Varieties.

MAN AND HIS SAVIOUR.-A very old German author discourses thus tenderly of Christ: My soul is like a hungry and thirsty child, and I need His love and consolations for my refreshment; I am a wandering and lost sheep, and I need Him as a good and faithful Shepherd; my soul is like a frightened dove, pursued by a hawk, and I need His wounds for a refuge; I am a feeble vine, and I need His cross to lay hold of and wind myself about it; I am a sinner, and I need His righteousness; I am naked and bare, and need His holiness and innocence for a covering; I am in trouble and alarm, I need His solace; I am ignorant, and I need His teaching; simple and foolish, and I need the guidance of his Holy Spirit.

"In no situation, and at no time, can I do without Him. Do I pray? He must prompt and intercede for me. Am I arraigned by Satan at the Divine tribunal? He must be my advocate. Am I in affliction? He must be my helper. Am I persecuted by the world? He must defend me. When I am forsaken, He must be my support; when dying, my life; when mouldering in the grave, my resurrection. Well, then, I will rather part with all the world, and all that it contains, than with Thee, my Sav

iour; and, God be thanked, I know that Thou too art not willing to do without me. Thou art rich, and I am poor; Thou hast righteousness, and I sin; Thou hast oil and wine, and I wounds; Thou hast cordials and refreshments, and I hunger and thirst. Use me, then, my Saviour, for whatever purpose, and in whatever way Thou mayest require. Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel; fill it with Thy grace. Here is my sinful and troubled soul; quicken and refresh it with Thy love. Take my heart for Thine abode; my mouth to spread the glory of Thy dear name; my love and all my powers for the advancement of Thy honour and the service of Thy believing people. And never suffer the stedfastness and confidence of my faith to abate, that so at all times I may be enabled from the heart to say, 'Jesus needs me, and I Him, so we suit each other.'"

SOUND DOCTRINE.-A ship built of sound timber may weather the roughest sea, but a vessel made of rotten planks cannot ride in safety through the smoothest water. Our good old doctrines have nothing to fear from controversy or persecution, but false doctrine will perish from its own rottenness.

Editorial Postscript.

THE Arab proverb says, "When the Pasha's horses came to be shod, the beetle stretched out his leg." Room, Mr. Printer, if but for a beetle's leg.

Encouraged by the courteous bow, and kindly expressions of good will uttered by our amiable and accomplished predecessor, and by many like words from all parts of the land, with the aid of some of the foremost of our brethren, we send forth the BAPTIST MAGAZINE for January, 1861.

Beloved Pastors! who feed the flock which Christ hath purchased with his precious blood-Church Officers and Members!-Readers, all! we wish you a Happy New Year, and we do so with threefold affection and fervent prayers. May your hearts be gladdened by our humble labours; and as you close our book may your eyes rest on the well-known line upon its cover,

"THE PROFITS ARE GIVEN TO THE WIDOWS OF BAPTIST MINISTERS."

In the hope that the Lord God of Elijah will by our united exertions replenish the barrel and the cruse, and make the widow's heart to sing for joy, we have consented to do our part, and, as the moons revolve, no task will be more sacred than this of speaking the truth in love through the pages of your Magazine.

We earnestly appeal to our readers to aid us in extending the circulation of this longtried and valuable organ of our denomination. Let them bear in mind the fact that every additional copy sold contributes a mite to the fund for the relief of the families of our departed fathers and brethren. Many a smitten hearth-tree will be made to flourish should our prayers be heard that the circulation of the BAPTIST MAGAZINE may increase fourfold.

We shall report from time to time the number sold, and meanwhile rely upon the kind advocacy of our brother Ministers, both from the pulpit and in the family circle.

Notes and Queries.

This portion of the Magazine is intended for the reception of Questions connected with Denomi national History; Biography, Anecdote, Hymnology, Psalmody, Quotations, Protestant Nonconformity, Religious Literature, Church History and Customs, and other subjects of a religious bearing, not exclusively denominational. The Editors will thankfully receive replies, and original contributions to this department.

Can any information be supplied concern- "A Sermon against Schism, or the Separa ing R. Oliver, the reputed author of the tion of these Times." Queries:hymns beginning

1. Did Pendarves, or any of his adher ents, publish a report of this discussion ?

2. What does Wood mean by styling Pendarves Lecturer of Wantage,and at the same time Pastor of Baptists at Abingdon ?

3. Do any of the Baptist churches in Abingdon or Wantage trace their history back to 1652; and have they any records of Pendarves and his ministry?

W. G. L.

Is it known which Baptist church was

Are the following works in the library of the first to admit the practice of singing in any reader of this Magazine ?

public worship? Flavel, in reply to Cary's "Solemn Call," reproaches the Baptists generally with "sinful neglect of a sweet and heavenly Gospel ordinance, viz., the singing of Psalms."

Are there any existing publications against the practice ?

E.

"Among the Baptists in England, or their descendants in America, I have never known or heard of a church that has adopted the Unitarian belief. I do not say that persons professing Unitarian senti ments may not have been convinced of the obligation of the disciples of Christ to be immersed. The belief in baptism by immer sion may be entertained by a man of almost any persuasion; but this alone does not unite him with us. He remains in other respects as he was before. Our churches, with one accord, always and everywhere have held Unitarianism to be a grave and radical error."-Dr. Wayland.

Is Dr. Wayland correct in the supposi tion that no Baptist church in England has adopted Unitarian sentiments ?

Anthony Wood, in his "Athene Oxon," says: John Pendarves, a zealous Baptist, provoked Dr. Jasper Mayne to enter into disputation with him on the subject of baptism, which disputation took place Sept. 11th, 1652, in the parish church of Watling ton. Pendarves, Lecturer, of Wantage, Berks, and Pastor of Baptists in Abingdon, appeared there with numerous adherents, and acquitted himself so much to their satisfaction, that when he died in London and was brought down to Abingdon for burial, his funeral was attended by such multitudes, that Cromwell (who had no The statement has been frequently made love for the Baptists), fearing some mis- that John Milton was a Baptist. Is there chief, sent Gen. John Bridges with eight any other evidence in his writings controops of Horse, who continued all day firmatory of this statement, beside the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, till the allusions to the ordinance contained in praying and preaching were over. Mayne's Paradise Regained?

part of the disputation was published as

G.

THE MISSIONARY HERALD.

THE MISSION IN BRITTANY.

To the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society.

As soon as my engagements with the Cornish Auxiliary would allow, I proceeded, in accordance with Minute of July 31st, to Brittany; landing at St. Malo, and going thence by Dinon, Lamballe, St. Brieux, and round the coast road by Paimpol, Treguier, and Lannion to Morlaix; and after spending nearly a fortnight with Mr. Jenkins, returning by Guingamp, Rennes, Le Man, Caen, and Havre, I had a fair opportunity of seeing the country and the people.

I was painfully impressed with the intensely Popish character of all things wherever I went. Crosses, crucifixes, and priests, met one at every turn. But the physical condition and appearance of the peasantry, as compared with those I had seen in other parts of France, were very superior, and I was informed by persons on whose information reliance might be placed, that the Bretons were deemed to be the best soldiers and sailors in the French army and navy. They are not like the French people in general, lively, impulsive, and changeable; but steady, plodding, thrifty, and grave; though they are quickly roused to animation by what strongly interests them. They are, therefore, very tenacious of their customs, language, and religion. But in those cases of conversion which have occurred amongst them, they abide by their new faith with the same constancy, and are not deterred by the fiercest opposition. The little church at Morlaix, though several of its members live at great distances, and can only occasionally enjoy the public means of grace, has not had to mourn over a singular instance of apostacy, notwithstanding the great sacrifices some have been called to make, and the persecution they have had to endure. The severity and bitterness of these trials can only be fully understood by those who have lived and laboured in districts where Romanism is dominant.

In regard to the surrounding district, and the Breton population, Morlaix is an admirable centre of operations. The nearest Protestant places of worship are at Dinon on the east, and Brest and Quimper on the west and south, distant, respectively, at least ninety, fifty, and forty miles! An improving seaport, with a population of 12,000, and which is increasing, Morlaix, when the railway now in construction shall have been opened to it, will afford facilities for carrying on the work which few other towns in the province possess.

ORIGIN OF THE MISSION.

It may be useful to those members of committee who are not acquainted with the early history of the Breton Mission just to observe, that it originated with the churches in South Wales, who knowing the affinity between the Welsh and the Bretons, felt desirous of diffusing the light of the Gospel among their kindred on the Continent. Mr. Jenkins was sent over in 1834, in connection with the Baptist Continental Society; and when it was dissolved in 1836, he was sustained by a Committee in Wales.

Before any work could be done, Mr. Jenkins had to acquire a competent knowledge of French and Breton. He found a translation of the New Testament had been made by M. Legonedec, a priest; but that, from its style, it was not intelligible to the common people. With the view of getting one which they could understand, he began a correspondence with the British and Foreign Bible Society. In 1842 Mr. Jenkins commenced the work of translation, and VOL. V.-NEW SERIES. 4

finished it in 1846. The first edition, of 3,000 was printed in 1847, and the second of 4,000, in 1851; about half the latter is yet in hand. Besides these literary labours, Mr. Jenkins has written six, and translated thirty-two tracts, including a translation of Dr. Barth's Bible Stories. The first tract was printed in 1835, and since that time more than 100,000 tracts have been printed and widely circulated. Mr. Jenkins has also composed and published a Breton hymn book.

CIRCULATION OF SCRIPTURES AND TRACTS.

The difficulties in the way of the distribution of the new version of the Scriptures and of tracts have been very great. In conjunction with Aicou, the Breton poet, a person of considerable local celebrity, who died in 1848, a humble believer in Christ, the work was renewed. In 1848 Omnes and Georget were appointed colporteurs, sustained by the Bible Society. The latter was refused authorisation by the Prefêt the following year, but the former continued his work till lately. This prohibition almost stopped the work in the department of Finisterre until 1857. Measures had been taken without success, to obtain authorisation, when it was suggested that perhaps the tracts and Testaments might be stamped in Paris. Specimens were accordingly sent thither, and they were approved. But a whole year was consumed in the negotiation, and even then the Prefêt would only authorise the sale of such books as were stamped in Paris. This arrangement continues to the present time. Though very inconvenient, it is yet a great step gained, and a way is opened for the distribution without hindrance from the authorities. Happily the Prefêt of the Cotes du Nord did not refuse to stamp the books which had been approved by the Government; and the work now proceeds in both departments.

To carry it on, two colporteurs are employed; Boloch, who is sustained by the Bible Society, and Gwilliou by the Mission. They are both Bretons, but the latter speaks French as well as Breton. He labours in Morlaix, aud the district round about for twenty miles. Boloch resides near Guingamp, and traverses the country districts far and nigh. I spent an evening with them at Mr. Jenkins's, and subsequently I met Gwilliou several times. From all that I could learn by inquiry, and from what I saw of these brethren, I should deem them well qualified for their work, and earnest and zealous in prosecuting it.

PUBLIC WORSHIP.

The obstacles to the establishment of public worship have not been less than those already noticed. A room was first hired in 1836, and fitted up. But the Maire refused authorization, and then the proprietors refused the room. Nothing more could be done until 1838, when Mr. Jenkins appropriated a part of a house, to which he had removed, for the purpose. But public worship was allowed only twice in two years, the Maire objecting that Mr. Jenkins was a stranger, and that the law which applied to the Established Reformed Church demanded that the preacher should be a Frenchman. Meanwhile, M. Le Fourdray, the reformed pastor at Brest, used his best efforts to remove the difficulty, acting through the consistory of Nantes. In 1840 the Government relaxed the restrictions in regard to public worship, and steps were taken to erect the present chapel. But the brethren in Wales, finding it difficult to sustain the Mission, opened a correspondence with the Committee of the Baptist Mission. Mr. Jones, of Cardiff, and Dr. Angus, visited Morlaix in 1843, and the site of the chapel was fixed upon, and the Mission was incorporated with the Society.

While the chapel, which is situated in one of the best streets in the town, was in progress, the Curé insisted that it should not, in appearance, differ from a private house. The Government was applied to, and they gave Mr. Jenkins permission to build it as he pleased. It was opened in 1846, and since then public worship has been carried on without interruption from the authorities.

It is a very plain structure, without any ornament, measuring about 33 feet by 45, fitted up with a pulpit and benches, and is light and airy. It is the only Protestant place of worship in the town. The congregation, on the Lord's day I spent there, amounted in the morning to about forty, and in the evening was over sixty. Nearly all were Bretons, and most Romanists. Many more came in during the service, remained a short time, and then went out. But there was no confusion or disorder. Mr. Jenkins usually preaches in French, but he addresses the Bretons who may be present, in their own language, and contemplates setting up an entire Breton service, as the number who attend is increasing. The singing was very beautiful, and considerable attention is paid to it by those who understand music; and I was pleased to see how generally the congregation joined. In the afternoon there is a Sunday School, consisting of the children of the friends who attend the chapel, and several adults who are anxious to learn to read the Scriptures and receive instruction in them. The chapel is also opened every Saturday, which is the chief marketday, when some thousands of the country people are in the town, and Guilliou attends to sell Testaments and tracts, and to converse with any one who may come in.

Besides these agencies, there are four members of the church, three of whom reside in the country, who give a good deal of time, for which Mr. Jenkins gives them a trifling remuneration, to reading the Scriptures, and teaching to read, such as are willing to learn, both children and adults. Many of the latter have not only evinced the strongest dersire to learn, but, by great perseverance have succeeded. The attendance on these classes varies from twelve to twenty. In some instances children thus taught have become the teachers of their parents. When at one of these stations, I visited a family living in a secluded, but magnificent gorge among the hills, and I shall not soon forget the expressions of delight with which the father introduced his little girl, an interesting child of nine years of age, as the teacher by whom he himself had been taught to read the Word of God. Both the parents of this little one are hopeful inquirers, and are expected, ere long, to be proposed for baptism and fellowship.

PREACHING IN THE COUNTRY.

It will be seen from the foregoing statements how little could be done to get at the people, for a long time. But when the revolution took place, in 1848, Mr. Jenkins at once took advantage of the liberty afforded for public speaking, and tried an open-air service, after mass, when a large congregation assembled, and in the evening of the same day the house of Omnes, the reader, was filled with attentive hearers. During that and the succeeding year such services were frequent in the district. The country round Morlaix was equally open, and preaching was commenced in many villages within a circuit of two or three leagues. The disposition to hear, which the people manifested, was most encouraging. Only a few cases of interruption occurred, though the priests endeavoured to excite the people by refusing absolution, by personal visitation and rebuke, and by inducing the landlords to interfere. Then came the reaction-and on the present regime being set up the priests again took courage, and their opposition became the more formidable as various edicts were passed against public meetings, until finally, these services were stopped. As, however, there were a few houses open in the country, where Mr. Jenkins preached as often as perhaps he dared, the work was kept on. As the restrictions hitherto in force against public meetings are being cautiously relaxed, he will extend his operations. There are three stations which are often visited, Corquer, Tremel, and Plougasnon, with occasional services elsewhere. At the readings which the colporteurs carry on in the houses of the peasantry there will be ten, sometimes fifteen and twenty persons persent. These facts will serve to show the Committee how varied and formidable the obstacles have been with which Mr. Jenkins has had to contend; and the patience, perseverence, and wisdom with which he has met them.