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God to the pulling down of strongholds: thus might they hope to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. Success in the conflict so conducted would surely follow to them whose confidence is in the Divine Spirit, and in the word of His truth: and thus captives would be delivered from the powers of darkness, and the subjects of the Redeemer multiplied. The culpable neglect, in former times, of duties and opportunities in Ireland, has left multitudes to migrate, who carry with them the delusions of Popery into every corner of England, Scotland, and the Colonies, and these propagate and sustain the superstitions and mummeries of an idolatrous priestcraft.

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The considerations which first prompted the sympathies and efforts of the friends of Ireland, in originating and supporting the Irish Evangelical Society, are not less cogent now than when the work began; and the same glad tidings of salvation remain to be proclaimed; while the promises of the Divine presence and blessing are the same, and will be as faithfully performed. Great alterations have passed on Ireland; the relations of all parties are changed; the dense masses have been thinned; multitudes have departed to distant lands, to dwell among a free people, and to enjoy greater social liberty; but they carry with them the sympathies and affections of those who remain, and some of them reflect back on the home of their fathers the greater light they now enjoy. The eight millions have been reduced by famine, migration, and other collateral causes to six, and the adherents of the Papacy have proportionably diminished. The power of the priesthood has lessened, and the pecuniary resources of their church have been equally weakened. social, commercial, and general aspects of the country have improved, and facilities for the moral and religious elevation of the people may be greatly increased. The mercantile relations of the country have widely extended, and the cities and towns in the land have shared in the benefits of increased traffic and intercourse. Cork and Belfast, Londonderry and Galway, Limerick and Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny, Queenstown and Kingstown, Newry and Armagh, Ballimena and Sligo, Carlow, Longford, Athlone, and Mullingar, have all become centres of influence, action, and diffusion, from which a Protestant evangelization should emanate and be efficiently directed. New and commodious places of scriptural worship, with all the accompaniments of Gospel ministrations and agency, ought to be provided for, or sustained in, these important localities; and then Irish Christians might be expected to reflect the grace which has been bestowed on them, and independent and reproductive organizations might be required to assume the responsibility of providing for the rural and remote regions of the whole land. It becomes the servants of God to profit from the experience of the past, and to learn new duties, even from former failures. Experiments may serve to develope well-ascertained general principles.

The Committee of the Irish Evangelical Society would gird up its energies anew for the great work assigned to them, and would hail with pleasure the co-operation of all other

Christian and kindred confederacies. They have no jealous rivalry with brethren in other associations, and would only seek to provoke to love and to good works. Especially would they welcome the English Chapel Building Society to its new enterprise. Their determination to raise and appropriate a separate fund for the building of eligible and commodious chapels in Ireland is not only generous but wise, and will excite gratitude to God in the heart of every true friend of Irish evangelization. Already this movement has been inaugurated by liberal contributions approaching to two thousand pounds, and it is reasonably hoped that shortly at least five thousand pounds will be secured as a beginning of this Christian enterprise.

The Committee of the Irish Evangelical Society would gladly proceed with concurrent energy and enlarged means of missionary activity. They are prepared to make efforts to increase their income to an adequate amount, and make their appeal to the churches and ministers of England to welcome the friends who may be deputed to visit the principal towns of the country, with a view to secure the enlarged co-operation of England and Scotland in this good work. The churches in Ireland which have been upheld and encouraged, are now vigorously discharging their relative duties, and contribute of their substance freely to the work of the Lord, in harmony with the principles and counsels of the Society. There is a greater spirit of voluntary liberality prevalent in recent times, and more self-denying co-operation among all these churches. Let them see that the brethren in the British churches continue to work with them. Let the towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire, of the west and south of England, of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee, renew their former efforts, and cordially sustain the more energetic proceedings of the Society, and doubtless the cause of Christ in Ireland will yet so prosper as to make many hearts rejoice. "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming."

CONGREGATIONAL RECORD.

THE REV. T. BINNEY IN AUSTRALIA. The Rev. Thomas Binney is once more in Sydney, having arrived here on April 29th, from Tasmania, where he had been fulfilling an engagement of a several weeks' visit. Mr. Binney's friends at the Weigh House will be glad to learn that he has wonderfully improved in health, and, as a sequence, in appearance. His visit to these colonies has proved so beneficial to his own health, and so advantageous to the various churches and societies on behalf of which he has exerted himself, that the protraction of his visit for another year would be considered as a great boon. This, however, from the engagements already made, appears impossible. While in Tasmania, the annual meeting of the Congregational Union was held, and Mr. Binney, in compliance with a request, presided. On that occasion he delivered a long and interesting speech on the proposal of the Bishop of Adelaide for a closer

union between the Protestant Evangelical Churches. This speech, I understand, is to be published under Mr. Binney's personal supervision. Since his recent arrival here, he has already delivered three sermons, and presided at a public meeting. On Thursday last he preached in the Congregational Church, Balmain, on the occasion of the recognition of the Rev. T. Arnold (who, it will be remembered, arrived here from England a few months since, having come out for the express purpose of becoming pastor of this church) as pastor of that church. In the evening he presided at a public meeting in the same place. On Sunday last he preached at the Rev. Mr. Beazley's Congregational Church, Redfern, in the morning, and in the new Mariner's Church in the afternoon, in aid of the funds of the Bethel Union. On Sunday next he is to preach a special sermon to young men, in the Congregational Church, Pitt-street. After fulfilling his present engagement in Sydney, he purposes returning to Tasmania, and from thence to Melbourne, from which he will take his departure in June or July, via the overland route, to England.-Correspondent of British Standard.

BLACKBURN.-The Rev. J. B. Lister, of Lewisham, has accepted an unanimous invitation to the pastorate of St. James's Congregational Church, Blackburn, and enters on his duties there early in July.

BROWNHILLS, NEAR WALSALL, STAFFORDSHIRE. Opening of a New Independent Chapel-June 1st, Divine service was conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Bulmer, Hammond, Bevan, Scott, and Gallaway. After dinner, thanks were presented to W. Hanbury, Esq., for the land; to Mr. Bohen for the glass; to the English Congregational Chapelbuilding Society for a grant of £25, and a loan of £25; and to all contributors. June 5th, the Revs. J. Hammond and Dr. Gordon preached. June 6th, after tea, 400 persons assembled outside the new chapel, when interesting addresses were delivered, J. Brewer, Esq., presiding. About £30 was collected at the meetings, making the whole receipts £230. Not less than £120 is still required to fit up the old chapel for a day school, and complete the premises. Any sums promised, and additional subscriptions, will be thankfully acknowledged by the Rev. D. Griffiths, Cannock, -near Stafford."

GREAT CHESTERFIELD.-On Tuesday, June 7th, the anniversary of the Congregational Chapel, Great Chesterfield, was held, when the Rev. J. Reed, of Cambridge, preached a sermon in the afternoon to a highly respectable audience. At five o'clock, public tea was provided, when 360 friends sat down. At the evening meeting, G. Livett, Esq., of Cambridge, took the chair, when animating addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Davis, of Sawston; J. R. Goulty, B.A., of Saffron Walden; Reed, of Cambridge; and J. Perkins, of Duxford; the Rev. P. J. Rutter, minister of the place, closed with prayer. A bazaar of plain and fancy articles was held in connexion with the above, which was opened at twelve o'clock, a.m., the proceeds of which are for a fund for a minister's house. The sum realised and the amount of collections far exceed expectation.

HERNE BAY UNION CHAPEL.-The friends of this chapel held a tea and public meeting on Tuesday, June 5. The public meeting was held in the chapel, and was of a very interesting and profitable character. The chair was taken by the pastor, the Rev. Thomas Blandford. After singing_and_prayer, which was offered by the Rev. Dr. Hillier, of Sandwich, Mr. R. Taylor was called upon to read the balance-sheet, which it had been announced would be presented, and from which it appeared that by the united and persevering efforts of pastor and people, and the generous, and, in some cases, repeated contributions of friends at a distance, within a period of three years and a-half, the whole debt of the chapel, amounting to more than £60, had been liquidated. Excellent addresses, especially bearing on the subject of a revival of religion, were then delivered by the Revs. J. T. Bartram, of Deal; J. Clark, of Whitstable; and J. H. Rook, of Faversham. The cause is now in a much more healthy condition than it has been for years past; the trust of the chapel is settled, the church and congregation have increased considerably, and the day and Sunday schools are in a prosperous state.

HOME MISSIONARY STATION, EASTON MAGNA, LEICESTERSHIRE.-On Lord's day, June 5th, two sermons were preached in the Independent Chapel of this village by the Rev. Charles Haddon, minister of the place, on behalf of the Sabbath schools. On the following Thursday, June 9th, a public tea meeting was held on grounds near the chapel; upwards of 150 friends sat down to tea. After the tea, a public meeting was held in the chapel, presided over by William Toller, Esq., of Kettering. Addresses were delivered by Revs. Thomas Toller, Kettering; Thomas Coleman, Ashley; and Thomas Lord, Brigstock. This cause has long been struggling for life, and endeavouring to make progress. It is hoped this expression of brotherly love on the part of surrounding ministers and people will give it an impetus.

ODIHAM, HANTS.-The ordination of the Rev. C. Horne, M.A., as pastor of the Independent church here, took place on Wednesday, May 25. The Rev. J. G. Hughes, of Maldon, the last minister of the church, delivered the introductory discourse. After the usual questions had been asked by the Rev. J. Averill, and answered by the candidate, the Rev. Thomas Adkins, of Southampton, offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. Professor T. R. Barker, of Spring-hill College, gave the charge to the minister. The Rev. R. W. Dale, M.A., of Birmingham, preached to the church and congregation. The ministers of the neighbourhood were also present, and took part in

the services.

PRESCOT.-The Rev. W. Chapman has been ordained to the pastorate of the church assembling in this town, the condition of which is very encouraging. The Rev. William Roaf delivered the introductory discourse, the Rev. John Simson asked the usual questions; after which, the Rev. W. Harcus offered the ordination prayer. The charge was delivered by the Rev. R. M. Davies, and in the evening the Rev. Dr. Raffles preached to the people. The Revs. E. Giles, E. L. Adams, and J. Brown, B.A., also took part in the services.

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Theology.

DANGERS ATTENDANT ON REVIVALS.

BY JONATHAN EDWARDS, M.A.

THERE is no question whatsoever that is of greater importance to mankind, and that it more concerns every individual person to be well resolved in, than this: What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favour with God, and entitled to His eternal rewards? Or, which comes to the same thing, What is the nature of true religion? And wherein do lie the distinguishing notes of that virtue and holiness that is acceptable in the sight of God? But though it be of such importance, and though we have clear and abundant light in the word of God to direct us in this matter, yet there is no one point wherein professing Christians do more differ one from another. It would be endless to reckon up the variety of opinions on this point that divide the Christian world, making manifest the truth of that declaration of our Saviour, "Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it."

The consideration of these things has long engaged me to attend to this matter with the utmost diligence and care, and exactness of search and inquiry, that I have been capable of. It is a subject on which my mind has been peculiarly intent, ever since I first entered on the study of divinity.

I am sensible it is much more difficult to judge impartially of that which is the subject of this discourse, in the midst of the dust and smoke of such a state of controversy as this land is now in about things of this nature. As it is more difficult to write impartially, so it is more difficult to read impartially. Many will probably be hurt in their spirits to find so much that appertains to religious affection here condemned, and perhaps indignation and contempt will be excited in others by finding so much here justified and approved. And it may be, some will be ready to charge me with inconsistence with myself, in so much approving some things, and so much condemning others; as I have found this has always been objected to by some, ever since the beginning of our late controversies about religion. It is a hard thing to be a hearty, zealous friend of what has been good and glorious in the late extraordinary appearances, and to rejoice much in it, and at the same time to see the evil and pernicious tendency of what has been bad, and earnestly to oppose that. But yet, I am humbly but fully persuaded, we shall never be in the way of truth, nor go on in a way acceptable to God, and tending to the advancement of Christ's kingdom, till we do so. There is, indeed, something very mysterious in it, that so much good and so much bad should be mixed together in the church of God; as it is a mysterious thing, and what has puzzled and amazed many a good Christian, that there should be that which is so divine and precious, as the saving grace of God, and the new and divine nature dwelling in the same heart, with so much corruption, hypocrisy, and iniquity in a particular saint. Yet neither of these is more mysterious than real; and neither of them is a new or rare thing. It is no new thing that much false religion should prevail at a time of great reviving of true religion, and that at such a time multitudes of hypocrites should spring up among true saints. It was so in that great reformation and revival of religion that was in Josiah's time, as appears by Jer. iii. 10, and iv. 3, 4, and also by the great apostacy that there was in the land so soon after his

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