Church Fellowship for Young People, with a Practical Essay on Marriage. Sacramental Communion for Young People. By John Campbell. London: Snow, Paternoster Row.

How much may be accomplished by diligence and perseverance! Of this, the writer of the above excellent treatises affords a striking proof. He is the stated minister of two large bodies of people assembling for worship in the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court Chapel. For some years past, he has been vexed and harassed by a protracted law-suit, from which, we cannot but rejoice, he is now happily freed. During the period alluded to, Mr. Campbell has found time to write several works on a variety of subjects. In his Catechisms, Theology for Youth, &c. he has provided milk for babes. In his masterly works on Lay Agency and Maritime Discovery he has embodied a code of principles from which Congregational Churches and Missionary Students cannot fail to derive immense benefit. It is natural to ask, how is all this labour accomplished? It is obvious time must be redeemed. The heart must be in the work. The resources of the writer must be ample and varied. His mind must possess no common versatility and energy. The works at the head of this article are excellent. The number of treatises on Church Fellowship, and the Lord's Supper, is very great. On this account, it would be difficult to advance any thing new. But, if we are not greatly mistaken, these treatises will be found to comprise several new and important topics. We would in particular specify the following sections as proofs of this: Sect. 16. On Trusteeship of Chapels; 17. On the Duties and Claims of the Christian Ministry; 18. On Church Officers; 19. On the Support of Gospel Institutions; 20. Methodism and Money; 21. Resources of Congregations. The last three, exceedingly valuable and important. 22. The Christian Rule of Marriage. Abating one or two strong expressions, we have met with nothing on this subject more excellent and well-timed than this essay.

The work on the Lord's Supper is a truly multum in parvo book. To each section is prefixed an appropriate motto, extracted from some celebrated divine, and which serves as a kind of text to the sections. The style of these treatises, though it might be more finished, is at once varied, vigorous, and bold.

THE EDITOR'S TABLE.

Justification, as revealed in Scripture, in Opposition to the Council of Trent, and Mr. Newman's Lectures. By James Bennett, D.D. 8vo. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

A Letter to the Most Reverend the Archbishop of Canterbury. By Sir Arthur Brooke Faulkner. 8vo. London: E. Wilson.

The Family of God, a Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. W. H. Pearce, of Calcutta. By the Rev. Edward Steane. 8vo. London: Ward and Co. Essays for Sabbath Reading. By J. Greaves. 12mo, London: Ward and Co. The Young Folks of the Factory; or Friendly Hints on their Duties and Dangers. 18mo. London: Tract Society.

A Guide to the Pronunciation of Scripture Names. By the Rev. J. Thompson, M.A. 18mo. London: Houlston.

A Letter to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London, on his Lordship's Opposition to the proposed Reformation of the Laws of Clerical Subscription. By Henry Erskine Head, A. M. 12mo. London: John Green.

Howard and Napoleon contrasted, in Eight Dialogues between Two Young Americans. By the Author of the "Sword." 18mo. London: Houlston. Religion in Connexion with a National System of Instruction. By W. M. Gunn. 12mo, Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd.

A New Church Catechism for the Use of British Protestants. London: R. Baines.

N. S. VOL. IV.

4 N

32mo.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES,
AT HOME AND ABROAD.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AUTUMNAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES, AND OF THE HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY IN ALLIANCE.

The annual meetings in May last of these confederated institutions, left it in charge with their respective committees, to use their best endeavours to obtain in the ensuing autumn a provincial meeting similar to that held last October in Birmingham. The Committee of the Union, and the Directors of the liome Missionary Society, have now the pleasure to announce that, upon their joint application, the brethren at Bristol have, with cordial and affectionate unanimity, welcomed them to keep this anticipated holy and happy convocation in their city. The time appointed for holding the meetings is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the sixth, seventh, and eighth days of October next; and the following are the arrangements so far as at present matured.

A preparatory devotional meeting in Bridge Street Chapel, the Rev. H. J. Roper's, on Tuesday evening, the sixth of October, to commence at seven o'clock.

The forenoons of Wednesday the seventh, and Thursday the eighth of October, to be devoted to meetings of the delegates of the two Societies, which will commence at nine o'clock, and be held in the vestry of Brunswick Chapel, the Rev. Thomas Haynes'.

On Wednesday evening, a sermon in the Tabernacle, worship to commence at half-past six o'clock.

On Thursday evening a public meeting, to be held in Castle Green Chapel, the Rev. John Jacks'. Chair to be taken at half-past six o'clock.

The Meeting, so far as respects the Congregational Union, is considered an adjournment of the last annual assembly by which it was appointed. The delegation of brethren to the annual assembly will therefore authorize them to act in the adjourned autumnal meeting also, and the Chairman of the Assembly, the Rev. James Bennett, D.D., will be the President of the meetings of delegates at Bristol, which will more directly represent the Congregational Union, though including also the representatives of the Home Missionary Society. The concluding public meeting at Bristol will be taken as specially connected with the Home Missionary Society, though of course embracing also the representatives of the Union. The chairman of this meeting, and the preacher for the Wednesday evening, have not yet been obtained. Every effort will be made to effect the most satisfactory appointments, and the earliest possible announcement of the result will be given.

A committee of arrangement, to secure the hospitable entertainment of ministers attending these important services, has been appointed. Ministers intending to be present, and wishing accommodation, are requested to write to that effect to the Rev. John Jack, 28, King Square, Bristol, on or before the thirtieth day of September. In any case in which this indispensable condition is not complied

with, the committee of arrangement cannot hold themselves responsible for a minister's accommodation. On their arrival at Bristol, brethren must apply for cards of introduction to the friends by whom they will be entertained, to Mr. John Smith, Hosier, No. 6, Wine Street, where they will also, at the same time, be furnished with a printed account of the business, prepared by the committee for the consideration of the meetings of delegates.

And now the committees cannot close this important announcement without an earnest request for the prayers of all their brethren, that the Lord Jesus Christ would direct the preparations for these assemblies of his servants; that he would bring together at the appointed time, a numerous assembly of brethren, imbued with the spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind; and that he would crown all their proceedings with great and animating success.

The committees also earnestly desire the attendance of brethren wherever practicable. They hope churches will depute their pastors with some selected brethren to represent them, and that no one association will fail to send its representatives. They appeal to all the friends of the Home Missionary cause, and trust that many will hasten to sustain and advance it on this occasion. The auxiliaries of this Society, Congregational or of greater extent, should send their respective delegates. One great reason for appointing this meeting at Bristol is to carry into another district the interest and benefit derived by brethren in the midland and northern counties, from the former meeting at Birmingham. The committees therefore appeal the more earnestly to their brethren in the western and south-western counties, and in the contiguous principality of Wales, to afford their strenuous aid, and to sustain them by a numerous attendance on this occasion.

Finally, the committees ascertain more and more clearly as they proceed with their work, the urgent necessity of invigorated Home Missionary labours. The work is great. The present agencies are not sufficient for it. The united efforts of the whole Independent brotherhood are needed in it. The pastors and churches are not yet sufficiently impressed with the wants and claims of their country. Nothing but numerous, soul-stirring meetings will awaken adequate zeal and interest. The committees are raising high their expectations from such assemblies in the principal towns and cities. That at Birmingham was no disappointment. May this at Bristol even excel in interest, pleasure, and benefit!

LETTER FROM REV. J. A. JAMES, OF BIRMINGHAM, ON THE CLAIMS OF THE HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY, ADDRESSED TO ONE OF THE SECRETARIES.

My dear Brother,-Although I address these few lines to you, they are intended to suggest, with great deference, a few hints for the Directors of the Society with which you are now officially connected. I could not, however, without seeming to myself to be guilty of an unwarrantable presumption, write to those gentlemen direct, and have therefore chosen to make you the organ and medium of my communication.

I already begin to feel the urgency of a deep solicitude for the welfare and efficiency of an Institution to which I now stand, with many others, sincerely, cordially, and publicly pledged; and I am almost painfully apprehensive, lest,

after we have raised the expectations of the public, by the manner in which we have placed the Society before them, we should disappoint their hopes, and involve our denomination in shame and defeat. As the comprehension of the Society is now widened to take in towns as well as villages, and to seek the establishment of new churches of the Congregational order, wherever they are wanted, it will require a vast accession to its funds, and it is on this point that I am somewhat anxious. Much, very much, will depend upon the manner in which we start. If we do not begin with spirit, we shall not succeed. If, with all the advantage of our improved constitution, with our new officers, our public and cordial union, and our widening prospects, we set off heavily, we shall make little or no progress. I do not call upon the Directors to be rash, headlong, and presumptuous; but I hope they will at once draw a bold and imposing plan of action, and confide in the churches to assist in carrying it into execution. They should select some destitute, inviting, and important locations, and occupy them by popular and competent men. Two or three such spots, well chosen, and well occupied, although they should involve them in considerable expense, would do more to recommend the Society to the support of our denomination, than any thing else that could be devised.

Such a line of action as that which I have laid down, will require a scale of contribution in proportion to its magnitude It is, therefore, of great consequence that the Directors should immediately take the most vigorous measures for augmenting their funds. Nothing, in the long run, would be found equal in productiveness to a church members' subscription: but as it may be difficult, I fear, to get the pastors and deacons to enter into this scheme, on account of the trouble which it will entail, the next in efficiency, is the proposal of having a Congregational collection throughout our whole denomination, on the same day. These plans are well put forth in the appeals of both the Congregational Union and the Home Missionary Society; but they must be followed up by line upon line. If you could get two or three County Associations, and the Congregational Board, in London, to come to a resolution to make their collections on the proposed day, and to publish their resolution in the "Patriot" Newspaper, and the Magazines, others would follow. This part of the plan of finance must be carried out. You should give the churches no rest till they come into it. If they will not adopt the suggestion, but leave the collection to be made at any time, or no time, as their convenience may dictate, the necessary funds will not be raised.

But this is not all. Something should be done at once, in the way of raising a sum; which, to borrow a homely simile, should be like a nest-egg. Let London begin, and let the efforts of London begin with the Directors. Let the new men and the old ones cement their union by a fellowship of liberality, and set an example to the country. Let a good, strong, healthy pulsation of the heart send new vigour to the extremities. If large donations cannot be raised, let a new scale of subscription be framed. Let the guinea-a-year system, as a rule for all, be done away; and let us go for fives, tens, and twenties. I still abide by an offer which I put forth anonymously in the "Congregational Magazine," and will join any four more persons in a subscription of twenty-five pounds each to make up a hundred pounds a-year for an agent.

We must do much more than we have hitherto done; and much will depend upon the new Directors, whether it shall be done or not: and what they will do, depends on their doing it at once. They must take up the matter immediately, or they will not take it up with spirit at all. The eyes of the denomination are upon them. Great things are looked for from them, and the bitterest disappointments will be felt, if only little things are done. The Society is now not only of the Congregational Body, but for it. Not that I mean to say Congregationalism is its ultimate object, but it is the spread of the kingdom of Christ, by means of the Congregational churches, and in connexion with their system of ecclesiastical polity. The Directors have now the strongest possible ground of appeal, inasmuch as they have our doctrinal sentiments united with our nonconformity prin

ciples, as their plea; a twofold cord with which to bind us to the Society. The churches of our order would have the Institution as their own, and they are now bound in justice, in honour, and in truth, to support it. But, still, I repeat, the responsibility lies, in a great measure, after all, with the Directors: they must be men of spirit, of ardour, of determination ;.men who give their heads and hearts; their time, and labour, and money, to the work.

I need to apologize for the freedom I have taken, but I am anxious, deeply, almost distressingly anxious, lest our newly-modelled Society should be a failure, or, with nearly our whole body brought to its support, it should do no more than the old Society did, when it had the assistance of only half of our churches. May God shed upon the Directors a spirit of counsel and of might, a spirit of union and liberality, and abundantly bless their labours.

If, dear brother, you think it no impertinence in me to offer these suggestions, you may lay this letter before your Committee. I remain, most truly yours,

Edgbaston, July 6, 1840.

J. A. JAMES.

SOUTH DEVON CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

On Wednesday and Thursday, July 22d and 23d, the annual meetings of the South Devon Congregational Union were held at Torquay. The occasion was peculiarly interesting and refreshing. On Wednesday evening the Association sermon was preached by the Rev. William Tarbotton, of Totness. On Thursday morning a meeting for special prayer was held at seven o'clock, when the Rev. George Smith, of Plymouth, delivered an Address. At ten o'clock the pastors and messengers of the churches assembled for business in the Independent chapel; the Rev. J. Orange, the minister of the place, being in the chair. Matters of great importance, in connexion with the spread of the gospel, throughout the south of Devon, were attended to, and the brethren were much gratified by the accounts given of the success with which it has pleased God to bless the efforts of the Union. In the evening a public meeting was held in aid of Home Missionary operations, when Richard Peek, Esq. of Hazelwood House, near Kingsbridge, presided. One of the Secretaries read the Report, from which it appeared that the Union has now four Home Missionary Stations, comprising 44 villages and hamlets, in which the gospel is faithfully and regularly proclaimed. In many of these villages schools have been established, chapels erected, and christian churches formed. From the Treasurer's Report it appeared that the contributions of the churches, for the purposes of the Union, are larger now than at any former period. Several resolutions, having reference to the spiritual claims of Home, were unanimously adopted, among which was one in approval of the connexion recently formed between the Home Missionary Society and the Congregational Union of England and Wales. The meeting was addressed by the Chairman, the Rev. Messrs. Smith, Orange, Davies, Pyer, Unwin, and Mr. Evans. A collection was then made, and the services of this anniversary terminated, having, it is believed, supplied all who were present with fresh encouragement, to labour unceasingly for the spiritual welfare of this district of our beloved country.

STAFFORDSHIRE CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

The twenty-sixth anniversary of the Staffordshire Congregational Union was held at Stafford, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of July last. Prayer-meetings were held on the Monday evening, and at seven on the two following mornings. Business commenced at ten A.M. on Tuesday, and at nine A.M. the next day. The affairs of the Union and other matters of general interest occupied the attention of the ministers and delegates during the whole morning and afternoon of Tuesday and Wednesday. The Association Sermon was preached by the Rev. John Hill, of Gornall, on the evening of the 14th, after which the Lord's Supper was administered to the members of christian churches present. Wednesday evening was appropriated to a public meeting, when the chair was taken by John