Christian Hindoo, one of the first fruits of the Madras Mission; addressed the Assembly in fervid and inspiring orations, the effects of which will not soon pass away. From the Report of the Home Mission Committee, it appeared that, out of 46 stations reported to last Assembly, eight had been sanctioned as permanent charges; and, in the course of this year, seven new stations had been received, making the entire number about the same as last year. The gross sum contributed by these stations had been £1,211 18s. 9d.; the grants paid to them, £1,370 2s. 6d. In connection with 45 stations, there were 6,060 adherents, of whom 3,140 were communicants; 61 of these were elders, 50 deacons, 222 collectors; 19 Dayschools, 9 Sabbath-schools, attended by 2,054 scholars. For the Church-building scheme, the contributions received amounted to £3,220, from which grants to the extent of £2,558 had been distributed among 48 Churches; and £885 returned to quoad sacra Churches, on their losing their plea in the House of Lords. For the purposes of the College Committee, the sum contributed during the year had been £3,434 15s. 3d ; fees from students, £1,270 0s. 6d; dividend on investment, £59 8s. 6d. ; total, £1,764 4s. 3d.; which, with balance of £976 19s. 1d., amounted to £5,741 38. 4d. The old question respecting the extension of the College scheme to Glasgow and Aberdeen was brought up, but the proposal for extension was negatived by a majority of 195 to 92. From the report on the Educational scheme, it appeared that there are 420 Congregational schools supported by the Free Church, 176 district schools, 13 miзsionary schools, 7 grammar-schools, 2 normal schools, and 33 industrial, in connection with Congregational schools. There are in all 689 teachers receiving salaries more or less from their funds; and, in the normal schools, 18 monitors. The number of children attending the male and seven female teachers, besides several day-schools, were 49,768; those attending normal schools, 1,457, besides 141 normal students. The sum raised for Educational purposes was £11,196. After an animated discussion, it was agreed that the Assembly should persevere in their present Educational scheme, availing themselves of any aid they can satisfactorily obtain from Government. A different set of resolutions, proposed by Dr. Begg, in favour of a comprehensive scheme of National Education, was lost by a majority of 254 to 16. "By this decision," says our excellent contemporary, the United Presbyterian Magazine, "the Free Church avows its determination, that, as far as its example and influence may go, the business of instructing the young in reading and writing shall be left to be scrambled for by different Christian and anti-Christian sects; each draw

ing from the common exchequer the sinews of war wherewith to fight all the rest! We cannot believe that the Free Church will persist in holding and avowing such an opinion."

Such is a glimpse of the Free Church; but we must not forget her mother, the Establishment, which has still some portion of life remaining in her, many good men, and not a few good works.

ESTABLISHED CHURCH GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

The

The General Assembly of the Established Church commenced its sittings on the 23rd May On this occasion, as if to be in harmony with the altered fortunes of the Kirk, there was a slight abatement of the pomp attending the movements of her Majesty's representative at the Assembly,-certain repairs going on at Holyrood precluding the occupancy of the palace by the Royal Commissioner. We observe it is proposed in the Town Council of Edinburgh, to follow up this prestige of decadence by the abolition of the useless and expensive display of pinchbeck royalty; and, as it is not easy to see why the wiser friends of the Establishment should seek to make an unnecessary parade of the badge of their subjection, we would fain persuade ourselves that the proposal will not meet with any serious objection on their part. Dr. Graham, of Killearn, was elected moderator; and, in this instance, the election was unanimous. sum collected for Jewish Missions was reported £2,748 188. At the Assembly's schools, 179 in number (distinct from the parish schools, and placed more directly under the superintendence of the Church), the children in attendance amount to 14,000, of whom 13,000 are regular daily pupils; the rest Sabbath scholars. The funds collected during the year for Educational purposes, amounted to £7,144 2s. 94d.; the expenditure, £6,443 98. For the Colonial Missions, the sum collected was £2,579; for the Foreign Missions, £2,639 5s. 6d. ; for the Home Mission, £3,000. For raising quoad sacra Churches, by means of an endowment, to the rank of parish churches, a capital of £50,000 had been subscribed since the scheme was instituted. The amount for Foreign Missions, it was stated, fell short of the previous year's contribution by £54; and 309 parishes had given in no return. The Rev. R. K. Hamilton, from Madras, and Dr. Brown, from Buenos Ayres, addressed the Assembly in behalf of the Missions they severally represented. Pastor Vallete, and the Rev. Philip Boucher (a deputation from the Protestant Central Society of France), and Dr. Barth (from Germany),-delivered addresses in connection with the business of the Committee on Correspondence with Foreign Churches.

THE town population, less agitated by the pretensions of clerical authority, and not so much, as formerly, imposed on by the hollow and superficial plausibilities of impious scepticism, have been increasingly regarded as worthy of

the home-labourer's zeal and the evangelist's sympathies and intercourse. The metropolis has, at last, shared in the compassion of the Churches, and the combined operations of that benevolence which wept over the capital of

Judea, and commanded apostles and their coadjutors to carry the Gospel into all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. London is now within the compass of Home Mission labour; and it is hoped, that while Chapel building is promoted by the assiduous and well-directed liberality of an Association, confederated and sustained for that work, Church extension, in the noblest sense, will be effected among the myriads to whom this Society directs its agencies and energies. The densely-peopled mining districts, north and south, share in these sympathies, and will repay for whatever zeal is expended on them.

In Yorkshire and Northumberland, in Wales and Cornwall, some of the most promising spheres are occupied, where thousands have assembled from all parts of the country; they are almost as much colonies and new settlements as are some of the Australian townships. Here the people gather and mingle, free from many of the fears and associations of an hereditary Church and an aristocratic ascendancy. The labourers amidst such congregated masses gain access and audience on easier terms than in the antique town or the rural hamlet, and their work will tell in the formation of society with more promptitude and effect; while the secular enterprise of the inhabitants will prepare them for efficient and independent measures to sustain the ordinances of the Gospel and make known the truths of salvation.

The attention of the Committee has been called to some districts of peculiar interest; and the facilities in such regions, as well as the necessity for extended Home Mission effort, cause deep regret that the Society's resources are so limited as to make them hesitate to occupy and sustain the most vigorous operations. Agents are required for these spheres, able and determined to fill no ordinary position of responsibility and usefulness. It is the prayer of the Board that God would raise up and send forth labourers qualified for such a harvest.

It has been the conviction of the Board, that, to proceed with reasonable prospects of success, it is needful to possess not only the confidence and support, but also the well-defined cooperation of County Associations. The Congregational Churches pursue the objects of their benevolence with more latitude and liberty than are exercised by some more organised and closely confederated denominations. Synoda or Conferences do not control or direct either their County Associations, or their Home Missions, in the selection of Stations, or the appointment of Agencies; and therefore a much larger amount of labour is expended by Independent Churches in all the counties of England than the aggregate Report exhibits. Were all that is doing by the Denomination for the spread of the Gospel at home fully ascertained, and an accurate account published of operations separately conducted by our Churches, it would prove instructive information, and might stimulate in the right direction. If the aggregate were found not so considerable and encouraging as is believed, perhaps the Churches would see their duty, and be stirred up to more zealous efforts in the cause. There is no Statistical Committee in the Body to look after such matters; but the Secretaries of County Associations and Home Missions might thus co-operate with

the ministers of Churches maintaining distinct congregational operations, so as to procure and set in order such facts as can be published. Such considerations may have weight with brethren, and lead to correspondence and arrangement. The information already conveyed is yet but partial, and so inadequate, that no conclusions can be hazarded. It is, however, gratifying to be assured that the responsibility of God's people is daily being recognised, and that, as churches, they continue to seek the extension of the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.

EXTRACTS FROM MISSIONARIES' JOURNALS.

Priestly Intolerance,

Having so lately forwarded an annual report of the progress of religion in this district, I find, notwithstanding all that was then stated, much yet remains to be said. The Lord is encouraging me to persevere, through evil as well as through good report; and I have the pleasing satisfaction of experiencing the blessing of the Lord upon my feeble efforts. Great opposition to the truth manifests itself in various ways. I will relate a circumstance that occurred only a few weeks since, in the cottage of a poor afflicted woman. A young lady, member of my church, had regularly visited her, and endeavoured to point her to Calvary. One evening she entered the cottage as usual, and was informed the parson was up-stairs administering spiritual counsel; she waited till he came down, and politely bade him good evening. She then went towards the stair-door, where she was met by a relative of the sick woman, who said, "I wish you would not go up this evening." "Why not, Mary ?" replied the young lady; "I have never been refused." The priest, not having left the house, spoke angrily, and, addressing himself to the attendant, said, "If these people come here, I shall not."

Lady. "Never mind, Sir, she shall not lose anything. I come to point a poor sinner to Christ."

Priest. Walking backwards and forwards greatly excited, replied, You point to Christ? you know nothing about Christ."

Lady. "I beg your pardon, Sir, I do."

Priest. "Then why do you come here setting up that place (Independent Chapel)? You are a set of schismatics and heretics."

Lady. "We belong to neither the one nor the other, but say grace be with all them who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."

Priest. "You have no love to Christ in your heart. Your heart is full of sin."

Lady, with great emotion. "I have the testimony within me that not only do I love him but he loves me."

Priest. "What does Saint Paul say about such people as you? He classes heretics with drunkards, murderers, idolators."

Lady. "We are not heretics, yet agree with what Paul has written."

Priest. "You are schismatics; you have departed from the true Church, the Church of Christ."

Lady. "Pray, Sir, prove it."

Priest. "You have departed from the Established Church."

Lady. "You must yet prove that it is the true Church, and I will believe it."

Priest. "It is the true Church, and if you

knew anything of ecclesiastical history you would know that."

These words had scarcely passed his lips when, turning to the attendant he again repeated, with redoubled energy, "If these people come here, I shall not;" and went away-like Naaman from the messenger that Elisha sent to him-in a rage.

:

I find that I have rather trespassed upon space, and must, therefore, leave the supporters of the Home Missionary Society to make what comments they please. Our congregations, and sabbath and day-schools, present a promising aspect the latter so much so, that a large room is immediately required. There is a probability of our obtaining a building near the chapel for this purpose, and Sir C. E. E-- has liberally offered, without my solicitation, ten pounds towards the object. It is not a little remarkable, that with a richly-endowed school in the village, in which children are educated gratuitously, the parents of sixty children should prefer paying for their education. This fact will speak for itself. In conclusion, with pleasure I can state that there are not less than seven individuals under deep convictions, whose distress of mind is very great, and whose continual cry is, "Oh! that I knew where I might find him!" With regard to S-, all I can say for the present is, a dark cloud hangs over it. Tracts are regularly distributed through the village. May the Lord make these silent messengers his agents to effect his purposes, and to Him shall be the glory.

Priestly Misrepresentation and Humble Faith. The Nonconformists never had a footing in this locality before; it is true, many attempts were made by others to raise a congregation, but none succeeded. These two destitute hamlets, each distant four miles from C--, one on the Monmouthshire, the other on the Gloucestershire side of the town, are entirely destitute. I mentioned these places, I believe, before. I have not been able to preach at either lately, because St. A has occupied so much of my time and attention. I hope, however, to visit them by-and-bye.

Puseyism seems to be increasing round about me, and threatening to swallow us up altogether; it runs rampant at H——. The young clergyman called on a poor woman, a member of the chapel, and asked if she knew that it was very wicked to be a Dissenter? The good old woman said she did not know that it was wicked, or else she was sure she would not be

one.

"O, yes!" said he; "Dissenters oppose the Government of the country, and, besides, they are without the pale of the true Church, and there is no salvation out of the Church of England." The petty acts of tyranny are endless. Among a number of others was this:-A small day-school was opened in the village by a young lady, who had recently come to the place, and, being a church-woman, the clergyman visited the school, and was very much pleased with the cleanly old matron the lady had engaged, at her own expense (28. a week), to teach the little girls to knit and sew; but when he found out that she was a Dissenter, he sent her a notice to quit the school or the chapel. The only conditions on which she could stay in the school were, attend church and commune there, and relinquish the chapel altogether. On

the good old sister showing me the notice, I asked what she intended doing? She said, "My faith is very weak, but I believe my heavenly Father will not leave me to perish for want of a bit of bread. I will trust Him. I can't give up my religion for 2s. a week, no, no; never, never! I give up my little chapel? not while I live." However, the young lady would not obey his reverence, and kept on the old woman.

Clerical Popery Frustrated.

I can only say, that if other counties are so cursed with Puseyism as this is, every effort should be used to save the people from its darkening influence. I am familiar with Popery, but I cannot think the doings of Irish or Maltese ecclesiastics more injurious than those of our neighbouring rectors, &c. They are ever active, but, alas! their activity is much to be regretted, for they are the enemies of the Gospel of Christ. Several here inculcate confession, teach the virtue of penance, and in other things preach up the most glaring absurdities of Romanism. Nothing surprises me more than that their opposition to our labours is not more injurious, in drawing away our hearers. It is not their fault that we have any to listen to our words; yet a goodly number of the people are aware of the errors that these men teach, and are not willing to be guided by them. One of my fellow-labourers, a local preacher, visited me yesterday. He testifies, "The spirit of hearing is very delightful in many of the villages." A devoted woman has just expressed her heartfelt joy that her husband is in deep distress on account of his sins. Another is comforted that her husband is bidding fair for the kingdom of God. The first, I hope, is now a believer; and the second,-who has been with me alone, perhaps ten times,-is in deep agony of soul. He has been a lawless, bold sinner, and is now, to all appearance, melted into genuine penitence In speaking to me, he said, "Oh! every blade of grass in that field can testify against me, that I lived in it every sabbath day for years." He was admonished not to seek for peace of mind by other means than that furnished in Christ; when he replied, "No, sir, I do not desire, and I should be very sorry to have any other peace." O that, ere long, he may rest in the Sinner's Friend A young woman, just turned of eighteen, is giving evidence of being a new creature. She is the subject of deep grief, too, for her sister is one of the most wretched young women, and living here. A violent persecutor was lately brought to hear, and there is evidence that he is seriously impressed. To be ungrateful for these manifestations of good, would be a great sin. One evidence of a cheering character is, the prayer-meetings are very generally well attended. In several houses there are such services on the evenings of Saturdays, and they give an appetite for the services of the sabbath.

I have just had a note from an active local preacher, seven miles distant. He says, "The attendance last sabbath, in both the places where I was engaged, was as good as I ever saw it; and so was the attention." Our sabbath-schools go on well. Many of the teachers are diligent and punctual. The day-school here, as also that at C-, goes on better than when I last wrote. We have much clerical opposition, but "patient continuance in welldoing" seems the best plan wherewith to contend

Truly, because of such lying, God-dishonouring teaching as this, the land mourneth. O that wealthy Nonconformists would multiply village and town missionaries-the only effectual way to encounter and arrest the influence of such errors. Yet many of them are as sincere, I doubt not, as some poor devotees of Rome are. I know one of them who has a cross in his bedroom, the upright piece of which is higher than a man. Before this, he is said to kneel daily. I saw another lately in the street, wearing his gown with a cross of strips of red cloth sewn on it. Such are the puerilities of full-grown men ! And this is done in the name of heaven's own religion! Well, the only cure for superstition and will-worship is Christ's holy Gospel: that we must preach, diffuse, live, and pray for.

Difficulties to Overcome.

You will receive, in company herewith, replies to your printed questions, which I supposed were to be upon the same sheet. My answers are as nearly correct as I can obtain. In regard to facts, I have no hesitation in saying that the replies understate the truth of the case,-I mean that the return does not present so abundant a field as it really is. Nothing has been said of the efforts made to pay a debt of £15 or £20— to collect for your Society and the London Migsionary Society-to visit and relieve the afflicted poor-and to obtain money for our new chapel at L: for this we have obtained about £90, including some few promises. Then it must be remembered that we are in the very heart of a district in which high-churchism is dominant. Dr. W, the Dr., is rector of and: he is immensely rich, and one of the most bigoted souls I ever heard of. Hard, indeed, have we had to struggle for life beneath the shade of this upas-tree in —, where he dwells. Then he, Lord -; and a flock of craven-hearted clergy, do all they can here and elsewhere, to set up themselves and keep us down. Some say, "the more they are afflicted, the more they grow." This is certain,-that never was there a more active and devoted spirit among the people here; and never was there such an extension of means and sphere, as there has been this year. The extensions may be thus summed up: One new station; one new chapel; infant department to Sunday-schools; ditto two dayschools in active preparation; classes for preachers, teachers, and male and female youth on week-days; female classes on Sundays; one or two additional villages occupied as tract districts, &c.

We have had our share in the baptismal controversy, and I have been compelled to issue a pamphlet containing strictures upon one which Lord (who resides close to the town) issued upon the subject, and most industriously circu

lated. However imperfect my essay may be, I am happy to know that in many quarters it has shown the futility of the logic and the vanity of the exegesis of my "noble and learned" rival. Of course, many were shocked at this daring, so different from the serf-spirit of the place. But I am persuaded that, however undesirable such things may be, when called on we must defend ourselves. I shall send you a copy of this pamphlet, which has been out some time now, but limited to private circulation, and ɛo a considerable pecuniary loss to me.

Conflicts with Puseyism.

I beg to say that we are still sowing in hope. On Thursday, May 9th, we held what we term our "Quarterly Preachers' Meeting." On such occasions I meet the lay brethren for mutual edification, fraternal counsel, and prayer. We take tea together in the vestry of the chapel; a public service is held in the evening, at which one of the brethren, previously appointed, preaches on a given subject. These seasons generally prove "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord."

I thank God that I am gaining access to houses and hearts which were closed against me; but difficulties increase with the enlargement of my sphere. The parish priest disputes every inch of ground I occupy. A poor fellow, who is since dead, wished to see me-I visited him, and requested some of our members to do the same. On one occasion the clergyman came, and found them in the sick-room. Now what did he do-express his satisfaction, and unite with them in devotion? Nay, verily, but turned them all out!

In another village we have had many sick. In the course of my visits I happened accidentally to meet the clergyman of the parish in two different cottages. He never again entered the one, and gave notice that, as Mr. O had been there, he should discontinue his visits to the other! One of the afflicted is gone beyond the reach of his wrath,

In another village we have a poor hearer in a very hopeful state of mind, but her husband is a rigid churchman. The woman has lately been confined, and the father applied to the clergyman to christen the child on a week-day, as he had some friends visiting him who were ready to become sponsors. The clergyman refusedinsisting on his taking it to church on the Sunday. After much altercation the father left, declaring that he would have it taken to the chapel. This was enough-the clergyman was aroused, and sent his own son to say that he would accede to the father's request. Anything rather than the chapel!

Thus we have to "wrestle against spiritual wickedness in high places." But not only so, we have to weep over the various manifestations of human depravity, and the awful impenitence of dying sinners. The village wake is a time of great festivity with the rural population. A woman who lived near us was heard to say that "She would be d- -d if she did not have certain things at O-revel." In a few days she was seized with an alarming disease. I called to see her in her affliction-зhe was rolling in agony. I found it extremely difficult to direct her thoughts to the Friend of sinners. After having commended her to God, I left her-and in a few hours she was a corpse!