the whole fabric of moral obligation, and ultimately dissolves our allegiance to the great Head of the church. Whatever impairs Divine authority in any possible particular, tends, per se, to a relaxation of the whole code of morals, and if left to work out its legitimate issues, would destroy revelation itself. The authority that commands is weakened in the same proportion that we reduce the obligation to obey; and just as any system does the one, it converts solemn duty into a matter of mere choice, where obedience fails to be regarded as a virtue, and disobedience equally fails to be condemned as a vice. In such a relaxed condition of things conscience is eventually silenced and the system of action becomes one where it is practically regarded as a duty or a privilege to "do evil that good may come.' The Northern brethren have acted a manly part in unfurling the banner of opposition to such a system, and I heartily wish them God speed. They have a noble work before them, and thousands of the stanch Baptists of Britain and the world will pour forth fervent prayer for their final success. But they must not be discouraged if for some years they find it "up hill work." Many will stand aloof to see "how it succeeds." Should the attempt but appear to be a failure they will glorify their own sagacity in the words of some forefathers of that particular race, "What do these feeble Jews?-Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall." (Nehemiah iv. 2, 3.) Let not those brethren be troubled or dismayed by these modern Sanballats, but go straight forward with the building. If, however, success should attend them, then these men of discretion, sagacity, and "moderation," will be seen straggling in to share an honour which they made no effort to obtain. They will stand aloof while the wall is in building, and when the work is done they will come boldly on to patronise the deed! Mr. Editor, excuse my apparent forwardness. I know the denomination well, having mixed in its circles from my youth. If I have been bold in this communication, probably you will need no apology from one who for thirty years or more has been, A WATCHMAN. October 19, 1859. Poetry. THE CHRISTIAN'S CONFIDENCE. A favourite hymn in Germany at death beds; said to be found in a stained glass window in Nordhausen, with the date 1592. Who puts his trust in God most just, He who relies on Jesus Christ While mine Thou art, not death's worst smart Though fiercest foes my course oppose, My champion Thou, Lord Christ, art now, Who soon shalt overthrow them. And if but Thee I have in me, With thy good gifts and Spirit, I rest me here without a fear: Lord, hear my prayer, and in thy care, Reviews. The Church Distinguished; or, the Christian Community in its relations to the world. By CALEB WEBB, author of "The Sensibility of separate Souls considered." London, Houlston and Wright, 65, Paternoster-row, pp. 247. Few subjects connected with religion require a more thorough acquaintance tions to the world" will have fulfilled its grand and glorious mission, and from that solemn period, "time shall be no longer." with Holy Scripture, or a more complete | incorruptible." The church "in its relamastery over its varied representations of the dealings of God with men, than that of the church "in its relations to the world." Whoever therefore essays such a theme should be certain of his qualificationsthat he knows the Bible,-that he has read it with anxious, fervent prayer,-that he has surveyed the Christian church in the defective types of the Mosaic, as well as in the more perfect light of its own appropriate age,—and that he is able to take a bird's-eye view of the great system of Divine Government from the "purpose and grace" in Christ before the world began, to the actual transfer of the ruling authority to him who is " made head over all things unto the church." This then is the church. And does the present author teach a similar doctrine? Does he give a proportionate prominence and importance to that body for whom the Shepherd of the sheep laid down his life? That the author is capable of the theme in all its fulness these pages abundantly prove. He is beyond question a man of mind, able to grasp whatever subject he may undertake. But that he has discharged the assumed duty of this book, we hesitate to affirm. His views of things are far more comprehensive than clear, and his mode of expressing those views is obscure and Short of such a view, no man fully under-affected to a serious degree. The author stands the subject. He may write of the has valuable sentiments to convey, and church as a "body," as a "chosen generation why not convey them in language that -a peculiar people," "—or as some "ideal" of plain men can understand? Why affect visible perfection, and organic complete the obscure where it is both more easy and He may describe the character of more praiseworthy to be explicit? its members, the nature of its laws, and A few quotations will explain and prove the number and range of its duties; he our charge. "The church may be said to may define with the utmost accuracy its result from a Divine excitement and special "theory," its "constitution," the scope of direction and adjustment of common huits being, and the purpose of its existence; man capabilities.”—p. 5. the actual yet if he fail to recognize the transactions establishment and permanent substantialof eternity," before the world began," izing of the church."-p. 6. "It is a prowith the arrangement and purpose of Je-perty of the peculiar life of the church that, hovah in all succeeding time to secure to his eternal Son Christ the Lord, the "travail of his soul," -he will not with all his skill, his erudition, and ability have given a true representation of the church "in its relations to the world." ness. For the church of God in Christ all things exist. The Triune Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, employ Almighty power, wisdom, mercy, grace and truth, in its calling, preservation, sanctification and victory. The great principalities and powers in the heavenly places discover through the church "the manifold wisdom of God," and become in ready obedience its "ministering spirits." To its Head and Representative "all power is given in heaven and in earth," that he may in due time "put down all rule, and authority, and power," and place the church, "the Lamb's wife," before the throne, "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." The energy of nature, the government of Divine Providence, and the whole series of human events, are subjugated to the purposes for which the church exists upon earth; and when these purposes are fully accomplished-when the great design of God in this wonderful body shall be complete, "then cometh the end;" "the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised 66 for the sake of a nearer and less interrupted Nor are we thoroughly satisfied with the doctrine of the book in some few of its pages. For instance, in speaking of the glory of Christ, at page 121, he says of the angels, "All the angels of God worship him to their salvation. He is their Saviour as well as Lord." Where in Holy Scripture, we may ask, is Jesus Christ affirmed to be the Saviour of angels? How is it possible that he can be the Saviour of such as never sinned? That angels will be consolidated in their happy state by the great work of Christ the Lord, is probable from Eph. i. 10, and Col. i. 20; but that they require a Saviour, and that Jesus Christ is that Saviour, we hold to be en tirely without proof. There is also ambiguity on the subject of baptism. The author, remarking on the circumstances accompanying the administration of the rite in the apostolic age, says, p. 44, "In after times, the same relations are comparatively rare. And, of course, if the relations are absent, the same baptism cannot take place." What then, are there two or more baptisms? We read but of "one baptism," yet if it be true that where "the relations are absent, the same baptism cannot take place;" then, according to this writer, it is no longer the same, but "another" baptism. The whole question as stated by him is involved in obscurity; but we beg to remind him that a moral act does not depend upon a similarity of external "relations," but upon the state of the heart. Towards the close, also in some other parts, the author is more natural and easy in his style. Had he been so throughout we should have gladly spared our adverse remarks, for there is much in the book that is otherwise excellent. The following extract will be read with pleasure : "His Holy Spirit, variously exercised to a mysterious compass and intensity in our conditions, possesses a fulness of adapted life for all who are to live in his redeeming power. He gives forth eternal life, not simply as an extrinsic creation, but from Himself, to all the heirs of grace, according to the purpose of the Father. The gift of eternal life, as being the communication of his own Spirit, produces an intimate companionship between Himself and the predestined sons of God. The spirit of adoption flows in them from the Father, through the glorified Son of man, in connexion with their faith in Him. The same love of the glory of the Father as animates Him, animates them also. His joy is their joy, His confidence is theirs. "Without Him, they can do nothing," they could be nothing to the glory of God, or their salvation; but "abiding in Him, they abide in the love of God." They live in Him, and He lives in the Father, through His living in them, as the Father lives in Him." p. 244. 99.66 The work is divided into thirty six chapters each with its own title. Some of these we would recommend the author to simplify, such as "Commonness Overbalanced,' Unity and Compactness," "Community of Celibates," "Abstruseness of Mediation," &c. It is not favourable to any man's authorship that plain readers should have repeatedly to ask “what does he mean?" on Two Letters to Mr. Baxter, upon his book "Baptism." By G. H. ORCHARD. London: Trübner and Co., 60, Paternoster-row. Pp. 24. Far too much has been made of the superficial and school-boy production of Mr. Baxter. It evinced neither scholarship, argument, or reverence for Scripture authority. It was a bundle of quibbles throughout, and in a very short time it will be remembered by none but quibblers, who live by mere cavilling. Better always that such shallow works should be left to their own fate with as brief an exposé as possible. To treat them to earnest opposition, as one of our unfortunate contemparies did through three successive numbers, is but to puff the bubble into fame. Mr. Orchard's Two Letters are an exhim there are local reasons for assuming ception to this advice, inasmuch as with the censor. Besides which, no man in England better understands the question than he: no man has read more on the subject, and none has appeared in print with more credit to himself. And the present publication does him honour. In these twenty-four pages he fairly demolishes every position of his antagonist, and lays him level with the ground. In whatever locality "gainsayers" prevail, mouths must be stopped," this valuable tract should be widely scattered. "whose The Society of Friends, its strength, and its weakness. London: Thickbroom, Brothers. 31, Paternoster-row. Pp. 40. "The Society of Friends" are a body of people with so much about them that is noble and excellent, and they have withal conferred so much of solid good upon mankind at large, that, differing as we do from them in some weighty particulars, we should notwithstanding, deeply regret to see them die out of the land. We could ill-spare so many stanch friends of religious liberty, of education, and of international peace, and where they withdrawn by whom could their places be so efficiently supplied? If, without being pledged to a belief in their peculiar doctrines, our readers desire to know something more about the "Friends" than they have hitherto learned, they cannot do better than at a trifling cost, purchase and carefully examine, this interesting little work. It is written in a lovely spirit, in a graceful style, and with considerable power. The author, who avows that he was once a 'Friend," fully understands his subject, and has presented in these pages information that every lover 66 of liberty of conscience should regard The New Congregational Tune Book. Instruhimself as bound to possess. on Kingston Leaflets; also Meditations Solomon's Song. By T. W. MEDHURST, Kingston-on-Thames. Kingston: George Phillipson. London: John F. Shaw, Paternoster-row. Both 8 pages. Our brother Medhurst appears to have caught the spirit of those impressive words of the Saviour, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day. The night cometh when no man can work." He is always at work, and at work for his Divine Lord. These "Leaflets" and "Meditations" are adapted to instruct and console the true people of God. They are not intended for the world, but for the church, and some of them are prepared for the young. They are sweet little productions, full of the savour of Christ and Heaven, and will prove as "bread cast upon the waters" wherever they may be spread. Foreign. SOUTH AFRICA, mental Edition. Vocal Score Edition. Tonic Sol-Fa Edition. By ADAM WRIGHT, Organist of Carr's-lane Chapel, Birmingham. T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York. Pp. 42. These are beautiful Editions of the Congregational Tune Book. For clearness, for harmony of arrangement, and adaptation of the music to the words employed, we have met with nothing that will bear comparison with them. The music can be read with the greatest ease, and the various parts are so well adjusted to each other, that the tune can be followed with the utmost facility. The selection of tunes is also excellent. They are solid, grave, and devotional, as all such tunes should be in the service of God, and will gradually supersede the flighty pieces which so frequently mar that sacred service. We earnestly recommend these editions to all our Congregations throughout the land. Entelligence. To the Editor of the Primitive Church Magazine. DEAR SIR,-Will you have the kindness to insert the following, cheering intelligence in the Primitive Church Magazine, respecting the progress of Christ's cause in the city of Graham's Town, South Africa. For many years we have had two Baptist churches in that city. Lately they have been visited with showers of blessings, the earnest of which has been gathered into the churches. The first church has been recently revived, and several persons have been added to their number. In reference to these baptisms, James Temlett, Esq., writes me as follows: Graham's Town, South Africa. "The Rev. Thomas Boulton baptized four candidates after a profession of their faith on the Redeemer, on Sabbath evening, March 13th, 1859; one was a soldier in the 85th regiment, may he be a good soldier of the cross. On Sabbath evening, July 31st, 1859, our pastor baptized six more in the presence of a large and crowded congregation. It was a very interesting scene, and the spectators appeared to be THE BRITISH OPIUM TRADE AND THE EDINBURGH ANTI-OPIUM COMMITTEE, believing that there are few subjects of so great importance regarding which the public mind is so little informed, as the Opium Trade and Revenue, respectfully submit the following statement of the leading facts regarding them to the serious consideration of their countrymen : OPIUM TRADE. 1. An immense importation of opiumprepared expressly for the purpose of gratifying a vicious taste by smoking itis annually made into China from ports in British India. This importation has increased forty-fold since the beginning of the century, or from 2,000 to 80,000 chests. The demand for this article has been created by shipments originally made by the East India Company in 1735, and since 1800, chiefly by British merchants, who have succeeded in extending it, by experimental importations, from time to time, into new parts of the coast-at first of a losing character, but profitable in the end, by creating a taste for the new vice. Opium now forms the great bulk of the returns for Chinese tea and silk, amounting, as it does, to £8,000,000, while the export of all British produce and manufactures to China averages little more than £2,000,000. living. Whatever may have been the sex or caste of the human beings, whose frames these spirits animated on earth, the same is retained by them when disembodied, but in this one point they all agree, a measureless malignity and capacity for originating mischief. Blessings are never prayed for from these spirits; their compassionate or tender feelings are never appealed to; they are, in short, fiends, and the utmost that can be hoped for from them is, that their malice may be appeased, so far, at least, as to pass over those who reverence them, and select other victims. They blast the crops, withhold rain, spread murrain among cattle, ride on the storm, and afflict men with diseases, especially sunstrokes, madness, and epilepsy. They dwell in waste placcs, in the densest forests, and among ruins. No temples are ever erected to them, but the whole Shanar country is covered with mud pyramids, plastered and whitewashed, and with the figure of a devil delineated in front, set up to mark the spots where the people assemble for the worship of these revolting deities. In one village the spirit of an English_officer, named Pole, was the presiding fiend. The worship consists of dancing and sacrifice. The people collect near one of these, beat drums, and sacrifice a fowl, sheep, or goat. A man then comes forward with tinkling anklets, in his hand a jingling staff or bell, his long hair loose, and his body wrapt in a black cloth covered with figures of fiends, 2. The use of this opium, so prepared, or in reeds ornamented with red and white is productive of the most ruinous conseflowers. At the sound of horns, drums, quences to the population where it is and the deep tone of the devil-bow, he consumed. These consequences are carebegins to dance. After a number of revolt- fully to be distinguished from those which ing ceremonies he sits down, and is then result from the abuse of alcoholic beverages consulted, as inspired, regarding the omi-melancholy as the latter are-the former nous occurrence which has occasioned the ceremony, for it is generally some disaster which brings the people together. The oracle then, either by signs or muttered words, appoints a future day for another sacrifice, when the victim is killed and eaten with rice and other accompaniments. It is not easy for Europeans to get a sight of these ceremonies, as the natives are averse to their presence at them. There are some reasons for believing that this is the primitive worship of the aborigines of India, and that it is consequently of primeval antiquity. The absence of caste, and the absurdity of their own belief, have probably aided the missionary in his efforts among the Shanars, and there are now considerably more than 50,000 of them receiving regular instructions in Christian congregations.-Handbook of India. being, in the long run, the rule, not the exception, and the result of the use, not the abuse of the indulgence. "The usual demoralising influences of the opium trade" are thus not merely incidental to it, but in the language of the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons, "are incontestable, and INSEPARABLE from its existence." 3. According to the most unexceptionable testimony of merchants, travellers, physicians, Government servants, missionaries, and Chinese statesmen, the vice, the misery, and even the destruction of life, resulting from this indulgence, it is almost impossible to estimate. "The moderate use" of opium as it is prepared for the Chinese, which some suppose to be so harmless, tends to the practice of sensuality in its grossest forms. "Moderation" leads, with fearful certainty and speed, to excess," and excess to every crime of which its victim is |