opinions. Shame upon us, if we think it sufficient to preserve our own party free from the contagion. Let us think of the large portion of our countrymen who will be prevented from joining any of our parties, if this state of things be suffered to go forward, and, if not for ourselves, yet for them, as well as for the truth's sake, let us, as with the heart and voice of one man, protest against the wide spreading delusion. "I cannot but believe that these associations in such a spirit, and for such ends, would be greatly pleasing to the Author of truth, and that, as one step towards healing the distractions of his long divided church, they would be eminently attractive of the presence and blessing of Christ. Surely, while Christians of various names were thus assembled, and thus besieging the throne of grace with united supplications, that Spirit would not be withheld from them which was shed down in such copious effusion upon the assembled disciples on the memorable day of Pentecost. The effect of such an effusion will be, the reanimation of all our slumbering energies, and the elevation of our spirits to an unwonted pitch of purity, charity, and zeal. The church, then awakened, and having arisen and shaken herself from the dust, would soon be called upon to go forth and take possession of the mighty territories assigned her in the decrees of heaven, and which the last ages are to see accomplished. We shall then strive with each other against the common foe, and aid each other, by sympathy, co-operation, or congratulation, in our attempts to make the religion of Jesus Christ the praise and the joy of the whole earth. For this end it is that we are some to such a time as this, when the world is opening before us, and when our Christianity is to be purified and improved at home, in order that it may be sent, in its benign and healthful influence, to distant empires, the regions of idolatry and superstition, and to all parts of our benighted and apostate world. Let us then dwell together in unity. Blessed is the man whose spirit is imbued with this determination, and who is bent on making efforts and sacrifices, where essential truth is not concerned, to give it effect. This is the dew from heaven, enriching, refreshing, and fertilizing, wherever it falls; and what we most fervently pray, may perpetually descend on all our hearts."

ORDINATIONS, ETC.

On Tuesday evening, Dec. 6th, 1842, the Rev. H. S. Seaborn, late of Crown Street, Soho, was publicly recognized as pastor of the church of Christ, assembling in Coverdale Chapel, Limehouse. The Rev. Chas. Hyatt, Sen., commenced the service with reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. Geo. Smith of Poplar, (late of Plymouth) delivered the introductory discourse. The Rev. C. J. Hyatt, jun. asked the usual questions, which were replied to on the part of the church by Edward Tindale, Esq., the senior deacon. Mr. Seaborn then stated the reasons which had induced him to accept the unanimous invitation to the pastoral office. The recognition prayer was then offered (in the absence of the Rev. Dr. Fletcher,) by the Rev. John Arundel, Home Secretary of the London Missionary Society. After which an address was given to the minister, by the Rev. A. Reed, D.D.; and to the church and congregation, by the Rev. Alex. Fletcher, M.A. The Rev. R. Saunders concluded with prayer. The Revs. Messrs. Brake, Evans, Tindale, Thompson, and Halliday, also engaged in the service. The several parts of the service were ably sus tained; and the presence of the Great Head of the church was evidently felt and enjoyed. A large number of ministers was present; and the chapel was crowded in every part. COVERDALE CHAPEL was erected in 1841, by the church and congregation (for the most part) formerly worshipping in Rose Lane, Ratcliff, under the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Williams, who was honoured to sustain the pastoral office in that place for more than half a century, and who is still living, at the ad

vanced age of eighty-five. The present circumstances of the church and congregation, are very encouraging.

The Rev. T. G. Lee, who has for some time been preaching in the large room of the Town Hall, Chorlton-upon-Medlock, Manchester, has accepted an invitation from the church assembling in New Windsor Chapel Pendleton, Manchester, (late under the pastoral care of the Rev. A. J. Morris, who has removed to London,) and commenced his labours there on Sunday the 1st of January, 1843, under very encouraging circumstances, and with a prospect of much usefulness. May the Great Head of the church make him a blessing to them, and grant him many souls for his hire.

On Wednesday, 11th January, the Rev. A. R. Philps was ordained to the pastoral office over the church assembling in Blakeney Tabernacle, Gloucestershire. The Rev. J. Horlick, of Mitchel, Dean, commenced the service with reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. Joseph Hyatt, of Gloucester, delivered the introductory discourse; clearly defining the nature of a Christian church, and defending the principles of Congregationalism against the prevailing errors of the day. The Rev. Thos. Maund, of Stonehouse, asked the usual questions, which were replied to by Mr. Richd. White, on the part of the church, and by Mr. Philps. The Rev. Richard Knill, of Wotton-under-Edge, offered the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands. The Rev. Richard Connebee, of Dorking, (Mr. Philps's former pastor,) delivered a most affectionate and faithful charge, from 1 Tim. iv. 11, 12.- The Rev, E. L. Shadrach, of Dursley, preached to the church and congregation, from Heb. xiii. 17, distinctly stating and solemnly urging the duties they owe to their minister. The Rev. B. Jenkyn, of Little-Dean, concluded the deeply interesting and impressive engagements with prayer. On the preceding evening a preparatory service was held, when the Rev. Richard Knill preached from Isaiah xlix. 15, 16.

On the evening of Wednesday Jan. 18th, the Rev. S. Davis, late of NeedhamMarket, Suffolk, was publicly recognized as the minister of Harley Street Chapel, Bow, Middlesex. The Rev. Dr. Burder commenced the service with reading and prayer; the Rev. A. Wells, Secretary of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, delivered an appropriate introductory discourse, on the character of New Testament church principles; the Rev. W. S. Palmer, Secretary of the London Congregational Board, proposed the usual questions to the deacons and minister, and responded to their statements; the Rev. Dr. Reed offered prayer for a Divine blessing on the the union; the Rev. Dr. Leifchild delivered a suitable address to the minister and deacons on their relative duties, from Philippians i. 27; and the Rev. C. Hyatt, Sen, concluded the service. The attendance of ministers and Christian friends was numerous and encouraging. From the statements which were furnished it appears that this cause has recently been relieved from difficulties, which threatened its extinction, by the kind and efficient co-operation of the London Congregational Board; and that the chapel is now properly secured in the Independant connexion. The present settlement affords a reasonable prospect of ultimate success.

The Rev. John Harrison, of Rotheram College, has accepted a unanimous invitation to become the pastor of the Congregational church assembling in Ebenezer Chapel, York Street, Heywood, Lancashire; and commenced his pastoral labours on Sunday, January 15, 1843, by addressing the church and congregation from 2 Thess. iii. 1.

On Wednesday evening, January 18, 1843, the Rev. T. G. Lee was publicly recognized as pastor of the Congregational church assembling in New Windsor Chapel Pendleton, Manchester; on which interesting occasion the Rev. Dr. Halley and the

Revds. R. Fletcher, J. Griffin, and J. Gwyther, engaged in the proceedings. Many prayers were offered up for the peace and prosperity of the cause in this place, and the congregation was deeply interested and impressed.

The Rev. John Elrick, A.M., of Falkland, Fifeshire, has accepted of a cordial invitation to become the pastor of the Congregational church assembling in Zion Chapel Northampton, Yorkshire. Mr. E. commenced his pastoral labours in his new sphere, on the 25th December. Before leaving Falkland, several of the inhabitants, belonging to various bodies of professing Christians, desirous to testify their respect for Mr. Elrick, presented him with a collection of valuable standard works in Theology; including, among others, Baxter's and Fuller's Works, with an inscription testifying to his useful labours in the town, and expressing their wishes for his success in his new sphere of labour.

Mr. George Wood, B.A., late of Highbury College, has entered upon the pastoral office at Zion Chapel, Bristol, in the place of the Rev. D. Thomas, who has resigned on account of ill health.

NEW SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE GOSPEL AMONGST THE JEWS.

We know that several of our readers, in common with many other Christians who are not members of the Church of England, have expressed much concern that nothing has been done by the Nonconformist bodies for many years to aid the propagation of the Gospel amongst the Jews. This feeling has led to the formation of The British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Jews; and we are happy to announce, that J. D. Paul, Esq., Strand, has accepted the office of Treasurer, and that the Rev. Dr. Henderson, of Highbury College, and the Rev. James Hamilton, of the Scotch Church, Regent Square, have undertaken the labours of the Secretaries. The following address, which has been just issued, will best explain the principles and purposes of the Society, which has our cordial approbation and earnest prayers for its success.

"The public are aware that a Society has for many years existed in this metropolis, having for its object the conversion of the lost sheep of the house of Israel to the faith of Christ.* Its labours in the instruction of Jewish youth, in printing and circulating the Hebrew Scriptures and other books, and in sending forth and supporting missionaries to the Jews, have, in no small degree, been owned by the God of Abraham. May its efforts prove a thousand times more successful! May it be instrumental in turning multitudes of the disobedient sons of Jacob to the wisdom of the just!

"While, in the devout spirit of these petitions, Christians belonging to other communions than that with which the Society referred to is identified, have cordially wished it prosperity in the name of the Lord, it has, with many of them, been matter of serious and conscientious inquiry, whether, seeing they were excluded from all active co-operation with those who were thus laudably engaged, it were not their duty to employ distinct measures for the recovery of Israel,-measures in which all might unite who hold the Head, and are agreed upon all points essential to salvation.

"In consequence of overtures sent up from various Presbyteries and Synods to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, that venerable body passed an Act in the year 1838, constituting a committee of ministers and elders, for the purpose

* The London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews.

of adopting means for the conversion of God's ancient people. This Committee has, during the intervening period, given its best attention to the subject, having instituted inquiries respecting the state of the Jews in different parts of the world, and sent out able and devoted missionaries to labour among them in Hungary, Moldavia, and Palestine. It has also, in the course of the past year, submitted a a proposal for the formation of a society in London, on the catholic basis above stated, partly with a view to secure additional efforts on behalf of the Jews resident in the metropolis, and other large towns in England; and partly in order to afford to Christians generally, in this division of the United Kingdom, an opportunity of contributing towards the attainment of the common object.

"The call thus made has been responded to by a number of ministers and others, who have cordially united for the purpose of carrying the plan into effeet. Increasingly convinced of the imperative duty of the Christian church to employ all the means at her disposal for bringing the Jews to the knowledge of the Gospel, and highly appreciating the advantages which may be expected to result from Christian union, they now earnestly invite their brethren in the Lord to assist them in this good work.

"The object and principles of the society will best be learnt from the following resolutions, unanimously adopted at a meeting held in the vestry of the National Scotch Church, Regent Square, November 7th, 1842 :—

"1. That a society be formed, to be called The British Society for the Prapagation of the Gospel among the Jews.

"2. That the society consist of Christians, of evangelical principles, interested in the propagation of the Gospel among the Jews.

"3. That the more immediate field of the society's operations be London, and the larger towns of the United Kingdom.

"4. That the society shall maintain a friendly correspondence and co-operation with the Church of Scotland's mission to the Jews.

"5. That the association cordially invite the co-operation of all kindred institutions.

"6. That an annual subscription of ten shillings constitute membership; and a donation of five pounds membership for life.

"7. That the Committee consist of twenty-four ministers, and an equal number of laymen; and that the Treasurer and Secretaries be members thereof ex officiis.

“Agreeably to these resolutions, the immediate sphere of the Society's operations will be the metropolis, where, as must be evident to every observer, a large and important field opens before it. In almost every street are to be seen, in circumstances of deplorable spiritual ignorance, and many of them in those of great temporal wretchedness, the descendants of those who were once the singularly honoured, and highly privileged people of God. Though living in the midst of Christians, they have too much complaint: "No man careth for our soul." Instead of meeting with commiseration, and calling forth prompt and appropriate efforts for their welfare, they are, for the most part, left to perish in a state of impenitence and unbelief. By many, they are regarded as beyond the influence of human instrumentality: by others, they are treated with scorn and contempt. With great propriety they may adopt the language of their own Scriptures: Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow, like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.' 'Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me.' "These piteous complaints, Christian brethen, they pour into your ears. To you they make the touching appeal. They claim your tenderest compassion, your promptest relief. Contemplating their condition, must you not be compelled to say with

Paul,

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved?' and, in some measure, to imbibe the spirit which caused him to declare : 'I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, (my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,) that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh?' If you sympathize with that apostle in ardent, self-sacrificing longing for their salvation; or if you have any tears akin to those which our blessed Redeemer wept, at the prospective view of what you now actually behold, delay not, but hasten to their help.

"Verily, brethren, you are debtors to the Jews. To them you owe your Bible, your Saviour, your present privileges, and your future prospects. Their unbelief has been your mercy; their fall, your riches; their rejection, your reconciliation.

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Despair not of their restoration. Say not that their case is hopeless. They have not stumbled that they should utterly and irrecoverably fall. God is is able to graff them again into their own olive tree. They are still beloved for the fathers' sakes. They are the subjects of many promises, predictions, and prayers. God's covenant with them is to be renewed. The veil which is now upon their hearts is to be removed. The Messiah God hath exalted with his right hand, a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and the remistion of sins. All Israel shall be saved. "With a view to excite more general attention to this interesting people, the Committee have made arrangements for a course of twelve lectures, to be delivered in the National Scotch Church, Regent Square, by the Rev. J. Pye Smith, D.D., F.R.S., Rev. James Hamilton, Rev. F. A. Cox, D.D., LL.D., Rev. T. Archer, A.M., Rev, J. Bennett, D.D., Rev. E. Henderson, D.D., Rev. R. H. Hersehell, Rev. J. C. Burns, Rev. H. F. Burder, D.D., Rev. J. Morison, D.D., Rev. J. S. Stamp, and the Rev. J. Harris, D.D."

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Favours have been received from the Rev. Drs. Leifchild-Matheson-Clunie. Rev. Messrs. George Wright-O. T. Dobbin-H. S. Seaborn.-G. E. Rees-G. Wood-A. R. Philps-A. Wells-W. L. Alexander-Saml. Davis-W. S. Palmer. Messrs. Thomas Thompson--George Hardfield-C. T. Jones-Joshua Wilson.

Le Fylde C.-A. E. L.—An Advocate for the whole Counsel of God.

The great length of several articles has compelled the Editor most reluctantly to omit Brief Notes on Passing Events.