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this indiscretion, and that nearly all the rest belong to an anomalous party of separatists from the establishment, amongst which the congregation formerly under the care of William Huntington, at Providence Chapel, may be particularised. We feel confident that the imputation of intolerance which has been thrown upon the whole body of Protestant Dissenters by these proceedings, will be shortly removed, by the publication of the deliberate opinions of those respectable associations which are the legitimate representatives, and the accredited organs of the dissenting community.

Priestly Opposition to the Irish Evangelical Society. The Third Anniversary of the Staffordshire Potteries and Newcastle Ladies Auxiliary was held last month. On the 20th, the Rev. T. Gilbart, Secretary to the Parent Society, preached on its behalf at the Tabernacle, Hanley, in the afternoon, and at the Independent Chapel, Burslem, in the evening. On the following evening its members and friends, consisting of Miristers and others of various religious denominations, met at the Tabernacle for the transaction of public business. Mr. W. Ridgway, of the New Methodist Society, presided in the Chair. The Rev. R. Newland read a report of the proceedings during the past year, and announced an increase in the amount of the subscriptions, which, together with the increased attendance at its annual meeting, proved that the importance of the Society is growingly felt in that populous neigh bourhood. The Meeting had proceeded about half an hour, when three Roman Catholic Priests, collected together from as many different places, each several miles distant, quite unexpectedly entered the chapel, and took their seats near the platform. Many persons of that communion, some of whom had also come from a distance, came in, and mixed with the assembly. The Rev. J. Manners moved the first resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Brewis, when the Rev. Mr. Egan, one of the Priests, requested to be allowed to address the Meeting. This, though perfectly out of order, was readily granted. Mr. Egan then began an address of nearly an hour, in which he first complained, in no very measured terms, of certain political evils in Ireland-evils over which the Society could have no possible controul, and with which it could not, even indirectly, be identified. He then deliberately charged the Society with giving false statements of the condition of Ireland, with a view to embezzle public money, and support its agents in luxury and extravagance. He then passed some very high eulogiums on the Irish priesthood, and challenged the Society's friends with having even a single instance of a Roman Catholic coming to them for instruction. The whole was

clothed with language, and uttered in a spirit, perfectly irreconcileable with a good cause, and when the Rev. Gentleman was exhausting himself, and wasting the time of the Meeting, by merely repeating, and again reiterating the same charges with still bolder tones, the Chairman felt it necessary to interpose, stating, that as the speaker had been allowed full opportunity for stating his views and arguments on the subject, and as the Meeting had so long listened with the most exemplary patience, the business for which it had been called could not longer be interrupted. The Rev. Messrs. Conder, Gilbart, Sleigh, Newland, and Richards, and Mr. J. Ridgway, then moved or seconded the various resolutions appointed for the business of the evening, which were cordially adopted without interruption. In the course of their addresses, the observations of Mr. Egan, so far as they had any bearing on the objects of the Meeting, were duly replied to. It particularly devolved on the Secretary of the Parent Society to vindicate its character against the charges that had been brought against it, and to establish its importance by authenticated records and facts of the deep moral degradation of Ireland. Towards the close of the

Meeting, Mr. Richmond, another of the priests, apologized for the manner and language of Mr. Egan, and at the same time challenged the gentlemen present to a future meeting, where the subject might be fully discussed, and also requested the conductors of the press, who were present, to be allowed to prosecute the subject still further, through that medium-which was granted.

Another meeting was held on the following evening at the Roman Catholic Chapel, Cobridge-the priests having previously announced, that they would then confute all that had been said on the preceding evening respecting the Irish Evangelical Society, and Ireland-and having also obtained from the Secretary copies of the Society's last Annual Report, and recent Quarterly Chronicles, as was presumed, for that purpose. The chapel, spacious as it is, was crowded to excess. The speakers were seated by the altar, and Mr. W. Ridgway requested by the Priests again to occupy the Chair. Mr. Richmond first addressed the Meeting, to whom Mr. Conder replied. Mr. Egan resumed the debate, and was answered by Mr. Gilbart. The third priest, on whom it devolved to reply, declined saying any thing, owing to the lateness of the hour-and Mr. Newland, who would have replied to him, was thus left nothing to do. Having, however, at the previous Meeting stated, that Popery is not Christianity, and Mr. Richmond having called on him to prove that assertion, or recal it, Mr. Newland readily came forward, and repeated the assertion,

regretting that the Priest having declined to speak owing to the lateness of the hour, it would be wrong in him then to occupy so much time, as the task assigned him would require. He announced, however, that he would preach a sermon on the point at his own chapel the following Sunday evening. He did so, and the sermon is now in the press.

Ordination.-On Thursday, April 7, 1825, Mr. Edward Campbell, late student in the University of Glasgow, and in the Theological Academy under the charge of Dr. Wardlaw and Mr. Ewing, was set apart to the pastoral office, over a church which meets in a large hall in Dovehill Street, Glasgow, and worships in the Gaelic language. In order to accommodate the church and the audience, the service was conducted in Nile Street Meetinghouse, (Mr. Ewing's.) The Rev. Robert M'Lachlan, of Paisley, gave out a Psalm, and read the Scriptures. The Rev. John Arthur, of Helensburgh, prayed. The Rev. John Hercus, of Greenock, preached a most excellent and appropriate sermon from 1 Cor. i. 9. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship

of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." The Rev. Greville Ewing asked the usual questions, which were answered both by the church and the minister to his satisfaction, who then proceeded by prayer, with the laying on of hands, to commend the young Pastor to the grace of God. Having given out a Psalm, the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw gave an energetic and impressive charge,

which was founded on 2 Cor. ii. 16. "And who is sufficient for these things?" The Rev. Alexander Kerr, of Cambaslang, concluded the service with prayer and praise. The Rev. Alexander Mackay, of Arran, preached to the church, in their own language, also in Nile Street Meeting-house, in the evening of same day, at six o'clock, from 1 John iii. 18.

My

little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." It deserves to be recorded, that

after Mr. Campbell had joined the academy, he commenced addressing his countrymen here in their own language, regularly on the Sabbath evenings: not a few of those who compose his church, are the fruits of his own ministry thus exercised among them-and we cannot conceive a scene more delightful to a christian mind, than the sight of that cheerful cordiality with which the members of the church recognized their beloved pastor, by giving him the right hand of fellowship at the dismission of the assembly.

Recent Deaths.-On Wednesday, the 9th of March, expired the Rev. JOHN SAFFERY, of Salisbury, in the sixty-third year of his age. Mr. Saffery was a native of Hythe, near Southampton, and ori

ginally a member of the church in Portsea, under the care of the late Rev. Joseph Horsey. Soon after he was called by his brethren to the work of the ministry, he visited the church at Salisbury, then recently deprived by death of its pastor, the Rev. Henry Phillips; and after supplying them some time on probation, was chosen as his successor. The connexion, thus happily formed, has subsisted from that time to the present-a period of five-andthirty years with undiminished harmony and confidence. Under his care, and by the divine blessing resting upon his labours, the church has greatly increased in numbers, and afforded many pleasing indications of spiritual prosperity. Few instances have occurred in which the expressions of deep solicitude during severe illness, and of unaffected sorrow at its fatal termination, have been more general; and it is honourable alike to the deceased and the parties concerned, to add, that these have not been confined to the church They have been shared by the other disand congregation over whom he presided. senting congregations, and by many of the respectable inhabitants of the city, who were connected with him by no religious tie. The funeral took place on Monday, the 14th, when an address was delivered by the Rev. J. E. Good, minister of the Independent Congregation in Endless Street, Salisbury, and the funeral discourse delivered to a very numerous and deeply affected auditory, by the Rev. John Dyer, been selected by the deceased. from John vi. 37; a passage which had

April 5th, died, the Rev. W. SUMMERS, aged 76, pastor of the Independent Church, Wick war, Gloucestershire, formerly, and for many years, a very respectable tradesman in New Bond Street, and the intimate friend of the amiable Pearce, often referred to in the memoirs of that excellent man. The address at the grave Wallingford, and the funeral sermon by was delivered by the Rev. W. Harris, of

the Rev. J. Cooke, of Maidenhead. We

hope to present an ampler account in our

next.

April 13th, died the Rev. J. TODHUNTER, of Chalfont St. Giles, after a lingering illness, by which, however, he was not detained from the pulpit more than two or three of his last Sabbaths. He has left a wife and four small children.

April 19th, died, the Rev. JOSEPH BROOKSBANK, after a lingering illness, in the 64th year of his age. Mr. B. succeeded Dr. Gibbons, as pastor of the ancient Independent Church, assembling at Haberdashers' Hall, Staining Lane, Wood Street, Loudon, over which he has presided for forty years. He was one of the founders of the London Missionary Society, and was enabled through life to preserve an unblemished reputation, both as

a christian and a minister. He was interred on the 26th at Bunhill Fields, when Dr. Collyer delivered an impressive address at his grave, to a very large and deeply affected auditory.

Notices.-The Designation of Mr. C. Piffard, and his sister, to the London Missionary Society's Station at Calcutta, will take place at the Chapel, Lower Street, Islington, on Monday evening, the 2d May. Service to commence at half-past six o'clock. The Rev. H. Townley, with other Ministers, will engage in the service.

The Annual Public Meetings of the Home Missionary Society, will this year be held in the following order. On Tuesday, May 3, the Rev. William Patton, M. A. pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church, at New York, will preach the first sermon at the Scots Church, Swallow Street. On Monday, May 16, the Rev. John Cooke, of Maidenhead, will preach the second sermon at Barbican chapel, both the services to commence at half-past six o'clock in the evening. On Tuesday, May 17, the General Meeting of Subscribers, &c. will be held at Spa-fields Chapel, Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M. P. in the Chair.

The Annual General Meeting of the Members and Friends of the Sunday School Union, will be held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, on Tuesday morning, May 10. Breakfast at six o'clock, and the Chair taken at

seven.

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The Anniversary Meeting of the Port of London Society for Promoting Religion among Seamen, will be held at the City of London Tavern, on Monday, the 9th May. Lord Gambier will take the Chair at twelve o'clock precisely. The Anniversary Sermons will be preached on board the Floating Chapel, on Tuesday, 10th May. Rev. John Griffin, of Portsea, in the morning

at half past ten. Rev. Jenkyn Thomas, of Cheltenham, afternoon, at three

The Annual Meeting of the Associate Fund Society, will be held at the King's Head Tavern, Poultry, on Saturday, the 14th of May. W. A. Hankey, Esq. will take the Chair at nine o'clock. Breakfast will be provided for the friends of the Society at a quarter before eight o'clock.

The yearly Public Meeting of The Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty, will be held at the City of London Tavern, on Saturday, May 14, at ten for eleven precisely, when some distinguished friend of religious liberty will preside.

The Annual Meeting of the Newport Pagnell Evangelical Institution, for the Education of Young Men for the Christian Ministry, will be held on Wednesday, 16th of May, at the Rev. T. P. Bull's Meeting-house. The Rev. J. Townsend, of London, and the Rev. W. Roby, of Manchester, have engaged to preach on the occasion. The afternoon will, as usual, be occupied in receiving the Annual Report, &c. &c.

The Twenty-ninth Anniversary of the Somerset Association is to be held on Wednesday the 25th of May, at Martock. The Rev. W. B. Leach, of Shepton Mallet, to preach in the morning, and the Rev. T. Golding, of Poundisford Park, in the evening.

Whit-Monday, 23d May, the Annual Sermon to Young People will be preached, at the Chapel, Lower Street, Islington, by the Rev. John Yockney. Service to commence at half-past six o'clock.

The Anniversary of the Bedfordshire Union of Christians will be held at Bedford, on Wednesday the 1st of June; when the Rev. John Mack, of Clipstone, and the Rer. Nottage, of Roxton, are expected to preach.

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Answers to Correspondents, &c.

COMMUNICATIONS have this month been received from Rev. J. Leifchild-J. MooreT. B. Brown-R. W. Newland-Dr. Wardlaw-T. Golding-W. Orme-Jos, Fletcher J. Blackburn-H. F. Burder-J. Yockney-J, Hillyard-C. N. Davies-Jas. BassH. Evison-T. Hathaway-W. H. Stowell.

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Also from Midas-J. K.-T. S. Davies-Amanda-A. Allan-An Inquirer-R. M.Frater-N.-A.—J. K. K.—S. Summers-Viatorius Mercator-W. B. KilpinJ. Wilks-J. Bull-Eaglet-H. R.-J. Edmeston-A. Allan-Quidam.

"An Inquirer" is respectfully informed that we do not wish to open our pages to the discussion of the Catholic Question.

ERRATA IN OUR APRIL NUMBER.

The title of the third work reviewed, p. 195, on Geneva and the Socinians, should have exhibited the name of Dr. J. P. Smith as its author. We have to apologize to Dr. S. for this omission, which was occasioned by haste in the transcription of the title-page. On the wrapper also, the same work is stated to be "R. Bakewell's Vindication," &c.; it should be "Dr. Smith's Vindication," &c.

Our respected Correspondent at N. S. has informed us of the opening of a neat Congregational Chapel," &c. but has rather unfortunately omitted to state where; so that till the name of city, town, or village so favoured be communicated, the other particulars in course are useless.

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(From the original in the possession of the Family)

Published June 11825. for the Congregational Mag. by BJHoldsworth, S.Pauls Church Yard In

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