Dec. 18.- Bishop's Waltham. A new | Bicentenary Chapel was opened for public worship. The Rev. W. Maunsell, the pastor, gave out a hymn; the Rev. J. Woodwark read the scriptures and prayed; the Rev. T. Adkins preached from Isa. lx. 13; and the Rev. J. Hill concluded the service with prayer. In the evening a public meeting was held, S. Morley, Esq. in the chair. The Revs. W. H. Bower, H. H. Carlisle, W. G. Lankester and others took part in the proceedings. The total cost is £1,560. Dec. 21.-Cheriton, Hants. The new Congregational Chapel was opened, when the Rev. J. Gooby preached in the after- | noon, and the Rev. Mr. Jacobs in the evening. The building is to seat 200 persons, and to cost £450. Dec. 28.-Silloth near Carlisle. The new chapel was opened for Divine worship. The Rev. W. Brewis preached morning and evening. A meeting was held on the following evening, Mr. Buck in the chair. The Revs. H. Perfeet, N. Wight, W. A. Wrigley, E. Young, G. T. Wallace, and - - Bouch spoke. The building has cost about £560. Dec. 29. London Congregational Association. A meeting was held in Ebenezer Chapel, Ratcliffe Highway, on the occasion of appointing Mr. Benn as an evangelist to labour in that locality. The Revs. J. Kennedy, M.A., S. Eastman, J. De Kewer Williams, J. E. Richards, J. H. Wilson and others delivered addresses. Dec. 30.-Alderholt, near Fordingbridge. A meeting was held in the chapel here, recently erected by the friends at Fordingbridge, to celebrate the extinction of the debt. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. H. Bassett, J. O. Jackson and others. Jan. 2.-Dublin, Zion Chapel. A meeting was held to take leave of the Rev. D. Harding, on his retirement from the pastorate. P. D. Hardy, Esq. was called to the chair. The devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. J. G. Manly, after which, Mr. W. Thomson, senior deacon, read an address to Mr. Harding, accompanied by a presentation of several books. The Rev. W. L. Giles, G. Foley, Esq., and Messrs. Hope, Brien, and Warren, also spoke. Jan. 3.-Manningham. The foundation stone of schools to be erected in connexion with Greenfield Independent Chapel was laid by Alderman Brown. The Rev. J. G. Miall delivered an address in the chapel, and the Revs. W. Jackson, H. Dowson, D. Sim, and T. Gasquoine, B.A., took part in the pro ceedings. A meeting was held in the evening, addressed by the Revs. W. Kingsland, Dr. Fraser, Professor Hartley, M.A., and Mr. Alderman Kenion. The cost of the schools will be about £1,100. Jan. 6.-Beaconsfield, South Berks. A public meeting was held in Bethesda Chapel for the purpose of welcoming the Rev. James Duthie, as pastor of the church. The chair was taken by the Rev. J. Hayden, and the meeting was addressed by the Revs. T. H. Brown, D. Pledge, J. Snell, D. Mossop (late pastor) and Mr. C. Lever. Jan. 7.-Rotherham College. The usual half-yearly meeting of the Committee of this college was held, James Yates, Esq., treasurer, in the chair. It was reported that the finances were in a healthy state; there being a balance of upwards of £400. Two students were admitted on probation, making the full number the house can contain. Jan. 14. Peckham Rye Congre gational Church. A new lecture and school-room, connected with the above place of worship, was opened. The pastor, the Rev. J. Hiles Hitchens, presided. Prayer was offered by the Rev. T. J. Cole, and the meeting was addressed by the Revs. C. Gilbert, R. Robinson, G. Martin, D. Nimmo, and by W. H. Watson, F. Allport, and J. Taplin, Esqrs. Jan. 16.-Sleaford. A public recognition service was held to welcome the Rev. G. R. Bettis, as pastor of the Congregational church. After an historical statement of the church, addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Salt, Shaw, Metcalfe and others. PASTORAL NOTICES. THE REV. J. G. Roberts, of Liverpool, has accepted the invitation of the Church at Howden to become their pastor. The Rev. J. W. Coombs, B.A., late of Portobello, has accepted a call to be copastor with the Rev. John Curwen, of Plaistow. The Rev. C. Harrison has resigned the pastorate of the Independent Church, Southmolton, Devon. The Rev. T. Orr has accepted the invitation of the church at Zion Chapel, Mitcham, Surrey, to become their pastor. The Rev. W. Young, B.A., has removed from Highbury Chapel, Portsmouth, and accepted a call from the church at Southgate-street Chapel, Gloucester. The Rev. A. L. Mitchell, late of Hackney, has accepted an invitation from the church, Brigg, Lincolnshire. THE Missionary Magazine AND CHRONICLE. MADAGASCAR. SINCE the date of our last number no additional intelligence has been received from MADAGASCAR. This is attributable to the interruption and almost suspension of intercourse between that island and Mauritius, from the tempestuous state of the weather, during the months of our winter and early spring. Should, therefore, no letters be received for the next two or three months, it need not create surprise or apprehension. In the meantime, from the facts already before us, we may indulge the most cheering expectations, redouble our exertions in behalf of our Christian brethren and their benighted countrymen, and sanctify all by fervent and dependent prayer that God would be pleased still to extend His Church in that favoured land in which His power and grace have been so wonderfully displayed. Our readers will be gratified to find that the List of Contributions for the erection of the proposed Churches in ANTANANARIVO has been considerably enlarged during the past month, and now exceeds Six Thousand Pounds. This large amount has been raised by the liberality of comparatively few donors, as, in consequence of the pressing and continued claims upon our Churches on behalf of the suffering multitudes in the Northern Districts, the Directors have felt it unsuitable hitherto to apply for Congregational Collections. But they hope that ere long the urgent calls of Madagascar may be presented by our Ministerial Brethren from their pulpits, and the object advanced by the general Contributions of thousands who, it cannot be doubted, would be willing to render aid according to their ability. The important intelligence conveyed last month in reference to the number of Malagasy Christians found at great distances from the capital, and in different districts of the island, has induced the Directors to determine to strengthen the Mission by the appointment of four additional labourers, and we trust that in the course of the spring the Great Head of the Church may supply men of suitable qualifications and Christian devotedness for this sacred work. VOL. XLI. I On the 22nd of December ult. the Directors gave expression to this deliberate purpose in the following Resolution, in which they feel confident they will share the deep sympathy and generous support of the friends of the Society throughout the country: "That the very interesting and encouraging intelligence received by Mr. Ellis as to the number of Native Christians in distant parts of Madagascar, particularly in the Betsileo country, and their urgent request for Missionaries, render it most desirable that four additional Missionaries be sent to Madagascar at the earliest practicable period." But although it is necessary, and indeed essential at the present moment to increase the number of Protestant Missionaries, yet our hope for the evangelization of Madagascar rests mainly on the instrumentality of Native Christians. Many of these God has highly qualified for the service by spiritual endowments; men who, with suitable educational training will, we trust, under the Divine blessing, prove the most effective agents in diffusing the blessings of the Gospel among the millions of their unenlightened countrymen. MISSIONARY HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR, PAST AND PRESENT. We have much pleasure in announcing the publication of several interesting and instructive volumes, presenting the past history and the future prospects of the work of God in Madagascar. In addition to a small Publication which the Directors have issued, entitled, "MADAGASCAR, ITS MISSION AND ITS MARTYRS," they are gratified to announce the preparation of an interesting little work by MRS. ELLIS, styled, "MADAGASCAR, ITS SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS PROGRESS;" and a third volume, published by Messrs. Seeley, Fleet Street, entitled, "THE GOSPEL IN MADAGASCAR.” Each of these productions, though the subject is the same, is written in varied style and form, and we most earnestly hope that they will be read by thousands with pleasure and instruction. Such publications are greatly required, for the history of the Martyr Church is comparatively little known. This can scarcely excite surprise, as its earlier events occurred more than forty years since, and the continued and aggravated sufferings of the Native Christians were unknown in their fearful variety and amount, until the removal of the late Queen. We trust, therefore, that the volumes enumerated will be attentively read, and familiarize multitudes with the sufferings and the triumphs of the Malagasy Christians, awaken devout thanksgiving to their Divine preserver, and lead to enlarged and vigorous exertions for the extension of His kingdom throughout the island. INDIA. BAPTISM OF CONVERTS. WITH feelings of thankfulness to God, we have received from three of our Missionary Brethren intelligence of the same cheering character-the renunciation of idolatry by three young Hindoos, and their public profession of the faith of Christ. These happy events occurred in different spheres of labour. The first, in CALCUTTA, the capital of India, is the result of the labours of our Brethren in the Bhowanipore Educational Institution. This young convert appears to have been influenced by what he had seen and heard in the conversion of a fellow pupil. The second youth was brought to the knowledge of the Saviour in the city of BENARES, in connection also with the educational labours of our Missionaries in that city. The third, a Brahmin, had been associated as a teacher in the Mission School at BANGALORE. Thus the good seed, widely scattered in different soils, and watered by the same Divine influence, brought forth good fruit. All the converts had to endure the same test of sincerity-the bitter reproaches, and even the personal violence, of their nearest earthly connexions. Yet they were able by Divine grace to prove that they loved their Saviour more than father, mother, or wife, or home, or lands, and, in obedience to His command, each youthful disciple took up his cross, and suffered the loss of all things that he might follow Christ. May they prove faithful unto death, and then receive from their Redeemer the crown of life! CALCUTTA. "DEAR SIR,-On Sabbath morning, January 12th, I had the gratification of baptizing a young man at Cooly Bazaar Chapel, in whose history you may feel interested. "Koilas Chunder Dass is about seventeen years of age. He was a pupil in our Institution when his cousin Nundolal Dass was baptized, five years ago. This occurrence, as usual in such cases, led to his removal, and he was sent to a school belonging to the Church Missionary Society, a short distance from us. After remaining there for about a year he returned to our Institution, where he continued two years, and then, after a brief interval, he obtained a situation in a Government office, which he still holds. The conversion of his cousin called his attention to Christianity, though he was then too young to act for himself in such a matter; it led him, however, to attend our Bhowanipore Bazaar Chapel, where he heard much instruction from our Native Preachers. One thing especially struck him. He often heard the Hindoos oppose the preachers, and call them opprobrious names, and he thought how much better it would be if they would rather go home and think over what they heard. He pursued the latter course, and often after he had retired to rest, reflected on the solemn truths he had heard. This deepened his desire for more religious instruction, and to unfold to some other heart the new-born wishes of his own; but he found it difficult to do this, and though he often followed the preachers as they retired from the Chapel to their homes, he never had courage sufficient to speak to them. "He was in this state when a year ago Jodunath was baptized, and since Jodu had been his class-fellow, this strengthened his interest in Christian truth, and he felt an earnest desire to visit him and enquire into his views of religion. After three or four visits, Jodunath said to him on one occasion, 'What are you doing about religion? See what Nundolal has done. Why don't you do the same ?' He replied, I intend to do as you and Nundolal have done.' With the zeal of a new convert, Jodu wished at once to introduce him to some of our Christians, that he might be instructed in the way of God more fully. From that time he was under the guidance of our Native Preachers until December, when an anonymous letter was sent to his uncle, stating that Koilas visited the Christians, and read in secret their books, and this, of course, led to the adoption of means to prevent our further intercourse with him. Had they pursued a moderate course we might have still kept Koilas as an inquirer, seeing him whenever we could; but when they designed to remove him from his situation and from Calcutta, that he might be beyond the reach of our influence, we felt it necessary to prevent such a step by receiving him at once. Nor, indeed, had we any strong reasons for delaying his baptism. He had always exhibited an earnest, sincere, and intelligent state of mind. His views of Christian truth, though not deep, were sound and clear, and his general conduct was such as quite to satisfy us. Mr. Payne had much more intercourse with him than I had, and it was his encouragement and instruction which finally introduced Koilas into the visible Church of Christ. "MY DEAR SIR,-In our last Report Mr. Sherring mentioned two very hopeful enquirers, one a teacher, the other a pupil in the Central School, who seemed 'ready to give up all for Christ; but just as they were about to take the step, the fear of man prevailed over their better feelings and held them back.' HOPE AND FEAR REGARDING THE ENQUIRER. When I returned to Benares from Mirzapore and resumed my work in the school, I found that the latter had returned to his class; and though deluding himself by putting off his public confession of Christ, still professed to be a believer in the Divine mission of the Saviour. He was often faithfully spoken to both by Mr. Sherring and by me, and I believe often prayed for. The Native Christian brethren also endeavoured to lead our young friend to decision for Christ, and this had a most beneficial influence upon him. God was evidently not leaving him to himself, but still there was always something in the way when I spoke to Shir Gobind. A short time before our week of special prayer, he was again most earnestly and affectionately warned of the danger of delay. He told me that the only difficulty was leaving his wife behind, as he felt that if she did not accompany him before he was baptized, he had little hope of rescuing her afterwards. Prayer was our only refuge. ! |