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Brother Burnett, of Lockesley, preached from Sol. Song, v. 16. At half past ten, Brother Draper preached from Psalm li. 8; and Brother Bulgin discoursed in the evening on Matt. xxiv. 14. Brethren Read, Yamold, Ivimey, Futcher, Brand, and Mileham conducted the devotional exercises.

The next circular Letter, on the Doctrines of the Gospel, which are essential to salvation, to be drawn up by Brother Neave.

The next Meeting of the Association to be held at Southampton, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 14th and 15th of next September. Brethren Mileham, Tilly, Miall, and Welsh of Newbury, to preach

on the occasion.

This First Meeting of the Southern Association was numerously attended, and its engagements were very interesting, The most entire harmony distinguished the intercourse of the Brethren, and there is good reason to believe, that the services were generally profitable.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CHURCH
OF CHRIST AT STREET, NEAR
GLASTONBURY.

be made up and examined when the majority of the church shall think proper. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do reciprocally agree to the following rules." These friends had not been long united before a persecution commenced, which ended in the magistrates' interference. The most prominent character in the church was Mr. Wm. Gould. It is worthy of remark, that, for some time after May and Hays began to preach in Street, Mr. Gould felt indignant at the new religionists who had come amongst them. After many entreaties, however, he was prevailed upon to hear these dissenters for himself; the judices gradually yielded to the force of consequence of which was, that his pretruth, and he began to relax in his attendance on the Established Church, to which he was brought up; which the clergyman anticipating unfavourably to himself, voluntarily offered Mr. G. an exemption from all his tythes, if he would return to his old seat in the Parish Church. This offer, however, he was enabled to resist, it occasioned no alteration in his mind; he became encreasingly attached to these few despised people, sanctioning the cause with his presence, and supporting it till the hour

of his death.

About the year 1812, it was found that the place of worship was too small. On choosing a fresh minister, it was proposed to raise a more suitable edifice.

One

family subscribed liberally, his sons voluntarily engaged to perform the preparatory work, and hale the stone. In 1814, a commodious place of worship was opened, and the cause for a time had a pleasing appearance.

THE first features of Christianity to be traced in this place, arose from the preach-member gave the ground; Mr. Gould and ing of two obscure individuals, namely, John May and Philip Hays, about twenty years ago. These disinterested men having experienced the power of the Gospel in their own souls, felt an ardent desire to communicate the knowledge of it to their perishing fellow-sinners. It appears that both these individuals laboured indefatigably, travelling on Sabbath days, at times, nearly thirty miles to carry the glad tidings of salvation to different villages. From their pious efforts many received the incorruptible seed; and not unfrequently do we hear the aged in the neighbourhood declare their attachment to the memory of those worthy preachers.

About Lady-day, 1823, Mr. Orchard, of Bristol, was called by the church to the pastoral office. From that time the congregation has been gradually recovering. Mr. Gould and his family with the members, came forward liberally to its support. But, alas? he is now no more. Mr. Gould's companion, of late, was the Bible; his devotion was conspicuous; his conversation was savoury; and, of late, it turned From the church minutes it appears, principally on the vanities of the world. that John May visited this neighbourhood He was taken ill on Friday morning, and about the year 1796. When first he came his sufferings were great; but till a quarter to Street, he met with some opposition; of an hour before his dissolution, he retainbut persevering in the work, he surmounted the full possession of himself. He was ed difficulties, and collected a society, of quite resigned to the will of God; which we have the following rule, drawn without a murmur on the following evenup and signed by twenty-three members ing, Saturday, March 6, 1824, he departed this life, aged 79, in hope of a blessed immortality. He has left a widow in a declining state of health, with five sons and thirty-three grand-children, the former of whom, since his father's decease, have united their efforts to maintain the cause of Christ in this place. A Sermon was preached by Mr. Orchard, on occasion of Mr. Gould's death, to a large congre. gation, from 1 Thess. ív. 13, 14.

and subscribers.

"July 26, 1798. The church of Christ, established at STREET, have, in mutual deliberation and in brotherly love with each other, agreed to contribute weekly to support the exigences which the church may require. And we further agree, that J. F. and E. P. shall be chosen to distribute these our contributions, in the best manner they shall think proper: such as, relieving preachers who stand in needsick members of the church, &c. and they are to keep regular and just accounts, to

and

CHAPELS OPENED.-ORDINATIONS.

CHAPELS OPENED.

February 9, 1824. A Baptist Church, consisting of ten persons of Strict Communion principles, was formed in Carmel Chapel, Chelsea. Mr. Woollacott, of Lewisham Street, Westminster, introduced the service by explaining the nature of a Gospel Church, and the principles of Dissent. An interesting statement was given of the circumstances which led to the formation of this new church. The members, having previously had their dismissions from other churches, then gave to each other the right hand of fellowship; and received from Mr. House, of Clement's Lane, an affectionate exhortation on the various duties devolving on them in their new relation. Messrs. Bowes, Trimming, and Galpine, were engaged in the devotional exercises; and Mr. Robert Upton, (late of Lambeth) who has received an invitation to settle at Chelsea, administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to the newly formed church. May this little one become a thousand, and this small one a strong nation.

On June 27th, the Baptist Meeting in Castle Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, was re-opened for public worship, when three Sermons were preached by Mr. Page, of Worcester. It having pleased the great Head of the Church to revive the interest under the ministry of the Pastor, Mr. John Shoveller, the Meeting had been shut up for the purpose of being re-furnished, as much of the pewing, &c. was gone to decay, and for the erection of a deep and commodious gallery. The friends of the interest desire to express their thankfulness to the Lord, for having again visited his church in that Town, and would pray and hope for yet further tokens of his

favour.

ON July 1, 1824, a Baptist MeetingHouse was opened in the Town of Stroud, Gloucestershire, when three impressive Sermons were preached by the Rev. Jenken Thomas, of Cheltenham, in the Morning from Nehemiah x. 39. in the Afternoon from Isa. liii. 10. and by the Rev. Robert Stodhart, of London, in the Evening, from 2 Cor. iii. 9. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by Messrs. Thomas, Wotton-under-edge'; Sutton, Missionary; White, Cirencester; Drayton, Gloster; Rogers, Monmouth; and Richards, (Independent) Stonehouse. Large and attentive congregations were present, and pleasing prospects are entertained.

ORDINATION.

263

July 10th. Mr. John Jones, late of the Abergavenny Academy, was ordained Pastor over the Baptist Church at Pwllheli, Carnarvonshire. The church met in the Morning to keep a fast and prayer meeting. In the Afternoon they again met, when Mr. John Edwards, of Rhuthyn, began the service with prayer; Mr. Thomas excellent oration on the nature of a ChrisJones, of Rhydwilym, delivered a most tian church; and for the greater satisfaction of the church and Ministers present, asked Mr. J. Jones to give a confession of his faith; upon which, in a concise manner, he attested his belief in the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, to their great satisfaction. He was then set apart by the imposition of hands, and Mr. J. Prichard, the other Elder of the church, offered a most fervent prayer for God's blessing on the work. Mr. W. Evans, of Aberystweth, gave a short and appropriate exhortation to the young minister; and Mr. Daniel Jones, of Liverpool, to the church. The interesting meeting was then concluded with prayer.

In the Evening, Brethren Edwards, of Rhuthyn, and Jones, of Liverpool, preached to a crowded congregation.

Union Street Chapel, Brighton.-June 1. The Rev. J. N. Goulty, late of Henleyupon-Thames, was publicly recognized as the pastor of the church and congregation late under the care of the Rev. Dr. Styles.

Mr. Hughes, of Battersea, preached on the preceding evening from Gen. iv. 9. "Am I my brother's keeper?" In the morning service, Mr. Douglas, of Reading, delivered an introductory discourse, at the close of which, Mr. W. Penfold, one of the deacons, read a concise statement of the proceedings which had led to the present service, and the call of the congregation was confirmed. Mr. Goulty confirmed his acceptance, and stated the motives and principles by which he had been influenced in his decision. Dr. P. Smith, of Homerton, then offered special prayer; Dr. Winter, of London, addressed the minister on the duties of his office, especially in reference to the peculiarities of this important station, from Col. iv. 17; Mr. Griffin, of Portsea, addressed the people on the duties devolving upon them, from Eph. iv. 1-3; and Dr. Styles preached in the evening, from Acts xv. 14. The other parts of the services were conducted by Mr. Lucy (supplying at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel). Mr. Parker, (Baptist Minister), Messrs. Lord, Newton and Stamp, (Wesleyan Ministers), Brigi.ton; Messrs. Davies of Hastings, Winchester of Worthing, Edwards of Petworth, and Davis of Lynfield.

264

Original Poetry.

THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD.

GREAT GOD, how bright thy glories shine,
In all thy attributes divine,
Secure immutable;
Unchangeable in all thy ways,
The object of eternal praise

In heav'n-and fear in hell.

Revolving years confirm thy pow'r,
And time receding ev'ry hour,

Declares thy promise sure.
Beauty, and wealth, and pow'r decay,
Like empty visions pass away-

Thou only dost endure.

Thy word, thy record, speaks of thee
As from and to eternity

Unalter'bly the same;

The first great cause of all-and last,
As does the present, so the past,
Thy endless years proclaim.

The seasons in succession roll,
While order reigns throughout the whole
In pleasing harmony.

The laws thyself hath fix'd must stand,
Until revers'd by thy command;
And nature's self shall die.

Summer and winter, day and night,
Seed time and (0 regaling sight!)

Harvest with golden train,
Untir'd by thy appointed will
Shall come, and as their course they fill,
Thy changeless pow'r maintain.

The heav'nly bodies moving round,
Proclaim a Sov'reign cause profound,
And wisdom without space;
Here order loudly speaks the skill
Of Him, whose wise unchanging will,
Assigns to each its place.

All-all in heav'n, in earth, in air,
Confirm at once, while they declare
Th' eternal truth abroad,
That He who made them all, is He,
Who was, who is, and still must be,
Unchangeable and God.

Here then we take our stand-and here,
Uprais'd beyond corroding fear,

Our anchor hope retain;
Nature may heave her last deep groan-
But 'mid her drear expiring moan,
The promises remain.

Stamp'd with inviolable truth,
To hoary age from lisping youth,
On these unmov'd we cast

Our souls. The word that's giv❜n
Shall lead-or bear direct to heav'ır,
And land them safe at last.

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But how shall finite beings raise,
With hearts to folly prone,
That pleasing and accepted praise,
Which thou wilt deign to own.
What angels can but faintly shew,
Shall fall'n man attempt to do.

We cannot praise thy holy name,
Unless thy grace inspire;
Assist us by that heav'nly flame,
Impart the sacred fire;
And on our humble altars raise,
A ceaseless sacrifice of praise.
The sighings of a contrite heart
Thou God wilt not despise,
Nor even bid a soul depart

Unblest, whose uprais'd eyes
For mercy sues; but 'mid his grief,
Will send thy Spirit with relief.

And wilt thou from th' unceasing strain
Of pure and unmix'd praise
By angel choirs, on yon bright plain,
Pour'd forth in sweetest lays,
Turn thy regard, and bend thine ear,
The sinner's bursting grief to hear!

Cheer'd by the hope-through future days
The love of God I'll sing,

And laud in humble grateful praise,

The name of Israel's King;
In life and death my heart I raise,
In ceaseless and accepted praise.
Folkestone.

J. YOUNG.

EVENING THOUGHTS.

How sweet, when Evening's dusky shades steal on, And spread their shadowy mantle o'er the sky; To dream on years irrevocably gone,

And friends that never more shall meet the eye.

Between us and the friends of early youth,
Rolls the dark barrier of the threat'ning wave;
And they who taught our feet the ways of truth,
Have found a refuge in the silent grave.

"Tis sweet to think upon those happy hours,
When knowledge op'd her treasures to our view,
When science first display'd her golden stores,
And taught her votaries truths sublime and new.
"Tis sweet, amidst the silence of the night,
To gaze upon the schoolman's labour'd page;
Where youthful fancy decks in splendid light,
The Roman hero, and the Grecian sage.
What tho' before the midnight lamps, grow pale
The scholar's cheek, and dim his wearied eye;
What tho' the youthful springs of life shall fail,
And in th' untimely grave his dust should be?
For sordid wealth, the merchant ploughs the majn,
'And honour calls her heroes to their fall:
Ambition dazzles with her regal train,

And bids her vot'ry spurn his humble state.

The conqueror's wreath shall fade upon his brow,
The grisly king shall strike the monarch down,
Celestial knowledge soars o'er all below,
And gives the mortal man a deathless crown.
E. P.
Liverpool.

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D

THE REV GEO GREIG,

Minister of the Scots Church: Crown Court

Engraved for the New Evangelical Magazine, Sept.1824.

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