St. Neots, commenced the service with read- | preached from James i. 5. and concluded ing the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. J. with prayer. Hemming, Kimbolton, stated the principles of dissent, and asked the usual questions; the Rev. S. Green, of Thrapstone, offered up the ordination prayer; the Rev. T. C. Edmunds, M. A. of Cambridge, addressed an impressive charge to the minister founded on 1 Cor. xiv. 12; and the Rev. S. Thodey of Cambridge, preached to the people from Ezek. xxxiii. 30-33, and concluded in prayer.

CORSHAM.

Prayers were also offered by the Rev. Messrs. Horlick of Mitcheldean, Evans of Abergavenny, Jones of Blakeney, and Campbell of Chepstow; and suitable hymns were read by the Rev. Messrs. Claypole of Ross, Williams of Ryeford, Prain of Little Dean, Owen of Chepstow, Wright of Lydbrook, Burroughs of Llandogo, Winter of Bristol, Davies of Rodborough, and Fry, Minister of the place.

The meeting house was first built about thirty years ago. It was enlarged in the year 1815, and rebuilt in 1828. It is now 51 by 40 feet iu the clear, with a deep galOn Thursday, Jan. 1, 1829, a new Bap-lery in front of the pulpit, and there are tist meeting was opened at Corsham, Wilt-pleasing prospects of future usefulness. shire, when three sermons were preached; in the morning by Mr. Viney of Beckington, in the afternoon by Mr. Sturges of Melksham, and in the evening by Mr. Thorpe of Bristol. Several neighbouring ministers were present, and took part in the services, which were all well attended.

The following brief notice of the rise and progress of this cause is subjoined, with a view to encourage the friends of the Saviour who may be similarly situated to undertake or persevere in a similar attempt. In February, 1822, two or three pious persons commenced a meeting for prayer in a destitute part of the town, with which they connected the reading of Whitfield's, Beddome's, and other sermons. The Lord was pleased to bless this effort for his glory. to the conversion of several individuals, and the room becoming too small for the increased attendance, the friends purchased some ground, on which they at first erected the present vestry, the overflowing congregations in which have encouraged, and indeed necessitated, the building of the meeting. Thus in waiting upon God they have increased their strength.

COLEFORD.

The Baptist meeting house at Coleford having been rebuilt and enlarged, was opened for divine worship on Wednesday, March 25, 1829. In the morning, the Rev. T. Winter of Bristol commenced with reading the Scriptures and prayer; our much lamented friend, the Rev. W. Winterbotham, was announced to preach the first sermon, but was prevented by the affliction which has since terminated in death; the Rev. John Davies of Rodborough very kindly consented to supply his lack of service, and preached from John xii. 21. "We would see Jesus." In the afternoon, the Rev. T. Winter preached from Acts iv. 31, 32. In the evening the Rev. W. Jay of Bath

KENILWORTH.

On Tuesday, April 7, a small neat chapel in the Particular Baptist denomination was opened at Kenilworth. Morning service commenced at eleven o'clock: Brother Jerard of Coventry, Independent, began by reading and prayer; brother Morgan of Birmingham preached from 2 Cor. x. 4, 5; and brother Percey, of Warwick, Independent, concluded.

Afternoon, three o'clock, brother Peggs, General Baptist, of Coventry, began by reading and prayer; brother Swan of Birmingham preached from Isa. xl. 1; and Mr. Franklin of Coventry concluded.

Evening, at six o'clock, brother Jarvis, jan. near Coventry, commenced the service; brother Mursell of Leicester preached from 1 Cor. xiii. 12; and brother Jones of Wolston concluded.

Hymns were given out by brother Cole, minister of the place. The congregations were very good and respectable, especially in the afternoon and evening, and the collections, including a donation from brother Marsell of 51., amounted to more than 251.

Thus terminated a most happy and interesting day, and one that has been longed for for years.

Kenilworth, situated in the centre between Coventry, Warwick, and Leamington, is five miles from each place; and had never, so far as is known, a Baptist church in it till within the last six or seven years. Its population, for a village, is very considerable, being estimated at 3000, a circumstance abundantly more claiming the attention of real Christians, than any thing connected with its justly celebrated scenery. church now consists of 24 persons. These, with the congregation, are in humble life; they, however, raised a sum sufficient to purchase the land for the building: their friends at Coventry exerted themselves, and

The

raised upwards of 1001. This has been | required will not be less than 5001. besides very properly felt and met at Birmingham, and at some few other places, so that the monies subscribed amount to near 3001. full 2001. more will be needed, for which an appeal will be made to Christian liberality. May this rural spot, under the blessing of heaven, blossom and bud like the rose!

ISLEHAM.

the materials from the old building; of this sum nearly 2001. will be raised at Isleham, and towards the deficiency, it is confidently hoped that the friends of evangelical truth will, when called upon for that purpose, cheerfully contribute.

The necessity of the case will appear, when it is affirmed that there are families who for years could not be accommodated with seats; that the Sabbath school might be increased to nearly double; that there is in Isleham a great spirit of hearing amongst an increasing population of nearly 2000 Persons; and especially when it is asserted the builder relative to the dangerous state that our anxions fears, and the opinion of of the old building, were more than coufirmed, by taking it down. Such was the decayed state of the walls and timbers, that it appeared to persons who saw them, an astonishing instance of preserving mercy that it did not give way at a time when the People were assembled.

The old Dissenting interest at Isleham originated in the labours of that devoted servant of Christ, Mr. Holcroft, who, with many other distinguished ministers in the church, was ejected by the Act of Uniformity, which took place August 24, 1662. After the ejectment, he preached with indefatigable exertion in very many of the villages in Cambridgeshire; and in some of them churches were formed, over which he was considered the pastor. At the death of Mr. Joseph Oddy, the companion of Mr. Holcroft in labours and sufferings, those On Monday morning, the 27th of April, societies became separate churches. One notwithstanding the unfavourable state of of them met at Isleham, and continued for the weather, a very considerable number of many years in connection with Burwell, the persons assembled on the site of the old only dissenting cause in this part of the hymn, the first stone of the new chapel was building, when, after singing part of a county. Most of the churches in this neigh- laid by the minister of the place, and prayer bourbood are branches from the original stem at Islebam; this is more especially the was offered by the Rev. T. May, the Indecase with the churches at Newmarket, Bar-pendent minister at Fordham. The assemton Mills, and West Row, Mildenhall, Although there have been many branches from this church, it still lives; and under the smiles of an approving Providence, it is hoped, will continue to exist, as a future blessing to many persons in this populous village.

friends of this ancient cause was not only The meeting house lately occupied by the very incommodious, but was considered to be in a dangerous state; the walls and roof being much decayed. About two years ago a meeting of the principal persons in the church and congregation was called, and it was resolved, if practicable, to heighten the end walls and one side, take down and re

move the other side wall, twelve feet back, and to put on a new roof, the expences of which would have been chiefly defrayed by the friends themselves. But on examination by an eminent and disinterested builder, Mr. Biggs of Linton, he gave it as his decided opinion, that the old walls would not support such an alteration. The only alternative was, therefore, either to build a new chapel, or to continue to meet in the old one, with all its disadvantages and dangers. After much deliberation and prayer for divine direction, it was determined to build a new one, 40 feet by 32 feet in the clear, with one gallery, and a small vestry. The sum

bly then retired, on account of the rain, to a spacious barn, which had been kindly lent and fitted up for the use of the congregation during the interval of rebuilding their meeting house. Here a great number of persons were convened, besides those who were present at the laying of the stone, and atIsaiah xxviii. 16. delivered by the Rev. tentively listened to a most affectionate, warm, and appropriate address, founded on C. Elven, Baptist Minister at Bury Saint Edmunds. The devotional exercises in the barn were conducted by the brethren Ellington of West Row, Mildenhall, and Buck

pitt of Burwell.

May the deeply interesting and affecting solemnities be remembered with sacred delight, through the changing scenes of time,

cities of a heavenly world!

and amidst the serene and undisturbed feli

NOTICE.

The Berks and West London Association wil! hold their annual meeting at Reading, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 8th and 9th of September. Mr. Southwood to preach.

Erratum--Page 331, 1st col. line 12, for "act" read "art."

IRISH CHRONICLE,

SEPTEMBER 1829.

REPORT OF THE REV. JOHN FRANKS, OF | and determined man, and amidst almost un-
THE SCHOOLS UNDER THE SUPERIN- equalled difficulties bas stood his ground,
TENDENCE OF THE REV. JOSIAH WIL- and kept together a large and prosperous
school, in which he has been greatly en-

SON OF SLIGO.

To the Committee of the Baptist Irish So-couraged by some of the neighbouring gen

ciety.

Limerick, July 24, 1829.

GENTLEMEN, AFTER I left Mr. Briscoe, according to your instructions, I visited Mr. Wilson, and accompanied him in an inspection of the schools under his superintendence, a report of which I now send you.

Sligo Infant School-Established 1828, and the mistress well qualified for her interesting employment.

P

Mill-Brook School - In a good state, under the patronage of EEsq. who pays the rent of the place in which it is held, and has it in contemplation to build a room expressly for the object; it is inspected twice a week by a young lady of the neighbourhood.

Lion Street Walworth School-Is well conducted, the proficiency of the whole of the children creditable to themselves and the diligent mistress, and regularly superintended by Mrs. Young, a lady in the neighbourhood, who kindly supplies the girls in part with work.

Boyle School-Large and prosperous, the children spell and read correctly; thirtysix of them repeated from one to forty-six chapters; twenty writing, twelve in arithmetic, in which some of them have made considerable progress, and two are going a second time through Gough's Arithmetic. Twenty-two premiums were awarded for the last quarter, and to which only those are entitled, who have in that time committed five chapters to memory.

Deer-park School-Opened April last, the room in which it is conducted is completely crammed, and could a larger one be obtained, more children would attend: liberal offers are made for building one.

Brickliff School-Commenced about a month ago, in a populous neighbourhood, and under very encouraging circumstances, It is on the estate of a nobleman who will immediately build a school-room.

Rye School-Has been, and the master also, violently opposed; but he is an active

tlemen.

Carter Lane Female School-Is on the estate of Richard Wood, Esq. superintended by the Misses Wood, and its order, and cleanliness, as well as general good state, highly creditable to the mistress, and the ladies who watch over the children with constant solicitude; twenty of whom repeated from three to twenty-four chapters with admirable correctness; one of them only eleven years old, committed to memory in the last quarter fifteen chapters, and repeated them with scarcely a mistake. The ladies employ much of their time in making up articles of sale to purchase the children clothing, and told Mr. W. and myself, "that such is the desire for learning in the neighbourhood, that many of the girls have gone to service for three or six mouths, to earn a few shillings to purchase clothes to come to school." We had one instance of the kind before us: the poor girl was then in service, and such was her anxiety to he at school, that she obtained permission to attend the examination, and repeated fourteen chapters.

Dunagold School-Established last year, and succeeded well, till injured by opposition, which at present has in a measure abated, and the school is recovering its former prosperity.

Gerb School-Truly satisfactory. A boy only seven years old, (brother to the little girl in the Carter Lane School, that committed to memory fifteen chapters in the last quarter,) repeated thirty-five chapters.

Deahamead School--Established September, 1828, in a populous neighbourhood, where a school had not been known to exist; has been greatly opposed, but from the steady support of some of the neighbouring gentlemen, by whom it is patronized, and a comfortable school-room provided, has maintained its stand. The master is pious and diligent, and his amiable spirit, and conduct, have made many of his former opposers his friends.

Lyme School-Was formerly much opposed, but without the least effect; the parents determined and persevered in sending their children, not even one of them was kept away, and is at present going on * In this country a very popular work of peaceably and successfully. Drumshambo Female

the class.

School-Com

M M

Little Alie Street Female School-Successful and interesting, several of the girls have given satisfactory evidence that they are savingly acquainted with the Holy Scriptares; is superintended by two ladies in the neighbourhood, one of them the lady of the clergyman of the parish, and who may truly be said to be another Dorcas, and at the time of our leaving their hospitable roof, Moylough School-Was established about presented her fervent prayer "for the bless-three months ago, but from the same cause ing of heaven on your Society, for the good as the above, is now extinct. it had done in that neighbourhood."

On the 16th ult. I left this for Limerick, and on my way thither I visited the schools in Ogonally and Birdhill, and had many interesting conversations with several groups. and individuals, many of whom seemed to be earnestly inquiring the way to Zion; but as the fields are rarely found divested of tares, alas! others were like Gallio of old, not caring for these things. I next repaired to Camass, where I was received by the Dorcas of that place, and staid there ten or eleven days, and had an attentive congregation of 35 or 40 persons every morning and evening; and visited several persons in I have during this quarter as usual, read their fields and houses every day, many of