on behalf of his excellent lady, addressed the assembled multitude. He congratulated them that the fears he had entertained that the secession from Paul's Chapel would weaken the interest there, had not been realised. The spirit of the documents he held in his hand-the affectionate letter of the new pastor of that people,-the resolutions of the seceders to conduct their proceedings with sincere Christian affection towards those from whom they had withdrawn-and the letters which had been read from ministers reluctantly and unavoidably absent, had banished every cause of uneasiness. The Rev. James Bennett, D.D. of London, then delivered a most interesting address on Christ the true foundation of human confidence.

In the evening of the same day, the members who had seceded from Paul's chapel were formed into a Christian church; after which, about 120 members of other societies united at the Lord's table with the newly-formed church. The Rev. Dr. Payne, theological tutor of the Western Academy, presided, and delivered a most affectionate, impressive, and faithful address to the church. Rev. T. O. Dobbin, LL.B., classical tutor of the Western Academy, and Rev. W. Oran addressed the spectators. The Rev. W. H. Heudebourck, of Tiverton, and Rev. W. O'Neill offered solemn prayer to God-and many ministers assisted in the distribution of the elements; thus ended a day of uninterrupted pleasure and satisfaction, and one of hallowed solemnity, and of great encouragement to the friends engaged in this very important work.

On the following evening, Dr. Bennett delivered an address on the testimony of the Fathers to Congregational principles.

The Rev. J. Bishop, of Bridgewater, preached at the temporary chapel on Lord's day, 13th August. It is gratifying to know, that whilst a new Sunday-school, including 240 children, has been formed in North-street, as well as a new congregation gathered, the school at Paul's Chapel has increased, and the congregation there is good.

On Wednesday, August 16th, the foundation-stone of a New Independent Chapel, at Hershaw, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, was laid, in the presence of numerous spectators, by Charles Hindley, Esq. M.P. Two interesting and appropriate addresses were delivered on the occasion,-the first by Mr. Hindley, before the stone was laid; the second by the Rev. Dr. Matheson, one of the Secretaries of the Home Missionary Society, after the ceremony had taken place. The devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Churchill, of Ditton; Edwards, of Kingston; and Stevens, of New Hampton. The Rev. Messrs. Schofield, of Chertsey; Kluht, of Twickenham ; West, of Sunbury; Newbury, of Feltham; and Lord, of Walton, the Home Missionary Society's agent on this station, also took part in the interesting proceedings.

ORDINATIONS, REMOVALS, ETC.

On Friday, April 14th, the Rev. David Nimmo was ordained to the pastoral office over the church and congregation assembling for Divine worship in the Temperance Hall, Bolton. The Rev. J. Dyson, of Halshaw Moor, introduced the service by reading the Scriptures, and prayer. A discourse explanatory of a Christian church on Congregational principles, was delivered by the Rev. J. Griffin, of Manchester, who also asked the usual questions. The ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Dyson. The charge to the minister was given by the Rev. S. Ellis, of Bolton. The sermon to the people was preached in the evening, in Duke's-Alley Chapel, by the Rev. J. Gwyther, of Manchester. This is a new church, raised by the town mission in Bolton.

On Thursday, June 1st, the ordination of the Rev. J. Apperly, of Blackburn College, took place at the Independent Chapel, Long Buckly, Northamptonshire, when the following ministers engaged in the service :-In the morning the Rev. G. Nettleship commenced the service by reading and prayer. The Rev. T. R. Barker, of Spring-Hill College, Birmingham, delivered the introductory discourse. The usual questions were proposed by the Rev. J. Davies, of Daventry, after which the Rev. B. Hobson, of Welford, offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. E. Jones, of Oxford, Mr. Apperly's pastor, delivered the charge, and the Rev. T. Evans, of Weedon, concluded with prayer. In the evening the service was commenced by the Rev. A. Burdett, Baptist. The Rev. T. East, of Birmingham, preached to the church and congregation; the Rev. T. Create, Baptist, concluded. Other ministers were present, and took part in the services. The congregations were large, and all seemed deeply interested.

Howdon-upon-Tyne is a small, but very populous town, between Newcastle and Shields, to which men of business have continually resorted for the purpose of "laying up goods," but which men about their Master's business seem to have neglected, so that the inhabitants, until recently, might justly complain, “no one careth for our souls." It is true, though there is no church in the place, there is one in the adjacent parish of Wallsend, from the pulpit of which opinions are taught which are not regarded as evangelical. Some few years ago, a "holy and beautiful house" of prayer was erected, and set apart for the worship of God by the Congre gationalists, in which the sacred truths of the Gospel have been proclaimed, and pure and undefiled religion has found a "certain dwelling-place." A church was formed, a Sabbath-school instituted; and the people only wanted "a man of their choice," to complete their Christian organization. On Monday, June 5th, they saw an answer to their prayers, when the Rev. W. Jackson, from Rotherham College, was ordained to the office of a bishop, taking the oversight of them in the Lord. The "order of the day" was as follows; the Scriptures were read, and prayer offered by the Rev. W. Campbell, M.A. of Newcastle; the introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. J. Pattison, of Wem, (Mr. Jackson's pastor;) the questions were asked by the Rev. J. Ward; the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. A. Reid; the charge to the minister was given by the Rev. W. H. Stowell, theological tutor of Rotherham College; the sermon to the people was preached by the Rev. A. Jack, of North Shields. The Rev. Messrs. Bowman, Adam, Robertson, Lawton, &c. took part in the service.

On Monday, the 7th of August, the Rev. John Harrison, of Rotherham College, was ordained to the pastorate of the Independent church assembling in Ebenezer Chapel, Heywood, Lancashire. The Rev. David Hewitt, of Rochdale, commenced the services, with reading the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. Samuel Davidson, LL.D., Professor of Biblical Criticism, in the Lancashire Independent College, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. William Blackburn, of Bamford, proposed the usual questions, and received Mr. Harrison's confession of faith; the Rev. Richard Fletcher, of Manchester, offered the ordination prayer; after which the Rev. W. H. Stowell, Professor of Theology, Rotherham College, delivered the charge, from Col. iv. 17. In the evening, the Rev. John Ely, of Leeds, addressed the church and congregation from Zech. viii. 13,-" And ye shall be a blessing." The Rev. W. Roseman, of Bury; E. Robinson, of Park; Thos. Brierly, of Oldham ; John Harrison, Ovendon; G. Baker, Middleton; also took part in the services.

The Rev. Thomas Roberts, of Brecon College, having accepted the unanimous invitation of the English Independent church, at Park-Street Chapel, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, intends to commence his labours there, on the first Sabbath in September.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POPERY IN IRELAND.

THE discussions in Parliament during the past session, on the state of our sister country, have clearly disclosed the fact, that the leading statesmen of both the great political parties, are willing to make the Romish priests of Ireland stipendiaries of the state, if the true Protestants of the empire will quietly submit to be taxed for that purpose. We were therefore happy to hear, at a special meeting of the Voluntary Church Society, held at Craven Chapel, London, Wednesday evening, August 16th, 1843, Sir C. E. Smith, Bart., the Rev. J. Burnet, and the Rev. G. Smith deprecate and denounce such a project; and we insert the resolution which was unanimously passed by that crowded assembly, that all our readers may reflect upon the evils of that expedient by which Whigs and Tories, who have a common interest in church patronage and preferment, intend, if practicable, to save the sinecure church of Ireland for their relatives and dependents—“That this meeting desires to express its deliberate opinion, that the religious people of these kingdoms never will, and never ought to consent to the establishment of the Roman Catholic church in Ireland, and therefore calls upon all the friends of evangelical truth and religious freedom to let the Government and Legislature know the nature and force of their apprehensions and determinations." We sincerely trust, that our readers will reflect upon this important subject, and be prepared to respond with mighty efficiency to this call, when the hour for speaking out shall come.

FUNERAL OF THE late Rev. J. M. MACKENZIE.-The mortal remains of this admirable and much-lamented young minister, have been recovered from the deep. From the state of his dress it was concluded that he had retired to his berth before the Pegasus struck on the fatal rock, and that he had rushed to the deck with only part of his clothes on. His body was interred 11th August, in Bamborough church-yard, and laid by the side of the Rev. J. Robb, of Dunkeld, who lost his life by the wreck of the Forfarshire steamer. The following document confirms all that it was our mournful duty to say of him last month :

:

At a special meeting of the committee of management of the Glasgow Theological Academy connected with the Congregational churches in Scotland, held in Edinburgh on Tuesday, the first of August, 1843, it was unanimously resolved :

"That having assembled on the mournful occasion of the heavy loss the Institution has sustained by the sudden death, in deeply affecting circumstances, of the Rev. John Morell Mackenzie, one of the tutors, this committee desire, in affectionate remembrance of his worth, to record in their minutes their high admiration of the very great ability with which he discharged the duties of his office during the whole period of his connexion with the Academy,-bringing to this service the extraordinary powers of a richly-gifted mind, the varied resources of extensive learning and research, the brilliant accomplishments of refined taste, and the fervour of deep-toned piety, by these endowments in singular combination, and by the uniform kindliness and urbanity of his manner, securing for himself the affection of the students, the esteem of his brethren, and the thanks of the churches, repeatedly expressed at the annual meetings of the friends of this Institution, in grateful acknowledgment of his services.

That, while they deeply deplore the distressing event by which this connexion has been terminated, so early and so unexpectedly, and the Academy has been deprived of the advantage hitherto enjoyed, and anticipated for many years to come,

from one whose distinguished qualifications were so highly estimated, they bow in humble submission to the sovereign will of the Lord, whose hand they acknowledge in this, to them, dark and painful visitation; and, contemplating the awful scene on board the Pegasus immediately preceding his dissolution, they rejoice to know that, by Divine grace, he was enabled to finish his course in a manner becoming the Gospel, enjoying the peace which passeth all understanding, amidst the shrieks and confusion of a frightful shipwreck, and labouring to the last, by prayer and exhortation, to bring others with himself, through the Way, the Truth, and the Life,' he had long acknowledged, to the 'glory, honour, and immortality' they are fully persuaded he now inherits.

"That they also desire to express their sincere condolence with the heavilyafflicted widow of their departed friend and brother, to commend her to the God of all grace and consolation, and to assure her of their tender Christian sympathy under the peculiarly severe bereavement she has been called to sustain; and they, therefore, request Dr. Wardlaw, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Cullen to convey to her, in such a manner as they deem proper, the sentiments of this meeting.

Died at Wendover, Bucks, March 15th, 1843, the Rev. THOMAS SKEEN, aged 75. His earlier years were devoted to secular pursuits; but he was occasionally engaged as a lay-preacher till November 19th, 1812, when he was ordained as pastor of the church of Christ assembling at Ebenezer Chapel, Hammersmith; Drs. Winter, Leifchild, and others engaging in the service. In 1819 he retired from London, and accepted the pastoral charge of a small congregation at Wendover, which had been collected by the labours of a Mr. Jones, who erected the chapel in 1812, and was the first pastor of the church there. Considerable success attended his efforts at Wendover for several years; but untoward circumstances occurred which depressed the church, till it was near extinction; when in 1839 he resigned his office, and was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Holmes, from the Western Academy, the present pastor. Mr. Skeen witnessed with great satisfaction the revival of the church and congregation under his youthful successor, which was some solace to him amidst severe domestic afflictions. His last days were marked by much peace in his own soul, but were greatly embittered by the conduct of some of his children. His last words, revealing the source of his personal sufferings, and of his diminished influence were, “ A rebellious house!" The Rev. William Gunn, of Aylesbury, preached a funeral sermon at Wendover, on the occasion of his decease.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Favours have been received from the Rev. Messrs. T. O. Dobbin-G. TaylorS. Ransom-J. H. Godwin-Thomas Haynes-C. Stovel-David Russell-J. Burder -W. Owen-Robert Chamberlain-D. Rees-J. Harrison-J. J. Wilson, and Mr. Pollard.

The communication from "One of his Students" will probably appear in our next. The Editor must defer till next month an answer to Philo-Verulam, as he has not yet been able to command sufficient leisure to examine the manuscripts.

THE

CONGREGATIONAL MAGAZINE.

OCTOBER, 1843.

MEMORIALS OF THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE LATE REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER, D.D., OF STEPNEY, MIDDLESEX.

THE life and labours of this honoured and able minister of our Lord Jesus Christ deserve, and will doubtless obtain, a more extended and adequate memorial than it is in our power to supply. Still, as we owe a debt of affection and gratitude to the memory of our late estimable and lamented friend, who was a beloved associate in many "works of faith and labours of love," and who for two or three years was also a co-editor of this magazine, we feel constrained to record in these pages the leading events of his useful life, and to insert also at their close some "Reminiscences," which have been sent us by “one of his students."

Joseph Fletcher was born in the city of Chester on the 3rd of December, 1784. His excellent father was a respectabie tradesman, a consistent member, and a beloved deacon of the Independent church assembling at Queen-street Chapel, in that city. Amongst other qualifications for his office, he was eminently a lover of good men," and much " given to hospitality," so that like "the well-beloved Gaius" he was ever ready to welcome "brethren and strangers," and to bring them "forward on their journey after a godly sort." The influence of this conduct was likely to be most beneficial upon the character of his children and household, and his excellent son became early interested in the society and services of the ministers of Christ.

There is in our churches a just and salutary dread of an unconverted ministry; this prevents many pious parents, who, like Hannah or Eunice, have, in secret, devoted their sons to God, from training them up in classical and sacred learning, until their conversion and call to the ministry have been made plain. The natural consequence has been, that many have entered upon studies for the ministry, ignorant even of the rudiments of language. To obviate this inconvenience,