pended in building purposes, but upwards of £130 had been subscribed, or promised, for its liquidation, the balance being hoped for as the result of the sale of tickets and collections connected with the anniversary services. The meeting was then suitably addressed by the Revs. H. Thomas, B.A., R. Fletcher, W. R. Lewis, A. Scales, W. Jarrett, T. Odell (the pastor), and H. Langlands, Esq., M.L.A. CHURCH UNION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.The correspondent of the Patriot, in a letter from Adelaide, of June 15, says :-The result, or, at least, a result of Mr. Binney's visit to this country has just been seen in the proceedings of the Diocesan Synod recently held in this city. As all was quietly subsiding again, there was a whisper that something was to be attempted, and that his Excellency would not let the matter sleep. The Synod met with open doors. There was a large gathering of Synod men, clerical and lay, and a good sprinkling of on-lookers, to see this perhaps unparalleled discussion. After the introductory proceedings, the Governor rose, and in a speech of considerable length stated the case, which may be summed up thus:-" He did not mean to attack the Church of England; but there were large numbers of persons in the colony holding the same essential religious doctrines as themselves-why could they not be allied for common religious purposes, and recognise their Ministers as de facto Ministers of actually existing bodies? Its necessity was shown by statistics, from which it appeared that the Church of England had only oneeighth of the people, the Congregationalist one-tenth, and the Wesleyan one-half. They could not ignore their existence, and it was folly to unchurch them. He trusted the policy he proposed would rid the church of some of her fetters, and place her in a position that would win the favour of her evangelical brethren. He reminded them that the eyes of the church and public were on them, and, what was more important, of a Being greater than church or public." The resolutions were as follows: "1. That in the opinion of this Synod the time has arrived for promoting Christianity and the spread of evangelical truth in South Australia, by a closer alliance between the branch of Christ's church which this Synod represents, and the other Protestant evangelical communions in this colony. "2. That the most expedient course for usefully effecting such alliance appears to be a prompt and hearty recognition on terms of equality of our Protestant Christian evangelical brethren, whether originally sprung from the Anglican church or not, as being all members of the General Reformed church of Christwith whom, therefore, we may safely and usefully ally ourselves in all good works. "That as certain difficulties, whether of law or ecclesiastical discipline, may be found to intervene between the members of the church and the adoption of practical steps desirable for effecting such alliance, a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report:1st. As to the best means of establishing such alliance. 2nd. As to the existence and nature of any impediments thereto. And 3rd. To suggest the most immediate steps for removal of all such impediments. "That a Select Committee be now appointed for the above purposes. "That the Synod vote by orders on this occasion." His Honour Sir Charles Cooper seconded the motion. In the course of the long debate that followed, some of the most noticeable features were,-The assumption throughout, on the part of all sorts of Churchmen, of the inextinguishable advantage that apostolical succession gave them over other bodies; the assumed fact that other Christians had no creed, and no orderly mode of admission to the ministry; and some plainly affirmed that Dissenters were living in a state of schism and therefore of sin; and though they would not "affirm that dissent destroyed more souls than it saved, yet if souls were saved by them, they were saved in an irregular manner!" Others admitted if it were not for the activity and zeal of other Christians, the colony would have been in an awful condition. The question of pulpit exchanges between the ministers of episcopal and non-episcopal bodies was repudiated altogether; yet this, in fact, was the gist of the whole matter, for "alliance in good works" can and does exist to a considerable degree already. The event was, that the question was negatived by a small majority. So we have only to look for the future development of the good seed sown in many hearts by Mr. Binney's presence among us. FOREIGN RECORD. AUSTRIAN CONFESSION OF ROME'S IMMORALITY.-A curious book has just appeared on the Continent, which shows that the Cabinet of Vienna has been perfectly informed regarding the misgovernment, the duplicity, and immorality of the Roman court. A few extracts will set forth the spirit of the work. "In a spiritual point of view Rome is a focus of immorality; in a temporal point of view a focus of anarchy. The inhabitants are more inclined to superstition than to religion. Government contracts inspire no confidence, for, if there is any advantage in repudiating them, they are forthwith dissolved by a Papal decree, or the conditions are altered to the great prejudice of the contractors. finances are in a worse than deplorable condition; the roguery of the Ministers, not less than their incompetency, drains the public purse. Throughout the Papal States justice is openly sold." * * The "With the exception of legions of priests, lay brothers, and fanatics, the population are not only annoyed, but irritated, and indignant against the present régime. Continual satire and an irreverent attitude against the Sovereign show the feelings of the people. What are the causes of such a state of things? Merely these new laws that reduce to the narrowest limits individual freedom and the intercourse of every-day life; the omnipotence and activity of the Inquisition, which has boundless authority throughout the country; the implicit reliance on the police, who have power to arrest people on the merest suspicion; the onerous character of the taxes; the system of the administration, which has a tendency to turn men into monks, not into citizens. These are the causes of popular disgust." * * * "Really, this city should be called Babylon, not Rome. The clerical body consists of twothirds of hypocrites and Simonians; the preachers are either indifferent or atheists." The most curious quotation is beyond doubt the following extract from a letter, addressed in 1850, by the late Prince von Schwarzenburgh, to the archbishops and bishops of Lombardo-Venetia : "Under the hypocritical pretext of reconciling liberty with the church, both the church and the clergy have been dragged into the mire. It is high time that the clergy, blushing for its past errors, and the scandalous eccentricities with which so many of its members have polluted themselves, should confine itself to its sacred duties, and should cease to be the most abject tool of social demoralization." THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.- We have been favoured with No. 20 of the Samoan Reporter, Printed and published for circulation among the friends of the missionaries, by Samuel Ella, at the London Missionary Society's Press, Leulumoega, Upolu, Samoa, South Pacific." It is very well got up and accurately printed; indeed, it would be a creditable production for an English press. It contains, first, a description of the Samoan mode of building houses; the fourteenth Annual Report of the Samoan Mission Seminary; a detailed account of the thirteenth voyage of the "John Williams " to Western Polynesia; and an article on missionary ships, describing the "Morning Star," a schooner of about 150 tons, recently purchased by the children of the United States, for the service of the American Board for Foreign Missions and the Sandwich Islands Missionary Society. Her centre of operation is the Sandwich Islands, and her visits are made to the islands of Micronesia, widely scattered in the western half of the North Pacific, and to that hitherto dark spot on the eastern border of the South Pacific-the Marquesas Islands. There is also some information as to Micronesia, meteorological observations, &c., &c. EDUCATION IN TURKEY.-According to a report made to the Minister of Public Instruc tion, there are now in Turkey 10,897 schools for Mussulmans, which are frequented by 230,545 boys, and 121,259 girls, and superintended by 11,226 teachers. There are also 2,249 schools for Christians, receiving 105,361 boys, and 7,806 girls, with 2,259 teachers. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN LOMBARDY.The Univers resumes its lamentations on the subject of the additional field afforded to Protestant propagandists by the annexation of Lombardy to Piedmont, and denounces the Ratazzi Cabinet for the liberty conceded to the agents of heresy. Their professed respect for liberty of conscience, it says, ought to have taught them to afford protection to consciences against those who, by seductions and falsehoods, spread the poison of error. Already, it declares, letters from Geneva announce that the sects of England and Switzerland are opening the campaign; that the Evangelical Society of Geneva has just sent off to Lombardy a legion of missionaries and hawkers; and that the British and Foreign Bible Society has despatched several thousand falsified Bibles and New Testaments to Milan, to be thence spread by agents through the provinces of Lombardy. THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS.-While the professed policy of the Government in religious matters remains what it was, its conduct towards native Christians has undergone a happy change. I do not think they have at present any reason to complain. Considering their numbers, I believe there are more of them in the various departments of the public service than any other class in the community. At present there are, I believe, above 500 native Christians at Allahabad, the new capital of the North-West Provinces; and of these. I suppose, three-fourths, if not four-fifths of the heads of families are in the public service. Some of the old officials are as opposed as ever to the employment of native Christians, but others are disposed to give them a fair trial. The Government, I believe, gives no orders on the subject, but leaves its servants to act as they deem best.-Letter from the Rev. J. Kennedy, of Benares, in the News of the Churches. Poetry. THE HOUSE OF PRAYER. GOD needs not in the House of Prayer Should pagan-Romish rites recall; On Calvary's mount was once for all. Crosses, and monograms, and flowers, Can never give poor sinners peace; When grace descends in heavenly showers Their wanderings and their griefs shall cease. Pictures and images are vain, They cannot purify the heart, The heavens cannot the Lord contain Your Maker, Saviour, and your King, Death and the grave shall lose their sting. Hear this, ye low as well as high, Serve Him in holiness and truth. Just out, 31st Edition; Post-free highly interesting cases to the Edition. By GEORGE THOMAS CONGREVE, Coombe Lodge, Peckham. CASE OF A YOUNG MAN AT CARLTON, BEDS. On the 8th of June in the present year I was consulted by Mr. Charles Rudd, of Carl relative to his son, a young man about 18 years of age. His symptoms were violent co night and morning, pains in the chest, difficulty of breathing, night-perspirations, los appetite, and, for a long time, loss of strength. He commenced with my medicine, strictly followed my advice; with what result will appear from his father's last letter, da September 13th: "DEAR SIR,-I write to say that your valuable medicines have now quite restored son to health. From the time he began to take them he began to mend. It was wonde to see how he changed in appearance, and also how he gained strength. He can now w all day." OBSERVE: In future, until further notice, Mr. CONGREVE will be at home on TUESD THURSDAY, and SATURDAY mornings only, until 12 o'clock; or he may be consulted any other time by appointment. LEVER JONES' £4 4s. SILVER LEVER WATCHI are selling at the Manufactory, 338, STRAND, opposite Somer House. They are very elegant in appearance, and are warranted to vary more than half a minute per week. They are jewelled in f holes, and have all the modern improvements. ONE SHILLING ab the price of the Watch being sent, in Post-office order, payable JOHN JONES, one will be sent free to any part of the Kingdom. R JONES' SKETCH of WATCH-WORK, sent free for a Twope Stamp. Revival of Religion. PROGRESS OF THE WORK. OUR readers will, doubtless, be looking for some report of progress in the great work, which, for some months past, has been going forward both in Ireland and in Great Britain. The questions which have naturally occurred to them are such as these: Is it really genuine? Is it spreading, or stationary? Is it remaining pure, or becoming mixed by fanaticism? How is it viewed by the various denominations of the faithful throughout Ireland? Is there any probability that the Divine baptism will cross the Channel, and extend to Great Britain, and countries in Europe? These and other questions are natural, and we shall endeavour briefly to answer them. All good men, and competent judges are substantially of one mind on the point of genuineness. It is fully sustained by sacred Scripture. Divine power alone serves to account for the mighty changes, which are being everywhere wrought on multitudes. The souls of men, women, and children, of all ranks and conditions, are enlightened, convinced, and converted. Great numbers are clearly the " epistles of Christ, known and read of all men." There are, indeed, those who affect to question the Divine character of the movement, and chief among them is Archdeacon Stopford, who seems to aim at the "bad eminence" of Lavington in the last century. With respect to this gentleman we have pleasure in setting forth the following letter addressed to the editor of the Daily News :— SIR,-Having read a very able and interesting article in the Daily News of August 31, on the Revival in Ireland, containing also extracts from, and observations upon, Archdeacon Stopford's pamphlet on Hysteria, I cannot but feel, in conjunction with the great majority of those who, like myself, have personally witnessed and shared in the movement, that Archdeacon Stopford's pamphlet is calculated to leave a wrong impression on the public mind. It is quite incorrect to say that sensitive women are the only subjects of the change, for there are a great number of strong men affected in every locality, and sometimes more violently affected than the women. It is also unjust to give the impression that all the cases of conversion can be reduced to Hysteria. By far the greater number of cases are either without Hysteria, or soon lose the symptoms, and the genuineness of their religion is proved by its fruits. I need not weary you with further details, but merely submit to you a statement, which, though not written at first with special reference to the Archdeacon's pamphlet, is at least a plain statement of facts from one residing and labouring in the midst of this most hopeful and genuine work. The writer has also drawn some, I trust, fair and sober inferences from those facts, and endeavoured, in the conclusion, to meet the current objections which are advanced against the real scriptural character of the movement. As you have laid before the public in such an able manner Archdeacon Stopford's side of the question, I trust you will in justice allow the other side also to be heard.-I am, &c., GEORGE V. CHICHESTER, Curate of Portrush, Ireland. 24, Duke-street, Edinburgh, Monday, Sept. 12th. STATEMENT. As much interest and excitement seem to prevail on this side of the Channel concerning the religious movement now spreading in the north of Ireland, and as various opinions have been expressed in the public journals, some of them adverse to the character of that movement, the insertion of a few remarks may possibly prove not unseasonable at the present crisis. Living in the midst of those scenes, and daily witnessing and participating in them for some months past, I may, perhaps, be permitted to add my humble testimony to that of many others, for VOL. XVI. 2 F |
