ing degrees of talent and acquirement were evinced, the impression was, that commendable and successful diligence had been exhibited in pursuit of their various studies.

At the general meeting the friends and subscribers derived great pleasure from the fact, that in consequence of the active exertions of friends who know the value of the institution, and of some new arrangements made by the committee, the financial state of the institution presents an improved aspect, which it is hoped its friends will continue to sustain.

An eloquent and impressive sermon was delivered on the occasion, in the chapel in Castle-street, by the Rev. G. Smith, of Poplar, London.

NORTHERN CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL

For the Education of the Sons of Ministers and Missionaries.

The twelfth annual examination of this excellent institution took place at Silcoates House, on Wednesday, July 5th. The Rev. W. H. Stowell, President of Rotherham College, presided, and the attendance of friends of the institution was numerous and very respectable. Amongst the ministers present were the Revs. A. Ewing, A.M. and Pridie, of Halifax; Scales and Rawson, of Leeds; Lorraine and Lamb, of Wakefield; Eccles, of Hopton, and Stringer, of Idle, &c.

The scholars were examined in the Greek and Latin classics, French, history, mathematics, geology, land-surveying, and several other departments of literature. Some of them exhibited their proficiency in English composition, by reading original essays; they also showed an accurate knowledge of acoustics, and of the important art of ora. tory. At the conclusion of the proceedings, the chairman paid a high and well-deserved compliment to the scholars for their general proficiency; also to their principal tutor, Mr. Munro, for the care he had evidently bestowed upon them. All who were able to form an opinion must have felt, and they appeared to feel, that Mr. Stowell had flattered neither the scholars nor their master. The excellent training of the boys, and their prompt and intelligent answers to the various questions put to them, were suggestive of many pleasing reflections. Prizes were next distributed to such as had distinguished themselves during the session, the chairman accompanying each prize with a few appropriate remarks.

The financial and general business of the school was then transacted, and officers and a committee appointed for the year ensuing. Robert Milligan, Esq., of Acacia, the treasurer of the institution, was voted into the chair, and called upon Mr. Munro to read

the report for the year, which was, upon the whole, highly encouraging, the only deside ratum appearing to be a more extended pecuniary support. The Rev. Thomas Roome, the domestic chaplain, also read a short report, in which he detailed the religious instruction afforded to the pupils during the session, and the two reports taken together conveyed a very satisfactory idea of the state of discipline and improvement at Silcoates. This institution is established for the purpose of affording a liberal education, at a cheap rate, to the sons of ministers and missionaries connected with the Independent denomination. The school is beautifully situated; it is an Eden spot; embosomed in woods, and surrounded by the fairest scenery. This is no slight matter; for the forms of nature have an influence, whether it be perceived or not, in forming the tastes and habits of the boy, and, of course, of the man. The moral tendency of the institution cannot be otherwise than good. Secular education of the best sort, combined with religious instruction, is the very beau ideal of education; and such an education is imparted at Silcoates School. It is well deserving of public support; and we trust that the support which it has hitherto received will be increased, in pro portion as the nature and design of the institution become better known and understood.

IRELAND.

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

The fourteenth anniversary of the Congregational Union of Ireland was held in Dublin, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th of June, 1843.

The proceedings commenced with a public prayer meeting in Plunket-street Meeting. house, early on Tuesday morning, when the devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Morrison, Godkin, Potter, M.D., and Urwick, D.D. An address was delivered by the Rev. J. Jennings.

On Tuesday evening a large number of friends assembled at a tea party, in the school-room, in Plunket-street. T. Figgis, Esq., presided; and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Smith, Brien, Silly, Dillon, Jordan, Bain, Morrison, and Urwick, D.D.

On Wednesday evening, the Rev. David Russell, of Glasgow, delegate from the Congregational Union of Scotland, preached a powerful sermon in York-street Chapel; the Rev. J. Potter having commenced the service with reading the Scriptures and prayer.

At breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Russell, Kirkpatrick (Presby

terian), Gould (Baptist), Dill (Presbyterian), Hands, Godkin, King, Gordon, Smith, Urwick, D.D., Jennings, Carroll, Hanson, and White; also by Mr. J. J. King.

On Thursday evening the annual public meeting of the Union was held in Yorkstreet Chapel; T. Turner, Esq., treasurer, in the chair. After prayer by the Rev. J. Carroll, the report of the committee was read by the secretary. It detailed the home mission proceedings of the Union for the past year, both general and local, including, besides the stated agencies, the labours of students, during the summer vacation, from Highbury and Spring-hill Colleges, and the Dublin Theological Institution. It suggested the formation of local committees, where practicable, through the country; the engagement of a general agent, with suitable qualifications and provisions, for circulating intelligence. It recorded communications from the Congregational Union of England and Wales on the subject of Christian Union, and a fraternal letter from the Congregational Union of East Canada. It also noticed the petitions that had been forwarded from various places in Ireland, against the educational clauses of the Factories Bill, and adverted to the late ecclesiastical movements in Scotland, and other matters. An audited statement of accounts having been presented, it was resolved unanimously,—

On the motion of the Rev. J. Hands; seconded by the Rev. S. G. Morrison :

1. That this meeting has heard with much pleasure and humble gratitude to God the details of home missionary proceedings contained in the report now read, and that it be published, together with the audited cash statement, under the direction of the committee for the ensuing year; that we rejoice in the promise of increasing usefulness which the present position of the home missions affords, provided that suitable agency and adequate resources can be ob tained for carrying out its designs; that we consider it our privilege equally as it is our duty to co-operate, so far as we can, in forwarding with greater energy, and on a larger scale, this truly patriotic Christian undertaking-an undertaking which involves, with the best interests of our country, the health, efficiency, harmony, and respectability of the churches themselves; also, that the aspect of the times particularly calls for the utmost amount of scriptural effort on the part of our denomination, and of others, who know and love "the truth as it is in Jesus," for the maintenance and diffusion of "Christ's gospel," in its purity and power throughout Ireland.

On the motion of the Rev. J. Godkin; seconded by the Rev. S. Shaw :

:

2. That this meeting welcomes with heartfelt pleasure the Rev. David Russell, delegate from the Congregational Union of Scotland, and begs through him to convey to the churches he

VOL. XXI.

represents among us the expression of our most cordial Christian affection, our joy in the prosperity with which God has favoured them, and our desire that yet greater grace may rest upon them all; also, that we receive with high satisfaction the proposal with regard to promoting fraternisation among all the people of God, which has been made to us in common with other Christian bodies, from the Congregational Union of England and Wales, trusting that the movement so happily begun will proceed till the love of the brethren is proved by all who are one in Christ," we holding ourselves ready to concur in any consistent and practicable measures for obtaining that most important and desirable object; also, that an acknowledgment of the letter with which we have been favoured from the Congregational Union of East Canada be forwarded to those beloved Transatlantic brethren, fully reciprocating their sentiments of holy affection, sympathy, and zeal, and intimating the hope that we shall receive another communication from them previously to our next anniversary.

The Rev. D. Russell responded to the former part of this resolution, in an address fraught with Christian eloquence, in the course of which he referred to the late secession from the Scottish Establishment.

On the motion of the Rev. A. King; seconded by the Rev. J. Bewglass :—

3. That this meeting records its unqualified admiration of the dignified and uncompromising stand for the prerogatives of Christ our Saviour King, for the freedom of the church from the control of the civil power in matters ecclesiastical, and for the rights of Christian men, which has been made by our Nonintrusion brethren in Scotland, a stand for truth and conscience unequalled since the days of the Protestants, Puritans, and Nonconformists of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and which we are confident will, by the blessing of Providence, produce results most important and advantageous to our common Christianity; also, that a communication be forwarded to the ministers and members of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, through their highly respected moderator, embodying these sentiments, representing the deep and prayerful interest which we take in their affairs, and our full preparedness to fraternise in the faith and service of our common Lord.

On the motion of John Waller, Esq., barrister-at-law; seconded by the Rev. J. Jennings :

4. That this meeting has heard with much pleasure of the steps taken by several congregations in this Union towards preventing the adoption by the legislature of the education clauses in the Factories Bill, as now under consideration in the House of Commons; that we regard those clauses as inconsistent with the principles of civil and religious liberty, with common justice, and with natural rights,-as likely to inter

2 P

fere with well-conducted voluntary efforts for the education of the humbler classes, and to disseminate among them principles which are subversive of religious truth,-and as giving to one denomination a predominance above others, which predominance of one is to be sustained at the expense of all; that accordingly the following petition be signed in behalf of the Congregational Union of Ireland by the chairman of this meeting, and by the ministers present, and forwarded for presentation on Monday next:

"To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled. "The humble petition of the Congregational

Union of Ireland, agreed to at the annual meeting of that body in Dublin, on Thursday, June 15, 1843, and signed in their behalf, and at their desire, by the chairman and ministers whose names are thereunto subscribed,

"Sheweth,

"That your petitioners have heard, with much concern, that it is the intention of her Majesty's Government to proceed with the education clauses of the Factories Bill now before your honourable House, notwithstanding the decided expression of opinion against the measure, constitutionally and respectfully conveyed to your honourable House from so large a portion of her Majesty's subjects.

"That, yielding to none in loyalty to the British throne, and without questioning the motives in which the obnoxious provisions of the bill originated, your petitioners cannot but regard those education clauses as inconsistent with the principles of civil and religious liberty, with common justice, and with natural rights,as necessarily interfering with well-conducted voluntary efforts for the instruction of the humbler classes, and to disseminate among them principles which are subversive of religious truth, -and as further establishing one denomination of professing Christians in predominance above others, and unfairly and unnecessarily increasing its resources at the expense of all.

"That your petitioners therefore most carnestly pray your honourable House, that the education clauses of the Factories Bill may not pass into a law.

"And your petitioners will ever pray." On the motion of the Rev. J. D. Smith; seconded by the Rev. J. Hodgens :

5. That the following gentlemen be the officebearers of the Congregational Union of Ireland for the ensuing year :

Treasurer.-Timothy Turner, Esq.

The meeting closed with praise and the benediction.

As time did not allow the gentlemen who moved and seconded the third, fourth, and fifth resolutions to address the meeting at any length, an adjourned meeting was held at ten o'clock the following morning, in the same place, for the purpose of hearing their statements. The Rev. S. Shaw presided. Their speeches were marked by vigorous thought and feeling. Nothing could be more complete than Mr. Waller's exposé of the Factories Bill. Besides the gentlemen connected with the resolutions, the Rev. D. Russell spoke a second time, and the Rev. J. Gould (Baptist) also addressed the meeting.

On Friday evening the ordinance of the Lord's supper was administered in Plunketstreet Meeting-house. The Rev. S. G. Morrison, minister of the place, presided; and the Rev. Messrs. Murray, Hands, M'Assey, Russell, and Dr. Urwick, took part in the service. It was altogether a solemn and delightful season of fellowship with each other, and with our God and Saviour.

The Rev. D. Russell delivered able and

impressive discourses on the following Lord's day, when liberal collections were obtained on behalf of the Union.

Besides the foregoing meetings and services, the members of the Union met daily for conference on a variety of subjects affecting the welfare of the denomination. At the sixth conference, the Rev. J. Hands in the chair, it was moved by the Rev. J. Godkin, agent of the Irish Evangelical Society; seconded by the Rev. A. King, pastor of the church in Cork; and unanimously resolved:

"That an account of our anniversary, with the resolutions passed at the public meeting, and an abstract of our proceedings in conference, be published in the Evangelical Magazine, in the English and Scottish Congregational Magazines, in the Christian Examiner, and in the Patriot newspaper."

The conference proceedings referred to in this resolution are as follow::

"Fifth conference of the Congregational Union of Ireland for 1843. The Rev. J. Hands in the chair.

"The subject of arrangements for the future education of candidates for the ministry, in connexion with the Congregational body in Ireland, was brought under consideration by reference to the minutes of yesterday.

"Minutes of conference in 1841, appointing examinations and the annual meeting of the Dublin Theological Institution; also the second resolution of the annual meeting of the Union last year, recognising that institution as connected with the Union; also minutes of the committee respecting the case of three students who had relinquished their connexion with the academy, with parts of the Association's resolu

tions bearing upon it; also a letter from the Committee of the Dublin Theological Institution, stating that they had accepted the resignation of the resident tutor, that they dispense with the services of the other tutors at the expiration of the present quarter, that they shall resign their own office in connexion with the Institution at the close of the present month, and that the foregoing determination would be intimated to the young men in the institution, with the best wishes of the committee for their future welfare; also a letter from three of the present students, referring to these proceedings of the academy committee, and requesting advice of the ministers of the Union how they should act under the circumstances; also the proceedings of former conferences of the Union, at this anniversary respecting these matters having been read,

"After mature consideration, it was resolved unanimously:

"That arrangements be made for the education of candidates for the ministry according to the following plan:

"1. The name of the institution shall in future be, The Dublin Independent College.'

"2. Provision shall be made for superintending the college studies, and for securing to the students, at the discretion of the managers, the advantages of the University course.

"3. A sum not exceeding three pounds ten shillings per month shall be allowed to each student for expense of maintenance while attending the college, in cases where the committee shall deem such assistance to be required.

"4. Candidates shall be admitted to the college on probation by the committee at the commencement of each session; the probationers' continuance in the college to be determined at the next anniversary of the Union.

"5. An examination of the students shall be held at each anniversary of the Union, as appointed by the conference of 1841, from which date a period of three months shall be allowed for vacation.

"6. The course of study shall consist of four sessions of nine months each, this term to be in no case abridged or extended, but at the recommendation of the tutors.

"7. No student shall be allowed to engage in any employment that would interfere with the due performance of his studies.

"8. The terms of admission shall be distinctly stated and explained to every student when received, and he shall engage to observe the regulations appointed by the committee."

It was unanimously agreed, that, as the resources of the Union, according to the present agreement, are inadequate to meet the expenditure required for the home mission, to which alone that arrangement refers, application be made to the Christian public in Great Britain in behalf of the college, the Rev. A. King undertaking to visit Scotland for the purpose before the close of the summer, and another appointment to be made for the same purpose in England.

It was also unanimously agreed, that the Rev. A. King be delegate to the next annual meeting of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, and the Rev. James Godkin be delegate to the next annual meeting of the Congregational Union of Scotland.

All communications for the Congregational Union of Ireland to be addressed to the treasurer, Timothy Turner, Esq., Royal Bank; or to the secretary, Rev. W. Urwick D.D., Rathmines Mall, Dublin.

BELGIUM.

POPISH ABSURDITIES.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

MY DEAR SIR,-Will you allow me, through the medium of your Miscellany, to call the attention of the religious public in this land to the state of religion in the neighbouring country of Belgium? Popery, with all its absurdities, exercises an influence which, unless counteracted by the friends of Scriptural truth, it is feared will absorb the entire population. Very recently a splendid and imposing ceremonial took place in one of the largest churches in Brussels, when a most splendid crown was presented to a "Miraculous Image of the Virgin." It is

stated that there were ninety ounces of pure gold in the crown, and the workmanship alone cost 2801. As may be supposed, the ceremony of crowning the image was one of great pomp. The king and the queen were present during the service. The following is an extract from the account published in the Journal de Bruxelles :

"At the entrance of the church, the cardinal-archbishop, at the head of his clergy, complimented the king, on his following the example of his august consort in honouring the grand solemnity with his presence.

"The cardinal began the Veni Creator,' which was executed by a full orchestra. The Rev. Father Boone addressed the assembly in a short and touching discourse, proving in a few words, that the crown offered to Mary

was a crown of glory for her, and a crown of joy for the people. The cardinal then blessed the crown, after which the imposing ceremony of the coronation took place. Preceded by two priests, who carried the precious treasure, the cardinal ascended the steps which were raised before the throne of Mary, and when the crown, proof of so much affection, and of so many good works and conversions, was placed on the head of the Mother of Mercy, the eyes of all the assembly were fixed on this good mother, and expressed a feeling of the purest joy and most filial attachment; no pen can describe that moment of enthusiasm. The music of the guides, which had played during the ceremony, now ceased, and that of the college executed a hymn. The cardinal then consecrated to Mary-the king, the queen, their august children, the parish, the capital, and the whole of Belgium; and began the ' Magnificat,' which, chanted by a numerous clergy, constrained every heart to the deepest devotion. The affecting ceremony being ended, the cardinal went to the high altar and gave the triple blessing with the holy sacrament, and then conducted their Majesties to the church door. It is impossible for us to describe the enthusiasm of the people when the Royal Family entered and quitted the church. Long live the King!' Long live the Queen!' 'Long live the Duke of Brabant;' were repeated by more than 30,000 tongues.

We are

happy to see that it is to honour Mary, the Duke of Brabant appears, for the first time, publicly in a church. In the evening there was an illumination in the streets through which the procession had passed, and also in different parts of the parish; the poor places vied with the rich in the number of lights. It was impossible for the people to be happier than they were, at seeing the Royal Family, the nobility, and the high clergy associate with them, in a festival which they had begun in such an interesting manner, and which, in establishing their religious principles, has given them a lesson of such high morality."

To counteract in some degree the pernicious influence of such absurdities as these, an evangelical society has, for about six years, been carrying on a system of operations which has already been productive of the most delightful results. They have six missionaries, three schoolmasters, three schoolmistresses, and one tract colporteur. They support six missionary stations and five schools. The amount of contributions for the last year was only 1,0917. This is the more to be regretted, as there are greater facilities for preaching the gospel and other evangelical efforts in Belgium than in most of the continental nations. There is most

unbounded liberty enjoyed. Meetings for worship may be held at any time, and in any place. Not the slightest interference is allowed. The constitution guarantees protection alike to all. Did the Evangelical Society of Belgium possess the means, they could send their missionaries and colporteurs throughout the length and breadth of the land. There is also a spirit of hearing, that is peculiarly encouraging. "Unless we retrograde," says one of the agents, "our chapel will be inconveniently small. Yesterday I was at Fontaine-l'Eêque, for the second time. The room was so crowded, that there was great difficulty in getting out. Nearly six hundred persons were assembled round the doors and windows. Many eyes were wet with tears, and many hearts were touched." Statements like this could be multiplied. Surely, then, those who are interested in the cause, and anxious for the progress of scriptural religion, and to whom God has given an ample portion of this world's treasure, will be willing to aid in so good a work, and will readily assist those who are ready to labour in so promising a field. Having consented to receive contributions for this society, and to remit them to Brussels, the undersigned will be most happy to be favoured with donations or subscriptions. THOMAS JAMES.

7, Blomfield-street, Finsbury.

FRANCE.

EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

The committee of correspondence in connexion with this important institution beg to inform the religious public in this country, that they have received the report recently presented to the annual meeting of the society. It is a deeply interesting document, containing details of the operations of evangelists and colporteurs, who are labouring with success in different parts of France. It also records, with expressions of devout thankfulness, the sanction and pecuniary support obtained at the close of last year from ministers and other friends in this country, by Mr. Mark Wilks. The committee are intending to print and circulate copious extracts from the report, with a list of contributions received, which they will be happy to forward to any friends who may feel interested in the progress of true evangelical religion in France. Subscriptions and donations will continue to be thankfully received at this office.

THOMAS JAMES, Hon. Sec.

7, Blomfield-street, Finsbury.