I returned here on the 13th inst., after by a deputation composed of ten members having been away more than a quarter of a of our churches, finding that the Emperor year, in which time I have travelled many was come to Compiegne, waited upon him to hundreds of miles, preached the gospel in make our complaints, and ask for justice. many places, and distributed a goodly num- He received us with dignity, and told us, in ber of religious tracts, and, may I not be taking our petition, I will examine the permitted to add, many a time suffered not thing. Certainly I love liberty of worship." a little hardship, though at other times I You will not be sorry to hear what our have had great joy. May the Lord con- petition contained; here is a copy. In readdescend to bless my humble and feeble efforts ing it, you will perceive that we have ento promote his kingdom and glory, and the deavoured to be as simple as possible. welfare of my fellow men. With best wishes and kindest regards to yourself and family, and all kind friends, I remain, my dear brother, yours affectionately in the Lord, A. P. FÖRSter. BAPTISTS IN FRANCE. "To His Majesty the Emperor Louis Napoleon. SIRE,-The first desire of our heart is to thank your Majesty that you have done us the honour to admit us to an audience. You see before you, sire, the pastors and delegates of the Protestant Baptist Churches of Aisne, which three decrees of the prefect have struck by ordering the closing of their (To the Editor of the Primitive Church chapels (Fr. temples) and the dissolution of Magazine.) DEAR BROTHER,-Your readers are already apprised of the fact that our American brethren carry on missionary operations to a considerable extent in the north of France. These are presided over by Mr. Willard, an native converts from the Roman Catholic Since Louis Napoleon became Emperor, these small assemblies of Christians have their congregations. To justify these inexplicable measures towards us, the prefect asserts that we are but soi disant Protes tants. Our "Nevertheless, sire, we make an imbrethren count by thousands in England and portant branch of Protestantism. in Germany, by thousands in America. In France they spread through the peaceable population of the north and also of the south. Our worship has always been considered a devout worship by our Protestant brethren of other communions. As for our morality, sire, the certificates of which we are the bearers will attest that we are honest citizens, and submissive to the laws of your government, founded, sire, on the grand principles been subjected to serious interruptions, and, of religious liberty which the illustrious as in the case of Mr. Foulon, their places of Napoleon I. proclaimed in these terms:worship have been closed by the civil au-The consuls declared that liberty of thorities, urged on by the wily and perse- worship is decreed by the constitution, so that cuting priesthood. These annoyances and no magistrate can touch it; no man can say interruptions have grown to so great a height, to another, Thou shalt not exercise such a that on a recent occasion, when the Emperor worship, and thou shalt exercise it on such a visited those parts, a deputation waited upon day:"-principles which you have sanctioned him to present their complaints and remon- by the constitution with which you have enstrances. The following account from my dowed France. We come humbly to supfriend, Mr. Foulon, dated Nov. 10, 1853, plicate your Majesty to annul these arrests, will, I feel assured, be interesting to your which will oblige us, as in those painfully readers. It will not have been inserted in memorable days, to expatriate ourselves, in vain, if it shall incite to gratitude and zeal order to enjoy the right of exercising our those who happily live in a land of liberty, religion. and induce them to keep their brethren, who are not so circumstanced, in prayerful remembrance. I am, dear brother, yours affectionately, R. W. OVERBURY.. Devonport, Dec. 19, 1853. "The 19th of last month," observes Mr. Foulon, "Mr. Lepoid (pastor of the Baptist church at Chauny Aisne) and I, accompanied 66 6 But, sire, whatever may be your answer to our requests, you will always find us faithful to this sacred maxim of our Divine Master: "Render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and unto God the things which are God's." Deign to accept, sire, the homage which your humble and submissive subjects present, with sentiments of he most profound respect.' "We have not," continues Mr. Foulon, | THOUSAND PERSONS known to each other and "received any news since; but, whatever mutually recognized as the disciples of Christ. may be the Emperor's answer, I hope that These meet regularly on the Sabbath and I shall ever be mindful of the words to the at other times, by night or by day for the Hebrews: But unto the Son he saith, Thy worship of God and the celebration of throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a Christian ordinances. Besides these, there sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom; thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity and that the truth of these words will be abundantly proved on that day when the earth will be laid aside as a worn-out garment. are known to be considerable numbers in other places. The Christians comprise amongst them some of the most intelligent and reputable men in the community; many of them hold offices of great responsibility, chiefly, if not solely, in consequence of their "O my very dear brother, who can fear ability, integrity, and known worth. It is man when he has been taught to fear God? even supposed that the 'suspected, if not O how little does man appear when God known Christianity of some of them, is concondescends to show his grandeur! Nothing nived at, on account of the value of their can be an obstacle to his holy will. He has services. made choice of things that are not, to bring "When the lengthened duration of the to nought things that are. My heart has present persecution is considered, in conbeen more than once torn in thinking that nection with the extreme severity with perhaps the progress of the gospel would be which its maledictions have fallen on such arrested by our present persecutors. O man numbers; when it is known that NOT FEWER of little faith! Since my return from England, I have baptized five poor papists, whom Christ has had mercy on. I hope that we shall baptize soon other five. In addition to which a great number are beginning to look to the cross of Christ, that they may have life. Everything promises us a fine harvest. "I trust that God is blessing you in your new field of labour which he has given you: that you are happy, and your worthy partner; that the Christians whom you feed love you with great affection, that they aid you by their prayers, their words, and, above all, by their good conduct to spread life among the dead. "If the salutations of a person who is unknown to them can please them, tell them that I offer my prayers for their spiritual prosperity. Your brother in Christ, IRENEUS FOULON." “Lafere (Aisne)." THAN ONE HUNDRED PERSONS HAVE BEEN PUT TO DEATH, besides the far greater number that are still suffering exile, bonds, and degradation, that their number should at the present time include so many is a matter of astonishment and gratitude. But that, under circumstances so adverse, their number should continue to increase, which, according to the testimony of many witnesses, is the case, and that men and women, by birth and rank much above the inferior classes, though now in bonds, and wearing rudely fabricated heavy irons on their persons, night and day, as the penalty of their attachment to Christ, should be among the most active and the most successful in bring ing others to the Saviour, presents a state of things which the Church and the world have but rarely been privileged to witness. It must be ascribed to a higher than any human influence, and is a demonstration that God is with them of a truth. "Connected with the Christians are those who now hold the highest offices in the kingdom, and those who may at no distant period GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLI- exercise the sovereign power. But opposed GENCE. MADAGASCAR. WANT of space compels us to abridge the usual amount of intelligence under this head. A deeply interesting letter from Mr. Ellis to Dr. Tidman, respecting Madagascar, was inserted in the December Missionary Magazine. We extract the following: to them there is a numerous, active, and STRATFORD BAPTIST CHAPEL CASE. "Although, for the reason already stated, it is not easy to form anything like a correct estimate of the number of Christians, yet we are assured, on testimony fully entitled to THE following is from the Committee: confidence, that there are certainly, in the "Enon Chapel cost nearly £100 eleven capital and its immediate vicinity, ONE years ago; and the sum required of us to purchase it is only £250. We are exert-14, when the Rev. W. O'Hanlon, of Belfast, ing ourselves to the utmost, and although preached two able discourses,-that in the very poor, hope to raise £50 in a short time. morning from Psa. Ixxii. 17; and that in the We are constrained to appeal to our breth- evening from Rom. iii. 21-24. ren and the Christian public, whose kind aid is most respectfully but earnestly solicited. Unless the amount can be speedily raised, we shall lose our little sanctuary, which will most likely pass into the hands of the Mormonites. The collections amounted to the handsome sum of £36 16s. 7d. This place is in connection with the Baptist Irish Society of London. This warm and general support satisfactorily proves how well the business of the We have had a chequered scene to pass Society has been done here, and the necesthrough for some years past, but now the sity for the increased accommodation afforded Lord is manifestly with us. We have at by the new building is clearly shown by the the present time six candidates for member-steady additions made to its congregation. ship, making in all thirteen during the few God has given the worthy pastor (Mr. months our pastor, Mr. W. Wise, has been Bain) favour in the eyes of his people with us, and several more are expected to around, and the church under his care conunite with us shortly. Donations will be tinues to hold on its way; and it is pleasing most gratefully received, and may be for- to add, that the Sabbath-schools continue to warded to Mr. C. Woollacott, 4, Comp-flourish in the midst of many difficulties, ton-street east, Brunswick-square; Mr. H. and the attendance continues punctual. J. Betts, 2, Trinity-terrace, Trinity-square, May this hill of Zion increase with all the Southwark; Mr. W. Wise, Stratford-green; increase of God !-Belfast Chronicle. and Mr, James Showell, Post Office, Stratford. SHETLAND. OUR dear brother, S. Thomson, wishes us to state, that, in addition to the sum stated in the September number, as gathered by Mr. Ralph Coats, while he was in Bradford, he has received from the same benevolent A WESLEYAN TURNED CHURCHMAN. THE Rev. Dr. Alder, formerly Secretary to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and one of the leading ministers of that body, was admitted to "holy orders" by the bishop of cathedral church in that city. Gibraltar on Lord's-day, Nov. 20, in the LONDON STRICT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. The bishop preached on the occasion to a Toward individual the sum of £5 16s. 6d, as the large and mixed congregation. result of further efforts. He wishes to the close, he expressed his regret that the stimulate "other Baptist ministers, besides Wesleyans should remain separate from "the Mr. Chown, to read similar circulars from church," with hopes that they might be their pulpits, carried to their doors by wornbrought within its pale. out strangers, risking health, and exhausting strength, in their endeavours to nourish the Redeemer's cause in their particular localities, when they have no other available THE usual Quarterly Meeting of this means at hand-as no godly man will consi- Association was held on Tuesday, Dec. 20, der it a pleasure-jaunt to go out on a begging at Beulah Chapel, Somer's-town. After tour." He trusts, further, that "many of tea the following interesting subject was the people of God in private life, and among discussed :-" The connection between the the working classes, whose attention may be resurrection of Christ, and the life and drawn to this record, may be thereby stirred character of the church of which he is the up to greater activity, in the vineyard of Head." Brother Alldis presided, and breththeir avowed Father in heaven, by observing ren Newborn, Wyard, Woodward, and what can possibly be done by one individual, Oliver spoke for a short time upon it. At a hard-working mechanic! Every one of the more public service in the evening, us shall give an account of himself to God."" brethren Ball and Moyll delivered addresses S. THOMSON. Spiggie, Dunrossness, Shetland. Nov. 25, 1853. upon "Regeneration and its Evidences;" the devotional services being led by brethren Woodard and Wyard. THE opening services connected with this PASTORAL RECOGNITIONS. Goswell-road. ON Tuesday evening, Nov. 22, 1853, a place of worship were held on Sabbath, Dec. public meeting was held in Spencer-place RECEIVED FOR STRICT BAPTIST SOCIETY. Received for Mr. Oncken. Chapel, Goswell-road, in connection with bilities of Church-members.” The Revs. O. Clark, Vernon Chapel, G. B. Thomas, Islington, J. Rothery, Buttesland-street, and J. F. Sparke, Waterlooroad, engaged in the devotional exercises. These interesting services were concluded, by the senior pastor. Eagle-street. ..... Seven Oaks. .... Mrs. H. Gairdner, Dumfermline, Mr. Thompson Oliver, Monk wear- Mr. Thos. Dawson, Liverpool, ditto 4 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 Mr. John Farmer, Dover, ditto Mr. C. Hale, Clare, Suffolk, ......... 0 1 10 0 0 10 0 0 0 17 0 0 10 0 19 44 0 10 0 From friends at Rye, by Miss R. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, two services Bowen, for the Danish Mission 2 0 were held in Eagle-street Chapel, Red Lion-Ditto for general purposes square, Holborn, when the Rev. Francis Mrs. Conner, Lymm, Cheshire, Wills, late of Cavendish Chapel, Ramsgate, for Danish Mission.. was publicly recognized as pastor of the Collection at Todmorden church assembling there. The afternoon Mr. N. Firth service was chiefly of a devotional character, Mr. Fraser, Lochgilphead.. the Revs. Owen Clarke, William Groser, Mr. Horsfall and E. Probert, leading the devotions of Five Friends the congregation. delivered an address on "Christian Union." At five o'clock, above two hundred friends partook of tea in the school-rooms in Fisherstreet, after which a second service was held in the chapel. The Rev. Edward Steane, D. D., read the Scriptures and offered prayer. The Hon. and Rev. B. W. LONDON: Eagle-street Chapel. Noel, M. A. delivered a faithful and affectionate address to the newly-elected pastor, of believers' baptism was administered to Lord's-day morning, Dec. 4, the ordinance on "The Importance and deeply solemn Responsibility of the Ministerial Office," three young persons in the above chapel. founded on 1 Tim. iii. The Rev. C. A. M. after a sermon by our pastor, the Rev. Shepherd implored the Divine blessing on Francis Wills, from Acts. ii. 41: "Then the pastor and the church. The Rev. they that gladly received his word, were William Brock addressed the church upon scholar in the Sabbath-school, in the fifbaptized." One of the candidates is a The Necessity and Scriptural Authority of In the evening a cordial Co-operation of the Church with teenth year of her age. the Pastor," founded on Rom. xii. 4, 5; these with two others were received into the after which the pastor closed the interesting services with prayer. The following brethren were present and took part in the devotional exercises: Revs. J. M. Soule, H. J. Betts, J. Brook, W. G. Lewis, J. Bigwood, and C. Woollacott. church at the Lord's-table. LONDON: Trinity-street.-On Lord's-day evening, Dec. 18, our pastor, Mr. Betts, baptized three disciples, all of whom have been for some years members of Independent churches. We expect, in addition to The whole of the services were of a these, to receive into our communion in peculiarly edifying character, and, no doubt, January twenty others, who have already will long be remembered by the vast assem-been connected with Baptist churches in bly present; the chapel being crowded to different parts. We are much cheered by overflowing with an apparently devout and the apparent revival of God's work in our attentive audience. midst. BURY.-On Lord's-day evening, Sep. 25, our beloved pastor, Mr. Harvey, baptized two young female disciples, both of whom are connected with our Sabbath-school. On the evening of Lord's-day, Oct. 30, he administered the ordinance to two young men, in the presence of a crowded congregation. One of the candidates was formerly a member of an Independent church, but God was pleased to bless with power the suitable and convincing remarks made by our pastor on a previous occasion, so that he was constrained to follow his Redeemer through the watery grave. The other is a dear young friend, belonging to our school. These were truly encouraging seasons, and we pray that they may only be as drops before copious showers; and may God grant many such manifestations of his grace! L. N. was founded on the interesting narrative of Lydia. The address at the water-side was felt by many to be deeply impressive. It was a day of spiritual power and refreshing from the presence of the Lord. PRESTON.-On Wednesday evening, Nov. 16, Mr. Birnie baptized two professed believers, in Leeming-street Chapel. WICK.-On Sabbath morning, Nov. 13, Mr. Sowerby baptized a male candidate, who had for many years approved himself by amiability and helpfulness to the church at Keiss, with which he is now connected. From a mistaken idea of his own unworthiness, and other hindrances of a peculiar nature, our brother was deterred from publicly professing Him whom we have no doubt he loved. His joining himself to the Lord was hailed with joy and gratitude by all the friends of the cause, and he was received into the church at the Lord's-supper on the same day. EYNSFORD, KENT.-On Lord's-day, Nov. 13, Mr. J. Whittemore, baptized four persons, two of whom were very young, belonging to the Sunday-school. A large Keiss church, formed by Sir William and attentive audience was addressed from Sinclair, about 103 years ago, has no stated Lam. iii. 27: "It is good for a man that pastor; and only once a month, when Mr. he bear the yoke in his youth." As many Sowerby goes out, do they attend to the young persons were there, we hope they may also be led to cry, "My Father, thou shalt be the guide of my youth." supper. This is now the sixth addition since our laborious and beloved pastor's coming here; On Lord's-day morning, Dec. 4, three and we rejoice that appearances are such as more di-ciples followed their footsteps, and to cause gratitude to Him who alone giveth were added to the church in the afternoon, the increase, and still hope for His blessing. This service was deeply interesting to some present. A young man, long a teacher in the Sabbath-school, whose parents are members of the church, was one of the candidates. The other two were females, related to each other. The youngest, though only fourteen years of age, was enabled to bear a truly satisfactory and pleasing testimony of her faith in Christ. The other was the daughter of a deacon, who has sustained office in the church at Trinity-street, Southwark, about twenty years, and who, being engaged to preach on the occasion, delivered a discourse to an attentive audience from John iii. 14, 15. BACUP Irwell-terrace.-On Lord's-day afternoon, Nov. 27, 1853, after a very respected pastor, from 2 Kings v. 12: " Are appropriate and excellent discourse by our not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel P" &c., Mr. Mitchell administered the ordinance of Christian baptism to two young believers before a very large congregation, many of whom seemed to be deeply impressed by the discourse. We hope that they soon may cast away the scales of prejudice from their eyes, so that they may be enabled to see clearer light, and follow the Lord in all his appointed ways. Both of the candidates were from our Sabbath-school, and daughters of pious parents. One is the daughter of one of our respected and aged members. This last increase makes the number added to the church by baptism since Mr. Mitchell accepted the pastoral charge in March, 1852, forty-eight, and we have many more who are saying, We too would see Jesus. D. H. L. BLUNHAM, BEDS.-On Lord's-day morning, Nov. 13, three believers in Jesus were baptized by Mr. Abbott. One was between DEVONPORT: Morice-square.-On Lord'sseventy and eighty years of age, but found day evening, Dec. 18, Mr. R. W. Overbury strength equal to her day. The congrega- baptized three young men, and two females, tion was large and attentive; the sermon on a profession of their faith in Christ. One |