will appear in the harmonious thoughts and feelings of those who possess the love of the truth.' Diversitywill involve no contradiction. Variety will cause no separation. There will be no strife but the strife of holy love; no ambition but the ambition of a sanctified zeal. The image of the Saviour will be reflected in the purity and charity of his disciples, and the prayer of the Great Intercessor will be accomplished'that they all may be one.'"-We trust this discourse will be rendered highly instrumental in increasing the spirit of unity--the spirit of that world in which the departed now rests from his labours; and of promoting that glorying in Christ which the preacher so zealously endeavours to secure, and, therefore, shall be glad to learn that it has obtained a wide circulation.

The Causes of Declension in Christian Churches. A Discourse delivered at Jewin Street Meeting House, January 7, 1830, before the Monthly Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches in London. Published at their request, by John Arundel. Westley and Davis. THE subject of this discourse is one of paramount interest to all who are concerned for the establishment and extension of the kingdom of our common Lord and Saviour. Many Christian churches have been planted which flourished for a time, and then drooped and fell to decay, or were scattered and torn, and peeled and dissolved, having been blasted by the desolating influence of false doctrine, or distracted with unholy rivalships and divisions, or were suffered to expire amid the slumberings of their own torpidity and dormancy. It is now seen, and, in part at least, admitted that, orthodox views, outward respectability of character, a clear creed, and a pure worship are not all that is necessary for the perpetuity of a Christian church. To these must be added the ardent charity, the active and persevering zeal which characterized the primitive churches in their unwearied endeavours to hold forth the word of life, and to propagate the verities of Christ's holy religion, or the bright gold will become dim, and the wine be mixed with water. Christian churches are, at least in one view of

them, missionary communities, gathered and established by the grace and providence of God, not only for the conservation but for the extension of the truth; and the most strenuous efforts to accomplish the former, unless conjoined with vigorous and untired endeavours to promote the latter, will be unavailing to preserve any church in a sound, and healthy, and flourishing condition. Christ must indeed be honoured and glorified, and allowed to reign in his own house, but Christ must also be exhibited, and declared, and made known through all the region round about.

The discourse before us contains a plain and faithful exhibition of the evil it combats, and of some of the causes which tend to originate this evil; but the respected author will forgive us when we state that, in our view of the case, it does not go far enough. Moreover, it appears to us, that something more is intended in the phrase, ' declension in Christian churches,' than the decay of personal religion in individual members; and so our author seems to think, as in the commencement of his statement on the causes of declension he refers to demise of ministers and members, to the inauspicious aspect of the times, and to national embarrassments which, affecting the trade and commerce of the country, necessarily cripple the efforts of the benevolent. It is, however, to be wished that, on this part of the subject, he had been more explicit, and had stated with greater distinctness matters which refer to Christian churches as such. Churches, it is true, are composed of individuals, and the want or defect of personal religion in a portion of these will have a baneful influence on the prosperity of the community; yet a defection in individual piety is not the only thing to be laid in the balance as indicative of a state of decline in a Christian church. In estimating the character of a church, and the cause or causes of declension in such a community, we must view the members in their collective capacity, and judge of their combined capabilities, and of the manner in which these capabilities are exercised or neglected, as the case may be.

We agree with our very useful and respected brother in the solemn admonitions addressed by him both to pas

:

tors, and church members; and hope they will be seriously weighed and received by all to whom they apply; and only regret that he did not, under the third general division of the second head of discourse, enter more fully into the consideration of other and obvious causes tending to the decline of Christian churches. For example, --how many churches have declined, and ultimately become extinct, from the want of suitable provision for the instruction and guidance of the youthful part of the community;-and how many are even now in danger from the same cause? Sabbath, and day, and infant schools, and Bible Classes, form no part of the tuitive discipline of too many Christian communities:is it any wonder, therefore, that such churches die with the present generation? Again, in how many instances is it the case that, although every legitimate effort is made within the church for its purity and preservation, no corresponding exertions are employed without to enlighten the ignorant and to save the perishing? Members of such churches are greatly concerned to have a pure gospel and a faithful ministry for themselves, and are delighted time after time with opportunities of listening to the unadulterated word, and yet they fail to "tell out among the people what the Lord hath done." They visit not the abodes of profligacy and poverty; they sound not the voice of warning in the ears of the guilty; they carry not the tidings of mercy to the destitute and the perishing; they open no prayer-meeting-no place for reading the gospel message and administering the word of exhortation among the dense and ignorant population around them, but rather leave the people to perish for lack of knowledge under the shade of those very walls within which they are sheltered, and secured, and fed with the bread of life. Thus they "eat the fat, drink the sweet," but neglect to "send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared." Again, are there not churches who make no efforts corresponding with their ability for sending the gospel to heathen lands, and is not this another cause of declension?

"There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it endeth to poverty." Look, also, at

the inadequate provision made in, alas! too many instances, for the faith ful man who ministers in holy things, causing his hands to hang down, and his soul to be distracted with corroding cares, so that he cannot, if he would, prosecute his labours with vigour, and comfort, and efficiency. Observe, too, the laxity which prevails, in some cases, in regard to those glorious principles of scriptural nonconformity which many of our ancestors struggled, and suffered, and bled to secure, and see in this criminal indifference no uncertain, no equivocal clause of declension in some churches which have decayed, and in others which, we fear, are now decaying.

Now we do not say that the author of the discourse before us was bound to notice these and other collateral subjects; nor do we assert that, had he been so disposed, it was possible, to do them ample justice in the limits assigned for the delivery of his sermon; still we should have been glad had he bestowed upon them a passing. notice, conceiving, as we do, that they vitally affect the question on which he has treated. Nevertheless, as the discourse is calculated to awaken enquiry, to originate self-examination, to stir up dormant energies, and to lead to more zealous, and careful, and vigorous efforts for the conservation of churches, and the propagation of the truth, we give it our earnest recommendation. We hope, too, that the hints we have thrown out will be regarded as reiterating the spirit of our Lord's solemn admonition, "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place."

Pike's Guide for Young Disciples of the Saviour on their way to Immortality. 18mo. pp. 385, 3s. 6d. R. Baynes.

THE Second edition of this serious and useful publication, differs in a slight degree from the first. Its typography and price have been improved; the former by enlargement, the latter by reduction. To allow of these alterations, two or three of the earlier chapters have been omitted, and some transpositions have been made in the

body of the volume. Our opinion of the value of the work remains unchanged: "It richly deserves and will justly repay a careful reading."

The Christian Friend and Companion of Youth. In a Series of Pastoral Epistles, in two Parts. By Thomas Hitchin, Hockliffe, Beds. 12mo. ás. Holdsworth and Ball.

THIS neat volume contains twenty letters from a Village Pastor to his congregation. The first nine are addressed

to the "Christian Friends of Youth," with a view to stimulate them to active and benevolent exertions on their behalf; and the other eleven to young persons themselves, with a view to excite them to self-improvement, and to consistent and ornamental conduct

in the different walks of life they may be called to pursue. Both classes of his readers will doubtless feel indebted to Mr. Hitchin for the zeal and piety wherewith he has pursued his object; and we confidently hope that his success will be equal to his exertions.

IN THE PRESS.

Preparing for Publication by Subscription, in 1 vol. 12mo. price 7s. The PRIVATE LIFE of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. considered as a Demonstration of his Divine Character and Mission, and an Example to all Christians. By T. Williams, Author of "The Age of Infidelity," Editor of "The Cottage Bible," &c. &c.

"The Life of Christ having been pourtrayed by so many able pens, it would be presumptuous in the writer to tread the same hallowed ground, were not his design specifically different from theirs. By the private life of Christ, however, he means not to intimate that he has discovered any new facts or doctrines; but merely that his enquiries have been directed, not so much to those parts of our Lord's conduct, in which he spoke and acted in his public character as the Messiah and our Redeemer; as to those more private actions and discourses in which he exhibited an example, under all the varied situations of human life; and a complete demonstration of his personal excellency, and, consequently, of the certain truth of Christianity."-See Advertisement on the Cover of this Magazine.

"Lectures on Colonial Slavery." By the Rev. B. Godwin, of Bradford.

Messrs. Westley and Davis announces for appearance on the 1st of September, and to be continued periodically--The British Pulpit, under the sanction of the Ministers, whose discourses will appear in its pages.

Preparing for Publication, in Monthly Parts. A History of the County Palatine of Lancaster. By E. Baines, Esq., Author of the "History of George III"

and of the "Topography of Lancashire," &c.

No. I. of Views in India, from Sketches by Captain Robert Elliot, R.N. Each Number will contain three highly-finished Engravings, with descriptive LetterPress.

JUST PUBLISHED.

Letters of Philalethes, addressed to the Committee of the Reformation Society. An Officer of the Line, Author of "Sketches, Scenes, and Narratives," has just published a Poem entitled "Visions of Solitude." Its object is to exhibit in a familiar way, and without the formality of essay, various scenes of human life, presenting a contrast between the transient glories and pleasures of time, and the views of immortal happiness which animate the Christian in his career;-and to draw a parallel between this world's prosperity unhallowed by religion, and temporal adversity sustained and sanctified by the influence of that heavenly hope "which maketh not ashamed."

A Panorama of the Lakes, Mountains, and Picturesque Scenery of Switzerland, as viewed from the summit of Mount Righi. Drawn from nature by Henry Keller. With Descriptive Letterpress, Directions to Tourists, &c. &c. In Case, price 12s. plain, or 11. 4s. beautifully cofoured.

God the setter up of Kings, and the remover of Kings. A Discourse preached on occasion of the Demise of George the Fourth. By John Morrison.

The Blindness and Indifference of Men to Futurity. A Discourse on the Death of his late Majesty George IV, By Robert Ainslie.

PROTESTANT SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

The Nineteenth Anniversary Meeting of this important Institution was held at the City of London Tavern, on Saturday, May 15th.

Lord Nugent took the chair.

John Wilkes, Esq., then rose, amidst great applause, and commenced a most able and eloquent speech, which occupied more than two hours and a quarter in the delivery. The exordium contained some touching allusions to the venerable fathers of the Society, now with God. The body of the address was crowded with most instructive facts and legal opinions, and the peroration was a brilliant eulogy on religious freedom, which delighted a most respectable and enthusiastic audience. The following fragments, culled from an admirable Report in the World newspaper, of May 26, cannot convey to our readers the harmony and force of the whole address; but we are anxious to preserve the facts for their use; the flowers also should have a place in our pages, but our space forbids. We trust that, by a careful selection, we have secured the most useful portions, though assuredly not the most eloquent passages of this able address.

About seventy cases had required attention during the past year, and a brief outline sketch of those cases he would now attempt. Of those, nine related to cases which ought not to have been brought to the Committee, because the applications related to matters with which the Committee could not interfere. Disputes in churches, disputes between ministers and people, and between ministers and trustees, and similar local affairs, a Society for the protection only of general rights could never fitly regard. They were from Finchingfield, Essex; the Isle of Man; Merthyr, Glamorganshire; Cambridge; Ely; Birmingham; Taihir. sin; and Old Kent-road. There were eleven cases in which demands had been made of poor's rates and similar parochial charges for places of public worship. These cases from Lewisham, Kent; Bolton, Lancashire; Craven, York; Ardingley, Sussex; Marlborough-chapel, Kentroad; Brixton-hill, Surrey; Barking, Essex; Oxendon-street, London; Marlborough, Wilts; Bayswater; and Hindestreet, Manchester-square; and Burystreet, St. Mary Axe. In all, such advice was given as prevented the recovery of rates from any congregation. Among the cases, he might refer to

Hinde-street Chapel. The amount there sought to be recovered, was nearly £150. and the persons who sought its recovery, were the opulent vestry of the parish of Mary-le-bone. One of the replies made to them was obvious and impressive. Forty thousand pounds of the public money, raised from Dissenters as well as Churchmen, had been given for that rectory, and to swell the church patronage of the crown. Subsequently, and also with the public money, several churches had been built within the parish. Of these churches the pews were let, and afforded for the incumbents such incomes as dissenting teachers were not accustomed to desire. Those churches must be equally rateable with dissenting meeting-houses. Yet while they were unrated by the vestry, they did not hesitate to rate the chapel of the Methodist, in a manner he deemed unconscientious, and with a disregard to liberality and justice, which even a good churchman must condemn. At Oxendon chapel, of which the excellent Mr. Broadfoot was the minister, the select vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields had proceeded so far as to put in a distress, and seize the sacrament plate. The distress was allowed to continue for five days, but the ensuing Lord's day being the sacramental Sabbath, the Elders applied for his advice. He recommended them to replevy an action against the magistrates who signed the warrant, and the officers who put in the distress. As soon as these measures were announced, the wealthy parish of St. Martin's directed the distress to be withdrawn; in a subsequent quarter the parish renewed their experiment, and again the chapel was assessed. Again they asked advice, and again resisted the demand. Sir Richard Birnie, a magistrate, and one of the select vestrymen, sent to a person who had been rated, or was connected with the chapel, and intimated that the rate was certainly too much, but that, perhaps, if instead of £100. the rate was at £20. or £10. per annum, then, he supposed, under such circumstances for the sake of neighbourly good feeling, the congregation would not object, as the annual payment might then be only 20s. or £2., which so respectable a congregation would nothing heed. They were, however, Scotch Seceders, and were not to be so entrapped, even by Sir Richard Birnie, though also a native of their fathers' land. Then Greek met Greek, Caledonian was opposed to Caledonian. We southern men might have

been beguiled; but they bethought them that the admission of a rill might be succeeded by the torrent, and declined all concessions which might compromise their principle, and afford a precedent for indefinite and exclusive claims.

Nine other of the cases submitted to the Committee were connected with a subject often mentioned at their meetings--the demand of turnpike tolls, from persons going to and returning from the places of worship where they usually attend. At the last annual meeting he mentioned an important opinion of Sir N. Tindal, now the Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, which extended that important privilege. By a liberal construction of the exemptive clause of the general Turnpike Act, it was held to embrace even methodist ministers visiting periodically themselves places in their circuits according to the weekly arrangement, as well as Dissenters who attended regularly their usual and accustomed places. The cases. besides five before under discussion, were Barnard Castle, Durham, Coventry, Kingston, and the Rev. James Dunbar, a methodist, at Salisbury. He referred with pleasure to Barnard Castle, Mr. Prattman, the minister, applied to the Archdeacon and other magistrates, for relief from toll. He apprised them of the advice received from the Committee, and the opinion obtained from them. They stated, that if a copy of that opinion was transmitted, and the case was fairly stated, the opinion should be received as law, and regulate their conduct. The opinion was sent, the magistrates were satisfied, and a letter from Mr. Prattman, acknowledged the attention of the Committee, and expressed the gratification of the Archdeacon and magistrates at the conduct they pursued. Among the other cases, seven were for pecuniary demands. They related to church-rates, and to various claims connected with the church. One of them was from Palsgrave, near Scarborough, as a rate for stoves in the new church. One from Thrapstone, as to the right of the churchwardens to pay the organist out of a church-rate, the organ having been built by subscription, and his salary hitherto paid out of a voluntary fund. One from Sedburgh, Yorkshire, as to a demand annually by a parish clerk.

There were applications also from Yarmouth, and from Gorleston, Suffolk, where the clergyman of the parish improperly demanded fees for the burial of corpses not interred in his church-yard, but in burial grounds belonging to the Dissenting congregations of the place. An application was also made from Bodi

cott, Oxfordshire, where the clergyman had illegally demanded from a respectable Dissenting minister a fee for the grave of his wife, and cruelly converted the register of burials to a libellous record and offence. From Carlton, Bedfordshire, there was a case of a demand of four-pence per annum by the parishclerk for sweeping the church, and from that and several places as to the tolling of the bells. He trusted all present had been well taught, that it was not so much the amount of contributions, as the principle connected with them, that should induce acquiescence or resistance to their demands. They knew too, that if a right, a courtesy even was withheld, though intrinsically worthless, that right and courtesy might acquire worth and weight from popular opinion and circumstance. So that wisdom and duty might make the enlightened cling tenaciously to seeming trifles, and struggle earnestly for things they would also ridicule or scorn. It was not the amount of taxes demanded from America that excited throughout that vast region the energy to which they owed their independence and their greatness. Nor was it the amount of contributions demanded from our own immortal Hampden that aroused him to a resistance to which we owe our greatness and our glory. The payment required of him, with an ample fortune, was insignificant indeed. But he rightly held, that to receive a mite unconstitutionally imposed, was robbery and wrong; and resolved rather to raise a country into arms, and struggle to the death, than yield to tyranny a feather or a fragment which tyranny had no right to ask, and by such yielding abandon rights for which Britons should love to live and be prepared to die. The question respecting the new churches was undoubtedly important, particularly when they recollected all the circumstances under which those new churches had been reared, and the liberality of the Dissenters, acknow ledged and avowed by Lord Bexley, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in not op posing the grant of fifteen hundred thousand pounds of the public money on that account. Well, under all these circumstances, might Dissenters feel some jealousy and discontent when, in some large parishes, to swell the patronage of the incumbent, several and costly churches rose like exhalations, and new and enormous rates were immediately imposed; and when, even in smaller places,expenses quite uncalled for were incurred for organs, and stoves, and ornaments. those cases, the reply given by the Com mittee was, that churchwardens had no

In