to their ability, all must be fully interested by knowledge, option, and fellowship. They must not only have confidence in the proceedings, (which, however, is of unspeakable importance,) they must have identification with them-they must be their proceedings."

The next is for the study of every christian man whom God has endowed with "a sound mind in a sound body." The pressure of "the times" on many such gives the voice of Providence to these words.

“Then, and especially, the church should be brought to correct her opinions on missionary labour. Whether designedly or not, our operations have given, almost universally, wrong impression on this great subject. In the general mind the missionary and the minister are identified; so that no one turns his thought to the missionary field, till he has first disposed of the question, am I fit to be a minister of the gospel? Mostly to the honest mind this question brings a negative, and henceforth he satisfies himself, that he owes no personal duty to the heathen. What is this but to inoculate our modern institutions, which are for the life of the world, with the worst vice of the papacy? This error requires to be met not by opposing to it the literal truth; it chiefly needs that we should oppose to it instant practice."

Our hearts have been gladdened this month to find the Eclectic Review urging upon our ministers in this country—as a subject to which the necessities of the times call their special attention and earnest study-"the science and practical inventions of general teaching." In connection with this promise of good, our readers will join with us to welcome the following

extract.

"Most heartily we believe, that it is by the earnest utterance of the gospel, that we are to look for the conversion of the world to God. But what is preaching but one mode of education? a mode adapted to adult life? Are we, however, to labour for the adult, and neglect the young? Education, in the hands of pious men, is the appropriate method of making known the gospel to youthful life. Everywhere there may well be a distinction preserved, fainter or broader, between the engagements of the teacher and the pastor; but it were strange policy to put them in a state of conflict, or even of separation. Rome has shown consummate skill in the fact, that while she is unfriendly to popular knowledge within her own peaceful domain, when she has to deal with a determined adversary, she

relies chiefly on education—and the education of the young—for her success."

How deep and important are these truths! The mind of the church acknowledges them: but when shall they be put in practice? For some time past our missionary writers have proclaimed similar views: but especially Dr. Campbell, in his "Martyr of Erromanga," has most powerfully urged them. Eloquence has been spent upon them; but will eloquence rouse the church? No: we want example. Who then will arise and "teach by example?"

The Farewell Services of Robert Moffat in Edinburgh, Manchester, and London. Edited by John Campbell, D. D.

London: Snow. pp. 172.

Robert Moffat has left us, and is now on his way to the wilds of Africa, there to re-enter upon his missionary labours. May the care of a gracious Providence surround this distinguished herald of the cross till he reach in safety the place of his destination. Few men, returning from a visit to their native land, have left a sweeter fragrance behind them. He was greatly beloved-deservedly beloved. We thank Dr. Campbell for his disinterested effort in compiling this little work, in which are recorded the last services the honoured Moffat was engaged in. It is a deeply interesting book. These last specimens of Moffat's eloquence are the most affecting and impressive we have seen. He seems to have poured forth his whole soul, the deep feeling of years, into these last appeals to his christian friends in England. Every admirer of Robert Moffat (and who that knows him is not?) should possess this book as a memorial of that eminent servant of Christ. The closing observations of Dr. Campbell are judicious and affecting. We subjoin an extract.

"Well! Robert Moffat is gone; we can only deal with him now through the medium of memory and imagination; and truly his character and history form a noble theme, whether of reflection or speculation. The departure of such a man for the heart of a heathen and barbarous continent, is an event of the first importance. He carries with him, in addition to the riches of the everlasting gospel, all the elements of social comfort, and most of the implements of the highest civilization. This memorable day, with the various

events which have preceded it, suggests many important reflections. It has witnessed another noble act of both generous and grateful homage to the missionary character; we say, to the character, not simply to the man. Yes; in the distinguished honours heaped upon Robert Moffat, at Edinburgh, at Manchester, and in London, it is to be kept steadily in mind, that these honours were paid not simply to the person, but to the office of the missionary. In these deeds, therefore, all the parties concerned have openly expressed their respect and reverence for the whole brotherhood of missionaries throughout all lands. That brotherhood are, therefore, to consider, and they, doubtless, will consider themselves as represented in his person, honoured in his honour, and encouraged in the encouragement tendered to him."

An Address to Young Female Converts. By Miss Catharine Lake. London: Nisbet. pp. 122.

This volume breathes a spirit of fervent piety, and contains some admirable advice to the class of persons for whom it is designed. It aims not at originality, and its pretensions are modest. May the affectionate appeals of its amiable author be received in a right spirit, and they cannot fail to be widely useful.

New Year's Address to Sunday School Teachers. By the Rev. J. A. James. pp. 32.

It is a sufficient recommendation of this address to say, that it is in every respect worthy of the pen of Mr. James. We subjoin a specimen.

"Determine to become a more excellent Sunday-school teacher in every respect. Aim at completeness, at universal perfection in punctuality, constancy, method, order, submission to superintendents, harmony with your fellow-teachers, respect and deference for your minister, affection for your children, and everything else connected with the well-being of the school; look upon the school as a piece of moral machinery, the working of which, as a whole, depends upon the working of each particular part."

The Sleeper Aroused. By A. E. Pearce.

Showell. London: Dyer. pp. 48.

Birmingham:

No faithful servant of the Redeemer can read this excellent little tract with attention and reflection, without being excited to greater zeal and diligence in his Master's work.

THE

INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE.

MAY, 1843.

THE FACTORIES' EDUCATION BILL. We are heartily glad to find that the London dissenting ministers are strenuously exerting themselves to oppose the projected system of national education. The bill designs nothing less than the prostration of the poor of this country before the feet of the clergy. They are to be entrusted with irresponsible power; aided by their churchwardens they will be able, if this measure becomes the law of the land, to sweep all the children of the peasantry into their own schools, which will be converted into so many scenes of sectarian rancour, by casting on the children of dissenting parents, forced into these seminaries, the spite and contempt incurred by all who do not submit to be instructed according to the formularies of the establishment. Thus a sense of humiliation will be engendered in the minds of such children, and at the outset of life, a dark envenomed spirit of religious partisanship will be enkindled among the young. Why, we ask, should the clergy be entrusted with this power? Have they always shewn themselves to be such liberal and enlightened characters that we should charge them with the superintendence of the children of the poor? Are we really so destitute of wise and public-spirited men, that we can look to no quarter for guardians of the youthful mind, but to those who are positively retrogressing-attempting to bring us back to idle rites and superstitious observances, and who, like Professor Sewell in his Christian Ethics, sneer at all modern cant about advancing science and political progression? Is it

K

not palpably absurd to shut up the young under the exclusive care of the clergy, while we are allowing the utmost toleration to every religious sect? Is it not tantamount to saying: “you who are adults may do as you please, but your children shall be controlled by us; you may disallow the authority of the clergyman, but your children shall obey him." Will such an insidious measure be tolerated by the dissenters? will they endure to see the blessing given to them with one hand, snatched from them with the other?

But one of the most obnoxious provisions of this bill is the imposition of another church rate, for it amounts to that. Here are church schools for which dissenters are to pay; if indeed this measure were shorn of its sectarian character-if dissenters were allowed to exercise a proportionate influence over schools in which their own children are to be instructed-if no exclusive privilege were given to the clergyman-dissenters would rejoice in the establishment of these schools; but to suppose that they should pay a tax to support a church school, where the clergyman may teach what he pleases to his pupils, but where the dissenting minister must not intrude, or at least not be placed on an equal footing, is a little too bad! Dissenters have a right to claim for their children an equal regard from the legislature with the children of the establishment, and we do think it to be an infamous outrage on their feelings by the present government, to propose a measure, which, if carried, will place their indigent young under the superintendence of a class of men to whose principles and practices they are avowedly opposed.

Now let the dissenters bestir themselves. We must take the liberty of telling them that their past exertions have not been so earnest as they ought to have been. They must learn to be more united, strenuous, and decisive in their movements. There must be less talk and more action. Let them look at the present government, and judge of their intentions towards dissenters by this bill: and let them be assured that the most vigorous and untiring effort will alone induce or rather compel the tories to abandon this measure.

We shall be anxious likewise to know what course of conduct the Wesleyans intend to adopt at this crisis. We have not yet forgotten their playing into the hands of the tories, by defeating the whig government plan of educating the people. Now let