Church, that it should at this time of day be untried ground. But they had no precedent before them in whose footsteps they could tread, in taking this survey of missionary labour; their endeavours must be tentativethey were on a voyage of discovery-they had no chart to guide them: but, blessed be God, they had a compass in his own holy Word. This should, therefore, be his answer to those who cried for work-work-work. He rejoiced in work-but certainly they were met as an Alliance to see how far, as Christian brethren, they could consult and act together, and then to see what could be done for the promotion of their large work, and there might be a policy in delay. Upon these grounds they might wait for years, taking up topic after topic, as God might place these before them.

RELIGION IN CHINA.

THE chief religion of the Chinese is the worship of ancestors, which annually costs four hundred million dollars, or each subject 1 1-10 cent per day. Every religious act costs the worshipper something. This religion is interwoven into some of the strongest principles of our nature. It is easy for those who are ignorant of the Bible, to believe that the spirit of parents they have loved and respected on earth are proper objects of It is this form of the Chinese worship. religion that affords the greatest obstacle to the progress of the gospel. Besides the spirits of their ancestors, the Chinese worship innumerable other deities. Another form of the religion of the Chinese is a species of transcendental rationalism, of which a specimen follows:-The venerable Prince Yara arose prior to the great original standing, at the commencement of the mighty wonderful, and floating in the ocean of deep obscurity He is spontaneous and self-existing, produced before the beginning of emptiness, commencing prior to uncaused existence, pervading all heavens and earth, whose beginning and end no years can circumscribe; who by searching can find out the Almighty to perfection? The Chinese have never deified vice. In this respect they are different from other heathen nations. They have never gone to such a length in their penances as the inhabitants of India, nor have they ever had human sacrifices.

The Roman Catholics have had missionaries in China for two centuries. At the present time they have eight Bishops, fiftyseven foreign priests, one hundred and four native priests, two hundred and fifty schools, two colleges, and three hundred thousand adherents. They have not given the Bible to the Chinese, nor made any efforts to diffuse it. The Protestants are confined to five posts. In 1840 their work really commenced; what was done before that was only preparatory. There is a hospital at each post, where the sick are cured and taught the Bible. The whole Bible has been translated into Chinese. Other religious books and some tracts have been printed in Chinese. Five or six thousand hear the gospel preached in their own language.

THE greater part of mankind think that heaven is at the next door, and that Christianity is an easy task; but they will find they have been deceived. I beseech you, make sure work of salvation; I have found by experience, that all I could do was little enough in the day of trial; therefore, lay up a sure foundation for the time to come.-Rutherford.

LADY HEWLEY'S CHARITY.

EXTRACTS FROM AFFIDAVIT.

(Continued from page 437.)

III. The Independent Relators are not Presbyterians, but belong to a denomination which has always been distinguished from Presbyterians, and, in many instances, violently opposed to them; and Independents can in no sense be regarded as the successors or representatives of the old Presbyterians with whom Lady Hewley was connected.

Ask the Relators, Do you acknowledge the form of Presbyterian Church Government drawn up by the Westminster Assembly, to be nearest to the precepts of the apostles and to the practice of the Apostolical Churches? they will, to a man, refuse to make such acknowledgment; yet, to pretend that they are Presbyterians in any other is contemptible, trifling, unworthy of honourable men.

sense

The anxiety of the Independent Relators to prove that they are Presbyterians, affords strong evidence of their conviction that Presbyterians alone are entitled to the management of Lady Hewley's charities. Dr. J. Pye Smith maketh oath and saith," That the term Presbyterian is, in a fair, just, and honourable sense, and, in accordance with its proper signification, capable of being applied to the generality of English Congregationalists." This assertion is refuted by the affidavits of gentlemen of as long standing, and of as high respectability as Dr. J. Pye Smith, by the Rev. James Peddie, D.D., one of the oldest and most respectable ministers in Edinburgh, and by the Rev. Dr. John Brown, of Broughton place, Edinburgh.* These gentlemen deponed in affidavits accompanying deponents' counterstatement of July 1, that they have studied the controversy between the Presbyterians and the Independents, and that in their judgment the term Presbyteriau cannot, in any fair, just, and honourable sense, be applied to any class of Independents. Affidavits to the same purpose have been presented by other ministers of high standing and character. Indeed, the absurdity of such a statement from Dr. Smith, is exposed by his own words, addressed to Unitarians, which may with equal propriety be applied to Independents: "Do they constitute ruling elders in each congregation, to act in conjunction with their pastors, for judging of the qualification of communicants and other acts of discipline? Have they Courts of Review? Have they Classical, Provincial, and Synodical Assemblies? How can they, upon principles of truth and fairness, call themselves by an appellation which has not the semblance of propriety?" -Dr. Pye Smith's letter to the Editor of the "Monthly Repository," as cited in Mr. Hadfield's pamphlet, p. 32.

Deponents will now produce evidence from the writings of Independents themselves, when they had no view to Presbyterian property, that they acknowledge themselves to be of a different family from Presbyterians, and that they state themselves to be in violent opposition to Presbyterianism, however orthodox its professors may be, and to this point deponents beg the particular

attention of the Court.

Inthe" Congregational Magazine" for April, 1835, pp. 247, 248, Dr. J. Pye Smith is represented as having stated, "that the Churches described in the New Testament were Congregational and Independent; that the modern Churches usually called Congregational or Independent, are constituted, governed, and directed in a faithful conformity to the principles and rules of the New Testament; that the will of Christ, notified in the ministers in the organization of Churches, the New Testament, authorizes only two orders of one, that of pastors, called also presbyters as a name of respect, and bishops as a title of office; the other, that of deacons, which is a lay office appointed for the due administration of the temporal affairs of a Church."

From these

sentences it is evident that Dr. Smith regards the Independent form of Church Government as binding upon Christians Jure Divino, and that he cannot conscientiously receive the Presbyterian form of Church Government, agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and approved by the Presbyterian ministers of Lady Hewley's time.

In a pamphlet intituled, "The Ordination Service of the Rev. John Whitridge (Carlisle 1814)," the Rev. Joseph Gilbert, then of Rotheram, now

The Affidavits of these gentlemen are given in pages 113 and 114, of the Third Act.

of Nottingham, and author of the third series of Congregational Lectures," says (page 4), "We infer that this institution (the institution of Independent Churches) cannot be neglected or altered without great danger, for, as Christ hath ordered that we shall observe whatsoever he hath commanded, so to attempt amendment of what he has left as complete is presumption, and to refuse obedience is rebellion, no less in this than in other manifestations of his will." Here, one of the most eminent of the Independents, who was chosen, next to Dr. Wardlaw of Glasgow, and Professsor Vaughan, as fit to support the credit of the Independent body in the "Congregational Lectures," solemnly affirms, "that to refuse obedience to the Independent form of Church Government, is rebellion against God." In the Westminster form of Church Government, under the head of classical assemblies, it is stated, "that it is agreeable to the Word of God that there be a subordination of Congregational, Classical, Provincial, and National Assemblies, for the government of the Church." This is the orthodox Presbyterian doctrine as contra-distinguished from Independency. But, in direct opposition to this doctrine, Mr. Joseph Gilbert, at the fifth page of said pamphlet, says, "Conventions of pastors or presbyters (of which all orthodox Presbyterians approve), have no claims to be denominated a Church of Christ."

In a paper in the "Congregational Magazine" for July, 1835, ascribed by the Editor to Dr. Redford, of Worcester, and intituled "Pastoral Counsels to Congregational Churches," the writer says, Every member (of an Independent Church) should know why he is an Independent; and should be so because he cannot conscientiously and scripturally be anything else."

From these extracts, which might be multiplied to an indefinite extent, it is manifest that except in certain affidavits of Independent Relators, no Independent of the present day has ventured to promulgate his belief that "the differences between the Presbyterians and Independents are trifling." On the contrary, these deponents have shown that the language elsewhere used by the most eminent of the Independent party, virtually excommunicates all Presbyterians, however orthodox their creed, and that it has actually dared to denounce all such Presbyterians as rebels against the law of Christ.

Can it for

Yet when Presbyterian property presents a temptation to Independents, some of those very men, whose published works abound in anathemas against even the most orthodox Presbyterianism, can overlook "the rebellion against Christ," can represent the difference as trifling, and even assume the name of "Presbyterian." a moment be supposed that Lady Hewley, who was a Presbyterian, would leave her property to a sect, the heads of which displayed such virulent hostility to Dr. Daniel Williams and the principal leaders of the Presbyterians, towards the close of her Ladyship's life? Or can it be supposed that Lady Hewley would have cherished and encouraged the violence of the modern race of Independents who hesitate not to denounce Presbyterianism as rebellion against the law of Christ, and who, if they act consistently, must oppose, and endeavour to destroy, that very form of Church Government which Lady Hewley, from her long-continued connexion with the ejected ministers of the Presbyterian Establishment, regarded and valued as most agreeable to the Word of God, and as best calculated to promote the kingdom of God among men? The supposition is absurd.

IV. They who assume the title of Independents or Congregationalists in the present day are a atives of the Independents of Lady Hewley's modern race, and not the successors or representtime. It is only within the last fifty years that they have become numerous, and it was not till the year 1833, that they were united into one body, under the title of "the Congregational Union of England and Wales."

They differ essentially from those called Independents or Congregationalists, at the end of the seventeenth, and the beginning of the eighteenth century, both with regard to doctrine and to discipline.

With regard to doctrine, the Independents of 1691, acknowledged the Westminster Confession (in its doctrinal articles), and the Savoy Confession, as the basis of their short-lived union with the London Presbyterian ministers. The Savoy Confession was drawn up in 1658, by Dr. Owen and other Independent ministers, and states the doctrine of the Trinity of Persons in one Godhead, in as precise, full, and decided a manner as the

Westminster Confession. The old Independents were as little disposed to compromise the fundamental doctrines of the Trinity and the Divinity of Christ, as the old Presbyterians were. Owen and Bradbury, the heads of the old Independents during the latter half of the seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth century, would have rejected with indignation the trimming Declaration of 1833, and would not have held communion with the framers of it.

With regard to discipline and church order, the Independents of Lady Hewley's time were subscriptionists. In 1719, they were the persons who voted for subscription to the doctrine of the Trinity of Persons in one essence. They refused to be satisfied with a general profession of making the Bible their creed. They insisted upon the imposition of a human standard, explanatory of the sense in which they understood the doctrine of the Scriptures upon the important subject of the Holy Trinity. (See Calamy's "Life and Times" for the year 1719.) Drs. Bogue and Bennett also state, that the Independents of 1719, did actually "subscribe those definitions of the doctrine which were held in veneration, both by Dissenters and by the members of the Established Church." (Vol. iii. p. 240.) But in the seventh preliminary note to the Declaration of 1833, they who, in modern times, have adopted the name of Independents, declare" their jealousy of subscription to creeds and articles, and their disapproval of the imposition of any human standard, whether of faith or discipline.' Surely these men cannot pretend to be the representatives of the Meads and the Bradburys at the commencement of the eighteenth century. Bradbury and his Independent brethren would never have thought of calling themselves Presbyterians, much less of seizing Presbyterian property; and they would not have committed their own Independent endowments to the degenerate framers and approvers of the Declara

tion of 1833.

These four arguments-that the body to which the Independent Relators belong, is not free from the taint of heresy-that it has no public authorized creed-that it is not Presbyterian-and that it is not even the successor of the old Independent body, these four arguments appear to place insuperable barriers in the way of the Relators to the possession of Lady Hewley's property.

At the commencement of this litigation in February last, (1836,) these deponents were disposed to view the Independent Relators in a favourable light; but, from the subsequent conduct of the Relators, and from numerous facts which have transpired since the investigation began, these deponents are now satisfied that the Relators have no right whatever in law or equity to the trust of Lady Hewley's Charities; and, not only so, but that, if this trust be committed to the Relators, or to any persons of the Independent connexion, these deponents are convinced that the purposes of the benevolent foundress will be entirely and completely defeated.

For these reasons, deponents earnestly implore the Court, that Lady Hewley's valuable property may not be intrusted to the care of Independents, who, if they act conscientiously, must withhold the benefit of it from all orthodox Presbyterians, for whose benefit it was principally if not entirely designed; and confine the benefit of it to modern degenerate Independents, for whom it never was designed.

Advertisements.

Just published, price ls. 6d. sewed, or 2s. cloth, with an Engraving of Mont Blanc,

WANDERINGS of a PILGRIM in the JUNGFRAU ALP. BY GEORGE B. CHEEVER, "Filled by the meditative outpourings of a devout and thoughtful soul."-Manchester Examiner. "One of the most fascinating volumes we have read for years; there is a happy combination of life and power, of grace and energy, of poetry and "Wilts Independent. philosophy."

of MONT BLANC and the

"One of the best that has been issued; some

FREE CHURCH COLONY AT OTAGO, IN NEW ZEALAND.

THE Lay Association for promoting this Colony give notice that information may be had on application to their Secretary, Dr. ALDCORN (of Oban), at this Office, or to Captain CARGILL, New Zealand House, London, at both which places the pamphlets of the Association may likewise be obtained.

The Commercial Bank of Scotland and its agents will receive deposits from parties producing auparts indeed are exceedingly beautiful."-New-thority to purchase, and give receipts accordingly.

castle Guardian.

SCENES from the BIBLE. By the Rev. J. A. WYLIE, A.M. With a Portrait.

"Clothed in beautiful poetical imagery and ex

quisite powers of description."-Gloucester Journal. William Collins, Glasgow and London; and every Bookseller.

NEW ZEALAND COMPANY.

The owners of these receipts will thereby be entitled to act as members of the Association, in conformity with the third and fourth paragraphs of the New Zealand Company's advertisement.

The completion of the first party of Settlers is to be based upon the sale of a certain number of properties. The date of embarkation, together with that of payment in full of the purchasemoney, and the ballot for priority of choice of the lands (both of which last must precede the embarkation) will be fixed by a Meeting of the AssoTHE Directors of the New Zealand Com-ciation convened for the purpose, and of which pany hereby give notice that, in furtherance notice will be given to the depositors. of the arrangements entered into with Her Majesty's Government, and ratified this day by the Court of Proprietors, the Company is prepared to resume active colonizing operations at the earliest possible moment.

the lands purchased by the Company at Otago, in A Crown Grant having been duly executed for the Middle Island of New Zealand, and the internal survey of the same being also sufficiently advanced, the Directors will proceed to the formation of that Settlement in accordance with the arrangements above mentioned, and in terms of the Agreement between the Company and the Lay Association of the Free Church of Scotland, of which the following are the initiatory clauses, viz. :

:

“The Association of Lay Members of the Free Church of Scotland, as reported by the General Assembly of May, 1845, to be recognised as the party to promote the Settlement now contemplated.

"The Lands to be sold under the following arrangements to persons brought forward or approved by the Association; and the Association (including those parties) to carry out the enterprise on their own principles, and, so far as possible, in their own name, looking only to the Company for such assistance and acts of trusteeship in the matter of Surveys, Emigration, and general process of founding the Settlement, as may be requisite."

Parties requiring information, or wishing to become purchasers of land, are requested to apply to Dr. ALDCORN, Secretary of the Association, 5, George-street, Edinburgh, or to Captain CARGILL, Agent for the Settlement, at New Zealand House, 9, Broad-street-buildings, London.

The Bankers of the Company for this Settlement are Messrs. SMITH, PAYNE, and SMITHS, London, and THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF SCOT

LAND.

By order of the Court of Directors,
THOMAS CUDBERT HARINGTON,
(Signed)
Secretary.

New Zealand House, 14th May, 1847.

LIST OF DIRECTORS OF THE NEW ZEALAND
COMPANY.

Henry Aglionby Aglionby, Esq., M.P.
The Hon. Francis Baring.
John Ellerker Boulcott, Esq.
Viscount Courtenay, M.P.
Alexander Currie, Esq.

Baron de Goldsmid and da Palmeira.
James Robert Gowen, Esq.
Archibald Hastie, Esq., M.P.
Sir Ralph Howard, Bart., M.P.
William Hutt, Esq., M.P.
Viscount Ingestre, M.P.
George Lyall, jun., Esq.

Ross Donnelly Mangles, Esq., M.P.
Stewart Marjoribanks, Esq., M.P.
Alexander Nairne, Esq.
The Right Hon. Lord Petre.
Jeremiah Pilcher, Esq.

Sir John Pirie, Bart., Alderman.
John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P.

William Thompson, Esq., Alderman, M.P.
Edward Gibbon Wakefield, Esq.
George Frederick Young, Esq.

No arrangements will be made as to the selec. tion of families for free passages until the list of depositors shall have indicated the proportion of labour, in each kind, which the purchasers, on their arrival, will require.

The following parties are empowered by the Association to give authority to purchase :Major-General Robert M'Douall, C.B., Parkhouse,

Stranraer.

J. B. M'Combie, of Gillybrands, Esq., Aberdeen.
A. M'Douall, Esq., Provost of Stranraer.
Captain J. G. Hay, R.N., C.B., of Fairley, county

of Renfrew.

Archibald Gardner, Esq., of Nethercommon,
Paisley.

Archibald Burns, Esq., Banker, Perth.
Messrs. James Dewar and Son, Booksellers, Perth.
Robert Peter, Esq., Banker, Aberfeldy.
Dr. Smyttan, Birnam Cottage, Dunkeld.
Robert C. Wilson, Esq., Banker, Dunkeld.
Simon Sawers, of Newhouse, Esq., Dunbar.
W. H. Ritchie, Esq., Banker, Dunbar.
William Dods, Esq., Provost of Haddington.
Robert Roxburgh, Esq., Greenock.
Bailie Adam Hunter, Ayr.
Bailie Andrew Williamson, Ayr.
William Brown, Esq., Maybole.
Thomas Anderson, Esq., Banker, Hamilton.
Samuel Brodie, Esq., Commercial Agent, Dundee.
John Paton, Esq., Dundec.
James Wilson, Esq., Banker, Inverness.
Samuel Davidson, Esq., Provost of Kirkaldy.
William Brockie, Esq., Galashiels.
Alexander Henderson, Esq., Banker, Thurso.
William Paul, Esq., Banker, Dumbarton.
G. W. Laird, Esq., Montrose.
Robert Ross, Esq., Banker, Cromarty.
Andrew Munro, Esq., Banker, Invergordon.
David Bryce, Esq., Buchanan-street, Glasgow.
W. Keddie, Esq., Guardian Office, Glasgow.
By order of the Committee.

A. ALDCORN, Secretary. 5, George-street, Edinburgh, 9th June, 1847.

AMEN

CONSUMER

BATUR

MESSENGER.

THE SCHOOL SCHEME.

COLLECTION ON SABBATH, AUGUST 15.

THE third Sabbath of the present month is the day appointed by the Synod for making collections in all the congregations and preaching stations of the Church in aid of the School Scheme. It is hoped that this appointment will be punctually fulfilled throughout the Church, and that the sums collected will be early transmitted to Alex. Morrison, Esq., 101, Upper Thames-street, London, the Treasurer of the Scheme.

For full information regarding the proceedings of the School Committee, and the progress which has been already made in the important and interesting business intrusted to them, the Committee beg to refer to the Annual Report (see p. 476), which was given in at the last meeting of Synod. From that Report, it will be seen that very encouraging success has already attended this department of the Church's efforts. A considerable number of new Day Schools have been opened in destitute localities, through the impulse and assistance given by the Committee, and several schools formerly existing have been strengthened and sustained, and enabled to keep the field, which might otherwise have sunk under the difficulties and rivalry with which they had to contend. The Committee are now in communication with the ministers of several additional congregations, with the view of stimulating and enencouraging them to secure for the young of their flocks the same educational advantages; and they have no doubt, that if steadily sustained in this enterprise by the sympathies and liberalities of the Church-this interesting process of school formation will go progressively forward, till there shall not be a

Church Offices Advertisements

congregation in our body which is not pro-, education of the country upon the British vided with a Day School, in which a sound Churches. The Committee, therefore, hope religious and a sound secular education shall that the contributions of our people will not go hand in hand. The Committee appeal to be diminished because the Government has our congregations for aid, with all the more stepped in to offer us their assistance; but, confidence, that they direct attention not only on the contrary, that they will be increased, to the increase of the number of our schools, in order to enable those of our congregations, but also to the improvement of the quality who wish to apply for that assistance, to of the education given in them. For this meet, by the co-operation of the Committee, end they have asked and received authority the conditions which the Government have from the Synod to make grants of improved laid down. school-books, and other school requisites, in cases where such grants are required; and the Presbyteries have been instructed by the Synod to see, by personal inspection and examination, that these grants are properly and efficiently applied. This is a new feature in the Scheme, and, as it will involve a considerable increase of expenditure, it is hoped that it will also call forth a proportionable increase of liberality in aid of the Committee's funds.

The present time is marked by a powerful awakening of educational zeal in our country. The Churches and the Government of the land are now vigorously uniting their efforts in this great cause, and a new epoch in the educational history of the empire has evidently begun. Let not the Presbyterian Church in England be the least earnest and cordial, though she cannot expect, with her present limited resources, to be the most prominent in this movement. Let her cheerfully contribute her donation in the measure of her ability towards supplying the educational wants of the country. The plan of the Government does not supersede the efforts of the various religious bodies; on the contrary, it is fitted mightily to stimulate and increase their liberality in this field. The conditions upon which Government aid will be given are such as still to throw the main weight of the

PASTORAL FUND.

WE are more and more convinced that it is essential to the advancement of the Presbyterian cause in England to have some central, or as they call it in Scotland, a Sustentation Fund. The practical inefficiency of the voluntary principle, that is, the leaving each locality, however poor, to establish and support its own Church, is already apparent amongst us. We have congregations requiring, for a time, support from without, and some of them receive it, either from the Home Mission fund, or from private individuals. From neither of these sources do we think that the aid can be so properly derived as from a General Pastoral Fund.

In regard to the Home Mission, the funds of that scheme, when used for propping up weak congregations, are diverted from their original purpose, of extending the Gospel in missionary fields throughout England; and we doubt not that if the two objects were kept apart, both would receive larger support.

In regard to the aid derived from private individuals, we believe it will be found that the burden of this falls on a few men of well-known liberality, who are constantly applied to, while no help is given by the general body in the wealthier congregations