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P3SDJ]1S^S'2):R SAIlilE'Y 
 
 L.tJ.ii.euHii/fr./ /;,■ n,tn.-t rtaa. 
 
THE 
 
 BAPTIST 
 
 JUBILEE MEMORIAL 
 
 ajRiti^ numerotts ©ngrabtngs. 
 
 By JOSEPH FOULKES 'WINKS, 
 
 EDITOR OF THE " BAPTIST REPORTER." 
 
 " EXPECT GREAT THINGS FEOM GOU/' 
 " ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD." 
 " THE LORD HATH DONE GREAT THINGS. 
 
 FIRST THOUSAND : 
 
 ORDERED BEFORE PRINTED 
 
 LEICESTER : 
 
 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. F. WINKS. 
 
 The Second Thousand is in the Press, and will be published by 
 Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., and by G. & J. Dyer, London. 
 
PRINTED BY J 
 
 P. WINKS, HIGH STKEET, LKICKSTEB. 
 
PREFATORY REMARKS. 
 
 The Compiler, — he claims not the high title of Authof,^-rof the 
 following pages, has brought together within this little volume a^ 
 much valuable and interesting information as he could gather. It 
 was supposed that a Memorial of this kind might be useful at this 
 jtmcture. For die sake of those who may not have opportunity or 
 inclination to peruse larger works, a sketch of Baptist History has 
 been introduced, with statistics of the present state of the denomi- 
 nation. In drawing up this brief history, the compiler has selected 
 extracts from Thomson's Historical Sketch, — a small treatise, by 
 Mr. Pottinger, — and an American publication. The Missionary 
 History has been prepared chiefly from official papers. Of course 
 some of these have been in print before ; but it would have been 
 highly improper, merely for the sake of attiring them in a new or 
 novel dress, to alter or abridge them. These remarks apply chiefly 
 to the origin of the Society, the details of which are given in full, 
 that our young friends may possess a permanent record of that 
 important event, and learn to imitate their fathers in works of 
 faith and labours of love. 
 
 To several friends, the Compiler has pleasure in returning his 
 grateful- thanks. To the Secretaries of the Baptist Missions — 
 Particular and General — for the loan of some of the numerous 
 wood cuts which illustrate these pages. To Messrs. Fuller, Belcher, 
 and Peggs, for valuable information : and especially to Mr. G. B. 
 Watkins, for his poetical contributions. 
 
 The Compiler seeks neither praise nor profit from his humble 
 performance : praise is, at best, a doubtful good ; and as to profit, 
 he designs to consecrate that to the Jubilee Fund. His anxiety 
 was, to place a useful little volume in the hands of Young Persons 
 in the Families, Schools, and Congregations of the Baptist Denomi- 
 nation ,• and his highest hopes will be realized if, through a thought- 
 ful and prayerful perusal of these pages, any should, by the grace 
 of God, be led to exclaim, — 
 
 " Here's my heart, God! prepare it 
 To receive and spread thy truth ; 
 "With the missionary spirit 
 Consecrate me in my youth I" 
 
 Leicester, October loth, 1842. 
 
Paoe. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 History of the Baptists. 
 
 Introductory Remarks 7 
 
 Historical JReview H 
 
 British Baptists 14 
 
 American Bajjtists . . . . , 21 
 
 Principles of the Baptists 28 
 
 Statistics and Notes 32 
 
 Historical Sketch of the Baptist Mission. 
 
 Introductory Remarks 43 
 
 Origin of the Society 44 
 
 Formation of the Society 47 
 
 Proceedings at Some 50 
 
 Arrival in India — Baptism of First Hindoo 52 
 
 Providential Interposition 53 
 
 Translation of the Scriptures 54 
 
 Historical Facts of the Mission 5(3 
 
 Mission to Burmah 59 
 
 Concluding Remarks 60 
 
 The West Indies 63 
 
 Origin of the Jamaica Mission 65 
 
 Gratifying Success 65 
 
 Persecution by the Planters 67 
 
 Delightful Results 68 
 
 Testimonies to the Missionaries 71 
 
 Africa 75 
 
 General Baptist Missionary Society 79 
 
 William Carey 83 
 
 Andrew Fuller 86 
 
 The Jubilee at Kettering 91 
 
 Songs of Jubilee 102 
 
 Satisfies and Notes 108 
 
 A cry from Africa, by James Montgomery 119 
 
 Hymn by Krishnu 120 
 
 LIST OF THE ENGRAVINGS. 
 Frontispiece — Portrait of William Carey. 
 
 1 Fords of Jordan 6 
 
 2 Escape of Roger Williams 23 
 
 3 Jubilee Medals 42 
 
 4 Calcutta 57 
 
 5 The Gospel offered to the Negro 62 • 
 
 6 Savauna-la-mar chapel on Fire 69 
 
 7 View of Clarence, Fernando Po 74 
 
 8 Festival of Juggernaut 78 
 
 9 Mission House at Kettering 90 
 
 10 New chapel at Montego Bay Ill 
 
 11 Interior of Falmouth Chapel 113 
 
 12 Baptism of Gimga Dhor 117 
 
f^ 
 
 
 ^%^K' 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 THE BAPTISTS/*^^ 
 
 — 4©«— 
 
 John the Baptist, the herald of the Messiah, was the honoured 
 individual to whom this distinguished appellation was first applied. 
 A man of abstemious habits, stern manners, and rigid virtue, he 
 reminded the people of their ancient Prophets. The scene of his 
 ministry was the solitary wilderness ; and crowds were attracted to 
 him there by curiosity or expectation. He called upon all whu 
 heard him to repent, and baptized those who professed repentance. 
 At length the Son of God himself appeared and demanded baptism ; 
 which, after a modest protest, he administered, by immersing the 
 Messiah in the waters of Jordan. Heaven sanctioned the act, — 
 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were here united to stamp with divine 
 authority this sacred rite ! 
 
 John withdrew into comparative obscurity, as the morning star 
 retires before the rising sun, and we hear little of him, except the 
 message of inquiry he sent, by his disciples, to our Lord, who spoke 
 of him in high terras of commendation. For his faithful reproof of 
 an abandoned woman, he was sacrificed by a voluptuous tyrant. He 
 was a Prophet, and more than a Prophet, and he met with the 
 Prophet's reward, — a martyr's crown ! 
 
 Having noticed the first Baptist, we proceed to remind the reader 
 that Christian Baptism was instituted as a divine ordinance by our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, when he gave this memor- 
 able commission to his disciples : — " Go ye, therefore, and teach all 
 nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
 and of the Holy Ghost ; teaching them to observe all things what- 
 soever I have commanded you : and lo, I am with you alway, even 
 unto the end of the world." Those devoted and faithful men thus 
 received their instructions from the lips of the Son of God himself. 
 They could not misapprehend him, and being themselves under a 
 divinely spiritual influence, their words and actions are to be 
 
8 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 regarded as clear indications of the will of the Kedeemer, respecting 
 the administration of the affairs of his kingdom. 
 
 We assume this position, — The First Christians were Bap- 
 tists. But " to the law and to the testimony." 
 
 The Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, may be regarded as 
 the first book of Church history, and contains many passages suffi- 
 ciently descriptive of the practice of the first Christians. " They 
 baptized," say the Magdeburg Centuriators, " only the adult or aged, 
 whether Jews or Gentiles, whereof we have instances in Acts 2, 8, 
 10, 16, and 19 chapters ; but as to the baptizing of infants we have 
 no example. As to the manner of baptizing, it was by dipping or 
 plunging into water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
 of the Holy Ghost, according to the allusions contained in Rom. vi. 
 and Col. ii." 
 
 Indeed it is admitted by the learned of all ages, that the language 
 of the New Testament, respecting baptism, is fairly construed, when 
 we say that it means, as applied to primitive practice, immersion. 
 It may be sufficient to name Dr. Wall as an authoiity upon this 
 point.* He was Vicar of Shoreham, Kent, and wrote a book in 
 favour of infant baptism, for which he received the thanks of his 
 University, and a diploma creating him D.D. The following is his 
 language. " The general and ordinary way of baptizing in ancient 
 times was by immersion. This is so plain and clear from an infinite 
 number of passages, that one cannot but pity the weak endeavours 
 of such paedobaptists as would maintain the negative of it ; and 
 wonder that any individuals are to be found, who can treat with 
 ridicule or contempt, the English Baptists, merely for their use of 
 dipping ; and more especially, when it is considered that it was in 
 all probability the way by which our blessed Saviour, and most cer- 
 tainly the usual and ordinary way by which the ancient Christians, 
 did receive their baptism." 
 
 In consequence of the persecutions which commenced in the 
 Apostolic age, most of the early Churches were broken up, and their 
 members scattered through different and distant parts of the world. 
 The continuance of those persecutions, with but few interruptions, 
 obliges us to trace the history of baptism, rather than that of Bap- 
 tist Churches, along the course of succeeding centuries. Clemens 
 Alexandrinus, Ignatius, and Justin Martyr, were connected with the 
 Apostolic age, and their history conducts us through the greater 
 
 * History of Infant Baptism, vol. 2, p. 351. The reader will find numerous testi 
 monies from the learned in Gale's reply to "Wall, Letters four and five. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. M 
 
 part of the second century. Their descriptions of baptism, as ob- 
 served in their own times, are in strict accordance with our acknow- 
 ledged principles.* In the third and fourth centuries, numerous 
 errors were prevalent, amongst which we find infant baptism ; for 
 the first mention of it occurs in that period, by Tertullian, Origen, 
 and others : and it seems to have been confined to Africa.f This 
 error arose from a misapplication of our Lord's discourse with Nico- 
 demus ; for on that discourse the strange dogma was constructed, 
 that baptism would remove original sic, and qualify for heaven. J 
 
 Parental fondness eagerly adopted a doctrine, which mistaken or 
 interested priests declared would secure salvation for children, and 
 ignorance and superstition thus entailed an error on succeeding 
 ages, which no light of Reformation has been able fully to clear away ; 
 for it still remains the relic of a dark period, and an aflfecting proof 
 of human imperfection and prejudice. 
 
 The only change however which took place respected the subject : 
 for the mode of baptism by immersion continued for ages. At a 
 much later period sprinkling was substituted, yet only by a part of 
 the Christian world, and that part comprised those who were under 
 the influence of the Popes. The Greek Church, to which the 
 Russians now belong, preserved immersion, and still baptize in that 
 manner. The celebrated Dr. Whitby, a learned divine of the 
 Church of England, bears ample testimony on the subject before us, 
 in his Commentary on Romans vi. 4. He says, " Immersion was 
 religiously observed by all Christians for thirteen centuries, and was 
 changed into sprinkling without any authority from the Author of 
 this institution. It were to be wished that this custom were again 
 of general use." 
 
 Several of the ancient Fathers protested against this unscriptuml 
 innovation ; amongst whom were Tertullian, and, considerablj after, 
 Gregory Nazianzen ; but they could not prevent the extension of 
 the evil.§ The ancient mode of baptism continued, however, to be 
 extensively practised through all the countries where Christianity 
 had obtained ; and that it had not fallen into disrepute at that 
 period, is evident, from the fact, that history records the baptism of 
 five Emperors of Rome, viz., Constantino, Constantius, Gratian, 
 Valentinian II., and Theodosius I. : also, of nine great men in the 
 
 * Mag. Cen. Cen. l,lib. 2, p. 496. Ign. Letters to Polycai-p. Jus. Apology. Clem. 
 
 Alex. Epis. 3. t Appendix to Mosheim. 
 
 { Canon of Milev. Coun. Carth. Coun. Magd. Cent. 5, p. 122^, 
 
 5 Rob. Hist. Bap. 162. 
 
 b3 
 
10 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 Greek and Latin Churches, — Basil, Gregory Nazianzen, Nectarius, 
 Chrysostom, Ambrose, Jeronae, Auguslin, Alypius, and Adeodatus.* 
 One of these, Jerome, thus expresses his opinion on the subject : 
 " The Lord commanded his Apostles that they should first instruct 
 and teach all nations, and afterwards should baptize those that were 
 instructed in the mysteries of the faith."f He advances this as an 
 argument against those who advocated the new doctrine of infant 
 baptism, and at the same time states this fact, — " In the Eastern 
 Churches the adults only were baptized." Within the same period 
 the Councils of Carthage, Laodicea, and Neocessaria ordered that 
 suitable enquiries should be made concerning the candidate for 
 baptism ; the latter declared that " confession and free choice are 
 necessary to baptism."^ But it was gradually discontinued, under 
 the authority of Popes and their Councils, and finally renounced 
 by what was then called the Church. § 
 
 Hitherto baptism had been administered in open waters, but now 
 spacious and splendid buildings were erected for Christian worship, 
 having baptistries, something like baths, with pipes for the intro- 
 duction and removal of water. They had also vestries for dressing 
 and undressing, with male and female departments.] | Such is the 
 general arrangement of Baptist Meeting-houses at the present day. 
 
 It is proper to notice here, that after the introduction of infant 
 baptism, it frequently happened that those who bad been baptized 
 in infancy, were, by their own desire, baptized on a profession of 
 their faith, considering their former baptism unscriptural, and of no 
 avail. From this circumstance arose the word anabaptism, which 
 signifies re-baptizing. It will be seen that opposition was speedily 
 aroused against this adherence to original institution. 
 
 The Milevitan Council, assembled in the year 402, ordained, 
 " that they be anathematized who deny that children are saved by 
 baptism." The Council of Carthage in 416 ordained " that they be 
 accursed who deny that little children are freed from perdition by 
 baptism." The fourth Lateran Council made a law to banish them 
 for heretics — and the Monarchs joined with the Popes and Bishops 
 in denouncing and extirpating them.51 
 
 In the year 413, an edict was puolished by Theodosius and 
 Honorius, to the effect that, whoever was baptized should, as well 
 
 • Dr. Wall. t Jerome on Matt. t Mag. Cen. 4. 417. 
 
 i Twisk Chron. p. 1(34. 
 
 II Du Fresne on St. Sophia, at Constantinople. IT See the Canons of tbose Councils. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 11 
 
 as the administrator, be put to death.* Thus the Baptists became 
 the victims of persecution, and for ages afterwards did they maintain 
 the honourable character of martyrs. We now have to trace their 
 history, extending through several centuries, and comprehending all 
 parts of the world, in the edicts of Emperors and Councils, guided 
 as we proceed, by the light of persecution. Still did they live, and 
 so numerous where they, that an ancient record states, "their 
 preachers could travel through the whole Geiinan empire, and lodge 
 every night at the house of one of their friends."! They were 
 burnt, beheaded, and drowned ; but, as Pope Pius II. said, " neither 
 the decrees of Popes, nor armies of Christians, could extirpate 
 them;"| and, notwithstanding the bloody persecutions to which they 
 had been exposed. Dr. Mosheim says, that in 1160, there were 
 800,000 who professed this faith. § Thus did things continue till 
 the Reformation dawned, when,encouragedby the dauntless conduct 
 of the Reformers, they came forth from their hiding places. " This 
 sect," sajs Mosheim, " started up all of a sudden, in several coun- 
 tries, at the same time, and at the very period when the first con - 
 tests of the Reformers with the Roman Pontiffs drew the attention 
 of the world." 1 1 
 
 The Reformation produced beneficial changes in the religious 
 institutions of Europe, and though the Baptists were still exposed 
 to persecution, they felt these changes operating in their favour, and 
 after many struggles, attended with much suffering, they succeeded 
 in forming themselves into distinct societies, and ultimately became 
 a recognized and prominent section of the Christian Church, as 
 they are at this day. 
 
 HISTORICAL REVIEW. 
 
 Africa and the East — The first Churches were established in the 
 East, and spread thence to many distant places ; and although infant 
 baptism is supposed to have had its origin in Africa, yet, on the 
 other hand, the baptism of believers, and the rejection of infant 
 baptism, are strong features in the history of the Churches of 
 Africa, and the regions immediately contiguous ; and those 
 features remained prominent for a long period ; even after 
 intolerance had patronized enor, and had called in the aid of 
 national power. Thus it is recorded, — " About the year 670, 
 
 • Sebast. Frank, fol. 136. + Ttvisk. Chron. p. 546. t ^neas Syl. cap, 16. 
 i Vol. 2, p. 544. II Vol. 4, p. 427. 
 
12 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 Christ's baptism, after the preaching of faith iu a right manner, was 
 practised in Egypt, and in such esteem, that some in other coun- 
 tries did restore the Christian Religion according to their example, 
 who thus diflfered from the Church of Rome, and placed religion 
 upon its first apostolic foundation."* 
 
 On that foundation many of the Christians in those distant parts 
 continued to rest, until darkness covered the whole surface, and sub- 
 sequently the very name of Christian was lost amongst superstition 
 and barbarity. Thick darkness still rests on those regions. 
 
 Europe. — It has already been observed, that persecution, at 
 an early period, scattered the first Churches. Many of those Chris- 
 tian fugitives found an asylum amongst the Waldenses, a people 
 occupying the beautiful vallies of Piedmont, at the foot of the Alps? 
 who, together with the Albigeuses, in the South of France, received 
 the Gospel in the early part of the second century, and practised 
 baptism, a practice which they never fully abandoned.f Those 
 vallies continued a refuge for the oppressed through succeeding 
 ages, and not unfrequently were visited by persecutors who destroyed 
 thousands. From these the principles of truth extended, and the 
 doctrine of baptism became a great leading question with persecu- 
 tors. " In the ninth century, Hinchmarus, Bishop of Laudun in 
 France, renounced infant baptism, and he and his diocese were 
 accused of witholding baptism from children.''^ About the year 
 1049, Beringarius, a bold and faithful preacher of the Gospel, was 
 accused of denying baptism to little ones, and hundreds of his 
 adherents were massacred, " for opposing infant baptism," and 
 " for being baptized."§ In the Bishopric of Tryers, in Flanders, and 
 Germany, persecution was carried on with unmitigated severity 
 against the Baptists. It is calculated that 150,000 of them were 
 cruelly put to death. II Particulars might be easily given to a con- 
 siderable length, but it cannot be necessary — yet a few specimens 
 may be admitted as confirmatory of the facts just stated. 
 
 In 1022, fourteen persons of eminence were burnt at Orleans, in 
 France, for professing Baptist sentiments; others were martyred 
 
 * Jos. Vicecomis. 1.2. c, 3. 
 + " The Waldenses and Albigenses did, in this age (the second century,) profess and 
 practice the baptizing of believers." D. Belth. Lydius from Eenaiius. See also Dr 
 Maclaine, in Mosheim, vol. 3, p. 118, note G. Dr. Allix, on the Chui-ches of Piedmont, 
 and Morland, on the same subject. 
 
 t Bib. Patrum. Tern. 9, part i, page 137. 
 
 ? Mag.Cen. 11, p. .540. Montanus, p. 83. Baron, annals. Anno 1232. Clarke's 
 
 Martyrol. and Dutch Mar. B Danvers, p. 112, 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 13 
 
 on similar grounds in Lower Saxony, under Henry III. the 
 Emperor ; at Eome in 1 147 ; — at Parenga and Parma ; — in the 
 Bishopric of Toulouse, nineteen were burnt in 1232 ; — at Mar- 
 seilles, under Pope John XXII. ; — at Crema, in Austria, in 1315 ; 
 — at Aubiton, in Flanders, in 1373; — at Montpelier, in France, in 
 1417; — at Augsburg, in Germany, 1517; — at Zurich, in 1527, and 
 in the same year Leonard Skooner, a Baptist Minister, and seventy 
 of his friends were put to death at Rottenburgh, in Germany ; finally, 
 John Wouteriz was burnt at Dort, for being baptized in 1572.* 
 
 In the twelfth century the Baptists put forth a confession of faith, 
 asserting, " In the beginning of Christianity there was no baptizing 
 of children ; our forefathers practised no such thing. We do from 
 our hearts acknowledge, that baptism is a washing which is per- 
 formed with water, and doth hold out the washing of the soul from 
 sin."f About that time Peter Bruis, who was a pastor amongst the 
 Waldenses, publicly vindicated baptism, and multitudes attached 
 themselves to him, who were called Petrobrussians. He was burnt 
 to death in 1130.^ Menno Simon, from whom the Dutch Baptists 
 are called. Mennonites, flom'ished about 1530.§ 
 
 The Christian fortitude of a Baptist named Snyder, who was 
 beheaded at Lewarden, led Menno to examine the doctrine of bap- 
 tism, and finally to adopt it. Several persecuted Baptists soon rallied 
 around him, whom he formed into a church ; and, being a man of 
 great genius and commanding eloquence, he succeeded in spreading 
 his peculiar views through Holland, Gueldderland, Brabant, West- 
 phalia ; through the German Provinces that skirt the Baltic and on 
 to Livonia, He was hunted by his enemies, at one period a large 
 reward having been offered for his hfe, but he survived all his 
 dangers and died peaceably, after a course of great usefulness, A. D. 
 1561.11 To this we may add the statement of Mosheim, that, "Persons 
 of similar sentiments lay concealed in almost all the countries of Eu- 
 rope, especially in Bohemia, Moravia, Switzerland, and Germany."^ 
 
 Holland, with its free institutions, — 
 
 " Whose hardy sons rolled back the sea. 
 To build the halcyon nest of Liberty," 
 
 afforded an asylum for the persecuted Christians, and the Baptists 
 appear to have succeeded in spreading their peculiar sentiments 
 
 * Danvers. + Merning His. p. 738. 
 
 t Mosheim, vol. 2, pp. 315, 316. Dr. Wall, vol. 2, p. 250. 
 
 i Mosheim, vol 3, p. 330. 
 
 II Dr, Mosheim, vol. 3. IT Vol. 3, p. 320. 
 
14 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 extensively. But we fear that they have now sunk into formality or 
 indolence. In France, and some other nations of Europe, persons 
 holding Baptist doctrines might be found, but they do not stand forth 
 prominently before the world, chiefly because of the prevalent spirit 
 of su2)pression or intimidation displayed by Roman Catholics, or 
 Protestant State Churches. Recently, Mr. Onckeu at Hamburgh, 
 the Brothers Monster in Denmark, and Mr. Lehmann in Prussia, 
 have baptized converts and formed Baptist Churches, but they are 
 all now enduring persecution from the authorities. 
 
 BRITISH BAPTISTS. 
 
 England undoubtedly received the Gospel in the days of the 
 Apostles, and its ecclesiastical history plainly proves that thousands 
 were baptized according to the primitive model.* About the same 
 time, or soon after, Wales was visited by Christian teachers ; and 
 when Austin visited this country, about the year GOO, he found a 
 society of Christians at Bangor, consisting of 2,100 persons, who 
 were afterwards destroyed because they refused to baptize infants at 
 the command of the Pope.f 
 
 Austin was sent to England by Pope Gregory the Great, for the 
 pui-pose of promoting the subjection of the British to the Papal See. 
 He advanced the leading doctrines of the Romish Church, amongst 
 which he ranks infant baptism, and exhorted the people implicitly 
 to receive his dogmas. Some yielded to the influence which he 
 exercised, but a goodly number resisted, amongst whom the Christ- 
 ians at Bangor are numbered. Austin, therefore, has the credit of 
 inti'oducing infant baptism to England, for before that time it was 
 unknown ; it came as an appendage of Popery, and from that period 
 dark superstition ruled over Britain. Little is known of the succeed- 
 ing centuries down to the Reformation, except what respects the 
 most abject mental and moral vassalage on the one hand, and the 
 most iron-handed intolerance on the other. During that interval, 
 many of the Continental Baptists visited England, seeking refuge 
 from the persecution which raged against them. During the reign 
 of William the Conqueror, a considerable number came over from 
 France, Germany, and Holland, and so greatly did they prevail, 
 
 * Gildas, De Yict. Aur, Ambros. Fuller's Ecclesiastical History, 
 t Bede. Dupin's Eccl. His., vol. 5, p. 90. Lloyd's Breviary of Britain, p, 70. 
 Fobian's Chron., part 5, p. 125. Fox's Maityrs, vol. 1, p. 135. Fullers Church 
 History, p. 61. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 15 
 
 that Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote a book against 
 them ; for not only the poor, but some of the noble families adopted 
 their sentiments. Their spirit, however, was too liberal, and their 
 principles too pure, for the times ; and as monarchy was leagued 
 with Popery, we cannot be surprised that so few traces are found of 
 their subsequent career. But early in the 12th century, some of 
 the Waklenses, coming into England to propagate the gospel, were 
 apprehended and examined before a council assembled at Oxford by 
 the command of Henry II , and on confessing themsel/es followers 
 of the Apostles, and rejecting infant baptism, they were branded on 
 the forehead with a red hot iron, and treated with merciless rigour. 
 Baptists were afterwards found in Herefordshire and South Wales. 
 At the Keformation, the Baptists came to light again. 
 
 Two circumstances connected with that period are prominent in 
 the history of the Baptists, — the publicity into which they emerged, 
 and the hostility which was evinced against them; these are exhi- 
 bited in the extraordinary movements of the parties then in power.* 
 In 1536, the national clergy met in convocation, declared the senti- 
 ments of the Baptists to be " detestable heresies, utterly t o be 
 condemned." In 1538, a commission was given to Cranmer, Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury, and others, to proceed against Baptists, and 
 burn their books ; and on the 16th of November in the same year, 
 a royal proclamation was issued against them, and instructions sent 
 to the justices throughout England, directing them to see that the 
 laws against the Baptists were duly executed. Several were burnt 
 to death iu Smithfield, and of those who fled to foreign parts it is 
 recorded that some were martyred. Brandt writes thus, in his 
 History of the Reformation, " In the year 1539, thirty-one Baptists, 
 that fled from England, were put to death at Delft, in Holland ; 
 the men were beheaded, and the women drowned." 
 
 One conclusion is fairly deducible from these narrations, — that the 
 Baptists at that period were not few nor insignificant. Bishop 
 Latimer, in a sermon which he preached before King Edward the 
 Sixth, referring to the events of Henry's reign, observed, " Baptists 
 were burned in diff'erent parts of the kingdom, and went to death 
 with good integrity."t The Reformation begun by Henry was carried 
 on under Edward ; but to the oppressed Baptists of those times no 
 
 * King Henry's Creed. Burnet's History of the Reformation. Brandt's History 
 of the Reformation. Ivimey's History of the English Baptists. 
 
 + Latimer's Sermons, 
 
16 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 mercy was extended. Such was the furious bigotry with which they 
 were pursued, that when King Edward passed an act to pardon 
 Papists and others, the Baptists were excepted ; and in the following 
 year, 1547, a fresh commission was issued to the Archbishop " to 
 search after all Baptists," and under that commission the celebrated 
 Joan of Kent, who was a Baptist, was burnt on the 2nd of May, 
 1549. Several others shared the same fate.* 
 
 That such proceedings should have been pursued by the very men 
 who were, at the same time, biirsting through the trammels of reli- 
 gious despotism, seems almost incredible. But who were they ? 
 Henry the Eighth was a licentious and unprincipled tyrant, 
 and the same tyrannical disposition that led him to murder 
 his wives, prompted him to wrest the power from the Pope, and to 
 proclaim himself the " Head of the Church." Edward was a mere 
 stripling; the tool of the bigoted prelates who surrounded him. 
 They had but half emerged from the darkness and intolerance of 
 Popish superstition ; they protested against many en'ors of the 
 Eomish Church but their protest was uttered with the spirit of 
 inquisitors, — a dark feature in the character of the Reformers gene- 
 rally; it was the spirit of the times of which those otherwise emi- 
 nent men could not wholly divest themselves.f 
 
 The reign of Mary is well known to have been cruel, even to 
 ferocity. Oue circumstance in Baptist history accords with the 
 spirit of that execrable reign. A man named David George, a 
 Dutchman was disintered in St. Lawrence's church, three years 
 after his death, and his body was burnt, because it was discovered 
 he had been a Baptist.lj: This relentless cruelty against the Baptists 
 continued even under Queen Elizabeth. A royal proclamation was 
 issued, in which it was ordained that all Baptists, and other heretics, 
 should leave the land ; but they seemed to gather fortitude, for 
 some formed themselves into separate societies; and in 1575, the 
 seventeenth year of Elizabeth's reign, a congregation of them was 
 found without Aldgate, London, of whom some were banished, 
 twenty-seven were imprisoned, and two were burnt to death in Smith- 
 field.§ John Fox, the celebrated author of the " Book of Martyrs,'' 
 
 * Hist. Refor., vol. 2, Neal, vol. 1. Strype's Life of Cranmer. 
 
 The youthful king addressed to the barbarous prelate this pathetic but unavailing 
 remonstrance, " My Lord, will you send her soul to hell ?" 
 
 i When the magistrates of Zurich consulted Zuinglius on the fate of some poor 
 Baptists, "Drovn the dippers," said the Reformer, 
 
 ? Crosby's History, vol. 1, p. 63. i Crosby, vol. I, p. 79. Ivimey, vol. 1, p. 108. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 17 
 
 penned a most eloquent letter to the Queen, on their behalf; but in 
 vain. This great, but imperious woman was not to be moved. She 
 was a Tudor ; and this was the blackest act of her reign. 
 
 It was a peculiarly interesting characteristic of primitive 
 Christians, that notwithstanding the overwhelming power of poten- 
 tates and priests against which it had to contend, opposition seemed 
 but to augment its strength and to accelerate its progress ; so it was 
 with the persecuted Baptists. Two years after the event just referred 
 to, Dr. Some, a churchman of great note in the reign of Elizabeth, 
 wrote a book against the Puritans, in which he inveighs against the 
 Baptists, stating, in the language of complaint, that they had 
 " several conventicles in London, and other places ; that some of 
 their ministers had been educated at the Universities, and that they 
 held heretical opinions."* Under the following reign, James the 
 First, we find them acting with more boldness than they had hitherto 
 done, though they were not free from persecution. They published 
 a treatise, justifying their principles of dissent; petitioned the king 
 for relief from persecution; and, in 1618, published a book, trans- 
 lated from the Dutch, on baptism, — the first that was published on 
 that subject in the English language. From that time they spread 
 with great rapidity throughout all parts of the empire, sharing 
 largely in the privations which attended the Puritans during the 
 troublesome scenes of succeeding years.f The first regularly organ- 
 ized Baptist Church of which we possess any account, is dated from 
 1607, and was formed in London by a Mr. Smyth, who had been a 
 clergyman in the Church of England.:|: It was formed on the 
 principles of the General Baptists § In the year 1633 the first 
 Particular Baptist Church was formed in London, under Mr. 
 Spilsbury. During the reign of Charles the First, the Baptists 
 gained so much celebrity, that a public dispute was held between 
 four of their ministers and a learned divine of the Church, Dr. 
 Featly ; who, the following year, published his version of the dispu- 
 tation under the amusing title " The Dippers Dipt, or the Anabap- 
 tists ducked and plunged over head and ears at a disputation in 
 Southwark." In this book he makes the following complaint against 
 the Baptists : — " This sect, among others, hath so far presumed on 
 
 * Ivimey, vol. 1, p. 108. 
 
 + Crosby, Ivimey, and Danvers supply copious information on these subjects. 
 
 t At Gainsboroufih, Lincolnshire. 
 
 i See on this, and other points connected with this history, Mr. Adam Tajloi 's 
 
 valuable " History of the General Baptists." 
 
 C 
 
18 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 the patience of the state, that it liath held weekly conventicles, re- 
 baptizing hundreds of men and women together in the twilight, in 
 rivulets, and some arms of the Thames, and elsewhere, dipping them 
 over head and ears. It hath printed divers pamphlets in defence of 
 their heresy ; yea, and challenged some of our preachers to disputa- 
 tion." Six years after this, Bailey of Glasgow published a work, 
 in which he thus alludes to them : " Their numbei-, till of late, in 
 England, was not great, and the most of them were not English, 
 but Dutch strangers; but under the shadow of Independency, they 
 have lift up their heads and increased their number above all sects 
 in the land ; they have forty-six churches in and about London ; 
 they are a people very fond of religious liberty, and very unwilling 
 to be brought under bondage of the judgment of any other." It 
 was in vain for Bailey to complain, for Edwards to calumniate, or 
 for Baxter to write against their principles and practice ; for their 
 cause made rapid progress, achieved many victories, and obtained a 
 multitude of disciples. Their prosperity excited bitter hostility, and 
 the infatuated monarch was induced to publish edicts against them, 
 but his own troubles prevented the accomplishment of the object 
 contemplated. 
 
 In the year 1651), the Baptist Churches began to fonn themselves 
 into associations ; and three years afterwards, an epistolary cones- 
 pondence was opened, including the English, Scotch, Irish, and 
 Welsh Churches. During the Commonwealth, they were distin- 
 guished in various ways. Some of their ministers, possessing Uni- 
 versity honours, preached in parish Churches; and some of their mem- 
 bers, as Sir Henry Vane, and General Harrison, occupied high posts 
 posts under the Government. The name of the mighty Milton, too, is 
 connected with that period.* Amidst the changes which followed, much 
 suffering was endured, but great glory resulted from the exhibition 
 of Christian principles. Amongst the conspicuous objects of the 
 tiroes under consideration, we have to notice the character and suf- 
 ferings of Thomas De Laun, Benjamin Keach, and John Bunyan, 
 immortal names — illustrious men of the Baptist Denomination. 
 
 In a letter written to Cromwell, by a disaffected ofBcer in the 
 army, the following reference is made to the Baptists : " Have they 
 not filied your towns, your cities, your provinces, your islands, 
 your castles, your navies, your tents, your armies, your courts? 
 your very council is not free ; only we have left your temples for you 
 
 • Neal's History of the Puritans. Palmer's Nonconformist's Memorial. Taylor's 
 and Ivimey's works. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 19 
 
 to worship in." After making due allowance for exaggeration, this 
 language warrants the conclusion that the Baptists were very 
 numerous in those days. Probably there never was a period in the 
 history of England, when the practice of adult baptism by immer- 
 sion made more rapid or more general progress, than during the 
 Civil Wars and the Commonwealth ; a period in which the human 
 mind awoke from the sleep of ages, and long-received opinions 
 were brought to the test of reason and revelation. Alluding to the 
 discussions about baptism in the assembly of divines, Neal himself 
 acknowledges the opinion of the Baptists " began to increase won- 
 derfully out of doors." Many circumstances combined to favour 
 their cause and to facilitate its prevalence. The dominant churcli 
 was in a state of entire prostration. The sword of the Civil Magis- 
 trate was sheathed. The rights of conscience were respected ; con- 
 troversies were carried on by the pen and by the tongue ; public 
 discussions were held in various parts of the kingdom between Bap- 
 tists and Pcedobaptists ; the press teemed with pamphlets and books 
 on the disputed question. Baptist ministers itinerated through every 
 county, preaching, and baptizing their converts ; persons of all 
 ranks were thus led to examine the points at issue ; and the exami- 
 nation was favourable to the spread of our distinctive principles. 
 Episcopalians were alarmed ; Presbyterians were enraged ; and 
 Independents reasoned against the wide-spreading heresy. Baxter 
 endeavoured to arrest its progress by misrepresentation; by declaring 
 immersion dangerous to health, a sure means of death, a breach of 
 the sixth commandment and/a« murder. To the practice of dipping 
 in cold water he ascribes the following catalogue of comi)laints, — 
 " apoplexies, lethargies, palsies, consumption, debility of the stomach, 
 almost all fevers, convulsions, spasms, and tremors ! all hepatic, 
 splenetic, pulmonic persons, and hypochondriacks, would soon have 
 enough of it. In a word, it is good for nothing but to dispatch 
 men out of the world that are burdensome, and to ranken church- 
 yards. I conclude, if murder be a sin, then dipping ordinarily over 
 head in England is a sin, and if highway murderers are not to be 
 suffered in a commonwealth, then judge how these Anabaptists are 
 to be suffered." Notwithstanding this abuse and misrepresentation 
 the principles of the Baptists continued to spread in all parts of the 
 kingdom ; their " Churches had rest and were edified, and walking 
 in the fear of God, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost, were 
 multiplied." 
 
 But in the year 1660 came the restoration of Charles II., so 
 
20 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS 
 
 latal to the liberties of Englislimeu, and notorious for destroying 
 nearly all the safeguards of morality and religion, — a period in 
 which the advocates of non-resistance and apostolical succession took 
 ^■eng•eauce on those who beforetime had opposed their leaders in 
 parliamentary debate, and annihilated theii armies in the field of 
 battle. Through that and the following reign, most of the Dissent- 
 ers were made " a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to 
 men." In those afflictions the Baptists had their full share ; they 
 were '* persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." 
 At length came the glorious Revolution, which restored to our long 
 insulted aud oppressed country its liberties and rights. 
 
 In the year 1689, the English Particular Baptists, availing them- 
 selves of the liberty recently secured, convoked a general assembly, 
 which was held in London. It consisted of the representatives of 
 one hundred congregations, who decided on putting forth a " Con- 
 fession of Faith," containing all the leading peculiarities of doctrine 
 and discipline by which they were distinguished. Thus, as we have 
 seen, the Baptists acquired strength in the seventeenth century ; 
 they consolidated their energies ; their Churches greatly multiplied 
 tluough the British empire ; and from that time forward they main- 
 tained their ground, and advanced to their present prosperous condi- 
 tion. It may not be unworthy of notice, that the last martyr who 
 was burnt in England was Edward Wightman, a Baptist of Burton- 
 iipon-Trent. He was condemned by the Bishop of Lichfield aud 
 Coventry, and was burnt at Lichfield, April llth, 1612.* 
 
 Wales, it would appear, has never been without Baptists 
 and in all probability she never will. In dark aud troublous times, 
 her then inaccessible recesses afforded shelter to brave or pious men, 
 from kingly and priestly power. The Baptists are now very numer- 
 ous in the principality, and are increasing with amazing rapidity. 
 
 Ireland, whose religious history has presented such an anomaly 
 to that of England and Scotland, owing probably to the injustice 
 and oppression her people have for ages endured, has but few Bap- 
 list churches. The Baptist Irish Society, with its bible readers and 
 itinerant preachers, has for some years laboured with much patience 
 and perseverance, and not without success ; but little hope can be 
 entertained of making any extensive impression upon a people, 
 smarting beneath burning wrongs inflicted by men calling them- 
 selves Protestants ! 
 
 * Tbe warraat foi' Lis execution may be found in the Baptist Magazine, vol. 2, 
 vage 238. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 21 
 
 Scotland. — The first Baptist Cliurchin Scotland is said to have been 
 formedbyMr.M'Lean,in 1765. Butthisnmst be a mistake, as there is 
 mention of a Chm'ch formed there, out of the soldiers of Cromwell's 
 army; and in 1653, letters passed between the Irish and English 
 Chm'ches, in which there are references to the Churches in " Eng- 
 land, Scotland, and Wales."* Mr. M'Lean, however, is the acknow- 
 ledged founder of " the Scotch Baptists," — a designation which is 
 understood to specify a distinct and peculiar section of the Baptist 
 Denomination. The first of these Churches was formed by Mr. 
 M'Lean, in the year before mentioned, at Edinburgh ; others were 
 formed in different parts of Scotland, and a few in England. Their 
 leading peculiarities, in the earlier part of their existence, were a 
 plurality of Elders or Pastors in each Church, and weekly commu- 
 nion ; to which numerous other forms of worship and articles of 
 faith have since been added. A considerable number of Baptist 
 Churches exist in Scotland, some of which are large and respectable, 
 and are constituted on the same principles as the English Baptist 
 Churches. 
 
 AMERICAN BAPTISTS. 
 
 There are some most interesting facts connected with the History 
 of the Baptists in America. In 1631, the Rev. Roger Williams, 
 who had been a Clergyman of the Church of England, but, disliking 
 its formalities, seceded and ranged himself with the Nonconformists, 
 fled to America from the persecutions which then raged in this 
 country. The great principles of civil and religious liberty were not 
 then understood in the Western World, and as Mr. Williams was 
 a man of intrepid firmness in advocating those principles, we are 
 not surprised at the excitement and opposition which his doctrines 
 awakened. He settled first at Boston, New England, the magis- 
 tracy of which condemned his opinions, and subsequently sentenced 
 him to banishment. Under that cruel act of legislation he was 
 driven from his family, in the midst of winter, to seek for refuge 
 amongst the wild Indians. After great sufferings, having con- 
 ciliated the Indians, he commenced the formation of a Colony, to 
 which he gave the name of Providence, situate on Rhode Island, a 
 name which it still bears. 
 
 Thus he became the founder of a new order of things. Several 
 of his friends afterwards joined him, and in that infant settlement 
 
 * Jones's Dictionary of Religious Opinions, p, 25. Rippon's Register, p. 13. 
 
 c3 
 
22 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 lie sustained the two-fold character of Minister and Lawgiver. He 
 formed a constitution on the broad principle of civil and religious 
 liberty, and thus became the first ruler that recognized equal rights. 
 Nearly a century and a half after that, when the Americans achieved 
 their independence, thirteen of the States united in forming a 
 Government for themselves, and adopted that principle. 
 
 Drs. Cox and Hoby in their " Baptists in America" observe : — 
 " Roger Williams was one of the most extraordinary men of 
 the age ; and when we consider his liberality at that period, we can- 
 not but regard him as almost a prodigy. He contended that church 
 and state were separate, and that the land could not be lawfully 
 taken from the Indians without their consent ; that ' civil magistrates, 
 as such, have no power in the church, and that Christians, as such, are 
 subject to no laws or control hut those of King Jesus.' These were 
 alarming doctrines for those times. He was summoned before 
 synods, and threatened with excommunication, but he stood firmly 
 to the faith ; and after repeated trials and persecutions, he was 
 banished as a pest in society, and an officer was despatched to put 
 him on board a vessel and send him to England. He was warned 
 of his danger, and, rising from his sick bed, fled and built his 
 wigwam within the jurisdiction of Plymouth colony. But Mas- 
 sachusetts demanded that he should be delivered uj), and Governor 
 Winslow, not having sufficient firmness to protect him, secretly 
 advised Williams to leave the jurisdiction of Plymouth. He threw 
 himself into a canoe with his companions, floated down the stream, 
 and rounded the point of Tockwotton. Life or death seemed, under 
 God, to depend upon the manner in which they were met by the 
 Indians, who watched their approach, when the salutation from one 
 of the savages, ' What cheer /' assured the outcasts of a friendly 
 reception. To commemorate the goodness of God, who had thus 
 guided and preserved them, they ultimately gave their settlement 
 the name of " Providence." No cross was reared, no standard was 
 planted, no monument was erected, no coins were buried, and not 
 even a record was made, for these wanderers were destitute of paper 
 and books. And this was the spot on which one of the most thriving 
 cities of the United States now stands. It was here the true 
 principles of toleration were planted, and have since flourished. 
 The Indians had no such quality as intolerance among them, and 
 with them Williams was free to enjoy his own opinions unmolested." 
 
 It has been well observed that the millions in both hemispheres 
 who are now rejoicing in the triumph of liberal principles, should 
 
HISrORY OF THE BAPflSfS. 25 
 
 unite in erecting a monument to perpetuate the memory of Roger 
 Williams, the first Governor who held liberty of conscience to be the 
 birthright of man. 
 
 In the year 1639, Mr. Williams formed the first Baptist church 
 in America. About this period, severe enactments were enforced 
 against Baptists and Quakers. In 1636, it was enacted, that "if 
 any Christian shall openly condemn the baptizing of infants, or 
 shall purposely depart from the congregation at the administration 
 of that ordinance, he shall be banished." But although Episcopa- 
 lians and Puritans united to persecute Baptists and Quakers, — 
 Baptists or Quakers never persecuted them. In after years, they 
 were annoyed by demands, or taxes, for ecclesiastical purposes, 
 which they uniformerly resisted. In 1774, the Baptists held a day 
 of fasting and prayer " in behalf of om- poor blind persecutors, and 
 for the releasement of our brethren." They now made a strong 
 efibrt to secure full liberty of conscience, cheered on by those 
 distinguished patriots, Henry, Madison, and Jefferson, and they 
 succeeded in abolishing the attempted Episcopal Hierarchy. 
 
 In February, 1785, a law for the establishment and support of 
 religion was passed in Georgia, through the influence of the Epis- 
 copalians. It embraced all denominations, and-^ave all equal 
 privileges ; but in May, the Baptists remonstrated against it, sent 
 two messengers to the Legislature, and the next session it was 
 repealed. In both ministers and members they were much more 
 numerous than any other denomination. Their preachers might 
 have occupied every neighbourhood, and lived upon the public 
 treasury ; but no — they knew that Christ's " kingdom is not of this 
 world," and believed that any dependence on the civil power for its 
 support tends to corrupt the purity and pristine loveliness of reli- 
 gion. They therefore preferred to pine in poverty, as many of them 
 did, than allow or sanction an unholy marriage between the church 
 of Christ and the civil authority. The overthrow of all the above- 
 named odious laws is to be attributed to their unremitting efibrts : 
 they generally struck the first blow, and thus inspired the other 
 sects with their own intrepidity. It is otvning to their sentiments, 
 chiefly, as the friends of religious liberty, that no law abridging the 
 freedom of thought or opinion, touching religious worship, is now 
 in force to disgrace our statute books. It is not here asserted, 
 that but for their efforts, a system of persecution, cruel and relent- 
 less as that of Mary of England, or Catherine de Medici of France 
 would now have obtained in these United States ; but it is asserted 
 
26 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 that the Baptists have successfully propagated their sentiments on 
 the subject of religious liberty, at the cost of suffering in property, 
 in person, in limb, and in life. Let the sacrifice be ever so great, 
 they have always freely made it, in testimony of their indignation 
 against laws which would fetter the conscience. Their oisposition 
 to tyranny was implacable, and it mattered not whether the in- 
 tention was to tax the people without representation, or to give to 
 the civil magistrate authority to settle religious questions by the 
 sword. In either case, it met in every Baptist an irreconcilable foe- 
 
 The question may be asked, how should this denomination, in 
 its sentiments of religious liberty, be so much in advance of the 
 age ? The form of church government, established by the Puritans, 
 was a pure democracy, and essentially that of the Baptists. True ; 
 but in the reception of members, the two denominations differ 
 widely : while a large portion of the former come into the church by 
 birth, or mere form, the latter enter on their own responsibility. From 
 the first, the Baptists seem to have perceived the truth on this subject. 
 Whether they derived it from particular texts, or from the general 
 principles of the Bible, it is not now for us to inquire. Their know- 
 ledge on this subject is coeval with their existence as a distinct 
 people. Religious Liberty is a Baptist watch ward, a kind of talis- 
 man, which operates like a charm, and nerves every man for action. 
 But while the Baptists have been the undeviating friends of religious 
 liberty, at the same time they have laboured, and suffered, and made 
 sacrifices for chil liberty. The patriotism of no class has burned 
 with a purer or steadier flame, — none other has exhibited a loftier 
 attachment to country and to civil rights. Washington himself declared 
 that the Baptiste "have been, throughout America, uniformly, and 
 almost unanimously, the firm friends of civil liberty, and the perse- 
 vering promoters of our glorious Revolution." 
 
 Involuntary respect goes forth to the man who brings to light 
 some great and useful truth in the sciences or in the arts. Such was 
 the discovery of the art of printing, — the power and uses of steam, — 
 the true theory of the solar system : but what are these in compari- 
 son with the great moral truth which the Baptists have held forth 
 before the public eye for centuries ? — a truth, without which life 
 would be a burden, and civil liberty but a mockery. Nor is this all. 
 While the Baptists have always defended the principles of religious 
 liberty, they have never violated them. They have had but one 
 opportunity of forming a system of civil government, and they 
 so formed it as to create an era iu the history of civilization. In the 
 
HISTOKY OF THE BAPTISTS. 27 
 
 little Baptist State of Rhode Island, was the experiment first 
 attempted of leaving religion wholly to herself, unprotected and 
 unsustained by the civil arm. The principles, which were here first 
 planted, have taken root in other lands, and have borne abundant 
 fruit. The world is coming nearer to the opinions of Roger Williams ; 
 and so universally are his sentiments now adopted in this country, 
 that, like other successful philosophers, he is likely himself to be 
 lost in the blaze of his own discovery. * 
 
 The Baptist churches of the United States have multiplied 
 exceedingly, and thej- now assume a leading attitude amongst the 
 religious communities of that vast republic. One sad and shameful 
 stain rests upon some of their churches and ministers, as upon some 
 of those of other denominations — they sanction slavery ! 
 
 In concluding this brief historical sketch, it may be necessary to 
 observe that the term, " Baptist Deuomination," will apply either to 
 individuals or churches, though it is usually employed with reference 
 ^0 the latter. In the middle and succeeding ages there were indivi- 
 duals, who professed Baptist sentiments, mixed up with the general 
 body of Christians,f and scattered over a wide surface, to whom we 
 assign the designation by which we are distinguished ; yet not as 
 members of a distinct body, nor as maintaining doctrines similar to 
 those now held by Baptist Churches, but as they avowed certain 
 principles, and pursued a certain line of conduct with reference to 
 baptism. In doing this, however, we have the example of the 
 historians, from whose records we have derived our information, and 
 to whom we can the more confidently refer, as they bear testimony 
 to the existence of a profession which they heartily despised. In 
 later times, this distinctive appellation has been appropriated by 
 Baptists, as existing in separate societies from other Christians, and, 
 in their collective form, the term, " Baptist Denomination," is their 
 cognomen in the Christian world. 
 
 It is concluded from the above details, that the first Christians 
 were Baptists ; that the baptism of infants took place about the 
 fourth century ; that persons professing the peculiarities of the 
 Baptists were found in all ages and in different parts of the world ; 
 and that throughout all the changes which attended the progress of 
 
 • This, and the three preceding paragraphs, are extracted from the " Christian 
 Review," an American publication. They may seem to anticipate our next subject, 
 but they were so closely united with historical facts, that it appeared inconvenient to 
 separate them. 
 
 t Mosheim, vol. 4, p. 428, 
 
28 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 years, — tlie reign of error,— the usurpation of Antichrist, and the 
 dominion of English Episcopacy, they were marted by each domi- 
 nant party in ancient and later ages, as objects of pei-secution ; their 
 baptist sentiments forming one of the charges brought against 
 them. 
 
 We have seen, that along the stream of eighteen centuries, amidst 
 the barbarous superstitions and cruel persecutions of dark and iron 
 ages, the apostolic doctrine of baptism was preserved, like the 
 element of Christian truth, an imperishable principle, derived from 
 God, and sustained by him through all dangers. The people, who 
 were the depositaries of that doctrine, were natives of different 
 regions, dissimilar in their habits, and incapable, from their scattered 
 and persecuted condition, of forming any alliance, or recognizing 
 any common standard of Christian doctrine; but, in maintaining the 
 principles of primitive baptism, already laid down, they preserved 
 the essence of the Gospel, and may be regarded, in the Apocalyptic 
 sense of the term, as witnesses for the truth throughout the reign of 
 superstition.* We contemplate our present position with an emotion 
 of Christian joy, accompanied with an earnest desire for greater 
 prosperity; and, encouraged by the prophetic announcements of the 
 Sacred Volume, anticipate an era of redemption for mankind, and 
 of triumph for the Church of God ; when Christianity, dignified 
 with age, shall reassume its primitive peculiarities, and, in the extent 
 of its influence, as in the richness of its manifestations, shall 
 infinitely surpass its primitive glory. 
 
 PRINCIPLES OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 Liberal and independent principles, with a resolute opposition 
 to every species of usurpation over conscience and religion, whether 
 assumed by Pope or King, have always characterized the Baptists. 
 Such principles were avowed by the Eedeemer himself, and they 
 eminently distinguish the Baptist Denomination at the present 
 period. Dr. Mosheim, a Lutheran divine, who wrote a valuable 
 work on Church history, states that the following position was 
 maintained by the ancient Waldenses ; " That the kingdom of Christ, 
 or the visible Church he had established upon earth, was an assembly 
 of real saints, and ought therefore to be inaccessible to the wicked 
 and unrighteous, and also exempt from all those institutions which 
 human prudence suggests to oppose the progress of iniquity, or to 
 
 * Mosheim, vol. 4, pp. 428,429. Edwards, His. Red. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 29 
 
 correct and transform transgressors." " This principle," says 
 Mosheim, " is the true source of all the peculiarities that are to be 
 found in the religious doctrines and discipline of the Baptists in 
 Holland ;" and we may add, of the Baptists in every part of the 
 worjd at this moment. Thus, then, we are connected with the 
 ancient confessors, not only in agreement of opinion on the subject 
 of baptism, but in rational and enlightened views of the rights of 
 men, and the authority of God. It is the privilege of man to inves- 
 tigate ti'uth for himself; "Judge ye what is right," said the Saviour' 
 God therefore does not exercise his authority in arbitrary dictation 
 over the judgment and conscience of man, but appeals to the 
 reasoning faculties of his creatures, for the truth and justice of his 
 claims. On this ground the Baptists of ancient times rested their 
 arguments in opposing legalized and established opinions. They 
 maintained that man cannot be born into a system of faith, nor 
 pledged in infancy to a form of religion. They acknowledged no 
 clerical or secular domination, but scorned with becoming indignation 
 every attempt to subdue reason, by enforcing the dogmas of a party, 
 and held, with determined fidelity, the high vantage ground assigned 
 them by their Creator. From those ancients we boast our descent, 
 for we inherit their principles, — principles, which, from the high 
 authority that sanctioned them, and the sacred channels through 
 which they have been transmitted, are commended to the Christian 
 feeling and enlightened judgment of all who bear the Christian 
 name ; principles" which are venerable for their antiquity, and, 
 having passed through many regions, and survived innumerable 
 perils, come to us associated with all that is pure and triumphant in 
 the history of the Church ; with the names of Apostles, of Confessors, 
 of Martyrs, and from us shall they travel down to that Millennium 
 day, when truth will sway her sceptre over a regenerated world ! 
 
 " Them that honour me I will honour," saith the Lord, and the 
 promise has been fulfilled. An eloquent living writer justly observes, 
 — " Successors of the greatest of men, the Baptist of the Jordan, 
 they have inherited his commission "to prepare the way of the 
 Lord." Permit me to ask — Who, after having 
 
 " Kept God's truth so pure of oU, 
 When all our fathers worshipt stocks and stones," 
 
 and while Luther was in the cloister, paved the way to the Refor- 
 mation .'* Undoubtedly the Baptists of the Alpine Vales, — who, 
 being scattered abroad by persecution, went everywhere preaching 
 the word. Who were the first in modern times, to understand and 
 
 D 
 
30 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 struggle 'for unfettered liberty of conscience in religious affairs ? 
 The Baptists, — alike in Germany, in America, and in England. 
 ^Vho conceived, and put into operation, the plan of the Bible 
 Society? A Baptist. Who aroused the missionary spirit of the 
 church, and commenced those embassies of mercy to the pagan 
 world, whose triumphs are now so resplendent.'* Baptists. Who 
 have taken the lead as translators of ^the word of life into the lan- 
 guages of the heathen ? Baptists. To whom belongs the honour 
 of striking the death-blow of British negro slavery ? To Baptists."* 
 
 In the constitution of a Baptist Church conversion is essential to 
 membership ; for no child can be born a Baptist, and no adult can 
 be admitted to communion until the Christian character is formed ; 
 membership is then matter of choice. This unfettered freedom of 
 judgment and will, exists in the appointment of officers, and in the 
 modes and seasons of public worship. With these things no external 
 power can interfere, and no general standard is recognized ; so that 
 a wide difference is perceivable between the Baptists, and the 
 Churches of Rome and England. The whole apparatus of a 
 systematic priesthood ; of catechisms, creeds, and books of prayer ; 
 of laws and formularies, formed for the very purpose of trampling on 
 the right of individual judgment ; together with the acts of unifor- 
 mity, and courts of Inquisition, which religious despotism had formed' 
 have always been regarded by Baptists as unhallowed innovations 
 ou the intellectual and moral property of man. Against such 
 innovations have they always loudly protested ; and still protest. On 
 the subject of baptism the following positions are maintained. 
 
 1st, That baptism commenced with the Christian dispensation? 
 and was peculiar to it, bearing no analogy to any previous institution, 
 but revealed as a positive law of the kingdom of Christ. 
 
 2dly, That baptism is only scriptural as administered by 
 immersion of the whole body in water. 
 
 3dly, That it cannot be scripturally administered to any, but on 
 a profession of faith in Christ Jesus. 
 
 4thly, That, as a command of the New Testament, it is obliga- 
 tory on all who profess faith in Christ, and is intended to form the 
 great line of separation between the Church and the world. 
 
 In closing this sketch, one enquiry forces itself on our attention. 
 Why were the Baptists so cruelly treated in every age, and by every 
 power ? It was not that at any period they were, in a political sense, 
 of such importance as that their existence might be deemed 
 
 • " God's Testimony to Baptism," just published. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 31 
 
 dangerous, and their extinction necessary to the safety of a State, 
 but there was, as when Christian truth commenced its march, a 
 mysterious power that acted on the fears of rulers, and they were 
 alarmed they knew not why. Let it be observed that the element of 
 freedom is identified with the doctrine of Adult Baptism, for on the 
 free exercise of judgment and choice, it has its foundation. A 
 Baptist, therefore, cannot coerce the will of another ; and on the 
 same principle, if placed under civil or religious despotism, he will 
 be found panting and struggling for liberty; his profession of 
 Baptism is a public avowal of the rights of man to live unfettered, 
 and consequently a public condemnation of oppression. 
 
 Here, then, we find the source of the wrongs which they endured. 
 Wherever they are found, they appear as the champions of freedom, 
 the friends of truth and humanity, — hated by tyrants, but admired by 
 the enlightened and the free. With the progress of liberty in Eng- 
 land, they have always been associated, and we have seen the distin- 
 guished part they took in its establishment in the United States. 
 
 " By no denomination of Christians are the great principles of 
 civil and religious liberty better understood, and by none in times 
 past have they been more strenuously defended, than by Baptists. 
 Who more eloquently pleaded for them than John Milton ? Who 
 more patiently and manfully suff"ered for them than John Bunyan ? 
 And they were both Baptists. Nor is our denomination unmindful 
 of its duty at the present juncture. Our ministerial brethren and 
 respected laymen throughout the country are, we believe, taking part 
 in all public measures relating to the subject. It is not to be con- 
 cealed, that we consider the union of church and state to be the 
 foundation of all our wrongs. Out of this root all our grievances 
 have grown; and through these grievances may be partially 
 redressed, we state plainly, that nothing short of an entire severance 
 of things ecclesiastical from things civil can give us satisfaction. We 
 do not affect to hide our real sentiments. We make a surrender, 
 no, not of one jot of that precious liberty wherewith Christ has made 
 us free. His kingdom knows nothing of compulsion, or of a state 
 church. Every concession we gain must and will be used by us 
 only as a vantage-ground, from which to achieve further victories, 
 till all religious sects are left upon equal terms, and Christianity 
 purged from every earthly adhesion, be left to run her race of 
 glorious and triumphant benevolence through the world — unfettered, 
 unaided, and alone !" * 
 
 * Baptist Magazine. 
 
STATISTICS OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 In Older further to elucidate the preceding brief history, the 
 following statistics, extracted from the " Report of the Baptist 
 Union" for 1842, are given. This Union was formed in 1812. The 
 annual meeting was held in London, as is its custom, in the month 
 of April. The accounts may therefore be more properly dated 
 January, 1842. This year, the Rev. J. G. Pike, of Derby, Secretary 
 of the General Baptist Missionary Society, was chairman, and 
 resolutions were passed — in favour of forming a Denominational 
 Library in London, — of sympathy with our sufifering brethren in the 
 Continental Baptist Churches, — rejoicing at the progress of the 
 Anti-slavery principle in America, and cheering on its advocates, — 
 condemnatory of slavery in our East Indian Empire, — against 
 Ecclesiastical exactions, and for the entire abolition of Church Rates, 
 — protesting against Established Churches, and the new heresy,called 
 Puseyism, — joy at the arrival of the Jubilee of the Baptist Mission, 
 — and two others, which, because of their importance, we copy : — 
 
 " That the facts that, iu 891= cliiu'ches of the Baj)tist denomination, 
 there was in the year uow rexjorted, a clear increase of 9,306 members — 
 that this augmentation gives an average annual rate of increase of 10^ 
 members per churcli — and that the annual rate of increase in the denom- 
 ination has tripled itself within eight years — afford matter of devout 
 congratulation and humble gratitude." 
 
 " That the Union record their deep sense of gratitude to Almighty God 
 for the favour which he has mercifully shewn to the denomination during 
 the past year, as apparent in the numerical increase of the Churches ; 
 which they trust they may regard as a token that the energies of their 
 brethren are, with growing zeal and fidelity, put forth in his cause, and 
 as a pledge that yet greater mercies are in reserve for them." 
 
 It may, also, be necessary, for the sake of our young readers, to 
 explain that the Baptist denomination in England is divided into 
 two sections, — the General or Arminian, and the Particular or 
 Calvinistic ; although there may be found many in both sections who 
 agree in sentiment. They have each their Home and Foreign 
 Missions, Colleges, &c. The Particular Baptist churches meet in 
 Local Annual Associations, and are by far the most numerous. By 
 them the Baptist Union was originated and is carried on. The 
 General Baptists are found chiefly in the Midland Counties, and 
 have quarterly Local Conferences, and an aggregate Annual Meet- 
 ing, called the Association, which furnishes its report to the Baptist 
 Union. This year, the seventy-third Association was held in Lon- 
 don ; the Rev. J. Goadby, of Leicester, was chairman. Resolutions 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 33 
 
 were passed — removing their College to London, — congratulating 
 tlieir Particular Baptist brethren on the Jubilee of their Mission, — 
 disapproving the regulations for dissenting paupers in Union 
 Workhouses, — against taking oaths, — of sympathy for the suffering 
 poor, — and a strong one against American Baptist churches patron- 
 izing slavery. Bribery at Elections was condemned, and Dr. Car- 
 son's new work was recommended. A congratulatory address, was 
 also adopted, to the Queen, on her escape from another attempt on 
 her life. Members, 16,237; baptized, 1,351; clear increase, 570. 
 Meeting-houses, 194 ; Sabbath-scholars, 20,170 ; teachers, 3,240. 
 But these returns are, as usual, not complete. Each Church sends 
 a written report of its state, which is printed in the Minutes. Fowr 
 new churches were admitted this year. A committee is appointed 
 annually, to examine into the moral and mental qualifications of 
 ministers invited to supply the churches : some churches do not 
 recognize the committee, but act on their own discretion. 
 
 From the Report of the Baptist Union, we also gather, that — 
 thirteen new churches had been formed during the past year, — thirty- 
 nine new meeting-houses had been built, — and twenty-two enlarged, 
 — ninety-five ministers had been ordained or settled, and twenty- 
 two, some of them pillars, had been removed by death. The Reports 
 are imperfect as to the number of Sabbath scholars, but many thou- 
 sands are in the schools ; which are, for the most part, prosperous 
 and increasing. Two new Colleges, one at Birmingham, and the 
 other at Norwich, are contemplated by the Particular Baptists. 
 
 The following is aT list of Baptist Associations. Those marked 
 thus (*) are in the Baptist Union. The figures denote the date of 
 its formation, and the number of its churches. 
 
 Midland, 1665, 22 ; *NortJiern, 1669, 9 ; *01cl South Wales, 1700, 46 ; 
 Nortliamptonshire, 1764, 26 ; *Generai, Baptist, 1770, 119; *Suffolk 
 and Norfolk, 1771, 16 ; *West Kent aud Sussex, 1778, 28 ; North Wales, 
 1788, 73 ; *Essex, 1796, 13 ; *Oxfordsbire, 1802, 20; Shropshire, 1809, 8 ; 
 ♦Buckinghamshire, 1811, 17 ; Bristol, 1823, 45 ; *Southem, 1823, 31 ; 
 ♦Western, 1823, 49 ; * South Western, 1824, 11 ; *Berks aud West Mid 
 dieses, 1826, 14 ; *East and North Ridings, 1830, 11 ; Suffolk and Nor- 
 folk (New), 1830, 22 ; *Monmouthshire, 1831, 41 ; Cardiganshire, 1832, 
 15 ; Carmarthenshire, 1832, 43 ; *Glamorganshire, 1832, 45 ; *Pembroke 
 shire, 1832, 35 ; *Norfolk aud Norwich, 1833, 23 ; *London, 1834, 26 ; 
 ♦South West Essex, 1834, 6 ; *Notts. and Derby, 1835, 14 ; *East Kent, 
 1835, 13 ; Leicestershh-e, 1835, 12 ; Scottish, 1835, 14 ; *Herts and 
 South Beds, 1835, 7 ; *Lincolushire, 1830, 10 ; Worcestershire, 1836, 10 ; 
 North Riding, 1837 ; *West Riding, 1837, 42 ; *Lancashire and Cheshire, 
 1837, 30 ; Cambridgeshire, 1838, 7 ; West Midland, 1840, 11 ; *Irish 
 Southern, 1841, 10. — Total, 40 Associations, 999 Chtirches associated. 
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INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF THE PRINCIPAL PUBLIC 
 
 INSTITUTIONS CONNECTED WITH THE BAPTIST 
 
 DENOMINATION DURING THE PAST YEAR. 
 
 MISSIONS. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 For- 
 med. 
 
 lueome. 
 
 Expenditure. 
 
 Baptist Missionary Society 
 
 Baptist Home Missionaiy Society 
 
 Baptist Irish Society 
 
 General Baptist Missionaiy Society 
 Scottish Home Missionaiy Society 
 
 Baptist Colonial Society 
 
 Bible Translation Society 
 
 1792 
 
 1797 
 1814 
 1810 
 1826 
 1830 
 1840 
 
 Jij s. d. 
 
 22,727 2 2 , 
 
 5,174 11 7 
 
 2,479 14 3 
 
 2,584 11 
 
 950 
 
 463 16 8 
 
 1,648 19 2 
 
 £ A', d 
 
 24,711 19 1 
 
 5,195 7 9 
 
 2,817 3 4 
 
 2,630 1 2 
 
 950 
 
 507 9 1 
 
 1,807 8 11 
 
 COLLEGES. 
 
 PLACES. 
 
 Accrington . . . 
 
 Bradford 
 
 Bristol 
 
 Haverfordwest. 
 Loughborough 
 Pontypool .... 
 Stepney 
 
 Founded 
 
 No. of 
 
 Students. 
 
 1841 
 
 6 
 
 1804 
 
 30 
 
 1770 
 
 19 
 
 1841 
 
 9 
 
 1798 
 
 8 
 
 1807 
 
 19 
 
 1810 
 
 20 
 
 Receipts. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 248 5 
 
 1,100 8 
 
 1,336 5 8 
 
 171 6 1 
 
 418 
 
 553 4 10 
 
 1,778 18 6 
 
 Expenditure. 
 
 £. s. d 
 
 252 
 
 1,071 13 11 
 
 1,373 10 
 
 191 8 2 
 
 332 
 
 566 15 3 
 
 1,755 18 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 Baptist Fund 
 
 Ditto Magazine 
 
 Bath Society . , 
 
 BaptistBuildinj 
 
 Fiind •. 
 
 New Selection. 
 
 1717 
 
 1809 
 1816 
 
 1824 
 1829 
 
 Objects. 
 
 Education of Min- 
 isters, Assistance 
 of Poor Churches, 
 &c 
 
 Relief of Ministers' 
 Widows 
 
 Suj)port of superan- 
 nuated Ministers 
 
 Erection of Chapels 
 
 Relief of Widows 
 
 and Orphans of 
 
 Ministers & Mis 
 
 s. d. 
 
 2,701 8 2 
 
 Receipts. 
 
 Expenditure 
 
 290 8 
 601 14 6 
 
 £ s d. 
 
 2,583 7 
 
 148 
 
 310 4 7 
 
 750 11 6 
 
 112 
 
GENEEAL VIEW OF THE BAPTISTS IN THE UNITED STATES 
 
 Associ. 
 
 Unass. 
 
 6 Prin. 
 
 
 
 Baptized 
 
 Communi- 
 
 ations. 
 
 Chui. 
 
 Chur, 
 
 Uhurchs 
 
 Minis. 
 
 in 1840. 
 
 cants. 
 
 11 
 
 1 
 
 
 201 
 
 214 
 
 2,249 
 
 20,490 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 
 103 
 
 89 
 
 1,042 
 
 9,557 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 135 
 
 98 
 
 864 
 
 11,101 
 
 li 
 
 9 
 
 
 213 
 
 192 
 
 2,639 
 
 26,311 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 
 103 
 
 106 
 
 452 
 
 11,725 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 50 
 
 56 
 
 580 
 
 7,831 
 
 41 
 
 10 
 
 
 775 
 
 782 
 
 7,613 
 
 79,155 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 
 73 
 
 82 
 
 1,153 
 
 9,008 
 
 15 
 
 7 
 
 
 239 
 
 172 
 
 2,467 
 
 20,856 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 326 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 
 44 
 
 25 
 
 767 
 
 2,390 
 
 yi 
 
 
 
 512 
 
 361 
 
 5,838 
 
 61,504 
 
 29 
 
 
 
 
 115 
 
 253 
 
 2,303 
 
 29,330 
 
 IS 
 
 
 
 
 371 
 
 189 
 
 2,620 
 
 34,704 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
 672 
 
 319 
 
 5,958 
 
 48,302 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 608 
 
 306 
 
 3,636 
 
 80,182 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 
 186 
 
 109 
 
 490 
 
 7,837 
 
 42 
 
 
 
 
 723 
 
 380 
 
 9,083 
 
 61,042 
 
 42 
 
 
 
 
 653 
 
 452 
 
 2,341 
 
 32,000 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 405 
 
 292 
 
 3,664 
 
 21,579 
 
 31 
 
 
 
 
 417 
 
 260 
 
 1,541 
 
 10,234 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 348 
 
 254 
 
 1,092 
 
 11,018 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 75 
 
 52 
 
 388 
 
 3,209 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 11 
 
 65 
 
 455 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 8 
 
 30 
 
 300 
 
 23 
 
 
 
 
 279 
 
 160 
 
 1,000 
 
 10,950 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 34 
 
 25 
 
 200 
 
 810 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 30 
 
 15 
 
 200 
 
 930 
 
 
 7,846 
 
 5,266 
 
 60,286 
 
 572,136 
 
 Maine 
 
 New Hampshire . . 
 
 Vermout 
 
 Massacliiissets . . . 
 
 Connecticut 
 
 Ehode Island .... 
 
 New York 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 Pennsylvania .... 
 
 Delaware 
 
 Maryland 
 
 Virginia 
 
 North Carolina . . . 
 South Carolina .. . 
 
 Georgia 
 
 Alabama 
 
 Mississippi 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 Tennessee 
 
 Ohio 
 
 Indiana 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Michigan 
 
 Wisconsin territory 
 Iowa Territory . 
 
 Missouri 
 
 Arkansas 
 
 Louisiana .... 
 
 To make these returns complete, as a full exhibition of 
 the number of American Baptists at the present time, there 
 should be added : — 
 
 Probable net gain to the above Churches for the last year 38,964 
 
 Total number in British America 36,274 
 
 *rree-will Baptists in the United States 47,217 
 
 Seventh-day Baptists in ditto 6,000 
 
 700,591 
 The Campbellites, or "Eeformers," are estimated, by Mr. 
 Campbell, at from 150,000 to 200,000 communicants. And 
 the " Christian Societies," with some smaller bodies under 
 different names, who strictly adhere to " the baptism of be- 
 lievers only bv immersion," probably amount to as many 
 more,— say 300,000 in all 300,000 
 
 Baptized communicants in American churches in 1841. .1,000,591 
 Societies. — Foreign Mission Board, formed 1814, receipts, 83,841 
 
 dollars; Publication and Sabbath-School Society, 1824, 12,105.; 
 
 Home Mission Society, 1832, 42,285 ; American and Foreign Bible 
 
 Society, 1836, 26,304 ; Ministerial Education, in New England and 
 
 New York, about 20,000. 
 
 • Holding similar sentiments with English General Baptists. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 No. 1. — The cut of " Bethabara, beyond Jordan, where John was 
 baptizing." This place is often meutionecl iu the Bible, from the clays of 
 Joshua downward to those of our Lord. It is thirty miles from .Jerusalem, 
 ten from the dead sea, auel eight from Jericho, and was the usual passage 
 fi-om Palestine to Moab, which made it in time of wai-, a place of great 
 importance. It had two names — Bethabara, or the " House of Passage," 
 and Bethany, or " House close by a Ferry." And it a^jpears that there 
 were houses of accomodation for passengers on its banks. John stood 
 here and publicly iiroclaimed the approaching reign of Messiah to all who 
 passed the stream, or resorted thither for its waters, — therefore this thing 
 was not done in a corner. And here the Sou of God was baptized. Mr. 
 Buckingham passed this ford as delineated in the engraving iu 1816. He 
 describes it as only about twenty-five yards wide ; the descent gentle and 
 easy of access ; the waters rapid, but clear and sweet, running over a bed 
 of pebbles, and easily fordable by their horses. 
 
 No. 2, page 7. — "John the Baptist." The German translation reads, 
 "In those days came John dir tanffer" (the dijiper) ; and the Dutch the 
 same, "John een dooper." John is called by the early Latins, "John 
 tinctor," the exact Latin of Joannes Baptistes.* 
 
 No. 3, page 8. — " It is admitted by the learned of all ages." We can 
 only here give a list, forming a rich galaxy of literary stars of the first 
 magnitude. It must be observed that all these and many others, have 
 either expressed their decided conviction that bajJtism is immersion, or 
 that the ordinsince was not designed for infants. To these might be 
 added testimonies to the same efi'ect from established churches, synods, 
 assemblies, catechisms, confessions, expositions, annotations, lexicons, 
 encyclopedias, reviews, &c. 
 
 We do not profess to give, in the following list, the names of professed 
 Baptists, though we might furnish those of men who have stood high in 
 the literary world ; but rather the names of those who, although ojiposed 
 to the Baptists, could not but, as men of learning and literaiy honour, 
 admit the truth on these points. But there may be no improj)riety in 
 reminding the reader that Dr. Carey, the first of modern Missionaries 
 and translators, Joseph Hughes, the founder of the Bible Society, and 
 Robert Hall, the prince of preachers, were baptists ; and of living men, 
 John Foster, the distinguished Essayist, and William Knibb, the Negro 
 Liberator, are Baptists. 
 
 The Fathers (as they are called). — Justin Martyr and others, A. D., 140. 
 — Tertullian, 204. — Gregory Nazianzen, 360. — Bazil, 3C0. — ^Ambrose, 
 374.— Cyril, 374.— Chiysostom, 398. 
 
 Foreigners. — Pope Benedict XIII,t Bossuet, Fenelon, Abbe Houtteville, 
 Vossius, Witsius, Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, Beza, Curcellaeus, Venema, 
 Vitringa, Salmasius, Grotius, Alstidius, Altenguis, Scapula, Suicerus, 
 Saurin, Zanchius, Stejihanus, Schrevelius, Hederic, Schleusner, Calmet, 
 Hedricus, Claude, Buddeus, Le Clerc, Alting, Daille, Jurieu, Deylingius. 
 
 * " Mahommed in the Al-coian has most fully translated the original word. He 
 calls baptism sebgatallah, that is, divine dyeing, or the tinging of God, from sebgah 
 dyeing, a.ni Allah, God. A celebrated orientahst (Herbelot) says, Mahommed made use 
 of this compound term for baptism, because in his time Christians administered 
 baptism as dyers tinge, by immersion, and not as now [in the west] by aspersion," 
 
 Robert Robinson. 
 
 t Who immersed nine Jews and Turks, at Rome ; when he used the ancient rituak 
 
38 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 Church of England. — Ai-chbishops Cranmer, Tillotson, Uslier, Seeker. 
 Leighton aud Newcome. — Bishops Buruet, Taylor, Pearce, Barlow, 
 Stilliugfleet, HoacUey, Daveuant, Patrick, Sauclerson, Repiolds, aud Hall- 
 — Drs. Wall, Cave, Stackliouse, Nicholson, Newton, Wells, Wliitby; 
 Sherlock, Mill, aud J. Hervey, T. Scott, W. Burkett. 
 
 Quakers. — W. Penu, K. Barclay, J. J. Giiruey. 
 
 Various. — Wicklifle,* Frith, Tyudal, Limborch, WTiistou, Milton, + Sir 
 H. Trelawney, Mede, Seldeu, E. Baxter, J. Wesley, G. WTiitefield, 
 Hammond, Parkhurst, Pool, Sir N. Kuatchbull, S. Palmer, P. Edwards, 
 Priestly, Professor Stuart, Gilbert Wakefield, Professor Porson,J Sir John, 
 rioyer, Dr. Cheyne, W. Greenfield.§ Drs. Johu Owen, Watts, Dodtli-idge, 
 Campbell, Beutley, Lightfoot, A. Clarke, S. Johnson, Macknight, Edwards, 
 Chalmers, Towersou, Hammond, Guise, Goodwin, Harwood, Field, 
 and Howard, the philanthropist. 
 
 No. 4, page 0. — "The Greek Church, ^c." "It comprehends in its 
 bosom a considerable part of Greece, the Grecian Isles, W^allachia, 
 Moldavia, Egypt, Abyssinia, Nubia, Lybia, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Syria, 
 Cilicia, and Palestine. It may be observed, that amidst all their trifling 
 rites, they practise trine-immersion, || which is unquestionably the 
 primitive jnauuer." Pantalog'ta. 
 
 Dr. Wall says, in all those nations of Christians tliat never owned the 
 Pope's usiuiied power, baptism has ever been administered by immersion. 
 
 No. 5, page 10. — " Splendid buildings having Baptistries." Especially 
 those at Constantino2)le, Ravenna, Venice, Florence, Milan, and the 
 celebrated baptistiy of St. John Lateran, at Eome. 
 
 No. 6, page 11. — " TFe now have to trace their history." This has been 
 done, and their existence in every century of the Christian era, fully 
 proved. A valuable MS. on the mode of Christian Baptism, which will 
 soon appear, furnishes the facts. See also Orchard's " Foreign Baptists." 
 
 • Wickliffe, tliat bright morning star of the Reformation, translates, Matt. iii. 6. 
 " And thei wereu waischen of him in Jordan,'' (they were washed by him in Joidau.) 
 Matt, iii 11., " I indeed baptize you with water," he translates, " I waishe ghou in 
 watir," (I wash you in water.) 
 
 + This great man says, ■' Under the gospel, the first of the sacraments commonly 
 .'o called is baptism, wherein the bodies of believers, who engage themselves to newness 
 of li.'e, are immersed in running water, to signify their regeueiation by the Holy Spirit, 
 and their union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection." 
 
 % The greatest Greek Scholar of his age. He said, when asked the meaning of 
 Hapto, " The Baptists have the advantage of us !" And here, we may just add, that 
 wheu an English visitor informed the erudite Professor Gesenius, of Halle, how the 
 Baptists in England immersed then- candidates, he exclaimed, " How very like the 
 practice of the fiist Christians !" 
 
 i The learned and candid Translator of languages for the Bible Society. And may 
 we not add Sir T. Newton? who says, " So soon as the winter was over, and the 
 weather became warm enough, we may reckon that John began to baptize." 
 
 II Trine-immersion was in use in the third century, and was practised in England 
 till the sixteenth ; but it is not scriptural. 
 
 In the booke of common prayer and admtnistracion of the Sacramentes and ceremo- 
 nies of the C hurcht ; after the tise of the Churche of England: published in 1549: 
 trine immersion is enjoined in these words ; — " Then the prieste shall take the childe 
 in his handes, and aske his name : and namyng the childe, shaU dyppe it in the water 
 thryse : First dipping the right side : Seconde the left side: the thirde time dyppyng 
 the face towarde the fonte : So it bee discretely and warely done, saying," &c. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 39 
 
 No. 7, page 11. — " England." Bishop Newton says, " There is abso- 
 hite certainty that Christianity was i^hmted here in the times of the 
 Apostles, before the destruction of Jerusalem." Constantine the Great 
 was born in Britam. Speed says his mother was " a most vii-tuous and 
 religious lady." He was not baptized till of adult age. Of the Christians 
 at Bangor, Dr. Calamy acknowledges, " That they should for the future 
 administer baptism after the manner of the Chiu-ch of Rome, is an 
 argument they did not use to do so before." Austin himself is said to 
 have baptized 10,000 persons neai- the mouth of the Medway, on a 
 Christmas Day ; a proof, says Fox, " at that time there could be no use 
 of fonts." 
 
 No. 8, page 22. — " He formed a Constitution, ^c." In 164=4, while 
 Williams was in England in-ocuring the first charter, he published a book, 
 in which he discloses his princijjles on both religious and civil liberty : 
 " Kings and magistrates must be considered invested with no more 
 power than the peojDle betrust them with." " The sovereign of all civil 
 authority is founded in the consent of the people," — a doctrine not imder- 
 stood by the statesmen of tliis couutiy, till more than a centmy had 
 passed away. 
 
 The second charter for Rhode Island, granted by Charles II, in 1663, 
 and i)robably sketched by Roger Williams, allows " every person and 
 jjersons freely and fiilly to have and enjoy his own, and their, judgments 
 and consciences in matters of religious concernments." In alluding to 
 this, some years after, Williams observes, "his Majesty declared himself 
 that he would experiment whether civil government could consist with 
 such liberty of conscience." 
 
 Dr. Fishback, of Lexington, says, " The following circiunstances which 
 occurred in the state of Virginia, related to Thomas Jeflerson, and were 
 detailed to me by Elder Andrew Tribble, about six years ago. He died 
 when ninety-two or thi'ee years old. Anckew Tribble was the pastor of a 
 small Baptist chm-ch, which held its monthly meetings at a short distance 
 from Mr. Jeiierson's house, eight or ten years before the American 
 revolution. Mr. Jelferson attended the meetings of the church for several 
 months in succession, and after one of them, asked Elder Tribble to go 
 home and dine with him, with which he complied. Mr. Tribble asked 
 Mr. Jefferson how he was j)leased witli their church government ? 
 Mr. Jefferson replied, that it had struck him with great force, and 
 had interested him much ; that he considered it the only form of 
 pure democracy that then existed in the world, and had concluded the 
 it would be the best plan of government for the American colonies. This 
 was several years before the dedaration of American Independence. To 
 what extent this practical exhibition of religions liberty and equcdity 
 operated on Mr. Jefferson's mind, in forming his views and principles of 
 religious and civil freedom, which were afterwards so ably exhibited, I 
 will not say. 
 
 No. 9, page 27. — " Baptist state of Rhode Island." Religion is still 
 well suj)ported here, there being a place of worship for every 1000 persons. 
 
 " The state of morality and religion would, it is believed, bear a 
 favourable comparison with that in other States." The laws are as much 
 respected as in other commonwealths, — she has never been agitated by 
 an insurrection, nor often, if ever, witnessed a mob. Not a law infi-inging 
 the liberty of conscience has ever been passed by her Legislature, — none 
 to supijort religion, — for it has been thought wisest to leave this matter 
 to the good sense of each particular neighbourhood. In this respect, she 
 
-10 HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS. 
 
 forms an enviable contrast witli lier sisters. She stands out in the midst 
 of them, unstained with the blood of heretics, — an object of the world's 
 wonder and ailniiration, — giving to the old maxim, that " all sects will 
 Xjerseciite if they have the power," a triumphant, though alas, a solitary 
 refutation. 
 
 No. 10, page 31. — "Union of Chtirch and State." "'WTiat has the 
 Emperor to do with our religion ? What have the Bishops to do at 
 Coiu't?" were the inquiries of early Christians. These questions have 
 been iterated and re-iterated, and must be till the fhe of holy truth shall 
 bui'n the cords which bind them in unlioly alliance ! 
 
 THE MODE OF BAPTISM, ILLUSTEATED BY EXTRACTS FROM 
 CELEBEATED BEITISH POETS. 
 
 Them who shall believe. 
 Baptizing in the profluent stream, the sign 
 Of washing them from guilt of sin, to life 
 Pure, and in mind jnei^ared (if so befal) 
 For deatli, like that which the Redeemer died. 
 
 Paradise Lost. 
 
 I saw 
 The proi^het do him reverence ; On him rising 
 Ont of the water, heaven above the cloiuls 
 Unfold her crystal doors. Paradise Regained. 
 
 Ye brainless wits ! ye baptized infidels ! 
 
 Y'e worse for mending ! washed to fouler stains ! 
 
 Night Thoughts. 
 
 Philosophy baptized 
 In the jnire fountain of eternal love. Task. 
 
 There is a foixutain filled with blood. 
 
 Drawn from Immauuel's veins. 
 And sinners, plunged beneath that flood. 
 
 Lose all their- guilty stains. Olney Hymns. 
 
 Then, when the sacred sisters for their own. 
 Baptized thee in the springs of Helicon. 
 
 ****** 
 
 Their robes were like the mountain snow, and bright. 
 
 As though they had been dipped in the fountain springs of light. 
 
 Carmen Nuptiale, on the Marriage of Her Royal 
 Highness the Princess Charlotte. 
 
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 Baptist Mission, forr 
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 issued iu the year 1841 
 
 < 
 
 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 — 4©^=— 
 
 Eighteen Hundred, and nearly, Fifty years, have come and 
 gone since the Son of God, fresh from the triumphs of the tomb, 
 gave his memorable commission to his disciples. Satan and sin, 
 death and the grave, he had met in more than mortal conflict, and 
 had overcome ! Ere he ascended to resume his pristine glory, and 
 " put on the robes of his imperial majesty," he gathered around him 
 his little band of timid and doubting followers, and spake unto them, 
 saying,— 
 
 "AXL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. Go YE 
 THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THK NAME OF 
 
 THE Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching 
 
 THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU : 
 AND, LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD." 
 
 A cloud received hiin out of their sight, — he passed into the 
 heavens; where " Mighty to save," he lives and reigns for ever ! 
 
 The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and, obedient 
 to their Lord, they tarried there until they were endued with power 
 from on high. Now they were new men. "And they went forth, 
 and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirm- 
 ing the word with signs following." 
 
 Wonders, mighty wonders, were done by them, through the power 
 of the Holy Ghost. They won their way through all opposition, 
 until they reached the palace of Caesar himself ! But now came 
 temptation and trial — pollution and pride. A long dark night 
 succeeded, which was at length relieved by the dawning of the 
 " Reformation." 
 
 In our own land, as we have already seen, the light broke slowly, 
 and was often interrupted by dark clouds of persecution. Even after 
 the " Glorious Revolution," our fathers breathed a foggy atmosphere. 
 
44 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 Formalism in " the cliurch," and rationalism among dissenters, had 
 paralyzed, or neutralized, all pious effort. Till at length, God sent 
 Whitfield and Wesley, like Moses and Aaron, with power to disperse 
 the elements of mischief, and proclaim the liberty with which he 
 makes his people free. 
 
 But still the heathen — the poor heathen. No man cared for 
 their soul ! Fifty years ago — only fifty ! — some living may even re- 
 member it, — nothing, or next to nothing, was either thought of or 
 done for the heathen. 
 
 Strange things, it is true, were doing in the world, and great 
 things too. Nations were struggling for liberty. Discovery had 
 encircled the world, Science had extended her inquiries — but all 
 they sought was for this life. 
 
 In these troublous times the Baptist Mission was contemplated 
 and established. Let the young reader learn how, by carefully 
 perusing the following narration : — 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 The zeal which led to the formation of the Baptist Missionary 
 Society commenced in a spirit of prayer; by which also it was 
 eminently cherished. We copy the following paragraphs, illustrative 
 of the devotional simplicity of our fathers, from the closing page of 
 the Circular letter of the Northamptonshire Baptist Association, held 
 at Nottingham, June 2, and 3, 1784. It appears to have been 
 written by the Rev. John Ryland, jun., afterwards Dr. Ryland ; but 
 Mr. Sutcliff, of Oluey, a most amiable and exemplary minister, 
 appears to have first suggested the idea, and may therefore be 
 regarded as the " Father of the Mission." 
 
 " Upon a motion being made to the ministers and messengers of 
 the associate Baptist churches, assembled at Nottingham, respecting 
 meetings for prayer, to bewail the low estate of religion, and ear- 
 nestly implore a revival of our churches, and of the general cause of 
 our Redeemer, and for that end to wrestle with God for the effusion 
 of his Holy Spirit, which alone can produce the blessed effect, it was 
 unanimously resolved, to recommend to all our churches and con- 
 gregations, the spending of one hour in this important exercise, on 
 the first Monday in every calender month. 
 
 " We hereby solemnly exhort all the churclies in our connection, to 
 engage heartily and perseveringly in the prosecution of this plan. 
 And' as it may be well to endeavour to keep the same hour, as a 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 45 
 
 token of our unity herein, it is supposed the following scheme may 
 suit many congregations, viz., to meet on the first Monday evening 
 in May, June, and July, from eight to nine. In August from seven to 
 eight; September and October, six to seven; November , December, January, 
 and February from five to six ; March from six to seven ; and April from 
 seven to eight. Nevertheless, if this hour, or even the particular 
 evening, should not suit in particular places, we wish our brethren 
 to fix on one more convenient to themselves. 
 
 " We hope also, that as many of our brethren, who live at a dis- 
 tance from our places of worship, may not be able to attend there, 
 that as many as are conveniently situated in a village or neighbour- 
 hood, will unite in small societies at the same time. And if any single 
 individual should be so situated as not to be able to attend to this 
 duty in society with others, let him retire at the appointed hour, to 
 unite the breath of prayer in private with those who are thus engaged 
 in a more public manner. The grand object in prayer is to be, that 
 the Holy Spirit may be poured down on our ministers and churches, 
 that sinners may be converted, the saints edified, and the name of 
 God glorified. At the same time remember, we trust you will not 
 confine your requests to your own societies, or to our own immediate 
 connection ; let the whole interest of the Redeemer be affectionately 
 remembered, and the spread of the gospel to the most distant parts 
 of the habitable globe, be the object of your most fervent requests. 
 We shall rejoice if any other Christian societies of our own, or other 
 denominations will unite with us, and do now invite them most cor- 
 dially to join heart and hand in the attempt. 
 
 " Who can tell what the consequence of such an united effort ia 
 prayer may be ! Let us plead with God the many gracious pro- 
 mises of his word, which relate to the future success of his gospel. 
 He has said, ' I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of 
 Israel, to do it for them, I will increase them with men like a flock. 
 — Ezek. xxxvi. 37. Surely we have love enough to Zion to set 
 apart one hour at a time, twelve times in a year, to seek her welfare." 
 
 One gratifying fact, before we proceed further, must be recorded, 
 since it exhibits the genuine philanthropy of these devoted men : — 
 
 In June, 1791, at the meeting of the association at Oakham, the 
 brethren feeling, no doubt, the great obstacles presented by slavery 
 to the progress of Christianity, — " It was unanimously voted, that 
 five guineas should be sent up to the treasurer of the society for 
 procuring the abolition of the Slave Trade, that we might shew our 
 hearty abhorrence of that wicked and detestable merchandize ; the 
 
 e3 
 
46 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 reception of which sum has been since acknowledged in the most 
 obliging manner, by Guanville Sharp, Esq., Chairman of the 
 Committee ; who assures us, that the Committee are now more ani- 
 mated, if possible, than ever, against the iniquitous and disgraceful 
 practices of slave dealers and slave holders, and are firmly deter- 
 mined (as by an indispensable duty to God and man) to persevere in 
 their endeavours, by all legal means, to effect the abolition of such 
 enormities." 
 
 The recommendation to fervent and united prayer was renewed 
 from year to year, and was extensively acted on till 1791 ; 
 when a series of events commenced which proved that the Great 
 Head of the church was granting the desires of his servants, and 
 opening before them a door of entrance into missionary labours. 
 Before they called he had heard, and was now about to manifest his 
 gracious regard to his church. 
 
 About this time, William Carey, an humble obscure shoemaker, 
 but destined for mighty achievements, was training by Providence 
 for the work of Missions. From his youth upwards, he was a great 
 admirer of the works of nature. He took delight in plants and 
 insects, and this taste led him on to the study of geography, the 
 productions of the several countries of the earth, their population, 
 manners, and religion. He was a man of active habits, and of 
 singular benevolence. 
 
 Dr. Rylaud, stated, in one of the first sermons on a Baptist 
 Missionary Anniversary in London : — " October 6th, 1783, I bap- 
 tized in the river Nen, a little beyond Dr. Doddridge's meeting- 
 house at Northampton, a poor journeyman shoemaker, little thinking 
 that before nine years had elapsed, he would prove the first instru- 
 ment of forming a society for sending missionaries from England to 
 preach the gospel to the heathen. Such, however, as the event has 
 proved, was the purpose of the Most High ; who selected for this 
 work, not the son of one of our must learned ministers, nor of one of 
 the most opulent of our dissenting gentlemen, but the son of a parish 
 clerk at Paulerspury, Northamptonshire.-" Such was William 
 Carey: who, having first joined the Baptist church at Olney, was 
 called to the ministry, and became pastor of the church at Moulton ; 
 and in 1791, removed to Leicester. 
 
 In the year just named, Mr. Carey published a small volume, 
 entitled, " an Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to use 
 means for the conversion of the heathens ;" this publication, together 
 with sermons by the Eev. Messrs. Fuller and Sutcliff, led the min- 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 47 
 
 isters of the association already referred to, seriously to discuss the 
 question, " Whether it were not practicable, and our bounden duty, 
 to attempt somewhat toward spreading the gospel in the heathen 
 world." 
 
 We have somewhere heard or read of a little incident to the 
 following effect : we do not vouch for it, and yet it bears marks of 
 probability. At one of those ministers' meetings which were then 
 wont to be held for prayer and discussion, a subject was required- 
 After some hesitation, Carey modestly observed, that he had thought 
 of a subject, if agreeable to the brethren, but he did not wish to 
 press it. It was the conversion of the heathen. " Young man," 
 said the venerable old Moderator, shaking his head, and looking 
 sternly at him, " Do you expect a second Pentecost ?" This was 
 said to be in 1784. 
 
 FORMATION OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 May 31 st, 1792, at the nest Annual Meeting of the Association 
 at Nottingham, Mr. Carey delivered a very animating discourse 
 from Isaiah liv. 2, " in which he pressed two things in particular, as 
 expository of lengthening our cords and strengthening our stakes, 
 viz. 1. — That we should expect great things. 2. — That we should 
 attempt great things. So strongly did the brethren now feel, that 
 they resolved — " that a plan be prepared against the next ministers' 
 meeting at Kettering, for forming a Society among the Baptists for 
 propagating the gospel among the heathen ;" and on October 2nd, 
 following, the brethren assembled at that town unanimously agreed 
 to the following Kesolutions : — 
 " 1. Desirous of making an effort for the propagation of the 
 gospel among the heathen, agreeably to what is recommended in 
 brother Carey's late publication on that subject, we whose names 
 appear in the subsequent subscription, do solemnly agree to act in 
 society together for that purpose. 
 
 2. As in the present divided state of Christendom, it seems that 
 each denomination, by exerting itself separately, is most likely to 
 accomplish the great ends of a mission, it is agreed that this society 
 be called. The Particular Baptist Society for Propagating the Gospel 
 among the Heathen. 
 
 .3. As such an undertaking must needs be attended with expense, 
 we agree immediately to open a subscription for the above purpose, 
 and to recommend it to others. 
 
48 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 4. Every persons who shall subscribe ten pounds at once, ov ten 
 shillings and sixpence annually, shall be considered a member of the 
 society. 
 
 5. That the Rev. John Ryland, Reynold Hogg, William Carey, 
 John Sutcliff, and Andrew Fuller, be appointed a committee, three of 
 whom shall be empowered to act in carrying into effect the purposes 
 of the Society. 
 
 6. That the Rev, Reynold Hogg be appointed treasurer, and 
 Kev. Andrew Fuller, secretary. 
 
 7. That the subscriptions be paid in at the Northampton 
 ministers' meeting, October 31st, ] 792, at which time the subject 
 shall be considered, more particularly by the committee and other 
 subscribers who may be present." 
 
 Signed, John Ryland, Reynold Hogg, John Sutcliff, Andrew 
 Fuller, Abraham Greenwood, Edward Sharman, Joshua Burton, 
 Samuel Pearce, Thomas Blundel, William Heighton, John Eayres, 
 Joseph Timms ; whose subscriptions in all amounted to £ 13 2s. 6d. 
 
 At the next meeting, held at Northampton, October 31st, the 
 committee was joined by the devoted Samuel Pearce, who brought 
 from his friends at Birmingham, a liberal contribution, and 
 announced the commencement among them of the first assistant or 
 auxiliary society. 
 
 The earliest designation of the Society, as distinguished from local 
 auxiliaries, is, " The Primary Society ;" others were designated " cor- 
 responding," or "assistant," Societies. This will be seen by the 
 following resolution : — "Nov. 1st, 1792. — -That Brother Pearce, of 
 Birmingham, who was a member of the Primary Society, and 
 is the Delegate from the Corresponding Society at Birmingham, 
 be considered as a member of the Committee." These delegates 
 appear to have borne the same relation to the Committee that the 
 General Committee of the present day does to the Central, 
 
 " Some of the greatest difficulties we had to encounter," wrote Mr. 
 Fuller at a subsequent period, " were the following. We were 
 inexperienced in the work, — we knew of no opening for a mission in 
 any one part of the world more than another ; we had no funds to 
 meet the expense that must attend au undertaking of the kind ; our 
 situation in an inland part of the country was inconvenient for 
 foreign correspondence;— the persons who would have the manage- 
 ment, would live at such a distance from each other as to render 
 frequent consultation impracticable ; — and finally, in forming such a 
 society there would be danger of its falling under irreligious influence. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 49 
 
 From these and other cousiderations, those who were expected to 
 engage in the work, entered upon it with much fear and trembling." 
 
 This will be further seen by an extract from the Committee Book : — 
 " Nov. 13th, 1792. — The following articles we wish to be examined 
 and discussed in the most diligent and impartial manner : — ' ^VlIat 
 qualifications are especially requisite in missionaries .f" ' What 
 persons are known, or supposed, to be both suitable and willing to 
 be employed in this business ?' ' What advice should be given to the 
 missionaries, or what regulations adopted concerning them V Also, 
 ' In what parts of the heathen world do there seem to be the most 
 promising openings?' 'What information on this head may be 
 obtained from any late books of travels, or from christian merchants, 
 or from such persons as would at least favour the design of convert- 
 ing the heathen V " 
 
 That they were not then without some apprehensions as to the 
 result may be gathered from another extract : — " Nov. 28th, 1792. — 
 " That in case of a failure of this design, it is the desire of the major 
 part of this Society, that the monies which may remain should be 
 applied to the support of some other mission which the Society shall 
 approve ; but that those subscribers who may disapprove of this 
 proposal, and require it, shall, after the deduction of necessary 
 expenses, have their subscriptions returned." 
 
 Notwithstanding these cautious fears and serious apprehensions, 
 they determined to persevere ; and if they did not succeed in estab- 
 lishing their own society, they agreed to aid the Moravians or Pres- 
 byterians ; " for, by the leave of the God of heaven," they nobly 
 declared, " we were determined to do something towards propagating 
 his gospel in heathen lands." 
 
 While the spirit of zeal, of prudence, and of prayer, were thus 
 cherished, the Great Head of the Church was preparing to call forth 
 their energies. Mr. John Thomas, who in 1785, was baptized and 
 admitted a member of Dr. Stennett's church, and whose father was a 
 deacon of the Baptist church at Fairford, had resided in India, and 
 there preached the gospel ; and concerned for the best interests of its 
 inhabitants, was desirous, during a visit to England, to raise funds 
 for the establishment of a mission to that country. Calling for that 
 purpose on the venerable Abraham Booth, he was introduced by him 
 to the committee of the Baptist Mission, and after a series of striking 
 interpositions of Divine Providence, he and Mr. Carey embarked for 
 India on June 13th, 1 793, a solemn farewell meeting having been held 
 at Leicester, March 20, when deep and holy feelings were manifested. 
 
60 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 Mr. Morris, who was present, in his life of Fuller, thus describes the 
 meeting of Carey and Thomas at Kettering. Carey had already agreed 
 to go to India as the companion of Thomas. " It was late in the 
 evening, while they were in full deliberation, his (Mr.T.'s) arrival was 
 announced. Impatient to behold his colleague, he entered the room 
 in haste, and Mr. Carey rising from his seat, they fell on each other's 
 necks, and wept. ' From Mr. Thomas's account, we saw,' said Mr. 
 Fuller, • there was a gold mine in India, but it seemed almost as 
 deep as the centre of the earth. Who will venture to explore it ?' 
 ' I will go down,' said Mr. Carey to his brethren, ' but remember 
 that you must hold the ropes.' We solemnly engaged to do so ; nor 
 while we live, shall we desert him." 
 
 PROCEEDINGS AT HOME. 
 
 Carey went down and found gold, and Fuller held the ropes with a 
 steady and powerful arm. On the departure of the missionaries, 
 Mr. Fuller visited I,ondon and other places, and for many years 
 afterwards, — indeed, as long as he lived,— he wrote, and travelled, 
 and preached on behalf of the mission. 
 
 There is much that is interesting in the first collecting book, 
 exhibiting the autographs of Booth, Thornton, Wilberforce, Basil 
 Woodd, Scott, Newton, Matthew Wilks, Bacou the sculptor. Sir 
 Richard Hill, and the initials of Mr. Cecil. There are also several 
 pithy remarks in Mr. Fuller's instructions to Samuel Pearce, who 
 collected with this book in London, the next year (1795). Here 
 are a few: — 
 
 " This is a Mr. , an Independent ; call on him about four, 
 
 P.M.; you may possibly find him smoking a pipe ; and do as I did; 
 beg a pipe with him. He has often since, I am told, smiled at my 
 familiarity." 
 
 " This is Mr. Cecil ; but I should not call on him, as I think, 
 though he is a good man, he wishes for no acquaintance with the 
 Dissenters." 
 
 " A good old generous woman. I was rather low-spirited when I 
 knocked at her door. ' Hold up your head,' said the old lady, ' and 
 look at me !' I smiled, and thanked her for her admonition, assuring 
 her that I was not ashamed to do so." 
 
 That the founders of the Baptist mission were philanthropists we 
 have already seen in their donation to the Anti-Slave Trade Society ; 
 that they were largely imbued with genuine Christian charity, and 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 51 
 
 that others recipiocated their benevolence, is evident from the 
 following : — 
 
 "Nov. 12th, 1793. — That a donation of five guineas each, be 
 presented to the Presbyterian and Moravian Societies for Propagating 
 the Gospel among the Heathen, merely as an expression of our 
 friendship towards them, and fellowship with them in the great 
 design of evangelizing the heathen." 
 
 " Sep. 22nd, 1796. —That in consideration of the Moravian 
 mission being under some pecuniary straits, £20 be presented to 
 them by this Society, as a token of brotherly love." 
 
 " March 18th, 1795. — A letter being read from the Rev. George 
 Osborn, of Worcester, covering a bill for £11 18s. 3d., being the 
 amount of a public collection made by his congregation, for the 
 support of this Society, — Resolved, that the hearty thanks of the 
 Society are due to the Rev. Mr. Osborn, and the Independent con- 
 gregation under his care, for this unexpected expression of their 
 generous regard." 
 
 In reviewing their proceedings after the departure of the first 
 missionaries, the committee enumerate among the benefits already 
 resulting to the churches at home from the undertaking, that " A 
 new bond of union was furnished between distant ministers and 
 churches. Some who had backsliden from God were restored ; and 
 others, who had long been poring over their unfruitfulness, and 
 questioning the reality of their personal religion, having their 
 attention directed to Christ and his kingdom, lost their fears, and 
 found that peace, which, in other pursuits, they had sought in vain. 
 Christians of different denominations discovered a common bond of 
 affection ; and instead of always dwelling on things wherein they 
 differed, found their account in uniting in those wherein they were 
 agreed. In short, our hearts were enlarged ; and, if no other good 
 had arisen from the undertaking, than the effect produced upon our 
 own minds, and the minds of Christians in our own country, it was 
 more than equal to the expense." 
 
 It is a remarkable fact, that Foreign Missions have originated the 
 greatest efforts ever made for the spiritual interests of our own land. 
 Shortly after the first Missionaries had departed for India, the 
 Society sent brethren to itinerate in Cornwall, Wiltshire, and elsewhere, 
 which led to the establishment of the Baptist Home Missionary 
 Society in 1797 ; and as the result of similar engagements in Ireland, 
 also originated by the committee of the Foreign Mission, the Baptist 
 Irish Society, which was formed in 1814. 
 
52 HISTOlllCAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 In confirmation of tlie above, and to shew that these excellent 
 men were anxious for the salvation of their countrymen at home, 
 the following is extracted: — "During the month of June, 1796, it 
 being vacation time at the Bristol academy, Brother Ryland proposed 
 that two of the students should, for two months, supply the churches 
 at Salisbury and Broughtou ; and that Brethren Saflery and Stead- 
 man should go, for that time, on a mission through the county of 
 Cornwall, preaching the gospel through all the towns and villages 
 where they could gain admission. This plan was acceeded to on a 
 presumption that the Committee would bear their expenses, in con- 
 formity to their own plan of encouraging village preaching in 
 England." There are also several resolutions awarding small sums 
 in aid of village preaching. 
 
 ARRIVAL IN INDIA — BAPTISM OF THE FIRST HINDOO. 
 
 On their arrival in India, in November, 1793, Messrs. Thomas 
 and Carey, amidst many discouragements and privations, entered on 
 their labours, connecting for some time secular pursuits with their 
 missionary engagements. It was long before they had certain 
 evidence of success, but these holy men, who had gone forth for the 
 name of Christ, were stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in 
 the work of the Lord. 
 
 At length, in the year 1800, the beloved Carey baptized the first 
 Hindu. Addressing Mr. Sutcliff, December 29, he writes : — 
 
 " Yesterday was a day of great joy. I had the happiness to 
 desecrate the Ganges by baptizing the first Hindu, viz., Krishnu, 
 and my son Felix : some circumstances turned up to delay the 
 baptism of Gokul and the two women. GokuVs wife came on 
 Saturday to make a trial what could be done towards getting him 
 back; and the women, who stood persecution very stoutly, were 
 brought to a state of hesitation, by the tears and entreaties of their 
 relatives. Krishnu's coming forward, alone, however, gave us very 
 great pleasure, and his joy at both ordinances was very great. The 
 river runs just before our gate, in front of the house, and, I think, is 
 as wide as the Thames at Gravesend. We intended to have baptized 
 at nine in the morning ; but, on account of the tide, were obliged to 
 defer it till nearly one o'clock, and it was administered just after the 
 English preaching. The Governor and a good number of Europeans 
 were present. Brother Ward preached a sermon in English, from 
 John V. 39, ' Search the scriptures.' We then went to the water-side. 
 
HtSTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 53 
 
 where I addressed the people in Bengali; after having sung a 
 Bengali translation of 
 
 " Jesus, aud shall it ever be ?" 
 
 and engaging in prayer. After the address, I administered the ordi- 
 nance, first to my son, then to Krishnu, At half-past four I admin- 
 istered the Lord's Supper ; and a time of real refreshing it was." 
 
 Krishnu, whose holy life aud zealous labours among his country- 
 men for many years, will he remembered by our readers, might well 
 say at the close of that hallowed day, that he was " full of joy;" and 
 when asked soon after, in the street, by an European, what he got 
 by his profession of Christianity, admirably did he reply that, " He 
 got nothing but joy and comfort," adding, "it was the work of love." 
 
 A few days previously to these delightful solemnities, Krishnu and 
 Gokul ate publicly with the missionaries, by which act they abandoned 
 their caste. The servants, and all who witnessed it, were astonished, 
 as all had said, and even the missionaries had almost feared, that no 
 one would lose caste for the gospel. They saw that day, what they 
 had been waiting and hoping for many years, and concerning which 
 they had met with so many disappointments. This insurmountable 
 difficulty, as it bad been considered, seemed now to give way without 
 any effort on the part of the missionaries. " God," as Mr. Marshman 
 observed, " has done it with perfect ease. Thus the door of faith is 
 opened to the Gentiles : who shall shut it.f" The chain of the caste 
 is broken ; who shall mend it i*" 
 
 PROVIDENTIAL INTERPOSITION. 
 
 The following passage, from the fragment of a memoir of Dr. 
 Carey, written by the excellent Mr. Fuller, will be read with interest, 
 as illustrative alike of the simplicity and Christian devotedness of 
 Carey, and the gracious regard of God for his servant : — 
 
 " Soon after Mr. Carey's arrival in India, he was reduced to great 
 extremities ; the goods which they liad taken with them for their 
 immediate support were disposed (if, and the money, in far less time 
 than they apprehended, was gone. 
 
 " In a strange land, with a wife's sister, a wife, and four children, 
 without money, without friends, and without employment, he must 
 needs feel himself in a delicate situation. Taking a boat, he went 
 with his family, and Ram Boshoo for his guide, up the country. It 
 was now, as Mr. Ward lately observed, on visiting the place, that, 
 like the father of the faithful, he went out, not knowing whither he 
 
54 HISTCKICAL SKETCH OF HIE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 went. As tliey were rowing alone: the river, ahoiit forty miles east 
 of Calcutta, at a place called Dehavta, they espied a house which 
 seemed to be English built. ]\Ir. Carey aslied his guide if he knew 
 the owner ; he answered he was an English gentleman. " Then," 
 said Mr. Carey, " I will call on him." They all left the boat, and 
 walked towards the house. Some of the servants, looking out, saw 
 them, and went in and told their master that an English gentleman, 
 two ladies, and several children were walking in sight of the house, 
 as if they meant to come in. The owner, who proved to be the late 
 Charles Short, Esq .* immediately came forth to meet them, and 
 very politely invited them in. Mr. Carey frankly told him his object 
 and his present straits. Mr. Short had no conceit of the former, for 
 he was an unbeliever, but told him he was at perfect liberty to make 
 his house a home for himself and family till he should see what to 
 do ; he might stop, he said, for half a year, or longer if he pleased ! 
 Kindness like this, and in such circumstances, must have greatly 
 affected him ; yet perceiving in his hospitable benefactor a total 
 contempt of religion, the idea of a dependence uj)on him could not 
 but be unpleasant." 
 
 TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES. 
 
 In 1796, Mr. John Fountain was sent out to join the brethien in 
 India ; and in 1799, he was followed by Messrs. Marshman, Grant, 
 Brunsdou and ^Y^l'^» '^"t none of them were permitted to settle 
 within the British dominions. This led to the establishment of the 
 cause at Serampore, then under the Danish Government, where the 
 M'ork of translating and printing the Holy Scriptures was carried on 
 to a very great extent. It was about this time that Thomas is said 
 to have exclaimed, " I would give a million pounds sterling, if I had 
 it, to see a Bengali bible. O most merciful God, what an inesti- 
 mable blessing will it be to these millions ! The angels of heaven 
 will look down upon it to fill their mouths with new praises and 
 adorations. Methinks all heaven and hell will be moved at a bible's 
 entering such a country as this. O Lord, send forth thy light and 
 thy truth !" His venerable colleague lived to see the sacred volume, 
 or parts of it, translated and circulated, not only in Bengali, but iu 
 more than forty other languages of the east. 
 
 The following table will shew the number of copies of the Scriptures, 
 in whole or in part, printed by the missionaries from 1801 to 1841 : — 
 Who afterwai-ds married Mrs. Carey's sister. 
 
VERSIONS. BIDLES. 
 
 TESTS. 
 
 
 VERSIONS. BIBLF.S. 
 
 TKSTS 
 
 1 Affghan 
 
 
 1000 
 
 18 Himliistaiii nr ITr.l 
 
 U. 
 
 
 Pentateuch 
 
 1000 '. 
 
 
 
 Old Versijn .... 
 
 
 1000 
 
 Historical Books 
 
 10 JO . 
 
 
 
 New Version .... 
 
 
 
 . 40110 
 
 2 Armenian(MoJera) .. 
 
 '. GOO 
 
 
 Gospels 
 
 
 
 20000 
 
 Matthew 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 Gospels and Acts 
 
 
 
 10500 
 
 3 Assamese 
 
 
 iOJO 
 
 
 Acts 
 
 
 
 4000 
 
 Pentateuch 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 19 Javanese, about.. 
 
 
 
 3000 
 
 Historical Books 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 20 Jumiu 
 
 
 
 10(10 
 
 Hagiographa . . . 
 
 1000 
 
 
 21 
 
 Juyapura, Mutt. 
 
 
 no 
 
 t know n 
 
 Prophets 
 
 Luke 
 
 1000 . 
 
 .* lioo 
 
 22 
 2J 
 
 Kanoj 
 
 
 
 1000 
 
 Kashmere 
 
 1(100 
 
 4 Baltack 
 
 not known 
 
 
 Pentateuch .... 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 •i Beloohi 
 
 
 
 
 Historical Books 
 
 IOJO . 
 
 
 Three Gospels . . 
 
 not known 
 
 24 
 
 Khassi 
 
 
 •ioo 
 
 G Bengali. 
 
 
 
 2.5 
 
 Kuinaon, to Oclos. 
 
 
 1000 
 
 Old Versioa 
 
 3000 . 
 
 . loaoo 
 
 2d Kuukunu 
 
 
 1000 
 
 Pentateuch 
 
 lOUOO 
 
 
 
 Pentateuch .... 
 
 ido'o '. 
 
 
 Historical Books 
 
 1500 . 
 
 
 27 
 
 Kusoli, Matthsw 
 
 no 
 
 t known 
 
 Prophetical ditto 
 
 looo . 
 
 
 2S 
 
 Kuruatta 
 
 
 1000 
 
 Job to Slma.s S. 
 
 900 
 
 
 29 
 
 Mahratta 
 
 
 lOUO 
 
 Psalms 
 
 3900 . 
 
 
 
 Pentateuch .... 
 
 1000 * 
 
 
 I.uke Acts& Rom 
 
 
 '. lOOOO 
 
 
 Historical Books 
 
 1000 
 
 
 Matthew & Mark 
 
 
 1000 
 
 
 Hagiographa .. . 
 
 1000 
 
 
 Matthew 
 
 
 . 10000 
 
 
 Prophetical Books 
 
 1000 
 
 
 Mark 
 
 
 . 10000 
 
 
 Matthew 
 
 
 40-5 
 
 Matt. &Prophts. 
 
 
 500 
 
 
 Four Gospels . . 
 
 
 
 3000 
 
 New Version .... 
 
 
 . 5S00 
 
 
 ActstoRevclatus. 
 
 
 
 3000 
 
 Genesis & Exod. 
 
 2500 ! 
 
 
 30 
 
 Malay, Arabic .. 
 
 
 
 1000 
 
 Pentateuch .... 
 
 1 000 
 
 
 
 Ditto Koman . . 
 
 
 
 500 
 
 Psalns 
 
 5000 
 
 
 31 
 
 Marwari 
 
 
 
 1 000 
 
 Proverbs 
 
 5000 . 
 
 
 32 
 
 .Mugudh 
 
 
 
 10(.0 
 
 4 Gospels in all.. 
 
 
 '. 90100 
 
 33 
 
 Multnan 
 
 
 
 MOO 
 
 Gospel & Acts . . 
 
 
 7500 
 
 34 
 
 Munipura 
 
 
 
 1(100 
 
 Acts 
 
 
 . 2000 
 
 35 
 
 Nepau'.ese 
 
 
 
 looo 
 
 7 Bhogulcumdi 
 
 
 1000 
 
 30 
 
 Ooduypura 
 
 
 no 
 
 t known 
 
 8 Bhikaneera 
 
 
 1000 
 
 37 
 
 Oojein 
 
 
 
 1000 
 
 'J Bhutncera 
 
 
 1000 
 
 38 
 
 Oriya .. 
 
 
 
 5000 
 
 10 B ruj 
 
 
 . 3000 
 . 3000 
 
 
 Pentateuch 
 
 Historical Books 
 
 3000 
 1000 . 
 
 
 Four Gospels . . 
 
 
 11 Burmese 
 
 
 . 5000 
 
 
 Hagiographa .. . 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 Matthew 
 
 
 . 6000 
 
 
 PropheticidBooks 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 John 
 
 
 . 2000 
 
 
 Matthew 
 
 
 3000 
 
 Acts 
 
 
 . 3000 
 
 39 
 
 Palpa 
 
 Persian. 
 
 
 1000 
 
 Hebrews ....... 
 
 
 . 3000 
 
 40 
 
 
 Epistles of John 
 
 
 3000 
 
 
 Old Ver. 4 Gosp. 
 
 
 500 
 
 IJ Chinese 
 
 em '. 
 
 . 3000 
 
 
 New Version .... 
 
 ., 
 
 1000 
 
 Genesis&Exodus 
 
 3100 . 
 
 
 
 Four Gospels .. 
 
 
 12000 
 
 Four Gospels . . 
 
 
 ; 3000 
 
 
 Acts 
 
 
 4000 
 
 13 Cingalese, about.. 
 
 5000 .' 
 
 . 5000 
 
 
 Gospels & Acts.. 
 
 .. 
 
 1000 
 
 1 i Gujuralhi 
 
 
 . 1000 
 
 41 
 
 San.skrit. 
 
 
 
 n Gu'rwhaliorShree- 
 
 
 
 
 Old Version 
 
 
 cno 
 
 nagur 
 
 
 . 1000 
 
 
 Pentateuch 
 
 600 ! 
 
 
 1 6 Haroti 
 
 
 . 1000 
 
 
 Historical Books 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 1 / Hindui. 
 
 
 
 
 Ditto to 1 Kings 
 
 2000 
 
 
 Old Versions .... 
 
 
 . 4000 
 
 
 Hagiographa ... 
 
 1000 
 
 
 Pentateuch .... 
 
 1000 '. 
 
 
 
 PropheticalBooks 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 Historical Books 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 
 New Version 
 
 
 1()0J 
 
 Hagiographa ... 
 
 1000 
 
 
 
 Psahns 
 
 2300 ". ' 
 
 
 Psalms 
 
 300(1 
 
 
 
 Matthew 
 
 
 2500 
 
 ProphelicalBooks 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 
 Gospel & Acts .. 
 
 
 500 
 
 Four Gospels . . 
 
 
 '. 10000 
 
 42 
 
 Sikhi 
 
 
 1000 
 
 Matthew 
 
 
 . 4000 
 
 
 Pentateuch 
 
 1000 '. 
 
 
 Mark 
 
 
 . 4000 
 . 4000 
 
 
 Historical Books 
 Hagiographa .. . 
 
 1000 . 
 1000 
 
 
 Luke 
 
 
 John 
 
 
 . 4000 
 
 
 PropheticalBooks 
 
 1000 . 
 
 
 ActstoCoriuthns 
 
 
 . 30J0 
 
 43 
 
 Siudhi. 
 
 
 
 New Versions. 
 
 
 
 
 Matthew 
 
 no 
 
 . known 
 
 Matthew 
 
 
 . 6000 
 
 44 Telinga, or Teloogoo. 
 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 Pentateuch 
 
 1000 . 
 
 1000 
 
 Total number of V 
 
 flumes pri 
 
 a ted 
 
 up to 1826 195,.565 
 
 
 Ditto 
 
 from 1827 
 
 to 1838 . 
 to Aiiril, 
 
 
 4 
 
 4,500 
 4,400 
 
 
 Ditto 
 
 1341' 
 
 la 
 
 
 Total 'luring the forty years ending April, 1841 .. 434,465 
 
HISTORICAL FACTS OF THE MISSION. 
 
 Having thus furnished a brief sketch of the origin of the Society, 
 and the settlement of the Mission in India, we shall now glance at 
 some of the leading facts of its history ; and these, for brevity's sake, 
 we must present in pithy sentences : — 
 
 lu 1795, two missionaries were sent to Sierra Leone, Western 
 Africa ! but the attempt failed. — Mr. Carey, after a brief residence 
 with Mr. Short, erected a house near the wild Sundurbunds, and 
 proceeded with the study of the language ; but was induced to 
 remove to Mudnabatty, three hundred miles higher up the country, 
 and only one hundred from Thibet, there to superintend an indigo fac- 
 tory, which afforded him comfortable support, and gave him consi- 
 derable influence. Here he itinerated frequently, and proceeded with 
 the translation of the New Testament in Sungskrit — In 179S, the 
 first press was set up at Mudnabatty ; the natives said it was an 
 English idol ! — Mr. Carey reluctantly removed to Serampore, in 
 January, 1800; and March 17, the first page of the New Testa- 
 ment, in Bengali, was composed. — The first house for God in 
 Bengal was erected by Krishnu, a native convert, and opened by 
 Mr. Carey, in August, 1801 ; in which year Serampore was captured 
 by the British. — Januaiy, 1803, Krishnu Presaud, a Brahmin, the 
 first ever known, was baptized ; and in March, Peturaber, preached, 
 in Bengali, the first sermon by a native. 
 
 Two excellent clergymen. Brown and Buchanan (author of 
 Researches in India,) invited the missionaries to Calcutta. In 
 1804, they opened a place of worship, and had several hundred 
 hearers. At this period, a type foundry was established in Calcutta, 
 by parties from England. This was a great facility. Carey now 
 declared, that in fifteen years they could translate and print the 
 word of God in all the languages of the East. In July, 1 809, after 
 sixteen years labour, Carey completed his Bengali translation ; and 
 on that very day was taken dangerously ill : but he recovered. 
 This year, the new chapel at Calcutta was opened ; an event of 
 importance in the history of the Mission, since Calcutta is the seat 
 of British Government in India. 
 
 March 11, 1812, an alanning event occurred: the printing-office 
 at Serampore, now a large establishment, was destroyed by fire. 
 But it soon rose, like the fabled phoenix, from its ashes. Providen- 
 tially, the matrices of the Indian types were preserved. The loss 
 was estimated at £10,000. An appeal was made to England, 
 
'Wm 
 
 ! 
 
 :'ill!l|l!I/l 
 
 iii^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 I /i 
 
 li: ! 
 
 ^|l 
 
 
 f3y 
 
 J n\\\\ 
 
 I 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 59 
 
 and the sum required was raised in fifty days ! The American 
 churches now aided the Mission. Several British soldiers in India 
 were converted and baptized, as well as five natives of high caste. 
 In 1814, Jabez Carey, third son of Dr. Carey, was ordained by his 
 father and his other two sons, William and Felix, and sent to 
 Amboyna. This year, two converted Mahomedans were baptized. 
 
 About this period, Mr. W. H. Pearce established a printing-office 
 at Calcutta, under very humble circumstances : but the establishment 
 grew and multiplied exceedingly, and has done immense good. 
 From its own profits, and other sources, it has recently been re- 
 established, with a type foundry, at a cost of £20,000. A second 
 chapel, the Circular Road, was also opened at Calcutta, We pass 
 on through the next twenty years rapidly. In 1827, the Serampore 
 mission became a separate establishment, but was re-united to the 
 parent society in 1837; in which year Mr. W. H. Pearce visited 
 England to obtain ten additional missionaries. In 1840, a printing 
 press was established in the island of Ceylon. 
 
 MISSION TO BUHMAH. 
 
 This Mission, which from its importance, requires a separate brief 
 notice, was commenced in January, 1807, by the missionaries at 
 Serampore; who sent out first Messrs. Chater and Mardon, who 
 returned in May, and Mr. Mardon having declined through ill 
 health, Felix Carey accompanied Mr. Chater to Rangoon, in July. 
 They met with many obstructions, but persevered in the work of 
 translations. Mr. Chater, on account of Mrs. C's. health, left Bur- 
 mah and proceeded to Colombo, in Ceylon. At length, the emperor 
 permitted the missionaries to introduce a printing press ; and they 
 were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Judson, from America, who had been 
 sent out by the Independents, but had become Baptists in India. 
 
 It is not within our province to enter on even a sketch of the 
 American Baptist Missions. They grew out of the British. In 
 1816, Mr. Hough joined Mr. Judson, and in a short time other 
 missionaries followed him, and the mission was transferred into 
 their hands. After enduring many privations and sufferings,* Dr. 
 Judson completed the translation of the Bible, in January, 1834. 
 The success of Messrs. Wade and Board man among the Karens, the 
 mountaineers of Burmah, was great ; in five years upwards of two 
 hundred were baptized. The American missionaries still maintain 
 this important position with honour and usefulness. 
 
 • See Memoir of Mrs. Judson. 
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
 
 These are some of the leading facts in the history of the Mission 
 Many others we should have been ready to notice, such as the trials 
 of the early missionaries, and the obstacles to their going out to, or 
 settling in, India ; the slow, but gradual, increase of native converts, 
 how they often forsook all for Christ, and their happy deaths ; and 
 especially, incidents in the lives and labours of Fountain, Ward, 
 Chamberlain, Fernandez, Chater, Leslie, Pearce, and the native 
 evangelists, but our limits prevent. 
 
 But this is the less necessary, as all who wish to pursue their 
 inquiries may refer to the " History of the Baptist Mission, by 
 Dr. Cox," in which they will find ample information. The 3Iission- 
 ary Herald, at one penny, published monthly, is also strongly recom- 
 mended, as affording regular and recent intelligence. 
 
 We deem it right, however, to record the deaths of four eminent 
 individuals connected with the Mission at Home : — Samuel Pearce, 
 in 1799; John Sutcliff, in 1814; John Ryland, in 1824; and 
 John Dyer, in 1841. 
 
 Thus have we hastily gone through the origin, formation, and pro- 
 gress of this interesting Mission. We have purposely detailed, at 
 greater length, the leading circumstances of its formation, that the 
 young reader may more distinctly recognize " the finger of God.'' 
 Let him mark the order — prayer, faith, labour. That thought of 
 prayer, originating with the meek and amiable Sutcliff, was fos- 
 tered by Rvland, wise and prudent — faith they all displayed — 
 Carey and Thomas were bent on labour abroad, whilst Fuller 
 persevered with indomitable zeal at home — and GOD crowned the 
 whole with his blessing! The world stood and wondered ! hell and 
 the wicked raged ; but heaven and the righteous approved ; and 
 God was glorified ! 
 
 Yes : all these things were of God ! Some years ago, at a reli- 
 gious meeting, at which James Montgomery was present, a speaker 
 alluded beautifully to the thought which led to the formation of the 
 Sabbath-school, Tract, and Bible Societies. Starting from his seat, 
 as if inspired, the poet exclaimed, " It was a spark that dropped 
 from heaven, and has set the world in a blaze !" There was not 
 more poetry than truth in the declaration. " Every good gift and 
 every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father 
 of lights." 
 
 To God be all the Glorv ! 
 
7\ ^ 
 
 , ',if I-. ) 
 
 The Gospel offered to tlie Negro. 
 
THE WEST INDIES. 
 
 Where first his drooping sails Columbus fiuTi!, 
 And sweetly rested in another world, 
 Amidst the heaven-reflecting ocean, smiles 
 A constellation of elysiau isles ; 
 Earth from her lap perennial verdure pours, 
 Ambrosial fniits, and amaranthine flowers ; 
 O'er the wild mountains and luxuriant jjlains. 
 Nature in all the pomp of beauty reigns, 
 In all the pride of freedom. — Natuke fkee 
 Proclaims that Man was born for liberty : 
 She flourishes where'er the sun-beams play 
 O'er liviug fountains, sallying into day; 
 She withers where the waters cease to roll. 
 And night and winter stagnate round the pole : 
 Man too, where freedom's beams and fountains rise, 
 Springs from the dust and blossoms to the skies ; 
 Dead to the joys of light and life, the slave 
 Clings to the clod ; his root is in the grave ; 
 Bondage is winter, darkness, death, despair, 
 Freedom the sun, the sea, the mountains, and the air. 
 
 In placid indolence supinely blest, 
 A feeble race these beauteous isles possess'd ; 
 Untam'd, untaught, in arts and arms unskill'd, 
 Their patrimonial soil they rudely till'd, 
 Chas'd the free rovers of the savage woods, 
 Insnar'd the wild-fowl, swept the scaly floods ; 
 Shelter'd in lowly huts their fragile forms 
 From burning suns and desolating storms ; 
 Or, when the halcj-on sported on the breeze. 
 In light canoes they skimm'd the rippling seas : 
 Their lives in (h-eams of soothing languor flew, 
 No parted joys, no future pains they knew, 
 The passing moment all their bliss or care ; 
 Such as the sires had been, the children were 
 From age to age ; like waves upon the tide 
 Of stormless time, they calmly liv'd and dy'd. 
 
 Dreadful as hurricanes, athwart the main 
 Eush'd the fell legions of invading Spain, 
 With fraud and force, with false and fatal breath, 
 (Submission bondage, and resistance death,) 
 They swept the isles. In vain the simple race 
 Kneel'd to the iron sceptre of their grace, 
 
64 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 Or with weak aims tlieir fiery vengeance brav'd; 
 
 Tliey came, they saw, they conquer'd, they enslav'd. 
 
 And they destroy'd ; — the gen'rous heart they broke, 
 
 They crush'd the timid neck beneath the yoke ; 
 
 Where'er to battle march'd their grim array. 
 
 The sword of conquest plough'd resistless way ; 
 
 Where'er from cruel toil they sought repose. 
 
 Around, the fires of devastation rose. 
 
 The Indian, as he turn'd his head in flight, 
 
 Beheld his cottage flaming through the night. 
 
 And, midst the shrieks of murder on the wind. 
 
 Heard the mute blood-hound's death-step close behind. 
 
 O'erwhelm'd at length with ignominious toil, 
 Mingling their barren ashes with the soil, 
 Down to the dust the Charib-people pass'd, 
 Like autumn foliage with'ring in the blast : 
 The whole race sunk beneath th' oppressor's rod. 
 And left a blank among the works of God. 
 
 This selection from Montgomery's " West Indies" is introduced, 
 not merely for the beauty of its poetry, but as affording a neat and 
 concise view of these beautiful islands — the condition of the abori- 
 gines, their sufferings, and eventual extirpation by the Spaniards. 
 
 Jamaica, to which we shall chiefly have to refer, was discovered by 
 Columbus, in 1494 ; and was held by the Spaniards until 1655, when 
 it was taken by the British. This Island, which is 4000 miles south- 
 west of England, is about 170 miles in length, and sixty in breadth. 
 It is well watered with numerous springs, and has a range of lofty 
 mountains, running from east to west ; some of which are from 7,000 
 to 8,000 feet high. Its slave population, in 1835, was 311,692. 
 
 The rapacious and cruel Spaniards are said to have destroyed as 
 many as 60,000 of the native Indians on this island alone. In the year 
 1558, it was reported that none were to be found. But they wanted 
 slaves, and where could they find them ? The Spaniard looked, — 
 
 " And far beyond the gloomy gulph, descried 
 Devoted Afiica : he burst away, 
 And, with a yell of transport, grasp'd his prey." 
 
 From this sad moment to the joyous hour of emancipation, 
 through many a long year, and centuries of years, Africa was robbed 
 and spoiled, and her children carried into helpless, hopeless, endless 
 captivity ! But we pass on to our Mission ; which, under God, went 
 as the angel to Peter in prison, and smiting off the chains of the 
 slave, bade him arise and walk forth in liberty and peace. _■ 
 
ORIGIN OF THE JAMAICA MISSION. 
 
 The first efforts of the Baptist Missionary Society in Jamaica 
 were made in 1813. For some years previously Mr. Moses Baker 
 had labom-ed among the negroes, at Flamstead, about twelve miles 
 from Falmouth. The proprietor of an estate, concerned for the best 
 interests of his slaves, requested that the Society would send out a 
 Missionary ; and at the suggestion of the estimable Dr. Ryland, 
 Mr. John Eowe, a student at the college at Bristol, was set apart to 
 this service. At the end of the published account of his designation, 
 Mr. Fuller writes, " God has not frowned upon our undertakings in 
 the East, and we cannot but hope for the continuance of his blessing 
 on this our first effort in the West. For this, however, it becomes 
 us all to pray, both on behalf of our brother, and of the poor negroes 
 to whom he has been sent." 
 
 And surely prayer has been answered. Mr. Rowe, after having 
 resided at Falmouth long enough to ensure by his Christian conduct 
 the high esteem of all who knew him, was suddenly called to his rest 
 in June, 1816. He was followed to Jamaica by Messrs Compere, 
 Coultart, Kitching, Godden, and many other brethren, whose labours, 
 influenced by pure motives, and connected with ardent prayer, have 
 produced an abundant harvest, presenting, probably, as large a 
 measure of success attendant on efforts for the accomplishment of 
 the Divine glory as was ever witnessed by the church of Christ. 
 
 GRATIFYING SUCCESS. 
 
 A comparatively short time had elapsed after our beloved brethren 
 had commenced their labours in Jamaica, before it became apparent 
 that a very large number of the African race were " a people 
 prepared of the Lord" for the reception of his word. Great multi- 
 tudes believed, were baptized, and gave themselves to the church, to 
 walk in all his ordinances and commandments. The following facts, 
 communicated by Mr. Coultart in the year 1823, will show how even 
 then Divine truth operated on the hearts of many of his hearers. 
 
 " I baptized one hundred and seventeen persons in August, two of 
 whom particularly attributed their conversion to hearing the word of 
 God read. I felt much happiness in hearing their simple narratives. 
 One of them, a woman, said, ' Ah, massa, me tongue so guilty, all 
 bad word, me no ready to peak good in same mout — me great 
 sinner, and never tink about any ting good till me hear a brother 
 
 G 
 
66 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 read, if me no horn again me no see kingdom of God. Me dont Luow 
 what dis bom again mean — it trouble me much — it no let me rest, 
 none at all. — Next night brother come read again — de word trouble 
 me more and more — me no eat, no shut my eye, fear me open it in 
 hell. Next day me send for de brother to come wi de book — him 
 come and read de book, no tell me trouble any more — him tell me 
 Jesus came to save sinner, great sinner, no matter how great, so me 
 go to him, him forgive all— not for me goodness but for him own 
 goodness — den me weep much, for Jesus Christ so good, me no able 
 to do nothing for long time, but tell of him kindness to poor me.' " 
 
 Nor will the following pleasing incidents, related by the wife of 
 one of our missionary brethren, in 1828, be read without interest, or 
 without earnest desires that British Christians may possess the 
 same spirit. 
 
 "The female members of our church hare weekly meetings for 
 prayer, which are conducted with great order and solemnity. It may . 
 not be uninteresting if I here transcribe a prayer, offered quite 
 recently, by one of them, at one of these meetings. ' Me Great and 
 Koly Fader, me am vile and guilty sinner, but me bless and tank thee 
 for thy love to de world. Thou did give thy dear Son to die on de 
 cross for me poor sinner. Me bless and tank thee, precious Saviour, 
 for thou did leave thy Fader, in heaven, to save me, and to teach me. 
 Thou bear de shame of sin on de cross. Thou hang there to save 
 me and all de poor sinner, if they come to thee with de broken 
 heart. Do thou teach me with de Holy Spirit, for me no know tings 
 right. This no teach me to live, then me sin all de time. Mak^ 
 my heart soft to tank thee for thy good Spirit. Make my heart soft 
 to tank thee for thy love more than all. Pity de poor sinner all 
 round. Save their soul from sin. Make them love thee; then they 
 be so happy. Then they love thee so much. Then they think of 
 what thou suflFer when de blood fall down from thy sacred cheek. 
 Eemeniber and pity me poor husband, and me poor children. Tm'u 
 them with de Spirit from de way of sin. Make them love thee with 
 de whole heart. Me bless and tank thee, dear Saviour, for de good 
 minister to teach me. Teach him, so he will teach us in de right 
 way. Fill de chapel with de people who will love thee so very 
 much. Bless all me dear sister. Make us de true disciples. Help, 
 and make us turn from every sin in de heart. Bless us all with thy 
 love, and take us to thy Fader to live in heaven when we die !" 
 In the same letter it is stated, 
 *' We have succeeded in collecting one hundred dollars for the 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 07 
 
 more extensive diffusion of the gospel among the heathen. Five 
 dollars of this sum were given by a female member of the church ; 
 who was formerly a slave. By her industry she first purchased her 
 own freedom ; then that of her husband. They have built themselves 
 a comfortable house, quite near the mission-house, from whence we 
 often hear the supplicating voice, and the cheerful song of praise." 
 
 PERSECUTION BY THE PLANTERS. 
 
 But in Jamaica, as elsewhere, the success of the gospel called 
 forth the spirit of persecution. So early as 1825, it became the 
 painful duty of the Committee to report to their friends, that both at 
 Spanish Town and Montego Bay, annoyances had been the lot of 
 their missionary brethren. In the former place, Mr. Phillippo had 
 been required to appear in the ranks, and to render military service ; 
 and in the latter, unreasonable hindrances had been presented to the 
 attendance of the negroes on public worship. This spirit, though 
 met only with forbearance and kindness on the part of our brethren? 
 and entirely discouraged by the government at home, continued to 
 increase till it became certain to all parties, that Christianity and 
 slavery could not exist together ; but that one or the other must be 
 banished from the island. 
 
 It is delightful to perceive that amidst the persecutions of that 
 period, the slaves, as well as the missionaries, retained their integrity, 
 and manifested the spirit of primitive Christianity. The following is 
 one of many illustrations. 
 
 " Two persons connected with Mr. Burchell's congregation at 
 Montego Bay, had their houses levelled with the ground, their feet 
 made fast in the stocks, and were sent in chains to the workhouse, 
 charged with the heinous offence of praying to the God of heaven. 
 One of these, however, proved so completely incorrigible, that they 
 were absolutely obliged to give him up in despair. Having nothing 
 to do besides in the jail, he spent his time, morning, noon, and night, 
 singing and calling upon God ; which so annoyed the jailer, that he 
 repeatedly went into his cell, and flogged him. But the more 
 flogging, the more praying ; till at length the jailer brought him 
 again before the court for this sin. The poor man, however 
 resolutely declared his purpose to pray : ' If you let me go,' said he, 
 me will pray ; if you keep me in prison, me will pray ; if you flog 
 me, me will pray ; pray me must, and pray me will !' The jailer 
 was fairly confounded ; and rather than be annoyed any longer by 
 
68 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 this ' praying fellow,' he gave up his fees, and part of the fine was 
 remitted ; and so the man was dismissed to go and pray elsewhere !" 
 In 1832, several of our beloved missionaiy brethren in the island 
 of Jamaica were imprisoned, the chapels demolished,* and a determi- 
 nation expressed by those who considered themselves as possessed of 
 power to cany their plans into execution, that " the sectarians should 
 be driven from the island." The results are well known ; — the zeal 
 of British Christians was called forth, their prayers ascended to 
 heaven, and the God of justice and mercy came forth from his place 
 to deliver his people from bondage, and inclined our legislature to 
 permit the oppressed to go free. 
 
 DELIGHTFUL RESULTS. 
 
 To detail the progress of the gospel in this lovely island, or to 
 pourtray its effects would indeed be difficult. We may refer to one 
 or two facts connected with Montego Bay, as specimens of the 
 blessed results of Christianity. Writing in February, 1837, Mr. 
 Burchell says, " It is now truly interesting to spend a Sabbath in 
 Montego Bay. When I arri/ed here, thirteen years ago, the Sab- 
 bath was market-day ; all was noise, business, and confusion. There 
 was -nothing to indicate the Sabbath-day. Now, as the hour of 
 service approaches, the people are flocking to the respective places of 
 worship ; and, during the hours of service, scarcely a person is seen 
 walking the streets. The change is almost incredible. What hath 
 God wrought ? may Christians say. It is indeed the Lord's doing, 
 and it is marvellous in our eyes. Not unto us, Lord ! but unto 
 thy name be all the glory." 
 
 Mr. Oughton, who arrived in Jamaica in 1836, soon afterwards 
 assisted at a baptism at Montego Bay, when one hundred and seventy 
 persons were united to Mr. Burchell's church. On that occasion two 
 thousand persons assembled at a prayer-meeting at the early hour of 
 three in the morning ; " and I think," said Mr. Oughton, " I never 
 heard petitions so delightfully characterized by simplicity and ear- 
 nestness as those ofl"ered on that interesting occasion ; nor witnessed 
 gratitude so exuberant and overflowing, as was displayed by the poor 
 people, while praising God for the temporal and spiritual privileges 
 which they then enjoyed, and to which they were looking forward." 
 
 * The opposite cut represents tbe destruction, by fire, of the chapel at Savannala-mar. 
 
:iKl 
 
TESTIMONIES TO THE MISSIONARIES. 
 
 In closing this sketch of missionary operations in Jamaica, we will 
 transcribe from the publications of parties entirely unconnected with 
 the Society, a few facts as to the results of the labours of our l>rethren. 
 Messrs. Sturge and Hervey, in their Tour in the West Indies, say,^ 
 " We are unable, within our alloted limits, even to attempt to render 
 justice to missionary efforts in Jamaica. Representation cannot 
 picture the happy results of these efforts ; description can convey no 
 idea of their excellence and magnitude. A few years ago, the 
 negroes were heathen and benighted ; now they are, to a great 
 extent, enlightened and Christian. The Sabbath, once desecrated, 
 is now devoted to public prayer and thanksgiving, and to the enjoy- 
 ment of Christian communion. We earnestly commend these 
 benefactors of the human race, the missionaries, to the more earnest 
 prayer, to the deeper sympathies, and to the yet more liberal support 
 of British Christians." 
 
 Joseph John Gurney, in his Winter in the West Indies, writes : — 
 
 " The Baptist missionaries in Jamaica, for many years past, have 
 been the unflinching, untiring friends of the negro. No threats 
 have daunted them, no insults or persecutions have driven them 
 from the field. They are now reaping their reward, in the devoted 
 attachment of the people, and the increasingly prevalent acknow- 
 ledgment of their integrity and usefulness. I know great appre- 
 hensions were entertained, especially in this country, on the cessation 
 of slavery, that the negroes would break away at once from 
 their masters and their ministers. But freedom has come ; and 
 while their masters have not been forsaken, their religious teachers 
 have become dearer to them than ever. Under the banner of liberty, 
 the churches and meeting-houses have been enlarged and multiplied 
 — the attendance has become regular and devout— the congregations 
 have, in many cases, more than doubled — above all, the conversion of 
 souls (as we have reason to believe) has been going on to an extent 
 never before known in these colonies. In a religious point of view, 
 as I have before hinted, the wilderness, in many places, has begun 
 to blossom as the rose." 
 
 Omitting the testimonies afforded by special justices, we quote 
 ]iart of the reply from Sir Lionel Smith, to an address from the 
 ministers of the Baptist Western Union in Jamaica :— 
 
 " On my assuming the government of this colony, I strongly 
 
72 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 expressed my reliance on the whole body of missionaries, in their 
 high integrity of purpose, and in their loyal principles. You more 
 than realized all the benefits I expected from your ministry, by 
 raising the negroes from the mental degradations of slavery to the 
 cheering obligations of Christianity ; and they were thus taught 
 that patient endurance of evil which has so materially contributed 
 to the general tranquility. 
 
 " Gentlemen, the first year of freedom has passed away. What 
 were the forebodings of its enemies .'' Where are the vagrants ? 
 Where the squatters? W'here the injuries against proprietors or 
 the persons of white men ? Out of the 300,000 oppressed slaves, 
 let loose in one day to equal rights and liberty, not a human being 
 of that mass has committed himself in any of those dreaded offences. 
 
 " The admirable conduct of the peasantry in such a crisis, has 
 constituted a proud triumph to the cause of religion ; and those who 
 contributed to enlighten them in their moral duties, through perse- 
 cutions, insults, and dangers, have deserved the regard and esteem 
 of the good and the just in all Christian countries." 
 
 The above is but a bare outline of the West India Mission. To 
 tell of all done there would require volumes, and then the half would 
 not be told. We add a few fragments of facts. In one year, 1824, 
 Mr. Coultart baptized nearly 500 persons. — Thoms Knibb, an elder 
 brother of William Knibb, went out in 1.822, and died in 1824. — As 
 many as thirteen chapels were destroyed in the riots of 1832, four 
 being burnt to the ground ; the whole loss amounted to £23,250 ; 
 Government granted £5,510 to restore them, and £13,000 was 
 raised in England in a few weeks.— The day of emancipation, August 
 1st, 1838, passed over joyously and peaceably. Since then all has 
 been quiet ; tread-mills are useless ; jails have been shut up, and 
 jailers pensioned off; the missionaries relieved of taxes ; townships 
 foi-med, and freeholds purchased by the negroes; black magistrates 
 are on the bench, and black representatives in the House of Assem- 
 bly ; and these benefits have resulted from what that House now calls, 
 " The Glorious Act of Emancipation .'" 
 
 And what is still more delightful in a religious view is, that the 
 West India churches resolved, in January last, that on the Anniver- 
 sary of Freedom, August 1st, 1842, they would become independent' 
 of all pecuniary aid from Great Britain. 
 
The attention of the religious and benevolent in Britain, has heen 
 recently directed with intense interest to this vast continent, and an 
 ardent desire has been displayed by all sects and parties to atone, 
 by acts of kindness, for the wrongs we so long inflicted on her hap- 
 less children. And no sooner had the Christian negroes in Jamaica, 
 risen from the bondage of man, than they thought of their brethren 
 in Africa in the bondage of satan. One of these, who had been 
 stolen from Africa in his youth, worked his passage over, and, on 
 the very spot where he had been stolen, made known the gospel ! 
 Others said they would risk being enslaved again, — nobly de- 
 claring, " we have been made slaves for men, we can be made 
 slaves for Christ." At home, the committee, after much anxious 
 solicitude, were providentially directed to two suitable agents, Mr. 
 Clarke and Dr. Prince, who went out in October, 1840, for Fer- 
 nando Po, an island on the western coast, where they arrived 
 January 1st, 1841. They immediately commenced operations — 
 preaching to the people in Clarence, (who are chiefly liberated 
 Africans and understand English) and visiting the chiefs and their 
 people along the coast. 
 
 Success soon crowned the attempt. The congregations were 
 large and attentive, and several baptisms took place. After labour- 
 ing more than twelve months, Messrs. Clarke and Prince left Africa, 
 to come and seek for "more men from England ;" but the ship was 
 struck by lightning and disabled, and after various perils of storms 
 and pirates, they reached Demerara, and on the 27th of May arrived 
 at Falmouth, Jamaica. Here they were welcomed with great joy. 
 Mr. Clarke, in ten weeks, travelled 800 miles, and attended sixty- 
 three meetings. Mr. C. had been a missionary in Jamaica, and his 
 former people raised £600, with a desire that he would tell the 
 people in England to " shove on," or they would come and teach us 
 how ! Messrs. Clarke, and Prince, and Merrick, arrived in England 
 Sep. 7th. The writer had the pleasure of hearing Mr. C. at the 
 Leicester Jubilee meetings. His details of the superstitious prac- 
 tices, and horrid cruelties of the Africans, were deeply affecting. 
 Notwithstanding these, and though Clarkson and Buxton had 
 declared the attempt unsafe, he dare be set down at any settlement 
 along the 500 miles of coast. He did not fear black men so much 
 as white men. He read letters just received from Fernando Po. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sturgeon, from England, had arrived in March, and 
 
76 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 in April three were baptized ; the Sunday-school, and Bible class, 
 were going on well ; there were 100 inquirers ; all were busy read- 
 ing, praying, and telling others of Christ ; and land had been 
 obtained on which to erect a meeting-house. 
 
 Mr. A. Fuller, and Mr. J. Merrick, men of colour from Jamaica, 
 are now in England, and with six other of their countrymen, will 
 soon depart for this station. It has been proposed to provide the 
 brethren with a Missionary Vessel, that they may visit the 
 neighbouring coasts and rivers with greater facility; and in Jamaica, 
 a College is immediately to be instituted, for the instruction of con- 
 verted negroes as Evangelists fur Africa ! 
 
 In South Africa there is a missionary station, at Graham's Town, 
 where some Baptist settlers have long resided. In 1832, Mr. W. 
 Davis went out to them. He was very laborious and useful, and 
 died in 1838. Mr. Aveline succeeded Mr. Davis. This is now a 
 prosperous missionary station. The people support their own pastor, 
 and contribute liberally to the funds of the Parent Society. A new 
 and elegant chapel has lately been opened, and paid for by the 
 liberality of those on the spot. 
 
 In the Bahama islands, a flourishing mission has existed for 
 many years, now numbering nearly 1200 members. A great spiri 
 of hearing distinguishes the people, and the number of the mission- 
 aries might be increased to great advantage. The following 
 circumstance, while it shews the love of these people to the gospel, 
 may supply a lesson to Christians at home. Mr. Littlewood writes, — 
 " Being about to visit the out-islands, I determined to take a mason 
 with me to finish the chapels. After a few hours sail, we arrived at 
 the first settlement. In the evening I preached to a crowded con" 
 gregation, and alter service told the people that 1 had brought a 
 mason to repair the chapel, and that I wanted all present to come in 
 the morning to fetch water, sand, &c. In the mmning, by sun-rise, 
 I was delighted beyond measure. Nearly one hundred persons were 
 in the yard, ready to assist me. Such noble exertions did they make, 
 that the work the mason expected to have been a fortnight in com- 
 pleting, was accomplished in a day and a half." 
 
 At Belize, in South America, there is a small but interesting 
 mission, where the Eev. A. Henderson is labouring with success. 
 Aided by seven teachers, and native preachers, the gospel is pro- 
 claimed at four important places on the coast : at some of them the 
 congregations are principally English and Africans, at others 
 Spaniards and Indians. 
 
THE GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 The General Baptists, as will be seen by the previous lastory, 
 were among the earliest of the dissenting churches of this country. 
 For many years they were active, useful, and prosperous ; but the 
 prevalence of socinianism among many dissenting churches, spread 
 its withering influence over most of theirs. This led, in 1770, to 
 the formation of the " New Connexion," on evangelical principles. 
 Since that period, they have been gradually, and are now rapidly, 
 increasing. 
 
 Through the kindness of Mr. Pike, the Secretary of this Society, 
 and Mr. Peggs, one of its first missionaries, we are enabled to fur- 
 nish the following abridged details : — 
 
 This Society arose in 1816. Some members of the New Con- 
 nexion of General Baptists, had long felt a desire to see a Society 
 for propagating the Gospel among the heathen, established by the 
 churches of that connexion. At an Association of the Body, held at 
 Castle Donington, Leicestershire, in 1802, an inquiry was made, — 
 " Can any sort of foreign missionary business be undertaken by the 
 General Baptists ?" It was thought that the strength of the con- 
 nexion was unequal to such an effort, and attention was directed to 
 some neglected parts of Lincolnshire! In 1809, a letter on the subject 
 was read at the Association at Quorndon, which appeai'ed to excite 
 some attention. Mr. Freeston spoke of it in terms of high commenda- 
 tion; and Mr. B. Pollard observed, that "he could almost have sold 
 his coat from his back for the missionary cause," or to that effect. 
 In 1813, a question, to the following purport, was presented, 
 as from the church at Friar Lane, Leicester, to the Conference 
 at Derby : — " Ought not the General Baptists to exert them- 
 selves as much as they can, in establishing, though on ever so small 
 a scale, a mission of their own ?" In 1813, two letters appeared in 
 the Repository, on the importance of a Mission to the Heathen. 
 About 1812, Mr. Pike applied to Mr. Fuller to know if the Particular 
 Baptist Society would employ, as a missionary, a person who might 
 be a member of a church belonging to the General Baptists. His 
 answer amounted to a negative. About two years after this, Mr. 
 Pike again applied to Mr. Fuller, suggesting the formation of an 
 Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society, which should include both the 
 bodies of Baptists — General and Particular. It was thought this 
 might be supported by the churches of the former description ; and 
 
80 THE GENEKAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETr. 
 
 yet, it was observed to Mr. F., as such society would be a mere 
 auxiliary, it would not interfere with the management of the Baptist 
 Mission : this would have continued on the same footing as before. 
 His answer to this proposition was most decidedly unfavourable. It 
 now remained for the friends of the heathen among the General 
 Baptists to support the missionary cause as canied on by others, or 
 to malse a fresh attempt at the formation of a Society of their own. 
 In the early part of 1816, another letter, calling for the establishment 
 of such a Society, appeared in the Repository. This letter, which, it 
 is conceived, came from the same hand as those already mentioned,* 
 seems to have had some effect. The subject was taken up by the 
 Lincolnshire Conference ; and the letter alluded to was read at a 
 church-meeting at Stoney-street, Nottingham ; and a case from that 
 church was presented to the Conference at Wimeswould, June 4th, 
 1816, requesting the Conference to take the subject into consideration. 
 After a discussion, which gave an unusual degree of interest to the 
 meeting, it was resolved to recommend the matter to the most serious 
 consideration of the Body at the next Annual Association, and a 
 copy of this resolution was sent to every church. 
 
 The subject was accordingly taken up at the Association at Boston ; 
 aud though the design met with some opposition, yet the Associa- 
 tion recommended the friends of the measure to form a Society 
 immediately. This advice was forthwith acted upon, and prepara- 
 tory steps were taken to provide funds and suitable agents. 
 
 In May, 1821, Messrs. Bampton and Peggs embarked for India, 
 in company with Messrs. Ward and Mack. They arrived in No- 
 vember, and were cordially welcomed by the brethren at Serampore. 
 Assam had been thought of, or Burmah, but they were advised to go 
 to Orissa, and the Marquis of Hastings having concurred, " to this 
 region of the shadow of death," says brother Peggs, " we directed 
 our way, and arrived there in February, 1822." 
 
 The province of Orissa is on the Bay of Bengal, between Cal- 
 cutta and Madras.f It is about 200 miles in length, and 100 in 
 breadth, and is famous for the celebrated temple of Juggernaut, or 
 Lord of the world, which stands near the town of Poore, on the sea 
 shore. Cuttack is the capital of the province. In 1821, no mission- 
 ary was stationed in the whole country ; but the missionaries at 
 Serampore had occasionally sent native brethren to distribute 
 scriptures and tracts, especially at the great festivals of Juggernaut. 
 
 • No doubt they were all written by Mr. Pike. 
 + See Sutton's " Narrative of the Mission to Orissa." 
 
' THE GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 81 
 
 At the time when the missionaries arrived, idolatry was rampant. 
 Pilgrims' boues strewed the gromid for miles ; suttee fires blazed ; 
 and Government not only sanctioned, but derived revenue from 
 idolatry I After witnessing the " horrid solemnities " of Juggernaut, 
 a few years before, the pious Dr. Buchanan sat on an eminence, on 
 the Chilka lake, and viewing the lofty towers of the idol far remote, 
 cherished the hope that " some Christian institution, fostered in 
 Britain, would gradually undermine this baleful idolatry, and put out 
 the memory of it for ever." The General Baptists, small among 
 the thousands of Israel, formed that " institution," which is now 
 gradually accomplishing the great work. To show this, — and our 
 space will not allow us to do more, — we present the following sum- 
 mary of proceedings and results. 
 
 Erun, the first Hindoo convert, was baptized in 1827, by Mr* 
 Bampton. He was then fifty years of age ; his father lived to be 
 103. Erun still lives, a faithful and honourable Christian. — Guuga 
 Dhor was the first Oriya convert : he was baptized by Mr. Lacey, 
 in 1828. He had been a Brahmin of high caste and much influence. 
 He is now an active preacher. — In 1 826, their first place of Christian 
 worship in Orissa was opened at Cuttack ; since greatly enlarged. 
 It was erected where once stood an impure heathen temple. — About 
 this time, Brother Sutton rescued a widow from the funeral pile. 
 
 The following is a list of the missionaries : — Bampton (died 1830) ; 
 Peggs (returned); Lacey; Sutton; Cropper (died 1828); Brown 
 (retired); Goadby (returned); J.Brooks; Stubbins; Wilkinson; 
 Grant ; W. Brooks (printer) ; with their wives ; and Miss Kirkman 
 and Miss Deny, as teachers. After visiting England in 1833, Mr. 
 Sutton called, on his return, at America, and stirred up the General, 
 or, as they are there called, the Free-will, Baptists to aid in the good 
 work. A Society was formed, and they sent over to Orissa, Messrs. 
 Noyes, Phillips, and Bachelor, and their wives, and a female teacher. 
 Ten stations, wide apart, have been occupied, and as many as twelve 
 native brethren are employed as evangelists. It was objected that 
 none but the low caste, or those who had lost caste, professed 
 Christianity. This, however, is not the fact here, as there has been 
 but one low caste baptized. The number of baptized converts at 
 Cuttack alone, was, in the last Report, Europeans and East Indians, 
 fifty-three ; Hindoos, ninety-five. Schools and orphan asylums were 
 opened at all the stations ; and recently, a printing-office has been 
 established, from which Scriptures, books, and tracts have been issued ; 
 among these are Pilgrim's Progress, Doddridge's Rise and Progress, 
 
 H .3 
 
82 THE GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 
 
 and Baxter's Call. Tracts, they have distributed by hundreds of 
 thousands, especially at the great festival, whence they have doubt- 
 less been carried by the pilgrims far away over continental India. 
 
 No missionaries have laboured with greater zeal and success in 
 the work of ameliorating the civil and physical condition of the 
 Hindoos than the General Baptists. The Suttee, Pilgrim Tax^ 
 Infanticide, Slavery, Ghaut murders, &c., &c., have all been fear- 
 lessly exposed, and some of them abolished, by their persevering 
 efforts. Brother Peggs alone, has published thousands of volumes 
 and pamphlets on these and other subjects. Their patience, too, has 
 been great. They say, " At our first entrance upon our work, we 
 seemed to be engaged in a most hopeless enterprize ; for nearly six 
 years were we accustomed to hear, from our own countrymen, ' You 
 will never make a convert among the followers of Juggernaut ;' but 
 we trusted in God ; we knew that immutability itself was pledged for 
 our success ; hence, though faint yet pursuing, we struggled on till 
 we saw the proud Brahmin presenting himself at our feet, as our 
 first convert, and listening, with not less of sincerity than eagerness, 
 to the words of Eternal Life. Thus commenced a series of conver- 
 sions, which, we tmst, will be carried on in unbroken succession to 
 the end of time." 
 
 In 1826, the General Baptists, at the suggestion of Mr. Burchell, 
 attempted a mission to the West Indies, by sending out three brethren 
 to Jamaica ; who laboured some time with success, and were cheered 
 by opening prospects of usefulness ; but owing to the death of Mr. 
 Allsop, the illness of Mr. Hudson, and the resignation of Mr. 
 Bromley, together with the serious expenses of the mission, the 
 Committee were reluctantly compelled to relinquish the stations, 
 which were afterwards adopted, and carried on successfully, by the 
 Particular Baptist missionaries. 
 
 The example set by the Particular Baptists had, no doubt, con- 
 siderable influence in exciting the General Baptists to enter the 
 field ; and when Mr. Fuller declined the proposal to form a General 
 Baptist Auxiliary Society, Mr. Pike gave the General Baptists no 
 rest till they established a Society of their own. To him, under 
 God, it owes its origin, its perpetuity, its success. Ever since its 
 formation, in 1816, he has been its secretary. We might say much 
 respecting his extraordinary labours, for we have shared in them, 
 but his praise is in all the churches. May the little one become a 
 thousand, and the small one a strong nation : the Lord hasten it in 
 his time ! 
 
WILLIAM CAREY. 
 
 This distinguished Christian Missionary was bom in 17G1, at the 
 village of Paulerspury, near Northampton, where liis father was the 
 parish clerk. The humble circumstances of the father, prevented him 
 from bestowing a liberal education on his children ; and the subject of 
 die present brief sketch appears to have received a very limited education, 
 except that he acquired the rudmients of the Latin tongue, at the grammar 
 school, in his native village. 
 
 He appears to have been led by divine grace, to see tlie importance of 
 the salvation of his soul, and the love of a dying Saviour in early life, 
 and was baptized by Dr. Rylarwl, at Northampton, in 1783. When about 
 twenty-one years of age, he was invited to reside at Moulton, near North- 
 ampton, where he was settled over a small congregation of Baptists, and 
 received, as a remuneration for his services, a salary of not more tlian 
 £15 per annum. To eke out a scanty liveliliood for himself, and his 
 wife, and a rising family, he worked at his own trade as a shoemaker, 
 and his sign-board, as follows, is said to be in existence at this time. 
 
 BOOTS AND SHOES 
 
 MADE AND MENDED HERE BY 
 W. CAREY. 
 
 He made shoes it is true, but could never make a pair, or two shoes 
 alike. The late Dr. Ryland, when living at Northampton, is said to have 
 ordered a pair of him, which, being too long, were returned, and the 
 rustic artisan cut off the toes, and sewed them up again I "While thus 
 engaged he was so intent on learning Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, he 
 forgot, it appears, to fit the shoes to the last, and used always to sit at his 
 work with a book before him. The bench was his seat of literature, and 
 the shoemaker's stall, where the voice of a tutor was never heard, the 
 hall in which he acquired nearly all his learning. A friend who had 
 frequent contracts with the government for supplying the army with shoes, 
 as a matter of frieudshixJ, employed Mr. Carey in the manufacture of 
 some of these articles, which did not require so much nicety as those 
 which were intended for home consumption. Once in a fortnight or 
 three weeks, Carey might be seen walking eight or ten miles, with a wallet 
 full of shoes upon his shoulder, and then returning home the same day 
 with a fresh supply of leather to fulfil his future engagements. 
 
 All this drudgery was not sufficient to provide for the wants of his 
 family ; he therefore undertook an evening school. He might have had 
 thoughts about the Mission before, for he was often seen in deep musing, 
 but he now bought an old copy of Guthrie's Geographical Grammar, 
 which is supposed to have dkected his attention and sympathy to the 
 " poor heathen." 
 
 In the course of a few years he was invited, through the recommendation 
 of the late Mr. Hall of Amsby, father of tlie celebrated Robert Hall, by 
 the Baptist church, meeting in HaiTey-lane, Leicester. Being, at this 
 time, in reduced cu'cumstances, several benevolent friends presented him 
 with new clothing ; and, as his haii* was lank and unseemly, he was 
 likewise furnished with a wig to add to the respectability of his 
 appearance. 
 
 Success attended the labours of this excellent man at Leicester; many 
 were added to the church over which, in a short time, he was ordained. 
 
 A few years previously to his settlement at Leicester, his mind had 
 been deeply impressed with the perishing condition of the heathen 
 
84 WILLIAM CAREY. 
 
 world ; and after various meetings with liis brethren on the subject, 
 Providence opened the way for his undertaking a Foreign Mission, and 
 in the company of Mr. John Thomas, he embarked for the East Indies 
 in the year 1791. Mrs. Carey wouki not accomi^any her husband; and 
 it was not until they had been refused a passage in a British vessel, and 
 had engaged to go out in a Danish East Indiamau, that she consented to 
 go with him. Carey's first design was to go to the South Seas, but 
 Providence directed him to his proper station. 
 
 The following extracts from the Minute Book of the Baptist church in 
 Harvey Lane, Leicester, have reference to his removal and settlement in 
 India : — 
 
 " Januaiy, 1793. — Our pastor gave us notice that he should leave us in 
 March, having engaged to go on a Mission to Bengal, in the East Indies. 
 
 " March 24, 1793. — Mr. Carey, our minister, left Leicester to go on a 
 Mission to the East Indies; to take, and propagate the Gospel among 
 those idolatrous and superstitious Heathens. This is inserted to shew 
 his love to his j)oor miserable fellow creatures : in this we concurred 
 with hun, though it is at the expense of losing one whom we love as our 
 own souls. 
 
 "March 18, 1798. — By a letter fi-om Mr. William Carey, (our former 
 worthy jiastor, and whom we resigned to the Mission in Hindostan, in 
 Asia) we were informed, that a small chm'ch was formed at Mudnabatty ; 
 and he wished a dismission fi-om us to it, that he might become a member, 
 and have also an oijportvmity of becoming its pastor. We, therefore, 
 agreed not only to send his dismission, but to insert it at large in our 
 chiu'ch book, to preserve to posterity the memory of an event so pleasing 
 and important, the planting of a Gospel Chm-ch in Asia : — 
 
 ' The Church of Christ, meeting in Harvey Lane, Leicester, England, in 
 Europe, to the church of Christ, of the same faith and order, meeting in 
 Mudnabatty, Hindostan, in Asia, sendeth christian salutation : — 
 
 'Dear Brethren, 
 
 ' As our Brother William Carey, fonnerly our beloved 
 pastor, requests a dismission from us to you as a member, we comply. 
 
 'We earnestly desire that he may be very useful among you, both as a 
 member and as a minister. Though few in number, may you be as a 
 handful of yenuine Corn in Hindostan, which may Jill all Asia with 
 Evangelical fruit. 
 
 ' The Lord has already done great things for you, whereof yon have 
 cause to be glad. We hope ye will make it your great concern to prize 
 and conform to the glorious Gosjjel and its holy institutions. That ye 
 may be filled with spiritual light, and life, and joy, and abound in the 
 practice of all the fruits of righteousness is the ardent prayer of your 
 afiectionate Brethren in Jesus Christ." 
 
 Like many other great and good men, he met with numerous obstacles; 
 but was, at length, permanently fixed at Serampore, a small settlement 
 under the protection of the King of Denmark, the East India Company 
 having refused their sanction to the Mission. 
 
 Here he pursued his favourite employment^the translation of the 
 Scriptures into the languages of the East, in which sacred engagement 
 he succeeded in an astonishing manner, having been engaged in the 
 translation of the Scriptm-es into more than thirtj- diflerent languages ; 
 some of which, the most difficult in the world, are spoken by hundreds 
 of millions of human beings. 
 
WILLIAM CAREY. 86 
 
 In 1801, Mr. Carey was appoiuted, by tlie Marqiiis Wellesley,* then 
 Governor-General of India, Professor of Bengali and Sungscrit in the 
 College of Fort William, Calcutta. 
 
 Like Fuller at home, Carey had but little time for recreation. His 
 only relaxation from labour appears to have been in the cultivation of 
 flowers and i^lants, of which he had a choice variety. Of the manner in 
 which this industrious missionaiy employed his time and talents, the 
 following extract from one of his own letters to a friend, apologizing for 
 not writing, will shew : — 
 
 " I rose this morning at a quarter before six, read a chapter in the 
 Hebrew Bible, and spent tlie time till seven in private addresses to God. 
 I then attended family prayer with the servants in Bengali. While tea 
 was getting ready, I read a little Persian with a Mooushi who was waiting 
 when I left my bed-room ; read also, before breakfast, a portion of the 
 Scripture in Hindostanee. The moment breakfast was over, sat down to 
 the translation of the Eamayuna from Sungski-it, with a pundit, who 
 was also waiting, and continued this translation till ten o'clock, at which 
 hour I went to college, and attended the duties there till between one and 
 two o'clock. When I returned home, I examined a proof sheet of the 
 Bengali translation of Jeremiah, which took till dinner time. After 
 dinner, translated, with the assistance of the chief j)undit of the college, 
 the greater part of the eighth chapter of Mattliew into Sixugskrit. This 
 employed me till six o'clock. After six sat down with a Telinga pundit, 
 (who is translating from the Sungskrit into the language of his counti-y,) 
 to learn that language. At seven, I began to collect a few previous 
 thoughts into the form of a sermon, and preached in English at half-past 
 seven. About forty persons present, and among them one of the puisne 
 judges of the Sudder Dewany 'dawlut. After sermon I got a subscrijition 
 from him of five hundred rupees, towards erecting our new place of 
 worship : he is an exceedingly friendly man. Preaching was over, and 
 the congregation gone by nine o'clock. I then sat down, and translated 
 the eleventh chapter of Ezekiel into Bengali, and this lasted till near 
 eleven ; and now I sit down to wi-ite to you. After this, I conclude the 
 evening by reading a chapter in the Greek Testament, commending 
 myself to God. I have never more time in the day than this, though the 
 exercises vaiy." 
 
 Thus, for more than forty years, did this faithful servant of Christ 
 labour in his high vocation. He died in peace, though not without pre- 
 vious personal suffering, June 9th, 1834. His last will and testament is 
 characteristic of the man : he first utterly disclaims all right or title to 
 the Serampore Mission premises, or to the property of his wife, Grace 
 Carey ; he then bequeaths his museiun, and certain learned works, to the 
 college ; and having provided for his wife and children with equal justice, 
 desires that his la^vful debts be first paid ; that his funeral be as plain as 
 possible ; and that the following inscription, and nothing more, be placed 
 on his tomb : — 
 
 WILLIAM CARET, 
 
 Bom August 17th, 1761 ; Bied . 
 
 " A wretched, poor, aud helpless worm. 
 On thy kind arms I fall." 
 
 To Carey, his colleagues always referred the honour of originating the 
 India mission. Fuller said, " The origin of the Society will be fouad 
 in the workings of Brother Carey's mind." Kyland said, "I believe God 
 
 • This distinguished noblerpan died Sep. 26, 1842. 
 
8B ANDREW FULLER. 
 
 himself infused into the miud of Carey that solicitude for the salvation 
 of the heathen." Look then, young reader, at the career of this extra- 
 ordinary man ! See him as he sat on his seat in his little shoji ; or as 
 he wended his way on foot, o'er hill and dale, to attend the meetings of 
 his brethren, filled with strange thoughts of men in foreign lands, and 
 restless till he could reach them, and put into their hands the Word of 
 God ! See him again, after toils and labours unparalleled, reaping the 
 rich reward of his labours, — honoured of God and man. The Marquis 
 Wellesley promoted him, and the Marquis of Hastings and his lady paid 
 him a visit. What a scene I the once humble village shoemaker of 
 Moulton, rising from his seat, surrounded by learned pundits, to receive the 
 Governor-General of India ! But higher honours await him in " that day.'' 
 
 ANDEEW FULLER. 
 
 BY J. BELCHER. 
 
 This good minister of Jesus Christ was bom at Wicken, near 
 Ely, in the county of Cambridge, February G, 1754, of resjDcctable and 
 pious parents. His youth was devoted to the pursuits of agricultiu-e. 
 After great mental conflict he became decided on the great concerns of 
 eternity, and was baptized when about sixteen years of age. In 1775 he 
 became pastor of the church at Soham, where he had been a member 
 from the period of his baptism ; in 1782 he removed to become pastor at 
 Kettering, where he laboured with great success till his death, which 
 occtn-red May 7, 1815, in his sixty-second year. 
 
 More than a quarter of a centui-y has elajised since Mr. Fuller was 
 called from a life of extraordinary labour to his rest and reward ; but 1 
 seem yet to have before me his commanding person, and to hear the 
 deep-toned sounds of his voice. No one who listened to him as a 
 preacher can ever forget him. 
 
 Imagine, a tall and somewhat coi-pulent man, with gait and manners, 
 tliough heavy and unpolished, not without dignity, ascending the 
 pulj)it to addi-ess his fellow-immortals on the great themes of life and 
 salvation. His authoritative look and grave deportment claim your 
 attention ; you could not be careless if you would ; and you would have 
 no disposition to be so, even if you might. He commences his sermon, 
 and presents to you a plan, combining in a singular manner the topical 
 and textual methods of jH-eaching, and jiroceeds to illustrate his subject, 
 and enforce its claims on your regard. You are struck with the clearness 
 of his statements ; every text is held up before yoxu* view so as to become 
 transparent ; the preacher has clearly got the correct sense of the passage, 
 and you wonder that you never saw it before as he now presents it ; he in-o- 
 ceeds, and you are sur^n-ised at the power of his argument, which ajipears 
 to you irresistible. You are melted by his pathos, and seem to have 
 found a man in whom are united the clearness of Barrow, the scrii)tural 
 theology of Owen, and the subduing tenderness of Baxter or Flavel. 
 
 Andrew Fuller was providentially raised up at a period when coldness 
 benumbed some portions of the Christian church, and errors obscured 
 the gloiy of others. Untaught in the schools, he had to work his way 
 tlirough all kinds of difficulty ; to assvime the attitude of a controversialist 
 even against his own section of the church, as well as against the enemies 
 of the common faith ; and to contend against prejudice of every sort, 
 that truth might spread, and Christian zeal be roused into action. The 
 wonder rather is, tiiat one short life should have accomplished so much, 
 
ANDREW FULLER. 87 
 
 tlian that so little was eflfected. Let it be remembered that he was the 
 devoted and successful pastor of a Christian church which was greatly 
 increased by his labours ; one of the founders, and the secretary till his 
 death, of the Baptist Mission ; and the writer of numerous controversial 
 and other volumes.* Any one of these departments of labour might 
 fully occupy the energies of a man ; but he ably and efficiently discharged 
 the duties of a Christian minister, a secretary, and an author. Nor 
 would it be easy to say which of the three offices was best filled. He 
 might well observe to his wife, " The way for us to have joy is to 
 rejoice in all our labour, and then we shall have plenty." If his friends 
 complained that he allowed himself no time for recreation, he would 
 answer, " Oh, no, all my recreation is a change of work." Thus eminently 
 devoted to the service of God, and sustained by the influence of holy 
 principles, his life was useful and his death honourable. Few men have 
 had their memory embalmed with more sincere and devout affection than 
 A NDBEw Fuller. " The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.'' 
 
 We subjoin a few facts, chiefly of his early history, supposing they 
 might gratify our young readers : — 
 
 He was the son of Robert Fuller, and Philippa his wife, who was the 
 daughter of Andrew Guuton. His ancestors, by both father and mother, 
 had been nouconfoi-mists for generations. When under fifteen years of 
 age, he was seriously concerned ; but the Baptist minister at Sohani, had 
 nothing to say to the unconverted, " he was," as Mr. F. said, " so deeply 
 tinged with false Calvinism." Wlieu a little older, he was much perplexed 
 about faith ; and concluded, one day, he had none, because two hawks, 
 which had escaped from a tree to which he had tied them, did not return 
 when he commanded them ! Again, he thought he had, because he 
 believed a branch of a tree would bear him when climbing to take a nest, 
 and it did ! But Andrew was an apt scholar ; and by reading his Bible, 
 and the works of Bunyan and Erskiue, and by conversation with a pious 
 old thresher in his father's barn, he soon learned a more excellent way. 
 
 After he had been appointed the pastor of the Baptist churcli at Soham, 
 where he liad spent his childhood and his youth, he says, " Settling in a 
 town where I had lived from the age of six years, I could not expect to 
 be much respected by the inhabitants. In this, however, I had no 
 occasion to complain ; I had indeed more respect shown me than I looked 
 for, partly owing to the jjrevalence of an opinion, when I was at school, 
 of my being more learned than my master — an opinion which I am 
 certain was far from being true ; but it indicated a partiality in my favour, 
 which, perhaps, was of some use in leading people to hear the word." 
 
 The next year after he became pastor, he married Miss Gardiner. 
 Respecting this connexion he observed, (let the young of both sexes note 
 it,) " that he had reason to be thankful that he had never attevipted to engage 
 the affections of a female, except with a view to marriage." This was highly 
 honourable, and is worthy imitation, if self reproach is to be avoided, 
 and domestic happiness secured. But his income was veiy small, — only 
 £21 a year. When he told his flock that he was invited to Kettering, 
 " the Meeting-house was a Bochim — a place of weeping!" 
 
 Having given these incidents of liis early life, we refer the reader who 
 wishes to follow him to Kettering, and attend him through all the stirring 
 
 * See " The Uomplete Works of the Kev. Andrew Fuller, with a Memoir of his 
 /Jfe, by Andrew Guaton Fuller ;'" in one voliime, thick imperial 8vo, lately published. 
 
88 ANDREW FULLER. 
 
 scenes of liis eventful life, to his Memoirs, bj' Morris, decidedly one of 
 the best biographical sketches in our language. 
 
 A little fact or two may however be added. For the mission he visited 
 Scotland five times, and Ireland once, as well as all parts of England 
 and Wales. At Glasgow he was once refused a Baptist chapel except he 
 made a confession of his faith ! he refused, but was afterwards requested 
 to preach, and got £45. On another occasion he preached at Mr. 
 Haldane's, of Edinburgh, and £126 was collected, when little was 
 expected: " If the people will give," said Mr. F., "how can I help it!" 
 A Unitarian minister, at Hull, would give his 7nite, if Mr. Fuller would 
 call for it; he wished to lecture him I Mr. F. went, and, said he, "I 
 came away with a whole skin, and a guinea for die mission." Being one 
 day at the Bank, he was shewed some ingots of gold ; weighing one in 
 his hand, he said, " How much better is it to have this in the hand than 
 in the heart!" 
 
 During his ministiy, he expounded tlie Prophets, Gospels, Acts, 
 Epistles, &c. ; of these he left notes, as well as outlines of 2,000 sermons ! 
 
 His sermons to the young, on the first Sabbath of the new year, were 
 peculiarly impressive and successful. 
 
 In the administration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's 
 supper, he was remarkably solemn and tender, and esj)ecially at the 
 admission of members. 
 
 The last time he administered the Lord's supper, though his words 
 were few, (being veiy ill,) many of his friends were much affected, fore- 
 boding it would be the last time he would appear among them on such 
 an occasion, as indeed it proved. He seemed swallowed up in thoughts 
 of a crucified, risen, and exalted Eedeemer, reiieating those lines with 
 peculiar emphasis — 
 
 ' Jesus is gone above the skies, &o.' 
 
 He died in the faitli. Mr. Toller, his beloved friend and neighbour, 
 says, " The state of his mind, towards the last appears to have been, if I 
 may so express it, ' after my own heart.' He died as a penitent sinner at 
 the foot of the cross. At my last parting with him, I shook hands with 
 him twice, and observed, with some emotion, not expecting to see him 
 more, ' We have lived harmoniously many years in the same jilace ; I 
 trust we shall one day meet above.' The last religious expression he 
 dropped to me was, ' Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ 
 unto eternal life.' " So may we die. 
 
 Other excellent men desei-ve honourable mention, but then- " record is 
 on high." There ne<u-ly all of them are now assembled ; and there they 
 ascribe to God alone the glory and the praise ! He it was who first 
 revealed the necessities of the world to his servants, and insi^ired fervent 
 prayer in them on its behalf. He selected the instrimients which should 
 be employed in executing his purposes of mercy ; and having qualified 
 and conducted them into the field, blessed their faithful labours. Those 
 instruments were weak, and of little repute in the world ; but what of 
 that ? Go, young reader, and carefully ponder the latter part of the 
 first chapter of Paul's first Epistle to the Corinthians, and learn tliat this 
 mode of oj)eration. Infinite Wisdom has adojJted, " that no flesh might 
 glory in his presence." 
 
THE JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 
 
 BY THE EDITOR OF THE " BAPTIST REPORTER." 
 
 From the hill of Kettering the first glad note of Jubilee has 
 sounded ! May it be wafted over every laud and every sea, till — 
 
 " One song employs all nations ; and all ciy, 
 ' Worthy tlie Liimb, lor lie was slain for us!' 
 The dwellers in the vales and on the rocks 
 Shout to each otliKr, and the mountain tups 
 From distant mountains catch the flyinujoy; 
 Till, nation after nation taught the strain, 
 Earth rolls the rapturous Hosanna round." 
 
 We shall attempt a description of what we ourselves witnessed of 
 this great and glorious gathering. We say, attempt, for to give a 
 really graphic sketch of the whole scene, would require a hand more 
 skilled than others. 
 
 The season was propitious — the last day of May, and the first 
 day of June. The weather was delightful — heaven smiled, and 
 nature rejoiced — affording an emblem of the mttral scene we hoped 
 to witness. Earth was cold and cheerless in winter, but she had 
 sleeping beauties in her bosom, which were now brought out fresh 
 and fragrant. During a long winter our fathers toiled ; cold and 
 cheerless was the prospect before theiu ; but they were faithful, and 
 now the moral desert they went out to cultivate "rejoices and blos- 
 soms as the rose." Tht;y sowed in tears — we reap in joy ! 
 
 Sixteen of us engaged a coach, which conveyed us from Leicester 
 to Harborough. Here we found two conveyances, sent from Ket- 
 tering to meet us. Thus escaping from the smoke and dust of a 
 large manufacturing town, how delightfully refreshing did " the 
 country" appear. The villages, with their neat cottages, and little 
 patches of gardens before them, full of flowers ; and their " better 
 houses," standing among shrubs and trees of varied foliage, amidst 
 wliich were hanging, as in glowing contrast, the golden blossoms 
 of the graceful laburnam ; and then the fields, sprinkled with true 
 English flowers, or bright with the emerald of the springing corn, 
 and only separated by the darker lines of the hawthorn hedgerows, 
 all in snow-white virgin blossom, afforded scenes of health, and 
 beauty, and promise, such as few lands can offer. Involuntarily we 
 exclaimed, " O England, beautiful England ! ' England, with all 
 thy faults, I love thee still !' O that bad and selfish legislation hail 
 never blighted thy lovely prospects with scenes of sorrow, and 
 suffering, and tears !" 
 
 We passed on, singing the songs of Zion, in cheerful and lively 
 tunes, — 
 
 " Am I a soldier of the cross ?" 
 
 and similar favourite and inspiring hymns. Our vehicles moved 
 slowly, and were passed by numerous gigs and four-wheeled carria- 
 ges, all " going to Kettering;" when at length we came to a turn 
 of the road where, at two miles distance, we saw rising at the head 
 of the gentle landscape, the town and steeple of Kettering. Ap- 
 proaching the place, we could discern under the shadow of some 
 
92 JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 
 
 " tall ancestral trees," the awning of the spacious tent. We 
 descended the valley, and then ascended the hill on which the town 
 stands. Already, though but the afternoon of Tuesday, the place was 
 all bustle and excitement. People standing at their doors, watching 
 the arrival of the visitors, and every countenance beaming with joyful 
 anticipation, — the brow of the aged seemed lighted with the recol- 
 lection of by-gone days, and the face of children and youth with 
 wondering expectation. We passed the Mission-house, where the 
 managers were sitting, and which was then besieged by crowds of 
 applicants lor tickets. Four thousand were issued that evening. 
 
 After washing and tea, two cardinal comforts after a long and 
 dusty journey, we repaired to the meeting-house — Andrew Fuller's 
 meeting-house! An old nonconformist-looking sort of a place; not 
 large, and rather low. The pulpit is at the west end, between two 
 very large circular windows shaded by immense gieen curtains ; on 
 each side of it is a tablet — one to the memory of Andrew Fuller, the 
 other to John Kean Hall ; before it is a large table pew, such as we 
 are wont to see in an old meeting-house. The place was soon filled 
 to overflowing ; when Mr. Gray ascended the pulpit, to announce 
 another service in the larger meeting-house of Mr. Toller, where 
 Mr. Leslie from India, would preach. After 
 
 "Ye nations round the earth rejoice," 
 
 had been sung — and it was sung — Dr. Hoby read, and in prayer 
 expressed thanksgiving for the preservation of the Queen, which 
 excited much interest, as the facts of the case were then known but 
 to few. Mr. Godwin preached from, '' The Lord hath done great 
 things for us, whereof we are glad." Though labouring under the 
 efiects of a recent accidental injury, the respected preacher delivered 
 a very suitable and excellent sermon, — just such an one as should 
 have been preached at the Jubilee of the Baptist Mission, It will 
 be in the remembrance of our readers, for who, having heard them, 
 can ever forget them, that Carey, fifty years ago, enunciated two 
 memorable sentences, — 
 
 " Expect great things from God" 
 
 "Attempt great things for God." 
 
 How suitable, then, and joyful was the response, — 
 " The Lord hath done great things.''^ 
 
 Mr. G. was peculiarly happy in the expression of rich evangelical 
 sentiment. He pointed out the weakness of the instrument, and the 
 power of God ; clearly demonstrating, that of all the success which 
 has crowned the Mission we must say, " The Lord hath done it." 
 Well, too, did he point out the fears of men of feeble faith, and the 
 sneers of men without faith, when the poor cobbler of Northampton- 
 shire, and the ploughboy of Cambridgeshire, with a purse of thirteen 
 pounds, began their project of a "mission to the heathen." He 
 quoted the words of one who, some years afterwards, in the House 
 of Commons, thus attempted to pour contempt on the baptist mission- 
 aries in Bengal : — " Will these people, crawling from the holes and 
 caverns of tlieir original destinations, apostates from the loom and 
 
JUBILEE AT KETTERING. y;3 
 
 the anvil, and renegades from the lowest handicraft employments- 
 be a match for the cool and sedate controversies which they will have 
 to encounter, should the Brahmins condescend to enter into the 
 arena against these maimed and crippled gladiators, that presume 
 to grapple with their faith? What can be apprehended but the 
 disgrace and discomfiture of the whole host of tub preachers in tlie 
 conflict?" We " knew the man and his communication," Charles 
 Marsh, (Esq. forsooth !) member for the renowned and immaculate 
 borough of East Retford, of reform- in-parliament notoriety. This 
 man, an ex-judge advocate from Madras, came down to Retford in 
 company with George Osbaldeston, Esq., the celebrated sportsman, 
 and they were returned without opposition. But Marsh was a law- 
 yer; and his undoubted talent was equalled by his unblushing 
 impudence. Standing on the broad stone in the market-place — the 
 pulpit of parliamentary candidates — he told the corrupt shoemaking 
 freeholders, that they were a set of honest and independent electors, 
 not to be bought and sold like cheese and hops in their fair ; and 
 after a long speech, full of tact and talent, he clapped his fox-hunt- 
 ing colleague on the back and said, " As for my honourable friend 
 here, though he cannot talk much, he will vote right.'' Yes : this 
 accuser of our brethren said all this, when he knew that from a cer- 
 tain bank, (we dwelt under its roof) whose embellishment was a well 
 known oak tree in Sherwood Forest, the old bellman would be sent, 
 on an early day, with a bundle of ten pound notes, and orders to 
 leave one on the table of every voter. We believe, if our recollec- 
 tion serves us well, that it was on the question of the renewal of the 
 East India Charter,* that this truth-telling representative of the 
 most rotten borough in England, uttered this splendid calumny. 
 We have set this down on record in our pages that our young 
 friends may know the character of this unhappy calumniator. It 
 made a deep impresson on our mind at the time. We were then 
 young — had just began to attend an old General Baptist meeting- 
 house in the neighbourhood, and often read with careful attention 
 and deeply interested feelings, the " Periodical Papers*' published 
 by Mr. Fuller. Where is now the accuser ? History echoes "where !" 
 
 The service concluded, we walked into the grave-yard — a quiet, 
 neat, and secluded spot, overshadowed with large elm trees. And 
 after all, we love such places in connection with our meeting-houses, 
 that we may, as it were, indulge in serious communings with the 
 departed, and permit them to speak, as from eternity, of things 
 beyond this world and time. In a conspicuous position in this 
 resting place of departed believers, stands the tomb of the immortal 
 Fuller. 
 
 The visitors were apportioned to resting places in the town and 
 neighbourhood. Every bed, we were told, in Kettering, that could 
 be spared, was offered and engaged. And many went several miles 
 
 • This speech was delivered by Mr. Marsh, in the House of Commons, on .Tuly 1st, 
 1813, in support of an amendment moved by Sir Thomas Sutton, Bart., on the clause 
 in the East India Bill, '• enacting further facilities to ptrsons going out to India for 
 religious purposes." 
 
 1 3 
 
94 JUBILEE AT KETTERlNfi. 
 
 into the country to seek a sleeping-place for the night. Others 
 slept on carpets or sofas, and many seemed as if they cared not 
 whether they slept that night at all. We were billeted for the 
 house of an old acquaintance, three miles off. Our friend had 
 brought a carriage to convey us, and we arrived at midnight. Very 
 early next morning we were roused by " mine host" from a sound 
 sleep, and after inspecting the beautiful cross of tlie village, erected, 
 like that near Northampton, in memory of Queen Eleanor, by Henry 
 II., walked to Kettering. On the way, we passed Boughton honse 
 and park, a seat of the Duke of Buccleugh. How sweet is morning, 
 — a spring morning — a spring morning in the comitry ! 
 
 When we got to the meeting-house, we found Mr. Stovel deliver- 
 ing an animated address. Mr. Statham had already prayed, and 
 Mr. Groser followed. Then to breakfast in the British school-room, 
 where we met with many old friends, Messrs. Guruey, Angus, and 
 Knibb, on entering were heartily received. 
 
 About nine we repaired to the Mission-house, and soon found the 
 " back parlour" in which the Mission was formed. It is now consi- 
 derably enlarged ; but the dimensions of the old parlour were marked 
 on the floor, about ten feet by twelve, with the position of the fire 
 place. The identical two leaved mahogany dining table, on which 
 their famous resolutions were written, occupied its place in the apart- 
 ment. We passed through into the spacious garden behind the 
 house, which we found entirely covered over, forming an immense 
 tent. It appeared to have been planted with shrubs and flowers, 
 now all cleared from the centre, which was covered over with fresh 
 green sods. The gravel walks around the garden remained. Seats 
 were fixed across the entire breadth, from walk to walk, and from 
 the summer-house at the top down a natural inclined plane to the 
 bottom, where the platform was fixed at the back of the house, 
 affording excellent sight and accommodation. We stepped the 
 ground, and found it about fifty yards by forty. Six poles, like the 
 masts of a vessel, supported the awning in the centre, which was 
 upborne by two other rows of poles midway on each side, and the 
 whole was secured at the extremities to the trees and shrubs which 
 surrounded the enclosure. Some of the trees were beneath the can- 
 vas, and being in full blossom, the effect in the evening when the 
 gas was lighted, which had been conveyed up the poles to every 
 part of the tent, was at once imposing and delightful. 
 
 We now walked into the town ; and what a scene ! Vehicles of 
 all descriptions, with their living loads, were arriving from every 
 direction ; and the wonder was, where man and beast could find 
 " good entertainment." " Never was there such a day in Ketter- 
 ing !" said the oldest inhabitants. It was a regular holiday, or 
 ather holy-day. Yet, in some respects, it looked like a crowded 
 fair. Stalls of oranges, and sweetmeats, and ginger beer, and " im- 
 perial pop," were ranged in rows along the principal street. Every 
 body seemed pleased, yea, delighted. Every child had its white 
 ribbon and "Jubilee medal" — the bells rang a merry peal all the 
 day in honour of the occasion ; and though there was much anxious 
 
JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 95 
 
 striving for places, there was no falling out — all were good- 
 humoured. The Northamptonshire county police were in attendance, 
 and rendered good service at the entrances. One of these ol)served, 
 that he had been in many crowds in London, but he never liad such 
 a squeezing before. One ludicrous affair we heard of: — An itinerant 
 gambler, ,whitli his thimble-rig apparatus, who appeared to have 
 been attracted towards Kettering by the crowds, prepared to offer 
 his tempting baits, but could find no customers. He had mistaken 
 the object ot the gathering. 
 
 We returned to the tent about ten o'clock, whicli was already 
 nearly full ; and it was evident that many could not gain admittance. 
 Another service was therefore announced at Mr. Toller's, where Mr. 
 Brock would preach. Many, on hearing this, retired from the tent, 
 shrewdly calculating, that as the sermons of the appointed preachers 
 would be published, they might as well hear one and read the other. 
 
 An interesting and affecting scene was now presented. The Rev. 
 Mr. Hogg, the last survivor of the little band of faithful men who 
 met, fifty years ago, in the " back parlour," was led to the front of 
 the platform. We heard that the venerable man had completed 
 his ninety-fourth year ! He was the first Treasurer of the Baptist 
 Mission. He appeared to be in that stage which our great poet has 
 described as "second childishness," and yet he seemed to comprehend 
 the nature of the proceedings, and to be often labouring under 
 strong emotions. 
 
 Mr. Kent rose and gave out — 
 
 '•Joy to the vsrorld the Lord is come,'; 
 
 and the multitude arose uncovered. " America" was the tune. O 
 it was a thrilling scene ! The large majority, no doubt, of that vast 
 concourse, were believers or hopeful inquirers ; a greater part of 
 which might be recognized, by their seriously-intelligent counten- 
 ances, as Northamptonshire Baptists. Mr. Ackworth read Isaiah xl., 
 and led the devotions of the congregation in a remarkably appropriate 
 prayer, with thanksgiving ; during which, the most profound silence 
 was observed. Mr. Steane then addressed the people, from the last 
 verse of the chapter already read. When Mr. S. had spoken about 
 an hour — 
 
 " There is a fountain filled with blood," 
 
 was sung with refreshing effect; after which, for another hour, the 
 preacher succeeded in fixing the attention of his extended audience. 
 One thing Mr. S. did, for which we thank him, and so will our 
 readers; he manfully defended the baptism of believers, and re- 
 minded his hearers that the Baptists were set for the defence of that 
 doctrine ; if they yielded, or, from a mistaken charity, tampered with 
 it, this divine institution would be again set aside by the traditions 
 of men. He further insisted, that the Baptists alone could consistently 
 coutend in tlie approaching conflict with Puseyism and Popery. 
 
 The service concluded, and after waiting twenty minutes or so, 
 we passed out, without pressure, into the streets of the town, which 
 were literally crowded with people. Strangers passing through the 
 place wondered what was the matter. A clergyman from the 
 
96 JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 
 
 neiglibourhood, was heard inquiring of a gentleman of his acquain- 
 tance what it all meant. " The Baptists ave holding a Jubilee," 
 was the reply. " Indeed ! well, I never saw so many people in 
 Kettering before ; and really some of them look very respectable." Ah ! 
 indeed ! and so the poor despised dippers begin to look " respectable" 
 do they ? In the streets and open spaces were arranged, in long 
 rows, all descriptions of vehicles, in many of which we observed par- 
 ties preparing to partake ot the refreshment they had prudently 
 brought with them. The landlord of one of the Inns informed us, 
 that he had as many as 1.50 carriages. One conveyance attracted 
 particular attention. It was a large four-wheeled tilted wagon, 
 which had conveyed a load of about forty "juvenile baptists" from 
 the Hill House School Establishment, Thrapstone. The wagon was 
 plentifully adorned with laurels and flowers, and here and there, 
 scripture mottos were exhibited ; such as, " Who hath despised the 
 day of small things?" — "A little one shall become a thousand," &c. 
 One of these rather significantly alluded to the conveyances put 
 into requisition on this occasion — " And they shall bring all your 
 brethren out of all nations, upon horses, and in chariots, and in 
 litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain 
 of Jerusalem, saith the Lord." On the front of the wagon appeared, 
 in conspicuous characters, the names of Carey, Knibb, Fuller; 
 and around it, those of SutclifTe, Hogg, Ryland, Pearce, Marshman, 
 Ward, Chamberlain, Yates, Leslie, Tinson, Burchell, Clarke, Phillippo. 
 We are also informed, that the horses heads wore the mottos, " In 
 that day holiness unto the Lord shall be upon the bells of the 
 horses," — " Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound :" a 
 broad banner, with " Jubilee" inscribed on it, in large characters, 
 was also displayed. Whilst copying the above, the occupants of the 
 conveyance arrived, each wearing his medal, and proceeded to take 
 their seats in the wagon, and dine on their own provisions. Parties 
 were to be observed seated here and there, eating their meat " with 
 gladness and singleness of heart." The church-yard, we were told, 
 was well occupied ; its graves and tombstones affording seats and 
 tables for the pilgrims. We now felt in need of dinner too, and 
 repaired to the school-rooms, where we found that many had dined 
 and gone, and yet the tables were full of guests, and better still, well 
 furnished with provisions. The arrangements for supply were 
 admirable ; for not only were there cold meats and pies of all kinds, 
 with salads, but there were hot potatoes, and better still, hot plum 
 puddings ! Beer and porter were furnished to those who con- 
 demned not themselves in the th'ng which they allowed ; and pure 
 water, fresh and clear, for the tee-totallers. 
 
 At three o'clock, at the old meeting-house, there was a sort of 
 musical meeting, though the secretary, in announcing it, seemed to 
 be set fast for a name by which to designate it : the admission price 
 was one shilling. This treat for the lovers of harmony was well 
 attended, and a good sum realized. At the same time, that those- 
 who had "no ear for music" might have that organ gratified in 
 another way, on the outer doors of Mr. Toller's meeting-house were 
 
JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 97 
 
 chalked, iu large clianicters, " Speaking here, from three to four." 
 Being fatigued, we did not visit either of these, but rested in good 
 company, till tea refreshed us ; and then proceeded to address our- 
 selves to the expected struggle for a place at the great evening meet- 
 ing. We were there early ; but aU-eady the avenues to the tent 
 were choked up by a dense ma<s, which was every moment increas- 
 ing. We made two imsuccessful attempts to get into the stream, 
 but not being possessed of sufficient " bodily presence" we failed. 
 Falling in company with Howard Hintou, he led the way, and by 
 virtue of his tall form, and the use of a little " physical force," (quite 
 legal on such an occasion) he made head-way, and we, following 
 close in his wake, found ourselves again safe on the platform. 
 
 The tent, and every corner of it, and every wall or tree about, in 
 which, or on which, a humau being could place himself, was occu- 
 pied. It was supposed that 5,000 were present ; others say 6,000. 
 Mr. Kuibb came forward and gave out — 
 
 "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun." 
 
 His fine voice was heard distinctly throughout the whole of the 
 enclosure. Mr. K. pitched the tune, and the whole multitude again 
 arose uncovered. The scene at this moment cannot be described. 
 Surely it was a miniature of that assembly described by Milton, 
 when all 
 
 "The multitade of angels, with a shout 
 loud as from numbers without uuiober, sweet 
 As from blest voices, ulteriug joy, heaven rung 
 "With jubilee, and loud hosanuas fiUd 
 The eternal regions." 
 
 Mr. Hinton offered prayer ; and on retiring, the venerable minister 
 who occupied the same position on the projecting platform which he 
 did in the morning, arose, and for several minutes engaged in 
 prayer. His expressions were incoherent and inaudible, but order 
 was preserved, and he resumed his seat. 
 
 Finding that thousands could not get into the garden, an arrange- 
 ment was made to have services in the old meeting-house, and at 
 Mr. Toller's also ; and several ministers left the platform to go and 
 assist in conducting them. 
 
 William Brodie Gurney, Esq., the Treasurer, who had 
 presented £1,000, presided. He made a few pertinent observations, 
 and then called up Dr. Cox, who, for about an hour, entertained the 
 meeting with a succinct history of the Mission. Joseph Tritton, 
 Esq., a young gentleman of interesting appearance and high 
 respectability, then delivered one of the most neat and eloquent 
 speeches we ever recollect having heard. The Rev. A. G. Fuller, 
 son of the first Secretary of the Mission, then addressed the audience. 
 He told some telling things of his childhood and youth, and the scenes 
 thatpassed in his father's house. " Never can I forget," said he, "when 
 my honoured father read in yon vestry the letter from India, which 
 told of the baptism of the first Hindoo Brahmin, — the deep, and 
 tender, and mellow tones of that voice as it exclaimed, ' The chain 
 of caste is broken, and who shall mend it !' " Many other touching 
 
98 JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 
 
 incidents were related, and extracts were read from the old minute 
 hook. Mr. F. concluded his excellent and practical address by 
 presenting £50 from a lady. Mr. Mursem. followed, and read an 
 interesting original letter from Andrew Fuller to William Steadman. 
 Mr. TiNsoN from Jamaica, came next; and after affording a 
 pleasing view of the present comfortable condition of the Jamaica 
 peasantry, contrasted with what it was twenty years ago, when he 
 first visited that island, made a strong appeal in behalf of Africa, 
 lialf a million of whose children were yet, every year, borne away into 
 slavery. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Brock — who, by the 
 display of varied talent, grounded on sound principles, and supported 
 by a frank and manly bearing, has rendered himself a universal 
 favourite. His address was a masterpiece. Next came William 
 Knibb. The gas had just been lighted, and as the extraordinary 
 man ascended the missionary tribune, attention was at its highest 
 pitch — the silence was universal. It was a scene for the pencil of 
 the artist, and one which angels might desire to look upon. Was it 
 too much to imagine that the perfect spirits of the INfissionary 
 Fathers hovered over it ? Moses and Elias were permitted to descend 
 and converse with our Lord, " of his decease, which he should 
 accomplish at Jerusalem." Faith, and not fancy, recognised the 
 illustrious departed present, and rejoicing with us in the triumphs of 
 the Redeemer's travail. How would Fuller and Toller rejoice, as 
 they listened to the impassioned appeals of the " Sabbath-scholar of 
 Kettering !" To return ; Mr. K. informed his audience, that he had 
 already been speaking for an hour and a half at two otlier meetings ; 
 but far from being exhausted, he proceeded, with all his wonted 
 energy and eloquence, to arrest the attention and kindle the emotions 
 of his hearers. He told us how prosperous and happy they now 
 were in Jamaica ; that they were at this time, black and white toge- 
 ther, celebrating the Jubilee ; he wished we could see them, and they 
 could see us, — how we might do great things at home if all would 
 only work, — that Prince and Clarke were coming for more help for 
 Africa, — that he had crossed the atlantic six times to see us, and 
 would not come again except for twenty more Missionaries, — that 
 he was going to America, where three millions of agonizing victims 
 were coiled around the church ! and that he would go, though the 
 storm, with all its thunder and lightning, burst upon him,— though 
 all hell were raised to oppose him ! 
 
 When Mr. Knibb concluded, the remaining business was soon 
 disposed of, the collection made, and the doxology sung. The vast 
 concourse then broke up, and separated ; many to neighbouring 
 towns and villages, and those who remained, managed as best they 
 could; those who had beds found their usual repose, but many were 
 fain to stretch their wearied frames on carpeted floors, or other 
 unusual resting places. Too wearied to journey three miles into the 
 country to his bed, the writer enjoyed a comfortable nap on the sofa 
 of a friend. 
 
 Next morning, after breakfast in the school-room yard, we again 
 visited the tent ; where we found a goodly company assembled. 
 
JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 99 
 
 After a most appropriate prayer, by the venerable Mr. Pritchard,* 
 Mr. GoTCH of Kettering, an old friend of Fuller and the Mission, was 
 called to occupy the chair. He rose to speak, but under the pressure 
 of powerful emotions, resumed his seat; and it was sometime before 
 he could subdue them ; but aided by the sympathy and cheers of the 
 meeting-, he at length proceeded, and the affecting references he 
 made to former days were heard with much interest and attention. 
 Dr. Cox then proposed an address to the Queen, agreed upon at 
 the breakfast table, on her late providential escape. 
 
 Mr. Knibb was loudly called for, and laid on lustily when alluding 
 to our civil and political grievances. He proposed an addition to 
 the address, to the effect of informing the Queen who we were, and 
 what we were doing, and where we were assembled, and for what 
 purpose ; and added, that if the Queen and the Prince, on hearing all 
 this, were graciously disposed, on the " Voluntary Principle," to send 
 us £1,000 each, we would humbly and dutifully receive it ! 
 
 Eustace Carey then, for about an hour, entertained the meeting, 
 and was followed by several others ; among whom was the pastor of 
 the Independent church in Kettering — Mr. Toller, wh.i was 
 received with marked and cordial respect, for his own and for his 
 father's sake, and for all the valuable acts of kindness which himself 
 and his people had done to promote the comfort and accommodation 
 of the visitors. A vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to the 
 members of the Established Church, and to all the " good people of 
 Kettering," of all denominations, for their most liberal hospitality. 
 Other business disposed of, and the doxology sung, Mr. Webb pro- 
 nounced the benediction, and the celebration of the Jubilee closed. 
 
 During this morning's meeting, it was announced that Mr. Knibb, 
 who was to be in Birmingham that evening to address several 
 thousands of children in the Town-hall, had attached his signature 
 to the print of the " Mission House," and that the friends might be 
 furnished with them, on retiring, at eighteenpence each. Many 
 copies were sold, the purchasers rightly conceiving that the day will 
 come, when the autograph of the " Negro Liberator" will be more 
 sought after than that of Napoleon or Wellington. 
 
 We retired ; and after partaking of a cold collation with brother 
 Jenkinson, pastor of the second Baptist church in Kettering, our 
 conveyances arrived, and we left the place in which we had enjoyed 
 three of the happiest days we ever spent, with gratitude and joy. 
 
 Our party, soon as they had cleared the town, proceeded to give 
 expression to their delight, by singing the Jubilee hymns. That 
 by Dr. Cos, — 
 
 •' O'er eveiy land, and every sea, 
 Sound, sound the trump of Jubilee !" 
 
 was the favourite. The weather was still open and fine, and we 
 " joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had 
 done for his people " 
 
 * The editor of a iiiovineial paper made our cood old friend a quaker. His outer 
 man niijiht Imve led lo the mistake, his garb and manueis being those of a Bajitist 
 miuister of the old stamp. 
 
100 JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 
 
 At the village of Rowell we alighted, to visit its celebrated parish 
 church. On passing through the grave-yard, to the house of the 
 sexton, we unexpectedly came upon another curiosity — a beautiful 
 erection of stone, which was originally designed, it is supposed, for a 
 marliet house, though never completed. Tresham, one of the fifth 
 of November conspirators, is said to have ordered its erection, being 
 lord of the manor. After our young friends had copied the Latin 
 inscription which encircled the whole building, we went, attended by 
 the sexton, to the church. Here are many very ancient monuments, 
 and other curiosities, in stone, and marble, and brass ; and in one of 
 the wings of the building, from certain seats and furniture, we 
 observed, what we imagined to be, one of those dens of infamy — an 
 ecclesiastical court ! The part of this large building used for divine 
 worship is in beautiful order. The sexton prepared a candle for 
 each of us, and we descended after him, down a flight of steps, into 
 a crypt on the east side of the church, where we found, piled on 
 either side and at the farther end, the bones and skulls of, it is said, 
 40,000 human beings ! The place was accidentally discovered about 
 a hundred years ago. From whence they were brought has not 
 been ascertained. That they fell in battle is presumed by the 
 wounds in many skulls, — that they were full-grown men is evident 
 by the bones, some of which are of extraordinary length, — that they 
 were young men, or of middle age, by the perfect rows of teeth the 
 skulls exhibited. We left this mysterious charnel-house, affected 
 by the awful ravages which sin and death have made upon the 
 human race ! 
 
 We resumed our journey, and soon arrived at Harborough ; and 
 having all taken tea at the house of our friend Mr. Buckley, the 
 General Baptist minister, we found our coach waiting to receive us ; 
 and, under the care of Providence, we all arrived safe at home, 
 about nine o'clock on Thursday evening, "praising God for all 
 the things that we had heard and seen." 
 
 We have thus, in our own way, furnished a rough sketch of what 
 we saw and heard, — taking as it were, our reader along with us, 
 entertaining him at Kettering, and bringing him safe home again. 
 A few supplementary facts, and a reflection or two, and we close. 
 
 On the previous Sabbath, Mr. A. G. Fuller preached in his father's 
 chapel and at Mr. Toller's, and in the evening addressed both con- 
 gregations ; Mr. Russell also preached at Mr. Toller's. On Thurs- 
 day evening another meeting was held, and £10 collected. The 
 whole of the Kettering collections amounted £1,400, — more than a 
 hundred-fold of the £13 2s. fid. fifty-two years before, and raising 
 the Jubilee Fund to nearly £10,000. 
 
 We could not learn, as was reported, that the rector of Ketter- 
 ing provided beds for the visitors ; but the rector of a neighbouring 
 town, residing in Kettering, voluntarily offered two, which were 
 accepted. Gratuitous tickets, for breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper, 
 were given to all ministers. Pamphlets were distributed, on " 'lee- 
 totalism," and " Comjilete Suffrage," among the ministers and 
 
JUBILEE AT KETTERING. 101 
 
 visitors ; and " Jubilee Hymns," by Montgomery, Aveling, Hinton, 
 Cox, Sigourney, Saffery, Baynes, Giles, Bowring, Edmeston, and 
 Tritton, were sold at sixpence each. 
 
 Mr. Knibb is a native of Kettering. He pointed out, to a friend 
 of ours, his seat when a Sabbath-scholar in Mr. Toller's meeting- 
 house. His teacher was present at the Jubilee, and was not a little 
 gratified with the popularity of his former pupil. Mr. K. himself 
 says, that the best missionaries are those who have been Sunday- 
 scholars and teachers. 
 
 Well : Kettering was the right town at which to hold the Jubilee : 
 it would have been lost in London. It was the right place, too, 
 because there Chi-istians " love one another." " It appeared," said 
 Robert Hall, " as if God had summoned his attributes to confer a 
 blessing on its people, when he sent Fuller and Toller to Kettering.' ' 
 Never shall we forget Kettering ! a thousand thoughts, new and 
 strange, have its late scenes enkindled ; thoughts of what has been 
 done, and thoughts of what should be done. But one thing, above all 
 others, forced itself into a prominent position before our attention, 
 and there it stood, mighty above the rest, — the rest were its 
 collaterals or its effects, — it was the faith of our fathers. Is it 
 too much to say, that the hill of Kettering was the Mount Moriah 
 of modern faith ? Let the resolutions of that back parlour answer, — 
 let the voices of the 10,000 who visited Kettering on our " glorious 
 First of June" give back the echo. Faith — simple, childlike, un- 
 wavering, powerful ! Through faith our fathers " wrought right- 
 eousness," " subdued kingdoms," and " obtained a good report." 
 This they did : what have ive to do ? Look at the world ! look at 
 the world, young Christian ! Nations yet wrapped in unpenetrated 
 darkness ! Who will be a Carey for Japan, and " the islands that 
 are afar off upon the sea?" who for the swarming tribes of central 
 Asia, and the mysterious interior of Africa ? What triumphs yet 
 remain for christian faith ! This Jubilee should be made to tell 
 upon the future destinies of nations. O that a host of thoughtful, 
 pious, devoted youth, may now catch the missionary spirit. Christian 
 parents should reckon it high honour for their children to be mission- 
 aries. May the spark which dropped from heaven into the breast 
 of Carey, and which was fanned into a flame, feeble and flickering, 
 at Kettering, never, by God's grace, be put out ; but, guided by its 
 steady, and brilliant, and increasing light, may hundreds of faithful 
 men go forth to tell to dark and distant nations the will of our 
 Heavenly Father ! Let them calculate on care, and labour ; but 
 faith and patience will support them. Toil on earth, — rest in 
 heaven ! 
 
 " Then with sheaves, and songs of gladness, 
 
 They who sow, and they who reap. 
 Shall forget their toils and sadness. 
 
 Where the weary cease to weep : 
 Blest employment. 
 
 Heaven's great Jubilee to keep." 
 
SONGS OF JUBILEE. 
 
 BY G. B. WATKINS, HOME MISSIONABl'. 
 
 Unto the Lord, if any man on earth 
 
 Has cause to make this year a year of mirth, 
 
 Then I should sing, — it is of my own birth 
 
 The Jubilee. 
 
 FOR A JUBILEE GATHEEING. 
 
 On the world's behalf we gather, 
 In thy name, O God, alone : 
 
 Look upon us, graciovis Father, 
 Look upon us in thy Son, 
 
 With the favoiu- 
 That thou beai-est to thy own. 
 
 Biuden'd with a joyous wonder, 
 May our grateful praises rise, — 
 
 Like the voice of rolling thunder. 
 Bursting from the opening skies, 
 
 When the echo 
 O'er the distant mountains flies. 
 
 Saviour, may thy love pervade us, — 
 May we sjieak and act for thee ; 
 
 What we are thy grace has made us, — 
 Make us all what we should be ; 
 
 And, hereafter. 
 Shew us all that we would see. 
 
 Thou might justly. Lord, despise it, — 
 E'en the ofiering of this host ; 
 
 And tliou would' st, much as we prize it, 
 But for our great Holocaust : 
 Offering, Christians I 
 Who has parted with the most ? 
 
 Think of Jesus, who was crowned 
 With a wreath of spiky thorn ! 
 
 For us, Justice on him frowned, — 
 He has all oiu- sorrows borne ; 
 
 To redeem us, 
 Jesus lived and died in scorn ! 
 
 O ye heralds of salvation ! 
 
 Lift the dying Saviour up ; 
 Preach the cross to eveiy nation, — 
 
 That is every nation's hope : 
 Heralds hand it, — 
 
 Hand the world salvation's cup ! 
 
 By tlie souls of millions dying. 
 
 By the ashes of the dead. 
 By your own existence flying. 
 
 By the church's living Head, 
 Spread the gospel I 
 
 Everywhere the gospel spread ! 
 
SONGS OF JUBILEE. KK} 
 
 " OUE FATHEES." 
 
 Our honoured fathers are not here, 
 
 The fathers of the Mission baud ; 
 Their chiklreu in their stead aj^pear, 
 
 And they are in the better hind. 
 
 They entered on the Mission field, 
 
 When thorns and brambles grew aronnd ; 
 How well they work'd, how hai'd they toil'd. 
 
 To beautify that desert ground. 
 
 Now, where rude thorns and brambles grew, 
 
 The box and fragrant myrtle spring ; 
 And heathen tribes, of every hue. 
 
 Beneath their vines and fig-trees sing ! 
 
 Our honoured fathers are not here, 
 
 Who went out on this enterprize ; 
 O if they were, what should we hear ? 
 
 Wliat tears of joy would gem their eyes I 
 
 Shall not we also labour hard. 
 
 To bring the heathen world to thee ? 
 Yes ! we'll aspire to their reward, — 
 
 Witness our vows this Jubilee. 
 
 "ENLARGE THE PLACE OF THY TENT." 
 
 O CHURCH of God ! why art thou less 
 Than the surrounding wilderness ? 
 Strengthen thy stakes, lengthen thy cords, 
 And make the moral waste the Lord's. 
 
 The world 's a name for unsaved men ; 
 Ought not this name to perish, then ? 
 This name to Christians wont apply. 
 Nor must they rest until it die. 
 
 Faith, hope, and charity entwin'd, 
 Would hold in concord all mankind ; 
 This threefold cord, Zion, by thee, 
 All round the world must carried be. 
 
 Around thy principles divine, 
 church of God ! this cord first twine ; 
 Then stretch it, till all round the world, 
 The curtains of thy tent are furl'd. 
 
 "Expect great things," — "Attempt great things; 
 Vast rivers rise from hiunble springs ; 
 Great works great doubts may generate 
 In feeble minds, — but God is great ! 
 
104 SONGS OF JUBILEE. 
 
 "I SHALL GIVE THEE THE HEATHEN.' 
 
 The thing is true — this glorious tiling, — 
 That God to Christ the world has given ; 
 
 And true it is that Christ will bring 
 
 The world, redeem'd, renew'd, to heaven. 
 
 This thing indeed is marvellous. 
 But not more marvellous than true ; 
 
 By means — by us, and such as us, 
 Jehovah will this great thing do. 
 
 He holds the whirlwinds in his fist, 
 The mountains tremble at his nod, 
 
 All worlds obey his sovereign list, — 
 This is our friend, and this our God. 
 
 There's not a hostile human power. 
 There is not an infernal one. 
 
 Its haughty crest that shall not lower 
 Before the sceptre of God's Son. 
 
 " WHO WILL GO FOR US ?" 
 
 Jesus ! O that men did know him. 
 Whom 'tis endless life to know. 
 
 For salvation, what we owe him, 
 May our zeal to serve him show ; 
 
 What we owe him, 
 We must all for ever owe ! 
 
 Fellow Christians ! sisters, brothers, 
 All who hold the Bible true, 
 
 Jesus says — do ye to others. 
 
 As ye wotild they should to you ; 
 
 If we love him, 
 We shall his commandments do. 
 
 Is not Africa adoring 
 
 Senseless blocks of stone and wood ? 
 Millions is not hell devouring ? 
 
 Wlio will show them any good ? 
 Who will point them 
 
 To the Lamb's atoning blood ? 
 
 • THE IDOLS HE SHALL UTTERLY ABOLISH. 
 
 Thy wrath is on the idols. Lord, 
 
 The plough goes through their shrine ; 
 
 And men, enlightened by thy word, 
 Begin to kneel at thine. 
 
 The noble Polynesian chief, 
 
 The humble Esquimaux 
 Find, for their common moral grief, 
 
 One common cure — the Cross. 
 
SONGS OF JUBILEE. 105 
 
 The most obscene and savage hordes, 
 
 Whose passions were then- laws, 
 Laughing at death, and naked swords, — 
 
 Now weej) before the Cross. 
 
 O God, unchain thy winged wrath. 
 
 And let the vengeance fly; 
 Curse Vishnu, Budh, and Juggernaut, 
 
 Curse ever^ cursed lie ! 
 
 Into his own ten thousand flames 
 
 Each bloody Moloch fling; 
 Declare thy own eternal names, — 
 
 Cbeatob, Savioub, King ! 
 
 THE WORD OF GOD. 
 
 " Holy Bible ! book divine," 
 Saving truth alone is thine ; 
 Book of gloiy ! thy bright page 
 Guides our youth, and cheers our age. 
 
 Lamp of beauty ! may thy light 
 Scatter superstition's night; 
 And to all mankind display, 
 Life and immortality. 
 
 Harp of Heaven ! loud as sweet. 
 Still thy song of love repeat ; 
 And when death to man is near, 
 May thy music quell his fear. 
 
 May thy language, word of God ! 
 Be by all men understood ; 
 May all people, old and young. 
 Bead thee in their native tongue. 
 
 As the dew, and rain, and snow, 
 Maketh all green things to grow ; 
 So do thou, most gracious Lord, 
 Prosper everywhere thy word. 
 
 SING PRAISES UNTO GOD, SING PRAISES! 
 
 Like the sound of many waters, 
 
 Or as seven thunders strong. 
 Saints, to earth's most distant quarters, 
 
 Roll your jubilation song ; 
 God of glory I 
 
 With thy presence bless this throng. 
 
 While our joyovis lips are singing, 
 
 For the great things thou hast done, 
 And our praise its way is winging, 
 God of Missions ! to thy throne ; 
 
 May thy Spirit 
 Win the nations, not yet won. 
 k3 
 
10t> SONGS OF JUBILEE. 
 
 CHKISTIAN UNITY. 
 
 United drops make all the rain, 
 
 The springs, the rivers, aud the main ; 
 
 United grains make all the land, 
 
 The stones, the rocks, and coral strand. 
 
 United rays make siimmer's clime ; 
 United moments make all time ; 
 United time's eternity ; 
 And oneness is the Deity. 
 
 Without this principle, alas, 
 Creation were a frightful mass ; 
 A universe of endless strife, 
 Unworthy God, unfit for life. 
 
 Yet nature's various entities 
 Are not held as the iceberg is, 
 In one eternal chain of frost, 
 All life extinct, all order lost ; 
 
 She knows no force, attraction's law 
 Together every part doth draw ; 
 So does the Ceoss, — the Cross alone- 
 Makes all believers truly one. 
 
 DIVINE HAEMONY. 
 
 MoNOTONT as much would mar 
 The songs of angels as ajar; 
 It is their different harps in key 
 That perfects their sweet harmony. 
 
 Such harmony the scriptures teach ; 
 No other is within our reach ; 
 Unite ! such union, brethren, would 
 Be loveliness — a power for good. 
 
 To differ, while we sing one hjTun, 
 As stars do, in night's diadem, 
 Yet, as the stars do, to agree. 
 Were e'en celestial unity. 
 
 All from one sun those colours flow, 
 Which, mingled, makes earth's brilliant bow ; 
 Such is the bow around God's throne, 
 Save that it is a living one. 
 
 Such is our faith — such be our deeds ! 
 Such practice would excel all creeds ; 
 O Lord, tlie volume of tliy ruth. 
 And all thy works say — this is truth. 
 
 Descend, thou emblematic Dove, 
 And with thee bring immortal love ; 
 The only point of unity. 
 For all the church is Calvaby. 
 
SONGS OF JUBILEE. 107 
 
 SELF DEDICATION. 
 " Lovest thou me more than these f " 
 
 If house, or lands, or dearest friend, 
 
 More than thy cause be lov'd by me, — 
 Or I obey not thy command, 
 
 Then, Saviour, I'm not wortliy thee. 
 
 What curses will those treasures prove 
 
 "Which thou for good to me hast given. 
 If them, instead of thee, I love. 
 
 And they should be my only heaven ! 
 
 If thou hadst millions, my soul ! 
 
 When from this earthly house thou fli'st, 
 How gladly wouldst thoii give the whole 
 
 For one sweet smile of Jesus Christ ! 
 
 How great thy love was, dearest Lord, 
 
 To give thyself to death for me ! 
 Can I behold thy cross, and hoard ? 
 
 That never was, — that shall not be ! 
 
 V " HE IS LORD OF ALL." 
 
 SHOtJT, ye people, shout for gladness, 
 
 That this Jubilee is come ; 
 Banish, Christians, banish sadness. 
 
 Truth is sealing error's doom ; 
 Superstition's reign is ending, 
 
 Death and hell are trampled down, — 
 Jesus is his throne ascending. 
 
 Wearing his triumphal crown. 
 
 Kingdoms, thrones, and powers opposing 
 
 Jesus' universal reign. 
 Soon will follow him, composing 
 
 Part of his triumphant train ; 
 East, and west, and north, are bowing 
 
 To the sceptre of his grace ; 
 And the southern isles are flowing 
 
 To his holy dwelling place, j 
 
 Eartlily kingdoms all must decrease, 
 
 But the Lord's must still extend ; 
 Of its glory, peace, and increase, 
 
 There will never be an end ; 
 Christ must wear eternal honours. 
 
 And above all names a name ; 
 Halleluiah, halleluiah. 
 
 Halleluiah to the Lamb ! 
 
STATISTICS OF THE BAPTIST MISSION, 1841-2. 
 
 MISSIONAEIES. 
 
 Upwards of one hundred and sixty Missionaries have been sent out 
 or adopted by the Society, from 1792 to 1842. Of these, about forty are 
 dead, sixteen have returned, and others have left or removed. 
 
 CHUECHES AND SCHOOLS. 
 
 India. 
 Calcutta, &c. .. . 
 
 Nor. India 
 
 Asiatic Islands , 
 
 Africa 
 
 West Indies . . 
 
 Jamaica 
 
 Bahamas 
 
 Belize 
 
 Total 
 
 16 
 
 24 
 
 17 
 
 5 
 
 82 
 
 19 
 
 5 
 
 Mission- 
 aiies. 
 
 13 
 18 
 
 30 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 76 
 
 Female 
 Mission- 
 aries. 
 
 4 
 2 
 2 
 
 28 
 2 
 
 45 
 
 Native 
 Prechrs. 
 
 18 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 70 
 
 Membrs 
 added in 
 the year. 
 
 44 
 
 40 
 
 234 
 
 abt. 25 
 
 about 
 
 5000 
 
 557 
 
 44 
 
 5944 
 
 Total 1., . 
 No. of L^°- °^ 
 Membrs Inqrers. 
 
 396) 
 395/ 
 500 
 155 
 
 about 
 
 100 
 
 150 
 
 90 
 
 32,810 18,737 
 1176 I 500 
 132 
 
 35,564 19,577 
 
 India 
 
 Africa 
 
 West Indies 
 
 Total . 
 
 Day 
 Schools. 
 
 74 
 3 
 
 143 
 
 Teachers 
 
 Sunday 
 Schools. 
 
 70 
 80 
 
 no return 
 60 
 
 150 
 
 60 
 
 Day 
 
 Scholars. 
 
 2738 
 
 220 
 
 7158 
 
 10,116 
 
 Sunday 
 Scholars. 
 
 no return 
 11,431 
 
 11,431 
 
 INCOME OF THE BAPTIST MISSION, FROM 1792 TO 1842. 
 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 1792-3 
 
 1085 4 9i 
 
 1809-10 
 
 
 1825-26 
 
 10508 5 3 
 
 1793-4 
 
 499 11 9j 
 
 1810-U 
 
 5439 13 4 
 
 1826-27 
 
 12304 10 10 
 
 1794-5 
 
 1467 9 3 
 
 1811-12 
 
 15467 16 8* 
 
 1827-28 
 
 11821 3 1 
 
 1795-6 
 
 1186 19 lOi 
 
 181213 
 
 8764 4 9 
 
 1828-29 
 
 10393 17 4 
 
 1796-7 
 
 718 U 2| 
 
 1813-14 
 
 7514 15 6 
 
 1829-30 
 
 16994 6 9 
 
 1797.^ 
 
 1730 12 1 
 
 1814-15 
 
 7611 9 8 
 
 1830-31 
 
 12751 12 9 
 
 1798-9 
 
 927 9 7 
 
 1815.16 
 
 9835 9 
 
 1831-32 
 
 12700 6 3 
 
 1799-1800 
 
 2064 5 10 
 
 1816-17 
 
 6648 2 
 
 1832-33 
 
 12700 17 9 
 
 1800-1 
 
 1176 7 8 
 
 1817-18 
 
 9989 10 11 
 
 1833-34 
 
 14658 6 8 
 
 1801-2 
 
 2394 14 5 
 
 1818-19 
 
 9510 18 2 
 
 1834-35 
 
 24188 11 8+ 
 
 1802-3 
 
 1351 14 11 
 
 (1819-20 
 (9 mths. 
 
 5734 1 3 
 
 1835-36 
 
 16356 18 10 
 
 1803-4 
 
 1632 2 9 
 
 
 1836-37 
 
 14706 13 3 
 
 1804-6 
 
 3273 17 9 
 
 1820-21 
 
 13729 6 7 
 
 J 837-38 
 
 17892 11 6 
 
 1805-6 
 
 4002 18 5 
 
 1821-22 
 
 12256 9 10 
 
 1838.39 
 
 22171 4 6 
 
 1806-7 
 
 2467 7 9 
 
 1822-23 
 
 14718 19 3 
 
 1839-40 
 
 19208 3 
 
 1807-8 
 
 4764 9 1 
 
 1823-24 
 
 12039 11 4 
 
 1840-41 
 
 26547 17 9 
 
 1808-9 1 
 
 3758 14 8 
 
 1824-25 
 
 15975 2 
 
 1841-42 
 
 22727 2 2 
 
 These sums include the ordinary and extraordinary receipts. 
 • Fire at Serampore. t New chapels in Jamaica. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 No. 1, page 60. — " Their happy deaths." — Mr. W. H. Pearce furnishes 
 this instance, which is selected from many others equally satisfactory ; — 
 
 " The wife of the dying man (who is herself a member of the church, 
 and was the means of his conversion) said to him, " Well, do you put 
 faitli in Christ as the Saviour ?" He replied, very emphatically, " Un- 
 doubtedly, imdoubtedly, yes, undoubtedly, I believe in him entirely for 
 salvation." At one time he said, repeatedly, " Come Lord Jesus ; why 
 dost thou delay ? I am ready; open imto me the door of life." His wife 
 said to him, "Alas! you are dying; what will become of me?" He 
 replied, " I have committed you into the hands of God our Father." She 
 said, " But what will become of the boy ?" An interesting youth of nine 
 years of age. He said, " Christ our Saviour will take care of him." He 
 then called the little boy to him, and embraced him ; when his wife said, 
 " Ah ! what right have we to treasures that are only lent ?" Soon after 
 this he called her to him, laid hold of her hand affectionately, and said, 
 " We are yet united in affection." She replied, " Yes ; not in life only, 
 but for ever." Then taking her hand, he prayed for her and the child, 
 and said to his wife, " Then, can you let me depart to day ?" She replied, 
 " Yes, I can ; why should I prevent you from going to the Saviour ? I 
 will not hinder you from entering the gate of everlasting life." At hia 
 desire, his attendants then began to sing the Evening Hymn, in Bengali ; 
 and when tliat was concluded, they commenced, at his request, another on 
 death, of which the chorus is, " Every thing on earth is but vanity, O 
 brother ; but the love of Christ, that alone is substance." While they 
 were singing, he fell back on his bed, breathed a gentle sigh, and expired." 
 
 We now turn from the Hindoo convert to the Missionary, Mr. Pearce 
 himself. That dire disease, cholera, removed him, as it had done the 
 devoted Ward and others, in a few hours ! " Peaceful, hut not joyful," — 
 "I hope in Christ," — "A most unworthy servant," were among his last words. 
 
 The powerful medicines he had taken seemed to confuse his mind and 
 impair his utterance. There was one incident, however, which occurred 
 soon afterwards, and which some who were present will not soon forget. 
 Being raised suddenly in bed to relieve the oppression on his chest, his 
 eye fell on one who stood at the foot of the bed, who had been bom and 
 reared in all the delusions of Mahomedanism, but who had for many 
 years proved, through the grace of God, a very consistent and devoted 
 Christian. A heavenly smile instantly broke over the wan face of the 
 sufferer, which was as instantly responded to by the converted Musselman, 
 who exclaimed, " Bhay kario na, bhay kario na ; Prahhu nikate 
 daraitechhen." " Fear not, fear not ; the Lord is standing by thee." 
 The dying saint nodded his assent ; and deeply were all around affected 
 with the spectacle of one in the garb and mien of an oriental, and in 
 a strange tongue, helping to soothe the death-bed of a British christian 
 with the sublime consolations of the word of God ! After this, Mr. Pearce 
 gradually sunk into insensibility, and about nine o'clock the scene closed. 
 
 No. 2, page 60. — " The wicked raged." — In 1806, the Society and its 
 agents were assailed by a host of enemies at home, in the form of 
 interested proprietors, or himgry of&cials, led on by the Edinburgh 
 Review, which, in an eloquent article, supposed to be from the pen of a 
 well-known clerical punster still living, poured unmeasured contempt on 
 the missionaries. They were " maniacs," — " quite insane and ungovern- 
 able," — "pernicious and extravagant," — "low born and low bred mechan- 
 ics," — "a nest of consecrated coblers," — their conduct was so foolish. 
 
110 NOTES. 
 
 " that the natives almost instinctively duck or pelt them," — " vre firmly 
 believe, tliat in less than twenty years, for the conversion of a few degraded 
 ^vretches, they would infallibly produce the murder of every European in 
 India," — " sixty millions of Hindoos to be converted by four men and 
 sixteen guineas !" — " a sermon and a subscription to convert 420 millions 
 of pagans !" To this the Quarterly Review replied, in an able notice, 
 which thus concludes : — "In fourteen years, these 'low-born and low 
 bred mechanics' have done more towards spreading the knowledge of 
 the scriptures among the heatlien, than has been accomplished or even 
 attempted by aU the world besides." 
 
 This reminds us of a little fact : — We once remember going over to Clip- 
 stone, to assist die late generous-hearted Mr. Mack, a few months before 
 his death, at a public baptism. After dinner, with " intermediate puffs 
 between," he told us of the transactions of that parloiu-. " Here," 
 said he, " tiU midnight, sat Fuller, and Sutcltffe, and Carey, and their 
 companions, talking over Missions to the Indies. At one o'clock Fuller 
 was an hungered. " Have you any meat brother Morris ?" " Meat : yes." 
 " Bring it out then !" said the yrea< man. "And here, Sii', is the hole 
 which Andrew bored in the mantle-piece, when he hung by a string from 
 a gimlet, the beef for his nocturnal repast. And Sir," continued 
 Mack, with his wonted eloquence, heightened in interest by his Scottish 
 accent, " if a lot of Church Parsons had been going up that lane, they 
 might have said, ' What think ye ! why in that cottage there is a conclave 
 of dippers met to consult on a mission to India ! Wliat do these feeble 
 Jews ? if a fox go up, he shall even break down tlieir stone wall I' " 
 
 No. 3, page 72. — " Tliirteen chapels were destroyed," magistrates, and 
 officers of militia, aiding and abetting, and clergymen sanctioning. Now 
 came the crisis ! Knibb was sent to England. He did come, and he 
 told all — Christianity or slavery must give way in Jamaica. The people 
 of England decided; and, after listening to the appeals of Eaiibb and 
 BuTchell, they provided means for rebuilding the chapels. We here fur- 
 nish a sketch of the new chapel of Mr. Burchell, at Montego Bay. It 
 is a handsome structure, much larger than the old place, which was a 
 singular-looking building, with about half-a-dozen roofs. 
 
 The next cut represents the interior of Mr. Knibb's chapel, at Fal- 
 mouth, built in 1837. It also stands on the site of tlie old building, and 
 is of far greater dimensions. The scene represents the celebration of 
 the First Day of Freedom, August 1st, 1838. All present are negroes, 
 except one white man, who sits on the left hand of the chairman. 
 
 Mann's Hill chapel, Rio Bueno, was also destroyed. It was built on 
 the summit of a rocky hill. On clearing the groimd, the ruins were found 
 to be covered with a shrub called the Tree of Life, whicli drew from 
 James Montgomery, the following touching lines : — 
 
 " Where flames devoured the house of God, 
 
 Kindled by hell, with heaven at strife, 
 Up sprang, spontaneous from the sod, 
 
 A forest of the tree of life, 
 Meet emblem of the sanctuary 
 Which there had been, and yet should be. 
 
 Kow, on the same thrice hallowed spot. 
 
 In peace a second temple stands ; 
 And God hath said, ' Destroy it not;' 
 
 For, lo ! the blessing he commands, 
 As dew on Sermon's hill of yore, 
 Life, even life for evermore;" 
 
NOTES. 115 
 
 No. 4, page 72. — " The day of emancipation." — " Just as the clock 
 struck eleven, Mr. Kuibb announced for singing, a few verses of a dirge 
 composed for the occasion, commencing thus : — 
 
 ' The death-blow is struck — see, the monster is dying. 
 He cannot survive till the dawu streaks the sky ; 
 In one single hour, he will prostrate be lying, 
 Come, shout o'er the grave where so soou he will lie.' 
 
 Portions of Scripture were read; and several, then slaves, though 
 nominally apprentices, offered j)rayer and thanksgiving to God. For a 
 few moments before twelve, perfect silence reigned ; when Mr. Knibb 
 commenced a few remarks. It is imj)ossible to describe adequately the 
 scene that followed ; every eye glistened, every bosom heaved with emo- 
 tion. As the clock struck, Mr. Knibb begged the congregation, more than 
 two thousand in number, to listen — " The hour is at hand," said he, " the 
 monster is dying !" As the twelfth peal vibrated, he exclaimed — "The 
 
 MONSTER IS DEAD ! ThE NEGRO IS FREE ! ThrEE CHEERS FOR THE 
 
 QUEEN I" At the moment when the last word was spoken, and the clock 
 had struck the last stroke, they simultaneously rose up, and broke out 
 into one loud and long-continued burst of exultation and joy. " Never," 
 says Mr. Knibb, " did I hear such a sound : the winds of freedom 
 appeared to be let loose — the very windows shook at the strange, yet 
 sacred joy." The congregation then sung the liymn, — 
 
 ' Restored the negro's long-lost rights, 
 How softened is his lot! 
 Now sacred, heart-born, dear delights 
 Shall bless his humble cot.' " 
 
 The church under the pastoral care of Mr. Knibb, erected in their place 
 of worship a splendid marble monument, designed to perpetuate the 
 remembrance of this glorious period. Beneatli a figure of Justice are 
 the likenesses of Granville Sharp, Sturge, and Wilberforce, arranged in 
 bas-relief, and that of the Rev. W. Knibb appears at the base. It bears 
 the following inscription : — 
 
 Deo Gloria ! 
 
 ERECTED 
 
 BY EMANCIPATED SONS OF AFRICA 
 
 TO COMMEMORATE 
 
 THE BIRTH-DAY OF THEIR FREEDOM 
 
 AUGUST THE FIRST, 1838. 
 
 HOPE 
 
 HAILS THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY 
 
 THROUGHOUT THE BRITISH COLONIES 
 
 AS THE DAY-SPRING OF 
 
 UNIVERSAL LIBERTY 
 
 TO ALL NATIONS OF MEN, 
 
 WHOM GOD " HATH MADE OF ONE BLOOD." 
 
 " ETHIOPIA SHALL SOON STRETCH OUT HER HANDS UNTO GOD." 
 
 Immediately under this inscription, two Africans are represented in the 
 act of burying the broken chain and useless whip — another is rejoicing 
 in the undisturbed possession of the book of God; whilst, associated with 
 these, a fond mother is joyously caressing her infant, which for the first 
 time she can dare to regard as her own. 
 
116 NOTES. 
 
 No. 6, page 84. — " The translation of the Scriptures," &e. — Tlie Indian 
 characters are different from ours, as will be seen below ; and the transla- 
 tions being made from Hebrew and Greek, render the work more difficult. 
 
 THE BENGALEE. 
 
 ^r^ ^f^ €t2^t^ ^^ ft^ (^«fT<^ :gT*l^^1) liiH^, ^t?:«i 
 
 " And thou Shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall save his people from their sins." 
 
 Matt. i. 21. 
 THE SANSCRIT. 
 
 ^^ XS^^H ^^^^ I ^^^ ^ISg^T ^7^ W^ 
 
 " Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." — Matt.vi. 10. 
 THE HINDOSTANEE. 
 
 i^^ . ^ V.^ - / ^ _, "^ •^' 
 
 * X^J"^"^ ^ V^^. ^*^^ di" 2^i J:*"\jy\ :^ ^ (f^ £. 
 
 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
 giving thanks to God and the Father by him, — Col. iii. 17. 
 
 No. 5, page 81. — " Gun(/a Dlior was the first Oriya convert." — 
 Gunga walked down into the Mahanuddy, or great river, and all being 
 ready, took off liis poita, or brahminical thread, the badge of a bralimin's 
 divinity, and threw it into the hands of brother Cropper, and was bap- 
 tized. Two brahmins were afterwards heard conversing on the subject 
 of his baptism, thus : — " Did you hear the news '?" " Wliat news ! say ?" 
 " Wliy, that a Brahmin has been dip^jed and so become a Pheringee !'' 
 " Say ; how was it '?" " Why, a brahmin named Gunga Dhor Suringee, 
 from Thangee, lias been in the house of Padre Sahib. He got nothing 
 to eat, and so he being starved, and having a bad forehead,* has run for a 
 bit of rice. Well, last Sunday he was baptized, and it was after this 
 manner: — All the half castes and the Padres, and some Sahibs came to 
 the river, and he was with them, — first they threw him down on the sand, 
 and there gave him a sound ijummelling, till he was very near dead ; 
 tlieu they got a cow (Eam Eam+) and killed her, and opening lier breast 
 they cut out a bit of flesh, which they forced down die brahmin's throat, 
 and so made him to eat cow's flesh ; these people are cow eaters, and 
 all wlio become Christians must eat cow's flesh. He was then raised 
 from the sand, and led into the water, — there they tore off his poita, 
 and took his caste ; after which. Padre put him under tlie water, and 
 held him there till he was very near dead, when he was raised up and 
 led away. This wretch (let him die) lias become fond of flesh and 
 liquor, but will not Juggernaut punish him ? His friends all discarded 
 him, and his wife has forsaken him," 
 
 • Unauspicious fate. 
 t It is a great crime to mention the cow in connection with her degiadation and. 
 suflering, and therefore lo atone they immediately repeat the uarae of some yod, 
 generally Ram. 
 
A CRY FEOM AFRICA! 
 
 BY JAMES MONTGOMERY. 
 
 " The voice of one crying in the wilderness." 
 
 Afric' from her remotest strand, 
 
 Lifts to liigh Heaven one fetter'd hand ; 
 
 And, to the utmost of her chain, 
 
 Stretches the other o'er the main ; 
 
 Then, kneeling midst ten thousand slaves. 
 
 Utters a cry across the waves. 
 
 Of power to reach to either pole. 
 
 And j)ierce, like conscience, through the soul ; 
 
 Though drearj', faint, and low the sound, 
 
 Like life-blood gurgling from a wound, 
 
 As if her heart, before it broke, 
 
 Had found a human tongue and spoke. 
 
 " Britain, not now I ask of thee 
 
 Freedom, the right of bond and free ; 
 
 Let Mammon hold, while Mammon can, 
 
 The bones and blood of living man ; 
 
 Let tyrants scorn, while tj-rants dare, 
 
 The shrieks and writhings of despair ; 
 
 An end will come, — it will not wait. 
 
 Bonds, yokes, and scoiu'ges have their date ; 
 
 Slavery itself must pass away 
 
 And be a tale of yesterday. 
 
 But now I urge a dearer claim. 
 
 And urge it in a mightier name : 
 
 Hope of the world I on thee I call. 
 
 By the great Father of us all, 
 
 By the Redeemer of our race. 
 
 And by the Spirit of all grace. 
 
 Turn not, oh! turn not from my .pie a. 
 
 So help thee God, as thou help'st me ! 
 
 To thee, thou Paradise of Isles ! 
 Where mercy in full gloiy smiles ; 
 Eden of lands ! o'er all the rest, 
 By blessing others, doubly blest. 
 To Thee I lift my weeping eye. 
 Send me the Gospel, or I die ; 
 The word of Christ's salvation give. 
 That I may hear His voice and live !" 
 
EVERLASTING SALVATION THROUGH THE DEATH OF 
 CHRIST. 
 
 BY KRISHNU, A CONVERTED HINDOO. 
 
 O THOU, my soul, forget no more 
 The Friend who all tliy misery bore ; 
 Let every idol he forgot, 
 But, O my soul, forget Him not. 
 
 Thy God for thee a body takes. 
 Thy guilt assumes, thy fetters breaks, 
 Discharging all thy dreadful debt ; 
 And can' St thou e'er such love forget ? 
 
 Renounce thy works and ways with grief. 
 And fly to this most sure relief; 
 Nor Him forget, who left his throne, 
 And for thy life gave up his own. 
 
 Infinite truth and mercy shine 
 
 In Him, and he himself is thine ; 
 
 And canst thou then, with sin beset. 
 
 Such charms, such matchless charms, forget ? 
 
 Ah ! no ; till life itself depart. 
 His Name shall cheer and warm my heart; 
 And, lisping this, from earth I'll rise. 
 And join the chorus of the skies. 
 
 Ah ! no ; when all things else expire, 
 And perish in the general fire, 
 This NAME all others shall survive, 
 And through eternity shall live ! 
 
 J. F. WINKS, PRINTER, LKUESTKR