ORDINATIONS, REMOVALS, &c.

ON Monday, the 7th of August, the Rev. Joseph Boyd, late of Whitgift, near Howden, was ordained to the pastorate of the Independent church, assembling in Salem Chapel, Burley Wharfdale, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The Rev. B. Beddow, now of Barnsley, and recently pastor of this church, read appropriate portions of the Word of God, and prayed. An introductory discourse, vindicating the authority and efficiency of evangelical dissenting pastors and preachers, was delivered by the Rev. T. Scales, of Leeds. The usual series of questions was proposed by the Rev. J. S. Hastie, of Otley, and satisfactorily answered by Mr. Boyd, after which the Rev. W. Scott, President of Airedale College, offered up the ordination prayer with imposition of hands. With this solemnity the first part of the service was closed; in the evening the congregation re-assembled, when the Rev. R. Gibbs, of Skipton, read the Scriptures and prayed. The charge, founded on Col. iv. 17, was addressed to the minister by his pastor, the Rev. James Sibree, of Hull; and the church and congregation were exhorted to their duties by the Rev. Joseph Stringer, of Idle, in a sermon from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. The Rev. William Hudswell, of Leeds, concluded the interesting exercises of the day with prayer. Mr. Boyd enters upon his labours with encouraging tokens and prospects of usefulness.

August 8th, 1843, Mr. William Lewis, from the Theological Seminary, Hackney, was ordained to the pastoral office over the Congregational church, at Frampton-onSevern, Gloucestershire, as co-pastor with the Rev. William Richardson. The order of the services was as follows:- Opening devotional services, the Rev. J. Lewis, Wotton-under-Edge; introductory discourse, the Rev. John Burder, M.A., late of Stroud; the usual questions, the Rev. Thos. Mound, of Stonehouse; ordination prayer, the Rev. Richard Knill, Wotton-under-edge; charge, the Rev. J. Hyatt, Gloucester; concluding prayer, the Rev. Thos. Edkins, of Nailsworth. In the evening, the Rev. B. Parsons, of Ebley, engaged in the introductory services; and the Rev. J. Glanville, of Kingswood, near Bristol, preached to the people.

The Rev. James Lyon, formerly of the city of Waterford, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Independent Church in Union Street, Borough of Southwark, to the office of co-pastor with the esteemed Rev. John Arundel. Mr. Lyon commenced his ministerial services there on the first Lord's-day in September, under auspicious circumstances and hopeful prospects of success.

On the first Sabbath of June last, the Rev. Thomas Pullar, late of Glasgow, commenced his labours as pastor of the Congregational churches at Gateshead and Felling, in the county of Durham. At that time these two churches were on the verge of extinction; but indications of improvement are already appearing. May the Lord smile on the exertions of his servant, and continue to bless the churches now committed to his charge. The following extract from the "Scottish Congregational Magazine," will sufficiently explain the reasons of Mr. P.'s removal:

"On Wednesday evening, May 31st, a soirée was held in the Trades' Hall, in honour of Mr. Pullar, late pastor of the Independent church, North Albion Street, on the occasion of his leaving Glasgow to labour in Gateshead, England. A numerous and respectable audience was present. Mr. Clarke, Trongate, chairman. He called upon Mr. Graham of the Secession church, Duke Street, to give thanks; after which tea and coffee, etc., were served up. The chairman (who is an office-bearer in Albion-Street church) bore a very decided testimony in favour of Mr. Pullar, and expressed the entire satisfaction of the church and congregation with his pastoral

and pulpit labours, and the deep and universal regret which his removal had occasioned. Mr. Archibald Brown, and Mr. James Adams (also office-bearers), and Mr. Thomas Syme, a member of the church, each addressed the meeting, adding their decided testimony to the satisfaction of the church and congregation with Mr. Pullar, their undiminished affection for, and their deep regret at parting with him. The manner in which these sentiments were received by the audience, evinced how warmly and cordially they were responded to. Mr. Pullar then replied to these expressions of affectionate regard, and said, that his purpose in exchanging Glasgow for Gateshead and Felling, as his sphere of labour, was simply with a view to repair the waste places of Zion, and to endeavour to raise from a state of the deepest depression, verging on extinction, two churches, one of which was specially dear to him as the scene of early pastoral care; and that he left Glasgow with the cordial regard of the people of his charge, and in terms of unbroken Christian affection. Mr. Pullar is evidently making a sacrifice to a sense of duty, with the hope of doing good to the cause of Christ. Dr. Wardlaw next addressed the meeting, and in affectionate terms expressed his high regard, and increasing esteem, for Mr. Pullar as a brother minister, and though he could not but admire the self-denial and zeal he displayed, he also could not but regret, at the same time, that Glasgow was to lose the benefit of his efficient labours. Dr. Wardlaw was followed by Mr. Russell of Nicholson-Street Chapel, who spoke in very decided terms of his respect for Mr. Pullar, and expressed deep regret at his leaving Glasgow. He viewed his departure as the loss, not of an esteemed acquaintance, but of ' a personal friend.' Mr. Russell, in an earnest and affectionate manner, exhorted the bereaved flock to 'keep together,' and thus to evince the genuineness of their attachment to Independency. Dr. King, of the Secession church, followed Mr. Russell, and added his testimony to the esteem in which Mr. Pullar was held, and took occasion to pay a tribute of respect to that denomination of which Mr. Pullar is an able minister, and to express his hope that nothing would interrupt the current of kindly feeling, flowing between the Independents and the Secession church. Dr. King said, that he viewed the Independents in England as the most efficient barrier by which Protestantism in the south is preserved. He concluded an eloquent speech by a reference to the passing events of the day in the religious world, and expressing his conviction that good would arise to the church of Christ. Mr. J. Dickinson, late of Kilmarnock, followed Dr. King. He also expressed his regard for Mr. Pullar, and united with Mr. Russell and some of the preceding speakers, in urging on the members of the church to continue united in the fellowship of the Gospel. Bailie Brodie, of the Relief church, and Mr. Milroy, deacon of Dr. Wardlaw's church, were on the platform, and we noticed other of the friends belonging to the sister churches present. The singing was ably conducted by Mr. Samuel Barr. The meeting was one of deep and hallowed interest; and though many a painful emotion was experienced on parting with a beloved pastor, still it will be looked back to with pleasing recollections. It was truly interesting to witness the reciprocation of undiminished affectionate regard between a pastor and a people, when thus called in the providence of God to separate. Mr. Pullar laboured for eight years in Glasgow, and raised his church from twenty to four hundred and sixty members. May he be equally successful in his intended sphere of labour !

The Rev. John Stoughton has resigned the pastoral charge of the Independent church assembling in William-street Chapel, Windsor, in compliance with an unanimous invitation from the church at Hornton-street, Kensington, late under the care of the Rev. Dr. Vaughan. We understand Mr. Stoughton will enter (D.v.) upon his new sphere of labour on the second Lord's-day of October.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

PROVISION FOR THE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN OF DECEASED

MINISTERS.

AMONGST the many distressing appeals that are made to the sympathy of the Christian public, none are more humiliating and painful than those on behalf of the destitute families of deceased ministers. In some few instances human foresight has not been able to avert this calamity, because the unsound state of health in which the parties were unhappily found, deterred the directors of assurance companies from granting them policies on their lives.

There is, however, too much cause to fear, that these cases of destitution arise either from want of information on the subject of assurances, or from that deep poverty which, alas! deters many affectionate husbands, and tender fathers, from attempting to provide that supply for their bereaved survivors, which they would be truly happy to secure.

The attention of the former class is earnestly invited to The Protestant Union, for the benefit of the Widows and Children of Protestant Ministers of all denominations,- -one prime excellence of which is, that it not only grants an annuity to the widow, but in cases where the wife does not survive her husband, it secures a fixed sum for the use of the children.

Its forty-fifth annual statement is just issued, from which it appears that it has a funded capital of £21,000; and that during the past year, twenty-eight new members were added, who subscribe, according to a graduated scale, for annuities from £10 to £50 each.

To illustrate its utility, it may be stated, that several aged annuitants were removed by death last year; one of whom, Mrs. Blythe, had received £371; and another, Mrs. Newell, £975, from the funds.

As there are many worthy pastors, whose present means are too scanty to enable them to attempt to secure such provision, it is most important for their deacons to consider whether, by a little trouble, they might not obtain the means to enable their ministers to accomplish it. The burden of a deceased pastor's family, in all honour and gratitude, must first, and chiefly, rest upon the people of his charge, and therefore, it seems to be as economical as it would be kind, for the officers of our churches to make the attempt.

But as there are not a few congregations, who are already taxed to the utmost, to provide for their pastors a scanty support, so it appears desirable that the Directors of the Protestant Union should be prepared to open a Benevolent Fund, to aid poor ministers in effecting assurances. Doubtless, there are many charitable persons who would gladly contribute, by gift or bequest, to further such a Christian object, in answer to their appeal.

Information respecting the Protestant Union, may be obtained from the Rev. J. Hunt, Secretary, at the Congregational Library, Blomfield Street, Finsbury Circus, London.

RECENT DEATH.

September 22nd, died at Great Gains, Upminster, Essex, in his ninetieth year, the Rev. JOHN CLAYTON, for nearly fifty years the pastor of the Congregational church at the King's Weigh House Chapel, Eastcheap, and for many years the father of the company of Independent ministers in the metropolis, and probably throughout the kingdom.

He was born in 1753, at a small village called Clayton, near Chorley, in Lancashire, of respectable parents, who were strongly attached to the Church of England. Destined

for the medical profession, he spent part of his youth at Manchester, and then followed his studies in London. His first religious impressions were produced by the ministry of the Rev. W. Romaine; and as his decision increased, an inclination to devote his life to the ministry of the Gospel was strongly excited. He was, therefore, received into the Countess of Huntingdon's College, at Trevecca, in South Wales. His superior education, and fine person and address, led the Countess to appoint him the steward of the house: an office of responsibility and honour. He was employed in the home missionary services undertaken by her Ladyship, preaching at the Mulberry Gardens Chapel, London, and at the Tabernacle, Norwich, where his ministry became exceedingly popular, and was attended by such multitudes, as to awaken the envy and curiosity of the clergy. One who attended his preaching there, the Rev. J. Johnson, afterward minister of St. George's, Manchester, was brought to the knowledge of the truth under his labours. He was himself much inclined to receive orders in the Church of England, but the reading of Towgood's Letters is said to have decided him to remain a nonconformist. On quitting the Countess's connexion, he became an assistant to the Rev. Sir Henry Trelawney, Bart., who was pastor of an Independent congregation at West Looe, in Cornwall, from which place Mr. C. was invited to preach as a probationer for the pastoral office at the Weigh House, vacant by the death of Dr. Samuel Wilton. He was ordained there in Nov. 1778, in which service Drs. Trotter and Hunter, two clergymen of the Church of Scotland, took prominent parts. Originally the King's Weigh House was the place where the beam and scales of the Customs were set up, and to which merchants were required to bring their imports to be weighed. Over this place was a loft that was fitted up as a dissenting meeting for Mr. Thomas Reynolds, in 1697. When these vexatious arrangements for weighing merchandise terminated, the old building was pulled down, and in 1795 Mr. Clayton and his friends secured the erection of that place in which he ministered for forty years. But such was the contracted state of dissenting views in those days, that the new edifice was built over a warehouse, and all the congregation had to go up-stairs to a place that did not seat five hundred persons, but which was then considered as a model chapel, as "the whole was fitted up," says Walter Wilson, “in an expensive manner, and in a style of great elegan ce."* Since then the improvements around London Bridge have swept it away. Mr. Clayton was united in marriage to Miss Flower, with whom he received a handsome fortune. In his domestic relations he was exemplary and happy. His three sons, John, George, and William, though by him sent forth to secular occupations, were successively called to the ministry, and have been honoured with a large amount of pastoral and public usefulness.

Mr. Clayton having been much connected with evangelical ministers of the Church of England, was able to act with them in some measures of usefulness that would be perfectly Utopian in the present day. Thus he, in conjunction with the venerable John Newton and Cowper the poet, formed the plan of the Evangelical Institution for the education of young men for the Christian ministry; which the munificence of John Thornton, Esq. enabled them to carry into effect, at Newport Pagnell, under the tuition of the Rev. T. Bull.

Mr. Clayton retained much of his home missionary zeal after he entered upon pastoral life, and several suburban congregations were fostered by his countenance and co-operation. His political opinions were in early life of a decidedly Tory character, which in 1791 he took occasion to proclaim from his pulpit, in “ a Sermon

Walter Wilson's History, &c., of Dissenting Churches and Meeting Houses, vol. i. pp. 148-204: a work from which several of the facts here collected have been gleaned.

occasioned by the late Riots at Birmingham: with a prefixed Address to the Public, intended to remove the reproach lately fallen upon Protestant Dissenters." This called forth from the pen of the Rev. John Fell, "a Letter," containing "a Defence of the Protestant Dissenters from the aspersions thrown upon them in his late political sermon." The severity and force of this clever pamphlet were, however, greatly surpassed by "An Answer" from the pen of the late Rev. Robert Hall, entitled "Christianity consistent with a Love of Freedom."* This splendid production contains "a fine specimen of that union of severe taste and lofty genius and noble sentiments," which characterised the writings of that eminent minister. It was one of his earliest productions, but he would never consent to its republication; a tacit admission that his opinions were somewhat modified, as it is supposed those also of Mr. Clayton were, in subsequent periods of his life.

The standing of Mr. Clayton amongst the Dissenting churches of London, was early determined by his election to be one of the preachers of the old Merchants' Lecture, formerly at Pinner's Hall, but now at New Broad Street. In 1805, he became involved in a controversy, which excited a great stir at the time, on account of some acts of pastoral discipline towards a family of great respectability who frequented public amusements. Three or four pamphlets were published, and several caricatures; and this indeed was not the last time that he was annoyed by the personal exaggerations of the satirist's pencil. His pastoral course was, however, through a long public career smooth and honourable, and closed with gratifying attestations of public esteem.

On New Year's day, 1827, a service of plate, with appropriate emblems, was presented to him in the name of his church and congregation, by the Lord Mayor of London, (Mr. Alderman Brown,) who had for many years been a member of that congregation.+

His last public appearance amongst his brethren was to present an address of condolence and congratulation to her Majesty the Queen on her accession; when his personal appearance and bearing did honour to the body he led into the royal presence; but the fatigue and excitement of the occasion caused him to read the address with far less efficiency than was expected by his brethren.

His last years have been spent in dignified and devout retirement, where we doubt not he realised the beautiful sentiment of Dr. Watts, and "waited God's leave to die." At length, after a protracted period of the pain and weariness inseparable from fourscore years, he entered into rest.

It is remarkable that though he enjoyed such a long course of popularity, yet that his ministry closed in a Chapel which he filled forty years before. The present Weigh House Chapel, Fish Street Hill, contains more than double the number of the old one. We present these biographical facts to the public: but the character of the venerable deceased must be drawn by those who knew him more intimately.

* Works, 8vo edition, vol. iii. pp. 1-60.

+ Vide Congregational Magazine, 1827, pp. 106-111.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Favours have been received from Rev. Dr. Halley

Rev. Messrs. E. Mannering-A. J. Morris-G. Taylor-Thos. Adkins—H. March -T. Scales-C. Payton-T. Pullen-F. H. Green-Isaac Jennings-W. Smith-E. White T. Trueman-R. Ferguson-J. Robinson-S. Ransom-J. Mirams-T. Guyer -W. Owen-E. Davis-J. Stoughton.

Also from Messrs. B. Hanbury-H. Dunn—W. Jones.