anxiety to be saved, joined themselves to the people of God, and who, probably, were never truly converted. Some of these have been brought again under the bondage of African superstitions, others indulge in unhallowed passions, and many have returned to their former licentious practices. The consequence of this abounding iniquity is, that "the love of many has waxed cold;" the great mass of our church members are, so far as regards their outward conduct, walking consistently, but numbers of them have, to a lamentable extent, lost the fervour of their " first love," with that tenderness of conscience, hatred of sin, attachment to the ordinances of religion, and zeal for the glory of God, which once distinguished them. Another result is the triumph of the enemies of the cross, who left no means untried to destroy the influence of the ministers of the gospel, and to prevent the progress of religion; yet none complain more of the increase of crime and of immorality. In addition to these trials, God has been pleased, in his all-wise, but to us inscrutable, providence, to remove our beloved brethren, Knibb and Burchell. Another brother has lost the devoted partner of his days, and there is scarcely a mission-house where His afflicting hand is not now severely felt, while several have to suffer trials, heavier and harder to bear than bodily afflictions, which weigh down their spirits, and, I fear, will cause some of them to go down with sorrow to the grave; or, what will be still more distressing, occasion reproach to be brought on the name of Christ. I need scarcely add that I here allude to pecuniary difficulties. You may be surprised at this, after our voluntary withdrawment from the funds of the society in 1842, and after the grant of £6,000 little more than a year ago. The reasons are simply these: unwillingness on the part of some of our people, and inability on the part of the majority, to contribute to religious objects as in former years. That some should be unwilling will not surprise our friends in England, who have so often to complain of the same thing; yet it is a painful fact, as indicating a decline of piety amongst a portion of our people. But while I feel bound to mention this as one cause, prevailing to a greater or less extent in our churches, the principal cause is the unparalleled distress which is felt throughout the island in consequence of another severe drought. Two months ago, to such straits were our poor people reduced in many districts, that they had to travel distances of six, eight, and ten miles for water to drink, while cattle were everywhere dying, and vegetation burnt up. Now we are favoured with abundant showers, but the crops of provisions are almost destroyed, and the earnings of those of the people who can procure work and wages are barely sufficient to purchase corn, meat, and flour from America* for the support of themselves and families, while others live on wild roots and unripe provisions; and, to make matters worse, thousands of Hill Coolies are arriving to take the bread out of the mouths of the people who are taxed for bringing them, and to spread wretchedness and vice over the land. Under these circumstances, many of our brethren are in deep distress. Their people are unable to support them, and, unless they obtain assistance from England, they will either be compelled to relinquish their work or involve themselves in personal debts. Two brethren, I am sorry to say, have adopted the former alternative, and have left the island. This is not the worst view of the case. There are few of our stations that are not in debt, the responsibility of which rests entirely upon the minister. * American flour, which is now being sold in New York for four dollars per barrel, costs our poor people twelve dollars and upwards. It here pays a tax of 68. per barrel. He must pay the interest as it becomes due, and, as debts are called in, he must find the means of meeting them, or all the consequences will fall upon himself; he is also expected to carry on his schools, and pay all the incidental expenses of carrying on the worship of God, while his people are scarcely able to raise the necessary funds for his support. One brother is at this moment in danger of being sued for a debt of nearly £400, and his people are not only unable to furnish the means of paying it, but they do not raise at present onehalf the amount necessary, with the greatest economy, to support himself, his afflicted wife, and family. Another is obliged to worship in a chapel the roof of which is only half finished, so that he and his congregation are often during the services drenched with rain. He cannot possibly finish the roof, as his people are barely contributing enough to supply his daily bread. It may be said-Cannot other churches render assistance to those in difficulties? I have only to reply that I fear none are in a condition to afford them effectual relief. The income of the church at this place, which has ever been one of the most liberal, is this year £127 below the expenditure, so that, but for the kind assistance of a few friends in England, I should have been compelled to give up the schools; even with that we must lessen our agency, and cut down our expenditure in every possible way, or our debt, still a heavy one, will be fearfully increased. Others are in similar circumstances. The question then forces itself upon us-What must be done? The society has no more than a nominal connexion with us. On our withdrawal from its funds, the African mission was commenced, also missions to Trinidad, Hayti, and those to Canada and France, were taken up; and now its income is not equal to its expenditure. Its aid has, therefore, been sought in vain, and now, unless help come from some other quarter, the consequences must be painful in the extreme. Let me, then, entreat you, dear brother, to set before the pastors and influential members of our denomination the critical circumstances of our mission. Ask them whether their brethren shall be allowed to sink under their diffi culties, or fail in their pecuniary engagements, and thus disgrace the gospel; or (if not chained to the island by their responsibilities) to give up their work and leave the churches to be the prey of the destroyer? Surely, after all the expenditure of money and the sacrifice of life to raise those churches, British Christians will not-cannot make up their minds to abandon them, or to forsake their missionaries in their time of need! I, therefore, trust most sincerely that the friends of our Jamaica mission will take these things into their most serious consideration, and that God may incline them to help it through its difficulties arising mainly from a painful visitation which none could prevent or control. But pecuniary aid is not all that is wanted. We need the sympathies and prayers of our brethren at home. We are engaged in an arduous struggle. The enemy of souls is busily employed in his efforts to destroy the fruits of the labour of God's servants, and to bring disgrace on the cause of freedom and of missions. Urge, then, on Christians to bear us on their hearts at a throne of grace; to pray that we may not faint in the day of trial, that we may be faithful unto death, that the work of God may be revived in our churches, that, by the constancy and devotedness of our people, the emancipation of the slave in other lands may be promoted, and that many may be raised up from amongst them to carry the gospel to their perishing kindred in Africa. I remain, dear brother, sincerely yours, JOHN CLARK. PASSING LITERARY NOTES. THE SPIRIT ADMITTED TO THE HEAVENLY HOUSE: THE BODY REFUSED A GRAVE. TWO Sermons preached on the occasion of the death of the Rev. We regret our inability at present to enter into detail respecting these two noble sermons. Throughout both we perceive that masterly clearness of conception and expression which betoken the grasp and power of the author's understanding. Occurrences such as those which occasioned these discourses are not to be passed over in silence; and we are happy that Mr. Binney has come forward to delineate the character of the departed, and vindicate the cause of Christian charity so shamefully put to the blush in the treatment of his lifeless body. Our readers will do well to procure these eloquent and admirable discourses, and ponder the great truths which are presented in both with so much freshness and point. THE MOTHERS OF THE WISE AND GOOD, with SELECT ESSAYS ON MATERNAL DUTIES AND INFLUENCE. 12mo, pp. 304. By JABEZ BURNS. London: Houlston and Stoneman. In this delightful volume, the author has furnished a series of affecting instances of the success of pious maternal influence, interspersed with various striking incidents, and followed by short essays on the duties and responsibilities of the Christian mother. His plan has been carried out in a very interesting and effective manner, and the book is admirably adapted to quicken and encourage all who hold that most important relationship, in seeking to promote the best interests of their offspring. Of all the excellent works this indefatigable author has given to the public, the one before us will, perhaps, be most widely and permanently useful. We earnestly commend it to the notice of our readers. BAPTIST MANUAL for 1846. London: Houlston and Stoneman. THE Manual for the current year gives a large amount of valuable statistical information. There is a list of our churches, the names of their pastors, the associations to which they are attached, the number of members, Sundayscholars, and net increase or decrease. If we had any voice in the getting-up of this Manual, we should strongly urge that a column be provided for inserting the amount of debt on each place of worship. By appointing one or two persons in each county to obtain the requisite information for filling it up, and at the same time suggesting that they should endeavour to lessen the number of blanks, too conspicuous in the present list, the amount of accurate statistical detail for next year might be greatly increased. As it is, however, the Manual is very useful, and well worth the money. A FRAGMENT.-1 Cor. ix. 1-14. By J. H. HINTON, M.A. London: Houlston and Stoneman. ONE of a series of expository lectures on the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, which we understand Mr. Hinton is delivering to his people on Sabbath mornings. It treats, at once delicately and effectively, a subject which can seldom be brought forward by pastors themselves; a subject nevertheless, and consequently, on which the people are very inadequately informed, and often strangely apathetic. We should be glad to know that these Fragments were distributed by baskets-full in our churches, that every member might partake of the benefit. THE WINE OF THE KINGDOM; or, FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST. By the Rev. ROBERT SEDGEWICK, Aberdeen. pp. 156. 18mo. Hamilton, London. It is the design of this treatise to set forth the nature, properties, and perfection of the great Christian privilege of communion with Christ. We think it calculated to increase personal piety, to promote an assiduous cultivation of the devotional spirit, and, by pointing out the causes that interrupt the enjoyment of that fellowship, at once to admonish and direct the disciples of the Saviour for their spiritual advantage. The topics discoursed upon are, the nature of fellowship with Christ, its grounds, its qualities; mistakes concerning its suspension; causes of suspension; advantages of this fellowship, the perfect enjoyment of it in heaven. HOWE'S REDEEMER'S TEARS WEPT OVER LOST SOULS; UNION AMONG PROTESTANTS; CARNALITY OF RELIGIOUS CONTENTION; MAN'S ENMITY TO GOD AND RECONCILIATION BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. With Life of the Author. By the Rev. Dr. URWICK, Dublin. Nelson, London. THESE celebrated treatises of John Howe constitute the third volume of Mr. Nelson's cheap issue of the works of the English Puritan Divines, a series which cannot be surpassed for the excellency and solid worth of the treatises selected, or the moderate price and admirable style in which they are published. That beautiful exposition of our Saviour's touching lament over Jerusalem, so full of tenderness and power of appeal, is worth the whole sum; and we hope it will be, in this form, even more extensively blessed in the conversion of sinners than it has hitherto been. SIX LECTURES ON THE IMPORTANCE AND PRACTICABILITY OF CHRISTIAN UNION, chiefly in relation to the Movements of the Evangelical Alliance. By J. ALDIS. Pp. 152. Aylott and Jones. MR. ALDIS has given us, in these lectures, some very valuable thoughts, expressed in a style both terse and elegant. The difficulties in the way of Christian Union are clearly apprehended and candidly stated; no disposition is manifested to grasp at the name of union, whilst the substance is let slip. The topics discussed are, 1. The one standard; 2. The influence of constitution and education in the reception of truth; 3. On the sources of denominationalism; 4. and 5. On the denominations-the Established Church, the Wesleyans, the Free Church, the Independents, and Baptists; 6. Piety superior to knowledge. We confidently commend the lectures to the consideration of all who are attempting to bring about a more complete and manifest union of the servants of God, assured that they cannot read it in vain. The concluding paragraph of the work, which may be regarded as containing an epitome of the whole treatise, is as follows:-"Thus we have endeavoured to accomplish our task. We have shown that there is but one authority to bind, and one law to regulate, all who love the Saviour, and that the recognition of it should be taken as the test of character and bond of union; that, notwithstanding that law is not equally copious and explicit on every point, while such is our constitution, and such are our circumstances, that we shall almost inevitably interpret differently its obscurer matters;-that this is certainly as compatible with personal piety as infirmities of temper and conduct;-that many of our differences have been inherited from others, and indicate rather the force of education than the characteristics of individual minds;-that the honours of Christian usefulness, and the graces of the Christian character, are diffused in different forms, yet in nearly equal degree all over the sections of the evangelical church;-and that the matter in which we are one as far surpasses those about which we differ, as the spiritual excels the temporal, as eternity surpasses time. If from all this we have not been able to gather any very sanguine expectations of the speedy and universal unity of the church, we have learned to appreciate the difficulties which stand in its way. It will be well if we are led to treat them with patient forbearance and careful gentleness. One hope cheers us, that He who never works a desire in the hearts of his people, but with a view to gratify it, intends to impart larger measures of union to his church, by inspiring so extensively and so strongly a solicitude to attain it. If we are not so sanguine as some, it is because we either do not so definitely perceive what is sought, or imagine that insurmountable obstacles oppose its realisation. Perhaps the same explanation which defines the object, may dissipate those obstacles too. If we do not regard all differences as so corrupt in their origin, or so virulent in their tendency, as others, but as sometimes comparatively harmless in both, we are mainly anxious to divert censures from others, that they may be directed by each party against themselves. May God hasten the unity of his church, and thus the salvation of the world! Amen."-pp. 151-2. A PLEA FOR THE OUTCASTS OF ISRAEL. By PHILO-RHOMA. Seventh Edition. Aylott and Jones. THIS is, in fact, a plea for the gypsy race. Without at all entering into the argument of the origin of that neglected portion of the human family, we beg earnestly to call attention to this little work, hoping that their solicitudes may be directed, in some practical and efficient manner, to the reclaiming these wanderers from their present deplorable state of ignorance and guilt. CHRISTIAN PROPRIETIES; or, An Address to Christians on Things Decent and Proper in Connexion with their Religious Duties. By an OBSERVER. J. Gladding, London. THE SUPPORT OF THE GOSPEL; or, a Word to the Members of Dissenting Churches on Christian Liberality. By a LOVER OF JUSTICE. Gallie, Glasgow; Ellerby, Manchester. THESE tracts relate to important and much-neglected subjects; the former more especially to behaviour in the house of God, the latter to liberality towards the cause of God. They should both be circulated largely in every congregation. NOTES, EXPLANATORY and PRACTICAL, on the EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. By the REV. A. BARNES. "Cobbin's Edition." London: Tegg; Aylott and Jones. WITHOUT the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Mosaic ritual must have appeared to us a mass of dark and unedifying forms. And only as this portion of the word is well understood do we become acquainted with the true nature of those mystic institutions of a former economy. Mr. Barnes's exposition of this epistle will be most useful to a class of readers who have not the means to purchase, or the leisure necessary to peruse, the elaborate works of an Owen or a Maclean; it is at once concise and sufficient, and eminently suited to the popular requirement of this reading age. Of these useful commentaries, the cheapest, neatest, and best edition, which has yet fallen under our observation, is "Cobbin's Edition." INTELLIGENCE. THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. THE great council, which has held its meetings during the last few days in Freemasons' Hall, London, for the formation of the Evangelical Alliance, has, throughout all its sessions, been pervaded by an inexpressible interest. To witness upwards of 1,000 members, composed of twenty religious denominations, gathered from various and distant parts of the earth, blending their sympathies in fervent supplication, or in the solemn harmony of sacred song, thrilled the mind with a feeling that may be conceived of, perhaps, but cannot be described. How often we said within ourselves, during the happy hours we spent in the solemn assembly, “Surely God is in this place!" "Truly it is good to be here!" Who, for instance, that was present at the close of the fourth session, during those moments of silent but intense feeling previous to passing the third general resolution, or whilst Mr. Kyle engaged in prayer, can ever forget them? Nor was it only the devotional meetings of this great convocation which bespoke the real and vital oneness of heart in the midst of diversity of sentiment and language. The business meetings, to our mind, equally-perhaps more strikingly-proclaimed it. The chief discussion, as was anticipated, arose on the doctrinal basis. That basis was felt by some to be too narrow, and by others too broad; some desired to append a ninth article, others would gladly have removed the eighth; whilst many, we believe, were rather puzzled before going to the meeting to comprehend the principle on which precisely these, and not other, articles had been selected. That principle seems to have been to affirm those truths which lie at the foundation of personal religion, on the one hand, with those which distinguish evangelical Protestants, as against Catholics, on the |