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bling in North Nibley Tabernacle, near Wotton-under-edge, Gloucestershire. The services of the day were commenced by a prayer-meeting, at six o'clock in the morning, to implore the divine blessing on the proceedings. At half-past ten the Rev.

W. Rose, of Slimebridge, read and prayed; the Rev. J. Clapp, of Dursley, delivered the introductory discourse, in which he beautifully and clearly illustrated the nature and principles of nonconformity; the Rev. D. Powell, of Forest Green, proposed the questions, and received the confession of faith; the Rev. E. Martin, of Painswick, offered the ordination prayer, with the imposition of hands; the Rev. B. Parsons, of Ebley, delivered a most impressive and affecting charge, from 2 Cor. vi. 3; and the Rev. R. Tindall, of Cambridge, concluded by prayer. In the afternoon, at four o'clock, a prayer-meeting was held, when the brethren, Powell, Vizard, and Pearce engaged. In the evening at six, the Rev. T. Harries, of the Tabernacle, Wotton-under-edge, introduced the service by reading and prayer; the Rev. E. Jones, of Rodborough, in a very suitable and eloquent manner, addressed the church, from 1 Thess. v. 12 and 13; and the Rev. J. Lewis, of Wotton-under-edge, closed by prayer. On the following morning at six, the Rev. A. Powell, of Forest Green, preached a very excellent sermon, from 2 Cor. ix. 15. The hymns were given out at different times, by the brethren Rose, of Slimebridge; Mills and Tindall, of Cambridge; Powell, of Forest Green; Chinnock and Clapp, of Dursley.

The attendance in the morning and evening was overflowing; the impressions produced by the different services, it is hoped, will never be forgotten; for the divine presence was felt in an eminent manner. The prospects of success are very encouraging. May the divine Spirit, in a still more copious manner, descend!

The devotional services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. J. Wadsworth, R. Bell, R. Gibbs.

On the following Sabbath, sermons were preached, morning and evening, by the Rev. J. Pridie, of Halifax, and in the afternoon by the Rev. W. Fawcett, of Sutton, when the collections reached the sum of 2341. 178. 11d. To this must be added materials and work for the inside of the chapel, the gift of a member of the church, to the amount of 401.; and the new gates and pallisading at the entrance of the chapel yard to the amount of 157., by another friend. At first it was only contemplated to make such alterations in the old chapel, as would afford a suitable place for the organ and give more accommodation for the Sabbath Schools. For this purpose 1701. had been previously subscribed. The walls of the old chapel were found in such a state as to render it absolutely necessary they should be pulled down. Thus with the gift of the organ at a cost of 115., the noble sum of 8547. 178. 11d. has been paid to render the building suited to the object of its erection.

TRINITY CHAPEL, WAVERTREE.

On Tuesday, the 1st of October, this neat and beautiful edifice, built of stone, and of the Gothic order, was opened for divine worship, for the use of the Rev. Thomas Sleigh and his congregation, and was solemnly dedicated to Almighty God by public services. The Rev. Thomas Raffles, D.D., LL.D., preached in the morning a most appropriate sermon; and the Rev. James Hill, (late of Oxford,) preached in the evening. The Rev. Messrs. Kelly, Bevan, Cope, Strutt, and Lister, (Baptist Minister,) engaged in the other parts of the services. Deep impressions were produced, and the most lively feeling excited for the future prosperity of this newly-formed interest. The congregations were large, and the collections considerable.

CHAPEL S.

SKIPTON.

On Wednesday, July 10, a new chapel, erected for the church and congregation under the pastorate of the Rev. R. Gibbs, Skipton, was opened for public worship. Sermons were preached, in the morning by the Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, and in the evening by the Rev. R. W. Hamilton, of Leeds. In the afternoon, an organ which, had been generously presented for the use of the congregation, was opened with a selection of sacred music. The collections taken after the services amounted to 2801.

HAVERHILL.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the new Independent chapel at Haverhill, of which the Rev. C. Brainsford is minister, was opened. Three sermons were preached on the occasion that in the morning by the Rev. Mr. Hopkins of Linton, in the absence of the Rev. G. Collison, Theological Tutor of Hackney College, who was prevented by a sudden indisposition; that in the afternoon, by the Rev. R. Roff, of Cambridge; and that in the evening by the Rev. Caleb Morris, of London. The congregations, which filled the chapel to overflowing,

listened with the deepest attention to the eloquent discourses then delivered. The collections amounted to upwards of 451. The day following, 103 of the Sunday-school children sat down to a substantial dinner, which they appeared heartily to enjoy; and, in the evening, 150 of the friends took tea together in the building formerly occupied by them as a place of worship, and which was tastefully decorated for the occasion.

bers, as was the case at this meeting, and we may confidently hope to see a revival of pure and undefiled religion; and that many careless sinners induced by these meetings to listen to the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer, will be caught in the gospel net.

SCOTLAND.

REVIVAL MEETING AT KINGSWOOD.

On Tuesday, September 3, a meeting of Independent and Baptist ministers and their friends was held in the open air on Hannam Mount, near Kingswood, about three miles from the city of Bristol, on the spot where George Whitefield is said to have preached his first sermon out of doors; when seven addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Probert, Roper, Lucy, Winter, Jackson, Jack and Glanville. The services commenced at two o'clock, when the Rev. Mr. Thodey began the worship by reading a portion of Scripture, and offering up prayer for the Divine blessing on the engagements of the day. It was, indeed, a day long to be remembered; more than 2000 persons were supposed to be present, some in carriages, and some on foot; the carriages were drawn up so as to form a circle round the waggon on which the preachers stood, and the people filled the area. Each preacher was pledged not to exceed twenty minutes in his address; and that this rule might be observed, one of the brethren held his watch in his hand, and when the time was expired he stood up: this was a signal for the speaker to conclude, one verse was then sung, as well as after each of the succeeding addresses. The discourses were on the following subjects:-Man as a sinner; man delivered from the wrath of God; man in possession of true religion; man the instrument of good to others; man dependent on the Holy Spirit's influence for effecting good; man in death; man in a future state. Love and harmony prevailed at the meeting; not a word was uttered of a political nature, not a sentence on the much agitated question of Church polity; every preacher seemed to have his mind raised far above these minor objects, and to speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The awful realities of eternity were placed before the people in the strongest and most affectionate terms, many a tear was shed, and we trust the judgment-day will prove that this labour of love was not in vain. Let such meetings be held every where by ministers of established reputation, supported by the officers of churches, and by influential church mem

REVIVALS IN SCOTLAND.

For some months past a great religious movement has been going forward in various parts of Scotland, more particularly at Kilsyth, Finnieston, and in the parish of Anderston, near Glasgow. Protracted meetings, for days and even weeks, have been held, and an impression has been produced upon thousands of human beings, which no correct or devout mind can view with indifference, much less with scorn or contempt. The awakening, in the Church of Scotland, first began to be felt at Kilsyth, on occasion of the administration of the Lord's supper, in July last. The sensation created under the preaching of the word, and at the communion table, was so great that many of the people expressed a desire for the speedy repetition of the solemnity. The minister and session cheerfully acceded to their proposal, and an early period was fixed on for a second communion. Before the day appointed, the town of Kilsyth was literally crowded with visiters from all parts of the surrounding country, who had repaired to the scene of such an unwonted excitement. On the Thursday, called in Scotland the fast day, the great mass of the people suspended their worldly avocations, and repaired, in great solemnity, to the house of God, where they were addressed by the Rev. Mr. Brown, of Edinburgh; Dr. Malan, of Geneva; and the Rev. Mr. Macnaughton, of Paisley. On the Friday evening, the interest was unabated; and listening throngs were addressed by the Rev. Mr. Middleton, of Strathmiglo. the Saturday morning, an immense congregation assembled in an adjoining field, to hear a sermon from the lips of the Rev. Mr. Burns, of Dundee. His text was from Rom. x. 4, "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believ eth," and the discourse is said to have been unusually calm and judicious. In the evening, the Rev. Mr. Somerville preached in the church. On the Sabbath, from twelve to fifteen thousand assembled for worship, and were accommodated in the church and in an adjoining tent. The action sermon, as it is called, was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Burns, jun., the truly devoted young minister of the parish, who appears to have

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been the principal agent in the revival. His subject was, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth in me shall never thirst," John vi. 35. The sermon is said to have been eloquent and powerful, but in no way extravagant. The tables were afterwards fenced by Mr. Brown, and the communicants addressed by Messrs. Burns, Martin, Dempster, Brown, Somerville, Duncan, Rose, and Dr. Dewar. About thirteen hundred commemorated the death of Christ. About eighty new communicants sat down at the table. Mr. Rose delivered the concluding sermon, about seven o'clock, without any interval between the services; thus had the people been engaged in various acts of worship for the space of nine hours. In the tent, sermons had been preached, during the day, by Dr. Duncan, Mr. Burns, jun., Mr. Rose, and Mr. Martin. In the evening, Mr. Burns, the minister of the parish, preached to several thousands in the fields by moonlight. The number of men assembled was an object of interest, being three to one of the other sex; and the impression, on the minds of young and old, appears to have been eminently pentecostal. The Monday services, which were three in number, fell off nothing in numbers or in solemnity. All assembled exhibited unequivocal symp. toms of an influence more than human.

In reviewing these facts, we would take occasion to observe, that, for some time past, a spirit of revival appears to have been poured upon several different denominations in Scotland. Methodists, Baptists, Independents, Presbyterians, have all been sharing, more or less, in the effusions of divine influence which have been descending from the fountain of all grace. Mr. Douglas's tract on revivals, and Mr. Stewart's on prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit, have been much read in many quarters, and meetings for special prayer have been largely prevalent.

Some extravagances have doubtless taken place at Kilsyth and elsewhere; not so much, however, in the discourses of the preachers, as in the late hours which have

been kept, and in the almost total cessation of the labouring and other classes from their worldly occupations. But we strongly incline to believe, that the worldly and infidel press has much exaggerated some of the anomalies which have occurred, and that dislike of all earnestness in the great matters of eternity has been the main cause of the outcry made against these revivals. At the same time, we do affectionately entreat our Christian brethren in Scotland to guard, with anxious care, against any thing which might breed a just preju. dice against the work in which they are engaged; or which might grieve and quench the Holy Spirit, from whose energy alone the true spirit of revival can proceed. Meetings should not be unduly protracted, and late hours should carefully be avoided. Sobriety and truth, combined with fervour and devoutness, will be the only safeguard of a work of genuine revival. Nor must the honoured men engaged in this work be too rash in their conclusions as to the real conversion of individuals awakened to concern in a time of general excitement. They must wait, and watch, and labour, and not faint. If they wish to stay the descent of the Spirit, they cannot do it more effectually than by urging persons, in an immature state of Christian knowledge and feeling, to assume the responsibilities of the Christian profession. This, we apprehend, will be the snare which Satan will spread in their path. They must act as those who are not ignorant of his devices.

May we suggest, also, that their work will be tested by the spirit which it produces in the main agents engaged in the work of revival. We shall look for much of the temper of love in them, if their work be of God. They will drop their sectarian jealousies, and draw themselves into more intimate fellowship with the people of God of every name. Without charity all will be in vain. We think the more favourably of their movements, because they have been well abused by the hired scribblers of an ungodly press. Let them act so as to deserve this high honour which has been conferred on them.

General Chronicle.

RECLAMATIONS OF DR. MALAN.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. VERY DEAR SIR, AND BROTHER IN THE LORD,-In a publication entitled, "A Voice

from the Alps," our friend, the Rev. R. Burgess, of Chelsea, has given an account of my ministrations in Geneva, containing some statements injurious to the character of a servant of the Lord, I am sure, with

out any intention on his part; still I am anxious to have these statements corrected, and I shall feel much obliged by your inserting the enclosed letter in your extensive and useful Magazine.

It is addressed to my friend, the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, who is the editor of "A Voice from the Alps," and to whom I have also written a private letter on the subject.

Receive, dearest brother, my most sincere salutations in our Lord.

CR. MALAN, D.D.

London, Oct. 14, 1839.

Letter from Dr. Malan to the Rev.
Edward Bickersteth.

Edinburgh, Sept. 20, 1839. DEAR AND HONOURED BROTHER AND FELLOW-SERVANT OF OUR LORD JESUS,I have read in the work entitled, "A Voice from the Alps," which you have edited, a narrative written by the Rev. R. Burgess, of the circumstances connected with the re. vival of true Christianity in Geneva, which took place nearly twenty-three years ago ; and I was equally surprised and grieved to find, that, as far as I am concerned in that statement, neither my character nor conduct, as a minister of God, are represented in their true colours; but rather, am sorry to say, in a light in which a servant of the Lord should be most unwilling to appear.

I say, as a minister of God, for, in this respect only, I judge proper to advert to your narrative and to correct it. As a private individual I am of no great importance in society; and on this ground I would probably have made no attempt to correct the mistakes of the narrative; but, as a minister of the gospel, and a servant of Jesus, it is my duty to "keep myself pure," and "to be a pattern to the flock;" and, in that office, being accountable and responsible both to my Master and to the church, I esteem it also my duty to avoid all misconduct, and to vindicate my proceedings from all improper or unjust accusation.

This is the only feeling which has led me, dear brother, to the determination that I should write to you on that subject; and, since your statement is publicly made, and widely circulated, that I should also have this letter published, as a sure testimony to be received instead of the mistaken report which you have undesignedly sanctioned. I regret that before editing that part of "A Voice from the Alps," you had not read the history of the same events which I have published under the title of "Le Procès du Méthodisme de Genève," as well as the preface of a volume of sermons, entitled, "Le Temoignage de Dieu," in both of

VOL. XVII.

which productions you would have found the true statement which you desired to make known to English readers. Let, therefore, my brief reclamations be set before you and the public, and I am sure, also, brought home to your kind and brotherly feelings, that it may be known that a Christian, and especially a minister of the Lord, was not guilty of the fault of having contended, not for the truth, but for his own private advantage.

I am far, very far, from supposing that even the words edited by you convey directly that accusation, much more that your mind admitted its truth; but with that fault I was charged by many adversaries, both in Geneva and abroad, and unfortunately your statement favours it, and it is this that grieves me.

I will not dwell here on that part of the narrative in which both dates and facts are incorrect. Only I will state this; that what you report about Messrs. Drummond and Haldane coming, and coming together in 1818,"armed with tracts and addresses" (see pages 26 and 27); and "that it was after their departure that it was found some seed had been sown," is in every particular incorrect and opposed to the facts. For my part, I know that before the coming to Geneva, first of Mr. Robert Haldane, and afterwards of Mr. H. Drummond, I had written and preached once, the first Christian sermon which I had composed; the very same which afterwards caused my expulsion both from the college and the church of Geneva; but at the time I was awakened to life everlasting, I was still in darkness and great feebleness in almost all points, and I know how useful, how efficacious, under God's blessing to my mind, to my soul, to my humbled heart, was the teaching and fatherly guidance of Mr. Haldane, whom, in the bonds of love, I honour as a father, sent to me by God, and who, before he left Geneva, had seen, not only in myself, but in numerous other instances, that the word of truth, and not tracts or addresses, had been blessed, - yes, Sir, wonderfully blessed from above, for the present and eternal happiness of many souls. The glory be to the Lord, but the joy to that servant of Jesus and his spiritual children and brethren in our precious faith!

I ought, perhaps, also to take no notice of what you say of "the scanty income arising from my situation as teacher in the Academy at Geneva;" but, to the glory of God, who "gave me both to will and to do according to his pleasure," I must say that it was the contrary.

The Lord had given me some ability to discharge the duties of my office. My in

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come, so far from being scanty, was unusually abundant; and, surely, had I remained in that situation, and in the same prosperity, I should have become easy in my circumstances, and it may be a rich man, after some years of labour.

But to "riches" I was enabled to prefer the truth and the service of Jesus; and I never regretted my being reduced from prosperity to poverty, when I was so highly blessed as to commit myself, without reserve, into the hands of my faithful God and Master. This, therefore, I do correct, not for my own, but for his glory, for "faithful indeed was he found, and upright in all his ways."

But, dearest brother, I must now come to the chief point of my reclamations. You say of me, "He was enriched with gifts from Scotland, England, and America. He was enabled, in a few months, to build a chapel without the walls of the city, and to procure for himself and family a comfortable habitation; he received a yearly income for the support of the gospel at Geneva. And now as the pastors of 801. per annum walk past the house of the excluded minister, and eye his visible property, they readily insinuate that Orthodoxy or Methodism is the surest road to worldly preferment."

What a statement! What an insinuation in such remarks! Ah, my dear friend (for we love each other in our Lord), had I found those lines in one of the most malicious pamphlets written against a minister of God, I should not have been surprised. But in a narrative edited by you, oh, I confess that I was moved to tears, when I received that wound in the house of a friend.

For, first of all, I was never enriched, as you say, nor have I ever thought that I ought to be so. Truly the two chapels which I have built-the first very small, the latter, where I preach, a great deal larger-were erected by gifts from all quarters of Christendom. I published, in the year 1821, the list of the donors and their offerings, and the cost of the last church, and truly also I could have called this edifice the church of Philadelphia, for the love of my brethren at large had erected it. I have also experienced, on sundry occasions, how sincere is brotherly love, and been enabled, more than once, after days of penury, to say to affectionate and generous friends, "I have all, and abound; I am full, having received from you a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God." But, dear sir, when any one was passing, or passes by my house, he might have known, and may still know and remember, that I have spent my strength and time in receiving pupils and boarders, and in writing and publishing

books. The workman was really spent and worn out in procuring his hire. Let every minister of God do the same, be satisfied with his portion, and enabled to say in sincerity, "These hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."

And such was, and such is actually my position, for never, dear sir, no, never, even once, have I received, as you say," a yearly income for the support of the gospel at Geneva." That was never the case. No foreign church, no presbytery, no society whatever, has ever paid me any thing, even a farthing-I am clear of that supposition, of that charge, and I deny it to the uttermost, and so far, that I declare that I have received nothing even from my own flock during more than twelve years; and if I have of late years agreed to receive from their dear hands about 351., which they offer per annum to their pastor, I felt, that if my posi. tion had permitted it, I would have certainly declined even to the end to receive that testimony of their love.

Further particulars as to my private means belong only to the confidence of friendly intercourse, and I have been taught both how to be abased and how to abound. The Lord has been, he is, and he will be merciful unto me; and if my whole means were insufficient to supply my need, I was, however, always sure, and I know every day more, that I shall be enabled to answer to my faithful Master, I have wanted nothing, and I want nothing, O my good Lord: though thy will has been, as it still is, that I should experience the reverse of thine own word, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Let, therefore, the statement which you have edited be retracted and changed. Let truth be published, and the character of a minister of Christ be kept unstained by a most unintentional aspersion, not that he may be exalted, but that the servant of Jesus be found doing his duty, and "taking the occasion from them who seek for it."

May that blessed and merciful Master whom we desire to serve, do in us, and through our feeble and unworthy hands, the work of his grace! In him, I feel myself united both to you, dear friend, and to our dear brother, Mr. Burgess. Surely, if he read my statement, he will be sorry to have gone so far out of the path of history, and he will receive with love my observations (which purposely I have written in English that they might remain as I give them), and which I place with peace before the people of God.

Let our hearts, dearest brother, be united in the sincerest fraternity.

CESAR MALAN, D.D.

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