QUOTING from and replying to the Inaugural Address delivered at the Association, MR. THOS. HUGHES, M.P., said in the debate on MR. MIALL'S MOTION, he could not imagine how the religious life could be more sapped by State patronage and control than "by receiving maintenance, as most voluntary bodies did, from John Smith the great grocer or any other person of that kind." Why, then, does not Mr. Hughes adopt the same plan with regard to the industrial and political life of John Smith? Why not maintain him altogether at the expense of the State? Why not fill his larder and pay his tailor's bills? That, it is said at once, would sap his manhood and destroy the industrial life of the nation. Mr. Mill has shown that one criterion of a good government is the sum of good qualities it is able to call into exercise in its subjects. Trial by jury, and other acts of citizens as citizens, are justified by their beneficial effect upon the character of the citizen. Growth is dependent upon self-activity. Do everything for your child and you destroy him. Put him into positions which create the feeling of responsibility and make personal action necessary, and you develop power of and form character. If the member for Frome does not see this simple and obvious law of all life, we cannot expect him to admit the force of our objection to being comprehended amongst the manifold and jarring sects of the National Establish

ment.

Mr. Hughes also thought to get a point against us by quoting the assertion that

the Bennett judgment proved "the Church of England to be Romanist as well as Rationalist;" but that citation being received "with cheers from below the gangway," he sought less objectionable quarters. Need we say, members of his own church have since vehemently declared the same thing. The Rev.C.Molyneux, a London clergyman, says, "Heresy is part and parcel now of her constitution. Ichabod is written on our church. Her doom is inevitable. She will break up and go to pieces." Mr. Robert Baxter, a layman, writes, "This decision establishes as a fact that Popery, without disguise, may be lawfully taught in the Church of England." The long-suffering Evangelicals know full well what the Bennett judgment means; and so will too-patient England when the swelling tide of Popery in the National Church sweeps over the land.

From these references the author of "Tom Brown" passed to work a sum in denominational arithmetic. He had before him a census of chapels registered in 1851, and another made in 1869. The latter is expressly said to be in continuation of the former. He should therefore have added them together. He preferred to subtract one from the other. Hence his startling result. Two and three added together, on Mr. Hughes' plan make one. Such are the shifts of the defenders of the State Church? And yet forsooth, this is the sort of thing that is to "extinguish" Mr. Miall and his followers, Laughter would as soon put out the sun.

J. C.

THE TREASURY OF DAVID. Vol. III. Psalms liii. to lxxviii. By C. H. Spurgeon. Passmore & Alabaster.

THOSE Who know the first and second volumes of this invaluable 66 Treasury"

will rejoice to welcome another instalment of Mr. Spurgeon's great work. Like its predecessors in the power, freshness, and fervour of the original exposition, it differs from them in the greater fulness of the homiletical hints, and in the fact that it takes us through a region that has been less thoroughly explored by other writers. The department assigned to "works upon this psalm" does not exist in some cases, and in others is scant indeed, for the simple reason that on many of these songs nothing special has been written beyond

what is found in Dr. Samuel Chandlers acute and suggestive exegesis of various psalms in his "Life of David." But though the task of getting "illustrative extracts" has been much greater, it has not been shirked. Authors who have not only long been dead, but who have ceased to speak save in an occasional whisper, are here raised to life again, and enabled to render fresh service in the exposition and illustration of God's word. Professor Venema, who wrote six volumes on the Psalms; Musculus, who laboured for twenty years at his Commentary on them and the prophecy of Isaiah; and other Latin authors, have been translated, and the "pith" of their commentaries furnished to the English reader. In addition to this

there are, as in the former volumes, wisely chosen extracts from the ablest critical authorities of Germany, England and America, such as Delitzsch and Tholuck, Perrowne and Addison; explanatory observations, geographical, historical, and scientific, are drawn from the best sources; and fine rhetorical examples are supplied from such men as Christmas Evans and Henry Melville. The book is, in fact, a greater marvel of patient industry, unerring tact, and overflowing richness of illustration, than its forerunners. Nothing but a constant use can give an adequate idea of the immense stores this treasure-house contains. Fervently do we join in the prayer of the laborious author that he may be spared to complete the other half of his useful work.

THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST DEVELOPED BY THE APOSTLES. A Treatise on the Offices of the Redeemer. By Ed. Steane, D.D. Edinburgh: Edmonston & Douglas.

ONE of the oldest methods of classifying the work of the Lord Jesus Christ is presented in the phrase, which is part of the common speech of the Christian Church, that Christ is our Prophet, Priest, and King. This distribution of the offices of Christ is imbedded in the Old Testament prophecies, appears with distinctness and emphasis in the titles applied to our Lord in the New Testament, and has been adopted by the church in nearly every age as a convenient and useful summary of the series of acts performed for ignorant, lost, and rebellious men, by our great Mediator. Dr.Steane unfolds these functions in a clear, compact, complete, and interesting treatise. The truths of a theological class-book are offered to the reader, without the usual hardness and repellant dryness of such a manual. The arrangement is simple and natural, and the practical value of the work is greatly enhanced by a supplementary chapter to each of the three sections. Thus the work of Christ as a prophet is perfected by a description of the teaching of the saints by the Holy Ghost. A sermon on Heb. x. 19-22, gives increased force and usefulness to the representation of the priestly office of the Saviour. Another on the "Doxology of the Redeemed" in Rev. i. 5, 6, fitly crowns the section which treats of Christ's regal dignity and work. The style is graceful and flowing, and the spirit devout and tender, and the theology of the puritan type. While eminently adapted to seasons of meditative devoutness, its sound interpretation and careful notes, presenting the results of the ablest students of the word, will also make it serviceable in the minister's study.

THE PARISH APPRENTICE, OR JOHN WINZER, THE DEVON PURITAN. By Samuel Newnam. A new edition. Partridge & Co. A PLAIN "unvarnished" story of a simple, self-denying, and heroical village Christian : of his early difficulties and sorrows, his faith and patience, of his conscientious fidelity and transparent consistency, of his generosity and usefulness. To dwellers amid the quiet unexciting scenes of village life this biography will be a pleasant and refreshing representation of much they see and hear, and of the service in Christ's kingdom they may render: and to many in the busy towns it will recall the associations of youth and early training, while to all these simple annals of a godly life will be attractive and helpful.

THE CHILD AND THE BIBLE. J. C. Pike. (Winks & Son.) A good and well reasoned defence of the policy of excluding the Bible from all schools supported by the money of the State, and leaving the work of teaching religion to the voluntary action of the churches.

THE CONNEXION BETWEEN FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND CHRISTIANITY. E. K. Everett. (Sidebottom, Stalybridge.) Consists of an exposition of Gal. vi. 2: a description of the relation of Friendly Societies to Christianity, and an able argument to prove that Friendly Societies are secondary consequences of the Christian religion.

CHRIST THE HEALER. T. R. Stevenson. (Searle, Barnstaple.) A thanksgiving sermon on the text, John iv. 50. Full of quiet beauty and real power.

YOUTHFUL SERVICE IN A GOOD CAUSE. J. H. Wood. (Winks & Son.) An effective discourse based on 2 Tim. ii. 3, and illustrated by the career of a brave soldier in the American War.

AN EARNEST QUESTION; OR, WHY BAPTIZE AN INFANT? R. M. Stalker. (Stock.) It is hardly possible to show more conclusively in so brief a space the thorough groundlessness of the positions assumed by those who baptize infants. Whether believers' baptism be universally adopted or not, surely infant baptism must be given up before long. This pamphlet will hasten the day.

UNION BAPTIST BUILDING FUND.

THE REV. N. Herbert Shaw, of Dewsbury, is now Secretary. All communications respecting the Fund must be addressed to him.

Due notice will be given when the Treasurer is prepared to pay the loans voted by the Committee. Loans are granted on the security of a promissory note signed by four responsible parties.

N.B. The sureties must be appointed by the church receiving a loan, and a copy of the resolution (with the names and full address of each surety) must be sent to the Secretary. Postage stamps, to cover the cost of the promissory note should be sent to the Secretary.

The next LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE CONFERENCE will be held at Clayton on Wednesday, Aug. 14. J. MADEN, Sec.

CHAPELS.

SHEFFIELD, Cemetery Road.-On Thursday, July 4, the forty-five members who have joined the church during the last few months were invited by the officers to spend an evening together for mutual acquaintance and intercourse, from a desire to help them in their new step in life. As most of them are young people, words of congratulation, advice, and caution, were addressed to them by the minister and various friends, and all the speakers were listened to with eager attention. The meeting was a most successful one; hosts and guests alike feeling that a very profitable evening had been spent together.

SUTTON ST. JAMES, near Wisbech.-On Wednesday, July 17, two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Clifford, M.A., LL.B., at the opening of the new chapel. This neat and elegant village chapel, which will seat 250, has been so arranged that on special occasions the old chapel can be turned to account, and accommodation afforded to more than 400. A large booth was erected, and nearly 300 persons sat down to tea. Collections, &c., over £26. Sermons were preached on Sunday by the Revs. W. Orton and R. A. Johnson to crowded congregations, and on Monday another tea meeting was held. Trays given in both cases. After tea a public meeting was presided over by Mr. Sutterly, of Long Sutton; and addresses were given by brethren Maddeys, Summerfield, Purser, Johnson, Starbuck, Chamberlain, and Orton. Collections were £46. A debt of about £180 will remain on the building.

SCHOOLS.

ASHBY.-On Sunday, June 23, the Rev. Isaac Preston, the much esteemed pastor of this church from May, 1851, to Sept., 1857, again visited us, and preached our school sermons. Collections, nearly £31. On the first Sunday in July we had the great joy of receiving fifteen converts at the Lord's table. After this service our chapel was closed for repairs and cleaning; the congregation has met in the Market Hall during the renovation. The sons of old members, bearing the names so long known in connection with this church, are joining themselves to the Lord and His people. On Tuesday, July 9, our Sunday school had its annual treat in the Bath grounds, and on the Sunday previous the senior class presented a handsomely bound copy of Angus's Bible Handbook to their late teacher, with this inscription, "Presented to Mr. George Knight Pilkington on the occasion of his leaving Ashby by the senior class and other friends, as an expression of gratitude for his efficient teaching, and as a token of esteem." Mr. P. expressed his great delight to find he had a place in the recollection and esteem of his old scholars and friends.

HUGGLESCOTE.-The Bazaar in aid of the erection of a new school-room will be held in the month of September. The day is not yet fixed, but it will be announced in due time. Contributions to the bazaar will be thankfully received by Mrs. Salisbury or Mrs. Dennis, Hugglescote; Mrs. Smith, Donington-on-the-Heath; Deacon, Ibstock; or Mrs. Moss, Coalville.

Mrs.

MINISTERIAL.

BURNS. The honorary degree of LL.D., was conferred on Dr. Burns, of London, by the Faculty of Bates College, Maine, at the commencement in June last.

SKINGLE.-Mr. Samuel Skingle, of the Metropolitan College (a member of the Praed Street church, London), having received a call to the pastorate of the church at Whitchurch, Hants-as successor to the late Rev. T. Morris-has accepted the same, and has commenced his work as pastor with encouraging tokens of success.

BELTON-STEVENSON.-July 16, at the Baptist chapel, Old Basford, by the Rev. W. Dyson, Mr. Henry Belton, of Nottingham, to Emma, youngest daughter of Mr. John Stevenson, of Carrington.

HIRCOCK-LEMMON.-July 12, at the Baptist chapel, Windmill Street, Whittlesey, by Rev. T. Watkinson, Mr. Thos. Hircock to Miss Lemmon, both of the same place.

HAWKES.-June 18th, 1872, in her 72nd year, Miss Maria Hawkes, late of Lombard Street, Birmingham. The deceased was the last survivor of the family of the late William and Jane Hawkes, whose name for many years was associated with the General Baptist Church, in Lombard Street. Being brought up under the influence of godly parents, Miss Hawkes began in early life to testify her attachment to the cause of religion. In May, 1817, she was appointed a member of a committee to promote the objects of the General Baptist Missionary Society in Birmingham, which society had then been recently formed; and from that time until a few days before her death she was a most zealous and indefatigable worker. The conversion of the heathen in Orissa was one great desire of her heart, as testified by the amount collected by her in aid of that object from year to year. So early as fourteen or fifteen years of age she devoted herself to the work of Sunday school teaching, and was the instrument, in the hands of God, of leading many of her scholars to the cross of Christ. On the 13th of February, 1831, she made a public profession of her faith in Christ by baptism, and her sense of the importance and solemnity of the step she took may be gathered from the following statement found among numerous papers after her death,-" February 13th, 1831,-Have this day made a public profession of my attachment to the cause of the blessed Saviour. O may I never forget that on this day I have confessed Him before God, angels, and men ; and may my future conduct show that I wish to follow Him whithersoever He leads,

and may I adore the doctrine of God my Saviour, and humbly walk in all His commandments. Gracious God, do Thou direct me and lead me in the path of duty; help me, O, my God! to make a solemn surrender of myself to Thee, to be Thine for ever; in Thy merits, O, my Saviour! do I humbly hope for acceptance with God; may Thy cross be all my theme, and may I adore the riches of that grace which has brought me as a humble penitent to the cross of my blessed Saviour. There hang all my hopes.

"There would I trust while I adore, Nor from Thy refuge e'er depart.'' Miss Hawkes remained in connection with the church at Lombard Street till about the close of 1857, when she removed to the Baptist Chapel, in Bradford Street, at that time under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. J. Brown. In consequence of growing infirmities, during the last two years of her life, she attended a nearer place of worship, -the Presbyterian Church, Camp Hilland from the ministrations of the Rev. J. M. McKerrow she received much spiritual instruction and consolation. Being desirous of hearing the newly-appointed pastor of Lombard Street Chapel, the Rev. E. C. Pike, she accompanied the writer, on the first Sunday in May, and there partook of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which proved to be the last time she joined in the observance of that ordinance. Thus the scene of her first celebration of the Lord's Supper was, after an interval of many years, also the scene of her last. The life of Miss Hawkes stands as an example to all other Christians. She was zealous in the work

of the Saviour, consistent as a disciple, prayerful for the spread of the truth in the world, deeply sensible of her duty to promote the cause of Christ, by contributing of her means in connection with the house of God. She died, as she had lived, full of calm trust in the Redeemer. As her relations and her minister stood beside her bed that night, which for her broke into the morning of an eternal day, they heard her express, though often apparently amidst much physical suffering, her steadfast reliance on the Saviour and the Friend of sinners. When passages of Scripture were quoted, she repeated them in a manner which both showed her familiarity with the Word of God, and indicated that the doctrines, or promises, or hopes which they expressed were her support and comfort as the mysterious and solemn change approached. Thus she gradually sank, with holy words on her lips, and in the morning passed away. To her it had been Christ to live, and therefore we know that it was gain to die. H. H. E.

HIND.-June 30, 1872, at Crowle, Lincolnshire, after a long and painful illness, supported by the promises of the glorious gospel of the ever-blessed God, Elizabeth Hind, aged 69, the beloved wife of Anderson Hind, Esq., the senior deacon of the General Baptist Church, at Crowle. Her mortal remains were interred in the Baptist burial ground, there to await the resurrection of the just, on Wednesday, July 3rd, by the Rev. J. Stutterd, who, on Lord's-day following, improved the solemn event from Psalms xxxi. 4. May our aged brother, her bereaved partner, be divinely supported, and may all her children meet her in the realms of bliss.

PEGG.-At Melbourne House, Derby, Mrs. Pegg, relict of the late Robert Pegg, Esq., J.P., aged 69.

SHEPHERD.-Mary Ann Shepherd, of Old Basford, died at Castle Donington, 19th March, 1872, aged 23 years. If there is any reader of this Magazine whose wedding dress is prepared, it would be a hard trial for her, probably, to exchange it for the shroud. Trial of this kind befel our dead sister. The Heavenly Bridegroom came for her before the earthly could take her to his home. She was not unready: nearly seven years before, she had learned to rejoice in Christ as her Saviour, and though severe illness once painfully beclouded her hope, yet, with returning health, the doubts were dispelled, and she seemed more entirely devoted to the service of her Lord; and she had more of the joy of piety in her last illness than ever before. We remember her as a Sunday school teacher, self-denying, painstaking, and earnest; (it would be possible to tell of exemplary effort on her part in connection with this branch

of Christian work, if there was room for such a record,) and two remember her as an only daughter, light of heart and pleasant of countenance, who did much to make home sunshiny and happy. But the beautiful life was brief. "The flower fadeth," says the prophet. Oh! prophet, our Jesus has taught us that it blooms more brightly elsewhere. And here is our hope, Perhaps this little memorial may be noticed by some reader who expects to be married shortly; if so, let her think that, even yet, death may come first; andif so, is she ready? "And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage, and the door was shut."

WILCOCK.-Mrs. Wilcock was born at New Church, in Pendle Forest. Removing to Burnley when a girl, she entered the Sunday school at Ebenezer Chapel, and at the age of fourteen years she united with the church during the ministry of the Rev. T. Gill. She took great interest in the Sunday school, and in meetings for prayer. Three years previous to her death she became very unwell. At length her illness assumed the form of dropsy, accompanied by an internal tumour. During this period she suffered much, but, by Divine grace, was enabled to maintain much spirituality of mind; and being a great reader, she derived much support from the books she perused, but most of all from the word of God. She at length went a second time to the Hospital, at Manchester, where a tumour was extracted, weighing thirty-one pounds. The operation was sucessfully performed, but not having strength to rally, she passed away, March 14th, 1872. She was a consistent member of the church for thirty-one years, and has left a husband and family to mourn her loss, but who "sorrow not as those who have no hope."

CLOUGH.-Thomas, the son of Mr. Jeremiah Clough, was for several years a scholar and then a teacher in the Sunday school, Ebenezer Chapel, Burnley. His illness was of but a few days duration, and, though he regretted he had not united with the church, he gave most delightful proof of the glorious results of Sunday school instruction, and of his living union with Christ. He died April 26, 1872, aged 27 years. He was greatly beloved, and his loss is deeply deplored.

WATSON.-Mary Watson, the beloved wife of William Watson, Burnley Lane, was a member of the church at Ebenezer. For forty years she took great pleasure in assisting at the quarterly and annual tea meetings of the church. She was baptized by the Rev. O. Hargreaves, about nine years ago. After burying a son and daughter of consumption, she also fell a prey to the same, and died May 26, 1872.