their future efficiency, and, perhaps, be more than returned in the valuable services of some individual trained in this establishment. And why should we not aim at something beyond this? How desirable that the Board should have the power of assisting schools in rural districts, where a small sum would prove of immense service! Nay, the instances are likely to become increasingly numerous in which a good school will be found essential to the preservation of the congregation, and to prevent the population from being brought under the unmitigated influence of the Tractarian party, several of whose schools, apart from the pestilent errors inculcated in them, it is but justice to admit, are of a very superior character, and most efficiently conducted. By a wise expenditure, we may do essential service in this direction. We have no wish to make education a mere charity, but rather, in the spirit of a generous patriotism, to identify ourselves with the people, and encourage and stimulate them in the great work of intellectual and moral elevation by their own efforts. For so important an object, combination would enable us to do much. I see nothing to hinder any one, notwithstanding existing differences of opinion, to lend his aid in this work, since it commits him to nothing but what is indisputable and practical. I am anxious to bespeak favour to this movement, because, in my deliberate judgment, it deserves it. Let us act discreetly in the matter. Even those of us who think that something better may be obtained, may at least work with us till they get it-an event, I imagine, of far distant consummation; and those of us who believe that we have got the best thing, must take special care that we do not, through our inactivity, put arguments into the mouths of the advocates of systems which we conscientiously disapprove, and which, if once established, we may live bitterly to repent of.

And then, too, those Missionary efforts so closely connected with this Union have special and urgent claims, which more thorough combination can alone meet. The consolidation of these efforts, under the general name of British Missions, and the appointment of the last Sabbath in October, for simultaneous collections, are judicious arrangements, although they have not secured that general concurrence from the churches which might have been expected. Not a fifth of them have united in the contributions of last

year. Is this doing justice to such important objects? Difficulties might naturally have been anticipated at first in making room for these collections on the same Sabbath; but, with a little management, a few years should have been sufficient to remove them. In this we have been to some extent disappointed, and this partial failure has, in my judgment, been mainly owing to the want of a calm consideration of the importance and necessities of these Missions. They only require to be fairly estimated to command general support. I have no desire to bring the several fields on which these labours are expended into comparison, with the view to determine which of them has the strongest claims. I believe that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to do this with success; and were the attempt made, the result would only indicate the predilections of the individual. My limits do not permit me to undertake any examination of each. I must pass over Ireland, with all its difficulties and wretchedness, though not indifferent to the hopeful changes which are now there in progress. In a similar way I must dispose of our Home Missions, with this single remark, that the report of that branch of our operations does not, and cannot, though through no fault of the Committee of that Society, give a fair view of our labours on behalf of our home population. Would it not be wise to append to the Annual Report a brief abstract of the contributions and disbursements of our various county Associations, and thus present in one view what we are doing in this field? Hurrying over these particulars, I may be allowed a word or two on our Colonial Missions, partly because they may be said to have originated with this Union, and partly because their circumstances at the present moment are interesting and peculiar. The extent of these Colonial possessions, the character of their population, the rapidity with which it is increasing, and the impossibility, if left to themselves, of adequately providing for their own spiritual wants, give them at all times strong claims on us; but the speciality in their present condition is this, that every effort is now being put forth to corrupt them, and that the patronage of Government has been, with singular infatuation, lavishly bestowed upon men committed to the inculcation of principles subversive of the Gospel of Christ, and fatal to civil and religious liberty. Everywhere, Tractarian theo

logy and Church principles, in association with Papal pretensions, are rampant. The abettors of these mischievous follies are openly petted and encouraged by those in power; and, should they succeed in their aims, these offshoots of British enterprise will become the deadliest enemies to human improvement, and the countries which they occupy will prove the graves where religion, liberty, and progress will be permanently entombed. What a curse would this prove to the world! How disastrously would it operate on our own labours to evangelise the heathen in the immediate vicinity of these Colonies! How sad to contemplate these seeds of mighty empires so infested with error and intolerance as to be, not, indeed, for ever lost to the cause of human advancement-for error and intolerance are not deathless-but at least, for a time, withdrawn from it. The grand safeguard against such a calamity is to be found mainly in the efforts of Voluntary Evangelical Churches. Every faithful community gathered in these countries is not only so much direct gain to the cause of undefiled religion, but an additional barrier raised up against the advancing tide of religious and civil thraldom. We have been honoured to do our part in this matter, and so far as the brethren who have gone out under our auspices are concerned, we have done it wisely and well. They have been men, generally, who would do honour to anybody, and their influence is already large and commanding. Still, our past efforts come far short of what ought to have been accomplished. Our congregations ought to have been multiplied fourfold. The field is ready and inviting. Failure has hardly in any instance occurred. There are in those regions none of the artificial arrangements, and conventional usages, and class prejudices, which exist in our land to obstruct success. Society has yet to be formed, and to take its shape under whatever influence may be brought to bear upon it. The settlers are, for the most part, persons of some measure of competency-hardy menwhose intelligence has been sharpened by the necessities of their position, and who have not gone so far, speaking of them as a body, to put their necks quietly again under the yoke of priestcraft, unless, indeed, in the absence of better direction, they are in time cajoled to submit to it. A more promising sphere of labour, or one that would more amply and speedily repay expenditure, does not

exist than these Colonies present. With such pressing claims, can we be said to have done anything commensurate with the magnitude of the field, or the vast importance of the object? That we may rightly meet our obligations, we require judicious arrangements and wide combination. Let us have universal and united action. Let all our churches contribute statedly and regularly to the extent of their ability. Let none withhold what they may be able to bestow, because the amount is small; and let none make the comparatively large contribution of one year a reason for doing nothing the next. Let us only act in concert, and we shall not want the means greatly to increase and strengthen our Colonial Churches. Depend upon it, that prompt and energetic efforts are demanded. While we delay, these mischievous principles are ceaselessly at work, and, through them, our field of labour is practically becoming circumscribed in extent, and altered in character. Let us be stimulalated by the example of other Christian communities, one of which, only recently called into existence, has given us a splendid demonstration of what combination and zeal can effect. Let them provoke us to emulation.

In these remarks I have used the utmost freedom, in the conviction that the brethren can appreciate a well-meant endeavour to advance our common interests, although the judgment of every one may not have concurred in all the observations which have been offered. They may question the soundness of the advice, even when honouring the motive which may have dictated it. That our churches may enjoy true prosperity-not that which consists in wealth, and rank, and worldly attractions, but in piety, and spiritual principle-we are growingly solicitous. There never was a period in the history of our country when this was more needed-never one in which our influence could be less spared. The revival of antiquated errors and intolerant claims, can be most effectually arrested only by the simple scriptural principles, to the maintenance of which we are committed. May we understand the trust reposed in us, and be faithful to it. May we never forget that the truth, intelligently held, and faithfully professed, is the real source of power. Be it our aim, under God's blessing, to enlarge our influence, and employ it diligently in the promotion of righteousness, truth, and peace, in our land and through the world.

The

The Rev. John Alexander, of Norwich, moved a Resolution of cordial thanks to the Chairman for the foregoing Address, and to the Rev. J. B. Brown, for that of the preceding night, requesting both for publication; which was seconded by the Rev. D. E. Ford, of Manchester. church at Kettering, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Thomas Toller, the worthy son of an honourable sire, was then received into the fellowship of the Union; after which, Mr. Palmer, one of the secretaries, submitted the Financial Statement, on which the Rev. A. E. Pearce, of Salford, moved a Resolution expressive of regret that the income of the Union, from subscriptions and donations, is still insufficient to meet its very limited expenditure, and directing the attention of the churches and their pastors, and of others entitled to personal membership with the Union, to the importance of more general and liberal contributions, so as to leave the profits of its publications to be applied to general objects of Christian benevolence. Mr. Pearce expressed a conviction, that the blame of the deficiency lay, not with the churches, but with their ministers, and submitted that for their own credit's sake, and the honour of the denomination, the ministers ought forthwith to rectify this state of things, intimating that nothing further would be required than an average contribution of £1 annually from each church. The Rev. John Jukes, of Bedford, seconded the motion. The subject of admitting Home Missionaries to the benefits of the Deferred Annuities was next introduced, and referred to the Committee of the Union, with the gentlemen who constitute the Distribution Fund.

At this stage of the business, the Secretary, the Rev. George Smith, presented to the Chairman, on behalf of Josiah Conder, Esq., Editor, and John Snow, Esq., Publisher, copies of two specimens of a revised edition of Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns, after which, the Chairman was presented with a copy of ". Robinson's Works," in three volumes, elegantly bound; when it was intimated that the work of publication, which had been resolved on at the Southampton Meeting, had been brought to a most satisfactory close; that no fewer than 3,500 copies had been issued, 500 of which had been subscribed for in America. At the same time the speaker bestowed especial commendation on the masterly manner in which the work had been executed by the parties connected with it-Editor, Publisher, and Printers. High and most deserved commendation was given to Mr. Ashton for the exceedingly satisfactory manner in which he had prepared the Memoir, and car. ried the work through the press.

The subject of the Regium Donum next came forward, when a resolution was proposed, expressing satisfaction at the announced decision of the Government no longer to place this on the Estimates, and a hope that the Independent Community would see to the actual wants of its distressed Ministers. To this succeeded a Paper by the Rev. Thomas James, on British Missions, at the close of which, Samuel Morley, Esq., moved a Resolution expressive of attachment to these Missions, at the same time regretting that the support hitherto rendered, had not been adequate to meet the necessities of the population, and urging an increase of Christian liberality. Mr. Morley stated the discreditable fact, "that only about one-fifth of the churches

support these Institutions," a fact which he stated, demanded explanation. Mr. Sandmore seconded the Resolution, after which, the Rev. Mr. Poore, of Salford, and other ministers and gentlemen, successively spoke, and the result of a prolonged discussion was the appointment of a Committee to review the entire subject of British Missions, with a view to the increase of their efficiency.

The subject of Chapel Building was next brought forward by the Rev. J. C. Gallaway, in an exceedingly valuable paper, on which Dr. Brown, of Cheltenham, moved a Resolution, requesting the paper for publication, and expressive of the convictions of the Assembly as to the immense importance of Chapel Building movements, and referring the full consideration of the subject to the Committee of the Union, instructing it to report at the next Annual Meeting. On this subject the Revs. Clement Dukes, of Dalston; Mr. Russell, of Yarmouth; Andrew Reed, of Norwich; Josiah Viney, J. A. James, and others, addressed the Assembly.

The after-dinner business was various and important, but it was necessarily abridged by the approach of the Public Meeting, at six o'clock, on British Missions, when Thomas Barnes, Esq., presided, and the meeting was addressed by the Revs. J. D. Smith, W. S. Edwards, T. Binney, and others. At this meeting Mr. Binney gave a luminous and impressive view of the rise, progress, and present state of the Colonial Missionary Society.

On Wednesday morning the business of Education was brought forward, by the Rev. W. J. Unwin, M.A., in an excellent Paper, setting forth the operations-past, present, and prospective of the Board, which was succeeded by an interesting and most harmonious discussion, in which all seemed cordially to agree that it was indispensable that the religious element should thoroughly pervade every system of Popu lar Education. After dinner, the subject of Convict Transportation to the Australian Colonies was taken up, and a Committee appointed to prepare a Memorial to Government, and resolutions for publication. After which, the Assembly adjourned to the Commercial Chapel, which was greatly crowded, to attend an exposition of Denominational principles-a service which was performed with great efficiency by the Revs. Messrs. Harrison, Kelly, Smith, Reed, and Dr. Halley.

On Thursday morning, the Rev. Mr. Reynolds, of Leeds, produced a highly important Paper, on the subject of Scepticism, on which an interesting discussion followed. We hope to give this document in our next Number. At twelve o'clock the doors were thrown open to the general public, when the Rev. John Stoughton proceeded to deliver his Memorial Sketch of Dr. Doddridge, which occupied about two hours, notwithstanding he passed over a large portion of his Manuscript. It is impossible to describe the interest excited by this dissertation. The facts presented are so numerous, so various, and so touching, so descriptive of moral excellence and intellectual energy, industry, and skill, in efforts to promote the public good-attended with success and acceptance unprecedentedthat to be at all appreciated, the document must be read. On this occasion, Doddridge seemed to experience a species of moral resurrection. It has never been our lot to be present on any

occasion of a kindred character at all approaching it. The pleasant and the pathetic were strikingly combined. The great and the littlethe private and the public-the attributes of the man, the minister, the husband, the father, the tutor, the friend, were all so incorporated as to present such a combination of interest and excellence as has rarely been met in any individual. The discussion which followed was appropriate and touching. In the course of Mr. Stoughton's dissertation, he brought forth a curious fact of the Doctor's little daughter sitting in the window of the Lecture Room, with a favourite lap-dog on her knee, which she was heard to catechise; and on the return of no response by the pet, she broke out, and said, "You Dr. Doddridge's dog, and can't say your catechism!" a fact overheard by the Dr. himself, which he turned to striking account in the Lecture Room. By some singular felicity, the Rev. Thomas Binney happens to possess, and, on the occasion, brought out, the very collar of this little catechumen. Among the other touching small matters, the most affecting was that adduced by the Rev. T. P. Bull-the short-hand notes of the sermon which Doddridge wrote, on the coffin of this, his only daughter, which completed the scene.

The Rev. John Angell James, with an eye ever awake to the welfare of the Churches, considered that the present would be a suitable time to revive the knowledge of that matchless Ministerial Biography, the "Life of Doddridge, by Job Orton," and hence he proposed that the laymen should subscribe to a large impression, that a copy of it, with the Sermon on the "Guilt and Danger of Neglecting Souls," might be placed in the hands of every minister. This excellent proposal somehow fell through, but the Committee of the Union determined that the idea should not be lost sight of. It was therefore proposed, and carried unanimously, that the

Editor of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS should be requested to carry this matter into accomplishment, on the same principle as the Works of Robinson.

After dinner, business, as usual, occupied the meeting to the latest moment. On this occasion the Rev. Mr. Bennett, of Northampton, made a remarkably interesting speech, showing the necessity of organization among the Independent Churches, in order to self diffusion, and the furtherance of the Gospel in connection with Congregational principles in these lands.

In the evening Dr. Raffles delivered a splendid and powerful discourse in Commercial Chapel, the general object of which was to awaken the Churches to the claims of the nation, and to point out the increased urgency which now attends the great duty of spreading, by all possible means, the Gospel of Christ, both at home and abroad.

Thus ended a series of as interesting and important meetings as has ever been held in connection with the Congregational Union. We cannot close without bearing our cordial testimony to the kindness of the Northampton Ministers and Churches, which was inferior to nothing and higher praise cannot be awarded to it that has hitherto been experienced in these ambulatory Annual Conferences. It was a privilege to be present on the occasion, to see what we saw, and hear what we heard, and we shall continue to reflect on it with grateful pleasure. While praise is due to all, especial prominence belongs to the Rev. E. T. Prust, whose praise has been long in all the Churches, and whose munificence in this, as in other matters, redounds alike to the credit of his principles and the honour of the great town which is blessed by his ministry, adorned by his character, and stands so prominent in the annals of British Nonconformity.

THE Clergy, among other things, begin to pay a little attention to the subject of Elocution. The English Churchman, who generally devotes a portion of his space to matters of this description, has the following:

With the composition of Sermons we do not propose that the teacher of "Clerical Elocution" should deal. This would make his duties far more extensive and complicated than we contemplate: moreover, this might be justly regarded as interfering too closely with the spiritual functions of his pupils. We would restrict him entirely to what we will call the mechanical features of Clerical Elocution. But we may observe that, with respect to the composition of Discourses, we apprehend that one of the most prevalent mistakes is that, while writing their Sermons, the Clergy are often absent in mind as well as body from the several classes and characters of which their congregations consist-they do not constantly and vividly realise the fact that,

while they are writing, they are virtually speaking to the people, addressing them, exhorting them, teaching them, explaining God's Word and Will to them; and that every word, and line, and sentence, should be constructed with this view, and tested by this fact, that it may be consistent and appropriate. The consequence of losing sight of this feature is, that there is far too little of the hortatory, and of direct ap. peal to the heads and hearts of the people-too much of the Essay, and of mere abstract argument. If the Preacher be eloquent in his delivery, he may make some impression upon the people by his mere manner, even with such a composition, but, generally speaking, it will be found very difficult to infuse much life and animation into sentences which are evidently calculated for readers, and not for hearers-for private meditation, and not for public instruction.

What Barrister would ever attempt to influence a Jury by such a mode of address as that? And this question reminds us to repeat what we have suggested on former occasions-that

the Clergy would do well, in this matter, to take a leaf out of the book of our most successful pleaders. They do not make use of Essaysthey do not even write out their Speeches-but they have their facts well arranged, their points, parallels, and illustrations, ready to their hands -they SPEAK to the Jury, not READ at themand their sentences being cast in a colloquial, but not undignified mould, they are able to "run alone" some distance, without perpetual recurrence to their briefs and memoranda. The result is a Speech, an Address-not an Essay or Disquisition. By the same means we believe that nine Clergy out of ten, after a little practice, and taking care not to get beyond their depth, to proceed too rapidly, nor to soar too high, would, if they were thoroughly in earnest, be able to address their congregations far more vividly and effectively than they do at present.

course there are some subjects which it would not be desirable to preach upon without having every word written down: and in general, we should strongly recommend tolerably copious "notes" of the argument and illustrations, with whole sentences, or even paragraphs, here and there, where the subject required it, or in case the Preacher should be at a loss to fill up his outline. With good "notes," and a thorough acquaintance with, and consistently sound views of the Scriptures, and of the teaching and Formularies of the Church, there would, generally speaking, be very little danger of a Preacher's making any other than mere verbal errors, and these would not only disappear, in a great measure, after a few weeks' study and practice, but they would, we are convinced, be far less damaging to the influence of a Preacher than is the formal reading of an entire discourse, from a manuscript, from which he never, or rarely, lifts his eyes. Surely, what Roman Priests and Dissenting Preachers can do in this way, the Orthodox Priests of the English Church are capable of doing-and we will venture to add that they must do it if they would increase, or even preserve their present influence. We will only add, that what is termed Expository Preaching, by which we understand the explaining, illustrating, and applying whole Chapters, Lives, Parables, or Narratives of Holy Scripture-a class of discourse strangely rare in the present day appears especially calculated for the cultivation of such a method.

We

There is much excellent sense and profitable suggestion in these paragraphs, and we are right glad to find such notions making way in such a quarter. heartily wish they may have free course throughout the land, amongst all classes and conditions of men, for sure we are such an event will be the precursor of many other reforms, and much improvement. We are not only glad to find the English Churchman contending for free speech, but also recommending expository instruction. We have had enough of oratory, and the world can testify to the result. Let us now have a little of

Nehemiah's preaching-"Reading distinctly in the book of the law of the Lord, and giving the sense, and causing the people to understand the reading." We would not give this for all the eloquence of a Massillon.

A Correspondent of the Churchman bas the following racy paragraph:

Dr. Chalmers, the late eminent Scottish Presbyterian Divine, is stated, in the volume just published of his Life, to have greatly ad mired the choral services of our Church, as well as much of its ritual and system; but he, at the same time, strongly expressed, after one of his visits to the South, that the preaching, in general, of the English Clergy was, in his opinion, at a very low ebb, for effectiveness, eloquence, or any of those qualities which the pulpit demands. His own opinion, expressed elsewhere, was, that sermons should be Hortatory Addresses," rather than lifeless moral essays, without force or point.

We are having frequent communications on the subject of reading public instructions, from which we have reason to fear the practice is upon the increase. Making all allowance, however, for certain persons and certain places, we do trust, as a rule, it will never prevail in our Nonconformist circles; for if so, it will be a sure sign that "the glory is departing."

THE REV. WILLIAM O'NEILL. OUR laborious and zealous friend, the Rev. William O'Neill, one of the Agents of the Home Missionary Society, has been for some years redeeming his time, with a view to an extended study of the Scriptures, which, at length, has taken a practical turn, inasmuch as he contemplates publication. We have seen his Prospectus, and are pleased with it. These "Biblical and Theological Gleanings, consisting of a collection of Comments, Criticism, and Remarks, explanatory or illustrative, extend to upwards of 2,500 passages in both Testaments, and comprise especially those that are generally accounted difficult." It will be seen that this is an undertaking, therefore, that comprises a large amount of labour, and that is eminently calcu lated to be of service to the middle-class portion of the Christian public. The Work will comprise a Preface to each book, and corrections in Chronology, divisions of chapters, improved readings, the meaning of numerous Scripture terms, copious illustrations of Eastern customs and manners, useful Tables, and profitable reflec tions, selected from more than 500 writers and Commentators, with some original contributions. The Work, we believe, is to be published by subscription, and we cannot doubt that our worthy friend will meet with a measure of suc cess corresponding with his merits, for he is unquestionably one of the most self-denying, laborious, and successful Missionaries now in the field.