116 only never accomplish such a result, nor was ever intended to do so; but also affirm that the at religion, the powerful families of the country tempt is impious, and that Christians, properly leading the way; unless the idols of the so called, ought not to identify themselves in any way whatever with such proceedings, We think the observations contained in the above Article well calculated to sober the minds of both parties. Ed. C. A.] THE TRUE ASPECT OF CHRIST'S KING DOM IN THE WORLD. A Correspondent, whom we highly respect, wishes to know why we referred to the late Mr. H. D. Inglis, in preference to any other, as the representative of the true Scotch Baptist principles, and as the writer "with whose doctrinal sentiments the Editor of the Christian Advocate entirely agrees?" (See Ch. Ad. June, page 96.) To this we reply:---that in our opinion, Mr. Inglis held clearer views of the nature, character, and true state of Christ's Kingdom in the world, than any other writer among the Scotch Baptists. In confirmation of our statement, we insert the following extract from a Letter addressed to the Editors of the Missionary Magazine, and dated Jan. 11th, 1806, consequently only a short time before his death. We offer no apology for the length of the extract, or for its insertion, for its intrinsic value, and the just views expressed in it on the true aspect of the Kingdom of Christ in the world, fully justifies our doing so. Besides, we suspect that many of our readers, and of the present generation of Scotch Baptists, know but little of Inglis's Works; but which ought to be as familiar to them as "Household Words." Moreover, we have our fears that the views expressed will not be very generally responded to; and if so, it will amply account for the manifest deterioration which has taken place among these churches :---" a little leaven leavens the whole lump." "Permit me, before I conclude, to advert to another thing in your last number, which I confess filled me with some surprise, and much concern. I refer to a sentence in the quarterly letter from India, to the Baptist Misstonary Society in England. That sentence is the following: 'Such, dear brethren, is the actual state of the mission at this time. You see we are still employed, as might be expected, in laying the foundation, rather than raising the superstructure. No powerful families, no whole villages, have yet been conquered: no one god has been trampled upon, and no single adolatrous poojah stopped. Our con. verts are solitary individuals, one in a city, and two of a family. from different parts of the country.' Sorry I am to see the ancient, popular and antichristian error, concerning the nature of the kingdom and religion of Jesus Christ, so heartily adopted, and openly avowed by the Baptist missionaries in India. In their estimation, they have done little or nothing in raising the superstructure, unless whole towns or villages have changed their Gentiles have been trampled under foot, and their temples subverted.-What is this but saying, almost without disguise, that they wish, partly at least through the influence of the great and powerful, the Christian religion to be established upon the ruins of the superstitions of India. If these are the criterions of the gospel flourishing, and such its triumphs, the apostles could boast little of the success of the gospel in their day; yet they did not scruple to say, 'Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.' Their converts were strangers and pilgrims scattered throughout various nations' but who were denominated by them a holy nation, a royal priesthood, and a peculiar people; who were begotten again to the lively hope of a heavenly inheritance, and rejoicsd in Christ with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. See 1 Peter, chap. i. 2. We see no example, in the whole labours of the apostles, of an heathen god trampled under foot, and temple of idols demolished or shut up; or of the Christian religion being professed by any community of people, great or small and although some great and rich men became subject to the faith of Christ, yet so little had the apostles been taught earnestly to covet, and loudly to glory in such trophies, that they say, 'For you see your calling, brethren. how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But God bath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of this world, to confound things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence.' These striking features of Christ's religion in the apostolic age, were not the expression of its infantile state. No; they were esrevealed and displayed a kingdom not of sential and characteristical features: they this world, but spiritual and heavenly, which, to the end of time, must be distinguished from civil society and national worship. The bulk of all nations must be always adopted by such without being grossly corworldly men, and Christianity cannot be rupted. Christ speaks of the opposition of the world to his cause and people, as founded on circumstances that cannot change. says, John xv. 18-21. If the world hate He you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than the lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.' And the Revelation of John points out the patient sufferings of the saints, till the very time of Christ's appearing and kingdom. It was to be in another period, foretold in the apostolic age, that the professors of Christianity were to deny the good confession of their Master before Pontius Pilate, when they were to rejoice in an universal subjection to the Christian religion, under the patronage and influence of the princes and great men of the earth; and in the fall of the heathen deities and temples before Christianity. established and triumphant. This earthly glory was reserved for the age of Constantine, which flattering bishops celebrated as the auspicious era of the fulfilment of ancient prophecy respecting the conversion of the gentiles, but which too clearly marked the fatal accomplishment of all the prophecies concerning the corruption of the religion of Christ. I would fain cherish a hope, that the Baptist missionaries in India have rashly expressed a sentiment somewhat beyond the established conviction of their own minds; but it is not the private thoughts of the heart, but the language in which ideas are clothed, that can effect either good or evil; and it is difficult for any degree of candour to presume that the fond and anxious wishes expressed in the obnoxious sentence, were founded upon no rooted sentiment of the mind. While I greatly rejoice in the labours of those missionaries, in furnishing the benighted natives of India with the good news of salvation,, by their translations of the Holy Scriptures, I do most deeply regret, that their own ideas should be in any measure contaminated with such genuine antichristian leaven." REVIEW. Passages in the Life of Gilbert Arnold: or, The Tale of the Four Sermons. BY SULLIVAN EARLE. London:-Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, 1851. pp. 146. This is a neatly got up little Volume, and the Story is a most interesting one. The hero of the tale is a Gilbert Arnold, a son a worthy Clergyman. During his carer at School, the corruption of human natur developes itself in many ways. Gilbert de plays some of the basser passions of the human mind, and is guilty of so may offences and mean actions, that, by aj of the Scholars, with the consent of the Master, he is expelled the School. At his removal from the School, he is plac with an uncle, a stern old lawyer in the Metropolis, where, in the course of time, his conduct becomes so irregular that be dismissed by his uncle, and thrown upe the world. But during his stay with hi uncle, he seduces a young woman, who w his uncle's housekeeper, and a native of the same village with himself. His onward career in vice is described with a masterly hand, and the bitter fruits of iniquity r pointed out in a striking manner by the Author. The character of old Mr. Arnold is wel drawn, and presents an exquisite pictured a worthy pious country clergyman. His asiduity in imparting religious instruction to his wayward son, and his strong faith that his labours would in the end prove efficacious, are beautifully worked out; and the feelings of the venerable parent are such as furnish a fine example of Christian principle, and the exercise of faith and patience. Mr. Arnold's prayers are at last answered; -Gilbert is arrested in his vicious course, and brought to repentance. And as an evidence of his sincerity, he makes all the reparation in his power to Jessy Hart, the young person he had seduced, by marrying her. We cannot enter into the details of all the circumstances, but the return of Gilbert to his father, and his reception by the good man, is so well told that we cannot resist the temptation of transcribing the passage. "The announcement seemed to surprise him less than I thought it would. He told me afterwards that he had never ceased to hope, and that the probability of Gilbert's return had been constantly present to his thoughts. The predominant feeling in his mind was one not of astonishment, but of thankfulness. His whole soul was steeped in the most fervent gratitude. I could see his face kindling into a sublime expression of adoration, as his lips muttered the one scarcely audible word, "answered." His faith had never been overcast for a moment, and now it had suddenly met with its reward. His prayers had been answered. His son had returned to fling himself at his feet. A few minutes of inward prayer-of speechless communion with his makerand then he turned to me as though he were anxious that I should join him in his thanksgivings. And I did so. We two knelt down together, and never did the incense of praise ascend from the heart of man to the mercy-seat of God with more tranquillising and strengthening influence upon the worshippers. We rose up, indeed, in calmness and in strength. Mr. Arnold said that he was now prepared to receive his son; and he seated himself in his arm-chair beside the table, with his hand resting on the Bible. I can hardly describe what followed. I know that I brought in Gilbert Arnold in his soiled and tattered clothes, haggard and travel-stained. I know that in a moment he was at his father's feet-clinging to his knees, bathing them with his tears. I can see even now the trembling hands of the good old man on the wild matted head of his son. I can see his upturned face and his moving lips-but I do not know what was said. The blessing may have been a voiceless one. I saw it; I did not hear it. I heard only Gilbert's sobs. It was long before the penitent would rise. Humbled in spirit, he seemed to find solace in his abject posture at his father's feet. Then I have a confused recollection of seeing another penitent at the old man's feet-her hands before her face, her long black hair falling over her quivering arms, sobbing as though her heart would breaka Magdalene more sinned against than sinning. And there was a place for Jessie, you may be sure, in the depths of the good man's heart. He gathered them together as his children. I think that he joined their hands. I can see him now, with his hand upon her head, putting back the dark hair from her face, and kissing the poor child upon her white forehead; I can describe it only thus confusedly :-my own tears fell as plenteously as those of either the prodigal or his victim." The Author of this pretty little Volume possesses considerable powers of description: this, together with the high moral tone which pervades the whole narrative, justifies us in warmly recommending the book to the attention of our readers. We should have mentioned also, that the Volume is illustrated with several very neat wood-cuts, which makes it a suitable present for the Midsummer Holidays. INTELLIGENCE. PROTESTANTS PERSECUTING PROTESTANTS. (From the Evangelical Christendom.) It is our duty again to return to this distressing subject. See pages 85 and 117.) Letters have been accumulating upon us since we last adverted to it, from which we give the following extracts: HOLSTEIN. "I have been prohibited from continuing in my labours as a Bible colporteur by the authorities of Rendsburg, and am threatened with severe imprisonment, if I hold religious meetings. As this prohibition, however, has been issued by the Amt (district authority) of Rendsburg, I have the right of appeal to the department of Kiel; but I am informed by the Amtmann that such an appeal will be useless, as all his influence in that quarter shall be exerted against me, I have been advised to make a direct appeal to the King. Your brother in Christ, "A. BETFREUND." MECKLENBURG SCHWERIN, "In Mecklenburg the most stringent measures are enforced. The authorities have gone so far as to imprison a brother near Eldena, for having read the Scriptures with a neighbour to whom he paid a visit. "Another brother, with his bride (named Döscher and Diedrichsen), have been obliged to emigrate to the United States, as the authorities would not permit them to be married as Baptists and remain in the country. They were married here (Hamburg) by the American consul before their embarkation. If I go into Mecklenburg to visit the stations, it is at the risk of being arrested. "Yours in the Lord, "J. G. ONCKEN." SCHAUENBURG LIPPE. "Proclamation. "We, by the grace of God, George William, reigning Prince of Schauen burg Lippe: "We, having been made acquainted with the fact, by our Government and Consistory, that, for some time past, the sect of the so-called Baptists has been making inroads into our country, secking by public speeches and the circulation of pamphlets to gain adherents; and that the emissaries of this sect have even ventured to dispense the holy sacraments; and as we cannot permit this sect, so opposed in its tendencies to civil and religious order, to pervert the minds of our subjects; herewith, in consideration that all remonstrances in this matter have proved fruitless, we command, on the basis of the ecclesiastical law issued in 1614, as follows.- "1. The local authorities of the country are prohibited from granting a permission of residence to any missionaries of the Baptists. "2. Should, however, foreign Baptists, missionaries, secretly or without permission, remain in our country, they are to be arrested, and, in the first instance, to be punished with an imprisonment of four weeks, and in every succeeding instance, with imprisonment for three months. "3. Conventicles or meetings held by Baptists who are natives of this country, are to be followed by an imprisonment of one or two months, according to the degree of secrecy or publicity with which these have been held. Foreigners holding such meetings are liable to the punishment in clause 2. "4 Whoever permits such meetings to be held at his dwelling, is liable to an imprisonment of fourteen days, provided he has not conducted such meetings himself. "5. The gratuitous distribution or sale of Baptist writings is to be followed by an imprisonment of fourteen days, both in the case of inhabitants as well as foreigners; the latter incur the additional penalty stated in clause 2. All pamphlets of this kind are to be forwarded to our Government. 6. All ecclesiastical acts. viz., performance of the sacraments, ordination, and marriage, are in every instance to be followed by imprisonment for six months. Foreigners incur the additional penalty specified under clause 2. "Bückeburg. June 29th, 1852." "In the name of His Grace, our most gracious Prince and Lord of Schauenburh Lippe, the Government President, and Councillors. "Von Laver, (Signed,) "WERNER. “Published, July 3rd, 1832.” "I shall this evening leave for Bucke burg, to aid and console our brethren there, as far as is in my power. I commend them and myself to your own intercession, and the prayers of the church. Do you not think that, under these circumstances, our brethren in England could do something for us! "Your brother in Christ, HENNRICH BOLZMANY." PRUSSIA. Before we give the extracts relating Prussia, it is proper to state that mer rials have been forwarded through H Excellency Chevalier Bunsen, to the King, from several religious bodies in this country that from the Evangelical Allance will be found in a subsequent page -and we have the satisfaction of know. ing that they have been received with marked and gracious attention by he Majesty. There is, indeed, now lying before us, the copy of a letter written his command, by his Cabinet Secretary to the Rev. J. G. Oncken of Hamburg, giving him permission to return to Bera and to exercise his ministry in that city, from which he had been peremtorily extruded by the police. We hope this may be regarded as an intimation of the will o the monarch that these persecutions, st discreditable to the Protestant people of that great kingdom, shall cease, and that, consequently, we shall never again have to record such statements as those which follow. "Brother Fasching, was recently expelled from Breslau; and, as he coul not return to Austria without subjecting himself to a soldier's life for many years he had no other choice but to emigrate to the United States. "Brother Dorksen, at Tilsit, has bad his furniture distrained, for refusing to pay a fine for having administered the Lord's Supper. He has been regularly ordained as a minister of the Gospel. "Brother Tobias Penner has been sen tenced to pay a fine of forty-eight dollars, or, in default of payment, to be imprisoned for three months, for having circulated the Holy Scriptures without a licence. But licences the authorities will not give to our colporteurs, "J. G. ONCKEN." To Correspondents and Readers. All Communications to be addressed (prepaid, To the Editor of the Christian Advocate, at J Everson's, Printer, Beverley, Yorkshire. Printed and Published by J. Everson, Beverier London:--A. Hall, & Co., 25, Paternoster-fo®. ON THE DECLINE OF THE SCOTCH BAPTIST CHURCHES. OUR Churches are declining. Such is the fact, be the causes what they may. Every year makes it more and more apparent. All acknowledge it, whether friends or foes. Some speak of it with pleasure, some with regret, others with indifference. To many it will be a source of triumph to find that the bigoted sort of Christians are dying out. To others it will appear a matter of no moment whatever. Yet there are a few who look upon it with great sadness of heart, and sigh as they behold the candlesticks, one after another, removed out of their places. Viewed in the light of God's word, it is a very serious matter indeed. According to the revelation of Jesus Christ which he signified unto his servant John, we find this truth made manifest, that when a church of Christ is uprooted, it is because the fruits of such a church has not been well-pleasing to him who planted it. The cause of a church's destruction lies within the church itself. In other words, the tree is cut down because it cumbers the ground. When therefore we find any of our churches declining and dying, we may be sure that the truth is losing its influence over those who profess it. Of the Scotch Baptist Churches generally, we may then say that they have lost their first love, or to speak more closely, the members of these churches are apostatizing from God. This may seem a hard saying, yet how can we deny its truth? If we form our opinion of true christianity from the New Testament, we must form our opinion of apostasy from the same book. The decline of our churches is a matter which we ought to lay closely to heart. It should induce us to look to ourselves in the light of God's word But independently altogether of the increase or decrease of churches, it is our duty to scrutinize our selves, to see whether we are what we pretend to be-the disciples of Christ, attending to all things whatsoever our Lord hath commanded us. This we shall endeavour to do in H |