natural history and the exact sciences. Hitherto we have paid much too slight an attention to those subjects and others inseparable from them; but with such a measure of effort and attainment we can no longer satisfy ourselves, or do justice to the wants and expectations of the church of Christ.

"No longer will it answer the purpose to shelter ourselves in quiet ignorance; or, while we devote our utmost powers to the conversion and spiritual education of those around us, to say, This is our field, we will labour in it, and we will leave worldly science to worldly men. So to resolve and so to act would bring on the most distressing consequences. Neither will it be sufficient for us to provide a small number of our pastors, who shall be able thus to occupy the high places of the field. It is necessary that the preachers of the Gospel throughout the land should be so well informed upon the topics of general knowledge, but especially the sciences, that they shall not be inferior to the thousands of respectable persons, who are well acquainted with those classes of subjects, through the means of the philosophical institutions, which have given to the public mind an impulse and emulation never before known.

"These sentiments have long and heavily pressed upon the minds of those who are called to preside over the interests of Homerton Old College; and they have endeavoured by all the means hitherto in their power to strengthen the studies and elevate the attainments of the young men under its patronage. But now a new order of means, by the gracious providence of the Most High, is put into their hands; and they have accepted the trust with a solemn feeling of its immense importance, and of the new and arduous duties which it will bring.

"Among the many important measures for the national welfare which distinguished the reign of our late Sovereign, King William the Fourth, was the granting of a charter to a body of distinguished noblemen and gentlemen, constituting them the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Senate of the University of London, for the promoting of learning and science among all classes of the subjects of the crown. Following this example of enlightened liberality, her Majesty the Queen was graciously pleased, in the first year of her reign, to revoke the former charter, and to issue another with modifications and improvements; declaring its objects to be 'the advancement of religion and morality, and the promotion of useful knowledge, and, for that purpose, to hold forth to all classes and denominations, without any distinction whatsoever, an encouragement for pursuing a regular and liberal course of education;' appointing also 'the Senate, for the purpose of ascertaining, by means of examination, the persons who have acquired proficiency in literature, science, and art, by the pursuit of such course of education; and of rewarding them by academical degrees, as evidence of their respective attainments, and marks of honour proportioned thereunto.'

"The Committee, having taken this subject into the most serious consideration, were unanimously of opinion, that the progressive improvement of Homerton College, and the honour and interests of our great religious cause, required the adoption of the means requisite for obtaining the advantages thus held forth. A memorial was, therefore, prepared, and on the fifteenth July, through the kind intervention of the Right Honourable Viscount Morpeth and Edward Baines, Esq., M.P., was recommended to the Marquis of Mormanby, who submitted it to her Majesty. The prayer was most graciously complied with by the issue of the following:

"WARRANT to the Old College, at Homerton, to issue Certificates to the Candidates for Degrees in the UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

"VICTORIA, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, QUEEN, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our trusty and well-beloved the Trustees, Treasurers, and Tutors of the Old College at Homerton, greeting. Whereas

We did, by our Letters Patent under the Great Seal of our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster the fifth and twenty-sixth days of December, in the first year of our reign, will, grant, declare, and constitute the persons therein named to be One Body, Corporate and Politic, by the name of the University of London. And, whereas We did therein, amongst other things, will and ordain that all Persons should be admitted as Candidates for the respective Degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, or Doctor of Laws, to be conferred by the said University, on presenting to the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Fellows thereof, a Certificate of their having completed the requisite course of Instruction, from the College called University College, or from the College called King's College, or from such other Institution, corporate or unincorporated, as now are or hereafter shall be established for the purposes of Education, whether in the metropolis or elsewhere, within our said United Kingdom, as We, our Heirs and Successors, under our or their sign manual, shall hereafter authorize.

"Now, Know ye that We, reposing great confidence in your Learning, Ability, and Discretion, do hereby authorise you to issue to such Persons as may be desirous of becoming Candidates for the respective Degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, or Doctor of Laws, to be conferred by the said University of London, Certificates to the effect that such Candidates have completed the course of Instruction which the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Fellows of the said University of London, by regulation in that behalf shall have determined.

"Given at our Court at St. James's, the twenty-fourth day of July, 1840, in the fourth year of Our Reign.'"

64

"By her Majesty's Command,

"NORMANBY.'"

Immediately upon the reception of this important instrument, letters of grateful acknowledgement were written to Lord Normanby, Lord Morpeth, and Mr. Baines. "The Committee, solicitous to carry into effect the design of the connexion now formed, are happy to state, that they have been able to engage the services of Professor Wallace, of the College for Civil Engineers at Putney, for the departments of mathematics and Natural Philosophy. They have thus great pleasure in announcing the completion of the entire course of tuition in science as well as general literature, adapted to the present æra in the history of the institution; and they trust that the important step which they have taken will have, by the divine blessing, a beneficial effect in raising the standard of education for the work of the Christian ministry,--in securing a superior degree of attainment, previously to the entrance of students upon probation,—and in stimulating the diligence of those who are preparing for the defence and propagation of the Gospel, without impairing their spiritual tone of feeling, or making the least abatement of theological, biblical, and other collateral studies."

STATEMENT RESPecting the Western ACADEMY.-The attention of the friends of theological academies, and especially of those who are connected with the west of England, is requested to the following statement respecting the Western Academy. About four years ago it became necessary, from the increasing number of students, to enlarge the academy house, and the committee were encouraged to undertake this work. A benevolent lady subscribed £100, and other subscriptions were obtained towards the enlargement; but the amount subscribed fell far short of the expense, though the utmost degree of economy was employed. This, added to the purchase of books which were necessary for the prosecution of the business of the house, and the general inadequacy of annual income to meet current expenditure, has involved the institution in a debt of above £600. To deliver it from the pressure of this debt, an effort is now making to raise £500, in sums of £10 each. Twenty-six sums of

that amount have been conditionally promised; and this appeal is now made to the friends of the rising ministry throughout the country, in the hope that they will promptly afford their help in this time of need, and, either by giving the proposed sum themselves, or collecting it among their friends, contribute to rescue the institution from its present embarrassment.

Subscriptions of the above amount, or in smaller sums, will be gratefully received by T. Bidgood, Esq. Arundel House, Wellington; Mr. H. Bidgood, 7, Vigo-street, Regent-street, London; by any member of the committee; Rev. J. Bounsall, Ottery St. Mary, secretary; or by the Rev. Dr. Payne, Academy House, Exeter. It should *be remembered, that the debt incurred by the original purchase of the academy "house had been discharged before the enlargement, chiefly by friends in the west of England. It is hoped that this fact will dispose friends at a distance the more readily to aid the committee in its present difficulty.

ORDINATIONS, &c.

The Rev. John Davis was publicly ordained pastor of the Congregational Church at Ceidro, in the county of Carnarvon, on the 12th of March. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. J. Jones, of Capel-helyg; the usual questions were put by the Rev. R. P Griffiths, of Pwllheli; the Rev. D. Griffiths, of Bethel, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. W. Williams, of Carnarvon, delivered the charge to the young minister, and the Rev. R. Parry, of Conway, preached to the people.

Sermons were delivered in the afternoon by the Rev. Messrs. Thomas, of Talsam, and Griffiths, of Bethel; and in the evening by Revds. R. Parry, of Conway, and W. Williams, Carnarvon. Messrs. Jones, of Capel-helyg, Davies, of Waenfaur, and Davies, of Bodedeyrn, preached the former evening. The devotional part of the services was conducted by Messrs. Williams, of Llanberis, Morris, of Llanengan, and Hughes of Hebron.

On Thursday, October 1st, 1840, the Rev. William Philip Appleford, of Homerton College, was ordained pastor over the Independent Church, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. The Rev. J. Kelly commenced the service with reading and prayer; the Rev. R. Halley, D.D., of Manchester, delivered the introductory discourse and proposed the usual questions; the ordination prayer was offered up by the Rev. Caleb Morris, (Mr. Appleford's pastor) of Fetter-Lane, London; the Rev. John Pye Smith, D.D., F.R.S., of Homerton, delivered the charge to the minister; the Rev. T. Raffles, D.D. preached to the people; and the Rev. C. M. Birrell concluded with prayer. The Rev. W. Bevan and T. Rogers also took part in the service, which was deeply interesting, and by many will be long remembered.

On Tuesday, 2nd March, the Rev. T. Gough, (late town missionary at Plymouth) was ordained to the pastorate of the Independent Church at Paington near Torquay, Devonshire. The service was opened by the Rev. T. Collet, Dawlish, with reading and prayer. Rev. R. Skinner, Newton, explained with clearness and force the nature of a Christian church. Rev. W. Tarbotton, Totness, proposed the usual questions, to which Mr. Gough replied in a satisfactory manner. Rev. T. Stenner, Dartmouth, offered the ordination prayer. Rev. G. Smith, Plymouth, delivered a charge so pow. erfully impressive, that many intimated their desire to have it in print, and a requisition to that effect will be presented to that gentleman. In the evening the Rev. J. Orange, Torquay, preached to the people with great effect. The chapel was well filled and all the services were of a most interesting kind.

On Tuesday, February 2nd, 1841, the Rev. Thomas William Davids, late student of Homerton College, was ordained to the pastoral office over the church assembling in the Octagon Meeting House, Colchester. The Rev. E. Prout, Halsted, commenced the services by reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. R. Burls, of Malden,

delivered the introductory discourse. The Rev. J. Raven, of Hadleigh, asked the usual questions. The Rev. Caleb Morris, of London, presented the ordination prayer, and the Rev. Dr. J. Pye Smith gave the charge from John x. 14, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." In the evening, after reading and prayer by the Rev. S. Davies, of Chester-le-street, Durham, the Rev. George Clayton, of Walworth, preached to the people from Col. iv. 11, "These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me."

On Wednesday, November 25, 1840, the Rev. Michael Angelo Garvey, late of Highbury College, was ordained to the work of the ministry in the Independent Chapel, Kentish Town, as co-pastor with the Rev. John Hasloch. The latter opened the service with reading and prayer; after which the Rev. John Burnet, of Camberwell, delivered an introductory discourse, founded on Matthew v. 13, "Ye are salt of the earth," and explained in very lucid and effective terms the constitution of an Independent church. The Rev. John Watson, of Finchley, asked the usual questions; which were replied to by Mr. Garvey; who gave an interesting narrative of his Christian experience; together with the reasons which led him to preach the Gospel among Protestant Dissenters, and the manner in which he proposed to exercise his ministerial functions. Dr. Henderson, senior tutor of Highbury College, then offered a devout and fervent ordination prayer; after which the Rev. Henry Townley addressed the newly-ordained minister, in a very affectionate discourse, founded on 1 Timothy iv. 16, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for, in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." The ministers and friends, to the number of more than a hundred, afterwards dined together; and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Burnet, Townley, Hasloch, and Garvey, and Thomas Wilson, Esq., Treasurer of Highbury College. There was afterwards a public tea-meeting, in the Infant School Room, attended by nearly two hundred persons. In the evening the Rev. J. Robinson prayed, the Rev. James Stratten, of Paddington, delivered an excellent discourse from Hebrews xiii. 17, "Obey them that have the rule over you."

On Wednesday the 13th of January, the Rev. Robert Ferguson was publicly recognized as the pastor of Brickfield Chapel, Stratford, Essex. Appropriate portions of Holy Scriptures were read, and prayer offered up by the Rev. C. Hyatt, senior. The Rev. J. J. Freeman, of Walthamstow, delivered the introductory discourse. The Rev. J. Woodwark, of Tonbridge Chapel, stated the circumstances which had led to the solemn proceedings of the day, and offered the designation prayer. The Rev. Dr. Fletcher, of Stepney, then delivered an admirable address, founded on 2 Cor. vi. 1. "We then, as workers together, beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." It had direct reference to the duties both of the pastor and people, and the Rev. W. Temple, of Plaistow, concluded.

In the evening the Rev. Dr. Reed preached to the people from Hebrews, xiii. 17. "Obey them that have the rule over you." The discourse was marked by the greatest simplicity, fervour and fidelity. Notwithstanding the very unfavourable state of the weather, the attendance was excellent.

We are glad to learn that the labours of our friend and brother, during the few months he has been at Stratford, have been blessed to the revival of the interests of religion in the place, and that there is now opened before them the prospect of great and extensive usefulness. The friends of congregational principles should direct particular attention to this populous suburban village. A new chapel, in a more eligible situation, is immediately wanted, and we are glad to hear that some handsome offers have been made towards it.

RECENT DEATHS.

"At Kettering, on the 9th of February, aged 84, Mr. THOMAS DASH, late an eminent bookseller in that town. Integrity and uprightness of character, resulting from principles of piety to God and good-will to men, marked the whole course of a long and honourable life; and his acts of Christian benevolence to the poor, which were of the most unobtrusive nature, will be held in lasting remembrance by the numerous recipients of his bounty."

We copy this tribute of respect, to the memory of Mr. Dash, from the Northampton Mercury, because it is true, although not all the truth. He was a friend to more than the poor, and by other means than pecuniary bounty. His extensive knowledge of our old literature, and his enthusiastic love of Puritan theology, rendered him a valuable acquaintance to both the general student and the evangelical divine; neither of whom could take offence at his calm and intelligent nonconformity, even if they were high churchmen. All good men felt that he was a good man, and could not suspect him of waywardness nor weakness, when he differed from them in judgment. He, too, felt that, as the early friend of the Rylands, Toller, and Fuller, and the sharer of their spirit, he had no occasion to apologise for his nonconformity, or to blush for his communion. Better men he could not have met in any church, and wiser men nowhere. But whilst they were the living links which bound him to nonconformist fellowship, the mighty dead were the central magnet of his firm, yet calm attachment. Accordingly, he did more than read, mark, and inwardly digest our old divines. He searched out their works in all quarters, and rescued from dust and obscurity many a theological gem. With his own eyes he examined, and with his own hands repaired, thousands of mutilated pages, and gave battle to worms and mould. Mending and completing valuable old books, was to him a source of pleasure as well as of gain. He had gems in no small numbers, which money could not purchase; although friendship might be allowed to pore over them, and even to borrow a unique for a really theological or literary purpose. His portfolios also, if not the most select, were full of curiosities, mixed with not a few rare and splendid portraits, as well as ancient autographs. His collection of old paintings was not large, nor highly valuable; but here and there a fine nonconformist head, looked as if it was quite at home under the roof of Mr. Dash. Christopher Love seemed the very life of "the prophet's chamber," although a medallion of Cromwell was not far off.

He felt and took much interest in the village chapels which stud Northamptonshire, and especially on behalf of Weldon in the Woods,-his" Ephrath," where the late Rev. John Philip died so suddenly. To that chapel and the minister, he was emphatically a nursing father; and he found his reward in seeing his own principles sustained in his own spirit by his young and amiable friend. Neither Mr. Dash nor Mr. Philip was, indeed, up to that mark, as dissenters, which we think desirable, now that churchism is so much above the old mark; but temperament had much to do with their neutrality. Mr. Dash would have been a moderate churchman, had he been bred an episcopalian; and a candid methodist, had he been born a Wesleyan. He read too much, to be dogmatic; and prayed too much, to be captious; and thought too much, to be rash. In a word, he was a fine specimen of the old nonconformist school; intelligent and urbane, devotional and prudent, benevolent and unostentatious. All the weight of his character arose from its sterling worth.

We cannot conclude this hasty sketch without expressing both a wish and a hope, that when similar specimens of the old school are called to their rest, some of our correspondents would enable us to embalm their memory, that posterity may study their fathers; for there are certain features of the paternal image we should like to see prolonged by imitation.