highly appropriate and useful, and all of them prepared with unusual care. The elaborate discourse of that genuine Scottish genius, Mr. Hugh Miller, on The two Records-Mosaic and Geological,"—was thoroughly appreciated by a denselycrowded assembly, who now listened with the most profound attention, and anon applanded in rounds of cheers. The lecture had been printed before its delivery, owing to the fact that Mr. Miller was obliged to consign the reading of it to the mouth of another-his own voice not being sufficiently powerful to fill the spacious hall. From this circumstance, however, I believe, that none of the power or beauty of the composition was lost; for the Rev. Henry Allon entered thoroughly into the spirit of the subject, and caused every sentence to be distinctly heard. were The Religious Liberation Society held a very interesting conferential soiree, on the first of the month, at Radley's Hotel, when the new plans of procedure adopted by the committee were submitted to the leading friends of the society who were there assembled, and certain measures agreed upon for augmenting the funds. Mr. Samuel Morley occupied the chair; and among those present were Mr. Kershaw, M.P., Mr. Bright, M.P., Mr. Barnes, M.P., Mr. Crossley, M.P., Mr. Pellat, MP., Mr. Miall, M.P., Mr. Bell, M.P., Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Wire, and Mr. G. W. Alexander. It was stated that a standing Parliamentary committee had been appointed, with a thoroughly competent professional man as chairman, and that, for the future, everything of an ecclesiastical kind coming before Parliament would be vigilantly watched with a view to the society's purposes, and to the organization of a compact Parliamentary party. Preparation would also be made for the next general election. A determination was expressed to raise £5000 a-year for the next three years, and a long list of subscriptions, varying from £50 to £5, was made up. This comparatively private effort is to be followed up by others on a larger scale, both in town and country. The speakers spoke with the utmost confidence as to the progress of their principles, in and out of Parliament; and regarded the revelations of the census as greatly strengthening their case. It would seem, therefore, that the Association is preparing to carry on its work in a spirit both vigorous and systematic, and precisely such as the state of public opinion on this great and important question not only justifies, but absolutely requires. To my own mind, the fact is peculiarly gratifying, that a number of recent events have conspired to throw new light upon that interesting period of British historythe Commonwealth of England. Until the publication of the Letters and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell, by Thomas Carlyle, people were almost entirely in the dark concerning the real character of that remarkable man, and without a proper understanding of "the Lord Protector." It was of course next to impossible that a truthful estimate could be formed of the national mind during his eventful and brilliant reign. The entire youth of the country have been taught for ages to believe that the Godfearing Puritan was an arrant and designing hypocrite. Our school histories were uniformly founded upon the malignant assertions of the false Clarendon, that "Cromwell was guilty of many crimes against which damnation is denounced, and for which hell fire is prepared." Happily, there is an end now to all this nonsense in every quarter where the least ray of historical truth is allowed to enter. Every new discovery, however, which tends to confirm what we now believe to be the truth upon this subject, should be hailed with delight. A late number of the Athenæum contains the following account of an important dis- ́ covery of State papers of the Cromwell period:-"In an ancient chest, long standing in a neglected corner of an obscure tower in Lambeth Palace, we understand that certain historical papers have just been found. No details as to the particular contents of the documents now unearthed have yet reached us; but we hear it said that they are valuable of their kind. They are supposed to refer chiefly-if not exclusively to the Cromwell period. We have even heard that some of them bear the signature of the Protector. If this be true, they must be of the highest interest to historical readers the name of the subscriber and the place of the discovery being both considered. The 'find,' as our antiquarian friends express it, is said to have been effected through an accidental derangement of the lumber of a room in the archiepiscopal palace. Of course, under any rule, or under any circumstances possible in these days, papers having Cromwell's signature would be preserved and printed. But the owner of a name connected with the literary fame of Milton is not, we take it, likely to treat Cromwell correspondence as ordinary historical matter. If-as is not unlikely-the documents now brought to light at Lambeth shall be found, on ex amination, to touch the relations of the State and the Church during the Commonwealth or to illustrate in any way the policy of Cromwell's government towards the several religious bodies then existing they will be of signal value." There is just now exhibiting, moreover, at Exeter Hall, a very large and splendidly executed historical painting of Cromwell dictating to Milton his famous letter to the Duke of Savoy, to stop the persecution against the Protestants in Piedmont, A.D. 1655. The painting is by Mr. F. Newenham, from which a spirited and very correct engraving has been taken by M. W. H. Simmonds. Large numbers of people have been to see the picture, and it is admired by all, as much for the subject itself, as on account of the artistic ability which the production displays. I had almost forgotten to mention the fact of the Wesleyan Reformers having held a great meeting in Freemasons' Hall. There was some spirited and able speaking; but, of course, old topics formed the staple of discourse. Mr. Apsley Pellat, M.P. for Southwark, occupied the chair, and delivered an oration remarkable alike for high principle and strength of language. A full report of this senatorial deliverance having found its way into the columns of the newspapers, the Conference party instructed their obedient bully, the notorious George Osborn, to address a public letter to the honourable member, flatly denying his assertions, and calling in question the right of a public man to give a free and unvarnished utterance to the feelings and sentiments of his heart. To this letter, Mr. Pellatt returned a masterly reply, and there the matter has been allowed to drop; or rather, the snarling caitiff, receiving a warmer reception than he expected, has slunk away into his darksome den. It is reported that two preachers, stationed in two of the London circuits at the last Conference, have recently resigned their position as Wesleyan ministers; viz., the RevT. Williams and the Rev. George Smith, brother of the Rev. Gervase Smith, who, when stationed at Wakefield, played the priest with Mr. G. W. Harrison and others. The friends of Conference are very silent respecting the causes of these resignations; but it is understood that the state of the connexion is such as to have induced them to quit a system of church domination that is increasingly evoking the disgust of the British public. There has been a good deal of painful interest excited among the Congregational and other Nonconformists of the metropolis in the progress and termination of an action for libel, brought by the Rev. Robert Ainslie against the publisher of the British Banner. Last summer Mr. Ainslie wrote, and widely circulated, a very scurrilous pamphlet against the officers of the London Missionary Society and the London Board of Congregational Ministers, on account of certain charges of immorality which they had felt compelled to make, and to seek to substantiate against the Rev. Ebenezer Davies, lately a missionary at Berbice. The Editor of the British Banner, in reviewing this pamphlet, defended the Society and rebuked Mr. Ainslie. The powerful pen of Dr. Campbell was found by the astute pamphleteer to be more than a match for his own; and hence, that resource failing, he made his appeal to a court of law. The case has just been tried before Mr. Justice Talfourd in the Common Pleas; when, at the close of a seven hours investigation, the jury gave a verdict for Mr. Ainslie, with forty shillings damages: he had laid them at no less a sum than five thousand pounds! "O, what a falling off was there." Of course the real merits of the case have not been touched by this verdict; and among men of sense, who understand the question, there can be but one opinion. They will assuredly affirm, without the least hesitation, that Dr. Campbell was not only justified in taking the course which he did, but that he deserves to be warmly commended for the resolute and successful efforts which he has been enabled to make for the prostration, on the one hand, of immorality and error, and on the other, the elevation of righteousness and truth. The great subject of conversation among all classes and degrees of people, is of course, the general European war, which is thought to be approaching. It is painfully apparent that the revengeful passions of the multitude are being excited, and that they will exult in the barbarous conflict. Let the earnest prayer of every reader of the Christian Journal, be directed to" the God of peace" who" ruleth among the inhabitants of the earth," that the men who delight in war may be scattered, and the present unhappy misunderstanding among the nations be brought to a speedy, and if possible, an amicable termination. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. PERSECUTIONS are going on at present more be more and more frightened by the religious movements going on; and even our best political papers, the Aftonblad (evening paper) for instance, which formerly gave an account of these persecutions, is now quite silent; perhaps from the fear of losing its subscribers. Thus, little is comparatively known in our country of the sufferings of our poor brethren in the north. The best friend of vital Christianity among the contributors to the Aftonblad, Mr. Wallström, has ceased to take any active part in it. How much is the position of suffering Christians among us aggravated by its being less known! Does not this resemble the secret inquisition of the Romish church? The effects of that pernicious system reach us. Our Episcopal church has in its constitution the leaven of popery. TRININAD.-MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. THE friends of Missions generally, and those especially, who are interested in the prosperity of United Presbyterian Missions, will be gratified to learn, that Rev. Geo. Lambert and Mrs. Lambert, have reached their adopted home, in Trinidad. We have just seen a letter in Mr. Lambert's hand, announcing his arrival in Port of Spain, after a pleasant voyage of thirtyfive days. Mr. Lambert is appointed to labour in Arouca, where he will enjoy the brotherly counsel and aid, of Rev. Mr. Brodie, who, for many years, has been stationed in the island. We earnestly hope, that Mr. Lambert may long continue in the great work on which he has entered, and that the prayers of the church, may be made without ceasing, for his spiritual health and prosperity. A journal of the voyage has been sent home, and may be expected forthwith, to appear in the Monthly Record. THE CONFESSIONAL AND THE TUSCAN POLICE. DURING the time of Miss Cunninghame's imprisonment, the British chaplain at Florence happened to preach on the subject of the sixth chapter of Daniel, which came in its regular course among the "lessons" of the day; and some of his congregation were sage enough to write him a severe remonstrance, on the ground that he had compared the Grand Duke to Darius, and Miss Cunninghame to Daniel in the den of lions. I suppose, on this principle, the very reading of the chapter should have been considered as a reflection on the Grand Duke. It is almost impossible at present to say how many may be in prison for religious offences; but I believe that there are not so many as on former occasions. Natale Lippi, who was imprisoned for three months for having the Bible, the Pilgrim's Progress, and a few religious tracts in his house, has now come out of prison, his term having expired. He was not tried publicly at all, but condemned without trial-economicamente-to three months' imprisonment. A young man called Ruggieri, from Tuscan Romagna, who has been in prison for eight months on the charge of empietá, has been at length tried, and acquitted. He had said, in conversing with a neighbour, that confession was useless, and that it was an instrument of espionage for the police; that the pope was not a God on the earth, but a mere man, and not much better than he should be; that purgatory was an invention of the priests, &c. &c. The person to whom these things were said, reported this conversation in confession to the priest, and the priest refused him absolution until he should go and denounce his friend to the police. Hence Ruggieri was arrested, and finally sent to Florence for trial. He was defended very ably by Salvagnoli, and has been acquitted. Ile himself says, that his arrest, in conse quence of information given in the confes sional, is a pretty clear proof of the truth of what he was accused of saying, viz., CHINESE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. THE importance of general education was known so long since in China, that a work written before the Christian era speaks of the "ancient system of instruction," which required that every town and village, down to only a few families, should have a common school. The wealthy Chinese employ private teachers, and others send their sons to day-schools, which are so well attended that the fees paid by cach boy are extremely small. In large towns there are night schools, of which those who are obliged to labour through the day avail themselves. The sixteen discourses of the emperor Yoong-ching, called the Sacred Edicts, commence with the domestic duties as the foundation of the political; and the eleventh treats of instructing the younger branches of a family. re Dr. Morrison, in his Dictionary, has given a selection from one hundred rules, or maxims, to be observed at a school, some of which are extremely good. Among other points, the habit of attention is dwelt upon as of primary importance, and boys are warned against peating with the mouth while the heart (or mind) is thinking of something else." They are taught never to be satisfied with a confused or indistinct understanding of what they are learning, but to ask for explanations; and always to make a personal application to themselves of the precepts which they learn. Scholars are often subjected to corporal punishments. The rule is to try the effect of rewards and of persuasion, until it is plain that these will not operate; after which it is the custom to disgrace a boy by making him remain on his knees before the whole school, or sometimes at the door, while a stick of incense (a sort of slow match) burns to a certain point; the last resource is to flog him. The process of early instruction in the language is this: they first teach children a few of the principal characters (as the names of the chief objects in nature or art) exactly as we do the letters, by rude pictures, having the characters attached. Then follows the Santse-king, or “trimetrical classic," being a summary of infant erudition, conveyed in chiming fines of three words or feet. They soon that the confessional was an instrument of espionage for the police. after proceed to the "Four Books," which contain the doctrines of Confucius, and which, with the "Five Classics," subsequently added, are in fact the Chinese Scriptures. The Four Books they learn by heart entirely, and the whole business of the literary class is afterwards to comment on them, or com pose essays on their texts. Writing is taught by tracing the characters with their hair pencil on transparent paper placed over the copy, and they commence with very large characters in the first instance. Specimens of this species of caligraphy are contained in the Royal Asiatic Transactions In lieu of slates, they generally use boards painted white, to save paper, washing out the writing when finished. Instructors are of course very plentiful, on account of the numbers who enter the learned profession, and fail in attaining the higher degrees. Every principal city is furnished with halls of examination, and the embassy of 1816 was lodged in one of these buildings, at Nanheung-foo, a town at the bottom of the pass which leads northward from Canton province. It consisted of a number of halls and courts, surrounded by separate cells for the candidates, who are admitted with nothing but blank paper and the implements of writing; a part of the system which corresponds with our college examinations. The students who succeed in their own district, at the annual examination, are ranked as sewtsae, or bachelors, and according to their merits are drafted for further advancement until they become fitted for the triennial examination, held at the provincial capital by an officer expressly deputed from the Hanlin College at Pekin. The papers consist of moral and political essays on texts selected from the sacred books, as well as of verses on given subjects. Pains are taken to prevent the examiners from knowing the authors of the essays and poems; but of course this cannot always be effectual in shutting out abuses. Printed by WALTER GRAHAM BLACKIE, at his Print ing at 10, Kew Terrace, in the parish of Govan. Pub ing-Office, Villafield, in the parish of Barony, and residlished by ROBERT JACKSON, Proprietor, at 5. St. Enoch Sandyford, parish of Barony. Square, Glasgow, residing at 181, Sandyford Buildings, THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL. APOSTOLIC BINDING AND LOOSING. Is a former article, we endeavoured to present the Scriptural signification of the phrase, the keys of the kingdom of heaven," and to expose the interpretation given of it by the Papal church, as well as the arrogant and blasphemous pretensions of that church in claiming the sole power of the keys. There is another Scriptural expression, "binding and loosing," which has been as grievously abused, and which we shall now proceed briefly to explain. And in doing so, it may be well to mark the circumstances and occasions on which our Lord used this expression. It twice occurs in the Gospel by Matthew-in the one passage, in intimate connection with the "giving of the keys," and in the other, in connection with the rule which Christ laid down in dealing with offenders, especially when they refuse to submit to private and friendly admonition. In this latter case, those to whom the rule is committed in the Church must exercise the authority with which they are invested, because the bond of union in the Christian society will be but a rope of sand unless the authority of the Church be vindicated, and discipline strictly enforced, against all who rebel against this authority. If we are correct in our interpretation of the keys, and they be taken to be the symbols of authority in matters of doctrine and discipline, then there can be little difficulty in determining what is implied by binding and loosing. This latter expression is obviously exegetical of the former. To the mind of a Jew, the latter expression would present no obscurity. He would at once understand it to denote what was either lawful in the Church, or unlawful-what was binding on men's consciences, or otherwise-what was still of imperative obligation, or that from which they were now set free. An extract or two from the Rabbinical writings, in which analogous phrases occur, will clearly indicate that this was the meaning of the expression. "He asked one wise man, and he bound; do not ask another, lest perhaps he loose." "The school of Schammai binds it; the school of Hillel looseth it." "Get thyself a heart to hear the words of them that pronounce unclean, and the words of them that pronounce clean-the words of them that bind, and the words of them that loose-the words of them that reject, and the words of them that declare it right." It is of some importance to bear in mind, that the words under consideration were addressed by our Saviour to the men whom he afterwards constituted his apostles; and as he was not always to minister personally to his church on earth, he invested them with special authority in making known his will to men, and in requiring obedience to it from all who professed to regard Jesus as their Lawgiver and Master. It is equally necessary to take into consideration that the apostles Their office was created for a special purpose. They were invested with it by the special call of the Saviour himself. They had a work not only to commence, but to complete; and they did complete it; had no successors. VOL. V.-No. 52, N.S. G APRIL, 1854. |