but though sound in the faith, his preaching was not useful, in consequence of which he continued here only two years, and then removed to Sunderland, where he was many years in good reputation. After Mr. Clegg's resignation, the chapel was again supplied by neighbouring ministers, students, &c. till Mг. THOMAS HOLDGATE settled here, and was ordained over this congregation, which was then again in a very low state. He was recommended by the Rev. Timothy Priestley, of Manchester, from whom he had received some instructions, preparatory to his entering on the ministry. His labours were not without success, and were continued for about five years, when he accepted an invitation to Bradford, in Yorkshire, and after a short interval was succeeded at Marple-bridge by Mr. BARTLE, formerly of Rosendale, Lancashire, a man of genuine piety, great humility, and who was much and generally esteemed. He died in December 1795, after having preached to this congregation for about twelve years. During the ministry of Mr. Bartle, the present chapel was erected at Marplebridge, distant about a mile from the site of the old one at Mill-brow. In May 1796, the Rev. JOSEPH BATTLEY, in compliance with the unanimous request of the church and congregation, settled here, under circumstances which were very discouraging. The congregation was small, death having removed several members, whose places were not filled up by others. but his labours have been attended with considerable success, and he continues here to the present time, in the cheering hope of being able thereby to promote the glory of God, and the welfare of the people.

MATLOCK. From the pulpit of this place Mr. Thomas Shelmerdine was ejected, who did not long survive that event, but died at Wirksworth, in this county.

MATLOCK BATH.-The late Mr. NEED, of Nottingham, who was one of the proprietors of the cotton-mills at this place, erected a building, consisting of a chapel and a house for the residence of one of his family. The chapel was opened by the Rev. Mr. Lester, a clergyman of the Church of England, in 1777, and for some time afterwards the Service of the Church formed a part of the public worship carried on there. But Mr. Need dying, and the cotton concern not answering, the chapel was shut up, or only opened for occasional preaching. The excellent, zealous, and useful Lady Glenorchy, being accidentally detained here when travelling, spent a Sabbath in this town; and, in answer to her inquiries respecting this chapel, obtained such infor→ mation as induced her to procure supplies for it; and, early in 1785, to purchase the

entire premises of Mr. Need's executors. Had it not pleased God shortly afterwards to remove her, it was her intention to have resided in the house. Upon her decease, the premises were devised to her intimate friend the Rev. JONATHAN SCOTT, of Drayton, in Shropshire. The first settled minister was the Rev. JOSEPH WHITEHEAD, who came under the direction of Mr. Scott, before Lady Glenorchy's death. He laboured with zeal and with considerable success both here and in neighbouring places, and was much beloved by the people. He removed to Creaton, in Northamptonshire, in the Summer of 1793, from which time Mr. Scott undertook the supply of the pulpit, and in August 1794 came to reside at the house connected with the chapel, and continued the minister of it till his decease in May 1807. When he came to reside at Matlock Bath, the members of the church were few in number; and they have not increased in proportion to the number of converts, owing, it is believed, chiefly to the strictness of the terms of communion. Upon Mr. Scott's death, his widow, to whom he had bequeathed the disposal of the premises at Matlock Bath, proposed to the Rev. John Wilson, who had succeeded Mr. Scott at Drayton, to induct him into them, if he would accept of the situation, being assured of his ministerial qualifications, and that he was in circumstances which rendered any other remuneration for his services unnecessary. Mr. Wilson was prevailed upon to accept this offer, and removed to Matlock Bath in October 1807; since which time there has been a gradual increase of the congregation, and some additions to the church. The chapel is about forty-two feet long and twenty-four wide, with one gallery. It has seats for about 300 persons, and is well attended. A part of the chapel has been formed into a school-room, in which about 150 children are instructed every Lord's day.

MIDDLETON STONY.-Mr. JOSEPH FOOLOWE, who had been ordained in 1696, preached here and at Chesterfield for some years. He was greatly esteemed for his piety and zeal, but having a delicate constitution, his career was terminated at an early age by a consumption, February 8, 1707. The subsequent history of this place is connected with that of Hucklow.

MIDDLETON, near Youlgrave. It appears, that about 1695, a congregation of poor people was collected at this place, for whom a preacher was provided once a fortnight till 1696, when they made choice of a young man, named Low, for their minister. He also preached at Elton. In 1715, Mr. RICHARD PEAT preached at Elton, Middleton, and other

places in the neighbourhood. Later in the last century, there was preaching in a private house at Middleton, by a Presbyterian minister. For several years past there has been preaching there on Lord's-day afternoons, by students from Rotherham Academy, who were sent to supply the pulpit of the chapel at Bakewell. The place at present devoted to this purpose at Middleton, is a room which has been suitably fitted up by Thomas Bateman, Esq. of Middleton Hall, the present High Sheriff of the County, who has intimated his intention to erect a small chapel upon his estate, in which the minister, who has lately settled at Bakewell, has undertaken to preach once every Lord's-day.

MELBOURN.-There was a Presbyte rian congregation here in 1715, of which Mr. JOSEPH CROMPTON was the minister. He conformed in 1718, and was succeeded by Mr. WILLIAM WALTON. After Mr. Walton, Mr. GREGORY, of Findern, preached in the meeting-house at this place, upon one Sabbath in every month for several years prior to his decease in 1768; after which the church continued to be supplied once a month, by one of the ministers of the Independent congregation at Nottingham. In 1771, the Rev. J. Alliston, who had resigned his charge at Nottingham, preached here once a fortnight for several years. About this time a meeting-house was built for another congregation, in which Mr. THOMAS JONES, afterwards of Oathall, in Sussex, exercised his ministry for about three years. He was for the major part of the time assisted by Mr. GRIFFITH, who preached here and at several other places, and after Mr. Jones's removal, succeeded him, and remained here till about 1794, when he removed to Wallingford, and afterwards to Aston, in Berkshire. Upon the removal of Mr. Griffith, Mr. JOHN SMITH, from Derby, took charge of this congregation, and Mr. Alliston having ceased to preach at the old place, Mr. Smith preached in it once a month. He resigned at Midsummer in 1811, and was succeeded by another gentleman of the same name, JOHN SMITH, who is the present minister.

Melbourn, General Baptists.-This Society was in existence in 1773, when

Mr. THOMAS PERKINS and Mr. DANIEL TAYLOR were its ministers, and in 1775, Mr. FRANCIS SMITH Succeeded Taylor. It was, says Mr. Adam Taylor, (Hist. Gen. Baptists, part 2, p. 221,) in a flourishing state in 1785; but struggled for many years afterwards under considerable difficulties. In that year, 46 of the members who dwelt about Cauldwell, separated by mutual consent, and formed a distinct church. The pastors at Melbourn were advancing in years, and declining in mental and corporeal vigour. Mr. Perkins retired previous to his death in 1792, and his colleague felt the pressure of age upon him, and the burthen of not only the church of Melbourn, but of several others which depended on it. Some unhappiness is also stated to have arisen from the intrusion of a person who became for a short time the idol of the congregation, but was afterwards by them forbidden to preach. In 1794, Mr. EDMUND WhitaKER was invited to preach to this church, and in July 1797, was ordained to the pastoral charge over it. His ministry, although interrupted by bodily infirmity appears to have been abundantly successful.

His

MICKLE OVER. From the pulpit of this parish was ejected Mr. SAMUEL CHARLES, of whose sufferings Calamy has recorded many interesting particulars. He afterwards settled at Hull, where he laboured several years, and suffered imprisonment for the truth's sake. early labours in the ministry in the parish of Mickle Over, were affectionate, judicious, and successful. He exercised a constant watch over his own soul, especially in solemn duties, public, private, or secret. He laboured for some time under severe and strong temptations, which increased his spiritual experience. He observed the day of his ejectment out of his living, as a fast the remainder of his life. The difficulties which he met with as a nonconformist were sanctified to him." Like Abraham he went out not knowing whither he went. And in his diary, he made a minute, that he had forsaken all for the Lord's sake, " upon the bond of the divine promise,"expecting the return of an hundred fold in the world to come.

(To be continued.)

Pluralities in the Church of Scotland.The appeal from the decision of the Presbytery of Glasgow in the case of Principal M'Farlane, and the High Church in that city, to which we referred in our Review of last month, (page 596,) was heard before the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, on Wednesday, the 15th October. The business commenced by 10 o'clock, when Dr. Dewar offered

applause. Dr. Chalmers was more than ordinarily impassioned and eloquent. To these gentlemen, Advocate Robertson replied, and at eight o'clock in the evening the parties retired from the bar of the Synod: the debate, however, was protracted till half past one the following morning, the business having occupied the Court 13 hours and a half, when it was put to the vote whether the sentence of the Presbytery of Glasgow be reversed or confirmed, when there appeared-For Reverse, 35--For Confirm, 40-leaving a Majority of 5 against the Plurality. This is a second triumph in which we sincerely rejoice, and happy

shall we be to find this decision confirmed by the General Assembly of next year.

Chapels Opened.-Tuesday, Sept. 23, was opened the new Independent Meeting, James Street, Nottingham, when two excellent sermons were preached, morning and evening, by the Rev. R. S. M'All, M. A. of Macclesfield, and the Rev. John Blackburn, of Claremont Chapel, London.

October 3d, was re-opened, after considerable alteration and improvement, Newfoundland Chapel, Bristol, when the Rev. Henry Townley, Missionary from Chinsurah, preached, and a collection (£91. 6s.) was made in behalf of the London Missionary Society; and on Wednesday, October 23d, Mr. John Wooldridge was ordained to the pastoral office, over the church and congregation, recently raised there by his instrumentality. The circumstances of the case were peculiarly interesting. The chapel, originally built by some admirers of the late Mr. Huntington, and held until very lately in their hands, was about two years and a half ago rented by Thomas Wilson, Esq. Treasurer of Hoxton Academy, with a view to raise, if possible, a new congregation in that part of the city. Through his influence, Mr. W., then a student of that Institution, came to commence his labours there, and, notwithstanding the difficulties that opposed, success, through the blessing of God, has attended his efforts. The chapel has been paid for, and a considerable part of the expense occasioned by its alteration, defrayed, by liberal donations collected in the city from individuals, and at the doors of the chapel after the ordination. Mr. Crisp commenced with reading and prayer; Mr. Lowell delivered the intro ductory discourse, &c.; Dr. Ryland offered the ordination prayer; Dr. Harris delivered the charge; Mr. Elliott, of Devizes, addressed the people; and Messrs. Sibree, of Coventry; Kent, of Trowbridge; Guy, of Clifton; Brown, of Ashton; and Spilsbury, late of

Tewkesbury, engaged in the other parts of the service.

B.

On Wednesday, October 29th, 1823, was opened the spacious new Independent Meeting, at Leicester, (for the use of the Rev. J. Mitchell and congregation,) when two scrmons were preached, morning and evening, by the Rev. William Thorpe, of Bristol. The Rev. R. Hunter, of Great Wigstone; Hobson, of Welford; C. Burditt, of Sutton; R. Newton, of Ashby, and other ministers present conducted the other parts of the service. This is the largest dissenting meeting in Leicester, and increases the number of places of that description belonging to various denominations in Leicester to twenty-two.

A new Independent chapel, 50 feet by 50, was opened in the parish of Horslydown, Borough, London, with seat room for 900 persons, 13th November, 1823. The Rev. Griffith Williams, of Gate Street, commenced with prayer. The Rev. Spedding Curwen, of Barbican, preached from 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. Rev. Jos. Denton, of Mill Wall, concluded. In the evening the Rev. William Seaton, of Wandsworth, prayed. The Rev. Dr. Styles, of Holland Chapel, preached from Matt. xviii. 20. The Rev. H. L. Poppewell concluded.

Recent Deaths.-On Thursday, the 13th of November, in the 66th year of his age, died Mr. Charles Taylor, late of Hatton Garden, London. This gentleman has been long known to the reli

gious public for his extensive acquaint

ance with Biblical criticism and antiquities. He was for many years the editor and principal contributor to the Literary Panorama. He distinguished

himself in the Baptist controversy, by publishing "Facts and Evidences on the subject of Baptism"--a work justly esteemed for the mass of interesting information it contains on that debateable subject. But his most valuable work, is Calmet's Dictionary, which he published with Fragments and Illustrations, &c. It is believed, that the labour of getting a fourth and much improved edition of that elaborate work through the press, hastened his dissolution, as he was spared only a few months after he had completed that enduring monument of his learning and industry.

On Tuesday, the 18th of November, we regret to state, died the Rev. Samuel Lowell, late of Bristol, after a short illness of 10 days. His loss will be deeply deplored by his own people, and a large circle of friends, by whom he was justly respected. We shall be happy to furnish our readers with some farther particulars of this valuable minister.

THERE is something, to our minds, inexpressibly disgusting in the details of the interview to which we have just referred. In the use of the term "manly," we must limit it specifically to the statement of grievances; here Du Bosc appears to have been firm and decided, but in all beside his language was that of servile compliment and eastern homage. He talked gravely of the "miraculous birth" of Louis, and addressed the despot in the following disgraceful language.

"You hold the place of God; and I act before your majesty, as if I beheld God himself, whose image you are! I protest holily in your presence, that I repeat the truth just as it is."

All this adulation missed its aim. Louis was not a man to be disarmed of his obstinate intention by a few sentences of silken sycophancy, however his pride might be gratified by the subserviency which they implied. The work of vexation, perfidy, and spoliation went forward; the minister La Vrilliere brutally told the deputies of the Protestant churches, that he would soon break their arms and legs, in allusion to the scheme

*A piece of gross and impious flattery which seems to have been fashionable in the reign of Louis XIV. It took its origin, we imagine, from the circumstance of his birth which took place in 1638, after his mother, Anne of Austria

had lost all hope of children.

CONG. MAG. SUPP. 1823.

which was in progress for depriving them of their churches. This iniquitous plan was carried into execution, in defiance of law and right, the first giving the form of legal claim to forty years possession, and the latter resting upon cession, recognition, and guarantee. Commissaries were appointed, who proceeded with the formalities of judicial investigation, but with undisguised contempt of essential justice. Hand in hand with these tyrannous proceedings other harsh measures were urged on, in utter mockery of claim and equity. By the Edict of Nantes, courts had been established for the due and impartial administration of justice between Papists and Protestants, and a certain proportion of the justiciaries was selected from the latter. These " Chambers of the Edict" were now abolished, and the king, his ministers, the provincial parliaments, and the priesthood, seemed to have combined in an unrelenting purpose to harass and pursue to extremity all who professed the principles of the Reformation.

During these oppressive transactions the deputies of the churches were not inactive; they memorialized the king's ministers, and used their utmost efforts to gain the ear of royalty itself. Du Bosc appears to have drawn up the more important of the various Ꮞ Ꭱ