Though the day was very unfavourable, the congregations were numerous and respectable; and the collections after the services amounted to £56. 88. The chapel is erected at the entrance of Ingatestone, near the site of the old meeting, on ground given by the venerable Benjamin Hogg, and is a very neat substantial gothic structure, forty-five feet by thirty-three, with a vestry twenty-two feet long by ten, and will accommodate four hundred persons. The cost of the building, pewing, &c. &c. (exclusive of the materials of the old chapel,) is about £600. Mr. Fenton, of Chelmsford, the architect, has given to his friends and the public an additional proof of his good taste, and strict regard to economy in this erection.

OPENING OF NEWLAND CHAPEL, LINCOLN.-The above place of worship, erected by the congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. S. Bergue, was opened for divine service on Thursday the 26th of November. The chapel formerly occupied by Mr. Bergue being ineligibly situated, and having been twice enlarged within a few years, and still proving inadequate to the wants of an increasing congregation, it was deemed expedient to erect a more spacious edifice in a central part of the town. A site having been obtained, the friends of the cause entered into a liberal subscription, which justified the immediate commencement of the undertaking. It was likewise resolved to erect a spacious school-room, for the accommodation of four hundred children, who, in addition to Sabbath tuition, should have the advantage of daily instruction on the British and Foreign system. The whole of the plans were prepared by Mr. Fenton of Chelmsford, and the buildings are handsome, gothic structures, forming an ornament to the vicinity in which they are erected. The opening services were highly interesting. Dr. A. Reed, of London, preached in the morning; Rev. J. Sibree, of Coventry, in the afternoon; and in the evening, Dr. Raffles addressed a crowded congregation. On the following Sabbath, the services were resumed, and impressive discourses delivered by Dr. Vaughan and Rev. E. Prast, of Northampton. The collections, including the proceeds of a sale of fancy articles, amounted to £250. Added to the sums previously contributed, the total subscriptions will realise the handsome sum of £2500. The entire outlay will be nearly £4000. The chapel measures seventy-two feet by forty-elght, and will accommodate upwards of a thousand people. It is gratifying to know that the chapel formerly occupied by Mr. Bergue's congregation is not to be relinquished: an agent from the Home Missionary Society has been appointed, and will commence his labours on the first Sabbath in January.

NEW INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, WITHAM, ESSEX.-The Congregational church in this important town has existed for more than a century, and its ancient meetinghouse, though respectable in its locality and associations, had happily become too small for the numbers who were anxious to attend on public worship there. They accordingly resolved to take down the old place of worship, and to erect a more spacious chapel on the same site. This has been happily effected at the cost of nearly £2000, besides the old materials. This sum was completely raised before the chapel was opened, so that, greatly to the credit of the voluntary principle, there was no collection on the day of opening, the new building not being in debt.

The service took place on Thursday, December the 10th. The Rev. Robert Busby, of Maldon, commenced the service by prayer, Rev. J. Carter, of Braintree, read the Scriptures, and prayed. The Rev. Dr. Harris, of Cheshunt College, preached a powerful and excellent sermon, and the Rev. J. Raven, of Hadleigh, concluded the morning service. In the evening, the Rev. D. Smith, of Brentwood, read the Scriptures, and prayed, and the Rev. John Clayton, M.A., of London, preached an appropriate and useful sermon, and the Rev. J. Whitby, of Ipswich, concluded the services of the day by thanksgivings and prayer.

Their esteemed pastor, the Rev. R. Robinson, entered upon his present charge, sixteen years ago, upon the death of the venerable Samuel Newton, whose praise for N. S. VOL. V.

L

learning, and vigorous eloquence is in all the eastern counties. Mr. R.'s position was one of difficulty, but we sincerely rejoice that the faithful preaching of the Gospel has been honoured with such success, and cordially congratulate our brother that he now occupies a chapel that will accommodate 1000 persons, an audience such as the classic strains of his predecessor never gathered.

NEW INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, WYMONDHAM, LEICESTERSHIRE.-On Wednesday, the 25th ult., a new Independent chapel was opened at Wymondham, Leicestershire. The origin and progress of the congregation, for whose use the above chapel has been erected, are deeply interesting. The building of the chapel, and the whole of the arrangements connected with it, have devolved on the Rev. James Roberts, of Melton Mowbray, by whose zealous exertions the interest itself was first raised. Mr. Roberts commenced preaching at Wymondham, in February, 1839, in a house hired for the purpose, in which service was conducted for a few weeks, until the number of hearers having increased, a commodious barn was obtained, where worship was regularly performed up to August last, when the congregation adjourned to a schoolroom, which had been built, and is now connected with the chapel. During this time, the pulpit was supplied by several students from Coward and Highbury Colleges, and other ministers from the surrounding counties, under whose preaching the congregation has rapidly augmented. On the 21st of May, 1840, the foundationstone of a new chapel (which was absolutely necessary to accommodate the people) was laid by the Rev. James Roberts, who delivered an appropriate address to a numerous audience, illustrative of the principles, objects, and desires, of the Congregational body of Dissenters. The edifice, which is now completed, is very elegant and commodious, being forty feet by thirty-six, with a school-room adjoining, of thirty-nine feet by ten: it is situated on elevated ground, near the centre of Wymondham, and is quite an ornament to that respectable village. At the opening, which took place on the 25th ult., two excellent sermons were delivered; in the morning, by the Rev. Dr. Reed, of London, and in the afternoon, by the Rev. H. L. Adams, of Newark the devotional services were conducted by several ministers from the neighbourhood. The services were of a most interesting kind, particularly the sermon of Dr. Reed, which was suited to his high reputation, and characterized by depth of thought, and a chaste and impressive style. The congregations, consisting of persons from Melton, Leicester, Oakam, Loughborough, and neighbouring villages, were respectable, numerous, and attentive, and the collections highly liberal. Between the two services, a party of fifty-seven ladies and gentlemen sat down to an excellent and well-served dinner, provided by Mr. Birtchinwell, of the Angel Inn. After dinner, Mr. Roberts gave the history of the cause established at Wymondham, and then presented a very valuable Bible to the son of Mr. Tims, (that being the only acknowledgment he would receive for the use of his barn) accompanied with some touching remarks to father and son. The scene was very affecting, and was followed by a beautiful and useful speech from Dr. Reed. On the following Sabbath, the pulpit was again occupied, in the morning, by the Rev. Mr. Berry, from Lancashire, (who is now preaching at Wymondham, with a view of settling,) and in the evening, by Mr. Roberts. The congregations were extremely good, especially in the evening, when the chapel was crowded; and the proceeds of the collections of Wednesday and Sunday amount to the very liberal sum of forty-seven pounds. The cause which has thus been established, has every encouraging prospect. Already good has been done, and much greater is anticipated. The respectability and number of the inhabitants of Wymondham, and its position in the midst of many populous villages, render it an important sphere of labour, while the increasing congregations, and the interest they manifest in the new cause, afford every reason to expect that it will flourish.

BRIEF NOTES ON PASSING EVENTS.

In entering upon this new department of our labours, we do not undertake a summary of the political events of each successive month, but only propose to glance at those national affairs which bear upon the interests of our common Christianity, or which affect the principles, proceedings, or position of the Nonconforming churches of the empire.

The inhabitants of CHINA have now upon their shores a formidable British armament, that probably, before this, has confounded their self-complacent arrogance, and convinced their venal mandarins that a humane and righteous policy is indispensable to their future security. We rejoice to observe that the missionary Gutzlaff is acting as interpreter to our commanders, who have taken possession of the Island of Chusan, as we anticipate that he will possess an influence favourable to the common interests of humanity and the kingdom of Christ.

The fate of EGYPT affords a striking illustration of the prophecy of Ezek. xxix. 15, "that it shall be the basest of the kingdoms: neither shall it exalt itself any more amongst the nations;" while the awful sacrifice of life at the bombardment of St. Jean d'Acre shows what fearful guilt those unprincipled statesmen have incurred, who, by their diplomatic trickery, drove the allies to this sad appeal to arms.

FRANCE has been occupied with the funeral honours of her grand Emperor; but it has been well observed, that this pageant came too late for a funeral, and too soon for a commemoration. Happy will it be if Lord Palmerston's philanthropic wish should be realised, and the old animosities between England and France be buried in the tomb of Napoleon.

At HOME the public mind has been occupied with the happy birth of a Princess Royal, and a spirit of loyal thanksgiving has been witnessed in all parts of the Empire. The privileges of free 'prayer enabled the Nonconformist churches to give expression to their lively gratitude in public thanksgiving to God, while the National Church was waiting for the result of the joint labours of the Primate and Queen's Printer.

By the way, the Court Circular announced that " On Thursday, December 15th, at three o'clock, the ceremony of churching the Queen was performed in her Majesty's private apartments in Buckingham Palace, by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. There were present only his Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Duchess of Kent, the Lady in Waiting, and the Deputy Clerk of the Closet."

Now "churching" we always thought was returning thanks in the church after any signal deliverance. "The woman shall come into the church," says the Rubric, “and then shall kneel down in some convenient place, nigh unto the place where the table standeth, &c." As we believe that there may be a church in a house, we do not complain of her Majesty's convenience being consulted, but we happen to know that fourteen clergymen have complained to the Poor Law Commissioners of the great hardship to which many poor members of the Church of England, resident in union poor houses are exposed. And the first is, when a woman is recovered from child-birth she cannot return thanks to Almighty God, "As the service prescribed by the Rubric cannot be performed except in a church, to which she is not allowed to repair, and is thus deprived of the means of fulfilling a very essential duty." Surely the dispensing power exercised on behalf of the Sovereign might also be extended to her poor subjects, and as a union poor house is held to be sacred enough for a clerical chaplain to minister in, so before the congregation here assembled this service might be performed.

His Royal Highness Prince Albert has, much to his honour, obeyed the laws and registered the birth of his royal daughter like a good subject; we suppose we shall

not again see upon church doors the printed assurance of the clergy that this duty is not necessary to those who baptize their children at church.

On the day that Mr. John Thorogood was liberated from Chelmsford gaol, Mr. Baines, a respectable townsman of Leicester, was on a similar process for church rate, taken to prison. His case has been argued, upon merely technical grounds, before the Court of Queen's Bench, and then before the Lord Chancellor, but without success ; and that gentleman must now remain incarcerated till he is forced by suffering to do what in his judgment and conscience he believes he ought not to do, or until tardy legislature shall confirm the resolution of the House of Commons and abolish church r tes.

Little cause have the church ascendancy party to rejoice at successes like these; they will only provoke a more determined spirit of resistance, and cause reprisals to be made in many a parish where church rates have hitherto been unresisted.

The spirit of domination, as inseparable from church establishments, has manifested itself in the town council of EDINBURGH, in their refusal to elect to the office of Lord Provost, Mr. Adam Black, an able and much respected gentleman, for many years treasurer to the city, and acknowledged by all parties to be eminently qualified for the civic chair, because forsooth he is a Congregational Dissenter !

This practical repeal of the Test Act, and some similar proceedings in one of the wards of Glasgow, have caused a fire, that has long smouldered, feeding upon other acts of contempt and insult, to break forth into a flame, which will be seen and felt throughout all Scotland. Public dinners have been given in both cities to the Dissenting gentlemen who have been thus insulted, on which occasions the Rev. W. L. Alexander and the Rev. Mr. King delivered speeches, which, for talent, temper, and high Christian principles, were worthy of their characters.

The Central Board of Dissenters in Scotland have published a manly statement of their grievances, and of the course they intend to take. We have not time nor space to go into that question now, but we entreat our brethren to make the town-clerk of Ephesus their adviser, and “do nothing rashly." At the same time, the truth of a sentiment uttered by our Canadian brethren, becomes more obvious every day, that "there must be religious equality before there can be religious peace."

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have to acknowledge Communications from the Rev. Drs. Redford-ReedMatheson-Vaughan-Young-and Fletcher.

From the Rev. Messrs. D. E. Ford-J. Galloway-O. T. Dobbin-J. Roberts— J. K. Foster-J. Godwin-A. Wells-R. Ashton-T. W. Jenkyn-C. N. DaviesJ. Gregory J. Richards-Thos. Coleman-B. Hayter-J. A. Cooper-J. BulmerJ. J. Freeman—R. Robinson-J. B. Bergue-George Taylor-J. C. Brown—R. H. Shepherd.

And also of Messrs. George Bennet-John Thorogood—J. E. Ryland—W. II. Dyer. A. C. T.

We regret to postpone several articles of intelligence until our next.

THE

CONGREGATIONAL MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1841.

THE ANGLICANS IN IRELAND.

AN influential clergyman stated, some years ago, in the Dublin Christian Examiner, that when he was a young man, he was riding out one day with the bishop, and happening to meet a number of his clergy equipped and mounted for the chase, the only remark made by the venerable successor of the apostles was, that if they wore hats instead of caps, it would be more becoming their sacred profession. Such were the notions of clerical propriety then prevalent in Ireland! A shooting, hunting, gambling, swearing, Sabbath-breaking, profligate clergy, wasted, in luxury and dissipation, the tithes wrung by their proctors and bailiffs from an impoverished peasantry, who devoutly regarded them as the most pestilent of heretics.

In spite, however, of the oppressions and the example of such a clergy, and all the malign influences that depressed the Irish people, they gradually emerged from ignorance and poverty; and guided, at length, by a leader, whose prudence and perseverance were equal to his intensely Irish eloquence and ardour, they began to put forth a moral power in their own defence, to which the Protestant Establishment had been hitherto a stranger. They read the papers, pondered statistics, attended public meetings, passed resolutions, and felt the new-born power of freedom and knowledge stirring in their hearts. The brand of slavery gradually wore out of their brow. They no longer crouched and trembled in the presence of their masters, as they had been wont; nor did they nearly so often run into seditious conspiracies, and perpetrate those deeds of atrocity and treachery, into which a high-minded, uneducated, and hopeless people have been driven by the short-sighted policy of partial and tyrannical rulers. The gentry, as well as the clergy, were roused and alarmed by this change in the spirit and demeanour of the peasantry, which they justly ascribed to the influence of Mr. O'Connell and the Catholic Association. The national mind,