turned—namely, Mr. Weaver's determination not to have a co-pastor forced upon him. In short, I gave no "version of the affair." I hardly "referred to it." I merely recorded, with strict accuracy, the spirit which showed itself, on the part of individuals, towards their aged pastor; a spirit which made him mourn, and which led ultimately to a separation.

The averments in Mr. Hill's letter rest upon gratuitous assumptions. Even his odd report of some admission made by Mr. Weaver to himself, has nothing to do with anything I said; and his quotation from the Rev. J. A. James's funeral sermon, in order to contrast its "tone and style" with what I wrote, is not only inapplicable, but calculated to "mislead."

Mr. James's eye was evidently upon the separation, and I concur in every utterance. So would Mr. Weaver, were he living. That good man was more than acquiescent in it; I believe he became thankful for it; and I showed in the Memoir that he took a part in Mr. Hill's ordination.

Now, my eye was upon the spirit of individuals, and the treatment in which it involved Mr. Weaver. With that spirit I felt, as his biographer, I had to do; partly because of the effect it had upon himself, and partly as helping me in the illustration of his eminent Christian character under the most overwhelming affliction of his life; and, moreover, because he was never in any degree reconciled to it. That sad cause of his sorrow was as abhorrent to him as ever, and continued to be so. This was known; and the distance at which he kept the parties was felt by some of them. What he hoped to have heard was the expression of penitence; and that, he maintained, in the last conversation I had with him on the subject, was due. There is not, as far as I can discover, the slightest fitness in placing Mr. James's sentences in opposition to my own. They relate to different matters, and are both alike true.

Mr. Hill betrays inattention-if it were inattention to the distinction I have exhibited. He, moreover, attacks my correctness. He finds fault with the record itself, as though it had been penned with a view "to revive painful circumstances." He intimates that I availed myself, as the writer of Mr. Weaver's Memoir, of "the opportunity to give expression to feelings of personal dislike."

Instead of characterising such judging, as I might fairly do, I will only say that the allegations are unfounded. I had no desire, nor intention, to revive such a recollection as he supposes. For the avoidance of it, indeed, I said nothing in the Memoir about the separation, either its reasons or progress; nor of the separatists as a body. I said nothing that was new or forgotten. And I am blind

to the tendency of what I did say, to stir up hostile feelings, unless they lamentably existed before. The "fifty-six," or any other aggregate number of the separatists, were not even hinted at by me; still less did I attempt to "censure" them. I recorded the spirit of individuals; and those I discriminated. Why then should the body be offended? I never anticipated such offence, and I can see no righteousness in it.

The mixing up of the mass of the separatists, as if charged with some crime, but of whom I said nothing, with individuals, who alone have to do with my statement, looks as if the onset which has been made upon me was intended to hide delinquents, by drawing off attention from them. Such an artifice is

disreputable.

Mr. Hill asserts that I was "wrong" in saying bitter words were uttered by individuals whom Mr. Weaver baptized, and over whom he watched with a shepherd's care "Two or three persons," he allows, "did under the influence of excited feeling, use improper expressions; but they were not persons whom he had baptized." The fact, however, is, that the phraseology I used on this subject,-though so fenced, and softened down, and even denied,-was exactly Mr. Weaver's own; so literally, that I might have placed it in inverted commas, as a quotation from his lips. And surely he knew. Would he have described falsely? Mr. Hill bears testimony to his "rare excellence."

There is something very ambiguous in Mr. Hill's allusion to "the part" I "took in the matter." It would have "been more becoming if" he had not made it so. But I will, in charity, take it for granted that he means as to not a little that preceded the actual separation; because that was the only part I did take, and it was strictly the part of a peacemaker. I went from Wem to Salop several times in that capacity. On one occasion, in Feb. 1843, I spent a portion of three days successively at the work. I met several of the more resolute together. Nor do I regret it. It gave me safe means of judging. And I beg to say, that, whatever opinion I formed as to the wisdom, necessity, or piety of another chapel at Shrewsbury, I never disguised it that I was no opponent of a separation. My chief aim was to make my venerable friend Mr. Weaver at least indifferent to it. Hence, I presume, is the supposition of that "personal dislike" Mr. Hill has been instructed to attribute to me; for I am not aware of ever having had a single jar with any one of the separatists,— not even when I lived among them.

But, had there been some ostensible ground for such an ill-natured declaration, I marvel that Mr. Hill should adopt it, when only lately a sum of money was granted towards his

I have to do, in answer to an application made to me by his deacon, Mr. Woodall.

The quibbling as to the term " separatists is pitiful. I should have given Mr. Hill credit for knowing that there is no sin in separation. It is the cause that gives it its colour, good or bad. What are Protestants but separatists from the self-called universal Church? And let those who erected the chapel do or say what they will, they, as it appears to me, are separatists. The thing itself was always called a separation; and I used the word as in common parlance, without a thought either of it being a term of reproach, or as likely to be so considered.

Mr. Hill, however, calls them "those who left Swan Hill Chapel." And he says, "The reader would infer from" the "tone and style" of my remarks, that they "were a party of ungrateful, headstrong, obstinate individuals. For a period of eight years it has been my happiness," he continues, "to labour among them; and," he adds, "I can speak well of them: they have uniformly treated me with the utmost kindness."

This is strange, inasmuch as I made no "remarks." I neither described the "party," nor preferred any charge against it. I only alluded to individuals, and honestly told, for the reasons already stated, and in the fewest words possible, what they did to their venerable pastor.

But who would imagine, from such a testimonial as that I have just quoted, that one of the most active of the separatists was, no great while since, cut off from Mr. Hill's church; and that the deed is memorialized in an awkward pamphlet published by the excommunicated person?

I am averse to inferences, unless so clearly justified by the premises as to make mistake next to impossible; else, with a precedent like that before me, I should be almost tempted to say, that "the reader would infer" that Mr. Hill has been obliged to give his flock, though unaccused, a character.

among them about twenty-one years, in conjunction with the late venerable Mr. Blunt, and my esteemed friend Mr. Pidduck, yet living, though not now a resident at Shrewsbury.

How peaceful Swan Hill was during that long period, may be inferred from the fact, that not a single dissension ever occurred between the deacons and the pastor, or between themselves. The church and congregation, too, were in visible peace. It having pleased God to afflict Mr. Blunt with his final illness, he resigned oflice. My own removal to Wem rendered a similar course necessary as to myself. Both resignations were communicated to the church at the same time. It was April 1, 1841, at a special meeting.

The pastor, as may be supposed, was entitled to sympathy when two vacancies in the deaconship had occurred together, after such a lengthened and happy association. And he had it, at any rate from those whom I designated the flower of the church. Then it was, however, that the spirit I referred to in the Memoir, and which I have uniformly opposed and deplored, began to show itself.

The floodgates being opened, one movement* succeeded another. And Mr. Weaver's firmness not to have a co-pastor forced upon him, having repelled every assault, and been found to be immovable, a separation was at length organized. If I am not mistaken, it was in the autumn of 1843; and the parties prepared to build. They commenced the following June. But the deacon never joined them. Swan Hill once more had peace, and in due season the old complement of three deacons was again seen there. And a co-pastor according to Mr. Weaver's own heart was found in the Rev. W. Thorp, now his greatly esteemed successor.

I fear, my dear Doctor, I have trespassed upon your patience. If so, it is Mr. Hill who has compelled me. I neither expected, nor wished for, an opportunity to say a word upon the separation. I carefully avoided doing it in the Memoir, that I might give no occasion for offence or strife. And I hope it will be borne in mind, that it is touched now purely in answer to Mr. Hill's own letter-a letter from which "I am sure could" Mr. Weaver "have seen" it, "he would have struck out" every "passage." And I can seriously tell Mr. Hill he is entirely mistaken in the evil

I have no apology to make for so writing of a goodly number of my old fellow-communicants. I knew them well. It was my hap

I believe that one of the first things that fired the zeal of some, at least, of those who afterwards became active partisans in the separation, was a discovery that seven deacons were more apostolic, in

to which Swan Hill was reduced by the beforenamed resignations, or than three. The effort was made to have seven, but the church thought otherwise; and, instead of electing six new ones, deemed it best to have Mr. Pidduck for a while alone.

tians of all denominations. The County Meeting to protest against the Papal Aggression, was chiefly attributable to the energetic efforts of Mr. Reading, who took upon himself the entire labour of the preliminary correspondence with the nobility, gentry, and clergy of the county, and of the getting up of the requisition to the High Sheriff. Amongst the Dissenters, his benevolent activity has been the means of helping several of his poorer brethren in the ministry in the county; and, we have been informed, that he sent £40 for the sufferers by the great fire at Ashwell, in Hertfordshire. To him, also, the county owes the gratification it derived from the visits of the Rev. Dr. Achilli, the celebrated Father Gavazzi, and the Rev. James Shore. His contributions to the religious literature of the country, we are informed, are numerous. We heartily wish him success in his new field of labour.

Towards this Testimonial the Right Hon. the EARL of VERULAM, the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, and the Most Noble the MARQUIS of SALISBURY, the Lord Privy Seal, and other noblemen, have handsomely contributed.

Mr. Reading has accepted an invitation from BANGOR, in North Wales, and has commenced his labours in that city.

REMOVALS.

THE Rev. James Kernahan, late of St. Austell, has accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation from the Independent Church, Penzance, to become the stated pastor, and has entered on his duties with most encouraging prospects.

THE Rev. William Spencer, of Princessstreet Chapel, Devonport, is about to remove to Rochdale, Lancashire, having received a cordial invitation to the church assembling in Providence Chapel in that town. He purposes commencing his labours in this new scene of action on the first Lord's-day in the month of August.

NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Ir will afford pleasure to the lovers of Evangelical Nonconformity to be informed, that a new church of the Congregational order has been formed at Langrove, in connexion with Roxton, Herefordshire. The Rev. John Jones, formerly a clergyman of the Church of England, had for some years laboured gratuitously at both these places, but no regularly organized church had existed. Mr. Jones having lately, from his advanced age, retired from the work, and having vested Roxton Chapel, together with a spacious and elegant room built by him at Langrove, and other property, in the hands of trustees, for the use of the Congregational

denomination, the congregation gave a unanimous invitation to the Rev. J. Bulmer, formerly of Haverfordwest, to take charge of them. He having complied with this request, and commenced his ministry with pleasing prospects of success, a meeting was held at Langrove, on the 10th of June last, for the formation of a Christian church, when, after addresses by the Rev. J. Bulmer, the minister of the place, and the Rev. W. F. Buck, of Ross, Mr. Jones and some others received the right hand of fellowship, in token of admission to its privileges. It is fervently hoped that this new Christian society, in a part of the country where it was much required, will prove a great and lasting blessing to the neighbourhood. It is a solemn, and rather remarkable circumstance, that only eight days after the abovementioned meeting took place, the venerable Mr. Jones, to whose liberality this interest is so greatly indebted, was suddenly taken to his everlasting rest.

WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

THE new Tabernacle in this town was opened on the 26th of May. It stands on the site of the building erected and officiated in by the late Rev. Rowland Hill. It is considerably larger than the old Tabernacle, the dimensions being-length, seventy-one feet; width, forty-one feet; and height, fifty-two feet. It seats eight hundred persons, and has three galleries. It is built in the early English style. The roof is of one span; the pews are open, and the wood-work is stained oak-colour. The front-elevation comprises deeply-recessed doorways, a very fine mullioned triplet window, and a campanile seventy feet high. The side elevation comprises four double lancet windows, with canopied and sloped buttresses. The dressings are of Bath stone; the Cromhall stone is the gift of Earl Ducie. It is heated with hot water, and lighted with gas. It is connected by a passage with the Tabernacle House; and, occupying a commanding position in the town, is quite an ornament to it. The weather on the day of opening was most inauspicious; but though it rained in torrents, very numerous congregations were assembled, and altogether £153 10s. were collected.

The Rev. W. Jay, of Bath, preached in the morning from Matt. iii. 9. He made many interesting allusions to the early history of the place, having been familiar with it for sixty-six years. The Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham, preached in the evening from Isa. lxii. 10. Other parts of the services were taken by the Revs. G. Wood and J. Glanville, of Bristol; W. Spencer, of Rochdale; B. O. Bendall, of Kingswood; W. Dove, of Falfield; T. Whitta, of Chalford; T. Maund, of Stonehouse; E. L. Shadrach, of Dursley; and W. Shakspere, of Shortwood. Large

numbers partook of dinner and tea in the British School-room, where, during the afternoon, addresses were given by several of the ministers and friends.

The services of the following Lord's-day were conducted by the Rev. T. Raffles, D.D., LL.D., of Liverpool. Several hundreds of pounds yet remain to be cleared off. Henry Masters, Esq., of Bristol, is the architect, and he has shown great skill and taste in erecting an elegant and very comfortable chapel, at a comparatively small expense. For ease in speaking and hearing it cannot be surpassed. Mr. Jay, though in his eighty-fourth year, was distinctly audible in every part of the spacious building.

BICENTENARY COMMEMORATION AT

BECCLES.

TOGETHER with the publication of the portrait of the Rev. J. Flower, of Beccles (which appears in our present Number), we have to announce the celebration of the twohundredth anniversary of the church over which he is pastor.

This interesting event was commemorated on Tuesday, July 6th, by an early meeting for prayer in the morning, and a public teameeting in the evening. At the morning meeting, prayers suited to the occasion were offered by members of the church, and a short address delivered by the Rev. J. Harrison, of Rendham.

The tea-meeting was held in the Assemblyroom, which, for that purpose, received a very tasteful decoration. After tea, prayer was offered by the Rev. Jackson, of Bungay. The Rev. J. Flower then opened the proceed ings of the meeting. An historical sketch, adapted to the occasion, was then read by Mr. S. W. Rix. Its lucid statement, and powerful inculcation of sound Nonconformist principles, serve to invest this paper with a permanent interest and value; and it is intended (with the author's permission) to transform his manuscript into a shape which will fit it to be a lasting" Bicentenary Memorial of the Independent Church at Beccles." Addresses were afterwards delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Reed, of Norwich; Wright, of Beccles; Moore, of Lowestoft; Brown, of Wrentham; Harrison, of Rendham; Russell, of Yarmouth; Smith, of Halesworth; Basden, of Denton; and the meeting was concluded in a prayer by the Rev. Mr. Panks, late of Bridgewater.

The speeches were to the purpose. Views of the church's position, in relation to the past and to the future, were made the groundwork for impressive and seasonable instruction, admonition, exhortation, warning, and encouragement. Individual piety, rather than sectarian peculiarity, or even doctrinal verity, were shown to have been the strength

of the church in past time; and a careful cultivation of personal religion, a firmer conviction of Bible truth, increased activity and earnestness, and, above all, a greater importunity in believing prayer, were held forth as the means, under the Divine blessing, to ensure its future enlargement and prosperity.

Let it be hoped that the effects of this meeting may not soon pass away, but result in many works of faith and labours of love for the good of man, and to the glory of God.

EGHAM, SURREY.

ON Wednesday evening, the 7th instant, a service was held in Egham-hill Chapel, for the formation of a church, and for the recognition of the Rev. J. G. Manly as the pastor. An appropriate and lucid discourse was delivered by the Rev. J. Stoughton, founded on Matt. xiii. 25; the Rev. T. Binney presided at the celebration of the Lord's Supper, and afterwards, in a most suitable and practical strain, addressed the newly-formed church; and the Rev. L. Hall, Rev. R. Porter, and Rev. E. Davies, took part in the service, by reading portions of Scripture, offering prayer, or delivering short addresses. Mr. Manly read the names of the persons composing the church, who had been, respectively, members of several Congregational Churches, of a Presbyterian Church, of a Wesleyan Methodist Society, and of a Society in Lady Huntingdon's Connexion; and their choice of Mr. Manly as pastor was signified by a show of hands. Members of other churches united in the celebration of the eucharist; and the whole service-the first of the kind in Egham-was edifying and impressive. The ministers dined, in the afternoon, at Kingswood Lodge, the residence of John Remington Mills, Esq., by whose Christian benevolence and liberality, and at whose sole expense, the new and beautiful Gothic chapel at Egham-hill has been erected and put in trust, for the benefit of the town and parish of Egham, and by whose unremitting exertions the settlement of a minister has been effected. A Day-school, Sunday-school, Dorcas Society, and Tract- Distributing Society, have also been formed, during the past year, in connexion with the chapel, and are in regular and encouraging operation. To the unostentatious piety and kindness of Mr. Mills and family, and to the cordial co-operation of other friends in the neighbourhood, the parish of Egham is indebted for these newly-established and greatly-needed means of Christian ministration and culture.

ORDINATIONS.

ON Thursday, April 15th, the Rev. P. Aspinall Hampson, late of Lancashire Independent College, was ordained to the pastorate over the Independent Church meeting in