Towards the conclusion of the Conference, several Regulations were made, from which we subjoin the following extract:

'Q. 13.. As several complaints have been made of great impositions practised upon some of our simple people by quacks and cmpirics, especially such as pretend to cure all discases in the eyes,What is the Opinion of the Conference on this subject?

A. We are unanimously of opinion, That no countenance or support should be given to such persons; and we earnestly exhort all our preachers, both itinerant and local, and all the members of our societies, to have no intercourse or connection with them.

Q. 18. How may we transact the Business of our future Conferences with greater expedition ?

A. The Chairmen of our districts are required, not only to examine very minutely in their district meelings all persons proposed to travel as preachers ambag us, but also to report distinctly in their Dis. trict Minutes, for the consideration of the Conference, the Opinion of the District Meetings after such examination, respecting their health, piety, and moral character, ministerial abilities, belief of our doctrines, attachment to our discipline, and freedom from debt, as well as from all secular incumbrances. In the

same District Meetings, the preacher who recommends any candidate shall state his age, and siga a recommendatory character of him, which may forthwith be copied, if the Couference receive such candidate upon trial, into the book provided for that purpose.

The result of an Enquiry into the Spiritual State of our Societies was particularly pleasing. It appears that, in the course of the past year, 5811 new members in Great Britain, and 1966 in Ireland, have been added to our Societies; and about 12,000 in the United States of America. These, we have reason

to forsake the world and sin, and to take the Father of our Lord Jesus for their God and portion; and we hope pure and undefiled religion is increasing among our people in most places.'

At the close of a short account of deceased preschers, a note is added, which deserves he attention of all religions persons who occasionally entertain itirment ministers: — ' It is much to be desired that all our friends would take due care to have the beds in which they put the preaches perfectly dry.

Aug. 15. The Truflees and Friends of the Countess of Huntingdon's College, at Cheshunt, held their Anniversary at the College. The Rev. T. Jones, of Oat-hall, opened the meeting with ; after which, prayer; the students read some part of the church-service, with psalms and les

sons selected for the occasion. The Rev. J. J. Richards, the tutor, then addressed the congregation briefly, in order to introduce the orations; which were to be spoken by three of the senior students, on given subjects. The first was on the Mysteriousness and Unsearchableness of the Divine Providence, by Mr. J. Bloomfield. The second, on the Wisdom, Righteousness, and Equity of the Divine Government, by Mr. Francis Mardin. The third, on the Duty and Benefit of a calm Resignation and quiet Submission to the Will of God in his Providential Dis

pensations, by Mr. John Williams. These being ended, the Rev. E. Lake, formerly a student in this college, preached a sermon, from Numb. xxiii. 24, What hath God wrought!' The Rev. R. Stodhart, minister of Pell Street Chapel, concluded with prayer.

We hear that the late Mrs. Pentycross (relict of the Rev. Mr. Pentycross) of Wallingford, has lett £100 stock, 4 per cents, to the Missionary Society; £100 ditto, to the Society for Missions to Africa and the East; £100 ditto, to the British and Foreign Bible Society; besides several other Legacies to Funds, før:

the Education of Ministers, and the Support of poor and pious Clergy

men.

Provincial Intelligence.

Feb. 11. A convenient place of worship was opened at Cromer (an excellent bathing-place) in Norfolk, by Mr. Beard, of Worsted; who has, with the kind assistance of neighbouring ministers, preached there once a fortnight on Lord's Day evenings. Many of the inhabitants of Cromer and its vicinity attend with evident seriousness, and it is hoped with a divine blessing.

Mr.

On Good Friday, April 20, was opened a new and commodious place of religious worship at Knottingley, when Dr. E. Williams preached from 2 Cor. iv. 6; Kidd, of Cleckheaton, from Zech. viii. 23; and Mr. Bruce, of Wakefield, from 1 Kings viii. 28, 29; and other neighbouring misisters engaged in the devotional parts of the service. The discourses were suitable to the occasion, and a liberal collection was made towards defraying the expences incurred.

This populous place, consisting ebiefly of lime-burners and persons employed in the inland and coasting trade, was remarkably deficient in the means of religious instruction; and, though this infant cause has Wad some peculiar difficulties to encounter, the attendance continues Lo be respectable; and it is hoped that the labours of the students from the academies of Rotherham and Idle, and the visits of many stated ministers, have already been blessed to the spiritual profit of the people.

The Devon Association met at Totness, June 10. Mr. Menda preached from Isa. x. 15, 16; and Mr. Rooker, of Bideford, from Luke in 16. The annual address en religious Society was drawn up by Air. Windeatt. Mr. Judson preached on the preceding evening Brom Rev. v. 12; Messrs. Pinchback, Sroall, Varder, Winton, Sprague, of Bovey; Cope, of Launston, and Gleed, of Teignmouth,

prayed. Mr. Cope preached an oc◄ casional sermon in the afternoon, from Heb. x. 32. The Association joined the Congregational Union, and nominated an open committee of five persons, which will meet at Ashburton on the Wednesday after Christmas, and to whom those petitionary cases are to be referred, which may occur before the inceting of the next Association. Encouraged by the success of their present itinerant, the Association intend to employ another, when a suitable person offers.

Sep. 5. The Middlesex and Herta Union held their half-yearly Meeting at the Rev. Mr. Whitefool's, Enfield. Messrs. Wiliams, of Edmonton, and Cox, of St. Alban's, prayed; Mr. Porter, of Highgate, preached on the Peculiar Advantages of Secret Prayer; and Mr. Morrison, of Barnet, concluded. Their next meeting will be held at Barnet, on the Wednesday after the first Sabbath in April, 1811, Mr. Cox, of St. Alban's, to preach on the Mutual Obligations between Pastor and People; or, in the event of his absence, Mr. Knight, of Ponder's End.

Sep. 12. The Associated Independent Ministers of Dorset, beld their half-yearly Meeting at Blandford. In the morning service, Messrs. Collins and Bannister prayed; Mr. Jones preached from John v. 39; and Dr. Cracknell concluded by prayer. In the evening Mr. Rogers prayed; Mr. Wheaton preached from John i. 29; and Mr. Loader concluded with prayer. Mr. Durant preached the preceding evening. The next haif-yearly Meeting will be held at Weymouth, on the Wednesday in the Easter week.

The same day, a new chapel was opened at Brasted, in Kent. Mr. Hyatt, of the Tabernacle, London, preached in the morning, from Psa. exviii 25, last part; Mr. Williams, of Gate Street Chapel, London, in the afternoon, froin Psa. exxxii. 13-16; Mr. Hyatt preached again in the evening. The chapel bas been erected at the expence of an

individual; and the attendance and liberality manifested at its opening, encourage us to hope that it has not been erected in vain.

The Wilts Association intend to hold their next Meeting at Warmiaster, on Thursday, the 18th of October. Mr.W.Priestley to preach in the morning, on Christian Conversation; Mr. C. Sloper in the af. ternoon; and Mr. Elliott in the evening.

Value of the Bible in a Prison.

An Englishman, who was confined in the prison at Malacca for piracy, began to reflect on his state,

and was very desirous of procuring a Bible; for which purpose he sold his shirt, jacket, &c.; but great was his mortification when he found that no Bible could be procured there; nor did he obtain one till he was removed to Calcutta, where he has obtained his desire; and there is reason to hope that he is now a changed man." He had been sentenced to die for his crime; but his life has been spared, and he will be sent to New South Wales. The Missionary who relates this, suggests the propriety of furnishing all the prisons in the British possessions abroad with Bibles.

U. G.

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