with feelings of unwonted satisfaction, in the review of all that we had seen, and could not help wishing its growing success, and the more general application of its principles to all the ladies' seminaries in the land.

BETHNAL-GREEN ROAD INDEPENDENT
CHAPEL.

On Wednesday evening an interesting meeting was held in the spacious School-rooms beneath the above Chapel, to make up the final accounts of its recent erection. A large number of persons assembled to tea, after which the chair was taken by the pastor, the Rev. Josiah Viney, and business commenced. A short address was given, at the close of which the various collectors brought in their amounts, which, with a donation of £50 from a lady, more than made up the required sum of £312; thus raising the contributions to £500, conditionally promised by three generous individuals, and entirely liquidating the whole cost of the building. This, including every expense, has been £7565, a sum which, though large, nas thus been raised by the time allowed by the contract, and without interest or loan. On the announcement of the gratifying intelligence that the work was accomplished, the whole assembly rose and sung the doxology; and after a suitable vote of thanks to the Building Committee, and the presentation of a handsome silver tea-service to the Rev. John Glanville, its esteemed Secretary, the meeting separated, "All the people rejoicing, for that they had offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord.”

We cannot think of the noble efforts of Mr. Viney's congregation, without an earnest prayer to God, that a similar spirit may be diffused through the whole of our Nonconforming circles.

THE SPIRIT OF ROMANISM.

Ir the following extract does not wake up the slumbering energies of British Christians, we believe that nothing will do so. Its insolence is only equalled by its downright spirit of rebellion.

Extract from the "Rambler," Roman Catholic Magazine, for December, 1850. P. 469. "When the old Catholic sees fell into the hands of the Protestants at the Reformation, the Catholic Church simply left things as they were. The ancient divisions remained in theory, but they were not acted upon. The right to act upon them, and to appoint fresh Catholic bishops to the protestantised sces, was never for a moment given up. The prelates of the Anglican establishment were, and are, viewed as holding the temporalities of those dioceses, but as having no spiritual charge whatsoever over the souls of the inhabitants in the sight of Almighty God.

"The Catholic Church regards them as usurpers in a two-fold way:-first, they are mere laymen, ordained and consecrated by other laymen, without a valid succession from the apostles; and, secondly, even if they were personally consecrated bishops, they would be usurpers of jurisdiction. They exercise their jurisdiction over their several sees solely through the will and power of a temporal monarch and an Act of Parliament, which are no more the sources of jurisdiction in spiritual things than they are the sources of the laws of gravity. We call them Bishops, it is true, just as we call the Anglican clergy 'reverend.' But this is a mere act of courtesy, and means nothing more than the ecclesiastical titles with which we salute the ministers of the Scotch Kirk, or any dissenting preacher who is styled reverend' by his own sect. In the eye of the Catholic Church there is no such a person in existence as an Archbishop of Canterbury or of York, or a Bishop of London, Durham, or any other of the old Catholic sees; and there have been none such for about three hundred years.

"Prudential considerations have now induced the Holy See to re-distribute the territory of England into new dioceses, in order to avoid coming into collision with the Act of Parliament, which forbids any but the Anglican prelates to assume the titles of their sees. It is not that the Pope, or any Catholic in Christendom, regards the Act of Parliament as anything but an insult to Almighty God, and as a claim to spiritual rights which He has already bestowed elsewhere. were prudent to do so, the Catholic Church might nominate a Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury to-morrow.

If it

"We consider ourselves no more bound to obey that enactment, as a lawful authority, than to say, "There is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet," because a bloodthirsty and licentious conqueror raised the cry many centuries ago in eastern countries. A wish to be on good terins, so far as conscience will permit, with the temporal power, is the only reason why Cardinal Wiseman is not at this moment Archbishop of Canterbury."

PROVINCIAL.

SUFFOLK CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

THE Spring Meeting of this Union was held at Ipswich, during the second week in April, 1851.

On Tuesday evening, the 8th, the Rev. T. W. Browne, of Stowmarket, preached the Introductory Sermon, at Nicholas Chapel. Text: "And shall reign with him a thousand years." Rev. xx. 6.

On Wednesday morning, the 9th, the Union Sermon, "on the Intercession of Christ," was preached at Tacket Street Chapel, by Henry

Coleman, of Wickhambrook. After which, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered; the Rev. James Lyon, of Hadleigh, presided.

| Congregational Chapel has, however, been erected in this village, and was opened for public worship, on April, 22nd.

Although the weather was exceedingly un

The concluding service was held at seven in the evening, in Nicholas Chapel, when two addresses were delivered: the 1st, "A revived state of piety, the great requisite, and sure ground of hope for the Church and the World," by the Rev. F. B. Brown, of Woodbridge; and the 2nd, on "The concurrence of the dispensations of God's providence with His word, in calling to repentance and prayer," by the Rev. A. Tyler, of Bury St. Edmunds.

THE REV. A. STEWART, LATE OF BARNET.

On the 18th March, a large and interesting meeting was held at Wood Street Chapel, Barnet, J. H. Puget, Esq., in the chair, for the purpose of doing honour to the Rev. Alexander Stewart, who has, after a long and honourable career, resigned the pastorate of the Congregational Church in that town. Seldom has a ministry of twenty-eight years been more faithfully or more usefully maintained. Not only his former congregation, and his brethren in the ministry, vied with each other in tokens of affectionate respect; but many of the people of the town who had never attended on his ministry, hastened to the meeting, to testify their regard to a man whom they looked on as a public benefactor to Barnet and its neighbourhood.

The meeting was addressed by the chairman, Mr. Gregory; the Rev. A. Stewart, Mr. Brunt, Mr. Kent, the Rev. J. M. Charlton, M.A., and Mr. Thomson.

A very beautiful portrait of Mr. Stewart, the size of life, by Mr. Hughes, was presented to him as a memorial of grateful remembrance. Mr.Stewart's address, on this occasion, was characterized by strong sense and Christian unction. We sincerely trust that Mr. Stewart's School, at Palmer-House, Holloway, to which he has devoted his energies, may continue to prosper, so as to realize his best expectations.

ASHWELL.

OPENING OF THE NEW INDEPENDENT CHAPEL.

Ir will be in the recollection of some of our readers, that about fifteen months ago, an awful fire destroyed property at Ashwell, in Hertfordshire, to the value of £60,000. This dreadful conflagration left the Independent Chapel a heap of ruins; and those who had oft frequented it, could not refrain from exclaiming, when they thought upon their destroyed Zion,-" Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burnt up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste." A new and very commodious

The

commencing the solemnities of the day, vehicles of various descriptions were seen coming into the village, and crowds soon flocked into the new house of prayer. morning service was opened by the Rev. F. W. Heathcote, of Hitchin. The Rev. James Reading, of St. Albans, read the Scriptures, and prayed; and the Rev. T. W. B. Aveling, of Kingsland, preached a sermon from the remarkable and encouraging words of the Son of God:-" And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John xii. 32. The Rev. John Harsant concluded, and pronounced the benediction. The hymns were given out by the Revs. J. Stockbridge, W. G. Barret, and F. S. Basden.

The Dinner.

Nearly 150 sat down to an excellent dinner, in a large room at the Bull Inn, under the presidency of Mr. Butler. After dinner, the company were addressed by the Revs. J. C. Harrison, T. Aveling, W. G. Barret, J. Reading, S. Eastman, J. Stockbridge, J. Harsant, and W. H. Nash, Esq., and Mr. John Westrope. At tea-time, the number had increased to about 250.

The Evening Service.

In the evening, the Chapel and schoolroom were by far too small to hold all the people that were anxious to gain admittance; and the side windows were, therefore, thrown open, in order that all the outside worshippers might not be disappointed in hearing the gospel preached on this deeply interesting occasion.

The Rev. T. Aveling read a chapter, and offered a prayer, and Rev. J. C. Harrison, of Camden Town, delivered a discourse on the Rule of Christian Action,-founded upon the words of Paul, in Colossians iii. 17, 23, 25; and the Rev. B. Kent closed by imploring the Divine blessing upon the engagements of the day. The hymns were read by the Revs. G. H. Hobbs, S. Eastman, and W. Milne.

Such a day, it was again and again affirmed, had never been known in the parish of Ashwell; and it will furnish a topic of conversation, not only to the present race for years to come, but doubtless to children's children. We do most sincerely and most heartly congratulate our congregational readers living at Ashwell, upon what they were privileged to see and to hear last Easter Tuesday. May our gracious God establish the work of their hands!

VALEDICTORY SERVICE.-CLARE, SUFFOLK. THE Rev. S. L. Harris (son of the late Rev. W. Harris, LL D., Tutor of Hoxton

Academy), who has upwards of eleven years sustained the pastoral relation to the Church and Congregation assembling for Divine worship in the Independent Chapel at Clare, has for considerations of health been necessitated to relinquish the ministerial office, and is about to emigrate to Australia. The members of the Ministerial Association, with which Mr. Harris was connected, met their highly esteemed brother, with the church and congregation, at the Chapel, on Tuesday evening, the 1st of April, to hold a Valedictory Service. Mr. John King, of Ovington (the senior deacon), presided. Two addresses were delivered by the Revs. John Millis, of Laverham, and Henry Coleman, of Wickhambrook. Prayer was offered by the Revs. John Burges, of Long Melford; John Rutter, of Denston; W. Hopwood, of Cavendish; and W. Barnes (Baptist), of Clare. The chapel was crowded; ministers of the various denominations in the town and neighbourhood being present. The meeting was characterised by great solemnity and deep feeling. A highly honourable testimony was borne to Mr. Harris's ministerial ability and Christian excellence; and his removal is deeply and extensively regretted.

HINCKLEY.

ON Tuesday, the 22nd ult., the Rev. John Kay, late of Lichfield, was ordained to the pastorate of the Independent Chapel, Stockwell Head, in the presence of about thirty ministers and a very large congregation. The services were opened by the Rev. Thos. Dix, of Earl Shilton, reading the Scriptures and engaging in prayer. The Rev. Thos. Mays, of Wigston Magna, preached the introductory discourse, which clearly exhibited Congregationalism in harmony with the New Testament. The usual questions were asked by the Rev. W. Salt, of Lichfield, who also offered a solemn and impressive ordination prayer, accompanied with the laying on of hands. The charge to the minister was given by the Rev. J. W. Percy, and was distinguished for clearness, fidelity, and paternal tenderness. About eighty gentlemen sat down to dinner after the morning service; and in the evening, upwards of two hundred took ten in the School-rooms adjoining the chapel, the trays being gratuitously provided by the ladies of the congregation. The Rev. John Sibree, of Coventry, preached an eloquent and effective sermon to the people. The day was favourable, the arrangements complete, and the services all that could be wished. Both pastor and people truly rejoice in their circumstances of harmony and peace, and in the fair prospect of comfort and usefulness.

SHEPTON MALLET.

THE Rev. Robert Simpson, late pastor of the Independent Church, Ongar, Essex, has

accepted the invitation of the church of the same denomination at Shepton Mallet, Somersetshire: and proposes entering on his pastoral engagements there, on the first Sunday in May.

CALL ACCEPTED.

THE Rev. John Irvine Dunlop, late of Painswick, in Gloucestershire, has accepted the invitation of the Second Independent Church, at Maldon, in Essex, to become their pastor; and commenced his labours on the first Sabbath in April. While Mr. D. was a student at the University of Glasgow, he was engaged for some time as a Missionary at Maldon; and, as a result of his labours, was instrumental in raising this church and congregation. He now returns to his former sphere of labour, at the earnest request of his friends.

ON Monday, April 7th, the Rev. George Hall, B.A., of Cheshunt College, was ordained for a station in Jamaica, in connexion with the London Missionary Society, at the Independent Chapel, at Edmonton. The service was opened by the Rev. J. De Kewer Williams, the minister. The Rev. Wm. Slatyer then gave a description of the sphere of labour which he had occupied. The usual questions were asked by the Rev. E. Prout. The Rev. W. H. Stowell, D.D., offered a fervent ordination prayer. The Rev. John Harris, D.D., delivered an effective and touching charge. The Revs. Thos. Hill, R. Wallace (Baptist), and George Wilkins, took part in the devotional exercises. The service was eminently fitted to encourage the Missionary himself, to edify all present, and to recommend the great enterprise of Missions.

THE ROYAL SCOTS GREYS, AND REV. II.
CRESSWELL.

WE have been much gratified to find that the non-commissioned officers and privates of the Royal Scots Greys, to whom, during their late residence at Canterbury, our friend the Rev. H. Cresswell, the independent minister of the town, acted as chaplain, have presented him with a very handsome piece of plate.

This testimonial is an elegant and massive silver teapot, tastefully chased and embossed. It is surmounted with the device of the regiment -a silver eagle, with outspread wings, taking flight from the branch of a tree on its cloudcapped mountain home. Upon an entablature on one side of the teapot is engraved the regimental seal, surrounded by the trophies of war. On the outer circle of the seal are the words "Royal North British Dragoons," and on an inner circle is the motto "Nemo me

impune lacessit." Beneath the seal, in a parallelogram, is the soul-stirring word

"Waterloo;' on whose plains the Scots Greys achieved immortal honour and renown. The inscription is on the reverse side, and is as follows:

"Presented by the non-commissioned officers and privates of the Royal Scots Greys to the Rev. Henry Cresswell, as a humble testimony of the regard and esteem in which he is held by them, as their appointed minister in Canterbury. March 20, 1851."

On the presentation of this gratifying tribute (which took place in the riding-school, in the presence of the regiment), so honourable alike to the rev. gentleman and the gallant regiment, the regimental serjeant-major delivered the following address :

"I am honoured, reverend Sir, in being appointed by my comrades (non-commissioned officers and privates) to address you on this occasion. I undertake the task with diffidence, being conscious that no language of mine can express the feelings that animate the bosoms of those assembled in this place towards you --feelings engendered by your unvarying kindness and urbanity to all since your appointment as our minister. On looking back for the last few months, during which we have listened, under this humble roof, to your divine ministrations, we cannot but recollect the singularly plain and simple manner in which you have conveyed to us the blessed truths of the gospel breathing forth the beauties and comforts of our holy religion, and leading the minds of young and old to a calm consideration of their past and present lives; sowing the seed of true religion in their hearts, where, with the blessing of Almighty God, it will take root, spring up, and yield fruit an hundred fold. It is not, Sir, in this building alone that your value as a minister has been felt. By the sick-bed-in the school-roomat all times and in all places-the 'Greys' have learned and felt their minister to be their friend. A few days more will pass away, and the ties that have bound us together in the relative positions of pastor and flock will be severed-in all human probability never to be re-united. Under these circumstances, we have taken the earliest moment to request your acceptance of this piece of plate, which, we hope, will sometimes recal to your memory the very high esteem and veneration in which you are held by your humble friends in the 'Greys.' May that God, whom we all worship, long spare you in your career of usefulness, and pour forth His choicest blessings, spiritual and temporal, on yourself and family, is the earnest and heartfelt prayer of the very sincere, though humble, friends you now see around you."

To this address the Rev. H. Cresswell made the following reply:

"Esteemed military friends, you have just listened to a kind and excellent address,

| presented to me in your name by the regimental serjeant-major; and I now reply to that address under the influence of emotions which may be imagined, but which cannot be described. Ever since I had the honour of receiving from the secretary-at-war my ap pointment as your minister, it has been my desire that you should all regard me, not only as your minister, but as your friend; and this thrilling occasion affords me the high gratification of knowing that you have thus regarded me. I believe you will continue to do so when we are separated from each other; and be assured that the name of the Royal Scots' Greys will always awaken in my heart feelings such as those by which your minds are at this moment animated. With regard to the testimonial of your esteem which I have now the exalted pleasure of receiving, it is tasteful, elegant, valuable, worthy of your regiment, and nothing could have been more appropriate or more acceptable. It will go down as an heir-loom in my family; and long after we have all passed that 'bourne whence no traveller returns,' will, as a testimonial, exist, and exist to call forth expressions of admiration and delight. On this splendid testimonial I see not only the seal of the regiment, but the regimental emblem of the eagle,' and the word 'Waterloo.' The motto on your seal is 'Nemo me impune lacessit;' and the valour and services of the regiment have ever sustained its character in the British army, and fully illustrated the motto on your standard, 'Second to none.' The regimental emblem, and the word 'Waterloo '—what thoughts, what recollections, they awaken! Even Napoleon himself admired and extolled the noble bearing and the military valour of the Royal Scots Greys. The military glory of your regiment shone briliantly over the plains of Waterloo, and it will continue to shine brilliantly over the pages, not only of British, but of European history. England owes much to your regiment, particularly in connexion with Waterloo. On that celebrated battle field, the rose of England would have lost many of its most beauteous leaves had it not been so efficiently protected by the thistle of Scotland. As your regiment has been renowned for its military glory, so it has been renowned for its devoted loyalty. Loyalty has ever been the most sparkling jewel in the crown of your regiment. Oh, never let the lustre of that jewel be dimmed-never let the splendour of that crown be tarnished! That the lustre of that jewel, and the splendour of that crown, never shall be dimmed or tarnished, I rejoice to know is the firm, unwavering determination of every valiant heart in your noble regiment. I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without expressing my satisfaction with the manner in which you have engaged in the services of Divine worship;

with the evident interest you have listened to the glorious gospel of our adorable Redeemer; a more attentive congregation I could not desire: and now, in conclusion, as your minister-I devoutly commend you to Almighty God,

assuring you of my earnest desire and prayer that His favour may shield you-His power sustain you-His blessing attend you-His salvation crown you-and His glory encircle you for ever."

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

THE Twenty-first Annual Meeting of this body took place on Tuesday morning, May 13th, at New Broad Street Chapel, Finsbury. The lower part of the chapel was occupied by the Ministers and Delegates of the Union; the galleries were open to members of our churches, who were admitted by ticket, as spectators.

The Rev. J. Kelly, of Liverpool, took the chair, at half-past nine o'clock, when the proceedings of the day were commenced by singing, reading the Scriptures, and prayer.

The Chairman then delivered an introductory address, which was considered peculiarly appropriate to the occasion, and adapted to the times.

The Rev. J. A. James expressed the sincere gratification with which he had listened to the Chairman's address, and moved that he be respectfully requested to allow it to be printed with the Minutes of the Annual Meetings of the Union. This was seconded by the Rev. T. Binney, with the suggestion that it should be printed by the following Friday, when the brethren would meet again.

The Rev. J. W. Chickering, Delegate from the General Conference of Maine, was then introduced to the assembly, and was cordially welcomed.

The Rev. W. S. Palmer, whose health we were glad to see was so much improved, then read the Report for the year, which gave a very satisfactory statement of the affairs of the Union; making allusion, however, to the deep loss it had sustained in the death of its honoured and beloved Secretary, the Rev. Algernon Wells, and the Rev. Dr. J. Pye Smith, who had passed from the scene of their labour to their reward.

The adoption of the Report was moved by the Rev. T. Adkins, who referred to the origin of the Union, and showed that it did not at all interfere with the rights of individual churches and individual church members, while it united us together in the sacred bond of hallowed fraternity.

The Rev. Dr. Morison, on rising to second the resolution, was received in a manner which must have been gratifying to his feelings, as affording a proof how pleased his brethren were to have him amongst them

once more, after his protracted and severe indisposition.

To this the Doctor referred in an affecting manner, and observed that he felt as if he were, that day, consecrated afresh to the service of God.

A vote of thanks to the zealous Editor of the Magazines, was proposed by the Rev. J. Alexander, and seconded by the Rev. W. Hurndall, which was carried unanimously; and which Dr. Campbell duly acknowledged.

Upon a resolution moved by the Rev. Dr. Stowell, and seconded by B. Hanbury, Esq., the Rev. George Smith, of Poplar, was appointed to fill the office of Secretary for the ensuing year.

The Rev. J. Viney read an admirable paper on behalf of the Congregational Board of Education; upon which a resolution was moved by the Rev. Dr. Brown, and seconded by the Rev. J. Burder.

The Rev. Dr. Massie read a paper on British Missions; a resolution upon which subject was moved by the Rev. T. Binney, and seconded by the Rev. Mr. Glyde.

The meeting then adjourned until Friday morning, May 16th, when the business of the Union was resumed. The first half-hour was spent in devotional exercises; after which the Rev. J. Corbin read an important paper on the subject of" Lay Agency;" and the Rev. J. H. Godwin read an able paper on "The best methods of calling forth the talents of the Church for the work of the Ministry."

Resolutions, founded on these two subjects, were submitted to the meeting.

Resolutions were also proposed in reference to Slavery, Church Rates, the Regium Donum, and the Peace Congress, to be held in London next July, which were unanimously adopted.

The following ministers and gentlemen took part in the deliberations of the morning: -Revs. H. Addiscott, T. Scales, J. A. James, J. Carlile, J. L. Poore, J. Hunt, J. Harrison, J. Waddington, G. Smith, J. Fletcher, C. F. Vardy, J. Chickering (United States), T. Binney, J. Garnett (New York), Dr. Campbell, J. Owen, Dr. Massie; J. Conder, Esq., and E. Swaine, Esq.

The assembly was then adjourned till the Autumnal Session at Northampton.