DEVONPORT. Court-road Chapel, where there was a numerous gathering of brethren and delegates from the Associated Churches. The engagements of the day commenced with devotional exercises, which were conducted by Messrs. Johnson, Glendenning, Yonge, and Roberts, after which Mr. Porter, of Staines, introduced the subject appointed for consideration, viz. The best Mode of Flevating the Tone of Spirituality in our Churches, by a short paper, which he was afterwards requested to revise and extend, by adding suggestions thrown out during the conference, and submit to the committee for consideration, and ultimate circulation among the churches. On the evening of February 22nd, the friends of Princess-street Chapel invited their recently-chosen pastor, the Rev. Aspinall Hampson, to a public tea-party, for the purpose of welcoming him amongst them. The meeting was held in the large hall of the Mechanics' Institute, and between 500 and 600 sat down to tea. The tables were sumptuously furnished by the ladies of the congregation. After tea, M. W. Jeffery, Esq., was called to the chair. He was ably supported by the Mayor of Devonport, J. Clouter, Esq. The chairman commenced the business of the evening by introducing the pastor to the meeting, and expressing his warm sense A lengthened and deeply interesting of gratification at presiding on such an conversation took place, in which Messrs. occasion. Mr. Weymouth, one of the dea- Morford, Bakewell, Adeney, Walker, cons of the church, followed, and, in an Roberts, Glendenning, Wilkins, Newinteresting speech, gave a most cordial bury, Macbeth, and Richardson, took welcome, for himself and for his brethren | part. The season was one of hallowed deacons and members of the church, to enjoyment and much spiritual profit, and Mr. Hampson. The Revs. J. Pyer (Inde- it is hoped that the circulation of the papendent), T. Horton, R. W. Overbury per among the churches of the Associa (Baptists), of Devonport, J. Barfitt, and tion will be the means of communicating E. Jones, of Plymouth, E. Straker, of a measure of the profit and pleasure to Tavistock, expressed their cordial feelings them. at the happy and unanimous settlement of the church, and fraternally welcomed the chosen minister. Mr. Hampson, after a few remarks of appreciation of what he had heard and seen on that occasion, and also proposing thanks to the chairman and the friends who had contributed to the pleasures of the evening, closed the meeting with the Doxology and Benediction. It is gratifying to record, as further indicative of the affectionate cordiality prevailing at Princess-street, that the ladies have also presented to the pastor handsome silk robes for the pulpit, together with the contents of a valuable purse. The meeting for the transaction of the business of the Association took place at 3 o'clock, W. Walker, Esq., the Treasurer, in the chair; at which the report was presented, the cash account read, the officers elected, several grants to interesting and important stations made, and a plan for the employment of Agents in the des titute parts of the country, in connexion with the Home Missionary Society, was considered, and referred to the District Meetings and the General Committee, for the purpose of being submitted at the next half-yearly meeting of the Associ ation. A public meeting was held in the cha. pel at 7 o'clock, when the Treasurer, W. May the Divine favour rest upon the Walker, Esq., presided, and addresses services thus auspiciously begun! WEST MIDDLESEX ASSOCIATION. ON Thursday, April 6th, 1854, the West Middlesex Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches held its Seventh Annual Meeting in Tottenham were delivered by Messrs. Glendenning, Roberts, Arne, and Morley; and after a vote of thanks to the chairman had been passed, the benediction was pronounced, and the engagements of this interesting day were concluded. Truly it was a season to be remembered! CROYDON. God's blessing, brought to a successful issue. OPINION OF THE MINISTERS OF RELIGION [THE following document may be relied upon, as it is signed by forty-four Episcopalian clergymen, thirteen Presbyterian ministers, seven Independent pastors, five Wesleyan brethren, and one Baptist.] "It having been represented to us, the undersigned, that the expression of our opinion as to the prospects afforded to Emigrants from the United Kingdom by the colony of Tasmania, or Van Diemen's Land, would tend to remove doubts in that respect in the minds of persons desirous to improve their condition by emigrating, we hereby express our conviction that this colony presents very great advantages to persons of the labouring classes. On Wednesday, the 5th April, a teameeting of the church and congregation assembling in the Independent Chapel, Croydon, was held on the occasion of the third anniversary of the settlement of the Rev. Joseph Steer as their pastor. The spacious school-room, which had been elaborately and tastefully decorated by the young people, was completely filled. A cheering account was given of the prosperity with which God has blessed the church. The financial report was also highly gratifying. About two years since the congregation paid off the balance of the original debt, amounting to £650. A few months afterwards the chapel was considerably enlarged, by the erection of side galleries, a new roof, &c. At the commencement of the present year a proposition was made to meet this expenditure by a simultaneous effort. This was most cordially responded to, and, at the meeting, the treasurer announced the pleasing fact, that the whole sum, amounting to £572, had been subscribed. An interesting part of the evening's engagement was the presentation of a testimonial to the pastor, to which about 300 signatures were attached, expressive of the affectionate regard unanimously entertained towards him. The Rev. Edward Mannering, of London, having kindly responded to the wish of the congregation, to be the medium of its conveyance, delivered a most appropriate address, full of sympathy and judicious counsel, and then presented to Mr. Steer a pocket-book, enclosing the testimonial, together with a purse containing the sum of ninety-three pounds, raised by the cheerful contributions of all classes in the congregation. Animating addresses were delivered by other ministers and friends. Before the proceedings were brought to a close, the senior deacon placed in the hands of their beloved minister a Bible, elegantly bound, for the use of the pulpit, the gift of the Building Committee, as a memorial of the termination of their services, which had throughout been prosecuted with unbroken harmony, and were now, through | recently by order of the Lieutenant "Tasmania contains a large body of free settlers and other respectable inhabitants. Religion and education are promoted by the government and by the public. A great scarcity of labour has been occasioned by the abolition of transportation, and also by the greatly-augmented demand for agricultural and other produce to supply the sister colonies; and thus Tasmania holds out to emigrants the inducements of constant employment and high wages in a fertile and comparatively settled country, and in a climate which its geographical position renders superior to that of the other Australian colonies. "For female domestic servants there is an urgent and very extensive demand, and large numbers of such persons may obtain employment, at high wages, in comfortable and reputable situations, with the advantage of being received and protected by the government on arrival. "We are enabled conscientiously to recommend the emigration of mechanics, labouring persons, and domestic servants of both sexes to this colony; and to express our sense of the very valuable information contained in a pamphlet printed Governor, for the purpose of being dis- | would be sustained. Messrs. Shaw and tributed in the United Kingdom, in order to afford authentic information with regard to the condition of the colony,the great demand for labour,-the high rate of wages,-the protection afforded to female emigrants,-and showing generally the great and certain advantages presented to those who may emigrate. VALEDICTORY SERVICE AND TESTIMONIAL. A SERVICE of a most interesting nature took place on Tuesday evening, the 11th May, at Little Dean, Gloucestershire, the occasion of it being the removal of the Rev. B. Jenkyn, of the Independent Chapel in that place, to the pastorate of Wycliffe Chapel, Guinea-street, Bristol. The Rev. Cyrus Hudson, of Adsett, was called to the chair, and after opening the meeting by giving out a hymn, reading an appropriate portion of Scripture, and offering prayer, made some very apposite remarks on the nature of the meeting, referring to the usefulness of Mr. Jenkyn in his past labours, and then presented to Mr. Jenkyn, in the name of the friends and congregation, a purse, containing twenty-five sovereigns. He considered the testimonial of greater value, because it was a testimony to the moral worth and excellence of their late pastor, who, he was sure, had also the testimony of a good conscience of having faithfully laboured amongst them. Mr. Jenkyn then rose and acknowledged the receipt of it, and said, when he considered that a portion of the amount had been raised by the donations of hard-earned shillings, he could not but value it. He referred to his ministerial career, more especially for the thirteen years which he had been amongst them, and of the many who had, through his instrumentality, been added to the Church of Christ. With much feeling he pressed upon all present to remember the truths he had set before them, and of the responsibility they were under of wholly yielding themselves to the Lord. Messrs. Rider, Dorney, and Tindall, then addressed the meeting, and testified to the zeal and good effected by Mr. Jenkyn, and the loss that Harris, the representatives from the church of Wycliffe Chapel, Guinea-street, Bristol, alluded to the manifest hand of Providence in settling Mr. Jenkyn amongst them in Bristol, believing that the new sphere would open him a wider field for usefulness. The meeting was then closed by singing and prayer, many of the congregation separating with heavy hearts. The ministerial and other friends of the Baptist and Wesleyan denominations in the villages around Little Dean, sympathize with the regret felt at the removal of Mr. Jenkyn. He was very useful in the Bible, Missionary, Sundayschool, and Temperance Societies of that locality. It is hoped that some gentleman of similar mind will be found to fill his vacated place. The debt on the Guinea-street Chapel has now, we are informed, been cancelled by the efforts of a benevolent individual, ever foremost in doing good. We may remark, however, that with characteristic liberality he has not only freed the chapel from debt, but has also endowed it with considerable property. TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. D. HARRISON, OF WHITSTABLE, KENT. ON Monday evening, April 3rd, a very Chapel, Whitstable. About ninety sat interesting meeting was held in Zion down to tea. Afterwards a public meeting was held in the chapel; the Rev. S. E. Toomer, of Wingham, in the chair. After the usual opening services, the chairman made some very appropriate observations bearing on the subject. Mr. W. Knight then presented the testimonial, consisting of an elegant and valuable silver teapot and milk-ewer, with the following address, to the Rev. D. Harri son: "My dear Sir, "We are now assembled together to give effect to a wish long felt, and often expressed, to show our esteem and regard to you by some other token than that to which we are ordinarily accustomed. "Presents have in all ages, and by all classes of mankind, been regarded as an acceptable means of conveying feelings and sentiments of esteem and respect. "You have now spent nearly twenty years of the prime of your life amongst us, and it has been the privilege of some of us to attend during the whole of that time, and of others during a portion of that period, upon your public administrations, and to enjoy the advantages of your pastoral services; and, whilst we are not here to flatter you, yet it is but the conviction of our minds, that you have in your private, as well as in your public life, exemplified the great truths you have preached to others. We feel that we have cause to be thankful that Christ and him crucified is the sum and substance of your ministry now, as it was when you first came among us; and that neither as a rolling stone, or as a wandering star, have you unsettled or misguided us. In all projects for the general good, whether spiritual or social, you have ever been ready to give your advice and active assistance; but especially to promote that godliness which hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. joy, saying, Here am I, and the people thou hast given me." The Rev. D. Harrison then acknowledged the testimonial in the following feeling speech : "There are some moments in a man's history which possess peculiar interest. It may be a crisis on which his future prosperity is suspended; all the future hangs on the direction of a single thought in his mind. It may be a moment of great responsibility,-other welfares than his own are involved in his decisions. In these cases an overwhelming anxiety pervades the mind. But there are other moments of interest which are oppressive by the very weight of pleasure and gratification, both of thought, of feeling, and of memory. The past rushes into the mind with its crowded images and impressions, its sorrows and its joys, and the combined effect is an emotion of power too great for utterance; the grateful influence of sympathies, circumstances, and providence, leave an impression on the heart never to be forgotten. This is my position this evening. I am surrounded by beloved brethren, who, for a period of eighteen years, have favoured "The young people of our congregation me with their valued sympathy and counhave taken a warm and active interest in sel. And I have before me numerous bethis object; and well they may, when they loved friends, who have met to testify remember your unceasing care and atten- their esteem for my imperfect character tion to their best interests, and also to and unworthy services. I assure you I the children of our Sabbath-school. Per- find it difficult to express the emotions mit me, then, in the name of the deacons which agitate my mind. I thank you of this church, and in the name of all the most cordially and affectionately for the contributors, to present to you this teapot very handsome and costly testimonial you and ewer, with the inscription, Pre- have this evening presented to me. I sented by the congregation and friends of shall preserve and value it, as the exthe Rev. D. Harrison, as a testimonial of pression of your affection and kindness, esteem for his unwearied exertions as a and hand it to my children, to remind faithful pastor, and also for the universal them, when I am no more, that there interest he has taken for the general wel- were some who regarded their father with fare of the people.' And I present them, esteem, as a Christian and minister of hoping that the inscription engraved Christ. But it is not the money value of thereon will, as a rainbow of promise, the present, but the feeling of which it is animate you on your way, and assure the expression, that constitutes its chief you, when clouds may intervene, that still recommendation. It is not the offspring you have an interest in the sympathies of of a storm, nor a testimonial of party feelyour people, whilst our prayers shall be ing, nor is it a parting testimonial; but I offered to our Heavenly Father for you receive it as the cordial and general exand yours, that they and we may here- pression of my people's esteem; and I after be presented by you with exceeding | have felt it to be a pleasing circumstance, VOL. XXXII. 2 M that some of the inhabitants of the town, not of ourselves, have, unsolicited, joined in the expression of kindness. To those young friends who have taken the active part in this matter, I would express my deep obligation. One is not present, but is not forgotten. To all who have taken an interest in it, I would express the cordial thanks of a warm, and I hope, not ungrateful heart; but especially would I give thanks to Him, whom I have so unworthily served, and who has the hearts of all people in his hands. Next to the approbation of God, I value the approbation of my people. I am conscious that I have desired to promote your best interests, and, as far as my feeble talents and influence could do so, the welfare of the town, but I never expected a return so grateful as this. This feeling is not at all diminished by the fact, that just at this time there are hopeful indications that the Lord is at work among us, especially among the young. Seventeen years ago, on the 1st of January last, the Lord directed my steps to Whitstable, as the elected pastor of this church. Sometimes during that period my heart has been depressed, and I have thought my work here was done. But the Lord has kept and sustained me where he placed me; and if it be His will I hope to spend and be spent among you. Great changes have surrounded us since that period, but we are all, through mercy, here to-day. What a mercy to have one's character and influence preserved through so many years, to be made instrumental in saving souls, and preparing them for heaven, and to be employed, with any measure of success, in promoting God's glory. I feel that I owe very much to the prayers of my people; and much as I value the costly testimonial you have this evening presented, I value your prayers much more. Oh, brethren, pray for us, that the word of God may have free course and be glorified!" After taking a statistical review of the past seventeen years, Mr. Harrison continued: "The present pastorate has been sustained, through mercy, upwards of seventeen years; whether we may sustain a similar relation for seventeen years longer, God only knows. We know not how many of us may be in eternity before we have passed through a similar period. Are you prepared, dear friends? If not, will you begin to-night? Oh that God would grant us his testimonial this evening, more valuable than thousands of gold and silver, in the conversion of many of you to the Lord Jesus Christ! "Dear brethren, I now commend you to God, and the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified through faith which is in Christ Jesus." The meeting was addressed in an impressive manner by the Revs. H. J. Rook, of Faversham; T. Winkinson, Wesleyan, of Whitstable; H. Creswell, of Canterbury; and T. Waller, of Wingham. The meeting was well attended, and the interest excited was of that character which justifies the hope that good will result from it. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. FINCHLEY COMMON. ON Monday evening, March 13th, there was an interesting meeting of the old scholars of the Sunday-school in connexion with the Independent Chapel under the pastorate of the Rev. G. R. Birch (who has just removed to a larger sphere of labour in the metropolis). The superintendent and teachers had long discussed the desirableness of calling together those who had been formerly in the school, for the purpose of testifying their continued sympathy and interest in the well-being of those who are now grown to manhood's years, and scattered around them in the various stations of human life. Accordingly, an invitation was sent to all those whose names and addresses could be obtained. The goodly number of sixty cheerfully responded to the call, and after a social cup of tea, several of them spoke of the beneficial effect of the scriptural education imparted to them while in the school, in guiding them through the snares that beset youth, and into the paths of peace. |