When I entered on my ministry bere, less thau one-fourth of the iuhabitauts attended public worship on Sunday mornings: few or none in the afternoon. Now, I have often the satisfaction of meeting two-thirds of my neighbours at chapel, moruing aud afternoon, on the Lord's Day. Comnuuicants, for the last two years, have been double the number they were before; and an earnest desire to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, is, in general, manifest in our little village. I HAVE read the Evangelical Magazine for six years, and have been greatly delighted with the accounts of your Society. Having read an anecdote some time ago, of a woman finding a book, giving it to her husband, and its having been made the means of her conversion, and you saying, that dropping Tracts might have the like effect, I was earnest that I might have some of them to distribute. Going into the churchyard in April 1803, on our communion Sabbath, I found a shilling, and I added threepence to it, and on Monday went to the bookseller's and bought a quarter of a hundred of "The Death of John Bowles," which I sold, and with the money bought more. I next went to my bookseller, and ordered him to write to London for a quarter of a bundred of The Death of Lord Rochester" and for the "Account of the Origin and Progress of the Religious Tract Society." I was so delighted with the latter, that 1 lent it out to read for a penny, and thus gathered five or six shillings. I then sent to London for as many Tracts of diferent sorts as my money would allow of; and I still gathered more money by the sale of them. On going to the bookseller's one day, to buy some of the Edinburgh Society's Tracts, there came in a gentleman, who, looking off me, said, "What are you to do with these?" I answered, I am going to the north country to distribute them among the ignorant people.' The gentleman, on this, said to the bookseller,“ Give him a hundred for me." After this I went into the north, first doing all I could to get Religions Tracts to distribute; and, blessed be God, I got more than 200, which I distributed in the heart of the country. Last winter, I sent to London for No. 9 of the Missionary Transactions; and by lending it out to read for a penny, I got so much encouragement, that I procured two copies of it, and two copies of the two following numbers, and made so much by these, that I sent to London for 2co Tracts, and all the preceding Numbers of the Missionary Transactions. When I was in the bookseller's shop ordering these, the gentleman before spoken of, came in. I had not before seen him to thank him for his kindness last year; and now when I was doing this, he ordered me to send for five shillings worth more of such Tracts as I thought best for the public, which I did; and since that time I have dispersed a good many of them, and shall do so still. I shall go agaia to the north country in the spring, God willing, and expect by that time to have a larger number of Tracts by the profit of those 1 lend out to read; and by my well-wisher's generosity. I pray, dear Brethren, that ye may prosper, and be the means of bringing many frum darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God: and I am, &c. The Committee of the Religious Tract Society were much gratified by the above Letter; and they presented the zealous and worthy writer of it with a complete set of their Tracts, bound in three volumes, for his own use, and with a suitable number to be distributed by him. The Committee have since heard, that he continues, with unabating ardour and success in the good work which he so singularly and happily conceived. MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS. Friends at Trowbridge 8 4 6 14 5 -II 16 A Contribution from the Lovers of the Gospel at Aldwinkle, Mr. Evans and Congregation, Foleshill, near Coventry NEW DIRECTORS OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY FOR THE COUNTRY, ELECTED AT THE LATE ANNUAL MEETING. Rev. Charles Atkinson, Ipswich James Boden, Sheffield Feb. 28, 1805, the Rev. Mr. Bateman was ordained over the church of Christ, meeting in Edward Street, near WardOur Street, Soho. Mr. Ivemey began with reading the Scriptures and prayer; Mr. Keeble asked the questions and received the confession of faith; M, Coxhead prayed the ordination prayer; Mr. Burnham gave the charge, from 2 Tim. iv. 2.; Mr. Shenstone preached to the people, from Zech. viii. 19.; Mr. Silvester concluded in prayer. On March 12, Mr. W. Scott, preacher of the gospel, was ordained to the of fice of the holy ministry and pastoral charge of the Associate Congregation of Lesly, in Scotland. Mr. Leishman, minister at Kinross, preached in the forenoon, from Phil. 1. 17.; Mr. Larie, of Milnathort, who presided on the occasion, put the questions of the Formula; and after the ordination-prayer, tendered an exhortation, first to the minister, and then to the congregation. In the afternoon, Mr. Browning, of Auchtermuchty, preached from James i. 21. The audience was large. May 29. The Rev. Mr. Seymour was set apart to the pastoral office over the particular Baptist church at Tring, Herts. Mr. Davis, of Wadsdon-hill, began the service by prayer, &c.; Mr. Rev. Mr. Richards, Hull R. Winter, Newport, Isle of Wight NORTH BRITAIN. Rev. John Findlay, Paisley Thomas Fleming, Kirkcaldy IRELAND. Rev. Dr. M'Dowell, Dublin Mr. Alderman Hutton, Dublin nature of a gospel church, &c. Mr. Simpson offered the ordination-prayer, Mr. Buck delivered the charge, Mr. Stollery addre, ed the church, and Mr. Atkinson concludert, On the 20th and 30th of May, the Independent Ministers in the county of Sussex, had a Meeting at Mr. Leggete's, Burwash. Mr. Warkius, of brighton, preached from 2 Cor. v. 14; Mr. Hamil ton, of ditto, from Mat. iv. 19; and Mr. Jones, of Oat-hall, from Is. xii 2.; Messrs. Neve, of Friston; Cracknell, of Weymouth; White, of Shoreham; More, of New haven; and Hopkins, of Tunbridge, engaged in the other services. The principal object of this Association is, to promote the Spread of the Gospel in the County. Some new measures were proposed and agreed to. The meetings were well attended, harmony and love prevailed, and the word was heard with much attention. June 4, 1805. The New Baptist Meeting-house at the Coppice, near Coseley, in the parish of Sedgley, Staffordshire, was opened for public worship. The services of the day were thus divided: The Rev. T. Smith, of Coseley, prayed; Mr. Morgan, of Birmingham, preached from 2 Cor. iii. 2,3; and concluded the morning-ser Grocer, of Watford, delivered the in-vice in prayer. In the afternoon, Mr. troductory discourse, &c.; Mr. Dawson, of Risborough, offered up the ordination prayer and gave the charge, from Acts xx. 28.; Mr. Shenstone, of London, preached from Zech. viii. 19.; Mr. Lewis, of Berkhampstead, concluded. The same day the Rev. Mr. Duun (late Student at Hoxton) was ordained to the pastoral office over the church assembling at the meeting-house in Palace Street, Pimlico, London. The Jodjowing ministers engaged: Mr. Gore prayed, &c. Mr. Burder explained the S, Breeze, from Wales, prayet: Mr. L. Butterworth, of Evesham, preached from Ps. exxxii. 13, 14; and Mr. M. Thomas, of Ryeford, prayed and closed, 'The auditories were crowded, both morning and afternoon. The new house is commodious, the country very popalous; and it is humbly hoped, through a divine blessing, that the cause of re ligion will be promoted, June 5. The Rev. Mr. Gore, late of Sandwich, was set apart to the work of a pastor, in the church, meeting in Τ Ι 2 Barbican, London, late under the care of Mr. J. Towers. Mr. Buck prayed, &c. Mr. Townsend delivered an introductory discourse suited to the occasion, Mr. Simpson prayed, Mr. Burder gave a few hints of advice to the minister, Mr. Boden (of Sheffield) preached to the people, and Mr. G. Clayton concluded the service. It is with pleasure we notice the increase of charitable institutions, particularly among females. The ladies of New Broad Street Meeting have lately began one, entitled, "The Mother and Infant's Friend." Doubtless, in the country also, much good might be rendered by visiting and relieving poor women in the month of confinement. In some parts, we believe, it is practised. LONDON. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. A numerous and very respectable Mecting of this Society was held at the New London Tavern, on Wednesday, May 1, 1805. From the Minutes of the above Meeting, we extract the following Account: The Right Hon. John Ld. Teignmouth, President, in the Chair. The Report of the Committee having been read by the President, Resolved, That the said Report be nów received and adopted ; and that it be printed, subject to the revisal of the Committee. On the Motion of the Rt. Rev. the Ld. Bp. of Durham, seconded by Wm. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. it was Resolved unanimously, That the warmest Thanks of this Meeting be presented to the Rt. Hon. Ld. Teignmouth, President of this Socity, for his Lordship's faithful, zealous, and persevering attention to the interests of this Institution, during the whole period of his connection with it. It was further Resolved manimously, That the sincere Acknowledgements of this Meeting be communicated to the Rt. Rev. and other the Vice-Presidents of the Society, for the Patronage which they have afforded to the Institution: That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to the Committee, for their strenuous endeavours to further the objects of this Society; and for their highly interesting, impressive, and encouraging Report: That the Thanks of this Meeting be presented to the Treasurer and Secretaries of the Society, for their zealous and gratuitous services. It was also Resolved unanimously, That the Thanks of this Meeting be conveyed to the Presbytery of Glasgow, for the zeal which they have discovered in promoting the interests of this Society: That the Thanks of this Meeting be also returned to the several Societies and Congregations in England, Scot land, Wales, and Ireland, who have made Collections for the Society, or otherwise contributed to promote its interests; and they are hereby requested to accept such Thanks. WIDOWS OF MINISTERS. Os Monday the 20th of May, the Annual Meeting of the Protestant Union, for the benefit of the Widows and Orphans of deceased Ministers of the Gospel, of all denominations, was held at the Scots Church, London Wall; and as we feel a particular pleasure to learn, that though the sointerest in its prosperity, it gives us ciety has been formed only six years, its capital already amounts to 40cal. in the three per cents, and 737. in the three per cents reduced, notwithstanding ten widows are assisted by its funds. We have no doubt that it will hereafter prove the means of affording far greater benefit to the widows of its members than at present, The interests of its capital, with the annual subscriptions of its members, must eventually so raise its funds, as to afford a much larger sum than it now offers; and this will certainly be assisted by a larger number of subscribers. We feel concerned, that so many ministers have excluded them. selves, by not entering within the time limited by its constitution, especially as the Society kept its door open for near a year longer than the rules allowed, for the admission of members. We hope that those ministers who have not been ordained two years, will not lose the opportunity of providing for their families, by so small a sacrifice. We are well aware of the objection made by many worthy pastors, that they are incapable of joining the Society, from the sinaliness of their im comes; it is with regret, we admit the force of the objection, and are grieved that those who have devoted them selves to the service of Christ, should be under the necessity of making such an objection; yet, we trust, the members of their churches, and other liberal friends, will kindly step forward, and by subscriptions amongst themselves, enable their ministers to be come members of this institution. The Churches of Christ will do well seriously to consider this subject, as by a minister being thus enabled to provide for his family, they are effeetually relieved from a burden, which, in consequence of the circumstances in which their pastors may leave them, may lie heavily upon them for many years. JEWS. We are informed that Mr. Joseph Samuel C. F. Frey (the converted Jew) intends to preach a stated lecture, at Mr. Ball's Chapel, in Jewry Street, London, every Saturday evening, at Seven o'clock; to commence the first Saturday in July. It gives us unspeakable pleasure also to learn, that it is in contemplation to collect together the converted Jews from different parts of this kingdom, and from the Continent (of whom more than twenty have already been heard of) and to form them into a Christian church. This important measure, if practicable, may be the means of exciting among the posterity of Abraham a spirit of enquiry into the truth of Christianity. It would afford also a refuge to those who, on embracing the religion of Christ, are usually obliged to forsake father, mother, and substance: and we hope it would also tend to stir up the zeal of those who are called Christians. A prayer-meeting among a few converted Jews is already commenced, on the Friday evening, at Mr. Frey's apartments, No. 1, Little PrescottStreet, Goodman's Fields; where his brethren are invited to converse with him. List of Lectures in and near London, for July. 1. Mon. Ev. Missjonary Prayer-Meeting, Mr. Jackson's, Stockwell. 3. 2. Tu. M. Broad Str. Mr. Goode. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, at Mr. Jennings's, Islington. 4. Th. Ev. Fetter Lane, Mr. Burder. The Depravity of 1luman Nature. 7. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Street, Mr. Thorp; Hare Court, Dr. Young; Palace Street, Mr. Atkinson; Crown Crt. Mr. Knight; Peter Street, Mr. Waugh. 18. Th. Er. Fetter Lane, Mr. Clayton. Covetousness and Prodigality explained and compared. 21. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Street, Mr. Gaffee; Hare Crt. Mr. Thorp; Orange Street, Mr. Burder; Crown Court, Mr. Collyer. 23. Tu. M. Broad Street, Mr. Ford. 24. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, at Mr. Goode's. 8. Mon. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the 25Nation, Surry Chapel. 9. Tu. M. Broad Street, Mr. Clayton. 10. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, at Dr. Rippon's. Th. M.Monthly Meeting(Indep.) 28. 14. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Street, Mr. Hughes; Orange Street, Mr. Townsend; Crown Court, Mr. Webb; Palace Street, Mr. Buck. 16. Tu. M. Broad Str. Mr. Goode. 17. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, at Mr. T. Thomas's. Th. M. Monthly Meeting (Bap.) at Dr. Rippon's, Mr. T. Thomas to preach. Encouragement to pray for the Spirit. Th. Er. Fetter Lane, Mr. Hughes -The Discipline of Jesus Christ, LORD'S DAY Ev. BroadStreet, Mr. Dore; Hare Court, Mr. Lyndall; Crown Court, Mr. Stollery; Palace Street, Mr. J. Thomas. 30. Tu. M. Broad Str. Mr. Humphrys. 31. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, at Mr. Kello's. MINISTERS SUPPLYING AT The Tabernacle and Tottenham, Mr. Charrier, of Lancaster, and Mr. Hyatt. Surry Chapel, Mr. Sibree and Mr. Elliot. Spa Fields, Mr. Jeary. Sion, Mr. Browning. foxton Academy Chapel, Mr. Ralph, of Liverpool. FAIN would my heart with equal warmth declare To you, they say, their best returns are due; - To praise, my Lady, where applause is due, Bow down, Almighty Sov'reign, lend an ear O! may her soul, inflam'd by love divine, } |
