scattered as they frequently are, and always may be, over the face of the earth, not without difficulty in a single case, will be a matter of great difficulty when it shall happen ten times every year, or nearly once a month. Now, the deeds conveying property in trust for the society amount to nearly two hundred, and it may be calculated that the whole will require renewal in twenty years. Besides being very troublesome, the frequent renewal of trust-deeds is very expensive. Estimating the costs at the moderate amount of ten pounds for each deed, the gross sum will be one hundred pounds a year on an average of years. And with this expense the society is practically charged. For although it is clearly natural and just that the parties for whose particular use the property is conveyed to trustees should bear the expense of renewing documents so indispensable to them, yet the fact that the society has an interest in the property seems to be viewed as constituting a general guardianship, the costs of which it has not hitherto been found practicable to devolve upon others. While the tenure of chapels and similar property is thus embarrassed by trusteeship, that of landed estate intended directly to aid the exertions of the society is still more injuriously affected. Where an interest in landed estate is intended to be given to the society for the promotion of its great object, the society cannot accept it. Again a body of persons necessarily intervenes, who, as trustees, hold in behalf of the society, and all the costliness, vexations, and hazards of the system are repeated without end. Cases have already occurred in which valuable property designed for the society has been not only endangered, but lost. Such is a brief, and certainly not an exaggerated statement of the practical evils of the trustee system. If it comes upon any members of the committee by surprise, it is not because the evils have not long been felt, but only because the actual pressure of them falls upon the more immediate conductors of the society's affairs. That they are grave enough to be worth escaping from, if escape be possible, hardly admits of a question; and it may with equal certainty be affirmed, that the constitution of the society into a body politic by a charter of incorporation, will effectually remove them. The intention and effect of a charter of incorporation will be to endow the society, so far as the holding, adminis tering, and disposing of property is concerned, with the attributes of an individual person, and so to abolish the entire system of trusteeship, out of which the inconveniences above stated arise. The society will thenceforth, and quoad hoc, be not many, but one; not a shifting multitude of contributors, but a body politic, possessing unity and perpetual succession; itself holding the property in which it is interested, and (within the limits prescribed by the charter) doing and controlling all things relating to its administration without further trouble or expense. That this is a mode of holding property very far preferable to the trustee system, is well known to all persons conversant with the subject, whether professional or commercial, whether lay or ecclesiastical. The tenure of property, however, although a subject of great importance, does not exhaust the argument in favour of the incorporation of the society. Framed as it now is, the society has constant occasion, in the transaction of its monetary affairs, to avail itself of the kindness of individuals in assuming on its behalf a personal responsibility, whether on the one hand, in the acceptance of bills drawn on the treasurers by missionaries in various parts of the world, or on the other, in giving security for sums which the exigencies of the society require from time to time to be borrowed for its service. Fully and gratefully acknowledging the promptness and liberality with which this kindness has always hitherto been rendered, the sub-committee cannot but think that the committee will agree with them in wishing that the affairs of the society could be conducted without the necessity of requiring it, and in a manner which should create a corporate, rather than an individual, responsibility. Its incorporation would happily effect this object also, the society itself, in this case, becoming, in its corporate character, the adequate and solely responsible party, in these as in all its other transactions. Having thus stated the arguments in favour of the incorporation of the society, the sub-committee will now enter on the question, Whether the solicita tion of a charter of incorporation is on any ground objectionable? They think they may affirm with confidence that there is no legal objection to it. In order that this aspect of the subject might be most thoroughly investigated, a case was early drawn up and submitted to an eminent counsel; and it is quite safe to say that, on every legal point, the opinion given is entirely satisfactory. On one matter of fact only would it remain, should the committee determine to pursue the object, to institute some further inquiry; namely, whether in the British colonial or other territories in which the society has or may acquire an interest in landed estate, local laws or regulations may to any considerable extent exist, incompatible with the operation of the charter. As to the expediency of the measure, indeed, the consulted counsel is "disposed to think that the society would not find the proposed incorporation advantageous." The sub-committee would have attached more weight to this opinion than they now do, if argument had been adduced in its support; but as it stands alone, and absolutely unsupported, and as it was, moreover, given on a very partial statement of facts, it may fairly be taken as meaning no more than this, that counsel does not fully appreciate, either the annoyances that trouble the society, or the advantages they seek to acquire. That they would secure these advantages, counsel does not insinuate a doubt. To the question, "Are there any disadvantages which occur to counsel as likely to arise from a charter of incorporation?" the following answer is given :-"I think it possible that the usefulness of the society may be affected, because the freedom of its action may be impaired by a charter of incorporation; which, however carefully prepared, may have the effect of restraining the society, in new circumstances, from exercising the wide discretion over their proceedings which they now enjoy." Weight is due to this suggestion. It is fair, however, to remark, that this is the only disadvantage hinted at as by possibility incident to the incorporation of the society; so that it may be strongly inferred that counsel saw no other. As to the inconvenience suggested, it is no doubt true that the movements of an incorporated society cannot be absolutely unfettered. A certain measure of restriction, or rather of permanence, on the one hand, is the necessary and just correlative of acquired rights and standing on the other. The proper question, however, is, whether that measure of freedom of action which an incorporated society may enjoy, is not sufficient for the purposes which the Baptist Missionary Society contemplates. The great object and framework of the society are surely not so variable as to make an act of incorporation dangerous ; nor can "new circumstances" require anything beyond that adoption of byelaws to which every body politic is competent. Counsel may be readily excused for not knowing the society better in this respect, and for consequently giving an opinion which fuller information would, doubtless, materially modify. The sub-committee will now notice an objection which has been expressed by some members of the society itself. To solicit from the crown a charter of incorporation, it has been said, will place us, as a religious society, in a relation to the government at once undesirable and inconsistent. The sub-committee are not only alive, but very keenly alive, to the consideration which gives all its apparent force to this objection; and they would not on any account contribute to place the society in a position embodying, by the remotest implication, the principle of a connexion between the church and the state. They think, however, that the objection is altogether unfounded. No reason appears to the sub-committee, why a body in the strictest sense religious, should be scandalized at the thought of accepting from the crown a charter of incorporation. The sovereign, in such an act, is the representative, not so much of the state, as of the law; and that which is received from the sovereign is neither personal nor official favour, but a modified and more equitable position in relation to the law. A modified position, be it observed, not a new one : for ecclesiastical bodies have already the power of acquiring an interest in property in one manner, and all that is sought by incorporation is the power of acquiring the same interest in another manner. If the one he wrong, it can scarcely be affirmed that the other is right. How can those who object to being constituted into a body politic for the purpose of holding property directly, consistently hold it under VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES. the statute of uses? Are trouble and expense, the main distinction between the two modes, such powerful reconciling elements in cases of conscience? Or is the principle of separation between church and state to be pushed so far as to require from ecclesiastical bodies a renunciation of their entire civil status, and their rights at law? Let the spirit of the objection be carried out, and it would follow, that, in case of the riotous destruction of a chapel, an ecclesiastical body ought not to bring an action against the rioters, or to accept legal compensation for the damage. If the circumstance that incorporation is to be sought by charter from the crown should influence the judgment of any persons, the sub-committee would observe, that it makes no substantial difference whether incorporation is obtained by a royal charter, or by an act of parliament. The committee may carry the matter before parliament, if they prefer it; but if, for greater convenience, they should appeal to the crown, the fair view of the transaction is, that, as they appeal to the crown in a case in which a certain measure of legislative authority is still left to it, so they appeal to it in its legislative capacity alone. In either can they ask the law-maker to modify the law, on a matter-the tenure of property, to wit— admitted on all hands to be within the proper scope of the law. The sub-committee have in recollection one objection more, which they may not leave wholly unnoticed, because it has been actually adduced. Should a charter be granted, it has been observed, the society will then become a corporation; a word so inseparably identified with corrupt and intemperate practices, that its annexation to the society cannot fail to render it hopelessly infamous. In reply to this it may be observed, that the society will have undergone no change, either, in nature M or in name. It will still be, and be | Missionary Society will be the first in this called, the Baptist Missionary Society, experiment, and their success may not although incorporated, and will consist be sure; but, should they be successful, of the same persons, and adopt the same they will certainly not be the last. The proceedings as now. The objectors, sub-committee have reason to believe that however, do not seem to know, that not other societies, groaning, like ourselves, only municipal bodies, but banking under the vexatious and costly system companies, insurance companies, rail- of trusteeship, and the burdensome way companies, water companies, are assumption of individual responsibility, all corporations, together with many will watch our proceedings with interest; scientific, charitable, and religious asso- and, if we are successful, eagerly parciations. Why the Baptist Missionary ticipate in the results. It cannot be Society should be ashamed of occupying questioned that the power of holding the same civil status as such bodies, the property as bodies politic ought, as a sub-committee have yet to be in- matter of civil right, to be much more formed. extensively and easily attainable in this country than it is,-a point in which the United States have shot far ahead of England; and it will be worthy of the Baptist Missionary Society to lead the way in an enterprize which is at once so useful and so just, and in which, while success will bring advantage to many, defeat will bring no dishonour to ourselves. In fine, the sub-committee see nothing in the objections which have been urged at all calculated to diminish the force of the arguments they have adduced, or to deter them from recommending the committee to take such measures as may be best adapted to obtain for the society the rights of a body politic. is true, the committee of the Baptist It DRAUGHT OF A CHARTER. WHEREAS it hath been represented to us on | isles, by the preaching of the gospel, the transthe petition of [treasurers, and some of the committee] That on the 2nd day of October, in the year of our Lord 1792, certain ministers of the gospel, of the denomination of particular baptists, associated themselves together as a society for the propagation of the gospel amongst the heathen. And that the said society hath ever since continued in existence and operation, and is now designated, "The Baptist Missionary Society," and its affairs are conducted by a committee of thirty-six persons chosen annually at a general meeting of the members of the said society, That the said [petitioners] Are members of the said committee, That the great object of the said society, is the diffusion of the knowledge of the religion of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world, beyond the British lation and publication of the holy scriptures, and the establishment of schools, And, That it would be of great advantage if the said society were incorporated, And they have besought us to grant to them, and to those who are now, or shall hereafter become, members of the same society, our royal charter of incorporation. Now know ye, That we, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have willed, granted, and declared, and do by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, will, grant, and declare, That the said [petitioners] And such other of our loving subjects as are now members of the said society, or who shall, at any time hereafter, become members thereof, according to such regulations* or bye-laws as The regulations of the society to be the same as at present, with the following additions:-The general meeting of members to have full power and authority to frame and make all such rules and regulations, or alterations in the present plan and might be had or gotten for the same, at the date of these presents, in respect of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, now held and enjoyed by the said society, and as to any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, hereafter to be purchased by the said society, at the rack rent which might be had or gotten for the same at the time of the purchase or acquisition thereof, And also to sell any lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and to purchase again, other lands, tenements, and hereditaments, not exceeding in the whole, at any one time, the annual value aforesaid, to be estimated as aforesaid, and to act in all the concerns of the said body politic or corporate for the purposes aforesaid, as fully and effectually, to all intents, effects, constructions, and purposes whatsoever, as any other of our liege subjects, or any other body politic or corporate, in our united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, not being under any disability, might do in their respective concerns. And we do hereby grant our special licence and are now or shall hereafter be framed or enacted, shall, by virtue of these presents, be members of, and form one body politic and corporate for the purposes aforesaid, by the name of "The Baptist Missionary Society," by which name they shall have perpetual succession, and a common seal, with full power and authority to alter, vary, break, or renew, the same seal at their discretion, and by the same name to sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, in every court of us, our heirs, and successors, and be for ever able and capable in the law to purchase, receive, possess, and enjoy, to them and their successors, any goods and chattels whatsoever, and also be able and capable in the law [notwithstanding the statutes of mort main] to take, purchase, possess, hold, and enjoy, to them and their successors, [a house and] any messuages, lands, tenements, or hereditaments whatsoever, the yearly value of which shall not exceed in the whole, at any one time, the sum of £ , computing the same respectively, at the rack rent which authority unto all and every person and persons, regulations of the society, not being repugnant to the laws of the kingdom, or inconsistent with the object of the society, as to them or the major part of them shall from time to time seem expedient, three months notice of the proposed alterations being given to the committee. bodies politic and corporate, otherwise competent, to grant, sell, alien, and convey in mortmain, unto and to the use of the said society and their successors, any messuages, lands, tenements, or hereditaments, the whole thereof to be held by the said society at any one time, not exceeding such annual value as aforesaid. ON THE PROSPERITY AND DECLENSION OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. FOR some years past, and especially | 1-3, "But there were false prophets. within a few months, much attention also among the people, even as there has been paid to fulfilled and to unfulfilled prophecy. Without giving any opinion on the subject, the writer takes the opportunity of placing before such as are interested in the spiritual condition of Christ's church, two classes of prophecy, the import of which is indisputable and deeply concerns us all. The first class of predictions refers to teachers. 1 Tim. iv. 1, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." Acts xx. 29, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." 2 Peter ii. shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." The second class refers to church members, and such as profess the Christian name. 2 Tim. iii. 1-5, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be |