year, June 12th, under the title of the Christian Alliance, for the chief and allembracing purpose of promoting religious freedom; the Address of which is already before the public. Referring those among our readers who want to get more information on this subject to the said Address, we will only remark, that the founders of this Association, which reckons already eight or nine Auxiliaries in different parts of our country, will carry out their original design to extend it to every state and country in the Union, and then to Great Britain, Holland, France, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, and whithersoever there are churches who feel it their duty to labour for the spreading of Christ's kingdom, and men anxious to secure to themselves and to their neighbours the blessings of religious liberty, by the following means:-1. Circulation of Bibles, and other religious, moral, and useful books, in full accordance with the Bible itself, and our own principles. 2. Missions, and elementary schools. 3. The periodical press. A union and active co-operation of all Protestant Churches in this great undertaking, will powerfully contribute to the relief of our domestic evils, make manifest to the world our spiritual unity, and bring it fully into the field of its powerful influence, and give to our voluntary principles of association the same preponderance over the opposite principles of the Romish Church, which conviction has over a passive, uninquiring obedi ence. One of the peculiarities of this Association is, that, as far as the Italians and Italy are concerned, it can avail itself of the talent, influence, contributions, and personal services of a very large number of Italian gentlemen, at home and abroad. And it is, perhaps, on this account chiefly that the Court of Rome has taken so great an alarm at the first notice of its organization, and issued against it the sentence of reprobation, which almost all the religious and political newspapers of our country and Europe have published, and commented upon. But, whatever may be the cause of so much anxiety, it is gratifying to us to find in it the best possible evidence of the importance and feasibility of our scheme of spiritual operations, at the same time that its denunciation by the Roman Pontiff has on the public had a totally different effect from what its author intended and expected. However, this outline would be imperfect and unjust toward the gentlemen who originated this movement, if we should omit to state, that the first motive of their exertions, and prime desire of their heart, was the evangelization of the Italians; for it is a melancholy spectacle to behold twenty-four millions of gifted fellow-beings compelled by sheer force to live and die in the profession of a Christianized Heathenism, and under the rod of an ambitious faction, who, usurping the name of " Catholic Church," were the first cause of the woes of their own country. And when one considers that the spiritual and temporal misery of Italy is the handiwork of foreigners; that anti-Papal nations, and first among them England, have been, for the last three centuries, and are, the principal instruments of this awful and degrading bondage of a whole nation, of the noblest nation in the annals of the world; he must have deadened all his sensibilities as a Christian and as a man, who coldly turns his back upon its wretchedness, and shuts up his ears to the cries of that people for justice and mercy. And when one reflects that this priestly faction, who brought not only upon Italy, but upon all Europe and America, the heaviest calamities on record; who dis turbs again, with the boldest effrontery, the peace of every people, and threatens openly the national independence of all; has been restored to power by Protestant Princes, and is even now assiduously courted by the Government of Great Britain, one cannot help thinking that Protestantism is seized by a portentous infatuation, and must look up in fear and trembling to God, to learn from him the speediest way of deprecating his VARIETIES. VATI THE LIBRARY OF THE CAN. We hear from Rome, that the Pope has issued an order, opening to the public, for the future, the department of printed books in the Library of the Vatican, and for the preparation of a catalogue of its contents for their use. This measure has given great satisfaction to the Italian savans; for, although the collection in question consists only of some thirty-five thousand printed volumes, there are amongst them many rare, and some unique, works, and a great number contain marginal notes by celebrated men.-Athenæum. DANGER то ST. PETER'S AT ROME.-A letter from Rome contains the following:-" One of the most splendid monuments of Catholic art, the dome of St. Peter's at Rome, inspires serious alarm in the minds of the architects of this city. For a long time past the cupola has been cracked in many places, and ten arches of iron, weighing sixty thousand kilogrammes, have been placed so as to prevent its fall. It has just been discovered that the lanternino, above which rises the cross which crowns the edifice, is cracked through and through. The numerous lightningconductors which had been erected by Pope Pius VII. for the protection of the edifice, remove all idea of this mischief having been the effect of a thunderstorm. The lanternino is being surrounded by heavy iron chains, to prevent the cracks from extending.-The restoration of the ancient Basilica of St. Paul, on the Ostia road, which was destroyed by fire some years since, is almost completed.-An English company has just made a proposition to the Papal Government for deepening the Tiber. It demands neither payment nor indemnity, hoping to repay itself by the monuments of antiquity which it expects to find in the bed of the river."-Galignani's Messenger. MADE FOR THE OCCASION; OR, BRITISH MAGAZINE.-The Editor of Let the tens of thousands who were present at the religious services of the late Conference in Leeds answer. A NIGHT ON THE SUMMIT OF MONT BLANC.-I had just wrapped my blanket around me, as the sun was sinking below the horizon, throwing its lurid glare upon the snow-capped summits, which now, above, below, and on either side, rose in close proximity; presenting a scene in which were mingled the beautiful and sublime, and more than paying any lover of nature for the fatigues endured in obtaining the sight. I now prepared for sleep; but the novelty of the position, the death-like stillness, and the events of the day, crowding before my imagination, precluded sleep; while the vast expanse of the blue arch of heaven, which was my canopy, studded with its myriads of scintillating lights, invited contemplation rather than repose. I was not allowed long to enjoy this scene of tranquillity and silence; for the day had been one of excessive heat, and its effects began to be manifested by the fall of avalanches. Situated as the Grandes Mulets are, about ten thousand feet above the level of the sea, below the Grand Plateau, at two-thirds of the height above Mont Blanc, within two thousand five hundred feet of the summit of the Aiguille de Midi, and projecting from the middle of the glacier, they stand as opponents to very many of the avalanches that fall from either of these elevated points. I had not lain twenty minutes, when I was aroused by a tremendous crash, while the entire rock still vibrated from the concussion of the ponderous mass. As I sprang to my feet, and looked over the mountain-side, by the light of the moon, which had just risen,-making every object, though enlarged and softened, almost as distinct as noon-day, this mass of snow and ice could be seen hurrying and rushing headlong in its course, till, ground and broken by its own violence, it settled down still and tranquil, thousands of feet below, amid the ever-moving glacier. They continued to fall for about one hour. At first the interval between was some ten minutes, then more frequently, till, becoming less frequent, they ceased altogether, and universal stillness reigned once more, broken only now and then by what is termed the groanings of the Alps, which is the cracking of the ice among the glaciers. The fall of the avalanches at this hour is caused by the effect of the sun, melting the ice; and at this high point it requires the whole force of the sun's rays during the entire day. The water thus produced runs down, and forms pools about their base, which continues to melt there for some time after the sun has set, when one avalanche after another is dislodged, and, beginning to fall, they continue till the water again congeals, which prevents any further descent until the following evening, when, the same effect being again produced during the day by the same cause, their fall is again renewed. I once more prepared myself for sleep; but, feeling no inclination that way, I amused myself by watching the constellations, which, being immediately over me, were shining with peculiar brightness; and, during the course of an hour or more that I was thus engaged, I observed slight flashes of light passing before my eyes, not unlike Aurora Borealis; and supposed it an optical illusion, probably caused by the glare from the sun and snow to which my eyes had been exposed during the day; but, as they became more frequent, I satisfied myself that they were real. Rising, and looking down in the direction of Chamonix, I discovered at once the cause, which was a thundershower in the valley. The sillons ("streaks") of electricity presented a beautiful sight as they sported amid the dense clouds that overhung the village. There was none of that dazzling brightness presented by the lightning seen when below the cloud, but merely the red zigzag or forked lines; owing, doubtless, to the cloud being between us and the electric fluid. Although the lightning could be distinctly seen, we could not detect the slightest sound of thunder. Whether this was caused by any peculiar condition of the atmosphere at the time, or by the rareness of the air, or our distance, or whether it is a constant phenomenon here, I am unable to say. There was, however, much thunder in the valley, and some very heavy explosions, too, I was informed by the landlord, on my return the next day.—Professor Silliman: Athenæum. THE BLACKS IN OFFICE. The Chief Justice of Dominica, Glanville, is a Mulatto; Sharp, the Attorney-General of Barbadoes, is a Mulatto; Garraway, Judge of Appeals, is a Mulatto; the Governor of Nevis is a Mulatto; thirty-two Editors of newspapers in the British West India colonies are Negroes and Mulattoes; twenty-one Magistrates are Mulattoes; in all the Legislative Councils and Houses of Representatives there are no less than seventy-two Mulattoes and two Negroes making laws for their former masters, the whites. Twothirds of the army or garrison in these colonies is already composed of African soldiers, commanded by white officers. The church is also abundantly supplied with black and Mulatto Clergymen ; the jurymen are almost composed of Negroes and Mulattoes.-Da Costa's "Facts for the People." RECENT DEATHS. DEC. 1st, 1844.-At Great-Bentley, in the Colchester Circuit, James Nuttall, aged twenty one. At an early age he was impressed with religious concern; but it was not until he was nineteen years of age that he was brought to a knowledge of the truth. The affliction which terminated his life was painful; but he was divinely supported. His end was peace. R. R. April 26th, 1845.—At Trowbridge, Mrs. David Marks, aged eighty. She was sister of the late Mr. Beaven, and closed her career a few hours before him. In early life she was convinced of her sinful state, and obtained redemption in the blood of Christ. She joined the Wesleyan society, and continued a member until her death,-a period of sixty-two years. She was instrumental in introducing Methodism into three villages in the immediate neighbourhood, where chapels were afterwards built. Her piety was exemplary, and her character admired by all who knew her. While suffering from the growing infirmities of age, she was kept in perfect peace; and when called to contend with her latest foe, she was enabled to say, "Victory, victory, through the blood of the Lamb." T. A. R. April 26th.-At Great-Bentley, in the Colchester Circuit, Mary Ann Nuttall, aged nineteen. From childhood she was the subject of serious awakenings, and at the age of fifteen sought and obtained peace with God. Inspired with a sincere desire to do good, she engaged with others in works of usefulness; but she was called to suffer, rather than to do, the will of God. Her affliction was long and severe she was enabled, however, to exercise a cheerful confidence in God, and to discover great resignation to his will. R. R. April 27th.-At Littleton, in the Bradford (Wilts.) Circuit, Mr. Samuel Beaven, aged seventy-five. When a youth, he joined the Wesleyan-Methodist society, of which he continued a useful and zealous member for nearly sixty years, holding fast his confidence and the rejoicing of his hope firm unto the end. On the day of his death, he triumphed greatly in the Saviour; and, amongst many expressions of sacred joy, he said, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." "I know that if the earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, I have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." T. A. R. April 28th.-At North Thoresby, in the Grimsby Circuit, Mrs. Mary Wilkinson, aged eightyseven, mother of the Rev. W. Wilkinson. She was convinced of sin in early life, and soon obtained a clear sense of the mercy of God, through faith in the atonement, being favoured with an extraordinary manifestation of Christ as dying for her. This was followed by a blessed change in her feelings and character. Soon after, she joined the Methodist society in Grimsby, and remained a steady and consistent member for upwards of sixty years. In much peace she exchanged mortality for eternal life. W. W. May 1st.-At Poulton-le-Fylde, in the Garstang Circuit, Miss Elizabeth Carter, aged fortyfour. Her consistent conduct evinced the truth and power of her religion. In her last affliction she was graciously supported, and enabled to triumph in God her Saviour. With great fervour of spirit she entreated the unconverted neighbours who called to see her, to secure their peace with God, through the blood of Jesus. Among her last expressions were these: "Pray on, pray on! The Lord is my portion." J. B. May 1st.-At Ffinnant, in the Llanfyllin Circuit, Mr. Edward Jones, aged forty-six. He left his house early in the morning, and when conversing with one of his workmen in his usual health and spirits, he sank to the ground, life being almost instantaneously extinct. He was a laborious Local Preacher, and a faithful ClassLeader. His religious experience was scriptural, his conduct was uniformly consistent and exemplary, and his attachment to Methodism inviolable. M. T. May 3d.-At Bury St. Edmund's, aged thirtythree, Mrs. Mary C. Brown, wife of Mr. James Brown, and eldest daughter of J. Badcock, Esq., of Colchester. She was converted to God in her youth; and, having joined the Wesleyan section of the Christian church, remained an exemplary and useful member to the end of life. Her religious experience was substantial and rich. For many years she was a happy witness that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. She was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did," and her babitual spirit and deportment were such as to secure for her universal respect. She met "the last enemy" without fear; and said, with sacred cheerfulness, "I have but to pass through the shadow of death; and I need not fear a shadow. ، Glorious Saviour of my soul, I lift it up to thee."" She had honoured God by a holy life, and it was given her to honour him by a happy death. A more lengthened account may be expected. W. C. May 3d.-At Kinsale, in the twenty-third year of her age, Mary Anne, the beloved wife of Mr. Charles Bateman. About four weeks previous to her death, she through faith obtained the evidence of her acceptance with God. On the morning of the day on which she departed, being informed that it was Saturday, she said, "Thank God, I shall spend my next Sabbath in heaven." The same evening she gently fell asleep in Jesus. W. B. May 4th.-At Stafford, aged thirty-nine, Alice Halden. The death of her mother in 1843 was, under God, the means of her restoration from a backsliding state, and she joined the Methodist society. For some months subsequently, she walked in great darkness; but, during a protracted affliction, the Lord visited her with the riches of his grace. She met the last enemy with holy triumph, expressing her desire to tell every one how happy she was, and declaring that she felt prepared to do and suffer all the will of God. J. R. May 4th. At Sevenoaks, aged thirty-five, Mr. W. Harrison, after a protracted affliction of thirteen years, which he bore with Christian patience and resignation. He had been for a long time a steady member of the Wesleyan society, and was greatly beloved by all who knew him. As death approached, his confidence in God increased, and his prospects brightened. Some of his last words were, "Jesus is precious; I have no fear; all is right." In this happy state S. Y. of mind he slept in Jesus. May 4th.-Mrs. Tomalin, wife of Mr. Job Tomalin, Local Preacher at Balsall, in the Coventry Circuit, aged seventy-three. She had known the Lord and been in the Wesleyan church forty-five years. She died in the assurance of faith at Banbury, where she had gone to visit her children. T. C. May 6th.-At Matfen, in the Hexham Circuit, Mr. Thomas Gilbespy, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. Religiously impressed in early life, he subsequently experienced the pardon of his sins, by faith in Christ. He joined the Wesleyan church, and for many years adorned his Christian profession by his consistent conduct. He was, however, a great sufferer; but he endured patiently. A few days before he died, he was favoured with a glorious manifestation of his ،، Precious Saviour's love; and exclaimed, Jesus! Praise the name of Jesus!" The last words he uttered were, "O, my Redeemer, my Saviour, reveal thyself to me more fully!" R. C. May 7th.-In the Moira and Dromore Circuit, Elizabeth, daughter of George Chapman, Esq., aged twenty-five. Having been educated in strict conformity to the discipline of Wesleyan Methodism, and being of an amiable disposition, she was restrained from many evils into which young persons frequently fall, and early brought under the influence of divine grace. For several years she had been the subject of severe affliction, which she bore with Christian patience. Though her death was sudden, she was found confiding in the atonement of Christ. May 14th.-At Wantage, Mr. Thomas Allen, aged sixty-four. For seventeen years he was a steady member of the Wesleyan church in this town. In his last sickness, which was protracted, he enjoyed great peace, and rejoiced in the hope of eternal glory. Often did he dwell with delight on the words, "We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." When he was unable to speak, he raised his hand and eyes towards heaven, as an evidence of the peace he enjoyed. J. B. May 15th.-In his eighty-second year, Mr. Joseph Snary, of the Bristol North Circuit. He received his first ticket from the hands of Mr. Wesley, in March, 1787; and continued a steady and consistent member of the society into which he was thus admitted till his death. For fiftyfour years he filled the office of Class-Leader, and for forty-eight that of Local Preacher. Having laid his foundation on the Rock, in his last affliction he was graciously sustained. He several times expressed himself in terms of holy triumph, and repeated these lines with peculiar emphasis: "I shall behold his face, I shall his power adore ; J. B. May 17th.-At Bingley, aged thirty-six, Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey; who had been nine years an esteemed member of the Wesleyan society. Some time ago it became evident that consumption had "marked her for its prey;" but, throughout a lingering illness, she was divinely supported, and displayed great meekness and patience; often saying, "The Lord deals very mercifully with me: I cannot repine; all is for the best." She was enabled to give up her husband and friends with cheerfulness, and to meet death without fear. While in her mortal agony, her features were illumined with a smile of triumph, and she feebly gave expression to the overflowings of a grateful heart. "Thank Him, thank Him," she said: "thank you all! It is nothing to die, when Jesus is with me. I am going to glory." She gazed affectionately on the relations who surrounded her, and besought them to devote themselves afresh to God,-particularly requesting that her little boy might be brought up in his fear. Having again testified that Christ was precious, she sweetly fell asleep. W. L. May 17th.-At Luton, aged fifty, Thomas Waller, Esq.; who had been for about twentyseven years a member of the society, and was distinguished for his liberality to the cause of God, and for numerous amiable, social, and Christian excellences. His removal was affectingly sudden; but he had of late expressed himself as enjoying richer benedictions, both in the public means of grace, and in family worship. J. C. May 18th.-At Frosterly, in the Wolsingham Circuit, Mr. Emmerson Featherstone, in the sixtieth year of his age. He had been a member of the Wesleyan church for thirty-nine years, and a Class-Leader about twelve. His death was awfully sudden. During the last two years his piety increased, and his soul was happy in God. Christ crucified was his constant theme. J. L. May 18th.-At Tuckingmill, in the MidsomerNorton Circuit, Mrs. Angel Holbrook, aged sixty-eight years. From early life she was a zealous and generous member of the Wesleyan society. Her end was triumphant. J. F. May 22d.-At Bingley, Mrs. Mary West, aged forty-two. Twenty years ago she was converted to God, and joined the Wesleyan society. Her disposition was timid and retiring, and she was most esteemed where best known. After the birth of the youngest child, she never enjoyed her former health; but continued to exert herself, for the comfort of her family, until increasing weakness compelled her to desist. Being graciously sustained, she bore a protracted afflic |