the utter downfal of the Altar and the Throne. At St. Neots, in Huntingdonshire, in consequence of the fidelity and unwearied exertions of the Rev. J. Appleton, M.A., in the general duties of the parish, and likewise of his activity and personal exertions and influence in procuring the assist ance of the neighbouring clergy, whereby a third service has been established in the church, the congregation have increased his salary fifty pounds for the present year, and intimated their intention of making the same permanent during his stay amongst them. Here, then, we find the apostolic precept is listened to, the people know them that minister amongst them in spiritual things. They appreciate the characters of those devoted to their Master's service; they feel the importance of having an authorized ministry amongst them, who, whilst they are personally independent, are the servants of all men for the Lord's sake. -Cambridge Chronicle.

KENT.

He

LANCASHIRE.

who was appointed to examine the validity of the votes given during the contest upon the question of a Church Rate for the current year, has now made his report, and the result of the scrutiny is a majority of three hundred and fifty-eight votes in favour of the rate. It will probably be in the recollection of our readers, that at the close of the pool there was an apparent majority of 1,122 against the rate, the numbers being -for the original motion, 5,897; for the amendment, 7,019. At the close of the scrutiny the numbers stand thus: For the original motion. For the amendment

5712 5354

Majority in favour of the rate. 358 Most heartly do we congratulate the friends of the Church on this result; a result, the importance of which will be best appreciated by those who were witnesses to the exertions that were made to obtain a different one, and to the exultation with which the anti-Church faction announced their temporary triumph. The lavish and fraudulent artifices by which that expenditure of money, and the mean temporary triumph was purchased, will be in the recollection of the Manchester public; and if any thing should increase the satisfaction which we derive from seeing the honest, unostentatious exertions of the friends of the Church crowned with success, it would be the pleasure of witnessing the

defeat of a faction, who had the meanness to resort to the most disgraceful expedients to accomplish their purpose.. - Manchester Courier.

On Friday, November 21st., a meeting of

PROTESTANT Meeting at LiveRPOOL.

the friends of the Established Church was held in the Amphitheatre, Great Charlottestreet, Liverpool, for the purpose of receiving a deputation from the Irish Clergy, and of adopting such measures as the critical position of the sister Establishment in Ireland might require. Lord Kenyon presided, supported by many of the neighbouring resident gentry, and his Lordship was accompanied on his entrance by the Rev. Messrs. Boyton and O'Sullivan, the Irish deputies, who were cordially welcomed by the meeting. At the conclusion of the speeches of these Rev. gentlemen, an address to his Majesty-expressive of the deepest sorrow that their Protestant brethren in Ireland no longer found, under the administration of the law, protection for their persons and property, and earnestly imploring his Majesty to raise from despondency the persecuted branch of the Establishment in that country-was moved by W. Hulton, Esq., and carried amidst the cheers of the meeting. In the course of

Mr. Boyton's speech he warmly congratulated the meeting on the change in the ministry, observing that the late ministers had by their acts reduced the Protestants of Ireland to such a situation, that if that system had been continued, Ireland would have been separated from England, the bond which united them-the Protestants -being deprived of strength. Mr. O'Sullivan contended, that the late government measures shewed a disposition on the part of the late ministery to weaken the Protestant Church, and to render it unable to resist the attacks of its enemies. He shewed this by alluding to the operation of four measures-Anti-scriptural education-suppression of the Bishopricks-the Church temporalities Bill-and the Protestant census.-Liverpool Standard.

MIDDLESEX.

At a meeting of the rate-payers of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, held to receive the report of the committee of vestry, relative to the office of clerk in orders, the Rev. Mr. Duckenfield, the new vicar, was unanimously voted to the chair. This was the first vestry meeting at which the vicar of the parish has presided, or even been present, for the last two hundred years. This fact was bailed as an omen of peace and concord in this hitherto agitated parish. A number of gentlemen addressed the meeting in a conciliatory spirit; and it was unanimously resolved, that the report should be referred back to the committee, so to amend it as to prevent, if possible, any irritation to any party, and to bring about peace in this long disturbed parish.

-Globe

We learn from the Morning Chronicle, that Dr. Lushington assisted a mob of 1800 or 2000 people, as the journal quoted asserts, to desecrate, by a political meeting, the church of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, on Wednesday night. It is the duty, the sworn judicial function of Dr. Lushington, to prevent and punish such profane abuse of edifices dedicated to the service of the Almighty. We think that some Christian inhabitant of the parish of St. Leonard's ought to cite the learned doctor, for brawling in a church, before the judge of the Consistory-viz., before the Doctor himself.-Standard.

NATIONAL BENEVOIENT INSTITUTION. The annual and general meeting of the governors and subscribers to this charity took place on the 27th, at Freemasons' Hall, on which occasion there were twenty pensioners added to the number of those whose declining years are supported,

* Query.-Was not this his right as vicar?

whose sufferings are alleviated, whose wants are relieved from its funds; there will therefore be now two hundred and fifty pensioners placed on the establishment, each of them in the receipt of from 201. to 30l. per annum, requiring upwards of 6,000l. per annum for the payment of the pensions. Her MAJESTY and the Royal Family, with many of the nobility and other humane and beneficent charac ters, are the zealous and active friends of this justly esteemed and valuable institution. Morning Post.

The Morning Post of December 15th, -says:"Notice was given on Sunday in Greenwich Church, during divine service, that a meeting would be held one evening during this week, to consider an address to his MAJESTY, on the subject of the dismissal of his late Ministers! The rector of this church was private tutor in Earl Grey's family." Is this true?

Mr. Spring Rice, and several other members of the late Administration, have lately made a Government grant to a certain Dr. Polding (lately made by the Pope Pope to go to Australia, to re-establish a a Catholic Bishop, and ordered by the Catholic mission in that colony), of one thousand pounds per annum; moreover, the grant has been increased by an addi. tional grand of a thousand acres of land in any part of New South Wales, in order that there; further, Mr. Spring Rice has Dr. Polding may found a Catholic College agreed to pay the passage or outfit of Dr. Polding, and of the Catholic priests who are intended to accompany him. The

question, therefore, must be considered in England or the Pope of Rome is to matwo points-1st, whether the king of colonies? Secondly, whether or not the nage the spiritual affairs of the British people of England are to be taxed in order to pay for the maintenance of a Catholic Bishop in New South Wales? It is intended that this Dr. Polding should sail for Australia in the first week of January next; he may be heard of at Dr. Branston's, a Catholic Bishop, living at 35, Golden-square.-Correspondent of the Standard.

A vestry was held in the parish church of St. Mary, Islington, on Thursday, December 4th, for the purpose of making a Church and other rates. The radicals assembled to oppose the rate, but were beaten by at least ten to one, by a show of hands.-Albion.

ST. LUKE'S, CHELSEA.-On Thursday evening, December 4th, a public vestry was held for the purpose of receiving the report of the committee of vestry appointed

to inquire into the duties and emoluments of the office of sexton, the Rector in the chair. The report, in substance states that, in the opinion of the committee, the parish will appoint an individual, to be denominated a superintendant, to perform the duties of sexton, and of watching over the operations of the grave-digger, at a salary of 521. per year, the churchwardens to receive the fees and emoluments of sexton, thereby making an addition to the parochial funds of a sum about 3501. per annum. The report was received with great applause, and carried.-Record.

On Thursday, December 18th, a special general meeting of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, was held at the society's house, in Lincoln's-inn-fields, for the purpose of considering the propriety of making a grant of money in aid of a fund, to be raised by subscription, for promoting the religious instruction of the emancipated negroes in the British West Indies. The meeting was called at the particular recommendation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who took the chair upon the occasion. The Bishops of London, Llandaff, and Barbadoes, were also present, as well as many of the clergy, and a number of individuals of high respectability. The secretary read various communications from the West India Islands, stating the increased avidity of the negroes for instruction since their emancipation. The report of the standing committee stated that the Society for the Conversion and Religious Instruction of the Negroes, had granted a sum of 5,0001. for these purposes, and that the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was expected to do the same, and concluded by recommending the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge to make a grant of 10,000/. in aid of the fund, which was acceded to.-Times.

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND. (To the Editor of the Times.)-SIR,-Having been lately round Bonavista Bay, in the way of business, which led me into most of the little settlements, I was very much astonished to find the children able to add up the price of every thing. I was thus led on to inquiry, and I do not know that I met with a child in the bay who could not read and write.-To find this knowledge in so many little bye places surprised me, until I discovered they all obtained the means of instruction through the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, which does so much good in other provinces. In seven or eight places there were schools under

that Society, with 20, 30, and even 60 children, who understood every thing needful in ordinary life; and yet the income of these masters, in some cases, did not exceed fifteen pounds a-year; while in other places, too small for a school, a gift of two or three pounds a-year to some servant secured to the children Sunday instruction.

I have been sorely grieved to hear that all these schools are to be abolished at the end of the present year; and if you will please to make this public in your paper, I am in hope that some one will publish a list of the schools, and the number of children taught, with the amount of salaries and little grants, which may induce the House of Assembly to provide such a small sum as is necessary to support those extensively beneficial establishments, which seem to have gone on so quickly doing good for years, that many persons scarcely know them to exist in the Island. A CHILD'S FRIEND.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

The Rev. John Ferme, A.M., of Blankesley, Towcester, Northampton, late Felsituation of Head Master of the Devonlow of Caius College, has resigned the port Classical School, to which he was elected a short time since.-Camb. Chron.

NORTHUMBERLAND.

A meeting of the rate payers of the parish of Hexham, was convened in the Abbey Church, on Thursday, 17th December, for the purpose of fixing a church rate for the present year. A rate of twopence in the pound having been proposed and seconded, an amendment for the adjournment of the meeting for a year was proposed, and seconded by Mr. Joseph Ridley, who took the opportunity of addressing some opprobrious terms to the chairman (the clergyman of the parish), which drew down upon him the just indignation of the meeting, who called for a division. The rate was immediately carried by a show of hands, the majority being full four to one. A more numerous vestry meeting has been seldom witnessed in Hexham.-Newcastle Journal.

SOMERSETSHIRE.

BATHEASTON.-On Sunday, the 16th November, the parish church of Batheaston, near Bath, was re-opened for the performance of divine service, having been closed some months for repair, and for the addition of a new aisle and gallery to the sacred edifice, which now contains 600 sittings, 350 of that number being free for the use of the poor and their

portion of the votes against the rate will be found, upon the scrutiny, to be composed of persons not assessed, and which will, in all probability, therefore be struck off. It will also be the business of the scrutineers to affix to the name of each person the number of votes to which, under the Vestry Act, he is entitled. These two points ascertained and rectified, it is the opinion of those best qualified to give an opinion, that the majority of real votes will ultimately be found to be in favour of the rate."

On Wednesday, Dec. 17th, a numerous and highly respectable meeting was held at Dee's Royal Hotel, Birmingham Theodore Price, Esq., in the chair, when the following declaration was unanimously adopted, and signed by all present:-"We, the undersigned Magistrates, Clergy, Bankers, Merchants, Manufacturers, and other inhabitants of Birmingham and its vicinity, feel it our duty at the present time, when efforts are being made to effect a separation of Church and State, thus publicly to declare our firm determination zealously to support the Protestant Church Establishment in its connection with the State, and to maintain in its integrity the British Constitution, being ready at the same time to promote every safe and temperate measure for the correction of real evils and proved abuses."-Birmingham Gazette.

WILTSHIRE.

On Thursday, the 27th Nov., a valuable piece of plate was presented to Dr. James, the late curate of Calne. The plate consists of a richly-wrought salver, of the value of seventy guineas, the execution of which reflects great credit on Messrs. Payne and Sons, of Bath, the manufacturers. The salver is enriched by the arms of Dr. James, and bears the following inscrip

tion:-" Presented to the Rev. J. B. James, B.C.L.,M. D.,F.L.S., by his friends

and other individuals, who obtained an instant supply of water, the flames were arrested in their progress; but had the fire remained undiscovered a short time longer, the choir, and probably the entire building, would have been inevitably reduced to a heap of ruins.-Portsmouth Herald.

A public meeting was held at the Greenrow Rooms, Portsmouth, on the 17th of November, for the purpose of establishing a society for the protection of the interests of the Church of England. The room was completely crowded with nearly all the rank, wealth, and influence of the place; Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart., in the chair. The resolutions were all carried unanimously. Nine hearty cheers were then given for the Church, and the meeting broke up. One hundred and fifty persons enrolled themselves as members of the society, before the room was cleared.-Morning Herald. YORKSHIRE.

By a melancholy coincidence of circumstances, the Scottish Episcopal Church has within three days been deprived by death of three of her venerable and oldest clergymen, viz., the Very Rev. Alexander Shand, Dean of the diocese of Aberdeen, and for upwards of forty-four years minister of the episcopal congregation of Arradoul, near Buckie, where he died on the evening of the 10th ultimo; Rev. Alexander Cruikshank, for many years minister of the

for his character as a clergyman, 1834."

Our venerable cathedral (Salisbury) narrowly escaped destruction yesterday morning. It appears that the lad, whose duty it is to light the fires for warming the edifice previous to the commencement of divine service, had not used due care in placing a brazier filled with lighted charcoal, in the organ loft; and shortly after, a man engaged about the building discovered a volume of smoke ascending from the loft. An alarm was immediately given, when it was discovered that a portion of the ignited charcoal bad fallen from the brazier, and had already melted some lead work, and set fire to the adjoining timbers. By the prompt exertions of Mr. Biddlecombe,

on the 11th ultimo; and the Rev. George Garden, minister of the Episcopal Chapel at Stonehaven, early in the morning of the 13th of November.-Aberdeen Journal.

IRELAND.

The Dublin Evening Mail contains a valuable report of returns, presenting a comparative view of Protestant and Roman Catholic property, in 241 parishes, taken from the most Roman Catholic parts of Ireland, but taken altogether at hazard. The general result is-Protestant property, 2,002,227 acres; Roman Catholic property, 71,404 acres. Protestant tithe composition, in the same parishes, 82,5817.; Roman Catholic composition, 2,8371.