row. London: Ward and Co. 27, Paternoster- tains, there can be but one opinion respecting the beauty, the clearness of arrangeLike the foregoing, this publication advo-ment, and literary labour of this timely cates the cause of Voluntary education," production. It is, without exception, the but in another circle, and by a machinery most valuable literary edition of the Word slightly varying from that of its neighbour. Why the two should not amalgamate,-why they act in different circles, when their principles and objects are (so far as we can gather) precisely the same,-it is not for us to explain. We fear however that by this divided action the common cause is less efficiently served than it would be were their means and energies united, and while we strongly recommend both Societies to the favour of our readers, we would fain hope to see the day when the "Association" and the "Board" shall be but one. The Seventeenth Annual Report of the Bible Translation Society, presented April 23, 1857. The circulation of the Bible, with a statement of the Committee respecting the refusal of the British and Foreign Bible Society to circulate certain versions of the Sacred Scriptures. London: Reed and Pardon, Paternoster-row. Pewtress and Co., 4, Ave Maria-lane. The existence of the Bible Translation Society is a mistake, except upon the principle for which we have ever contended, namely, that the interests of the truth of God require of the Baptists that they take independent action, in defence of their distinguishing ordinance. On this principle our excellent brethren of this Society have acted an honourable part in maintaining the necessity of a "strict" translation of the Holy Scriptures. But why contend for the "strict" in one direction, and then abandon or condemn it in another? Why divide with other Christians for the word, and then surrender the whole question in the ordinance? Why protest against the unfaithfulness in the book, and then invite and welcome it to the table? Surely our brethren will one day or another open their eyes to a discovery of this inconsistency; and then it may fairly be expected, that not alone upon the question of a faithful translation, will they stand forth before the world as "Strict Baptists" to protest against the corruptions of the word and ordinances of God. Parallel Edition. Part 4 of the Revised English Version of the Holy Scriptures, by the American Bible Union. Contents: 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. London Trübner & Co., 60, Paternoster-row. Whatever may prove to be the critical merits of the "Revised" version of the Scriptures which this handsome work con of God that a student, a minister, or a reading layman can possess. It gives in three parallel columns the present version, the Greek text, and the revised version, thus presenting to the eye the original upon which the revision is based, and its agreement or disagreement with the priceless text-book with which we have been so familiar from the days of our childhood. It contains, in a broad foot-margin of notes, the opinions on the text of the first scholars of the age; and in this department it exhibits an amount of reading and research that is not equalled in any other version of the Scriptures. We are not quite sure that the translators have in every instance improved upon the terse, strong Saxon of the old version in their laudable aim to modernize the reading; and we would not affirm that the dignified majesty of the English translation has not been parted with occasionally for the prettier verbiage of a more modern date. But admitting this, we have no hesitation in affirming, notwithstanding, that the work, as a whole, is an invaluable addition to our biblical literature. The Tract Distributor. By C. WOOLLACOTT. Baptist Tract Society. London: Houlston and Wright, Paternoster-row. He who can write a good tract is no common man. It requires an ability that very few enjoy to unite clearness with force, and plain, every-day English with an interest that never descends to insipidity. This ability our venerable friend Mr. Woollacott pos sesses in a high degree, and we fervently hope that his years may be greatly prolonged to make many such valuable additions as the present one to the permanent stock of our Baptist Tract Society. The Discussion at Cambridge, between Mr Flory, Baptist Minister, and Elder E. Hard ing, a Mormonite, on the question,—“ Is there no salvation without baptism " Also, Ought Mr. Spurgeon to preach at the Music Hall, Surrey Gardens? By Mr. FLORY. London: Houlston and Co., Paternosterrow; R. Banks and Co., Dover-road. These tracts have a good object, and breathe a Christian spirit, but they abound with inaccuracies, which we hope their author will study to avoid, should he come before the public again. He possesses considerable powers, but it is painfully evident that they have hitherto received a slight share of cultivation. The Death of Christ: an Examination of Mr. Williams's Sermon on the above subject, &c. By E. F. QUANT, Bacup. Leicester: Winks and Son, Bacup: J. Browne. should also, as a matter of common fairness, read this examination of it. The writer has followed the tortuosities of the preacher with great care, and produced as the result an analysis of his sentimental Whoever reads Mr. Williams's sermon inanities that merits a general perusal. Foreign. DENMARK. Entelligence. Sept. 19, 1857. MR. J. C. WOOLLACOTT: MY DEAR BROTHER,-In my last letter I told you of the fire that broke out in the house where we have our meeting-room in Copenhagen. Our room was so far spared that we were able to assemble there again on Lord's-day, Aug. 16, and we thanked God that we were not obliged to discontinue our meetings. On Aug. 18, I left Copenhagen for Jutland, held several meetings at various places, and on Monday, 31, set out for Hamburg to attend the conference meeting there. It commenced Wednesday, Sept. 2, at eight o'clock in the morning, and was attended | by a great number of brethren from Germany, Denmark, one from Sweden, (brother Mollerswärd,) and several from Eng land and Scotland, among whom were the Revs. Dr. Hoby; J. H. Hinton, M. A.; Hugh Hunter, of Nottingham; Robert Anderson, of Edinburgh; Mr. Anderson, his cousin, if I mistake not; Mr. Wilkins, jun., and two others. Mr. Davis, secretary of the Religious Tract Society, and Mr. Burnet, of Scotland, near Aberdeen, arrived also during the sittings. The Revs. J. H. Hinton, H. Hunter, and, I believe, Dr. Hoby, were sent as a deputation from the Baptist Union of England. They were also to attend the meetings at Berlin, and intended then to try to obtain an audience with the kings of Hanover and Denmark, in order to petition them on behalf of our persecuted brethren. You are aware that our brethren in Sleswig and Holstein have suffered persecution for several years. The same laws do not subsist there as in other parts of this country. This is chiefly owing to the insurrection of 1848, and to the clergy, who have taken advantage of the political affairs, and employed them as a means of suppressing the progress of religious liberty. The meetings commenced with divine worship; then Mr. Oncken was chosen chairman, Messrs. Lehmann and J. Kôbner vicechairmen, and secretaries were also appointed. Mr. Oncken gave an account of the proceedings of the Union during the last three years. The business order was fixed. The sittings were appointed to be from 8 till half-past 11 o'clock, A. M., and from half-past 4 till half-past 7 o'clock, P.M. A letter from the Baptist Union of England was read, and Dr. Hoby addressed the meeting. The sitting was concluded with prayer. Afternoon, half-past four o'clock.-Singing, prayer, minutes read. (All the afternoon sittings commenced in this way, and the forenoon sittings commenced with devotional exercises, reading the Scriptures, and addresses delivered by several brethren.) Mr. Lehmann spoke about the meeting at Berlin, and requested that authenticated cases of persecution might be given in writing to the committee, to be laid before the meeting at Berlin. Mr. Oncken referred to the deputation from England and the object of the same, read a letter from a brother of the name of Wegner, who had a great desire to be present at the meeting, but was confined as a prisoner within the borders of Ludvigslust. (This brother subsequently appeared at the meeting.) Mr. Lehmann proposed that this meeting send brethren to represent it at the meeting in Berlin. Five were chosen-the brethren Oncken, Lehmann, and J. Köbner being among them. The subject then for discussion was-the mission: how all the members of our churches may be induced to partake in missionary labours. This discussion lasted the whole afternoon, and most of the next day. At last it was resolved,- "That this meeting considers it the duty of every Christian to labour by word and deed for the extension of the kingdom of God. Particularly is it their duty to labour to a wider extent on the Lord's-day. That the life and power of the children of God depend, under God's blessing, upon their personal labours." Thursday. The next subject was, "How our churches can procure the means to support our own missionaries, so as not to be dependent on others." Resolved,-"That this meeting recommends the churches to give regular contributions, if possible weekly, to the mission." Friday morning.-Mr. Lehmann read a letter from this meeting to the meeting in Berlin. A brother wished that brethren may be sent from time to time to the various churches to encourage, exhort, and regulate them. He referred to the example of the Jesuits. After considerable discussion, in which a number of brethren took part, it was resolved," That this meeting recommends the Ordnende (managing or regulating) brethren of the Union and the associations to engage brethren to visit the churches from time to time, at the expense of those who may wish them." Afternoon. The two Messrs. Anderson, with Mr. Burnet and another brother, addressed the meeting-the latter on the subject of a missionary for the Jews. concerned. But if the church have committed an unjust exclusion, that she be induced by the counsel of brethren or churches to retract such a step. But if a church cannot be induced by such advice (or counsel) to retract such resolution, can the same be separated from the Union ?" This proposal found many defenders, and a few, but weighty, opponents. At length, to put an end to the discussion, it was simply proposed,— "That the meeting recommends the churches, in cases of difficulty, to consult other brethren or churches." This was unanimously carried. meeting. This evening (Monday) the church had its regular missionary prayer-meeting. Messrs. The mission in connection with chapel- Hunter and Hinton delivered short but apbuilding. Several brethren wished for cha-propriate and excellent addresses to the pels, and others stated what they and their churches have done. Mr. Oncken reported that, instead of $40,000 he had received but $16,000 from America. That this had put a stop to our building of chapels at present, but he would write for the remaining $24,000 until he got them. In England he had collected £600 for chapels. Dr. Hoby then addressed the meeting, and exhorted the brethren to depend for means more upon themselves and upon God than upon such broken reeds as himself and his brethren, however willing they might be to help them. Proposed:-"If brethren wish to build chapels, they should apply to the managing brethren of the association, that they may examine whether the case is fit to be recommended in the 'Missions Blatt." After this meeting we had another conference meeting the same evening, on account of some misconceptions which had been produced by what had been said in the afternoon. The question about open communion was brought forth and occasioned additional difference of opinion. Mr. Oncken related how he had been accosted at a public meeting in London by open communionists. Tuesday morning. The question about drinking spirituous liquor was broached, but no resolution was come to. Tuesday afternoon.-Brother Oncken being requested to do so, spoke about open communion and its effects, which was followed by a brief discussion on travelling on the Lord's-day, and on family worship. How stations which are at a considerable Several brethren enquired, Which is the distance from the churches may be supplied. best preparation for preaching? Mr. Oncken Saturday morning.-How is the relation-made some remarks on this subject. ship of the churches with respect to the reception and exclusion of members? Wednesday forenoon was chiefly occupied by a discussion on the qualifications of the deacon's office, and on government interference with Sabbath-schools. Wednesday afternoon there was a tea After a long and warm discussion, which lasted over that day and the greater part of the next, during which the principle of the independence of the churches was main-meeting. tained and opposed with equal earnestness by several of the leading brethren, it was proposed by brother Köbner,— "That this meeting declare that they are of opinion that it would dissolve the relationship which hitherto has subsisted between us, if any church were to receive such as have been excluded from another church without the consent of the church concerned. They are, moreover, of opinion, that admittance and exclusion is something which they have in common. The meeting is further of opinion that a church in difficult cases should rather consult the advice of experienced brethren before they exclude, Particularly if such be requested of those Thursday morning, the question about open communion was re-opened. The ne cessity of securing chapels against misuse was considered, and brother Oncken told how Baptist chapels in England have fallen into the hands of Pædobaptists. Proposed that a letter be sent to the Strict Baptists in England to request their assistance. Next conference in three years, in Hamburg, in September. Mr. Oncken has received information from America about the chapel-money. They hope to be able to pay their debt next year. Votes of thanks were then passed, and the meeting concluded with singing and prayers. Copenhagen, Oct. 6, 1857. My dear Brother,-You will see that I commenced the foregoing long ago, but have chapel; to furnish a monastery; and fifty more such objects. Take tickets: for the small sum of a franc, you may gain prizes of 30,000, 50,000, 100,000 francs. "Communities of monks swarm in Paris, not been able to finish it before now. I left Hamburg Saturday, Sept. 12, went to Jutland, held several meetings at various places, and the citizens wonder to see dresses, and have now arrived at Copenhagen. Last black, white, and grey, which have been week, Saturday, I attended a meeting in unknown since the Revolution of 1789. You can now meet Dominican friars, Zealand, and assisted at the ordination of a brother of the name of Lars Henriksen. Capuchins, or Franciscan friars, FrancisWe had a tea-meeting on the occasion, and cans, Lazarists, Oratorians, Jesuits, priests enjoyed much blessing. Saturday night, I of the Holy Spirit, each with the dress of returned to Copenhagen, and preached here his order. The popish clergy hope, appaon Sunday last. I shall not stay here very rently, to recover thus their authority over long. The church is getting on pretty well. the minds of the people. But they are May peace and grace be with you and mistaken, as they will learn sooner or later. yours, dear brother. Give my affectionate Parisians look upon it as a masquerade. regards to Mrs. W. and family, and to all It does not satisfy their understanding nor kind friends. Remember me in your prayers. their conscience; and should a revolution The Lord be with you. Yours very affec-occur, these monks will be driven away with hooting and hissing. tionately in the Lord, A. P. FORSTER. POPERY IN FRANCE. "M. Parisis, bishop of Arras, who maintains that the inhabitants of Rome are the 'happiest people in the world,' has sent a new letter to the priests of his diocese, declaiming against mixed schools. Their admission of Protestant children among Roman Catholic children is, in his opinion, a horrible scandal, He asks, if a schoolmaster who allows children to read heretical books, to study a heretical catechism, to a heretical church, to conform, in short, to heretical customs, can partake of the sacrament of the holy Romish church? He answers in the negative, and concludes that the schoolmaster should be excommunicated. He excuses only a schoolmaster who should require Protestant children to learn the same religious books as Roman Catholics! to go By Professor De Felice. "ANOTHER aspect under which Rome constantly appears is, that of cupidity, of skill in raising taxes, more or less voluntary, from the credulous. It is a religion of money. The priests sell everything: masses, marriages, baptisms, absolution, indulgences, &c. Life and death, heaven and earth, vice and virtue, have their tariff in this greedy church. Luther protested against this greediness. But the Reformation of the sixteenth century has not corrected the evil. The priests invent new means of filling their purse. Lately, at the ceremony of consecration of the Bishop La Rochelle, they published a long list of prices fixed for seats in the church, as if it was a "Observe that many English families reside theatre! for the best seats ten francs, &c. in St. Omer, Boulogne, and other parts of At the door only five cents were charged the diocese of Arras. So that the bishop's The poor who cannot pay are not admitted! pastoral letter is a declaration of war I have often spoke of the fabled appearance against these strangers, who claim French of the Virgin to two children on the moun- hospitality, and who send their children to tain of Salette, near Grenoble. The our national schools. It is gratifying to be worship of Salette,' said a well informed able to say that the intolerent notions of writer, produces 200,000 to 300,000 francs, M. Parisis give pain even to sincere Romana year; it is a California mine. Pilgrims ists. His letter was read aloud in coffee and others require 50,000 masses at two houses of Arras and St. Omer as the work francs apiece: a net revenue of 100,000 of a madman. francs. Further, waggons take away, every "Two able scientific men, Messrs. Bordasweek, from 500 to 3000 francs' worth of Demoulin and Huet, have lately published bottles of Salette water, yielding 100,000 a book entitled: "Essays on the Reform of francs. Besides, chaplets, medals, little Catholicism." They attack eloquently the statues, books, are sold at an exorbitant superstitions, the abuses in discipline, the price, and the priests reserve the monoply theocratic government of popery, especially of boarding and lodging the pilgrims, de- the new doctrine of the Immaculate Conriving from this source another 100,000 ception, and announce that a truly Chrisfrancs. The Romanist clergy is also tian people will soon appear in the Romish skilful in lotteries: a lottery to build the church." church of St. Roch; a lottery to repair a VOL. XIV.-NO. CLXVII. very да BRITISH INDIA. Scarcity of Missionaries.-The following extract from a letter recently received from Calcutta, deserves a serious consideration. It indicates a state of things over which our churches at home should deeply mourn, and which it is incumbent upon them to repair with the shortest possible delay. THE DAY OF HUMILIATION AND PRAYER served in Bombay, as all over India, as a IN INDIA.-Last Sunday (July 15) was ob day of humiliation and prayer for the suc cess of the British arms, and by natives as conduct of the natives, both as a testimony well as Europeans. So valuable was the to the equity and kindness of the British, and as a proof that old superstitions will in giving a minute account of it, as known speedily break up, that we may be justified to us here in Bombay. The movements of the native community on this occasion have than was ever known to be the case on their own religious high days, when the feeling of superstitious "unluck" has been to them a great restraint. In the management of their religious services, the leading minds, as might be expected, in originating the universe has, in some of the prayers, in conmodation to their views, the God of the sequence, taken the precedence of the gods "But I am convinced it is never well to represent this hopeful side of our picture in India, without presenting its dark side too. You are well aware of some of the facts which have already been published on, this subject, but you will excuse me if I possessed remarkable interest. Their cessation from work was far more extensive repeat a few of them. Take, then, the simple truth, that we have large countries. with millions of people (the Nizam's territory, Oude, and Rajputana,) without any missionary at all; that even in Bengal, of which we have had peaceful possession now for a hundred years, we have large parts of the country in which the supply of mission-services of the higher castes, have not been aries is about one man to every million of but their educated members, and, in accomthe ordinary Brahmins and other priests, people; and several very important and populous districts, each larger than all your three Lothians taken together, and far more populous, without any missionary at all; and very many important towns and cities, hundreds I may say, with populations ranging from five thousand up to three hundred thousand (indeed Lucknow is said to have more than half-a-million,) also without any missionary at all. Here are towns of fifty thousand people, surrounded by populous villages, and a single man, it may be, or possibly two men, for the whole. Here are great districts in which missions have long existed, but so feebly, and so inadequately, that the missionaries themselves tell you they have never been able to address one-tenth of the population. These are facts which have to be remeinbered, and which I am persuaded, cannot be too often repeated." 66 TELL IT NOT IN GATH." Christian England borrowing help from idol atrous Paganism in her present dangers in India. of the Pantheon. A remarkable instance of whose supplicatory chant, as prepared by a this is visible in the case of the Parbhus, Brahmin, and printed and distributed, was the following: Prayer to the Supreme Ishwar. (In the Marathi verse called Pad.) Innumerable evils are accruing from war; Except the Lord of the Universe there is no peaceLet it sound for Thee the great Protector of thy worLet the danka (drum) proclaim him the true Saviour; shippers; maker; thee; The name Protector of the Universe is suitable to All commerce is stopped; There is fear about sending goods to other lands; Conspirators have arisen and devoted themselves to plunder; THE following, from the Bombay Times On these accounts immeasurable loss is occurring. of July 20, is as near an approach to a sanc-People are making great lamentation; In this manner war is the destroyer of wealth; tion of heathen idolatry on the part of a Wherefore, O Lord, be thou the Saviour from this Christian government as, perhaps, the world ocean of calamity; ever saw. With what face after this can Be to all the Pointer-of-the-good-path. Christian missionaries condemn the worship of a Vishnu, or the shrines of Vittoba and Hanuman, or the sacred fire of the Hindoo goddess? To say the least, this coquetry with idolatry is adapted to increase tenfold the difficulties that beset the missionary in India. This, however, as a compliment to the olden days, was followed by another poetical prayer, addressed to Vishnu under the name of Hari, the scope of which is much the same as that which we have now quoted. At the small pagodas the priests had the entire management of affairs, the shrines of |