destroyed (which may God speedily rebuild!) our fathers, dreading the Conqueror's wrath, departed from Jerusalem, a numerous body of men, women, priests, and Levites, and came into this land. There were among them men of repute for learning and wisdom; and God gave the people favour in the sight of the King who at that time reigned here, and he granted them a place to dwell in, called Cranganor. He allowed them a patriarchal jurisdiction within the district, with certain privileges of nobility; and the Royal Grant was engraved, according to the custom of those days, on a plate of brass. This was done in the year from the creation of the world 4250(A. D.490); and this plate of brass we still have in possession. Our forefathers continued at Cranganor for about a thousand years; and the number of heads who governed were seventy-two. Soon after our settlement, other Jews followed us from Judea: and among these came that man of great wisdom, Rabbi Samuel, a Levite of Jerusalem, with his son, Rabbi Jehuda Levita. They brought with them the SILVER TRUMPETS, made use of at the time of the JUBILEE, which were saved when the second Temple was destroyed and we have heard from our fathers, that there were engraven upon those trumpets the letters of the ineffable Name. There joined us also from Spain, and other places, from time to time, certain tribes of Jews, who had heard of our prosperity. But at last, discord arising among ourselves, one of the Chiefs called to his assistance an Indian King, who came upon us with a great army, destroyed our houses, palaces, and strong holds, dispossessed us of Cranganor, killed part of us, and carried part into captivity. By these massacres we were reduced to a small number. Some of the exiles came and dwelt at Cochin, where we have remained ever since, suffering great changes from time to time. There are amongst us some of the children of Israel (Beni-Israel), who came from the country of Ashkenaz, from Egypt, from Tsoba,

and other places, besides those who formerly inhabited this country.'

The native annals of Malabar confirm the foregoing account, in the principal circumstances, as do the Mahomedan histories of the later ages; for the Mahome bins have been settled here in great numbers since the eighth century.

The desolation of Cranganor the Jews describe as being like the desolation of Jerusalem in miniature. They were first received into the country with some favour and confidence, agreeably to the tenor of the general prophecy concerning the Jews; for no country was to reject them: and after they had obtained some wealth, and attracted the notice of men, they are precipitated to the lowest abyss of human suffering and reproach. The recital of the sufferings of the Jews at Cranganor resembles much that of the Jews at Jerusalem, as given by Josephus.

I now requested they would shew me their brass plate. Having been given by a native King, it is written, of course, in the Malabaric language and character; and is now so old that it cannot be well understood. The Jews preserve a Hebrew translation of it, which they presented to me but the Hebrew itself is very difficult; and they do not agree among themselves as to the meaning of some words. I have employed, by their permission, an engraver at Cochin, to execute a fac-simile of the original plate, on copper. This ancient document begins in the following manner, according to the Hebrew translation:

In the peace of God, the King, which hath made the earth according to his pleasure. To this God, 1, AIRVI BRAHMIN, have lifted up my hand, and have granted by this deed, which many hundred thousand years shall run dwelling in Cranganor, have granted, in the 36th year of my reign, in the strength of power I have given an inheritance to JOSEPH RABBAN.'

I,

Then follow the privileges of nobility; such as permission to ride on the elephant; to have a herald to go before, to announce

Two

On the 1st of January, 1911, a new Independent chapel was opened at Colne, in Lancashire. sermons were preached in the morn ing: one by Mr. Bradley, of Manchester, from Ps. xxvi. 8; and the other by Mr. Fletcher, of Blackbara, from Ps. cxviii. 25. In the evening also two sermons were preached: the former by Mr.Scott, of Eastwood, from Psalm ii. 6; and the latter by Mr. Roby, of Manchester, from Isa. ii. 2, 3. Mr. Poole and Mr. Sowden engaged in the devotional exercises of the day.

April 2. The West Kent Union met at Mr. Rogers's, Eynsford. Messrs. Stanger, Beutliff, Knott, Beaufoy, Shirley, Morris, Rogers, Kent, and Sabine, assembled in the forenoon for prayer and business, Their interview was harmonious, pleasant, and, we trust, profitable. Mr. Beaufoy preached in the afternoon, from Ps. xcvii. 11; and Mr. Sabine in the evening, from Heb. iv. 12. The devotional services were conducted by various brethren then present. The next Meeting will be held at Mr. Knott's, Chatham, October 2: Mr. Morris is appointed to preach in the afternoon;

and Mr. Shirley, of Seven Oaks, in the evening. In case of failure Messrs. Gooding and Kent.

The Annual Glamorgan Association of the Independents was held at Merthyr-tydvil, April 17 and 18. The service began the first day at Ten o'clock, by reading and prayer by Mr. W. Watkins, of St. Donats; Mr. T. Jones, of Saron, preached from John v. 10; Mr. W. Joues, of

Bridgend, from Matt. xxviii. 18. The conference by the Ministers commenced at Two o'clock; when it was agreed that all the Ministers in their respective congregations, should make an Annual Collection ary and British and Foreign Bible towards the support of the Mission

Societies. At Five o'clock the service was introduced by reading and prayer, by Mr. M. Lewis, of Ystradfellte; Mr. T. Jones, of Esgerdawe, preached from Ps. cx. 3; Mr. J. Bowen, of Saron, from Mait. xxi. 37. The following day the service commenced by reading and prayer by Mr. W. Jones, of Langonwyd; Mr. S. Davies, of Maindy, preached from Eph. vi. 19. The service again began at Eleven o'clock, by reading and prayer, by Mr. P. Jenkins, of Brychgoed; Mr. T. Bowen, of Neath, preached from Acts iii. 26; Mr. E. Jones, of Pontypool, from Psalm xlv. 13-15; Mr. D. Davis, of Swansea, from Heb. vii. 25; and at five o'clock Mr. T. Davis, of Bethaniah, began again by reading and prayer; Mr. D. Williams, of Buillth, preached from Jos. xxiv. 15; Mr. G. Hughs, of Croswen, from Luke xxiv. 32.

May 2. The Rev. James Spurgeon (late of Clare) was set apart to the pastoral office, over the Independent Church at Stambourn in Essex (formerly under the care of the late Rev. Benjamin Beddow) Mr. Jennings, of Thaxted, commenced with prayer, &c.; Mr. Bowers, of Haverhill, offered up the general prayer; Mr. Stevenson, of Castle Hedingham, delivered an excellent discourse from John xxi. 16, Feed my sheep;' Mr. Robinson of Bumstead, concluded with prayer.

May 21. The formation of a Small Baptist Church at Southwell, Nottinghamshire, was publicly recognized. Mr. Newman, deacon of the Baptist Church at Newark, read and prayed; Mr. Coles, of Sutton, gave an account of a Christian Church; Mr. Jones, of Lincoln, offered up the ordination prayer ; Mr. Nichols, of Collingham, gave the charge to Mr. Musson, the pastor, from Psalm cxxxiv. 3; Mr. Jarvis, of Newark, preached to the people from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. This small Society originated in the meeting of a few friends for prayer and reading the Scriptures. They gradually increased in numbers, and within the last two years requested their brother Musson to attempt the exposition of the Scriptures among them. They lately proeured a more commodious place of worship, and have now a congregation of between two and three hundred persons; and much good is likely to be done.

On Whit-Monday, June 3, the Annual attempt at Peppard, to counteract the vile practice of revelling, was renewed with some success; for, through the blessing of God, there were more persons at the chapel than at the revel; and the revellers were constrained to say, it was the poorest revel they had seen for many years. In the

morning Mr. Churchill, of Henley, preached to the young people from Psalm iii. 16. After the inorning service we dined 120 poor people and children, besides a number of friends. in the afternoon Mr.

Read preached from Psalin xxxiv. 8; in the evening Mr. Wood, of Reading, from Proverbs xii. 26; Mess. Watkins, Douglas, and Newbury, assisted in the services of the day.

July 2 and 3. The Eastern Association of the county of York, was held at the Rev. D. Williams's, Swanland, near Hull. A considerable part of the time was devoted to the consideration of the state of religion in the respective churches; and the brethren found reason to rejoice that, upon the whole, the work of the Lord appears to be

prospering. On the Wednesday two interesting sermons were delivered; that in the afternoon by Mr. Bottomly, of Scarborough, from Prov. xi. 30; and that in the evening by Mr Hobson, of Drif field, from Rom. iv. 16; Messrs. Arundel, Wilkinson, Payne, and Lambert, were engaged in the devótional exercises of the day. The congregations were numerous and respectable, and appeared united and earnest in their supplications to God for the blessing upon this newly formed institution.

dained Pastor over the Church of July 9. Mr. J. Cook was or Christ, composed of Baptists and wickshire. Mr. Percy, of Warwick, Independents, at Ealington, War began the service by prayer, and reading the scriptures; Mr.Rowton, of Foleshill, gave a description of a Gospel Church, &c. ; Mr. Smith, of Blockley, prayed the ordination prayer; Mr. Dagley, of Chapel-end, gave the charge, from 1 Tim. i. 19; Mr. Laxon, of Hungerford, Berks, preached to the people from Philip. iv. 1; Mr. J. O. Stokes, of Stratford 'on Avon, preached in the evening, from Matth. xxvi. 41. The services of the day were solemn: the congregation was crowded and attentive.

On Wednesday, July 10, the Rev.

George Partington was ordained over the Independent church at Colne. Mr. Sowden, of Horton,

read the Scriptures and prayed ; Mr. Fletcher, of Blackburn, delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions, and received the confession of faith; Mr.Bowden, of Darwen, presented the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands; Mr Roby, of Manchester, gave the charge, from 1 Tim. iv. 16; and Mr. Smith, of Manchester, addressed the people, from Heb. xiii. 22; Mr. Hinchliffe, of Haslingdeu, conoluded the services by prayer; and Mr. Sharpe, of Skipton, preached in the evening. We are happy in stating, that the appearances of religious prosperity in this place are reimarkably encouraging. Mr. Partington cominenced his la bours here under the direction of