have been shocked by the slaughter, and of their resolve that a thorough investigation into all the circumstances of the case shall take place, have unloosed the tongues of all classes, and the last mail has brought information of atrocities that almost surpass belief. Her re the words of a native of the and, and living near the scene on the riot. After mentioning the proclamation of martial law, he then describes the proceedings of the soldiery. "These men were clothed with power; full of rage and malice, they not only sought to bring the guilty to punishment, which they deserve, but made the best use of their time in venting their long pent-up feelings of bitter

ness.

The retribution was dreadful. About twelve houses were burnt in this village for the sake of mischief, and their little all taken from the people by the troops. So long as a man wore a black face they were victims. The soldiers took a wild delight in shooting down men, and plundering and burning houses, and robbing women of their marriage rings. Hanging, shooting, whipping. and house burning, was the work of the thirty days of martial law.

I

don't think that I am over the mark when I say that three thousand souls were hurried into an awful eternity by the bullet and the halter. But I draw a veil over their doings."

It is not for us to draw aside this veil, to describe the scourgings of women, on their bare persons, in the presence of a licentious soldiery; to tell of cruel imprisonments, of horrible exposures, of the human targets at which the troops tried their skill in musketry. These dread tales will find a fitting place in the report of the Commissioners. It is a satisfaction to us to know that the perpetration of these barbarities will not escape the penalty that such crimes deserve, and that the action of the English people has brought this carnival of blood to a close.

One minister connected with the Society, Mr. Edwin Palmer, a black man, was among the earliest of the persons arrested in Kingston. He was at once closely confined, then chained in irons, and sent to Morant Bay. Day after day he and his com panions in misfortune were led out to witness the execution of others, nor did they know but what at any hour their fate would be the same. At the end of the period of martial law, Mr. Palmer was brought back to Kingston, still a prisoner, without any charge brought against him. At length a writ of habeas corpus was obtained by Mr. George Phillippo. and on the hearing the judge ordered Mr. Palmer to be released on bail. So far as we can learn, the only ground of his cruel incarceration was that he had taken part in a public meeting so long ago as last May, at which the statements of Dr. Under hill's letter were confirmed, and a memorial to the Queen adopted, asking for redress for the grievances of which the people complained.

The newspapers of the island, as well as Governor Eyre, have not been slow to charge the riot and its effects on the Baptist missionaries. This calumny admits of an easy refu tation. It is many years since a Baptist missionary appeared in the district. It was a part of the Island well known for its ignorance, perstition, and lawlessness; and, singularly enough, has always been regarded as peculiarly the stronghold of the Church of England. Years ago a Baptist missionary was arrested in it, and since then it has been left almost entirely to the teachings of the clergy of the Establishment. In point of education, the parish of St. Thomas in the East stands very low on the list. In other parishes about one child in nine was at school. In St. Thomas's only one in seven

sionaries and schools, as compared with parishes on the north side of the island, where perfect peace has reigned, but it had, in addition to its own ignorance and superstition, an influx of African immigrants, direct from the holds of slave-ships, or from the coast of Africa. These were chiefly introduced by the immigration agent, who was a proprietor in the parish. It had a larger population of these heathens settled there than any other parish, and next to nothing was ever done for their enlightenment or religious improvement. Left to themselves, they have remained, and their children have grown up, in ignorance. They are poor dirty, passionate, licentious heathens, living in shameless profligacy, and encouraged in it by the book-keepers and overseers by whom they were employed. No wonder that when the riot occurred many of them took part in it, and rejoiced at the opportunity for plunder that it gave. But nothing can be more

untrue or calumnious than to attribute this state of things to the teachings of Baptist missionaries. It was the want of their teaching that has to be lamented, and it should be among our first duties to endeavour to place among these miserable people schoolmasters and faithful ministers of the Gospel.

The Bill for regulating religious worship, referred to in our last issue, did not pass the Legislature of Jamaica; and the same fate has befallen a second Bill framed on the same principles, but confined in its operation to native religionists. There is therefore every reason to hope that the efforts of godly men to impart the Gospel to the people will not be interfered with, and their religious liberties will be permanently secured. Much has to be done to remove the evils that slavery has left behind, and for a long time to come the freedmen of Jamaica will require the sympathy and aid of British Christians.

BEFORE the present number of THE CHURCH shall have reached the majority of our readers, the Parliament of 1866 will have been opened by the Queen. Not since the death of the Prince Consort has the Queen appeared in person in the House of Lords; and her return, to this extent at least, to the public discharge of her high dutieswe know that their private discharge has never been neglected-will be welcomed by the whole country with thankfulness and gladness. The new Parliament which her Majesty will thus inaugurate seems kely to be one of great interest. Government have definitely announced their intention-an announcement which will be no doubt repeated in the Royal speech-to introduce a measure for the Extension of the Electoral Franchise; and Lord Russel', in receiving a deputation of working men, has stated that by the success, or otherwise, of this measure, his Government" will stand or fall." Another question which is certain to occupy much

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attention is that of Jamaica. It is sad to think that such a question should furnish ground for party conflict; but we are told that the Tory party in the House of Commons, almost to a man, are for "whitewashing" Governor Evre and bis subordinates. It remains to be seen whether the Liberal party will show themselves worthy of their name and their history.

From Jamaica itself the news has been plentiful during the month. Everything we have heard hitherto has only confirmed the impression that a great crime has been committed; and as yet we have had very little that can furnish even slight palliation or apology. Not less than four thousand persons are now said to have been slain under Mr. Eyre's "martial law." The great principles of the Constitution have been set aside or ignored. The murder

of Mr. Gordon is only one of a number of offences that call loud for justice. And as if to put the crowning stone on this monument of their folly or wickedness, the Government of Jamaica have hurried

through the Island Legislature a number of Bills of Indemnity and Repression, that cannot fail to be disallowed by the Queen and people of England. Meantime Sir H. Storks, the new Governor, and head of the Commission of Inquiry, has arrived at Kingston; and the other members of the Commission, Messrs. Gurney and Maule, are also doubtless by this time on their field of labour. We are glad to add that several English philanthropists have gone to Jamaica, whose testimony will be most valuable when the day of reckoning arrives. Two eminent counsel have advised "the Jamaica Committee" that the course of Governor Eyre has been without legal justification, and that he and his subordinates are all liable to be tried for murder in a British Court of Law. The steps of justice are slow, but sure; and we believe, notwithstanding all obstacles, that in this case justice will be done.

DOMESTIC.

BEWICK STREET, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. -The annual congregational tea, in connection with this place of worship, was held in the school-room beneath the chapel, Bewick Street, Newcastle, on Christmas Day. Never on any previous occasion had there been such a large attendance, it being estimated that there were not less than 400 present. The room was tastefully decorated with evergreens and mottoes, and presented a most pleasing appearance. After tea the chair was taken by the Rev. W. Walters. From his opening address, it appeared that the chapel, which seats above 900 persons, was so full that there was not a seat to let; and that the present number of church members was 449. The number received during the last five years and a half, the term of the chairman's pastorate, bad been 232, upwards of one-half of the church. During the past year they had received 49 members, showing strikingly the prosperity of the church. The sheriff of Newcastle (Mr. Henry Angus) also addressed the meeting at length, referring to the success which had attended Mr. Walters's ministrations; and at the close of his observations he, on behalf of the church and the congregation, presented to Mr. Walters a pure containing the handsome sum of £60, as a mark of the respect and esteem in which he is held by the congregation worshipping at the Bewick Street Chapel. The chairman, in a feeling speech, returned thanks. Addresses were also delivered by the Revs. Wildon Carr, T. Harwood Pattison, Dr. Angus (presi

dent of the Regent's Park College), the Rev. A. Reed, Mr. Blewitt, from the Me tropolitan Tabernacle College, Mr. John Bradburn, and Mr. Jonathan Angus. The usual complimentary votes of thanks brought the interesting proceedings to a close.

EAST DEREHAM, NORFOLK.-On Thursday, January 4th, interesting meetings were held at the Baptist Chapel in this town, to commemorate the paying off of the chapel debt. The chapel, which was built in 1859, was burdened in July last with a debt of £430. At the anniversary meeting, held in that month, the Rev. G. Gould, of Norwich, told the church and congregation that if they would raise £230 by the end of the year, he would endeavour to raise the other £200 for them. This offer (which was extended to other churches in the Norfolk Association) was accepted, and with God's help the work was accom plished. On the above-named day tea was provided in the school-room, when more than 200 persons partook of that refreshing beverage. After tea a public meeting was held in the chapel, which was well attended. The chair was taken by J. P. Smith, Esq. The Rev. S. B. Gooch gave out a hymn and engaged in prayer. The chairman made a few remarks upon the pleasure it afforded him to congratulate the meeting upon the successful issue of the effort made to remove the debt. The Rev. G. Gould and Mr. S. Hawkes having produced the receipts, which showed that the whole of the debt had been paid, inte resting addresses were delivered by the Revs. G. Gould and S. B. Gooch, of Norwich; R. G. Williams (Independent), Dereham; Messrs. Vynne, Swaffham; Culley and Fletcher, of Norwich. The Revs. F. W. Gooch, Foulsham, and Law. ton (Wesleyan), Dereham, also took part in the meeting, which was concluded with prayer by the Rev. G. Gould.

MARLOWES CHAPEL, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD. The new school-rooms connected with this chapel were formally opened on New Year's Day. A large number of friends partook of tea in the principal room. After tea some time was occupied in disposing of articles left unsold at the bazaar held last summer. In the absence, through illness, of the pastor, the Rev. W. B. Bliss, Mr. Osborne, one of the dea cons, was called to the chair. The secre. tary read the financial statement, from which it appeared that the schools had cost about £800. The collections on the previous day, proceeds of tea, sale of articles, and donations, realized between £60 and £70; which, with sums previously sub

scribed, permitted the gratifying announcement that the building was paid for on the opening day. A further sum of £60 will, however, be required for extra fittings. Several congratulatory addresses were delivered, and, at a late hour, the meeting broke up, after devout acknowledgment of the "good Hand of God" in bringing the work to such a happy termination. The balding, which consists of eight commodio class-rooms (together with kitchen and other necessary offices) on the ground fe, and a general school-room, 50ft. by 30ft, on the floor above, has been erected immediately behind the chapel. The chapel tlf was opened about four years ago. The entire cost, up to the present time, for land, chapel, organ, and schools, exceeds £4,000, but a small fraction of which remains unpaid.

BARNSLEY.-The annual Christmas teameeting was held in the school-room, Sheffield-road, Barnsley, on Christmas Day, and was numerously attended. The special feature of the meeting was the announcement that the effort for the extinction of the chapel debt, and the rebuilding of the schools, which had engaged the attention of the church and congregation for more than two years, had been brought to a satisfactory termination. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Compston, the pastor of the church; Mr. E. Wood, cash secretary to the Building Committee; Messrs. W. Drake, T. Goulding, C. Bennet, Captain Bufham, J. Busfield, G. Wild

th, J. Wood, C. Buckley, G. Marshall, H. Fieldsend, S. Chadwick, B. Harris, A. Mak, J. Greenwood, W. Banks, W. Eagland, and T. Gibson, all being connected with the church and congregation. The church was formed on March 29th, 1846, with eight members, and had to worship in a hired room, badly situated and inconvenient. In 1849 the chapel was erected, and shortly afterwards the schools. The debt upon the buildings was gradually reduced, till, in 1863, it stood at £400. In that year it became imperatively necessary to meet the increasing of the place by rebuilding the schools on an enlarged and improved plan, the cost of which amounted to upwards of £500, bringing the total liabilities to £900, which sum has been obtained.

PEMBROKE.-W. Rees, Esq,, of Haverfordwest, kindly promised last June to give £50 towards the final removal of the debt remaining on the Baptist chapel, Pembroke, on condition that the minister and people would obtain the other two hundred pounds before the end of the year 1865. The Rev. D. Davies (the pastor) engaged to collect

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one hundred pounds, and the church promised to make up the other hundred." tea-party in connection with the above object was held in the Town Hall, on Christmas Day. Upwards of 500 persons sat down to tea. After tea a public service was held in the Town Hall; Mr. W. Rees, Upton, presided. After an appropriate speech from the chairman, Mr. John Brown, of Swansea, gave an address. Mr. S. Willing, the secretary, then read the accounts of the Building Fund. He stated that the Rev. D. Davies had collected the hundred pounds which he had promised; the people also had made up their amount. Thus they had cleared off the £250 remaining on the new place of worship. The secretary also stated that they had paid during the last six years the sum of £1,271. Addresses were then delivered by the Rev. D. Davies, pastor, D. Evans, R. Davies, Maesteg. The interesting service closed by proposing cordial votes of thanks to W. Rees, Esq., Haverfordwest, to the chairman, and the Rev. D. Davies.

CLARENCE PARADE, CHELTENHAM.-On New Year's Day a congregational tea-meeting was held in the large lecture-room connected with the above place of worship. Tea being over, a public-meeting was held, the Rev. T. Foston (the pastor) giving the opening address, in which he returned thanks for the very kind wishes that had been showered upon him that day, and concluded by wishing them all a truly happy new year. R. B. Sherring, Esq., of Bristol, then rose, and stated that he had the pleasing duty to perform of presenting to his tried and dear friend Mr. Foston a handsome new year's gift, subscribed for by the young members of the church and congregation, as a mark of the high esteem in which his labours are held amongst them. After some brief and suitable remarks, he presented the gift. It consisted of an elegant electro-plated inkstand, together with a beautiful penholder and paper-knife. Mr. Foston was evidently much affected by the unexpected gift, thanked the donors, and said he should ever cherish their well-being in his heart's best affections. The meeting was then very ably addressed by Messrs. Channon, J. H. Moore, Whitbread, Whittard, Smith, and Beard.

BRACKLEY. On Tuesday, December 19th, a new Baptist chapel was opened in the ancient borough town of Brackley, formerly distinguished for a stately castle, and more churches than the county-town of Northampton and the cathedral city of Peterborough. The evangelical services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Angus,

president of Regent's Park College, and the Rev. Philip Gast, of London, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Adey, Sinclair, and Hedge. The neat chapel is located in the centre of the principal street, near St. James's Church, which spacious building has been unoccupied for twenty-seven years, also near the manor-house, renowned as containing the hall where the barons of England assembled, prior to the day when they compelled King John to sign Magna Charta at Runnymede. A large company took tea in the Town Hall, and expressed joyful satisfaction with the events of the day. The young church is under the temporary care of the Rev. Edward Adey, of Leighton Buzzard, who has consented to fulfil the office of honorary pastor, and who will be thankful to receive any donation for the building fund.

CHEPSTOW, MON.-On Monday evening, January 1st, a tea-meeting was held in the Baptist Chapel, Chepstow, which was followed by a social meeting, held for the purpose of testifying esteem and regard to the pastor, the Rev. T. Jones. Mr. Jones, draper, was called to the chair, and in his opening remarks he referred at length to the most efficient and valuable services which had been rendered by the Rev. T. Jones, during the thirty-two years of his ministry; he spoke of him with the greatest respect and affection, referring especially to his zeal and diligence in every branch of Christian effort, and to the great success that had attended his labours; and concluded by presenting Mr. Jones, on behalf of the congregation, with a purse of sixty-four pounds. Mr. Jones, in affectionate terms, acknowledged the gift; and the meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr. R. Slade, of Newport, Mr. W. T. Thomas, Mr. Panely, Mr. Mallin, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Hunt. The meeting concluded with singing and prayer.

WESTBROMWICH.-On Tuesday evening, December 26th, about 300 friends sat down to tea in the Baptist school-room, Dartmouth Street, in this town. After tea, Mr. Blacham, of Handsworth, was voted into the chair. The Revs. T. Hanson, minister of the place; J. Whewell, Independent, Westbromwich; A. Major, of Netherton; D. Evans, of Dudley; and W. Jackson, of Bilston, addressed the meeting, with a view to stimulate the people to enter at once into subscriptions for the purpose of remodelling and beautifying their place of worship, which has been in a discreditable condition for some time past. In response to the earnest appeals of the speakers, the sum of £110 was promised in a few minutes; and but for the unavoid

able absence of one or two liberal supporters, a much larger amount would have been guaranteed.

HARROW, MIDDLESEX.-The anniversary of the Sabbath-schools connected with the above place of worsli was held on the 27th of December, which was preceded by a tea-meeting, held in the commodious vestries, which were tastefully decorated. At the public meeting, the pastor presided, and read an encouraging report of the increase, both of teachers and scholars. On the conclusion of his address, one of the deacops, Mr. Batchelor, came forward, and, without the previous knowledge of the pastor or any of his family, presented to him, in the name of the church and congregation, a very beautiful black marble timepiece, as a token of their undiminished attachment after more than thirty years' ministry amongst them.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.-The Rev. C. Kirtland, secretary of the Baptist British Mission, requests us to say that his private address is 1, Florence Villas, De Beauvoir Square, London, N.-The Rev. T. J. Bristow, late of Deptford, Kent, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Woodford, Northamptonshire, to become their pastor, and enters on his labours with encouraging prospects of success.The Rev. W. Symonds has intimated his intention to resign the pastorate of the Baptist church, High Street, Pershore, at Lady Day next.-The Rev. P. Gibb, hav ing completed his six months' engagement with the church in Howgate Chapel, Fal kirk, has closed his connection with the church. Mr. Joseph Forth, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, has accepted the pastorate of the church at Zion Chapel, Pontypool, Monmouthshie.-Mr. Charles Hill, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, has accepted the pastorate of the church at Dunfermline, N.B.--Mr. H. Perkins, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, has accepted the unanimous and earnest call of the church at Warminster, Wilts.-The Rev. H. H. Bourn, of Grange, Co. Antrim, Ireland, has accepted an invitation to labour in connection with the Baptist Church, John Street, Glasgow. The Rev. Joseph Hurlstone has intimated his resignation of the pastorate of the church at Castle Street, Calne, and bas accepted a very earnest and unanimous invitation given him by the church at Corsham, Wilts.-The Rev. Robert Lewis, having ministered for six months to the Baptist Church meeting in the Assemblyrooms, Weston-super-Mare, was mously recognised as pastor of the church on the first Sabbath in December.

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