and Test Acts to be a grievous restriction of our freedom as subjects, which is not justified by our character or principles.

"2. That these Acts, passed in an era of great ferment, are wholly unsuited to the present times, and are the occasion of animosities and divisions, which are highly injurious to the welfare of the country.

3. That by enforcing conformity to one of the religious services of the Church of England, the Corporation and Test Acts lay a snare for the consciences of Protestant Dissenters, without adding any thing to the security, or even contributing to the dignity, of the Established Church.

“4. That a religious test of civil and political worth is to be deprecated as of unhappy influence upon the purity of religion; and that as Ministers of the Gospel, we consider ourselves peculiarly called upon to make our solemn protest against the perversion of the holy ordinance of the Lord's Supper, instituted by our Saviour for high spiritual ends, and as a symbol of peace and charity, into an instrument of worldly ambition, and a means of annoyance and offence to tender con

sciences.

"5. That under these convictions, we esteem it our duty to unite cordially and vigorously with our brethren, the Protestant Dissenters throughout the kingdom, in making humble, but earnest and persevering application to Parliament, for the repeal of these impolitic and mischievous Statutes.

6. That our warm thanks are hereby given to Lord John Russell, for his declared intention of moving the House of Commons, during the present Session, for the Repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts; and that we rely upon the wisdom of the Legislature and the liberality of his Majesty's Government for the success of his Lordship's motion.

7. That we will forthwith petition the two Houses of Parliament for the Repeal of the above Acts, under which we, as Protestant Dissenters, are aggrieved."

Our friends in the country will, we doubt not, be furnished speedily, either from the Deputies or the Protestant Society, with sufficient instructions respecting the form of a petition proper to be adopted, and the best mode of transmitting it to London for presentation to Parliament. We expect that some papers from these Societies may be stitched into our present number.

LANCASHIRE UNION OF INDEPENDENT CHURCHES.

On the 4th and 5th of April, was held at Manchester, the Annual Meeting of the Lancashire Union of Independent Churches. On the evening of the former day, the public meeting was held at

Grosvenor Street Chapel, on which occasion Mr. S. Fletcher presided. Among others who addressed the Meeting, the Rev. G. Payne, the Theological Tutor at Blackburn Academy, spoke with great effect on the principles of Independency; and on the impossibility of advancing any plausible argument, founded on those principles, against Congregationalists uniting for ge neral purposes of benevolence and religion. On the 5th, the different cases, claiming attention, were taken into consideration, at the close of which meeting, the business was very appropriately concluded by a resolution, that the several congregations should petition Parliament for the repeal of the Corporation and Test acts. In the evening, Mr. Ely preached at Mosely Street Chapel, on the doctrine of election.

ORDINATIONS.

On Tuesday, October 24, 1826, Mr. W. Ayre, Student of Old College, Homerton, was ordained as pastor over the Independent Church at Ullesthorpe, Leicestershire. The Rev. E. Webb, of Leicester, commenced the service by prayer and reading the Scriptures. The introductory discourse was delivered, and the usual questions proposed by the Rev. J. Sibree, of Coventry. The ordination prayer was presented by the Rev. T. Williams, of Lutterworth. The charge to the minister was delivered by Rev. J. Jerrard, of Coventry; and the sermon to the members of the church and congregation, by Rev. W. Scott, of Rowell.

The Independent interest in this village was founded about twenty years ago by the venerable Mr. Grundy, (now of Leicester,) who, for a long period laboured with unwearied assiduity to promote the cause of God in that place; but who has been obliged, through advanced age, and increasing infirmities, to relinquish his ministerial labours. The meeting-house in which the congregation worshipped being peculiarly inconvenient, a new place of worship was erected, and opened in the month of October, 1825, the whole expense of which, amounting to upwards of £600. has been nearly defrayed, and will be so altogether, by the members of the congregation, without making any appeal for assistance to the religious public;-a fact which is honourable to themselves. and worthy the imitation of other congregations.

Feb. 14, the Rev. J. J. Carruthers, from Edinburgh, and formerly Missionary to the Crimea, was publicly recognized as successor to the late Rev. Dr. Bogue, in the pastoral charge of the congregational church, Gosport. On the preceding evening the Rev. J. N. Goulty,__preached from Neh. viii. 8. The Rev. T. S. Gyer commenced the services of the day; the Rev. W. Orme, of Camberwell, stated the

nature and discipline of a gospel church; and a statement was then delivered by Thomas Hoskins, Esq. one of the members, containing a brief and highly interesting history of the church, which has existed and enjoyed an uninterrupted succession of excellent and eminent ministers since the year 1664; the Rev. A. Bishop, of Ringwood, asked the usual questions, which were answered in a luminous, in teresting, and highly satisfactory manner by the newly-elected pastor; the Rev. J. Griffin, of Portsea, offered up the intercessory prayer; a solemn and impressive charge was then delivered to the pastor, by the Rev. Dr. Henderson, Tutor of the Missionary College, from 1 Cor. iii. 12, 13; and the Rev. Dr. Winter, of London, preached to the people from 2 Peter iii. 11; the Rev. J. Soamp, of Havant, concluded the service by prayer. In the evening the Rev. T. Adkins, of Southampton, delivered an interesting discourse from Rev. i. 3. (last clause), and 6. The services of the day excited intense interest; the place of worship was crowded to excess, and more than 30 ministers were present; nearly half a century had elapsed since the ordination of the late venerable Dr. Bogue, to whose memory many affectionate tributes were paid by the various ministers assembled on the occasion, and whose successor they all cordially recognized as their fellow-labourer in the vineyard of the Lord.

A very interesting solemnity took place on the evening of Wednesday, the 21st of March, at Fish Street Chapel, Hull, when the settlement of the Rev. J. Fox, as pastor of the congregation assembling in that place of worship, was publicly recog nized. After the reading of the Scriptures and prayer, by the Rev. W. Wild, of Gainsbro', the Rev. J. Ely, of Rochdale, explained the nature of a Christian church, in an able and eloquent appeal to facts and statements contained in the New Testa

ment. The Rev. J. Morley, of Hull, prayed for a blessing on the union recog. nized. The Rev. W. Vint, of Airedale College, in a manner truly affectionate and paternal, addressed important and appropriate admonitions to the minister; and the Rev. E. Parsons, of Leeds, with much, and excellent effect, discoursed to a large congregation on the apostolic injunction to follow after those things whereby one may edify another."

On Wednesday, March 28th, the Rev. J. W. H. Pritchard, late of Homerton College, was ordained to the pastoral office over the Independent Church, Attercliffe. The Rev. Thomas Smith, A. M., of Sheffield, commenced the service by reading the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. R. W. Hamilton, Leeds, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. J. Boden, of Sheffield, received the confession

of faith; the Rev. Dr. Bennet, of Rotherham, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. J. Gilbert, of Nottingham, gave the charge; the Rev. W. Eccles, of Hopton, preached the sermon to the people. The devotional services were conducted by the Ministers of Sheffield and the neighbourhood.

On Wednesday, April 4th, the Rev. T. G. Stamper, late Assistant to the Rev. A. Douglass, of Reading, and previously a Student under the venerable Dr. Bogue, was ordained to the pastoral office at Uxbridge, as successor to the Rev. G. Redford, now of Worcester; the Rev. J. Harrison, of Wooburn, commenced with reading and prayer; the Rev. A. Douglass (in the absence of the Rev. John Morrison, who was prevented by a heavy domestic affliction from fulfilling his engagement) delivered the introductory discourse, and asked the usual questions; the Rev. Thos. Jackson, of Stockwell, offered the ordination prayer, instead of Mr. Douglass, to whom the introductory discourse had been transferred. The Rev. J. Hunt, of Chelmsford, delivered to the young minister a most appropriate and impressive charge from 1 Tim. iv. 16; the Rev. G. Clayton preached an animated and striking sermon to the people from Deut. i. 38."Encourage him;" the Rev. Dr. Rippon concluded by prayer. The Rev. Dr. Waugh preached in the evening from Ezekiel xlviii. 35, and the Rev. T. Jackson on the preceding evening from Deut. viii. 2. These services were very numerously attended, and were very interesting and impressive.

CHAPEL OPENED.

December 7, a neat and enlarged chapel was opened for religious worship at St. Helen's, in the county of Lancaster. The Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, after having delivered a dedicatory and most appropriate address, preached in the morning, and the Rev. J. Parsons, of York, in the evening. On the afternoon and evening of the Lord's-day following, sermons were also preached on the occasion by the Rev. W. Vint, tutor of Airedale College; and the Rev. W. Vint, Jun. of St. Helen's. The collection amounted to seventy pounds. Since the establishment of this dissenting interest, one hundred and seventeen years have rolled round.

During this period only four ministers, beside the present minister, have been employed in this field of labour-three of whom preached the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer for more than a century of time. The present appearances are truly encou raging. The congregation, though small, increases, and with a liberality well worthy of imitation, have raised among themselves for the erection of this edifice near

two thousand pounds. A spirit of religious inquiry also appears to be excited among the people, and at the last great day of accounts, we doubt not but that of numbers it will be said, in reference to this Zion," that they were born here."

RECENT DEATHS.

Died on the 24th of March, at Heathfield, Sussex, in the 86th year of his age, the Rev. GEORGE GILBERT, the founder, and for 60 years the pastor of the Dissenting Society in that place.

This venerable man must be classed amongst that distinguished band of ministers who were raised up at the early part of last century, from the humblest walks of life, to be eminently useful in the church of Christ. Brought up to a mechanical business which he did not like, he entered the army, as a private in General Elliot's regiment of Light Horse, under whom he served for three years upon the Continent, during the German war, and was engaged in most of the battles fought during that period. Preserved amidst imminent dangers, he returned to England with the regiment, which was quartered at Shrewsbury. Here he married the daughter of a Mr. Wright, for whom he was permitted to work at his former occupation. Shortly after, the Light Horse were ordered to Nottingham to quell a riot, and whilst in this town he was providentially led to hear a Wesleyan preacher, whose sermon was the means of his conversion. He communicated to his wife, by letter, the important change which had taken place in his views! She, in all the ignorance of a carnal mind, was quite unable to comprehend many parts of it, she therefore read it to a pious female friend, who, in the gladness of her heart, exclaimed, "Mrs. G-, your husband is a new creature." She then explained to her those expressions which appeared mysterious, and it pleased God, in a short period, to lead her mind also to a believing reception of the Gospel; and thus they walked together in the enjoyment of the means of grace to their mutual edification. The regiment was now ordered to London, and their commander, General Elliot, now Lord Heathfield, commenced his extensive improvements at Heathfield House, Sussex. Mr. Gilbert solicited permission, at that time not opposed to the discipline of the army, to go and work for his Lordship at the mansion. Here, amidst villagers deplorably ignorant of the Gospel, he first began to exhort sinners to "turn from their wicked way and live." This much offended some influential men, who resolved, if possible, to remove him. Lord Heathfield, shortly after, gave a public dinner on the enclosure of some waste land, and then the question was proposed in his hearing, "What do you think of this new religion?" His Lordship instantly

detected the design, and said, "Gilbert is a worthy fellow, and a good soldier;" which generous commendation silenced the persecutors. As it pleased God to bless his efforts with much success, a small chapel was erected by the exertion of the Rev. Mr. Glasscott, in 1770; and shortly after, when Heathfield House was completed, his noble patron gave him his discharge from the service.

The Congregation increasing, another and more substantial meeting-house was built in 1782. Mr. Gilbert's itinerant

labours were peculiarly useful. He introduced the Gospel into twelve or fourteen villages, in several of which chapels are now built, and pastors ordained over organized churches. About 1807, he became incapacitated for preaching, but still retained the pastoral office, which he resigned in 1826. On the 9th of March he was confined to his bed, and though he suffered much pain, yet he enjoyed the consolations he had so long dispensed to others, and his end was peace.

His funeral was attended by an immense concourse of people, and the pall was borne by six neighbouring ministers. The Rev. J. N. Goulty, of Brighton, delivered an oration at the grave, and the Rev. C. Hyatt, of London, at the particular request of the deceased, made many years since, preached the funeral sermon.

Though uneducated for the work in which he spent his life, yet many sons of literature and science might envy his usefulness and his reward.

Died at Plymouth, April 6th, in the 74th year of his age, the Rev. ROBERT HAWKER, D.D. Vicar of the parish of Charles, Plymouth, and formerly of Magdalen Hall, Oxford.

This venerable man was minister at Plymouth for 50 years, during which period he displayed great benevolence in the formation of several charities, unwearied diligence in the propagation of his peculiar opinions, and unaffected piety in the discharge of his varied duties. Happy would it have been for the church, if his theological sentiments had been as scriptural as his life was blameless.

His end was peculiarly peaceful; being much indisposed, he determined, contrary to the advice of his medical friends, to go to Totness, on a visit to a beloved daughter. Whilst there, his strength rapidly declined, and he, therefore, returned to his home with all the speed his weakness would permit, where he arrived in the afternoon of Friday. Having retired, he called his family around him, to whom he expounded the 1st chapter of Ephesians; when, appearing fatigued, he reclined, as if to rest, they still waiting around, unconscious of any change; they at length found that he was dead. But of the positive time of his tranquil departure they were ignorant.

April 9, 1827, died, the Rev. SOLOMON YOUNG, at the Baptist Academy, Stepney, after a few days illness, in the 43d year of his age. It is only two months since we announced Mr. Young's appointment to the Theological Tutorship of this Institution; and most afflictive and mysterious is the conduct of Divine Providence in that dispensation, which has so soon and so suddenly removed this excellent man from his honourable labours on earth, to the rest and rewards of heaven! We hope to be able to furnish a memoir of his life, for some future number of this magazine; but we cannot insert the notice of his death without adverting to the distinguished excellence of his character, and the eminent consolations he enjoyed in the immediate prospect of his departure. For many years he occupied the department of Classical Resident Tutor; and on the resignation of the late Theological Tutor, he was chosen to occupy that vacated station. His general intelligence, his profound classical attainments, his ample stores of knowledge, his accurate discrimination, especially in reference to metaphysical science, his comprehensive views of Scriptural Theology,-above all, the happy combination of high intellectual endowments with moral worth and spiritual elevation, pointed out the late Mr. Young, to all capable of appreciating his excellen cies, as the very man to fill with honour and efficiency the Presidency of the Institution. He was a man of eminent suavity and gentleness, united with firmness and decision; and his piety was as unaffected and elevated as it was ardent and sincere. Rich consolation from the Lord of all grace sustained his spirit in the last conflict; and his departure was not only marked by the composure of hope, but by THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH! His "sun went down while yet it was noon!"—but it has arisen in a more genial clime, to shine

with eternal and unclouded splendour!His remains were interred in the buryingground attached to the Baptist Chapel at Old Ford, on the 17th of April; and the Rev. Dr. Newman delivered a most appropriate and affecting address on the occasion. The funeral was a private one, but many were the personal and ministerial friends of the deceased, who attended on the mournful occasion. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Griffin, at Prescot Street, on the following Sabbath, April 22; and Discourses were delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Thomas Blundell, at the Academy Chapel, and at Stepney Meeting, by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher. Many other ministers engaged in similar services; and we are persuaded, that few have been the instances of mortality that have produced a more general impression, or excited a more powerful sympathy. Mr. Young has left a mourning widow, but no family. May "the Father of Mercies" be to her "the God of all comfort!"

Died, on Saturday, April 21st, in the 87th year of his age, JAMES HAMILTON, M. D., of Artillery Place, Finsbury Square. He was the father of his profession, being the most aged physician in the metropolis. He frequently engaged as a local preacher amongst the Wesleyan Methodists; and his associations and friendship were with the people of God. One of his daughters was united in marriage to the Rev. Edward Parsons, of Leeds; the excellent and lamented mother of the Rev. Messrs. James Parsons, of York, and Edward Parsons, of London. For his professional skill, his affectionate urbanity, his exemplary piety, and the extraordinary facility with which his intellectual resources were made to bear upon religious and general conversation, Dr. H. will long be embalmed in the memory of his numerous descendants, and very extensive circle of friends.