something which is quite accidental, or ad- QUERIES. Mr. Editor, to suggest in conclusion, that as it is quite evident many of us have a little disposable cash which is not wanted to pur. chase the mansion; instead of putting it into our pockets again, we should forward it to the treasurer of the association, or any other suitable person, to form a fund, out of which small and feeble Churches may be assisted in paying off their debts, or supporting their ministers, or that it may be appropriated to the sending out of more missionaries, or the educating of more students, (since so many more ministers are wanted at home) or anything else that is evidently proper and desirable. If we cannot agree to purchase this building, it does not follow that our money must lie dormant. We can still devote it to the Saviour and his cause; and since we evidently can spare it, (or why did we promise it?) let it not be said, or even suspected, that we are only Will some one of your correspondents willing to contribute liberally to support the favour me with an exposition of James ii. Redeemer's interest in connection with 19. DEAR SIR.--Will you, or some of your correspondents, give, in an early number of the Repository, the etymology of the word Repentance, with a concise definition of it, as used by Jesus Christ and his apostles. By so doing an obligation will be conferred upon, Your's truly, PETO. REVIEW. NEHEMIAH: an Essay designed to promote the Revival and Extension of religion. By J. C. PIKE, Wisbech. Price 1s. 6d.; embossed cloth, lettered. 18mo., pp. 156. London: Hamilton, & Co. Derby: Wil kins & Son. Nottingham: R. & J. Hil. ton. Boston: J. Noble. Leicester: Hull & Co., or J. Brooks, Belgrave Gate. Our readers will recollect an advertisement which was inserted on our covers, of fering a prize for the best essay on the extension of the General Baptist connexion. There seemed in the aspect of the advertisement to be something so perfectly sectarian, that it is was felt by some to repress any ambition they might have otherwise cherished to engage in the honourable competition of writing for the public good. Mr. C. Pike appears to have been conscious of this influence, but he, wisely we think, did not allow it to prevent him from engaging in this labour of love. With equal judgment he has also avoided the indulgence of exclusive sectarianism in his performance; and while his attention has been "specially direeted to the members of the New Connexion of General Baptists, he has aimed as much as possible to render it adapted for general usefulness, and for christians of every denomination." The title of the work is a key to its contents. Nehemiah, when exalted in the Persian court, felt great distress for his afflicted brethren the Jews, obtained permission of his sovereign to visit Jerusalem, and when there encouraged his brethren to rise and X. build the wall, with the assurance that the God of heaven would prosper them. They laboured in this work in the presence of much opposition, and persevered in it until it was finished, notwithstanding the various efforts which were used to divert them from their purpose; and having succeeded in this undertaking, so important for the prosperity of Israel, they rejoiced before the Lord. On this simple and instructive narrative Mr. C. Pike has based his very interesting and useful essay. It is divided into seven chapters, entitled,-Distress; Duty; Encouragement; Means; Perseverance; Success; Joy. Each chapter is headed with an appropriate line selected from the sacred history of Nehemiah. While its general features commend the plan of the essay to our approval, the working out of its details do not less demand our commendation. Its style is chaste, clear, and manly. There is an entire absence of that stilted elaborateness which characterizes some of the prize essays that have appeared, and of those attempts at ornate, and fine writing, which would be very apt to lure a young aspirant for a literary prize from the sober simplicity of his purpose. Mr. C. Pike's object seems to have been ever before him, and he has pursued it with an earnestness that indicates a strong desire to promote the revival and extension of religion amongst christians in general, and amongst our own Churches in particular. The present condition of a fallen world, and the moral aspect of our own country, call for deep feeling in the minds of all British christians; and the disproportion be men." In order that all these plans and suggestions might be realized, we are reminded that there is need of "increased liberality," "the help of all," "individual exertions," "the prayers of all, in the closet, at the more generally attended prayer-meeting," and "a spirit of unreserved consecration to God." The essay is enriched with several very appropriate quotations, and its appeals, especially on individual exertion, are enforced by well-selected and striking facts, one or two of which we will give. tween the efforts of christians to renovate tages regularly upon fifteen or twenty young mankind, and the extensive spiritual destitution that prevails, calls for sadness of heart, and humiliation before God. Small as is our denomination, we are in many respects in the rear of other bodies of christians in the walks of usefulness. This is the subject of Mr. Pike's first chapter, and the views here given are sustained by a variety of statistical information. That it is our duty to labour, and that there is every encouragement to engage in it, are truths set before us in chapters II. and III. The fourth section of the essay, as it embraces the main subject, is extended through more than one third of the work. Here, among increased efforts to spread the Gospel in our own localities, are urged a more liberal support of the ministry-a diligent concern in the members of our Churches for the welfare of our congregations-the right direction of Sabbath-schools, with Bible classes, and pastoral superintendence-efficient tract distribution-village preaching, and the cultiva tion and improvement of the brethren who are engaged in this good work. The systematic and general support of our public religious institutions is insisted on: our Foreign Mission, Home Mission, and Academy. It is intimated, that if an average of one farthing per day, from each member of the connexion, could be secured for these objects, in the aggregate nearly £6000 per annum would be realized. This would give £3000 for the Foreign Mission, and £1500 each for the Home Mission and the Academy. With these funds we might employ more than double our present number of missionaries to the heathen, far more extensive Home Missionary efforts might be put forth, and our Academy* might "liberally support two tutors, and confer its important advan *Perhaps the term college will be thought to savour too much of magnitude and importance for the scale on which our connexion have hitherto conducted the institution for the education of young men for the ministry. We have therefore not adopted it, but retained the term by which it has been usually designated. As we are on this topic, the Editor feels that some explanation is due to the writer of Nehemiah, who he presumes was the author of the circular on which some free remarks were made by a correspondent, "Junius," in the last number. Some hesitation was felt as to the propriety of inserting the article in question, on account of its sharpness, and this feeling in. creased when his attention was called to it after it had been printed. But as the author of Junius declared himself responsible for the article, and therefore willing, it is presumed, to have his name given up to any parties who might wish for an explanation, it was permitted to appear. After the general committee of the Academy had decided against the attempt to obtain the mansion at Derby, there did seem to be something adventurous in re-opening the question when so "A few months since a popular London minister was preaching on a public occasion at In the course of the service he mentioned a circumstance to the following effect. A pious parent went with her son to for the purpose of apprenticing him. In parting, so intense was her anxiety that he might become decidedly the Lord's, that she literally bathed his head with her tears. The young man respected religion, yet still he was destitute of its saving power. He went to nearly all the places of worship in , but nobody noticed him, or evinced any concern for his welfare, until on one occasion he went to chapel; after the service a venerable old gentleman, who had sat in the same pew, said to him, 'I hope you have been interested.' He said no more, but this, to use the young man's own expression, 'nailed him to the place.' He went again, and made his way to the same pew; the old gentleman noticed him again; the young man continued to attend the chapel, and soon he became decidedly pious, and that once careless young man was then before the preacher as the regular minister of the place in which he was occasionally officiating." "A minister and his friends at the close large a sum as £3500 must be assured at once for a building; and as a tutor was invited who could not be expected to reside there, the circular was the more startling. With as much propriety might we send out missionaries who would cost £3000 a year, because this sum ought to be raised, as enter on premises and a system that would require 1500 per annum, with our present income. It was as far from the intention of Junius, we apprehend, as it is from ours, to repress any practicable scheme for enlarging the Academy. In process of time we may, and ought, to secure suitable premises; but surely the groves of Academus should not be a costly and deserted mansion in the centre of a large town! The Editor once more disclaims any intention to inflict pain on the minds of worthy and zealous brethren, and hopes that the somewhat pungent remarks of Junius, as far as they were thought uncalled for, may beoverlooked. This explana tion we trust will be satisfactory to an esteemed correspondent, who signs himself "Not one of the seven," and to others less measured in their reflections on the Editor. of the year were reviewing their progress for the past twelve months. The report was not particularly unfavourable-the Church consisted of about 200 members, and twenty had been added during the year. But the minister observed to them, that he felt there was in it great cause for humiliation and sorrow --that if every member had but been alive to the spiritual interests of others, and each had made it his special aim to bring one sinner into the fold of Christ, how easily their numbers might have doubled. The people sympathized deeply with the sentiments of their pastor, and entered into a solemn covenant before God that they would individually seek, in the forthcoming year, to bring one sinner to the Saviour. Among those that felt most intensely on that occasion was a poor servant girl, whose name was Mary. She lived in a worldly family, where all but herself were strangers to true religion. Her mistress heard of the engagement into which they had entered, and in a jesting strain begun to talk with Mary about it. "They tell me, Mary, that you have pledged yourself to convert a sinner this year.' 'No, mistress,' Mary replied, 'I cannot convert sinners, God only can do that.' 'Well, but,' said she, you have been making some sort of agreement at the meeting.' Mary told her that they had all resolved to try what each could do in seeking the salvation of some paticular individual during the year. And pray, Mary, who have you fixed upon? I should like to know who it is that you have resolved to interest yourself about in this way? The girl burst into tears, and said, I hope, mistress, you will not be offended, but if I must say, you are the person I have fixed upon. You are a kind mistress to me, I have nothing to complain of, but I desire to see you enjoying that happiness which I know can only be found in religion.' The mistress at this unexpected reply wept too; she felt her mind deeply affected, and entered into some very serious conversation with her servant. They often talked together; the impressions of the mistress deepened: at length Mary affectionately pressed her to seek further instruction from her minister, who would explain all these things so much better than she could. 'But, Mary,' the mistress replied, "I cannot do this, you know I am a Churchwoman.' Mary answered, 'I am a poor, ignorant girl, and do not know much about such things, but I think, mistress, if we get to heaven it will not matter a deal whether it were through church or chapel!' The mistress did not entirely disregard Mary's advice. She first went and listened outside the chapel, then she would go and hear the minister occasionally, and before the year closed both she and her husband had united themselves with the Church. In "A much-esteemed brother in the ministry states, I mentioned the story of poor Mary, soon after I heard it, at one of our own Church-meetings, and one of our members told me afterwards, that her mind was instantly fixed on one of her own servants, a faithful servant, but not pious. She prayed for her, and resolved to seek her good. about six months that young woman joined us, and dated her first decided impressions to the prayer, and a few remarks which were made at the domestic altar on the very evening her mistress set her heart on her salvation. Thus was the promise again verified, 'It shall come to pass, that before they call I will hear, while they are yet speaking I will answer.'" As a whole, we commend this essay to the serious and prayerful perusal of the members of our Churches, and record our thanks to the worthy friend whose proposal for a prize essay has been the immediate cause of the preparation and publication of so creditable and useful a work as "Nehemiah." THE SECURITY OF BELIEVERS. A Sermon occasioned by the death of the Rev. John Dyer, senior Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society. BY EDWARD STEANE. To which is added, The Oration at the Grave. BY F. A. Cox, D. D., LL. D. London: G, Dyer, 24, Paternoster Row. The very afflictive and mysterious end of the estimable and devoted Secretary of the Baptist Mission, spread a momentary gloom over the minds of good men, which the sermon and oration before us are intended to remove. The sermon itself, which is from the words of our Lord, "All that the Father giveth me," &c. John vi. 37, contains sentiments purely calvinistic, and hence we read of "that provision which is made in the work and offices of the Holy Spirit, for revealing Christ in the hearts of the elect;" and are told of "the subduing and enlightening grace of the Holy Spirit," that "where he works the result is certain. His gracious operation infallibly leads the sinner to Christ. Since, then, those who are predestinated, or who, in other and equivalent words, are given to Christ, are the persons whom the Spirit calls; their coming to Christ must be regarded as he represents it in the passage before us-a thing of absolute and inevitable certainty." Not to remark on the force which is employed on this passage to bring out of it the two doctrines of absolute and eternal predestination, and effectual calling, which reminded us of Bunyan's “shall come will bring them," we are at a loss to reconcile the statements above quoted with To us these representations appear contradictory, but they fairly exhibit the system of moderate calvinism, and for this purpose we have noticed them. The Congregational says of the sermon that it is a "sound exposition of those doctrinal opinions which have always been professed by moderate calvinists, and which we fervently desire may continue to be taught in our nonconformist pulpits." To the views given of the universal extent of the Gospel provision, we cheerfully subscribe, and that it is through the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit that the sinner is incited to seek for mercy, and assisted to lay hold on Christ, we most devoutly believe, but that these influences are given only to those who actually do come to Christ, and whenever they are given render the sinner's conversion a matter of absolute and inevitable certainty, we do not believe to be a doctrine of the divine Word. Moreover, in this view of the case we do not see what is gained by moderate calvinism, or how it differs from what is sometimes called the extreme calvinistic scheme. If "left to himself no man comes to Christ," and if "the Holy Spirit reveals Christ in the hearts of the elect" only, where is the benefit to the sinner of a general atonement? As well might the atonement be restricted, as the influence. And as those who cherish the limited views of the atonement abstain from general invitations and offers of Gospel mercy, on account of the inconsistency of these overtures with their scheme of doctrine, is there not as much inconsistency in general invitations being used by those who believe in the limitation and speciality of the influence? We rejoice, however, in this inconsistency, as it is the means by which the Gospel is preached to sinners, for their salvation; being fully assured that the gift and sacrifice of Christ is the pledge and security of every spiritual blessing, and that the cordial belief of the Scripture testimony as to the general extent of the great atonement, will infallibly lead good men, notwithstand ing their contradictory systems of doctrine, to preach as if not only the atonement, but all the requisites of salvation, were general and free. We have a happy illustration of this in the passage above quoted, “Who shall say that salvation was provided for others and not for him? That the blood of Christ was shed for others but not for him?" Salvation includes more than atonement, it includes the requisite grace for the enjoyment of its benefits; and yet Mr. Steane unconsciously speaks, in this explanatory and cautiously-written passage, as if they were identical or commensurate. We cannot lay aside this pamphlet, the greater part of which we have read with real pleasure, without extracting a beautiful, just, and consolatary passage which occurs in Dr. Cox's oration. "The temporary aberration of reason is not its extinction, nor is it the extinction of principle and piety; and the form in which affliction and death shall overtake the good man is in the hand of God. The mode of his departure from the present state cannot affect the great question of his destiny; for that depends not on the outward modification of circumstances, but on the decision of the mind, preparation of character, the working and moulding of great principles. The safety and blessedness of the soul of a believer rests on the foundation which God has laid in Zion. The question is not whether he leaves the world in a calm or a tempest-in the clear sunshine of circumstances, or amidst clouds and mysteries-on the quiet bed, by the stroke of accident, or in the whirlwind of delusion,-the temporary must be separated from the permanent, the unreal dreams of a moment from the realities of truth, the essentials of character, and the power of grace. The question which belongs to the everlasting condition of a man respects his faith in Christ, his love to God, his conformity to truth. Is it well?' asks the anxious survivor. And if the report can be—he was a penitent, a believer, a servant of God-the answer is, in defiance of death's worst terrors, Satan's worst temptations, and life's worst forms of mischief, It is well.' From the depths of hades, the distant regions of an invisible world, the soft and solacing echo is, 'It is well.'" A CONCISE VIEW OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. WHILE we are gratified to see the tenth edition of Mr. Craps's penny tract on baptism, and to learn that 70,000 copies of it have already been issued from the press, believing that it is the best tract of its size on this subject, we rather regret the publication of the Ethiopian convert. The incorrect language, the inconsequential reasoning, the loose and rambling statements which abound in the sermon of Mr. Bray, lay him open to the keenest shafts of his theological opponents; and, we fear, tend to injure the cause we doubt not he desires to serve. If some judicious brother had perused the manuscript previously to its publication, we venture to affirm that the sermon would not have been printed. A ON PREACHING CHRIST CRUCIFIED. Charge by CHARLES P. MILVAINE, D. D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Ohio. Tract Society. We had somehow or other learned, that American Episcopalians were not generally orthodox in their practical sentiments. This little book is a delightful proof to the contrary, as to the good bishop whose name it bears. "Our first, as well as our last and habitual duty, every where, amidst all prejudice, ignorance, enmity, is to take ground, with all confidence, at the CENTRE of the system, and at once to set up the cross. We must exalt Christ in his death; establish his propitiatory character; publish its sufficiency for the whole world. Thus you begin your message where a sinner begins his hope and life." METHODISM versus TEETOTALISM. The despotism of modern Wesleyan Methodism demonstrated; in a letter addressed to the various members of the Methodist Societies throughout Great Britain. By MR. WILLIAM SMALL, of Boston, Lincolnshire Mr. W. Small, has been expelled from the Wesleyan Society, at Boston, on suspicion of being the author of two letters signed "a hater of priestcraft," which appeared in the Stamford Mercury. In this pamphlet we have the letters, and a variety of other correspondence, together with very free remarks on Wesleyan discipline, &c. Debate on the Affairs of China, as recited by Mr. Wilkinson's Pupils in the Public Room at Uxbridge, Dec. 15th, 1840. pp. 94. London: Hamilton and Adams. THE title of this neatly-printed book explains its use. The recitations are varied in their character and spirit, and would interest an audience, if well repeated. FRIENDLY APPEALS; or, brief warnings and exhortations on subjects of the greatest importance. Tract Society. 18mo., pp. 140. THIS book is what its title professes. The appeals on the great things of the Gospelthe danger and duty of sinners, are such as may be put into the hands of all. Happy they who regard them. THE FEATHER. Tract Society. The Feather is as beautiful as the Leaf, and the Honey Bee, noticed last month. The engravings are exquisite. When complete, this series will make an exquisite little volume. THE YOKE RECOMMENDED TO THE YOUNG. Tract Society. FULL of excellent and affectionate christian persuasion. SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE FOR CHILDREN. By W. F. LLOYD. Sunday school Depôt. A VERY suitable Scripture catechism. LITERARY NOTICE. Mr. Peggs writes us, that through the liberality of a valued friend, he is encouraged to put his Prize Essay, on the Extension of is intended to be published in the same form the General Baptist Connexion, to press. It as Mr. Pike's Essay. Its title is, Manasseh : a Prize Essay on the Extension and Prosperity of the General Baptist Connexion, as RECITATIONS. Select and Original Pieces, OBITUARY. ANN HEWITT was a member of the General Baptist Church, Ilkeston, and a con. stant teacher in the Sabbath school, of which she was formerly a scholar. She left the school about the latter end of 1837, with serious impressions on her mind-in. quiring the way to Zion, with her face thitherwards. She was invited at the close of the year to one of our teachers tea meetings; there she wept much on account of sin. In the spring of 1838 she gave bright evidence that she had passed from death unto life, and was baptized, with twelve others, on the 12th of August, and from that time she has been ready to every good word and work. She was of a docile and tractable disposition, ever ready, even when a child, to receive instruction, and seldom requiring reproof from her teachers. Her powers of mind were above the ordinary level, and she possessed a solidity of judg ment and maturity of thought but rarely found in one of her age; yet was she ever modest and unassuming, nothing forward or obtrusive appeared in her conversation or deportment. She delighted in hearing |