BAPTISM THE SACRAMENT OF LIBERTY; a Letter to the Churches of the Baptist Denomination. By CHARLES THOMPSON. Irwin; Dyer.

THIS letter was written by appointment of the Lancashire and Cheshire association, as their circular letter for 1844. Exception was taken by some of the brethren present, to parts of it, as likely to give needless offence to those who differ from us. The author refused to submit his paper to the scissars of the committee of revision: and here, therefore, it appears on his own responsibility, and addressed to the wider auditory of the Baptist churches.

This title is obscure, and the style occasionally inflated, but we think the assembled brethren, in refusing their patronage, were over-careful of the feelings of other denominations, whose equanimity we conceive the appearance of this letter will not greatly disturb.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' CLASS REGISTER, for 1845; also, CLASS REGISTER AND DIARY, for 1845.

THESE books are well adapted to secure a ready and complete registration of the Sunday classes, and will be prized by every intelligent and methodical teacher. The two works are alike, except that the latter is more handsomely got up, and contains two neatly ruled pages for each Sunday in the year, and will be found useful as a diary and Sabbath memorandum book by others besides those engaged in the honourable work of Sabbath school instruction.

THE UNION HYMN BOOK FOR SCHOLARS, with TUNES. No. I.

NINE hymns nicely printed; nine tunes, in four parts, for one penny. Classes for singing practice, in connexion with Sunday schools, have often been recommended as a means of improving congregational psalmody. The objection usually urged is, the expense involved in providing a sufficient number of tune and hymn books. Here we are supplied with both in one, marvellously cheap. NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS, for 1844.

No Sunday school in the country ought to remain destitute of these notes. They contain a large amount of valuable information, and will be found well worthy of close study. The first number for the present year commences with an address explanatory of the mode of using them to advantage.

THE UNION MAGAZINE. Vol. I.

WHEN we hear of a magazine at the low price of this, our first thought is that it may meet the wants of children; but can scarcely merit the attention of those who teach. The perusal of very few pages of this volume will lead to a very different conclusion. It is full of interest and instruction, and we recommend every teacher that is not already provided with a periodical relating to his work, to order the "Union Magazine" for himself this year. We congratulate the committee of the Sunday School Union on their selection of an editor, in which they have evidently been very fortunate.

THE GLORY OF THE REDEEMER IN HIS PERSON AND WORK. By OCTAVIUS WINSLOW. pp. 500.

THE subjects of the ten chapters into which this work is divided are as follows:1. The pre-existent glory of the Redeemer. 2. The Redeemer, the revelation of the Father's glory. 3. The typical glory of the Redeemer. 4. The prophetical glory of the Redeemer. 5. The glory of the Redeemer in his humiliation. 6. The glory of the Redeemer in his resurrection. 7. The glory of the Redeemer in his ascension. 8. The glory of the Redeemer in his people. 9. The Holy Spirit glorifying the Redeemer. 10. The glory of the Redeemer in his second coming. Far from treating these topics as dry formal doctrine, Mr Winslow has presented them glowing with affection, and in their diversified bearings on the experience and practice of the believer. Most welcome will they prove to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and desire rather to feed upon the "Living Bread," which came down from heaven, than to waste their strength in discussing and defending a barren orthodoxy. The volume bears the strong impress of the author's manner, which will have become familiar to many of our readers from some of his numerous works. His style is occasionally redundant, and

conveys the idea of effort. Where the theme so far transcends all language as that which occupies the pages before us, a subdued tone and modest simplicity of style will ever affect the reader as the truest eloquence.

AN ESSAY ON THE MODE AND SUBJECTS OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. By JOHN STOCK. pp. 143. Houlston and Stoneman.

If we are rightly informed, the author has been visited with a sentence of excommunication for writing this book. It appears that there was a united monthly prayer-meeting held in Chatham, for the promotion of Christian Union. But in September last, the ministers, deacons, and leaders belonging to the various denominations composing this association, met and appointed a deputation of six influential brethren to wait on Mr Stock and the deacons of his church, when Mr S. consented to make the following declaration, which at the time appeared satisfactory to the deputation :-"I regret that the minds of my Christian brethren have been wounded by my publication, but I am not conscious of any error in the act of publishing the volume in question, or of having exhibited an unchristian spirit in any of its statements." Another meeting was held a few days subsequently, similar to the former, to receive the answer, when it was unanimously resolved:-"That this meeting, while solicitous to exercise the utmost Christian forbearance and charity, and to preserve the integrity of the union, cannot accept the declaration of Mr Stock as satisfactory, and cannot in future meet with him with that cordiality which they desire to feel, without an expression of regret on his part, according to the third resolution of the 23rd of August, that he by the spirit of his publication should so painfully have wounded the minds of his Christian brethren." Our readers naturally imagine that there must have been something very shocking in the book to have occasioned all this stir. We assure them, however, that it is merely a good and manly statement of the arguments for those views of the ordinance which appear to us to be scriptural. One or two sentences, perhaps, would have been better for the insertion of a qualifying word modestia causa; but the work will bear comparison, in point of temper, with any that have appeared on the other side, beginning with Mr Thorn, and ending with Dr Halley. Bigotry, wherever displayed, we cordially hate, and can only pity brethren who will not pray with a man any longer than he consents to compromise his conscientious views of divine truth.

HOME RECORD.

MUNIFICENT GIFT.-The President of the Baptist College, Montreal, has received a letter from Joseph Fletcher, Esq., Union Dock, Limehouse, London, authorising him to send a list of books wanted for the College library, from which list purchases will be made, at Mr Fletcher's expense, to the amount of £200 sterling, and forwarded by one of the earliest spring ships.—Montreal Register.

LIVERPOOL.-Opening of the New Baptist chapel, Bootle.-This chapel is situated about the centre of the rising and populous watering-place called Bootle, lying along the coast for three to four miles north of Liverpool, and having, with the villages in the immediate vicinity, nearly 6,000 inhabitants. The foundation stone was laid on April 16th, the chapel was opened December 26th, 1844. In the morning a meeting for prayer was held; in the afternoon the Rev. Francis Tucker, A.M., preached from Matt. v. 14-16; and in the evening the Rev. Dr Raffles, from John xiv., part of the 6th verse, "I am the way." On the Sabbath following, the Rev. C. M. Birrell preached from Psalm exxxii. 13; and in the evening the Rev. James Lister, from Matt. xvi. 26. The want of a chapel in this place has been much felt, especially by those who have been visitors for the benefit of their health; may we not hope that as they gain strength from the fresh sea breezes, they may also here inhale the breath of life eternal from on high?

WEYMOUTH.-The Rev. J. Trafford, A.M., late of Glasgow University, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church meeting in Bank buildings, to become their pastor, and entered on his duties there, January 12.

OLDHAM.-On Christmas day last, the annual meeting of the teachers and friends of the Baptist Sabbath-School, Oldham, took place. About 500 persons sat down to tea, after which the Rev. John Birt, pastor of the church with which it is connected, took the chair, and a number of books were handed to him, to present publicly to those scholars who by regular attendance and good conduct during the past year had become entitled to them. Mr John Bickerton then rose on behalf of the teachers and younger portion of the church and congregation, and, addressing the chairman in language expressive of their regard and attachment, presented him with a gold watch and chain as a testimonial of their esteem for his character, and highly valuable instruction and labours. Several interesting addresses were delivered on the occasion, and it is hoped the proceedings of the evening will tend to strengthen and perpetuate the mutual good feeling and harmony which prevails at present amongst them, and will redound to the glory of God.

BAPTIST COLLEGE, PONTYPOOL.-Two students left this institution at Christmas, having completed their term of study-Messrs David Davis and Evan Thomas. The former is supplying the church at Dolen, Radnorshire, with a view to the pastorate, and the latter was publicly recognised, on new year's day, as pastor of the church at Nebo, Penycae, Monmouthshire. The ordination service was conducted in the following order :-Mr N. Thomas, student, commenced by reading and prayer; Mr W. Roberts, Tredegar, delivered the introductory discourse on the constitution and officers of a Christian church, and received the young minister's confession of faith, &c.; Mr Thomas Thomas, of Croesypark, offered the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands; Mr Thomas Thomas, President of Pontypool college, addressed the minister; and Mr F. Hiley, of Llanwenarth, preached to the people on their duties to their newly elected pastor.

FREE CHURCH COLLEGE.-From Dr Welsh's letter it appears that £19,000 have already been subscribed by nineteen individuals for the erection of the new college, and that the remaining thousand was expected in a few days; so that the building of the college will in no way interfere with the contributions to the other schemes of the free church.

INDEPENDENT COLLEGES.-The congregational conference of heads of colleges and others, on the subject of ministerial education, took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 7th and 8th inst, at the Congregational Library. It was attended by about fifty professors, ministers, and laymen, connected with the various colleges. Amongst others, the Rev. Drs Pye Smith, of Homerton; Burder, of Hackney; W. Smith, of Highbury; Harris of Cheshunt; Payne, of Exeter; Vaughan, of Lancashire Independent college; the Revs Walter Scott, of Airedale; and W. H. Stowell, of Rotherham; also, by the Rev. Drs Raffles, Campbell, Matheson, Alliott, and Redford; Revs John Blackburn, John Ely, J. Kelley, Richard Fletcher, Algernon Wells, Goodwin, Sherman, Townley, Yockney; and Messrs Remington Mills, Hanbury, Josh. Wilson, Rutt, Forbes, Carleton, J. W. Smith, Griffiths, &c. The conference opened each day with religious worship, at ten, and lasted till nine at night. The spirit which characterised the meetings was one of the utmost solemnity, earnestness, and harmony; the discussions were free and candid; and the results will probably in some shape be given to the public.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia.-The Rev. J. Belcher, D.D., who left England about twelve months since, for America, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Baptist church in this place to the pastorate.

AID THE MISSION SCHOOLS IN INDIA.-Sir Henry Hardinge, the new GovernorGeneral of India, has issued a public notification to the effect, that his government, in distributing public employment to natives, will always give the preference to such as have received a good education.

Westbrook and Isaac, Printers, Northampton.

AFRICA.

FUNERAL CEREMONY AMONG THE ISUBUS, WEST AFRICA.

On occasion of the death of a chief or influential man among the Isubus, it is customary to display all the riches of the deceased, consisting generally of cloth, goats, sheep, and pigs, and nothing is thought to reflect so much honour upon him as the exhibition of great wealth. At one of these scenes Mr. Merrick arrived in his recent journey, and he has forwarded a picture from which the annexed engraving is taken of the merriment and wild confusion in which the people were running about and dancing, striking hands with each other, and making a variety of discordant noises. Mr. Merrick is represented as viewing the scene from a chair, by the side of which John Smith, a deacon of the church at Clarence, who accompanied him as his interpreter, is also seated, and near him is standing an old influential chief named Madiba, who acted as a sort of master of the ceremonies. The young heir who had become lord of the town, and had been installed into office that day, is running in the midst of the crowd, attired in the usual country wrapper, and an old soldier's coat, while an attendant follows holding over him a large umbrella. "On arriving at the town," says Mr. Merrick, "the first thought that entered my mind was the inappropriateness of the ceremony to the occasion, and as I sat at one end of the street viewing them, I longed for the time when the death of their chiefs and friends would produce feelings and behaviour directly contrary to that then exhibited."

TOUR IN WEST AFRICA.

Mr. Merrick has lately visited the Camaroons Mountains, exploring a district of which very little was known, in order to ascertain facts respecting the state of the country and the condition of the inhabitants which might be of service in directing future operations. Believing that his account of his tour will be interesting to many of our readers, we abridge it but slightly.

Early on Tuesday morning, the 23rd April, amazement. At twenty minutes to eleven Smith and I left our abode for John King's I heard a rush, and looking round, saw the Town, from whence we started with our people coming to market in a body. They travelling party at half-past six for the approached with a trot, and hastened down Bwengga Market. Our band consisted of the cliff to the canoes, for the purpose of bareleven men and boys as attendants and car- tering their goods. The chief article was riers, Copper, my interpreter, John King, my plantains, which were brought down in conical principal guide, Smith, and myself. We baskets, fastened to the back by means of were to have walked all the way, but at the strings round the arms and forehead. I need request of John King I agreed to go as far as hardly say that women were the principal the Bwengga Market by sea, with the under- carriers. About 200 came to market, among standing that if spared, we should return by whom there were not more than about twenty land. The passage to the market lays through men who carried loads, and those who did a creek a short distance from King William's had a much smaller proportion than the Town, in a north-westerly direction, and the women. The plantains were bartered for a market is called Bwengga after the district in which the people reside whose goods are sold at the market. We arrived at 9 o'clock, and met a number of people from Bimbia and its vicinity. Not many of the people had yet come down from the interior, but several of those who had, resorted to the canoe in which I sat, and gazed on me with wonder and

few dried shrimps and fishes. Having disposed of their goods, the people came up the cliff about twenty minutes after eleven, and resorting to the spot where I was sitting, viewed me with perfect amazement. The simplicity of their manners formed a striking contrast to the proud bearing and mien of the Camaroons and many of the Bimbia gentlemen. It was