William Orme. John S. Geary. A. Stewart. Eben. Miller, A.M. Joseph Denton. Robert Vaughan. George Clayton. Thomas Wood. Charles Hyatt. Daniel Bishop. John Yockney. George Moase. Caleb Morris. W. Wilson. Jos. Barrett. Robert Halley. 51 cong. 69 sig. Leaving 18 without charges; of which 5 are tutors of our Dissenting Colleges, and several of the remaining thirteen have sustained with honour the pastoral relation, but through advanced age have resigned their charges. We know a considerable number of the members of this body, who would have signed the petition, but were unable to call in time at the library to affix their names. The Deputies have also sent a Petition, which was signed by three-fourths of the Association, which consists of 188 members. The Petition from Red Cross Street has called forth a counter petition to the following effect. "To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled. "The Petition of the undersigned Pro testant Dissenting Ministers, residing in and about the Cities of London and Westminster, "Most respectfully sheweth-That your petitioners were not parties to the petition for the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts during the last session of Parliament, but that they were convinced that such a repeal would open the doors to what is called Catholic Emancipation. "That your petitioners are satisfied with, and thankful for the privileges they enjoy, and they deprecate strongly the conduct of these, who under the name of Protestant Dissenting Ministers, become confederate with the Papists. "And your petitioners do earnestly and humbly pray your Honourable House not to grant any further concessions to the Roman Carholics, because they are convinced that the political power to which they aspire would be employed by them to the destruction of civil and religious liberty. "And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray that your Honourable House may always enjoy all the blessings which our holy religion can impart." This is signed by 94 names of Protestant Dissenting Ministers residing in and about the cities of London and Westmin ster. Our readers, therefore, will be surprised to know that the names of minis ters are attached to it who reside in the counties of Herts, Cambridge, Gloucester, and Cornwall! The names of many individuals occur, who are in trade, have never been ordained to the pastoral office, and but rarely appear in public, though they may be "licensed teachers." There are a few men of education and character amongst the Petitioners, but we hesitate not to affirm that the ma jority of them consists of uneducated, unordained preachers, whose doctrines are as high and exclusive as their politics. The Rev. Dr. Andrews and his friends at Beresford Chapel, Walworth, have presented an anti-catholic petition, disclaiming the right, the consistency, of the General Body of Ministers to act in a corporate capacity, &c. This is amusing enough after the Doctor has failed in his attempt to be introduced to that body. A correspondent, who signs himself a Deputy, has furnished us with an accurate list of the petitions which have been presented to the House of Commons, from February 6th to March 17th inclu sive, by which it appears, that all the Protestant Dissenting, Methodist, and separate congregations and bodies in the three kingdoms, have only presented 208 petitions in that period, of which 110 are opposed to concession, and 90 plead for it; not however as the friends of popery, but as those who wish to see it disarmed of its present alarming and unconstitutional power in the sister Island. How many others who approve of the measure, leave it to the strength of government, and the wisdom of the Legislature, we cannot ascertain; but it is certain, that whilst all the forces of the opponents are called forth, there are multitudes of orthodox Dissenters, who approve of concession, but have not troubled themselves constitutionally to declare it. THE OBSERVANCE OF A DAY FOR HUMILIATION AND PRAYER. We are happy to find that the proposed observance of the 17th of April, (called Good Friday) as a day of humiliation and prayer, has met with very general concurrence, both amongst the Independent and Baptist Churches of the Metropolis, and from the information which we have received, it is likely to extend throughout the kingdom. District arrangements have been made in London; thus we understand that the Independent Churches in the City have agreed to meet for prayer at their own places of worship before breakfast; to have united service in the forenoon at the Poultry Chapel, and in the evening two services, the one at White's Row, and the other at Silver Street Chapel. The churches in the Islington district have adopted the same arrangement for the early service, will meet for prayer, and a.sermon at Islington Chapel in the morning, and for prayer and exhortation in the evening, at Union Chapel. As almsgiving has usually accompanied humiliation, the officers of the Society for Promoting Christian Instruction in London and its vicinity, have issued a circular to the ministers of the Metropolis, begging that collections be made for that valuable Institution, which, we regret to find, is £300. in debt. We trust this very convenient opportunity of assisting an Institution, which promises, with the Divine blessing, to effect much for the revival of religion in our churches and cities will not be allowed to pass unimproved. RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. MATTHEW WILKS. The decease of this venerable minister, and most energetic labourer in every work of faith and love, called rectors, a deepest regret the Directors receive this It was Resolved, "That it is with the painful communication. In the death of this venerable Minister of Christ, who during more than half a century, laboured most indefatigably in this Metropolis, to promote the salvation of men, and the glory of the Saviour, the Directors deplore the loss of one of the Fathers and Founders of the Missionary Society; whose early zeal and energy contributed most efficiently to its establishment; whose personal devotedness and liberality were invariably manifested in the promotion of its objects; and who, to the latest moments of his lengthened life, continued to pour out his prayers for its success, and to recommend its interests to his friends. "While they record their feelings respecting the loss which this Society in particular, and the cause of religion in general, has sustained by his removal, they unfeignedly bless God for his extensive and long-continued usefulness, and devoutly pray that his example may be followed by many, and that his death may be sanctified to his family, his flock, his numerous religious connexions, and the members of the Society at large." Irish Evangelical Society. At a Meeting of the Committee of the Irish Evangelical Society February 3, 1829, John Broadly Wilson, Esq. in the Chair; Resolved, 1. That while the Members of this Committee cherish the deepest and most affectionate sympathy, with the bereaved family of their late highly esteemed and venerable friend, the Rev. M. Wilks, and with the afflicted churches, over which he so long presided, they feel constrained to adore the wisdom and the grace of God, by which he was so highly distinguished, and so richly blessed, as a man, a Christian, and a minister of the Gospel. With devout thanksgiving to the Giver of all good, they record, that unmpeachable integrity, that practical wisdom, that disinterested zeal, by which the life of their departed friend was pre-eminently characterised; and those valuable services, which, for a period of more than fifty years, he was enabled to perform for the advancement of genuine Christianity, in the extensive congregations of which he was the judicious, affectionate, and faithful pastor, in those numerous, benevolent, and religious institutions, which in their formation and progress, enjoyed his counsels and his influence-and in the world, where he was uniformly governed by the divine philanthropy of Him, who came to seek and to save that which was lost. Resolved, 2. That in addition to the preceding memorial of their sincere esteem and veneration for the character of the late Rev. M. Wilks, the members of this Committee feel it to be a distinct obligation, to record the invaluable services he was honoured to perform on behalf of the Irish Evangelical Society, which originated in his enlightened piety and zeal, and of which he was the active, liberal, and steady friend; earnestly praying, that a large portion of his ardent and disinterested love to the best interests of Ireland, may be imparted to themselves and to their successors in the superintendence of this Institution. Village Itinerancy. At a Meeting of the Committee of this Society, under special summons, on the occasion of the death of the Rev. Matthew Wilks, its late venerated Superintendant and Secretary, holden the 2d February, 1829; It was unanimously Resolved,--That this Committee, deeply sensible of the loss which the church of God has sustained by the death of their late venerable friend, and considering, as they do--that for more than half a century he has been a faithful, active, zealous, and exemplary minister of the Gospel in the largest congregations of this citythat with unbending integrity he combined sincere esteem for all his Christian brethren, and that he has been honoured to unite both in the formation and efficiency of some of the most important Institutions for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ, which have distinguished this age and country -cannot withhold the expression of their heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved members of his family-the churches in which he laboured with so much honour and usefulness-and the Christian public at large; and recollecting, as they do, on this occasion, the peculiar obligations under which this Society has been laid by his prompt and persevering exertions in the infancy of its establishment, his vigilant superintendance, and other invaluable gratuitous services for a period of more than twenty-five years, desire to record their deep sense of the privation which the Society must sustain by his decease, and direct their Assistant Secretary to correspond with the gentlemen to whom the arrangements for the funeral are entrusted, in order to the attendance of all the members of this Committee, with the students of the Society, in the mournful procession, as a sincere, though utterly inadequate avowal of their affectionate attachment to his memory and grief for his loss. RECENT DEATH. Died suddenly, at Halsted, Essex, on Saturday, March 14, in the 69th year of his age, the Rev. JAMES BASS, for nearly 38 years pastor of the ancient Independent congregation in that town. NOTICES. The next half-yearly meeting of the Wilts and East Somerset Associated Ministers and Churches, will be held at Rook Lane Chapel, Frome, on Tuesday, in the Easter week. Mr. King, of Bath, the morning preacher. The next Anniversary of the Herts Union will be held at the Old Meeting House, on Wednesday, 15th April next. The Rev. W. Orme, of Camberwell, is engaged to preach in the morning; and one of the neighbouring Ministers in the evening. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND MINOR CORRESPONDENCE. COMMUNICATIONS have been received during the past month from the Reverend R. Ashton-William Urwick Thomas Wood -- George Redford --J. Peggs--E. Edwards--R. Elliott-C. J. Hyatt--J. Whitridge--John Hoppus--Joseph Turnbull. Also from Dr. J. B. Brown - Messrs. Thomas Wemyss-James Mather--Rowland Wilks-Robert Winter--W. H. A.-N. G.--A Deputy--Q. The extracts which C. J. H. kindly offers to us, will be highly acceptable to us and our readers. Our Reviewer of Mr. Jay's new work, fell into an error in stating, that Dr. Southey had not consulted Jay's life of C. Winter, in compiling the life of Wesley, as we find that it is inserted by the Doctor amongst the books he professes to have used in preparing that work. A review of the various publications on Religious Revivals will appear in our next. CONGREGATIONAL MAGAZINE. MAY, 1829. BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ARCHBISHOP LAUD.* AFTER the specimens with which The predecessor of Laud in the See of Canterbury, was Abbot, one of the most moderate, amiable, and pious men who ever enjoyed the Primacy of England. The following is the picture which Mr. Lawson draws of him. He was a Calvinist, a friend of the Puritans, enemy to persecution-Mr. Lawson prefers the fire and faggotmen to all others. an "An event at this time took place, ment of a new era in the life of Laud. London: C. J. and G. *The Life and Times of William Laud, D.D. Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. By John Parker Lawson, M.A. 2 vols. 8vo. Price £1. Ss. Rivington. 1829. N. S. NO. 52. VOL XII. Hh penetrable phalanx, which they might perhaps have assailed, but assailed in vain. And, whatever might have been his own notions concerning predestination, had he refrained from countenancing the Calvinistic subtleties, which excited so many distractions in the nation; and had he been actuated less by a vindictive spirit towards those who denied the predestinarian tenets, against whom he continually declaimed as semipapists, he would have merited well of the Church of England, though, doubtless, he would have received less of sectarian praise. But his procedure all along was the very reverse; and to his unhappy primacy may be traced the origin of many of those evils which afterwards distracted the kingdom. That he was pious and sincere, cannot be questioned; his learning was extensive, and his works, which yet remain, are honourable to his talents and acquirements. But he was infected with enthusiasm; in his haste to recede from popery he fell into the opposite extreme of Puritanism, and in his old age his house became a constant resort for the heads of that faction, who, because they visited him by night, received the appellation of Nicodemites. His inveterate hostility to Laud, which he manifested throughout life, from the first appearance of the latter at the University, will be condemned by every liberal mind; and it may be greatly doubted, if the comparison were drawn between these two prelates, whether the charge of bigotry ought not to be applied with more propriety to the mild and liberal low-churchman, Abbot, than to the alleged intolerant and illiberal high-churchman, Laud. Few, indeed, do I find among the writers of that age, Secta rians and Puritans excepted, who do not unite in condemning Abbot's laxity; and from the noble historian he has received a censure no less severe than merited. "Intimation of the Primate's death reached the court that very day, and the King lost no time in appointing his successor. The first time Laud appeared at court, he was accosted by the King in these words, 'My Lord's Grace of Canterbury, you are very welcome.' On the 6th of August he was promoted to the primacy; on the 25th his election was returned to the King at Woodstock, and on the 19th of September he was formally translated, having secured the appointment of his friend and fellow-student, Dr. William Juxon, to succeed him in the diocese of London."pp. 33-35. A curious illustration of the opinion entertained at the Court of Rome of Laud's principles, was furnished in the formal offer which was made to him of a Cardinal's hat. Our author cannot deny this, and knows not well how to get rid of it. Our readers may believe, if they choose, the following representation of the motives which led to the offer on the one part, and of the refusal on the other. "At this time a remarkable offer was made to Laud, on which his enemies have expatiated with great indecency. On the very morning of Abbot's death, a person came to him secretly, and offered him a cardinal's hat, protesting, at the same time, that he was able to obtain what he then proffered to the new primate. On the 17th of August, the offer was renewed, and on both occasions Laud informed the King. His answer to the person who made this offer was, 'that something dwelt within him, which would not suffer that, till Rome was otherwise than it was at the present time.' His second refusal was decisive.. "The charge that Land was affected towards popery, is now almost given up even by his most virulent enemies, and the motives which conld induce the papists to make this offer remain in obscurity. It may be doubted whether it actually proceeded from Rome, or whether some of the Jesuits had not merely adopted the expedient to ascertain how far Laud was inclined to tolerate the Papists. They well knew that he was their most virulent enemy, but yet the acceptance of the hat would not have been derogatory to Laud as Primate of the Church of England. For though it would indeed have been a wonderful circumstance to have seen a Protestant a member of the College of Cardinals, still, the honour would have been merely nominal, and in the same light as temporal princes sometimes enjoy the title of Bishop. The King of England is Arch-Treasurer of the Holy Roman empire, but it does not follow that he must be a member of the Roman Catholic Church. "It is impossible to believe, that the Papists hoped by this measure to reconcile Land to the Church of Rome, otherwise they were most erroneous speculators. A cardinal's cap,' says our |