God than can ever be reasonably apprehended from obedience. Remember that you are not obliged to eat and drink unworthily; that is your concern, and you must see to it that you do not; that your views be clear, in regard to the design of the Lord's supper, and that your heart be right in its celebration. But you are obliged to eat and drink by his own positive command who has instituted the supper; and nothing but positive and absolute incapacity can excuse you. It will be well for you if you feel this; for the consequences may be most disastrous and fatal if you do not. I would not be unconnected with the visible church of Christ for the world; "were the whole realm of nature mine," on such conditions. But there is an obligation of another kind.

II. You are laid under obligation to yourselves, to join a Christian church. Every one is bound to take care of himself; to look after his own interests; to attend to his own comfort and welfare. He is so in temporal things; much more in the great concerns of the soul and of eternity. A proper regard for yourselves obliges you to join a church of Christ; because,

The health and vigour of your own personal piety demand it. You cannot be healthy and vigorous without it. You will never rise to eminence as Christians. out of the church. No one has ever done so yet; and you have no reason to suppose that you will be exceptions. The church is the Lord's garden, where the trees of righteousness grow and flourish. All persons who stand aloof from church fellowship, are in an unhealthy condition as to their piety; it would be contrary to the nature of things and to the methods of God's grace, that it should be otherwise. Those who for years have resisted all invitations and neglected all opportunities of uniting with a Christian church, bear the most painful marks of the injury their souls

have sustained by the refusal, in the deformed character and stunted growth of their religion. It is painfully possible, truly, that persons may not rise to eminence, or be in a healthy state, in Divine things, who are in full connexion with a church of Christ, and who regularly sit down at his table. Though it may be regarded as a general rule, with too many exceptions certainly, that connexion with a church, and communion with Christ at his table, is a most valuable means of grace to Christians; and the regularity and devotedness of their attendance at the Lord's supper is a most important evidence of the tone of their personal religion. The most eminent and healthy Christians, without a single exception, have the greatest love to the Lord's table; they generally find the celebration of the sacred supper the most profitable and impressive of all the means of grace on which they attend, and, of all persons, they are the most punctual and regular at the period of its celebra

tion.

The same may be said of church fellowship in general, such as churchmeetings and other opportunities of social and Christian intercourse; that the most eminent Christians are the most frequently in each other's society, and in the most intimate and affectionate union with the church of the Redeemer.

There are several other considerations, perhaps still more serious and weighty, and that press yet more heavily on your present state and future prospects: these, by the favour of the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine, I am most anxious to bring before you, as one who is really and deeply interested in your happiness, but, I confess, very much in distress about your present state, and still more in doubt and darkness about your final salvation. My paper is now full, and I wait another opportunity to address you. My Christian friends, Very affectionately yours, W. T.

VOL. XVI.

Manchester meeting, and asked the friends there to help me off; when one of the hundred sovereign men said, "I think we shall be able to do it very shortly."

Perhaps it will be this year, and I am

3 A

sure it will, if all the nation do as those friends have done whom I have lately visited.

You lately heard how we spent the Coronation day at Rochdale, now I will give you a glance of some other places.

At Stockport it was very cheering. The change here is striking, not only in the prosperity of the village, but in the way of giving to religious objects. The Independent minister, Greatbatch, told me that the first collection he made, they raised sixteen pence; but this year they raised, for the London Missionary Society alone, about sixty-six pounds; that is, just one thousand times more than they raised some years ago!

At Halshaw Moor the improvement is almost as great as it is at Stockport: indeed, it is difficult to find the Moor at all; for it is converted into fruitful fields, and pleasant gardens, and good houses, and large manufactories, and schools, and temples for the living God. Here I met with Dr. Redford, carrying out his preaching plan as proposed in your Magazine. Some friends here claimed the doctor on his own terms. Here I saw him at work; and one princely disciple has engaged to defray the doctor's expenses. I was delighted at this. It is just what is wanted; and I hope the work, now so happily commenced, will terminate only with the conversion of the world to Christ. Amen.

Leaving the kind friends in Lancashire, I proceeded to equally kind friends in Yorkshire. Our first service was, July 29th, 1838, at Selby.

In ancient times, Selby and York were the only places on the north side of the Trent which were honoured with a mitred monk. York has become an archbishopric, but the glory of Selby is departed. The riches of the Selby priesthood have been divided and subdivided until the pious and laborious curate, who does the duty, has only about 1007. per annum. Part of the cathedral is now used as the parish church. Some of the architecture is very beautiful. It is said that the western door is almost unparalleled. In this town our Missionary Thompson was born. Here the Wesleyan Missionary William Clough was born. Here also was born our beloved home Secretary. So that Selby has presented some splendid offerings to the Missionary cause. In addition to this, she has raised just double the collections of last year.

Next we went to Howden, once the residence of the bishops of Durham. I lived in their old palace, which is now cupied by two pious widow ladies-sister! From my chamber window I had a fre view of the ruins of the collegiate church. One historian says, that such is the beauty and symmetry of some parts d this ruin that there is only one building in the island which can vie with it, the is "Melrose Abbey in Scotland." J on the edge of the palace garden are the cloisters, once the studies and the dor mitories of the monks. I found this s good place for prayerful musing. O what praise is due to the God of our mercies for the light of the Reformation and a preached Gospel, and the free circulation of the Bible, and the tens of thousands of churches and chapels and barns where salvation through the blood of the Lamb is freely and fal

made known!

Missionary services were held here on the 29th and 30th of July, and the friends contributed cent. per cent. more than last year.

A new town

August 1. At Goole. springing up here, and great things may be expected. We sow seed.

Aug. 2. Tadcaster. Here a learned brother is training up a fine race of youths for eminent service.

Near this spot is "the bloody field of Towton," where five-and-thirty thensand Britons were slain in one day. Report says that for weeks after the battle, the river which runs at the bottom of the field was tinged with the blood of the warriors. How differently are our Missionaries employed! They point to blood which cleanseth from all sin; and then beat their swords into ploughshares, and convert the handles of the speart into rails for the stairs of the pulpit. Glory be to thee, O Lord!

This is

Aug. 3. Green Hammerton. a lovely spot. From its simplicity you might suppose it was a Moravian settlement; and from the general appearance of peace and comfort you might think it a Quaker village. It is worth going a long distance to attend a Missionary Meeting at Green Hammerton, for the Patriarch of the village has diffused much of his own generous spirit into the minds of the people. He has preached there thirty years, and has extended his stated labours also to another village. These united congregations raised last year, for the

This large sum, raised by a few people in a village, is a proof what will soon be done, when the Missionary spirit generally prevails.

Lord's-day, Aug. 5. Knaresborough. The services of the day were remarkable. The pious vicar was preaching in the parish church. The vicar's sisters were preaching in a school-room. The Methodists were preaching in their chapel. The Ranters were holding a camp meeting in the Castle-yard, and I was preaching Missionary sermons in the Independent Meeting. This was rather out of the common order.

The venerable Missionary Howel resides here, at the advanced age of eightyseven. He is just on the verge of heaven. I said to him, "What shall I ask the Saviour for you?" "Not to detain me here," he replied, "but to take me to himself."

From the castle you behold one of the sublimest sights which is presented in British scenery. I wanted to stop there without my dinner and feast my eyes on these wonderful works of God, but my companion drew me away.

And yet

beautiful as this sight is, I think I saw one far better; yea, one over which an angel would rejoice. It was this,-a letter with five pounds in it for the Missionary Society, with this inscription :— "A Thank-offering to God for an answer to prayer." Here were three things:

1. This person had prayed,-which many have not yet done.

2. God had answered prayer,-which he always does-in kind or in kindness, but which we often mistake or forget.

3. Here was a grateful return. Query, were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine? None returned to give God thanks-publicly-save this stranger.

The next day we held a public meeting at Harrowgate. Many dear friends from Ireland! Two strangers became

supporters of schools in India. Hallelujah!

The next day, Wednesday, Aug. 9th. Ripon. This is now a city and a bishoprick. Good chapel. Good congregation. Kind friends, and good collection.

Thursday. North Allerton. Good chapel. No debt. Parsonage-house, but no minister. Pretty town. And fifteen per cent. more than ever for the Missionary cause.

Friday. Thirsk. 1007. legacy, and twenty-five per cent. more than ever. A manufacturer offered me 201, worth of his manufacture. The Lord be praised. The time will come when "Holiness to the Lord shall be written upon the bells of the horses." Heard of two labourers called out for another missionary society. Lord, send forth labourers. Send by whom thou wilt send.

In the course of my visit, I saw a plan for supplying the widows and orphans of ministers of the West Riding with a comfortable support, and also providing comforts for aged or infirm ministers. The only thing they need to commence operations immediately is a fund of five thousand pounds, which my friends in the West Riding can raise any month of the year with as much ease as I write this statement. It will be a fine plan for others to imitate.

On the 12th and 13th we had services in York. The Friends quite surpassed themselves, and delighted us all. It appeared to me that a man who had visited St. Petersburg, and gazed on Edinburgh, and lived at Bath, and had seen York Minster, might put on his nightcap and go to sleep with the impression that he had seen the finest specimens of art that this world presents; but a York Missionary Meeting has a grandeur, and beauty, and sublimity about it which far surpasses all works of art or beauties of nature. It tells on the moral destinies of the world!

On my return home, I found that one of our friends from Russia had just called to tell us, that the emperor had ordered the sum of 50l. to be paid to her, to make up the loss she had sustained by the burning of the steamer. This is imperial!

You shall hear again soon from
Your very obedient,

RICHARD KNILL.

THANKSGIVING HYMN

FOR THE TERMINATION OF SLAVERY
IN THE COLONIES.

FATHER in heaven! our prayer hath stirr'd
Thy secret place, and hath been heard;
Vouchsafe again thine ear to bow,
And listen to our praises now.
Father thy glorious name we knew,
Powerful, and merciful, and true,
So, for our fetter'd brethren, we
Sent up the prayer of faith to Thee.

Art thou not he whose arm of yore
Brake Rahab on the Red Sea shore?
Yes, thou art he, the Lord of might
Whose deeds are wondrous in our sight.
Long was the boon we sought delay'd,
Yet still in hopeful trust we pray'd;
Now thou hast heard, the yoke is o'er,
And Britain rules the slave no more!
Hark! from the west the voice of mirth,
"Our bitter cup is dash'd to earth,
God hath arisen to judge our wrongs,
Come, praise his name with joyful songs!"
And back across the mighty sea
Sweeps our responsive melody;
"Hail, brethren, hail! the Lord to-day
Hath taken your reproach away."

We bless thee that the sufferer's moan
Had power to reach thy lofty throne;
That thou art still th' Almighty Lord,
Withoutstretch'darm, and conquering sword.
We bless thee, for the broken chain
No tyrant hand may clasp again,
Shatter'd before thy throne it lies,
And freemen midst its wrecks arise:
They rise with songs of joy to hail
Thee, sovereign Lord, who didst prevail:
So Israel sang by Mizraim's sea,-
Jehovah reigns, and we are free!
So may they sing when life is done,
Captives were we, but Christ hath won

CONSOLATION IN DEATH.

On hearing it said of an aged Member of Wycliffe Chapel, that "Although her memory failed her on almost every other subject, she retained, in a wonderful degree, large portions of the word of God." THE lamp of life burnt low and dim,

And gathering darkness round her spread, No present scenes could give delight,

And mem'ry of the past had fled.
Nor wealth nor power were hers to buy
Attendance on that dying hour,
But her lone chamber's humble walls
Were witness to religion's power.
All thoughts of time and bygone days

Had vanish'd like a passing dream,
But one bright holy thought remain'd
Triumphant o'er oblivion's stream.
"The word of God" she still retain'd,
Its praises fill'd her latest breath,
She felt its promises fulfill'd,

And clung to Gospel hope in death. The lamp that led her youthful feet,

Still brightly shone around her pillow; The lantern, that illum'd her path,

Now shed its light on Jordan's billow. Bless'd be her death, her memory bless'd,

Fain would we watch her spirit's flightView her a member of that church, Where saints and angels all unite. The word receiv'd in early youth,

At death rich consolation yields; As seed that's sown in gentle spring Shines brightest in autumnal fields. M. F. S.

triment of the work. The same calmness of mind, patience of research, freedom from party bias, precision in unravelling the mysteries of conflicting testimony, and high principle in yielding to the conclusions which truth demanded, distinguish the present as the former volume. We cannot but rejoice in the intimation, that should the "author's life be spared, and his other engagements permit his doing so, he contemplates, at some future period, the publication of another volume on the modern history of nonconformity," which would carry the narrative down to the present times. From this purpose we do trust the author will not be easily diverted, by any occupation less valuable to the church of Christ.

In the mean time, we desire to tender him our hearty acknowledgments for so well-digested a history of Nonconformity, from the period of the Reformation to the close of the Protectorate.

The present volume is peculiarly interesting, as it traces, with singular care and fidelity, the rise and progress of those despotic principles of civil and ecclesiastical rule, which, under such advisers as Buckingham, Wentworth, and Laud, disgraced the Stuart dynasty, and ultimately paved the way for its final and complete overthrow. It is certainly one of the most ominous signs of the present times, that not a few churchmen, of considerable learning and eminence, some of them occupying high places in our Universities, are endeavouring to create a sympathy in the public mind on behalf of the principles of Laud and his coadjutors; though it is a matter of stern history, that his mode of urging ecclesiastical pretensions, and his notorious attachment to the worst principles of Popery, occasioned the almost total suspension of the British constitution, and led the way to a revolution which the wise and good of every class hailed as a deliverance from the tyranny and thraldom of wicked men.

Never, perhaps, has the character of Laud been more thoroughly and impartially sifted, than by the author of the "History of Protestant Nonconformity." Dr. Price has done good service to the interests of civil and religious liberty by unmasking this foe to Protestantism, and the British monarchy. He has done it unceremoniously, but faithfully; and has thereby furnished a mirror in which many a high church bigot, stripped of Laud's power, and held in check by the spirit of the times in which we live, may see reflected his own image, and may be induced to take warning from the solemn and awakening lessons of a bygone age.

The following sketches of Laud are fully borne out by the entire conduct of that ambitious and tyrannical prelate :—“ Educated in a Protestant church, he evinced a

singular tendency of faith towards the doctrines of the papacy, and substituted for the simple rites of the former, the gorgeous decorations and superstitious observances of the latter. His habitual aim was to approximate the doctrine and worship of the English church to those of Rome. The language of Hooper, and Ridley, and Latimer was consequently abandoned, and the church of Rome was spoken of as the mother church, which retained the faith once delivered to the saints, notwithstanding her partial corruptions. The communion-table was turned into an altar, and a crucifix was frequently placed over it; pictures were set up or repaired, the apparel of the clergy was rendered more gaudy, and mystical rites were introduced in the consecration of ecclesiastical edifices."

"The invocation of saints, prayers for the dead, auricular confession, and a doctrine respecting the sacrament, scarcely distinguishable from transubstantiation, found a ready and zealous advocacy on the part of the romanizing clergy of this faction."

"Such was the opinion of Laud's Protestantism at Rome, that a cardinal's hat was tendered him on the very day he received intelligence of Abbot's death. Though he did not accept it, his refusal must have been faltering and half-hearted, as the offer was renewed a few days afterwards, and is noticed in his diary in terms which sufficiently bespeak the vacillating state of his mind. His true position, in reference to the papacy, is accurately pointed out by May, in the distinction which he institutes between the court and the church of Rome. To the former Laud was hostile, but to the latter his aversion was very limited, if it did not give place to friendship.".

"Laud's ambition and selfishness continued him a Protestant, when his general spirit, and the complexion of his theology, strongly inclined him to the Catholic church. Had the pope been as accommodating as himself, a compromise would probably have been effected, by which the church of England, retaining some of her peculiarities, would have been reunited to the papacy. But the course of events was unfriendly to such a scheme; and the countenance it received from Laud and others only served to involve their protestantism in suspicion, and to render them the objects of popular detestation. The charge of popery, therefore, as preferred against Laud, is incorrect, if it is meant to denote an acknowledgment of the pope's supremacy, and an actual reconciliation to the catholic church. But, if it is to be understood in another, and more restricted sense, it may be much more difficult to deny its truth. In every thing but the accidents of his position, Laud was a catholic. His temper and superstition, his