SINCE the above was printed, we have received the following letter from the respectable Secretaries of the Protestant Society upon the same subject. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. THE applications transmitted to us as Secretaries to "The Protestant Society for the protection of Religious Liberty," from all parts of the country, respecting the Bill announced to Parlia ment "For the Education of the Poor," whilst they gratify the Committee and afford us encouragement, are too numerous to receive individual replies. For the Committee of that Institution, we therefore request you to state in your publication, that they had anticipated the difficulties of the measure before it was publicly explained; and that they were prepared vigilantly to observe that explanation, and carefully but candidly to examine the developement of the desigu. To the Committee it has appeared to originate in imperfect information, and to be one of the most needless and objectionable measures that have been recently submitted to Parliament. Its final adoption the Committee would greatly deplore, and will be impelled by public duty strenuously to oppose. Nor will they be daunted in that opposition by their knowledge that the measure may have eloquent, powerful, and hierarchial support; since numerous communications already indicate that their opposition will be assisted by Dissenters and Methodists of every denomination; by Quakers, Catholics, and Jews; and by pious and liberal members of the established Church, who dissapprove of sacramental tests, of the further union of the Church and the State, and of the additional intermingling of clerical functions with civil duties and secular affairs. But as the measure is postponed for six months;-as no further proceedings can occur until another session of Parliament: as any Bill then introduced must be deliberately discussed; and as the plan may then be greatly modified and improved, the Committee deem it respectful to the benevolent proposer of the measure, as well as obviously expedient, to abstain from any immediate and public opposition to the plan. Yet they assure their friends, that their vigilance will not abate, and that they will invite their assistance when danger is imminent, and whenever combined and general efforts may be required, and can avail. At that season they have been taught by experience to believe, that all the numerous congregations connected with their So. ciety, and all the friends of liberal educa tion and religious freedom, though habitually lovers of peace, roused by their call, and impelled by principle and duty, will instantly awake; and they hope that their prompt, universal, temperate, but firm, and zealous co-operation, will induce the Parliament, the Administra tion, and even the most determined advocates of the measure, to treat their disapprobation with the respect which their numbers, their property, their intelligence, and especially their moral and religious character, will well deserve. Great, however, will he the satisfaction of the Committee, if intermediate representations and private labours shall prevent the necessity of such public exertions, and of that pleasure we shall cordially and joyfully partake, THIS benevolent Society, which was instituted in 1818, held its Annual Meeting at the King's Head Tavern, Poultry, May 25, 1820. The Fund already amounts to £5,000 Reduced 3 per Cents; £1,000 Navy 5 per Cents; and £450 Cash. Donations and Subscriptions are received by the Treasurer, (James Gibson, Esq.) 49, Lime-street; by the Secretary, (Rev. Thomas Cloutt,) 14, Penton-row, Walworth; by the Collector, (Mr. Norton,) 47, Fish-street Hill; and by Sir James Esdaile and Co, Lombard-street. NEW CHAPEL OPENED. TROSNANT, MONMOUTHSHIRE, A NEW Bapist Chapel was opened at Trosnant, Monmouthshire, April 19, 1820. Meeting at 10, 3, and 7 o'clock, and the preceding evening. Welsh Sermons by Messrs. Hiley of Llanwenarth, Jer. xxxii. 40; Davies of Tredeger, Isaiah liv. 1, 2; Edmunds of Caerphly, Job vii. 37; Philips of Caerleorn, Isaiah xii. 6; and Jenkins of Hengoed, Ps. lxviii. 18.-English Ser mons by Messrs. James of Pont-rhydy. run, Matt. xvi. 18; Davies of Hereford, Mal. i. 11; and Leonard of Magor, Rom. i. 16. Reading and prayer by Messrs. Davies of Argoed; Lewis of Glasgoed; Michael of Sion Chapel; and Evans of Penygarn.-Hymns by Mr. James of Pont-rbyd-yrun. The Chapel will contain about 1000 hearers; expenses about 6601.; subscriptions, &c. 2004; debt 4601.; col lections after the sermons above 24l. April 22, Mr. John James, Minister at Pont-rhyd-yrun, near Newport, Mon. mouthshire. ASSOCIATIONS. BEDFORDSHIRE. THE Fifth Annual Meeting was held at Leighton Buzzard, on Wednesday, May 3, 1820. Brother Such of Steventon began with reading and prayer. Brother Cuttriss of Ridgmount preached from Rom. vi. 1, 2. Brother Peacock of Rushden, from Tit. iii. 11, 12. In the Afternoon the letters from the Churches and the circular letter were read, and other business transacted. In the Evening, brother Simmons of Olney preached from Numb. xxiv. 1517, and concluded the services of the day. Collected for the Baptist Mission, 5l. 3s. 9d.* ESSEX. ON Tuesday, May 30, 1820, the Ministers and Messengers of the Baptist Churches in the County assembled at Thorpe. The afternoon was occupied in transacting the business of the Association. Evening, 6 o'clock, brother Miller prayed. The letters from the different churches were read, and brother Bolton concluded with prayer. • We shall be obliged to our Correspondents who favour us with an account of Associations which have been held, if they will have the goodness to add the time and place of the next Association. It was on this evening that the Association had to acknowledge one of the most providential deliverances of two of its members from an untimely grave, that has ever fallen to its lot to record. Having determined to go by water from Burnham to St. Osyth, they left home early in the morning, together with a little boy who accompanied them, after commending themselves to the care of that gracious Being who is too wise to be mistaken, too good to be unkind, aud who, while he has an ear to hear, has also an arm to save. They had sailed for some hours in comfort and safety; and every thing seemed to promise them a speedy and pleasant interview with their ministering brethren and friends; when, on a sudden, and without any apprehension of danger, the accident occurred, which is thus described by brother Garrington. "The sails being again set, and the anchor weighed, I felt remarkably comfortable with the full prospect of speedily and pleasantly arriving at St. Osyth. The boat, however, had scarcely come to the use of her helm, when a sudden gust of wind laid her side under water, from which she did not recover, but gra dually (and which was remarkably providential) filled with water, till the weather side was uppermost, and the sails flat on the surface, which prevented her from turning keel upwards. In an instant, without being aware of danger, we were plunged into the water, which gradually rose till it had reached the mouth of myself and brother Haynes, the little boy clinging to his shoulder. Each of us got to the weather side, keeping as close as we could together, and just able to maintain our hold, though even the upper side was consider. ably below the surface of the water. It is not probable we could have continued our hold many moments longer, nor perhaps even so long as we did, had it not been for the hope set before us. At the very moment of our extremity a reve nue cutter's boat, manned by three men, was putting off from the shore to go to a distance, but which came immediately to our assistance, two of the men rowing, and one ready to hold out (as he cheer fully did) both hands to lay hold of us." Such is the description which our brother has given of the kind intervention of that indulgent Providence, to whose gracious care both he and his and but for which, in all probability, they companion had committed themselves, might have sunk into the arms of death, might have left the Association to be * The Itinerant of the Association. moan their loss, and might have been resting at this moment in their graves, equally apart from all the joys and sorrows which either gladden or disturb mankind. It was about 9 o'clock in the evening, and after the many gloomy apprehiensions concerning their safety had been cherished by the Association, that our brethren arrived to the great joy and delight of all present. The account of their perils and preservation was heard with the strongest emotions of sympathy and thanksgiving;, and every heart was prepared to vent itself in gratitude to him, who so kindly interposed to save them from destruction, and who has so graciously promised to cover his people "with his feathers," and under whose "wings" they may "trust." May 51, morning, half-past 6, brother Garrington prayed. Brother Pilkington preached from Heb. xii. 3. and concluded. Half-past 10, brother Goodrich prayed. Brethren Wilkinson of Saffron Walden, and Bane of Potter-street, preached; the former from Isa. Ixii. 6, 7, and the latter from Ps. cx. 3. The Itinerant then gave an account of the work in which he had been engaged, during his connection with the Association; and brother Pilkington concluded in prayer. The next Annual Meeting to be beld at Burnham, the last Tuesday and Wednesday in May. Brethren King and Goodrich to preach. In case of failure, brother Wilkinson. WESTERN. - Messrs. BRISTOL, May 23-25. Sermons ;May 24, Mr. Saunders, Heb. xii. 22 May 25, Mr. Cherry, Acts xiii. 26; Mr. Winterbotham, Gen. xviii. 17-19. Other Ministers engaged; Ayres, Cousins, Crisp, Downs, Holloway, Horsey, Humphrey, R. Martin, Miall, Millard, Roberts, Rodway, Saffery, Saunders, and Viney. Moderator, Dr. Ryland. Subject of the Circular Letters-The Union which exists between Christ and Be lievers. The next Association is to be held at Kingsbridge, on the Wednesday and Thursday in Whitsun week, 1821. Messrs. Crisp and Winterbotham, or Saunders and Roberts, to preach: Mr. Miall to draw up the letter. Clear Increase 158. Number of Members in 77* associated churches 7207. Contributions to the Fund 1651. Divided among the widows of Ministers 112. 11s. 24d. The places, and the names of the ministers, are given. We recommend this for universal adoption in Circular Letters. WEST CORNWALL. THE Meetings of the Ministers and Churches which had been for some time discontinued, were renewed at Falmouth, on Wednesday, Dec. 29. On the preceding evening, Mr. Dore of Redruth, preached from 1 Tim. iii. 16. On the Wednesday morning at 7, met for prayer: in the forenoon Mr. Edmund Clarke of Truro, preached from Heb. iv. 15; in the evening Mr. Smith of Penzance preached from Isaiah ix. 2. Messrs. Lane, Heath, Hart (Independent Minister), and Dore, engaged in the devotional exercises of the day. It was agreed that these Meetings should in fature be held half yearly in the Spring and Autumn. On Tuesday, March 28, the half yearly Meeting of the above Association was held at Truro. On Monday evening, Mr. Green of Falmouth preached from 1 John i. 3. The interesting services of Tuesday were introduced by a Prayer Meeting early in the morning. In the forenoon, Mr. Hinton of Haverfordwest, (who was on a visit to Cornwall,) preached from Corinthians v. 14. In the even ing, Mr. Lane of Helston preached The devotional from Luke xxiv. 27. services were conducted by Messrs. Dore, Henwood (Methodist Minister), Moore (Independent Minister), and Coxhead. ORDINATION. ROWLEY, DURHAM. MR. W. FISHER, who studied for two years under Mr. Pengilly of Newcastleupon-Tyne, under the patronage of the Stepney Institution, was ordained Pastor of the Particular Baptist Church at Rowley and Hindley on Thursday April 6. Mr. Winter of South Shields introduced the services with reading and prayer. Mr. Williamson of North Shields described the constitution of a gospel church, asked the usual ques tious, and received the confession of faith. Mr. Pengilly offered the ordination prayer, accompanied with imposi tion of hands, and delivered to Mr. F. a very serious charge from 1 Tim. iv. 6. "A good Minister of Jesus Christ." Mr. Sample, Pastor of the second Baptist Church in Newcastle, delivered an ap propriate discourse to the Church from Ezra x. iv. And Mr. Fisher concluded with prayer. The services were highly interesting, and the prospect of useful. ness is very encouraging. Missionary Herald. BAPTIST MISSION. Home Proceedings. ANNUAL MEETING. RESOLUTIONS of the General Meeting, held on Thursday, June 22, 1820, at Great Queen-street Chapel; Joseph Gutteridge, Esq. in the Chair: I. On the motion of the Rev. James Hinton of Oxford, seconded by Benjamin Shaw, Esq. of London, "That the Report now read be received and printed, under the direction of the Committee; and that, from a review of the progress of the Society, during the twenty. eight years of its existence, this Meeting sees abundant cause for unfeigned thankfulness to the God of all grace, on account of the success with which he has been pleased to crown its operations." II. On the motion of the Rev. George Burder, Secretary to the London Mis sionary Society, seconded by Divie Bethune, Esq. of New York, ་་ That, duly appreciating the vast importance of presenting heathen nations with the scriptures in their ver nacular tongues, and imparting the benefits of education to their children, this Meeting especially rejoices in the great extent to which the Missionaries connected with the Society, have been enabled to cultivate these very useful departments of Missionary labour by which they have not only prepared the way, under the Divine blessing, for the success and perpetuity of their own instructions, but greatly facilitated the progress of all Christian Missions throughout the Eastern world." III. On the motion of the Rev. Jabez Bunting, A.M. (one of the Secretaries of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary So VOL. XII. ciety,) seconded by Henry Waymouth, Esq. of Wandsworth, "That this meeting, gratefully acknowledging the services rendered to the Society, during the past year, by its Officers and Committee, requests that the Treasurers, Thomas King, and William Burls, Esquires; and the Secretaries, Dr. Ryland and Mr. Dyer; will resume their respective offices; that those gentlemen whose names will be read by the Secretary will act as the Committee for the year ensuing; and that J. C. Gotch, Esq. and Mr. Wm. Beddome, be the auditors of accounts. GENERAL COMMITTEE. Rev. Christopher Anderson, Edinburgh. J. J. Smith. J. B. Wilson, IV. On the motion of the Rev. Dr. Steadman of Bradford, seconded by the Rev. James Hoby of London, "That it is highly gratifying to this Meeting, to hear of the liberal pecuniary aid which has been derived from the es tablishment of Auxiliary Societies in different parts of Great Britain, and that similar exertions have been made by the friends of the Mission at various places yet more illustrious events which the sure word of prophecy has taught us to expect; and, in the full conviction that nothing but a copious supply of the inRuences of the Holy Spirit can realize our expectations, would, with the utmost seriousness and affection, urge it on all the friends of the Society, to offer up their solemn, united, and persevering prayers for this essential blessing." VI. Moved and seconded by the same, "That the cordial thanks of this Meeting be presented to those Christian friends of other denominations, who have so cheerfully accommodated the Society with the use of their chapels at the present anniversary; and that we view, with satisfaction and delight, the encouraging progress made by various similar institutions, at home and abroad, in propagating the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." VII. On the motion of the Rev. John Saffery of Salisbury, seconded by the Rev. James Upton of London, "That the next Annual Meeting of the Society be held in London, on Thursday, June 21, 1821." VIII. On the motion of the Rev. Jo seph Ivimey of London, seconded by the Rev. John Saffery, "That the thanks of this meeting be given to Joseph Gutteridge, Esq. for lus able conduct in the Chair this day." AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. THE Committee have been favoured with a number of interesting communications from their friends, connected with Auxiliary Societies in different parts of the kingdom, in reply to a Circular transmitted a few weeks since by the Secretary. The plans detailed in these comon the Continent of India; but as the funds are still far too limited to meet the munications bear, as it was nagrowing demands on the Society, this tural to expect, a near reseinMeeting earnestly recommends the forma-blance in their general features; tion of such Institutions to the utmost but many of them contain highly practicable extent; and trusts that the Committee will afford the most pronipt important suggestions, resulting assistance to promote an object so impor- from experience, in reference to this subject, the principal of which we shall now subjoin. tant to the interests of the Mission." V. On the motion of the Rev. Wm. Winterbotham of Horsley, seconded by the Rev. John Birt of Manchester, "That, with sentiments of gratitude for what has been accomplished in the cause of Missions, this meeting would combine the joyful anticipation of those 1. Many concur in urging on Collectors the necessity of being regular and punetual in calling for subscriptions at the times in which they are considered due. Attention to this point seems to have |