28 Home Chronicle. HINT TO THE WIDOWS Receiving Assistance from the Funds of the Evangelical Magazine. We have just received a letter from a widow, who has been but a short time on the Magazine Fund, informing us that she has obtained twelve new subscribers to the work. She thus writes:-"It has been much impressed on my mind of late, that if the widows who receive assistance from the Trustees, were all to exert themselves as they ought, a great increase to the sale of your valuable Magazine might thereby be effected. I found no difficulty, upon trial, in securing 12 new subscribers. Some to whom I applied were rather pleased than otherwise, and I hope still to gain many more." This is just as it should be. If the hundred and twenty-five widows annually receiving assistance from the Magazine Fund, were all to imitate this grateful correspondent, fifteen hundred additional copies of the work would instantly be brought into circulation, by which many more widows of pious ministers would be aided in their distress. It is sincerely hoped that this hint will not be lost sight of. PROVISION FOR MINISTERS' WIDOWS To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine, MY DEAR SIR,-From the numerous and distressing applications recently made to the public on the behalf of the widows and children of deceased ministers, I am induced to trouble you with a few lines on the importance of ministers themselves endeavouring to make some provision for those from whom they may be thus separated. I am aware of the difficulty, in many cases, of doing this. But in more instances than is generally supposed, it may be easily accomplished. I have recently received applications for assistance from two or three widows in the prime of life, whose husbands, I know, were well able to make a comfortable provision for their widowhood. The neglect, I cannot but think, a dereliction of duty. Ministers should begin to insure at an early period. They have then not only a smaller premium to pay, but are in a position to derive advantage from the increase of property which the institution of which they become members may acquire. I began at the age of thirty-three, and only regret that I did not commence earlier. But like many other young men, I hesitated, and felt the difficulty of sparing an annual sum for that purpose. At length my friend and tutor, Dr. Bogue, without my knowledge, made me a member of the Protestant Union, by paying my first year's subscription of five guineas; and then said, "Now you may continue it or not, as you please." I continued it of course; but I confess not without some effort. This subscription was for an annuity of 251. to my widow, or the amount of eight years' annuity to my children, in case of leaving no widow. From the increase of the society's property, the annuity of 257. is increased to 401., with a proportionate increase to my children, if there be no widow. To the children of a widower lately deceased, the sum of 3301. has been recently paid. Upwards of 1,000l. have thus been paid in the course of a short time. And many widows, receiving a legal income, are prevented the painful necessity of appealing to public charity. The provision which this society makes for children gives it, in my judgment, a decided preference. A member, if he leave either widow or children, must receive back his quid pro quo. I regret that this society has not been kept more prominently before the public. In former years, some very considerable legacies were left to it, by various individuals. And I beg to suggest, that no institution can be more adapted to meet the wishes of those who may be disposed to leave property for the benefit of such objects. The appropriation is certain, not according to personal interest, or other casual circumstances, but by a fixed law, and according to legal regulation. At a future period I may furnish you with more particulars. For the present, suffice it to say, the society is conducted on the principles of the best insurance offices, and the whole of its affairs pass, every seven years, under the inspection and are valued by two of the principal actuaries in the city. And I know that it stands high in their estimation. I do most earnestly recommend it to the attention of my brethren, especially to those who are yet in youth. The rules, and any information respecting premium, &c., may be obtained on application to the secretary, Rev. J. Knight, Surrey Lodge, Brixtonhill. The present directors, who meet monthly, are, Revds. Drs. Bennett, Fletcher, and Styles; and J. Blackburn, J. Hunt, and T. Jackson. Treasurer, W. A. Hankey, Esq. Trustees W. A. Hankey, Esq., Joseph Hardcastle, Esq.; Rev. Dr. Bennett; and Rev. John Hunt. Begging an early insertion of this paper, JOHN HUNT. P.S. The society is open to Protestant ministers of all denominations. SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHERS' AND SENIOR SCHOLARS' INSTITUTE. We are happy to find that some hints thrown out by one of the speakers at the last meeting of the Sunday-school Union, on the subject of watching over the spiritual interests of the scholars in our Sundayschools at and after the period of their quitting school, have been taken up by some benevolent friends of the cause, and turned to practical account. We have before us a lecture, delivered by Mr. Althans, at the Fisher-street School-rooms, Red Lion-square, showing the necessity, objects, and advantages of Sunday-school teachers' and senior scholars' institutes, containing many valuable suggestions, which we trust will be extensively read and acted upon. The lecture is published at one penny, or seven shillings per hundred, and may be had at the Infant School Depôt, Chichester-place, Gray's-inn-road. A more important object can scarcely be proposed, than a Senior Scholars' Institute for every congregation throughout the kingdom. ACADEMIC HONOURS. The following paragraph, from the Nottingham Mercury, of the 11th Dec., records the well deserved mark of respect which has been conferred by the University of Glasgow on our esteemed friend, Mr. Alliott:-"We are happy to announce that at the last meeting of the Senate of the University of Glasgow, the Degree of Doctor in Laws was conferred upon the Rev. R. Alliott of this town. The high honours which he took while a student of that University, and the excellent. testimonials awarded to him by the Professors under whom he studied, show that this distinction is indeed well merited by our townsman." ON MAKING COVENANT WITH GOD. "There is something awful to me in a fallen creature, offending in all things, and in all things coming short, entering into covenant with God, nis legislator and his judge. The New Testament does not seem to countenance such a term, or such a practice. God has made laws for us, but he has given us no authority to make laws for ourselves. Where persons have made such covenants, they have generally brought themselves under heavy bondage, by breaking the law of God and their own law; while very few instances can be adduced of its useful tendency; for when the fear and love of God will not constrain to what is right, and preserve from what is evil, the personal covenant will have worse than no force, because it acts upon a mistaken and false motive, and will rather gender spiritual pride than gospel holiness."-Mr. Griffin's Memoir, p. 509. "Where honour or where conscience does not bind, No other law shall shackle me, Slave to myself I will not be ! Cowley. THE AMAZING EFFECT OF A SINGLE "Every conversation leaves an effect on the minds of those who engage in it; so that never do we come out from such intercourse the same persons as we entered. The most casual remark-the softest whisper-lives for ever in its effects. Every word tells for eternity. Hence it is that every idle word' which men utter assumes a character so important, that it will form a distinct subject of inquest in the general judgment. And hence it is that the Christian is taught to regard the faculty of speech as a means of grace. In the salvation of the cross, the gospel has supplied him with a theme of which his heart is supposed to be full. Every man he meets is interested in it as deeply as himself. Every individual he addresses is perishing through want of it. Every conversation he holds affords him an opportunity of introducing it. Unless he speaks, they may die in ignorance of it; and he is held responsible for every truth he might have uttered, but omitted, and for every soul that perishes through that neglect. His words are no longer his own. As if his lips had been touched with sacred fire, or sprinkled with consecrating blood, he is to stand in the midst of his social circle as the oracle of the cross. As if his were the only tongue on earth that could testify of salvation by Christ, he is to regard himself as set apart to bear witness in its behalf."-Dr. Harris. POULTRY CHAPEL. A British Missionary Society has been lately established at the Poultry Chapel. The sum collected amounts to 2357. TESTIMONIAL To the Rev. William Jay, on the Fiftieth Anniversary of his ministry in Bath. "Honour to whom honour is due," is a maxim of divine authority, and can never be more appropriately regarded than when thousands of grateful Christians unite to pay a tribute of heartfelt respect to the character and labours of an eminent minister of the cross, who for the space of fifty years has borne the burden and heat of the day. If any living man is entitled to be thus distinguished by the wise and the good, it is the venerable pastor of Argyle chapel, Bath, who, by talents the most brilliant, graces the most Christian, and energies the most persevering, has won for himself the confi. dence, the admiration, and the love of the people of God in evry section of the Christian church. As it is intended to celebrate the jubilee of Mr. Jay's ministry at Bath, during the present month, by presenting him with some testimonial worthy of his high standing in the religious world, it is hoped that the thousands who have been edified by his ministry and writings, will vie with each other in rendering this tribute of respect to one who may be regarded as the common property of the religious public. Though his own congregation has very properly originated the proposal of such a testimonial in token of their attachment to their venerated pastor, it is delightful to know that multitudes, in all parts of the kingdom, have been eager to join them in doing honour to the worth and genius of a man who is an ornament to his country and to his age. Connected with the proposed jubilee, it is intended to publish a full length portrait of Mr. Jay, from the faithful pencil of Mr. Darby, a work of distinguished art, in the possession of J. G. Mansford, Esq., who has readily consented, at the request of Mr. Bartlett, the publisher, one of Mr. Jay's congregation, to allow an engraving to be taken from it. The picture is to be execated by Geller, in the first style of mezzotint; and we doubt not that the spirited publisher will meet with great encouragement in his undertaking, which has been commenced from love to his honoured pas tor. TESTIMONIAL Of respect to the Rev. George Brown, of Clapham. The Rev. George Brown having resigned his pastoral charge at Clapham, a number of his devoted friends have presented to him, as an expression of their unabated and affectionate attachment, a purse, containing 620 sovereigns. Mr. Brown has also received from the poorer members of his late congregation, a handsome piece of plate (a silver salver) with an appropriate inscription, as a proof of the grateful esteem in which he is held by them. PROVINCIAL. CHAPELS. Hungerford, Berks. The new Congregational chapel, lately erected in this town, was opened for Divine worship on Tuesday, the 3rd of November, when two very impressive sermons were preached by the Rev. John Clayton, jun., and the Rev. John Leifchild, D.D., both of London; and the Rev. Richard Elliott, of Devizes, preached two appropriate sermons on the following Sabbath. The attendance on each occasion was very encouraging, and the collections amounted to upwards of 701. The above chapel is built in a central situation, in the High-street, and is considered an ornament to that part of the town. The erection of this new edifice was indispensably necessary, as the old place of worship had become not only inadequate, but so dilapidated as to render it unsafe; a part of which, however, will be converted into commodious school-rooms. The chapel will seat between four and five hundred people, and a considerable portion of free sittings are reserved for the accommodation of the poor. The total expense, exclusive of the old materials, will amount to about 9007. The congregation, many of whom are poor, and none in affluent circumstances, had made strenuous efforts, and are still employing every means in their power to raise the sum required; and with the assistance of the friends at Newbury, and a few others in the neighbourhood, upwards of one half the requisite amount has already been subscribed, and greatly would they rejoice if they could make up the whole without soliciting assistance from any other quarter; but as they are unable to do this, they will be obliged to make an appeal, though very reluctantly, to the benevolent Christian public; and venture to indulge the confident hope, that such an appeal will not be made in vain. Wymondham, Leicestershire. On Wednesday, November 25, a new Independent chapel was opened at this place. 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 de volved on the Rev. James Roberts, of Melton Mowbray, by whose zealous exertions the interest itself was first raised. Mr. R. 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 foundation-stone 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 thirtysix, with a school-room adjoining, of thirtynine 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 Nov., 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 seve. ral 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 characterised by depth of thought, and a chaste and impressive style. The congregations, consisting of persons from Melton, Leicester, Oakham, 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. Birchnell, 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. Sims, (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 beauti ul 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 471. The cause, which has thus been established, has a very 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. Eggintone, Beds. On Thursday, the 12th of November, 1840, a new Independent chapel was opened at Eggintone, in connexion with the church at Hockliffe, Beds, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. Caleb Morris, of London; that in the afternoon, from Rev. v. 7, and in the evening from Acts ix. 6. The hymns were given out by the Rev. Rutton Morris, the first pastor of Hockliffe. The Rev. Mr. Bright, of Luton, commenced the service in the afternoon by reading and prayer; and the Rev. Edward Adey, of Leighton Buzzard, began the service in the evening. On the following Lord's-day, the Rev. Rutton Morris preached at Hockliffe, from Acts iv. 31, in the morning; and at Eggintone from Gal. iv. 19, in the evening; the Rev. William Lewis, the present pastor, having preached at Eggintone in the afternoon, from Psa. cxviii. 25. On each day the attendance was large, and on the Lord's-day numbers, unable to get into the new chapel, listened to the services outside. The collections were liberal, especially considering that the inhabitants of the village, with scarcely an exception, had previously expressed their goodwill to the object by cheerful contributions according to their ability. Such readiness in the poor villagers to help themselves, encourages the hope that other friends to the gospel in the neighbouring towns, and in London, will be disposed to encourage their pastor when he is able to call on them. About 1007. will be still wanted to defray the expense of the building. CORRESPONDENCE IN REFERENCE TO THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. [Our friend Dr. Alliott, of Nottingham, has forwarded the following correspondence to us, in reference to the Bible Society, which we readily insert, to show what bigotry will urge on the one hand, and what Christian truth and charity can advance on the other. We sincerely trust that the attack on the Society, no less than the defence, will serve it.-ED.] (From the Nottingham Journal, Nov. 20, 1840.) To the Editor of the Nottingham Journal. Sir, May I request the favour of a place in your columns for the following letter on the subject of the Bible Society, extracted from a Staffordshire paper. My object in sending it to you is to lead Churchmen to reflect what the principles are to which they give sanction and furtherance, when they become members of the British and Foreign Bible Society, as at present constituted. These principles were fully developed at a late meeting of the Nottinghamshire Auxiliary Branch. In the report read at this meeting by Mr. Alliott, it was stated, that "God had disposed the hearts of many of his people, in the prosecution of this object, to merge minor differences, and to exhibit that unity which it was the Saviour's prayer might characterise his people." The same meeting which adopted this report proceeded to illustrate what is meant by "minor differences," by appointing on its yearly committee a member of the Society of Friends, a body which denies the existence, not only of the sacraments, but even of the ministry of reconciliation itself. The implication that the merging such "differences" as these constitutes the unity for which our Saviour prayed, appears to me a most awful error. We shall do well to reflect whether, by so doing, we promote the cause of God, before we sanction such concessions. I should add, that the latter part of the following letter is omitted, because it has no bearing upon the proceedings of the Nottingham meeting. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, To the Editor of the Staffordshire Gazette. Sir,-As your paper is read by the clergy, and, I hope, by most of the Churchmen in the diocese, I trust you will allow me a column wherein to express my deep feeling of regret for the statements made by some of the speakers at the meeting of the Bible Society, held at Stafford the other week. The objects of the Bible Society are, as was distinctly stated by several persons on that occasion, two-fold. The first object is to distribute copies of the Bible both at as home and abroad; the second object is to meet members and ministers of Dissenting bodies on terms of friendship, for a common religious duty. It is quite manifest that these two objects are perfectly separate one from the other. Bibles might be distributed just as well without this heterogeneous mixture of denominations with it. If the Church members of the Bible Society subscribed to one society, and the Dissenting members to another, quite as large an amount would be subscribed, probably much more, because it is well known that a great many persons who do not now contribute, would gladly do so, if it did not involve them in what they entirely object to-the association with Dis The Churchman believes in "one baptism for the remission of sins" (see Nicene Creed), and holds that "the baptism of infants is in any way to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institutions of Christ." (See 27th Article.) The Baptist minister not only sinfully debars his own unconscious babe from the covenant of grace, and suffers him to die without being made a Christian, but also separates and endeavours to cause others to separate from the Church; thereby causing divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which we have received." Therefore, here also we are bound by God's law to "avoid." 66 For the same reason we are bound to avoid the Independent, who "causes divisions and offences," by refusing to worship with us, or to break bread with us at the table of the Lord (though he finds it convenient for his own purposes to shake hands with us at a public meeting). What can be more emphatic than the solemn precept of St. Paul, (2 Thess. iii. 6,) "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw from every brother who walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye have received of us;" and soon after |