advancement. Political emancipation, they think, will alone place them in circumstances to encourage, and render available, efforts by virtue to improve their personal character, and to ameliorate the state of their homes and their families. Such exertions they represent as rendered abortive by insurmountable obstacles, presented in the social injuries and political wrongs to which the present condition of England subjects them. These sentiments and feelings on the part of working men, bring up difficulties in conferring with them, which nothing but tact, good feeling, and patience, can surmount.

4. The result of frank and kindly intercourse between our ministers and leading men, and meetings of the working clasess, would no doubt be, some considerable modifications of sentiment on both sides. On both sides there are at present, no doubt, misapprehensions and errors. These might be lessened or removed. The minds of working men might be opened to convictions and efforts to which they are at present averse, through both a too exclusive attention to real or supposed political grievances, and the irritation occasioned by dwelling on these wrongs. The first step towards such an altered state of mind might be gained in the improved feeling called forth by the proffer of kindly and equal intercourse with them, on the part of those who may have hitherto held themselves too far aloof. On our side, some of the unconscious narrowness and technicality by which our whole mode of thought and utterance is marked, would be corrected. We might come to include social considerations more largely and skilfully in our plans for religious and benevolent usefulness. Ministers would preach with a larger infusion of social sympathy-a more successful adaptation to the circumstances and wants of one great portion of the community-and a more skilful handling of many subjects with which those must show themselves acquainted and interested, who cherish hope, or desire that the common people should hear them gladly. Something, too, may in this way be effected, to narrow one of those immense chasms which unhappily place, at so hostile and mischievous a distance, portions of the English people, who ought to be fused together into a warm and living whole, by nationality, by liberty, by mutual benefits.

5. It is clear we ought, in none of these contemplated conferences and appeals, to sink, conceal, or subordinate our religious convictions or objects. We may use other means and influences to reach religious usefulness-we may smooth the way for introducing the gospel by other friendly means-but our dispensation, our instrumentality, our end, are all essentially included in the religion of Jesus Christ. No thoughtful observer of that great multitude of restless and dissatisfied men who crowd our great towns and cities under the designation of the "working classes," can fail to reach the conclusion that religion is their want. This they may not perceive or acknowledge. But God feared-the Sabbath kept-virtue practised -the Saviour trusted-the heart consoled by religious hope and comfort-these are the elements of character alone needed to elevate the working men of England. Soon would they, thus raised to worth, become socially powerful; their influence would renovate society. Joined

to that of the middle classes, it would render serious misgovernment impossible. Unjust institutions would disappear; narrow and sectarian legislation would cease; lavish expenditure would be forbidden with a voice not to be disobeyed; but only religion will produce and multiply that personal virtue, out of which must emanate all public reform. The working men are wrong; it is not institutional reform that must precede, and will produce personal advancement; but the man must become worthy that the citizen may be free, and the community renovated.

6. But the whole subject is earnestly commended to the thoughtful consideration of all enlightened and public-spirited members of our denomination. We have, in this department of effort, a noble opportunity for most extensive usefulness.

CONGREGATIONAL BOARD OF

EDUCATION.

IT will be interesting to the friends of Voluntary and Religious Education to know, that the Congregational Board of Education is steadily pursuing its unostentatious career.

Its pupils, both male and female, are generally engaged as soon as their term of study is completed. At present there are only two that are not appointed; and these are pursuing their improvement in the Institution till they receive an appointment.

The January session has commenced, and fresh pupils have been admitted on their probationary term of two months; when, if found to be suitable for the engagement, they will be fully admitted; it being the object of the Board not merely to have young persons of decidedly Christian character-an essential requisite-but who likewise possess an aptness to learn as well as to teach.

The Board has now upwards of sixty teachers -religious men and women-who are filling important spheres of usefulness, and who are training the minds of some thousands of children in harmony with religious truth.

The Board has held two meetings for conversation on educational subjects, at which numerous friends have been present; on each of these occasions practical illustrations have been given of the method of instruction which is adopted in the Male Model School. On the first occasion, that of simultaneous reading, and the mode of instruction arising out of the subject which had been read. On the second evening, the mode of instruction by a gallery lesson was exhibited; showing the great value of this department for impressing scriptural or other truths on the mind, where there is a master who is thoroughly trained and competent to conduct it. With these exhibitions the audience expressed their great gratification. The question of rendering schools self-sustaining was the subject agreed upon for conversation, which was well sustained throughout the evening. Many valuable suggestions were thrown out-such as the desirableness of doing away with the pauper character of schools; and, by giving a thoroughly practical and religious education, which parents can understand and value for their children, to enlist their sympathies, and to induce them, according to their ability, to pay an adequate price. To urge parents to buy school

books for their children, so that they may learn their lessons at home; and thus, while helping forward their education, they may also be preserved from idleness. It was also suggested, that as the parents assist by their payments in supporting the school, some of them should be admitted to a share and a voice in its management. Another subject, and one of equal importance with any other, was that of raising the character of the teachers in public estimation; that they should take a standing in society in accordance with the great value due to their employment, talents, and self-denying labours.

The Board has not been able at present to take any decisive step respecting the purchase of Homerton College. A letter was ɛent, in October, from the Board to the Committee of that Institution, proposing to negociate for the purchase of the building, but has not yet received any official reply. There is every reason to believe that the Committee of Homerton College has not neglected the application, but is proceeding with the caution which is necessary in so important a question, and in which so many are interested.

With respect to male pupils for the Normal School, it is very desirable that ministers and churches should bring forward earnest, intelligent, and pious young men from their congregations, for training for the office of teachers of the young-an employment second only to that of the ministry. It often happens that there are such young men, who are earnestly desirous of entering upon the work, but who have not the pecuniary means for defraying even the very moderate charge for a twelve-month's training. If churches would raise a sum of money of £10 or £15 for such an object, it would be money well laid out, and would confer a benefit, not only on the individual, but also permanently on society, and in proportion to the qualifications of the party thus employed. In many cases, probably, the loan of a sum of money would be the better plan; it might be repaid, and then again lent.

The effective labours of the Board might be very much increased, if its funds were more ample; and surely there are many earnest friends who could thus assist it, and who do not need only such an intimation as this to induce them to present their contributions, which will be thankfully received, whether given personally, or by letter, at No. 10, Liverpool-street, Finsbury.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

EXTRACTS FROM MISSIONARIES' JOURNALS.

Tract Distribution.

This morning I sit down to write my journal of services for the past month. They have been much as usual. But the scenes presented in connection therewith have been various. Sometimes rejoicing with those that rejoice, at others weeping with those that weep. Now, imploring impenitent sinners to hear "God's voice in the pestilence;" then, uniting in public thanksgiving for protection and safety; directing the mourners in Zion to the great source of consolation and support; endeavouring to sweep away the refuge of lies from the minds of the self-deceived; and in the dying chamber, with anxious solicitude, pointing a fellow-mortal to Him who is

able to save to the uttermost. On the 4th Nov. I again called the attention of our village audiences to the fearful pestilence. A parcel of tracts on the subject was sent us by some unknown friend. Wishing to make the most of them, I announced (as per enclosed) that the contents thereof would be taken as the ground of an address at our usual Sabbath-afternoon service, and the tracts given away.

I took the same course at another village in the evening. The chapels were full, and a deep solemnity prevailed. The services have been frequently referred to since. The tracts have been read over and over again.

On Monday last, I paid a visit to a poor man, which proved a most interesting one. A few days previous he had been seized with an alarming illness. I saw him on his bed,-found him ignorant of the plan of salvation,-instructed him in the great truths of the Gospel, and entreated him to look to Jesus. I rejoice to say that, before I left him, he was enabled to exercise faith in the atonement, and expressed a firm hope. The case is the more striking and remarkable from the circumstance, that when I entered the room, and questioned him as to his prospects for eternity, he said he had no hope. The day will declare it. O that it may then be found that this was a brand plucked from the fire!

Rural Poverty.

In reviewing the past, I find much to encourage increasing diligence and untiring perseverance in the work of the Lord. Error has been triumphed over by truth, darkness vanquished by light, ignorance has surrendered to knowledge, and nature has given place to grace. Yet there remains a large field to be cultivated. Ignorance appears in every variety of character to assert her right of dominion; and resolves not to be driven, without a struggle, from the position which she has so long occupied. She smiles at the denunciations of the law, and rejects with contempt the offers of the Gospel; but her fate is already sealed, her downfall is sure, "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." This parish has, within the past few weeks, been the theatre for the incendiary to play his part. The great object of dislike and deadly hatred, thrashing machines; four or five of these have been destroyed, with out-buildings, cattle, corn, and in one instance the house of the farmer fell a prey to the flames. A wealthy yeoman said to an individual in humble circumstances, "The Dissenters have had a great deal to do, indirectly, in bringing about this sad state of things (referring to the fires); for they were foremost in getting protection removed, and giving the foreigner free liberty to enter our markets, with whom it is impossible to compete ; the consequence is, labour is scarce, farmers cannot employ extra hands, and even those that are employed, they cannot remunerate." I know not what reply the poor man gave to this groundless accusation. Now, if this be taken as a sample of a large majority of the class of employers, what are we to expect from those who are the employed? These lords of the soil regard any themes that possess but a particle of that which is intellectual or spiritual, as the greatest foes to their prosperity and advancement.

What, it may be asked, has been done, is now doing, or what contemplated, for the spreading of more correct notions amongst our agricultural population? Let the journals of the home missionaries reply. Tracts have been circulated, monthly religious periodicals, such as the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY, WITNESS, &c., have been sold, or given away; largely has the word of life been distributed, the houses of the poor have been visited, and prayers offered; places of worship opened almost in every hamlet, and chapels erected, where such buildings were indispensable; and, the last as to order, but certainly not the least as to importance, the commencement of day-schools; such institutions have always proved most efficient helpers to the prosperity and usefulness of our Sunday-schools. But day-schools ought and must be multiplied in the rural districts. We have, within two months, commenced a school in this parish, with a large National school staring us in the face; but we fear not this prop of the Church; and, as is well observed in the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY, for this month, (Nov.,) pp. 319:-" From the National school, nothing to hope, everything to fear. Always feeble and afraid of light, more anxious to keep up the Church than to elevate the people." The number of children that have been gathered together to receive daily instruction, forty-two; and there is a promise of a large addition. Our Sabbath-school has much increased, numbering eighty-six. The attendance at the house of God improving, and the church healthy and prosperous. The hand of the persecutor is still at work; the tongue of the priest utters fearful denunciations against all schismatics; but we fear not his anger. For greater is he that is for us than all that can be against us.

Plans of Usefulness.

I have commenced in W-- a monthly Sabbath-school service, on the afternoon of the second Sabbath in every month; upon this service parents are specially invited to attend. I have endeavoured, on these occasions, to address the children and their parents, in a familiar manner, from some portion of Scripture. Our last service was well attended, many were present who are not in the habit of attending the usual chapel services. Our tract distributors make a point of previously inviting all they can to attend both this and other services, as also to canvass their several districts for scholars. The result is, that many strangers begin to attend, and we have a school in a prosperous condition. Twelve additional sittings have been let since the commencement of the quarter. The door also seems opening in B—— for introducing the Gospel. This village is two miles from W-—, and is much under the influence of Puseyism. Should I succeed in getting a footing in this benighted place, it will have a beneficial influence upon my position here, the distance being easy and convenient; those who become impressed under the word will attend the Sabbath services in our chapel; this has already happened in several instances. I preach in Bevery Friday evening, having succeeded in hiring a large room, which is crowded with attentive hearers. On Sabbath afternoons a Sundayschool is conducted in the same room, at which twenty-five children attend. Considering the amount of Church influence which can be brought to bear upon our exertions, this is a

goodly number. Indeed, all who break through the ecclesiastical barriers must lay their account with the loss of gifts and favours. One can hardly feel surprised that a spirit of vassalage to the Church should so extensively pervade our villages, when we remember what stuff human nature is made of, and the corrupting influence of bribery and intimidation. Beside the above means employed for the religious instruction of the village, I have connected with our school and preaching the regular weekly circulation of tracts by one of the members of the church, so that there is room for hope in regard to this benighted village.

At F E- we are going on much as usual. One of the deacons, Mr. N., has failed in business, and will, I fear, have to leave the place. I feel truly sorry for this, for he was an active and useful man, whose place will not be easily supplied. The British school is in a vigorous state, and nearly self-supporting; the young men also attend with spirit to the means of improvement I have supplied to them.

We have opened at K--, with an attendance most encouraging. This is an interesting station. Our B-- friends are most assiduous and attentive to it on the Lord's day. Their Sunday-school contains about 140 scholars, many of them young men and women; they are well supplied with teachers, who spend the entire day there, teaching school both morning and afternoon; followed by a preaching service in the evening. It is, no doubt, to their wellconducted and persevering efforts that we are indebted for so large an attendance on our week-evering service-an attendance not to be equalled in many considerable towns. Good is doing, and I hope it will not be long before this field, upon which much labour has been bestowed, will present some sheaves, to be gathered into the garner of the church.

The attendance at S is as good as usual; we have several hearers, and some members here, who worship with us at B-- -on Lord's day, as well as scholars in our Sunday-school. Our tract loan operations, which we are just increasing, embraces S-- as well as B——, and the outskirts of the town.

Visitors from Home.

The visitors to this watering-place have been more numerous this season than during any other I remember. If during the summer months we have not so many of the town's-people in attendance on our ministrations, we have their places filled by visitors. Some singular cases have come under my notice as to the individuals who have worshipped with us. I know that some of them, when at home, would not for a moment entertain the thought of entering a Nonconformist place of worship-they would not dare to do so! Not long since, the wife of a clergyman of the Established Church was staying here, and frequently attended my ministry. To one of my hearers she said, I have far greater pleasure in worshipping where you worship, than I have in worshipping at the Established Church in your town." I am quite sure, thinking, pious Episcopalians will find no place for the sole of their foot in the Established Church of this place! We have a Puseyite clergyman of the first water. Since his introduction into this living, he has laboured indefatigably to convince the people of the sin of

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Dissent. I am sure there is zeal worthy a nobler cause! I trust shortly to send you an account of some of his sayings and doings, which will clearly show how necessary, and yet how difficult, are Home Missionary operations in this place. We have to fight and fight hard, for every inch of ground. Success, however, still attends us. We speak not this as the language of boasting, but as a ground for thankfulness. Two individuals stand proposed as candidates for Christian fellowship with us: by the time this reaches you, I hope they will be members of our church. My difficulties were never greater than at the present time; but, amidst them all, we have tokens of God's approval, and in this we rejoice. "Greater is he that is for us, than all who are against us."

Puseyism.

A Puseyite is being very busy, worrying the poor people, and telling them that they must bring their children to him, to be baptised, or they cannot be saved, or have a Christian burial. Those that do not comply with his orders, are to be erased from the church book and "avoided." I am happy to say, our members, notwithstanding their poverty and dependent circumstances, stand firm-not one has forsaken us.

We have admitted four, during the past quarter, to church fellowship, two of which are from the neighbourhood.

The Puseyite, Mr. D., has since told one of our people that he has been reading the Bible, and found out there is but "one baptism," and hence, if I had baptised the children with water, and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, then the children must not be baptised again; but the parents must bring the children to Church, that he might appoint sponsors. Further, they are invited to dine and sup at his house; and to come to his house for conversation. But not one has gone. They are poor labouring people who are thus tempted and worried.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

ESTABLISHED 1836.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA-ADELAIDE.-The following letter brings good tidings from the Rev. T. Q. Stowe. It shows that there are nine Congregational ministers labouring in that most hopeful colony-three introduced by the Colonial Missionary Society, and six who have entered as voluntary ministerial emigrants. All nine are well settled, and labouring effectively. Also this encouraging letter indicates the happy fruits of religious emigration. Christian people, church members, Sunday-school teachers, and ministers are entering the colony, and becoming its salt and its light.

This is a great thought: the blessed fruit of a well-conducted religious emigration. Let an adequate number of the right class of pious Congregationalists bend their way to South Australia, and they may make another New England of it. They may render it the source of moral sentiments and religious power to all settlements in the vast regions of New Holland,-there they may do a work for truth and liberty, religious and human welfare, of surpassing value and importance.

But the emigration, whether of people or of ministers, should be of those really adapted for the enterprise. Capitalists of from five hundred to five thousand pounds; robust young couples inured to, and skilful in, all husbandry occupations suited for either men or women; mechanics, especially of all the rougher trades;-but no governesses, no clerks, no shopmen. Then those who go, whether ministers or capitalists, husbandmen or artizans, should be active, enduring, inventive, laborious, making little of roughness and inconveniences. They should be able to turn their hands to what new occasions may require. The husbandman should be at no loss in a garden; the carpenter should be able, when needful, to handle a trowel as well as a chisel, and to work at an anvil as well as at a bench; the minister should be neither incompetent nor unwilling to undertake many things unsuitable for him in an old, artificial state of society. Let such Congregationalists throng to South Australia, carrying with them their piety in full vigour, to plant it there "wholly a right seed," and they can hardly fail to be blessed and to be blessings, so as they never can be in the crowd and struggle of this land of competition. Let, however, Mr. Stowe speak :

"Felixstow, near Adelaide, August 13th, 1849.

"MY DEAR MR. WELLS,-Many months I deferred writing, just because I was held in suspense by the non-arrival of Mr. Pinkstone. At length he arrived six months after date. Since then undetermined circumstances have prolonged my delay. I now hasten to make amends, if possible. I begin with myself. You will be pleased to know that, amidst never ceasing toils and cares, I am, I think, in as good health as I have been at any time since I have been here. Mrs. Stowe also is, I trust, recovering, though very slowly, out of strange extremities of suffering and danger. Of my childrens' health I could have spoken well yesterday morning; but yesterday, my third son, aged sixteen, was thrown from a horse, and fractured his thigh-bone. It is set, and, I trust, doing favourably. Those little boys I brought from England are now, some of them, taller than I am. I now speak of my people. You in England have been enlarging my congregation, and replenishing my church from yours; and we thank you for the many worthy additions you have given us. I used to groan that no good folks came from England; and now I groan again, but more pleasantly, that my hands, time, and thoughts are full of new comers. Never mind my groaning; send on; these are missionaries, every one of them. I trust you will continue to teach them their vocation before they come. But our churches are augmented also from the old colonists. Last Sabbath we had an addition of five pleasing instances; amongst them the only blind man I know in the colony. As a church we are very happy. We are not also without signs of life and usefulness. Our Sabbathschool is in excellent condition, and such a phalanx of teachers! Several of them were superintendents in England. But you are longing to get out of Adelaide into the country, to see what is going on there. I will first mention our friends who have pursued a useful course independent of you and of us.

"Encounter Bay, with its neighbourhood, is di

ligently and efficiently occupied by our friend, the Rev. W. R. Newland. His little chapel is well attended; and he visits other localities. I trust he may be long spared, and I doubt not he will leave permanent and living memorials of his useful labours.

"Macclesfield and Strathalbyn. The Rev. Mr. Austin preaches very regularly at these places, and the attendance is encouraging. Without the forms of organizing, which we consider useful and desirable, Mr. Austin administers the Lord's supper to a band of pious persons over whom he presides as a pastor. It is an important and useful field which he occupies, and his labours as an Evangelist have been great and praiseworthy.

"Morphett's Vale, sixteen miles from Adelaide, enjoys the labours of Rev. Mr. Baker, formerly Missionary printer in Madagascar. He has gathered a very good country congregation here. About a year ago I went up, at their invitation, to advise them in the matter of forming a church: then I went to form it; and then, again, I went to assist in ordaining Mr. Baker. They began with some of our members; united with some of other denominations, but willing to proceed on a Congregational plan. They are about to build a new chapel, and their prospects are otherwise encouraging. We purpose rendering some aid for a year.

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Kensington is favoured with the labours of your Missionary, the Rev. J. M. Strongman. It is a large and growing village. The attendance is very good, and a church has been formed; but you will have particulars of this from Mr. Strongman. He is likely to be useful there.

We gave

"Hindmarsh is happily enjoying the ministration of Rev. Mr. Watt, formerly of Demerara. He is just the man for that station. them twenty members to begin with, and they are adding to the number. Mr. Watt is much beloved, and likely to be very useful. It appears that they must build to accommodate the people.

"The Port shares in Mr. Watt's labours. The attendance is very pleasing; the new chapel is being built. Albert Town is about a mile from the Port, where there is a good chapel-private property, which we are now endeavouring to purchase.

"Glenelg has secured the services of Mr. Hall, late of Van Diemen's Land; a very worthy man. The people have invited him, and requested Mr. Strongman and myself to ordain him, which it is not unlikely we may do; but we have been disappointed, that a too precipitate course has thrown off Brighton, which we wished to unite with Glenelg, the two chapels being within two miles of each other.

Angaston. Our friends there have applied for and obtained dismission to form a church. I have been up once to advise and assist; and I start on Thursday in order to spend next Sabbath there to form the church. Mr. Saul, a good preacher, who is increasingly acceptable to them, of the New Connexion Methodists, preaches to them, and is willing, at their invitation, to exercise the pastoral office over them on Congregational principles of church polity. The chapel belongs to Mr. Angus.

"M'Laren Vale. The chapels here and at White's Gully are both vested in Congregationalists. The people are about to form a church; and of sixteen so intending twelve are members

of my church; they accordingly invite me up for this purpose. The preacher is Rev. Mr. Prior, Baptist, a worthy liberal man. It is an important district; it was appropriate to mention this field, though deriving no aid from us.

"Gawler Town-an important and rising place on the Burra Burra road. I start, as I said, on Thursday for Angaston, and take Mr. Pinkstone with me as far as Gawler Town, where I leave him to preach on the Sabbath following, and to see if there be "an entrance." I think it an excellent field; and super-excellent should he connect the beautiful agricultural district of Lyndock Valley with it.

"Of places yet open to your and our Missionaries, I may mention the Port in conjunction with Albert Town. It is a highly-important Mission station. Happily we keep the ground by means of Mr. Watt; but this is a preliminary arrangement. Do send us men. The Burra Burra must not be lost sight of, where there are 4,000 people. At the Little Para one of my people has exerted himself to get up a chapel, and they ask for help. There are other localities where good stations could be formed. The superintendent of the Primitive Methodists said to me the other day, that he knew of no country more open to the formation of Independent churches; he said Methodism did not meet the requirements of the field. You will not forget that as yet we have only one minister as the response to our call on the strength of the £400, Mr. Strongman's passage being paid for by Messrs. Roberts and Peacock.

"I feel some difficulty in writing specifically as to the measure of support that could be given to your ministers when they come. There are several posts where the people would raise from £50 to £100; we could add something; but I cannot say more, unless I were better acquainted with the intentions of your Society. It is this, this thing that will decide many a question for us; with this we can go on spreading our ministers over the land; in fact, we can occupy it.

"September 6. I have just copied the above from my rough sheet, which I preserve. I have, I see, thrown in an addition which has confused the date. The five members were not received until the last Sabbath from the present date. And now I add a few things more. I attended, last night, at Hindmarsh, a tea-meeting for the school. It was a most cheering sight. The chapel first filled with children, and then with grown people; and all as happy with their pastor as they could be. We have bought Albert Town Chapel, and now we shall want a minister to occupy it and the Port. This will be our pet station. I went to Angaston, and took Mr. Pinkstone with me as far as Lyndock Valley, to introduce him there as well as at Gawler Town. He preached at Gawler Town, and I preached and formed the church at Angaston; then rode down to Lyndock Valley, and preached in the evening; and home on Monday, after conferring with the friends at these two places respecting Mr. Pinkstone. He has been up twice since. Both places open to him; and both are "wide,' and, I trust, will be "effectual." This visit, and the one a few weeks back, gave me 200 miles on horseback to form a church! But I must close. "I am, my dear Friend and Brother, "Yours affectionately,

"THOMAS QUINTON STOWE."