Youthful Piety, exhibited in its Principles, Excellencies, and Happy Results. Designed to Promote Early Religion. By JABEZ BURNS, D.D., author of "Mothers of the Wise and Good," &c. Second Series. London: Houlston and Co. 32mo, pp. 160. Cl., gilt. Books of this kind cannot be too much multiplied. This is a pretty little volume, which will be interesting to intelligent children in general, and is especially suitable as a reward book for sabbath scholars.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Approved.

[It should be understood that insertion in this list is not a mere announcement: it expresses approbation of the works enumerated, not of course extending to every particular, but an approbation of their general character and tendency.]

None but Jesus; or, Christ all and in all. By JABEZ BURNS, D.D., author of the "Mothers of the Wise and Good," &c., &c. Third Thousand. Revised and enlarged. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 32mo., pp. 136. Cloth, gilt.

Report of the Commissioners appointed to "Inquire into the State and Operation of the Law of Marriage, as relating to the Prohibited Degrees of Affinity, and to Marriages solemnized abroad or in the British Colonies." Together with brief extracts from the Evidence given before the Commission. Second Edition. London: Benning and Co., Fleet Street. 8vo., pp. 71.

A Summary of the Chief Arguments for and against Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister. London: Houlston and Stoneman. 8vo., pp. 15.

Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister. Letters in Favour of a Repeal of the Law which prohibits Marriage with the Sister of a Deceased Wife. By the Rev. W. W. CHAMPNEYS, Rector of Whitechapel; the Rev. THOMAS DALE, Vicar of St. Pancras and Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's; the Rev. J. H. GURNEY, Rector of St. Marylebone: the Hon. and Rev. H. MONTAGUE VILLIERS, Rector of St. George's, Bloomsbury, and Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's; and the Rev. WALTER FARQUHAR Hook, D.D., Vicar of Leeds. To which is added, the form of a petition signed by many hundreds of the Parochial Clergy. London: Seeleys, Fleet Street. Svo., pp. 16.

Letters of several Distinguished Members of the Bench of Bishops on the subject of Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister. With Remarks by GEORGE A. CROWDER. Second Edition. London: Benning and Co., Fleet St. 12mo., pp. 48.

Reasons for Legalizing Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister. London: Wilson and Ogilvy. Folio, pp. 4.

Serious Inquiries. I. Is there now a time to Dance? Shall Christians Dance? Affectionately Recommended to all Young Christians. By JAMES Smith, author of "The Believer's Daily Remembrancer," &c., &c. London. 32mo., pp. 16.

A Brief Directory to the Church of Christ assembling in New Church Street Chapel, Edgware Road, St. Marylebone, London, under the pastorate of JABEZ BURNS, D.D. 32mo., pp. 16. 1849.

Zion Chapel, Cambridge, from 1837 to 1849. With a Pastoral Address by C. T. KEEN. Cambridge. 32mo., pp. 12. 1849.

Cyclopædia of Moral and Religious Anecdotes : a Collection of nearly Three Thousand Facts, Inci

dents, Narratives, Examples, and Testimonies, embracing the best of the kind in most former col

lections, and some Hundreds in Addition, Original and Selected. By the Rev. K. ARVINE, A.M., Pastor of the Providence Church, New York. No. VI. London: Ward and Co. 12mo.

The Domestic Economist, and Adviser in every branch of the Family Establishment. Conducted by GEORGE W. JOHNSON, Esq., Editor of the "Cottage Gardener," &c. Part I., January, 1850. London; W. S. Orr and Co., Imperial 8vo., pp. 60.

The Christian Journal, conducted by Ministers and Members of the United Presbyterian Church. February, 1850. Glasgow: R. Jackson. 8vo. No. 2.

The Countess of Huntingdon's New Magazine. London. Parts I. and II. Price Twopence each.

The Herald of Peace. February, 1850. London: Ward and Co. 8vo., pp. 16.

The Jewish Herald, and Record of Christian Effort for the Spiritual Good of God's Ancient People. February, 1850. London: Aylott and Jones. 12mo., pp. 28. Price 2d.

WESLEYAN CONTROVERSIES.

The following publications having come into our hands, we submit to the reader their titles, without expressing any opinion on the litigated questions to which they refer,-questions on which we do not feel bound to enter, and which we have not had opportunity to examine deliberately in all their bearings.

The Jubilee of the Methodist New Connexion: being a Grateful Memorial of the Origin, Government, and History, of the Denomination. Second Thousand. London: John Bakewell, 80, Newgate Street, 1848. 12mo., pp. 450.

Hessian will be added shortly. Brother Köbner instructs them in German grammar, brother Brown in singing, and I have every morning an hour with them in biblical exposition. All three have been already engaged in the Lord's work, and have been made instrumental in the conversion of sinners. While we work, help us with your prayers, that we may send none but such as God has

chosen.

"We have recently had our twenty-fifth anniversary of the Sunday-school, which was highly interesting. In the original school, which I raised, 5000 children have been instructed, and at present there are seventeen Sunday-schools in Hamburg and its vicinity. The London Tract Society has again made us a grant of £150, of which we were greatly in need, not having a dreiling in hand, whilst our tract distribution is extending."

and tea

NEW CHAPEL.

SHEPPARD'S BARTON, FROME.

The chapel erected in 1707 having been for some years showing signs of decay, became at length unsafe, and as increased accommodation was desired it was taken down, rebuilt, and considerably enlarged. The new edifice was opened on Thursday the 7th, by the Rev. W. Jay of Bath and Dr. James Hamilton of London. Dinner were gratuitously provided for visitors, of which about one hundred partook. After dinner a very interesting narrative of the early history of the church, compiled from the old church books by John Sheppard, Esq., senior deacon, was read; and addresses were delivered by the Revs. James Hamilton, C. J. Middleditch, Charles Stanford, J. Sprigg, A.M., and R. Morris of Clifton. On the following sabbath, sermons were preached in the morning by Dr. Murch, formerly pastor of the church and subsequently president of Stepney College, and in the evening by the Rev. S. Manning the present pastor.

The collections amounted to about £50.

ORDINATION.

WATFORD.

The Rev. J. P. Hewlett, late of Dover, commenced his stated labours as pastor of the baptist church at Watford, on the first Lord's day of the present year.

RECENT DEATHS.

MRS. FERRIS.

Died at Rockingham Row, in the neighbourhood of London, on Feb. 1st, Mrs. Elizabeth Ferris, in the 74th year of her age.

* The smallest German coin-less than a farthing.

This lady has been well known in the various spheres in which she moved, as an active, zealous, and benevolent Christian. I have very little knowledge of her early history, but the little I possess, I shall feel a pleasure in communicating. She was a native of Holland, in the higher classes of society, and received an education suitable to her circumstances. She would converse fluently in five of the European languages. Her first marriage took place in the seventeenth year of her age; but then she was not a Christian. In the course of some years she was brought into the most trying circumstances by her husband's failure in business. The trials she endured in connexion with this were of the most unprecedented character, until at length her husband was laid on a bed of affliction, which proved the bed of death. She had some reason to hope that his affliction was a blessing to his soul. It was in this furnace that she herself was brought under deep convictions for sin. While in this state, she was tempted to believe that there was no mercy for her because she was a foreigner. The application, however, of a passage of scripture, (whether in a sermon or in reading the scriptures I do not recollect,) Eph. ii. 19,

66

Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God," was the means of relieving her mind, and causing her to give her heart to the Saviour. After some time, I know not how long, she was again united in marriage to Mr. Charles Ferris, a pious dragoon sergeant, who had been useful to her husband in his last illness, and to her in leading her to the Saviour. In the early part of the year 1813 they were baptized, and united to the baptist church at Folkestone, Kent.

In the year 1814, they were sent by government to the town of Barnstaple, north Devon, to occupy the barracks in the town, and superintend them. It was at this time quainted with them. At that time there was no baptist church in Barnstaple, nor in fact anywhere else in the district. But it was just the year previously, Mr. W. Harris, late of Landbeach, Cambridgeshire, was sent to north Devon as a missionary. Our friends soon invited him to preach at Barnstaple, but had the greatest difficulty to obtain a room, till at length one offered at one shilling every time it was used; and with all its inconveniences they were obliged to have it. In a little while a more eligible one offered,-"an upper room." They occupied this for some time, till circumstances obliged them to quit, and obtain another place. When they were unsupplied by a preacher, which was often the case, Mr. Ferris, encouraged by his excellent wife, conducted prayer-meetings, and read sermons.

the writer of this account first became ac

In the year 1815, they had the satisfaction

of having five candidates for baptism. The late Rev. Richard Davis, then of Plymouth Dock, and Rev. G. Gibbs of Plymouth, were invited on the occasion, and also an ordination service was held, to publicly set Mr. Ferris apart as the north Devon missionary. A large room was obtained at the Castle Inn which was crowded to excess. The next morning the ordinance of baptism was administered in the river Taw, and the Lord's supper administered in the room to several of the baptists in the neighbourhood, together with the newly baptized. At that time their home and their heart was open to the friends of Christ, and the barrack obtained the name of "The Baptist Hotel."

The

In 1817 they had the pleasure of sceing a church formed consisting of twelve members. This was done in the " upper room " where they were accustomed to worship. ministers engaged were Rev. Messrs. Humphrey of Collumpton, and Sharp of Bradnich. It would draw out this account to too great length to tell all that was done; but Mrs. Ferris by her zeal and activity, and consistent piety, was one of the principal acting agents.

In the year 1818 they were called to leave Barnstaple, the barracks were sold, and they were removed to Modbury in the same service. Here they remained a few years, till a similar event took place there. Thence they removed to Plymouth, where they united with the church at Herd's Lane, under the care of Mr. Nicholson. There, if I rightly recollect, Mr. Ferris was chosen a deacon. One or two removes took place after this, till at length their final remove together was to Taunton, where Mr. Ferris held the same office in the barracks. Then, about the year 1840 or 1841, our friend became a widow the second time. Mr. Ferris went to bed as well as usual, but in the morning he was taken suddenly to his rest. About the year 1843, our widowed friend left Taunton for London, where she spent the remainder of her days. She occupied lodgings at various parts of the city and suburbs. There were a few valued friends with whom she regularly corresponded, amongst whom was the writer, and his late invaluable wife.

The first intelligence I had of her illness was by a letter from her companion, dated Jan. 29, when she appeared to be near her end. Her mind was calm and peaceful during her illness, and staid on the Saviour. By letters received from her friend who resided with her, I learn some few particulars of her last moments. She said on the 28th, "Jesus will soon come and take his pilgrim home." She continually longed to be gone, and repeated the following lines:

"Welcome, sweet hour of full discharge,
That sets our longing souls at large;
Unbinds our chains, breaks up our cell,
And gives us with our God to dwell."

Her sufferings at the last were very intense, and for four days she was dying. She said, "It is hard work."

"Come, ye angelic envoys, come,

And take the willing pilgrim home." She prayed earnestly that her patience might hold out to the last, and her prayer was heard. She pointed upward a few hours before her departure, saying, "I am only waiting my dismissal." This was the last that was heard from her lips previous to her death.

Thus do our friends one after another leave us to mourn their loss in this wilderness. Her life was holy and useful, and her death was happy. May we be followers of them who through faith and patience are now inheriting the promises. J. W. MAY.

MRS. BLINKHORN.

Mary Jackson Blinkhorn, the wife of Mr. Blinkhorn, St. John's Street, Cambridge, and second daughter of the late Rev. John Rootham of Willingham, finished her course, Jan. 22nd, in the 47th year of her age. In her life she feared death, in her death she had no fear.

MRS. STONE.

On Lord's day, February 3, died at Hurn, near Parley, in the faith and hope of the gospel, in the 35th year of her age, Mrs. Eliza Stone, a useful member of the baptist church at Parley for about eight years. This is another among the several losses which the church in that place has been lately called to sustain. In this case the church and the sabbath school have been deprived of a valuable member, and the pastor of a sincere friend. She has left a sorrowful husband and six children to deplore their loss. No person in the congregation looked more likely to live to be old than she looked a very few weeks ago. Her death was improved by her pastor, Mr. Alcock, on Lord's day afternoon, February 10th, to a crowded congregation from 1 Peter iv. and part of the 16th verse, "a Christian."

MISCELLANEA.

MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

A circular has been issued by the committee of the Baptist Union, from which the following statement is extracted :

"Up to the year 1835, the law of marriage in England had, for several centuries, not declared void the marriage of a widower with the sister of his deceased wife, but only made it voidable by process in the ecclesiastical courts. Such a state of the law gave a

practical sanction to this class of marriages, and they were freely formed by persons of all ranks. In 1835 an act was passed, by one clause of which marriages of this description are rendered thenceforth absolutely null and void to all intents and purposes whatsoever.' Unwarranted in its principle, this enactment has been found also intolerably oppressive and mischievous in its effects, so that a strenuous effort is now in progress for obtaining its repeal. The question has been so successfully agitated in the House of Commons during several sessions of parliament, that no doubt is now entertained of the readiness of that branch of the legislature to adopt, by a decisive majority, a measure for abolishing the restriction complained of. A formidable opposition is known to await such a measure in the Lords, but success is not on that account to be despaired of, if public opinion be duly expressed. Interesting as the subject is on general grounds, since it largely affects both the happiness and morals of society, it is more particularly interesting to us as nonconformists, and to the churches existing among us. On the one hand, it is an attempt to enforce upon the whole population of Great Britain the law of the church of England, that is, the canon law, so that it raises at once the question of our religious liberty; and on the other, it cannot fail to give occasion to a class of cases of discipline in themselves most trying, and of extremely difficult remedy.

"Under these circumstances we cannot but deem that Mr. Stuart Wortley, who is about immediately to re-introduce the bill of last session into parliament, deserves well of society at large, and of nonconformists in particular. The committee have seen it their duty to adopt petitions to the legislature in favour of the measure, and sincerely hope that the churches at large will promptly afford it similar support. Should the church and congregation with which you are connected desire to concur in this proceeding, you may, to save trouble, address a letter to this effect to Mr. B. R. Thomson, 56, Myddelton Square, Pentonville, London, from whom you will immediately receive (free of expense) forms of petition ready for signature. These, when the signatures are appended, you will please to return (unpaid) to the same gentleman, by whom care will be taken that they are duly presented. What is done should be done quickly, as the passage of the bill through the House of Commons is expected to be rapid."

At a meeting of the Committee of the Baptist Union held on the 30th of January, 1850, The Rev. F. A. Cox, D.D., LL.D., in the chair, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :

"I. That in the judgment of this committee the marriage of a widower with a deceased wife's sister

is neither contrary to the law of nature, nor prohibited by holy scripture; and that consequently it cannot, with either justice or wisdom, or without great mischief and wrong, be restricted by human legislation.

"II. That therefore this committee disapprove so much of the Act 5 and 6 Will. IV., cap. 54, as renders such marriages null and void.

"III. That in addition to the general reasons for dissatisfaction with this act, this committee, on the one hand, looking at the ecclesiastical ground on which mainly it has been passed, and on the other, on the contemplating its inevitable influence religious liberties of nonconformists, and a source churches, regard it as at once a violation of the of extreme perplexity and distress.

"IV. That this committee learn with satisfaction that Mr. Stuart Wortley, M.P., is about to bring into parliament a bill to amend and alter the said act so far as relates to such marriages.

"V. That with a view to aid the progress of the aforesaid bill, this committee do petition both houses of parliament according to the tenour of the foregoing resolutions. The petitions to be signed by the chairman and secretaries on behalf of the committee; and to be entrusted for presentation to S. M. Peto, Esq., M.P., in the House of Commons, and Lord Wharncliffe in the House of Lords.

"That information of these proceedings be con

veyed in an explanatory circular to the baptist

churches throughout the kingdom, with such information as may enable them to send petitions to parliament, should they be so disposed."

BAPTIST BOARD.

At a meeting of the Board of Baptist Ministers residing in and about the cities of London and Westminster, held in the Mission House, Moorgate Street, Feb. 12, 1850, the Rev. James Smith in the chair, the following resolutions were passed unanimously :—

"I. That in the judgment of this Board, the marriage of a widower with a sister of his deceased wife is scripturally lawful, and ought not to be prohibited by human legislation.

"II. That in the judgment of this Board, the act of 5 and 6 Will. IV., cap. 54, is improperly restrictive of the rights of individuals, and in many cases productive of immorality.

"III. That this Board has learnt with pleasure that the Committee of the Baptist Union has issued a circular recommending the churches to petition for the passing of an act legalizing the class of marriages thus prohibited, and hopes that they will generally comply with the suggestion.

"IV. That a petition in conformity with the preceding resolutions be presented to both houses of parliament, signed on behalf of the Board by the chairman and secretary, and that Mr. Hinton with the chairman and secretary be requested to prepare it."

THE ANTI-STATE CHURCH ASSOCIATION.

On Wednesday, the 6th of February, a a meeting of the council of the association was held at Radley's Hotel, Blackfriars, to deliberate on the time and place for holding the approaching Triennial Conference, as well as on the constitution of that body, and the business to be brought before it.