THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. MAY, 1835. (continued 2)

At the comparatively early age of fifty-four years, this devoted servant of Christ left this transitory world, about five o'clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, the 5th day of August, 1834; calmly and serenely falling asleep in Jesus.

On Monday, the 11th, his mortal remains were conveyed to the burying-ground belonging to the meeting-house, and there interred and left to moulder into dust, until the voice of the archangel and the trump of God shall raise them.

Agreeably to the request of our departed brother, Mr. Saunders, of Barton-Mills, delivered an address at the grave; and the people then assembled in the meeting-house to hear the funeral sermon, which, at the request of his beloved brother, was preached by the Particular Baptist minister residing in the same village, from 1 Cor. xv. 58: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast;" &c. Prayer was offered at the grave by the Rev. J. Jarrom, of Wisbeach; and the brethren Mays, of Fordham, and Buckpitt, of Burwell, prayed in the meeting-house. As an evidence of the high esteem in which Mr. Compton was deservedly held, these services were numerously attended from the neighbouring congregations, although it was in the midst of harvest, when every hour is of great importance.

There was in Mr. Compton, a combination of excellences; a happy temperament of mind, a cheerfulness of disposition, and a great flow of animal spirits; these being under the influence and regulation of divine grace, he was calm and unmoved by events that would have overwhelmed many other men.

As a neighbour, benignity and kindness emanated from his heart, dwelt upon his countenance, and were expressed in his words and actions.

As a Christian, integrity and uprightness, consistency of character, deep humility, fervent devotion, liberality of feeling and conduct towards those who differed from him on some points of doctrine, an ardent love to Jesus Christ, to his word, and to his people, were features by which he was eminently distinguished.

Zeal for his Master's cause, love to the souls of men, active, persevering, and laborious efforts to make known the word of life to his perishing fellow-creatures, characterized the public ministry of our departed friend.

As a pastor, he was diligent, faithful, and affectionate. As a husband and a father, his worth was known and appreciated by his bereaved widow and children.

Mr. Compton had the unusual pleasure and satisfaction to know, before he left this world, that all his children were walking in the fear of the Lord. Six of his own, and five others, for whose spiritual and eternal well-being he most deeply felt and most fervently prayed, were all devoted to the Lord! O ye Christian parents! let this encourage you to pray earnestly and constantly for your children.

The above is, much of it, extracted from the funeral sermon, the preacher of which did not know, when he referred to six of Mr. C.'s children as walking in the fear of the Lord, that his eldest daughter had entered into heaven more than three weeks before her father, and was then with his glorified spirit in the presence of Jesus, where hope and fear had issued in never ending fruition.

Mrs. Mary Ann Goadby, eldest daughter of our departed brother, and wife of the Rev. J. Goadby, General Baptist Missionary at Cuttack, in Orissa, left England, with her husband, in July, 1833, and landed in India some time in the month of December.

During the months of May and June last year, she experienced great languor and debility from the influence of the climate, and on the 13th of July her deathless spirit took its flight into the presence of Jesus, there in triumph to welcome the arrival of her father's on the 5th of August.

J. R.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ANTI-SLAVERY DEPUTATION, FROM THE UNITED STATES TO EUROPE.

We have great pleasure in informing our readers, that the Rev. Dr. Cox, Professor of Theology at Auburn seminary, in the state of New York, has been deputed by the Executive Committee of the American Anti-slavery Society to visit Europe, in conjunction with the Rev. Joshua Leavitt, the talented editor of the New York Evangelist, for the purpose of effecting a union of the abolitionists of the two Continents, in efforts to extinguish slavery and the slave trade throughout the world. Dr. Cox is already well known to the Christian public of this country by his previous visit. His distinguished companion enjoys the reputation among Christians of all denominations in the United States. The paper he so ably conducts stands first among the religious journals of his country. These gentlemen are expected in London the beginning of this month; and we are informed that, as soon after their arrival as possible, the Committee of the BRITISH AND FOREIGN SOCIETY FOR THE UNIVERSAL ABOLITION OF SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE TRADE will convene a public meeting to receive them, of which due notice will be given.

To the Christian philanthropist it will afford the greatest satisfaction to learn, that the glorious cause of emancipation is rapidly advancing to its consummation in the United States. "The people are rousing—the pulpits are opening—the cities are shaking—the press is speaking—the Congress is acting; and, soon, the topic of slavery will be the text of the clergyman—the theme of the patriot—and the subject of prayer and exertion of the philanthropist and the Christian." Thus writes a distinguished individual from America, whose labours have been eminently blessed in this field of Christian benevolence. May the Lord hasten the time when every yoke shall be broken, and the oppressed in every land shall go free!

PREMIUM OFFERED FOR A PRIZE ESSAY ON THE LOVE OF MONEY.

It is the opinion of many of the wisest and best of men, that the besetting sin of professors of christianity is the love of money; and yet, there is no subject on which so little has been written well. The late Andrew Fuller says, "It will, in all probability, prove the eternal overthrow of more characters among professing people, than any other sin; because it is almost the only crime which can be indulged, and a profession of religion at the same time supported."

One Hundred Guineas, besides the profits of its publication, will be presented to the author of the best essay on this subject. Preference will be given to the most spiritual, poignant, and affectionate appeal to the judgment and consciences of those who professedly recognize the authority of revelation, on avaricious hoarding, and unchristian-like expenditure, to gratify the lust of the eye, and pride of life, whilst they avow their obligations to redeeming mercy, and profess that themselves, and all they have, is not their own, but belongs, and must be accounted for, to Him who has said, "Occupy till I come," and then "Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward." The work wanted, is one that will bear upon selfishness, as it leads to live to ourselves, and not for God and our fellow-men.

It is requested that reference may be made to the different estimates of man who blesseth, and of God, who abhorreth, the covetous (Ps. x. 3); and to the tremendous consequences of this sin, which is associated with the vilest of crimes which exclude from the kingdom of heaven. (Eph. v. 5.) The manuscript is to be sent to Dr. Conquest, 13, Finsbury Square, on or before the 1st of November, 1835; with a sealed letter, containing the address of the writer. The Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel and the Rev. Dr. Pye Smith have kindly engaged to be the arbitrators. The reward will be adjudged on the 1st of May, 1836.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, KEIGHLEY, YORKSHIRE.

The Baptists were first introduced into Keighley by a Mr. John Town, who was a member of the Baptist church at Haworth, under the care of the venerable and Rev. Miles Oddy. Keighley was at that time beginning to be a large and populous place. The clergyman in the establishment was an irreligious character, and the Independent church and congregation were nearly extinct.

At first the ministers were permitted to preach in the Independent meeting-house; but after some time a Mrs. Sunderland offered her house, until Mr. Town could fit up a room for constant worship. The ministers who kindly assisted in the formation of the infant cause were, Messrs. Steadman, D. D., Shuttleworth, Trickett, and Shaw.

In the year 1809, or 1810, four persons were baptized by Mr. Shuttleworth, pastor of the church at Cowlinghill: and on the third of June, 1810, a large upper room in the house of Mr. Town was opened for worship by Mr. Shepherd, from Bradford, who preached on this occasion from Solomon's Song, vi. 10. The congregation increased; others were baptized; and in the year 1812 the church was formed. In 1813 it was deemed necessary to erect a chapel. A piece of ground was provided by Mr. Town; and on Easter Monday, 1813, the first stone was laid; but the chapel was not opened until the 29th of March, 1815; when Mr. Lister, of Liverpool, Mr. Stephens, of Rochdale, and the venerable Dr. Steadman, of Bradford, were engaged. At this period the church consisted of eighteen members. The chapel cost something more than £990; and will seat about 615 persons.

The first pastor of the church was Mr. Joseph Shaw, who came to Keighley in 1814. During the years 1816, 1817, and 1818, little is said: but in 1819 the members amounted to 33; and some uneasiness originating with a part of the church and the minister, a separation took place, and a new chapel was erected by the party attached to Mr. Shaw, at Slacklane, from two to three miles from Keighley. This circumstance left the church at Keighley very small, and greatly diminished the congregation.

In 1820 Mr. Thomas Blundell took the oversight of the people in the Lord. The members again numbered 32. In 1824 a large portion of the debt was removed; soon after which, the pastor was taken ill, and on July 1st, 1824, resigned his spirit into the hands of Him who gave it. During this year four members were also removed to the world of spirits; among whom were Mr. Town and his wife, who died within ten days of each other; and whose remains were deposited in the burial-ground adjoining the chapel; and to whose memory a handsome tombstone has been erected by the family.

These strokes of mortality appear to have been sanctified—a spirit of prayer has been excited—and a morning prayer-meeting established to seek divine direction in the choice of a pastor. And on Sunday, Aug. 15th, 1824, the present pastor, Mr. Abraham Nichols, then under the care of Dr. Steadman, and a member of the church at Rawden, under the care of Mr. Hughes, preached his first sermons at Keighley, and baptized two persons at Turkeymill. From this time his visits to Keighley became frequent; and on the first of November, he received an invitation to become pastor. On the 30th of January, 1825, he accepted the invitation, and preached from Rom. xv. 30, to the end.

Things now began to wear rather an animating appearance. Some gentlemen were at the expense of fitting up a baptistry; and Mr. Jos. Town, youngest son of the above-mentioned Mr. Town, presented the minister with a Bible and hymn book for the pulpit. This gentleman is a deacon of the Baptist church at Leeds, under the care of the Rev. J. Acworth, A.M.

A subscription was also entered into for the liquidation of the debt upon the chapel; and on the 25th of December, 1825, the friends, at the close of two sermons by Mr. Stephens of Rochdale, realized the sum of £166 0s. 6d., including £30 each from the two Mr. Towns, £15 from a sister, and £10 from a brother-in-law; with many other equally noble sums, according to the ability of the parties.

On the 15th of August, 1826, Mr. Nichols was ordained, when Mr. Mann, late of Mazepond, London, stated the nature of a gospel church; Mr. Hughes offered the ordination prayer; Dr. Steadman delivered the charge, from 2 Sam. x. 12; and Mr. Godwin addressed the church, from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.

In 1829 the singing gallery was altered, and the bottom of the chapel pewed; also, a very substantial and convenient house was built for the minister, which cost about £260, towards the expense of which there was £188 (duty off) left as an endowment by J. Holmes, Esq., of Stanbury, near Haworth, and which could be appropriated to no purpose but for the advantage of the minister.

In 1830, the burial-ground having been enlarged on each side, a portion of the debt was removed.

In 1834 and 1835, the ground was again enlarged, by the addition of 312 yards; and a new school-room erected, towards which, including a grant through the British and Foreign School Society, the subscriptions and collections, &c., have amounted to about £220.

The Sabbath-school contains near 100 children; the congregation, including 91 families or parts of families, will average from 300 to 400; the number of members, near 70.

The following persons have been deacons of the church, viz.:

John Beadley, who died July 20th, 1827; funeral sermon from 1 Cor. vii. 29, 30. Jonas Rhodes, who died Oct. 11th, 1832. Samuel Clapham, who died March 24th, 1833. (There is a short account of each of the two latter in the Baptist Tract Magazine, for 1833.) Joseph Milner, who died April, 1834; and who had been deacon from the formation of the church.

The present deacons are,—Mr. John Town, Turkey-Mills; Mr. Joseph Laycock, Knowl; and Mr. Joseph Hall, North-street.

STATE OF THE BAPTIST INTEREST AT LYNN.

From our personal knowledge of Mr. Poile, and of the circumstances of the following case, we respectfully recommend the perusal of it to all who feel the necessity, and who are in any measure enabled to assist in the support of a sound evangelical exhibition of the unsearchable riches of Christ.

W. H. Murch, Stepney College. W. Brock, St. Mary's, Norwich.

It is extensively known that the Baptist interest at Lynn Regis has been for many years in a depressed condition—a fact which has been much deplored by the friends of the denomination on the spot, and by those who have been acquainted with the circumstances of the case. In presenting it to the notice of the friends of the Redeemer, with the hope of securing their Christian sympathies and assistance, a brief outline of the case will not be deemed unnecessary.

The Baptist church at Lynn appears to have been formed about the year 1760, by Mr. Chesterton, who was succeeded in the pastoral office by the Rev. W. Richards, M.A., and afterwards by Mr. Durrant, who gratuitously laboured among the people for several years. The place of worship, occupied until nearly the close of Mr. Durrant's ministry, was a small hired chapel in Broad-street, which was afterwards purchased. About this time it was deemed advisable by the friends to erect a new meeting-house; and for this purpose a piece of land was bought adjoining the old place. The purchase of the ground and the erection of the building, capable of seating 300 persons, amounted to £1269 8s.; to the reduction of which, Messrs. Durrant and Brindley gave £200 each; £47 16s. were collected in Lynn; leaving a debt on the place of £821 12s. The pulpit having been occupied for a short period by different ministers, the church was induced to invite one of respectable talents to become their pastor, whose connexion with them, in consequence of his adoption of doctrinal errors, extended to no longer a period than twelve months. During that period a large and respectable congregation was attracted; the greater part of whom, however, having imbibed the errors which have been referred to, left the place with the minister, and erected a Socinian chapel; thus giving occasion for regret, not only that error was propagated, but by those to whom the Baptist cause was looking for support. From that period to the present many efforts have been made to revive the cause; and the debt, in 1812, by means of an appeal to the friends at Lynn, Dereham, Yarmouth, and Norwich, was reduced to £702 9s. A great variety of ministers have laboured, with more or less success, some of whom are now occupying important stations in different parts of the country.

A combination of causes occasioned the removal of many, apparently well suited to raise the interest; but that which seems more than any thing else to have deprived the church and town of the labours of devoted servants of Christ, was the legal and pecuniary embarrassments of the place. It will easily be conceived that, amidst events thus adverse, the church was frequently threatened with extinction, and the cause nearly given up for lost by those who hoped even against hope.

In September, 1832, the writer of this article acceded to the request of the church to pay them a visit, by the advice of his tutors, and received, at the expiration of a month, an unanimous invitation to spend a longer period, with a view to a settlement. An assurance that the legal difficulties would speedily be settled, and the hope that his labours might be blessed, induced him to comply. Various efforts were made to hasten this, without avail, until July, 1833, when it was thought by the friends generally, that it would be much to the advantage of the cause if a new place could be erected in a more eligible part of the town; and it was determined, by the advice of the Rev. W. H. Murch, president of Stepney College, to ascertain its practicability. The smallness, however, of the resources at home, and the promises from abroad, rendered such an attempt unjustifiable; so that nothing could be done, but either to use every effort to secure the old place, or to give up the cause entirely. The former step was finally decided on; and the writer consented to struggle, with the church, until a faithful God should answer the prayers of his people. After much trouble and anxiety, the legal business was settled on February 19th, 1835, and £100 was paid, which had been collected in the town. Lord's-day, 21st, was held as a day of thanksgiving, and the season improved by sermons from Ps. cxv. 1, and Ps. cxviii. 25. It was a day that will long be remembered by many present.

The number in the church in 1832 was 30; since that time 27 have been baptized, to whom several others expect shortly to be added, who are affording proofs that they have given themselves to the Lord. The congregation is now good, and harmony prevails in the church. There is a Sunday school of 250 children, an adult class, two Bible classes, and an ecclesiastical history class. On Friday, March 6, the foundation-stone of a Sunday school-room, 44 ft. by 34 ft. (to be used also as a day-school), was laid by Mr. Wilson, missionary of the Sunday School Union. The cost of the building will be £170, of which £60 have been collected, principally in Lynn; and it is earnestly hoped that the friends of scriptural education will give their generous aid towards so desirable an object amidst 15,000 inhabitants. The necessity of repairing and cleaning the chapel, to make it tenantable, will be obvious when it is stated, that scarcely any thing has been done to it since it was built, 26 years ago. To do this, and render it commodious, will require upwards of £200. The debt which the friends will be obliged to remove as speedily as pos sible, so as to be able to carry on the cause, is £500, leaving a mortgage on the place of £600, at 4 per cent., the interest of which the rents of property will nearly meet.

As nothing now appears needful to render the Baptist cause at Lynn, under the Divine blessing, a useful and respectable interest, but the united aid of the friends of the Redeemer, it is earnestly hoped that a faithful statement of facts will not only meet the eye of those who have it in their power to assist, but that the evil so much and so greatly to be deprecated—a minister leaving his people to travel for money, may in this case be dispensed with; and that, instead of the cause at Lynn being a matter of deep regret to the Christian church, it may become a praise in the earth.

W. F. Poile.

ASSOCIATIONS.

THE HALF-YEARLY WEST HANTS. MINISTERS' MEETING

Was held at Bewley, April 8th, 1835. The afternoon was spent by the brethren in conference and prayer.

The public service took place in the evening. Brother Burt, the pastor, began by solemn prayer. Brother Turquand read the Scriptures, prayed, and spoke on "Perseverance in doing Good." Brother Burnett followed him in prayer, and mentioned some of "The principal Sources of Encouragement and Consolation." Brother Yarnold succeeded him in prayer, and illustrated "The Practical Influence of the Gospel." Brother Ford addressed the Divine Majesty, and made some remarks "On the Importance of Growing in Grace." Brother Adams, also, offered supplication, and showed the intimate connexion between doctrinal and practical godliness. And brother Draper closed the protracted but interesting services of the evening, by prayer, and a brief address "On the Blessings entreated for the Ephesians by the Apostle,—that they might 'know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge; and be filled with all the fulness of God.'"

The next meeting to be held, by the Divine blessing, at Romsey, Wednesday, Sept. 9th, 1835.

LONDON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.

The Annual Meeting of this Association was held on Wednesday, April 22, at the Rev. Mr. Overbury's chapel, in Eagle-street, Red Lion Square. Letters from the associated churches were read by their respective pastors, detailing their circumstances during the past year; after which a circular letter, drawn up by the Rev. Mr. Steane, was read, approved, and ordered to be printed for the use of the churches. The Rev. J. E. Giles was chosen Secretary, and T. Pewtress, Esq., Treasurer, for the year ensuing.

In the evening, a public service was held in the same place; when the Rev. Mr. Price delivered a serious and practical sermon, "On the Duties of Church Members towards the Young."

The next Quarterly Meeting to be held at Camberwell, July 23rd. Mr. Davies, of Tottenham, to preach.

NOTICES.

The Southern Association of Hants. will take place this year in Meeting House Alley, Portsea, June the 9th and 10th. On Tuesday evening the letters from the churches will be read; and brother Hancock, of Yarmouth, will preach. Wednesday morning, brother Millard is expected to preach; and some other brother in the evening.

T. Tilly, Secretary. Portsea, April 15, 1835.

The Annual Meeting of the Bedfordshire Association of Baptist churches will be held at the Old Baptist Meeting, Rushden, in Northamptonshire, on Tuesday, May 19th; on which occasion the Rev. Messrs. S. Fordham, of Hale Weston, J. Upton, of London, and J. Jenkinson, of Kettering, are engaged to preach.

The ministers and messengers of the churches are requested to meet at half-past nine o'clock.

The Association of Baptist Congregational Churches, in Oxfordshire and adjacent counties, will hold their next annual meeting at Cirencester, instead of Fairford, on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Whitsun week, June 9th and 10th. The letters from the churches will be read on the Tuesday evening, at half-past 5 o'clock.

The next meeting of the Northamptonshire Association will be held at Kettering, on the Tuesday and Wednesday in Whitsun week. The services will be conducted as usual, commencing at 6 o'clock on the Tuesday evening, when the letters from the churches will be read. Mr. Gray, of Northampton, and Mr. Craps, of Lincoln, have engaged to preach. Put up at the White Hart (not the White Horse, as misprinted in the last year's Circular Letter).

The churches connected with the Bristol Association are respectfully informed, their next meeting will be held at Counterslip, Bristol, on the Tuesday and Wednesday in Whitsun week, June 9th and 10th, 1835 (instead of Wednesday and Thursday), in consequence of the annual meeting of the Bristol Education Society, on Thursday, 11th of June. Brother Jones, of Frome, to preach the Association sermon. Brethren Saffery, of Salisbury, and Newman, of Shortwood, to be the other preachers. Brother Summers to write the Circular Letter; the subject, The Second Coming of Christ.

The fifty-sixth Anniversary of the Kent and Sussex Association of Baptist Churches will be held (Providence permitting), at Lewes, Sussex, on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 2nd and 3rd. The brethren Rogers and Matthews to preach. The Annual Meeting of the Kent Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society will be held on Wednesday evening. Put up at the Crown Inn, Market Street.

The Anniversary of the Baptist chapel at Staines, Middlesex, will be held (D.V.) on Wednesday, the 20th of May. The Rev. T. Binney stands engaged to preach in the morning; the Rev. Edw. Steane in the afternoon; and the Rev. J. Smith in the evening.

The next Anniversary meeting of the Bedfordshire Union of Christians will be held at Bedford, on Wednesday, May 27th; when the Rev. J. J. Davies, of Tottenham, is expected to preach in the morning; and the Rev. G. B. Phillips, of Harrold, in the evening.

The annual meeting of "The Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty" will be held at the City of London Tavern, on Saturday, May 16th, at 11 o'clock precisely. Some distinguished Peer is expected to preside.

On Wednesday, the 20th of May, the Rev. C. B. Woodman will be set apart to the pastoral office over the church assembling in Artillery-street chapel, Bishopsgate, London. The Rev. Messrs. Isaiah Birt, Thomas Price, of Devonshire Square, J. E. Giles, of Salter's Hall, with other ministers, have engaged to officiate on the occasion. Service to commence at 6 o'clock in the evening.

RECENT DEATH.

REV. J. WHEELER.

Died, on Friday, the 27th of March, aged 62, the Rev. J. Wheeler, pastor of the Baptist church, Bugbrook, Northamptonshire. His funeral took place on Wednesday, the 1st of April. The Rev. T. Wake, of Thislingbury, read a suitable portion of the Scriptures, and prayed; the Rev. W. Gray, of Northampton, delivered the address, and on the following Sabbath, to a crowded congregation, preached the funeral sermon, from Jude 21: "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." A text expressly chosen by the deceased.

Mr. Wheeler had been settled with his people for nearly 32 years; and it is pleasing to notice, that some of the last years of his ministry were the most successful. Twelve months he was laid aside from his public labours; and in the sick room, and on the bed of pain, illustrated and magnified those principles which, for successive years, he had preached to others.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Just Published.

Memoir of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Joseph Ivimey, late pastor of the church in Eagle-street, London, and twenty years Gratuitous Secretary to the Baptist Irish Society. By Rev. George Pritchard.

Parts I. to VI. of the Biographical Sketch of the Rev. Edward Irving. Edited by William Jones, M.A. To which is added, Thirty Sermons, preached by Mr. Irving, during the first three years of his residence in London.

In 32mo. A Memoir of J. Howard Hinton, who died at Reading, Jan. 10, 1835, aged thirteen years and seven months. By his Father.

In the Press.

Reminiscences relating to the Rev. John Ryland, A.M., of Northampton, the father of the late Rev. Dr. Ryland, of Bristol. By William Newman, D.D.

Preparing for Publication.

The History of Protestant Nonconformity in England, from the Reformation, under Henry VIII., to the Accession of the House of Hanover. In two volumes, 8vo. By Thomas Price. The Work will be founded on an extensive and careful investigation of Original Authorities, and will be designed to exhibit the Progress of Opinion as well as the Course of Events.

Erratum: P. 141, l. 6, for a final read an efficient.