and persevering. Her last illness was at times very severe; but she was quite resigned. Hence, often would she sing, "O that I had wings like a dove," &c., and again, "Yonder is my house," &c. She was strong in faith. On one occasion she said, "I have two bright stars in heaven," meaning her children. "I think they will be so pure, that I scarcely dare approach them-they will be so holy. And there is Jesus Christ there, and my old father. Oh, what a happy meeting that will be! How grand if my little boys and father are waiting to carry me to heaven. The Lord can make me as pure as they. Her death was improved to an excellent congregation on Lord's Day evening, June 20th, 1858, from Eze. xxiv. 16. "I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke."

"And is she dead? Has death's cold hand
Cut down that tender flower at last;
Are those bright eves---once full of light-.-
Now closed in everlasting night;
Is that fair form on which all took
Such pleasure and delight to look-
Alas! now food for worms?

It cannot be ! Me thinks I hear
Some sweet voice whispering in my ear.
"Hush! troubled soul! shake off thy fears;
Rejoice! rejoice! dry up thy tears;
Hear this and raise thy drooping head-
She whom thou mournest is not dead-
But sleeps-life's lamp still burning."

B. W. B.

JESSE DAWSON.
What an invaluable boon is the gospel
of Christ!

There mercy's boundless ocean flows,
To cleanse our guilt, and ease our woes;
Pardon and life and endless peace,
How rich the gift, how free the grace!
My soul, attempt no more to draw
Thy life and comfort from the law;
Fly to the hope the gospel gives,

The man that trusts the promise lives. Such sentiments as these naturally occur to the mind when thinking of the blessed influence of the gospel, as displayed in the holy character, and happy experience, of those, who, after having borne the yoke of Christ, and adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour in the midst of the activities, and cares, and joys of life, have glorified God in the agonies of affliction, and in the solemnities of death, and, more especially, when all these things are verified in early life.

It is deeply to be deplored that, while so many die young, so few, comparatively, are found prepared for that great event. Happily there are instances of early dissolution which we can contemplate with all but unmingled satisfaction, gratitude, and praise. Such a happy case has lately occurred in Norwich, and it is hoped that the publication of it, in the General Bap

|

tist Magazine, may be attended with good, by leading those who already love the Lord, to love him more, by fortifying the timid christian against the fear of death, by inducing the careless to become thoughtful, and the undecided to resolve that, whatever others may do, they themselves will serve the Lord.

Jesse Dawson, the dear young man whose recent death has occasioned these lines, was born in Norwich in the year 1829. He was highly favoured in having truly religious parents, who TRAINED their children in the way they should go, and, as the happy result of their christian paternal care, they have had the ineffable pleasure to see all their children walking in the fear of the Lord. Thus shewing that God blesseth the house of the righteous, and that those who honour Him shall be honoured and blessed, by Him; and that if parents would but really TRAIN up their children in the way they should go, their offspring would not so frequently be a source of sorrow as now they are, and that the number of mothers, who die of a broken heart, and of fathers whose grey hairs are brought with sorrow to the grave, by the wickedness of their children, would be vastly diminished. As a son, Jesse Dawson was obedient and affectionate, as an apprentice, attentive and teachable, industrious and honest, as a foreman every way faithful and trustworthy. Having grown up under the influence of religious instruction and example, there was nothing particularly remarkable attending his conversion; but its reality was most satisfactorily proved, by his steady, consistent, christian course. He was baptized and received into the Church at Priory-yard, Norwich, at the age of eighteen. From that time, he invariably walked as becometh the Gospel of Christ, regularly attending the means of grace, living in peace and love, with all, making himself useful in the Sunday School, contributing, according to his means, to the support of the cause of God, both at home and abroad, and ever shewing a readiness to every good work. Some years before his death, sad symptoms of disease began to appear, at intervals he was unable to attend to the duties of his station. At length he became so afflicted that he was obliged to retire from his situation, and remain entirely with his parents, who watched and tended him by night and day, with the utmost tenderness and constancy.

For some time, as he had youth on his side, hopes were entertained that he would ultimately recover. His disease was of a peculiar, and very painful kind, the suffering which he endured being constant, and

the pain often rising to agony of long continuance. Many friends visited him in his affliction, and all were rejoiced to find him entirely, and constantly patient, under the chastening of the Lord, and perfectly resigned to his Heavenly Father's will, whatever that will might be. Not only was he resigned and tranquil, peaceful as the summer's eve; but thankful, hopeful, joyful.

"His God sustained him in his final hour,

His final hour, wrought glory to his God." Perhaps the words of the Poet, were never more fully realized, than in the instance of our late beloved friend.

"The dying chamber, where the good man meets his fate,

Is privileg'd beyond the common walks of life Just on the verge of heaven." This will be seen by a few reminiscences of the last days of Jesse, written by his father, and put into my hands. "In the month of June last, he said to me," I have been taking a survey of my past life, and of all the mercies which I have received from my heavenly father, this affliction has been the greatest; for before I was afflicted I went astray, but now the Lord has brought me back again." He then said with the greatest emphasis, "O the Love of Christ, which I now feel, no tongue can express." One day in July, having described his sufferings, in answer to questions put to him, he said, "It is all right, and will not be for long." I said, sanctified affliction is worth enduring, for the sake of the benefit resulting from it, he replied, "Yes it is, I would not exchange these last two years of my life, for any two years before my affliction. I could never have thought there had been so much enjoyment, on the bed of affliction, had I not experienced it. On Sunday, the 8th of August, which was the last sabbath he spent on earth, I said to him, "I hope, my dear boy, you feel your prospect cheering." "My dear father," he replied, "how can I doubt, such a Saviour as I have to rest upon? If he can pardon such a sinner as I have been, surely he can do all the rest." After a short pause he added, "I'm a miracle of grace, it is all of grace, from first to last. O, that I had lived more to his glory! But the Lord may have kept me, thus long, in the furnace to give me an opportunity, even at the last, of shewing forth his grace, His ways are all wonderful and true.'

A friend said to him, "You feel a wish to be at home, and at rest, I suppose, don't you? He replied, "I wish to leave it to the will of my heavenly father. Though I should like to be at rest, I am

willing to wait the Lord's time." You would not exchange your condition with a man of the world, though he were healthy and wealthy, said his friend, "No he replied that I would not, and the world to boot." Seeing him suffer much acute pain, I said, it is hard work my dear boy, "O, he replied," the work is done, my Saviour has done all the work."

On the last night of his sufferings, I remarked to him that he would soon be home "HOME, HOME," he replied, with a countenance lighted up with joy, "yes I shall soon be HOME!" He then added, "Is this dying? If this is dying, O how precious! No, it is not dying, it is only sleeping in Jesus. Precious Jesus! I knew he would not forsake me. I was sure he would give me grace to die with; but I did not expect to have half the peace, and joy, which I now experience." At his request, we spent a few minutes in prayer and thanksgiving, to our heavenly father, shortly after which, his happy spirit took its flight, to be at rest for ever,

He died August 13th 1858, in the 29th year of his age, having been a member of the Church of Christ eleven years, the last two and a half of which were spent in deep affliction, softened and soothed, by divine support and strong consolation.

May all who read these lines, and especially all the young persons among them, be constrained to offer up the prayer "Lord remember me with the favour which Thou bearest unto Thy people, that I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance!" Funeral sermons were preached, for our departed friend. One by J. Fletcher, Esq., at the Mission Room, occupied by his father; the other by his pastor Thomas Scott, at the Priory Yard Chapel. Thus has the church, of which our now glorified friend was a worthy member, suffered a great loss, a loss which it can but ill sustain, especially since the congregation has been so much scattered, and the church so greatly reduced, by comparatively recent events, too painful to dwell upon, and by which our dear brother was deeply grieved. How consoling is the assurance that his heart will be made sad by such scenes no more, even for ever! How heart cheering, that he has passed into the abode of Eternal peace and concord, love, and joy; the happy region, where no grievous wolves can ever enter, tearing the flock, and causing irreparable mischief. Reader, are you so trusting in Christ, so living to his glory, as that you can joyfully anticipate a HOME in heaven?

The Cheshire Conference assembled at Congleton, October 5th. In the morning, the Rev. J. Maden, of Macclesfield, preached from Hab. iii., 2: "O Lord, revive thy work." The meeting for business met in the afternoon, and the Rev. J. Gardner, minister of the place, presided. The reports of the churches were, on the whole, very favourable. Baptized, 26; candidates, 15 Resolved:-1. That in consequence of the lamented death of the Rev. H. Smith, of Tarporley, the Rev. J. Maden, of Macclesfield, be appointed secretary. 2. That this conference adjourn the consideration of Congleton as a home mission station till the next conference. 3. That Mr. R. Pedley, jun., write an article on "The importance of christians holding frequent mutual intercourse relative to their spiritual welfare," to be read at the next conference. 4. That this conference, feeling the importance of individual effort, urge upon the churches the necessity of employing all their members in some sphere of action. 5. That the next conference be at Wheelock Heath, to be held on Easter Monday. 6. That the Rev. C. E. Pratt, of Stoke, be the preacher. The Rev. J. Holroyd, of Barton, preached in the evening.

JAMES MADEN, Secretary. The Lincolnshire Conference was held at Fleet, on September 22nd. In the morning, brother Caven, of Long Sutton, read and prayed, and the secretary preached, (in the absence of brother J. C. Jones,) from

Josh. xxiv., 15. In the afternoon it was reported that 21 had been baptized since the last conference, and six remained candidates for baptism. We regret that several of the churches neither sent representatives nor reports. The friends at Whittlesea having again sought the advice of the conference, it was resolved-"That we advise them to obtain the best ministerial supplies they can during the next three months." A case having been received from Magdalen soliciting advice as to the supplying of the pulpit, it was resolved-"That Brethren J. Wherry, J. Kirkham, Watts, Wigner, and Ratcliffe be requested to act as a committee to arrange for the supplying of the pulpit at Magdalen, and also at Stowbridge, if possible." Brethren Jones and Barrass having been appointed by the Association to visit Yarmouth, and ascertain the state of our cause there, presented their report to the conference; and, in connection with brother C. K. Halford, were requested to make further inquiries, and to consider what had best be done there, and report to the next conference. The next conference is appointed to be held at Whittlesea, on Thursday, Dec. 16th, brother Watts to preach in the morning. In the evening an interesting "Revival meeting was held, in which brethren Chamberlain, Cotton, W. Sharman, Caven, Fysh, and the secretary took part.

SMARDEN, KENT.-On Lord's day, Aug. 2nd, three were added to the General Baptist Church by baptism. Mr. Fellows, of London, preached and baptized. Congregations were good. We are hoping soon to add more. May they be faithful unto death. Should we obtain a suitable minister we think much good may result. May the Lord, in His mercy, direct our course, and to Him shall be the praise.

T. ROFE.

BURNLEY, Ebenezer Chapel.-On Lord's day, Sept. 19th, twenty persons were baptized, ten males and ten females. Our minister preached on the occasion from Acts ii., 41. On Oct. 3rd they were received into the church with three others, who had been received as members, by each receiving the right hand of fellowship. W. P. B. BIRCHCLIFFE, HEBDEN BRIDGE. On Saturday, Oct. 2nd, we had the pleasure

THOMAS BARRASS, Secretary.

| of administering the sacred rite of baptism to eight persons. On the following day they were cordially welcomed to the fellowship of the church.

ILKESTON.-On the evening of Sept. 20th three persons were baptized previous to admission into the church.

PETERBOROUGH.-On Lord's day, Oct. 3rd. one young man was baptized in the General Baptist Chapel, and was likewise received into the church.

BARTON. We have had another of those pleasing evidences which go to show that the word of the Lord is not preached amongst us in vain. In the afternoon, on Lord's day, Oct. 3rd, seven believers, in obedience to the Divine command, passed through the waters to the fold. Our pastor, Mr. Bott, preached a most suitable sermon, founded on the words, "If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest," after which he gave the

H. I. STALYBRIDGE,—On Sunday morning Oct. 3rd, Mr. Sutcliffe preached a very effective sermon on decision of character, from that beautiful and eloquent language of Ruth, "Intreat me not to leave thee," &c. At the close of the service he

OPENING OF

NEW GENERAL BAPTIST CHAPEL, TODMORDEN. The ceremony of laying the foundation of the above named building took place on Wednesday the 29th of September. The site is in a rapidly improving neighbourhood, at the North end of Todmorden, on the Stansfield Hall estate. The building will front to Stansfield road, at the corner of White Plattsstreet. About two o'clock in the afternoon a large concourse of spectators was assembled on the ground. The ministers engaged for the occasion, and friends of the place, as well as the Sabbath School children, went in procession to the spot. The day though cloudy was favourable. The service was commenced by the Rev. B. Wood of Bradford, giving out a hymn; Rev. J. B. Lockwood of Birchcliffe, read appropriate scriptures. The dedicatory prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Batey of Rochdale. A second hymn was read by the Rev. J. Taylor of Allerton, after which the Rev. T. Horsfield of Vale Chapel, gave a short address; at which period Abraham Midgey, Esq., of Vale Manse, at once proceeded to lay the stone. The Rev. C. Springthorpe of Heptonstall Slack, then delivered a brief but comprehensive discourse on the distinguishing principles of the General Baptist Body, after which the service was concluded by the Rev. J. Horsfall of Shore, giving out a hymn, and the Rev. R. Hardy of Queenshead, engaging in prayer. The friends adjourned

CHAPELS, &c.

to the Society Hall, where tea was provided, of which a goodly number partook, and afterwards spent the evening in the following manner. Mr. John Gibson of Greenwood Lee, was called upon to preside. After prayer by Rev. R. Hardy, a brief Epitome of the history of the church from its formation in 1845, was given by the Rev. J. Horsfall, followed up by earnest and stirring addresses from Mr. David Dearden of Naze Bottom, and the Rev. J. B. Lockwood, R. Hardy, C. Springthorpe, and T. Horsfield. After various votes of thanks the meeting separated. The building to which reference has been made will be 16 yards by 13 yards. The basement story will form a School Room capable of accommodating 300 children, and two Vestries, which can be thrown together, and used as a Lecture Room for week evening services. The Chapel which will be approached by steps from Stonesfield Road, will be arranged in the Amphitheatre style, and accommodate in the first instance about 350 people. The estimated cost of the building is £700. Towards this the Yorkshire Home Mission has agreed to give £250. so that the Todmorden friends have every prospect with God's blessing of moving on with comfort, and of establishing a prosperous General Baptist Church in that rapidly increasing town. The architect of the building is Mr. T. Horsfield of Vale Chapel.