The Rev. C. Stovel is about to deliver a course of lectures on the nature and beginning of spiritual life, its sacred recognition, its privilege, its aim, its cultivation, its fruits, its conflict, its resources, its fellowship, its present joys, its hope, and its duration. The lectures will be delivered in Little Prescot Street meeting-house, commencing on Lord's-day evening, January 6th, 1850; and they will be continued on the following sabbath evenings, providence permitting, until the series has been completed, commencing at half past six o'clock.

children according to its custom at this season of the year have just reached us. It will be a convenience to those of our readers who are engaged in this important department of service, if we mention without delay the assistance thus provided for them.

The Sunday School Teacher's Class Register and Diary for 1850. 12mo., pp. 128. The Sunday School Teacher's Class Register for 1850. 12mo., pp. 24.

The Union Tune Book, a Selection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, for Use in Congregations and Sunday Schools. Treble Part. Notes on the Scripture Lessons for 1849. 12mo., pp. 146.

The Bible Class Magazine. Vol. II. 12mo., pp. 332.

1849.

The Sunday School Union Magazine. Vol. VI. 1849. 12mo., pp. 332.

Proposals have been issued by Messrs. Johnstone and Hunter which deserve the attention of ministers who are able to purchase books, and of those friends of ministers who take pleasure in making additions to their pastors' libraries. The whole works of Dr. Owen, exclusive of the exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, are offered in fifteen octavo volumes for the sum of three guineas, to be advanced at the commencement of the three coming years, five volumes per year being received in return by each subscriber. PP. 192. The respectability of the publishers is a sufficient guarantee for the fulfilment of all their undertakings; and, as we appreciate the works of Dr. Owen very highly, we shall be rejoiced to learn that the response to their offer, which they request immediately, equals their most sanguine expectations.

The Statistics of three or four Societies, as given in our Supplement, were but a reprint of those of 1848, as we had not been able to procure Reports for 1849. The Report of the Directors of the Protestant Union for the benefit of the Widows and Children of Protestant Ministers of all Denominations has since been kindly forwarded, and we are now able in consequence to say that on the 30th of April, 1849, the Income for the preceding year, including dividends, had been, £2,041 15s. 11d.; and the Expenditure £1,104 1s. 9d.; that £641 7s. 6d. had been laid out in the purchase of Stock; that the balance in the Treasurer's hands was £652 13s. 2d; that the number of annuitants was twenty-seven, and the number of members one hundred and sixty-eight. Several others have been admitted, we are informed, since the Annual Meeting.

The Child's Own Book. 1849. 32mo.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Approbed.

Continued from page 25.

Characters, Scenes, and Incidents of the Reformation; from the Rise of the Culdees to the Times of Luther. London: R. T.S. Monthly Series. pp. 192. Price 6d.

England in the Eighteenth Century; or, a History of the Reigns of the House of Hanover, from the Accession of George I. to the Peace of Amiens. London: Religious Tract Society. 12mo., pp. 438.

Christ's Second Advent. The Funeral Oration delivered at the Grave of Dr. Gifford, in Bunhill JOHN RYLAND, A.M, of Northampton. Also, ExFields, on Friday Morning, July 2nd, 1784.

By

tracts from Dr. Rippon's Funeral Sermon for the Rev. John Ryland, A.M. Third Edition. Revised by J. A. JONES. London: Paul. pp. 24.

Sketches of the Crusades. By G. E. SARGENT, Author of "The Philanthropist of the World," "The White Slave," "The Bedfordshire Tinker," "The Jamaica Missionary," "The Young Working Man," "Trades Described," &c., &c. London:

Partridge and Oakey. 16mo., pp. 204.

The Happy Family; a Picture from Life. By THOMAS WALLACE, Author of the "Heavenly Home," " Intellectual Cultivation," "The Student's Manual," &c. London: W. F. Ramsay, 11, Brompton Row, Brompton. Sold also by Ward and Co.

Cyclopædia of Moral and Religious Anecdotes : dents, Narratives, Examples, and Testimonies, a Collection of nearly Three Thousand Facts, Inciembracing the first of the kind in most former collections, and some Hundreds in Addition, Original and Selected. The whole Arranged and Classified on a New Plan, with copious Topical and Scriptural Indexes. By the Rev. K. ARVINE, A.M., Pastor of the Providence Church, New York. No. IV. London. Price 18. 12mo.

THE

CUTTUB MINAR.

DELHI.

This very remarkable pillar stands about twelve miles south of the modern city of Delhi, and is arrived at through a dismal field of tombs, and innumerable ruins of the ancient city. Its base is a polygon of twenty-seven sides. The exterior part is fluted into twenty-seven semicircular and angular divisions. At various heights are five balconies, which are reached by a dark staircase numbering in the whole to the top 384 steps. The height of the pillar is 242 feet.

This structure is unrivalled in Hindostan for its great size, profusion of ornament, and solidity of construction. For three hundred years it has resisted storm, earthquake, and time.

The village of Cuttub itself, the ruins of which surround the pillar on every side, is famed for the possession of the shrine and relics of Cuttub ud Deen, a celebrated Mahommedan saint. The devotees of Islam resort thither in crowds, mutter their prayers at the tomb, and depart, as they think, favourites of heaven. Cuttub ud deen was the first of the Afghan and Patan dynasty of sovereigns, and took possession of Delhi, wresting it from the hands of the Hindoos, in the year 1193. The pillar, however, was not erected till the reign of his successor, Shum ud Deen Altumsh, about 1230, A.D. The place was the scene of very hard fighting between the Hindoo sovereigns and their Patan invaders. The Mussulmans say that 5000 martyrs to their religion lie interred in the neighbourhood. Bishop Heber thus describes his approach: "Our route lay over a country still rocky and barren, and still sprinkled with tombs and ruins, till on ascending a little eminence, we saw one of the most extensive and striking scenes of ruin which I have met with in any country. The Cuttub Minar is really the finest tower I have ever seen, and must, when its spire was complete, have been still more beautiful. These Patans built like giants and finished their work like jewellers."

In the neighbourhood of this remarkable monument, at Delhi, labours our aged missionary brother, Mr. THOMPSON, often embracing in his preaching tours this favourite resort of Mohammedan devotion.

In a recent number of the Oriental Baptist we have an instructive example of the missionary's labour. Availing himself of the failure of rain, our brother wisely attempted to lead the excited people to a consideration of the claims of Him who is the Ruler of heaven and earth. May the Spirit of God render permanent the feelings which were then awakened !

Sufferings of the people.

out of the city to their Eedgá every morning in clusters of from ten to twenty to pray. Trains of poor families came in great numbers every morning from Marwar, and countries where no rain had fallen at the ploughing season, for their hopes of a harvest were gone. The picture altogether of universal suffering was dismal; and the worst anticipations of all, that to such a season of unexampled drought, a famine would succeed, were, by a kind of wish not to know the worst, concealed,

August 1st, 1849. Our 'rains commenced rather favourably, but a sudden stop was put to them, and for seventeen long days and nights (the dry, hot, and parching west winds blowing unintermittingly for fifteen days of that time), the whole population suffered very much, and man and beast were panting, restless, and uncomfortable, to a degree never known to have been experienced in former years. Brahmins were consulted: their calculations failed; offerings were made, but to no purpose. The first half of the (otherwise) The people directed to God. rainy month of Shrában was passing away In this state of general feeling, zemindàrs without a drop of rain. Muhammadans went and cultivators came flowing in every morn

Good effects produced.

ing to learn something of the opinion of the learned astrologers of Delhi, as to whether These hymns and suitable addresses, apthere would be any rain, and when. Seeing peared greatly to impress the minds of the me surrounded by attentive numbers, listen- people, both of the city and the country, and ing to something, they have stopped, and in led a great many of them to hear statedly the midst of the reading asked me in a half what I read or said to them, and to desire the frantic manner, "Is there to be rain? We hymns might be given them to read at home. are dying: we and our families, and young The reading of the ten commandments, with children must perish." I have stopped and application to the circumstances of all, proreasoned with them on the Lord God of the duced a quickening effect, and under its salugospel being the ruler of the universe; his tary effect an aged Hindoo, who could not having the day of one's birth and death, read, begged he might have a copy which he which he reveals to no one, in his hands; and would get another to read to him, "as," he the time when it shall, and when it shall not added, it makes me inwardly fear when I rain. That he is Sovereign in all he does, hear that tract." The reply to the frequently and does not impart his counsels to men. asked question, What is sin? excites fixed That his mercy, however, may be implored attention, and fifty to eighty every morning by us, pleading what his love and mercy stand in silence to hear it. One man, on have done for our souls, in giving his Son to going away, said, " Of the many stripes laid shed his blood for our guilt, and beseeching upon the mind, a single one may some day him to have mercy upon our suffering bodies; take effect.' The above two tracts, and that and leaving to his wise and gracious will "For all Classes," now for the first time fix when to show that mercy. This was done the attention of Muhammadans also, and they from morning to morning regularly for a appear equally attentive with the Hindoos; number of days; and partaking of the general one man, however, yesterday morning went feeling of distress and anxiety, I had copied away murmuring, "Is there no other Saout and handed to the people (who eagerly viour!" This arose from the frequent menand with joy on their countenances accepted tion of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only them) a paper containing three hymns; in Saviour, to whom every individual addressed, the first, stating the misery and universal of every occupation and caste, is referred, and suffering of man and beast from the want of called upon to believe in, and implore salvation rain, and beseeching God for Christ's sake to from. The season of drought was thus hapbestow the anxiously looked-for blessing: in pily improved by a great accession of hearers, the second, the promise in Genesis is pleaded and a more fixed attention. At length, on that as long as the earth lasts, seed time and the seventeenth day, the rain fell, and most harvest shall not cease; and deploring that heavily, and through much mercy, dissipated our sins and unworthiness had caused the every fear, and made every face to smile. rain to be withheld, intreating for the Re- The hymn, thanking for rain, now sounded deemer's sake, the blessing might now be most grateful to every ear, and gave an apgranted in the third, blessing God for the propriate close to the feeling of the season. gift of his Son for the salvation of a guilty world, trusting that no minor good would be withheld, and praying that He who had not withheld his Son for man's salvation, would be pleased to vouchsafe the blessing of rain for man's bodily or temporal wants.

I should add about the blessing of the rain, that for six days consecutively we had most copious showers, and after two days' recess, clouds are still hanging over us, day and night. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits!

SAGOR.

In a communication to the secretary, dated September 7th, 1849, Mr. MAKEPEACE informs us that he has had the happiness of baptizing fourteen persons. Three others have been received as candidates, and may be baptized on the first sabbath in October, and there were several inquirers. From the Oriental Baptist we take a more detailed account of these additions to the church of Christ, and of the prospects of the mission at this station.

July 4th, 1849. It is my pleasing duty again to communicate to you intelligence of baptisms at Sagor. On the first sabbath of the present month I baptized two young men, who are under instruction in our sabbath school. Their awakening and conversion,

however, must, I believe, be attributed, under God, to the instrumentality of one of our brethren in the church. Fourteen individuals have thus, through the abounding goodness of our God, been admitted to the fellowship of the church; and others, I am thankful to

add, are standing at the threshold. One of our number has recently been removed by death an aged brother who was formerly connected with Mr. Williams' church at Agra. His end was peace. Though one has fallen, yet our ranks again appear unbroken and entire, for the place of the veteran has been more than filled up by the stepping forth of others with the dew of their youth fresh upon them. The church triumphant in heaven has received an accession to its glorified legions, but the church militant upon earth has in point of numbers, been doubly compensated for her loss.

The Sabbath School.

church an unbroken harmony prevails. In our congregation, aye, and at our communion table, you will see not only baptists, but also friends belonging to the Wesleyan, Independent, and Episcopalian bodies, and yet there has been no clashing of parties. These various shades of religious belief appear to have harmoniously blended like the diverse colours in the rainbow. Remember us now and again in your prayers, that the operations thus auspiciously commenced may be vigorously prosecuted and sustained that our infant community may be augmented rapidly in numbers, and be beautified with every heavenly grace-and that our "peace may flow like a river, and our righteousness as the waves of the sea."

Native service and chapel.

The attendance at the sabbath school has lately been more numerous than usual, and the teachers have been meeting together to deliberate on measures whereby to secure more effective and systematic operation. Into details I need not enter. Suffice it to say that among the objects proposed, and in the carrying out of which a commencement has been made, is the establishment of a library for the benefit of the elder scholars and of those parents who may be disposed to avail themselves of the advantages it will undoubt-modation we have nothing more than the edly afford.

The English residents.

It remains for me to write a few lines regarding our native service on Lord's day, and in reference to which I desire to make an appeal for aid to the friends of missions in India. The average attendance at the service has, in favourable weather, been encouraging. About eighty natives have assembled, but I wish to make it known that for their accom

open verandah of a private dwelling. Efforts have been made to procure assistance towards the erection of a chapel, and in a few cases You will naturally suppose that our opera- the call has been handsomely responded to. tions here must be telling upon the character About 1200 rupees will be required, of which of the residents. I mention it with gratitude amount about 300 rupees only have been to God, that I have been told on unquestion- realized. Our venerable brother from Tehri able authority, that since my arrival a great told a friend the other day in private converchange has come over a certain portion of the sation, that if he could recover the sum due community. There is less of unbecoming to him from Tehri he would give 500 rupees comment upon the character of others, and a in aid of the building. It was of course a manifest improvement in respect of religious noble resolve, and eminently worthy of that conduct and feeling. The doctrine and pre- Christianity for which he has, to a great cepts of the gospel have been freely discussed, extent, "suffered the loss of all things." He the claims of religion have been enforced and is debarred the privilege of helping in a manfelt, the theatre has been denounced as a ner commensurate with his wishes; but if place of evil, and the bible has been made the each reader of the Herald would kindly forcompanion of the pillow. Prejudices like-ward the small sum of two rupees in furtherwise have been rapidly on the wane; ex-ance of the object, the work would be done pressions of goodwill towards us have been and the claim abundantly satisfied. And uttered in the higher circles of society; who can draw back, and say the set time to whilst amongst the various members of the favour Ságor has not yet come?

JESSORE.

In the last Herald our brother PARRY intimated that he was hoping to baptize other converts to the faith of Christ. In the following extract he gives the fulfilment of his hopes.

August 10th, 1849. You will be delighted to hear that I have again been baptizing a few believers. On the first Lord's day of this month four disciples made a public profession of Christianity by undergoing the sacred rite of baptism in Kusha Sahib-ganj.

Three of these renounced Mohammedanism many years ago, but were content in being merely nominal Christians. They attended my ministry for about a year, and by the grace of God they were awaked to feel a concern for the salvation of their souls some