comprehensiveness of view, solidity of judgment, correctness of taste, a style clear, flowing, and forcible, and when needful, a mastery of the descriptive, the glowing, and the picturesque. English history presents few examples of a more merited and graceful compliment than that which is implied by the elegant comparison instituted between the Queens Elizabeth and Victoria. Here is a book of reality, worth a ton of the rotten rubbish which forms the corrupt and corrupting library of romance. This book remarkably exemplifies the advantage which, other things being equal, a Christian historian possesses over mere men of letters. Recollections of a Tour. A Summer Ramble in Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland. By J. W. MASSIE, D.D. 8vo, pp. 548. London: Snow. THE title of this volume forms but a very imperfect index to its contents; perhaps, we should rather say it tends somewhat to mislead. The "recollections" of most tourists are but little worth; their "rambles” are rubbish, and their philosophy nonsense. It is much otherwise with the work before us. Here assuredly there is no trifling; and the putting together such a work was a task of no ordinary labour. It is the result of no common measure of literary research, and of a vast expenditure of intellectual power. Dr. Massie, in his own elegant preface, very correctly sets forth the general character of the enterprise in the following words: "I was solicitous to accumulate local and historical information, rather than poetical descants, or theological disquisitions. I have therefore corrected, as well as recollected; investigated, as well as surveyed; and collected, as well as recited the traditions and legends of those famed regions. Yet, had I contemplated inquiries so elaborate and diversified as have followed, I should have shrunk from the task, and doubted the wisdom of such an undertaking." It is a book of masterly digest and vigorous narrative, sound in its principles, and comprehensive in its views. Every chapter throughout the volume bespeaks the keen observer, the shrewd man of business, the man of letters, and the Christian philosopher. The various knowledge, the extraordinary capacity, and the irresistible energy of Dr. Massie are matters of fact well-known to the English public; from this volume they will receive a very impressive illustration. It is a work which all may read, all may understand, and from which most may learn. It will henceforth be a choice companion to those who shall travel the same regions, and form a most interesting and valuable substitute for such travel to those who can spare neither the time nor the money. We must not omit to state that a rich vein of religious sentiment pervades the volume, which, to Christian men, gives it a decided and incalculable superiority over the more celebrated of his predecessors, with whose works and names the public are well acquainted. The volume is ample, but we think the bulk of readers will wish it had been extended rather than curtailed. We dismiss it, with satisfaction, as a book for all classes and all seasons, and as such cordially commend it to our readers. History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century. By Dr. D'Aubigne. Vols. I. II. and III. Collins's Edition. History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century. By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE. Assisted in the English by H. WHITE. 8vo, pp. 621. Edinburgh Oliver and Boyd. For THIS great work is now so far completed. Of its transcendent merits it were superfluous, if not impertinent, to utter another word to a large class of the British people. But to the immense majority it is still unknown, unless to a number of that majority by name, But, thanks to Mr. Collins, vols. I. II. and III. are now within the reach of the millions. the trifle of four shillings and sixpence, less than a sixth of the original price, this, the chief portion of the immortal work, may now be procured. Then, while the paper is good, the type is sufficient for people of every age. By this undertaking Mr. Collins has rendered prodigious service to the cause of true religion and pure Protestantism. But only an immense sale can save him from a heavy loss. On such a sale he has doubtless counted. Readers of the WITNESS! such let him have. Now for 100,000, within the year, for England! D'Aubigne for EIGHTEENPENCE A VOLUME! Long life to William Collins! We claim him as one of the best "friends of the people," and therefore a brother beloved. But what of vol. IV.? Ay, that 's The Scriptural Argument against Apostolical Succession, in its fabulous Genealogy, its Claim of Supremacy for Peter, its graduated Scale of Ministerial Orders, and its Perversion of the Rite of "Laying on of Hands." By T. STRATTEN. London: Snow. Royal 18mo, pp. 244. THIS volume comprehends a great argument, which is here conducted by a superior hand. It may be said to be the great question of our age and country. If the principles here set forth are not those of the word of God, there is not only an end to our Nonconformity, but to our Protestantism; all is over with us; one only of two paths remains, a return to Rome, or an advance towards perdition! The title of the book is an analysis of its contents, so that little remains for us but the expression of a special opinion as to the manner of its execution, a point on which it is but justice to say, that little has been left to be either desired or attempted. The argument on the several subjects is worked out with consummate ability, and in the best possible spirit. "He thinks," he says, "there is a region, in which one may get so closely into communion with the truth as to be filled with its light, and be absorbed with the beauty of its features, the harmony of its proportions, the kindnesses of all its relations that in that region the feelings called into exercise are unmingled in their purity and sweetness, and every utterance becomes emphatically a 'speaking of the truth in love.' The volume is, unquestionably, a fine exemplification of this beautiful sentence; yet we will undertake, in a short space, to find a thousand men who will pronounce it an out-burst of malice and uncharitableness, a root of bitterness, a vial of wrath. Where the author fails to convince, he will be sure to offend. Anger, unlike truth, is a commodity which can always be commanded, and resentment is the never-failing refuge of discomfiture. The work, should it fail of converting men, already in error, will succeed in leading all who examine it with candour, into the truth, and of confirming the souls of such as have found it. The special controversy apart, it is a most valuable manual of great Scripture principles. We commend attention to the last lecture, to those who set light by the imposition of hands, as well as the whole work, which deserves, and we doubt not will enjoy, a very extensive circulation. Its appearance is highly opportune, for it is one of the ablest antidotes to Puseyism that has yet appeared, and it is withal so cheap as to be accessible to all. CHARACTERISTIC NOTICES. The Spirit of the Vatican, illustrated by Historical and Dramatic Sketches, during the Reign of Henry the Second. With an Appendix of Papal Bulls, Doctrines, Episcopal Letters, &c. By JOSEPH TURNLEY. 8vo, pp. 247. London: Hugh Cunningham. THE product of genius and true Protestantism. The Female's Friend. Nos. I., II, and III. London: Houlston and Stoneman. A HIGHLY meritorious publication, which has special claims on every Christian female. We particularly recommend it. Perilous Times; or, The Aggressions of Anti- turn. The Incarnate One. A Poem in Three Books. Part I. 8vo, pp. 127, London: Ward. PART the first, and, we suspect, the last, not that there is any want of talent, for an ordinary work; but no talent whatever could sustain several parts, that is, volumes of poetry on one subject. Windsor: A Poem, Historical and Imaginative. By T. CHAMBERLAIN. 12mo, pp. 107. London: Aylott and Jones. SOUND in principle, vigorous in fancy, and superior in versification. As a specimen verse we may take the following. "O! martial glory! how thou hast allured To sudden death the youthful and the brave! What griefs, what pains, what perils are endured, What mighty efforts made, to grasp the grave! In garments woven from the breath of fame, name." 188 British Missions. CHRONICLE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES: OF THE BOARD FOR GENERAL EDUCATION: AND OF THE THREE SOCIETIES FOR BRITISH MISSIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNION. SIXTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES. NEVER since the formation of the Union was it more important than it will be on the approaching occasion, that all the members should bring with them their best contribution of prayerful love and zealous wisdom. The Congregational churches greatly need, in these times of equal interest and difficulty, the vigour which can be secured only by that unity of counsel, purpose, and effort, which is the result of a common and absolute dependence upon Christ. May this sixteenth Assembly of the Union prove a season of invigorating, uniting prayer, counsel, and love! It is proposed to hold three Sessions of the Assembly, on the mornings of Tuesday, the 12th; Friday, the 15th; and Saturday, the 16th of May. The Rev. Dr. Vaughan, Professor of Theology in the Lancashire College, is expected to preside. It is proposed to devote the Tuesday morning's session to the usual business of the Union. 1. Its report. 2. That of the distribution of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS Fund in aid of aged ministers, with which will be connected a statement of the views of the Committee of distributors on the important subject of deferred annuities, as a provision for the declining years of our pastors, this matter having been referred to the Committee for distributing the WITNESS Fund, by the Autumnal Meeting, held at Manchester. 3. The brief statements of the Committees severally conducting the three Societies for British Missions. 4. A report of the " Wycliffe Society," for which very interesting and important movement it is hoped that the best attention and support of the Assembly will be secured; and, 5. The annual letter to the churches. The session of the Friday morning it is intended to devote, 1st, to a renewal of the important discussion entered on at the Manchester Autumnal Meeting relative to the spiritual state and prospects of the Independent denomination in England and Wales. The Rev. J. A. James has yielded to the request of the Committee that he would revise, and read a second time the valuable and impressive paper with which the former discussion at Manchester was opened. The discussions and statements which arose upon the many important views developed in his memorial will enable Mr. James either to modify, or with advantage to confirm them. Very many brethren will hear the paper in London who were not present at Manchester. 2. The second matter for the consideration of the Assembly, at this Friday morning's session will be the report of the Committee appointed to consider the proposals set out in the able paper on "Congregational Economics," read at Manchester, by the Rev. J. Ely, of Leeds. Saturday, May 16th.-The session of this morning it is proposed to devote entirely to a full consideration of the history, position, and prospects of the educational movement entered upon by the Union more than two years ago, and subsequently transferred to the management of a distinct executive of its own. The instructive light of additional experience has, since the origin of this movement, been thrown on the state of the nation in respect of education on all the principles by which it has been proposed to conduct the education of the people and on the amount of ability, or willingness, or interest which each and every denomination of Christians can contribute to this great and urgently necessary work. Now is the time to review, to correct, and to advance with both increased wisdom and increased vigour. The proposed proceedings of this supplemental session on the morning of Saturday, May 16, will be amongst the most important of all the proceedings of the assembly. HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Extracts relating to the lamented decease of the late Corresponding Secretary, Dr. Matheson. WHILST it affords the Directors much pleasure to discover, by correspondence with the missionaries, the great esteem in which their lamented friend was held, it renders their sense of the loss the Society has sustained the deeper, and calls for the exercise of that faith in the Divine promises which events like this so impressively demand. The following extracts from the journals recently received will be read, the Directors believe, with a melancholy satisfaction by the friends of the Society, and will excite, they trust, the earnest prayers of many that the great Head of the church, who so eminently qualified their late friend for the office he filled, will speedily raise up a successor, who will enter into his labours and carry on a work which he so efficiently conducted. "Little did I suppose," writes one, "that when I wrote my last journal our beloved Corresponding Secretary had just taken his flight to a better world. I cannot express the grief I felt on receiving the intelligence of his death, which came so suddenly and unexpectedly upon me. I feel that I have lost a valued friend; one whose kindness has been truly paternal in every season of difficulty and distress. Nor is it a private loss merely; it will be felt throughout the country, especially on all our missionary stations. My prayer is that the great Head of the church may raise us up a man of the same ability, the same kindness, and the same devotion to his work. I did myself the mournful pleasure of seeing his remains conveyed to the silent tomb. 'I went to the grave to weep there.' On the sabbath evening following I preached a funeral sermon to a crowded audience, many of whom listened to his voice on the day the chapel was opened. May the solemn service not prove in vain !" Another writes as follows:-" Little did I imagine that my last journal would be the last I should ever send to our esteemed friend, Dr. Matheson. How mysterious are God's ways! I think no event ever surprised me so much. What a warning to us all! 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my latter end be like his!' May the bereaved widow and family be Divinely supported!" "I cannot close my report," says a third, "without expressing the deep affliction myself and friends have experienced by the loss of our beloved friend to whom these papers have been heretofore transmitted-the courteous, kind, devoted, and useful Dr. Matheson. It was but a few weeks back we had him amongst us, counselling, encouraging, and stimulating us in our work. Every heart was touched by the kindness that breathed in all his behaviour during that visit, and we felt encouraged by his wise and animating words. Truly the Lord's ways are not as our ways, or long had the life of such an one been continued. May God, in his mercy, supply to his family, to the Society, and to the churches the lack all must for a season so deeply feel!" These extracts, which could have been increased did our limits permit, must prove gratifying to the friends of the Society, as they show the extent to which their deceased friend was enabled so to conduct himself as to secure the confidence and affection of the missionaries throughout the country. Gratitude of the Poor for Relief Afforded. The distress occasioned by the low wages received by the poor in many of the agricultural districts, and by the failure of the potato crop, has occasioned a double welcome to the gratuities which the Directors have remitted to the missionaries for their relief. The expressions of their gratitude have been very pleasing. The following extracts, the Directors believe, will be read with much satisfaction. "I have been much engaged," says one, "in visiting the sick and poor of my church and congregation. The gratitude with which they receive the smallest gift I have to bestow is very great. I am cautiously making use of the donation sent me for distribution. I have selected a few cases, which will prove interesting to your readers. The first I shall mention is that of a widow, a member of the church. She is greatly afflicted, and has been bedridden for some years. Her family consists of six children, and they have nothing on which to subsist but parish relief. Another case is that of a poor man nearly eighty years of age, and his wife as old. Their income is about 4s. per week. A third instance is that of a poor man, his wife, and six children, who subsist on 7s. a-week. He planted an acre of potatoes, and lost nearly the whole of them. A similar case in the same vicinity occurred; a poor hard-working man, with a wife and six children, who expected to take up about eighty bags of potatoes, but had scarcely twenty. Other cases could be mentioned, but these will be sufficient to show the religious public how great is the suffering endured and how substantial is the relief afforded by the Christian liberality of the London churches." Another writes as follows:-"The £5 you were so kind as to forward me for distribution amongst the poor I duly received, and feel grateful to our generous friends who provided it. But to tell the truth, I had anticipated nearly the whole sum, and heard from the recipients many remarks which greatly interested me, such as the following: 'Didn't I say the Lord would provide ?' "Tis a mercy our Father's ears are never deaf.' The Lord not only hears, but answers prayer.' 'Well, bless God for this! Ay, bread and water, with God's grace, is blessed fare.' It was but a trifle I was enabled to dispense to each, but it was a seasonable help in their time of need. Perhaps you will be able to help them again this winter." Many communications of a similar description are received, all showing that "the gratitude of the poor surpasses description." It is an occasion of high gratification to the Directors to be, by the distribution of this bounty of the churches, the medium of awakening and maintaining this sympathy between Christians dwelling in different and distant localities, and surrounded by circumstances of so diverse and opposite a character. The Benefit of Protracted Religious Services. "The results of our protracted services, held in the month of November, referred to in my last communication, are not so satisfactory as the attendance had led us to hope for. All classes of our townspeople were represented in those meetings, the utmost interest was manifested, and I am persuaded considerable impression made upon many minds. These impressions, however, have been, I fear, in many cases temporary and evanescent. The people in general are strangely and sadly indifferent to matters of a religious nature. Efforts of every kind to bring them under the influence of the gospel seem equally vain; the grand error being the absurd idea of their relationship as members to the Established Church, which they deem quite sufficient, even though in most cases where it is made a ground of hope it is scarcely sufficient to bring them even within its walls. Hardly, I think, in any place beside, can the prejudice be so wide-spread, so strong, and so blind. How blind when, for example, the rector of the parish church manifestly sustains that office for the emolument it brings, devolving nearly all the duties upon a curate, and that curate being one whom intemperance has again and again, during the last twelve months, made the object of universal ridicule, and all but incapacitated him for even stumbling through his duties. One or two cases of much interest are, however, a sufficient reward for all the anxieties and labours attendant on the protracted meetings. They are not, indeed, cases of first awakening, but of increased light and decision,-blessings for which we have great reason to be thankful. One of these cases is that of a servant, frequently the subject of deep convictions under my preaching, but who never until these services could be induced to seek a personal interview, and consequently remained in much darkness, perplexity, and distress. Now, visiting me weekly, the darkness is, fled, and she rejoices greatly in the Lord. A second is that of one who, with many friends already on the Lord's side, was herself undecided. She now exhibits the crowning excellence of true, spiritual, resolved piety, and stands proposed for fellowship with the church." Interesting Account of a Dying Youth. "I have never seen our congregations so good or our schools so well attended. If the people are poor as to this world, they hear the word of Christ gladly, and not a few, through the efforts of the Home Missionary Society, have been made partakers of the riches of Christ and heirs "Oh! what has Jesus done for me? When the dear boy came to the following line, he sang with much energy, I'm bound for the land of Canaan. "Canaan, bright Canaan! Will you go to the land of Canaan? I'm bound for the land of Canaan.' "The souls thus redeemed are the reward and the encouragement to the friends of Home Missions, in the absence of sending pecuniary aid. The poverty of the people prevent them doing much. But the Lord smiles upon the efforts made and gives souls for our hire." Happy Death of a Young Person. "One of the cards I am about to return to the Society filled up has the name of Miss H―― upon it. That young friend has fallen asleep in Jesus, and the prayer contained in the closing lines of a beautiful hymn by Dr. Reed, in which she took great delight, has been graciously answered in her dying experience. "And let me terminate my race, "On the Thursday before her death, when a dear female friend, a member of the church, entered the room, she said, 'You have been long in coming.' It appears that she had been almost impatient to see her, that she might tell her all her heart. She immediately asked to be raised up, and to have a little water given to her, evidently wishing to master all her strength for the occasion, and a memorable occasion it was, as all who were present testify. Having received the water, she said, 'What a blessing that I can have water! They gave my Saviour vinegar mingled with gall, and he drank it all for me;' and then she called upon her friend to praise the Lord for her. On its being remarked that it is a mercy we are invited to drink living water, and that not sparingly, but plenteously, she added, 'Yes, we may drink plenteously, without money and without price! She repeated with much feeling the hymn commencing 'Jesus, my all, to heaven is gone.' In allusion to the last line of the first verse the hope was expressed that she viewed him clearer and clearer as she advanced further and further on her path. She said, 'Yes, I see him standing with open arms to receive me.' Jesus was all her confidence. Before she was brought to the knowledge of the truth about two years since, she thought she was good enough. She was not in the least distressed about her soul, because she did not see that she needed anything; but when her eyes were opened by the Spirit of God, she saw that she stood in need of everything; that she had nothing in her hand to bring, and that Christ must be her all and in all. When her brother, after a short absence, inquired if she was worse, she answered, 'Oh! no; I am better; I am going where I shall be far better off than any of you. Mind that you live near to God, and you will find it a happiness when you come to die.' She frequently requested her eldest sister's little daughter to read hymns to her. That hymn was a great favourite which com mences 'Jerusalem, my happy home, Name ever dear to me, When shall my labours have an end On its being read through she would ask the child to read it again; and when the little girl wept she would tell her not to weep for her, as she was going to such a happy place. "Her time to die, after a somewhat lingering illness, at length arrived, and dying grace was richly furnished for dying circumstances. She rejoiced all that day, her last day on earth, that her end was near. She had neither any wish to live nor fear to die. She said that the fear of death was all taken away, and that death had lost its sting. She referred to a former affliction, about twelve months before, which she considered had not been entirely sanctified to her, and said, 'Then I was willing to depart, but now I desire to depart.' About an hour before her death she twice exclaimed, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.' And just as her ransomed spirit was on the point of winging its flight to the bosom of the Saviour, her beloved father observing her lips gently move, and putting his ear close to them, heard her faintly but distinctly whisper, Jesus! Jesus!' Our dear young sister died reminding us of the language of the devout Doddridge: 'I'll speak the honours of thy name IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF AN AGENT LABOURING IN THE WEST. A FORMER journal contained an account of the state of this part of the country, including some of the causes which have led to the diminution of the Protestant portion of the population; I shall now only add, on that subject, that the bigotry and intolerance of the Maynooth-educated priests, and the conduct of interested agitators, have incited feelings and raised expectations highly injurious to the well-being of the people, and adverse to the cause of truth. Considering their ignorance, the nature of the instruction they receive, and the inflammatory addresses which they hear, both from the platform and the altar, it is to me a matter of surprise that they are kept in their present state of restraint. It is surely attributable to an unseen hand, even to His power, who can shut the mouths of lions. On the other hand, it is lamentable that too many of the professors of a purer creed evince a spirit equally opposed to Christian feeling and |