of our operations to Western Africa, and among the islands of the West Indies; that there is a revived and extraordinary activity of antagonist principles and agencies; and that the aspect of divine providence obviously portends the downfall of every pagan and antichristian

power, and the universal diffusion of the gospel. We refrain from giving extracts, because the discourses themselves are already in the possession of many of our readers, and will soon, we trust, be in the hands of very many more.

A Review of the Bishop of London's "Three Sermons on The Church.'" By JOHN HowARD HINTON, M.A. London: 8vo. pp. 62. Price 1s. 6d.

The Bishop of London delivered three sermons in the parish church of St. James, Westminster, during Lent, taking for the text of the first, Acts ii. 47, "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." From these words he deduced the doctrine that "those who are to be saved must be added to the church; and that therefore the church is the appointed medium, or instrumental means, in and through which individual sinners must appropriate to themselves the pardon which Christ has purchased for all; first being admitted by baptism into the church, and so acquiring a title to its privileges, and grace to use them; and afterwards being nourished with the food of sound doctrine, and of the sacrament of the body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who was given, as our church declares, not only to die for us, but also to be our spiritual food and sustenance in that holy sacrament." He taught also that this church "consists of all those who, having been admitted into it by baptism, hold the faith as it is in Jesus, and who use, or do not obstinately refuse, their spiritual privileges; and that all local churches, which can trace their apostolical descent, and teach the pure word, and duly administer the ordinances of Christ, are branches, more or less flourishing, more or less profitable, of the one holy universal church." On these statements, and others of a kindred character, Mr. Hinton comments; showing that no such society exists on earth as that which the bishop denominates the church; that whatever society so called may exist on earth or elsewhere, he entirely mistakes the design and effect of it; that no scope exists for the communication of such benefits as he affirms to result from connexion with it; that the view he necessarily takes of the way of salvation is subversive of the gospel of Christ; and that his doctrine infers a condition of many holy men, and of the vast majority of dying babes, utterly incredible and impossible.-Episcopal ingenuity has in all ages been great, and Dr. Blomfield was a clever man before he wore a mitre; yet we doubt whether he will be able to produce an answer to his present assailant, which will be satisfactory to others, or even to himself.

Biblical Cubinet; or, Hermeneutical, Exegetical, and Philological Library, Vol. XXXVII, Philological Tracts, Vol. III. Edinburgh: pp. 373. Price 6s.

The first treatise in this volume is on "The Sinless Character of Jesus." It is a translation by Professor Park, of the Theological Seminary, Andover, from the German of Dr. C. Ullmann, of the University of Heidelberg, one of the editors of the Studien und Kritiken, and said also to be a particular friend of both Tholuck and Gesenius. The second is on the doctrine of "The Resurrection of the Dead," a Commentary on the fifteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians, by Dr. L. J. Rückert, editor of a Magazine for the Exegesis and Theology of the New Testament. His principles of interpretation he states in these terms: "Employ all the proper means in your power to ascertain the true sense of the writer; give him nothing of thine; take from him nothing that is his. Never inquire what he ought to say; never be afraid of what he does say. It is your business to learn, not to teach. From this principle I cannot depart in the least, although it is unpopular, and I well know what it will cost me, and what personal sacrifices I have been obliged already to make." Another essay on the same subject, by J. P. Lange of Duisburg, follows. The concluding article, which occupies 170 pages, is "Exegetical Essays on several Words relating to Future Punishment, by Moses Stuart, Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover; with a Recommendatory Preface by Samuel Davidson, LL. D." Of this the author says, "As my object is discussion on original and fundamental grounds, which have respect to the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, so it must follow that my book can be read intelligibly throughout, only by such as have some knowledge of these languages. Yet I have endeavoured so to write, that intelligent readers, unacquainted with Hebrew and Greek, may get at the scope of my arguments; and I would fain hope that in this I have succeeded."

Infant Sprinkling, falsely called Baptism, explained in its nature and basis; chiefly in its evil workings. A Sermon, by MICAH THOMAS, Abergavenny. London: Dyer. 12mo, pp. 34.

Mr. Thomas maintains, in this discourse, that "infant sprinkling, based on false premises, and deduced from erroneous conclusions, operates in the way of gross superstition ;"—that it "extensively and successfully operates in the way of soul deception, and therefore of soul destruction ;"-that it "unites the church and the world, and forms the groundwork and basis of national religious establishments;" - and that it has a "pernicious aspect on religious freedom and the rights of conscience." In illustration of the last position, he refers to "the temper, decisions, and conduct, which infant sprinkling committees, societies, and even missionaries, professing liberal sentiments, and unconnected with state interests, motives, and functions,-yes, generally avowing the principles of dissent, are nevertheless disposed to entertain and pursue in reference to the baptist denomination, in both their great work of biblical translation in the cast, and of negro conversion in the west."

The First Annual Report of the Baptist Tract Society, instituted 1841. London: G. and J. Dyer. 12mo, pp. 12.

We have not seen any of the publications of this society; but if we had, it is probable that we should not have pronounced any opinion respecting their merits, the design of its managers being to sustain one side of a controversy on which we wish our pages to be uniformly and completely neutral. The rules adopted at the first annual meeting, in April last, state that the object of the society is "to disseminate the truths of the gospel by means of small treatises or tracts, in accordance with our views as Calvinistic and Strict Communion Baptists;" that the members of the committee shall be subscribers to the society, and of good standing in baptized churches, "themselves holding and practising the views which this society is formed to promote;" and that in all questions affecting the constitution of the society, "those subscribers only be eligible to vote, who are members of a baptized church, and favourable to its avowed object."

Proceedings of the Baptist Juvenile Missionary

Meeting, New Park Street, London, July 26, 1842. London: Fen Court. 12mo, pp. 19.

At this meeting the Treasurer of the Society presided, and his address and others delivered on the occasion are published, for circulation among young people in our congregations and Sunday-schools. The tract is supplied at ninepence per dozen.

The House at Kettering in which the Baptist Missionary Society was formed, on the 2nd of October, 1792. Price 1s. 6d.

A wood-cut, representing this house, was placed in the hands of our readers on the 1st of January. This is an engraving on stone, in the tinted style, very well executed, and altogether attractive in its appearance. The size of the picture is thirteen inches by nine, and it is surrounded with an ample margin. It is sold at Fen Court, for the benefit of the Jubilee Fund.

The Jubilee Meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society, held at Kettering on Wednesday, June 1st, 1842. From a Drawing taken on the spot, by the Rev. A. G. FULLER. Price 1s. 6d.

A correct general idea of the animated scene at Kettering, on the evening of the first of June, may be formed from this engraving, which corresponds in size and style of execution with the preceding. The spectator sees the interior of the spacious tent and its rural decorations, with the vast multitude beneath it, Mr. Knibb speaking, the chairman listening, and a large number of ladies and gentlemen sitting or standing around, among whom persons of a lively imagi nation can discover their own particular friends, and favourite speakers. It is an interesting picture, and does great credit to the artists whose combined skill has produced it.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

INJUSTICE was done to this colony, unintentionally, in a review of several publications relating to New Zealand, which appeared in our number for July. In that article the following sentence occurs :-" It is said to be quite free from those oppressive, feverish heats, which prevail in the middle of the day at Sydney, from those pestilential winds which are the terror of the inhabitants of New South Wales, and from the long droughts which frequently ruin the hopes of the South Australian farmer." The insertion of the

word "South" was a mistake. The reviewer

wrote, or meant to write, simply " Australian farmer." Some parts of Australia have suffered severely, we believe, from droughts, but not South Australia. Mr. McLaren, who resided there nearly four years, has not only obliged us with his testimony on this point, but also furnished us with much valuable information respecting the fertility and general prosperity of this inviting region. To many of our readers the following statements will be interesting:

"The rapid progress of agriculture in South Australia appears from the following table, which has been compiled in that country chiefly from returns made by farmers.

(during which period I resided in the coloand the total quantity was 23.881 inches. ny), there were 109 days on which rain fell, During the year ending Oct. 31, 1841, there were 87 days on which rain fell, and the total quantity was 19:375 inches. And during the whole of these two years there was not one

calendar month without rain.

I

"The town of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has been particularly mentioned as very ill supplied with water. have no hesitation in saying, this is not true. There is at all seasons of the year a full supply of good, wholesome, fresh water, got partly from the river Torrens, which runs which have been dug in all parts of the town, through the town, and partly from wells, and in which water has been got at depths varying from 30 to 70 feet.

"Closely allied to this subject is that of the heat of the climate. It is satisfactory to know, that on this subject also, minute, accurate statistics have been published. The day, for three or four years, has been regustate of the thermometer, at three times a larly noted and published, and the following is the result:

"During the year ending Oct. 31, 1840, the mean heat was 620 at 8 o'clock, A.M.; 72° extreme; 63° at 8 P.M. The extreme heat was 106°, which occurred only on two days. The number of days on which the thermometer rose above 100° was six days; above 90°, thirty-three days; above 80°, eighty-five days. The lowest point to which it fell was 45°; that is all, in the shade, in Mr. Wyatt's house. During the year ending Oct. 31, 1841, the results were very similar. The mean heat, 64° at 8 o'clock, A.M.; the extreme heat, 73°; 63° at 8 o'clock, P.M. The number of days above 100° was five; above 90°, forty; and above 80°, one hundred and seven. Whatever may be the climate of New Zealand, or of any other country, I am persuaded all who have resided twelve months in South Australia will concur in representing it as one of the finest in the world, not only not injurious, but restorative, particularly in cases of consumption, asthma, &c.

"I am aware that the religious statistics of the country are more appropriate to your pages than the preceding details; and of these, in general, a very satisfactory account can be given.

"The town of Adelaide has enjoyed, almost from the time of its being founded, an ample supply of religious privileges. The population amounts to from 8000 to 9000

inhabitants; there are two episcopalian congregations, two presbyterian, one congregationalist, one large Wesleyan methodist congregation, and several small ones belonging to that body, one or two baptist congregations, one of primitive methodists, one of Bible Christians, a Friends' meeting, a Roman Catholic congregation, and one congregation of German Lutherans in the immediate vicinity of the town, and another in the country about twenty miles distant.

"Public worship is maintained in several villages, and at Port Adelaide; also occasionally on board of ships in the harbour, and at out-stations in the country."

66

Along with the first governor, Captain Hindmarsh, R.N., there arrived in the colony, in the month of December, 1836, the Rev. C. B. Howard, colonial chaplain, who has since continued to officiate as clergyman of Trinity Church. He is much respected in the colony, and his ministrations have been very generally acceptable. There is accommodation in the church for 500 or 600 persons, and it is very well attended. The late Governor Gawler, his lady, and family, were very exemplary in their attendance; and Mrs. and Miss Gawler, with George Hall, Esq., private secretary, regularly engaged, every Lord's day, in conducting the exercises in the Sunday school connected with Trinity Church.

"The Rey. Mr. Farrell, another episcopalian minister, arrived in Adelaide in the latter end of 1840. St. John's Church was in the course of erection for him; and till it should be finished, worship was conducted in a temporary chapel. Both St. John's Church and that chapel are situated towards the east part of the town, while Trinity Church is towards the west. Mr. Farrell is deservedly much liked, and will secure a large congregation.

There was no clergyman in the colony belonging to the church of Scotland; but there were several very respectable colonists, who, having received information in April last, that a minister had been appointed by the general assembly of the church of Scotland, immediately took measures to provide for his welcome and comfortable reception.

A very worthy minister of the presbyterian communion, belonging to the united secession church, namely, the Rev. Ralph Drummond, arrived in the early part of 1839, and has continued to labour very assiduously and acceptably in holy things. The congregation attached to him are chiefly Scotch. They meet in a school room, and vary in numbers from 150 to 200 persons. A new place of worship has been begun, which when finished will contain from 400 to 500 sittings. Mr. Drummond was formerly secession minister at Crail, Fifeshire, and enjoys (as he deserves) the confidence and affection of all his brethren.

"There is a numerous congregationalist church in Adelaide, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Thomas Quinton Stow, who was ordained and sent out to South Australia by the Colonial Missionary Society. He arrived in South Australia in October, 1837, and has since officiated in town, and occasionally at Port Adelaide, and in some of the villages in the neighbourhood of Adelaide, with very great acceptance. A very handsome chapel was finished toward the end of the year 1840, which cost about £3,000, of which nearly £1000 was collected in the colony. It contains about 600 sittings, and is very well attended.

"The Wesleyan methodists are, it is believed, the most numerous body in the colony, and the most zealous. The minister is the Rev. Mr. Egglestone, who officiates chiefly in the chapel in Gawler-place, which is a handsome building, capable of accommodating about 550 persons, was erected at a cost of about £2000, and is very well attended.

"There are two smaller chapels of the same denomination in other parts of the town, and ten or twelve places in the neighbourhood where public worship is conducted, on Sundays or on week-days, either by Mr. Egglestone, or by some of the local preachers or exhorters, of whom there are not fewer than twenty.

"There is also a small congregation of the primitive or united methodists, who have a small chapel, capable of accommodating about a hundred persons.

"When I left, in June, 1841, there was a baptist church in Adelaide, consisting of about fifty or sixty members in communion, having a chapel containing about 150 sittings, which were wholly free. They had no pastor ordained over them, but had public wor ship observed regularly twice on Sunday in town, and frequently at Walkerville (a neighbouring village) and other places. Since then, I am sorry to say, the baptist church has divided, if not dissolved. My information is defective respecting it. I hope it will revive, and tend to the promotion of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

"In the various places of worship in town public worship is conducted, in general, twice each Sunday, in the morning and evening; and with the various churches numerous Sunday schools are connected.

"The pews, &c., in the churches and chapels are formed of cedar wood, and have a handsome appearance.

"The greatest harmony and good feeling have been maintained among the different religious denominations; and, perhaps, in no community of the same number as that in Adelaide, and withal placed in similar circumstances as to pecuniary ability, has so much money been contributed for religious purposes.

"The means of religious instruction are thus ample and varied; and the ministers of the various denominations are highly respectable for talents, assiduity, piety, and general character-so that comparatively little sacrifice is made, in regard to the enjoyment of religious privileges, by those who emigrate to South Australia, and who settle in Adelaide, and even in some of the remote districts in the country, opportunities are had of attending public worship.

"There are, also, several very respectable schools in Adelaide for both boys and girls; although it must be acknowledged that many of the colonists do not duly appreciate this advantage, and are culpably remiss in availing themselves of it."

The lands in South Australia are sold, not by the Company, but by commissioners, appointed by the crown. "The commissioners," says Mr. McLaren, "sold the waste lands of the colony at a uniform price, and employed, or at least were under obligation to employ, the whole of the purchase money as an emigration fund. The Company were large purchasers of land in the colony, and have secured some of the most valuable tracts, which they lease in small portions, at moderate rents, allowing the tenant to purchase the freehold at a price fixed in the lease. The titles of the land in South Australia are happily free from all uncertainty; they are granted by an officer appointed by the crown, styled the Colonial Commissioner, and the conveyance includes every thing above and below the surface, without reservation; of course all timber, mines, and minerals, become, in South Australia, the property of the original purchasers.

On the 17th and 18th of May, the Essex association, comprising thirteen churches, held its annual meeting at Saffron Walden. The Rev. J. Wilkinson presided. The circular letter, containing the history of the rise, progress, and present state of the association, prepared by Messrs. Pilkington and Wilkinson, was adopted. Sermons were delivered by the brethren T. D. Reynolds and Pilkington. The following resolutions, among others, were passed:

"That the subject of the next circular letter be, The advantage of Christianity to the world,' and that brother Reynolds be requested to prepare it. VOL. V.-FOURTH SERIES.

"That the members of this association regret

that the Baptist Magazine is but little read and they will endeavour to obtain for it a more extensive even known by the churches it comprehends; and circulation.

"That they deeply sympathize with their brethren the Jamaica missionaries under the trials with which they have been recently visited; and, while they express their unabated confidence in them, they hope that what has happened to them will be for the furtherance of the gospel.

"That they deeply lament the small amount of success which has attended the preaching of the gospel in the congregations to which they belong during the past year; and while they would humble themalso do what they can in the course of the ensuing selves before God on the account of it, they would year to excite in the respective churches which they represent, special, united, and persevering prayer, for the revival of religion and the conversion of souls.

"That the brethren Pilkington and Reynolds be appointed a deputation to represent this association at the next annual meetings of the Baptist Union. "That the next annual meeting of the association be held at Earls-Colne, on the third Tuesday and Wednesday in May, 1843, and that the brethren Hirons and Wilkinson be appointed to preach; in case of failure, the brethren Tubbs and Beddow."

The following report was given of numerical changes:

This association comprises twenty churches in Kent and eight in Sussex. Its meeting was held, June 7 and 8, at Meopham. ther Kewell was chosen moderator, and brother Dobney, secretary. Sermons were delivered by brethren Watts and Gates. The circular letter consists of extracts from the letters of the churches. The following resolutions were passed :

"That the secretary, in the name of the association, acknowledge the letter from our brethren of the East Kent Association, and assure them of our affectionate regard; forwarding our circular letter when printed.

"That the cordial thanks of this association be presented to the Rev. J. P. Saffery, for his valuable services as secretary; and that the brethren assembled earnestly and affectionately desire that the

abundant blessing of the Most High may continually rest upon him, in the important engagements which he has now undertaken.

"That observing the strenuous efforts now made by many members of the state church, the brethren deep and painful conviction, that the union subsistassembled cannot separate without recording their ing between one section of the professing church and the state is unscriptural in its character, and contrary to the genius and spirit of Christianity; that it is most fatal in its tendency, being calculated to destroy the very existence of the church by annihilating the distinction between it and the world:3 м