Touching the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, lies Palestine, long the sanctuary in which God caused the knowledge of himself to be preserved, after it had been lost by all the rest of the world. Land of glorious and blessed associations! Type of the eternal inheritance of the faithful! Land on which the streams of inspiration descended; where David tuned his heavenly harp, and Isaiah poured forth the words of God. Land, above all, where the Son of God was born, where he lived, and taught, and suffered. Mountains of Judea, ye heard his prayers; environs of Jerusalem, ye received his tears! Echoes that woke to the tones of his blessed voice, how often have ye since resounded to the shout of Allah," and the din of battle; or to the senseless wailings of fanatical pilgrims! But how lovely are ye now ye wooded hills of Judah, empurpled by the evening sun that looks mildly from out his cloudy pavilion, while the "songs of Zion" rise from the beautiful vales, and surmount the pinnacles of the "Holy City." Renovated Jerusalem, long wast thou "trodden under foot of the Gentiles," long did the banner of the infidel wave over thy walls, but now thou flourishest under the beneficent reign of the "Glorious King." The eastern side of Europe is now before him. Turkey, in latter ages the stronghold of the religion of Mohammed, has now put on the " easy yoke" of Christ. In Coustantinople, now, instead of the adherents of the prophet repairing to their mosques, are seen the followers of Jesus thronging into the house of God. There is no seraglio, and no sultan now; and woman is neither degraded nor confined. The vast empire of Russia, long the chosen seat of barbarism and tyranny, is now civilized and free. The imbecile superstitions of the Greek Church have given place to the light and energy of vital christianity. Secure amid surrounding states, her rich harvests waving in the golden light of heaven, Poland fears no tyrant now. A nobler freedom has been bestowed on her sons than they sought in the days of their oppression. The Peninsula, and "Isles of Greece," regions of ancient classic glory, what the highest literary refinement failed to do, christianity has done-produced abiding virtue, liberty, and happiness. Southward, appears the continent of Africa. The Nile and the Niger winding their long courses to the Sea, the lake Tchad, and the mountains of the moon. In Africa, where the Moslem and the Pagan so long and bloodily contended, there is neither Moslem nor Pagan now. Where attendant multitudes shouted, as the head of the human victim was severed from his body and rolled into the grave of the chief, the dead are now quietly interred with sorrow, yet in hope. In Africa, where thousands were yearly torn from all that they knew or loved, and hurried over the desert and the ocean to bondage and to death, men are now dwelling in their peaceful homes and "none to make them afraid." Man is renovated, and the beasts of prey subdued. The forests and marshes, where once were heard the yell of the jackal, and the roar of the lion, are now studded with peaceful hamlets, and yellow with luxuriant crops, and the "green Oases" have overspread the great Sahara. The long accursed and enslaved descendants of Ham are now blessed with liberty, "for the truth hath made them free." And from the Cape of Good Hope to the mouths of the Nile; and from the straits of Babelmandeb to Cape Verd, as the shadows of cottages and trees are stretching over the plains, swells the hymn of praise, and rises the humble voice of prayer. Passing again over that intervening sea, where hostile fleets have so often met to destroy, which has been covered with broken ships, and dyed with the blood of the slain, but is now white with sails of peaceful merchantmen under the colours of every land; no thundering cannon, and no prowling pirate there-his eye lights on Italy, reclining in the arms of the Mediterranean, delicious in her climate, beatiful in her scenery, and fertile in her soil. Rome, long the mistress of the world, and longer the seat of papal domination, and chief source of that corruption which polluted the pure streams of Christianity, and spread putrescence and death over the religious world,-Rome, now freed from the weight of spiritual tyranny, and purified from the filth of sacerdotal abominations, is spreading again over her seven hills. Westward, within the stupendous mountains of Switzerland, appear those picturesque and sequestered valleys, where, by the mercy of God, the Gospel was long preserved in much of its native simplicity and energy, when the nations around were sunk in the grossest ignorance and superstition. The descendants of the honoured Waldenses now live secure; no destroying army breaks in among their peaceful abodes. The middle and western nations of Europe are now free from priestly domination. No relic remains of the fooleries and abominations of "the mystery of iniquity." The Bible is in every hand, and its contents in every heart. The cold and cheerless Neology of Germany has melted away in the fervid beams of the "Sun of Righteousness;" and from every city, and village, and hamlet, are now heard the joyous ascriptions of "glory to God the Father, Son, and blessed Spirit, for ever and ever." And in Paris, long the metropolis of Atheism and sensuality, where the Goddess of pleasure was worshiped every Sabbath in the gaming-houses, and theatres, and dancing gardens,-in Paris, where once, on this sacred day, rang the stroke of the hammer, now ascends the voice of psalms; where once screamed the ballad-singer, now sound the sacred words of mercy; and in place of the theatres and dancing-gardens, are now the temples of the Lord. "Renovated world," exclaimed the heavenly visitant, "renovated world, revolve in thy beauty under the vivifying influences of heaven! Long wast thou darkened by the lurid shades of infernal gloom; but, now, thou art gilded with celestial radience. Dismal and appaling have been the scenes which thou hast displayed-flood and fire, pestilence and famine, fields of carnage, and seas dyed with blood; but thy compassionate Redeemer is mighty, and under his administration thou hast been brought to this felicity and glory. The curse of barrenness has retired to the tops of thy high mountains and thy unvisited poles, and seems even vanishing from them. But mightiest is the transformation of the minds of thy inhabitants, comparatively fertile now in love to God, and 'good will to man." "Glory to God and the Lamb," sang the angel as he mounted toward the throne of the Eternal. Alleluia !" " MORAL GREATNESS OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS. THAT character is invested with a real sublimity, which is seen in calm selfpossession, successfully contending with difficulty and oppression: but the sublimity of character exhibited by a being, while cut off from all exterior sources of solace and aid, enduring all the highest possible injury, abuse, and insult, with such calm serenity that the full play of all the finer affections of the heart and mind is never for a moment disturbed-trancends every thing in the universe-it is the highest achievement of a God!-M'Combie. GENERAL BAPTIST HISTORY. [Having been repeatedly requested to insert in this periodical, the history of the Midland Churches, as contained in the General Baptist Magazine for 1798, &c.; and being assured that it would be generally acceptable, we now make a commencement; premising, that the papers were written by the late Rev. J. Deacon, of Leicester, who obtained the chief part of his information from the lips of good old men who were actors in the scenes he describes. This latter circumstance gives an indescribable interest to the narrative.-ED.] A HISTORY of the General Baptist Churches in the Counties of Leicester, Warwick, Derby, Nottingham, &c., usually denominated THE NEW CONNEXION. INTRODUCTION. Ir is not a certain proof that any doctrine is really new, or that men posessing peculiar sentiments are heterodox, because the one or the other may be so considered by individuals or collective bodies. Nor indeed is the prevailing opinion of whole nations a certain criterion of truth. The history of this, and other countries, confirms the truth of these positions. It becomes, therefore, the indispensable duty of every man to inquire for himself, to assert his rights, and to act with a manly boldness, in every thing wherein religion is concerned: as it is undoubtedly of the highest importance, being pregnant with consequences of infinite magnitude. Those General Baptists, who are the subject of the following narrative, have generally acted upon this principle, having taken this for their motto, "Call no man master on earth" and in proportion as they have manifested a regard to this divine direction, it is presumed every consistent christian will allow they have done right. And whatever may have been their peculiarities, they have felt, and still feel, a kind of devout pride, that instead of being justly charged as innovators, or broachers of a new religion, their sole object was to "know the truth as it is in Jesus," and to maintain that truth when known, though their only reward in this world should be, to "suffer shame" for the name of Christ, their Lord and Saviour. This body of people, far from being ashamed of the appellation they bear, glory in it, since the greatest of all the prophets, and the harbinger of Jesus, bore that name. They rather esteem it an honour, that not only John, but the Son of God himself was a Baptist, "being baptized of John in Jordan." They also believe that these illustrious characters were General Baptist; nor are they discouraged in maintaining this is a truth, whatever opposition they may meet with from those who differ from them. But it may be asked, Why is there a new connexion of General Baptists? or what gave rise to this new sect, which in these counties has been so much the object of ridicule among some of their neighbours? Why did they at the first dissent from the Church of England? Why did they not unite with some other regular class of Dissenters, and especially with the other General Baptists; since there were, at least, a few Churches of that denomination in the vicinity of several places where this new interest was first raised? These are questions, which, in the course of the ensuing history, will generally be answered. But previous to this, it may be proper to note two or three circumstances. 1. The state of religion in the establishment, at least in these counties, was, at that time, very low. Many of the clergy were dissipated characters, and so astonishingly ignorant of religion, that, in many instances, this alone laid the foundation for dissatisfaction and dissent. 2. With respect to the Dissenters, and even the General Baptists, so far as the writer can find, though they might retain some of the leading doctrines of the gospel, and on the whole be considered as respectable; yet they were grown somewhat formal; and their formality seemed to set up a barrier in the way of those, who had not been previously in habits of intimacy with them. Dissenters, then, did not much accustom themselves to preaching in villages, nor go out of their way to seek "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." It cannot therefore be a matter of surprise, that these people did not at once break through every obstacle, and join a dissenting body. 3. But that which contributed more immediately to their rise, was the zealous activity of a few itinerant preachers, and the exertions of those renowned champions, Whitefield and Wesley, who were then about beginning their glorious career. From this latter circumstance, it is rather extraordinary that they did not remain Methodists: but, indeed, they never seemed partial to the dogmas or the authority of any man, or class of men. Their grand objects were knowledge, and piety, or truth and duty, and wheresoever these pointed, they, according to their ability, seemed determined to go. They did not rashly adopt their present sentiments, or all at once commence General Baptists. It was a work of time, and gradually effected by searching the Holy Scriptures. Such was their conduct, and whatever have been their defects, in this respect they were worthy of high commendation. Happy will it be if we, the successors of these worthy men, who are now most of them returned to their dust, and whose names may never descend to distant posterity, shall perseveringly follow the footsteps of our fathers, in a steady adherence to the word of God! And though we may not altogether adopt their creed, or act consistently if we did, without close examination; yet as religion is a personal concern, and cannot be ours but by our own voluntary choice, so personal inquiry into the sacred records, becomes a necessary, and indispensable duty. It may be thought, by some, that there is nothing sufficiently interesting in the history of such a people to be worth the labour of writing, or reading; much less the labour and expense of publishing. This, the writer pretends not to decide. He can only say, that the work was first undertaken several years ago, at the request of many who thought it important, and to gratify them, as well as others who may wish to read it, is the only motive by which he is actuated. His business will be to state facts; and these will appear to different persons with a different aspect. He may possibly sometimes venture to hazard his opinion, or make an observation; but it will be the privilege of the reader to form his own judgment, and to draw such conclusions as may appear most natural and reasonable. It may not, however, be amiss just to observe, that the truth of the relation depends on the testimony of many who were living witnesses of the facts recorded; and not a few of these were personally concerned in the transactions. The writer spent considerable time and pains in making personal application to those who were best informed; and, in general, took down their accounts in the presence of several in company, that each might assist the other. If the publication shall contribute to the amusement of any, it may not wholly be in vain: but if it tend to create in the breasts of the rising generation, a serious regard to their own immortal welfare, an imitation of the noble zeal, the undissembled love, the firm friendship, and the fervent piety of their worthy ancestors, it will be an ample recompence for all the labour, and the best evidence of the propriety, and necessity of engaging in such a work. Wherein it may be calcu lated to produce these effects, may the blessing of God attend it! (To be continued.) CORRESPONDENCE. QUERIES. J. D. Is a sinner justified before God by faith only, or by faith and works; and is not a belief in justification by faith alone antinomianism? [Justification by faith alone is the doctrine of the word of God. "A man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law." Rom. iii. 28. It is, however, an essential effect of genuine faith, that the heart thus becomes purified, (Acts xv. 9. Gal. v 6,) the life conformed to the will of God. 1 John v. 4, &c.-ED.] How far is it right for Baptist ministers, to Baptize the members of the Podobaptist Churches, when it is understood that they intend to remain in their own communion? INQUIRER. IN Jude, I read of earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered to the saints, (verse 3). Who were the saints alluded to? What am I to understand by the faith there mentioned; and how should we contend for it ?-S. T. THE ACADEMY FUNDS. manifesting that sincere attachment to the principles we profess (and which we wish to see spread into every corner of the globe) as we ought to do. If we wish the General Baptist cause to spread, surely it is but reasonable that we should heartily support that institution, which is of all others the best calculated to effect our purpose, viz., the Academy. I have very hastily drawn the attention of the churches to this subject, and I hope it will not be in vain. It is particularly requested, that all those churches who have made their public collections, and got in their subscriptions, will forward the amounts to me as early as possible; and those churches who have not as yet taken any step to get in their monies, will do so forthwith. The best and safest mode of conveying money is by a post-office order, which may be had at a trifling expense. It is desirable, that the accounts should be made up previous to the association, and not at and after the association. If the friends will therefore be so good as to send their monies, with all particulars, to me, not later than the 26th June, I will take care to have the accounts in a satisfactory state. Without some such plan as this, it will be impossible to lay a correct statement of the funds before the association. The facilities afforded by cheap postage, and post-office orders are such, that not a penny ought to be kept back to be paid at the association. If the friends will but adopt this suggestion, it will prevent a deal of confusion, and many mistakes. In conclusion, I would observe, that in a few weeks there will be due to the Tutor, half year's salary &c., amounting to about £150; on this account the churches will see how desirable it is, that exertions should be made, and the monies sent off immediately. With a sincere prayer for the prosperity of the Academy, To the Editor of the General Baptist Repository. Nottingham, REVIEW. HISTORY OF THE EGYPTIANS, from Rollin, and other authentic sources, both ancient and modern. With two maps. Medium 8vo., pp. 116. Tract Society. As the country of Egypt attained an earlier and a higher degree of civilization and refinement than any other in the world, and was intimately connected with the move I remain, dear Sir, T. ROBERTS JUN., ments of the Hebrew patriarchs, as well as with the subsequent condition and progress of the Jewish people, and with every great and civilized nation, its history is of extreme importance both to the biblical and general student. In this beautifully printed pamphlet, there is a condensed and luminous relation of the physical, topographical, |