of Reading; Dobney, of Wallingford; Godwin, of Great Missenden; Winterbotham, Saffery, and by the Independent and Wesleyan ministers resident in the town. The services were attended by a numerous and attentive congregation; and the collection amounted to 261. 6s. 9d. In the interval of the services, the ministers and friends, belonging to several neighbouring churches, met in the vestry; when the following resolutions were passed unanimously: I. That we form an annual association comprising the Particular Baptist churches at Reading, Newbury, Wallingford, and Wokingham; with liberty to unite with any others in the neighbourhood, which may, at any future meeting, be deemed eligible. NEW MEETINGS OPENED. WHEATHAMSTEAD. On the 5th of July, a singularly neat meeting-house was opened at Wheathamstead, near St. Alban's. The morning service commenced with prayer and reading, by Mr. J. Newsom, of St. Alban's. Rev. John Clayton, jun. preached, morning and evening; and the Rev. F. A. Cox, of Hackney, in the afternoon. The devotional exercises of the day were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Harris, of Marketstreet; Carter, of St. Alban's; Sloper, of Hitchin; Smith, of Redburn; Daniels, of Luton; and Gilbert, of Bushey. The place was thronged; and, in the evening, II. That our meetings be held at each to such excess, as rendered it necessary to place in rotation, on the second Wednes-withdraw into the open air. The services day in June; to which each church shall send a letter, giving an account of its state for the year preceding. Two sermons shall be delivered on the occasion; one preacher to be named by the association, and the other by the church where the association is held. III. That, as the introduction of the gospel into villages is one object of our union, a fund be raised, for that purpose, by an annual collection from every church, to be brought to the association, and then and there disposed of. IV. That this association he also an Assistant Baptist Missionary Society; each church agreeing to render assistance according to its ability, in the way most agreeable to itself; and that the yearly accounts be examined and passed at the time of the association. V. That Mr. I. E. Bicheno, of New bury, be treasurer; and Mr. Dyer, of Reading, be secretary to the association, for the year ensuing. After which, it was agreed, that the first meeting should be held at Wallingford, in June next; and Mr. Dyer was nominated by the association to preach. WALES. THE Rev. Christmas Evans is about to form penny-a-week societies throughout the twelve churches in Anglesea, over which he presides; all of which, excepting one, have been formed, by the blessing of God, upon his ministry. The amoant collected is to be divided between the Baptist Missionary Society-the BapIrish Society-and the support of itinerant preaching in Anglesea, throughout were highly interesting, and many expressed themselves as never more gratified on any similar occasion. This cause is still in its infancy, having only been introduced into this populous village about three years; but so much has it been blessed, that a numerous congregation is raised, and it is already in contem plation to form a church. A farther appeal to public liberality will be necessary. SOUTHWICK. NOVEMBER the 1st, 1815.-A new Baptist meeting-house was opened for divine worship, at Southwick, in the parish of North Bradley, in the county of Wilts. Mr. Gough, of Westbury, Leigh, preached in the morning, from Exodus, xx. 24; Mr. Seymour, of Beckington, in the afternoon, from Isaiah, li. 3; and Mr. Clift, of Chapmanslade, in the evening, from Psalm lxxxix. 4. The devotional services were conducted by Messrs. Clift, of Bradley; Edmonds, of Bratton; Flower, of Frome; Stephenson, Independent minister; and Butcher, Harris, and Couzener, of Trowbridge. The church, in this place, is of long standing. The place in which they had, till now, assembled, was erected in 1709, had become too small, and, from its decayed state, unfit to be repaired, and dangerous to meet in. The people were literally poor, and all they could do towards defraying the expenses of the building was by their daily earnings; they have exerted themselves to the utmost, and, to the astonishment of their surrounding Christian friends, about 3501. has been raised; a debt of 3001, remains, for liquidating of which, they will be up der the necessity of soliciting the aid of the friends of religion. ORDINATIONS. IPSWICH. On the 15th of November last, Mr. James Payne was ordained to the pastoral office, over the Baptist church at Ipswich, in Suffolk. On this occasion, the following ministers were engaged: Mr. Thompson read and prayed; Mr. Cowell opened the business of the day, and asked the usual questions, &c.; Mr. Weare, pastor of the other Baptist church in Ipswich, prayed the ordination prayer; Mr. Brown, of Stowmarket, gave a very excellent charge to the minister; Mr. Keeble, of London, preached to the people; and Mr. Smith, of Ilford, preached in the evening: on this occasion, it is hoped, that GoD was present of a truth, and many found it good to be there. It is remarkable, that four of the ministers engaged, had been sent into the ministry by this church, WALES.-LIXUM GREEN. JANUARY the 31st, 1815.-Mr. Robert Edwards having been chosen to the pastoral office by the Baptist church, at Lixum-Green, near Holywell, Flintshire, was ordained. The work was carried on as follows:-The service of the day commenced, by reading a part of the word, and prayer, by T. Davies; Evan Evans delivered the introductory discourse; J. Edwards, of Langollen, asked the usual questions, and received the confession of faith. Mr. Edwards was then set apart, by prayer and imposition of hands, by Abel Vaughan and Richard Foulkes. A. Vaughan delivered the charge to the pastor, from Acts, xx. 28; R. Foulkes to the church, from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. At two o'clock, E. Evans prayed, and Ellis Evans preached from Eph. iii. 18, 19; and J. Edwards from Matt. xxiv. 14. At six o'clock, J. Edwards prayed, and Hugh Hughes preached from Rev. xxii. 17, and E. Jones from Heb. vii. 25, and concluded by prayer. The night before, R. Roberts, of Lanefydd, introduced the service by prayer; then Evan Evans, of Cefnmawe, preached from John, iii. 30; and T. Davies, of Cefnbychan, from Luke, xxiv. 26. morning, T. R. Davies prayed; R. Ed-、 LANEFYDD. November the 2d, 1815.-Mt. Ellis Evans, a late student at Abergavenny was set apart to the pastoral office, over the Baptist church meeting at Lanefydd, Lansanan, and Langernyw, Denbighshire. The work was carried on in the following manner-At ten o'clock in the morning, J. Thomas, of Lanrwst, prayed; Ellis Evans preached from Matt. vi. 10, and J. Edwards from Rom. iii. 25. At two o'clock, E. Roberts prayed; T. R. Davies delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions, and received the confession of faith; then he and E. Evans, and J. Thomas, prayed the ordination prayer, which was attended with laying on of hands. E. Evans gave the charge to the pastor from Titus, ii. 1, and J. Thomas to the church, from Mark, xvi. 19, 20. J. Edwards and T. R. Davies preached in the evening. The night be fore, Ellis Evans began the service by reading and prayer; then E. Roberts, of Lixum, preached from Rom. viii. 3, and E. Evans from Cant. viii. 6. HAY, JUNE the 23d, 1815.-The Rev. Mr. Fereday was ordained to the pastoral office, over the particular Baptist church at Hay, in Brecknockshire; and, at the same time, their new place of worship was opened. Mr. Daniel, of Buitth, be gan the service of the day, by reading and prayer; Mr. Rowland, of Abergavenny, delivered the introductory discourse, received Mr. Foreday's confession of faith &c. Mr. Brown, of Kington, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Thomas, tutor of the Baptist Academy at Abergavenny, September, 1815.-Edward Roberts gave the charge from Mark, xvi. 15, Go was ordained as an assistant to Ro-ye into all the world, &c. Mr. Rowland adbert Edwards, in the church at Lixum- dressed the church from Ps. Ixix. 9, For Green, Flintshire. At ten o'clock in the the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and Mr. Higgins, of the Methodist connection, concluded the service with prayer. Met in the afternoon at five o'clock: Mr. Brown prayed; Mr. Wyke, of Abergavenny, preached from Rom. v. 10; Mr. Thomas also preached from Psalm evi. 4, and concluded in prayer. Mr. Paxton, of Kington, gave out the hymns. All the services were conducted in English. The place was very much crowded all the day; the audience attended with great solenini ty, and many, we have reason to believe, rejoiced in the light of God's countenance. The present church at Hay, was formed in 1813. The erection of the place of worship cost 7001. of which the congregation have contributed 2001. An application will be made to the religious public for the remainder. It appears, from the history of the Welsh Baptists, by the late Rev. Joshua Thomas, that a Baptist church was formed at this place, as early as 16-19, and was a branch of the Baptist church at Olchon, founded in 1633. UTILITY OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS. A SUNDAY school, connected with the Baptist church, Meeting-House-Alley, Portsea, was opened April 28, 1808. Since that period, about 1500 children, of both sexes, have been admitted; some of whom have become members of the church. FIFTY of the teachers have also put on the Lord Jesus Christ, by being baptized! A juvenile library has been established for the use of the scholars and teachers. A juvenile missionary society has been recently formed in the school. Upwards of 300 scholars subscribe a halfpenny per week each, with the consent of their parents, which sum they are not permitted to exceed. The method of conducting this collection is very simple: A general collector is appointed, who, on each sabbath, receives from every teacher the produce of his class. No interruption takes place, as the account is kept by means of a mark upon the class board against the names of the subscribing children. Baptist Academical Institution AT STEPNEY. THE annual general meeting of the above society, is to be held, January the 10th, 1816, at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, at six o'clock in the evening. At this meeting, a report, containing the transactions of the past year, and the pre sent state of the Academy, will be read to the subscribers. All persons desirous of promoting this institution, are requested to attend. Baptist Monthly Prayer Meeting IN LONDON. held (on the third Tuesday in each month) A MONTHLY meeting for prayer will be by fifteen of the Baptist congregations, alternately, at their places of worship. Several of the churches being, at present, destitute of pastors, suggested this measure. At these meetings it is intended, occasionally, to mention articles of missionary intelligence. Two ministers will engage in prayer, in rotation, and another deliver an address The first meeting to be at Mr. Austin's meeting-house, Elim-place, Fetter-lane, on January the 16th, 1816, to commence at half past six o'clock; Mr. Cox to deliver the address. GUARDIAN SOCIETY For the Protection of Public Morals, and removing Prostitutes from the Streets. THE first public meeting of this Society, December, 1815, at the New City of was held, on Wednesday the 13th of London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, attended by a very numerous and highly respectable assemblage of both sexes. The Dukes of Kent and Sussex having been unavoidably prevented attending. Mr. Sheriff Bell, one of the vice-presidents of the society, took the chair, till the arrival of the Lord Mayor, who subsequently occupied it. The Rev. Mr. Watkins read a report which disclosed such scenes of wickedness as shocked every chaste mind, and affected every feeling heart. Several clergymen and dissenting ministers addressed the meeting-the Rev. Joshua Mann, D. Wilson, D. Ruell, J. Clayton, jun. Rowland Hill, C. Hyatt, G. Clayton, and Dr. Collyer. The Lord Mayor, in addressing the meeting, said, it was the bounden duty of every magistrate to lend his influence to aid the society in the suppression of vice, and the prevention of crimes-that he would see to it, that officers were appointed to watch the streets by day as well as by night, and concluded by recommending a general application to the legislature upon this deeply affecting subject. The collection, upon this occasion, amounted to nearly 2001, A FRAGMENT. WHO is the happy man? Poetry. "He who possesses yonder fields, He who possesses! didst thou say? And, had he all that mortal could, What, though the silver voice of Fame Her trumpet blows a single blast, Is it that friends, and youth, and health, And chill the warmest heart. Daughter of pleasure and the sun; And hour of joyance never done, Had been a caterpillar still; So, methinks, the captive mind, Rises to the realms of day! Here is darkness-there is light; Shall the spirit soar and sing. Though he seem to wear a frown; Death can weave a deathless crown! Who, then, would wish to live? DEATH. 'Tis heaven's decree, and, man, thy doo Lords of the earth and worshipped kings, He breaks the lover's ardent vows, And spoils their hopes when nearly crown'd; London: Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-Street, Soho, THE Baptist Magazine. FEBRUARY, 1816. THE SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON, DELIVERED BY THE LATE REV. ANDREW FULLER, At Devonshire-Square, on Lord's Day Evening, June 26th 1796. THE subject with which I would close the solemnities of this day, you will find in Philip. iv. 7. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ." Read it in connection with the three foregoing verses. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God," &c. of the peace of God, which passeth all understanding! Peace among men is healing to the human heart-it is transporting to the human breast, to see the bloody sword sheathed in its scabbard. It is pleasing to see amity and concord prevail, and old friends meet that have been separated, perhaps by jealousy and misunderstanding: but all this is only between man and man. The peace of God exceeds every thing of this sort, as much as God's ways are above our ways, and his thoughts above our thoughts. As much as the heavens are above the earth, so much is peace with him greater than peace with each other. It is on this subject, that we shall now discourse: Could the apostle Paul express a better wish than this: "The peace of God," &c. Peace, it will be allowed, is an inestimable jewel. No man that has been at all acquainted with the calamities of war, the distress of domestic confusion, or the horrors of a guilty conscience, can dissent from this proposition. Under such circumstances, how often has the heart In discoursing on this subyielded a sigh on the desireable-ject, we shall, First, Ask in what ness of the blessing of peace! But if peace, in the general, be so desirable, what must be said VOL. VIII. this peace consists. Secondly, Consider its great use in the Christian life. Lastly, Inquire, H |