are they? Few communities can boast of a parentage more honourable. Can we forget them? Forget FULLER and RYLANDS, HALL and FOSTER, STEADMAN and PEARCE, HINTON and SAFFERY, Birt and WINTERBOTTOM, CAREY and his band of missionaries; JOSEPH HUGHES who commenced the mighty enterprise of blessing the world, and my countryman, CHRISTMAS EVANS? Impossible! At this moment their images stand before our sight, and their accents fall upon our ears. And if it were not so, the monuments they have left behind,—not in perishable marble, but in the churches they nourished, -the colleges they founded,-the missions they originated and sustained, the schools they fostered, the writings they committed to the press full of truth and love, renders it quite impossible not to have them in everlasting remembrance."

A particular reference might be made to many much-esteemed names who have been an honour to the denomination and useful in their day and generation, but the limited space of this "sketch" will not permit of lengthened details.

Of the labours of the good men of former days Dr. Godwin remarks: "Great as were the sufferings and the efforts of our fathers in the sacred cause of civil and religious liberty, they did not 'labour in vain nor spend their strength for nought.' Had they not sown we should not have reaped; had they not struggled bravely, and endured with heroic constancy, we should not have possessed the privileges which we this day enjoy. The whole church, we may say the whole world, is indebted to these early asserters of the rights of conscience, these advocates of complete religious freedom. And the peculiar principles of this denomination have, we may venture to affirm, passed the severest ordeal uninjured. They have been investigated with hostile criticismopposed by adversaries of the greatest learning; the mode of attack has been often changed, and from time to time new discoveries of adverse and conclusive arguments have been announced; they have been assailed with bitter invective and vulgar abuse, and great misunderstanding and general prejudice have existed respecting them; but with all this opposition and disadvantages these principles have spread, are spreading, and we believe will spread ;" and according to the sentiments of the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, "will eventually completely prevail with the Christian world."

The Baptists, in furtherance of an educated ministry, have their ACADEMICAL, OR COLLEGIATE INSTITUTIONS. The oldest Educational Institution is the BRISTOL ACADEMY. The basis of its establishment was laid by Mr. EDWARD TERRILL, in 1686; by its means, remarks Ivimey, so many of the ministers of our churches have since that

66

period been furnished with literary knowledge." Mr. TERRILL shared in the tribulation of the persecuting times in which he lived for the sake of a good conscience, being several times in the Newgate of Bristol, where it is said of him "he endured affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

Mr. TERRILL, for the purpose of promoting the education of candidates for the ministry, left by his will a considerable sum to the pastor of the church at Broadmead, under the following conditions:— "Provided he be an holy man, well skilled in the Greek and Hebrew tongues, in which the scriptures were originally written; and devote three afternoons in the week to the instruction of any number of young students not exceeding twelve, who may be recommended by the churches, in the knowledge of the original languages and other literature." Desirous as was Mr. Terrill that our ministers should be persons of literature, he was more solicitous they should be men of piety and religion; and therefore provided only to assist such young men who may be recommended by the churches. Thus guarding as much as possible against the substitution of literature for piety and spiritual gifts; and for the prevention of a dry and sapless ministry in our churches. He provided also for the "assistance of students who may be in destitute circumstances." It is further said, "Before this provision made by Mr. Terrill for a Theological Academy, in Bristol, many students had been educated in this city; their tutor was a Mr. WILLIAM THOMAS, of whom Dr. CALAMY of Oxford university, says, "He was a minister in this city (Bristol) in Oliver's time, and he continued so afterwards, though he had no fixed place. He was tempted to conform by considerable offers in Wales, but refused to the last. He trained up many for the ministry. He died at Bristol in 1693."* It was 1717, before the estate of Mr. Terrill was available for the objects contemplated by his will, with regard to educating for the ministry, and which was carried out for some years under learned men; but subsequently by the establishment of the Bristol Academy.

IN 1770, Dr. CALEB EVANS, from his extensive influence, was enabled to raise a new society in connexion with the former academy at Bristol, to which he gave the name of THE BRISTOL EDUCATION SOCIETY. Of this scheme Dr. RIPPON, who was a student at Bristol at the time, says, "Under his fostering hand the most benevolent men in all our connexion enrolled themselves as subscribers to the institution, and names which add a lustre to any catalogue, became its patrons and benefactors." Thus an important auxiliary was formed for more extensively carrying out the intentions of Mr. Terrill, and

* Rippon's Reg. p. 421.

of enlarging the means of usefulness of the BRISTOL ACADEMY, of which Dr. CALEB EVANS was the able and valued tutor; and, as observed by Dr. STENNETT, "he had the happiness of seeing many churches in the neighbourhood, and at remote distances, supplied from hence with able and successful ministers." Since that period these numbers of useful and devoted men have greatly increased. President, Mr. T. S. Crisp; treasurer, Mr. Robert Leonard.

HORTON COLLEGE, Bradford, was instituted in 1804, "For the education of such pious young men as might devote themselves, with the approbation of their respective churches, to the work of the Christian ministry." This institution originated with a few of the ministers and members of the Baptist churches in the counties of York and Lancaster. It has received the favourable support of several benevolent individuals in the Baptist denomination; and has been instrumental in sending forth many excellent and useful men into the ministry, in various parts of the kingdom, and amongst the heathens abroad.

Dr. STEADMAN was the first president of this college; Dr. GODWIN was also connected with it; Dr. JAMES ACKWORTH is its present president and theological tutor; the Rev. FRANCIS CLOWES was late its classical tutor, but has been obliged, through ill health, to retire from his duties, which he fulfilled with much efficacy. Treasurer, Mr. William Murgatroyd.

STEPNEY COLLEGE was instituted in 1810. Its design is thus stated, "For the education of pious young men, who may be recommended by the churches as possessing promising gifts for the Christian ministry. The education of such persons in solid and useful learning, especially at the present period, when education so generally prevails."

This institution, in which was merged the London Baptist Education Society, was munificently founded and endowed by Mr. W. TAYLOR, of Newgate Street, London. He was a member and a deacon of the church in Prescot Street, London; during his lifetime he appropriated £6,000 for the objects of the college, and left an additional sum by his will. There are many ministers from this college now occupying important stations of usefulness, both at home and abroad.

Dr. NEWMAN, who was pastor of the Baptist chapel at Bow, in Essex, was appointed the first president. JOSEPH ANGUS, M.A., is the present president and theological tutor. It may be observed that Mr. Angus was formerly the pastor of the church in New Park Street, Southwark, and the successor of Dr. Rippon. Mr. G. T. Kemp is treasurer of this institution.

There are also educational institutions at Pontypool, established

1807; president, Mr. J. Thomas; and at Haverfordwest, instituted 1839; president, Mr. D. Davis, &c.

THE GENERAL BAPTIST Educational Institution at Leicester was established 1798. President, Mr. Wallis; treasurer, Mr. Bennett of Sawley.

Upon Baptist, Collegiate, and Academical Institutions, Dr. Godwin offers some important suggestions, and he is highly qualified from lengthened experience and position to do so. "Let me," remarks Dr. Godwin, "express my earnest hope that our denomination may never lose sight of the first and great object of these institutions, which is not the cultivation of literature and science, but the advancement of the cause of true religion."

"Respecting the course of study in these seminaries, I would venture to ask, could not some provision be made in connection with these establishments to meet the case of young men, who, having acceptable gifts for public speaking, but small inclination to pursue the study of the dead languages, would require a shorter time of preparation; and at the same time to extend to those who have higher literary capabilities, two additional years to be devoted especially to theology, to biblical and ecclesiastical learning? By such means, with the same amount of funds, the churches might be supplied with pastors equal in number to those now furnished, and superior in adaptation to their several stations. And would that there were some fund which might answer the purpose of fellowships in our English Universities, to enable those who have distinguished talents for scholarship, and not, perhaps, the best gifts for preaching, to employ their time in making such acquisitions in every branch of learning connected with the illustration and defence of Christian truth, as, though not requisite to all our ministers, the circumstances of the age render it necessary that some should possess. Another object which appears to me very desirable is, that the personal religion, as well as the ministerial preparation of our future pastors, should be most assiduously, regularly, and systematically cared for and cultivated."

A bequest by JOHN WARD,* LL.D., a professor of Gresham College, has exercised a beneficial influence, by which several eminent men in the Baptist denomination have been enabled to derive the advantages of an education at a Scotch University, where they have then been able to take degrees. It is termed Dr. WARD'S TRUST. Additions

*Dr. John Ward was the son of a Baptist Minister at Tysoe, in Warwickshire, he was Professor of Rhetoric in Gresham College, and one of the Vice-Presidents of the Royal Society. Was the author of several learned works. (See his Life by Dr. Birch.) In his religious associations he was a member of the Baptist congregation in Little Wild Street, London. Dr. Samuel Stennell, his minister, preached his funeral sermon- but it was not published.-Ivimey, vol. iv., p. 611.

to this fund have been subsequently made for the extension of its usefulness. Amongst those who have obtained the scholarships may be mentioned Dr. CALEB EVANS, Dr. JOSEPH JENKINS, ROBERT BURNSIDE, M.A., author of "The Religion of Mankind," &c., ROBERT HALL, M.A., JOSEPH HUGHES, M.A., JOHN HOWARD HINTON, M.A., Professor HOPPUS, LL.D., Dr. JAMES ACKWORTH, JOSEPH ANGUS, M.A., author of the Prize Essay, "The Voluntary Principle." FRANCIS TUCKER, B.A., took two Sessions only, he being pressed to proceed to India as a Missionary, and was obliged to return through delicate health. Mr. Tucker is now the pastor of a prosperous and an increasing church, at Manchester. HENRY DUNCKLEY, M.A., the successful competitor for One Hundred Guineas, offered by the Tract Society for the best Essay-"On the present condition of the working classes." It is considered that Mr. Dunckley, from the number of competitors, (above 100,) and their class of attainments, had well fulfilled his task in obtaining the offered premium. Mr. Dunckley is the pastor of an interesting and rising Baptist church, in Salford. Several other names might be mentioned, some of whom who have derived educational advantages from Dr. Ward's Trusts, have occupied, and others are now occupying, positions of usefulness. Dr. Ward's bequest is under the management of trustees. Treasurer, Mr. W. B. GURNEY.*

It will be quite in order to notice the peculiar distinctions which exist amongst the BAPTISTS as to those persons who should be admitted into Church fellowship; upon this question the Baptists are divided into different sections, each however holding identical sentiments as to the proper subjects for Christian baptism; and also as to the mode of its administration. The distinctive peculiarities referred to are: PARTICULAR BAPTISTS-GENERAL BAPTISTS-STRICT BAPTISTS and OPEN COMMUNION BAPTISTS. The two former classes have already been briefly noticed.

STRICT BAPTISTS are those who do not admit any persons to commune with them at the Lord's Supper, without their having previously been baptized by immersion, upon a profession of their repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ.

OPEN COMMUNION BAPTISTS do not attach that importance to baptism by immersion, as to exclude those whom they consider, in a judgment of charity, to be Christians, from partaking of the Lord's Supper, although they may have been only sprinkled in their infancy.

Before presenting a short historical epitome of the twofold questions,

There are those who have derived educational advantages from this Trust, who were subsequently liberal contributors to its funds.