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a state of great depression, exhibited a balance in favour of the Institution, sufficient to stimulate the hopes, without rendering unnecessary the utmost exertions, of its supporters.

The friends of the Blackburn Academy in particular, and the friends of evangelical truth throughout the country, are reminded of the vast importance of supporting this Institution, as clearly evinced in the able and spirited controversy, that has for some time been carried on, and is still continued, in the columns of the Manchester Gazette, with reference to the right of Socinians to most of the places of worship they at present occupy in the North of England. The committee, for reasons which appear to them of great importance, do not intend to increase the number of students beyond twelve or fourteen; but nine or ten, to which their present finances confine them, cannot be considered at all adequate to the wants of such a county as Lancashire, and those that are adjacent.

Notices. The Annual Sermon for the Relief of the necessitous Widows and Children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers will be preached on Wednesday, the 6th of April next, at the Old Jewry Chapel, Jewin Street, in Aldersgate Street, by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher of Stepney. Service to begin at twelve o'clock at noon precisely. The subcribers and friends of the Society will afterwards dine together at the Albion, Aldersgate Street.

A general meeting will be held by the Port of London Society for promoting Religion among Seamen, at the Argyle Rooms, in Regent Street, on Thursday, the 24th of February, 1825, at twelve o'clock; when a Report will be made by the committee.

A new Chapel was opened, Jan. 5, at Hanwell, Middlesex; on which occasion three sermons were preached by the Rev. Messrs. Davies of London, Uppadine of Hammersmith, and Hyatt of Shadwell. The Gospel was introduced to this village about five years since, by a few friends at Hammersmith; who, affected with the immoral condition of many of the inhabitants, engaged a small room for divine worship on a Sabbath evening, and established a Sunday School. Shortly after the removal of Mr. Gregory from Beaconsfield to this village, in 1820, this field of labour was resigned to him; who having a commodious school-room, had it licensed for public worship. The congregation continuing to increase afforded a very pleasing prospect of usefulness to many, until Midsummer 1824; when the unexpected removal of Mr. G. to the adjoining village excited the fears of the congregation, that they should be deprived of their highly-valued privileges. This induced several to come forward with liberal contributions, according

to their ability, to erect a chapel. A piece of freehold land was offered for £60, and in September last the foundation was laid; on which occasion the Rev. G. Redford of

Uxbridge delivered a very appropriate address to a respectable auditory. The building is now put in trust for the perpetual support of a Gospel-ministry. A considerable debt still remains, to liquidate which the Trustees anxiously solicit the assistance of a benevolent public.

ORDINATION.

On the 30th of December, the Rev. Thomas Binney, late Student at Wymondley College, was ordained Pastor of the Independent Church at Newport, in the Isle of Wight, lately under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Bruce, jun. The services of the day were commenced by the Rev. Mr. Guyer of Ryde. Instead of the usual form of an introductory discourse, and the proposal of questions, the minister elect presented a statement, which included a summary of his reasons for entering on the work of the ministry, and for prefering to exercise that office among Protestant Dissenters of the Independent denomination; as well as the leading articles of his religious belief. The ordinationprayer (as it is usually termed) was offered up by the Rev. Mr. Adams of East-Cowes. The Rev. T. Morell, President of the Academical Institution at Wymondley, delivered the Address to the Minister, from 2 Tim. ii. 15; and the Rev. T. Adkins of Southampton, preached to the church and congregation, from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. The Rev. T. P. Dobson concluded the solemnities with prayer.

Recent Deaths.-On the 17th of November, 1824, died Mr. JOHN HUNTSMAN, of Boston, Lincolnshire, aged 44. He was one of the earliest and most active friends of the Independent congregation in that town, and had been the honoured instrument in the hand of God for promoting its prosperity to a considerable extent. Soon after the ministry of the Gospel was introduced into Boston, in connection with the Independent denomination, he became a hearer of the word; and at the formation of a Christian church, in 1819, he became a member of that community. There is every reason to believe that this step was taken from the conviction that as the Gospel had been made the "savour of life" unto his soul, it was his duty to profess that gospel amongst the people, in connection with whom God had blessed him. For five years he was actively devoted to the cause of God, and laboured abundantly for the promotion of his glory. Nearly the whole of this time he sustained the office of Deacon, and performed the duties of that office with exemplary prudence and zeal. From the peculiar circumstances of a new and increasing congregation, these duties required considerable attention and

perseverance, and they were met by no ordinary proportion of these valuable qualities.

Bright as was his character when in health, the grace of God, which was with him, appeared brighter still in his last affliction. For some time prior to his death, he had an impression that his end was approaching, and he contemplated it with peculiar composure, and spoke of it with unruffled serenity. When seized with his last illness he said, "This sickness will be unto death." Although, from the peculiar character of his disorder, his sufferings must have been severe in the extreme, not one murmuring word escaped his lips: -on the contrary, his state of mind was most delightful and heavenly. Absorbed in a contemplation of the goodness of God, his feelings were invariably joyful, and his language that of praise. He often observed that God had never permitted one doubt, or one fear, respecting his safety, to pass over his mind. and on one occasion he said, "I cannot describe the communion which God holds with my soul. I know whom I have believed. Religion is no trick-the Bible is no fable. I am a dying man; and nothing but the truth of God could support me, but this does support me." He enjoyed abundant peace of mind during ten days of excruciating pain, and on each successive day exhibited a growing meetness for a better world. During the last few days he seemed to live even above prayer-his whole soul was occupied in the praises of his God.

He expressed himself as resigned to the will of the Most High, and often delighted in the thought that God's will must be done. It was, indeed, a privilege to hear the delightful assurances of God's love which he expressed, and to witness the growing fervour of his soul in the prospect of eternity. His end was peace; for, without a struggle or a sigh, the spirit left its trembling tenement, and returned to God who gave it. The memory of the just is blessed; and the memory of this man of God is blessed in no ordinary degree by the tribute of general esteem and sincere affection.

A funeral sermon was preached to a most crowded congregation on Sabbath evening, November 31, by the Rev. T. Haynes, from Psalm xxxvii. 37. Mark the perfect man, &c.

December 23, died at her residence, in Wellington, Somerset, at the age of 58, Miss ANN COLLARD. In the removal of this truly pious and excellent lady a numerous circle have sustained the loss of a most valuable and affectionate friend; the poor around her, a most kind and benevolent benefactress, and the interests of religion in general, and especially in the county of Somerset, a most ready and liberal supporter and friend.

We regret to announce the lamented death of the REV. JOHN WITEHOUSE, of Dorking, who was removed to his reward, after a protracted illness, on the 22d Jan. We hope to furnish our readers with further particulars in our next.

Answers to Correspondents, &c.

COMMUNICATIONS have been received this month from the Rev. B. BrookR. Crook-G. Payne--J. Winterbotham--T. Golding--T. Haynes --J. E. Miles-John Brown--S. Morell--J. Thornton-Thos. Weaver--Stephen Percy--C. N. Davies —Dr. Raffles--Thomas Morell-J. Hoppus-J. Churchill-H. Evison.

Also from J. Wheeler--Dr. J. B. Brown-F. Gregory--Jacobus--C. C.--J. B.-A Young Pastor--Eugenio--J. A. Watson-G. T.--Mutatus Mutandus--B. Hanbury-M. S s--James Jackson--Minimus--J. K. K.--A Passer by--A Freeman--T. G.

The String of Queries proposed by J. R. on the Construction of Trust Deeds for Meeting-houses are more likely to receive satisfactory solution by private consideration than by the lengthened discussion, to which they would probably lead in our pages. Several of them have already been fully discussed in our earlier volumes.-Mr. Jackson's offer we have no doubt will be acceptable; and we shall be glad to hear from him.-A Young Pastor wishes to know whether Occasional Comunicants ought to be admitted to the right of voting in Church-meetings for business and discipline?--We are not quite aware of the precise evil to which A Young Convert refers, when he condemns mutilated representations of our Lord and his holy apostles. Does he object to all pictures of Christ? --The Lines to the Memory of Divie Bethune, Esq. are well intended, but unpoetical.

The Letter of a Passer by is too severe to meet the public view; though we confess, they are but too just. And all we would say on this painful case is--to his own Master he stundeth or falleth.--Minimus proposes the following Queries:--(1.) "Does true humility prevent our discovering the real excellencies of our own character--rather does it not teach us to ascribe the glory of them to God? and if so, how was it that Paul could call himself less than the least of all saints,' when he must have been sensible that many were his inferiors in religious affections and holy character?--(2.) What considerations are most powerfully adapted to produce humility in Christians in reference to their views of themselves in comparison of their brethren ?"

The Communication of a Free man was too late for insertion this month.

We have been compelled to reserve several interesting articles of Intelligence till our

next.

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Published March 1825.for the Congregational Mag by BJ. Holdsworth, S.Pauls Church Yard, London.

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MEMOIR OF WALTER VENNING, ESQ. THE PHILANTHROPIST, LATE OF ST. PETERSBURG. Compiled from his Private and Family Papers. (Concluded from page 63.)

THE works of mercy which now occupied the attention of Mr. Venning, called forth the energies of his character in a manner at once delightful and unexpected. System, punctuality, intrepidity, and perseverance seemed to mark all his proceedings, and the increased spirituality of his mind convinced his most intimate friends, that he was training for some very extended sphere of usefulness. When, therefore, they knew that he proposed to visit St. Petersburg, with a view to promote the philanthropic plans of the PRISON SOCIETY in that metropolis, though they regretted the loss of his beloved society, they rejoiced in the contemplation of the field for Christian labour which was open to him, a field equal to his enlarged and active benevolence. In May 1817, the Rev. Edward Stally brass and his lady were preparing to sail for St. Petersburg, on their way to Siberia, with a view to missionary labours amongst the tribes of Mongolian Tartars there. Mr. Venning was, in course, happy to embark with such associates, and on the 18th of that month they sailed from Gravesend for Russia. Mr. V. united with Mr. Stallybrass, in requesting permission of the Captain to have preaching on board on the Lord's-day, and family worship every morning and evening, which was granted, with expressions of satisfaction, NEW SERIES, No. 3.

and the services were observed with respectful attention by a lady and three gentlemen, who were their fellow passengers.

A pleasant voyage of fourteen days brought them to Elsineur, a port at which vessels usually stay before they enter the Baltic, and Mr. Venning availed himself of the delay to visit Copenhagen, to see the prison, and thus to commence in the capital of Denmark his mission of humanity to the north. He was, however, not permitted to see the prison that day, and he therefore obtained a promise of Mr. Foster, the resident British Consul, that he would collect the information he required, doubtless, with a view to some benevolent labours in that city, which were then contemplated by him, but which, alas! he was never permitted to accomplish. A short passage of seven days brought these christian friends to St. Petersburg; and however fortuitous it might seem to men of this world, that they took their voyage from England in the same ship, yet to those who regard the dispensations of an all-wise Providence, it will be apparent that this was designed to unite them more intimately for purposes of mutual comfort and usefulness. This was Mr. Venning's fourth visit to the Russian metropolis, and ten years had elapsed since his last departure. "The vicissitudes Q

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