carried off their feet by these mountain torrents, in which pure water, mud, and great boulders are in perilous combination, were to sit at the feet of reason and common sense an hour or two every day. Religion is a manly thing; and requires neither the artifice of oratory on the one hand, nor the luscious jargon of low colloquial sym pathy on the other, to uphold its interests, or promote its credit. We point not these remarks at Mr. Cook, though his tract has been the occasion of them. Let him go on and prosper, making what use he pleases of our observations, which are not meant to deter him from any good word or work, but are suggestive and friendly. Notes of the Month. RITUALISM.-The Rector of St. Alban's, Holborn, pending the prosecutions, seems determined to make the most of his time. At Easter, the display exceeded anything before attempted. A procession of priests and choristers, with silken banners beautifully embroidered, and of various colours, advanced down the north aisle to the altar. Upon the banners were various medieval devices, while upon one was a representation of the Virgin Mary. The surpliced choristers carried flowers, while the three priests were robed with rich gold-coloured vestments. The rector, Mr. Mackonochie, took the leading part, and at the “Sanctus" two incense-bearers appeared, swinging their censers before the altar. On the 14th ult., the Earl of Shaftesbury's Vestments Bill came on for discussion in the House of Lords; but the bishops, who seem to have observed ritualistic practices through smoked glass, did not see with Lord Shaftesbury the necessity for immediate legislation. So the matter is shelved; and a two years' delay, we suppose, to enable the Royal Commission to enquire into practices which are as plain as the sun at noonday, is the way in which our noble legislators have dealt with a question of such importance. A large body of the parishioners of Calne have acted in a more summary and expeditious manner, having seceded from the parish church on account of the ritualistic proceedings there, and determined on building a new free church for the worship of God. The clergy and churchwardens of York have presented an address to the Archbishop, thanking him for the plain and earnest way in which he has spoken, with reference to the introduction of ritualistic practices in his diocese. At the conclusion of his remarks his Lordship says, "The kind approval of my esteemed brethren is cordially welcome to me; for I have been deeply and painfully anxious that nothing which I might put forth on this question might be inconsistent either with the truth of God's word or with Christian charity." The Ritualists are exulting in the delay which will attend the Commission of Enquiry, and funds are being raised for the defence of the rector of St. Alban's, whose case, in the event of an adverse decision in the inferior court, will be taken to the Arches for appeal. CHURCH RATES.-A battle at Great Berkhampstead on this question should surely hasten the attention of Parliament to the settlement of the matter. We hear that a large number of the inhabitants are expecting their goods to be seized for this iniquitous imposition, while the goods and chattels of some have already been taken by the police, on which occasion the town was the scene of great excitement. A procession carried an immense banner, on which was inscribed, "A church supported by plunder cannot stand;" "Thou shalt not steal;" and "Lord, incline our hearts to keep this law." This was preceded by a drum and fife band, and the proceedings were altogether of a hostile character to the abominable tax. DISSENTERS AND BURIAL GROUNDS.-A year or two since, a lady named Myers, residing in the town of St. Mary Beverley, gave a piece of land on the outskirts, to be used as a burial ground, the old one being full, and disgraceful scenes constantly taking place there, on account of its overcrowded state. At a meeting which took place for the election of Churchwardens, great indignation was manifested, as a Mr. Upton, a Baptist minister, asked if the money for carrying out the intentions of the lady had been borrowed on the security of a churchrate; and whether it was intended to ap portion any part of the ground for the use of Dissenters. After speaking some time, without being heard, owing to the uproar which prevailed, the Vicar, in reply, said that he did not recognise Mr. Upton as a brother in Christ, that the money had been bor rowed on the security of the church-rate; but with regard to provision having been made for dissenters, he declined to answer that question. Mr. Upton then said that, until by every means in their power they had tested the legality of collecting a rate for this purpose, they would not pay it. We admire the courage Mr. Upton has displayed in his conflict with the intolerance of the Established Church, and hope he will be well supported in his determination. CIRCULATION OF THE BIBLE. From the report of the British and Foreign Bible Society we learn that upwards of two million copies (2,183,380) of the sacred Word have been issued during the past year, more than half of which were issued from the home depôt, while the remainder have been issued from the Foreign depôts at Paris, Berlin, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Italy, Turkey, India and China. The Society is about to enlarge its premises with a view to increased usefulness, and is soliciting contributions to the building fund. We wish its supporters every success, and hope they will soon realize enough to enable them to carry out their projected plans. PEACE.—The Luxemburg question, which recently threatened to set Europe in a blaze, has been happily settled by the Conference of the Great Powers in London, in which the disputed points between France and Prussia were discussed. Prussia has consented to withdraw her troops from the fortress, and a mutual understanding between all the Powers has been arrived at, in which the entire neutrality of the disputed territory has been declared. It is more than rumoured that the firm and energetic remonstrances of Her Majesty Queen Victoria to the Court of Berlin has largely conduced to so desirable a result, and we hope a durable peace will be maintained. THE FENIANS.-The trials, at Dublin, of the most notorious of the Fenians re sulted in the conviction of some of the ringleaders, upon whom sentence of death was passed; but the clemency of the Crown has commuted the sentence into penal servitude for life, except in the case of Burke; but at the time we go to press there is strong probability that even his sentence will be likewise commuted. We hope this clemency will be appreciated, and that we shall hear no more of Fenianism. PARLIAMENT.-A bill for increasing the number of bishops has quietly passed its second reading in the House of Lords. The new bishops are not on their appointment to become spiritual peers, but to suc ceed by rotation those already possessing that privilege.-Mr. T. Hughes' Sunday Trading Bill passed its second reading in the Commons without a division, it being understood that some amendments were to take place in Committee.-The Reform Bill seems gliding along rather more smoothly, after some important amendments. Mr. Ayrton's, which reduces the Government clause insisting upon a two years' residence to one, was a defeat to the Government; and Mr. Torrens' Lodger Franchise,which gives all persons duly qualified, and occupying unfurnished lodgings for which a yearly rent of £10 is paid, a vote-was submitted to. The amendment of the honourable and-we may say-gallant member, Mr. Stuart Mill, by which he sought to give the franchise to the ladies, Mr. Gladstone, we regret to say, has rewas defeated by a majority of 123 to 75.in consequence of the defection of the signed the leadership of the Liberal party, the somewhat slippery bridge over which pseudo-liberal members, who have proved the Government have been enabled thus far to carry their bill. RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.-We learn from "The Freeman" that, in the village of Cockley Cley, four miles from Swaffham, in Norfolk, a certain Squire Buckworth has forbidden the inhabitants (who sembling for public worship-such as are mostly agricultural labourers) from asprayer-meetings, &c., not connected with the Established Church-on any lands which are his property; and in one case going so far as to threaten to turn a young man out of his cottage, unless the prayerremonstrated with by a Mr. Gibson, a minmeetings were discontinued. Upon being ister at Swaffham, he replied," He wished the people to go to church, and he did not have read in school-boy days the fable of see why they should not please him." We the ass in the lion's skin, that betrayed himself when he made an attempt to roar; and the case of this Swaffhamn magnate brings it to our remembrance rather forcibly. We fear that, in agricultural districts, he does not stand alone in leonineassinine glory. DR. LIVINGSTONE.-Sir R. Murchison, in a letter to the "Times" of the 15th ult., expresses a hope that this renowned African explorer is still alive, and that the tale of An the Johanna men is a falsehood. expedition is being organized to search the coast where he was stated to have fallen a victim to the Mavites. The Government have liberally granted a sum of money to wards the object, and Lord Stanley, and the Admiralty_have also greatly assisted the Society. Numerous volunteers have offered to accompany the expedition, which will start early in June, should the necessary preparations be completed by that time. We hope these efforts will be crowned with success. NON-PROGRESS OF TRADE.-The great Exhibition at Paris is establishing some facts not at all flattering to this country. At the Institute of Civil Engineers, the President made the following remarks:"I am reluctantly compelled as an engineer, to admit that in machinery a more rapid advance towards excellence, and a greater number of new and successful combinations have been made by foreigners during the last ten years than by the people of this country," while the "Times" correspondent reports that, in every department of industry (porcelain excepted), we are beaten by the French, Austrians, and Belgians,—our silks being the worst in the world, while all our textile fabrics show no signs of improvement. These are facts which should arrest our attention, if it be the desire of our countrymen to maintain their mechanical and industrial celebrity, and should provoke enquiry as to how far the multitude of strikes which have, beyond question, driven capital from this country; and, to some extent, paralyzed individual exertion-have been conducive to so melancholy a state of things; and, while we uphold in the strictest sense the right of the working man to make the most of his labour, we cannot but Trades have driven labour in this country see that the powerful combinations of above its market value, and rendered capitalists unable and unwilling to risk entering upon large contracts, which, by a strike, might be rendered a disastrous failure. Intelligence. THE BAPTIST TRACT SOCIETY. THE Annual Meeting of the Baptist Tract Society was held on Wednesday evening, May 15th, in the lower room, Exeter Hall. Mr. H. Dowson, of Chamber Hall, Bury, presided. The report was read by the Secretary. It stated that More than a quarter of a century had now elapsed since the Society was formed. The number of the Society's issues had received a greater addition during the past year than in any former one. Forty-seven new tracts, four handbills, and two children's books had been published during the year. The total number of tracts published was thus raised to 322, that of handbills to 80, and that of children's books to 34. The number of tracts and handbills issued during the year had been nearly 800,000, and since the commencement of the Society more than four millions and a-half had been circulated. The number of subscribers had increased from 60 or 70 in former years, to 1,200. The total amount voted in Grants during the year, was £176 6s. 7d., comprising 269,800 tracts and handbills, which had been sent to brethren in Germany, Madras, Trinidad, Ceylon, Canada, New Zealand, and Scotland, as well as to very numerous localities in this country. The CHAIRMAN said that the distribution of tracts had become a most important means for the dissemination of Christian truths. Objection was sometimes made to tract distribution, that working men did not read the tracts when given to them. He held that the same objection might as reasonably be urged against the dissemination of truth by the preachers of the gospel, since many working men would not attend their ministry. It was an ac knowledged fact that the distribution of religious tracts was a most important means of teaching religious truth in the present day. Not one of the least of the many societies for the publication of these tracts was the Baptist Tract Society. It had its origin in small circumstances, but now it had become a most important and flourishing institution. There were several reasons which led him to commend to their regard the Baptist Tract Society. First, it was eminently catholic-not catholic in certain senses of the word, but as comprehending all Divine truth, seeking to demonstrate every portion of the truth of God's holy Word. Then, secondly, it disseminated that which was manly, true, and pure; and he commended it also because it made no great pretence: it went and did its work very silently, but effectually. Lastly, it was a denominational, and not a sectarian society. He believed the time had come when they should distinctly, earnestly, and solemnly, without any mental reservation whatever, and even dogmatically, if they pleased, go forth and assert those great principles of their common faith which | der of their views as Baptists. He retheir forefathers held with such great marked that it had been said it was a pity tenacity. The speaker then referred to so little a matter should separate them what he denominated the "extraordinary proceedings of the Congregational Union— referring to the discussion which took place relative to the admission of certain Baptist Ministers into the Pædobaptist Union. He held that they must be determined to maintain the distinctive principles of their denomination, and that, he considered, could be done without being sectarian. The speaker then referred to the Society's action on ritualism. They would resist these ritualistic encroachments-not by physical force, but by moral means, and the dissemination of the simple truths of the gospel. He concluded by observing that he had a young man under training, who had been an Italian Roman Catholic priest, but who was now being educated with a view of becoming a Baptist minister in his native city, Naples. He had mentioned him to the committee, believing that he might do considerable service by the translation of their tracts into the Italian language. of Mr. T. BAUGH, of Islington, moved the adoption of the Report, and the election of Officers. He could not overrate the value pure literature. A poet had said, "Let me write the nation's ballads, and care not who makes its laws." He, like the Chairman, was denominational, though not sectarian. Though the difference between Baptists and Pædobaptists had been termed a little matter," it was one which could not be destroyed. He concluded by urging the more general distribution of tracts among the people. 66 Mr. JENKINS, as a representative of the Principality of Wales, seconded the proposition, and showed how Baptist ministers in his country worked with their Independent brethren in a most fraternal way, without compromising, or even concealing, their own convictions on the point of baptism. Mr. S. COULING, of Scarborough, moved the second resolution, referring to the past success of the Society, and the necessity for the operations of the Holy Spirit to continue and increase the same. Great results arose from small beginnings. The Christian had the satisfaction of knowing that, while fame and riches were passing away, work for Christ could never die. Mr. WHITEHEAD, the Collector of the Society, gave an account of his work; after which, Mr. CHARLES STOVEL, in seconding the resolution, gave a most interesting address, in which he protested against any surren from the Pædobaptists. He combatted Mr. W. ALDERSON moved the third resolution, expressive of sympathy with the Society in its efforts against ritualism. Though some might consider the statement of the report egotistic-that Baptists possessed an advantage over other denominations in opposing the errors referred to, he believed in its truth. Infant sprinkling was one of the pillars of Popery; it ignored individual conviction of truth, which was essential to membership in the church of Christ, and was an unsuccessful attempt to make Christianity universal. He was not, however, an alarmist, and did not believe in the ultimate success of popery in England-he had too much faith in the Bible, the pulpit, the Sunday-school, and the Baptist Tract Society. The Church of England, although it has been called "the breakwater to popery," was in reality, the channel to it. Mr. C. KIRTLAND seconded the motion, and spoke of the kind assistance afforded by the Society in helping the cause of the British and Irish Home Mission. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, on the motion of Mr. G. WYARD, seconded by E. J. OLIVER Esq., the Treasurer, terminated the proceedings. LONDON: SALEM CHAPEL, MEARD'S-COURT, SOHO. THE Annual Meeting of the Sabbathschool teachers and friends took place in the above chapel on the evening of Tuesday, April 23rd. It will be observed that the date on which it was held precluded us from giving an account of the meeting in the number for May. After tea, which was well served and abundantly supplied, the chair was taken by Mr. W. ALDERSON, of East-street Chapel, Walworth. The proceedings commenced with the scholars singing, in an efficient manner, some appropriate words to the tune "Tintern;" after which Mr. Ross engaged in prayer. The CHAIRMAN, who was very cordially received, said he was not aware of the cause which had led the teachers to invite him to preside on the present occasion; or why he, in particular, should have been selected. However, he felt a considerable degree of pleasure in doing so. He then proceeded to state that when he belonged to Salem, some years since, there was no Sabbathschool connected with it. Now, however, things were very much altered, and wore quite a different aspect. He did not at all approve of the lack of Sabbath-schools which, even now, existed in some of the Baptist churches. Personally, he had always felt a great desire for the progress of Sabbath-schools, and was glad that the day had passed by when it was necessary to apologize for the existence of a Sabbathschool. He had, in fact, grown so heterodox himself as heartily to approve of the establishing of a Ragged-school at the chapel where he preached; and proceeded to explain, with a considerable degree of humour, the method by which this result had been achieved. MR. BEARNE, Secretary to the School, then read the Annual Report; from which it appeared that there were at present on the books, 16 teachers and 125 scholars, which numbers were not quite so large as those presented in last year's Report-owing partly to the fact of several fresh schools having lately been started in the neighbourhood. There was a very good school library, comprising nearly 230 volumes. The sum of £13, collected by the teachers and children, had been voted to missionary and other societies during the past year. The Report then treated of the desirability of erecting a schoolhouse in close proximity to the chapel, and stated that with that object a fund had already been collected, which now reached upwards of £40; and that collecting cards on behalf of the Sabbath-school Building Fund could now be obtained. The CHAIRMAN, after some sympathetic and encouraging remarks concerning the fact of Salem being at present without a pastor, said he felt great pleasure in calling upon his venerable friend and fellowlabourer in the cause of Christ, namely, MR. C. WOOLLACOTT, who, in moving the adoption of the Report, spoke of the changes which were continually being wrought by the hand of nature; and said that all things-except the truth of God, and the great verities of the gospel-were in a state of mutation. He spoke of his having been, seventy years ago, a scholar in a Sabbath-school; and alluded to the many instances which had come under his notice of the blessing of God having, in a remarkable degree, attended the work of Sabbath-schools,-drawing special attention to the case of a dear little boy now in heaven, who was able, by the Holy Spirit's help, to deliver addresses to adults. He was glad to find, from the Report, that the hearts of the teachers and children had been disposed to devote a portion of their funds to other societies; and spoke encouragingly to the teachers not to relax their efforts, as, from the tuition they imparted, there must be great good accrue to juvenile minds: in fact, that a scriptural education could never be forgotten. Having related other interesting anecdotes, which had come within the scope of his own experience, the speaker said that it was his heartfelt wish that the divine blessing might rest on the Sabbath-school in connection with Salem. MR. SCOTT seconded the adoption of the Report, and passed a well-merited eulogium on the labours of the previous speaker; but, passing from that subject, he felt that there was some cause for gratification in the Report which had just been read, although he was sorry to find there had been a slight falling off. He advised the teachers to make still further efforts to increase the number of scholars. thought the sum of £13 was no small amount to be gathered, in halfpence and pence, by the teachers and scholars. Having made some jocose but truthful remarks in favour of Ragged-schools, the speaker alluded to the impressibility of the juvenile mind, and gave a good word of en couragement to the teachers. He The adoption of the Report having been put and carried unanimously, the scholars sang, with good effect, another piece called "The Shining Shore." MR. ROLLINGS (Sunday-school Union visitor to the district) then made a few remarks concerning Sabbath-school work |