T. W. Gittens, Baptist Minister, Camden-town, and S. Robinson, assisted in other parts of the services.

In the afternoon a party of ministers and gentlemen dined together at the Bedford Arms. Among the company were the Revs. J. Blackburn, J. Godwin, Dr. Henderson, A. Tidman, J. J. Freeman, and S. Smith, R. Charles, J. Crane, Esqrs., with several other of the leading ministers and members of Congregational churches. Roger Cunliffe, Esq. was in the chair, and H. Spicer, Esq. acted as vice-president. The state of the Chapel Fund Association was the principal subject of discussion. The Rev. J. Robinson, the Secretary, gave a brief statement of its proceedings and finances; from which it appeared that upwards of 4500 sittings had been provided by its means, besides having led to the establishment of three day-schools for boys and girls, three Sabbath-schools, three Christian Instruction societies, by which not less than one thousand families were under regular visitation, and three churches, walking in the fellowship of the Gospel, and by their active liberality contributing to the support of various institutions calculated to improve in all respects the condition of our fellow men.

It is, however, to be deeply regretted that the association does not obtain a more liberal support. It acts so directly on the moral wants of a locality, and is the means of developing such a varied agency, fitted as well to ameliorate the physical, as well as the social, moral, and religious condition of a people, that those who have wealth at disposal cannot possibly expend it in any way more likely to benefit immediately and permanently a given locality. Though four chapels have now been provided, what are they amidst the dense masses living neglected in ignorance and irreligion?

On the following Sabbath the Rev. Dr. Raffles preached morning and evening to overflowing congregations. The collections after the religious services, and the contributions after the public dinner, amounted to £193 158. 94d.

The cost of the chapel will be about £2800, and about £1600 has been subscribed. HYDE, CHESHIRE.-The Congregational chapel in this town having, by the blessing of God on the ministrations of the Rev. R. Calvert, become too small; in the afternoon of Wednesday, the 8th of November, 1843, a neat and spacious chapel, capable of accommodating 950 hearers, and nearly 300 Sunday scholars, was opened for Divine worship. The service was commenced by the Rev. J. Clunie, LL.D., of Manchester, reading appropriate portions of Scripture, and offering up solemn prayer; after which, an eloquent and impressive sermon was delivered by the Rev. Thomas Raffles, D.D., LL.D., of Liverpool. In the evening, after reading and prayer by the Rev. J. Calvert, of Morley, an interesting and appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. S. Luke, of Chester. On the following Sabbath the opening services were continued, and three interesting sermons were delivered; in the morning, by the Rev. R. Fletcher, of Manchester; in the afternoon, by the Rev. J. Sutcliffe, F.A.S., of Ashton-under-Lyne; and in the evening, by the Rev. N. K. Pugsley, of Stockport. And on Wednesday evening, Nov. 15th, the Rev. James Parsons, of York, closed the series of interesting services, by a powerful and deeplyimpressive sermon. The congregations at the various services were numerous and respectable, and the collections amounted to the handsome sum of £260.

ORDINATIONS, ETC.

The Rev. D. E. Ford, late of Lymington, Author of " Decapolis," &c. has accepted a unanimous call from the newly-formed church assembling in Greengate Chapel, Salford, Manchester, and commenced his pastoral duties on the Lord's-day, the 19th of November, 1843, with every prospect of great usefulness. May the Lord fulfil

all his desires, and greatly bless him in his work; and may the people he blessed with union and peace, and truly thankful to Almighty God for his abounding goodness in providing them with a pastor so eminently fitted, by his well-known piety and ability, for the interesting sphere in which he is now placed!

On Wednesday morning, Nov. 29th, the Rev. H. J. Heathcote (formerly of Spring Hill College, Birmingham) was ordained to the pastorate of the Independent church, Coleraine, Ireland. All the services connected with this event were of a deeply interesting character; and it is believed, will be productive of lasting benefit to the cause of Christ in that town and neighbourhood. On the preceding Sabbath a discourse, preparatory to the solemn engagements of the week, was delivered at the Congregational chapel, by the Rev. F. W. Heathcote; and on the two following evenings, meetings for special prayer for a blessing on the church and pastor, and for the Divine presence throughout the subsequent proceedings, were held on Monday in the adjacent town of Port-Stewart, and on Tuesday, in Coleraine. On Wednesday morning the ordination itself took place, when the service was opened by the Rev. P. Finan, of Newtownlimavady, who read and expounded 1 Tim. iii., and offered prayer. In the absence of the Rev. N. Shepperd, who was expected to perform that duty, the Rev. W. Urwick, D.D., then gave a defence of Congregational principles, which was characterised by his usual ability and interest. The questions were proposed by the Rev. T. Hodgens, of Belfast, and the ordination prayer was presented by the Rev. S. Shaw, of Moy. The Rev. Dr. Urwick then proceeded to deliver the charge, which was founded on the words, “In their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness." 2 Chron. xxxi. 18. After which the Rev. J. D. Smith, of Newry, preached to the people. The Rev. W. S. Eccles, B. G. Jones, and F. W. Heathcote, took other parts in the service. On Thursday evening, Nov. 30, a tea meeting was held in the Town Hall, when about two hundred individuals were present. John Boyd, Esq., M.P., presided. After tea the meeting was addressed by the Revs. W. S. Eccles, T. Hodgens, W. M'Gill, (Presbyterian,) B. G. Jones, Dr. Urwick, J. D. Smith, S. Shaw, and H. Porter, (Presbyterian,) in a succession of speeches full of deep and impassioned interest.

On Friday evening, Dec. 1, a sermon was preached in the Congregational Meeting House, in aid of the funds of the Congregational Home Mission, by the Rev. J. D. Smith, of Newry; and on the following Sabbath, the Rev. T. Hodgens, of Belfast, preached three discourses-one, in the morning, at the Congregational Meeting House-one, in the afternoon, at the Town Hall-and one, in the evening, at the Baptist chapel.

Although the church is small, the prospects of the newly-ordained pastor are highly encouraging. Seven years ago there were no Independents in Coleraine or its vicinity. About that time, the Rev. Jephson Potter, M.D. (who was then an agent of the Irish Congregational Union,) in the course of his itinerating labours along the north-east coast, came in contact with a few pious individuals who were anxious to connect themselves with a church more pure and scriptural than they conceived those to be with which they hitherto had had any acquaintance. Upon examination of the principles of Congregational dissenters, as presented to them by the above-named minister, they came to the unanimous conclusion, that the form of church government adopted by the Independents was most in accordance with the word of God, and resolved that, at whatever sacrifice, they would stand by their principles.

A church was accordingly formed, whose numbers at first scarcely exceeded a dozen individuals. That church, under the auspices of the Irish Congregational Union, invited the Rev. Dr. Potter to become its pastor, an office which he filled with remarkable success for nearly six years.

By the blessing of God upon his labours the church now includes about fifty members, and upwards of twenty more have emigrated to different parts of the world. A chapel was erected, the entire expense of which has been defrayed. Just at this time, when Providence was smiling upon the efforts of their esteemed pastor, his health, which had severely suffered from manifold labours, rendered it necessary that he should altogether relinquish his post. His departure was the occasion of the deepest grief to every member of the church, and long will he live in the memory and affections, not only of those placed immediately under his care, but of all with whom he was brought in contact. Guided, as we hope and believe, by Him who cannot err, the church has selected another to fill his place, and many and heartfelt were the petitions that were presented to the throne of grace on the recent occasion, that the success which attended the labours of his predecessor might also distinguish those of the newly appointed pastor. By no means the least interesting feature of the recent services was the harmony and good feeling which evidently exists between the various denominations of evangelical Christians in Coleraine. The meeting on Thursday evening on behalf of the Congregational Home Mission was addressed by Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and Baptists, as well as Independents. The spirit of bigotry was banished, and the only rivalry was as to who should do most for the glory of his Lord. Coleraine is a missionary station. Ireland is a missionary country. It urgently demands your sympathies, your efforts, and your prayers. At this juncture in the history of Ireland it is of immense importance that the Congregational body should be in a position to exert an extensive and powerful influence upon the minds of its inhabitants. It is a period of agitation, and it is at such times that truth is elicited, prejudices are dislodged from the mind, and errors formerly held with tenacious grasp are relinquished. Let but the Christians of Great Britain promptly respond to the appeals of their friends on this side the Channel; let them send men and money-men of the right sort, and money in sufficient amount; and above all, let them bear Ireland in affectionate remembrance before the throne of heavenly grace, and a blessing will descend upon the land,-Ireland will be evangelized.

Mr. Henry Quick, late assistant minister at Stepney Meeting, London, has received and accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation to become the pastor of the newlyformed Independent church assembling in North-street, Taunton, Somerset ; and will enter upon his labours the first sabbath in the new year.

A large and handsome chapel is in the course of erection in the ancient Gothic style, and will be opened, (D. v.) in the spring of the year. It is situated in a densely populated neighbourhood, where there is every prospect of usefulness and The congregation is now overflowing in the temporary place of worship, and the sabbath-school is large and increasing.

success.

This church originated in a secession from that assembling in Paul's Meeting, under circumstances which are detailed in the last volume.

It is gratifying to reflect that in the large and populous town of Taunton, containing fourteen thousand inhabitants, there is ample room for the efforts of two large dissenting congregations; and as they are at a sufficient distance one from the other to prevent collision, it is hoped the great Head of the church will make the event redound to his glory, and the diffusion of the truth as it is in Jesus.

The Rev. Basil Henry Cooper, B.A. of Highbury College and the University of London, having accepted an unanimous invitation from the retiring pastor, and the church and congregation assembling for Divine worship at the Independent chapel, Mayer's Green, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, commenced his stated ministerial labours on Lord's-day, Dec. 3rd, 1843.

The Rev. John Hudson, the retiring pastor of this church, has honourably and

usefully occupied his position therein, upwards of forty-three years since his arrival at this place, June 16th, 1800. He has been influenced to resign the charge of an united church and people, after so long a period of labour, from a conviction that the services of a younger minister will tend greatly to the furtherance of the Redeemer's cause in this populous neighbourhood.

NEW TRUSTEE OF COWARD'S CHARITIES.-It is with cordial satisfaction we record that Thomas Piper, Esq., of Grove Hill, Camberwell, and a deacon of the Weigh-house Chapel, has been appointed by the surviving Trustees to be the Lay Trustee to the important bequests of W. Coward, Esq., in the place of Mr. James Gibson, deceased. THE MERCHANTS' LECTURE, LONDON.-This ancient exercise of prayer and a sermon was first established at Pinner's Hall Meeting, in the reign of Charles II., and has been continued since 1798, when that place was pulled down, at New Broad Street Meeting-is about to be carried on in future at the Poultry Chapel, on the Tuesday mornings succeeding the first Lord's day of every month. Two vacancies having recently occurred by the removal of Dr. Vaughan to Manchester, and by the lamented death of Dr. Fletcher, late of Stepney, the Rev. J. Clayton, M.A., of the Poultry Chapel, and the Rev. J. Blackburn, of Pentonville, have been appointed to succeed them. The present lecturers are the Rev. John Clayton, M.A.; Rev. J. P. Smith, D.D.; Rev. Henry Foster Burder, D.D.; Rev. George Clayton; Rev. Thos. Binney; and the Rev. John Blackburn. The services are gratuitous and honorary, but the lecturers are trustees to several private charities.

LORD PROVOST OF EDINBURGH.-It is not generally known that Alam Black, Esq., who was unanimously appointed to be Lord Provost of Edinburgh, at the late triennial election, is a deacon of the Congregational church assembling at Argylestreet Chapel, under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. L. Alexander, M.A.

BRIEF NOTES ON PASSING EVENTS.

In resuming our post of observation at the commencement of a new year, our attention is first directed to the neighbouring kingdom of FRANCE. The tone of Louis Philippe's speech, in reference to this country, is eminently pacific, and we may hope, therefore, for the continuance of peaceful relations between that government and our own. Claims of ecclesiastical control have been set up by some of the prelates over the university of France. The dispute is to be brought under discussion in the Chambers at an early period of their session, which will be a stormy one, and will strikingly illustrate the impossibility of reconciling the independency of the Church with the endowment of the State.

SWITZERLAND, though little amongst the nations of Europe, is at this time the scene of great agitation relating to religious liberty and ecclesiastical affairs. Almost all the confederated cantons are more or less embroiled by high-church assumption or jesuitical intrigue, and it is to be feared that scenes of violence, if not of blood, will occur before their baleful influence can subside.

Distracted, bleeding SPAIN has reaped another harvest of turmoil and violence, which was sown last year by the emissaries of France and Rome. When Espartero was driven from the Regency in July, Mr. O'Connell, at Tullamore, said,-"I am come to that time of life when superstition is said to darken the human character. It may be so with me, but I must say that I attribute the fall of Espartero to the silent voices raised towards Heaven, under the direction of the Sacred Pontiff, to the universal prayers recently offered to God for the church in Spain. I do really think I can see the response of Heaven in the mouldering away, without an effort, of all the power of that bad man." We may ask, have better men or more stable measures

succeeded? The principal object of that insurrection has indeed been accomplished, and a girl of thirteen has been declared of age. But how has it been effected? The constitution has been violated, the Cortes brought into contempt, three times within a fortnight the government has been changed, the exiled Christina, mother of the Queen, has been recalled, and the throne of poor Isabella II. totters on the crater of a volcano, that at any moment may bury it beneath its burning ruins. It is perilous to talk of the visitation of Heaven; the perfidy and violence, the bribery and bloodshed, which have followed the overthrow of the Regent, look much more like the machinations of hell.

The revolutionary movement in GREECE appears likely to terminate without the horrors of a civil war, in the establishment of a constitutional government of two chambers and the king, analogous to "that triple state," which is the glory and defence of our own country.

President Tyler has opened the Congress of the UNITED STATES with a speech of characteristic, but tedious length, which seems to be generally censured for what it says, and what is left unsaid. Its tone about the Oregon territory on the Pacific, is anything but conciliatory; and his remarks on TEXAS indicate a pro-slavery policy, which we trust will be controlled by the approaching election of a new President. Not a word is said against repudiation, though there are many ostentatious references to the favour of God manifested to the republic. Still it is "righteousness that exalteth a nation, and sin is the reproach of any people."

And it is that immutable law of the Divine Governor of nations, that fills us with alarm for our own. At HOME, incendiary fires again affright our rural districts; while the peasantry are not only reduced to the lowest means of physical existence, but are opposed in the exercise of the rights of conscience, by a combination of the parson and the landlord, to put down dissent. We have never been the advocates of extreme opinions and needless agitation, but there are limits to endurance; and if these things are to go on, there will be a League against Church monopoly, as formidable as that which is prosecuting its triumphant agitation against the corn-laws.

In WALES, the people are greatly excited by their poverty, and the prosecutions against the Rebeccaites; while IRELAND is like a mine, only waiting the explosive match to cover the land with ruin.

May the God of love and peace, of righteousness and true holiness, awaken in the hearts of his people a spirit of deep humility and fervent intercession on behalf of our native country; and may He deign so to enlighten the minds of our princes and rulers, that they may save themselves and their country, by learning the principles and the practice of righteousness! Amen.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Favours have been received from Rev. Drs. J. P. Smith-Leifchild-and Morison. Revs. Messrs. R. Parry-George Taylor-J. Godkin-R. Jones-Thos. ReesD. E. Ford-J. Robinson-H. J. Heathcote-A. Morris-Thos. Guyer-E. Mannering -H. Quick.

Sir J. B. Williams-William Stroud, Esq., M.D.-Messrs. Joseph Cooksey-J. E. Ryland-D. Pratt.

Scrutator-Le Fylde.

W. H.

We are requested to correct the title of our obituary notice of Mrs. H. Williams, who was not a resident at the Hall, Wem.

Also, page 929, 12th line from bottom, read pith instead of faith.-Page 930, 17th line from bottom, read Gaius instead of genius.