leges of Protestant Dissenters, which if the laws, as they exist at present, will not panish, we feel confident a respectful application to his Majesty's Government will lead to instant and effectual relief. We should not have expected that any magistrates could have come to such a decision, viz. that the neglect of a public registrar, duly to enter the transaction of which a certi- | ficate was granted, should invalidate the claims of the Dissenters to protection from brutal outrage, and exonerate their cruel persecutors from liability to punishment. EDITORS. afterwards the Rev. Wm. Hartley was ordained pastor. He had been a member at Wainsgate, and had received some instructions from Dr. Fawcett. Mr. H.'s ministry was attended with much success, the congregation increased, and many were baptized. He removed in 1779, and was succecded in the same year by the Rev. J. Hindle, who had studied under Dr. Fawcett, and is said to have been a very eloquent and popular preacher. It was soon found necessary to enlarge the chapel, and for ten years Mr. H. continued to preach to overflowing congregations; but being unhappily of an irritable disposition, a mere trifle discom HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT Posed him, and ne abandoned his post in HALIFAX. As there is no document in the possession of the church at Halifax, containing a regular detail of its rise and progress, it is difficult to furnish historical data with absolute exactness. From the records of neighbouring churches, and the biographies which have been consulted, it appears that this interest commenced about the year 1755; but by what particular instrumentality the first members were collected, the writer of this article cannot ascertain. Mr. Crabtree, of Bradford, was, at the time referred to, commencing his ministerial career; and as there is mention, in the Memoir published by the Rev. I. Mann, of Mr. C.'s having baptized some persons at Halifax, it is reasonable to suppose that he was a means of forming the Baptist interest in that place. The Rev. C. Bamford was the first pastor. He was a member of the church at Bacup, and commenced his ministry at Halifax sometime in 1755. He removed in 1760, and was pastor of the churches at Acerington, Tottlebank, Heybarn, and Polemoor, successively; at the last of which places he died, full of years and in the midst of usefalness. Mr. Bamford was succeeded by the Rev. J. Wood, who had been a minister amongst the Independents at Wakefield, but, changing his views on the subject of baptism, he accepted an invitation from the church at Halifax, and was ordained August 6, 1760. The cause at that time was low, and the worship was conducted in a room. In 1762 Mr. Wood was concerned in the purchase of land for the erection of a chapel. During his ministry, Sandemanianism obtained amongst the members to such an extent, that the church was thrown into confusion, and twenty members were excluded. These events led to Mr. Wood's removal. He afterwards settled at Salendine Nook, where he died. In Dr. Fawcett's Memoirs honourable mention is made of his talents and character. In the year 1772, a "church covenant" was formed, and immediately 1789. He finally settled at Manchester, after frequent removals, and there, for the first time, his talents failed to attract. This was too much for a man of his temperament. He yielded to despondency, and at last sunk under excessive anxiety. Mr. Hindle was succeeded in the ministry at Halifax by the Rev. J. Cherry, late of Wellington, Somerset. His continuance, however, was of short duration. A considerable number, more remarkable for their captiousness than their piety, evinced dissatisfaction with the ministry. Party spirit ran high, discontent raged, and Mr. Cherry at last yielded to the opposition, in 1790. It is impossible to refer to that period without the deepest regret. The congregation had previously been in a most flourishing condition, including some of the most respectable families in the town ; but during the above mentioned disputes, numbers forsook the place, never to return, whilst discord and desertion took place of peace and prosperity. The interest has never since acquired its former strength, and can scarcely be said to have redeemed its former character. In 1792, the covenant already referred to was renewed, in presence of Mr. Crabtree, Mr. Hartley, and Dr. Fawcett; and in the following December Mr. Hartley resumed the pastoral charge. He removed again in 1795, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Wade, who had been pastor of the church at Accrington. He relinquished his charge in 1799, and removed to Hull, where he continued, as pastor of the church at Salthouse-lane, until age and infirmities obliged him to submit to superannuation. He is still living. Soon after Mr. W.'s departure, the church invited the Rev. Wm. Ackroyd, at that time a member at Hebden Bridge, to the pastoral office. He commenced his ministry in 1800, and presided over the church nearly twenty-five years. He resigned his charge January 1825, and died on the 30th of April, 1826. A short time before Mr. A.'s resignation, an attempt was made to establish a separate Baptist interest at Halifax. Some indivi G feeble interests in large towns, and they have eminently succeeded; surely there is nothing in our peculiar tenets to forbid emulation, or to neutralize zeal. The foregoing statement and appeal are submitted to those who may be situated beyond the reach of a more direct application. The minister of the place would feel obliged by any communication on the subject. C. THOMPSON. Halifax, Oct. 1827. ASSOCIATION. duals, members with the Independents, having embraced the seatiments of the Baptists, united with a few others who had no connection with the old interest, and hired a room, in which they carried on public worship regularly. They were subsequently formed into a church, Dr. Steadman and other ministers assisting. Providence seemed to favour this effort. The Sabbath services, conducted by neighbouring ministers and students from Bradford, were well attended, and hopes were entertained of inoreasing and lengthened prosperity. On the resignation of Mr. Ackroyd, the Rev. C. Thompson, then studying at Bradford, was invited to supply the vacant pulpit. The church at that time numbered only twenty members, and the congregation was very inconsiderable. Indications of returning prosperity, however, became manifest, and the mourners over Ziou's desolation began to hope for better days. Mr. Thompson Wednesday morning, seven o'clock, Mr. frequently supplied, and ultimately yielding Cakebread prayed, and Mr. Draper preachto the solicitations of the people, and en-ed, from 2 Thes. ii. 13.-Half-past ten, Mr. couraged by the opening prospects, accepted Morris prayed, and read a portion of Scripthe pastoral office. He was ordained Au- tare; and Mr. Russell preached, from Ps. gust 3, 1826, Fifty-six have been added cxxvi. 5.; after which the Association reto the church in little more than two years, tired for business. a proportionate increase having taken place in the congregation. SOUTHERN. The Southern Association met Sept. 4 and 5, 1827, at Meeting-house-alley, Portsea. Tuesday evening, Mr. Fletcher prayed, and Mr. Whitewood preached, from 1 Pet. i. 17. Wednesday evening, Mr. Neave prayed. Mr. Bulgin preached, and Mr. Miall concluded the services with prayer. in the associated churches. ORDINATIONS, &c. EASTCOMBS. Thus has God visited his people. His presence and energy have gladdened many The next Association is to be held at hearts, and have excited anticipations of Newport, on the Tuesday and Wednesday extended and protracted blessings. One in the week after Whitsun-week. The breconsiderable disadvantage, however, attends thren Morris and Neave, are requested to this interest. The chapel is badly situated, preach the latter, on the best means of and in its internal accommodation is wretch-promoting a revival of religion, especially edly inconvenient. Thus a damp is cast on the zeal of the minister and people, for as all the other places of worship in the town are spacious, some even splendid, it is vain to hope that many will be found willing to sacrifice their personal comfort under such circumstances. Add to this, in the absence of convenience at the chapel, it has been found necessary to administer baptism in exceedingly impure water, at the distance On Wednesday, Nov. 28, 1827, the Rev. of a mile and a half from the town. These E. Probert was ordained over the Baptist things have presented, in not a few ascer- Church at Eastcombs, Gloucestershire. Mr. tained cases, insuperable objections to a Webly of Avening began in prayer. Mr permanent connection with the interest. The White of Cirencester described the nature friends of the place would provide better of a Gospel churcb, asked the usual quesaccommodation, but limited resources for- tions and received the confession of faith. bid the attempt. Oh, that some of our Mr. Hawkins of Stroud, the former pastor, wealthier brethren and churches would but offered the Ordination prayer; Mr. Fry of encourage the erection of a chapel! an event Coleford delivered an impressive charge which, as far as human foresight can deter- from Acts xx. 28. and Mr. Cousins of Kingmine, would most effectually advance the stanley concluded in prayer. In the evenBaptist interest in this large and respectable ing Mr. Francis of Uley, began in prayer. town. There is at present an extensive and Mr. Fry, in consequence of the disappointfavourable excitement, and land most eligibly ment of a minister in the neighbourhood, situated may be procured. Should the pre-judiciously addressed the people from Phil. sent opportunity be sacrificed, the cause ii. 29, and Mr. Deane of Chalford concluded may finally sink. Our Independent brethren in prayer the very interesting services of are laudably zealous in patronizing infant or the day. WIMBORNE, DORSET. Though the day was very unfavourable, the attendance was considerable, and the people present appeared deeply interested in the services of the day. On Tuesday, Oct. 16, 1827, the Rev. John Dore, late of Redruth, Cornwall, was publicly recognised as the pastor over the Particular Baptist church at Wimborne, A few serious individuals resident in this Dorset. The Rev. Samuel Spink (Inde- dark village and its vicinity, commenced pendent minister of the town) commenced this infant cause at Michaelmas, 1826, by the service by reading the Scriptures and having stated preaching in a carpenter's prayer; the Rev. James Hoby, of Wey-shop, which soon proving too small to conmouth, delivered the introductory address tain the increasing number of hearers, in and prayed; after which two sermons were the spring a large barn was kindly lent preached, one by the Rev. Sam. Bulgin, of during the summer months, by a gentleman Poole, on the nature and importance of the of the Independent denomination. But as ministerial office, from 1 Tim. iii. 1.; anthe barn could not be retained any longer other by the Rev. James Millard, of Ly- than till harvest, the friends were under the mington, on the duty and privileges of the necessity either of abandoning the cause, members of churches, from Phil, ii. 1-4. and dispersing the congregation, or of erectIn the evening the Rev. Henry Gill reading a place wherein to meet. After serious the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. James Hoby delivered a discourse on the nature of the kingdom of Christ, from Ps. ii. 6; and the Rev. W. Davis (Independent minister of Dorchester) concluded in prayer. The services of the day were well attended, and highly interesting. GOITRE. deliberation, united with earnest prayer, they resolved to adopt the latter mode of proceeding; and now a large and attentive congregation is collected, and the prospects are of an encouraging nature. Although the most strenuous exertions have been made by the friends at Langley to defray the expences which have been incurred, a part of the debt still remains, for the reduction of which an appeal will be made to the generosity of the Christian public. On Wednesday, October 17, 1827. Mr. B. Williams, of Trosnant, was ordained On Tuesday, Jan. 1, 1828, seven persons pastor of the Baptist church at Goitre, Mon- were organised into a church of the Partimouthshire. Brother W. Williams, intro-cular Baptist denomination, hy the Rev. duced the services of the day by reading the J. Wilkinson, of Saffron Walden. Scriptures and prayer. Brother D. Phillips, of Caerleon, delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions, received the confession of faith, and offered up the Ordination prayer. Brother D. Roberts, of Trosnant, Mr. Williams's pas-M. B. tor, delivered the charge from 1 Tim. iv. 16. Brother J. Michael, of Sion ohapel, addressed the church from 1 Thess. v. 13. and concluded the interesting services of the morning in prayer. Three other services were held in connection with the above, in which brethren W. Thomas, Blaenau; J. Lewis, Llanwenarth; D. Lewis, Penuel; W. Richards, Penyrheol; and M. Lewis, Chapel-y-ffin; were engaged. LANGLEY, ESSEX. DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS. Widows relieved from the profits of this work, Dec. 21, 1827 : S. J.. ..... £4 J. F. £3 E. A. 5 M. R. H. N. 5 NOTICE. 5 On Tuesday, Oct. 9, 1827, a very plain, bat neat meeting-house, 34 feet long by 26 feet wide, belonging to the Particular Bap-list at p. 28:tist denomination, was opened in this place, on which occasion three sermons were preach ed; that in the morning by the Rev. J. Meakin, of Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, from Isa. liv. 17; that in the afternoon by the Rev. T. Sutton, of the same place, from Isa. xvi. and part of the 4th verse; that in the evening by the Rev. T. Watts, of Oakington, Cambridgeshire, from Ps. xxxv. 27. Maes-yr-helem.... Abraham Evans. Kerry ... 84 MONTHLY REGISTER. FOREIGN. Greece. The ambassadors of the Allied Powers have left Turkey, and we look with an anxious and foreboding spirit to the next scene in the Turkish drama. Our apprehensions are certainly not diminished by what has occurred, and is occurring in other nations. We do not say war has actually begun, nor even that it will take place, but we see and hear enough to convince us, that in those quarters where the power exists to avert such a calamity, every preparation is being made to meet it. France. By the Moniteur and the Gazette de France, it appears that the first efforts of the new Ministry are directed to the extirpation of that baneful influence which, under the patronage of Corbiere and most of his colleagues, the Jesuits were fast regaining in France. With this view, the official Gazette contains a report from Count Portalis to the King, recommending the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the state of the Ecclesiastical Schools, for the purpose of securing the execution of the laws in them, and to place them in harmony with the Political Legislation. The Commission includes several of the most respectable names in France, so that there is no reason for supposing that the inquiry will not probe the subject to the bottom, and prove a death-blow to the pernicious influence of the Jesuits. interests of the party which gave them circulation. Of the Administration now forming, the Duke of Wellington is to be First Lord of the Treasury, the Right Hon. Henry Goulburn, Chancellor of the Exchequer, &c. It would be premature to pass any opinion on an Administration at present incomplete, and we wish not to surrender ourselves too much to the influence of party names, but to wait for their political movements. By their fruits shall ye know them." A very singular document has just been issued by the Ministers and Elders of the Scotch Church resident in London, entitled "A Pastoral Letter from the Scotch Presbytery in London, addressed to the baptized of the Scottish Church residing in London and its vicinity, and in the southern parts of the island." This document contains the following statement: "Of the tens of thonsands of our countrymen and their descendants resident in this city and neighbourhood, (of whom it is reckoned not less than a hundred thousand have received baptism at the hand, and are therefore members, of the Scottish Church, for whose souls she is responsible,) not one the Lord, to renew their baptismal covenant, thousand present themselves at the Table of and join themselves to the body of Christ, for their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace." What proportion these items bear to The Report bears the Royal appro- corresponding items in churches simibation of the 20th January. DOMESTIC. The national interest has been absorbed during the past month, by the disorganized state of the British Cabinet, Lord Goderich's resignation having been followed by that of his ministerial associates. In this unsettled state of things, a succession of rumours has been afloat as to their probable successors in office, receiving their shape and colour from the hopes, or fears, or larly constituted, we cannot tell; but does not the lamentable fact here stated furnish demonstrative evidence of the folly of attempting to rear a spiritual edifice of other materials than those which have been previously constituted "lively stones," fitted and prepared by a divine hand? A petition for the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts was carried on the 24th ult. by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of London, only three hands being held up against it. IRISH CHRONICLE, FEBRUARY, 1828. THE Committee have been very desirous that the persons employed by them as Readers of the Irish Scriptures, should be men of sound principles, of good character, and of competent talents. For the information of the Friends of the Society, the Secretaries have lately addressed to their Superintendents some pointed inquiries in respect to the Readers, which will be found to have already produced most satisfactory answers. One of these, from our excellent friend, Major Colpoys, a most respectable Magistrate, is given without abridgement. The Chronicle for the present month will be confined to the operations of the Society in the province of Munster. To the Secretaries of the Baptist Irish Society. stronger and stronger. The priests command that there should be no dealing with those who leave them; that their money MY DEAR SIRS, should not be received for provision, and AGREEABLE to your desire, I send you an- that no one should have any communication swers to the queries which you sent, and whatever with them, but to be hooted and which I put with some additional ones to abused; this you will see by the Major's the Itinerant and Sabbath readers. Some letter. I can most confidently assure you, have not yet come to hand. You have them that there is the greatest anxiety in the answered in their own hand-writing, which people to read the Scriptures, to hear the I believe to be strictly true, from what I gospel, and to educate their children, and have seen and heard, and as they are pious, that they think it the greatest hardship to zealous, and devoted men who have hazard-be prevented by the priests. One of the ed their lives in the glorious cause: these queries which you put is, "what evidences facts are supported by a letter from Major are there of the priests' influence being lesColpoys which I send, who is one of the sened." I think very great. The people most respectable gentlemen and magistrates wish for, and wonder the government does in the county, which would be affirmed by not interfere for them, and prevent the proothers if necessary. This is a cause for gra- ceedings of the priests, that they and their titude even from me, as they are the acknow- children may enjoy the benefits offered them ledged fruit of the Lord's blessing on my by Scriptural instruction and education. (See humble labours, they were benighted, they Thos. Bushe's and Pat. Guning's Journals.) were deluded papists. What a happy change! This is a very general idea and opinion. Read their Journals, count the multitude of Notwithstanding all the priests say or threatmiles they travel, the hundreds, the thou-en, the people hear and speak, but not to sands to whom they read and expound the the extent they otherwise would, for fear. Scriptures in the English and Irish lan- The Society had grent difficulties to conguages, the numbers taught to read them. tend with in the commencement, and since, McNamara, the Irish teacher and Sabbath not only from opposition, but for want of a reader, alone says, "that when he has eight sufficient supply of suitable agents, to work completed whom he is now teaching, he with. I had only one sent a Protestant will have 104 finished capable of reading school-master when I commenced the Sothe Irish Scriptures." Great anxiety and ciety's labours in these parts, all the rest enquiry have been excited by their labours. were papists; now I have only one popish Multitudes have been led to doubt the truth school-master, and he can hardly be consi of popery, and some have turned away, great dered one. The Lord having greatly blessnumbers would, were it not for fear of star-ed the labours of the Society, they now vation and death; but the people will get only want support, and a continuance of His |