Ann Ash; or, The Foundling. By the Author of "Charlie Burton." Parker.

WHO the Author of "Charlie Burton" may be we know not, but sure it is that he or she has no need to conceal the name; for should it not, in the public eye, add anything to the nature of the pages, certainly the merits would add something to it. This is a valuable volume, full of bustle, and business, and incident, much action, much talking, much truth, much grace, many lessons, and some improvement. The unknown writer has made a very excellent contribution to this species of literature.

Nineveh and the Tigris. Religious Tract Society. THIS is another of the most valuable contributions to the same class of volumes that have been recently issued relative to distant times and far-off lands. The Tigris and its tribes, the Remains of Nineveh, involving a multitude of points, facts, and many parties, wrath, war, and misery, buildings, splendour, and desolation, are all set forth here.

A Protestant Catechism; or, the True Christian Defence against the Church of Rome. By the Rev. R. PARKINSON, M.A. Fifth Thousand. Hall and Co.

THIS is a valuable addition to the various Catechisms already extant on the subject of Popery. It comes forth with the virtual imprimatur of two bishops, Winchester and Rochester, both of whom, and the latter particularly, award it high praise, "as admirably calculated to answer the absurd and unscriptural arguments by which the priests endeavour to impose on the minds of their credulous dupes," and certainly we consider the praise is due. If not the best we could name, nor the most copious, it is nevertheless excellent, and much calculated to be useful.

Health Made Easy for the People; or, Physical Training to make their Lives in this World Long and Happy. By JOSEPH BENTLEY. Simpkin and Co.

THIS is the sixth edition of 5,000, a fact which speaks for itself, and tells an important tale. The book we have already pronounced to be by far the best and cheapest of its kind that ever appeared. Here is a considerable volume for one shilling, comprising an embodiment of the most important physical information, which every soul of man is deeply interested in knowing. When we first read the book we were astounded at the success with which the digest had been effected, and the insignificant sum at which the result was supplied to the people. Its universal diffusion must very materially contribute to promote the welfare of mankind. We cannot but congratulate this zealous, able, and philanthropic man on the success which has attended his labours.

The Parents' Great Commission; or, Essays on Subjects connected with the Higher Part of Education. Second Edition. Longman.

THIS volume will remind the reader of the excellent production of Dr. Morison upon the eame subject-a production far superior to that before us, which, nevertheless, has merit, and will be read with interest, more especially in Church circles. The dissertations on Family Happiness, Union, Authority, Sympathy, the

Use of Praise, and the Formation of Character, are good.

A Basket of Fragments and of Crumbs, &c. Compiled by MAJOR ROWLANDSON. Third Edition, much enlarged.

WE had occasion to remark on a former edition of this little volume, which was then good, but is now better.

A Dictionary of the Gospels; with Maps and Tables, for Bible and Catechumen Classes. By R. S. DUNN. Fourth Edition. Partridge and Oakey.

THIS little book, like everything of its excellent Author, is full of matter, and much calculated to be useful. To the Sabbath-school Teacher and elder scholars it will be very convenient, and to such we cordially recommend it.

Mrs. Adam Clarke: her Character and Correspondence. Partridge and Oakey.

THIS is a very interesting piece of Biography, largely consisting of letters, which are knit together by appropriate explanatory paragraphs. While it will prove interesting to all, it will be particularly so to the Methodist circles in which Dr. Clarke and his worthy companion moved so usefully, so honourably, and so long. The wife of that celebrated man had extended opportunities of acquiring the knowledge of men and things, and it will be seen from her correspondence that they were not altogether thrown away upon her.

Self-Education: Twelve Chapters for Young Beginners. By PAXTON HOOD. Partridge and Oakey.

THIS is a valuable addition to the class of books to which it belongs, and such as cannot fail to be very useful to young men prosecuting knowledge under disadvantages. It will, to some extent, guide them in the choice of books, and set before them a multitude of very useful lessons upon a considerable number of important subjects. We very cordially commend it to young people generally. There was room for such a publication, and that room has been so far well occupied, although the subject is by no means exhausted.

Thoughts on the Death of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Whittaker and Co.

THESE are three simple, meditative, instructive, and edifying letters. The melancholy tinge of poetry which pervades them is in.harmony with the subject, and tends to give it an additional charm.

The Temple Home for Youth. A Sermon to the Young, by WILLIAM FORSTER. Whittaker and Co.

THIS discourse was delivered in Argyle Chapel, Bath,-a place known and revered throughout the world, in connection with the eminent Man who has so long dispensed the Gospel of mercy in it. The discourse is valuable, but ought to have been got up in a pocket form, and at a somewhat reduced price.

The Crystal Palace: its Origin, Construction, Di

mensions, and General History. W. J. Adams. THIS book is much in little, and for a trifle presents the great facts of the history of a stupendous enterprise.

The Chairman having introduced the business of the meeting. Mr. Robertson, of Liverpool, read a long and admirable paper, in which he introduced a number of arguments against a system of education based on general or local taxation. Such a state of things would, he believed, lead to a system of communism, which was much to be deprecated and deplored. The whole system of compulsory support in regard to education was bad, and would be the means of deteriorating the education of the country. What he desired to be adopted was a sort of free trade in education. At the present time, any principle which went to retard the progress of industrial freedom was scouted by the community in general. Why, then, should not the same principle be observed as regarded education ? In America that system was observed, and why should it not be the same in England? He had no doubt that the promoters of those schemes of compulsory education were sincere in their endeavours to afford education to the public, but believing that the system they sought to introduce would be destructive to the best interests of the people, and destroy entire liberty of thought and action, he felt bound to oppose it.

Mr. Edward Miall next read a very able, elaborate and instructive paper, on the evil of endowing all religious opinions in connection with the education of the people. He had no doubt but that the school-rating system would be combined with that of giving secular education to all religious denominations, and that, he considered, without the religious ingredient being mixed up with it, would be most destructive to the community.

Mr. E. Baines, of Leeds, then proposed, and Mr. Lawrence Hepworth, M.P., seconded the following resolution:

"That this meeting declares its earnest conviction in favour of voluntary and religious education, as best adapted to promote the intellectual, moral, and religious interests of the community, and to sustain the spirit of freedom and self-reliance. That it would regard the exclusion of religion from the day-schools by force of law, together with the levying of local or general taxation in support of such a system, as an infringement of religious liberty, an outrage on the feelings and convictions of most of the practical friends of education, and a deep injury to the character of education itself. That it also solemnly repudiates the proposition to support by taxation the teaching of all forms of religion, as the creation of a new religious establishment, far more extensive than the old, and open to the additional objection of endowing error equally with the truth. That, on the above and other important grounds, it objects to any measure abolishing the present system of schools, in which a fair payment is made for the education received, and throwing the support of the schools on public and compulsory taxation; and that it believes the free and voluntary efforts of different classes-the poor as well as the rich-to be calculated to give to education a more vital energy, a nobler character, and a more powerful support than any Government or compulsory system."

After thanks to the gentlemen for their admirable papers, and to the Chairman, the meeting separated.

On the following day a Conference of the

friends and subscribers connected with this body was held at the Congregational Library, Blomfield street. The following are the names of the gentlemen present: Rev. J. Glendenning, Huddersfield; S. Dyson, Saddleworth; W. J. Unwin, M.A., London; T. James, London; J. Campbell, D.D., London; A. Good, Holloway; J. W. Massie, D.D., LL.D., London; Dr. Leifchild, London; H. Townley, London; J. Hayden, High Wycombe; J. Curwen, Plaistow ; J. de K. Williams, Tottenham; F. Neller, Islington; S. Hebditch, Ashburton; J. Kennedy, M.A, Stepney; J. Corbin, Derby; G. Smith, London; F. B. Brown, Woodbridge; G. P. Davis, B.A., Wandsworth; H. R. Reynolds, Leeds; J. Smith, London; J. Bromley; Dr. Ferguson, Ryde, (I. W.); A. M. Brown, LL.D., Cheltenham; J. S. Russell, M.A., Yarmouth; G. W. Conder, Leeds; G. Wilkins, London; J. Fletcher, Christchurch; J. B. Fletcher, London; J. Viney, Upper Clapton; W. Todman, Yardley, Hastings; G. B. Johnson, Darwen; W. Tyler, London: J. N. Goulty, Brighton; E. Russ, Islington; F. Vardy, A.M., London; R. Machray, M.A., Walthamstow; Messrs. W. Tice, Sopley Park; W. B. Bourn, Hackney; D. Cruikshank, Hoxton; W. Pratt, Halifax; C. Robertson, Liverpool; S. Morley, London; B. Farmer, Norwich; Dr. J. C. Evans, Barrister, London; Dr. W. Smith, Professor, New College, London; Messrs. J. Crossley, Mayor of Halifax; J. Jennings, Halifax; H. Rutt, Clapton; G. Parker, Hackney; E. Baines, Leeds; E. Gooding, Kingsland ; W. Shaw, Wakefield; G. Marshall, Peckham; J. Finch, London; E. Liddle; C. Reed, London; J. Carter, Homerton; J. Muire, London; E. A. Drew, Bradford; L. Hepworth, M.P., Derby; J. Conder, London; H. Child, London; W. Clark, London; W. D. Alexander, London; H. Smith, London; W. Rutt, Homerton; J. Killing back, Leeds; R. Hepworth, Derby; J. B. King, London; C. Shepherd, London.

C. Robertson, Esq., having been called to the chair, and having introduced the business of the meeting, W. Tice, Esq., read a valuable paper, "On the Interests of the Churches and Sunday-schools intimately related to the maintenance and vigorous extension of a voluntary system of popular education."

An earnest and interesting conference was then held, and several resolutions were unanimously passed, expressive of sympathy with the object of the Board, containing suggestions for future action, the result of the whole being an increased conviction upon the minds of all of the important work in which the Board is engaged, and a determination to give to it increased support. The following resolution, passed a few days after the above meetings, express the opinion of the Committee of the Congregational Union on the subject, and it is hoped will have its due effect upon our churches throughout the country:

"That this Committee has heard with great satisfaction of the unanimous and earnest spirit which pervaded the Conference held last week by the Congregational Board of Education, and especially of the resolutions then adopted to raise the sum of £6,000, for the alteration of Homerton College, and the erection of Model Schools there, and to endeavour to advance the ordinary income of the Society to at least £4,000 per annum. That, recognizing the in

creasing importance of our Denominational Education efforts, this Committee respectfully commends the consideration of this subject to our Churches, and indulges the hope that they will generally, according to their ability, aid the Board with such pecuniary contributions as will enable it fully to carry out its design, and thus, while practically vindicating the efficiency of great principles in connection with scriptural voluntary education, promote the temporal and spiritual interests of the people by engaging and directing their energies in discharge of their obligation to educate their own children."

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

"To make themselves acquainted with the social, moral, and spiritual condition of all the British Colonies-to look out for, and invite men of talent and enterprise to go forth and occupy stations of first-rate importance-to correspond with and advise brethren who are preparing, or who may be disposed to go out as emigrant ministers on their own resources-to receive and publish information concerning the progress of the Gospel, especially amongst our own brethren, whether aided by the Society or not; in a word, to render the Society the centre of intelligence and influence for Colonial operations in every part of the world,-this is the important work the Committee feel to be entrusted in their hands." Such is the language advisedly used by the Committee in the close of their Report presented at the Annual Meeting, and recently issued to the subscribers. Let every one who may read these lines seriously consider the sentiments expressed. They are not mere words of course, but were intended to convey, as far as language can do it, the deep sense of responsibility the Committee feel when they contemplate the mighty and glorious enterprise they are appointed to conduct. The more they reflect on it, the more its vast importance rises to their view. Last year was one of encouragement. It witnessed an increased interest in the object the Society was established to promote; and it terminated with a greatly-improved exchequer. Measures were taken which resulted in the going forth of three brethren to the Missionary field, who are now on their way to the Australian Colonies. May God preserve them, and conduct them in safety to their places of destination! Another will shortly follow, so soon as the Committee can find the man best fitted for the work contemplated.

But though encouraged, the Committee are not satisfied. Satisfied! They would be unworthy of the post they occupy if they could regard with any complacency an income of little more than £3,000 for the dissemination throughout the British dependencies, of the principles of truth and freedom professed by the Congregational Churches of Britain, and which are so eminently adapted to the habits and usages of Colonial society. The hundreds of thousands of our countrymen who annually leave our shores as emigrants, together with the fact that amongst these are to be found not a few who were our fellow-worshippers and our Christian brethren in this the land of their fathers, presents an argument on their behalf too cogent for any Christian mind to resist. Not to provide for

them the ministry of the Gospel, the means of grace and salvation, is to abandon them to the deteriorating influence of a settler's life, or to the jesuitical machinations of Popery, the insinuating practices of Puseyism, and the prevailing

indifference of nominal Protestantism.

Let it not be forgotten that in all our Colonies are to be found multitudes of Clergymen, who, with few exceptions, know not the Gospel they profess to teach. In British America alone there are no fewer than 400. "From such missionaries," says the Record newspaper, “may God deliver his Church! The poor emigrants are seeking bread, the bread of heaven, and they get instead of it, the husks of ceremonial observances and precise rituals." That this language is not too strong, the proceedings of the recent convention of Australian Bishops are sufficient to prove. A decision was then taken on the subject of Baptismal Regeneration, in accordance with the well-known views of the Bishop of Exeter.

Nor ought we to lose sight of the prodigious strides which the Papacy is making in many of our Colonies. In the year 1822 there were but two Popish priests in Australia, including Van Diemen's Land. There are now TWO HUNDRED PRIESTS, WITH EIGHT BISHOPS, AND AN ARCHBISHOP. With all the cunning and intrigue characteristic of the Romish priesthood, and aided with State pay, these men are putting forth their utmost efforts to infuse the poison of their corrupt system through all the ramifications of Colonial society.

It is against these evils the agents have to strive. Were they not assured that "greater is He that is with them, than all they that are against them," they would be ready to abandon the enterprise in despair. But, confident in the power of truth, and believing that "He is faithful who hath promised," they hold on their way. Nor are they without evident tokens of success. One brother writes, notwithstanding the untiring opposition with which they have to contend, "Send us men of piety and zeal, of talent and enterprise, and the whole Colony might be ours."

Another friend states:-"We want many genuine men, of sound and fervent piety, of broad views, of untameable activity, and the Colony, as to public opinion, would be ours." Will not such testimony as this awaken the zeal and excite the liberality of British Christians ? The necessity for effort is most pressing, the hope of success most cheering, the promises of God most encouraging. Nothing is wanting but the determination of the friends of 'pure religion" in this land, to do all that in them lies to accomplish a work to which they are so manifestly called by the Divine Master and Lord whom they serve. The period for half measures is past and gone. May it never return! Let the Committee be encouraged to renew their strength, to put forth increased energy, which they are ready to do, to enter at once the fields of labour to which they are invited; to go up and possess the land which is before them. They respectfully but very earnestly appeal to the churches they represent. Upon you, dear Brethren! it depends whether this work shall prosper as it deserves. There is every reason to expect it will, if you sustain it with your generous contributions and fervent prayers.