mind, he neglected to apply to persons from whom the bare mention of his name, or misfortunes, would have elicited assistance. After paying for his lodging, out of the bounty of the Captain, on Sunday and Monday nights, and procuring a little bread, and giving a poor distressed youth 1d. his small stock was completely exhausted; and unable to procure further accommodations, he spent Tuesday night in the neighbouring fields, after having walked upwards of 40 miles in quest of a vessel sailing for Liverpool. When he embarked on board the packet, on Wednesday, he had neither money nor food, and during the course of the voyage he subsisted on a few crusts given him by a female passenger. The feelings which his return excited in the bosom of his relatives are indescribable. They were busy in preparing the "suits of woe," and when he presented himself, their eyes doubted what they wished to be true. But their doubts soon vanished; his parents again beheld, though in ragged attire, their beloved son, whom they supposed dead; they embraced him with all the joy which may be supposed would be caused by such an unexpected interview, and all joined in fervent acknowledgments to that great Being, who had again restored him to his friends. On Thursday, Sept. 5, the west side of the Independent Meeting, situated at the Stoneway, Bridgnorth, Salop, fell with a tremendous crash, taking with it the gallery, and part of the roof. This unexpected event appears to have been occasioned by the decay of the rock on which the foundation was laid. Very providentially there was not any one in jured. On Friday evening, Sept. 13, a most melancholy event took place at Rochester. Mr. Mills (an occasional and acceptable preacher), with Mrs. Mills, and their infant child, Mr. Gilbert (Mrs. Mills's brother), who was of age that day, and his sister, with 8 young ladies of Mrs. M.'s school, and a servant, were returning home from an excursion up the river, about half past 7, the boat, by running foul of a spar which was laid across one of the arches of Rochester bridge, was upset, and, dreadful to relate, the whole party (fifteen in number, including the water man) were immediately drowned. This awful occurrence has made an unusual impression on the public mind. WISBEACH QUARTER SESSIONS. At the General Quarter Sessions, holden at Wisbeach on the 17th of July last, a singular and novel appeal came before the magistrates for their determination, in which Robert Newstead, a preacher in the Methodist connexion, was appellant, and the Rev. Algernon Peton, rector of Doddington, and Thomas Orton, Esq. two of his Majesty's Justices for the Isle of Ely, were respondents. It appeared from the conviction, and the evidence adduced in support of it, that the offence with which Mr. Newstead stood charged was, the collecting together a congregation or assembly of persons, and preaching to them, otherwise than according to the liturgy and practice of the Church of England, in a field which had not been licensed. This was Mr. Newstead's crime ! Against the legality of this conviction Mr. Newstead appealed. Richard Vince, servant to Mr. Peyton, proved that he heard Mr. Newstead preach in a field at Doddington, on Sunday, the 7th of April last; that he preached contrary to the liturgy of the Church of England; and that there were more than 20 persons present. On his cross-examination, he admitted that he did not know what it was he preached, whether it were a prayer or sermon ; it was something, but he knew not what; and that he knew he preached contrary to the liturgy of the Church of England, because he had not the Prayer book in his hand. A case The Magistrates confirmed the conviction, and hence Mr. Newstead became liable to the penalty of £30. or to three months' imprisonment. was demanded, on the part of Mr. Newstead, for the opinion of the Court of King's Bench; but the prosecutors having proposed to abandon the prosecution, and engaged not to enforce the penalties, the friends of Mr. Newstead withdrew their application, having obtained all they could desire. The question of right, however, between the rector and the preacher remains undecided.--Times. ASSOCIATIONS. THE tenth annual meeting of the Lancashire Union of Ministers and Churches of the Independent Denomination was held at Blackburn, on the 10th and 11th of April last. Mr. Walker, of Preston, preached in the evening of the 10th, and Mr. Smith, of Mill-bank, at 7 the next morning. The ministers and delegates met at 10, and at 3 the public meeting was commenced, Mr. Heron in the chair. Mr. Steill, of Wigan, prayed, and Mr. Roby, of Manchester, read the report. Mr. Hadfield gave an abstract of the business in the morning, and of the sums voted to the itinerants, &c. The following resolution deserves particular notice: viz. ..That it be recommended to the Ministers in the Union, to itinerate personally through their se veral districts, for a week or fortnight together in rotation, preaching every evening in the weck, excepting Satur. the New Testament in the Syriac language and day, and three times on the Lord's-day; character. But whatever pleasure the paand that, to accommodate them in this trous of this Academy may experience, from labour of love, either a supernumerary the attainments of the students in literature, Minister be provided for each district, to divinity, natural and moral science, they are preach for them whilst itinerating, or still more highly gratified, that under the that their reasonable expences in provid- smiles of heaven, the Institution has been ining a supply for themselves, as well as in strumental in diffusing extensively the knowtravelling, be defrayed from the funds ledge of the Redeemer's name. In conseof the Society." quence of the labours of the students, during the last three years, congregations, some of them numerous and respectable, having been collected, and new chapels opened at Stainland, Northowram, Wortley, Pateley-Bridge, Malton, Chester-le-Street, and Sunderland, whilst, by the same means, other congregations are at present forraing. Mr. Kay was requested to continue his valuable services as Treasurer, and Mr. John Hope and Mr. George Hubbard, their arduous labours as Secretaries. The meeting was concluded with prayer by Mr. Harris, of Bury. In the evening, Mr. Ely, of Rochdale, preached, and the ordinance of the Lord's-supper concluded the whole. July 10, the Annual Meeting of the Kent Independent Association was held at MarThe Report contains an account of the den. Mr. Chapman of Greenwich, preached proceedings of the Association at North in the morning from Ephes iii. 8; and Mr. Meols, Prescot, Leigh, Wharton, Hindley, Young of Margate in the evening from Rom. Harwood, Burnley, Martintop, &c. Orrell, viii. 1. On the preceding evening Mr. Exall Chorley, The Filde, and Kirkby-Lonsdale, at of Tenterden preached, his subject was Matt. which last place, Mr. France, of Lancas- v. 8. ter, Mr. Hope (statedly on the Sabbath,) the Ministers of the Yorkshire Itinerancy, Mr. M'Lean, of Kendal, and Mr. J. Cockin, of Holmfirth, appear to have been instruments of doing much good. In several other places a pleasing degree of success has crowned these praise-worthy efforts of our Lancashire brethren. But we have not room to insert the details. CHAPELS OPENED. June 26, a new chapel was opened at Chepstow, Monmouthshire; Rev. Mr. Holfrom Haggai, ii. 19; Mr. Bradley of Stowe, loway of Bristol, preached in the morning in the afternoon from Phil. ii. 9--11; and Mr. Cope of Launceston, in the evening from Matt. xvi. 24-26; Messrs, Jones of Cardiff, Davies of Caerwint, Harris and Cousins of Coleford, engaged in prayer. Although the day was very unfavourable, the services were well attended. At Leamington Spa, some time since, the gospel was introduced, but the place obtained soon becoming too small, a commodious chapel has been erected, and was opened July 10, last; when the Rev. J. A. James of Birmingham, preached in the morning, and Mr. Hartley of Lutterworth, in the evening; Messrs. Franklin, Holmes, Bromiley, and Percy, engaged in prayer. The congregations were very good, and the collection handsome. About £700. were raised by voluntary contribution before the chapel was built. There is still, however, a considerable debt upon the place, for which further application must be made to the religious public. INDEPENDENT ACADEMY AT IDLE.-The Annual Meeting of the subscribers to this Institution was held, June 19, at the Academy House. On the preceding day, the examining committee met to ascertain the proficiency the students had made. Passages of Cæsar, Virgil, Cicero, Xenophon, Longinas, and the Hebrew Scriptures were read, which gave ample satisfaction: Next day, in the forenoon, after serious deliberation, five young men, who had completed their period of probation, were admitted to all the benefits of the Institution. Six senior students then read each an essay: Mr. Fox on the Imputed Righteousness of Christ; Mr. Holgate on the Moral Law as a Rule of Life; Mr. White on the Christian Warfare; Mr. Hutton on the great Importance of a Religious Life; Mr. Wadsworth on the Life of Faith; and Mr. Sutcliffe on the Blessedness of the Righteous. At the close of these exercises, Mr. Scott, of Cleckheaton, delivered an appropriate address to the Students. After dinner the subscribers entered on the business of the Academy. In the course of the year 1815, but not at the usual time of exaAug. 7, a neat and commodious chapel was mination. Mr. Harper had settled at Alston opened at Prickwillow, near Ely. Mr. ShensMoor, Cumberland, and Mr. Clarkson at Mix- ton of London, preached in the morning; enden, near Halifax, who, after having both Mr. Arrow of Lynn, in the afternoon; and made satisfactory progress in the knowledge Mr. Dewhirst of Bury, in the evening; of the Latin, French, Greek, and Hebrew, Messrs. M'Kenzie, Norman, Pavitt, Robinlanguages, had also read the Chaldee of the son, Roote, and Kemp, assisted in the devo Old Testament, and a considerable portion of tional exercises. The services were unme The anniversary of Littlebourne Chapel was held Aug. 6. Mr. Atkinson, of Margate, and Mr. Prankard, of Sheerness, preached. In the afternoon the children were publicly examined by Mr. Gurteen, and addressed by Mr. Bloomfield. rously attended, and the prospect is truly encouraging. The congregation (collected from the fens) is much obliged to à benevolent individual on the spot, notwithstanding which, it will be necessary to appeal to the religious public for assistance. Aug. 7, was re-opened the chapel at Wickford, in Essex, after having been much enlarged In the morning Mr. Low commenced the service; Mr. Hayter of Stock and Ingatestone, prayed; Mr. Craig of Bocking, preached from 2 Cor. iv. 15; and Mr. Thornton of Bellericay, concluded. In the afternoon Mr. Freeman of Chelmsford, began; Mr. Smith of Brentwood, preached from 1 Pet. iii. 12; and Mr. Pilkington of Rayleigh, concluded. £300. have been expended on this enlargement, of which half has been collected, and the public will be appealed to for the remainder. Aug 14, a neat chapel was opened at Newton Poppleford, a populous village, between Sidmouth and Ottery, Devon. The Rev. J. Turnbull began with prayer, &c. Mr. Bidlake, of South Petherton, preached from Rom. x. 17. Mr. Wells, of Lambrook, concluded. In the afternoon, Mr. Noble, of Tiverton, opened the service; Mr. Allen preached from Nebem. xiii. 2.; Mr. Baker, of Exmouth, concluded. Preaching has been carried on for several years at this village, by neighbouring ministers, in a small hired The present place is owing, under God, to the benevolent and zealous exertions of several friends to evangelical religion at Sidmouth. Rev. Mr. Ward, of Sidmouth, preaches at this village on the Lord's day af ternoon, and once in the week, with a more promising prospect than has ever yet appeared. rooni. course Sept, 10. was opened a new Independent Chapel at Leatherhead. In the morning Mr. Atkinson began the service with prayer and reading. Mr. Lewis delivered a dison public worship. Dr. Waugh preached from John, xii. 20-24. Mr. Johnson, of Farnham concluded. In the afternoon Mr. G. Clayton, of Walworth, preached from Psalm exviii. 25. and Messrs. Cloutt, of London, and Coombs, of Hoxton, engaged in prayer. The services were interesting, the house well filled, and handsome collections made for the infant cause, which has hitherto been supported by private patronage. ORDINATIONS. Sept. 6, 1815, Rev. B. Senior (late student at Idle) to the Christian ministry at Tintwisle, Cheshire. Mr. Marsh, of Charlesworth, opened the service; Mr. Vint, of Idle, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Blackburn, of Delph, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Blake, of Darwen, gave the charge; and Mr. Scott, of Cleckheaton, addressed the church, &c. Sept. 27, Rev. T. Coleman ordained at Darleton, near Wolverhampton. Mr. Grif. fiths, of Bilston, began the service; Mr. Cooper, of West Bromwich, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Hudson offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Hammond, of Handsworth, gave the charge, and Mr. Scales, of Wolverhampton, preached to the people, and concluded. June 4, 1816, the Rev. J. E. Trevor was ordained over the independent church at Liskeard, Cornwall. Mr. Bounsail, of St. Colomb, read and prayed; Mr. Cope, of Launceston, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Moore, of Truro, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Gleed, of Teignmouth, gave the charge, from Matt. vii. 28, 29; Mr. Guard, of Mevagissey, preached to the people from Exod. xvii. 12; Mr. Smith, of Fowey, concluded. In the evening, Mr. Rooker, of Tavistock, preached; and Messrs. Davison and Chudleigh, prayed. Mr. Moore, of Truro, preached on the preceding evening. June 7, Rev. T. Pavitt, from Wymondley Academy, was ordained over the Independent church at Ware. Mr. Peirce, of Clavering, commenced the service; Mr. Parry (the Theological Tutor) delivered the charge; Mr. Chaplin, of Bishops Stortford, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Bailey (the Classical Tutor) gave the charge from Rev. xi. 10; Mr. Berry, of Hatfield Heath, the general prayer. Dr. Collyer preached from 1 Tim. v. 17, 18. Mr. Maslin, of Hertford, concluded. June 25, Rev. J. Morris was set apart over the Independent Church, at Broadway, Worcestershire. Mr. Taylor, of Shipston, commenced the services; Mr. Coles, of Bourton, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Bishop, of Gloucester, asked the questions, &c.; Mr. Smith, of Blockley, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Bishop gave the charge from 1 Pet. v. 2.; Mr. Mann, of Morton in the Marsh, addressed the people from 1 Thess. ii. 8.; Mr. Coles preached in the evening, and Mr. Bishop on the preceding evening. The house was much crowded. This interest has been watched over by Mr. Mann about 17 years, who has now resigned his charge to the present pastor, under pleasing prospects of success. July 17, at Congleton, Cheshire, Mr. G. Morris, late a student at Cheshunt, was ordained to the Christian ministry in the connexion of the late Countess of Huntingdon. Mr. Foster, of Rochdale, commenced the service; Mr. Hay, of Warrington, the introductory discourse; Mr. Bradley, of Manchester, offered up the ordination prayer; and Mr. Browning, of Macclesfield, delivered the charge, from 2 Tim. ii. 7. July 31, Mr. W. Everett, (late student at Hoxton,) was ordained pastor of the Independent church at Whittlesea; Mr. Wright of Stamford, commenced the service; Mr. Morell of St. Neots, introduced the business; Mr. Arrow of Lynn, offered the ordi nation prayer; Mr. Dobson of Chishill, delivered the charge from Jer. xlviii. 10; Mr. Harris of Cambridge, addressed the people from Phil. ii. 29: Mr. Bottomley of Rumsey, concluded; Mr. Wright of Stamford, preached in the evening. The place was well attended; and the services of the day highly gra tifying to the well-wishers of Zion. This cause, which has been labouring under great disadvantages, promises to become a prosperous interest in one of the darkest parts of Britain. Aug. 8, Rev. J. P. Briscoe was ordained pastor of the Independent church at Newmarket; Mr. M'Kenzie of Isleham, commenced the service; Mr. Arrow of Lynn, delivered the introductory discourse, &c. Mr. Hopkins of Linton, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Mark Wilks of London, addressed the minister; Mr. Dewhirst of Bury, preached to the people, and Mr. Middleditch of Rattlesden, concluded. In the evening a lecture was preached by Mr Arrow. Same day, the Rev. N. Pugsley, (late student at Hoxton Academy,) was ordained pastor of the church at Orchard Street Chapel, Stockport; Mr. Reynolds of Chester, began the service: Mr. Roby gave the introductory discourse; Mr. Blackburn of Delph, asked the questions; Mr. Bradley offered the ordination prayer; Mr Thorp, of Bristol, delivered the charge from Num. xxvii. 18, 19; Mr Fletcher of Blackburn, preached to the people; Mr. France of Lancaster, preached in the evening, and Mr. Philip of Liverpool, the preceding evening. Aug. 8, the Rev. J. Baker was ordained at Ebenezer Chapel, Exmouth, Devon. Mr. Kilpin, Exon. began the service by prayer, &c. and preached to the people from 2 Thess. iii. 1. Introductory discourse and questions by Mr. Cleed, Teignmouth; ordination prayer by Mr. R. P Allen, Exon; Mr. J. Barton, of Exeter Tabernacle, gave the charge from 1 Tim. iv. 16. and Mr.Turnbull, Ottery, concluded Mr. Allen preached the same evening, and Mr. Gleed on the preceding evening. Messrs. Watkins, Newton; Davison, Chudleigh; and Stokes, Honiton, engaged also in the devotional parts of the service. Aug. 21, the Rev. J. Harper, from the academy at Idle, was ordained pastor of the church, lately under the care of Mr. Norris, jun. at Alston Moor, Cumberland. Mr. Carnson, of Catherstone, introduced the services; Mr. Vint, of Idle, stated the nature of a gospel church, &c.; Mr. Scott, of Hexham, prayed; and Mr. Taylor, of Bradford, gave the charge. The services being divided, Mr. Scott and Mr. Vint preached in the evening from Deut. xii. 19. The chapel here has this summer been considerably enlarged, and the interest is prosperous. Sept. 12, the Rev. Jn. Joys, late student at Idle, was ordained to the pastoral office at Reeth, Yorkshire. Mr. Allison, of Feetham, delivered the introductory discourse, and asked the questions; Mr. Carnson, of Cotherstone, offered the ordination prayer, and addressed the minister, from 2 Tim. ii. 15.; Mr. Stillman, of Keld, preached to the people from John, xv. 8. Thurs. Sept. 12, Messrs. Poole, Davis, and Steward, late Students at Cheshunt, were ordained at Spa Fields Chapel to the work of the ministry in the late Countess of Huntingdon's connexion. Mr. D. Jones, after singing, read select portions of scripture, and prayed; Mr. J. James, one of the tutors, delivered an introductory address, and offered up the ordination prayer; Mr. Rees, of Rodborough, delivered a faithful and affectionate charge before an immense congregation, and concluded with prayer. LONDON. HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, for establishing Schools, and circulating the Holy Scriptures in Ireland. nual Meeting of this Society, in our MaIn the account we gave of the Angazine for June last, p. 224, we particu larly noticed a Resolution, which cailed upon their friends and the public to form Auxiliary Societies, and use other means to obtain subscriptions, donations, and contributions, to enable the Society to preserve and enlarge its usefulness. To carry this resolution more fully into ef lowing is an extract, has been transmitfect a circular Letter, of which the folted, accompanied with a Report of the Society's proceedings during the past year, to various ministers, both in town and country. nian Society have so fully developed its "The Annual Reports of the Hiberdesigns, its operations, and its success, that it is unnecessary to enlarge thereon in this letter. The Committee, however, think it important to remark, that while the Society's schools are open to all established for the peculiar benefit of the the children of the poor, they are yet children of poor Catholics, who by these means have access to the word of God, and daily instruction therein. Thus they obtain the benefits of useful knowledge, and the blessings of pure and undefiled religion; while, from the schools, the sacred Scriptures extend an enlightening and purifying influence to the cottages; and by penetrating the strong holds of ignorance, bigotry, and superstition, prepare the way for a gradual, but certain, emancipation from the degrading yoke and the unscriptural domination of the Church of Rome. 11 "The Committee beg your particular attention to the statement of a very intelligent Correspondent in Ireland, relating to the Schools, inserted in of the Report; and also to the extract, on the same subject, from the Sligo branch of the Hibernian Bible Society, page in pages 15 and 16. On the grounds therefore, of what has been already accomplished by the Hibernian Society; on the consideration that upwards of 19,000 children are now receiving a religious education under its patronage ;--on the prospect of the great, extensive, and permanent good, which presents itself to its friends and supporters; and on the deficiency of its funds to repay past obligations, and the necessity of their being replenished, to continue and extend future operations. "It is, therefore, the particular object of this Letter, to interest you, Rev. Sir, in the formation of an Auxiliary Institution in your congregation, for the support of the Hibernian Society;or that this Institution may be admitted at least to a participation of that liberality which emanates from the Christian zeal and piety of your congregation, through the medium of any Auxiliary Society which has been already established among them: by which means, it is hoped and expected, that the debt to the Treasurer of the Hibernian Society, amounting to upwards of £600. will be liquidated, and the Committee be enabled to comply with importunate and affecting applications for the esta blishment of additional Schools in the darkest parts of our sister country." SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY IN IRELAND. We have just received from Dublin the 6th Report of the above Society, (formerly called the Hibernian Sunday School Society,) by which it appears that during the last year assistance has been afforded to 98 additional schools, containing 10,000 children, and that the total number of schools now assisted is 350, containing 38,598 children. Also, that notwithstanding, during the preceding year, the Society had been obliged to dispose of its funded property, they now have £675. in the hands of the Treasurers to provide for the cur rent year. The Society acknowledge their increased patronage, with liberal assistance from the British and Foreign Bible Society, of Bibles and Testaments, equal in money to £250. and nearly £200. from various Bible Societies in Scotland, beside the donations of individuals. Messrs. Puget and Bainbridge, Warwick Lane, are the agents in London for receiving contributions. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. The next Quarterly Meeting of this Society will be held in Silver Street Chapel on Wednesday evening, Oct. 16, at half-past six o'clock; when, after the usual Reports are received, the following question will be proposed-"What is the best plan for conducting Sunday School Anniversaries ?" Total number of members in the Methodist Societies throughout the world 452,484 PREACHERS.--There are 725 regular Travelling Preachers now stationed in Great Britain, 132 in Ireland, 96 on Foreign Missions, and 704 in the American Methodist Connexion -Total of travelling preachers not included in the preceding account, 1657. The increase of members in Great Britain in the last year is stated to be nearly 10,000, and the West In dies 1000. RECENT DEATHS. On Sunday, Sept. 8, at his house at Islington, aged 78, died Win. Hodson, Esq. formerly a merchant in Lothbury, nearly forty years a manager of Spa Fields Chapel, and a Trustee of the late Countess of Huntingdon's College at Cheshunt. His remains were removed from his late residence, followed by his relations and friends; and at Cheshunt the Students, now in the college, met the procession, and proceeded to deposit his body in the parish church of Cheshunt. Wed. the 18th, aged 70, Wm. Cardale, Esq. of Bedford Row, an intimate friend of the late Mr. Cecil, and who, for a long series of years, had taken a very active part in the management of St. John's Chapel. The above two gentlemen latterly lived in the same village, but had known each other many years. They were actively engaged in separate interests, but hav ing the same object, and they were both men above the ordinary cast. |