property when the house is burned, locking the door when the goods are stolen ;— men, whose bodies seem to have started in the race of existence before their minds were ready, and who are always gazing out vacantly, as if they expected their wits were coming up by the next arrival”—Life in Earnest, pp. 11, 12.

One great excellence of Mr. Hamilton consists in the particularity of his addresses. He does not confine himself to general principles, knowing that they who most need, are least likely to make, the application of the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel : he makes it for them, and does not preach duty, but duties; does not denounce sin, but sins. Pulpit ministrations have been too general. Truths have been well reasoned out, obligations have been satisfactorily sustained, but there has not been a sufficiently minute specification of the things involved. in the truths and imposed by the obligations; and hence multitudes have been in the habit of leaving the sanctuary, conceding everything and doing nothing, and full of praises of the sermon that in fact, though not in appearance, contained their utter condemnation. Mr. Hamilton is not chargeable with the fault of being too general. He descends to particulars, he mentions details, he drives home his doctrine, points its operation in the house and the shop, and thus carries out the principles. and conforms to the model of that book which teaches at once all the great and elementary principles of divinity and all the little moralities of the most familiar intercourse and common life. The inanities, the inconsistencies, the follies, and the faults of society, find in him a fearless reprover. The following passage will show how he rebukes them, and at the same time present a fair specimen of his style.

“Let us imagine another similar transformation: fancy that instead of a polypus you were changed into a swallow. There you have a creature abundantly busy, up in the early morning, for ever on the wing, as graceful and sprightly in his flight as tasteful in the haunts which he selects. Look at him, zigzagging over the clover field, skimming the limpid lake, whisking round the steeple, or dancing gaily in the sky! Behold him in high spirits, shrieking out his ecstacy as he has bolted a dragon-fly, or darted through the arrow-slits of the old turrets, or performed some other feat of hirundine agility. And notice how he pays his morning visits, alighting elegantly on some housetop, and twittering politely by turns to the swallow on either side of him, and after five minutes' conversation, off and away to call for his friend at the castle. And now he is gone upon his travels; gone to spend the winter at Rome, or Naples, to visit Egypt or the Holy Land, or perform some more recherché pilgrimage to Spain or the coast of Barbary. And when he comes home next April, sure enough he has been abroad;-charming climate;-highly delighted with the cicadas in Italy, and the bees on Hymettus;-locusts in Africa rather scarce this season; but upon the whole, much pleased with his trip, and returned in high health and spirits. Now, dear friends, this is a very proper life for a swallow, but is it a life for you? To flit about from house to house; to pay futile visits, where, if the talk were written down, it would amount to little more than the chattering of a swallow; to bestow all your thoughts on graceful attitudes and nimble movements, and polished attire; to roam from land to land with so little information in your head, or so little taste for the sublime or beautiful in your soul, that could a swallow

publish his travels, and did you publish yours, we should probably find the one 8 counterpart of the other; the winged traveller enlarging on the discomforts of his nest, and the wingless one, on the miseries of his hotel or his chateau; you describing the places of amusement, or enlarging on the vastness of the country, and the abundance of the game; and your rival eloquent on the self-same things. Oh! it is a thought, not ridiculous, but appalling! If the earthly history of some of our brethren were written down; if a faithful record were kept of the way they spend their time; if all the hours of idle vacancy or idler occupancy were put together, and the very small amount of useful diligence deducted, the life of a bird or quadruped would be a nobler one; more worthy of its powers and more equal to its Creator's end in forming it. Such a register is kept!"-Life in Earnest, pp. 6—8.

Our room is exhausted, and we therefore cannot give any account of the contents of Mr. Hamilton's publications. Nor is this very important, as their titles indicate the nature of their subjects, as they are all small, and as they are remarkably cheap. We conclude with the hope that our readers will not only purchase, but circulate them; and bid adieu to Mr. Hamilton, with earnest wishes that he may long live to enjoy and to promote, by his preaching and his writings, "the life of God."

THE EDITOR'S TABLE.

THE Doctrine of Original Sin: or, The Native State and Character of Man. (Being the Eleventh Series of the Congregational Lecture.) By George Payne, LL.D. 8vo. pp. 454. London: Jackson and Walford.

An Appeal in favour of Ecclesiastical Unity, to be sought by the Gradual Approximation of all Evangelical Protestants, &c. By George Balderston Kidd. 8vo. pp. 190. London: Ward and Co.

A Voice from the Sanctuary on the Missionary Enterprise: being a series of Discourses delivered in America by the most Eminent Divines of that country belonging to various denominations. With an Introduction by James Montgomery, Esq. 8vo. pp. 530. London: Hamilton and Co.

The Family Choir: or, Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs for Social Worship. The music selected from the best masters: arranged for four voices and the pianoforte or organ. 8vo. pp. 216. London: Simpkin and Co. The North British Review.

London: Hamilton and Co.

May, 1845. No. V. Edinburgh: W. P. Kennedy.

The British Quarterly Review. No. II. May, 1845. 8vo. London: Jackson and Walford.

The New Englander. April, 1845. No. 2. Volume III. 8vo. New Haven, United States. London: Wiley and Putnam.

The Signs of the Times in the East, a Warning to the West: being a Practical View of our Duties in the light of the prophecies which illustrate the present and future State of the Church and the World. By Rev. E. Bickersteth. Foolscap 8vo. pp. 434. London: Seeley and Co.

The Typology of Scripture, or, The Doctrines of Types investigated. With an Appendix on the Restoration of the Jews. By Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, Salton. Foolscap 8vo. pp. 538. Edinburgh: T. Clark. London: Hamilton and Co.

Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature. By John Kitto, assisted by various able scholars and divines. 8vo. Parts XVIII. and XIX. Edinburgh: A. and C. Black. London: Longman and Co.

TRANSACTIONS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND Wales.

FIRST SESSION, Tuesday, 13th of May, 1845.-The Assembly met in Crosby Hall, Bishopsgate-street. At nine o'clock, A.M., the chair was taken by the Rev. John Burnet, of Camberwell.

The Chairman commenced the proceedings with devotional services and an opening address.

A letter was then presented from the Rev. Thomas Smith, A.M., in the name of the church at the Nether Chapel, Sheffield, desiring to be received into the Union; and it was thereupon moved by the Rev. Dr. Morison, seconded by the Rev. J. Blackburn, and cordially adopted :

"That the church worshipping in the Nether Chapel, Sheffield, be, with its pastor, the Rev. Thomas Smith, A.M., received into the fellowship of this Union."

A second letter to the like effect was presented from the Rev. H. M. Gunn, of Alton, Hampshire, on behalf of the church there of which he is pastor; and on the motion of the Rev. E. Mannering, seconded by the Rev. J. Reynolds, the church at Alton, with its pastor, was cordially received into the fellowship of the Union.

The following brethren, delegated from other bodies of Christians, were then presented to the Chairman, and by him welcomed in the name of the meeting;-the Rev. Noble Shepperd, of Sligo, delegated by the Congregational Union of Ireland; the Rev. Mr. Davies, of Cardigan; the Rev. Hugh Pugh, Mostyn, Flintshire, North Wales; the Rev. Mr. Panchaud, pastor of a Congregational church in Brussels; the Rev. Mr. Cullen, of Leith, from the Scottish Congregational Union.

The Report of the Committee was then read by the Rev. A. Wells, and the cash statement by the Treasurer, Benjamin Hanbury, Esq.

It was then moved by the Rev. G. B. Kidd, of Scarborough; seconded by the Rev. A. Jack, of North Shields; and adopted unanimously:

I. "That the Report of the Committee now read, be approved and adopted, and that it be printed and circulated as part of the minutes of the proceedings of this Assembly."

The Report of the Christian Witness was then read by the Rev. A. Wells, as follows:

Report of the Christian Witness, and of the Fund in aid of Aged Ministers, derived from its profits, for the year 1844, presented to the Fifteenth Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union of Enyland and Wales, Tuesday, 13th of May, 1845. Brethren,-Accept the heartfelt congratulations of your committee on the results for the first year, of your attempt to publish a cheap and popular magazine, devoted to the principles of your denomination, and to the support of your Union. Those results your committee will briefly state :-

The sale of the Christian Witness for its first year was of unexampled extent. For every month through the entire year it reached about thirty-one thousand copies. The profits for the year, notwithstanding the extreme cheapness of the work, and the extraordinary charges of advertising, &c., unavoidably incurred in commencing a new periodical, amounted to £708. 08. 8d.

A confidential committee, consisting of your secretaries and the Rev. Dr. Matheson, has conferred regularly every month with the editor on the conduct and interests of the magazine.

A finance committee, consisting of the Rev. W. S. Palmer, and Messrs. East, Peachey, and Spicer, has managed the trade department with great vigilance. The treasurer of the magazine account is Joseph East, Esq.

The literary and trade property of the work is legally invested in the trustees of your Union, and the copyright is secured in their names by regular entry at Stationers' Hall.

Yesterday, according to appointment, the distributors of the Fund in aid of Aged Ministers, consisting of the profits of your magazine, met; and considered with much interest and feeling twenty-eight applications from aged brethren, to whom the distributors voted grants amounting in all to £261, in sums varying from £5 to £20. The meeting deemed this first distribution an experiment, and thought it not wise to divide the entire fund for the year among the comparatively few brethren from whom applications had been received-as, if that had been done, much larger sums would have been given, than, in all probability, can be continued in future years; and hence, disappointment and dissatisfaction might have resulted. The balance of the fund remaining in the treasurer's hand, the meeting directed to be invested in Government security.

The brethren of the Wilts and East Somerset Association have renewed to your committee the appeal they addressed to the last autumnal meeting at Norwich, that this fund should be made available to assist brethren in their earlier years in making provision for the decline of life, by commencing on easy terms insurances for deferred annuities. Your committee wishing that so weighty a proposal should receive full consideration, has advised that it be presented in a well-digested form to the meeting expected to be held at Manchester next October.

The distributors have appointed Mr. East treasurer of the fund entrusted to their care; and have constituted the confidential and finance committees of the magazine with the editor, a committee to receive applications, and to prepare for the business of their future meetings. Mr. Wells, for the present, acts as secretary of the distributors, and of their committee.

The statements explaining and supporting the applications yesterday considered, were of a character to give full proof that no interest connected with our churches stands in greater need of consideration than that of their aged pastors. Any aid that may be afforded to them has been well and hardly earned. It is quite as much due as wanted. It is not charity but justice. It must not be considered an act of benevolence, but a discharge of obligation.

This report would be, indeed, deficient in justice, were it to close without a warm acknowledgment of the invaluable services of the editor. It is as well known to this assembly, as it is to the committee, how largely the great success of this work is due to him, and to his well-earned reputation and favour in our churches, and especially with one devoted and intelligent class of our friends-the Sabbath-school teachers. No reader of the magazine can need to be informed how thoroughly its editor has given himself to his work, and what care and effort he is employing to render it all that the churches wish, and all that the times require. But this work is his delight, and cheered by your approval, he will continue his labours, which not only demand incessant effort, but interfere with many cherished projects, feeling himself summoned by the voice of Providence, and of his brethren, to a work of high importance and most extensive usefulness.

The following resolution thereon was then moved by the Rev. J. Morison, D.D., and seconded by the Rev. J. Blackburn :

II. "That this meeting receives with entire approval and satisfaction the Report on the Christian Witness and on the Fund for Aged Ministers derived from its profits for the year 1844, and directs it to be placed on the minutes of the Assembly. The

Meeting warmly congratulates the editor on the gratifying success of his labours, which it gratefully acknowledges, and earnestly requests him to continue. Also the Meeting considers its distinct and thankful notice due to the strenuous efforts by which many pastors and other friends have most effectually contributed to the extensive circulation obtained by the Christian Witness."

This resolution having been cordially adopted, was responded to by the editor of the Christian Witness, upon the earnest call of the Meeting.

The Rev. James Hill, of Clapham, then read the letter to the churches on their public worship; upon which the following resolution was moved by the Rev. Robert Halley, D.D., of Manchester, and seconded by the Rev. Andrew Reed, B.A., of Norwich:

III. "That the Assembly adopts the letter on worship now read, and directing that it be printed and circulated, commends it to the devout consideration of the churches and their pastors, with hope and prayer that it may promote every desirable improvement in the public worship of our congregations. The Assembly also presents to the brethren by whom this able letter has been prepared and presented its best thanks for their most acceptable service."

Discussion arose on the subject. Various alterations in the letter were suggested. In the issue, it was confided to the writers of the letter, in concert with the Committee of the Union, to revise it in accordance with the views expressed; and with this understanding, the resolution was adopted unanimously.

The Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham, then explained to the Assembly a design that has originated among brethren in Scotland zealous for Christian Union, to convene, if possible, a couference of evangelical Protestants, both ministers and other brethren, of various denominations, and from all parts of the world, to consider the present state of the great Protestant cause throughout Christendom, regarding Protestantism as strictly a religious interest, and meditating no proceedings but such as are simply spiritual. Some preliminary meetings, Mr. James intimated, are proposed to be held in the course of the summer, perhaps at Liverpool or Manchester, of delegates from various Protestant bodies, for preliminary discussion; and he submitted whether this Assembly might not send representatives to such preparatory meetings.

Upon the close of Mr. James's address, it was moved by the Rev. Thomas Smith, A.M., of Sheffield; seconded by the Rev. Samuel Thodey, of Cambridge; and unanimously adopted:

IV. "That this Assembly has heard with great interest the statements now given, explanatory of a design for convening a conference of ministers and other brethren, of every evangelical denomination, and from all parts of the world, for consideration of the present state, prospects, and wants of the great Protestant cause throughout Christendom, and would desire to be represented at any meeting which may be held for preliminary discussion and arrangement."

The Rev. James Matheson, D.D., then read the brief statement from the Directors of the Home Missionary Society, on its affairs for the past year:—

Brief Statement of the Proceedings of the Home Missionary Society, presented by the Rev. Dr. Matheson from the Directors, to the Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, Tuesday, 13th of May, 1845.

There being no time for sentiment, we must at one proceed to facts. this the Directors would place before this Assembly ::

In doing

I. Stations of the Society. The state of the funds at the last annual meeting was such as to compel the Directors to relinquish four missionary stations, and to with