CONGREGATIONAL BOARD: LORD ELLENBOROUGH'S PROCLAMATION.-At the monthly meeting of the Congregational Board, held at the Library, February 14th, 1843,

The Rev. Ebenezer Henderson, D.D., in the chair;

Inter alia, the Rev. J. Blackburn called the attention of the board to the proclamation of Lord Ellenborough, and moved for a committee to retire and propose resolutions expressive of its sentiments thereon. The Rev. Thomas Russell, M.A., seconded the motion, and it was agreed to.

The Rev. J. Burnet, and the Rev. A. Wells, were nominated with the mover and seconder, to be that committee, and they retired accordingly. The committee shortly returned, and presented the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted.

"I. That the members of this board, as Christian ministers, and supporters of missions to the heathen, have read with deep concern the proclamation of the Governor General of India, on occasion of the recapture and restoration of the gates of the idol temple of Somnauth, which, in the judgment of this board, contains sentiments and language unworthy of a British statesman, manifesting respect for Pagan deities and their worship, stained as they are with impurity and blood.

"This board cannot but consider such proceedings on the part of the public authorities of a professedly Christian people so remarkably raised by Providence to dominion in that region, as highly offensive to Almighty God, calculated to confirm the Hindoos in their attachment to their ancient superstitions, and so to impede the laborious and costly efforts of the British churches in favour of Christian missions among that people, at a time when their own unaided resources seemed insufficient any longer to uphold their falling idolatry.

"And that while this board have no wish to solicit the interference of any government, either to enforce Christianity, or to suppress the idolatry of conquered nations, they cannot, as ministers of Christ, be indifferent to any proceeding, on the part of our rulers, in which they employ the influence and station delegated to them by the public, to advance idolatry and to depreciate Christianity; and, as such a course of proceeding, has been adopted by Lord Ellenborough in his proclamation, this board feel themselves called upon to invite the attention of their fellow-Christians throughout the empire to so flagrant a breach of the trust committed to his lordship, and to request their application to the Legislature to remedy the evil already done, and to prevent the recurrence of any similar act of maladministration.

"II. That the resolution now adopted be put into the form of a petition to both Houses of Parliament, and confided for presentation to such members of both houses as the committee appointed for the arrangement of this business may deem most suitable.

"Wm. Stern Palmer, Secretary."

PROGRESS OF THE LANCASHIRE INDEPENDENT COLLEGE.-It gives us sincere pleasure to record the appointments of the president and tutors of this important institution.

Mr. Charles Peter Mason, B.A., in the University of London' and who, if we mistake not, won with great eclat the Flaherty scholarship at University College, has been chosen to the chair of general literature. The Rev. Samuel Davidson, L.L.D., having withdrawn from the Presbyterian church of Ireland, and resigned his office as professor of biblical criticism in the Royal College of Belfast, has been elected to the same chair in our new college, greatly to the satisfaction of those who know his high scholarship, his amiable character, and his conscientious preference for Congregational church polity. The office of president has devolved most appropriately on the Rev. Robert Vaughan, D.D., pastor of the church at Kensington, and formerly professor of history in University College, London. All who have the happiness

to know the varied learning, and the philosophical acuteness, the manly yet Christian temper of our honoured brother, and his warm attachment to the great doctrines of the Reformation, will rejoice that our friends in Lancashire have secured such a president. We understand also that the committee have unanimously resolved, "That the expenses of the board of the students in this institution, in all cases where neither the candidates nor his friends are able to provide for them, be derived from other sources than the ordinary funds of the college; and for which sufficient provision is intended to be made." But in explanation of the above resolution, the committee deem it right to say, that, besides the assistance which particular churches are expected to render to young men recommended by them, steps are about to be taken in order to the formation of an Education Society, in connexion with the college, whose funds they hope will prove sufficient to meet all eligible cases brought before them, not otherwise provided for. We believe that the college will be ready in the early part of the approaching summer.

NEW CHAPEL IN WESTERN CANADA.-A Congregational church (as our brethren call their places of worship) was opened at Boulton's Valley, Albion, Home District, on December 15th. It is a handsome well-built edifice of unburnt bricks-and stands on a beautiful and convenient elevation. Large congregations attended the services, when the Rev. W. Hayden, of Cobourg, preached in the morning, and the Rev. J. Roaf in the afternoon. This place is at present supplied with evangelical ministrations by the Rev. S. Harris of Vaughan; but it is hoped that ere long it will be the centre of operations for some other minister.

ORDINATIONS, ETC.

ORDINATIONS ANd Settlements in WESTERN CANADA.—On 23rd November last, Mr. James Vincent (who was sent to Canada by the Colonial Missionary Society, about two years back, in order to finish his preparatory duties in the Upper Canada Congregational Academy,) was ordained to the pastoral office in the Congregational church of New Market, Home District. The Rev. L. Kribs was suddenly called upon in the absence of Rev. W. O. Wastell, to give the introductory discourse, which he did in a most effective manner. The Rev. J. Roaf offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. S. Lillie gave the young minister a very excellent charge; and the Rev. S. Harris gave the outline of a discourse to the people. Mr. Vincent's labours at New Market are very acceptable, and already to some extent useful. If he realize all the happiness and success that his friends and ministerial brethren expect for him, he will be a highly favoured minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.

On Wednesday, the 28th December, the Rev. S. King (late of the Upper Canada Congregational Academy,) was ordained at George Town, in Esquising, Gore District. A vast audience assembled on the occasion, and the solemnities took place in the Methodist chapel. The Rev. J. Roaf delivered a discourse on "Ordination." The Rev. A. Lillie asked of the minister and church the usual questions. The Rev. J. Nall, of Burford, offered the prayer of designation, and a large number of ministers joined in "the laying on of hands." The Rev. S. Harris, of Vaughan, gave the young minister a faithful and able charge, and the Rev. W. P. Wastell, of Guelph, preached to the people with power. The beloved young brother thus ordained has a very laborious sphere; but he will have all needed grace if he remember the adage, “Bene orasse est bene studuisse."

The Rev. James Drummond, late of Ratcliffe, London, has commenced his ministerial labours at Brockville, under circumstances which more than justify the hope of speedy and enlarged success.

On Wednesday evening, June 18th, the Rev. Thomas Gardner Lee, who has, for some time past, successfully laboured in Chorlton Town Hall, was publicly recognized as the pastor of the Independent church assembling in New Windsor Chapel, Salford, Manchester. The Rev. James Guyther read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. James Griffin delivered the introductory discourse on the nature, character, and government of a Christian church; the Rev. Dr. Halley proposed the usual questions, and received the most satisfactory replies; after which he affectionately commended the newly-elected pastor and his charge to the special blessing of the great Head of the church; the Rev. Richard Fletcher then addressed them both on their respective duties and responsibilities, from Heb. xiii. 17; and the Rev. John Birt concluded with prayer. The attendance was excellent, and the whole service peculiarly appropriate and impressive; and there appears every reason to hope, that the cause of God will revive and prosper again in this interesting sphere for unwearied exertion and devoted zeal.

The Rev. A. J. Morris, of New Windsor, Manchester, was recognized as the pastor of the Congregational church, Holloway, Middlesex, on Wednesday, Feb. 8th. The Rev. Thomas Lewis read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. J. H. Godwin delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Caleb Morris asked the questions; the Rev. John Blackburn offered the special prayer; and the Rev. Thomas Binney addressed the pastor and the people, and concluded with prayer. The Rev. Messrs. Foster, of Highgate, and Ford and Hollis, of Islington, took parts in the service.

PROPOSAL FOR A MANIFESTATION OF UNION AMONG EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS.

As in the providence of God it has devolved on the Congregational brethren to take the initiatory measures in a movement which we trust may be for the glory of God and the welfare of his church, it may be expected that in this journal should appear some report of its progress. The following circular letter is the result of various proceedings taken by the Committee subsequent to the meeting of the Congregational Union at Liverpool.

"February 6th, 1843.

"Rev.AND DEAR SIR. We address you on the deeply interesting subject of Christian Union with feelings of sincere personal respect; and are sure you will receive our communication in the spirit of brotherly candour and love. We respectfully assure you that our purpose in addressing this letter to many honoured brethren is limited to obtain a free conference on this equally important and delightful subject, with a strong hope that such a meeting will place the design on a just and firm basis, and advance it to the credit and maturity necessary before more public proceedings can be appropriately adopted.

"The unity of Christians is the will of Christ,—and not merely a unity secretly existing and cherished in the hearts of individual Christians severally, but a unity presented impressively to the observation of the world.

"Such unity has not yet been attained and exhibited. Authority has failed to secure it by enforced ritual uniformity. Liberty has not reached it by the path of free inquiry. Failure on this cardinal point has been the opprobrium and the weakness of Christendom from the earliest ages.

"Yet union among Christians is the aspiration and desire of every truly Christian heart. Whatever at any period is done to promote it, is so much gained to the cause of truth and goodness. Union among Protestant Evangelical Christians is the obvious and special exigency of these remarkable times. God is moving many minds to desire union, to attempt union. This is auspicious and hopeful. The favourable season should be seized, and improved with promptitude of effort and prayer.

"Protestant Evangelical Christians may unite, and exhibit unity, as they have never yet done. This is essential to the success of their struggle against the great apos tasy, in which their weakness is their apparent division-its strength is its apparent oneness. But they can unite only on the ground of truth and faith. A united re cognition of some common truth must be the basis and bond of their union. Yet to agree in framing a symbol of primary doctrines, in a declared assent to which their union might commence and consist, may not be practicable. The attempt may not be desirable.

"But all denominations of Evangelical believers may surely unite on the ground of their declared and known views of truth. Their symbols, their practices, their sentiments are before each other, and before the world. These denominations might severally avow their unaltered attachment to their distinctive, as well as to their common, views of truth. They might declare that while unavoidably regarding each other in error on all points of mutual difference, they joyfully recognized the common truth of their far more extensive, far more important points of agreement. These several denominations might thus fraternize, and avow, on the ground of a discerned and acknowledged concord in the great essentials of truth, a mutual acknowledgment of each other as true churches of Christ, and the regular ministry in each, in all, as a true ministry of Christ.

"How reasonable and safe were this! How salutary and strengthening! What an element of power would it be among all the Christian communities thus brought to a harmonious and joyful mutual recognition! What a voice of power would proceed from such a union against all enemies of the truth! How would Christ, the Master, smile on this accomplishment of his own prayer, this fulfilment of his own design! "The undersigned are deeply anxious to foster and expand the design of union on this basis. It commends itself to their judgment as practicable, to their hearts as delightful. That it does not include all that is desirable, is at once conceded. That the attainment of even this measure of union would encounter many difficulties, is of course perceived and felt. But there must be commencement and trial, or nothing can be done.

"With respect and affection therefore, the undersigned invite your attendance at a meeting for the promotion of this blessed design, to be held in the Wesleyan Centenary Hall, Bishopsgate Street, on Monday, the 20th instant, at eleven o'clock. The meeting is proposed for free conference and prayer only, as a strictly preliminary proceeding. The basis suggested above will be entirely open for discussion. It may be matured, or another more sasisfactory may be suggested. The general design may be advanced by counsel, devotion, and stimulated brotherly affection. Should even the proposed meeting end in disappointment, it will still be attended with profit and joy. It will still be well that it has been in our hearts. So blessed is truly Christian union, that even unsuccessful efforts to attain it are their own reward.

"We are, Rev. and Dear Sir, truly yours,

"With Christian respect and regard,

"JAMES HAMILTON,
WILLIAM BUNTING,

JAMES SHERMAN,

W. S. PALMER,
ROBERT REDPath,

"JOHN LEIFCHILD,
F. A. Cox,

JOHN BLACKBURN,
ALGERNON WELLS."

This document was sent to several leading ministers connected with seven or eight denominations of Christians, and a large and influential meeting took place accordingly.

The Rev. Richard Reece, the senior minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion, was called to preside, and the Rev. Dr. Candlish, of St. George's, Edinburgh,

commenced the proceedings with a most comprehensive and touching prayer. The Rev. A. Wells, as one of the secretaries of the Union, explained the providential circumstances which had led the Congregational brethren to take a leading part in this business, and then informed the brethren that they now resigned the object for the future to the wisdom and prayers of that company.

The meeting was then addressed on various parts of the question, by the Rev. J. Clayton, M.A., Dr. Vaughan, Dr. Burder, Rev. J. A. James, Dr. Candlish, Rev. J. Cumming, M.A., Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A., Dr. Cox, Rev. W. M. Bunting, Rev. P. Latrobe, Rev. J. Alder, Dr. Leifchild, and others.

All appeared impressed with the responsibility and importance of the overture, and after a conversation, which continued for nearly four hours, a provisional com. mittee was appointed to propose certain resolutions, and to convene another and a larger meeting. We have made this statement on our own responsibility, as we know that information is earnestly desired by many on the subject, and that this statement may strengthen their desires, and quicken their prayers for the more close union of all them that "hold the Head"-Christ Jesus.

BRIEF NOTES ON PASSING EVENTS.

THE Imperial Parliament commenced another session on Thursday, February 2nd, having been opened by commission in consequence of the delicate circumstances of her Majesty. The Royal Speech, together with the debates of both Houses, will supply more topics of interest, directly or incidentally, than we have space briefly to notice.

The treaty with the UNITED STATES was the first topic of congratulation, but discoveries have been made respecting the original boundary, as marked on the map by the pen of Benjamin Franklin himself, which lead to the conclusion that Mr. Webster, not much to the credit of American diplomacy, had misled and fairly overreached Lord Ashburton. The case also of fugitive slaves who escape from the Southern States to Canada is likely to excite new and angry discussions on the 10th Article. Nelson Hacket, a runaway slave, has been arrested in Upper Canada on a charge of felony by the British governor, and given up to the governor of Arkansas. Such a proceeding has a threatening aspect upon the destiny of thousands of such refugees; and this act of Sir Charles Bagot has produced some warm discussions in the Canadian legislature, and great dissatisfaction in the Upper Province.

The peace with CHINA is a second topic of congratulation which has been echoed by the votes of both houses, thanking the officers and men of the united service engaged in the late war. It is, indeed, a source of satisfaction to know that the British colony at Hong Kong is prospering, and that our missionaries are actively engaged in their blessed work. Great excitement prevails in the De Propaganda Fide at Rome respecting China, and to stimulate the zeal and prayers of the faithful, it is stated, that a glorious miracle of the apparition of our Lord in the presence of a great multitude of the faithful, and of the infidels, has occurred! The Propaganda have appointed forty missionaries, some of whom are Jesuits, to go to Pekin, as it is reported that the emperor will grant toleration to the Catholics, if not embrace their religion himself!

The Christian population of SYRIA, it is stated, are to be protected by negociations concluded with the Porte by her Majesty and her allies. The bigotry of the Turks, and the bitter jealousies of Greeks and Latins, will render this no easy task. Indeed, it is reported, that the building of the English church at Jerusalem is stopped by orders from Constantinople, and that the Bishop Alexander has applied to our ambassador there for redress with but small chance of success!

The termination of the military operations in AFFGHANISTAN was, of course, referred to, and Parliament have since voted thanks to Lord Ellenborough and his