Ecclesiastical Affairs. LIVERPOOL CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL-FUND ASSOCIATION. CHAPEL erection, although not the pri- therefore, with avidity we opened the "Eighth Annual Report of the Liverpool Congregational Chapel- Fund Association, on its lately coming to hand. That document presents matters which deserve particular notice. The " Appeal" of the Committee, of which Dr. Raffles is President, is unusually frank in its dealings with its constituency, and shows a very correct appreciation of the true merits of the whole enterprize, and the urgent necessities of the case, as applied to the great town of Liverpool. Like all such schemes, the interest of the Churches in the work is gradually subsiding; the income, which was £800 per annum at the close of the last year, is now not quite £200. This fact is easily accounted for, partly by the late commercial crisis, in which not a few good men seriously suffered, and partly by the happy circumstance, that the first great object of its creation-the removal of the debts connected with certain chapels in Liverpool and its vicinity-has been accomplished; but nothing has been done in furtherance of the second object of the confederacy-the erection of new edifices; and, unless things take a turn, it will be long before anything can be done in this direction. But if times continue to improve, when local burdens shall have been lightened, there is little doubt that there will be a fresh start on behalf of the great work of Chapel Building. This hope is greatly strengthened by the language of the Report-a Report which was read to a meeting at which Dr. Raffles, as president, occupied the chair; and Mr. Kelly spoke "On the Present Duty of the Associated Churches;" Mr. Loxton, "On the Adaptation of Congregationalism to Self-extension ;" and Mr. Jones depicted, in a very impressive manner, "The Religious State of Liverpool." The following passage of the Report deserves citation: Hitherto the Congregationalists of Liverpool have not been a colonising people. They have not seen the absolute necessity of increasing their strength at home; or, seeing it, have not embodied their perception in action. While the Churches in London and Manchester have doubled themselves, we have remained stationary, well enough satisfied with sitting under our own vine and fig-tree, without compelling others to come in. It is high time for us to wipe off this disgrace; but, if we would do so, we must become a chapel building people. This can only be done by co-operation-by supporting with vigour and energy this Association, The close of the Report still further inspires hope it states, that the Committee have, in the course of the last year, sought to promote friendly intercourse among the Associated Churches; a quarterly meeting of the ministers and deacons has been established; a plan for the interchange of pulpits, once a quarter, has also been drawn out-measures all excellent in themselves, and supplying an example worthy of general imitation in all other towns and cities in these kingdoms. Such movements, while they finely express the spirit of Christian union, actually cultivate it. There has hitherto been, in most places, far too little of this, and the penalty of the neglect has, in many cases, been severe, both as to Ministers and Churches. The error cannot too soon be corrected. The subject of lay agency has also been occupying attention; as usual in this matter, much has been proposed, but little done. It is now eleven years since it fell to our lot to address the Nonconformist Churches on its importance and necessity, and the best means of carrying it into actual effect. We have, therefore, at present, nothing more to say on that point. Let us hear the Report: The report of last year alluded to the subject of lay agency, as a means to be used in spreading the truth. We have still to speak of it in the past, and in the future. Nothing has been done in regard to it during the year. In our historical annals we read of it, in our plans for the future we include it, but we regret to say that in the present we do not use it: yet the times demand that every Christian should not only do something for Christ's cause, but all that lies in his power. Every energy must be aroused, every faculty called into exercise, in the advancement of our Redeemer's kingdom Where there is an aptness to teach in any of Christ's priests, the important talent ought to be cultivated and used. We trust that during the year on which we have now entered, some plan will be devised to secure the wise and efficient use of this great agency. This much may suffice for the Report; but such is the importance we attach to the statement appended, on the subject of "The Religious Condition of Liverpool," that we have incorporated it with the opening Article of the present Number. CHURCH ECONOMY. We are much gratified to find that our Ecclesiastical speculations are always interesting, and, we have reason to believe, useful to the Churches. That of last month, concerning Everton Chapel, Liverpool, has excited very particular interest. We have since been favoured with a List of the Members of the Church assembling in Castle Gate Meeting-house, Nottingham, under the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. McAll-a very interesting document, which opens with a series of useful intimations on divers matters connected with Fellowship, such as, that candidates for communion may call on the Minister on a Friday evening, from seven to nine; a period when any members of the Church may also have an interview with the Pastor. It is also intimated that tickets are used in connection with the communion of the Lord's Supper, an excellent system, without which it is impossible, in large Churches, in great towns and cities, to have anything like order, or to maintain a superintendence of the flock. There is, however, one provision of a somewhat remarkable character. It is the following: Members who leave the town without a dismission to another church, are expected to communicate with the Minister, by letter, at least once a year. Should this be neglected, the church will feel itself at liberty to regard the person as having withdrawn from membership. This seems to us to suppose a very unsatisfactory state of things, and to hold forth encouragement to an evil which is too rife in the Christian world. When a member leaves one Church, surely no time ought to be lost in seeking another fold in which to be shut up. The next notice refers to baptism, which intimates that parents wishing baptism must give previous notice to the Minister; and it is expected, whenever practicable, that both parents shall be present at the Service an example worthy of imitation. Far too little is made of this ordinance, both as it respects the parents in the first place, and, subsequently, the children. The following intimation merits the notice of all: Any member of the church or congregation who is sick, and desires to be visited by the Minister, is requested to send word to him to that effect; and on no account to leave the tidings of such illness to reach the Pastor in a casual and indirect manner. When no direct message is sent, the Minister is often unaware of the illness of the party, or infers that the affliction is regarded as being of a slight and temporary cha racter. This matter is not generally understood aright, and the result is frequently heartburnings and mischief. The Minister is expected to act as if he were omniscient; and because he does not know what was never told him, it is set down to the score of neglect; while, on the other hand, there are parties that, unsolicited, make themselves busy, and seek a sort of cheap importance, by running to the pastor, sending him hither and thither, frequently when there is no occasion for it. Few pastors in large churches but can tell curious tales illustrative of this. The last notice is not the least important, and is the following: The members of the church will consider a regular and punctual attendance on the Lord's Supper, and the other stated means of grace, as an essential part of their Christian profession. It is hoped that the maintenance of Prayer Meetings will be regarded by the Church as its peculiar charge; and, finally, that each member will offer daily prayer for the holiness, the peace, and the increase of the church. To this succeeds a re-publication of "The Faith, Church Order, and Discipline," &c., of the Independent Dissenters, set forth by the Congregational Union in 1833; and then follows a List of the Church Members, with their residences, and the period of their admission, a very interesting document. First comes the Pastor, with the period of his election-1843; then the names of the eight Deacons, with the periods of their election respectively. To this succeeds the Members' names and addresses, in the order of their admission, making a total of no fewer than 462. It is affecting to survey these pages of names. Under the year 1786 stands a single name; 1795, two; 1797, one; 1804, two; and so on, till we reach 1816, when there are seven; and thus they proceed variously. Things appear to have advanced excellently since the settlement of Mr. McAll. During his first year, 1843, the admissions are fifteen; in 1844, thirty-six; in 1845, thirty; in 1846, twenty-three; in 1847, forty; in 1848, thirty-eight. This is a species of publication which cannot be too extensively multiplied; and the more it approximates to that almost perfect exhibition presented by the Rev. John Kelly, which appeared in our last, the better. Church Affairs. CHURCH SPORTS-EXERCISES OF DEVOTION FOR THE YOUNG. WHAT are the Dissenters of Stafford about? Are they aware there is such a place, not very far from them, as Hixon? Have they heard of the recent "Festival of St. Peter's Day," which was celebrated there? Have any of them seen the programme, and the "Festal Song?" If so, we should hope it has been the means of exciting their compassion for the population of a place whose guides are so misleading them. Are we rightly informed that a new edifice, called a church, was erected there some two years ago, with a view to putting down the Dissenters, who were then making some advance in promoting the spiritual welfare of the villagers? More especially, did the Independents erect a neat chapel in that place, some ten years ago, for the good of the people? What was taught by them in that place? What was their air and deportment in going out and coming in among the peasantry? Were they witnesses for God and his truth, and did they make a lodgment of Gospel doctrines in the village families? If so, the poor villagers must have been struck by the contrast which obtains between them and the successor of the Apostles who now performs the functions of Parson in Hixon. It is important that the public generally should know what are the notions of such gentlemen on the subject of popular amusement; and to prevent the possibility of a mistake, or the supposition that we have in any respect garbled the document before us, we shall set it forth entire : Prize of W. Moore, Esq. Ditto Boys The Parson's Prize. 8 0 2 0 8 0 Jumping in Sacks-Young Men (Waistcoat) 8 0 Mouthseeking in Flour, four times for Six- Honourable G. Talbot's Prize. 2 0 2 0 5 0 To be followed by other Games and Dancing. But as is the Parson so is the Schoolmaster, who, in his way, seems something of a poet. His name is Percival, and he indites some ten stanzas for the benefit of the Younkers that were to climb, run, wrestle, dance, and, like so many swine, poke with their noses among flour for sixpences! We must give a specimen of these rhymes, which, apart from the folly of the occasion, are not without merit : THE FESTAL SONG. And mark! the Victors' pains and care Hail! all hail! &c. Ye minstrels, stir your tuneful lay, Hail! all hail! &c. How this exhibition was attended, and what impression was produced upon the neighbourhood, we have not learned; but to reflecting men it must have presented a most painful spectacle, and all the more painful that it should be of Ecclesiastical origin, and carried on for Ecclesiastical purposes. It makes the heart bleed to think of creatures, young and thoughtless, being so misled, so bewildered, so deceived! Here is a case in which an Esquire, an Honourable, an Earl, and a Parson, all combined to patronize folly, debase the people, and degrade creatures bearing the image of God! Had the living of Hixon been enjoyed by some Grimshaw or Fletcher-men that walked in the light of eternity, and spent themselves for the advancement of the best interests of the parish, he would soon have been cited before the Bishop for irregularity, if he had stepped one inch beyond the Since writing the above, we have received another communication, which runs thus: Stafford, July 17, 1850. SIR,-Knowing you to take a lively interest in all that pertains to religion, I send you the inclosed programme, that you may see what Old Mother Church is doing for her sons and daughters, in the nineteenth century, in that portion of her domains midway between the county town of Stafford and the cathedral city of Lichfield. The performance is annual, to commemorate the opening of the Church there, which took place some two or three years ago, dedicated to St. Peter; it is likewise the village feast-day. The Bill was duly read over from the pulpit on the Sabbath-day previous, the village posted through with them, and an advertisement put in the County Paper. The day's proceedings commenced at eight o'clock in the morning, by administering the Sacrament to all that had been confirmed, who were gravely told there could be no harm in what they did that day, now they had partaken of the holy Sacrament! The Village Queen is the prettiest girl they can find in the place, willing to receive the honour of a crown of roses, &c., and to be carried in a decorated chair, on rustic shoulders, through the town, and have her name inscribed on a pillar erected for the purpose. I must just explain one of the games-" Mouthseeking." A quantity of flour is put into a wheelbarrow; a sixpence buried in it; the lads and lasses, with their hands tied behind them, set to work, like a number of certain long-snouted quadrupeds fishing for murphies in a vessel of their favourite beverage, to find it with their mouths. I will now leave it for you to do as you think proper with, and remain, Sir, Yours truly, A CONSTANT READER. Review and Criticism. The Early Conflict of Christianity. By W. INGRAHAM KITT, D.D. Longman. DR. KITT is already favourably known in the United States, through his "Holidays in Rome," "The Double Witness of the Church," and "The Jesuits in North America." The book before us is one of thought, weight, and research, and one which will excite thought in others. Christianity is here shown to have successfully engaged with and vanquished five adversaries. Dr. Kitt, with too much truth, assumes, that few among those who profess to call themselves Christians have a clear idea of the difficulties to which the Faith was subjected in the earliest ages of its existence, or the severity of the conflicts through which it was called to pass. In such a case as this, novelties were not to be expected; the great facts, of course, have all been before the world already, but nowhere have they been represented as they are here, separate and apart from the multiform and manifold details of secular history. The periods into which history is generally broken up, are unfavourable to continuity, as it respects any special subject. The result is confusion, through separation. Dr. Kitt has avoided this, by steadily tracing, through successive centuries, the gradual warring of a particular form of separation, till its power was broken, and it ceased to be numbered among the foes of the Faith. The book, therefore, leaves the Church in the midst of her triumphs, which, as usual, to all victors, was the hour of her danger. She, like the Roman Power, as long as she made head against mankind, added conquest to conquest; she was united, and, through unity, strong. But when the war and the conquest ceased, the disunion and the disaster began. The purity of her character during the days of her conflict soon became tarnished, till at length she was scarcely distinguishable from the world she had previously conquered. We hope the success of the volume will be such as to encourage Dr. Kitt to carry out his half-formed purpose of going through with the "Middle Ages," when feudal tyranny overspread Europe -a period of the utmost danger to society, the only conserving power of which was Christianity-even such Christianity as then overspread it-for Christianity, even in its most corrupt form, is still a source of manifold good to mankind. On this point Hallam has done much, and Guizot more; but it is highly desirable to have the matter separated, and done after the manner of Dr. Kitt, in the work before us. When this is accomplished, there will still remain the mighty theme of the Reformation, the greatest intellectual convulsion the world has seen. That glorious period presents but a mingled spectacle; yet there is much over which to rejoice, with much, also, over which to mourn. The work stopped short in the middle; and even those regions whose fetters were broken, although emancipated from the thraldom of Popery, were not led into the blessed captivity of the Gospel of Christ. Great Britain alone enjoyed a very large measure of Gospel blessing; while her giant daughter, the North American Republic, presents something like a full manifestation of the power of the unfettered truth and the blessings of the Gospel of salvation. The book will be welcomed by multitudes in this country, and we earnestly hope the Author will see reason to continue his labours. The Principles of Geology Explained, and viewed in their Relations to Revealed and Natural Religion. By DAVID KING, LL.D. Johnstone and Co. THE value of this work is in the inverse ratio of its bulk. Of the 150 volumes, less or greater, on the subject of Geology, which have come in our way, not one has so much met our views, on the whole, as the present. For popular purposes, it stands forth from them all. Dr. King is a man of adventurous spirit, as well as of diligent inquiry. In this book the thinking is singularly bold, and the expression is such as becomes a work of Science, while a vein of the highest philosophy, that is, of genuine Christianity, runs like a thread of gold through the whole of it. Had the choice been given us, there are few men we should have been inclined to solicit to undertake the service in preference to Dr. King. An intellect so clear, a style so pure, and a logic so convincing, marked him out as peculiarly fitted for this species of arduous service to the cause of truth; and then he is so frank and so candid, that even an adversary is at once disarmed, and prejudice is prepared to listen with a kindred spirit to his argumentations, as he elaborates his views of the great question at issue. Infidelity has, in a great measure, heretofore, had the whole domain of Geology- a fact which redounds but little to the honour of the Christian scholarship of our land, which ought to be at all times prepared and ready to enter the lists with infidelity, whatever the field it may choose to occupy. Whenever a subject of true science arises, affecting the character and works of the great Creator, it behoves the Christian philosopher to go forth with all frankness, to engage in the discussion, and to maintain its claims on the confidence of mankind. It is impossible that Nature can contradict Revelation. There may, indeed, in some matters, be a seeming conflict; and in such a case it behoves the Christian scholar to use all the means within his reach to solve difficulties, to reconcile apparent contradictions; and if he succeed, well; but if not, he is not to surrender. So far as Science brings proof, he is to believe her doctrines, whatever be the apparent consequences that may flow from them, without in the slightest degree suffering those doctrines to shake his confidence in the thrice-fortified system of revelation. He is required, nay, he is permitted, to surrender neither spirit nor science, but to surrender his own self-sufficiency. If we meet with matters which are too high for us, we are not bound to scale the giddy height. It is enough to have discovered our weakness; and having done our best, we may safely strive, without fear of encountering the displeasure of the Master, because the ken of our limited vision was found incapable of coping with the difficulties of the subjects before us. It is to be taken as one of the principles of eternal truth, that God's work never can contradict God's Word, and that to his own mind all is perfect congruity, undisturbed harmony-all difficulties arise from our darkness; and the reason, we are taught, is one, not of infidelity, but of humility. The religious community has too much shrunk from inquiry, as if their faith were endangered by it. This is weakness. It is, moreover, treachery to the Gospel, sustained by prophecy, by miracle, and, above all, by its internal evidences, and its adaptation to the necessities of a yearning, suffering, sorrowful world. Were the difficulties of Geology, and difficulties arising from other sources, a thousandfold greater in force, and ten thousandfold greater in number, we should hold them all as nothing; and the more so, as the happiness of man is in no respect dependent upon the reception or the rejection, the understanding or |