August 2. By eleven o'clock, many boats were seen quite loaded with immortal beings, coming to hear the word, from Jura, Ling, Balnihua, and Lunga. From the earnest and solemn attention they gave to the word spoken, I would fondly hope that some received real benefit to their immortal souls. After a short interval, I preached again in the evening in the same place; and on finishing my last sermon, many pressed me to visit their islands the following week, if possible, offering to send a boat for me.' " Another of these Agents says, in a letter dated 11th July, 1836 "I have just had a most interesting tour, for three weeks, on the West coast. I travelled about 250 miles, and preached 24 times, through a population of from 6000 to 7000; and I do not think that 50 persons, of all ranks, who could hear, absented themselves from our meetings. I was much comforted in meeting with some Christian friends, and never enjoyed more enlargement and comfort in speaking the truth. There is one district through which I passed, where there are about 3000 souls under the charge of one minister, from whom" (for good reasons stated by the writer) "the parishioners will take neither baptism nor the Lord's Supper, nor will they go to hear him; so that they are falling almost into a state of heathenism. They told me they must place themselves under Dissenters, and why should we not take them up? They are very poor, and could do little or nothing for the support of a minister; but to send the gospel to them, is really the same as sending it to the heathen." Besides the Gaelic districts, the Congregational Union have a very wide and important field before them, in the numerous islands of Orkney and Shetland, where seven ministers are aided, some of them wholly supported, from the funds. This year, the sum of not less than £600 has been expended in supporting the gospel in the Highlands and Islands, along with a sum of the same amount for the other objects of the Union-the assistance of the smaller churches, and itinerancies, &c., in the Lowlands. And when it is considered that the N. S. No. 142. churches in the Union are little more than eighty in number, and that about one-third of these need aid from their brethren in supporting the gospel and gospel ordinances among them, it will at once be seen that they have done what they could in seeking the salvation of their countrymen; and that, in soliciting aid from others, it is not to ease them of a burden which they themselves could bear. Indeed, the work is too great for a body comparatively so small; and yet it is so necessary and so important, that the Committee feel that they dare not relinquish any part of it, if assistance can by any means be obtained;-nay, they feel that far more than double the number of labourers is requisite, and might be most advantageously employed. At the last distribution of funds, in May, of £1200, besides paying off some former debt and incidental expenses, the Treasurer was left in advance not less than £144. 178. 5d. To liquidate this debt, and enable them to proceed in the work, at least to the same extent, the Committee have resolved on making application to some of their friends and sister churches in England, to whom they have never applied in vain. Subscriptions and Donations for these objects will be thankfully received by the Rev. Thomas Smith, Sheffield; the Rev. J. A. James, Birmingham; the Rev. R. S. M‘All, LL.D. Manchester; the Rev. Gilbert Wardlaw, A. M., Blackburn; the Rev. Mr. Ritchie, Wrentham, Suffolk; the Rev. Mr. Scales, Leeds; and in London, by the Rev. Dr. Henderson, Highbury; the Rev. John Campbell, Kingsland; the Rev. John Burnet, Camberwell; the Rev. William Heury, Tooting; and the Rev. John Campbell, Tabernacle. SUSSEX CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY AND COUNTY ASSOCIATION. The fourteenth anniversary of this Society, for the Diffusion of Religious Knowledge by Preaching, by Sunday Schools, and by Tracts, was held at Hanover Chapel, Brighton, on the 6th and 7th of September. On Tuesday evening a meeting was 4 P held in the spacious school-room adjoining the Chapel, when, after taking tea together, the friends of the Society had a conference on the state of religion in the county. The Rev. J. Edwards presided, and much interesting and useful information was given from various parts of the county; on the one hand showing the deplorable ignorance and irreligion of many, and on the other stating some very pleasing and encouraging instances of good done by means of Sunday Schools, Tracts, &c. On the morning of Wednesday, a sermon was preached by the Rev. John Titley, of Shoreham, on "The adaptation of the Gospel to the spiritual necessities of believers." In the afternoon, the fourteenth annual meeting of the Association of the Congregational Ministers of the County of Sussex, was held, the Rev. J. Turnbull, B. A. in the Chair, at which the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted: "1. That in harmony with the Congregational Churches, and other bodies of Christians, in various parts of the world, it is the avowed and settled conviction of this Christian Association, that the dominion of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in respect to his church on earth, is purely spiritual, and admits of no alliance with temporal power. "2. That this Meeting deeply sympathises with those brethren, of their own and other denominations, who have suffered loss of goods and imprisonment, with other injuries, for conscience sake, in resisting passively the impost of church rates and other exactions, in support of the ecclesiastical establishment. But on the supposition that the reigning Monarch should spontaneously bestow on poor Dissenting Ministers of our denomination any such tokens of his bounty and royal esteem and favour, out of his own privy purse, it is the opinion of this Meeting that they ought to be received with thankful acknowledgments. "4. That a Chapel Building Fund, in connexion with the Congregational Union of England and Wales, be established on the following plan: "I. Object-To establish a fund for the liquidating of all debts on the present chapels, of the congregational order, in the county of Sussex; and for the erection and enlargement of other such chapels; together with school-rooms attached, in those parts of the county where they may be required. Also to aid in the promotion of the same object, in other parts of England and Wales, according to ability. "II. Fund-Congregational collections, annual or otherwise; annual subscriptions, donations, bequests, &c. 66 "III. Agency-A general committee, consisting of all the Congregational Ministers of the county, with their Deacons, and Sub-committees, as locally convenient." On Wednesday evening a public meeting of the Society was held in Hanover Chapel. The Rev. Joseph Turnbull, A. B., having been called to take the Chair, the Rev. John Press, of Heathfield, offered up prayer; and the Chairman explained the object of the Meeting, and referred to the note of John Hey Puget, Esq., in which he apologised for his absence as Chairman of the Meeting, and expressed his views of the great importance of the Society at the present juncture, when superstition and infidelity are attacking with renewed efforts the bulwarks of Christianity. "3. That consistency requiring, at the present juncture, the expression of an opinion on the subject of Parliamentary grants toward the support of poor Dissenting Ministers, commonly called the Regium Donum;' it is the deliberate opinion of this Meeting, that such grants are incompatible with the principles which we profess; since they are voted out of the Consolidated Fund of the whole nation, who are thus unjustly taxed towards the support of a ministry and a form of religion of which many do not approve. road Chapel, moved, and the Rev. The Annual Report was then read, which stated that there are in connection with the Society 22 ministers, about 30 congregations, 314 sabbathschool teachers, 34 sabbath-schools, 2602 children, and 22 tract societies, by means of which about 40 villages are receiving religious instruction. 1. The Rev. J. Trego, of London John Harris, of Alfriston, seconded, the resolution for the adoption, printing, and distribution of the Report. 2. Moved by the Rev. Dr. Styles, of Claylands Chapel, Brixton, and seconded by the Rev. L. Winchester, of Worthing, and resolved unanimously-"That this Meeting learns from the Report now read, with great satisfaction, that the Congregational Union of England and Wales is adopt ing general measures of usefulness, for the spread of Divine truth in the world; and more especially, that at its assembly in May last, the Colonial Missionary Society, in connexion with the Union, was formed for the purpose of supplying our brethren in foreign lands with the regular means of evangelical instruction. This Meeting, also, is gratified with the announcement of the publication of the Congregational Hymn Book; and trusts that the sacred psalmody of our Christian worship will thereby be conducted with more general edification among the Congregational Churches." Two or three other resolutions con nected with ordinary proceedings of the Society were proposed by the Rev. Messrs. T. Wallace, of Petworth; Wm. Davis, of Hastings; E. Newton, of Cuckfield, &c. The collections and subscriptions exceeded the amount of any preceding year. COLONIAL MISSIONS. We are happy to announce that our esteemed brother, the Rev. Henry Wilkes, M. A. late of Edinburgh, who has accepted the pastoral charge of the Congregational Church at Montreal, Lower Canada, and has engaged to act as a corresponding member of the Congregational Mission to those colonies, safely arrived with his family at New York, August the 18th, on their way thither. They had a tedious passage of fifty days from Liverpool, but suffered no inconvenience but the delay. He conducted family worship on board in the cabin every evening, and preached on the Lord's day when the weather permitted, both to the cabin and steerage passengers. Our esteemed brother will proceed immediately after his arrival to Upper Canada on some important agencies connected with the future proceedings of this interesting Mission, which we trust is destined to enjoy a large share of the liberality and confidence of our Churches. COMMEMORATION SERVICES AT UNION CHAPEL, ISLINGTON. On Monday, the 29th of August, being the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of this place of worship, the church and congregation commemorated the day by several interesting services. At seven in the morning, the members assembled for solemn prayer and thanksgiving, when a suit able and affectionate address was delivered by their beloved senior pastor, the Rev. Thomas Lewis, who has continued for thirty years to be their faithful minister. At twelve o'clock, the foundation stone of a new school, for the education of about 400 children of the poor, (a large proportion of whom are annually clothed by the Christian liberality of the congregation,) was laid by the Rev. Thomas Lewis and Joseph Procter, Esq., in a commodious piece of ground in the rear of the chapel, when, after the children had Watson, the junior pastor, delivered an sung the praises of God, the Rev. J. appropriate address, and Mr. Lewis oftion. The children were afterwards fered prayer for the Divine benedicregaled by the liberality of their friends. In the evening, the chapel was very numerously attended, to witness the presentation to Mr. Lewis of a handsome silver time-piece, (value 100 guineas,) which, after the laborious and faithful ministerial exertions of his public life, his friends considered it their duty and privilege to present to him. By a resolution of the Committee of Management, and in order that this manifestation of regard might express the general sentiment of the congregation, no single subscription exceeded the sum of five shillings. The time-piece is of massive silver, adorned with an appropriate device, and as a work of art is highly creditable to the taste and skill of the gentleman who designed it. The business of the evening was commenced by a short and appropriate religious service, conducted by Mr. Watson. Mr. E. Smith, on behalf of the Committee, presented the time-piece to his honoured Pastor, and in a neat address expressed the feelings of the Church and Congregation, and begged him to accept it, not as a compliment, but as the pledge of the truth and sincerity of the sentiments which are engraven upon its base. Presented to the Rev. Thomas Lewis, of Union Chapel, Islington, by a numerous and attached people, to mark their grateful sense of his long and useful services, and to record the exemplary piety, affection, zeal, and judgment which, for more than thirty years, have characterized both his private and public life as a faithful Minister of Jesus Christ." The Rev. Thomas Lewis then addressed the audience in an affectionate and interesting speech, in which he adverted with much delicacy and lowliness to the prosperous course of his ministry for thirty years, and to the proofs on earth and in heaven that it had not been in vain. We regret that we cannot insert this judicious address at length, but we must not omit one fact which he stated, that besides his own liberal support, the people of Union Chapel had, during the period of his ministry, contributed more than £20,000 for charitable purposes alone. The interesting services of the day were closed with solemn prayer, by the Rev. Dr. Paterson, of Edinburgh. ORDINATION. On Tuesday, June 14, 1836, the Rev. William Smith, was ordained to the pastoral office, over the Independent Church at Shaldon, Devon, vacant by the removal of the Rev. W. B. Clulow, to the classical tutorship of Airedale College. The service was commenced by the Rev. R. Littler, of Buxton, who read portions of scripture and presented prayer. The Rev. George Smith, of Plymouth, delivered an introductory discourse on the nature of a Christian church. The Rev. J. Brewer, received the confession of faith, and offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. W. Davies, of Ashburton, gave the charge to the Pastor, and the Rev. William Tarbolton, of Totness, preached to the people. The service, which was well attended, appeared to be accompanied by the gracious presence of the Great Head of the church. REMOVAL, &c. The Congregational church at Ebenezer Chapel, Ramsgate, have unanimously invited the Rev. Henry Joseph Bevis, of Torquay, Devon, to become their pastor, who will enter on his new duties, (D.v.) in November next. The records of this ancient church extend to the year 1687, in which the town is called Romans-gate. The Rev. George Whitfield, preached his last sermon in England in this pulpit, September, 1769, previous to his embarkation at Deal, for North America. The truly venerable George Townsend, who is still living, sustained the pastoral office in this church nearly 45 years. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. ON THE STATE OF RELIGION IN Translated from the French. March 24, 1836. MY DEAR FRIEND,-Before we enter on the detail of isolated facts connected with the advancement of the kingdom of Christ in Germany, it may not be uninteresting to describe some of the more general and characteristic features of that religious and political condition of that country. They will show yon, on the one hand, the obstacles which oppose the pro gress of the Gospel; and on the other, the circumstances which facilitate its propagation. The leading cause of the extensive influence which has been so beneficially employed for several years in England, America, and France, and which has acted like a powerful lever to stimulate and set in motion the whole religious body, is the principle of association. This principle, applied to the advancement of Christianity, has given birth to that noble institution, the British and Foreign Bible Society, which preaches the Gospel in 158 different languages, and which has adopted for its motto-"No rest until every family in all the nations of the earth shall possess a Bible." It is the principle of association that sends and supports ministers of the Gospel from pole to pole; that introduces into every hut those active and faithful missionaries called religious tracts; which has liberated 800,000 slaves in the English colonies; whilst to the same cause will they soon be indebted for their delivery from the heavier and more galling chains of ignorance and barbarism. If then, by this means, the face of the world has been so changed during the last forty years, it cannot be unreasonable to suppose that it is the principle of association which God will yet make use of in accomplishing his vast design of love and salvation. Now, in Germany, this underworking principle is scarcely to be recognized; and with the exception of some states, where Bible and Missionary Societies have been instituted, it cannot exist-at least in the present state of our political affairs. This powerful influence, which, like the steam-engine, is to be applied to almost any enterprise, has been exerted in forwarding certain schemes of a political nature, more or less to be reprehended. The consequence is, that the very attempt at association for any object is regarded with so suspicious an eye, that the mines of Siberia would be considered as too mild a punishment for such an offence. The word "society" is with many synonymous with "democracy." Hence you may easily imagine, how difficult, and often how impossible, it is for the most peaceable Christians to unite their efforts in the promulgation of the truth; and more especially in some of the petty states, where despotism and arbitrary power reign undisturbed. Besides the jealousy in the civil authorities, Rationalism, the religious system which predominates, has involved the people with so deep an ignorance, that the idea never occurs to them of an association having for its object the advancement of pure religion. In many states a religious society is neither acknowledged, nor tolerated on any consideration. In a large town in Germany, I some time ago took part in the business of a committee of a religious society, similar in its design and general features to what in France you designate "An Evangelical Society." It was necessary to impress upon its supporters the propriety of more decision in its efforts, order in its measures, and benevolence to replenish its exhausted finances. At every proposition of the different members, a sign from the others indicated the impossibility of carrying it into effect; and at every "why?" which naturally followed, the words "the police," were despairingly pronounced and silence ensued. Cannot we make an appeal to our friends to collect for the Society? No, the police would not allow it; besides, that would give publicity to the association, and the police have forbidden meetings of any kind. But cannot we, said another, attempt to distribute religious tracts to dissipate, in some degree, the gross ignorance of the people? No, the police have forbidden it; they caused, you may remember, that poor seedsman, from Wurtemberg, to be followed by the gens d'armes, for having given away some religious tracts to the children he met as he passed along the road. Well! said a third, we have thousands of Jews in our town, and since we are all interested in their deplorably dark state, may we not support a missionary among them, who will distribute and explain the word of God? No, the trial was made some years since; the police would not hear of a missionary residing in the town. There is, then, but one other way in which we can benefit the people, said a fourth, it is this: our peasants read scarcely any thing but their almanacks from one year's end to the other; now our popular almanacks are filled with all kinds of absurdity and trash, why not follow the example of the zealous Christians in Paris and the Canton de Vaud, and publish a popular Christian almanack -thousands of copies would be sold? No; the police prohibit, under a penalty of six crowns, the sale of any almanack not authorized by them. The committee then broke up. Added to this, the Church and State are so strictly allied in Germany, that the government of the church is but a department of the civil administration. There are even very many pious and sincere Christians, who would consider you almost a revolutionist in politics, and an enemy to religion, if you expressed the desire to see the Church of Christ restored to what it was during the first three centuries, and when, by the way, it flourished most in the enjoyment of times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord-namely, a spiritual separate body, whose interests and affairs were not mixed up with the regulations of the kingdoms of this world. The result of this alliance is, that if there be any revival of religion, any preaching or any means of edification, which does not originate from within one of those four |