have been found out. They have been weighed in the balances, and pronounced totally unable (and consequently unfit) to teach the public; and (as I like to give every one their due) I must say they have shown a little wisdom by submitting to this evident decision of the people, by not coming out in public since that famous vote of "no-confidence" was passed, and which, by the way, I see has been reprinted and circulated very extensively in different parts of the country.

it.

My next observation is, that Joseph Barker, the Infidel Pope, (once an advocate of Christianity by the mouth, an advocate of Unitarianism by the pen, and a believer of Infidelity in the heart--all three at once,) has gone to America!! Good riddance of such rubbish, say I. By his visit to England he has not improved his character, but, on the contrary, he has rather blackened I record it as my solemn conviction that the infidels never put forward so great a coward. Notwithstanding that several repeated efforts were made to bring him into a discussion with certain gentlemen (of whom he was no doubt frightened), he, in the most cowardly way possible, sneaked out of every overture that was made to him on the subject. How capitally some gentlemen in Liverpool got him partly fastened for a discussion, not telling him who they were going to get to meet him, but guaranteeing that if he would promise to discuss, they would bring an "influential orthodox" minister to meet him. He promised to do so-but lo and behold! No sooner had the committee informed him that they had made arrangements with the Rev. Mr. Rutherford to meet him than every excuse was made, and every hindrance thrown in the way; and, to the astonishment of his own friends (as well as the committee I have referred to), he slipped out of their fingers, and the discussion could not come off! Cooper, Southwell, and Holyoake are cowards enough, but Barker beats all! Although he was in Liverpool the night before he sailed for America, and although he could find time (as I have been informed) to attend a sort of "nook and corner" tea-party of Infidels and Barkerites, yet he could not (shall I say dared not?) find time even for one night's discussion with an able man, who knew him well!

However, although Barker has gone (I hope to return no more), yet his lectures have done some good. The Christians of Liverpool, adopting my suggestion in one of your early numbers, have formed a Bible Defence Association, for the purpose of keeping a close and strict watch on these gentlemen. For the information of your readers, I will get a copy of the rules sent you for insertion; and, if your space will permit, no doubt I shall be able to get a short report, at stated periods, of what we are doing, sent to you, so that all may know the plans of operation we adopt. I should greatly like to see similar associations formed everywhere, that the "lovers of truth" may be formed into one grand alliance to resist the disguised and malicious efforts of the modern infidels, who are seeking, under the feigned object of improving the condition of the working classes, to destroy and overturn Christianity. But we defy them! If the Owenites attempt to let in their "millennium" of immorality and wickedness (aye, and debauchery too!) into Liverpool, I promise them they will find a rather formidable enemy in this newly-formed association. If they try it on, depend upon it they will be resisted rather sharply.

In the placard of the "Reasoner" (more properly called the "Calumniator") for last week, I think, I was attracted by seeing the name of a man whom I delight to honour, and who is highly respected by all unprejudiced people. I refer to the Rev. Dr. McNeile. Out of curiosity to see what he had to say of him, I purchased a copy-and behold! it was just the twice (or thrice) told-tale of what Holyoake said he heard the doctor say when he heard him preach in this town last July! He represents the doctor as saying it was 66 the privilege of a Christian to damn his neighbour ;" and (as there happened to be a collec

tion that day) that "if a farmer gave 50l., or 2501., or 500l., the Lord blessed him in proportion. When all his neighbour's fields were burnt up with drought, the Lord would send a shower upon his field alone, and his crops would exceed ten-fold his gift. If a man was a merchant, when other merchant's ships were detained on the voyage, by contrary winds, the Lord would raise up a wind that would bring that man's ships into port in time for the markets." Now I do not hesitate to give these statements the most unqualified denial. No man except Holyoake, who always sees through secular spectacles and hears through infidel hearing-trumpets, ever had the impudence to misrepresent the doctor's sermon so grossly.

I also remember "observing" in the first number of the "Investigator”—I ever had the misfortune of seeing-a somewhat similar article, couched in very similar terms, and referring to the Rev. Mr. Rutherford, From beginning to end it was one mass of insulting personalities-just what the secular lecturers like to indulge in-not worth noticing, much less replying to. If this "learned ignoramus"-Mr. R. Cooper-wishes his "Investigator" to live, I would recom mend him to try and not let it do so at the expense of truth and propriety.

Now you will observe the editors of both these publications-the "Reasoner” and the "Investigator"-put the names of the gentlemen whom they have belied and insulted on their placards. Why was this? I do not believe that either of the editors believed a word of what they wrote about them-and what induced them to put these particular articles so very prominent? The only way I can account for it is this-the editors were well aware that Dr. McNeile and Mr. Rutherford had many hundreds of admirers all over the country, and they thought by exciting their curiosity they would be led to purchase their magazines.

I must now conclude my observations for the present, promising to keep you promptly informed of what goes on in this locality.

SIR,

Our Open Page.

EDUCATION IN GATESHEAD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DEFENDER.

OBSERVER.

On the 18th of April, at the Temperance Hall, Gateshead, we were favoured with a lecture on the desirability of establishing an Educational Institute, in connection with the Gateshead Temperance Society, by Mr. Geo. Lucas.

In the course of his lecture, Mr. Lucas proposed a scheme for meeting the alleged educational lack in our borough-moreover, one which he has seen tried at Woodhouse, near Leeds, and which, he says, has been completely successful. I am ready to confess that Mr. Lueas's scheme possesses many excellent properties, but, in my judgment, the whole is marred by what one of his Temperance friends has designated, "its Sabbath desecrating clause," viz., Mr. Lucas insisting that the institute, to prove successful, "must be open on Sundays," as at Woodhouse, alleging that Sunday is the only time that the working classes are willing to attend, to receive instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, &c. Not that Mr. Lucas considers these elementary branches as the sum-total of education; but rather that, in the practical working out of his scheme, it will result in socializing those who attend its classes-proposing to attain this end by conducting them, as much as possible, on the mutual instruction principle.

It was urged by the friends of Temperance and Christianity that to open such an institution on Sundays was not only repugnant to their own views, but would also draw down upon them the opposition of Christian communities, an opposition which the Temperance movement could not afford to meet.

I do not call attention to Mr. Lucas's scheme solely to incite opposition, but rather to remind all whom it may concern, that to work our present educational facilities thoroughly, energetically, is more commendable than trying any new fashion, however fair it may promise. I would urge upon Christian friends to stand aloof, and allow Mr. Lucas and his friends, if they think fit, to work out their own idea themselves. You are not bound to see eye to eye with them because they are brother-teetotalers. The claims of Christianity precede those of Teetotalism, or any other organization. And as the Sabbath was originally commemorative of the finished work of Creation, and under the Jewish dispensation was added its use as a day on which to propitiate an offended God, so under the Christian dispensation it is commemorative of the finished work of the Saviour, on which His disciples delight to remember Him who bled and died in their stead. To our Heavenly Father are we indebted for the day and its delightful associations. In return, let us use it to His glory, by doing what we can to popularize the simple story of the Cross. You are associated with Sabbath Schools. These educational facilities need all your energy. Mark the word! Energy! It is by energy that anything is accomplished. Then to work! Self-denying work! Sunday School-teachers, tract-distributors, ministers, people-all. And, by the shades of Paul, of Wycliffe, of Luther, of Whitfield, and of Wesley, I adjure you, success is certain.

Gateshead, April 28th, 1855.

Yours respectfully,

A TEACHER.

THE BIBLE.

(By WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, of Boston, U.S.)

Oh, Book of books! though scepticism flout
Thy sacred origin-thy worth decry;
Though atheistic folly give the lie

To what thou teachest; though the critic doubt
This fact, that miracle, and raise a shout
Of triumph o'er each incongruity

He in thy pages may perchance espy;

As in his strength th' effulgent sun shines out,
Hiding innumerable stars, so dost thou shine
With heavenly light, all human works excelling;
Thy oracles are holy and divine,

Of free salvation through a Saviour telling;
All truth--all excellence dost thou enshrine,
The mists of ignorance and sin dispelling.

TIME MISSPENT.

We all complain of the shortness of time, and yet have much more than we know what to do with. Our lives are spent in either doing nothing at all, or in doing nothing to the purpose, or in doing nothing that we ought to do; we are always complaining our days are few, and acting as though there would be no end of them.-Seneca.

COUNSELS TO YOUNG MEN.

It is very important that Christians should be men of high accomplishment. Crowded as is the world, it has still abundant room for first rate men; and whosoever would insure a welcome from society, has only to unite to good principle eminent skill in his own calling. But the day for stone hatchets and blunt axes is past, and from the humblest craft to the most intellectual profession in order to succeed, it is requistie to be clever, and active, and well informed. Doubtless sickness and other calamities may be interposed; but, assuredly, no one has a right to quarrel with the world, if it refuses to pay for misshapen garments and unreadable poems. And, therefore, I would say to my young hearers, make diligence in business a part of your religion. Add to virtue, knowledge. Whatever you intend to do, pray, and study, and labour, till no one can do anything better than yourself; and then when you enter on active life, you will find that you are really wanted. And much as you have heard of glutted markets and a redundant population, you will find that there is no surplus of tradesmen, or servants, who with exalted piety combine professional excellence. Large as is the accumulation of people who through misconduct have broken down, or who through indolent mediocrity never can get on, you will find no glut of talented goodness, or of intelligence in union with principle. In that you will find that there is room enough for all who are able and willing to serve their generation.-Dr. Hamilton's Royal Preacher.

GREAT GRIEFS.

The greater and more sudden the fall, the more time it requires to feel it thoroughly. It is only smaller sorrows which immediately take possession of all the room which is at their disposal. The heart is like a vase into which drops of water can easily enter, but which a torrent-were you to pour one upon it-could only fill by degrees.-Bungener's Priest and Huguenot.

TRUE GREATNESS.-If I am asked who is the greatest man? I answer the best; and if I am required to say who is the best, I reply he that has discovered most for his fellow-creatures. Whether we deserve better of mankind by the cultivation of letters, by obscure and inglorious attainments, by intellectual pursuits calculated rather to amuse than inform, than by strenuous exertions in speaking and acting, let those consider who bury themselves in studies unproductive of any benefit to their country or fellow-citizens. I think not.Sir William Jones's Commentaries.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

RECEIVED.-A Working Man; Timothy Thinkwell. We are much obliged to "Egomet;" but, as he will perceive, there has been a brief answer already; and, purposing at our leisure giving a full exposition of the passages, we think it better not to insert any more answers of so general a character.

Several articles in type from correspondents omitted this week from want of space.
PROPAGANDIST FUND.-A Friend, Newcastle, 2s.

The real names and addresses of correspondents required, though not for publication.
The Editor does not undertake to return rejected communications.

Our correspondents in different places will do us service by giving us prompt information of what goes on in their localities.

Communications and works for review to be addressed to the Editor, 50, Grainger Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, either direct, or through the publishers.

London: HOULSTON & STONEMAN, 65, Paternoster Row.

AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.

Hunter & Co., Printers, Grainger Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

THE DEFENDER:

a Weekly Magazine,

OF CHRISTIAN EXPOSITION AND ADVOCACY.

Who knows not that truth is strong, next to the Almighty; she needs no policies, nor stratagems, nor licensings to make her victorious, those are the shifts and the defences that error uses against her power.-MILTON.

The letter of an Enquiring Friend,' on page 284, leads us to the consideration of the interesting question, whether Christ bears any relationship, and what, to other orders of created beings in the universe besides man. To this question unaided reason can give no answer. That revelation, which alone defines the relationship of Christ to sinners of mankind, only can tell us how his work affects unfallen beings. If the Bible is silent we may not attempt to speak. When men would, on such subjects, be wise above what is written, we may not wonder that they

'Find no end

In wandering mazes lost.'

The more prudent course is fully to ascertain the bearing of Christ's work upon ourselves, and if God gives us some faint glimpses of its bearing upon other orders of beings, we might expect that only so much would be made known to us as would give us an enlarged conception of its infinite value and efficacy.

We do not enter upon the disputed question whether there are other worlds than our own inhabited by corporeal beings, although it appears to

No. 20, Vol. I.