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exchanged knowledge for ignorance, freedom for oppression, and a purer Christianity for corruptions, antichristian and absurd,

"IX. That the Reformation having promoted the recognition of the great principles which this meeting maintain, has (aided by the art of printing,) eman. cipated many nations from such superstitions and tyranny; has bestowed on the people constitutional freedom, and restored to magistrates lawful authority; has burst asunder the fetters which enchained the human mind; has ameliorated the destiny even of those countries which have not yet yielded to its influence; and has contributed to that improvement in social happiness at which this meeting can rejoice: although society may not yet have attained that state which Piety must desire, and Philanthropy approve.

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"X. That, without conferring any excessive praise on Luther, Melancthon, Zuinglius, Calvin, and the band of brethren who originated and promoted this beneficent event, and without applauding all their conduct, or all the doc trines which they taught, this meeting must regard them as great among the greatest of mankind; must recollect with astonishment and admiration their talents, their industry, their zeal; and must recommend to their children, and their children's children, an imitation of their dauntless courage, their steady perseverance, and that unintimidable obedience to the dictates of their sciences, which they nobly displayed. "XI. That whilst this meeting render cordial homage to the memory of illus trious men, who were the ornaments of other countries, they never can forget those men of great and kindred minds, who, in their native land, amidst darkness, obloquy, proscription and death, proclaimed the same great truths, and by whom equal triumphs were obtained; and that to the wondrous and intrepid Knox, in Scotland; to Tyndale, Latimer, and the holy martyrs and confessors of the English Church, they would thus rear a monument on which they would record their veneration and esteem.

"XII. That this meeting are exhilifated by intelligence, that during this tri-eentenial year, similar sentiments have been expressed by the Protestants who cultivate those German plains where the Reformation so happily began; and learn with joy, that approximating towards each other with liberal and enlightened minds, they are adding dignity to the common cause of the Reformed, and are preparing its further successes

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by their augmented anion, and well regulated zeal.

"XIII. That this meeting, convinced that the principles of the Reformation promote individual happiness and social peace, nurture inquiry, and bless mankind, exhort those great nations, who in Europe and America profess a congenial faith, to cherish those principles with aw unabated ardour, appropriate to their worth; to transmit them with hallowed reverence to their posterity, and to protect those who also cherish them in other countries from all persecuting Powers: and that such attention they now especially invite, when monastic institutions are restored, when dangerous societies are revived, when the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment, is forbidden, and when Inquisitions are continued, or re-established, to perpetuate the empire of delu sion, by imprisonment, by torture, and by death.

"XIV. That, amidst their own security and satisfaction, this meeting feel the deepest interest for those smaller and less protected communities, who, amidst the villages of Piedmont, in the kingdom of France, or throughout the earth, exist in nations generally hostile to their faith; and that to them this meeting would address assurances of the kindliest sympathy, and of fraternal love.

"XV. That whilst this meeting thus celebrate that Reformation whose influence they desire should be co-extensive with the globe, they seek for that extension only by the energy of argu ment, and through the force of truth; and towards those Catholics whose errors they regret, and whose principles they disapprove, they disclaim all senti ments which Christian charity could censure, or religious freedom would condemn.

“XVI. That this meeting cannot but cordially express pre-eminent delight, that his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex has condescended to preside upon this great occasion; nor can they but announce their unaffected joy, that he has thus demonstrated that his Royal House remain firmly attached to the great principles established by the Reformation, and to that Protestant faith which their ancestors therefore long and strenuously maintained; and upon which they were called to the throne of these realms.

"XVII. That these Resolutions be

printed, and be advertised in the principal Papers and Publications in Great Britain, Ireland, America, and on the Continent of Europe, at the discretion of the Committee."

The thanks of the meeting were also returned to the Rev. F. A. Cox, of Hackney; with whom, and some of his friends, the proposal for the commemo. ration originated.

The speech of the Rev. Dr. Newman having been printed very imperfectly in the public papers, we are desired to insert the following.

In proposing the 7th Resolution, "The Rev. Dr. Newman congratulated the meeting on having in the chair an illustrious member of the illustrious House of Brunswick, which he ascribed to the Reformation. He congratulated, also, his Royal Highness, on his being surrounded by a most respectable num ber of our fair country women: this, also, be ascribed to the Reformation. Voltaire had said with a sneer, that Europe owed half its Christianity_to_women! The principles of the Reformation were stated to be, the supremacy of Christthe spirituality of his kingdom-the suf ficiency of the merits of Christ-the sufficiency of the scriptures the right of private judgment-and the right of public profession and worship-He said he should make but one observation-that we must either stand still, or go back, or go forward. Can we stand still, and see with indifference all the southern states of Europe still unreformed? Will the Pope stand still? Will the Jesuits? Will the Inquisition? If Wickliffe and Luther were now with us, would they stand still?

"Or, shall we go back? He reminded the meeting of the rebellion in Devonshire in the days of Edward VI, when an armed multitude went out with their priests, who carried a crucifix in a cart under a canopy, and having increased to the number of ten thousand, proceeded to dictate terms to the government in fifteen articles; of which the 10th was, "We will have the Bible, and all books of scripture in English, to be called in again; for we be informed, that otherwise the clergy shall not of long time confound the heretics." He exhorted the meeting to reflect before they de termined on going back, on all that the Reformation had done for religion and morals-science and literature-trade and commerce-public peace and domestic comfort-and for civil and religinus freedom.

"If we go forward, he observed, this is what the reformers intended. This we owe to the House of Brunswick, and especially to our venerable King, whose benevolent wish, worthy of an enlight ened monarch, was now in the mouth

of every one, viz. That every child in his dominions might be able to read the Holy Scriptures. Above all, that we owe it to Him from whom all blessings flow' to go forward."

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY,

ON Thursday evening, January 22, 1818, three young men were set apart as missionaries at the Rev. Mr. Lewis's chapel, Islington, The Rev. Mr. Bur der, in giving the charge to the young men, mentioned that the directors of the Missionary Society had, on the preceding Monday, received a letter from Otaheite, containing the most pleasing intelligence; it had been eighteen months coming. He said, all we had heard before was true, and a great deal more. He said, that idol worship had entirely ceased at Otaheite and Eimeo, and that it was falling in several other islands; and more than this, the King of Otaheite had sent all his family gods (which have been in his family for ages and generations) to the missionaries, desiring them to do what they pleased with them, either to burn or to send them to the Missionary Society, to shew the English what foolish gods they used to worship. Mr. Burder said, they were at present nailed up in a box, but that he hoped soon to have them in the Old Jewry.

LOAN FUND.

WE have received several letters, from respectable correspondents, upon the subject of the proposal for a "Loan Fund," published in our Magazine for August last. The utility and necessity of some such plan appears to be generally admitted, in order to prevent the religious mendicity which at present prevails; but, we very much fear, that the benevolent exertions which are required to raise a fund sufficient to remove this evil, will not be found. If, however, persons who worship in com fortable meeting-houses, were to consider how much our forefathers paid in fines during the reign of Charles II, for violating the regulations of the Conventicle Act, (thanks to an indulgent Providence, now mercifully repealed,) we have no doubt, but a much larger sum might be easily collected. Let but an appeal be made by all our ministers once a year, upon the ground now mentioned; telling their hearers that "other men laboured, and that we are entered into their labours," and are reaping the harvest in peace, the precious seed for

which was "sown in tears;" and we|mington, and formed into a separate

are much deceived if the Loan Fund" would not be so liberally and bountifully supplied, as that persons might be ac commodated without paying even 3 per cent. interest: and in cases of great necessity, annual grants might be voted, not as loans, but as donations.

We understand, that the committee of the "Loan Fund" are patiently persevering, and that they have obtained some respectable annual subscriptions towards the proposed object. They have also received several pressing applica

tions from churches, and the offer of responsible persons to give the required security for returning the money to be lent them, by 10 per cent. annually upon the capital, and 3 per cent. in. terest. The first five applications might be relieved with a sum not amounting to 700l.; and could the committee commence with these, they feel assured, that the proposed plan would be found both practicable and beneficial; the evil universally complained of would be immediately checked, and ultimately be entirely removed.

Communications respecting the Loan Fund might be made either to J. Marshall, Esq. Holborn, Treasurer, or to Mr. J. Dawson, Hunter-street, Secretary.

ASSOCIATION.

WILTS AND SOMERSET. THE twenty-third meeting of the Wilts and Somerset Association was held at Bradford, Oct. 1, 1817. Mr. Phillips, of Penknap, preached in the morning, from Eph. iv. 20, 21; Mr. Winter, of Beckington, in the afternoon, from Colos. iii. 14; and Mr. Porter, of Bath, in the Levening, from Isaiah, xxviii. 16. The brethren Ayres, of Keynsham -Hinton, of Beckington James, of Devizes Coombs, of Bradford-Butcher of Trowbridge and Roberts of Shrewton, engaged in the devotional parts of the serThe next meeting to be held at Calne, on Wednesday in the Easter week, Mr. Porter of Bath to preach.

Vice.

NEW CHURCHES FORMED.

BEAULIEU RAILS.

THE gospel was introduced here about seven years since by Mr. Giles, and some brethren of I.ymington, from whence it is five miles distant: it has been attended with considerable success. A place of worship has been erected, which will contain 200 persons, about 30 of whom have been baptized. October 7, these were dismissed from Ly

church. Messrs. Giles, Clay, and Dore, were engaged in the religious services of this pleasing solemnity. The two latter are engaged to supply them till they shall be directed to a pastor.

ASHLEY.

Tuis. too, is a village in the vicinity of Lymington, five miles in an opposite direction, in which the gospel began to be preached three years since, and under a Divine influence, it has been the power of God to the salvation of many: about 25 persons have been baptized here. October 27, these also were dismissed from Lymington, and formed into a church, by Mr. Giles, at Ashley. Here they assemble in a cottage, which has been converted into a house for God. October 29, Mr. Rutter, a member of the church at Lymington, having received an unanimous invitation to the pastoral office, was ordained over this infant interest. Mr. Bulgin, of Poole, introduced the service, by reading and prayer; after which he described the nature of a gospel church, proposed the usual questions, and received Mr. Rutter's confession of faith. Mr. Giles prayed the ordination-prayer, with laying on of hands; and gave the charge, from Titus, i.7; Mr. Saffery, of Salisbury, preached to the church, from Isaiah, xxx. 20, and concluded. The primitive circumstances of this church worshipping" in the house" where it was first collected, on a wild heath, amidst a few scattered cottages, and the simplicity and fervour of the worshippers, rendered this a peculiarly interesting occasion. Mr. Giles, who baptized more than 100 persons within the 7 or 8 years of his residence at Lymington, has since removed to Chatham, where we hope he will be yet more useful.

Poetry.

On contemplating the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, in the Henriade of Voltaire.

Weep not, although we draw a scene for tears, Christians, nor let your anger rise, nor fears But let your reason watch, thro' future times, The dark proceedings of the church of crimes. For many feign, (to hide their well-caused'shame) That Antichrist is harmless now, and tame : Satan is harmless, then, and hell reformed; Because their priestly citadel is stormed.

So lay the serpent frozen on the plain, Harmless, until he felt the heat again: When soon he hiss'd, and, darting out his sting, At his too blind protector made a spring. So would that church command by sword and flame, For Popery will ever be the same.

London Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-Street, Soho.

R. T.

THE

Baptist Magazine.

MARCH, 1818.

MEMOIR OF MR. HANSLO,

MENNONITE MINISTER.

To the Editors of the Baptist Magazine.

HAVING in my possession a scarce print of "REGNIER HANSLOE, an Anabaptist Minister, and his WIFE," engraved by Boydell, in 1781, from a celebrated painting by Rembrant, I desired my friend, the late Rev. W. H. Rowe, of Weymouth, to furnish me with some account of Mr. Hansloe, if he met with any, in the "Dutch Martyrology:" a work which I knew he was consulting to ascertain the history of baptism among the Mennonites in Holland.* After some time, he sent me the following, dated October 31, 1816. "I enclose you the Memoir of Mr. Anslo. There is but little said of him generally; and the Socinian dispute in which he was engaged with Obbentz is not of much importance to us. The scarcely worth your perusal: but I could not go beyond my means. translation is a hasty one: I have merely conveyed the sentiments, without regard to elegance of language." I think it desirable that this should be printed in the Magazine just as Mr. Rowe sent it from which the reader will discover what a loss the denomination has sustained by IOTA. the premature removal of this excellent man.

THE REV. Mr. HANSLO was born in 1592, and died 1646, consequently lived fifty-four years. He was a very zealous and faithful teacher in those united churches of the Mennonites, in which the famous Lubbert Gerritsz [as we have mentioned in its place] had before exercised the ministry of the gospel; and was colleague of Mr. Huseling, of whom we have spoken in the preceding chapter, who, however, was called to the ministry later than Mr. Anslo. The day of his birth, as well as that of his death, as also, when

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It is

he was called to the ministry, is not accurately known.

This reverend man bore the affixed name of Anslo, [the original name was Klaas,] as I am informed by his highly respectable descendants, who now reside in Amsterdam; from the circumstance of his ancestors coming from Anslo, or Aslo, or, as it is sometimes called, Obslo, and Opslo, a town in Norway, over against the castle of Aggerhuys, whence the bishoprick of Obslo, the most south-easterly of Norway, derives its name. This town, Anslo, or

Mr. Rowe had compiled a volume on this subject, of considerable size. Query. Could not this be published by subscription for the benefit of his Widow?

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of

Obslo, was destroyed by a dread-
ful fire in the reign of Christian
IV. king of Denmark, which
prince rebuilt it, and from that
time has been called from him,
Christiana and Christianstad.
Klaas Anslo was a very grave,
devout, virtuous, and persevering
teacher; orthodox in doctrine,
and sound in life; edifying every
one whose heart was interested
in religion, by his exemplary
walk; favoured by God with
superior talents, and endowed
richly with temporal goods, of
which he made a becoming and
Christian use, in relieving the
poor and the distressed in their
pressing needs and distresses,
judging that his office and his
preaching united to do to his
neighbour what he was preaching
to others, and what he should
wish, were he in distress, that
others would do to him. Thus
he has left behind him a good
report with all godly persons;
moreover, like all pious witnesses
for Christ, he had to endure the
reproaches of depraved and ill-viously, the unspiritual, errone-
disposed persons.

very showy sort of style, and also
of 29 questions, designed as an
inquiry into the nature and power
of the sacred scriptures, or
the written word of God. To
which is affixed, a number of
instances, of all descriptions of
writers, with which the author
of this work strives to confirm his
opinions on this point, being of an
opinion directly opposed to that of
John Rees, Wybrandez, Huseling,
and Klaas Anslo, and likewise of
all orthodox and scriptural di-
vines, that there was no other
wordofGod thanthe written books
of the sacred scriptures, that is,
the spoken word of God, by which
God brings men to repentance
and the new birth, denying more-
over the efficacious co-operation
of the Holy Ghost, and holding,
that what is otherwise understood,
are the sentiments held by the
Swinterveldians, enthusiasts, and
followers of Thomas Munzer.

This work, together with its singular title, and the florid style of the writer, discovering, ob

ous author, and that his ignorance of the subject of divine influence was equal to that of Nicodemus, occasioned great confusion in the church. Hence, the other ministers, with the mi

judged it best, in order to the promotion of rest, and the welfare of the society, to have an interview with Nittert Obbensz, in order to converse in a friendly way on this subject; and we will give some detail of the manner in which these divines conducted themselves.

Of his writings, concerning the ministry and divinity, nothing more has come to hand than what was published by him, in conjunction with other ministers, on the frequently mentioned affair of Nit-nisters generally of other churches, tert Obbensz. The vain notions and restless conduct of this Nittert Obbensz, made in 1625, and some following years, very many disturbances in the united Waterland churches of the Mennonites, meeting at Amsterdam, in the Spyker [warehouse,] when Obbensz published a writing under the title of Raag-bezem [the broom], &c. made by Nicodemus, letter slave of legal mind." This work consists of a very long preface, in which the reasons of the publication are stated, in a

Nittert Obbensz observing the dissatisfaction occasioned by his writings, made some sort of complaint, as if his book was printedwithout his consent, at least, that the title was affixed wholly with

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