It appears that the Baron Von Wessenberg, in his capacity of Grand Vicar of Constance, being sanctioned by the Prince Primate, and the Chapter, has been the author of many important reforms in the church, that have long given great umbrage to the Court of Rome. Among his other reforms, it appears that he absolved monks from the oaths of celibacy, quoting the wellknown language of the apostle Paul on the subject; that he caused the service to be translated into, and celebrated in' the mother tongue; that he dispensed with the use of the Breviary; that he altered a number of inconvenient forms, with respect to baptism, &c.; that he appointed stated examinations of the clergy; that he abolished all but a few festivals, and prohibited all ringing of bells on the days and eves of those abolished; that he, with the consent of the civil authority, converted monasteries, &c. into places of education, and hos pitals; formed a new and more commodious division of parishes, and distributed the livings into classes, which were bestowed according to merit, and in which all extremes were avoided; and that he discouraged pilgrimages, &c. It appears also, that he protected a professor who had distinguished himself by his skill in liberal learning, after a mandate had been issued against him by the Pope, on the ground that he ascertained the accusations in the mandate to be unfound ed. The Bishop is supported by all the clergy of his extensive diocese, and indeed by nearly all the clergy of Catho-, lic Germany. Among the lay Catholics there is but one opinion concerning him. TOLERATION IN PERSIA. Ir is well known that the Mahometans profess to believe that Jesus Christ is a great prophet; that he performed miracles; that he ascended up into heaven;" and that he will judge the world. They in general, however, treat Christians with great contumely and cruelty. We are happy to hear that the Prince Royal of Persia is attempting to protect the Christians in that kingdom. He has lately assembled at Tauris, a city of Persia, containing about 200,000 inhabitants; a Divan, composed of the Sheick-" al-Sellaum, (or head of the faith, an office answering to that of Mufti in Turkey,) and the principal doctors of the law, and proposed the following questions : for their determination. 1. Was Jesus Christ a true prophet sent from God? 2. Are the laws contained in the Gospel just? 3. Is it lawful to blaspheme these laws? The first two questions were answered in the affirmative; the last, in the negative. These decisions have received a legal form. The Prince Royal has in consequence punished one of his domestics for insulting a Christian. Domestic Religious Intelligence. ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF THE chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Mr. Thomas, of Abergavenny, commenced in prayer; and Mr. Saffery, of Salisbury, con Baptist Missionary Society. cluded. THE Annual Meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society was held at Bristol, September 23 and 24, 1818. On Wednesday, at King-street, Dr. Steadman preached from Micah v. 4: "For now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth." Prayer was offered by Mr. Flint, of Weymouth, and Mr. Berry, of Warminster, then supplying at the Tabernacle. The Committee assembled on Tuesday morning the 22d, and in the evening sermon was preached at Countership Mr. Foster, of Down-End, preached on meeting-house, by Mr. Birt, of Birming-Thursday evening at Broadmead, from ham, from Luke x. 42: "Mary hath Judges v. 23: "They came, not to the” help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." Mr. Coles, of Bourton, commenced in prayer; and Mr. Foster concluded. A collection was made on behalf of the Mission, at the close of each of these sermons; and on Friday evening, the 25th, the Rev. Edward Burn, M. A. of Birmingham, kindly preached a sermon on behalf of the Society, at St. Thomas's church, from Psalm cxxxviii. 2: "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." After which a collection was 'made in aid of the Translations at Serampore. The Society met for the transaction of business at Broadmead, on Wednesday morning, the 23d. Joseph Smith, Esq. of Bristol, was called to the chair. Prayer was offered by Dr. Steadman, of Bradford. The Secretary made a statement of the particular reasons which had rendered it expedient to call the Society together on an earlier day than that which was fixed upon at the last annual meeting. On which it was resolved, That the Society admit the force of the considerations which led our friends to make the alteration alluded to; but recommend that in future the regular time for holding the annual meeting be strictly observed, and that the precise days be inserted in the resolution which specifies the place at which such meeting is to be held. A Report, comprising the latest intelligence received from the various missionary stations, was then read by the Assistant Secretary, after which the following Resolutions were unanimously passed: I. That the Report now read be received, and that it be referred to the Committee, to determine respecting its publication. II. That the thanks of the Society be given to Mr. King, the Treasurer, for his services; and that he be requested to continue them another year. III That_the_thanks of the Society be presented to Dr. Ryland, the Secretary, for his important services; and that he be requested to continue them for the ensuing year. IV. That the accumulated business of the Society renders it indispensably ne. cessary to associate with Dr. Ryland a Secretary who shall be wholly devoted to the service of the mission. V. That this Society, highly satisfied with the conduct of Mr. Dyer, as Assistant Secretary for the past year, do cor dially thank him for his services; and request him, in conformity with the preceding resolution, to devote himself exclusively to the service of the Mission. VI. That the Committee be requested to accept the thanks of the Society for their services, and to continue them for the ensuing year. VII. That this Society recommends the Committee for the ensuing year to take into consideration the propriety of making some alterations in the future constitution of the Committee, and as to the place of holding the annual meetings. VIII. That the warmest thanks of this Society be presented to the friends of the Mission in Scotland of all denominations, for the liberal assistance which they have rendered to the friends of the Society in the course of this year. IX. That this Society is gratefully indebted to the various Auxiliary Societies throughout the United Kingdom for their important aid, and recommends the formation of such Societies wherever it may be found practicable. X. That the next meeting of this So-. ciety be held at Cambridge, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 6th and 7th of October, 1819. XI. That the thanks of this meeting be presented to Joseph Smith, Esq. for his able conduct in the chair. street meeting-house, on Thursday mornA public meeting was held at Kinging, the 24th instant, for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society for the city of Bristol. Arthur Foulks, Esq. of Redland, had kindly consented to preside on this occasion; but as he was unavoidably prevented by called on Joseph Smith, Esq. to take the some domestic occurrences, the meeting chair. A statement of the Baptist Missions was given by the Assistant Secretary, after which it was unanimously re solved, 1. That this meeting cordially ap proves the object of the Baptist Missionary Society, and warmly congratulates it on the success which has attended the la bours of its missionaries, in preaching the gospel of salvation,-in translating the Holy Scriptures into so many of the Oriental languages, and in establishing schools for the instruction of heathen children. 2. That, in order to promote and extend the interests of this important cause, a Society be formed in this city, to be called The Bristol Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society. 3. That the following rules and regu lations be adopted as the plan of this Society: 1. Every annual Subscriber of half-aguinea, or upwards, shall be considered a member of this Society; and every person making a donation of ten guineas, shall be a member for life. II. Every annual Subscriber of one guinea, or upwards, and every member for life, shall be entitled to the printed Accounts of the Parent Society. III. The concerns of this Society shall be managed by a Treasurer, two Secretaries, and a Committee of thirty Sub scribers, to be elected annually; the Treasurer and Secretaries to be considered members of the Committee, any five of whom to be a quorum. IV. The Committee shall meet quarterly, on the third Monday evening in January, April, July, and October, at 7 o'clock, at the Academy, in Stoke's Croft, and at such other times as they shall think fit. V. A Collector shall be appointed by the Committee, with such allowance of poundage, and upon his giving such security, as the Committee shall think fit. VI. The Subscriptions and Donations to this Society, after deducting the Collector's poundage, and other incidental expenses, shall be remitted to the Treasurer of the Parent Society, at such times and in such manner as the Committee shall appoint. VII. A Meeting of this Society shall be held annually, in the month of November, at such time and place as the Committee shall appoint, to receive a Report from the Committee, together with the audited account, and for the election of Officers and Committee. That JOHN HART, Esq. be the Treasurer: the Rev. THOMAS ROBERTS and Mr. JOHN DANIELL, jun. the Secretaries; and the following gentlemen the Committee of this Society for the year ensu ing: | 5. All Subscriptions and Donations for the specific purpose of translating the scriptures, or for the support of native schools in India, shall be applied exclusively to either of these objects, according to the will of the subscriber or donor; and that Subscribers of one guinea annually, or Donors of ten gaineas at one time, for the translations or schools, shall be also entitled to the printed accounts of the Parent Society. 6. That the thanks of this meeting be presented to those gentlemen from a distance, who have favoured this meeting with their company and assistance on this occasion. The chair having been vacated by Mr. SMITH, and taken by the Rev. THOMAS ROBERTS, it was resolved unanimously. That the cordial thanks of this meeting be presented to JOSEPH SMITH, Esq. for his kindness in taking the chair on this occasion, and for his able conduct therein. N. B. Subscriptions and Donations will be gratefully received by the Treasurer, JOHN HART, Esq. the Secretaries, and any of the Commitee. DUNFERMLINE AUXILIARY Baptist Missionary Society. To the Editors of the Baptist Magazine. I FEEL great satisfaction in communicating to you the following information, relative to the second anniversary of the Dunfermline Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society. You are already aware, I presume, that this Society was formed when Mr. Dyer was in this place, on his visit to Scotland, in the summer of 1816. We were this year favoured with the presence and assistance of Dr. Steadman, Mr. Birt, and Mr. Anderson, of Edinburgh. The spirit of liberality exhibited on this occasion was truly delightful, and I trust you will prize that liberality as it de serves, when you are informed that our President is a member of the Antiburgher congregation in this town; and that our Committee is composed of individuals who are connected with almost all the different denominations of Christians in the place. There were also present at this Anniversay, the following ministers of different denominations, some of whom addressed the meeting:Mr. Chalmers, one of the ministers of the established church;* Mr. Brand, minister of the chapel of ease; Dr. Hus Mr. McLean, the other established minister, was absent from home at the time of the meeting. He called on our Secretary a few days after, with his general, nor unite at the table, in com band, Burgher minister; Mr. Eben. Brown, Burgher minister, of Inverkei-memorating the Saviour's love; and the thing, and Dr. Rennie, minister of the other places of worship being well filled, established church, Killsyth. It is like- a considerable part of them are often wise proper to state, that the Relief con- obliged to stay at home. gregation gave us the use of their meeting-house for this Anniversary; and that the business of the meeting was begun and concluded with prayer, by Mr. Brown, of Inverkeithing, and Dr. Rennie, of Killsyth, About 41. were collected at the doors for the Native Schools, and nearly 81. subscribed; besides about 171. for the general purposes of the mission. I trust, our English brethren will see, from the example of Glasgow, Dunfermline, &c. that the inhabitants of Scotland value the Baptist Mission in some measure as it deserves; and that we can look above our differences on some subordinate points, and join heart and band in assisting the Baptist missionaries in disseminating through the dark regions of India, the records of eternal truth. 1 am, yours faithfully, D. A. ADAM, Jun. Dunfermline, Aug. 29, 1818. They earnestly wish to remove this bar to their comfort and communion; and have obtained for this purpose a suitable piece of ground, on which they desire to erect a very plain, but a much larger house. The estimated expense of this: building is more than three thousand pounds: one third of this sum these poorNegro Christians have engaged to con tribute, and they now affectionately appeal to their white brethren in England to aid them with the remainder. Mr. Coultart, who has been obliged to come home on account of severe indis position, intends, in the next three or four months, to collect for this most in: teresting case as widely as he can; but as he is anxious to return to his beloved flock, there are many of our churches which he will not be able to visit: even to them, however, it is hoped this ap- peal will not be in vain. Surely if any case of the kind merits the prompt and generous assistance of our churches, it must be this. The fol THE PECULIARLY INTERESTING CASE lowing ministers, to whom it is well OF THE POOR NEGRO BAPTISTS In Kingston, Jamaica. THERE have been some Christians of our denomination among the negro population of this island, for the last thirty years. Their teachers have been men of their own rank and colour, who being exceedingly ignorant and superstitious, were very unqualified for the service, and on this account have not enjoyed the protection of the laws. Their affecting condition being known and deeply felt, some of our Missiona ries have lately been sent among them, whose labours, and particularly those of Mr. Coultart, have been much blessed. There are at present in Kingston, and its vicinity, nearly two thousand baptized persons of this class, who, although the subjects of much ignorance and imperfection, appear to be the true followers of the blessed Redeemer. Many of them have been collected, and formed into a church; but their place of worship is exceedingly inconvenient as to situation, is uncertain in its tenure, and what is much more to be lamented, is too small to contain even half the members. Hence they can neither all worship together in subscription of a Guinea, and an anonyinous donation of 1. left at his house during his absence. known, and who highly respect the character of Mr. Coultart, most earnestly recommend it, and will be gratified in receiving subscriptions in aid of it. 1. Birt, Birmingham. T. Coles, Bourton-on-the-Water. THE SOUTH-EAST ASSOCIATION in WALES, was held at Brecon, June 2 and 4. The number of hearers is greatly increased, and in several churches the prospects are pleasing. The increase of members in this Association, during the last year, is 419; in the Western Association, 308. The Circular Letter is, On the Duty of holding fust our Profession. The next Associations are to be held,the South-east at Newtown, Montgomeryshire, on the first Wednesday in June, 1819; the Western, at the Tabernacle, Carmarthen. The KENT and SUSSEX ASSOCIATION was held at Brighton, June 2 and 3. Four destitute churches have been settled with pastors. The increase of members during the last year, is 98. The present number is nearly 1000. The Circular Letter is entitled, Impediments in attending to the Ordinances of the Gospel stated and removed. The next Association is to be held at Tenterden, on the first Tuesday in June, 1819. The WESTERN ASSOCIATION was held at Shortwood, May 12 and 14. The increase of members during the last year is 190. The number of churches is 78. The number of members is about 7,200. The Circular Letter is, On the Doctrine of Election. The next Association is to be held at Weymouth, on the Wednesday in Whitsun-week, 1819. The third Annual Meeting of the BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION was held at Steventon, May 13. The increase of members during the last year is 24. The Circular Letter is, On Church Discipline. Given to the Baptist Mission, 151. 12s. 6d. The next Association is to be held at Rushden, on the first Thursday in May, 1819. The BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ASSOCIA TION was held at Risborough, May 27, 1818. The increase of members, during the last year, is six. The present number is 988. The Circular Letter is, On the Utility of Associations. Collected for the Baptist Mission, 721. 2s. 32d.; for the Baptist Irish Society. 20l. 19s. 31d. The next Association is to be held at Gold Hill, May 19, 1819. We have received no Circular Letters from the Wilts and Somerset, and Shrop shire Associations; but we are informed that the former was held at Melksham, October 13, and that the next Association is to be held at Warminster, in Easterweek, 1819; and that the latter was held at Wrexham, May 5 and 6; (increase of members, 52; number of churches, 9; number of members, 503;) and that the next Association is to be held at Oswestry, on the first Wednesday in May, 1819. ORDINATION. OTLEY. ON Tuesday, September 15, 1818, Mr. James Cole, late pastor of the church at Bury St. Edmonds, was ordained pastor of the Particular Baptist church at Otley, in Suffolk. Mr. Churchyard, of Charsfield, began with reading 1 Tim. iii. and prayer; Mr. Cooper, of Stoke Ash, delivered an address on the nature of a Christian church, and asked the usual questions; Mr. Garnhain, one of the deacons, stated the leadings of Providence respecting the coming of Mr. Cole amongst them; Mr. Paine, of Ips wich, gave the charge, from Malachi ii. 6; the ordination prayer was offered by Mr. Thompson, of Grundisburgh; Mr. A. K. Cowell, of Walton, addressed the church, from 1 Thess. ii. 11, 12; Mr. Caton, of Bury, concluded with prayer. The hymns were read by Mr. Middleditch, of Rattlesden. The congregation was crowded and attentive. In the evening, Mr. Palmer, (Independent minister,) of Woodbridge, prayed; Mr. Ranelles, of Ipswich, preached from Isai. xlix. 9; and concluded with prayer. It was a good day, and we hope it will be long remembered by us. TO CORRESPONDENTS. We have received a letter from "A Sabbath school Teacher," containing an Chronology, with a Chronological Taextract from Kennedy's Astronomical ble, in which it seems to us to be as sumed, and not proved, that the patris archal seventh day was the same with the Jewish first. Our correspondent information upon this interesting subject, says, "Those who may wish for more I refer to the learned work from which the foregoing quotation is made." As we have not that work by us, we shall be very much obliged to him if he will send doctor asserts is true, and we will insert us proof, extracted from it, that what the it in a future Number. the same thing has been attempted to be In the mean time we will remark, that proved by other writers, particularly by Mede and Jennings. Their arguments are as follows. 1. That the Jewish Sabbath was instituted for the commemo. rating of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, Deut. v. 15. 2. That it was not instituted till after their depar3. That the Jewish Sabbath when thus ture from Egypt, Exod. xvi. 23, 25. first instituted, was kept on the twentysecond day of the month; but that the fifteenth day of that month could not have been the patriarchal sabbath, because on that day all the congregation journeyed from Elim unto the wilderness of Sin. Mr. Mede supposes that the Jewish sabbath was observed on the In this Table or Calendar, the pa triarchal days of the week are placed in one column, and the Jewish in another, and 7 (or seventh day,) in the former is placed in the same horizontal line with 1 (or first day,) in the latter. But this seems to us to be mere assumption, and not proof, at least detached as it here is from the body of the work. |