Though the proceedings of this meeting are not public, yet our readers may depend on the following information respecting it.

W. Smith, Esq., M. P., was unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Deputation.

The purchase of ten shares in the University of London, as recommended in the preceding Report, was very warmly debated. Messrs. W. A. Hankey, Collins, J. Wilks, and others, opposed the measure, not that they were hostile to the proposed establishment, but because they considered it as an appropriation of the funds which could never have been contemplated by the donors.

The measure was supported by Messrs. Thomas Wilson, Rutt, and others, on the ground that it was not a donation, but an investment, and that they were certainly at liberty to invest the property in those securities which they preferred.-A division was then called for, when there appeared For the motion Against it.

43 43

Mr. Smith, as Chairman, gave his casting vote in favour of the motion.

Resolutions were passed in favour of immediate application to Parliament for the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, which, we presume, will be speedily published. A ballot then took place for a Committee, whose names we shall give in our next Number.

PRESENTATION OF PLATE TO THE

REV. JOHN CLAYTON, SEN. An ungenerous solicitude has in some quarters been manifested to give publicity to those painful instances of strife and disunion which have occasionally occurred in our dissenting churches between the pastor and his charge, as if those fruits of unrighteousness were the natural produce of a dissenting soil, and the necessary results of nonconformist principles. It is our pleasing task to record a transaction which closed a long and happy pastoral connexion of almost half a century, and which, in some pleasing features of it, must be considered unique, yet, in other respects, is a cheering specimen of the veneration and love which a wise, eonsistent, and laborious pastor will command, even when the snows of age, like a crown of glory, encircle his brows.

The ancient church, meeting at the Weigh House, Little East Cheap, London, was very much reduced in numbers towards the close of the life of their pastor, Dr. W. Langford, who, from physical causes,

was incompetent to the discharge of his ministry. At his death, 1775, Dr. Samuel Wilton succeeded him, by whose respectable ministry and consistent character the congregation began gradually to revive; when, after a short service of two years, he was removed by death; and the prosperity of the society was again endangered by this unexpected bereavement. It was under these discouraging circumstances that the Rev. John Clayton entered upon the pastoral office at the Weigh House, November 1778; but the blessing of God rested on his ministry, and he soon beheld around him, for affluence and num

bers, one of the most respectable dissenting churches in the Metropolis Forty-eight years have since passed away; and amidst all the changes which that long period effected, it has been Mr. Clayton's happiness to retain the respectful and affectionate regard of a large and attached cirele, in which he saw a second and third generation rise up to listen to his instruc

tions.

Acting on a principle which he had often avowed, that God does not require the dregs of human existence to be poured out at his altar, Mr. Clayton waited not" for decrepitude of body, or for imbecility of mind," to disable him, before he tendered his resignation to his attached people; and when they united in the choice of their present pastor, the Rev. Edward Parsons, Mr. C. conducted his young successor to his new and important could not be mistaken. station with a cordiality of manner which

Mr. Clayton's private resources happily rendered pecuniary assistance from the church unnecessary; but they could not withhold a substantial memorial of their regard.

A meeting was therefore held last June, to open a subscription for the purchase of a service of plate; and the Committee of Superintendence committed its execution to the hands of Mr. Bateman, of Bunhill Row, who has completed their order with a degree of taste and skill which do him much credit.

The service consists of a vase and two waiters, each of which bears the following inscription.

The vase is of silver, richly gilt in dead and burnished gold, twenty-one inches high, and weighs 223 ounces. The cover is surmounted with the acanthus leaf, upon which stand the three characteristic virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity Beneath is a wreath of palm leaves, and at the edge a bold border of flowers and scrolls. The body is occupied on one side by a bas-relief copy of Raphael's cartoon of "Paul preaching at Athens ;" and on the reverse is the inscription. in various style of writing. Above it is a rich border of laurel leaves and berries. the lower part is again introduced the acanthus enriched with flowers, from the top of which rise the handles, in an elegant and serpentine form. The lower part of the base is ornamented with leaves, flowers, and a wreath of laurel. Each waiter is seventeen inches and a half in diameter, and

On

"To the Rev. JOHN CLAYTON, who for forty-eight years sustained, with distinguished fidelity, acceptance, and usefulness, the interesting and responsible office of Pastor of the Church and Congregation assembling for divine worship at the Weigh House Meeting, Little East Cheap, this tribute of affectionate regard was, on his retirement, presented by the people of his charge, in testimony of their love for his person, of their veneration for his character, and of their gratitude for the many advantages, intellectual, moral, and spiritual, which by his instrumentality, were conferred upon them by the great Head of the Church."—A. D. 1826.

The New Year's Day was considered an appropriate season to present a gift so valuable and interesting, and, at the request of the congregation, Mr. Clayton consented to receive it in public, at the house of prayer in which he had so long ministered.

The Right Honourable Anthony Brown, the Lord Mayor, an old and much respected men.ber of that Christian society, engaged, much to his honour, to become, on the occasion, the representative of the church, and at 2 o'clock on the first of January, the Meeting-house was crowded to witness this singular and interesting ceremony. The Rev. Edward Parsons opened the service by singing and prayer, after which, Roger Dawson, Esq. one of the deacons, was called to the chair, who thus addressed the assembly.

"Respected Friends.-The church and congregation who assemble for divine worship in this place, and of whom the Rev. John Clayton has had the pastoral care for many years, and whose spiritual interests he has always regarded and promoted, with a fidelity and kindness truly paternal, in pursuance of a notice from the pulpit, met on the 1st of June last, to consider on the propriety of presenting to him, their highly esteemed minister, a token of their affectionate respect, on his retirement from the important station, which he had so long, aud so usefully occupied. Certain resolutions were at that meeting moved and adopted, with the utmost cordiality and unanimity. The objects proposed by those resolutions are now matured, and will be explained and presented by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, in the progress of the business of this hour.

"Before I sit down, I hope you will excuse me, if for a few moments I intrude upon your time, while I give expression to my feelings on this interesting occasion.

"When a few months back, Sir, it was my duty, as an officer of this church, to stand up before many of your reverend

weighs 97 ounces. It is supported on three rich shell feet; the bottom is chased, and in the centre is an inseription, corresponding with that on the vase.

brethren in the ministry, and a large assembly of Christian friends, to give them an account of our proceedings in our choice of your successor; on that memorable day, much that was painful mingled with what was pleasurable in my feelings. To-day I can truly say, there is no alloy. The sensations I experience are altogether of a pleasurable nature. To-day all those feelings which are most honourable to us, are sweetly blended and called into exercise, I trust, under the purest influence; gratitude, veneration, esteem, and affection. We are met, my dear Sir, to testify our esteem and affection for you, to whom, as an instrument, we owe much. But we cannot do this without recollecting who it was that qualified you for the office you filled-who it was that enabled you to persevere in the discharge of your arduous duties so long, and who so signally blessed your ministrations. While, then, we express our regard for you, our late pastor, we would be grateful to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who counted you faithful, and putting you into the ministry, in his providence, directed you to this place, and continued you among us for so long a period.

"As a church and congregation, be assured, Sir, we shall never cease to cherish a filial regard for you. You will often be the subject of our earnest petitions, that God may bless you, that he may preserve your health, that your mind may be the seat of the purest serenity, and that his blessing may always accompany your occasional ministrations.

"And, while we desire humbly to acknowledge our unworthiness, our hearts are, we hope, deeply thankful to the great Head of the Church, who, in the plenitude of his wisdom and mercy, has manifested so great a regard for this portion of his vineyard, by directing us in the choice of a pastor, to one who is so worthy of being your successor.

"Our amiable and excellent young friend, who now has the oversight of this Christian society, may be assured that he will ever find the people of his charge kind and sympathising in all his trials and afflictions. They will be frequent and fervent in their supplications at the throne of grace, that the richest blessings may attend all his efforts in the pulpit, and in the parlour; and they will always be ready to strengthen his hands, and encourage his heart, in every good work, with their counsel and their prayer.

"We believe, my dear Sir, that it does afford you unfeigned joy, to witness the piety, the zeal, the fidelity, and affection of our pastor in the discharge of his important duties, and the very evident tendency to usefulness of his ardent labours.

"In concluding these desultory remarks, allow me, Sir, to re-assure you, that it will

a'ways afford pleasure to your late flock, to see their venerated friend in that pulpit, from which, for 48 years, the important doctrines and holy precepts of the Gospel were stated and enforced by you, under the divine blessing, with so much faithfulness of manner, and with such successful results."

Mr. Dawson having finished these introductory observations, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor rose, evidently under powerful emotion. He stated, that he was sensible, that, for many reasons, it might be considered desirable, that the memorials of gratitude and affection which were before him, should have been presented by some gentlemen connected by office with the church and congrega'tion over which their late pastor had for so many years presided. Still, his Lordship added, that he would not affect to conceal his pleasure, that he had been selected to perform that duty-not among the least of the reasons for the pleasure he felt, was the persuasion, that the gift would not be the less acceptable for coming through the hands of one towards whom, he had good reasons to believe, from many instances, not merely of official attention, but of personal kindness, the Rev. Gentleman entertained a warm and sincere affection. He procceded to state, that the church and congregation there assembling for the public worship of Almighty God, had felt that their late pastor, after forty-eight years continuance among them, after having, during all that period, faithfully discharged every pastoral duty, was justly entitled to a lasting memorial of their gratitude, that nothing need be said to justify the proceedings of that day, to those before whom he stood, because an advocate for their propriety was to be found in the feelings of every one who heard him. He spoke most feelingly when he said, that parents who were present felt that they owed not only their own conversion, but that of their children, under God, to their late pastor. He knew that he spoke the feelings of many present, who, by their parents, now with God, had been presented to the Rev. Gentleman whom he addressed, in order to their being by him dedicated in holy baptism to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. He remarked, that if it were permitted to the spirits of the just made perfect to know what was passing in our world, many a member of the church triumphant, with whom the miuister before him had, in days that were past, taken sweet counsel, would join in approving of what was then passing in that portion of the church militant. That while the feelings of the assembly were interested in the business on which they were met, their judgment was in full accordance with their feelings, and that he

hoped, and was fully persuaded, that He who graciously condescended to approve of the conduct of one, who, in the days of His flesh, poured upon his Sacred Person the alabaster box of ointment, would deign to approve of the testimony of affection, which they were about paying to one of his faithful ministers. He said, that he felt the more satisfaction in what was passing, because he believed most firmly, that while it was the desire of that people to obey the injunction of the apostle, to know them who labour among them, and are over them in the Lord, and admonish them, and to esteem them very highly in love for their works' sake;' it was their earnest wish to adopt the full spirit of that which was inscribed upon the plate -to regard their late minister as the instrument whereby many spiritual blessings had been conveyed to them, but to give to God the glory of all the good that had been achieved. In alluding to the three sons of Mr. Clayton, and to bis successor, (all of whom were present) his Lordship expressed his persuasion, that the scene which they were witnessing would tend to strengthen their hands, and encourage their spirits in the warfare which they were leading against Satan and his kingdom. In reference to his own situation, as chief magistrate of the city, in the very heart of which, for so long a period, Mr. Clayton had faithfully, perseveringly, and unhesitatingly, amidst evil report and good report, declared the whole counsel of God, his Lordship took occasion to speak of his obligations to a kind Providence, for having, by its merciful dispensations, introduced him to a connexion which had been to him the source of great domestic happiness, and the means of leading him to that place wherein, upon true Scripture principles, he had been faithfully taught his duty to his God, his neighbour, and himself; and ascribed whatever either of private or public usefulness he might have been enabled, amidst much cause for self-humiliation, to exemply, to the blessing of God, upon those instructions. He exhorted the young, if they would live honourably and usefully, and die safely and happily, to attach themselves to a practical evangelical ministry; to take the word of God for their rule, and to make conscience of prayer, for the blessing of the Holy Spirit to give effect to the means of His own appointment.

On presenting the plate, he expressed his own wish, and his full persuasion that he spake the feelings of every individual present, that the Rev. Gentleman whom he addressed might pass the autumn of his days serene and happy-that his usefulness might be protracted-that at a very distant day he might come to his grave in a full age, like a shock of corn

fully ripe in its season-that then he might be introduced by the many whom he had survived, but to whom his labours had been blessed, into the immediate presence of that Saviour whom he had long and faithfully held up to sinners-that by Him he might be welcomed with a welldone, good and faithful servant'--and that he might, at the great day of the final consummation of all things, appear before his Master and his Judge, accompanied, if it were the will of Heaven, by every individual to whom his message had been addressed.

When the Lord Mayor had taken his seat, the Rev. Mr. Clayton read the subjoined address.

"Aly respected friends-This splendid and valuable gift, and especially the manner in which you have chosen to present it, I feared would deprive me of that selfpossession which is necessary to my addressing you on an occasion of uncommon occurrence. I have therefore written that which I shall now read.

"I cannot forget that, at the age of twenty-three, I came to this far-famed city with my staff,' and, after solemn ordination, commenced, with much fear and trembling, my pastoral labours in this place. And now, after the lapse of nearly half a century, I retire from my station with unlooked for honour and affection, substantiated by this 'authentic deed' of Christian liberality. The chief magistrate of the metropolis of the empire, being voluntarily prominent in this transaction, enhances the value of your gift, as to the circumstances and mode of its presentation.

"I can truly say, that I am not elated by this testimony of your kindness, but feel deeply humbled by your commendation of my pastoral course; for I can assure you that I have an abasing sense of my many deficiencies, when I look to the great standard of duty, and the more eminent attainments, and more abundant labours of many of my brethren in the ministry. I have lived to learn that it is not easy to be humble, without dejection; or animated, without self-complacency.

“My thoughts are carried out, on this almost unprecedented occasion among non-conformists, to the unspeakable gift of God, his only begotten Son; and I am persuaded, that it is your knowledge of this inspiring theme, that has induced you to confer this metallic gift on one of the least of his servants. Silver and gold must perish, yea,

the law of Christ is inscribed, not on silver and gold, but on the fleshly tables of the heart; and the characters of this inscription are indelible, and, instead of being effaced by the corroding operation of time, will be distinctly legible through the interminable ages of eternity. Ye are, brethren, the living epistles of Christ, and in the orderly profession of his Gospel, seen and read of all men. This grace, dispensed to you by the instrumentality of a preached Gospel, not only glorifies God, but gives dignity and consistency to your self-government and conduct; so that neither the accession of wealth, nor official elevation, nor the dark days of adversity, will alter the true evangelical character, but rather give an occasion for the visible display of its abiding and holy energy.

"A Christian too, who believes that here he has no abiding city, and is seeking one that is to come, is in no way disqualified for the discharge of those duties which may be required in a terrestrial city of transient continuance. This opinion of the power of Christian principle has been exemplified in former years, in the moral firmness of those who have honourably filled the chair of the chief magistrate. And we hope and pray that it may be exemplified in the current year, by our Right Honourable Friend and Brother, who will not be found, in the day of temptation, a pliant osier, but an oak, sustained by those unbending and undecaying principles which resemble their author, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.

"I take leave to remind you, my dear friends, that a liberal profession of gospel truth and order brought you together, and has hitherto kept you in the exercise of brotherly kindness and charity. I say-a liberal profession, and not one that is the offspring of bigotry, of interest, of necessity, or of accident. The person who now addresses you has, indeed, in the opinion of some, fallen under suspicion upon this point, because he has, during the period of his pastorate, associated with clergymen of the Establishment, as well as with others. But he begs to appeal to facts. He had opportunity to have returned to the hierarchy from which he respectfully seceded, but he declined to avail himself of it. He has educated his three sons at his own personal cost, for the ministry among non-conformists. They heard from their father the reasons for his preference of church communion; they have become, from instruction and from choice, dissenting ministers; and what they are as such, the public may judge--their parent pronounces nothing. I trust that they, liberal and dignified dissent from the enand you also, will continue to exhibit a dowed church, and, at the same time, cherish a friendly regard to the pious ministers and members of the predominant

profession of this favoured country, in which you enjoy liberty and peace. For all who are illuminated by the Spirit of God, though attached to different forms of worship, are united in one spirit, just as one lamp, united to a thousand, lighted in various places, blend in one kindred and brilliant blaze. There is an identity of principle in the hearts of the regenerate, which will produce also the same fruit in a prince and a peasant, in the chief magistrate of a city, and citizens of the humblest grade in the corporation.

"May I offer a word of encouragement to my highly esteemed successor, whom God support, and long preserve. He will, 1 am well convinced, exhibit the libe rality of sentiment which I recommend, for he is too much taken up with the head, heart, and lungs of Christianity, to lay an undue stress on the fringe of the garment, worn by the professors of our common salvation. I congratulate him, moreover, on having become the overseer of a body of people, not debased by a mixture of the sceptical, the seditious, and the fraudulent; but who have both been taught, and have learned, to fear God, to honour the King, and to love the brotherhood--a people, who have behaved respectfully and generously to his predecessor for more than eight and forty years, and have been at peace among themselves--a people, who have given practical illustration of the justice of the statement, that the harmony of societies is best preserved by every one's accurate knowledge and faithful performance of the duty of his appointed place and station. Ó that after a lengthened day of successful labour in this eligible station, the retirement of the present pastor may be even more auspicious than that of his predecessor! May the benedictions, mingled with the regrets of the flock attend his departure, and may he be favoured with a successor, who may be entitled to the respect and gratitude of posterity, for the advantages intellectual, moral, and spiritual,' which he shall instrumentally impart to them by the blessing of the Great Head of the Church.

"In concluding this valedictory solemnity, I present to the congregation, the members of the committee, the parents, and the young persons in this assembly, my most cordial thanks, not for this act of munificence alone, but for the various tokens of Christian kindness, which, like refreshing streams, have attended my journeyings in the wilderness, as your subordinate leader. Before many years are past, we shall enter a yet untrodden path; but the good Shepherd has promised to be with us, and will drive all our fears away. He will conduct us into the rich pastures, and by the side of the chrystal river of that pleasant land, where

there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.'

"I have only to request, that you would add to your beneficence, on this occasion, the charity of your prayers, that I may end my days, which cannot now be many, under the powerful and cheering influence of the truth once delivered to the saints,' for which I have endeavoured, in the course of my ministry, to contend with sincerity, with earnestness, and thanks be to God, not without success.

"Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

The preceding address having been concluded, a short and solemn pause of silence ensued; when the Rev. John Clayton, jun. rose, and spoke nearly to the following effect:

"Mr. Chairman, being totally unacquainted with the orders of this service, may I request your permission (if I shall not disturb your arrangements) to say a few words on this highly interesting occasion. For, as I have been gazing at the surrounding scenery, and musing upon the things which I have heard, I have felt the fire kindling within me, and I can hardly refrain from speaking with my tongueInteresting, Sir, such an engagement must be to the late PASTOR of this church and congregation, while he is called to accept so valuable an expression of the uncooled affection of a people, among whom he has laboured for a period of nearly 50 years, with so much acceptance and success.

Interesting it must be to the RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY from which my beloved Father has recently retired, while they have the satisfaction to perceive, that the separation which has taken place, has not been effected amidst the storm of strife and angry debate, nor in the sullen and ominous calm of secret alienation of heart, but amidst the quickening breezes of devotion, and in the mild atmosphere of Christian love.

"Interesting it must be to the present highly valued MINISTER of this place; while he is furnished with so conspicuous a proof of the reciprocal affection of the former pastor and his flock, and sees, in this splendid gift, a pledge, that, not only in the fire and enthusiasm of his youth, but in his sober autumn, and even in the December of his life, he is likely to be surrounded by those who will continue, with unabated friendship, to cheer him by their assurances of attachment, by their prayers, and beneficent ministrations.

"Interesting, more especially, is this solemnity, to those of us who form a part of THE FAMILY of the preceding speaker. It takes us back, in thought, to the earliest