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who came to scoff remained to pray; and some who at first threatened personal violence became Mackay's friends, and the friends of the gospel. There was much outward manifestation of feeling at these meetings,-sobbing, and crying aloud to God for mercy. The enemies made a great handle of this, and it was said that the preacher encouraged such scenes, while, on the contrary, he had been endeavouring to prevent them. An old woman who was passing the door of one of the places where they were met, and looked in, afterwards expressed her astonishment that people should weep so at hearing a sermon, adding, 'I never wept so bitterly since the day my only son died.' We could not help thinking of the word, 'They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one that mourneth for his only son.' Few have yet gone back who had given hopeful tokens of a change having been wrought in them; and I have heard judicious Christians declare their perfect conviction that the work is real, even the effectual working of God's Holy Spirit. After the work commenced, Baptist preachers came down among the newly awakened, urging their own particular views. Mackay was obliged to enter on a public controversy with them, though he dreaded the chilling effect at such a time. However, his flock were convinced, and the Baptists gained no proselytes among them. After a time Mackay's Inverness employers sent for him; but, at the earnest desire of his poor friends in Mull, who promised to do all in their power to supply his temporal necessities, he resigned his situation, resolving to devote himself in the mean time to the Lord's work, and trust Providence for the maintenance of his family. He is quite an uneducated man, but appears to be a devoted Christian,-one who prays without ceasing. I believe the Moderates of Mull, without exception, condemn the whole matter as mere delusion and fanaticism. How they can shut their eyes to the fruits, the consistent and godly lives of many who were once quite the reverse of godly, I cannot imagine.'

A private letter received from Mr Prince, assures us, that, in Charlinch, the believers, notwithstanding much persecution, still continue to walk stedfastly and circumspectly, bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit to the praise and glory of God. With regard to Mr P. himself, after having been driven from one curacy to another, he seems now to be almost driven entirely out of the Church of England. Bishops set themselves against him, and the clergy refuse to sign his testimonials! How deadly must be the hatred of the gospel. Mr Rees, to whose case we alluded formerly, has been treated in the same way, and no room left for him in the Church of England. We extract the following intelligence concerning him from a Sunderland paper.

"THE REV. A. A. REES AND THE BISHOP OF DURHAM.-Our readers are already aware of the removal of Mr Rees from the curacy of Sunderland, and also of the circumstances attending that removal. Many of them, too, well know that for some time past great exertion has been making by some of the friends of this popular and devoted clergyman, to obtain for him a building, in which he might still prosecute the onerous duties of his sacred calling, and still be extensively useful to his fellow-townsmen. The Scotch Church in Monkwearmouth having been recently offered publicly for sale, negociations were entered into for the purpose of obtaining it for Mr Rees, and it was deemed expedient (previous to the completion of these negociations) to ascertain whether the Bishop of Durham would grant his licence to that gentleman. The following is a copy of the memorial addressed to his Lordship on the subject:

"To the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham. The memorial of the undersigned inhabitants of the parishes of Sunderland, Bishopwearmouth, and Monkwearmouth, showeth, That the Rev. Arthur Augustus Rees has, for the last two years, been one of the curates in the parish of Sunderland, and has gained the esteem and affection of your memorialists, by the zeal and abi

lity with which he has discharged his official duties. That Mr Rees' ministry is distinguished by its scriptural simplicity and power, and has been attended by large congregations, including many who were not in the habit of attending the service of the Church; and that many profess to have derived from it much spiritual advantage, and give evidence by their reformed lives. That your memorialists are strongly of opinion, that it would tend greatly to the religious and moral welfare of the parishes in which your memorialists reside, if Mr Rees' services could be continued in the neighbourhood. That with this view, some of your memorialists have entered into preparatory negociations for the purchase of a building situated in Monk wearmouth, and formerly used by a congregation connected with the Church of Scotland, but which negociations depend for their further progress on your Lordship's approval. Your memorialists, therefore, request the favour of your Lordship's direction, and would respectfully ask your Lordship to inform them whether, in the event of the above-named building being purchased, your Lordship will grant a licence to enable Mr Rees to preach therein, in connection with the Established Church.'

"This memorial was signed by the large number of 7,364 persons, many of whom are of the highest respectability, and strongly attached to the Church of England; and there is no doubt if it had remained for signature two or three days longer, that number would have been nearly doubled.

"On Monday, Mr James Crosby and Mr William Muschamp waited upon the Bishop of Durham, at Auckland Castle, as a deputation from the memorialists, for the purpose of presenting this memorial. They were very courteously received, but his Lordship declined acceding to their wishes. After having perused the memorial, the Bishop read to them a copy of a letter he had addressed to Dr Wood, as an answer to the petition of the Vestry of the Scottish Church, praying him not to grant his licence to the Rev. Mr Rees to preach in the said church, as they consider the congregation has a just claim upon that place of worship, which letter is as follows:

"AUCKLAND CASTLE, Jan. 20th. Rev. Sir,-If I were likely to be so negligent of the rights of property, as to decide hastily in a question of doubt, the law would effectually prevent me; for I have no power to grant a licence in any such case as that to which your letter alludes. I certainly have heard, with regret, that some such petition is in agitation, but it has not come before me in a formal shape. It might save the parties some trouble if they knew that they are disposed to ask for what I have no authority to grant; and I may add, that if I had such authority, I should not feel it consistent with my sense of duty to exercise it in the proposed way. You are welcome to give publicity to this letter, if you think fit. I am, Rev. Sir, your faithful servant, E. DENHULM.'

"His Lordship added that there were several considerations involved in the application which they had made to him. In the first place, the law had not invested him with power to grant a licence in such a case without the full concurrence of the incumbent of the parish, and as he believed Mr Kennicott was averse to the appointment of Mr Rees to the Scotch Church, of course he could not interfere. But in the next place, he had a decided objection to Mr Rees on the ground of his doctrines and his manner of preaching, which he did not consider either in accordance with the scriptures, or the doctrines of the Church of England-so that if it had been even in his power to grant a licence to Mr Rees, he would have considered it his duty to decline doing so. His Lordship further stated that he would not license Mr Rees to preach in any part of his diocese. The deputation then withdrew.

"We understand that as soon as Mr Rees was acquainted with the latter statement, he addressed a letter to the Bishop, inquiring whether, in the event of his obtaining a curacy in any other diocese, his Lordship would counter

sign his testimonials. The reply of the Bishop is to this effect-that it was questionable whether he should do so or not; and that if he did affix his signature to the testimonials, he should consider it his duty to acquaint the Bishop to whom they might be addressed, of the reason of Mr Rees' dismissal from the curacy at Sunderland."

SPECIAL APPEAL FOR CHINA.-The recent termination of the war in China is the subject of sincere and universal joy. The man of business looks with satisfaction at the event, as opening new fields for commercial enterprise; and the Christian is grateful that the gospel is likely to gain an entrance into that vast empire, and diffuse its blessings among the teeming millions of its inhabitants.

The Religious Tract Society has long been anxious for the spread of religious publications among the Chinese. Its attention was first called to the subject in the year 1814, by the late Rev. Dr Milne. He wrote as follows:"In the name of three hundred millions of pagans, a considerable portion of whom can read, and all of whom understand the same language, I entreat that your Christian benevolence may be extended to them. For aid to print the Sacred Scriptures, we look to the British and Foreign Bible Society; for our own expenses, we look to the Missionary Society; and for assistance to print tracts we look to you. We are willing to take the labour; but we cannot pay for paper and printing, without the aid of our friends at home. Such is the political state of the country at present, that we are not permitted to enter it, and publish by the living voice the glad tidings of salvation. Tracts may, however, penetrate silently, even to the chamber of the emperor. They easily put on a Chinese coat, and may walk without fear, through the breadth and length of the land."

The providential facilities that exist for the labours of the Christian press have been strongly urged on the Society's attention. The same written language is understood by the millions of the people, education has made great advances, and tracts, inculcating the worship of their dumb idols, have been in use for ages among the Chinese. These tracts are sent to the temples by individuals who conceive that they have obtained favours from their gods, and are distributed gratis to all who will receive them. The circulation of tracts therefore, is no new thing; and the late Rev. Dr Morrison assured the committee, that" it had long been his conviction, that tracts were the most available means of diffusing Christian knowledge in China." An appeal to the Christian public, to aid the Society in this important work, was promptly responded to; so that, in 1816, the first grant of L.400 was made for Chinese tracts, to be printed and circulated under the direction of the Rev. Messrs Morrison and Milne. In the following year, a further grant of L.500 was voted; and from time to time liberal sums have been furnished for this object, amounting, with a few grants for Malay publications, to nearly L.6,000. The Society has also stereotyped from the Chinese wood blocks, a tract, entitled, "A Summary of the Gospel," and duplicates of the plates have been sent to various stations in the Eastern Archipelago: this mode of stereotypage may become one of the means of extending knowledge among the Chinese. The grants of the Society have enabled the missionaries to publish and circulate several millions of tracts; which have excited attention among a reading people, and led some, it is hoped, to seek for the blessing of the gospel. Many of these publications have found their way along the coast of China, have reached Formosa and the Piscadores: they have gone to Manchow Tartary, and Corea, and have been distributed at the great Loo Choo.

The work among the Chinese has not hitherto afforded the encouragement which has been experienced in other scenes of labour. Dr Milne, in his first appeal, anticipated this circumstance, and therefore remarked, "We shall very probably have to transmit to you, for a long time, only dry statements of

what has actually been translated, written, printed, circulated, and taught; or of which there is a probability of accomplishing. We long to see success; but are not greatly cast down if we see it not immediately. I hope the patience of the churches will be strengthened. To plough and sow are the labours of this age; to reap abundantly, that of future times. We labour in hope. The word of the Eternal cannot fail: in due time the nations shall be blessed in Christ. Truth and righteousness have much to contend with in their march through the earth, especially through its dark places. Their progress is slow, but certain."

These remarks have been found correct. The Chinese have been gradually induced to apply for Christian tracts; so that now, the missionaries write, "The avidity for our books is most striking; and instead of one, or two, or three presses, we want a score to supply our readers. If true, it is a most interesting fact, that Bhuddism spread over China by means of books, and books, too, that had no promise of a divine blessing to accompany the reading of them." Another friend writes, "I have now applications for twenty thousand tracts, which I cannot supply for want of funds. It is almost heartbreaking to see the Chinamen coming in crowds, inquiring for tracts, who cannot be supplied."

THE GENTILE CARING FOR THE JEW.-A little circumstance has lately come under the writer's notice which may perhaps help to deepen the impression of duty on other minds, as it has done on her own.

A few of the publications of the "London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews," were requested of her by a friend; who after reading them herself, thought some good might be done by lending them among her neighbours. From the friends in her own rank of life, they passed into the hands of some of the cottagers around her home; and were scarcely in circulation there, before one of the men employed on the East Kent Coast Guard Service, stationed in the village, came forward to express the deep interest he had long felt in the subject, though knowing no one to share it with him, or any other means of making it available, than that always open to all, of "praying for the peace of Jerusalem." It was after hearing a sermon some years ago, in the Isle of Wight, that he had resolved to do what he could, in his humble sphere, to promote the objects of the Society; but he had been quite at a loss how to proceed, and had long retained the sum of L. 1, 4s. from himself and a few comrades, not knowing how or where to transmit it. He had applied to the rector of the parish for information, but still could gain none, till the papers referred to came into his possession. He now joyfully presented this his first fruits, and then recommenced his efforts to call attention to the subject. Heading his list of contributors with his own name, and those of his wife and little girl, he then made the circuit of the neighbouring villages, as opportunity offered, first lending the papers, and then watching the impression made by them. The result has been, that within three months between L.2 and L-3 has been collected, chiefly in small weekly subscriptions, and almost without exception from those in very humble life; and a regular supply of the Society's publications is requested, in order to keep up the interest, and extend the sphere of the infant association.

The income of the person, thus usefully engaged, is not more than L.1 per week; but he appears to be one of those "poor of this world," described by the apostle as "rich in faith;" and his whole air and manner indicate that "godliness has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come."

He mentioned his child having heard him read aloud an extract from the "Jewish Records," referring to the privations of some Jewish children, and eagerly and with tears enquiring if she could do nothing to help them. He told her he would give her a penny a-week to subscribe to the Jews' Society;

"But then, father," was her answer, "that will not be my own." A short time afterwards a shilling was given her, which she brought home with great delight, to be really her own contribution for the help of the poor Jewish children.

There is, indeed, everything in the subject to excite the attention of the youthful mind; and strange as well as lamentable is it that among those who in all else desire to refer their children "to the law and to the testimony," there should be so frequently an entire overlooking of that which seems interwoven in the whole tenor of scripture history and scripture promise. To those who read and love the word of God, whether young or old, must it not be a startling fact, that not only did Jews preserve to us their own portion of the sacred volume, but that Jews also were the first preachers of that gospel of peace to Gentile nations, which was to be published throughout the whole world," beginning at Jerusalem ?" Who could go yet one step further-and not be touched by that which the man above referred to assigned as his inducement to feel for the necessities of the Jews." When I remember," said he, "that our blessed Saviour himself was a Jew, as well as all his apostles, can I help feeling we ought to do all we can to bring Jews to him."

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

COMMISSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The extraordinary meeting of the Commission of the General Assembly, called by request of the Special Commission appointed by the General Assembly, met on 31st January in the High Church-the Rev. Dr Welsh, moderator-and after the usual devotional exercises, adjourned to the Tolbooth Church. The attendance of members was pretty full.

The Rev. Dr Cook then rose and said-We meet here to-day under circumstances to which it is impossible not to advert, before even proceeding to the business for which the Commission has at so inconvenient a season been summoned, because that to which I allude involves, in the estimation of many, the question whether we can keep the roll in the state in which it formerly was. You will at once perceive to what I allude. I have in view the decision of the Court of Session, that the quoad sacra ministers have no legal title to sit and vote as members of an ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and that their doing so invalidates the legislative acts of the courts in which they take their seats. It will belong to the General Assembly to say what in its estimation the Church as to this ought to do; and I therefore do not think that it is requisite now to enter fully into the subject or to discuss it. All that I feel it incumbent on me to do is, to state what it appears to me ought to be done on this particular occasion. This I cannot refrain from doing without casting from me all the principles which I have long held and long avowed in the su preme judicatory of the Church. I am going upon the supposition that no appeal has been taken from the judgment of the Court of Session to which I allude, and no intimation of an intention to appeal, so that the judgment at this moment is to be regarded as final, whatever subsequent step may be taken with respect to it. View ing the matter in this light, I am fully convinced that, whatever my private sentiments with respect to the decision may be, it is my duty to yield obedience to it, and this arising from the very nature of an Establishment, unless another step, to which I shall presently advert, be taken. What is an Established Church? It is a body separated from the great body of professing Christians by positive statute, and by such statute endowed with peculiar privileges and professing peculiar doctrines. This could not be the result of any spiritual act, otherwise all denominations of believers might place themselves in the same situation as those who belong to the

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