presented with a well-filled purse, on bebalf of the congregation of St. Matthew's Church, as a testimony of their grateful respect, and of their sincere regret at his removal. The congregation of St. Anne's Church, where Mr. Stafford occasionally officiated for their worthy minister, have also presented him with an elegant purse, containing thirty sovereigns, as a mark of their esteem.-Liverpool Standard. LEICESTERSHIRE. The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Lincoln, accompanied by the Venerable the Archdeacon, held his triennial visitation in this town on Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th inst. The attendance of the clergy and churchwardens was more than usually numerous. The Rev. Mr. Humfrey, rector of Laughton, preached before his lordship and the clergy on Tuesday, and the Rev. Mr. Lievre, rector of Little Ashley, on Wednesday. His lordship delivered a very impressive charge, in which he entered extensively upon the subject of church property, the various projects now in agitation for church reform, the claims preferred by the Dissenters, their grievances, &c. We are happy to learn that the charge will be published.-Leicester Journal. The Rev. Dr. Evans, of Market Bosworth, has just erected a mural tablet to the memory of Thomas Simpson, the mathematician, whose great celebrity and (although self-taught) transcendent attainments in science should long ago have rescued his grave in the church-yard of Sutton Cheney, near Market Bosworth, from oblivion. The following is the inscription:--Juxta requiescit,quod mortale fuit, THOME SIMPSON, R. S. S., Bosworthiensis. Humili loco natum, Aug. 20, 1710, ad summa philosophiæ fastigia evexerunt adeo scientiæ amor et industria, ut ingentem sui, immatura morte peremptus, et famam, et desiderium reliquerit, Maii 14, 1761. Quot fuerint vitæ vicissitudines, aliunde quæras. Qualis quantusque fuerit mathematicus, licebit iis potissimum existimare, qui scripta legerint. Ne tamen posteros tanti nostratis philosophi prorsus lateret sepulchrum hoc marmor statuendum curavit A. B. E. MDCCCXXXIV. LINCOLNSHIRE. A.D. Church Rate.- Another Triumph. — On Thursday, the 31st of July, a vestry meeting was held in the parish church of Alford, for the purpose of levying a rate for the necessary repairs and expenses of the church for the current year; the Rev. E. Dawson, the vicar, in the chair. The churchwardens moved that a rate of sixpence in the pound be allowed, that sum having for several years past covered the expenses. To this there was an opposition party, and their leader and orator VOL. VI.-Sept. 1834. moved that a threepenny rate only be granted. A short discussion ensued, during which the most amusing argument of the threepenny party was, that their opponents had "only an Act of Parliament! to back their demand for a rate at all." The vestry then divided on the second proposition, when it appeared that there were 37 voters for the churchwardens' rate, and 27 for the threepenny rate. A poll of the parish was then demanded by the threepenny rate proposer, which it was agreed should commence at three o'clock and close at eight. The town was immediately canvassed by the respective parties, and the poll commenced at the appointed time. During the five hours it was open the threepenny party added to their numbers, with the assistance of a drum and an elegant blue flag, with a suitable inscription, 23 more votes, the last four hours being employed in polling about one in every fourteen minutes, making a total of 50. The numbers for the churchwardens' rate were 112; majority 62, exclusive of the accumulative votes, those also being about 12 to 2 in favour of the churchwardens. The churchwardens here, as well as in other places, had the greatest numbers, by far, of the "fair" on their side. Many also of the most influential and respectable of the Dissenters identified themselves on the same side, declaring that they considered it a factious proceeding to oppose a reasonable church rate, so long as the laws of the country required it to be paid.Boston Herald. MIDDLESEX. A meeting of the General Committee of the National Society took place at the Central School, Westminster, on Wednesday, the 30th of July. There were present the Bishop of London, Archdeacon Cambridge, Col. Clitheroe, W. Davis, Esq., J. Trimmer, Esq., Rev. Dr. Walmsley, A. Hammond, Esq., and the Rev. J. C. Wigram. The inhabitants of the united parishes of St. Swithin and St. Mary Botham, London, have presented to their rector, the Rev. Henry George Watkins, M.A., an elegant silver tea-pot and milk-jug on a splendid silver salver, weighing upwards of 200 ounces, with an inscription, of which the following is a part:-" Presented in testimony of their sincere regard and esteem for his faithful, conscientious, and affectionate discharge of the duties of his pastoral office during a period of twenty-nine years, in which he has constantly resided among them, and endeared himself to them by an earnest endeavour to promote their spiritual and temporal welfare."-Record. King's College.-The Worsley endowment at this establishment is in favour of scholars intended for missions to the East. Two scholars, we understand, are to be 2 ጊ taken on the foundation, with an allowance of 251. per annum during their continuance at the college; and their education is to be made as complete as possible, with the view of their becoming Missionaries of a higher class. The professors of the college have handsomely offered to afford the education gratuitously, and the council, we hear, intend to remit the college fees. -Morning Herald. St. John's, Westminster.- Religious Education. On Monday, the 11th of August, was laid the first stone of the large new school-house about to be built in Tuftonstreet, for the Sunday and Infant School of the united parishes of St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster. This spacious building is commenced in consequence of the persevering efforts of the minister of St. Margaret and the rector of St. John, nobly seconded by a few benevolent individuals in the united parishes, deeply impressed with the importance of providing religious instruction for the children of the poor. In the early part of last year, the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, the National Society, and the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, offered to the St. John's Sunday School Committee the sum of 6501. conditionally on the Committee undertaking to raise in their own district not less than 2001. This pleasing task the Committee readily undertook, and soon accomplished. The Education Commissioners also voted a grant of 600l., to be paid when the building is completed, free from any debt beyond what that sum will liquidate. Liberal donations have also been received from the Dukes of Northumberland and Buccleugh, Sir Francis Burdett, Lord Bexley, Mr. Joshua Watson, Lord Henley, &c., &c., &c. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent (with a subscription) has kindly consented to become the Patroness of the Schools. On laying the first stone, the Rev. Lord John Thynne delivered á suitable and impressive address after having been requested by the rector of St. John's, the Rev. J. Jennings, to perform that interesting ceremony. Over the stone was placed a plate with an inscription, containing the names of the patroness, the trustees, architect, churchwardens, &c., fac similes of which were distributed among the crowd of parishioners and others assembled to witness the auspicious event. The old 100th Psalm was sung, and, at the conclusion, "God save the King," with an additional stanza. This part of the business was superintended by the organist of St. John's, by whom the children had been previously instructed. There were 928 children present, belonging to the different charitable schools of the united parishes in connexion with the Established Church. After the ceremony was over, the children were arranged on the steps on each side of St. John's Church, and liberally supplied with buns, &c., &c.-Record. It has just been ordered by the Parliament, for the next session, that the overseers of the poor of every parish, township, or other place in England and Wales, do prepare an account of money levied by assessment in their respective parishes, townships, or other places, for poor rates and county rates during the year ending the 25th March, 1834; and also an account of money expended by them in the same year; and that such overseers do, as soon as may be, transmit such account to the Clerk of the House of Commons; stating, in addition to such account, whether any select vestry now exists, and whether an assistant overseer is now in office, under and by virtue of the Act 59 Geo. III. c. 12. Clergymen of every denomination, whose income is under 120l. per annum, may keep a horse without paying any tax for it. When, a few weeks since, a petition in favour of Church and State was lying for signature in the parish of Hackney, it was spontaneously signed by many of the most wealthy and influential, but, at the same time, decided Dissenters in the parish. This is a very singular fact, and, as a sign of the times, a very valuable and interesting one.-Durham Advertiser. Among the well-earned testimonials of parochial regard bestowed on faithful ministers, we have to record a very pleasing one, presented to the Rev. John Ayre, who has just left the curacy of Edmonton, though continuing to reside in the parish. The gift consists of a silver urn, of most costly and elegant workmanship, and a full suit of silk robes-the former bears an appropriate inscription.-Record. (From a Correspondent.)-On Wednesday, July 2nd, a branch auxiliary of the Church Missionary Society was established for the district of Ball's Pond, Islington, the Rev. J. Sandys, Incumbent, Chairman. On Friday, June 27th, the annual examination of the Hackney Grammar School took place, when the Examiners expressed themselves much satisfied with the attainments of the pupils, especially in Theology, and with the mode of teaching adopted by the masters. The Examiners were, the Rev. Thomas Sale, M.A., Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, and the Rev. R. W. Browne, B.A., Fellow and Tutor of St. John's College, Oxford. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. On Sunday morning, 3rd of August, after an excellent sermon preached in Newark church, by the Rev. Thomas Stevenson, M.A., chaplain to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the sum of 131. was collected in aid of the funds of the District Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.-Northampton Herald. OXFORDSHIRE. The foundation stone of a new church at Diddington, endowed by the warden and Fellows of Merton College, and Matthew Bell, Esq., was laid on the 10th of July. Oxford Paper. SOMERSETSHIRE. Parish of Walcot.-At a vestry meeting of this parish, held at the poor-house, on Thursday, 14th of August, to take into consideration the propriety of authorizing the churchwardens to pay Mr. Geary, the churchwarden for 1832, the sum of 2321., for expenses incurred by him in the erection of hot air stoves, &c., at St. Saviour's Church, Larkhall,-the motion was negatived; the number of persons who entered their names in favour of payment of the money being 62, against it 115. But a scrutiny being demanded, the majority against the payment was reduced to 8. It seems that Mr. Geary did not obtain the previous sanction of a vestry for this outlay; although no one can deny the utility of the object on which he expended the money. We hope the amount will be made up to him by a public subscription. The circumstance, however, holds out a salutary caution to churchwardens.-Bath and Cheltenham Gazette. STAFFORDSHIRE. The election to the chapelry of Willenhall, Staffordshire, vacant by the death of the late Rev. W. Moreton, commenced on Tuesday, the 12th of August. The candidates were the Rev. G. H. Fisher, (Curate to the late incumbent,) the Rev. G. W. White, and the Rev. John Howells. The appointment is vested in the inhabitants of the township, having lands of inheritance. The poll was resumed on Wednesday, and, at its final close in the afterthe numbers were declared - for Wr. White, 68; Mr. Fisher, 66; Mr. Howells (who had retired on the preceding day), 14. A scrutiny into the validity of some of the votes, it is stated, is to be made; and it appears not improbable but that the whole matter will be referred to legal decision. Mr. Fisher was the popular candidate, and some of the usual noisy and violent features of contested elections were exhibited. Worcester Journal. noon, SUFFOLK. On Saturday, 16th of August, the remains of the Rev. E. W. Mathew, of Bury, in this county, were interred in the family vault at Pentlow. The attendance on this melancholy occasion was very numerous. All the clergy of the town, the churchwardens, and other church officers, attended as a mark of respect for the deceased; and many of the clergy of the neighbourhood, with a numerous assemblage of the inhabitants of the surrounding parishes, were also present. funeral train on foot was very numerous, and the whole scene was peculiarly impressive.-Bury Post. The (From a Correspondent.) Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.-On Tues day, August the 5th, the annual meeting of the Halesworth District Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge was held at Beccles, when a most excellent sermon was preached in aid of the funds of the institution, by the Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of Norwich, and a collection was 18. At a time when such hostility is dismade at the church-door, of upwards of played towards the church, it was gratifying to see a numerous and respectable attendance of laity, as well as clergy, upon this occasion, all anxiously testifying their attachment to our establishment, and the lt apinstitutions connected with it. peared by the Secretary's Report, that the Committee, since its first establishment, number of Books distributed by this in 1817, has been-Bibles, 2935; Testaments, 2545; Prayer Books, 6023; and Tracts, 24,217; every year affording an increased circulation. SURREY. A numerous meeting of the clergy of the Archdeaconry of Surrey was held on Tuesday, 12th inst., at the National Schoolroom, Epsom-the Right Hon. and Venerable Lord Walsingham in the chairwhen a most able address to his Majesty for his recent most gracious declaration of attachment to the church was unanimously adopted. Standard. July the 1st, the annual meeting of the From a Correspondent. On Tuesday, Farnham Church Missionary Society was held; the Lord Bishop of Winchester in the chair. A Sermon was preached on Sunday, June 29th, in the parish church, by the Rev. Samuel Wilberforce. "Lewes Deanery Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, &c.-The books are afforded by the Society to district committees, as to their own individual subscribing members, at little more than one half of the usual cost; and the committee are enabled by contributions of their own, and by collections after sermons, to reduce the price, still further when the books purchased at the depository are intended for sale or gift to the poor so that for this purpose their Bibles, Prayer Books, and Tracts, are on sale at the depository for about one-third part of the regular trade price. For instance, the committee are now selling, in a well-bound and perfect state, Bibles for two shillings each; New Testaments for eightpence; Common Prayer Books for fivepence, and Psalters for fourpence: this is the lowest scale. The same books, in a larger type, are to be had at a proportionate advance, but even then at a cost little exceeding the ordinary charge for binding. Nor do the committee confine their bounty to the reduction of the price. In many cases they supply books gratuitously,— to parochial and free schools; to workhouses also, infirmaries, &c. The issue of books from the depositories, during the last year, (many of them gratuitous supplies,) was-of Bibles and Testaments, 1458; Prayers and Psalters, 1706; other Books and Tracts. 17,339. The grand total since the establishment of the committee to the present day-Bibles and Testaments, 12,673; Prayers and Psalters, 19,399; other Books and Tracts, 143,477." WILTSHIRE. Early in the month, the annual meeting of the subscribers to the National School, established in Salisbury, was held at the Council Chamber, from whence the children walked in procession to the cathedral church, where an eloquent sermon was delivered by the Rev. Edward Bouverie, one of the prebendaries, from 1 John iii. 8; and immediately before the sermon the children sang the old hundredth Psalm. We were sorry to observe so thin an attendance of the inhabitants of the city, Close, and its neighbourhood. The plates were held by Mrs. A. Hussey and Mrs. Stevens, supported by the Rev. C. Pearson and the Rev. G. Radcliffe. The collection was not so good as on former occasions; but several of the neighbouring families, who were prevented by the weather from attending, have since sent their donations. After the service, the children returned to the school-room, when an examination of the first class of boys and girls took place, in which they acquitted themselves with great credit; and the children were regaled with cakes. Amongst the company present were the Very Rev. the Dean, Mrs. Pearson and family, the Rev. Chancellor Marsh, Rev. Dr. Harves, Rev. Dr. Radcliffe, A. Hussey, Esq., and Mrs. Hussey, D. Eyre, Esq., Rev. D. J. Eyre, and Miss T. Eyre, Mrs. Fowler, Rev. C. Pearson, Rev. J. P. M'Ghie, Rev. Mr. Hill, Rev. W. Tatum, G. Atkinson, Esq., Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Sparshatt, &c. -Salisbury Herald. WORCESTERSHIRE. Our anticipations relative to the collection at the cathedral on Thursday, in aid of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, have been fully realized. After a most able and powerful appeal by the Venerable Archdeacon Sin gleton, the handsome sum of 461. 11s. 6d. was collected; and we are instructed to say, that a donation of 61. 6s. in addition has been received since by the Secretary from F. Chassereau, Esq., of Kempsey. The corporation attended, and we were rejoiced to see the support given by this body to so valuable an institution.-Worcester Journal. YORKSHIRE. A Dissenting "Establishment."-At the late meeting in support of the church, held at South Shields, the Rev. James Carr said-" My next argument I derive from our dissenting friends themselves. It is true in this country they act on the voluntary system; but in the South Sea Islands they have an ecclesiastical establishment. For this do I blame them? No: I admire them. After many years' patient missionary labours in those islands, the king of one of the principal islands was converted, and became, to all intents and purposes, the bead of their religious establishment. He affords them protection, and, with the advice of the ecclesiastical persons about him, makes and sanctions laws for their government." Here the Rev. Gentleman quoted Ellice's account of the South Sea Islands, and several other authorities, all dissenters, in proof of the position he had advanced, and proceeded "No one then can doubt that, where our dissenting brethren have the power, they adopt the principle of an establishment; and I would ask whether we are to adopt a different system on account of latitude and longitude. I cannot see how our dissenting friends can consistently call upon us to depart from an established system in England, when they have originated a similar Northampton Herald. system in another and far distant country." The Archbishop of York intends to hold confirmations-at Retford, September 11; Worksop, the same day, in the afternoon; before 11 o'clock; at Southwell, the same at Mansfield, September 12, at a quarter day, at 2 o'clock; at Newark, September 13, at 11 o'clock; and at Tuxford, the Journal. same day, at 2 o'clock. Nottingham ing was held at the school-room, at Raw(From a Correspondent.)—A public meetmarsh, near Rotherham, on Thursday, the 14th of August, in furtherance of the object of the Bible and Prayer Book Society for the Deanery of Doncaster, in connexion with the Foreign Translation Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge-that object being the circulation of the Bible and Prayer Book throughout the world. The Rev. J. James was appointed President and Treasurer; the Rev. W. Ellis, Secretary; and among the Vice-Patrons of the Association are John Fullerton, Esq., of Thribergh, the Rev. John Lowe, Prebendary of York, the Rev. Thomas Sutton, Vicar of Sheffield, Rev. W. Bagshaw, of Banner-Cross, Rowland Hodgson, Esq., of Sheffield, and the Rev. W. Spencer, of Stratton, Norfolk. The sum at present raised, including the collection at the public meeting, is 31.12s.34d. Public meetings were held at the Chapter House, Ripon Minster, on the 21st of February, and at Boroughbridge on the 21st of March, for the purpose of forming a Foreign Bible Society in connexion with the Foreign Translation Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. The meetings warmly approved of the resolutions of the Parent Society, passed at the Special General Meeting of the Members, held in London on the 10th of February last; and resolved to form committees for the purpose of soliciting donations and subscriptions. Numerous annual subscriptions and donations for the foreign funds were announced at the meetings. A public meeting has also been held at Doncaster, to forward the same object; the vicar in the chair. WALES. A meeting was held at St. Asaph, on the 30th of July, for the purpose of carrying into effect the proposed establishment of a Diocesan Society for Promoting the Building and Enlargement of Churches and Chapels; the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph in the Chair; when it was resolved, 1. That the Society be called, "The Diocesan Society for Promoting the Building and Enlargement of Churches and Chapels within the Diocese of St. Asaph." 2. That the management of the affairs of the Society be entrusted to a General Committee; and that a Sub-committee be formed in each Deanery of the diocese. 3. That the General Committee consist of all persons subscribing annually to the amount of 5., or making a donation of SOL., and of all the members of the several Sub-committees, though not subscribing or making donations to the above amount. 4. That the Sub-committee in each deanery consist of the Rural Dean and of all the members of the General Committee resident in the deanery, and also of two other subscribers not entitled by their subscription to be members of the General Committee. 5. That all applications for aid towards building or enlarging a church or chapel be made, in the first instance, to the Rural Dean of the district where the aid is required; who, whenever he may deem it expedient for the transaction of business, shall call a meeting of the Subcommittee, and shall report to the General Committee, through their Secretary, all cases approved at such meeting. 6. That the General Committee shall, upon consideration of the cases brought before them, allot such sums in aid as to them shall seem fit, according to the state of the funds of the Society and to the circumstances of each case, giving due weight to the population and extent of the district requiring aid, and to the proportion which the sum raised by subscription towards the building of the proposed church or chapel shall bear to the whole amount of the estimated cost; but in no case shall they grant more than one-third of such amount. 7. That although the primary object of the Society is to assist in building and enlarging churches or chapels, yet the General Committee shall be empowered to contribute also towards the endowment of any church or chapel, if the particular circumstances of the case and the state of the funds of the Society shall appear to them to render it advisable to do so. The Lord Bishop of St. Asaph, Dr. Carey, at his triennial visitation, this summer, generously announced his intention of giving an annual subscription of one hundred pounds to the Diocesan Society for the Building of Churches and Chapels. -Northampton Herald. SCOTLAND. The meeting for this year of the British Association for the advancement of Science will be held at Edinburgh in the week commencing September the 8th. IRELAND. Conversion to Protestantism.-The Cork Herald states that the Rev. Mr. Nolan, who took such a leading part in the public controversial discussions in Ireland, and who was the intimate friend of Dr. Doyle, is reported to have resigned his parish in the diocese of Leighlin, and conformed to the doctrines of the established church. Mr. Nolan is a clergyman of high moral character, and the change wrought in his mind is the result of much reflection and deep reading. Transubstantiation is the groundwork of his objection to the tenets of the church of Rome. The visitation for the diocese of Cashel was held in the Cathedral of Cashel on Thursday last, by the Rev. Charles Mayne, Vicar General, in the absence of his Grace the Archbishop. The clergy dined at Mr. Ryal's hotel, the same evening, at the expense of his Grace the Archbishop. On Thursday, the 7th inst., the Rev. Richard Jones Hobson, Vicar-General (in the absence of the Archbishop of Cashel), held the annual visitation for the diocese of Lismore, at the parish church of St. Mary, Clonmel; about forty clergymen attended. The Rev. J. P. Rhoades, Rector, preached an appropriate and impressive sermon on the occasion. The Bishop of Ferns, Dr. Elrington, held his visitation in the Cathedral of Carlow on Wednesday, the 6th inst.; and several clergymen, who were present on the occasion, speak of his charge in the highest terms of praise, representing it as a pastoral production of rare and surpassing merit. In the course of many forcible observations, the Right Rev. Prelate said, |