neglecting the duties of religion and the solemn preparations of eternity? The evidence to which we have adverted, we know, is not one which will render scepticism impossible; so neither does the evidence in favour of the being of a God, in favour of the existence of matter or of mind;* for all have been doubted, and are to this day, if we must believe the men who have written on these subjects. The true question in all these cases is, what is the reason why they have doubted? Is not that reason assigned by our Lord? John iii. 19. And does not the expression evil deeds comprehend all irreligious states of mind? J. S.

XI.-ENDEAVOURS AFTER TRUTH.

ON THE CAUSES WHICH RENDER THE USUAL MODES OF CHRISTIAN TEACHING INEFFECTUAL ON THE MINDS OF THE YOUNG MEN OF THE PRESENT DAY.

To the Editor of the Baptist Record.

Sir,It is matter of frequent complaint, that Christian truth, under the forms in which it is at present exhibited, fails, in a large proportion of instances, to take hold on the minds of the generation now rising to manhood. Discussions on this subject occasionally occur in print, and, I believe, sometimes in this periodical. One consideration has frequently suggested itself to my mind, and lately with renewed force, on the perusal of a pamphlet addressed to young men by a popular writer. This consideration I wish to present to the attention of your thoughtful readers. It appears to me to reveal a very powerful cause of the deplored state of things: why it had not its effect earlier, whether, from its non-existence, or from the absence of other circumstances which are now vitalizing it, may be the subject of future investigation.

I allude to the declamatory style of many pulpit addresses; a style which often is but the hyperbolical representation of half the truth. The common observation of the auditory supplies the other half, seen, it may be, through the medium of prejudice-a discrepancy is felt between the two-personal conviction is believed before pulpit testimony; and that which ought to have been felt by all to be the word of truth and soberness, fails to produce conviction of its truthfulness. Effects, therefore, for good, it can have none.

Where, in the case of less reflecting characters, any are lured into a profession of religion by one-sided representations of the easy pleasantness of the Christian course the narrowness and the ruggedness of the way, the toil and the conflict, being kept out of sight, the church is only encumbered with those who, not having counted the cost, fall away before the army of the Evil One.

* Have not the evidences of Christianity been as much doubted as those of the immortality of the soul? Are they therefore inconclusive?

Suppose this falsity of representation done away. Let our young men be told that life lies before them as a battle field, on which there is no alternative but that they fight manfully,-that, if they swell the ranks of the world, they must do battle with foes many and mighty, with heavy and oft unrewarded toil, with heart-crushing sorrow, with withering disappointment, with error, and doubt, and misgiving, with fear, and bitter remorse, and with the daily increasing darkness, caused by the coming shadow of death; and that the issue will be, the utter destruction of all for which they have fought--that if they choose the Christian's part, they will, in addition, have strife with EVIL WITHIN to maintain, that though in this strife they will be clad in armour, through which their life cannot be reached, there will be the weary arm, the wasting wound, the dust, the sweat, the exhaustion nigh unto death; that though, in the last fierce conflict, they will “ more than conquerors," and leave every foe slain on that dark field, yet, when they come up the streets of the Celestial City to receive their everlasting crowns, it will be as worn and weary warriors, with dusty feet, and bleeding brow, and battered armour, and, perchance, disabled limb.-Then will the fabled fount be opened, and their worn frames will emerge, athletic forms ready to do God's new bidding on all foes, save the one for ever vanquished-sin within. But I have for a moment diverged;―let such fair statements, in imitation of our Great Master, who told of the narrow and thinly-peopled way, of the cross, which all his disciples must bear, be made to the young; and if we have fewer professors, we shall have a stronger body of Christian warriors. The timorous, the careful, the impatient, being withdrawn, Gideon's band of picked men will remain.

come off

Entreating further consideration on the subject thus just opened from some of your more able writers,

I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

E.

XII. LITERARY NOTICES.

A Mission to the Mysore, with Scenes and Facts illustrative of India, its People, and its Religion. By the Rev. W. Arthur, Wesleyan Minister. London: Partridge and Oakey. 1847.

WE had intended to have noticed at length this excellent contribution to our Missionary literature; but the pressure upon our space forbids it. In a series of interesting chapters the author details the incidents of his voyage, his journey to the scene of his Christian labours, and his experience of a mission life. Especially valuable are the two chapters on the people and religion of India; the one abounding in curious information on the domestic life of the Hindoos, the other containing a masterly sketch of the Vedas, the gods, and the dogmas of Brahminism. Pantheism is the prevailing idea of Hindoo idolatry, developing itself not alone in the avatars of Krishna and the gods, but also in reverence for animals and the elements of nature. To the question whether Christianity can prevail over this ancient system, the author thus replies :

"If this question be put by a man of the world, I should reply to it by asking

Do you seriously believe that a people so rational and inquiring as the Hindus will for ever worship stocks, cows, birds, monkeys, and snakes? Do you seriously believe that they can long continue to do so after the light of Christianity has reached them? But if that question come from a Christian, I reply, Yes: and Do you seriously doubt that the power which converted your soul is unequal to the conversion of the Hindus ? I do seriously and joyfully believe that the rapid conquest gained over India by British arms, is the preparation and will prove the type of the conquest to be gained over it by the glorious gospel. An outburst of inquiry is beginning, said the Bishop of Calcutta. India is in a state of transition from a prostrate, timid, slavish apathy, to thought, activity, and enterprise. God is at work. I firmly believe that from the first promulgation of the gospel, a crisis of such importance as the present, for the salvation of such a population as India, has not occurred.""-p. 525.

From men like our missionaries, intimately acquainted with Indian manners and habits of thought, and mixing with the masses of the people, can we alone be assured of obtaining that accuracy of information so desirable to possess. Mr. Arthur has conveyed his information in a style at once free, animated, and attractive.

The Bedfordshire Tinker, or the History of John Bunyan. By E. E. Sargent.

A Brief Memoir of Jane Dickett. By Jonathan George.

1. Death Bed Repentance.

2. Amiable Willie. 3. Irish Dick. 4. Old Betty. 5. A Letter to the Parents of Sunday School Children. By Ann Jane. London: B. L. Green.

MR. SARGENT has compiled a well-written narrative of the life, labours, and sufferings, of that eminent man of God, John Bunyan. It is particularly intended, and admirably adapted, for the perusal of the young. The memoir of Jane Dickett, an aged, upright, and faithful follower of Christ, affords a worthy pattern, and encouragement to "young servants and aged saints." She truly adorned the doctrine of her God and Saviour in all things. The little tracts of Ann Jane, for the little ones of our families and schools, may be circulated among them with advantage. Her letter to the parents of Sunday scholars should be sent home by the hands of every pupil in our Sunday schools. It cannot fail to do good when thus presented.

The Ministry demanded by the Churches in these eventful times. An Address to the Students of Bristol College. By Henry Trend. London : Bartlett.

1847.

As we hope shortly to enter upon a full consideration of the subject of this vigorous and important address, we shall now do no more than earnestly recommend its perusal. It was received at the time in a kind and flattering manner, and is published only at the request of the tutors and students. The suggestions and views urged by Mr. Trend, deserve the most calm, thoughtful, and prayerful consideration of every one interested in the prosperity of our academic institutions.

The Sins of Youth possessed in after Life. A Sermon to the Young. By the Rev. W. Walters, of Preston. London: J. Paul.

An earnest, solemn, and affectionate appeal, founded on the truth, "that the evil deeds of a man's early history are followed by their natural and legitimate consequences in his after life." The preacher has graphically and powerfully depicted the results of early vice on man's physical constitution, on his pecu

niary interests and social position, and on his mental and moral history, and closes with an urgent invitation to heed the salvation of Christ, and to repose on his atonement. We trust that his fidelity may be honoured of God, to the conversion of many who were permitted to listen to his discourse.

The Present Crisis in Switzerland, and the Events which led to it. With Prefatory Remarks; by the Rev. Edw. Bickersteth, M.A. London: Partridge and Oakey.

THIS is a clear exposition of the causes of the present superiority of Radicalism in Switzerland, and of the recent expulsion of the Jesuits from the Confederation. If the representations of its author be correct, true religion is not the animating principle of the movement; indeed it has every thing to fear from its triumph, as is evinced in the present persecution of the Evangelicals of the Canton de Vaud, by its radical government. Infidelity is as great a foe to godliness as popery, and as fatal to the civil and spiritual rights of man. To such as are desiring a compendious view of the recent events in Switzerland, we can recommend approvingly the pamphlet before us.

The Life and Writings of Solomon, King of Israel. London: Mason. AN arrangement of the scattered notices of this monarch in the Book of Truth. They are connected with some remarks which are common-place enough. An intelligent child would much prefer the Scripture narrations themselves.

Eight Lectures on the Scriptural Truths most opposed by Puseyism. By John Eliot Howard. Second Edition. London: Whittaker.

WE can most cordially recommend this work as one of the best we have seen among the multitude which the controversy with Puseyism has called forth. Its author admirably seizes the main ideas of this heresy, and with Christian temper and faithfulness contrasts them with the divine word. His views of the doctrines of grace are clear and truthful, and in an unadorned yet vigorous style, he tests by them the false dogmas of Rome, and her latest offspring at Oxford. Adopting as he does our views on baptism, he is able to treat the subject of baptismal regeneration with great effect and success, discerning its earlier manifestation in the human invention of infant baptism, with which, in some form or other it is most intimately allied. The two errors stand and fall together. From its mild and Christian spirit, the book can advantageously be placed in every hand. It deserves a wide circulation.

XIII.-HOME AND FOREIGN RECORD.

THE ENDOWMENT QUESTION IN THE UNITED STATES.-At a meeting of friends of Madison University residing in New York, Brooklyn, and vicinity, held in the first Baptist Church, New York, December 29th, 1847, to consider the propriety of the removal of the University from Hamilton to some more western locality in this state, and the question of an endowment, the following resolution was adopted :-"That, whilst endowment for the collegiate portion of the institution may be, as many regard it, indispensable; yet, as to the theological department, the past history of endow ments for theological education renders it, in the judgment of the meeting, not desirable to seek such complete endowment of the theological seminary as would weaken its constant dependence upon, and its continual responsibility to the churches."

DENMARK.-Mr. A. P. Forster, a native of Denmark, and for the last four years a member of the church in Buttesland Street, London, has been set apart by that church for missionary work in his own country, under very favourable circumstances. He left London on the 29th December, and arrived in Hamburgh on the 1st January. where he is for the present staying with Mr. Oncken until the breaking up of the winter will allow him to proceed to Copenhagen. This mission is one of great interest. The brethren in that country have had to suffer " persecution for righteousness' sake,” and great efforts have been made to repress the progress of the truth. Writing from Hamburgh, Mr. Forster says of the churches in Denmark, "They seem now to be in a much better condition than they have been for some time, and require only to be put a little in order, and to be strengthened. The prospects seem on the whole to be very good. The people, I am told, seem willing to receive the word, and to be prepared for faithful labourers to distribute it." The affecting and interesting services attending his designation will, we trust, be sustained in the results of his labours in the Saviour's cause.-Prim. Ch. Mag.

BAPTIST UNION.-The annual session of the Baptist Union, will be held at the Baptist Mission House, London, on Good Friday, April 21, 1848, at ten o'clock in the forenoon; the Rev. W. H. Murch, D.D., in the chair.

The public meeting will be held at New Park Street Chapel, on the evening of Thursday, April 27, at half-past six o'clock.

The annual meeting of the subscribers of the Hanserd Knolly's Society, will be held in the morning of Friday, April 28th, at eleven o'clock, at Salters' Hall Meeting House.

LIVERPOOL. On the 1st of March, Mr. Hugh Stowell Brown, son of a clergyman of Douglas, Isle of Man, was ordained over the church in Myrtle Street, Liverpool; formerly presided over for upwards of forty years, by the Rev. James Lister. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. Henry Dawson, of Bradford the charge by Rev. T. Swan, of Birmingham; and the sermon to the people by the Rev. C. M. Birrell, of Pembroke Chapel.

BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SOCIETY.-The third annual meeting of the above Society was held at New Park Street Chapel, on Tuesday evening, March 7th. The treasurer, Joseph Fletcher, Esq., presided. The report stated, that out of a considerable number of applicants for the benefit of the Institution, the committee had selected ten, of whom four had completed their two years course of study, and were now settled as pastors; and that, concerning the remaining six students, the most favourable reports were received from their respective tutors.

The treasurer's account showed, that the balance in hand, together with the subscriptions of the coming year, would be barely sufficient to defray the expenses chargeable to the conclusion of the term of the present students; and, consequently, unless more assistance was speedily afforded, the experiment, which has hitherto been eminently successful, must soon close.

The meeting was addressed by Brethren Aldis, Branch, Cole, S. Davis, Denham, George Russell, and Smith, all of whom expressed their full conviction that the Society was eminently adapted, under God, to train up such pastors as many of our churches require, and that it was worthy of receiving liberal support.

Congregational collections are earnestly requested, during the present year. Subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received by the treasurer, Joseph Fletcher, Esq., Union Dock, Limehouse; by the Rev. John Cox, secretary, Woolwich; or by the collector, Rev. S. Davis, late agent to the Baptist Irish Society, 29, Trafalgar Square, Peckham. The collector will be happy to visit any localities where subscrip. tions are likely to be obtained.

Correspondence on this subject with the Secretary is respectfully invited.

FRANCE. Among the last acts of the fallen dynasty of France was the subversion, in the case of the Baptists of L'Aisne, of the right of public worship guaranteed by the charter of 1830, and on which the throne of Louis Philippe was founded. It was