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schemes are evidently prepared to make. We are glad to learn that the members of the Society of Friends residing in Manchester, have issued a formal protest against the Manchester and Salford Education Bill. We trust that our own friends will be on the alert, not only to resist any inroads on the voluntary principle, but practically to assert its efficiency and the possibility of effective unsectarian action.

A proposal for the establishment of a NONCONFORMIST CLUB in London has, during the month, been made public. The proposition originated with H. Bateman, Esq., and was discussed at an influential meeting of nonconformists, convened by circulars restricted to those who do not hold the ministerial office. It is proposed to erect a building in some central part of London, which shall serve as a focus of union among dissenters, both of London and the provinces. One side of the building, which is to be quadrangular, it is proposed to fit up as committee-rooms and offices for our various societies; another side is intended to constitute a hall capable of holding from fifteen hundred to two thou

sand persons, which would be let for public meetings; other portions of the building would be occupied with the necessary adjuncts of the club. The cost is estimated at from £50,000 to £60,000, to be raised by shares; and as establishments of this nature are notoriously profitable, it is regarded as likely, in a commercial point of view, to furnish a good investment. The management it is proposed to leave entirely in the hands of laymen. The want of such a centre of friendship, information, and action has long been felt. Men holding the same views and animated by the same feelings have hitherto had no suitable opportunity of acquaintance and intercourse; whilst gentlemen residing in the country have been driven either into the narrow circle of personal friendship, or have been forced to avail themselves of opportunities already offering but which are destitute of anything rendering

them in themselves attractive to nonconformist Christian men. The names of those who have taken the matter in hand are a

sufficient guarantee that the scheme will be effectively carried out; the presence of men of every shade of nonconformist opinion will secure the impartiality of the proceedings; and our only fear is lest the rate of subscription may be too high to allow many to avail themselves of it, who would be among those to whom it would be most valuable. We have no doubt, however, that this will receive the attention of the committee appointed to carry out the plan, most of whom have long been regarded with confidence by

all classes of dissenters.

A meeting of the friends of the proposed SCHOOL FOR THE SONS OF MISSIONARIES, was

held on the 20th of November, at the Baptist Mission House. The chair was taken by Mr. Sherman; and addresses were delivered by Dr. Tidman, Messrs. Trestrail, Underhill, Clarke, Soul, and others. There have been already collected £800 towards the establishment of a home for the sons, similar to that existing at Walthamstow for the daughters, of missionaries; and it was sought to increase this sum to £1,000 before Christmas. A donation of £100 was promised by W. B. Gurney, Esq., and others of smaller amounts by various friends. The matter was referred to a committee to consult as to the best means of carrying it forward.

The LONDON UNION ON CHURCH MATTERS

have, during the month, adopted an important document. It more definitely than anything before given announces the course they are prepared to take, and makes avowals in refer

ence to the relation of church and state which show that they have turned their attention to the degree of freedom which there is any hope of their obtaining, and to the price that they will have to pay for it. They consider that they should aim at the introduction of a bill to permit the provincial convocations to make canons for the reform of those bodies, in order to fit them hereafter to be the legislature of the church in each province :-" a legislature that should have power to enact canons which should not need the control of parliament seriatim." Their plan, they astends to disturb the relations of church and sert, gives every security that anything which state will be dealt with cautiously. They think that there is no doubt that eventually the church will be enabled to decide on matters of doctrine-" a Cæsaropapacy is a monster that will not stand the close inspection of the nineteenth century." What they fear is an unwillingness to admit changes, and against this they can only urge the hardship that a body comprising all denominations should rule the church of England." On the other hand, they admit the duty of the legislature to keep a sharp eye on all matters relating to property. They allow that those who contribute to the maintenance of the church have civil rights connected with it; that they cannot get rid of these without modification of the law of church-rate will some modification of their liabilities; that " have to be made, and the powers and operations of church courts will have to be reconsidered;" and that all compulsory power manifesto on the part of men in the fore front over dissenters must be abolished. Such a of the battle in favour of ecclesiastical and sacerdotal power is a sign of the times that may well encourage us to renewed exertion.

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"We must look to facts and not to antiquarianism," say they let us not be wanting in accepting these challenges and meeting them on their own ground.

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Many of our readers are perhaps aware, that the Irish CATHOLIC DEFENCE ASSOCIATION has by no means met with the general support which its initiative proceedings seemed to indicate, and that generally there has resulted a wide-spread dissatisfaction on the part of the Romish laity of Ireland, principally because the association was to so great an extent under the influence of the priest-"and of dispensing them from the obligation hood. This feeling would now appear to have broken out into an open rupture, in consequence of the election to the office of secretary of the Rev. Henry Wilberforce, who was vicar of East Farleigh, Kent, previous to his secession to the church of Rome. The election has been for sometime pending, and the fact that an Englishman has been chosen to the office, instead of Mr. Burke, who had hitherto worked the association, has given dire offence to those who do not lose sight of their nationality in their adherence to the church of Rome, and who look to the association to defend what they profess to be their political, no less than their religious rights. Seven leading members of the Irish brigade have addressed a letter to the people of Ireland, in which they protest against this choice, as an act of ignoble folly and national degradation. The fact of Mr. Wilberforce being a married man, and consequently unable to take orders in the Romish church, has led his new friends to procure for him this situation -unfortunately not to the satisfaction of their earlier associates.

of denouncing their accomplices," "those cases excepted in which to avoid greater and more grievous evils denouncement may appear to be altogether necessary." Their prayers are called for, he declares, by "the deplorable darkness which blinds so many minds, the vehement war which is waged against the whole catholic religion and this apostolic chair; the implacable hatred which persecutes virtue and honesty; hence the most shameful vices which usurp the name of virtue; the unbridled license of thinking, corrupting, doing everything, and daring everything; the absolute impatience of all restraint, all power, and all authority; the derision and contempt for the most sacred things, for the holiest laws, for the most excellent institutions." "And that God may be more accessible, and give ear to our prayers, and hear our petitions, let us raise our hearts and hands to His most holy Mother, the immaculate Virgin Mary. We could not find protection more powerful or more effectual with God. She is to us the most tender of mothers, our firmest reliance, and the very spring of our hopes, since she asks nothing An ENCYCLICAL LETTER has just been which she does not obtain, and her prayer is published by the pope, announcing his inten- never refused. Let us also implore, in the tion to open anew the celestial treasures of first place, the intercession of the Prince of the church under the form of a jubilee. That the Apostles to whom Jesus Christ himself is to say, to all who during the space of a has given the keys of the kingdom of heaven month shall have fasted, attended confession,-whom he has established as the foundationreceived absolution and the eucharist, visited church three times, and there "have poured forth prayers unto God for the exaltation of the holy catholic church, and of the apostolic see, and for the extirpation of heresy," and "shall have bestowed some alms on the poor and a pious offering to the most religious institution of the Propagation of the Faith,

stone of his church, against which the gates
of hell will never be able to prevail. Let us
then pray to Paul, the companion of his
apostleship. Let us pray to the patron of
each city and country, and to all the blessed,
that our most merciful Lord may shed upon
us in abundance and munificence the gifts of
his bounty."
P. G.

CORRESPONDENCE.

VOLUNTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR BROTHER,-I presume your next number will contain an account of the recent conference of the Voluntary School Association. The opportunity seems a favourable

and prevented as we are from co-operating with the Congregational Board of Education, we have nothing left us but to avail ourselves of the unsectarian and voluntary association for which I venture earnestly to plead. The opponents of our great principles, both in the government and out of it, are aiming to

tion from the advocates of the worst of those schemes, we may infer that he will render it his aid. We must be on the alert, if we would take our proper part in vindicating the claims of our countrymen to retain in their own hands the education of their own children and to assist in their own way the education of the children of the poor. I beg my brethren throughout the country to put themselves in correspondence at once with the treasurer of our voluntary association, G. W. Alexander, Esq. Lombard Street, London. The congregationalists are doing nobly. Let not the baptists fail!

I am yours sincerely, WILLIAM BROCK.

CATECHISMS IN INDIA.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-In the Report of the Baptist Missionary Society last presented, occurs the following paragraph:

"A catechism of Christian doctrines in Bengali, prepared at the request of the Bengal Association of Baptist Churches, has occupied the pen of brother Wenger."

which appeared in our preface, signed by many gentlemen bearing office in our principal societies, attesting the usefulness of the Magazine in reference to the various institutions with which they are connected. One which will be stitched into each copy of the present number, the reader is requested to detach, in order to make use of it in any way which he may think best adapted to increase the number of subscribers. It will be found with other advertisements, and any friend who is disposed to exert himself in endeavours of this kind, and has opportunity to make use of more copies, may obtain them by applying to Messrs. Houlston and Stoneman.

The transposition of the Missionary Herald and the Irish Chronicle is a matter of practical convenience to the printer and binder. The Irish Chronicle is "worked" with the last portion of the Magazine: their separation for stitching involves, therefore, additional labour. The Herald constitutes an entire and separate sheet.

It is well known that there are ministers

and churches of our denomination who have not been accustomed to support our societies for the spread of the gospel at home or abroad, and who have been believed to be opposed to such institutions on principle. We are glad to learn that some of these have recently united in forming an association for the diffusion of divine truth according to

Now, with all respect for the parties immediately interested in this matter, perhaps you will permit me to express a doubt as to the propriety of this step. Surely if there be a denomination of Christians who can afford to rely entirely upon the scriptures, it is that to which we have the honour to belong. Why then can it be requisite to introduce into their own views of it. On the 3rd of Nov. India a system that has done so much to a society was formed in the Surrey Tabernacle, perpetuate a sectional Christianity? while at the same time, as we all too well know, it Kent Road, the avowed objects of which are, has given rise to bitterness and to a sacrifice preaching out-of-doors and in-doors in destitute neighbourhoods-reading and expoundof vital truth, the ultimate effects of which no one can foresee. Moreover, we should ing the scriptures in families and places of concourse-holding prayer-meetings at connot now lose sight of the fact that very venient places-and distributing tracts. We many of the best friends of education are opposed to catechisms as a means of impart-co-operation from societies with which we are can easily conceive of good men withholding ing instruction on any subject.

Knowing the value of your space, I content myself with a few words, though the question is a most prolific one.

I am, yours truly, JOHN FRANCIS.

ORATORIOS.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-I have been accustomed to regard as not the least important of your valuable pages, those which you have sometimes devoted to propounding and answering queries. Will you or some of your correspondents be good enough to furnish me with an opinion as to the propriety of professors of religion attending oratorios, concerts, or lectures on music with illustrations.

Yours very truly, A YOUNG MINISTER.

EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT. Our publishers inform us that they have reprinted for general distribution the letter

connected, because, while they prize the doctrine of grace through the righteousness of the Son of God as truly as ourselves, they regard some opinions as inconsistent with it which we believe to be true and important. The determination to combine for the promotion of their own views of truth among the ignorant and careless is however a step in the right direction. Let them be faithful and diligent, and then, if in anything they be otherwise minded, we trust that God will reveal even this unto them.

A well known Wesleyan gentleman residing in the City Road, Thomas Marriott, Esq.,

who had been accustomed to travel with methodist deputations, and take the chair at public meetings in the country, died on the 19th of November, having bequeathed the sum of £10,000 to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and the residue of his estate, after the payment of some other legacies, to the "Worn-out Wesleyan Minister's Fund."

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WE cannot begin the new year in a manner more congenial with our feelings than by performing an act of justice to those pastors and deacons who have responded to our September Appeal, by forwarding spontaneous contributions. They have been very numerous, and the advantages of the course they have pursued have been great. Had the usual expenses of deputations been incurred in making these collections, the discount would have amounted to many pounds. Kind and encouraging observations have also frequently accompanied the remittances. Thus, one says, "I brought the case of the Irish Society before our last church meeting, and it was unanimously resolved to give you a collection. I hope all the churches, both in London and the country, will at once come to your aid. If they do not, never more let them complain as to the expense attendant on travelling agents." Another says, "Your appeal met my views so completely with regard to the saving of the expense of deputations, as often as possible, that I resolved to see what we could do for the Irish Society without foreign aid. Our collections are equal to former years, and the whole, without deduction, flows into your treasury." In the name of the society, we thank very cordially all the brethren who have thus promptly and manfully taken this business into their own hands.

Next to these, we are indebted to some who have promised that collections shall be made and transmitted ere long. Approbation of the effort to save the cost of travelling agency has been expressed by many who have coupled with it assurances that though local circumstances compelled delay, the Baptist Irish Society should not be forgotten. Some have fixed the day, others have spoken more generally of the winter, or the spring. Thus one says, "We cannot well do any thing here just now by way of special contribution, but if my life be spared till the time comes round for the Society's visit, I will take all

possible

FINANCIAL POSITION.

At a Committee Meeting held on the 2nd of December, the Treasurer presented an account of the Receipts and Expenditure since the Annual Meeting, in comparison with the Receipts and Expenditure of the same portion of the year 1850. Few of the reductions which were agreed upon in the spring have as yet taken effect, so as to reduce the amount of expenditure very sensibly, but they will now come into immediate operation. The receipts have exceeded those of the same portion of the year 1850 by £671 15s. 10d., and the balance in favour of the society this November over last is £743 78. 3d. This is cheering in some degree; but when it is remembered that our debt in April was above £1828, it will be seen that strenuous exertion is still necessary on the part of all our friends.

It will be lamentable to have to make further reductions in the number of agents employed in making known the gospel in Ireland at the time when the hearts of men are prepared by divine providence to hearken, and when the zeal of the adversary has been roused to an unprecedented degree of energy. It must however be borne in mind that the increased receipts arise principally from

towards the liquidation of the debt, and that they do not authorise us to enlarge our expenditure in the slightest degree, whatever auspicious prospects may present themselves in any locality. We feel that it would be wrong to do anything like complaining, or to repress emotions of gratitude towards God or man; but it would be equally wrong to conceal the fact that the present position of the conductors of the society is extremely painful. We know that our agents are unable through the limited means at their disposal to avail themselves of opportunities, and make the best use of their time and talents; to have to answer the most reasonable requests with perpetual declarations of inability, and to be for ever writing about the debt, the debt, the debt, cannot fail to exhaust the spirits. The continuance of this is depressing and disabling to a degree of which nothing but experience can enable any one to judge. The occupant of such a situation requires either great insensibility of heart, or a very firm determination to persevere in duty irrespective of discouraging circumstances. Our brethren who sympathize with our purpose have indeed need to pray for those to whom the management of the society is committed that their faith fail not."

ULSTER.

As recent numbers of the Chronicle have been occupied exclusively with the secretary's accounts of what he saw and heard in Ireland, and as he was not able to do more than visit three out of the four provinces, our readers have of late received no information relating to the north. A few sentences respecting the

churches in Ulster will therefore be acceptable.

BELFAST.

From this important place, now the second city in Ireland, the population as ascertained this spring being 99,600, Mr. Eccles, the esteemed pastor of the baptist church, wrote thus, a few days ago:-"The Lord has been latterly doing such things for us as greatly to gladden our hearts. Within the last nine weeks I have baptized four times; and eight have been added to the fellowship of the church; some of these baptized are truly flowers offered in the bud;' but one, a female, has already reached the threescore years and ten which de

termine the ordinary limit of human life. Oh, for more of that devotedness of spirit which influenced one so aged and frail to forget her infirmities, and to be buried in baptism with Him whom her soul loveth.' On the whole, the cause here is in a satisfactory condition. I trust that next year you may be able to visit these parts, and to find that I do not overstate the facts."

CONLIG.

The following pleasing information was given in a letter dated December 8th, by Mr. M'Kee, our brother who labours in this village, which is about

seven miles east of Belfast and one mile north of Newtonards:-"It is now sometime since I wrote you anything of my labours here. It is therefore with pleasure that I state, that on Lord's day November 23rd, I baptized a young female in our chapel, who has since been added to the church. She is the daughter of a widow who was one of the earliest members of the church. I have been a good deal interested in her case, as she has long been a hopeful character; and it was very gratifying to the church to see her, at the age of sixteen years, giving decision of character, and publicly acknowledging herself to be on the Lord's side. The congregations both here and at the out-station, are much as usual. The latter somewhat fluctuate from a variety of circum

stances over which I have no control. Some of those who attend, there is reason to believe, never hear the story of

the cross' elsewhere.

I have just returned from an evangelistic tour, which I took to the central parts of the county Antrim, where I spent ten days pleasantly, and, I trust, profitably. I preached in the Wesleyan chapel, Ballymona, and in five other places in the surrounding neighbourhood. The attendance in most cases was encouraging. In one instance there could not have been less than 130 present. There were some Romanists who came and heard the message of mercy. On Lord's day, November 30, I preached morning and evening to the baptist church in Grange, about seven miles from Ballymona. There are about forty members in fellowship, and although they have no stated pastor, they forsake not the assembling themselves together as the manner of some is.' The congregation

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