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RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ject would be productive of greater advantages. We are peculiarly desirous of having, in all the dark villages of our country, a well-informed and respectable Itinerant Ministry, that shall labour to break up new ground, plant Anonew churches, and thus enlarge the borders of our Lord's Empire. ther object, to which the fund is to be applied, is the relief of our aged, af flicted, and destitute ministers, and occasionally of their widows and orphan children. Almost every other denomination of Christians has made provision for a like purpose; and the spirit and generosity of our own people are too well known to allow us to believe for a moment, that they will be backward in supporting this benevolent design. No! they cannot endure the thought that those who have for their sake relinquished the prospects of the world, and grown old or infirm in the service of their faith, should afterwards be cast of, without resource for their temporal necessities. We trust we have been enabled to commit ourselves and our families to the care of a gracious Providence; but we know that means are connected with ends, and if it please God to supply the wants of any of his needy servants in the way now proposed, they will be constrained to ascribe to him all the glory.

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In our

There are other advantages which,
we confidently hope, will be the result
of this Union of the Churches.
quarterly and annual meetings, the
welfare of our particular congregations
plans will
will occupy our attention;
be formed to extend the knowledge of
Christ in our respective districts, — and
measures concerted to promote the ge-
neral progress of religion. Impressed
with the importance of these objects —
animated with the prospects of increas-
ing usefulness, — and humbly imploring
a divine blessing on our endeavours,
we, whose names are hereunto sub-
scribed, agree (under the following re-
gulations) to form ourselves into a ge-
neral body, designated Tae Asso-
CIATE CONGREGATIONS;
hending that large body of Christians
throughout the United Kingdom, who
have been commonly called Calvinistic
Methodists.

RULES.

compre

dition of ministers of limited incomes,
who are members of this Association;

aud also for the relief of their wi-
dows and orphan children.

2. There shall be a Committee, a
Treasurer, and a Secretary chosen an-
nually, to whom all letters relative to
the business of this Union shall be ad-
dressed.

3. A meeting shall be held four times
in the year (or oftener if advisable) viz..
on the first Tuesdays in January, April,
July, and October, at each place of
worship in rotation (in every district
where it may be practicable); a sermen
shall he preached by one of the pastors
in the morning; and the afternoon of
the day shall be devoted to the business
of the Union. Besides the above, there
shall be an annual meeting; to be held
on the Tuesday after the second Wed-
nesday in May. Every minister or de-
puty of a congregation belonging to this
Union, has a right to vote at all the said
meetings.

4. No minister or congregation shall
be admitted to this Union, that does not
profess to believe in the sovereign,,
everlasting love of God the Father,
the particularity and efficacy of the
the spe-
redemption of God the Son,
cial and effectual sanctifying operations
and who
of God the Holy Ghost,
does not maintain the necessity of a
strict conformity to the whole revealed
will of God.

5. Every minister or congregation desiring to join the association, shall be meeting; and, provided a ballot of proposed by a member, at a quarterly favourable to the proposal, such mitwo-thirds of the members present be nister or congregation shall be admitted to the Union,

6. Every society shall be left to the exercise of its own discretion as to the sion to the Lord's Supper, as well as mode of public worship, and of admis- ' to expulsion. But we are decidedly of opinion, that no persons applying for Incabership should be admitted, except the minister be satisfied of their real conversion and moral deportment.

7. Every congregation in this Union shall be expected, on all occasions, to our Sovereign, and to the constitution show a Girin attachment to the person of of our country, under which we enjoy so many privileges.

E. J. Jones

Rowland Hill Tho. Jackson Thos. Lewis Is. Nicholson J. A. Knight W. F. Platt Mat. Wilks. Jus. Sabine

1. In order to facilitate the accom-
plishment of the graad objects of this - (Signed) John Ball
associate body, a fund shall be raised
by the united exertions of its various
branches, for the purpose of affording
aid in the instruction of godly and gifted
young men who are to be devoted to the
for ameliorating the con-
ninistry;

Silver Street Chapel,
Nov. 19, 1805.

N 2

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The Independent Ministers of the county of Salop, being of opinion that some congregations have involved themselves in unnecessary expences for building, rebuilding, or repairing places of divine worship; and conceiving it of importance that some prudential measures should be adopted to regulate the admission of cases for collecting money, have, at their quarterly meeting, held in Wem, July 12, 1805, agreed to the following resolutions, viz.

1. That the members of this association, in union with some of their lay-brethren, form a committee for the purpose of examining such petitions for pecuniary assistance as may be presented to them.

2. That no member of this association aid or countenance any such petition or case, unless the same shall have previously received the sanction of the committee at one of their quarterly meetings.

3. That the Rev. T. Weaver, of Shrewsbury, be appointed secretary to the committee, to receive such cases as may be presented, to lay these before the committee et their next quarterly meeting, and to give information respecting their decision to the persons applying.

4. That, in respect to local situation, petitions from churches or congregations who are nearest to the county of Salop, be preferred to those from places

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Sept. 15, 1805. The Rev J. Prankard (late of Hoxton Academy) was ordained to the pastoral office over the Independent congregation at Somerton, in the county of Somerset. Mr. Morren, of Shaftesbury, offered the ordination prayer, and gave the charge, from 2 Tin. ii. 1.; Mr. M'Gibbon, of Bird-bush, previously explained the Nature of a Gospel Church, and afterwards preached to the people, from I Cor. xiv. 40.; Mr. Reynolds, of Charlton, concluded with prayer. The services were solemn and impressive, and the prospect of future usefulness in this ancient town encouraging.

house, at Barnet, Herts (which had Oct. 9th, Mr. Morison's Meetingbeen shut up for repairs) was re-opened; when a double-lecture was preached by Mr. Thorp, of London, and Mr. Grifin, of Portsea. Messrs. Jackson, Brooksbank, and Brodie engaged in the devotional parts of the service.

A small old Dissenting Meeting, at Newton, in Bowland, Yorkshire, which had long been in a ruinous state, having undergone considerable repairs, was re-opened on Tuesday, Nov. 19; when Mr. Charrier, of Lancaster, preached from 2 Cor. iv. 2; and Mr. Grimshaw, of Forton, from 2 Cor. vii. 1. Mr. Charrier preached again in the evening, from Rev. xxii. 17.

Dec. II. The Rev. J. Davison was set apart to the pastoral office over the Independent church at Rochfort, Essex. Mr. Smith, of Brentwood, began with prayer and reading the Scriptures; Mr. Douglas, of Chelinsford, delivered the introductory discourse, &c.; Mr. Cooper, of the same place, offered the ordination-prayer; Mr. Buck, of London, gave the charge, from 2 Tim. ii. 3.; Mr. Newton, of Wittam, preached to the people, from Matt. xxiii. 8.; Mr. Thornton, of Billericay, concluded with prayer. Mr. Craig, of Bocking, preached in the evening, from 2 Cor. V. 19, 20.

January 1, 1806, a neat and commodious chapel was opened at Penrhyn, in Cornwall. In the close of 1794, Mr. T. Wildhore, who completed his studies under the late Rev. Mr. Eyre, of Hackney, having engaged as an as sistant to his father, the Rev. J. B.*· Wildbore, of Falmouth, was the means of introducing a stated ministry of the gospel at Penrhyn; and, through the blessing of God upon his labours, a numerous and respectable congregation

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

At

has been raised; and many having joined themselves to the Lord, and to each other, Mr. W. took the pastoral charge of them on the day that the chapel was opened. The first service was before breakfast, when the house was dedicated to God in prayer; and the excellency of public worship was pointed out in an Address, founded upon the Eighty-fourth Psalm. eleven o'clock the ordination-service commenced. Mr. Moore, of Mevagissey, read the Scriptures and prayed; Mr. Cope, of Launceston, delivered the introductory discourse and received the confession of faith; Mr. Paddon, of Truro, offered up the intercessory prayer; Mr. Wildbore, sen. gave the charge, which was particularly solemn and affecting, from 2 Tim. iv. 1-5.; Mr. M'All, of St. Ives, very seriously and affectionately addressed the people, from Deut. i. 38, middle clause; and throughout the service, which lasted about four hours, the utmost attention prevailed. In the evening, Mr. Paddon, of Truro, preached from Isa, ii. 3. and the great solemnities of this New Year's Day in Penrhyn, closed with the celebration of the Lord's Supper; which proved a refreshing season to many souls!

Bethel Chapel at Romford, will in future be supplied from the Academy at Hoxton.

SOCIETY FOR MISSIONS ΤΟ AFRICA AND THE EAST.

On Monday, Jan. 13, a numerous and respectable Meeting of this Society was held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, when Four Missionaries, engaged by them, received a charge from the Rev. Mr. Venn, of Clapham, which was appropriate, simple, and impressive. A Letter from the Missionaries was then read; in which they expressed their gratitude to the Society for the attention shewn to them since they have been in England, and their determination to devote themselves to the service of Christ, and faithfully to discharge the duties of their Missionary station.

The names of the Missionaries are
Rev. Jehn George Frederic Schultz,
Gustavus Reinhold Nylander,
Leopold Butecher,
J. Godfrid Bassi,

They are immediately to depart for Sierra Leone, in Africa; from whence they are to proceed to the Susoo pation.

GERMANY,

93

Letters have been received from Nuremberg, Heidelberg, Stutgardt, Hanover, &c. which were too late for insertion, expressing, in the warmest terms, the gratitude of our brethren in Germany, for the various sums received from England for the relief of the poor.

The Rev. Mr. Kueper has informed the Committee, that Mr. Best, Privy Counsellor for his Majesty's Hanove rian dominions, has had an oppor tunity of mentioning to his Majesty what has been done for the poor in Germany, and the relief that has already been actually afforded to his Majesty's German subjects in Hanover. This information was received with very visible emotion by his Majesty, and met with his most gracious approbation.

In the last list of Contributors printed by the Committee, we observe with pleasure the names of the Right Rev. Lord Bishop of London, 201.; and the Bishop of Elphin zol. The Committee have already lodged a credit upon the Continent to the amount of 51201.; and the sum of 3,3701. has been actually apportioned to various districts, and safe channels of communication opened with them.

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The following View of Human Morta

lity is curious and striking:

"It is generally supposed that this earth is inhabited by one thousand millions of men, and that thirty-three years make a new generation; and, therefore, that in thirty-three years there die one thousand millions. Thus the number of those who die on earth amounts to,

Each year, Thirty millions
Each day, Three thousand four hundred
Each minute, Sixty

Each second, One.

"This calculation must necessarily strike us. If the mortality be so great every year and every hour, is it not probable that he who reflects on it, may himself be one of those soon to swell the list of the dead? It is at least certain, that it ought to lead us to think seriously and often on this subject:-Now, at this very moment, one of our fellow-creatures is going out of the world; and before another hour' is past, more than three thousand souls will have entered into an eterual state !"

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List of Lectures in and near London for February.

2. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Street,

Mr. Collison; Hare Court, Mr.
W. Smith; Dean Street, Mr..
Simpson; Crown Ct. Mr. Greig.
3.
Mon. Ev. Missionary Prayer-Meet.
ing, Mr. Priestley's, Jewin St.
4. Tu. M. Broad Street, Mr. Barber.
5. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the
Nation, at Mr. Dan. Taylor's.
6. Th. M. Monthly Meeting (Indep.)
at Mr. Gatiee's, Broad Street,
Mr. Knight to preach. - Ef-
fectual Calling.

Ev. Fetter Lane, Mr. Stollery. -
A Good Conscience.

9. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Str. Mr.
Booth; Hare Court, Mr. J.
Thomas; Crown Ct. Mr. Gore
Orange Street, Mr. Townsend;
Chapel Str. Mr. Stollery; 'Dean
Str. Mr. Knight.

10. Mon. Er. Prayer-Meeting for the.
Nation, Surry Chapel.

11. Tu. M. Broad Street

12. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, at Mr. Goode's, White Row.

13. Th. Ev. Fetter Lane, Mr. Nicol. The Resurrection of Christ.

16. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Str. Mr. Townsend; Crown Court, Mr. Hyat; Hare Court, Mr. Stollery; Chapel Street, Mr. Greig; Orange Street, Mr. Burder; Dean Street, Mr. Brooksbank.

18. Tu. M. Broad Street, Mr. Barber.
Meeting of the Associate Congre-
gations, at Silver Street, Mr.
Ball to preach.

19. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the
Nation, at Mr. Humphreys's,
Union Street, Southwark.
Ev. Mr. Collyer, at Mr. Wall's
Meeting. The Government of
the Jews.

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20. Th. M. Monthly Meeting (Bapt.)
at Mr. Button's, Dean Steel,
Mr. Tim. Thomas to preach. ·
Church Fellowship.

Ee. Fetter Lane, Mr. Austin.
Growing in Grace.

23. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Str. Dr.
Rippon; Hare Crt. Mr. Berry;
Crown Court, Mr. J. Clayton,
jun.; Dean Street, Mr. Hum-
phreys; Chapel St. Mr.Brooks-
bank.

25. Tu. M. Broad Str.
26. Wed. FAST DAY.

Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, at Mr. Burder's, Fetter Lane. 27. Th. Ev. Fetter Lane, Mr. Collison. Remorse of Conscience.

MINISTERS SUPPLYING AT

The Tabernacle and Tottenham, Mr.
Grove, of Walsall.

Surry Chapel, Rev. Rowland Hill.
Spa Fields, Mr. Wilkios.

Sion, Mr. Brown.

Hoxton, Mr. Allen, of Lynn.

POETRY.

THE MISSIONARY.

As when the fiery steeds the Tishbite bore,
Sublime to Heaven, from Jordan's sacred shore,
His useless mantle down the prophet threw,
And vanish'd from his great disciple's view:
The falling robe Elijah used to wear,
Elisha caught, and treasured up with care;
And God (apostate Israel still to save)
The master's spirit to the pupil gave:
His pow'rful voice obedient Nature heard,
Chang'd and suspended by a mortal's word.
Just so the old apostles live again;

Their ardent zeal transferr'd to other men !
Touch'd with a tender sense of human woe,
To distant lands and barb'rous climes they go,
To polar regions of eternal snow,

Where sullen Winter holds his horrid reign,
And frighted Summer flies his white domain;
Well pleas'd, endure the cheerless dismal night,
Nor see for months a ray of heav'nly light:
Or dauntless plough the angry foaming seas,
Scorning inglorious rest and sluggish ease :
Escap'd from harm, tho' oft with tempest toss'd,
At length they land upon some unknown coast:
Then o'er vast plains, huge rocks, and forests grey,
And trackless desarts urge their weary way;
And brave the fury of the Torrid Zone,
Nor heed the lion's growl, or fell hyena's moan!

How mean the trophies are, by Cæsar won!
How fade the laurels of proud Philip's son !
From land to land th' insatiate victor flies:
His aim destruction, infamy his prize!
Before him rumours march and pallid fear,
And well-fed vuitures hover o'er his rear!
Curs'd be his nem`ry! this shall be his lot,
His name and carcase shall together rot!

Illustrious heroes! friends to God and man!
Go on to execute your noble plan!
Descending bands of angels are your guard,
Heav'n and eternal life your great reward!
'Go tell the Heathen that Messiah dy'd
(That glorious Personage to God allied)
His sacred blood on Calvary was spilt,
To cleanse the vilest of the vile from guilt:
Wash'd in his blood, and sanctify'd by grace,
The last and meanest of the human race;
The squalid Hottentot, with filth besmear'd,
Rose from his deu, and like a man appear'd!

O woad'rous power, the gospel here displays!

O glorious prelude of more happy days!

}

Look up to Heav'n, my muse! What seest thou there? Draw back the veil, and what thou seest declare.

There sits the Saviour on a throne of grace,

Soft love and mercy beaming in his face!

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