of the Established Church from Manchester; and who, as an ardent friend of the cause, had been especially invited to attend. The humble, impressive, and eloquent appeal which he made to the meeting was calculated to arouse the lukewarm and indifferent. He particularly dwelt on several instances which had come under his especial notice, wherein even drunkards had been reclaimed, and had been restored from the most terrible and depraved of the human species to a station of comfort and happiness. This he pathetically contrasted with their former situation of wretchedness and misery, adding that these poor individuals were now in the regular practice of attending at the church. He was followed by a dissenting minister, who fairly and candidly confessed it was some time before he could make up his mind to join the Society indeed he appears to have tried the fleece, both wet and dry, and carefully to have examined every argument both for and against these institutions; he had, however, now for some time concluded that they were entitled to his warmest approbation and support.

:

"The last speaker I shall refer to is W. Cruickshank: his powerful address was enough to alarm the most inveterate drunkard, and the terrible effects which he feelingly pourtrayed to the helpless and too often destitute wife and children as resulting from this dreadful propensity, were calculated to melt the hardest heart, and may we hope that, under the blessing of the Almighty, such (if any were present) would be aroused, and be induced, in deep humility, to crave his assistance to enable them to overcome this dreadful evil.

"It was well and truly stated that this Society is an excellent pioneer to religion; and surely we may adopt this construction if it be true that there has been a great revival since the establishment of these institutions in the United States of America, and that the largest theatre in Philadelphia is now converted into a place of worship.

THE

(Signed) "W-C-."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN TEMPERANCE

HERALD.

The number for September has just been sent us, and we would say―let the "Herald" keep the trumpet this month and blow a louder blast; for many, very many, even good men have great deafness in their ears, which is not yet overcome. We are happy to observe that ten new auxiliaries have been added this month. The let ter from Charles John, the king of Sweden,

CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.

"The Quarterly Meeting of this Institution was held at Jewry Street Chapel, Aldgate, the 18th Aug. The Rev. J. Dyer presided, in the absence of Thomas Challis, Esq., who was prevented from attending by domestic affliction. The Rev. J. Blackburn opened the meeting with singing and prayer. Mr. J. Pitman, the Secretary, read abstracts from the reports of the different Associations, fortyone in number, from which it appeared that there were rather more than 32,000 families under visitation, a number somewhat smaller than at the close of the preceding quarter; which was attributed to the usual absence of visitors from town at this period of the year, and also from a fear of the epidemic which had been so prevalent in the metropolis.

During the past quarter 370 children had been sent to different Sabbath Schools; relief had been afforded to 361 persons in distress, and 176 copies of the Scriptures had been circulated. In connexion with many of the Associations, prayer meetings and preaching stations for the benefit of the ignorant poor were sustained; several workhouses were also under constant visitation, and preaching in the open air was kept up in neighbourhoods of public resort.

CHOLERA.

Letter to Rev. J. Ivimey.
"Coseley, near Bilston,
Sept. 21, 1832.

"MY DEAR Brother, "You have seen from the public prints that the cholera has been raging most fearfully around us. Bilston, which has been the seat of its most destructive ravages, is only a mile from here, it has also raged at Tipton and Dudley, thus completely surrounding us.

"The deaths average about 2000. It is impossible for me to convey an idea of the horrid gloom which hung around us during this reign of pestilence. When at its highest power the incumbent of Bilston, very unadvisedly, I think, gave notice that the churches would be closed until the disorder abated. He was partially joined in this by the dissenters, but, in consequence of public opinion, one Sunday only was thus desecrated that was a fearful day. The impression of terror which fell upon the people-the awful silence which pervaded the streets-the ghastly and fear-stricken aspect of the few that were seen in public, and the passing back and forward

of the cart employed to bear the dead, all exhibited such a scene as cannot be described. In the early part of this awful season a common cart was employed for the above purpose. I saw it on one occasion with five coffins piled, bearing to the trench that had been dug for them the hapless victims of this dreadful scourge. Here it has not been confined to any class, the rich and the poor, the healthy and the sickly have alike been visited. Three of the doctors have been numbered amongst its victims. The short period that elapsed between the attack and the burial gave a character of terror to the visitation that might well produce alarm. A husband on returning from his labour in the evening met the cart taking his wife to burial, although they were both in perfect health in the morning. In some cases nearly a whole family have been swept away, and there are few who have not been visited. It has, however, produced a considerable excitement in favour of religious observances. All the places of worship have been crowded, and even at the weekly prayer meetings hundreds flocked to the House of God. The most profligate have been found there, and at our inquiry meeting some of them have come with weeping and supplication, mourning over their sins and seeking the mercy of God. When the disease was most violent in Bilston all the religious communities in the town, except the Church, united in setting a day apart for humiliation and prayer; from that day the reports of the medical men presented a regularly decreasing number of cases. And as it was so steadily abating, another day was set apart for the twofold purpose of gratitude and prayer; on this last day, for the first time, there was no death recorded.

"Is not the hand of God to be traced in this? On those occasions all business was suspended, and I think fervent appeals were made to God. Things are now returning to their wonted channels, and we are singing of mercy and judgment.

"CHARLES THOMPSON."

Extract from a Letter to Rev. J. Dyer. "Trowbridge, Sept. 10th, 1832. "MY DEAR FRIEND, "We have this week had prayer meetings at our various chapels in consequence of the prevailing pestilence in our neighbourhood. Monday morning 5 to 6; 9 to 10-afternoon 2 to 3, and evening 7 to 9 o'clock, at the Wesleyan Chapel; Wednesday at the same hours at Bethesda; Thursday morning 5 to 6, and half-past 6 to half-past 8 in the evening, at Tabernacle; and Friday at the same hour at Back Street; followed by a closing

service at half-past 6 in the evening of Saturday at Bethesda. The attendance, at each service was numerous, indeed crowded; the spirit of prayer seemed indeed to be poured out copiously on all engaged; a degree of earnestness and importunity but rarely witnessed appeared to mark every confession and petition, and as our town has for many weeks been in an unusually healthy state, so we humbly hope that the exercises in which we have been engaged will come up as a sweet memorial before our heavenly Father, averting the threatened judgments, or sanctifying the dispensations to those who may suffer by bereavements should the disease appear amongst us. "W."

1st, The destitute condition of many churches now in a widowed state.

2d, The recent sudden and solemn removal of eminent and useful ministers of the gospel. 3d, The lukewarm state of our churches generally.

4th, The very awful and alarming spread of pestilence in our land, which is evidently a token of the divine displeasure against the sinful state of the nation; an important part of which is general drunkenness, and the almost universal violation of the sabbath day.

It is true, sir, some dissenting congregations have set apart a day; but is this enough? is one or two so great a sacrifice to make, under such awful circumstances? God speaks once, yea, twice; he may speak louder yet. Are those who profess godliness so swallowed up with the concerns of time and the pursuit of money, &c. that they cannot awake? Oh! be warned: the present may be but a sprinkling; if so, what will be the shower, when he that is offended pours it down!

Let the following passages of scripture be considered and acted upon :-James iv. 2, 3; 1 John v. 14; John xiv. 14; Matt. xxi. 22; Jer. xxx. 6; Isa. lviii.; Jer. xxix. 7, 12.

When Peter was shut up in prison the church at Jerusalem was not satisfied with one or two supplications being offered, but prayer was made without ceasing (or frequently) for him unto God, and even until the deliverance came.

ACHOR.

July 4th and 5th, 1832, Thomas Thomas, late student at Bradford, and member of the church at Aberduar, was publicly recognised as pastor of the Baptist Church, Milford, Pembrokeshire, formerly under the pastoral care

of the Rev. Shem Evans, now of Bath. Tuesday evening the Rev. J. Owen, Bethlehem, D. Jones, Haverford West, preached from Phil. i 9.; 1 Kings xix. 13. Wednesday at ten, the Rev. H. Evans, Sardis, read and prayed, and the Rev. J. H. Thomas, Moleston, delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions and offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. H. Davies, Llangloffan, delivered the Charge to the minister, and the Rev. B. Thomas, Narberth,

addressed the church, Ezek. iii. 17; Heb. xiii. 22.

The Rev. W. Warlow (Indep.) closed by prayer. In the evening the Rev. H. Evans, and G. Devereux, Pembroke Dock, preached from Rom. v. 1; 1 Thess. v. 20. The services were very interesting-respectably and numerously attended—and a liberal collection

was made in behalf of home missions.

MILL BAY, FOLKESTONE.

On Wednesday, August 1st, Mr. J. P. Briscoe, was publicly set apart to the pastoral office, over the Particular Baptist Church, at Mill Bay, Folkestone.

At

The services of the day were commenced by a prayer meeting before breakfast. the ordination service the Rev. John Clark began with reading the Scriptures and prayer. Rev. W. Crambrook delivered the introductory discourse, requested one of the deacons to relate the leadings of Providence that induced them to invite Mr. Briscoe, and also requested Mr. B. to state his reasons for accepting their invitation. The church then signified their call, and Mr. B. his acceptance of it, by holding up the right hand. Then followed the confession of faith, after which the Rev. Thomas Welsh of Newbury, offered the ordination prayer with laying on of hands. Rev. Thomas Cramp of St. Peter's, gave the Charge from the 2 Cor. xi. 28, and Rev. John Coanes, (Indep.), of Folkestone, concluded with prayer.

In the evening the Rev. Mr. May commenced with reading and prayer, and the Rev. William Paine, of Eythorn, preached to the people, from Isaiah lii. 1. The services were numerously attended.

WALSALL.

On Tuesday the 7th August, 1832, a new Baptist Church was formed in the town of Walsall. The service was introduced by the Rev. J. Hoby, of Birmingham, who read The Rev. C. Thompson, of Coseley, delivered suitable portions of Scripture and prayed. an introductory discourse on the general liarities of the Baptists, after which he called principles of nonconformity, and the pecuif they assented to the principles laid down, on the candidates for communion to signify which they did by rising from their seats. They then gave to each other the right hand of fellowship. One of their number was requested to state the circumstances which led to this event, which was done. The Rev. the church on the duties which now devolved T. Morgan, of Birmingham, then addressed on the members. The attendance was large, the neighbourhood; and a happy and holy including several ministers and friends from is the first attempt at the formation of a Bapfeeling seemed to pervade the meeting. This tist Church in Walsall, and the prospects are very encouraging.

They at present occupy a large room, but ground has been purchased for the erection of a chapel. The Rev. J. Maurice, late of Providence Chapel, Coseley, is their minister. May the Most High smile on this infant cause.

STEVENTON, BEDS.

On Wednesday the 12th Sep. Mr. G. H. Orchard, late of West Haddon, was ordained over the Old Baptist Church, in Steventon, Bedfordshire, when brother Phillips, of Harrold, commenced the service with reading and prayer; brother Simmons, of Olney, delivered the introductory discourse on the principles of dissent, and asked the usual questions; brother Knight, of Staughton, offered up the ordination prayer; brother Bull, tutor of Newport College, delivered the Charge to the minister, from 2 Tim. ii. 14; brother Brooks, of Fenny Stratford, preached to the church on the duties they owe their minister, from Deut. i. 38; brother Vorley, of Carlton, closed the interesting services with prayer. Met again in the evening, at 6 o'clock, when brother Paul, of Wilberforce Settlement, in Upper Canada, commenced with reading and prayer; brother Middleditch, of Biggleswade, preached from Rev. xxii. 3; and brother Alliott, of Bedford, closed with prayer.

The