Considerable interest was excited by a reference to the fact, that the College was opened at Bartholomew tide, a period so memorable in the annals of Nonconformity, and which event was thus most appropriately celebrated by the opening of a College, from which Acts of Uniformity will never eject its inmates. THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE. The Eighty-third Annual Conference of the Methodist Preachers was held at Liverpool, on Wednesday, July 26, 1826, and following days. The Rev. Richard Watson was elected President, and the Rev. Jabez Bunting Secretary to the Conference. The following particulars, from its published minutes, will be acceptable to our readers. Forty preachers were received into full being an increase of 19,672 members during the past year. The grand total of Wesleyan Methodists through the world, is 630,081, of whom 2,418 are preachers in the connection. There were no deputies from the United States at the Conference; but a letter was addressed to them by the Rev. Bishops George and Hedding, on behalf of their brethren of the Episcopal Board. sages. The answer of the British Conference, addressed to the Bishops of the Methodist Societies, contains the following pas"We affectionately hope, that no difference of opinion which may exist amongst you, on minor points of ecclesiastical government, will be allowed to excite unfriendly feeling, to retard the progress of your ministerial labours, or to impair any part of that system of discipline, which relates to the more essential and vital principles of our original con- › stitution.". "From the peculiar distresses of the present times, many of our people have suffered considerably in their temporal circumstances, and our plans for extending and establishing the cause of God have in some degree been impeded."-"We cannot this year report a very large increase of numbers; but we trust, that we are still favoured with a considerable degree of religious prosperity." A paragraph in the Liverpool Advertiser announced, that it had been determined in. Conference to appoint three of the leading preachers as Bishops, with an episcopal or overlooking power; and it further ventured to name the gentlemen who are to be elevated to this new episcopate. No such determination, however, is recorded in the published minutes, and we presume has not been adopted. But it is, evident, that the step from district to general superintendents is not great, especially after the American Conferences have.. made it. The absence of lay representation in the Conference may also facilitate its accomplishment, whenever it is formally introduced into the British Conference. CHAPELS OPENED. June 27, a new Independent Chapel, capable of seating between three and four hundred persons, was opened at Inglewhite, a village near Preston. The Rev. J. Speakman, of Tockholes, preached in the morning; and the Rev. L. Forster, of Blackburn, in the afternoon. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the Rev. D. Edwards, of Elswick, and Rev. D. T. Carnson, of Preston. The above chapel has been erected by the executors of Mr. Birch, out of a sum of money bequeathed by him for that purpose, and likewise to aid in the support of a minister of the Independent denomination to preach the Gospel in the chapel. July 9, a new Independent Chapel, measuring 60 feet by 54; situate in Cannon Street, Preston, was opened for public -worship. The Rev. R. S. M‘All, of Macclesfield, preached in the morning, and evening of the Lord's day. On Monday evening, the Rev. J. Ely, of Rochdale, preached. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the Rev. R. Slate, of Grimshaw Street, Preston, and the Rev. R. M. Griffiths, of Kirkham. 'Collections made after the services, amounted to £43. The above chapel has been erected for the accommodation of the church and congregation formerly assembling in Fishergate Chapel, which for some time past was unable, not only to afford pews to accommodate such as applied for them, but even to accommodate the scholars of the Sunday Schools connected with the place. Notwithstand ing the great exertions of the church and congregation, a considerable debt remains upon the place, to liquidate a part of which an appeal must be made to the benevolence of the Christian public. On Wednesday, the 23d of August, was opened at Huntingdon, a new chapel for the worship of Protestant Dissenters. Attempts have been made, for several years, to establish a Dissenting interest in this town, but without success, till, three or four years back, another attempt was made, which, under the divine blessing has succeeded, even beyond the fond anticipations of its friends. During the last winter, the number of hearers was so much increased, as to render it necessary to pull down the old place, and rebuild it on a larger scale. This was commenced in April last, and the new building was opened on the above date, when three excellent sermons were preached by the Rev. J Yockney, of Islington; Rev. J. Simmons, of Olney; and Rev. J. Blackburn, of Pentonville. The attendance was good; the services were interesting and profitable, and the presence of the Lord Jesus was felt and enjoyed. Near £50. were collected in the day, and on the following Sabbath. The erection of the building has, of course, been a considerable expense, and one appeal will be made to the friends of the Gospel in the churches around, and at a greater distance, As a stimulus to those who are disposed to assist in this labour of love, it may be stated as a fact, that the new place (45 feet by 414) is comfortably filled; and that the congregation has increased within seventeen months, to at least three times the number. The population of Huntingdon, with the villages around, within a circle of three miles, is not less than 7000 persons; and there is no dissenting interest, except an avowedly Antinomian one at Godmanchester, and a small Methodist Society at Hunt ngdon. This statement is sufficient to show, that the case is one of vast importance, and of awakening interest. On Thursday, August 31, a new Independent Chapel, in Rusholme Road, Manchester, was opened for divine worship. Sermons were preached by Messrs. Parsons, of York, and Thorpe, of Bristol; and devotional exercises were conducted by Messrs. Roby, Pridie, Coombs, Doney, and Birt. A chapel was opened at Bognor, Sussex, on the 31st of August, 1826. The Rev. J. Griffin, of Portsea, preached in the morning; and the Rev. J. Turnbull, A. B. of Brighton, in the evening. The Rev. Messrs. Goulty, Edwards, Davies, Bannister, Stamper, and Drury conducted the devotional parts of the service. This chapel has been erected under the patronage of the members of the Sussex Congregational Society. It was formerly in connexion with the Hampshire Association, and was then situated at Birstead, a village about a mile distant. This spot being unfavourable for the attendance of the inhabitants of Bognor, it was proposed to remove the chapel into the town. The Rev. Matthew Wilks, of London, having an eligible piece of land in the place, conveyed it over to trustees, and on this spot the chapel now stands. It will contain about two hundred persons; and since the opening, has been always well attended, and often filled. At present it is supplied by neighbouring and other ministers, under the direction of the Committee of the Congregational Society. The expense of the rebuilding, together with a school-room attached, will be about £300. It is hoped that the friends of religion, who may visit the Sussex coast, will now feel a stronger inducement to make an occasional residence in this pleasant and rural watering-place, with a view to countenance this effort, and extend the cause of Christ. ORDINATION. Tuesday, August 5, 1826, the Rev. Theophilus Davies was set apart to the pastoral office over the Independent Church, Stourbridge. In the morning, the Rev. G. Redford, of Worcester, read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. J. Dawson, of Dudley, delivered the introductory discourse, and asked the questions; the Rev. S. Barber, of Bridgnorth, offered up the ordination prayer; the Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham, gave the charge from 1 Tim. iv. 6.; and the Rev. J. Hudson, of Westbromwich, concluded with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. T. T. Freeman, of Kidderminster, read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. T. East, of Birmingham, addressed the people from Philip. ii, 29.; and the Rev. Mr. The us to episcopal jurisdiction, it would be its gentle and effective exercise by the hands of such a man as the second Bishop of Calcutta. Evans, of Halesowen, concluded. RECENT DEATHS. It is with sincere regret we announce the death of Dr. REGINALD Héber, Bishop of Calcutta, who expired suddenly at Trichinopoly, on Monday, April 3d. He was upon a tour of episcopal visitation, and during the preceding week had been at the several Missionary stations in Tanjore. He held a meeting with the Missionaries on the Monday before his death, in the chapel where Swartz is interred, and he in his parting address observed, that it was probably the last time that all present could expect to meet in this world, and he therefore exhorted them to diligence and perseverance, and reminded them of the example of the venerable man, near whose grave he stood. Dr. Heber preached twice, and performed the office of confirmation on the Sabbath, and early on the mournful day on which he died, he visited a congregation of native Christians, and on his return he went into à warm bath, as he had done on the preceding days, when he was seized there with an apoplectic fit, and his servant being alarmed by his lengthened stay, entered the bath-room, and found, alas! that life was, extinct. The elegant taste, catholic spirit, unwearied diligence, and we trust we may add unaffected piety of Dr. Heber, have endeared his name to thousands, and we confess, that if any thing could reconcile Died, at Colchester, on Thursday, Aug. 17, in the 46th year of his age, the Rev. JOHN JENNINGS, for thirtyeight years pastor of the ancient Congregational Church at Thaxted, Essex. This beloved and venerable man left his own home to attend the annual meeting of the Essex Auxiliary Missionary Society, held at Maldon. After enjoying that interesting service, he visited Harwich, where he was taken ill, and advised immediately to return home. He reached the house of a beloved relative at Colchester, where he rapidly grew worse, and expired. His remains were conveyed to Thaxted, and interred in the burial-ground of the meeting-house there. The Rev. J Morrison, of Stebbing, delivered the oration at the grave; and the Rev. W. Chaplin, of Bishop Stortford, preached the funeral discourse. We hope to present our readers with a more extended notice of this highly-respected minister. NOTICE. The Third Anniversary Meeting of the Associate Fund, a Society for assisting and encouraging Protestant Dissenting Congregations in the Support of their Ministers, will be held at the Rev. S. Curwen's Meeting, in Barbican, on Tuesday evening, the 31st Oct. 1826; previous to which a sermon will be preached in support of its funds, by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher, A. M. of Stepney. The service to commence at half-past six in the evening precisely. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND MINOR CORRESPONDENCE. COMMUNICATIONS have been received during the past month from the Rev. Dr. W. Harris-Dr. J. P. Smith-the Rev. Messrs. Joseph Turnbull-Richard Winter Hamilton--Thomas James-W. Orme--Robert Ashton-Theophilus Davies-George Moase-Joseph Fletcher--Algernon Wells--Edward Webb-John A. CoombsWilliam Wright-R. H. Shepherd--D. T. Carnson-Whitridge-J. S. Hine. Also from Messrs. J. B. Williams--J. Storer--J. Woodford, Jun.-Unus Seguntiorum -J. A.--An Inquirer-M. N. H. List of Independent or Congregational Churches.-The suggestion of J. G. on this subject in our last Number, p. 471, has excited considerable attention; and we have received several communications, urging upon us its immediate adopton. It is impossible that we should pledge ourselves to accomplish this task, irrespective of the assistance of many correspondents, which is indispensable to its completion. We have therefore to beg those of our respected readers who wish to see in our Supplement Number a complete List of Congregational Churches and Pastors, and who may possess sufficient local information to accomplish the task, to furnish us, before the 20th of the present month, with a list of the Churches in their respective counties, observing the following arrangement. 1. The name of the town or village where the Church meets. 2. The name of the Pastor or Minister. 3. If the Church be destitute, state whether occasioned by removal or death. 4. Where County Associations exist, affix the letter A. to the names of those who are members of the same. 5. Furnish the name and address of the Secretary of the Association, with the time of its meeting. And, 6. Mark those cases, if any, in which the officiating minister is not the Pastor.-This task is now in the hands of our friends, who, we trust, will promptly send us the required information either by a private conveyance or post paid, as the aggregate expense of such a correspondence would be very considerable. R. H. S. begs the inquire whether any Portrait of the Rev. Francis Spilsbury, for thirty years the Pastor of the Dissenting Congregation at Kidderminster, is in existence, and where it may be found? We know of no memoir of that respectable man; but R. H. S. will find a short notice of him in Wilson's Dissenting Churches, vol. ii. pp. 55, 56. J. W. having observed that Congregational Churches have been sometimes troubled by the assumption of unscriptural authority on the part of their deacons, begs to inquire if there exist any scriptural or other reason why the election to that office should not be annual, which he conceives would give a troubled church the opportunity of electing a more agreeable officer. An Inquirer must forgive us for not inserting his Questions respecting the proceedings of the Society to which he refers. We have, during the present year, had many of our pages occupied by one controversy respecting the affairs of a public Society, and we are resolved not hastily to be involved in a second. |