that early age the gospel was brought to this island of the northern sea. Julius Cæsar had lately conquered Britain, and thus, in the providence of God, had opened a way to our shores.

For a long time the christians were cruelly persecuted by the Roman Emperors. And yet they increased and were so numerous, that the Emperor himself professed to be a christian. Now came mischief. Wicked men, ambitious of riches and honours and power, professed to be christians, and soon began to corrupt the pure religion of Jesus for their own selfish purposes. This was the beginning of popery, which at length spread over Europe, and brought a cloud of darkness and death over the people.

At length, early in the sixteenth century, the light broke forth again in Germany, Switzerland, France, and England. But it was not until after a long struggle in our own land, that our fathers got fast hold of the bible, and secured the right to read it for themselves.

And yet our land long continued in a sad state of ignorance, even after the right to read the bible had been secured. It is only now a little more than 100 years ago, that this was the condition of our country. But God raised up two men, Whitefield and Wesley, to stir up the people; and he so blessed their labours, that a great revival of religion followed.

But still the heathen the poor heathen. No man cared for their souls! Sixty years ago-only about sixty! -some living may even remember it—nothing, or next to nothing, was either thought of or done for the heathen.

Strange things, it is true, were doing in the world, and great things too. Nations were struggling for liberty. Discovery had encircled the world. Science had extended her inquiries, and art had achieved great triumphs -but all they sought was for this life. In these troublous times the Baptist Mission was contemplated and established.

We will soon tell you how this was brought about; and when you have read what we shall tell you, you will then see how God can make use of small and feeble things to do great and mighty things.

"THY KINGDOM COME."

FATHER of mercies! speed the promis'd hour;
Thy kingdom come with all-restoring power;
Truth, virtue, knowledge, spread from pole to pole,
As round the world the ocean waters roll!
-Hope waits the morning of celestial light;
Time plumes his wings for everlasting flight;
Unchanging seasons have their march begun;
Millenial years are hastening to the sun;

Seen through thick clouds by faith's transpiercing eyes,
The new creation shines in purer skies.

-All hail !—the age of crime and suffering ends;
The reign of righteousness from heaven descends;
Vengeance for ever sheathes the afflicting sword;
Death is destroy'd, and Paradise restor❜d:
Man, rising from the ruins of his fall,
Is one with GOD, and GOD is all in all!

BAPTISTS OF THE MIDDLE AGES.

THE first christian churches were established in the East, and spread thence to many distant places; and although infant baptism is supposed to have had its origin in Africa, yet, on the other hand, the baptism of believers, and the rejection of infant baptism, are strong features in the history of the churches of Africa, and the regions around; and those features remained for a long period; even after intolerance had patronized error, and had called in the aid of civil power. Thus it is recorded," About the year 670, Christ's baptism, after the preaching of faith in a right manner, was practiced in Egypt, and in such esteem, that some in other countries did restore the christian religion according to their example, who thus differed from the Church of Rome, and placed religion upon its first apostolic foundation."

On that foundation many of the christians in those distant parts continued to rest, until darkness covered the whole surface, and at length the very name of christian was lost amongst superstition and barbarity. Thick darkness still rests on those regions.

It has already been observed, that persecution, at an early period, scattered the first churches. Many of those christian fugitives found an asylum among the Waldenses, a people occupying the beautiful vallies of Piedmont, at the foot of the Alps, who, together with the Albigenses, in the South of France, received the Gospel in the early part of the second century, and practiced baptism, a

practice which they never fully abandoned. Those vallies continued a refuge for the oppressed through succeeding ages, and not unfrequently were visited by persecutors who destroyed thousands. From these the principles of truth extended, and the doctrine of baptism became a great leading question with persecutors. In the ninth century, Hinchmarus, Bishop of Laudun, in France, renounced infant baptism, and he and his diocese were accused of withholding baptism from children." About the year 1049, Beringarius, a bold and faithful preacher of the gospel, was accused of denying baptism to little ones, and hundreds of his adherents were massacred, "for opposing infant baptism," and "for being baptized." In the bishopric of Tryers in Flanders, and in Germany, persecution was carried on with unmitigated severity against the baptists. It is calculated that 150,000 of them were cruelly put to death. Particulars might be easily given to a considerable length, but it cannot be necessary-yet a few specimens may be admitted as confirmatory of the facts just stated.

In 1022, fourteen persons of eminence were burnt at Orleans, in France, for professing baptist sentiments; others were martyred on similar ground in Lower Saxony, under Henry III., the Emperor;-at Rome, in 1147; at Parenga and Parma;-in the bishopric of Toulouse, nineteen were burnt in 1232;-at Marseilles, under Pope John XXII.;-at Crema, in Austria, in 1315;

-at Aubiton, in Flanders, in 1373;-at Montpelier, in France, in 1417;-at Augsburg, in Germany, 1517;

at Zurich, in 1527, and in the same year, Leonard Skooner, a baptist minister, and seventy of his friends were put to death at Rottenburgh, in Germany; finally, John Wouteriz was burnt at Dort, for being baptized, in 1572.

In the twelfth century, the baptists put forth a confession of faith, asserting, "In the beginning of christianity there was no baptizing of children; our forefathers practised no such thing. We do from our hearts acknowledge, that baptism is a washing which is performed with water, and doth hold out the washing of the soul from sin." About that time, Peter Bruis, who was a pastor among the Waldenses, publicly vindicated baptism; and multitudes attached themselves to him, who were called Petrobrussians. He was burnt to death in 1130. Menno Simon, from whom the Dutch baptists are called Mennonites, flourished about 1530.

The christian fortitude of a baptist named Snyder, who was beheaded at Lewarden, led Menno to examine the doctrine of baptism, and finally to adopt it. Several persecuted baptists soon rallied around him, whom he formed into a church; and, being a man of great genius and commanding eloquence, he succeeded in spreading his peculiar views throught Holland, Gueldderland, Brabant, Westphalia, through the German provinces that skirt the Baltic, and on to Livonia. He was hunted by his enemies; at one period a large reward having been offered for his life; but he survived all his dangers and died peaceably, after a course of great usefulness, A. D. 1561. To this we may add the statement of