that will create large demands upon the resources of the institution, until, by the Divine blessing, the churches they may be instrumental in forming shall become vigorous and self-sustained. If the home missionary operations of the Society are to become more extended and efficient, a greatly increased expenditure will become unavoidable. And at this moment, when every other denomination is girding itself for the conflict, and when the Hibernian Society has become entirely identified with the Established Church of this country, British Congregationalists will not be faithful to their principles, nor to their Redeemer's cause, if they do not bestir themselves, and show greater zeal and enterprise in seeking the evangelization of Ireland. Let schools be supported, let Christian pastors be sustained, and let a host of zealous itinerants be poured into that interesting land. Our principles are adapted to secure acceptance, as we are the avowed friends of universal liberty; and the movements of Divine Providence seem to indicate that now is the time for us to be up and doing. To their brethren, the assembled pastors and delegates of the Congregational Churches of England and Wales, the Committee affectionately commend their cause, entreating that this portion of the great field of “British Missions" may enjoy an increasing share in their sympathy, their liberality, and their prayers.

The Rev. Dr. CAMPBELL, of the Tabernacle, then moved the following resolution :"That this assembly is painfully impressed with the religious state of Ireland, and cannot contemplate but with deep concern the continued prevalence, not to say triumph of popery in that country. The assembly therefore considers that this state of things demands the serious thought of all engaged in conducting Protestant efforts for the advancement of the light and power of the Gospel in Ireland, to discover the causes which have hitherto operated to limit their success, and to devise. more efficient plans for future labours. The assembly has learned with much pleasure, from the brief statement now read, that the labours of the Society's agents in Ireland during the past year have been favoured with tokens of the Divine blessing; and would give its decided sanction to the Committees of this Union, and of the Irish Evangelical Society, in their efforts to attain plans by which their labours, and those of the Congregational Union of Ireland, may be conducted with harmony and cooperation."

The Rev. Doctor said, that in this resolution there was reference made to the discovery of causes. There was certainly implied a conviction, that there was some lurking power, some latent cause, if it could be discovered, which had hitherto opposed their progress. He had that week obtained a little light, which strongly confirmed the statements made upon the platform of the Irish Evangelical Society meeting, as to the general disposition in Ireland to identify Protestantism with persecution, and to consider Churchmen, Independents, Baptists and Methodists, as alike imbued with ill-feeling towards the Catholics. He had attended a meeting of the Catholic Institute, at which were present many of the Catholic aristocracy of England, and of the Catholic clergy of Ireland. The burden of their song was, "We are persecuted, all England is in arms against us." They had found that in Ireland persecution had been to them creative power, and they were anxious to derive from it in England the same advantage which had resulted to their course in Ireland. (The Rev. Doctor then read an extract from a report of the Catholic Institute, complaining of the persecution, to which as a body they are subjected in this country.) This sense of persecution had the effect of binding them together, it made them as plastic as wax in the hands of their clergy. One word with respect to Ireland. He had rejoiced when this society became connected with the Union. Previously, it was a hand stretched out of a cloud, and dropping its blessings over the country; but whence the hand proceeded no one knew. At present it represented a people, a class of principles, an order of polity, and these principles and that polity were identified with the Congregational body.

It was of the utmost importance, that this should always be borne in mind; that the agents of the Society might be sustained in the work in which they were engaged. Did time permit, he would also congratulate the meeting on its connexion with the Colonial Missionary Society. He rejoiced in both these Unions. The battle which they were then fighting would have to be fought in every part of the world. Episcopacy was going every where, popery was following, if not preceding it. They would have to meet them in both hemispheres, and in every island, and upon every continent would they have to fight the battle of their principles.

The Rev. J. C. GALLOWAY, M.A. of West Bromwich, briefly seconded the resolu tion; which was carried unanimously. A conversation took place in reference to the advisors who are to be appointed to seek the adjustment of differences between the Congregational Union of England and Wales and the Congregational Union of Ireland, and satisfactory explanations were given.

The Rev. E. JONES, of Oxford, proposed, and the Rev. D. GRIFfiths, of Long Buckby, seconded the following resolution:

"That this Assembly cordially sanctions the proposals of the Committee for obtaining funds in aid of the British Missions, viz. simultaneous collections on the last Lord'sday in October, the 31st day of that month; appropriate organization in every church for procuring weekly, monthly, or annual subscriptions; and special appeals to churches and church members on behalf of British Missions. And this Assembly declares its conviction, that this great work has never yet been duly regarded and sustained by the churches; as also, that at this juncture, and in the present state of the times, its claims are paramount, and most pressing.”

Agreed to.

The Bible Monopoly.

The Rev. J. KELLY, of Liverpool, briefly moved, and the Rev. T. W. JENKYN, of Coward College, seconded the following resolution :

"That the brethren present in this assembly have cordially sympathised in the struggle against the Bible monopoly, and most sincerely rejoiced in the success of those noble efforts; and consider it as one of the most auspicious circumstances in relation to the further spread of Divine truth, as well as to the preservation of its purity, that now the greatly reduced cost of Bibles and Testaments will so happily facilitate their wide circulation at home and abroad. Nor can the brethren present omit to record their high sense of the distinguished services rendered by the Rev. A. THOMSON, D.D., and the Rev. J. CAMPBELL, D.D., as well as by other brethren, whose vigorous, able, enlightened appeals to the public have so essentially contributed to this most important result."

The resolution was carried by acclamation.

The Rev. Dr. CAMPBELL said, he felt exceedingly honoured at this expression of feeling, and in the name of all who had aided in the work, he begged to express sincere thanks for this acknowledgment of their imperfect but well-meant services.

Autumnal Meeting.

The Rev. W. CAMPBELL, M.A., of Newcastle, moved the following resolution:"That this Assembly at the close of its present meetings, do stand adjourned for an Autumnal meeting to be held on the 5th, 6th, and 7th days of October next, at Nottingham; circumstances having arisen to render it inconvenient that the meeting should this year be held at Liverpool, as proposed in the Report of the Committee, subject to the consent and approval of the Nottinghamshire brethren for this altered arrangement, which the Committee are instructed to request forthwith in the name of this Assembly."

Might he be allowed to say, that as the assembly made periodical visits to some of the great provincial towns, he trusted that at no very distant period he should have the pleasure of seeing them in the great and flourishing town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Congregational dissent was there only beginning to lift up its head. It had at one time been at a very low ebb indeed; but the last meeting of the association was the most numerous and encouraging which had ever been held. The churches, too, presented a more commanding and cheering aspect than they had ever done before. He hoped, therefore, that at no distant period, they would receive a visit from the Union.

The Rev. G. TAYLOR, of Wellingborough, seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

The Rev. H. J. BEVIS, of Ramsgate, moved―

"That the Treasurer and Secretaries of the Union be requested to retain their offices, and that the brethren to be named do act as a committee for the ensuing year."

The Rev. G. THORN, of Winchester, seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. It being eleven o'clock, the Chairman announced that the remainder of the business would stand over until after dinner.

The Rev. T. P. BULL, of Newport Pagnell, then engaged in prayer, and the meeting adjourned, to attend the annual meeting of the Colonial Missionary Society.

DINNER.

At half-past two o'clock the brethren sat down to dinner in the Library, Rev. R. ELLIOTT in the chair. The health of the Queen having been drunk-the remaining business was proceeded with.

The admission of Rev. Martyn Smith, of Fordham, Cambridgeshire, was proposed by the Rev. T. MAYS, of Wigston Magna, and seconded by the Rev. W. A. S. Palmer, and agreed to.

Moved by the Rev. RICHARD FLETCHER, Manchester, and seconded by the Rev. P. THOMSON, M.A. Chatham.

"That the next annual letter to the churches be on the state of their fellowship in respect to additions to their numbers, and to the very numerous cases in which there is reason to believe that pious worshippers in our congregations remain unconnected with the churches; with hints on the wisest methods, ministerial, pastoral or fraternal, for drawing such persons into church communion. And this Assembly respectfully requests the brethren named to prepare the draft of such letter for presentation at the next annual assembly."

The Rev. W. GARTHWAITE, Wattisfield, Suffolk, moved, and JOHN BROWN, Esq. of Wareham, seconded

"That the best thanks of the Assembly be given to the Committee of management of this Library, for the use of the building, so kindly granted for all its meetings and proceedings."

The Rev. J. KELLY, of Liverpool, moved, and the Rev. R. FLETCHER, of Manchester, seconded and sustained the Rev. Dr. HALLEY, of Manchester

"That the best thanks of this meeting be given to Benjamin Hanbury, Esq., the Treasurer, and to the Rev. Messrs. J. Blackburn, A. Wells, W. S. Palmer, and Joseph Wontner, Esq., the Secretaries, for the valuable services they have rendered to this Union; and this meeting takes this opportunity of offering its warm sympathy with them in the difficulties with which they have had to contend in the formation and strengthening of this Union, and its increasing confidence in their counsels and measures."

The Rev. ALGERNON WELLS moved, and the Rev. J. BLACKBURN seconded— "That with sentiments of affection and respect, this Assembly gratefully acknowledge the valuable services of the chairman, the Rev. RICHARD ELLIOTT, who has so ably presided over all its proceedings."

MEETINGS OF COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS.

EAST BERKS ASSOCIATION.-The first anniversary of this association was held at High Wycombe, Bucks, on Tuesday, April 6th, 1841. The services of the day commenced with a meeting in the morning of ministers, superintendents, and Sabbathschool teachers, when the important question, "How may the parents of the children in our Sabbath-schools be induced to co-operate with the teachers in promoting their spiritual instruction?" was discussed; and many judicious plans were suggested to the teachers and members of churches present.

In the afternoon a public meeting was held at Ebenezer Chapel, when, among other resolutions, it was proposed and unanimously adopted, that a home missionary station, in union with the association, and under its auspices, be immediately entered upon, and that every church make an annual collection for the benefit of the association.

In the evening the ordinance of the Lord's supper was administered in Crenoonstreet Chapel, to the members of the different churches present.

Throughout the day, one desire and determination pervaded the ministers and members of churches, not to relax in effort, until every village and hamlet within the bounds of the association, enjoy the blessing of hearing the "Gospel of the blessed God" faithfully proclaimed.

The CORNWALL INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION held their annual meeting at Palmouth, on Tuesday, April 13th. In the morning the Rev. W. Moore, the Secretary, preached from Luke xxiv. 47, 48, establishing the beginning at Jerusalem as a divine precedent for home operations. The members were hospitably entertained at the Sailor's Room, by the Rev. J. Wildhore. After dinner the business of the association was attended to. In the evening an address to the churches was read by the Rev. J. Hart, of Tregony, and afterwards the Rev. J. Foxell, of Penzance, preached an expository sermon from Rev. i. 9, to the end.

The MONMOUTHSHIRE ASSOCIATION of English Independent ministers and churches held its half yearly meeting in Monmouth, April 21st, 1841. Preachers— Mr. Gillman, of Newport; the evening previous, Mr. Pinn, of Whitchurch, addressed the Sunday-school teachers at seven o'clock in the morning; Mr. C. N. Davies, of Brecon, took the given subject, "The excellency and obligation of a public spirit in ministers and private Christians;" at three o'clock a public meeting was held to promote attention to Home, Irish, Colonial, and Foreign Missions; and in the evening Mr. Bunn, of Abergavenny, preached at seven o'clock. Messrs. Thomas, of Llanvacas, White, of Cardiff, W. Unwin, of Merthyr Tydvil, &c. &c. engaged in the devotional services.

Members of the Congregational churches from other towns increased the interest of the meeting, and much harmony, zeal, and devotional feeling, pervaded the assemblies.

NORFOLK ASSOCIATION FOR THE SPREAD of the GOSPEL IN THE COUNTY.This association held its annual meeting at Fakenham, on Thursday, April 22nd. There were present the greater part of the county ministers, and delegates from several of the congregations. On Tuesday, after dining with the Rev. Mr. Legge, and the young men who are residing under his roof, to prepare for the ministry, a very simple, appropriate, and paternal address was delivered to the students, by the Rev. A. Creak, of Yarmouth. In the evening the annual sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Hamilton, of Lynn. Under the influence of its evangelical and stirring appeals, the ministers met next morning to confer on some fresh plans to promote their great object, after which the business meeting was held in Mr. Legge's vestry, and the funds of the association collected and voted to various objects. The annual income of the society is about £100. The rest of the day was spent in interesting conference, and

in the evening three addresses were delivered to a crowded congregation; " to the Young," by the Rev. A. Reed, jun. of Norwich; " to Parents," by the Rev. S. Martin, of Wells; and “to the Unconverted," by the Rev. A. Creak.

This meeting was very effective. The spirit of prayer was vouchsafed; the address of Mr. Martin to parents excited peculiar interest, and all retired, anticipating much fruit hereafter. On the next morning, after a solemn prayer-meeting, the association broke up, having agreed on another meeting at Norwich in the autumn. The chief results of this convocation were the incurring a responsibility of £175 for a chapel in the village of Shipsham, and of a salary of £30 (over the present income of the association) for a suitable minister for the place. A resolution to make every effort to double, if possible, the annual subscriptions to this cause; also to put our village agents more on the level of Home Missionaries, than of settled pastors, and to require a journal from each one, (like those kept by the City Missionaries,) of his daily efforts in this work.

A sub-committee was appointed to apply to the county ministers for their agreement, to go out two by two for a week each, at least, in the summer, to itinerate and preach in the open-air through the county; the committee to arrange their districts and respective routes. All present seemed increasingly sensible of the destitution of the county, and desirous speedily to raise new interests in several uncultivated spots. The absence of the secretary, the Rev. J. Alexander, on account of ill health, was the only damp upon the pleasure of the occasion.

ANDREW REED, Joint Secretary.

OPENING OF NEW CHAPELS.

A NEW INDEPENDENT CONGREGATION AT PORTSMOUTH.-The Rev. G. D. MUDIe, late pastor of the church at Fareham, has devoted himself with great zeal and perseverance to the establishment of a Congregational church in the town of Portsmouth, which, though containing a large population, has remained till now without a respectable place of worship of that denomination. Mr. Mudie having preached in the assembly-room of the town, and collected a considerable congregation, and also a good Sunday-school, was encouraged by the liberality of some residents, and many friends at a distance, to erect a chapel; he has purchased a commodious and very elegible site of freehold ground in St. Mary-street, upon which an elegant chapel is in the course of erection.

On Tuesday, June 8th, the foundation-stone was laid, by William Jones, Esq., mayor of Portsmouth, and one of the deacons of the church at Portsea, with an appropriate address. The Rev. T. S. Guyer, of Ryde, offered prayer; the Rev. Thos. Adkins, of Southampton, delivered an eloquent and spirit-stirring address, which was followed by prayer presented by the Rev. C. Room, pastor of the Baptist church, Portsea.

We are happy to add, that the Home Missionary Society is assisting to sustain Mr. Mudie in his public spirited effort to remove what has long been a reproach to our denomination in Hampshire. We cordially recommend this undertaking to the liberal aid of our readers.

OPENING OF THE New Chapel, TOTNES, DEVON.-On Thursday, May 20th, the new and enlarged Independent chapel, recently erected in this town by the church and congregation, under the pastoral care of the Rev. William Tarbotton, was opened for the worship of God. In the morning, the Rev. Dr. A. Reed preached from Matthew vi. first clause of the 10th verse; in the evening, the Rev. Dr. Harris, author of "Mammon," preached from Isaiah Ixvi. 1, 2. The devotional exercises of the day were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Stenner, of Dartmouth; Hine, of Plymouth; Pyer, of Devonport; Dobbin, classical tutor of the Western Academy;