the age of twelve, she, with four elder sisters, was left without father and mother. They died within five weeks of each other. At the breaking up of the home, nine years later, she went to reside with her eldest sister, at Haddenham, Bucks, and there joined the church under the pastoral care of Rev. Amos Dyson, father of our present Association Secretary, and became a most useful and beloved member. On the 3rd of January, 1865, she was married, and went to reside at Stalybridge, where her husband was settled as pastor. Seven years later Mr. Evans accepted the invitation of the church at Dover-street, Leicester. During the past thirteen years in connection with that church, Mrs. Evans did all in her power to supplement the labours of the pastor. Her illness extended over several years, but it was not till within a few weeks of her death that all hope of recovery had to be abandoned. Patient and trustful, she could contemplate the end with perfect calmness and some degree of joy. Her own experience of God's watchful care helped her to leave her husband and eight children to her heavenly father's care, with perfect confidence. The 906th hymn in our Hymnal, was a source of untold comfort to her, the last two lines: "I feel the everlasting arms, being among the last words she uttered. She died on April 27th. Her death called forth much sincere sympathy and regret both in the church and the town, a large number testifying their regard by attending the funeral. The Rev. J. C. Forth occupied the pulpit the following Sabbath morning, and very appropriately ministered to the sorrowing relatives and congregation, by whom she was so much loved. G. P. MORGAN, MRS. MARY AUSTEN.-The wife of Mr. William Morgan, one of the deacons of Praed-street and Westbourne Park Church, entered upon the rest which remaineth for the people of God, on the 5th of May, aged 62 years. She was one of the earlier members of the community at Church-street Chapel, Edgware-road, London, having been baptized by Dr. Burns, on the 30th day of May, 1836, but nearly the whole of her Christian life was spent in communion with, and in the service of, the Praed-street Church. As a daughter she was marked by strong filial affection; in her home she was the devoted and solicitous mother, the faithful and loving wife, and in the church she was beloved by all who knew her for her sterling integrity, good sense, unobtrusive piety, and solid worth. In the circle of the "Dorcas" sisterhood, her memory will long be cherished as a stedfast friend and a faithful worker. The Bible of her childhood, turned down at the xiv. chapter of John, shows that like many of the disciples of the Saviour she had found solace and help for her spiritual life in the Master's last words; and the Westbourne Park Hymnal, a small collection she highly esteemed and used as a companion, contained a hymn marked as her special favourite, which indicates the spirit she breathed, "Jesus! I live to Thee, The loveliest and best, My life in Thee, Thy life in me, In Thy blest love I rest." "Jesus! I die to Thee, Whenever death shall come; To die in Thee, is life to me, In my eternal home." It is not of death, then, we will think; but of the life that is stronger than death, and that overcomes it and will overcome altogether, as our friends leave us to begin the fuller and richer experiences of "eternal life" in the J. C. heavenly world. RHODES, JAMES.-On the 2nd of May, Mr. James Rhodes, of Ilkley and Bradford, entered into rest. He was born in Bradford, in 1818, and in his early days was connected with the Baptist church in Westgate. He was afterwards one of the first who formed the G. B. church now worshipping in Bethel Chapel, Infirmary Street, and was the chief promoter of the building of that chapel and school. From the commencement, until his death, he was a deacon of the church, and for more than twenty years took a very active and energetic part in everything that concerned the welfare of the church and Sunday school. He was seldom absent from any means of grace, at all of which, by his kindness, zeal, and energy he was very helpful. Were any of the members of the church or congregation in trouble or difficulties, Mr. R. was generally applied to, and his sympathy, counsel, and help were always sure. In the Sunday school he took a very active part, (every Sunday) and was much beloved as superintendent, and teacher of a flourishing select class. In supporting the cause, and in special efforts for the extinction of the debt, he was very liberal. A little over eleven years ago he went to reside at Ilkley, and on that occasion gave a substantial proof of the love he bore to the little church from which he was necessarily to be partly separated. He had the interior of the chapel altered and greatly improved, a gallery put in, three class rooms erected for the use of the school, and a neat organ placed in the chapel, and the whole place beautifully painted and decorated, solely at his own expense. Up to the close of his life, he always manifested a deep interest in the church though (owing to distance) he was not able to attend so frequently as formerly. For two years his health had been failing, and about eight months ago he had a stroke, which rendered his left hand powerless. Since that time he had been almost entirely confined to his room. His sufferings, during his affliction, had been very great, and his inward experience very deep and varied. Sometimes he was very much tried and tempted by the enemy, and at other times he rejoiced greatly in the liberty wherewith Christ had made him free. During the last three weeks he sank rapidly, and for the last few days seemed to realize more clearly his nearness to the celestial city, while the enemy was not suffered to molest him, and he desired nothing so much as to depart and be with Jesus. We could not always make out what he said, but his expressions were mostly those of praise and exultation. During Friday, May 2nd, he lay quite still, apparently unable to move or speak, until about a quarter to ten o'clock in the evening, when, without a struggle, he calmly passed away. Mr. Rhodes was well known and much esteemed in the Lancashire and Yorkshire Conference. In both Ilkley and Bradford he was much respected, as the multitudes at his funeral testified. He was a very kind and affectionate husband and father, and a true friend to all with whom he was intimately acquainted. In his character were blended manly strength and firmness, with the sympathy, gentleness, and kindness of woman. Outspoken, and upright in his dealings, he was ever ready to forgive injuries, bearing ill-will to none, and he delighted in opportunities of doing good. B. M. THE MISSIONARY OBSERVER. JULY, 1884. The Illness of Mr. Mulholland. We are thankful to state that Mr. Mulholland is recovering from his serious illness. In a letter to the Mission Secretary, dated May 17th, he writes: "Through the great goodness and loving care of our heavenly Father I am again able to write you one more letter. Four weeks ago last Tuesday, when the blood vessel (or the lung itself) burst, we all thought the end had come; but, in answer to much prayer, the Lord sustained me, and I am still among the living to praise Him. The violence of the fever for two days before the blood was discharged was something dreadful. Till my dying hour I shall never forget the agony of the Monday night. Kind hands wet my lips and bathed my head every minute with iced water, yet my poor head was on fire; my lips cracked with thirst. Malaria fever is a reality. "My general health is much better; so much so, that I have been to the printing office for over an hour every day this week. But I deeply regret to add that Dr. Stewart says the lung is not improving. Not more than a quarter of it is working, and he fears the depressing air of the rains will be injurious. He has, therefore, told me that I will have to return to Britain, the bracing air of which may stimulate the weak lung. At first I thought there was nothing for it but to return to my native land. As my general strength and health are returning so rapidly, the idea of returning home is not so clear. I suppose you know that Mrs. M. and the two boys had malaria fever at the same time as I was its victim. They are very much reduced, and I fear the boys at least must go home, and I think perhaps it would be well for Mrs. M. to take them." It is expected that later information, with medical opinion, will be laid before the Committee at the Annual Meeting at Loughborough, when the case will receive their serious attention. Should Mr. Mulholland be compelled to return, it will be a great trial to himself, as well as a great disappointment to the friends of the Mission. Afflic tions, however, spring not out of the ground, and when the Lord's children are disposed to complain, they may well listen to the divine words "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen." Registration in India. THE following communications on the "Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths," will be read with interest. They are copied from "The Indian Baptist." In an article preceding Dr. Buckley's letter the editor writes: We heartily congratulate Dr. Buckley on the energy that has been displayed by his Mission from the very beginning in the matter of registration of births and marriages, and we wish that in other places Baptist Ministers and Missionaries and the members of Baptist churches had shown themselves as intelligent and active. But while the Baptist Missionaries in Cuttack have shown how much can be done by wisdom and determination to make up for the deficiencies of Government, they have not solved, and cannot solve, the problem that the Government only can solve. Neither they nor any other private individuals can provide a system of registration that shall be at the service of the public, irrespective of the favour of individuals, and shall also be of first rate as evidence in law courts. Suppose all Baptist churches had the registers of births and marriages as well preserved as the Cuttack Baptist church, yet it might well happen that those who wanted a certificate of a particular birth might only know of the person concerned that he was born in India, or if they know that his birth was registered in the book of a Baptist church, might not know which, and might only be able to find out, after great trouble and expense. Besides, the question is far wider than the Baptist denomination, it concerns the whole European and East Indian community, and considering the comparatively small number of that community, and the importance already fully recognized in England of keeping such registers, it does seem a matter of reproach to our Government, that no central registration office has as yet been established where such registers may be kept and may be accessible to the public. Even the Cuttack register, well kept as it has been, and now is, may not always be accessible to the public, and may not always be so conscientiously kept. One generation of Missionaries who care not for registers might undo all the good work of the last fifty years. Under a deep conviction that no system is practically of use that is not maintained by Government and made compulsory upon all members of the nominal Christian cummunity, the Conference of the Baptist Missionaries of Bengal and the North West (a body that from its close connection with the members of Baptist churches is thoroughly representative of the feeling of the denomination in this matter) has resolved to memorialize the Govern ment again to pay due heed to the want, and, if possible, to satisfy it quickly. We have to thank Government for some steps taken last year to introduce a measure which, however, seems to have failed for some reason of attaining to due maturity, and we do heartily hope that another year will not pass without something definite being done. It seems likely, as Dr. Buckley intimates, that the Home Government would have settled the matter long ago had not the Indian Government skilfully checkmated it by sending a return of "sacred offices',' whatever these may mean, instead of the returns of "births, deaths, and marriages" that the Home Authorities asked for. And why? Because, we presume, of the pestilent intrusion of one religious sect into political matters, from which we shall never be free as long as its ministers are the paid servants of Government, and are allowed to exercise extensive political influence. Possibly before the matter can be finally settled, some questions may have to be asked in Parliament. We have great pleasure in giving prominent insertion to the subjoined communication from Dr. Buckley, of Cuttack. The importance of the subject justifies us in bringing it again to the notice of our readers. Dr. Buckley writes: "The questions raised in the last number of the Indian Baptist on this point are well worthy of the serious attention of all Missionaries, but the disclosures made as to Registers having been lost or destroyed through negligence or carelessness are rather startling, and surely not very creditable to the parties concerned. 'Whatsoever we do' for the good of man, and the glory of God, we are commanded to 'do it heartily,' and this inspired precept should be practically regarded in keeping Registers, as well as in other and weightier matters. I have no means of ascertaining how far the statements referred to apply to Mission stations in general, but my first REGISTRATION IN INDIA. 275 object in writing is to say, distinctly and emphatically, that they are altogether inapplicable to the Mission at Cuttack. It may interest your readers to know what has been the course pursued here. "In regard to the Registration of Marriages I may say, that more than seven hundred marriages have been solemnized since the commencement of the Mission here; the first was more than half a century ago, (20th November, 1832), the last a few days since; and I should be able to supply a certificate of any one of these marriages on application. About one-tenth of the number mentioned have been marriages of Europeans and East Indians. Our predecessors in the work of the Lord here felt the desirableness of carefully preserving the Marriage Register Book, and we who have entered into their labours have not been less alive to its importance. Damp and white ants are as destructive at Cuttack as at other places, but with proper care Register books may be preserved, as ours have been, from destruction. The writer of the article under consideration observes, that when the Marriage Register Book is full it should be sent to the Government. Exactly so, but the difficulty thus suggested is easily obviated. We have always taken care to have in the possession of the Mission a certified copy of every entry before the book has been parted with. All that is required is a little attention and forethought. "As to the Registration of Births I may say that we have long felt the desirableness of having such a record for our native Christian community, and have often urged on their attention; but as yet, I fear, with only partial success. In regard, however, to the births of European Christians,' by which term I include, as the Government does in using it, those of mixed descent, the case is different. Such a register has been kept in connection with this Mission for nearly a quarter of a century. The writer says-'We doubt if there is a single birth-register in connection with any English Baptist congregation in the country that is anything more than an abortive attempt to do what the people concerned are indifferent about.' This supposition is extremely different from the actual facts so far as we are concerned. The attempt has been made: it has not been abortive;' and 'the parties concerned' have not been 'indifferent' about it. "In explaining the usage here I may state that early in 1859 the then Commissioner of Orissa wrote officially to the senior Missionary, courteously asking that he would, on behalf of the Mission, supply the Government with Quarterly Returns of Births, Marriages, and Burials of European Christians; and from that time to the present, these returns have been regularly sent. In the event of no birth, or marriage, or burial having taken place during the Quarter, a No-occurrence Certificate' is forwarded. It is understood that in all cases certificates relating to Her Majesty's European subjects, are sent to the Registrar General, London, and that this is done in the case of others whenever it is requested, at least in regard to marriages. The reader marks the date above given early in 1859.' It is very suggestive. The Mutiny had been just suppressed; and thanksgiving offered to the Supreme Ruler of nations for His great goodness in our merciful preservation. The Home Authorities and the Government of India then woke up to the importance of securing accurate statistics relating to Europeans in India. A generation is now rising up to whom that terrible event is matter of history; but those of us who passed through those dark days can never forget, that wherever there were Englishmen or native Christians, there were warm and hearty friends of the Government, who felt that their own existence was bound up in its stability. "On the legal validity of Registers kept in the way described, I do not agree with the writer. Take my own case. It has been at the request of the Government that I have sent Quarterly returns duly certified from Registers in the possession of the Mission, and I hope it cannot be wrong to add, that I have done this not only cheerfully and faithfully, but gratuitously. I believed that it was for the advantage of the Mission, as well as of the State, that such a record should be kept. And to suppose that such Registers, carefully kept, would not be legal and valid, is a reflection on the Government, at whose request they have been prepared. I cannot profess to know much about the Queen's Courts; but till evidence to the contrary is adduced, I shall believe that certificates from Missionaries will have the weight to which they are justly entitled. I am confirmed in the persuasion I hold by the course that was pursued by the Government at home on the passing of the General Registration Act of 1836. I am old enough to remember the passing of that important Act, and the bitter discussions it occasioned. It was one of the early fruits of the first Reform Bill. Nonconformists had for many years-at least in many of their congregations-kept registers of births, but the law had not taken cognizance of them. On the passing of this Act Dissenting Ministers were applied to for these Registers in original, and with the exception of the Quakers they were, I believe, generally sent. In due course it was found that Registers, well and truly kept, were legalized; while those that had been indifferently or carelessly kept, (I have seen specimens of both the good and the bad,) had not and could not have any weight whatever. "I may add, that I have been repeatedly applied to for certificates of births, marriages, and burials, and so far as I am aware, they have in all cases been accepted as sufficient for the purpose designed. Three or four years since, I was applied to by an officer in the Madras Army for a certificate of a marriage which had been solemnized more than thirty years before, and it was at once sent. And three months since, I received an application from England for certified copies of two entries in our Register of births, which were promptly forwarded. Both the parties are now young men, and one of them is serving Christ in the ministry of the Gospel. "I perfectly agree with the writer of the article that an application to the Bengal Government for copies of any returns sent in a few years before, would have small chance of success; but I do not commend the Government for this, because if its work was conscientiously and thoroughly done, it would be far otherwise. There is a department of the Government that should attend to this work; and occasionally one of its officers has visited Cuttack, but, judging from the little I have seen, I should say, that his visits answer to the poetic description of 'angel visits,' they are ‘short and far between,' but not angelic in any higher sense. "On the desirableness of a Central Record Office' for each Presidency there can hardly be two opinions; but the wisdom of compulsory registration may be gravely questioned. At any rate let us first try what voluntary effort will do. And in any communication with the Government let us go back to first principles. It seems to me that the Indian Government has never sent just the information which the Home Government asked for. Twenty-four years ago the Home Authorities called for returns of births, marriages, and deaths of European Christians of all denominations, that is, Christians of European birth, or descent, or of mixed European and native descent.' The Government of India sends a return of 'sacred offices,' the first being 'baptisms solemnized,' but this form is 'modified to suit the case of Baptists.' No doubt the alteration was made by ecclesiastical advice, but surely the Government must know that on such questions ecclesiastics are very unsafe advisers, and it is obvious to remark that if a return of 'sacred offices' is not required from the several districts of England and Scotland, it cannot be necessary from this country. But whatever the Government may do or may not do in the matter under consideration, our course is clear. As Missionaries, we have a work to do. Let us do it faithfully. We may trust to Government and find it a broken reed. Let us trust a little to ourselves. Let us keep our Register books with conscientious accuracy; and we need not fear that our labour will be lost." JOHN BUCKLEY. Notes from Rome. BY REV. N. H. SHAW. A BAPTISM. WE could baptize more people than we do, if our aim were chiefly to add to the names on our church roll. In spite of the difficulties put in people's ways, we almost always have persons seeking baptism whom we cannot accept. The brother whom we baptized on Sunday, June 1st, has been a more or less regular attendant at our services for several years. More than two years since, he applied for admission to the church and was refused. At length he has been received, but not until he had submitted to many examinations for testing his faith and sincerity. To me, it has been a great consolation to notice how intelligently, and with what skilful application of the truths of |