FORMATION OF A CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT HOLYWELL MOUNT CHAPEL, LONDON.

The Rev. W. F. Platt, for more than 40 years the minister of this chapel, in the connexion of the Countess of Huntingdon, having been compelled, through growing infirmities, to relinquish his charge, his people were anxious to obtain a successor. The Rev. Edward ManHering, who, for the last five years, has preached at Jewry Street, Aldgate, was invited, with his friends, to unite with the people at Holywell Mount Chapel, and that connexion was finally accom. plished, the parties agreeing to join together as one church, under the pastoral care of Mr. Mannering, and to be governed by the common principles of Congregational Dissenters.

Mr. Mannering not having been ordained, that service was appointed for Tuesday, Feb. 17, when the Rev. Thomas Williams, of Ratcliffe, commenced with reading and prayer; the Rev. John Blackburn, of Pentonville, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Henry Townley, asked the usual questions, to which was added an inquiry, whether both societies agreed to unite as one church of Congregational Dissenters, which was answered by the holding up of hands.

The Rev. W. F. Platt, with much solemnity and affection offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. George Clayton, of Walworth, gave the charge; the Rev. Joseph Slatterie, of Chatham, preached to the people; and the Rev. Charles resting service with prayer. The chapel Hyatt closed the long, but deeply intewas crowded in every part, and pleasing prospects of usefulness are before the newly-ordained pastor.

REMOVAL OF THE WESTERN ACADEMY

FROM AXMINSTER TO EXETER.

This Institution was first established by the London Congregational Fund Board, in the year 1752, with the hope that it would be the means of counteracting the errors of Arianism, then extending in the west, and of promoting the diffusion of evangelical truth in the Western Counties, by educating young men of talent and piety for the Christian ministry.

In the year 1797, a Society was formed at Bridport, to co-operate with the Board, and to extend the benefits of the Institution, by increasing the number of students. These Societies have unitedly supported the Seminary, until the Rev. James Small, who was for 32 years, the pious and indefatigable tutor, relin

quished his academical labours. For the present, however, the Board, (though well disposed towards the Institution,) owing to circumstances affecting its income, has wholly suspended its support. The western churches are therefore thrown upon their own resources, and the aid, which it is hoped the friends of evangelical truth in other parts will afford, when it is known, that the permanent funds of the Institution are very small, and that many of the churches in the west are too circumscribed in their means, to be able to afford to it efficient support.

The former Committee of the Aca

demy, anxious to provide the means of dividing the labours of the Institution between two tutors, according to the long expressed wishes of many of its principal supporters, made the following appeal, in their Report for the year

1827.

"It now remains for one hundred Independent churches of the four Western Counties to determine whether an

Institution, which has been a blessing, and which, with the contemplated advantages, may become a still greater blessing, shall utterly fail, or rise with effiaccession of strength and

an

ciency."

This appeal was not made in vain. Many gentlemen came forward liberally, and made considerable exertions, (having more than doubled the amount of former subscriptions,) to place the Academy on a footing, which would ensure the approbation and patronage of evangelical Dissenters.

subscribers and friends were invited to After some preliminary meetings, the a general meeting at Exeter, on Nov. 19, 1828. This meeting was numerously and respectably attended, and it was unanimously determined, that measures should be taken to remove the Institution to Exeter, and to place it under the superintendence of two tutors; and a Committee was appointed to carry the resolutions of this meeting into effect.

The Rev. G. Payne, A. M. the highly esteemed Tutor of the Blackburn Academy, has accepted the invitation of the Committee to become the resident and Theological Tutor at Exeter; a house has been obtained, and it is hoped that, within a short time, the labours of the Academy will be resumed.

Notwithstanding the efforts which have been made already, the Committee deem it necessary to state, that the promised assistance is not equal to the requisite expenditure. They earnestly invite the countenance, the contributions, and the prayers of the friends

of evangelical truth; and they indulge a hope, that many in the West of England, and in other parts, who have not yet contributed to the support of this Institution, will soon and substantially testify their good wishes for its pros. perity.

The Rev. W. Orme, Camberwell; and T. Bickham, Esq. 67, Cheapside, or 32, Highbury Place, Islington, will be happy to receive subscriptions, and answer any inquiries respecting the Institution.

Pecuniary help, and donations of books for the library, will be gratefully acknowledged by the Rev. J. Saltren, Bridport, Treasurer; the Rev. J Bounsell, Ottery St. Mary, and Mr. R. Evans, Exeter, Secretaries.

Application for admission as students, should be made to the Treasurer, the Secretaries, or the Rev. J. Bristow, Exeter.

CHAPEL OPENED.

On the 2d and 3d of September last, the Tabernacle in the town of Bridgend, Glamorganshire, was re. opened for divine worship, after being considerably enlarged The service commenced on Tuesday, at three o'clock P. M., when the Rev. S. Pryse, of Llanedi, read a portion of the word of God and prayed; and the Rev. Messrs. M. Morgan, Blaenavon, and T. Evans, Cymmer, preached. At six, the Rev. D. Thomas, Nebo, read and prayed; and the Rev. Messrs. D. Davies, Newinn, and J. Jones, Talgarth, preached. At seven on Wednesday morning, the Rev. E. Williams, Caerphli, introduced the service; and the Rev. Messrs. T. Harries, Mynyddyslwyn, and D. Thomas, Nebo, preached. At ten, the Rev. J. Hughes, Maindy, introduced; and the Rev. Messrs. S. Griffiths, Horeb, J. Griffiths, Cam, (in English,) and J. Griffiths, Hawen, preached. At three P. M. the Rev. D. Griffiths, Zoar, introduced; and the Rev. Messrs. T. Davies, Swansea, and J. Lewis, Newport, (in English,) and G. Hughes, White Cross, preached. At six in the evening, the Rev. E. Griffiths, Gower, introduced; and the Rev. Messrs. J. Jones, Dowlais, and D. Davies, Penmain, preached, The congregations were numerous and respectable, and the sermons eloquent and impressive, and the prayers comprehensive and fervent; and many departed, saying, "It was good for us to be here."

Connected with the above chapel, there is an increasing Sunday School, the scholars belonging to which

presented the chapel with a handsome chandelier, as a testimony of their at tachment to the place, and respect for their teachers, upon which is engraved, "Rhodd plant yr ysgol Sabbothol." (The gift of the Sunday School Children.) The interest among the Calvinistic Dissenters at Bridgend is of long standing, being raised, by the blessing of God, and the labours of the Rev. Samuel Jones, M.A. of Brynllywarch, who was ejected from Llangynwyd, in consequence of the Act of Uniformity 1662; and it has continued to flourish under the succesof Tyn-y-ton, Lewis Jones, Evan Wilsive ministry of the Rev. Rees Price, liams, Samuel Price, and W. Jones, the boured there, and at other places conpresent minister, who has diligently lanected with it in the neighbourhood, for nearly twenty years, and has the great satisfaction of seeing the cause in a promising state.

ORDINATION.

On the 14th of August, 1828, the Rev. John Thornton, jun. was ordained pastor over the new congregational church at Bognor, in Sussex. The Rev. S. Winchester, of Worthing, delivered the introductory discourse, and proposed the usual questions; the Rev. W. Bannester, of Arundel, offered up the ordination prayer; the Rev. John Thornton, sen. of Billericay, gave the charge to the minister; and the Rev. John Griffin, of Portsea, preached to the people. Dr. Styles, of London, preached in the evening. The infant cause that has just been established at this watering-place, relies for its support on the countenance and liberality of the religious public.

father partook of this general prejudice, and forbad his sons attending to hear Mr. P. This excited their curiosity, and both Matthew and his late brother Mr. Mark Wilks, of Norwich, were converted by his labours. Mr. W. endured, after his conversion in 1771, great opposition, but with characteristic ardour he persevered, and soon discovered those ministerial gifts which induced Mr. Piercy to introduce him to the College of the Countess of Huntingdon at Trevecca. His preaching became popular, and he supplied the Old Mulberry Garden Chapel, Wapping. Mr. Keene, one of Mr. Whitefield's executors and trustees, heard him preach, which circumstance, with Mr. Piercy's recommendation, led to his settlement, in the autumn of 1775, as the minister of Tottenham Court Chapel and Tabernacle. At his ordination, four ministers were engaged, the Rev. W. Piercy and the Rev John Berridge, the Rev. T. Joss and the Rev. Mr. Watts. He was very active and popular, and used to preach out of doors in Moorfields and the environs of London. His ministry was blessed with considerable usefulness, and there were, at one time, ten ministers, sustaining the pastoral office, who had been the fruits of his labours. Although he had a large family, yet his ministerial salary was for years not more than £100 and never exceeded £200. With seven children, and such an income, it is not surprising that he should engage in secular business, and this fact, which is sometimes used to reproach his memory, can only reflect disgrace on that system of management which excluded the people and impoverished the minister! Mr Wilks manifested a lively interest in the welfare of his colleagues, and when Mr. John Hyatt was associated with him, Mr. Wilks requested that he would go with him to the pulpit, when he addressed the people from the words of the Baptist, "He must increase," &c. and made some kind references to his young brother standing by as his successor. But, alas! he went down to the grave in the midst of his days and his usefulness, three years before his aged fellow-labourer was called to his rest.

The attachment between Mr. Wilks and his people was reciprocal. By his benevolent anxieties - fervent prayersand indefatigable exertions, he sought to promote their temporal and spiritual welfare. In connexion with the Tabernacle he was enabled to establish twelve Alms-houses for Widows, a Charity School for clothing and educating 100 children, besides two or three large Sabbath and Catechetical Schools. It was justly remarked by the Rev. George

Collison, that the year of Mr. Wilks's death closed the century of religious revival in this country, which was happily commenced by the labours of Whitefield and the Wesleys in 1729. His great age made him contemporary to all the important institutions of that unequalled period. Thus he supported the Book Society --was an energetic promoter of the Evangelical Academy, then under the care of Dr. Addington, Mile End, but now Highbury College. With the Rev. John Eyre he projected the Evangelical Magazine, and the biographical department of which was, for a considerable period, conducted by him. His name appears amongst the founders of the London Missionary Society, to which he was not only the earliest, but steadiest friend. He was present at the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and assisted Mr. Eyre in establishing the Village Itinerancy Society, and officiated as its Secretary for 25 years. Ardently devoted to religious liberty, he made the most vigorous efforts to oppose Lord Sidmouth's Bill, and succeeded to establish the Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty. For the true interest of Ireland he felt great solicitude, and may be considered as the founder of the Irish Evangelical Society, to promote which, he visited that country, and undertook to act as its Secretary for a few months in the 81st year of his age.

At the close of the last year he was confined to his house through sickness, and had some impressions that his departure was at hand; he, however, recovered, and in January renewed his wonted labours, but on Friday, 23d, he was found very ill, and on the Thursday following he died. In his last illness he displayed his characteristic firmness, and professed his confidence and joy in Him who, for more than 53 years, he had recommended to others. His death-bed conversation was very edifying, and we regret that our limits compel us to omit the impressive remarks which were gathered up by those who stood around.

The public Societies with which he was most closely united have recorded their sense of his loss in appropriate Resolutions, which shall appear in our next. His funeral took place on Friday morning, Feb. 6th, at the Tabernacle, which was crowded by a congregation whose dress and manner indicated that they lamented the loss of their pastor. The Rev. J. Campbell, of Kilmarnock, read the Scriptures, the Rev. John Morison prayed, and the Rev. Rowland Hill delivered a most impressive address. walking procession was then formed to

A