We doubt not but you in common with ourselves, have often deeply sympathized with the widows and orphans of our Ministers, and have felt anxiously solicitous that some means should be provided for their help; that the widow's afflicted heart should be relieved from its burden, and the destitute children's wants be fully supplied. It is probable, too, that on account of the children of those of our brethren who are labouring in the Gospel ministry, you have ardently desired that some assistance could be obtained, towards procuring them that education which you deem essential to their reputation and usefulness. To provide for the widows and children of our brethren in the first instance, and then to assist those of them who are necessitous in educating their children, are the objects contemplated by the Society now formed; to the principles and regulations of which we most affectionately and earnestly solicit your attention. It is a fact too obvious to require proof, that the Pastors and Ministers of our Churches cannot from the scanty incomes they receive, make any ade quate provision for the support of their wives and children after their death. They who are tenderly alive to the comforts of their families, cannot anticipate the period of their removal from the present world, without feeling the most acute anxiety, lest those who are their bone and their flesh,' should be left to the rude care of parishes,' or what is scarcely less painful to their hearts, lest they should be shut up in ignorance or illiteracy for want of suitable instruction, and thus be, as it were, confined to that region of dependence and poverty in which their death will necessarily leave them. Believing that you will concur in the correctness of this statement, we anticipate your cordial approbation of the plan of the Society which is now transmitted to you. The Society is founded upon the following principles as its bases.-That those whom it proposes to relieve should be CLAIMANTS and not DEPENDENTS That the contribution required should be REMITTED by the MINISTER-That the assistance it affords should be PERMANENT LY SECURED. 1. That those it proposes to relieve should be CLAIMANTS, and not DEPENDENTS. We exceedingly rejoice in the existence of several charitable institutions from which the Widows of our Ministers have obtained a kind supply; and also in the assistance afforded them from the profits of our Magazine; and whilst the most entire confidence is reposed in the impartiality and integrity of the persons by whom such funds are distributed, it was felt that a new Society was required to reach the cases of ORPHANS, and to afford aid towards THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN; in order that our Ministers may calculate with confidence upon obtaining such help for their families, without the possibility of assistance being refused on account of any circumstances whatever rendering such expectations. abortive. 2. That the contribution required should be REMITTED by the Minister. The Annual payment of two guineas being the qualification of a Minister to partake of the benefits of the Institution, the projectors of the Society felt that some objection might be made from the straitened circumstances in which some of our brethren are placed; they concluded therefore, that it would be proper to give the Congregations they serve an opportu nity of being the CONTRIBUTORS, though they should make their Minister the medium of their communication. 3. That the assistance it affords should be PERMANENTLY secured. You will immediately perceive that this is an object of the first importance, from the lamentable fact that so many BENEFIT SOCIETIES have failed; when the circumstances of the first contributors and long supporters had led them to expect that they should receive the advantages which they had throughout many years contemplated and thought secure. By the plan now adopted, it will be seen, that the aid afforded will not arise from a division of the CAPITAL in any case, but from a division of the ANNUAL INCOME; always securing a certain proportion of the Contributions, from whatever source the money may arise, until a foundation is laid that must remain unshaken and unremoved, sufficient to support and to perpetuate the superstructure of benefits it is proposed to raise upon it. Permit us, dear brethren, earnestly to request, that you will immediately take this subject into your united and deliberate consideration, and promote its accomplishment by all the means in learn, that the blessings of many widows We your power. We cannot admit the thought that any of our Congregations will let slip such an opportunity of relieving the anxiety of their Ministers, however low the number or the circumstances of those who compose them may be; and we indulge the confident persuasion, that those Congregations who are more numerous, and more prosperous, will not merely feel pleasure in raising what is required to secure the benefits to the family of their own Minister, but will, by occasional or annual Collections, contribute more largely to the funds of the Society; that thus the collected rivulets flowing in a similar direction, and meeting in the same channel, may at length form a reservoir, from which many afflicted Widows and destitute Orphans MARRIAGE AMONG DISSENTERS. may obtain a refreshing and abundant supply. this statement for . Having thus, dear brethren, fulfilled the direction we received, by making your approbation, and this appeal to your tenderest sympathies; we conclude by earnestly intreating, that the Society may have a share in your fervent petitions to the Throne of Grace. Should this Institution be succeeded by Him who is "able to make all grace abound towards us," we may be certain that "the administration of this service will not only supply the wants of the saints, but be abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;" and also, that all who contribute in any way towards carrying it into effect, will share in that delightful benediction and gracious promise, "Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord shall consider him in time of trouble. We are, Dear Brethren, OPIE SMITH, Treasurer. JOSEPH IVIMEY, Secretaries. P.S. All letters and remittances must be directed to the Rev. Joseph Ivimey, 20, Harpur-street, London. PROTESTANTS IN FRANCE. con We are happy to state, that at a Meeting of Ministers of the Three Denominations, convened last April, to alteration of the laws compelling Dissensider of the propriety of applying for an ters to submit to marriage by the forms of the Church of England, it was re solved to make an immediate application to the government, and that a depu tation consisting of the Rev. Dr. Rippon, the Rev. Dr. Lindsay, the Rev. Mark Wilks, and the Secretary, were appointed to confer with Lord Liverpool on the subject. PROTESTANT SOCIETY FOR THE Protection of Religious Liberty. (Continued from page 253.) Two pounds annual contribution from each congregation in England, and £1 from ditto in Wales, are expected to be transmitted to either Robert Steven, Esq. Upper Thames-street, Thomas Pellati, Esq. Ironmongers' Hall, or John Wilks, Esq. Finsbury-place, London. RESOLUTIONS. 1. That this meeting, including the friends of religious freedom of every party, receive with great interest the statement of the proceedings of the ComTHE Committee of the Ministers who mittee of the Protestant Society for the have been charged with the correspond- Protection of Religious Liberty during ence with the persecuted French Pro- the past year; that they have not fortestants, and the distribution of the sums gotten the meritorious labours of preobtained for their relief, have just pub- ceding Committees, who mainly contri lished a final address to those who sub-buted to obtain the amended Toleration scribed to the fund. It is gratifying to Act,-aided to procure the recognition of more liberal principles in the adminis | tration of India, and at the same time did not neglect to defend the domestic rights of Dissenters and Methodists; and that they rejoice, that the Committee for the past year have imitated their example, and laudably advanced in the same useful and honourable course. 2. That impressed with the essential importance of Academies for the preparation of pious young men for the ministry among Dissenters, and solicitous that no avoidable charges should oppress their funds, or diminish their utility, they learn with great satisfaction that it has now been finally decided, that the apartments occupied by stu dents in those institutions shall be exempt from public and parochial assessments; and that the Committee have prevented the interference of churchwardens with schools established on those liberal principles which alone the enlightened friends of education can commend. 3. That experience has convinced many members of this Society, that the demand of Tolls on Sundays from Dissenters and Methodists attending their own places of religious worship, imposes on them a burden peculiar and injurious; -and that they therefore applaud the efforts of the Committee to avert that inconvenience, and recommend to their consideration the expedience of applying for some permanent provision that may establish their right to exemption in a distinct unequivocal manner. 4. That whilst this meeting learn with approbation the liberal conduct of the Committee in presenting 50 guineas to the Independent Chapel at York, and 50 guineas to the congregation of the Rev. Mr. Slatterie at Chatham, towards their expenses in resisting the assessment of their meeting-houses to the rates for the relief of the poor,-they learn also with regret, that the resistance of those congregations has not been attended with success; and they hope that the Committee will take the earliest opportunity that prudence will allow, to apply for an act, by which not only the pecuniary charge shall be prevented, but the degradation of submitting the expenditure of Dissenting congregations to uninformed or unfriendly Magistrates at Quarter Sessions shall be for ever removed. 5. That this meeting would be unworthy descendents of wise, pious, and noble-minded men, if they could ever consider with contented or indifferent minds the continued operation of the Test and Corporation Acts on Protestant Dissenters, or could cease to regard them as a profanation of the sacrament of their religion to secular purposes, and a violation of those rights of conscience which it is the delight of every man to enjoy, and his duty to maintain; and that they invite the attention of the Committee to some general and energetic efforts for the repeal of all such penal and prohibitory statutes, and for the final establishment of the rights of Dissenters on a basis, that honour, and reason, and religion, shall approve. 6. That when this meeting consider the local persecutions which obstruct liberty of worship; the hostile spirit which many Clergymen of the established church continue to manifest; the vexations of which the perverted poorlaws are made the instruments; the parliamentary measures incompatible with the past privileges of Dissenters, which require constant attention; and the more combined and progressive labours of the established church, not merely to perpetuate, but to extend its power; they cannot but perceive the increasing importance of vigilance and union among all the friends of religious liberty of every denomination, and must recommend as their general representative the Protestant Society, which includes all parties within its protection, to universal and more zealous support. 7. That to the Committee for the past year, composed equally of ministers and laymen, and including gentlemen who are members of the established church, as well as Dissenters from that church, this meeting present their thanks for the prudence and zeal, and the activity and caution, with which they have discharged the important duties they were appointed to fulfil; and that the following ministers and laymen, also in equal proportion, with the Treasurer and Secretaries, be appointed to act as the Com. mittee of the Society during the ensuing year. Ministers,-Rev. J. Brooksbank, Collyer, Collison, F. A. Cox, Cloutt, Fletcher, Rowland Hill, Jackson, Newman, Platt, Tracy, John Townsend, Matthew Wilks, and Mark Wilks. Laymen, D. Allan, W. Bateman, J. B. Brown, HandJames Emerson, James Esdaile, field, M. Wood, Thomas Hayter, J. O. Oldham, J. Pritt, W. Townsend, T. Wont ner, Thomas Walker, and James Young, Esquires. 8. That this meeting also repeat their thanks to Robert Steven, Esq. the active, benevolent, and enlightened Treasurer of this Society. 9. That they also renew, with even in. creasing pleasure, their cordial acknow P ledgments to Thomas Pellatt and John Wilks, the intelligent, zealous, and disinterested Secretaries, and respectfully reinvite their useful exertions. 10. That this meeting acknowledge with gratitude the kind attention of the Rev T. Tayler, the Rev. Dr. Collyer, the Rev. J. Phillips, and James Gibson, Esq. the Trustees of Coward's Funds, who have again manifested their attachment to liberal principles, and to the true interests of Protestant Dissenters, by a donation to the Society of Fifty Pounds. 17. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the brethren Dore, Priestley, Shoveller, Clare, Millard, Mill, and Saffery. The next Association is to be at Southampton July 21. Messrs. Hawkins and Saffery to preach; the former on the given subject. Mr. Millard is to preach on the preceding evening. OXFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION: 11. That this meeting recognize upon THE Annual Meeting of the Oxfordthis occasion, with great pleasure, the shire Association will be held at Bourtonpresence of Matthew Wood, Esq. Alder-on-the-Water, on Tuesday and Wednesman, and M. P. for the city of London, and congratulate the citizens of that city on the re-election of a Representative, anxious to promote education, peace, and liberty, throughout the world. 12. But that to Sir James Mackintosh, M.P. the honourable and eloquent Chairman, this meeting offer their peculiar praise ;—and would express their hope, that he who asserted the freedom of the press, and benefited India by his wisdom and his presence, will succeed in his be neficent attempt to render our criminal jurisprudence milder; more efficacious, and more just,and will soon complete a National History, to which the friends of truth and freedom in every future age may with confidence refer. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS. MAY 7. Freemasons' Hall. Sir Thos. Baring, Bart. in the chair. Speakers,W. Wilberforce, Esq. Lord Gambier, Rev. Lewis Way, Rev. L. Richmond, Rev. J. Owen, Rev. D. Wilson, Rev. C. Simeon, Rev. W. Marsh. Great good is doing by this Society. ANNUAL MEETINGS. HANTS AND WILTS ASSISTANT SOCIETY. April 14. The Easter meeting of the Hants and Wilts Assistant Society in aid of the Baptist Mission was held at Poole. Mr. Saffery preached in the morning from Gat. v. 32. On goodness, as a fruit of the spirit, and Mr. Millard in the evening from 1 Tim. i. 15. Mr. Clare preached the preceding evening from Job xxxv. day, the 8th and 9th days of this month. The Rev. James Smith of Ashwood, and the Rev. Isaiah Birt of Birmingham, are expected to preach.-The Seventh Anniversary of the Bourton-on-the-Water Auxiliary Bible Society will also be held on Thursday the 10th. NEW CHURCH FORMED. MAGOR, MONMOUTHSHIRE. REV. Thomas Leonard, April 14, 1819. Reading and prayer by Mr. Beates, student at Bristol; introductory address, Rev. Joshua Lewis, Chepstow; ordination prayer and charge, 1 Tim. vi. 11, Rev. John James, Pont-rhyd-yr-un; address to the church, Rev. Rees Davies, Caerwent; concluding prayer by the Rev. Wm. Jones, Cardiff. The Rev. Thos. Harries, Peniel, gave out the hymns. NEW CHAPEL OPENED. LIVERPOOL. MARCH 21, 1819. A neat commodious chapel, with a large school-room attached to it, (freehold, and now in trust,) was opened for public worship, for the use of the third Baptist church, in Great Crosshall-street, Liverpool. Mr. Underhill, the pastor, opened the service with reading and prayer; the Rev. J. Poole, of Birmingham, preached three very impressive sermons, from Isaiah xl. 5; Hebrews viii. 2; and Rev. vii. 9 and 10. The services of the day were attended with great solemnity, and will long be remembered with pleasure by many. Their former place of worship was on a lease nearly expired, and was in a decayed state. ORDINATIONS. HARUT, DEN BIGH. REV. W. Hughes, August 23, 1818. Reading of the scripture and prayer, Rev. Mr. Evans, and W. Roberts; introductory address, Rev. Mr. Evans; ordination prayer, Rev. E. E. Evans: charge, 2 Cor. iii. 16, Rev. Mr. Roberts; address to the church, 1 Tim. v. 17, 18, Rev. Mr. Evans.-The Society engaged to allow Mr. Hughes a stipulated annual sum, with a promise of advance if the church should increase in number; which agreement was signed by the two Deacons, and the Rev. Messrs. W. Roberts, and E. E. Evans.-Harut lies near Wrexham, in a neighbourhood inhabited by colliers and miners. About twenty two years ago, Mr. E. E. Evans, (late of Cefn Mawr, but now of London,) visited these parts several times, and preached to great multitudes in the open air; but having many other places to serve, he was compelled, though reluctantly, to relinquish Harut. In 1816, several LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. pressing invitations were sent to Mr. Hugh Hughes, a member of Cefn Mawr church. He went, accompanied by other preachers, and several persons were haptized from time to time; some of whom declared, that serious impressions had been wrought on their minds about twenty years before, under the ministry of Mr. Evans. Thus did the good seed, which had long lain in the ground, spring up, when watered by the dew of heaven, and again warmed by the genial influence of the Sun of righteousness.Harut being about eight miles from Cefn Mawr, of which church the indivi duals were members, and they having increased to twenty-nine in number, they were formed into a church on the above-inentioned day. Just published. Elementary Discourses; or, Sermons addressed to Children. By John Burder. Moral and Ritual Precepts compared; in a Pastoral Letter to the Baptist Church, at Bow, Middlesex; including some Remarks on the Rev. Robert Hall's Terms of Communion. By William Newman, D. D. Historical Books of the Old Testament, Vol. I. Containing the Pentateuch and of a New Family Bible, and Improved Version, from corrected Texts of the Originals, with a copious Introduction on the genuineness and inspiration of the sacred books, a complete View of the Law of Moses, both as a civil and MARCH 2, Rev. John B. Roberts.ish Sects, Customs, &c. By B. Bootha religious code, and an account of JewReading of the scripture and prayer, royd, Editor of the Biblia Hebraica, Rev. John Roberts; introductory address and ordination prayer, Rev. Chris. Evans; charge, Rev. W. Williams; address to the church, Rev. John Roberts. LIXWNO GREEN. MELKSHAM, WILTS. APRIL 7, Rev. John Shoveller, Jun. late of Liverpool. Reading of the scripture, Rev. Mr. Stennett, of Calue; prayer, Rev. Mr. Seymour, of Bradford; introductory address, Rev. J. Shoveller, &c. In one handsome octavo volume, il lustrated with plates, Letters from Palestine, descriptive of a Tour through Gallilee and Judea, with some account of the Dead Sea and of the present state of Jerusalem. Remarks on the Foreknowledge of God; suggested by passages in Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary on the New Testament. By Gill Timms, |