Denbighshire, (which institution was afterwards removed to Brecon,) with whom Miss A. resided until the period of his death, which occured at Newport, Monmouthshire, the 11th of August, 1831; her excellent mother having died on the 21st of January, 1818. From that time down to her own departure, she dwelt in the family of her only brother, the Rev. John Armitage, Oakhill, near Bath.

During a painful and distressing illness of six months, she never murmured or repined at the Lord's dealing with her; was characterized by an entire resignation to the will of her heavenly Father. In early life it was her privilege to possess every religious advantage, but continued unimpressed with divine things, of a decided character, until the year 1800. She then began to feel the importance of personal piety, and, about the year 1819, united herself to the church of Christ, and became a member at Hope Chapel, Newport, under the pastoral care of her esteemed step-father, Dr. Lewis. During the first stage of her illness, she appeared much distressed in mind that she had not lived up to her privileges; often would she mourn over her imperfections, and at times felt unhappy because she could not satisfactorily discover her personal interest in the Saviour. It was her happiness, as she approached the end of her earthly sojourn, that all doubt, fear, and anxiety subsided. She was enabled willingly to wait and welcome her Lord's pleasure, and, with composure of mind, hope for a glorious immortality. Frequently would she say, "Yes, he is able and willing to save to the uttermost. Goodness and mercy have followed me all my days, and will be continued to the end." The beautiful stanza by Cennick, dwelt upon her lips and heart:

"Yet a season, and you know

Happy entrance will be given,
All your sorrows left below:

And earth exchang'd for heaven."

Miss A. having a good voice for singing, she delighted in the exercise of praise. When able, she would with considerable feeling employ the words of Dr. Watts:

"Oh, the delights, the heavenly joys,
The glories of the place,

Where Jesus sheds the brightest beams
Of his o'erflowing grace."

Also other verses, such as the following,"Jesus, lover of my soul," "Jesus, I love thy charming name," "Oh, for a heart to praise my God."

During her protracted sickness, the Lord was very gracious to her soul, in not allow. ing the enemy to harass or perplex her mind; this she esteemed a special favour from the hand of the Lord. It was a pleasure to be in the room with, and to enjoy her conversation. Being naturally of a lively and cheerful disposition, friends could not

A

think they were in the society of one so near the confines of an eternal world. strain of piety pervaded her discourse, especially on the goodness, mercy, and faithfulness of God, in the fulfilment of his promises. She was accustomed to speak of her departure with the greatest composure; just as a person would do, about to take a journey in the present world. With perfect calmness of spirit, she said to her brother a month before her decease, "When I am removed, you will no doubt think it your duty to improve the event, for the benefit of the living. The words of the Psalmist and the apostle, contained in Psa. xxiii. 6, and Heb. iv. 9, is my dying experience and anticipation; from these passages endeavour to offer a few remarks."

An apparent alteration took place in her countenance on sabbath-day, the 20th of June, which appeared to indicate speedy dissolution; any symptom of approaching death seemed to afford her pleasure. During the day she became restless; her friends and dear relatives, were apprehensive she could not survive the sabbath: her brother came to the bedside to take leave of her about six o'clock in the evening, (she had forgotten it was the sabbath-day,) and said, "I am going to leave you for a short time." With a degree of quickness, she replied, "Where are you going?" He said, "To chapel, to attend the evening service." She paused a second or two, stretched forth her hand, clasping his within her own, and with peculiar emphasis gave utterance to her feelings: Go; the Lord bless you and make you a blessing; tell the people now is the time to repent, now the day of salvation." On the following morning, at six o'clock, a decided change for death took place. She continued perfectly sensible. Her brother, his dear partner, and a Christian friend being near the bedside, she affectionately embraced them, saying, in a distinct voice, "I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness," evidently having on her mind the passage in Psa. xvii. 15. In a few moments more, she fixed her eyes upwards, her countenance beaming with heavenly delight, waving her arms as in an ecstacy; she endeavoured to speak, but could not be understood; and then, with a pleasing smile, gently fell asleep until the morning of the resurrection, in her 71st year.

The departed was not a subject of high joys, but had deep and impressive views of religion, connected with a cheerful temperature of mind, which characterized her general deportment, and, through divine grace, was enabled to maintain a consistent conversation before the world, and sustained honourable membership in the church for twenty-eight years. Her mortal remains were interred in the grave-yard adjoining

the Independent chapel, Oakhill, on Monday morning, the 28th of June. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. J. C. Davies, of Wells. On the following Sabbath-evening, the solemn event was improved by her beloved brother, to a large and attentive Congregation, from texts of Scripture named

a month before her decease, alluded to in this notice. Truly it may be said of her now no more, her "end was perfect peace," and a satisfactory hope indulged, her happy spirit has realized a completion of her last ardent expression, "I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness."

THE CONGREGATIONAL LECTure.

THIRTEENTH SERIES.

We announce with much pleasure that the Congregational Lecture for the present year will be delivered by the Rev. S. Davidson, LL.D., one of the tutors of the Lancashire Independent College, on the following subject: "The Ecclesiastical Polity of the New Testament unfolded, and its Points of Coincidence or Antagonism with Prevailing Systems indicated."

The first Lecture will be delivered at the Congregational Library, Blomfield-street, on the evening of Tuesday, the 19th inst.

The following is a syllabus of the course, which will consist of nine Lectures:

Lecture I. Introductory Remarks-the Views entertained among Christians of Ecclesiastical Polity classed under three heads -first, that no one System is laid down in the New Testament, or is obligatory on Believers-secondly, that nothing is left to Human Discretion, but that a Precise Model is laid down-thirdly, that a Pattern is delineated in Outline-Examination of these three Opinions separately-The third advocated and defended-The Constitution of Christian Churches was not borrowed from the Jewish Synagogue-Observations on the View of Vitringa and others.

Lecture II. Social Worship founded on the Constitution of Man-Duty and Advantages of Church Relationship-Two meanings of the word iкKλnoia, Church, as applied to Assemblies convened for Religious Purposes -The true Materials of a Church-Characteristics of a Scriptural Church-The Church at Jerusalem, did it consist of more congregations than one?-The condition of the Church at Ephesus-The Church at Corinth -Refutation of other meanings of the word Church-The number of Believers constituting a Church-General Positions on the subject of Churches.

Lecture III. Office-bearers of a Church extraordinary-Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets, and Teachers explained-ordinaryBishops or Elders-Reasons for supposing these Officers to be Perpetual-Angels of the seven Churches in Asia Minor not Diocesan Bishops-What is denoted by these Angels

Lecture IV. Election of Officers in the early Churches-Passages relating to Election-Examination of their import-Reason why there is in the New Testament so little direct proof in favour of Popular ElectionObjections to Election by the PeoplePractical Remarks.

Lecture V. Ordination-What it does not mean-What it does signify-Why it should be continued-The mode of it-The Person or Persons who should Ordain-The Person to be Ordained.

Lecture VI. The Power belonging to a Church of Christ-Rights of the PeopleWhat things are included in the Government of Elders-Power of Discipline belongs to the Church together with its Rulers-Does not belong exclusively to the Elders-Examination of Objections-Power of binding and loosing-of remitting and retaining sins -Power of the Keys- Recapitulation.

Lecture VII. Authoritative Courts of Review-Alleged Scriptural Basis-Reasons adduced for supposing the narrative in Acts xv. to be the model of a Synod or Council-Refutation of them-Relation of Churches to one another-Two extremes to be avoided-Different expedients for carrying out the Principle of Intercommunion of Churches-American Modes of doing so.

they may obtain these realizing memorials of one of the greatest and best men of his day, at the house of Messrs. Partridge and Oakey, Paternoster-row.

PROVINCIAL.

HAMPSHIRE ASSOCIATION.

The half-yearly meeting of this association will be held at Southampton, in the chapel, Above Bar, on Wednesday, the 20th of October.

As the association has been in existence fifty years, it is the intention of the associated churches to commemorate its jubilee. The Rev. James Bennett, D.D., of London, at whose ordination it originated, and who is the only surviving minister of those who formed it, has consented to preach on the occasion.

In the evening of the day, three addresses will be delivered; the first, by the Rev. W. Thorn, of Winchester, on "The Relative Connection between Home and Foreign Missions;" the second, by the Rev. Geo. Jones, of Portsmouth, on "The Working Church;" and the third, on An Evangelical Itinerancy the best Patriotism." The morning service will commence at eleven, and the evening at six.

The Rev. Thomas Cousens, of Portsea, is expected to preach on Tuesday evening; and the Rev. John Hunt, of Brixton, formerly one of the secretaries of the association, will preside at the Lord's supper.

RECOGNITIONS.

The public recognition of the Rev. James Smith, as pastor of the church and congregation assembling at the new chapel, Hundon, Suffolk, took place on Tuesday, August 3rd, 1847.

The introductory discourse, a clear and learned enunciation of the principles of nonconformity, was delivered by the Rev. Samuel Link Harris, of Clare; the questions were proposed with great affection by Rev. J. Johnstone, of Haverhill; the Rev. William Wallis, of Sudbury, with great solemnity, fervour, and appropriateness, offered the designation prayer; the charge to the pastor, pointed, affectionate, displaying deep thought and extensive research, was delivered by the Rev. J. C. Bodwell, M.A., Bury St. Edmunds; the sermon to the people, pungent, faithful, and eloquent, setting forth the duties and obligations of their "bishop," was preached by the Rev. Samuel Higgs, of Sudbury. Neighbouring brethren kindly took parts in the devotional services.

The recognition of the Rev. John Moss, as pastor of the Congregational church at Sandbach, took place April 14, 1847.

Prayer and reading the Scriptures, Rev. J. Turner, of Knutsford; introductory discourse, Rev. Dr. Davidson, of the Lancashire College; the Rev. J. Marshall, of Over, asked the usual questions, and received from the pastor, not only a confession of faith, but his reasons for removing from his recent sphere of labour to that which he now occupies; the Rev. D. E. Ford, of Manchester, delivered the charge, and (in the unavoidable absence of the Rev. J. Thornton, of Stockport, who was engaged for that part of the service) offered the designatory prayer; the Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, preached to the people.

INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, KINGSBRIDGE, DEVON.

On Thursday, June the 17th, the Independent chapel in this town was publicly re-opened for the worship of God, after having undergone considerable enlargement and improvement. The engagements of the day were of the most gratifying kind. Nearly twenty ministers, as well as a considerable number of the leading members of churches and congregations in the neighbouring towns, were present. When the isolated position of Kingsbridge is taken into the account, this assemblage will testify that a deep interest was felt in this movement.

The Rev. James Sherman, of Surrey chapel, preached in the morning; the Rev. Wm. Spencer, of Princes-street, Devonport, in the afternoon; and the Rev. S. Nicholson, in the evening. The congregations were great, and the services were enriched with a Divine unction. The morning sermon, though occupying an hour and three quarters, was listened to with devout attention; the whole congregation were in tears; for a short space the minister sat down to allow time for secret and unanimous prayer; and all really seemed to pray. The afternoon and evening sermons were appropriate and impressive. The Rev. Messrs. Hine, Tarbotton, Smith, Chater, &c., &c., conducted the devotional services.

After the morning service about 100 ministers and friends dined together, Richard Peek, Esq., of Hazlewood-house, presiding. The meeting was addressed by the chairman; then by the minister, the Rev. E. Newton, giving a financial statement, and the history of the alteration, &c. The Rev. William Tarbotton, of Totness, as the nearest neighbour of Mr. Newton, expressed his high gratification at the alteration effected; and the Rev. T. Stenner, of Dartmouth, avowed his entire concurrence in the ob

servations previously made, declaring his conviction that the enlargement and altera. tion were indispensibly necessary, and that they were carried out at the suggestion and under the countenance of all the neighbouring ministers. The Rev. J. Sherman gave the final address, urging the importance of an early liquidation of the debt.

No one unacquainted with the chapel in its former state can form any idea of the effect which this improvement produces, both as it regards the appearance and the accommodation. It is very considerably enlarged, affording seat-room for 654 persons, and is really a good chapel, reflecting great credit on the architect. The cost has been 4567.; one half of which the people, though poor, have pledged themselves to raise, and they hope that their Christian friends will aid them in raising the other half.

INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, GOOLE, YORKSHIRE.

The spacious Independent chapel in this town was re-opened on Lord's-day, March 14, 1847, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. H. L. Adams, of Newark. The Rev. Professor Stowell, of Rotherham Col

lege, also preached on the Monday evening. After these services, which were numerously attended, liberal collections were made.

On Tuesday, the 16th, the Rev. Erastus W. Hunt, late of Rotherham College, was solemnly ordained to the pastorate over the people. The Rev. D. Senior, of Selby, read the Scriptures and offered prayer; the Rev. Dr. Dobbin, of Hull, preached the introductory discourse; the Rev. H. L. Adams, Mr. Hunt's pastor, received the confession of faith and offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. Professor Stowell gave the charge, and, in the absence of the Rev. T. Stratten, of Hull, through illness, blended with it an address to the people.

As this was the first ordination in this town, an unusual interest was excited, which we trust will be productive of much lasting good.

REMOVAL.

The Rev. Thomas Nicholas, of Lancashire Independent College, having accepted an unanimous and most cordial invitation to become the pastor of the Congregational church assembling in the Old Chapel, Stroud, Gloucestershire, entered upon his pastoral duties on the 15th of August.

MISSIONARY ENCOURAGEMENT

HARVEST.

BY REV. W. LEASK.

Times and seasons suggest moral lessons. The visible speaks of the unseen; the physical, of the spiritual; time, of eternity. Astrology attempted to read the fortunes of individuals in the "courses of the stars ;" but Christianity teaches us to read the rolling year, and to predict the world's destiny: nay, it is predicted for us; the issue is certain; the result is decreed. We cannot alter it if we would, nor postpone for an hour the "end determined." The spring is over, the summer is past, and "He who giveth fruitful seasons" has sent us an abundant harvest. Jesus, the great Master of impressive imagery, once seized on similar facts, and presented them thus: "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels." What a condensation of striking and beautiful thoughts is here! It is the epitome of the conflict be

tween light and darkness, holiness and sin, from the creation to the consummation! It is the world's history in a sentence! Every kind of agency, and all action is presented at a single glance-Divine and human, angelic and diabolic, and the field of conflict is "the world."

It is true that the idea of subjugating the idolatrous nations of the earth to the authority of Christ, of inducing hundreds of millions of carnal minds to embrace a purely spiritual religion, which declares uncompromising war against every sinful practice, affection, and thought, is one of the greatest that can be entertained by man; but it is not an idea of human origin. Were it so, whilst we should look upon it as the most glorious conception of human benevolence of which the world has ever heard, we should at the same time be compelled to class it among wishes never to be realized, desires never to be gratified. It would overwhelm by its vastness, and paralyze by its impracticability. But, happily, the idea is of heavenly birth; it sprang into being at the throne of God; it is coeval with the covenant of grace. If so, the friends of Christian missionaries and missionary work have all the encouragement which they re