truth, and that, if we apply the same principle of interpretation to the unfulfilled prophecies as we do to the old, we can arrive at no other conclusion, but that God will yet "be merciful unto his land and unto his people." But, as Dr Henderson justly observes," Expositors in general, without scruple or hesitation, interpret literally those predictions which involve the punishment of that people (the Jews), such as the destruction of their city and polity, their captivity and dispersion, &c.; but wherever they come to those which hold out the prospect of their conversion, re-establishment in Canaan, &c., they almost uniformly apply them to the conversion of sinners generally, or to the prosperity of the Christian church. But not only is such a mode of interpretation at once unfair and inconsistent; it also breaks up the continuity and antithetical character of many of the prophecies, does violence to the established usage of the language, and forces the expositor to gloss over, or to leave untouched, whatever is opposed to his system. It is utterly subversive of all settled, consistent, and thorough-going exposition."* As to the alleged silence of the New Testament on the subject, which is urged as an argument by the Rector against the view here maintained, I would ask, even were it so in point of fact, that the New Testament makes no allusion in reference to it, will it be admitted as a sound principle in theology, that when the New Testament is silent on any subject or prediction contained in the Old Testament, that that circumstance of itself invalidates the testimony of the Old Testament Scriptures? To what a dilemma are the advocates of the opposite views driven! But so far from the New Testament "containing not the slightest allusion to it, and that there is not a word about it in the whole of that portion of the sacred volume," as the Rector states, it contains many allusions and intimations, if not direct predictions, relative to the fact and the period when all these things shall be accomplished, as might easily be shown if this communication had not been sufficiently extended already. In conclusion, I beg to state that, as you have thought it not inconsistent with charity to record your protest against the worthy Rector's views on baptism, so, while with you I appreciate his sentiments on most other points, I do think his opinions on the subject which has occasioned this lengthy communication exceedingly erroneous and injurious. That God by his Spirit may lead us into all truth, and increase our charity one towards another, is the sincere prayer of, yours truly, Orford, Nov. 8, 1844. J. T. D. ALLEGED INTERPOLATIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS. Great efforts are being made in certain quarters to shake the views of the Baptists by asserting that all or nearly all the passages in the "Acts," which narrate that event, are interpolations. I am aware that Griesbach has marked some, but I believe Scholz has restored a part of those that were rejected. Now, Sir, not having genuine copies of either one or the other of these great critics, I shall be glad if some of your more highly favoured correspondents will trouble themselves to say how many and what passages have been rejected, and how many of those rejections can be considered as based upon sufficient authority? Believe me to remain, dear sir, one of your readers from the first, A BAPTIST PASTOR. HOME RECORD. UPWELL, Norfolk.-In this very extensive and populous village, the church and congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. James Porter, have just completed the erection of a large, handsome, and substantial chapel, for the use of the Baptist denomination. The opening services were as follows:-after devotional exercises, conducted by the Rev. J. C. Pike of Wisbeach, and the Rev. * Vide Introductory Discourse to Translation of Isaiah. R. Roff of Cambridge, the Rev. Dr Murch preached from Psalm xxvi. 8: "Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth." The Rev. J. T. Wigner, of Lynn, concluded with prayer. In the afternoon the Rev. R. Roff was called to preside, whilst several very appropriate addresses were delivered to a delighted auditory by the ministers present. In the evening, after reading the Scriptures and prayer by the Rev. R. Roff, the Rev. J. Simmons, M.A., of Bluntisham, preached from 2 Peter iii. 9. On the succeeding Sabbath (the 24th), Dr Murch preached in the morning from Heb. iv. 9; Rev. J. C. Pike, in the afternoon, from Matt. vi. 10; in the evening, the Rev. M. H. Crofts, of Ramsey, from 1 John v. 20. Between £50 and £60 were collected; and, as to the remaining debt of more than £400, it was generously resolved by the trustees then present, in the hope of assistance from sister churches and other sources, that the chapel should not be mortgaged to meet this demand. HIGH WYCOMBE, Bucks.-On Thursday, Dec. 19, 1844, the town hall of this place was opened for divine worship in connexion with the Baptist denomination. In the morning, the Rev. C. Stovel preached, and in the evening, the Rev. Dr Cox. A public meeting was held in the afternoon, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs Marsh, of Great Missenden; Payne, of Chesham; Salter, of Amersham; Stovel, and Dr Cox, who occupied the chair. The Rev. J. Dawson, of Princes Risboro'; W. Payne, sen., of King's hill; and S. G. Green, B.A., late of Stepney college, who is about to supply the congregation for three months, also took part in the services. In the course of each service Mr Salter read a statement of the circumstances which had led to the present steps, from which it appeared, that the places of worship at present existing in the town can accommodate at the very utmost but 3000 persons, out of a population of 7000-that there are many Baptists, who, from circumstances involving no fault of their own, are unable to unite themselves with the Christian communities assembling in any of these places, and are thus compelled to maintain an almost nominal connexion with, in some instances, very distant churches-and that, accordingly, these exigencies, with the advice and encouragement of friends in the neighbourhood, and the generous promise of a site of land, in the best situation, and affording room for a chapel and cemetery, have at length determined them to attempt the formation of an open communion Baptist church, and the erection of a house of prayer. FARSLEY.-The history of the Baptist church here shows what the sympathies and determinations of even a poor people may accomplish when their hearts are resolutely set upon an object. In 1836 the chapel was almost entirely rebuilt, and made six yards longer than it was previously, at a cost of near £900. More than £700 was then raised. Now there is a commodious school room on the ground floor, and eight yards have been added to the length of the chapel. The whole expenses will be £736, towards which £508 were subscribed previous to the re-opening of the chapel, which took place last week. On Wednesday week, the Rev. W. F. Burchell, of Rochdale, and the Rev. J. E. Giles, of Leeds, occupied the pulpit; and on Sunday week sermons were preached by the Rev. C. H. Roe, of Birmingham and the Rev. H. Dowson, of Bradford. The last sermon in connexion with these services was preached by the Rev. G. B. Macdonald, of Wakefield. The collections amounted to the munificent sum of £275, thus not only clearing the whole expense incurred in the enlargement of the chapel, but reducing the old debt £40; the remainder of which, we understand, is to be wiped off in a few months. The Sabbath school in connexion with this congregation numbers 400 children, and it is in contemplation to establish an efficient day-school. HENRIETTA STREET, Brunswick Square. -The Rev. James Hoby, D.D., has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church meeting in Henrietta street, to become their pastor, and he enters upon his duties on the 8th inst. CHELSEA.-The Rev. W. E. Archer, late of Horton College, Bradford, has accepted the invitation of the church worshipping in Paradise Chapel, Chelsea, to become their pastor. MELKSHAM, Wilts.-The Rev. C. Daniell, late of Hull, has accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate over the Baptist church here. ASIA. PATNA NATIVE FEMALE ORPHAN REFUGE. This interesting institution owes its origin to a visit paid to Patna a few years ago by our lamented friend Mrs. George Parsons. In the district in which she had resided, she had made anxious efforts to elevate the character, and promote the spiritual interests, of the native females; but she did not find there such favourable opportunities for exertion as presented themselves to her attention at Patna. While she was under the roof of our missionary in that city, Mr. Beddy, she observed what appeared to be peculiar facilities for establishing there an asylum for female children, where they might be preserved from the hands of wretches whose infamous trade it is to purchase or steal them for sale, and where they might be prepared for the knowledge and enjoyment of an everlasting salvation. Mr. Beddy and his family entered heartily into her views; and, notwithstanding opposition and discouragements, the Refuge is established, and continues to prosper. The following are extracts from a report prepared on the spot. little expense is to be anticipated now that they are put into complete repair beyond that incurred for the maintenance of the children, some of whom, besides making up their own clothes, are able to do plain needlework to a certain extent, which some of the ladies at this and other stations have been kind enough to supply us with. In the year 1841 we commenced with six | being of the best and most solid materials, children without one rupee (just in the same spirit of faith in which the Patna Baptist Chapel was originally commenced on ten rupees, the gift of a poor believer, and finished at a cost of 1700 rupees). In the following year, 1842, on an application to some Christian friends, six or seven hundred rupees were obtained, while the children also increased, having received during this year an addition of thirteen children, many of whom had been slaves, or were rescued just at the critical moment when they would have been sold into bondage, and subsequently allotted to the vilest purposes, either on a larger or more contracted scale. In the year 1843 we had a further increase of eleven children; six have died, two were turned out, after it appeared that it would have been injudicious to have kept them, and two ran away. The rules of the Refuge are simple. No child above nine years of age is received into the institution, for obvious reasons, unless under very peculiar circumstances. The children are daily instructed in reading, arithmetic, needlework, spinning, &c., with all kinds of native domestic work. Religious services are regularly kept up morning and evening, and there is a native service on Friday afternoon, at which some of the native female Christians attend, besides sabbath-day services. The friend already mentioned has excited an interest among several ladies in England on behalf of this institution, which has led many of them to personal exertions; and in the early part of this year two boxes of fancy articles were received from England, and nearly the whole of the contents sold for the benefit of the Refuge. Encouragements. One of the girls has made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is every reason to hope that one, if not more, are under serious impressions. They continue to rejoice the heart of the governess, and to cheer her in her labour of love and work of faith. It has hitherto been the practice of the authorities to hand over to Mahommedans and Hindoos all destitute children found wandering about, and that have been taken up by the police. Without impugning such a line of conduct, it may be asserted that such disposals were in the general most exceptionable, In the commencement of the year 1844, as the parties who received them held them the premises, consisting of an extensive build- as slaves, and disposed of them just as it ing of solid masonry, with seven rooms, three suited their feelings; and it is not too much large open verandahs east, west, and south, to say, that female children thus given away which have been converted into the Refuge, were usually held available for the worst of were purchased by Mr. Beddy from govern- purposes. Over this the authorities had no ment for 2800 rupees, and the buildings control. Lately, however, the missionary in charge of the Patna Refuge was led to make Opportunities for increasing usefulness by the Patna, with its teeming population of from four to 500,000 Hindoos and Mahommedans, with its suburbs, to say nothing of the adjoining cities, towns, and villages, presents to the mind an immense space for car rying out the noble object of a refuge. The whole of this immense extent of country that lies round Parna, froin Bhangulpore to Ghozupore, including both sides of the river, with Monghyr, Muzzufferpore, Gyah Arrah, and Chuppa, with their immense dependencies of towns and villages, have no institution but the one in question; and as his honour the deputy-governor has authorized the destitute children found by the police to be made over to the Patna Refuge, we may naturally calculate on a large increase at no very distant period. We therefore pray the friends of native female education to "Remember the Patna Native Female Orphan Refuge." By a letter from Mr. Heinig, a missionary who has lately been taken into connexion with our Society, we learn that Mr. Beddy has been seriously ill, and that he had been under the necessity of leaving home to recruit his strength. Mr. Heinig says, tended by all who understand English. On Thursday evening we have an English service; and on Saturday afternoon is an Hindoostani bible-class. In the interval of each day I visit the members, to have religious conversation with each separately; and the remaining part of these days I devote to reading with the native Christians in the verandah of the chapel, when frequently passers by will stand and listen, which gives me an opportunity to explain to them the way of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. Thus the word of God is spread, and my time fully occupied; and I humbly hope that the Lord will bless my feeble labours in his vineyard. CALCUTTA. Mr. Pearce writes thus, Intally, October 17th, 1844. It grieves me that I am not a better correspondent, but my multiplied engagements leave me little leisure for frequent writing, even if my health admitted. What I shall now communicate will be of a general character; at the end of the year, if the Lord will, I hope to give you a more particular account. I have to acknowledge the receipt of two letters from you, of dates Dec. 30th and May 8th. Your hints respecting furnishing information concerning the Intally Institution I will endeavour to bear in mind. Accept my best thanks for the donation of one hundred pounds to liquidate the debt of the Institution. Respecting the £5 contri buted by friends at Bristol towards the sup port of a lad in the seminary, I beg you to communicate my warmest thanks for their kindness, and to say that I have selected a lad named Jumon Sheik. He is about fourteen years of age, and is a member of the church, and I trust truly pious. His natural capacity is good, his disposition amiable, and his desire after knowledge very ardent. At present he reads Bengali with great readiness, and he has made some progress in English, and should the Lord spare his life, I do hope he will rise up to be an instrument of usefulness in the church. His health is, I am sorry to say, delicate, but considering his other D |