be well understood by the people at large; and all doctrines, though not fundamental, yet far from being non-essential in their order, connection, importance, and practical fruits. At the same time, let us not be content with dry, barren sentiments, however correct, and however self-consistent, but long for a vital, fruitful, influential acquaintance with the truth as it is in Jesus, which will at once be our best stay against the seductions of error, and a well-spring of love, of labour, of consolation, for the service of life.

But if any one say, thus far is stated what we ought to be, rather than what we ought to do, let us bear in mind, the necessity of manifesting our piety and our knowledge in appropriate personal exertion. No christian, however humble, has a right to be inactive. He says, "I am bought with a price; I am not my own; I therefore must glorify God in my body, and in my spirit, which are his." At another time, "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me." Again, in grateful adoration and love he exclaims, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" He dwells on the grace of his Lord; the example of the apostles; the necessities of the world; his personal obligations; his promised recompence; and from each and all does he derive motives to exertion, and never can he rest whilst any power of service remains undevoted to his Lord.

Whatever station in the Church you hold, there are duties for you to perform which the stimulus of a consecrated heart, and the exercise of a holy ingenuity, will not fail to discover; and this without doing any thing to disturb order in the society, or justly incur the charge of an officious and ill-directed zeal. If the member of a family where there are religious persons, move them to consideration; if your neighbours are careless, invite them to spend a season at your house in pious exercises; if they are neglecters of worship, ask them to accompany you to the sanctuary, offer them a portion of your pew, be attentive to them whilst there, and endeavour to excite in them an interest in the services; if a Sabbath-school teacher, resolve to be less than ever a mere teacher of letters, strive to direct the heart of the youngest to higher objects-interest it about higher truths; if a parent, let the welfare of your children occupy your anxieties, let them see that your care of their spirit, and your desire for its happiness, far surpasses your anxiety about their worldly establishment and success, let the pleadings of your heart often arise for them to the throne of grace, that you may not be everlastingly separated; if a private member, seek the establishment of your fellow-members, aim to fulfill the duties of christian fellowship, strengthen the weak, animate the lukewarm, quiet the discontented, invite the inquirers, notice the impressed; if a deacon, let the prosperity of the Church, the comfort of the pastor, the convenience of the congregation, the order and propriety of worship, engage your earnest attention; if a pastor, set a watch over your own heart, that you may fulfil your obligations in the best possible manner, let the spirit and tone of your ministrations testify that you are more than ever impressed with your responsibilities in the conspicuous station you occupy, and lay yourself out in public and in private with heavenly wisdom to minister grace to your hearers.

Many other matters relating to the Connexion and the times press for notice; as to pecuniary effort, the plurality system, ministerial character and influence, the Conferences, and our relation to other religious denominations nearly allied to us in sentiment; but it seems better to close this paper at once, with a remark respectfully suggested for the consideration of the "Heads," and those who are at their commandment." It is this. Would

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it not be a very beneficial measure, tend much to revive vital godliness, and bring prosperity to our borders, if Summer tours were undertaken by a few of our more gifted and influential ministers, in pairs, who should go through the Connexion for the express purpose of stirring up the Churches? Let their object be to devote themselves to this work in the fear of God, by a personal renewal of their vows, and by imploring upon themselves and their purpose a large measure of the grace of God. It might perhaps be best to visit the principal towns, or should we rather say, the places principally needing their presence, on the Sabbath; each Church forwarding them to the next. The expense thus divided would be next to nothing, and the benefit to the Denomination we cannot doubt would be very considerable. Eight ministers, with good arrangements, would manage the work by only a short absence from home; and if the best order of services were well considered beforehand, and acted on in every case as nearly as local circumstances would allow, they might be expected to meet with little difficulty. Let them be men of experience, of zeal, and love for souls. In how many cases might they reconcile incipient differences, re-invigorate declining interests, strengthen the hands and raise the hopes of disheartened men, and by a very simple and in-expensive instrumentality, do much both for the Connexion and the times.

OUR CONNEXION.

THE PAST AND THE PRESENT YEAR.

MELANCTHON.

EVERY sincere disciple of Jesus has his best feelings identified with the spread of true religion, and the prosperity of the Church of Christ. That saving knowledge may be diffused abroad, and his kingdom accelerated, is the devout prayer of every child of God. "Let thy kingdom come, and thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven," are the ardent breathings of the spiritual mind, and to the attainment of these his best efforts will earnestly be put forth. It is not enough for the loyal and ardent subjects of king Messiah, that there are counsels and purposes, prophecies and promises, relating to this glorious consummation. He knows that the whole is to be accomplished by means, and that each memher of Christ's Church is personally responsible for enlisting his ransomed powers, and devoting all his energies and gifts to this glorious end and object. Every Christian is to be a co-worker with God; and according to his ability, in the sphere where providence places him, he is to live and labour to extend the kingdom of Jesus in the world. Obvious it is, that our efforts will only be really successful, as they are the result of sanctified motives, Scriptural in their nature, and associated with believing prayer for the blessing of the Most High to accompany them. In religious labours, self must be slain on the threshhold, or the whole sacrifice is marred, and God dishonoured by the polluted offering which is presented. It is clear, too, that discrimination is requisite in the selection of the means and mode in which our usefulness is to be embodied. Order in christian activity is as essential as it is beautiful. Without it much power will be wasted, and much time uselessly employed. It is clear, too, that we cannot be very useful, unless our talents be concentratedly directed to one sphere of activity. We may pray for all christian sects, and all benevolent institutions; we may love all the disciples of Jesus every where; we may sympathize with all who are la

bouring in the Gospel vineyard; but is it not obvious, that our efforts must be of a specific kind, and that to some direct object our attention must be directed. Hence, our own Connexion is that which seems to claim our earliest, warmest, and most cheerful exertions. Here our influence will be principally felt; here our lives are to testify to the reality and power of the godliness we profess; with this portion of the army of Immanuel we are enlisted; and with them, under our own peculiar banner we are to struggle and to fight. In ardent, glowing, denominational zeal, there is nothing incompatible with true and generous catholicity of spirit, and affection for all saints. The individual who labours earnestly to promote true religion in his own Denomination and Church, is in reality the truest friend to the general cause of the Redeemer in the world; just as that family where christian social love prevails, exhibits the most elevated feelings of our common humanity. I would that every member of our Connexion would cherish the most enlarged charity towards the whole christian fraternity; and that they would exhibit it by especial affectionate effort for the prosperity of that part of the hallowed community of Christ in which the providence of God has placed them.

Our own Connexion, during the past year, has been associated with much, I., That is truly sorrowful.

Two of our most distinguished ministers have been removed by death. Brethren who many years had occupied places of distinguished eminence; whose lives and influence, whose piety and labours, have greatly contributed to raise the Connexion to its present standing among the tribes of God's spiritual Israel in our land. Two watchmen of such exalted christian virtues, and who had so long faithfully sounded the trumpet on the walls of our Zion, have finished their work, and the vacant parts of the vineyard where they spent their strength and lives still powerfully remind us of their loss. But though we sorrow on this account, yet our tears flow not so much for the brethren who have been removed, (for them to die was gain,) as for their widowed Churches, and the void which will long be felt in the great movements and institutions of our Connexion. Not many men, in all respects like them, are to be found among us. Not many so faithful, so disinterested, so pious, so useful, so devotedly committed to the interests of the Denomination. It would indeed be well if the mantles of these Elijah's would rest, with a double portion of their spirit, on the Elisha's who are left behind. I pray that this visitation may be eminently sanctified to their bereaved families and flocks, and to all the Churches of our associated body. Our Connexion, during the past year, has exhibited much, II., That is discouraging.

In making the minutes of our last associated assembly the basis of a few observations it will be seen, that of 120 Churches, as by the tabular list given, thirty Churches had no addition by baptism; so that in one-fourth of the Churches not a solitary individual professed the Gospel, or Scripturally put on Jesus before men. When we recollect of how very few years human life is composed at longest, this is a melancholy picture, and deeply distressing to every lover of Zion and souls. In five Churches there was an addition of one each by baptism; in eleven Churches an addition of two each; in ten Churches three each; in six Churches from four to six each; in fourteen Churches from seven to twelve were added; in fourteen from twelve to twenty; in sixteen Churches from twenty to thirty; in four Churches from thirty to fifty; and in two Churches seventy-four each. I

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am aware, to do statistical justice to this list, that we should notice the centage of increase, as it is obvious the increase of fifty-seven in the Halifax Church is in a much more enlarged ratio than the increase of seventyfour at Stoney-street, when the latter have 836 members, and the former only 160 members. But my desire is not so much to institute comparisons, as by looking at our Connexion in detail, we may see our real state, and where there is cause for weeping we may sincerely mourn before the Lord. It is truly discouraging, also, that our Connexional institutions are not more effectually aud cheerfully supported. Our Foreign Mission has only had an average support of two shillings a member per annum; and our only Academy has not received more per member than about sixpence farthing for the year; so that the full exhibition of our liberality for Foriegn Missions, and the supply of the ministry at home, is two shillings and sixpence per year, or a fraction more than two farthings per week!! I am afraid that our liberality would not bear comparison with any other sect of evangelical christians in the world; and if so, may we not fear that our parsimonious spirit may be one preventive to our greater prosperity and success. A liberal atmosphere, in my opinion, is essential to the growth of personal piety, and equally so to the revival of true religion in our midst. I fearlessly aver, that the tobacco and snuff dealers receive many times the amount from one member, than that which flows into the treasury of the Lord Jesus Christ; to say nothing of that which is expended on more questionable things. Whatever we give to the cause of the Redeemer, it is painfully clear that we present to him little of our wealth; and the sooner as a body we emigrate from Freezeland to a warmer climate the better, for ourselves, the Churches, and the cause of Christ in the world.

But our Connexion during the past year,

III., Has presented a few things that are hopeful.

In this department, the revival of true religion in several of our Churches claims our first consideration. It is truly delightful to contemplate the resuscitation of several interests from a state of sterility to activity and life. Our Yorkshire Churches have been abundantly blessed in this respect. How desirable that the fervour, and power, and quickening, might spread to every part of the Connexion, so that each might rejoice in the copious out-pouring of the fertilizing showers of divine grace.

The erection and enlargement of several chapels is another feature of a hopeful and joyous character. Seventeen additional or enlarged houses of worship, is indeed matter of great congratulation and christian thanksgiving. In these we have Connexional monuments, which will be handed down to our spiritual posterity for the preaching of the Word, salvation, and extension of Christ's Church among generations yet unborn. To a great extent a spirit of christian unanimity rests on our Churches. Occasional misunderstandings have arisen in the purest christian associations, but as a Denomination, our friends are extensively united in the spirit and bonds of the Gospel. What shall hinder, then, the year on which we have entered, being one of pre-eminent Connexional prosperity? Let it be our aim, during the present year, to improve by the experience of the past. Let each seek after greater personal spirituality of mind; let each cultivate more of the fervour of devotion, more activity of effort, more constancy in religious duties, more liberal generousness in reference to the things of the Lord, and more entire consecratedness to the cause of Christ. We want a general awakening of all our members to earnestness in seeking the weal of Zion,

and the triumph of divine truth. It is not necessary to devise new plans, or to adopt new measures of expediency, but to work vigorously the divinelyappointed arrangements of our blessed Head, and carry out the wise and simple, yet efficient means we have among us. Yet in some of these there may be much room for improvement, both with ministers and hearers. Should we not preach and pray with a specific reference to the conversion of souls, and the glory of God? Should we not look for this, earnestly and feelingly expect it, and feel sorrow of heart if we do not see it? Should not conversions be expected every Sabbath, and not merely at periodical times and seasons? and during the whole week ought we not to have our hearts and minds directed to this object? Would it not be well to address all our Churches on the importance of labouring with their pastors to save souls? Might we not deliver express addresses to the elder children of our Sabbath-schools on the importance of youthful piety, and in this way expect great results from these nurseries of the Church? Is it possible, that as a Connexion we should thus be aroused to vigorous effort, and a prudent and persevering use of the means of grace, and not see great things accomplished among us? If it were not deemed presumptuous I would suggest, that on Good Friday morning we should have simultaneous meetings (at seven o'clock) in all our Churches, for fervent prayer, and for spiritual Connexional prosperity. The fact of hundreds of petitions arising in every part of our denomination for the same object, would of itself go far to impress its importance on the minds of many. "May the Lord God of our fathers bless us, and make us a thousand times as many more as we are, as he hath promised." J. BURNS.

3, St. John's Wood Grove.

CORRESPONDENCE.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Among the various plans for promoting brotherly love and kindness of feeling among christian members of Churches, the establishment of properly constituted "Friendly Societies," is not the least beneficial. The following extracts from a work recently published by Dr. Campbell,* appear to me so apposite and valuable, that I think your readers will be gratified by the perusal. If they should prove the means of directing the attention of Churches generally, to the adoption of such a plan, it will answer the design of Dear Sir, Your's truly,

A. D. "These institutions may be justly considered as one of the most beneficient devices of modern times, This simple means, properly managed, would conduce to the mitigation of misery and the promotion of comfort to an extent not easily to be calcu

lated. Were Christian Churches to form themselves into such societies, their fellow

*"Letters on pastoral visitation, district meetings of Churches, congregational friendly societies, and Sunday-school instruction."

ship would constitute an impregnable fortress, into which most of the distress which enter. Such Churches, even now, especially now reigns among them could not possibly those of the Congregational order, do, indeed, under limitation, form such societies.

Their contributions at the Lord's-table are

for the poor of the flock, who are the minority, and generally a small number as compared with those who always conreceive any portion of the funds. I never tribute, but never, under any circumstances, preside at that table without admiring the benevolence of christianity, and the beauty of christian fellowship. There I behold the elements of a Friendly Society of the most exalted character. We have only to build upon this basis to a sufficient elevation, in order to construct an asylum for age and widowhood, and to create a certain resource for the destitution caused by calamity, sickness, and death.

"Our sacramental monies constitute about a fourth part of the sum necessary for this great object. We want, however, not only larger funds, but funds distinct from the contributions made at the Supper-funds