one of encouraging progress; in nearly all of them numerous congregations have been gathered, churches have been formed, schools established, and various agencies of Christian philanthropy have been put into operation. "It has been the lot of many faithful servants of Christ to labour for years with scarcely any visible result. But the friends of this Society may well wonder that so much has been accomplished with so little effort. Upon a rough but moderate computation, it may be estimated that from five to six thousand persons have the Gospel preached to them every Sabbath; that many hundreds of persons are associated in Christian fellowship; that from 1600 to 1800 children receive instruction in Sabbath schools; and that manifold efforts and contributions are made for the furtherance of the kingdom of Christ at home and abroad, more or less through the instrumentality of this Society. It is reward enough to contemplate these visible results; but when we take into consideration the number of immortal souls which have been "saved from death," and the far larger number which shall hereafter be gathered into life eternal, by means of the agencies which have thus been called into existence, we cannot but feel, that the efforts and sacrifices which have been made by the supporters of this Society, are infinitely transcended by the honour and the blessedness which are thus conferred upon them. 'Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.' "Nor is the good work which is thus carried on confined to this Society. Leaving out of view what is done by Christians of other denominations, it may safely be said that among Congregationalists the work of Chapel-building in London has never been carried on to the same extent as during the past five years. Within that time, over and above the operations of this Society, eight large and handsome Chapels have been erected, at an expense of not less than £25,000. The aggregate amount which has been thus expended, inclusive of the operations of this Society, and of those whom it has aided, cannot be less than £80,000. VOL. XXXII. "Revelation of the Census. "It is generally known that the census of 1851 was, by direction of the Government, made to include the places of worship in England and Wales, and the amount of accommodation which they afford. The results have just been given to the public in a report, which abounds in facts and statements of the deepest interest and importance. The details which are furnished respecting London, prove in the most conclusive manner the urgent necessity which exists for such efforts as are made by this Society, while they strikingly corroborate the statements which have been put forth in its publications. In our report for 1851 it was stated that the accommodation for public worship provided in the metropolis for two millions and a quarter of people did not amount to seven hundred thousand. In the Census Report the population is given as 2,362,236, and the number of sittings in all places of worship as 713,561. Allowing for the dif ferent limits assigned to the metropolis it appears that the estimate of accommodation which we had made was rather above the truth than below it; and that the destitution of London is really greater than we had ventured to declare. The degree of this destitution will appear yet more strikingly if London be compared, in this respect, with the country at large, or with its several districts. Taking England and Wales as a whole, inclusive of London, there are sittings for fifty-seven persons out of every hundred. Taking England and Wales, exclusive of London, there are sittings for sixty-two persons out of every hundred, while in London itself, the metropolis of the country, there are sittings for only thirty persons out of every hundred. Thus it appears that the amount of accommodation which is provided in London is in the proportion of less than half what is provided for the rest of the country." P.S.-We shall continue these extracts from the Report of "the London Congregational Chapel Building Society" in our next, as they will show the comparatively destitute state of this great metropolis, M and the need which exists for an increase | Sabbath evening the Rev. Wm. Smith of the means of grace. preached to the people. RE-COMMENCEMENT OF COWARD'S WEEKLY LECTURE. COWARD'S Friday Morning Lecture will be re-commenced, at the Weigh-house Chapel, Fish-street Hill, on Friday, March 3rd, at twelve o'clock. The Rev. Joshua Harrison will preach. The ministers who have accepted the appointment to preach the Lecture, are, the Rev. Joshua Harrison, the Rev. Henry Allon, the Rev. J. B. Brown, B.A., and the Rev. William Kirkus, LL.B. ORANGE STREET CHAPEL, LEICESTER THE REV. Edward Jukes, of Blackburn, has accepted a most cordial invitation to become the pastor of the church and congregation assembling at Orangestreet Chapel, and purposes (D.V.) to commence his stated labours at that place, on the fourth Sabbath in March. ST. THOMAS'S SQUARE CHAPEL, HACKNEY. On Thursday, June 23rd, the Rev. W. | Kirkus, LL.B., was publicly recognized as pastor of the church in this place. The Rev. Dr. Vaughan delivered a charge to the minister; and the Revs. Dr. Burder, Theos. Lessey, J. Kennedy, A.M., Edward Mannering, George Wilkins, and George Smith, also took part in the services. A cold collation was provided in the upper school-room at three o'clock, when many ministers and other friends were present, and addressed the company. ON Wednesday evening, February 8, 1854, the Rev. Joseph Spencer, late of Bakewell, Derbyshire, was recognized as pastor of the church assembling at Tipping-street Chapel, Manchester, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. John Smith, for sixteen years its esteemed and honoured minister. The service was conducted in the following order :-The Rev. Robert Halley, D.D., began, with reading and prayer; the Rev. John Lockwood, B.A., delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Thomas Atkins, of Glossop, asked the questions; the Rev. David Everard Ford offered the designation prayer; the Rev. John Clunie, LL.D., delivered the charge; and the Rev. James Griffin briefly addressed the people. Mr. Spencer enters on his new charge with pleasing prospects, both of comfort and usefulness. THE ordination services of the Rev. Robert Thos. Verrall, B.A., minister of the English Congregational church, Churchstreet, Cardiff, took place on Friday, Dec. 16, 1853. The Welsh Independent Chapel, Ebenezer-street, was kindly lent for the occasion. The Rev. Thos. Gillman, of Newport, read the Scriptures and offered prayer. The Rev. John Burder, M.A., of Bristol, (late of Stroud,) delivered a clear and instructive discourse on the nature of Christian church constitution; after which, the usual questions were put. Satisfactory replies having May a great blessing rest on the minis-been given, the Rev. George Verrall, of try of Mr. Kirkus, in this sphere of mi- Bromley, Kent, invoked the Divine blessnisterial labour, hallowed by many mosting on the labours of his son, offering up sacred associations! ON Thursday evening, Dec. 15, 1853, the Rev. Charles Gowar was recognized by the neighbouring ministers as the pastor of the Independent Church, Upwey, Dorset. The Revs. John Smith, Wm. Smith, - Price (Baptist) of Weymouth, J. W. Sampson of Dorchester, and Samuel Knell of Lyme Regis, took part in the devotional service. On the following the ordination prayer. The Rev. J. Harris, D.D., of New College, gave the charge, and the Rev. W. Jones, Baptist minister, Cardiff, concluded the morning service. A cold collation was provided in the school-room, beneath the chapel: about eighty persons partook of it. In the evening, the Rev. J. D. Williams, minister of the Welsh Independent chapel, commenced the service, after which the Rev. John Glanville, of Kings wood, near Bristol, preached to the people. The Rev. J. Appleby, W. Fellows, (Wesleyan,) Alf. Fuller, and J. Jones, took part in the services, which were marked throughout by the most impressive solemnity. POTTON, BEDS. It is with considerable regret we learn that our esteemed and excellent friend, the Rev. J. Roberts, of the above town, has been compelled, through an affection of the brain, to resign his pastoral charge, and to refrain from all preaching engagements, at least for the present. This heavy affliction began to manifest itself at the beginning of last year, by a failure of memory. The flock under his care immediately evinced the deepest and most affectionate sympathy, and made arrangements for their valued pastor to take six months' rest, with change of air and scene. But as that did not result in any improvement in his health, Mr. Roberts felt that he should best consult the interests of the church, by urging his people to accept his resignation, to which they felt themselves reluctantly compelled, by the slender probability of any great change for the better taking place. We have only to express our earnest hope that, after a life of more than ordinary activity in the cause of Christ, and of eminent usefulness, our friend and brother may richly enjoy that Divine consolation and support, under his trying affliction, which he has so efficiently preached to others. ALBANY CHAPEL, BRENTFORD. THE new enterprise connected with this commodious and handsome place of worship has hitherto been crowned with gratifying success. The numbers in attendance are encouraging, the Sabbath-schools are improving, Bible-classes have been established, and a church has been formed, of which the Rev. Ebenezer Morley has been unanimously and cordially recognized as the pastor. An interesting service, having reference to that event, was held on Wednesday evening, February 1st, and was well attended. The Rev, Evan Davies, of Richmond, read a portion of Scripture, and engaged in prayer; the Rev. J. W. Richardson, of Tottenham Court-road Chapel, delivered a lucid discourse on the nature of a Christian church; the Rev. Dr. Massie, of London, stated the views and feelings of those Christian friends who had originated the undertaking; the Rev. E. Morley, as the pastor elect, delivered a responsive declaration; the Rev. R. Ashton, secretary to the Congregational Union of England and Wales, offered the recognition prayer: after which the venerable Dr. Bennett had engaged to address united counsels to the pastor and church; but having been obliged, within a few hours of the service, to abandon the intention, in consequence of the state of his health, his lack of service was kindly undertaken and ably supplied by two of the officiating ministers-the Rev. R. Ashton addressing fraternal and wise counsels to the pastor, and the Rev. Dr. Massie appropriately addressing the church. The Rev. W. C. Yonge, of Brentford, offered the concluding prayer. Suitable hymns were given out by the Rev. G. J. Adeney, of Ealing, assisted by the Revs. J. S. Le Blond, of Chiswick, and Ireland. Bell, from On the following Sunday evening the Lord's Supper was administered for the first time to the newly-formed church, in presence of a goodly number of spectators; and it is believed the whole of the proceedings have left a salutary and hopeful impression. THE CONGREGATIONAL PASTORS' INSURANCE AID SOCIETY. A NEW Society, under the above designation, has been recently formed, agreeably to the recommendation of the Congregational Union at its last autumnal assembly. Its object is, by paying a larger or smaller proportion of the annual premium, according to circumstances, to aid ministers in effecting an insurance generally, though not exclusively, in "The Protestant Union," by which a life annuity may be secured for the widow, varying from £25 to £50 per annum; or a proportionate benefit for the children, should no widow be left, or in case of her early decease. It is hoped thus to supersede the necessity for the appeals which are so often made, but which are in all respects so painful, on behalf of deceased ministers' families. The object, which is exceedingly simple, but of vast importance, can scarcely, we apprehend, do otherwise than commend itself alike to the understanding and the heart of every Christian; while the rules of the Society scem to have been framed with great care, and are, so far as we can perceive, unobjectionable. It appears that under a conviction of the importance of the object proposed, as calculated to relieve the just anxieties of ministers in relation to the comfort of their families, and from a feeling of dependence unfavourable to the vigorous exercise of their talents in promoting the cause of God, John Remington Mills, Esq., has promised the committee an immediate donation of £250, and another of the same amount twelve months hence, provided, in the interim, promises of subscriptions and donations can be obtained, insuring in five years the completion of the £5000, which the rules of the Society require to be invested as funded capital. The committee are now exerting themselves to accomplish this desirable object, by soliciting immediate donations, or promises of liberal subscriptions for five years. We most cordially commend the case to the wealthy members of the Congregational body, and to the churches generally, as one in every respect entitled to their generous support. Contributions may be forwarded to Edward Swaine, Esq., the Treasurer of the Society, at his residence, 185, Piccadilly; or to the Rev. Henry Bromley, the Secretary, at the Congregational Library. SAFFRON WALDEN. THE Rev. F. Pollard, for nearly hir church and congregation in the town, having recently, much to the regret of the great mass of his people of both the church and congregation, resigned his pastorate among them, the following memorial, signed in the course of a few days by some hundreds of the people, was addressed to him on the subject :— "We, the undersigned, members of the church and congregation assembling in the Abbey-lane Chapel, Saffron Walden, deeply deploring the circumstances which have induced you to resign the pastoral charge over us-and out of the esteem and love we bear to you personally, and from high appreciation of your talented and valuable ministrations, which for the last twelve years have been a source of special spiritual blessing to many of us, and of general acceptance to us all-being also convinced from the success which has attended your labours, for the last two years especially, in the numbers added to the church, and of others under religious impression, that you have yet a work to do in our midst, do, therefore, earnestly and affectionately entreat you to withdraw your resignation, and to continue your very valuable services amongst us." The pastor being unable to comply with the wishes of the memorialists, the church unanimously passed the following resolution : : "That the members of the Church of Christ, assembling in the Abbey-lane Chapel, cannot allow the resignation of the Rev. F. Pollard to be received, without expressing their unfeigned sorrow and regret that any state of things should have occurred to cause a separation between pastor and people, after a union of more than twelve years of prosperity and happiness. "They deeply deplore the imperfection of all earthly compacts connected with the church militant, but would look forward to that better state of things which shall be realized in the church triumphant on high. "While they offer him their sincere thanks for his long and faithful services as their minister at Walden, they would teen years the Pastor of the Independent | follow him with their fervent prayers, that the Great Head of the Church would direct his future course, and succeed him in a more abundant degree in converting sinners, and building up the faith of believers, than even has been vouchsafed during his sojourn with them. "May the great day reveal the fact, of which they entertain no doubt, of his meeting a numerous seed as his spiritual offspring, and hear from his Master's voice that commendation, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!' "That this minute be entered on the church books, and a copy of the same be forwarded to him." At a public meeting, convened in the Abbey-lane Chapel on Thursday evening, December 23, 1853, to take leave of Mr. Pollard, the following addresses and gifts were presented :— "To the Rev. F. Pollard. "Dear Friend and Pastor,-It has often been remarked, as well as acknowledged, that a man's own history is to him the most interesting of any-especially that page of it relating to his early days and companionships. "When we meet with travellers going the same road, and they prove to be men of congenial tastes and sentiments, how the time is beguiled! If their conversation be improving and instructive, we feel this accidental meeting oftentimes ripening into friendship, and we are loath to part; but the road divides, and one must take the right hand, and the other the left. It is not, however, without a promise to renew our acquaintance when again we shall meet. "Many of us now present can look back for more than twelve years of life's journey, when, not to say by accident, but by the providence of God, we met with you, dear Sir, and invited you to accompany us on our road to Zion, and take the oversight of us as our pastor. Many are the pleasant recollections, and we trust profitable intercourses, we have enjoyed together. "But we have now come to a turn in the road in which we are called to bid adieu-and painful as is this necessity to us all, yet we do it with a confident expectation that, after a few more years, we shall meet again, in our Father's house, where there are many mansions, and where all the air is love. "To some who are advanced in life the time to the journey's end will be very short-to others who are not so advanced it will not be very long-while the young who have only just set out will find, as all who have gone before can testify, that the time will flit away, and elude their grasp, beyond their possible conception. Truly we may all say, 'Brethren, the time is short.' "It is, however, our happiness to remember that, while you have been amongst us, you have endeavoured to lead our minds onward-you have set the heavenly prospect before us, and we have at times obtained a Pisgah's view of the promised land; while to those who, by their conduct, evinced no desire to tread the heavenly road, you have not failed to declare the whole counsel of God. We can add with the apostles that your 'conversation has been in heaven, whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself.' "With such feelings we cannot part without offering you some small token of our affection and gratitude. We beg your acceptance of a purse of fifty sovereigns as a trifling proof of our sincerity. "It must be a source of gratification to you that you have been made so useful to the young people of this congregation; and you will leave a little flock at Walden who will follow you with their prayers, that in your next sphere of labour you may be permitted to gather a still more numerous fold to the Great Shepherd. "We now, dear Sir, bid you farewell. May the Lord bless you, and make your way prosperous, and give you a goodly heritage among His children-even durable riches and righteousness! May the blessing of the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, rest upon you, and, at length, may we all be permitted to |
