Religious and Literary Entelligence.

STATE OF RELIGION IN CANADA.
From Dr, BELL's Hints to Emigrants.

[Continued from page 125.]

9. Matilda is the next township above Williamsburg. It is thirty-three miles above Cornwall, and fifteen below Prescott. A congregation was formed here some years ago, and a place of worship erected, but the want of a minister has greatly hindered its prosperity, and it is at present in a divided and scattered state.

built, and in December following, I received a letter from Mr. Boyd, informing me, that on the 12th of January it was to be dedicated to the service of God, and requesting me to preach on the occasion, and assist at the administration of the Lord's Supper on the following day. To this call I attended with pleasure, and have seldom been more gratified than I was with the appearance of things when I reached Prescott. A handsome and commodious place of worship, capable of containing from 300 to 400 people, was not 10. Prescott, sometimes called Fort Wel- only erected, but finished in a manner lington, because it is in the neighbourhood creditable to all concerned. I preached of that fort, is forty-eight miles above in the afternoon to a crowded congregaCornwall, and twelve below Brockville. tion, and in the evening again addressed It is rising into a place of some importance, them on the nature and design of the Lord's being a port of entry, and a place at which Supper, and on the manner in which that a ferry-boat constantly plies between Ca- ordinance should be observed. On the nada and Ogdensburg, in the State of New Sabbath-day, Mr. Johnstone, who was exYork. It was only during the last war pected, not having arrived in time, I that it began to be a village, and then Mr. preached again to a crowded audience. Smart, of Brockville, preached sometimes, After sermon the sacrament was adminisboth to the country people and to the tered to about forty communicants; and soldiers of the garrison. At the time I seldom have I witnessed a more solemn landed there, and for some years both be- and interesting scene. Mr. Smart preachfore and after, it was distinguished for ed an excellent sermon in the evening. scenes of profligacy and wickedness. The The day was one of the coldest I ever exSabbath was profaned in the most open perienced; but the congregation had taken manner, and swearing, drunkenness, and care to have the church furnished with a other vices, were quite common. From good stove. In the course of the summer having resided there a few days, I had a I again assisted Mr. Boyd at the adminisstrong wish that the people should be pro- tration of the sacrament, when some advided with religious instruction. I preach-ditions were made to the church, and ed to them once myself, and earnestly every thing seemed to indicate that Mr. requested Mr. Smart to visit them as often Boyd's labours were attended with success. as possible, and endeavour to promote re- His plans and endeavours to promote imformation. He did so, and, in the mean provement were, it is true, in certain time, was looking out for a more permanent quarters meeting with opposition. But supply. In 1820, Mr. Boyd, a young this was to be expected. No reformation preacher from Ireland, arrived. He was can be made without giving offence to engaged to teach the school in the village, some. Mr. Boyd has suffered some inand preach to the congregation on the convenience from the present embarrassed Sabbath-day. He lodged for some time state of the country in a pecuniary point with Mrs. Jessup, a widow lady of con- of view; but he still continues his exersiderable property and influence in the tions with unremitting zeal; and in the place. His labours were acceptable, both last letter I received from him, he speaks as a teacher and preacher. His congre- of resigning his school at midsummer, and gation, as well as his school, greatly in- devoting himself wholly to the ministry. creased, and considerable exertions were

11. Brockville is 144 miles above Mon

made for his support. A call was pre-treal, and 56 below Kingston. Bestles its pared and laid before the presbytery, public buildings, which are the jail, courtwhich Mr. Boyd having accepted, he was house, and Presbyterian church, it conordained by the presbytery of Brockville tains a number of handsome private houses, on the 2nd of February, 1821. The pros- many belonging to lawyers and merchants. pect being encouraging, he determined, if It is the capital of the county of Leeds, and possible, to get a church erected. Mrs. the various courts for administering law Jessup gave the ground gratis, and the and justice are held there. The Presbycongregation contributed to the utmost of terian congregation existed many years their power. Still, however, funds were ago, but they never had a regular supply wanting, to supply which, Mr. Boyd made of preaching, nor was the church orgaa journey to Montreal and other places, nized till Mr. Smart, their present minisand collected a very considerable sum, Inter, came among them. Having been unsuccessful in their applications in other

the course of the summer the church was

quarters, they, in 1808 or 1809, applied to
the London Missionary Society for religious
instruction. Mr. Smart was at the time
studying in the Missionary Seminary at
Gosport, with a view to his proceeding to
the East Indies; "but the counsel of the
Lord shall stand, and he will do all his
pleasure.'
e." India was not to be the scene
of his future labours. This petition was
the means of changing his destination, and
he was soon after ordained in London to
the work of the ministry in Elizabeth
Town, in Upper Canada. On his arrival,
he did not confine his labours to one par-
ticular place, but travelled and preached
in all the settlements between Cornwall
and Kingston,-an extent of more than
100 miles. The roads were bad, and the
farmers' houses at which he lodged were
often uncomfortable. His health sensibly

declined, and he was forced to travel less. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL
During the war he preached frequently to
the garrison at Fort Wellington; and it
was on one of these occasions that a ball
from one of the American guns, on the
opposite side of the river, passed over his
horse's neck, and struck the ground a little
beyond him, covering him and two gentle-
men who walked near him with dust. It
was during this war that Brockville began
to rise into a village. It took its name
from General Brock, who nobly fell in the
act of defending the country from the in-
vasion of the enemy. There being no
church hitherto erected, Mr. Smart deter-
mined to set about one. His congregation
contributed liberally, and he raised farther
supplies in Quebec, Montreal, Kinston,
and other places. The building was begun
in 1816, and was completed the very same
day I reached Brockville, in June, 1817,
and was dedicated the following day, in
presence of a large congregation. Mr.
Easton, of Montreal, preached in the fore-
noon, and I in the afternoon. A Chris-
tian church was regularly organized some
years ago, and the sacrament of the Lord's
supper is administered every three months.
The place of worship cost about £1400. and
is a substantial stone building, affording
accommodation for a large congregation;
but except on particular occasions it is
never filled, and for some time past the
congregation has been rather upon the de-
crease. No blame, however, can be at-
tached to Mr. Smart, whose character is
unblemished, and whose pious labours are
unremitting.

Though Mr. Smart's residence is nearly fifty miles from mine, he was almost the only Presbyterian minister with whom I could have any intercourse for five years after I came to this country. This was regarded as a very providential circumstance by us both. Though both born in Scotland, we became acquainted in London: we were both members of Dr. Waugh's church in Well's-street, and used to attend a prayer-meeting in the vestry every Thursday Evening, consisting of young men belonging to the congregation. Here, with emotions you can better conceive than I can describe, we first, in the

presence of others, presented our suppli
cations at the throne of grace, and spoke
on some passage of Scripture which had
And
been proposed for the occasion.
though we had both before felt a desire to
preach the Gospel, yet it was assuredly
here that we finally resolved to devote our-
selves to the work of the ministry. A short
time after, Mr. Smart went to Gosport,
and I went to Glasgow to pursue my
studies. For several years after he went
to Canada, we were separated by a vast
ocean, and never expected to meet again
in this world. But how wonderful are the
ways of Providence! Here we are set-
tled over neighbouring congregations, and
are members of the same Presbytery.

SOCIETY.

On Friday, April 2nd, a Public Examination took place at the Central Schools of the British and Foreign School Society, on which occasion Thomas Fowell Buxton, Esq. M.P. one of the Vice-Presidents, was in the Chair. Sir Patrick Ross-Mr. Orlands, one of the Greek Deputies-Wm. Evans, Esq. M.P.-the Countess of Darnley, and a respectable number of Ladies and Gentlemen were present.

The examination commenced in the Girl's School, where the Ladies previously inspected the specimens of needlework, and purchased a number of articles, which were prepared for sale. The Girls were first examined in writing and arithmetic. After this they read a passage of Scripture, on which they were questioned by the Superintendant. The Rev. George Clayton, and the Rev. J. M. Cramp, then questioned them generally on the Holy Scriptures, and the answers given by the children afforded great satisfaction to the company.

The Chairman and Visitors then adjourned to the Boy's School.

The Boys after the customary evolutions, which were made with great accuracy and dispatch, wrote specimens on slates from dictation, these were handed round to the Company and inspected.

Twelve Boys, whose diligence in the School has been rewarded by giving them extra instruction, then produced maps, which they had delineated on slates, and were examined thereon. They also exhibited the progress they had made in the elements of Trigonometry, as adapted to mechanical purposes.

About forty of the eighth class were then examined in Arithmetic, as far as the Rule of Three and Practice; the Visitors were highly gratified by the rapidity and correctness of their execution.

The same number were then directed to read a portion of Scripture, which they did in the most clear and intelligible manner. They were questioned thereon; and in order to prove that their knowledge was not confined to the particular passage that had been read, they were questioned by

CHAPEL OPENED-LITERARY NOTICES.

the Chairman and the Rev. J. M. Cramp for upwards of half an hour, on the most important facts and duties of religion; their answers, contained in appropriate passages of Scripture, were such as could not fail to afford delight to every friend of

Bible education.

Two Greek youths from the Island of Cyprus, who have been in England only eleven months, and who previously knew not a word of English, and could not write a letter of the alphabet, sustained a respectable part in the examination. They can read fluently, write well, and their replies to the questions proposed to them were prompt and suitable.

When the examination was closed, the

Chairman was pleased to express his entire satisfaction with what he had heard and seen, and particularly his astonishment at the progress made by the children in Scriptural knowledge. The Rev. Mr. Williams, of Edmonton, then addressed the Children and the Company, and was followed by Wm. Allen, Esq. the Treasurer, when the Meeting terminated. It is believed that all present were deeply impressed with a conviction of the excellence of the British System of instruction, and of the superior advantages of the mode adopted for communicating religious knowledge by the Holy Scriptures only. Why should so noble an Institution be crippled in its exertions by want of funds?

Subscriptions and Donations will be received by Wm. Allen, Esq. Treasurer, Plough Court, Lombard Street; Mr. Millar, 45, Museum Street, Bloomsbury; Messrs. Hanbury's, Taylor, and Lloyds, 60, Lombard Street; and at the Society's House, Borough Road.

Extract of a Letter from Dr. Henderson, of St. Petersburgh, to a Friend in Edinburgh, dated Feb. 2, 1824.

"It will give you pleasure to hear, that the Lord's cause continues to prosper in this extensive Empire. In the course of the ten years that have elapsed since the establishment of the Russian Bible Society, not fewer than 704,831 copies of the Scriptures, or parts of the Scriptures, have been printed or purchased by the Society for distribution in forty-two different languages. Of these, twelve are now Translations. The total receipts during it are £135,585. sterling. Mr. Knill's preaching is much blest here. We had six additions to our church last week. For three weeks past I have been scarcely able to go on with my usual work, for the number of Jews who have visited me. Two of them have applied for baptism, one of whom has made great sacrifices for Christ's sake. He can scarcely speak any thing but Hebrew, but is well acquainted with the Old tament. By the time this reaches you, intelligence of two more Russian converts must have reached you from Astrachan. If the Lord will work, who can let it?"

157

CHAPEL OPENED, &c.

Baptist Chapel at Teignmouth, Devon, was ON Tuesday, April 20, 1824, the New opened for the Public Worship of God; and Mr. C. ROGERS was, at the same time,

ordained to the Pastoral office over the

church assembling in that place. Mr. Brewer, of Sheldon; Mr. Clarke, of Taunton; Mr. Sharp, of Bradninch; Mr. House, of

Dartmouth; Mr. Kilpin, of Exeter; Mr. Garrett, (Independant Minister); Mr. Brixham; Mr. Nicholson, of Kingsbridge, Neck, (Independent); Mr. Widlake, of were the Ministers engaged on the occasion.

A considerable debt remains on the

building, which the congregation have not the means of defraying; an appeal will therefore be made to the generosity of the religious public on behalf of this cause.

LITERARY NOTICES.

Just Published,

The Value of Human Life.-A Sermon Preached at King Street Chapel, Maidstone, March 21, 1824, the Evening before the Execution of James Clover, for the Murder of Mrs. Marsh. By WILLIAM GROSER.

WE are glad to hear that the popular
been adopted, in order to furnish_every
method of publishing in Single Sheets has
Cottage in the Kingdom with a Family
Bible, containing the authorized Text, a
familiar Exposition, and Notes on all diffi-
cult passages.
Weekly Numbers and Monthly Parts, and
It is to be published in
to be called the Cottage Bible and Family
Expositor. The First Number was pub-
lished on the 1st of April, and the First
Part will be ready on the 1st of May.-A
fine Edition is also publishing in Parts.

No. 4, Stationers' Hall Court,
Ludgate Street.

In the Press.

Speedily will be published, A Volume of Sermons, by the late Rev. J. R. VErnon, Garden, and Evening Lecturer of St. Assistant Preacher at St. Paul's, Covent Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside.

The Rev. HENRY MOORE has in the

Press a Life of the Rev. JOHN WESLEY, including that of his Brother CHARLES; compiled from authentic Documents, many of which have never been published. It will be comprised in two large Octavo Volumes, the first of which is expected to be ready by the 1st of June. Mr. Moore was for many years the confidential Friend of Mr. Wesley, and is the only surviving Trustee of his private papers.

Speedily will be published, in one vol. 12mo. elegantly printed, ELEAZAR; an InTes-teresting Narrative of one of the Jewish Converts on the day of Pentecost, supposed to be related by Himself. By THOMAS BINGHAM, Author of "William Churchman," &c.

MR. EDITOR,

A small Baptist Church in a country village desires to know the path of duty under the following circumstances:

"The choice of a Deacon is necessary. One of their members, a poor, but a truly pious man, of good natural abilities, appears to be the only individual amongst them adapted to fill the office. But (as he was a married man before he knew the truth as it is in Jesus,) his wife, though a moral and peaceable woman, is not supposed to be the subject of genuine piety. Should his brethren call him to fill the office of Deacon, would they, in so doing, violate any law of the New Testament? Or, in other words, what is the meaning of the Apostle, 1 Tim. iii. 11.”

An answer to this question, through the medium of your valuable publication, would be esteemed a favour.

66

that she must be "faithful in all things;" but if they look to Titus i. 6. they will find the very same expression used with regard to the Elder's children, and the Apostle sufficiently explains his meaning, when he adds, that they must not be accused of riot, or unruly." And so with regard to the Deacon's wife, if she be a person of grave deportment, not addicted to slander, but trust-worthy, (which we take to be the import of the word "faithful,") there, it should suffice. ÉDITOR.

issues his priestly congé d'elire, permitting the church to chuse and invest with that office the man that he has selected; taking due care at the same time to direct them, not to the individual who possesses the most scriptural qualifications, but to such a person as is most likely, from the respectability of his worldly circumstances, to confer honour upon himself!! Such a system must needs be ruinous to the churches; and alas! how many of them are now groaning for deliverance from it.

With regard to our Correspondent's question: taking for granted that the circumstances of the case are as stated by him, we should say, without any hesitation, appoint the person referred to without delay. We see nothing in the text, 1 Tim. iii. 11. which necessarily imports that a Deacon's wife must make a public profession, or be a believer. Their difficulty about the matter probably arises from its being said,

To the Editor of the New Evan. Magazine.
SIR,

Attending a Lecture lately delivered by the Pastor of an Independent church, I was much surprised at hearing him expatiate on Acts viii. 38, 39. in which we have recorded the baptism of the Eunuch. He insisted that the Greek particle, which is translated into and out of, might with equal propriety be translated down to and up from the water-and hence inferring that baptism by immersion could not be eunuch was baptized not by immersion, inferred from that passage; for that the but by pouring, which was the only exmode of administering that ordinance--it being emblematical of the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit: and to there was not as much water in all the confirm these remarks he insisted that desart as would have immersed him! confess, Sir, that this was new to me, and should be glad to hear your opinion upon it; being

W.

YOUR CONSTANT READER.

ANSWER.

THIS church deserves commendation, for the caution with which they proceed about the matter in question; and particularly for keeping their eye upon the rule which the Lord has given in his word, to regulate their conduct in all the affairs of his kingdom. What is it that has reduced the Baptist churches in England to the deplo-pressive rably corrupt state in which they are now found, but a total disregard of that rule? Deacons are necessary to the scriptural constitution and organization of the church; but how is their appointment usually managed? Why, the Pastor takes upon him self to dictate who he wishes to have in that office; just as the royal head of the National Church issues his congé d'elire to chuse a bishop; that is, in plain English, he issues his royal licence and authority, permitting then to chuse the very identical man that he has pointed out to them. This is farcical enough certainly; and dissenters may well laugh at it; but wherein does their own conduct in the choice of Deacons differ from it. The minister

ANSWER.

We are sorry that our limits will not permit us to go into this subject at present, as we could wish to do; but we may briefly remark that there are two ways of accounting for what has excited our correspondent's surprize. The first is, that prothat case, his ignorance is a proper object bably the preacher knew no better, and in of pity and compassion: the other is that he did know better, but presumed upon the ignorance of his hearers, which is no called upon to enter more particularly on We shall probably be the subject next month.

uncommon case.

EDITOR.

E

Ex

E

ANNUAL MEETINGS IN MAY.

Mon. 3rd.-Morn. at Eleven.-Meeting of The WESLEYAN Missionary Society,' at the

City Road Chapel, Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M.P. in the Chair.

Even. at Half-past Six.-Sermon for The CHURCH Missionary Society,' at St. Bride's, Fleet Street, by the Rev. Fountain Elwin, M.A.

Tues. 4th.-Noon-Meeting of the same Society at Freemasons' Hall, Admiral Lord Gambier in the Chair.

Even. at Seven.-Sermon for The IRISH Society of London,' at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, by the Rev. G. Mutter, M.A.

Wed, 5th.-Noon-Meeting of The British and Foreign BIBLE Society,' at Freemasons'
Hall, the Hon. Lord Teignmouth in the Chair.

Even. at Half-past Six.-Sermon for The PRAYER-BOOK and HOMILY Society,' at
Christ Church, Newgate-street, by the Rev. B. Woodd, M.A.
Thurs. 6th.-Noon-Meeting of the same Society at Stationers' Hall, Ludgate-hill.
Even. at Half-past Six.-Sermon for The London Society for Promoting CHRIS-
TIANITY among the Jews,' at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, by the Rev. Legh Richmond.
Frid. 7th.-Noon-Meeting of the same Society at Freemasons' Hall.

Same Hour.-Meeting of the Merchant Seamen's Aux. BIBLE Society,' at the City of London Tavern, Admiral Lord Exmouth in the Chair.

Even. at Seven.-Sermon for "The London Association in aid of the MORAVIAN Missions," at St. Clement Danes, by the Rev. W. Marsh, M.A.

Sat. 8th.-Noon-Meeting of 'The London HIBERNIAN Society,' H. R. H. the Duke of Gloucester in the Chair.

Mon. 10th.-Noon-Meeting of 'The British and Foreign SCHOOL Society,' at the Freemasons' Hall, H. R. H. the Duke of Sussex in the Chair. Noon-Meeting of 'The Port of London Society.'

Even. at Half-past Six.-Second Sermon in aid of 'The MORAVIAN Missions,' at St. Catherine Cree, Leadenhall-street, by the Rev. Hugh M'Neill, M.A. Tues. 11th.-Morn. at Six.-Breakfast of The Sunday School UNION,' at the City of

London Tavern.

Morn. at Eleven.-Sermon for "The Port of London Society,' on board the Floating Chapel, by the Rev. J. Clayton, sen.

Noon-Meeting of 'The Naval and Military BIBLE Society,' at the Argyll Rooms, Regent-street.

Afternoon, at Three.-Sermon for 'The Port of London Society,' on board the Floating Chapel, by the Rev. J. Reynolds, of Romsey.

Even. at Six.-Meeting of The Irish EVANGELICAL Society,' will be held at the City of London Tavern, T. Walker, Esq. in the Chair.

Even. at Half-past Six.-Sermon for The Continental Society,' at St. Clement Danes, by the Rev. Hugh M'Neill.

Wed. 12th.-Morn. at Half-past Ten.-Sermon for The LONDON MISSIONARY Society,' at Surrey Chapel, by Rev. Henry Townley.

Even. at Six. Sermon for the same Society, at the Tabernacle, by the Rev. Thomas Smith, A.M. of Rotherham.

Thurs. 13.-Morn. at Ten.-Meeting of the same Society at Great Queen-street Chapel. Even. at Six.-Sermon for the same Society at Tottenham Court Road Chapel, by the Rev. Edward Irving, A.M. of London.

Frid. 14.-Morn. at Half-past Ten.-Sermon for the same Society at Christ Church,
Newgate-street, by the Rev. William Pryce, Perpetual Curate of Loudwater,
High Wycombe, Bucks.

Even. at Six.-The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered at Sion
Chapel, Orange Street Chapel, Tonbridge Chapel, and Kennington Chapel.
Same Hour.-The Rev. Dr. Collyer will preach to the Members of Juvenile Auxiliary
Missionary Societies, at the Poultry Chapel.

Frid. 14th.-Morn. at Six.-Breakfast of The Religious TRACT Society,' at the City of
London Tavern, J. Reyner, Esq. in the Chair.

Sat. 15th.-Morn. at Eleven. Meeting of "The PROTESTANT Society for Protection of Religious Liberty,' at the City of London Tavern. A distinguished Friend of Civil and Religious Liberty in the Chair.

Mon. 17th.-Even. at Six.-Sermon for The HOME Missionary Society,' at the Poultry Chapel, by the Rev. H. F. Burder.

Tues. 18th.-Morn. at Eleven.-Second Sermon for the same Society at Crown Court Chapel, by the Rev. J. Reynolds, of Romsey.

Even. at Six.—Meeting of the same Society at Spa Fields Chapel, Ald. Key in the Chair.

Even. at Half-past Six.-Second Sermon for 'The CONTINENTAL Society,' at Queenstreet Chapel, by Dr. Wardlaw.

Wed. 19th.-Noon-Meeting of the same Society at the Crown and Anchor, Strand, Sir T. Baring, Bart. M.P. in the Chair.

Wed. 26th.-Even. at Half-past Six.-Meeting of 'The Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society,' at Zoar Chapel, Alie-street, Dr. Collyer in the Chair.