by his predecessor, the congregation has steadily and satisfactorily increased, so that the beautiful sanctuary, which does great credit to the Congregational Dissenters of Kentish Town, is now nearly full. But in this improvement there is only a fresh illustration of what is constantly being avowed by the most devout and observant among us, that the gospel has only to be affectionately, earnestly, and uncompromisingly preached in the midst of a large population, to ensure the attendance of large congregations in our places of worship, and secure the realization of Scripture promise and prediction, and the averment is indisputable it is now demonstrated—that stability and growth are inseparable from a full exhibition of the essential truths of the gospel.

GROVE STREET CHAPEL, BOSTON.

THE REV. H. F. Holmes has resigned his pastoral charge in the above place of worship. It is with mutual and deep regret that the connexion between himself and his people is severed.

The locality not suiting his own health, and that of his family, is the sole cause of his removal. Mr. Holmes is about to exercise his ministry at Wimbourne, in Dorsetshire.

TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. T. TIMPSON.

THE Rev. Thomas Timpson having exercised his ministry at Union Chapel, Lewisham, from the first Sabbath of its dedication to God in 1823, and finding his health impaired, resigned the pastorate, at Michaelmas last, after a peaceful and variously successful period of thirty years. On reporting his decision to his ministerial brethren, at their next district quarterly meeting, they resolved on cooperating with his congregation, in presenting him with a suitable testimonial of their respect and affection; and considering that his various labours, especially by his publications, had been beneficial to many throughout the United Kingdom, and in other countries, they published an advertisement, soliciting

contributions of small amount in aid of their design: large sums were not sought, Mr. Timpson being happily not in necessitous circumstances.

Many sums were therefore received from different parts of the country, and from America; and the testimonial of esteem and regard consisted of an elegant silver tea-pot, cream ewer, and sugar basin; with the splendid work of Conybeare and Howson, on the "Life and Epistles of the Apostle Paul," in two volumes quarto, and a purse of about thirty sovereigns.

Joseph Maitland, Esq., presided at the public meeting, after tea, on Tuesday evening, March 7, 1854. After singing, and prayer for the love of the Spirit and the presence of Christ, by the Rev. S. Hebditch, of Woolwich, the assembly was addressed by the chairman, the Rev. J. Pulling, of Deptford; the Rev. G. Verrall, of Bromley; and the Rev. W. Lucy, of Greenwich, testifying their fraternal regard for their old fellow-labourer in the work of Christ. Mr. Timpson then acknowledged the kindness of his brethren and of other friends, in their handsome gifts, and generous expressions of Christian love, briefly reviewing the history of his thirty years' ministry at Lewisham, and for the British and Foreign Sailors' Society. The Rev. H. Baker, of Summertown, Oxford, followed, announcing his acceptance of the unanimous invitation of the church members and seat-holders, to become the successor of Mr. Timpson in the pastorate.

This meeting was remarkable for the kindly Christian feeling evidently diffused through the minds of all; the ministers testifying their long and fraternal co-operation with their retiring fellowlabourer, and expressing their gratification at his intention still to continue his present residence, and labour for the salvation of souls, as occasion might offer. The impressions of the evening will long be remembered to the praise of God our Saviour.

"That this Association having learned from the Rev. Thomas Timpson that he had resigned the pastoral oversight of the church at Union Chapel, Lewisham, after thirty years-whilst deeply regreting the circumstance, that impaired health had been the cause of his retirement, cannot allow the opportunity to pass without offering to Mr. Timpson sincere and cordial congratulations, on account of the long continuance of his pastoral relation to the flock at Lewisham; the measure of success with which his labours in the Christian ministry have been crowned; the benefits diffused over a much wider circle, by means of his many valuable and useful publications, now so widely circulated at home and abroad; and as he proposes to remain in the locality, the brethren united in this fellowship cherish the desire and hope, that he will continue to give his attendance at the District Meetings of the Association, and thus co-operate, by his counsels, prayers, and efforts, in whatever may have a tendency to advance the interests of the Congregational Denomination, and the cause of vital Christianity, in the county in which we reside."

HASTINGS.-CROFT CHAPEL ORDINATION

SERVICES.

ON Wednesday, February the 15th, the Rev. George Stewart, late of Airedale College, was publicly ordained as co-pastor with the Rev. W. Davis, over the church and congregation assembling in the above place of worship. The morning service commenced by the congregation singing the hymn,

"Arise! O King of grace, arise!" The opening devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. John Stent, of the Baptist Chapel, Hastings. A most lucid discourse was delivered by the Rev. George Smith, of Poplar, in which he eloquently illustrated some of the chief principles of Nonconformist church polity. The usual questions were asked

The ordination prayer was offered by the senior pastor, the Rev. W. Davis. The charge to the minister was delivered by his father, the Rev. Alexander Stewart, of Holloway, and was characterized by eminently judicious counsel and singular terseness of style. The Rev. Henry Rogers, of Petworth, closed the morning service by prayer.

Nearly a hundred persons sat down to a cold repast provided for the occasion. The company was addressed by the Revs. W. Davis, G. Smith, G. Stewart, A. Stewart, H. Allon, and Henry Spicer, Esq. Several other ministers from London, Brighton, and county towns, took part in the proceedings of the day. The whole service was peculiarly interesting, and will never be forgotten by those who were present.

In the evening, the Rev. Henry Allon (Mr. Stewart's pastor) delivered an eloquent and affectionate charge to the people, founding his remarks on the words of Paul, recorded in 2 Cor. viii. 22, 23, and 24 verses. The services were concluded by the offering of prayer by the Rev. A. Stewart.

SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE.

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ON Monday evening, February 20th, a deeply interesting meeting was held in the school-room adjoining the Independent Chapel in this town, when more than two hundred people assembled. Rev. Richard Gibbs, on the previous Lord's-day, had preached sermons celebrate his twentieth anniversary as minister of the Congregational church here, and it was suggested that the completion of so many years of faithful service, should be suitably noticed by the attached people of his charge. Within a few days, fifty guineas were subscribed for presentation; and after the meeting had been held, one of the stanchest churchmen in the neighbourhood begged to present two guineas additional, as a testimony to proved ability and worth. At the public meeting, the chair was taken by John Dewhirst, Esq. Mr. Hartley, the senior deacon, read an ad

to Mr. Gibbs, congratulating him on the peaceful and prosperous state of things during his long pastorate, and assuring him of their unabated interest in his ministry. Several addresses were delivered by other gentlemen present, and earnest prayers were offered, that the beloved pastor may be permitted long to labour, with his accustomed vigour and efficiency.

ZION INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, WAKEFIELD.

ON Monday, January 18th, the Rev. Joseph Stuchbery, B.A., (late assistant minister to the Rev. James Griffin, of Manchester,) was publicly set apart as pastor of the church assembling in the above place of worship.

In the morning service, the Rev. Thomas Scales read the Scriptures and offered prayer; the Rev. Henry Reynolds, B.A., of Leeds, then delivered a very able and philosophical exposition of the principles of an Independent church; the Rev. Walter Scott, of Airedale College, asked the usual questions; the Rev. John Adey, of London, offered up the ordination prayer; the Rev. John Harris, D.D., of New College, London, gave the charge to the minister, founded on 2 Tim. ii. 15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God;" and the Rev. E. D. J. Wilkes, of Manchester, concluded with prayer.

The company than adjourned to the school-room for dinner, when 340 sat down to a repast which did honour to the kind hospitality of the friends. The room was tastefully decorated with evergreens and with appropriate mottoes, including one especially delicate above the head of the pastor, saying, "Welcome to

Zion."

In the evening, the Rev. J. S. Eastmead, of Salem Chapel, read the Scriptures and offered prayer; and the Rev. James Griffin, of Manchester, preached to the people (from 1 Thess. v. 13) a most judicious and impressive discourse, which will long be remembered. The Revs. Henry Bean, Samuel Oddie, James Bedell, William Spencer, and G. B. Scott, also took part in the services.

As the weather suddenly changed for the better, the gathering of ministers from

and the young minister received, besides this encouragement, numerous notes of sympathy from others of his brethren unable to attend.

The services, from first to last, were marked by deep seriousness, and were communicative of the richest spiritual enjoyment. May the Great Head of the church acknowledge them as the happy precursors of a long period of prosperity to both pastor and people!

ON Wednesday evening, Fehruary 8, 1854, the Rev. Joseph Spencer, formerly of Bakewell, was publicly recognized as pastor of the church assembling in Tippingstreet Chapel, Manchester. The Rev. Dr. Halley commenced the service by reading portions of the Scriptures, and prayer; the Rev. J. Lockwood, B.A., of Cheetham Hill, delivered a very appropriate introductory discourse; the Rev. T. Atkin, of Glossop, proposed the questions relative to the call of the pastor and his acceptance of it, to which replies were given by Mr. Smith on behalf of the church, and by the pastor on his own behalf; the Rev. Dr. Clunie delivered the charge to the pastor; and the Rev. James Griffin the charge to the people.

WALES.

THE ENGLISH INHABITANTS OF WALES.

THE spiritual destitution of the English portion of the inhabitants of several towns amid the mining districts of Monmouthshire and South Wales, has long been deeply felt and deplored by many an earnest Christian acquainted with it. Being far removed from the warmhearted, liberal, and wealthy Christians of the cities and towns of England; and their Welsh neighbours generally having their resources taxed to the utmost, by the calls made upon them, to provide for the spiritual wants of their own nation; the English, though not quite forgotten by all, have hitherto been almost entirely neglected, as far as the Congregational denomination is concerned. Notwithstanding their wonderful exertions in behalf of their own nation, the largest Welsh churches in the towns and the mining