The number in the church in 1832 was 30; since that time 27 have been baptized, to whom several others expect shortly to be added, who are affording proofs that they have given themselves to the Lord. The congregation is now good, and harmony prevails in the church. There is a Sunday school of 250 children, an adult class, two Bible classes, and an ecclesiastical history class. On Friday, March 6, the foundation-stone of a Sunday school-room, 44 ft. by 34 ft. (to be used also as a day-school), was laid by Mr. Wilson, missionary of the Sunday School Union. The cost of the building will be £170, of which £60 have been collected, principally in Lynn; and it is earnestly hoped that the friends of scriptural education will give their generous aid towards so desirable an object amidst 15,000 inhabitants. The necessity of repairing and cleaning the chapel, to make it tenantable, will be obvious when it is stated, that scarcely any thing has been done to it since it was built, 26 years ago. To do this, and render it commodious, will require upwards of £200. The debt which the friends will be obliged to remove as speedily as pos sible, so as to be able to carry on the cause, is £500, leaving a mortgage on the place of £600, at 4 per cent., the interest of which the rents of property will nearly meet.
As nothing now appears needful to render the Baptist cause at Lynn, under the Divine blessing, a useful and respectable interest, but the united aid of the friends of the Redeemer, it is earnestly hoped that a faithful statement of facts will not only meet the eye of those who have it in their power to assist, but that the evil so much and so greatly to be deprecated—a minister leaving his people to travel for money, may in this case be dispensed with; and that, instead of the cause at Lynn being a matter of deep regret to the Christian church, it may become a praise in the earth.
W. F. Poile.
ASSOCIATIONS.
THE HALF-YEARLY WEST HANTS. MINISTERS' MEETING
Was held at Bewley, April 8th, 1835. The afternoon was spent by the brethren in conference and prayer.
The public service took place in the evening. Brother Burt, the pastor, began by solemn prayer. Brother Turquand read the Scriptures, prayed, and spoke on "Perseverance in doing Good." Brother Burnett followed him in prayer, and mentioned some of "The principal Sources of Encouragement and Consolation." Brother Yarnold succeeded him in prayer, and illustrated "The Practical Influence of the Gospel." Brother Ford addressed the Divine Majesty, and made some remarks "On the Importance of Growing in Grace." Brother Adams, also, offered supplication, and showed the intimate connexion between doctrinal and practical godliness. And brother Draper closed the protracted but interesting services of the evening, by prayer, and a brief address "On the Blessings entreated for the Ephesians by the Apostle,—that they might 'know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge; and be filled with all the fulness of God.'"
The next meeting to be held, by the Divine blessing, at Romsey, Wednesday, Sept. 9th, 1835.
LONDON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.