The Principality

THE WIDOW'S CHARGE AT HER DAUGHTER'S BRIDAL. pm-k-L gently, thou, whose hand has won .Theyoungbirdfromhernestaway, "Where careless 'neath a vernal sun She gaily caroll'd day by day; Tte'liaunt'is lone—the heart must grieve, Froin whence her timid wing doth soar; The pensive list at hush of eve, Yet hoar her gushing song no more. i, Daal aently with her,—thou art dear, .Beyond what vestal lips have told; i And, like a lamb from fountains clear, She turns, confiding, to thy fold. fOae round thy sweet, domestic bower, t The wreathes of changeless love shall twine, Watch for thy step at vesper hour, £ .1. And blend her holiest prayer with thine. tteal gently, thou, when far away, i. -'Mid stranger scenes, her foot shall rove, Nor let thy tender cares decay, The soul of woman lives in love: And sliould'st thou, wondering, mark a tear Unconscious from her eyelid break, Be pitiful, and soothe the fear 1 That man's strong heart can ne'1)r partake. A mother yields her gem to thee, On thy true breast to sparkle rare- She placeth'neath thy household tree The idol of her fondest care; And by thy trust to be forgiven, When judgment wakes in terror wild, Bv all thy treasured hopes of heaven, Deal gently with the widow's cMM! 3IG0XJBNEY,

THE PAUPER'S DEATH BED. Tuiai) softly—bow the head— III reverent silence bow— *o passing bell doth toll,— j let an immortal soul Is passing now. Stranger! however great, With lowly reverence bow, There's one in that poor slied- One by that paltry bed- Greater than thou. beneath that beggar's roof, I.o! Death doth keep his state: Eater— no crowds attend- filter—no guards defend This palace gate. Th\it pavement damp and cold No smiling courtiers tread; silent woman stands Lifting with meagre hands A dying head. No mingling voices sound— An infant wail alonc; A sob suppress'd—agen That short deep gasp, and then The parting groan. Oh! change—Oh! wondrous change— Burst are the prison bars- This moment tltere, so low, So agonised, and now Beyond the stars! Oh! chan ge- stupendous change! There lies the soulless clod; The sun eternal breaks- The new Immortal wakes- Wakes with his God. Mus. SOUTHEY.

lUiigmtts Siitfiiignirr. AB -l'ILYSTWITII.-Oll Tuesday week last a public meeting was held at the Tabernacle for the purpose of petitioning Parlia- ment in favour of Cobden's motion for arbitration instead of war-(Iriffith Thomas, Esq., in the chair. Revs. Messrs. Jones, Saunders, and Roberts, addressed the audience. Town Coun- cillor Mr. Joseph Roberts moved, and Councillor Mr. John Matthews seconded the adoption of a petition for the above pur- pose, and that the same be entrusted to Pryse Pryse, Esq., M.P., for presentation, with an earnest request that he would support its prayer. The petition was numerously signed and forwarded by next mail, along with a batch of similar petitions from different places in the county of Cardigan. AMERICAN EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.—This association is at length to be put into active service. The board of councillors have appointed the Rev. John Beach, a Presbyterian minister from Michigan, to be their general agent. His duty is to preach and lecture on Christian union, to explain the objects of the Alliance," to get subscribers to the Christian Union and Religious Memorial, and to collect moneys for the board. What the board are to do with the moneys we are not in- formed. The great defect of the movement seems to be a want of tangible objects, which must result in a lack of known re- sults,-New York Independent. THE" JOHN WILI.IAMs.This missionary ship has arrived at Samoa. We give an extract from a letter received from that vessel:— Leulumoega, Upolu, Samoa. By the place from which I have addressed this, you will per- ceive that I have arrived at home, and, I thank our heavenly Fa- ther, in perfect health and safety, after a passage of thirty-two weeks. The voyage has been longer than we expected, and a very trying one; still there are many reasons of gratitude to Him who has given the winds and the waves charge concerning us. We reached this island (Upolu) on Sunday, the 28th of May, 1848. We were received with every demonstration of friendship and affection. The people are so veryobliging that we shall never be at a loss to obtain anything—they daily bring presents of food, and will cheerfully perform any labour for their missionary. To gain his smile or a word of commendation is their sweetest reward, to cause his frown their greatest dread. Alas! I have come here in most distressing times—when the islands are torn and rended by war, to enter upon a station completely desolated —the people fled, the houses burned, and the trees felled to the ground almost every day we receive a visit from the war-party, to do some fresh act of destruction. When Mr. Williams first visited the Samoa group of islands, the people were engaged in a war similar to the present." HAY, BRECONSHIltE.-Tile Congregationalists in this town had their annual tea meeting for liquidating the debt on their chapel last Good Friday (the 6th inst.), when above three hundred per- sons took tea. The meeting was at first presided over by the Rev. William Hopkins, of Tretwr; but afterwards by the Rev. D. Griffiths, pastor of the church. The assembly was alternately interested by speeches and pieces of sacred music. The speakers were the Rev. D. Howells (C. M.), the Rev. John Davies, of Llan- elly, the Rev. Henry Jones, of Painscastle, and the Revs. Jevans. of Longtown, and Hall (B's.). They spoke chiefly on subjects of practical importance. Mr. H. Jones delivered a good platform speech it was eloquent and impressive. The choir was con ducted by Mr. Parey, of Tewkesbury it consisted of several friends from a distance, beside others in town. Selections from Handel and other authors were sung in solos, duets, trios, and chorusses, with accompaniments in instrumental music. The whole consisted of the following pieces Great is the Lord," Lord remember David," To thee cherubim," Comfort ye my people," Now unto him that is able," Great and marvellous," Awake, put on thy strength, 0 Zion," 0 give thanks," Den- mark, and the National Anthem. The singers performed their several parts with great credit to themselves, and afforded no small satisfactory pleasure to all present the effect was most cheering and animating. Generally the meeting was highly interesting and gratifying. There was much to delight the heart and enliven the spirit, while the intellect was not without its aliment; it was one of rare excellencies. AH C UYSTWITH.—-The Caivinistic Methodists' quarterly asso- ciation was held here on Friday, the 6th inst., commencing the preceding afternoon. The attendance was very large and re- spectable. The out-door services were held in the same place as usual, on the marsh. In justice to our worthy mayor, John Miller, Esq., we should not omit mentioning his kindness for having previously ordered all the rubbish and stones to be cleared away from the spot. The following ministers officiated on the occasion as followsOn Wednesday evening, the 4th inst., at half-past six, in the Tabernacle, the Rev. R. Roberts, Dolanog, introduced and the Revs. E. Lewis, Fishguard, and J. Hughes, Pontrobert, preached. On Thursday, the 5th, at three o'clock, on the marsh, the Rev. R. Phillips, Llandovery, introduced; and the Revs, E. Williams, Peiitreuchaf, Carnar- vonshire, and R. Lumley, Swansea, preached. At half-past six, a total abstinence meeting was held at the Tabernacle cha- pel, when Mr. R. Evans, Llanidloes, introduced and Dr. Ro- berts, of Anglesey, and Messrs. R. Jones, Llanfair, T. Elias, Devynog, and W. Roberts, of Amlwch, delivered highly ef- fective speeches. At the same time, in the Wesleyan chapel (in English), the Rev. J. Bywater, Newtown, introduced and the Revs. W. Howells, Swansea, and E. Davies, Haverford- west, preached. On Friday, at six o'clock in the morning, at the Tabernacle chapel, the Rev. D. Davies, Trevecca, intro- duced and the Revs. II. Jones, Llanerchymedd, and T, Elias, Devynock, preached. At the same time, in the Baptist cha- pel, the Rev. W. Jones, Crickhowell, introduced, and the Revs. J. Walters, Ystradgynlais, and E. Harris, Merthyr, preached. At ten o'clock, on the marsh, the Rev. R. Evans, Llanidloes, introduced and the Revs. R. Jones, Llanfaircaereinion, and W. Roberts, Amlwch, preached. At two o'clock, on the marsh, the Rev. M. Roberts, Bodfaen, Carnarvonshire, introduced and the Revs. M. Howells, Tredegar, and W. Morris, St. David's, preached. At six o'clock, in the Tabernacle, the Rev. J. Hughes, Pontrobert, introduced and the Revs. W. Davies, Rumney, and W. Roberts, Amlwch, preached. ENGLISH BAPTIST CHAPEL, ABHRSYCHAX.—A social tea meeting of the members of the church and congregation was held in the above chapel on Good Friday. The meeting was addressed by the minister, Messrs. Price and Lewis, from Bris- tol College, the deacons, and several of the members. It was unanimously resolved to commence an attempt to reduce the debt still remaining on the chapel. On the following Sabbath evening, Mr. John Price, from Bristol, and Mr. Price, minister of the place, baptised eight persons, two males and six females. LIVERPOOL.—WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.- The annual meeting of this society was held on Fri- day evening, the 30th ult., at Rose-place chapel, in this town. David Lewis, Esq., having been voted into the chair, called upon the Rev. J. Roberts to read the report for the past year, which was a very cheering and satisfactory one throughout. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the following rev. gentlemen :—Henry Rees, William Rees, Joseph Williams, Owen Jones, of Manchester, and John Hughes, of Liverpool. The meeting then separated, and those who were present seemed very much pleased with the excellent report which had been read by Mr. Roberts. We are glad to learn that the society is also, in a pecuniary point of view, in a very prosperous condi- tion the treasurer having a large balance in hand:in favour of the society. TENBY,—WESLEYAN TEA MEETING.—On Monday last the Wesleyans held a tea meeting at the Assembly Rooms1, which was numerously and respectably attended; about 250 persons sat down to tea, after which addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Rossell, J. Martin, Anthony (Independent), and Phil- lips (Baptist). Between the several speeches the children connected with the Sunday school under the superintendence of Mr. Birtrin sang appropriate pieces. At the close of the meet- ing all appeared highly gratified. SAWY HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE.—The friends here being fully convinced of the truthfulness of the old adage, the bet- ter the day the better the deed," were determined to have a good tea meeting on Good Friday. The weather proving fa- vourable they succeeded in gaining their object. A goodly number assembled from Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock, Mil- ford, and the country round about, and regaled themselves with the cup that cheers but not inebriates." Tea being over, the Rev. T. Daviss, the pastor of the place, called upon the following ministers to address the meeting: —The Revs. E. Thomas, Tiers Cross (Independent) J. Harries, Home Mis- sionary E. Edwards, Pembroke; and T. James, St. Ishmsel's (Independent). The speeches were eloquent and impressive. We are happy to find that a sufficient sum was realised to li- quidate the debt remaining on the place since the recent re- pairs,

G'A I, L AN- TRE§cuE.-A most gallant and praiseworthy action was performed last week by the first-lieutenant of the Ganges, eighty-four, at Cork, in saving a seaman of that ship from drowning. Whilst the crew were aloft exercising sails, one of them fell from the foremast futtock-shrouds into the water, Mr. Jones, the first-lieutenant, instantly leapt overboard after him, dived, and caught the struggling man under the water, and rose with him to the surface, when both were rescued from their imminent danger. Both were much exhausted, but have j since recovered. <

IMPRISONMENT OF THE REV. J. SHORE. The deputation appointed by the meeting held last week at Broadmead, Bristol, to wait upon the Rev. J. Shore with an address of condolence, have given the following report of their interview We fulfilled, on Friday last, the mission devolved on us by the great meeting at Broadmead, by visiting Mr. Shore in his prison cell. To the address of condolence with which we were charged, Mr. Shore returned the accompanying reply. Greatly were we struck with the calm and Christian bearing of this victim of episcopal oppression. If we esteemed him before, we now entertain for him sentiments of love and veneration; for we are satisfied that, in his harassing and protracted struggle with the Bishop of Exeter, he has been moved by no mere frivolous or obstinate resistance to ecclesiastical authority, but solely by a conscientious regard to right. His, under another form, is the same battle fought by confessors for Christ in the olden time. Our conviction is, that Mr. Shore's fate, as also the fate of the Clergy Relief Bill, depends very largely on the ener- getic demonstration of public opinion and we therefore trust that in every town throughout the land such demonstration will be made, and made at once. We found in Mr. Shore's prison cell Mr. Alderman Forbes, of Bradford, in Yorkshire, who, with great Chris- tian kindness, had for some days past been ministering to this brother in bonds. Such generous thoughtfulness will not be forgotten when the true Bishop of the Flock shall say, I was in prison and ye visited me.' Mr. Shore's expenses, arising from the episcopal tyranny of which he as the victim, have been, and still are, very large, almost ruinously so. We are sure this need only be known to call forth the responses of a liberal aid. We think that with ease a hundred pounds may be forwarded from Bristol. We shall, either of us, be happy to be the receivers of such contributions. We pledge ourselves that not one farthing shall go to the Bishop's costs—that the whole shall be con- secrated to the Christian service of ministering to the com- fort of our imprisoned brother and his afflicted family. SOLOMON LEONARD. GEORGE HENRY DAVIS. « WILLIAM GREGORY. HENRY ISAAC ROPER. Bristol, 10th April, 1849." My Dear Friends,—I receive with lively satisfaction the address of sympathy and kindness adopted at a public meeting held in Bristol, and now presented to me in a man- ner so gratifying to my feelings. I have before, when attending a public meeting on this subject in your city, had ample proof that the citizens of Bristol are fully alive to the important subject of religious liberty. It would be strange indeed if the inhabitants of your city could forget the principles which animated and the spirit which stirred the mind of their gifted citizen, the late Rev. Robert Hall, whose matchless eloquence so frequently de- lighted and profited crowded audiences, near the very spot, I udderstand, where the address was voted which you have now done me the honour to present. "But I chiefly value this affectionate remembrance of me in my bonds, einanatiiig as it does from so large and influential a meeting, as a practical and decisive evidence that the time is fast approaching when the iniquity of priestcraft shall no longer be legalised in our land. Ifeel ice can have no valid guarantee for either civil or religious liberty, till this truly desirable deliverance shall be effected. We need but one priest, or sacrifice, even The one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." The usurpation of others is patent, from the weapons they use, and the spirit they mani fest; which, carried out to their results, would "involve us again in the cruelties of the darkest ages. I rejoice to find that the citizens of Bristol will yield no allegiance in matters of conscience and religion, but to that Divine Being who knoweth what is" in man, and who alone is infallible. May this spirit and determination rapidly increase throughout the nation, till bigotry and superstition, together with the Eccle- siastical Courts, be entirely unknown, except as beacons to beavoidedbrall future generations. Gentlemen, I desire tG express my g-mteful tlianlcs to you, and, through you, to the friends at Bristol who concur in the address you have so kindly presented to me; and my hearty prayer is, that my countrymen generally, and especially my opponents, may experience that 'liberty wherewith Christ makes his people free,' and then will they perceive that, in matters of religion, they need not —indeed, cannot, without guilt-use the sword of Cresar, but only the 'Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' "JAMES SHORE. "The Gaol, St. Thomas, Exeter, April 6th, 1849."

(From the Western Times.) The Right Honourable Earl Fortescue, Lord High Stew- ard of the Queen's Household and Lord Lieutenant of Devon, has contributed the sum of X20 towards the fund for the relief of Mr. Shore, which the noble earl transmitted in the following letter:— Clovelly Court, April 2, 1849. Sir,—Understanding that some of the friends of religious li- berty, who, at the late meetings at Exeter and in London, ex- pressed their sympathy for your sufferings, have followed up that expression with some contributions for your relief, I beg to add the inclosed for the same object. In doing so, however, I wish not to be misunderstood. As the legality of the proceedings against you has been affirmed by every court, civil as well as eccle- siastical, to which they havebeen referred, I cannot impugn, though I may regret, the conduct of those by whom such proceedings were instituted, but have a right to denounce the inconsistency and injustice of that state of the law under which, as we have so frequently seen of late, clergymen seceding from the Church of England are allowed to undertake the ministry of the Church of Rome; whilst those who, like yourself, desire to devote their ser- vices to a Dissenting congregation, subject themselves thereby to prosecutions and costs. I hope that the just and tolerant spirit of our Legislature will soon remove this blot from our statute book, and that all seceders will be protected alike in following the dictates of their conscience, and in doing what they consider their duty to God. J have the honour to be, sir, "Your obedient servant, "Rev. J. Shore. "FORTESCUE."

STANKIELDSALL MURDERS.—NORWICH, MONDAY AFTElt- NOON.—A change seems to have taken place in the prisoner Rush, which, though inconsiderable, holds out a promise that ere long that obstinacy in which he has so long indulged may give way to impressions mare suitable to the awful position in which he stands. For some days past his great object seems to have been to per- suade those by whom he is more immediately surrounded of his innocence of the atrocious charge of which he has been convicted, but on no occasion has he reverted to that ridiculous invention which he was weak enough to imagine the judge and jury would entertain, that Dick and Joe" were the guilty parties. During the whole of yesterday,-and also during part of to-day, he has been more reserved, and has asked several questions, of a different character from those he has been in the habit of putting. ^Hitherto his queries have been irreverent and absutd, but now he has adopted a more serious tone. Rush attended Divine service yesterday morning in the Castle chapel. During the delivery of the sermon, which was preached by the Rev. Mr. Brown, he ap- peared to be in a deeply meditative mood his eyes were fixed upon the ground. Once or twice he raised them towards the preacher, but they dropped almost immediately into their original position. The proprietors of the Norfolk News, a paper of large circulation, have made, or are about to make, a direct proposal to the murderer Rush to settle a large amount of money upon his family if he will write fur publication (in a volume) a sketch of his past career, and will append to it a confession of the Stan- field-hall murders. Sad accounts are received with regard to Mrs. Jermy. She appears to make no advance towards improve- ment, Emily Sandford remains at Wymoudham Bridewell, under the care of Mrs. Bryant, who has shown -her unexampled kindness. Application has been made by the magistrates to Sir George Grey, to appoint the execution for Monday instead of Sa- turday, on account o the injury business will sustain if allowed to take place on market-day. No answer has yet been received. EXTENSIVE ROBBERY. — On Friday the residence of Mahom- med Bey, attached to the Turkish Embassy, 9, Agar-street, was plundered of a tin cash-box containing 170 sovereigns and 300 five-franc pieces.

POOR AND EDUCATION LAWS—" D. G." AND E. W." TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRINCIPALITY. SIR,—Had it not been that I had a great respect for 3Jr. D. G., I certainly should have felt disposed to characterise his laa-t reply by the strongest terms of reprehension. I shall conteiit myself, however, with calmly reviewing his expressed sen- timents. His dictatorial tone ill becomes one who professes to investi- gate truth and nothing else." His first paragraph is the dogmatic declaration of a judge, rather than the language of an investigator. His second paragraph proves him to be too much out 'of humour and too impatient for the task he has undertaken. Mr. D. G. says-" I venture to assert that there are not a dozen lines in the whole piece that have any bearing at all on the point."—What a "venture would it have been very difficult for him to prove his assertion? What! "not a dozen lines?" How is it that one single paragraph having" a direct bearing," as he admits, on the question" at issue, con- tains nineteen lines Five other paragraphs are devoted to the discussion of the main point, and the rest to prove the fact of the Rev. Henry Griffith's disagreement with the views of Mr. D. G. Is my friend conversant with the laws of reasoning ? Mr. D. G. is not; why then hide such deficiencies with airs of authority ? Does he recollect that he demanded me to show my consistency in holding office under the poor-law, with my views of Government interference as a principle and though I told my friend, that my conduct had no bearing on the point in question, he threatened not to proceed any further on the subject until I had given my opinion" respecting the consis- tency of my" example." What bearing had my "opinion" about my own conduct upon the theoretical question of Govern- ment grants ? Again, Mr. D. G. says—"There are two or three expressions I wish to notice, as they have a direct bearing on the question. The first is, we agree that both are wrong in principle.' This expression includes a concession of what I have been anxious to obtain from the commencement." You might suppose by this that he has obtained what he had not before. But what is the fact? In his letter to the PRINCIPALITY, for January 12, he takes this very conclusion for granted, as an undisputed, point; for he says to me, you seem to imagine that it is not our duty to feel for and assist those that are destitute of worldly comforts." Was my position as a guardian a proof of this Of course such a representation of my views was altogether his own; but if he had no foundation for making the above re- mark, though it be a caricature of my views, what can he say in defence of making it at all ? Of this concession he says- Here is the chief argument of Mr. W. given up." Does my friend clearly perceive what an argument is? How does he confound it with the "principle" which embodies what he calls a concession ? What is given up" by me? The difference between the poor and education laws as a matter of "principle"? Certainly not for a good reason, that I never advocated their difference in principle, neither was their difference my chief argument," for I objected to a reference to the poor-law so far as I was concerned in the debate. The whole responsibility of bringing it in at all rests with Mr. D .G. himself. My chief argument was against his inconsistent condemnation of the principle of State education, whilst he would procure aid from Government for the education of the poor. He says that what he calls my chief argument is the great inconsistency he was charged with being guilty of." Does my friend study his- grammatical antecedents? What relationship does mv chief argument" bear to his great inconsistency"? Does my con- cession," as he calls it, convert his palpable inconsistency into harmonious sentiment ? I said that both Poor and Education Laws are wrong in prin- ciple. Can any one with a grain of discrimination see that such an opinion harmonises with the following declarations of Mr. D. G. I am far from being a State educationist,"—"I consi- der we are justified in procuring aid from the Government for the education of the poor"? Why was my friend silent on these sentences in his last ? What made him attach the charge of inconsistency" to another sentence? Has he given full play to his honesty by such a stratagem ? Is he then ashamed of his antagonistic offspring? Why not frankly avow their ob- noxiousness ? Mr. D. G. states that I "avail" myself of the Poor-law, though I regard it wrong in principle," and consi- ders the analogy between his case and mine to be thus "finally settled, needing no further discussion." And yet further eu in his letter he imagines" that I attempt" to explain how the analogy is not settled. He barely acknowledges the differ- ence I pointed out between the effort to render a bad law 11 inopei-ative," and the procuring" its operation for any pro- Dnsfr) advantage. IT p rvnljr tnar J. pomiea out mis difference My proofs from the canon laws and church-rates he lost sight of in the mists of his imagination, for he has not combatted the force of these proofs. What a pity that his ima- gination, and not his understanding, was engaged when my argument was before his mind! Or did my friend's under- standing act the coward in this instance, taking discretion as the better part of valour" ? He admits that there would be no "necessity" for Govern. ment aid if all would join in doing all they could. But ne- cessity" is not the question in dispute. The point in debate is whether it is RIGHT to procure" aid from the State for the, education of the poor under any circumstances. According to Mr. D. G.'s definition, the question would be the "necessity" of injustice He says, "Whether we accept Government aid or not for education we shall have to pay just the same amount for that purpose in the shape of taxes." Indeed will the education vote of supply in the liouse of Commons be the same amount" then every year ? Was the E150,000 of the last year the same as the £ 100,0Q0 of the year before ? Would the aid of Government in the erection of Dis- senting day schools, and paying schoolmasters, stipendiaiy moni- tors, pupil teachers, &c., make no increase in the educational grant ? What miraculous virtues, to be sure, belong to the act of receiving Government money by Dissenters! Surely the Government barrel of meal shall not waste nor the cruse of oil fail" if the Dissenting Elijah shall have a share Nay. but Dissenters can prevent others having the money. Indeed how does even then Lord Ashley ignore the existence of Dissenting chapels when describing the condition of cities in order to make out a case to erect more churches ? To have a share from choice in the taxes for what is wrong in principle" is to partake with the robber in the dishonest fruit of plunder, and to incur the guilt of an accomplice. My friend Mr. D. G. says now, that he will t' prolong the dis- cussion no further, because I have deviated from the investiga- tion of truth, and nothing else." Then, I ask, why in ths name of consistency did he write his last at all ? Why did he follow me in my deviations "? What fatality draws him into inconsistencies ? One might have expected by the commence- ment of my friend's last letter that he was not going to cut it so short. He led me to think that he was so much gratified by what he called my "concession," that with renewed spirit he would go on. If I have deviated from the "investigation of the truth," let it be proved. Although I can assure my friend that I am as little inclined as himself to prolong a discussion in which the laws of argument are so wilfully transgressed—I say wilfully, because I cannot think for one moment that mv friend at Trelewid is ignorant of them. In perfect good feeling towards my worthy neighbour, Mr. D. G., I am, Mr. Editor, yours, &c„ St. David's. EBENR. WILLIAMS. [This discussion must now close,—ED. P.]

THE BAPTIST COLLEGE, PONTYPOOL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRINCIPALITY. SIR,—Will you have the kindness to afford me a small space in your paper for a few remarks on a subject which has long occupied my mind, and which I now venture to submit to the kind consideration of those ministers, more especially, who have been educated in the above excellent institution. They are aware that it is, and I believe it long has been the custom of the ministers educated at the Bristol, Stepney, and Bradford Colleges, to breakfast or dine together in London during the time of the April or May meetings; the question has occurred to me why not have something of the same kind in Wales. It is true we have not in the Principality any such annual gatherings of ministers as the London meetings, but we are not without our annual gatherings, and on some occasions a goodly number of ministerial brethren are present at such times it has therefore struck me that if our Welsh ministers would imitate the example of their English brethren in spend- ing an hour together at some of our annual association meet- ings, it would do much towards promoting a deeper interest in our Dissenting Colleges. As the meeting of the Monmouth- shire Assoeiationwilibe held this yearat Frosnant, Pontypool, there will be a favourable opportunity, presented to us for f, ty, making the first experiment. In. my opinion it would be a commencement in the right place just in the neighbourhood of an institution which has sent forth many able and faithful ministers. It would be beginning at, Jerusalem. There is no doubt that there will be many present at that timo who have received their education either at Abergavenny or Pontyppol, 9 1 and I feel persuaded that a friendly conference would lead tw some very beneficial results. It would bring together some ai our honoured and venerable ministers, and tllg.-ae only just entered on the pastoral woik; those who remember J >