arker, of the procene chapeli bonded to erect a Forshippin Reke waately new 198ery (Independent), offered the opening prayer. A.B., of Leeds, preached in the afternoon. In the statement of the church's history was then read evening a public meeting was held, Thomas Aked. the pastor, the Rev. J.T. Cole: after which Sir Esq., of Shipley Grange, in the chair. The Revs. 1. Peto laid the stone, and followed with an inter W. E. Goodman, F. Edwards. A.B., R. Gibbs Ating address. The Dedicatory Prayer was offered (Independent), A. F. Abbott (Wesleyan), T. Ben the Rev. J. Russell. of Blackheath, after which nett, and John Barker, took part in the proceed. e Rev. C. Stanford, of Camberwell, in the absence ings. The site, which is freehold, with the chapel Dr. Steane, prevented by illness, delivered the and school, cost altogether about £1,300. £1,100 augural address. A collection was then made, and had been collected in subscriptions and weekly e interesting services concluded by the Rev. W. offerings, leaving £200 to be raised in connection arker, of Church-street, imploring the Divine with these opening services. The collections after 388ing on the proceedings. About 200 persons the sermons amounted to £95, which, with a £20 erwards took tea in the chapel. In the evening, donation, sent by Mrs. Blair, Bridge of Allan, left Jubiic meeting was held, when the chair was taken £85, which was made up at the public meeting. Rev. T. J. Cole, and addresses were delivered by e Revs. W. Barker, Munns, Sears, Benson, and COTTENHAM, CAMBRIDGESHIRE.-The settlement esers. May, Carter, and Potter. The donations of the Rev. J. B. Blackmore as pastor of the old the day amounted to nearly £150. Baptist church of this place, which took place at the commencement of this year, was publicly ARTHUR-STREET CHAPEL, LONDON.-On Friday, recognised on the 19th of June. In the afternoon, ly 5th, a large number of persons, princi. the Rev. Mr. Wigner, of Lynn, opened the services Lly ladies, assembled at the site in Arthur-street, of the day; the Rev. W. Robinson, of Cambridge, ederick-street, Gray's Inn-road, on which it is expounded “The nature of a Christian church," nued to erect a new chapel for the use of the proposed the usual questions, and presented the ngregation lately worshipping at Vernon Chapel, recognition prayer; and the Rev. C. Vince, of gpigge Wells-road. After singing and prayer, Birmingham, gave a brief address on the union ettev. J. H. Hinton gave an able address. Dr. formed. In the evening, the Rev. Mr. Williams, Us placed a sealed buttle in an orifice made in of Waddingham, conducted the opening devotional e loundation-stone. He said that it contained a exercise, and the Rev. C. Vince preached an ier account of the history of the church, the last excellent discourse. On the following day, the ber of The Freeman, the names of those assist Sabbath-schools had their annual treat, and after at that ceremony, and the name of the builder, tea a public meeting was held, Mr. Jacob Smith 1. Amog, The Rev. F. Wills, on behalf of the in the chair. The Rer. J. Myard, of Cottenham, mmittee, presented Lord Teyubam with a band. Mr. A. Smith, of Millingham, Messrs. C. Sutton me silver trowel, and his lordship, having laid the and T. Gautrey, of Cottenham, and the Rev. J. B. me with the usual ceremonies, gave an earnest Blackmore, addressed the meeting. appropriate address. In the evening the WOKINGHAM.-On Thursday, July 4th, the new ends of the cause held a meeting, George Lowe, Baptist chapel, erected on the site of the old 9., in the chair. Addresses were delivered by building, Milton-road, was opened with the follow2 Chairman, Dr. Wills, the Rev. E. Davies, the ing services :-A prayer-meeting was held in the V. J. G. Oncken, Mr. Consul Hansen, and morning from six to half-past seven, and another from eleven to twelve o'clock. The service of the WYCLIFFE CHAPEL, BIRMINGHAM. - Nearly afternoon was commenced by the Rev. John Aldis, Pee years have elapsed since William Middlemore, of Reading. The Rev. W. Landels then preached 14., the senior deacon of the church at Circus from Rev. iii, 12. At half past four, nearly 600 lapel, invited his brother officers to his house to persons partook of tea in tents erected in a meadow inter upon the practicability of erecting a new near the chapel. At half-past six a public meeting em the soutb-western suburbs of Birming was held, at which Sir Morton Peto presided. The im. The steps which were then taken led to the appearance of such a building, accommodating as olding of Wycliffe Chapel, which was opened for it does nearly 600 persons, at so moderate a cost, lvine worship on the 26th of June. On the pre elicited approving remarks from speaker after Lord's-day, the Rev. J. J. Brown closed his speaker, as well as from the chairman. The promistry at the Circus Chapel, and, after the public ceeds of the day, added to the collections on the Tvices, he and the senior deacons took an affec the following Lord's-day, amount to £64. More Onate leave of the church. Wycliffe Chapel was than £1,100 have now been either paid or promised. uby a meeting for prayer, at seven o'clock ST. ALBANS.-On Thursday, July 4th, 1861, X the morning; at eleven, the Rev. James Hamil meeting was held at the Baptist chapel, St. Albans, 1, D.D., preached ; and at seven in the evening to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Rev. e Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel, M.A. The devo W. Upton's pastorate in that place. A numerous hal parts of the services were conducted by the company took tea in the lecture-room. After singevs. R. W. Dale, M.A., C. Vince, and R. D. ing, prayer, and a few words from the pastor, the ison. On the 30th of June, the Rev. W. Rev. Samuel H. Booth, of Birkenhead (formerly a andels preached ; and the collections on the two member of this church), congratulated Mr. Upton -ys amounted to £310. The series of services on his long, happy, and useful connection with this ere brought to a close by a united communion. church; and, on behalf of the church and congreze chapel furnishes sitting accommodation for 950 gation, begged his acceptance of a purse, containTsons, and has admirable arrangements for ing £100, as a cordial expression of their esteem, hools and classes. and their high appreciation of the faithful labours SKIPTON.-The new Baptist chapel in this town of forty years. Addresses were delivered by the s opened for Divine worship on Friday, the 28th deacons, and various members of the church and ne, when sermons were preached by the Revs. congregation, all of them breathing a spirit of Dowson, of Bradford, and J. Acworth, LL.D., affection to the pastor, and gratitude to God. The Esident of Rawdon College. On Sunday, the Rev. W. Upton replied in an appropriate address. Eh of June, the Revs. W. F. Burchell, of Black MORICE-SQUARE, DEVONPORT.-This place of 51, and J. Tattersfield, of Keighley, preached to worship, having been closed for six weeks for ex-wded congregations. The services were con tensive alterations and repairs, was re-opened the med on Monday, July 1st. The Rev, F. Edwards, | 30th of June, when two sermons were preached by hers. the pastor, the Rev. J. Stock, and collections were considerable enlargement, was re-opened on Tuesmade. The expense of the alterations already day, July 9th. The Rev. W. G. Lewis, of Westeffected in the chapel, and of those yet to be made bourne-grove, London, preached two excellent in the school premises, amounts to about £340. sermons, one in the afternoon and the other in the Towards this sum about £300 has been raised. The evening. The attendance was very good. Between balance, it is expected, will be paid before the the services more than 200 persons sat down to close of the present year. The chapel is now one tea in a booth which had been erected for the ocesof the most commodious in the three towns. sion. Besides being very much improved in appe Almost all the sittings in the lower part are taken, ance, the chapel will now seat upwards of 200 mere and the galleries are well attended. The church, people. too, is gradually increasing, and now numbers 210 members. MINISTERIAL CHANGES.—The Rev. J. Cubit, & WISTOW, HUNTS.—On Thursday, June 18th, Thrapston, having found it necessary, on accous the new Congregational Baptist Chapel at of impaired health, to remove into a warmer stWistow, Hunts, was opened for public worship. ation, has undertaken to assist in the education Two sermons were preached on the occasion, by the young men who are training for the ministy the Right Hon. Lord Teynham, to a congregation under the direction of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeo2.gathered from all parts of the neighbouring Mr. Thomas Evans, of Haverfordwest College, has country, and numbering upwards of 1,000 people. accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation to t Mr. Potto Brown, of Houghton, kindly lent his pastorate of the Baptist church, Waterford, and large tent for the occasion. Many of the neigh entered upon his stated labours there the tard bouring ministers, of all denominations, were Sunday in June.-The Rev. T. French, of Rawu: present; and his lordship was assisted at one of College, has accepted an invitation to the pastorsia the services by the Rev. David Irish, and at the of the Baptist church, Hereford, made vacant li other by the Rev. W. H. Wylie, of Ramsey. Up the resignation of the Rev. F. Leonard, LL.B.wards of £36 was collected towards the clearing off The Rev. W. Rowe, after having honourably ásthe debt upon the chapel. It is a very handsome charged the duties of the pastorate for more than edifice, well suited for the wants of the village. forty years, the last ten of which were spenis Steventon, Beds, was compelled last autres RYEFORD, NEAR Ross, HEREFORDSHIRE.-July through bodily infirmity, to resign the stat 9th, the foundation-stone of a new chapel was laid ministry, and has now removed to Wramby, X at this place by Dr. Batten, of Coleford. Addresses | Brigg, Lincolnshire.-The Rev. T. Hayden, lates were delivered by Messrs. Collings, of Gloucester, the London City Mission, has accepted a corum and Best, of Coleford. Messrs. Sanders, of Mitchel and unanimous invitation to take the oversigt . dean ; Jude Hill, of Gorsley; Stephens, of Ryeford ; and Smith, of Cheltenham, took part in the this church for twelve months.-Mr.T. M. Robert, devotional services. More than 400 persons sat B.A., late of Regent's-park College, having com down to tea between the services. After tea, Mr. pleted a six months' engagement with the cu at Aldborough, Suffolk, has accepted a cordial Smith, of Cheltenham, preached to a large congre vitation to remain as their pastor.-The Rer... gation in a tent; about £40 were raised toward the C. Adams, who has been connected with so bad building. Ryeford is one of the oldest churches in pendent church in Port Natal, and was the means the county, and mother of most of the churches in of establishing it, having changed his views on the neighbourhood. Some time ago it was in a subject of baptism, has returned to England, 20. low state, but now not only are the chapel, vestry, will be glad to supply any church with a ver &c., filled, but many are unable to gain admitance. the pastorate. Address, 17, Hollis-place, Hater BURNHAM, ESSEX.-The Baptist chapel, after | stock-hill, London, N.W. harged the the last ten ompelled last he start Editorial Postscript. We acknowledged in our last a recommendatory resolution passed by the Northam tonshire Association. The following resolution of the Oxfordshire Association desert equally grateful acknowledgment : “That this meeting record its unqualified approbation of "The Church,' as a useful valuable organ of denominational intelligence, and well suited in its literary department the wants of the members of the associated churches in general, and strongly recommend to their cordial and hearty support." We are sincerely thankful to the brethren who proposed, and to the Association The passed, this most gratifying resolution. THE CHURCH. “Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone." SEPTEMBER, 1861. ON LOVE TO GOD. “Them that love God.”— Romans viï. 28. This phrase is part of an interesting and familiar passage, in which the apostle employs love to God as a distinctive characteristic of true piety. “For we know,” says he,“ that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Without adverting further to the context, we may not unprofitably employ ourselves for a few moments in meditating on this important spiritual grace. Love to God—What is it? And what is its place in the Christian character ? Answers to these two questions will bring out our present thoughts. First, Love to God-What is it? More simply, what is love? It is an affection so universally felt that it ought to be easily understood. It is surely delight in a person ; kindness towards a person ; and devotedness to a person: in other words, it is complacency, benevolence, and consecration. And such is love to God. 1. Love to God is delight in his character. Not, however, in such a character as we may happen to ascribe to God; since, either by ignorance or perverseness, we may possibly form an idea of God which is very remote from the truth. Many people do form a God after their own hearts, and then, with this creature of their imagination before them, fancy that they love him. Real delight in the character of God, however, implies that he is truly known; known as he is revealed, not in his works merely, but in his word, and in his Son. To love God is to rejoice in the glorious attributes which compose his being, and more especially in his moral attributes, which may be summed up in one word-his holiness. The reader will recollect with what solemn emphasis it is declared, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.” Now to love God is to find in this his character what gives us pleasure, what inspires the highest thoughts of his excellency, and leads us to revere him, and adore. 2. Love to God is acquiescence in his government. For God has established a government over us by means of a holy, just, and righteous law, and having issues of everlasting joy or sorrow. Even in his exercise of mercy he proceeds upon principles of equity, and makes righteousness and peace embrace each other. To love him is cordially to acquiesce in this his method of action ; to sympathise with his claim of authority, to confess the righteousness of his law, and to rejoice in the honour which it receives in the cross of his Son. It is to be at one with him, without controversy or discontent, in all the aspects and bearings of his moral government; the principles on which it is founded, the rules by which it is administered, and the issues in which it will be consummated. 3. Love to God is devotedness to his interest. For he has a cause in the world which he is carrying on by methods which admit of our co-operation, and in which he condescends to require our aid. Our example, our conversation, our influence, and our activity in a thousand ways, may help its advancement; and he permits it in a measure to lean upon us. To love him is cheerfully to accept this calling, to enter into the spirit of the position in which he has placed us, and, in a spirit of self-renunciation, to live for God. This is a brief, but, perhaps, a sufficient answer to our first question': let us now proceed to the second Secondly, Love to God—What is its place in the Christian character ? In answering this question we shall find a few words to say-first, on its production ; secondly, on its manifestation ; thirdly, on its value; and finally, an its nurture. 1. In speaking of the production of love to God in the heart of fallen man, i is obvious to observe that, antecedently to conversion, he is a total stranger to it. The scripture declares that men are, as unrenewed, “ enemies in their mind to God ;” a fact too plainly shown by their “ wicked works.” And this is manifest, indeed, by a comparison of the actual feelings of men with all the aspects of God's being and ways which are fitted to engage love. They have no delight in his character; unless it be in the fictitious character which their own hearts have given him—that of an easy Deity, who takes little notice of their conduct. and will indulge them with impunity in all manner of disorders. Such a being they could love ; but a God who “is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity," who “is angry with the wicked every day," and will ultimately “turn the wicked into hell," for such a one they feel rather aversion than complacency. And unrenewed men are not less displeased with the government of God than with his character. They think it hard that he should claim to govern, while. in their opinion, his law is a great deal too strict, and his punishments too severe. They are petulant at this crossing of their own will, and resent the interference of Divine government as an unwarrantable and intolerable intrusion on their proper liberty. “Our tongues " and our hands, they say, " are our OwD: who is lord over us ?" Nor is the interest of God in this world at all attractive to unrenewed men. To them it is much more agreeable to revel in sensual indulgences, to riot in scenes of pleasure, or to pursue a course of profit or ambition, than to lend theme selves in a spirit of devotedness to the diffusion of the gospel, and the renovatit. of the world. Whether they eat or drink, or whatsoever they do, it is for their own enjoyment, and not “ for the glory of God.” How, then, it is to be asked, is this state of things altered, and so great a change brought about as that the enemies of God should become his friends and those who hated him learn to love ? The answer to this question is to be found in the words of the Apostle, that God “hath appeared in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.'i Sending his only begotten and well-beloved Son into the world to make himself an offer ing and sacrifice of expiation for sin, “ that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” God has assumed an attitude towards men. appealing to them with unspeakable power, and well-fitted to transform enmity : into friendship. If it be a truth of man's nature that love begets love, bor should not love so unparalleled as this subdue his heart to God? It is true the man's stony heart is obdurate, but it is true also that this is God's chosen ineksi for softening it, and that the adaptation of it is perfect and complete. It is the likewise, that, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, this is the actual means by which a sinner's heart is reconciled to God, and the enemy converted in a friend. Submission to Christ as God's salvation may be regarded as the first expression of friendship towards God himself; a proof and indication that mity no longer prevails, but has given place to love. “We love him because first loved us.” 2. Such is the process by which love to God is generated in man's heart;: let us now see in what mode it is manifested. These modes are many, and all of them are characteristic, but we may specify a few. Love to God manifests itself by a desire for his company. So in earthly things, the loving one desires the company of the loved. He that loves God loves communion with him, whether by meditation merely, or more formally by prayer; loves the sacred retirement where God's presence may be most vividly realized, ind the social exercises by which the devout affections may be most powerfully wakened. His saddest hours are those in which God is most absent from his houghts, and his brightest those in which he walks with him in most intimate 'ompanionship. Love to God manifests itself by a desire after his love. So human love desires eturn, and love unrequited recoils on the heart that cherishes it with a deathike coldness. How unspeakably sad were the heart that loves God, if there night be no hope of responding love! The breathing of its intense desire is, My Father, love me, and shed abroad thy love in my breast !" To be loved 3 not less a necessity of happiness than to love. Love to God manifests itself by a desire after his likeness. There is always a aptness to imitate the character we admire, and sometimes this transforming nfluence of love is very powerful. Love to God generates earnest longings ifter growing and even complete conformity to him. It is on an agreement of aoral temperament that the very possibility of love rests, and the height to phich it can be carried is proportioned to the degree of assimilation. “If we Falk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another." Oh, to be more like him! Then we can love him more, and shall be more Jeloved. Love to God manifests itself by a desire to please him. To a loving heart his commandments are not grievous." To have something to do for one whom e love, supplies us with one of our greatest luxuries; and he that loves God is - he that hath his commandments and keepeth them.” And the promptness and delity with which this is done are equally characteristic. One who truly loves rod will be able to say, “I made haste, and delayed not, to keep thy comlandments.” Dear reader, here are plain evidence Will you now ask yourself whether ou love God or not? 3. What, now, let us ask, in the third place, is the value of this grace ? And to this question we may answer, that love to God is a critical and deci. re evidence of piety. It is an affection so totally opposite to the state of the rnal heart, that its existence cannot be accounted for but on the supposition of entire change ; and the change implied is such as only a melting view of God Christ could have produced. Assuredly, " he that loveth God” has passed om death unto life.” Love to God is pre-eminent among the Christian graces. Of hope, joy, peace, Id all the group, it may be said that love is like an elder sister, “strengthening all e rest;" or rather, love is like the parent of them all. Indeed, there is a view in hich it may be said that all the graces are essentially love. What is faith but love wing at the cross ? What is hope but love winged with expectation ? What joy but love in transport? or patience but love under tribulation ? or trust but le in contemplation of the promise ? These are rather changes of circumstance d condition than changes in the affection of the mind, which, through all, is e and the same. Thus religion may be said to be wholly love. How like to d himself! For “God is love ;” and so are his children too.. Love to God is the great source of pleasure in religion. The affection of love ore especially of requited love, is itself a gladness, and it infuses gladness into |