very erroneous views, had found en- | busily engaged in spreading the domintrance. I mean a Mr. Von Lücken, ion of his heavenly king. Br. Wiehler who has a considerable estate not far has circulated a great many tracts and from Hamburg, has embraced our views bibles, preached frequently in his regiof baptism and formed a church, or mentals, and succeeded in gathering a more, in his situation. But some years goodly number of God's elect. Some ago I became acquainted with him and brother who has the oversight of churches found, not to speak of errors of a minor in Hesse came and baptized about kind, that he entirely rejects the scrip- eleven, I believe, and the foundation of ture doctrine of atonement by the blood a new church was laid. of Christ, and urges that the righteousness of God is one which Christ works in us in making us right-minded, so that we do works of righteousness; for God is not a blood-thirsty tyrant who only by blood could be reconciled, &c. I had very much discussion with him, for he is very eager to make proselytes to his party. I found at my coming to Zäckerick my fears not without a basis, and did my utmost to counteract that baneful influence. I hope that I have succeeded. Br. Köppen was not aware of so great a heresy. I pray God that he and the flock under his care may be preserved for the Lord! I also visited Spandau lately, ten miles from here, where I had much joy. One of our sisters employs much zeal to win souls to Christ. She has attracted a number of children who like very much to hear of Christ. A brother there, a soldier named Pahlke, instructs them in religion, and when I was there one recited the whole fifth chapter of Matthew, which she had committed to memory, without stopping. They afterwards came in company with br. P. to visit our Sabbath school, which was very interesting. Some adult applicants for baptism likewise nourish our hope there. A soldier of the cross. Our hearts have also been much gladdened by one of our brethren whom I baptized a few years ago and who gave us much joy, but who at the late wars was taken again for the army and made a sergeant. He has been a long time in the neighborhood of Frankfort on the Maine, where their head quarters were. But as a militant of the nobler army of Jesus Christ, he was all the time But though the soldiers were there rather in a protecting character, the protestant priests in those regions could no longer look on silently; they made a mighty lamentation, printed papers against the new heresy, and assailed the commanding officers to forbid the sergeant preaching. They long resisted, as br. Wiehler, from his very excellent deportment, enjoyed their unqualified favor. At length, his captain being exchanged for another, he was quartered in another village. As even there he continued preaching, the colonel summoned him and forbade him very seriously any religious labor. "He was a disgrace of the whole regiment,” he said. "It would not become a Prussian sergeant to go round the villages and shave people; just as little did it become him to go about to sing and pray with the peasants. The next time he should be guilty of such a misdemeanor he would have him under arrest." Thus threatened, our dear brother still continued his sweet fellowship with the new brethren, who seem to be attached to him exceedingly. His last letter intimated that very likely the whole regiment will march onwards and leave those regions. Now Jesus surely will follow the camp and embolden his faithful servant everywhere to unfold his banner. State of the church in Berlin. Of our church in Berlin itself I cannot now say much. Meetings on the Lord's day are well attended, in the week scantily. No events of an alarming character have taken place,-on the contrary we do enjoy a time of inward peace and cordiality. But still there is no fervent spirit of love amongst our members, and our increase is slow. I baptized lately three individuals, and a similar number will follow soon. I pray fervently for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and feel myself as much affected by the great work committed to me as at any time previously. We must now wait for the Lord's grace. The threatening law of which I wrote to you in my last is not yet published. Meantime we go on and thank God who keeps us in his hands. East Prussia. Letters from East Prussia describe the state of religion there as favorable as hitherto. Our br. Weist is diligently building the new meeting house, and new living stones are constantly added to the spiritual house of God. I believe nearly twenty have been added there since the beginning of this year. A letter of br. Döerksen, who made a missionary tour of about seventy German (nearly 350 English) miles on foot, describes the people as mostly very willing to receive the gospel. He preached in numerous places, baptized several, and extended his tour as far as Stolzenburg. Br. Weist speaks of his visit there as eminently blessed to them all. GREECE. JOURNAL OF MR. ARNOLD. Nov. 11. Sunday.-None came to Greek preaching this morning. Read with brethren Kynegos and Xidactilo❘ Luke 18: 1-14 and Rev. 2, and all joined in prayer. Had much conversation with br. X. in regard to a sin by which he had been overtaken, and on account of which he felt himself unfitted for the communion. At first understood his case to be much more aggravated than it actually was, and such as to call for his temporary suspension, at least, from the communion. But was happy afterwards in having this misapprehension corrected, and in gaining from the whole affair new evidence of the great change in him from what he once was, and of the tenderness of his conscience in regard to sins of the heart. 17. Was surprised this afternoon by a visit from a Wesleyan brother from Santa Maura, who "confirmed the proof of his love" to the missionary cause, by leaving with me upwards of forty-one dollars, which he had laid aside by weekly appropriations, since our last communication with each other. 18. Sunday-No Greek sermon today, for want of hearers. Read Luke 16th, with our two brethren, and united in prayer as usual. In conversation afterwards, I was grieved to hear advocated by one of them the sentiment, that the sin of lying consisted in the injury done by it to our neighbor, and that consequently it was innocent, or at least comparatively venial, when practised without any malicious design. I endeavored to refute this dangerous doctrine; but was obliged with sorrow to confess, that it had too much countenance in the writings of the fathers of the church, not merely in the later ages, when "pious frauds" were extolled as meritorious; but in those earlier centuries, when this abominable doctrine was not yet so commonly avowed, or at least not yet so matured. Chrysostom, for example, devotes a chapter in the beginning of his work on the priesthood, to the praise of deception, when rightly employed; and in his commentary on Galatians, he represents Peter and Paul as having "got up " a sham quarrel, for the readier conviction of the Judaizing brethren :-a sad evidence of decline from the pure morality of the New Testament, and a humiliating contrast to the best moral writings of the heathen. (Cicero de Officiis, for example.) How thankful those ought to be, who have been instructed from their childhood in the principles of an uncorrupted Christian morality. In the evening preached in English from Habb. 3: 2, "O Lord, revive thy work." My audience consisted of about sixty-five. 22. This morning an Italian from Ancona called to see me, an intelligent and interesting young man, who wishes to declare himself a Protestant. I was obliged to send for br. X. to interpret for me, as he spoke only Italian. Only nine at the lecture on Romans this evening. 23. Commenced this evening a regular course of scripture reading three times a week, with our two brethren, and such others as they may induce to join them. They brought with them to begin a young man from Cephalonia, and the Italian who called yesterday. mos. Text, Matt. 6: 9. "Hallowed be thy name." 9.--Sunday. Seven Greek hearers 13.--This evening delivered the last (42d) of the series of lectures on the Epistle to the Romans. Present seven teen. 24.-I was called up last night at 12 o'clock to attend the dying bed of a young woman, an entire stranger to us, an Anglo-Greek, the only surviving child of her widowed father. Found her too much distressed for breath to be able to speak much. It seemed too late to be of any service to her; but I endeavored to point her to the only hope, and prayed with her. Called again at an early hour in the morning, and found her still weaker, and at times insensible. Again, addressed a few words to her, and offered a short prayer at her bedside. Called a few hours later, and found that she expired soon after my former visit. Was sorry to hear that after my first visit, she asked a friend what I meant by saying so much about her sins. Did I think she had done some very wicked thing? O how little men know of their sinfulness, till "the commandment comes," with the power of the Holy Spirit, to enlighten the mind and impress the heart. 25. Sunday. Again no hearers; a young Cephaloniote, and signed by them. sad monotony. 27. This evening had five at the bible reading. The young Italian brought with him an elder brother, just returned from Greece. He will be a valuable assistant in interpreting, as he knows English well, and something of Greek. Dec. 2.-Sunday. To-day I had the happiness of preaching again in Greek, to a congregation of eight persons, two of whom were members of my own family, and the rest Greeks. One was a visitor in Corfu, from the island of Sa 16.-Sunday. At Greek service this morning had more than twenty respectable and well behaved hearers. Preached from Matt. 6: 10. "Thy kingdom come." How little is here understood of the true nature of Christ's kingdom, either in its internal essence in the individual, or in its external manifestation as an organized community. Preached in the evening from 2 Cor. 5: 20: present about seventy-five. 17. At the request of the two Italian brothers, wrote in English and Greek a form of protest against the errors of the Roman Catholic church, which was afterwards translated into Italian by the 20.-Began this evening a course of lectures on the Epistle to the Hebrews, present eighteen. Letters from Zante to day mention the case of a priest there, who has fallen under the censure of the bishop, for a suspected leaning towards Protestantism. The amount of the proof seems to be, that he had some conversation with two English officers (both friends of ours, and religious young men,) who visited his church from curiosity, and afterwards visited the English chaplain, and received books from him. His sentence was suspension of all ecclesiastical functions, and banishment to the Strophades for six months. This last is no unusual form of ecclesiastical discipline, for refractory or suspected priests and deacons. These islands are only inhabited by some monks, who know well enough how to make the condition of the exile one of penance. But in this case the last part of the sentence was suspended for a while, on account of the feeble health of the priest. 23. Sunday. As only one came to the Greek service to-day, besides our two brethren, I thought it best to defer my sermon, and accordingly read Heb. 10, with prayer. So fluctuating is our work 30.-Sunday. Preached to-day in Greek from Acts 7: 1-7. Present four Greeks, and two of my own family. In the evening preached in English to sixty-five hearers, from Ps. 89: 47, "Wherefore hast thou made all men in vain," a subject suggested by the close of the year and the half century. How vainly does man seem to have been made, and what a reproach to his Maker on the supposition that there is no future life. Jan. 7.--At missionary concert this evening only ten persons present. Weather very rainy; collection 10s, Sd, $2.46. MISCELLANY. AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION | able resources $9,464.61, showing a SOCIETY. The eighteenth anniversary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society was held in the Norfolk street Baptist Church, New York, May 9th. In the absence of the Treasurer an abstract of his report was read by the Corresponding Secretary, Rev. B. M. Hill. The Secretary also read an abstract of the Annual Report of the Executive Board: both were accepted. Seven Life Directors and twelve Life Members are reported deceased during the past year. Present number of Life Directors, 291, of Life Members, 1,684. The ravages of cholera in the Western States scattered many congregations, but no missionary fell by the pestilence. Rev. John Dowling, D. D., and Rev. David Bellamy have resigned their places in the Executive Board, and Rev. Messrs. E. L. Magoon and H. J. Eddy, have been elected in their places. The Treasurer's Report exhibits receipts for the year ending April 1, 1850, amounting to $26,413.52, which with the balance | on hand April 1, $3,925.55, makes the total available means for the year $30,369.07. The disbursements were $25,403.46, leaving a balance of $4,965.61. The liabilities of the Society on the first of April were $23,821.38, and its avail balance against the Society of $14,356.77. Of the amount received, $25,201.09 were in direct contributions to the treasury, an increase of $4,324.45, over similar receipts last year, besides $647.43 for the Home Mission Record. The missionary operations of the Society have been carried on with very encouraging success. Two missionaries have labored in Minesota, and organized a church at St. Paul. In Oregon an association of ten churches has been formed, and arrangements have been commenced for the establishment of an institution of learning. In California two churches have been organized, and at San Francisco the church and congregation early assumed the whole charge of supporting their pastor. A house of worship was built, a Sabbath school was organized, and a Bible Society formed. The Society have been unable to procure as many missionaries as the field demands, but two have recently been appointed. A missionary under appointment and on his way, was detained at Santa Fe, and with the approbation of the Society has settled there, being the only evangelical minister in New Mexico. An interesting field is also open for cultivation in Canada. In various parts of the field revivals have been enjoyed and numerous conversions have occurred. The number of agents and missionaries that have labored the past year is 118, of whom 41 are new appointments; there are also 13 appointments in addition, for the present year. Ten ministers have declined further aid, their churches being able to support them. Whole number of States, territories, and provinces occupied, is 17; number of stations, 338; baptisms, 949; churches organized, 33; ministers ordained, 30; houses of worship finished, 6; contributions for benevolent objects, $2,732.58, and for support of ministry, about $16,000, besides building and repairs of church edifices. Hon. Isaac Davis, LL. D. was chosen President, William Colgate, and John P. Crozer, Esqrs., Vice-Presidents, Charles J. Martin, Treasurer, Garrat N. Bleecker, Auditor, Rev. Benjamin M. Hill, of New York, Corresponding Secretary, Rev. Edw. Lathrop, Recording Secretary, Rev. S. H. Cone, D. D., and fourteen others in New York and vicinity, Managers. James M. Whitehead, of New York, is the Recording Secretary of the Board of Managers. AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY. On Wednesday, May 1st, the eleventh annual meeting of the American Baptist Publication Society was held in Philadelphia, in the Eleventh Baptist church, (Rev. A. D. Gillette's.) The annual report of the Board of Managers was read by the Rev. Thomas S. Malcom, Corresponding Secretary. Eighteen new publications were printed or stereotyped during the year, viz.: The Baptist Harp, large edition; Francis Egerton; The Great Question Answered, by Andrew Fuller, in German; Frey's Scripture Types; A Pædobaptist Church no Home for a Baptist; James and George; Baxter's Saint's Rest, &c. New editions had been printed of Carson on Baptism; Bunyan's Holy War; Booth's Reign of Grace, &c.; also the Baptist Almanac for 1850. The whole number of publications on the Society's list is 276, of which 87 are volumes. New editions of 40 of the Tract series have been printed. Of the Society's tracts 176 are English, 8 German, 3 French, 9 Children's. Eight hundred and eighty-four pages of stereotype plates have been added during the year. Twenty-one colporteur missionaries have been employed in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Iowa; also in Oregon. Seven of the colporteurs were Germans. Revivals have followed their labors, and many souls have been saved. The salaries have been raised from $100 to $150 per annum. Twenty-three ministers and fourteen Sunday schools have been furnished with libraries of the average value of ten dollars. Thirty Life Members and twelve Life Managers have been added. Grants have been made not only to the destitute of our own country, but also to seamen, to China, Burmah, Assam, Africa, France, Germany, Jamaica, Hayti and Canada. The ten thousand dollar fund has nearly all been paid in, and the interest upon $9,000 will henceforth be appropriated to the gratuitous circulation of the books and tracts of the Society. The prices of the books published by the Society have been reduced about twenty per cent. Fuller's Works, for example, previously sold for $7.50, are now sold for $6. One of the most recent and important measures has been the change from the small building occupied for the last six years to a spacious and beautiful edifice, No. 118 Arch street. Arrangements were made by which the Society can purchase, at a moderate price, the building now occupied and altered for the purposes of the Society. A Building Fund of $25,000 has been commenced to pay for the house and lot, the improvements, and to erect additional buildings in the rear of the present building. The Treasurer's Report was read by Rev. B. R. Loxley. The receipts for the legitimate purposes of the Society, during the year ending March 15th, were $23,925.85, an amount larger than in any former year. The receipts for other Societies were $896.84, making a total of $24,822.69. The stock of the Socity in books, printed sheets, &c., at a fair cash valuation, is $10,567.81. The stereotype plates, (11,002 pages,) wood cuts, &c., valuing the old plates at half price, are worth $9,647.54. The total value of stock and stereotype plates is $20,215.35, an increase of $1,496.13, notwithstanding the reduction in prices. The copyrights, some of them very valuable, are not reckoned. The library contains about 1,100 volumes. |