certain nobleman had said that he might do what he would with his own, they had shown him that their principles were buoyant, even to sustain those who once had a mill-stone tied around their necks. (Cheers.) He would now read the Resolution :

6. That the Assembly receives with much satisfaction the statement of the affairs of the Colonial Missionary Society in connection with this Union now presented by its Committee; and strongly recommends that important Society to the continued and increased support of the churches.

The churches in his county, he added, were not prepared, perhaps, for an annual collection, but they had pledged themselves to Mr. Binney that they would do what they could. In his (Mr. Adams) opinion, the sinews of this Society would be found in annual subscriptions. He had very great pleasure in moving that the Report be received.

The Rev. ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN, of Swanage, in seconding the motion, observed, that one thought had impressed his mind with increasing force for some time past, and that was, that instead of having been generally too denominational, and insisting too much upon their distinctive principles as Congregationalists, they had left them criminally in abeyance. (Hear.) Did not their conduct in this respect contrast very strongly with that of the clergy of the Church of England! If they thought, as he believed was the case, that the distinctive principles of that party were not derived from Scripture, but from tradition, then he would ask, had not the clergy manifested a zeal ten-fold greater for traditional opinions than we have for our denominational principles, though we believe they are contained in the New Testament, and are in harmony with the mind of Christ? (Hear.) There was nothing which had given him greater pleasure in attending the anniversaries held at this season, and especially those connected with the Independent denomination, than what he would call the decidedly improved tone in this respect. He heartily rejoiced that his brethren generally were now beginning to understand that, if their principles were in reality those of the New Testament, they ought not to be, they must not be, kept in abeyance. (Loud cheers.) It was a part of the duty which, as ministers of the Word, they owed to our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Head of the church, and which they owed to the church also, not to exalt them above the Gospel, but to give them that degree of importance in their public instructions, which they had assigned to them in the New Testament itself— (hear)—not by any means merging them for the sake of winning the smile or averting the frown of a stray churchman who might happen to be present in their assembly. He could not refrain from relieving his mind and his heart of what pressed and forced itself upon his attention. In conclusion, he begged most cordially to second the motion which had been proposed.

The Rev. JOHN JUKES, of Bedford, had great pleasure in proposing the following Resolution :

7. That this Assembly, most deeply sympathizing in the object of the convocation of delegates from all parts of the world, for promoting the universal abolition of slavery, soon to be convened in this metropolis, desires to be represented on an occasion and in an assembly so highly important; and requests the following brethren, the Rev. Messrs. Burnet and Woodwark, and J. B. Brown, LL.D., J. R. Mills, and George Bennett, Esqrs., to attend as its representatives accordingly.

The object, he said, of the Resolution was of very great importance indeed, not for the sake of humanity alone, but on account of the progress of Christianity. (Ilear.) They had seen in the West Indies how much the emancipation of slaves tended to the extension of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, and there could be no doubt that it was brought about by the zealous co-operation of men who were actuated by christian principle. On these grounds he conceived, therefore, that both duty and consistency required that this body should be represented on an occasion so extremely interesting as that contemplated by the Resolution; and he had no doubt that the friends and brethren present, as

well as those in the country, would be disposed to forward the object of that meeting, not merely by their efforts, but also by their prayers. (Hear.)

The Rev. J. C. GALLOWAY, of West Bromwich, cordially seconded the Resolution, which was carried.

The Rev. DAVID EVERARD FORD, of Lymington, rose to move the following Resolution:

8. That the overtures of the Committee for the publication of catechisms and tracts, as explained in their report, are approved and sanctioned by this Assembly, which desires that the Committee would proceed to carry them into effect forthwith.

He (Mr. Ford) was sure that he spoke the sentiments of a very great number of his brethren, when he said, that they estimated the services rendered by the Secretaries of the Congregational Union as most essential, under God, to its prosperity. He, for one, had great reason to thank God that the Congregational Union was in existence. He had reason to acknowledge with thankfulness the effect upon his own mind of the solemn and delightful meetings which had been held at Birmingham, and he would devoutly own, that since that meeting he had more evidently seen the hand of God resting upon the church which was committed to his care, than he had ever before witnessed during the nineteen years that he had been its pastor. Could his brethren throughout the land be present on these occasions, he was sure they would exclaim, "We will go with you, for we are sure that the Lord is with you." (Cheers.) Before they separated, he should have the happiness to propose four or five of his brethren in Hampshire, as members of the Union. He saw no hope of the County association joining at present, because three or four of the most influential ministers were opposed to it, but he thought seven-eighths of his brethren would very soon join. (Cheers.)

The Rev. THOMAS MAY, of Wigston Magna, felt great pleasure in seconding the resolution, and he would take that opportunity of expressing in very few words his entire concurrence in the sentiments which had been advanced by Mr. Chamberlain. He sympathised with that gentleman in the pleasure which be had experienced by finding that their distinctive principles as a body had been of late nobly advanced, and the more so, because he (Mr. May) came from a portion of the country which was upon this subject rather notorious-Leicestershire. (Hear, hear.) They had been represented as outstripping and going beyond their brethren, but he was sure that if the Leicestershire Association had been present at this anniversary, they would have felt that it was not they but their brethren in London who were in advance. (Hear.)

The Rev. GEORGE CHRISTIE, of Finchingfield, begged to move the following resolution:

9. That this Assembly requests the officers of the Union to retain their respective appointments, and the following brethren to act as the Committee for he ensuing year.

Mr. WELLS then read a list of the names of the gentlemen proposed to form the Committee of the Union, including the officers of the Colonial Missionary Society, the Home Missionary Society, and the Irish Evangelical Society.

So far as his (Mr. Christie's) feelings were concerned, they were in thorough harmony with the resolution, and therefore he would not enter into a discussion upon it. But there was one point to which be would just allude. Considering the great importance and the number of the objects that had now to be brought before the Union, he hoped the time was not far distant when arrangements would be made to secure for the multifarious business of this Union and its confederated Societies, at least two or three entire days. (Hear.) His attention had been directed to the colonies for a number of years, both during his residence in foreign lands, and since he had returned to this country, and looking to all its movements, he could not but consider the Colonial Mission as one of the most important now in existence. He trusted that the publications which were continually being issued on this subject, showing the connection that exists

N. S. VOL. IV.

3S

between the prosperity of the colonies and that of the mother country, would eventually rouse our churches to mighty efforts on behalf of our countrymen in those distant parts. (Hear.)

The Rev. JOHN HILL, of Gornall, seconded the resolution, which was passed. The Rev Dr. REDFORD, of Worcester, then rose to propose the adoption of the following declaration :

10. That in the present state of religious opinions and interests in this country, this Assembly deems it highly becoming and expedient to declare its unaltered, confirmed attachment to the great doctrines of our holy faith vindicated at the glorious reformation from popery. Justification by faith, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit; as well as to the great principles on which that reformation was founded; the perfect sufficiency, and the sole authority of the Sacred Scriptures as the rule of faith and practice; and the inalienable right of private judgment in the interpretation of the word of life and salvation.

And further, this Assembly considers it equally appropriate and necessary at the present time to publish and put on record a declaration of its undiminished confidence in the truth of the views distinctive of the Independent churches; such as, the strictly spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom; the sole government of his church by Jesus Christ through his Word and Spirit, to the entire exclusion of all human legislation and force for either the controul of its spiritual affairs or the supply of its pecuniary wants, and the right and duty of each several congregation of faithful men to put into execution within itself all the laws of Christ, without the interference of any external authority ecclesiastical or civil.

And finally, this Assembly, aware on the one hand of the importance in these times of the open avowal of these principles in their application to all the religious affairs and interests of this country; and on the other hand, of the odium to which such a decided advocacy of them exposes the brethren and their churches, cannot withhold an earnest, affectionate recommendation to all the brethren, of a faithful testimony in a christian spirit to these great but obnoxious truths as the special duty of this eventful period.

Without the least concert, said the Rev. Gentleman, between himself and the Secretaries or the Committee, it had fallen to his lot to present to the meeting a prepared resolution on a subject which it was his own intention to have brought before the Assembly, having been impressed with the sacred and holy duty of protesting at the present time against the errors which are taught by an increasing body in the established church, which are devastating the country, and of declaring their undiminished zeal for, and adherence to, the great doctrines of the Reformation. Most delighted was he then, as well as surprised, when this document was put into his hands. It was rather long, but he thought the great importance of the matter itself would justify its length, which he commended to the meeting.

The Rev. Dr. VAUGHAN, of Kensington, had great pleasure in rising to second the resolution; and, although he thought there were some circumstances of a painful nature—for it was painful even to think that such a step should be necessary-yet, apart from all such considerations, there were others of an agreeable complexion belonging to the times with which they were connected, which would of themselves have prompted them to such a course. (Hear) Some forty or fifty years ago, all the religious bodies in this country, all the evangelical Christians put together, did not constitute a religious force equal to what several of the parts, considered separately, might now be said to constitute. If all had combined for one great missionary effort some years ago, they could not have done what the Colonial Missionary Society was then doing; and, therefore, if nothing of unpleasantness had arisen, the very fact that from such small beginnings they had obtained their present prosperity, would justify such a resolution. He (Dr. Vaughan) was far from looking upon the present controversy as an unmixed evil, for it was the result not of their weakness but of their strength; and though it was attended by some portion of evil, yet it was also productive of a vast amount of good. Against the inconsistent conduct of professed Protestants

respecting the great principles of the Protestant Reformation, they ought to enter a strong and decided protest. At the same time, they ought not to be surprised at the avowal of such opinions. It was important, however, to let those persons who were so much attached to creeds and forms, and who declare that there can be no stability of religious sentiment without them, it was important to let such persons see that whilst every thing was floating and shifting all around, they without creeds could be stable. (Cheers.) This they would be able to do in reference to the present form of delusion as they had before been in reference to many other errors. (Hear.) They had seen particular notions and novel schemes agitate the religious world, now about the interpretation of prophecy, and now about the bestowment of miraculous gifts, and now about he knew not what; but it was their happiness, as a denomination, in the midst of all that had agitated and distracted the communities around them, to be almost untouched by novelties, that, like the gourd of the Prophet, spring up in a night and wither in a night, while they (the Independents) were mercifully preserved the same. (Cheers.) They should render thanks to God, who had given them this stability of mind, this constant and firm adherence to the faith of reformers and martyrs. The changes which are taking place at the present time only exhibit the effects of that mighty movement which had given birth to their common principles. When Protestantism first took up its position in the world, it moved as gradually as the principles of our fathers did at a later period; but it was not suffered to be moderate, it was obliged to take ground that at one time its authors were loth to occupy, but it did take that ground, and led the way to those puritan principles, that were considered extravagant and ruinous. What was the effect? There was a mighty outcry raised that these were the offspring of the Reformation, that all these sprang from the seeds sown by the Reformation; the Reformation itself was therefore censured, and accordingly Montague, Cousins, Andrews, and other church writers, attempted to produce just that reaction in favour of popery which is now being attempted by the Oxford party to counteract the true principles of Protestantism, as they are happily in operation in our own times.

He (Dr. Vaughan) did not regard this attempt as matter of surprise-it was perfectly natural. But how was it to be dealt with. The only plan, he apprehended, was that now proposed to be adopted. Let them give to the public, as distinctly and prominently as it could be given, proof that amidst all these fluctuations they, as a body, remained untouched, and add to this their efforts, privately as far as was possible, to carry out in all things the same great object.

The Rev. JOHN ANGELL JAMES, of Birmingham, then rose and spoke as follows:-The resolution which I have now to read, and which I trust you will adopt without finding any thing in it which will call for one single word of criticism; I could have wished that it had been brought forward on Tuesday, when there was a larger number of the pastors and deacons of the churches to hear its contents (hear, hear,) refers to that without which no institution, civil or sacred, can carry into execution its objects; it is, brethren, a money bill, neither more nor less-I will read it to you, and then offer two or three remarks upon it :11. That as the Colonial and Home Missionary Societies, and the Irish Evangelical Society now stand in recognized connection with the Congregational Union of England and Wales, it is, in the view of this Assembly, indispensable the honour of the Union, and to the success of all the great objects proposed by it, that it should be efficient in rendering powerful aid to those Societies. The Assembly, therefore, leaves it in charge with the Committee to adopt immediate measures for this end; and particularly to use their utmost efforts to induce every Independent church in England and Wales to make simultaneously, on an appointed Lord's-day, an annual collection for these Societies, over and above any other efforts on their behalf, to be appropriated to either of the objects, or in such proportions to them all, as the contributing churches shall severally determine.

Mr. Chairman and brethren, continued the Reverend Gentleman, we have fixed the eyes not merely of our own churches, but of the religious community at large

upon us as about to do some great thing. (Hear.) Now we are to take care that there be not universal disappointment. (Hear.) We have been a whole year, if not more, in devising a plan by which the Home Missionary Society shall be rendered worthy of the confidence of all our churches, and be brought to meet, as far as it can be, the necessities and demands of the country. We must now, therefore, prepare ourselves to make much greater efforts for that Institution, and the kindred Societies which are associated with it in this resolution, than we have ever yet made. (Hear.) I, for one, am extremely fearful that disappointment will be experienced. I am aware that panic is easily communicated, and it is not always the best way to stimulate effort; but, my brethren, we must exert ourselves for this new-modelled Home Missionary Society, or we shall be covered with shame from one end of the country to the other. (Hear.) We must pledge ourselves to greater exertions than we have ever made. Now, the resolution puts the matter before us in a definite shape. There are various ways, I am aware, by which we can raise funds, if we apply ourselves to them. My own church is at the present moment adopting the plan of a monthly collection amongst the members of the church. Hitherto the funds have been devoted entirely to your town mission, but part of them will from this time be ap plied to the support of the Home Missionary Society, in addition to which I trust that an annual collection will also be made; and I hope my congregation will raise for the Home Missionary Society not less than £100 a-year. I do trust, brethren, that this will be the case. Now are our churches prepared for an annual collection? The resolution embraces three objects. It surely cannot be thought too much to give an annual collection for the three Societies-that for the Colonies--for Ireland-and that for Home! (Hear.) It has been said by our brethren, that in order to meet the claims of the various Institutions, we must have a collection every fortnight. I am not quite so sanguine as to think we can secure that, but it ought to be every month. (Hear, hear.) I agree with a writer in the Congregational Magazine, who has said, that there ought to be at the commencement of every year a list of collections for the whole year hung up in the vestry, and that the day for the collection should be known with as much certainty as the coming of the day itself. It should not be left in such a way, as that when application is made to have a collection for any particular Society, it has to be discussed whether it shall be made or not; it should be known by the congregation, that this is one of the objects espoused by them and for which a collection is made. (Hear, hear.) And surely, brethren, one collection in a month is not too much in these days. (Hear.) This is a money matter, and it ought not to be left in the hands of ministers. It does not strictly belong to us, at least further than to advocate the cause. Our deacons and the wealthy members of our congregations should urge their brethren and fellow worshippers to more prompt liberality.

The Rev. THOMAS PULLAR, of Glasgow, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The Delegates from the various county or district Associations then briefly gave in their reports.

The Rev. J. W. RICHARDSON, of Sunderland, was requested to inquire, on behalf of the Northumberland and Durham Association, whether any remonstrance had been sent to our brethren in the United States of America, on the subject of slavery?

The Rev. W. S. PALMER replied, that the Committee had sent an intimation to that country that no brother who was friendly to slavery would be an acceptable delegate to this Union.

The Rev. J. BLACKBURN-And it is very curious that we have not heard from them since. (A laugh.)

The Rev. THOMAS ADKINS, of Southampton, observed, that the opinion in his neighbourhood in favour of the Union was becoming certainly stronger, and he had no doubt, if the Association did not join as a body, there would be scarcely a church that would not do so in its individual capacity.