The following ministers, in addition to those already named, were present, and took part in the various deliberations: the Revs. Dr. Massie, S. McAll, A. Jack, J. G. Rogers, E. Bewley, T. Watkinson, &c., &c. We think it is impossible to witness the growing intelligence and vigour of the Union, without joining with Dr. Legge in his brief, but apt speech, in support of one of the early resolutions :"He entirely concurred in what had been said respecting the Report, which had been presented, and the general condition of our body. He rejoiced that its personnel, its staff of action, was so sound and effective, and also, that its matériel, the sinews of war with which it was to proceed in its work, was so far satisfactory that the Society might go on its way rejoicing. He congratulated the assembly on their auspicious meetings, and rejoiced to belong to such a body as the Congregational Union. He believed that with it was connected our best and highest interests-the interests of our kind and country. He considered that Europe was the heart and soul of the world, that England was the heart and soul of Europe, and that Congregational | Dissenters were the life and soul of England." We deeply regret that circumstances beyond our control deprived us of the privilege and the pleasure of attending the meetings at Newcastle, Shields, and Sunderland, from which we augur the happiest results to the Union, to our denomination, and to the cause of Christ, both at home and abroad. YORK-STREET CHAPEL, WALWORTH. Proposed Jubilee Memorial Schools. A PUBLIC meeting was held at Yorkstreet Chapel, Walworth, on Monday evening, August 21, 1854, to promote the erection of new, complete, and commodious schools for the benefit of the surrounding neighbourhood, and in connexion with the above congregation. The chair was taken at seven o'clock precisely by the Rev. George Clayton, supported by the Rev. P. J. Turquand, and other ministers and gentlemen. The proceedings having been commenced by singing, prayer was offered by the Rev. Thomas Binney. The chairman then said, that although the age was one of improvement, in no respect was that improvement more exhibited than in connexion with the subject of popular education. The prejudices that formerly existed against education were now entirely removed, and the only question now was, the best way in which it could be imparted. One of the most efficient means of religious instruction was the Sabbath-school; and, as was well known, such schools had been in the course of operation in connexion with that place of worship for many years; but the exertions of their friends had been much crippled, and their arrangements continually frustrated, in consequence of the impossibility of obtaining a site of ground on which to erect proper schools. The greater part of the landed property of the district belonged to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, who would only let it upon lease, and it was not, therefore, thought desirable to raise Sabbath-schools under those circumstances; but now, through what he might call a providential movement, freehold land was to be obtained in immediate contiguity with the chapel premises, and it was upon this ground that the proposed schools were to be erected, which would, he hoped, drain the neighbour| hood of the ignorance, vice, and misery with which it unhappily abounded. With reference to the efforts of their friends to achieve the present object, he would mention particularly the teachers in connexion with the chapel. Their labours had been patient, exemplary, and selfdenying, and were often put forth under circumstances of the most inauspicious character. Long had it been a subject of regret with him, that no better school accommodation had been provided for both the teachers and the taught. The work in which the church was now about to be engaged in the erection of the schools was great, and it would be necessary to make some sacrifices; but he felt they owed to the living, to the dead,-the dust of very many of whom reposed in "With two exceptions, the school operations of this church have been carried on in hired rooms, and these but ill-suited as to light, ventilation, and comfort; and still less suited for the arrangement and separation of classes (the infant in particular), by reason of which a large number of children, from time to time, have necessarily been shut out. The excellent Charity-school, known as 'Mrs. Clayton's School for Girls,' established forty-four years ago, and the small Sabbath School-room for girls, erected about fifteen years ago, form the exceptions alluded to. Through the providence of God, and the kind and seasonable interference and aid of a gentleman (George Keen, Esq., the late School Treasurer), who, though now no longer with us, has much sympathy in the neighbourhood, and has felt something of a pressing obligation, or impulse, arising out of his former connexion with us, a most eligible site has been secured, immediately adjoining the west end of the chapel front, and has been held over for the benefit of the church and congregation, if they will avail themselves of it at the price of purchase; the same gentleman also offers a liberal donation. The proposed site consists of a piece of freehold land, of about 45 feet by 80 feet, or 3600 feet. The cost of the freehold, and the remaining leaseholds, will be about £600; and a small extra expense, if thought fit to be incurred, will secure the whole frontage from the chapel to Lock's-square, and very greatly improve the property. The above-named area is sufficient, and it is proposed, with the practical decision of this meeting, to erect thereon new, complete, and commodious schools, for about 600 or 650 boys and girls, comprising as the essential elements a neat, chaste, and attractive exterior elevation (devoid, however, of superfluous or costly adornment); the utmost possible regard to light, air, warmth, ventilation, and cheerful interior; provision for a separate class-room of 100 scholars; provision for (at least) two comfortable senior class-rooms, to accommodate each about 25 young persons, male and female, these also being available as Committee-rooms, &c., &c. ; two large general schools for boys and girls on one floor, divided by a dwarf partition, (and capable of being thrown into one room,) to accommodate each about 250 children, and to have suitable seat-provision for separate class-teaching, with library, platform, &c., &c. ; this room, or rooms, being convertible (with its seats) for week-day services, public or local missionary meetings, lectures, and classes for working men, &c., &c., and being available for daily school instruction, as well as for Sabbath use; the girls' daily charity-school being also carried on therein; and a small house for the mistress to be attached, so as to secure them the full accommodation they previously had. From careful comparison of similar erections and estimates, it is expected that from £1300 to £1400 will fully cover the entire cost of such a building. The title has been examined into by a professional man, and pronounced quite satisfactory. It is proposed to vest the building in the acting trustees of the chapel. It will thus be seen that about £2000 will be required fully to meet the object. Our esteemed pastor designs to lay one of the corner-stones of this memorial, alike interesting to him as the flock, as a mutua! pledge and witness of former union and continual love." The Rev. Thomas Binney moved a resolution of approval of the above statement, and of sympathy with the proposed object. He said that, in the vestry, he had been asked what he represented on the present occasion. His friend, Mr. Payne, who was on the platform, he had heard, represented Ragged Schools. Mr. Watson represented the Sunday-school Union; now he himself represented no institution, but simply brotherly feeling. He had come there to show his respect for, and his affection to, his friend the senior bishop; and he had experienced great pleasure in hearing what was proposed to be done by the church and congregation. The contemplated schools would be a vast improvement to the neighbourhood, both materially and morally. They would certainly be a great improvement to the machinery for advancing the cause of Christ's kingdom in the world. He was very much pleased with the idea of the different departments into which the institution was to be divided. The distinct class-rooms would be found most beneficial and convenient, and would prove of great advantage to young men meeting for the purpose of mutual improvement and study. As a Jubilee memorial of the perfect harmony which had obtained between the church and the pastor for fifty years, he thought it the most appropriate thing that could be devised, and he trusted that God's blessing would rest upon that movement. H. Watson, Esq., was then introduced by the chairman, who said, that the names Watson and Sunday-schools were almost synonymous terms. Mr. Watson, in seconding the resolution, said, that although the pastor of the church had expressed a wish that the present proceedings should be disassociated from anything connected with himself, yet they could not but look back with feelings of thankfulness and gratitude to God, who had preserved the health and usefulness of Mr. Clayton, and who had made him so great a blessing to the neighbourhood. As connected with an adjacent place of worship, he could fully sympathize with the difficulties connected with the tenure of land in the district. It seemed as though it were almost impossible to obtain a piece of ground on which it was right and prudent to expend public money for Sabbathschool purposes. He therefore cordially congratulated the church and congregation upon their good fortune, and he felt sure that, having obtained a piece of ground, the question of money would be no obstacle to their progress in this important undertaking. The popular mind was beginning to feel and appreciate the value of education; the safety of the country depended upon it; and it was the conviction of every Christian church and congregation that that education should be based upon religious principles. Knowledge was power, but the question of how that power was to be exercised depended entirely upon the moral influence which was brought to bear upon its possessor. Two and a-half millions of the rising population of this country were brought, from week to week, under the spiritual care of three hundred thousand gratuitous Sabbath-school teachers. The Sabbath-school, then, was a main instrument in moulding the future moral character of these young people, and the recollection of this fact should show the vast importance of entering upon the present undertaking with promptness and liberality, and then they might look to God for a blessing upon their efforts. The resolution was then put and carried. Edward Corderoy, Esq., in an able speech, moved a resolution to the effect, that a subscription list be entered into, and that a committee be appointed for receiving donations and carrying out the purposes of the foregoing resolution and statement. The resolution having been seconded by Joseph Payne, Esq., in his usual racy and characteristic style, and supported in a few words by Edward Edwards, Esq., of Champion-hill, it was put and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks having been passed to the chairman, the doxology was sung, and the meeting separated. Nearly £1000 was received in promises by the treasurer, previously to the termination of the proceedings. ALBION CHAPEL, SOUTHAMPTON. ON Tuesday, October 17, the services connected with the ordination of the Rev. William Roberts, as minister of Albion Chapel, Southampton, took place. The Rev. S. S. Pugh, Pastor of the Baptist Church, in East-street, opened the morning service by reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. J. Woodwark defined the nature and constitution of Apostolic Churches. In the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Edward Giles, of Newport, Mr. Woodwark also proposed the usual questions, to which Mr. Roberts replied, by setting forth his views of Christian doctrine, the steps which led him first into the ministry, and then to accept the call of the church at Albion Chapel. This was followed by a statement from the senior deacon, Mr. R. Lancaster, to the effect, that the utmost cordiality and unanimity pervaded the church in regard to Mr. Roberts. The designation prayer was offered by the venerable pastor of the church Above Bar, the Rev. Thomas Adkins; the charge to the young minister was delivered by his late tutor, the Rev. I. Watson, of Hackney College; the Rev. Richard Saishley closed the service with prayer. In the evening the Rev. A. Maclaren, B.A., of the Baptist Chapel, Portlandstreet, opened the service, after which the Rev. T. Archer, D.D., of London, addressed the church and congregation in a discourse of great power. In the interval of the public services a large number of ministers and friends sat down to a cold collation in the Lecture Room of the chapel, when, after the usual expressions of loyalty to the Queen and the Royal Family, speeches of great cordiality and sympathy with the young minister and his friends were delivered. The interest of the service was much heightened by reference feelingly made by Mr. Adkins, to his having taken part in the ordination of Mr. Roberts' father, at Oldham, twenty-seven years ago, and by the presence of Stephen Smither, Esq., of Crondal, one of that sainted minister's deacons. The impression made by the entire services will not soon be effaced from the memory of those who were present; they were highly encouraging and full of promise for the future harmony and prosperity of the cause of Christ in the populous district by which Albion Chapel is surrounded. ORDINATIONS. On Wednesday, the 13th of September, services were held in the Independent Chapel, Duke-street, Whitehaven, to set apart Mr. Henry Sanders to the pastorate of the church and congregation worshipping in that place. The Rev. J. Hind, of Carlisle, read the Scriptures and prayed. The Rev. A. Jack, M.A., of Shields, then delivered an appropriate introductory discourse. The usual questions were asked by the Rev. W. Brewis, of Penrith; the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. Jonathan Harper, of Alston (the oldest minister in the county). The charge to the minister was given by the Rev. F. J. Falding, M.A., Theological Tutor of Rotherham College. In the evening a sermon was preached by the Rev. James Parsons, of York, characterized by his usual earnestness and power. The services were deeply interesting and instructive. Mr. Sanders' settlement is a unanimous one, and there is a prospect of happy and useful labours. LEDBURY, HEREFORDSHIRE. THE Rev. J. Morrison Hewie, late of Aberdeen, has accepted the cordial and unanimous call of the church and congregation in this town, and entered upon his labours on Sunday, the 15th of October. OULTON, NORFOLK. THE Rev. E. Jeffery, of Emsworth, Hants, having received and accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the church and congregation worshipping in the Independent Chapel at Oulton, Norfolk, has entered on his stated labours there with prospects of success. |