scriptural characters :-First, As" the place where Satan's seat is," Rev. ii. 13. Second, "As the place where such deeds of darkness are done, that it is a shame even to speak of them in secret," Eph. v. 12. Third, The people of that land are "mad upon their idols," Jer. iv. 38. His picture was dark, dark, dark. It was most humiliating-yea, overwhelming. The feelings of the large congregation were then relieved by singing some stanzas of sacred poetry, apparently made up for the occasion.

Then a young man ascended some steps near the pulpit, and the people whispered, "That is the missionary. That is Mr. Sewell." He held some papers in his hand, as if about to read, when a reverend looking man, who stated that he was the Home Secretary to the London Missionary Society, looked over the pulpit, and addressing his young brother (as he called him) in a strain of great tenderness, proposed four questions to him. These questions referred to his personal religion-What led him to think of the heathen? what were his sentiments respecting the doctrines and duties contained in the Bible? and how he intended to prosecute his missionary work? The American gentleman was not only instructed and pleased by the sifting scrutiny contained in these questions, but was particularly delighted with the urbanity and kindness of the gentleman who proposed them.

But the answers! Ay, the answers! That was the touching, melting, thrilling part of the service. Many heads that had been erect during the other parts, now hung down like a bulrush, sunk into their bosoms, and bedewed their cheek with tears. Seldom has there been a more luminous statement of doctrine, or a more pleasing account of religious experience, presented at an ordination, than that of Mr. Sewell. What struck the American so much was, that while the young man's mind wasfraught with intelligence, his eyes were full of dew-drops, and his heart seemed full of love. Oh, it is pleasing to see men weep. It is alike honourable to their humanity and to their religion. Jesus wept, and Paul wept-and so did Sewell-and besides him hundreds more wept that night.

After this, came what is called the ordination prayer, which was offered up by John Williams, who has been so much honoured in the South Seas, and in England also, and who has just sailed again for the Pacific Isles. May he find them pacific, or make them pacific. Amen.

Another hymn was sung, and then the young missionary stood up in a conspicuous place, and Mr. Knill, who had also been a missionary, delivered the charge. His text was considered most appropriate" I send

thee to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may obtain forgiveness of their sin, aud an inheritance among them that are sanctified, by faith which is in me." Showing the young missionary at one view, his Master, his work, and the blessings which were to flow from his labours.

The Rev. J. Robinson, minister of a congregation, near Craven Chapel, kindly conducted the concluding part of the service, when the great congregation praised God, from whom all blessings flow, and departed. And many of them said, as they were going away, "It is good for us to be here, and the people who have not been here have sustained an amazing loss."

SERMON TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

On Whit Monday, June 4, 1838, the Thirty-eighth Aunual Sermon to Young People will be preached at Stockwell, Surrey, by the Rev. Thomas Jackson. The service to commence at four o'clock.

PROVINCIAL.

INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, ST. LEONARD, SUSSEX.

We are truly glad to learn that this chapel has been re-occupied, and that the preaching of the Gospel has been resumed under circumstances calculated to remove the disgrace hitherto attached to the place by the evil conduct of various parties, and to secure a final triumph to the cause of Christ in that neighbourhood. The public is already aware that the persons who built this chapel, and collected large sums of money to defray the expenses, involved it in mortgages; and that at length, from various unhappy causes, it was abandoned, and fell into the hands of one of the mortgagees, the only one in fact whose claim, which was 4007., was legal. In order that the chapel might be continued to the use of Protestant Dissenters, this mortgagee kindly consented to relinquish the whole for the consideration of 1007., a sum little more than sufficient to cover various expenses incidentally connected with the possession of the place. To secure this object, four gentlemen of Hastings have accepted the transfer, and on the security of the deeds of conveyance have raised the sum necessary to effect the purchase, to meet the legal expenses, and to make certain alterations and repairs absolutely necessary for the preservation of the building, and for the general convenience. The whole sum, including the purchase money, will, it is believed, be from 1707. to 2007. As the money could be raised only in the manner

above stated, it is necessary, in the first place, to make an earnest appeal to the public, in order that the property may be immediately invested in trust. We sincerely recommend this case to the notice of Christians.

Subscriptions will be gladly received by the Rev. A. Wells, Congregational Library, Blomfield-street, London; and by the Rev. W. Davis, Hastings.

We congratulate our brother Mr. Quaife that God has employed him in the attempt to vindicate the Gospel and to establish the - Church of Christ in St. Leonard's.

We

think this cause invested with peculiar importance. At St. Leonard's, the Diocesan Report states the population to be 3400. There are country districts within three or four miles round, exclusive of Hastings, which contain a considerable number of inhabitants. The other places of worship are very inadequate to supply the necessary spiritual influence. There is every prospect of a large increase of inhabitants in a few years. The moral and religious condition of the people generally is deplorable. There is the more need, then, for earnest and devoted labour, in consequence of the disgrace which has been attached to the cause of Christ. A large Roman Catholic Institution will shortly be diffusing its influence 'around the neighbourhood; and in addition to these considerations, such places hold out incalculable advantages for imparting spiritual benefit to visiters and servants.

Salu

We rejoice to believe that real progress has been made in the work of God. tary impressions appear to have been made on several persons. There is an evening congregation of between thirty and forty. Some persons appear settled, and form a small church. The attention paid to the word of God is solemn and devout. There is now a Sabbath-school containing nearly fifty names. There are two out-stations, at one of which the attendance has been from twenty to forty. When it is recollected that six months ago there was nothing of all this, we think our readers will rejoice that so much has been effected. But we truly regret to state that our brother Quaife has undergone fatigues and anxieties in the accomplishment of this work which his health and strength must be altogether incompetent to meet, and we cannot refrain from expressing our conviction that the Christian public should sympathise with him in the labours of his undertaking. He has entirely supported himself by teaching, which compels him to live at a distance from the scene of his ministerial engagements, and to traverse that distance during the winter, exposed to storms of wind, rain, and snow. He has had to struggle with ill health, with prejudices, and with nu

VENTNOR INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, ISLE OF WIGHT.

The Editor of the Magazine having taken a deep interest in the cause at Ventnor from its commencement, and feeling still that it greatly needs the kind and fostering care of the Congregational Churches of this kingdom, earnestly appeals to his friends in general on its behalf. He can assure the public that it has not been commenced in vain. Souls have been converted to God; and the present worthy minister, Mr. Warden, has had many tokens of the Divine approbation upon his zealous and indefatigable labours. Only fifty pounds of debt now remain upon the little chapel; but it must be cleared off, as it greatly incumbers the infant cause; and a schoolroom must be built, for which ground has been obtained. Dr. Morison makes this appeal to his friends throughout England and Scotland, hoping that they will cheerfully respond to his call. About 100/. would accomplish the entire object of his wishes. He will thankfully receive the smallest donations for this object, addressed to him at the Publishers of the Magazine; or at his own house, No. 1, Hans-place, Chelsea. The death of the Rev. William Clayton is a great loss to the cause at Ventnor, as he was one of its most devoted friends.

WESTERN ACADEMY.

The Anniversary of this institution will (D. V.) be held at Exeter, on the 26th and 27th of June.

The examination of the students will commence on the 26th, at eleven o'clock. The Rev. W. Rooker is expected to preside.

The General Meeting will be held the next day at ten A.M. In the evening, at half-past six, the Rev. T. Binney, of the Weighhouse, London, will deliver the address to the students and friends of the Institution.

IRELAND.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

SIR, I sensibly feel that by requesting your kind attention to the few following observations I am seeking to trespass upon your limited space. My desire is to make a short reply to your correspondent "Hope," whose kindly feelings toward Ireland I very much regard, and I thank him for his public expression of them. He asks, "is there not too much of pure missionary labour, to the exclusion of stated pastoral labour? Do we not too much neglect planting churches and building chapels ?" And he adds, "without these, religion never gets a firm and steady hold on a people." I grant that, until churches are planted and chapels for worship erected, with their pastors and deacons, religion will not take a steady hold on the people of any particular place; but these things are the end of the means, especially in a country circumstanced as Ireland is. Between that country and Wales there is no analogy. So far as a preached Gospel has been established by Independents, and churches planted, and chapels erected in various parts of England, pure missionary labour has gone before-the one has clearly been the result of the other. I write not as a sectarian, but as an Independent, because I am convinced that the order and discipline of independency are more clearly within the letter of the New Testament than

any other. Some forty years ago, a highly gifted minister, who, I rejoice to say, is still living, visited Ireland, where he resides, and I have no doubt he would willingly acknowledge that his visit was as a mission, and as such traversed the length and breadth of the land; and wherever he could find a door to open to him he preached that which was then comparatively new to the inhabitants, "Christ, and him crucified;" the effect of which was, in the north and in the south, in the east and in the west, churches became planted, chapels erected, and pastors ordained; all of which abide to the present day. Other missionary labour, equally pure, but not exclusively Independent has followed and resulted in much good. The plan was well suited to the times in which it commenced, but times have changed, and it becomes necessary that the mode of proceeding must change too.

To evangelise Ireland, and to make her religiously independent, there must be put into execution a widely formed plan of regular itinerant missionary labour, upon exclusively congregational principles; and there has been no period hitherto at which the country was so ripe for such a work as the present time. I therefore most earnestly recommend an association whose principles will be such as I have mentioned, being immediately formed, and the work set a going under proper and well ordered Irish management; and whenever it is so, the individual who addresses you will give toward carrying on of the work a sum of

501.

The matter is set before you, Christian readers, and they will deal toward Ireland as their hearts and consciences may dictate. She, however, is crying out aloud, "Come over and help." I am, your obliged,

ANNUAL SUBSCRIBER.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Thirty-fourth Anniversary.-May 2nd. WE have seen more crowded meetings of this society, and have heard more brilliant addresses in support of its claims; but we never remember to have attended one of its anniversaries more distinguished by the noble attribute of Christian simplicity. Lord BEXLEY, the venerable President, expressed his grateful thanksgiving to that Providence by which personally he had been

upheld another year; and by which also prosperity had been vouchsafed to the society in all its foreign and home opera tions, together with undisturbed tranquillity in all its internal proceedings. The REPORT, which was read by the secretaries, contained much animating intelligence. The circulation of the Scriptures in foreign countries has increased; and, though it has somewhat diminished at home, it may be hoped that this is mainly the result of the people being more generally supplied with

most

the word of God. Though the actual receipts of the present year have not equalled those of the preceding one, (owing to the large legacy of Lord Bexley's sister, of 10,000., which adventitiously swelled the last year's income,) yet the free contributions have considerably increased. The foreign details of the society's proceedings, particularly in India, were animating. The receipts of the American Bible Society, during the past year, have amounted to 30,000 dollars, and its issues of the Scriptures to 260,240 copies, making a total since its commencement of 2,195,670 copies of the word of God. The receipts of the society during the past year amounted to 97,2377. 18. 11d. The issues of the Scriptures from Earl-street during the year have been 369,764 copies; from foreign depots on the Continent, 224,634; and the total issues, since the commencement of the society have been 10,888,843. Seventy new auxiliaries have been formed during the year, which increase the number of auxiliary or branch societies in the United Kingdom to 2372, and in the Colonies to 265.

The claims of the society were urged by the Bishop of Chester; the Bishop of Norwich; by Dr. Henderson; by the Rev. Merle D'Aubigné, from Sweden; by Andrew Stephenson, Esq., the American Ambassador; by the Rev. J. Birt, of Manchester; by Lord Teignmouth; by Yagoube Assaad El Kayat, a Syrian Christian; by the Rev. Mr. Daley, from Ireland; by the Rev. Robert Newstead, who has been labouring in France; by the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, of Harrow; by Charles Dudley, Esq.; by Sir T. D. Ackland, Bart., M.P.; and Edward Baines, Esq., M.P.

The most remarkable feature of the meeting was the bold and manly exposure of the Oxford tract heresy, by the Bishop of Chester and the Rev. J. W. Cunningham. They maintained, with an uncompromising fidelity, the sufficiency of the Scriptures for all purposes of salvation; and speaking of the Fathers, Bishop Sumner said, "I would rather part with one half of the folios in which the opinions of the Fathers are recorded, than with the single volume of Mr. Williams's published last year.' Such sentiments from such a quarter must produce a salutary effect upon the public mind. The meeting, too, was deeply interested by the address of the Syrian Christian, which was delivered with singular animation and effect.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

--

Thirty-eighth Anniversary-May 1st. The Rev. Mr. Jowett opened the meeting

with prayer, and read the Report. The Earl of Chichester, who presided, expatiated upon our sad neglect in endeavouring to spread the Gospel, as contrasted with that general spirit of enterprise which marks the British character. He touched with much energy on the sad wrongs inflicted upon the human race by our East Indian and West Indian policy; and made honourable mention of the triumphs of the Gospel in the islands of the Southern Pacific.

The Report stated, that the income of the society had increased from 71,7271. to 83,4477. The expenditure of the society amounted to 86,5401. Twenty-five more missionaries have been sent out last year than in any preceding year since the commencement of the society. Agents have

been sent to West Africa and South-east Africa. In the Zoolu country, the King has been induced to give a missionary a very favourable reception. In the Mediterranean missions, and in those of Asia Minor, Calcutta, and northern India, the work of the Lord is advancing with manifest tokens of the Divine approbation. The death of Dr. Corie, the Bishop of Madras, was noticed with much feeling. In that presidency the desire for education has become marked and general. In Tinnevelly, notwithstanding the differences which had arisen, two hundred had been during the past year converted from heathenism. From Bombay, Bishop Wilson had transmitted the most animating intelligence. The committee have memorialised the Directors of the East India Company, and the Board of Control, on the subject of the abolition of the Pilgrim Tax. God grant that they may have wisdom given them to listen to this and many other remonstrances of a similar kind. In Ceylon, the mission has been strengthened by an increase of native teachers. In New Holland, New Zealand, and China, considerable obstacles had arisen in the path of the missionaries; in the latter place, from the government of the country; and in the former two places, from intestine war among the aborigines. In the West Indies the great cause advances. Six missionaries and twenty-five catechists are there labouring with zeal for the salvation of the poor blacks. In surveying their various missions, the committee had to rejoice and give glory to God for the success with which he had been pleased to bless their labours.

The Bishop of Chester; the Rev. Monsr. Merle D'Aubigné, of Geneva; the Bishop of Ripon; the Rev. J. W. Cunningham; the Marquis of Cholmondeley; the Hon. W. B. Noel; G. Finch, Esq.; the Rev. Hugh Stowell; the Rev. Samuel Gobat, Missionary from Abyssinia; Mr. Assaad El Kayat, from Syria; and Mr. Jowett,

addressed the meeting in support of the several resolutions submitted to its attention. Mr. Gobat's accounts from Abyssinia were deeply affecting. Indeed, the entire proceedings of the meeting were characterised by a spirit of devout zeal for the glory of God.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

Thirty-fifth Anniversary-May 3rd. In the absence of Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart., who was unavoidably prevented from fulfilling his engagement to preside at the anniversary of the union, W. B. Gurney, Esq., the respected Treasurer, took the Chair. The hall was crowded to excess long before the hour at which business commenced: indeed, the meeting was altogether one of the most animated which took place in the month of May. The Chairman began by noticing and recommending Mr. Knill's tract, entitled "The Working Church," and observed that the Sunday School Union was a "working society." He said that he saw but one present with whom he was accustomed to associate at the commencement of the Union; nearly all their former fellow-labourers had passed to their reward. He therefore urged all to be up and doing. Much had been done, but much yet remained to be done. trusted that no Sunday-school teacher, that no friend of the society would rest satisfied while a single child in their neighbourhood remained without the benefits of religious instruction.

He

Mr. Watson, one of the secretaries, read the Report, which contained much pleasing information relative to the progress of Sunday-school operations, both at home and abroad. Grants had been made to schools in Denmark, France, Portugal, Corfu, and South Australia. From Van Diemans Land the accounts were truly encouraging. Throughout the West Indies an ardent thirst for religious knowledge obtains. In every part of the United States, great efforts have been made by the American Sunday-school Union to establish Sunday-schools. The Report adverted in affectionate terms to the continued indisposition of Mr.W. F. Lloyd, the honoured secretary of the society, who has been compelled to relinquish the active duties of his office. During the year, twelve grants have been made to aid in the erection of school-rooms, amounting to 1727. The total number of such grants, up to the present time, is 135, amounting to 2,9477. Mr. Wilson, the travelling agent of the society, has continued his visits to the several unions throughout the kingdom, with most hopeful signs of usefulness. The number of grants of Sunday-school Loan

The sales of the publications at the Depository during the past year had amounted to 10,3217. 28. 24d., being an increase of 1,2467. 11s. 1d. over the preceding year.

The total amount of grants made for be nevolent purposes during the year ending 31st of March, 1838, was 15407. 118. 11d.

The meeting was addressed by the Rev. A. E. Farrar; the Rev. C. Stovel; W. Jones, Esq.; the Rev. Dr. Morison; the Rev. T. Archer; the Rev. S. Nicholson, of Plymouth; the Rev. C. M. Birrell, of Liverpool; and the Rev. J. Burnet. We had only one fault to find with the speak ers, that one half of them spoke too long. Indeed, the system of lengthy speeches is one of the crying sins of our public meetings.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

May 3rd.

The annual meeting of this venerable and greatly honoured society was held at Finsbury-chapel, Charles Lushington, Esq., M. P., in the chair. The attendance was large and respectable, and the whole of the proceedings were deeply interesting. The Chairman spoke with much humility of his own sense of unfitness to preside on such an occasion. He referred with much energy and pathos to the principal spheres of the society's labours, viz., the East and West Indies; and paid a just tribute to the distinguished founders of the Serampore Mission-Marshman, Carey, and Ward.

The Rev. John Dyer then read the Report, which stated that the Calcutta Mission had been considerably weakened by the neces sary absence of the Rev. W. Pearce, and by the illness of Messrs. Ellis and G. Pearce. There has been an increase of attendants at Circular-road chapel. At Salkeya seven persons have been baptised. The printing of the Bengali New Testament was completed last April. Mr. Yates has put to