with the Use of intoxicating Liquors. By the Rev. B Parsons. Snow, Paternoster Row. 8vo.

Almanacks. A broad Sheet prepared by the Rev J Whitridge, Carlisle.

The Canadian Naturalist. A Series of Conversations on the Natural History of Lower Canada. By P. H. Gosse. Illustrated by forty-four engravings. 8vo. London. J. Van Voorst. Paternoster Row.

Is there a God? A Lecture. By the Rev. Robert Ainslie. Seeley and Co. The Royal Nuptials, a Poem, in Five Cantos. By the Author of "Sixteen Years in Malta and Greece." London: Longman and Co. 18mo.

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Man Responsible. A Lecture by Isaac Taylor, Esq. Author of “ Natural History of Enthusiasm." London: Jackson and Walford. 8vo.

A Voice from the Fire, a Memoir of William C, who perished in the Fire of Bucklersbury, May 20th, 1839 Ward and Co. 18mo.

Ward's Library of Standard Divinity. The Holy Spirit, a Divine Person. By John Guyse, D.D. Ward and Co. Paternoster Row.

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Canadian Scenery, illustrated from Drawings by W. H. Bartlett, Esq. The literary department by N. P. Willis, Esq. Author of " Pencillings by the Way," &c. George Virtue, 26, Ivy Lane. 4to.

The Divine Origin of the Holy Scriptures, inferred from their Adaptation to the Circumstances of Human Nature. By Daniel Moore, B.A. London J. W. Parker. 8vo.

:

A Pilgrimage to Palestine, Egypt, and Syria, by Marie-Joseph de Geramb, Monk of La Trappe. 2 vols. Henry Colburn, Great Marlborough Street. 8vo. An Explanatory and Practical Commentary on the New Testament. Intended chiefly as a Help to Family Devotion. Edited and revised by the Rev. W. Dalton, A.M. In 2 vols. London: Holdsworth. Royal 8vo.

Apostolic Instruction in the First General Epistle of St. John. London: R. B. Seeley, Fleet Street. 8vo.

A Memoir of the Rev. D. Rowlands, late of Llangeitho, Cardiganshire. With an Introduction, containing a Brief Account of the chief Supporters of Religion in Wales, from the Reformation to the beginning of this century. By the Rev. J. Owen, Curate of Thrussington, Leicestershire. R. B. Seeley, Fleet Street. 8vo.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

The Rev. R. Slate, of Preston, has issued proposals for publishing a History of the Lancashire Congregational Union. The work has been undertaken at the request of the Ministers and Delegates of the County Union. It will contain a consecutive narrative of the Congregational interest in Lancashire for the last forty years, an account of all those churches and congregations that have been raised by the agency of the Union or assisted by its funds, biographical sketches of some of the most active friends of the Society now deceased, a statistical view of the present state of the denomination in the county, and observations suggested by a review of the whole. To the History will be appended, as intimately connected with it, a historical account of the Blackburn Independent Academy, accompanied with a lithographic print of the Lancashire Independent College now erecting at Manchester. The work will probably be put to press in a few weeks.

In the press, and will be shortly published, a volume on Popular Education, a Prize Essay, in connection with the Glasgow University Liberal Association, on the " Influence of the Education of the People, and the Diffusion of Knowledge, in promoting the Welfare and Happiness of Nations." the Rev. Edward Smith Price, A.B. In fcp. 8vo.

By

Letters on India; with special Reference to the Spread of Christianity. By the Rev. Wm. Buyers, Missionary at Benares.

Memoirs and Select Remains of the Rev. Thomas Rawson Taylor, late Classical Tutor at Airedale College, Yorkshire. By W. S. Matthews. Second edition, revised, with a Preface by James Montgomery, Esq.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES,
AT HOME AND ABROAD.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES.

On Monday, the 11th, Tuesday, the 12th, and Friday, the 15th of May, the annual meetings of the Union will take place; and the Committee feel a solemn responsibility resting on them to employ their best counsels and efforts to render them as interesting and beneficial as possible.

They announce, with much satisfaction, that the Rev. JAMES BENNETT, DD., has kindly consented to preside in these assemblies of his brethren.

What course the Committee respectfully recommend should be adopted on the great subject of HOME MISSIONS is sufficiently explained in the document issued jointly by the Committee, and the Directors of the Home Missionary Society, which immediately follows in our pages these announcements. To this communication the Committee earnestly intreat the attention of all their brethren, with whose cordial concurrence they hope to see its proposals carried into full and immediate effect.

As the plan there recommended, will, if adopted, render necessary much alteration in the character and proceedings of the meeting appointed for the evening of Monday, the 11th of May, in Finsbury Chapel, by the adjourned meeting of the Assembly of the Union, held at Birmingham, the Committee will be prepared to announce their recommendations on that subject as soon as they have ascertained the measure of approval with which the proposal for union in Home Missions with the Home Missionary Society is entertained by the brethren generally.

On Tuesday morning, the 12th of May, at eight o'clock precisely, breakfast will be provided in the Congregational Library, for delegates to the Assembly, whether ministers or lay brethren; and for brethren generally in fellowship with the Union, about to attend the subsequent proceedings. Precisely at nine o'clock the chair will be taken, and the meeting will be opened by devotional services, and an address from the President.

The attendance of delegates from America or Scotland, is not this year expected. This deficiency in the anticipated interest and pleasure of the meeting is much regretted; but it is hoped that the additional time thus left available for conference and counsel on affairs more strictly domestic, will be turned to the best account. It is, however, expected, that the meeting will be favoured with the attendance of Dr. Urwick, as representative of the Congregational Union of Ireland; and at the present juncture the interests of our brethren in that island, are worthy of, and require the best attention and sympathy of our entire denomination.

On Friday morning, May 15, breakfast will be provided, and business will subsequently commence, at the same hour, and in the same manner, as on Tuesday morning. At eleven o'clock, the Assembly will adjourn for attendance at the meeting of the Colonial Missionary Society, in Finsbury Chapel. At the conclusion of which a plain dinner will be ready in the Library, in the same manner as last year, when this arrangement was found productive of too much satisfaction and advantage to allow of its omission. Timely notice will be given where tickets may be obtained.

The Committee will also renew the efforts of last year to secure a hospitable reception for brethren attending the ensuing Assembly. Any ministers appointed as delegates, or being in fellowship with the Union, to whom, during the week of their attendance on the Assembly, it may be pleasant to obtain an

introduction to the hospitality of some christian friend, are requested to address to the Secretary, the Rev. A. Wells, at the Congregational Library, before the end of the present month, an intimation to that effect, and to those brethren who have complied with this condition, a note of introduction to some christian friend will be presented, upon application to the Secretary at the Library, on their arrival in town.

PROPOSED UNION IN HOME MISSIONS.

The following document is inserted by request of the Committees with whom it originates, who wish to pursue the most open and candid course in measures which they deem worthy of general concurrence, because adapted to promote the peace of brethren and efficient labours in the cause of the Saviour.

(Circular.)

Dear Sir,-You are doubtless aware that the Congregational Union of England and Wales has adopted measures preparatory to an early commencement of home missionary operations.

These proceedings have led to much thought and consultation on the part of the friends generally of that great and sacred object-the complete evangelization of our beloved country. The result has been a very extensive desire, that no separate operations should be undertaken by the Union, but that such an adjustment of the views and plans of that body, with those of the existing “Home Missionary Society," should be attempted, as might admit of the combination of the resources of both in one extended, vigorous system of effort.

The Directors of the Home Missionary Society and the Committee of the Congregational Union have so far yielded to what appeared to them a very general wish of their brethren and constituents-indeed they have themselves so far participated in it-that they have ventured on united prayerful conferences, to ascertain on what terms, in their judgment, such a union might be honourably and beneficially effected.

These counsels have been happily marked by a spirit of love, and have resulted in the modification of the rules of the Home Missionary Society, and of the document adopted by the Congregational Union at its Birmingham meeting, now respectfully submitted for your approval. It is hoped, that, without compromise of principle, the two schemes are here made to harmonize and combine; and that the brethren whose opinions they respectively represent, may, by concessions which only affect subordinate points, be thus brought into harmonious co-operation.

It cannot be needful to set out at large the considerations which induced the brethren engaged in these negociations to enter upon anxious and responsible efforts for effecting the union proposed. The value of the most extensive cooperation attainable in a work of such magnitude and difficulty as Home Missions;-the opinions strongly and extensively expressed, in public and private, in favour of the union now attempted ;-the inconvenience, to use no stronger term, that might have resulted, and of which necessity alone could justify that the risk should be incurred, from the operations, in the same field of labour, of two societies appealing to the same body of Christians for support, and avowing no substantial difference of principles or objects; - the necessity at this juncture for such energy and extent of effort in Home Missions as not either or both of the institutions could separately employ, and for which, when united, they will find themselves but too inadequate ;-these, among other similar considerations, would not allow the Directors of the Home Missionary Society and the Committee of the Union to incur the responsibility of leaving unattempted a union so desired-so likely to avert threatening evils- so hopeful, in every view, of extensive and lasting advantages.

The brethren who have been engaged in the preparation of the accompanying document, are, of course, anxious for the early avowal of the approbation of their constituents. They hope it will receive so general an approval as may

secure its harmonious adoption. Every effort has been employed so to frame it, that while it compromises no principle, it may unite all hearts, and effect a union that shall as much benefit the churches as promote the great work of Home Missions.

Will you, dear Sir, favour the Committee with an early communication of your sanction of this important proposal; and also endeavour to obtain and report a similar declaration from the Association with which you are connected? The shortness of the interval for deciding on the course to be finally adopted, unites with the importance of all the interests involved, to render a reply at your earliest convenience indispensable.

Signed by order of the Directors of the Home Missionary Society, and the
Committee of the Congregational Union,

THOS. THOMPSON, Treasurer, B. HANBURY, Sub-Treasurer,
E. A. DUNN, Secretary, Home Missionary Society.
J. BLACKBURN, W. S. Palmer, A. Wells, J. Wontner,
Secretaries, Congregational Union.

London, March, 1840.

Revised Rules of "The Home Missionary Society," intended to be submitted for adoption at the General Meeting at Exeter Hall, May 19, 1840.

1. That the designation of this Institution be "THE HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY."

2. That its object be the evangelization of the unenlightened portion of the Inhabitants of Great Britain, by the preaching of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; the distribution of Religious Tracts, the establishment of Prayer-meetings and Sunday-schools, with the formation of Christian Churches ; and every other scriptural method for the accomplishment of this important object.

3. That no person shall be employed as a Missionary, by this Society, till the Directors shall have obtained full satisfaction respecting his character, and his ability and attainments for the work.

4. That this Society, in furtherance of its objects, shall act in connexion with "The Congregational Union of England and Wales;" and to render such connexion influential and permanent, the officers of "The Home Missionary Society," chosen at its general annual meetings, shall be ex officio members of the Committee of the Congregational Union; and the officers of the Union shall be, in like manner, members of the Board of Direction of the Home Missionary Society. This Society will also co-operate with other county and district associations. And a brief statement of the combined Home Missionary labours shall be annually laid before the assembly of the Congregational Union.

5. That every subscriber of £1. 1s. or more annually, shall be a member of this Society; and every donor of £10. 10s. or more, in one sum, a member for life. And where a church, as such, shall contribute annually £5. or upwards, such subscribing church shall be entitled to nominate one of its members as its delegate, who shall be qualified to vote at the general meetings of this Society. The first named executor of every testator bequeathing to the Society £50 or upwards, shall, upon payment of the legacy, be also a life member.

6. That the affairs of this Society shall be conducted by a Treasurer, or Treasurers, by Secretaries, and a Board of forty Directors, inclusive of all official members, resident in and near London, and chosen at its general annual meetings, of whom sixteen shall be ministers, with power to fill up vacancies. Also the Secretaries of all Associations co-operating with this Society, shall be er officio members of its Board of Direction, entitled to attend and vote at all their meetings. Other Directors with the same power, resident in the country, may also be chosen at the Society's annual meeting in May, in any number not ex

ceeding forty, One-fourth of all elected Directors to go out annually by rotation. Five members, exclusive of officers, shall form a quorum.*

7. That an Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of May, when the Officers and Directors shall be chosen, the accounts audited, and the proceedings of the year reported. And as often as practicable, an Autumnal Meeting, in connexion with a meeting of the assembly of the Congregational Union at the same time and place, shall be held in some principal provincial city or town, with a view to strengthen the connexion and take counsel with brethren in all parts of the country, and to invigorate Home Missionary operations in surrounding districts; the appointment of these additional meetings to be confided to the Directors of the Society, in concert with the Committee of the Union; but no such meeting to have power to alter the constitution or laws of the Society.

Additional and Explanatory Rules.

1. That vigorous Home Missionary efforts, conducted in entire harmony with scriptural views of the truth, and ordinances of the Gospel, and of the constitution and discipline of Christian Churches, appear to be at this juncture specially demanded by The ignorance and irreligion which prevail so extensively both in towa and country;—the active efforts now employed for the spread of infidelity and popery; with the alarming diffusion of semi-papal doctrines concerning the Christian ministry, sacraments, and way of salvation;-the absolute necessity of revived and extended religion, and of multiplied Christian churches in our own country, to sustain the increased efforts so loudly called for in all enterprises for the conversion of the world.

And while this Society adopts what are deemed by it the most scriptural methods for promoting the great objects of the Redeemer's kingdom, it stands prepared to hail, with heartfelt joy, such success in the same work, as He may grant to bodies of his servants, acting on other convictions, and adopting other plans, in respect to points acknowledged by all to be subordinate.

2. That as the great object of the Home Missions, prosecuted by this Society, is the true conversion of the souls of men to God, in the attainment of which all subordinate moral, and benevolent purposes, will be most effectually securedand as the Divine influence, which can alone insure success in such labours for the salvation of men, will surely be vouchsafed in answer to believing prayer-a fervent spirit of devotion is the only temper in which the churches of Christ can appropriately enter upon such labours; and this Society affectionately desires, of all the brethren, persevering prayer for the Divine blessing on this entire project for extended Home Missions.

3. That there are required, in the great work of Home Missions, to which the churches are now invited by the signs of the times and the call of Providence, not only faith and prayer, but also a high spirit of enterprise and liberality. Men endowed by the HEAD of the Church with gifts and graces must be sought, and being placed in stations where their labours are needed, must be adequately supported. Past experience, also, as to the most efficient methods of arousing a careless, irreligious population, and the present state of our country, unite to show that it will be most important to obtain, for periods of service, the labours of ministers endowed with courage, power, and zeal, who might break up

Rev.

*It is suggested that Thomas Thompson and Joshua Wilson, Esquires, might be proposed as Treasurers, and Benjamin Hanbury, Esq. Sub-Treasurer; Rev. E. A. Dunn, and Rev. A. Wells, Secretaries; - Rev. to be associated with Rev. R. H. Shepherd in editing the Magazine; and Hull Terrell, Esq., as honorary Solicitor to the Congregational Union, to be united with G. F. Abraham, Esq. in that office in the Home Missionary Society. That Mr. John Whiteley, Mr. Thomas Livesey, and Mr. William Beams, be proposed, as Auditors, and that the present list of country Directors be revised in accordance with the requirements of Rule 6.

N. S. VOL. IV.

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