tion, and others are anxiously waiting the result of the next election; but it is obvious that, without considerable additions to the present fund, the benefits of the charity must be very limited, and totally inadequate to the number and necessities of those for whom it is designed.

The Committee, therefore, most earnestly invite the liberality of the religious public in its behalf. They entreat the co-operation of all who appreciate the importance of the Christian ministry, and more especially of Christian females; respectfully reminding them, that for the benefit of their sex this institution has been formed, urging on their recollection the words of the Lord Jesus, that "it is more blessed to give than to receive:" feeling convinced that such a service, inspired by love to his name, will be honoured by his gracious approval. asmuch as ye have done it unto one of these little ones, ye have done it unto me.

"In

Annual subscribers of one guinea, or life subscribers of ten guineas, are entitled to two votes for each child to be elected.

Subscriptions received by Thomas Challis, Esq. Treasurer, 34, Finsbury Square; Rev. A. Tidman, 27, Finsbury Square; Jesse Goldsmith, Esq. Old Jewry; J. Moginie, Esq. Smithfield Bars; Mr. E. Taylor, Canonbury Square, Islington; J. Viney, Esq. Cornhill; and Mr. Sard, Secretary, 7, Jewin Street.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATIONS.

The following illustrations of passages of Scripture are selected from Mr. Charles Taylor's Instructive Magazine; a work equally calculated for the library, the parlour, and the school.

CUSTOMARY PRESENT RECEIVED BY THE VISITORS OF AN ASIATIC PRINCE.

On paying a visit to any Asiatic prince, an inferior receives from him a complete dress of honour, consisting of a khelaut, a robe, a turban, a shield, and sword, with a string of jewels to go round the neck. This ceremony was submitted to by Lord Cornwallis when at Benares. When Lord Wellesley visited the Upper Provinces, he objected to the ceremony as too degrading, and determined to appear in the presence of the royal family in his uniform, receiving the dresses in trays as a present made to him.-Lord Valentia's Travels in India.

The permanence of oriental customs is here strikingly exemplified. The rank and power of Lord Wellesley would completely hinder any murmuring at the total derangement of customary formality; but undoubtedly such a refusal by an inferior character would have been regarded as the most insulting mark of disrespect possible. This illustrates the Parable of the Wedding Garment very satisfactorily, as the guest must have

trampled on all the usages of the country by refusing to put on the accustomed present, and as regarding his own dress sufficient to appear before the "King which made a marriage for his Son." See Matt. xxii.

INTRODUCTION OF THE WEEPING WILLOW INTO

66

ENGLAND.

By the rivers of Babylon [the streams of the river Euphrates] there we sat down, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof."-Ps. cxxxvii. 1, 2.

Mr. Vernon, Turkey merchant at Aleppo, transplanted the weeping willow from the river Euphrates, brought it with him to England, and planted it at his seat in Twickenham Park, where I saw it growing, Anno 1748. This is the original of all the weeping willows in our gardens.

How pleasing is the idea that every incidental circumstance furnishes to the observant mind a collateral proof of the unimpeachable veracity of holy writ! Ought we not to regard every weeping willow that comes under our observation as an illustration of the authenticity as well as of the accuracy of the Israelitish Captives' Song, as handed down to us in the passage above quoted?

PROVINCIAL.

KENT ASSOCIATION.

The next annual meeting of the Kent Independent Association will be held at the Rev. Mr. Rook's, Faversham, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 3rd and 4th July, on which occasion the Rev. J. Prankard, of Sheerness, is expected to preach on Tuesday evening, and the Rev. W. Chapman, of Greenwich, on Wednesday morning. The business of the association will be conducted on Wednesday afternooon, and on the evening of the same day the annual meeting of the Kent Auxiliary Missionary Society will be held. The Kent Union Society will also be held on Tuesday afternoon, at 3 o'clock.

which Rev. J. Leifchild delivered an appropriate address, stating the origin of the Dissenting interest in Windsor, the circumstances which have led to the erection of the new building, and the doctrines of the gospel which will be proclaimed in it. The 117th Psalm was sung, and Rev. J. A. James concluded with solemn prayer and the benediction.

The Rev. W. Fletcher, late of Thornbury, Gloucestershire, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Independent church and congregation at Ringwood, Hants; at which place he commenced his stated labours the first Lord's day of June.

NEW INDEPENDENT CHAPEL AT OXFORD.

We have just seen the foundation and plans of this commodious and elegant building, and cannot but congratulate the city of Oxford on the erection of another place of worship in which the distinguished truths of Christianity will be faithfully dispensed. The originators of this chapel are persons of great respectability, connected with the congregation of the Rev. Mr. Copley, some of them Baptists and some Independents; but all agreeing, we understand, that the trustdeeds of the new place of worship shall secure the property to the cause of Independency. We rejoice to find that Thomas Wilson, Esq., of Highbury, with his accustomed zeal and liberality, has contributed, in aid of this undertaking, the sum of £500; and that other friends have displayed, according to their means, equal generosity. As the freehold has cost a very large sum, ground being very expensive in Oxford, it will be absolutely necessary that the more wealthy portion of the Dissenting community should step forward and vigorously support this truly interesting cause. A more important stand for the Congregational Denomination cannot be made; but the few liberal friends who have countenanced this laudable effort are unable to bear the burden without the aid and co-operation of their Christian brethren in different parts of the kingdom. It is greatly to the credit of our excellent friend, Mr. Copley, that, though some temporary

injury may arise to his congregation from the new cause, he has given it the sanction of his name and recommendation; and we do trust that all the future proceedings will be conducted in that spirit of love and concord which will preserve the link of Christian fellowship between the two churches unbroken. Thomas Wilson, Esq., of Highbury, and Messrs. Collingwood and Devonport, of Oxford, will gladly receive such contributions to this new and important undertaking as may be transmitted to them by the friends of evangelical religion.

BIRDBUSH, WILTSHIRE.

On Wednesday, October 12th, 1831, the Rev. Ebenezer Temple, late of London, and nephew of the Rev. R. H. Shepherd, of Ranelagh Chapel, Chelsea, was ordained pastor of the Independent church at Birdbush, Wilts.

In the morning, the Rev. Wm. Powell, of Tisbury, read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. R. Collins, of Hindon, also prayed; Rev. T. Durant, of Poole, delivered an admirable introductory discourse on the nature of church government; the Rev. T. Evans, of Shaftsbury, asked the usual questions, and received Mr. Temple's confession of faith; the Rev. J. Hyatt, of Wilton, offered the ordinationprayer, accompanied with imposition of hands; the Rev. Alexander Fletcher, of Finsbury Chapel, London, delivered an affectionate charge; and the Rev. J. Little, of Mere, concluded with prayer.

In the evening, the congregation re-assembled. The Rev. W. Richards, of Milbourn Port, offered up prayer; the Rev. J. E. Good, of Salisbury, preached to the people, on the duty of shewing their proof of their love" to their minister, from 2 Cor. viii. 24; and the Rev. Mr. Bailey, of Cripplestile, concluded the solemnities of the day by prayer. The Rev. Messrs. Standerwick, of Dalverton, Best, of Forent, &c., took part in the services.

The circumstance of there having been no ordination at Birdbush, for nearly thirty years, since the ordination of the Rev. Mr. M'Gibbon, excited considerable interest; so that, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, the attendance was overflowing. The labours of Mr. Temple have proved highly acceptable to the neighbourhood; and the prospect of comfort and great usefulness is highly delightful. The ordination service has been published by the consent of the ministers who sustained the prominent parts on the occasion.

It may not be either uninteresting or unprofitable to extract, from Calamy's Nonconformist Memorial, the remarkable and almost romantic origin of this venerable church, the first congregational church in the county. It is as follows:-" Not long after the year 1662, Mr. Grove, a gentleman

of great opulence, whose seat was near Birdbush, upon his wife's lying dangerously ill, sent to the parish minister to pray with her. When the messenger came, he was just going out with the hounds, and sent word he would come when the hunt was over. At Mr. Grove's expressing much resentment against the minister for choosing rather to follow his diversions than attend his wife under the circumstances in which she lay, one of the servants said, Sir, our shepherd, if you will send for him, can pray very well; we have often heard him at prayer in the field.' Upon this he was immediately sent for, and Mr. Grove asking him whether he ever did or could pray, the shepherd fixed his eyes upon him, and, with peculiar seriousness in his countenance, replied, God forbid, Sir, I should one day live without prayer.' Hereupon he was desired to pray with the sick lady, which he did so pertinently to her case, with such fervency and fluency of devotion, as greatly to astonish the husband and all the family who were present.

:

"When they arose from their knees, the gentleman addressed him to this effect:Your language and manner discover you to be a very different person from what your present appearance indicates; I conjure you to inform me who and what you are, and what were your views and situation in life before you came into my service?' Whereupon he told him he was one of the ministers who had been lately ejected from the church, and that, having nothing of his own left, he was content, for livelihood, to submit to the honest and peaceable employment of tending sheep.' Upon hearing this, Mr. Grove said, Then you shall be MY SHEPHERD,' and immediately erected a meetinghouse on his own estate, in which Mr. Juce preached to a gathered congregation of dissenters, which continues unto this day." We may add, and has continued unto this day: upwards of 150 years from the beginning.

Although I enjoyed the pleasure of your society only for a few hours, and my person perhaps will hardly be recollected by you, yet your affection, so abundantly evinced towards the members of the Rhenish Missionary Society, gives me confidence to introduce and recommend to you this brother.

I avail myself of this opportunity to give you some account of the continued labours of the Rhenish Missionary Society, taking the liberty of writing in German, as brother Fliedner will have the goodness to put it into English.

Never to be forgotten by all Christians in our valley and neighbourhood is the memorable day of the 29th of June, 1829, when, in your and Dr. Philip's presence, our first missionaries to the heathen were consecrated to their work. I do not assert too much when I say, that the impression made on that day spread over all Germany, and that your journey has had more blessed results than you yourself could have imagined. How much we are indebted to you and the other English brethren for your kindness in pointing out to us, with so much self-denying love, the way into the missionary field, and leading our first labourers into the work of their calling!

The immediate effect produced upon the Christians in our country, by the first sending forth of missionaries, was the simultaneous offer of support from all parts, and the forma tion of auxiliary societies in various places; so that, when our brethren who were sent out deemed it proper to purchase ground for a station in South Africa, the necessary money was already placed in our hands. Our six brethren labour at present in four places, -Stillenbash, Tulbach, Worcester, and the new-founded station of Wapperthal. We have all reason to be satisfied with the zeal and method of our brethren in their work. More than 5000 slaves and free Hottentots have been consigned to their sphere of operation. Being acquainted with the Dutch language, they were able immediately to commence their missionary work in all places, and in every one of them, proofs of the power of the word of God for the enlightening and renewing of souls have already occurred; and if nothing else could be done by our brethren than what has been done, we should have reason to be thankful to the Lord, and, in consideration of the value of one immortal soul, to regard all our labours and expenses as richly rewarded. But we are delightfully led on to increase our exertion by an extended field of labour. In Stellenbosh, such an awakening has taken place, that our brother Lückhaff is no longer able alone to preach the gospel both to adults and children, and we shall have, this summer, to send him a fellowlabourer. Equally delightful are the reports from Tulbach and Worcester. In Wupperthal, in the Cedar Mountains, a congregation of about 100 individuals has been collected

from among the heathen. The building of

a new church and mission-house is to be commenced there this year. Towards the first object we have already received special contributions of Christian charity to the amount of £180. Brother Wurmb avails himself of his medical practice to cast out the net of the gospel in the neighbourhood of this station. We purpose (D. v.) to send to the brethren's assistance some Christian colonists in the course of the summer. Likewise the interior, particularly the west coast, the Namaqualand, presents to us a fair prospect; and we are willing, as much as lies in our power, to follow the direction of the Lord.

With regard to the domestic affairs of our society, we may say, to the praise and glory of the Lord, that, in the midst of these troublesome times, we rest in perfect peace. All authorities, from the highest to the lowest, are favourable to our cause, and willing to promote it; even our own beloved monarch and royal family manifest a lively interest in this cause of the Lord. The number of pupils in our seminary varies from ten to twelve, inasmuch as we willingly allow every one to leave who should not feel himself called, or be not considered so by us. Among other necessary attainments, and the English and Dutch languages, a thorough acquaintance with the word of God remains our chief aim. More than thirty pious young men, from all parts of Germany, have offered themselves as candidates for admission, from among whom we purpose to select again a small number in autumn. In our choice of pupils, we find it in many respects advantageous to give the preference to young men of the working class, without, however, excluding those of a higher station in life. On their admission, it is made known to them that the whole period of preparation is a time of probation; that the society reserve to themselves the power of dissolving their connexion with them at any time; and that, although their preparation comprises the full calling of a missionary, yet every one of them must be satifised if he can go forth only as a catechist, or even as a colonist and Christian workman.

Two years ago, our society received the valuable gift of two and a half acres of land, in the most charming part of our valley, not far from the church where the first ordination took place. The society agreed to build on it a mission-house. The means thereto were

A pious farmer of the name of Theis, well known to translator, once said to him, with much emphasis and joy, "Brother, I have succeeded, I have succeeded!" On being asked what he had achieved, he answered, Oh, I long wished to give my money to the missionary cause whilst I am still living, as I have no family; I have now safely placed it in the hands of the Barmen Missionary Society, for building a missionhouse, I have given them 6000 dollars, and am so glad I have succeeded!”

VOL X.

procured by the mission's blatt (missionary paper), which continues to be circulated in 14,000 copies. The building is nearly finished, and the missionary cause, as we sincerely trust in humble dependence upon the Lord, will now have found a permanent place among us. In the course of this summer we already mean to occupy it. True it is, that our council-room will want the glorious trophies of the victories of the gospel over the idols of the heathen,* as calculated to convince the senses of the blessings of the missionary work; but we trust, of the faithfulness of the Lord, that our labour, begun in weakness will not be in vain in the Lord.

You have promised to visit us again. Come, then, dear friend: our beating hearts meet you; and as to our tongues, we shall soon make ourselves understood. Come and see how the little plant has increased which the Lord has planted among us, and watered so richly through your visit! Your coming will bring with it new, although perhaps more quiet blessings; it will give us opportunity of evincing to you our gratitude and our love.

The richest blessings of our rich God be with you!

In the name of the Rhenish Miss. Society, W. LELPOLDT, Minister and Secretary.

SWEDEN.

EXTRACTS OF A LETTER FROM PETER DAHL, ESQ., DATED GOTHENBURGH, MAY 12, 1832,

ADDRESSED TO THE REV. C. RAHMN.

DEAR SIR,

As far as it regards outward circumstances, I am happy to say that, in our beloved country, we enjoy peace and tranquillity, and are permitted, without interruption, to build ourselves up in our most holy faith, which, indeed, is a great privilege in these boisterous and unsettled times. May we have grace rightly to improve our privileges! There are not a few persons among us who are well disposed as it regards the missionary cause; but it is much to be lamented that generally, and with but comparatively few exceptions, great ignorance prevails among our countrymen on this subject. This is to be ascribed solely to the want of information on missionary subjects by the medium of the press. Since the Rev. John Wetterdahl left Stockholm,t the weekly paper called

The meaning of this sentence is: True it is, that our little sanctuary in the new mission-house, where we shall meet for prayer, &c., has not yet got any idols for the people to look at, such as are so numerously stored up in the missionary museum in London, although we should be very glad indeed if we could get a few, that the Christian people might see what idols are, and might rejoice that the heathen are beginning to turn from such vanities; but, &c.-TRANSLATOR.

+ Rev. John Wætterdahl is justly entitled to the honour of having been the ori2 G

"Notices of the Progress of the Gospel," has ceased. This paper, for some years, continued, in a most interesting and satisfactory manner, to communicate general missionary intelligence. We greatly feel the want of a paper of this kind, exclusively designed to convey missionary and religious information, which cannot find a place in any of the various journals of the day, which are published for political, scientific, and other purposes. I have no doubt, that if it were properly and fairly commenced, we should soon find sufficient encouragement to continue such a publication, notwithstanding the various difficulties that, at first view, and from various sources, present themselves to an undertaking of this kind in our country. And I am the more prepared for entertaining this hope, as I am able to communicate to you the pleasing fact, that a Missionary Society has already been formed in this place; and though, as yet, but in its infancy, still serves as a rallying point to all who love the Redeemer and his cause. This is the first voluntary association of the kind in Sweden. It was at the celebration of the last jubilee* that the Rev. Ephraim Stare carried his pious wishes into effect, by the formation of this society, in which he was most readily joined by a goodly number of Christian friends, who became subscribers to the infant institution. I am happy to add, that the Right Rev. Dr. Wingard, our good bishop, has been pleased to assure the society of his patronage and

ginator and founder of the Religious Tract Society in Stockholm, which institution is known in Sweden under the name of the

Evangelical Society." It began its operations in the year 1808, during the desperate war then raging between Sweden and Russia; the horrors and miseries of which this faithful servant of Christ witnessed in the capacity of chaplain in the royal Swedish navy. From the said year 1808 to 1822, the Swedish Tract Society distributed nearly 2,000,000 of tracts in the Swedish, Finnish, and Laplandic tongues. Having got preferment to a rectory in Ostgothland, in the neighbourhood of Norrkoeping, Mr. Wætterdahl removed from Stockholm in the year 1823. He was chief, if not the sole, editor of the "Notices, &c."

*This jubilee was celebrated, in the year 1830, by all the Lutheran churches throughout Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Russian empire, &c. &c. in commemoration of the Confession of Augsburg being presented to the emperor Charles V., in the year 1530. The Swedes also recalled to memory the introduction of Christianity into their country, 1000 years ago, by Ansgarius, of Corbey, who, in the year 830, baptized the first-fruits of his mission, undertaken at the request of Emperor Ludowicus to the Swedish King Bjorn, at Bjorkoe. Ansgarius, having faithfully finished his missionary career, was promoted to the See of Hamburgh.

sincerest countenance. Your humble friend has been appointed to sustain the office of acting Secretary. As this society is an entire novelty among us, and our people are unaccustomed to enterprises of this kind, you are well able to conceive that we have hitherto made but little progress, and that some time must necessarily elapse before we can attain to anything like a competent organization and system. We must go on by degrees. Our work is preparatory. We have hitherto endeavoured, by occasional small publications, to enlighten and instruct the minds of our countrymen on missionary subjects, and thereby to fan the sacred flame that has begun to kindle in the hearts of many. The members of the society have a public prayermeeting on the first Monday in every month, when they unite in imploring the Lord to pour out his Spirit upon themselves, our country, and the world, that his kingdom may come, and the Saviour may see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied.

I have thus stated a fact which I am sure will afford our dear Christian friends in England the purest delight; and you may assure them that there are, in Gothenburgh, many warm friends to the missionary cause. It is to the British churches and religious societies we would look up for that aid and assistance by which, under the blessing of God, we expect to be nourished up into maturity, and to become eventually co-operating in the great work of evangelizing the world. Happy should we be if they could lend us a helping hand, in the way I now shall take the liberty to mention. Our means are too limited at present to enable us to procure English periodicals for the formation of a mission-library, of which we stand much in need, and which is so essential for our operations. Do you not think, if an appeal were made to the London Missionary Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, and to private benevolent friends, that we might, through their benevolence, be supplied with copies of what has been and is published by the said and similar societies? A complete set of the Evangelical Magazine and the Missionary Chronicle would be an invaluable acquisition, if we were favoured with it. I hope you will exert yourself in pleading our cause, and I have no doubt that the appeal to British Christian feelings and principles

cannot be made in vain.

Our city continues to be favoured by a faithful ministry. The bishop preaches frequently, and with unction. The Rev. Mr. Paulson, Chaplain at the Cathedral, is a very active minister of the gospel, whose preaching, and catechetical exercises with the young people every Sabbath after the afternoon service, are greatly blessed. The same can be said of the labours of many other pious and devoted men who sustain the ministerial character among us.

I am, my dear Sir, Yours, &c.
(Signed) PETER DAHL.