of some in the ministry who have all and abound, as to their worldly possessions, the writer would respectfully and kindly ask,Did it never occur to your minds how essentially, at a comparatively trifling expense, you might relieve the painful anxieties of one or two of your poorer brethren in the ministry, by assisting them to subscribe to an institution which, in the event of their decease, would be the means of placing the widow and the fatherless above the reach of want? Excuse this friendly hint. The idea is merely suggested; and it must be left with yourselves to determine.

-

MY DEAR FRiend,· My letter of last month on the subject of the Protestant Union for the benefit of ministers' widows and children, has excited considerable attention, and brought several applications. Among others, one which I take the liberty of recommending to the attention of the deacons and other members of our churches. It is from a gentleman in Lincolnshire, who says, "I take the liberty of soliciting a copy of the rules of the Protestant Society, and any information relating to it which you can communicate. My object is to bring the society under the notice of the church with which I am connected, so as to induce them to make our pastor a member. I enclose six penny postage stamps to cover the weight of the papers."

I have not the pleasure, Mr. Editor, of knowing this gentlemen; but I am sure he is a worthy brother, and has set, in both the above points, a worthy example, which I hope will be extensively followed. A church acting upon this plan, not only does itself honour, but consults its own interest.

Yours truly,

JOHN HUNT.

Brixton Rise, Jan. 18, 1841.

PROVINCIAL.

WESTERN ACADEMY.

The attention of the friends of theological academies, and especially of those who are connected with the West of England, is requested to the following statement respecting the Western Academy:

About four years ago it became necessary, from the increasing number of students, to enlarge the academy house; and the committee were encouraged to undertake the

work. A benevolent lady subscribed 1007.» and other subscriptions were obtained towards the enlargement; but the amount subscribed fell far short of the expense, though the utmost degree of economy was employed. This, added to the purchase of books which were necessary for the prose'cution of the business of the house, and the general inadequacy of annual income to meet the current expenditure, has involved the institution in a debt of above 6001. To deliver it from the pressure of this debt, an effort is now making to raise 5007., in sums of 101. each. Twenty-six sums of that amount have been conditionally promised, and this appeal is now made to the friends of the rising ministry throughout the country, in the hope that they will promptly afford their help in this time of need, and, either by giving the proposed sum themselves, or collecting it among their friends, contribute to rescue the institution from its present embarrassment.

Subscriptions of the above amount, or in smaller sums, will be gratefully received by T. Bidgood, Esq., Arundel House, Wellington; Mr. H. Bidgood, No. 7, Vigo-street, Regent-street, London; by any member of the committee; Rev. J. Bounsall, Ottery St. Mary, secretary; or by the Rev. Dr. Payne, Academy House, Exeter.

It should be remembered, that the debt incurred by the original purchase of the Academy House had been discharged before the enlargement, chiefly by friends in the West of England. It is hoped, that this fact will dispose friends at a distance the more readily to aid the committee in its present difficulty.

church at Wem, Denbighshire, from which the venerable W. Williams was removed by death.

On this occasion, the Rev. R. Jones, Ruthin, delivered the introductory discourse, clearly stating the nature of a gospel church; the Rev. H. Morgan, Sammah, called the church to acknowledge publicly their adherence to the unanimous invitation which they had presented to the Rev. J. Parry, and also of his acceptance of it, which they both have cordially done; then he implored the Divine blessing to rest upon pastor and people in the relation into which they thus entered; after this, the Rev. M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn, delivered an excellent and impressive address to the pastor. In the afternoon, the Rev. H. Pugh, Mostyn, delivered a solemn charge to the deacons; and the Rev. W. Rees, Denbigh, to the church in general. In the evening, the Rev. E. Hughes, Holywell, addressed the backsliders; Rev. W. Roberts, Penal, the unconverted hearers; and the Rev. D. Price, Penybout, the selfdeceivers. The different services were conducted by the Revs. S. Evans, Llandegla; D. Davies, Llandeusant; D. Griffiths, Rhiwabon; and R. Thomas, Oswestry.

May the dew of heaven descend, and the blessing of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, rest upon the newly elected pastor and his flock.

Rev. S. L. Harris.

On Thursday, the 29th of October, the Rev. S. L. Harris, late of Falkenham, near Ipswich, son of the late Dr. Harris, of Highbury College, was publicly recognised as pastor over the church and congregation assembling in the Independent chapel, Clare.

The Rev. S. Steer, of Castle Hedingham, commenced the services of the day by reading the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. W. Wallis, of Sudbury, stated the nature and constitution of a Christian church; the Rev. J. Raven, of Hadleigh, offered the recognition prayer, having first received from one of the deacons an account of circumstances which led to the choice of their present pastor, and from Mr. Harris an interesting statement of his doctrinal sentiments and reasons of his accepting the call of the church; the Rev. Alexander Fletcher, of London, delivered a luminous and most impressive charge, from Nehemiah vi. 3, on the importance and duties of the Christian ministry. The Rev. J. Rowen preached in the evening. The Revs. T. Heward, of Clare; H. Coleman, of Wickhambrook; T. K. Verdon, of Sudbury; W. Reynolds, of Clare, (Baptist); and J. Rutter, of Stansford, took part in the services.

ORDINATIONS.

Rev. W. P. Appleford.

On Thursday, October 1, 1840, the Rev. William Philip Appleford, of Homerton College, was ordained pastor over the Independent church, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. The Rev. J. Kelly, commenced the service with reading and prayer; the Rev. R. Halley, D.D., of Manchester, delivered the introductory discourse, and proposed the usual questions; the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. Caleb Morris, (Mr. Appleford's pastor,) of Fetter-lane, London; the Rev. J. Pye Smith, D.D., F.R.S., of Homerton, delivered the charge to the minister; the Rev. T. Raffles, D.D., preached to the people; and the Rev. C. M. Birrell concluded with prayer.

The Revs. W. Bevan and T. Rogers, also took part in the service, which was deeply interesting, and by many will be long remembered.

Rev. R. Leicester,

Mr. Robert Leicester was ordained to the pastoral office over the Congregational church assembling for worship in Providence Chapel, Chipping, Lancashire, on Thursday, February 4, 1841. The Rev. D. T. Carnson, of Preston, commenced the morning service by reading the Scriptures, and prayer; the Rev. J. Wadsworth, of Clitheroe, delivered the introductory discourse, and proposed the usual questions, the Rev. G. Wardlaw, A.M., of Blackburn, offered the ordination-prayer, accompanied with laying on of hands; the Rev. R. Slate, of Preston, (Mr. Leicester's pastor,) gave the charge; the Rev. W. Hayhurst, of Knowl-green, concluded.

In the afternoon the Rev. -Dickenson, of Newton, commenced the service, and the Rev. D. T. Carnson preached the sermon to the church and congregation; and concluded with prayer.

Chipping has been supplied with preaching by the County Union above twenty years. In September, 1839, a neat Chapel, capable of holding three hundred persons, was opened by the Rev. R. Slate, of Preston, and the Rev. T. Greenall, of Burnley. Since then a church has been formed, and Mr. Leicester has met with encouragement in his work at Chipping, and in the neighbourhood.

CHAPELS.

Tuxford, Notts.

On Wednesday, the 2nd of December, 1840, the foundation-stone of a new Inde

pendent chapel was laid in this town, by S. Foster, Esq., of Mansfield.

The attendance at this very interesting service was numerous and respectable, and a most devout feeling appeared to pervade the whole assembly.

The Rev. G. B. Johnson, of Retford, gave out appropriate hymns for the occasion; the Rev. B. Ash, of Laxton, read the Scriptures; and the Rev. H. L. Adams, of Newark, implored the divine blessing. A bottle, containing the faith and order of the Congregational churches, the names of the committee of the County Association, together with some coins of the realm, were deposited in the stone, after which Mr. Foster delivered a short address, succeeded by one from the Rev. H. L. Adams, who stated with great force the moral and spiritual destitution of the town and neighbourhood, and the motive which prompted the Nottinghamshire Association to ereet a chapel in Tuxford.

Donations towards the erection of the building will be thankfully received by Mr. Thomas Herbert, Nottingham, or Mr. George Dexter, Tuxford.

Burley, Yorkshire.

On Wednesday, July 29th, 1840, a beautiful and commodious chapel, called Salem, belonging to the Congregationalists, was opened for divine worship in the village of Burley, in Wharfdale, Yorkshire, on which occasion two sermons were preached-in the morning, by the Rev. J. Pridie, of Halifax; and in the evening, by the Rev. J. Ely, of Leeds. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the Rev. J. H. Cook, of Gomersall, and the Rev. R. Gibbs, of Skipton.

At the close of the morning service, a substantial dinner was provided under the presidency, and by the kind liberality of John Peele Clapham, Esq.

For the accommodation of many of the young people connected with the place, who were not able to leave their employment in time for the evening service, which commenced at six o'clock, a large and beautifully ornamented tent was set up in the same field in which the chapel stands, capable of holding at least three hundred people; and in this another service was held the same evening commencing at eight o'clock. The Rev. J. Pridie again preached, and the tent was crowded with attentive hearers, on whom a deep, and hallowed, and it is hoped a lasting impression was produced.

On the following Sunday, August 2nd, the opening services were continued, and three sermons preached. In the morning, by the Rev. J. S. Hastie, of Otley; in the

afternoon, by the Rev. P. Scott, of Shipley, (Baptist;) and in the evening, by the Rev. J. G. Miall, of Bradford.

The collections and contributions at these opening services amounted to the handsome sum of 4047.

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1840, a new and spacious school-room was opened in connexion with the above sanctuary, the ld school-room in which divine service was also performed, being at too great a distance from the chapel, and not being sufficiently large to accommodate the increasing number of children, on which occasion the teachers and friends to the number of two hundred took tea together and were addressed by neighbouring ministers and friends.

Perhaps in the whole of the West Riding of Yorkshire, there is not a more interesting spot than Burley, rendered interesting by the very remarkable manner in which the cause of Christ originated there amongst the Independents, and the success which up to the present time has continued to crown the efforts of its friends.

*

To the family of John Peele Clapham, Esq., one of her Majesty's justices of the peace for the West Riding, is owing, under God. the formation of the Independent church and congregation at Burley. Until Mr. Clapham took up his residence at Burley-hall, Congregationalism had neither a dwelling-place nor a name at Burley; but, in consequence of his judicious management, untiring assiduity, and devoted and selfdenying liberality, in little more than two years, a Sunday-school has been raised, containing upwards of one hundred children, a church has been formed, in which fortyseven are united together in Christian fellowship, and a gradually increasing congregation is privileged to hear the sound of the gospel in one of the most chaste and elegant places of worship, which the taste and architecture of the present day have produced.

As yet there has been no pastor, but the place has been regularly supplied by students from Airedale College, and stated ministers.

The entire cost of the chapel, sixty feet long by twenty-three wide, which is built in the Gothic of the thirteenth century, and from its neat and graceful appearance, adds much to the rural and picturesque scenery around, together with the school-room, which is built in the Tudor style, out-buildings, burial-ground, iron railings, gates,

Mrs. C. has interested herself much in the formation and instruction of a Bible class, composed of about twenty females. In this way sle has been the means of leading the minds of her youthfel charge to the Saviour, as many of the young people, through her instructions, have joined the church. May God continue to reward her labours, and dispose others to imitate her example.

&c. &c., is about 1,4007. May the great Head of the church continue to smile upon the cause at Burley, and may the glory of the Lord ever be seen to abide there.

In testimony of the deep sense entertained of his kindness and liberality, by the friends at Burley, a silver inkstand has been presented to Mr. C., bearing the following inscription:

"Presented to John Peele Clapham, Esq., of Burley-hall, and his amiable lady, by fiftyeight of the inhabitants of Burley, in Wharfdale, in grateful and affectionate remembrance of their kind and unceasing attention to the interests of the Burley Village Sundayschool. May 21, 1839."

Ingatestone, Essex.

On Thursday, October 22, 1840, the new Independent chapel, at Ingatestone, erected for the church and congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. B. Hayter, was opened for Divine service.

Two excellent and appropriate discourses were delivered on the occasion; that in the morning, by the Rev. Alexander Fletcher, M.A., of London; that in the afternoon, by the Rev. John Hunt, of Brixton-hill, Surrey. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the following Independent ministers of the county-Smith, of Brentwood; Thornton, of Billericay; Temple, of Rochford; Fletcher, of Southend; Law, of Writtle; Bateman, of Abbots Roothing; and the ministers of the place.

Though the day was very unfavourable, the congregations were numerous and respectable, and the collections, after the cervices, amounted to 561. 88.

Witham, Essex.

The new Independent chapel in this place was opened on Thursday, December 10th, 1840. It cost nearly 2000l., besides the old materials, which the congregation defray. There was no collection on the day of opening.

The morning service was commenced by the Rev. Robert Burls, of Maldon, who

presented the introductory prayer; Rev. John Carter, of Braintree, read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. Dr. Harris, of Cheshunt College, preached a powerful and excellent sermon; and the Rev. John Raven, of Hadleigh, concluded the morning service.

In the evening, the Rev. D. Smith, of Brentwood, read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. John Clayton, A.M., of London, preached an appropriate and useful sermon ; and the Rev. John Whitby, of Ipswich, concluded the services of the day by thanksgiving and prayer.

A splendid Bible and Hymn-book were presented to the minister of the new chapel, with the following inscription :

"Presented to the Rev. Richard Robinson, as a token of respect and esteem, by the servants of his congregation."

Dorrington, near Shrewsbury.

The chapel at this place, after considerable enlargement and repairs, with the addition of a vestry, which is used also as a Sabbath-school, was re-opened on Tuesday, the 28th July last.

Three sermons were preached; that in the morning, by the Rev. S. Evans, of Willington; that in the afternoon, by the Rev. W. Chambers, of Newcastle; and that in the evening, by the Rev. T. Weaver, of Shrewsbury.

On the following Sabbath, the Rev. T. Davies, of Ludlow, preached two sermons; the devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. T. Jones, of Minsterley; Belk, of Longden; and Weaver, of Shrewsbury.

Collections were made, which, with the previous efforts, amounted to upwards of 701. This, considering the people are chiefly poor, is quite as much as could be expected. The sum of 1007. remains yet to be collected, to obtain which, the minister, the Rev. J. J. Beynon, is necessitated to solicit the contributions of those who favour Zion.

Contributions towards the liquidating the chapel debt, or towards the library, would be thankfully received by the minister, or the Rev. T. Weaver, of Shrewsbury.

Temples and palaces, amphitheatres and catacombs, monuments of power, magnificence, and skill, to perpetuate the memory and preserve even the ashes of those who lived in past ages, must, in the revolutions of sublunary things, not only perish themselves by violence or decay, but the very dust in which they perished, be so scattered as to leave no trace of their material existence behind.

There is no security beyond the passing moment for the most permanent or the most precious of these; they are as much in jeopardy as ever, after having escaped the changes and chances of thousands of years. An earthquake may suddenly engulf the pyramids of Ghizza, and leave the sand of the desert where they stood as blank as the tide would have left it on the sea shore. A hammer in the hand of an idiot may break in pieces the Apollo Belvedere, or the Venus de Medici, which are scarcely less worshipped as miracles of art in our day, than they were by idolaters of old as the representatives of deities.

But there are combinations of words more ancient than the undated pyramids, and of more worth than inestimable relics of sculpture, combinations which were formed before letters were invented, and orally transmitted from father to son, which yet remain in the very sounds in which they were uttered, and can never be cancelled from memory, record, or speech, but are as certain to endure while there shall be human inhabitants on the globe, as that the host of heaven shall hold their courses in the firmament.

The first sentence that was spoken when "the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the earth," when God said, "Let there be light! and there was light," is both remembered and operative to this hour, nor can it be ever forgotten, for as often as "the evening and the morning" add another day to the calendar of time, that sentence stands, and will stand, "not in word only, but in power." We know, indeed, that "the word of God liveth and abideth for ever;" but there are words employed by creatures which, in the order of Providence, are necessarily imperishable. The language wherewith the serpent beguiled Eve is not to be obliterated while there remains "an evil heart of unbelief" in the breast of man, "to depart from the living God." "Ye shall not surely die!" This first lie of "the father of lies," continues not only in the original terms, but in its original venom, and force, and subtlety, to this moment, for there are in all generations; those among the offspring of Eve who give credence to it rather than to the truth of God: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," and who like her incur the penalty of eating of every forbidden fruit in

their way, because it is "pleasant to the eye" of their lust.

But, looking abroad over the whole world after the lapse of nearly six thousand years, what have we of the past but the words in which its history is recorded? What besides a few mouldering and brittle ruins which time is insensibly touching down into dust? What beside these remains of the glory, the grandeur, the intelligence, the supremacy of the Grecian republics and the empire of Rome? Nothing but the words of poets, historians, philosophers, and orators, "who, being dead, yet speak," and in their immortal works still maintain their ascendency over inferior minds through all posterity. The beauty, the eloquence, and art of these collocations of sounds and syllables, the learned alone can appreciate, and that only imperfectly, after long, intense, and laborious investigation; but their influence over the opinions, manners, characters, institutions, and events of all ages and nations through which these writings have found their way, is universally acknowledged and felt by all who have the means of examining the question.

Words are the medium through which thought is made visible to the eye, audible to the ear, and intelligible to the mind of another; they are the palpable forms of ideas, without which the latter would be as intangible as the spirit that conceives, or the breath that would utter them. It is true that all words do not last for ever, and well it is for the peace of the world, and the happiness of individuals, that they do not; but there is a sense in which they do.

Little as we regard our speech in ordinary usage, God so values it, that "for every idle word that men speak, they must give an account in the day of judgment." But even here every word has its date, as well as its meaning and its effect; so that with the tongue and the pen we are continually doing good or evil to ourselves or to our neighbours. Is there one among us who cannot charge himself with having spoken so unadvisedly with his lips, that often, in after life, words uttered wantonly, foolishly, or insidiously, have risen up in judgment against him at the tribunal of conscience? Is there one among us who cannot remember the time when a "word in season," a word of God, or a word according to his will,-was