The public recognition of the Rev. N. M. Harry (late of Banbury), over the ancient Independent church assembling in New Broad Street, took place on Thursday, 27th September last. The Rev. Dr. Cox commenced the service by reading some appropriate portions of Scripture, and by prayer; the Rev. Dr. Burder delivered the introductory address, in which he adduced some judicious and suitable observations relative to the history of the church from its first formation, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Guise, in the year 1727, down to the present time. The Rev. Doctor afterwards proposed the usual questions; the Rev. Dr. Bennett offered up the intercessory prayer with great solemnity and fervour; the Rev. Dr. Pye Smith addressed the new pastor with much affection and ability; the Rev. Joseph Berry, who was some few years ago pastor of the church, but who resigned from ill health, addressed the church in a most kind, pathetic, and eloquent manner; and the Rev. J. P. Dobson, the late pastor, concluded this interesting service with prayer. The meeting-house was much crowded, and the profoundest interest and solemnity pervaded the. whole assembly, and it is hoped an impression was made which will not easily be effaced. The addresses, &c., will shortly be published.

W. H. Hughes.

C. Stewart.

Sir J. Byng.

Mr. Lester.

T. K. Stavely.

J. S. Crompton.

J. Fenton.

PROVINCIAL.

OPENING OF THE NEW INDEPENDENT CHAPEL,

BRAINTREE.

This chapel is erected at the south-west entrance to the town of Braintree. It is a neat and elegant building of white brick and Bath stone. Its dimensions are 71 feet by 53, and it is computed to hold about 1500 persons. The old chapel, which was built 1788, and much enlarged in 1813, was still found "too strait" for the increasing numbers who have, of late, attended the ministry of the word. It was therefore found necessary to take it down. The ground on which it stood

is added to the burial-ground which was connected with it. The new chapel is built on a much more eligible spot. On the 9th of October it was opened for public worship; and the day will long be remembered by those who were present, as one of most hallowed delight. The morning service was begun with reading and prayer, by the Rev. R. Frost, of Dunmow; after singing, the Rev. T. Craig, of Bocking, engaged in prayer; the Rev. Joseph Fletcher, D.D., preached a most impressive sermon from Hab. ii. 20. The Rev. Joshua Sewell, of Thaxted, concluded with prayer. The hymns were read by the Rev. Thomas James, of Woolwich.

The evening service was begun by the Rev. A. Wells, of Coggeshall, with reading and prayer; the Rev. James Stratten preached a most animating discourse from Acts xiii. 38-41.; the Rev. Thomas James concluded with prayer. The hymns were read by the Rev. Mr. Dean. The place was crowded on each occasion with a most attentive and deeply affected audience. A large proportion of the Independent ministers of the county of Essex was present. The two collections amounted to upwards of £150.

ROBERT RAIKES AND SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

To the Editor.

Every thing which relates to the origin of Sabbath-schools is interesting. That Mr. Raikes had much to do with their commencement is certain; but that he was the sole originator of such institutions is not correct. I have it from good authority that a Miss Cooke, since Mrs. Blackburn, wife of a Methodist minister of that name, was one of the first, if not the very first person, who suggested to Mr. Raikes the idea of such a school; her benevolent attention having been called to the subject, in consequence of her observing with pain that the children employed in the pin-factory of her uncle, Alderman Weaver, of Gloucester, were spending the Sabbath in idleness and mischief. If Mrs. Blackburn, or some friend of hers, acquainted with particulars, be still living, it would be gratifying to receive, through the medium of this Magazine, a brief memoir of the case.

I subjoin a copy of an article which lately appeared in the Gloucester Journal, by which it will be seen that, in the opinion of Mr. Counsel, an aged gentleman of Gloucester, and well known for his diligence and skill in antiquarian researches, Mr. Stock has better claims than Mr. Raikes to the honour of being the founder of Sunday-schools. At all events, Mr. Raikes should not monopolise the honour. Mr. Counsel's statement respecting Mr. Stock is, I conceive, quite compatible with the account given me respecting Miss Cooke.

The fact appears to be, that both Miss Cooke and Mr. Stock conversed with Mr. Robert Raikes on the desirableness of such a school (which spoke first I am not sure); that Mr. Raikes immediately and zealously set about the business, and, through the medium of his Journal, gave it publicity; from which last circumstance it was inferred that the plan originated with him.

But, whoever was the founder, the design was surely from Him from whom every good

comes.

A GLOUCESTERSHIRE MINISTER.

To the Editors of the Gloucester Journal.

GENTLEMEN,-In your obituary of last week you announced the death of Mr. James King, who resided for many years in the house in Saint Catherine's parish where the first Sunday-school was established, in the year 1780, by the Rev. Thomas Stock, A.M. (the then Curate, and afterwards Rector of Saint John the Baptist), and Mr. Robert Raikes. The foundation of Sunday-schools in this city is now become matter of history; it is, therefore, very important that every circumstance connected with that event should be correctly recorded; but this has not been the case, for, on the contrary, it has been erroneously stated, in a great variety of topographical and other publications, that Mr. Raikes was the original founder of Sunday-schools, and that his memory will, on that account, be deservedly held in remembrance ;* but I do assert, from my own personal knowledge, that my old friend and school-fellow, the Rev. Thomas Stock, was the person who first suggested the plan of that benevolent institution, and, "on that account, his memory ought to be held in remembrance." admit that Mr. Raikes afterwards joined with Mr. Stock in the foundation of that establishment, and that Mr. Raikes, through the medium of the Gloucester Journal, gave publicity to it. I by no means wish to depreciate Mr. Raikes's services on that occasion, but the credit of being the founder of Sundayschools does not belong exclusively to him. I was on terms of the greatest intimacy with Mr. Raikes and Mr. Stock at the time Sunday-schools were first established in this city; and therefore, perhaps, possessed of more

am,

"In Gloucester originated that admirable establishment, Sunday-schools, which were first commenced by the late Mr. Raikes, a printer, of this city, whose memory will be deservedly held in remembrance."-Crosby's Gazetteer of England and Wales. Title, Gloucester.-The late Archdea-con Rudge, who was intimately acquainted with Mr. Raikes, and with every circumstance relating to the establishment of these schools, states, in the Gloucester Guide, "that the late Robert Raikes, Esq., obtained the name of founder of Sundayschools." And the learned Fosbroke, in his elaborate history of the city of Gloucester, speaking of Mr. Raikes, says," but his greatest recommendation is, in conjunction with the late able and Rev. Mr. Stock, the institution of Sunday-schools."

information on this subject than any person now in existence; in addition to which, I have in my possession some documents respecting the establishment of these schools, also various anecdotes of the founders, which will at some future period be published in the Supplement to my History of the City of Gloucester; it will then be seen with how much zeal Mr. Stock exerted himself in conducting these schools, and what large sums of his own money he expended on those occasions. That Mr. Stock regularly attended the schools every Sunday, and devoted a very considerable portion of his valuable time in the examination of the children: this Mr. Raikes could not be expected to do, as in those days he was fully employed in correcting the press, and superintending the printing of the Gloucester Journal. I do not mean to assert that Mr. Raikes never attended the school; for, on the contrary, Mr. King informed me that he (Mr. Raikes) "looked in now and then, but not very often." That when this school was first established in Saint Catherine's parish, Mr. Raikes contributed two-thirds, and Mr. Stock one-third, towards its support; but Mr. Raikes was and Mr. Stock a very then a very rich man, poor one; indeed, so much so, that Mr. Stock's contribution was ten times more than Mr. Raikes's, in proportion to their respective incomes. That when Mr. Raikes established a Sunday-school in his own parish (St. Mary de Crypt), he entirely withdrew his subscription from the original school; in consequence of which, poor Mr. Stock had to support it wholly at his own expence. That Mr. Stock afterwards established two of these schools in the parishes of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Aldate, both of which he regularly attended, and continued so to do until the time of his death. I have in my possession a book written by Mr. Stock, containing rules and regulations for the management of Sunday-schools established in the city of Gloucester; and which were so much approved of, that they were adopted in the Sunday-schools which were soon afterwards established in the metropolis and other parts of the kingdom. I have also in my possession one of these metropolitan Sunday-school books, printed in the year 1785, which is an exact transcript of Mr. Stock's publication. I have this day seen a letter from Mr. Stock, giving an account of the origin of Sundayschools, and the share he had in their foundation and establishment.

Mr. Stock was a man of great literary attainments, and of most exemplary conduct; and, notwithstanding "he made it the business and pleasure of his life to go about doing good, by instruction in righteousness and works of charity," yet He never sought the A most amiable and exapplause of men. cellent person (the late Rev. Richard Raikes) was once asked by a gentleman of

Sarepta House, St. Petersburgh.

MR. EDITOR,-Your interesting accounts of the Rev. Richard Miles, of Montreal, in Canada, greatly delighted us; and, as a small token of it, we send you twelve guineas, which please to forward to Mr. Miles by first opportunity.

The advancement of pure and undefiled religion in Canada is a delightful thought. That country's population-continually increasing has strong claims upon the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in Britain and the United States of America; and I have great confidence that these claims will be met with a benevolence worthy of the character of the present race of Christians.

Mr. Miles is well known, and the proof which he has already given of his love, and zeal, and faithfulness, is a guarantee to the followers of his Master that their offerings will not be misapplied.

But there is another view of the subject which has occupied our minds. We cannot but hope that the conduct of Mr. Miles will operate powerfully in favour of places far remote from Montreal. Is it too much to hope that some, if not many, of the dear young men who are studying for the ministry may feel a holy desire to imitate Mr. M., and go far hence where the people are perishing for lack of knowledge? It is said of our adored Lord, that "when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no Shepherd." Oh, what a happy day that will be when the disciples shall feel more of that " compassion" moving them, which filled the heart of their divine Master! May He give a double portion of it to you, dear sir,

And to your very obedient, RICHARD KNILL. P. S.-My friends here unite with me in love to Mr. Miles and his congregation.

DANUBE MOSS.

From the very great number of copies of this Magazine which are to be printed, we are compelled to close our pages much earlier

in the month than some of our respectable contemporary publications. On this account, we have been under the painful necessity of excluding from our last number information concerning Carlshuld and Mr. Lutz. But our correspondents deemed it their duty (and with our entire concurrence) to communicate the same matter to the Christian Observer, the Congregational Magazine, and the Patriot Newspaper. Trusting, therefore, that, in one or all of those valuable periodicals, our readers may have read the articles referred to, we shall now only give an outline of the facts.

It is no longer to be doubted that the Rev. J. G. E. Lutz, the deposed Vicar of Carlshuld, has been wrought upon by the Roman Catholic clergy of the bishopric of Augsburg, so as, passively it appears to us, to be brought back into their communion. But we yet want full explanations. No declaration of any kind, so far as we can learn, has been issued or authorized by Mr. Lutz. He appears to be kept under a very close watch and guard in the house of his uncle or cousin, a Roman Catholic priest. It is said that his mind is morbidly affected. We cannot but think, as we ventured to surmise in our last article (pp. 443, 444), that this is far from being a case of apostacy from that gospel of grace which Mr. L., as a Catholic priest, has preached with so much faithfulness and so abundant tokens of the divine blessing. Not improbably, the pleas of usefulness and expediency have been made to work upon his judgment, besides the efforts on his conscientious feelings. The Paris Archives du Christianisme, for September, asserts that a number of his friends, who are intent upon forming a German Catholic Church, have been active and successful in obstructing his progress towards Protestantism. Our readers may obtain some information on this subject by referring to our number for May last, p. 189. Of the reforming Catholics there described, and who abound in the south and east of Germany, some appear to confine their attention to matters of church order, discipline, and morals; others, we fear the smaller number, are vital Christians, eminently evangelical in their views, holy in

their lives, and indefatigable in their labours. Upon these much persecuting annoyance has often fallen. To this latter class Mr. Lutz belonged during the whole of his ministry at Carlshuld. Whether he continue among them, or still make his way out of the Romish communion, we cannot relinquish the hope that he will come out of the darkness in which he is now hidden from our view, and will yet shine in the grace of his Lord, humbled and greatly sanctified.

But we have the pleasure of confirming the intelligence that a numerous body, above 300, of his late parishioners, including his mother, have acted according to his solemn and most affecting charge (see our last number, p. 444), and STAND FIRM both in the doctrines of grace which, under his ministry, have been so blessed to their souls, and in their separation from the Roman Catholic Church. They are exerting their feeble powers and scanty means to the utmost in building a church and a school. The new vicar, Mr. Pächtner, whom the King of Bavaria has confirmed for the Protestant part of the parish of Carlshuld, is a faithful, devoted, evangelical pastor, and well adapted to the trying and laborious station in which he is thus fixed.

We have therefore the duty of echoing again the supplication from our brethren in various parts of Germany, that British Christians would aid the poor Moss-people in this interesting work. There is great reason to anticipate a large accession to the number of the Protestant Church, from those who, by Mr. Lutz's defection, had been thrown back into consternation and doubt. liberal subscriptions have been received already. We hope to announce them the next month; and, when we remit the sum, we shall not fail to insist on its being judiciously and frugally expended.

Some

Such kind contributions will be received at the banking-house of Messrs. Hankey; or by the Rev. Dr. Steinkopf, Savoy, Strand; the Rev. Dr. Pye Smith, Homerton; the Rev. Dr. Morison, Sloane Street; and the Rev. John Arundel, Mission House, Austin Friars.

"" save Jesús Christ, and him crucified." "No one," observed Dr. Morison, in the funeral discourse which he delivered, "that ever heard him, could doubt in what school of theology he had been trained. He was a stern, uncompromising advocate of the doctrines of grace, and never talked in that undecided manner which could leave any one at a loss to determine whether God or the creature was to possess the honour of man's redemption. But his theology had none of the vices of Antinomianism belonging to it. He well understood the great principles of moral obligation, and enforced them on saints and sinners with unshaken fidelity. He abhorred and reprobated that system which, upon pretence of honouring the sovereignty of divine grace, would deprive the lawgiver of his claims, strip man of his accountableness, and prevent the minister of truth from charging home upon the sinner the immediate duty of repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."

During several years previous to his death, his constitution had been considerably impaired, by repeated and severe attacks of gout and asthma; yet his friends did not apprehend that his sufferings were drawing to a close, until a very short time before his death. He was not himself sensible of any serious change, till within a few days before his dissolution. He earnestly entreated an interest in the prayers of all who visited him, and felt very sensibly the awful nature of the event that awaited him. His successor, the Rev. J. Robinson, saw him on the Saturday preceding his death, and, on enquiring into the state of his mind, Mr. S. replied, "Since I found my disease assuming a very serious character, I have been led to examine the grounds of my hope, and can say that I can trust my all in the hands of Christ. I have no joys, but I have no sorrows. I leave myself in the hands of Him whose I am, and whom I have endeavoured to serve, and in his hands I feel myself safe." After a little pause, he said, "My dear Robinson, serve, love, and preach Christ. Nothing but this will do when a man comes to die. There is no retiring from the ministry with comfort without a clear conscience on this point."

On the following day, the Sabbath, he retired to bed in the afternoon; and, after a short repose, he entered with great composure into a conversation with Mrs. S., his now bereaved widow, on some subjects on which he felt desirous of expressing his thoughts and wishes; and then, to console her mind under the painful prospect which lay before her, he said, "Look to the strong for strength; trust not to your feelings, but live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as your only sure support in life and death."

On Tuesday, his daughter called to see him and Mrs. S. and she, being by his bedside, he said to his daughter, "You are now

come, my dear girl, to take your last leave of your poor father. I feel that the hand of death is upon me. I commit you to Christ. Trust not to your feelings in religion. See that your heart is right with God. I feel that I am a poor sinner. Christ is the only comfort and satisfaction of my mind. I think I can say he is my portion. You will feel my loss, but remember that Christ will be infinitely more to you than I can be." In the evening of the same day, his son-in-law, Mr. Coyzen, called upon him. Mr. S. said, "These are dark scenes." "I fear," re

plied Mr. C., "that to you they are the valley of the shadow of death." "Yes, yes," was the reply," they are. I am neither joyful nor sorrowful; but I am stayed and peaceful, and perhaps, for a poor sinner, that is the best condition to be in."

On Wednesday, his powers of mind began obviously to fail; and, though there were lucid intervals, his sufferings were so great as to prevent any further communications on those subjects, to him and to his friends the most interesting and important. He fell asleep in Jesus on Thursday, March 29, and in the sixty-second year of his age.

He was interred in the vault under the chapel in Tottenham Court Road, on Friday, the 6th of April, when the Rev. Dr. Winter delivered a funeral oration, and the Rev. Mr. Pritchard, minister of Keppel Street, prayed over the remains. His death was improved by the Rev. Dr. Morison, at Chapel Street, on the following Sabbath morning, from Dan. xii. 3. We are glad to find that this discourse has been published by Westley and Davis, in their valuable periodical called The British Preacher, and will be found in the July number of that work. (Many who heard the discourse expressed a wish to see it in print, and we take this opportunity of informing them that the wish has been com plied with in that form, in preference to any other, as less expensive.)

We should have felt great pleasure in presenting our readers with a more detailed account of this departed minister of the gospel, if he had not expressed, in strong terms, his wish that as little as possible should be said about him after his death, and if the task had not been rendered very difficult, from his having destroyed before his death all the papers which would have furnished any information on the leading events of his life, and the principles by which he was actuated. But his reward is in heaven, and that he has already received.

MARY GUNN.

The subject of this memoir was the beloved wife of Mr. John Gunn, grocer, Aylesbury, Bucks. The union by marriage took place September 13th, 1831, and the separation by