On Wednesday morning, the Lord Bishop of the diocese held a confirmation in St. Peter's Church, Ashton-under-Lyne, when upwards of 830 persons were confirmed, being an increase of two hundred in number since the previous confirmation. On Thursday, June 14th, the Lord Bishop of the diocese consecrated the church lately erected at Downall Green, and also the church yard, in the presence of the clergy of the neighbourhood, and a crowded congregation of respectable persons, who appeared deeply interested in the ceremony.-Wigan Gazette.

IDOLATRY IN INDIA.--On Tuesday, 12th June, a large and respectable meeting was held in the Amphitheatre, Liverpool, to petition Parliament on the subject of idolatry in India, from which a revenue is derived to the British government, and attendance on which, and its heathen ceremonies, is forced upon British subjects. The meeting was held pursuant to a resolution agreed to at the late anniversary meeting of the Church Missionary Association. Adam Hodgson, Esq., was called to the chair. There were present the Revs. H. M'Neile, R. P. Buddicom, T. Tattershall, and many other clergymen and laymen.

A meeting of the Stamford Church Missionary Society was held on the 28th of May, in that town.

THE CHURCH IN UPPER CANADA.-A very interesting meeting was held at Horncastle, on Monday, the 28th May, in aid of the District Committee of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, with especial reference to the religious destitution in Upper Canada, which was attended by the Rev. William Bettridge, B. D., one of a deputation from the bishop and clergy of that province. Thomas Brailsford, Esq., was in the chair, surrounded by a large number of the neighbouring clergy. Resolutions in reference to the objects of the society having been moved and seconded, and the concurrence of the Rev. Dr. Madely, vicar of Horncastle, in the objects of the meeting having been expressed on his behalf by the Rev. Dr. Smith, together with his regret that the state of his health prevented his attendance, the Rev. Mr.

Bettridge addressed the meeting in a long speech, the eloquence of which, great as it was, is not so high a praise as the truly Christian spirit which pervaded all be said. At the conclusion of this speech it was resolved that a petition to the legislature should be prepared from the town and neighbourhood of Horncastle, praying that the state of spiritual destitution in Upper Canada may be taken into consideration. The collection at the meeting amounted to 20l.13s., in addition to the sum of 81.0s. 10d. collected at the church on Sunday morning, after a sermon by the Rev. John Bowstead, M.A., rector of Greetham ; and 13l. 4s. 4d., also collected at the church on Sunday evening, after a sermon by the Rev. William Bettridge, B.D.; making together 411. 18s. 2d.-Lincoln Chronicle.

(From a Correspondent.)-On Sunday, the 3rd of June, the parish church of Cumberworth, near Alford, was re-opened for divine service. It has been rebuilt in the decorated style of Edward II., and the cupola and spire after those of Sinzig on the Rhine: they rise gracefully, and form a conspicuous object to the surrounding country. The expense of rebuilding the sacred edifice has been defrayed almost entirely by the Rev. John Lodge, the incumbent, the librarian of the University of Cambridge; and his parishioners, in humble imitation of his munificence, have cheerfully subscribed to purchase a handsome chandelier. On the present occasion, many of the inhabitants of the adjacent villages came to witness the interesting ceremony; the church was completely filled, and many for want of room were compelled to remain without. The Rev. John Lodge preached on the occasion from 1 Kings, ch. viii., verses 27, 28, 65, 66.

MIDDLESEX.

CHURCH METROPOLIS SOCIETY. — On Wednesday, June 13th, a highly respectable meeting was held at the society's rooms, Lincoln's-inn-fields. The Bishop of London said prayers. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury was in the chair. 1

Amongst those present were the Bishops of London and Winchester, the Earl of Harrowby, Lords Bexley, Radstock, and Sandon, Sir R. Inglis, Sir. S. Glyn, and Sir C. Hunter, besides many clergymen and gentlemen of the first respectability. Mr. Dodsworth, the secretary, read the report. It commenced by stating the difficulty the society had to contend with in procuring sites for build. ing on, and difficulties arising from other circumstances. But the committee had the satisfaction to announce the pleasing

results of their labours. They had already built three churches in the parish of Stepney, where great spiritual destitution prevailed, and which were nearly fit for consecration. There were four others in progress in that neighbourhood, two in Shoreditch, one in Whitechapel, and assistance had been given to others. There were also in progress one in Lambeth, one in St. Bride's, and one in Islington, making in all fourteen, to which the committee proposed to add twelve, in all amounting to twenty-six. The one proposed to be erected at St. Margaret's, Westminster, was deferred, owing to the intended improvements in that neighbourhood, for which it was hoped, when completed, a better site would be obtained. This was the number of churches that were charged upon the fund. The subscriptions were not so great as might have been anticipated; last year they amounted to 117,4231. 1s. 6d. The present year's subscription, up to the sixth of this month, amounted to 128,775l. 9s. 9d., the increase being 11,352l. 8s. 3d., a sum far short of what might have been expected from a great mercantile city. The report concluded by announcing that Her Majesty had graciously been pleased to become patron, and subscribed 1000l. The Bishop of London requested the secretary to state to the meeting that the Draper's company subscribed 5001. - The financial report was then read, which stated that after all the expenditure of the year a balance of 73,9791. 6s. 9d. remained to the credit of The Bishop of Winchester proposed that the report should be printed and circulated, which was agreed to unanimously. Several other resolutions were passed in the same manner, after which the meeting separated.—Morning Paper.

the fund..

The anniversary meeting of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was held at Willis's Rooms, King-street, St. James's Square, on the 22d of June; his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury in the chair. Amongst the many distinguished personages present, were the Lord Primate of Ireland, the Bishops of London, York, Winchester, Bangor, Hereford, Lincoln, and Nova Scotia; the Earl of Harrowby; Lords Sandon, Bolton, Bandon, and Bexley; Mr. Justice Parke, Mr. Justice Patteson, and Mr. Justice Coleridge; there was also a numerous attendance of ladies. Lord Primate of Ireland moved the adoption, printing, and circulation of the Report, which is most cheering. His lordship, in the course of his speech, stated that it had pleased God to give him the

The

power, as trustee to the will of Mr. Jack son, of York Hill, Armagh, to place at the disposal of the society the annual sum of 1,000l.-Morning Post.

CONSECRATION OF ST. JAMES'S CHURCH, HOLLOWAY.-On Tuesday, the 19th of June, this neat and elegant edifice, which is the first completed of three district churches now in course of erection in the parishes of Islington and Holloway, was consecrated by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London, in the presence of a most crowded and respectable congregation. The right rev. prelate preached, taking as his text the 9th chapter of Matthew and the 37 th and 38th verses. This structure is the first raised by the united contributions from the "Bishops' Fund" and the parishioners. It calculated to accommodate 1,100 persons, 300 of which are allotted as free sittings. The whole cost of the building has not exceeded 3,2001., out of which the "Bishops' Fund" has contributed 1,000l., and the remainder by voluntary contributions of the parishioners. The same sum is subscribed by the fund towards the erection of the two other churches, which, it is understood, will afford every accommodation to the inhabitants of these

populous and increasing parishes, at a cost of little more than 8,000.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

We regret to state, that Archdeacon Wilkins has formally resigned the vicarage of St. Mary's, in this town, after having zealously and ably discharged his parochial duties here for more than twenty years; health nor his desire to relinquish so arduand we regret this the more as neither his ous and responsible a charge was assigned as a reason for having adopted such a step. —Nottingham paper.

OXFORDSHIRE.

A public meeting was held at Lewknor church, on Monday evening, June 11th, the Rev. T. Garnier, Vicar, in the chair, at which an Association in Aid of the Church Missionary Society was formed, embracing Watlington, Lewknor, and the adjacent villages. The platform was filled with a considerable body of the clergy; and the congregation (amounting to above 800 people) was addressed by Dr. Macbride, Principal of Magdalen Hall; the Rev. Samuel Wilberforce; the Rev. John Hill, Vice-Principal of St. Edmund Hall; the Rev. W. Thorp, some time missionary in the West Indies; the Revds. W. Langford, Hopkins, Flamank, and Spencer Thornton. A collection was made after the meeting, which amounted to 13l. 14s. On the following day the annual public exa

mination of the national school children took place, the result of which was highly creditable to those who are entrusted with their tuition. After the examination, the children of both sexes, amounting in all to 138, sat down to a plentiful and substantial dinner.-Oxford Herald.

SHROPSHIRE.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY FOR IRELAND. -Two meetings of the Shrewsbury and Shropshire Auxiliary were held in the large room at the Lion Hotel, on the 22nd of May, when the report was read by the Rev. James Colley, in the absence of the secretary. Colonel Wingfield presided at the morning meeting, and the Rev. Dr. Kennedy at that held in the evening. The Rev. Thomas Drew, of Christ Church, Belfast, and Mr. O'Neill, agent of the society, attended on the part of the parent institution, and gave some interesting details connected with the Sunday School system of instruction in the sister country. -Salopian Journal.

SOMERSETSHIRE.

An address to the Queen has been signed by the archdeacon and nearly all the clergy in the deanery of Taunton, expressive of their opinion respecting the late ecclesiastical commission, that it has altogether failed of obtaining the confidence of the clergy, and that it is not calculated to promote the increased efficiency of the church; stating that, when they consider the conduct of the commissioners with regard to our cathedral and collegiate esta blishments, they perceive that the rights and privileges of all ranks of the clergy are to be invaded without any previous opportunity being afforded them of ex. pressing their opinions; pointing out the use and advantages of these venerable institutions; and praying her Majesty not to sanction the revival of the late commis. sion, unless with such alterations in its constitution, and such limits both to its permanency and powers, as that it may gain the confidence, and fully and fairly represent the opinions and feelings, of the great body of the clergy.

A petition to the House of Lords has also been signed by the same body, praying their lordships' attention to the fatal blow aimed at the established church by the proposed new education scheme; expressing their deep sorrow and alarm at perceiving that there is no provision or guarantee held out by the proposed measure for appointing a lay commission of education, that the commissioners will afford any instruction in those principles of true religion which alone can make a naVOL. XIV.-July, 1838.

tion great, or a people prosperous; and entreating their lordships not to give their sanction to any measure for the abolition of church-rates, and the substitution, in lieu thereof, of a fund abstracted from the property of the church; nor to sanction the transfer of the clerical income in Ireland into the consolidated fund.-Church of England Gazette.

NEW CHURCH AT CLEVEDON.-On the 29th of May last, the foundation-stone of this intended edifice was laid by Lady Elton, in the presence of a crowded and attentive assembly. The site of the building is on the brow of the hill leading from the entrance of the village to Stoke's hotel. -Ibid.

BATH AND WELLS DIOCESAN CHURCH BUILDING ASSOCIATION. Although the weather was wet and unfavourable on Sunday last, we have the gratification of stating that the sum of 63l. 18s. 8d. was collected at the Octagon chapel, Bath, in aid of the Association, after sermons by the Rev. John H. Pinder. We beg again to mention the pleasing and stimulating fact that in little more than eighteen months the association has contributed to providing, in this diocese 7,022 additional sittings, of which the very large proportion of 5,197 are free for the use of the poor. The society has also contributed 1,091. towards the general purposes of the Incorporated Society for promoting the Enlargement, Building, and Repairing of Churches and Chapels. It must be evident that large funds are necessary to give the association the means of affording to other applications the extensive rate of assistance which, under God's blessing, it has been hitherto enabled to render.

The serious attention of the friends of religion is invited to the subject of increased church accommodation for the parish of Chilcompton. The parish church has become so dilapidated and so inadequate to the wants of the inhabitants, that it has been determined to rebuild it, but funds to the amount of between 2001. and 300. are still required. Chilcompton is situated within one mile and a half of the Roman-catholic college of Downside, and near to the free school lately opened by the Roman Catholics, near Bath.-Bath Paper.

A vestry meeting was held in the parish of Weston, Somerset, last week, to authorize a church-rate. On the resolution for a threepenny rate being proposed, the show of hands was declared against it. A poll was demanded, at the close of which the votes in favour of the rate were 162, against it, 27! From this incident, and many of

R

a similar description which have recently occurred, it is made apparent how little the rate-payers have to do with the clamour against church-rates.—Salisbury Herald.

SUFFOLK.

BUNGAY ST. MARY CHURCH-RATES.— The goods of Messrs. J. and C. Childs, and their deluded followers, defaulters in paying the church-rate, were lately seized by legal authority, and sold by auction, on Friday, June 15th, at the Angel Inn, in Bungay. A bill advertising the sale was circulated through the town and neighbourhood, stating they were goods distrained for church-rates. The goods sold freely; there was no want of bidders or buyers, nor no concealing of names; every purchaser gave his bidding openly, and the name of each buyer was made public by the auctioneer, to whom great credit is due for his straightforward course in conducting the sale.-Morning Paper.

SURREY.

A Church Extension meeting was held on Wednesday, June 6th, at Richmond, when his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge took the chair. The Bishop of Winchester was present, along with several clergymen and influential laymen. -Surrey Standard.

SUSSEX.

The

CHICHESTER DIOCESAN ASSOCIATION.The first quarterly meeting of the general committee for the management of the association took place on Thursday, June 14th, at the Council Chamber, Chichester. The Lord Bishop was in the chair. members present were, the Dean of Chichester, the Archdeacon, the Revs. C. Hutchinson, R. Tredcroft, H. D. Clarke, W. Wallinger, and H. W. Simpson; Capt. Palliser; John Hoper, jun., W. Ridge, and J. B. Freeland, Esqrs.; and the Rev. H. Manning. After discussing and deciding certain preliminary questions, the treasurer declared the amount of contributions. The sums promised, exclusive of special donations, amount to 4,921.; the sums actually received, 3,9241.; and special donations promised, 1,3827. It was unanimously resolved, that the grants should be made from the amount of sums declared by the treasurer to be actually in hand. From the amounts disposable, according to the rules, at this quarterly meeting, grants were made for the following purposes: Toward the enlargement of the parish church of Sidlescombe; for building a new district church in Ticehurst; and a new chapel at Barcombe; and, upon the clergy aid account, to Arundel; St. Paul's, Chichester; Cold Wal

tham and Hardham, and Eastbourne. The next meeting, according to the rules, will take place at Hastings, on the second Thursday in September.-Hampshire Advertiser.

WILTSHIRE.

ECCLESIASTIAL COMMISSIONS.-Petitions to the Houses of Lords and Commons have received the signature of nearly every clergyman in the archdeaconry of Sarum, calling attention to the appointment of the late commission to inquire into and report upon ecclesiastical duties and revenues, against which commission the petitioners do not raise their voice, acknowledging that the measures it recommended were in some respects most valuable; but also clesiastical Commission," to which the pecalling attention to the more recent "Ectitioners most strongly object-First, with regard to its constitution, as one to which the church cannot, and ought not, to look with confidence or approbation, being composed of thirteen members, of whom eight are laymen, and no less than ten out of the whole body appointed and removable at the will of the Crown ;-Secondly, with regard to its perpetuity, as rendering it likely to absorb the whole management of ecclesiastical affairs, degrading the church from her true standing, and taking from her bishops in particular that voice and authority to which their office has an inherent claim; and praying, therefore, that such commission should, after a definite time, cease to exist, and that all further administration of ecclesiastical affairs should be confided to some body less subject to civil control, and more in accordance with the spirit and polity of the church.-Dorset Chronicle.

The annual meeting of the Committee of the Church Union Society of this diocese was holden in the School-room of St. Thomas's churchyard, in this city, on Tuesday last-present, the Rev. Canon Clarke, the Ven. the Archdeacons of Sarum and Wilts, the Rev. R. Moore, R.D., W. E. Honey, R.D., G. P. Lowther, R.D., F. W. Fowle, R. D., J. Watts, R.D., E. Duke, R. Crawley, M. King, W. Dansey, R.D., secretary, and George Atkinson, Esq.,-when the following grants were voted:

To an aged and infirm clergyman long incapable of duty, baving a wife and five daughters, and an income of only 60l.,

221.

Towards the maintenance of an insane clergyman, in a state of helpless destitution, 221.

To a very aged and infirm curate, incapable