perpetrated by the French, upon the poor defenceless queen and other inhabitants of Tahiti. Those disgraceful proceedings are clearly proved to have had their origin in the determination of a Roman Catholic Missionary Society, called the Society of Picpus, which was founded by the Abbe Condrin, soon after the restoration of the Bourbons. The Congregation of the Propaganda, with the authority of the Pope, has confided to the Society of Picpus, the "conversion" of all the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Judging, however, from the evidence of facts, we conclude, that such changes as this society is likely to effect, would be better designated by some other word than conversions.

Mr. Wilks has long resided in France, and has made himself acquainted with the published writings of the agents of this society, and with the publications of several French naval officers. who have been employed in navigating the Pacific. From these, and other important documents, he has adduced evidence which proves, that the Government of France has employed its officers to carry out, the most atrocious schemes of unprincipled ecclesiastics. We hope that the disclosures made by Mr. Wilk's narrative will become extensively known in France, and that, there, public indignation will be aroused against those who have so much disgraced the French nation, and a loud call evoked, demanding reparation of the wrongs which have been inflicted.

From the extracts given from the publications of the French officers and Romish priests it appears, that the introduction of popery among the islanders has opened the flood-gates of licentiousness and debauchery, by which all decency has been most grossly and openly violated, and that the celebration of mass has been accompanied, supported, and enforced by the attendance of the French officers and their men, and the roaring of French cannon.

This pamphlet contains a full exposure of, the malicious destructive designs against Protestant missions, meditated by the papacy and supported by the French Government. Christians of every denomination must feel deeply concerned in those proceedings; and Mr. Wilks has performed an important public service in bringing the important information contained in his pamphlet within their reach, and at so moderate a price. We hope it will have a very extensive circulation.

THE CASE OF DAVID SALOMONS, Esq., being his Address to the Court of Aldermen, on applying for admission as Alderman of the Ward of Portsoken. 8vo. 34 pp. J. RICKERBY.

Abominating, as we do, the infliction of civil degration, on account of religious profession, we sympathise with Mr. Salomons, on his exclusion from the office to which he has been elected by the suffrages of his fellow citizens. We are of opinion that men of immoral character, or atheistical sentiments, ought not to be elected, or appointed, to any magisterial office; but we do not regard the imposition of religious tests, oaths, and affirmations, as secure moral barriers hindering their passing into office. The only safe protection against their access to office, is in the proper exercise of the elective franchise, or prerogative of those by whom appointments to offices are given. Mr. Salomons is a descendant of Abraham, and professes what is called the Jewish faith. We regret, that he has not received our Saviour as his Messiah. However, his character for probity and morality is held in very high estimation, and he has not been thought unworthy to hold, by royal commission, the important office of High Sheriff for the county of Kent. Persons professing the Jewish religion may and do hold the important offices of sheriff, and county magistrate; but to become members of the court of Aldermen, in the city of London, they are required to make affirmation, "on the true faith of a Christian," that they will not use the influence of their office against the privileges of the church established by law. Mr. Salomons refused to make this affirmation, and therefore, he was prevented from taking the official seat to which he had been honourably elected. We are glad that he has commenced legal proceedings, to obtain the judgment of the highest judicial authorities on his case; and trust if the law is really found to be against him, it will speedily be repealed. Under the pretence of supporting religion and morality, many unjust laws, favouring the law-established church yet exist; and we most heartly desire their speedy and total repeal.

THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER OF POPE GREGORY XVI., Issued May 8, 1844. Translated into English by Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart., with the Latin text, and the authorised Italian translation appended. 8vo. 34 pp. J. SNOW.

The fears and ire of the Pope have been excited, by the formation of a society, in New York, designated the "Christian Alliance," whose object is, to endeavour to circulate the Holy Scriptures and other useful religious works in Italy. As their introduction is prohibited, they can only be taken there by evading the search of the officers of Government; and for this purpose it has been proposed to endeavour to get persons visiting Italy, privately to take with them copies of the Bible and other good works, and distribute them among those who may desire to possess them. The Pope in his bull refers to the efforts of his predecessors to prevent the diffusion of the Scriptures; and earnestly exhorts, to the use of peculiar and most lively vigilance," to detect the efforts of those who seek to circulate the Scriptures in Italy. Sir C. E. Smith has done good service to the cause of truth, by translating and publishing this document, which affords additional evidence of the dread entertained by the Pope and his adherents of the extension of divine truth. "They love darkness rather than light, because their works are evil."

66

THE PROVINCE OF REASON, on Subjects of Divine Revelation.-A Discourse by WM. COOKE, Minister of the Gospel. 12mo. 24 pp.

We have read this tract with much satisfaction. It is well adaptad to check the errors which it exposes and combats. The author contemplates publishing a series of tracts on Christian Theology, to expose the fallacy of certain heresies which have been lately revived and extensively propagated, particularly in the north of England. They are to be published at the rate of two-pence per sheet, closely printed on good paper. From the tract before us we are satisfied, that the author is well qualified for the work he contemplates, and we wish him success in his proposed undertaking.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CALENDAR AND FAMILY ALMANAC, 1845. 12mo. 132 pp. JACKSON & WALFORD.

We can heartily recommend this work to the support of our readers; it is prepared with much care, and contains a large amount of important, general, and dissenting information.

THE PEACE ALMANAC AND DIARY, FOR 1845: Under the superintendence of the Manchester Peace Society. Medium 18mo. IRWIN, Manchester.

This publication is well adapted to extend the influence of Peace Societies. In addition to the information usually given in Almanacs, it contains a comprehensive statement of the enormous expense and horrible consequences of war. It is computed that nearly eighteen times the number of the present inhabitants of our globe have been sacrificed to human passion and pride, by the atrocities of This Almanac is also published on a broad sheet.

war.

THE UNION MAGAZINE for Sunday School Teachers. Vol. I. 1844, 12mo. 400 pp. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

Contains a considerable number of interesting, instructive, and important original communications and selected extracts. It is a cheap and useful publication, in which are discussed questions relative to various departments of Sabbath School instruction and management. We hope its conductors will keep in view the importance of bringing our Sabbath Schools into harmonious and close connection with the church and its ministry; their labours will then be productive of very beneficial results.

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS, for 1844. 12mo. 144 pp. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

This work has been carefully and judiciously prepared, and will render very important assistance to those who are engaged in Sabbath School instruction. These lessons are to be continued in Monthly Parts.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' CLASS REGISTER, and Diary for 1845. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

A very useful work for Sabbath School teachers; containing a calendar-ruled pages for memoranda-names, and residences of the scholars-accounts of money received for books, and for notes of lessons and sermons.

The Class Register, is also published in a cheaper form, without the ruled pages appropriated for notes or lessons, and sermons. This will suit the convenience of those who cannot afford to purchase the larger work.

THE UNION HYMN BOOK for Scholars, with Tunes, No. I. 12mo. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

Here are nine hymns, and the music of as many popular tunes, for the low charge of one penny.

THE CHILD'S OWN BOOK, for 1844. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
An instructive and pleasing book for children.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE PRACTICAL POWER OF FAITH, in a Series of Popular Discourses on part of the Eleventh Chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews. By T. BINNEY. Second Edition. London, J. SNOW.

MEMOIR OF MRS. LOUISA MUNDY, of the London Missionary Society's Mission at Chinsurah, Bengal. With extracts from Her Diary and Letters. By Her Husband. London, JoHN SNOW.

THE JUBILEE SERVICES OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Held in London in the month of September, 1844. With a brief Introduction, by the Directors. London, JOHN SNOW.

THE NATIONAL TEMPERANCE ADVOCATE. The organ of the British Association for the Promotion of Temperance, and of the Irish Temperance Union. Douglas, WM. ROBINSON & Co.

CONNEXIONAL USAGES AND ADVANTAGES. (For the Wesleyan Methodist Association Magazine.)

ENQUIRY Would naturally be made by a person unacquainted with the nature and tendencies of a Connexional Union, similar to that of the Wesleyan Methodist Association, as to the reasons for a preference for such a system, to that of a more independent and distinct mode of church organization? No difficulty, it is presumed, would be felt in meeting such enquiry; and the answer, I apprehend, would simply be, that the advantages arising from such an union, are so much greater than the inconveniences, as to induce the preference.

It is not, certainly, for one moment to be imagined, that the connexional mode is one of absolute perfection; that there are no inconveniences arising out of it; that it is one entirely of advantages to the associated churches. It cannot, for instance, be an ordinary sacrifice to a church to surrender the right of choosing its own minister, and yet this must necessarily be the case in connexional churches. Under such a system, it is one of the prime elements of its very nature, and indispensable to its continued existence, that a central authority shall be instituted, with absolute power to make, so far as the itinerancy is concerned, all ministerial appointments, without let or hinderance. It is true, that in an association of churches, it is if I may so express myself-an inherent law of its natnre, that as much of the evils of the system, as can possibly be

obviated, shall be prevented, by attention to the desires and claims of circuits and ministers; and that as far as may be consistent with the general connexional welfare, the united request of circuits and ministers shall be paramount. Bnt it is very important that every circuit and every minister should bear in mind, that the connexional character has not been assumed for their individual or exclusive advantage; but for that of our whole Connexion, with its innumerable and diversified wants: and should it so happen, as must occasioually be the case, that for connexional reasons, even such a request cannot be acceded to-and for no other, I feel confident, could it, under our system, be refused,-no circuit or minister should look upon such an event in any other light than one of the incidental disadvantages, arising unavoidably from the nature of the case, to which all circuits, and all ministers in an itinerancy, are necessarily liable.

Nor do I think it is affirming too much to assert, such is the confidence universally felt in the Annual Assembly upon this subject-that it rarely happens in our Connexion, that any disappointment arising out of the stationing of preachers is felt to be more than of temporary duration; and this passes away as soon as the mind can be brought to exercise its legitimate influence over the feelings; under a conviction that the best, which the circumstance admitted of, has been done. And I am of opinion, that the operation of this part of our system, namely, the stationing of the preachers, stands out in perhaps as great a contrast, and exhibits as different and most gratifying results to the working of a similar department in another, and much older connexion, as can well be conceived. In the latter, no circuit can possible have any direct influence, for it can have no legal or proper representative, at the seat of authority, when the appointment of a preacher is made. And it is no libel upon human nature, in lay or priestly form, whether in Conference or out of it, to say, that where the interests of two parties are managed exclusively by one of them, the system cannot, in the very nature of things, inspire that confidence which the united counsels of both could hardly fail to effect. And this view of the subject furnishes a key to the almost innumerable deputations from circuits, in relation to the stationing of preachers, which are to be found at every Conference; nor are the large and influential circuits at all exempt from this burden and difficulty, but in common with the lesser, are constantly under the necessity of resorting to such measures to endeavour to protect their separate interests. I believe it to be a fact, that for many years past, no Conference has passed over, without, at least, one deputation; and in some instances, within my knowledge, several being sent from the town in which I write, exclusively upon the subject of the stationing of preachers; and other circuits are, of course, similarly, if not more unfavourably circumstanced; than which nothing can more forcibly illustrate the necessity of a plan of mutual arrangement, upon the representative principle, to ensure an equitable and satisfactory appointment of preachers to circuits. I make no apology for referring to these circumstances, or pointiug out their inconveniences, for it is a truth which cannot be gainsaid, that we are often ignorant of, or insensible to, the advantages we possess, until the defects of other systems are exhibited before us; nor does it appear to me to be at all requisite or necessary, from regard to any false delicacy on any subject, to shut our eyes to any of the disadvantages connected with the connexional form of government which we have adopted.

But to return to the subject with which we set out, namely, that of the rela tive value of the connexional plan; it may be remarked that, although required to surrender to some extent an abstract right, in reference to the actual choice of ministers, yet every circuit secures by it, the privilege of such a succession and variety of ministerial labours, as have been found by experience to be congenial to the genius of Methodism, and greatly conducive to the prosperity and extension of religion. It is true, that by these arrangements, in connection with others, which from time to time have grown out of the itinerancy, something approaching to the want of a well-defined system has been charged upon the

Connexional confederations. But the admirers of this mode of uniting churches need not, in my opinion, be at all anxious to defend the measure from such a charge, as the success which has crowned it, may possibly be owing, in no inconsiderable degree, to the circumstance of there having been no preconceived boundary line of prejudice, and formality to violate, and no circumscribed rule of perfectability to fetter and limit its operations, beyond which piety and zeal should not be allowed to extend their efforts. Now, the practical conclusion to be drawn from what has been remarked is this, that it is the duty of all who, whether as officers or members, of our circuits, are identified with the Connexion, to exercise confidence in its administration, cheerfully submit to its arrangements, and render it that countenance and support, which in their several capacities they have the opportunity of giving; nor should it for one moment be forgotten, that prosperity and success can only arise from, a faithful perseverance in, and conscientious discharge of this important duty.

But there are also a variety of other matters, arising out of the connexional character of our body, which the representatives in Annual Assembly are necessarily called upon to attend to, which require on the part of circuits equal trust and confidence. For instance, there is not one individual preacher in the Wesleyan Association, who has a closer identity with any particular circuit within its limits, than has any other preacher; nor with one circuit more than another: all equally belong to the united body of circuits-to the Connexion at large. How fair and reasonable then, that every circuit should be allowed its just and proper claim to a proportionate share of any one preacher's labours; and how unjust would it be to the Connexion at large, should any circuit seek to monopolize the exclusive possession, or even an undue amount, of the services of a favourite preacher. In all these things, it is to be borne in mind, that ours is a Connexion; that, as such, we exist for connexional purposes; and that no one circuit, or even several circuits combined, can legitimately advance any claim opposed to the interests, or in any way control in matters which are under the direction of the united whole. It is in this view of the subject that a solution of the difficulty is to be obtained, which I doubt not may have arisen in some few circuits, which have not had sufficiently clear and distinct views of the connexional character, as it regards their right and privilege to interfere in, and determine the salaries of their itinerant ministers. Nothing seems more' reasonable in the abstract, than, that a circuit, having the services of a preacher, should make its own pecuniary arrangements with that preacher; and were that circuit completely isolated, and perfectly independent of all connexion with other circuits, no doubt can exist, that a right to do so, would be one of the attributes of that independency. But here again we are reminded, that the connexion does not exist for the use and benefit of any one such circuit, so as that it shall derive the advantages arising from an association of churches, and still retain the privileges of the independent form. It must be evident to every reflecting mind, that ministers of the Gospel, worthy of such a designation, could never be found to undertake that office, who would be required to make a fresh pecuniary arrangement with every circuit to which they may be appointed; or, without having a clear and distinct understanding before entering upon the work, as to what they and their families might with confidence look forward to for their support. We come, then, at once to the centralized authority, the combined power of the whole of the circuits, the Annual Assembly,-as possessing alone the right to act for the entire body, in such a matter, and consequently as being vested with absolute authority to make these arrangements. There is no difficulty in saying, then, that every circuit, so long as it retains its connexional union, is bound to carry out the measures which may be deemed proper and necessary by the Annual Assembly, in reference to the maintenance and support of the itinerancy, as much, and as faithfully, as those relating to any other subject and the refusal of any circuit to do so-were such a case to occurafter sufficient explanation and opportunity for considering the subject had been