prayer for his help. Already the temporal and spiritual blessings which have followed Missions are great enough to excite our gratitude to God, and they are leading on to greater. Every conversion becomes the occasion of more; every church affords the materials for forming new churches; and in most Missions, the greatest difficulties being surmounted, we may believe, from all which we have hitherto seen of the government of God, that he is preparing much greater blessings for heathen nations, by that instrumentality which he has blessed already. Let us bear this in mind, while we survey the temporal and spiritual results of Missions to individuals, to nations, to churches, and to the world.

"Although the Gospel has been widely preached, the Bible widely circulated, and thousands, both in the most barbarous and the most civilized of the heathen countries, have embraced the profession of Christianity, have any been truly converted to God? If suffering and zealous labour for the truth, a consistent life, and a peaceful death, may attest the truth of an alleged conversion, then numbers have been converted. Or if the opinion of those excellent men who have taught them, baptized them, watched over them, prayed with them, and lived with them, may be taken, then numbers of them have been converted. Protestant Missionaries are generally well aware, that to baptize without a credible profession of faith in Christ, is to dishonour a sacred ordinance, and to injure the church; hence generally the number baptized may be taken to represent the numbers, believed by pious and intelligent men, who have opportunities of judging, to be sincere

converts. The Missionaries are still more generally agreed, that none should be admitted to the Lord's supper who dishonour their Christian profession by any inconsistency; and as there is much discipline exercised in Missionary churches, and those who openly sin are excommunicated, the number who are in habitual communion may be safely taken, as less than the number actually converted to God, many who are really converted not yet being admitted to that privilege."

Mr. Noel then proceeds to give some specific instances of evidenced piety, of the piety which does not stand in "meat and drink," but in "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost:" and after detailing these instances he says,—

"These few instances have been se lected, not because they are the most pious among all the converts, but because they happened to recur most immediately to memory. Hundreds might be added to the list whose lives have been equally distinguished for Christian excellence. And if some have been thus brought to know and love the Lord, why should not many? Why doubt that, among nine hundred communicants of twenty Missionary stations in India, there are numbers of warm-hearted and consistent Christians? For them, then, what have Missions done? They have been turned from darkness unto light, from the power of Satan unto God. Their lives have been made blameless and useful. They will have peace in death, and though they were perishing in their sins, they are now heirs of God; and where Christ is, there will they be also, conformed to his image, and partakers of his joy. But numbers of these are also now most usefully engaged in instructing others. Each native convert, from the hour of his own conversion to God, becomes the instrument of salvation to others. Hence small churches once formed, in any heathen land, are observed rapidly to increase the enlightened convert becomes the most effectual Preacher to his countrymen, and numbers more in their turn become partakers of the blessings of the new covenant. Thus increasing numbers are continually added to the church of God."

("Christian Missions," pages 255274.)

Of Dr. Melson's work we have already said, that it was "a discursive range over a wide subject, with the chief points of which, and their relative bearings, the author shows himself well acquainted." We also said, that the author "wrote on just principles; and had not only brought to his subject a mind stored with information, but a heart influenced by the feelings which such a subject demanded."* We see no reason to alter an opinion which, had we room, we could justify by ample quotations. A single extract, however, will be sufficient to illustrate the general style and sentiments of the Essay; and we select one which, from the character of the objects to which it refers, as well as

* Wesleyan Magazine, page 226 (March),

the solemnity and loftiness of its tone, will furnish a fitting conclusion to an article on Christian Missions.

"From the present aspect of affairs, then, let the church derive great encouragement in her noble undertaking, conscious that the day of her redemption is rapidly approaching. Although the pillars of heaven be moved, yet shall not the hills of her strength be shaken. In vain will she search for any feature of stability, amidst all the affairs of life, and the ever-varying contingencies with which, whilst in the wilderness, she will be compelled to hold intercourse, apart from the great principles of revealed truth; which, like its Author, changes not, neither is subject to variation.

"How important, then, is it, in all our contemplations respecting the spread of divine truth amongst mankind at large, to connect eternity with time, the future with the present, the day of decision with the period of our probation, the joys and rewards of heaven with the trials, sacrifices, motives, sanctions, and obligations of this the disciplinary stage of our existence !

"If, then, the film which interposes itself between the ray of divine illumination and the eye of our minds were re

moved, what encouragements would present themselves, as we beheld the glory, and gazed upon the bliss, of the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;' (Rev. xxi. 2;) and shared in the rapture of those who shall one day come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God!' (Luke xiii. 29.) What motives to zeal and diligence would arise, as we read, in the light which beams forth from between the cherubim, the worth of an immortal soul; aiding our estimate of its value by a consideration of the price of its redemption, and of the intensity of that hallowed joy which thrills through the angelic hosts on the reception of the tidings of its repentance! And what incentives to renewed and reiterated exertions-such exertions as the church has never yet put forth would crowd upon the view, as the vast amount was multiplied by the countless myriads which shall share in the first resurrection, and stand before the bar of God in the humble confidence of acceptance; and as the conception was still further heightened by the assured eternity of all this accumulated bliss!" ("Who is my Neighbour?" pages 351-354.)

Revivals of Religion: their Nature, Defence, and Management. By the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, M. A., Pastor of the Church of Christ at Northampton, in Connecticut. Abridged by the Rev. John Wesley, A. M. 18mo. pp. 282. Mason. This volume contains what Mr. Wesley termed "extracts" from two of the works of Mr. Edwards,-his "Narrative of the late Work of God at and near Northampton, in New-England;" and his "Thoughts concerning

the present Revival of Religion in NewEngland." The republication of these in this one volume, few readers, we think, will judge to be other than very opportune. Will they allow us, at the present juncture, very earnestly to recommend the perusal and circulation of what, our views and feelings being as they are, we must call these most important pages? The plausible sophisms of Puseyism may sometimes bewilder the young and inexperienced disciple. But let all such

read this account of the work of God; and as they read, let them remember, the real question is, Is all this delusion ? Is all that hundreds of thousands have called "happy experience," and which has comforted them in life's trials and bereavements, and enabled them to die full of triumphant hope,-is it all delusion, as the Puseyite school term it, Satanic delusion? If it be the work of God, then these men are fearfully wrong.

A short Exposition of the Ten Com mandments. Extracted from Bishop Hopkins. By John Wesley, M. A. 18mo. pp. viii, 160. Mason. This brief, but valuable, exposition we earnestly recommend to the notice of our readers. Bishop Hopkins was one of the excellent theologians who flourished in the seventeenth century. His Exposition is somewhat verbose; but Mr. Wesley has brought it within the reach of all who desire to be assisted in acquainting themselves with the law of the Lord. Bishop Hopkins rightly accompanies Jonathan Edwards. In the former we see God's work in converting men; but in the latter, the rule by which he governs them. These are days of excitement and controversy. We recommend our esteemed readers to be much in their closets, and to be very earnest in closetwork. Jonathan Edwards and Bishop Hopkins, by God's blessing, will make closet-work profitable work.

Obed-edom: or, the Ark in the House. By George Cubitt. 18mo. pp. 107.

Mason. The author states his intention to be, first, to assist in guiding the reader into the most profitable method of perusing the historical portions of sacred Scripture; and then, to direct attention to the important duties connected with family religion, and the blessings result. ing from their due performance. "Obededom" is partly expository, partly didactic. It is founded on 2 Sam. vi. 11, 12, and is divided into two parts: the first, containing the history of the ark, from its capture by the Philistines, to its settlement on Mount Zion; and the second, from the reception of the ark by Obededom, considers "the ark in the Christian's family." The prefatory notice thus concludes: "Should Obed-edom' be acceptable to them for whom chiefly it is designed, it will be followed, should the writer be permitted to continue thus to labour, by other practical expositions of portions of Scripture history.'

Select Letters of Mrs. Agnes Bulmer, Author of "Messiah's Kingdom." With an Introduction and Notes, by the Rev.

William M. Bunting. 18mo. pp. 299. Mason. The late Mrs. Bulmer is well known to have been a lady of deep and enlightened piety, and of a very powerful and highly-cultivated intellect. She lived on terms of intimacy with some of the greatest and most useful men of her times, and took a lively interest in the progress of true religion in the world, especially in the Wesleyan Connexion, of which she was long a zealous member, and a distinguished ornament. The letters which form this volume were written in all the confidence of private friendship, and without any reference whatever to publication. They are highly characteristic, referring mostly to personal piety, and to passing occurrences connected with the spread of evangelical truth and righteousness in the world. Not a few of them are beautiful both in sentiment and expression; and all of them are eminently edifying in their tendency. The introduction and notes of Mr. Bunting are very valuable. The writer has touched with a masterly hand, and in a truly Christian spirit, some of the most stirring controversies on ecclesiastical order, which are agitated in the present day. We very cordially recommend the volume to our readers.

A Pastor's Memorial to his former Flock: consisting of Sermons and Addresses, the Relics of a by-gone Ministry.

By John Macdonald, A. M., Missionary Minister of the Church of Scotland in India, and formerly Pastor of the Scotch Church, River-Terrace, Islington. 12mo. pp. 281. Cotes; Nisbets. The volume contains nine sermons, which are followed by what the author terms "Substance of Discourses, or Extended Notes:" these are eleven in number; besides which are two Addresses. These are not only good sermons, in the ordinary use of the phrase, but characterized by a serious, pleading earnestness, which must have made them very impressive in the deli very. Mr. Macdonald does not appear

to think that when he has read a theological essay in the pulpit, he has done all that is necessary. He has evidently not overlooked the "We pray you, in Christ's stead," of St. Paul.

Moral Agency; and Man as a Moral Agent. By William M'Combie, Author of" Hours of Thought." Foolscap 8vo. pp. 230. Seeleys. We have read this volume with a mixture of pleasure and regret. Mr. M'Combie is evidently an original thinker, generally of great clearness and power; and some of his remarks on moral agency and man we

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Being an increase of... 6

2,808 The Committee had diligently employed themselves, during the last year, in the preparation and publication of a variety of works designed to assist Teachers in their work, and to promote the efficiency of the schools. The sales of publications at the Depository amounted to £9,554. 1s. 54d.; being an increase of £413. 17s. 7d. on the sales of the previous year. Donations had been received to the amount of £344. The Committee desired especial attention to the effort made by the Teachers and friends of Sunday. schools connected with the West-London Auxiliary, who had presented £100 to the Union, an example which they trusted would be followed, not only by the other London Auxiliary Unions, but also by the country Unions. After payanent of the grants which had been already made, there would be a deficiency of £219. 2s. 74d., which must be supplied by the friends of religious instruction, or the assistance of the Union be withheld from those who stood in need of it. The present number of subscribers to the library and reading-room was 150. In concluding the Report, the Committee affectionately urged upon their fellow-labourers the importance of securing for themselves an enlarged acquaintance with Scripture truth, and of imparting to their scholars correct views on the great doctrines of the Gospel.

The REV. ROBERT YOUNG, of Westminster, in moving the adoption of the Report, said, That Report very properly assumes, that the object of Sunday-school instruction is the conver sion of the children. It is not merely to teach them useful, but saving, knowledge; and not only to train them up for the life that now is, but for the life which is to come. I hope that this object will ever be kept in view; and that, in all the arrangements connected with Sunday-school instruction, it will always be aimed at. Children need to be converted. As the offspring of fallen man, they are in a state of alienation from God, and are properly described as going astray from their infancy, speaking

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lies. Having been "born in sin, and shapen in iniquity," they require the transforming, the renewing power of the grace of God, to make them "meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." They are likewise capable of being converted. It is true, that some have denied this; but from their opinions I must unequivocally dissent. If by children are meant mere infants, who have not attained that age when they are capable of discerning between good and evil, then the opinion may be correct. But, certainly, it is not when applied to children after that period. Certain it is, that children have been converted in large numbers in different parts of the world. In that remarkable revival of religion which took place in Scotland, upwards of two hundred years ago, many children, from six to twelve years of age, were made the happy reci pients of the salvation of the Gospel. At one place in that country, the revival commenced among children, and sixteen of them were the precious fruits of that blessed work. In the great revival which took place in America, through the instrumentality of President Edwards, many children were made partakers of the grace of God; and President Edwards has put on record the case of a little girl who was no more than four years of age, and who was manifestly a partaker of Gospel salvation. In the interesting revival which took place in this country, under the ministry of Wesley, Whitefield, and others, very many children were brought under the influence of the saving grace of God, some of whom afterwards became eminent Ministers of Christ, and others useful members of the Christian church. It has been my honour to be engaged in revivals of religion in this and other countries; and in each of those revivals I have witnessed the conversion of many little children, whose subsequent conduct fully proved that the work was indeed divine. And in the Sunday-school connected with the place of worship at which I am at present sta tioned, upwards of fifty children and young persons, during the last two years, have become the subjects of divine grace, and have been admitted as members of the Christian church. The Scriptures, I think, teach us to expect the conversion of children in large numbers in the latter-day glory. The royal Psalmist says, "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained praise, because of thine enemies, that thou might est still the enemy and the avenger."