Mr. Postlethwaite was for some years a member of an Independent church, presided over by the Rev. H. Griffiths, at the Old Chapel, at Stroud, in Gloucestershire; and in 1846, upon his removal to Wantage, he joined the church under the pastoral superintendence of the Rev. C. E. Birt, and which, though professedly Baptist, admit Independents into the communion. During many years Mr. P. was actively engaged as a Sunday-school teacher, and at prayer-meetings was always ready to assist in leading the devotion of the assembled worshippers. At Uley, in Gloucestershire, where he had the superintendence of the Sunday-school, he sometimes officiated in the pulpit, in the absence of the minister; and at Wantage he took his turn in addressing, on Sabbath afternoons, a congregation who meet in a chapel in the suburbs of the town, and which is connected with Mr. Birt's church. At the solicitation of some of his Wesleyan friends, he occasionally spoke to the scholars at the Wesleyan Sunday-school, and at village meetings of the members of that connexion. In these addresses he never studied to be ornamental, but endeavoured to be a faithful expositor of God's word, and not unfrequently dilated with much force upon the relative duties of professors of religion. The obsequies of our beloved brother took | mentioned amongst religious obituaries, as one place on Thursday, the 20th February. The that has fought the fight and obtained the Rev. J. H. Muir officiated on the mournful victory. occasion, and seldom has it been our opportunity to witness such a manifestation of sympathy as was shown by all classes on this occasion. Some time before the hour fixed for the setting out of the melancholy cortège, hundreds of respectable persons were to be seen wending their way to the cemetery, the place of sepulchre; and when the sable procession formed, thousands thronged to show their esteem and respect for the deceased, by joining the long train of mourners, which was further increased by the teachers and children of the Queen-street and Wicker Sabbath-schools, to the latter of which Mr. Tucker had been superintendent for more than twenty years. During the service in the chapel, every corner was closely crowded, and multitudes were unable to gain admittance. Never in our recollection was the cemetery thronged with such a number of true mourners; and of that large concourse, every heart appeared sad, and every eye dimmed with sorrow. There were the merchant and the manufacturer, the master and the servant, the rich and the poor; ministers, deacons, and members of other churches; and teachers and children from other congregations in the town and neighbourhood; all drawn together by one desire, to testify their affection, and to pay the last mark of respect for one who was widely known, and universally esteemed as a man and a Christian. The funeral discourse was delivered by Mr. Muir, on the following Lord's-day evening, February 23rd, from Psalm xiith, verse 1st: Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail among the children of men," to a deeply affected audience. The chapel was densely filled on the occasion, and long before the hour of service arrived every corner and aisle was occupied, and hundreds had to return unable to gain admittance. Such was the character of our dear friend, and such the admonitory circumstances under which he was removed, at the age of 51. By this death, the church has lost one of its brightest ornaments, the school a valuable superintendent, and society at large an exemplary, benevolent, and most useful member. "The memory of the just is blessed." MR. PETER POSTLETHWAITE. Died, on the 7th of July, 1849, at Wantage, Mr. Peter Postlethwaite, aged 34. Mr. P.'s position in society was not such as will procure for him a notice by worldly biographers; but the consistency of his conduct as a professor of Christianity, and the resignation which marked his departure, added to the firm hope entertained by him of being eternally blessed, deserve that he should be The health of Mr. P. had been for some long time delicate; but it was not until within a few weeks of his death that he exhibited symptoms to prepare his friends for a separation that was so near. He was confined to his bed for a month prior to his dissolution; but till within four or five days of his decease, he did not himself abandon all hopes of restoration to health. And as far as human associations were concerned, he might very well have desired to live. He was surrounded by many Christian friends, he was respected by his employer, and by those under his control, he had just helped to establish a Mechanics' Institution, in the success of which he felt anxious; and, above all, he had an affectionate wife, to whom he had been but a few years united, and two little children, whose future years would require a father's industry to support, and a father's discretion to guide. But he was empowered by Divine grace to rise superior to these earthly ties. In the remembrance of the promises of his God to provide for the widow and the fatherless, and with the prospect of that eternal weight of glory, purchased for him by his Saviour, he was enabled to anticipate his departure with composure, and, in the throes of dissolution, to pronounce himself happy. His friends could not but be struck with the resignation which marked his last hours. He was a man of quiet demeanour and reserved habits, but the tenor of his observations indicated that he enjoyed that peace "which passeth all understanding." Even while uncertain as to the issue of his affliction, he remarked to one friend, that sickness was the time to test the power of religion; and to another, that he was prepared for the worst-speaking in ordinary phraseology with reference to a fatal termination of his disorder, and he gave directions concerning some little matters in which those surviving him might be interested, with coolness and precision. The complacency of his mind was much assisted by a merciful absence of physical suffering. His peaceful end could not fail of inspiring those who witnessed his death with the sentiment expressed by the ancient prophet-" Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." Mr. Birt improved the event on the Sabbath following the funeral, and spoke of the deceased as one of those who would be the joy and crown of rejoicing, of Christian ministers at the great day of account. This instance of premature removal from the ranks of the living, may be useful to those who are journeying to the same goal, by way of exhortation, and also by way of consolation. Mr. P. was actively engaged in the business of life, and was strenuous to promote the interest of his employer, but while in the world, he was not of the world; and his widow is comforted by the recollection of the regularity and earnestness with which he conducted the family devotions, and his eagerness at all times to render any available leisure subservient for spiritual exercises. God has promised to renew the strength of those who wait upon him, and He, in his infinite love, most undoubtedly possessed the soul of the subject of this memoir with that firm faith which disclosed to his spiritual vision the heavenly Canaan, and gave him the triumphant assurance, that nothing temporal or spiritual, present or to come, should be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. แ REV. D. W. ASTON, OF BUCKINGHAM. WE have to record the decease of this good minister of Jesus Christ," for the space of forty-seven years the faithful and devoted pastor of one of the Independent churches at Buckingham. The event took place at Hull, on the 9th of January, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. Never was death more peaceful or triumphant. honoured ministerial Brother, who visited him in his last hours, said emphatically, when he left his room," Why, he is half way in glory now. It is delightful !" He was, indeed, " a good man, full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost." An Home Chronicle. BERRIEW CHAPEL, MONTGOMERYSHIRE. AN interesting meeting of the members, teachers, and children of the congregation, assembling in the above chapel, was held on Friday evening, November 7, and was addressed by the Rev. Samuel Roberts, of Llanbrynmair, on the importance of early and diligent study of the Scriptures; and by the Rev. John Evans, of Newton, on devotedness to Christ in early youth. At the close of the addresses, the Rev. Thomas Davies, the minister of the congregation, opened a letter that had just been received from Mrs. Arber, of London. It contained a cheque for ONE HUNDRED POUNDS, which she had collected towards the debt on the chapel from friends in London. The letter gave a very grateful testimony to the liberal aid which the Rev. James Stratten and his friends had so kindly extended to the cause; and it affectionately pressed the congregation to continue their VOL. XXX. present efforts, until the whole of the remaining debt of £70 is cleared off. Mr. Davies and Mr. Roberts very warmly seconded the suggestions of the letter; and the whole congregation, in the most feeling manner, signified their deep gratitude to Mrs. Arber and her friends for this extraordinary service of Christian charity to a humble congregation, in a rural district, at a time of need unusually trying. Encouraged to work by such kind assistance, the poor congregation have now in hand just the half of the remaining £70, and should any kind Christian friend be willing to aid the completion of this good effort to remove a burden that has proved so injurious to a weak interest, in an important district of the English border of Montgomeryshire, they are happy in being authorised to say, that any additional donation for this object will be gratefully received by Mrs. Arber, 1, Mountstreet, Berkeley-square, London. Н CHRISTMAS HALF-YEARLY DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS TO THE WIDOWS OF EVANGELICAL MINISTERS, 6TH JANUARY, 1852. READER! examine the following list of grants to the Widows of godly Ministers, and then ask yourself whether you are doing what you can and what you ought for the circulation of the EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE? ENGLISH WIDOWS. Denomination. Age. Sum. 52.... 8 .... Do. Do. A. N. .... .... 69.... 8 ....47.... 6 66.... 10 68.... 10 83.... 10 L. P. Independent 71.... 10 J. P. .... M. C. C. M. ........ 57.... 8 M. A. C....... Independent. 57.... 8 Ch. of England ..52.... .... .... 87.... 10 Do. .58.... 8 Independent.. Do. .... 62.... 10 ....57.... 8 ....60.... 10 .... .... M. W-d.... Do. ....67.... 10 S. W. Do. .... .... .58.... 8 S. E-t A. E-n E. F. E. G. .... .... E. G-n J. G. .... 47.... 8 J. J. Do. .... .... .... 72.... 8 72.... 8 72.... C. P. ....51.... 8 68.... 10 79....10 67.... 58.... 10 M. D. 63.... 10 R. G. SCOTCH WIDOWS. E. C. ..... .... 60.... ... ........ ....43.... 4 .... 57,... 8 61.... 8 8 Presbyterian.... 71.... .... 61.... 8 .... 79.... 8 .... 67.... .... 46.... 10 85.... 8 .... ..75.... 8 TWO EVENTS DESERVING OF NOTICE. R. Morley, Esq., Mr. N. Dunn, Mr. W. Bell (Wesleyan), Mr. Alderman Heard, Mr. E. Hart, Mr. Alderman Herbert, and the Rev. John Wild, all vied with each other in doing justice to the character of one, whom all who ever knew him respect and love. His own son's address is a model of filial piety and chastened eloquence. BIRMINGHAM has been favoured with two great meetings, which will be memorable. Both were held in the Town Hall; and both were crowded to excess. The first was to listen to a Lecture from Dr. Cumming, on Popish Miracles, intended as a reply to Dr. Newman, who has, with his usual courage, avowed himself a believer in the miracles of his adopted church. No better thing could he have done to shake public confidence in the soundness of his judgment. In Dr. Cumming's hands he cuts a very sorry figure in-pathy with the object of the meeting, and deed. Popish miracles, we should suppose, will be at a discount in Birmingham for some time to come. The second Meeting was drawn together to hear a Lecture from our distinguished friend, the Rev. J. A. James, to the Young Men's Societies of Birmingham. It was a most powerful appeal, full of rich and appropriate thought, and delivered with great pathos. Both Lectures, we are happy to say, are in print. ISLEWORTH INDEPENDENT CHURCH. ON January 12th, the members of the Rev. J. Whiting's Bible Class presented him with Eight Volumes of the Rev. W. Jay's Works, as an expression of their gratitude for directing their studies in Divine truth, and for his expositions of it in the class. TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. JOSEPH GILBERT, OF NOTTINGHAM. ON Monday evening, the 29th December, a very interesting meeting was held at Friar Lane Independent Chapel, Nottingham, for the purpose of doing honour to the exalted character of the Rev. Joseph Gilbert, on retiring from his public ministry,—a ministry which has been sustained with equal vigour, both in its intellectual and spiritual functions. The Mayor of Nottingham, W. Felkin, Esq., presided, and the gift of Christian love presented to our venerable friend consisted of a purse containing £220, and a beautiful mahogany Secretary, in the inside of which is a silver plate, with an appropriate inscription. The only drawback to the joy of a meeting characterized by a most marked cordiality was the absence, through indisposition, of the distinguished man whom it was intended to honour. But his son, Mr. Josiah Gilbert, took his father's place gracefully, and read a letter to the meeting from the pen of his honoured sire, which gave expression to his own loving heart, and to the delicacy and refinement of taste which pervade all his compositions. All who spoke on the occasion gave utterance to the kindliest thoughts. The Chairman, the Secretary, Mr. Buttrum, W. Crips, Esq., the Rev. J. Edwards (Baptist Minister), Many letters were read by the Chairman from distinguished individuals,—such as the Rev. J. A. James, the Rev. Dr. Alliott, and the Rev. S. Lewin,-expressive of their sym their deep and heartfelt respect for the Rev. Joseph Gilbert. Few men have conferred greater obligations on the Denomination than our revered Friend. His work on the "Atonement," and his Strictures on "Infidelity," will stand side by side with the best religious literature of the age. ORDINATION SERVICES. THE Ordination Services connected with the settlement of the Rev. R. D. Wilson, as pastor of the Congregational Church assembling in Salem Chapel, Burnley, took place on Thursday, October 30th, 1851. The following Ministers took part in the services:The Rev. R. Fletcher, of Manchester, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. A. Fraser, A.M., of Blackburn, asked the usual questions; the Rev. Richard Gibbs, of Skipton, offered the ordination prayer; and the Rev. Walter Scott, Principal of Airedale College (Mr. Wilson's Tutor), delivered the charge. Upwards of twenty pastors of churches were present, many of whom took part in the service. In the evening, the Rev. James Spence, A.M., of Preston, preached a valuable and instructive sermon to the people: the attendances were highly encouraging, and Mr. Wilson commenced his pastorate with the good wishes and earnest prayers, not only of his own people, but also of many more who have been observant of what God hath wrought already through his instrumentality. The interest of which Mr. Wilson has become the pastor was formed about two years and a half ago, by the secession of forty-three members from the church, of which, for thirty-four years, the late Rev. T. Greenall was formerly the pastor; they worshipped for a time in a large hired room, and there multiplied and grew. In the course of 1849, Mr. Wilson, amongst other students from Airedale College, occupied the pulpit, and it was soon manifest that the affections of the people were set upon him. A proposal was made to him that he should accept the pastorate, accompanied with the offer to build a commodious chapel. This proposal he, in February 1850, accepted, though his term at College did not terminate till June, 1851. The erection of a chapel was immediately set about, and was completed and opened on Good Friday, 1851. The chapel measures 70 feet by 50 feet, and will, with the galleries, seat 1150 persons. The school-rooms beneath are of the same area, fourteen feet high, and abundantly lighted by twenty-two windows. The cost of the whole, including land, is about £3000. Into this new sanotuary have been collected an aggregate congregation of upwards of eight hundred; the Sabbath-school numbers four hundred and fifty; the church has increased from forty-three to one hundred and twenty-two members, with cheering prospects in each department of yet more abundant increase, seeing that the population of the town, now about twenty-seven thousand, with only one other Independent chapel, is continually and rapidly multiplying. NEW CHAPEL, BOW, NORTH DEVON. THE new Independent Chapel in this place was opened, for Divine worship, on Tuesday, July 22, when sermons were preached, in the morning, by the Rev. D. Hewitt, of Exeter, from 1 Tim. i. 15; in the afternoon, by the Rev. H. Madgir, of Tiverton, from Phil. i. 27, "With one mind," &c.; in the evening, by the Rev. W. Slater, of Barnstaple, from Acts xvi. 29 - 31. Crowded congregations listened, with great interest, to their | lucid expositions of gospel truth, and it is believed that impressions were made on the hearts of some present, the result of which will prove lasting as eternity. The Revs. J. Baker, of Sandford, T. Sharp, of Chulmleigh, W. M. Anstey, of Plymtree, T. M. Davies, of Crediton, and E. Corke, of Lapford, were also present, most of whom took part in the interesting services of the day. This chapel, which was greatly needed in this populous village, is the result of the self-denying efforts of some of the members of the Independent Church at Lapford (five miles distant), who have for three years preached the gospel in a room, which be came far too small to hold the increasing congregation. Much good has already been effected; twenty-five persons are united in church-fellowship; a great moral change has been wrought in the character of many others, and the increasing attendance affords hope that a far greater amount of good will yet be accomplished. The building is of stone, plain and substantial, and will seat 280 persons; it cost, with the ground, rather more than £200, and has a debt remaining on it of £120, which the friends will make strenuous efforts to liquidate as soon as possible. General Chronicle. BIBLE SOCIETY ON THE CONTINENT. France. From M. De Pressensé. Paris, Dec. 15, 1851. OUR Colporteur at Havre, writes as follow:-"I recently visited the emigrant ship Rouennais, where I encountered a number of irreligious and impious persons, who scoffed at me when I offered my books to them, and when I addressed a few serious words to them. Seated round a box, I observed, among others, four young men playing at cards, whose conversation was intermixed with the most horrible blasphemy. They violently spurned my advice and exhortations; and, for the sake of prudence, I left them, though not before telling them that I should implore the Lord to have pity on their souls, and to preserve them from the fury of the waves during their long voyage. On Nov. 19 the vessel sailed with three hundred passengers. The first night she was run into by a much larger vessel, and was exposed to the greatest danger. After repairing the damage as best they could, the Rouennais, with the water gaining on her very fast, got back to Havre with the assistance of three steam-tugs. As soon as it was practicable, I went among the poor people, who were still overwhelmed with the most indescribable terror. With the permission of the captain, I addressed them on Rom. ii. 4. Every one was moved to tears; and what afforded me much gratification was, my being shortly afterwards accosted by the four card-players. Their appearance denoted the anguish which they had had to endure. They acknowledged to me that my parting words had so powerfully worked on their minds, that they had cried unto the Lord for pardon; and that, having been so wonderfully heard, as regards the body at least, they now desired to learn how to serve Him by the directions of his word. They were not the only ones who provided themselves with New Testaments; for I sold a number of copies to others, with the conviction that the Lord would bless them to the salvation of the souls of the purchasers." |