tions have ranged from £57 to £73 per annum, besides a considerable amount expended in gas-fittings and repairs.

"The church and congregation have increased encouragingly during the last twelve months, and it is hoped that the Divine blessing has attended the ministration of the word, and the united efforts of the pastor and people to extend the cause of Christ in this locality."

Among other resolutions was the following:-"That this meeting desires to unite in recording its grateful thanks to their ministerial and other friends who have aided the cause in this place; and also unites in the fervent hope that the time may soon arrive when it shall please God so to strengthen and extend the cause at Putney, that it shall be both necessary and practicable to procure a larger place of worship in a more commanding and attractive situation."

[We most cordially wish the fulfilment of these natural desires.-ED.]

IRISH EVANGELICAL MISSIONS, CARRICKFERGUS.-On Lord's-day, September 26th, 1858, two sermons were preached by the Rev. John Bagley, of Belfast, in the Congregational Meeting-house, Carrickfergus ; and on Wednesday, September 29th, a public meeting was held, in behalf of the funds of the Irish Evangelical Society; James Taylor, Esq., of Carrickfergus, in the chair; when addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Toomath, of Richhill; E. Tocock, of Moy; J. Kydd, of Coleraine; J. Bagley, of Belfast; D. Quern, of Ballycraigey; J. Robinson (Wesleyan); J. Hanson, of Donoughmore; and W. D. Corken, pastor of the church. The meeting was large and encouraging, and the effort for the mission exceeded any former year, principally through the kind sympathy and liberality of Christian friends belong. ing to other portions of the one family of Jesus Christ. We would record with gratitude the goodness of Almighty God throughout another year, and hopefully anticipate still richer blessings during the year upon which we have entered. The collections amounted to £16.

GENERAL RECORD.

OPEN-AIR SUNDAY SERVICES FOR NAVVIES.-The first of a series of open-air religious services for the especial benefit of the navvies at work on the Glastonbury and Wells Railway was lately held on the works at Coxley. A large number of navvies, and several persons from Wells and the neighbourhood, were present. three o'clock the service was commenced by H. St. George D'Arcy Irvine, Esq., reading John iii.; and, after singing and prayer, the Rev. Theophilus Flower, Independent minister, of Wells, preached

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an appropriate and simple sermon from Heb. iv. 16. The navvies seemed to take great interest, reverently uncovering their heads during prayer, and mingling their husky voices in the singing of Montgomery's beautiful hymn, "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire." At the close of the service, which lasted an hour, Mr. Irvine said, "Please God, we will hold another service next Sunday, and I hope you nav vies will endeavour to persuade your comrades to forsake the public-house, and attend." The response from many of them was, "Thank 'ee, Sir, we will."

ROMEWARD PROGRESS.-Some curious illustrations of Tractarianism are published. The Western Times reports as follows-In administering the holy communion on the first Sunday in August, at a fashionable watering-place near Exeter, the officiating clergyman allowed the clergy only to take the cup into their hands, firmly holding it in his own hands whilst the laity drank of the sacramental wine. A mother and son communicated that morning side by side. The son was a clergyman (not of the High Church), and had the chalice placed in his hands; the mother had the cup held to her lips by the officiating minister, but none of the wine reached her. Another step towards Rome. It is expected that choristers in white surplices will soon form another grade in the same direction.

THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

AUTUMNAL MEETINGS AT HALIFAX.

THE assembly was very numerous, and the spirit pervading it most harmonious.

On Tuesday, the Rev. Dr. Alliott, the Chairman, delivered the customary Address, the object of which was to show the nature and evidences of a revival. The meetings were too late to admit of our inserting the Address in full, but we are happy to make room for that portion of it which refers to the Colleges, and which possesses a superior value.

DISSENTING COLLEGES.

"We must all feel how important to the future welfare of religion, and the future prosperity of the churches, are the institutions where our rising ministry are preparing for their work. Colleges are not formed with the intention of calling men to the ministry, but simply of helping those who give satisfactory evidence that God has called them to it. The men admitted are, as far as human judgment goes, men of faith, men of prayer, men who have the talent for acquiring knowledge and for public speaking, men whose hearts are in the ministry of the gospel, and who are impelled by a Divine influence to give themselves to it. The colleges seek to

educate such men for the office they are anticipating.

"Colleges discipline their minds, and call out the powers of thinking. They prepare them to understand human nature, and how to reach the intellect and the heart. They draw their attention to the evidences of Christianity, and fit them to meet the objections of the sceptic, and the difficulties of thoughtful youth. They direct their study of the Scriptures, and of the leading doctrines of Divine revelation. In these and other branches of knowledge, important to a minister, they lay a foundation for future acquirements, and increase the ability and disposition to make them. They thus fit those under their care to be guides to the young and inexperienced. Nor is this all; they lead their students to a more humble estimate of their own powers and attainments, and thus guard them against the self-sufficiency which a slightly educated man is apt to feel. And they teach them to speak to their fellow-men more plainly and more effectively. Moreover, the time spent at college prevents a too hasty entrance into the sacred office. There is opportunity for thought, for prayer, for serious anticipation before the responsibilities and duties of a pastorate are undertaken. These, surely, are ends worthy the time, the expense, the labour, which colleges entail. Some, forgetful that they are all of them important, would like to change the plans which colleges generally have adopted, and to employ students in nothing else than theological reading, the study of Scripture, and the composition of sermons. I do not for one moment undervalue the study of theology. I trust that it will always have a prominent place in the college course, but I believe that it will be far more effectively studied if the mind is well disciplined by classics, mathematics, and philosophy. If we would have ministers fitted to guide others, we must not throw overboard the studies best calculated to train the mental powers. Some, again, would like our students to have less of educational training at college, and to give more time to devotion and to spiritual improvement. None of us would desire devotional exercises to be neglected; but I do not believe that lessening college work would tend to increase the piety and devotional spirit of our students. As far as my own observation has gone, the most hard-working students have been the most thoroughly pious and devoted. If there is not diligence in business, there will be no fervency of spirit, no serving the Lord.

"Still our colleges require more attention from the churches, if they are to be all that we desire. Many seem to take no interest at all in the rising ministry, or in the institutions where they are educated.

They never inquire about them, except when they want a pastor; never subscribe to them; never offer prayer on their behalf. Ought not all our churches to feel, more than they do, how much depends, under God, on those who are to be their future pastors and teachers? and ought they not to seek to God to pour out his Spirit upon them? But churches and ministers may often do more than this. They may, in many cases, open doors of usefulness to students. It is important to students, both for their own spiritual benefit and for preparing them for service, that they should have practice in preaching. Indeed, the complaint has been made that they have not always sufficient practice. But if they have not, whose fault is it? Not the fault of the colleges, if they are willing, as they all are, to send their students out to preach,-not the fault of the students, if they are willing, as they all are, to go out,-but the fault of neighbouring churches and ministers. It is their place to provide opportunity of practice to students. Have not churches out-stations, where those who would otherwise be unemployed could preach the gospel to the poor? Let those who have not any such stations form them, and they will not only do good to their neighbours, but do good to the colleges. And are there not churches, too distant perhaps from colleges to call young men into service during the college session, who could find work for them to do in the vacation? Are there no villages in their neighbourhoods which need help? Would not help be often very beneficial to churches themselves, when either without a pastor, or when their pastors need change and relaxation? I believe that some of our young men would prove of the greatest service to such congregations. Zealous, active youths, full of love of Christ and for souls, would often stir up many, especially amongst the young, to seek the Lord with all their heart, and to cast in their lot with his people."

The Rev. E. Mellor, M.A., of Halifax, moved the customary vote of thanks to the Chairman, and, in a few cordial observations, bade the Union welcome in the name of the town of Halifax, with its churches and congregations.

Dr. Halley said he most cordially se conded the motion. Some forty years ago, he saw the respected Chairman at Homerton College, quite a youth, but even then possessing those habits of diligence and devotedness to study, that strong metaphysical vein, by which he had been since so much distinguished, and which, by cultivation, bad raised him to so high a position. He felt compelled, for his own part, to congratulate his friend on the subsequent success which had attended so

auspicious a commencement, and on the high place he now occupied,-one not less honourable to himself than beneficial to the churches.

The resolution was then put and carried, after which the Chairman expressed his acknowledgments.

INDEPENDENCY IN WALES.

The Rev. T. Rees, of Beaufort, then read a deeply-interesting paper, setting forth an account of the rise and progress of Congregationalism in Wales. The first church, it stated, was established in 1639. It entered at considerable length into the struggles under which they fought the "good fight" during the persecuting reigns of Charles II. and James II. Their present number was 740 churches, and their ministers 612, while the communicants were 75,000, and the regular attendance on the means of grace, 130,000. On the whole, they were the most strong and flourishing denomination in Wales, and the number of those who altogether declined to attend public worship was not 10 per cent. There were five denominational magazines, in addition to a large circulation of the Evangelical Magazine, CHRISTIAN WITNESS, and other periodicals. Of their national poets four were Congregationalists, and in all their literature there was not an infidel publication. Amongst all the brethren there was not one whose orthodoxy admitted of a doubt; and from Cardiff to Holyhead, and St. David's to Radnor, there was not a church, although poor, which could not support itself.

Mr. Barnes moved the publication of the paper, in a resolution expressing the satisfaction they felt in the very excellent account it gave of the state of Congregationalism in Wales.

The Rev. Alexander Thomson, of Manchester, seconded the motion.

The resolution was put and carried.

RETIRING FUND FOR MINISTERS.

The Rev. Dr. Ferguson, of Ryde, next read a paper on the question of providing a retiring fund for ministers, in which, at considerable length, he stated the claims which they had on their flocks, the services they rendered to the community at large, and the very inadequate reward with which they too often met. He entered into the difficulties and cares with which they were beset, in their relations to their families and the public generally, and went on to detail the plan by which the evil was to be ameliorated.

The Rev. George Smith, in a few comprehensive words, explained the whole of the steps which had been taken in this matter since it was first mooted, and proposed a committee to bring up a report on the following Thursday.

The Rev. T. James read a letter from the Rev. J. A. James, who was too indisposed to be present, in which, after alluding to his previous statement in reference to placing £1,000 at their disposal if £4,000 additional was raised by October, 1859, he said, "Unless this be done, I shall appropriate the money to the erection of another place of worship in the neighbourhood of this town "-Birmingham.

The Rev. J. Ashby, of Stony Stratford, read a resolution adopted by the Buckinghamshire County Union, which he thought ought to be adopted by this meeting also.

Mr. T. E. Plint, as the seconder of the Cheltenham resolution relating to the present question, wished to make one or two remarks on the very able and interesting paper which had just been read by Dr. Ferguson. He presumed there was not there present a single person who differed in opinion as to the imperative duty, not less than the blessed privilege, of every Christian man, to the best of his ability, to help to sustain his minister. He was, for his own part, sure he could say, as one engaged in business, who took a little part in endeavouring to propagate the gospel by preaching, that, if not removed from worldly anxiety, he could not give attention to such matters at all. Therefore, he could well imagine the feelings of many a devoted minister of the gospel who felt the pressing necessities of daily life to such an extent as to be compelled to find old age and infirmity coming upon him without having made any provision for its arrival. Under these circumstances-he had said it before, and would say it again-it was the duty of the laity to provide for those set over them in the Lord. Alluding more specifically to the subject, he urged them to close in with the munificent offer of Mr. James to give one-fifth of the entire amount. Whatever plan secured that was in his view the best. Don't let them lose that, whatever they did. The remaining sum would soon be got. If he were a minister, he should have no hesitation, he would feel no delicacy at all in impressing church members with the duty-the bounden duty, if they won't consider it a privilege of supporting their ministers liberally. They might either get the money by donations or collections; and if they could not get it by the one, they must try both. He, therefore, most heartily coincided with the suggestion, that a committee be formed to carry out the subject to a successful issue, and he felt persuaded that there would not be one of the laity wanting in doing their part in this blessed and holy duty.

Dr. Massie thought that every county should do what it could, and others too weak to have organizations of their own, should join existing ones-for instance,

such as the Kent Union, and the Yorkshire Association, who would be glad to receive them.

The Rev. Thomas James hardly thought the present the time for entering on a subject so extensive in its range.

The Rev. D. E. Ford, of Manchester, moved a resolution thanking Dr. Ferguson for the attention he had bestowed on the subject, recording the deliberate opinion of the assembly as to the desirableness of the formation of an organization for that purpose, and therefore referring the matter to a committee.

Mr. E. Jupe seconded the motion.

Dr. Halley, in supporting it, said he certainly was of opinion that any scheme should be made compatible with the reception of Mr. James's offer.

The resolution was then carried, and prayer terminated the sitting.

The remainder of the proceedings will be given in our next Number.

THE CHINESE TREATY. CHINA is at length fairly opened to the commerce of England, and the gospel of salvation! A revolution has taken place in that mighty country, of which it is impossible to form anything even approaching to an adequate conception. In the space of a few months, a dispute, founded on what might be designated in itself a most insignificant circumstance, has been developed into a vast and comprehensive system of reform, change, and improvement. The greatest and most ancient empire in the world has been emancipated, in spite of itself,-we might almost say, without bloodshed,--from the cruel thraldom of its own dark traditions, which kept it apart from the rest of the human race. Now, every man in England may traverse the length and breadth of the "Flowery Land," and the British merchant may expose his wares in every city, town, and village of the whole region; while, best of all, the Christian missionary may go forth, with the New Testament in his hand, and "preach the gospel to every creature," none making him afraid, impeding his course, or obstructing his labours.

Surely we may exclaim, "What has God wrought!" Such results, when the quarrel about the lorcha arose, never entered into the calculation of any human being. The idea of such events was alike far from the minds of the English and of the Chinese. But the whole was a part of the unerring arrangements of Him who is the "Head of the heathen," the Lord of all, and the Ruler of nations. The "set time to favour" China was come, and the means were at hand for accomplishing the Divine plan-means of a nature so apparently trivial, and unlikely to issue in

results so stupendous, as clearly to bespeak the presence of His own hand.

Here, once more, the favour of Heaven has been peculiarly manifested to England. Russia, France, and even America, entertained no such ideas as those which formed the policy and governed the proceedings of the British Ambassador. Those other great powers, indeed, occupied but a subordinate place, and were satisfied with small things, making, apparently, no account whatever of the spread of Divine truth, and the deliverance of hundreds of millions of immortal souls from the darkness, the sin, and the misery of idolatry! That was left for England. It surely behoves our country to be grateful for the sublime distinction thus conferred on her, and to act a part worthy of such an honour.

The Chinese were in no haste to submit, and did so only when they despaired of resistance, and found themselves prostrate at the feet of England. When once their spirit was fairly broken, then, with a good face and great composure, in the midst of characteristic cunning, they listened to the voice of reason, and submitted to the proposals of the British Ambassador. As the facts of the final interview, at which the treaty was signed, are worth putting on record, we shall here set them forth, as derived from the most reliable sources:

The ambassadors of the high contracting Powers were not in full dress, but behind them and on either hand stood fully a hundred officers of the two nations glitttering in gold and gay colours, the rich silks and embroidery of the Chinese contrasting pleasingly with the lace and broadcloth of the English and French. In one respect there was a striking difference; it was in the English portion of the audience being all armed; each one carried either musket or sword, whereas a fan was the most formidable weapon worn by bold mandarins. Wherever the eye lighted upon a space free from groups of men or officers, the back-ground was found to be elaborately filled up with orna ments very characteristic of the land. Curious paintings hung from the walls, and handsome scarlet cloth screens, most elaborately embroidered in floss silk of brilliant colours, covered every chair, table, or otherwise bare space of wood-work, and over all the light of the moon and a small number of pretty lanterns shed a richly picturesque effect. In this picture sat the three Commissioners in strong relief; and as the eye glanced from Kweiliang to Lord Elgin, the idea voluntarily arose that, after all, a civilization which only dated from the year 50 B. C., when that much to be lauded standard-bearer of the Tenth Legion struggled with a set of naked painted savages on Deal beach, decidedly

carried off the palm against one which went back beyond the deluge-for the intellect and vigour stamped upon every look, word, and action of the Scottish Earl formed a fine contrast to the highlypolished surface which ill concealed the subtle cunning of the Pekinese official.

By the side of Lord Elgin stood his two Chinese secretaries, Mr. Wade and Mr. N. Lay; they were entrusted with the Chinese version of the treaty, and the English version was under the care of Mr. D. Cameron. To the left of Kweiliangthe left being the seat of honour in China -sat Admiral Sir Michael Seymour and the Hon. Mr. Bruce, Secretary of Legation. Without waiting for any order to be established, or despairing of it, the higher Powers at once proceeded to business, after a short overture, in which the most tender inquiries as to the state of health of not only the respective Commissioners was gone into, but Her Most Gracious Majesty and the Emperor Hienfung were likewise both reported to be as well as could be expected. Kweiliang quietly drew the paper towards him, and at once attached his signature. The respective Secretaries now advanced to a small table, the great seal, especially struck for this occasion, the sole credential indeed of the Imperial Commissioners, was stamped in vermilion on every copy of the Treaty, and then Mr. Wade officially reported to his Lordship that the Treaty of Tiensin was duly signed and sealed.

The treaty contains fifty-six articles. The following are the chief :

"Art. 2. Provides for the optional appointment of Chinese and British Ministers at the Courts of Pekin and St. James's.

"Art. 3. Contains provisions with respect to the permanent establishment of the British Minister at Pekin, his family and suite.

"Art 4. Makes provision for the travelling, postal, and other arrangements of the Resident.

"Art. 5. The British Minister to transact business with the Secretary of State on footing of equality.

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Art. 6. The same privileges accorded to Chinese Minister in London.

"Art. 8. Christianity, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, to be tolerated, and its professors protected throughout the empire.

"Art 9. British subjects to be permitted to travel for pleasure or trade to all parts of the interior; arrangements with respect to passports, and cities in the hands of the rebels.

"Art. 10. Chinkiang to be open to trade within a year from the signing of the Treaty, and three other ports on the Yangtze-kiang as far as Hankow to be opened, on the evacuation of its shores by the rebels.

Art. 11. The ports of Niu-chwang (Manchuria), Tang-chow (Gulf of Pecheli), Tai-wan (Formosa), Swatow, and Kiungchow (Hainan), to be opened in addition to present ports.

"Art. 50. Official correspondence to be for the future conducted in English on the part of English officials-to be accompanied by a Chinese version for the present-and to be considered the text.

"Art. 51. The character I (barbarian) to be suppressed in Chinese official documents.

"Art. 52. British ships of war to visit any port in the empire. The commanders to be treated on terms of equality by Chinese officials.

"Art. 53. Measures to be concerted for the suppression of piracy.

"Art. 55. Conditions affecting the Canton indemnity question to be placed in a separate article."

The religious aspect of all this is too momentous to be at all comprehended by the children of this world, or fully even by the children of a better. In the Divine mind that is everything; its secular bearings are a mere adjunct. The Cross of Christ is the great, the paramount consideration in the arrangements of Heaven. To exalt that, and bring the people to God, "washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God," is the one great object. The land is full of idols; the God of Abraham is altogether unknown! These idols are now to be utterly abolished, the gods of the heathen millions are to be utterly famished, and the people to be pointed to "the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world."

One point more. What say the Churches of Christ in the British Isles to these things? Are they duly alive to the responsibility which now devolves on them? How immense the field to be occupied ! How boundless the harvest to be reaped! During the last thirty years, much has been said from time to time about the opening of China for the gospel. The benevolence of Christianity, in moments of sanguineness, believed it to be open then; but when the experiment was made, the error was soon discovered. Now, however, of a truth and a certainty, it is open! The whole of the all but boundless territory is now approachable on every side! The servants of the Most High God may everywhere enter, and show unto men the way of salvation; their liberties secured by law, and their persons protected by treaty. Are the Churches aware, then, of their true position and solemn obligation? Have they begun to count the cost of such distinction? It will not do now to proceed on the old system, and be governed by the principles which have hitherto regulated