we may thus lay the foundation of a solemn claim to all needful forbearance, to cordial co-operation, and to sympathizing prayer. Viewed merely in its negative aspect, then, the management of (a monthly periodical) involves sacrifices of a very serious character. To human strength there is a limit, and that limit is soon reached. Experience has already taught us that most, if not all, our labours in connexion with Committees, public business, and public meetings, appertaining to religion. and humanity, with special service of all sorts, both in town and country, must be abandoned. Nor is this all: regular courses of general study must henceforth subside into desultory excursions; and all further attempts at solid authorship be at an end. Such is the first step in the preparation: but who shall describe the actual duties of the office? To conduct the work, even in its present imperfect measure of efficiency, requires a continuity and intensity of effort, a studied comprehensiveness of plan and forethought, an extent and a variety of observation, reading, and inquiry, of which the general public have and can have no conception. The mere correspondence of (an editor) is no slight consideration. Of manuscript, much is read only to be rejected; and of that which is admitted much has often to be reduced, adjusted, and modified, at an expense of labour which might have served to produce it; and in all cases everything has to be read, corrected, pointed, paragraphed, and prepared for the press, while the whole must be afterwards read at least once, and not a little of it twice, in proof. Again, a circulation such as ours involves no inconsiderable amount of private intercourse and correspondence, of which the world never hears, but which sorely adds to our hindrance and hardship. Again, to secure order in our proceedings, attention to correspondents, and justice to publishers, every letter, article, document, pamphlet, and book is registered on its arrival, and marked off when attended to. the dust, will constitute a kind of superstruc- | his trials with great credit to himself, and When our worthy readers throw down their threepence for each successive number, they are in danger, we fear, of identifying small price with easy production. Little do they dream of the moral and intellectual expenditure bestowed upon that threepenceworth! We beg to assure them that, supported by an adequate corps of well-paid contributors, as is the universal fact with respect to editors of Quarterlies, we could produce a number of any Quarterly Review now extant with far less labour than a single Number of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, and without a tithe of the turmoil and ferment attendant on its conduct. Then with a monthly issue there is no cessation; it is onward-onward! To conduct the Magazine as it ought to be conducted, would require the sole and undivided attention, the earnest and unbroken effort of the ablest man in the Nonconformist body-without a pastoral charge; and the sooner such a man is found, and such an arrangement made, the better will it be for the work and for the public. We shall hail his appearance with great joy, and yield him the sceptre with fervent benediction. Men and brethren! the case is now fairly before you. Something has doubtless been achieved; but still the great work is only begun. The full accomplishment of our enterprise requires that the magazine shall be in the hands of every member of every church and congregation. But it is not now in those of one-fourth of them! The truth is, that all denominations are still comparatively dormant. Scarcely one of their organs is receiving one-third of the support to which they are severally entitled. To show this it may suffice to state, that while in Great Britain there are in all some fourteen or fifteen denominational magazines, the united circulation of full five-sixths of them do not equal that of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS alone. Ah! these are sad symptoms. This apathy, taken in connexion with other circumstances of this eventful day, is one of the most alarming signs of the times. But if all others should sleep, let us awake! | Mr. Henderson is the first licentiate of the Presbytery of London since the disruption of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and since the Presbyterian Church in England became an independent body. The Presbytery held its ordinary monthly meeting at 16, Exeter Hall, on the 9th September. The Rev. William Nicolson, Moderator, in the chair. The collection in aid of the School-fund was reported to have been made by the congregation at Southwark. Mr. Gillespie stated that the negotiations at Brighton were going on. The draft of reasons for the translation of Mr. Ferrie was produced, read, and approved of. The Presbytery appointed the Rev. Messrs. Cairns, at Cupar, Fife, and James Ewing, at Dundee, their commissioners to prosecute the translation of Mr. Ferrie. The Presbytery agreed that the congregation at Wolverhampton should be regularly formed and recognised as a congregation within the bounds of the Presbytery of London; and requested Mr. Wilson, of River-terrace, to act on the occasion. The Committee appointed to meet with the congregation at Westminster, gave in their report; and another Committee was appointed to meet the same parties on the 10th of September. Mr. Fisher was appointed to hold a prayermeeting at Westminster on the evening of the 12th September; and Mr. Henderson was appointed to supply that station with sermons till the next ordinary meeting of Presbytery. The Presbytery resolved that, as the Synod had enjoined upon Presbyteries to have associations organized in all their congregations, in aid of the funds of the various schemes of the Church, all ministers should be asked at next meeting what they have done towards obtempering these instructions. The Presbytery adjourned, to meet at 16, Exeter Hall, on the second Tuesday of October, at 3 o'clock P.м. PRESBYTERY OF BERWICK. Next follows original editorial composition. After our host of excellent correspondents have done their part in general matters, and done it well-for much, very much of the - original writing, and that the most important and arduous, an editor must chiefly rely on his own arm. There is much of that on which the interest, the character, the power, and the popularity of the work must mainly depend, which it is impossible to procure from correspondents living at a distance, and scattered over the land. To fill our columns, after the fashion of the bulk of the religious magazines, with orthodox and edifying matter-which might render it more acceptable to the pious and unlettered portion of our readers would be for us a very easy matter.sion are to be in town this week. We work of the holy ministry. Mr. Nicholson, of It would reduce our labour to one-fourth part But it would at no of its present measure. distant day reduce our circulation also within the same narrow dimensions! A foreign editor of eminence, taught by experience, with equal truth and tenderness, has thus expressed himself:-"How little does the majority of readers know of the expenditure of thought, of the labour of the head, and brain, and hands, which goes to make up that which ministers to their highest wants! and also how many truths, thought out with brain-throes, pass unnoted, unobserved, even if not received with relentless hostility! Nevertheless, the true MAN must work, and work, too, in the martyr spirit; contented even with the thought that his mere relics, when he has laid him down in HOME MISSION DEPUTATION. AFTER all the matter of this number was regret that we did not know this in time PRESBYTERIES' PROCEEDINGS. PRESBYTERY OF LONDON. THIS Presbytery met by appointment at 9, Mr. Henderson delivered the remainder of mouth on the 31st July last, for the ordination THE Presbytery of Berwick met at Tweedof Mr. Robert M'Clelland, a probationer of the Monaghan Presbytery, Ireland, who had received a cordial call from the English Presbyterian Church at Tweedmouth. The Rev. Donald Munro, the Moderator for the day, preached an appropriate and able discourse; and, assisted by the brethren present, proceeded by prayer and imposition of hands, to set apart and ordain Mr. M'Clelland to the office and Thus minister, and Mr. Watson an address to the The Presbytery again met at Etal on the 5th August, and being duly constituted, present, four ministers and two elders, Mr. Nicholson returned Mr. William Ryder's edict which he had duly served at Ancroft, North Moor, on Sabbath, the 3d instant. The Presbytery proceeded with the remainder of the trial discourses of Mr. George Kidd, called by the congregation at Norham, who delivered a lecture on Matt. xv. 21-28, and a popular | Ancroft Moor, on the evening of the ordination sermon from 1 John iii. 3, which were ap- day there, in the presence of the Presbytery, that it rained heavily all the day. proved and sustained as part of his trials. and of multitudes assembled, notwithstanding Mr. Kidd was then examined in Latin, the Greek Testament, Hebrew, Church history and government, and in theology generally, with which trials and examinations the Presbytery expressed their unanimous and un qualified satisfaction, and sustained them all. Mr. M'Clelland was appointed to serve the edict at Norham, on Sabbath, 10th August. Thursday the 21st was appointed for Mr. Kidd's ordination. Mr. Kidd having applied to the Presbytery to appoint two of their number to be assessors with him in the formation of a session, Messrs. Murdoch and M'Clelland were appointed accordingly. The Presbytery having learned that Professor Lorimer, by appointment of the commission of Synod, is to visit this district to address the congregations on behalf of the Synod's schemes, made the requisite arrangements, and enjoined the ministers to give due intimation of the same from the pulpit. ANCROFT MOOR.-On the 20th August, the Presbytery being duly met and constituted, the Rev. Professor Lorimer being present, was requested to sit and act as a member of court. Mr. M'Clelland reported that according to appointment he had served the edict of Mr. George Kidd, at Norham, on Sabbath, the 10th ultimo, which was returned attested in due form. The Presbytery then proceeded with the services connected with Mr. Ryder's ordination. Mr. M'Clelland preached from Ezek. iii. 16. The usual questions having been put by the Moderator, and a promise given by Mr. Ryder to sign the formula, he was solemnly ordained and set apart by prayer and the laying on of hands, to the work and office of the holy ministry, and received the right hand of fellowship from the brethren. Mr. Murdoch gave a suitable charge; and (in the absence of Mr. Munro, of North Sunderland, who was appointed), Professor Lorimer gave a solemn address to the young minister and the people respectively. Mr. Ryder requested a temporary session to be appointed for his congregation, until a local session shall be regularly organised, which was granted. Mr. Ryder was appointed to preach and preside at Norham on the 21st, upon the occasion of Mr. Kidd's ordination. NORHAM.-On the 21st August, 1845, the Presbytery of Berwick met, and the Rev. Professor Lorimer, of London, and Mr. Wright, of the Free Church, Swinton, being present, were invited to sit as members. Professor Lorimer kindly consented, being solicited, to give the address to the people, which Mr. Nicholson was to have done. The Presbytery proceeded to the New Church (which has been built by this active and zealous congregation, and is rapidly making progress towards being finished), where the solemn services of the day were gone through with all the usual order and reverence, in the presence of a very numerous and deeplyinterested congregation. Mr. Ryder preached and presided at the ordination. Mr. Watson and Professor Lorimer addressed the minister and people respectively. On this occasion, as also at Ancroft Moor, Professor Lorimer took the opportunity of large numbers being assembled, and in the presence and at the wish of the Presbytery, to give a very able and effective address to the congregation on the Synod's important schemes, which were listened to with profound and marked attention. His visit and addresses will not soon be forgotten, having been deeply and gratefully impressed on their hearts. Professor Lorimer, it should have been stated, laid the foundation stone of the church which is being built at The Presbytery of Berwick have now been supplemented by three young, zealous, and promising ministers, and may, with God's blessing, be expected to carry on the work of the Lord with new vigour and effect. PRESBYTERY OF NORTHUMBERLAND. PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE. FELTON.-Soiree.-The Annual Soiree was held here on Tuesday, the 2d instant. Tea was We are happy to learn that, at a recent served up by the ladies of the congregation in meeting of the Presbytery of the bounds, a very elegant style, and the judgment and Major Anderson, of the Royal Artillery, pretaste displayed in the entire arrangements sently on duty at Manchester, requested leave commanded unqualified praise. The much- to address the court on the prospects of estabesteemed pastor of the congregation, the Rev. lishing a Presbyterian Church in Chester. Alexander Hoy, was in the chair, and must He read certain statistical details, and commuhave been highly gratified by the very marked nicated information obtained personally, of the testimony which was tendered of the affection numbers of Scotchmen residing in Chester, of his flock, and of the respect of the neigh- the desire entertained by many of them that a bourhood. The church was crowded to over- Presbyterian congregation should be formed flowing by a most respectable assemblage. there, and the interest that the erection of a The Chairman was followed in his address by MATTHEW HENRY'S Church would be sure to the Rev. Mr. Thompson, of Alnwick, on "Fe- awaken in the hearts of all who held that male Education and its accessaries;" the Rev. venerable man's principles. Major Anderson Mr. Blythe, of Branton, on "Missionary Efforts announced that a commodious place of worship at Home and Abroad;" the Rev. Mr. Grundy, was already secured, and that were the Presbyof Alnwick, on "the Tendency of such Meet-tery to countenance the movement, and the serings to promote Christian Concord and For- vices of Dr. Candlish, or any of the other eminent bearance;" the Rev. Mr. Lennie, of Glanton, Free Church ministers, who were about to visit on "the Intellectual Improvement of a Rural Liverpool, on the occasion of the meeting for Population;" the Rev. Mr. Edwards, of Wid-promoting Christian union, were secured for drington, on "the Moral Improvement of the opening the station, an impulse would be from Peasantry;" the Rev. Mr. Anderson, on the first given to the movement. The Presby"Scriptural Education;" and the Rev. Mr. tery at once appointed a Committee to gather Gillespie, of Framlington, on "The In- information, and to report speedily; expressing fluence of Chapel Debts on the Prosperity of their intention of doing all that was possible Congregations." The entertainment was indeed for the furtherance of such an object. One of "a feast of reason and a flow of soul;" and the most interesting features of the reviving the refreshing influence of this scene of cor- religion of the present day is, that the diality, concord, and Christian sympathy, will, quickenings are taking place in localities it is hoped, long outlast the occasion. honoured of old by faithful preaching. The Spirit of God seems returning to his former abode. How much reason would there be for praise, if, after a long blighting winter of Socinianism, the Presbyterian principles of Matthew Henry were seen reviving in our days in Chester! After the whole of this number was in type, we received intelligence that Mr. Anderson was inducted at Morpeth, but particulars must be delayed till next month. We cannot, however, but express our gratification at this event, and our hope that Mr. A. may long be spared, and greatly blessed in his most impor tant labours not only in Morpeth, but throughout Northumberland. PRESBYTERY OF CUMBERLAND. ON Tuesday, the 19th of August, the Presbytery of Cumberland held its first meeting at Carlisle, the Rev. Dr. Brown, of Brampton, Moderator. The Rev. M. Harvey was elected Presbytery Clerk. There was not any business of public interest before them, but the proceedings were characterized by the utmost harmony and brotherly feeling. ordinary meeting was appointed to be held at Maryport, on Monday, the 2d of February next. The next We are delighted to hear that the Free Presbytery of Edinburgh have agreed to loose Mr. Corrie from Portobello, and that he has accepted the call to St. Andrew's Church, Manchester. This intelligence has arrived too late to permit our doing more than simply expressing our gratification. LETTER FROM LOWICK. THE following is one of the most sensible and business-like letters we have ever received. Short, pithy, pointed, it tells its tale in a word, although that tale might bear to have its gold expanded infinitely farther than some of the In consequence of the simultaneous removal tinsel we are doomed occasionally to encounof all the ministers of this Presbytery (formerly ter. But it is not only with the letter we are known as the Presbytery of the North-West of enamoured. Its contents, in more senses than England), after the disruption of the Church one, were exceedingly to our taste. Our of Scotland, it became defunct; and the minis-readers can judge for themselves whether our ters, who were afterwards settled in the vacant admiration was causeless, when we inform them, charges, could not hold Presbyterian meet- the letter contained 14., which, we may add, ings till the Synod, at its last meeting, restored their power as a Presbytery, nominated their Moderator, and fixed the time and place of their first meeting. The clerical members of this Presbytery we have transmitted to the treasurer of the Home Mission Society. The letter was private, but from the instant we received it, we determined to lay it before our readers, and wrote the author accordingly. An editor, we may apprise our readers, is a dangerous confidant. He is a constant correspondent of his dear friend, the public, and like other correspondents he sometimes tells his friend a secret. Besides, he has little regard for personal feel of a spoiler? Would it not be wise, for her own sake, to leave them and their pastors under their proper spiritual superiors, and the Lord Jesus Christ, their only Head, Lord, and King?-and that free spiritualjurisdiction which he hath established in every independent branch of his pure Scriptural Church? In the words of one of the fathers of the Dumfries Presbytery, once animated with other sentiments, I would respectfully but firmly say, "Show us our respective spheres of labour in the vineyard, and let us keep to them respectively; for if you come upon the sphere I am cultivating, our implements will clash together and strike fire. Confusion and clamour will ensue ings when public interests may be promoted. | incompatibility with ecclesiastical order, I had Accordingly, we publish the letter just by way to attend the Presbytery at Berwick, under of hint to the rest of our friends to go and do whose jurisdiction I am, on the very day the likewise. With some of our clerical correspond- alleged citation called me to appear before the ents we are willing to compound the matter Dumfries Presbytery, and that at our ordinary thus. Instead of a personal contribution, let meeting. And here I would animadvert upon them send us a congregational collection, and one thing connected with the said citation. It we pledge ourselves to apply it to as good a bears date June 10th; it was presented on the purpose as we have done on this occasion. 25th July, and demanded appearance on But we must give the letter, and let it speak August 5th!-kept up for weeks!!-and only for itself.-ED. a few days left to do anything in reference to "Lowick, September 5th, 1845. it!!! Was this fair-manly, to steal a march? "MY DEAR SIR,I hate flattery, and I But to details: all that the Dumfries Presbywill not give it. I love brevity, and I will tery have informed me of is, that certain observe it. nameless parties complained to the Presbytery of various overt acts (also nameless), from charity will bleed-and the religion of the which they inferred that I had seceded from meek and blessed Jesus will suffer before the the Established Church of Scotland; and I infidel and the world." I have only to add, am asked whether I signed the Protest laid that, for the Dumfries Presbytery to have proupon the General Assembly's table in 1843-ceeded, in the face of a legally-tendered proor have given any declaration or indication test against their illegal procedure, declaring whatever of having seceded, &c. Now my that they would pay no regard to it, is as unanswer, were I to give one, might do no serconstitutional as it makes evident that might, vice to opponents. But I rather ask, has any not right, is their rule. But that protest will one answered the Protest? Until that be yet avail, under God, elsewhere. done, any one has a right to move the previous question. As to giving "any declaration or indication whatever," that part of the question savours of the odious old proceedings in cases of constructive treason-of the High Commission and Star-Chamber Courts-if not "Souls are perishing. The cry for help is pressing. The cause of Christ is glorious. The question now to be answered, is notWhat have I said?-but-What have I done? Have I done real, substantial, solid good-undeniable good? Fruits are demanded. Can I point to these fruits? Accept of the enclosed as a Donation to that Scheme of our Church, which, as you may consider, calls loudest for present aid. "I remain, my dear Sir, your's faithfully, "THOMAS D. NICHOLSON." LETTER OF THE REV. MR. MURDOCH, FRIES. WILLIAM BROUN, Esq., Clerk to Dumfries Presbytery. SIR, I have received various official communications from you in the name of the Presbytery of Dumfries, to which, now that that the Presbytery have got through a form of illegally and unconstitutionally "finding and declaring" certain things concerning me, I feel called upon to advert. I have not done so hitherto, because of my obligations to the Presbyterian Church in England, which prevent me from recognising the intrusion of any other into its jurisdiction. Moreover, the Established Church of Scotland, in General Assembly convened, solemnly declared, in the year of our Lord 1834-that, being an Established Church, she neither did possess legally, nor could constitutionally exercise, ecclesiastical jurisdiction in England. Farther, the General Assembly in 1839 recognised, not conferred, the entire and exclusive jurisdiction over her own ministers, and affairs, of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England, as a co-ordinate, independent Church. Which Acts remain unrepealed, and by them the Presbyteries of the Scottish Establishment are legally and constitutionally bound. The Presbyteries in Scotland who seek to assume jurisdiction over ministers in England, therefore, over-ride the solemn acts of their own Church. Is this an example to teach others (if they were at liberty) to respect their authority? The Treaty of the Union also precludes them from having any legal, as do their own constitutional councils, from having any ecclesiastical jurisdiction south of the Tweed. Wherefore it is illegal, incompetent, and inept, for a Scotch Presbytery to issue its citations in England; and to do so by an English notary must render the citations null and void, as he can have his authority only from an English Court, and can act only according to English law. I have not therefore been, nor can be, legally cited by the Dumfries Presbytery. To show the practical legal incompatibility of this: about the time I was served with what purported to be the third and last citation to appear personally before the Dumfries Presbytery, I was under a subpoena to appear as a witness in a civil case before an English court. To show its of the Inquisition. But can a minister of the I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, ALEX. MURDOCH. Grove House, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, August 8th, 1845. CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. THERE is no part of our financial machinery that we deem of such essential importance as the Congregational Associations, and just in proportion to our sense of their importance, 18 our anxiety that they be universally formed, judiciously organized, and efficiently worked. The congregation that wants such an engine, is comparatively valueless to the Church. It may now and then dole out a dribblet of a collection, or it may even through the aid of a few wealthy large-hearted, openhanded members, send us sums which, in our present condition of little contributions, may look large, and be quoted as very respectable; but without an association, a congregation does not and cannot know its own resources; it has no conception of the liberality of its members; it has no machinery for stimulating to increased exertions: it wants, in short, the prime agent in forming, stimulating, and sustaining the liberality of a people. Nor is this the only loss a congregation sustains by lacking an association. There is a vast amount of ability, energy, and zeal, lying dormant in all our congregations-useless to the Church, and perhaps injurious to their possessor. Why not avail ourselves of these elements thus lying ready for use, and needing only an opportunity for development, to go forth on a mission of mercy to benefit the Church? Men and women too are fond of activity, if you can but get them a sphere for the exercise of their talents. There is pleasure in exercise-as much so in the exercise of the faculties and affections as of the limbs. And why not avail ourselves of this provision of the God of nature, and make all the means placed at our disposal available for his glory and the good of his Church? Men are fond of responsibility: they love an office involving trust; they delight in a sphere that confers a little power-that makes them feel that they are felt and acknowledged to be of some weight in the community; in short, that elevates them above the dead mass, and gives themselves something to do-something that confers some little distinction. And why not seize hold of these agencies? Is there a system on earth that can so direct them to the general good, and restrain their prejudicial excesses or misdirections, as our I own scriptural and apostolic Presbyterianism? | are, the elders should lend an active hand in And yet, is it not a melancholy fact, that we the work. Our elders hitherto have not suffihave lost some of our very best and most ciently realized the responsibility of their office, active members, just because we assigned nor performed the work the Church expects at them no office-gave them nothing to do their hands. Their labours in the Session and which could keep their superfluous energies in in visitation from house to house, are most imhealthful active recreation? Search for the portant, and cannot be overvalued. But there cause of some secessions-look at what they is something more that they can do. Who so have become in their new connexions, and proper as they to superintend congregational you will find they just went off in search of societies, to search out agents for the Church's employment; and thus men who might be of varied work, and take an active oversight of all the institutions in which the Church is engaged? The elders have been always our mainstay in our troubles and labours. Our success under God we owe very much to them. Let them lay the Church under deeper obligations still, by taking an active oversight of our associations, yea, and taking a share of the the most essential service to our cause, had we but the wisdom to employ them, have carried their and skill into an alien, perhaps a energy hostile camp. Our Church ought to seize hold of all the talents God has placed within its reach. Let us adapt the infant-school motto to our present purposes. A man for every office and an office for every man. This is the way to keep the members we have and to get more. But let no man imagine that the only use of these associations, the only purpose to which they should be applied, is the collecting of money. No mistake can be more gross. Our people know too little of one another. They do not come into a close enough contact to adhere, to sympathize, to form a real living unity. Place them then together as members of an association. Our people, too, are not sufficiently attached to our Church. They come, it may be, regularly enough to church on the Lord's-day, and are fond enough of their minister. But that is not sufficient. They may be fond enough of the minister and care very little for the Church. They may be regular enough in attendance on public worship, and yet take very little interest in the proceedings or prosperity of our own communion. But make them members of our associations, then they feel a personal interest in our prosperity. It is then their own concern. A living tie connects them with us a living principle interests them in our behalf, and their prayers, substance, labours, are cheerfully, joyously bestowed in advancing our cause. Can it be wondered at then that we are so urgent for the formation of such associations in all our churches? But after they are formed, they must be counselled and kept in busy activity. And how is this to be done? The Synod has devolved that duty on Presbyters, and perhaps that was the best course the Synod could pursue. But there are other parties also that must take an active oversight of these associations. Where there are deacons, they ought to be the leading members in such societies; we say the leading, not the only members; for every active man-yea, and woman, too, and women generally in preference to men,-ought to be enrolled as members of such associations. But it may and ought to be expected that deacons, where they exist, should be the leading parties; and where there are no deacons, and even where there The tale may seem too light to be introduced in this connexion, and yet it contains a valuable moral, and we have heard it told with much feeling. In a Scottish north-eastern town, some small sect had opened a hall for public worship. Our informant's father was induced one night to attend, and on entering found a respectable shopkeeper engaged in the humble office of snuffing the candles. "What! Mr. -, is this your employment now ?" was the visitor's first salutation. "Yes, Sir, (was the ready answer); one might stop long enough up yonner (pointing in the direction of the parish church) afore he would get any office;" and he flourished his snuffers as if the badge of an honourable employment. The tale, we have said, contains a moral, let our clerical friends ponder it. work too. There is a morbid pietetic spiritualism in some quarters that has often taxed our patience. "Oh, I do not like to be always dunning my people for money, it secularizes the clerical office." The Apostle Paul had no such morbid spiritualism. He experienced no such secularization. From Church to Church he went about in person begging for money, and thought it no degradation to convey it with his own apostolic hands to Jerusalem. Nay, he did more, he commanded, although in the language of request, that collections should be made every Lord's-day, not at one diet, but at all the services of the sanctuary. Oh, how different the sound, masculine spirituality of the apostle from the mawkish sentimentalism of modern days! per Secularization! Nothing is secular that tains to the Church. Whatever the Church touches she consecrates. The altar. sanctified the victim, the temple consecrated the gold, and the Church sanctifies all the gifts, offerings, and talents employed in her service. Were men more spiritually-minded, they would experience no secularity even in mundane employments. An angel from heaven lost none of his heavenly-mindedness when engaged on an earthly mission. The Saviour's life is another instance in point, and so is that of the apostles. But ministers, moreover, ought to remember that they are not to consult mere emotions, or be deterred by mere sensibilities. They are the servants of the Church for the Lord's sake; and even if ungrateful to their feelings, no act should be omitted that can benefit the body of Christ. Besides, Church members must not be defrauded of their privilege of giving to the cause of their Lord. But how can they give, if the storekeepers of the Lord's treasury refuse to open the doors or receive the gift? But if ministers neglect this duty, let associations supply their lack of service. Let every member of the Church consider what he owes my Lord," and let him take his pen quickly, and instead of following the counsel of the unjust steward, let him, if that can be, double the amount. Our claims at present are urgent. That is our reason for so frequently recurring to this topic. And, God willing, we shall return to it again and again, until the Church shall rouse her to a consciousness of her privileges and a conviction of her duty. MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. WE are anxious not so much to please as to benefit our readers, although, in order to accomplish the latter, we are aware that some attention must be paid to the former. Some of our kind correspondents, with many flattering commendations of what has been done, inform us, that in some rural parts our readers are too ignorant to benefit by much that we have written. It is, therefore, our intention for the future to pay greater attention to the wants and desires of this class. If by so doing we should introduce into our columns matter which others of our readers have seen elsewhere, such parties will just bear in mind (to use an illustration which our lady readers will fully understand) that, as a periodical is like a great feast, so an editor, in order to please some tastes, is necessitated to prepare some viands that may be insipid or even disagreeable to others. and The following paper gives a condensed very graphic account of the labours of the Evengelical Societies of France and Geneva. It is an extract from a speech of M. F. Monod, which some of our readers may have seen elsewhere, but which, if they are like-minded with us, they must rejoice to read again. Many of our readers have not yet seen it, and it is for this class it is specially designed. Who that knows the state of the Continent, but must rejoice that God has at length heard the prayers of the "souls beneath the altar"-the martyrs who suffered in the St. Bartholomew massacre, and during the dragonnades of Louis XIV.? The Society at Geneva was founded fifteen years ago. It has several departments of labour. First, The founders felt it their duty to establish an Evangelical School of Theology in opposition to the old Unitarian School of Geneva. This institution now counts four professors, of which Dr. D'Aubigné is one; and among the students are several who receive aid from the Society, and several who come from the valleys of the Waldenses. Next there is the Home Department. This embraces two objects the opening of the Evangelical Chapel at Geneva, where the Gospel is now preached every Sunday to a numerous and attentive congregation, and the work among the Roman Catholics in the canton of Geneva, where there are two ministers and two or three evangelists continually occupied and powerfully blessed. The third department is that of the colporteurs. A colporteur is a hawker, a simple peasant, who goes about with a bundle of Bibles, Testaments, and tracts, upon his back, selling them at reduced prices, and occasionally giving them for nothing. The Society had last year sixty-three of these simple and holy men in its employment; and a remarkable fact is, that while a few years ago all the colporteurs were native Protestant Swiss, the most of them at present are Frenchmen, and born Roman Catholics. The fourth department has for its object the evangelization of France. In connexion with this the Society has established fourteen preaching stations with ministers or evangelists. Then as to the Evangelical Society of France. The agency of the Society is of different orders. They had last year 29 ordained ministers, 18 evangelists and colporteurs, 27 schools and teachers, and two persons studying at Geneva, who are now ordained and at mal schools, one for schoolmasters, and an work. They have founded in Paris two Norother for schoolmistresses, and they have 34 at the former and 21 at the latter, in all 55 pupils. Altogether the Society had on its pay last year 137 persons. Their receipts last year | localities where the people in numbers_are were £5,500, and their expenditure £5,900-turning from Popery, and seek to get Prothat is, £400 more than they had received. testant ministers. As yet the Society has been During the eleven first years of their existence, able to send only six ministers among them, they were very much blessed-but particularly and these are obliged to supply in the best has this been the case during the last two manner possible the surrounding districts. years and especially in their labours among The town of Sens is a pretty large place, and the Roman Catholics. Their success is evi- an archiepiscopal see, on the high road from denced by the fact of several priests having Paris to Lyons. Only two months ago, in the come out from the Roman Church. But it is beginning of April, a colporteur visited it with especially among the people that a growing his load of Bibles and Testaments, and a short disgust is manifested with Popery. From time after a minister was sent to see how mat12,000 to 15,000 Roman Catholics are at this ters stood. On the first day he preached to moment listening to the preaching of the pure about 30; again on the second day to 100. word of God in different parts of France. The In a few days more, the congregation increased movement is not confined to any part of the to 300. From time to time he continued to country. It has manifested itself in the South preach there, and the result was, that now in the Department de Var; in the West, in there is a congregation of 1200 to 1500, where, Charente Inferieure; in the Centre, in La two months ago, there was no Protestant worHaute Vienne; in the East, in Les Vosges; ship, and no Protestant person known. At in the North, in La Manche. In the large these proceedings the archbishop was very town of Angers, containing 32,000 souls, and wroth. And to make matters worse, our where until of late, there were no Protestants, brethren were guilty of the incivility of es one of the priests had been giving lectures tablishing their place of worship hard by his and slandering the religion and persons of palace; so that when he pleased to open his Protestants. A friend of mine, who was tra- windows, he could hear the voice of their velling in that quarter, when he heard of this psalms. He complained to the civil authoriwent to the town and delivered a course of ties, who sent a police-officer to make a proces lectures against Popery. He had a crowded verbal against their minister, that is to take a audience, not only of simple people, but also of note of what he said, and give the authorities magistrates, advocates, medical men, and some a handle by which to attack him. The officer of the first society of the place; and the result came, accompanied by his man; but, in listenhas been that now there is a flourishing Pro- ing to the Gospel, he completely forgot his testant Church, and a pastor statedly labouring commission. After sermon, he came to the in that town, sent and supported by the Evan- minister, and asked him to dictate the proces gelical Society. In La Haute Vienne, where verbal against himself, as he could find noone year ago there was not one place of Pro- thing to say. This was actually done; and testant worship, there are now six churches the minister, in dictating the proces, took care and six ministers regularly preaching the gos- to do it in such a way as to furnish no prepel. There are some interesting facts con- tence for an attack. The officer turned from nected with the movement in La Haute Vi- Popery, and the man who accompanied him enne, particularly with regard to Ville Favard. was actually seen, at the close of the second This is a large village of 600 souls. The sermon, distributing tracts to those who came people had been long disgusted with Popery, out of the church. The mayor of Sens was inand about eighteen months ago they entreated clined to grant the use of the city hall for the Evangelical Society to send a minister Protestant worship, but the archbishop conamong them. M. Roussel was sent to visit trived to prevent this, and so the Society were them. While he was there not one would go compelled to purchase a large house for this to listen to the Roman Catholics. Here is a purpose. They have also commenced two single instance:-One summer inorning, when schools in the town; and one friend has given M. Roussel was going to preach, a priest came them 6007. at once to aid them in this business. from a neighbouring village, with a horse car- One word regarding the means by which this rying his candles and other implements for movement has been originated. It can be saying mass-for it is not enough with them traced to no other agency than the diffusion of to have a heart and faith for prayer, they need Bibles and New Testaments. During the last implements also. Well, this man came with twenty years three millions of copies of the his horse-load of implements. He went to the Word of God have been circulated in France, village to obtain the loan of a barn, but none and 190,000 during the last year. Thus the of the peasants would give him one. At last seed has been sown, and it is now beautifully he offered 100 francs (47.) for two hours' use whitening unto harvest; they have cast their of a barn, what he would have got for 6d. for bread upon the waters, and they are now any other purpose. Not one peasant would finding it after many days. take it, and he was obliged to put up his altar under a tree, and say his mass before his boy and his horse, while at the same time 400 people were listening to M. Roussel. Now there is not a single Roman Catholic in the whole place, except a priest whom the bishop sent when he heard what was going on; and the two Protestant schools are attended by 130 pupils. At Balledent, a village of 500 or 600 people, about 200 have renounced Popery, and they are now engaged in building a church and school. The town of St. Jean d'Angely is well known in this country as the place where the renowned John Welch laboured for fourteen years. Here two hundred years ago, the light of the Gospel was quenched in blood. But the seed which was then sown has not perished-the prayers of God's people are now being answered. In that place, and throughout the Department de Charente Inferieure, in which it is situated, there are forty or fifty COLLECTIONS AND DONATIONS FOR Southwark-Collection Mr. Welsh's Congregation, Liverpool 15 00 £20 4 Mr. A. C. Dunlop, ditto Regent-square- Collection, per Mr. J. Donation... Ditto, for Morpeth...... 50 0 25 6 6 .......... Sunderland, per Rev. Dr. Paterson John Knox, London [In our last number, when the above was an- 20 0 0 We have given above, all the collections that have been received in aid of the funds of the School scheme. In last number, in announcing part of the above, we said we were grievously disappointed. And had we not cause, valid cause, for our disappointment? Still we buoyed ourselves up with the hope that collections had been merely delayed by local circumstances, but would all be forward for this month. We were well aware, indeed, that difficulties are never removed by delay, that, on the contrary, they increase, and that, if it is difficult to make a collection this month, it will be doubly difficult to make it next month. Still we hoped against hope, and since our congregations are only getting into working order, we fancied that general and established rules might not here be applicable. But hope has now deserted us. The above is all we can expect to receive this year, and we ask, is it enough? If we cared little for the cause, we would regard the matter with greater philosophy, but being heart and soul bound up with the prosperity of our Church, and feeling a personal interest in all its affairs, we cannot conceal our disappointment. Superficial emotions, it is proverbially said, are garrulous, while the more profound are mute: and we feel the truth of the saying. Had our concern been less, we would say more, but our pen is paralyzed, and for the present we are silent. But amid our reasons for sorrow, we are not without causes of joy and hope. Look at the collection from River-terrace Church, London. Reader, look up to it. It amounts to about a fourth of the whole sum collected. That congregation, a few Sabbaths before, made a contribution amounting to some 401. for a Mission in Ireland. They are collecting money, and have contributed themselves upwards of 1,000l. within the last three months to enlarge their own Church, and must contribute many hundreds besides. And yet they have now_contributed to the School Sustentation Fund, 49l. 8s. 1d.! And does not that congregation then deserve to be singled out and held up to the admiration and emulation of all the congregations in the Church? But really all the collections enjoined by the Synod must be made by all the Churches, and on the very day too specified by the Synod. No congregation can be excused, and no excuse need be attempted, for none will be sus27 7 6 tained. We mean to make up a list of all the 4 congregational collections, submit the same to the Synod, and then publish it in the Messenger," leaving the Synod to deal with delinquents, as to its wisdom may seem proper. 12 0 |