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CHESHUNT

ABEL.

COLLEGE:

CONNEXIONAL, NOT INDEPENDANT. There are some who assert that the Countess of Huntingdon's College was founded for the benefit of the various Protestant denominations generally, and that it could not have been designed for the special use of her Connexion, because at that time the Countess had no Connexion.

man. I am not aware of their having, Trustees the power of Veto, and would expressed their willingness to undertake not trench upon their LEGAL Position, the office. But as a correct understand- and I have no doubt that in two years ing at the outset is important, I think the amount now at their disposal would the Conference, through its Executive, be doubled by congregational collections or otherwise, should ascertain their views and auxiliaries. before they are appointed. "Prevention I am, Mr. Editor, is better than cure." And although I Your obedient servant, am quite willing to join hand and heart and purse with those who think another law-suit is necessary, I am more than willing to avoid it if it can be done with safety. But rather than the past twenty years should be enacted over again, I would say, adopt any measures, even if the Mortmain Act should reduce the present number of chapels to a still less number; but I think law may be avoided. With respect to the appointment of new Trustees, I find it rests in the first instance with the surviving Trustees,-is then referred to the Court-and THE RELATORS are then called on to say if they approve or object; if the latter, they are to state what objections they have, and the Court decide if such objections are valid. As it is quite certain no gentleman of the position and ability we should all approve as a Trustee would devote so much of his time as the present indefatigable acting Trustee has done for so many years, and perhaps it is not desirable that the concentration of the Trust should be so entire, it has occurred to me that some such plan as the following might form the besis of an united effort, which would tend to the strengthening of the whole body without interfering with the authority of the future Trustees, who of course cannot forego the power vested in them by virtue of their trust.

1st. Have a satisfactory understanding as to what is meant by "a minister of the Connexion."

2nd. Make it a sine qua non that the ministers shall unite with their brethren, and make collections, or otherwise contribute to the Connexion Funds.

3rd. Increase the Executive of the Connexion upon a similar plan to that adopted at the College, and which works well, by an assistant Committee, named by the Conference and approved by the Trustees. One of the Trustees to be Treasurer, a Minister of the Connexion to be Secretary, who shall be remunerated for his services.

Of course I only throw out these suggestions, with the hope that wiser heads will improve upon them or adopt some better plan. I would secure to the

This opinion is entitled to our candid consideration.

We must distinguish between the College at Trevecca and that at Cheshunt. The former was founded in 1768, and was supported solely by the Countess until her decease. Preparations for the latter commenced in 1787, under the title of the Apostolic society. It was opened in 1792 and has been wholly supported by voluntary contributions.

If the Countess had no "Connexion" in 1768 to be benefited by the College, she was at that time too much of a Church woman to commence a College for dissenting denominations. Even in the year 1782 she thus wrote to an evangelical clergyman of the Church of England, whose ministerial assistance she solicited. "In this Connexion there is a rotation of clergy, throughout the large chapels and congregations. They serve some eight, some ten weeks in a congregation, &c.'

The Countess opened her College in the same year that six young men were expelled from Oxford for preaching and praying in private houses; being determined to give an education suited to the ministry, to such pious and gifted young men as the Universities despised.

The prospectus of the Apostolic Society which was formed under the sanction of the Countess to perpetuate her College after her decease, gives us this information. "Her Ladyship's original intention was to have the young men educated at her College ordained in the Establishment; but experiencing great difficulties in obtaining Ordination for them, and

that difficulty at last increasing to an absolute refusal, they for some time preached without it, &c." If such was the intention of the Countess relative to her students, no young man who was averse to episcopal ordination would seek admission to her College, because it was not intended for dissenters. Consequently the hypothesis that the College at Trevecca was originally designed for the denominations generally must be abandoned.

The prospectus of 1787 informs us that for some time the students of Trevecca preached without ordination. We are elsewhere informed that in the year 1781 the Rev. T. Wells and the Rev. W. Taylor seceded from the Establishment, and that they took an active part in the primary ordination in the Connexion, when the candidates gave their hearty assent to fifteen articles of faith as the basis of the Connexion, which all our ministers have since been required to subscribe. As the Countess could not carry out her plan of having chapels in various parts of the kingdom for clergymen to officiate in as her chaplains-the aforesaid prospectus informs us, that "she quietly withdrew from the Establishment, under the shelter of the toleration act," * Since that time the Lord hath very much increased the calls for ministers, both at home and abroad in the line which her Ladyship has pursued; and the evident success and blessing attending this little school of the Prophets renders the continuance of it an object much to be desired.

*

*

"The line which her Ladyship pursued" evidently refers to her Connexion; for the benefit of which the continuance of the College after her decease was an object much to be desired.

In the year 1790 a plan was issued under the sanction of the Countess to unite and perpetuate her Connexion after her decease: and the trustees of the intended College had an important place assigned them in the management of that Connexion, of which they were all members. The Rev. W. Aldridge in his funeral sermon for the Countess informs us that at the time of her decease this Connexion had 84 stations; so that it needed the College which was designed for it. The earlier reports of Cheshunt College inform us, that soon after the decease of the Countess, the trustees called together the friends of the Connexion who were resident in London, and that their efforts

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issued in the opening of Cheshunt College in 1792. The trnst-deed, which is not so explicit as we could wish in declaring what everybody then understood, refers to no other denomination than the Connexion in the management of the College. Every trustee, tutor, and student was to subscribe the fifteen articles of the Connexion. It was customary among other things to examine every candidate for admission as to his preference of the Connexion as the scene of his future labours. This plan continued undisputed for many years. At length the unexpected secession of several students to seek admission to the Establishment gave occasion to the trustees of the College and the Connexion in their united circular for 1812 to express their disappointment, and to declare that the College was not designed for such a purpose but to fill the pulpits of their own chapels, and that they wished to fill the places of those who had retired with young men of real piety, good abilities, and decidedly attached to our Connexion.

In the year 1837 Mr. Philip, in his life and times of Whitefield, expressed his conviction that the College was not what the Countess and Whitefield intended it to be. He was followed by other Independents who denied that the College belonged more to the Connexion than to any other denomination. By degrees they have effected such alterations in its management, that it has become in fact a nursery for the Independents to the great injury of the Connexion for which it was designed, and to whose use it was devoted for nearly half a century. This perversion is the more blameable, because the Independents have many Colleges and do not need ours; whereas the Connexion has no other but this, and is languishing for want of its appropriate nursery, which it formerly enjoyed. There is no denomination which has so much benefited by our Connexion as the Independents. Therefore being so deeply indebted to us for many able ministers it is an unworthy return for benefits received to deprive us of our College. Why should a powerful denomination take advantage of a weaker one, and needlessly do that which tends to its overthrow? Who will leave their money for pious uses, if those who are put in trust do not employ it faithfully? Would it not therefore be a praise-worthy act if those were to retire from the trust who are unwilling to carry out the original intention of the College, and leave it

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Again the word peace! peace! is flying from lip to lip throughout the world. Before the Austrian ambassador reached St. Petersburg, Russia herself had issued proposals for peace; but they were of such a preposterous nature that even her friends smiled at her audacity, and her foes instantly rejected them. The ultimatum of Austria was not accepted at first, and a modification was attempted by the Russian ministry; but the firm tone of the Allies, the vacilating policy of the small German states, the threats of Austria, the remonstrances of Prussia, and, it is added, the soft, gentle pursuasions of the lovely empress of Russia, induced the emperor to declare that he accepted the terms unconditionally. The slightest ground for peace is often caught at by a nation at war; and not unfrequently has the event proved that the rumour of peace was a mere device to deceive and destroy. We cannot place very much faith on the recent announcement, which has shaken the monied and commercial world. There are contradictory statements respecting the manner in which Alexander has accepted the propositions, which seem to indicate that the intention of Russia is to accept the propositions for the sake of discussing them, just as we accept an argument as the basis of further reasoning

All men should also recollect that the four points were readily accepted by him last year, when the miserable termination of the Vienna Congress ensued. A power that is notorious for perfidy and for wily diplomacy, cannot be too suspiciously regarded and we need the caution which Louis XVI gave to his prime minister, respecting Austria, "We have nothing at present to do but to watch carefully, and be on our guard relative to everything that comes from the Court of Vienna."

THE AUSTRIAN CONCORDAT. Austria just now is inviting attention to the influence of her Concordat with Rome. As we anticipated last month,

the effects are being manifested. The Roman Catholic bishops have assumed their old prerogatives, and have devoured every book and print which has not their stamp upon it, and are attempting to enlist the civil power to enforce their orders. The civil power, very wisely, is deaf to their appeals; but unless something unforseen take place, it will be obliged speedily to interfere. The Bohemian protestants are very indignant at the conduct of the catholics, and the Hungarian magnates, who suffered so nobly for the defence of protestant truth, sympathize with their brethren in the empire. The pope has recently declared that the Concordat has annulled all former laws affecting religion and privileges, and that all questions within His Majesty's empire are to be settled by it.

ROYAL NEW YEAR'S GIFTS.

Two magnificent New Year's Gifts have been presented by two illustrious Sovereigns. The Emperor of the French has sent our Queen an elegant album, in which are painted in water colours, by the best French artists, scenes representing her visit to the French capitol, in a richly ornamented case. Nothing could be more appropriate than this memorial of the visit of an English Queen to Paris. The book is said to have cost a thousand guineas. The Queen, with that true feeling of generosity which breaks through all the barriers of rank and state, is about to present Miss Nightingale with a very handsome ornament. What will enhance the value of the gift is the fact that Prince Albert has designed it, and that the Queen herself has written the inscription to be engraved on one side. It alleviates some of the miseries of war to witness the queenly virtue which our beloved Sovereign has displayed to all who have engaged in it.

THE SCRIPTURAL MUSEUM.

We are glad to see that a new Museum is about to be started, called the Scriptural Museum. In our great National Museum we have collections to illustrate art and science and bibliography; but this is specially to illustrate the history, geography, manners and customs connected with the Bible. The project is excellent, and there is every likelihood of its being carried out. It is intended also to establish a library in connection with the Museum, and to have courses of lectures on the various topics which are

illustrated by the collection. It will, if judiciously carried out, throw a powerful light on the Scriptures, and will deeply imprint them on the minds, and we trust also, on the hearts of the visitors.

Connexion Intelligence.

THE TRUSTEES' REPORT. ELY.-The Rev. R. SQUIBB writes :

"In forwarding a statement of proceedings for the past year, I have to record that six of the members and hearers departed this life in a month, or thereabouts, among whom was the widow of the late JOHN HARRIS, former pastor of this church. Her kindnsss to the poor, in visiting and relieving them, made her loss no ordinary one. She had also a very happy method of conversing with the afflicted. The congregation has been thinned by death and emigration; but others have come, and partially, if not altogether, supplied their places. Several members have been added to the church,

and several others have intimated their

desire for communion, and will, I expect, be introduced to the church at the next meeting. The teachers of the Sabbath school have formed themselves into a class for studying the Scriptures to be read in their respective classes on the succeeding Sabbath; and I am happy to say, that it is not only useful in rendering them more efficient as teachers, but in promoting a spirit of love and unity. I always meet with them, and when the time to conclude arrives, it is with regret that we leave our studies. I sometimes read the chapters thus studied in public service, and more than once I have heard the remark made by the teachers, I never heard that chapter read with so much interest before.' May it prove the savour of life unto life to very many this year, both in the school and in the congregation."

25 teachers who are zealously prosecu ting their interesting labours; there have been upwards of 2300 periodicals distributed during the past year in connection with the school, the profits of which, together with the profits arising from the Teachers' and Children's Tea Meetings, suffice to defray the annual expences of the school.

Circumstances have prevented the erection of the New School Room during the past year, but it is earnestly hoped it will be accomplished in the ensuing spring; more funds are, however, wanting. Will the friends of the Connexion kindly help us? Contributions will be thankfully received by the minister, the

Rev. A. Turner.

BRISTOL. In a report of the Bristol Reformatory School at Red Lodge, made by Miss Carpenter, January 5th, 1856, and printed in the Bristol Times, there occurs this passage. "With reference to a place of worship for the girls, in selecting one they had been actuated amongst other reasons, by consideration of convenience and contiguity; for the establishment was in somewise a penal one, and their object was to obtain accommodation for them which was near, and to which the girls could go with security. She did not take them to her own accustomed place of worship, but to the chapel (Independent under the Trustees of Lady Huntingdon) close by, in Lodge street, and there they had been kindly appropriated two large pews."

We fear there is the hand of some Joab in all this. Miss Carpenter surely has been misled. Lodge street chapel is not an Independent chapel. It is, and must be, a Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion chapel. They who seek to obliterate the name of the Connexion from its walls are guilty of a gross act of dishonour and dishonesty. Nor can the cause of God long prosper in any place where persons aspiring to unrestricted control offer robbery for burnt-offering. Honest Independents in Bristol ought to spurn from their fellowship such wrong doers. And ASHFORD.-The annual tea meeting of the trustees of the Connexion have a the Sunday School Teachers and Friends duty to perform which they have no of the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel right to devolve on strangers and foreignin this town, was held on the 9th of Jan. ers. Lodge street chapel is under the when about 140 sat down to tea; after watchful eye of a few faithful on-lookers which an interesting service was held who, if matters do not mend, will one day and suitable addresses delivered by differ-say-"That which he laboured for shall ent friends. There are 162 children, and he restore, and shall not swallow it down;

according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein." Honesty is the best policy. Let this be preached to other hearers than those of the Reformatory Institution.

CANTERBURY.-On Sunday, December 23rd ultimo, the Rev. J. G. Carpenter, late of Kidderminster, entered upon his labours at the Countess' chapel, at the unanimous invitation of the church and congregation; and on new year's day, a tea meeting was held in the school-room connected with the chapel, to welcome him in the pastorate, and as a general introduction to, and recognition by the friends.

About one hundred and thirty persons attended, among whom were the ministers of the Independent chapel, Rev. H. Cresswell, and of the Baptist chapel, Rev. C. Kirtland, the former presided on the occasion.

During the evening a series of suitable addresses were delivered. The young people had tastefully decorated the room for the occasion, with evergreens and mottos; some of which were intended to recall the history of the cause for nearly sixty years.

MILNROW.-The Sunday school in the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion in this village held their annual meeting on the evening of January 7th, 1856.

Here also, a numerous attendance assembled. Above 250 took tea, and emulating the example of the mother-church at Rochdale; they devoted a considerable portion of the evening to sacred music, and recitations, some friends addressing the assembly at intervals.

The teachers of the school were much cheered by the presence of an unusually large number from Rochdale, and the school at Milnrow, we are happy to state, is in a very prosperous and promising condition. The Rev. E. C. Lewis presided on the occasion.

took place in the presence of some 4000 persons. An address was delivered at the grave by the minister, who said :"As this is the first corpse brought to this Cemetery for interment, I think that this day may be considered the day of consecration to this portion of hitherto unconsecrated ground. In the present consecration, by actual and public interment, you have a declaration of the purpose to which this ground is devotedthe burial of the dead. It is ground which will be trodden by many mourners. Sometimes there will be seen here parents weeping for their children-sometimes children weeping for their parents! Sometimes the husband will be sean bemoaning the loss of his wife, and weeping because the desire of his eyes has been taken away with a stroke-at other times the widow will be seen, as in the present case, overwhelmed with grief, because her husband, who was her stay, has been snatched away from her by the relentless hand of death! In a word, friend will here many a time lament the loss of friend! Truly, the present service is monitory. It is a solemn thought that the greater portion of the present living inhabitants of Norwich will be brought here for interment!" Some solemn appeals were then made to the assembly, accompanied with a few words on the importance of being prepared for death. The service closed with fervent prayer that at the archangel's trump very many bodies might rise from that ground to the resurrection of the just. The vast assemtion to the address, and evinced throughbly listened with almost breathless attenJan. 5, 1856. out the utmost decorum.-Norfolk News,

the teachers and friends of the Sunday ROCHDALE.-The annual meeting of schools connected with Saint Stephen's church in this town, took place as usual on the evening of christmas-day last.

tion was made to their number.

Four hundred and twenty five persons partook of tea in one of the spacious NORWICH.-The New Cemetery-First which the friends adjourned to the Boy's school rooms adjoining the church, after Interment. On Sunday last, in the after-school room, where a considerable addinoon, the first funeral took place at the New Cemetery, when the body of the unfortunate man who had met with a fatal accident at the building was interred. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. J. J. Kempster, the Burials' Board Chaplain for the unconsecrated portion of the ground. The interment

The Rev. E. C. Lewis presided, and, in connexion with some of the teachers, delivered a short address. A selection of sacred music was performed by several of the elder Sunday scholars, assisted by the choir, and all present were highly gratified, and considered that great credit

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