We claim the privilege ourselves to a small share in the praiseworthy undertaking, and shall gladly be the medium of contribution from our readers. But the arrangements seem to us defective. We think the National Temperance Society should have been called on to take the lead in the matter. Things of this sort, on a scale however small, should be done with order and dignity, and in such a manner as may tend to advance the

common object. We would suggest that the sum of money being now raised, should be presented in London, at a meeting specially convened for the purpose, and at which the discussion should be chiefly confined to the consideration of the necessity of a well-qualified, well-paid body of AGENTS to enlighten, by Lectures and Addresses, every part of the kingdom, and the best method of accomplishing that object.

Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches: with Elucidations. By THOMAS CARLYLE. In Three Volumes. Second Edition, enlarged. Chapman and Hall.

THE idea of this publication is one of the most important that ever sprang up in the fertile mind of Mr. Carlyle. It constitutes a rich mine of Biographical and Historical materials. But before speaking to its worth, we must first indicate the contents. Volume I. opens with an introductory discourse of some hundred and odd pages, full of power and interest, concerning the memoirs of Cromwell, his Kindred, his Life, his Letters and Speeches. This volume consists of four Parts, thus divided: To the beginning of the Civil War, 1636-1642;-To the end of the first Civil War, 1642—1646 ;-Between the two Civil Wars, 1646-1648;-Second Civil War, 1648; and ending with the Death Warrant of the King. Volume II. consists of three Parts, as follows:Campaign in Ireland, 1649;-War with Scotland, 1650—1651′;—The Little Parliament, 1651-1653. Volume III. comprises three Parts:-The first Protectorate Parliament 1654;-The Major-General, 1655-1656;—The Second Protectorate Parliament, 1657-1658, with a copious and valuable Appendix of additional documents.

:

Such is Mr. Carlyle's distribution of his materials, and they exist in sufficient abundance to illumine, to some extent, all the chief portions of that great period. When Godwin issued his History of the Commonwealth, he took for his motto the touching words of Burke respecting Howard," To attend to the neglected, to remember the forgotten," words which apply with the utmost force to the work of Carlyle. The days of the Commonwealth are still to most people days of

darkness. That chapter of our history has still to be written; not one of our principal Historians is entitled to confidence on that period. Where truth is not actually perverted, it is mutilated or exaggerated, or coloured, or caricatured; and the chief study to every artist, in this great manufactory of malice and misrepresentation, was, is, Oliver Cromwell. Our great Church and State Historians have vied with each other in virulence and vituperation, calumny and falsehood, and they have received but a too implicit credence from the bulk of their readers. This, though lamentable, is not wonderful; but it is both wonderful and lamentable that no descendant of the Nonconformists has been found to do justice to Cromwell, to his contemporaries, and to the history of their age. We say justice; it is justice, not eulogy, we demand, unless it shall be found that eulogy is awarded by the voice of justice. The cordial thanks of all the liberal and upright portion of mankind, of all Christians and all patriots, are due to the compiler of these volumes and the commentator on their contents. Here is the embodied evidence by which, in all future time, the real character of Cromwell must be determined. By this, the just judge and the true philosopher will resolutely abide, and from their decision, thus arrived at, there will be no appeal. At the distance of two hundred years the cause of Cromwell is revived, and re-heard at the tribunal of European opinion, and its true merits will now be decided for ever. For the gratification of royal resentment his body was dug from the grave, dragged to the place of execution, and, after being hanged, was buried under the gallows. Poor triumph! Why did not some cunning Ahithophel rise up to counsel the collection of his Letters, Speeches, State Papers,

and everything that was blackened by his pen, and the burning of the whole by the hands of the common hangman? This had been an act of substantial benefit to the cause of despotism, for then these goodly volumes had never seen the light, and those cruel and malignant as-. persions to which they form the most conclusive of all replies, might have prolonged their reign over the credulity of the world. But all deception has an end; no delusion can last for ever. A long arrear is due to the character of Cromwell, which has now begun to be paid, and the last and largest instalment of which lies before us in the present work. Preparatory to the perusal of this work we recommend to our readers to read Book XV. of Clarendon, which is thus summed up :"In a word, as he was guilty of many crimes, against which damnation is denounced, and for which hell-fire is prepared, so he had some good qualities, which have caused the memory of some men in all ages to be celebrated, and he will be looked upon by posterity as a brave wicked man.' So be it. Let mankind read and judge for themselves. We must not forget to say that Carlyle, by what he calls Elucidations," has throughout thrown floods of light upon his documents, and diffused an extraordinary interest over the work. We doubt if any living man more fully appreciates the true character of the Protector, and more fully enters into the spirit of his times. He really seems much more a man of that age than of our own;-his tastes, prejudices, principles, and predilections are all in keeping with those of that age of great words and great actions, oddity and extravagance, enthusiasm and patriotism, liberty and glory. The work thus closes:

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"Their works follow them.' As I think, this Oliver Cromwell's works have done and are still doing! We have had our 'Revolutions of Eighty-eight,' officially called 'glorious;' and other Revolutions not yet called glorious; and somewhat has been gained for poor mankind. Men's ears are not now slit off by rash officiality; officiality will, for long henceforth, be more cautious about men's ears. The tyrannous starchambers, branding-irons, chimerical kings and surplices at Allhallowtide, they are gone, or with immense velocity going. Oliver's works do follow him!-The works of a man, bury them under what guano-mountains and obscene owl-droppings you will, do not perish, cannot perish. What of heroism, what of Eternal Light was in a man and his life, is with very great exactness added to the eternities; remains for ever a new divine portion of the sum of things; and no owl's voice, this way or that, in the least avails in the matter.-But we have to end here.

"Oliver is gone; and with him England's Puritanism, laboriously built together by this man, and made a thing far-shining miraculous toits own century, and memorable to all the centuries, soon goes. Puritanism, without its king, is kingless, anarchy; falls into dislocation, self-collision; staggers, plunges into ever deeper anarchy; King, Defender of the puritan faith there can now none be found; and nothing is left but to recall the old disowned defender with the remnants of his four surplices, and two centuries of Hyprocrisia, and put up with all that, the best we may. The genius of England no longer soars sun-ward, world-defiant, like an eagle through the storms, mewing her mighty youth,' as John Milton saw her do: the genius of England, much like a greedy ostrich intent on provender and a whole skin mainly, stands with its other extremity sunward; with its ostrich-head stuck into the readiest bush, of old church-tippets, kings-cloaks, or what cther 'sheltering fallacy' there may be, and so awaits the issue. The issue has been slow; but it is now seen to have been inevitable. No ostrich, intent on gross terrene provender, and sticking its head into fallacies, but will be awakened one day, in a terrible à-posteriori manner, if not otherwise!-Awake before it come to that; gods and men bid us awake! The voices of our fathers, with thousandfold stern monition to one and all, bid us awake."

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.

EIGHTH AUTUMNAL MEETING OF THE UNION. OUR cover for the present month repeats the announcement in detail of the various meetings to be held on this important occasion, in the present month, in the towns of Plymouth, Devonport, and Stonehouse. In former numbers intimations have been given of the various subjects which will then be brought under consideration, with

reflections on their importance and interest, especially at the present time. It is obviously of the greatest moment to secure a numerous attendance of brethren at Plymouth, and to render the meetings there as effective and beneficial as possible.

1. The constitution of the Union, and the methods hitherto adopted for conducting the business of its annual and autumnal assemblies, are to be reviewed, that it may be ascer tained what improvements therein the experience of sixteen years points out as desirable and practicable. Every enlightened friend of the Union will desire to see its permanence, extension, and efficiency secured. The want of such a confede

ration among Independents is greater than ever. Let the Union be made as secure and effective as its warmest friends can desire and accomplish.

2. The interests of the societies for British Missions still need the utmost efforts of the friends of this great cause. In the meetings for conference, and in those for public impression, the British Missions will occupy a prominent place. They are not what they ought to be. They do not obtain the support they as much deserve, as they require. Can their management be improved? Can the churches be brought to sustain them with greater liberality? Can their exertions be extended? These are the questions to be considered; and, it is hoped, to be answered at Plymouth.

3. General education cannot have too serious, patient, and searching inquiry and thought. Educational statistics are still imperfect and disputed

the principles on which general education should be conducted are far from agreed upon, even among Congregationalists-zeal and interest in this work require to be greatly increased-on all hands it is admitted and felt that vigorous movements to improve the people of England in intelligence and religion, are indispensable. Now in this work the Independent churches have an important part to act. At the present time wise and united counsels on this subject at Plymouth will be invaluable.

4. What can be unitedly and effectually done to improve the support of the pastors of our weaker churches? Will the strong assist the weak in this department with greater system and liberality than heretofore? Can this help be so administered as not to diminish but to stimulate, encourage, and increase the efforts of those assisted? Can we become a more united people for mutual aid and support without jeopardy to our cherished freedom and independence? Or must we purchase liberty at the cost of isolation, desultory effort, wasted energy, and consequent feebleness? Are not these questions that ought to be met and solved, not by debate only, but by experiment? May we not unite in our freedom, and be free in our union, and so strong in both? And how can we better make this trial, and effect this union, than by a combination of all for mutual help and strength?

5. Then come statistics. Have we the courage to ascertain and publish our true position? Dare we know and tell our weakness and our strength? Shall we sink or rise in the estimation of opponents by this manly course? Can we remain concealed or unsearched if we would? Will it not be well for a body, as for an individual, to know itself? Then if our statistics are to be collected, how shall our brethren be induced to give us the needful information ? How have our Baptist brethren so far outdone us in this department?

6. The Wycliffe project follows. How great will be our loss, how great our reproach, if we suffer that well-conceived undertaking to fail! If we allow the profound researches of our predecessors into all the questions in which we have the deepest interest to remain buried and inaccessible! Surely it is not impossible to secure the support necessary for the completion of this work. Could not wealthy brethren be induced to advance, without interest, a capital of one thousand pounds? Cannot one thousand subscribers be obtained to persevere in their payments to the amount of five pounds each, during the next seven years, so as to secure the issue of fifteen

volumes in addition to the two already published? And might not many affluent gentlemen at once promote this design, and exceedingly benefit ministers eager for improvement, but ill supplied with books, by subscribing for these invaluable volumes on their behalf?

Such are some of the great questions on which brethren should prepare themselves by previous inquiry and thought, for giving wise counsel to the approaching assembly at Plymouth. Thus with the Divine blessing might it prove an occasion for equal paternal delight and practical benefit.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE monthly journals of the agents are, as it may be expected, of an exceedingly diversified character. Some are of an encouraging nature, recording a greater or less degree of success, which attends the labours both of the missionaries and the sabbath-school teachers. Others refer to difficulties, all but insufferable, with which the agents have to contend, and which often occasion a depressing influence against which it is almost impossible to contend. But they all strikingly demonstrate the great importance and value of Home Missionary labours. They bring to light the deplorable ignorance and vice which prevail amongst a large portion of our countrymen, especially in the agricultural districts. Where there is not an enlightened evangelical ministry in the parish church, the existence of the Establishment, and the regular performance of" Divine service," as it is termed, do not appear to have had the slightest influence whatever of a beneficial nature on the minds of the people. They are utterly ignorant of the very first principles of religion, and have no idea of the God that made them; their accountability to him; their state and condition as sinners, or the way by which they may be saved. On the contrary, it is to be feared, they are, as to all moral or spiritual feeling, like "the beasts that perish," or, if any concern should be awakened in their minds, they are led to believe that the mere attendance at church, especially if they "take the sacrament," and send for the clergyman to read a prayer when they are sick and dying, are all that is necessary to secure for them a safe passage to eternity. In this delusion they are confirmed when the bodies of those who die are interred in "sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life." It is to dispel this ignorance, to show unto the people "a more excellent way," that the Home Missionary Society exists. The Directors fear that our churches have not yet awakened to a correct sense of their duty to disseminate the principles of our common faith wherever the opportunity exists; for surely if they were, more vigorous efforts would be put forth for the attainment of the object. If every individual Christian felt the obligation laid upon him by the command of his Lord to strive that the gospel be preached to every creature, he would spare neither money nor labour which it was in his power to devote to so sacred a cause. Oh! let it not be said that an institution whose exclusive object it is to preach the gospel, and thereby to save the souls of men, languishes for want of adequate funds. May the time come when the churches of this land will say to the Directors on whom they devolve the conduct of the affairs of the society, "Never refuse to

send a missionary, where one is needed and asked for! We will provide the funds necessary to sustain the effort!" The duty of the Directors will become a pleasing task indeed, when this wished-for state of things shall arrive.

The following are extracts from the journals of the agents, and are given as usual merely as specimens of the labours of the missionaries :

The beginning.

and

"I have now entered on this new sphere of labour, and in my journal presented a list of our present attendance. We occupy, in addition to the town of, the villages of and the extra-parochial district of -. I have also commenced preaching in the open air with the promise of much usefulness. I preach in the morning at, in the afternoon at one of the villages, and in the evening at --. During the last two Lord's days I have held an extra service in the open air. Once a month I preach at -Mr. then supplying the pulpit at ——. In addition to this Messrs. preach at the other stations, according to previous arrangement. We have six preaching services and four school services each Lord's day.

and

"As to the present aspect of the entire sphere of my labour, I may remark there is much to humble and much to cheer; the cause in some of the stations is very low indeed, but rather better than it was some time ago; at others, very encouraging, though it would be gratifying to record actual conversion on a more extensive scale. At -, much as formerly, the people attend well, talk favourably of the meetings, but the majority, I fear, continue at a distance from God. The sabbath-schools are encouraging; some of them very interesting and prosperous. Much good has been done, and is still doing, by this means."

Abundant Labours.

"I send my journal from --, where I am engaged to spend three sabbaths, two of which have already passed away. From the large body of visitors here, there is plenty of work for a missionary independent of the highly respected and devoted pastor, who is nearly worn out in his Master's service. My own sphere in the counties of-and is very interesting, and in many respects encouraging; but I cannot secure that full amount of co-operation on the part of the people which appears essential to extensive success, and yet they are willing to labour as far as they have opportunity. My visits among the dying and the ignorant during the last quarter have been of a very solemn and encouraging character, and I do hope that some have been the better for the addresses delivered to them, and the prayers offered for them. Everything has seemed to say, "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand;" and if I could sow more prayerfully, humbly, and believingly, I should have reason to conclude that my labours would be crowned with extensive success.

But my sphere of labour at--and-- is far too extensive to be thoroughly cultivated by any one man, unless he had a constitution of brass, the aid of a horse, and the days were twice as long as at present. You will perceive by my journal that I preached on the sea-beach yester

day, and considering that our congregation was gathered at a moment's notice by the singing of a hymn, and that the morning had been the busier part of the day, the result was as gratifying as we could expect. I rejoiced that I was led to make the attempt to gather a congregation. This morning I have been on the beach distributing tracts among the people, and, with the exception of a few Catholic ladies, all the people very cheerfully received the tracts. O! that God would graciously smile upon these feeble efforts to advance his kingdom, and to seek the salvation of guilty men. To all human appearance my ministerial labours will not be in vain during this journey, as I have attempted to sow the seed during every part of my tour."

Chapel Needed.

"The season of harvest is one of peculiar temptation to many; but, through the grace of God, our members have been preserved, and for the most part they appear to be growing in grace. I am able to report an addition of three to our church. One of them is the eldest son of a respectable farmer, also a member of the church. He had betrayed much indifference on the subject of religion, but is now giving pleasing evidence of his faith in Christ, and of his full purpose to live to the glory of God. Our services are exceedingly well attended; and we hope that the additional means which, in the coming season, we shall be able to use, will be crowned by the great Head of the church with abundant spiritual good.

We

"At, our principal village station, where we have twenty-seven members, we are suffering inconvenience and loss for want of more room. We could have more children, but have not room for them; and a much larger congregation, but cannot possibly receive them. could now obtain suitable premises to be converted into a chapel and school-room, but the people are too poor to do much, though they would most cheerfully do to their utmost. I do not know whether you have funds which would be applied to such an object, but it is a station well deserving the attention of the Home Missionary Society. If you can help us, or direct us where we can obtain help, be kind enough to do so. Should we lose this opportunity I see no probability of obtaining another, as the whole place, with very trifling exceptions, is in the hands of an opponent.".

Diligence in Labour.

"As I have witnessed but few changes among the people on this station during the past month, I have but little to report in this journal. Some of our week evening services are for the present closed, and those continued are but thinly attended on account of the harvest. This is a short cessation from my usual labour, and is very desirable, as it affords opportunity of engaging in some other work for the benefit of the people, to which I could not otherwise attend. This week I have preached but five times,—a circumstance rarely known in my Home Missionary career. Although I have no disposition to absent myself from the place and people I love, yet I acquiesce in the opinion of my friends, that a little relaxation would be of considerable advantage to me, as, with the exception of a

very few exchanges of services with ministers in these parts, I have filled my pulpits every Lord's day for the last seven years. Much as I should enjoy a short season from home, there is no hope for me, as there are but very few in this sequestered locality I could obtain as a supply, and no one who could undertake the whole of my work for one sabbath-day. In the absence of a short change, which is necessary to relieve the mind from anxiety and application, to exhilarate the spirits and sustain health, I enjoy the blessing and presence of the Lord, and have reason to conclude that the poor villagers prefer the old to a new voice in the pulpits. In this, as well as in some other instances, I commonly enjoy a reward in my work while labouring to advance the kingdom of the Redeemer."

Christian Union.

"Having been twenty-two years as an agent under your society, I have had occasion to see much ignorance and dissipation, but in no quarter of England so much as in this locality. Monday is generally an idle day among the colliers, and much depravity exhibited. Half a minister's work here must be employed in visiting from house to house; and as all receive the visits gratefully, it cheers the heart of your agent on hearing the thanks of the poor for the attention paid them. During the last three months fever has been very prevalent, specially among the young, which has swept away many from their sorrowing parents. The cause here is progressing, and the church have agreed to do what they can to get a gallery erected in the chapel.

"I have during the summer preached in the open air to large and attentive congregations, and this has led some to attend the chapel. Prejudice is not the complaint here, few attend the Church of England, as it is a mile off, but real indifference: my visiting from house to house, inviting the people to attend, has been attended with good. I got 2,000 tracts printed for the colliers, and they are nearly all circulated. They have been read by hundreds in the coalpits, and I had the pleasure of hearing they have proved useful.

a

"To show the unity among the different persuasions of Christians in this part of the county, I may mention that, at a tea-meeting in -worthy Presbyterian minister, originally from Ireland-a minister of the Methodist New Connexion-two Baptists, and two of the Independent denomination, spoke to the people. It is rare to see ministers from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England united at one meeting in pointing sinners to the Saviour. O, how sweet is unity! It is with pleasure I hear in my visits to the dwellings of the poor, the word blessed in leading some of them to see their need of a Saviour. I never was in a place where there appears such a want of spiritual instruction, and two or three Scripture readers could be well employed in this dark neighbourhood. It can be truly said we require to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in. The harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few."

Interesting Sabbath-school Services.

"I have delayed sending my journal until this morning, that I may be able to furnish some account of meetings which we have been holding in connection with our Sabbath-schools. Some time

since I mentioned our intention of postponing the anniversary of our 'Sunday-school Union' meetings till after the harvest. We at length fixed for the 24th of August, and Wednesday morning last found us making preparation for the usual festivities. At one o'clock about two hundred of our children arrived at head-quarters from different parts of the station: wagons and carts were heavily laden, and flags and banners bearing Scriptural mottoes were 'floating in the breeze.' Even on the horses heads could be read Holiness to the Lord.'

"The procession presented a most imposing spectacle; as we paraded the village, doors and windows were crowded, and tears of gratitude and joy flowed from many eyes, neighbours and friends were visited and infant hosannas made,

'Heaven's high arches ring With his beloved name.'

"At three o'clock we returned to the chapel and held a recitation until five, when about two hundred friends and an equal number of children took tea. At a quarter to seven, we commenced an examination of the children on Scriptural subjects, which was interspersed with addresses from the ministers present. It had been announced that in connection with the services, would be a harvest thanksgiving. Special prayer, praises, and addresses were therefore presented, and grateful emotion evidently arose to Him who crowneth the year with his goodness.' Many were obliged to leave previous to the evening service, but even then the numbers could not gain admittance. Never has there been a series of meetings more cheering and delightful in the history of our little cause at ——. We feel that amidst all our difficulties we have reason to thank God and take courage. May I be allowed to say just here, that at our last church-meeting we admitted two more to church-fellowship.

"Yesterday was the annual fair' at — when meetings for revelry and vice are held in various parts of the village. I felt it my duty to hold a meeting also, a counteracting meeting. I therefore on sabbath evening issued some hand-bills, inviting persons to the chapel. At half-past two the teachers had gathered the children, and shortly afterwards I had the pleasure of joining them. We sang, rejoiced, and had a nice tea, after which the parents and friends of the children began to flow to Zion; when I delivered a little sermon to little children, and an address to others. At the close of the service the teachers conducted all the children home in safety, and in passing by the stalls of Vanity fair,' we were delighted to see them well-nigh deserted. Their best customers had all been to the chapel! Hallelujah Hallelujah!!"

Advantages of daily Education.

"Since my last report we have had a public examination of the children belonging to our dayschool. At the time appointed the parents and friends nearly filled the school-room, so that we had some difficulty in making room for the children. They were examined principally in spelling, English grammar, and geography. The examination proved very satisfactory, and the attainments of the children evidently exceeded the expectations of those present. When the examination had closed, the children were supplied with tea and cake, and after listening to a