«The storm came on in the most sudden manner, and in the course of a very short period swept upwards of thirty souls (fishermen and pilots) into eternity! nineteen of whom have left widows and sixty children to deplore their loss, and are totally deprived of every means of supporting themselves, having lost their property, as well as their friends! The loss of their boats and nets is estimated to be upwards of 12001. A public subscription has been set on foot, in order to supply, if possible, a part of their melancholy loss. The boats were so near, that the people on the shore heard distinctly, amidst the rattling tempest, the agonizing shrieks of affrighted and expiring nature. Many beheld their nearest and dearest rela tives contending with the raging billows, but were incapable of rendering them assistance; and saw these proud waves' quickly gain the contest, and plunge them to the bottom of the deep. 6 "One poor mother saw her only remaining son sink near to the same spot where, but a few years ago, her beloved husband and another son were torn from her, and hurried to the bar of God! Jehovah is, in deed, terrible in majesty! He makes bare his arm, and scatters his mighty terrors abroad. The wind and the sea confess his power, and execute his deep designs. O, that this affecting and mysterious Providence may be seriously and wisely regarded! Surely it calls loudly for renewed exertions among the sailors in particular." PROVINCIAL. ORDINATIONS, CHAPELS, &c. July 26, Rev. J. Elborough, late student of Hoxton Academy, was set apart over the Independent Church, Thetford, Norfolk. Mr. Alexander, of Norwich, commenced the service; Mr. Hull, of Norwich, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Ward, of Stowmarket, proposed the usual questions, and offered the ordination-prayer; Mr. Ray, of Sudbury, gave the charge from 2 Tim. ii. 15; Mr. Dewhirst, of Bury St. Edmund's, preached to the people from 2 Cor. i. 12; Mr. Garthwaite, of Wattisfield, concluded. In the evening, Mr. Alexander preached. Cambridgeshire Sunday School Union.The Fifth Annual Meeting of this Society was held at the Meeting-house in Green-street, Cambridge, July 27. R. Foster, jun. Esq. (the Treasurer) in the Chair. The Report was read by the Rev. S. Thodey, and the Resolutions were proposed and seconded by the different ministers and gentlemen present. Though the weather was unfavour able, the friends of the Society from a distance made a point of attending, and disco vered a lively interest in the proceedings. It is a subject of the greatest thankfulness to God, that this Society has been enabled to do much in exciting a spirit of zeal in the neighbouring villages, and has rendered its welcome assistance to those benevolent individuals, who were disposed to teach others to read the blessed records of eternal life. The following statement of its numbers at three different periods, will shew its gradual increase: 1817, 12 schools, 1040 children, 150 teachers. 1819, 18. 1364 221. 1821, 28 2297 ...... 320. ..... ..... ...... R. Foster, jun. Esq. was re-elected Treasurer, and Messrs. S. Gallyon and G. Paul, Secretaries. In the evening, the Rev. Mr. Crisp, Tutor of the Theological Seminary at Bristol, preached an impressive sermon upon the occasion, Psalm cxviii. 25. " O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.' July 30 and 31, a new Independent Chapel was opened at Rhydri, in Glamorganshire. On Monday afternoon, the 30th, the service was commenced by Mr. Jones, of Lanharan; Mr. Davies, of Swansea, preached from Gen. xxviii. 17; and Mr. Morris of Tredegar, Zech. viii. 23. Tuesday morning, Mr. Bynon of Llangynwyd, introduced the service; Mr. Lewis of Aber, preached from Isaiah lvii. 15; Mr. Lewis of Newport, John xviii. 38; and Mr. Jones, Pontypool, Ex. xx. 24. In the afternoon, Mr. Davies, Cymar, introduced; Mr. Williams, Tynycoed, preached from Ps. cxliv. 3; and Mr. Jones, Bridgend, Isaiah liv. 10, In the evening, Mr. Harrison of Aberdare, prayed; Mr. Jones of Lanharan, preached from Luke xix. 41, 42; and Mr. Evans, Mynyddbâch, Gen. xix. 17. Some years ago, the inhabitants of the parish of Rhydri possessed but very few religious privileges, not having a place of worship within a convenient distance. A few of the members of the church at Whitecross, about five miles from Rhydri, then residing in that parish and its vicinity, rented a small cottage as a place of worship; prayer meetings, &c. were held every week. The minister of White-cross preached to them once every month, and occasionally other ministers. But in a short time, some of those members being moved to a distance, and others called into the world of spirits, their number was so much reduced, that those who were left thought of giving up the cottage to the owner. Among them, however, was an active, zealous, and indefatigable old man, who could not be prevailed upon to relinquish the cause, but laboured diligently for years, though with little prospect of success. More than once has he been known to have gone, when only himself and one other pious old christian attended; and frequently, when he was the only person who could engage in prayer. But so exemplary was his conduct, that he was highly respected by his neighbours; who would say, "So long as is able to go to meeting, we will go there too." The old pilgrim, thus persevering, assisted by a few brethren, their Pastor, and the worthy inhabitants, they were enabled to keep open the cottage for religious worship, until the desponding period was over. At length their hearers became very numerous, and it was deemed necessary that a chapel should be erected. When this intention was made known to the inhabitants, they evinced the utmost readiness to contribute to the building. Accordingly the chapel was erected, which will contain about 500 persons; half the expense has been already paid, and it is fully expected that the remainder will soon be discharged. The state of religion in this vicinity, now presents a very pleasing aspect. May this narration prove an additional encouragement to professing christians, not to be weary in well doing. August 1, the Rev. R. Robinson, late student at Blackburn Academy, was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Independent Church at Cratfield, Suffolk. Mr. Haward, of Rendham, began with prayer and reading; Mr. Ward, of Stowmarket, delivered the inintroductory discourse, and asked the questions, &c.; Mr. Dennant, of Halesworth, offered the ordination-prayer; Mr. Fletcher, from Blackburn, gave the charge; Mr. Dewhirst, of Bury St. Edmund's, addressed the people; Mr. Hickman, from Denton, concluded the service with prayer; Mr. Fletcher preached in the evening. Aug. 8, Rev. T. Williams Jenkyn, late of Old College, Homerton, was set apart to the pastoral charge over the Church meeting in Noble Street, Wem, Shropshire. Mr. Weaver opened the service with reading the Scriptures; Mr. Kidd, of Whitchurch, engaged in prayer; Dr. Lewes, President of the North Wales Academy, described the nature of a church from Acts xiv. 23. and asked the usual questions; Mr. Francis, of Ludlow, offered up the ordination-prayer; Dr. Winter (Mr. J.'s pastor) gave a very solemn and affectionate charge from 1 Tim. iv. 16.; and Mr. Walford, Classical Tutor at Homerton College, addressed the people from 1 Cor. xvi. 16. August 22, a small neat chapel, capable of holding about 500 persons, was opened at Pilton Green, in the Peninsula of Gower, Glamorganshire. The service commenced in the usual way, by the Rev. Mr. Hammerton. After which, two discourses were delivered by Mr. Jenkin Lewis, of Newport, Monmouthshire; and Mr. Luke (late of Swansea); Mr. Noyes concluded the service with prayer. Two discourses were again deliveredi n the afternoon by the Rev. Mr. Watkin Williams, of Trewen, and Mr. Luke. The devotional part of the service was conducted by Messrs. Noyes, Jones, and Griffiths. August 22 and 23, the old Dissenting Chapel (Ynysgou) in the town of MerthyrTydfil, after having undergone a thorough repair, was re-opened for divine worship. On Wednesday evening, Mr. Griffiths, of Newport, commenced the service; Messrs. James, Cardiff; Jones, Maesyronen (English;) and Jones, Llanharan, preached. On Thursday morning, at 7 o'clock, Mr. Price, Tredegar, began; and Mr. C. Morris, student, Carmarthen, preached. At 10, Mr. Evans, Nantyglo, prayed; and Messrs. Williams, Llanwrtyd; Jones, Pontypool (English ;) and Griffiths, Glandwr, preached. At three, Mr. Morris, Tredegar, prayed; and Messrs. Bowen, Neath (English ;) and Lewis, preach ed. At 6, Mr. Howel, Baran, prayed and preached; and Mr. Hughes, White-cross, preached. The congregations were numerous, respectable, and attentive. August 24th, the foundation-stone of another chapel, to be erected at Park Mill, in Gower, and to be called Mount Pisgah, was laid by Master Wellman, of Poundsford Park, Somerset; after which, his venerable and pious grandmother, the Right Hon. Baroness Barham, offered up a fervent prayer in the presence of a numerous congregation. The Rev. J. Lewis preached from Ps. lxxxvii. 5; Messrs. Hammerton, Noyes, and Griffiths, engaged in the other parts of the service. This Chapel, when completed, will be the sixth place of worship, for which the inhabitants of Gower are indebted to the Right Hon. Baroness. August 30, at Bridge Street Chapel, Bristol, the Rev. Herbert Herbert, late Student of Lanfyllin, was set apart to the pastoral office over the Welsh Congregational Church usually meeting at Bakers' Hall. The service commenced a quarter before six, Mr. W. Thorn, of Penrith prayed; Dr. Ryland delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. D.Davies, Penywain, asked the questions, and received the confession of faith, both in English and Welsh; Mr. Percy, of Warwick offered up the ordination-prayer. Mr. Thorp delivered an excellent charge to the Minister, and Mr. G. Hughes, of Whitecross, to the people. The congregation was nume rous, and the solemnities of the evening highly interesting. Sept. 4, the Rev. J. S. Watson, late of Oat Hall, was ordained Pastor of the newly formed Congregational Church worshipping in London Street, Reading. Mr. J. H. Hinton, of Reading, commenced the service with Sandbach, proposed the usual questions, and received Mr. R.'s confession of faith; Mr. Wilson, of Northwich, offered up the ordination-prayer; Mr. Turner, of Knutsford, gave the charge, from Matt. x. 16.; and Mr. Bradley, of Manchester, preached to the people from 1 Cor. iii. 7. Cheshire Union.-The half-yearly meeting of the Cheshire Union was held at Sand prayer; Mr. J. Sherman, of Reading, offered the general prayer; Dr. Collyer, of Peckham, explained the nature of a Gospel Church; Mr. C. Hyatt, of London, proposed the usual questions, &c.; Mr. Walker, of Peppard, offered up the ordination-prayer; Mr. G. Evans, of London, gave the charge from John xiii. 17; Dr. Collyer preached to the people from 1 Thes. ii. 1; and Mr. Newbury, of Brack-bach on the first Wednesday and Thursday nell, closed the service with prayer. in September. On the Wednesday evening the evening Mr. Lear (Wesleyan Minister) a sermon was preached by Mr. Harris, of commenced with prayer; Mr. C. Hyatt, preached on Brotherly Love; Mr G. Lawrie, of Reading, closed with prayer. The Chapel in London Street not being large enough, the use of the Wesleyan place of worship was kindly granted for the occasion. In Same day, the foundation-stone of a new Chapel was laid in Southwood Lane, Highgate, for the use of the church and congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Thomas. A large concourse of people were assembled, when prayer was offered up by the Rev. E. J. Jones; Dr. Harris gave a -suitable address, and the Rev. John Yockney concluded in prayer. The Rev. B. Rayson preached in the evening. Sept. 5, the Rev. G. Nettleship, late of Rotherham College, was publicly set apart to the work of the Ministry over the Independent Church and Congregation at South Cave. A sermon was preached on Tuesday evening; a special prayer meeting at seven on Wednesday morning. At half-past ten o'clock the service commenced in the usual way by Mr. Sykes, of Hornsey; Mr. Curwen, of Cottingham, delivered the introductory discourse, and received the confession of faith; Mr. D. Williams, of Swanland, implored the divine blessing; and Mr. Gilbert, of Hull, delivered an animated and impressive charge from Malachi ii. 5, 6, 7. In the evening, Mr. Wm. Greenwood, of Walton, addressed the church and congregation from 1 Cor. xvi. 10.; the devotional parts of the service were conducted by Messrs. Watkinson, Hutton, Flocker, Rust, and Smith: after which the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered, when the Rev. D. Williams presided. Through the divine blessing, the cause of Christ at South Cave has much revived during the last year, and the hope of future prosperity is encouraging, Sept. 5th, the Rev. John Robinson, late of Rotherham Independent College, was or dained pastor of the church of Christ meet. ing at Queen Street Chapel, Middlewich, Cheshire. Mr. Kidd, of Whitchurch, introduced the service with reading and prayer; Mr. Harris, of Macclesfield, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Silvester, of Macclesfield, from Matt. xvi. 18. On the Thursday morning, at seven o'clock, a sermon was preached by Mr. Kidd, of Whitchurch, from John xv. 26. The ministers and delegates from the several churches in the county met at ten in the forenoon, to transact the business of the Union. Several interesting communications were read from the itinerants and others, relating to the progress of the Gospel in the county, and particularly in the districts to which the attention of the Union has been directed, in several of which much good has been done, and present appearances are considered to be very encouraging. Various Resolutions were passed, and sums voted, from the funds of the Union, for the support of itinerant preaching in the different parts of the county. In the evening another sermon was preached by Mr. Ashton, of Stockport, from Ex. xxxvii. 23. and the interesting services of the meeting were closed with the administration of the Lord's Supper. The next meeting will be held at Northwich on the Wednesday and Thursday after the first Sabbath in April 1822. NOTICES. The next half yearly meeting of the new Independent Association for the southem parts of Lincolnshire and the Isle of Ely, will be held, D.V. at the Rev. W. Everett's meet ing-house, Whittlesea, on Wed. Nov. 7, when two sermons will be preached; by Mr. Chappel, of Yaxley, in the morning; and by Mr. Holmes, of Wisbeach, in the evening. The Autumnal Meeting of the Herts Union will be held at Mr. Sloper's Chapel, Hitchin, on Thursday Nov. 8, when two Sermons are expected to be preached one in the afternoon by Mr. Morell, Tutor of Wymondly College; and the other in the evening by Mr. Hillyard, of Bedford. Highland Library. -The Rev. John Brown, of Whitburn, lately received two handsome donations of religious books, to assist the Libraries now fitting up in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland; these were sent by two respectable Booksellers in London. INDIA. CALCUTTA. Letter from Mr. Keith one of the Missionaries roat Calcutta, dated 20th April 1821. REV. AND DEAR SIR, Ir is just five years to day since I embarked on board the Moira with my colleague Mr. Townley, destined for this city, where we arrived in September 1816. Here we have been enabled to preach the glorious Gospel of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to our fellow creatures every week, not only without interruption, but, I trust, with some degree of success. We have not had that out-pouring of the Spirit on our English congregation which we could have wished; but yet the Lord has not left us to labour in vain, for there are some in the congregation whose se eyes the Lord has opened, and they can say one thing we know, that whereas we were blind, now we see." وق The English congregation not only assist us with their substance but with their prayers; and a few have come forward to labour in the Lord's vineyard. Two have given themselves wholly to the work; two others, who retain their situations, employ their respective talents in making the Saviour known, one of them in Bengalee, and the other in English, on sabbath, and through the week when business permits. In the English congregation many distributors of Tracts in the native languages are also to be found. Thus our English preaching turns out to the furtherance of our Mission in this great and populous city. The increase of vital godliness among Europeans will have its influence on the minds of the native population; and we may expect the natives will feel the force of divine truth and the absurdity of their own system the more, as the doc trine of the Gospel is reduced to practice by those who profess it. 140 When these things, in connexion with the establishment of the Bengal Auxiliary Missionary Society, and the erection of Union Chapel, are considered, it will be seen that the London Missionary Society have not spent their time and money in vain on the Mission to Calcutta. Let the pious mind dwell for a little on the idea of three native places of worship, in which the Gospel xxix, is preached unto idolaters, every week.-Let the Christian who knows the good effects of the circulation of Tracts, view the nature and number of those printed by the Bengal Auxiliary Society-their nature will be learnt by a perusal of the different Tracts which have been published, and their number up to the present date is about 90,000! An instance of their usefulness will be seen in referring to the Third Report of the Society. Another came to my knowledge last Wednesday. I called at Mr. Trawin's to see Mr. Townley, who had just come down from Chinsurah to preach that evening at the opening of Union Chapel; he told us that he had an interview with a young man, a Roman ceived a Bible from Mr. May, about four Catholic, lately at Chinsurah, who had re years ago, which he read; and he also men tions that he had read all our Bengalee Tracts, and that they had been very useful to him. He specified the Dialogue between the Malee and Durwan, and the Voyage from England to India-another dialogue. If nothing more were done by all the Tracts, these instances would be sufficient to repay all the labour and money that have been spent on publishing the total number; but no one who is acquainted with the way in which the Lord works, will conclude that this is the only good that has been done by these silent messengers of peace. Opening of the New Chapel in Calcutta. Union Chapel being so far completed as to admit divine service to be held within its walls, was opened for that purpose on Wednesday the 18th inst. at half past seven in the evening; and although the night turned out bad, it was full, and the congregation evinced their approbation of its erection by a liberal collection, at the close of the service, of between 12 and 1300 rupees, or about £150. This is a large sum, when it is considered that it is only a few months since I went round and collected between 5 and 6,000 rupees for the building fund. The Rev. J. Lawson commenced the service by giving out a hymn; the Rev. E. Cary offered up the introductory prayer. Mr. Townley preached from Zech. iv. 7, "He shall bring forth the headstone," &c, 20 Here is a house erected for God, 70 by 52 feet; constructed so as to admit of a gallery, if it be wanted. About 30,000 rupees or the sum of £3,750 has been raised here for its erection; and among those who have given of their substance,are there not somewho will pray that it may be the birth place of many souls ? Yes, certainly, there will some be found; and it be hoped that some of the deluded may votaries of superstition shall "there begin their lives a-new;" and be raised up to proclaim within its walls the glorious Gospel of the blessed Jesus when we are no more. Thus, dear Sir, I have given you a brief view of what we have been enabled to do since the day we embarked for India. What cause for gratitude and thankfulness, that thus we have been spared and enabled to go forward in our work, notwithstanding all our short comings! SURAT. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Fyvie, Surat, to Mr. Langton, dated 12th Feb. 1821. We have an amazingly large field in Surat, and I may say, that it is becoming increasingly interesting. Our time is very much taken up in the translation, and must necessarily continue so for some years, until the Scriptures are finished. We make a point of spending some part of every day (generally the evening) amongst the natives in the city and suburbs, or in the villages around. About a month ago I paid my first visit to the villages of Sunnia, about nine miles to the eastward of Surat. I arrived there about five o'clock, and was conducted to a seat made of mud and cowdung, such as are generally to be found at the doors of Hindoo houses. Here I sat until about 10 o'clock, reading and distributing Tracts, and speaking the word of the' Lord to the people. The moon shone delightfully, and I believe the greater part of every description of persons in the village, came out to visit me in the course of the evening, and expressed themselves much pleased with what they saw and heard. I spent the greater part of the next day amongst them, and returned to Surat in the evening, much gratified with my visit, and earnestly praying that God would pour out his Spirit on these poor villagers. This is the blessing needed in India! O that British Christians may give the Lord no rest, until he pour out his Spirit, as water on the thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground! In this manner I visit the villages about Surat, of which the number is very great. I experience much kindness from the people, and can truly say that I find great pleasure in the service; but the mighty power of God is necessary to effect the great work on which all our hearts are set. SOUTH TRAVANCORE. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Mead, one of the Missionaries, to the Rev. Mr. Lewis, Islington. Nagurcoil, 26th Feb. 1821. THIS Mission is situated in a country where idolatry is supported at an immense expense, and with enthusiastic folly. The whole country was formerly made over to the false idol of their worship; and then, every inch of ground we now tread upon was devoted to the Brahmins and their deities. A vast change in the aspect of the country has taken place since 1807, when Mr. R— first arrived in Travancore. We have much reason to be thankful for the tolerant spirit of the native government, and the protecting shield of the British name. The higher orders of natives are the most depraved and abandoned part of the community; "the poor have the Gospel preached unto them." Upwards of 5,000 have renounced heathenism, and no longer offer sacrifice to devils, as they formerly did. They are all enjoying the blessing of Christian instruction, as far as we are able to attend to their requests for Schoolmasters or Catechists. We are constantly visiting them, and preaching the Gospel to them, and rendering them every other assistance in our power. To us they refer for counsel and advice in every diffi culty, and to us they apply for redress under every grievance. The burthen is vastly too great, and we are sometimes ready to faint. Hitherto, however, strength has been equal to our day. The past year has been marked with several auspicious circumstances. The arrival of another fellow-labourer; the increase of our schools and congregations; the erection of several new places of worship; greater attendance on the Sabbath; evident increase in knowledge; and a spirit of liberality according to the ability of the people-are amongst our encouragements to go forward. New Station at Quilon. After much deliberation, we have resolved to commence a (Malayalim) branch of the Mission at Quilon. The importance of the station was felt to be so great, that we were `all equally willing to go; but brother Smith was at length fixed upon, as the most proper person to make the trial. We wish to have a chain of schools on the high road, at the principal stations from Arambooly (entrance of Travancore) to Quilon, the head-quarters of the troops, and the principal abode of the |