A Ritual and Illustrations of Freemasonry, and the Orange and Odd Fellows Societies; Key to the Phi Beta Kappa; Account of the Murder of William Morgan, for divulging the Secrets of the Freemasons, &c., &c. By A TRAVELLER IN THE UNITED STATES. Thorne, Shebbear; Gilbert, London.

A REMARKABLY curious production. We have never before met with so thorough a development of the mysteries of Freemasonry. With a contemporary we may say, that till now we had no idea that Freemasonry was such a compound of folly and profaneness. The perversions of the Holy Scriptures-the insults offered to Heaven in their profligate mockery of prayer -and the horrifying abuse of oaths with which they are chargeable, render them a reproach of human kind, and prove that purity of character is no qualification for membership in a society into which they are admitted.

Come to Jesus. By NEWMAN HALL, B.A. London: Snow.

A SINGULARLY interesting piece of hortative theology; comprising, in a brief space, a large amount of statement and address-full of alarm,

instruction, and encouragement; possessing the highest claims as a gift or reward-book.

Cares of Youth; or, Discourses on Subjects of Interest and Importance to the Young. By SAMUEL MARTIN, Minister of Westminster Chapel, Westminster. Pp. 148. Ward and Co., London.

A MEET motto for Mr. Martin would be the words of the apostle: "This one thing I do""I labour for the promotion of the best interests of young men." This is now the third volume of discourses that he has actually published; and from the peculiar character of its topics, we doubt not it will be more popular than either of its predecessors. The following are the subjects: The Signs of the Times in their Aspect towards Youth-Occupation-Recreation - Mental Im

provement-Habit-Temper-Marriage-Reli

gious Profession-Social Influence-Benevolent Effort Self-Government-Redemption of Time. Such are the topics, which speak for themselves; and it is superfluous to say that at the hands of Mr. Martin they have met ample justice.

Christian Discrimination; or, a Discourse on the Things in Religion which differ. By the Rev. HENRY HOLLIS. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

MR. HOLLIS has selected a very important theme, and handled it well. There is an air of originality about the work which strikes the attention. There is a generality in the term "discrimination," which may deceive those who read it only in an advertisement; but they who come to the book itself, will find it a piece of solid, searching, practical divinity.

NEW

INDEPENDENT INTEREST AND OPENING OF A NEW CHAPEL AT OAKEN GATES, SALOP.

OAKEN GATES, distant about three miles from Wellington, is in the centre of a dense and rapidly-increasing population in the iron and coal district of Shropshire. Owing to its being situated near the junction of several parishes, it is impossible to obtain any authoritative account of the population; but after the most careful inquiries, it is estimated that within a circuit of a mile and a half from Oaken Gates there cannot be fewer than 10,000 persons, and it is well known that they have been most imperfectly supplied with means of religious instruc

tion.

In the year 1843, the Congregational church at Wellington, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. S. Evans, having considered the spiritual destitution of this locality, in the enterprise of faith and love commenced missionary operations. There was at that time no place of worship whatever, and no sabbath-school of any denomination in the town. After various difficulties had been surmounted, a large room was obtained, and on the day of opening

83 children assembled for instruction, and for the first time Divine service was conducted. Since that day ample encouragement has been given the friends to persevere. The sabbath-school soon numbered nearly 300 children; the congregation, considering the very inconvenient place for meeting, was promising; and all things seemed urgently to call for the erection of a chapel, in order to secure the permanence and prosperity of the station; whilst the enlargement of the iron-works, the construction of a railroad, and the rapidly-increasing neighbourhood, all pointed to the necessity of providing superior and ample accommodations. But in the circumstances in which they were placed, the church at Wellington felt that the undertaking was too great for them to accomplish alone. They deemed it an object not unworthy of the wisdom and energies of the County Association. To them, therefore, they referred the matter, and at the half-yearly meeting of the Salop Association their appeal to that body met a liberal and hearty response. A Committee of the Association, having for its Secretary the Rev. F. J. Falding, M.A., the present pastor of the church at Wellington, was appointed, with instructions to secure the services of a suitable mi

nister, and to proceed with due caution and energy to the erection of a chapel.

The Committee entered upon their important and responsible duties with diligence and earnest prayer. They secured the services of the Rev. H. Olldenshaw, whom they deemed specially qualified for so peculiarly arduous and difficult a sphere of labour. By the liberality of the Earl of Stafford, and the mediation of William Sims, Esq., and John Horton, Esq., iron masters, they procured a portion of ground for an eligible site on the most advantageous terms of which they could possibly avail themselves; they obtained plans and estimates, which they deemed most suitable; and the erection, the first stone of which was laid under most auspicious circumstances on the 24th of May, 1847, is now completed. The building consists of a chapel, capable of seating 400 persons, and allowing the subsequent erection of galleries; and underneath the chapel a well-lighted and lofty school-room, to accommodate 400 children. The plans were furnished by James Vaughan, Esq., of Oswestry. The cost of erection, including legal and sundry expenses, notwithstanding its superior style and substantial character, will not exceed £900.

On Wednesday, the 26th of April, 1848, the chapel was opened for Divine worship. After other devo

tional exercises, the Rev. Thomas Weaver, of Shrewsbury, offered the dedicatory prayer, and the Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, preached in the morning and again in the evening. Between the services dinner was provided in the school-room; the Rev. F. J. Falding, M.A., presiding. Addresses were given by the Rev. Dr. Raffles, Rev. Thomas Weaver, Rev. J. F. Mandeno, the Rev. P. Evans, and the Rev. Joseph Shaw. On the following sabbath the Rev. J. F. Mandeno, of Newport, preached in the morning, and the Rev. Professor Barker, of Spring-hill College, in the afternoon and evening. The collections were liberal. One gentleman, who has already given a donation of £50, has promised to give £200 more as soon as the remainder of the debt can be removed. The Committee ardently hope, therefore, that all the churches in the county, and Christian friends in other places, will afford their prompt and liberal aid, in order that this handsome offer may be speedily met, and that there may be as little incumbrance as possible in the way of remaining debt, to impede the progress and repress the energies of this rising cause.

Donations towards this interesting and important movement will be thankfully received by Mr. John Tarbett, of Oaken Gates, Treasurer; or the Rev. F. J. Falding, M.A., of Wellington, Salop, Secretary.

THE TWO WEAVERS.

BY HANNAH MORE.

As at their work two weavers sat,
Beguiling time with friendly chat,
They touch'd upon the price of meat,
So high a weaver scarce could eat.
"What with my babes and sickly wife,"
Quoth Dick, "I'm almost tired of life;
So hard we work, so poor we fare,
'Tis more than mortal man can bear.
"How glorious is the rich man's state!
His house so fine, his wealth so great!
Heaven is unjust, you must agree;
Why all to him, and none to me?
"In spite of what the Scripture teaches,
In spite of all the pulpit preaches;
This world, indeed I've thought so long,
Is rul'd methinks extremely wrong.
"Where'er I look, howe'er I range,
'Tis all confused, and hard, and strange;
The good are troubled and opprest,
And all the wicked are the blest."

Quoth John, "Our ignorance is the cause
Why thus we blame our Maker's laws;
Parts of his ways alone we know,
'Tis all that man can see below.

"Seest thou that carpet, not half done,
Which thou, dear Dick, hast well begun?
Behold the wild confusion there!
So rude the mass, it makes one stare.

"A stranger, ignorant of the trade, Would say no meaning 's there convey'd ;

For where's the middle? where's the border ?
The carpet now is all disorder."

Quoth Dick, "My work is yet in bits,
But still in every part it fits;
Besides, you reason like a lout,
Why, man, that carpet's inside out!"

Says John, "Thou say'st the thing I mean,
And now I hope to cure thy spleen:
This world, which clouds thy soul with doubt,
Is but a carpet inside out.

"As when we view these shreds and ends
We know not what the whole intends;
So when on earth things look but odd,
They're working still some scheme of God!

"No plan, no pattern can we have,
All wants proportion, truth, and grace;
The motley mixture we deride,
Nor see the beauteous upper side.

"But when we reach the world of light,
And view these works of God aright;
Then shall we see the whole design,
And own the workman is Divine !

"What now seem random strokes will there
All order and design appear;

Then shall we praise what here we spurn'd,
For then the carpet will be turn'd."

"Thou 'rt right," quoth Dick, "no more I'll grumble

That this world is so strange a jumble;
My impious doubts are put to flight,
For my own carpet sets me right!"

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. THE Committee, anxious for the instruction of the Irish-speaking portion of the population in the sister kingdom, have engaged the services of Mr. James Meredith, who for some time has been employed as a Scripture-reader at Walthamstow. The respected vicar of that parish, the Rev. W. Wisson, gives him a high character for consistency and talent, and expresses great regret at the loss of his services. The Committee have appointed Tralee, in the county of Kerry, as the sphere of Mr. Meredith's labours. There is a very considerable Irish-speaking population in that vicinity, amongst whom, it is hoped, he will be extensively useful. His efforts will be superintended by the Rev. Mr. Gordon, an esteemed young minister, educated in Scotland, who has recently commenced his labours in that important district with most encouraging prospects of success.

The importance of affording Evangelical instruction to the Celtic population in their native tongue has long been acknowledged, though, alas! it has been grievously neglected. None seems to have cared for them but the priests of the Church of Rome; and they have initiated them only in the superstitions of popery, leaving them in the grossest ignorance of the very rudiments of Christianity.

At a meeting recently held in the county of Galway, the Earl of Clancarty expressed himself on this subject to the following effect :"The importance of having an Irish-speaking ministry, every day more deeply impressed itself on his mind. A great portion of the people understand only their native tongue, and their prejudices and national antipathies can only be met by those who understand the language the people speak. This is proved by the kind manner in which the Irish teachers are received, who are attentively listened to by the poor when addressed in the Irish language."

The importance of this subject is illustrated by the fact, that Trinity College, Dublin, was founded by Queen Elizabeth on condition that professorships should be appointed for the purpose of cultivating the education of the people in their native tongue. A letter of James the First also is extant, addressed to the Lord Deputy about the year 1620; in which he commanded, that "choice be made of some competent number of towardlie yong men, already fitted with the knowledge of the Irishe tongue, and be placed in the universitie, and maintained there for two or three years till they have learned the ground of religion, and be able to catechise the simple natives." How little these instructions have been regarded, and how imperfectly the "universitie" has answered the end for which it was founded, let the present condition of the Celtic population at once proclaim. The Committee will rejoice if, by the efforts of the Society in this department, they can in any measure supply the sad deficiency in the means of spiritual instruction which so lamentably prevails.

The following extracts from the Journal of one of the Irish agents in connection with the Connaught Mission, will, it is believed, be read with pleasure, as illustrative of the efforts of the Society in this important branch of its operations:

"The disposition of the people generally to hear with patience and attention any subject connected with religious instruction; the more so when entering into their feelings, sympathizing with their sufferings, and thence directing their attention to a more glorious attainment; and sustaining the invitations and infallible promises from the Divine revelation in their tongue. Under this treatment they appear to me to receive the Word, if not with all readiness of mind, at least with attention and seriousness.

"The recent calamity of famine and death over this land, I trust has not passed without a salutary effect. It affords no small consolation

that, throughout that most trying ordeal, the poor, who have been the subjects of affliction, trace that visitation to the commission of sin against the Giver of all good! These poor sufferers remember with gratitude those who poured in their aid to rescue them from death. In that broad list they recognise Protestant humanity and Christian charity, which have left an impression that, I trust, is not in the power of popery itself to eradicate; and which has, under every appearance I can witness, opened a wider door of access to the poor Roman Catholic population for Christian instruction, than in my memory ever presented itself before.

There is encouragement to be derived from all this when viewed as a whole. It is to be hoped, that whilst God does not willingly afflict the children of men, his chastisement would be looked upon as intended for correcting greater evils; and that the people should, in some measure, bow to the stroke.

"Of course, from ignorance, and being left in a mere state of nature, there are, unhappily, thousands still to be met with who have no thought higher than animal existence; and trace not the finger of God either in the giving or withholding the rich bounties of his providence.

"The Irish Roman Catholic population have been ever debarred by their priests from access to Scriptural knowledge. To effect this every species of spiritual tyranny has been brought into action. There may be two classes, however, amongst them formed to violate these rules, the one the bolder, the courageous; one whose conviction and desire for knowledge the Lord has appeared to act, so as to pluck them as brands from the burning;'-the other is a portion that, through some acts of kindness, obligation, or influence towards them, professedly leave the ranks of popery for a time; but, in a season of persecution, or in absence of continued inducement, fall away, and inflict a public reproach on the abandoned profession as well as upon themselves. These facts should teach the imprudence of making acts of benevolence inducements to the mere change of profession, which the more discerning portion of the community cannot but regard as unwarrantable if not base; it can amount to only a 'glorying in the flesh.'

"The only method of procedure to benefit these people, and that appears warranted, is, that all acts of benevolence be extended on the broad basis of Christian sympathy to suffering humanity, leaving it to work its way and overcome prejudice. The knowledge of the salva

tion of God can be imparted by itinerating amongst them; in this way access may be had, and they are relieved from much of priestly control. Their hospitality, which is still their pride, forbids their closing the door in any man's face a quality that even priestly influence would scarcely prevail on them to violate. Herein can the messenger of mercy approach them, and here will he find opportunity of combating engrafted errors, and of exhibiting to the deluded that salvation that is full and commensurate to the sinner's wants.

"The same plan of itinerating amongst the Protestant population holds equally good. It is the same towards all men, perhaps, in every clime and country. Too often the Protestant is found to be quite content with Sunday attendance at prayers.' This class requires some attention also. They have, it may be, the Scriptures in their houses, but much unread. They pride themselves in the name and privilege of being Protestant, and ministerial duties in that community usually terminate with the exhortation to attend church; but with all this they may be found as ignorant of the salvation of God as the Roman Catholic, but not half as zealous. The latter observes the commands of his church as indispensable to salvation; the former as mere formal duties. And if the priest has taken away the key of knowledge from the Roman Catholic, the parson warns his parishioner to hear no Dissenter; and will not fail to present such a distorted picture, as to create prejudice against his reception and usefulness.

"It is cause of thankfulness to the Head of the church, that neither human or Satanic barriers can be raised that he cannot demolish. I have found the kindliest reception, and the most urgent invitation, from Protestant peasantry circumstanced as described. They seem more drawn out, more personally engaged, and more at ease and liberty in converse with those persons who visit them in their homes, than with others. They express their views, feelings, wants, hopes; all of which are then laid open to correction from the truth of God. And they gladly assemble to hear the message of mercy unfolded, and join in supplication at the throne of grace.

"This fine Protestant population is, however, annually diminishing by emigration. Many that thus attended my meetings since I came here, had to seek the American soil for support, being very hardly dealt with by their relentless Protestant landlords, who have substituted the sheep and oxen for that valuable, industrious Protestant yeomanry.

"It is consoling to believe that many who are now gems in the Redeemer's crown, have been rescued from surrounding ignorance and superstition, of whom, when living, little was thought of. I believe the Bible Society has never known the extent of Divine good with which its labours have been blessed. Whilst that holy volume has been contemptuously torn, and its pages wrapped round the grocer's shop-goods, many copies have found their way into hands otherwise inaccessible to its immortal truths. And, oh! joyous have I known its results, its peace, its blessing, its mission. I have now before my mind those who made-no profession other than popery in their life-time, but when summoned to stand before the final tribunal, then, and only then, made profession that they had found

Jesus! In vain did relations, neighbours, all entreat to send for the priest; but no priest for them but He that was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners-they had escaped the pollution, and entered into rest!"

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY. INSTITUTED 1836.

It

ONE of the disadvantages attending popular action for public objects is, doubtless, want of foresight. There is great energy in popular movement when once fairly stirred; but it is by present exigencies, rather than by remote calculations, that the impulse must be given. This in part explains the discreditable fact, that Congregationalists are the most tardy and feeble of all Christian denominations in the great undertaking of Colonial Missions. This fact is far more lamentable even than discreditable. may be affirmed without rashness or exaggeration of statement, that British colonization is at this juncture the most important social movement in the world; likely to affect the progress of mankind more powerfully and beneficially than any other of the many hopeful causes now in active operation. By it will be supplied that great desideratum, new nations. Their youth will not be a barbarous beginning, out of which they can emerge only by slow advances and disastrous struggles. They will, on the contrary, have mature institutions and guaranteed liberties, in connection with all the vigour of youth, progress, and hope; and without the wide divisions and settled enmities of old nations outgrowing feudal oppressions and wrongs. These colonies will also plant Christian and enlightened nations in the very midst and heart of the great pagan empires. Their traffic with them will be easy, active, and most influential, diffusing commerce, literature, religion, and liberty among those countless millions, of whom it may be truly asserted, that they never will, never can, win these blessings by their own unaided efforts.

Our British colonies are hardly less needful, or likely to be less advantageous, for the parent country and other European nations. That they will react powerfully on the old world, can admit of no doubt. This reflex influence from the United States of America on European affairs has already been equally irresistible and undeniable. That England in particular, and Europe at large, has required, and will still need, such influence, no reflecting observer can doubt. It is not for commerce-it is not for an outlet to her surplus numbers, activity, and capital-it is not for an asylum to her wretched, or a banishment to her criminal sons, that England chiefly wants extensive and various colonies; but the main benefit of these new communities will be found in the effects of repeated successful experiments in applying the glorious principles of her constitutional laws, the action of her free spirit, and the sacred leaven of her Evangelical religion. Then will continually come across the far Atlantic, and more remote Pacific, inflences to stir, or to strengthen, or to revive the true British spirit whenever threatened with peril or decay amidst the entanglements of excessive wealth, population, ranks, and refinements of this noble but old land. All this is in action already. It will grow continually. To prophesy is vain. Even probable conjectures of the future require equal care and modesty.

But to survey at this moment Europe on the one hand, and Canada, Australia, and Southern Africa on the other, may we not expect to see the young colonies of England outstrip Spain, France, Naples, Russia, Ireland, in the race of freedom and order maintained by law; of so upholding the gospel by voluntary resources, that it may both secure and sanctify the liberty which is all congenial with its own native spirit? Not only have our present colonies the advantage of observing the experience, and avoiding the errors and evils, of the old countries of Europe; but they start with the additional benefit of having in full view the recent example of their elder sister, the United States of America. There, if slavery be hateful, democracy exces. sive, pursuit of wealth and its distinctions exclusive; if these causes are seen to work public harm, our present colonies will see these dangers and be forewarned. For it is plain that national examples will be no more thrown away in vain on the world. The great storehouses of history and facts will yield guidance and warning to heedful nations. The future will learn of the past both to copy and to shun. The history of England, and the history of America, will combine to instruct Australia and to warn Canada. The true interests of mankind are becoming subjects of profitable study. Questions of government and national economy are slowly but surely working their way into the light and certainty of a science. Men have not been for three centuries, since the "times of reformation," in vain struggling with pen and sword, debate and suffrage, to reach salutary and balanced institutions. The dark shades of disaster, and the brighter gleams of prosperity, traced to their causes, become equally instructive. This, even more than material science, next after emancipated religion itself, will form one of the very chief guarantees for the future welfare of mankind. This may be discerned amidst all the present confusion and disappointments of national struggles; and while discerned, it may reconcile the thoughtful and hopeful observer to the slow and afflictive, but necessary process, through which alone the happy issue can be reached. And what portions of the human family shall first and most profit by old experience thus wrought into new science? Surely British colonies-produced by the wisest and freest of the old nations-founded by those who have thought and felt most of the good and the evil of the old land-still growing and learning in all their advance to self-government,-these will become the model communities of the race. Noble prospect, far more real than bright; more full of advantage than pregnant with renown!

But surely it is only in connection with such an influence on their affairs from the true evangelical element, that such results can be rationally expected as the world has never yet seen, or but imperfectly here in England; yet even when but imperfectly, still with most happy fruit. It is not now in the nineteenth century that we have to learn in what form alone Christianity can be a real blessing to communities. The results of corrupted Christianity are conspicuous enough in both eastern and western history. Now no thinking man can doubt that religion can then only befriend the fallen interests of nations, when it is administered in harmony with, and helpful to, their intelligence, liberty, and morals. Never until the gospel is so taught that it may contribute its powerful

influences to make men enlightened, free, and virtuous, will it prove itself, indeed, a national blessing. Papal and prelatic domination, coercion under voluntary forms, pompous rites with lax morality, State power employing religion as its engine, all these varied corruptions ever have debased, divided, and demoralized nations; and so they ever will. The hope of the world lies not only in an extended, but in a purified gospel. In this consideration is found the vocation and the duty of Congregationalists. Their fathers long ago discovered, the sons at this day rise to confirm the truth, that the want of the world and the claim of the gospel is one-freedom: a free gospel to emancipate the world! On this foundation have the Independent churches built and laboured from the beginning. For this principle they have both toiled and suffered. Now has the time arrived for the peaceful and triumphant advance of this great cause. The colonies present the field. There nothing is wanted to secure nations, free in their youth from establishments, hierarchies, tests, and exclusions, but some large views and vigorous measures on the part of Independents; -but, alas! firm in the time of difficulty, they seem wanting and supine in the day of hope and opportunity.

The Colonial Missionary Society cannot become a Ministers' Emigration Society-i. e., it cannot undertake to send forth to the colonies ministers desirous to go, because emigration presents to them personal advantages and hopes. Yet many such might well proceed to the Australian colonies on their own responsibilities and resources. Still less could a Missionary Society promote religious emigration in general; but many private Christians might proceed to Australia with prospects of great personal advantage, and of great public usefulness. But both ministers and private Christians should go young, if at all. Thirty is a sufficiently late age. Nor should any go forth on colonial enterprise destitute of the true inward vocation, and of enlightened preferences and purposes, for the undertaking. Let them know a trade; be willing to work; feel independent of home comforts; be apt at expedients; look for a settlement rather than for a fortune; determine to keep the sabbath, maintain family worship, improve their minds, and instruct their children; exert themselves for usefulness among their fellow-settlers; and such may be blessed, and be made blessings, in these far and fair lands.

But Independents emigrate in the smallest relative proportion of all the various denominations; whether too deficient in enterprise, or too successful at home, or too little accustomed to any combined movement, so is the fact, that fewer Congregationalists enter the colonies in proportion to their general numbers, than members of any other religious community. But a colonial spirit is wanting in our Body. It is not at present duly discerned or considered what we might effect in this department of enterprise. New England is forgotten. We hardly seem the sons of the fugitives in Holland; the successors of the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock; the inheritors of the views, the cause, and the spirit of the men, who, as fathers of America, have a large and glorious share in the regeneration of the world. Ours is but a mild and humble place in this noble succession-to maintain a vigorous Colonial Mission;-but we shall not long be wanting to this call.