consequently, both members and seatholders, and even those who were neither members nor seat-holders, trusted their property, bona fide, under the guarantee or superintendence of that house. When the trust-deed was executed, no one could foresee what has since taken place; yet the design and intent of that deed is abundantly evident; namely, that they might, thereby, be secured in the use of that house, for a place of public worship, under the minister of their own choice. Now, according to the sworn affidavits of the plaintiffs in the Chancery suit, that house cost upwards of £8,000 sterling, and was built at the expense of the congregation; and is it not well known that the congregation did not acquiesce in the sentence of the Synod, but remained with their minister? And it ought to be known, that those four plaintiffs, who ultimately obtained possession of the chapel, which cost upwards of £8,000., never advanced or paid £50. sterling in aid of its erection. Does not every empty pew in that house, while it stares the stranger in the face, proclaim, with a loud voice, that this house is neither built by nor for the exclusive use of its present occupants? By what process, then, has the result of Mr. Fletcher's indefatigable and exemplary labours, the liberal contributions made from the hard earnings of many hundreds of members and seat-holders, and the free-will offerings of many more, who were neither members nor seat-holders, become the exclusive right of a few individuals, whose contributious to the building were as a drop in the bucket, or the small dust in the balance? How is the right of the property transferred from the many to the few; from those who laboured for it, to those who laboured not? May it not truly be said of the latter, that they are like the lilies who toiled not, neither did they spin? yet they are protected in the possession of that house, while those who did both are excluded. In the eye of the eternal law of righteousness, has not that trust-deed been violated; has not the object thereof been subverted; and have not those who have taken part with them who have done so, made themselves partakers of their sin ?" long since recorded our opinion of this unhappy case, which the lapse of many months, and the abatement of public interest respecting it, have not altered. SELECT SERMONS. Vol. I. Containing fifteen Sermons on various important Subjects. 12mo. Half-bound. BUNYAN'S HEART'S EASE in Heart Trouble, &c. 18mo. Bourds. 1s. STORIES FROM SWITZERLAND, from the French of the Author of "the Two Old Men." Half-bound. A PRESENT FOR THE YOUNG. Halfbound. These little volumes are from the Religious Tract Society's press. How far the Committee of that Institution are justified in departing from the simple object of its institution, by the publication of books, is too grave a question for us to discuss in this passing manner. Our readers will not be surprised, after this, to learn that, although Mr. Stewart was permitted to attend the Synod, "and to support his petition, vivá voce, in the presence of that learned and reverend body, not one member of which permitted a single breath to escape, calculated to embarrass the speaker, or to interrupt him in his simple oration," yet, on a motion being made that the petition be dismissed without discussion, it was agreed, dismiss, nemine contra dicente." We have The work of Bunyan needs not our commendation.--The "Select Sermons" are from the discourses of eloquent and evangelical divines; but we doubt whether they are, in point of length and style, quite adapted to the class of readers for which, we presume, they are designed. The books for children please us better, and are embellished with spirited wood-engravings, and are, altogether, "got up" in a very attractive form, well calculated to please their little readers. PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. Memoirs of the late Rev. John Townsend, upwards of forty years minister of Jamaica-Row Chapel, Bermondsey. Written by Himself. In one thick 8vo. volume, price 12s. These Memoirs will consist of Original Documents left in the hand-writing of the deceased, the details of which commence with his entrance into Christ's Hospital, and come down almost to the close of his valuable life. They will be found to contain highly instructive notices of the rise and progress of most of the Religious and Charitable Institutions of the age.-A History of the Revolution in Ireland, in 1688-9; partly from Materials hitherto unpublished, and with an introductory Chapter. By John O'Driscol, Esq.-A Picturesque and highly-finished Engraving, representing the North-West Front of the newly erected College at Highbury. The building will be accurately delineated from the original drawings of the Architect, John Davies, Esq. The Plate to be executed in the line manner, by Messrs. Storers; size 13 inches by 8 inches. To be inscribed, by permission, to Thomas Wilson, Esq. Treasurer of the College. Price to Subscribers 8s. Proofs on India Paper 12s. SUSPENSION OF RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. ་་་་་་ THE BIBLE SOCIETY IN We are afflicted to learn, that the Emperor Nicholas has ordered, by a decree of the 24th of April, that the proceedings of the Bible Society be suspended till further orders, that an exact account shall be made of their real and personal property, and a report made upon it. The sale of Bibles in Sclavonian, Russian, and other languages spoken in the empire, is, however, still permitted. In the month of August last, a Major of the 72d regiment, quartered at Belfast, communicated to Dr. Hanna, (minister of one of the presbyterian congregations in that place,) their desire to attend his meeting-house, and to consider him as their chaplain. He accordingly had a separate service for them; attended their hospital and school; had a Sunday School in the barracks, and applied to the Cap tains to give certificates to such of the men as they thought proper to be admitted to the sacrament. Things continued in this state till the end of January. About the beginning of February, copies of certain letters were received by the officer commanding the regiment; one was from the Chaplain General, addressed to Sir H. Torrens; another from the Adjutant General's office, in Dublin, addressed to General Thornton, Armagh. The Chaplain General states, that "the 72d regiment, now quartered in Belfast, upon the plea of its being a Scotch, and consequently a presbyterian corps, have attended divine service at Dr. Hanna's meeting, instead of going to the parish church, or to the place where the regular parochial minister, as his letter states, was prepared at the usual hour, to perform a separate service, according to the rites of the Church of England." He then refers to the "General regulations of the army, under the head of "Attendance of regiments and detachments, &c." He quotes a clause, "that no soldier professing the Roman Catholic religion, shall be compelled to attend the divine worship of the Church of England, but that every such soldier shall be at full li berty to attend the worship of Almighty God according to the forms prescribed by his religion:" He adds;-"This exception, however, in favour of the Roman Catholics, is the only one I find; and all other cases, if I mistake not, are to be understood as falling under the general regulation:" Officers commanding detachments and parties are responsible for the due attendance of the men under their orders at the parish churches nearest to their quarters." He considers every presbyterian meeting in England or Ireland as a dissenting mecting;" and suggests "the expediency of enforcing the regula tion." The Adjutant General, in his letter to General Thornton, after referring to the letter of the Chaplain General, says: "His R. H. the Commander in Chief entirely concurs therein; and directs, that the 72d, in common with other regiments similarly circumstanced, attend the parish church of Belfast: the arrangement, whereby it was permitted to attend the Presbyterian church having necessarily terminated with its removal from Scotland." On the ensuing Sunday, the 72d regiment, in which there are only 71 officers and men of the English Established Church, and 681 officers and men who are Presbyterians, was marched to the parish church. Upon this, Dr. Hanna addressed a letter to the Duke of York, in which he recited the circumstances of the settlement of Presbyterians in Ulster, to show that they have not seceded from the Established Church, to which they never belonged; but are a branch of the Church of Scotland, a sister church to the Church of England. "Though they are Nonconformists, they are not Dissenters;" and "every Presbyterian Meeting, is not a Dissenting Meeting." He stated, that the practice bas hitherto been, when the principal part of a regiment or detachment have been Presbyterians, they have, in all places in Ireland, attended public worship in Presbyterian meeting-houses, and the ministers have received the usual allowance granted to Chaplains, which must have been well known to the public offices. This was, he believed, the first in stance, in which a Presbyterian regiment in Ireland was removed from a Presbyterian place of worship, and ordered to go to the parish church. The general enforcement of this regulation, he added, would subject English regiments in Scotland to the necessity of marching to the parish kirks nearest their quarters. Lastly, he stated the excitement that this proceeding must occasion; which would lead the Presbyterians to take every constitutional mode of obtaining redress, both here and in Scotland; and the impolicy of risking discontent and disunion among Protestants in Ireland. Dr. Hanna also wrote to the ChaplainGeneral, Dr. Hodgson, Dean of Carlisle, (Feb. 18.) to the same general purport with the above, but more at large on the consequences of the regulation; the harmony subsisting between the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches; the consequences of division among Protestants, and the practicability of accommodating both. After stating the various duties that he performed for the regiment, he adds, "While thus employed, two documents were sent to me for signature, about the 26th Dec., containing returns of the attendance of the soldiers, certified by Colonel Calvert, and an application, I presume, in the usual manner, for the allowance granted to acting Chaplains; these I signed and transmitted to you. I have not been honoured with any reply. May I request your attention to this, and an answer to these applications. no part of my design to gain any emolument to myself or my brethren. We think nothing of any emolument, compared with an invaluable religious privilege. All we ask is, that Presbyterians in the army may be allowed to worship God according to their consciences, and that Presbyterian ministers may have the privilege of preaching and administering the ordinances to those of their communion in Presbyterian regiments." It is In his reply to Dr. Hanna's communication, (March 21,) Dr. Hodgson inclosed copies of the two regulations, and expressed his opinion that "much irregularity and confusion would ensue if a different principle were adopted." "The certificates (he said) were forwarded without delay to the Secretary at War, with a recommendation for payment, and that they were still under the consideration of his Lordship." The Regulations are as follows:- 1. The Commanding Officer of every separate regiment in quarters will attend with his regiment at some parish church, or employ a neighbouring clergyman to perform divine service to the men. Vide collection of Regulations, dated 2. Officers commanding detachments and parties are responsible for the due attendance of the men under their orders at the parish churches nearest to their quar ters. Vide General Regulations and Orders for the Army, dated Horse Guards, 1st January, 1822. On March 4, 1826, Sir H. Taylor wrote to Dr. Hanna that the Commander in Chief had communicated with the Chaplain-General, in consequence of Dr. Hanna's letter, and seen the letter from the Dean of Carlisle, and refers to its contents, as being in strict conformity to his own sentiments. On the 13th or 14th of March, Dr. Hanna called a meeting of the Presbyterian ministers in Belfast, who appointed him, and two other ministers, to prepare materials to be submitted to a further meeting on the 16th. The intention was to have a general meeting of the Presbyterians of the town and neighbourhood, to consider what should be done; but the intervention of the Antrim and Down assizes occasioned that meeting to be deferred. It was also thought advisable to wait for answers to letters, which it was understood had been written to men in office, by the agent for the distribution of His Majesty's Royal Bounty to the Presbyterian body, and by the Moderator of the Synod of Ulster. At a subsequent meeting, April 3, it was thought prudent to prolong the time, and three ministers were deputed to confer with Mr. Brownlow, Colonel Forde, and Lord A. Hill, Members of Parliament for the counties of Armagh and Down, who arrived in Belfast next day. They expressed themselves very willing to forward the wishes of the ministers on their arrival in London; but shortly after a communication was received, intimating that the subject had been taken into consideration at Head Quarters, and that the same liberty was granted to the Presbyterians as to the Roman Catholics, but that no money could be issued, except to established ministers. Thus has this point been settled, much to the satisfaction of the Presbyterians and the honour of Government. It was one in which not only the Scotch regiments, when quartered in Ireland, were deeply interested, but also the soldiers enlisted in the North of Ireland, who form a very numerous body; and likewise the militia regiments of Ulster, which are principally composed of Presbyterians. The agitation of this business in the General Synod of Ulster, the Secession Synod of Ireland, and the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which would have been followed by petitions to both Houses of Parliament, has thus been happily prevented; and the good under. standing at present prevailing between the Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches continues without interruption. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION IN LONDON AND ITS VICINITY. The first Anniversary of this important Society, was held at the City of London Tavern, on Tuesday evening, June 27th, when W. A. Hankey, Esq. took the Chair. The business of the evening having been opened by prayer, Mr. J. Pitman, one of the Secretaries, read an interesting report, from which it appears that eight Associations are now united to promote the objects of this Society, viz. At Barbican Chapel, Claremont Chapel, Tunbridge Chapel, Eagle Street Chapel, Gate Street Chapel, White Row, Saffron Hill, and Kentish Town. That by the members of these Associations 3,500 families are visited at least once a fortnight, and religious tracts and books are regularly lent to them. That in connection with these Associations, there are in the most destitute neighbourhoods twelve rooms engaged for weekly prayer-meetings and preaching, which are well attended by very poor people, amongst whom some cheering instances of usefulness have occurred. That the Home Missionary Society has presented to this Institution the Three Tents formerly employed by them, and which are now pitched in White Conduit Fields, the Commercial Road, and the Kent Road, on the Lord's day, where there is gratuitous preaching by ministers and students to very large and attentive congregations. That the Committee obtained, at the close of the last winter, the gratuitous services of twelve respectable ministers, who delivered a course of weekly lectures to mechanics on the Evidences of Christianity, which was attended throughout by crowds of interesting and deeply attentive hearers, The cash account was then presented by Mr. Challis, the Treasurer, when we were surprised to learn that the receipts of the year have not reached £120. Dr. J. P. Smith moved, and Dr. J. Styles seconded the customary resolutions for adopting and printing the Report. The Rev. J. Dyer, Secretary to the Baptist Missionary Society moved, and Thomas Wilson, Esq. seconded a resolution of thanks to the ministers, students, and other agents for their gratuitous services. The Rev. H.F. Burder, M. A. moved, and the Rev. F. Ellaby, B. A. minister of the Free Episcopal Chapel, St. Giles's, seconded the usual thanks to the officers. The Rev. John Clayton, jun. M.A. moved, and the Rev. G. S. Evans seconded the following resolution, in which we fully concur--"That this meeting hears with pleasure of the effective agency of Congregational Associations, in furtherance of the objects of this Society, and desires to urge upon the pastors and churches of the metropolis, the importance of forming similar Auxiliaries for promoting the beneficial influence of this Institution in their own immediate neighbourhoods." The Rev. S. Curwen, of Barbican Chapel, and the Rev. J. Blackburn, supported the motion of thanks to the Chair. After which the numerous audience retired much gratified with the business of the evening, and with the success and prospects of the Society. Subscriptionsand Donations, also books, magazines, and tracts, will be thankfully received by Thomas Challis, Esq. Treasurer, 24, Artillery Place, Finsbury Square, or by the Secretaries, the Rev. John Blackburn, and Mr. John Pitman, Pentonville, to whom communications may be addressed. HOMERTON COLLEGE. The anniversary of this Institution took place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the 27th, 28th, and 29th of June. On Tuesday the examination of the students in the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Chaldee languages was conducted by the Rev. Wm. Ward, of Stowmarket, and the Rev. John Yockney, of Islington. This examination extended, as usual, to the entire readings of the session just terminated, and drew from the gentlemen who presided at it, a very ample and satisfactory testimony to the progress made by the students in this department of study. On Wednesday morning the general business of the Institution was transacted at the King's Head Tavern, Wm. Hale, Esq. Treasurer, in the Chair, when the Report of the Committee was presented, a statement of the account was delivered by the auditors, and the customary alterations in the members of the Committee were made. On the evening of the same day, a sermon appropriate to the objects of the anniversary was delivered by the Rev. Richard Alliott, of Nottingham, at the Meeting-house in New Broad Street, before the friends and patrons of the Institution. ་ The concluding meeting was holden at the College on Thursday morning, when the examination of the students in Theology, Ecclesiastical History, and Christian Ethics took place, at which the Rev. Richard Alliott presided, and which terminated in a manner highly satisfactory to a large company of the most respect.able friends of the Institution, who afterwards partook of a cold collation, and who universally expressed the pleasure they had experienced, from witnessing the attainments and qualifications of the students, and the prospects thus presented of the future prosperity and usefulness of the College. At the several meetings which took place in the course of this anniversary, many encouraging pledges were given of increased exertion on the part of the gentlemen present, to increase the funds of the Institution; and though it is announced, not without some anxious feeling, that the annual expenditure exceeds the revenue by not less than £350. it is confidently hoped, in accordance with these pledges, aided by the strenuous and persevering endeavours of the active and respectable Treasurer, that this deficiency will, at no very distant period, be made up, and that the friends of this long established and valuable Institution will be cheered by the removal of this sole discouragement. NEWPORT PAGNELL EVANGELICAL At the anniversary of this Institution, which was held at the Rev. T. P. Bull's Meeting-house at Newport Pagnell, the last Wednesday in April, a lively interest was excited by the appropriate sermons preached on the occasion, morning and evening, by the Rev. T. Lewis, of Islington, and the Rev. J. Morison, of Brompton; as well as by the speeches of the various ministers and gentlemen, who severally addressed the meeting for business in the afternoon. The numerous and respectable attendance evinced a growing conviction of the utility of the Institution, and of the importance of the union of solid and useful learning with genuine piety to the acceptable and efficient discharge of ministerial duty-objects which this Institution is designed to promote, and which for more than half a century it has been instrumental in accomplishing to a considerable extent. HOXTON ACADEMY. The annual examination of the students took place on the 27th of June, when the Rev. W. Orme presided in the Theological and Oriental department, the Rev. John Humphreys in the Classical, and the Rev. James Stratten in the Philosophical department. The students of the first year were examined in the odes of Horace, sop's Fables, in Anacreon, and in the Greek Testament. They also read specimens of English composition. The students of the second year were examined in the Carmen Sæculare of Horace, in the Orations of Cicero, and in Homer's Iliad. They were examined also in the third book of Euclid's Elements, and they read essays on subjects connected with Intellectual Philosophy. The students of the third year were examined in Livy, in Juvenal, in Demosthenes, and in Hebrew in the book of Job. They also gave specimens of their studies in systematic Theology, and in the Philosophy of the New Testament. The class of the fourth year were examined in Persius, in the Antigone of Sophocles, in the Syriac New Testament, Acts of the Apostles, chap. 1st, and in the Chaldee of the Book of Daniel. They also gave specimens of their proficiency in their theological and philosophical studies. The ministers who took part in the examination, expressed themselves highly satisfied with the diligence and progress of the students, as reflecting honour not only on the permanent tutors, but also on the Rev. John Hoppus, A. M. the Classical Tutor pro tempore, who invited an examination into any parts of the books, which had been read during the period of his tuition. On the evening of Wednesday, the 28th livered short discourses at Claremont Chaof June, three of the senior students deMr. Barling, on the pel, Pentonville : — Conversion of Timothy; Mr. Everett, on the Conversion of Lydia; and Mr. Crump, on the Conversion of the Jailer; after which Rev. Dr. Philip addressed the nuvice in prayer. merous congregation, and closed the ser The annual meeting of the Subscribers to the Institution, is to be held at the opening of Highbury College, early in there should be the annual meeting of the September, when it is intended also that ministers of the Hoxton Association, of which notice will be given in the next number. ANNUAL EXAMINATION AT THE CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL. On Thursday, June 29, 1826, the annual examination of the pupils in the Congregational School, at Lewisham, Kent, under the superintendence of the Rev. W. J. Hope, took place, in the presence of several members and friends of the Institution. The Rev. J. Hoppus, M. A. presided. In classics, the pupils were examined in Ballantyne's Exercises, Lyne's Primer, Cornelius Nepos, Virgil's Eclogues, and in the first book of the Iliad of Homer. They were also examined in common and decimal Arithmetic, in the Elements of Euclid, Trigonometry, Conic Sections, and Fluxions. In the classical department the pupils were strictly examined in the syntax and prosody of the languages, and answered the questions proposed to them with a promptness and correctness which gave peculiar satisfaction; and in the mathematics the pupils did themselves and their teachers great credit. After the examination, a senior of the chemical class read an Essay on Water, composed by himself, which evinced an extensive ac |