Literature.

THE CONVERSION OF THE

ROMAN EMPIRE.*

enjoyment of national advantages, protection, favour and reward, escape from national disasters and national punishTHERE is a permanent interest asso- ment. This was the political religion of ciated with the period of which these states and peoples. Their priests were the lectures treat. Most of those questions mediations between God and the Nation, which have since and which will yet between Heaven and the City. The Citiagain agitate the religious world, are zen was merged in the State; for the State found either in the germ or in full he was born, he lived, he married, he tilled development in the controversies of his land, he bequeathed his goods, he perprimitive Christianity with Paganism. petuated his family. The Roman worIndeed in this period the history of reli- shipped for his country rather than for himself. To the gods of the enemy he gion is brought into one focus. Such being its character, it was no opposed the gods of Rome; and if he coneasy task to which Mr. Merivale ad-quered the enemy, he was anxious to propitiate his gods, though baffled, and draw dressed himself when he proposed to them by craft, by flattery, even by force, to review the whole period in eight lectures his own side. His idea of religion was of to be delivered, not from the professor's a national, not a personal, covenant with chair, to eagerly expectant students, but God. His rule of right was framed on from the pulpit of the Chapel Royal, view of public expediency. If his princiWhitehall, to a mixed and fluctuating ples were narrow or corrupt, his strictures congregation. Without a full and accu- in maintaining them were often worthy of rate acquaintance with his material, he a better code and a higher sanction. But could not fasten upon its salient points. whatever his idea of duty, whatever his Without the most rigorous self-restraint, law, he recognised no future retribution for his deeds. . . . The tendency of such some of the more suggestive episodes in a fixed idea of religion was to resolve the his fruitful theme would grow under his essence of piety into the fulfilment of treatment into undue proportions. He ceremonial observances. .... The piety must be scholarly without being dull. of the Romans looked ever backward: its He must be accurate without being ideal lay behind it, not before it. It wearisome. He must be suggestive aspired to present safety or enjoyment without being obscure. by a faithful imitation of an imaginary Mr. Merivale has more than satisfied Past; but it had no standard of future all this. We have seldom read less excellence or blessedness to attain unto, pretentious lectures that more worthily no rising star to follow, no expansion, no deserve the highest mead of praise. They last moment the simple theory of the development to anticipate. ... To the abound with freshness and power, and Gospel-which the apostle required a are certain to take rank among the best vision to conceive and realize that God contributions to ecclesiastical history is no respecter of persons, but that in that have appeared in England during every nation he that feareth Him and the present century. worketh righteousness is accepted of Him, was strange and abhorrent from the prejudices of the heathen."

The first lecture presents a pictorial contrast between Christian belief and heathen unbelief: the celebrated debate on the Catiline conspiracy, in which Cicero and Cato announced their thorough disbelief in a future state, is placed side by side with the declarations of the Council of Nice. The second lecture shows how heathen belief was solely directed towards a temporal and national providence.

"The idea of Greek and Roman religion was to receive by a national worship the

The Boyle Lectures for the Year 1864. By Charles Merivale, B.D., Rector of Lawford; Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. London: Longman & Co.

sion of heathen belief by the teaching of The third lecture points to the expanheathen philosophers. The Macedonian conquest had led the way to the spread unity of the human race, so that when among the heathen of the idea of the Paul preached that doctrine from Mar's Hill he found the Athenians already prepared to receive it. The later Stoics had also developed the Platonic ideas of duty and responsibility, of sin and virtue, of penitence and assurance before God, and even of immortality, although the flaw in this last was, that it was only

The Conversion of the Empire.

25

possible to a select class of men-" the "Another and a wilder scene is prearistocracy of souls." The fourth lec- sented, a scene of dissolution, and dismay, ture opens up the further expansion of and frenzy; of prayer hoarsening into heathen belief by the ideas of Roman imprecation; of the cutting away of the jurisprudence; 80 that the law, using that term in its broadest sense, was a pedagogue to bring men to Christ. Mr. Merivale also shows how well versed in Roman law was Paul himself; how his knowledge of it shaped and fashioned his teaching, which was addressed to intellects and hearts as refined as his own. Indeed the lecturer rejects the idea "too hastily assumed, too readily accepted, from a mistaken apprehension of the real dignity of the Gospel, that the first preaching of the faith was addressed to the lowest and meanest and least intelligent, the outcast and proletaries of society."

boats, of breaking in twain the oars, of will lash themselves into fury; they will rushing madly to the spirit-room. They quarrel, fight, and threaten to slay; they will prepare to go together to the bottom, with fire in their brain and defiance on their lips. But when the apostle was tost on the waves of Adria, and neither sun nor stars had for many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on them, and all hope that they should be saved was taken from them, the angel of God stood by him in the night, saying, 'God hath given thee all

them that sail with thee.' And so, even now in that tormented bark of heathenism,

the Spirit of the Almighty will be present. Lo! the crew is in His holy keeping; let them but turn to Him, and be converted, and abide in His faith: there shall be no loss of any man's life among them 'but only of the ship.'"

The fifth lecture will be read by all with deep interest. Mr. Merivale treats therein of the awakening of the heathen to a sense of his spiritual danger; of his gloomy sense of dissatisfaction; of his Mr. Merivale shows how faith during yearnings for spiritual improvement; of this period suffered eclipse; how the bis spiritual agony; of his craving for heathen, taught by the Jew, began to some guiding hand, and clinging to the seek God in prayer; how Gospel truth philosophers in passionate fervour, if was plagiarized by heathen philosophy; they only offered them the semblance of and how divination and oracles once such guidance; of the new mission more came into repute. among the philosophers themselves; and deserve attention :of the social change which had really taken place.

These words

"The phenomena of modern spiritualism, whatever their actual origin, are, I believe, an exact reproduction of the presumed wonders of the third century; of an age not unlike our own in credulity and in incredulity, in nervous irritability, in impatience of the grave teachings of experience. For our age, as well as for his own, the scoffer Lucian has not lived in vain. We cannot even yet afford to assign his banter to oblivion."

"The empire of the heathen, the empire over mind and matter, the highest culture of the natural man, had gone forth into God's world as a brave vessel upon the ocean, painted and bedecked and spangled at the prow and at the helm, and had accomplished half its voyage in pride and security. But the winds were now rising, the heavens were lowering, the muttering of thunder was heard above the hissing How fully the doctrines of Christianity and seething waters; her masts were responded to the questions of the heathen groaning, her planks were starting. Among is dwelt upon in the seventh_lecture. the crew was fear and sorrow and confu- The belief in a personal God, Supreme sion of faces; they felt their common over all, distinct from any abstract law danger, and each gave a hand to the com- and principle of nature; the incarnation mon work; each cheered his fellow pas- of the Son of God; salvation through the senger with whisperings of comfort which life and sufferings of Christ; the appeal he but faintly felt himself. The terror of the moment bound the crew, and the to a revelation stamped with the seal of master, and the passengers all more closely an accredited fact; the mission of the together. There is still hope, brave crew; there is still comfort! In mutual help and sympathy your hope of safety lies. Then courage all!-to the oars, to the wheel, to the pumps! The vessel yet rides the storm; all may yet be well! Then The closing lecture briefly dwells on love, and aid, and encourage one another." the godly example of the Christians as In the succeeding chapter, which completing the conversion of the empire. treats of the efforts of the heathen to Not that Christians had themselves ever avert spiritual ruin, dreamt of the political establishment of

Spirit; the church the city of God on earth, the type and shadow of the universal city of God in heaven-these were the doctrines that met and satisfied the cravings of men's hearts.

Christianity, although they rejoiced to pieces. To the last they expected no con

speak of Christ as their king, and of themselves as his people. Of his kingdom there should be no end: of the glory which they should inherit in communion with him in heaven, far above all the powers and principalities of the Gentile world, there should be no limit in time or eternity, no defect in its circle, no shadow on its brightness. And yet

"To the last moment-to the day of the battle of the Milvian bridge and the whelming of their last persecutor in the waters, to the eve of the decree of Milan, and the establishment of their church in security and honour-they dreamt not of the fall of the heathen empire upon earth; and when it came, their first thought was that the frame of human society was loosened, and about to fall utterly to

Our Churches.

CONFERENCES.

version of Cæsar unto Christ; no setting up of a Christian emperor over the nations of the earth. 'God,' said Tertullian, 'would long since have converted Cæsar to His faith, if the world could have existed

without the Cæsar, or Christians could have been Caesars themselves.' The heathens themselves were not more perplexed by the conversion of Constantine than the Christians. The church was taken by surprise,-it was put out of its calculations,confined in its prospects,-baffled, I believe, in some of its dearest and most spiritual anticipations. This event threw back the near-expected millenium into an illimitable future. The political establishment of the church of Christ proved no unmixed good to the faith of Christ; and doubtless there were many good Christians who regarded it with pious apprehension."

Intelligence.

The LINCOLNSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Bourne on Wednesday, Dec. 7. In the morning brother Greenwood read and prayed, and brother Cholerton preached from Acts i. 8.

In the afternoon the reports from the churches were presented, from which we learned that thirty-two had been baptized since the last Conference, and that six remain candidates for baptism.

Reference having been made to the debt on our Foreign Mission, it was stated that many of the churches in this district had already contributed toward its removal, and it was hoped that other churches would quickly contribute, so that the debt might be promptly extinguished.

After an earnest conversation, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Ividual deacon in each church in our district entreating him to lay it before his brother deacons, and before the church, and to arrange that at least one brother should accompany the minister to every Conference.

2. That the next Conference be special, to be held at Peterborough, on Thursday, the 9th of March next, at eleven o'clock, at which (after a short prayer meeting instead of a sermon) papers to be prepared by brethren Mathews and Barass be read, with a view to improve the constitution and efficiency of the Conference. In the evening the Secretary read and prayed, and brother Mathews preached from Rev. i. 3.

THOMAS BARRASS, Secretary.

The MIDLAND CONFERENCE was held at Osmaston-road chapel, Derby, on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Rev. C. Clarke, B. A., of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, read the Scriptures and prayed, and Rev. W. R. Ste1. That this Conference being deeply venson, M.A., of Nottingham, preached convinced that Home Missionary Work from Col. i. 28. The afternoon meeting needs to be prosecuted with greatly in- was held in Sacheverel-street Chapel, creased vigour;-That this work, in our Rev. E. Stevenson, of Loughborough, body, must be sustained by our Confer- prayed, and Rev. W. Jones presided. ential Meetings;-and that the efficiency From the reports received forty-eight of our Conferences depends on the pre- had been baptized since the September sence of the leading members of our Conference, seventy-seven were now churches, as well as of the ministers ;- candidates for baptism, and three had requests the Secretary to draw up a been restored to fellowship. After the Circular and address it to some indi-singing of the doxology and the reading

of the Minutes of the previous meeting, cern for salvation. Meetings for prayer the following business was transacted :— and exhortation in the cottages of the 1. The Orissa Mission.-That the poor, several evenings in the week, we Midland Conference, having heard with have found greatly blessed in promoting great pleasure from the secretaries of the the good of souls. Mission that the amount promised in liquidation of the debt is now upwards of £1,500, we earnestly express the hope that the churches who have not yet made promises will at once intimate what they intend to give towards the remaining £100, and that those churches and friends who have kindly promised contributions, be recommended at once to forward them to the treasurer or secretaries.

2. Belper.-A case was read from the church at this place, and the sub-joined resolution was unanimously adopted: "That a Committee, comprising the following brethren, be recommended to make inquiries with regard to the case from Belper, and report to the next Conference: Rev. J. Stevenson, Messrs. W. Bembridge, R. Argyle, Ripley, J. Prince, and W. Gregory, Derby.

3. Baptist Union. That this Conference desires to express its best thanks to Mr. Underwood for his judicious paper read at the Baptist Union, on the History and Peculiarities of the General Baptists.

CROWLE, Lincolnshire.-We are thankful to have to report the following baptisms:-September 11, one; 25th, two; Oct. 23, four; Nov. 20, two; 27th, one; by our beloved pastor, Mr. Saunders. J. P.

STALYBRIDGE.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 4, six persons were baptized by the Rev. W. Evans, before large congregation. We have others of whom we entertain pleasing hopes.

LOUTH, Northgate.-On Thursday, Dec. 1, after a sermon from brother Burton on the words, "And now, why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins," &c., four persons were baptized by the Rev. W. Orton, the pastor of the church.

BURNLEY, Enon. — On Lord's-day, Nov. 20, four persons were baptized by our pastor, the Rev. J. Alcorn.

QUEENSBURY.-On Lord's-day, Nov. 27, four persons were baptized by Mr. R. Hardy.

CHAPELS.

4. North Derbyshire Conference.— RE-OPENING OF CALL LANE CHAPEL, After some conversation, it was agreed: LEEDS.-This ancient sanctuary was "That understanding that the North thoroughly refitted in the interior, and Derbyshire Conference is on the point of otherwise extensively improved both extinction, we cordially invite the sepa- internally and externally, about two rate churches to re-unite with the Mid-years ago, at an expense of something land Conference.

An alteration in the mode of conducting the Conference was discussed, but was not agreed to.

like £800. About July last, however, we were alarmed and dismayed to find the old roof (which had been allowed to remain) giving way. On examining the timbers it was discovered that one of the main beams, though of massive oak,

The next Conference will be held at Sutton Bonington, on Easter Tuesday. Rev. Harris Crassweller, B.A., of had, after nearly two hundred years' Derby, to preach in the morning; or, in case of failure, Rev. W. Salter, of Coalville.

The Secretary preached in the evening.
J. JACKSON GOADBY, Secretary.

BAPTISMS.

service, broken in two; and had it not been for the iron spring bolts, which we took the precaution to place under each beam in 1862, the whole roof would have been precipitated into the interior, breaking down the gallery and pews in its descent! Thankful for our escape MELBOURNE.-On Lord's-day, Dec. 4, from such a catastrophe, but labouring fifteen persons were baptized, and two under various discouragements, we have in October, by our esteemed pastor. succeeded in repairing the damage by Twelve of the above were scholars in putting up an entirely new roof at a the Sabbath school. After a long period higher elevation, and effected thereby a of spiritual depression we are thankful great improvement in the chapel. But to report a revived state of religious the transaction has been rather a costly feeling and activity in the church, and, affair compared with our limited reas a natural result, an awakening of sources, and has involved an expendinumbers of our hearers to a deep con- ture of upwards of £300. On Lord's

day, Nov. 13, the chapel was re-opened "Follow Jesus," to those who are memby Rev. Dr. Burns, of London. The bers of the church; "Now," to the Rev. J. P. Chown, of Bradford, also inquirers; and "Come to Jesus" to the preached on the following Thursday rest. The chapel was densely crowded evening; and on Lord's-day, Nov. 20, in every part, and very many were comLord Teyuham preached for us. The pelled to return, unable to get in at all. re-opening services were brought to a It was a solemn service, and we trust close by a public tea meeting on the some will date their awakening and deci28th November, when it was stated that sion from that time. "God bless our we were still £60 deficient. It is feared, Sunday school!" however, that when the bills are all in, we shall find our liabilities still greater, and that we may have to seek help from our richer friends abroad. C. A. T.

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LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW BAPTIST SCHOOL-ROOM.-Nov. 29th a very interesting ceremony took place in connection with the General CLAYTON. The General Baptist Baptist congregation worshipping in friends at Clayton, near Bradford, Yorks., Lombard Street chapel, Birmingham. have resolved to clear off their chapel debt, if possible, by next Shrove-Tuesday. They will be glad to receive, in furtherance of their effort, post office orders or postage stamps from friends.

GEORGE ANDREWS, Secretary.

MINISTERIAL.

REV. C. CLARK, late of Halifax, has accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation to Maze Pond chapel, London, and commenced his labours on the first Sabbath in December.

ROCHDALE. In consequence of the low state of the funds of the church, caused principally by the continued depression in trade, and removal of friends, Mr. Fox has resigned his connection with us as minister, and has accepted a situation in the Rochdale Town Mission. He preached his farewell sermon on the first Sabbath in December, from Acts xx. 32; and, after the Lord's Supper, took an affectionate farewell of each member. The sorrow at parting was deep and mutual, although much alleviated by the fact of his remaining in the town and continuing a member with us. J. N.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The need of more adequate accommodation for school children has long been felt. The old school had become too small for the vast increase of population in the district, and a short time ago a movement was set on foot to supply the want, and the result was that yesterday the first stone was laid of what when completed promises to be a neat and elegant structure. The school of which we have spoken will be situated in Alcester Street, and will occupy the site where recently stood the old school. It is to be in the modern style of architecture, from plans prepared by Mr. Ingall, architect, and will consist of a school-room to hold 500 children, and also a lecture-room to accommodate about 170 persons. The whole cost of the buildings is estimated at £700. Mr. Surman and Mr. Mills are the builders. At half-past three a large number of persons assembled on the site of the proposed school, and after the ordinary preparatory services the stone was laid by Mr. J. H. Hopkins, who delivered an appropriate address, as did also the Rev. J. J. Brown. After the ceremony a tea meeting was held in the Circus schoolroom, Bradford Street, at which about four hundred persons sat down. After tea a public meeting was held, presided over by Rev. J. Harrison, the pastor, and suitable addresses were delivered by several ministers and friends.

LONGFORD. On Sunday evening, Nov. 13, thirty-seven scholars (seven of whom are members of the church) were honourably dismissed from the General Baptist Sunday school, Longford. After HALIFAX, North Parade Baptist chapel. a sermon by the pastor-on God's word-Presentation to Mr. Clark.-On Tuesa guide, a protector, and a companion; day evening, Nov. 29, a crowded and founded on Prov. vi. 22, "When thou enthusiastic meeting was held in the goest, it shall lead thee; when thou school-room under the chapel, when the sleepest it shall keep thee; and when Rev. Charles Clark, who has just retired thou awakest, it shall talk with thee"- from the position of minister at that each scholar was presented with a hand-place of worship, received as a parting some copy of the Holy Scriptures, ac- gift at the hands of friends in the church companied by the Rev. N. Hall's and congregation, a handsome gold watch