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has been my happiness to admit to church fellowship, but by the very many besides, who, while living, or when dying, have gratefully acknowledged the essential benefit they have, through the Divine blessing, received from my ministry. Whatever success has attended it must be entirely ascribed to the grace of God, who has so mercifully borne with my infirmities, and made it manifest that the excellence of the power is of Himself and not of man. The solemn responsibilities of my office, especially in the situation in which Providence has placed me, far from diminishing, only increase in my view, as revolving years, and particularly the arrival of this day, remind me how few, if any, must be those of my future ministry. It has been, and is my earnest wish, that I may not survive my ability to do good; but that, if it should so please the Disposer of all events, my life and labours in the service of my Divine Master may terminate at the same time. Fully convinced that in the Bible we have a Divine revelation of truth and duty, it has been my conscientious, anxious care, to inculcate its doctrines in their harmony, relative proportion, and practical bearings, making Scripture its own interpreter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; leaving it to speak for itself, without adding aught to it, or taking aught from it. It has been my constant study to present the statements of Holy Writ in a style as plain and palpable as possible, persuaded that if God honoured my ministry, it would be by blessing his own truth, preached in simplicity and godly sincerity. This has been my aim, although deeply conscious of many deficiencies. are going to a place where ministers die,' said my venerable pastor, the late Rev. John Clayton, on my coming to Bocking. Often have I been stimulated by what I have heard of the great and good men who preceded me in the pastoral charge of this church. Here is the advantage of having their ashes reposing with us. When standing near their graves, I have often wished to resemble them. Never can I be sufficiently thankful for having been permitted to cccupy a pastorate of such long duration, throughout so peaceful, so harmonious, and attended with so many proofs of the Lord's blessing. Greatly indebted have I been to the judicious conduct and advice of those who formerly sustained, as well as of those who now fill, the office of deacons amongst us. I will not offend the modesty of the kind, affectionate friends now present, who sustain that office, by speaking of them; but I may make honourable mention of the dead. Of these I could name several with great pleasure; but I will content myself in adverting to twoJohn Tabor and Gabriel Stammers, amiable, humble, and pious men. The first was far

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advanced in life when I entered upon the pastoral office; his useful course was drawing to a close; but all he said or did was calculated to win the confidence and encourage the heart of the youthful pastor. The memory of the last will ever be embalmed in my most grateful recollection-so uniformly kind, so anxious to assist me-such a peacemaker, that he was always sent to compose differences, if any arose, amongst the members of the church or congregation. I must, however, be permitted to say, nothing has afforded me greater gratification in my pastorate than the unanimous, spontaneous election of my son to that honourable office, being confident that in using the office of a deacon well, he will purchase to himself a good degree, and great boldness in the faith. Should God spare his life, from his knowledge of the anxioty of a minister's life, in addition to the ever generous promptings of his own kind heart, he will be prepared to do all he can, when his father is no more, to promote the comfort, as one essential means of promoting the usefulness, of his successor. minister ever had a greater treasure in a wife, who has been so uniformly devoted to the welfare of the flock, and has, for forty-five years, with unabated zeal and readiness to every good work, spent so large a portion of her daily time amongst the poor and the afflicted. Her children have risen up and called her blessed, her own works praise her in the gates.' [Mr. Craig was here overcome with emotion and almost unable to proceed.] You must excuse my feelings. The way of which I knew it was in the heart of many in my friends to celebrate this day, could not but have been very acceptable to me, as the well-known circumstances in which I was so unexpectedly and painfully placed, sixteen years ago, have remained entirely unchanged, without the least prospect of their ever being altered; but everything should be subordinated to the glory of God, and it behoves every Christian, and especially the Christian minister, when important occasions arise, calling for a review of the Lord's mercies, to consider how they may be turned to the most useful account. The girls' school-room was much too small either for the Sunday or daily scholars; additional rooms had, therefore, to be hired. Situate on the opposite side of the road, where another foot of ground was not to be obtained, it could not be enlarged a second time. In the recent depressed state of agriculture there seemed no hope of erecting one corresponding with the number of applications for admission; it became, therefore, an object of great desire to me, that the present period of my ministry should be marked by such a building as we have now the pleasure of seeing finished. In that wish, early expressed, and repeated as

often as the jubilee was referred to in my presence, I have never faltered, having the great satisfaction of knowing that my beloved wife and family fully participated in my feelings. It will stand a public and enduring monument of the harmony which has prevailed amongst us, through the Lord's blessing, for fifty years; and is the dearer to my heart, because it reflects as much honour upon yourselves as on your minister. It is doing what we can to bind our successors, when our heads are laid in the grave, to pursue what they will see to have been, in our estimation, one of the most important means of doing good. The propriety of that saying, 'Let posterity take care of itself,' depends entirely on the measures to which reference is made. Every Christian must wish his usefulness to survive him by the influence of his example, and the continued operation of the principles he has inculcated or supported. The way in which you celebrate the present jubilee will also teach other congregations, similarly favoured, that the best mode of doing it is to connect therewith some useful object. To all the contributors I offer my heartfelt thanks, not forgetting the most willing offerings of the young people, the Sundayschool teachers and scholars, and the poorer members of the congregation, who have expressed their regard for their minister, by rendering what assistance they could to promote the object of his desire. I feel under very great obligations, also, to those very kind friends who, though not connected immediately with us, have accompanied their liberal donations with such warm expressions of their affectionate esteem. Having thus, with the greatest sincerity, surrendered all expectation of any other expression of attachment than that connected with the erection of the schools, I was the more agreeably surprised, and my feelings the more gratified, by receiving last evening the sum of one hundred and five sovereigns, new from the mint, as brilliant as if no finger had ever touched them, enclosed in a purse and a box of exquisite beauty, accompanied by the following

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To the Rev. THOMAS CRAIG, on the Celebration of his Jubilee, 1852. "The Ladies of your congregation have been greatly desirous of manifesting, by some personal testimonial, their high estimation of your affectionate and faithful ministrations during the last half-century, and while they solicit your acceptance of the accompanying tribute of affection to you, their beloved pastor, they know that you will not receive it as in any way the measure of their gratitude and love; could they have made it ten times the amount, it would still have been equally imperfect, and totally inadequate as an expression of their affection for you, and of their

earnest desire and hope that the period of your faithful labours may yet be greatly lengthened, and your 'joy in the work of the Lord continually abound.'

"I cannot find words to express my gratitude to these ladies, either for the gift bestowed, or, for what is more precious still, the sentiments that accompany it; but they will, I am sure, believe that the feelings of my heart could not be adequately conveyed to them by any language I can command. This morning I have received a kind present, with the following note:- The Young Women's Bible Class request the Rev. Thomas Craig's acceptance of the accompanying Jubilee token of their affection and esteem, and earnestly desire that he may receive every blessing from on high.' (This present was a morocco case, containing a paper knife, a penholder and seal, all of silver and mother of pearl.) They, also, will accept my best thanks. Now, my beloved flock, who have supported me by your prayers, encouraged me by the proofs of your friendship, and cheered me on by your consistent stedfastness, accept this day, in return for all your kindness, the warmest feelings of a grateful heart. May God abundantly reward you; may he who can command showers of heavenly influences continually to descend, bless my future ministry, to the confirmation of your faith and hope,-to the increase of your piety, to the augmentation of your zeal in the service of Christ. May the Holy Spirit bless it also to the awakening of those who are yet indifferent to their eternal interest, that brought to a cordial and entire submission to Christ, and in everything enriched by him, they may go on their way rejoicing, until, dying in the Lord, they shall join the glorious company of the redeemed in heaven. Now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord.' For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.' 'The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, even as we do towards you; to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.' On this joyous day of praise to God, in which you have given him of his own for the erection of our schools, may you all give yourselves to him in a perpetual covenant, constrained by redeeming love to regard yourselves as no longer your own, but his, 'bought with a price' of inexpressible value, that you may glorify him in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.' I seek not yours, but you, to lead you to Christ, the Shepherd and Bishop of souls.' To receive the pledge of your devotedness to him, by uniting yourselves to his people, and sitting down with

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them at the Lord's table, would be my highest felicity, and the best solace of my declining years. I want to see the young do this, before they are exposed to the temptations which may, alas! lead them away from the guide of their youth. I want to see parents do it as the best proof they can give of their intention, through Divine mercy, to train their children to follow the Lord fully. I want to see both the young, and those more advanced in life, do this; not from persuasion, but from a conviction that it is your duty thus to honour Christ, and a powerful means, through rich grace, of cherishing in your hearts all that can adorn you and bless you, all that can make you holy, happy, and useful in this world, and prepare you for an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God. Finally, I would intreat the fervent prayers of all assembled, that I may be faithful unto death, and finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. May peace be within these walls, and prosperity within this sanctuary. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within this house of our God. Here may the Lord command the blessing, even life for evermore."

A hymn, suited for the occasion, was then sung, commencing

"A blessing on our pastor's head,

Lord God! we fervently implore;
On him, this day, a blessing shed,

For life, for death, for evermore."

The Rev. T. ARCHER, D.D., of London, then preached an eloquent sermon, of an hour's duration, from St. John x, part of verse 10-"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." After the discourse, another hymn was sung, and the service was concluded by prayer, by the Rev. D. REES, of Braintree.

At three o'clock, nearly four hundred ladies and gentlemen sat down to dinner, when many most interesting addresses were delivered; among which Mr. Craig's and Dr. Archer's occupied a distinguished place.

On the following evening, about six hundred subscribers and friends took tea in the new school-rooms, and in the course of the proceedings a gold snuff-box, of very chaste

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workmanship, with an appropriate inscription, was presented to the Rev. Thomas Craig, by the working classes attending his ministry, as a token of their esteem and affection.

The proceedings terininated on Thursday evening, when the children of the day and Sunday-schools (upwards of six hundred) were regaled in the new school-rooms with tea, plum cake, &c. At this meeting, the Rev. T. Craig was presented with a silk pocket handkerchief, as a token of esteem from the girls of the day-school. At halfpast six the meeting was adjourned to the chapel, where appropriate and eloquent addresses were delivered. To the children, by Rev. Dr. A. Fletcher; to the parents, by Rev. John Kaye; and to their teachers, by the Rev. T. W. Davids. The large chapel was filled to overflowing, and the attention was kept up with unabated interest till nearly ten o'clock.

ORDINATION SERVICES, EMSWORTH.

THE ordination of the Rev. E. Jeffery as pastor of the Congregational church worshipping in Nile-street Chapel, Emsworth, Hants, was held on Wednesday, October 13, 1852. The Rev. T. Cousins, of Portsea, read the Scriptures and prayed. The introductory discourse was delivered by Rev. A. Ewing, M.A., of Gosport, from Acts ii. 47, "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." The Rev. A. Jones, of Buckland, asked the usual questions. The ordination prayer, accompanied with imposition of hands, was offered by Rev. W. Scamp, of Havant. The Rev. E. Price, of Sheerness, addressed the pastor from 2 Tim. ii. 15, “A workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." And the Rev. D. Evans, formerly pastor of the church, offered the concluding prayer. In the afternoon the ministers and friends dined together at the Black Dog Inn. In the evening the Rev. A. Jones read the Scriptures and prayed, and the Rev. E. Price preached an excellent sermon to the people, from Num. x. 29. The services were of a very interesting character; and it is hoped that the day may prove the beginning of a long course of usefulness and peace to the beloved pastor and his flock.

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HEATHEN TEMPLE IN THE HIMALAYAS, AT AN ELEVATION OF 12,000 FEET.

INDIA.

JOURNEY TO THE SNOWY RANGES OF THE HIMALÁYA.

DURING the spring of the present year the Rev. J. H. Budden, of the Almoral Mission, accompanied by Mr. Artopé, Assistant Missionary at Mirzapore, undertook a toilsome, and somewhat perilous journey among the Himalaya mountains, in order to visit the idolatrous shrines which pagan zeal has erected in those inhospitable regions, and to announce the message of mercy to the votaries of superstition by whom they are frequented.

Mr. Budden's journal, which we have reason to believe contains valuable information regarding the people who are in the habit of going on pilgrimage to these mountain temples, has not come to hand, but the following notices of the journey, communicated by Mr. Artopé, will be found interesting, as descriptive of some of the grandest scenes on the face of the globe, and which are comparatively unknown, excepting to the Hindoo devotee :

"Having been taken ill last year of an inflammation of the bronchial passages, which became chronic, I was obliged to relinquish all native service for a time, and advised by the doctors to visit the colder climate of the hills; for which purpose I proceeded in March this year to Almorah. At the time of my arrival at that place, Mr. Budden was about to go to Kidarnath and Budrinath, which places are in the snowy mountains of the Himalaya. I resolved to accompany him, partly on account of iny healtli, and partly to afford any assistance in my power to Mr. Budden on the journey. I have tried to make a few sketches of the more remarkable spots, and I will, in addition, give you some description of them."

TREE JOGEE NARAIN.

"This is a place two marches from Kidarnath, and situated about 8000 feet above the sea; it is a little off from the direct road to Kidarnath, but many of the pilgrims visit this place before they go up to Kidar. According to the Hindoos, the name of this place originated thus: Three Jogees or Fakirs having come at a very remote age, to this place, and lived here for a time, and kindled a fire, which has never since been extinguished; it has now been burning for three Jugs, or 24,000 years. The fire is kept up in a house built in front of the temple, which stands in a paved yard, to which you have to descend ten or twelve steps. At one side of the principal temple are four small ones. Under one of these

latter is a Brahman, on a platform, performing some devotions. On the ground before him are a few brass vessels, filled with holy water and flowers, over which he is ringing a little bell, uttering, at the same time, with great rapidity, the names of various idols. On the other side of the large temple is a large tank, which has a spring below, and in which the pilgrims bathe; which done, they make their devotions in the temple, and bow before the everlasting fire, and besmear their forehead, chest, and arms with the ashes. In the foreground of the temple, as well as above it, against the hill, are the sheds erected for the pilgrims. Farther up the hill is the village Tree Jogee, consisting of between twenty and thirty houses. A little above the village, we pitched our tent, on a lovely green level spot, which was surrounded with beautiful trees. The hills all around are well wooded with toon, horse-chestnut, oak, and towards the summit with pine trees. The tops of these hills were still covered with snow. There are also some flourishing corn-fields about the village,-the crop appeared in a most luxuriant condition.

"In the afternoon we descended the long flight of steps leading down to the temple, to visit the pilgrims, who collected in good numbers around us, and listened with great attention to the preaching of the word of God. To a great many also we presented books. We were standing at the time opposite to the temple, and saw the fire burning in the house

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