place! others, whose attention was first led to diving things by a conversation we had with them when travelling in company on such a road! and others, who were awakened by some small tract we put into their hands! Blessed prospect! Ought it not to make us more diligent, and prevent us from thinking that our laboms are in vain, because we do not see the effects of them at present? We heard that there was an appearance of good being done among the Jews in London. This filled us with joy, as it must do every child of God. To hear of the conversion of any sinner is pleasant; but to hear of the conversion of a Jew is peculiarly so! The time, I hope, is fast approaching, when the Lord, according to his promise, will gather the dispersed of Israel, and the outcasts of Judah, to himself, from the ends of the earth. There are some thousands of Jews in this city. We have wished much to be useful to them while in this place, but did not know how to obtain our desire. The Lord, I hope, has begun to open a door of usefulness to them also; as, to our surprize, we find that some of them had been hearing us the two last Sabbaths. I trust this also is of the Lord. It is easy with him to make them attend to the preaching of the gospel, and make them receive the truth in the love thereof. We are too apt to despair of the conversion of the Jews; but we ought to remember, that the gospel is the same now as in the days of our Lord and his apostles; and we know what wonders it effected among them at that period. We often complain of their unbelief; but it deserves consideration, how far their infidelity is owing to the want of faith in the Lord's own people. "Only believe, and ye shall see the salvation of God.” Let us be no more faithless then, but believing. In another Letter to a Friend in Scotland, Mr. P. says, "WE have given away a vast number of Fracts to the country-people, when going to and returning from market; some of which will, no doubt, find their way into every part of the island; and some, probably, to Norway. It frequently happens, that when we offer them to the country-people, they draw back their hands, crying," Nay, nay;' but on saying Coester naething,' they receive them with a smile, saying, "So !" We are much in want of English Tracts. We could give away some thousands, it we had them; particularly to the English seamen at Elsineur." The attention of the public at Copenhagen has been much engaged to these Missionaries, particularly by an article concerning them in one of their public newspapers. It excited the people's curiosity to come and hear them; and, in general, they brought a number of their friends with them the next time. Thus also they satisfied themselves as to what the Missionaries were; which had been much disputed before; — for some said they were Englishmen; but others replied, that Englishmen knew better than to give away their money for such purposes. Others maintained that they were in connection with a certain Norwegian, who, they say, is lying in jail for turning away the people from their own priests; but who that prisoner is the Missionaries could not learn. HOME INTELLIGENCE. IRELAND. A CLERGYMAN in Ireland assures us, that there is a very great desire among many of the poor Catholics in that country to read the Scriptures; and that a Popish Bishop of a large district in the south, has informed the priests of his diocese, that it is his particular desire that the New Testament should be used in the schools by the children as a school-book. This allowance or direction, it is hoped, may have a very good effect; and it certainly affords an additional argument to use every effort in our power to furnish them with the Scriptures.-This gentleman having procured a quantity of Testaments from a religious Society in London, at Nine-pence cach, got several. little shopkeepers to vend them at Sixpence or Eightpence each to the poor : at this rate, 150 of them were sold in a fortnight. Probably, many thousands would be eagerly purchased in the same way, if they could be proeured, RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. OLD BIBLES, &c. were A few months ago, we solicited, in behalf of the Irish Poor, the, gift of some Old Bibles and Testaments; and appointed several houses in London for their reception. We have the satisfaction to say, that many hundreds were received in consequence of that application. Several new ones also included; and though the notice had respect only to the metropolis, the zeal of many Christians in the country contributed to swell the number. We have sot room to insert the names of the contributors; but we most thankfully acknowledge the receipt of 51. 145. from the Rev. Mr. Trivett, of Langham; and 91. 6s. 6d. from the Rey. Walter Brown, for the same benevolent purpose. As a far greater number of Bibles and Testaments may be procured from the large cities and towns of the country, we now beg leave to solicit such donations from those whom it may suit; and we have liberty to insert the following names of persons who have generously offered to receive them. From the sea-ports they may probably be forwarded immediately to Dublin; from other places, to Mess. Hardcastle and Reyner's, Old Swan Stairs, near London Bridge. Receiving-Houses for Old Bibles BRISTOL, Mr. John Evans, Hatter, 28, BIRMINGHAM, Mr. R. Peart, Book- PLYMOUTH, Mr. Rogers, Stationer. OUR readers have, no doubt, noticed, with pleasure, the steps which have been taken, for several months past, in order to the formation of a Society, whose sole object shall be the promotion of Evangelical Religion in Ireland. In consequence of such serious considerations as have been presented to the Public in a printed " Address, on the Moral and Religious State of that Country," a large extract of which ap peared in some Numbers of this Magazine, several Gentlemen met together, by appointment, at the New Loadon Tavern, Cheapside, June 1, 1805, when the following Proposition was unanimously approved: It appears desirable to this Meeting, that a Society be formed for the more general Diffusion of Religious Knowledge in Ireland. 87 To promote this good design, a temporary Committee was appointed, hy whose request the Address before mentioned was prepared; and who, after several unavoidable delays, solicited a General Meeting on January 15, 1806. IIibernian Society. At a numerous and respectable Meeting, held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, on January 15, 1806, in order to carry into effect the Resolution of a former Meeting, respecting the Formation of a Society for the pur pose of diffusing Religious Knowledge in Ireland, Mr. Alderman LEA in the Chair, The following Plan of the Institution was presented, approved, and unanimously adopted: PLAN. 1. That a Society be now formed with this Designation, Tue HIBER NIAN SOCIETY, for the Diffusion of Religious Knowledge in Ireland. 2. In pursuit of this object, the Society will endeavour to extend divine knowledge in Ireland, by the ministry of the gospel, by the dispersion of the Holy Scriptures and Religious Tracts, by the formation and support of schools, and by every other lawful and prudent measure calculated to promote pure Religion, Morality, and Loyalty. 2. Each Subscriber of One Guinea annually, shall be a Member. 4. Each Subscriber of Ten Guineas shall be a Member for life. 5. Each Subscriber of Five Guincas annually, or of Twenty Gnineas at one time, shall be entitled to attend and vote at all the Meetings of the Committee. 6. An Executor paying a Bequest of Fifty Pounds, shall be a Member for Life. 7. A Minister, or other representative of a congregation, subscribing or collecting Five Pounds annually, shalt be a Member. 8. A Committee shall be annually appointed, consisting of Twenty-four Members, Nine of whom shall be Ministers and Fifteen Laymen, resident in or near London: three-fourths of those who have most frequently attended shall be eligible for re-election the ensuing year. The Committee shall conduct the business of the Society; and appoint all officers, except the Treasurer. 9. The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be held on the Tuesday in COLLECTIONS FOR THE GERMANS. So very numerous are the Names of those benevolent persons who have subscribed to the Relief of the distressed Germans, that we find it impossible to allow room for their insertion. We are therefore obliged, though very reluctantly, to omit them; and can only insert the following List of the Public Collections made at Places of Worship for that purpose. Those who wish to see Lists of all the Subscribers, may obtain them by applying to the Treasurer, or any of the Committee. Collections in and near London. Somerton, Mr. Prankard 3 5 Walworth, Rev. G. Clayton 40 o Ditto, Dr. Jenkins Kingsland, J. Campbell Collier's Rents, J. Knight Founders' Hall, J. Thomas 36 2 Homerton and Hackney, J. P. Smith and G. Collison Palace Street, Mr. Dunn 50 19 7 - High Wycomb, Coendon Lanezo 9 4 Ditto, Curate and Friends 9 12 9 Villages adjacent 7 30 Melksham, J. Honeywell 16 5 0 Dorchester, Mr. Higgs 13 12 Wilton, Friends by J. Edwards 6 14 0 Macclesfield, Methodist, Mr. Bradford Basingbourn, S. Bull - 6 Loudwater Chapel Mr. Price 24 9 Southampton, Mess. Kingsbry and Lacey Chatham, Mr. Slatterie 6 8 Hauley, Mr. Meley Ditro, Suorations Colchester, A. ito!'s Reading Chapel, Mr. aun ett 8 10 Church Lane, Dan. Taylor 120 15 Spa Fields, Mr. Wilkins 20-O 41 116 17 Weigh-honse (additional) Mr. Clayto о 2 10 0 8 0 0 70 0 22 00 J O Ditto, In ep. Mr. Douglas 47 9 I II 6 4 15 53 Attercliffe Chapel, Mr. Phillips 4 15 Postern Chapel, Newcastle 500 8 16 12 Nottingham, J. Alliott 39 5 Cottinghai, A. Kidd 6 Howden, J. Wilkinson 5 King's Street Ch. Birmingham, J. Bennett 16 4 Welford, C. Bicknell 15 Henley, Mr. Scholfield 13 8 10 12 7 Uxbridge, R. Freer Chishill, near Royston Old Barn, Potten, Bedfordsh. 8 Gamlingay, ditto 10 34 9 6 6 "In the churches of Christ the truth of Solomon's axiom, that "Two are better than one," has been more generally recognized in principle than adopted in practice. As the success of an army greatly depends on a combination of its energies, so the prospe6 rity of religion is best promoted by the united efforts of its friends. Christians ought not to be satisfied with individual exertions: they should coalesce, they should concert measures, and with one mind strive together for the faith of the gospel. But, instead of this cooperation, Christian societies, even of the same denomination, have been a 6 0 mere rope of sand; isolated from each ΤΟ 5 O other, without any associate capacity, without any bond of union. The general application of this remark is but too obvious. It is not, however, our wish to interfere with the order established in other churches; we pretend not to dictate to our brethren of different sentiments; and we trust they 8 will have no reason to complain of our want of candour and Christian charity. 12 12 17 8 10 8 Maidenhead, J. Cooke Birmingham (Union Meet.) J. Brewer Tewkesbury, D. Trotman Upton, T. Edmonds Ditto, S. Yockney Sandwich, Mr. Chapman Newberry, J. Winter Ditto, Mrs. Friend 30 53 00∞ 0 500 0.0 45 11 12 12 8 11 13 I 990066 6 18 6 ΙΟ O O I 2 O 10 O 7 7 "The above remark is designed, at present, as peculiarly descriptive of those numerous congregations which 8 have obtained the name of Calvinistic Methodists. It is intended to unite in the common cause of the Redeemer these and other congregations that may enter into the same view;. By some it may be thought, that the mass of materials, out of which this union is to be formed, is too heterogeneous to O give any hope of success. We readily confess the observation would have 6 weight, if our intention were to establish an exact and rigid uniformity in worship and discipline. This, howe27 O ver, is not our design. We love rcli6 10 6 gious liberty; we know how to venerate 85 12 11 the rights of conscience; we are not 46 о о ignorant that acts of uniformity have 18 11 been a principal source of non-confor 15 3 O mity. Some of the members of this union use the Liturgy of the Church of England in their public worship, others decline it; they both act on the same principle. But we beg leave to say, Rest of Mr. Winter's Cong. 31 12 Newberry (Methodist) Usk, Mr. Jones II IO - 9 I Manchester, Mr. Bradley - Christ Church, Hants, W. 42 5 0 - 12 • that, while each congregation is left to its own discretion in the choice of the form, we are most decidedly of opinion, that church order and discipline ought to be established in all; and especially with regard to the terms of admission to the Lord's Table, and expulsion from the benefit of Christian communion. An union on these liberal principles, and grounded on so broad a basis, may .indeed, at first sight, bear the aspect of novelty; but we are greatly mistaken if it be not countenanced by the Apostles, and the usage of the churches in the first ages of Christianity. It appears from the fifteenth chapter of the Acts, that the church at Antioch considered itself connected with the general body of Apostles, and Elders, and Brethren meeting at Jerusalem; and therefore agreed to refer to their decision a point, which had been much disputed, and which they could not amicably settle among themselves; choosing Paul and Barnabas, and soine others, to be their representatives in the council. From the apostolic age, till the time when a corrupt Christianity usurped the civil authority of the state, individual churches of the same district, or province, seem to have formed a general association among themselves; their Pastors or Bishops meeting in periodical assemblies, and discussing those subjects which related to the common good of the union; while every particular congregation (as Cyprian and others inform us) was deemed competent to the government of its own internal affairs. But though ou this subject revelation were entirely şilent, and ecclesiastical history afforded no example of the practice, we should feel ourselves justified in using all expedient means in the accomplishment of this or any other object calculated to promote the glory of Christ. Dr. Watts remarks, that," Though Scripture hath determined many particulars in a perfect conformity to right reason, yet it must be confessed there are other things which relate to Christian worship and order which are passed over in silence, or at least are not mentioned and prescribed with such plainness and evidence in the word of God as is sufficient to direct every single punctilio of our practice."- The same excellent writer," whose praise is deservedly in all the churches," expresses the following sentiments, to which we most cordially subscribe: "The light of nature may sometimes direct and lead many Christian congre. gations, even all that are in a county or in a nation, who agree in the neces sary articles of Christianity, to combine together, and agree to assist each other many ways, by counsel, encou ragement, and support, in the maintenance of their sacred religion, always in a consistency with due allegiance preserved to their civil governors. The churches in a county, or any particular district, may agree to send their ministers to consult together about their common welfare: they may choose one person to transact matters of public and common concern for all the congregations in a county, and may bestow on him the name of an Overseer, a Superintendant, or a Bishop; and so all the churches in a nation may desire their own ministers, or they may desire these their representatives or overseers to join themselves in a common sembly or council for the public care of their liberty, or security of their peace, or advice in matters of consequence relating to their particular churches." "But still," adds the Doctor, "I think it must be maintained, that though all the churches in a nation should be united and combined in this manner by their representatives, and call themselves one national church, they could acquire no divine right or authority hereby to intpose any new doctrines or practices in religion, any creed, or articles, or canons, or rules of worship, of their own making, on any particular church or person whatsoever, without their own consent. Neither the light of nature, nor the New Testament, so far as I can find, has given them any such power *." as It What has been said is sufficient to illustrate the nature of the Union which we are desirous of forming; and our 4th and 5th articles contain the necessary qualifications for, and mode of admission to, our association. We now proceed to state some of the advantages which, we hope, the cause of religion will derive from this undertaking. is intended that a general fund shall be raised in a way as easy as possible to the different branches of the Union; which fund shall be appropriated to the following purposes: First, To assist in defraying the expences occasioned by the education of gifted and pious young men for the gospel ministry. Though we heartily approve of, and wish success to, every seminary of learning, the design of which is to provide a succession of faithful labourers for the supply of destitute churches, yet we conceive, that a more extensive ob * Watts's Christian Church, sec. v. 3. |