508 quences, &c." Seeing I got nothing, I left him, faying with From thefe anecdotes minifters may learn to take encouragement when they are led into a train of thought different from their propofed plan; perfecuted Chriftians may learn that the hearts of their oppofers are in the Lord's hand, and that perfecutors and oppofers may learn how dangerous it is to fight against God! 1 ANECDOTES. The late Dr. Johnfon reproved the Rev. Dr. Maxwell, once for faying grace in his prefence, without mentioning the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and hoped in future he would be more mindful of the apoftolical injunction.--A feafonable hint to many! An Atheist being afked by a profeffor of Chriftianity, How he could quiet his confcience, in fo defperate a ftate? replied, "As much am I aftonifhed as yourfelf, that, believing the Chriftian religion to be true, you can quiet your confcience in living fo much like the world: Did I believe what you profefs, I fhould think no care, no diligence, no zeal enough." Alas! that there fhould ftill by Chriftians, be fo much caufe given for the aftonishment of Atheists! An ancient father, being invited to dine with a perfon of rank, learnt, when he came to the house, that the lady had spent three hours in dreffing herfelf. It fo affected him, that when she entered the room, the venerable man was diffolved in tears. Enquiring the caufe, he turned to her and feriously replied, "I weep that you have spent "more hours in gratifying your pride, and ruining your "foul, than I ever fpent together in faving mine." RELIGIOUS RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. S the Public have expreffed fo great an interest in the tranfactions of the Miffionary Society, they will hear with pleasure, that the Duff, which performed fo fuccefsfully the former voyage to the Iflands of the South Seas, is again ready to fail for the fame Miffionary purposes; and through the good Providence of God, an amply number of, we truft, faithful men and women have offered themselves on this noble and feif-denying fervice, and are most of them already embarked. The number of perfons will be at least forty, befide children; and many others who were accepted, The zeal are obliged to wait another opportunity, for want of room. that hath manifefted itfelf on this occafion, appears to be a token for good to us, and an honourable evidence to the Chriftian world, that there are not wanting many who are ready to labour and fuffer hardships, as good foldiers of Jefus Chrift. The indefatigable labours and exertions of the Directors on this occafion, have done more than it was thought poffible to accomplish in the time; the feafon of departure requiring that the hip fhould fail this year, as otherwife, it must have been delayed till September or October in the year enfuing. The Providence of God, however, must be acknowledged in many favourable circumstances which have occurred; particularly in the furnishing feveral ferious medical ftudents and practitioners, fome of whom offered themfelves immediately as they understood the want of fuch perfons for the Mithon, than which a greater blefling of a temporal nature, can hardly be conceived to the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands, particularly Otaheite. The expence incurred by the equipment of the fhip, with all neceffaries for itself; the provisioning and other requirements for upwards of feventy perfons; a fupply for the brethren already fettled; and articles proper to exchange with the natives, or make prefents to the chiefs, is fo confiderable as to call loudly upon the friends of the inftitution, for their farther affiftance and fupport. The Publication refpeing the laft voyage, is faft proceeding through the Prels, and will be ready for delivery toward the beginning of the year. We truft it will fatisty the most doubtful of the propriety and advantages of the undertaking. The Society having decided, that the copy right fhall remain with themfelves, as likely to afford fome affiftance to their fiLances, it is to be hoped the friends of the inftitution will enlarge the fubfcription, for which end it will be continued open till the commencement of the new year; after which it is intended to raise the price to Two Guineas to Non-iubfcribers. DESIGNATION OF MISSIONARIES, &c. ON Tuesday, November 13, 1798, the Millionaries about to embark on this Miffion, were folemnly designated to their important work at SpaField Chapel. Dr. Haweis read the Common Prayer, after which Mr. Jerment prayed extempore, and Mr. J. Townend, offered the Defignation Prayer. Bibles, (the donation of Mr. Bailey, of Hackney,) with a fuitable addrefs, were delivered to each of the Miffionaries by the Rev. Meffrs. Brookfbank, Hamilton, Hill, Platt, Radfor, and Weft. A Sermon was delivered delivered on the occafion by Mr. Maurice, of Fetter-lane, from Rev. zia 15.; and a Charge to the Miffionaries from Phil. i. 23, by Mr. Eyre, of Homerton. Dr. Hunter, concluded with prayer. On Tuesday evening, Nov. 20, 1798, the four following Miffionaries, were ordained at Surry Chapel, viz. W. Gregory; J. Hill; R. Levelque, and J. L. Vardy. The Rev. Row. Hil, read the Church Prayers; and Mr. Howell, of Knaresborough, (who accompanies the Miffionaries) offered the Ordination Prayer. Mr. Waugh, preached from Phil. i. 18, and Mr. Hil gave an affectionate Charge to the Miffionaries, especially thefe now ordained. Mr. Hamilton, concluded with prayer. On the following morning (Wednesday) the Directors and Miffionaries breakfatted together; after which, Mr. Hill prayed, and Mr. Townsend gave an exhortation. In the evening, the Miffionaries unitedly commemorated the love of their divine Master in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The Ministers engaged were Meff. Eyre, Hill, Howell, Hunter, Kecherer, Nicol, Platt, Reynolds, Vanderkemp, and Waugh. ON Tuesday, November 20, the Duff dropt down the River, and on the 27th, the fingle Miffionaries embarked, and the ship prepared to go round to Portfmouth. In our Number for January, as we apprehend the Miffionaries will then have failed, we expect to gratify the Public with farther particulars, relative to this important Miffion. In the mean time, we are happy to find that neither the zeal nor liberality of the religious public appear to be exhausted. Since our laft, collections have been made at Orange.freet Chapel, at Mr. Platt's Chapel, Holywell Mount; and at Mr. Knight's Meeting, Nightingale-lane, London. Remittances have also been received from the Congregations of Mr. Burder, of Coventry; Mr. GalJand, of Holmfirth; Mr. M'Quhae, of Blackburn, and Mr. Simplon, of Macclesfield. Liberal donations have been received from individuals, both of money and of useful articles in great variety; among which, is a large handfome bible (conveyed through the hands of Dr. Haweis) intended as a prefent to the first native of the islands, who fhall learn to read the English Bible.-We have alfo the pleasure to learn, that the young gentlemen of Mr. Buck's Academy, at Hackney, have contributed 21. 18s. 6d. out of their weekly pocket money, as a prefent to the Missionary Society. ASSOCIATIONS. WELCH ASSOCIATION. OCTOBER 4th and 5th, 1798, the affociated congregational Minifters from different parts of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Cardiganshire, held their Quarterly Meeting at Hazel, in the last county. On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Philips, of Bethel, preached from Pla. xix. 7. Mr. H. George, from John iv. 24. On Tuesday, Mr. G. Lewis, of Llanuwchlyn, from Phil. i. 6. Mr. D. Peters, from John xiv. 6, and Mr. T. Skeel, from A&t xx. 24. This Inftitution is of between 30 and 40 years ftanding. WEST WEST-KENT ASSOCIATION. ON Tuesday, October 23, the affociated Diffenting Minifters in the western divifion of Kent, held their General Half-yearly Meeting, at Maidstone. As the object of their union, is the further fpread of Evangelical truth, in that part of the county, the bufinefs was attended to with unanimity and affection; and there appeared to be an increafing zeal for carrying on the important work. In the evening, Mr. Stanger preached on Rom. i. 16. Their next Meeting, is appointed to be held at Maidstone, April 16, 1799, at two o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Arnold, of Sevenoaks, to preach in the evening, or in default of him, Mr. Ralph, of Maidstone. EAST-KENT ASSOCIATION. UNION of Miniters, in the eastern divifion of Kent, including Independants, Baptifts, and those in the late Countess of Huntingdon's connection. On Wednesday the 24th of October, a meeting was held at Dover, when the Rev. G. Townsend preached in the morning from Luke vii. 21, 22. And in that fame hour, he cured many of their infirmities, &c." And the Rev. Mr. Schrochford in the evening, from Gal. vi. 14. "But God forbid that I should glory, fave in the crofs of our Lord Jefus Chrift." After the fermon in the evening, the minifters, and brethren fro:n most of the neighbouring churches, united to commemorate the dying love of their common Saviour at his table. Several of the ministers engaged in prayer, and notwithstanding the weather being unfavourable, the fervices of the day were well attended; both minifters and people, found them profitable and pleasant. At this meeting, the following refolutions were unanimoufly adopted: That the objects of this Affociation be, to promote intercourfe, unity, and love, among minifters and people: to devife means of mutually aiding and affifting one another in the work of the Lord; and to confult about whatever may terd to promote the intereft of true Religion, in our refpective fituations, and neighbourhoods :-That we meet, for thefe purpoles, four times in the year; that on each of thefe days, there fhall be two fermons preached; and a fermon the preceding evening, where it is convenient; that the next Meeting be held at Ramfgate, the 9th of January, 1799; Mr. Tither, of Dover, and Mr. Attwood of Folkfone, to preach: -That the Rev. W. Prieftly, of Deal, be appointed Secretary to this Affociation. The following minifters compofe the above Affociation: Meflrs. Townfend, Gore, Young, Parnell, Laxon, Prieftley, Tiflier, Giles, Drew, and Attwood. DORSET MISSION. A MR. DENNY, Miffionary of this Affeciation, preaches upon an average, fix and leven fermons every week. He has preached the Gofpei in ten villages, where 7 or 800 hear him, who before were perifhing for lack of knowledge. The people give very ferious attention, and his labours are apparety ufeful. It is remarked of one woman much addicted to blafphemy, that fince he heard Mr. D. fhe has never been heard to fwear. Tumour being circulated among the villages, that a Meeting-houfe would foon he built, a poor bricklayer came forward and faid, though incapable of giving money, he would chearfully give fo much labour as fhould be equivalent to five pounds. Thefe circumstances make it fufficiently evident that good has been done, and are ftrong indications of future profperity. Our Our missionary has, however, met with fome oppofition as might be expected, but this has rather more established his reputation and influence among the people. On Lord's day, Oct. 21, a barn was opened for public worship, at Maiden Newton. This is a populous parish, and a central fituation, lo that in all probability a regular congregation may be formed in this place. ON Thursday, October 18, the Rev. J. Deane, was ordained at Chal. ford Bottom, Gloucestershire. Rev. Mr. Symonds, began with prayer and reading, asked the usual queftions, received the confcition, and offered the Ordination Prayer, accompanied with laying on of hands. Mr. Francis, of Horfley, gave the Charge from 1 Tim. iv. 15.- Give thyfelf wholly to them." Mr. Burchel, of Titbury, preached from Heb. xiii. 22, former part, and a neighbouring independent Minister, concluded with prayer. OPENING OF CHAPELS. CIRCUS, EDINBURGH. WE are happy to learn from Edinburgh, fome zealous Christians have it in contemplation to establish in that large, and populous city, a place of worship, upon the plan of the Tabernacle in London. With this view, the Rev. Rowland Hill was invited, laft July, to preach in the Circus, a large place of public entertainment. He was fucceeded by the Rev. Mr. Boden, of Sheffield, and Mr. B. by the Rev. P. S. Charrier, of Lancaster. It affords us particular pleafure to inform our Readers, the preachers have been conftantly favoured with very crouded and attentive audiences; and many hundreds have been brought under the found of the Gospel, who were not in the habit of attending on its miniftry. In the Summer, Mr. Hill preached on the Lord's day evening, on Calton-hill, to many thou fands more than the Circus could contain; and even on thefe cold winter mornings, there are feldom lefs than twelve or fourteen hundred affembled on the Sabbath, to hear preaching in the Circus, at break of day; and the other fervices are attended by at least, twice that number. Mr. C. is to be fucceeded by Mr. Slatterie, of Chatham, and other English minifters go thither in the Spring. ABERDEEN CHAPEL. SEPT. 2, 1798. Rev. J. Bennet, paftor of the Independent Church, Ramly, Hants, opened a large commodious chapel, which has been erected in the above city by a number of ferious perfons, who have univred together in a congregational church fimilar to thofe of England: The opening difcourfe was on Exod. xxxiii. 14. 15. "My prefence hall go with thee," &c. On Lord's day, Sept. 15th, a fermon was preached upon the congregational mode of church government, from Matt. xviii, 15, 175 after which, an independent church of about twenty pertons was regularly formed. The 30th inftant the Lord's Supper was celebrated, to which fome pious baptifts were admitted as occafional communicants. Since the above, both church and congregation have considerably mcreated, and many have reafon to blefs God for this new ere&tion of the standard of the ciofs. Rev. T. Loader, of Fordingbridge, Hants, fucceeds Mr. B. on his return to England. |
