points that the churches require powerful preachers, more than proficient scholars. Both were desirable; both were demanded. He thought the one not inconsistent with the other; both were attainable. But if it were ever necessary to make a sacrifice, he could frankly say, he was convinced there should be no hesitation which it should be. Let them "cherish a passion for preaching Christ." The other point was, the importance of devotional habits. This was argued strongly, and illustrated by appeals to the biography of the great and good. Such habits were favourable to real attainments in all science; in theology they were indispensable.

The Rev. G. Smith closed the interesting engagements with prayer.

About thirty of the ministers and friends afterwards dined together.

By the death of the late Mrs. Ann Cutler, (late of Clerkenwell, London, and formerly, for many years, a member at Spa Fields Chapel,) one hundred pounds is bequeathed to Cheshunt College, and nineteen guineas to Spa Fields Benevolent and Maternal Society; also nineteen guineas to Rev. J. Durrant, the reader at Spa Fields, in addition to other legacies to religious and benevolent institutions.

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The Rev. W. H. Stowell, D.D., preached two sermons at Spa Fields Chapel on Sunday, Nov. 17th. We trust this beginning augurs good, betokening a desire for more union between the College and the Connexion.

CHESHUNT COLLEGE.

IN another part we have given a brief Report of the recognition of Dr. Stowell to the Theological Chair of this Institution. Heavily discouraged as the friends of this college have been by the loss of its valuable tutors, they are now full of hope that God has been ordering all for the multiplied use

as

fulness both of those whom they have lost, nor less of those whom they have gained. It is probable, that but for the recent lectures of the Rev. Dr. Stowell, on 66 The Work of the Holy Spirit," his substantial merits would have been overlooked. Further, whilst we regret that any difficulties besetting so valuable an institution Rotherham College should be the occasion of the Doctor's willingness to leave a station in which he has been so long and so deservedly respected and beloved, we see in the time in which this circumstance is brought to light, another link in the chain which has thus early associated one of the most eminent Professors with one of the most interesting of our Metropolitan Colleges. It was fitting, that whoever undertook the charge of young men in connexion with an Institution founded by "the elect Lady" Huntingdon, should have a firm grasp of the great doctrine of the Spirit's work as essential in the recovery of lost men to God. She and her colleagues had much power with men because they had much power with God. They were mighty in prayer, they were "filled with the Spirit." They may not have entertained the most philosophical views of the mode of his operation, metaphysics were not then so much in vogue as now; but they knew what God had revealed, and did "not shun to declare the whole counsel of God." And God honoured them because they honoured him. Disastrous will be the result whenever man's dependence on God is denied, or "the fall" frittered away to some slight accident," curable by some applianee of "art and man's device." "My glory will I not give to another."

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Could Lady Huntingdon and her holy coadjutors have been present when Dr. Stowell exclaimed, "Gentlemen, cherish a passion for preaching Christ," they would have cried aloud, "Amen!" Yes, this is their work, "Go thou and preach the Gos pel." Lecturing will not answer the end. Reading smooth ingenious essays will not

awake the dead. Nor will Neology feed the perishing. "There is a crying for corn in the streets." Nonconformity in many places is losing its hold of the masses, because it is losing its spirituality and simplicity.

Intimately connected with this topic was the other on which the Doctor placed such becoming emphasis, devotion. Prayer is a test of a man's faith in revealed religion. In modern philosophy we see no room for prayer. Results are all to be exactly as the processes, but prayer is no part of the process-no necessary part. We are taught to "have faith" in laws, in mind, in men, in ourselves, but, "God is not in all their thoughts." Verily, Jehovah's throne is eclipsed by its own shadow, nature is veiling nature's God; and law is placed above his "excellent Majesty," as if his was, in truth, a limited, and not an absolute monarchy; as if he were the only being without liberty. Long have we been learning to talk, or to mutter; when shall we be taught to "Be still ?" to "know that he is God." When the churches think they can do without prayer, they proclaim they can do without God. And when God's power and spiritual working are deemed matters of poetry, fit imagery for a ruder stage of social life, pictures for little children, then prayer will be regarded as belonging to the catalogue of old and obsolete nursery rhymes. And then-we shall see in our degradation what was once the rock of our strength. The all-sufficient is the only-sufficient. Nor will the Holy One of Jacob long allow his people to think they can dispense with their God; that his children can ever run alone. Assured as we have been from honoured brethren who take a deep interest in the rising ministry, who have long and well known Dr. Stowell, and who know also, and reverence the characteristics of the Countess of Huntingdon's Institutions, for the good of the world, we have a deep persuasion, that while the new friends of the College may

be sure of the Doctor's sound philosophy, the old may be sure he is no new light." He is a devout disciple of the One Book, and

"Where reason fails with all her powers, His faith prevails, his love adores !"

We trust that the Instiution will never be left to complain of the need of liberal support. Placed in an enchanting spot, an agreeable distance from the Metropolis, and about to be presided over by eminently competent men, we augur for it a growing acceptance with the churches, and a large measure of the Divine benediction.

A Young Minister of the Old School.

WESTERN DISTRICT.

THE Autumnal Meeting of the Ministers of the Western District, was held at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, Hereford, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 9th and 10th of October.

On the Wednesday evening, publie service was conducted, which was introduced by the Rev. W. Aldridge, who gave out the hymns. The Rev. L. J. Wake read a portion of the Word of God, and engaged in prayer, and the Rev. J. Jones preached an excellent and impressive sermon, founded on the words of the apostle Paul, 1 Cor. viii. 1-3. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him." He also concluded the service by prayer.

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The morning of Thursday was devoted to the business of the District, on which occasion the Rev. W. Aldridge presided, and the Rev. J. Jones implored the divine blessing and guidance. Various important subjects were considered, and appropriate resolutions unanimously adopted. In the evening a second public service was held, when the resident minister read

the hymns, the Rev. J. Jones read the scripture and offered prayer, and the Rev. T. Dodd delivered a suitable and solemn discourse from 2 Cor. vi. 1. "We then as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." The Rev. W. Aldridge closed the service by prayer.

The next meeting was appointed to be held at Ebley. The Rev. L. J. Wake of Cheltenham to preach.

LINCOLN.

Zion Chapel, Silver Street. On Mon. day, Nov. 18, a Public Tea Meeting was held at the above place of worship, when one hundred and twenty persons sat down to tea, which was kindly provided, gratuitously, by the ladies of the congregation. The Rev. R. S. Short, pastor of the church, presided. Addresses were delivered by Revs. J. Crapps, S. Wright, E. Metcalf, and Messrs. S. G. Rouse and J. Ward. The Rev. G. Gladstone closed with prayer. It is gratifying to find that an increasing interest is being manifested in the cause of Christ at the above place.

TYLDESLEY.

ON Lord's Day, August 11th, two sermons were preached here by Rev. T. R. Potter, the minister of the Chapel, when collections were made towards liquidating a debt of £115 remaining on the Parsonage House. There was a very good attendance in the afternoon, but the evening being very rainy, the congregation was but small. The collections amounted to £23. 18s. 7d., which, with £15 given by two liberal friends, and smaller donations, make in all £39. 8s. 9d.

LETTERS TO SIERRA LEONE.

London, Oct. 9, 1850.

Beloved Brethren, By desire of the Executive Committee, we forward you the

substance of resolutions agreed to by them, and a copy of correspondence which was forwarded to you. The Committee feel a very deep interest in your welfare, and an earnest desire to promote your prosperity. They fear, as the communications from your colony which have reached them have been so few, that your letters have miscarried in their transit. With reference to the list of questions forwarded by Mr. Graf, by some mischance they were lost, as you were informed nearly two years ago, and requested to re-answer them. The Committee have been anxiously waiting for such duplicate answer, and have felt deeply grieved that they have not received it. They hope that immediately upon the receipt of this, you will forward the same to England, with a copy of all the letters you have addressed to them since the time the questions were sent out. It was with much pleasure they were informed of the arrival of Mr. R. R. Elliott in England, but it was a matter of deep regret that he should have been in England, within easy reach of the secretaries and the principal friends of the Connexion, without having any correspondence with them, and giving them such information respecting the movements of their brethren in Sierra Leone as would have been likely to interest them, and create fresh sympathies on your behalf. Some very valuable opportunities of rendering much service to your cause were thus lost, as the committee would have gladly arranged for his visiting the principal chapels and menibers of the Connexion in England. Even the letter addressed to Mr. Willcocks, was not delivered to him until the 14th September, some days after he had been informed that Mr. Elliott was looking for a ship to return to Africa, athough at that time he had not been introduced to any of the friends. From the statement he will make to you, you will perceive that the interest for you has not decayed. The Committee wish explicit official statements

of your numbers, chapels, schools, &c., and your views upon the subject of a deputation, and they will then immediately consider the best way of serving you. They are informed, that it is not likely that the Rev. A. Elliott will undertake so long a journey, or it would give them unfeigned pleasure to see him; but they hear with much pleasure that there is a probability of Mr. Elliott's eldest son visiting England at no distant period. They hereby give him an earnest invitation, and the promise of a hearty welcome, from all the friends of the Connexion in England. They are quite convinced that it would be the surest method to excite such an interest on behalf of your churches as would, by the blessing of God, lead to such efforts being made as would secure some permanent operations for Africa in our own beloved Connexion. With regard to expenses, the Committee will cheerfully defray Mr. Elliott's passage to and fro, and he will receive a cordial welcome while here. They would suggest as to the time, that it would be an additional advantage if he could arrange to be in England by the latter end of next June, in order to attend the annual Conference of the ministers to be held in London at that time. With this letter you will receive sundry packages of books for the use of the churches and the members. They are placed at the disposal of the trustees, either for distribution or circulation among the members, or for the libraries or otherwise, according to their discretion. Some of them, especially the packages of Testaments from Spa Fields Sunday School, are for the use of the Sunday Schools. (These Testaments are not to be sold.)

In conclusion, the Committee very earnestly beg the prompt and serious attention of the Trustees, Elders, &c., to this communication, and to the copies of the letters, and also request their immediate correspondence upon the whole of the

subjects entered upon, replying in each instance explicitly. If a statement were drawn up or signed by the Rev. A. Elliott, such as the Committee could publish in their Magazine, as to the Rev. Mr. Ellis's having been first sent to Nova Scotia, from whom, and by whom; when he was first called by divine grace to the saving knowledge of the truth; the conversion of some of the Nova Scotians, now or formerly in Sierra Leone; the call of the Rev. Mr. Elliott to the work of the ministry; and other such matters calculated to create a more general interest, the Committee feel assured it would not only be very gratifying, but very beneficial. They cannot close without expressing their conviction that the visit of Mr. R. Elliott has been ordered by divine wisdom, and their assurance that although many untoward circumstances have hitherto attended their efforts to advance the Redeemer's kingdom in Africa, it will yet be seen that all things have been overruled by the providence of God for an all-wise purpose. "The promise may be long delayed, But cannot come too late."

We have therefore to request that you will immediately select four men, who in your judgment shall be possessed of sound piety, and sufficient discretion, intelligence, and devotedness to render them eligible for such undertaking, and having given them the necessary instructions, cause them to proceed forthwith to the places mentioned and commence their work. We wish you

to decide what will be a proper remuneration for them, and the executive committee will provide the money.

Should you have a difficulty in procuring the four persons at once, select three, or two, but on no account let the work be delayed any longer. We shall wish to have a report quarterly for the information of our friends in England; and it will be our desire as soon as the stations are fixed, and the preachers located, to have chapels erected, respecting which we will communicate with you.

Do not fail to give this letter your immediate attention; we shall be most anxiously awaiting your reply as to what you have done in the matter; also your answer to the contents of the other letter referred to at the commencement. In the mean time we shall endeavour to ascertain if one of our brethren can visit you.

We remain, Dear Friends,

Yours very sincerely and affectionately, for the Committee,

JOHN WOOD, Chairman.

THOS. E. THORESBY,
F. W. WILLCOCKS,

} Secs.

WE trust that none of our friends will

forget Sierra Leone. The opportunity which is offered us of evangelizing a considerable portion of Africa at a small expense is one of the brightest prospects that the Connexion has ever had, and it will reflect on us for ever if we refuse to furnish the necessary means. It will be well to interest our Sabbath School Teachers and Children in this subject. Many of our schools would doubtless like to have a chapel and preacher of their own, and thus be fully represented in Africa. We have plenty of money for the object: and we have all the stores of Divine mercy at our disposal. And if we want an individual to visit the country, Jehovah, in answer to prayer, can give us the man. Surely we must be sunk indeed if we have no one qualified or willing to undertake the work. Sierra Leone has been called the Englishman's grave, but the mortality for which it is dreaded, has arisen more from injudicious conduct than from the climate. have lately read an article on this point, showing, that in Sierra Leone intoxicating liquors are more baneful than the heat, the miasmata, or the fever. Surely, we have -none among us who love strong drink better than the conversion of Africa. How many fields in heathen lands and at home are white unto harvest, and therefore the solemn duty devolves on us all, "to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers."

We

WITH this number we close the year; and we thank our readers for their patronage, not on our own account, but on account of the cause which the Magazine was commenced to advance. We had no ambition

to be an Editor, and shall be happy at any time to resign the post. That many imperfections would appear in the work was to be expected. The Editor has generally to preach or lecture six or eight times a week,