for sustaining the Christian religion, feels bound to apply this principle no less to the work of religious education; and considering that the education given by the Congational churches must be religious education, advises most respectfully, but most earnestly, that no Government aid be received by them for schools established in their own connexion; and that all funds confided to the disposal of the central committee, in aid of schools, be granted only to schools sustained entirely by voluntary contributions." Fifth resolution, moved by the Rev. G. SMITH, of Poplar, and seconded by MALACHI FISHER, Esq. of Blandford. "That this meeting expresses warm attachment to the British and Foreign School Society, and a deep sense of the past services rendered by that Institution, as well as an expectation of yet greater benefits from its future efforts in connexion with the extended movements, in the great work of general education, now entered upon by the various religious bodies of this country; and therefore advises, that the exertions of the Congregational churches for general education be conducted, as far as practicable, in connexion with, and so as to sustain and strengthen, that Society." Sixth resolution, moved by the Rev. Dr. CAMPBELL, of the Tabernacle, London, and seconded by the Rev. WM. CHAPLIN, of Bishops Stortford. "This meeting, anxious for improved as well as extended education, and for the real efficiency of daily schools, would set a high value on frequent, skilful, and fair inspection of schools, by competent persons not appointed by the managing committees, though approved by such committees. And should it comport with the plans of the British and Foreign School Society to appoint school inspectors, this meeting recommends that the visits of such inspectors be welcomed in all schools, wholly, or in part, sustained by the Congregational churches." The time for adjournment having arrived, prayer was offered by the Rev. T. LEWIS, of Islington, and the meeting separated. EVENING SITTING. The Chairman having resumed his seat, prayer was offered by the Rev. J. RAVEN, of Birmingham. Seventh resolution, moved by the Rev. J. ELY, of Leeds, and seconded by the Rev. W. H. STOWELL :— "The present meeting is strongly impressed with the important advantages to this great work to be derived from the fullest attainable knowledge of all facts relating to it, and therefore confides to the central committee, as a principal part of its labour, the duty of obtaining and publishing accurate accounts of all that is done, and of all that is wanted, in general education, in connexion with the Congregational churches." Eighth resolution, moved by Rev. J. J. FREEMAN, of Walthamstow, and seconded by J. W. SMITH, Esq., of Sheffield : "The recommendation of this meeting to the Congregational churches is, that wherever there is a Congregational church or mission, there should be a daily school, sustained entirely, or promoted to the utmost, as the case may be, by the resources, local or central-or both-of the Independents, either of one church separately, or of two or more churches acting unitedly." Ninth resolution, moved by GEORGE HADFIELD, Esq., and seconded by JOSIAH CONDER, Esq. : "This meeting approves of denominational efforts for obtaining resources for general education; but would advise the Congregational churches to use the resources so obtained, to co-operate with Christians of other communions for this great object, wherever such co-operation is seen to be necessary, or most advantageous for advanc ing the common cause.” Tenth resolution, moved by the Rev. A. FRAZER, of Blackburn, and seconded by G. WILSON, Esq.: "The meeting remembers, with the strongest interest and approbation, the labours of the Congregational churches for so many years, in Sunday-school instruction, and believes that the results have been of incalculable value. The meeting would entirely deprecate the idea, that increased efforts in other departments of education should diminish exertion in this; on the contrary, it would hope that Sabbath-school instruction will be immensely facilitated, as well as rendered more exclusively religious, by the advantages obtained by the scholars in the daily and other schools. And as it is well known that hostile parties have endeavoured to withdraw children from our sabbath-schools, by refusing them admission into daily schools, it is felt that a vigorous system of daily instruction is required for the defence of our Sunday-schools, on every account so important and indispensable to the churches. This meeting would also desire, that the statistics of our Sunday-schools should be obtained and published by the central committee, in connexion with those of the other educational departments." Eleventh resolution, moved by the Rev. H. J. BEVIS, of Ramsgate, and seconded by THOMAS HAIGH, Esq., of Liverpool :: "That this meeting recommends that the central fund now commenced, be payable in five years from the 1st of January, 1844; and that it be permanently sustained by simultaneous annual collections in the churches, and by other contributions." All trust funds and efforts to be, of course, entirely under local management; but all monies contributed by Congregationalists, for such local efforts, to be eligible for publication in the lists of the central committee, their specific appropriation being distinctly stated. Twelfth resolution, moved by the Rev. JAMES PRIDIE, of Halifax, and seconded by ROBERT MILLIGAN, Esq., of Bradford : "This meeting advises, that the central fund be employed to aid—never in any instance, to meet the entire charge-but always to assist local efforts ་་ "1. In procuring school-buildings, where the need is very obvious, within strict limits to be hereafter defined. "2. In obtaining for a new or an improved school, its first supply of fittings, apparatus, books, &c. &c. "3. In the support of young men and women while obtaining instruction in the classes of normal schools, to qualify them for conducting daily or infant schools. "4. In the maintenance of schoolmasters and mistresses where local resources are evidently insufficient. 5. In maintaining a stipendiary secretary for this great work, whom the central committee is desired to seek for, and to appoint as early as possible.” Thirteenth resolution, moved by EDWARD BAINES, Jun., Esq., of Leeds; and seconded by the Rev. J. W. MASSIE, of Manchester : "That this meeting deems it to be the principal duties of the central committee"1. To manage the central fund, by procuring contributions, by voting grants, and by presenting an annual account duly audited. "2. To ascertain the satisfactory character of schools assisted by it, and the qualifications of the candidates for the office of schoolmaster or schoolmistress, whom it may aid in obtaining the requisite course of instruction in the normal schools; but it is understood that in no case will the central committee bear part in the management of particular schools, which must always remain in the hands of the local committees. "3. To maintain correspondence on general education with the Congregational churches, with the committee of the British and Foreign School Society, and in general with all individuals, or public bodies, by whom the great object can be promoted. "4. To procure and publish statistical returns of the efforts of the Congregational churches in promoting education, whether in infant-schools, daily schools, evening classes, or Sunday-schools. 5. To advance the cause of education among the Congregational churches by deputations, public meetings, appeals from the pulpit, the publication of occasional statements, and other similar means. "6. To co-operate in obtaining efficient school inspection. "7. To report to the next annual assembly of the Congregational Union of England and Wales all its proceedings, as well as generally on the whole subject of education in connexion with the Independent churches,-leaving it for consideration at that annual meeting, whether any different organization shall then be adopted; and that it be recommended that all the contributors to the educational fund shall be invited to that sitting." Fourteenth resolution, moved by the Rev. A. TIDMAN, and seconded by M. FISHER, Esq., of Blandford. "The meeting would close its proceedings with an earnest appeal to the churches, and to their pastors and deacons, for those energetic efforts, both in their various localities, and in support of the central committee, upon which the success of this movement almost entirely depends. The meeting appeals to the churches, and to their pastors and deacons 1. To consider immediately the state of general education in their own several connexions and localities, and to adopt forthwith all necessary measures to improve and extend existing schools, and to originate new schools, as need may require. "2. To contribute, to their best ability, little or much, to the donations by which the central fund must be originated, and to concur unanimously in the proposal for simultaneous collections on the last Lord's day in every June, by which its permanent income must be mainly supplied. "3. To furnish promptly educational statistics in reply to the inquiries that will be made by the central committee. "4. To co-operate and correspond vigorously both with the central committee on general education, and with the British and Foreign School Society, in order that all the advantages of united effort may be added to those of local effort; and the utmost energies of the Congregational churches be thus brought fully to bear on this work, at the present crisis." Fifteenth resolution, moved by JOHN RAWSON, Esq., of Bradford, and seconded by GEORGE HADFIELD, Esq. : : 'That, considering the great number of schools that may be expected to be established,—the great number of trust-deeds, and renewals of trustees, which, in course of time, will be required, it is resolved "That this meeting respectfully solicits the attention of the central committee to the following points : “1. The mischievous operation of the Mortmain Act. "2. An easy mode of appointing new trustees on the deaths or resignation of old trustees, at the least possible expense. 3. The constituency of each school, whether of donors, subscribers, and church members, within a certain district, or in connexion with them, of some and what other individuals. Sixteenth resolution, moved by EDWARD BAINES, Jun., Esq., and seconded by JOSIAH CONDER, Esq., and carried with enthusiastic cheering : "That this meeting offers its most cordial thanks to the honourable Chairman for his kindness in consenting to preside over this conference-for the impartial and able manner in which he has fulfilled the duties of the chair-for his munificent and influential example in heading the subscription list-and for his generous promise that he will perseveringly interest himself to promote the entire success of the present educational effort." The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the vote, said :-At this late hour I will not trespass on your patience. I repeat again my anxious wish to do all I can to aid this great and important movement. Notwithstanding the diversity of opinion on some points which has existed, there has been remarkable unity. The conference then terminated. DONATIONS ALREADY PROMISED, Payable within five years from the 1st January, 1844. The appropriation to be determined by the Donors to Local Efforts, the Central Fund, the British and Foreign School Society, or to any similar Institution for Training Teachers. Carlton, Jas. Esq. Manchester.. 500 0 ...... 250 0 Morley, J. Jun. Esq. Hackney 250 0 Freeman, Rev. J. J.Walthamstow 2825 Scales, Rev. T. Leeds.. £25 0 Cheap, John, Esq. Islington 50 0 50 0 125 0 125 0 25 0 125 0 25 0 50 0 .... 50 0 50 0 .... Leeman, Geo. Esq. York.... £100 0 1844.. Matthews, Geo. Esq. London.. 25 0 Pagnell and Bradford...... 125 0 Peachey, Mr. London .... .. Shepherd, Mr. Chas. London.. 125 0 Goulston, James, Esq. London. 25 0 20 0 125 0 Thompson, H. Esq. London, for 25 0 100 0 OPENING OF NEW CHAPELS. CAMDEN TOWN.-A neat and commodious edifice, called Park Chapel, erected by the Metropolis Chapel Fund Association, at the corner of Warren-street, and Grovestreet, Camden-town, was opened for the celebration of Divine worship on Wednesday, December 6th, 1843. The style is Grecian. It is capable of seating one thousand persons, has a commodious school-room attached, and two very convenient vestries. The architect, J. Tarring, Esq., and the builder, Mr. Rees, have both done ample justice to the association in their respective departments. Considering the size and cost of the building, it has a very handsome appearance. The morning service was opened by the Rev. Dr. Morison, who read the Scriptures and prayed. The Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, preached. The concluding prayer was offered by the Rev. M. A. Garvey, of Kentish-town. In the evening, the Rev. Dr. Leifchild, of Craven Chapel, preached; the Rev. George Smith, of Poplar, offering the opening, and the Rev. W. Richardson, of Tottenham-court Chapel, the concluding prayer. The Rev. Messrs. S. Martin, C. Morris, R. Ainslie, R. Ashton, |