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complete development-that is, of the law of nature in its perfect form. To us it appears impossible to regard the Levitical precepts in either of these lights. The former supposition manifestly wants proof, and is indeed a begging of the whole question; while the latter, if it were true, ought to be demonstrated by a much more consentaneous response from the bosom of human nature universally than has ever yet been given to it. For our own part, we look on the legislation of Moses respecting unchastity in all its forms as intended for the Israelites, and as modified by their circumstances at the time. Their own condition as a people was not good, while that of the nations surrounding them was dreadfully corrupt; and the intention of Moses appears to have been, at once to guard them from deterioration by pollution from without, and to lead to their improvement by institutions which should gradually operate within.

The law of Moses being thrown aside, what then remains in the matter before us for the guidance of mankind? Two elements. First, the morality of the case; since from the nature of the matrimonial relation itself it may with sufficient clearness be deduced that incest, like fornication and adultery, is a moral crime. And, secondly, the instinctive and social feelings of mankind, under the practical guidance of Divine providence. It is for the combined influence of these to determine what marriages shall be deemed incestuous, that is, inconsistent with the true design and beneficial working of the primary institute. God has practically prohibited some marriages by evidently setting his ban upon their issue; while mankind also have in all ages revolted at some, and, as society has advanced, have come to revolt at others, which once must have been both honourable and pleasing. To the influence of these causes our Creator seems to have left the determination of the vexed question of "prohibited degrees."

Our conclusion is, that while every person who feels a restriction binding on him, should act out the conviction of his own judgment in his own case, the law of every country should embody the general sentiments of the people among whom it is to prevail. It is clearly a case in which every people are entitled to legislate for themselves, as well as one in which the harmony of a law with the sentiments of the people is the only executive principle by which obedience can be secured. If changes are to take place in the law, it is by antecedent changes of public opinion that they should be prepared for. One of the great faults we have found with the law of 1835 is, that public opinion was not in any way consulted before its enactment, so that the national habit has been violently interfered with. Even if it could be shown that the law as it is is best, it would be mis

chievous to uphold it as law while public sentiment runs so strongly counter to it. It should be repealed, if it were only in order to allow the proper feeling respecting it to be developed. Believing, however, as we do, that the sentiment adverse to it is correct, and that the marriages in question are not condemned either by our natural sentiments er by sacred scripture, are convinced that t law ought to be finally repealed. The nation cannot be at rest till it is so. THE REVIEWER.

AN EARNEST MINISTRY.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR, The "Commercial Traveller" deserves our thanks for the candour of his complaint as to the general want of earnestness in the ministry. We will not ask how far in the excitement of travelling and bustle of business he is in a fit frame of mind to judge of the earnestness of those he occasionally hears; nor whether his idea of the appropriate manifestations of earnestness may not be incorrect; but supposing him to be a capable judge, and his testimony to be indisputable, we would then ask one or two questions.

1. Must not our hope for an earnest ministry be in an earnest and watchful church?

2. What efforts are made by our churches to cheer and stimulate their ministers in their work?

3. Are not ministers allowed, in some places, to toil on from year's end to year's end without one word to encourage, or one act to aid?

4. Is not the earnestness of many a youthful minister chilled by the cold indifference and dogged conservatism with which his efforts are met by the more influential members?

5. Do the churches in general feel any interest in the ministry beyond the qualifications of their own pastor?

6. Do they watch for the indications of the Spirit as to who amongst them is called to the work; and willingly assist such in all necessary preparation?

7. Do they cultivate towards the rising ministry sentiments of esteem and love; or are "students" listened to with impatience, and treated with indifference ?

8. Is it in the nature of things that any deep earnestness can continue to be felt when thrice or four times in the week the same subjects must be treated before the same auditors?

We must remember that ministers and churches act and re-act upon one another. A few earnest souls may arise through God's grace who shall be superior to surrounding influences. But, in general, the ministers will be the exponents of the spirit of the churches. If it be true that an earnest minister will create an earnest church, it is

much more true, because the many can act, upon the one more than the one upon the many, that a worldly, indifferent church will soon reduce its minister to its own level. Let those, then, who feel a want of earnestness in their minister, become earnest themselves in prayer and action, and in kind and wise efforts to arouse their pastor; and they will soon find that the fire is within, and that it only needed their on encouraging breath to blow it to a flat. Bristol.

V. D. M.

SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-May I ask the favour of your inserting in an early number of the magazine the accompanying extracts from the last Report of the Society for the Relief of Aged and Infirm Baptist Ministers. It is much to be desired, that our regard and interest as a Christian community may be more fully awakened in behalf of this important institution. If our ministers generally could be constituted its beneficiary members, either by their own payment, or that of the churches over which they respectively preside, an often deplored and grievous deficiency now existing among us, would be in some measure provided for, and the interests of pastors and of people, be alike promoted. An increase of congregational collections and annual subscriptions in support of the society would, also, greatly subserve its usefulness. I am, dear Sir,

Yours very truly,

CHARLES DANIELL, Secretary. Melksham, August 20, 1849.

Report.

The character and operations of this society are such, as to furnish only a small amount of information, to its different members, with their various kind supporters and friends. During the past year, twenty-six of our ministerial brethren, have been claimants upon the funds of the institution; and at the recent annual meeting it appeared that twenty-seven beneficiary members had applied to share in its disposable income this year; although two of these have requested the committee to appropriate to others the greater part of the sum to be allotted to them. Three members, who received as claimants last year, have been removed by death, viz., Rev. T. Tilly of Forton, Rev. W. Gray of Bristol, and Rev. R. Harness of Bridlington.

The committee gratefully acknowledge several congregational and other contributions, made in favour of the society, and earnestly ask the continuance of this very desirable and effective mode of assisting its funds. By one of the resolutions passed at the recent annual meeting, it is proposed to alter the third rule, to the effect, that every beneficiary member "shall be requested to make a public or private collection annually in aid of its funds, in

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stead of, That every beneficiary member" shall make,” &c., and a circular will be forwarded to every member before June, 1850, in order that this important matter may then be finally and satisfactorily determined, according to the 19th rule of the Society. A sub-committee has also been appointed to consider, whether any alteration can be judiciously made in the 15t rule, so as to increase the amount of the

annual income to be distributed among the claimants. This sub-committee will present their report at the next general meeting.

To promote yet further the welfare and usefulness of this institution, the committee strongly recommend that those ministers who are not at present connected with it should be reminded of its existence and advantages, and that all our churches should have set before them its character and claims. A small sum either paid as entrance-money (when required by the society's rules), or subscribed annually, by any Christian society for its pastor (if needing such pecuniary help), would, by constituting him a beneficiary member of this institution, be at once a pleasing testimonial of respect, and a considerable means of assistance in the season of old age, or of earlier infirmity. The committee more earnestly urge these matters upon the attention of the churches, as it must, they think, be allowed that hitherto the interests of our aged and infirm ministers, as a religious community, have been greatly disregarded, and as, by means of this institution, their comfort and welfare may be easily and happily promoted. In the judgment of the committee, therefore, it is much to be desired that, while other sections of the Christian church have some regular provision for those in age or infirmity, who have been their servants for Jesus' sake, this society may become a source of benefit to the denomination at large. And they think that when it is remembered that the institution has funded property to the amount of £5700 (the interest received on which very considerably exceeds the subscriptions of the beneficiary members), that more than a hundred baptist ministers, now living, are connected with it, that its rules are formed upon equitable principles, and that a much larger sum than at present would be distributed among the claimants, if a comparatively small increase could be secured to its disposable income; all must see that it would be for the advantage of our ministers generally, to enrol themselves as beneficiary members of this society, and that our churches would do well to give it their constant and liberal support.

Ministers wishing to join the society are respectfully referred to the rules which may be obtained on application to the treasurer or secretary; and friends desiring of sending subscriptions or donations will please to forward the same to either of the undermentioned:

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Rev. WILLIAM YATES, Stroud.
Rev. JOSHUA RUSSELL, Blackheath Hill, Kent.
Rev. J. T. DOBNEY, Oxford.

Or pay the same to Messrs. DREWETT and FOWLER,
Bankers, Princes Street, Bank, London, to the credit
of PHILLIPS, KELSALL and others, with the North
Wilts Bank at M

EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT

The Rev. Frederick Trestrail, Secretary of the Baptist Irish Society, and Fward Bean Underhill, Esq. Secretary of the Hanserd Knollys Society, have undertaken to perform jointly the duties of the Missionary secretaryship. The former expects to enter upon the work at the commencement of September, and the latter in the beginning of October. The committee of the Baptist Irish Society has made a temporary arrangement respecting the secretaryship of that institution, with the Rev. W. P. Williams, late pastor of the baptist church at Shrewsbury, who has accepted a probationary engagement for six months. It will be convenient, however, as unforeseen events may interfere with the entrance of these gentlemen on their respective duties, if for the next few weeks correspondents with these institutions will address their communications, "To the Secretaries of the Baptist Missionary Society," or "To the Secretary of the Baptist Irish Society," instead of mentioning the name of any individual, that so they may be opened and attended to, should anything have occurred to prevent the attendance of the gentlemen to whom officially they belong.

The new president of Stepney College expects to be ready to receive the students for the ensuing session on Monday the tenth instant, and on Wednesday the twelfth, the public commencement is to be held. On that occasion there will probably be a larger assembly of friends of the institution than has been seen for some years. A public meeting is to transact business at three o'clock, and in the evening, at half past six, there will be service in the College Chapel, when the Rev. John Leechman, M.A. has engaged to preach. Mr. Leechman who was formerly one of the tutors at Serampore College, and has since had the oversight of a church in Scotland, is now pastor of the baptist church at Hammersmith, and our knowledge of his character and attainments leads us to hope that he will prove a valuable accession to the corps of baptist ministers in the metropolis.

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Noel must not be held responsible for the words of the Address, which we present to our readers, with his permission, as reported in the Christian Times, with a few corrections. He is about to publish an Essay on Baptism to which this Address will be appended. It will give pleasure to many of our friends to learn that some gentlemen who are attached Mr. Noel's ministry, i co-operate with him, have taken 2 large place of worship in Gray's Inn Lane, which was originally built for Mr. Huntington, and has since been used in connexion with the establishment, where Mr. Noel intends to form a church in accordance with his own views. Mr. Mortimer, who has occupied the place for many years, has for some time desired to relinquish it, his health having declined; he now says, "I part with my chapel with only one regret, viz. that it cannot be continued within the church of England; but I am thankful, as it evidently must pass into other hands, that it should pass into those of so faithful and devoted a servant of our common Lord as those of the Hon, and Rev. B. W. Noel."

We are happy to learn that the health of the Rev. M. W. Flanders, who had suffered so much in Haiti that he felt compelled to relinquish his pastoral engagements twelve months ago, appears to be perfectly restored. He has preached recently without inconvenience, and would cheerfully visit any congregation needing a supply, for one or more sabbaths.

Information has just now been received that the Rev. John Barker, forty-seven years pastor of the baptist church at Towcester, expired on the 17th of August.

The pastor of the baptist church at Ridgmount, Beds, requests us to correct a mistake present year in reference to that church, occurring in the Baptist Manual for the which, he observes, may occasion inconvenience. The name attached to Ridgmount is Brooks, Mr. Brooks having been the pastor, E. Manning; it should have been J. H. and the only pastor of the church there for the last fifteen years. We mention this in in our own copy, we perceive, his name is compliance with Mr. Brooks's request; but attached correctly to Ridgmount, and Mr. Manning's to Potton: it may be presumed, therefore, that the error exists in only part of the impression. Such occurrences sometimes take place at press, in working off a large number, very much to the annoyance of all

editors.

Some of our correspondents are not aware how much trouble they would save, and how many disappointments they would escape, if, in addressing their communications, they were to follow the directions given every month on

Our present number contains the substance of an address delivered by the Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel, at his baptism, which took place in the presence of a large and solemn congregation at the chapel in John Street, Gray's Inn Lane, on the 9th of August. Mr. | the wrapper.

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EXPLANATION OF THE CUT.

Having received from Africa the drawing for the cut prefixed, our esteemed friend Mr. CLARKE has furnished us with the following explanation, in which there is a reference to the awful superstitions of the natives, but at the same time to their willingness to listen to the words of truth.

The accompanying wood-cut represents a Djhu Djhu House, or what is called in the language of Bonny, Oru uari. This house stands in the large town of Okulume, which lies on the south-eastern side of the river Bonny, and about ten miles from its mouth. Connected with this town there may be 10,000 inhabitants, some of whom are great traders, and the rest are the women and children of these, and their slaves. The Oru wari, or house of Oru, is large, but not so neat in its appearance as the representation would lead you to suppose. Rough mangrove posts and wattled work form its sides and ends, and its covering is made of the leaves of the bamboo palm. It has no doors nor windows, and when our missionaries visited the place in 1845, they found two oxen sheltering themselves from the burning sun in the house of the idol.

times, as sacrifices to their idols. In this house about 296 skulls appeared to have been offered in sacrifice, and the bodies, the missionaries were told, had, for the most part, been eaten by the wretched slaves and miserable children of this dark and cruel place. What a picture of heathenism does this present! How many are our mercies, and what cause have we to bless God for our being in a land of gospel light!

Here our missionaries found that Oru, or Djhu Djhu, was regarded as a spirit existing in the water, among the mangrove trees, and small huts were placed over certain spots in the creeks, as the houses from which Oru intimated his will. Oru is also supposed to live on shore, in one of the guanas, which go about the towns, and as they know not the one in which the supposed protector of their town resides, a law exists which forbids, on pain of death, the destruction of any of these reptiles. In the large Djhu Djhu houses, by the Ori ya lamba, or Oru men, the idol is believed to give his intimations and answers, for the direction and protection of the town.

At the one end of the house was a dark chamber, and near it was the altar, formed of mud and of skulls. Before it ten skulls of human beings paved the place of sacrifice; nine more were on each side, two rows, of thirteen But even at this barbarous place, on the in each row, were upon the top, and ten more dark Delta of the mighty Niger, the people were towards the base of the altar. In the are willing to listen to the words of truth, and middle was the stuffed skin of a large guana, offer to allow a teacher to reside among them. and above and below it were two rows of the They promise, too, to send their children for skulls of goats. Near to this altar stood a instruction, and a formal application has been pole, reaching from the ground to the top of made, through the captain of a palm oil the house, and to this pole were attached four vessel, for one to be sent to impart instruction rows of human skulls, thirty-three in each there. The inhabitants of Cushim are in row. On a platform roughly constructed, affliction, and the blessed gospel alone is the and raised about five feet from the ground, remedy for their wretchedness and woe. May lay from fifty to a hundred human skulls, we who have freely received, freely give, that mixed with the skulls of goats, all of which, the whole earth may soon "see the salvation it was believed, had been offered, at different | of God."

ASIA,

CALCUTTA.

ARRIVAL OF MR. AND MRS. SALE.

We have received a letter from Mr. THOMAS, dated June 2nd, which, after announcing the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Sale on the 18th of May, proceeds as

follows:

"They are very well, and I hope God will long preserve them and make them very useful. We have consulted about their future location and labours, and have agreed that upon the whole Barisal appears to present the strongest claims,

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