We, whose names are undersigned, not being members of the Port of London and Bethel Union Society, having been invited with ministers of all religious denominations to confer with a deputation from that committee, have great pleasure in expressing our satisfaction with the useful operations of the Society, and our ardent desire to promote in our respective spheres its future interests and prosperity.

"4th January, 1832."

(Signed) Jos. Fletcher, D. D. (Stepney), Chairman; Jas. Bennett, D.D., Silver Street; Thos. Stevenson, Gate Street; John Clayton, jun., Poultry; Jos. P. Dobson, Orange Street; Jos. Turnbull; J. Morison, D.D., Brompton; A. Tidman, Barbican; Robert Vaughan, Kensington; J. É. Richards, Wandsworth; Caleb Morris, Fetter Lane.

Although not present at the above meeting, I have no hesitation in expressing my confidence in its committee and agency, and cordially unite in the foregoing, declaration.

John Campbell, Tabernacle.

From my knowledge of the committee of this institution, and the assurance of nonintercourse with another society of a somewhat similar designation, I most cordially join in the above declaration.

Geo. Collison, Hackney.

The Committee will be thankful for the assistance of ministers who will kindly favour with their services the pulpit of the Floating Chapel, and for communications from any friend to the objects of the Society; and they will feel particularly obliged by the donation of religious books and other works adapted to the moral and religious improvement of sailors. They request all such communications may be addressed to the Secretary, the Rev. Edward, Muscutt, 18, Aldermanbury.

Subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, R. H. Marten, Esq., 9, Finch Lane, and by Messrs. Hankey, 7, Fenchurch Street, London.

LANE SEMINARY.

To the Editor.

SIR, I beg leave to acknowledge, through your columns, a donation of about 230 volumes of very valuable books, "" from an invalid minister," to the Lane Seminary,

We find, by an advertisement on the cover of this Magazine, that the anniversary of the induction of the Rev. John Young, A. M., will take place on the 11th of March, when three sermons will be preached, that in the morning by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher, D.D., that in the afternoon by the Rev. Robert Redpath, A.M., successor to Dr. Waugh; and that in the evening by the Rev. John Morison, D.D.

WIDOWS' FUND.

The Rev. Eustace Carey, late of Calcutta, is expected to preach the annual sermon for

the relief of the necessitous widows and children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers, on Wednesday, the 11th April next, at the Rev. J. E. Giles's, Salters' Hall Chapel, Cannon Street. Service at twelve o'clock precisely.

HACKNEY ACADEMY.

The Rev. Samuel Ransom, of Andover, has been appointed Classical Tutor to the Academy of the Village Itineracy, at Hackney.

CHAIRMAN OF THE DEPUTIES.

From a communication we have just received from the Secretary of this body, we learn that William Smith, Esq. has retired from his wonted office. Upon the whole, highly as we respect his moral qualities, his talents for business, and the zeal which he has uniformly displayed in the cause of civil and religious freedom, we cannot but congratulate the Deputies on his retirement. Let one, sound in the faith of our Lord Jesus, be placed in his stead. The times demand this, and it ought to be cheerfully conceded.

PROVINCIAL.

GENERAL UNION OF MINISTERS AND CONGREGATIONS IN NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD.

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The ministers and others of different evangelical denominations in Newcastle and Gateshead, deeply lamenting the depravity and irreligion prevailing in these towns, and fearful of a deficiency in the piety and zeal of many professing Christians, have formed themselves into a union for the purpose of promoting a revival of religion. The union consists of twenty ministers and fourteen congregations of the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Independent denominations. Any measures which may be deemed likely, under the divine blessing, to promote a diffusion of vital Christianity, will be adopted. A tract has been published, entitled, "An Affectionate Address to the Inhabitants of Newcastle and Gateshead, on the present alarming Visitation of Divine Providence, in the fatal Ravages of the Spasmodic Cholera;" twenty thousand copies of which have been distributed. Monday, the 26th of December, was set apart for humiliation and prayer, under the awful judgments with which the town was then visited. Monday, the 30th of January, was also observed as a day of special prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, when the different congregations united in devotional exercises. prayer-meeting took place in the Baptist Chapel, New Court, at eight in the morning, and another in the Secession Chapel, Clavering Place, at twelve at noon. In the evening a meeting was held in the Methodist Chapel, Brunswick Place, when addresses on a revival of religion were delivered by the Rev. Richard Pengilly, of the Baptist Chapel, Tuthill Stairs; the Rev. Alex. Reid, of the Independent Chapel, Postern; and the Rev. Valentine Ward, the Superintendant of the Newcastle Circuit of Wesleyan Methoists. The Rev. James Pringle and the Rev. John Lockhart (Presbyterians), and the Rev. George Sample (Baptist), engaged in prayer. A monthly meeting for prayer and the communication of intelligence regarding revivals of religion has been instituted, which it is intended shall be held alternately in the chapels of the different ministers composing the union, on the evening of the second Friday of every month. The ministers intend connecting private consultation and prayer with the public services, and they affectionately entreat their respective flocks to co-operate with them in the diligent and zealous use of all proper means for the furtherance of the gospel.

CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL, FOR THE SONS OF MINISTERS IN YORKSHIRE AND LANCASHIRE, SILCOATES-House, NEAR WAKEFIELD.

The second examination of the pupils in

VOL. X.

this establishment took place on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Notwithstanding the short period which has elapsed since the opening, the improvement of the boys in their several departments of education gave much pleasure to the Rev. Messrs. Parsons, Hamilton, Lorraine, and Scales, who attended on this occasion, and reflected great credit on their tutors. The shortness of the time necessarily limited the attention of the examiners to exercises in Latin and Greek, geography and history; in each of which several of the pupils evinced very respectable proficiency. An increase of numbers was expected on the 1st of last month, when a new half year commenced.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

On Friday evening a meeting of the Temperance Society was held in the Church Sunday school-room of this town. As notice of

this meeting had been given at all the churches and chapels, the room was crowded to excess, and a spirit of deep and attentive interest was exhibited, rarely to be found in such large assemblies. The Rev. T. A. Methuen, rector of Allcannings, was called to the chair, and the meeting was addressed at great length by Mr. Carr; and so much interest, information, and so many convincing facts were presented in his address, that we should not know where to make a selection; but we will say, that the patronage and support of the highest authorities in church and state would be well bestowed on the British and Foreign Temperance Society. Mr. Carr stated that 100,000 British subjects have already given up the use of ardent spirits; that Sweden and several parts of Germany have taken the principle up; and an application has lately been made to the Society to send out their publications to the South Sea Islands, where the curse of distillation has done more to impede the blessings of the gospel than all other evils and errors put together.-Devizes Paper.

ORDINATIONS.

On Tuesday, the 15th Nov. Rev. Thomas Gibson, late of Rotherham college, was ordained pastor of the Independent church, Guisborough, Yorkshire. The Rev. John Raine, of Lofthouse, commenced by reading suitable portions of Scripture and with prayer; the Rev. James Benson, M. A., of North Allerton, delivered the introductory discourse on the principles of dissent, and asked the usual questions; the Rev. Wm. Hinmers, of Ayton, near Stokesley, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. R. Gibbs, of Darlington, Durham, gave the charge from Titus ii. 7, 8, and concluded the service with prayer. In the evening, after the prayer by Mr. Gibbs, the Rev. Wm. Blackburn, of Whitby, Yorkshire, preached to the people

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from the words, "Encourage him," in Deut. i. 38; and Mr. Benson concluded with prayer. The ordination taking place on the anniversary of the chapel, collections for its benefit were made at each service.

The ordination of the Rev. E. Bates, late of Cheshunt College, Herts, took place at Surrey Chapel, on Friday, the 9th of Dec. On this interesting occasion the Rev. W. Hodson, of Sion Chapel, read appropriate passages of Scripture and prayed; the Rev. T. Jackson, of Stockwell, delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions, and offered up the ordination prayer; the Rev. Dr. Collyer gave a most solemn and impressive charge from Acts xxvi. 16, 18; the Rev. E. W. Harris, of Dartford, concluded with prayer. The hymns were given out by the Rev. Messrs. H. A. Paull, Newth, Upton, and Wood. The service was numerously and respectably attended, and the pre

sence of the Lord was manifested.

On the 20th Dec. the Rev. Alfred John Jupp, from Wymondley Theological Institution, was ordained to the pastoral office over the congregational church at Armitage, Staffordshire. The Rev. R. Davis, of Tamworth, supplicated the Divine blessing, and read appropriate Scriptures; the Rev. J. Roaf, of Wolverhampton, delivered the in troductory discourse, and asked the usual questions; the Rev. J. Chalmers, of Stafford, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham, gave the charge; and the Rev. Shaw, of Tutbury, concluded with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. R. Newland, of Hanley, addressed the church and congregation.

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1831, Mr. William Williams, formerly of Wymondley College, was ordained to the pastoral oversight of the Independent church at Bulford, Wilts. Mr. Temple, of Birdbush, commenced with reading the Scriptures and prayer; Professor Hoppus delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Reynolds, of Romsey, asked the questions; Mr. Elliot, of Devizes, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Williams, of Chelsea, gave the charge (which, at the request of the members of the church and other friends, will be published); Mr. Good, of Salisbury, preached to the people; and Mr. Hyatt, of Wilton, concluded. In the evening Mr. Reynolds preached at Durrington, and Mr. Williams at Bulford on the following evening.

The late Mr. H. Blatch, of Ratfin, and the late Mr. M. Devenish, of Bulford, were (under God) the founders of this interesting

The

cause. They found it very inconvenient to go to Salisbury every Lord's-day, a distance of nine or ten miles across the Downs, and on the death of the late Mr. Adams, to whose church they belonged, erected, at their own expense, a chapel at Bulford, which was opened on the 30th of July, 1806. foundation having given way, it was taken down, and a larger chapel was erected at the sole expense of the families of these two excellent men. It was opened in Sept. 1828. Blatch, erected, at her own expense, a chapel In 1824, Mrs. Blatch, the widow of Mr. H. at 'Durrington, a mile distant from Bulford, in the immediate neighbourhood of which are two other villages, and the chapel-house is the gift of Mr. Devenish's family. Mr. Williams commenced his labours on the 20th of March. The attendance is encouraging, and the prospect of usefulness pleasing. preaches at Bulford on Lord's-day morning and evening, and in Durrington in the afternoon, and there are services on week evenings. If there were many Blatches and Devenishes among the rich Dissenters, religion would flourish in the villages much more than it does.

He

MORECOMBELAKE, NEAR CHARMOUTH, DORSET.

:

On Sunday, Jan. 1, 1832, in the above named hamlet, was opened a new building, intended to be used for public worship on the Lord'sday, and as a school-room during the week, for the gratuitous instruction of the poor children of the place. Mr Jeanes, of Charmouth, conducted the morning service his text, Psalm lxxxix. 15, 16. Mr. Hargreaves, home missionary, took the evening solemnities, when he preached from 1 Kings, xiv. 13. The attendance of the villagers on this inte resting occasion was full, and their attention and seriousness most exemplary. The building, which is of stone, is 36 feet by 20 in the clear, and cost, with a cottage and garden adjoining, for the use of the mistress, not exceeding £150. This sum includes also the purchase of the ground and the fittingsup of the school-room. The friends at Charmouth, episcopalians as well as dissenters, have contributed nearly the whole of this, and are entirely responsible for the support of the day and Sunday-school. In no part of England was provision for the religious and moral instruction of the poor, by preaching the gospel and teaching the children, more needed than in this benighted hamlet, which is now, principally through the kindness of a lady residing at Charmouth, and the cordial co-operation of the Home Missionary Society, the residence of an agent of that admirable institution, who preaches there two or three times every week, and in seven or eight other dark places in the neighbourhood.

NEW CHAPEL.

A very neat and commodious chapel was opened, on the 18th and 19th of October last, in the Independent connexion, in the village of Llansadurns, near Landoueny, county of Carmarthen, when the following ministers delivered very appropriate discourses on the occasion; viz. Rev. Messrs. J. Williams, Llandilo; G. Griffiths, Lampeter; D. Davies, Panteg; S. Griffiths, Haneb; T. Rowland, Cumllunfell; T. Jenkins, Penygrues; and D. Evans, Nazareth; when liberal collections were made towards liquidating the debt incurred by its erection. The above is

a new interest, with very pleasing prospects of much usefulness, and owes its origin to the very laborious and praiseworthy efforts of a worthy individual resident in the immediate neighbourhood.

REV. J. A. ROBERTS.

During the present month, the Rev. J. A. Roberts, of Warminster, after eight years' successful labour, resigns his charge of the congregational church in that town, with the intention of trying a voyage to America, for the improvement of his health, which has for a lengthened period rendered his pulpit services painful to himself. The prayers and best wishes of a united and affectionate people will follow their beloved pastor, whose residence among them will be long held in grateful remembrance. We understand that the Rev. S. King, of Bath, intends to accompany Mr. Roberts to America.

FOREIGN.

WEST INDIES.

JAMAICA.

We lament to learn that a most serious insurrection has taken place among the slaves in Jamaica. Three parishes have been principally implicated, and many lives have been lost. On the 30th of Dec. martial law was proclaimed, and both the militia and regular troops were called into action. Property, it appears, has suffered considerably, and great terror has been spread over the public mind. It cannot be doubted that a rebellion among

slaves is a very alarming event. The tie between them and their task-masters is a slender one at best; and when any thing occurs to throw them into a state of direct disaffection and rebellion, their passions are fierce and ungovernable beyond description. We cannot but express a hope that the Jamaica planters will learn a lesson from the case of the late missionary, Mr. Smith, of Demerara. Through his medium the missionary cause was attempted to be ruined; but the persecutions of his bitter enemies turned out rather to the furtherance of the gospel. And so it will be again should the enemies of Christianity in Jamaica contrive to get up a false case against our Baptist brethren in that island. We solemuly warn the West India interest against oppressing the ministers of Jesus Christ. Nothing will so speedily rouse the public mind against their expiring cause. There are tens of thousands of devoted individuals in this country ready to fill the House of Commons with petitions, if a new case of perjury and falsehood is attempted to be got up against those hitherto correct and benevolent men, who are now, we understand, in custody under charges of sedition. Let them have fair dealing, we say; we say more-they shall have it. In the meantime we believe them incapable of the crimes laid to their charge.

When we find the colonial press holding such language as the following, we feel our selves justified in entertaining this charitable reservation. "Three Baptist Preachers are now in custody, and, as we are satisfied they could not have been taken into custody upon slight grounds by Sir Willoughby Cotton, we hope he will award them fair and impartial justice. Shooting is, however, too honourable a death for men whose conduct has occasioned so much blood-shed, and loss of so much property. There are fine hanging woods in St. James's and Trelawny, and we do sincerely hope that the bodies of all the Methodist Preachers who may be convicted of sedition may diversify the scene. After this our hostility, even to men so reckless of blood, carnage, and slaughter, shall cease." -Jamaica Courant.

MR. JESSE HALL. Died, Dec. 24th, 1831, at Godwin's Croft, near Christchurch, Hants, Mr. Jesse Hall, second son of the late Thomas Hall, Esq., in the nineteenth year of his age. His death was occasioned by the accidental discharge of a fowling-piece, which he had taken to the orchard for the purpose of shooting crows, the contents of which lodged in both his thighs. Medical means were immediately

used, under the direction of skilful professional men. They were, however, unavailing, for he expired on the fourteenth day after the accident. During the last four years he received a private, and not a public education. His talents and information were highly respectable. When he was told that there was no hope of his recovery, he received the intimation with Christian resignation to the will of his heavenly Father. He had not

then to call on God for the first time. He had been ripening for the upper and better world for a considerable period, under the spirit and institutions of the gospel. He was strongly attached to the ordinances of the New Testament. He delighted in the duties of the Sabbath-school, in which he was a monitor, and to which institution, by the blessing of Almighty God, he ascribed the salvation of his soul. It was his intention soon to have applied for Christian fellowship with the church of Christ. He felt it to be his bounden duty through life to show forth the death of him through whose merits he was brought into fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. His death-bed scene was one of unusual interest, and we believe it will be found to be of permanent benefit to those who witnessed it, and to others who have heard of it. He took leave of his beloved brother and sisters with his accustomed strong affection. He told them to be composed and not to weep, as he was going to join his parents in the upper sanctuary. He quoted some of the most appropriate passages of Scripture, and recited some of the hymns in which he had been accustomed to join in uttering with others the praises of God. It would occupy too much space to detail any thing like the full amount of his language. His joy was great; not a cloud nor a doubt dwelt in his mind. His last words were, "Lord, remember me.' The men-servants who sat up with him during his confinement, and who were both pious, can never forget what they saw in his manner and heard from his lips. He was interred in the family vault in the buryingground belonging to the Independent congregation at Christchurch. The class in the Sabbath-school to which he more immediately belonged joined the last mourning coach, and when the coffin was placed in the meeting-house, stood in a circle around it. The sight was indeed an imposing one. His disposition was proverbially mild, his manners conciliating, and his appearance prepossessing. Rarely has it occurred that the death of so yourg a person has excited such general interest. It is thought that there were not less than two thousand persons present at the funeral. The Rev. D. Gunn improved the melancholy occasion from the expressive words of the Psalmist, "Be still and know that I am God." Though this young gentleman was only a minor, such was the construction of his worthy father's will, that he had a right to make one of his own; and, without specifying other particulars, he has left for the cause of God £300. In this he imitated his parent, now in heaven, who left at the disposal of his executors £1,000 for a similar purpose.

MRS. SARAH CHING.

Died, at Launceston, Jan. 24th, Sarah,

the amiable and beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Ching. The urbanity of her manners, suavity of disposition, sympathy with the distressed, and unremitting attention to the poor and destitute, had endeared her to a large circle of the community. To the various religious and benevolent institutions of the town she was devotedly attached, and their interests, by her personal and pecuniary aid, she ever sought to promote. Her illness, though short, was characterized by patience and submission to the Divine will, and her dying moments by a firm reliance upon the "Rock of Ages," and, consequently, by a high degree of that peace which " passeth all understanding." In her death, her bereaved partner and children have sustained the loss of the tenderest and most affectionate relative, and the various grades of society a sincerely-attached friend. Her death was improved on Lord's-day evening, Feb. 5th, by the Rev. J. Barfitt, in Castle Street Chapel, to a crowded and attentive audience, from Prov. xiv. 32: "The righteous hath hope in his death."

REV. GEORGE GILL.

On Feb. the 2nd, died, the Rev. George Gill, formerly pastor of the Independent church at Market Harbro', at the advanced age of 79. Mr. Gill was a native of Netherthong, near Holmfirth, in Yorkshire, and was educated in the Academy at Heckmondwike, from whence he removed to Swanland, and was there settled as pastor over the Independent church for several years. In the year 1782, he was invited to be the successor of Dr. Addington, at Market Harbro', where he continued to labour with considerable success for more than thirty-seven years. He was laid aside from his public labours in Nov. 1819, in consequence of a paralytic affection; but though the powers both of his mind and body were much enfeebled, he continued to attend the house of God till within one Sabbath of his death. The memory of Mr. Gill will be long cherished in the neighbourhood as an eminently holy and devoted servant of God. His simplicity, unaffected piety, kind and humble demeanour, endeared him to many. He was universally respected in the town and neighbourhood in which he lived, and not only by those of his own communion, but by all that knew him. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Scott, of Rowell, from Acts xi. 24.

MRS. GILBERT.

Early on Monday morning, Feb. 13th, departed this life, aged 85, Ruth, widow of the late venerable Rev. George Gilbert, of Heathfield, in Sussex. Her remains were deposited in the vault under the chapel, on the Friday following,