prevailed, there superstition, idolatry, and all ungodliness should be produced; but that the Protestant Churches, and professors in those very universities from whence Papal apostacy had once been successfully exposed, should in their turn have become the propagators of delusions less gross indeed and more refined, but not less destructive to the souls of sinners, was a fact so awful, as to excite some Christians in England of various denominations to unite in warning the people of God in every part of European Christendom of their danger, depending upon the blessing of God to accompany obedience to his command, to say, Jer. li. 6. "Flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soul, be not cut off in her iniquity."

For these last eight years, the Committee of the Continental Society has endeavoured to point out to their fellow Christians that the claims of the Continent of Europe are more argent than those of any other part of the world; that our blessed Lord teaches us that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for Chorazin and Bethsaida; more tolerable for the heathen than apostate christians. Whatever causes move us to the support of other Missionaries, operate with increased force for the encouragement of the Continental Society.

TEST AND CORPORATION ACTS.

We have much pleasure in informing our readers, that it has been determined by the Committee of the Deputies appointed to protect the rights of Protestant Dissenters, and the Committee of the Protestant Society for the protection of Religions Liberty, to recommend immediate and general application to Parliament for the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts. The Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the three denominations in London and its vicinity cordially concur in the measure, and will send a petition to both Houses forthwith. The following Resolutions were passed at their Annual Meeting, held April 10:

1. "That we the General Body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the three denominations, residing in and about the cities of London and Westminister, are sincerely attached to the civil constitution of our country, and grateful for the large degree of religious liberty which we have enjoyed under the august House of Brunswick, now upon the throne of these realms; but that we have been constrained to feel the Corporation and Test Acts to be a grievous restriction of our freedom as subjects, which is not justified by our character or principles.

Many pious and devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are ready on the Continent to enter upon this work, some of whom have been driven from their homes by persecution for attachment to their Saviour; but none have the means of doing so, unless their expenses are defrayed by BRITISH CHRISTIAN FUNDS. The Committee of the Continental Society, therefore entreat the assistance, in three several ways, of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ, to enable them to carry on this glorious work. First, they beg that their prayers will be offered up for the success of the word preached on the Continent, and for a blessing on the souls of those who preach it. Secondly, that the grounds on which the Society is established may be examined, to see that it is acting according to the commands of God; and that the Committee will receive their personal assistance in carrying on the work confided to them. Thirdly, that they will contribute personally, and exert their local influence to induce others to contribute to aid the funds of this Society, the single object of which is 3. "That by enforcing conformity to one to aim (by means of native preachers of the of the religious services of the Church of Gospel of Christ), at the salvation of mil- England, the Corporation and Test Acts lay lions of souls in Europe; in remembrance of a snare for the consciences of Protestant Disthe claim so eloquently enforced by an able senters, without adding any thing to the seadvocate in the North; that having "bor-curity, or even contributing to the dignity of rowed from them at the Reformation the the Established Church. torch with which we lighted the fire upon our own altars; cold indeed must be the heart, which would refuse them a spark to

2. "That these Acts, passed in an era of great ferment, are wholly unsuited to the present times, and are the occasion of animosities and divisions, which are highly injurious to the welfare of the country.

4. "That a religious Test of civil and political worth is to be deprecated as of unhappy influence upon the purity of religion; and

5. That under these convictions we esteem it our duty to unite cordially and vigorously with our brethren, the Protestant Dissenters throughout the kingdom, in making humble bat earnest and persevering application to Parliament for the repeal of those impolitic and mischievous statutes.

6. That our warm thanks are hereby given to Lord John Russell for his declared intention of moving the House of Commons during the present Session for the Repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, and that we rely upon the wisdom of the Legislature and the liberality of his Majesty's Government for the success of his Lordship's Motion.

that as Ministers of the Gospel we consider | tions of the Committee will supply materials ourselves peculiarly called upon to make our by which their friends may be assisted; and solemn protest against the perversion of the in firm, though very temperate language,` Holy Ordinance of the Lord's Supper, insti- their sentiments should be briefly expressed. tuted by our Saviour for high spiritual ends, But all the Petitions should advert to "THE and as a symbol of peace and charity, into CORPORATION ACT," as a statute passed in an instrument of worldly ambition, and a the thirteenth year of King Charles II. inmeans of annoyance and offence to tender titled "An Act for the well Governing and consciences. Regulating Corporations," and to "THE TEST ACT," as a statute passed in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King Charles II. intituled" An Act for preventing the danger which may happen from Popish Recusants”and should state that such Acts render conformity to the Church of England necessary to magisterial appointments -to the government of Corporations—and to public office; and thereby exclude all persons who conscientiously dissent from the Established Church, or disapprove the imposition of a test which tends to secularize, or profane a most sacred rite. The Petitions then should assert the right of every man to worship God according to his conscience—and the impropriety, inexpedience, and injustice of those provisions of the Acts which violate that right. When a Petition is signed, it will be desirable that the minister or some respectable member of the congregation, acquainted with either of the Representatives of that County or Town, should transmit the Petition to him, with a request that he will not only present the Petition, but grant the prayer bis attention and vote-and if the person who writes be acquainted with the member who usually supports the government, he will be the member who should be preferred; as a letter may also be addressed to the other and perhaps more liberal representative, explaining the conciliatory motive of the selection of the other member, and expressing confidence that his principles and inclination will ensure his support. If the member selected to present the Petition be in the country, it may there be delivered, or may be addressed to him at his residence in London, or at the House of Commons: or if no member be known to the minister or his friends, the Petition may be forwarded to Mr. WILKS, and its presentation will be thereby ensured.

7. That we will forthwith petition the two Houses of Parliament for the Repeal of the above Acts, under which we, as Protestant Dissenters, are aggrieved,

Lord John Russell has given notice, that on Thursday, May 31, he will move the total repeal of the obnoxious statutes.

The present is considered a fit period for a united application to the Legislature. We trust that on this important occasion our friends will not be inactive.

For the information and direction of our

readers, we insert the following extracts from a circular just issued by the Secretaries of the Protestant Society for the protection of Religious Liberty:

"To afford that noble and distinguished member of the House of RUSSELL proper support when that motion be made, it appears to the COMMITTEE that numerous Petitions should be previously presented. And as to such Petitions: they recommend that the Petitions be Congregationalthat no persons should sign them for other persons and that no females, or illiterate persons, or youths under fourteen years of age, should subscribe their names. The Petitions should be on parchment, and neatly written. The address and proper prayer for a Petition are underneath stated: and the Petitions should be at present addressed only to the Commons House of Parliament.

"While the Committee supply those forms, they wish that each congregation would express their own feelings and principles, in a manner best pleasing to themselves: as thereby they will avert the objection, that would otherwise be made, that all the Petitions are manufactured in London, and that the Petitioners neither understand nor heed the subject of their prayer. The Resolu

ADDRESS AND PRAYER OF PETITIONS.

Address.

To the Honorable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The humble Petition of the persons whose names are hereto subscribed, belonging to a Congregation of Protestant Dissenters of the (Insert the Place and County, and if the meeting-house be in a particular street, specify that street and if any liberal Churchmen or other persons not being members of

R

a congregation wish to petition or to join,
the words" and other friends to religious
liberty" may be added) Denomination [or
Protestants or Methodists] assembling for
religious worship at
in the
County of

At the request of numerous friends, Mr. Edwards preached in the chapel the following evening, from Rom. viii. 1.; on which occasion the place of worship was well filled; and it is hoped, that the seed then sown, will produce some fruit to the glory of divine

grace.

Prayer.

Your Petitioners therefore pray that those Acts, or such parts of them as require the Sacrament to be taken according to the usage of the Church of England, and conformity to that Established Church, may be repealed: or that they may have such other relief in the premises, as to your Honorable House shall

seem meet.

We understand that a Meeting of the Common Council of the City of London is about to be convened, for the purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the desired repeal.

ORDINATIONS, &c.

COWLEY HILL.

WOODSTOCK.

Mr.

A new church was formed at this place, April 3, 1927. Service commenced with reading and prayer, by Professor Elton, of Brown's University, Rhode Island. James Hinton of Oxford, delivered a short introductory statement, and asked the questions; Mr. Copley of Oxford, offered the dedicatory prayer for the church and deacons; Mr. Pryce of Coate afterwards addressed them, and presided at the Lord's table, when a number of members of neighbouring churches partook of the ordinance with the new church. Mr. Darkin, late of Stepney Academy, concluded with prayer. The meeting was highly interesting, especially to the friends from Oxford, who have anxiously watched over and cherished this rising interest, endeared to many, as having shared in the last pious efforts for the public good of their late beloved pastor Mr. James Hinton, an object indeed which lay near his heart ever since his first memorable attempt to preach there, recorded in his biography.

The new church consists of twelve members, and there is the happy prospect, with God's blessing, of soon doubling that number.

NOTICE.

ON Tuesday, August 29th, 1826, the Rev. Nathaniel Walton was solemnly set apart to the pastoral office over the Bapiist Church at Cowley Hill, in Craven, Yorkshire. The Rev. Mr. Edwards, of Sabden, late of Greenock, Scotland, began the service by reading the scriptures and prayer. The Rev. Mr. Saunders of Haworth, stated the nature of a gospel church, and the principles of noncorformity asked the usual questions, and received Mr. Walton's confession of faith. The Rev. P. Scott, of Colne offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. Dr. Steadman delivered a very impressive charge to the Miuister, from the 2 Cor. iv. 1. "Therefore seeing we have received this ministry, &c." The Rev. J. Gaunt of Sutton addressed the church, from Deut. iii. 28, Encourage him." So great was the interest excited by the different services, that although they were protracted to a very unusual length, the attention of a crowded audience appeared The Third Anniversary of the Baptist unwearied. It is hoped that the present Chapel, on the Brook Chatham, will be connection between pastor and people will holden (D. V.) on Thursday, the 3rd May. prove as comfortable and lasting as that of The Rev. T. Griffin, of Prescot street, Lonformer ones. The late pastor still resides indon is engaged to preach in the morning, and the neighbourhood, but through increasing years and infirmities, being partially incapacitated for labour, he has in the most honorable manner resigned his charge. It is the singular honor of this church, that the present, and all its former pastors have been raised up among themselves.

The next Anniversary of the Union of Christians, formed at Bedford, will be held on Wednesday, May 23, when the Rev. Mr. Mann, of Maze Pond, London, and the Rev. Mr. Simmons, of Olney are expected to preach.

the Rev. I. Mann, A. M. of Maze Pond, London, in the evening. The Services will commence at Eleven o'clock in the morning, and half-past Six o'clock in the evening.

The Buckinghamshire Association at Chenies, Thursday, May 17th, 1827.

PUBLIC MEETINGS IN MAY, 1827,

With Names of the Chairmen or Preachers.

1, Morn. 11. Church Missionary So ciety, Annual Meeting, Free Masons' Hall, Admiral Lord Gambier.

1, Even. 6. Christian Instruction Society, Annual Meeting, Old London Tavern, Tavern, Bishopsgate-street.

2, Morn, 11. British and Foreign Bible Society, Annual Meeting, Free Masons' Hall, Lord Teignmouth.

2, Even. 61. Irish Society of London, Annual Sermon, St. Paul's, Covent Garden, Rev. Robert Daly.

8, Even. 61. nual Sermon, St. Clement Danes, Strand, Rev. T. Mortimer, A. M.

Continental Society, An

9, Morn. 10. London Missionary Society, Annual Sermon, Surry Chapel, Rev. H. F. Burder, A. M.

9, Even. 6. London Missionary Society, Annual Sermon, Tabernacle, Rev. James Parsons.

10, Morn. 11. Naval and Military Bible Society, Annual Sermon, Percy Chapel, Rev. William Marsh, A. M.

10, Morn. 10. London Missionary Society, Annual Meeting, Great Queen-street Chapel, William Alers Hankey, Esq.

10, Even. 6. London Missionary Society, Annual Sermon, Tottenham Court Chapel, Rev. Dr. Gordon.

2, Even. 61. Prayer Book and Homily Society, Annual Sermon, Christ Church, Newgate-street, Rev. J. B. Suomer, A. M. 3, Morn. 10. London Association in 11, Morn. 6. Religious Tract Society, Aid of the Moravian Missions, Annual Ser-Annual Breakfast, City of London Tavern, mon, St. Clement Danes, Rev. R. Waldo | Right Hon. the Lord Mayor. Sibthorp, B. D.

11, Morn. 10. London Missionary So

3, Noon 12. Prayer Book and Homilyciety, Annual Sermon, St. Clement Danes, Society, Annual Meeting, London Coffee Rev. R. W. Sibthorp, B. D. House, Ludgate-hill, Right Hon. Lord Bexley.

3, After. 1. London Female Penitentiary, Annual Meeting, Institution, Pentonville.

3, Even. 6. London Society, for promoting Christianity among the Jews, Annual Sermon, St. Paul's Covent Garden, Rev. William Marsh.

4, Noon 12. London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, Annual Meeting, Free Mason's Hall, Sir Thomas Baring, Bart. M. P.

5, Noon 12. London Hibernian Society, Annual Meeting, Free Masons' Hall. 7, Noon 12. British and Foreign School Society, Annual Meeting, Free Masons' Hall, H. R. H. the Duke of Sussex.

11, Noon 12. National Scotch Church, Opening, Regent-Square, Rev. Dr. Chalmers.

11, Even. 6. London Missionary Society, Annual Communiou, Sion, Orange-street, &c. &c.

12, Morn. 11. Protestant Society for Protection of Religious Liberty, Annual Meeting, City of London Tavern, Earl Grey. 13, Morn. 11. National Scotch Church, Sermon, Regent-square, Rev. Dr. Chalmers. 13, Even. 61. National Scotch Church, Sermon, Regent-square, Rev. Dr. Gordon.

14, Even. 6. Continental Society, Annual Sermon, Great Queen Street Chapel, Rev. W. B. Collyer, D. D.

14, Even. 6. Home Missionary Society, Annual Sermon, Spa Fields Chapel, Rev.

7, Noon 12. Port of London and Bethel Union Society, Annual Meeting, City of Lon-Joseph Fletcher. don Tavern, Admiral Lord Gambier.

7, Even. 6. London Itinerant Society, Annual Meeting, City of London Tavern, Rev. Dr. Collyer.

7, Even. 6. London Missionary Society, Annual Sermon to Juv. Aux., Poultry Chapel, Rev. Dr. Raffles.

7, Even. 61. Newfoundland School Society, Annual Sermon. St. Bride's, Fleet street, Rev. Edward Burn, M. A.

8, Morn. 6. Sunday School Union, Annual Breakfast, City of London Tavern.

8, Morn. 11. Port of London and Bethel Union Society, Annual Sermon, on board the Floating Chapel, Rev. Edward Parsons.

8, Noon 12. Naval and Military Bible Society, Annual Meeting, Free Masons' Hall.

8, Aftera. 3. Port of London and Bethel Union Society, Annual Sermon, on board the Floating Chapel, Rev. Adam Clarke, D.D.

8, Even. 6. Irish Evangelical Society, Annual Meeting, City of London Tavern.

15, Noon 12. Newfoundland School Society, Annual Meeting, Free Masons' Hall.

15, Even. 6. Home Missionary Society, Annual Meeting, Great Queen Street Chapel, Alderman Venables.

16, Noon 12. Continental Society, An nual Meeting, Free Masons' Hall, Hon. J. J. Strutt.

16, Noon 12. Home Missionary Society, Sale of Ladies' useful Work, Crown and Anchor, Strand.

17, Even. 6. Continental Society, Annual Sermon, National Scotch Church, Regent-square, Rev. Dr. Gordon.

20, Morn. 11. National Scotch Church, Sermon, Regent-square, Rev. Dr. Gordon. 20, Even. 6. National Scotch Church, Sermon, Regent-square, Rev. Dr. Gordon.

MONTHLY REGISTER.

FOREIGN.

State annulled the decision of the Con

It is rumoured that peace has been con- sistory, and addressed to them a letter, eluded between Russia and Persia.

We are credibly informed that the Emperor of Russia has given permission for the re-establishment of the Bible Society, and that His Imperial Majesty liberally patronises the Institutions which enjoyed the favour of his

containing the following passages:"It has excited our highest displeasure, that we have found such expressions in a decision given by you, upon a question which relates to one of the most important parts of your office, namely, that a little knowledge of reading was sufficient for the working classes, and a better education dangerous, though on It gives us great pleasure to state, such better education depends an acthat the strong expressions of public curate knowledge of their religious and feeling in France, relative to the pro- civil duties. Considering our constant jected law of the press, have induced endeavours to promote public instructhe French Government to withdraw tion and private education, such exthat most obnoxious and impolitic pressions are wholly unexpected by us, and agree neither with the ordinances

late brother.

statute.

Affairs in Portugal and Spain con-issued by us from time to time, respecttinue in the same state as they were last ing the improvement of Schools, &c. in the kingdom, nor with the just wishes of the nation, and the wants of the age."

month.

Lord Cochrane has arrived in Greece.

The King of Sardinia has issued an ordinance, decreeing that if any of his Catholic Piedmontese subjects die without receiving the sacrament, they shall be buried at night, and in unconsecrated ground; and that Protestants shall be interred without any public ceromony, not more than twelve persons of the same religion being allowed to be present! What will be done if his Majesty himself should die without receiving the sacrament?

DOMESTIC.

We need scarcely say, that one subject has engrossed the public attention during the last month. We allude to the appointment of Mr. Canning to be Prime Minister, and the consequent resignation of nearly all the members of the Cabinet, including the Duke of Wellington, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Bathurst, Mr. Peel, &c. &c. The new As a pleasing contrast to the above, arrangements will, probably, involve we give a recent decision of the Council some change of measures: whatever of State in Sweden. It had been resolved that change may be, we trust that the to establish a Lancasterian School in a interests of religious liberty will not be certain village, but some of the inhabi- forgotten, and that the just claims of tants refused to contribute to the erec- the Dissenters will at length be attended tion of the school-house. The affair was Our readers will have observed, brought before the Consistory of Carl- that Lord John Russell intends to move stad, which decided "that it was suf- (on the 31st. inst.) for the total repeal ficient for the poor working classes, if of the Test and Corporation Acts. His they could read tolerably the psalms Lordship's promptitude and zeal on and prayers, which they hear every Sun. this occasion deserve day in the church." The Council of thanks.

to.

our warmest