from embarrassment, and be able by means of its annual income, which there is a fair prospect of increasing, to pursue its benevolent career in Ireland; while, in the absence of the help thus solicited, many of the agents now employed by the Society must at once be dismissed, and the promising fields of their labour be abandoned to the enemy.

The population of the sister isle, amounting to more than eight millions of people -the extensive domination of popery in that land—the increasing readiness of multitudes to receive evangelical instruction-the generous tokens of the Divine favour on the labours of many of our brethren-and the vast importance of the Congregational churches of this country bearing a steady testimony against the errors of Romanism in its high places-all furnish powerful considerations to induce a ready and munificent support to this Society. At a time, too, when the people have put from them the cup of intoxication, it devolves on all those who are concerned for the honour of Christ, and the redemption of immortal spirits, to present to them the cup of salvation, and to urge them to drink of the water of life freely. The future condition of our colonies, the evangelization of the nations, and the great struggle to which we are rapidly advancing in the contest between Protestant truth and Popish or semi-Popish error, will all be influenced greatly, as the cause of evangelical Christianity is advanced or retarded in Ireland. On these grounds the committee venture to ask their wealthier friends for large donations, and to entreat from those who are unable to offer largely, contributions proportioned to the ability with which God has blessed them. Stern necessity compels this application, and its result will determine the question whether this Society shall move onward with other institutions, or decrease in vigour till it be numbered with the things that were and are not. Our churches and friends have the power easily to avert such a catastrophe as that which would be involved in the overthrow of the institution; it is believed they will exercise that power, and this they are respectfully entreated to do without delay. Several liberal donations have already been received, and the committee trust that this example will be so generally followed by the friends of Protestant truth throughout the empire, that the existing difficulties of the Society will be speedily removed, and abundant thanksgivings be presented to Him to whom the gold and the silver belong.

Donations or subscriptions will be received by T. M. Coombs, Esq., the Treasurer, Ludgate Hill; or by the Rev. Thomas James and the Rev. George Smith, the Secretaries, 7, Blomfield Street, Finsbury.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

LETTER FROM THE DEACONS OF THE CHURCH AT SHEFFIELD, NEW BRUNSWICK, ADDRESSED TO THE REV. H. WILKES, OF Montreal.

SHEFFIELD is a flourishing town and settlement, situate about seventy miles up the river St. John, from the city of that name. Mr. Wilkes visited this interesting people in the course of his recent tour through the British North American colonies on the Atlantic. Unable, from circumstances, to make the stay among them he wished, Mr. Wilkes requested a written account of the church. The following letter was accordingly transmitted to Mr. Wilkes. It presents an instructive illustration of the state of Congregationalism in the older colonies, as well as a fine opening for enterprise and usefulness, to a vigorous, devoted minister. We shall proceed in our next number with extracts from Mr. Wilkes's reports of the city of St. John, and the colony of New Brunswick, of which it is the capital.

"Sheffield, 18th October, 1842. "REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,-We deeply regret the short stay you made among us on your tour through the provinces, as we were much pleased with the discourse you delivered among us, but an interview would have been very desirable. We should no doubt have given you a more satisfactory account of our little church, but as yon desired to have it sent to you, we shall endeavour to do it as briefly as possible. Our forefathers came from New England in the year 1764, and in 1768 a few pious Christians among them formed themselves into church order, agreeably to the Cambridge platform, and continued to assemble together on the Sabbath to worship God without any regular pastor, until about the year 1771, when the Rev. Seth Noble became their pastor, and continued to labour with them in word and doctrine for the term of six years, in which time the American war broke out, and the British government required the inhabitants of this province to take the oath of allegiance, which oath the said Seth Noble would not take, consequently he had to return to his native land, and left the church without any visible pastor. However, they continued the worship of God as before in singing, reading a sermon, and prayer; but in the year 1785, a Mr. Henry Allen, a minister of the Free-will Baptist Order, came into the place, and made a separation in the church, and drew much people after him. This left our church very small, and about one year after this, the Rev. Mr. James came and settled over them as a pastor. He continued about four years, in which time he changed from an Independent to an Episcopalian, and gave the lot of land which we had to help to support our minister into the hands of the churchwardens. It caused a lawsuit, and some of our members were cast into prison. However, they were shortly set at liberty, and we got possession of our land again, and affairs went on smoothly for a short time, but the clouds soon returned after the rain. About this time the place was visited by several ministers of the Wesleyan Methodists, and again a separation took place, which reduced our number very much, and to all human appearance we were like to become extinct as a church. But He who rules all things according to the counsel of his own will, has brought us through all these vicissitudes. About the year 1794, the Methodists formed a class, and in a few years built a chapel, and have continued to increase until the present time; and we believe there are many of God's chosen ones among them. But to return to our own church: we were left without any regular minister for the space of twenty-nine years, though we had several Presbyterian ministers occasionally. We applied for a minister, time after time, without success, until the year 1819, when the Rev. A. Maccullum came to us from Scotland, and became our pastor. He reorganized our church, and laboured with success for nineteen or twenty years; he also formed four churches within the distance of twenty or thirty miles of this place. They contain from eight to eighteen communicants each, and are all destitute of a regular pastor. Mr. Maccullum visits them occasionally, and breaks to them the bread of life. There is also a small church twenty-eight miles from this, who have a Secession minister over them for the present. However, after Mr. Maccullum had laboured among us for the time above-named, he found the infirmities of age coming fast upon him, and he gave us notice that he wished to resign his pastoral charge. He requested us to get another minister, and hearing of a young man in Nova Scotia, who had just taken license to preach in the Secession church, and who was disengaged, we thought it our best way to employ him until there should be a door opened to get one of our own denomination, which door, we fondly hope, is opened by a kind Providence, through the Society of which you are the agent. Although the Rev. James Reid, our present minister, is a godly man, and we believe preaches orthodox doctrines, and the truth as it is in Jesus, yet it would be more satisfactory to us to have one of our own denomination, and also for him to be over a church of his own denomination, which he

has named to us, and proposed that we should make application through you. We believe that Mr. Reid wishes to follow where Providence seems to lead him, that he may be in his Master's work. His salary with us is about 1107. Dear Sir, we wish to apply to your Society, through you as agent, for a minister. We are in this place a mixed people. There are among us some Baptists, some Methodists, some Episcopalians, and some of no persuasion at all. We think that you are a competent judge what kind of a minister would best suit the place. Please let us know as soon as possible whether we shall be likely to get one this way, and how soon. We hope that our eyes will ever be unto the great Head of the church, to send us a pastor of his own choosing—a man called of God, as was Aaron. We are fully persuaded that if we had a godly smart man settled among us, we should soon be able to settle more, and have means to support them, among those other churches spoken of. And now may the God Almighty of power and grace bless and prosper you in your labour of love; and may you soon see every destitute part of the colonies supplied with faithful ministers of Jesus Christ.

"Signed on behalf of the Independent Church and Congregation in Sheffield, County of Sunbury and Province of New Brunswick.

"ISAAC BURKE, W. S. BARKER, Deacons."

TRANSACTIONS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

INTENDED NEW INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, CAMDEN TOWN.

(With an Elevation.)

THE Metropolis Chapel Fund, at the earnest solicitation of the late Rev. Thomas Morell, resolved, more than four years ago, to erect a chapel in Camden Town. The design has not been carried into execution, in consequence of a plot of freehold ground being offered for sale in the city of Westminster; and it was thought desirable to lose no time in obtaining possession of it, and erecting a chapel appropriate in character and dimensions to so important a situation. Having, by the gracious providence of God, erected that chapel, and placed it in trust for the use of the church and congregation now assembling in it under the pastoral care of the Rev. S. Martin; they now feel it their duty to attempt the fulfilment of their pledge to their departed brother, the late president of Coward College.

Camden Town is a district in the parish of St. Pancras. Its population amounts to about 13,000. It has one Episcopal church, capable of seating about 2,000 persons, and two small dissenting chapels; the one affording seat room for about 200, and the other for 350 hearers. The population is increasing at a very rapid rate, from the influx of strangers from other parts of the metropolis, and the erection of extensive ranges of houses for their accommodation. There is every probability that this district will become one of the most populous suburbs of the metropolis, and from its being in the immediate vicinity of the terminus of the London and Birmingham railway may hereafter vie with many in importance.

The site for the chapel is a plot of ground on the western and higher side of the town, in Grove Street, and opposite the the corner of Warren Street. The design is furnished by J. Davies, Esq., of Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate. Two sets of plans bave been drawn-one for a chapel capable of seating 827 persons, being 63 ft. long, by 44 ft. broad in the clear, and 26 ft. high-and the other to have seat room for 1,002 persons, being 73 ft. long, 47 ft. wide, and 30 ft. high. The estimated cost of the smaller chapel, including gas fittings and iron fence, with other items, is

£2,100; and of the larger £2,535. Both chapels are to have galleries, and 2 ft. 7 inches are allowed for the breadth of the pews.

The committee of the Association, fearing that a sufficient amount could not be raised, have determined to erect the chapel according to the plans for the smaller edifice. This is to be regretted; perhaps a word may not be now too late. A very large chapel may involve responsibilities too numerous and too heavy for any man to bear, but whilst we may fall into an error at that extreme, it is a still greater error to run to the opposite point. A small chapel cannot command the talent nor the attention which a chapel of suitable dimensions will generally do in a populous district. Besides, there is not the probability of usefulness in a small chapel which a zealous minister has in one of greater capacity. To feed the flock is a primary duty in the good shepherd, but he is also sent to seek and to save that which is lost. It is the miscellaneous character of large congregations that opens to the minister a prospect of usefulness. The new material stimulates him to constant effort, and keeps alive his hopes that his message may be a word in season to some. Indeed it is in such congregations that the ministry of the Gospel has achieved its most interesting and glorious triumphs. To all this may be added the fact that small congregations are seldom efficient in large towns. They have generally to struggle hard for existence, and can render but little help in providing for the spiritual wants of a vicinity, and still less for the carrying out of the ends and status of the church, into new and uncultivated ground. Why not take, at least, the plans for a chapel capable of accommodating 1000 persons? and should a debt of £500 or £1000 be left on the chapel, it would be better able to bear such an incumbrance and flourish with a vigorous minister, than a smaller chapel without any incumbrance at all.

The Association in taking this step is but tardily meeting the crying and still increasing necessities of the teeming population of the metropolis. But their operations involve heavy responsibilities, and much caution is requisite to avoid embarrassment and failure, if not despair. Even the established church, with all the means at its disposal, partly from the munificent grant of parliament, and partly from the contributions of its wealthy members, has done nothing to overtake the wants of the population, all having been absorbed in keeping up the old proportion between the population and the church accommodation. This is a fact that ought to impress the minds of all. But when it is remembered that in the judgment of some of the best of the ministers of that church, the provision that has been made, by the erection of new churches, has been rendered worse than useless, by the half-popish characters of several of the ministers who have been appointed to labour in them, all that love the truth, and are anxious for the spread of vital religion, will find in these facts two forcible reasons for additional effort. The first, to provide for the instruction of the souls that are still left to perish from total neglect; and the second, to correct the pernicious tendency of the dreaming heresies of these proud and deluded priests.-Now is the time for action. They look to the altar; we must look to the pulpit. The pulpit! the pulpit! the pulpit ! must be our means of assault and defence. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season," said the apostle Paul to Timothy. A full exhibition of the truth as it is in Jesus will do again what it did in the days of Luther, and in the days of Whitefield and Wesley. The people can understand the truth, but they cannot understand the ridiculous pretensions of a vain, dogmatical, and arrogant priesthood. The scripturally intelligent are on our side, and among the thoughtless we are at least as likely to obtain attention by the heart-stirring appeals which the Gospel suggests and inspires, as they by the performance of ceremonies, said to possess a virtue, but derived more from the hands that administer, than the authority that appointed them. Besides, this is the command of our Lord. We cannot fail of being successful in rolling back the clouds that are gathering around us, if we follow the

apostle's example, believing that the Gospel, and the Gospel alone, is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth.

A devoted spirit has now a fine field. Our colleges are undergoing most important and salutary changes. Vital evangelical piety looks for its asylum among the orthodox dissenters. The erection of commodious chapels, and providing an efficient ministry, in populous districts, have never failed, through the blessing of God, of drawing together large congregations. These have become, in many instances, signal blessings. To what can the wealthy better appropriate their property?—What more deserving of munificent donations, such as those of the respected treasurer of this Association, and as that of J. Green, Esq. at Poplar ?-What more permanent blessing can such bestow than "building a synagogue," and providing for a faithful ministry of the word and ordinances of God, for the salvation of a present and a coming generation?

The Independent Meeting-house at CASTLE HEDINGHAM, having been found too small to accommodate the congregation, it was resolved at a meeting of the subscribers, held March 25th, 1842, to enlarge and repair it. On the examination of the building by Mr. Fenton, the architect, it was found that such was the unsubstantial nature of the walls, that the intended alteration could not be effected; and the proposal to rebuild was unanimously received. On Thursday, September 22nd, the new building was opened for public worship. The services of the day were commenced by holding a meeting for prayer at 7 o'clock in the morning. At 11 o'clock in the forenoon, the Rev. T. W. Jenkyn, D.D., of Coward College, preached from 2 Cor. v. 15; and in the evening, the Rev. John Young, of Albion Chapel, Moorfields, preached from 1 Peter i. 23. The Rev. Messrs. Wallis and Verdon, of Sudbury; Prout and Johnson, of Halstead; Kay, of Coggeshall; Christie of Finchingfield, and others, took a part in the devotional exercises. The chapel was crowded at both the services; and the engagements of the day produced a delightful impression on the congregations. In the afternoon, twenty-two ministers, who were present, and nearly a hundred other friends, dined together, when several interesting speeches were delivered by both ministers and laymen. The building was much admired by those present for its neatness, and the chasteness of its style of architecture. The collections after the services amounted to £75. The total expense of the erection, exclusive of the materials of the old building, will amount to about £1300; towards which, £1050 have already been raised.

ORDINATIONS, ETC.

RECOGNITION SERVICE AT TOTTENHAM COURT CHAPEL, AND THE TABERNACLE, MOORFIELDS.-Three generations have passed away since the erection of these venerable edifices, which survive and stand as monuments of the greatest revival of religion vouchsafed to the world since the days of the apostles. These chapels were founded by the Rev. George Whitefield, the most extensively-travelled and laborious evangelist of modern times. This great man opened the Tabernacle, on Sabbath, June 10th, 1753, by a sermon, in the morning from 1 Kings, viii. 2, and in the evening, from 1 Chron. xxix. 9. He opened Tottenham Court Chapel on Sabbath, November 7th, 1756, preaching from 1 Chron. iii. 2; and the octangular building was added in the winter of 1760. In erecting the Tabernacle, he was both prompted and supported by Lady Huntingdon, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Hartley, Dr. Doddridge a dissenter, and Dr. Stonhouse a churchman; and when he laid the foundation of Tottenham Court Chapel, three of the most celebrated dissenting ministers of the time stood by him,-Dr. Benjamin Grosvenor, Dr. Thomas Gibbons, and Dr. Andrew Gifford, assistant librarian of the British Museum. Thus, at the very outset, Mr. Whitefield was the friend of good men of all parties, and to the close of his wonderful career, good men of all parties were his friends.