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Literature.

JOHN WESLEY; OR, THE THEOLOGY OF CONSCIENCE. By the Author of the Philosophy of Evangelicism. Second Edition. London: E. Stock, Paternoster Row.

THIS work, if not precisely a sequel to the "Philosophy of Evangelicism," by the same author, owes its origin remotely to that previous book, but more nearly to an unfavourable review of it in the Wesleyan Magazine. Moved by the strictures of that Review, the anonymous writer has vindicated his opinions in a Lecture on Wesley, and in a long Introduction to the Lecture. The Introduction manifests great polemical ability, and is well worth a careful reading. But its excellence is eclipsed by that of the Lecture itself. We began our examination of it without any bias towards the unknown author, but we were quickly drawn into sympathy with the views advanced, and soon felt ourselves to be under the spell of his scientific mind and skilful pen. Having derived both instruction and stimulus from his little work, we strongly recommend it to all who take proper interest in theological science. It presents John Wesley and his theology in a phase somewhat new to us; and while it is well adapted to enlighten and quicken those who are outside the pale of Methodism, it may also be of good service to those who claim him as their founder, and who are called by his name.

THE TRUE THEORY OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY,* is the title of a paper read at a Conference of Ministers and Delegates of the Independent Churches at Coventry, by Mr. Calloway, of Birmingham, and reprinted from the Nonconformist. We should not have suspected that our Congregational brethren were either so uninstructed or so misinformed respecting the Christian Ministry as to require the formal presentation of such self-evident points as this paper treats of. That a minister is a member of a Christian church-a gifted member of it-and one elected to rule and teach in it-this is the very * London: Arthur Miall.

a, b, c, of ecclesiastical knowledge: yet on these rudimentary truths our author writes in an oracular tone, and with no little vigour and vehemence. But he seems to have been instigated to write in the strain he has chosen by the working of what he calls "a wicked leaven" amongst them. He sees "the steady rising of ministerial assumption and desire of aggrandisement-a desire for high social position and recognised political power-a desire to make the Congregational ministry the acknowledged equal of the great worldly priesthoods," &c. Troubled with these "visions of his head" he has been led to speak to his brethren in a style a little too episcopal, yet perhaps quite pardonable under the circumstances. Flight from a fault," says the Roman adage, "leads to a fault." Mr. Callaway evidently intended to make his paper a kind of ecclesiastical curb, wherewith to check some of his forward and erratic brethren, and judging of it from its intention we may pronounce it very good. Whatever is salutary is often severe, and seldom pleasant: but this sharp instrument will hurt none but those who require restraining.

THE CURATE IN THE CRUCIBLE, by an Atherstone Nonconformist,* is a lively tract exposing the ignorance and hatred of some silly clerical scribe in the locality of Atherstone. The treatment of the aggressor is as searching as was that of the fiery process of the defunct Alchemist.

GOOD WORKS, a Lecture Expository and Controversial. By Peter Prescott, Wesleyan Minister.

THE Rev. Peter Prescott, taking the opportunity of hearing the well known George Dawson, Esq., of Birmingham, was pained by the utterance of opinions which he pronounces most pernicious and most poisonous. He wrote a letter to the preacher with a view to draw him into a discussion of the points at issue, but Mr. Dawson declined discus

*London: E. Stock.

sion. Whereupon Mr. Prescott takes his text and expounds it in the orthodox style, interspersing controversial remarks on the errors spoken publicly in the "Church of the Saviour." The whole is dedicated to Mr. Dawson's congregation.

THE PRESBYTERIAN is a new monthly paper conducted by members of the Free Church of Scotland, price twopence. It contains sixteen folio pages, and is extremely well got up. It is intended as a supplement to ordinary

newspapers and magazines, giving a summary of ecclesiastical news, reviews and notices of ecclesiastical and religious literature, articles to assist in ripening the mind of the community on important questions, and in fixing attention on the great principles and interests which demand the care of men who are public spirited in their Christianity, &c. If it be continued with the same ability as is shown in the first number, the Presbyterian will command support from many readers who belong to other communions.

Poetry.

BACK TO LIFE.

BY MRS. JULIE T. INGERSOLL.

THE first pale flowers of tender spring
Had drunk the early dew,
The birds with gold and purple wing
Sung love songs fond and true.
And June with roses in her hair,

And sunshine flashing through,
Danced o'er the hills with step so rare
The blossoms burst and grew.

But sunshine's warm and fragrant breath,
Brought strength to all but me;
Weary I lay and talked with death,
Glad, fearful to be free.

The world seemed drifting far away,
Its joys I did not love;
The morning of a brighter day
Shone on me from above.

I trusted Him who giveth rest,
And prayed, "Thy will be done,"
And He hath seen it is not best
I go at early noon.

For now when autumn's purple wings
Are spread o'er hill and tree,

A healing draught some spirit brings
And life comes back to me.

Life shorn of strength and mixed with pain,
Yet life for love and duty,
With heart to throb and glow again

At earth's supernal beauty.

Thou who in love hast sent to me
Healing on autumn's wing,
My broken heart an offering free,
Contrite to Thee I bring.

NEVER GIVE UP.

NEVER give up, brother, never give up !

God has a blessing for those who work hard;

Why should you murmur and grumble and fret,

And envy the measures from which you're debarred ?

Work like a man, do the best that you can;

This is the wisest and hopefullest plan!

Never give up, brother, never give up!

Though the future looks lowering, and gloomy, and drear;
Though the sun shine not now, yet it may very soon,

So keep up a brave heart and tread down your fear;

Soon may come light, and all will be bright,

Only struggle and strive to do what is right!

Never give up, brother, never give up!

Though your burden be heavy, and dark be your way;

The bow in the clouds only comes with the rain,

And when night is deepest then bursts forth the day;
Soon your troubles will cease, and your sorrows decrease;
Only trust in the Lord, and then all will be peace.

-Leisure Hours.

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My dear Sir,-Allow me to call the attention of the brethren who have charge of the Statistics of the Churches to the mournful fact, that for more than six years my predecessors in office have printed very serious complaints concerning the "carelessness" with which the Statistical Returns have been made to the Annual Association. The following quotations from the "Minutes" have a force of their own, and ought not to be without effect in the proper quarter. "Of 156 churches the returns of ninety-three only harmonise with last year"-1859. "The returns of only seventy-eight churches are correct as compared with last year"-1864.

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Many of the schedules are filled up so carelessly and inaccurately"—1867.

I remind and forewarn that I may not be compelled to complain. It is pleasanter to give counsel by which a fault may be avoided, than to utter rebuke of errors already committed. This year the statistics will be eagerly canvassed; and the question of our denominational progress will be answered in a great degree, though, of course, not wholly, out of the materials supplied by the figures inserted in the returns. Let every church-reporter, therefore, look carefully into the tables of last year, and be mindful to square

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the schedule for 1868 therewith. The worth of statistical information depends upon its complete accuracy and fulness. Exactness is the criterion of its value, as, indeed, it is of much besides. Christian conscience should certainly be put into Church Statistics. Hoping that I may not have to complain as well as warn,

I am, my dear Sir,
Very sincerely yours,
JOHN CLIFFord.

42, Alpha Road, N. W.,
May 22, 1868.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir, I would again invite the attention of your readers to the advertisement of our General Assembly, and say that we shall be pleased to have the company of any of our brethren of the New Connexion at any part or all parts of our meeting. To myself in particular, who feel interest in your well being, and much sympathy with the essential spirit by which you are animated, their presence would be very acceptable.

Yours faithfully,

JOSEPH CALROW MEANS. 21, New North Road, London, N., May 13th, 1868.

PROPOSED FUND FOR AUGMENT-
ING PASTORS' INCOMES.
TO THE EDITOR-

Dear Sir,-Can you oblige many of your readers by permitting the accompanying Report, presented to the Annual Meeting of the Baptist Union, to appear in your next number? I am, dear Sir,

Yours very truly,
CHAS. WILLIAMS.
Southampton, May 11, 1868.

REPORT OF THE PASTORS' AUGMENTATION
FUND COMMITTEE,

Presented, April 30th, 1868. THE Committee appointed at the Autumnal Session, to inquire into the practicability of making a provision whereby the stipends of our poorer ministers may be

augmented," have to report that the following scheme of a Society has been submitted to them for consideration :

Object.-To induce and assist Churches of the Baptist denomination to provide an honourable maintainance for their pastors.

Rules.-I. All Churches or individuals contributing not less than £10 per annum to the Fund, shall be members of the Society.

II. The Fund shall be administered by a Committee, consisting of twenty brethren, who shall be elected at the annual meeting.

III. The Committee shall be empowered to decline or to return the contribution of any Church, but shall, in every such case, submit its decision for confirmation or reversal to the Annual Meeting.

IV. A meeting of the ministers and deacons of contributing but non-partici pating Churches, and of other members of the Society, shall be held during the autumnal session of the Baptist Union; or, if no such session be held, at any place, in the month of October, the Committee may determine, to receive the Annual Report, distribute the fund, and elect the Committee for the next year.

Bye-Laws.-I. The Committee to meet at the Baptist Mission House at least once in three months; seven to form a quorum.

II. The Committee to co-operate with the Baptist Fund.

III. The Committee to arrange with Association Auxiliaries that they shall determine on the claims of churches within their respective districts, subject to the approval of the Committee.

IV. The Committee to ascertain that the fund is not used to help an unworthy church or pastor, and that it secures a real augmentation of the minister's income. In furtherance of this object the Committee to seek, in concert with the Baptist Fund and Associations, to stimulate the churches to give a just and liberal support to their pastors.

Although the Committee are not prepared to recommend the adoption of this or any other scheme, as, in their opinion, the time is not come for a final decision, they respectfully submit it for consideration and discussion, and they further suggest that Associations be requested to pronounce their judgment upon it, as well as upon the general subject of an Augmentation Fund, at their next meetings. The Committee also recommend that the carrying out of this proposal be entrusted to the Committee of the Union, with an instruction to report thereon to the Autumnal Session.

Denominational.

Intelligence.

LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE.-The next Conference will be held at Bourne, on Wednesday, June 10. The Rev. C. Payne, of Louth, is appointed to preach in the morning.

As the Home Mission accounts for the year will then be made up, it is very desirabe all monies should be sent to R. Wherry, Esq., Wisbeach, 'before that date.

THOMAS BARRASS, Secretary. Peterborough, May 15.

THE WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE assembled at Longmore Street chapel, Birmingham, on the 28th April.

The morning sitting was opened by the pastor of the church giving out a hymn, and prayer by brother Harrison.

The paper prepared by brother Cross, on "The Probable Causes of our Slow Pro

gress as a Denomination," was then read. He referred to various defects in our organization and agency; pointed out many things in which we might improve; presented some striking statistics and humbling facts; and called upon every lover of evangelical truth to increased exertion and activity. The writer was warmly thanked for his paper. A discussion followed, in which brethren Harrison, Cheatle (junr.), Billingham, Lees, and Allsop, took part. Mr. Cheatie's remarks were especially weighty and suggestive.

The meeting for general business was held in the afternoon, the Rev. L. H. Parsons presiding. Brother J. H. Wood prayed. Encouraging reports were given from most, if not all, the churches. Sixtyone had been baptized, and forty remain as candidates. After reading and confirming the minutes of the last meeting, and payment of Conference expenses, it was resolved

1. That our next meeting shall be at Wolvey (God willing) on 29th September.

2. The morning paper to be on "The Elevated Nature of the Spiritual Life, and the Means by which that Life may be maintained."

3. That brother Lees, of Walsall, be the writer.

4. That brother Harrison, of Birmingham, preach the Conference sermon.

Brother G. Cosins, of Cradley Heath, closed with prayer.

The evening service was commenced by brother J. H. Wood reading the Scriptures and prayer, and the Secretary preached from Jeremiah xiv. 8, 9.

This was our first meeting at Longmore Street chapel, and there was a general feeling of admiration of the convenient and elegant place of worship and its belongings, and of satisfaction at the excellent arrangements made for our entertainment by our Birmingham friends.

All the pastors in the Conference were present, and a large number of friends from Coventry, Longford, Walsall, &c. All the churches reported-a thing to be desired and perpetuated.

SOLOMON S. ALLSOP, Secretary.

Longford, May 7,

THE LONDON CONFERENCE met for business at Wendover, May 6, at two o'clock in the afternoon. The Rev. J. Sage presided over the meeting, and the Rev. W. Hood, of Ford, opened with prayer. But few of the churches sent statistics. Twenty-two

were reported to have been baptized, and four to remain as candidates.

The Secretary reported that a few weeks after the last Conference information was sent to him that the Bucks Baptist Association had commenced an effort to raise a cause at Aylesbury, that the committee had opened the Corn Exchange for worship, and that it had been proposed to invite the General Baptist ministers in the neighbourhood to join in the effort, and, therefore, that no plan for the conducting of service in the old chapel had been formed.

Resolved, 1. That since the Bucks Association have commenced worship in the Corn Exchange, Aylesbury, we relinquish for the present our effort to re-open the old chapel as a preaching station.

2. A communication from Mr. Page, of Aylesbury, was read, respecting the prac ticability of bringing the chapel property there, in some way, into use for the spread of Baptist principles in association with evangelical religion. Resolved, That a committee be now appointed to confer with the trustees of the Aylesbury property as to the practicability of granting a

lease of the chapel, &c., to the Bucks Association, or to Mr. Page and his friends. That the committee consist of brethren Hood, Dancer, Sage, Lawton, Sanders, Preston, and Bunker.

3. That the next Conference be at Praed Street, Paddington, on the first Tuesday in October, and that brother Lawton be the preacher.

4. That brother Harcourt be requested to read his paper at the next Conference.

5. Brethren Batey and Goadby having left the district, this Conference hereby expresses its cordial esteem of these brethren, and earnestly prays that they both may be largely blessed in their new spheres of labour.

Towards the close of the meeting a portion of the time was spent in devotional exercises. Brethren Bunker, Quiney, and Lawton prayed.

Brother Preston preached in the evening on the scriptural authority and the usefulness of prayer meetings, from Acts xii. 12-"Where many were gathered together praying."

JOHN LAWTON, Secretary.

LONDON, COMMERCIAL ROAD.

The Rev. Thomas Goadby, B.A., having accepted an invitation to take the charge of Osmaston Road church, Derby, farewell services were held in the above chapel on Sunday and Tuesday, April 26 and 28. On Sunday evening Mr. Goadby took for his text 2 Cor. xiii. 14, and preached a singularly touching and impressive discourse. The chapel was quite full, and some were unable to obtain admittance. On Tuesday evening a tea and public meeting was held, presided over by Rev. J. Clifford, M.A., LL.B., of Paddington. About three hundred sat down to tea, and the after meeting was very largely attended. During the evening, Mr. Quiney, the senior deacon, in an appropriate and touching speech, presented Mr. Goadby with the following address, elegantly en. grossed, signed by nearly three hundred members of the church and congregation, accompanied by a purse containing £25: 66 April 28, 1868.

Dear Sir,-We, the undersigned members of the church and congregation worshipping at Commercial Road chapel, desire, ere you leave us, to present you with a slight token of our high esteem and Christian regard, consisting of a purse of gold and this address. We thank you most sincerely for your unremitting and self-denying labours on behalf of this church and congregation, labours extend

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