Domestic Religious Intelligence. CONGRATULATORY ADDRESSES Of the General Body of Protestant (Extract from the London Gazette, July 2, 1816.) THE following addresses have been presented to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent; which addresses His Royal Highness was pleased to receive very graciously: To His Royal Highness George Prince nuptials have called forth from His Ma- Signed, on behalf of the general body, "I thank you for this loyal and dutiful address. "I derive the utmost satisfaction from the persuasion, that the event which has occasioned this expression of your sentiments is equally calculated to promote the happiness of my family, and to afford additional security to the best and most important interests of the nation. "You may confidently rely upon the continuance of my favour and protection." To the Prince Regent, the deputation were introduced by Viscount Sidmouth, and afterwards had the honour of kissing His Royal Highness's hand. Highly valuing the numerous advantages, which this country has long enjoyed, under a succession of princes of the House of Brunswick, we take pecu-To Iar interest in this auspicious event. Permit ns, Sir, to express our warmest wishes, that the alliance may be productive of permanent satisfaction to Your Royal Highness. From the education of Her Royal Highness, in principles adapted to give stability to a government, and prosperity to a nation, we confidently cherish the hope, that the true dignity of our country will be preserved by the wise and beneficial exercise of the same desire to promote the welfare of the people, and by the same sacred regard to the freedom of religious profession and worship, which have characterised the reign of our venerable Sovereign, and the administration of government by your Royal Highness. Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales. May it please your Royal Highness, WE, the general body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the three denominations, residing in and about the cities of London and Westminster, beg leave to present to your Royal Highness our sincere congratulations on the event of your alliance with His Serene Highness Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg, and to tender our warmest wishes for your truest felicity, through every succeeding period of your existence. Descended from an illustrious line of royal ancestors, who have meritoriously and successfully laboured to advance the general improvement of the nation, and confirm our much valued liberties, Influenced by these sentiments, we we are persuaded, that your Royal Highfervently offer our prayers to the Kingness will derive the highest satisfaction of kings for the continued health and happiness of your Royal Highness, and of those illustrious personages whose from emulating such laudable examples. Should your Royal Highness be ever called to fill the arduous and elevated To which addresses Her Royal Highness and His Serene Highness were pleased to return the following answer: "Be assured, that we receive the congratulations of the Protestant Dissent situation of a Sovereign, we are confident, that the conduct of your Royal Highness will evince the unceasing conviction, that a devoted attention to the intellectual and moral improvement of a cultivated and loyal people, will affording Ministers of the three denominations your Royal Highness more solid gratification, and confer more real splendour, than the outward ornaments of royalty. To His Serene Highness Leopold George Frederick, Duke of Saxe, Margrave of Meissen, Landgrave of Thuringuen, Prince of Cobourg of Saalfeld, &c. May it please your Serene Highness, WE, the general body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the three denominations, residing in and about the cities of London and Westminster, have sincere pleasure in hailing the arrival of your Serene Highness in this kingdom on the present important occasion, and in presenting our warmest congratulations on your alliance with our amiable and illustrious Princess Charlotte Augusta. From the elevated descent, various accomplishments, and excellent qualities of your Serene Highness, we are led to entertain the most pleasing expectation of the felicity attendant upon these auspicious nuptials. It is our ardent wish, that this country may afford your Serene Highness facilities for every active, liberal, and beneficial pursuit, congenial to your taste and inclination. In promoting the happiness of our beloved Princess, the country's hope, affording her kind and constant support on all occasions, conducive to her advantage, and aiding her benevolent designs for extensive usefuluess, your Serene Highness will be intitled to the gratitude and affection of a free, enligh tened, and loyal people. Duly appreciating excellence, we rejoice to see it transplanted, naturalized, and flourishing in our land; and it is our wish and prayer, that your Serene Highness may enjoy, to a distant period, all the happiness which your exalted station can bestow. These addresses are signed, on behalf with every cordial satisfaction and pleasure; and we are well assured in those fervent hopes they express for our mu tual happiness, and for the prosperity of His Majesty's kingdoms." The deputation, as above, were intro. duced by Sir Robert Gardiner, and were afterwards admitted to the honour of kissing Her Royal Highness's hand. BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY. THIS Society, since the annual meet ing, encouraged by the spirit evinced on that occasion, has resolved to support ten additional day schools, for teaching the native Irish, under the superinten dance of several clergymen, who have united themselves with the Society, and from whose co-operation much benefit may be expected. In consequence, also, of a resolution, passed by the Association of Baptist churches in Ireland, viz. that the Society would send another itinerant, Mr. Stephen Davis, a member of the church in Devonshiresquare, London, has been engaged for that purpose, and was publicly desig nated to the work, on Thursday evening, July 11, at Dr. Rippon's meeting, Carter-lane. The service was commenced by Mr. Coles, of Poplar, by reading the 13th chapter of Acts, and prayer. Mr. Ivimey, the Secretary, gave an account of the objects of the Society, and of the labours of the itinerants, &c. already employed-inquired of Mr. Davis, what were his reasons for devoting himself to the ministry in Ireland-and what were the doctrines he intended to preach. Mr. Davis gave satisfactory answers to these questions. Dr. Jenkins prayed the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands. Dr. Rippon being prevented by the lateness of the hour from giving the charge to the itinerant as he had intended, after saying a few words by way of caution and advice, concluded in prayer. ORDINATIONS. BIRMINGHAM. May 22, 1816. Mr. W. Hutchings was set apart to the pastoral office over the Baptist church, assembling for divine | worship in New Hall-street, Birming ham. The Rev. J. Poole, of Bilston, introduced the services of the day by reading a suitable portion of scripture, and prayer. The Rev. Mr. Brewer de livered an interesting account of the nature of a gospel church. The Rev. B. H. Draper, of Coseley, asked the usual questions-received the confession of faith, and prayed the ordination prayer. The Rev. T. Hutchings, of Unicorn-yard, London, gave his son an affectionate and solemn charge, from 2 Tim. iv. 1,2. The Rev. Mr. Birt, of Cannon-street, preached to the people from Heb. ii. 1. and the Rev. W. Taylor, of Boston, concluded by prayer the truly pleasing and profitable exercises of the morning. Mr. Hutchings,senior of London, preached in the evening, "Save, now, we beseech thee, O Lord; O Lord, we beseech thee, send now pro sperity." ford, preached from Ezek. xvi. 14. “And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty," &c. Mr. James Clark's prospects are highly encouraging. We are glad to hear, that by his labours the congregation has been greatly increased, and that two additional galleries are about to be erected immediately, PORTSEA. Row, Portsea, has lately experienced THE second Baptist Church in White's a considerable revival, through the divine blessing, on the preaching of Mr. Wm. Hawkins, a member of the Church at Norwich, under the care of Mr. Joseph Kinghorn. The ordination of Mr. Hawkins took place at the meeting house of the first Baptist church, on Thursday, the 13th of June, 1816. The introductory service, asking the usual questions of BIGGLESWADE, BEDFORDSHIRE.sion of faith, was conducted by Mr. the minister, and receiving the confes Giles, of Lymington. The ordination MAY 28, 1816. Mr. James Clark, prayer, (by imposition of hands) was late of Stepney Academy, was ordained offered by Mr. Kinghorn; who also deto the pastoral office in the Baptist Church livered the charge, which was founded Say to Archippus, at Biggleswade, in Bedfordshire. Mr. upon Col. iv. 17. Geard, of Hitchin, commenced with read- take heed to the ministry which thou ing and prayer. Mr. Cox, of Hackney, hast received in the Lord, that ye fulfil described the constitution of a Christian it." The sermon to the people was Church-received from Mr. Foster (one preached by Mr. Ivimey, of London, of the deacons of the church at Biggles- from. Phil.ii.29. "Receive him, therefore, wade) an account of the circumstances in the Lord, with all gladness, and hold which led to the solemnities of the day, such in reputation." The other parts of and presented to Mr. Clark a variety the service by Messrs. Phillimore of of questions, to which he returned satis- Kingston, and Griffin (Independent) of factory answers, together with his confes- Portsea. Mr. Kinghorn preached in the sion of faith. Mr. Bull, of Newport- evening, at the lndependent meeting in Pagnell, offered the ordination-prayer. King Street, from Gal. vi. 14. Messrs. Mr. Newman, of Stepney, delivered the Ivimey, and Russel, of Broughton, encharge from Prov. xxvii. 23-27. "Begaged in prayer. At a prayer meeting. thou diligent to know the state of thy at White's Row, at seven o'clock in the flocks," &c. Mr, Edmonds, of Cam- morning, Messrs. Dore, Tilly, Clay, bridge, addressed an exhortation to the &c. were engaged. church, from Phil. i. 27. " Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gos pel of Christ," &c. Mr. Morell, of St. Neots, concluded with prayer, One circumstance in this service appeared powerfully to affect the audience. The deacon, who represented the church, referred to his deceased father, and the pastor to his mother who was present, in such a strain of filial piety, and with such tender expressions of affectionate gratitude that every heart was moved! In the evening Mr. Bottomley of Ramsuy prayed, and Mr. Hillyard, of Bed It affords matter for encouragement to reflect that this revival, was preceded by an agreement among the ministers of five Baptist churches at Portsea and the vicinity, to hold a monthly missionary prayer meeting. This was about twoyears since. Thus, while they were fervently imploring spiritual blessings for others, they have been, in a particular manner, blessed themselves. Erratum in our last. P. 265, line 10, for fulfil, read forfeit. London: Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-Street, Soho. |