arrived before the flood rofe, or had found means to furmount the difficul ties it interpofed, affembled at that time; and a Sermon was preached, i the afternoon, by Mr. Hillyaid, of Olney, on Pfalm xlvi. 2. 3; as well as 2 double Lecture in the Evening, by Mr. Greatheed, on Matthew xxiv. 46; and by Mr. Dickins, of Keyhoe, on Philippians ii. 16, first claufe. The intended Meeting, for eftablishing a Chriftian Union, without exception of any Religious Denomination, was poftponed to the time abovementioned; and the delay appears, in various respects, to have been ferviceable, rather than detrimental, to the purposes of the Meeting. The tranfient difappointment ferved not only to try, but to evidence, and confirm the zeal of the friends of union and exertion. It likewife afforded more time to revolve and digeft the proper meafures; and better op. portunity for difcovering, and counteracting the obftacles, which were liable to be prefented.

On the 31st October, the adjourned Meeting was numeroufly and refpectably attended, notwithstanding some unfavourable weather. After a meeting of the Minifters, for the arrangement of proceedings, the public worship commenced at eleven A. M. on the fpot where the admirable and catholic John Bunyan once laboured. Mr. Samuel Hillyard (fon of Mr. Hillyard of Olney) who now prefides over the Church affembling there, gave out hymns fuited to the occafion; Mr. Mayle, paftor of a Baptist Church at Blunham, engaged in prayer; Mr. Geatheed preached from Pfalin cxxxiii. 1; and Dr. Gordon, paftor of the Independent Church at St. Neots, concluded with prayer. At the request of the Af fembly, the Sermon will fhortly be published, for the benefit of the Union, with an introductory account of the proceedings, and an addrefs to all real Chriftians on the fubjects of general union, and co-operation to spread the Golpel. A hymn, which was given out after the fermon, and referred to fome of its leading topics, is inferted in our poetical department for this month. We understand that the Ministers of the Wesleyan and Moravian Denominations, at Bedford, attended the public worship; and that some members of the latter body, in particular, teftified their cordial good will to the propofed Union. We are forry not to learn, that Clergyman of the Establishment was prefent on this occafion; although feveral pious and useful Ministers, of that defeription, refide in the county, and its immediate vicinity. Good Mr. Berridge, had he been on earth, would doubtless have rejoiced to join fuch an affembly.

any

After a frugal, but comfortable dinner, of which near fifty people partook, a conference was held at Mr. Hillyard's Meeting Houte, for the eftablishment of an UNION OF CHRISTIANS, as such, with a particular view to the spread of the Gospel in their vicinities. Dr. Gordon, being called to the chair, implored the divine guidance and bleffing on this work. The plan, recommended, by the Minilters who had affembled at Ampthill (fee our October Mag. page 427), was difcuffed with freedom and cordiality; and the fubitance of it was unanimously adopted, and immediately carried into effect. Forty-nine perfons figned a relolution, declaring themselves, and each other, to be members of the Chriftian Union, now formed; all of whom were communicants in religious focieties, which hold fome evidence of vital godliness to be effential to their communion. They agreed that all perfons of a fimilar description, who might at any time fignify their defire to be admitted to union with them, fhould be accepted as members; and that all other perfons, who might exprefs the fame defire, if upon enquiry their character was found VOL. V. 4 B worthy

worthy of the Gofpel, fouletik But it was judged, that no orthodoxy admitted, although not joined to any particular Chriftian of creed, without fruits of holiness; no moral virtue, or benevolence, without a fcriptural faith in Chrift; no ability, or difpofition, to promote the pecuniary fupport of the Inftitution, without a life, in other refpects, devoted to God; was an adequate qualification for admiffion to the union now formed; the proceedings of which must be determined by the votes of its own members. At the fame time, entire readiness was profeffed to adinit to union, co-operation, or correfpondence, as circumftances might allow, all Minifters of the Gofpel, all fuch Chriftian focieties as have been already defined, and all pious people, wherever fituated.

All real Chriftians, and only fuch, being thus invited to unite together, it was obvious, that no pecuniary fubfcription could be a term of fellowfhip. Several of the members, however, immediately made a voluntary contribution of more than forty gaineas, as the commencement of a fund for defraying the expences of preaching in places deftitute of the Gofpel, and of other means for promoting Chriftian knowledge. The Minifters prefent likewife agreed to recommend to their refpective congregations, to make an annual public collection in each, for the fame pur poles. If the contributions fhould be found to exceed the expenditure neceffary for the primary objects, it was propofed to employ the furplus in attempting to fpread the Gospel in the British colonies, or among the heathen.

The congregations, thus united (about twenty in number) were dif tributed into five districts; in each of which, the members were recommended to meet together, as frequently as occafion offered. The Rev. W. Bull, was appointed Prefident; and the Rev. S. Greatheed, VicePrefident: the Rev. S. Hillyard, Secretary; and Mr. John Fofter, of Bigglefwade, Treafurer, of the Union; for the following fix Mor.ths: the next general Meeting at Bedford, being appointed for April 24, 1798, if the Lord permit.

The foundation of this Inftitution having thus been laid, with views, v and difpolitions, apparently congenial to the Gofpel of our bleffed Redeemer, the general Meeting was clofed. In the evening, a numerous auditory affembled at the Meeting Houfe of the Rev. T. Burkitt; who gave out the Hymns; Mr. Bull, fen. engaged in prayer; Mr. Dickins preached from Hebrews xiii. 15, 16; and Mr. Davis, (Miniffer of a Baptift congregation near Dunstable), clofed with prayer. It was the oh-c fervation of many, that they believed the prefence of God had been peculiarly enjoyed through the engagements of the day. We truft, that our readers will, in general, lift up their hearts to the Lord, that he may render this undertaking durably and extenfively useful.

Benefactions, defigned to encourage and affift the exertions of the Union of Chriftians, formed at Bedford, will be gratefully acknowledged, if communicated to Mr. John Fofter, Merchant, Bigglefwade, Bedfordfhire, Treafurer; George Livius, Efq. Bedford; the Rev. S. Greatheed, Newport Pagnel, Bucks; or to Jofeph Reyner, Efq. Dücksfoot, Lane, London.

ON Sunday, Oct. 1. a Chapel at Newport, in Shropshire, which was erected about twenty years ago, but had been shut up for more than half

that

that time, was re-opened by the Rev. Mr. Willon, of Drayton. Text, Rom. 16. There was a good and ferious attendance, and a better profpect of fuccefs than for many years past.

We are happy to hear that a place is being erected at Whitchurch, in the fame county, for preaching the Gospel.

NINE-ELMS CHAPEL.

ON Thursday, 23 of November, a small chapel was opened at NineElms, near Vauxhall. This place will contain about three hundred per fons, the people of the village, are chiefly of the poorer class; but evince a ftrong defire for the preaching of the Gospel.

The Rev. Mr. Hughes, of Batterfea, began with prayer and reading the Scriptures; Mr. Hill, of Surry Chapel, preached the first fermon from the first epiftle of Cor. 1 chap. 23 and 24 verfes. "But we preach Christ crucified, &c. Mr. Townfend, of Rotherhithe, preached in the afternoon from Pfalm cxviii. 25th verfe. "O Lord, I beseech thee, fend now profperity." Mr. Williams, of Gate-ftreet Chapel, preached in the evening, from Titus iii. verses 5, 6, 7.—Mr. Ford, who is to be the more stated Minister of the place, concluded the fervice of the day in prayer.

ORDINATIONS.

REV. MR. ELY.

JULY 26, the Rev. Ch. Ely, was fet apart to the paftoral office, in the independent church at Bury, Lancashire. The fervices of the day were conducted with great folemnity by the following Minifters. Mr. Roby," of Mancheiter, read fuitable portions of Scripture, and implored the divine bleffing on the work of the day. Mr. Cockin, of Halifax, delivered a pertinent introductory difcourfe, and received from Mr. Ely the confeffion of faith, and anfwers to the ufual questions. The ordination prayer was prefented by the Mr. M'Quhae, of Blackburn; Mr. Toothill, of Hopton, gave the charge from Acts xiv. 26. Mr. Anzleark, of Stockport, preached to the people from 1 Theff. v. 12, 13; and Mr. Blackburn, of Delphi, concluded with prayer. A large congregation affembled in the evening, when the Rev. Mr. Whitely, prayed, and Mr. Charrier, of Lancaster, preached from 1 Peter v. 10.

REV. MR. WILSON.

OCTOBER 18, the Rev. Mr. Wilfon, was publicly fet apart to the paftoral office, in a fmall independent church, Northwich, Cheshire. On this occafion, Mr. Smith, of Leek, began with reading the Scriptures, and imploring the bleffing of God, on the fervices of the day; Mr. Reece, of Sheffield, delivered the introductory difcourfe, and asked the questions; Mr. Lewis, of Wrexham, offered up the ordination prayer, and gave the charge from Phil. ii. 20.; Mr. Scott, of Matlock, preached to the church, from 1 Theff. ii. 12.; Mr. Holmes, of Holcome, gave out the hymns; and in the evening, Mr. Roby, of Manchefter, preached from 2 Theff. iii. 1. That the word of the Lord may have free courfe, and be glorified. 4 B 2

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REV. MR. ARNOLD.

OCTOBER 26, the Rev. Mr. Arnold, was ordained over the Baptift Church, at Sevenoaks, in Kent; Mr. Hopkins, of Tunbridge, began in prayer; Mr. Button, of London, delivered the introductory difcourfe, and asked the ufual questions; Mr. Stanger, of Beffell's Green, prayed; Mr. Timothy Thomas, of London, delivered the charge from Col. ii. 19; Mr. Chapman, of Darkman's Land, prayed; Mr. Upton, of London, preached to the people from 2 Theff. iii. 16. ; and Mr. Bentliff, of Maidfone, concluded in prayer. The congregation was large, and the opportunity truly pleafing and folemn. Mr. Button, preached a lecture in the evening, from Rev. ii. 1,

REV. DR. VANDER KEMP.

FRIDAY evening, Noy. 3, 1797, the Rev. J. Theo. Vander Kemp, M. D. was ordained a Miffionary to the Heathen, at Mr. Steven's Meeting, Crown-court, near Covent-Garden.

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Service was opened by finging the four firft verfes of the 66th Pfalm, Scotch version; Mr. Eafton, prayed, and Mr. Nicoll, read Ifa. liii, Matt. xxviii. and Acts xxii. 1—16.; Mr. Steven, preached the fermon from Gal. i. 15, 16. "But when it pleafed God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, "that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred "not with flesh and blood."-Mr. Waugh took the vows; Dr. Haweis gave a concife but appropriate charge; and Mr. Townsend, concluded with prayer.

It was a pleafing circumftance, that at this ordination, feveral denominations of English and Scotch Ministers were engaged, both in and out of the establishments.

Dr. Vander Kemp, is a native of Holland, and has practised phyfic, with reputation for many years. In religious principles the Doctor was a confirmed Deift. But in year 1791, being in a party of pleasure on the water, by the fudden bursting of a water-fpout, the boat was overfet, and his wife and daughter both drowned; himself also was carried down the ftream, and faved in an extraordinary manner, which eventually led to his Converfion.

At the beginning of this year, a Moravian friend prefented him with the first fermons preached before the London Miffionary Society, the perufal of which induced him to offer himself to that benevolent body, and brought him into England.

He is now returning to Holland to fettle all his fecular concerns, in order to be in readiness for Miffionary fervices.

REV. MR. BARBER.

THE union between the churches of the Rev. Meff. Towle and Barber, as mentioned in our laft, having taken place, Nov. 23, was fet apart for public recognition of it: Mr. Goode, began with prayer and reading Pfalm cxxxii. and Thef. chap. v.; Mr. Towle and Mr. Barber, both publicly declared their cordial approbation of the union formed between their churches. Dr. Fisher preached a plain, and serious difcourfe upon the nature, faith and joy of a Christian church, from Col. ii. 5.; Mr. Clayton and Mr. Kello, engaged in prayer; Mr. Wall gave out the hymns; and Stafford pronounced the benediction.

OBITUARY

OBITUARY.

1

ON Monday, the 31ft of July laft, as feveral Minihers had appointed to meet at Dr. Duncan's, in Winbourn Minster, Dorset, it was agreed, there fhould be a double lecture at his chapel. The Rev. Mr. Dyer, of Devizes, having been there for several weeks on a vifit, began in prayer;" when he was about three parts done, he was feized with a paralytic stroke. The fcene was truly affecting. Medical affiítance was inflantly procured, but he was pronounced out of the reach of medicine. He was carried to

his lodgings, and put to bed; when he revived and was known to be fenfible, Dr. Duncan, who visited him, faid, "If that Jefus whofe love, mercy, and faithfulefs, you fo recommended to us yesterday, is precious to your foul, give me the fignal by fqueezing my hand." A fmile inftantly arofe upon his countenance, and he fqueezed his hand eight or nine times, nod ding his head with apparent pleafure; he then pointed for him to go to prayer, and looked upward, as engaged himfelf in the devout exercife. In a fortnight, he was taken home; the two following Sabbaths, he was carried to his own meeting, in a sedan chair; but the last time, he was fenfibly worfe, and at the clofe of the fermon was brought home: he grew worle and convulfions enfued; at intervals he gave figns of being happy, and on Monday, September 4, he finished his coure in the 56th year of age. He has left a wife and five children, three of whom, he faid, (a few hours before he was seized) with tears of joy, knew the God of their father.

his

He was a preacher of eminent abilities, cf quick conception, and fingu larly energetic; he was well received wherever he went, and ufeful efpeci ally in village preaching, in which, he will be greatly miffed in thofe parts. When the late Mr. Davies, of Reading, died, he was fent for to preach his funeral fermon; and at the request of many churches, where evening lectures were carried on round that neighbourhood, he continued for fome time preaching every day, and fometimes oftener; which proved too much for him, as he said, "nature was quite overdone," but he rejoiced that it was in. fuch a cause. This brought on a univerfal weakness, and his whole frame was debilitated; foon after followed a flight ftroke of the diforder, which proved mortal to him. He came here for a change of air, as Winbourn air is remarkable for bracing debilitated constitutions, and for fea air; and fo it proved to him, even to our agreeable furprife, for he intended to have returned home that day on which he was feized; but as several minifters from his own quarter were expected, and two fermons to be preached, he concluded to stop and return with them; he repeatedly faid in each of his fermons the day before, that he never should preach there again, which was much noticed.

It is remarkable, that the first fermon he ever preached, was in Dr. Duncan's pulpit in Tadly, the laft Sabbath in July, 1780, and his laft fermon was in his pulpit, the last Sabbath of July, 1797: his laft text was the father of mercies." Dr. Duncan preached a funeral fermon upon the occafion, from a Sam. ii. 38.