she has no maritime power-or rather that the power is annihilated-all' lands and all seas remain, as heretofore, open to the movements of commerce. Meanwhile the nation is suffering rather from panic than actual and material pressure. There is an indefinite dread hanging over the public mind. Feeling is in operation rather than judgment; but feeling will subside, judgment again return to its seat, and the business of mankind will go on as formerly. Increased taxation, however, will be a more enduring evil, and one which will be extensively felt by the strength of the nation. The imposition of an income

tax was a serious step; but the doubling of that tax will be still more serious.

By the time we have again to address our readers, we hope to be in a condition to record something brighter. Under the present circumstances, however, it only remains for the people of God to wait, and pray that He by whom kings reign and princes decree justice, may be pleased to work his own good pleasure, in his own way, and by his own means, thus furthering the ultimate establishment of his own kingdom, and with that, the peace of all nations.

THOMAS THOMPSON, Esq., of Piercefield Park, Chepstow, and his benevolent lady, have lately paid another visit to these districts, for the purpose of aiding and encouraging our Sabbath-schools, and Home Missionary efforts.

爵

On Lord's day, December 31st, at two o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Thompson delivered a very affectionate and telling address to the teachers and children of the Welsh and English Sunday-schools of Beaufort, at the Rev. T. Rees's chapel.

On Monday, January 1st, nearly 800 children, teachers, and other friends, among whom were T. Thompson, Esq., and the Hon. Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Partridge, and family, Revs. T. Rees, Chepstow; N. Stephens, Sirhowy, etc., drank tea at the same place. At six in the evening, Mr. Thompson addressed the teachers, and catechized the children in his most affecting, simple, and striking manner, and at the conclusion of this most interesting service, Mrs. Thompson presented more than 600 children with a book each. The books in themselves were valuable, but their value was greatly enhanced in the estimation of the children, by the fact that they received them from the hands of such a distinguished, benefactress.

On Tuesday evening, Mr. Thompson, the Revs. T. Rees, Chepstow; T. Rees, Beaufort; and other friends, had a conference with the members of the English churches at Beaufort, Brynmawr, and Ebbw Vale. The infant churches at these places were represented as being, upon the whole, in a very promising state; and the friends entertain a hope that they will, in the course of a few years, become, in a great measure, if not entirely, self-supporting. There are at present two agents on the field-the Rev. E. W. Johns, of the Lancashire Independent College, at Brynmawr; and the Rev. B. W. Evans, late of Ellesmere, Shropshire, at Ebbw Vale; but what are these amongst so many? Tredegar, Sirhowy, and Rhymney, with their tens of thousands of inhabitants; the whole valley from Blaenavon to Pontypool, with a population of from 30,000 to 40,000 souls, mostly English; and several

other populous and important districts of the country, have not a single English congregational minister.

But of all parts of the country which require immediate attention, Crumlin is perhaps the most promising and important. This place, which three years ago, was only a small village, with a population scarcely amounting to a hundred individuals, is rapidly increasing. Hundreds of English and Irish mechanics, and labourers, have of late settled in the neighbourhood; and according to present appearance, the population in a short time will amount to several thousands. The extensive manufactories which were lately erected here, and the stupendous railway bridge now in course of construction across the deep valley, will make this one of the most noted places in the kingdom. But while the prodigies of nature, and the wonderful achievements of art unite to make the name of this hitherto unknown spot familiar throughout the whole island, no denomination of Christians have as yet provided the means of grace for its teeming population. Such a populous district, without a place of worship, is a strange sight in Wales. The Welsh ministers, and Sabbathschool teachers, in the surrounding districts, can do nothing for the place, as the people are almost all English; and unless English Christians will come forward to their rescue, the poor creatures must be left to live and die in their sins. Scores of wealthy people from different parts of the kingdom will undoubtedly, in the course of the next and following summers, visit the place, to see the bridge and other wonders, among whom there will be many who profess themselves Evangelical Christians; but how can they enjoy the scenery, without seeing a place for the worship of God, and a minister of his word, amongst the perishing people of the locality?

Are there not individuals amongst the readers of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS who could, without diminishing their regular contributions towards other religious and benevolent objects, supply the means of building a convenient place of worship, and

of supporting a Home Missionary on this interesting spot for a few years?

Contributions towards the evangelization of the English people of this and other districts, in the county of Monmouth, will be thankfully received by the Rev. Dr. Massie, at the Congregational Library, London; Thomas Thompson, Esq., Piercefield Park, Chepstow; and by the Secretaries of the Monmouthshire Auxiliary Home Missionary Society; the Revs. Thomas Rees, Beaufort; and Noah Stephens, Sirhowy.

THOMAS REES. Beaufort, January 18, 1855.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
HUNGERFORD, BERKS.

THE Rev. John Moreland, late of Duxford, Cambridgeshire, having accepted the cordial. invitation of the church and congregation in the above place, entered on his pastoral duties, the first Sabbath in January, 1855.

REMOVAL.

Erratum in our last Number.--The Rev. E. Jeffrey, instead of removing from Sutton to Norfolk, has removed to Oulton.

A Mining Mission.

THE last quarter of the year now drawing to a close has been one of a very encouraging nature. The attendance, notwithstanding the prevailing bad weather, generally so hurtful to congregations in the country, has been good. Four members have been added to the church, and others are manifesting deep concern respecting the things which belong to their peace. You are aware that this is a mining district, and I have before spoken of the depraved character of the colliers in the surrounding villages, and the difficulty of reaching them in any way, so as to bring them under the influence of the Gospel. During the last summer, I tried hard to begin a good work amongst them, both by personal visits and preaching in the open air. Upon different occasions I took my stand hard by the "seat of the scorner," and had the satisfaction of echoing Gospel truth where for many generations nothing but village gossip, foolish talking and jesting, together with things still worse, had been heard. My habit of allowing the young men to gather together, and then invading their ground, was questioned, as it was known to provoke some of them to wrath; but still the greater number of them generally remained and quietly heard me out, and I was encouraged to persevere.

may allude in particular to one meeting of a very peculiar character, which I am persuaded has not been without its good effects. Towards the close of the summer, I was invited to attend a camp-meeting, together with the Primitive Methodists, which was to be held in a large field in the neighbourhood of the village of P. These gatherings are often of a somewhat questionable character; that is, they sometimes seem to be more productive of evil than of good. Some of the beerhouse-keepers have declared, and I believe truly, that these are the most profitable seasons they have through the year, as those who come to them afterwards assemble to drink. I hesitated, but at length consented and went. Long before I arrived

at the scene of action, I heard the confused noise of those spiritual warriors coming upon the winds, and when I entered the field, I confess I was amazed. The whole neighbourhood, male and female, young and old, seemed to have come out with one accord. The brethren who conducted the meeting were marching away in procession from the platform to hold what they call a "circular prayer meeting," and singing as they went. They knelt upon the ground, and commenced praying and crying as loud as ever did the priests of Baal, sometimes repeating over and over the same words, each time in a louder voice. Part of the people stood round, some few were kneeling in an outer circle, some standing, some sitting, and numbers of others walking up and down the ground, or sitting in groups, like as many Turks, smoking their pipes, laughing and talking, however, in a manner very different from these Eastern sages. Some one or two of the preachers had been addressing the assembly before this meeting for singing and prayer, and I was told that I should be called upon to speak next, and one or two more would follow me. I took for my text, "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." I went on describing what kind of men these disciples were, showing that none but those who, like them, bore a resemblance to Christ were Christians, or had any right to the name, even though they had been baptized. I did not omit to notice the assemblies of the primitive Christians, in some of which, through zeal, ardour, or excitement, they permitted themselves to be carried into confusion; so that Paul found it necessary to give them some counsels about preserving order, and the necessity of the rest keeping silence while one was speaking. The effect of this upon the unruly part of the assembly was very remarkable. They had got the idea that I was taking the Methodists to task, and all gathered round with the most profound attention. They perceived, however, by-and-by, that the object of this part of the address was to show them that the Methodist friends whom they so much

ridiculed for their extravagant and noisy meetings, might be Christians, notwithstanding that their zeal might sometimes carry them a little too far in the midst of the excitement of a great public meeting. Then, addressing myself more especially to the young men, whose attention I had gained, I drew a comparison between their meetings in the tavern, and these of the Christians whom it was their constant habit to ridicule. They had been baptized in the name of Christ, and called themselves Christians, and yet what awful meetings they held, what noises were heard in their haunts, what confusion reigned, what songs were sung, what prayers for damnation were offered up; and then concluded by telling them that they were of their father the devil, and his works they did. The discourse was concluded, and so was the meeting. I confess that I almost feared for my life, but still I was persuaded I had done my duty. The Methodist friends forgave the hints which had been given respecting their extravagance, and praised God for what had been spoken. To the surprise of all, they broke up the assembly, though it had been arranged that two more should preach. All departed in quietness and order, though some of them have scarcely yet ceased to gnash their teeth, and declare that "I had no right to preach any such sermon." The service caused a great deal of talk in the neighbourhood; and the steward of one of the coal pits warned me to take care of my life, as he would not be at all surprised if they should murder me. This may seem strong language; but I may say that there are two colliers now under conviction, the one of murder, the other of manslaughter; the one in C-jail, the other out on bail till the assizes. I have never, however, since that time, been either assaulted or insulted, and I have since then succeeded in getting seven or eight of these young colliers to meet me in the chapel, each with a Bible in his hand, where we read and converse for an hour and a-half before the commencement of the week-night service in the village of H-

I preached a sermon a few weeks past, on a Sabbath evening, on the evils of drunkenness; and the same evening, shortly after the conclusion of the service, and within a stone's-throw of the chapel, a most awful illustration of the evil in question came out in real life, though no one who had been present at the service was, I am happy to say, engaged in it. A young collier, in a state of intoxication, was offended by a neighbour, and with one blow laid him at his feet. The unfortunate man died next day. This is the third life which has been violently taken amongst these men in the course of the last six months. It almost made my blood run cold, and yet it cheered me to find, a few weeks ago, a veritable Cain sitting amongst the young men of my class, with a Bible in his hand. He is now docile as a child, and regularly attends the chapel, but at the next assize he will be cited to take his trial for manslaughter, and will probably be imprisoned. The shocking circumstance last mentioned, occurring, as it did, just after I had been preaching upon the evils of indulgence in the intoxicating cup, made a

deep impression upon many, and, I believe, greatly aided me in forming the class of which I have spoken. Thus it is that God can make "the wrath of man to praise him."

Another encouraging achievement has been effected chiefly through the instrumentality of one of our young men, who, though a farm servant, and almost without any educational advantages, has commenced a Sunday-school in a much neglected village, and has already nearly a hundred scholars, which are assembled in a cottage and taught to sing hymns and read the Scriptures. Through the kindness of some gentlemen in the neighbourhood, he was enabled to provide tea, and a number of books as prizes, on Christmas-day. He and the Rev.

were seen looking at a building which was advertised for sale; and the next morning the clergyman of the parish and some of his friends bought it to prevent its being converted into a Dissenting school, though there is no Sunday-school in connection with the Church. I learn, however, since Christmasday, that extraordinary gratuities are to be bestowed upon all the poor people who attend Church. So provoke we each other to "love and good works."

Preaching from envy and contention.

Our efforts to extend the truth have exerted no slight influence on the different religious denominations in this town. I might refer to the organization of working-parties, the distribution of tracts, etc.; in all these movements they have followed us. I wish, however, to direct attention to the last movement which has taken place. Ever since my residence on this station, many Episcopalians have worshipped with us on the Sabbath evening; now, however, it is intimated, "a stop must be put to that sort of thing;" and to effect this, a curate has been obtained to conduct a third service. What was never before seen in this town is now seen, two clergymen of the Episcopal Church holding three services on the Sabbath and one service during the week. Would that this new-born zeal were directed to the furtherance of unadulterated truth! Nothing can be more evident than that it is directed to the furtherance of sectarian interests. I should rejoice if our efforts excited to a holy rivalry; however, we shall honestly do our duty, whatever the results.

I have much pleasure in informing you that, since I forwarded my last journal, we have had another addition to the church. I assure you that in a place where the population is so limited, every person so well known, and party feeling so powerful, no small amount of moral courage is necessary for a person to cast in his lot with us. We com

fort ourselves with the thought that truth, however hindered for a time, must and will prevail!

Home Mission Appliances.

The poverty of the poor labourers is great and trying; it renders them spiritless and careless, and in some instances I have had to mourn over backsliders, who have made "shipwreck of faith and a good conscience," owing to their extreme poverty and want of

employment. Still, it is a comfort to know that the people of my charge are, in general, "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;" and although they do not come up to my mark, or rise into that state of holy and earnest activity to which I endeavour to lead them, they are more active than their neighbours in their efforts to promote the salvation and elevation of their fellow-creatures. We have sustained a considerable loss by being deprived of the family who sailed for Australia, in the month of September, 1854. At present, in Bwe are at work early and fate-more so than any of the churches or congregations in the neighbourhood, but we do not see a corresponding degree of cheering results. We are "faint, yet pursuing," and often "discouraged because of the way." The agency and machinery at work in connection with our church are of a kind, extent, and adaptation, which we think appropriate to the locality. We have all that the brain and the press can do to aid us in our endeavours to educate and elevate the surrounding multitudes. Here are large maps of the World, England, Scotland, Ireland, Ancient Scripture World, Map of England with Railroads, etc., etc.; several sets of diagrams, on a large scale, lesson-books, copy-books, inkstands, slates, pencils, sets of Scripture sites, natural phenomena plates, grammars, geographies, arithmetical lessons, and histories; town and village libraries, Bibles, magazines, and other periodicals on various subjects. We have also evening classes, in which reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography, and needlework are taught to about one hundred persons of both sexes, and varying in age from ten to forty. We have prayer-meetings, singing-classes, preaching-stations, and missionary and Dorcas societies, clothing clubs, etc. The masses are being educated, and our three Sunday-schools and day-school are in a flourishing state; still I am not satisfied, but discouraged. I think, looking at the apparatus which we have, under God, constructed and set in motion, that much more good, tangible and visible good, should be the result, than anything in which I can at present rejoice. The bulk of the people are so poor and ignorant, and the Church party are so powerful, and the immorality of the masses is so great, and all so strongly fortified by long established habits and selfinterest, as to bid me defiance. I have laid out a sum of not less than £65 in the purchase of books, libraries, school materials, etc., etc., within the last twenty months, to promote and facilitate the progress of education, and the salvation of immortal souls in

We have just finished our substantial, commodious, and very neat school-room in the village of L- I have now ten public engagements every week.

Branch Stations.

I again send you a brief report of my labours. I feel it to be a great mercy that I have been in good health, and able to perform my duties with comfort, and, I trust, acceptance and usefulness.

The cause at H--, is progressing favourably; there are about eleven persons giving

evidence of piety, who are anxious to be gathered together as a little church, and have the Lord's Supper administered to them. Our intention is, that they should become members of our church at G--; only on account of the distance, have the Lord's Supper monthly among themselves. There are several sick persons there whom I frequently visit, and it is truly cheering to see how gratefully my visits are received.

You will be pleased to hear, that since my last report we have opened a room for preaching, at the village of B-, about two miles off. The room has been well filled, and our dear friends who have conducted the service are much encouraged. I have been twice on Tuesday evenings, and have been delighted to see the attendance, and the deep earnestness with which they listened to the word of life. Alas! the clergy in these villages are awfully negligent of the souls of the people; and yet when one goes amongst them, wishing to do them good, these "priests" look down upon us with scorn, and do all in their power to oppose us. The curate of H-has been very violent in his opposition; and has succeeded in greatly lessening the number of our Sunday-school children. Yet, thank God, the people have not been moved; they come to chapel in spite of him.

I have several times visited a young man at B-- who died the other day. The poor young man had been ill many months before the curate called; and when he did call, he neither read the Scriptures nor prayed with him.

I trust my visits were made useful to him, but I cannot say much about him. I was pleased to see his father and mother at our chapel the other evening.

Our chapel at G has been crowded lately. I have been preaching a course of lectures on interesting subjects, and they have excited a good deal of attention; and what to my mind is the most pleasing, is the number of seamen and pilots who attend.

We are also delivering a course of lectures, specially to seamen, on Thursday evenings (some neighbouring ministers are helping me in this), and I am happy to say, the attendance is very good. O may God in mercy smile upon all our efforts to promote His glory, in the good of this ignorant and depraved people.

The Sunday-school.

I am happy to say, the Sunday-schools, both at T- and W, are considerably increasing. I hold a preparation class for the teachers on Thursdays, and I have started a night-school at T-, for the children of the Sabbath-school, which is held two nights in the week; in this I am greatly assisted by one or two of the teachers. This night-school has already considerably increased the number of Sunday-scholars.

My congregations, too, are gradually increasing. Last night the congregation was upwards of 140; this is a number far exceeding any ordinary preaching service, not only since I have been here, but for a long time before I came here. There are also some individual cases of a pleasing cha

racter.

THE Apostle who writes to the Ephesians employs a somewhat peculiar but forcible expression upon this subject, when he expresses his desire and prayer for them, that they may "know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." It may for a moment seem to involve a contradiction. This desire of the Apostle, however, is to be taken to embrace the reality of that to which he refers, rather than to comprehend its full extent. There is much in relation to Christ which we can understand only in a certain degree, and not completely. For example, we know that his power excelleth, but his omnipotence passeth knowledge. We know that his wisdom ruleth over all, but there are heights in respect to it we cannot reach, and there are depths we cannot fathom. We know that God was manifest in the flesh, when he assumed our likeness and came into the world for our salvation, yet we have to acknowledge the mystery of godliness in this respect. And so in respect to his relationship to man, we know that it is exhibited and sustained in love, but yet it is a "love which passeth knowledge." What we desire is, to excite to the acknowledgment of this truth, that it may lead to beneficial personal results, and secure, in some measure, the promotion of his glory; and for this purpose we shall endeavour to establish the truth upon one or two important grounds.

It is directly obvious that where there is love exercised, there is an object contemplated, and any declarations respecting it are important in proportion to the estimate of its desirableness by such object. We have reason to entertain the assured conviction that the love of Christ is universally bestowed, as all are dependent upon him, as he is the giver of all their good, and the source of all their peace. Let the love of him whom we adore as our Saviour and Redeemer, and who is the continual theme of praise in the heavenly world, be no longer realized there, and at once its light would be extinguished, its glory would be obscured, and all its happiness would be destroyed. But the object in connection with whom we feel it to be especially

VOL. XII.

important that its greatness should be established, is man-man, in his connection with this world as a sojourner -man, who sojourns here as in a state in which he is to choose the way he will take towards the eternal future, and the future eternity he will spend. Let the love of Christ be withholden from this world, and we have no ground on which to build a hope of joy; we realize amidst the shades of gloom which sin occasions, the earlier shadows of the "outer darkness" which no light shall fall upon for ever. But towards man it is that that love is exercised as a "love which passeth knowledge." The Scripture reader is conversant with many declarations of this truth, and the proofs of it, as they are to be found within the word of God. We propose to notice one or two thoughts in conjunction with it; and we observe that the greatness of his love is established,

1. On the ground that it was displayed towards an inferior object. We do not intend by this declaration anything that can detract from the greatness of man as an intelligent creature of God; we hold, that as he was formed by God, he was great; he was God's greatest work, as he appeared before the entrance of sin into our world; and yet, without referring to the degradation of man by reason of his transgression, we have to regard man as comparatively inferior, and in such a state of inferiority, when compared with the greatness of Christ, that it must be infinite condescension in him so to consider man as to bestow upon him the regard of love. There is not merely the disparity existing as between one creature and another, as between the loftiest of the heavenly host and those of a world which may possibly become the theatre of guilt; but there is the disparity as between the creature and the Creator, for "by him all things consist;" it is "in him we live, and move, and have our being." And yet he looks from his throne in the excellence of his glory down upon those who dwell beneath his footstool; and we feel that as he exercises towards them his love, it is "a love which passeth knowledge." Then its greatness is

further established

H