LONDON.

CHAPEL BUILDING FUND."

AT the Dinner of the Monthly Association at the King's Head Tavern, in the Poultry, on the 9th of December, a plan was submitted for establishing permanent funds in aid of the erection and repairs of places of worship among the Congregational Dissenters and the Calvinistic Methodists. A meeting was appointed to be held at the Poultry Chapel, for the further consideration of the business; and we understand it is now engaging the minds of several persons of influence.

DEPUTATION FROM THE SCOTTISH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE Rev. Dr. BARR, of Port Glasgow, and the Rev. Mr. SMART, of Paisley, will visit London in the months of January and February, as a Deputation from the Scot tish Missionary Society, with the view of preaching and making collections in aid of the funds of that institution. As Scotland is annually visited by deputations from three or four different London societies, and contributes with no small liberality to their funds, the friends of the Scottish Missionary Society trust that the present deputation will be received by their Christian brethren in the metropolis with a corresponding cordiality, both on account of the important nature of the Society, and from a desire to promote a friendly intercourse between the two kingdoms in behalf of their respective benevolent institutions.

CORPORATION AND TEST ACTS.

Ir is understood that "The Deputies representing the Dissenting Congregations in and near the Metropolis," the "General body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations," and "The Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty," have come to a resolution to make an application to Parliament in the ensuing session, for the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts; but that they have no intention to invite congregational petitions on this occasion.

PROVINCIAL.

UNITARIAN CHAPELS. FROM a spirited controversy, commencing last August, and still continued in the columns of the Manchester Gazette, it appears that the self-styled Unitarians are undergoing a very severe but most deserved castigation. The brief history

of the case is as follows:-Upwards of a hundred gentlemen of that denomination held a friendly convivial meeting at the Spread Eagle Tavern, for the purpose of presenting a service of plate to their minister, the Rev. John Grundy, as a token of respect, on the oc

casion of his removal from Manchester to

Liverpool. Among the number of toasts in the course of the evening, the health of the Rev. George Harris, formerly of Liverpool, now of Bolton, was proposed and received with acclamation. The Reverend Gentleman, in acknowledging the honour conferred upon him, took occasion to eulogize Unitarian Christianity contrasted with orthodoxy, in a long list of particulars: epithet was heaped upon epithet, to show that the former is the paragon of excellence, and that the latter is below contempt. This speech was received at every point with thunders of applause; and that the impression might not die with the moment, nor be confined to the select assembly present, the report of the meeting, of the several speeches, and particularly that of Mr. Harris, was gazetted, with the minutest accuracy, on the following Saturday.

This recorded specimen of Manchester Unitarianism produced a most astounding effect. "An Orthodox Dissenter, "indignantly, but temperately, replied, appealing to Mr. Harris's own speech as the most direct refutation, both of his gross calumnies and his vaunting pretences. "Another Orthodox Dissenter" followed up the charge, with "An Orthodox Observer" and others, in the rear.

At the very commencement of the controversy, the Unitarian fraternity perceived that their zeal had betrayed them, and that the speech of their applauded orator did not sound so harmoniously in the ears of the public as it had done in their own. In their replies, therefore, they deprecated all further discussions, sounded a retreat, acknowledged the in temperance of Mr. Harris, and expressed their readiness to toss him overboard, to sink or swim, responsible for his own opinions and expressions, if the impending storm might be thereby allayed. These concessions, however, connected as they were with Unitarian bravado, have been hitherto unavailing.

In the management of the controversy, the Orthodox party have wisely abstained from theological discussion, as unsuited to a newspaper. They have confined their attacks principally to two distinct points, showing by reference to historic facts, first, That Unitarians are not entitled to that claim of candour, of libe,

rality, and of steadfast adherence to the principles of civil and religious liberty, of which they boast; and, secondly, That, however respectable they may be in their private commercial concerns, they do, as a body, most flagrantly violate the principles of moral integrity, by the maladministration of trusts, appropriating to the support of their own system numerous chapels, with endowments and funds to a vast amount, originally intended for orthodox purposes. In confirmation of his charge, the list of chapels occupied by Unitarians in Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire, is reported to e eighty; of these sixty-nine were originally Orthodox; three are doubtful; and eight only of Unitarian origin.

Should this controversy hereafter appear in the form of a pamphlet, it will deserve a careful review. It has already, we are informed, produced a very wide and powerful impression; and, we apprehend, it will ultimately lead to the rescue of property to a considerable amount, from the trust of Unitarians, by legal process; except they adopt the more honourable alternative of voluntarily surrendering it to the purposes for which it was originally intended.

ORDINATION.

ON Tuesday, the 7th Dec. the Rev. William Wallis, from the College at Homerton, was ordained co-pastor, with the Rev. John Mead Ray, of the church of Christ in Friars-street, Sudbury. On the preceding evening, the Rev. Dr. Pye

Smith delivered an admirable discourse from Eph. iv. 18. The ordination services were introduced with prayer, and reading the scriptures, by the Rev. David Ford, of Long Melford. A discourse on the Nature and Constitution of a Christian Church was then delivered by the Rev. William Walford, one of the Tutors of Homerton College, who proposed the usual questions to Mr. Wallis, and received his answers. The confession of faith, though brief, was clear comprehensive, and truly evangelical. The ordination prayer was offered up by the Rev. John Mead Ray, accompanied wit laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, and followed with a most solemn, affectionate, and impressive charge, which was delivered by the Rev. John Savill, of Colchester, from 2 Tim. iv. 5. A very appropriate sermon was then addressed to the people by the Rev. William Ward, of Stowmarket, from 1 Thess. iv. 1. The public services were concluded by a prayer ibat the divine blessing might follow them, presented by the Rev, Charles Atkinson,

IN forwarding you a copy of an extract from Pastorini's Prophecy, which has been circulated with much industry, and to a great extent, through the cabins of the Irish peasantry, I only present you with one branch of a system which has been in active operation since the esta blishment of the Jesuits, for the overthrow of the Protestant Religion, and the separation of Ireland from this country.

The mischievous tendency of this insidious hand bill, must be obvious to all. Here the priests tell the poor ignorant Irish peasants, that a prophet of their own church has foretold from the book of the Revela

tion, that the locusts, or Protestants, who

came out of the bottomless pit about three hundred years ago, and who have persecuted and oppressed the Roman Catholics in Ireland ever since, will, in the year 1825, be destroyed.

What will naturally arise in the mind of a poor ignorant man, on an intimation like this? Taught to believe that all their sufferings have been the consequence of the ascendancy of Protestantism, they will hail the day when it will be extirpated, and freedom from tithes and other rates,

bring plenty into the cabins of the poor.

The proceedings on the part of the time, in that country, are evidently leadCatholics, both priests and laity, for some ing on to a crisis. The bold, seditious, and even treasonable sentiments, which have been advanced by them; and their down, by brute force, all meetings for late attempts, headed by priests, to put Bible, Missionary, and Educational objects, must convince every one, that should their demands be refused, they will have recourse to other means.

"The gift of Prophecy, like that of Miracles, has not entirely ceased in the Church."-Right Rev. Dr. Doyle's Address.

SIGNIOR PASTORINI'S PROPHECY

FROM THE APOCALYPSE OF ST. JOHN. (Extracted from the "General History of the Christian Church.")

"Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this Prophecy, and keepeth those things which are written in it: for the time is at hand."-APOC. Chap. i. v. 13.

THE OPENING OF THE FIFTH SEAL. Apoc. ch. vi. v. 9.-" And when he (the lamb) had opened the fifth seal, I saw," says St. John," under

the altar, the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held."

V. 10." And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on earth."

'In allusion to this (says Signior Pastorini) the souls, or precious spiritual remains, of those whose bodies had been slain and sacrificed in the fire of persecution, are here seen under the altar. England shewed itself very forward in persecuting those who were attached to the ancient faith. Henry VIII. put to death thirteen Abbots and Priors, about seventy-seven Monks and religious persons, and many of the laity; violent also was the persecution in Queen Elizabeth's reign.',

'We have now seen who they are, "that have been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held." These Martyrs are the objects represented under the fifth Seal, as those who suf⚫fered by the hands of the Protestants. We may fix the fifth epoch, or commencement of the Church, at the year 1525.'

THE SOUNDING OF THE FIFTH TRUMPET.

Apoc. chap. ix. v. 1.-" There was given to him the key of the bottomless pit." To St. Peter was given the keys of heaven, but to Luther is given the key of the bottomless pit, or hell. Alas! what a woeful difference, and what disparity is here indicated in the characters and functions of the Apostle and the Reformer."

V.2.-" And he opened the bottomless pit, and the smoke of the pit arose as the smoke of a great furnace."

What can this smoke be, but a strong spirit of seduction which had been hatched in hell, or had the devil for its parent, and which, at Luther's opening hell's door, immediately burst out, impregnated with this spirit of seduction; he brought forth a doctrine big with delusion and error?'

V. 3.-"From the smoke of the pit there came out locusts upon the earth." 'The meaning of which is, that the spirit of seduction, denoted by the smoke of the abyss, raised up a number of Reformers.'

V. 5. And it was given unto them (the locusts) that they should not kill them, but that they should torment them five months." They are not permitted to kill, that is, utterly to destroy and exterminate the Catholics. Experience shows, that notwithstanding the Protestant Princes have taken much pains to extirpate the Catholic religion, they have not been able to compass it.. The Catholics have been grievously oppressed, and many even put to death; nevertheless, by divine protection, they still subsist. It is said, this torture was to last five months. Here the Almighty prescribes a term to that great severity the Protestants were permitted te exercise against the true servants of God. This term is five months, or one hundred and fifty days, giving thirty days to every month; (days in the prophetic style, are sometimes used for years.) If, then, the one hundred and fifty years be counted from the year 1525, about which time these violences began to take place, they will bring us to the year 1675.'

V. 10." And they (the locusts) had tails like to scorpions, and there were stings in their tails, and their power was to hurt men for five months."

'That here began a new period of five months, or one hundred and fifty years, different from that mentioned in the 5th verse, is not a groundless supposition, for whoever studies the Apocalypse will find in it such extreme precaution, that the same thing is never repeated in the same circumstances. 'The distinction of two periods, each one hundred and fifty years, being thus stated, as the first began with the Reformation, about the year 1525, and expired at 1675, the second will reach to 1825. The description is full and circumstantial, and takes in the period of 300 years, allowed to the reign of the locusts; of which term there now remains but TWO; one cannot but wish with an earnest heart, that the people represented by these insects,

would enter into a serious consideration of that circumstance. What a happiness! if, during this short remaining interval, some part of them would submit to see their errors, and the great mischief that has been done to the Church by their revolt against it. It is full time to lay down all animosity against their ancient mother, think of a reconciliation, and ask to be received again into her bosom. THE POURING OUT OF THE FIFTH VIAL.

Apoc. chap. xvi. v. 10." And the fifth Angel (says St. John) poured out his vial on the seat of the beast; and his kingdom became dark, and they gnawed their tongues for pain."

V. 11.-" And they blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their pains and wounds, and did not penance for their works."

"The vial being poured upon the throne of the beast, it flows down from thence over his whole kingdom-the realm of the Reformation; for his kingdom became dark, and they gnawed their tongues for pain; but with respect to the nature of this punishment we shall be entirely silent, and leave it to be disclosed by the event; we shall only remark, that to judge from the expression of the text, the scourge seems to be severe; and we are extremely sorry it will be so ill received.'-" And they blasphemed the God of Heaven, because of their pains and wounds (or sores) and did not penance for their works."

My Dear Sir, Paris, Dec. 11, 1824. I SEND you enclosed a translation of the Journal of an excellent young Minister, who has devoted himself to the work of Missions among the Heathen, and after having pursued his studies at Basle, has passed a year in the Mission House at Paris. During the vacation he visited some country churches, at the request of their pastor who was indisposed, and on occasion of some fêtes held at that period of the year. These Catholic fêtes are held during several days, and for the last three or four years the Protestants, with very few exceptions, have abstained from all participation in the public games and dissipations, and have established religious services. Two and three sermons are preached on each day, and the intervals of worship and the evenings are occupied in meetings for prayer and the reading of the Scriptures. The hospitable villagers open their houses to their friends, and sometimes 10 or 12 are lodged in a little cottage. I was often reminded," says

our friend, in his report, "by the affection and liberality of these simple Christians, of the hospitality of Abraham, who entertained those who visited him with a homely cake. In all the houses they prepare cakes, and in cottages, not larger probably than the patriarch's tent, they thus refresh their Christian friends. I preached twenty-seven sermons during my visit, and besides these public services, I was surrounded from morning till night by persons who desired to consult me, and converse with me on their religious interests. I saw, in these country places, a number of individuals and families who three years ago were sunk in the grossest ignorance, and who would be now eminent as Christians even among their fellow Christians of other countries. The Lord has begun a good work in these parts, and we may hope, that by the influence of his Spirit, it will be continued and extended."

I have lately made a journey through the South of France, and have had the inexpressible pleasure to witness there also the commencement and progress of the same good work.

Yours affectionately,

JOURNAL.

M. WILKS.

"I left Paris Friday, Sept. 10, at seven o'clock in the evening, after having spent some time in prayer with several friends, that the blessing of God might attend my journey. I was obliged to travel on the outside of the diligence, and it rained hard all night, but I was happy from a sense of the divine presence. During the journey I observed one person who appeared to have better sentiments than the rest of my fellow travellers, and when we arrived on the Saturday at

we held a particular conversation on religious subjects. He called Jesus "Our Lord," cited several passages of Scripture that enforced kindness to our fellow men, and spoke of the grandeur of God, before whom we ought to humble ourselves as in the dust; but with all this, I soon found that he knew nothing of Jesus Christ as the Saviour of sinners. At length he told me that he was a freemason, and that he was associated with about 30 persons who sought to edify each other, and endeavoured to separate themselves from the corruptions of the world. I tried to convince him that it was only by the grace of God in Christ that we could really escape from the corruption of the world. When we separated, he expressed a strong desire to read the word of God, of which he had only seen certain passages quoted

in other books. I did not arrivé at before ten o'clock at night, where I was received with the most Christian kindness.

Sunday, Sept. 12. I was so much indisposed as to be able only to preach once. At the close of the service I was delighted to observe these simple Christians embrace each other before the temple with an air of peace and joy, such as is only to be seen among the children of God. On leaving the place of worship I was surrounded by a number of persons, some with Bibles in their hands asking the meaning of particular passages of Scripture, others expressing the pleasure with which they had heard the word of life, and others seeking advice in cases of Christian experience. It was already night, yet none seemed inclined to disperse; at length some one expressing a fear that I should be fatigued by too much speaking, they retired in a quiet and serious manner. But I had no sooner entered the house where I lodged than the room was filled, and we had another religious exercise.

Monday, Sept. 13. I preached twice, and the auditory displayed the same attention and the same friendship. In the evening I went to sup with a friend, and a dozen persons from a distance: no sooner were we at table than the room was filled, and we continued to Converse on the kingdom of God within our own hearts and in the world till midnight; when we recommended ourselves, and each other, to our God and Saviour, and departed.

Tuesday, Sept. 14. I preached again, and after the service several friends from the distant villages came to take leave of me, and to beseech me to go and preach the word of God in their respective places, as there were many who had been prevented coming, from the bad state of the weather, who were not less anxious to hear the gospel tidings. The greater numbers of them were young men, and had been Roman Catholics.

Wednesday, Sept. 15.-After having prayed with several friends, I set off for

eight leagues distant, accompanied by a pious young man. On our way we entered into many houses to speak of the one thing needful; every where the peasants listened to us with great attention, and pressed us to return, but I could only commend them to the grace of God. It was eight o'clock at night when we arrived at

and the first question put to me was, would I preach that evening? Having replied that I was ready, if such was the wish of the people, in less than an hour the little temple was quite filled.

Thursday, Sept. 16,I preached again

this morning; and, after the service, set off for two leagues distant, accompanied by some friends. In a vil lage through which we passed, I was conducted to the house of a female, 85 years old, who had been brought to the knowledge of the Saviour in her latter days. On entering, I asked her how she found herself. "Very happy," she replied; "we cannot be otherwise while we live in communion with the Saviour." "You love then," said I, "that Christians come and visit you while on your bed?" "Oh!" said she, "I am as happy as a queen when I see them, for I find by their visits that my faith is established." Before I left her, I prayed with her in presence of several persons, and the good old woman assured me she should never forget my visit. When I arrived at

I was conducted to a garden where were several Catholic females, who wished to hear the word of God explained. They appeared very ignorant, but very anxious for instruction. I preached in the evening, and several of my auditory seemed already to possess the pearl of great price.

Friday, Sept. 17.-After having visited some sick persons, I left and at six in the evening reached The people awaited me in the temple, and I entered the pulpit immediately, and preached. I spent the evening very delightfully with a number of persons recently called into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

Saturday, Sept. 18.-I paid several visits, and left for two leagues distant. I reached it at noon-the temple was already filled. I had scarcely a moment for refreshment before the service, and I was fatigued; but the Lord strengthened me, so that after the exercise of his worship I felt no weariness, During the day I continued my visits, and as those whose house I quitted always followed me to the next, at the last house we had mustered into a very large company. This was kept up till late in the evening, so that when I withdrew to my chamber, I was too much exhausted to sleep.

Sunday, Sept. 19.-I was to preach at , three leagues distant. I arrived at six o'clock in the morning at a place where some friends had promised me a rendezvous; there I found 30 persons waiting to accompany me, and before we had proceeded very far, again others 'came out to meet us on the road, to tell us that the temple was already filled by those who desired to hear sermon. The service commenced by prayer, all present

kneeling down. I felt peculiarly happy. with these brethren who had lately been deli vered from the darkness of superstition, and introduced to the light of the glorious gospel. I preached twice; and the second time the place would hardly contain the congregation. I was so much affected during the whole service, that I could not refrain from weeping; and after the sermon I was informed that several persons, who had till that period manifested enmity to religion, were pricked to the heart. When I had taken a little repose, without leaving the temple, I related to them various details of the progress of the gospel in the world, which seemed to inspire their hearts with joy. After dinner I went one league distant for the night, and there I found persons assembled to receive me, and we had a service for our edification during the evening.

Monday, Sept. 20.-This day I returned to the village in which I had spent the first Sabbath, and from whence I had started for this excursion-I arrived late at night, wet with rain, but thankful to the Lord who had taken me out and brought me in with so much kindness.

The 21st, 22d and 23d, I spent in visiting the sick and in religious conversations. I preached also one evening from John viii. 36.

Friday, 24.-I went to

a distance

of seven leagues. On account of bad weather and bad roads, I entered into several houses to warm and dry myself, and wherever I spoke to the people of the gospel they listened to me with the greatest attention, but many of them were profoundly ignorant. It was night when I reached where I was re

ceived with much affection by an old officer, who had made among other campaigns that of Moscow, and who is now a zealous soldier of Jesus Christ. The next day at noon I preached, and although the weather had become fine and, the work in the fields was pressing, the temple was nearly filled with persons whose happy countenances rejoiced my heart. After the service I visited a poor woman who had been long ill, in whose family I was informed there had always been some Christians from the period of the reformation. On seeing me enter her chamber, she raised her eyes, filled with tears, to heaven, to thank God for the great love wherewith he had loved us." I came," said I to myself," to console this poor woman, and it is she who consoles and encourages me." She evidently suffered much, but nevertheless she spoke of nothing but of the riches of divine grace