Mr. Peto, it ought to be further stated, and his family, were contributors of £500 per annum to the funds of the Society. Mr. B. referred to the census returns respecting London, shewing the need which existed for more places of public worship. But little had been accomplished at present by the Baptist Society, yet he could not doubt that ultimately it would be the means of effecting a large amount of good. If well supported it would inaugurate a new era in the baptist denomination.

The Secretary submitted a brief report of the operations of the society, which stated that it was formed on January 19, 1852, "for the purpose of erecting and aiding in the erection of commodious chapels to seat not less than 600 persons, in eligible situations, and within eight miles of the General Post-office." The Society commenced their first chapel in Camden-road, on the 20th Oct. last. The estimated cost of the building alone is £4,467 and it is intended to seat about 650

persons on the ground-floor, provision being made for galleries should they be required. Another site of ground has also been secured at St. John's Wood, but the committee cannot proceed with an erection there for want of funds. The total amount of contributions at present received very little exceeds £1,800, and of this amount £1,500 have been subscribed by the Trustees and Committee, with the addition of one or two influential and liberal friends. The report further set forth the great want which undoubtedly existed for the vigorous prosecution of the work in which the committee had engaged.

Messrs C. Stovell, C. Gilbert, (Independent) W. G. Lewis, Dr. Burns, and Mr. Underhill, moved or seconded resolutions. For the important remarks made by these speakers on baptist chapel accommodation in London and the suburbs we have not space now, but we have marked them for future use, for they are too important to be passed over and forgotten.

The Bible Hand-Book: an Introduction to the Study of Sacred Scripture. By Joseph Angus, D. D., Member of the Royal Asiatic Society. London: Religious Tract Society. Five Shillings. NEVER have we felt the inconvenience of being hampered by limited space more than we do with reference to the book before us. We could wish to say much about it, but can only remark that such a work, containing the essence of larger volumes, and at a moderate charge, was much needed. Here we have, within 660 octavo pages in small type, a vast amount of valuable biblical knowledge, precisely adapted to the circumstances of such as may be engaged in teaching youth, preaching in cottages and villages, or studying the elements of scriptural truth with a view to the ministry. We have readers of these classes, and if they have any confidence in our commendation, we wish they would use it now, when we advise them, if necessary, to deny themselves of some indulgence this summer for the sake of securing a copy of this invaluable work. A map of "The Known World at the Christian Era," and a Copious Index, are appended, and will be found very useful to the reader. England and Russia. By R. Edleston. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 6d. THE Author of this pamphlet furnishes much valuable information of " England: her Social and Political Condition; her Commerce and Wealth; her Ability to Sustain War; her Armies and Navies; her Influence in the World, &c.-Russia: the Rise of the great Powers; Sketch of Russian Aggression; the Greek Church and its Doctrines; Russian Dissenters; the Social and Political Condition of Russia;

her Agriculture and Trade; her Armies and Navies; her Strength and her weakness; her Designs upon Turkey; and the Consequences to England should they be accomplished." And certainly we have not yet met with any publication, in a cheap form, which contains such a large amount of facts and details. We feel it our duty, however, to caution our readers against sanctioning the war-spirit which is so much indulged by many, and which, being full of self-confidence and vain-glory, must be disapproved of God.

The London Pulpit.

By James Ewing Ritchie. London: Simpkin and Co. "THE author was requested, by the proprietors of one of the Metropolitan Journals, to write a few sketches of some of our leading London Divines for their paper. Having complied with that request, considerable desire was expressed that the sketches should be collected into one volume. The result is the present publication." So says the author; who has given us his pen and ink sketches of the following "Popular Preachers" Dale, Maurice, Melville, Montgomery, Villiers, Church of England; Binney, Campbell, Leifchild, Lynch, Martin, Edward Miall, Esq., M.P., Independents; Brock, Hinton, Noel, Baptists; Cumming, Hamilton, Presbyterians. We have also Forster, Ierson, and Ronge, with something about the CathedralsSt. Paul's, St. George's, The Irvingite, and Westminster Abbey.

We have read the book with some interest; but the sketches are rather too off-hand and newspaper-like for our taste. Mr. R. tells us that "he has endeavoured to sketch with a free, but impartial, pen." It may be so upon the whole, but we think we can trace indications both of preference and prejudice. F.D. Maurice may very likely be a man more to his taste than Robert Montgomery; but we think Dr. Campbell, whatever his deficiency in pulpit ability may be, was entitled, from his vast labours in the great cause of civil freedom and religious truth, to more respectful treatment. In addition to the sketches of preachers, we have, here and there, a few good hits at some of the foibles and follies of fashionable folks in London religious congregations. A Home Book for Children of all Ages. London: Ward & Co.

"Or all ages"-well: if by this more is meant than at first meets the eye-if the maker of this pretty book meant that its

AN ENGLISHMAN IN THE UNITED STATES. To the Editor of the Baptist Reporter.

DEAR SIR,-When I last addressed you I was a resident of Darlington, in England; I am now, you observe, far away from my native land, a resident in the United States of America. My thoughts often flit across the wide Atlantic, and dwell with a sort of mournful pleasure amongst the scenes and friendships left behind, and which will be garnered in the memory so long as that faculty holds its seat. A friend being about to visit Europe, I embrace the opportunity to forward this by him. The contents of this letter will be a mere outline of the voyage, and a few things I have observed since I came here. One thing which induced me to emigrate was the fact that three of our eldest children were already here. They had given their hearts to the Saviour in the winter of 1852, during a revival of religion in the Oliver Street baptist church, under the pastorate of brother Magoon, who is now on a visit to Europe. This church is a very active church, ready to every good work. Their young men are encouraged to stir up the gift that is in them; opportunity being afforded for this object, at least thrice a week, at their prayer and conference meetings. My two sons being considered by some as promising to be useful, should they desire to become ministers of the word, the church would liquidate the expense of their studies at the academy. I think it is very probable they will accede to the churches' wish. They are both very devoted and active in the cause of their Divine Master. Praise the Lord for it! There is a pressing need for baptist ministers in this land. I suppose you occasionally see the New York Baptist Recorder. One writer states that 4,000 ministers are wanted to supply destitute churches; and Dr. Wayland, in his published sermon on "The Gospel Ministry," makes the same statement. Although this is called in question by the Editor of the Recorder, there is unquestionably a great want to supply. If you have the Recorder of Feb. 24, you may see an article there on the subject, signed "Alpha," that will

give you some idea of my opinion on the subject. The baptists here, you are aware, are a numerous body. Of course there are no dissenters, no dominant sect. The episcopalians are in a low state- everything here soon finds its level: merit, not favouritism, rules-no seizing a poor man's bible for churchrates - no John Thorogood incarcerated for conscience sake. I wish I could also say, no Miss Douglas imprisoned for teaching coloured children to read the bible; but that, you know, is in the south. Well, there is a current flowing that, sooner or later, will sweep away the abomination. This Nebraska Bill will hasten it on. The South has got one compromise after another, which has increased its audacity. There must be a going back to the first principles upon which the constitution was founded; and although thousands may cry out the Union is in danger, never mind; if the Union cannot be maintained except by such a consolidated system of villany, let it go-do the right, and God will protect the issue. Places of worship here are all called "churches," not chapels

and very smart affairs they are, both outside and inside. The one I attend, the first baptist church in Williamsburgh, is a commodious edifice; the platform, for there are no pulpits, is spacious, a desk at the front, a sofa and chairs for the preacher or preachers; the pews very low, no doors to them, but cushioned and carpeted; the whole floor carpeted throughout; the galleries occupied by the choir and Sunday school children. The minister commences by reading a hymn, which is sung by the choir, the congregation sitting; then reading, and prayer, and singing, as before, after which the plates are taken round for voluntary contributions; then, perhaps, a long list of notices read from the pulpit, and then the sermon; prayer immediately after; then singing, when the congregation stand, and the benediction closes the service. With very few exceptions the sermons are read. Service in the morning, half-past ten; afternoon, three or halfpast; evening, halfpast seven - prayer and conference meeting, one of the brethren presides, singing, prayer, reading the word, then

the meeting is open for any brother present to pray or give an exhortation, and is closed at nine. Monday evening, prayer and inquiry meeting. Tuesday evening, lecture. Friday evening, prayer and conference. The Friday evening previous to the first sabbath in the month is for prayer and covenant meeting. Such is the order of services generally.

The facilities for education are excellent. Public schools are numerous, all free, books and everything supplied; the teaching unexceptionable. But there is a great want of places of worship for the poor. There are thousands of this class who seldom, if ever, enter a place of worship. The churches are so smart, the people dress so gay, that you seldom see a poor person amongst them it would seem that the poor have not the gospel preached to them. This place has 40,000 inhabitants, two baptist churches, a third in contemplation; also a coloured baptist church, with a good sabbath school, which I visited lately, and was agreeably surprised at the quick and correct answers the little woolly heads gave to questions on the scriptures. There are a great many coloured people here, and most of them very intelligent. Our second daughter was baptized here on the first sabbath in March; so we have two sons and two daughters walking in the good way. I had a letter lately from Mr. Roe, late of Birmingham; he is eligibly situated in Illinois; he had an addition of twentythree to his church in February. Oh! how I should like to see the Reporter as beforetime: some of my friends in Darlington still take it. My three younger children often talk about the Children's Magazine; we have a few of them bound, which they delight to read, and often say, "I remember reading that at Darlington." Books, paper, and magazines, are numerous here, and cheap; you get a paper as large as the Patriot for two cents., equal to an English penny. England is now greatly excited respecting the Eastern war; there are some curious disclosures made respecting the designs of Russia upon Turkey: who can foresee the end: our only hope is, Lord reigneth." America seems to be the only nation that can afford to be neutral in the matter. Well, I have got this sheet filled without saying a word about our voyage to this land; I must

"The

therefore take half a sheet more for that purpose.

We sailed from Liverpool on the 19th of last May, and arrived at New York on the 7th of July-forty-six days passage. We had 700 passengers on board, and only one cabin passenger-a Romish priest. We had a great many Irish, some Germans, Welsh, Scotch, and some from Cornwall and the Isle of Man. We had berths in the poop cabin, where were about sixty passengers. Had two births on the passage, and only one death, and that one of the infants the day after it was born. The weather was pleasant, though very cold; and the voyage, on the whole, as agreeable as the circumstances could warrant. On the first sabbath evening I proposed that we should hold a religious service in our cabin, which was readily responded to. We sang Cowper's admired hymn

"God moves in a mysterious way," and spoke from, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt"—at the close announced a service for Thursday evening-and during the voyage we held similar services on the Sunday and Thursday evenings. We frequently had a goodly number from other parts of the ship; and we found a few who spoke the language of Canaan-Wesleyans from Hull, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man, and some Presbyterians from the north of Ireland and Wales. At the close of one of our meetings I requested a Welsh brother to sing a hymn in their language, which he did in a very sweet plaintive air; one of them prayed in their own peculiar language, not a word of which we understood excepting "Jesu Crist, Amen," at the close. Well, that was sufficient; you know how sweet the name of Jesus sounds-and truly it appeared to be remarkably so in this instance. We were somewhat deficient in light, as our meetings were held in the evening, and but one oil lamp suspended in the cabin, so that I frequently had to give out a hymn and read a Psalm or chapter from memory, which, I am happy to say, I was enabled to do pretty correctly. The subjects of discourse, "The sure foundation"- "Acquaint now thyself with him," &c.-" Gather my saints together unto me"-"Then they that feared the Lord," &c.-"I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God""Let no man glory in men, for all things

BIBLE COLPORTEURS.

Or all the means that bid fair to extend the knowledge of the Bible, especially among people not ripe for its reception, we know of no set of agents so aptly qualified for the work as the well-adapted Colporteur, or the Bible-hawker. It is true that any person might sell copies of the Scriptures, whether he believed their contents or not, but such an one is not the pious colporteur of the Bible Society. He is a man of tried and approved probity, who loves his work, can brave the perils incident upon it, is bold enough to climb the mountain abodes of scattered cottages, or to visit the nefarious dens of men of abandoned manners; and so strongly fortified by the power of the experimental knowledge he possesses of evangelical life, that he can either maintain his ground with the Jesuit priesthood, the talented scorner of the christian hope, or with the arrant but wily advocate of atheistic notions. With his pack on his shoulders, our colporteur tracks all the footsteps of men to the country wake or fair, to the gala shows of higher life, to the barrack yard of the neglected soldier, to the tide of emigrants about to quit their native country for ever, to the rendezvous of the sailor, or to those scenes of recreation where citizens congregate to spend their time or their money. And many a cheering message does he bring home in return for his labours, while the gross amount of copies that find their way into circula tion by these means seems all but incredible. France appears to be the

country in which the idea of distributing copies of Scripture by the agency of the colporteur was originated, and the Parisian Bible Society now employs eighty-four of these individuals, who carry copies of the Bible for sale into those circles of the infidelized population whose youth passed under the irreligious influence of the revolution. Seventy of these eighty-four agents are converts from the Roman Catholic sect, and are, by the circumstances of their own history, peculiarly adapted to wrestle with a people who have neither seen any other form of christianity than the papal one, or who having long learned to distrust it, are found too often ignorant of any other alternative than that of infidelity. Gratifying instances are frequently occuring in which the result of the colporteur's visit is not merely a free sale of copies of Scripture, but a large number of converts who have renounced the errors of the papacy, or of many of those infidel opinions that are commonly held in France. Leaving the difficulties of political science to the wiser body of citizens, the humble-minded colporteur, whose average income in France does not exceed £56 per annum, gives himself entirely to the business of evangelizing his country by opening passages for the formation of biblical institutions, or by merely selling as many copies of the Scriptures as possible. But let none of our readers imagine the calling of a biblical colporteur to be a sinecure, for he is constantly subject to the most galling and inquisitorial surveillance