Statistics of Dissent in England and Wales, from Dissenting Authorities; proving the inefficiency of the Voluntary Principle to meet the spiritual wants of the Nation. London: Painter. 24mo. pp. 156. incumbent on him when thus solicited to comply. The lectures were delivered in Glasgow, on successive evenings in May, to an exclusively male audience, admitted by tickets; the Lord Provost of Glasgow, and two other gentlemen of the highest respectability, presiding. They were subsequently delivered at Edinburgh, ander the same regulations, in compliance with a request from the committee of the "Edinburgh Society for the Protection of Young Females" They treat of the nature, varieties, and extent of the evil; the effects arising from it; the evidence and degree of its guilt or moral turpitude; the causes which contribute to its prevalence; the means of prevention, mitigation, and removal. The lecturer had taken great pains to make himself master of the subject in all its parts and bearings, and he has treated it throughout with sound judgment and exquisite delicacy. There is much in the volume which demands the attention of the heads of families, and nothing that necessary to withhold from the perusal of young persons who are approximating towards maturity. It would be advantageous, we think, if the second lecture were re-published separately for general circulation. it is Baptist Mission in Jamaica. A Review of the Rev. W. G. Barrett's Pamphlet, entitled A Reply to the Circular of the Baptist Missionary Committee. By SAMUEL GREEN, Walworth. London: 8vo. pp. 32. Price 6d. Nothing can be more deceptive or unfair than the argumentation in this volume. If it were shown that voluntary exertions would not supply the spiritual wants of the community, this would only prove that there is not sufficient religious zeal in the land, not that where religious zeal is absent the spiritual wants of the people can possibly be supplied in any other way. But how is it attempted to show that the voluntary principle is inadequate? By showing that while discountenanced by the most influential party, repressed by existing institutions founded on a different principle, and impoverished by the impositions laid on its adherents, it does not yield what is sufficient: the very people who have taken from our pockets by compulsion a part of their contents, complaining that what we give afterwards voluntarily out of the residue would not of itself have been enough! But the manner in which these Statistics of Dissent are gathered is absolutely ludicrous. The ostensible object being to ascertain the practical result of the voluntary principle in providing for the spiritual wants of the nation, the exertions of the Wesleyan Methodists are thrown out of the calculation, "since they are not dissenters in the common acceptation of that term, either in principles, As it is said that the minds of some persons doctrines, or discipline." The baptists are how- in this country have been affected by Mr. Barever acknowledged to be dissenters, yet their rett's allegations, it is right to announce the apstatistics are not comprised in the Statistics of pearance of this answer. The author states Dissent. Why? "We do not profess to give that the facts it contains are authenticated by the statistics of those baptists who have not Messrs. Phillippo, Tinson, and Merrick, and at joined the Congregational Union, because the the close of the pamphlet, taking a retrospect of Congregational Magazine has not given them, what he has written, says, "If by any thing I and we have adopted its official statistics as the have said Mr. Barrett feels himself rebuked, I basis of our calculations." So, first assuming have written more in sorrow than in anger. It conveniently that the voluntary principle can will be seen that he merely repeats often reitedo no more than under existing circumstances rated charges, adducing no details which can it does; then assuming that it does no more be examined; that in cases where he alleges than is done by dissenters; and then assuming what he calls fact, the evidence is against him; that the whole of the dissenters do no more that he writes under the influence of party and than is done by one body among them, the con- denominational prejudice, not to say irritation; gregationalists; the author arrives with de- and that, as he looks with a jaundiced eye, the lightful case at the wished for goal, and cele- matters concerning which he testifies may be brates his triumph thus: "We maintain that any thing rather than what he represents them." no voluntary sects and unauthorized societies For ourselves, we feel an almost invincible reof private individuals, unconnected with the pugnance to write a single sentence in reference government of the country, either can or will to this discussion. We have the fullest confisupply the means for this instruction. And dence in the integrity of our brethren, the pas we have shown, by the Statistics of Dissenters tors of the baptist churches in Jamaica, and in themselves, that the voluntary principle in this the prevalence of piety in their flocks; and if country is wholly inadequate to that supply." circumstances should compel us, contrary to our earnest desire, to take up the controversy which the pædobaptist missionaries have originated, it must be at great length and very seriously. Lectures on Female Prostitution; its Nature, Extent, Fffects, Guilt, Causes, and Remedy. By RALPH WARDLAW, D.D. Delivered and published by special request. Glasgow: 8vo. pp. 163. Price 4s. 6d. It was in consequence of a requisition signed by about eleven hundred of his fellow citizens, among whom were thirty-eight ministers of different denominations, that Dr. Wardlaw delivered these lectures. It was, as may be supposed, very unwillingly that he entered on the public discussion of such a theme; but he felt it to be topics for diversified and interesting conversation. As usual, the engravings are the basis of the volume before us, to which the pieces in prose and verse are but appendages. In furnishing an exhibition of this kind, Messrs. Fisher and Co. have an advantage over many other publishers, the numerous embellished works which they have issued having given them the proprietorship of a vast number of fine plates, from which they can present the purchaser with a selection on comparatively low terms. are thirty-six quarto engravings, comprising portraits of the late Duke of Orleans, his widow, the late Earl of Munster, Lord Lyndhurst, and Mrs. Elizabeth Fry; scenes in Greece, in Turkey, in Scotland, in Italy, and on the Rhine; with fancy pieces of different descriptions. The editor has spared no labour and the publishers no expense to render the production perfect in its kind. Here The Juvenile Scrap Book. By MRS. ELLIS, Though smaller and cheaper, this volume is got up in the same style of elegance as that to which we have just referred. Nothing can be finer than "The Shepherd Boy in the Valley of Humiliation;" and Louis Philippe seeking in vain for admittance at the Hospitium, Mount St. Gothard, and again Louis Philippe teaching Geography at the College of Reichenau, are admirable as works of art, and impressive lessons in human affairs. The plates are sixteen, and the letter-press accompaniments carefully written and instructive. Sermons, chiefly designed for Family Reading and Village Worship. By J. BURNS, Minister of Enon Chapel, St. Marylebone; Author of "Four Hundred Sketches and Skeletons of Sermons ;""The Christian's Daily Portion;""The Youthful Christian;" &c., &c., &c. London: 12mo. pp. 358. Price 4s. 6d. It has evidently been the aim of the respected author to exclude from these discourses all doctrinal peculiarities which might render them unacceptable to evangelical Christians of any denomination. In this, he has been as successful, perhaps, as the nature of the case would admit; but-if we may allude to Mr. Newton's well-known remark respecting the manner in which he wished to find Calvinism in a sermon -persons who like sugar in their tea will miss it if it be absent, even though no unpleasant flavour be superadded. Eminent Piety in its relation to the prosperity of Christian Churches. A Letter to the Churches of Christ of all Denominations. London: Ward and Co. Pp. 16. Kent Baptist Association for 1839; written by Originally, the Circular Letter of the East the Rev. D. Pledge, then of Margate, and now re-published for general usefulness. Suggestions respecting Class Meetings. Second Thousand. Houlston and Stoneman. 8vo. Pp. 2. The design of this tract, which is the production of an experienced pastor of one of our churches in the north of England, to recommend the adoption of what is called in Jamaica "the leader and ticket system." RECENT PUBLICATIONS Approved. Letters on the Slave Trade, Slavery, and Emancipation with a Reply to Objections made to the Liberation of the Slaves in the Spanish Colonies; addressed to Friends on the Continent of Europe during a Visit to Spain and Portugal. By G. W. ALEXANDER. London: 12mo. pp. 176. Price 28. 6d. added, an Account of the newly-erected Villages by the Peasantry there, and their beneficial results; and of the consequences of re-opening a new Slave Trade, as it relates to Africa, and the honour of the British Government in breaking her Treaties with Foreign Powers: in a Letter addressed to a Member of Parliament, appointed to sit on the West India Committee with several important Additions. By THOMAS CLARKSON. Second Edition. London: 8vo. pp. 20. Price 6d. Not a Labourer wanted for Jamaica: to which is The God of the Bible and of Nature. By C. HODDINOTT, Author of "The Book of Creation Unfolded," &c., &c. London: Houlston & Co. 18mo. pp. 76. Scripture Illustrated by Engravings, designed from Existing Authorities. Part III. Containing the following subjects: Hagar and Ishmael in the Desert. Miriam rejoicing over the Destruction of the Foes of Israel. David and Goliath. Jeremiah mourning the Death of Josiah. London: (Tract Society) Price 18. Ministerial Faithfulness. By C. P. M'ILVAINE, D.D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Ohio, America. London: (Tract Society) 48mo. pp. 62. The Fish. London: (Tract Society) Square 16mó. Price 4d. The Animalcule. London: (Tract Society) 16mo. square, pp. 32. Price 3d. The Coral Maker. London: (Tract Society) 16mo. square, pp. 32. Price 4d. The Young Backslider, or the Blighted Flower, by Mrs. CAMERON, Author of "The Two Lambs," &c., &c. London: 32mo. pp. 48. The Eclectic Review. October, 1842. London: Ward & Co. INTELLIGENCE. DENMARK. LETTER FROM THE REV. P. C. MÖNSTER. The following letter has been kindly forwarded to us by Mr. Rothery, who received it from the devoted writer a few days ago. Copenhagen, October 4, 1842. MY DEAR BROTHER,-Considering the cordial and self-sacrificing interest which you hitherto have shown in the good and evil fortune of your Danish brethren, I am convinced that the continued recital of the Lord's guiding of his people in this country will not weary you. And believing that the communication of our joys and sorrows may afford you, as well as many others of our English brethren, spiritual enjoyment, and even support, consolation, and encouragement, take the liberty of exhibiting to you a concise survey of what has happened since my last report. After my property, as well as that of my brother Adolph and friend Ryding, had been sold to pay the fines and costs in which we had been amerced, we were unconditionally liberated from prison; where my brother had lain on a bed of sickness, and which kept him confined to his couch for more than a month after our discharge. I myself did immediately enter on the duties of my mission, though somewhat suffering from a pulmonary complaint arising from the damp prison air; not, however, in the same degree as my brother, who has also had some heart-grief from his wife's decease and his child's illness. I began to arrange the concerns of our church, which had become disorganized during our long imprisonment. I undertook a journey to Hamburgh, and consulted our experienced brother Oncken, who is indefatigable in assisting us both with act and advice and subsequently I made a missionary tour to Langeland and the western part of Sealand, on purpose to visit the churches there; and, through God's grace have seen much spiritual fruit from this journey, although the vigilant police always was at my heels, and spied out my undertakings. As soon as my brother recovered from his illness, he set out for Aalborg, in order to establish the church there, and exert himself for the mission in Jutland, where we have great hope of the victory of light and truth over the prince of darkness and falsehood. He has had much spiritual joy from this journey, the fruits of which will not be wanting. Although unprovided with, and having no immediate prospect of receiving that pecu niary aid which we so greatly needed (being, by a second imprisonment and fines, quite ruined), we were not put to the blush in our hope; inasmuch as the Lord, through our brethren in England and the United States, sent us assistance which was not inconsiderable; by which our immediate wants were supplied, two brothers liberated from the disgraceful punishment of imprisonment, &ly and the expenses of our journeys defrayed. Thus we have many proofs of the faithfulness of our God and Saviour; though we sometimes may be weak enough to doubt, because we do not always understand the mysterious ways of the Lord. We are, through that considerable aid which from time to time has been sent to us from England and America, in part relieved from that bodily want and necessity which accompany such a persecution; and we have that confidence in God that he furthermore, as long as it is required for the propagation and establishment of his kingdom, will open sympathizing hearts towards us, that the trial may not be more severe than that we may be enabled to sustain it unto final victory. In spite of all obstacles by which it has been attempted to prevent our increase, the Lord has, from eleven, the number of the congregation first established three years ago, augmented our flock to more than two hundred regenerated souls; who, in the ardour of first love, praise the Saviour for their liberation from Egyptian thraldom. But still we have a severe conflict remaining. Still the magistrates,―slavishly yoked to an obsolete law against anabaptists, which is pretended to apply to baptists,-continue to imprison, prosecute, condemn, and distrain to the last rag. Thus cows, sheep, and furniture, have been seized and sold from the pastor of the congregation in Western Sealand, because he holds devotional meetings; and, besides, a separate action has been brought against him for administering the Lord's supper. The sentence will, in temporal respects, completely ruin him. In Langeland, an action has now for the fifth time been brought against the pastor, and he is sentenced to pay a considerable fine. Several brethren of the different churches are still under prosecution, and must atone for the fines to which they are subjected, by disgraceful imprisonment and living on bread and water. I should myself, for the sake of the example, willingly have in this manner atoned for the fines which I was sentenced to pay; but our laws do not allow to any body who is in the rank of a citizen this mode of atoning for fines; when, how ever, there is nothing more to be seized from them, such persons are, by a protracted simple arrest (in which two pence a day and one pound of bread is allowed them for their sustenance), made to atone for their fines. The bodily distress in our churches is very great, as they consist mostly of poor people, and the few who had some property have sacrificed it for the common good. We are, however, sure of victory if we only endure and remain faithful unto the end. And if religious liberty can be obtained in Denmark, at so easy a purchase as the sacrifice of a little bodily liberty, health, and temporal goods, it is to be counted as nothing when compared with what it has cost our relations in England; who, two hundred years ago, through the Lord's power, were victorious in the conflict which we have commenced, relying on the same Lord who gave the victory to them, whose power also is perfected in our infirmity. Two Professors, Messrs. Conant and Hackett, sent by the baptists of North America, were here lately, on purpose (like our dear English brethren last year) to obtain from the state a recognition of the baptists. They had no interview with our king, he being absent on a journey; but they applied to the supreme men in power, who received them friendly, and showed them much esteem and kindness. But at the same time how little their intercession was regarded appeared in this, that the next Sunday after their departure, the police made its appearance in our assembly, and in the middle of our devotional exercises, in a rather insolent manner, dispersed us, to the great amusement of the mob gathered in the street. Still, I am persuaded that this intercession, as well as that of the English, will not be without prospective advantage and blessing to us, since these have, in part, been the cause of that kindness and esteem which the king, the queen, and all the higher secular authorities show towards us; and we are likewise protected by all respectable journalists, and particularly our friend Mr. Reff, the interpreter, continues indefatigable, as well in conversation as through the press, in exerting himself in our behalf, and also for general religious liberty in Denmark. An apologetical work of considerable merit is in progress of publication, by a highly respected person named Erichsen, a graduate of divinity, chiefly directed against an attack on the baptists by one Bishop Faber. I promise myself, under the blessing of God, much from this work, of which the respected author has communicated a part to me in manuscript, and allowed me to make some illustrative remarks upon it. The only visible obstacle at present for the complete victory of baptist principles in Denmark, is the total lack of pecuniary means; for even should our sove reign Monarch,-as I hope soon, partly compelled by circumstances, and partly from love to the baptists, he will,-grant to them freedom of worship, we will not, from the abovementioned cause, be able to avail ourselves of such a liberty, with any tolerably decent degree of Christian dignity, compared with the other tolerated sects. We are, for example, not able to procure a plain, decent accommodation for our public meetings, which are now frequently visited by several hundreds of people, for whom there is no room, and who must go away again, without having heard any thing. Only in the hope and in the confidence that he who has said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you," is a God of truth and mighty enough to fulfil his promises, we continue the conflict which we have commenced in his holy name. The blood-sprinkled banner of Christ, whose inscription is, "Here is Emmanuel," leads us to eternal victory. Well assured that you, and very many of our dear English friends, remember us, their weak, suffering brethren, in their fervent prayers to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is also their Father and ours, I am, with a grateful greeting of a brother, from our congregation, Your in Christ obliged brother, NEW CHAPELS. PLUMSTEAD COMMON, NEAR WOOLWICH. The laying of the first stone of this chapel was recorded in the Baptist Magazine for July. It was opened for divine worship on the 22nd of September; when services were conducted by the Rev. J. Bickerdike of Kentish Town, the Rev. J. K. Foster of Sittingbourne, the Rev. C. Lee of Reading, the Rev. J. Wood of Walworth, the Rev. Messrs. Woodland and Box of Woolwich, and the Rev. H. Rees, late of Broadway, Worcestershire. CHESTERTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. A new chapel was opened, Sept. 25, at Chesterton, in connexion with the baptist congregation, St. Andrew's Street, Cambridge; on which occasion sermons were preached by Rev. T. C. Edmonds, Rev. H. Battiscombe, and Rev. Robert Roff of Cambridge. SAWBRIDGEWORTH, HERTS. The baptist chapel at Sawbridgeworth, an account of the history of which was given in our last number, was re-opened Oct. 18. Sermons were delivered on the occasion by Messrs. Bowes of Blandford Street, Overbury of Eagle Street, and G. B. Drayton, who has recently undertaken the pastorate. ORDINATIONS. CHAPMANSLADE. We are requested to state that the Rev. J. Laurence, late of Eastcoombs, Gloucestershire, accepted a unanimous invitation to the pastoral office over the baptist church at Chapmanslade, near Frome, at the close of last year. The request was not forwarded till within these few days. COLNE, LANCASHIRE. The ordination of Mr. E. Jones to the pastoral office over the baptist church at Colne, Lancashire, took place on Wednesday, August 10; when the Rev. W. Fawcett of Barnoldswick stated the nature of a gospel church; Rev. J. Harbottle, classical tutor of Accrington Academy, asked the usual questions; Rev. J. Lister of Liverpool, Mr. Jones's pastor, offered up the ordination prayer and delivered the charge; Rev. T. Dawson of Bacup concluded with prayer. In the evening, Rev. J. Aspinald of Colne, independent, commenced the services, and the Rev. P. Scott of Shipley addressed the people. A holy unction pervaded the several services, which were solemn and affecting. ELIM CHAPEL, FETTER LANE. The Rev. Owen Clarke, having been invited to take the pastoral oversight of the church meeting in this place, entered on his public labours on Lord's day, Sept. 11. It is gratifying to learn that although the church and congregation were reduced to the lowest state, the prospects are now of a very encouraging description. NORWICH. On Friday, October 7, the Rev. Charles New was publicly recognized as pastor of the church assembling at Orford Hill, in this city. In the morning, after prayer by the Rev. Jas. Puntis of St. Clement's, the Rev. Jas. Venimore of Ingham delivered an address on the principles of dissent; one of the deacons then stated the circumstances connected with Mr. New's unanimous call to the pastoral office over this church; the pastor gave a brief view of his own faith and experience; the Rev. John Alexander, independent, prayed; the Rev. Isaac New of Salisbury, brother of Mr. Chas. New, preached on the reciprocal duties of pastor and people; and the morning services were closed with prayer by the Rev. Andrew Reed, B.A., independent. The hymns were given out by the Rev. Alfred Powell of Salhouse. About sixty persons dined in the schoolroom adjoining to the chapel; and after dinner brief and appropriate addresses were delivered by many ministers present connected with baptist, general baptist, and independent churches in the city and county. The evening services were commenced with prayer by the Rev. S. B. Gooch of Fakenham; the Rev. Wm. Brock preached, from John vi. 54, 55; the pastor briefly addressed the church and congregation on the engagements of the day, and concluded with prayer. This church, which was only formed about ten years ago, by its late pastor, the Rev. John Green, now of Leicester,-has excited special attention on account of its place of worship being situated in an opposite part of the city from that in which the other baptist and independent congregations meet, and it has been remarked to us as a feature peculiarly distinguishing these services, and worthy to be recorded at the present time, that nothing could exceed the zealous and hearty good will with which baptists, general baptists, and independents, co-operated in the proceedings of the day. RECENT DEATHS. MRS. ARTHUR. She Mrs. Benjamin Arthur, of Wood Street, Bath, was of a very amiable temper, and had been unblamable in her moral conduct from her infancy, but she attributed her conversion to the perusal of the obituary of Miss Sarah Titley of Bradford, Yorkshire, one of her earliest associates and school-fellows. was baptized by her step-father, the Rev. John Jackson of Taunton, at Hebdenbridge, in 1829, and she continued a member of the church in that place till the removal of her family to Bath in 1833. She was married to Mr. Benj. Arthur in 1835; and there are few who have enjoyed more unmixed satisfaction in the conjugal state than they. Their happiness, however, was of brief duration, for on the 21st of July last, after a severe illness of only five days' continuance, her affectionate husband and attached friends were deprived of her society by the stroke of death. Her life was an edifying exemplification of the power of evangelical piety to give habitual serenity and cheerfulness to the temper, and to confirm and enhance every amiable endowment of nature or education; and she has therefore left a fragrant remembrance as the inheritance of her four orphan children, and as the solace of her bereaved husband and See Baptist Mag. for Feb. 1818. |