gotten by those who heard it. At the close, the preacher alluded, in the most impressive manner, to Mrs. Turner, the foundress of the Tabernacle, and the first Christian who discovered him at his native village, Tisbury, and introduced him to the Rev. Cornelius Winter. He said, "If Trowbridge Tabernacle had never been built, in all probability he would never have been known, either as a writer or as a preacher." The place was crowded. In the afternoon, upwards of five hundred persons took tea in the new school-room, after which the teachers presented to Mr. Haden, the senior manager, as a testimonial of respect, a richly-bound copy of Bagster's Comprehensive Bible, with massive silver mountings and inscription. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Tabernacle, Thomas Thompson, Esq. in the chair. An overflowing audience was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Owen, of Bath; Harris, of Westbury; Jackson, of London; and Wm. Stancomb, Esq. and Sam. Salter, Esq., &c. At the close of the meeting, the managers and teachers presented a handsome silver medal, struck for the occasion, to their pastor, the Rev. Thomas Mann. In these new buildings, ample provision has been made to carry out the admirable suggestions of “ "Jethro.' Including an improved entrance to the Tabernacle, the Building Committee have expended more than 10007. There was no collection at the opening, and no debt is expected. Wolverhampton, (Wesleyan,) likewise took part in the services of the day. RECOGNITION. Rev. T. G. Lee. On Wednesday evening, Jan. 18th, the Rev. Thomas Gardner Lee, who has, for some time past, successfully laboured in Chorlton Town Hall, was publicly recognised as the pastor of the Independent church assembling in New Windsor chapel, Salford, Manchester. The Rev. James Gwythu read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. James Griffin delivered the introductory discourse, on the nature, character, and government of a Christian church; the Rev. Dr. Halley proposed the usual questions, and received the most satisfactory replies after which he affectionately commended the newly-elected pastor and his charge to the special blessing of the Great Head of the church. The Rev. Richard Fletcher then addressed them both on their respective duties and responsibilities, from Heb. xiii. 17; and the Rev. John Birt concluded with prayer. The attendance was excellent, the whole service peculiarly appropriate and impressive; and there appears every reason to hope, that the cause of God will revive and prosper again, in this interesting sphere for unwearied exertion and devoted zeal. : ORDINATION. Mr. Joseph Gage Pigg, B.A. On Tuesday, 29th November, 1842, Mr. J. Gage Pigg, B.A., of Highbury College, University of London, was ordained to the pastorate of the Congregational church assembling in Queen-street chapel, Wolverhampton. The Rev. T. East, of Birmingham, preached the introductory discourse; the Rev. S. Barber, of Bridgnorth, proposed the usual questions. J. Barker, Esq. stated, on behalf of the church, the circumstances which had led to the invitation. The Rev. T. R. Barker, Classical Tutor of Spring Hill College, Birmingham, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. E. Henderson, D.D., Ph. D., Theological Tutor of Highbury College, delivered the charge to the minister; and the Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham, preached to the people. The Revs. F. Watts, Theological Tutor of Spring Hill College, Birmingham; J. C. Gallaway, A.M., West Bromwich; John Hill, A.M., Gornal; J. Hammond, Handsworth; W. Fernie, Brewood; S. Jackson, Walsall; J. Dawson, Dudley; W. H. Dyer, Shrewsbury; J. Alsop, Birmingham; and - Webb, VOL. XXI. REMOVALS. Rev. A. Morton Brown. The Rev. A. Morton Brown, late of Poole, having accepted the invitation from the church and congregation at Highbury chapel, Cheltenham, commenced on, and has continued his labours, since the 8th Jan. last, with the most encouraging prospects of success. It is really gratifying to find, that the vacant pulpit has so happily and speedily been supplied by a man of Mr. Brown's endowments, and energy, and zeal; nor is it too much to say, that the increasing satisfaction which is already the result of his services, induces the hope, that a cause over which its friends have watched with such anxious solicitude, is destined to experience still brighter and happier days; and, like the cloud of a span long, which was seen arising in the Mediterranean sea, or like the stone out of the mountain, which was hewn without hands, multiply and increase, until prosperity, and happiness, and joy fill the whole place. Rev. John Elrick, A.M. The Rev. John Elrick, A.M., of Falkland, Fifeshire, has accepted a cordial invitation to become the pastor of the Con M gregational church assembling in Zion chapel, Northallerton, Yorkshire, Mr. E. commenced his pastoral labours in his new sphere, on the 25th December. Before going away, he received a present of valuable books, and a letter of a very gratifying nature, with the following suitable inscription: "On the Rev. J. Elrick accepting of an invitation from the Independent church at Northallerton, several of the inhabitants of Falkland, not members of his church, but belonging to various bodies of professing Christians, anxious to testify their admira tion of him as a preacher, and of the unwearied zeal which he has displayed, for the spiritual and temporal necessities of this town since he came to reside amongst us, presented him, before going to England, with a collection of valuable standard works, consisting of Baxter's works, Fuller's works, and other valuable books. Whilst we present Mr. Elrick with the tribute of our esteem, we unite in wishing he may be long spared to render the same invaluable services in that part of his Master's vineyard to which he has been called, as he has done in the town from which he has removed." General Chronicle. ENCOURAGEMENT OF IDOLATRY BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA. It is with feelings of intense pain and disapprobation that we refer to the late absurd and injurious proclamation of Lord Ellenborough, in his high and responsible office as Governor-General of India. In the political affairs of India we very rarely interfere; but when the interests of Christianity, and the success of our missionary operations, are seriously menaced by the representatives of the British Government in that country, we feel it to be our duty to express a decided opinion, and to call upon the friends of the gospel throughout the empire to appeal without delay to Parliament, to interpose its authority in checking measures which, if allowed to pass without animadversion, might settle down into inveterate custom. The late proclamation of Lord Ellenborough, in reference to Somnauth, is such an instance of gratuitous recognition of heathen idolatry, as could never have been looked for from any sober-minded man, in the present state of public opinion, both in Great Britain and India. It betrays such a lamentable want of sound policy, and of real principle, that it might well be left to its own fate, were it not that every Hindoo, from the highest to the lowest caste, will interpret it as an express sanction of his religion, on the part of the British government. At a time, then, when by the determined protest of the religious world, the Government of India had been induced to abandon the Pilgrim tax, and in other ways to withdraw the guilty sanction it had long yielded to the abominable rites of heathenism, for a Governor-General to lend his aid, in so fantastic a manner, to the cause of idolatry, is an occurrence deeply to be deplored and condemned. What steps the Government at home may finally adopt in reference to this sad event, it is not for us to predict. Lord Stanley complained of the "taste of the proceeding; but his Lordship is greatly mistaken, if he imagines that an affair involving' such consequenees, will be looked upon by enlightened Christians in this country as a mere matter of defective taste. The view taken of the subject by Sir H. Inglis, which did him great credit, was the more correct one, and that which will obtain among all who are really concerned for the honour and advancement of the Christian faith throughout our Indian possessions. We wish to express no opinion on the question of recalling Lord Ellenborough; but we most earnestly advise that a general demonstration be made by pious Churchmen and Dissenters of the in. tense anxiety which his Lordship's conduct has awakened, and of the necessity of the Government at home disavowing all approbation of his late proclamation, and doing what it can to counteract the injurious effects which it is fitted to produce upon the native Indian mind. The opinion of enlightened missionaries, the best testimony that can be obtained, is, that one such proclamation will do more harm to the cause of Christianity in India, than the labours of years will be able to repair. We are glad to find that our Missionary Societies have begun to move; and we do trust that Congregational petitions will be prepared and forwarded to both Houses of Parliament, without a moment's delay. Let the same energy be displayed as in the case of Lord Sidmouth's obnoxious bill, and then, whether Lord Ellenborough is recalled or remain in office, we may assure ourselves that no such demonstrations will be made by his Lordship in future. By a no less determined course, can the Christian public prevent the recurrence of such unhappy manifestations of human vanity and thoughlessness. FRENCH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. We have much pleasure in announcing to our readers who are concerned for the advancement of true Protestantism, and the spread of evangelical religion in France, that a Committee of Correspondence has been formed in London, for the purpose of aiding the French Evangelical Society in its most important labours. Since the formation of that truly valuable Institution, in 1833, to the month of August last year, the agents it has employed have propagated the gospel in more than 70 central localities, situated in 46 departments. The places of worship opened by the Society have been frequented by more than 7000 adults, and the Schools by more than 9000 children. Further particulars may be expected next month. In the meantime, information may be obtained from, and contributions remitted to, the Rev. T. James, 7, Blomfield-street, Finsbury-circus, who has kindly consented to act as gratuitous Secretary to the Committee. LETTER FROM THE REV. R. MOFFAT, MY DEAR SIR,-Will you allow me to express, through your valuable Magazine, the extreme regret I feel that diversified and incessant occupations, which continued to the moment of leaving my native land, entirely prevented my making such acknowledgments of the kind liberality of the Christian public, and even of many individual friends, either personally or by letter, as my heart would have dictated, but for which, through this medium, I now desire to return my warm and grateful thanks. If by the mercy of our God we are borne across the stormy billows, and permitted to revisit the shores of Africa, our comforts will be abundantly increased amidst its barren wilds, and our spirits will be cheered by the remembrance of the sympathy and affection which we have experienced from friends at home, the deep impress of which can never be erased from our minds while life shall last. 1 remain, my dear Sir, Yours, in the bonds of the gospel, Downs, Feb. 3, 1843. LECTURES CONCERNING THE JEWS, At the Scotch National Church, Regent Square. We are much gratified to find that this course of lectures, in which we feel a lively interest, appears to take deep hold of the public mind. Those already delivered have been numerously attended, and the Lecturers have treated their several subjects in a manner indicating deep sympathy for the seed of Abraham, and extensive acquaintance with the testimony of Scripture respecting their past, their present, and their coming destiny. May we be permitted earnestly to urge the attention of Christians of all denominations in the metropolis to this course of lectures? We are satisfied that they will reward the little sacrifice of time involved; and we would remind our brethren in Christ, that the subject of the conversion of the Jews has been too much overlooked by many who firmly believe that they will be gathered in with the fulness of the Gentiles. Surely, when the churches of Christ in London feel as they ought to feel on the subject, there will be no sanctuary large enough to contain the numbers disposed to listen to a scriptural account of God's ancient people, so peculiarly separated to this day from all the nations of the earth. The following are the subjects to be discussed during the present month; and if pastors would kindly read from their pulpits a weekly notice of them, the Scotch National Church would be crowded with attentive hearers, and special benefits might be expected thus to accrue to a cause which all true believers in the Messiah must wish to promote. Friday, March 3. The Present Condition of the Jews-the Rev. J. BENNETT, D.D. To Friday, March 10. The Conversion of the Jews-the Rev. E. HENDERSON, D.D. Friday, March 17. The Obstacles to the Conversion of the Jews-the Rev. R. M. HERSCHELL. Friday, March 24. The Encouragements which Christians have to undertake the Conversion of the Jews-the Rev. J. C. BURNS. Friday, March 31. The Obligations of Christians to labour for the Conversion of the Jews-the Rev. H. F. BURDER, D.D. Service at seven o'clock. MAURITIUS. EXTRACTS OF A LETTER FROM DAVID RATSARAHOMBA, a Friend at Walthamstow, dated Mauritius, 8th October, 1842. DEAR MADAM,-I write a few lines to inform you, that I am very sorry on account of not having written to you before, as I desired very much to have done. I wrote within a month after our arrival at the Mauritius to you, but I wished to change it, and I was not able to finish another letter until now. I hope you will pardon me for not having done it before. I can assure you that it is not from having forgotten you already, and your kindness to me when I was in England, and was kindly made welcome at your house it shall never be forgotten by me. Now I write to you, not to give the news of my arrival here, for I have no doubt you have heard of it from Mr. Freeman. Since I left your favoured land, I have been pretty well. On board the ship we were very comfortable: the captain was very kind to us; we had family worship. Nothing happened, except the two masts got broken in the night, when we were upon the mighty deep; and God in his tender mercies brought us in safety. The object of our coming here is, to visit our fellow countrymen, and talk to them in their houses, and persuade them to come to the chapel, and ask them if they would like to learn to read; some of them learn, and some answer, that they are rather old to learn; some of them go to the chapel on Sundays. And after some months, Mr. Johns thought he had better place a teacher in the country, for there are Malagasy there; some are come to this island to work for hire, and some have been in this place a long time. I am placed in this district (Grand Bay). I am quite a stranger to this place. I do not know any religious people near me, except a schoolmaster and his wife; his name is Mr. Benait, and they are very kind to me. My little house is near the road, where I can see the Betsimisarakas as they pass, that they may come to my house, and I talk to them, and ask them if they would like to learn, and some say that they would like to learn very much, but are afraid of the Queen of Madagascar on their return. And I endeavour to persuade them, and explain the object for which I desire them to learn, that it is good for them to know the word of God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent; and some of them learn, and some of them wish to learn handwriting, so I teach them that. I talk and read to them. Sometimes I have a greater number than at other times; on Sunday sometimes very few: and the Malagasy who have been here a long time I could not persuade to come to my house on Sunday, so I am obliged to go to them in the evening, to read and talk to them, where they come together to drink and dance. A few of them come now and then, but they are not so many as the Betsimisarakas. Some Sundays past, early in the morning, I went up to Mr. Telfair's estate, to read to the Malagasy there, and pray with them who assemble. The only estate I am advised to go to is Mr. Telfair's, because others are rather jealous of it. He is an English gentleman, and is very kind to me. I often go to his estate, about three miles' distance, for in this country I cannot find so many kind friends as I have seen in England. I live in this little house only myself; and there is a man lives near me and cooks for me; often I cannot find him to cook, for he goes where he likes, because I cannot afford to pay him entirely as a servant, on account of the money. Now I am learning the French language, perhaps in some respects I may do more good. It is about three months since I have been here. I am sorry to say there are many in this place careless about their souls; for an instance-On Monday last, while I was writing in my house, there was a Malagasy man came in my house for the first time, with a swollen face, for he had been fighting because he was drunken, and had been beaten by some one the day before he came. I talked to him, and after some time, I asked him what he thought about the body and the soul after death? He answered, "I do not know, I do not think any thing, but to die is all." I put several questions, but he could not get the idea of his soul. "Do tell me about it if you can," said he; so I read in Gen. and Ecc., when God made man, and about the returning of the dust and the soul. And he listened to me very well; and I told him about Jesus Christ. "I will come again, for I never heard that before," said he; and I hope he will think deeply about it. I received your kind letters, they gave me both joy and sorrow,-sorrow, because I am far away from you,-rejoiced at having received your handwriting, by which means you expressed your kind feelings towards us. And I was glad that you are well. I am very much obliged to you for it. How are you and Mr. H. and Miss M. H? I hope you all are well and happy. May the Almighty God keep you from every evil. I read the Magazine, and saw what you and our kind friends at Walthamstow have done for the Malagasy; we are very much obliged to you all for what you have done. May the Lord bless you all. Our friends Rafaravavy and Joseph are gone to the other part of Madagascar, to teach there; and the reason that I did not go with them is, the state of Madagascar, and also other reasons; so I preferred to remain here till Madagascar re-opens, and do what I can here to be as a faithful servant, while I am doing my duty as a native teacher. Now our Christian friends in Madagascar are crying for deliverance, and Mr. Baker, and Mr. Le Brun, and Mr. Kelsey, have been so kind as to sign some papers, which are to be given to the Christians, that they may give them to the captains who go to Madagascar, that they may take them in their ships which come to Mauritius; for these gentlemen are to pay 25 dollars for each Christian after their arrival, and they have sent twenty for the first time, and we are pleased for that. Mrs. Johns is sometimes not well, but getting better now. I am sorry in not being able to write to your relatives. Please give my respects to them. Believe me to remain, dear Madam, |