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sequent to the formation of these treaties, demonstrates its good faith with regard to their execution.

I know not how this intelligence impresses the minds of Christians in England and in the United States, but I can assure you that, in this far-off land, it thrills our heart with unwonted joy, and cheers us with the most delightful anticipations. We fancy the night of our apparently unrequited toil is waning, and that our day of fruitful labour dawns apace. Our faith descries the termination of our "wilderness" sufferings, and from this mount of vision we survey our promised land of battle and Is it strange that, under conquest. such circumstances, we seek to replenish our resources, to re-adjust our armour, and rally our forces for the war? Is it surprising, as we look over our thinned ranks, and then glance at the countless hosts of the enemy, that we send back to the home churches this our urgent cry for help? Would that the appeal might be as successful as it is earnest and sincere! We proceed to notice the field before us.

At the outset, we beg to enter our protest against the omission or merely cursory perusal of the ensuing paragraphs by any of our readers.

We are

aware of the apparently invincible dryness of statistics, and of our inability to impart to mere description the freshness and power of reality; but the facts we are about to present are so intimately connected with our subject that we consider their careful study essential to its thorough appreciation. It may excite our interest to bear in mind that each unit in those statistics of population represents an immortal being, whose eternal destiny is inseparably blended with this subject; and that the facts presented refer to a country whose history, population, climate, geographical position, and internal resources combine to make it the grandest empire on which the sun ever shone. The Chinese Empire,-comprising China Proper, Manchuria, Mongolia, Ili, and Thibet,— contains an area of 5,000,000 square miles, and a population estimated at 400,000,000. Restricting our view to China Proper, we have the following:Population in 1812.

Provinces.

Pechele, or Chihli

Area in sq. miles. Northern.

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58,949 27,990,874 65,104 23,958,765 55,268 14,004,200 65,104 23,037,171

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With regard to the other divisions of the empire, we have no reliable data for estimates of area and population. The following approximate estimates on the subject have been published :-Manchuria, area in square miles, 700,000; population, 7,000,000. Mongolia, area in square miles, 1,400,000; population, 14,000,000. Ili, area in square miles, 900,000; population, 9,000,000. Thibet, area in square miles, 700,000; population, 7,000,000. The preceding figures are the approximate estimates for the four divisions of the Chinese Empire last named. It is highly probable, however, that the actual population is greatly in excess of these estimates. From these statistics we learn that the territory embraced within the Chinese Empire is considerably greater than that of all modern Europe. It comprises about one-third of the continent of Asia, or nearly one-tenth of the habitable globe, and contains within its vast area the largest amount of population and wealth ever united into one government in the history of the world. The

eighteen provinces alone contain a population equal to the combined populations of Europe, Africa, and the entire continent of America, furnishing, in fact, about one-third of the population of the globe. The preceding statistics, we trust, will receive the appreciative study of the reader. Their purport may be compressed into one sentence: Onetenth of the habitable globe, one-third of the human race.

The geographical position of China is interesting and auspicious. About one-fifth of her territory lies within the tropics; all the rest is within the

north temporate zone. She guards all

the south-eastern seaboard of a continent on which have transpired the most stupendous events of human history. Her coast is studded with the finest harbours of the world, while her majestic rivers are second only to those of the American continent. Her climate must be regarded as highly salubrious. This fact is established by meteorological statistics, by the unanimous testimony of the most competent writers on the subject, by the physique of the Chinese, and their average longevity. It would be difficult, we conceive, to find elsewhere in the world an equal

extent of unbroken territory so highly favoured in this respect.

Such is China: when cleansed from its idols, and filled with the knowledge of the Lord, it will present one of the most glorious compartments of the kingdom of God upon earth. How stupendous the undertaking! True: but the Lord of Glory is at the head of the enterprise. What is required? Prayer without ceasing! Who will offer it?Men and women! Who will offer themselves?-Money in tens of thousands sterling! Who will give it? Come and help us! A MISSIONARY.

H

The Lay Preachers' Corner.

THE vivid sketches which follow are from the pen of a Correspondent of the London Record, and as a Churchman they reflect much credit on his candour as well as his intelligence.

PROFESSOR PARK.

Among the Congregationalists I would name, for instance, Professor Park, of the Andover Seminary, Dr. Bushnell, of Hartford, and Dr. Cheever, of New York. Professor Park is a man of acknowledged abilities, and of very considerable learning. The seminary at Andover has, for many years, stood in antagonism to Princeton. Since the death of Professor Stuart, Dr. Park has been regarded as the representative of the Andover School of Theology. This school differs from that of Princeton, in that it modifies materially the Calvinistic theory. It makes much more of human agency-regards and treats the sinner as having much to do in the matter of his salvation, and dwells much less upon God's sovereignty and his electing grace. At times the controversy between the two schools has raged with not a little of violence, so that Dr. Park has acquired a good deal of reputation as a polemic. He preaches very frequently on occasions of ordinations, and dedications, and at such times he usually selects some topic which will enable him to set forth the peculiar views of his school. His discourses are argumentative, metaphysical, and didactive. They deal much more with the intellect than with the heart. His style is rather brilliant and forcible, and he is, in one sense, a popular preacher. Those who are fond of theological discussions and highly-wrought mental efforts, will seek opportunities of hearing him. It has for some time been feared that the Andover school was drifting towards Rationalism. How well grounded such fear is I cannot say, but it is certain that very much is made of intellect, the attainments of reason, and the dignity of human nature; and there is danger that these things may be confounded with that Gospel which alone is the power of

God unto salvation. Professor Park is now in the vigour of life, and may accomplish a great work amid the Unitarianism and Infidelity of New England, provided he will adhere to the simplicity of the Gospel.

DR. BUSHNELL.

Dr. Bushnell, of Hartford, is a man of much vigour of intellect, and of great originality. But his orthodoxy has been called seriously in question, and several attempts have been made to subject him to discipline. By the old school Congregationalists he is regarded as utterly unsound upon most of the great doctrines of the Gospel. It is said that his views of human depravity are very loose, that he makes but little of the agency of the Holy Ghost, and that he denies the commonly received opinions of the inspiration of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. He certainly, in some of his works, seems to make religion a mere matter of education. Many of his brethren regard his system of teaching as little, if anything, better than Unitarianism. They believe that it tends directly to that result. Were he in the Episcopal Church, he would be regarded as one of the loosest of broad churchmen. He certainly holds many things in common with that school of divines. Such men are a kind of connecting link between low orthodoxy on the one hand, and Unitarianism, Universalism, and Infidelity on the other. It is a great pity that men of Dr. Bushnell's talents and influence should occupy such an equivocal position.

DR. CHEEVER.

Dr. Cheever, of New York, is a Congregationalist, yet he has but little in common with Professor Park or Dr. Bushnell. As a preacher of the Gospel he is much more direct and distinct. He sets forth man's lost condition, the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace, and justification by faith. He holds firmly to the full inspiration of the Scriptures, and deals with them as the Word of God and not of man. In all these particulars he is unequivocal and uncompromising. He is an

exceedingly bold preacher, and shuns not to declare what he conceives to be the whole counsel of God. His fearless course has involved him in many serious troubles. Some years since, when settled in Salem, Massachusetts, he espoused, with great zeal, the temperance cause. He denounced in unmeasured terms the manufacture of, the traffic in, and the drinking of, spirituous liquors. He employed both the pulpit and his pen to set forth the heinousness of the sin. It so happened that many of his own people were obnoxious to his rebukes and reproofs, and became exceedingly exasperated with him. For something which he wrote, he was prosecuted by one of his members, and thrown into prison. But neither prison nor fines could intimidate or deter him. He bowed to the law, but continued his denunciations. Since he has been in New York, he has had much difficulty with nis people on account of the slavery question. He deems it his duty to preach, speak, and write against the sin of slavery. Some of his leading members became restive under his course, and made an effort to get rid of him, but it resulted in his getting rid of them. In dealing with the subject of slavery, he takes the Bible as his supreme authority. No man amongst us, perhaps, is so familiar with the Scriptures that bear upon this question as he is. Dr. Cheever does nothing by halves. He takes his position boldly, and stakes everything upon the issue. In manner he is very peculiar. A stranger at first would regard him as one of the most awkward of men, and yet after listening for a little time, one gets used to his outlandish gestures, and his most singular intonations. Indeed, these very things serve to heighten the effect of his sermons. He deals in argument, logic, apt illustrations, invective, sarcasm, ridicule, and humour. However much one may differ from him, it is impossible not to be deeply interested and impressed by his preaching. Besides great mental power, and a burning earnestness, there is a classic finish to his sentences which renders them peculiarly attractive.

Dr. Cheever is one of the best hated men in this country, and yet those who know him will regard him as one of the most amiable and excellent of men.

I ought, perhaps, in this connexion to speak of one other man, who though not now in active life, was formerly a great light among the orthodox Congregationalists. I refer to Dr. Lyman Beecher, the father of the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. Dr. Beecher is now very old, and seldom attempts to perform any public duty. But in his day he was one of the most brilliant and powerful preachers in this country. While in Boston he waged an incessant war with Popery and Unitarianism. His preaching then created a great sensation, and I do not think it too much to say that Unitarianism has never recovered from the blows it received at his hands. But he was not merely a controversialist-great as he was in that line-he was still greater as a preacher of the Gospel. His ministry was greatly blest, and multitudes were brought to the Saviour through his instrumentality.

I will refer to only one other person in this letter, the Rev. Dr. Huntingdon, Professor of Divinity in Harvard University. Dr. Hunt

ingdon is distinguished for his talents and scholarly attainments, but more particularly for the position he occupies with regard to Unitarianism. For some years he has been gradually leaving distinctive Unitarianism and coming upon the ground of a true orthodoxy. He is an earnest man, and longs for something which his system can never afford. His intimate friend and companion, Mr. Coolidge, has just entered the ministry of the Episcopal Church. He was for many years a Unitarian minister in Boston. But his mind was enlightened from on high, and by degrees

he was led on step by step to comprehend the Gospel plan of salvation.

It has been thought that Professor Huntingdon would follow Mr. Coolidge, but this is uncertain. But he is no longer a Unitarian. His sympathies are all with a purer faith, and he cannot well stand where he is. There are others in and around Boston who are dissatisfied with the cold and blighting influence of Unitarianism, and are seriously considering what they shall do. All such will probably sooner or later find their way to a true orthodoxy.

DR. TYNG.

Another remarkable preacher in this country, is the Rev. Dr. Tyng, rector of St. George's Church, New York. Dr. Tyng is now about sixty years of age, and has been in the ministry over thirty-five years. His early training was under the apostolic and sainted Bishop Griswold. While residing in his family, he became acquainted with the bishop's mode of conducting social services-what are now styled prayer meetings-and learned how much a faithful pastor could accomplish among his people by such informal services. After taking orders, Dr. Tyng was settled in a rural parish in Maryland for several years. He has often remarked, that while there he learned to preach the Gospel. That as most of the population of the parish were slaves, and, consequently, very ignorant, he was obliged to study the utmost simplicity of style and aptness of illustration. In no other way could he make his preaching intelligible or profitable to them.

Whatever the Doctor may have learned while in Maryland, it is certain that his preaching ever since has been distinguished for its simplicity, its directness, and its happy and striking illustrations. Quite early in his ministry, Dr. Tyng was called to a church in Georgetown, District of Columbia. He here became acquainted with Bishop M'Ilvaine, who was the rector of the other church in Georgetown. This acquaintance ripened into an intimacy which has continued ever since. They were both young, ardent, talented, and thoroughly Evangelical, and sympathised very deeply with each other. From Georgetown, Dr. Tyng was called to St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. This brought him at once into a new and much larger field of operation, where his peculiar talents and wonderful powers were rapidly developed. He found St. Paul's in a distracted and depressed condition; but, under his energetic ministrations, everything revived, and his church was soon full to overflowing. His plain and pointed style of preaching was a great novelty in that city,

and many flocked to hear him out of mere curiosity. Not a few were displeased with him-not a few opposed him; but the Lord stood by him. It was while connected with St. Paul's, that he entered upon the Sundayschool work, which has so distinguished his ministry. After serving St. Paul's for some years, he took charge of the Epiphany, a new enterprise in the upper part of the city. This afforded him a much larger field for his ministry. After the death of Dr. Bedell, Rector of St. Andrew's, Dr. Tyng was by far the most prominent clergyman of the Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. In addition to his labours as the rector of the Epiphany, he was one of the editors of the Episcopal Recorder, at that time the organ of the Evangelical party in our country. As editor, he performed a vast amount of labour, and did great service to the cause of truth. When the vacancy in the Episcopate occurred, by the resignation of Bishop Onderdonk, Dr. Tyng was the candidate of the Low Church party. When the election took place, he failed to receive the nomination of the clergy, through the defection of two or three individuals, although the laity, by a large majority, were in favour of his election. Had he consented to remain a candidate for another ballot, he would, in all probability, have been elected; but the Lord had a higher service for him than that of wearing the mitre. Just at this juncture, the excellent Dr. Milner, of St. George's, New York, was called to his rest, and Dr. Tyng was unanimously chosen to succeed him.

On removing to New York, he found himself at once amidst the excitements and conflicts which arose in consequence of the trial and suspension of Bishop Onderdonk, of New York. He immediately took ground in favour of law and order, and against the disorganising and rebellious course of Trinity Church and the Onderdonk party. This awakened the most bitter and persecuting opposition. In the Conventions of the diocese, every attempt was made to brow-beat and crush him. But they little knew the spirit of the man. This very course aroused and called forth all his mighty energies. He met them in Convention, and with an eloquence and power seldom equalled, awed them into something like good behaviour. It was soon seen that such a man could not be intimidated or put down, and it was not long before the policy of the High Church party towards him was entirely changed. Soon after his removal to New York, the vestry of St. George's resolved to remove the church to the then upper part of the city. Lots were secured, and the church edifice, Sunday-school building, and rectory were commenced, and in due time completed. It was a great undertaking, and met with a most determined opposition. But under the power of the rector's will and judgment, the enterprise was carried to a most triumphant completion; and now St. George's stands forth as the largest, grandest, and best arranged establishment in our church in this country. The church

is thronged every Sunday with from 2,000 to 3,000 persons; the Sunday schools number about 2,000; and everything indicates the highest degree of prosperity. Such is St. George's at this time;-monument of faith, zeal, and energy.

As a preacher, Dr. Tyng stands among the foremost in America. He speaks without notes; has a wonderful memory, and an almost unlimited command of language and illustration. His views of Gospel truth are clear and distinct, and in the pulpit he is always solemn, earnest, and impressive. Unlike Mr. Beecher, he confines himself strictly to preaching the Gospel-never allowing himself to be diverted by outside influences from this one great object. His instructions are sought by multitudes who do not belong to his church, and his own people place them above all price. No man is more beloved than Dr. Tyng is by his own flock. The children and youth almost idolize him.

As a platform speaker Dr. Tyng is unrivalled. The less prepared, the more wonderful apparently he is. Some of his impromptu addresses reach the highest style of eloquence. They seem like inspiration. He is grand, severe, argumentative, and playful, as occasion may require. His form is slight-his presence commanding-his actions graceful, and his voice clear and penetrating. Everybody hears him, and everybody understands him. He is never so great as when his indignation is kindled. Then the lightnings flash, and the thunderbolts are hurled in every direction, and woe to the man who gets in his way. But he is never so happy as when, in gentle mood, he tells of Jesus, and His great salvation. As age draws on, he seems more and more inclined to withdraw from everything else, and devote himself to his own people. Among them he is perfectly known and understood, and with them he is happy.

ADVICE TO PREACHERS.

1. Understand your text.

2. Confirm your view by private reference to the original.

3. Strengthen your opinion by once more reading the whole context.

4. Avoid a display of learning-criticise in the study-teach in the pulpit.

5. Divide your subject-it helps the hearers. 6. Speak in short sentences-it helps the preacher.

7. Use plain words-they are good for all sorts and conditions of men.

8. Avoid parentheses-they trouble the speaker, they puzzle the hearer.

9. Speak in the first person singularit gives reality.

10. Avoid the first person plural-kings speak thus, preachers should not.

11. Apply pointedly-all within the church walls are not of the church of Christ.

12. Rebuke boldly.

13. Warn lovingly.

14. Encourage heartily.

15. Preach frequently with your tongue.
16. Preach always by your life.
17. Honour the Holy Ghost.

18. Remember your Master. Seek His glory, not your own.

Old John Owen says somewhere: "To preach the Word, and not to follow it with prayer constantly and frequently, is to believe its use, neglect its end, and cast away all the seed of the Gospel at random." 1 Cor. i. 21.

As a pendant to the above we give the fol

lowing rules, set down, we believe, by a preacher from his own experience:

1. Resolve to be brief, as this is an age of telegraphs and stenography.

2. Be pointed: never preach all around your text without hitting it.

3. State your proposition plainly, but do not stop long to particularize.

4. Avoid long introductions: but plunge into your sermon like a swimmer into cold water.

5. Condense; make sure that you have an

idea, and then speak it right out, in the plainest, shortest, possible terms.

6. Avoid all high-flown language; quote no Hebrew or Greek; aim to be simply a preacher.

7. Be honest enough to own that you do avail yourself of help from any source. But in using helps, be sure you never make stilts of them, when your own legs are far better.

8. Expect the Father's blessing; you are His servant, and can do nothing without it, 9. Stop when you are done,

Literary Notices.

Memoir of the Rev. E. Henderson, D.D., Ph. D. Including his Labours in Denmark, Iceland, Russia, &c., &c. By THULIA S. HENDERSON. Knight and Son.

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To the volume is prefixed a beautiful portrait of a beautiful character,—a striking image of that countenance which cheered and charmed every beholder. What Burke said of Fox may be far more correctly said of Dr. E. Henderson, "he was made to be loved." Intelligence, integrity, benevolence, Christian philanthropy, inward happiness, and much besides in affinity therewith, all beamed forth from his noble presence wherever he appeared. Simply to see him, even for the first time, was to love, trust, and admire. It may be doubted if any man ever made friends more rapidly, or more surely retained the friends he had made. Everything about him was indelibly stamped by thorough truthfulness. He was an embodiment of reality. Watering, lacquering, and paint had no place in him, or in aught that appertained to him. All was gold seven times purified. Time and improved acquaintance only served to reveal fresh worth. Each new development was but a discovery of further excellence. We well remember his visit to Scotland in 1810, where, in boyhood, we hung upon his honied lips, as he captivated a great assembly by detailing the facts of his journies throughout the north of Europe to promote Bible circulation. He was then in early youth, and one of the most interesting objects that the eye could light upon. We saw him no more till 1828, when it was our happy lot to spend a lengthened period under his roof, and to mingle freely with that circle which was graced and guided by

the gifted and admirable woman who survives him.

But we must stop: our business is not to write a memoir, but call attention to that of his incomparable daughter, who has performed her task in a manner worthy of her sex, her relation, and her genius. Miss Henderson, although, from her extreme modesty, which prompts a strong preference for the anonymous, it is not generally known,occupies a first place among the literary ladies of England. None of her compeers have written so much, or written so well; and the theme is always worthy of the execution. With her, beyond all the sisterhood, the creations of fancy are rendered subservient to the dictates of Inspiration. All her trees have been plants of Paradise.

The advantages of filial biography, which are, doubtless, great, are heavily purchased. In order to a full-orbed character, much often requires to be said which a son or daughter may hesitate to utter. Seldom, however, has this been less the case than in the present instance. The life and labours of Dr. Henderson were from first to last marked by a special unity. The object of all his travels was to spread the Word of Life; the object of all his studies was to disclose its treasures. The travels, however, abound in fact and incident, which are here set forth with the skill of a practised pen, forming a narrative, or a series of narratives, which will be read with unmingled pleasure. The Professorship, with its adjunct efforts, still more circumscribed the Doctor's sphere of action. The labours of whole years are often narrated in a sentence. Yet even here the diversity is considerable, as the industry was admirable. As the head of a family, as a leader in Israel, as a scholar, and as a tutor, he

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