our fathers. There is, therefore, not the same manifestation of these essential elements as formerly; but should the times change we should soon have evidence of their existence; the lion's strength is not destroyed when he sleeps. Still we may see the exhibition of the same thing, to some extent, in the jealous care with which our church independency is defended, and in the immediate and severe rebuke occasioned by the slightest indication of ecclesiastical tyranny. required to contend for the truth as did, faith and practice, and strict individualism. As Christians, in common with others, we labour to establish true religion in all the world; but as baptists we labour to make each man think and investigate for himself, to call no man master, and to maintain an uncompromising war against all ecclesiastical tyranny. This is our mission as baptists; wherever baptist sentiments have prevailed, these have been the fruits; in every age of the church the baptists have contended for these principles, in a firm and unshaken faith. Every distinguishing doctrine and usage of the denomination can be traced to these characteristic principles. A baptist, then, is one who thinks and investigates for himself, calls no man master, rigidly contends for the fullest liberty of conscience, and stands alone, responsible only to his God, in all that makes the man and the Christian; while his union with his brethren is merely that of love to Christ, which is experienced and cherished in common. There may be those in other communions in whom these elements are found, and many among baptists in whom they are not; but we have reference to that which distinguishes us as a denomination. It will require no very deep penetration to discern that in giving this brief outline we have drawn out the prominent characteristics of individualism. Embody individualism or make it incarnate, and it is evident from its nature that it would think and act for itself, maintain the right of private judgment, and submit to the rule of no being but God himself. In view of these thoughts it will not be difficult to point out the mission of the baptist churches. What was the great design in their organization? And have they thus far fulfilled their destiny? These questions merit an extended examination. If this sect has accomplished anything it has been by establishing and defending the fullest liberty of conscience, the truth that the bible and the bible only is the rule of Are these principles soon to be practically acknowledged by the world? We discover no evidence of the speedy conversion of the world to these views; but the great battle has not yet been fought. In what age of the church has tradition had more authority than at this day? When have the masses been more disposed to receive their views of doctrine from their leaders, without gainsaying? When has individualism in religious faith been more strenuously opposed? Truly the baptist denomination has much to do before its mission shall be closed. It will not be closed but with time. In consequence of the firmness with which we have ever contended for our conscientious views, the calumny has been bruited abroad that, as a sect, we are very narrow in our principles, and that our foundation lacks the "comprehension" that is demanded by the times. But do we not hold to all the fundamental principles of the gospel, in common with other evangelical sects? Are we not inflamed by the same love to Christ? Is there anything in our love of individualism and liberty of conscience, in our hatred of ecclesiastical tyranny and tradition, or in our unflinching adherence to the "law and the testimony," to contract the heart or to hinder the full expression of liberal and generous souls? Is not the very reverse true? Are we not labouring to separate man from the mass, to beget within him self-confidence and selfreliance, thus increasing his strength and fitting him to act better his part in life? Is there anything that looks like narrow views and want of comprehension, in giving men the largest possible freedom? Can any system be more liberal or built on a broader basis, than that which recognizes as a fundamental principle the ability of each man to govern himself,-the system in which man, after his heart is changed, is left free from all party and ecclesiastical restraint, free to go and come as God wills, free to obey the dictates of his own conscience? If there is danger anywhere, it is in being too liberal, danger of extravagance and of excessive latitude. This has ever been urged by the church of Rome against protestantism at large; that church has ever contended that the only way to maintain the unity of the faith is to compel the THE ORIENTAL. You "Now let me introduce you," says | type, usually fine and delicate, and Mr. Tucker, "to one of these Orientals; often very beautiful; and the whole one that you might find in your service countenance is bright and sparkling. at Calcutta. You perceive he makes, You must judge of the hair, however, on entering your presence, a salaam- from what hangs on the neck, for the a low and most graceful bow. On re- head is covered with a graceful turban, covering the upright posture, look into which the wearer would deem it exhis face. You perceive a dark com- tremely unpolite to take off when plexion, perhaps a dark olive, perhaps a coming into your apartment. nut-brown, or perhaps nearly jet. The perceive, however, that his feet are usual colour in Bengal is an agreeable bare: he has left his shoes at the door: tint of brown. But you see at once a reminding you of that passage of scripgreat difference between the Hindu and ture, 'Take off thy shoes from thy feet, the negro. You see no woolly hair, or for the place whereon thou standest is flat nose, or thick protruding lips. On holy ground." His person is enveloped the contrary, the hair is long and flow- in flowing garments of white muslin ; ing; the features are of the Caucasian and you cannot help acknowledging VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES. 3 R that his whole appearance is far more comely and impressive than your own. This attractiveness of appearance extends through almost all classes in Indian society. I remember looking out of window one day, and seeing at a little distance a woman supporting something on her head with her hand, her graceful attitude and flowing robe seeming a model for a Grecian sculptor. On inquiry I found she was a servant of some labourers who were enlarging a building, and that she was carrying away on her head the rubbish in a basket. "But you must not suppose this fair exterior a type of equal symmetry within. Don't trust this pleasing per Christians of being guilty of imposture; of having put in a part of their New Testament since they came to India ! On being asked what part, he pointed to the first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans; adding, 'There! you never could have described the character of my countrymen so well, if you had not seen them first!' But what else could be expected, brethren, when the character of the chief deities of India is stained with the darkest crimes; when the figures presented to the eye on the front of cars and temples are obscene beyond description; and when every temple has its group of wretched women, the wages of whose iniquity go to support the priest ! 'If I steal,' said a Brahman, a middle aged man, his son sitting by his side, 'If I steal, I take refuge in a thieving god; if I lie, in a god of falsehood:" and so he went through, to the missionary who questioned him, a catalogue of crimes. Put side by side with this, my friends, that glorious declaration, 'God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.' " A REAL AMENDMENT OF A WELL KNOWN HYMN. sent, and a deacon occupied his place. A plain, hard-working man was this deacon. I think I see him now, standing there, a true 'son of the soil,' with his bronzed countenance, his hard hands, his week-day dress-but he was one of those who, with all the fervour of a very earnest soul, was mourning in secret. He selected a hymn. It was the one commencing, A sermon recently preached by Mr. | passing as usual, the minister was abGreen of Taunton at the annual meeting of the Western Association, and published at the request of the ministers and messengers, contains the following anecdote :-"The scene was the little prayer meeting of a rustic village chapel. Very few were present, for it was a time of much coldness and great apparent decline. Still some Christian hearts had been deeply feeling, and earnestly praying, even there. Their emotions and prayer were unconfessed even to each other, but God had marked A few verses were sung to some old them all. The prayer meeting was tune, until he came to the last. "Hear, gracious Sovereign, from thy throne, And send thy various blessings down.' This INFANT BAPTISM AND CIRCUMCISION. THE theory which derives a warrant for the baptism of infants from the covenant of circumcision, once so popular among our independent brethren, seems to be passing into disesteem with great rapidity. Moses Stuart, writing on the Use of the Old Testament under the Gospel Dispensation, in his work on the Old Testament Canon, says, "How unwary, too, are many excellent men, in contending for infant baptism on the ground of the Jewish analogy of cir cumcision. Are females not proper subjects of baptism? And again, are a man's slaves to be all baptized because he is? Are they church members of course when they are so baptized? Is there no difference between engrafting into a politico-ecclesiastical community, and into one of which it is said that it is not of this world?' In short, numberless difficulties present themselves in our way, as soon as we begin to argue in such a manner as this?" CHARITY. BY THE REV. THOMAS SWAN. NEXT Charity (but who can tell Where thorns and thistles rankling grew, The pen of an apostle. Fired Of all the saved in heaven shall tell Of day's bright king; so Faith in sight Yet still her virtues are untold; Nor could the loftiest muse unfold Their qualities. Suffice to say, That long before the troubled day Of time began, with Him she dwelt, Who for the lost such kindness felt, That to this ruined world he came, Urged by the never-dying flame Which she had kindled. See him laid In a rude manger, all his shade The stable's roof, while Mary's hands By mortal eye. Behold him next |