God's Word, it will encourage stronger faith in the power of holiness and of prayer. Made for it; or, the Wild Flower Transplanted. (London: The Book Society, Soho Bazaar.) This is a good illustration of the fact that sympathies are stronger than circumstances.-Brief Thoughts on the Things of God and the Soul. By the Rev. E. Dalton, D.D. (London: Book Society, 28, Paternosterrow.) This is a new edition of a work in which great ideas are clothed with simple words. But strength is sometimes sacrificed to ingenuity, in using monosyllables only. Sonnets of the

BETTER SUNDAY SCHOOLS. A conference on Sunday-school work was held in the Jubilee Buildings, Old Bailey, on March 23rd, at which a considerable number of ministers and laymen were present. The three following questions were ably and efficiently discussed :-1. How to call forth more fully the interest and co-operation of the Church in Sunday-school work. 2. How to secure a higher standard of teaching. 3. How to retain young people in Sunday-schools under Christian influence. The Rev. LI. D. Bevan introduced the first question, Mr. Groser the second, and Dr. Edmonds the third.

ZENANA WORK AND MISS TUCKER,The initials "A. L. O. E.," so well known, and meaning "A Lady of Old England," are those employed by Miss Tucker as a signature, or kind of nom de plume. She stands related as grandniece to Boswell, the biographer of Johnson. She has written much; an American house is now issuing her works in fifty-five volumes. Her mission is now to raise the women of India to the rights and privileges of Christianity.

THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. Many meetings have recently been held throughout the country and in London, in connection with the Church of England Temperance Society. A week of meetings and conferences held in the Eastend of London was commenced by an address by the Archbishop of Canterbury. A paper was read by Dr. Carpenter, in which he advocated the establishment of industrial reformatories for inebriates. He stated that private drinking was widely prevalent, as within a fortnight he had to sign the certificate of the death of four ladies who had died from drink.

FINSBURY CHAPEL.-The jubilee of Finsbury Chapel was celebrated on 22nd March. At the public meeting, Lord Shaftesbury presided. He expressed an earnest desire for the prosperity of Nonconformity, since the holy rivalry between Church and Dissent stimulated

activity and counteracted the tendency in all institutions to decay and abuse. Alderman McArthur, M.P., Revs. J. H. Wilson, Dr. MacEwen, Dr. Angus, J. De Kewer Williams, Dr. Edmonds, &c., were among the speakers.

CHRISTIAN WORK IN BETHNAL GREEN. -Among Christian workers in Bethnal Green Mr. Lovell and his church stand prominent. In the space of six years they have erected a beautiful sanctuary, gathered a membership of 574, and contributed the sum of £13,000 for the work of God. In addition to all this they have undertaken the erection of a public Hall at the expense of £5,000. The foundation stone was laid by Mr. Morley, and afterwards a successful and most encouraging public meeting was held. A considerable amount towards the expense of the Hall was realized.

THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE AND THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY AND PRINCE BISMARCK.-The Rev. J. Davis, the secre

tary of the Evangelical Alliance, who recently returned from a continental tour, states that whilst a narrow intolerance still lingers in Austria, he met with a cordial and encouraging reception by the Emperor of Germany and Prince Bismarck. The former, together with the Empress, expressed a deep interest in the Alliance, and declared his readiness to welcome its representative again in his capital; and the latter was equally warm in his approval, and expressed a hope that Protestant countries would unite for the defence of civil and religious liberty.

THE PROTESTANT DISSENTING DEPUTIES.-The annual meeting of deputies was held in the Memorial Hall on March 29, Mr. H. Richard, M.P., presiding. Resolutions were passed expressing thanks to Mr. Morgan for his efforts to secure amendment of the burial laws; exposing defects in the University of clerical fellowships; and protesting Oxford Bill; urging the abolition of against the proposal in the Valuation Bill to relieve the clerical holders of tithe rent charges from their share of parochial taxes.

THE LONDON CONGREGATIONAL UNION. -The third annual meeting of the union was held in the Memorial Hall, April 11, J. Spicer, Esq., J.P., in the chair. The income for the year amounted to £1,333. It was resolved to render aid to the chapels at Erith Grove, Notting Hill, and Fetter lane, Edgware, Ponder's-end. Dr. Raleigh was elected chairman for 1877, and the Rev. A. Mearns secretary, in the room of the Rev. J. Nunn, who retired from that office with the cordial thanks of the meeting for his valuable services.

THE CONGREGATIONAL BOARD.-The one hundred and forty-ninth annual meeting of this Board was held at the Memorial Hall, on Tuesday, April the 11th, the Rev. Dr. Stoughton presiding.

The report and balance-sheet for the year were read and adopted, and the Committee chosen. The Rev. Josiah Viney was elected Chairman, and the Rev. W. Roberts, B.A., Deputy-Chairman, for the year ensuing. The Rev. John Nunn was elected Minute Secretary, in the room of the retiring Secretary, the Rev. Robert Ashton; and the Rev. I. Vale Mummery, for the twentieth time, was elected Finance Secretary. The thanks of the meeting were accorded to the Rev. Dr. Stoughton and the Rev. G. Wilkins, the retiring Chairman and DeputyChairman; and to the Committee of the Memorial Hall, for the free use of the Library for the meetings of the Board.

ance of members, as well as a goodly number of influential laymen, who had contributed to the testimonial. After prayer by the Rev. J. Viney, Dr. Stoughton, in a few kindly words, introduced the business of the evening. The Rev. I. Vale Mummery then read a statement, giving a brief review of Mr. Ashton's varied labours on behalf of the Congregational denomination during a ministry of fifty years. The Rev. A. Hannay read and presented to Mr. Ashton an illuminated address, expressive of the affection and esteem with which Mr. Ashton is regarded by his brethren and friends. Mr. James Spicer, after alluding to his forty years' friendship with Mr. Ashton, presented him, amidst much cordial cheering, with a cheque for £701, contributed by the Congregational Board and friends from all parts of the country. When Mr. Ashton rose to reply, the whole meeting stood up as a mark of respect. His speech was marked by deep feeling, and by characteristic modesty and simplicity. All present evidently felt that this mark of honour was fitly bestowed upon one who in a quiet, unostentatious way, has pursued a long, laborious, and eminently consistent career.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES,
SETTLEMENTS, &c.

REV. W. EVANS HURNDALL, B.A., of St. John's College, Cambridge, has accepted the pastorate of the church at Harley Street, Bow Road, London, E. REV. JAMES HOWELL has resigned his charge at Coldsprings, Ontario.

REV. C. P. WATSON has relinquished his pastorate at Cowansville, Ontario.

REV. W. HOPKINS, of Kapunda, South Australia, has beeu invited by the church at Port Pirie.

REV. J. ALDEN DAVIES, of Liverpool, has accepted an invitation from the church at South Croydon.

REV. G. THOMAS has terminated his pastorate of the church at Dartmouth.

REV. J. B. JOHNSTONE, of Inverurie, N.B., has received an invitation to the church at Great Hamilton Street, Glasgow.

REV. T. G. ROSE has resigned the church at Clifton Down, and accepted a call to Perth, Western Australia. REV. T. STEPHENSON has given up

his pastorate at West Dulwich, to undertake literary work in connection with the Christian World office.

REV. W. P. DOTHIE, M.A., after fourteen years' pastorate, has resigned his charge at Redhill, Surrey.

REV. G. S. REANEY, late of Warrington, has accepted an invitation to Trinity Church, Reading.

REV. JAMES YORK, of Willesden, has left Willesden to settle at Cranbrook.

REV. JOHN LEB, late of Over Darwen, has accepted a call to Weldon, Northamptonshire.

REV. THOMAS PORRITT has resigned the charge of Bluepits Church, near Manchester.

REV. A. ORAM, of Othery, has been invited to Puddletown, Dorsetshire.

REV. JAMES FRAME, after eight years' ministry at Erith, has resigned his charge at that place.

REV. W. MOODY BLAKE, late of Bristol, has accepted an invitation to Holt, Wiltshire.

REV. E. EVANS, of Dedham, is about to become pastor of the church, City Road, London.

REV. C. CHAPMAN, M.A., formerly pastor of Percy Chapel, Bath, and since associated with the Rev. Dr. Wilkes, Montreal, has been offered and has accepted the professorship in the Western College, Plymouth.

REV. R. ASHTON has resigned the secretaryship of the Congregational Board, London. The Rev. John Nunn has been appointed his successor.

ORDINATIONS AND RECOG-
NITIONS.

REV. H. G. BOTTOMLEY, late assistant minister at Highbury Chapel, Bristol, was ordained pastor of Vicar Lane Chapel, Coventry, on the 14th of March. The Rev. John Sibree, who fifty-six years ago was ordained to the same pastorate, gave a cordial welcome to the new minister. The Rev. T. G. Horton delivered an address on Congregational principles, the Rev. G. B. Johnson offered

prayer, the Rev. Dr. Allon addressed the pastor, and the Rev. Ll. Bevan, LL.B., preached to the people.

A recognition service in connection with the settlement of the Rev. R. Wyatt at Harwich was held in March. The Revs. T. Batty, W. E. Nobbs, E. Miller, B.A., Eben Evans, J. Blackburn, and J. D. Kilburn took part in the service.

REV. T. ANTHONY was publicly recognised pastor of the church at Adsett, Westbury-on-Severn, on March 14th. The Rev. J. Bennett gave an address on Congregational principles. The Rev. Dr. Brown delivered the charge to the minister.

REV. E. S. JACKSON was recognised pastor of the church at Baddow Lane, Chelmsford, on March 14th. The Revs. Dr. Aveling, Dr. Moffat, J. W. Houchin, J. Fowler, J. B. Dadd, J. G. Hughes, R. McAll, T. Batty, and J. Partington officiated on the occasion.

REV. H. W. STRANGER was publicly recognised pastor of Duke's Alley Chapel, Bolton, on the 22nd of March. The Revs. J. Morgan, W. Roseman, C. A. Berry, and J. Clayton took part in the proceedings.

REV. J. SCOTT was recognised minister of Bethel Church, Wortley, near Leeds, on March 28th. The Revs. E. R. Conder, M.A., W. Bolton, G. Hinds, J. Gregory, T. Jowett, J. Atkinson, and J. James, F.S.A., were severally engaged in the services.

REV. D. WILBY, late of the Bristol Institute, was ordained at Sheldon, March 29th. The Rev. S. Oddie gave the charge to the minister, and the Rev. W. Thomas preached the sermon to the people.

REV. W. LANCE was recognised pastor of Russell Town Chapel, Bristol. Mr. J. F. Somerville presided; and amongst the speakers were the Revs. J. Adams, W. R. Thomas, J. Morris, and Dr. A. Morton Brown.

REV. W. JONES, late of Portsmouth. was recognised pastor of the church

at Harrold on April 4th, when a sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Young, B.A., of London.

REV. C. R. GARDNER, of New College, was ordained, on April 4th, to the pastorate at Falmouth. The Rev. Dr. Newth delivered the charge, and the Rev. Dr. Stoughton preached to the people, and various other ministers took part in the services.

REV. WALTER JONES, of Western College, Plymouth, was ordained, April 4th, as pastor of the church at Devizes. Rev. C. Wilson, M.A., gave the charge; the Revs. T. Mann, J. Rudduck, W. Clarkson, B.A., J. Milnes, M.A., R. Ann, S. S. Pugh, J. B. West, and H. Tarrant took part in the proceedings.

NEW CHAPELS, SCHOOLS, &c.

A NEW School in connection with the chapel at Brampton was opened on March 12th by sermons by the Revs. W. Selbie, B.A., and George Snashall, B. A.

THE chapel at Stanford-in-the-Vale, Berkshire, having been repainted and repaired, was re-opened on March 5th, when sermons were preached by the Revs. T. C. Udall and E. Rawlins, of Faringdon.

THE church at Loughborough has undergone complete restoration, and had a front gallery built to accommodate 100 persons. It was re-opened on March 14th by the Rev. A. Thomson, M.A., of Manchester.

A NEW Congregational church was opened at Brighton, Victoria, on December 2nd, 1875, by the Rev. S. C. Kent. The building is 70 feet long, by 38 feet wide; the style is Early English Gothic, in ornamental brick.

THE chapel at Eastwood, Notts, has been re-opened. Sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Bartlett, of Nottingham, and the Rev. J. R. Wolstenholme, M.A., of Wakefield, former pastor of the church.

iHe foundation stone of a new Congregational church was laid at Long Eaton, Derbyshire, on April 1st, by Mr. Allport, general manager of the Midland Railway. The cost of the building will be about £1,100.

MR. WALTER STURGE laid the foundation stone of a new chapel and schools at Bridge Street, Barton Hill, Bristol. The chapel is to seat 300 persons.

ENGLISH services have recently been commenced in the Welsh chapel at Coed-yn-Hendre, and Nannerch, near

Mold.

GROVE Street Chapel, Boston, was re-opened on the 19th of March after extensive improvements at a cost, including the organ, of £1,400. The interior is modernized, and the seats, which are cushioned throughout, will be entirely free. School buildings have been provided with a fine series of class

rooms.

DEATHS.

REV. PETER BARR, of Truro, South Australia, died on the 21st December, 1875.

REV. W. R. NOBLE, of Shrewsbury, died, after a very brief illness, on the 27th of March, in the 55th year of his age, and the 26th of his ministry.

REV. J. BEWGLASS, M.A., LL.D., died on April 3rd at Silcoates School, of which he was the principal. His age was 66. His ministry and service extended over 33 years.