These returns were made in 1838, two years after the reduction of the stamp-duty, when, consequently, the measure had come into full play. Since that time some journals have been established, but others have sunk; some, as the Times, have greatly risen, but others have equally fallen. We have, moreover, compared this statement with the last Returns, in 1843, made on the motion of Dr. Bowring, and find it a fair average.

Now for the application. Had the conductors of the entire Metropolitan Press been by some means induced to offer gratuitous insertion, once a month, of a twenty-four page tract on the doctrines of the Gospel and the principles of Nonconformity, with what rapture, and justly too, would Dissenters have hailed the boon! But their combined, simultaneous effort would, by 5,000 copies, have fallen short of a single issue of the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE. Here, then, is a new power, of incomparable efficiency, and of incalculable magnitude, which may justly gladden the hearts and excite the hopes of the friends of truth. By what other means, for example, could upwards of 100,000 copies of the invaluable Address of Mr. Craig, in our last Number, have been issued in one day, and distributed throughout the three kingdoms, with their adjacent isles? To insert, as advertisement, in the papers aforesaid, a like

quantity of matter, twelve times a year, would cost a considerable fortune! The CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, monthly, circulates five times, and, annually, sixty times that quantity, to a far wider extent, for NOTHING! Now then, friends, onward and upward to the QUARTER MILLION!

CONSCIENCE AND SYSTEM. WE have this month received a multitude of letters, many of them so full of interest and instruction, that, did space permit, they would well deserve to be printed. There is one, however, so distinguished by intelligence, prudence, and principle, and from these qualities so calculated to be useful, that we cannot withhold it. It is as follows:

SIR,-The enclosed is a thank-offering for an increase of wages, and which I devote towards the relief of the poor of Ireland, through the Irish Evangelical Society. I have to apologize for thus troubling you, feeling that it is an intrusion upon your time, but I wished to thank you for the instruction and pleasure afforded by your WITNESS, and through it alone I derive any information respecting our British Missions, and the accounts last month and this decided how my trifle should be appropriated.

Sir, as my income is but limited, I found that collections, &c., often came very unwelcome, until I adopted the following plan. I took the average of what I had given for religious and benevolent purposes for two years, and then determined as God prospered me to lay by a certain sum weekly for such purposes, and which should not be touched for any other. Acting on this plan during the last twelvemonth, a collection has never found me unprepared, or obliged me to be absent, because an appeal was to be made for the means of supporting or spreading the gospel, or to relieve a poorer member, for there was always a little fund to go to; and, I am sure, sir, that if you could persuade others, (who might if they would) to follow out some plan of this sort, they would find a pleasure in being able to give; instead of doing it grudgingly, it would be done cheerfully, because it would not interfere with other arrangements, and they would feel themselves to be more identified with the cause of Christ, and take a deeper interest in its growing prosperity, and our institutions would not be so dependent on the 51. notes of the wealthy, for a very much larger sum might be raised by the small contribution of the people.-I am, sir, your very obliged servant, 1 CORINTHIANS XVI. 2. London, March, 16th, 1846.

The general imitation of this example would, in a single year, put a new face upon the religion of our country; and to this, in substance, it must come before Zion can put on her beautiful garments.

UNION PAPERS. We invite particular attention to the two Union Papers on Education in our present Number

We earnestly hope that those whom they concern will take the subjects of both under their most serious consideration. We shall be happy to receive Essays on the advantages which Scotland has received from its ample provisions for University Education. For the best Essay, if really worthy of the subject, we shall present the writer with a copy of the works of Andrew Fuller.

A STRANGE REVELATION.

OUR publisher, at the close of last month, received from a most respectable pastor and wellknown author in the country a letter on business, which closed with the following paragraph :

"We have a Rev. Mr. Caston in this neighbourhood, preaching for the Evangelical Magazine. His professed object is, to increase the sale and the Widows' Fund; but he tells us also, that the wish of his employers is, to COUNTERACT THE VIOLENCE AND UNCHRISTIAN SPIRIT OF THE 'WITNESS,' WHICH, HE THINKS, WILL RUIN OUR CHURCHES. He has been employed five months, and told me he was sanctioned by the dear brethren in London. He was very angry that I would not give him my pulpit. Does Dr. Campbell know this man or his work?"

We do "know of this man and his work." We were apprised of his operations by country brethren from about the time of his commencement. But fully confiding in the good sense of the Christian public, we refrained from noticing him. The idea, however, of such an agency for such a work is both an original and a startling

one.

"Five months," moreover, have passed away since this "sower went forth to sow"-to sow "discord among brethren ;" and for aught that we know to the contrary, the curacy of this "son of Gera”* may be "perpetual," and in that event he ceases to be altogether despicable. His position forcibly reminds us of the sagacious words of Burke, who, when speaking of the French newspapers of his day, says, "The writers of these papers, indeed, for the greater part, are either unknown or in contempt; but they are like a battery, in which the stroke of any one ball produces no great impression, but the amount of continual repetition is decisive. Let us only suffer any person to tell his story, morning and evening, but for one twelvemonth, and he will become our master." It is far from improbable that this agent of the Committee of the Evangelical Magazine may already have done very extensive mischief. Representing, as he does, a body so respectable, taking for his text * 2 Sam. xvi. 5.

an organ so ancient, so popular, and useful, softening his rhetoric with widowed tears, and sharpening his invective against the WITNESS with the "sanction of the dear brethren in London," he may have done throughout no small part of the country incalculable mischief to the interests of peace, truth, and charity, The WITNESS, indeed, is secure beyond the reach either of him or his masters, or of the nameless côterie designated the "dear brethren in London," if such be not a fiction; but notwithstanding this, he may have infused his baleful poison into many an honest heart, and through them biassed multitudes who never saw him. Latent fires, however, will not always smoulder; they will at length break forth and reveal their source, whatever mystery may rest upon their causes. But be these things as they may, our friends will now be upon their guard; and if any have been misled, this revelation may probably lead them to revise their conclusions. The churches of Britain, we presume, will claim the right to judge for themselves of the merits of the WITNESS. They have judged already, and from that judgment there is no appeal! The trustees of the Evangelical Magazine may therefore drop their solicitude for the churches, and mind their own business.

THE

NEWSPAPER PRESS. UNION "SANCTION" OF PERIODICAL LITERATURE.

OUR occasional references to the Newspaper Press have excited considerable attention, and Ied to not a little very earnest communication. From the last letter received we extract the following:

"You sometimes speak of the Newspaper Press-I doubt not but many would like to see you act. Why not have a cheap Weekly Newspaper, 'under the sanction of the Congregational Union?' The Patriot and the Nonconformist will never do the work which such a publication would. So far as many poor ministers are concerned, these two papers are almost as good as without existence. Might we not have a Newspaper, of the same size as the League, and at the same price? You have it in your power to create such an organ,-no other man has."

By all means, let such a paper be established. We have thought and talked of it for years; it is, we think, exceedingly to be desired. It was but the other day we saw a Number of a threepenny paper, the size of a double Times, which has a Weekly circulation of "upwards of

40,000." The masses must have food, and in the absence of what is good and healthful they will take up with what they can find. Can we blame them? Ought not true philanthropy to help them to a proper supply? The two papers mentioned by our correspondent are doing signal service in their respective walks, and on public grounds we strongly desire a vast increase to their prosperity; but we pant to see a Newspaper for the Million, founded on Christian principles, and conducted with skilful vigour. This is a field in which genuine patriotism and Christian philanthropy may unitedly achieve one of their most illustrious triumphs. Our taking the slightest share in the matter, however, is entirely out of the question. Our present editorial duties require all the time that can be redeemed from the efficient discharge of pastoral functions. But if others will set about it, they may count upon the utmost aid that our position may enable us to render them; and of their success we have not the shadow of a doubt. Or let the Editorship of the Magazines be otherwise provided for, and our humble services shall be immediately at the command of the churches to assist in this new enterprise.

But in case of establishing such an organ, let the idea of placing it under the "sanction of the Congregational Union" be well considered. As an expositor of political opinion, all that could possibly be attained by it would be to represent the sentiments of the immense majority, and cases might arise, in which the minority would find it difficult quietly to acquiesce. It would, indeed, be just as rational to attempt the publication of a journal that should represent the united opinions of the House of Commons, as of one to represent those of the Congregational body, where the extremes are perhaps as wide, and the shades equally diversified. Experience, indeed, has taught us, that, even in matters ecclesiastical, such "sanction" is attended with occasional difficulties. It is impossible that, upon great public questions, large bodies, even of the best and wisest of men, can always think alike; and in such cases it may occasionally not be deemed enough, -although more is impossible,-that organ should represent the views of the vast majority. The minority, to whom a matter may assume the aspect of the highest conscience, may feel themselves compromised, and thus a state of things far from agreeable may sometimes arise amongst a multitude of otherwise united men. What then is to be done? If a journal represent the majority, and if the minority will not be bound by it; then there is either an end of united action, or a commencement of

an

civil strife. If a distinction be drawn between an Editor and an Executive Committee, then to carry the matter out to the letter, the Union must remain in session the whole year round, reading every line, and taking a vote upon every paper, and we have no hesitation in saying that, on this principle, the management of the two Magazines alone would furnish work enough for the Assembly from one new-year to another; and even then the voice of the majority would necessarily govern.

In plain speech, we must be allowed to say that soreness, on such matters, is very unreasonable. It is clear to every man of common sense, who will give the subject a moment's attention, that the "sanction" of the Union is an undefined something, amounting to very little, and most assuredly involving neither the character, nor the conscience of any member. The question is not, then, at least it ought not to be, what is the lexicographical, or the legal import of the term; but what is its common acceptation among sensible men? Nothing is, nothing can be, implied by "sanction," beyond general approval, with the reservation to every member of the Union, of the right of excepting to anything, and everything, that appears in the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, according to his judgment or his conscience. The members of the Union are, even in the widest sense, bound to nothing which goes not forth as the act and deed of its Committee, attested by the signature of its secretaries. This is the utmost extent to which they are committed; and the clamorous accusations of malicious impertinence, in its efforts to foment division and foster strife, by way of promoting “Union," through perverting the import of the term "sanction," ought to be treated as the idle wind. With this distinct understanding we undertook, and we carry on our labours; and on this, or a similar foundation, the path is clear to the establishment of a People's Newspaper, but not otherwise.

But should the Union not see its way clear to embark in the enterprise, there is yet another and perhaps a not less efficient way. Let a body of gentlemen, apart from all sects and parties, or rather comprehensive of them all, with a subscribed capital of £25,000, incorporate themselves into a SoCIETY FOR THE ELEVATION OF THE MASSES, by the more efficient management of the Newspaper Press, and generally for the advancement thereby of the interests of Peace, Temperance, Humanity, Education, and Religion in connection with Nonconformity; and let them not despair of a weekly circulation of 100,000, and a circle of readers of 1,000,000!

AMERICAN TEMPERANCE.

We have already called attention to the Journal of the American Temperance Union, by each successive number of which we are increasingly interested. To an observant, reflecting man, who lays it down side by side with our British Temperance Journals, the points of contrast will suggest inquiries of a highly-important character. He will be struck with the conviction that the entire fabric of American society is more thoroughly steeped and soaked in alcohol than that of England. Amongst us the vice, the crime of drunkenness, is mainly confined to our lower classes; but the lower classes form the multitude. Again, with us the waters of the Temperance movement, although the stream is somewhat broad, do not run deep; the philanthropic army is mainly composed of men in the operative classes, with a small sprinkling of those above them. In America, on the contrary, the reformed principle seems to have penetrated the very core of society. The President himself, the temporary monarch of eighteen millions of men, is a well-known total abstainer; and the influence of a court on the manners of nations is proverbial. The fact, recently exhibited in America, of a President's marriage being celebrated with all the magnificence befitting his station, but without one drop of any kind of intoxicating liquor, could not fail to exert an influence even at the extremities of society. Such facts as this dignify the movement, suppressing the sneer of thoughtless folly which mocks at the man who turns from iniquity, saving his soul alive, and delivering his family from destruction. It is, therefore, without surprise, that we find the principle triumphant throughout nearly the whole of the high places of the states, among the first lawyers and judges, the governors of states, and the commanders of the navy-the very last classes, judging by British or European data, that might have been expected to submit to the real or imaginary restraints of the Great Reform. Those distinguished personages do not deem it enough to follow; it is their glory to lead in the movement. Will the inhabitants of Britain credit it, when we tell them that Walworth, Chancellor of the Empire State, is actually the president of the American Temperance Union; and that members of congress, judges on the bench, and the most distinguished professors among the universities, are its vice-presidents? Who amongst our seers can foretel the period when Continental

nations shall be able to report to the like effect concerning the British Isles, to whom hitherto our habits of inebriety have rendered us the object of reproach and scorn?

THE Ipswich Temperance Society has taken a very high place in the work of tract distribution. Their pieces are singularly excellent and adapted to do great execution. We have received an Essay from them, written by R. D. Alexander, which presents one of the most striking common sense views of the question of which it treats that we have yet met with; and we hardly know how we can do a greater service than by laying it before our readers.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

By Richard Dykes Alexander, F.L.S.

In this inquiry we would treat of malt liquors, of wine, and of ardent spirits. Each of these is known to differ from the others, but each possessing alcohol, which is identical in all as to its effect on the human body. We know of four purposes for which some of these are supposed to be beneficially employed, namely, as NOURISHMENT, as TONICS, as ASSISTANTS TO DIGESTION, and as STIMULANTS. We know of no other, unless under a separate head we class the alcoholic beverages given to NURSING MOTHERS.

As to NOURISHMENT.-Let us inquire what amount there is in these beverages. We suppose it to be an admitted principle that no liquid contains any nourishment which does not contain a solid that no liquid which does not contain a solid can make flesh and bone. Water is only a diluent. It may be asked, How comes it with this doctrine that milk is nourishing? The milk, when it reaches the stomach, is by the gastric juice divided into curds and whey, the former possessing the nutriment. This then does not affect the rule. Now taking this rule for granted, we will examine the various beverages. First, ardent spirits, including brandy, rum, and gin; these contain no solids, and are quite innutritious. Wine contains a portion of solid, which portion is so small as in two glasses of sherry wine not to exceed that of a kernel of wheat. Malt liquor, honestly made, has water, hop, and malt. The latter is the only ingredient which contains any nourishment. Take a gallon of ale, for instance, which shall be sold at two shillings-put it over the fireat 175 degrees of heat the alcohol will fly up the chimney-at 212 degrees the water will evaporate; continue the boiling, and a solid will be left, equal in weight to a penny loaf, composed of a gummy matter which would not dissolve in the process of brewing, and a little hop, but of such a character as no person would partake of it, unless compelled by hunger; the fact being this, that in the process of making malt the farinaceous part of the barley is lost in malt combs and grains, and the saccharine part has

been converted into alcohol. Thus it appears to give strength by accelerating the pulse and stimulating the brain; and it may convey a little nourishment, but at the expense of the machinery being propelled beyond nature's law, and thus a compensation has to be paid in a consequent exhaustion, when the effects of the alcoholic stimulant have ceased. Professor Liebig, in his "Familiar Letters on Chemistry," published only a few months ago, says, "It is now ascertained with positive certainty that all the substances which constitute the food of man must be divided into two great classes, one of which serves for nutrition and reproduction of the animal body, whilst the other ministers to quite different purposes. Thus starch, gum, sugar, beer, wine, spirits, &c, furnish no element capable of entering into the composition of blood, muscular fibre, or any part which is the seat of the vital principle." Kirby O'Sullivan, of the Laboratory of Professor Liebig, in the Medical Times, observes, "It is a mistaken notion that beer, wine, or spirits communicate strength, AND IT IS DISGRACEFUL TO SEE MEDICAL MEN ENDEAVOURING TO PROPAGATE THE ERROR."

TONICS-This word, derived from the Greek, signifies to give elasticity, and is employed by medical men to describe an elasticity of muscular fibre. That ardent spirits are not capable of giving this elasticity it is well known. Anything which should give additional excitability to the brain, and increase the sensitiveness of the nerves, would be known to act diametrically opposite to tonic. The slight tanning principle in port wine may give it the character of a tonic, whilst the alcohol acting as an irritant impairs its value; and other tonics, such as bark, quinine, rhatany, columba, gentian, camomile, &c., may be applied with better effect in infusions extracted by boiling water, as in making tea; or the dilute nitric or sulphuric acid, besides many preparations of iron. But for a moment we will suppose the wines to be tonic; if so, how long will a tonic medicine be beneficial? Every medical man knows that after a few weeks-say four at the most, generally at the end of half that time-a tonic becomes useless, and he has occasion to vary it and give another; but he will, in the case of wine, order it for six months, and the patient will continue it six years. Again, who ever heard of prescribing a tonic medicine to be taken on a full stomach? If a dose of any bitter infusion, or of acid, or of iron, is ordered, it is directed to be taken fasting, before breakfast, an hour before dinner, or at such time after dinner as that the stomach shall be unburdened; but in the case of wine it is ordered at dinner time, or generally after a full meal. Oh, the inconsistency and delusion of habit and custom, even upon scientific minds! Dr. Cheyne has observed, Were the use of wine dispensed with, most of the faculty might shut up shop."

AS ASSISTANTS TO DIGESTION; or in better words, as assistants in assimilating the food.The saliva and the gastric juice will do their office in all healthy subjects better without stimulants than with them. The only plea we have ever heard for the use of wine as a stimulant is, to cause a slight determination of blood to the stomach, by increasing the temperature, and thus increasing the secretion, or flow, of gastric juice, and giving an impetus to the rotatory motion of the food in the stomach. Grant that these two points may be effected at

first, but what becomes of the oft repetition ?— the stimulant becomes a sedative-a diminished secretion is the consequence. But supposing that an increased secretion of gastric juice, for a short period, be the consequence of taking wine, is the quality not injured? Take a piece of meat and place it in a phial with gastric juice; take another alike filled, and add to it a small quantity of alcohol-that unadulterated with alcohol will dissolve the meat, whilst the gastric juice, to which alcohol has been added, will be found to have lost its solvent powers. As soon as the alcohol is added, a white sediment is deposited at the bottom of the phial. Alcohol is also exceedingly injurious to the saliva, in the due discharge of which and admixture with the food, the subsequent process of digestion so much depends. The affinity of alcohol for water is very great, and hence the injury done to the saliva, and the sensation of heat and dryness of the throat after the free use of intoxicating drinks. Again, if meat be placed in water, it will gradually dissolve-in wine it will remain undissolved; besides which the brain is excited by the alcohol, and is unfriendly to digestion. The increased heat of the stomach may, however, be given by hot water, or a little hot ginger and water, if needed occasionally, without the mischievous effects of alcohol. Let it be nevertheless borne in mind that mustard, pepper, ginger, with all other condiments, are injurious; salt alone is necessary, useful, and good; indeed we could not live without it. But it has been thought possible, that in some cases digestion might be assisted by the fixed air in malt liquor, whilst it is known that in the generality of cases, carbonic acid gas has a contrary effect. But supposing benefit in any instance to accrue, this may be met with in a bottle of Schweppe's soda water, and if too cold for the stomach, it may be poured on a little ginger, which by-the-bye is infinitely preferable to ginger beer.

As a STIMULANT-all these things may be used, but if our pulse be at 70, and we take two or three glasses of wine, and raise the pulse six, or eight, or ten, we shall discover, when the stimulant is passed off, they will fall below the 70; a compensation is to be paid for exhaustion, a most important point for reflection-and wear and tear of the heart-and then another stimulant is required. What should we think of a man who had a valuable watch, and he should alter the regulator two or three times a day; instead of 60 seconds in a minute, it should be at one time 65, at another 58; would not common sense dictate that the machine would thus be sooner destroyed than if allowed to go at its proper rate? But alcohol, whilst it is a stimulant, is also an irritant; it inflames every thing it comes in contact with. The mouth, the throat, the stomach, the absorbent vessels, the arteries, the veins, the heart, the secretent and excretent vessels, the whole are lined with an exquisitely delicate coating, capable of inflammation and ulceration by alcohol coming in contact with it; and it is well ascertained that the alcohol, as taken into the stomach, goes to every part of the human frame-it does not assimilate-it has been found as alcohol unchanged in the blood, in the bile, in every other secretion-it has been found in the brain itself; as may be seen by the experiments made at Edinburgh by Dr. Percy, on a number of dogs, destroyed by various portions of alcohol intro