congregation. After this statement brother Meeres joined brother Evans' hand with the deacons, on behalf of the church, and after giving suitable advice, and his good wishes, pronounced William Henry Evans the pastor of Zoar Baptist Church. Brother Anderson spoke first in the evening to the church and congregation, having to leave early, through the trains, and grounded his remarks upon the first of Deut. and 38th verse, "Encourage him," which were most suitable, and in accordance with the text. Brother Flack then addressed the pastor from these words, "I magnify mine office," Rom. xi. 13; and his remarks were such that, if followed, will prove brother Evans to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. The other brethren that took part in the service were-Mr. Rush, of Datchet; Mr. Curtis, of Hayes; and Mr. Griffin, of Richmond. Each, with united breath, implored the Divine blessing in sincerity and in truth, and may God hear them, by crowning the day with his spiritual blessings, as he did his providential; and we shall have a good and useful pastor, and he will have a happy and prosperous people, to perpetuate Jehovah's name onward and yet onward, until the last stone shall be placed on mercy's building with shoutings of Grace-grace unto it; and in conclusion say, "Send gospel blessings freely down, thou triune God of heaven, till flock and pastor cry for room, which give, and yet be giving;" and may the dear Lord bless your labours abundantly, is the desire of yours, in Christian love, ALFRED JEFFS."

Hounslow, April 18th, 1866.

CROYDON:

BAPTIST CHAPEL, PUMP-PAIL. Two sermons were preached in the above place of worship on April 3rd; in the afternoon by Mr. Atkinson, of Brighton; and in the evening, by Mr. Bloomfield, of London, when collections were made in aid of the building fund.

The present chapel, built a century ago, having been enlarged as much as possible, is still inadequate to meet the requirements of an increasing congregation, under the ministry of our esteemed pastor, Mr. John Thurston, the church have therefore, after prayerful consideration, taken steps in order to raise funds for building a much larger place of worship. The congregation and friends have very cheerfully responded to an appeal made to them, so that, at the first meeting in December last, donations were promised to the amount of £341.

Collecting cards were taken by many wellwishers, and returned on this occasion with various sums, amounting altogether to £115; thus, with the collections and other donations received, we have at our disposal about £500. We look upon this as significant of the Lord's approval, who has bid us "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," with the promise that all these things shall be added unto us.

Gratitude to the Giver of all good has induced us to make this statement, both for the encouragement of those who are engaged in a similar work, and with the hope that some who feel an interest in the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom (having it in their power) will help us in the efforts we are making.

We have secured a plot of freehold ground in a very eligible situation, and propose building a house for God that will seat from 400 to 500 persons, with vestries, and accommodation for the Sunday-school, and are anxious to commence building as soon as possible. The editor of the Voice of Truth will kindly receive any donations; or post-office orders made payable to Mr. Wm. Kennard, North End, Croydon, will be very gratefully acknowledged.

WOOLWICH: CARMEL CHAPEL.

J. W.

MR. W. LEACH having accepted an invitation to continue his ministerial labours in the above place, he and his friends have united with the church.

On Lord's-day evening, March 25th, after a discourse from Rom. vi. 4, six persons were baptized in the name of the Triune Jehovah, and these, with the above, being thirty-seven persons, were publicly received into fellowship with the church on the following Lord's-day evening.

The anniversary services were held on Good Friday. Mr. Hazleton preached in the afternoon, upon the providence of God, from Matt. x. 29—31, after which a goodly number sat down to an excellent tea.

At the evening service, Mr. Leach occu pied the chair, and in the course of his remarks, said he thought we should go for ward thankfully, for what God had already done; hopefully, that still greater things would be accomplished; and prayerfully, for a more abundant communication of the Spirit and grace of our Lord. He also expressed his desire for energetic action that good might be done in the neighbourhood, and God glorified thereby.

Mr. Frith spoke of the necessity of the Lord's presence. Br. Griffith took for the

DACRE PARK CHAPEL, LEE.

THE first anniversary of Mr. Wale's pastorate over the Baptist Church meeting at the above place, was celebrated Feb. 7. About 300 friends took tea in the afternoon, after which a Public Meeting was held, and well attended, the place being filled. The pastor presided. He said he had looked forward to this meeting as a kind of test, whereby he might ascertain the acceptance of his ministry among them. A year had passed away since he became their pastor, and to him it had been a year full of mercy and goodness. The church had been increased by fifteen and peace and unity, abode in their midst.

About 500 sat down to tea, and all appeared truly gratified with the abundance set before them by the kind arrangement of friends who gave their willing attendance throughout the whole of that happy day.

After tea, the chair was taken by Mr. Poock; the 117th Psalm was sung; and prayer was offered by one of the deacons. Mr. Poock addressed the assembly; and stated his great obligations to his good Master in continuing him in his honourable service, and deigning to use so dull an instrument for his praise, in calling poor sinners, and comforting saints. He expressed his love and thanks to his friends for their renewed kindness, in presenting him with a handsome couch to rest upon after pulpit labours, as fatigue did certainly increase with growing years.

The treasurer stated the financial affairs, and affectionately addressed his pastor. The sub-treasurer also gave his account of the outlay for coals to the poor, and visits to the sick, with a warm congratulation to the minister and friends, thanking God for the position we were in, and the peace and prosperity imparted, and prayed for its continuance. Addresses were then given in a loving, interesting gospel spirit, by brethren Brown, of Friston, Whorlow of Sudbury, Dearing of Crowfield, Collins of Grundisburg, Člarke of Somersham, and Poock, Jun. of London. The divine presence was never more felt on any such occasion, since we have been united: to Him be all the glory.

Our singers-anxious to assist-performed to their credit several pieces, both appropiate and good.

their success, their preservation in the path of righteousness, and the ground of their hope, rested in the truth that "the Lord of hosts is with us." As the dew descends from heaven silently and in the night, refreshing, sustaining, and strengthening the tender plant after the parching heat of the summer's sun, so in like manner is the Lord as the dew unto his spiritual Israel. Then in the growth of the lily, we see a striking picture of the growing in grace of the children of God. In conclusion, he hnmbly hoped that he might be a partaker of the promise to them that turn many to righteousness, who shall shine as stars for ever and ever.

Pastor Frith, of Bexley Heath, Mr. Buckingham, one of the deacons, and Pastor Webb of Little Wild-street, severally addressed the meeting in good, heart-stirring, and soul-encouraging speeches. Pastor Webb, in conclusion, delivered the following impromptu :

"May God and our Father continue to bless,
And help in the hour of need and distress;
Bless pastor and deacons; the church also bless,
And give them a lasting, eternal success.
Lord, add to their number one after another,
As a proof thou art blessing the work of our brother;
And while he is telling the gospel's glad tale,
O God, by thy Spirit, bless Burlington Wale."

The sum of twenty-six pounds, being the proceeds of the tea (which was given by the ladies of the congregation), and a collection made during the meeting, was handed over to the pastor, who heartily thanked the people for such an expression of their liberality. The meeting concluded with singing "There is sweet rest in heaven."

T. G. C. A.

OF THE FREE WALDENSIAN CHURCH OF ST. JOHN PELLICE, PIEDMONT, ITALY, TO THE CHRISTIAN PUBLIC OF GREAT BRITAIN.

DEAR BRETHREN,-The Waldensians, as most of you are doubtless aware, are a community of Christians residing in the valleys of Piedmont, who from the times of the apostles have professed the Christian faith in its purity and simplicity, although surrounded by Popery on all sides; and, until a very recent period, were so bitterly persecuted by the papists in their efforts to extirpate them, that their valleys have at different times been deluged with the blood of their forefathers as their history has too faithfully told the Christian world.

The present Waldensian Church, since the sixteenth century, has followed the example of most of the reformed churches in its ecclesiastical polity and government.

1st. It is a national church. In this sense, it is joined with the population of the valleys, and makes no distinction between the Protestant citizens and the members of the church, but accepts without sufficient examination all those who present themselves for membership.

2nd. It is allied to the State, which pays half the salaries of its pastors.

3rd. It is an absolute church, composed of a synod or presbytery called The Table," which has the power to appoint pastors independent of the different parishes or communities, thus destroying the liberty

of each individual church to elect its own pastor, and causing a centralization of power in the hands of the clergy which is destructive alike of the liberty of action of the different churches, and of each individual member thereof; in short, the system and spirit which reigns in the national Waldensian church is nearly the same (excepting the difference of local organization) as that in the national reformed churches of the continent, and particularly in the Episcopal Anglican Church.

The recent dawn of civil and religious liberty in Italy has, under God's blessing, been also the means of awakening an earnest desire in the minds of many of our countrymen to see a restoration of Christianity amongst us in all its primitive beauty and simplicity; and the minds of many have become much dissatisfied with the departure from "the faith once delivered to the saints," which has for the last two or three centuries been growing up amongst us. This being so, about 350 of us, who formerly were members of the Waldensian Church, have felt it incumbent upon us to leave it, and form ourselves into a distinct and free church, based on the voluntary principle, and are endeavouring to raise churches for the worship of God in our valleys in accordance with the New Testament principles which we profess.

Under these circumstances, and as the population of our valleys are poor (being dependent almost entirely upon agricultural and pastoral pursuits), we have been emboldened to apply to our brethren in England (of whose generosity we have heard so much) to assist us in this our struggle.

In order to enlighten our fellow-brethren more fully, we think it necessary to state here the principal motives which have caused our separation from the Established Waldensian Church, and prompted us in

the formation of our own.

These motives are at the same time, for us, fundamental principles, which we wish to defend as much as it is in our power, and to extend throughout our native land.

We have proclaimed, and we do proclaim :

1st. The independence of the church in opposition to the nation or to the mass of the population;-the separation of the church from the world, and the individual introduction of new members who can give a valid or scriptural reason for "the hope that is in them," in opposition to the system of the national churches, and particularly to the abuse of the indiscriminate reception of members which prevails in our country, and conduces to nothing but spiritual death.

2nd. We maintain the independence of the church in opposition to the political and civil authority, the separation of the church from state and commune, and the duty of the church to refuse all govern

ment assistance whatever, but to support itself by voluntary contributions in contradistinction to the guilty alliances and confusion which reign in the established churches, and especially in the National

Waldensian church to the great injury of the evangelical cause in our country.

3rd. The independence of the church with respect to other churches and to all ecclesiastical authority, the sovereignty of every church in the affairs of its government, the right of regulating itself by the word of God, either for doctrine or discipline, and especially the right of the church for the free election of its ministers in opposition to the system of the absolute unity of the established churches, of the combination of the parishes in one body, and of the forced duties of ministers,-a system from which our country has greatly suffered, and of which we have had great cause to complain.

Such are the principal points upon which

our constitution is founded as a church.

It can be seen from this that, though we have separated ourselves from the National Waldensian Church, we have had sufficiently serious reasons for doing so, and we are able to say that our aim in working separately is to bring back the churches of our country to the apostolic type, the simplicity and purity of primitive times; in a word, to the church of the New Testament, whose doctrines we fully confess, in accordance with all the Evangelical churches. We confidently invite and beg our fellowbrethren of the churches of Great Britain to answer to our call according to their means, believing that they will thereby contribute to the triumph of the truth, not only in the Waldesian Valleys, but in other parts of Italy, towards which we turn our attention, and to the evangelization of which we wish to consecrate ourselves as soon as our means will allow us.

We are

happy that this circumstance should present us with an opportunity of coming into contact with the churches of England, and we hope that our acquaintance with them will become more and more intimate in the future, for our common advancement, the triumph of the principles which are dear to us, and to the glory of Jesus Christ, the only Saviour and Head of the church. Saint Jean Pellice, Feb., 1866.

In the name of the Free Church.
The members of the office are,

AUGUSTE ВME. MALAN, President.
OSCAR COCORDA, Pastor.
MATTHEW MALAN, Secretary.

N. B.-Information can be obtained of Mr. JAMES MOTE, Solicitor, 33, Bucklersbury, London, E. C., to whom be pleased to forward subscriptions.

P. S.-Since writing the above, the following massacre of Protestants has taken place in Italy, by the Papists, showing the necessity of something being done in the way of enlightening the poor Italians; and who can preach the gospel to them more effectually than their own fellow-countrymen?

Extract from the Morning Advertiser, March 28th, 1866 :—

"One of Reuter's telegrams, dated Florence, March 24th, gives the following, —

"On the 19th inst., the town of Barletta was the scene of horrible outrages, arising from a savage reaction promoted by the clerical party, with the object of destroying some inoffensive Protestants. Three of these unfortunate persons were burned alive, together with their own household goods, others were thrown out of the windows, and others butchered in cold blood. The offices of the sub-prefecture were also attacked by the mob, and all letters and furniture they contained destroyed. The sub-prefect was maltreated, and only saved his life by escaping to a place of conceal

ment.

One of the guards of public security was killed, and the delegate wounded. Two houses were also burned, and many others sacked. The number of persons murdered by the rioters amounts to thirteen.

A detachment of soldiers was ordered with all haste from Trani, and by their assistance order was restored. Many arrests have been made, including several priests and monks. M. Meyer, the Evangelical pastor of Barletta, has addressed the following letter to the Corriere delle Marche of Ancona:

'Barletta, March 20th.

'Yesterday our ordinary Hall of Conference was assailed by a swarm of modern pharisees, led by a priest named Ruggiero Tostiglione, who for several days past had been exciting the populace to against the Protestants.

excesses

The whole building was set on fire. Four of our brethren were killed, or I should rather say two of our brethren, and two persons who came to their assistance. One of our ministers saved himself by a miracle; I myself escaped over the roofs of the houses. The house of D. C.-, the wine merchant, was completely burned down. He himself escaped. I write to you still concealed in a cellar of my house."