray will forward a memoir for the Repository in due time.

May we not say of the departed,

"He was one, whose open face

Did his inmost heart reveal;

One, who wore with meekest grace,

On his forehead, heaven's broad seal."

T. YATES.

Sutelligence.

CONFERENCE.

THE WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Wolvey on Tuesday, May the 12th, 1857. In the morning a good and interesting sermon was preached by brother Veals from Ps. cxxxii. 15, 16 verses.

At the business meeting in the afternoon brother Knight presided. A larger number was reported to have been baptized than the oldest person present could remember to have been reported at one time before. At Birmingham 5; Coventry 17; Longford 28; Nuneaton 25; Walsall 18; total 93. There are remaining as candidates at Austrey 2; Longford 16; Union Place 4; Nuneaton 9; Walsall 12; total 43.

Brethren Burrows and Marshall of Walsall were requested to pay a friendly visit to Netherton and Cradley Heath. Mr. Elliott, of Hinckley, preached at night. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by brethren Knight, Marshall, and Burrows. The next Conference is to be held at Walsall, on the second Monday in September. Mr. Knight to preach, and in case of failure, brother Cheatle. W. CHAPMAN, Secretary, pro. tem.

ANNIVERSARIES.

LONGFORD.-On Lord's-day, May the 3rd, the School Sermons were preached at Longford by the Rev. J. Salisbury of Barrowden. In the afternoon he spoke from the words "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it and in the evening from Job xiv. 14.-"If a man die, shall he live again?" Both the discourses were good and suitable to the occasion. Collections were made at the close of each service, which, together with what has since been received, amount to something more than £24. This is much more than many of our friends expected. We are thus furnished with the means of carrying on our school operations for another year. A. B. HUGGLESCOTE.-On Lord's-day, May 17th, the usual School Anniversary sermons were preached by the Rev. R. Horsfield, of Leeds. Collections about £27. The school is in a very satisfactory and cheering condition.

NETHERSEAL. Our present chapel was built in 1840. A debt was left upon it of £140. Last year, Mr. Tagg, one of our deacons, generously offered to give £40, provided £90 be paid off the debt besides the interest. By a united and vigorous effort we have raised the amount. We thank those friends who have helped us in our undertaking. G. S.

MEASHAM CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY.-On Sunday, April 26th, two excellent sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Gawthorne, of Derby, who is now in his eighty-third year. The congregations were good, and the collections liberal. G. S.

BURNLEY, Enon Chapel.-On Lord's-day, April 19th, two eloquent sermons were preached in this chapel by the Rev. J. E. Giles, of Sheffield, when collections were made on behalf of the Trust Funds. On Tuesday evening, 25th of April, the Rev. H. S. Brown, of Liverpool, preached for the same object. The collections were equal to former years. J. B. B. SPALDING, Extinction of Chapel debt.-On Lord's day, April 5th, two sermons were preached by the Rev. Mr. Spurgeon, the younger, of Regent's Park College, London. The weather was very unpropitious, and although it rained heavily in the morning, a goodly number attended, but in the evening we had an overflowing congregation, and many went away unable to get even standing room. No doubt there is something in a name, and a few might be induced to attend out of curiosity; but the holy fervour of the youthful preacher, his earnest appeals, and glowing pathos, together with an entire absence of vanity, and the manifest presence of sincerity, powerfully wrought upon the audience, and left an indelible impression that Mr. S. is destined for great usefulness. The object contemplated was fully realized, viz, the paying off the debt on our Gode Hole Chapel about £55. Towards this, the proceeds of the bazaar, the collections after the sermons, and a tea on the following day, realized the sum required, and we rejoice now that we are entirely out of debt. W. WHITE.

MISCELLANEOUS.

SMARDEN, KENT.-The General Baptist church in this place is without a minister. The members are but few, and the salary at present could not exceed £40. The village is secluded. The population over eleven hundred. There is a very nice chapel, with a debt of £95. Should there be one in the connexion not entirely dependent on salary for support, who would be willing to make a trial of raising this cause, he may communicate with Mr. Y. Hosmer, farmer, Headcorn.

GRANTHAM.-We have taken possession of a parcel of land, on which to erect a chapel. We have waited long, but we believe for our profit, the site being in the centre of the town, and approachable by three good roads. We can have a perpetual lease at a ground rent of £8 per annum. One of our friends has taken it for a garden till Lady-day, 1858, when we hope to be in a position to commence building. Any intimation of assistance from our friends will be gladly received and acknowledged in the Repository. W. A.

WIRKSWORTH GENERAL BAPTIST CHAPEL.-Many years having elapsed since a decided effort was made to reduce the debt on this place of worship, it was resolved that a somewhat vigorous one should be put forth on Easter sunday last. Accordingly, the friends at Wirksworth and Shottle were canvassed, a week or two before, and the Rev. J. Stevenson, M.A., of Derby, kindly engaged to preach on the occasion. At the close of the Sabbath, it was found that £44 had been contributed! Since then, £6 or £7 have been added, thus making the whole sum somewhat more than £50. It has subsequently been agreed to raise another £50 between now and next Michaelmas, D.V. Who will spontaneously and generously help?

BURNLEY, Enon Chapel.-On Saturday afternoon, the 9th inst., a public tea meeting was held in the school-room connected with this place of worship, the proceeds being given to the Rev. J. Batey, the minister, as an expression of the high esteem and unbated confidence of the church over which he presides. After tea an interesting meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by Messrs. Benjamin Catlow, James Thistlethwaite, James Heap, William Hanson, John Thistlethwaite, John Longworth, and others. Mr. Batey in addressing the meeting, briefly reviewed his past history in connexion with the church of Christ since the year 1830 in the city of Carlisle. He referred to his removal to