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eyes have seen thy salvation." When unable to speak, he remained perfectly sensible, shook hands with the friends around him, and then calmly fell asleep in Jesus.

Home Chronicle.

RECOGNITION OF THE REV. S. BERGNE
AT THE POULTRY CHAPEL.

We are happy to find that the church and congregation assembling in the Poultry chapel are now happily settled with a pastor who has secured the suffrages of the entire flock, and who enters upon his ministry under peculiarly favourable auspices. The recognition services of our esteemed friend, the Rev. S. Bergne, late of Lincoln, took place on Thursday, the 10th of June, when a large circle of London ministers attended to welcome their esteemed brother to the metropolis. The general attendance, too, was exceedingly encouraging, and the services were alike animating and refreshing. The Rev. Thomas Binney commenced with reading portions of Scripture and prayer; Dr. Vaughan delivered an admirable introductory discourse on the Characteristics of Nonconformity, and proposed the usual questions to the church and the newlyelected pastor. The replies both of the church and the pastor were highly satisfactory. Dr. Leifchild delivered a charge on preaching, full of admirable and forcible suggestions, evincing great wisdom and matured experience. The Rev. Geo. Clayton, (in the absence, through indisposition, of the former pastor, the Rev. John Clayton,) addressed the people in an exceedingly appropriate and affectionate manner.

The

Rev. J. Stoughton concluded the interesting solemnities with prayer. "Save now, we beseech thee, O Lord; O Lord, we beseech thee, send now prosperity."

THE PEACE SOCIETY.

The thirty-first anniversary of this society was held on the 17th and 18th May. The meeting of members on the 17th, convened by printed circular, was held at the White Hart Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. Jos. T. Price, Esq., in the chair. The report of the committee was read by the Rev. J. Jefferson, the secretary, and unanimously adopted, and ordered to be read to the public meeting in Finsbury chapel. The officers for the ensuing year were appointed, and the general business of the society attended to. The following gentlemen took part in the proceedings: J. Allen, Esq.; W. Astbury, Esq.; R. Barrett, Esq.; Mr.

Eb. Clarke; R, Ransome, Esq.; E. Smith, Esq.; Mr. A. B. Stevens; and Mr. F.

Wheeler.

At the public meeting in Finsbury chapel on the 18th inst., the chair was taken by Chas. Hindley, Esq., M.P., and afterwards by Jos. T. Price, Esq.; and the following gentlemen addressed the meeting: Rev. T. Aveling; Rev. J. Burnet; J. Brotherton, Esq., M.P.; J. S. Buckingham, Esq.; Mr. Elihu Burritt, of Worcester, Mass. ; and Mr. H. Clapp, of Lynn, Mass. The resolutions were embodied in a petition, which was unanimously adopted, and ordered to be signed by the chairman on behalf of the meeting, praying that suitable measures may be taken to settle international disputes by arbitration, or other legal process, without having resort to arms. From the report it appeared that the cause of peace is gradually advancing. It was stated that by the agents of the society and other persons, there had been delivered, under the immediate sanction of the committee, about 500 lectures during the past year to about 110,000 persons; half a million of tracts have been distributed; the periodical press has been employed both in England and Wales; the sale of the Herald of Peace is increasing; fairs and markets have been visited; Sumner's Oration and Bowring's Lecture on the Commercial Importance of Peace, have been circulated; petitions for a legalized system of arbitration have been extensively adopted; and on the continent of Europe twenty lectures have been delivered, some of them to as many as 1500 persons; and many thousands of tracts distributed. The report referred also to the dock yards, and the approaching general election; as also to the decease of Jos. J. Gurney, Esq., and Thos. Clarkson, Esq., with others. Including a balance of 5561., at the commencement of the year, the income of the society has been 21477. 19s. 10d. There is a balance of somewhat more than 1007. in hand.

PROVINCIAL.

WIVENHOE.-OPENING

OF THE NEW INDEPENDENT CHAPEL.

On Wednesday last, April 28th, this chapel, erected for the church and congre

the village with such success that a church was formed, and in 1805 a place of worship was erected for their accommodation, in which the gospel has been ever since regularly preached. This building, through the liberality of John Sanford, Esq., brother of the munificent donor above mentioned, is about to be converted into rooms for dayschools, he having contributed for that purpose 5007. From the commencement of the existing interest to the present time, Wivenhoe has enjoyed the privilege of a succession of godly ministers. The labours of Mr. Hubbard, the present pastor, have proved acceptable to the people, and there is a large congregation and an increasing church.

gation under the pastoral care of the Rev. | neighbourhood, and preached regularly in Saml. Hubbard, was opened for public worship; on which occasion the Rev. John Leifchild, D.D., of Craven chapel, London, preached in the morning, from 2 Cor. viii. 23, "They are the messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ;" and the Rev. Alexander Fletcher, D.D., of London, in the evening, from Isaiah xxviii. 16, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation." The Revs. T. W. Davids and R. Langford, of Colchester; J. Law, of Writtle; J. Trew, of Dedham; J. Pinchback, of Manningtree; C. Rigges, of Tiptree; W. Clements, of Halstead; and T. White, of Walton-on-the-Naze, also took part in the services of the day. The attendance was exceedingly crowded, many persons being unable to obtain admission.

The chapel, which is built in the Italian style, is exceedingly handsome and commodious, having three galleries and two convenient vestries, affording accommodation for 600 persons, and the interior is chastely ornamented. The whole is executed in a manner which reflects the highest credit on the architect, Mr. Fenton, of Chelmsford, and the builder, Mr. Barton, of Alresford. The plot of ground on which it stands is enclosed by a white brick wall, with handsome iron palisades in front. The cost of the whole, which will not be less than 2,0007., has been defrayed by Thos. Sandford, Esq., consequently there was no collection.

After the morning service, nearly 200 ladies and gentlemen sat down to a capital dinner, which was provided by Mr. Turpin, of the Falcon inn, at the old chapel. As soon as the cloth was removed, the party was suitably addressed by the Rev. T. W. Davids; John Chaplin, Esq.; Drs. Leifchild and Fletcher; Rev. S. Hubbard, &c. Tea was then introduced, of which more than 200 partcok, and the friends then adjourned to the chapel for the evening service.

It is considerably more than one hundred years since the gospel was first introduced into Wivenhoe; for in the early part of the eighteenth century there were two meetinghouses in existence, one occupied by the Baptists, and the other by the Presbyterians. There has not, however, been any preaching in either of these places for eighty years, and scarcely any remains of the buildings exist. In the year 1796, a revival of the preaching of the gospel was successfully attempted by the Rev. Isaac Taylor, of Colchester, father of the wellknown Isaac Taylor, Esq., who, in conjunction with the Rev. Mr. Kemp, of Colchester, preached on Sunday evenings in the house of Mr. Coney. In 1803, the Rev. James Hyde took up his residence in the

ORDINATIONS.

On Thursday, April 15th, 1847, Mr. William Roberts, A.B., of Highbury College, (London University,) was ordained to the office of pastor over the Congregational church assembling in Crendon-lane meetinghouse, High Wycombe, Bucks.

The service was commenced by the Rev. J. Hayden, of Ebenezer chapel, Wycombe; the Rev. S. Martin, of Westminster chapel, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. J. Harsant, of Beaconsfield, proposed the usual questions; the Rev. T. G. Hamper, of Uxbridge, offered the ordination prayer ; the Rev. W. B. Leach, of Robert-street chapel, Grosvenor-square, delivered the charge to the minister, who was formerly a member of the church under his pastoral care; the Rev. W. Judson, who for more than thirty years was pastor of the church meeting in Crendon-lane, but who, on account of advanced age, has totally resigned the office which he so long held, concluded the service with prayer.

In the evening, after the reading of the Scriptures and prayer by the Rev. F. Brown, of Highbury college, the Rev. James Sherman, of Surrey chapel, preached to the people.

A great number of ministers were present. The Rev. Messrs. Holmes, of Wendover; Major, of Sokenchurch; Mason, of Chinor; Weston, of Wooburn; Spencer, of Pheasant's-hill; and Paull, of Highbury college, took part in the services.

An impression has been left, that gives the hope of permanent good as the result of the engagements of the day.

On Tuesday, September 16th, the Rev. J. Basley, late student of the Home Missionary Institution, Cotton-end, Bedfordshire, was ordained to the work of the ministry in connection with the Home Missionary Society at Spetisbury, Dorsetshire.

HOME CHRONICLE.

The Rev. E. R. Conder, M.A., of Poole, commenced the services with reading and prayer; the Rev. R. Chamberlain, of Swanage, delivered a discourse on the nature and constitution of a Christian church, and pro posed the questions; the Rev. T. Durant, of Poole, offered the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands; and the Rev. J. Frost, of Cotton-end, Bedfordshire, gave the charge.

In the evening the Rev. T. Seavill, of Wareham, preached to the people. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Ball, of Cadenham; Cecil, of Parkstone; J. Brown, of Wimborne; Crisp, of Bere- Regis; and Erlebach, of West Lulworth.

A day long to be remembered.

On Tuesday, August 12th, 1845, the Rev. Theophilus James, of Narbeth, was ordained to the work of the Christian ministry over the Independent churches, St. Ishmael's Dale and Little Haven, Pembrokeshire, on the removal of the Rev. James Williams to Haverfordwest. On Monday evening, Mr. T. Lloyd, Haverfordwest, preached at Little Haven; Rev. T. R. Williams, Templeton, at St. Ishmael's; and the Rev. W. Davies, of Fishguard, at Dale.

At St. Ishmael's, on Tuesday morning, the Rev. James Williams, (the former minister,) commenced the service by reading the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. Josephus Williams, of Pembroke Dock, delivered, in a masterly manner, the introductory discourse; the Rev. James Williams, of Albany chapel, Haverfordwest, proposed the usual questions; the Rev. W. Warlow, of Milford, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. Joshua Lewis, of Heullan, delivered a very impressive charge; the Rev. W. Davies, of Fishguard, preached to the people; and the Rev. Thomas Lloyd, of Milford, concluded with prayer. At six in the evening Mr. Lloyd preached.

The whole services of the day were conducted in a way very delightful and satisfactory to all who attended them.

On Wednesday, June 2nd, 1847, the Rev. Henry Roebuck, late of Rotherham college, was publicly set apart to the pastorate of the Congregational church at Howden, Yorkshire, vacant by the removal of the Rev. James Bruce to Bamford, Lancashire.

The Rev. A. M'Millan, of Gomersal, commenced the morning service by reading the Scriptures and prayer; the ordination sermon, a clear and able elucidation of ecclesiastical, doctrinal, and spiritual liberty, was preached by the Rev. Newman Hall, B A., of Hull, from Galatians v. 1; after which, the Rev. David Senior, of Selby, proposed the usual questions, and solemnly set apart the young minister to his office by

prayer and the imposition of hands; the Rev. Professor Stowell, principal of Rotherham college, gave the charge to the minister, founded on the words, 1 Tim. iv. 12, "Let no man despise thy youth :" the learned professor concluded an address of great power and beauty, well-seasoned with wise counsel, by an earnest appeal to the newlyordained pastor to let his ministry be a ministry of earnestness, as specially the demand of the times.

An appropriate discourse was preached to the people in the evening by the Rev. O. T. Dobbin, LL.D., of Hull College, from the third verse of the Epistle of St. Jude. The Revs. E. Hunt, of Goole; J. Cummins, of Cowick; Messrs. J. C. M'Michael, J. B. Lister, Muncaster, Twidale, Whewell, &c., of Rotherham College, took part in the interesting services.

On Tuesday, April 20th, 1847, the ordination of the Rev. Thomas Fisor, B.A., of Coward College, took place over the church assembling in the Abbey chapel, Romsey, when the following order of services was observed:

The Rev. George Jones, of Portsmouth, explained the principles and practices of Congregational churches, and their agreement with the New Testament; the Rev. Edward Giles, of Newport, Isle of Wight, proposed the usual questions, which were satisfactorily responded to by the pastor elect: Dr. Beddome, as senior deacon of the church, stated on its behalf, the steps which had been taken by it to fill up the vacant pastorate, and which had issued in the services of the day; the Rev. Thomas Adkins, of Southampton, offered the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands; President and the Rev. T. W. Jenkyn, D.D., of Coward College, addressed a charge to the ordained minister on the duties of his office, founded on Isaiah vi. 6, 7.

On the ensuing day the half-yearly meeting of the pastors and churches of the Hants Association was held in the Abbey chapel, when the Rev. J. S. Pearsall, of Andover, read a paper on "the State of Education in the County," and W. Tice, Esq., of Popley, also read one on "Benefit Societies in connection with Congregational Churches" -both of them prepared at the request of the association.

These services were followed by a sermon in the evening by the Rev. Dr. Bennett, of London, in which he enforced, with great pathos and power, the duties of the church to their newly-appointed pastor; and at the close the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered to the ministry and mem. bers of the associated churches, when the Rev. Thomas Adkins presided.

The services of the two consecutive days

were very instructive, solemn, and adapted for usefulness; and derived additional interest from the presence and councils of the venerable servant of God, who, just fifty years preceding, had been ordained as pastor over the same church. It is a subject of unfeigned thankfulness that the young minister appointed to fill the vacated pastorate commences his important course amidst the affectionate confidence of the church over which he is placed, and the brethren in the ministry by whom he is surrounded.

On Wednesday morning the friends of the Sunday-school Union, about one hundred and fifty, breakfasted at the Town-hall, and at three o'clock about the same number dined there, being a most agreeable and instructive meeting.

The Abbey chapel having been closed for several weeks to be repaired and beautified, was opened for the first time on this occasion.

The Rev. J. C. M'Michael, senior student of Rotherham College, has received and accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the Congregational church at Halshan Moor, near Manchester, to become co-pastor with the Rev. Joseph Dyson; and intends to commence his labours in this interesting sphere on the third sabbath of July.

The Rev. William Reid Thorburn, A.M., formerly minister of Han Fold chapel, near Rochdale, has accepted an unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the Congregational church assembling in Bethel chapel, Bury, and entered on his new sphere of exertion on the first sabbath of this month. The ladies of the congregation kindly presented their minister with a beautiful pulpit gown and cassock.

Mr. Samuel Shaw, student of the Lancashire Independent College, has accepted an unanimous invitation from the church of Christ assembling in Providence Chapel, Ovenden, near Halifax, to become their pastor, and proposes to commence his labours there early in July.

The church of Christ meeting in Orchard street Chapel, Stockport, have unanimously invited Mr. Absalom Clark, student of the Lancashire Independent College, to take the oversight of them. He has acceded to their request, and hopes to enter upon his labours at the commencement of next month.

NEWPORT PAGNELL COLLEGE.

The annual services in connexion with this institution were held on Wednesday and Thursday, the 9th and 10th of June.

The examination was conducted on the 9th in the presence of several ministers and

friends of the college, and was highly satisfactory to them. Two classes were examined in Hebrew in the book of Genesis and in the prophesies of Isaiah. Passages in Greek and Latin, selected by the examiners, were read from Plato's apology of Socrates, the Medea of Euripides, and Xenophon's Anabasis, also from Cicero's Tusculan Questions, and Cæsar's Commentaries. Considerable attention and intelligence were exhibited in an exercise on the first two books of Whateley's Logic."

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A prayer meeting was held in the evening, and addresses delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Boaz and Wilkins.

The more public services of the following day were well attended and deeply interesting. A very excellent and appropriate sermon was preached in the morning by the Rev. George Smith, of Poplar, from 2 Cor. chap. iv., 5. At the public meeting in the afternoon the report was read, and various resolutions were spoken to on that occasion, and subsequently at the tea-meeting, by the Rev. Messrs. T. P. Bull, G. Smith, Cecil Alliott Jukes, Boaz, Prust, Wilkins, Brooks, Castleden, Watson, Whiting, J. Bull, and by Messrs. Bateman and Hudson.

Amongst the former students present at this anniversary its friends were happy in the presence and assistance of the Rev. T. Boaz from Calcutta. The blessing of God has rested on the institution during the past year, and though the visitations of sickness, and in one case of death, in the removal of a very devoted young man, have fallen upon it, yet its circumstances are such as to call forth gratitude and thankfulness. As is too often the case in our public institutions, there was a complaint of deficiency in funds, but the committee feel assured from the deep sense entertained of the value and importance of this institution, that, with a little effort on the part of its friends, this cause of anxiety may be removed during the next year.

The London treasurer and secretaries of the society are Thomas Piper, Esq., the Rev. C. Gilbert, and H. Bateman, Esq.

KENT UNION SOCIETY, FOR THE BENEFIT OF AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, AND THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF MINISTERS.

Dear Sir,-Will you allow me a little space on behalf of the above institution? The annual meetings do not take place this year, as usual, in conjunction with those of the Kent Congregational Association; but will be held (D.V.) at the Rev. H. B. Jeula's chapel, Greenwich, on Tuesday, July the 6th; the committee assembling at one o'clock precisely, and the subscribers and members at four in the afternoon.

I am, dear sir, yours very sincerely,
BENJ. SLEGHT, Secretary.

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