dren will then be no better than beggars. Therefore decide at once, to-morrow it will be too late." You will not be surprised to hear that in this cruel alternative these poor people gave way, although they did so with tears, and with hearts full of grief and indignation. Had they been blessed with the knowledge of the Lord's promises to His children, they might possibly have been enabled to withstand the assaults of the enemy; but we well know that "faith comes by hearing," and we neither wonder at nor condemn them. This is one of many instances that occur, proving to us what, alas! is but too well known, that Rome, to attain her end, scruples not as to the means 66 she employs; and yet, while giving way to envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness," pretends to call herself Christian," and to be the disciple of that Being who is Love, and with whom, on these occasions, we endeavour to exclaim with sincerity of heart, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." We had several interesting conversions at Easter. One of them was very remarkable; the person being a gentleman well known and much respected, both in his public and private character. He holds a Government situation, and his conversion has been the topic of the whole town. Lessons by the Way. INFLUENCE OF CALVINISM. On the banks of the Lake of Geneva, Calvin | stood forth the boldest reformer of his day; not personally engaging in political intrigues, but, by promulgating great ideas, forming the seedplot of revolution; bowing only to the Invisible; acknowledging no Sacrament of ordination but the choice of the laity, no patent of nobility but that of the elect of God, with its seals of eternity. Luther's was still a Catholic religion; it sought to instruct all, to confirm all, to sanctify all; and so, under the shelter of principalities, it gave established forms to Protestant Germany, and Sweden, and Denmark, and England. But Calvin taught an exclusive doctrine, which, though it addressed itself to all, rested only on the chosen. Lutheranism was, therefore, not a political party; it included prince and noble and peasant. Calvinism was revolutionary; wherever it came it created division; its symbol, as set upon the "Institutes" of its teacher, was a flaming sword. By the side of the eternal mountains, and the perennial snows, and the arrowy rivers of Switzerland, it established a religion without a prelate, a government without a king. Fortified by its faith in fixed decrees, it kept possession of its homes among the Alps. It grew powerful in France, and invigorated, between the feudal nobility and the crown, the long contest, which did not end till the subjection of the nobility, through the central despotism, prepared the ruin of that despotism, by promoting the equality of the commons. It entered Holland, inspiring an industrious nation with heroic enthusiasm; en franchising and uniting provinces; and making burghers, and weavers, and artisans, victors over the highest orders of Spanish chivalry, over the power of the Inquisition, and the pretended majesty of kings. It penetrated Scotland; and while its whirlwind bore along persuasion among glens and mountains, it shrunk from no danger, and hesitated at no ambition; it nerved its rugged but hearty envoy to resist the flatteries of the beautiful Queen Mary; it assumed the education of her only son; it divided the nobility; it penetrated the masses, overturned the ancient ecclesiastical establishment, planted the free parochial school, and gave a living energy to the principle of liberty in a people. It infused itself into England, and placed its plebeian sympathies in daring resistance to the courtly hierarchy; dissenting from dissent ; longing to introduce the reign of righteousness, it invited every man to read the Bible, and made itself dear to the common mind by teaching, as a Divine revelation, the unity of the race and the natural equality of man; it claimed for itself freedom of utterance, and through the pulpit, in eloquence embued with the authoritative words of prophets and apostles, spoke to the whole congregation; it sought new truth, denying the sanctity of the continuity of tradition; it stood up against the middle age and its forms in Church and State, hating them with a fierce and unquenchable hatred. Imprisoned, maimed, oppressed at home, its independent converts in Great Britain looked beyond the Atlantic for a better world. Their energetic passion was nurtured by trust in the Divine protection, their power of will was safely intrenched in their own vigorous creed; and under the banner of the Gospel, with the fervid and enduring love of the myriads who in Europe adopted the stern simplicity of the discipline of Calvin, they sailed for the wilderness, far away from "Popery and Prelacy," from the traditions of the Church, from hereditary power, from the sovereignty of an earthly king-from all dominion but the Bible, and "what arose from natural reason and the principles of equity."-Bancroft. of Books. Notices of Memoirs of the Lives of Robert Haldane, of Airthrey, and of his Brother James Alexander Haldane. By ALEXANDER HALDANE, Esq. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 1852. IN the Memoirs of these two brothers, we have a chapter of Church History which ought not to be forgotten. It is not a chapter for Presbytery, nor a chapter for Independency, it is a chapter for the Church of God. Though in one sense the book may be called denominational, yet it is wholly unsectarian. No one need be offended by it who desires that the Word should "run and be glorified." It is a most stirring book from its first to its last page, and presents us with a noble specimen of a Christian gentleman, whose life and fortune were laid out for God. For all classes in society it is most suitable, but seems specially fitted to be useful among our landed gentlemen, who, too often, even when Christian men, throw half their life away. The Foreign Evangelical Review. No. II. August, 1852. Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter. THE design and publication of this excellent Review is not the least of the many obligations under which the Christian public has been laid by Messrs. Johnstone and Hunter. Whilst our transatlantic cousins, who send forth one or two quarterly journals in each of their leading denominations, have had ample supplies of British literature by the republication of our leading Reviews, only one American work of the kind has been republished in this country. To this evil we have now a remedy in the Foreign Evangelical · work, which, the publishers state, "will not be the republication of any single periodical, but a collection of the papers of highest merit in the Reviews of the various denominations - - an arrangement which, by securing an extensive field for selection, affords a strong additional gua -a rantee for its high and unvarying excellence. The names of the authors will generally be given in the index to the volume; and negotiations are in progress, through which it is hoped that several of the papers will be published in the Foreign Evangelical Review and in America simultaneously." We hailed the appearance of the first number with no ordinary pleasure, for in every respect our expectations were very far exceeded. The second is by no means its inferior. The articles, in point of ability, and as a whole, are not excelled by any of our first-class periodicals. With so excellent a guarantee for the soundness of its theology, we know not another periodical that may be of greater service to the Church of Christ; and with upwards of two hundred octavo pages, printed on type and paper that can scarcely be excelled-and all for half-a-crown-we feel assured that its circulation will soon exceed that of all other periodicals of its class in this country. The Diocese of Exeter; its State and its Remedies. An Address delivered at St. Mary Church, Devon, on April 29th, 1852. With an Introductory Letter to the Earl of Ducie. By Sir C. E. EARDLEY, Bart. London: James Ridgway. IT will be almost unnecessary for us to say that the state of the diocese of Exeter, as revealed in this little pamphlet, is thoroughly Popish. Our readers are aware of this, but certainly the details brought out by Sir Culling respecting the actual state of matters are much worse than is generally supposed. It is not without proof he ventures to say that "the Bishop is surrounded by incumbents more Popish than himself; the curates are worse than the incumbents; the nuns [for the Bishop of Exeter has nuns in his diocese] worse than the curates. In short, this south-west corner of England is rapidly becoming, as far as ecclesiastical machinery is concerned, a dependency of the Papacy." The Rev. G. R. Prynne, Chaplain to the Eldad Nunnery (Miss Sellon's), in a letter to Sir Culling, makes the following statement: "I am happy to be able to inform you that there is an increasing number of persons in the English Church who deeply value and use the sacred ordinance of confession. I have been called on to receive a great many persons to this blessed means of grace, and in doing so I wear my priestly dress, as I deem the granting the benefit of absolution is essentially a priestly act. CHINA. People do also, I may add, usually make confession on their knees, and acknowledge 'all their bad thoughts,' as well as their other sins." And yet these Popish proceedings are not only allowed, but propagated by the very bishops of this so-called Protestant English Church. Every true friend of that Church must feel grateful to the writer of this pamphlet for the important facts he has laid before them, facts which should be deeply pondered by every Protestant in the kingdom. Missions. REV. WM. C. BURNS TO MR. MATHESON. The Mission Additional Missionary Amoy, June 8, 1852. portunities opened to me of co-operating with others in the preaching of the Word, such as I have not as yet had here; and of worship here being already well the regular services in the different places undefined and uncertain kind. occupied by others, my work is of a more Immediately after writing last to Dr. Hamilton, in March, I was absent on an interesting MY DEAR SIR,-I duly received your excursion on the mainland near us, for a kind, and in all respects satisfactory, note week, and met with the same kind and of 23d March,-not the least interesting friendly reception as we had experienced part of its contents was the reference you on a previous excursion, of which I wrote made to the prospect of a devoted labourer some particulars. Since that time I have joining us here. May he come, indeed, been stationary here, and have, in conseby the Lord's ordination, and come with quence of long-continued wet weather, a blessing to many here. In whatever been more than usually hindered in the way he may be qualified and guided to work of out-door preaching. I have, labour, the field is open and inviting; and however, had occupation laid to my hand as to outward privations and trials, these to fill up these vacant hours, in being are here in the meantime comparatively called to co-operate with the missionary small. The schools under Dr. Young's brethren in editing a new collection of care, you are aware, go on this year as hymns, &c., for Chinese public worship. last, excepting that at least the one beside The specimen inclosed will show you which I lodge, and with the scholars and what I allude to. In the leaves sent teachers of which I daily unite in worship, there are two out of the whole number of is larger than last year. The pupils learn fifty hymns included in the collection, and the elements of Christian truth through of these a full fifth are nearly new. the medium of their own tongue, but they at present engaged in translating into do not remain long enough at school to Chinese the first part of the "Pilgrim's have much impression made on their Progress," but it is yet uncertain whether future character, being mostly the children this will be accomplished in such a manner of poor parents, who wish them employed as to be suitable for publication, or only at labour as soon as they can earn a little. prove an exercise in the language. As to my general engagements, I may trust the former may be the case, as this say that since I came to Amoy, with the work has not yet appeared in Chinese. I exception of occasionally addressing com- am encouraged also by the cordial copanies of the people in the open air, and operation of the brethren here. Of course, paying three different visits to the sur- in such work the style depends almost rounding country, I have preached very entirely on the Chinese teacher employed, little; indeed, less than in any other but even though the style is theirs, it is period of the same length since I came to very difficult to be faithful to the original, China. In Hong Kong and Canton I had and yet to make a free and engaging providential, though but temporary, op-native work. We were graciously aided I am I in the former little effort on the hymns, and look to the same fulness in this case to aid, that so new helps may be given to this interesting people to know and walk in the way of life. With Christian love to all brethren, and desiring to be ever prayed for, I ever am, yours affectionately, WM. C. BURNS. Fever set in a few days after I wrote you; it was very severe, and for some time she was in considerable danger; but by God's blessing, with great care, she got through it, although obliged to keep her bed for fully a month. She is now only able to move a little about the house. Mr. Burns is quite well. Yours, &c., J. H. YOUNG. I have now to mention the statistics of the schools, as they were closed at the end of the Chinese year, and again commenced after the holidays. The 1st of the Chinese year was our 20th February; the schools closed on the 13th February, and were re-opened on the 5th March. At the commencement of last year, you may recollect that the whole number was fifty-five; twenty-three taught under this roof, and thirty-two by the Christian teacher. When the boys were dismissed, the numbers were twenty-three and twenty-seven, making fifty. Besides these, there were also eight boys taught by my private teacher ("Sio"), (whose services I engaged for this purpose in April), making in all fifty-eight boys. This number was the average of the attendance during the latter six months of the year. On the re-opening of the school, thirty-nine out of these fifty-eight returned-viz., of the twenty-three, there returned eighteen, most of whom had been scholars the previous year also; and besides these eighteen, there have come of new boys, twelve, making thirty. Of the twenty-seven there have returned seventeen, and there have come of new boys, twenty-three, making forty. the eight there have returned four, and there have come of new boys, nine, making thirteen. So that there are severally, thirty, forty, thirteen,-in all, eightythree. For the last month there has been a full attendance. Of course, out of such a number there are always a few absent from unavoidable causes, as sickness, &c. There is also now a full attendance on the Sabbath. On Wednesday afternoons the boys in this house attend the preaching service, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Stronach. Of Mrs. Young has had a tedious recovery. CORFU. EXTRACTS FROM LETTER OF MR. CHARTERIS TO THE TREASURER. Sickness in the Island-Failure of Olive Crop-Success of Relief Fund-Medical Missions, Dr. Napoleone. Corfu, July 23, 1852. I regret to say that much sickness has prevailed in Corfu for some time among all classes of the civilians, while, however, the troops seem healthy. The young have been suffering from both measles and small-pox, and there have been a good many deaths from the latter complaint. Nor have these been confined to children. Our girls' school has been for the last fortnight very thin; not more than ten or twelve have attended for two weeks. I am not aware of any of our girls having died, but some of them have been very ill. The poor little deaf and dumb girl was one morning reported to be dead, but this was incorrect. She has been very ill, and we were all much concerned for her; she is such an interesting child, and her mind seems expanding. She began some time ago to write, and was making such progress that we were expecting she would soon be able to communicate her thoughts in this way. [In regard to the failure of the olive crop, and the appointment of a Committee, of which Mr. Charteris formerly wrote, he mentions that they were not to continue their distributions after the last week of July, as the crops were more promising. He adds:-] I have no doubt but that want, or at least poverty, to a greater or less extent than usual, is the chief cause of the sickness here, as the troops, who have bread to the full, do not seem to suffer. I am sorry to hear the olive crop is unpromising; the vintage also threatens to be scanty, and that the currants, the great source of profit to these islands, as well as to Greece in the districts near Patros, are very deficient. All these things are against the Grecks. Oh, may they learn righteousness from judgments of long, latter place. He sent for more Bibles continuance. How few of them, I fear, and Catechisms (the "Westminster" can adopt your beautiful quotation from one translated into Italian). I Habakkuk: "Though favour be shown do believe that he might be turned to to the wicked, yet will not he learn right- good account were he only a year at eousness." Edinburgh, under the eye of the pious and philanthropic gentlemen who are at the head of the Medical Mission there. Without being able to do this, could he not have a small chest sent him from Edinburgh, containing medicines and a few surgical instruments, with which I know him to be very scantily supplied? Yours, &c., In regard to medical missions, it is a most promising scheme both in England and Scotland, though of longer date with the Americans. A skilful medical man uniting that to the missionary spirit at such places as Salonica, Smyrna, and Cyprus, &c., could not but extend the Redeemer's kingdom. Dr. Napoleone seems to be gaining a footing in the WILLIAM CHARTERIS. Presbyterian Church in England. COMMISSION OF SYNOD. WE beg to call the attention of Presbyteries to the necessity of making preparations for the Meeting of Commission, which, by the appointment of Synod, will take place (D. v.) on Tuesday, the 5th of October next. It is earnestly desired that those Presbyteries that have not yet appointed commissioners will do so without delay. The following is the number from each Presbytery:Berwick Birmingham Cumberland Lancashire London 2 Ministers and 2 Elders. دو 2 2 2 2 Newcastle THE SYNOD'S DEPUTATION TO THE FREE CHURCH ASSEMBLY. Ir we approved of the practice of rectifying omissions by long apologies, we might feel disposed, in the present instance, to treat our readers to one of unusual length, for our neglect of all reference to our Synod's deputation to the Free Church. But we believe they will give us credit for sincerity when we say, that it was owing entirely to circumstantial causes, and not from a decrease of fraternal feeling. To show that our Church was most ably represented on that occasion, it will only be needful to say that the deputation consisted of our present Moderator, Mr. Mackenzie, of Birmingham; Mr. Burns, of Whitehaven; Mr. Fraser, of Lowick; and Mr. Adam (elder), of St. George's, Liverpool. They were most affectionately introduced by Mr. Balfour, Jun., W.S., who formed one of the Free Church's deputation to our own Synod at Whitehaven. We deeply regret that our space will not permit us to do more than give a very brief abstract of the addresses delivered on that occasion. Mr. MACKENZIE, in a very able speech, of sympathy and friendship that existed after adverting with gratitude to the feelings between the two Churches, expressed, in byterian Church in England felt at the strong terms, the pleasure that the Presnoble testimony borne by the Free Church of Scotland on behalf of the Protestant "When we obfaith of her forefathers. In serve," said he, "the crude notions on the subject of Popery that meet with currency and applause in certain quarters in England, we rejoice that there is ever and anon given forth by the Free Church Assembly, not only a better exposition of Scripture, but a better version of the lessons of history." He then spoke of her testimony on the subject of marriage with a deceased wife's sister; and also of her faithfulness in administering discipline, thus protecting the Christian Church from the sting of the Infidel's taunt, as well as the scorn of honest and honourable worldlings. speaking of the position and prospects of our own Church, he adverted in feeling terms to the loss she had sustained, in the removal by death of one of the noblest of her ecclesiastical staff. The loss of the prayers, the counsel, the liberalities, above all, the loss of the Christian example, of Mr. William Hamilton, exceeded by far all our other losses. In these sorrows, he felt assured, we had their sympathy. The financial affairs of the Church gave hopeful signs of improvement. In addition to 10,000l. raised by the congregation in |