do not consist of formal exercises on abstruse subjects such as a mere theorist might supply, but of questions, remarks, and illustrations which could only be suggested by an intelligent person accustomed to the work of Sundayschool tuition. We feel that we shall be doing good service to Sunday-school teachers by urging them carefully to read the author's valuable introduction, and to study the lessons with a view to the adoption of a similar mode of conducting their respective classes.

The Life of the Rev. John Williams, Missionary to Polynesia. By EBENEZER PROUT. Fourth Thousand. London: 8vo. pp. 171.

This interesting work was reviewed in our number for May, 1843. We are glad to see an edition of it, at the very low price of three shillings, uniform with the cheap editions of Williams's Missionary Enterprises and Moffat's Labours and Scenes in South Africa.

An Examination of the "Direct Testimonies in Favour of the Baptism of Infants from the Apostolic Age" (Dwight's Theology.) By H. WHITLOCK, Belton. Uppingham: Óliver. 12m. pp. 19.

The following sentences from a notice prefixed to this pamphlet will best explain both its nature and the occasion of its being written. "The baptist denomination had been making efforts to raise an interest in the town of Uppingham for fourteen months without making any particular attempt to propagate their views in the ordinance of baptism. In August last three persons were baptized, and it was thought right to distribute tracts on the baptists' views. In a few days after a tract bearing the above title was printed and circulated taken from 158th Sermon of Dwight's Theology. As an examination of the doctor's statements the following pages were compiled." We have only to add that the author has manifested much industry, and by completely invalidating the "testimonies" of his opponents has done good service to the cause of truth.

Conversations on Dissent from the Church of England and all other Human Establishments of Religion. Written and Published by Direction of the Annual Association of General Baptists. By JOHN JONES. Leicester: Hull, Harvey, and Co.

A very little book, written forcibly but not offensively, and containing all the leading arguments in favour of dissent. The youthful members of our churches will do well to make themselves familiar with its contents.

The Domestic Sanctuary; being a Comment upon a Portion of God's Word for every Day in the Year, and Designed to Promote Christian Faith and Practice. By BENJAMIN CLARK, Author sf "Meditation with Selfexamination," &c., "Hand-book to Kensal Green Cemetery," &c., &c. London: Allman. 32mo. pp. 386.

Written on the plan of Bogatzky's wellknown "Golden Treasury," and in many repects closely resembling it. The passages of scripture are judiciously selected, the remarks pertinent, the sentiments those which prevail among our Wesleyan brethren.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

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The Standard Edition of the Pictorial Bible. Edited by JOHN KITTO, D.D., F.S.A. With many hundred Woodcuts, and thirteen Engravings on Steel. To be published in thirteen Monthly Parts, at four shillings, and fifty-two Weekly Numbers, at one shilling. Part IV. London: 8vo. pp. 177.

Nelson's Large Type Comprehensive Edition of Matthew Henry's Commentary (Unabridged), with Illustrated Engravings. The following new and important features in this work, distinguishing it above all existing editions, will render it at once a complete Cyclopædia of Bible Comment, Reference, Historical Knowledge, and Scripture Illustration. 1. A valuable and copious collection of Scripture References. 2. Various Readings from the Translations of the Scriptures, by Wycliffe, Tyndale, Coverdale, &c. 3. Notes on the Manners and Customs of the East, &c. 4. Notes on the Natural History of the Bible, &c., &c. Part I. London: 4to. pp. 62. Price 18.

The Catechism of the Heart. A New Year's Address. By CORNELIUS ELVEN, of Bury St. Edmund's, to the People of his Charge. Jan. 1st, 1847. London: Hail:8, 18mo. pp. 30.

Christian Fellowship; or the Church Member's Guide. By JOHN ANGELL JAMES. Tenth Edition, Abridged. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 18mo. PP. 119.

Pastoral Addresses. By J. A. JAMES. Third

Series. A New Edition. London: (R. T. S.) 24mo.
PP. 190.
Price 18..

The Christian Harp. London: (R. T. S.) 16mo. pp. 156. Price 23.

CALCUTTA,

FELLOWSHIP WITH DEMONS.

The temptations which ensnared the Israelites at Baal-Peor and the Christian converts at Corinth, are held out it appears with too much effect to British residents in Bengal. At the recent festival called Durga Pujá, the worthlessness of nominal Christianity was illustrated in various ways which called forth sarcastic remark from many of the heathen. One of the most intelligent of the native journals, the Bhaskar, wrote thus immediately afterwards :—

"The Durga Puja does not bring gaiety and mirth to the Hindu community alone, but also to the Christians. They may be seen in every house (native of course) partaking of dainties offered to the goddess along with bumpers of sherry and champaigne. Good singers and nách-girls are retained at these festivals to entertain the European friends of the Bábus. What would the Christian Advocate say of this? He inveighed against the government for allowing the Hindu holidays, but does he intend to bring these liberal fellow countrymen of his within the pale of his tenets? Our countrymen consider every thing connected with the Christian religion impure, but Christians, it seems, are more liberally disposed towards our faith. Thus we have hopes that our religion will rather meet with encouragement than checks at the hands of those good Christians."

Adverting to the fact, the Calcutta Christian Observer says, " Here we have also the direct testimony of another native well acquainted with the Hindu system, that the dainties of which Christians partake at the náches are offered to the goddess. The irony in which the Bhaskar indulges at the expense of our professedly fellow Christians is most pointed, and the rebuke administered appropriate and deserved. Well may we ask, not only what will the Christian Advocate say of this? but what does the bible itself say to Christians on such subjects? Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord. Touch not, taste not, handle not the

unclean thing.'

can

"Our contemporary asks, how we bring these, our liberal fellow countrymen, within the pale of our tenets? and well he may ask us, and we may ask them how they can reconcile their consciences as Christians with the word of God, this liberal and shrewd

Hindu himself judging them. The Bhaskar, in irony of course, thinks Hinduism more tianity is with the Hindus, and in one sense likely to find favour with such than ChrisHinduism will provide nách girls, singingwe agree with him. If the upholders of women, equestrians, champaigne and suppers at their festivals, they will make many connot to idolatry: but how far they will do verts, at least to these exciting appendages, if honour to Hinduism we leave our readers to judge from the following extract from the article in the Englishman previously referred

to.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

MELBOURNE.

ing that the Head of the church would send them a minister of their own denomination, having been "as sheep without a shepherd." They requested him to preach to them in the Mechanics' Hall, during his stay, and he did so. When the vessel was about to sail for Sydney, they entreated him to remain: he was unwilling to do so, but at length consented to continue with them another month, sending on his family to Sydney and intending soon to follow.

"At the expiration of that month," says Mr. Ham, "the large, spacious lecture room at the Mechanics' Hall was completely filled. This room will contain upwards of 300 people. When I was about to leave, and had taken my place for Sydney, several respectable and influential persons came forward and gave me a very pressing and affectionate invitation to remain with them, and engaged to find me a salary amply sufficient to support me and my family in comfort and respectability for the first year. This invitation I felt it my duty to accept, as it was strikingly evident by the indications of providence that this was to be the scene of my future labours.

"I had now to send for my family back from Sydney, which I did, and by the kind providence of God they all arrived in safety. Since that period the Lord has been with us, and every subsequent event has proved that it was the design of divine providence that here I should remain; nor has the Redeemer withheld from us the manifest tokens of his favour. We now took the Mechanics' Hall at an annual rent, which we continued to accupy for about three years.

"In July, 1843, some months after the commencement of my labours, we formed a church of sixteen persons, two of whom were ordained to the office of deacons. Since that period we have gradually increased; sinners have been converted; baptism several times administered; and at present we are about forty members, with a certain prospect of further additions.

"Besides this, we have built a very neat and handsome place of worship, all neatly pewed with cedar, with a front gallery. The dimensions are fifty-four feet by thirty-seven. With great care and economy we have been enabled to complete it for something more than £800; building and material being cheap at the time, but labour and materials are so much higher at present, that now it could scarcely be built for double the money.

"We have now an interesting prospect of usefulness before us should my health be continued and my life spared. Since the commencement of our cause we have raised a Sunday school of nearly 100 children, and an infant day-school of 107 children last annual report. This school is supported by subscriptions, and by a grant from the government of the same amount as the free subscriptions. Having, by the divine blessing, waded through our own difficulties, and been enabled to establish a baptist church and congregation capable of supporting the ministry and other expenses without aid or assistance from the government (which it has done from the commencement), and while the government would have given me £200 per annum for my congregation, yet, I am happy to say, I have never been inclined to take state-support, nor have I departed from the principles I have maintained for the last twenty-five years; and though [far from home and no society to assist me, I have been enabled to carry out in this colony the voluntary system, which I have the pleasure to state is gaining ground rapidly in this part of the world."

EXERTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE NATIVES.

"Soon after the opening of our new chapel in Dec., 1845," says Mr. Ham, "we began to turn our attention to the commencement of a mission among the Yarra tribe of Aborigines.' The particulars connected with the establishment of this mission you will see in the newspaper I have sent. [This paper has not arrived.]

"This paper contains an account of one of the most numerous and respectable meetings ever convened in this town for any religious or benevolent object. It was held in our chapel, which was crowded to excess; there must have been more than 600 people present, and great numbers went away, not being able to gain admission. There were twenty black children present, most of whom read in their different class-books. One boy read a part of the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, after which the mayor, who occupied the chair, presented him with a New Testament.

"Such an interesting, imposing, and affecting scene I never witnessed before, nor any one in these colonies. I only wish the same scene could have been exhibited in London, Birmingham, and other places, and then I feel assured we should not have to rely on the resources of these colonies alone to support so great, so important, so noble an undertaking. You will see by the report we have only had these children wholly under our instruction for the last four months.

that their mental powers, abilities, and perceptions are quite equal to any white children in the colony. The only mission besides this now in existence for the benefit and religious instruction of the numerous tribes of this colony is the Wesleyan mission at Buntingdale, more than 100 miles from this place; and the tribe they have is not so large as the tribe we have taken, only they take the adults and support them as well as the children, but we only take the children.

"We intend to pursue the same plan as the one adopted there, and take but one tribe at one time, as this plan is now found to work much better than the amalgamation of the tribes, there being such a determined hostility existing among the tribes to each other, which presents an insuperable barrier to their ever being united in one mission establishment.

"The lowest estimated expense of this mission in its present limited form will be £300 per annum, which expense, for the last four months prior to the jubilee meeting, has been borne by the liberal contributions of my own people; but being intended as an experiment only, we decided on not calling a public meeting until the expiration of that period. Previous to the meeting held May 12th, I sent out an appeal to the inhabitants of this province on behalf of the Aborigines, which was published gratuitously by all the local journals......

"We have at present twenty-two children in the school, but we expect more as soon as the blacks see that the establishment is likely to be permanent, and I have no doubt but we shall shortly have all the children in the tribe, amounting to nearly forty, this being rather a large tribe, mostly residing in the vicinity of the town, except in the winter season, when they go to the ranges.

"This time last year I was in Sydney, having made an exchange with Mr. Saunders for three months, who, when he was here, expressed an anxious desire that something should be done for the Aborigines of this colony, and has since promised to raise a subscription among his friends to aid us in this cause."

Mr. Ham is anxious that the British churches should know what is doing by the two churches in Melbourne and Sydney-the only two baptist churches in the whole region -to teach the black children of that land the way of salvation. He asks the prayers of his English brethren, and begs them not to expend all their sympathy on the natives of other regions and withhold it from the sable tribes of Australia Felix.

ANNUAL MEETING. BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SOCIETY.

The second annual meeting of this institution was held at New Park Street, Nov. 19,

1846. Joseph Fletcher, Esq., Treasurer, in the chair. After prayer by the Rev. James Smith, the following Report was read :-

"The importance of education to the rising ministry is now very generally acknowledged, and many who are anxious for the prosperity and increase of our churches have long felt that a course of tuition differing in some respects from college training is required.

"It seems very desirable to meet the case of those candidates for the sacred ministry, to whom a college education is not altogether adapted, or who, having had a good general education, wish that their term of study should be devoted more especially to immediate preparation for their great work of preaching the gospel and labouring for the good

of souls.

"It has been proposed to meet this requirement by placing young men with suitable tutors, the pastors of baptist churches, who shall be able to direct their studies and by every possible way endeavour to train them up to be useful preachers, faithful and laborious pastors.

"Various appeals have been made to the churches, In their last report and not without some effect. the committee stated that three young men were then pursuing their studies, two were located with Dr. Godwin of Oxford, and one with Mr. Jackson of Taunton. Some time after that Report was published their engagements, Dr. Godwin through the failing both the tutors were under the necessity of resigning of his health, and Mr. Jackson in consequence of the connexion he had formed with the Baptist Missionary Society. The committee are happy to state that other tutors were immediately provided, so that no

time was lost to the students.

"To these students another was added at the

commencement of the present year, two of the num ber are with the Rev. C. Daniell of Melksham, and

the other two with the Rev. D. Gould of Dunstable. The tutors continue to report favourably concerning the students as it regards their character, progress in learning, and acceptability as preachers. mer, and have been placed with the Rev. T. J. Gough of Clipstone; these have just completed their probationary term of three months, and have been recommended by their tutor as permanent students of the society.

"Two other students were received at Midsum

"On April 2nd the committee engaged the Rev. S. Davis (late with the Irish Society) to be their collecting agent for one year. He has been untiring in his efforts, which have been attended with considerable success, and it is hoped that he will be able to induce many members of our churches to give their contributions to this good cause. A collection amounting to £17 68. 6d. has been received from the church at New Park Street, London, under the pastoral care of the Rev. James Smith. The Rev. R Roff of Cambridge and his friends have kindly promised £25 towards the expense of a student received from them, and Mr. Packer of Emsworth has contributed £25 for a young man received from that place. Another friend has offered to subscribe £10 should a candidate who has lately applied be accepted. This, it is expected, will be the case in a short time.

"These instances of liberality, together with others, which will be found amongst the list of subscribers, have encouraged the committee to go forward, and they now earnestly entreat further and

more extensive aid.

"The two young men who are studying under the Rev. D. Gould will complete the allotted period at the close of the present year, and it is expected that two others will commence their studies in January.

"The committee feel it to be their duty to secure the completion of the engagement with the students now under their care by retaining sufficient funds as security for the purpose. They have many applications from young men well recommended and qualifor the reason they have stated, although suitable fied for the ministry whom they cannot encourage ministers are so much needed at home and abroad;