an attendance in a town where it was next to impossible to get a good religious meeting, except on the Sabbath.

In conclusion, I am sorry that my health did not allow me to traverse more ground during the quarter; but I have not been idle, neither, I trust, have laboured in vain. Pray for us, that the word of God may have free course and be glorified; and that those who publish it, not, I am sorry to admit, without some peril, may have grace to be faithful, and that God may deliver them out of the hand of the enemy.

JAMES GODKIN.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The financial position of this society is one of great difficulty. The Committee would earnestly plead its cause with the independent churches of this favoured country. This they cannot more effectually do, than by a plain and open statement of the facts of the case. The accounts for the current year will close on the last day of this month. At the last meeting of the Committee the following statement of the pecuniary position of the society, was presented. Receipts since 31st of last March, £1554 108. 5d. Expenditure for same period, £1575 13s. 10d. Liabilities, including present balance against the society, to be provided for during this month, £622 3s. 5dAlso due, on account of loan, and interest thereon, £288 178. 10d.—In all £911 18. 3d. Were even this sum obtained, it would but leave the society free of incumbrance, to commence the operations of another year with nothing. It has not a permanent income from pledged supplies, in any form, of one thousand pounds. This is a painful state of affairs for the managers of a public society, who are pressed by appeals they know not how to resist, for additional agents and efforts in the British colonies. New Zealand, New Brunswick, both the Canadas, New South Wales, South Australia, Van Dieman's Land, the Swan River-all are at this moment pressing applicants for able ministers; yet how can the Committee of the society, perceiving on the one hand that the people in the most necessitous districts of the colonies can contribute but little in support of the ministers sent to them; and on the other hand, that the British churches supply resources so sparingly, venture to involve the society and themselves more deeply in permanent, unavoidable responsibilities? The Committee bespeak for this statement the thoughtful consideration of the churches. In particular, they earnestly desire all their brethren, who have remittances to send, that they would not fail to transmit the money before the end of the present month-addressed to either the treasurer, J. R. Mills, Esq., or to the secretary, the Rev. A. Wells, at the Congregational Library, Bloomsfield-Street, Finsbury.

Guelph, Upper CANADA.-The Rev. W. P. Wastell had occupied this station. He deemed it his duty to remove to Hamilton, an important town in the same province. Let British Christians, in the full enjoyment of gospel privileges, read with thought and sympathy the appeals of a member of the church thus deprived of its pastor, with no apparent prospect of obtaining a successor, except through the Coloniel Society. This Christian brother was once a member of a congregational church in England. He then knew what it was to eat bread to the full in Christian ordinances. He now knows what it is to witness, to endure, a famine of the word of God. And thus he writes:

"If Mr. Wastell had not left us, our church would have ranked high among the churches in the wilderness. I feel certain we should have paid all we owe, and have finished our chapel. I feel sick at heart, when I see our place of worship without a pastor. Oh, pray for us, pity us, and help us. The people around are perishing for lack of knowledge. Shall the cry of the heathen reach you, and shall we cry, 'Come over and help us,' in vain? Oh, that the British churches would awake, and think

more of the destitute churches in the vast province of Canada, now lying in darkness so thick, that, like the Egyptian darkness, it may be felt!" He speaks of all the ministers around him, sustained by the society, most highly, as being “always at their posts,”—particularly of Mr. Roaf, he says, " He is just the minister for Toronto-he scarcely knows what it is to rest-his preaching stations are more, I think, than those of any minister in the province, except good Mr. Denney's. We need ministers in Canada with much self-denial—not minding roads, mud holes, and stones--they must preach, and pray, and seek out the people-they must be content with the loghouse, without any comforts, only necessaries. We are as sheep without a shepherd. 'May the Lord of the harvest send forth labourers into his harvest!'"

QUEBEC.-The operations of the society in this city are most important. It contains more than thirty thousand stated inhabitants, of whom upwards of seven thousand are professedly protestants, besides a numerous resort of seamen, emigrants, and troops. In November, 1837, the Rev. T. Atkinson commenced his labours in Quebec, under the pressure of many difficulties and discouragements. He found the chapel erected for a former independent pastor, passed over to the Kirk of Scotland, because, before the establishment of the Colonial Society, repeated applications to England for a successor of congregational principles had been made in vain. Sustained by the society, Mr. Atkinson gathered round him a few faithful friends. In a temporary building, at once inconvenient and expensive, they commenced public worship. The testimony borne to his truth in the faithful preaching of the gospel there, God has greatly blessed. Souls have been converted, a church has been organized, the power of religion has been manifested. The people are now erecting for themselves, on a most eligible scite, in the centre of the city, a commodious, substantial, and respectable church. Their contributions to this object has been liberal, and generous, to a high degree. They have a strong claim on the sympathy, prayers, and liberal aid of their brethren in England. The following extracts from a recent report of their devoted pastor, the Rev. T. Atkinson, will plead powerfully on their behalf :

"Since my last report four only have been added to the church, but we have reason to be thankful that our congregations have not only been in general very good, but a deep attention and evident seriousness, gave me assurance that the word has not been preached in vain. An improved state of feeling has manifested itself in our increased attendance at our prayer meetings, and in quiet and sustained efforts to induce others to attend upon the public services-to surrender their hearts to God, and to establish family prayer. I need not tell you that great good has resulted, for where did God ever dispose the hearts of his people to such a course, and leave them unsustained and unblessed in it? He has been faithful to His promises-and we would be humbled, invigorated and rejoiced. Eight, who give satisfactory evidence of genuine piety, are now candidates for church fellowship, and the facts connected with the history of some of them, are deeply interesting. There are others in the congregation upon whom valuable impressions have been produced, and who will, we doubt not, soon be be united with us. The Sabbath Schools are better attended, and some unusual seriousness in about six of the scholars, has led me to form a juvenile class, which I meet once a fortnight with great pleasure. The young men's Bible class is well attended, and warrant's the expectation that great good will result from the attention paid to them; there is an unusually large proportion of young men in our church and congregation, whose exertions, in various ways, have been already greatly blessed, and by whom, I doubt not, God will graciously accomplish very extensive and lasting good.

Our social meeting on New Year's Day, and the special prayer meeting on the first Monday in the year, were both well attended, and were the means of promoting a good feeling, and, I trust, also of increasing a spirit of prayer and faith, and taking a

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careful survey of the church, the congregation, and the city, no one would hesitate to conclude that though still few and feeble, we have very great cause for gratitude, encouragement, and hope. It can be felt that we have a strong hold upon the public we mind, can attempt more and effect more than at any former period in the history of Congregationalism in Quebec. Many predicted that we shall fall through" as the former Congregational Church did; some said we are “building ourselves down," but there is now a general conviction, that we are established, nnd that we shall largely increase. I mention this because you are aware that the failure of former efforts was one of the obstacles with which we had to contend; you will, therefore, rejoice with us that God is taking away our reproach, and giving us favour in the sight of the people, and thus preparing the way for more extended usefulness. I cannot help saying the the operation of temperance societies has exerted a very decided and powerful influence in our favour, and in favour of religion generally, especially since the formation of the Young Men's Total Abstinence Society. When we met about a year ago, a private house was thought large enough to admit all those who would attend, and some thought it hardly wise to stand out with the almost universal feeling of the public against us. That meeting did us good (as I before observed,) it has also spead onr principles among all classes, so that last week we were obliged to admit the public by tickets (74d. each,) simply that the House of Assembly (which the Governor General kindly lent us) might not be too much crowded. Several of the most useful members of the church are men who were first benefited by becoming members of the temperance society, and were then led to worship with us, to add to temperance-godliness.'

Within the year upwards of 7000 persons have become members of Catholic or Protestant temperance societies, in a city in which it was said those principles would never take root, since "the whole city was given up" to drunkeness.

I am aware, that there may be a difference of opinion on this point, but I should be wanting in my duty to this society, and to the God who has so greatly blessed its effects, if I did not acknowledge the good which has already been effected, and I am sure all would be delighted to witness the change produced in multitudes who were poor, miserable, contentious, and not a few beggared, but who are now happy, useful, and devoted to God.

Our building is progressing well, and will be neat, respectable, and commodious. I need not enlarge upon this, having written so fully to Dr. Reed lately, but it is necessary to advert to it in connexion with our pecuniary efforts for the year. £1127, have been already paid to the contractors. £85, must be paid by the first of August, when the church is to opened. £1127 have actually been paid in by subscribers in Quebec, principally members of our own congregation (including my subscription, and the greater part of the sum I guaranteed to raise which I have advanced,) and we are about to make a general effort to raise more in Quebec before I go the states. This amount also includes £67 178. 6d. from the States, and £60 15s. 3d. from Montreal.

to

America will help us, I am sure, and I want British Christians and British churches to shew that their heart is with us in the great work to which Providence is calling us. I sometimes wish I could appear among them with my list of subscriptions—it has already awakened the energies of Christians at Montreal, and would, I am sure, do so at home-but I cannot come, and, therefore, hope and believe that God will dispose you to aid us voluntarily and largely.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE CONGEGATIONAL CHURCHES.

SYLLABUS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LECTURE FOR 1841.

We have unfeigned pleasure in announcing that the course of lectures for the present year will delivered by the Rev. JAMES BENNETT, D.D., at the Congregational Library, Bloomfield-street, Finsbury Circus.

The subject which our venerable friend has selected, "THE THEOLOGY OF THE FIRST THREE CENTURIES," is one of especial interest to the Christian public at the present time, when attempts are made with great earnestness and erudition, to diffuse patristic theology throughout the land.

The introductory lecture will be delivered on Friday evening the 12th instant, at half past six o'clock, and will be continued on every succeeding Tuesday and Friday evenings till the course of eight lectures has been completed.

Friday, March 12th. Lecture I.-The sources of information. Greek Fathers.The Epistle to Diognetus-Epistles of Clemens Romanus, Ignatius, and PolicarpJustin Martyr-Tatian-Irenæus-Theophilus of Antioch-Athenagoras-Clement of Alexandria-Origen. Latin Fathers.-Minutius Felix-Tertullian-Cyprian-Translators of Scripture-Ecclesiastical Historians.-Hegesippus-Eusebius-Civil Historians, and Pagan or Jewish writers.-Apocryphal writers.

Tuesday, March 16th. Lecture II.-The Theology of the early Church concerning the Scriptures and the Divine Nature. I. Concerning the Scriptures.—The Canon of the Old Testament-Of the New-Its late formation.-Apocryphal Additions to the Old Testament-To the New.-The use and authority ascribed to Scripture.— The use made of the Septuagint-Inspiration ascribed to it.-Allegorical mode of Interpretation.-Of Tradition-Examplified in the succession of the early Bishops of Rome. Of the Sibyline Oracles. II. Concerning the Divine Nature.-Specimens from the Epistle to Diognetus-Justin Martyr-Irenæus-Minutius Felix-Tertullian.-The Divinity of Christ.-Clement of Rome.-Ignatius.-Irenæus.-Clement of Alexandria.-The Trinity.-The Doctrine taught before the word was introduced by Theophilus of Antioch.

Friday, March 19th. Lecture III.—Doctrine of the early Church on the Decrees and Works of God-The Fall, Redemption, Grace, and Justification.-On the Divine Predetermination.-Strange doctrine of the Fathers on the Fall of Angels.-The Creation and Fall of Man.-Original Sin.-The Incarnation of Christ.-Early Heresies.-The Death of Christ, and its Design.-Of Grace.—Election-The use made of it.-The Influences of the Spirit-In Regeneration-Sanctification-PerseveranceJustification.

Tuesday, March 23rd. Lecture IV.-Early Doctrine Concerning the Church.It was a Congregation-Composed of Saints-Its Officers-Deacons—Bishops-A plurality. Congregational Episcopacy-Election of Bishops-A Priesthood-Clergy -Worship of the early Church.

Friday, March, 26th. Lecture V.-The Sacraments and Christian Ethics.-Baptism-How identified with Regeneration.—Infant Baptism-Mode of Administration. Lord's Supper-Transubstantiation.—Ethics.—Asceticism.—Corruption of Manners. Tuesday, March 30th. Lecture VI.-The Final State-Death-Hades-Resurrection. The Doctrine of Antichrist, as arising out the ruins of the Roman Empire. -The Millennium.-The Last Justment.

Friday, April 2nd. Lecture VII.-The Causes of Patristic Theology.-Numerous Disadvantages of the Fathers.-Advantages falsely ascribed to them.-Design of God to honour the Scriptures.

Tuesday, April 6th. Lecture VIII.—Conclusion.—Summary of the Doctrine of the Fathers.-Congregationalism in harmony with the earlist Fathers.-Present attempts to revive their authority.-Future prospects.

REMOVALS.

The Rev. J. R. Cooper, of Pontypool, having accepted the unanimous invitation of the Congregational church at Wincanton, entered on his pastoral duties the second Lord's day in November, 1840, with encouraging prospects of success.

The Rev. James Carlile, late of Belfast, has accepted an invitation to preside over the Congregational church, assembling at Wells Street, Hackney.

OPENING OF A NEW CHAPEL.

AT CHIPPING, LANCASHIRE.-A benevolent individual, the late Mr. W. Bond, anxious for the spiritual welfare of his work-people and neighbours, fitted up a house on his premises, about twenty years since, as a place of worship. To aid in procuring supplies for the place a grant was annually made from the funds of the Lancashire Congregational Union, but at no period did the measure of success equal the desires of its friends. The preaching place not being in the village, was supposed to militate against the increase of hearers, which induced the same liberal friend to set apart a portion of freehold land in a more convenient situation, and to contribute the sum of £50 towards the erection of a chapel. A considerable amount was raised in the neighbourhood, and a neat substantial edifice has been erected, capable of accommodating 300 persons, which was open for public worship September 25th, 1839; on which occasion sermons were preached by the Rev. R. Slate, of Preston, and the Rev. T. Greenall, of Burnley. The esteemed friend, who took so deep an interest in its erection did not, however, live to witness the accomplishment of an object on which his heart was set, being suddenly removed by death.

A short time before the completion of the chapel, Mr. Robert Leicester was stationed at Chipping, as an agent of the Lancashire Congregational Union, whose services have been acceptable and useful. A church has since been formed, consisting of fifteen members, and he having accepted their call to the pastorate, was ordained to that office on Thursday, February 4th, 1841. The Rev. Joseph Wadsworth, of Clitheroe, delivered the introductory discourse, and asked the usual questions, which were answered in a manner that deeply interested and affected the assembly. The ordination-prayer was offered by the Rev. Gilbert Wardlaw, A. M., theological tutor of Blackburn Academy, accompanied by the laying on of hands. The charge to the newly-ordained pastor was given by the Rev. R. Slate, of Preston. In the afternoon the Rev. D. T. Carnson, of Preston, delivered the sermon to the church and congregation, from John iii. 8. The Revs. W. Hayhurst, Knowl Green, and Dickenson, of Newton, assisted in the devotional parts of the services, The attendance, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, was numerous. and the impressions made by the solemnities of the day were of a gratifying nature. Connected with Chipping is Hesheth-Lane Chapel, about two miles distant, which was built in the year 1705. The preaching at this place, for many years past, was only occasional, and the attendance exceedingly small. Since Mr. Leicester's appointment to this station he has regularly preached here, and within the last twelvemonths, a great improvement has taken place. The average attendance of hearers is now 50, and a Sunday School has been formed, consisting of 80 scholars. On the whole, though Roman Catholicism prevails much in this neighbourhood, and Episcopal prejudices are very strong, and indifference to spiritual religion is very great, Mr. Leicester has reason to believe his ministerial labours have been blessed to the conversion of souls, and he enters on his pastoral duties under many encouraging circumstances.

The jubilee of the

TESTIMONIAL TO REV. W. JAY.

Rev. W. Jay's ministerial services at Argyle Chapel, Bath, The event, so long and so fondly anticipated by his church and congregation, and indeed by large numbers of religious persons of other

has at length arrived.