what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away,"

R.

HOME AND COLONIAL INFANT-SCHOOL

SOCIETY.

Extract from the Report of the Society.

The Gray's-inn-road model school contains about 200 children. Nothing more strongly shows the neglected state of the population of this great metropolis than the fact, that the committee choosing a situation, mainly because certain premises were convenient, and the price not unreasonable, could at once collect so large a number of children. Not one in ten of them knew their letters, or had apparently ever been in any school. It is obvious, on consideration, however, that the great educational societies, whose head quarters are in London, do but little to assist the education of the resident population; they operate in some degree to absorb the funds that might be devoted to that purpose, and to occupy many men, who under other circumstances might form local committees; at the same time, they maintain no schools except their model schools. This is not said in the way of reproach. These societies are for the nation at large, and not for London. And as the difficulty of forming local committees to raise schools in the metropolis is, from the peculiar habits of its population, far greater than in the country, it is high time that this subject received more attention. At present, London, where the population ought to be the best educated, and set the first example, is believed to be the worst instructed part of England.

This want of local schools applies with peculiar force to those for infants. Schools for older children may be at a distance from their homes: they can walk, and weather does not much affect them: but with very young children the case is different, the school must be brought near them, as experience shows they will not be brought to the school: there may be an exception now and then; but those who have attended to the management of infant-schools are aware that it is impossible to obtain the attendance of children with any thing like regularity, if the school be at any considerable distance from their habitation.

It is on this account that the committee observe, without regret, the increase of infant-schools, for a limited number of children, conducted by single women. They are satisfied that, on the whole, they are

PROVINCIAL.

ASSOCIATIONS.

The annual meeting of the Cornwall Association met at Lostwithiel, on Easter Tuesday, April 2nd. The Rev. J. Quiller, of Fowey, introduced the services of the day, by reading the Scriptures and prayer; Rev. C. Trveal, of Mevagissey, preached on human depravity, from Romans v. 12; Rev. Mr. Thomas, of St. Agnes, concluded. The business of the Association was transacted in the afternoon, and a sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Thomas; after prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Roberts of Wadebridge. In the evening, the Rev. Mr. Hart, of Tregony, read and prayed. Dr. Cope, of Penryn, then read the address from the ministers to the churches, and preached the practical sermon from Deut. xxxii. 29; Rev. W. Moore, of Truro concluded. The next meeting of the Association is to be held (D.V.) on Easter Tuesday next, at West Looe; and the county Missionary Meeting at Mevagissey.

The Annual Meeting of the Associated Ministers of the county of Somerset will be held at Magdalen-street chapel, Glastonbury, on Wednesday, the 29th day of May. The Rev. John Bishop, of Chard, is the appointed morning preacher; and the Rev. Thomas Luke, of Taunton, is expected to preach in the evening. A public meeting for business will be held in the afternoon.

NEWPORT PAGNELL EVANGELICAL
INSTITUTION.

The Twenty-seventh Anniversary of the above institution, for the education of young men for the Christian ministry, will take place according to the following arrangement:

On Wednesday evening, May 1st, 1839, a sermon will be preached at Broad-street

Meeting-honse, by the Rev. J. Bennett, D.D., "On the duty of the churches in reference to the future ministry." A report of the present state of the institution will be laid before the meeting. Service to commence at half-past six o'clock.

The following services will be conducted at Newport Pagnell :

Monday, May 13th, the examination of the students will take place. Tuesday evening, May 14th, the Rev. Wm. Spencer, of Holloway chapel, is expected to preach. Wednesday morning, May 15th, the Rev. John Clayton, A.M., of London, will preach. Wednesday afternoon, the annual meeting of the institution will be held.

The services to commence at eleven o'clock in the morning, three o'clock in the afternoon, and at half-past six o'clock in the evening.

INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, BRENTFORD.

The minister and friends of Albany Chapel will esteem it a great favour if the readers of the Evangelical Magazine will carefully weigh the following appeal. Is the Independent cause at Brentford to be abandoned? The chapel was built in 1829, and vested in trust. The trustees mortgaged the property, and the term for its redemption having expired, it is now in the power of the mortgagee to sell. Happily he is a friend to the cause, and willing to make a great sacrifice to save it from sinking. By an arrangement effected through the kind interposition of a devoted friend to this important interest, the mortgage may be redeemed, and the chapel set entirely free from debt, if on the part of the congregation 5001. can be raised within one year. The indications of revival which have appeared within the few last months, under the faithful ministry of the Rev. Jesse Hopwood, have led the people to make a determined effort; but they regard the case as quite hopeless, unless the friends of enlightened and catholic Christianity will help them in this emergency

Donations of any amount may be left in the care of Mr. Plumbe, Congregational Library, where letters may be addressed to the Rev. J. Hopwood, of Brentford, appointing a personal interview; also, the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine, who well knows the claims of Brentford, and the high character of Mr. Hopwood, will gladly receive any contributions for this good cause which may be forwarded to him, post paid, at the publisher's.

INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, ST. LEONARD'S NEAR HASTINGS.

The attention of the religious public is

earnestly called to the above place of worship, built at an expense of about 8007. It was for a long time involved in mortgages, from which it has been at length extricated; and has been purchased and repaired at an expense of 1801., of which sum 100%. was paid for the purchase. The deeds are deposited, as security, in the hands of the parties who have advanced the money; and they will be produced and the building invested in trust, as soon as repayment can be made. St. Leonard's has now 3,000 inhabitants; and it has in its neighbour. hood the village of Bexhill, containing also 3,000; besides two other places, which have been occupied as village stations by the Rev. B. Quaife, assisted by the Rev. Wm. Davis, of Hastings; at all of which the attendance is such as to demand some central point, where a minister may be stationed, whence his influence may be diffused, and his efforts extended. The assistance of the friends of evangelical truth is, therefore, earnestly requested to establish the chapel at St. Leonard's on a firm footing, by the liquidation of the debt, and the purchase of the fee simple of the property. Further information may be obtained either of the Rev. A.Wells, Congregational Library, Finsbury; the Rev. J. Morison, D.D., Brompton; the Rev. J. Blackburn, Pentonville; or the Rev. William Davis, 3, Hollowayplace, Hastings. To whom, contributions for this important object may be paid.

NEW CHURCH.

An interesting service took place in Fram. wellgate Chapel, Durham, on Tuesday, the 15th day of January, connected with the formation of a new Congregational Church in that place. The services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Jack, of North Shields; Reid, of Newcastle; Watkinson, of Monkwearmouth; Richardson, of Sunderland; Thomson, of Staindrop; Harper, of Alstone; Kelsey, of South Shields; and Forsaith, of Highbury College. Much gratification was felt at the important addition to the means of evangelical instruction afford. ed by this new interest to the large and increasing population of Durham and its neighbourhood.

RECOGNITION.

On Wednesday, the 26th of December last, the Rev. John Ward, formerly of Kilmarnock, was recognised as pastor of the congregational church assembling in Broadgates chapel, Hexham, Northumberland. An introductory discourse, explanatory of the principles of dissent, was preached by the Rev. Alexander Reid, of Newcastle;

and an address to the pastor and the people on their reciprocal duties was given by the Rev. Archibald Jack, of North Shields. The Rev. Messrs. Richardson, of Sunderland; Evans, of Gateshead; Smith, of Haydon-bridge; and Wright, of Southampton, assisted in conducting the other services of the day.

ORDINATIONS.

On Wednesday, the 16th of January, the Rev. Henry Douglas, formerly of Rotherham College, was ordained to the pastoral office over the church assembling in Claypath chapel, Durham. The Rev. J. W. Richardson, of Sunderland, commenced the service by reading suitable portions of Scripture, and engaging in prayer. The Rev. A. Reid, of Newcastle, preached an introductory discourse on purity of communion. The questions were asked by the Rev. S. Watkinson, of Monkwearmouth; and the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. A. Jack, of North Shields. The Rev. W. H. Stowell, Theological Tutor of Rotherham College, gave a very impressive charge to the young minister, founded on Colos. iv. 17; and the morning service was concluded by the Rev. J. Harper, of Alstone. In the evening, the Rev. J. Parsons, of York, preached an eloquent sermon to the church and congregation on Acts v. 14.

On Monday, September the 9th, 1838, Mr. J. S. Bright, late of Highbury College, was publicly recognised as the pastor of the church and congregation assembling in Union chapel, Luton. The Rev. Dr. Gould, of Dunstable, commenced with reading and prayer; the Rev. W. Upton, of St. Alban's, defined the nature of a Christian church; the late Rev. J. Hall, of Chesham, asked the usual questions; the Rev. Dr. Halley delivered a faithful and affectionate charge; and the Rev. E. Hull, of Watford, concluded the service by administering counsels and encouragement to the people. The attendance was very numerous, and great satisfaction was expressed at the appropriate and efficient manner in which the service was conducted.

The Rev. Clement Dukes, A.M. was ordained to the pastoral oversight of the church assembling in Philip-street, Kingsland-road, on Wednesday, the 10th of April. The following ministers took parts in the service :-Rev. J. Campbell, Kingsland; Rev. R. Phillip, J. Yockney, T. Lewis, Dr. Fletcher, and N. M. Harry.

The services were deeply interesting, and the congregation so crowded that many were unable to gain access to the chapel.

ACADEMICAL INSTITUTIONS.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

MR. EDITOR, Allow me to make, through the medium of your valuable Magazine, a few remarks on two articles which it contained; one in the November number, signed, "A Tutor ;" and the other in the number for January, signed "R." The writers of both these articles think that the system of education for the ministry amongst us might be greatly improved. If any plan more judicious and efficient than that which is at present employed can be devised for training young men to be preachers of Christ's holy Gospel, and pastors of Christian churches, no one will hail it with greater pleasure than myself.

The two articles to which I refer are merely of a suggestive character; and in support of the suggestions which they make, both assume, and indeed attempt to prove that the present expenditure of our Congre "A Tugational Colleges is extravagant. tor" states 1257. per annum is the average expense of each student to the Christian public. I am wholly ignorant of "A Tutor," and of the college to which he belongs; but if the statement which he makes is correct, as regards any of our colleges, may I be allowed respectfully to inquire whether Dissenting benevolence is in those instances sufficiently economised?

I

But to prevent any harm being done to our collegiate institutions, or any misapprehensions from being entertained respecting them, on account of the statements to which I have referred, I join with your Southern correspondent in your December number, in opposing them by facts. have examined the Airedale College accounts for the last eighteen years, i. e., from 1820. After having done so very carefully, I beg to say that the average annual expense per student, is a fraction over 547. In this calculation I have included the expenditure for board, tutors' salaries, all taxes, the yearly value of the College at rack rent, repairs in and out of doors; in fact, every thing which comes against the institution.

With reference to the statement of "R." I feel called upon to say that for many years, our number has but once been so small as twelve, and that was owing to those vicissitudes arising from the necessities of churches, &c., to which all our colleges are occasionally subject. Our standing provi

sion is for twenty students, which is our present number, and has been for the last two years. Again, until I am better informed, I must entirely differ from "R." where he says, This estimate," i. e. of "A Tutor," say 1257. per annum for each student, "is, I think, on the whole, a low one." meaning, as I suppose he does, that if the gross annual expenses of all our colleges were added together, and divided by the number of students, the sum per annum for each student would be more than 1251.

Thus, Sir, I think you will see, that so far as we are concerned, the estimate of both "A Tutor," and of "R," are far from being correct; nor do I doubt that if the Treasurers of other colleges were to exhibit their totals, there would scarcely be found one in which the annual expenditure is so high as the estimates of "A Tutor," and of "R."

Whilst I again repeat, that I should rejoice in any improvement that can be effected in our academical institutions, I cannot help fearing that "A Tutor," and " R.," assuming that the expenditure of our colleges is much greater than it really is, may injure the cause which they doubtless wish to serve; nay, may in fact contribute to unsettle every thing, and improve nothing. I am, Sir, yours truly,

THE TREASURER OF AIREDALE COLLEGE.

SPONTANEOUS BENEVOLENCE.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

DEAR SIR, It is probable that very many useful suggestions, like myriads of vegetable seeds scattered on unprepared ground, fail of being productive through the inapt disposition of the parties to whom they are addressed. And good men are sometimes disposed to discontinue their benevolent exertions, because so many of them appear to fail of their designed effect. Few persons seem to yield less to the discouragement hence arising than our valuable friend Mr. Knill, to whose letter in the January number of your Magazine I wish to recall attention. And while the fact I am about to relate will afford him a fresh occasion for thanksgiving, and possibly supply a new motive to his characteristic mode of well-doing; my hope is, that the Missionary Society may profit considerably by the result.

While in the pulpit on a Lord's-day, I received the following note from a member of the congregation:

"Dear Sir,-It has been proposed to send to the London Missionary Society

from this congregation one hundred pounds towards sending ont the hundred Missionaries kept back for the want of funds. From what I have seen, I am convinced we can do it, if you like to take it up. Will you, from the pulpit, invite all the people to help? The claim is strong."

I certainly was surprised as well as gratified at the reception of this note. I confess, I should have expected to be thought charge. able with inconsideration, at least, had I proposed such a thing. But I did not feel justified in withholding the contents of the note from the people, or in saying any thing that might damp their spontaneous benevolence. Still, lest other important institutions should suffer in consequence of this effort in behalf of the Missionary So. ciety, I did not feel at liberty to urge the matter upon any individual. To many persons, I said, "If with your present bur dens, you are willing and able to give the Missionary Society a hundred pounds above the usual subscriptions, I shall be very glad." And that it might appear to be as voluntary as it really was, the contributors were invited to bring their monies into the vestry, no plates being held at the doors. So the amount was raised, and I communicate the fact to you, not for the purpose of showing what has been done here, but to show how a thousand times the amount may be raised elsewhere. Let the churches take the business up as their proper work, and not wait for the exhortations or even suggestions of their pastors. Let influen tial laymen put the matter forward, and there is no ground to apprehend any thing but the hearty exertion of official and personal influence on the part of ministers. I remain, dear Sir, Yours truly,

CHARLES MOASE.

Bassingbourn, Feb. 21, 1839.

SPECIAL RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. DEAR SIR, In accordance with the wishes of some of my respected brethren, I send you the following statement of the character and results of our late protracted services; hoping that it may be interesting to ministers and churches, and encourage them to "do likewise."

Having had side galleries erected in our chapel at the close of last year, we felt anxious to make the re-opening of the place, the occasion of some special effort to excite more solemn and general attention to eternal things. A meeting was held on

the evening of Saturday, December 15th, to implore the blessing of God upon our plan, and on the labours of my dear brethren. It was well attended; and we felt it to be a most impressive and beneficial exercise.

On the next day, the Sabbath, my friend and fellow-student, Mr. Sibree, of Coventry, preached twice, and administered the Lord's Supper in the afternoon.

The morning text was, "As the days of heaven upon the earth;" and that morning we felt the truth of the vivid and glowing illustrations of the text which my brother presented to us, and still regard them as strikingly descriptive and indicative of "the days" we afterwards enjoyed.

On the five mornings following, we held united meetings for prayer at seven o'clock; each morning meeting at the chapel in which the sermon was to be in the evening of the same day. And, notwithstanding the season of the year, the attendance at these early services grew from about one hundred and fifty persons at the first, to three hundred at the last. 1

"The

On Monday evening, Mr. Sibree preached at the Wesleyan chapel,—subject,—"The importance of attendance on public worship." On Tuesday, Mr. Newman, of Shortwood, at our place,-subject, danger of delay." On Wednesday, Dr. Redford, at the Baptist chapel,-subject,"The value of religion to the young." On Thursday, at our chapel, addresses by the resident ministers, to the sinner, the inquirer, and the Christian, on prayer. And on Friday, Mr. James, of Birmingham, preached at the same place,-subject "The duty of Christians to attempt, by all means, the salvation of those around them." The

CONTINENT.

evening services were crowded. The sermons were all deeply impressive, and we have reason to believe that each of them was attended with saving power.

Of the result I would for the present speak with great care. Yet I may state the simple facts. Our new galleries are all let with the exception of one seat, and our chapel is as nearly full as it was before they were erected.

The attendance at our week-night services is increased, averaging from one hundred and ten to one hundred and fifty per

sons.

Eleven members were added to us last ordinance day, who had been for some time the subjects of religion, but were induced by the late services to give themselves up publicly to God.

My meetings for anxious inquirers are attended by from forty to fifty hopeful persons. And last, but not least, the members of our church are generally excited to a measure of zeal and activity unknown to us before; and appear to be solemnly concerned for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

I might say more, perhaps I ought to do so; but I have said enough to justify our solemn conviction, that the peculiar blessing of God is upon us; to account for the emotions of grateful pleasure the scenes around us have occasioned, and the lively hopes with which we are anticipating similar services at the beginning of next winter, are enough, I hope, to induce many of my dear brethren to adopt the same plan. Dear Sir, yours,

HENRY WELSFORD.

Tewkesbury, March 17, 1839.

OBITUARY OF MADAME RUMPH.

From the Archives du Christianisme,
January 12.

WITH profound grief, and humbling ourselves before Him whose ways, though often mysterious, are always full of wisdom and mercy, we record the unexpected death of Madame Rumph, wife of the resident minister (at Paris) of the free towns of Germany; who, younger even than Madame de Broglie, has been, like her, removed from her family and the church. Though placed

Vide Evan. Mag. 1838, p. 651.

by her fortune and personal qualities, and her husband's rank, in a brilliant station, her modesty and humility were so remarkable, that we have felt some hesitation in laying before our readers any account of her life or death. But her feelings in her last moments were so delightful and so precious, that joy and gratitude mingle with our sadness; and we think it our duty to mention some details for general edification, and to the glory of the Saviour in whom she had trusted, and to whom she had wholly consecrated herself, and who accompanied and supported her in the dark valley of death. If it is true, that few rich, few noble, few mighty humbly receive the Gospel; it is no less true, that God, in his