of the discussion of 1862, whether from the platform or the press, we really have no fault of that sort to confess. It has been given to our brethren to acquit themselves with a temper and ability which contrast, as we think, most honourably both with the feeling and the staple of the argument which has been opposed to them.

In fact, the higher order of Churchmen knew the case to be a bad one, and that nothing was to be gained to their case by meddling with it. Hence they left the discussion to be carried on by the sort of men who often rush into dangers which wiser heads know how to avoid.

The complaint, indeed, has been that we have been eager to denounce the clergy as a body of perjured men. So the public were to regard us as adding calumny to impertinence. But we know not of any Nonconformist who has brought any such charge against the Episcopal clergy. We have indeed expressed ourselves as unable to comprehend how formularies and articles, intended to be so definite, should be honestly subscribed, with an unfeigned assent and consent, by men whose views are often so notoriously indefinite and so notoriously contradictory. And this perplexity, we must confess, we still feel. But we have not presumed to judge any man. Moreover, we must not be expected to forget that, since this complaint has been made against us, the clergy belonging to the different sections of the Established Church have impeached the integrity of each other in this matter of subscription, and in the public prints, in a manner upon which we have never ventured. The law says, the subscription to the words should be taking them in their plain grammatical sense; and Dr. Stanley now says, as we have all said long ago, the thing cannot be. Indeed, we feel that it is hardly too much to say, that there has not been a controversy in English history, calling forth anything like the same amount of feeling, that can be said to have been conducted with so great a regard to truth and courtesy as will be found to have pervaded the utterances of our brethren. We repeat, that for this we are devoutly thankful.

We add, now, that we see much for which to be grateful in the results of this movement. It has come in as a great educating power upon our churches

and congregations. The worshippers in our sanctuaries have learnt more concerning the nature and history of our principles as Protestant Nonconformists during 1862 than they had learnt during the last half century. It was time that many who had become Nonconformists from accident should become such from principle. It was time that our position as Separatists from the Established Church should be seen to be the result of grave religious conviction, and not of mere humour or caprice. The delivery of lectures in London, and the printing of them, the executive committee of the Union left very cheerfully to the committee formed from various denominations. But the Congregational committee claims to have done its fair share in respect to the literature of the question. Its "Memorial Volume," though it did not make its appearance until our ablest men had made their deliverances in print on nearly all points of the controversy, has sold to the extent of near 2,000 copies; and the aggregate of publications issued by the committee amounts to quite 90,000 copies, and including writings published by members of the committee, the aggregate exceeds 110,000. If there be not reasons-very weighty reasons for our being Dissenters, then assuredly we all ought to be Churchmen; and if there be such reasons, then pure self-defence requires that they should not be secreted, as if we were ashamed of them, but proclaimed with the frankness and openness becoming us as sincere and honourable men.

But let us not be misunderstood. Sincere piety is not bound to any of our polities. It is something higher -grander than they. At best, they are only means to ends. We distinguish between church principles and church life; between ecclesiastical zealots and real Christians. From the former, whether their zeal shall take the Romanizing or the Rationalizing form, we English Independents know, that we have to lay our account with little else than scorn, and hate, and persecution, in all the forms in which persecution is now possible. The Pharisee and the Sadducee are still faithful their nature. Towards all things really Christian, they are the men they have ever been. But the Church of England has her good and devoted men. And let not such men suppose that evange lical Nonconformists have no sympathy

with them in their spiritual labours. It is far otherwise. We only regret that the course too often taken by such men in the late controversy, was not that more manly and more Christian course, which was fairly open to them, and which they might have taken without ceasing to be Churchmen. Surely there was little in the Court, the Parliament, or the Bishops of 1662, to justify spiritually-minded men in seeming to take sides with them. Nor could we fail to regret that errors, confessed to be such when censured by Churchmen some years before, should seem to have ceased to be errors when censured by Nonconformists in 1862. It is in sorrow that we touch on such matters. For ourselves, we say frankly, that we would discard our Independency to-morrow if it ceased to be allied with an apostolic faith and piety. It is eminently adapted, as we believe, to the conservation of that faith and piety. But it is no infallible safeguard. We do not forget that the Rationalism of America has been to a large extent Congregational Rationalism. And let our English Congregationalism be severed from the sound doctrine and the earnest religious life which have hitherto been associated with it, and we should soon leave the dead to bury their dead, and seek a living fellowship elsewhere. We must have in our churches the scriptural doctrine concerning the original perfection and the present depravity of man; and the revealed doctrine of the Incarnation, of the forgiveness of sin through the Atonement of the Cross; and of justification, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but by the righteousness of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Nor can we feel that we have a Gospel for humanity, but as we have that doctrine concerning the influence of the Holy Spirit, which our Owens, and Baxters, and Howes have expounded so beautifully. From these doctrines no power shall sever us. We will hold to them in

defiance of any dictation from synods or from senates, from prince or prelate. We persecute no man. The world is wide enough for all creeds. But no man has a right to ask me to do good offices to his creed at the cost of surrendering my own. It is an odd notion of religious liberty that would require me to do that. We feel that our spiritual life as Congregationalists

hinges on our retaining firm faith in the doctrines we have mentioned; on the whole of them-yes, and on our resisting the loose current speculation concerning the authority of the sacred records, tending, as it necessarily does, to destroy the foundation on which those doctrines rest. We are for Independency where Independency is for Christ, and only there. And our heart's desire for our Episcopalian brethren is, that they might learn to respond to this by saying, "And we are for Episcopalianism where Episcopacy is for Christ, and only there.' We care little about their becoming Independents, we care much about their becoming the Lord's free men.

Passing from the educational to the monetary fruit of the Bicentenary celebration, it will, we presume, be confessed that we have, unquestionably, ground for cordial congratulation.

In

Great care has been taken that no sums should be reported as contributions to this fund which have not been really prompted by the movement. several instances, contributions reported to the committee have not been inserted in the printed lists, because the point of their being thus special seemed to the committee doubtful. When the Union assembled, some eighteen months since, to decide as to what should be done, one member said he thought a quarter of a million might be raised. Most of us smiled at his credulity. We expected largely, but not quite on that scale. Yet the list now published shows a total of £216,937 2s. 4d, and these contributions are many of them made towards schemes which are not completed, and so as to ensure a further outlay that must greatly exceed a quarter of a million. As the result, edifices will be reared, either for the education of the young, or for the worship of God, in all parts of the kingdom, bearing on their front the year 1862; and those buildings will last on to unborn generations, and be a visible memorial to the future of the feeling of the present. The heart of our people was evidently full; that fulness desired vent in some form that should be at once useful, visible, and abiding, and the natural consequence has followed. We think, too, that the scale of contribution which has been thus evoked, so much above the ordinary, will not be lost on the habits of the generous. Our friends have discovered that they may give largely

and not regret it—a discovery that may bear fruit another day.

But the Memorial Hall; many of you are ready to ask, what of that? The committee on that matter consists of the Congregational Library Committee, and a number of gentlemen from the Bicentenary Executive Committee. The committee may seem to have done little, but some of us feel that all which could have been done down to this time has been done. London, within a certain radius from the Bank, has been searched again and again in the hope of finding some available property that might be purchased to give us a site. In some five or six instances, negotiations have been attempted, and more or less prosecuted. But from defect of tenure, or from the enormous price demanded, not one of those negotiations has been successful. Were you made aware of the heavy pecuniary responsibilities which some members of the committee have been prepared to take upon themselves, in more than one case, you would not need further evidence as to their earnestness in relation to this object. It is felt that it will be much wiser to submit to delay, and to do the thing well, than to give in to haste and to spoil it.

On the whole, the year 1862 has been a memorable year in the history of English Independency-n year of which neither we nor our children are likely to feel ashamed. It has been a year of principle, a year of sacrifice-& seedtime for the future. But it is a great law of Providence that what has been long in coming should be long in going. Commonly, what centuries have done, centuries only can undo. At present, our surprise should be, not at the slowness with which great principles are leavening churches and nations, but rather at the rapid and spontaneous manner in which they are diffusing themselves. Christian men should know at all times how to work and wait, especially in such times, feeling well assured that in many things the heresy of to-day is destined to become the truth of to-morrow.

RESOLUTION ON DR. VAUGHAN'S PAPER.

Mr. S. MORLEY moved the best acknowledgments of the meeting to the Rev. Dr. Vaughan for the paper just read, with a request that he would place it at the disposal of the committee for publication, coupled with a hearty expression of thankfulness for the varied services he bad rendered to the entire Bicentenary movement.

The Rev. W. LEGGE, of Reading, seconded the resolution.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR 1864.

The Rev. HENRY ALLON moved that the Rev. Joshua C. Harrison be the chairman of the Union next year, and that he be earnestly requested to accept the office.

Mr. E. D. GODDARD, of Newcastle-uponTyne, seconded the resolution, and observed that as a layman and a Congregationalist he felt that he had no reason to be ashamed of his principles, either as seen in operation: the past and in the present, or as looming in the future.

The resolution was agreed to with much cordiality.

The Rev. J. C. HARRISON could only thank his brethren for the honour they had conferred upon him; but any elation of spirit that might arise on account of it would be at once repressed by the sense of responsibility involved in following such men as the recent chairman. He trusted, however, that the tone of their addresses would not be lowered by any one that should follow.

THE SPANISH PROTESTANT PRISONERS.

Mr. E. BAINES, M.P., moved the following resolution:

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That this assembly has heard with sorrow and indignation that notwithstanding the protest which Christians throughout Europe have made against the persecution on the part of the Spanish Government, their brethren Matamoros, Alhama and Trigo have recently been sentenced by a final judgment of the tribunal to nine and six years' imprisonment. At the same time they rejoice to learn that active measures are still being taken to obtain the liberty of their beloved brethren, and they offer their earnest prayer to the Supreme Ruler of events that the deputations now on their way from many lands to meet in Madrid, and to present their united memorial before the Queen of Spain, may prove successful, and that Spain may soon have not only the possession but the unrestricted use of the Word of God."

Mr. T. E. PARSONS, in seconding the resolution, stated that Matamoros was twentyseven years of age, of noble birth and connexions, and that both Alhama and Trigo also belonged to the upper class of society, had wives and families who were in deep affliction on account of the trials which had come upon them for the Gospel's sake. The resolution was unanimously adopted.

THE AUTUMNAL MEETING OF 1864. The Rev. J. W. RICHARDSON proposed that the autumnal meeting of the Union for 1864 be held in the town of Hull.

The Rev. J. SIBREE, of Hull, seconded the motion, and said that the brethren would be cordially received.

The resolution passed unanimously. REPORT OF DEPUTATIONS TO SCOTLAND

AND IRELAND.

The Rev. J. C. HARRISON gave an account of his recent visit to Scotland as one of the deputation from this Union to the Scottish Congregational Union.

Mr. MORLEY also testified to the cordiality with which the deputation had been received. The Rev. W. TARBOTTON gave a brief account of his visit to Dublin, and asked the ministers to offer prayer for Ireland as well as for the colonies and the heathen in the public services of the Sabbath.

THE ENGLISH CHAPEL-BUILDING SOCIETY.

The Rev. EUSTACE CONDER, of Leeds, moved:

"That this assembly views with satisfaction the labours of the English Congregational Chapel-building Society during the ten years of its existence, and, believing that the work of chapel-extension must still be carried on for the diffusion of the Gospel, recommends that it be an instruction to the new committee to convene a conference on chapel-building, with a view to the carrying on of the work.' The Rev. J. KENNEDY, of Stepney, seconded the resolution.

The resolution was adopted.

The Rev. J. H. WILSON closed the service with prayer.

THE DINNER

was this year served at the Bridge House Hotel, Southwark; and the change of place certainly brought with it the advantage of a much handsomer and more commodious apartment. Large, however, as it was, it did not suffice for the entertainment of all the guests who desired to dine, and several had to be accommodated in another apartment. The Rev. E. Mellor occupied the chair.

The CHAIRMAN said, of the loyalty of that assembly there was no doubt; he called upon them to join in singing "God save the Queen."

The Rev. GEORGE SMITH then made several announcements, and especially called attention to the issue of Mr. Joshua Wilson's pamphlet in answer to the Quarterly Reviewer on the Bicentenary celebration. . Copies might be had at the Congregational Library, and ministers would obtain them gratuitously on leaving their cards.

The Rev. JULIAN STURTEVANT, D.D., President of Illinois Congregational College at Jacksonville, was then calied upon by the Chairman to address the meeting. He had had great pleasure, he said, in joining them in singing their National Anthem. Queen Victoria's name was always mentioned in the States with the greatest respect and affection. But his greatest pleasure proceeded from finding himself at home-as he certainly was -among his Congregational brethren. He could not help being struck, as he listened to the chairman's noble address that morning and the subsequent proceedings, with the exact counterpart which the English Congregational churches presented to those of America, in their successes, their difficulties, and their wants; they were but branches of the same tree. Having illustrated this in several particulars, Dr. Sturtevant said that he had long desired to visit England. He used to feel that if he died without having seen the mother-country he should but have half lived; but when this war broke out he said, "Not now, not now ;" and yet here he was. It was a painful thing for an American to stand before an English audience just now; but one

VOL. XX.

load had been lifted from his mind since he landed in England. When he left America on the 11th of April, many people on that side were apprehensive that war was about to break out between these two fraternal countries. He was convinced now that there would be no war. He could pledge them that all the complicated questions which might arise, through the awkward position of matters on the seas, would be judged of by the Cabinet at Washington on the broadest and most liberal interpretation of international law, and he was satisfied that Englishmen wanted no more; he was satisfied now that Englishmen did not want war. He had also been delighted by all the utterances on slavery and all the references which had been made that day to the American conflict. He was assured that the English Congregationalists hated slavery as much as ever. He should like to show them to what position, as he thought, that hatred ought to lead them in reference to the American conflict, but he would not enter upon that subject now. During the few weeks he should be in England he was anxious to have as many opportunities as possible of addressing English Congregationalists on this subject, and should be glad to make arrangements for meetings. It was of the greatest importance for the eause of humanity and freedom that England should stand right in this matter. He was also very desirous of impressing on English Congregationalists the responsibilities laid upon them, in common with their American brethren, by the wonderfully rapid multiplication of English-speaking colonies. If they continued to increase at the present rate, 150 years would see the world covered with an English-speaking population. Their great concern ought, therefore, to be to plant the Gospel standard in every new settlement made by the Anglo-Saxon race.

The Rev. Dr. FERGUSON then made a statement respecting the Pastors' Retiring Fund. Although the fund has not had a legal existence for more than three years and a-half, it has already embraced within its provisions not fewer than thirty-six annuitants, located in some twenty different counties, whose ages reach from forty-five up to eighty-six years, and whose exhibitions range from £20 to £50. per annum. To these are to be added seven annuitants in the Principality of Wales, whose ages run from fifty-two to eighty-three; their pastorates from twenty-seven to eightyfive years; and their annuities from £15 to £35, while the cause of resignation in each case has been either age, or infirmity, or impaired health. Of these thirty-eight

annuitants six have died. A hundred and twenty pastors have enrolled themselves as life members. Dr. Ferguson explained at some length the conditions upon which grants were made.

The company then separated.

the past year. It said, the year had had its peculiar features of encouragement and responsibility. The committee had to announce a diminished income, but they did that in common with other religious societies, whose resources had been affected by the distress in Lancashire. The operations in France had been varied in character. There was an increasing distrust of Popery in many districts, and pretended miracles had in no slight degree embittered the thoughts of many against the system. The leaven of Protestantism was also working in the minds of many who perceived that it redeemed religion from the odium of a mere ecclesiastical traffic, and placed it on the true basis of a service ren-. dered by the heart to God. On the other hand, there were circumstances which had tended to check the circulation of the Bible during the past year; and amongst these was the pressure of commercial distress. The labours of colporteurs had yielded smaller results than in previous years. In some

localities strenuous efforts had been made to arrest the work of circulation. The pulpit and the press had been employed against Protestantism; the fears of the superstitious, especially in the rural districts, had been worked upon, and the Bible had been branded as the symbol of anarchy and misfortune. The issues from the Paris depôt in the past year amounted, nevertheless, to 83.893 Bibles, and the number of colporteurs was from 63 to 96. The total circulation in France was now raised to 5,000,000 copies. The circulation of the year in Belgium was 4,749 volumes, making the issue, since 1835, 272,000. In Holland, the two antagonists of the society were Popery and Rationalism, and the work of distribution had been opposed by both in the last year. The issues from the depôt at Amsterdam within the year amounted to 21,151 copies. In Germany, the three great centres of Bible circulation were Cologne, Frankfort, and Berlin, and the issues for them amounted to 293,770. The Cologne agency included North Germany, where multitudes had shown that they appreciated the work. The population for which the Berlin agency had to provide the Scriptures, extended from the shores of the Baltic to the Adriatic, and from the Alps to the Danubian Principalities; and much good had been done in those vast territories. Fifty-six colporteurs had been employed in Germany during the past year. No pleasurable reference, it was observed, could be made to Austria. Two years ago it was announced at the anniversary of this society that the restrictions were rescinded by imperial rescript, and that free and open scope would be given to the agents of the society. Results had proved that the language of congratulation was premature. The rescript had by no means given the liberty which the committee were led to expect. Every effort had been made to induce the Austrian Government formally to allow the introduction of the Bible, but without effect. The agent of the society had had frequent interviews with official persons, and respectful memorials had been addressed to the Minister of State in whose department the matter was; but the Government had maintained a long and vexatious silence. The circulation in Denmark during

the last year was 16,130 copies; in Norway, 19,582; in Sweden, 93,000; in Russia, 19,500. The committee had endeavoured to prosecute their labours in Italy with all the vigour and appliances at their command; but the results in the past year were not equal to those announced in the last report. There were retarding causes still operating with prodigious force in many parts of Italy. In some districts, the power of the priests was supreme, and the people were held in a state of profound and absolute subjection to ecclesiastical despotism. The amount of ignorance prevalent in Italy was appallingly great, and among large masses of the people there was a total inability to read. Another retarding cause was political excitement, which had not yet subsided. Political rather than religious solicitude agitated the minds of those whose highest welfare the society wished to promote. It must further be borne in mind, that the development of the work necessarily depended on the amount of agency. There was extreme difficulty in obtaining men duly qualified by piety, zeal, and prudence, for the duties o colportage. It was the increased desire of the agent, Mr. Bruce, to strengthen his staff of colporteurs, who had to traverse such an immense territory, and to go amongst so many millions of people. During this year, the issues in Italy amounted to 27,000 Bibles and Testaments. The number of colporteurs employed was 29, and their labours embraced Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, and the island of Sicily. There was a bright side to the picture of Italy. Some of the priesthood there were arguing in favour of the free circulation of the Scriptures, and the utterances of a free press and other causes gave assurance that a power was at work which would eventually ensure a wide diffusion of the Scriptures. The important depôt at Malta provided for Bible distribution in Africa, Egypt, and Syria, as well as in Malta itself, and nearly 9,000 copies had gone forth from it in the past year.

A valuable report had been received from the society's agent at Constantinople, containing evidence of success as regarded the circulation of the Scriptures. The agent declared that a careful retrospect of the year was in all respects well fitted to encourage the hearts of those who longed to see Mobammedanism supplanted by the religion of the Cross. The circulation of the year amounted to 16.046 copies. The Minister of Instruction and Worship for the principality of Wallachia, had just issued an order that public worship in the churches would be conducted in the spoken language of the country, instead of an obsolete dialect, which was unintelligible to the mass of the people. This change could hardly fail to produce a good effect on the diffusion of the Word of God. In Greece, the use of the Bible was permitted in all the national schools, and adopted in nearly onehalf; and this, also, was a cause for congratulation. The issues of the year in that country amounted tn 1,396. Proceeding to India, the report said the work of the society there was necessarily dependent on the co-operation of missionaries and native converts, and in proportion as these multiplied, would there be additional facilities for diffusing the Scrip