CONVOCATION AND FOREIGN MISSIONS. -The Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, speaking recently at a local meeting of the Gospel Propagation Society, announced that one of the first acts of Convocation this year would be to appoint a body to take official cognizance of all foreign missions connected with the Church of England. What will the Church Missionary Society say to this proposal? It has not been the habit of this society to depend on episcopal patronage in the past, or to pay much regard to the voice of the Church as expressed by Convocation. Nor do we think it likely that it will alter its course in the future in deference to that body, which represents only the bishops and dignified clergy, and scarcely at all the parochial and working clergy. As for the laity, they have been so long left out in the cold by Convocation that it is very little matter at all now what action they take on the subject of missions.

The

AMERICAN PRESBYTERIANISM. corner-stone of the monument to Dr. John Witherspoon, the only minister who signed the American Declaration of Independence, was laid in Fairmountpark, Philadelphia, on the 17th of November last. At the conclusion of the ceremony the company, which was largely composed of Presbyterian ministers, repaired to a hall where Dr. Adams, of New York, delivered an address. A blue flag with a scarlet fringe, the colours of the old Scotch Covenanters, with thirtysix small stars and one large one upon its field, was afterwards sent to the General Assembly's Centennial Committee. The large star represented the Star of Bethlehem, and the small ones the thirty-six Synods of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.

THE POPE AND THE ITALIAN CLERGY. -A telegram from Rome says that

the chapter of the Cathedral of Siena, following the example of that of Santa Barbara, has placed itself in open hostility to the Vatican. The dignity of Provost having become vacant, the bishop received directions from Rome to make choice of one to fill the office. The canons of the cathedral, who claim the right of nomination, which they have exercised for centuries, have notified the bishop that they will not recognise any one he may choose or Rome confirm, and in case of his insisting will desert the cathedral, This little rebellion has greatly exasperated his Holiness, and it is stated he has signified to the canons of Siena that unless they submit within a term of twenty days the highest rigour of the ecclesiastical law will be exercised against them - id est, excommunication and suspension a

divinis.

REV. DR. MOFFAT AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY.-On the 30th of November, St. Andrew's Day, there were special services for missions at Westminster Abbey: a sermon by the Dean at 3 p.m., and a lecture by Dr. Robert Moffat in the nave, at 8 p.m. Of course Dr. Moffat could only appear there as a layman, as Dr. Caird, of Glasgow, had done in the preceding year. The law of the Established Church forbids his recognition as an ordained minister. The venerable missionary in a quiet, homely style described the work in the interior of Southern Africa with which his name is so honourably identified. Never before, probably, was such a plea for missions delivered within the walls of Westminster Abbey. At the close of the lecture Dean Stanley pronounced the benediction. The Times devoted a leading article to the subject of Dr. Moffat's appearance in the Abbey, in which it said: "There is no true Christian, nor even any true friend to the cause of

civilisation, whether a member of the Church of England or not, who will not rejoice that by any means, regular or irregular, Dr. Moffat, the true patriarch of South African Missions, should have enjoyed an opportunity of speaking on behalf of the cause to which he has devoted his life in a church, and on an occasion, worthy of his services. If at this moment the Church of England is duly interested in the evangelisation of South Africa, and if she is really striking her roots in its soil, she owes, in the main, both the impulse and the opportunity to Dr. Moffat and his fellowlabourers. Dr. Livingstone's strenuous energy and admirable patience have, indeed, been the chief instruments in opening the way both for our missionaries and our traders into the interior of the African continent; but he himself would probably have tendered a more cordial homage than any one else to the example of his father-in-law."

SOUTHGATE ROAD, LONDON.-On Tuesday evening, 30th November, the congregation and friends of the Rev. James Spong, minister of the Southgate Road Church, De Beauvoir Town, met in their schoolroom to celebrate the completion of the pastor's thirtieth year of his ministry among them. There was a large attendance. During the hour for tea, addresses were delivered by the Revs. Ll. Bevan, F. Soden, and J. De Kewer Williams. At the meeting which followed, after praise and prayer, the Rev. Dr. Aveling presided. He reviewed the work of the thirty years, referring to the erection of the large church and schools, the establishment of the many religious organizations connected with the church, and spoke of the noble act of the pastor who, instead of accepting a personal expression of affection, preferred that a memorial hall should be built with the funds they wished to raise, so that the religious work of the church might be more effectually conducted. After an interesting speech by the pastor, the Revs. J. Boyle, W.

Tyler, W. Tarbotton, and A. Spong addressed the meeting.

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND CONGREGATIONAL UNION.-The annual meeting of the Leicestershire and Rutland Congregational Union took place in London Road Chapel, Leicester, on Tuesday, 7th December. The business meeting of the Union was attended by every associated member. The report stated that during the past year rather more than £600 had been expended for the support of evangelists and the aid of smaller churches in the two counties. The Rev. Joseph Twidale, of Melton, and Supt. Wood, of Leicester, with Geo. Baines, Esq., and John Milnes, Esq., were appointed delegates to the conference on Church Finance. The retirement of Thomas Almond, Esq., the treasurer, was announced and received with great regret. John Milne, Esq., was appointed his successor, and was also elected chairman of the Union for 1876; the Rev. A. Mackennal and Mr. A. Baines being appointed secretaries, and the Rev. E. Hipwood, of Kibworth, superintendent of evangelists. ture of the day's proceedings was the admission to the Union of the Belgrave and Emanuel Nonconformist Union Churches, it being distinctly affirmed that Baptist pastors of Union Churches are as eligible as Pædobaptists, and that churches may be associated with both the Congregational and Baptist Unions. A public meeting was held in the evening, when the chair was occupied by the Rev. W. Twidale, of Melton, the presi dent for the year. Among those present were the Revs. S. T. Williams, J. Wood, A. Mackennal, S. Lambrick, I. M. Wright, of Leicester, T. Mays, J. Lemon, of Loughborough, and others. The president delivered an address upon "Sacerdotalism and Rationalism in their Relation to Christianity." The Revs. J. Lemon and I. Morley Wright also delivered addresses, and at the close a collection was made on behalf of the Union.

One fea

MINISTERIAL CHANGES,

SETTLEMENTS, &c.

REV. C. WINTER has resigned the pastorate of the West Brompton Congregational Church.

REV. J. W. UPTON, of Nottingham Institute, has accepted an invitation to the church at King's Cliffe and Nassington, Northamptonshire.

REV. J. REID, after nine years' ministry at Burnley, has been compelled by illhealth to resign his charge.

REV. W. FARRIS, of the Congregational Institute, Nottingham, has undertaken to minister to the English operatives at Tierson, Rhenish Prussia, and conducted his first service in the Lutheran church at that place on November 7th.

REV. D. JONES has resigned the charge of the church at Itchen.

REV. JOHN FOSTER, of Nottingham Institute, is about to enter on the work of the pastorate at Kirton.

REV. G. WATERHOUSE, late of Pietermaritz, Natal, has accepted an invitation to the oversight of the church at Ashnext-Sandwich.

REV. R. VAUGHAN, of Shipley, Bradford, has accepted the pastorate of Queen's Road Church, Forest Hill, and will commence his labours on the first Sunday in January.

REV. HENRY SIMON has engaged to conduct the Sunday evening services in Westminster Chapel for the next six months.

REV. J. BYLES, who has been compelled by failing health to leave his church at Blackburn, is intending to pass the winter at Mentone.

REV. A. GALBRAITH, of Whitehaven, has accepted an invitation to preside over the church at Brighouse.

REV. W. LANCE, of Paignton, has become pastor of the church at Russel Town, Bristol.

REV. F. H. MARLING, of Toronto, has accepted a call to a Presbyterian church in New York.

REV. J. H. ROBISON has resigned his charge at Beccles, Suffolk.

REV. E. S. JACKSON, of Peterborough, is about to undertake the pastorate of Baddow Lane Church, Chelmsford.

REV. W. NALL, of Rotherham College, has received a call to Grantham.

REV. J. F. T. HALLOWES, M.A., is exchanging his charge at Gloucester for that of the church at Barnsley.

REV. W. SHILLITO, of Islington, has accepted a call to Newport, Monmouthshire.

REV. W. E. COLLER has resigned his charge at Furthergate, Blackburn.

REV. J. STIRLING, late of City Road Chapel, London, is about to become pastor of the church at Sligo.

REV. J. A. ROBERTS, of Festiniog, is removing to the pastorate at Pendref Church, Carnarvon.

REV. W. JONES, late of Portsmouth, has accepted the pastorate of the church at Harrold.

REVS. MESSRS. TENNANT AND THOMPSON, students of the Edinburgh Theological Hall, have accepted calls, respectively, to the churches at Alexandria and Lerwick, N. B.

ORDINATIONS.

REV. J. COLCLOUGH, late of Nottingham Institute, was ordained, November 9th, as pastor over the church at Moy, Ireland. The Rev. J. White gave the charge, and the Rev. R. Sewell offered prayer.

REV. E. STORR was ordained, November 10th, at Armagh; the Rev. E. Sewell presided. The charge to the pastor was delivered by the Rev. J. White, and that to the church by the Rev. S. Hinds. An exposition of Congregational principles was given by Rev. A. Morrison.

REV. J. G. TOLLEY was ordained to the Christian ministry at Mansfield, on November 23rd. The Rev. James Parsons, late of York, offered the ordination prayer, and the Rev. Professor

McAll gave the charge to the minister. Sermons to the church and congregation were preached on the following Sabbath by the Rev. W. Jackson, of Bournemouth.

REV. J. S. BUTCHER was ordained at Upwey, Weymouth, on December 8th. The Rev. T. Neave, of Dorchester, delivered an introductory address. The usual questions were asked by the Rev. W. Lewis; the Rev. E. Bolton gave the charge. The Revs. W. W. Sherren and F. W. Holmes also took part in the service.

DEATHS.

REV. JOHN Ross, who has long been engaged in advocating the weekly offering system among the churches, died at Bedford on Nov. 26th, in his 68th year.

REV. H. JAMES, for thirty-three years pastor of the church at Llansantffraid, Montgomeryshire, was called home, after a painful illness, on Dec. 3rd, aged 66.

REV. J. M. CHARLTON, M.A., president of Western College, Plymouth, died Dec. 12th, in the 59th year of his age and the 34th of his ministry.

REV. W. W. WILLIAMS, of Beaumaris, died Dec. 12th, after a ministry of thirty years.

NEW CHAPELS, CHURCHES, &c.

THE foundation stone of a new Congregational church at Carmarthen-road, Swansea, was laid on Nov. 11th by John Jones Jenkins, Esq.

THE jubilee of the Congregational church at Wellington, Salop, was celebrated Nov. 8th and 9th, in connection with the autumnal meetings of the Shropshire Association of Ministers and Churches.

THE chapel at Tamworth has been reseated and thoroughly renovated at a cost of £700. Reopening services were held Nov. 7th, when sermons were preached by the Rev. Dr. Deane. A public meeting was held on the following evening.

THE foundation stone of a new church at Queen's Park, Manchester, was laid recently by R. Johnson, Esq., J.P. On the previous Saturday, the pastor, the Rev. J. Mitchell, had met the children of the congregation, when each in turn took the trowel and laid a brick in the building, for which privilege they each paid half-a-crown to the building fund. ON Nov. 17th the Congregational church, High-road, Finchley, accidentally destroyed by fire.

was

A NEW church, erected at a cost of £4,000, has been opened at Emerald Hill, Victoria.

A NEW church at Albury, Victoria, for use of the congregation of the Rev. G. Fry, was opened Sept. 12th, by Rev. J. Legg.

A NEW chapel was opened at Thurso, on Dec. 9th, by the Rev. J. Barton Bell.

BOND-STREET Church, Leicester, and the chapel at Broadway, Somerset, have both been recently repainted, &c., and are now reopened for worship.

A NEW chapel for the English residents at Fabian's Bay, Swansea, has been erected at a cost of £1,500, and opened with a series of services, in which the Rev. W. Jones, Professor Morgan, B. Williams, R. T. Howell, Dr. Rees, T. Jones, W. E. Jones, D. M. Jenkin and Professor Morris took part.

THE church at Kingston has celebrated its centenary, having changed from the Presbyterian to the Congregational order in 1775. The Rev. Dr. Halley preached on the occasion.