furnishes fresh evidence of the evils resulting from the alliance between the Church and the State. Many of our readers have already heard of the step that has been determined on by the Baptist Union in regard to that alliance. It has been decided to recommend general petitioning in favour of "an inquiry' into the whole subject. This is a request that ought not to be refused. We trust that the committee of the Union will be fully sustained in this important movement.

We are glad to announce that most of the arrangements have been made in regard to the approaching anniversaries of our Societies. The introductory prayer meeting will be held in the Mission-house on Thursday morning, 20th April, the Rev. H. Dowson, of Bradford, to preside. On the same evening, the Rev. J. Prichard, D.D., of Llangollen, will preach the annual sermon, on behalf of the Baptist Missionary Society, to the Welsh residents in London. On Lord's-day, the 23rd, sermons will be preached in the various chapels in the metropolis. The annual members' meeting of the Mission will be held on Tuesday, the 25th, the chair to be taken at ten o'clock. On Wednesday the annual sermons will be preached by the Rev. George Gould, of Norwich, and the Rev. William Arthur, M. A., Secretary of the Wesleyan Mission. The annual public meeting will be held in Exeter Hall, the chair to be taken by the treasurer, Sir Morton Peto, Bart., M.P., at eleven o'clock. The Revs. C. Vince, C. Bailhache, R. Macmaster, Dr. Tidman, Secretary of the London Mission, W. Sampson, expected to arrive from Serampore, and other brethren, are expected to take part in the proceedings. We hope that the meetings will be all of them largely attended, and accompanied with much blessing from on high.

DOMESTIC.

DARLINGTON.-Induction and welcome services were held here on Thursday and Friday, February 23rd and 24th, in connection with the settlement of Mr. J. H. Gordon, late of Astley-bridge, Bolton, as pastor of the Archer-street Church. At half-past two on Thursday afternoon, the Rev. Alex. McLaren, B.A., of Manchester, preached in the chapel, the Rev. W. Walters, of Newcastle, taking the devotional exercises. The chapel was filled; and the sermon, founded on the 132nd Psalm, and delivered in the preacher's best style, was listened to with rapt attention. At half-past five a public tea party was held in the Mechanics' Hall, and between 300 and 400 persons sat down to tea. After tea a public meeting was held, under the presidency of George Williamson, Esq., of North Shields. Mr. J. Williamson, senior deacon, made a statement on behalf of the church; and Mr. Gordon responded. Then followed a series of

highly interesting addresses, from the Rev. H. Kendal (Independent), as representing the ministers of the town; the Rev. W. Hanson, of South Shields, as representing the ministers of the neighbourhood; the Rev. W. Walters, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, as representing the Northern Association; the Rev. A. McLaren, B.A., as representing the Association of Lancashire and Cheshire; and the Rev. G. W. Conder, late of Leeds, the spiritual father of the new pastor. On the following (Friday) evening, the services were brought to a close by a sermon from the Rev. G. W. Conder, in the chapel. Mr. Conder delivered the identical sermon which was blessed of God to Mr. Gordon's spiritual enlightenment and blessing (John xiv. 8, 9), and the chapel was crowded, to the occupation of the aisles.

SHEEPSHED, LEICESTERSHIRE.-On Tuesday evening, March 7th, a meeting was held at the Baptist Chapel, Sheepshed, for the purpose of presenting a testimonial, accompanied by a purse containing nearly sixty sovereigns, to the Rev. J. Bromwich, the esteemed pastor of the Baptist Church in that place, who for thirty-seven years has proclaimed to them "the unsearchable riches of Christ," with great acceptance and usefulness. The chapel was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and a large company sat down to tea at five o'clock, after which a public meeting was convened, when the Rev. T. Bumpus, of Loughborough, was called to the chair. The meeting was opened by singing a hymn, and prayer by Mr. Black. The chairman stated the object of the meeting, and proceeded, at the request of the committee, to read the testimonial. Mr. B. Christian, ono of the deacons, was then called upon to make the presentation to Mr. Bromwich, which ho did in a most appropriate and affectionate manner. Mr. Bromwich having intimated his grateful acceptance of this valuable present, and his hope that this mark of esteem would tend to "stir up the smouldering fires of life," and to encourage his devotion and zeal, the chairman successively called upon the Revs. E. Stevenson, G. Hester, and J. Mason, of Loughborough, and the Rev. J. Barnett, of Blaby, to address the meeting. The speeches delivered by these gentlemen were of a more than ordinarily thoughtful and interesting character, and were listened to with profound attention.

SCARBOROUGH.-The friends statedly assembling for Christian worship in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute, Scarborough, have just completed the first year of their present ecclesiastical existence. On Sunday, March 5th, the anniversary sermons were preached morning and evening by the Rev. J. Acworth, LL.D., now residing in Scarborough; and on the following Wednesday evening a meeting,

John Barry, Esq., in the chair, was held for the purpose of inviting a minister of the denomination to the pastorate, and of concerting measures for providing at once a permanent religious home. It was stated by the treasurer that all the expenses hitherto incurred by this effort to establish another Baptist church in this rapidly-extending town had been fully met, owing mainly to the all-butgratuitous manner in which the students of Rawdon College, as well as ministerial brethren generally, had rendered their official services; but also in part to the spontaneous pecuniary aid of one or two friends at a distance. It was further intimated that an eligible plot of ground for the erection of a chapel is on the eve of being secured; and that as soon as any fair proportion of assistance from without is promised the erection will be proceeded with. The friends on the spot are prepared to do their very best, but to do the work alone is beyond their power.

prayer

CHENIES, BUCKS.-On Thursday, March 16th, services were held in connection with the settlement of the Rev. W. C. Ellis, as pastor of the Baptist church, Chenies. A large number of ministers and friends partook of tea in the schoolroom. The public meeting was held at half-past six o'clock, under the presidency of J. J. Smith, Esq., of Watford, who, after a hymn had been sung, and offered by the Rev. J. Lawton, of Berkhampstead, delivered a kind and appropriate address, declaring his attachment to Chenies and the church of Christ assembling there, and cordially welcoming the pastor to his new charge. Addresses of hearty welcome were delivered by the Revs. J. Butcher, of Weston Turville; R. Bayne, of Rickmansworth; T. Peters, of Watford; J. Preston and J. H. Snell, of Chesham; and G. Warne, of Sarratt. Mr. Ellis also addressed the meeting. During the evening several suitable pieces were sung by the choir.

ALLERTON, YORKS.-A large and enthusiastic meeting of the friends of the Rev. W. E. Winks, the newly-elected pastor of the Baptist church in this village, was held on Monday, Feb. 6th. Upwards of 400 persons took tea together on the occasion. After tea, the chair was taken by Samuel White, Esq., one of the deacons, who, on behalf of the church, gave Mr. Winks a cordial welcome into their midst. Highly interesting and appropriate addresses were also given by the Revs. R. Hardy, of Queensbury; B. Wood and H. Beevers, of Bradford; L. Barrass, of Rawdon College; D. Calvert (Independent), of Allerton; and Q. Parnaby (Independent), of Wilsdon, The pastor then thanked the church, the congregation, and the ministers, for the hearty welcome they had given him, and expressed a hope that his union with the church at Allerton would prove a mutual blessing,

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.-On Sunday, Feb. 12th, the Rev. J. Grenwood, B.A., of University College (late of Chilwell College), commenced his labours as pastor of the Baptist church, Bourne, Lincolnshire.-Mr. W. Wheeler, of Minster, near Witney, has accepted an invitation from the church at Lechlade, Gloucestershire.-The Rev. W. K. Armstrong, B.A., of Berwick, has accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the Baptist church, Mint-lane, Lincoln.-The Rev. J. Thomas, of Amlwch, has accepted a unanimous invitation to

become the minister of the church at Moriah Chapel, Dowlais, Glamorganshire.—The Rev. A. Peet has accepted the pastorate of the church meeting in the old Baptist Chapel, Sharnbrook, Beds.-The Rev. G. Pung, of Glemsford, has accepted the pastorate of the church at Ebenezer Chapel, Cottenham, Cambs.-The Rev. J. Parish has accepted the pastorate of the church at Okeington, Cambs.-The Rev. W. Samuel, of Rhuddlan, has accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation from the Baptist church at Cwmbach. Aberdare.-The Rev. R. G. Moses, B.A., of Lymington, has accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the church at St. Clements, Norwich.-Mr. James Williams, of the College, Haverfordwest, has accepted the unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the churches, Hebron and Soar, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire.-Mr. H. A. James, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire.-The Rev. T. Phillips a few weeks since publicly announced his intention of resigning the pastoral charge of the church at Earl's Barton at the close of the present month. His address is No. 2, St. Philips'-terrace. Kensington, W.-The Rev. J. L. Whitley, of East Dereham, Norfolk, has accepted the cordial invitation of the church in Great George-street, Salford.-Mr. D. T. Phillips, of Haverfordwest College, has received and accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation to become the pastor of Lantwitt Major Baptist church.-The Rev. H. Watts, of Golcar, has resigned the pastorate of the church at that place, and has accepted the call of the church at Stanningley, near Leeds. -Dr. Emlyn Jones has resigned the charge of the church at Salem, Cardiff, and has taken to that of the Tabernacle, Merthyr. address is, Thomastown, Merthyr.-The Rev. W. K. Dexter has resigned the pastorate of the church at Thurleigh, Beds.-The Rev. E. S. Pryce, B.A., has resigned the pastorate of the church at Windmill-street, Gravesend, which he has held for upwards of twenty years. Mr. Thomas Henry Holyoak, of Bristol College, has accepted the invitation of the Bath-street Church, Glasgow, to the pasto rate vacant by the removal of Mr. Boulding to London.

His