PREMIUM OFFERED FOR A PRIZE ESSAY ON THE LOVE OF MONEY.
It is the opinion of many of the wisest and best of men, that the besetting sin of professors of christianity is the love of money; and yet, there is no subject on which so little has been written well. The late Andrew Fuller says, "It will, in all probability, prove the eternal overthrow of more characters among professing people, than any other sin; because it is almost the only crime which can be indulged, and a profession of religion at the same time supported."
One Hundred Guineas, besides the profits of its publication, will be presented to the author of the best essay on this subject. Preference will be given to the most spiritual, poignant, and affectionate appeal to the judgment and consciences of those who professedly recognize the authority of revelation, on avaricious hoarding, and unchristian-like expenditure, to gratify the lust of the eye, and pride of life, whilst they avow their obligations to redeeming mercy, and profess that themselves, and all they have, is not their own, but belongs, and must be accounted for, to Him who has said, "Occupy till I come," and then "Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward." The work wanted, is one that will bear upon selfishness, as it leads to live to ourselves, and not for God and our fellow-men.
It is requested that reference may be made to the different estimates of man who blesseth, and of God, who abhorreth, the covetous (Ps. x. 3); and to the tremendous consequences of this sin, which is associated with the vilest of crimes which exclude from the kingdom of heaven. (Eph. v. 5.) The manuscript is to be sent to Dr. Conquest, 13, Finsbury Square, on or before the 1st of November, 1835; with a sealed letter, containing the address of the writer. The Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel and the Rev. Dr. Pye Smith have kindly engaged to be the arbitrators. The reward will be adjudged on the 1st of May, 1836.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, KEIGHLEY, YORKSHIRE.
The Baptists were first introduced into Keighley by a Mr. John Town, who was a member of the Baptist church at Haworth, under the care of the venerable and Rev. Miles Oddy. Keighley was at that time beginning to be a large and populous place. The clergyman in the establishment was an irreligious character, and the Independent church and congregation were nearly extinct.
At first the ministers were permitted to preach in the Independent meeting-house; but after some time a Mrs. Sunderland offered her house, until Mr. Town could fit up a room for constant worship. The ministers who kindly assisted in the formation of the infant cause were, Messrs. Steadman, D. D., Shuttleworth, Trickett, and Shaw.
In the year 1809, or 1810, four persons were baptized by Mr. Shuttleworth, pastor of the church at Cowlinghill: and on the third of June, 1810, a large upper room in the house of Mr. Town was opened for worship by Mr. Shepherd, from Bradford, who preached on this occasion from Solomon's Song, vi. 10. The congregation increased; others were baptized; and in the year 1812 the church was formed. In 1813 it was deemed necessary to erect a chapel. A piece of ground was provided by Mr. Town; and on Easter Monday, 1813, the first stone was laid; but the chapel was not opened until the 29th of March, 1815; when Mr. Lister, of Liverpool, Mr. Stephens, of Rochdale, and the venerable Dr. Steadman, of Bradford, were engaged. At this period the church consisted of eighteen members. The chapel cost something more than £990; and will seat about 615 persons.
The first pastor of the church was Mr. Joseph Shaw, who came to Keighley in 1814. During the years 1816, 1817, and 1818, little is said: but in 1819 the members amounted to 33; and some uneasiness originating with a part of the church and the minister, a separation took place, and a new chapel was erected by the party attached to Mr. Shaw, at Slacklane, from two to three miles from Keighley. This circumstance left the church at Keighley very small, and greatly diminished the congregation.