be liable, it shall then be competent to the Society to determine whether the furplus fund, fhall be applied to increase the allowance to Widows and Children, or to diminish the fubfcription of the members.

7. That the widow of any minifter marrying again, fhall lofe her annuity from the Society; and whilft the continues a widow, fhall at all times make known her place of abode to the Society, and every widow fhall previous to the receiving of her annuity, produce to the Trustees a certificate under the hands of the Minifter and Churchwardens, where the may refide or elders, or deacons of the church or congregation, to which the belongs, that she ftill remains the widow of the deceafed member.

8. That no widow who fhall be entitled to any benefit from this Society, fhall at any time or times, fell or otherwife difpofe of her annuity or any part thereof; that no fum or fums of money, thall or will be paid by this Society, but to fuch widow only whofe receipt alone fhall be accepted by the Truftses for the payment thereof; and in cafe it fhall be difcovered that any widow has, directly or indirectly, fold or parted with her intereft as aforelaid, then, upon fatisfactory proof thereof, fuch annuity fhall immediately ceafe, and neither fuch widow, nor any perfon for or on her account, fhall have any further claim or demand on this Society.

V. The method of managing the affairs of the Society.

1. That this Society be under the direction of twenty-five Truftees in London, together with a Treafurer and Secretary, and of twenty-five Trustees for the country.

That the Trustees ir. London, confift of the following twelve Minifters and thirteen Laymen:

The Rev. J. Brocksbank; J. Hamilton, M. D.; Thomas Hawies, M. D.; R. Hill; H. Hunter, D. D.; A. Mather; J. Rippon, D. D. ; J. Towers; J. Townsend; A. Waugh; M. Wilks; W. Winkworth.

Lay Trustees, Mr. J. R. Burchett; R. Cowie; G. Durant; J. Fenn ; S. Foyfter; J. Hardcaffle, J. Neale; J. Reyner; W. Sims; C. Sundius; G. Theakston; J. Wilfon, and G. Wolffe:-in which proportion, the London Trustees fhall always be chofen at all the future elections.

And that the Trustees for the country, fhall be the following:

The Rev. J. Brewer, Birmingham; J. Charles, Bala; S. Greatheed, Newport Pagnel; T. Gritten, Kendal; P. Oliver, Chefter. Mr. J. Barnes, Liverpool; D. Charles, Carmarthen; W. Cruden, Aberdeen; D. Dale, Glafgow; W. Gillefpy, Glasgow; J. Gewger, Ramigate; J. Gwinnap, Falmouth; R. Haldane, Stirling; J. A. Minchin, Golport; J. Parkinfon, Norwich; A. Pitcairn, Edinburgh; A. Pope, Bristol; J. Sanders, Plymouth; R. Sheriff, Leith; W. Smith, Newcastle upon Tyne; R. Spear, Manchetter; T. Thompfon, Hull; J. Walker, Rotherham; W. Whitteridge, Far End, near Bootle; and W. Wigney, Brighton.

2. A General Annual Meeting of the Society shall be held in London, on the Monday after the fecond Wedneiday in May, at the Scots Church, London Wall, for the purpose of chooling Truites and other officers, which fhall be done by ballot.

3. That four of the London Trustees, viz. two Minifters and two Laymen fhall go out annually by lot, but shall be eligible for re-election the following year.

4. That there fhall be alfo three General Meetings of the Society, to be held on the first day after Midlummer, Michaelmas and Chritmas, Sundays excepted, for the admitting members and traníacting other neceffar y bulinets.

VI. Regu

VI. Regulations for the Trustees.

1. The Trustees fhall have the power to receive Subfcriptions, Donations, Bequests, and all monies payable to this Fund, and to place out upon Government, or other good and fufficient iecurities, the Stock and Capital of this Society, in the name of the Treaturer and three of their number, who fhall be appointed at their firit fitting atter each Annual Meeting, and who fhall be at liberty to fell and difpote of fuch part of the faid Stock, as may be neceffary to pay the Annuitants, and to alter and exchange the Funds, provided it be done with the concurrence and approbation of the Trustees in London; and provided always that no part of the Society's fund fhail be lent upon houfes, buildings, or any perfonal fecurity whatsoever.

2. That the Treafurer and Trustees, fhall ferve without fee, perquifite, or reward, excepting their neceflary expences incurred in doing the bufinefs of this Society, which fhall be paid out of the Funds of the Society.

3. That the Treasurer and Trustees, fhall iay before the Society at its General Meetings, their Books, Accounts, Vouchers, and other Papers, and fubmit them to examination.

4. That they fhall make out annually a fair statement of the Fund, with its Receipts and Difburfements to be laid before the Annual Meeting, to be examined and figned by the Chairman of the faid Annual Meeting, to be printed and prefented to every member of this Society, and to all fuch perions as may be contributors to the benefit thereof.

5. That the Trustees fhall have a power to choose their own Chairman, and to appoint the times and places of their meeting.

6. That a number not less than feven of the Trustees, fhall be fufficient to do the bufinefs of this Society.

7. That the books of the Trustees, fhall be open at convenient times, for the inspection of all the members of this Society. Holywell Mount.

W. F. PLATT, Secretary.

OPENING OF CHAPELS.

NEW MEETING, OXFORD.

ON Thursday, Aug. 16, 1798, the congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Hinton, at Oxford, affembled in their new meeting-house; when three difcourfes were delivered, in the following order: That in the morning by the Rev. Mr. Hughes of Batterfea, from 1 Kings, viii. 27.The fecond by Dr. Ryland, of Briftol, from Ifaiah Ix. 7.-The evening difcourfe by the Rev. Mr. Cook of Maidenhead, from Ifaiah xlv. 19.— Several minifters engaged in prayer; and we understand, the numerous auditory esteemed it a day not to be forgotten.

PLYMOUTH.

THE Rev. Charles Sloper is removed from Wells, Somerset, having received a call from the Church, at the new Tabernacle, Plymouth.

ROWLAND'S CASTLE.

ON Tucfday, the 3d of September, a fmall Chapel was opened at Rowland's Cattle, a village furrounded by feveral others, in the Forest of Bear, about eleven miles from Portimouth; where the Gofpel has been lately introduced by fome members of Mr. Griffin's church, under the direction of a Committee appointed by the church, to propagate the Golpel in the

neighbouring villages, of which this is one, where from the encourage-* ment received, the people have been induced to build a fmall and neat chapel, which is to be fupplied by the fame perfons, who have been the means of collecting a congregation. Mr. Griffin, of Portfea, opened the fervice of the day by prayer, and a few remarks founded on Numb. xi. 29. "Would to God all the Lord's people were Prophets, and that he would "put his Spirit upon them." Mr. Cox, of Fareham, prayed; Mr. Kingf bury, of Southampton, preached from Pfalm lxxxvi. 10. "Thou, O God, "bait prepared of thy goodness for the poor ;" and Mr. Stone, of Portfea, concluded in prayer. In the afternoon, the Rev. Mr. Horfey, of Portfea, prayed, and Mr. Bogue, of Gofport, preached from Pfaim xlv. 3-5, and Mr. Dentham, of Petersfield, concluded in prayer.

LEWISHAM CHAPEL.

OCTOBER 1, was opened a small but neat Chapel, at Lewisham, in Kent, under the patronage of the London Itinerant Society; Mr. Moorhoufe, of Huddersfield, and Mr. Parfons, of Leeds, preached; Mr. J. W. Piercy, of Woolwich; Mr. Collifon, Mr. Durant, Mr. T. Williams, and Mr. Symplon, of London, engaged in prayer. About 631. was collected on this occalion, towards the expence of erecting the chapel. In this place, about 100 children of both fexes are every Sunday taught to read the Scriptures.

ORDINATIONS.

REV. JAMES PRESLAND.

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 1798. The Rev. James Prefland was ordained to the paftoral office, over the particular baptift congregation of Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. Mr. Grono, independent minifter of Weeden, opened the fervice by prayer. Mr. Morrice, of Clipstone, read the fcriptures, afked the ufual questions, and received the confeflion of faith. Mr. Sutcliffe, of Olney, engaged in the ordination prayer, and delivered the charge from John iv. 38. Mr. Mofely, independent minif ter of the fame village, prayed. Mr. Fuller, of Kettering, preached from the Third Epiftle of John, fourth verfe. Mr. Denny, independent minifter of the fame village, prayed.

In the evening Mr. Grono preached, and Meffrs. Mabbot and Whitehead engaged in prayer, and concluded the pleasant and amicable fervices of the day.

REV. MR. DUNKERLEY.

ON Wednesday, August 15th, the Rev. Mr. Dunkerley was ordained over the Independent Church at Macclesfield, Chethire. Mr. Coles, of Green Acres, opened the fervices of the day with prayer, and reading fome fuitable portions of fcripture. Mr. Anglezark, of Stockport, gave a judicious defence of religious diffent; asked the ufual queftions; and offered up the ordination prayer: and the congregation were much affected with the narration Mr. D. gave of his convertion to God, and of the circumstances which led him to the miniftry. Mr. Blackburn, of Delph, gave the charge from Acts xx. 28. After which, Mr. Roby, of Manchefter, preached to the people from the former part of Phil. i. 27. Mr. Smith, of Manchester, concluded the fervice with prayer. Mr. Ely, of Bury, gave out the hymns, and preached in the evening to a numerous congregation. 3 U

VOL. VI.

REV.

478

REV. JOSEPH SMITH.

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 12, 1798, the Rev. Jofeph Smith, was ordain ed (by impofition of hands) to the paftoral charge of the Independent Church, Motley ftreet, Manchester; Mr. Sowden, of Sowerby, gave out the hymns; Mr. Roby, of Manchester, began with prayer and reading fuitable Scriptures; the Rev. Mr. Edwards, of Wem, explained the nature of a Gofpel church, and received the confeffion of Faith; Mr. Medley, of Liverpool, prayed the Ordination prayer ; Mr. Evans, of Coventry, gave the charge from 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2.; Mr. Burder, of Coventry, preached to the people from Eph. iii.21, and Mr. Anglezark, of Stockport, concluded with prayer.

REV. MR. RANCE.

ON Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1798, Mr. Rance was ordained paftor of a particular Baptist Church, lately collected in Shore-Place, Hackney. The Rev. Mr. Palmer, Independent Minifter, permitting the use of his meeting-houfe on the occation, the worthip was carried on there, before a very crowded congregation. Mr. Newman, of Stratford, opened the worfhip with prayer and reading; Dr. Jenkins afked the ufual queftions, received the confeffion of Faith, and spoke in vindication of the impofition of hands in ordination. Mr. Booth prayed, and feveral other minifters joined in laying on hands. Mr. Upton preached (including an addrefs to the pastor and people) from 1 Tim. iv. 16. « Take heed unto thyself, and "unto thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, thou shalt both "fave thyself, and them that hear thee." Prayer; Mr. Shenftone, gave out the hymns. Mr. Sowerby, concluded with

OBITUARY.

MR. BENJAMIN YOCKNEY, lived in the country, until he was about fixty years of age, and then at the particular request of his fon, he came to London, in whofe house he spent the greater part of the last nine years of his life; and it is remarkable, (we speak it to the glory of Divine Grace) that during the whole of that period he never was known to give to, or receive an angry or jarring word, from any one member of the family. He was principally employed in reading the Bible and Dr. Watts's Hymns, with which he was always much delighted. He was greatly attached to the old authors, whom he read early in life, and derived much inftruction from them, the benefit of which he enjoyed to his latest moments..

He heard the gofpel in general at the Adelphi Chapel, five times a week; and feldom miffed, and twice a week liewhere; a proof of his love to the gospel, and to the counts of the Lord's house.

His confinement lasted eighteen weeks, with a degree of pain and fuffering, feldom equalled; all which he bore with a great degree of fortitude and chriftian patience; and was not known during the whole, to utter a murmuring word, or even, to fay it was hard. When it was mentioned to him, by foine of his friends, that his fufferings were very great, he always chearfully answered, "not half fo great as my fins have deserved;" and improved the fubje&t by faying, "Sin is the caufe of all fuffering; but, blef fed be the Lord, he gives me grace and strength to bear up under it chearfully."

He was conftitutionally a fhy man, and even to his friends he was feldom talkative; but when he did enter into conversation upon divine things, he evidenced a fuperior depth of knowledge in them,-About three months before he died, when the fever was fo strong upon him, as to leave no hopes

of

of his life, and his diffolution immediately expected, he was afked what his views of death were; he bleffed the Lord, and faid, it was nothing to him, for Chrift had died for him, and taken away the fting of death; and for him to die was to be everlastingly happy. Much pleafing and profitable converfation followed upon the love of Chrift, from all eternity, connected with the bleffings and privileges of the goipel; here he manifefted not only a knowledge of thefe precious things; but a well grounded, and deep rooted faith, in them, which afforded much pleafure to thofe who converfed with him. It was the will of God to rebuke the fever, but a debility of conftitution followed, which terminated in death.

During his illnets, he was frequently asked, how it was with his mind, and if Chrift was precious to his foul. The answer invariably was, " Bleffed be his name for his love and grace, comfortable;" and whenever the name of Chrift was mentioned, however weak, his eyes fparkled and his countenance brightened, and he feemed all alive for Chrift,

About a week before he died, he was taken with a cold fivering fit; which appeared likely to carry him off; but he revived. The next day, when his faculties were perfectly rellored, he was told that every poffible means had been used for his recovery, but in vain; and notwithstanding all was right with his foul, it was neceffary to inform him that his diffolution was very near. He now manifested, the fame temper of mind and difpofition of foul, as before, and faid he was in the Lord's hands, and refigned to his divine will. The next day he renewed the fame fubject again, with equal compofure of mind, bleffing God for his goodnets and mercy. The night before his departure, the writer had a long, iweet and profitable converfation with him, while death appeared to be on him, he expreffed fuch a degree of fprightliness and lively imagination, with a memory of divine things, as would have done credit to youthful vigour; and when many paffages of fcripture were quoted, which appeared calculated to fupport his mind in paffing through the valley, with fome lines out of his favorite Watts, his memory frequently exceeded, and afkited his monitor, and he exclaimed, "Chrift is faithful, he is precious indeed, and worthy to be trufted." He then wished this perfon to go to prayer with him, which lie did, for the last time, and found the Lord (as usual) prefent with them."

About eleven o'clock the next night, rather more than an hour before his foul took its flight into the mansions of eternal blifs, when death was heavy on him, and when with much difficulty and pain he drew his breath, he was again asked if Chrift was precious to him; "Oh, yes," replied he, with an uncommon exitacy, "bleffed be his love and grace; he is very precious to my foul indeed; he is faithful and worthy to be trufted;" he then looked up and faid, "I do trust him, and I hope you will go on to truft him." Some more comfortable converfation followed, till his breath feemed nearly gone, then his fon fhook his cold hand, and faid, "God be with you, and blefs and fupport you;" and he replied," the Lord blefs you and the family;" and never spoke after. Thus died a chriftian of no mean attainments, and of long experience, in the 69th year of his age, June the 228, 1798.

ROBERT COWARD.

JANUARY 5th, 1796, died Mr. Robert Coward, of Poole, Dorset'; aged 69 years. Few profeffors maintained to old age a more confiftent and diftinguished character. He appeared early in life, to be a partaker of the Grace of God. Like good Obadiah, he feared the Lord from his youth, and he feared him greatly. He was Deacon of the Church of Chrift, in Poole, now under the pastoral care of the Rev. E.Ashburner, 40 years: In this office he was eminently useful, and worthy of imitation: truly a Father in 3 Uz

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