CHURCH. REFORM.

The Earl of Mountcashel, in the House of Lords, on Tuesday, May 4, after presenting two petitions on this subject, one from New Ross, signed by several Magis trates and others; and another from the Cork Meeting, signed by upwards of 3,000 bona fide members of the church of England, including 60 County Magis trates, submitted a motion founded on their prayer.

After some preliminary observations, in which he assured the House of his ardent attachment, on principle, to the established church, his Lordship proceeded to remark, that there was much in the established church that he wished to see altered, much amended, and much placed altogether on a different footing from that on which it at present stood. He wished to see all its ministers -ministers in soul, in heart, and in spirit -ministers of religion-ministers of the Gospel. He had learned that the great utility of religion—that is, of Christianity -was its tendency to enlighten the mind's and purify the hearts of men; and he knew that Christianity differed from all other systems of religion, including Paganism, in its being emphatically the religion of the heart. But for this, the great healing feature of Christianity, it would, in a legislative point of view, be little superior to Paganism; but as this was its great, its all-important excellence, it was the solemn duty of the Legislature to encourage, by all the means in its power, its growth, and to prevent, as far as it could, the introduction of abuses. It was evident that, to the general weal, he spoke politically,—religion, that is, Christianity, was necessary: and to good religion a good system of discipline essential; and to secure a good system of discipline, they should guard against the introduction of abuses, such as those in the Protestant church of England and Ireland, to which he would then invite the attention of their lordships. His Lordship then mentioned the state of the Ecclesiastical laws of the parishes of England and Ireland-the insufficient number of churches-non-residence-tythes--ordi

nations-simonical transactions--unequal remuneration of the inferior clergy-sporting Parsons &c., and closed a lengthened address, of which we cannot preserve even an analysis, by moving, "That an humble address be presented to his Majesty, praying that he might be graciously pleased to appoint a commis

On Wednesday evening, May 5, the First Annual Meeting of this Society was held, at the London Coffee-house, Ludgate-hill, the large room of which was well filled by a most respectable audience. Apsley Pellatt, Esq. the Treasurer of the Society, was in the chair.

The Rev. Mr. Brown, from Ireland, having commenced the meeting by prayer, The Chairman opened the business of the meeting, and called upon

The Rev. Dr. Cox, one of the Secretaries, read the report, from which we give the following extracts:

"The Society originated in the conviction that many who call themselves Dissenters are unacquainted with the principles and history of their denomination. This fact has been more strikingly elicited in the course of the Society's proceedings, and will now gradually cease, the Committee would hope, to be the disgrace and the bane of so large a proportion of our number. Their aim is to manifest in their publications that firmness in the avowal of important principles which the great cause they advocate demands, without yielding to the influences of sectarian bigotry, or exhibiting a pugnacious or unhallowed spirit. They are aware, that in endeavouring to maintain the principles, and to trace the history of pure Christianity, they ought to be guided by its spirit, exhibiting at once the meekness of the saint, and the heroism of the martyr. They would have their principles examined and understood, and should they succeed in any degree in forming the

public mind on subjects of vital importance, and in rendering its decisions and procedure more accordant with the nature of man, and the spirituality of the church of Christ, they will esteem themselves amply rewarded, however heavy the tax of scorn and opposition they have to endure.

"The unparalleled events which have lately occurred, have put the religious parties of our kingdom into a new and peculiar position. The secular power has been divested of an authority, by virtue of which it presumed in former days to entrench on the sacredness of conscience, and to profane the temple of God. It has withdrawn its interference with the rights of private judgment, and has refused to perpetuate to the partizans of the established church that monopoly of civil office which has so long tended to distract our national councils, and to impair the purity of the Christian profession. The principles on which this Society is founded have thus been publicly recognized by the just and beneficent legislation of our rulers. The right of private judgment is admitted, and the impolicy as well as the injustice of attempting to arrest the devout and intelligent in the investigation of religious truth, has been proclaimed in the high places of the land. Even the shadow of laws which were once as messengers of death, has been withdrawn from the path of honest inquiry, lest our conclusions should be prejudiced, and our opinions be open to the charge of insincerity. "The public mind is left free to pursue its inquiries without any other influence than is consistent with its rational and and responsible character. The appeal of all parties is by common consent transferred to a more enlightened and impartial tribunal, on whose ultimate decision the virtuous part of the community rely with unshaken confidence.

"The Society has issued five numbers of their monthly publications. They have been welcomed beyond the expectations of the Committee, and the sale is increasing. The first, On Free Inquiry in Religion,' and the second, Christ the only King of the Church,' have been reprinted in a second edition, and the same happy necessity has been prevented with regard to subsequent numbers, only by the foresight of printing an enlarged edition.

"While primarily concerned to furnish an important and carefully written series of monthly numbers, the Committee have not lost sight of another part of their plan, namely, the publication of tracts. These will consist chiefly of reprints from old and standard works, or small treatises

of value, which might otherwise pass into oblivion. From time to time they hope to supply the public, by this means, with instructive reading, generally, in the cheapest form; yet they contemplate the occasional issue of tracts prepared with a more obvious aim to suit the taste, or inspire it, of persons above the level of the ordinary poor, who are found in great numbers in all our Dissenting congregations. The tracts at present issued are as follows:

"1. On the Law of Christ concerning Offences.

"2. On the Duties of Church Members, consisting of Extracts from Flavel's Double Scheme.

"3. On the Importance of Right Views on the Constitution of the Church. "4. On the Constitution of the Primitive Churches.

"The Committee have only further to state, that in soliciting your appointment of gentlemen to occupy that responsible situation for the ensuing year, it has been deemed important to suggest the names of those only whose engagements are likely to admit of their regular attendance. This is done in order to secure the utmost efficiency to the management of the Society; otherwise the number of the proposed Committee might easily have enlarged."

We regret that we cannot insert some of the interesting addresses delivered on this occasion, which have been reported at considerable length, and with commendable accuracy, in The World Newspaper of May the 12th. We are, however, glad to record the Resolutions adopted, with the names of the gentlemen who proposed them, and wish the Society that patronage which its object and efforts merit.

"I. That the Report now read be adopted and printed under the direction of the Committee.--Moved by the Rev. Mr. Matheson, Durham; seconded by the Rev. J. Hoppus.

"II. That considering the late extraordinary movements in the world, both political and religious, the increasing and apparent consciousness of deficiency in general information on the great subjects discussed in the publications of this Society, together with the decided testimonies of approbation with which it has been hailed, and the gratifying measure of success which has attended it during the first year of its existence, it is the conviction of this Meeting, that the Society for Promoting Ecclesiastical Knowledge has a just and strong claim to the most zealous and constant support.--Moved by the Rev. John Morrison; seconded by the Rev. J. Campbell, of the Tabernacle.

"III. That Apsley Pellatt, Esq. be Treasurer, and the following gentlemen the Committee for the ensuing year, with power to add to their number.--Moved by the Rev. Dr. Smith; seconded by the Rev. Mr. Stowell, of North Shields.

"IV. That the thanks of the Society be given to the Rev. Dr. Cox, Rev. Dr. Bennett, Rev. Mr. Vaughan, and Rev. Mr. Price, for their past services as Secretaries, and that they be requested to continue them.--Moved by Rev. J. Blackburn; seconded by Rice Harris, Esq. of Birmingham.

V. That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Chairman for his presence and co-operation.--Moved by the Rev. Mr. Moase; seconded by the Rev. I. Cobbin.

NEW CHAPELS.

On Thursday, the 7th of January, Hanover Chapel, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, was opened for divine worship, for the use of the Independent church and congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. George Smith; on which occasion sermons were preached; in the forenoon, by the Rev. John Ely, of Rochdale, from Psalm lxiii. 1, 2; and in the evening by the Rev. James Griffin, of Manchester, from Psalm lxxxix. 15. The chapel is 51 feet by 45; galleried on three sides, and has two school-rooms underneath. It is situated in the midst of a numerous and rapidly increasing population, for whose spiritual welfare no adequate provision had hitherto been made. The church was formed about two years since, and continued to meet in a large school-room, the inconveniences of which led to the erection of the present neat and commodious edifice. Since the opening, the attendance has been encouraging, and it is hoped that the completion of this building will be rendered a great and lasting blessing to the surrounding neighbourhood. The property, which is freehold, is vested in

Trustees.

A neat and commodious new Inde pendent chapel, with school-room and vestry, capable of containing upwards of 500 persons, was opened for divine worship, at Winslow, Bucks, on Tuesday, May 4, 1830. The Rev. D. W. Aston, of Buckingham, read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. Andrew Reed, of London, preached from Luke ix. 56; and the Rev. E. Barling, of Buckingham, offered the concluding prayer of the morning service.

In the afternoon, the Rev. W. Gunn, of Aylesbury, read and prayed; the Rev. James Davies, of Totteridge, preached from 1 Tim. i. 15; the Rev. E. Adey, of Leighton, concluded by prayer.

In the evening, the Rev. Peter Tyler, of Haddenham, read the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. Thomas P. Bull, of Newport Pagnell, preached from Heb. iv. 12; the Rev. W. Ratcliffe, of MarshGibbon, offered the concluding prayer.

The chapel is vested in Trustees, and built upon the most economical plan, the cost being about £600, of which £400. has already been raised.

In the year 1816, a barn was purchased, and fitted up for worship; it became necessary to take down this frail building, and on its site the present chapel and school-room are erected. The Rev. J. Denton, formerly of Mill Wall, Poplar, has accepted an invitation to occupy this important station, and has entered upon his labours with pleasing prospects of

usefulness.

ORDINATIONS.

On Thursday, the 15th of April, the Rev. James Rowland, late student at Wymondley College, was ordained to the Pastoral Office over the Independent Church, Baldock, Herts. The Rev. Thomas Middleditch, of Biggleswade, commenced the services with reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. S. Thodey, of Cambridge, delivered the Introductory discourse, proposed the usual questions, and received the confession of faith. The Rev. W. Hull, Classical Tutor of Wymondley, offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. T. Morell, Theological Tutor, of Wymondley, gave the charge; and the Rev. J. P. Dobson, of London, concluded by prayer. In the evening a numerous congregation again assembled, when the sermon to the people was preached by the Rev. C. Morris, of Fetter Lane, London. The devotional services were conducted by the Rev. T. Q. Stowe, of Buntingford, and the Rev. J. W. Wayne, of Hitchin.

On Wednesday, April 21st, Mr. Edmund T. Prust, late of Highbury College, was ordained to the pastoral office over the church and congregation assembling in the New Independent Chapel, Northampton. The Rev. B. L. Edwards, of Northampton, opened the services with reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. Thomas Toller, of Kettering, deli vered the introductory discourse on the nature and constitution of a Christian church. The Rev. John Sibree, of Coventry, proposed the usual questions and received the confession of faith. The Rev. Walter Scott, of Rowell, offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. John Leifchild, of Bristol, delivered the charge from 1 Tim. iv. 6. “A good minister of Jesus Christ." The Rev. Charles Hyatt, of London, concluded with prayer.