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think he could hardly seriously maintain, i.e., "that the progress of truth and love has been often retarded by the scrupulousness and fastidiousness of their votaries as to the means to be used in advancing them." Does he think that pious frauds and persecution would have brought the kingdom of heaven on earth any nearer?

Notwithstanding its defects, however, the book is readable. The warm sympathy for all heroism, and detestation of tyranny, which animate the writer, communicate themselves to the reader (if the reader be not too critical), and occasional flashes of humour make one forgive many faults. Of these we must give one instance. In speaking of Scotch religious feeling, Mr. Gilfillan remarks, "They (the Scotch) are far sounder than the apostles themselves, and would have thought Paul, in some points, a latitudinarian, James an Arminian, and Peter a Papist. C. B. C.

PATRES CHRISTIANI ANGLICANI. Exemplary Discourses of Great English Preachers from the Time of Wicliffe. Part II. The Parable of the Wicked Mammon, &c., by W. Tyndale. London: W. Wesley, 81, Fleet Street. IN these times assuredly we need to be reminded of the men who prepared the way for and took a prominent part in the Great English Reformation. That crisis in our national history is remarkable chiefly for the recovery of God's Word, long imprisoned in the darkness of a corrupted religion; and next, for the preservation of the newly found treasure by the heroic and death-daring fidelity to conscience of God loving men. Their

"blood was shed In confirmation of the noblest claim, Our claim to feed upon immortal truth, To walk with God, to be divinely free." This series of sixpenny books aims at the reproduction and illustration of the truths and principles which from the date of Wicliffe have so impressively and permanently moulded the national character. Besides being opportune, judging from this sample, the work is well done. The selections are made with admirable tact. The leading doctrines and earnest and holy spirit of Tyndale are set forth in quotations upon the necessity for translating the Scriptures into our mother tongue, the rapacity of the popish clergy, justification by faith, and the insufficiency of works for salvation. Thou must believe on Christ, he says, "or else perishest thou, though thou hast a thousand holy candles about thee, a hundred tuns of holy water, a ship full of pardons, a cloth sack full of friar's coats, and all the ceremonies in the world, and all the good works, deservings, and merits of all the men in the world, be they or

were they ever so holy." We cordially commend this effort, and wish the publisher signal success.

TOPICS FOR TEACHERS.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL WORLD. Parts II. and III. By J. C. Gray.

THE HIVE, Feb. and March, 1870. London: E. Stock.

IF the Sabbath school teaching of the present time is not intelligently and efficiently done, it certainly cannot be for lack of appropriate and useful literature. Help abounds. The most gifted minds devote their strength and time to gather and prepare for use the manifold products of human thought, genius and research. "Topics for Teachers" contains materials quarried from history, philosophy, art, science, and poetry, and each stone is cut, polished, and fitted into its place in the fabric of instruction so that the teacher's office is reduced to the narrow limits of an exercise of memory. This is not an unmixed good. But conscientious and painstaking teachers will resist the temptation to indolence which such a book offers. The work is well done. The selection of topics is wise, appropriate, and comprehensive; the treatment is concise, thorough, and generally accurate; and the quotations are aptly selected and applied.

"The Sunday School World" is an encyclopædia of facts and principles illustrated by anecdotes and quotations from the works of the most eminent writers on Sunday school matters. Workers in our schools will find it an invaluable assistant.

SERMONS.-Signs of the Times. By E. K.
Everett.
- The
Nantwich: Johnson.
Great Council at Rome. By John Bond.
London: E. Stock.-" Loose him and
let him go." By W. Roberts. London:
E. Stock.-The Joy of Suffering. By
H. Simon. London: Lewis, Gower

Street.

THESE sermons were published by request, and though differing very much in their qualities, each has some excellence. The merits of the first are vigour of expression and enthusiam; of the second, completeness of detail and clearness of arrangement; of the third, timeliness and courage; and of the fourth, clearness of style and simplicity of treatment.

MY CONTEMPORARIES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. By Cornelius Slim, Minister of the Gospel. London: E. Stock. THESE memorials are so brief that they might have been compiled in imitation of the concise biographies contained in the earlier chapters of the book of Genesis.

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THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD. TO THE EDITOR—

Dear Sir, The writer on this subject in the January Magazine asks for a definition of the "church" and the "world," and then, whether or not it is possible for true union to exist between any integral parts of the two bodies denoted thereby?

Now it would be a very easy thing to answer that the "church" is a body of believers in the redemption of Christ; and that the "world" represents those who do not believe in Jesus; and consequently true union and communion of heart could not subsist between any integral parts of these two bodies.

No doubt in the earliest years of Christianity these words were expressive of characters as sharply defined and distinct as the words themselves. But in no society is it possible such precision should long obtain; and it it is notorious that Christianity never was and never can be proof against the laws of assimilation that pervade all society. Very soon in the experience of the church it was manifest that they were not all of the church who were in it. And on the other hand there always has existed a large number who look with anxious and longing eyes upon the 66 little flock," and whose hearts are really with them, but who from various causes are kept in "the outer court," whilst their souls bow down most reverently in the "holy place." From these simple facts it surely must be apparent that, whilst there are such things as the "church" and the "world," it is often impossible for any man or body of men to assert with any degree of certainty, "this individual is of the world, and that of the church." The mere fact of being or not being in communion with any of our sects affords to any sensible man but a very inadequate test of whether or not the individual is a believer in Jesus. My own conviction is, taking into consideration the thousands of Christianly trained young

persons, that at any moment there are more true believers outside our communions than inside. If this be true, or anywhere near the truth, how impossible is it to draw a hard and fast line and to say that two have been "unequally yoked together" because a "member" has married one who is not a member.

They may have been "unequally yoked together," and many are so when both are members. The fact is, "there is no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose." From this it must not be inferred that I think it unimportant that contracting parties should be of one mind-quite the reverse. Not only would I counsel Christians to marry only Christians, but, for their own happiness, I would urge as far as possible that they should be worshippers together in the same communion.

Coventry Patmore says,

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Maid, choosing man, remember this,-
You take his nature with his name;
Ask, too, what his religion is,

For you will soon be of the same."

I have myself witnessed most unhappy consequences following from members of different communions becoming united.

From all this you will gather, sir, that whilst I would have our Christian young men and women increasingly thoughtful and prayerful in the choice of their life companions, yet the occasions are likely to be very rare when the "church" can, with either authority or propriety, proceed to question the rights or censure the liberty of a Christian, in this matter at any rate, doing that which is right in his own eyes.

But further, supposing a Christian should marry an infidel, a drunkard, or a man of the world, would the church even then be justified in excommunicating her? I unhesitatingly aver, No! I grant you she has done herself a great wrong, but she has done the church no wrong, requiring such extreme measures.

The church may teach, admonish, and reprove, especially before the marriage,

but when it has taken place, I have no hesitation in saying there is no scriptural authority for cutting off such an one from church fellowship.

I fear, sir, I have already exceeded the limit that must be set to communications

of this nature, or I would endeavour to show that the passages alluded to (2 Cor. vi. 14, and Eph. v. 11,) entirely support my view of the case.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

Church Register.

CONFERENCES, &c.

CHESHIRE CONFERENCE.-Earlier Meeting. In consequence of special business relating to the Centenary movement, this Conference will assemble at Stoke-onTrent on Easter-Tuesday, April 19, instead of on Whit-Tuesday, June 5. The Rev. T. E. Rawlings, of Congleton, will preach. Service at 11 a.m.; business at 2.30 p.m.

WILLIAM MARCH, Secretary.

THE MIDLAND CONFERENCE was held at Ripley, on March 8.

This was the first time of holding the Conference at Ripley, and it is but just to our friends there to say that they received and provided for the Conference in the most kind and handsome manner.

At 11 a.m. Rev. E. H. Jackson read the Scriptures and prayed. Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., preached an instructive and edifying sermon on "The Christian Miracles," from John x. 37, 38.

At 2.30 Mr. Argile, senior deacon of the church, was voted to the chair. Prayer by Rev. D. Macallum. The reports showed that 270 had been baptized since May 18, 1869, that 66 were candidates, and that 18 had been restored to church fellowship.

1.-The Ashford Chapel Property.Brethren John Stevenson, M.A., of Ilkeston, and W. B. Bembridge, of Ripley, appointed a committee by the last Association to inquire into this property, reported that the chapel was a mass of ruins; that the burial ground attached was neglected and unsightly; and recommended that the latter should be put in order and retained as a burial ground for the use of the Dissenters of the Ashford district; that two shillings be charged for each interment; that the fees be reserved for the repair of the outer fence wall; that to increase the available burial ground the debris of the old chapel be removed; that the sum of £5 offered for the said debris be accepted; that two persons he appointed to act as trustees, to hold the key of the burial ground and receive the fees, and that all monies be deposited in the Bakewell Savings Bank.-Report received. The brethren were thanked for their services; and Mr. W. B. Bembridge, and Mr. Bram

J. COLEBROOK.

well (of Ashford), were appointed to carry out the above regulations in the name of the denomination.

2.-Government Education Bill. Rev. J. H. Lummis called attention to the defects of this measure. Resolved,-That a petition, signed by the chairman and secretary, be drawn up by J. H. Lummis, W. R. Stevenson, W. B. Bembridge, and the secretary, and forwarded to the Hon. A. Herbert, M.P., for presentation to the House of Commons, shewing that while viewing with satisfaction the introduction of the bill, and approving many of its provisions, the petitioners consider (1.) That no measure could be satisfactory which provides for the extension of the present system of denominational instruction by public funds or local rates. (2.) That the powers conferred by the bill on the District Boards to determine what religious instruction shall or shall not be given in the schools, are highly objectionable. (3.) That instead of the District Boards being elected by Parish Vestries and Town Councils, they should be elected by the direct vote of the ratepayers to be taken by the ballot.

3.-Foreign Mission. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the great success He has granted to our mission; that we assure our brethren and sisters in Orissa of our continued sympathy; and affectionately urge all the churches in this Conference to united and earnest prayer that the Lord of the harvest may send forth more labourers into His harvest.

4.-The Centenary Fund. Resolved,— That we recommend the churches to make special efforts on or before the 5th of June next on behalf of this fund, by contributions to the bazaar, public collections, and private subscriptions, as suggested by the Centenary Committee.

5.-Revised Conference Rules. The suggested alterations, printed in the March Magazine, (p. 89) were referred to the following committee:-T. Goadby, W. R. Stevenson, J. Stevenson, and the Secretary.

6.-Next Conference. The Quorndon chapel was built in 1770. The next Conference will, by the invitation of the church, be held at Quorndon, on Whit-Tuesday,

Church Register.

June 7-the very day on which the denomination was born in London a century ago. The Rev. J. Alcorn, of Loughborough, to preach in the morning; in case of failure the Rev. J. Jackson Goadby. The above decision, in regard to Quorndon, was formed with the understanding that the Conference should accept the invitation of the church at Castle Donington and Sawley at Whitsuntide, 1871.

7. Thanks were presented to the Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., for his sermon, not only because of its merits, but because our brother had so promptly and cheerfully rendered service after two other brethren had failed.

The Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., preached in the evening.

CHARLES CLARKE, Secretary.

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crowding every part of the chapel. Many could not get in. On the 8th, 340 persons took tea together. At the public meeting which followed, Mr. Barwick, one of the deacons, was invited to the chair. Mr. G. Hickling, another deacon, offered prayer. Dr. Underwood, on behalf of the church, presented to Mr. Greenwood a purse of thirty guineas and the following address, beautifully written and framed,-

"To the Rev. J. Greenwood, M.A.-We, the members of the Baptist church, worshipping in Stoney Street chapel, Nottingham, on your acceptance of the pastorate of the Baptist church, Bathurst Street, Sydney, New South Wales, desire to express to you our deep regret that the ties which have bound us together for the last three years as pastor and people are thus so early broken.

"We also desire to express our high appreciation of your labours amongst us, and rejoice that they have been crowned with such a large measure of success, in adding to our numbers and increasing the happiness, well-being, and prosperity of the church in all its various branches.

"We also desire to bear testimony to your untiring earnestness and zeal in rendering all our organizations thoroughly efficient, and to that kind, gentle, and loving Christian Spirit which you have always manifested, and which has permeated the whole church since you have been our pastor.

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It is our sincere prayer that, in the far distant sphere of labour to which you go, you and your dear partner may enjoy increasing health and happiness, and that you may be spared for many years to labour for that Master who has bidden His servants go to the uttermost parts of the earth to make known His love to men; and that when life's work is done you may receive the welcome, "Well done, good and faithful servant," enter the Master's rest.

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ANNIVERSARIES.

WALSALL.-Feb. 13, Rev. W. Cattle, of Birkenhead, preached on behalf of the building fund. Collections, £18 13s. 4d.

HOLBEACH.-March 14, public tea and "union meeting." The object of the meeting was to give publicity to the fact that after preaching union church principles for six years, we have now fully and formally adopted those principles. The pastor, Rev. J. E. Moore, presided, and stated that the practice was introduced by the late Rev. J. Cotton, and continued by Rev. J. B. Summerfield, and was now adopted from deep conviction both of its Scriptural character and moral advantages. Addresses were given by Revs. T. B. Summerfield, R. A. Johnson, Mr. Sutterby, Mr. C. Marshall, and E. Young, Esq., of the Livingstone Search Expedition.

SABBATH SCHOOL.

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LINCOLN.-The teachers' quarterly tea meeting was held on March 4. After tea the pastor, on behalf of the teachers, presented the superintendent with copies of Mr. Spurgeon's works, Morning by Morning" and Evening by Evening," inscribed thus: Presented by the teachers of the G. B. Sabbath school, St. Benedict's Square, Lincoln, to Mr. George Faulkner Muse, as some slight acknowledgement of his services as their superintendent for a period of three years, during which time he has, by his invariable kindness and the impartial and unwearied manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office, won their affection and esteem." A paper was read on "How may the members of the church best show their interest in, and promote the welfare of, the Sabbath school."

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