ner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God. Here we all are-never has the land seen such a thing until now, that we should see so many English Christian brethren with us. We have had fellowship with them before in prayer and in thought, but this day it is with the body too. I think I now understand the meaning of John, where he says, "Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ:" because we and all Christians are his children. There is no difference-they and we are the same; we and they are children. It is this little thought of mine that makes me wish to die soon, that I may see my brethren who have died even from the time of Moses; for we and they, and they and we, are children of our Father who is in heaven. My heart is large when I look at my brethren and sisters from Britain. I shall only see them to-day. I shall soon die, and then I shall see them again with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob.'

"The services of the afternoon were also interesting, from the fact that four young men and their wives bade farewell to their friends, to enter the institution at Rarotonga to be trained as teachers for the islands to the westward.

"It is a pleasing reflection to the churches of Mangaia, that among the first pioneers and native teachers taken by the honoured Williams to Samoa and the islands westward, were young men from their number; and that we have sent to the isles of these seas many who have, through God, magnified their office. I find, that, up to the present time, nearly thirty young men and women have devoted themselves to the work of teaching and evangelizing their brethren around them.

"Early on the Monday morning the churchmembers made presents of food and other supplies to the ship and the brethren, and sent them on their way rejoicing. This visit of the vessel has done us much good."

INDIA.

THE general civilization of India, compared with that of the barbarous tribes of Polynesia or Africa, appears of no mean order, though it presents a very inferior aspect when contrasted with that of the western nations. Much consequently remains to be accomplished in this respect among our Indian subjects; and Christian Missions will continue to lend, as in former years, their powerful aid in elevating the social condition of this interesting country, until it reaches, as we would hope, a level with our own.

The annexed statement from the Rev. J. M. Lechler, of Salem, in Peninsular India, will show what has been done, and the efforts still in progress at that station, to advance the native Christians in their social and secular interests; though it will also be observed, that the successful progress of the Mission is by no means confined to such results, however important and desirable, but also embraces a large amount of that better fruit which grace produces and heaven will treasure:

"On my journey last month (writes Mr. Lechler) into various parts of this district, I had the pleasure of baptizing thirty-three persons, small and great, in three villages-Muteloor, Aruloor, and Samathanapooram. Amongst them were some whole families. Most of these

individuals are the fruit of several years' hard labour, and, it may be hoped, the beginning of a future church. Considering the depth of ignorance, vice, and misery, from which they have so recently emerged, they have made creditable progress in Scripture knowledge, and evidently exercise a simple and steady faith in the Redeemer. I was particularly cheered and edified by the language of a widow woman who very lately lost her husband and two of her children. I had first some fear that she would not be able to stand her trials, but might be induced by her numerous relatives to go back to heathenism. But the Lord has been better than my fears; she manifests an humble and strong faith in Jesus Christ, which it is very pleasing to witness. • Had I remained in ignorance of Him,' she said, 'what should I have done? I should be without hope and comfort, like other heathen; but now I know that this affliction came from the Lord; I know he sent it that I should give my whole heart to him.'

"Most of the candidates evinced similar simplicity and confidence in the Saviour. Much of the good work, no doubt, must be ascribed to the instrumentality of their native teacher. He has lately very much improved himself, though he regrets that he does not know a useful trade in order to be, in this respect also, an example to the people. I observed with great satisfaction, that he and his wife (the latter brought up in our school) have been active and faithful in their Christian labours.

There were among the candidates for baptism two children, brother and sister-the one about ten, the other twelve years of age; whose parents are residing in the Christian village, but are yet unbaptized, not having given evidence of a change of heart and conduct. As it is not generally my custom, under such circumstances, to baptize young children in the presence of their parents, I wished to let these two children wait until their father and mother, by the Lord's grace, might come with them; but their beseeching looks, and the testimony of their teacher, made me change my plan. It appears they often unite in prayers for their parents privately and with their schoolfellows; and when they see their parents doing wrong, they tell them of it, and repeat the text of the Bible which they have learned on the subject at school. Their parents also wished them to be baptized. May the lesson which their young children have thus taught them not be in vain!

"When I left the village, the boy just mentioned prevailed upon his parents, though the eldest of five children, to let him come with me to Salem, that he might obtain more knowledge and learn a trade.

"Last sabbath, after administering the Lord's supper to thirty persons at the morning service, in the afternoon I baptized a widow whom Mrs. Lechler and myself brought in from the above villages some years since. She was then in a state of great wretchedness, but soon increased in knowledge and industry. Her activity and honesty (qualities certainly not common in India) made her a complete Pharisee among our people, whom she thought (though erroneously) she far surpassed. The Lord has brought down her pride, and she is now as humble and amiable as she was before proud and scornful. Two ear-jewels and a nose-ring which she had worn, she took off on Saturday,

saying, 'Give them to the Missionary Society, I do not want them any more.'

"We held two annual meetings last week. The subjects of the first were our little Bible and Tract Association, and the efforts which have been made among us in collecting money and in distributing tracts and Scriptures. Some of the readers gave an account of the Bible and Tract Societies, and the means required for their advancement; and showed, that it was the duty of Christians to support them. Some interesting statements were also made by our lads, of the benefits they had received from the Word of God, and of their conversations with the heathen when at their work, or while engaged in distributing tracts. The meeting was truly interesting and edifying; the speeches simple and to the point, and superior to those we ever had before.

"Our second meeting, though of a more secular nature, was likewise interesting. The subjects were, our Industrial Engagements, or what we used to call the Philanthropic Society, and our Savings Bank. The former was originally designed to set up poor farmers in the three Christian villages, and to assist them by loans, &c.

We have found, however, that those who have not been brought up and trained as Christians, should seldom, if at all, be intrusted with money; and that the safest, and perhaps only way of improving them, is to induce them by the Word of God and example, to become active and industrious, and bring their children up in the same way. As it is we have some very pleasing fruits from this little Society, which more than compensate for the disappointment, trouble, and expenses connected with it.

"About a Savings Bank I never thought, or even wished to do so, before I came to India, and particularly to Salem. The custom of the poorer classes is to spend all, whatever their income is, little or much; or to make up their savings into jewels, at a very great loss, at least one half. So it was with the few Christians I found here; and not only so, but some were deeply in debt. It was about two years before I could get them out of debt, and then the Savings Bank was set on foot. At first, very

few availed themselves of it-some were disinclined to relinquish their former habits, and others suspected this novelty altogether. Perseverance, however, and the example of the few, wrought a favourable change. Some of the teachers, and those who had the smallest pay, have now a little money in this bank, and are able to render some assistance to the Lord's cause; while the capital of the whole, though still small, is in the hands of a dear native Christian, who was thus set up in business, and at the same time enabled to spend at least one half of his time in distributing tracts, selling Scriptures, and speaking the word of truth to those who came to him, without being dependent on European support.

"But to return to the public meeting. The people, and especially our school-children, were greatly animated. One of the lads arose, and said, with much feeling, and with tears in his eyes, When our minister first commenced these various institutions amongst us, I thought it was all for his own profit, but of late I have seen that it is all for us; I therefore publicly ask his pardon and the pardon of all present.'

This as well as the rest of his short speech was said in evident sincerity, and made a deep impression. He is the son of a carpenter now dead, with whom our industrial school originated.

"Another of our lads, who learns bricklaying, came to my room after the meeting, saying, 'When you first told me to work I was much displeased, and for a long time I did not like my trade; but now I see the advantage of it, and feel truly thankful. In future I will always do as you tell me.'

"One of the teachers who addressed the meeting said, somewhat in these words: 'Friends and children, when our teachers first introduced these trades among us, I did not like it: I thought it was wrong, because it is not done so in other Mission-stations; but now I see that it is not wrong-I see a spirit of activity and industry diffused among us-I see that, in some measure, our large school of nearly seventy children is supported by your work, and you may support it still more. When I think of the apostles and our Saviour himself, how they at times supported themselves; how the apostle Paul, by means of his trade, found an entrance for the gospel in Corinth-when I think of Mr. Williams, of the South Sea Islands, how he introduced the gospel there, and how he sent forth native teachers, I feel grieved and ashamed because I know no trade. If a famine were to take place in Europe, or if a war should break out, what would become of us who have hitherto lived on the bounties of the London Missionary Society, and of other children of God in distant lands? We have got up upon their shoulders, and are carried by them. It is high time that we should use our own legs, and show to them and to the people of this country, that Indian Christians have learned to stand and walk alone. Let us be thankful for the many. great mercies we have received from the Lord through our kind friends of the Society, and let us obey our minister, and cheerfully co-operate with him. They have done all they could for our temporal and eternal welfare-let us mind this, and go and do likewise.'

"From the few facts I have stated, you will observe that this station is gradually acquiring some new features, which, in the course of time, and by the blessing of the Lord, may prove important. You must not, however, think that we give all, or even our first attention to secular concerns. The preaching of the word of life to small and great, and the education of the young, is my chief and dearest work, and I trust ever will be. The elder of our lads, with the schoolmasters and readers of the station, study the Bible, theological lectures, &c., with me, two hours a day. Nearly every one of the boys who learn trades, has either joined the church, or is a candidate for church-fellowship. Their studies keep pace with their work. You will be able to form an idea of this improvement in knowledge, when I state that some of the old readers show reluctance to preach before our eldest lads because they feel them to be their superiors. Should the Lord open more effectual doors before us, as we hope he will, one of these young men is ready, and others are preparing, to go forth with the Bible in one hand, and their carpenter's adze in the other, to be witnesses for Christ.

"You will say, it is very natural that I should be sanguine regarding my own plans and ways:

I can truly say that I never sought or even thought of teaching trades; all was put in my way, and, I trust, by a wise Providence. We have boys of our own training, who, with their masters, are competent to undertake the building of a house, and make furniture for it. This, I believe, has never been done in Southern India, though it is by a friend of mine at Agra, and much more extensively. A few days ago a gentleman of the civil service paid me a visit, and commended the plan of the brethren at Mangalore of introducing trades in that station,

from which he had just come. I told him that we had done so here for the last six years, and he expressed himself highly gratified.

"From what I have seen in India of the work of Missions, I feel convinced that something material is wanting, and I believe it is civilization. We want such men as your Williams and Philip to show us the way. The climate certainly is not in our favour; still the Indians must be roused from their native lethargy, and be more instructed in the beneficial effects of physical energy and practical Christianity."

CHRONICLE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES: OF THE BOARD FOR GENERAL EDUCATION: AND OF THE THREE SOCIETIES FOR BRITISH MISSIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNION.

ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE UNION, AND OF ITS AFFILIATED SOCIETIES.

MAY approaches-that important and interesting annual period for all our religious and benevolent institutions. Then we report progress, examine into affairs, take our bearings, and forecast for the future. This is always of great consequence. Each successive year it seems of more importance than ever before: so it is now. The present is a period of languor, not unmixed with dejection; but this disposition should be resisted and corrected. Hopes and fears are alike prone to be excessive. At one time we are borne on by extravagant expectations; at another we are cast down and enfeebled by exaggerated fears. We ought to build and act on the more stable basis of faith-faith in God, faith in truth, faith in goodness. On this ground we shall be strong and steadfast. Fluctuations in affairs, and changes in appearances, will not then so much move us. A bright day will not flatter us into the hope that we have done with difficulties; nor a cloudy day deject us, as if light were extinguished instead of being only overshadowed. But the present is, indeed, a time for prayer, for courage, and especially for wisdom: that is, for careful thought what we can do, and what we cannot do; how we can best do what is within our power; how best divide labour, employ resources, and proportion effort to various objects. Guidance is wanted, perhaps, more than impulse. We "lack wisdom," let us then "ask it of God."

A brief sketch of the objects embraced by the Union and its affiliated Societies, may now be of use. It may assist us to see our way through the series of our approaching meetings to the best advantages:

The NINETEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION being now at hand, let us notice

1. Its finance. Herein there is hopeful improvement. Church contribution annually, as the basis of membership, is extending-slowly, indeed, but still it does proceed. It cannot be hoped that the current year will realise a contributed income equal to the expenditure; some draft on the profit of publications, however un

desirable, must still be resorted to; yet it is not too late to obviate this necessity. The financial year of the Union is now made to end with October. At the next Autumnal Meeting it would be, indeed, gratifying were the Committee able then to anncunce" the contributed income of the Union has equalled its expenses." might be accomplished with ease, and would be still within the compass of hope, but for the extreme slowness with which our churches are brought to act together, and induced to do the same thing.

This

2. The Magazines of the Union; their profits; the funds derived from them for aged ministers, and for aiding insurances for deferred annuities to assist ministers in their declining years; of all these a good account can be given. But these most valuable works, and the interests founded and dependent on them, demand care and zeal. Labour to circulate the Magazines is a good and necessary work.

3. The two Morning Meetings of the Union, on Tuesday, the 8th, and Friday, the 11th of May. These are golden opportunities for promoting the prosperity of our body, and for attending to our own proper affairs. All brethren should resort to them in a spirit of prayer and thought. They are not meetings for popular excitement and popular speaking; but they are Occasions for grave, frank, considerate counsel. There should, indeed, be impulse; but then that deeper impulse imparted by thoroughly thinking out our position and our duty. The matters that will claim attention are eminently practical, and such as pertain to ourselves, our own duties, and our own interests. Such as, first, our British Missions, to which the attention of the assembled brethren ought to be called in the most distinct, emphatic manner. Secondly, our movements in General Education, which deserves and requires a similar attention. Thirdly, efforts for the better support of our pastors on this subject, it is proposed to present a paper, appealing to the deacons and members of our churches with all earnestness and respect. Fourthly, practical measures for the revival of religion in our churches. These probably ought not to partake greatly of the nature of excitement, or to consist in new and unusual means, or in numerous and multiplied public meetings; rather the need is of personal improvement, of augmented closet devotion, and of greatly-improved preaching and conduct of public worship. And our denomination, in com

mon probably with all other Evangelical bodies, needs greatly such renovation. Life and power seem at present to animate error rather than truth; to pervade superstition more than scriptural truth and piety; to attend Romanism and its kindred systems, in preference to purely Protestant truths and churches. Our ministers, our churches, and our societies, need a new impregnation of energy. The want is not of new truth, or of new measures, or of new organizations, but of the old and genuine spirit to pervade our present unexampled scope of opportunity, freedom, and activity. Means and objects are now rather in excess than in deficiency as compared with the spirit to animate them, without which they will be a dead form and a powerless bustle. Now it ought to be in the heart of every enlightened Congregationalist at such a time to bear his part, not so much in complaint as in effort, or in complaint only for the sake of effort, evils being discovered and exposed only that they may be remedied. And the Congregational Union was designed and is adapted for denominational improvement. This was its primary idea and purpose. The churches and pastors were to unite for mutual counsel, help, encouragement, and impulse. They were to meet in order to "provoke one another to love and good works." Their meetings were to secure attachment to vital truths and principles; to consider how best we may contend for them amidst the varying aspects and difficulties of the times passing over us; to inquire how the strong may help the weak, and how both strong and weak may become stronger by felt and visible union. These ends it has steadily pursued, and in some good degree accomplished. The same course is still needed. The decay, the lapse from sound doctrine, the forsaking of the cause of Christian liberty, of the Congregational churches of England at this juncture, would be equally disgraceful and disastrous. Even to abide by these great interests committed to its trust feebly and coldly, will be hardly less injurious; therefore ought the Annual and Autumnal Assemblies of the Union to be times of mutual cheering and admonition.

4. The two Evening Meetings connected with the Union no less require unanimous support and vigorous management than those of the two mornings. These occur on the same days as the two forenoon meetings. After the morning meeting of Tuesday, May the 8th, in Crosby Hall, is the evening meeting of British Missions in Exeter Hall; and after the morning meeting of Friday, May the 11th, follows the evening meeting for General Education, both in Crosby Hall. Now the objects for which these two evening meetings will be held, are of vital importance in themselves and to the denomination; and the meetings are of the utmost importance to the objects. How can we permit our British Missions, or our Educational movement, to languish without equal discredit and disadvantage to our whole body? How can these great interests but languish if brethren show no interest in them; absent themselves from their annual meetings; and render those meetings, which ought to be occasions of cheering excitement, seasons of depression and discouragement?

These intimations of the proceedings awaiting us in May, now so near at hand, are given to call up, by a Divine blessing, the thoughts, the purposes, and the prayers needful to render

our approaching meetings all that the most zealous or the most anxious can desire.

CONGREGATIONAL BOARD OF

EDUCATION.

IN the last Number reference was made to a Model-school in Jewin-street, under the auspices of the Board, in which the male pupils, now in course of training, may have the opportunity of practice in the art of teaching.

On Wednesday, February 14, the inaugural opening took place. The assembly was numerous and highly respectable.

Samuel Morley, Esq., the Treasurer, occupied the chair; supported by members of the Board and other friends.

The Rev. W. J. Unwin, A.M, delivered a discourse on the principles of training, and the mode in which those principles should be carried out. The discourse was replete with sound philosophical principles, pervaded with a high tone of moral and religious feeling; and contained an examination of the practices of teaching by different systems, a review of which led to the conclusion of combining the excellencies of each in the methods to be adopted in this model-school.

In a few weeks this school will be in an organised state, and then may be viewed by any friends who desire to witness the plans which are recommended, and which will then be in operation.

The discourse which was delivered by Mr. Unwin is now in the press, and it will form a manual for study as well as for reference. It will contain particulars of the Board; its rules; the mode of admission for candidates into its Normal schools; with some plans of schoolhouses and school-fittings. This book will be valuable for every teacher to study.

Several members of the Board have visited schools in and about London where teachers have been appointed who have been educated in its Normal school, and have been highly gratified with the reports that have been given of the character and efficiency of its esteemed pupils, and of witnessing the beneficial results of the training which has been given them.

The Board is planning arrangements for deputations to visit and interest the friends of Voluntary Education in and about London and the provinces; and in these and similar ways is intending to pursue its course, by which the members will become acquainted with what has to be done, and how to do it.

The Board is in want of money, not merely to carry on the two Normal schools, but to be in a position to supply school materials to the schools which are associated with it; and more especially that it may be able to aid, by small grants of money, or of school materials, schools in poor, and destitute, and deserving districts. The applications for such aid are numerous and pressing; even the small sum of £5 would, in some instances, prevent a school (otherwise going on well) from being broken up.

Only let the Board have the hearty sympathy and aid of its friends, and the good that will be effected when it is once in full operation, will be diffused far and wide.

The Board rejoices in the work in which it is engaged; it cannot, however, work alone, its friends must do their part to help it on.