ened kingdom. When Dissenters find ministers of the gospel in the established church, though men of education and information, so bigoted to the infallibility of their faith and rites, as, contrary to all law, civil and canonical, to refuse to marry, or to inter those who have not been baptized according to their rubric; when the strong arm of the law itself is needed, yet is ineffectual, to protect their ministers from insult, and their worshipping assemblies from outrage and disturbance; they surely may be excused for feeling more than ordinarily jealous of any accession of power to those who want not thewill toinjure and annoy them. "Dissenters of all denominations must, in principle, be hostile to this Bill, and in as far as by law they can, will naturally oppose its execution, seeing that all, or nearly all its provisions, are avowedly framed with no friendly reference to their principles, or to them."

"Examine yourselves whether you are in the faith; whether you have reason to trust, that the power of converting grace hath begun to work effectually We perfectly agree with the learn- upon your hearts. In a word, whether ed author, that Dissenters will not you have experienced what it is to be be true to themselves, nor to pos- called from a state of nature to a state terity, if they do not oppose to the of grace. Though we are not called to very utmost of their power this in- be apostles, yet all who appear with tended measure. They are too nuChrist in glory are called to be saints. merous, too respectable, too bene- And what is a saint? One who is halvolent, and too loyal, to have their for the use and service of God; one who lowed, or set apart, by divine grace, appeal to the legislature rejected, is made a partaker of that faith which when temperately, but firmly, exrelies, singly relies, on the blood and pressed. They are in every direc-righteousness of Christ, for justification tion, according to their ability, carrying into effect the benevolent wish of our late revered King, that every one of his subjects might be able to read the scriptures. And our present august Sovereign has assured them from the throne, that he will maintain their liberties inviolate. We are sorry our limits prevent our giving further extracts from this valuable pamphlet. We strongly recommend it however to the careful perusal of all our readers.

Devotional Retirement recommended and enforced: with Meditations and Remarks. By Augustus Toplady, A.B. late Vicar of Broad Hembury, Devon. A new Edition, arranged, with an Index. 12mo. Bds. 134 pp. 1820. 2s. 6d.

WE are indebted for this new edition of a very excellent work to the Rev. Thomas Gough, the respectable pastor of the Baptist church at Westbury Leigh.

with God; and who is a subject of that holiness without which none shall see the Lord; one who leaves all things, so far as they consist not with faith and a good conscience; who counts all that earth can give but dross and dung, when compared with the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and with the pri vilege of being found in him; who rises

up

follows the Lord that bought him, in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. Such persons have fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: they have a manifest interest in the favour of the former, and in the merits of the latter. Walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost, they are built up into temples for God: their grace, their peace, and their joy are multiplied.”

into the moral likeness of God, and

This book deserves a wide circulation.

History of Intolerance; with Observations on the Unreasonableness and Injustice of Persecution, and on the Equity and Wisdom of unre

stricted Religious Liberty. By Thomas Clarke. 8vo. Bds. 468 pp. 10s. 6d.

the glorious and happy accession of the illustrious House of Brunswick to the throne of these realms?

The present interesting work proceeds from the pen of a respectable Baptist minister of Waterford. It reaches from Cain, the first 'persecutor, to the dissolution of the Western empire in Angustulus. It comprehends, in no small degree, not

THE history of persecution is almost coextensive with the history of the world; and yet, as Earl Mansfield justly remarks," there is nothing more inconsistent with the rights of human nature, more contrary to the spirit and precepts of the Christian religion, or more iniquit-only the history of the Jewish and ous and unjust." It is contrary to common sense; for what can be more absurd than

To make men orthodox

With blows and with knocks,
And to hammer faith into their brains?

And it is equally impolitic. Per-
secution was amongst the fore-
most of the vices which brought on
the destruction of the Roman em-
pire in the west, the civil war in
England, the dismemberment of
Poland, and the late Revolution in
France and when did the British
empire ever more flourish than since

other ancient nations, but of Christianity during the first five centuries. And as the materials are ample, so it is ably executed. It deserves to be generally read, and is, especially, a book highly proper to be put into the hands of youth.

In the remaining part of the work, we recommend to the author the confining of himself to a history of facts. In the present volume, the unreasonableness, the injustice, and the impolicy of persecution are so abundantly shown, that any additional observations upon those heads are unnecessary.

Intelligence, &c.

BURMAH.

Interesting Letter referred to in our last,
Page 125.

Rangoon, Dec. 8, 1819.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

Being about to leave Rangoon on a Visit to the court of Ava, we feel it our duty to state the reason.

Till within a month or two ago our affairs appeared in a prosperous state. Many daily heard the gospel-cases of hopeful inquiry frequently occurred no serious opposition appeared-and four persons, the first-fruits of Burmah, gave evidence of having obtained the grace of God; three of whom have been baptized.

Some time, however, before the baptism of the two last, the death of the emperor gave a different aspect to affairs. The former emperor was hostile to the priests of Boodh. On his death, the hopes of the priests began to revive; and the new emperor's friendly disposition has ten

ded to restore the religious establishment to its former privileges and rank.

Soon after these events began to transpire, our fifth inquirer, a teacher of learning and influence, was accused before the viceroy of heretical sentiments. The viceroy directed further inquiry to be made. Our friend went to the head of ecclesiastical affairs in Rangoon, made his peace with him, and discontinued his visits to the zayat. This circumstance spread an alarm among all our acquaintance, and occasioned a complete falling off at the zayat; and, with the exception of the teacher above named, and those who have already joined us, we are completely deserted.

It appears to us that there remains but one course-to go directly into the imperial presence, lay our missionary designs before the throne, and solicit toleration for the Christian religion. By this proceeding, we hope to discover the real sentiments of the emperor. hope to ascertain, whether he is devoted to Boodhism, or has imbibed, in any

We

degree, the opinions of his grandfather, and disguises them at present, from motives of policy. If the former be the case, he will prohibit our missionary work, and we shall be under the necessity of leaving his dominions. If the latter, be will, we hope, give us at least such private encouragement as will enable us to prosecute our work.

In approaching the throne, we desire to depend on the presence of our Saviour. We have indeed no other ground of hope. We trust that, if the set tine to favour Burmah is come, He who is excellent in working, will open a wide and effectual door But if the Lord has other purposes, it becomes us meekly to acquiesce.

We commend ourselves and the mis sion to the sympathies and prayers of our fathers and brethren, and remain,

Rev. and dear Sir,

Your devoted servants in the Lord,
A. JUDSON, Jun.
J. COLMAN.

tent of our power, to be an imperative christian duty.

2. That we have witnessed, with great and increasing satisfaction, the highly beneficial influence on the moral and religious state of our country, which has attended the disinterested and benevolent exertions of individuals, as well as of public associations, in the institution of schools for the instruction of all classes of the poor without distinction of sects and parties, and more especially of Sunday schools.

3. That the bill introduced into Parliament by H. Brougham, Esq. entitled, "A Bill for better providing the means of Education for his Majesty's Subjects," in cur decided opinion, is calculated materially to injure those invaluable institutions, by destroying the funds which are necessary to their support, by discouraging that zeal and assiduity and subverting those arrangements, without which the education of the lower classes cannot be effectually promoted; and by

The Correspond. Sec. of the Bap. Board, &c. such means to retard instead of accele

THE CONTINENTAL SOCIETY.

THE funds are extremely low, and its income inadequate to its demands. The annual subscriptions do not exceed L130. while the yearly expenditure is above

L900. The Committee invite the aftention of the friends of true religion to this important object. For if societies are liberally supported which are formed for the dispersion of the scriptures through the world, and for evangelizing the heathen nations,

ONE HUNDRED

rating the professed design of the bill.

4. That to many of the fundamental enactments of that bill we have other invincible objections: because they con fer undue and most dangerous power on the clergy and dignitaries of the estab lished church, without providing any adequate checks against the abuse of that power, and by so doing expose the lower classes of dissenters to insult, to oppression, and to persecution; because they impose a burdensome tax for the support of the schools to be established, while by the constitution of those schools a large proportion of the most indigent part of the population, who can attend only on Sunday schools, will derive no benefit from them; because they are wholly confined to the instruction of boys, and no provision whatever is made education; and because, by including for the very important object of female all individuals who are not members of the established church under an unjust and invidious proscription, in virtually pronouncing them unworthy of being intrusted with the education of the chilDR. Williams's Library, Redcross-dren of their fellow-citizens, or with any street, Feb. 26, 1821-At an Extraor-share in the management or control of dinary Meeting of the General Body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations, the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted.

MILLIONS of souls, who are our near neighbours, and to whom we are bound by many ties, should not escape our regard; and surely the only society that is now in existence for ameliorating their condition, will not fail of support, nor plead their cause in vain.

MR. BROUGHAM's BILL.

schools of which the majority of scholars may not be children of churchmen, and where even their own children may be entered, the bill increases the civil disabilities, and encroaches on the reli

1. That we are deeply impressed with the conviction of the supreme impor-gious liberty of dissenters. tance of universal education to the great 5. That for the reasons above meninterests of morals and religion; and tioned, without entering into more parthat we have always considered the pro- ticular exceptions, a petition be premotion of education, to the furthest ex-sented to both houses of Parliament,

That your Petitioners are not surpassed by any description of their fellow-subjects in solicitude, that "all classes of the people may reap the great benefit of improvement in knowledge, morals, and religion, which are the main support of every nation."

That, influenced by this principle, your Petitioners have contributed their zealous exertions in instituting and supporting schools for the instruction of the children of the poor, without distinction of sects or parties, and more especially of Sunday Schools; the latter contain ing, in England alone, more than five hundred thousand scholars; which schools have had a most beneficial influence on the moral and religious state of our country, and are rapidly increas ing in number and utility.

That your Petitioners have observed, with great concern, the introduction of a Bill into your honourable House, entitled, "A Bill for better providing the Means of Education for his Majesty's Subjects," which, they are decidedly convinced, is calculated materially to injure those invaluable institutions, by destroying the funds which are necessary for their support; and by discouraging that zeal and assiduity, and subverting those arrangements, without which the education of the lower classes cannot be effectually promoted.

That your Petitioners particularly deplore the unhappy effects which such a Bill must have on a large proportion of the most indigent part of the population, who can attend only on Sunday Schools; as also on the female children of the poor, for whose education it makes no provision whatever.

That your Petitioners view with apprehension the undue and most danger ous power which this Bill confers on the clergy and dignitaries of the Established Church, without providing any adequate checks against the abuse of that power; thereby exposing the lower classes of Dissenters to insult and to oppression.

That your Petitioners, whose loyalty and attachment to the constitution of their country have ever been unquestionable, regard this Bill as a measure

which would subject them to an unjust and invidious proscription, by virtually pronouncing them unworthy of being children of their fellow-citizens, or with intrusted with the education of the any share of the management or control of schools, at which the majority of scholars may not be the children of churchmen, and where even their own children may be entered; and, by such means, increase the civil disabilities, and encroach on the religious liberty of Dissenters.

That your Petitioners, for the reasons already mentioned, without entering into more particular exceptions to the Bill, humbly entreat your honourable House, that it may not be passed into

a law.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c.

N. B. Congregations in the country may, if necessary, send their Petitions to the Care of the Rev. Dr. Morgan, at Dr. Williams's Library, Redcross-street, London.

THE SOCIETY

FOR

Promoting Religious Knowledge among the Poor.

mind to contemplate, without the most Ir is impossible for any benevolent pleasing emotions, the exertions that are made for the general diffusion of Divine Knowledge, and the extension of Christ's Kingdom in the earth. That such exertions shall not be in vain, we may indulge the most confident hope. The various Bible, Missionary, and Tract Societies, which have, within the last twenty years, been called into existence, are the glory and boast of our land; and constitute a much surer foundation of hope, that we shall be a spared, and not a destroyed people, than the most numerous and well disciplined of our fleets and armies.

Of the numerous Institutions formed for the spread of pure and undefiled religion, The Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge among the Poor," has the honour of being one of the oldest. It has been in existence, and active operation, upwards of seventy years. It was established August 8, 1750, by a few persons of pious, liberal, and enlarged minds, who being deeply impressed with a sense of the deplorable ignorance which prevailed, especially in the lower ranks of the community,agreed to associate for the purpose of dissemi

nating among such the knowledge of
Divine Truth, by furnishing them with
Bibles, and with other plain practical
Books on religious subjects.

There is one feature of this Institution peculiar to itself. Each subscriber of One Guinea annually, is entitled, according to a strict and fair rotation, to a nomination of books of the value of Forty Shillings, and subscribers of Two Guineas annually are entitled to a nomination of books of Four Pounds value, and so in proportion, of which notice is regularly sent, and sufficient time allowed for claiming them. So that should any doubt exist as to the appropriation of the contributions to other Societies, and the amount of good effected by them, no such doubt can exist here; as every individual becomes the distributor of his own liberality, and the witness of its happy results.

The services were interesting and well attended, and it is hoped that this little cause will prove a blessing to that long neglected neighbourhood.

ORDINATION.

JANUARY 1, 1821, Mr. William Young was ordained pastor of the church meeting in the above Chapel. Mr.Wilmshurst commenced with reading and prayer; Mr. Pritchard stated the nature of a Gospel Church, asked the usual questions, and received Mr. Young's confession of faith: Mr. Ivimey offered the ordination prayer; Mr. W. Shenstone gave an affectionate, and impressive charge from Deut. xxxii. 23; Mr. Chin concluded in prayer.

In the evening, Mr. Williams of Grafton-street addressed the church from Col. iii. 15.

NEW CHAPELS

Belonging to the Particular Baptists,

in Monmouthshire.

PEN-ALLT.

If any respect be due to an Institution for its venerable antiquity, for its efficient instrumentality in promoting the cause of vital godliness, and for its adaptation for still greater usefulness, this Society will not be suffered to languish, still less to be dissolved. The fact need only be stated, that this Association, the result of the united wisdom and piety of our forefathers, is in a declining state, to induce the friends of Zion to come forward to the help of the Lord against the mighty.-Annual Subscriptions and Donations received by Ebenezer Maitland, Esq. Treasurer, Clapham Common; Rev. W. J. Abdy, A.M. Horsely down; Rev. A. Rees, D.D. 7, King's-road, Gray's-inn-lane; Rev. J. Clayton, Manor-House, Walworth; Rev. J. Rippon, D.D. Grange-road, Bermondsey; Rev. R. Hill, A.M. Surry-road; Messrs. Whitmore and Co. Bankers, Lombard street: and by Mr. James Norton, Secretary, 47, Fish-street-hill; Mr. John Cooper, Collector, 11, Pump-dered a very desirable object to introrow, Old-street-road; and Mr. John Barfield, Bookseller to the Society, 91, Wardour-street, Soho.

Oct. 10, 1820, a new Chapel was opened at Pen-allt, about three miles from Monmouth. On this occasion four sermons were preached. Messrs. Fry of Coleford, Psalm cxxii, 9; Phillips of Caerleon, Psalm xxxiv. 4; Lewis of Chepstow, Matt. iii. 12; and James of Pontrhydyrun, Zec. vi. 12. Prayer, by Messrs. Wright of Bishop's-wood; Jones, Taly coed; James, Pontrhy dyrun; and Davies, Hereford. The place was well attended, and much of the Divine presence was enjoyed. This place being in a very benighted state as to the gospel, like most places around it, it was consi

duce the glad tidings of salvation among the inhabitants. This was at length effected by Mr. Wright. He laboured much in preaching the word from house to house among them, but not without some encouragement, and it appears that his labours were not in vain. Though there is not one member belonging to the Baptists at present in the place, yet we believe that there are a few enlight ened characters amidst the ruins of the fall. Many of these poor people la boured hard in erecting the building; and they appear to be very zealous with the cause of Christ, and anxious to hear the word of God, and seem comfortable under the joyful sound. May the Lord send now prosperity!