THE NEW YOUR ASTOR, LENOX AND J. UNWIN, GRESHAM STFAM PRESS, BUCKLERSBURY, LONDON. PREFACE. THE Christian, casting his eye back on the events of the year which is now closing, and around him on the present aspect of the world, will meet with much that is deeply interesting from its intimate relation to the work of God. INDIA is at length tranquillised; the rebel power is everywhere broken, and its forces dispersed. That which was looked for as a compensation for the horrors of the mutiny is now beginning to manifest itself. The transference of the Government from the Company to the Crown, and all the improved legislation already begun, is clearly to be traced to that awful event. Never was the British Power in India so rooted and established as now; and never had the friends of Missions such encouragement to begird themselves afresh for the Divine enterprise. CHINA is in a less satisfactory state than it was at the beginning of the year. The Mandarins have been resorting to their usual machinations, and much British blood has been wantonly and treacherously shed. There seems reason to apprehend that heavy reprisals will be made by England and France. A joint Expedition, considerably exceeding 30,000 men, is fitting out, and expected to arrive by April or May. The treaty of Lord Elgin will of course be restored, doubtless, with improvements; and the relations of the two countries placed upon sure and satisfactory foundations. AFRICA has witnessed no material change in the course of the year. Dr. Livingstone's Exploratory Expedition pursues its course with safety and success. Fresh discoveries have been made, and means are being adopted for effecting settlements in the heart of the country. All goes well at the Cape; the construction of railways and harbours advances rapidly, furnishing abundance of labour, and laying the foundations of future prosperity. Sir George Grey, the Governor, the universal favourite of the Colonists, who was recalled by the late Cabinet, in compliance with the earnest request of the people, has been restored. The cause of missions goes steadily forward; things apparently adverse have only tended to its consolidation. MADAGASCAR Still remains in the shadow of death! The poor benighted sovereign is as bigoted and furious as ever. The Christians are nevertheless firm. It is clear that the country will now remain shut till the grave shall open to receive its oppressor. AUSTRALIA Continues an object of the deepest interest. Every one of the settlements is thriving. Railways and public works are being vigorously prosecuted. Population steadily increases, and the Gold Fields continue to be productive. The Rev. Thomas Binney, who visited all the Colonies, and laboured in the chief towns and cities, every where exciting an extraordinary interest, was in various ways the means of doing much good. The safe return of that eminent manespecially as viewed in connexion with the tremendous destruction of the Royal Charter-after an absence of two years, has been matter of great joy not only to his friends and flock, but to multitudes both in the Metropolis and throughout the nation, and to none more than ourselves. The most noticeable thing in the Australian Colonies is the proceedings of Parliament in New South Wales. important body, by a very large majority, have voted the Abolition of all Grants for the support of religion. Of the ultimate success of the measure there can be no doubt. The only member of the Government re-elected, was the most decided opponent of such Grants. That SOUTH AMERICA is still the theatre of occasional bloodshed, and wide-spread misery, yet here and there openings have occurred for the preaching of the Word, and especially for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures. The Popery of the country presents the very worst type of Romanism. Nothing can exceed the darkness and the bigotry of the whole people. NORTH AMERICA remains much as at the beginning of the year. The Revival, now familiar to all, has of course ceased to attract much attention, but the work in many parts is going steadily forward. Now that there has been time to look at the thing, and compare it with the Irish movement, it seems to have been a somewhat superficial matter. The grasp it took of individuals was but feeble; society was nowhere shaken to its centre. The chief phenomena was the unparalleled spirit of prayer, but even that was so much an affair of the watch and the clock, of minute and trifling provisions, as to bring its character into question. __There was very little as compared with Ireland to bespeak either depth or power. Fear on this very ground begins to be entertained for the issue. The preaching of some of the chief men is but little fitted to abate the solicitude. They are so full of poetry and fancy that there is little room for gospel doctrine. The curse of slavery is being daily more and more felt. The thought of four millions of men labouring under the most cruel of wrongs may well render the evil doers uneasy. CANADA is in a fine condition. Nothing is wanted but people to develop its resources and share its blessings. The Congregational Union is working admirably. There are several points in its economy from which elder bodies might profit. Čoming home, the grand object of interest is IRELAND, whose peculiar and extraordinary condition has attracted the attention of Christendom. The conclusion arrived at by good men of all sects, and of all countries is, that it is in very deed the power of the Spirit of God. The work is its own witness. The impress it bears is clearly Divine. The peculiarity in this case is deserving of notice. In the days of Whitefield and Wesley the movement was beyond the pale of the church, which tended to raise prejudices against both the work and its instruments. But in this case the affair is all their own; the " stranger" has had no hand in it. SCOTLAND appears to have received some portion of the blessing. The movement is limited, but it seems real: and its subdued character is in keeping with the taste and habits of the people. ENGLAND still waits the benediction. In Newcastle and some neighbouring towns the reports are cheering. There would seem to be the commencement, at least, of a good work. It is matter for regret, however, that the thing is not spontaneous; it is the work of the "stranger," and there is reason to fear everything that bears the aspect of " getting up." Whatever appearances may obtain for a season, the benefits are seldom lasting. We attach far more importance to the fact that the whole land is more or less pervaded by an awakened spirit of piety. Viewed as a whole, our decided impression is that during the year which is now closed there has been a very considerable improvement. The year has not been without events both in and out of Parliament of an important character. Mr. E. Baines, M.P., moved for and obtained a select committee on the Bible-printing patent, with a view to its abolition next year. Evidence was being taken when Parliament was prorogued, and it will of course proceed next Session. The Lords also have moved on behalf of Church-rates. They had a committee that took evidence which was very largely one-sided: and the use which zealot clergymen have since made of it has only rendered matters worse. A very interesting event of the year is the meeting of the organization for the promotion of Social Science. While the papers read were numerous, several of the subjects discussed were of great practical importance. The great event of the year is the war of Italy, and events which have transpired since the peace. It seems highly probable that the whole Peninsula will yet be laid open to the Bible and the Missionary, and that Popery there is about to receive a blow from which it will never recover. The signs of the times are wonderful, and it behoves the people of God to understand them. J. C. |