tempore, in the room of Mr. James Daniel, appointed to that office at the last annual meeting, but who since has resigned. 2. That as all useful institutions lie open to difficulty and opposition, it becomes the duty of their friends to make provision for their protection; and united with the co-operation of its steady Patrons, it is the determination of this meeting to promote the security and perpetuity of the seminary, which it is now assembled to countenance and support. 3. "That this meeting having been officially informed of Mr. Wyke's purpose to resign his office as Treasurer in another place, together with his disinclination to serve the interests of the society, and having sent a deputation to him requesting an interview for the purpose of explanation, but who failed to see him, the secretary is directed to inform him, that no body of people whatsoever is eligible to receive his resignation, except this society; and if he be disposed to give up his trust, prior to the general meeting in September next, he is required to do it to the secretary. "Here the tutor handed a communication to the chairman; and he having retired, it was read, and found to be a resignation of his office in the Academy. After a brief discussion, the following resolution was formed and adopted. 4. "That the Rev. M. Thomas's letter, resigning his office as tutor, on the 30th of June next, having been read, it was unanimously resolved, that this meeting, fully conscious of his valuable services to the institution, do most earnestly request his continuance in an office, in which, under the divine blessing, he has been enabled so efficiently and essentially to serve the cause of religion. "Mr. Thomas being called in and informed of the above resolution, he, after expressing much hesitation, and offering many objections, did at length accede to the wishes of the meeting. 5. "That the grammatical study of the Welsh language be strongly inculcated upon the students. "W. W. PHILLIPS." All communications relative to the Institution are at present requested to be forwarded to the secretary, at Caerleon, or the tutor, at Abergavenny. ASSOCIATIONS. KENT AND SUSSEX. The Kent and Sussex Association of twenty-six churches held its forty-eighth An niversary at Folkstone, June 5 and 6. Moderator, Mr. Groser of Maidstone; Secretary, Mr. Rogers of Eynsford; Preachers, Messrs. Giles of Chatham, 1 Cor. xii. 11., Rogers of Eynsford, Psalm lxxii. 19., Payne of Ipswich, now supplying at Ashford, Psalm lxxxv. 6., and Shirley of Seven Oaks, 1 John ii. 28. Devotional exercises by Messrs. Belcher, Minister of the place, Smith of Rye, Payne, Garner of Battle, Groser, Denham of Margate, Down of Wadhurst, Ragsdell of Dover, Coanes, Independent of Folkstone, Giles of Eythorne, Broady of Bessels Green, Crambrook of Dover, &c. The different meetings were numerously attended, and it is hoped were both interesting and profitable. The churches at Braybourne, Canterbury, Margate, and Enon Chapel, Woolwich, were received into the Association; the brethren Groser, Belcher, and Clark were appointed to prepare and circulate a letter on the state of the churches; meetings for special intercession with God, for the out pouring of divine influence, were earnestly recommended; the Moderator was requested to correspond with the deputies in London on the subject of the registration of the children of Baptists; and the next association was fixed to be held at Mr. Giles's place at Chatham, on the first Tuesday and Wednesday in June 1828, Messrs. Garner of Battle, Belcher of Folkstone, and Exall of Tenterden to preach, and Mr. Martell of Deal to write the circular letter. SOUTH DEVON AND CORNWALL. The South Devon and Cornwall Baptist Association held their third annual meeting at Falmouth, June 5 and 6, 1827. Sermons were preached by the Brethren Shoveller, of Penzance, from Rom. viii. 31.; Nicholson, of Plymouth, John xvii. 20, 21.; Acworth, of Penzance, Deut. xxxii. 29.; and Widlake, of Brixham, Eph. v. 8. The social and public devotional services were conducted by Messrs. Muscutt, Wildbore, and Allen (Pædobap.), Lane, Parsons, Cock, Spassbatt, Horton, J. Dore, Clarke, Crossman, Shoveller, and Burchell. The subject of the Circular Letter for the Present year is, The Duties and Privileges of Church Members. The decrease in the number of members, including a secession of 21 persons from one of the churches, amounts to 30. It was unanimously resolved, that the churches be recommended to hold monthly prayer meetings, for the especial purpose of imploring a revival of the work of God in the district, and throughout the world. It was further resolved, for the better regulating of applications on behalf of building cases through the district, that four per annum of such cases as may be approved by the Association, shall be admitted under its | Salem Chapel, Stockwell, Surry, on which sanction. Communications on this subject may be addressed to the general Secretary, Mr. S. Nicholson, Baptist Minister, Plymouth. ORDINATIONS, &c. occasion the Minister of the place, the Rev. J. Chin, of Lion Street, Walworth, and the Rev. J. Ivimey, of Eagle Street, officiated; the latter of whom delivered a most appropriate impressive and encouraging discourse founded on, Isa. lx. 22. "A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation; I the Lord will hasten it in his time." On Wednesday, April 11, 1837, the Rev. Sprigg, was ordained pastor over the Baptist Church in Dublin. After singing, the Rev. Dr. Stuart, seceding minister, read and prayed. The Rev. Dr. Marshman, of Serampore, introduced the service, prayed the ordination prayer with laying on of hands. The Rev. W. Cooper, sen. Independent minister, prayed, after which Dr. Marshman addressed Mr. Sprigg, and the Rev. C. Anderson of Edinburgh, the church. The Rev. Mr. Urwick! Independent concluded the service in prayer. May 16, Mr. Dovey was set apart to the pastoral office over the Church at Bermond-J. sey, late under the care of Mr. Norris: on which occasion most of the members of the Church recently meeting at Dockhead united with the Church at Bermondsey. Mr. Pritchard commenced the service and briefly described the nature of a gospel Church. Mr. Shenstone stated the circumstances of the union of the two Churches and asked the questions. Mr. Upton addressed the pastor and united Churches from Heb. xiii. 17. The attendance was numerous and attentive. GREENWICH. On Friday, April 13, 1827, the Rev. W. Belsher, formerly of Worcester, was publicly recognized as the pastor of Baptist Church meeting in London Street, Woolwich. The Rev. W. Chapman independent, commenced the service, by reading the scriptures and prayer. Rev. A. Freeman of Woolwich, received from the Church a statement of the leadings of Providence with the expression of their call of Mr. Belsher to the pastoral office; to whom Mr. Belsher also delivered his confession of faith and acceptance of the invitation of the church; Mr. F. then solemnly implored the blessing upon the union. Rev. J. Ivimey, of London, gave an affectionate charge to the ministers from 1 Peter v. chap. 1 to SIDMOUTH, DEVON. On the 8th of Feb., 1827, a commodious ment of a Baptist interest in this populous room was opened to attempt the establishand respectable town. A prayer meeting was held on the morning of the day, conducted by the ministers engaged on the occasion. Humphrey, of Collumpton, preached from In the afternoon, the Rev. R. Jer. xxiii. 5. "A King shall reign and prosO. Clarke, of Taunton, preached from Ps. per." And in the evening, the Rev. cxxvii. 1. "Except the Lord build the house," &c. Mr. Granvill, of Taunton, and Mr. Lush, of Honiton, assisted in the devotional exercises of the day. has been continued since the opening, both Public preachon the Lord's-day, and on the week even5 verses. Rev. J. Chin of Walworth, ad-ings; the attendance has been generally dressed the church from part of the 28th verse of the 21st chap. of Acts, "Men of Israel help." Rev. H. B. Jeula independent, concluded in prayer. The service was conducted at the Greenwich Road Chapel, kindly lent on the occasion; the attendance was very crowded; and a happy spirit of Christian unanimity appeared among the friends. STOCKWELL. ON Tuesday, April 17, a Baptist Church, consisting of seven members, was formed at good, and the prospects are such as to lead the friends connected with the undertaking to hope, that their labours will not be in vain in the Lord. Their means, however, of supporting the ministry of the word, are at present very limited and inadequate they therefore embrace this opportunity of appealing to the liberality of Christian friends to aid them in prosecuting this good work. Contributions will be gratefully received, and the countenance of those who are favourable to the Baptist cause, who are in the habit of visiting watering-places, will be very encouraging. JULY 1827. We are happy in having to state that the friends of this Society enjoyed a most delightful meeting at its Thirteenth Anniversary. Many thousands were assembled even before six o'clock to breakfast, and when the doors were opened at seven o'clock, the large room at the City of London Tavern was soon filled. The meeting was opened by singing those fine sentiments of Dr. Watts, in the 13th hymn of the 3rd book- -"Pity the nations, O our God," &c. &c. The Rev. Thomas Powell of Peckham prayed most fervently and appropriately that the blessing of Heaven might rest upon the labours of the Society and on all Missionary Institutions. Mr. Ivimey, one of the Secretaries, then proposed that Lieut. J. E. Gordon, one of the honorary Secretaries of the New Reformation Society, should take the chair, observing that that gentleman had, by his active labours in Ireland, greatly promoted the Reformation there, which had now commenced with such pleasing prospects, and also that the avowed design of the Baptist Society from its commencement had been to induce the native Irish to embrace the princiyles of the reformation, as they assumed that the faith of the Protestants was the purest faith, the scriptural faith; and, therefore, they wished the Roman Catholics of Ireland might all become Protestants. Mr. Gordon, on taking the chair, made a few observations on the business for which the meeting was assembled, and called on Mr. Ivimey to read the Annual Report of the Society. For the information of those who may not have seen a copy of the Report, which was given away freely at the doors of the tavern, we subjoin a few extracts from it. "Your Committee have not to report who were actually present at the last an increase in the number of schools or quarterly inspection. of scholars, or of readers of the Scrip- "The Committee have been happy tures, during the past year; they in- to find "the Second Report of the Comdulge the hope, however, when they missioners of Irish Education Enquiry" state there is no diminution of any of has fully sanctioned the statement of these, and that they have been enabled last year respecting the number of to keep up the full establishment as it schools belonging to your Society, and existed at the last Anniversary, that substantially the number of scholars. this will be considered cause for abun- "That a denomination of Christians, dant thanksgiving to God. The present comparatively small, should have been number of week-day schools is eighty-able, for so long a period, to support six-seventeen of which are exclusive- eighty-six day-schools, (besides sunly for females, besides which, there are day-schools and evening-schools for seventeen night schools, chiefly for adults, the total number being one hundred and three. "The number of scholars are as follows:- In the schools, under the superintendence of the .... Rev. Mr. Wilson, of Boyle. adults,) containing on an average from seven to eight thousand scholars; and also upwards of thirty readers of the Irish Scriptures, and seven or eight itinerant ministers, who are superintendents of the schools, and pastors of 2813 churches, is more, especially considering 2691 the pecuniary difficulties of the times, 257 than could have been expected; and is 230 certainly ground of encouragement that 50 while they aim to serve God faithfully, 60 he will not leave them destitute of the tokens of his special approbation, or of 330 the evidences of his effectual blessing. "The system of requiring the children 6831 to commit the Scriptures to memory is still pursued; and many proofs of the "This statement does not include all surprising retentive powers of the schowho are on the books, but only those lars, if it were thought necessary, might be again given, as in former Reports of his instructions had been equally useful.' the Society. Instead of this, however, Mr. Wilson adds, in explanation, an instance of its beneficial results, The expression above employed both to a scholar, and also to a parent, persons brought to the knowledge of in enlightening the eyes and converting the truth,-must be understood in a quathe heart, will be produced. And may lified sense. But from all I have been it not be expected that out of perhaps able to ascertain, either from personal forty thousand children and adults who knowledge or from enquiry, it is not too have been taught to read in the schools, much to say, that nearly fifty were deor who have heard the Scriptures read cidedly converted persons. Eighteen by their children at home, many similar of the number have died, all of whom events will be constantly taking place? departed without receiving the usual "A lady who is the wife of the clergy-passport of the ointment from the poman at whose church the following pleasing circumstances took place, thus writes to one of the Society's ministers, in April last:-'I should have written to you but for the above-mentioned circumstances, even sooner, to tell you that dear Mary Cassidy united herself to the Protestant Church publicly on Sunday week; and I trust she is as sweet and humble a christian as we have in it! And, only think how wonderful are all the ways of God, her mother did also on the same day! And this, through Mary's and her other children's instru- "Your Committee take the liberty of mentality (the other children's histo- reminding the numerous friends of the ries you already know)-and all institution, that to provide even the through the blessed instrumentality of present annual expenditure, perseveryour blessed school here! Praised being zeal will be required. It is not prothe Lord!'-This lady adds, we are all engaged in the Reformation business here.' pish priests; some of the rest have left Ireland; and others are in the immediate vicinity of the places where they were brought up, adorning,' by their circumspect conduct the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.' A few of these persons, with others to whom the agents of the society have been useful, have appeared in the ranks of those who have publicly renounced the errors of popery, in the town and county of Sligo, and in several other places.' to say, that the contributions in Ireland have again increased the past year); and to them they look with confidence for continued assistance and support. The committee are persuaded, that in no way can money be more beneficially employed, or more entirely appropriated in promoting the spread of the gospel, nor was there ever a time when Ireland presented such encouraging prospects: An open and an effectual door is before' the Protestant church, though there are many adversaries.' bable so large a legacy as £1000. (which in the past year, when it came to hand, was found so opportune a supply, that "Other instances might have been pro- without it the society could not have duced of persons having united them- gone on) will be often received. The selves with the established church, who main dependence of the committee, next are led to embrace the principles of the to the blessing of God, is upon the apreformation through the instructions probation and benevolent feelings of they received from the scripture readers the Christian public in England, Scotof your society. The far greater num-land and Ireland (and they are happy ber, however, who have renounced the errors of popery through their means, have not made such a public recantation though they have entirely withdrawn themselves from their former connexion with the corrupted church in which they had been brought up. On this subject the Rev. Josiah Wilson, of Boyle, thus writes;- As a proof that the exertions of the society were early honoured with marks of the divine approbation, I have to state that about two years ago I asked one of the agents who was the first employed, Mr. William Moore, how many individuals he considered as having been brought to a knowledge of the truth by his labours. His reply was, about one hundred.' I requested him at his leisure to write down their names. After a few weeks, he gave me a list of sixty-six names, which were all he could recollect; but I must add, that I know some persons besides those he mentioned, to whom "Your Committee, in resigning their charge to those from whom they received it, think it right to say, that, in their opinion, the prospects of the Society are more encouraging than they have ever been at any former period. They are reminded by the events which have lately occurred,-in so many persons having publicly listened to the Divine call respecting the mystical Babylon, Come out of her, my peo 6 man ple, of that beautiful inspired descrip- | lax in our efforis, or to decline in our tion, which they hope may be applied zeal. Never let that be said of the to the sister island:-'The winter is Baptist Irish Society, which is recordpast, the rains are over and gone, theed to the indelible reproach of one of flowers appear on the earth, the fig-tree the tribes of Israel,The children of putteth forth its tender fruits, the time Ephraim being armed, and carrying of the singing of birds is come, and the bows, turned back in the day of battle.' voice of the turtle is heard in the land.' Rather let us aspire to the honour of "Yes, Christian brethren, in the holy that commendation pronounced upon war now so successfully carrying on one of the seven churches of Asia, against the power of the Antichristian em- These things saith HE that is holy; pire in Ireland, your society is taking its He that is true; He that hath the key place as part of the army of the Lamb. of David; He that openeth and no man They consider the Baptist society as a shutteth, and shutteth and no company of pioneers acting under the openeth; I know thy works; behold I eye, and obeying the commands of the have set before thee an open door, and Captain of salvation: it has already no man can shut it; for thou hast a cleared some of the thick underwood little strengh, and hast kept my word, of the forest, and opened up a way, and hast not denied my name! He and pointed out the road, for the other that hath an ear, let him hear what the and more numerous companies to pro- Spirit saith unto the churches."" ceed in a simultaneous attack upon the The following Resolutions were moved army of the beast. Uncompromising in and seconded by the Ministers whose its principles, and humble in its appearnames are prefixed to them reance; but loyal in its spirit, and persespectively: vering in its hostility against error and vice; it will, it is hoped, contribute towards that great victory, which the sure word of prophecy has claimed for the Almighty conqueror, as to his final triumphs over the man of sin,' the son of perdition,' whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy, with the brightness of his coming. The conflict may probably be sharp, and the victory for a time ap. pear to be doubtful, but the issue will be glorious, and the triumph be sure. The pen of inspiration has anticipated the grand result; and soon the pen of history will have to record the noble event as being fully accomplished. As if for the purpose of animating us in our labours, and stimulating our exertions, we find it thus said let us read and understand, and hope and believe that very soon will be brought to pass the saying which is written These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.' and the Rev. Samuel Nicholson, of PlyBy the Rev. Dr. Cox, of Hackney, mouth. 1. That this Meeting hereby expresses its approbation of the Report now read, on account of the facts it recites connected with the Reformation which has so happily commenced in Ireland; because it affords sufficient evidence that the plans and proceedings of this Society are so well adapted to the state of the Peasantry; especially in having employed, from its very commencement, readers of the Irish Scriptures; and chiefly because the tokens of the Divine favour, to which its success is to be entirely attributed, appear to have rested upon the labours of its various agents in disseminating the true protestant principle, the sufficiency of the Scriptures:-and resolves, that the report be received, and circulated under the direction of the Committee. By the Rev. Mr. Burnett, of Cork and the Rev. Thomas Winter, of Bristol. 2. That this meeting concurs in the opinion of the Committee expressed in the "With such delightful prospects open-instructed in the knowledge of the Scripreport, that those persons who are we!! ing to our view as the universal diffusion of the doctrines of the reformation in Ireland, and the consequent spiritual emancipation of five millions of our fellow-subjects, after the lapse of three centuries since these blessings were bestowed upon the other parts of the united empire, and having obtained the acknowledged reputation of leading the way' in this arduous enterprise, it would be worse than cowardice to re- 4. That the grateful acknowledgments of tures, and the fundamental principles of the in the service of the Society as readers and reformation, and who are willing to engage expounders of the Scriptures, be employed to the full extent that the funds of the Institution will justify. By the Rev. W. Groser, of Maidstone, and the Rev. S. Davis, of Clonmel. |