Would augment the difficulty of obtaining the returns asked, and agreed therefore to recommend that, to secure simplicity and accuracy, other questions should be waived.

With this view, while they were sensible that a comparison of the state of things at present with that of several former periods would be most desirable, they agreed that it would be inexpedient to press the inquiries essential to such comparison they resolved therefore,

8. "That the various returns be for January 1, 1846."

Yet one retrospective item might, it was thought, be asked without rendering the returns complicate. In reference to this they recommend,—

9. "That the date of the erection of chapels, if known, with the dates of any subsequent enlargements,-and the amount of chapel debt, if any,-be

stated."

On the methods best adapted to secure the required returns, the following resolution was adopted :

10. "That the Sub-Committee, having considered various modes of obtaining the statistical information, recommend that it be obtained, as far as possible, through the medium of county associations."

The all-important, practical question, as to the agency by which these suggestions might be carried out, next came under the consideration of your Committee. It was obvious that labour and cost would be demanded to secure the requisite returns. The matter was very carefully considered; and the following recommendation is respectfully but earnestly urged on the attention of the

Union :

11. "That it is hereby recommended to the members of the Congregational Union, to take immediate and efficient means for obtaining the statistics resolved on, and to employ such agency as may be required for the purpose; and that when an estimate shall have been made of the expenses, and the Committee shall be able to pledge themselves to a prompt and energetic pursuit of the object, a Sub-Committee of laymen be appointed to raise the amount, and that the obtaining of the statistics be not commenced till the amount shall have been raised."

II. From statistics your Committee proceeded to the subject of our EVANGELIZING AND OTHER SOCIETIES.

The consolidation of the Irish Societies

was deemed desirable; but this is a consummation which it did not seem to your Committee likely for the present to be effected.

On the subject of the British Missions the following resolution was adopted :

1. "Not being furnished with sufficient data to form a judgment on the expediency of uniting the three Societies for British Missions in one organization, the Sub-Committee would recommend the further consideration of the question to the Committee in London."

In reference to the supervision of our Societies, it was ascertained that a plan had been adopted by the London Missionary Society for the thorough investigation, by a competent and impartial Committee, of the whole matter of finance, and that it was intended to have recourse from time to time to similar investigations. On this information your Committee founded the following resolution: :

2. "That the present meeting is gratified to learn that the London Missionary Society did, on a former occasion, invite a number of lay gentlemen from various parts of the kingdom, carefully to investigate the expenditure of that institution, and that the Directors are contemplating a repetition of that measure for the current year;-and that, in the judgment of this Sub-Committee, such a plan is desirable for all our Societies, periodically, every fifth or sixth year."

Your Committee were of opinion that revision might be benefically extended to the operations as well as the finances of Societies, and agreed to adopt the following resolution on this subject :

3. "That this meeting is impressed with the great importance of our various Missionary and other Societies making a complete and careful revision from time to time of the fields of labour occupied, and agencies employed, with a view to securing the greatest practicable efficiency of the respective Societies, and proportioning the exertions made to the wants of the world;-and that this resolution, if approved by the Congregational Union, be recommended to the Directors and Committees of the several Societies to whom it refers."

One further recommendation your Committee deemed it desirable to offer on the subject of our Societies, and to this they respectfully call special attention as of great practical importance: it is expressed in the following words :

4. "That it is highly desirable to review and improve our county associations generally, and that the subject be referred to the consideration of the Union and of the associations themselves."

III. The subject of Congregational Contributions was next considered.

On this subject it was felt that much might be done to augment the interest of our churches in our great objects by personal visitation, and that, while thus increased contributions might be obtained, there might be a saving of expenditure by improved arrangement in collecting them. In pursuance of such a plan of visitation, it was perceived that a special agency must be employed; and though that agency could only be employed to promote the objects of your own affiliated societies, your Committee were of opinion, that the regular collection of statistical information might be connected with those objects. It was

therefore resolved :

1. " That, in the judgment of this Sub-Committee, it would greatly conduce to the interests of the Congregational Body, and to the objects contemplated by the British Missions' Societies in particular, if an agent were employed whose primary duties should consist in visiting the various districts and churches in the country, and in accurately collecting the statistics of the body; and this Committee therefore decidedly recommend to the Congregational Union, and to the Societies involved, the appointment of such an agency for the said objects."

IV. The papers which your Committee were appointed to consider gave prominence to the importance of congregational prosperity as indispensable to denominational efficiency. To this subject their attention was next directed. They concurred in the opinion, that whatever depresses the ministry enfeebles the several churches and the whole denomination. They did not, however, deem it desirable to offer any suggestions in regard to certain subsidiary matters in which it had been intimated that ministers might be assisted,—such as the erection of parsonages, and provision for their old age and for the education of their children. To avoid all complicated questions, they confined themselves to two points, the burden of chapel debts, and the augmentation of ministerial salaries. On these points they agreed to present the following resolutions, as expressing their opinions, and including practical suggestions:

1. "That this Sub-Committee, deeply impressed with the urgent importance of the earliest possible liquidation of chapel debts, and encouraged by several examples of successful efforts to accomplish this object within the bounds of separate counties, and of numerous examples of such attempts in particular congregations, would press earnestly for the adoption of similar district or local measures for this object throughout the denomination, as far more efficient than any central organization; and that this Sub-Committee would earnestly recommend a strong appeal to the various county and district associations, to originate the movements so indispensable for the assistance of the weaker congregations within their respective bounds, in effecting the removal of debts so heavily oppressive on the feebler communities.

2. "That this Sub-Committee is deeply convinced that the interests of religion in connection with the Congregational Body would be essentially promoted by the establishment of a fund for improving the inadequate salaries of efficient ministers, and for stimulating the exertions of smaller and newly-formed churches; and, although the Sub-Committee is sensible of the manifold difficulties connected with the administration of such a fund, it strongly recommends to the Congregational Union the appointment of a special Committee, maturely to consider and present a plan for effecting such a measure on a basis consonant with the principles of Independency, and the voluntary efforts of Christian churches."

V. The subject of extension came next under consideration. In reference to this the judgment of your Committee was expressed in two resolutions :

1. "That this Sub-Committee deems the origination of chapels in the metropolis, and principal towns of the kingdom, suitable in architecture and locality to the surrounding population, one chief present means of advance to the Independent denomination, and rejoicing in what has been already accomplished in this line of effort, both in London and several large towns, declares its judgment that this work can be best done by local effort and organization, and would urge the subject, with respectful earnestness, on brethren in all the crowded populations of the empire.

2. "That in the judgment of this SubCommittee the churches in the (several) towns should be advised to attend, with the greatest diligence, to the rural dis

tricts around them, and should gather the fruits that may result from their efforts into association with themselves as a common centre, thus diffusing their influence to the widest possible extent,― in preference to the method sometimes adopted of forming small churches in localities where there is little prospect of ever securing self-sustaining congregations."

VI. On only one other subject did your Committee pronounce a judgment. It having been felt how desirable it is to awaken a livelier interest within the bosom of our churches on behalf of our several objects, the following resolution was agreed on :

"That in the judgment of this SubCommittee, it would be an effectual means of increasing the interest both of pastors and churches in all the public undertakings and institutions of the denomination, if information and appeals respecting them were frequently introduced to the distinct consideration of church-meetings, with judgment and affectionate pastoral skill.'

Other matters of interest were included in the papers referred to the consideration of your Committee; but it was deemed undesirable to distract your attention among a multiplicity of objects. They have selected the most important and practical. They conclude their report by offering most respectfully the suggestions herein recorded to the wisdom of their brethren,-only adding the expression of their earnest and devout desire for the prosperity of the several churches, and of the whole Congregational Body.

Revision of the Constitution and Management of the Union. After some discussion, the Rev. Dr. Reed, of London, moved; the Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham, seconded; and the Assembly adopted :

VII. That the constitution of this Union, and the arrangements hitherto adopted for conducting the business of its Annual Assemblies, and for electing its Committee and officers, be referred to the Committee for revision, with instructions to report progress to the Autumnal Meeting in October next; and that any report then presented be published preparatory to further consideration in the Assembly of 1847.

The Rev. Francis Watts, professor in the Spring Hill College, Birmingham, then read the annual letter, on the wisdom and necessity of more general and systematic support of the public institutions immediately connected with our own churches: on which it was moved by the Rev. James Sherman, of

Surrey Chapel; seconded by the Rev. Thomas Stratten, of Hull; and adopted :—

VIII. That the letter to the churches on the more general and systematic support of public institutions immediately connected with their own denomination, now read, be adopted and published; and that the best thanks of the Assembly be given to the brethren, the Rev. Messrs. Watts, J. A. James, J. Hammond, and J. Roberts, who prepared the same, for their acceptable service.

The letter to American Christians, on efforts for the maintenance of peace between the two countries, was then read by the Rev. Algernon Wells; and the cordial adoption thereof was moved by the Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham; seconded by the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, of Leeds; supported by the Rev. Dr. Massie, Rev. Dr. Campbell, and Edward Baines, jun., Esq., of Leeds; and carried unanimously: :

IX. That the draft of the letter appealing to American Christians for mutual efforts to preserve peace between the two countries, now presented, be adopted, and forthwith transmitted to the United States through all available channels for giving it extensive publicity.

PEACE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AMERICA.

A fraternal Address from the Sixteenth Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, most respectfully addressed to the Evangelical Churches of the United States of America, with their Elders.

HONOURED CHRISTIAN BRETHREN,We greet you affectionately, in the name and for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have reckoned it among the greatest honours and advantages realized by our Union, that we have by its means obtained fellowship, both by letters and by delegations, with various communities of our evangelical brethren in your country: and, now, after some regretted suspension of that fellowship, we seem to discern an appropriate occasion for addressing you in the love of our common Lord.

That occasion we find in the threatening rumours of war between your country and ours, which have for some time with varying degree prevailed-an awful evil, which may the God of peace avert!

Our appeal is from Christians to Christians. Ought we not, brethren, to consider it a part, a great and holy part, of the mission assigned to us by our Lord, to promote peace on earth, and good-will among men? And how high and sacred

a work should we regard it, to testify among men, and to pray before God, for peace between our respective beloved countries!

We do not found our appeal on the abstract and essential unlawfulness of war under the gospel of Christ. That question we leave untouched. We take ground common to Christians of either sentiment on that undecided controversy. We call on you in the sacred name of Christianity for co-operation to prevent the crimes and miseries of war between brethren, and on a question which cannot for a moment be thought to require, or therefore to justify an appeal to arms.

Nor do we chiefly appeal to you, brethren, for efforts to prevent the physical and temporal calamities of war, dire and horrid as they are. It is not the slaughter of men, the havoc and destruction of the fair fruits of industry, the interruption of beneficial commerce, the arrest of all social improvement that we most intensely deprecate; but the calamitous, the fatal blow that war between America and

England would strike on all our sacred activities to spread the glorious gospel. To see that great work disturbed and interrupted by horrid war would pierce our hearts with deepest anguish. We should then see the glory of our religion, the hopes of our world, the claims of our Divine Lord, beaten down into the dust; and beneath their dishonoured overthrow would lie downtrodden all the best interests of this world and of our common humanity.

On the differences between our respective Governments, out of which these apprehensions of hostile policy have arisen, we offer not a word beyond the suggestion that they surely may be adjusted by wise and moderate counsels. A war for them would be a war of passion, not of necessity. The Christian temper is alone wanted for their adjustment. Be it your care and ours, beloved brethren, to impregnate with that spirit the respective communities of which it is our sacred charge, we ought to be the light, the salt, the leaven.

We are sure of your concurrence, brethren, in the sentiment that unbroken peace between England and America is of the deepest import to the whole world. Ought not these two nations to teach mankind, by an impressive example, that free institutions render every people blessed with them, pacific, enlightened, commercial, moderate, and virtuous? Is not the last hope for mankind wrapped

up in this fact and sentiment, of which holy Christianity is the benignant parent?

Nor do we less expect your assent to the declaration, that we judge the peace and good-will of America towards England, and of England towards America, to depend greatly on the Christians and Christian ministers of the two countries. It is for them to cherish and diffuse sentiments of mutual respect between the two nations. It is theirs, by prayer, by discourse, by the press, by every interchange of thought in public or in private, to promote the sentiment that no two nations in the world are under obligations so many, so strong, and so sacred to ho nour and love each other as Old England and Young America. If we have failed in this temper and duty on any occasions; if we have allowed ourselves to be hurried by sympathy with prevailing public sentiment into resentful feelings and bitter words, as English Christians against America, or as American Christians against England, let us hasten to correct the fault, and to repair its mischief in the spirit of a true regret and a revived charity.

Honoured brethren, let there be no strife between you and us, nor between your country and ours, if our joint testimony, influence, and prayers can prevent it. Accept our appeal as before our common Master. As in his view would we

thus address you. A response from you, on this great theme, will be hailed by us with sincerest joy. We will accept in love your exhortations. Let the voice of peace sound across the Atlantic from east to west, and from west to east. Let prayer for peace ascend on high from either land. Then shall God be merciful to us and bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

A series of resolutions on the Charitable Trusts' Bill was then presented by the Rev. J. Blackburn, and approved and adopted upon the following resolution, moved by John May, Esq., of Ipswich; seconded by Malachi Fisher, Esq., of Blandford; and unanimously carried :

X. That the resolutions on the Charitable Trusts' Bill, now read, be adopted and forthwith published; and also that a petition founded thereon be prepared and presented to Parliament in the name of this Assembly, signed by its chairman, and by the officers of

the Union.

The session was closed with prayer, conducted by the Rev. Thomas Smith, A.M., of Sheffield.