age is a religious impulse. That impulse is every year working deeper into the heart of the nations, and is every year finding new occasion to make itself felt and seen in their affairs.

Then the religious questions of the day are thoroughly questions of principles, and of Congregational principles. The struggles, national and international, of the times, are not for territory, or dynasty, or dominion. They are not questions for the sword; and happily the nations, in a great measure, see that they are not. There is a growing disposition to use the weapons of reason and mind, and to lay aside those of force. The Bible or the church-the voluntary or the compulsory system-a ritual or a spiritual religion-private judgment or priestly dominationsuperstitious bondage or healthful liberty-these are the questions men are agitating on all sides, these are the questions on which Congregationalists should be prompt to exhibit their practice, eager to bear their testimony.

Their principles, possibly not their forms, but their principles are in the Bible, and for the latter day. What are those principles? Christ the king, and Scripture the rule, in the churches, for their constitution and discipline no less than for their doctrine and worship-a converted ministry, a spiritual fellowship indispensable-the action and responsibility of the people in church government in harmony with their presiding elders-their voice in the choice of elders, the admission of members, the order of worship, the exercise of discipline-the completeness of every several association of believers for every purpose of church government-the uniting together of churches for mutual counsel and strength, for public testimony and general enterprises on behalf of truth, and to promote the common salvation.

In such times, and to advance such principles, arose the Congregational Union of England and Wales. It submits to experiment the important point, Can Independent churches unite as churches for general objects? Is any combination of Independent churches for purposes in which they have a common interest, compatible with their strict, uninvaded independency for all purposes to which they conscientiously desire to employ it? Can they produce by union power that shall be salutary and not dangerous to themselves?-power to be employed for mutual defence and encouragement, for the vindication and spread of truth, for the general interests and the general usefulness of the combined churches, but still incapable of being employed for purposes of domination over them in any mode whatever? The advocates of the Congregational Union maintain that this can be done. They say, that those who assert it cannot be cone, in effect accuse Independency of inaptitude for great movements, condemn it to feebleness and inferiority, and bring its scriptural character into doubt. Man is made for union no less than for individuality and liberty. Lesser and more intimate unions, all rise and expand into others more general and extensive.

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lies grow into nations, and the union of nations constitutes the brotherhood of mankind. But families retain their domestic rights amidst the laws and constitutions of commonwealths-nations remain independent notwithstanding the treaties and obligations of international union. Independent churches do and must unite for many reasons and purposes. Isolation would be as impossible in practice as it is repugnant to

nature and religion; would stifle charity, and enfeeble truth. Union we must have. The manner, degree, and objects of union are alone in question. Experience is coming in aid of theory. The churches are discovering that they can safely, usefully unite. Necessity presses the reluctant, and decides the doubtful. Times that scatter, teach union. The Christian Witness will witness for union; and future numbers will further explain the constitution, expound the principles, and report the proceedings of the Congregational Union of England and Wales.

THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON GENERAL EDUCATION CONNECTED WITH THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION, continues its labours with encouragement and success. The subscription gradually increases. Preparatory arrangements are in progress which will lay the foundation for extended and permanent operations. The pastors and churches are generally impressed with the necessity that efforts and sacrifices, more than usual, should be made in this department of benevolence. The work is indeed arduous, but the prospect is cheering. Still the subject must in every mode be continually pressed on the public attention, and unfolded to the public mind, that it may be sustained and advanced as its intrinsic importance, and the present crisis, unite to demand. Let some of its aspects be now carefully considered.

In the first place, it is becoming manifest that the evangelical churches of all denominations must awake to a more due appreciation of the vital importance, the necessity, of promoting the intelligence, of informing the mind of the reople. The understandings of the most numerous classes require to be cultivated. They must be moved and trained to think. Knowledge must be communicated to them. Various interesting and improving subjects must be opened to their view. They require to be intellectually raised. It is not on religious topics only that they must be instructed. The instruction of a few hours on the Sunday is not adequate. Religious eduIcation on the Sabbath must be sustained and facilitated by daily and evening instruction. All this is needed to raise the people in character, thought, and intelligence. It is required by the times. The people connected with all evangelical bodies of Christians in this country must now obtain the intelligence needed to understand their political rights and obligations-to fulfil their social duties. Their minds must be thus cultured and trained if they are to retain sound Protestantism, and the genuine Christianity of the Bible. In this way only can they be preserved from becoming the dupes and victims of an aspiring priesthood, the slaves of an abject superstition, the votaries of a deluding and destructive formalism.

Again, it cannot fail to strike an observer how the claims on the pecuniary contributions of the non-endowed evangelical communities annually grow, become more and more numerous and urgent. In the one year, 1843, the secession from the established Kirk of Scotland, and the educational movement in England, have together created a necessity that within a few years, five or seven, full a million of money must be raised by voluntary efforts, in addition to all the numerous contributions that were previously in regular progress, all of which must be continued and augmented. This is the hand of God. comes on us in His providence, and in conscien

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tious obedience to religious convictions, as much and as plainly as persecutions came on our forefathers in the same cause. This is one trial of the faith, constancy, and courage of the servants of Christ-one preserving influence of zeal and purity in an age of ease and wealth, of too much conformity to the maxims, and too much subjection to the conventionalism of the world. But can these burdens be borne? Can these resources be obtained? Will not the voluntary system become oppressive, till it greatly weakens, if it does not destroy itself? Are not the times so trying to the classes constituting the great numerical strength of the evangelical bodies, as to render such appeals and pressure very unseasonable? Will not many be driven from connexions that bring on them so many appeals, so much pressure? These are difficulties, serious difficulties. There must be caution, wisdom, and economy exercised. Some, perhaps many, will secede from a cause which involves both expense and obloquy, which places them in a disadvantageous social position, and in many ways tests principle, and requires self-denial. Still God's work must be done; the claims of the age must be met. The cause is worth all it demands. By these efforts and charges, we procure or retain what is well worth all its costs. We owe all we are called to pay-first, in honour of our forefathers, who more dearly purchased what we cannot without difficulty defend-to our own age, that cannot be saved from degeneracy, much less advanced in improvement, without strenuous efforts to posterity, for whom we should preserve and bequeath an augmented, not a diminished, inheritance of freedom, intelligence, and religion. And the work can be done. Our resources are not exhausted. We are not doing our utmost. Our zeal and liberality admit of great advances. Our givings are not deficient because our substance is wasted, but because our faith is weak.

Further, the want of men, of workers, in all departments of benevolent labour, is beginning to be pressingly felt. May it be said without offence, that many additional ministers of the higher order, both in acquirement and devotement, are urgently needed? In churches, how are brethren and sisters, of wise, active, and humble labours for the general good, needed! In public societies, the times require an order of Christian men to labour in the executive, full of eminent qualifications. Happily, our Sundayschools have gathered the choice of our youththe teachers in those seminaries are our joy and hope.

But now arises another want-teachers of both sexes for infant schools, daily schools, and evening classes. These should be intelligent, pious persons, kindly disposed to children, voluntarily choosing the work of their instruction. They should be first educated themselves, then trained for the work of teaching; they should acquire both knowledge and the art of communicating it. These must be sought at

once.

They are as necessary and more valuable than money. This must be a primary care. We are going to the work of education as one of eager competition. The best schools will win the day. Instruction more requires to be improved than extended. The schools that have truly good masters and mistresses will do both. They will make education valuable. Then the people will seek for it, and pay for it.

Then, lastly, it is apparent that the efforts of

all classes of our people are both needed for this work of general education, and may be made available for its advancement. Pastors can do much for it. From the pulpit, by private influence, in public meetings, by school visitation, their sanction, testimony, and appeals will be indispensable and invaluable. Hardly less necessary and important will be the efforts of our deacons, and of other brethren, if not in that office, yet of the same character and social standing. They can themselves give money. They can, perhaps, more even than ministers, induce others to give. They can greatly influence the humbler classes. Their visits to the schools, and countenance, will be a great encouragement. But our Sunday-school teachers can do great things. Their numbers alone give them great power. Are they so few as twenty thousand? Were every Congregational Sundayschool teacher to collect one sovereign for each of the next five years in support of general education, they alone would procure one hundred thousand pounds for the work. Is this impracticable? Beloved teachers in our Sunday-schools, it will not be impossible; it will be easy, if you resolve to do it. The Christian Witness will be read, it is hoped, by every one of your numerous and most important body. Take up this thought, act on it, carry it out. Then, multitudes of the children that should be gathered into our daily schools are already your charge. With their parents you are familiar. Employ your influence to fill the daily schools with pupils. Moreover, many of you, probably, ought to become teachers of daily schools. This laborious and self-denying, but most honourable work, some of you should undertake. Not for interest, but for conscience and benevolence, give yourselves to it. If you can see a personal call in Providence-an open door— and feel within a mental impulse, seek to be educated for this work, to be devoted to it. Those who teach the people of England on sound and enlightened, on religious and scriptural principles, will be the benefactors of their country, of the church, of the world.

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THE WYCLIFFE SOCIETY, is another project, commenced and carried forward under the auspices of the Congregational Union, most highly deserving, and as urgently requiring the support of all enlightened Independents. It is a proposal for reprinting the most rare and able tracts on Ecclesiastical Reform in these realms from the period of Wycliffe down to the period of tolerated and established Nonconformity after the revolution of 1688. Wonderful were the "times of reformation" from popery. "day-spring from on high" visited Europe. England, especially, the period somewhat more than a century in length, including at its commencement the reign of Edward the Sixth, and at its close the struggles and storms of the Long Parliament, brought forth keen and high debates on almost every point of Christian doctrine, every question of Christian polity. The men of those days wrote with a power and impulse which the present times, active and onward as they are, cannot supply. Yet these times strikingly resemble those of the period just alluded to. The same interests are contending, the same opinions are rising up, the same passions and hopes are awake, the same earnest spirit is breathing itself into all parties. But the men of this age have not the leisure to write as their

of this age have not the leisure to write as their fathers wrote, with patient toil, with profound learning, with deep sagacity. Let there then be a "resurrection" of these "witnesses." Let them live and speak again. Let them testify to this generation also. Let them instruct us, as they taught their contemporaries. They are worthy of this honour. They are our fathers to speak to us, not with authority indeed, but with wisdom.

The proposal is to reprint these choice products of the human mind, on subjects of deep interest, by subscriptions to be annually continued. The whole amount of subscription to be expended on the volumes brought out. No profit to be made in any way. The works republished to be carefully selected, and edited by competent scholars. Explanatory introductions and notes to be given. The typography and style of the volumes to be handsome, without undue expense. Progress has been made in the subscription list which seems to warrant perseverance, and to encourage immediate efforts to prepare the first volumes. Wycliffe's scarce treatises will probably supply the first volume. The tracts and correspondence of the confessors and reformers of Henry the Eighth's reign, another. Materials will be found in the controversy on the "habits" in the reign of Edward. The writings of the martyrs at home, and of the exiles abroad, in Mary's time, especially the Frankfort troubles, will supply materials. Then follow Cartwright, Smectymnuus, the Independents, Milton-leaders of a host.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE Directors of the Home Missionary Society are anxious to furnish monthly to the readers of this magazine such extracts from the journals of their missionaries as will give a correct idea of the real state of things in the rural districts, as well as the progress that the gospel is making, as the result of the Society's efforts. These extracts will be classified according to the nature of the facts described in them, rather than by any geographical or alphabetical order. It will no doubt be observed that in most instances, in referring to the names of persons and places, only the initial letters are given. There are two reasons for this. One is, an unwillingness, in cases of opposition, to expose the poor people on the station, to greater suffering, which would be the result, if their bigoted and unkind opposers should find their names given to the public. It is hoped the time is not far distant when the reason for the concealment will cease to exist. The second reason is, that in mentioning cases of conversion, or in occasionally giving descriptions of character, there should be no facilities given for identifying the parties so described. The most anxious wish of the Directors is to present things as they are; so that while they are far from seeking to produce an impression that all is success on the stations of the Society; at the same time they do wish it to be understood, that amidst many difficulties the great Head of the church is giving many delightful tokens of

Divine approbation. This is strikingly manifest in some of the extracts now given; respecting which it may be stated, that they have not been accumulated for the purpose of thus presenting them together. They constitute a portion of the most recent intelligence from the stations, having all been received during the last few weeks.

HOME MISSIONARY LABOURS IN NORFOLK.

Happy change in persecutors.-Love to the Gospel shown by an aged villager.

The storm is still raging without, but I rejoice to say that peace and an encouraging measure of prosperity reign within our borders. The more I become acquainted with this locality, the more deeply is my mind impressed with the importance of missionary exertions. You per

ceive that my regular labours at present extend among a population of more than 3700 souls; and my occasional labours among a population of 1600 more. And then there are several other parishes adjoining those in which I preach, the inhabitants of which have opportunity, through the same medium, of hearing the word of life.

It gives me joy to say that R, a populous village, quite destitute of the gospel, from which I had been shut out by the hand of persecution, is now open. My engagements, as you are aware, are very numerous, but I hope soon to find an opportunity of again pointing that people to the Lamb of God. Could the friends of the Home Missionary Society visit this wide sphere of labour, and become acquainted with its former character and its present condition, they would be constrained to lift up their hearts to God, and with feelings of devout gratitude, and holy praise, thank him for the existence of an institution whose scriptural operations are so highly calculated to bless heathens at home. When the chapel at H was first opened, a young man, a member of a most depraved and ungodly family, composed "A song about the New Religionists." That song became very popular among the infatuated inhabitants, and the follower of Christ could say with the Psalmist, "I was the song of the drunkard." But the sacred promise is being fulfilled: My word shall not return unto me void;" the light of the glory of God is breaking in upon the midnight darkness of this long neglected people. A spirit of inquiry is stirring within them-the despised sanctuary is resorted to-and the character and motives of the once despised people are beginning to be better understood. A few days since, to the surprise of our friends, some of the members of the family just alluded to, among whom was the author of that persecuting song, came forward, quite unsolicited, and presented their freewill offerings to the cause of Christ.

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It is encouraging to know that the rural population take great interest in my village labours. I should have liked the Directors to have heard the soul-stirring, resistless appeal of an aged widow, at one of my out-stations. She was apprehensive that, in consequence of the increasing multiplicity of my engagements, I was about partially to withdraw my labours from her humble cot. She raised her withered hands, and with an expression of countenance that defies all description, exclaimed, "Oh, Sir! we have but few opportunities of tasting the bread of life; we pity those who have it not, but what shall we do if we are deprived of it?" It left an impression upon my mind which I hope not soon to forget. But I must close. The Lord help you still to pray for long neglected H

An aged soldier converted.-Desire for daily instruction. From a Missionary in Somerset.

I feel great pleasure in forwarding another journal, being enabled to communicate intelligence more pleasing than usual.

At O-, our Sabbath-school increases weekly. The children's galleries yesterday (3rd Dec.) were full to overflowing. Sixteen teachers labouring zealously for the eternal interests of the young. The congregation excellent-and

tears shed in abundance.

I was at M- last evening. The chapel was quite full; the people heard the word with breathless attention; and after preaching, we had the sacrament of the Lord's supper.

One individual, who some time since had been induced to leave us and go to church, has repented and returned to her "first love." Last night she rejoined us with weeping and supplications.

A new convert was also brought in; he is a pensioner, who has spent the early part of his life in fighting for an earthly sovereign, and shedding human blood; and now in old age he has been brought under the blood-shedding of the cross-enlisted under the banner of the King of kings-put on the armour of righteousness, and resolved to fight the fight of faith. You would have been deeply interested could you have witnessed the intensity of his feeling, while I reminded him of the holy and spiritual warfare in which he was now engaged-of his glorious Captain-and assured him of the certainty of being more than a conqueror through Him who has loved him.

I have prevailed with one of our female teachers (well qualified) at once to open a dayschool in the vestry of the chapel; and I really think, if we could obtain a little foreign aid to strengthen our hands, (in this part and stage of the conflict,) we should, in the name of the Lord, bring forth the head of Puseyism in triumph, and be left in possession of the field.

I rejoice to inform you that we admitted three new members at B- about three weeks since, two of then adults from the Sabbath-school; the other, an old hoary-headed sinner, saved at the eleventh hour.

I think I mentioned S in my last journal. I held a prayer-meeting there on the 9th Nov. Two rooms nearly full-many tears shed, and all desire my coming again; have heard of no raging from "the powers that be;" humbly hope that the mouth of the lion may be shut, and therefore intend visiting them again this evening. Oh, that our blessed Master may come and speak peace unto our souls!

Interesting case of the conversion of an aged cripple, reported by an agent in Devon.-Other aged persons converted.

Amongst the hearers at the village of Mthere is an old man, a cripple, who has upwards of four miles to travel on one of the worst roads in this part of the country, in order to enjoy the means of grace; and yet few are more regular in their attendance. M is the nearest place to his residence where the gospel is statedly preached, yet most cheerfully does he accomplish this tiresome journey of eight miles that he may be instructed in the things of God.

A short time since he was received into the church, when he referred to the following circumstance as having been, under God, the

means of leading him to serious reflection and true conversion.

A few years ago he lost a daughter, who was for a considerable time confined to a bed of sickness. During her illness she was visited by the clergymen of the two neighbouring parishes, the house being situated somewhat between the two. On a certain occasion the two clergymen met at this cottage, when one of them requested the other to offer prayer; but he declined, stating that he was not then prepared to do so, not having his book with him: the other being prepared, read the usual form, and they both retired. But the expression, "I am not prepared to pray," produced considerable surprise in the mind of the old man; or, to use his own expression, "it was like a thunder clap ;" and he began to think as follows:-What! a minister not "prepared to pray." The minister under whom I have sat for more than thirty years, and to whom I have looked as my spiritual guide! Then how can a poor ignorant creature like me be prepared to pray? From this period he became dissatisfied with his spiritual instructor, and attended the preaching at M, and at another Home Missionary station, about the same distance in another direction; and from then began to feel an interest in divine things; he learnt to pray, he gave himself to Christ, and to his people; and now, though unable to read, he can speak to others of the way of prayer. Thus the Spirit of God seems to have made use of this singular circumstance in first leading this poor man to serious reflection, and anxious inquiry about his spiritual welfare. How mysterious are the ways of God in bringing his chosen people to himself!

In this village the gospel has been especially effectual to aged people. Another man, upwards of seventy years of age, was lately admitted to the Lord's table, who, until a few months since, had been notorious for drunkenness and profane swearing. And there is now another man of the same age standing as a candidate for church fellowship, who has been much addicted to the same dreadful vices, but who now gives satisfactory evidence of an entire change of heart. Thus the gospel is still made the power of God unto salvation, to the old as well as the young; thus is the Home Missionary Society instrumental in "plucking brands from the fire," in conveying "light to them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death, in guiding their feet into the way of peace."

Review of eight years' labour, by a missionary who is emigrating to America.

In closing the year, I desire with gratitude to acknowledge the goodness of my heavenly Father, in that he has strengthened me for my work, blessed me in it, and preserved me amidst the seen and unseen dangers to which I have been exposed.

It is more than eight years since I commenced my labours on this station, under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society; during that period a Christian church has been formed, four Sabbath-schools established, two chapels built, more than eight thousand tracts lent and given away, a good village and Sunday-school library instituted, and two thousand five hundred copies of the Scriptures circulated; and what is best of all, God glorified in the salvation of souls.

Such are some of the fruits of the efforts of the Home Missionary Society. The preaching of the gospel is the very instrumentality which God

has appointed, and here we see that he has bestowed upon it the promised blessing. What our beloved country specially needs at the present time, is a mighty increase of faithful, simple, earnest, affectionate preachers of the gospel, in every destitute country district, as well as in our ill-supplied towns. They require to be men of vigorous minds, of unwearied, persevering zealthoughtful, improving; and wise to adapt their instructions to the circumstances of their hearers -not satisfied with doling out again and again the same texts, common-place thoughts and illustrations-but providing things new and old, and giving to the people that which costs them much study, and much prayer. To increase the number of such Home Missionaries, is the earnest desire of the Directors. For this purpose they have provided a tutor, Rev. J. Frost, to train young men for this important work. About 16 missionaries have already proceeded from the institution at Cotton End, while others are preparing to go forth. This department of labour is a serious expense to the Society, but it is quite essential to the continued increase and efficiency of its operations, and is already one of the most encouraging of all its systematic efforts.

During the past month the Directors have been compelled, from deficiency of income, to decline applications, received from five different counties. They have been pained by the consideration, that in their inability to adopt new stations they were denying to thousands, who are perishing for want of it, that bread of life which would have saved their souls. Such painful reflections might be at once removed by a more general exercise of liberality, and a very small amount of self-denial among the members of our churches, and other friends of Home. When the latter principle begins to be fully acted out by Christians, the conversion of the world will be near at hand.

The Directors beg most respectfully to intimate to those friends who have received newyear's-gift cards, that on or before the 21st Feb. is the time fixed for forwarding the amount collected to the secretaries, No. 4, Blomfieldstreet.

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. THE January number of the Christian Witness contained a paper descriptive of the present position and claims of this Society, in which it was intimated, that in future numbers of this new periodical, such information would be furnished to the Congregational churches of Great Britain, as would prove that this institution is doing good service to the cause of Christ in Ireland, and is entitled to a larger amount of support than it has hitherto received.

After

In fulfilling this promise it affords us pleasure to state, that the Committee have recently introduced three additional ministerial brethren to labour in Ireland. The Rev. J. D. Williamns, late of Highbury College, was sent by them, three months since, to supply the vacant pulpit of the Independent chapel at Limerick. serving the people there, for several weeks, he received, and has accepted, a unanimous invitation from the church to become its pastor, and has entered on his stated ministry amidst encouraging circumstances. The extent of population, and the commanding influence of the city of Limerick, render this station very important. Hence the Committee will cheerfully aid the church in supporting its pastor, in the

hope that the time is not very distant when it will be entirely sustained by its own voluntary contributions, and be the means of sending out the gospel in the regions round about.

The Rev. Samuel Bunn, also of Highbury College, has been appointed by the Committee to labour in Tralee, a large and increasing town in the south of Ireland, on which the Society bestowed much attention in former years, but which for some time past has been vacant, as one of its stations. Mr. Bunn has been cordially welcomed to Tralee by the few kind and zealous friends of Congregationalism who reside there, and among whom he has commenced his ministry. We have a scripture reader diligently employed in the town and neighbourhood, and indulge the expectation that the united labours of the minister and reader will be mutually beneficial, and secure, under the Divine blessing, a considerable amount of spiritual prosperity.

By the removal of the Rev. G. S. Morrison from Armagh to Dublin, where the Committee rejoice to know that his labours are greatly owned of God, the congregation at the former place, with its numerous out-stations, was left, early in last year, without a pastor. The Society has taken means to supply the people with constant preaching, and has recently sent Mr. Heathcoate, late a student at Spring-hill College, to labour there, with a view to settlement. His report as to the state of our little cause in that arch-episcopal city is, on the whole, favourable; and he is devoting himself with zeal and diligence to the ministry of the Word, and to the visitation of the people. The cause of Christ in connexion with Independency, while flourishing in many surrounding villages, has been long retarded in the city by the obscure situation and dilapidated state of the chapel. The desirableness of a new place of worship, or at least of considerable improvements in the present edifice, is felt by Mr. Heathcoate, as well as by other ministers who have visited the place; and should Providence lead to his settlement there, means must be taken to secure this important object.

It is a matter of thankfulness to the Head of the church, that three young brethren of good education, competent ability, and decided piety, have, under the advice and with the commendation of their pastors and tutors, gone forth to toil, under the auspices of this Society, in the sister isle. The prayers of our churches are sought on their behalf, that they may be sustained in their arduous undertakings, and be rendered the instruments of delivering multitudes from the kingdom of darkness, and of translating them into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

The peculiar political circumstances of Ireland, the increasing bigotry of the Protestant clergy, and the difficulties always encountered in approaching the Roman Catholic population, constitute formidable barriers to the spread of the gospel by our agents in that country. Yet none of them are toiling without encouragement; while the present state of things, and the shadows of coming events, appear to call loudly for additional labourers to cultivate the expanding field. This view of our relation and duty to Ireland is sustained by the following communication, from the Rev. S. Shaw, the Society's long tried friend and servant, in Moy. Writing under a recent date, he says:

"I am truly grateful that the Lord is still with me in my work, and that through in