mittee on the proposed transfer of the Magazines :

Report of the General Committee, on the Transfer of the Magazines, finally agreed to at its Meeting, 17th September, 1850.

The Sub-Committee, having carefully examined the various Minutes, and other documents connected with the establishment of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS and CHRISTIAN PENNY MAGAZINES (these publications being the property of the Congregational Union, and under its exclusive control), recommend the following arrangement for the purpose of carrying into effect the Resolutions of the Union in May, 1850:

1. That all property connected with the Magazines be invested in forty-eight Trustees, consisting of Twenty-four Congregational Ministers, and Twentyfour Laymen, being, and continuing to be, Members of Congregational Churches, selected from Town and Country; all such Trustees professing to approve of the "Declaration of Faith and Order,' published by the Congregational Union.

2. That the present funded property of the Magazines, with all future additions, be invested in the names of four Trustees, who shall be chosen by the general body of Trustees from their own number.

3. That the body of Trustees shall also elect annually, from their own number, an Executive Committee, whose business it shall be to regulate all matters relating to editorship and publication, to make all contracts for paper, printing, advertisements, insurance, and other arrangements necessary for carrying on the work, and to present an Annual Report to the Trustees.

4. That the Trustees shall hold a General Meeting in London, in the month of May, to distribute the profits of the Magazines, in strict accordance with the objects contemplated by the regulations adopted by the Congregational Union at its sixth autumnal meeting, held at Norwich, in October, 1814, and its eighteenth annual assembly, held in London, in May, 1848; to elect the executive Committee for the year ensuing, and to transact such other business, connected with the funds of the Magazines, as may require attention. They shall also report, to the Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union, both their yearly proceedings and existing vacancies in the Trusteeship: - which vacancies shall be filled up by the vote of the Union, unless the Assembly shall determine otherwise.

5. That, in this transference of property originated by the Union, it is regarded as a desirable arrangement that the "Chronicle of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, of the Board for General Education, and of the three Societies for British Missions in connection with the Union,' be continued in the future publications of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS as heretofore.

6. That the following gentlemen be recommended as the Trustees of the Magazine and Funds. (Names read at the Meeting.)

A slight inaccuracy in the minutes of the Committee, respecting the resolution on the Magazines in May last, was ordered to be corrected.

It was moved by James Spicer, Esq., and seconded by Henry Rutt, Esq.,

That the Report of the Committee, on the transfer of the Magazines, now read, be received for consideration.

An interesting, vigorous, and fraternal discussion ensued, during which various propositions were submitted on the subject of the Report; at the conclusion of which, after a clear and satisfactory statement by Rev. Dr. Campbell, respecting the origin and success of the Magazines, the mode on which they had been, and ought to be conducted, it was, by a large majority of the Assembly, resolved, on the motion of the Rev. H. M. Gunn, of Warminster; seconded by Rev.

Thomas Mann, of Trowbridge; supported by Rev. Joseph Fletcher, of Christchurch:

That after the statement now made by Rev. Dr. Campbell, it is the opinion of this Assembly, that the existing arrangements for the management of the Magazines, in connection with this Union ought to be continued.

The time for closing the morning Session having arrived, it was agreed that the remaining business on the agenda for the morning be taken in order, before the Conference on Thursday morning, October 17th. The Chairman pronounced the Benediction.

TUESDAY EVENING.-The Public Meeting in support of British Missions was held in Albion Chapel. The Chair was taken by Dr. Beddome, of Romsey.

The Rev. W. Wild, of Guernsey, commenced with prayer; the Rev. Thomas Adkins, of Southampton, advocated the cause of Home Missions; the Rev. Richard Fletcher, of Manchester, the cause of the Irish Evangelical Society; the Rev. George Smith, of Poplar, the cause of the Colonial Missionary Society.

The following resolution was moved by Rev. Joseph Fletcher, of Christchurch, and seconded by Rev. George Harris, of Ringwood:

That this Meeting avows its abiding conviction, that the Churches of Christ are solemnly bound, not only to maintain an efficient ministry among themselves, but also to exercise the expansive benevolence of the Gospel, in diffusing the knowledge of Divine truths, as revealed in Holy Scripture, among the ignorant and destitute portions of their fellow-men; that the Churches of Great Britain are especially called at this time, to consider the condition of their fellow subjects, as exposed in England to the Romanising encroachments of a Puseyite clergy; in Ireland, to the vigorous and domineering assumptions of a Papal hierarchy, and other forms of error; and in the Colonies, to the influence of all these elements combined, with the disadvantages of new settlements, and removal from the sanctions and privileges of religious association. That, therefore, this Meeting would renew its urgent appeal to Pastors and Churches, to use such means as will efficiently augment the pecuniary resources of the British Mission Societies, and to promote, as far as they may be able, the simultaneous collections of the approaching season, which during the last ten years have been so productive and economical a means of revenue and co-operation.

The Meeting closed with Doxology and Benediction.

WEDNESDAY MORNING, October 16.-Mr. Binney presided, and led the devotions of the Assembly. He concluded the Address he began on Tuesday morning.

The Rev. Louis Bridel, of Paris, having been called on by the Chairman, proceeded to address the Meeting as the representative of the Union of the Evangelical Churches of France. The Assembly was deeply interested in the statements by the Delegate, and expressed the liveliest sympathy with the trials and joys of the French Associated Churches. At the conclusion of the Address the following Resolution was unanimously adopted:

Moved by Rev. John Kelly, of Liverpool; and seconded by Rev. Dr. Campbell, of London:

That this Assembly welcomes with cordial gratulat ons the Rev. Louis Bridel, of Paris, as a delegate from the Evangelical Voluntary Churches in France; and expresses its fervent wishes that the Churches represented by their beloved brother may be richly endowed with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and so increased in number, spirituality, and power, that they may become witness-bearers to the truth and purity of Evangelical religion, and powerful advocates of the Word of the living God among their fellow-countrymen in a land where the great Protestant Evangelical principles of our common Christianity are so comparatively little understood, appreciated, and practised.

And. That it be remitted to the Committee of the Union to consider what will be the best means of promoting fraternal intercourse between the Union and their brethren in France.

CONGREGATIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.-The Rev. Josiah Viney read a brief report of the proceedings of the Board. Samuel Morley, Esq., gave a statement respecting the overtures which the Voluntary School Association had made to the Board of Education, with a view to form a junction between the two Institutions, and intimated that the proposals had been favourably entertained, and probabilities were in favour of the union being effected.

The following resolution was, after much discussion, and a notice of motion to be submitted by Rev. J. W. Richardson after dinner, respecting the said junction of the two Societies, unanimously adopted.

Moved by Rev. John Hayden, of High Wycombe and seconded by Rev. E. R. Conder, of Poole :

That this Assembly is gratified by the statement from the Congregational Board of Education; is especially interested in its successful efforts for training pious and efficient Teachers, and securing them important spheres of influence; has heard with pleasure of the progress made towards the purchase of Homerton College, urges its friends to liberal donations for completing this desirable object, and strongly recommends annual sub-criptions and collections, to sustain the Board in its operations, so intimately connected with Congregational prosperity, and the religious education of the young.

The time for concluding this part of the morning's proceedings having arrived, a short interval was allowed, in order that the public might be admitted to the chapel, to hear the Paper on Dr. Watts.

DR. WATTS.-The Autumnal Assembly being holden in Southampton, the birthplace of the Doctor, and the scene of his earliest efforts as a poet, it was judged by the Committee a fitting opportunity to advert to his claims on the respectful remembrance of the Denomination and the entire Christian community; and requested Mr. Conder to prepare an Essay, to be read to the Assembly.

The Meeting having resumed, and the audience having sung the 117th Psalm, the Chairman called on Josiah Conder, Esq., to read his Essay on the Character of Dr. Watts as a Poet, Nonconformist, and Divine. The time allowed only selections from the Essay to be read, and at the conclusion the following Resolution was moved by Rev. Thomas Adkins, and seconded by the Rev. John Stoughton :

That this Assembly having been led by the cir cumstance of holding its present Session in South

ampton, to advert to its having been the birth-place of the venerated Isaac Watts, D.D., whose Psalms and Hymns have, for more than a century, conduced so extensively to the edification of the Churches, to the evangelical spirit of our public worship, and to the solace and comfort of believers; feels called upon devoutly to recognise the occasion for thanksgiving to the Divine Head of the Church, which is thus presented to them, in the consecrated gifts and labours of that eminent servant of Christ, and in the blessed results which have accrued from the reformation that he was the instrument of effecting in Congregational Psalmedy.

And this Assembly further desires to present its grateful acknowledgment to Josiah Conder. Esq., for the interesting and able paper on Dr. Watts, now read to this Meeting, and respectfully entreats Mr. Conder to allow the Essay to be given to the public.

A beautifully executed and supposed genuine Portrait of Dr. Watts, about the thirtieth year of his age, was placed in the front of the pulpit. His study-gown was exhibited, also a Portrait of his father, and the Family Bible, with other interesting memorials.

The Chairman pronounced the Benediction, and the Assembly separated.

After dinner the Rev. J. W. Richardson, of London, introduced the subject of the union between the Voluntary School Association and the Congregational Board of Education-a union which he deprecated as tending to a separation of the Board from the Congregational Union, and in which deprecation the Ministers and Delegates generally sympathized; and the discussion concluded with a Resolution, moved by Rev. Dr. Campbell, and seconded by Rev. Joseph

Fletcher:

That it be an instruction to the Committee of the Union to confer with the Committee of the Congregational Board of Education on the proposed junction of the Voluntary School Association with that Board, with the view, if possible, to prevent such junction until after the Annual Assembly in May

next.

WEDNESDAY EVENING, The public Meeting in favour of Education by the Congregational Board of Education was held in Albion Chapel. William Tice, Esq., of Sopley Park, Chairman. The Rev. George Wilkins commenced proceedings with prayer. At the conclusion of the Chairman's Address the Rev. Josiah Viney read the Report: Samuel Morley, Esq, presented a statement of accounts. The Meeting was addressed by Rev. Messrs. Elliott, Kelly, Gill, Unwin, J. G. Hughes, and concluded with benediction.

THURSDAY MORNING, October 17.-The devotions were conducted by the Chairman. The agenda for the morning was read. The business commenced with a Resolution, moved by Rev. E. Ashton, seconded by Rev. Thomas James, and carried unanimously:

That the Church assembling in Queen-street Chapel, Sheffield, under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. H. Muir, be taken into membership with the Union.

B. Hanbury, Esq., presented the cash account of the Union.,

DEFERRED ANNUITIES. The Rev. W. Stern Palmer read the following Report:

From the statement of Finance which has now been presented by the Treasurer, it will be seen that the amount of subscriptions and donations has not equalled the current expenses of the Union, and, by comparison, it appears that the subscriptions have been £59 9s. 1d. less than they were last year. At the last audit the Treasurer was in advance £51 7s. 4d.; and but for the liberality of the Churches and Christian friends at Sheffield, who, after having defrayed the expenses of the entertainment so cheerfully and so hospitably afforded to the last Autumnal Assembly, generously voted to the Union the sum subscribed beyond the expenditure, amounting to £49 10s. 8d., and the sum of £155 5s. 8d., the amount of profit derived from the Publication Fund within the last eighteen months, your financial statement, including the debit of last year, would have shown a deficit of £195 18s. 9d., instead of a credit of £8 17s. 7d. as now appears.

This deficiency, it is presumed, must arise from forgetfulness on the part of our pastors and deacons, as a comparatively small subscription regularly paid from all the Churches and personal members would fully meet the current expenses of the Union, and leave the profits accruing from publications to be appropriated, as originally designed, to purposes of benevolence.

£100; in diminution of this loss, it must, however, be remembered that the YEAR-BOOK contains the May and Autumnal Reports of the Union, the publishing of which, together with the expense of circulation, cost yearly £80 or £90-a sum which ever since the printing of the YEAR-BOOK has been included in the publication accounts; and thus, to that amount, diminishing the profits arising from that source, and reducing by so much the annual expenses of the Union. The number printed last year was 3,000, and on that occasion the demand exceeded the supply; this year 4,000 were printed, and the sale has been 3,500. But it has been found on calculation that had the whole been sold, the produce of the sale would not have covered the expense of paper, press-work, stitching up, and advertising, leaving nothing for the compositors and editing; so that an increase of the sale would augment the loss, unless the book be diminished in size or advanced in price. The diffusion of Denominational intelligence is sufficiently important to justify the Union in sustaining some loss; but we must endeavour so to arrange, that if the loss cannot be reduced, it may not, by a more extensive sale, be increased.,

On the subject of Deferred Annuities, very little can be added to the Report of last year, but that little is encouraging; for various reasons that need not be enumerated, no one has been added to the list of Aunuitants, but the Ministers whose insurance was reported last year as not completed. The number insured is now eleven, as follows:

The annual sum paid is £203 9s. 11d. Of this sum, the Annuitants pay £110 28. 9d., and the Fund pays £93 7s. 2d. It will be seen by consulting the Tabular statement, that the advantage of the young Brethren, arising from the small annual premium required, is greatly beyond that enjoyed by their seniors; one at 50 years having in eleven payments to pay £232 0s. 2d., and one at 29 having in thirty-two payments to pay £68 19s. 6d.,-a consideration that should commend the subject to the attention of the young especially.

The funded property, which has increased since the last Report £1,000. now amounts to £5,000 Stock, 34 per Cent, all the interest of which, amounting to £160 10s. per annum, is available for this purpose. The annual premiums now paid amount to £93 78. 2d.; leaving £69 2s. 10d. to be appropriated, which upon the average of insurances already effected, will provide immediately for eight additional Annuitants.

There are present acquired and permanent benefits resulting exclusively from the CHRISTIAN WITNESS and CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, besides the sums, amounting to £2,642, which have been annually voted to alleviate the trials and gladden the hearts of many aged labourers in Christ's vineyard.

Will it be too much, on this occasion, to ask the affluent by their liberality in donations and lega. cies to aid in the accumulation of a Fund, so adapted to meet the necessities, to awaken prudent forethought, and to stimulate the exertions of those for whose comfort it is designed?

The sale of the Hymn-book continues encouraging; attention is invited to the different sizes now published, especially to the edition bound up with the whole of Watts, in one volume, comprised within the thickness of half an inch, and also as bound in one volume with Watts and the Bible, suited to the young, and for whom it is adapted as a very fitting and acceptable present,

The sale of the Congregational Church Records, also, warrants the belief, that this arrangement is acceptable to our Denomination, and likely to be adopted by newly-formed Churches, and by others when the books in present use shall become filled, or the advantage of a more systematic order shall be perceived.

Mr. Palmer having made some additional illustrative statements, the following Reso lution was moved by Rev. John Sibree, of Coventry; and seconded by Samuel Morley, Esq.:

That while this Assembly approves that the financial statement now presented be entered on the Minutes, it would express regret that the income of the Union, arising from subscriptions and donations, has fallen so far below its annual expenditure; and would urge upon the Churches, with their pastors, and others entitled to the privilege of personal membership, the importance of so augmenting the funds, that the current expenses

of the Union may, from that source, be fully met, so that the profits derived from the publications of the Union, like those arising from the CHRISTIAN WITNESS and CHRISTIAN PENNY MAGAZINE, may be wholly devoted to benevolent purposes.

The Assembly also receives with pleasure, and devout gratitude to God, the statement relating to the Deferred Annuities' Fund, which continues so satisfactorily to increase, and which promises to become so extensively useful in providing for the comfort of many devoted pastors whose strength has been expended in the service of Christ's Churches also, the Assembly would sincerely congratulate the Editor, the Rev. Dr. Campbell, on the happy results, by the blessing of God upon his devoted, persevering, and energetic labours in connection with the Magazines.

PROPOSALS FOR PUBLISHING THE WORKS OF THE REV. JOHN ROBINSON, OF LEYDEN. -The Rev. R. Ashton read a paper on this subject.

Before the Resolution, prepared by the Committee, was submitted, the Rev. Dr. Campbell suggested the possibility of the works being published at a cheaper rate than that proposed by Mr. Ashton, and generously offered to undertake the responsibility of their publication if the Assembly and the Brethren would pledge themselves to assist the circulation.

Resolved unanimously, on the motion of the Rev. John Stoughton and the Rev. John Kelly,

That this Assembly, anxious to do justice to the memory of the generally acknowledged Father of the Independents both in England and the United States, hails with pleasure the proposal to publish a collected edition of the works of the Rev. John Robinson, of Leyden; and hereby thankfully accepts the offer of the Rev. Dr. Campbell to undertake their publication on his personal responsibility.

BRITISH MISSIONS.-The Rev. Dr. Massie read a statement respecting the position and prospects of the three Societies.

Moved by Rev. John Corbin, of Derby; and seconded by Rev. Edmund Prust, of Northampton :

That this Assembly recognizes it as a sacred duty of the Churches of Christ, in their separate or associated relations, to seek the diffusion of the Gospel in their several localities; and so to promote the extension of Christianity; and that it rejoices in the activity and liberal efforts of many Churches and several County Associations to sustain Home Missionary operations in their destitute neighbourhoods.

That this Assembly would especially recognize the claims of the British Mission Societies to the generous support of the Congregational Churches of this land; especially as their sole object is to advance the cause of Evangelical Religion, in connection with the distinctive principles of Church Polity professed by the Denomination.

The Assembly is convinced that the faithful administration of the pure truth of the Gospel is the only means to counteract the arrogant pretensions of High Churchism in England, the delusive superstitions of Popery in Ireland, and the spiritual destitution to which the Colonies of Britain are exposed.

The Assembly would therefore commend the affiliated Societies to the fostering care of the British Churches; and would respectfully but earnestly solicit, on their behalf, continued fervent prayer, and increased contributions, by which more extended efforts can be attempted, and greater success anticipated.

CONFERENCE ON THE STATE OF RELIGION IN THE CHURCHES OF THE DENOMINATION.-The Conference was opened by

worship. Rev. James Rowland, of Henley, offered prayer.

The Rev. R. Ashton read a short paper containing an outline of the intended topics for consideration.

Rev. Richard Fletcher, the Rev. Dr. Campbell, Rev. Richard Elliott, Rev. Thomas Adkins, Josiah Conder, Esq., Rev. George Stevens, Rev. James Howell, and Rev. James Parsons, spoke on the interesting and important subject; and the Chairman concluded by prayer and benediction.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON.-At the close of the Report, it was moved by Rev. R. Ashton, and seconded by Rev. Thomas James:

That the assembled Ministers and Delegates cannot take leave of their Christian friends in Southampton-the Rev. Thomas Adkins, and his Deacons and friends at the Above-Bar Chapel, and the Deacons and friends of Albion Chapel-without expressing their sincere gratification at the very cordial and hospitable welcome they have received, both in public and private, during their temporary sojourn in this town; nor without giving utterance to their earnest desire and prayer that their kind and generous hosts of every communion may enjoy abundant peace and prosperity, personally and in their several families and Churches.

The Rev. Thomas Adkins and Mr. Randall, also Mr. Sampson Payne and Rev. Robert Lankester, Secretaries of the Local Committee of Arrangement, severally ac knowledged the vote.

Moved by Samuel Morley, Esq., and seconded by Rev. Richard Fletcher, of Manchester:

That this Assembly presents its sincere and cordial thanks to the Rev. Thomas Binney, for the prompt and obliging manner in which he complied with the request of the Committee to occupy the Chair, in the lamented absence of the Rev. Dr. Morison, through indisposition; and for the courteous and able manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office through the several Sessions of the Assembly.

Mr. Binney replied, and took an affec tionate farewell.

The Session was closed by singing the Doxology.

THURSDAY EVENING.-The Annual Sermon to the Assembly was preached at Rev. T. Adkins' Chapel, by Rev. James Parsons, of York, from 2 Corinthians, i. 13, 14. The Rev. Charles Fox Vardy, A.M., announced the hymns; the Rev. Thomas James conducted the introductory devotion; and Rev. Thomas Binney, as Chairman of the Assembly, concluded with prayer and benediction.

Thus closed one of the most interesting Autumnal Meetings of the Assembly ever held.

One peculiarity of the present Meeting consisted in the arrangements made for soirées of the Ministers and Delegates. Every afternoon, at the close of dinner, the company adjourned to the School-rooms of Albion Chapel for refreshment, and spent the interval before the evening service in friendly and fraternal recognitions, and in the free and social interchange of sentiment and feeling.

"How good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."