North West Congregational Association were held in the Independent Chapel, Bridge-street, Londonderry. There were present the Rev. Messrs. Shepperd, of Sligo; Jordan, Irish Missionary, county Sligo; Shaw, Donegal; White, No. Limavady; Potter, Coleraine; and Radcliffe, of this city. The mornings of both days were appropriated to meetings for prayer, with a special reference to the prosperity of the churches in the connexion, and the general diffusion of the Gospel; thanksgiving to God for the seasonable weather so kindly granted for the gathering in the fruits of the earth, was also embraced in the object of these seasons of devotion. In the evening of Thursday, the Rev. Thos. Jordan, Irish Missionary, preached an excellent sermon on the Gospel being the only remedy for the moral miseries of Ireland, grounded on St. Paul's epistle to Titus, ii. 11, 13. The several meetings were numerously attended and deeply interesting. They appeared to be felt by all to be times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

THE BAPTISMAL REGISTERS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

The Editor earnestly invites the special attention of the Pastors and Deacons of those Congregational churches, which have not sent in their Registers, to the following resolution of the Congregational Board; and to beg them to consider, that if they neglect the opportunity which her Majesty's Government has so liberally afforded them of legalizing their Registers, they may inflict incalculable injury upon the children who have received baptism at their hands, and expose themselves to reproaches and regrets when both will be unavailable.

"At the Monthly Meeting of the Congregational Board of Ministers in and about London, Oct. 10th, 1837-It was resolved unanimously, That this Board have reason to fear that many of their brethren, and others, holding registers of births or burials, have not yet forwarded them to the care of the Registration Commission; and that they earnestly recommend an immediate compliance with the application of the Commissioners; because, otherwise, they will not be able to secure for their registers a legal recognition; the registers, if not deposited, will, in the end, be lost; and, however the subject may now be treated with indifference, when the wise and excellent arrangements proposed by the government shall be duly appreciated, a heavy reproach will rest on those who, having possession of these documents, did not avail themselves of the opportunity to obtain for them a safe depository and a public and legal acknowledgment.

It is due to the Commissioners to state, that they kindly offer every facility towards accomplishing the object. Where any difficulty exists they invite to a correspondence. Copies are allowed to be taken, extraneous matter is allowed to be separated; and even afterwards, the original document will be easily accessible to the public.

METROPOLITAN MONTHLY LECTURE.

The Monthly Lecture of the Congregational Ministers was delivered at Barbican Chapel on Tuesday evening, October 10th, by the Rev. R. Ainslie, On British Idolatry in India. This important topic was discussed in an able and impressive manner by Mr. Ainslie, who, we are happy to find, has consented to the publication of a verbatim report of his valuable lecture in a form which will permit its general circulation.*

NEW CONGREGATIONAL ACADEMY FOR THE MIDLAND COUNTIES.

It has been long known to some of our readers, that by the pious munificence of two christian ladies at Birmingham, their esteemed pastor, the Rev. Timothy East, was empowered to make arrangements for the establishment of a college in the neighbourhood of that town, for the education of pious young men for

Harding's Pastoral Echo, No. 12, price 3d.

the work of the ministry, to supply the want of congregational ministers, particularly in the midland counties, and also for foreign service.

We are happy to learn that this enlightened measure is soon to be carried into execution. The munificent donors are about to vacate their residence at Spring Hill, that the academical family may be collected during the course of the ensuing year. Tutors are appointed-the Rev. S. Watts, of Beaconsfield, and the Rev. M. Barber, of Uxbridge, who are considered eminently fitted for the duties of their office, and a valuable theological library, which Mr. East has been collecting for several years, is ready to be deposited in this new school of the prophets. Most earnestly do we desire that the pious intentions of its founders may be fully realized.

WEST OF ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE DAUGHTERS OF MINISTERS AND MISSIONARIES.

We are happy to insert the following letter, and the statement which accompanies it, containing, as they do, the plan of an establishment that many have long felt to be a desideratum amongst our benevolent and useful institutions. It gives us sincere pleasure to hear, that it will commence under the most favourable auspices, and we trust that so wise a measure will receive the support of our brethren, and prosper under the blessing of Heaven.

To the Editor of the Congregational Magazine.

Bristol, 1st October, 1837.

DEAR SIR,-The following statement contains the germ of an institution now forming at Bristol, somewhat on the plan of our Congregational School at Silcoates, Yorkshire, and having for its object the Education of the Daughters of Dissenting Missionaries and Ministers.

The individuals who are to undertake the superintendence of the domestic and educational departments of this new and interesting Seminary, are most fully qualified for the task, and enter upon their work with the most benevolent intent, having offered their services, and the use of their house and furniture, for the first year, without any remuneration.

The Pupils will enjoy the advantage of oversight on the part of Ministers and of several Christian Females in Bristol, and at stated periods will be examined, as to their progress in religious and educational attainments.

The great advantage which our Brethren will derive from this Institution, will be the attainment for their DAUGHTERS, of an Education of a superior order, including French, Drawing, Music, AND EVERY THING REQUISITE FOR TUITION, at less than one half the usual terms, and under the most favourable religious auspices.

As it is intended to commence with only twelve children, it is desirable that parties wishing admittance for a child, should apply to us by letter, post paid, before the 15th of the coming month.

We are, dear Sir, yours very respectfully,

THOMAS HAYNES,
HENRY ISAAC ROPER.

STATEMENT. Among the religious and benevolent institutions with which our country abounds, there is no school for the daughters of Dissenting Ministers and Missionaries, whose limited incomes and numerous engagements, in many cases render it impossible for them to secure for them a suitable education.

It is proposed immediately to establish a school in Bristol, in which the Daughters of Dissenting Ministers of the Congregational order, and of Missionaries connected with the London Missionary Society, may receive an Education, with a view to fitting them, according to their respective capacities, for the important employment of Tuition in their Parents' families-in other respectable families, or at Missionary Stations, as Divine Providence may direct.

That in such school the children shall enjoy the comforts of home, and at a suitable age pay some attention to domestic concerns.

That Education, Clothing, and every expense, except Doctors' bills, postage of letters, and carriage of parcels, be included in twenty guineas per annum. The School will commence on the 10th of November, being the half-quarter.

AUTUMNAL MEETING OF THE SURREY MISSION.

On Tuesday, October 17, 1837, the Autumnal Meeting of this Society was held at the Rev. R. Connebee's chapel, Dorking. The Rev. J. Churchill commenced the morning service with reading and prayer; the Rev. T. Jackson preached from Isa. xxxii. 15; and the Rev. T. C. Smith concluded with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. J. E. Richards preached from 1 Cor. iii. 6; and the devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Percy and Connebee. Five Missionaries are wholly employed in the county, and the reports of their labours are highly encouraging; the income of the Society is, however, by no means adequate to its expenditure, which has recently been increased by the employment of an additional Missionary. This subject engaged the attention of the Committee in the afternoon, when it was resolved that an application should be made to all the churches connected with the Institution, requesting collections once in two or three years: several Ministers present signified their concurrence, and it is hoped that the proposal will be generally adopted, as necessary, not for the continuance of the present number of Missionaries only, but for their increase, in order to meet the urgent claims of many villages, still destitute of the Gospel of Christ.

Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, Mr. J. Hickson, Wandsworth; and the Secretaries, the Rev. J. E. Richards, Wandsworth; E. Miller, Clapham; W. Crowe, Kingston; also, by the Rev. T. Jackson, Stockwell.

SOUTH DEVON ASSOCIATION MEETING.

The annual meeting of the South Devon Congregational Union was held on Thursday and Friday, the 20th and 21st of July, 1837, at Newton. The Association Sermon was preached by the Rev. George Smith, of Plymouth, from 2 Cor. ii. 14, "Now thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." The Rev. W. Rooker, of Tavistock, and the Rev. W. Tarbotton, of Totness, conducted the devotional exercises. At the meeting for business, encouraging reports were made of the spread of evangelical nonconformity in this division of the county, where three home missionaries are now employed by the Association.

TORPOINT CHAPEL RE-OPENED.

On Friday, the 9th of June, 1837, the Independent chapel, Torpoint, Cornwall, was re-opened for divine worship, after having been considerably enlarged by the erection of a gallery, a vestry, and school-room. The Scriptures were read, and prayer offered, by the Rev. E. Corbishley, of Appledore. The Rev. George Smith, of Plymouth, preached from Habakkuk iii. 4. On the following Lord's Day, sermons were preached by the Rev. S. Nicholson, of Plymouth, and the Rev. W. Hurndall, of Devonport. The congregation on each occasion was numerous, and the collection liberal.

PROVIDENCE CHAPEL, OVENDEN, NEAR HALIFAX.

On the First Sabbath in August last, the Rev. Edward Leighton, late of Wigton, Cumberland, entered upon the charge of the newly-formed church at Ovenden, near Halifax, Yorkshire.

The Church at Ovenden originated with a number of individuals connected with the Square and Sion Chapels, Halifax, but who, residing in Ovenden and its neighbourhood, had, for some time past, been impressed with the duty of providing religious instruction for its rapidly increasing population. It was their earnest prayer to the Great Head of the Church, that he would open a

way in his providence for the erection of a house for his worship. This, through the divine blessing, has been effected, and the foundation was laid on the 16th February, 1836, by Mr. John Wilson, a liberal friend of the cause, assisted by the Rev. J. Pridie, and the Rev. A. Ewing, of Halifax, the pastors of the parent churches; and it was opened for divine worship on the 24th of March, 1337, when the Rev. R. W. Hamilton and the Rev. J. Ely, of Leeds, and the Rev. J. Glyde, of Bradford, officiated on the occasion. On the following Sabbath, sermons were preached by the Rev. Mr. Acworth, Theological Tutor of the Baptist College, Bradford; and the Rev. Messrs. Pridie and Ewing, of Halifax; and, on the Monday following, by the Rev. Mr. Whitewood, Baptist Minister of Halifax. The friends at Halifax not only liberally subscribed toward the erection of the chapel, but kindly permitted a collection in each of their chapels, so that the whole of the collections, on the occasion of the opening, were nearly £180. The cost of the erection has been upwards of £1800. Subscriptions have been raised nearly to the amount of £800, which, with the collections at the opening, will leave a debt of about £850. The prospect of success is highly encouraging; yet the debt will press heavily upon the infant cause. Should this case meet the eye of any wealthy friends of the Redeemer, the assistance they may be kindly disposed to render, can be remitted to, and will be thankfully acknowledged, by the Rev. James Pridie, or the Rev. Alexander Ewing, of Halifax; or the Rev. Edward Leighton, of Ovenden, near Halifax.

The friends of this new and promising church, which already consists of nearly 50 members, and 600 hearers, manifest a laudable anxiety to spare their pastor the pain and labour of a personal appeal, and themselves the loss of his absence from home; and, it is humbly hoped, therefore, that those liberal friends who would readily respond to a direct application, will not allow this respectful notice to meet their eye, without determining to do what they can, especially when it is known that the £1000 already realized has been the expression of the people's liberality amidst abounding poverty. Almost the entire bulk of the congregation consists of the labouring classes.

NEW CHAPEL, STROUD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

On Wednesday, Sept. 27, a new Independent Chapel for the Rev. J. Burder, M.A. of Stroud, was opened for divine service; the Rev. J. Leifchild, of London, preached in the morning; the Rev. T. F. Newman, in the afternoon; and the Rev. J. Parsons, of York, in the evening. On Sunday, Oct. 1, the Rev. T. Binney, of London, and the Rev. Alfred Pope, of Leamington, officiated in the same place of worship; the collections at these several services amounted to £117. 12s. 1d. This elegant sanctury, which will accommodate about 800 persons, and which has a spacious school-room beneath, has cost £2600 in its erection; of this sum £2200 have been raised in the neighbourhood. The pulpit of the chapel is very handsome; the seats are of solid oak, the backs of which are a little reclined, and thus prevent that discomfort which hearers too often have to endure in the house of God. The chapel which the Rev. J. Burder formerly occupied was not sufficiently large to accommodate his increasing congregation, and therefore it was deemed more prudent, and more for the religious advantages of the town, to build a new one, than to enlarge the old meeting. A congregation will remain at the old place of worship, and will choose a minister for their pastor as soon as a suitable person may be obtained. We cannot but highly approve of this truly christian method of multiplying our churches, and of supplying the religious wants of a growing population.

INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, ST. LEONARD'S, HASTINGS.

On Sunday, October 8, 1837, the Independent Chapel at St. Leonard's, near Hastings, was re-opened, when two sermons were preached, that in the morning by the Rev. H. F. Burder, D.D., Hackney; and that in the evening, by the Rev. William Davis, of the Croft Chapel, Hastings. The pulpit will be, from this

time, regularly supplied. It is due to the mortgagee to say, that the chapel has been sold at a very low price, that it may be retained by the Protestant Dissenters, who subscribed so much, and so freely, towards its erection. Repairs are needed, and fixtures are to be taken, but it is hoped that the whole sum required to put the chapel into good repair, to pay the purchase money, and the sum necessary to invest it in trust, will not exceed £200. Subscriptions towards raising this amount will be thankfully received by the Rev. Algernon Wells, Congregational Library, Finsbury, London; by the Rev. William Davis, of Hastings; or, by the Rev. James Edwards, Hanover House, and the Rev. J. N. Goulty, Brighton.

ORDINATIONS, &c.

On Thursday, September the 21st, the Rev. W. Todman, late student of Rotherham College, was ordained to the pastoral office over the church and congregation worshipping in Cannon Street Chapel, Louth, Lincolnshire.

The services of the day commenced with a prayer-meeting, at seven in the morning, when the divine blessing was most earnestly implored on the union about to be formed between the minister and the people. The more public services of the day were commenced at half-past ten, when the Rev. W. Wilson, (Wesleyan,) read a suitable portion of Scripture, and engaged in prayer; after which the Rev. T. Stratten, of Hull, preached the introductory discourse; the Rev. J. Pain, of Horncastle, asked the questions, and offered the ordination prayer, with the laying on of hands. The Rev. T. Smith, A.M. Classical Tutor of Rotherham College, gave a faithful and affectionate charge to the minister from 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2. The Rev. C. Morris, of London, was engaged to preach to the people in the evening, but was prevented by indisposition: his place was ably supplied by the Rev. T. Smith, who addressed the church and congregation from the 13th chapter of Hebrews, and 17th verse, in which discourse he showed, in a luminous and pointed manner, the relation in which the pastor and the people mutually stand, the manner in which the duties of church members are to be discharged, and the obligation under which they are laid to promote the comfort and happiness of those who "have the rule over them." The devotional parts of the service were conducted by the ministers present. After the morning service, about forty persons dined together, after which some interesting speeches were delivered by the ministers and gentlemen who were present. All appeared highly delighted with the interesting services of the day, and it is sincerely hoped, that the impression produced may have a lasting benefit. "O Lord, we beseech thee, send now prosperity."

The Rev. W. M. O'Hanlon was ordained pastor over the Congregational Church assembling in Hollinshead Street Chapel, Chorley, Lancashire, on Wednesday, September 27th.

The solemnities of the morning commenced by the Rev. S. Nichols, of Darwen, reading suitable portions of the Scriptures, and offering up prayer for the divine blessing The Rev. Gilbert Wardlaw, A.M. Theological Tutor of Blackburn Academy, delivered an interesting and able discourse, on the nature and character of the apostolical churches, and pointed out the resemblance between them and the Congregational Churches of the present day. After this the Rev. D. T. Carnson, of Preston, proposed the usual questions to the candidate for ordination, which elicited answers that deeply interested, and affected the congregation. The members of the church present publicly testified their call to Mr. O'Hanlon, by holding up their hands, and he signified his acceptance of the same. The Rev. R. Slate, of Preston, presented the ordination prayer, which was accompanied by the laying on of the hands of the Ministers present. With this deeply solemn part of the service the exercises of the morning concluded, having occupied about three hours.

In the evening, at six o'clock, the congregation re-assembled, and the service was commenced by the Rev. T. Parry, of Blackburn, reading portions of the Scriptures, and engaging in prayer. The Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, then