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political differences-the representatives of the different political opinions of the country -and the representatives of the different foreign nations-to-day representing only one interest. Gentlemen, my original plan had been to carry out this undertaking with the help of the Society of Arts of London, which had long and usefully laboured in this direction, and by the means of private capital and enterprise. You have wished it otherwise, and declared that it was a work which the British people, as a whole, ought to undertake. I at once yielded to your wish, feeling that it proceeded from a patriotic, noble, and generous spirit. On your courage, perseverance, and liberality, the undertaking now entirely depends. I feel the strongest confidence in these qualities of the British people, and am sure that they will repose confidence in themselves confidence that they will honourably sustain the contest of emulation, and will nobly carry out their proffered hospitality to their foreign competitors. We, her majesty's commissioners, are quite alive to the innumerable difficulties which we shall have to overcome in carrying out the scheme; but having confidence in you, and in our own zeal and perseverance at least, we require only your confidence in us to make us contemplate the result without any apprehen

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sion."-The Herald of Peace.

BAPTIST LITERATURE.

It would appear from many indications, that our brethren of other denominations are apt to regard the baptists not only as quite deficient in general learning, but as really unworthy of a name in the literary world. Is this the fact?

If it were so, some palliation might be found in the persecutions which they have suffered from national establishments beyond any other people. These have often crippled their pecuniary resources, and prevented the growth of literary institutions among them, until of late years, and now chiefly in our own free land. Still God has not left himself without a witness. Under all these disadvantages we have a literature which, even in comparison with others, is not to be despised. To say nothing of the fact that we may safely claim all the Christian literature of the first two centuries, and a large share of that belonging to the third and fourth--to go back no farther than the last two centuries, glorious fruits have blossomed and ripened on the tree of our baptist Christianity. Was not Milton a baptist? Was not Bunyan a baptist ? Was not Roger Williams, the first great champion of religious liberty, a baptist? Is there a more learned commentary, or a more complete body of divinity, than that of Dr. Gill? Is there a better practical or polemic divine than Andrew Fuller? Is there a finer biblical critic or masterly

reasoner than Dr. Carson ? Is there an oriental scholar superior to Dr. Carey? Is there in the English language an essayist profounder than John Foster? or a writer of more classical purity and elegance than Robert Hall?

The North American Review for 1836, gives a decided preference to Dr. Godwin's work on Natural Theology to that of lord Brougham, and of Dr. Wayland's work on ethics to that of Dr. Wardlaw. In Christian biography where is there one superior to the memoir of Mrs. Judson by professor Knowles? In pulpit literature what is there nobler than the recent volume of miscellanies by Rev. William R. Williams?-Philadelphia Baptist Record.

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THE ECLECTIC REVIEW,-DR. PRICE, AND
THE BRITISH BANNER.

contemporary "The Church," we quote the
From our small but respectable baptist
following passage, because it relates to a
subject on which many of our readers will
which our personal knowledge is incomplete.
wish for some information, and respecting

We were much disappointed with the quality of the first numbers of "The Banner," and we suppose most of our readers were so too, and that it circulates but little amongst them. It is, indeed, stated that from a circulation at first of 17,000, it has sunk to not more than 4,000. Still we have always wished to treat the Congregational Union's Editor General with respect and friendship, and "The Banner" has also treated us kindly and handsomely. Lest, however, any of our readers should be also readers of "The Banner," we must enter our protest against the editor's whole proceedings in respect to "The Eclectic" and Dr. Price, as disgraceful beyond parallel in religious journalism, and worthy only of "The Times" or "The Weekly Dispatch."

Of the personal qualities of the editor we know nothing, but we certainly never saw more painful exhibitions of self-importance, arrogance indeed, and of bigotry, in writing.

Dr. Price was compelled, by the state of his health, to seek another editor for "The Eclectic." The gentleman to whom he sold the property in it, had been a rationalist, but had avowed an entire change of sentiment on the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Dr. Price conceived, naturally, that one who had been led astray into the popular errors of the day and renounced them, would be a person peculiarly suitable to meet and oppose them. Dr. Campbell thinks that there is reason to suspect that the new editor's conversion was too recent and questionable to warrant confidence. Instead of kindly pointing this out to the parties most concerned, he endeavours to the utmost of his power to ruin "The Eclectic," by pouncing upon a single passage, the meaning of which we affirm, after reiterated examination, he grossly, we should like to hope undesignedly, perverts, and raises the canting cry of infidelity, for a sentiment identical, as we understood it, with the apostle's in 1 Cor. xv. 19.

Well, Dr. Price owns that he had not been

aware that Mr. Linwood's change to orthodoxy was so recent, and thinking, after all that had passed, that Mr. Linwood could not carry on the Review successfully, resumes the editorship himself. This, however, is not sufficient. Dr. Price is a baptist (though pledged to unsectarianism in "The Eclectic,") and "The Eclectic" is of the most advanced section in politics and ecclesiastical matters. Dr. Vaughan is a pædobaptist, and his Review, "The British Quarterly," is the organ of dissenting moderatism; hence-as we can but fear from the way in which both are brought forward-a vote of no confidence in "The Eclectic" is given by "The Banner,' and "The British Quarterly" is announced as being, since its rise, the chief organ of evangelical nonconformity! We have been informed that the said "British Quarterly is supported much more by the subscriptions of wealthy "no progress men, than by its circulation; and Dr. Campbell, we suppose, hopes now to overthrow the organ of " progress," by raising the old cry of infidelity and anarchy. Well, Dr. Price is a baptist. Baptists have long been used to such vituperation, and we hope he will not be easily frightened.

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CORRESPONDENCE.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR, It is time the constitution of our missionary society were settled, and placed beyond annual discussions, by which our attention is distracted from the true objects of the society's existence. As the matter is now before the committee, there is ground to believe that such will be the case. May I be allowed a few sentences on the subject?

1. To me it appears that it is not a mechanical change in the constitution, but a dynamical change in themselves, that our churches need for the revival and extension of the missionary spirit. Were we to reflect on the facts detailed by our honoured brethren in the field till we felt more deeply, and prayed more earnestly, we should have but few thoughts left for constitutional defects or reforms. Still, if there be any mode by which the society may be presented more satisfactorily to the brethren at large, it is clearly of the last importance that it should be adopted.

2. The chief conduct of the society must rest with our London brethren. The providence of God has determined this. To them the grateful thanks of the whole denomination are due, for their devoted attention to a work involving great anxiety, making large demands upon their time, and producing no

remuneration. For their guidance and encouragement the prayers of the churches should be ever presented.

3. All that is really desired, so far as I understand the feeling abroad, is, such a change in the mode of electing the committee as would ensure a tolerably fair representation of the various sections of the country, without confining it to the same individuals. At present the committee is elected by the brethren who happen to attend the annual members' meeting. A number of names are promiscuously nominated, without any reference to their localities; and from these the electors choose thirty-six, as their knowledge or their partiality may dictate. As the members of the committee are well acquainted with one another, and comparative strangers to the new nominations, they naturally vote for each other; and as thirty-six votes will secure a return, the new committee becomes almost a stereotyped copy of the old. Then we brethren in the country most legitimately grumble, that if there be any honour in belonging to the committee, or any delight in going to town every quarter, or any opportunity to serve the mission in these periodical visits, these pleasant things should not be more generally distributed.

4. Now it seems to me the brethren have the remedy very much in their own hands,

The only mode of general representation is by delegation. The only meeting to which delegates can or ought to be sent is the annual members' meeting. To send them to the quarterly meetings would not only be an enormous expense, but would convert the committee into a house of Commons, where it is all talk and no work. But to the annual meeting every association, every auxiliary committee, every church, may now send its representatives, provided only they pay the expenses, which none of our brethren could desire to come out of the mission funds. And were every association to embrace the privilege, it would be attended with the best results. The associations meeting immediately after the public anniversaries in London, their delegates would on their return spread amongst their brethren the enthusiasm awakened in themselves. For such delegation there needs no alteration of any existing law.

5. The members' meeting being thus, or in any other manner, constituted, care should be taken that in the election of the committee, the centres of influence, the large cities and towns-Liverpool, Manchester, Norwich, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester, Bristol, &c. should be represented. The great object of having quarterly meetings is, I apprehend, to secure the consent of the country to the decisions of the London directors. Can this be otherwise effected than by electing brethren whose position enables them to exercise an amount of influence in their own localities ? But this, again, requires no new law. It is only necessary for the object to be kept in view in the nomination, and in the balloting.

6. To prevent monopoly, some law might be introduced prohibiting the election of any brother for more than three years in succession. This would give the opportunity for large numbers in their turn to be initiated into mission business, and so secured to the mission interests. It may be objected that such a rule would shut out some London brethren, whose intimate acquaintance with our missionary operations renders their presence almost indispensable. But this inconvenience might be met by electing such brethren honorary members. This, then, seems to be the only alteration that is required -if this. And if the adoption of such a rule would terminate dissatisfaction, and leave all free to devote their energies to the cultivation of the mission spirit, I doubt not the committee will have but little hesitancy in its recommendation and adoption.

One word more. The terms of the resolution by which this matter is entrusted to the committee only bind it to the consideration of Mr. Pryce's plan. But I hope our brethren will feel themselves at liberty to discuss the whole subject, and recommend any plan which may approve itself to their wisdom. This, at least, was the design of

the mover, though in the hurry of forming the resolution it was not expressed.

I beg to offer, in conclusion, my thanks to the secretaries for their publication of the proceedings of the quarterly meeting. The more information imparted of what the committee determines, and the grounds on which it proceeds, the more confidence will be established.

May the spirit of our fathers rest upon us, that we may hand down the mission to our children strengthened and increased a thousand-fold!

Yours in our Lord Jesus,

GEORGE HENRY DAVIS.

Bristol, May 7, 1850.

EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT.

We regret to say, that as yet no progress has been made in reference to the contemplated deputation to India. The brethren who had been selected have not seen their way clear to undertake the service.

The fullest account of the baptist annual meetings in London that we have seen this year has been given in The Christian Times. This is a comparatively new paper, and it is probable that many of our readers are unacquainted with its merits. Its principles are good, and the talent with which they are advocated is highly respectable. It is alive to the evils which result from the connexion of ecclesiastical bodies with the state, and appears to be at the same time exempt from in it the influence of what are called "men denominational partialities. We do not trace of mark," or of any clique; we know not who the editors are, but they seem to us to pursue an independent course. Respecting the religious state of Continental Europe, it gives more information than any other journal with which we are acquainted. It is published every Friday afternoon.

We are informed that at the annual meeting of the society for the relief of aged or infirm baptist ministers, commonly known as the Bath Society, which is to be held in King Street chapel, Bristol, on Wednesday the 26th inst., at half-past nine o'clock, a question believed to be of great importance to beneficiary members will be decided. The following regulation, which was proposed for adoption last year, will be brought forward in accordance with rule 19:-"That an alteration be made in the third rule of the society, as follows: That every beneficiary member be requested to make [instead of 'shall make '] a public or private collection annually in aid of the funds of this institution."

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VOL. XIII.

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ANNIVERSARY SERVICES.

The Annual Meetings of the Society commenced, not as in the two preceding years, in unfavourable weather, for it was fine, and consequently the attendance was better, and the number of visitors from the country unusually large. The spirit which pervaded them was solemn and devout, and we have reason to know was gratifying to all our friends.

The series of meetings began with a Prayer Meeting on Thursday morning, April 18th. It was conducted by Mr. Bowes of Blandford Street, London, and all the missionary societies connected with the denomination were commended to the Divine blessing by the brethren EUSTACE CAREY, STEWART of Hull, SUTTON of Orissa, and J. ASHER, a coloured brother from Philadelphia, who engaged in prayer.

In the evening, after prayer by Rev. C. E. BIRT, M.A., of Wantage, the Rev. F. TUCKER, B.A., of Manchester, preached from the following passage of the first chapter of Deuteronomy, "Behold the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee, go up and possess it," from which the preacher took occasion to illustrate the field, the work, and the call to do it.

On Lord's day the 21st, Sermons were preached in behalf of the Mission in most of the Baptist chapels in and about London; and in several places special services were held for the young, at which there was a numerous attendance.

On Tuesday the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Society was held in the library of the Mission House. J. L. PHILLIPS, Esq., was called to preside. The Rev. FRED. TRESTRAIL gave out a hymn, and the Rev. C. J. MIDDLEDITCH of Frome engaged in prayer.

The minutes of the last General Meeting were then read and confirmed.

The Secretaries laid upon the table the Reports of the Committee and of the Treasurers for the year.

On the motion of Rev. Dr. Cox, seconded by Rev. SAMUEL BRAWN, resolved unanimously,

That W. B. GURNEY, Esq., and S. M. PETO, Esq., M.P., be respectfully requested to continue their services as Treasurers for the ensuing year, and that the thanks of the Meeting be presented to them for their past services.

On the motion of Rev. R. Rorr, seconded by Rev. I. M. SOULE, resolved unanimously,

That the Rev. FREDERICK TRESTRAIL and E. B. UNDERHILL, Esq., be respectfully requested to continue their services as Secretaries.

On the motion of Rev. F. TRESTRAIL, seconded by Rev. S. GREEN, resolved,That WILLIAM BOWSER, Esq., CHARLES BURLS, Esq., and CHARLES JONES, Esq., be Auditors for the year ensuing.

The Meeting then proceeded to the nomination of the Committee, and the ballot being taken, scrutineers were appointed to examine the papers, and the following names were afterwards brought up as the Committee for the ensuing year.

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