and Laxton there is a promising opening for missionary enterprize. They also recommended that the stations should in future be regularly visited by deputations from the Association, who would encourage labourers, give vigour to languishing interests, originate new plans of usefulness, and check many petty evils that rise up to mar the prosperity and to destroy the peace of the churches.

It was accordingly resolved to raise funds for the erection of chapels in both these places, and a committee appointed to carry it into effect.

It was also resolved, "That this meeting rejoices to hear of the proposed union for Home Missionary purposes between the Home Missionary Society and the Congregational Union, and anticipates great advantages from future co-operation with the united society."

In the evening a public meeting was held, when the Rev. John Wild, pastor of the church in James's Street, Nottingham, was called to the chair.

The Report was read by one of the Secretaries, from which we extract the following interesting passages, as containing facts and describing efforts which it would be well if other associations would make a point of collecting and prosecuting.

"There are now fifteen congregational churches in Nottinghamshire, consisting of 1,075 members, 101 of whom have been added during the past year. The places of worship in which they assemble will accommodate 8,198 hearers, and, with the exception of three or four, are generally well attended. Thirteen of these churches support sabbath schools, in which 351 teachers are weekly engaged in sowing the good seed of the kingdom, and 2,042 scholars are made acquainted with the holy Scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

"The churches in Nottingham have reason to be thankful for the internal peace and external prosperity with which, during the last twelve months, they have been favoured. Sixty-four individuals have, during that period, given satisfactory evidence of conversion to God, and have been admitted to church communion. The town mission, which the Congregational, in union with the Baptist and other churches, support, has been productive of much good. The missionaries have carried the gospel to the houses of those who were too indifferent and careless to attend the public sanctuary, and, in numerous instances, it has been blessed, to the salvation of immortal souls. Our churches have also attended to the regular distribution of tracts, and to branch Sabbath schools which have been formed in the immediate neighbourhood of Nottingham; one of these is at New Radford, where the Friar Lane friends have also conducted stated worship, in a neat chapel, capable of accommodating 230 hearers; another is at Bloomsgrove, under the superintendence of the Castle Gate teachers; and a third at Old Radford, which is supported by a gentleman connected with the church in James's Street, and who, in addition to a Sunday school of about 120 scholars, maintains stated sabbath worship in a commodious room, in which 200 attendants can be comfortably accommodated. We may add, in reference to Nottingham, that very interesting special religious services were held in December last, which were not only attended by crowded assemblies, but have been the means of exciting a spirit of christian love and devotedness amongst professors, as well as of awakening many previously careless to attention and enquiry on the subject of religion."

"The church at the important town of Newark continues in a thriving and prosperous state; the chapel, which will now accommodate 1,422 individuals, was re-opened, after enlargement, on the 10th of February, 1839. In addition to loan tract distribution in the surrounding villages, there is a branch preaching station at Farndon, another at Kelham, and three cottage lectures, weekly, in the most destitute parts of the town. The active and zealous discharge of pastoral duties has been much blessed both to the town and neighbourhood."

The following Resolutions were then proposed, and adopted :

1. That the Report now read be received, and that this meeting is convinced

that increased Home Missionary efforts is the solemn duty of the Congregational churches.

2. That the meeting calls upon all the churches in the Association to more ardent, persevering, and believing prayer on behalf of the destitute towns, villages, and hamlets, in our county, and to more liberal contributions towards the spread of the Gospel amongst them.

3. That the thanks of this meeting be presented to the Rev. Algernon Wells, for his friendly visit, for his excellent sermon preached last night, and for his services this evening, trusting that the blessing of God will render his labours here permanently beneficial.

The next meeting of the Association will be at Mansfield, Tuesday and Wednesday, October 13 and 14.

SOMERSET COUNTY ASSOCIATION.

The forty-fourth Anniversary of the Somerset Association was held in the Independent chapel, at Chard, on Wednesday, May 27th, 1840.

Instead of the usual morning sermon in aid of the funds of the Association, the Rev. W. H. Griffith, B.A., (late of Coward College) was ordained as the pastor of the Congregational church assembling in the above place of worship, and the following was the order of the service.

The Rev. J. Taylor, of Fulwood, commenced by reading and prayer. The Rev. Edward Paltridge, of South Petherton, offered the general prayer. The Rev. John Davies, of Taunton, delivered the introductory discourse, stating the principles of dissent, and the nature and constitution of a Christian church. The Rev. Robert James, of Glastonbury, proposed the usual questions, and received the confession of faith, and the Rev. Thomas Luke, of Taunton, offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. Dr. Murch, of Stepney College, gave the charge to the minister, and the Rev. John Bishop, of Bridgewater (the former pastor of the church) concluded with prayer.

The associated ministers and friends met in the afternoon to conduct the usual business connected with the prosperity of their respective churches and the evangelization of the villages in the county.

The Rev. W. Jay, of Bath, preached in the evening. Besides those ministers who took part in the very interesting, and deeply impressive services of the day, there were many others who came from a distance.

The attendance was unusually large, and the interest well sustained to the close. Chard presents to our young brother a very large field for usefulness, and most heartily do we wish him prosperity in the name of the Lord," and fervently pray that he may realize much personal comfort and ministerial success.

THE DORSET COUNTY ASSOCIATION.

The above Association held their Spring meeting at Sherborne on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of April. On the evening of Tuesday, the 21st, the Rev. J. C. Bodwell, M.A., of Weymouth, preached from Jer. viii. 22. Wednesday forenoon, the Rev. Frederick Rice, of Wareham, preached on "The tendency of the principles of the New Testament to produce universal peace." In the evening, the Rev. A. Morton Brown, A.M., preached from John xvii. 17. On Thursday morning, at half-past 6 o'clock, there was a prayer meeting. And also, at half-past 6 o'clock in the evening, a meeting for prayer and exhortation; when Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Keynes, Durant, Bishop, and Chamberlain. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Messrs. Clark, of Chard; Bishop, of Sydling; Guennell, of Weymouth; Evans, of Shaftesbury; Mr. John Brown, of Wareham, and others. The attendance at these devotional exercises was especially encouraging.

The Association met for business after dinner on Wednesday, and from 10 to 3 o'clock on Thursday. Great advantage was derived to the Association, and, it is hoped, to the church and congregation at Sherborne, by devoting the whole of Thursday to the business of the Association, and to devotional exercises.

1. A petition against Church Extension was agreed to, signed, and forwarded. 2. The Rev. Messrs. R. Chamberlain, James Porter, A. Morton, Brown, and J. Hoxley, and Messrs. B. Chandler, Mal. Fisher, and John Brown, were chosen as delegates for this year to the Congregational Union.

3. Resolutions were passed approving of the prospective alliance betwixt the Congregational Union and the Home Missionary Society; and directing their delegates to watch the discussion of the 4th and 5th revised rules of the Society.

4. The Rev. Messrs. Bishop, of Beaminster, and A. Morton Brown, A. M., of Poole, were appointed to visit the Home Missionary and Village Stations connected with the Association.

5. The Rev. Thomas Durant, who had been Secretary, from Sept. 1824, resigned his office, from a painful conviction that he would, at his age, be incapable of discharging the increasing duties connected with it hereafter. The Rev. Robt. Chamberlain, of Swanage, was unanimously chosen Minute Secretary; and Mr. John Brown, of Wareham, as unanimously chosen Cash Secretary of the Association.

6. A resolution was unanimously passed, strongly but inadequately expressing the deep regret of the Association at the resignation of their highly-valued Secretary; their high sense of his services during the sixteen years of his official connection with the Association, their lively gratitude, and their devout wishes. 7. The Autumnal Meeting was appointed to be held at Swanage.

NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHAPELS IN THE COLONIES.

The happy progress that our churches are making in the Colonies of Canada and Australia is illustrated by the following facts.

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

The foundation stone of the Congregational Church in Freeman Street, Adelaide, was laid on Monday, the 9th of December last, by the Rev. T. Q. Stow, who delivered an able address on the occasion, which we hope to publish. The ground has been generously given by John Brown, Esq. of Freeman Street. The building was to be completed by the 15th June, 1840. The cost will be £2650.

MELBOURNE, PORT PHILIP, AUSTRALIA.

The success which has attended the mission of the Rev. W. Waterfield, to this rapidly increasing settlement, has rendered the erection of a chapel necessary.

The Government, pursuant to an Act of Council, have granted a most eligible site of ground of two acres, in a central position in the town of Melbourne, for the erection of a chapel, school-house, and pastoral residence. We are happy to find that the trustees to whom it was granted were chosen by the people, and that the only condition imposed by the colonial authorities is, that the estate shall be held for the denomination for whose use it is granted.

On Tuesday, September 3d, 1839, the trustees and other friends, with their own pastor and the ministers of other connexions, assembled, at one o'clock, on the site, to lay the first stone of the first substantial edifice erected for the worship of the true God in Australia Felix,

The Rev. W. Waterfield gave out the 132d Psalm, Dr. Watts's version, which was sung. He then read appropriate portions of the word of God, and offered prayer, imploring the protection and blessing of God upon the work.

Henry Hopkins, Esq. of Hobart Town, to whom this infant settlement, as well as that of Van Dieman's Land, is deeply indebted for his christian liberality and zeal, then proceeded to lay the stone, after which he delivered an energetic and christian-like address, which breathed a truly catholic spirit, and with which all present were deeply impressed. He predicted that, if the colonists honoured the Sabbath, valued the means of grace, and lived in the fear of God, Australia Felix would become the queen of colonies. Mr. Waterfield then read the inscription deposited in the foundation stone, and closed the service with an appropriate doxology.

LONDON, UPPER CANADA.

(From the Canada Inquirer.)

The members and friends of the Congregational church in this town celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of their new chapel, and the union between pastor and flock, on the 19th and 20th of January, 1840. On Lord's-day, 19th, two appropriate sermons were preached by the Rev. W. P. Wastell, late from England, and now of Guelph; after which a financial statement was presented by the building committee, from which it appeared that the remaining debt on their neat and commodious meeting house was £35. 18s. 7d.-on the subscription list not yet received, and supposed to be good, £18. 5s.: reducing the actual debt to £17. 13s. 7d. On the following evening the friends enjoyed the social and mental gratification connected with a tea meeting, in the new Wesleyan Vestry, kindly lent for the occasion. It was the first meeting of the kind in this section of country, and all pronounced it one of the most interesting and delightful seasons ever witnessed. The arrangements were so judicious and comfortable, the provisions so excellent and abundant, and the tables so splendid and inviting, as justly to elicit a warm eulogium on the ladies who managed this department, for the unremitting attention, good taste and judgment, they had manifested. Upwards of 120 persons were present.

The Rev. Mr. Clark in the Chair, in a pastoral address, touchingly referred to the affectionate people he had left to come to Canada, whose memento of affection was then before him and the company, and used for the first time that evening-a beautiful tea-urn, with an inscription on a silver plate.

The Rev. Mr. Byers (Wesleyan) followed in a fraternal and christian speech, expressive of the attractions and usefulness of christian union. This gentleman was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Wastell, who, in a strain of holy and attractive eloquence, descanted on the social character, the exalted pleasures, and the influential results of the religion of Jesus, and urged to united effort for the removal of the trifling debt.

The Chairman stated that, in addition to the present demands upon the building committee, it was necessary to provide means for a substantial fence, some driving sheds on the northern side, and completing the front of the building. He said there were three modes of raising the required funds. First, the pastor might leave his flock and appeal to the public, but that could not be resorted to with propriety. The second was, the Bill for dividing the Clergy Reserves among the different denominations had passed the Provincial Legislature: should we apply for a portion of the reserve fund, and place ourselves under the patronage of the State? This was immediately, and unanimously, rejected, by adopting the third mode-another effort of the voluntary principle-when with the utmost promptness and cheerfulness, the friends gave in their names for the payment of 140 dollars by the 1st of July next.

BOWMANVILLE, UPPER CANADA.

(From the Toronto Examiner.)

It is with extreme pleasure that we announce the opening of another place of worship, in connection with the Congregational body of this province. This interesting event took place at Bowmanville, on Sunday, February 16th, when the Rev. J. Roaf preached, in his usual excellent style, two sermons to overflowing congregations. The rapidity with which this interest has risen strikingly indicates the adaptation of the Congregational system to the wants of the people of this country, and shows the efficiency of the labours of the Rev. T. Machin, Pastor of the Church, who about twelve months ago arrived in this province as a missionary from the London Colonial Missionary Society. If any thing were required to show how entirely destitute of all foundation are the apprehensions of those who suppose that evangelical religion cannot exist apart from government support, we think it is supplied in these "coming events,"-the offspring of the voluntary principle. The Society under whose direction Mr. Machin and the

brethren in this Province are labouring, is entitled to the gratitude and patronage of every friend to religious liberty. We augur that the Society will not only realize their expectations with regard to the diffusion of the Gospel, but ultimately there will be secured to us the establishment of principles that will constitute our safeguard against oppressive hierarchies, and secure to every man his right of exercising a spontaneous liberality in the support of the cause of Christ, The Chapel of Bowmanville is of gothic character-neat in exterior and chastely fitted up within. It is the result of much taste, and the architect has evidently done it-con amore. The land was handsomely presented by C. Bowman, Esq. of Montreal. The collection amounted to more than £20.

OPENING OF A NEW CHAPEL, AT HARTSHILL, WARWICK.

The New Independent Chapel, at Hartshill, near Nuneaton, was opened on Monday, May 4th, when three sermons were preached. In the morning, by the Rev. J. Sibree, of Coventry; in the afternoon, by the Rev. A. Pope, of Leamington; and in the evening, by the Rev. T. East, of Birmingham.

The Revs. D. Bagnall, (minister of the place,) J. Eustace, of Nuneaton, J. G. Hewlett, of Coventry, H. Rhead, of Bulkington, G. Knight, of Wolvey, (General Baptist,) J. Leighton, of Halifax, T. Dix, of Bedworth, and G. Gouge, of Polesworth, engaged in the several devotional parts of the services of the day.

The sum collected amounted to nearly £30. Towards the erection of this commodious place of worship and spacious school-rooms, a benevolent individual has given a munificent donation of £500. There yet remains a debt of £300, for liquidating which, an appeal will be made to the liberality of the religious public; and it is hoped that the appeal will be responded to, by a generous and zealous effort to relieve this interesting station from the burden of debt, especially when it is known that the chapel is situated in the midst of a numerous, hard-working and poor population.

OPENING OF DUCIE CHAPEL, MANchester.

The services connected with the opening of this place of worship were held on Wednesday, the 6th of May, and the following Sabbath, and were of a highly auspicious character. The venerable Mr. Jay preached in the morning of Wednesday, Mr. Parsons, of York, in the evening. The devotional services were conducted by Mr. Griffin, and Mr. Fletcher, of Manchester, Mr. Bevan, of Liverpool, Mr. Blackburn, of Bomford, Mr. Hoyle, of Stally Bridge, and Mr. Godkin, of Belfast. Dr. Reed preached in the morning, and Mr. Campbell, of the Tabernacle, London, in the afternoon and evening of the Sabbath. The devotional services were conducted by Mr. Owen, of Warrington, and other ministers. These occasions have been of a most encouraging nature. The collections amounted to nearly £600, affording another proof of the deep solicitude felt for this new and promising interest. On the Wednesday, after the first service, about 150 gentlemen sat down to dinner in the school room, and speeches were delivered by Samuel Fletcher, Esq., Dr. Halley, Mr. Keep, from America, and other gentlemen, and a delightful spirit pervaded the assembly.

The erection of this chapel resulted from the exertions made by a few zealous friends of the cause of Christ to diffuse the blessings of the gospel through a low and neglected part of Manchester, occupied by a large proportion of the lower orders of the Irish. Having secured the services of Mr. Nolan, a temporary place was fitted up in Castle Street, George's Road, in a building which had been occupied as a cholera hospital.

The labours of Mr. Nolan were signally blessed; many of the poor Irish were attracted, the co-operation of ardent friends of Christ, who rejoiced in the opportunity of spreading the Redeemer's kingdom, was cheerfully given, a christian church was formed, consisting at first of nine members; christian instruction was imparted to the neighbourhood, a missionary being supported