not be permitted to avail ourselves of any assistance in case of such need. For instance, a minister who should be incapacitated would receive at the

hands of the trustees some 40l. or 50l. a year, and a widow something like 301. or 40. Now, your kindness will enable me to lay up, in some measure, against a rainy day, and I shall seek that it shall be so disposed as that it shall be turned to good account, in this respect. Before I sit down I must again thank you for this expression of your regard. I would assure you that the events of this evening will constitute a red-letter day in my history, that the retrospect of it, if my life should be prolonged, will be a bright cloud in my evening sky, and that when I shall have passed away, my children will value this memorial of your kindness and be grateful to you for your attachment to their father. (Prolonged applause.)

Several other speeches followed, interspersed with singing.

TODMORDEN.-St. Mary's School, Oxford-street.Recently the above school held its sixth annual meeting in the newly fitted-up school, preceded by a public tea-party. The weather was most unfavourable in consequence of the snow which fell on that day; but notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, about 120 teachers and friends enjoyed social intercourse over an excellent cup of tea, with an ample profusion of etceteras, furnished by Mr. A. Crossley. A meeting was afterwards held, when the Rev. T. A. Peters, M.A., of Alston College, gave a short lecture on the principles and organization of the Free Church of England; in the course of which the rev. gentleman made some remarks on the Popish novelties which are at the present time being introduced into the Established Church under the guise of what is termed "Ritualism," assigning this as a principal reason for clergymen of the Establishment identifying themselves with the Free Church. He (the lecturer) also intimated that

"schismatic" might properly be associated with "ritual," from the fact that its promoters have betrayed, and are betraying, their principles by teaching

doctrines and customs inimical to the teaching of the Reformers, who sacrificed their lives on the altar of martyrdom, as witnesses of the truth in Jesus. He also urged on his hearers the necessity of confessing their sins-not to any human priest, with a view to receive pardon at his hands-but to the great High Priest, who is passed into the heavens, and who alone is able to forgive. This was the basis on which the Free Church was founded; and any attempt on the part of her ministers to establish another foundation on which to build the hope of salvation, would alienate them from her communion. After the lecture, several short addresses were given by a few of the senior teachers, who congratulated their fellowteachers on the prosperity of the school, whose members have of late been on the increase. One of the speakers, in his remarks on a retrospective view of its past difficulties and obstacles, was surprised to see that it had an existence; but coupled his surprise with the hope that by patience, perseverance, and prayer, on the part of the teachers, such aid and support would be afforded as would make the school a harbinger of good to future generations. Hymns and recitations were introduced, which evidently took well, and elicited much applause. There was also an Auxiliary Society formed to assist the African Mission in connexion with the Free Church of England. Altogether, the meeting was both pleasing and profit

able.

Mr. John Heyworth presided. On Sunday, the Rev. Mr. Peters preached morning and evening in the above school; in the morning, the attendance was good, and in the evening the room was filled with attentive hearers. On the latter occasion Mr. C. Hiley presided at the organ, who did not fail to display that musical taste and ability which are highly creditable to a self-trained man.

BATH.-On Tuesday evening, March 5, a recognition service, in connexion with the settlement of the Rev. James Wills at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, was held in that place of worship. There was a numerous congregation, the gathering was a highly interesting one, and the reception Mr. Wills met with must have been truly gratifying to him. The Rev. W. Lucy, of Bristol, presided, and the proceedings commenced with a hymn written upon the text "And now brethren I commend you to God." Mr. Lucy afterwards read a letter from the Rev. H. R. Reynolds, B.A., President of the Countess of Huntingdon's College, at which Mr. Wills was educated, expressing the warmest satisfaction at his appointment, and then offered up an appropriate prayer. The Rev. J. Wills, being asked to state the leadings of Providence by which he appeared amongst them to be recognised as the minister of the chapel, said, that as far as the opinion of an individual went, he was only responsible to God, but when one was called into the position of a public teacher in any section of the Christian Church, if he desired to enjoy the confidence and sympathy of brethren of other congregations, and thus to be regarded as a member and minister of the one Catholic and Apostolic Church, he must be prepared on fitting occasions to give public expression to the faith which he held. Such an occasion was that on which they were assembled. He accepted the office of pastor of that Church at the request of the members of the Church and congregation, and with the concurrence of the Trustees of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion, under the influence of the motive that he would find there a more unrestricted position for ministerial labour than that which he occupied when their invitation was presented to him. He had been for five years an associate and co-pastor with the Rev. A, Jack, of North Shields, and he desired to speak with great thankfulness of the advantages which he derived during that period of his

labours. At the same time, he had seen no reason to withdraw or modify any statement he made at the time of his ordination to the pastoral office. Alluding to ecclesiastical and other questions of the present day, he said the foundations of the faith were sought to be destroyed-not so much by the open attacks of avowed enemies, as by the undermining influences of a philosophy which, nevertheless, assumed the name of Christian. This positive philosophy declined to accept the dictum of the Bible as to miracles; but he regarded that Book as given to them by the inspiration of God, revealing to them all that they needed for their salvation, and as a final and authoritative appeal on all questions of faith and practice. That principle he considered also was the only safeguard against the dangers which threatened not only from the emissaries of Rome, but from a large section of the ministers of the Established Church. It was time that every man interested in the welfare of his country should boldly speak his mind upon this subject. The principle he laid down for his own guidance was the sole authority of the Holy Scriptures, and upon that ground the Romanists and Ritualists might seek in vain for a foundation for a system of which they were the advocates. He stated that his desire was to live in harmony and love with Christian brethren of all sections of the Church of Christ, and in his concluding remarks he said he was of opinion, from a study of the Word of God, and from the reading of history, that it was inexpedient for the State to render assistance to any portion of the Church of Christ, believing that that was beyond the province for which the State existed.-The Chairman trusted that Mr. Wills might long be spared, and blessed with strength of mind and body to perform the work, and that he might be abundantly useful in his new sphere. -The Rev. S. Hebditch, on behalf of the Bristol Churches, the Rev. J. Bonser, for the Wesleyans of Bath, the Rev. W. H. Dyer, on be