32mo. Edin Friendly Counsels to Female Servants, especially to those who profess to have become the Servants of Christ. By the Rev. Andrew Thompson. burgh W. Innes. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co. 1842. The Evils of Popular Ignorance; being the First of a Series of Discourses for the Working Classes. By J. C. Gallaway, A.M. Birmingham: B. Hudson. Remarks on an Exposition of the System pursued by the Baptist Missionaries in Jamaica, by Missionaries and Catechists of the London Missionary Society in that Island; by the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society. London: Houlston & Stoneman. 1843. The Works of William Jay: Corrected and Revised by Himself. Vol. V. Memoirs of the late Rev. Cornelius Winter. Post 8vo. London: C. A. Bartlett. 1843. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. We are happy to learn that the sale of the PATRIOT Newspaper is such, as to enable its proprietors, without an increase of its price, to enlarge its dimensions one-fifth. While we have sometimes wished for additional information in its columns, and have not always subscribed to the ipse dixit of its gifted Editor, yet we honestly feel that it has many strong claims upon the warm and general support of Evangelical Dissenters. The additional space, we have reason to believe, will be occupied with a class of articles that will greatly increase the interest of this journal, which as the advocate of Evangelical religion, of civil and religious liberty, and enlightened Protestant Nonconformity, we sincerely wish was read in every family connected with our churches. It gives us satisfaction too, to observe in our advertising pages that THE NONCONFORMIST is also to be printed on a larger sheet, so as to give space equal to four additional pages of its present size. Differing as we are compelled to do with its able Editor in his views on " the complete suffrage" and some minor points, yet we cordially wish success to his "Nonconformist" labours, and honour him as a fearless and powerful advocate of the voluntary principle, and complete religious emancipation. In the Press, A Discourse on the Oxford Tracts. By J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, Author of the History of the Great Reformation. As there has never been a collected edition of the works of the Rev. William Bridge, formerly Pastor of the Congregational Church at Yarmouth, and one of the five dissenting Brethren in the Assembly of Divines, we are happy to announce that his whole works will be shortly published in three octavo volumes by Messrs. Palmer & Son, Paternoster Row, who will be happy to receive any information concerning this author or his writings, that may tend to the completeness of this edition. To be published by subscription, in one vol. 8vo, A Hebrew Grammar: Containing a Copious and Systematic Development of the Etymology and Punctuation of that Language. By Samuel Ransom, Classical and Hebrew Tutor in Hackney Theological Seminary. The above work is in three parts. The first part is the accidence, which contains a very full exhibition of all the parts of speech. The second part is on the change of vowels, and, after expounding the general principles operating in those changes, developes their various causes. The third part is on the accents. Here are minutely shown both the position and various uses of the accents, especially their principal use of marking the logical relation of every word in a verse. CHRONICLE OF BRITISH MISSIONS. HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. PROSPECTS OF THE HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY FOR 1843. THESE ought to be pronounced encouraging! This may fairly be done as far as the condition of the stations is concerned. But there are other matters which produce anxiety and call for enlarged exertion. The particulars respecting the Society's operations and statistics have so recently been published in the Magazine, that they are not required this month. It cannot be concealed from our friends that the Society is commencing the present year in circumstances probably more peculiar than those of any which ever preceded it. Drawing information in a great measure from our own agents scattered over thirtyfour counties of England, as to the influence of prevailing heresies in country districts, and the opposition of the preachers of error to the labours of our missionaries, we are obliged to admit that there is cause for anxiety if not for alarm. There is undoubtedly a deep and a wide spread determination to assert the exclusive claims of prelacy, and, if possible, to get the people to believe that the national clergy alone can safely and savingly preach the Gospel and administer the ordinances of religion. To accomplish this object, which they deem to be essential to their official character, means are employed by them, which as gentlemen accustomed to the proprieties and courtesies of society they would not use; but which, as priests, as Puseyites, as successors of the apostles, they are openly and too generally employing against the faithful men who preach Christ, though unordained by the hands of prelates. We shall give extracts from the journals of our agents, received during the first week of December last, which cannot fail to convince our readers that there is a wild and fanatical spirit spreading through this country, and that it is at the present moment affecting many of the clergy of the national church; that the form it takes is extraordinary zeal for the Anglican Catholic church, and the announcement of certain ruin to all persons not baptized and found in that community. To sustain this fanatical assertion, our agents are denounced by name-they are held up to the ignorant and credulous as the worst enemies they can have. Acts of bigotry and harshness, which these men would be ashamed to perform in ordinary life, are of daily occurrence in the name of the church. The facts now referred to are furnished by men of great sobriety of mind, some of them of considerable experience. They are therefore qualified to speak of the present state of religion, compared with former years. The information furnished by them comes from various districts of England. Along with other facts, which are generally known, it unfolds a new element, in active operation, threatening to burst asunder the social compact, and, in the name of religion, to peril the peace of society. It cannot but produce alienation among the various denominations. On the one hand, an attempt is made to unchristianize all other bodies except one sect, and to pour contempt on their pastors, by declaring them impostors and deceivers. On the other hand, the spirit of resistance and indignation can hardly fail to be produced by treatment like this, which is justly considered as alike unscriptural and presumptuous. How fatal to the spirit of true catholicism must this state of things be! How destructive to the souls of men the errors which are so widely spreading! We give the following extracts to show not only that error is spreading; but that the attempt to spread it is connected with a spirit of arrogance and injustice, proving the origin of this new-born zeal for the church to be the opposite of that which comes from above. "The vicar of T- is a Puseyite, and consequently a violent persecutor of all dissenters, and especially of Congregational Dissent. Hence he is continually preaching against us, and latterly detained the congregation, warning them from attending the preaching room. "After many unscriptural, uncharitable, and unfounded assertions, mentioning my name, he said, 'I grieve that so many of the town's-people go to hear him. He is an unauthorized hireling,-a wolf in sheep's clothing,-an impostor! He is going to hell himself, and they who attend his ministry will meet the same fate. Do not even pass by the place at the time of their worship, lest you should be tempted to go in, and he should beguile you to your souls' ruin. He is a very dangerous man.' This clergyman has also distributed numbers of tracts against Dissenters, one of which is entitled 'Twenty-four Reasons why I dare not become a Dissenter,' one of the most scandalous and false publications of the sort I ever saw. As an antidote against this, I immediately purchased a number of tracts on 'The Right of Englishmen to hear the Gospel wherever it is preached,' (first published in the Home Missionary Magazine,) which I speedily distributed in every direction. He uses very petty means of annoyance and persecution, a few instances of which I will mention. "1st. A poor woman, whose child was near death, went to the vicar for a little wine, (which of right belongs to the poor, being that which is left from a plentiful supply for the altar,' which very few visit,) for her dying babe, when the following conversation took place. "Vicar. How many children have you?' 'Three, sir.' 'Are any old enough To what school does to go to the Sunday school?' 'Yes, sir, one is old enough.' "2nd. There having been doles of flannel, etc., left to the poor of T by charitable persons, which are distributed at certain seasons of the year, a poor woman whose child had been severely burnt, and had lately come out of the Infirmary, so maimed as to disqualify her for ever from obtaining a livelihood, sent to ask for the dole of flannel which she had usually obtained. "The vicar thus addressed her, 'Do you go to any Sunday school?' 'Yes, sir,' To which?' To the Independent, sir.' Then go to Mr. S. for your flannel;' and lest the timidity of the little child should save me the annoyance of being solicited, the vicar sent his lady after the girl, to whom she said, 'Now you will be sure to go to Mr. S. for your flannel!' The innocent little creature went home in high glee, and exclaimed, Mother, mother, get me my Sunday bonnet and frock, for the vicar says I must go to Mr. S. for my flannel!' 'Poor thing,' replied her mother, Mr. S. has no flannel to give thee, or else he would.' The next day, before I heard of this circumstance, a churchman sent me five shillings for our Sunday school. I was surprised to receive such a present from such a source, and very naturally desired to know the reason. Accordingly I called upon him and tendered my thanks. He then told me what I have related above; and added, that he was thoroughly disgusted with the bigot. "Feeling determined that the poor little girl should not be disappointed, I purchased the flannel out of my own pocket, and took it her home, much to the joy of the family. "3rd. In a country village where I regularly preach, one of my occasional hearers was visited by the parish priest, who wished to know why the mother of so large a family (nine in number) did not send her children to his Sunday school, and come herself with her family, at least once a day, to the established church. She answered, 'Why, sir, my father and mother were dissenters, (Baptist) and died happy in God, and I have no doubt they are now in heaven, and I intend myself and family to be of the same persuasion.' What think you was the reply of this Puseyite minister? If your father and mother were not baptized by a minister of the Church of England, depend upon it they are now in hell.' I have merely given you these few instances, out of many, to show the kind of opposition with which I have continually to contend.” "In the village of P- — one of my people requested me to baptize her child. I of course complied. It had been intimated to her that if I was suffered to do so all further favours would be withheld. The Sabbath-day arrived; the child was brought, and I baptized it. After the service was over, the poor woman said, ‘I have had a muckle (much) to do about this, but have conquered.' It having reached the ear of the Puseyite clergyman, he communicated the intelligence to the aristocratic squire, who, since, has severely reprimanded the father of the child for his misconduct, viz., in allowing an unauthorized teacher to perform a ceremony, which, instead of saving, will only destroy the soul of the child." "In the village of C — an interesting young man attends the chapel, and of late has manifested great concern for the welfare of his soul. He works for the squire. A few days since his master called him, and said, 'Well, John, I am informed that you attend the meeting-house, and hear an unauthorized teacher. It is only within the pale of the church that salvation can be obtained, and if you are resolved to attend that conventicle, you must leave my service.' The young man nobly replied, Sir, I have no desire to offend you, and should be sorry to leave your employ. In everything else I am willing to serve you, but in this instance I cannot. I have been to the chapel and heard Mr. — and for the first time in my life was led to exclaim, 'God be merciful to me a sinner;' and where I obtain good I think it my duty to attend.' His master turned away in a rage, threatening to discharge him should he visit the conventicle again. The young man still attends, and expresses his belief that as the hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord, his master will not have power to discharge him. What a source of consolation to the persecuted lambs of Christ's flock that the Lord reigneth." "One of the members of our little flock has recently been visited by the clergyman, who reproved her for not attending the church and receiving the sacrament. 'I always attend the chapel, sir,' was her reply, and for many years have celebrated the dying love of my blessed Redeemer there.' 'At chapel? I am perfectly surprised. You had far better go nowhere than to a conventicle; and as for taking the sacrament, it will add to your condemnation, whereas were you to receive it at the hands of a regularly ordained clergyman, an authorized teacher, it would save your soul.' The woman replied, 'The sacrament, I admit, sir, is an ordinance that is prized by every true believer of Christ, inasmuch as it gives him a lively view of the love of Christ. But if I wish to save my soul, I must look to the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, as no outward form or ceremony will ever gain me an admittance into the kingdom of heaven.' 'Ah, I find you have been with the canting hypocrites. Remember your destruction is certain, as you have turned your back upon the only true church.' 'I have not turned my back upon Christ, sir, and he will not turn his upon me.' 'I want no more of your cant; so good morning,' and away he went." These are only a few cases from many which might be given of the kind of opposition to which Home Missionaries are exposed, in various parts of the kingdom. There are, however, certain circumstances that tend to lessen our anxiety, and should even lead us to hope that, after all, the opposition to the Gospel, and those who preach it, cannot extend much further than it does at the present moment, and that the cause of truth and righteousness is not perilled, if Christians will only do their duty. One circumstance is this, that churchmen themselves are beginning to be alarmed, and are ably exposing the heresies which endanger souls. Connected with this, there is something like a re-action in favour even of dissenters, who faithfully hold fast the great doctrines of the Bible and preach them. Some of the publications by churchmen, which have recently issued from the press, show ability to defend evangelical truth, and a love for it, while several cases of liberality, on the part of churchmen, are, as far as they go, evidences of re-action in feeling. One case is that of two ladies, members of the establishment, successfully using their influence, in opposition to Puseyite power, to obtain a room in a destitute village for our agent, for the preaching of the gospel. Another is that of a gentleman, of the same communion, coming to the office of the Society, giving a handsome donation, and then adding to it another sum, in order to encourage the missionaries who are opposed by Puseyites. A third case is the liberal donation of thirty pounds from a clergyman, towards the erection of a village chapel, in the midst of parishes where Puseyite clergy are chiefly to be found; the donation being also accompanied with a promise of a further sum if galleries should be erected. In addition to these facts our agents state, that in certain districts the Puseyite clergy, by their high priestly claims, and violent denunciations of all not within the pale of their church, have so irritated some of their own people, that they have left their ministrations and gone to chapel, and now regularly attend the preaching of dissenters. There is however another circumstance still more gratifying, because it is furnished by the success of the Gospel on many of the stations of the Society. The journals for one month, received up to the 10th of December, contain many intimations respecting individuals who have been proposed during the month for Christian fellowship, and this success has, in most cases, been in the midst of opposition. One says: "At our church meeting, on Friday evening, ten persons were proposed for fellowship. I believe God is working with us here. Good is doing. It has excited the minister of the establishment into miniature activity; but though by calling upon some, and speaking hard things of us; and in his church preaching baptismal regeneration, and the church, not the cross, he may confirm the prejudices of some, I firmly believe the more he stirs and the more he preaches in this style the better; it may lead to thought, and anything is better than constant apathy. All we have to do is to keep on our way preaching Christ; it must eventually overthrow everything that opposes it, however venerable for age or strong in human support." IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. THE Committee of the Irish Evangelical Society are compelled to make a respectful but strong appeal to the friends of Protestant truth, on behalf of this valuable institution. Its constitution and usefulness are too well known, in this the twenty-ninth year of its important labours, to require any lengthened observations illustrative of their excellence; but it is due, alike to the claims of the Society and to the Christian public, candidly to state its present exigences, and the absolute necessity of prompt and energetic endeavours to rescue it from a position of great difficulty and danger. For some years past it has, from various causes, received but a diminished support, compared with that of former periods, and during the past year circumstances have tended to decrease its income, and seriously to interfere with the efficiency of its operations. At the last annual meeting the debt due to the treasurer amounted to £738, while the responsibility of the committee has subsequently increased, by the usual outlay for the salaries of agents, and by a claim from the Congregational Union of Ireland, according to the terms of agreement adopted in June of last year. To meet this painful, and all but overwhelming difficulty, an appeal is now made, which if liberally responded to, as the committee believe it will be, the Society will be freed |