sor, with the intervening height of Harrow, and its beautiful spire, is one of the most extraordinary pictures of highly cultivated English scenery that can be found.

These advantages determined the Committee in their original purchase of the property, and after encountering great inconvenience from the imperfect accommodation which the premises af forded, they have recently erected upon their own land the structure of which we have given an elevation and ground plan. In this plan has been embodied the experience of the Committee upon the necessities of a building for this highly important object, together with all the information that their most anxious and diligent inquiries could obtain.

The south, or principal front, is shown in the Engraving; it presents to the surrounding country a hexastyle portico of Ionic columns, in pure Greek taste. The north, or entrance front, towards the road, has a pediment and entablature of the same character, supported by Antæ of the same order.

The building forming the eastern wing is the minister's house, the western the chapel; neither of these are yet erected; the one will occupy the scite of the old house, and the chapel will be used for

some time to come.

However important it may be to consult the respectability, in its external character, of a public building of this importance, it is upon the internal arrangements that the comfort and discipline, as well as the health of the school, depends, and it is therefore to this that all decoration, whether external or internal, has been made subservient.

It has been the object of the Committee so to provide for the different parts of the establishment, as that each may have access to its several apartments without interference with the others. It will thus be seen by the Plan, that the western portion, both on the ground floor and one pair, is appropriated to the pupils, with a staircase for their sole use. The eastern portion, to the south, is set apart for the masters, their sitting rooms on the ground floor, and sleeping-rooms over them, having also a separate staircase this last portion, to the north, is occupied by the domestics, who have their own passages and distinct staircase.

The entrance is from the north, or road front, into a vestibule which leads to a hall, 100 feet long, 20 wide, orna. mented with a double row of Ionio columns; from each end of this hall is continued a passage, 8 feet wide, which extends the whole length of the building. Immediately facing the entrance is the dining-hall, 50 feet by 38 feet, and the whole height of the building, Close to

this room, on the right, is the pupils' staircase, and beyond, westward, the five school-rooms. There are three for classics, one for French, and one for writing; it being considered more conducive to health, comfort, and discipline, that each master should have his classes to himself. In the remainder of the building, at this end, is a play-room for the pupils in bad weather, with a washing room attached, to which they have constant access, and a small room for the master who has the care of the boys when released from their studies. The play-ground adjoining contains nearly an acre, is well drained, and has a gentle declivity towards the south. To the left of the dining-hall are the school-library and the masters' sittingrooms; and on the other side of the passage are the housekeeper's apartments, store-rooms, kitchen, and accommodations for the servants.

On the one-pair floor there are eight dormitories for the boys, to contain from 14 to 18 single beds each, all ventilated in the best manner. To each two dormitories are attached a washing-room, with the water laid on, and apartments with presses for each boy's clothes, hats, shoes, &c. A master's sleeping-room is placed in the midst of the boys' dormitories. There are also provided two large rooms, in case of illness, one for the sick, and one for the convalescent; these, with the housekeeper's and servants' sleepingrooms, are over the domestic apartments, and the spare rooms and masters' sleeping-rooms are in the same end of the building to the south.

The building is, to a certain extent, fire proof, the passages and staircases being all of stone, which would secure a safe retreat in case of accident.

Accommodation is provided for one hundred and twenty scholars.

THE LONDON CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

We are happy to inform our readers, that a plan, which was originated at the Monthly Meetings for the Establishment of a Union of Pastors and Churches in the Metropolis, to promote the Interests of Religion, in connection with the Congregational Churches of London and its Environs, is now matured; and at an early period we shall be able to present it to our readers, with a list of the officers, &c. The following Address of the Ministers engaged in the Monthly Exercise to the Congregational Churches connected with that Association has been circulated; but as we wish widely to diffuse the principles it advocates, we insert it in our columns, which we consider appropriately occupied with such documents.

"Christian Brethren-The principles of Congregational church-government derive their primary value from their accordance

with the constitution of primitive churches, as exhibited in the records of the New Testament. Their direct tendency to preserve the purity of christian truth, and the simplicity of christian institution, might be naturally presumed to result from that accordance. At the same time, they are obviously distinguished by the practicability of their application to all the diversified circumstances of society, and the facility with which they can be every where brought into full operation. In this respect they harmonize with the leading features of the christian economy itself, and present an additional proof of the universality of its adaptation to the state and condition of mankind. The history of Congregational Churches furnishes a decisive illustration of the actual efficiency of their principles. In proportion to the fidelity with which those principles have been regarded, the interests of "pure and undefiled religion" have been promoted; and, under the divine benediction, true prosperity has been secured, in the union, spirituality, and zeal of Christian Churches; while, on the other hand, to the neglect or violation of those principles, may be traced the prevalence of discord, the declension of godliness, and the torpor of inactivity

"In the spirit of devout gratulation, and not of unholy complacency, it may be asserted that no principles recognized by Christian Societies as the basis of their constitution, have been so effective in producing a truly liberal, unsectarian, and general co-operation, for the diffusion of evangelical religion, as those which characterize the Congregational Churches of our country. This remark particularly applies to the Churches of the metropolis. Locally connected with the great movements of the various, yet harmonious, machinery by which the world is to be subjected to the dominion of the TRUTH AS IT IS IN JESUS, the ministers and active members of such Churches have been "ready to every good work." They are employed in all the institutions for the dissemination of the Gospel which admit of general co-operation, without any nar. row regards to the interest or extension of their owu particular communion. This is most commendable, and with such an enlarged system of christian benevolence, there is no wish to occasion the slightest interference. If Christ he preached, therein we do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.'

"But it cannot be denied, that amidst all this laudable and successful activity, the direct interests of that community, the principles of which supply so much of the vigour and efficiency which mark their general and extensive operations, are comparatively neglected and disregarded. Every cause, however remotely connected with

the promotion of evangelical religion, at once meets with support; but, the adoption of practicable measures for increasing and strengthening the Churches of our own faith and order, by a zealous and affectionate cooperation, has never yet been sufficiently regarded as the immediate and imperative duty of the Churches of London and its vicinity. It is the object of this Address to direct the attention of the Congregational Body of the metropolis to this important object.

"The union proposed in the resolutions accompanying this circular, is not designed to interfere with any existing Society, which may have been established for the "Christian Instruction " of the lower orders of the population, and which, from its salutary combination of various parties, may thereby operate more efficiently in accomplishing that specific object. It is also not designed to interfere with any benevolent exertion on the part of itinerating preachers, or Sabbath School teachers in the villages which surround the metropolis; but, on the contrary, it may be found, in some instances, both desirable and expedient to recommend prudent co-operation with such institutions. Nor is it intended to establish a GENERAL Congregational Union, such as was proposed many years ago, and was not acted upon because of the suspicions which it excited in various parts of the country, and because, by aiming at too much, it effected nothing. Still less is it designed to adopt any measures, which may, directly or indirectly, interfere with the rights and government of the separate Churches that may be incorporated in this Association. The INDEPENDENCY of each church it most distinctly recognizes as an essential principle in the constitution of the Union itself; and to guard against the possibility of misconception, or the suspicion of its being a ministerial Union, that might lead to synodical jurisdiction, it proposes that double the number of those who are not ministers, shall constitute the general body, to which the Committee shall be responsible; that such body itself shall be constituted by the annual appointment of the respective Churches, and that no measures to be adopted by the Union shall respect the interior regulation of the Churches themselves. Guarded by these provisions, which are distinctly stated to prevent misconstruction, the friends of this measure recommend it on the following grounds.

"1. The number of Congregational Churches is greatly disproportioned to the immense population of the metropolis;-and if the spirit of Christian activity were called forth, or some plan of united and systematic exertion, they might be considerably augmented, with

out any local interference with existing churches.

2. There are many populous villages, and hamlets, surrounding the metropolis, where no churches of this order are to be found. Individual exertion is inadequate to their establishment, but a union of churches and ministers would easily render it practicable.

3. It frequently happens, that from the various fluctuations and changes that affect the resources of churches, useful ministers are compelled to abandon their station, or, through inadequate provision for carrying on the cause of instruction and the worship of God, Societies are often reduced to a state of great weakness and inefficiency. The Congregational Union may interpose its timely aid, and strengthen the things that remain and are ready to die.

"4. In some cases, ministers may be compelled to engage in the work of daily instruction in schools, who, if not thus occupied, might be usefully employed in itinerating exertions and village preaching. A small addition to their resources might render such secular engagements unnecessary, and thus increase and extend their ministerial usefulness

"5. Such a union as is now recom mended is precisely conformed to the principles on which many County Associations are formed in various parts of the kingdom, and which have been found most beneficial in their influence. Surely, the facilities for such intercourse and Co-operation in the metropolis, where the population is so much more abundant, and the resources so easily accessible, ought to stimulate to the immediate adoption of similar measures.

6. The Academical Institutions connected with the London Congregational Churches, will furnish obvious facilities for carrying some of the proposed objects of the union into effect; and provision for Sabbath School operation might, in various ways, be rendered subservient to the same general object.

"7. This proposed union will derive great and peculiar advantage from the long continued existence and established arrangements of the Monthly Meetings. In addition to the interest of such meetings, and the benefit derived from Christian fellowship and social worship, it will connect them with a system of ministerial and general co-operation for the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom. In subordination to that great and paramount object, it will cause the principles of Congregational Churches to be better understood, and more faithfully applied to the interests of the cause of Christ; it will provide a direct channel for the distribution of Christian benevolence, on the part of the more opulent members of our

churches; it will excite a deeper and more systematic interest in the ministers and churches of the metropolis generally, by bringing under successive review, and in all their minute and varied detail, the different parts of the metropolitan district which may demand the sympathy and exertion of the Union. It will connect the various churches of our order more closely together in friendly and harmonious co-operation--strengthen the bands of fellowship amongst ministers and churches-cause the richer and the poorer churches to feel a more kind sympathy towards each other-and present a practical refutation of the charge too often brought against our system, that it separates and insulates our respective societies, instead of combining their forces into one mighty agency against the united powers of darkness. Finally, such a union may have most beneficial effects on the general interest of the Congregational Body through the kingdom, by presenting an example of practical and consistent combination, and thereby facilitating, still more extensively, the provision of means and resources for the universal diffusion of truth and righteousness.

Signed on behalf of the Meeting,

"JAMES STRATTEN, Chairman.
"JOHN BLACKBURN, Secretary,
pro tempore."

CONTROVERSY ON THE CLAIMS OF DEISTS. On the 29th of November Mr. Hume presented to the House of Commons a petition from an ex-clergyman of the name of Taylor, who has sunk so low in society as to become the apostle of infidelity to the lower classes of the Metropolis, whom he seeks to seduce, not by sound argument, but by low buffoonery and vulgar banter. This worthy took care to embody in his petition a full advertisement of his profane quackery, and closed it by praying that deists, in giving evidence in a court of justice, may be permitted to swear on the works of nature, rather than the Christian Scriptures.

In the course of the discussion on receiving this document, two honourable members (Mr. Batley and Sir E. Carrington) spoke in indignant terms of the petition, which led Mr. W. Smith, the Member for Norwich, and Chairman of the Dissenting Deputies, to censure their warmth, and to remark that he knew that an Atheist could not give any sanction to an oath; but he believed a Deist could, and he had no hesitation in asserting, that the interests of justice would be much more likely to suffer from the oath of a man who swore by the gospels, which he did not believe, than from that of him who fairly stated that he denied the truth of the gospels, but at the same time firmly acknowledged the existence of a God.