OPENING OF NEW CHAPELS.

On Tuesday, August 27, a Congregational chapel was opened for worship, at Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. In the morning the Rev. A. Tidman preached from Isaiah Ivii. 15; in the afternoon, the Rev. Dr. Matheson, from Psalm lxxxvii. 5; and in the evening, the Rev. J. Young, A.M. preached from 1 Peter i. 25.

The Rev. Messrs. Churchill, Porter, Hyatt, Kluht, Moase, Stevens, West, Newbury, Evans, and Lord, took part in the interesting services.

The day was remarkably fine, and in consequence the attendances were good. The collections amounted to £25.

The structure of the chapel, which has excited considerable interest, is perfectly unique. It forms a complete circle. The walls, which are a beautiful specimen of workmanship, are supported by sixteen buttresses, placed at equi-distance from each other. The windows, which are thirteen in number, are of the lancet Gothic style, and give a tasteful appearance to the edifice. The plan of the floor is gently inclined. The pulpit,which was presented by a gentleman in the neighbourhood, is a perfect curiosity: it is richly carved, but not by "art and man's device." It is literally formed from the trunk of a venerable oak-tree, and must have taken at least four hundred years to arrive at its present circumference. The native grain is brilliantly polished, and the "King of the forest"

presents a very splendid appearance in the house of God. The desk, which is in every way similar to the pulpit, was also presented by a baronet in the neighbourhood.

The building was designed by A. Scott, Esq., of Hersham, and was carried on under his sole superintendence, whose assiduity and liberality met with a cordial and well-merited eulogium in the proceedings of the day. In addition to the time and attention Mr. Scott has bestowed in the erection of the building, he has handsomely given the ground and £50 as a subscription. The cause of Christ in this place, for the advancement of which the chapel is erected, is under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society, and furnishes another proof of the value of that excellent Institution. Nearly five years ago, preaching was commenced by one of its agents in a room belonging to a public-house, in which humble efforts the present congregation originated.

ZION CHAPEL, WAKEFIELD, YORKSHIRE.-The dedicatory services connected with the opening of this place of worship commenced on Thursday, May 9th. In the morning, at half-past six o'clock, a meeting for prayer was held in the school-room beneath the chapel, which was very numerously attended. At half-past ten o'clock service commenced in the chapel, when the Rev. W. Eccles, of Hopton, offered the dedicatory prayer; after which the Rev. J. Leifchild, D.D., of London, preached from John x. 7th, and two following verses, in the course of which he solemnly warned his hearers against the Puseyite novelties of the day, and entreated them to reject the pretensions of those who taught for the Gospel the traditions of menwho were declared by Christ, in the language of the text, to be thieves and robbers. The afternoon service was conducted by the Rev. J. Rattenbury, Wesleyan minister, of Manchester; and in the evening, the Rev. T. Raffles, D.D., LL.D., delivered a powerful and impressive sermon to a crowded audience, from the words, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" On the following evening, (Friday,) the Rev. T. Scales, of Leeds, occupied the pulpit; aud on the following Lord's-day, in the morning, the Rev. R. W. Hamilton, LL.D., D.D., of Leeds, preached; and in the evening, the Rev. J. Leifchild, D.D. The following evening, (Monday,) brought these interesting services to a close, when the Rev. J. Parsons, of York, preached from Acts ii. 41. It was gratifying to see, at the above services, ministers of the Wesleyan, Baptist,

and Primitive Methodist bodies taking part in the devotional exercises, thereby showing the unity which ought ever to exist among all true believers.

The former chapel was erected in 1782, and was for upwards of forty years the scene of the labours of the Rev. Samuel Bruce. He was succeeded by the present esteemed pastor, the Rev. John Douglas Lorraine, by the blessing of God upon whose energetic and faithful ministrations the church has prospered, and the congregation greatly increased; the former chapel having, after being twice altered or enlarged during the sixteen years of his pastorate, been found still too small; in consequence of which this new erection was commenced last summer (1843,) during which time the congregation have worshipped with the other Congregational church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. Lamb.

The new chapel is of the Roman Doric style of architecture, and is much admired for its beautiful simplicity and elegance. It will hold about 1500 persons. There is a also capacious school-room beneath the chapel, in which about 500 children are instructed on the Sabbath; and a day-school has been commenced on the British and Foreign system, having upwards of 200 scholars.

Several of the ministers who preached at the above services expressed their surprise, when pleading on behalf of the chapel, that such a noble structure had been erected at so comparatively small a cost, the amount being only about £2,500, besides the old building. This is mainly owing to the disinterested zeal of William Shaw, Esq., of Porto Bello, (who gratuitously executed the plans, and has superintended the erection throughout; besides which he has contributed between £200 and £300 ;) S. Horn, Esq., and a few other gentlemen. The collections and previous subscriptions amounted to the handsome sum of £1,500.

ORDINATIONS.

On the 20th of May last, Mr. John Roberts, formerly of Aberman, was publicly ordained pastor of the united Congregational churches at Llanerchymedd and Hebron, Anglesea. The solemn service commenced at nine o'clock in the morning, with reading of Scripture and prayer, by the Rev. D. Davies, Llangessic. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. R. Parry, of Conway. Rev. W. Jones, Amlwch, asked the usual questions, and the Rev. W. Griffith, of Holyhead, offered the ordination prayer. The charge to the minister was delivered by the Rev. E. Evans, of Aberman. Mr. Roberts, pastor, and the Rev. W. Williams, of Carnarvon, preached to the people. Messrs. James, of Rhosmeerch, Owen, of Llanfechell, Roberts, of Llanddrusant, and Jones, of Groeston, took part in the proceedings.

On Thursday, May 30th, 1844, the Rev. James Rutherford was publicly recog nised as the pastor of the Congregational church, Wymondham, Norfolk. The Rev. J. Davis, of Denton, commenced the solemnities of the day by reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. John Alexander, of Norwich, delivered the introductory discourse. The Rev. R. Fairbrother, of Dereham, proposed the questions, and commended the minister and his people to God in prayer. The Rev. James Rowland, of Henley, addressed the pastor and church, and the Rev. J. Lucas, of Bingham, concluded with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. J. S. Russell, A.B., of Yarmouth, preached to the congregation. The day was a happy one, the prospects are encouraging, and the impression produced by the discourses so powerful, that there was a general expression of desire that they should be published.

On Wednesday, June 12th, the Rev. H. Allon, (late of Cheshunt College,) co-pastor with the Rev. T. Lewis, was ordained at Union Chapel, Islington. The services were introduced by the Rev. T. Lewis, who read appropriate passages of Scripture

and offered prayer; after which, the Rev. Dr. Bennett delivered the introductory discourse, expository of the constitution of a Christian church, founded on Matt. xviii. 15-17. The usual questions were proposed by the Rev. J. Yockney, and replied to on the part of the church by H. Spicer, Esq., one of the deacons, and by Mr. Allon. The Rev. J. Sherman offered the ordination prayer, and the Rev. Dr. Harris delivered the charge from 1 Tim. iv. 16. The morning services were closed with prayer, offered by the Rev. C. Gilbert. The Rev. J. Blackburn, and the Rev. B. S. Hollis, were unavoidably absent. The ministers and friends then partook of a cold collation provided in the school-room. The company was addressed by E. Smith, Esq., one of the deacons, who presided, Mr. Allon, Mr. Lewis, Dr. Bennett, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Yockney, and Mr. Godwin.

In the evening, the Rev. J. Sortain, A.B., of Brighton, preached to the church and congregation from Heb. xiii. 17; the Rev. H. Townley, and the Rev. A. J. Morris, conducting the devotional services.

The whole of the services were most interesting and impressive, and the spacious chapel was crowded in every part. Upwards of fifty ministers were present.

On Wednesday, the 12th of June, the Rev. Charles Wells, B.A., late of Homerton College, was ordained to the pastoral office in the Congregational church at Throop, Hampshire. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. D. Gunn, of Christchurch. The usual questions were proposed by the Rev. S. Spink, of Wimborne. The ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. T. Durant, of Poole. The Rev. J. Pye Smith, D.D., LL.D., delivered the charge, founded on Deut. xxxiii. 8-11. In the evening, the Rev. B. Wills, late of Holt, Wilts, delivered a sermon. Other ministers assisted in the services.

The recognition of the Rev. J. Spencer, late of Cawsand, as the pastor of the church and congregation assembling in the village of Hambledon, Bucks, took place on Tuesday, June 25th. The Rev. G. Neetan, of Maidenhead, commenced the interesting engagements of the day, by reading the Scriptures and prayer. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. W. Spencer, of Devonport, who also proposed the usual questions. The Rev. J. Mason, of Chinnor, presented the recognition prayer. The Rev. J. Rowland, of Henley-on-Thames, preached to the people, and closed with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. J. Bull, A.M., of Newport Pagnel, preached an appropriate sermon from 1 Thess. i. 5. The devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. W. Spencer, of Devonport, the Revs. W. Weston, of Woburn and Burnham, and Styles, of Great Marlow. A public tea meeting was held between the services, when the Revs. J. Spencer, J. Rowland, J. Bull, and W. Spencer, addressed a large assembly.

The Rev. Wm. Campbell, M.A., resigned the pastoral oversight of the church assembling at St. James' Chapel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on Sunday, the 4th August. On Wednesday, the 10th of July, Mr. Joseph Mason Calvert, late student of Airedale College, was ordained pastor over the church and congregation assembling in Salem Chapel, Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire. The Rev. James Swift Hastie, of Otley, introduced the services by reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. Walter Scott, President of Airedale College, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Joseph Croft, of Ripon, asked the usual questions; the Rev. John Calvert, of Morley, father of the young minister, offered the ordination prayer; and the Rev. John Ely, of Leeds, gave the charge to the minister. The Rev. Messrs. Robertson, of Knaresborough; Boyd, of Burley; and Gibbs, of Skipton, also took part in the services. In the evening, the Rev. John Calvert, of Morley, preached to the people. The attendance was numerous, and a serious impression was made by the services.

On Tuesday, July 2nd, the Rev. Samuel Brewer, late of Highbury College, was ordained to the pastoral office over the Congregational church assembling in Russellstreet Chapel, Dover, Kent. The Rev. J. P. Hewlett, of Dover, introduced the morning-service by reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. J. H. Godwin, of Highbury College, stated the nature of a Christian church. The Rev. J. H. Bevis, of Ramsgate, proposed the questions; the Rev. R. W. Hamilton, LL.D. D.D. of Leeds, offered up the ordination prayer; the Rev. James Stratten, of Paddington, delivered the charge; and the Rev. T. H. Browne, of Deal, concluded with prayer. The evening service was commenced by the Rev. T. S. Chalmers, of Stafford; and the Rev. P. Thomson, A.M., of Chatham, preached to the church and congregation.

On Wednesday, July 24th, the Rev. George Richards, late of Airedale College, was ordained to the pastoral charge of the church of Christ assembling in Sion Chapel, Alnwick, Northumberland. The services of the day were commenced with reading suitable portions of Scripture, and prayer, by the Rev. Andrew Hutcheson, D.D., of Warrenford. The introductory discourse, containing a clear and scriptural exposition of Independency, was delivered by the Rev. R. W. Hamilton, LL.D., D.D., of Leeds. The Rev. William Froggatt, of Morpeth, asked the usual questions, and received Mr. R.'s confession of faith. The ordination prayer with laying on of hands was offered up by the Rev. Archibald Jack, A.M., of North Shields. The Rev. Walter Scott, S.T.P., President of Airedale College, delivered an affectionate and impressive charge to the young pastor, from Titus ii. 15, last clause, "Let no man despise thee." In the evening, the Rev. James Parsons, of York, preached a solemn and appropriate sermon to the people, from Luke viii. 8. The Revs. R. Bowman, of Sunderland; S. Goodall, of Durham; S. Bingley, of Middlesboro'; and G. Clarkson, of Rothbury, assisted in the devotional parts of the services. On the following evening, (Thursday,) a social tea-party was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, when upwards of five hundred sat down to tea. On the Friday evening, all the children of the Sabbath-school, and the young people of the Bibleclasses were treated with tea, and afterwards were addressed by several ministers and Sabbath-school teachers. The whole of the services were of the most interesting character, and it is to be hoped will be followed with the blessing of the great Head of the church.

The Rev. John Elrick, M.A., of North-Allerton, Yorkshire, having received a cordial and unanimous invitation from the church and congregation assembling in Trinity Chapel, Sudbury, Suffolk (lately under the pastoral care of Dr. Jackson) to become their minister, has accepted the same, and commenced his pastoral labours in that new sphere of labour on the second Sabbath of July.

Before leaving North-Allerton, Mr. Elrick received a testimonial from the church there, of a very gratifying nature; and also a cordial tribute from the committee and friends of the recently-formed British school, acknowledging with gratitude the important service he had rendered the town, as the chief instrument in its establishment.

The Rev. T. De Kewer Williams, of Highbury College, London, was ordained pastor of the Independent church in Limerick, Ireland, on Tuesday, August 13th. The Rev. A. King, of Cork, opened the service with reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. W. S. Palmer, of London, delivered the discourse on the nature of a Christian church; an exposition of Congregational principles so distinct as seldom reaches the ear of the inhabitants of Ireland. He also asked the customary questions from the minister and the church. The Rev. C. G. Townley, LL.D. (the father and founder of this important interest,) most affectionately commended his former flock and their present pastor to the grace of God in the ordination prayer.

The Rev. W. Urwick, D.D., of Dublin, delivered a most impressive and interesting charge; and Mr. T. G. Williams (the father and pastor of the minister) concluded the service with prayer.

In the evening, after the devotional exercises, conducted by the Rev. S. Brown, of Tralee, the Rev. A. King preached a powerful sermon to the people, on prayerful and practical sympathy with their pastor,-the pastor of their own choice.

Amidst many discouragements, encouragements are not wanting altogether in this important post, to sustain the spirit of the pastor, and to confirm the hopes of the friends of the cause of pure Christianity in Ireland. Notwithstanding the various vicissitudes and frequent fluctuations of this congregation, it is still hoped that the word of the Lord will yet successfully sound out from Limerick through the darkest and dreariest division of the deluded land.

The Rev. J. Burfett, of Salisbury, has received and accepted the unanimous invitation of the Independent church and congregation, Grantham, Lincolnshire; he became their pastor, and proposes entering upon his new and important sphere of labour, the first Sabbath in October.

The services connected with the ordination of the Rev. John Summers to the pastorate of the Independent churches of Little Walsingham and South Creake, Norfolk, took place at Creake, on Tuesday, the 17th of September, 1844. The Rev. C. R. Blackett, of Burnham Market, read the Scriptures and prayed; and in the course of the service proposed the usual questions; the Rev. R. Drane, of Guestwick, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. J. Cooper, of Heacham, presented the ordination prayer; the Rev. J. Alexander, of Norwich, delivered the charge to the minister; and the Rev. Gooch, (Baptist,) of Fakenham, concluded the solemn service with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. J. Cooper preached the sermon to the people.

On the following day was held the anniversary of the Independent chapel at Walsingham, when the Rev. J. E. Russel, of Yarmouth, preached. In the evening, there was a public tea-meeting; after which, addresses were delivered by the ministers engaged on the previous day. At the close of the meeting, contributions, to the amount of above £58, were promised toward the liquidation of the debt on this chapel. The result of the meeting was highly gratifying to the minister and his friends. Mr. Summers has laboured five years at Walsingham and Creake, as an agent of the Home Missionary Society. During this period a new chapel has been erected, and a church formed.

BRIEF NOTES ON PASSING EVENTS.

THE intelligence that has reached Europe, since our last, from the Pacific Ocean, confirms all the sad prognostications of the friends of missions respecting the aggres sions of the French on TAHITI.

The poor inhabitants, maddened by oppression, have ceased to listen to the pacific counsels of their faithful Missionaries, and war has broken out between them and their protectors, in which frightful scenes of violence and bloodshed have been perpetrated. The natives have fled to the mountains, most of our Missionaries have left their stations, and even the mission press is compelled to labour in the service of the invaders.

An unpleasant rencontre has also taken place between a boat of H.M.'s sloop Hazard and a large armed barge of a French ship-of-war, when Lieut. Rose yielded to force, surrendered his sword, and the British flag was struck. This event,, together with the conduct of Governor Bruat, in gazetting his own despatches before