fully admitted; but all the world, and all posterity, both in India and Europe, would condemn England if she surrendered India to the merciless hands of Nena Sahib and the mutinous Sepoys. The position recommended in the latter part of our friend's remarks, is, in fact, that taken by Christian Missionaries They began in India in opposition to the will of the governing authorities, and they owe little to their favour; as it is notorious that the Government has for the most part ignored Christianity in its proceedings, while it has too often pandered to the superstitions, both of idolaters and Mohammedans.-ED.

THE PRESENT COMMERCIAL PANIC.

To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine.

DEAR SIR,-During the past few weeks what a change has come over the commercial aspect of affairs in this country and America.

In the early part of October it appeared as though England was to enjoy a continuation of unceasing prosperity, at any rate during the life-time of the present generation; but the cloud which now hangs over the business men of this country, and the perilous position in which some are placed, have no doubt been permitted, nay, may say, designed by an all-wise providence, to show up and lay bare the acts and conduct of the commercial community. We have been amazed to see young men without capital, except what they borrowed at a high rate of interest, start up all at once, commence business, drive all before them, leaving far behind, men of experience and capital: we asked ourselves a few questions, and were almost ready to conclude that we had spent our time and used our energies and capital for little purpose after all the care, attention, industry, and perseverance of many long years: nay, we have been taunted that we don't understand our business, and have been almost persuaded to imagine there was some truth in the statement, but true enough, these are the times when the secrets of these men are brought to light, and we discover that these go-a-head gentlemen have been riding in other people's (basket) carriages, drinking their neighbours' wine, and wearing other men's clothes; they appeared what they were not.

The present crisis teaches the following lessons :-Never to commence business without capital. Never be persuaded to purchase beyond what we have a clear prospect of paying for. Never to be guarantee for another unless we are prepared to pay the amount ourselves. Never to accept a bill, unless we have available property of the same value to meet it.

It is truly awful to contemplate the circumstances which have come to light during the present panic. Professors of christianity writing their names across blank bill stamps, which have afterwards been filled up to the amount of thousands of pounds, while the acceptor has not been worth as many pence. Now can we for a moment conceive that the Supreme Being who minutely observes all our actions, will allow such practices to be continued without His interference? I think not. For the safety and well-being of His creature man, He will never suffer such frauds to be continued. Such parties may be properly classed with the Robsons and Redpaths, and richly deserve to be banished from their country, and the society of honest men. It is a deception, and the whole of the money these bills represent is only their value in waste paper.

The present crisis is truly a corrector, and will, no doubt, be of great service. It is a regulator, and will bring the "right men in the right place" for a time. Should we be permitted to live a short time longer, there is no doubt we shall see the legitimate trader reap the due reward of his capital and labour probably for several years to come; after that, the same scenes will most likely come over again.

When every thing seems prosperous is the time when Christian men, in particular, should reflect, and take a review of their position and engagements. It is then we are in the greatest danger. It is precisely the same in business as with a romantic traveller, but rather difficult to reap the same amount of enjoyWhen the traveller ascends a beautiful hill he expects to see a splendid valley beyond; but with many, business men in our day, when mounted on the

ment.

hill of prosperity, although still pushing forward, fancy they will always continue on this beautiful eminence, forgetting to look for the valley beyond, and consequently fall headlong down some fearful precipice.

In conclusion I will just quote a remark made to me by a wealthy money lender during the panic of 1847 he said, mark this, "If any man attempts to obtain more than five per cent. for his money, as a money lender, he is sure to realize less in the long run." A TRADESMAN.

DISSENTERS' MARRIAGES A CENTURY AGO.

To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine.

DEAR SIR, AS none of "your antiquarian correspondents appear to have favoured the readers of the Magazine with an opinion on the usages of marriages a century ago," I send you the annexed, which will probably "throw some light upon the conjecture attended (to your correspondent) with considerable difficulty."

66

Whereas, by an Act of Parliament made and passed in the fifth and sixth years of the reign of His Majesty King William, and Queen Mary, entitled, an Act for granting to their Majesties several duties upon vellum, parchment, and paper, for carrying on the war with vigour against France, it was, amongst other things, enacted that a duty or imposition, of five shillings, shall be rated, levied, and paid for every piece of paper, or parchment, upon which any Licence, or Certificate of Marriage should be written or engrossed, and that no person be married at any place without a License first had and obtained, except the Banns shall be published and certified according to law." This act continued to be the law until the year 1807, when, by an act passed, 48, G. 3, Cap. 149, it was enacted, "That for every skin or piece of parchment, or sheet of paper, upon which any License of Marriage shall be engrossed or written, shall be paid a stamp duty of ten shillings; and if it be a special license, a stamp of four pounds." Since then various alterations, from time to time, have been made in the Marriage Laws."

Castle Donington, December, 1857.

To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine.

J. B.

DEAR SIR,-I am not an "Antiquarian," but as no one has replied to the inquiries of Mr. Orton, respecting the document, a copy of which is inserted in the Magazine for November, p. 432, I send you the following extracts, which will, I think, furnish your correspondent with the light he requires. In the article, "Marriage," in both the "Penny," and "National Cyclopædia," we are told, "In England, marriage by mere assent of parties, until the passing of the Marriage Act, in 1753, constituted a binding engagement: though if application were made to the ecclesiastical courts for letters of administration, &c., under a title derived through such irregular marriage, those courts sometimes showed their resentment of the irregularity by refusing their assistance, more especially where the non-compliance with the usual formalities could be traced to disaffection to the Established Church."

In the "History of the General Baptists," vol. i. p. 449, &c., reference is made to the Marriages of Dissenters; a copy of a certificate, in precisely the same terms as the one furnished you by Mr. Orton, is given, and it is added by the historian, "Marriages thus solemnized were valid, not only in the court of conscience, but in the courts of law, as it was several times determined when the enemies of the Baptists instituted actions to set them aside. Indeed, dissenters in general enjoyed this privilege till 1753, when the famous Marriage Act was passed," &c. From these extracts it is plain that the document put into the hands of W. O. is a contract which the civil courts of that day would recognise, and not a mere "family memento."

December 7th, 1857.

I am, dear Sir, yours truly,

A. G. B.

Intelligence.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW BAPTIST

CHAPEL, ILKESTON.

ON Monday November 23rd, the public inauguration of the building of a new chapel in connexion with the General Baptist interest of this town took place. Although there was rain early in the morning, and the sky looked very unpropitious at intervals, the weather was beautifully fine in the afternoon, and the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone took place during a most magnificent sunset. A very numerous crowd assembled around the site of the proposed building which is situated in Queen Street, in which assembly we noticed ministers and members of nearly all the Dissenting churches, with some representatives of the Established Church, and some of the leading inhabitants of Ilkeston. At half-past three o'clock, Mr. T. R. Stevenson, Baptist Minister, commenced the proceedings by giving out the hymn beginning:"Arise, O King of grace, arise;"

three verses of which were sung. The Rev. E. S. Heron, Congregational Minister, then implored the divine blessing upon the erection of the building, and its future uses. W. H. Booker, Esq. of Nottingham, the architect, then came forward, and read the following copy of a document, which was placed in a cavity under the stone:

"The Foundation Stone

of this Chapel was laid by ROBERT PEGG, Esquire,
of Derby, Alderman ;

on the 23rd day of November, in the year of our Lord 1857,
being the twentieth year of the reign of H. M. Queen Victoria.
W. Booker, Architect. Jedediah Wigley, Builder,

Minister,

Mr. Wigley, the builder, then presented the trowel to Mr. Alderman Pegg, who laid the stone after the usual method, and commenced the delivery of an address characterised by adaptation to the occasion, and earnestness of feeling. Appropriate reference was made to the pre-eminent claim of places of worship upon public and especially Christian sympathies, their relative importance as agents of morality in society, and instruments for diffusing divine truth; and remarks were offered relative to the entirely voluntary principle upon which the new chapel would be erected, and its affairs conducted. The Rev. H. Hunter, of Nottingham, followed, and in the course of his address adverted to the beneficial influence of religious services upon this country, and the elevating effect of religious instrumentalities upon our nation. Mr. Hunter alluded to an excursion which he had recently made to Prussia and Denmark, and the impression produced on his mind regarding the moral and spiritual advantages and advancement of England. The singing of the doxology and the pronouncing of the benediction closed this interesting service.

Shortly after the conclusion of the above ceremony, tea was provided in the Baptist Chapel, South Street. A very large number was present, exceeding indeed the most sanguine hopes of the committee. After tea a public meeting was held, when the chapel was filled in every part. During intervals, a selection of sacred music was sung by the choir under the leadership of Mr. G. S. West. Addresses were delivered by the Revds. H. Hunter, E. S. Heron, T. Fletcher, (Primitive Methodist,) and G. Haywood, (Wesleyan Reform,) also, Messrs. Booker, (the

Architect,) W. H. Stevenson of Nottingham; and J. Bailey of this town. The chairman also read a letter from the Rev. T. H. Hill, Wesleyan minister, who was unable to attend on account of indisposition. The speeches were listened to with great attention and frequently applauded, and were characterised by great variety, intelligence, and good feeling. Most certainly the whole proceedings connected with the laying of the foundation-stone passed off with great eclat.-Local paper.

OPENING OF A NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL AT EPWORTH.

It is

THE old Baptist chapel at Epworth, which has been in existence for near a century, has been for a long time ill adapted for the performance of public worship, and the congregation assembling there have long felt the desirability of a more suitable and comfortable building. Application was made to a few friends, and from the promises of support given a new building was determined upon, and the foundation-stone was laid on the 8th of August last. The new building is a very neat structure, and is an ornament to that part of the town where it is erected. built without galleries, and is capable of seating about 200 people-sufficiently large for the existing wants of the congregation. The contractors, Messrs. Benjamin Johnson and Henry Kesley, of Epworth, have executed their work to the entire satisfaction of the committee, and the work is highly creditable to them. A bazaar for the sale of useful and ornamental works was held in a room iu the occupation of Mr. Fletcher, in the Market-place, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 25th and 26th ult., and the proceeds, amounting to £25 15s. 44d., were applied to the building fund. The ladies who presided at the different stalls were Mrs. Etty, of Batley; Misses Ashwell, Chamberlain, and Tonge, of Epworth.-On Sunday morning, the 29th ult., the Rev. Dr. Burns, of London, preached in the new chapel, from Matthew xvii., 4, "Lord, it is good for us to be here," upon which he founded a very forcible and eloquent discourse. The Rev. W. Sharman, of Crowle, preached in the afternoon; the congregation was good, and the sermon was highly appropriate for the occasion. To give the public an opportunity of hearing the learned doctor, the trustees and superintendent minister of the Wesleyan chapel kindly granted the use of their place of worship for the evening service, which was filled with a numerous congregation. It was estimated that between 700 and 800 people assembled, Dr. Burns took his text from Romans i., and part of the 16th verse, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, &c." The collections at the various services amounted to £14 16s. 5d.-In connexion with the opening services a public tea-meeting was held on Monday, the 30th ult., in a large room occupied by Mr. Harrison, coach builder, when about 250 people sat down to tea, which had been gratuitously provided by several members and friends of the Baptist Society at Epworth and Crowle. The ladies who presided at the different trays were Mrs. Ashmell, Miss Ashmell, Mrs. Harrison, Miss Harrison, Mrs. Etty, Misses Ann and Susannah Gibson, Mrs. T. Goodall, Mrs. Leggott, Miss Chamberlain, and Miss Tonge. Mr. Cutts, organist, at the Wesleyan chapel, presided at an harmonium, which was placed near the platform. After tea a public meeting was held, which was presided over by Mr. Thomas Sharman, of Spalding, father of the Rev. W. Sharman, pastor of the Baptist chapels at Epworth and Crowle. The chairman addressed the meeting in an affectionate and rather humourous speech, which was well received. The Rev. W. Sharman followed, giving a history of the Baptist church at Epworth, Crowle and Butterwick. Mr. Merrils, of Epworth, then briefly addressed the meeting. The Rev. Mr. Moore (New Connexion) spoke at some length, principally on the advantages of Christian unity and fellowship. The Rev. Mr. Ashberry, Baptist minister, of Sheffield, delivered a lengthened and eloquent address, and was frequently applauded by his hearers. Votes of thanks were given to the ladies, the organist, to Mr. Harrison for the use of the room, to the chairman, and to the Wesleyans for the kind manner in which they granted the use of their chapel; after which the Doxology was sung and the meeting separated.Doncaster Chronicle.

CONFERENCES.

THE Lincolnshire Conference was held at Wisbeach, on Thursday, Dec. 3rd, 1857.

In the morning the Secretary read and prayed, and brother J. H. Wood preached from Ephes. i, 22.

Brother T. W. Matthews preached in the evening.

In the afternoon, after prayer by brother Jones, the Reports from the Churches were read, from which we learned that twelve had been baptized since the last Conference, and that thirty remained candidates for baptism.

The friends at Whittlesea having again applied for advice, were recommended to obtain the best ministerial supplies they can during the next three months. A case having been brought forward in reference to Stowbridge, it was resolved

That we advise the Trustees of the chapel at Stowbridge, to let the chapel under present circumstances.

A long and earnest conversation was held as to the present state of the Home Mission Funds in this district, and gratitude was expressed that some improvement had recently taken place; still it was thought that very much more ought to be raised, so as to render our operations in future, more extended and effective.

The next Conference is appointed to be held at Holbeach, on Wednesday, March 24th, 1858.

Brother Stevenson to preach in the morning.

N.B.-As Thursday is market day at Holbeach, Wednesday is chosen as more suitable for the Conference.

CHATTERIS MISSIONARY SERVICES.-On Lord's-day, November 22nd, 1857, three sermons, in aid of our Foreign Mission were preached here by the Rev. .W. Miller, and on Monday, the 23rd, a tea-meeting-the trays kindly given by our female friends-produced between two and three pounds. In the evening we had a very excellent Missionary Meeting, the upper part of the chapel adorned with pictorial representations of Indian scenery, native preachers, &c.; the lower part of the chapel, vestry, aisles, door-ways, and windows, crowded with deeply-interested hearers, listening to the warm-hearted, eloquent addresses of Mr. J. Wherry, the Revs. W. Best, B. A. Ramsey, T. Watts, Wisbeach, W. Miller, &c. The collections a little in advance of last year. GOSBERTON.-On Sunday, November 29, two sermons were John Noble, Esq., of Boston, on behalf of the Home Mission. £2 12s. 6d.

MISCELLANEOUS.

J. LYON. preached by Collections, T. G. L.

BURNLEY.-Organization of a new church.-On Sunday evening last, December 6th, an interesting service was held in connexion with the ministry of the Rev. J. Batey, late minister of Enon Chapel. On the above occasion, the Rev. J. Maden, of Gambleside, preached an excellent sermon from 1 Cor. xv. 58. At the close of the public service the sacrament of the Lord's-supper was administered to the newly-formed church; Mr. Maden addressed the communicants, and gave them the right hand of fellowship, and Mr. Batey distributed the bread and wine. Mr. John Maden, son of the preceeding, concluded the impressive service with prayer. The church numbers sixty members, and is General Baptist and Congregational in its doctrines and discipline. It is remarkable that this is the third Baptist church that has worshipped in the same room, the first two having now chapels in the town.-Burnley Advertiser, December 12, 1857.