sources. stones, and other Historical Information | SHEPARD, author of the "Ten Virgins," "Meditarespecting them, from authentic tions and Experiences." Aberdeen: George and Edited by J. A. JONES. London : 18mo. Robert King. pp. 372. pp. 24. Nos. xi. and xii. Price 3d. each. A number of this work comes out regularly every month. The sketches continue to be drawn up with care and in a liberal spirit. They relate generally to men who deserve to be remembered, and respecting whom it is convenient to have information at hand alphabetically arranged. The present number closes with an account of Nathaniel Trotman of White's Row. A Wreath around the Cross: or, Scripture Truths illustrated. By the Rev. A. MORTON BROWN, M.A., Cheltenham, Author of " The Leader of the Lollards," &c. With a Recommendatory Preface by the Rev. John Angell James. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 24mo. pp. 382. Cloth, gilt. Plain, evangelical essays on our need of the cross-the way to the cross-the sufferings of the cross-life from the cross-faith in the cross-submission to the cross, and kindred subjects. A Vindication of the Royal Bounty to Poor Having but just now received this pamphlet we have not had time to peruse it, but from a cursory view of its contents we have formed an opinion that justice to the venerable author and his colleagues demands that we should announce to our readers its existence. A large proportion of them, like ourselves, disapprove of the Regium Donum, and have made exertions to put an end to it; but-"it is not the manner of the" baptists "to deliver any man to die, before that he who is accused have the accuser face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him." Dr. Pye Smith is a veteran advocate of anti-state church principles-one who professed them and disseminated them when their profession cost a man more than it costs now; in all his writings too he has always shown himself to be eminently candid towards his opponents, and if he thinks that the Regium Donum does not infringe anti-state church principles, whatever we may think of his reasons for that opinion, either before we have read them or afterwards, we maintain that he ought to be listened to respectfully. RECENT PUBLICATIONS Approbed. [It should be understood that insertion in this list is not a mere announcement: it expresses approbation of the works enumerated, not of course extending to every particular, but an approbation of their general character and tendency.] The Sound Believer; or a Treatise on Evangelical Conversion; discovering the work of God's Spirit in Reconciling a Sinner to God. By THOMAS tions-Meditations, Hymns, and Prayers. London; Words of Comfort for the Afflicted, in Daily PorJohn T. Shaw. pp. 152. Luke, the Beloved Physician. A Tribute to the honour of the Grace of God, in the Life and Labours of the late William Beilby, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.P.E. and Knox. 16mo., pp. 32. By JONATHAN WATSON. Edinburgh: Sutherland Three Discourses by JOHN BROWN, D.D., Senior Minister The Principles and Position of the Congregational Churches. A Discourse delivered at the Recognition of the Rev. J. Gill as pastor of the Church assembling in the Independent Chapel, Witham, Essex. By ALGERNON WELLS. London; Snow. pp. 20. Reasons for Objecting to the Publication and Circulation of Barclay's Apology, addressed to the Society of Friends by One of its Members. London: Bugster and Sons. pp. 41. The History of Rome, from the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Empire. For Schools and Families. London: R. T. S. pp. 438, price 38., cloth. The History of Scotland. By the Rev. THOMAS THOMSON, F.S.A., Scotland. For the use of Schools. Edinburgh. pp. 408, price 48., roan. A First Book of Geography; being an Abridgment of Dr. REID's Rudiments of Modern Geography, with an Outline of the Geography of Palestine. Edinburgh Oliver and Boyd. pp. 72. The Young Working Man; or a Few Words to a Farm Labourer. London: R.T.S. pp. 128. Happy Restorations. Three Narratives entitled, The Great Preparation, The Young Footman, The Second-hand Dress. London: R. T. S. pp. 99, price 18. The Soldier's Progress; portrayed in Six Tableaux, exhibiting some of the Horrors of War, from Designs by JOHN GILBERT, Engraved by THOMAS GILKS. With a Few Words on Peace by ELIHÚ BURRITT. I. The Enlistment. II. Leaving Home. III. The Deserter. IV. The Battle. V. The Night after the Battle. VI. The Return. London. Price INTELLIGENCE. AMERICA. AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONARY UNION. May 15, 1849. The thirty-fifth annual meeting of the Board of Managers of the American Baptist Missionary Union called to Philadelphia a large number of baptist ministers and others from every quarter of the Northern States. The absence of several old and well-tried friends of missions, such as Drs. Stow, Church, Wayland, Cone, and Williams, and deacons Lincoln and Colgate, was particularly regretted. Some of them were detained by domestic affliction, some by sickness, and some by the pressure of other duties. Those who were present came together in excellent spirits, cheered by the healthful condition of the affairs of the Union, and by the promises of the fields which were engaging its labours. The following are items of what took place at the meetings for business : The Home Secretary, who had been instructed to address a circular to the members of the Union, on the question of so amending the Constitution as to provide for annual memberships on payment of fifty dollars, here reported. He stated that he had addressed circulars to about 1,700 members, that 831 had replied, and that of these 412 had voted for the amendment, and 419 against it. Referred to a special committee. Governor Colby presented a report on the question of amending the Constitution, advising indefinite postponement, which was accepted, and ordered to be read before the 'Union. The Rev. M. J. Rhees, Secretary of the Board of Managers, reported to this body the doings of the Board, which report, on motion of Rev. Dr. Sharp, was accepted. Abstracts of the Annual Reports of the Treasurer and the Executive Committee were presented. The first was accepted, and the last reserved for consideration. In presenting the latter of these abstracts, the Foreign Secretary announced the reception to-day of letters from the Rev. Mr. Abbott of the mission to the Karens in Arracan, of which he read highly interesting and encouraging portions. Under the influence of this mission is a Christianized population of 12,000, while the churches, with several chapels, and enjoying the means of grace, have 4,500 members, and more than that number of candidates waiting for baptism. The influence of this mission extends across the line into Burmah Proper, where the numbers and character of the Christian Karens have commanded the respect of that despotic government, which now encourages rather than persecutes the churches, and where many Burmans have been converted, and received into the churches by the native Karen pastors. The acceptance of the Executive Committee's Report being the matter of business in order, the Rev. Mr. Granger, of R. I., made a sensible and effective speech in its favour, expressing the conviction that the Executive Committee should form their estimates according to the necessities of the missions, and rely with confidence on the willingness of the friends of missions to sustain them. Though the funds might be delayed, as was recently the case, their coming was not the less sure, and no panic should be occasioned by such a circumstance. At the final meeting of the Board, after the adjournment of the Union, Hon. J. H. Duncan was re-elected President, and Rev. M. J. Rhees Secretary. The following officers were elected : Foreign Secretary-Rev. Solomon Peck. Executive Committee-Rev. W. Leverett, Rev. Baron Stow, D.D., Rev. W. H. Shailer, Rev. J. W. Parker, Rev. R. E. Pattison, D.D., Hon. H. Lincoln, S. G. Shipley, J. W. Converse, George Cummings, Esqrs. The following observations on the question respecting the Constitution of the Society appear in the New York Recorder, for June 20: "It is well known that soon after the adoption of the present Constitution of the Ame rican Baptist Missionary Union-indeed before it came into force-very grave objections were made to that clause which composes the Union of Life Members only. The subject was referred to the Board of Managers, but the next meeting of the Board occurred at Cincinnati, and the attendance was necessarily limited. No further action therefore was taken than to refer it to a Committee of nine, to report in 1848 at Troy. This Committee reported accordingly, and the Home Secretary was instructed to send a circular to each member of the Union, inviting his vote, yes or no, on the proposition to admit annual members on payment of fifty dollars. The Secretary sent out 1,700 circulars. He received 831 replies, 412 ayes and 419 noes,-a majority of seven voting against the alteration. On making this report at Philadelphia, the matter was referred to a Committee, of which Governor Colby was chairman, who reported substantially that this state of things shut up the Board to the necessity of doing nothing, and the whole thing was therefore indefinitely postponed. "The acquiescence in this action was very general. Indeed it would have been very awkward to take any other action. The Rev. Mr. Hague, in a kind of friendly protest which he made by general consent, expressed himself as submitting to it for the present as a thing of course-the only thing which the circumstances allowed. But while we saw the acquiescence which was signified on the spot, we had no idea that the subject would slumber one week, and were never more satisfied that a mistake had been committed. Not that we had the slightest personal solicitude on the subject. We are content with the Constitution either way. If the road to the heathen is open, and we can do a work which God blesses with large measures of his approbation, we shall not be greatly troubled as to constitutional forms. And, moreover, we believe that those who make the change a matter of principle, are acting under an utter fallacy. We believe there can be no such thing as baptist church-representation, even though constitutional forms wearing the name were adopted. Essentially the Union must be as it is, whether made up of life-members, annual members, or both combined, an agent which the churches may use, an agent which they need in their missionary work,-but which is not of them. But whatever the fallacy to us, to others it is a principle, and the fact that it is so furnishes a valid reason for conceding what they demand, unless there are prudential reasons to the contrary, of which no proofs have been given." The committee of the Buckinghamshire Home Mission presented a favourable report of the stations to which assistance had been given during the year, Westcott, Crendon, Buckingham, and High Wycombe. Of the latter place they say, "The church at High Wycombe has continued to increase, and the congregations are often crowded. A large sum has also been paid during the year towards the removal of their debt, so as to relieve your committee from any further claims on behalf of that important town." The next meeting is to be held at Fenny Stratford, on Tuesday and Wednesday the 9th and 10th of May, 1850. Monkwearmouth Edward Lewis. James Kay. .Thompson Oliver. W. Dickinson. Hartlepool.....................John Kneebon. The annual meeting was held at Monkwearmouth, May 28th and 29th. Mr. Leng was chosen moderator, and Mr. James Potts of Newcastle requested to continue his services as secretary. Sermons were preached by Mr. Green of Newcastle and Mr. Davis of Salters' Hall, London. Among the resolutions passed there were one requesting four brethren to visit as a deputation every church in the association during the course of the year, one approving the objects of the Hanserd Knollys Society,-and one sympathizing with Mr. Shore, and agreeing to petition for the abolition of the Ecclesiastical Courts. Statistics. Number of churches making returns 960 14 Baptized........................... 43 The next meeting is to be held at Darlington on Monday and Tuesday in what is called Whitsun-week, 1850. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Two churches in Buckinghamshire, one in Rutland, and thirty-three in Northamptonshire, constitute this association. Aldwinkle............... Brooks. Brington ..............Campion. Burton Latimer .Larwell. ...May. Clipston..................T. T. Gough. Desborough ............ Clements. Gretton Guilsborough Hawkes. ...Ashford. Hackleton ...............Knowles. Haddon West.........Cole. Harpole Kettering ...............Robinson. Kingsthorpe............Litchfield. Kislingbury ...........Lea. Moulton................................Wheeler. Northampton College Street ......Brown. Grey Friars Street Pywell. Oakham ..................Jenkinson. Olney...................Simmons. Pattishall...............Chamberlain. Ravensthorpe Road Spratten... ............... Whittemore. Stanwick ............... Walcot. The annual meeting was held in College Street, Northampton, May 29 and 30, when Mr. Simmons was appointed moderator. Messrs. Jenkinson and T. T. Gough preached. A circular was agreed to, on "The Obligation and Advantages of Church Membership." Forty pounds were presented from the association fund to eleven necessitous ministers and churches. This association comprises fifty-five churches. brethren. Appledore......... ..J. E. Ball. W. Walton. Barnstaple .......... .R. Cameron. Bideford Bradninch. Brayford... Bridgwater ........ ......... B. Arthur. ...C. Baker. W. Cutcliff. .H. Trend. III. "That this association would express its sympathy with the Rev. James Shore in his imprisonment at the suit of the Bishop of Exeter for the ecclesiastical offence of discharging his ministerial duties, without the licence and contrary to the monition of the said bishop; that it rejoices in the public testimony thus borne to the indefeasible obligation of those who are put in trust with the ministry of the gospel to preach the word whether men commend or rebuke them; and that whilst it would express its hope that by a wise and prompt alteration of the law similar instances of ecclesiastical oppression through the connivance or co-operation of the civil government shall be for ever prevented, it would record its solemn conviction that it is owing to the union of the church ith the state that such an iniquity has been practicable in the present instance. This association, therefore, prays God that Mr. Shore's imprisonment may be overruled in his providence to the freedom of his churches in this land from all legislative interference and control. |