APPEAL TO THE CHRISTIAN PUBLIC ON BEHALF OF A NEW CHAPEL AT GREENWICH: TO BE CALLED BUNYAN CHAPEL. THE population of the contiguous parishes of Greenwich, Deptford, and Lewisham is not less than 60,000, and it is still rapidly increasing, while there is not accommodation in the places of religious worship, embracing all denominations, for more than one fourth of that number. While it is a subject for devout gratitude that Christian churches, of different communions, are making successful efforts for the advancement of religion in the district, it must be seen, that, in so vast a field, still more extensive labours for the Redeemer's glory, and the welfare of immortal souls, are demanded. Impressed with this conviction, a few friends have, during the past twelve months, been engaged in the instruction of about 150 children of the poor, of both sexes, on the Sabbath, and 60 girls in a school of industry during the week, in a small and very inconvenient room on Blackheath Hill; where, also, and in the open air, the Rev. Joseph Belcher, late of Chelsea, has, from June last, been engaged in preaching the gospel. This room has already been disposed of, to be converted by other parties into an infant school, as soon as a larger place can be obtained. So large a sphere of labour, and the pleasing prospect of success, have shown the importance of erecting a plain, but commodious chapel; for which a piece of freehold land has been pur chased in the Lewisham Road, a large and increasing neighbourhood, a considerable distance from any place of worship, and not exceeding three minutes' walk from the foot of Blackheath Hill. It is intended to invest the property in the hands of twelve trustees, for the use of an evangelical church, having a Baptist pastor, but admitting Christians to the full enjoyment of its privileges, whatever may be their views of baptism. This chapel is intended to present the elevation shown in the above engraving, and to measure 60 feet by 40. It is designed immediately to erect A vestry and school-room, measuring 40 feet by 15. It is confidently hoped that this appeal to the disciples of the Lord Jesus will be affectionately and promptly responded to; and as the labours of Mr. Belcher are entirely gratuitous, and his literary engagements will not allow of his making personal application, it is very respectfully entreated, that whatever sums the friends of Christ devote to this important object, may be kindly forwarded to the Rev. J. Belcher, 6, Union Place, Blackheath Road, or 27, Paternoster Row; Mr. S. J. Hadlow, Gloucester House, South Street, Greenwich; or the Rev. J. Dyer, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street. "There is a dense and increasing population, located on and about the foot of Blackheath Hill, which, on account of distance from any place of Tabernacle, G. Collison, T. Lewis, On the motion of the Rev. S. Green, seconded by the Rev. J. Burns, it was resolved unanimously-banded "That the Editors of the Evangelical, Baptist, and Congregational Magazines, and of the General Baptist Repository, be respectfully requested to insert these resolutions in their respective works for June; and that they be advertised in the Patriot and Record newspapers." (Signed) { F. A. Cox, Chairman, JOSEPH BELCHER, Secretary. The Rev. C. F. Frey acknowledges the receipt of the following donations, in aid of the objects of his agency::1 Sir Thomas Baring, President of Rev. S. T. Sturtevant, Hackney. Rev. J. Pye Smith, Homerton.. Rev. W. H. Murch, Stepney THE ENGLISH BAPTIST INTEREST, BRECON, SOUTH WALES. An awakening took place, and several members were added. In the following June, a day was devoted to special prayer for an enlarged revival. On that occasion several neighbouring ministers, and a large concourse of people, united in the services, a series of which was held from an early hour in the morning until night, each one increasing in interest, and affording more palpable proofs of the Divine presence. Seldom has it fallen to the lot of a Christian to realize a deeper and holier sense of heavenly principles. Unhappily such seasons are not familiar; there was therefore deep astonishment at the overwhelming presence of God. It was truly "wonder, love, and joy." From that time things presented a new aspect. Each returning month new candidates appeared, some of whom were wholly unexpected. It may be necessary to state here, that the Baptist churches in Wales are accustomed to hold what are called "society meetings" after public services. The announcement is made from the pulpit when such a meeting is to take place, which is generally on 2 Sabbath evenings, and persons under religious impressions are invited to remain. This is open to any stranger who may take a seat amongst the members. When any who are not members are observed to be present, they are addressed by the minister with suitable inquiries: thus the convictions or desires of the party become known. They are thenceforward said to be "in society," attend all subsequent society meetings, receiving suitable counsels, and are in the position of candidates for membership, to which they are introduced at the discretion of the church. It not unfrequently happens that surprise and joy are awakened by the appearance, at one of those meetings, of an individual who was not known to be under serious impressions, or who, from previous alienation, was not expected to take so decided a step. Such scenes were frequently witnessed by us. In the revival with which we were favoured young Lor of DURING a course of years, a number of persons now connected with the above place worshipped with the Welsh Baptist friends, being occasionally favoured with an English service. This state of things, however, was found to be seriously inconvenient to those who did not understand the Welsh language; hence, after prayerful deliberation, it was determined to form an English Baptist interest. A goodly number favoured the design, and in 1823-4 a church was formed, and a commodious chapel, with burying-ground attached, was built. The Rev. B. Price, now of Newtown, was the first minister. In the close of 1834, the Rev. C. Thompson, the present pastor, accepted the charge. For several years prior to 1836, this interest was by no means prosperous; it might rather be said to exhibit symptoms of decay. The events connected with its revival are too interesting to be passed over in silence. On the first te Sabbath of that year a sermon was preached from the words, "This year thou shalt die." This discourse, in connexion with the death of a valued deacon of the church, which shortly afterwards occurred, produced a ver deep impression, and led to most in portant results. APPEAL TO THE CHRISTIAN PUBLIC ON BEHALF OF A NEW CHAPEL AT GREENWICH: TO BE CALLED BUNYAN CHAPEL. THE population of the contiguous parishes of Greenwich, Deptford, and Lewisham is not less than 60,000, and it is still rapidly increasing, while there is not accommodation in the places of religious worship, embracing all denominations, for more than one fourth of that number. While it is a subject for devout gratitude that Christian churches, of different communions, are making successful efforts for the advancement of religion in the district, it must be seen, that, in so vast a field, still more extensive labours for the Redeemer's glory, and the welfare of immortal souls, are demanded. chased in the Lewisham Road, a large and increasing neighbourhood, a considerable distance from any place of worship, and not exceeding three minutes' walk from the foot of Blackheath Hill. It is intended to invest the property in the hands of twelve trus tees, for the use of an evangelical church, having a Baptist pastor, but admitting Christians to the full enjoy ment of its privileges, whatever may be their views of baptism. This chapel is intended to present the elevation shown in the above engraving, and to measure 60 feet by 40. It is designed immediately to erect 8 vestry and school-room, measuring 40 feet by 15. It is confidently hoped that this appeal to the disciples of the Lord Jesus will be affectionately and promptly responded to; and as the labours of Mr. Belcher are entirely gratuitous, and his literary engagements will not allow ient room of his making personal application, it is , and in very respectfully entreated, that whatlche worship, may be considered to be as destitute as many parts of the great metropolis. And I believe that not only does the church offer no accommodation for public worship in that district, but that the dissenters have hardly penetrated there."-Rev. W. A. Soames, M.A., Vicar of Greenwich, in printed Sermon, preached December 11, 1836. "In the neighbourhood of Blackheath Hill, and again, along the Woolwich Road, there are large and thickly-peopled and increasing districts, where the inhabitants have no facilities for attending the worship of Almighty God."Rev. T. Ainger, M.A., in Sermon at St. Mary's, Greenwich, on the same day. The following friends have already kindly subscribed to this object : A. B., Blackheath Road.. Aveling, Mr., Highbury College, Barnard, E. G., Esq., M. P.. Belcher, James, Blackheath Road, Book No. 2..... Bignold, T. Esq., Norwich.. Brawn, Rev. S., Loughton..... Campbell, Rev. J., Tabernacle. Cobbin, Rev, I., A.M., Camberwell. Cox, Rev. F. A., D.D., LL.D., Hack - £ s. d. 1 0 0 0 14 6 5 0 0 3 13 2 1 0 0 0 10 0 and a Bible for Pulpit 1 0 0 1 1 0 Wood, Mr. A., Brentford.... 1 0 0 X. Y 110 1 1 0 0 10 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 BAPTIST CHAPEL, HASTINGS. 000 2 20 THE population of this salubrious and much-frequented sea-port has been estimated at 10,000; the adjoining town of St. Leonard's is rapidly enlarging; and both towns contain, upon an average, about 2,000 visitors. In the month of May, last year, it was suggested that an endeavour should be made to commence a Baptist interest at Hastings; and a Committee having been formed, the Assembly-room of the Swan Hotel was opened as a place of worship. The Rev. P. J. Saffery, late of Salisbury, engaged to supply it. A divine blessing has followed his labours; the attendance has gradually increased. A Sunday. school has been established, and the various Sabbath and weekly services are 3 3 0 numerously attended. These encouragements induced the resolution to build a chapel, and accordingly ground, well adapted for the purpose, was purchased in Wellington-square, where a chapel, with Sunday-school rooms, is about to be erected; a subscription has been commenced, and the Committee have resolved that an appeal shall be made to those who desire to promote the cause of Christ, for their prompt and liberal assistance. The Committee desire to avoid the painful consequences of commencing a religious interest by contract ing a debt: they feel, and they confidently trust their feelings will be reciprocated, that there is much that ought to be done here; and they rely upon Him who overruleth all things to enable them to do it. The fishermen at Hastings are very numerous, and their families are large. They have gladly received the word; many of them are constant attendants at the prayer-meetings; and at the Sabbath afternoon service upon the beach, the minister is heard with solemn attention. A number of persons are ready to unite in Christian fellowship, so soon as the erection of a place for the worship of God shall enable them to form a church for the observance of the ordinances, where all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ may be admitted to their union. The Committee cannot undertake to solicit personally; they state the case plainly, and they earnestly pray that the statement may be effectual. Those persons who know the low state of religion in this part of the coast of Kent and Sussex, will gladly avail themselves of an opening in Providence to remedy the evil, and will liberally assist an effort which is made with an humble and firm reliance on the great Head of the church, whose blessing maketh rich, and who alone can excite real benevolence from right motives. An account is opened with the Bank in Hastings, where subscriptions will be thankfully received; also, by Mr. William Phillips, the Secretary to the Committee; by the Rev. P. J. Saffery, at Hastings; and by the Treasurer. JOSEPH FLETcher. The Anniversary of the Oxfordshire Association was held at Woodstock, on the 16th and 17th of May. The letters from the churches were (with some few exceptions) of an encouraging character, Rev. D. White, of Cirencester, preached the Association Sermon from Psalm li. 10, last clause. Rev. J. Kershaw, of Abingdon, delivered the Annual Sermon to Youth from Psalm cx. 3, last clause ; and Rev. D. Aston, (Indep.) of Buckingham, preached from Colos. i. 21, 22. All the services were numerously attended, and a deeper interest was excited from the pleasing contrast formed between the peaceful meetings now enjoyed and the furious opposition en countered at the first introduction of the gospel into Woodstock, by the late Rev. J. Hinton, of Oxford, and his friends, upwards of forty years ago. Fervent and united prayer was offered that the divine blessing might abundantly rest on the church, and on the labours of its present respected pastor. Thos. Coles, Secretary to the Association. TO THE SECRETARIES OF COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS. SIR, Will you permit me, through the medium of your pages, to request that those associations, which, in their annual meetings at this season of the year, |