SOMERSET AUXILIARY.

ON Tuesday, the 9th of October, the twenty-sixth General Meeting of this Society was held at the Rev. T. Golding's chapel, at Fulwood, near Taunton. The meeting was favoured with the valuable assistance of the Rev. Richard Knill, who attended as the deputation from the Parent Society; and also of the Rev. Dr. Styles, of London; the Rev. Mr. Gregory, of Hope Chapel, Bristol; and other esteemed Ministers, who advocated the cause of the London Missionary Society with the most pleasing effect. The morning service commenced with reading and prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Gregory; after which, the Rev. Mr. Knill delivered a most interesting discourse in his usual affectionate and impressive manner, and the Rev. Dr. Styles concluded. A public meeting was held in the afternoon, when prayer having been offered by the Rev. J. Baynes, (Baptist Minister,) of Wellington, Thomas Thompson, Esq., of London, the excellent Treasurer of the Home Missionary Society, who kindly attended on the occasion, was requested to occupy the chair. The Report was then read by the Rev. John Davis, of Taunton, and a statement of the previous year's contributions of the Auxiliary given by the Rev. T. Golding, the Secretary; after which, the several resolutions were successively moved and seconded by the following ministers the Rev. T. Luke, and Rev. E. James; Rev. R. Knill, and Rev. W. Gregory; Rev. Dr. Styles, and Rev. John Davis; Rev. J. C. Hine, and Rev. G. Cave; Rev. J. Bishop, and Rev. J. H. Cuff. The meeting was closed by singing the usual doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," &c. The services were extremely well attended; and as the whole assembly appeared to be highly gratified and delighted by the interesting and impressive addresses of the Rev. Mr. Knill and the other gentlemen who spoke on the occasion, it is devoutly hoped that much and lasting good to many will be the happy result.

The Meeting felt much sincere pleasure in being favoured with the company and valuable assistance of Mr. Thompson the Chairman. The Secretary having expressed his anxious desire and hope that the contributions from this auxiliary for the current year might considerably exceed those of the last, Mr. Knill, on commencing his speech, said, he most heartily joined in Mr. Golding's wish for an increase of contributions; and, referring to his recent visit to

Devonshire, said, he was happy to state that the collections in many places in that county had increased fifty per cent. this year over the year preceding, and in some instances had been doubled. This hint was kindly caught by the audience, and happily the amount of the collections at the close of the day was even more than double what had been collected at that place for the Missionary Society the previous year. As Mr. Knill has engaged to visit the associated congregations throughout the county in November, this instance of liberality in the first he has attended, is an encouraging example as to what he may hope for in many others.

FRANCE.

Extracts of a Letter from a French Protestant Minister, resident in the South of France, to a relative in England, dated August 15, 1838.

On

It is not only in England, but everywhere, that the Jesuits exert themselves. In England, a Protestant land, where every one is not acquainted with their deceitfulness and absurd superstitions, it should excite no wonder that some are caught in their net. But in France the Jesuits can only stimulate to a higher pitch the cruel fanaticism of some of the Catholics. Among the Protestants they have no success. the contrary, they are the Protestants who increase in number. Entire villages embrace, en masse, the reformed religion. The Catholics replunge deeper than ever into their impious superstitions. The Virgin Mary receives from them the most homage. It is to her, almost exclusively, that they address themselves; calling her, the Queen of Heaven; the Door of Salvation; the Refuge of Sinners; in short, she is their goddess. Alas! alas! they fulfil the Scripture which saith, "They worshipped the creature more than the Creator !"

All the religious Societies of Paris, and of the Departments, are in great prosperity. The true unity, that of the Holy Spirit, ties together more and more the Protestants in all parts. During the past fifteen years, piety has made immense progress in France. Dear English! it is you whom God has employed to re-animate our Fathers. The blessing of the Lord God be upon you. All the French Christians press you to their hearts.

AFRICA.

THE LATE DR. VANDERKEMP.

Copy of an Original Letter of the late Dr. Vanderkemp, Missionary of the London Missionary Society in South Africa.

Bethelsdorp, Nov. 14th, 1810. MY VERY DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST,I thank you for your kind remembrance of me in your letter to our dear brother Read, in which you express your desire to be informed about Mr. Wesley's doctrine of Christian perfection. Brother Read, I suppose, will communicate to you his. As to my own, I am so ignorant of Mr. Wesley's true sentiments, that it would be presumptuous in me to pass a final sentence on the subject. I perused Mr. Benson's "Apology," with some attention, in hope of finding his doctrine of perfection distinctly defined, but was disappointed, and found myself rather more in the dark than before. Besides this, it is of little importance to know what fallible men have taught, as we have better guides, viz., the Bible and God's Spirit. If we will consult the first under the direction of the last, we shall learn that, on this side of the grave, no saint is without sin, 1 John i. 8, though he be perfectly justified by the blood of Christ, 1 John i. 7, and, being born of God, committeth no sin, 1 John iii. 9; because, according to St. Paul's explanation, Rom. vii. 16-18, if he does that which he would not, after the inward man, it is no more he that doeth it, but sin that dwelleth in him; that is, in his flesh. Here is perfection and imperfection, but such as are common to all believers; whereas the perfection, of which Mr. Wesley speaks, seems to be (if I am not mistaken) a peculiar privilege to some eminent saints, and a certain degree of holiness which Christians of inferior note do not attain. This degree of holiness must, of course, accurately be determined, before we can pretend it is attainable in this life; for as to such a perfection as excludes all sin, and leaves not the least trace of our original corruption, I do not believe that good Mr. Wesley, or any other Methodist, ever maintained that it could take place in his body of death, from which St. Paul so earnestly prayed to be delivered, Rom. vii. 24. This, too, would be so contrary to the plain dictates of the word of God, which declares that in many things we all offend, James iii. 2; and that if Christ be in us, the body is dead because of sin, Rom. viii. 10. Nor would it be less contrary to the experience of every Christian, who, the more he grows in grace and knowledge, the more he discovers the abominable depravity

of his own heart. I must further observe, that the whole dispute about perfection appears to me as unprofitable and childish as the question proposed to Christ, Luke xiii. 23, Are there few that be saved? and I think that the wisest answer that can be given to a person who should ask us, Can perfect holiness be attained in this life? would be one which should be parallel to the Saviour's reply, "Strive you to press forward towards perfection, as the mark of God's high calling in Jesus Christ; in whom alone that perfection which we aim at is to be found, and which we shall infal. libly attain when we shall be like him." 1 John iii. 2. If we then be risen with Christ, let us seek those things which are above, where Christ is, viz., perfection, and not the things on the earth.

May the God of all grace grant us this inestimable blessing! Such is the earnest prayer of your

Sinful and very imperfect,

Though affectionate Brother and Servant, For Christ's sake,

J. T. VANDERKEMP.

COWPER'S ADVICE TO A YOUNG MINISTER ON HIS ORDINATION.*

Westminster, Aug. 2, 1793.

I am glad that your auditors find your voice strong and your utterance distinct; glad, too, that your doctrine has hitherto made you no enemies. You have a gracious Master, who, it seems, will not suffer you to see war in the beginning. It will be a wonder, however, if you do not, sooner or later, find out that sore place in every heart which can ill endure the touch of apostolic doctrine. Somebody will smart in his conscience, and you will hear of it. I say not this to terrify, but to prepare you for that which is likely to happen, and which, troublesome as it may prove, is yet devoutly to be wished; for, in general, there is little good done by preachers till the world begins to abuse them. But understand me aright. I do not mean that you should give them unnecessary provocation, by scolding and railing at them, as some, more zealous than wise, are apt to do. That were to deserve their anger. No; there is no need of it. The self-abasing doctrines of the Gospel will, of themselves, create you enemies; but remember this, for your comfort, they will also, in due time, transform them into friends, and make them love you, as if they were your own children. God give you many such; as, if you are faithful to his cause, I trust he will.

* Grimshawe's Cowper, Vol. v. p. 167.

AFRICA.

THE LATE DR. VANDERKEMP.

Copy of an Original Letter of the late Dr. Vanderkemp, Missionary of the London Missionary Society in South Africa.

Bethelsdorp, Nov. 14th, 1810. MY VERY DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST,— I thank you for your kind remembrance of me in your letter to our dear brother Read, in which you express your desire to be informed about Mr. Wesley's doctrine of Christian perfection. Brother Read, I suppose, will communicate to you his. As to my own, I am so ignorant of Mr. Wesley's true sentiments, that it would be presumptuous in me to pass a final sentence on the subject. I perused Mr. Benson's

Apology," "with some attention, in hope of finding his doctrine of perfection distinctly defined, but was disappointed, and found myself rather more in the dark than before. Besides this, it is of little importance to know what fallible men have taught, as we have better guides, viz., the Bible and God's Spirit. If we will consult the first under the direction of the last, we shall learn that, on this side of the grave, no saint is without sin, 1 John i. 8, though he be perfectly justified by the blood of Christ, 1 John i. 7, and, being born of God, committeth no sin, 1 John iii. 9; because, according to St. Paul's explanation, Rom. vii. 16-18, if he does that which he would not, after the inward man, it is no more he that doeth it, but sin that dwelleth in him; that is, in his flesh. Here is perfection and imperfection, but such as are common to all believers; whereas the perfection, of which Mr. Wesley speaks, seems to be (if I am not mistaken) a peculiar privilege to some eminent saints, and a certain degree of holiness which Christians of inferior note do not attain. This degree of holiness must, of course, accurately be determined, before we can pretend it is attainable in this life; for as to such a perfection as excludes all sin, and leaves not the least trace of our original corruption, I do not believe that good Mr. Wesley, or any other Methodist, ever maintained that it could take place in his body of death, from which St. Paul so earnestly prayed to be delivered, Rom. vii. 24. This, too, would be so contrary to the plain dictates of the word of God, which declares that in many things we all offend, James iii. 2; and that if Christ be in us, the body is dead because of sin, Rom. viii. 10.

Nor would it be less contrary to the experience of every Christian, who, the more he grows in grace and knowledge, the more he discovers the abominable depravity

of his own heart. I must further observe, that the whole dispute about perfection appears to me as unprofitable and childish as the question proposed to Christ, Luke xiii. 23, Are there few that be saved? and I think that the wisest answer that can be given to a person who should ask us, Can perfect holiness be attained in this life: would be one which should be parallel to the Saviour's reply, "Strive you to press forward towards perfection, as the mark of God's high calling in Jesus Christ; in whom alone that perfection which we aim at is to be found, and which we shall infal libly attain when we shall be like him." 1 John iii. 2. If we then be risen with Christ, let us seek those things which are above, where Christ is, viz., perfection, and not the things on the earth.

May the God of all grace grant us this inestimable blessing! Such is the earnest prayer of your

Sinful and very imperfect, Though affectionate Brother and Servant, For Christ's sake,

J. T. VANDERKENF.

COWPER'S ADVICE TO A YOUNG MINISTER ON HIS ORDINATION.*

Westminster, Aug. 2, 1793.

I am glad that your auditors find your voice strong and your utterance distinct; glad, too, that your doctrine has hitherto made you no enemies. You have a gracious Master, who, it seems, will not sufer you to see war in the beginning. It wil be a wonder, however, if you do not, sooner or later, find out that sore place in every heart which can ill endure the touch of apostolic doctrine. Somebody will smart in his conscience, and you will hear of it. I say not this to terrify, but to prepare you for that which is likely to happen, and which, troublesome as it may prove, is yet devoutly to be wished; for, in general, there is little good done by preachers till the world begins to abuse them. But understand me aright. I do not mean that you should give them unnecessary provoca. tion, by scolding and railing at them, as some, more zealous than wise, are apt to do. That were to deserve their anger. No; there is no need of it. The self-abasing doctrines of the Gospel will, of themselves, create you enemies; but remember this, for your comfort, they will also, in due time, transform them into friends, and make them love you, as if they were your own children. God give you many such; as, if you are faithful to his cause, I trust he will.

Grimshawe's Cowper, Vol. v. p. 167.