versation.

tion its genuineness. Most readers will it,-"On its appearance we read it with probably be surprised to find that while it is indignation: it is cleverly and, in some a most admirable exhortation, it is evidently parts, brilliantly written: but as an arguwritten by what is called a strict baptist. ment on a great christian ordinance, it is The text is Ephes. iv. 3; and it is stated execrable, while its spirit and manner dethat the unity and peace there mentioned serve the severest reprobation." Such is the "must consist with, (and cannot consist opinion of a Pædobaptist. In the latter without) the believing and practising those part of it, we fully agree; and there is things which are necessary to church com- enough also of cleverness in the work to munion," which he states to be faith, prove that its author is not a man of such believers' baptism, and a holy blameless con- stolid ignorance as some things at first led us to suppose. But as to the parts "brilliant"Now that baptism is essential to church ly written," we confess we have not seen them. communion," he says, "I prove from 1 Cor. It would ill become us to attribute to Pædox. 11" where the apostle shews "that baptists at large the approval of what so whoever did confess Christ, and own him popular a writer as Dr. Campbell declares for his head, did it by the Spirit, ver. 5."execrable," and it is enough perhaps to And not only because they have called leave the work to this verdict and its own him Lord by the Spirit, but because they self-destruction. The title itself is a specihave by the guidance and direction of the men of the whole. Under his "confessions" same Spirit been baptized: ver. 13. For by the author sets forth what he deems the one Spirit,' &c. I need not go about to con- faults of others, not his own. As to being fute that notion that some of late have had of a "convert," though the son of a Baptist, this text, viz., that the baptism here spoken it does not appear that he was ever convinced of is the baptism of the Spirit, because you that baptism was immersion, and it is clear have not owned and declared that notion as that he never was himself baptized,-if the your judgment, but on the contrary, all of work be fact and not fiction, which he refuses you that I have ever conversed with, have to decide. He knows enough of Greek predeclared it to be understood of baptism positions to be aware that the primary and with water by the direction of the Spirit. characteristic meaning of the preposition If so, then it follows that men and women rendered "with baptism" in our version, is are declared members of Christ's body by in; as in the expression "in the river Jordan," baptism, and cannot be by scripture reputed and yet he calls himself a convert from this and esteemed so without it; which further scriptural mode of baptism to "baptism appears from Rom. vi. 3, where men by with water;" and argues against it on the baptism are said to be planted into the like- ground that immersion does not agree with ness of his death; and Col. ii. 12. where we the preposition with in our common transare said to be buried with him by bap- lation. He has even the recklessness to tism.' All which, together with the consent of assert that "they know well that an 'imall christians (some few in these later times proved version' of the New Testament could excepted,) do prove that baptism is necessary not be made rigidly on these principles:" p. to the initiating persons into the church of 34. This is not ignorance, for he has heard Christ" pp. 283, 284. A little afterwards of the Bible Translation Society, and of our it is said, "I would not be mistaken, as versions in the East. False as facts prove though I held there was nothing else for it to be, the assertion shows how important christians to practise when I say this is all, it is to present the passages relating to bap[viz. faith, baptism, and holiness,] that is tism properly translated. He maintains requisite to church communion.” The ex- that baptism means sanctify, p. 127; is hortation was therefore, at first addressed to much opposed to the circulation of Baptist baptized churches, and so excellent do tracts, (see Pref. vii. and p. 65;) charges we think the views it expresses as to the just us freely with artifice, sophistry, bigotry, &c. causes of separation, and the exceeding importance to the prosperity of our churches of a spirit of love and peace, that it is commended to them with the fervency of brotherly affection.

and like the infidel, endeavours to whet prejudice by adducing the mischances of what is observed as a divine command, as good evidence of its being a delusion. It is well, however, for ministers to read this work, that they may the better expose it if it enters Confessions of a Convert from Baptism IN their neighbourhood, and guard the more water, to Baptism WITH water. 16mo., cautiously against giving occasion to such pp. 108. Snow, London. men to speak evil of divine things. The The editor of the Christian Witness, in church to which the author refers was strict, an incidental reference to this work, says of otherwise he had probably never written.

A Brief History of the Western Association | privacy and publicity have obviously nofrom its commencement about the middle thing to do with it. It is a question of of the Seventeenth Century, to its division church-law, and whether the church meet into four smaller ones,-the Bristol, the with locked doors, or in open view of a Western, the Southern, and the South vast concourse, the question is the same. If Western,-in 1823. Published at the rea pædodaptist were believed to be a hundred quest of the Bristol Association. By times better than a man believed himself to J. G. FULLER. 8vo., pp. 70. Hemmons, be, this would not the least sanction him in Bristol. doing what he felt God had forbidden, to please him. It is spoken of as some mere matter of form"-p. 23. But the question is, can God's command, whether about a form or anything else, be wilfully broken without sin or mischief? May we sin wilfully, if it be only in matters of form, that grace may abound ? "None were received into the first churches but those who were baptized." This we agree in, and also that these churches were formed as an example for all time. Let it be shewn then how any man can wittingly deviate from apostolic practice instituted for all time, without contumacy and practical rebellion. It is impossible.

This record, so trifling in cost, contains much information valuable, not only to the Western Churches, but to the whole baptist body. The Churches in the Western Association formed, at first, a large part of the whole denomination. It appears that, for a long time, if not to the last, they were all baptized churches, and also held views in harmony with the doctrine of particular redemption; but that afterwards they became remiss in enforcing their terms of union, as to doctrinal sentiment, and that the strifes to which the consequent mixture of opinions gave rise, and the rapid diffusion of Arian, Socinian, Pelagian, and Arminian sentiments, led them to make adhesion to the sentiments of the London Confession of 1689 essential to union with the Association. False charity and false liberality were pleaded as affording reasons opposed to this course, but the evils the brethren had witnessed led them firmly to maintain their ground. Some of the papers inserted in these pages might be supposed to have been written for our terested in our early history and in the lessons of wisdom taught by it, will be glad to possess these pages.

own circumstances. Brethren who feel in

We regret to see so intelligent a christian brother treating a question of social duty towards God, as one of forbearance towards men. Churches have rules and duties prescribed to them as well as individuals, and if God commands anything as a law of association, to neglect it from forbearance towards men, is a grievous contempt of his authority. "Refusing to observe the known practice of the apostles was contumacy and rebellion," in their life-time, as Mr. Innes admits; but if so, then to acknowledge the perpetuity of their authority, and yet deviate from their acknowledged practice, must be contumacy and rebellion still. Our esteemed brother speaks of it as a question of publicity; a question whether a person should be recognised in private and not in public. But

The Church. Vol. II 8vo., pp. 195. 1845.
London, Simpkin & Co.; Leeds, J. Hea-

ton.

This periodical is sanctioned by the West Riding of Yorkshire Baptist Association, and has been conducted by Messrs. Giles, of of Bradford. From the commencement of Leeds, and Clowes, Dowson, and Pottinger, this year it is to be under the care of the last three brethren and Mr. Evans of Scarborough, who has hitherto edited the Northern Baptist, now united with it. Being neutral on the communion question, it has a field for its circulation, which, considering its excellence and remarkable cheapness, should ensure a sale not so very unworthy of comparison with that of "The Christian's Penny Magazine," of which it is hoped that 150,000 or 200,000 may be sold. The Foreign Missionary articles during the past year have been written by Mr. P. J. Saffery, and the Home by Mr. J. Burton.

COLORED LITHOGRAPH PORTRAIT OF THE LATE
WILLIAM KNIBB, OF JAMAICA.

THE friends of our beloved brother Knibb, will be naturally very desirous of possessing a correct likeness of one whose memory is so dear to them. The fulllength lithograph portrait of him by Palmer, published by Messrs. Dyer, and Co. is an excellent likeness. If uncolored, it is but half the price, but we strongly recommend the colored engraving, as a much more living representation.

Entelligence.

DEATH OP THE HONORED AND EXCELLENT

WILLIAM KNIBB.

THE Jamaica Baptist Herald, of Nov. 18th contains the following intelligence of the death of this eminent servant of God. "It is with feelings of the deepest anguish we record the most afflictive dispensation of divine providence that has occurred since the commencement of the Baptist Mission in this island. Our much loved friend and fellow-labourer, the Rev. WILLIAM KNIBB, departed this life at Kettering, on the morning of Saturday, the 15th, at twenty minutes before ten o'clock, of yellow fever, after a brief illness of only four days. It was our melancholy privilege to be present with our departed brother, from the commencement of his last illness to the termination of his earthly career, and it will afford his numerous friends in this island and in England much gratification to know that all that medical skill and kind attention could do to check the progress of the disease and to allay suffering, was done, and that the end of our departed brother was emphatically one of peace. He entered into his rest enjoying calm and unshaken confidence in the perfect atonement of the Son of God. One of his last expressions, while he yet retained the possession of all his faculties, was, "A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, on Jesus' arms I fall." In the removal of this eminent patriot and christian missionary, the Baptist Mission has sustained an irreparable loss; his valuable partner and children have been deprived of a most affectionate husband and father; we have lost a faithful friend; the churches of which he was the spiritual instructor, for a period of 15 years, a devoted pastor; and the victims of tyranny, oppression, and cruelty, an unflinching and eminently successful advocate. Christians of every denomination will, we are confident, unite everywhere, as those in Falmouth and its vicinity have already done, in exclaiming 'A great man has fallen in Israel. We cannot, at present, add more, but we hope that a memoir of our more than brother, our FRIEND, will be prepared at no very distant period. Farewell, thou favored of the Lord-Farewell, sainted spirit. May we meet thee in the mansions of the

blessed."

"On Sunday, the following morning, at 11 o'clock, the remains of our beloved brother were carried by six of the deacons, from the Mission House to the Chapel, followed by some members of the family, several missionary brethren and sisters, the deacons and leaders of the neighbouring churches, with others who had come 30 or 40 miles for the occasion, most of the respectable inhabitants of the town, and an immense and orderly concourse of people. As the mournful procession passed along the street, nothing was heard but the sounds of suppressed grief; but when the corpse was carried into the chapel, the vast assembly could no longer control their emotions; they felt that their father and their friend was no more,' they lifted up their voices and wept.' In a short time silence was restored, when, brother Dendy, having engaged in prayer, brother Cornford gave out that appropriate hymn, commencing,

'Servant of God, well done,

Rest from thy loved employ:
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master's joy.'

Brother Dutton read the 90th Psalm, and
brother Abbott parts of the 4th and 5th
chapters of the first epistle of the Thes-
salonians. Brother J. E. Henderson prayed,
and brother Pickton then read the hymn
beginning,―

"Lord, we adore the vast design,

Th' obscure abyss of providence.'

Brother Burchel, gave an excellent address, from Rev. xxi. 4, and brethren Hutchins and Hewett concluded the mournful service. The body was then carried to the grave in the chapel-yard. Brother Millard gave out that hymn which commences,

'Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb,

Take this new treasure to thy trust,
And give these sacred relics room
To seek a slumber in the dust.'

"The Rev. David Kerr, (Wesleyan) delivered a touchingly eloquent oration. The Rev. Walter Thorburn, (Free Church) offered up prayer, and the Rev. Jonathan Edmondson, (Wesleyan) pronounced the benediction, when the sorrowing crowd gradually dispersed. Letters of sympathy and condolence were received from the Rev.

Messrs. Blyth and Anderson, who were deeply anxious to testify their respect for our departed brother by following his remains to the tomb, but were prevented by sickness. A letter was also received from our afflicted brother Tinson, regretting the dire necessity which prevented him from paying the last tribute of affection to the remains of one he had known so long, laboured with so cordially, and loved so well." A funeral sermon was to be preached in the Baptist Chapel, Falmouth, on Tuesday, Nov. 20th, by brother Burchell.

ENGLISH BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSIONS.

SERAMPORE.-The contemplated transfer of mission property here to Mr. Marshman, took place Sept. 1st. The chapel and the ground on which it stands were not included in the sale, but made over to Mr. Marshman and the college council in trust for the Baptist Church there, clauses being inserted to prevent its ever becoming an unitarian place of worship, and to secure its reversion to the mission if the church becomes extinct. Throughout the whole Mr. Marshman has acted in the most honorable manner.

DR. YATES AND MR. MACK.-The Calcutta District Committee of the London Missionary Society have placed on record their unfeigned sorrow at the removal of these excellent men, their high esteem of their talents, acquirements, piety, and labors, their sympathy with the bereaved, and con

mory deserves to be honored by some public provision for his bereaved family.

BARISAL. This is the principal town of the district of Bakargang, east of Calcutta. Mr. Bareiro states that persecution here is assuming more frightful forms. He has thought it right to recommend some of the converts to seek legal protection. In one instance the protector sent by the magistrate, compelled a convert to pawn his cattle to make up a sum exacted by him, and another, a carpenter, to work gratis for him. Two others were imprisoned, illtreated, and deprived of their clothes. The finger of God has been very manifest in the conversions which have taken place. The work, says Mr. Bareiro "bears God's own impress and seal, and owes nothing whatever to me who was blind as to its success." Notwithstanding persecution, it advances, and there are many candidates for baptism. Mr. Bareiro is anxious to build a chapel and school at Kotwálepárá, and to buy land with a view to shelter the converts from the oppression and ill-usage they are subject to,

creased indications of a disposition to learn DINAJPUR.-Mr. Smylie mentions inthe way of life. Brahmins who shewed much enmity and jealousy a year or two since, are much changed in their conduct towards him.

MUTTRA. In consequence of the unusually heavy and continuous rains, the roof of the new chapel here has fallen in, and the walls are much damaged. There was before a debt on it of 600 rupees, and now a considerable sum is needed to restore it, for which Mr. Philips is dependent on christian liberality.

CEYLON.-The health of Mrs. Owen Birt, renders it necessary that she should return to this country.

viction of the loss which the christian brotherhood in general has sustained. Mr. Wenger, in describing Dr. Yates as a translator, says, "if a firmly balanced mind, endowed with splendid talents and enriched by solid and extensive erudition; if an immoveable firmness of conscientious conviction, rooted in an ardent love of truth, and chastened by humility unfeigned; if these AFRICA.-Mr. Clarke has again visited the qualities, accompanied by untiring industry, district of Old Calabar with Captain Mila tender conscience and fervent prayer, con- bourne, in the Dove. They first met the stitute a biblical translator, then such a son of King Eyo, who is a fine, mild, inteltranslator was William Yates." Mr. Wen-ligent, and very kind youth, and had much ger differed, however, from the view he took of many passages, and thinks he sometimes acted the part of an interpreter, rather than a translator, but is quite sure he did so conscientiously. The Bengal Hurkaru, which is in no way connected with our missions, after noticing the public benefits conferred by Dr. Yates, by making the acquirement of the vernacular languages more easy, by laying open the character of the Sanskrit, and providing government with school books for its colleges, &c., suggests that his me

conversation with him. Mr. Clarke asked him if he should like to go to England to receive instruction, but he said his father could not spare him. At length King Eyo came with the chief of Cameroon Town, and was very friendly. Mr. Clarke entered upon a very interesting conversation with him, in the course of which, he detailed in the most simple manner, many of the most important facts of divine revelation, and especially the love of Christ in dying for sinners. To tell of this love, he said, was the great object of

THE New York Recorder says, that the signs of a better state of things in the Baptist churches are more cheering than for some time past. There is a tone of hopesome instances God is pouring out his Spirit. fulness, it says, which implies faith, and in Several of the followers of Rongé have arrived in Baltimore, and will probably remain there and establish a church. According to the Catholic Almanac, there are from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 Catholics in the United States. They have 21 dioceses, 675 churches, 592 other stations; 572 clergymen otherwise employed; 22 ecclesiastical establishments; 220 clerical students; 23 literary institutions; 53 female academies ; and 84 charitable institutions.

THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE BAPTIST TRIENNIAL CONVENTION was opened in the Baptist Tabernacle, New York, Nov. 19, 1845. Dr. Wayland, the President, in the