The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-07-03 00:00:00

Tiihl S'IO.OItBia,IDGE 011SEBATE,fri,.,

ORDINATION SERVICES AT THE
I,NDEPENDENT CHAPEL.

The Ordination Services of Mr. W. Manning to
the work of the Christian Ministry were held
at the above chapel on Monday. The chapel had
recently undergone extensive cleaning and repairs
under ;the superintendence of Mr. James Al'sop,
jun., architect and decorator, of this teen, aed
Thether
Re -eovp.enpiluogf
essesro.vriccehs
awrietorenh,
Aon
(Sptl
itiitte i)-allzeoe.
f
the Western College, Pleruos.l!), eeeacheCi at hete
services, who t001:t,.-.•hi tent in t he ,norniees the
19th chapter of the Acts, 2nd verse, " tie said onto
thew, ilave ye received the Holy Oh. since ye
belie v cd? And. they said unto him, we have not so
mui as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."
In the evening his text was, 13th Acts, 7th verse,
"Which was with the deplete' of the country, Ser-
gins Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Bar-
na.bas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of
God." There were excellent congregations at
both services, and the offertories realised £l7 17s.
The repairs and decorations are estimated to cost
£206, and the chapel trustees have already £leo
in hand towards this amount.
At the service on Monday there were present
the Rev. James Richards, the Rev. Professor Charl-
ton, M.A., the Rev. T. G. Horton (Wolverhamp-
ton), the Rev. G. J. Hunsworth (Kidderminster),
Rev. J. Mann (Dudley), the Rev. A. Clarke (Wal-
sall). There were also in the body of the chapel,
the Rev. D. Maginnis (unitarian), the Rev. J. N.
Roothain (baptist) both of this town; and the Rev.
J. Parker (Lye), Rev. D. Cosens (Credley Heath),
and the Rev. J. Astbury (Halesowen).
The service was opened by the Rev. J. Mann,
who gave out the 817th hymn. The Rev. G. J.
Hunsworth (Kidderminster) then read aportion of
Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians, and offered up
prayer. The Rev. T. G. Horton said he had been
asked to give an address on "Congregational
Principles," and he would do this with great plea-
sure, as it would give him an opportunity of ex-
pressing his deep interest in the whole service of
that day and his sincere hope that their new min-
ister, might have the blessine. of God upon him and
his work. They read in the New Testament of
the Church of the Lord as being composed of the
entire multitude of human beings who were con-
templated by the Almighty God as constituting one
entire and harmonious whole. They had many
instances in the New Testament of the Church in
that form. The church was presented to them
under the most angelic aspect—that of a bride,
in suffering and dependance, reserved to Christ,
and•waiting for him who loved the Chureh his
spouse, and desired to keep holy and without
blame. Other views of the church described it as
a temple that was filled up with a living support,
or that of a flock of sheep in which there was no-
thing tangible or decided, and comprised under one
fold and one shepherd, and that was Jesus Christ. '
It was afterwards represented as one great corpo-
rate body of men, comprising, at least, all those
whose souls had been delivered from sin, and of
which every individual belonging to the human
.'
family could claim to be a member. That was the
church of the First-born, who had washed their
robes in the blood of the Lamb. They all stood
in the same position as sinners ransomed rrom the
disastrous consequence of the fall. They were all
promised an equal share in the same glory and the
same happiness. The Lord God gave them light
and life and they should reign for ever and for
ever. Such was the church in its ideal form. ,
Next they read of churches. Paul wrote that the
"churches salute yon," and he went from place to
place forming the churches. The speaker here re-
ferred to _ several passages from the different
epistles of Paul in which he speaks of the
churches. There were other instances where they
read of churches in houses, as at Corinth. The
churches of the New Testament were so many dis-
tinct and locally associated bodies of persons who
bore an equal share in the Christian work. In
speaking of the Church of God in its holiest and
most ideal form, it was regarded as one universal
whole, with one founder, Jesus Christ. The church
of God might be conceived of as consisting of two
great divisions, in one of which were all those who
were before the throne of God, and the other of
those who remained on earth. They were all in
the view of God. In Paul's Epistle to the Ephe-
sians they were called 'The church in the wilder-
ness," " The family of God." He then goes on to
tier next question—under what conditions were the
children of the church to live for years upon the
earth. Should they live unknown to each other,
or meet together and make themselves known to
one another. This latter was the form which the
Apostles adopted, and what were meant to be
Christian churches was an association of Christians
who consented to meet together, and elect officers
to carry on the Christian work. The two great
general points for their consideration should be to
define and create an organisation that should
constitute a Christian Church of God, and that in
this organisation no one should be included but
those who were by their own confession children
of Christ. These were the principles that governed
Congregationalists. There were Christians now-a-
days who asked for the abolition of churches.
Such persons as those would have christianity
maintained wholly in secret. If that were to be
the case they should be unknown to each other;
they should be as separate as stars in the midnight
sky, as isolated dew drops on a moor, eras cottages
on a wold. They wanted a. light to dissipate the
darkness of mankind. They wanted a compact
city of Zion, with walls and bulwarks surrounding
it.. That was what Christ intended them to do.
He meant them to unite together and form select
communities amongst men. He had alluded to
tuis because there were certain persons who were
. trying to overthrow churches; but christianity
could not flourish if this was effected. Mau was
of asocial nature; it was not ,good for him to be
alone. The most sullen subjtitts if placed on an
island by themselves, roam about in fear and
trembling, because they ard absolutely alone. The
Arab was always accompanied by his family and
atttendants. Even regarding it from this point of
view it would not do for christians to be alone.
But he would put it on a higher basis than that.
Such associations as churches were the develop-
ments of progress and civilisation. Had man no
other objects than those alreedy mentioned in view
in associating together. Other feelings had been
brought into play by the desire for association re-
feered to. Man was capable of holding fellowship
with God. He could desire and love for their own
sakes the true, the beautiful and the good, and that
he could look beyond this present life to those en-
joyments which lie around Jehovah's throne. But
even in these he would want companions who could
smpathise with them, and it was to meet that that
Christians formed for themselves churches. Here
their association was explained, and for this pur-
pose it excelled in the highest degree. They sought
not their own glory but that of Christ who was on
high, and they were assembled together not for the
purpose of providing gain, but that they might
edify one another. For a church to spring up it
was necessary for there to be an identity of feel-
ings amongst a certain number of people in the
place. Those who were admitted by the Apostles
to the communion of the church were always
obliged to give a frank confession of their faith.
The members of all the churches were known to
the apostles. They would not admit people simply
because they were respectably brought up. They
were expected to preserve a holy and christian
walk before men; and these were other principles
by which the congregationalists were governed.
Those principles were laid down by the apostle in
his epistle to the Ephesians. Their leaders received
their bye-laws from the apostles themselves, and
were never called into question. Theoffices of the
church were divided amongst the members. They
were called presbyters, or bishops, or overseers.
Then there were those who served the tables and
relieved the poor. They were called deacons. The
immediate successors of the apostles seemed like
themselves to be gifted with inspiration; but
those angels, as they were styled, had no succes-
sors. Not a hint was given about their power in
this respect devolving upon their successors.
Even in the last days of the disciple John in his
retreat of the Isle of Patmos, he never gave the
slightest hint that God had in any way given any
authority to one church over another; nor of any
authority of any presbyter over any church beside
that which was under his own personal jurisdic-
tion. All the ancient writers of the Christi,
Church were unanimous in saying that power could
not be transmitted to the successors of the apostles,
and Mosheirn said there was no doubt the people
were first in authority, and that the apostles had
said nothing was to be carried on without the con-
sent of the community. The principles on which
, the apostles acted was that the elders were the
! depositories of all that belonged to the church.
Their society was purely voluntary, and every
church was entirely independent of each other.
They were, in fact, independent republics. They
were alike constituted to sustain christian believ-
ers, who elected their own officers, conducted their
own business, and carried on any scheme of chris-
tian enterprise which they deemed it desirable to
carry on. Modern Congregationalism was founded
on the same principles. All their views on eccle-
siastical subjects were taken from the New Testa-
ment alone. The bible and the bible alone they
I thonglit sufficient to be their guide in all points—
both in faith and works. If there was anything
in their lives which was contrary to the scripture
let them give it up at once, and not wait for to-
m were compelled in this age of
diovr:rosw T
e organisations to assume a definite denomi-
nation, bat the necessity for doing that they deeply
cleplored. It was not chosen by themselves.
They simply wished to be known as christians.
Popular management and a self-provided minis-
try were the leading featurias of their church. That

was sometimes called independency, and at others
times it was styled voluntaryism or nonconformity,
when it was wished to show their objection to any-
thing in the way of state patronage. Of coure, it
was easy to raise objections to that mode of
church government. There were sometimes differ-
ences, but those arose from differences of opinion
amongst themselves, and not from that of any
hieral•eby professing to have authority over them.
All the evils which had befallen the church dur-
ing the last 18 centuries might be traced to this
attere-t:t of a hierarchy to exercise dominion over
all. fi..z.d they adopted apostolic principles there
would have been none of this. They (the con,fre-
gatiaiittlists were content with the wisdom of tthe
anceles, and thought it would be found suitable
for every age and every clime, and that wherever
two or three christians met together there would
be a church found though it were in a house like
Aquila's, and they rejoiced in the confident belief
that those principles were diffusing themselves
abroad, amongst many other religious bodies their
own. Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and otheis
were ; gradually depending more and more upon
voluntary contributions. He contended that it was
just as safe to receive religious opinions from the
instructed consciences of the masses, as it was to
receive political opinions from them, and the de-
mocratic principle which ruled them would in time
be as general in the religious as it now was in the
political world. There was a day advancing when
churches and senates would pass away, and the
whole comnunity would have the command of
their ow-n consciences; when the voice of God
speaking through the blast should yet thunder
into silence any hierarchy which attempted to
usurp his power. Like into the wide wide ocean
the power of God will beat its choral measures on
every shore. Let them glory in the Lord, and to
him be praise and dominion for ever and ever.—
The 821st hymn was then sung. _ _ _ _
_ _

The Rev. Jaines Richards next—addressed those
present, and said it might be desirable to make a
few observations with reference to the services in
which they were then engaged. Some persons
might enquire which they meant by those services,
and as many years had passed away since a simi-
lar services had been held in that church it would
be desirable that a few words should be said on
the subject. From the remarks of Mr. Horton it
was evident that the settlement of a christan pas-
tor exceeded in importance that of any other
official on the earth, because all men looked to
him for the principles by which their religious
faith was to be guided. It was a long time since
a ceremony like that which was then taking place
had been held in this town. His (the speaker's)
honoured father was ordined in the old chapel in
tie year 1802, and the Rev. Theophilus Davis was
ordained in that chapel in which they now were
about the year 1826. Since that time no service
of the kind had taken place in that chapel, as the
the other ministers who had been there had been
previously ordained. He thought, therefore, he
should
.be gratifyingisome of the friends who were
unacquainted with the circumstances if he called
upon One of the officers of the church to give them
a btatement of their present pastor amongst them.
Mr. Taylor would make the statement.'
Mr. Taylor then said that most of thou would
remember that it was decided that special prayer
should. be offered for some time with regard to the
settlement of the pastorage there. Circumstances
occurred which led him to correspond with Pro-
fessor Charlton, with regard to an application to
the officers, and the result was they asked Mr.
Manning to supply the pulpit for a certain time
with the ultimate view of a settlement in the place
He came there in the month of December, having
been highly recommended by his tutor. He came
there and laboured according to arrangement for
two Sabbaths; but at his own request he stayed
two more Sabbaths as he thought two Sabbaths
were not sufficient to allow him time to become
acquainted with the people. Then, according to
their custom, a special church meeting was called
with the view of ascertaining the feeling of their
friends as to Mr. Manning become pastor of that
church. That meeting, was not thoroughly
unamnous in Mr. 3.lanmng's favour, although a
majority were for him, and he, therefore, de-
clined accepting pastorate under those circumstan-
ces. Then occurred a matter for which he (Mr.
Taylor) was to some extent responsible. The matter,
so far as Mr. Manning was concerned was sup-
posed to be done with; but he (Mr. Taylor) then
wrote him a letter to the effect that some of the
people had &sired him to write to; him again,
informing him that they would have their monthly
church meeting shortly, and asking him to modify
his demand for perfect unanimity amongst the
members of the church in his election. Mr.
Manning replied to this that in pressing for entire
unanimity he was studying the interests of the
church as well as of himself. Yet he was aware
there were differences of opinion in all communi-
ties. He would not, under these circumstances,
insist on perfect unanimity, but he most certainly
could not accept the position in the face of any
active opposition to him doing so. Mr. Taylor
went onito say that the result of all this was that
a special church meeting was called to reconsider
the whole question, and he laid the resolution
which was passed at the meeting of December 9th,
before Mr. Manning. It was the largest church
meeting they had had for many years. The result
was that he wrote to Mr. Manning, statinc, that
it was almost the unanimous wish of the church
that he should be their pastor. He hoped, there-
fore, that under these very favourable circumstan
ces nothing would prevent him from entering upon
his labours there as soon as possible. Mr. Manning
accepted this offer and came here on the first
Sabbath in the present year, so that he had been
labouring amongst them now for six months, and
he now stood higher in the estimation of the
people than he did when he first came amongst
them.

The Rev. James Richards then asked the usual
questions, which were satisfactority answered by
Mr Manning; after which the ordination prayer
was offered up by Mr. Richards,
The Rev. Professor Charlton said it was usual
on occasions of that kind to give to the pastor
a final exposition of what he would be expected
to do, and it was with a great sense of the responsi-
bility of his office that he arose to do• that. He
should confine himself to pointing out in a plain
and simple manner what would be the best line
of action for a christian minister to adopt. The
passage of scripture which he had selected for the
occasion would be found in the Epistle to the
Collossians, 128th verse, "Whom we preach, warn-
ing every man, and teaching every man in all
wisdom; that we may present every man perfect
in Christ Jesus," Here the apostle was setting
forth in a few impressive words the ideal of the
mission on which he was engaged. They neces-
sarily pre-suppose no Divine inspiration—no au-
thority over others. The same language might
been adopted by Timothy, or Cyrus. The text sets
' forth the true spirit of a pastor's life, and the
same spirit must pervade him whom he was then
addressing. He would, therefore, call his atten-
tion to what it essentially implied. In the first
place it set before him what was to be the prin-
cipal business of his life. The apostle said "Whom
we preach, which was the same he (Mr. Manning)
had to preach, namely, Christ. He had to preach
Christ in relation to the eternal blessings to which
he was looking forward from Christ. His mean-
ing therefore became entirely clear. He would see a
once that his particular object was the setting;
forth of the son of God as the redeemer of man-
kind; as the saviour of sinners; as the perfect
ideal of all human excellence; as the sovereign
Lord and head of his church; and as the God of
the living and the dead. It included all that it
was necessary for him to present to his people. If
he preached Christ in this way he would preach
him as the apostle preached him. He must re-
mind them that he was a King and a Redeemer,
and more than that he was God. There were
parsons who would give everything to God; but
they would not give themselves; but such an of-
fering as this He would accept. He (Mr. Manning)
must preach the whole truth, whether men would
hear it or whether they would not hear it; and
further not only what it implied but what it incul-
cated. It was his holy vocation to preach Christ.
He was not a philosopher to promulgate theories
of God and the universe, or to translate the laws
of nature. Of course knowledge of that kind was
useful to a priest and pastor, but what he meant
to point out was that everything of that kind was
to be secondary for his knowledge was to be that
of Christ. He had not only to preach Christ but
the manner in which His will was to be carried
into effect. It was not a round of certain works.
It was a work that required a personal and con-
stant attention. In the text there were four
things which attracted their attention. The first
was about a man's work. It was not to consist in
putting something before his fancy—something
novel, something curious. It was not an unreal
thing—some beautiful poem; it was rather work
in which he felt interested as a morally responsi-
ble being. To expose to their view the means
which had been provided for their escape from the
effects of sin. He was to sit at the prow of the
vessel, and sound the alarm, to warn them of the
dangerous rocks that lay beneath. He was to
warn, and in this spirit of warning he was to
teach Christ. The Rev. Professor next pointed
out that his duty was to consist in "warning every
man and teaching every man in all wisdom." Be
was to give the doctrines of the Gospel in all their
native simplicity, and then the teachings of Christ
would not be misrepresented. The more diffi-
culty he found in his mission the more recourse he
should have to prayer. He must also constantly
study the Bible, as he could not expect to lead
them unless he was thoroughly familiar with the
precepts of the Gospel; and this what Christ had
specially demanded from him. The apostle went

about warning every man and teaching every
man. There was not one of those to whom he
preached but had had a warning from him. They
always found him speaking right home his chris-
tian truths. His soul seemed to flash out in his
very words. He seemed to attract every man and
leave his mark there for ever. For instance, they
found him going before the justice seat of Felix,
and reasoning upon righteousness and judgement
to come in such a style that the judge trembles in
his chair. How differently he adressed the Jews
and the scientific Athenians. He addressed the
latter like another Demosthenes, "Ye men of
Athers, I perceive that in all things ye are too
supei stitious. For as I passed by and beheld your
devotions I found an altar with this inscription, to
the unknow God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly
' worship him declare I unto you." His style was
suited to convince those whom he addressed. Like
him he (Mr. Manning) must make his preaching
definite. He must, too, make himself thoroughly
acquainted with his congregation, so that he could
teach them those truths which were necessary for
their salvation in the way in which they were most
likely to be effective. Paul stated that for the
three years during which he was at Corinth he
visited the Christians daily from house to house;
he warned them every day for those three years.
By acting in like manner he might adapt himself
to their nmnts ; he might like the apostle warn one
and teach another one. This was to be done
wisely. How much wisdom was required in the
Christian pastor, as he executed his mission from
day to day. He must not appear to be officious.
The wisdom that was suitable for one class of per-
sons woe not so for another. There was
an endless demand for wisdom in all the duties
in which he would have to take part—a more than
human supply, in fact. He could not do better
than apply for it where the apostle found it. He
had drawn it from the teaching of Christ; he (Mr.
Manning) might draw inspiration from the same
gospels. They would teach him that wisdom
which came from above. He was to warn and to
teach. He was to point out the way to eternal
like, and to warn persons of the dangers to which
they were exposed in their attempts to arrive at
a happy consummation. In the next place he was
to be. active and unceasing in his endeavous to do
this in order that "he may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus." He was to make it his
constant endeavour to render the work of the Lord
complete—to leave none of it imperfect. That was
to be the one governing idea which was to be
over him. There loomed in the distance that
tremendous hour when the trump of the archangel
should peal through the regions of eternal day—
when the dead should stand before that great
white throne of Him before whom the heavens and
the earth should flee away. He concluded by an
eloquent and an earnest appeal to him to
keep this picture constantly in view, and to make
the thorough carrying out the object of his
ministry the one bright star of his existence. If
he kept that before him daily it would preserve
him from those temptations which most minnsters
were liable to. It would prevent him from be-
coming wearied in. his task. Let him do this.
• faithfully, and he would hear from the Great
Master at the last day these words, "Lo, thou who
hast been faithful over few things, I will make
thee master over many." He hoped that Christ
would be with him in his coming in and going out
—fortifying him with His Divine Spirit.
This brought the service to a close.

new zeal, and they would find that that would be
the accepted time, the day of salvation. The
Kingdom of Heaven seemed to stand more open
than it was wont to appear to be. It appeared as
if God were more disposed to encourage them
with all the blessings of the gospel than he had
been for a long time past. God was always wil-
ling to grant light and strength to those who
liked to pray for them. But in the history of the
church there had been times when the power of
God was specially manifested was the time for
mercy, and if the church did not respond to the
call then the church was lost; in like manner if
they did respond a time of triumph was come.
He asked all the members of the church to look
upon that day as a great turning-point in their
past history—(great cheering.)
The Rev. Professor Charlton, who was the next
speaker, said he thought they ought to have al-
lowed Mr. Dale to have spoken on behalf of both
himself and Mr. Dale, as they had already heard
too much of his speaking. At the same time he
was very happy to say a few words. He was very
glad to hear Mr. Dale speak as he had done about
the movement that had been taking place in re-
ligious matters. They had not been able to get
Messrs. Moody and Sankey at Plymouth, but a
Mr. Taylor had come down and he had done a
great deal for the dock-yard men who were very
drunken and violent, and it was very hard to get
theni to listen to anything in the way of religion.
Altogether 300 or 400 men had been awakened to
a knowledge of God by him. Whilst he was there
he must address a few words to them respecting
one who was formerly a pupil of his—Mr Man-
ning, who had been ordained that day. Stour-
bridge was a place which he (the speaker) had
never heard of before the commencement of that
correspondence which Mr. Taylor had read to them
that morning. It was very gratifying, therefore
for him to come down there and find the good
work had been going on so very well. He recol-
lected in reading once the" confessions of a police-
officer," the writer said in one paragraph -6 there
are happy moments even in the life of a police
officer.' He might say, too, there were happy
moments even in the life of a tutor—(laughter)—
and those moments were when he found his stu-
dents settling down in a fair and prosperous man-
ner. He was happy to meet Mr. Manning on this
occasion, and not only him but two others—one
froM Dudley, and one from Walsall. He was able
to speak of them all three with the greatest satis-
faction. It had often been his lot on similar oc-
casions to have been compelled to speak in a tone
of confidence; but he was happy to say that was
not the case with him that day. He had known
Mr. Manning for five years, and was able from
that experience to speak of him as a very earnest
christian man—(applause). There was one disad-
vantage which he was labouring under, and that
was he came to them a single man—(laughter).
He remembered reading of a Docton Lovechild,
who went about the country preaching. His wife
always preceeded him, and went amongst the peo-
ple telling them that the great Doctor Lovechild
was coming ta preach, and they must be very
early at church or they would not get seats. By
that means he always good congregations. Mr.
Manning had no wife, and, of course, that was
a defect. Sonic persons had said a single man
was like one blade of a pair of scissors.—laughter).
That was a defect which he thought, however, Mr.
Manning would !shortly remedy, as he was en-
gaged to a young lady who was in every way
worthy of him (applause).
The Rev. J. Rootham (Habtisatinister) had very
great pleasure in being there that day because al-
though he had only known Mr. Manning for a
short time they had struck up a stroll.. friendship
for each other. He was very glad to be there that
day, and on behalf of the church which he repre-
sented he congratulated their dear pastor. He
congratulated him that they have chosen him their
pastor. They had also to congratulate them that
they had not fallen down and worshipped their
pastor. They would remember that at one place
where the apostle Paul went to, at first they wor-
shipped him; but afterwards they stoned him.
The Rev. A. Clarke gave some reminiscences of
his acquaintence with Mr. Manning, which com-
menced 14 years ago. They had been educated at
the same college, and he had always had a great
regard for him.
The Rev. J. Mann, had also been brought up
at the same college with Mr. Manning, and both
himself and the previous speaker congratulated
Mr. Manning on his settlement in this town.
They also expressed considerable regard for their
venerable tutor, the Rev. Professor Charlton—
(who was present).
The Rev. W. Manning thanked those present for
the kind wishes that had been expressed for his fu-
ture welfare. He felt very deeply the importance
of the impressive ceremony which he had already
attended that morning, and it would be a burning
shame to him if he was not the better for it. He
hoped Mr. Dale would allow him to express the
great pleasure and pride he felt at him being
there. He could not express the joy he felt at see-
ing his beloved tutor there that day ;'"and it would
not have been the ordination service to him if he
had not been there. He had said that even
tutors were privileged to have happy moments;
and he (Mr. Manning) might add that so had stu-
dents. Those must be happy moments for the
latter when they saw their former tutors coming
forward and bearing testimony to their earnest
desire to do the best they could in the work which
they had undertaken. He concluded by expres-
sing the pleasure it gave him to see his two old
college friends there.
Mr. Allsopp expressed the very great pleasure he
felt at hearing such excellent testimony borne to ,
the qualities of their new minister, from persons
to whom he was so well acquainted. They
thought very highly of him before, but their res-
pect for him would be now, if possible, increased.
On behalf of himself and brother officers generally
they desired to express their very best thanks to
those ministers who had come there that day to
take part in that interesting service. He begged
to propose that the best thanks of the church and
the congregation be giuen to those friends who
had come from a distance to do them good that
day—(applause).
Mr. Billingham said he was very glad that their
Brother Allsopp had taken the initiative in pro-
posing a vote of thanks to those friends who had
come there to assist them in that grand under-
taking which was taking place there that day.
He concluded by thanking Mr. Dale and the other
gentlemen who came there that day for their
great kindness in having done so.
. _ _

- The Rev. J. Richards then put the vote of thanks
and it was carried unanimously.
The Rev. W. Dale returned thanks on behalf of
the visitors, and the proceedings were brought to
a close.

Directly afterwards a tea meeting was held in
the school-room adjoining the chapel, at which a
large number of persons of both sexes were pre-
sent.

A Service was held at the church in the evening
and as it was announced that the Rev. E. W. Dale
(of Birminham) would preach, the place was
crowded. The Rev, gentleman preached a most
eloquent and impressive sermon on the necessity
of everything—even the most ordinary actions of
our daily life—for Christ, who had bought us with
a price.

There was some little, discussion at the dinner
table as to whether Mr. Dale had ever before visi-
ted Stourbridge. We can now assure our readers
that he has done so, and that he preached at the
Independent Chapel in this town, on the evening
of Thursday, 10th of November, 1864.