Edward Swaine, Esq., was called to the chair, and the business wis commenced by the reading of a report from the Executive Committee, containing a detailed plan respecting the conference. This having been received, and a number of letters, containing various suggestions from absent members, having been read, the several passages of the report were discussed seriatim, and the whole, with some slight alterations, was adopted. It was arranged that the conference should be held in the week occurring between the Baptist and London Missionary Societies' anniversaries, to begin on Tuesday, April 30, and to sit on that and the following two days, from 10 o'clock A.M., till 4 o'clock P.M. The theatre of the City of London Institution, Aldersgate-street, will be engaged for the occasion. The committee had applied for Crosby Hall, but the use of it was refused on the ground that a committee of churchmen, who had engaged it for lectures to young men, had stipulated that it should not be let for political purposes. some of the delegates; a hope being expressed that the friends of the association in London would give practical proof of their approbation of such a proposal. It is also proposed to hold a social ten-party during the sittings of the conference, to afford an opportunity for the free expression of opinion, and for the communication of information on the part of the country delegates. A great public meeting is to be held as usual but the place is not yet decided upon. Several subjects were mentioned as proper to be brought before the conference, the most important of them being,-the Regium Donum, the Irish church, recent events in the state church, the anti-state church press, and the increase of political power on the part of those who hold the society's principles, by obtaining possession of the franchise. With respect to the election of the officers, the Executive Committee and the Council, which forms part of the business of the Triennial Conference, a change in the mode of election is proposed. Hitherto they have been chosen by the whole conference, but as it is found impossible by that method to obtain a legislative and executive body, composed of parties known to be willing to act, and fairly representing the supporters of the society throughout the country, it is intended to submit to the conference that it shall appoint a committee of twelve (three being members of the old Executive Committee), to prepare lists of officers, Executive Com wards separately submitted to the conference for its approval. The members of the conference are to be requested to send in the names of suitable parties to the committee. The conference is to consist of (1) delegates appointed by public meetings or meetings of congregations publicly convened; and (2) of delegates appointed in writing by persons residing in any town, borough, or parish, or in more than one united; the signatures of not fewer than fifty persons being required for one delegate, and not fewer than one hundred for two delegates. At the last conference members of the association were admitted; but in order to preserve the repre-mittee, and Council, such lists being aftersentative character of the assembly it will on this occasion be confined to delegates. Inquiry was made whether they could be admitted as spectators, to which it was replied, that in all probability the theatre would not afford room for others than delegates. As a set-off against this alteration, the signatures of fifty persons only is required to elect a delegate, instead of one hundred as formerly. It is, however, expected that in the majority of instances the election will be by public meetings convened for the purpose; and it was urged, that when meetings of congregations are held, not only should delegates be appointed, but advantage taken of the occurrence to disseminate anti-state church principles. The 13th of April is the day named for sending in nominations. The discussion on these and other questions was carried on with considerable animation, and in a most amicable spirit. At the close of the business relating to the conference, the Executive Committee presented a special report on the subject of Mr. Roebuck's intended motion on the Irish church. They were prepared to commence a vigorous agitation in support of it, and wished for the opinion of the council whether an attempt should be made to carry on the movement in London, by means of a committee composed of persons favourable to this specific object. The result of the conversation was a resolution to the effect that the committee should employ the resources of the association, and avail themselves of the advantages which their organization gave them. The travelling and other expenses of the delegates are to be defrayed by the delegates or their constituents; and as heretofore each delegate is expected to be furnished with the means of defraying a fair proportion of the expenses of the conference. All these expenses are to be met by special contributions, and not by the application of any portion of the local subscriptions, which will be required THE ESCAPE OF DR. ACHILLI, AS DESCRIBED for carrying on the ordinary operations of the society. The committee stated their intention to arrange, if possible, for the entertainment of COLLECTANEA. BY HIMSELF. The Christian Times having been favoured with the perusal of a pamphlet, about to be issued by Sir C. E. Eardley, Bart., in reference to the case of Dr. Achilli, gives the following extract from a letter of Dr. Achilli, dated, Paris, Feb. 3. the magistrates of the Holy Inquisition, he At this point he produced a quire of paper, covered with writing, and began to read the first page, from which I perceived that it was the minute taken down the second day of my imprisonment, by a judge of the Cardinal Vicar, consisting of a general interrogatory on the whole of my life-that is to say, my education, my studies, my public functions, my occupations, my journies, and especially that to the Ionian Islands, Malta, England, &c. till my return to Rome; what I had done during the Roman Republic; and finishing with my imprisonment. All this, confronted anew with numerous questions, formed the subject of my first interview with Monsignor Bambozzi and his companion. In a moment, the whole Castle of St. Angelo was full of the news that the Judges of the Inquisition, with special permission of the French authorities, had come to take possession of me. You can imagine the indignation felt, and the severe expressions employed against the priests and the French. I alone smiled in the midst of the universal excitement. Four days afterwards the two magistrates of the Inquisition were again announced. Thereupon, a new and very long interrogatory (still in Latin) ensued. "On the morning of December 24-a day usually consecrated in Rome to the congratulations and good wishes of friends-my good gaoler came to me to say that an order had come from the French general, to allow me to have free communication with a certain Dr. Bambozzi and another person with him, whenever they might come to see me. The good gaoler, not knowing, as I did, who the parties were who had such ample permission, denied in every other case, to converse with me, endeavoured to persuade me that they were really two of my friends, who had by great exertions succeeded in obtaining what had been granted to no one else. But I was not deceived. The more so, when I knew the next day that the adjutant of the fort, a devoted friend of the priests, had asked and obtained from the cardinals a confirmation of the order. I said to myself, either this is an agreement and understanding between the cardinals and the French general, or the cardinals have performed one of their common manœuvres to engage and compromise the French authorities in a matter altogether in their interest. My fellow-prisoners, to whom I communicated my doubts, fully agreed with me. Eight days elapsed, and Dr. Bambozzi,, announced with so great interest, had not yet appeared. This made my fellow-prisoners and myself constantly laugh at the name of my visitor and at his expected visit. December 31, I was asked for by two persons, who announced themselves as " visitors." The door opened, and in came a priest, in fact a Monsignore, whom I recognised from his purple tippet, and another person, both strangers to me. They received me with great gravity, and, after having looked at me from head to foot, made me a signal to sit down. I then discovered that they were two judges, and knew the quarter that they came from. (I after-the cause of Signor Cernuschi, Deputy of wards ascertained that the priest was Monsignor Bambozzi, the Fiscal of the Inquisition, and the other the Advocate De Dominicis, Chancellor of the Inquisition.) After we were seated all three round a table, the priest made a sign to the other to write, and began to dictate to him in Latin. "A certain man (homo quidam) appeared before me, who declares his name to be Giacinto Achilli, son of . . . born at . . . aged about ... dressed (here follows a description of my dress from head to foot), committed to this prison, &c., who, being interrogated whether he knew why he was imprisoned, replied, I have been here for six months, and I do not yet know why I was arrested.' Interrogated if he knew by what tribunal he was now arraigned and examined, he replied, "I wish to be informed.' And being told that that he was arraigned and examined by [Dr. Theiner, a Priest of the Oratory, subsequently visited Dr. Achilli, and gave him books to read, with the view of bringing him back to the Roman church.] I was in the middle of the third visit of the Padre Theiner, in the full fervour of our controversies, when the Captain of the Castle came to inform me that two Chasseurs de Vincennes were arrived, to take me to the French Council of War, to give evidence in the People under the Republic. I was not more surprised than my theologian, who was even more unable than myself to comprehend how I, separated from the rest of the world by virtue of the laws of the Inquisition, could be summoned before a military tribunal by a foreign authority. The Captain added, that there was the permission of the Cardinal Vicar. "Let us go, in the name of the Lord," was my thought. The Padre Theiner accompanied me to the carriage, in which two soldiers, armed with carbines, sat by my side. The tribunal is held at the Ecclesiastical Academy, in the Piazza di Minerva. The Capitaine Rapporteur was alone. He put a few questions to me about the person of Cernuschi, and said some other things to me. ... He then remanded me to the castle. The next day, the 19th January, my theo logian visited me again, and plied me with vehement arguments, and which I answered with arguments still more vehement. Our subject was the bishopric of St. Peter at Rome, and the privilege of succession bequeathed to the popes; Dr. Theiner all intent on demonstrating, and I on confuting it. In the midst of the discussion, which had now lasted some time (it now being nearly dark), my gaolor came to tell me that the two chasseurs were come back again to take me to the military commission. "Farewell, Padre Theiner. Offer my respects to the Cardinal Vicar, and thank him in my name for your visits, which have given me real pleasure; I hope that both of us may derive profit from them, to confirm us more and more in the word of God !" Having said this, I pressed his hand, and got into the carriage between the two soldiers. This time the carriage was an open one, and, traversing the long street from the Castle to the Minerva, I saw and was seen by many persons. A novel sight indeed! A prisoner of the Inquisition held in custody by the arms of the French Republic! The Capitaine Rapporteur was very obliging, and I am sure felt personal sympathy with me. I will not repeat the conversations which I had with him. ... I will only say that I was greatly cheered, and I could not help feeling as if I were free and my own master. I determined to try if it were so ... In an antechamber were several sets of military accoutrements. In a moment I had dressed myself cap-à-pie as a French soldier. The doors on to the landing were open, and the ingress not guarded by a single individual. It was halfpast five in the evening. I did what any one else would have done, and I did it with a smile. I descended into the Piazza di Minerva, passed through the Strada Piè di Marino, the Piazza del Collegio Romano, and walked through the Corso, disguised as I was. I changed my dress at where money was prepared for me. A carriage with post-horses was speedily ready, and a passport. At seven, P.M., I passed the walls of Rome, blessing the Lord, and committing to hin my country, my brethren, and that infant church which will one day be an example to all the churches, so that it may again be said of the Romans, that "their faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." In six hours I arrived at Civita Vecchia, rested till daylight, presented several letters, and embarked on board a steamer of war. The whole of that day (20th) I passed in the port, engaged in thanking my God, and in praying to him to provide for me in all respects. I wrote a farewell letter to the brethren in Rome, which I got a person to post. The next day we sailed for Toulon and from thence I went to Marseilles." CORRESPONDENCE. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY-PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-In reply to many enquiries and kind suggestions from esteemed brethren on the subject of the resolutions to be brought forward by us at the next annual meeting of the Missionary Society, which appear in the last report, we take the liberty of requesting the insertion of a few sentences in the pages of your Magazine. The attention which during past months we have been able to give to the subject, and the kind communications of brethren, have led us to a conviction of the importance of thoroughly discussing these resolutions as connected with the welfare of our society, and the maintenance and enlargement of the sympathy and support of our churches in its proceedings. We purpose, therefore, if life and strength permit, to bring these resolutions, in the form of which we have given notice, under the consideration of the annual meeting, and desire, by thus early reminding our brethren of our intentions, to VOL. XIII.-FOURTH SERIES. invite the exercise of their deliberate wisdom in the spirit of reverent obedience and humble dependence towards our Great Master. The resolutions as they now stand, if adopted by the general meeting, will occasion certain changes in the constitution of the society, which we think are required by the faithful application of scriptural principles, and by the necessity which is strongly felt among us to unite our society more completely with those on whom it must depend for support. The changes will consist, first, in the abolition of a fixed amount of pecuniary contribution as a condition of membership; secondly, in the substitution for it of a religious qualification, viz., connection with a church by which the missionary society is approved and supported; and thirdly, in the transference of the control of the society from persons possessing the property qualification, (and only such as defined by the present law,) to the representatives of contributing churches who are to meet once a year for the despatch of business and the choice of officers. The first resolution to be brought forward 2 A is one affirming the general principle, that our | society should be esteemed a religious society and have a religious constitution. We proceed to apply it in two ways, first, by rendering the qualification for membership, connection with a contributing church; and secondly by entrusting the representatives of such churches with the management. It may, perhaps, help towards a clear understanding of our intentions to print the rules as we propose they shall stand respecting "members," and the "general meeting." By a reference to the report our friends will be able to compare the effect of our proposed changes with the rules as they now stand. The rule for members according to our plan will read as follows: funds." The rule respecting the general meeting will stand thus, reprinting the law with our proposed alterations: "General meeting of representatives of the churches." "A general meeting of representatives of the churches shall be held annually, at which the committee and officers shall be chosen for the ensuing year, the auditors of accounts appointed, and any other business pertaining to the society transacted. This meeting shall consist of representatives of all churches which shall have made a contribution towards the funds of the society during the past year. Not more than the pastor and two other representatives to be allowed to each church." We are not altogether ignorant of the objections which may be brought against these changes, but regard any inconvenience to which they may subject us as more than counterbalanced by their advantages. Legal objections may be taken, but we believe them to be invalid. It may be said that the plan encourages centralization; it is not, however, more centralizing than the present constitution, and whilst it provides for central action, it neutralizes and destroys central government. It is admitted to be an inconvenience, that it will disfranchise many who are now contributors to the society, but are not members of contributing churches; but if the society is a Christian institution and for the spread of certain principles, it is a natural inference that it should be under the management of those who give to these principles their professed adherence. Any loss to the constituency resulting from this change will surely be amply compensated by the introduction of a large number of persons religiously qualified, who are now disfranchised, but who then as members of contributing churches will become members of the Baptist Missionary Society. The representative system may be thought too cumbrous and costly for practical purposes. The number of contributing churches will not, however, so far exceed the present members of the society who are entitled to attend the general meeting as to render this an important objection, and the cost may be greatly diminished if churches at a distance think fit to appoint as their representatives persons residing near the place of meeting on whose judgment they can rely. There will be nothing under the amended regulations to prevent the meeting of representatives from being held as may be thought desirable in the country or London; or to preclude two or more churches from uniting as an auxiliary or district in the appointment of representatives. It is admitted that in religious societies the life which animates them is practically of but the latter whilst it is the expression of the more importance than the form they assume, former exerts upon it a beneficial or pernicious influence. The present plan is simple, interand is capable of varied application. We feres to a small extent with existing machinery, recommend it on mature deliberation to the churches, as identifying the society which they sustain with themselves, and enabling them by vigorous and systematic action to maintain, extend, and direct its operations. We remain, dear Sir, Your's truly, E. S. PRYCE. BAPTIST BUILDING FUND. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-I am certain that you will with much pleasure grant the request of the Committee of the Baptist Building Fund, by inserting the gratifying intelligence that they have received from a lady the donation of £100, forwarded by the Rev. George Pope of Collingham. This benevolent gift arose, as he informs us, from her perusal of our last report, opening to her the gratification of a previous desire," to do something permanent for the benefit of baptist chapels." We entreated her permission thus to mention the circumstance publicly, as an example and inducement to others to make similar deposits. Her money was immediately remitted by the treasurer to the next church upon the rotation list, at Westbury-on-Trym, and is secured as the conditions of the Loan Fund require, by the note of hand of four persons engaging to repay the whole by half-yearly instalments of £5 each. Allow me to remark what should not escape observation, that by the simple process adopted for the dissemination of those loans and their gradual restoration to the common stock of the whole amount so leat, this single £100 will, during its progressive return form parts of loans to twenty other churches, and at the end of the ten years will, although di vided, continue to be as at first an entirety of benefit. Now it has not only immediately paid off £100 of debt, but has, by the annihilation of interest, added £5 to the future annual amount of remuneration to the minister. And proceeding onwards it will in every future return and re-issue again repeat a like proportionate benefit to others, yet still remaining part of an undiminished source of blessing. Would, my dear sir, that many, very many persons may, as this Christian lady has done, under the influence of duty to God and his cause, bestow a living legacy, free from tax or mortmain, the advantages of which they may witness during life with a holy satisfaction, and leave as their lasting memorial when they shall worship in a temple not made with hands. I am, my dear sir, Very sincerely yours, Union Dock, Limehouse, ON MINISTERIAL ATTENDANCE AT MIXED MARRIAGES. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR,-In your number for January appeared a letter from a country pastor containing an inquiry to this effect, Shall I be committing sin by being present at the marriage of one of my members to an individual who gives no evidence of a change of heart. This inquiry has evoked two letters in your periodical for the month of February, one an affirmative, the other a negative, the preponderance then of evidence as far as it may influence the conduct of the pastor, in point of numbers, is neutral, and his mind may be as little satisfied as ever. I propose to examine the claims of the two letters, with a view to turn the scale either on one side or the other, and to investigate whether of the two will be the safest to take as a rule of action. It is possible this may be too late to have any effect in the present case, but assuming that it is not I call upon the country pastor to pause ere he commit an act, commendatory of a proceeding acknowledged by all parties to be fraught with mischief to the church of Christ. It may be laid down as a maxim that the way to the truth is short and easy; if truth be the object sought, the God of truth has declared with respect to it, that whosoever should seek should find. To be acquainted with the truth and to act up to its dictates, are two very different things. It may be also asserted, that error decked in the garb of truth, supported by specious and fallacious reasoning, often has been and still is palmed upon easily deceived human nature as that high and holy principle of which she is the deadly opponent. Such are the thoughts suggested by considering the two letters in answer to the pastor's inquiry as stated at the outset. To descend a little to minutiæ. The letter signed A Member of a Baptist Church is short and to the point; after briefly touching upon the evils arising from mixed marriages, he goes at once boldly to the issue and quoting the highest authority says, "Be not partaker of other men's sins." Not so, however, Respondent. Suppose the course advised by this writer to be adopted, and what will be the result, 1st. Upon the mind of the Pastor himself. 2nd. Upon the minds of the parties interested. 3rd. Upon the minds of uninterested parties residing in the town or village. Upon the mind of the Pastor it must be painful in the extreme, he tells us he has faithfully and affectionately remonstrated with the party concerned; and great grief, doubtless, does arise in his heart to see one of the members of his flock thus wilfully breaking Christ's commands; but notwithstanding every warning the day arrives upon which the two unite themselves in indissoluble bonds, he receives and accepts an invitation to solemnize the marriage and become one of the guests, can he-dare he-ask the God of heaven to bless a union so contracted and celebrated in defiance of His prohibition and his own earnest protestation? I think not; if he can, the sooner he resigns his office as minister of the truth the better. Upon the parties themselves, secure under the patronage and countenance of their minister, they may, perhaps, go on in life without one thought of sorrow or compunction-the good man could not after all have meant what he said, or thought it so bad as he described. Upon the uninterested in the locality, -the sentiments of the pastor are sure to become known, and when he is found acting contrary to his declared opinion a bad impression invariably follows, his character for Christian consistency materially damaged, and the progress of the cause of Christ materially hindered. These remarks might be extended to a much greater length, and the contrast from an opposite course drawn, but that would occupy too much of your valuable space, and a word to the wise is enough. I am, Sir, yours very truly, MINIMUS. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-This subject appears to me cne of deep importance and deserving the most serious treatment of your correspondents. Without commenting upon the answers which appeared in your last number, I offer my own contribution to the discussion. I take it for granted that it is contrary to the spirit of Christianity for a believer to unite himself in marriage to an unbeliever. I assume also, and this reduces the question. to its practical form, that the believing in |