Accrington, and the Rev. S Wardlaw and the Rev. D. B. Hayward, Tutors of Blackburn Academy. On the following Lord's Day Mr. Greenall again preached, morning and afternoon, and Mr. T. S. Harper, of Blackburn Academy, in the evening. At several of the services the congregations were respectable and encouraging, and collections were made towards defraying the expenses of the place. It is trusted that when a stated minister is provided for the chapel, the blessing of God, which was fervently sought at the commencement of the undertaking, will largely rest upon it. DILAPIDATED STATE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL, CIRENCESTER. The hopes that were cherished by the friends of the gospel, in consequence of the erection of a Congregational chapel in this town a few years ago, have been for the present sadly disappointed. The roof, constructed with metal on a novel plan, has never been water-tight, and a misunderstanding having existed relative to the contract, which threatened litigation, the roof has continued from month to month without alteration, until the chapel became utterly unfit for worship. The fear of litigation is now removed by an agreement with the constructor of the roof; but, meanwhile, the chapel continues unused and unuseable, the walls having been much injured by the admission of rain through the roof. Some of the Trustees, with two or three other friends resident in and near Stroud, have taken several journies to Cirencester, and have obtained the advice and assistance of several surveyors, architects, and builders, the result of which is a decided conviction that their only alternative is either to rebuild the greater part of the chapel, or to abandon the premises altogether. The latter course would relieve the gentlemen who have consented to act in the business of much further trouble; but when they consider that Cirencester contains a population of 6000 persons, and that the only places of worship, besides a Friends' meeting-house and an almost deserted Unitarian meeting, are the parish church, a Baptist and a Methodist chapel, they are unwilling to come to such a decision until they have laid these facts before the christian public. The gentlemen in question will not feel themselves authorized to proceed to restore the edifice, without the promise of £400. in addition to £100. which they will themselves give; and the case must be decided in the one way or the other very shortly. Donations, or the promise of donations, will be received by Thomas Wilson, Esq. Rev. John Leifchild, and Rev. Thomas Binney, London; Rev. H. J. Roper, Bristol; Rev. Eliezer Jones, Rodborough; S. S. Marling, Esq. and Rev. John Burder, Stroud. REMOVAL. The Rev. T. Kennerley, of Burton-on-Trent, has accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the church and congregation assembling at Zion Chapel, Mitcham, and intends (D.V.) commencing his pastoral duties there on the first Sabbath in February. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. PRESENT STATE OF THE MISSIONARY SEMINARY IN BERLIN. THE members of the exiled Bohemian Church in Berlin,* under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Rückert, feel constrained to make known to their fellow-christians in Great Britain, the case of a Missionary Seminary in close connexion and identified with their church, and to solicit their christian sympathy and pecuniary aid in its behalf. * This church came from Bohemia to Saxony in the year 1722, and to Berlin in 1732; and from it the Moravian Brethren Church, which so early and successfully engaged in the work of missions, was formed. This Missionary Seminary at Berlin was instituted in the year 1800 by the Rev. Mr. Jaenicke, the late venerable pastor of the Bohemian Church; and although its existence was scarcely known for nearly twenty years, because it was thought preferable to prosecute the important work without much public notice; and although for the last eleven years it has been thought of as no longer in existence, because its publications and reports were forcibly put down, until very lately, when the restrictions have been happily removed; yet, during all this time it has been continued with an evident token that the blessing of the Lord has rested upon it, and does still accompany its labours. During the thirty-nine years of its existence, it has sent forth about one hundred missionaries to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the various heathen nations of the earth, and also to the children of Israel; and among the dear brethren are many whose praises are in all the churches. It is perhaps not generally known, that almost all the leading Missionary Societies in Holland and in England, were for some time supplied with missionaries from the students in the seminary at Berlin. Even during the last eleven years of great anxiety and care, twenty-four missionaries have gone forth to the heathen, to make known unto them the unsearchable riches of Christ; and at present it has six promising young men ready to follow the steps of their brethren whenever they shall receive a call. The Institution has never had a sufficient fund to send out its own missionaries, nor did it ever seriously contemplate this, but was contented with preparing pious young men for the missionary work; and in a catholic spirit taught them, only to devote themselves to the work with all their heart and mind, and to enter the service of any christian society who might be desirous of employing them in the propagation of the gospel; adopting for its principle the motto, “In necessariis Unitas, in dubiis Libertas, in omnibus Caritas." The brethren in following this rule, have been enabled to make themselves generally useful in the cause of Christ, and have entered the services of various Missionary Societies. They have been employed by the Church Missionary Society, and are still employed by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; the London Missionary Society, the Baptist Missionary Society, the Dutch, Basel, and Dresden Missionary Societies, and the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews. The latter Society alone have, at this moment, fifteen missionaries actively and zealously employed, who came from the Seminary at Berlin. The Seminary was, till 1827, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Jaenicke, and since that time has been superintended by the Rev. Dr. Rückert, his son-in-law, and the present pastor of the Bohemian Church at Berlin. It stands under the protection of the State, and enjoys the special favour of his Majesty the King of Prussia; but through a variety of circumstances, and many obstacles thrown in the way during the period of eleven years, (obstacles now happily removed,) the funds have been greatly depressed; and it has become necessary to make this appeal to the wonted liberality of British Christians, that the Seminary, which has proved such an useful auxiliary to the cause of christian missions, and to the Missionary Societies of England in particular, may be permitted to continue its labours; and in humbie dependance upon the Lord, and under his blessing, prosecute a work undertaken in his name, and for his honour and glory, and one which has already yielded such abundance of fruit that will redound to the glory of our God and Saviour. It only remains to be mentioned that, in accordance with the sixth rule of the Institution, its affairs are conducted by a President, who is the principal tutor, and eight brethren of the Bohemian Church, whose names are as follow:-Rev. Dr. Rückert, Messrs. Ramlow, Wetterkopf, Krause, Nieman, Maltner, Schmidt, Hahn, Wille, and the Secretary, Mr. Graf. By the authority, and under the direction of the members of the Bohemian Church, and of the Committee of the Missionary Seminary in Berlin, 3, Alie Place, Goodman's Fields. J. W. RÜCKERT. This appeal is warmly recommended to the christian public, by the Rev. Josiah Pratt, Rev. J. C. Reichardt, Rev. J. P. Smith, D.D. Rev. George Collison, and the Rev. Dr. Reed. Those of our readers who have perused the memoirs of the devoted Rhenius in the present number, will, we trust, feel a lively interest in the seminary that trained him for the missionary work. BRIEF NOTICE OF THE LATE THOMAS WALKER, ESQ. The late Thomas Walker, Esq. was born at Leir, in Leicestershire, in the year 1772; and after spending a part of his early life in Lutterworth, he came to London, and was ultimately a partner in the house of the late Thomas Hawkes, Esq. of Piccadilly. After the decease of that eminent Christian philanthropist, he became more prominently and influentially connected with the principal religious institutions of our country; and during his life was uniformly devoted to their support. It is not known at what period of his early years, or by what means he became a decided follower of Christ; but all who knew his character and worth, especially in the private intercourse of society, highly appreciated his sterling piety, his genuine integrity, his firm attachment to evangelical truth, and his liberal support of those institutions, which are based upon its great principles. From his connexion with Mr. Hawkes, he became for many years the chief manager of Orange Street Chapel; and was thus brought into intimate association with many of the dissenting ministers of London and the country, who statedly or occasionally officiated in that chapel. His own sentiments were in favour of the liturgic services of the national church; but his preferences involved no exclusion. He was a "lover of all good men," and united in holy fellowship with the friends of the Redeemer, in every section of the Christian church. He had no sympathy with intolerance and illiberality; and formed one of a class unhappily not increasing in this age of strife and collision, which constitutes a link of connexion between various parties of the Christian community. While he liberally supported numerous institutions in the established church, and among other denominations which were founded on evangelical principles, he was especially attached to the London Missionary Society, the Bible Society, the Irish Evangelical Society, and the Hackney Village Itinerant Society. In the two last-mentioned societies he sustained the office of Treasurer, and generously discharged its duties. Nor was he forgetful of the secular charities. He was an effective member of the "Deaf and Dumb Asylum," "the Orphan Asylum," and the "Orphan Working School," and many other institutions. He was a man of uniform and unostentatious liberality; and his private benefi-cence sustained his public character. On his retirement many years ago from secular business, he did not retire from the business of doing good; and was as fully occupied in its duties, and with as much expenditure of time, as if he had never abandoned his secular pursuits. In the hospitalities of life, he was a distinguished pattern to such as are placed in circumstances of influence and elevation; and presented a marked contrast to many of higher pretensions and ampler resources amongst the professors of religion. Many are living who delight to recollect days gone by, when those now "gathered to their fathers,” were accustomed to meet each other at his house, where they always found a cheering welcome, and enjoyed both mental and spiritual communion in the society of kindred spirits. Especially at the Missionary Anniversaries, were they accustomed to meet their venerable fathers and friends in the great cause of the world's evangelization. The names of Hill and Wilks, Waugh and Roby and Burder, Townsend and Hughes, and other good and great men, will recur to many with tender recollections of hallowed and interesting associations. Honoured missionaries, returned home, after useful and exhausting labours, found at his house and his board an ever grateful reception, and were refreshed and encouraged by his christian attentions. He knew what it was to enjoy the luxury of sympathy, and the pleasure of fellowship; and few will be remembered by the servants of Christ in distant lands with more affectionate and sincere regret. Mr. Walker was not only an active and liberal Christian, but amidst his numerous engagements in the walks of usefulness, he delighted in the main tenance of retired devotion, and "walked humbly with God;" the attachment he cherished to evangelical doctrines, was habitually blended with spiritual and practical religion. When in the confidence of friendly intercourse, he could disclose his most cherished feelings, he was found to possess a rich experience of the power and vitality of true godliness; and his devotional fervour and simplicity in the exercises of social and domestic prayer, were eminently characteristic of his state of mind and feeling, on the most important subjects. During the last year of his life he had several attacks of indisposition, which it appears he regarded as solemn monitions to himself; and in May last, a painful and distressing accident occurred to him, when inspecting the catacombs of the Norwood Cemetery, which had nearly proved fatal. From the effects of that accident he never completely recovered. Many weeks of suffering confined him to his house; and though he partially recovered, and afterwards visited Brighton and Cheltenham, it was too apparent that his life was not likely to be long protracted. On his return home in October, he was evidently in so enfeebled a state, that the most painful apprehensions were entertained; but his mind was calm and serene. Amidst acute sufferings, a murmur never escaped his lips. He "possessed his soul in patience;" but it was the "patience of hope." The glorious truths of the gospel on which he had ever loved to meditate, were the support and solace of his mind. He had the most distinct consciousness of "peace with God"-and from the promises of the everlasting covenant, he derived strong consolation. When passages of scripture were read, adapted to his circumstances and feelings, and also the devotional poetry, so hallowed and precious, of Watts and Cowper, and other sacred bards, his spirit was sweetly refreshed, and thus had he those "prelibations of the bliss to come," which were eminently sustaining to his mind. Not many hours before his departure he replied to a friend who visited him, when it was asked if Christ was then precious-"Oh yes, he is precious, VERY precious, EXCEEDINGLY precious;" and when reminded of an old friend, after expressing his affectionate regard with his accustomed benignity and sincerity, he added, "but there is a FRIEND that sticketh closer than a brother-there I place my hope; there is my Rock." Not long after this declaration, he became, from extreme debility, and the rapid breaking up of his once manly and vigorous frame, quite incapable of utterance; but his end was peace. Not the slightest discomposure seemed to be felt. It was a calm and tranquil sunset-and in unclouded serenity, he disappeared from the scenes of time to rise in another and a brighter world! He died October 25th, 1838. It would be an intrusion on the sacredness of sorrow to attempt the delineation of his honourable and benignant character in the nearest connexions of life; or of that chastened resignation and holy confidence, which, by the grace of God, his mourning relict, so truly worthy of christian esteem, was enabled to evince in the dreaded hour of separation! May the consolations that supported his mind, be richly imparted to her spirit, and every remembrance of his worth, be a motive to devout gratitude and submission! Mr. Walker, during the greater portion of his religious life, communed with the church in Orange Street; but after retiring from that vicinity, and fixing his residence at Denmark Hill, he usually attended at Denmark Hill Chapel and Camden Chapel; still retaining his former intimacies, and evincing his accustomed liberality, both in his personal friendships, and his occasional religious fellowship. In the London Missionary Society, he was not only a valued Director, but one of the four Trustees of the Society; and at the Annual Meetings of the Irish Evangelical Society, he always presided as the Chairman. Having succeeded, by the death of Mr. Hawkes, to no small measure of patronage in the Established Church, it is well known that he discharged with fidelity the duties of that trust, making every actual and prospective provision in his power for securing and perpetuating, in every presentation, a truly evangelical ministry. In the ordinary transactions and intercourse of life, few men shared a larger measure of esteem and confidence; and the churches of Christ found, in his generous sympathies and effective services, a truly christian co-operation. It is further due to his memory to state, that in the arduous and honourable struggle which the friends of pure Christianity made, to secure an extension, and prevent a curtailment, of "The Toleration Act," and to effect, at a more recent period, the abolition of the Sacramental Test, that foul blot on the Statute Book, he was most strenuously engaged, in connexion with the Society for Protecting Religious Liberty; and whatever might have been his opinion of subsequent political measures, he always looked back on the success of those struggles in the cause of freedom, with devout and unmingled satisfaction. Mr. Walker was, to a large extent, his own Executor; and did not act as if posthumous benefactions would atone for living avarice! His reversionary benefactions to public societies are numerous, and will be free of all expense to the respective Institutions-an arrangement honourably illustrative of the character of the benefactor. We subjoin a list of the Legacies, and close this brief testimony to the memory of a Christian philanthropist, with a devout prayer that many others, on reading this sketch of his character, may imbibe his spirit, and imitate his example. Sussex County Hospital, Brighton £1000 500 1000 1000 500 500 500 500 1000 500 500 5C0 200 200 200 200 200 500 200 Clergy Daughter School, at Castleton Leicester County Infirmary THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c. Favours have been received from the Rev. Drs. Hoppus-J. P. SmithClunie-and Rückert. Rev. Messrs. T. O. Dobbin-W. Owen-R. Ashton A. Wells-G. Wardlaw-J. Burder-J Raban-C. N. Davies-G. RoseJames Griffin. Also from Messrs. Joshua Wilson-R. Law-E. Swaine-J. Jennings. M. F.-J. T. S-e. The lines of a Constant Reader are pious, but not poetical. J. T. laments that the ancient monthly Congregational Lecture in London has not been resumed, believing that many would hail a series of lectures on the errors of the times, from the ministers of the Congregational Board. In order to secure the publication of the long but interesting articles inserted in this number, the Editor has been compelled to give sixteen additional pages. He wishes to act generously toward his subscribers, and he trusts that they will act generously toward the Magazine, by the contribution of early denominational intelligence, and by kind efforts to extend its circulation. Appeals have been made, not only in private, but from the pulpit, on behalf of a valued periodical, which cannot advocate the cause of our Congregational churches, and will not our brethren take some pains to support the only Magazine which bears their name and is devoted to their interests? |