As to your dispute at Hull, I think I should have taken sides with you, for though singing be only a modulation of the voice, yet what is the value of this modulation of the voice in the worship of God, if the mind is not engaged by the sentiments of religion? God is not pleased with sound, or he would not listen to our jarring congregations; nor is the sentiment expressed pleasing to him as coming from us when it is not the effusion of the heart, or the expression of what we believe agreeable to his will. The modulation of the voice which makes good singing is excellent in itself, independent of anything to which it is applied; but when the apostle says, "I will sing with the spirit, and with the understanding also,"-"Is any merry, let him sing psalms,"-"Singing and making melody in the heart to the Lord," &c., I think he must mean something more than either "sing good tunes" or "take care to sing them well." If I were to take a form of prayer composed by a Socinian, expressing sentiments I considered as opposite to the gospel, and derogatory to God's glory, and read it in the family or at meeting as my part of the worship of God, could I stand clear of blame? or be denominated a worshipper of the Father in spirit and in truth? Is it far different when applied to singing? I think not. J. K.

We cannot close the year 1792 without referring to one of the most important events which has occurred in the annals of our denomination, and, indeed, in the religious history of the world, the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society at Kettering, Nov. 13th.

The following letter from Rev. Andrew Fuller to Mr. Kinghorn, is written on the fly-leaf of a proof copy of a pamphlet entitled "An Account of the Particular Baptist Society for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen: including a Narrative of its Rise and Plan, with a short address, earnestly recommending this benevolent design."

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

Kettering, Jan. 25th, 1793.

By the printed account you will see what we in this part of the country have been doing up to November 13th, 1792. At that meeting the Committee was informed that Rev. John Thomas, a Baptist minister, who, for several years past, had been employed in endeavouring to introduce the gospel among the Hin

FORMATION OF THE BAPTIST MISSION.

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doos, was now in London, wished, if he could be supported, to return to his work, and to take a companion with him. The Committee resolved to make a particular inquiry as to Mr. Thomas's character, principles, abilities, and success. After inquiry was made on these articles, another meeting was called at Kettering, January 9th, and the sum of it reported. It appeared to the Committee that a door was open for preaching the gospel in India, that we should invite Mr. Thomas to go out as a missionary from the Society, and, should he accept the invitation, provide a companion to go out with him in the spring.

It was a very solemn day, kept in fasting and prayer. Towards night Mr. Thomas himself arrived, cheerfully acceded to the invitation of the Society, and agreed to go out in the spring. Brother Carey, of Leicester, being present, and the question being asked, who will go with him, generously offered himself. His disinter

ested offer was accepted.

You may easily conceive, dear Sir, that we feel a mixture of hope, and joy, and trembling. We wish to do nothing rashly on the one hand, nor tardily on the other. For eight or nine years we have had monthly prayer-meetings in all our churches for the spread of the gospel amongst the heathen, and of late it has appeared to us that we ought to do something more than pray. We have united in Society, have solemnly bound ourselves to God and one another to make at least an effort. We have begun a subscription in the country, which amounts to about £150, and is still going on. £300 or £400 more will be wanted in about two months. The expense of equipment cannot be less than £500 or £600. After this it will require £200 annually to support it.

You will judge, dear Sir, whether such an opportunity ought to be lost for want of exertion. Often have we prayed, "Think upon us, O our God, for good." If the cause appear to you as it does to us, we trust you will help us by your prayers and by your exertions.

I am, dear Sir, on behalf of the Committee,

Yours affectionately,

ANDREW FULLER.

P.S.-For a particular account of Mr. Thomas's labours in India I must refer you to the next number of Mr. Rippon's Baptist Register, which will soon be out.

Mr. Carey is a singularly suitable person for the undertaking.

DEAR SIR,

Yours with proposals respecting the Hindoos, and the intended mission among them, came to hand in due time, and some time afterwards Rippon's Register, to which you referred us.

The prospect is pleasing, though the difficulties in the way are many. I doubt not you have considered them, and, perhaps, received full satisfaction concerning those which I might be ready to deem unanswerable.

A few of our friends have talked upon the matter privately, and I have sent to Mr. Rippon £3 13s. 6d.; it is only a trifle; however, we heartily wish the plan may be superior to our hopes; sometimes small and apparently unprosperous beginnings in the latter end greatly increase.

J. K.

Reply to Evanson's Dissonance contemplated-Thoughts on a National Fast-Fleming on the Apocalypse-Hall's Sermon on the Freedom of the Press-E. Winchester on the Revelation-Gibbon's Decline and Fall-Debating Society at Norwich-W. Taylor-Milner's Church History-Bryant on the Plagues of Egypt.

WITH the new year, Mr. Kinghorn found a fresh object of interest and importance to occupy his time, and engage his diligent research and careful attention; the reading and refuting of Evanson's "Dissonance of the four generally received Evangelists."

He undertook this task at the request of his deacon, Mr. Hawkins, one of whose friends had been greatly disquieted by Mr. Evanson's arguments. Having informed his father of the circumstances, Mr. Kinghorn proceeds to give a somewhat minute account of the affair.

DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

Norwich, Jan. 15th, 1793.

I procured Evanson's work, an 8vo. of about 300 pages, and read it through the first day; for a moment I was thunderstruck with what he said; he heaped his arguments and objections and observations so thick one upon another, that they appeared to form a very strong body against the greatest part of the New Testament. I began to consider it a little, for I thought we were surely not going to be deprived of our Bibles in such a manner. After examining, I began to write. I have already about three sheets of short hand on the subject, and I suppose they will make about five sheets pretty close long hand when corrected and copied. I have referred to several books on the subject, read many ancient

testimonies, and some of the spurious writings, to compare their spirit with our New Testament, and am happy to say, I possess stronger persuasion that the Evangelists are genuine histories of Christ than I ever had, for now I know better on what their evidence is founded, and how futile the objections are. I hope somebody of learning, reading, and ability sufficient, will give him an answer, and trim him thoroughly; however, do not suppose I mean to turn author, the cause ought to have an abler advocate, though it would not, perhaps, have one more sincere. Perhaps the design of God in his providence, in letting some men run wild, and adopt such follies, is to provoke others to plead his cause, and convince men that we have not believed cunningly devised fables.

Mr. Evanson thinks Luke's gospel from the third chapter is genuine, (except the account of the Demoniacs at Gadara, and some lesser things, a verse here and there, &c.,) and the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles to the Corinthians, and Thessalonians, and the Revelation, from the fourth chapter. All the rest spurious! His spite is particularly levelled at Matthew. As I have the volume, perhaps you might at some future time like to see it; though, in fact, it would only provoke you, for the man's temper is as bad as his sentiments: happily, it raises such a prejudice against his cause that none can be deceived out of their New Testament, though they may not be able to cope with him in his arguments, &c. But enough of this, only what is uppermost will come out.

My friends here have made my salary £10 per annum more, unsolicited; they were much involved, and have been paying off since Mr. David's death, and yet we are not quite clear. Pray are you sufficiently provided for through the winter? Excuse my asking such a question. I expect this will come to you on the 17th, and I hope you may then consider it as expressing the sentiments of a thankful heart at Norwich, both to you and a higher author of existence. Alas! how our years pass away. I think mine do not pass quite idly, yet how little is there in life that will bear even our own scrutiny. The hope of a future world presents a more pleasant prospect. Oh! may we all meet there!

J. K.

I wrote five sheets and a half on Evanson, and gave it to Mr. Hawkins. I have not since heard of it. I showed the manuscript to Mr. Wilkin first, he pressed me very hard to print it. He thought I had gone so far that I ought to go further, and, having examined the subject, to give the world the result.