forwarded which is not written or copied in a clear, distinct, legible hand. The adjudicators are expected to make their decision known on or before 1st June, 1840; after which date the Essays will be returned, on proper application at the several offices where they were originally left, with the Letters unopened except those accompanying the successful Treatises Half of the profits arising from the sale of the Copyright of the Essay, to which the Prize of Two Hundred Guineas shall be awarded, to be given to the Author; the other half to be applied to such object, promotive of the great cause of Missions, as the Contributors to the present Prize may deem most expedient. In the name of the Contributors, STEPHENSON M'GILL, D.D., Professor of Divinity in the University of Glasgow. THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh. ALEXANDER DUFF, D D., Church of Scotland Mission, Calcutta. Just Published. Religious Education: a Sermon by the Rev.Henry Melvill. 1s. 6d. THINK! A little Book for the use of those who never rightly think. 6d. Aphorisms and Maxims for the Young, interspersed with religious Biography and Anecdotes ; adapted as a Rule of Life, and particularly addressed to Sunday School Teachers. 12mo. 18. Passing Thoughts. By Charlotte Elizabeth. Flscp. 8vo. Solomon and the Shulamite-Sermons on the Book of Canticles. Also The Abuse of the Doctrine of Free Grace. By the Rev. E. W. Krummacher. The Child's own Bible; or a Selection of Narratives of the leading Events of Revealed Religion, in the Language of Holy Writ. Illustrated with numerous large Wood Engravings. Part I. 28. Observations on the Present System of Education, with some Hints for its Improvement. 8vo. 6d. Isle of Mann, and Diocese of Sodor and Mann. Ancient and Authentic Documents relating to the Civil and Ecclesiastical History and Constitution of that Island. Collected and Arranged by the Rev. W. P. 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The Prize of One Hundred Guineas has been just adjudicated to the Author of this Essay, by the Rev. John Harris, and the Rev. J. K. Foster, on behalf of the British and Foreign Young Men's Society. The Life of Hannah More, with Original Notices of her Sisters. By Henry Thompson, M.A. Post 8vo. One Volume. The Holy Bible, the One Design of One Eternal Mind: a Series of Scriptural Exercises, illustrating the Connexion between the Old and New Testaments. By the Rev. D. Laing, M.A. Price 1s. 6d. r 3s. silk. The Connexion of Natural and Divine Truth; or the Study of the Inductive Philosophy, considered as subservient to Theology. By the Rev. Baden Powell, M.A., F.R.S., Savilian Professor of Geometry in the University of Oxford. 9s. The True Character of the Church of England, as exhibited in her Antiquity, Order, and Liturgy. By the Rev. G. Ingram. 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(Smith, Elder, and Co., Cornhill.)-We have only received this Work in time to announce its publication, reserving a more extended notice of it till next month. It is perhaps necessary to caution our readers against confounding the Author of this Work with the notorious infidel of the same name, who on account of his anti-Christian sentiments has recently been expelled from the office he filled in the University of Tübingen. From the Contents of the volume, it appears full of instructive matter, which we think will obtain for it a wide circulation. The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin in Believers: togther with the Ways of its Working, and Means of Prevention, Opened, Evinced, and Applied. With a Re olution of Sundry Cuses of Conscience. By JOHN OWEN, D D. 18mo. pp. 264. (Tract Society.) This is a much improved Edition of a work which has long been deservedly popular : and to the Christian familiar with the conflicting exercises of experimental religion, it will prove a valuable and profitable companion. It does great credit to the Tract Society for its neatness and its cheapness. The Churches of London. No. XIV. (C. Tilt.) -Another admirable number of the Ecclesiastical Edifices of the Metropolis, containing Engravings of St. Alban's, Wood Street; St. Michael's, Wood Street, and St. Augustine's, Watling Street. No. IV. Le Keur's Memorials of Cambridge. (C. Tilt.)-Contains Views of Trinity College, Entrance Gateway, and the Interior of Trinity College Chapel. The former is a jewel. Also the Statue of Henry VIII., on the Grand Entrance Tower, and the Plan of Trinity College. Scripture Lessons: or, the History of our Lord, in Questions and Answers. Designed for the Use of Bible Classes. By MRS. HENDERSON. In Two Volumes, 18mo. (Hamilton, Adams, and Co.)--We can confidently recommend these useful little volumes, not only to the conductors of Bible Classes, but to the Teachers of Sunday and Parochial Schools generally, as admirably adapted to afford them much valuable assistance in the allimportant work of opening and practically applying New Testament truths to the understandings and consciences of the young METROPOLIS' CHURCHES FUND. -On | Sunday, Feb. 11, the Lord Bishop of London preached in aid of this fund, at St. Dunstan in the East, Tower-street, before the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, from Matthew ix. 37-38: "Then saith He unto His disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest." His lordship, after dilating on the evil consequences that resulted to the religious and moral state of the metropolis, and to the tranquillity and good order of the country at large, from the want of a sufficient number of places of public worship for the rapidly increasing population and on the futility of any enactment of the legislature, or punishment by the magistrate, without Christian instruction -stated that there are thirty-four of the parishes comprised in the metropolis and its suburbs, each containing more than 10,000 souls; the aggregate population of which amounts to 1,137,000, while there is church-room for not more than 101,682 -less than one-tenth of the whole. Allowing one church for a population of 3,000, there would be required in these parishes 379 churches; whereas there are, in fact, only 69: or, if unconsecrated proprietary chapels be added, about 100; while, for the spiritual care and instruction of more than a million of souls, there are not more than about 140 cler gymen. It is manifest that this state of things cannot but be productive of the very worst consequences, with respect not only to the religious and moral state of the metropolis, but to the tranquillity and good order of the country at large. It is not less manifest, that the most promising method, under the Divine blessing, of averting these consequences, and of working a great moral and social improvement in this vast city, is to increase the number of churches and clergymen, and so to bring an ignorant and spiritually destitute population within the reach of Christian worship, superintendence, instruction, and charity. In order to the accomplishment of this object, it is now proposed that a fund should be raised, by donations, for the purpose of adding at least fifty new VOL. X. churches or chapels to the number now existing; each to have its district, its clergyman, and its local charities. The committee do not yet possess the means of erecting twenty, supposing the whole charge to be defrayed by the Fund; they, however, entertain a confident expectation that what has been already accomplished is but the earnest of a far more extended effort, on the part of those Christians who possess the means, to supply the pressing wants of their poorer brethren. The collection, after the Bishop's powerful sermon, was 1057. The Metropolitan Church Building Committee have decided on building a new church in the Tenter-ground, Goodman's-fields, capable of accommodating about 1,200 persons, according to the sizes of seats adopted by the Church Building Commissioners, but not more than 1,080, according to the increased size of pews and free seats decided upon by the committee. It comprises a tower and spire, 100 feet high, and the cost is estimated at 3,8007. A new church is also to be built in Curtain-road, for the parish of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch. METROPOLITAN CHURCHES AND CHAPELS.-The London City Mission Magazine for February contains the details of the church and chapel accommodation provided in the 97 parishes of the City of London within the walls, which furnish the following general results:Population Church accommodation pro- By Independents Baptists 56,350 33,321 5,950 600 Scotch Secession 3,260 Welsh Baptists Wesleyans French, German, & Dutch Protestants 800 150 10,760 1,200 Society of Friends 1,000 Unitarians 1,600 Roman Catholics 1,700 Jews 3,900 9,400 53,481 R CURATES' AID FUND.-The Society for promoting the employment of additional curates in populous places, are taking very active and judicious proceedings for the purpose of carrying into effect the very important and truly Christian object for which they have associated themselves, under the patronage of her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. The Society has issued a circular, which is directed to the Bishops of the different dioceses, stating the terms and conditions upon which the additional curates are to be appointed; and it is accompanied by a paper of queries, to be fully and particularly answered by the incumbent applying for their aid. The Society will not take into consideration any application for their assistance until the approbation of the diocesan has been obtained; they therefore confine their operations to granting money to incumbents for the employment of curates appointed by the Bishop, and duly licensed. 1. That the members of this body entertain the deepest conviction, that the forming of religious sentiments by free inquiry, the making of an open profession of them, and the teaching and disseminating of them by argument and exhortation-by speaking, writing, and the ordinances of religious worship, or by any other peaceable and rational methods, is a right of mankind inherent and imprescriptible-conferred by the Cre ator, essential to moral accountableness, and which can never be infringed without injury and insult to the sufferers, and deep criminality on the part of those who are guilty of the infraction. 2. That it is proved, by the evident reason of the case, and the universal experience of mankind, that there is no greater obstacle to the improvement of the human race in knowledge and happiness, to the solid interests of national economy, to the elucidation of religious controversies, and to the eventual and universal triumph of the genuine Gospel of Christ, than persecution for the sake of conscience and religious profession. CHURCH PASTORAL AID. We find by a circular of the Pastoral Aid Society, just issued, that aid has now been voted 3. That whether such persecution to 110 parishes and districts, for the wear its more barbarous form of direct maintenance of 100 additional clergy-punishment for religious opinions, or be men and 23 lay assistants. The aggregate population of these parishes and districts is about 967,600 souls, in whose spiritual care, before the aid of this society, only 123 ministers were employed; the incumbents having in charge, upon an average, 8,790 souls, with an average income of 1597. a-year each. Fifty-four of the incumbents have not a glebe-house or parsonage. EDUCATION.Government has appropriated 130,000l. to promote religious education in England this year, connected with the Established Church. PERSECUTION IN HOLLAND. Ar a special meeting of the general body of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the three denominations, held at the Congregational Library, Blomfield-street, Finsbury, on the 18th of January, 1838, to consider the persecution inflicted upon certain Christian brethren in Holland, and in other parts of the continent of Europe, for conscience sake; The Rev. J. Berry in the chair: It was resolved, exercised in the way of refusing protec tion, denying justice, or any deprival whatever of civil rights, it is in principle the same a high crime against God, and deserving the reprobation of all good men, according to the memorable declaration of the Emperor Maximilian II., "That he would never arrogate dominion over men's consciences, which is the prerogative of God alone; that, in his judg ment, no sin is more heinous than for any man to wish to exercise such dominion: and that those potentates who have attempted it, as they invade the sovereignty of Heaven, so they not unfrequently lose their own power on earth, and their names go down to posterity with infamy and reproach." 4. That the members of this body cannot, therefore, refrain from expressing their deep concern that the government of Holland, a country once so greatly distinguished as the asylum of our persecuted fathers, has exposed a large number of its own subjects to the operation of a penal law, directly at variance with the principles of religious freedom; that they affectionately present their fraternal sympathy to their perse cuted Christian brethren, assuring them | tion:-1. By corporeal force. 2. By of the lively sense they entertain of the natural affection. 3. By moral influwrongs they suffer, and of the indignity ence. Wholly rejecting the first of these thus put upon our common Christianity; and that they earnestly desire and pray that the day may speedily arrive when, neither in Holland nor elsewhere on the continent of Europe, the sacred rights of conscience shall be invaded by the assumption on the part of the civil power of that jurisdiction which belongs only to God. (Signed) JOSEPH BERRY, chairman. By order of the meeting, GEORGE CLAYTON, secretary to the body. modes, he conceived that, by a union of the two latter, a system of school-government might be framed which would enable" mind to govern mind," and thus be best suited to sentient and rational beings under a course of early religious pupilage. Mr. Althans illustrated his positions by various anecdotes derived from his lengthened experience, and suggested the propriety of having his plan fully discussed at social meetings of teachers. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-The directors have appointed the Rev. John Harris, of Epsom, and the Rev. William Campbell, missionary from India, to preach the annual sermons at the next anniversary, in May. REV. J. WOLFF. OF ALL DENOMINATIONS IN THE UNITED SUNDAY SCHOOL GOVERNMENT. This important subject has been recently brought under the special attention of Sunday school teachers in the metropolis, in a series of lectures delivered in different school rooms, by Mr. Henry Althans, of the Sunday School Union. It has been frequently remarked MRS. FRY.-This philanthropic lady by strangers who have visited Sunday is now at Paris, engaged in visiting all schools, that they do not, in general, the prisons of that capital. present the fairest patterns of order; that, although the teachers have evinced great assiduity in their endeavours to impart knowledge to the scholars, yet they manifest deficiency in cultivating good discipline and subordination. Mr. Dunn, in his Normal School Manual, refers to this drawback upon Sunday schools, and intimates the necessity for My dear friends,-I am now going, some improvement. This has led the and therefore permit me to say to you lecturer to a serious consideration of the a few words more, through the public entire subject, with a view to a practical papers. I have had the privilege, during remedy; and the result has enabled him my peregrinations in the United States, to offer a system of school-government to proclaim to you from the several pulfor the adoption, in whole or in part, of pits, the use of which was granted to me his associates in the good work of Sun- by preachers of different denominations, day school instruction. He stated at the the visible and personal appearance and outset, that he was quite weary of hear-reign of Jesus Christ upon earth, the reing Sunday school teachers admonished storation of the Jews to their own land, to try special remedies for the existing the first resurrection, and the renovation defect such as the necessity of punctu- of the earth, which shall be the eternal ality of attendance, rewarding the scholars, and other minor expedients. What he considered requisite was, a thorough organic change, by the adoption of a general system of government, through moral means alone. Many teachers seemed to hold that their sole province was" to teach;" but he asserted, "to rule" was also their legitimate duty; and that they who would teach must rule." In school-government he stated that three modes courted their atten abode of Jesus Christ, the second Adam, the Lord from heaven. In order that you may understand my views, I leave behind these general remarks: 1. There is a habitable earth to come. 2. This earth shall be subject to Christ. 3. He shall come personally to sit upon the throne of His father David, at Jerusalem, when all enemies will be made impotent. 4. The resurrection of Christ's mystical body. 5. The subjection extends from the highest powers and principalities, down to oxen and sheep.-Ps. viii. yesterday, from America; and not knowing whether my wife and child are returned from France, I expect here the answer from my dear wife. I have tra 6. He will cease to be a Mediator, and, giving up the kingdom of Provi-versed these last two years the whole of dence to God the Father, take to Himself the usurped political kingdom of the world, He shall sit upon the throne of David for ever. 7. The prophet Elijah shall make his appearance before Christ's coming; for John the Baptist came only in the power and spirit of Elijah. I also maintain that the present signs of the times announce that Christ's coming is very nigh at hand. Yemen, Abyssinia, as far as Axum; but, on arriving at Adwah, I found Mr. Gobat, the missionary, very ill, and therefore I re-accompanied him to Jiddah. Arriving at Jiddah, I wished to see, previous to my return to Abyssinia, the Jews at Sanaa. I arrived safely at Sanaa, saw the Jews and the Rechabites, and the children of Hobab (another branch of the Rechabites); but was horsewhipped by the Bedouins on my I therefore advise you, my friends, to return to Mocha, and on arriving at search the Scriptures, whether these Hodeydah, on my return to Abyssinia, I things are so; for, my dear friends, we got so ill with fever that I was obliged to have not followed cunningly devised give up my journey to Abyssinia. I fables in making known unto you the embarked at Jiddah for Hindoostaun, power and the coming of our Lord Jesus thence to St. Helena, where I lectured Christ, for these views are contained in and preached; and then proceeded on the records of those prophets who spoke my way to America, where I was oras they were moved by the Holy Ghost, dained by the Right Rev. Dr. Doane, and considering slightly the words of the Bishop of New Jersey. I went on to Holy Ghost is a sin against the Holy Washington, and, introduced by Mr. Ghost. Let us, therefore, not condemn John Quincey Adams, the ex-president, the preaching of the second coming as to Congress, I preached before both mere speculation. You would not say houses on the importance of missions; that it is a mere speculation if a person and now I am again here in England, was to announce to you, on good autho-worn out, and probably shall soon finish rity, that your house is on fire-you would go and try to extinguish it; and how should be the coming of Him who is a consuming fire, who shall smite the wicked with the breath of His mouth, be a mere speculation? I advise you, therefore, dear friends, to read more thoroughly your Bible, and you may also do well to read the following writings on this subject:: 1. Rev. Mr. Bickersteth on Prophecies. 2. All the writings on this subject by William Cunninghame, of Lainshaw. 3. The writings of the Rev. W. Dodsworth. 4. The writings of the Rev. Henry Melvill. 5. The writings of J. H. Frere, on Prophecies. Yours very truly and affectionately, MR. WOLFF'S ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND. Cowes, Isle of Wight, Jan. 29. My dear friends of the missionary cause in England,-Worn out in mind and body, I return now to this country, and arrived at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, my days on earth in this happy country, in the circle of my wife and child! The dissolution of iny body is hastening fast. Yours truly, JOSEPH WOLFF, missionary. On Friday, Feb. 2, the Rev. Joseph Wolff delivered an interesting lecture at the Archery Rooms, Southampton, on his missionary travels in Palestine, Persia, Bokhara, Hindoostaun, Yemen, Abyssinia, St. Helena, and America— giving an account of his second meeting with the Rechabites; also, with the Children of Hobab, and the Indians in America: At the close of the lecture a collection was made in aid of the So ciety for Promoting Christianity among the Jews. SERAMPORE. (From the Friend of India.) "Dear Sir, — You will oblige me by inserting in your valuable paper the following account of the conversion and baptism of a respectable native young man. My object in requesting its insertion is, that others of the same |