View of Trinity Church, Cloudesley Square, Islington. CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY. CLOU. DESLEY SQUARE, ISLINGTON. TRINITY CHURCH, Cloudesley Square, Islington, is a neat Gothic edifice from a design by Mr. Barry, whose correct and elegant taste in ecclesiastical architecture, has been so generally approved, that he has been employed in the erection of a considerable number of churches. Mr. Barry's master-piece, however, is supposed to be the splendid new church at the north entrance of Brighton, on the road from London. Trinity church, though beautiful without, is reputedly still more " glorious within;" the gospel of Christ being faithfully preached to a numerous congregation, by the Rev. Hunter Francis Fell, A.M. But our present design is to give some historical and statistical notices of the parish of Islington, particularly in relation to ecclesiastical matters and the state of religion among its inhabitants. REASON FOR THE NAME "CLOUDESLEY SQUARE." Cloudesley Square is so named from Richard VOL. V. | Cloudesley, a wealthy resident at Islington, "a good benefactor to this parish, who died IXth of Henry VIII." A few particulars relating to this parishioner of former days, cannot fail to interest the reader, especially if residing in Islington, and capable of appreciating the religious advantages of our times compared with those of exclusive popery in the days of Cloudesley. Previously to the Reformation, a chauntry of priests, under the denomination of the "brotherhood of Jesus," appears to have been established in the church of Islington. To this fraternity Richard Cloudesley, a parishioner, bequeathed in the 9th year of Henry VIII. certain stipends, issuing from land in this parish, for the keeping of an obit, and the singing of masses for the peace of his soul; which land he also charged with some gifts to the poor, to induce them "to pray for his soule, his wife's soule, and all Christen soules." Moreover, that he might be prayed for "perpetually," he directed his trustees, within a month after his decease, to appoint "an honeste sadde preste to syng for his soule, his fader and moder's soules, and all Christen soules," in the new chapel called the Her mitage, at Islington Town's end." The land originally charged with the above, and many other superstitious uses, still remains vested in feoffees, for the use of the parish. It consists of a plot of ground, called the fourteen acres, otherwise Stones, or Stonyfield, situate on the western side of the Back Road, and is mentioned by the testator as being let, in his life time, at 4. per annum. Such, however, is the increase in the value of land contiguous to the metropolis, possessing eligibility for building, that the fee simple of the premises has, within these few years, heen estimated at the extraordinary sum of 22,800. This valuation was made in consequence of an application from the Corporation of London, who appeared desirous of purchasing the ground, for the removal of Smithfield market. Superstition, in the former days of darkness, brooded over the minds of the populace at Islington, equally with that influence in other parts of the kingdom. This may be illustrated by the following observations of an ancient author; from which it appears that all the provisions made by Cloudesley for the pardon of his sins and the repose of his soul, were believed by the populace to be insufficient. For Purlet, an ancient author, speaking of earthquakes and other similar phenomena of nature, proceeds thus:-" And as to the same heavings, or tremblements de terre, it is sayde yt in a certaine fielde neare unto ye parish church of Islingtoun, in like manner, did take place a wondrous commotion, in various partes, ye earthe swellinge and turning uppe euery side towards ye midst of ye sayde fielde; and by tradycion of this, it is observed, yt one Richard de Clouesley lay buried in or neare yt place, and yt his bodie being restless on ye score of some sinne by him peradventure committed, did shewe, or seeme to signifye, yt religious observaunce should there take place, to quiet his departed spirit. Whereupon certaine exorcisers, if wee may so terme ym, did at dede of nighte, nothing lothe, using divers divine exercises, at torche light, set at rest ye unrulie spirit of ye sayde Clouesley, and ye earthe did returne aneare to its pristine shape, nevermore commotion procedeing therefrom to this day; and this I know of a verie certaintie." STATISTICS OF Islington. Islington, though formerly described as "a pleasant country town," separated from the city by numerous fields and meadows, is now only in name separated from London. The parish is three miles one furlong in length, two miles one furlong in breadth, and ten miles and a half in circumference: and the parish church is about two miles and a half from the boundary of the city. The name of this village has, in different ancient records, been written Isendune, Isendone, Iseldon, Iselton, Yseldon and Eyseldon. Some, assigning to it a British origin, have derived the name from Ishel, implying in that language lower, and don from twyn, a fortified enclosure; whence Isheldon, the lower fortification. Others, referring to its cognomen Isendone in the Domesday Survey, which is a Saxon and British compound, signifying the Hill of Iron, deduce its etymology from the circumstance of springs of water, impregnated with that mineral, rising in *This chapel stood upon the site of Mrs. Owen's School and Almshouses, at the lower end of this village, in the parish of Clerkenwell. An adjoining piece of ground, now in part covered by a row of houses bearing the name of Hermitage Place," forms a portion of the endowment of Mrs. Owen's charity, and is called in the records of the Brewer's Company, her trustees, the "Hermitage-field.” the vicinity. The present name, Islington, appears to have been generally adopted towards the close of the 16th century. 1811 1821 1831 Islington has continued rapidly to increase in its population, especially since the commencement of the present century. Marshal, in his " Topogra phical and Statistical details of the Metropolis," gives the following as the population: In 1801 10,212 15,065 22,417 37,316 The amount of parochial assessments, in the years ending 1776, 1,3237.; 1814, 11,7941.: and expended for maintaining the poor in the year ending 1829, 14,338. From these items some tolerable idea may be formed of the increase of the parish of Islington; the population of which cannot now be so low as 40,000 souls. Islington is celebrated at the present time for the Church Missionary Society's seminary for the education of their students, and also for Highbury College, the principal seminary for the education of ministers of the congregational denomination, and candidates for ministerial labours among the heathen under the direction of the London Missionary Society. Islington is highly favoured for an evangelical ministry; and religion manifestly prevails to a great extent among its inhabitants. The following is a list of the several places of worship :: EPISCOPAL CHURCHES AND CHAPELS. spots in the British part of our Master's vineyard. But in saying this, do I boast of the moral state of Islington? Alas! no-there is still a call for more preachers of the gospel- still much need of Christian instruction. The busy trafficking spirit manifested on the Sabbath morning, is mournful evidence of the little effect produced on great numbers by the continual faithful preaching of the word of life among them; and much, very much has yet to be done, before the evangelization of this neighbourhood can be even generally effected. Much, however, may be hoped for and expected from the labours of the faithful and zealous ministers with which this suburb is blessed; and there is certainly abundant evidence that their labours are not in vain. The brightest feature in the moral aspect of Islington is the spirit of Christian affection and brotherly love which evidently pervades the different churches, both amongst themselves and towards each other. If the ministers are not all of one heart and one soul, there is certainly a large measure of that truly Christian spirit which leads them to regard each other as fellow-labourers in the same glorious cause; and both in and out of the establishment, the most cordial good-will and sincere wish for the promotion of the glory of God in the salvation of man, is, I believe, the prevailing desire of them all; and from such principles of action, what may not be hoped for? Even where, from the infirmities common to all, any thing like dissension has appeared, it has been graciously overruled by the Father of mercies for the wider spread of the gospel of his grace. This is evidently the case, for example, in the recent removal of Mr. Gilbert from Islington Chapel, the consequence of which has been the erection of a new place of worship in a neighbourhood where it was much wanted, and where, I doubt not, the labours of this good man will be abundantly blessed." INFIDELITY IN LONDON. This MR. EDITOR,-A bill was put into my hands about a a fortnight back by a friend with whom I had formerly been on terms of intimacy, headed " Cheap Instruction," and bearing for its motto, "Let truth triumph :" to which a gentleman present, on hearing it read, involuntarily responded "Amen." excited a smile from my friend, and led me to make further inquiries as to the nature and design of the institution, when, to my surprise, I found that the sole object of the meeting was to invalidate the truths of christianity; and that my friend, who once stood high as a member of a christian church, had now united himself with a body of men for the sole purpose of disseminating the insinuating poison of infidelity. The subject for discussion on the ensuing Sunday evening, he informed me, would be, "What is Christianity?" Curious to know how they would handle the subject, I attended; and could not but observe how reason was perverted, and facts, in favour of Christianity, concealed or distorted. The speakers affected great mildness and moderation, and, at the close of their speeches, invited any one present, who felt disposed, to step forward and impugn their arguments; which, I am happy to say, was done most triumphantly by a gentleman who entered the room shortly after myself. A hoary headed infidel rose to reply, and weak and futile indeed were his arguments compared to the clear and lucid remarks of his opponent. Speaking of miracles, he observed-" if a miracle was performed to let the vagabond set through the Red Sea, why not have miracles now, when miracles were more wanted than ever ?" He then adverted to the various crimes which have at different periods disgraced the world, attributing the whole to the influences of Christianity, and impiously inquiring, why did not the Christian's God interfere to prevent them; and concluded by emphatically saying-“ I thank God I am not a Christian !" The insinuating poison which these men are industriously disseminating, requires more than common caution to guard against its influence, and I trust that the friends of Christianity will awake from their lethargy, and use all their efforts to oppose the enemies of their religion by every legitimate means in their power, which, perhaps, cannot be more effectually accomplished than by an extensive circulation of the "Christian's Penny Magazine." If the affluent in every city, and town, and village in Great Britain, were to appropriate a small portion of their riches in circulating this cheap and useful little work in their respective vicinities, it would do much in promoting the cause of Christianity, and operate as a powerful antidote against the baneful influences of infidelity. Awake, then, ye that sleep, the enemies of your religion are vigilent; they attribute your silence to a secret disposition to favour their designs. I cannot, perhaps, better close these remarks, than by giving the opinion of Collet on the moral influences of Christianity. "Once (says he) let men thoroughly believe that they are the work and sport of chance; that no superior intelligence concerns itself in human affairs; that all their improvements perish with death; that an oath is unheard in heaven; that secret crimes have no witness but the perpetrator; that the weak have no guardian, and the poor no avenger; that human existence has no purpose, and human virtue no lasting friend; that this life is every thing to us, and death is total, everlasting extinction; once let men thoroughly abandon religion, and who can conceive the extent of the desolation which would ensue? We hope, perhaps, that human laws and natural sympathy would hold society together. As reasonably might we hope, that were the sun quenched in the heavens, our torches could illuminate, and our fires quicken and fertilize creation. What is there in human nature to awaken respect and tenderness, if man is the unprotected insect of the day? And what is he more if Atheism be true? Erase all thoughts and fear of God from a community, and selfishness and sensuality would absorb the whole man. Appetite knowing no restraint, and poverty, and suffering, having no solace or hope, would trample with scorn on human laws. Virtue, duty, and principle, would be mocked and spurned as unmeaning sounds. A sordid selfinterest would supplant every other feeling; and man would become, in fact, what the theory of atheism declares him to be a companion for brutes." Seeing that a mighty phalanx is raised against Christianity-that men are now to be found in the corners of our streets, and in the fields, with the Word of God in their hands, endeavouring to destroy men's best hopes, and to sow the seeds of unhappiness throughout our land, I trust that some of those able ministers who so strongly recommend your Magazine to public notice, will step forward and defend our holy religion against the attacks of the infidel band that is raised against it. I am aware that many of our Christian ministers in London are importantly engaged in various religious duties, but surely no duties, however urgent, can be more important than in checking the encroachments of infi. delity, which is now disseminating its deadly poison upon that ocean which has neither shore nor bottom, the ocean of eternity. "It is with devout thanksgiving I remember, that during the last eight months I spent in America, I was permitted in the presence of about 30,000 who composed Christian assemblies, to plead the cause of 650,000,000 of heathen. And now I am far from the former, and on every side surrounded by the latter, for behind me are the isles of Sunda, Sumatra, and Java; on my left Malaya and Cambodia; on my right Burneo and the numerous Philipine islands, Palawan, Mindano, and Luzon; and just before me China spreads out its wide territory, and presents her millions and hundreds of millions who have never heard the gospel. In this situation, both remain alike near to my heart. To promote the glory of God, by endeavours to advance, so far as I shall have the opportunity, the highest interest of the Christian and heathen world, I trust will be the ob AMERICA exhibits before us many things relating to Surely these unjust and inhuman prejudices cannot consist with an elevated spirituality of mind, and eminent conformity to the image of Jesus Christ : and the faithful ministers of the Redeemer cannot belie their character in refraining to bear their testimony against such a species of ungodliness and cruelty. Surely these evils cannot long exist among a people who manifest so noble and generous a regard for the progress of the kingdom of Christ in the world. Truth, righteousness, and the Spirit of God must soon annihilate this wickedness, and lead to the establishment of righteous laws, and the manifestation of a correspondent feeling according to the holy law of Christ-"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." This is the true law of nature, the venerable law, the sentiment of genuine christianity, and every man that violates it in the letter or the spirit, impeaches his own character as a Christian! America, however, has multitudes of eminent Christians, who consequently abhor slavery; and their hallowed zeal for the advancement of pure religion in the world, is finely illustrated in the number, devotedness, and spirit of their missionaries. The Rev. Mr. Choules, a Baptist clergyman of the United States, now in London, informed the writer, that on the day he set sail for England (October 1), TWENTYSEVEN MISSIONARIES, including their wives, embarked at New York to strengthen the hands of their brethren in the Burman empire and China! May God afford them his special blessing to crown their labours with success in the conversion of the heathen. The following extracts of a letter from the Rev. Peter Parker, one of the Missionaries of the American Board, dated " Ship Morrison, China Sea, Oct. 12, 1834," will be read with the liveliest interest by every Christian : We are not 130 days from New York, and begin to feel how welcome will be the desired port. The health of the passengers has been remarkably good, whilst there has been some sickness among the ship's company. One of this number, as it respects the body, sleeps beneath the waves that break on the coast of Java†, and his soul has launched away * An 8vo, volume, published in 1831, which contains some powerful and cogent arguments against the sophistries of infidelity. The ship carpenter drowned. "It is not easy to describe with what feelings I approached the first heathen islands. It was a delightful Sabbath (Sept. 28th) that I first saw Java. The fresh and brisk breezes from the land came perfumed literally with "spicy" fragrance. In the night the Morrison came to anchor, ready to put into Anjier in the morning for fresh water and other supplies. My feelings were very peculiar. In the evening the coast was illuminated by the lights of the natives in their fishing boats, which extended for a great distance. They even reminded me of the lights of New York, as I have seen them late in the evening from the East river. At our devotions we sung the Missionary Hymn of Heber, substituting Java's Isle" for Ceylon's. It was affecting to sing one of the Lord's songs upon the borders of a land upon which the Christian Sabbath, which had been observed on board the ship, had never dawnedwhilst upon our floating home, the gospel had been preached, and prayers addressed to that God whom the heathen about us had yet to learn. 66 "Shut out from the rest of the world for four months, events which had occurred in the mean time, were poured suddenly upon us. After preparing letters for America, I took the boat for Anjier, in company with the captain, Mr. Olyphant and son, and for the first time stepped upon a heathen shore, and with my own eyes beheld a devotee of the false prophet pay his homage in a Mohamedan mosque. "With a native officer at our head, we immediately repaired to the delightful residence of the Dutch master-intendant. But how shall I relate the intelligence which here awaited us? Alas! the venerable and beloved Morrison is dead! My beloved brother and personal friend, Rev. Henry Lyman, with his associate missionary, Munson, had fallen into the hands of cannibals! and are devoured and their dear companions, early bereft of their partners, are left widows and strangers in a foreign land. "I had hoped in a little while to see the beloved Morrison, and to receive counsel from him as a father in the missionary service. The anticipation was pleasant of hearing his voice in prayer, and of frequently uniting with him before the throne in behalf of the millions of China. All, like a vision, has vanished! Yet, my joy preponderates over my grief. The good man felt that he had finished his work, and now he has entered into rest. I would not have detained him. Yet I express the sentiments of my * There is no sufficient evidence that the Missionaries were devoured.-EDITOR. heart when I say, I rejoice to think I may so soon go, with others, to stand in the breach and exert all my powers to advance the cause which he has so nobly begun in China, and to labour till death, praying that others may come after and finish what shall remain when I and my associates shall also rest from our labours. "With other feelings I heard of the premature death of Lyman and Munson. I know not the particulars of their decease. Could they now express to the living their sentiments, I doubt not they would say they regret not the sacrifice for Christ. Still it is melancholy to think of the good they might have accomplished, had life been spared, which now must be effected by others. It is pleasant, however, to reflect, God often frustrates the plans of his servants, to accomplish his own which are better.' Rumour states that the missionaries were cautioned against going to the people by whom they were destroyed, but sure I am that a candid Christian community will be slow to charge with rashness these servants of God, who, in imitation of One who never erred, were willing to lay down their lives for those whom they would joyfully have blessed with the gospel which bringeth salvation. The authority of Sir Stamford Raffles might be sufficient to warrant them in the measure they took, notwithstanding the contrary opinion of individuals, who, it may be, did neither appreciate the motives of these brothers, nor understand the power of the gospel to tame the most savage men. The New Zealanders also belong to the class of cannibals, but missionaries are now successfully sowing seed among them, and gathering sheaves to everlasting life, and doubtless this was the animating hope in respect to the northwest coast of Sumatra. “My dear brethren in Christ, just entering the ministry, or in different stages of preparation for it, and indeed all young men of talent, in whose bosoms glow the love of Jesus, and compassion for dying men, wherever you be, whether in the field, the workshop, or counting-room, to all, and to each personally, whose eye may fall upon this sentence, the inquiry is earnestly addressed, Who will come to fill the places of those whom death, in different ways, has transferred to the upper world? Pause, dear brother, give the question a second thought; or rather, revolve it and pray over it, till you are satisfied that you are or are not, one of the number. The death of Dr. Morrison, and the history of what God has accomplished by one of humble birth, speak volumes to you: while it would seem the blood of Lyman and Munson cries from Batta (and to those particularly who were once associated with them in the pursuit of knowledge and in preparation for the gospel ministry), Pray for the heathen, and come to their relief. Say not, they are cannibals, let them alone; they are immortal beings for whom Christ died. Has Satan built high and strong his fortress about them, and spread gross darkness over them? The citadel must be surrounded, and if the gates cannot be unbarred, and a cheerful surrender obtained, the brazen walls must be battered down, and the light of the sun of righteousness poured in upon them. Let the requisite instrumentality be furnished, and prayer and the Spirit of the Lord shall accomplish it. What are a few, or even many lives, when such an object is to be gained, as the deliverance of thousands and millions from the bondage of him who sways his sceptre over these dark islands and far spreading continents? Come then, brethren, whose coming the great head of the church shall approve, and as you proceed, may you experience the sentiment of one who could Separated say, as he sailed over these oceans, from my friends and country for ever, there is nothing to distract me from hearing the voice of my beloved; and coming away from this world and walking with him in love, amidst the flowers that perfume the air of paradise, and the harmony of the happy, happy saints, who are singing his praise ;' and with Martyn and Morrison, Lyman and Munson, and many others whose names you will readily recall, and I need not mention, may you participate eternally the joy of having been obedient to your Saviour, and of leading to him many heathen, who shall unite with you in the everlasting song! "To Christians generally, and especially to my brethren and fathers in the ministry, I would, with becoming deference, address a few lines. Were my object to select some topic which from its novelty would awaken interest, I should not select that of prayer, for its necessity has often been urged; but, if I may be allowed to dwell a moment upon the theme nearest my heart, and which in importance, to my mind, is unsurpassed by any other, this is the subject. Yes, were it my last and only appeal, I think it should be for more of that prayer which is offered in faith, and with clear apprehensions of the perfections of Him who has instituted it, and the power with which he has invested importunate supplication. For I believe that wherever the spirit of true prayer exists, there will be a disposition and sound wisdom to perform whatever is requisite, so far as human instrumentality is concerned, to secure its end. When there shall be a spirit of intercession resembling in fervency that with which the parent pleads for his first-born, pervading the heart of every minister and follower of Jesus Christ, in behalf of China, and all heathen lands, there shall be no more want of means or missionaries, and then without arrogance, the church may confide in the living God to take away all the barriers that oppose the introduction of the gospel among this interesting people. "Within a few days of reaching the shores of this vast empire, my thoughts are busy by night and by day, awake or asleep, revolving the condition and prospects of these our fellow-beings, and inquiring what can be done. I see here and there as we go up this sea, the merchants' ships, but with some honourable exceptions, the emancipation of China from the thraldom of sin is a subject of no concern to them. I think of the importance which trade and the riches of this world hold in the estimation of foreigners generally, at the port of Canton. I think of millions who, did they enjoy the privileges of a free and republican people, would rejoice on terms advantageous to both, to hold free intercourse with foreigners, and to receive that pearl above price, the gospel of Christ, which his followers long to bestow upon them. But, alas! the mandarins and emperor, like the Jewish lawyers, will neither enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor suffer those who would enter to do it. Then it is I feel, and tenderly too, the necessity of prayer to Him who has their hearts in his hand, and can mould them as he pleases. We believe, indeed, the decree has passed in heaven, that China shall be saved,' and admit the propriety of the interrogation, What then are walls of national separation; what will imperial edicts and prohibitions avail?' But it may be answered that decree will remain unexecuted, until the prayer, and that degree of prayer is offered, which were also contemplated in the Divine mind. Those walls will stand, till, by prayer, the church shall scale them, and these edicts and prohibitions will have their influence till they who make them |