REV. REES DAVIES.

Died, in February last, the Rev. Rees Davies, of Bontvane, near Newport, Monmouthshire, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. Mr. Davies was a native of Lanwrtyd, in Breconshire, and was educated in the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen. At the expiration of his college studies, he received a unanimous call to the pastoral oversight of the Independent church assembling in Mill-street Chapel, Newport, which at that period was the only dissenting place of worship in the town. He was ordained in the year 1801, and continued to labour with considerable success for twenty-seven years. In the year 1828, he resigned in consequence of a factious party in the church, but continued to preach occasionally till his death.

The memory of Mr. Davies will be long cherished in the town and neighbourhood, as an eminently pious, peaceable, and charitable man. His characteristics were sim

plicity, humility, integrity, suavity of disposition, and sympathy with the distressed. He was universally beloved and respected by all grades of society. In his death, his bereaved partner and child have sustained the loss of a most affectionate husband and father; the poor, the destitute and distressed, a ready and sympathising friend; and the benevolent institutions of our country, a liberal contributor. His "end was peace." His funeral sermon was preached by his successor, the Rev. D. Hughes, from Isaiah lvii. 1, 2. Trelech.

D. H.

Died, on the 15th of October, in the 17th year of his age, James Alexander, eldest son of the Rev. James Spence, A. M., Newport, Isle of Wight, in the full hope of a blessed immortality, through faith in Jesus Christ.

PROVINCIAL.

REMOVAL.

On Lord's-day, October 6, 1839, the Rev. John Robertson, formerly of Selby, commenced his ministerial labours at Knaresborough, to which place he has been unanimously called to occupy the station of the late Rev. Joseph Glendenning.

The circumstance of the reverend gentleman's removal from the scene of his labours at Selby, which he has adorned for a period of nine years, called forth a manifestation of esteem and affection of so cordial and universal a character, as to be alike gratifying to him, and honourable to those by whom it was rendered. And were it not for the affliction and distress in which it has plunged the people, the event which has elicited, in so high a degree, the Christian sympathies of his flock, could have been viewed only as one of unmingled satisfaction and delight.

Two memorials, one from the whole church, with the exception of two members, and another from the congregation, expressive of the benefits derived from his ministry; the continuance of cordial and unabated attachment; the most heart-felt regret for the separation, together with their prayers for his future success and comfort, were presented a few days before his departure.

In addition to which, the benevolence of the bereaved people, prompted more substantial marks of gratitude and love; and numerous presents of serviceable articles, some from persons from whom little could be expected, were furnished from the abounding of their liberality.

Altogether, the circumstance is regarded as a peculiar dispensation of Providence, in permitting a separation to be effected, where the bonds of affection were so firmly and mutually entwined, by a cause which it is not necessary here to state; but which, while the result has redounded to the honour of its object and the honour of the

gospel, has involved the instrumental means in no small measure of responsibility.Matt. xviii. 7.

The Rev. John Jones, of Prusheulle, Salop, has accepted a very cordial and unanimous invitation from the Independent church and congregation assembling in St. Paul's Chapel, Hindley, Lancashire, and intends, by Divine permission, to commence his labours there on the 8th inst.

RESIGNATION.

The Rev. John Bromily, the highly respected pastor of the Independent church at East Bergholt, Suffolk, in consequence of frequent and severe indisposition, has been compelled to resign his pastoral charge. During the time he sustained the pastorate of this church, his labours were very acceptable, and, under the divine blessing, were made very useful in the conversion of sinners, and in edifying the church of the living God. His letter of resignation was read by the Rev. Alexander Good, of Woodbridge, to a deeply affected church and congregation, who, having bighly appreciated the labours of their beloved minister, sincerely regretted the dissolution of a connexion which had been attended with such mutual affection and esteem. As a highly respectable gentleman, a member of the church, in writing to a ministerial friend, said, "The formal resignation of our dear and highly-esteemed pastor, agreeable to his request, was publicly read on Sabbath-day; and, perhaps, never was there one listened to with a deeper feeling of regret, and, as you justly remark, the only consolation is, that it appears entirely the work of the Lord, and that we part in peace and mutual esteem.'" Mr. Bromily has been advised by his medical friends, to try the milder climate of the Isle of Guernsey for six or nine months, in hopes his health may be restored; and our prayer to God is, that the experiment may be crowned with his blessing.

RECOGNITION.

On Wednesday and Thursday, June 10 and 11, the Rev. D. Hughes, late of Newport, Monmouthshire, was publicly recognized as pastor of the Congregational churches, assembling at Trelech and Blaenycoed, Carmarthenshire. On Wednesday morning, at Trelech, the Rev. T. Jones, of Saron, commenced the service by reading the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. S. Griffiths, of Horeb, preached, proposed the usual questions, and implored the Divine

blessing on the union recognized; the Rev. J. Breese, of Carmarthen, addressed the pastor and church, in a very appropriate and impressive manner, and concluded with prayer. In the afternoon, and the preceding evening, sermons were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Davis, of Glandwr; Evans, of Peny-graig; Williams, of Bethlehem; Davies, of London; Jones, of Hawen; and Jones, of Saron.

On Thursday, at Blaenycoed, the services were commenced by the Rev. W. Morris, Abergwily; the union being recognized, and special prayer offered for the divine blessing; the Rev. D. Davies, Theological Tutor of Carmarthen College, addressed the minister and church, in a very faithful and affectionate manner; and the Rev. J. Breese preached to the congregation at large. In the afternoon and evening, the Rev. Messrs. Lewis, of Heullen; Rees, of Brynsion; Davies, of London; and Rees, of Pewcader, preached.

These churches contain nearly one thousand communicants. They have been favoured repeatedly with a revival. In the year 1827, one hundred and eight were admitted to the church at Trelech on one communion Sabbath, and the following month nearly eighty. There are six Sabbath-schools connected with this church, and two with that at Blaenycoed. greatest unanimity prevailed in the choice of a pastor. May the blessing of Heaven rest abundantly on the union!

ORDINATIONS.

The

On Tuesday, September 24, 1839, the Rev. Robert Robinson, late of Highbury College, was ordained the first pastor of the infant church at Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. The cause of Congregational dissent in this town owes its origin to Thomas Wilson, Esq., the revered Treasurer of Highbury College, whose kind presence at the ordination added much to the interesting character of the services. The Rev. John Symonds, of Bruntisham, commenced by reading and prayer; the Rev. Samuel Thodey, of Cambridge, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Mr. Holmes, of Wisbeach, asked the usual questions; the Rev. N. M. Harry, of London, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. John Campbell, of the Tabernacle, London, (the young minister's pastor,) delivered the charge; and the Rev. Mr. Holland, of St. Ives, preached to the people. The Rev. Messrs. Bewley, Palmer, Lyon, Kelly, Everett, and Crofts, took part in the devotional services.

The Rev. Mr. Harry preached on the previous evening to a respectable and attentive congregation.

The prospects of this cause are very encouraging. We wish our young brother, in his interesting and promising charge, much of the Divine presence and blessing.

On Tuesday, October 8, the Rev. J. Corbin was ordained as co-pastor with the Rev. J. Gawthorne, over the Congregational church, Victoria-street Chapel, Derby. A special prayer-meeting was held at seven o'clock in the morning. The public service commenced at eleven, when the chapel was crowded to excess. The Rev. W. Hawkins, (Baptist,) commenced by reading and prayer; the Rev. A. Wells, of London, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. J. Gilbert, of Nottingham, proposed the questions, one of which was answered by the senior, and the others by the junior pastor; the Rev. T. R. Gawthorne, of Belper, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, delivered the charge; and the Rev. J. G. Pike, (Baptist,) concluded with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. R. Goshawk, of Leek, read and prayed; the Rev. J. Ely, of Leeds, preached to the people; and the Rev. J. Gawthorne concluded the interesting services of the day with prayer.

It was a truly gratifying, and, we hope, profitable occasion. The kind and affec. tionate spirit manifested towards each other by the two ministers, was such as every member of the church and congregation must ever look back upon with pleasure and satisfaction.

On Wednesday morning, October 30, the Rev. James Alsop was solemnly set apart to the work of the Christian ministry, and the pastorate of the Independent church assembling in Livery-street Chapel, Birmingham, in the presence of a crowded congregation. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. T. R. Barker, Resident Tutor of Springhill College; the confession of faith was received by the Rev. J. Hudson, of West Bromwich; the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. F. Watts, M.A., Professor of Theology in the above college; and the charge to the minister by the Rev. T. East, of Birmingham. In the evening a most impressive sermon was preached to the people, by the Rev. John Sibree, of Coventry. Besides the above ministers, the Rev. J. C. Galloway, A.M., T. Swan, (Baptist,) J. Hammond, John and James Richards, P. Sibree, H. Smith, A.M., (Baptist,) and A. Pierce, took part in the interesting services of the day.

CHAPEL S.

WESTERHAM, KENT.

The new Independent Chapel at Westerham, was opened on Wednesday, October the 9th. An interesting discourse was delivered in the morning, by the Rev. H. B. Jeula, of Greenwich, who kindly, at a few hours' notice, supplied the place of Dr. Bennett, who was prevented fulfilling his engagement by indisposition; the Rev. P. Thomson, A.M., of Chatham, preached two excellent sermons in the afternoon and evening. The devotional services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Verrall, of Bromley; Felkin, of Sevenoaks; Chapman, of Dorman's-land, Surrey; and Hinde, of St. Mary's Cray. On the following Sabbath, the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. G. Verrall, of Bromley.

The congregations were excellent, and the collections amounted to little more than eighteen pounds. The liberal donation of 507. from Mr. William Joynson, of St. Mary's Cray, was announced. The chapel is a plain, neat structure, forty feet by thirty-nine, with a vestry, twenty feet by eleven.

It is most eligibly situate in the centre of the respectable town of Westerham, where the Rev. W. Foster has been exercising his ministry for more than three years, with much acceptance and success.

The station is in connexion with the Home Missionary Society, and the chapel stands as a monument to the utility and importance of that institution, to the liberality of which the town and neighbourhood are indebted for the ministrations of Mr. F., out of whose labours, and under whose direction, this neat and commodious edifice has been reared. Long may the truth as it is in Jesas, be efficiently and successfully proclaimed !

The purchase of the ground, which is extensive, and the erection of a chapel, has involved an expenditure of little more than 8001. About 1257. has been raised in the neighbourhood, independently of the 50%. generously given by Mr. W. Joynson, and it is hoped that the liberality of the Christian public will be evinced, to prevent this new and interesting cause from being oppressed with a burdensome debt.

ANDOVER.

On Friday evening, October 11, after considerable enlargement, the Independent chapel, in East-street, Andover, was reopened for public worship, when a discourse was delivered by the Rev. Thomas Adkins, of Southampton. On the following Sabbath, the morning and evening ser

vices were conducted by the Rev. John Jefferson, from London; and the afternoon, by the Rev. J. S. Pearsall, minister of the above chapel. Collections were made after each service, towards the liquidation of the debt incurred by the improvement, which, with previous donations, amounted to 3007. During the alteration of the building, the congregation assembled for worship in the Town Hall, the use of which was readily granted by the mayor.

HAVERFORDWEST.

On Tuesday morning, October 29th, an interesting service was held on the site of the Old Dissenting Meeting House, in St. Thomas's Green, Haverfordwest, that ancient place of worship having been taken down, in order to be rebuilt. Under the direction of the Rev. John Bulmer, the minister of the congregation assembling in the former chapel, the Rev. Nathaniel Harris, of Middle Hill, gave out a hymn, referring to those who had worshipped on the hallowed spot "in ages past," the "pious fathers" of several who were present-men whose "faith was strong," and whose "godliness was pure." The Rev. Daniel Davis, of Zion's Hill, was requested to read the cxlvth Psalm, as expressing that devotional spirit, those views of the character and government of God, and that zeal for the divine glory, which, it is hoped, will ever distinguish those who may worship in the new edifice. The Rev. William Warlow, of Milford, then offered up a very appropriate and affecting prayer; after which the foundation-stone was laid by Master William Owen, of Hermon House, and Master Thomas Owen, of Scotch Well, assisted by their uncle, Mr. James Owen, architect and builder. This being done, the Rev. James Griffiths, of St. David's, gave out, and the congregation united in singing,

"Jesus, we would follow those

Who maintain'd thy holy cause;
Bore, from love to Thee, the cross,
While for Thee they suffer'd loss," &c.

The Rev. Richard Knill then delivered an address of some length, in which he referred to the Rev. Peregrine Phillips, the ejected minister, and the church which first assembled with him in that place, now something more than a hundred and fortyeight years since. Mr. Knill also alluded, with peculiar effect, to the many sermons which had been delivered in the old chapel, and the state of departed worshippers, to whom the gospel had been a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. After another hymn, which was read by Mr. Bul

mer, the Rev. Archibald Macarthur conIcluded with prayer.

No former service of the kind being remembered in Haverfordwest, and the weather being particularly favourable, a good number of religious persons was assembled, and many were evidently impressed and affected. May the impressions made on this occasion be permanent, and may the prayers offered up be answered in the happy experience of all to whom they referred! "Lord, prosper thou the work of our hands," and "send now prospcrity !"

SCOTLAND.

REVIVALS OF RELIGION.

Kilsyth, 1839.

Being the substance of a statement by the Rev. Mr. Burns, Minister of the Parish : drawn up at the request of the Presbytery of Glasgow.

[As many of our readers request information respecting the Kilsyth Revival of Religion, we think it well to publish Mr. Burns's statement without alteration or abridgement.-EDITOR.]

I was admitted to the charge of this parish on the 19th of April, 1821, on which I entered in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling."* I saw a beautiful valley before me, like that of Sodom, rich and well watered; but, alas! it bore too close a resemblance to it also in its spiritual and moral aspect. Yet there were several Lots, yea Jacobs, among them, who prayed and wrestled for the return of the time of revival. This was often referred to in the prayers of my predecessor, and familiar to the ears of our people, who seemed to think it an honour to have their fathers' names and sepulchres thus built up and honoured, while they, alas! followed not their example.

A visitation of every family in a parish, after a minister's induction, is generally an important event in its history. Nothing could have been more kind than the reception I received from all classes and denominations, and which has met me ever since in my annual rounds. The appearance, too, at church, and the solemnity and prayers at funerals, struck me as indicative of more of a spirit of religion than I had anticipated; but these good symptoms were overbalanced by the appalling number who attended no place of worship, and by the woful prevalence of intemperance, and the lightness with which that vice seemed to be

1 Cor. ii. 3-my first text on Sabbath, the 21st

April.

regarded, even by religious professors. I was struck with the meaning of our Saviour's words, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many waxeth cold."

There were but four or five prayer meetings at that time in the whole parish one of these, composed of the session of members, had continued ever since the days of Robe. In 1823, classes on week-day evenings, for youth of both sexes from fourteen to twenty years, were opened by myself. Four of the elders, who are now so active in the cause of revival, were members of the young men's class. Of late years a great increase in numbers and efficiency has taken place in the sabbath-schools; and in 1826, a most important improvement took place in the mode of parochial teaching. The mind and heart were daily plied with the lessons of heavenly as well as secular wisdom. In 1829, however, there were frightful outbreakings of wickedness, arising out of drunken quarrels. A day was set apart (January, 1830) for fasting and prayer on this account, and the reasons thereof set forth by a memorial from the Kirk Session. It was very solemnly observed, and was followed by an evident blessing. In 1832, the cholera visited this country. We saw a dark cloud discharging itself on the neighbouring town of Kirkintilloch; and our people seemed to reason with themselves, "Whether this comes from east or west, whether from natural or moral causes, we may be assured of a visit of this dire calamity." (Yet it never actually came to us.) We had prayer meetings weekly in town and the two baronies, which were flocked to by many, anxious that they might not die unprepared. The panic soon subsided, and the prayer meetings were thinned. I see it marked in my day-book, May 13, 1832, "Intimated prayer meetings for revival of religion." Several lectures were given on the subject: at the same time commenced the monthly tract distribution, and exertions to arrest the tide of intemperance, and the conducting of funerals without any other service excepting a prayer. In March, 1836, after the communion, a prayer meeting was held in the church, especially for revival, addressed by the Rev. Mr. Walker, of Muthil, who had preached on the subject on the Friday before, after which the prayer meetings in dwelling-houses were considerably increased in number, and in attendance-all in connexion with the church. The Methodists had been for some years, more or less active, both in the town and in the east barony, and had roused not a few careless individuals; and the members of the Relief set about similar meetings. Sabbath evening lectures, of a very plain and familiar character, have

been more or less resorted to, but regularly for three seasons; and have been mentioned by several individuals as the means of first impressing their hearts. A goodly number of poor people came out to these evening sermons, who could not be brought to attend on the ordinary services. Prayer meetings have been referred to by many as the means of their first serious thought; and sermons delivered in the church-yard last summer, by Mr. Somerville, of Anderston, and by myself, have been often mentioned as having been blessed to awakening and enlivening. Nine months ago, a new missionary meeting begun, which interested many of our people. Still, after all these and other symptoms of good, it was not till Tuesday, the 23rd July, that a decided and unquestionable religious revival took place. We may well say of the amazing scene we have witnessed," When the Lord turned our captivity we were as men that dreamed." We have, as it were, been awakened from a dream of a hundred years.

The communion had been, as usual, upon the third Sabbath, and 21st day. Intimation had been made upon the Saturday, that the minister would wish to converse with such persons as were under religious concern, inasmuch as two or three had previously called upon that errand. The effect was that several other individuals did come to converse. The Monday evening was the half-yearly general meeting of our Missionary Society, when a sermon was delivered by Dr. Burns, of Paisley-text, Isaiah lii. 1, "Awake," &c. It was intimated that Mr. William C. Burns, who had preached several times with much power during the solemnity, would address the people of Kilsyth next day, if the weather proved favourable, in the open air, the object being to get those to hear the word who could not be brought out in the ordinary way. It was known, too, that he was very shortly to leave this place for Dundee, and probably soon to engage in missionary labours in a distant land. The day was cloudy and rainy. The crowd, however, in the market place was great; and, on being invited to repair to the church, it was soon crowded to an overflow-the stairs, passages, and porches being filled with a large assemblage of all descriptions of persons in their ordi. nary clothes. The prayer was solemn and affecting; the chapter read without any comment was Acts ii. The sermon proceeded from Psalm cx. 3, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power." Throughout the whole sermon there was more than usual seriousness and tenderness pervading the hearers; but it was towards the close, when depicting the remarkable scene at Kirk of Shotts, on the Monday