LETTER FROM THE GLASGOW VOLUNTARY CHURCH SOCIETY TO THE SECRETARIES OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES.

Our readers are doubtless familiar with the proceedings of the Voluntary Church Societies of the North. They will therefere read the following letter from one of the most effective of them with an interest proportionate to their solicitude for the Union of the Dissenters of both countries, and to their desire for the diffusion of those principles which they maintain in common. An answer to this communication will appear in our next number.

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“Glasgow, Dec. 16, 1833. "Dear Sirs-At the last monthly meeting of the Committee of the Glasgow Voluntary Church Society, it was unanimously agreed, that the Secretaries be requested to open a correspondence with the Congregational Union of England and Wales.' are encouraged to solicit this correspondence from the following part of the seventh Resolution of your First Annual Meeting, held in London in May last, wherein the Union regard themselves as bound to fraternize with all denominations of Christians holding the faith of Christ in purity, and also avowing their belief in the unlawfulness of using the secular power in the kingdom of Christ;' and also from the whole, but especially from the fourth section of the eleventh Resolution, wherein it is stated, 'that in agreement with their ancient testimonies and confession, it is especially the duty of the Congregational Body, while appealing to their uniform loyalty and patriotism, openly to protest with meekness, but at the same time with firmness and unanimity, against this fearful aberration from the purity of the Gospel Church, and to proffer their most cordial congratulations to those Associations and Churches of other denominations who have recently avowed their profession of the

same great and fundamental principles."

"As Secretaries of the Glasgow Voluntary Church Society, then, we beg leave in return to present our most sincere and respectful congratulations to the numerous members of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. We honour you as the first great body of professing Christians in England who have dared, in these momentous times, to assert the independence of the Church of Christ, and the inalienable rights of men in matters of religion, and that you have called public attention by your authorized and official documents to the innate and inseparable evils of all civil establishments of Christianity. It well became you, the honoured descendants of the nonconformists of blessed memory, to take thus early and boldly a prominent place in this contest for religious liberty. We most cordially sympathise with you in thinking

that the institutions of the Gospel, as ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ,' the head of his body the Church, ' are sufficient for their own purposes, without the aid of the civil power,' and that the interference of this power in matters of religion is not only an impious attempt to usurp the authority and prerogative of Christ, but is also a most dishonourable reflection on his wisdom; that all civil establishments of Christianity are in themselves irrational, absurd, unjust, and impolitic; that they are unscriptural, not merely because they want the authority of the Head of the Church, and are at variance with the nature and design of the Gospel, but because they are opposed, both in principle and in operation, to several express commands of Christ and his Apostles; also, that in every sense of the term they are unnecessary; and that, apart from the dishonour and the injury they do to religion, are so productive of interminable heart-burnings and strife in a community, that to a calm and unprejudiced mind they must seem a direct attempt to alienate from the govern

ment the affection of the most virtuous and independent of its subjects. We are also convinced, and the conviction is deepening with us every hour, that these establishments are amongst the most powerful obstacles that exist in our country to the promotion of vital godliness, and to christian co-operation and zeal, and that we cannot look for the blessedness of millennial times, until these unholy systems have been abolished.

"Whilst sympathising with you, however, in these views and sentiments, we hope to be excused when we say, that after the very honourable and public avowal you have made, as a religious body, of your views on this great question, it seems somewhat strange to us that you have yet formed for the purpose of disseminating your opinions few associations akin to those that exist in Scotland. This, in our estimation, is the more strange, when we recollect that with you the iniquity of the system must be much more extensively seen, and its evils more deeply felt than with us, where its poverty keeps it in comparative restraint. We should also think, that after the public avowal you have already made of your principles as a Body, your immediate grievances would not be less speedily redressed, although in every quarter of the country you had formed associations for the advancement of your grand and ultimate views. The great majority of the inhabitants of England, we imagine, would join with you, most cordially, in an attempt to heave off the shoulders of a distressed community that mighty incubus the Episcopalian Establishment, while all attempts to get quit of minor evils so long as their great cause remains, appear to us, even though successful, to be labour somewhat mis-directed and lost. You are the best judges, however, of your own circumstances. Yet permit us to say, that in this country, we greatly miscalculated the strength of public opinion in our favour. We can assure you, notwithstanding the statements you may occasionally see or hear to the contrary, that the affections of our community are extensively loosening from the principle

of a civil establishment of religion. We have every where found the people ripe for our measures, beyond what our most sanguine expectations could have anticipated, and the question has advanced and is advancing with a rapidity as surprising as it is delightful. By our associations we have acquired numerous friends and converts, and if we have discovered enemies, we are persuaded, that even had we not associated, these persons had never been our friends. But the religious magnitude of the question is daily rising in our estimation, and we feel, that in exerting ourselves for its advancement, we should not be intimidated by the number or the characters of the defenders of the system we oppose, for this is not a matter in which we can feel ourselves at liberty to confer with flesh and blood.' With these views and feelings, therefore, we need not say how much we should rejoice to learn that Voluntary Church Societies adorned every district of England and Wales.

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"In the correspondence with which we hope to be honoured, we shall be glad that you write on this, along with other points that you may deem important. We shall be happy in communicating any information you may desire, and which it may be in our power to furnish, and we crave permission to solicit the same favours from you. We have a small monthly publication, entitled The Voluntary Church Magazine,' wherein our views are advocated. The sale of it is nearly 3000. You are already aware also, we presume, that one of the fundamental regulations of our Society is, that it consist only of those professing Christians who hold evangelical sentiments.'

"With earnest prayers that you may enjoy much of the presence and favour of the great Head of the church in your public acts and deliberations, and his enriching and supporting blessing in your private and personal labours; with cordial thanks for what you have already done in the great cause we have all so much at heart, and hoping that our united efforts will be acknowledged by our great Lord, and ultimately crowned

with complete success; we are, in name of the Committee,

Yours,

"There were thus thirteen students in full connexion with the Academy during last winter, and as the

WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

Our readers are aware that the churches of the Principality have cordially joined the Congregational Union, and one of their most distinguished ministers has translated "The Declaration" recently published by the Union, into Welsh, and it will be immediately printed for circulation throughout North and South Wales.

The Committee of the Union have also received information that a noble effort is now making by these churches to liquidate the aggregate debt at present remaining upon all their places of worship, and which is said to amount to £30,000. A public newspaper, the Bath Gazette, recently announced that upwards of £17,000 have been already subscribed.

When will the more wealthy churches of England imitate the efforts of their Welsh brethren? for assuredly the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty have abounded to the riches of their liberality.

THEOLOGICAL

ACADEMY, GLASGOW. The object of this Congregational Seminary is to afford proper means of communicating to brethren of approved character and talents a suitable measure of knowledge in those branches of education that are most useful to candidates for the Christian ministry. The Rev. Greville Ewing and Dr. Wardlaw, of Glasgow, instruct them in theology, &c. while for the other branches of education they attend the ordinary classes of the University of Glasgow.

The Nineteenth Report of its Committee, dated the 9th of October, is now before us, and we are happy to extract a few passages which will explain the present efficiency of this va lued Institution.

funds, the expenditure of the Committee was very considerable. Besides those who are properly students of the Academy, being under the controul of the Committee, there are several others not enrolled, who are accustomed to avail themselves of the general advantages afforded by the institution, and are thankful for permission to attend the lectures of the Tutors, while prosecuting their studies at the University.

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Agreeably to the standing regulations, the general Committee had their Annual Meeting at the anniversary of the Congregational Union, which was this year held in Glasgow, in the month of April. It was found impracticable to obtain a public meeting of the friends of the Institution, but many of the Brethren assembled in the Academy Room, and witnessed the Examination of the students, who read in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, from the Classics, or from the Original Scriptures; and answered questions on the subjects of the Lectures they had heard from the Tutors during winter. The examination afforded general satisfaction; and some of the ministers who were present, in expressing their approbation, addressed their younger Brethren with affectionate earnestness, on the important work they have in view. The tutors gave a very favourable report of the conduct of all the students during the winter session, both in reference to their character, and proficiency in their studies. This was confirmed by the written testimonials freely given by the Professors whom they had attended at college, whose high opinion of the general attainments of some of the students has since been realized, in the success with which they have obtained several of the most distinguished prizes given by the university, in the classes to which they belonged.

Two of the students completed the period of their connexion with the Academy in April last. Since then, they have both been ordained to the pastoral office, and are now approving themselves as able ministers of

God's word: Mr. Wilkes, in the church in Albany Street, Edinburgh; and Mr. Murker in the church in Banff. In the course of this summer also, Mr. Andrew Russell, who left the Academy last year, has been ordained pastor of the church in Haddington after supplying it for a considerable time.

"In these settlements the Committee behold with delight some of the fruit of their labours; and they rejoice with their brethren belonging to the churches referred to, in the connexion thus formed, which, as they believe it is in all these cases, founded upon careful observation and correct principle, they trust will prove lasting, and eminently conducive to the edifying of the body in love.

Besides the highly esteemed brethren last named, no less than ten of the students at present connected with the Academy, have been engaged in preaching in different parts of the country during this summer; eight of them throughout the whole season. On no former occasion has the Institution furnished so many preachers at one time, and yet they have all been required to meet the applications for their services; and they have been constantly employed. During the whole, or the greater part of the season, supply has been given to the churches in Wick, Crichie, Montrose, Blairgowrie, and Ayr. Students have also been sent to Forfar; to Letham, during Mr. Lindsay's illness; to Garlieston, while Mr. Wiseman was in Orkney; to Falkirk, Portobello, Muirkirk, Alloa, and the station at Boarhills in Fife. The reports which the Committee have received from these places have been very satisfactory, and, with one or two inconsiderable exceptions, give a very gratifying account of the labours of the students, from which good hopes may be formed of their future usefulness.

"The treasurers' accounts appended to this report, will show the state of the funds in April,, when there was a balance on hand. This, however, almost entirely consisted of money belonging to the London Missionary Society, provided for the expenses of their students at Glasgow; and the amount at present available for the

Academy is very trifling, if not entirely exhausted; while the Committee, without receiving any new students, have before them a very heavy expenditure during the winter session, now commencing. They have been obliged, for some time past, to decline all applications for admission to the full benefit of the Institution, from the want of funds, although they have had some urgent and promising cases before them: and still they are greatly in need of increased support from their friends and the churches, as they have to provide for the expenses of eight students during this session, who continue upon the funds. However, from past experience, they have confidence in again bringing their case before their brethren; and they trust that this appeal will be promptly met by collections among all the churches, and subscriptions where they can be obtained.

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In closing this Report, the Committee desire to acknowledge, with devout gratitude, the goodness of the Lord, in enabling them to prosecute the important object they have in view during another year, and in so far establishing the work of their hands, by a degree of prosperity for which they feel thankful. They are encouraged by the retrospect, which, to them, appears on review very satisfactory.

They rejoice in the growing usefulness of the Institution, now extensively realized among the churches and preaching stations throughout the country; and no longer the subject of doubtful disputation, or uncertain promise. They rejoice in the number and character of the young men desiring the work of the ministry, who are under their charge, having received, from all quarters, favourable accounts of their conduct as students and as preachers. And they greatly rejoice in the continued ability and willingness of the excellent tutors to labour in this arduous undertaking, the burden of which they have so long borne with singular disinterestedness. them, the best thanks of the friends of this Institution are especially due; and no report of the Academy, however hasty and incomplete, can be allowed to go forth, without repeating what has been so often expressed on

To

former occasions, that the Committee feel deeply grateful to these highly esteemed brethren in the Lord, for their long continued, valuable, and gratuitous services in this work of faith and labour of love. Already they have an earnest of their reward, in beholding their labours repeated, and their light reflected, by so many now in the ministry, who have been instructed and comforted by them, that they might be able to instruct and comfort others."

METROPOLITAN MONTHLY MEETING LECTURES FOR 1834.

We are happy to present our readers with the new list of Lectures, which, both from the preachers and subjects, promises an attractive and instructive course.

Those places of worship have been selected for the service, that are within a convenient distance of the Congregational Library, Blomfield Street, as at that Institution the ministers and other members of the meeting will in future dine at their own expense, under the arrangement of a committee of Stewards.

The stated pastors of the Congregational Churches in London and its vicinity, together with the Tutors, &c. of our Academical Institutions, will preach in rotation from year to year, the present list only including the names of those who have recently joined the lecture, or have not lately preached before their brethreu.

The company of Congregational Ministers, and other gentlemen of our denomination, who may be introduced by a member, will be always acceptable.

We sincerely trust that these new arrangements will secure a larger and more regular attendance of our ministers and other gentlemen, and will render the monthly meeting more practically useful than it has ever yet been.

Jan. 9. Poultry. Preacher, Dr. Bennett. The duty of the Churches in London and its vicinity in reference to the spiritual wants of the Metropolis.

February 6. Silver Street. Dr. J. P. Smith. The Necessity of true Religion to the well-being of a Nation.

March 6. Hare Court. Mr J. ClayN.S. NO. 109.

ton. The peculiar temptations to which Christians are exposed in modern. times.

April 10. Jewin Street. Dr. Collyer. The religious claims of the British Colonies.

May. There will be no Meeting. this month, on account of the Auniversary of the London Missionary Society.

June 5. Aldermanbury. Dr. H. F., Burder. What are the principal obstructions to the revival of Religion?

July 10. Broad Street. Mr. Palmer, The best methods of preserving harmony in a Christian Church.

August 7. Barbican. Mr. Robertson. The duty of Churches towards baptized Children.

September 11. Weigh House. Dr. Morison. On Meetings for Social Prayer.

October 9. White Row. Mr. Stratten. The Temper to be cultivated by Christians of different denominations towards each other.

November 6. Jewry Street. Mr. C. Hyatt. The nature and advantages of Christian Fellowship.

December 11. Poultry. Mr. Bin-
Dissent not Schism.

ney.

NORLEY STREET CHAPEL, PLYMOUTH.

The Independent Chapel, now known by the foregoing designation, and formerly styled the New Tabernacle, having been considerably enlarged and altered, was opened for public worship on the 13th of November last. The morning service was commenced with prayer, by the Rev. S. Nicholson, (Baptist) Suitable portions of Scripture were read, and the general prayer offered by the Rev. W. Horton. The Rev. J. Davies, of Bristol Tabernacle, preached an admirable sermon, from Acts viii. 5: and the Rev. W. Rooker, of Tavistock, closed with prayer. the evening the Rev. W. Harndall, of Devonport, read and prayed; and the Rev. J. E. Good, of Bristol, delivered an useful and animated discourse, from Isa. xl. 16, combined with John i. 29; and the Rev. J. Smith, the minister of the place, concluded the interesting service.

In

In the afternoon of the same day, a company consisting of about sixty gentlemen, including the Mayor of

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