"The question, then, which naturally arises, is, What can be done to alter the state of things? With all due deference, I submit, that what is so attractive in the Sunday school, should, as far as possible, be carried out in our places of worship. It has been beautifully said, that Occupation is order. It is well known that, at present, in almost every Congregation, the Sundayschool Children are not able to join in the Singing, just because they have no books, and the hymns are not lined out. Only let the Hymns be lined out, and instead of that listlessness or levity which is sometimes perceptible, we shall see that the young are fond of singing, and they will join heartily in this important part of Divine Worship. Our blessed Saviour was evidently pleased when the children sung in the temple, Hosanna to the Son of David.'

"In the next place, I would recommend, that all the Children who can read, should bring their own Bibles with them to the Sanctuary, so that they may read the lessons with the Minister, and be able to find the Text and commit it to memory.

"And if, in addition to this, our beloved Pastors would make a point of conscience of providing every Lord's-day a few crumbs for these lambs of the flock, what a salutary effect would it produce! Half a dozen sentences, well aimed, and specially addressed in the Sermon to Children, would work wonders. And where is the adult member of a Congregation who could take offence or be dissatisfied with such a course? The Children would be delighted at the notice taken of them; they would be all attention; their affection to the Pastor would be greatly increased; they would feel that he was their own minister. O yes, we should soon see the little ores hanging on his lips, anxious to hear and remember their portion of the Sermon. Parents and Sunday-school Teachers, rightly exercised, would be sure to be gratified with such a course; they would hail the juvenile portion of the Minister's appeal with gratitude and prayer; and they would follow up the appeal with appropriate queries to their youthful charge, on the topics addressed to them from the pulpit.

"Let but these three points be attended to, and we shall, I am persuaded, soon wit

VOL. XXVII.

ness a delightful charge coming over the aspect of our Schools and Congregations.

66

Surely every one must feel that it is high time to inquire if something cannot be done, to improve upon cur present condition. During the last twenty years of my official connection with the Roby Sunday-school, I calculate that 6,000 Scholars have passed through the Institution. About 200 have joined our own church in that period. Probably the same number have become members of other churches. About 200 may have died in the faith, having a good hope in the Saviour, though they had not made a public profession of the faith. 400 more may have become constant hearers in various Congregations; but these altogether make only 1,000 out of 6,000. Where are the 5,000? Many of them, it grieves me to say, to my certain knowledge, are living 'without God, without hope, and without Christ in the world.'

In the month of March last, we had on the Books upwards of 1,300 Scholars and Teachers, of whom 78 are members of the Church; and six of the Scholars now stand proposed for admission. But, alas! what are these among so many? I do not give the particulars to show that we are in a worse position than other Sunday-schools; on the contrary, I believe our condition is much better than that of many. Perhaps there are few Sunday-schools that have been more highly honoured, or more useful.

"I may say that we take all our Scholars to Chapel, every Sabbath morning, except those in the Infant-school, who are taken to Chapel, in the afternoon, once a quarter, when our esteemed Pastor, the Rev. R. Fletcher, gives a special address to the whole School. Our Minister has also Three Bible Classes, which he meets every week; one for the young men, after the service on the Wednesday evening; one for the young women, on the Thursday evening; and one on Thursday afternoon, for those friends who are unable to attend the evening class. Besides which, we have several week-evening classes, for writing, sewing, and mental improvement in various branches of useful knowledge. On the Sabbath Evening we have generally a meeting of the elder Scholars for prayer: these meetings are held from half-past five until half-past six o'clock.

"Should you think any of the foregoing remarks worthy of your notice, or in any way likely to be useful, you will please to deal with them as you think proper.

"Hoping you will excuse all blunders in this hastily written letter,

"I am, dear Sir,

No. IX.

FROM AN EXPERIENCED TUTOR IN ONE

OF OUR COLLEGES.

"Dec. 12th, 1848. "My dear Sir,-I have watched, with much interest, the pending controversy about special services for children. I am no enemy to innovation, when innovation unquestionably involves the positive proposed improvement. But this measure does not commend itself to my judgment on matured reflection. I was therefore glad to see your valuable paper in the last Number of the Evangelical Magazine, and to find you thereby making a bold and judicious stand in favour of the old paths.' "I cannot but think that it is desirable for children to have before them the beneficial example of devout attention in the worshippers of all ranks and all ages assembled together in the solemnities of the great congregation; even as it was commanded under the Old Dispensation, that when the law was read, the Hebrews should gather the people together, men, women, and children-that they may learn and fear the Lord, and observe to do all the words of this law; and that their children which have not known anything, my hear, and learn to fear the Lord.' (Deut. xxxi. 12, 13.)

'My dear Friend,-I feel under serious obligations for your article in the Supplement, on the recent novelty of the nonattendance of Sabbath-school Children on the Public Worship of the Sanctuary. With you sound and dispassionate views, my own, after the experience of more than thirty years, entirely concur; and I am thankful that you have discussed the subject as one of principle, without reference to persons.

"I deem the arrangement by which the new method is sustained feeble and fallacious, and I think the pulpit ministrations of Pastors generally more impressive

and instructive than any Addresses likely to be delivered in the School-room.

"I deeply lament the spirit evinced in this new measure by the Teachers of at least certain schools;-in proof of which I need only state that a Minister, with whom I am acquainted, found, in a certain School, three-fourths of the Children of the School, which he had long laboured to support, removed from the Chapel to a Separate Service in the School-room, without even the decency of any previous intimation.

"Surely the Sabbath-school ought, in all instances, to recognize the office of the Pastor and Deacons of the Church, and to obtain their cordial concurrence in every measure affecting its interests. If, on the contrary, a separate and independent interest is to be established, the sooner such an evil is exposed and withstood the better. But I think the great body of our valued and active young friends have been beguiled and misled, and I hope you will continue your judicious, salutary 'Strictures' upon those new, and as they appear to me, injudicious measures.

'I am, my dear Friend,

"Yours affectionately,

66

We leave these temperate and wise communications to produce their own impression upon the enlightened, earnest, and experienced friends of the Sunday-school cause. We have been devoted to that cause from our earliest youth, and we are sincerely anxious to prevent it from being driven or drawn into a false position, which it will assuredly be, if our Schools are severed from Pastoral influence, or from Sanctuary attendance. We say, with all the earnestness of a full heart, to our Sunday-school friends, who have taken our advice before, pause ere it be too late! THE EDITOR.

EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.-NOTICE OF
TRUSTEES' MEETING.

By a blunder of the Press, our Halfyearly Meeting was published, in our last Number, for Wednesday, the 6th January, January, the Trustees will meet at eleven instead of Wednesday the 3rd. On the 3rd o'clock, at Baker's Coffee-house.

PROTESTANT UNION.

Brixton-rise, Oct. 9, 1848. MY DEAR FRIEND,-I am much obliged by your notice of the Protestant Union in this month's Magazine. The following statement, however, is not quite accurate,namely: "If there be no widow, a sum equal to four years' annuity is divided equally among the surviving children." It

would be more correct to say. the amount of eight years' annuity is so divided. But the rule is,-"If there be one child, it shall receive the amount of four; if two, the amount of six; if three, the amount of seven; and if four or more, the amount of eight years' annuity. Suppose the annuity, therefore, to be 50l., the sum of 400l. would be due, if four children were surviving. You will, I think, see sufficient importance in this explanation, to oblige me by inserting it. Yours, most truly,

JOHN HUNT, Secretary.

UNIVERSITY DEGREE.

WE learn with pleasure that the Prussian University of Halle, in Saxony, has conferred the degree of Doctor in Theology, corresponding to our D.D., on the Rev. Samuel Davidson. LL D., of the Lancashire Independent College, Manchester.

"The title of Doctor of Theology," says Dr. Robinson, of New York, in his account of the German Universities, "has now become a merely honorary degree; and is usually bestowed by the Universities on distinguished individuals, as a mark of favour and respect. The title supersedes that of Professor of any kind; and is the highest degree or rank conferred by the Universities."

The Prussian Universities are exceedingly cautious in bestowing this degree; and it cannot be granted except unanimously -one voice in the Faculty being sufficient to negative a proposal. We believe the present to be the first instance, in modern times, in which any of those Universities has conferred it on an English Dissenter; and the second, in which it has been bestowed on an Englishman. Dr. Lee, of Cambridge, the best linguist in Great Britain, and probably in the world, with a single exception, is the only other British scholar who, to our knowledge, has been so highly honoured.

The Faculty thought the title thus un expectedly bestowed to be a suitable and well-merited compliment, mainly on account of the first volume of an " Introduction to the New Testament," lately published by Dr. Davidson, which the ablest German scholars place by the side of the best, as well as the most original, that have been written in their own land.

It is well known, that Halle stands at the head of the Prussian Universities for Theology. In this respect it deservedly enjoys a high reputation. The names of Tholuck, Julius Müller, Hupfeld, and Thilo, are prominent in the theological literature of Germany.

PROVINCIAL.

NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT. ON Wednesday, November 15th, was opened the new chapel, in St. James'sstreet, built for the congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. Edward Giles. The Rev. Thomas Binney of London, after prayer by the Rev. T. Pullar of Southampton, preached in the morning, and the Rev. James Sherman, after prayer by the Rev. W. Warden, M.A., of Ventnor, preached in the evening. The Rev. Thomas Adkins, of Southampton, conducted the services on the following sabbath. The collections on the occasions, with some donations which were made by a few friends on the previous Monday, amounted to 230l. The building is in the Gothic style, the design of which was given by F. lity and taste it does great credit. The Pougett, Esq., of Southwark, to whose abientire outlay, including the purchase of adjoining premises, is about 2,900l., of which 1,500 have been subscribed.

CALL ACCEPTED.

MR. WILLIAM ISAAC, formerly an esteemed member of the church at Craven

Chapel, London, (Dr. Leifchild's,) has accepted an invitation to the pastoral office of the Independent church at Petersfield, Hants, previously under the charge of the Rev. John Moreland. Mr. I. entered upon his duties the second sabbath of August last.

REMOVAL.

THE Rev. Richard Parry, late of Conway, has received an unanimous invitation from the Congregational church, assembling at Salem Chapel, Llandovery, to become its stated pastor, which he has accepted; and has entered on his stated labours under very encouraging prospects, in that interesting sphere where the late Rev. Edward Rees's ministry was attended with such eminent success.

IRELAND.

LIMERICK.-RECOGNITION OF THE REV. WILLIAM TARBOTTON.

SERVICES of a deeply interesting and profitable character have recently been held, in connection with the public recognition of the Rev. William Tarbotton (for · merly, for nearly sixteen years, pastor of the church at Totness, Devon) as pastor of the Independent church, Bedford row, Limerick. On Thursday evening, November 9th, the chapel was filled with a most attentive auditory. Ministers of all the Dissenting denominations in the city took part in the proceedings. After the reading

of the Scriptures and prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Wilson, (Presbyterian,) a discourse, explanatory of the principles of Congregationalism, was delivered by the Rev. J. De Kewer Williams, formerly pastor of the church, now of Tottenham, London The Rev. William Tarootton then, with deep emotion, stated the circumstances which had led him to separate himself from his happy and most loving and beloved flock at Totness, to labour in this city after which the Rev. J. D. Smith, of Dublin, commended him to God in solemn prayer. An address, most able and weighty, was then delivered to the newly-elected pastor, by the Rev. Dr. Urwick, of Dublin. The other devotional engagements of the evening were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Shaw, of Cork; Gordon, of Tralee: Hickey (Wesleyan); and Graham (Primitive Wesleyan Methodist).

On Friday evening, November 10th, the recognition services were continued; a soirée being held for the purpose of affording an opportunity of giving public welcome to the new pastor. Ministers and friends of all the Protestant denominations in the city were present, to give expression to their Christian sympathy and brotherly love. After the Rev. William Tarbotton,

SO

who occupied the chair, had avowed the pleasure which he felt in seeing before him Christians of various denominations delightfully united, addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. J. De Kewer Williams, of London; Hickey, (Wesleyan,) of Limerick; Shaw, of Cork; Graham, (Primitive Wesleyan Methodist,) of Limerick; Gordon, of Tralee; and J. D. Smith, of Dublin.

The concluding services of this interesting series were held on Lord's day, November 12th, when sermons were preached by the Rev. J. D. Smith, of Dublin, the Irish Secretary of the Irish Evangelical Society. The discourses were highly appropriate and impressive, and formed a most suitable close to the delightful engagements of the preceding week. The congregations were exceedingly numerous, that in the evening being a larger one, it is believed, than was ever assembled in the chapel before.

The whole of the proceedings supplied a rich intellectual and spiritual feast, and will not easily be forgotten.

Let every one who longs for the spiritual welfare of unhappy Ireland present the cry, O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity!"

GERMANY.

PROTESTANTISM IN GERMANY. (From our own Correspondent.) THE state of religion in Germany cannot be less interesting to the Christian than its political movements. If the one involves all the conflicting interests of material existence, and the most difficult problems of government, the other appeals to the most exalted characteristics of man, - his relation to God and to eternal life. While the former is awakening hostile nationalities, and may end in the ruin of kingdoms, the latter brings with it a principle of universal brotherhood for all mankind, and is connected with a kingdom which can never be moved. It is well for a time to turn our thoughts from the storms and conflicts which are spreading general confusion, calmly to contemplate those indications of spiritual life which prove that God is not neglecting the welfare of his church.

The necessity of a great change is but too manifest. The state of the church in Germany has, for a long time, been most unsatisfactory. Twelve months ago it was stated in the Deutsche Zeitung, that nine-tenths of the educated classes, both in

the Catholic and Protestant churches were Rationalists-a name connected with the denial of Christ's Divinity, of the doctrine of the Atonement, and of almost the entire spiritual character of Christianity. It is to be feared that the proportion given approximates but too nearly to the truth. A clergyman too-pastor Kuntze, from Berlin-expressed himself, at the meeting to which we are about to refer, to the following effect:-We have no longer any churches; for of the members of our nominal churches ninety nine-hundredths are unbelievers. A large part of this evil may be attributed to the false position the church has stood in to the world. Secular governments have no doubt, by the exercise of their authority, prevented many of the extravagances of sectarianism, but they have at the same time prevented the free development of Christian activity. Attributing to the state the character of Christian, they have rendered the work of evangelization as a thing superfluous, impossible. The patronage given of late years to the Evangelicals* in Prussia by the Minister of Cultus, and even by the first personage in the realm, instead of

* Pietists.

At

diminishing has only increased the popular hostility to the doctrines of the cross. present, in the unbridled passions of the multitude, and the cooler statements of the literati; in placards, containing the grossest parodies upon the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments; and in the coarsest blasphemies against all that is sacred, it may be seen that Germany is hastening towards the condition of France at the close of the last century, when the goddess of reason was the public idol, and death proclaimed to be an eternal sleep.

It cannot, therefore, but be a matter of Christian satisfaction to see that they who have the truth of God at heart are beginning to shake off their lethargy, and that those of different Confessions, influenced by a sense of their common danger, are uniting together for the defence and spread of their common faith. That the first attempts made in this direction should be unsuccessful is to be expected, but they will at least aid to secure a better result for future efforts.

A circular, calling a meeting to consider the steps necessary under existing circunstances, was issued on August 28. It was addressed to the clergy and the laity of the Evangelical Confessions, and signed by a considerable number of influential professors and pastors. Amongst them are the well-known names of Hengstenberg, Krummacher, and Nitsch from Berlin. The following extract indicates a prominent object in the movement: "We reflected, that it must be the greatest blessing to the Protestant church, if, under the pain and danger of separations which are scarcely to be avoided, a new centre were speedily formed, about which what threatens to be torn asu der might again be gathered together."

The place chosen for the meeting is of undying interest. Wittenberg was the scene of Luther's early studies, and of the birth throes of his new religious convictions. It is now the resting-place of his mortal remains. There, on Sept. 21, between four and five hundred lay and clerical members of the Protestant churches of Germany were assembled together. The entire country, from Bavaria to the Baltic, and from Bremen to Hungary, was pretty generally represented, though far the largest proportion were from the different provinces of the kingdom of Prussia. Notwithstanding the variety of sentiment, and the novelty of the occasion, order and harmony were excellently preserved through the well-directed efforts of the Presidents, Privy Councillor v. Bethmann Holweg of Bonn, and Professor Stahl of Berlin. The arrangements, too, of the local committee were deserving of all praise.

| Allgemeine Kirchenzeitung, the character of the assembly is illustrated by a reference to the political parties in the legislative assemblies of the continent. The Protestant church in Germany may be divided into the Left, Centre, and Right, or Rationalist, Orthodox, and Evangelical. These again may be subdivided according to the various shades in their opinions. In the assembly at Wittenberg the Left was entirely unrepresented, the invitation having been addressed to those who adhered to the Evangelical Confessions. The Right was represented by several persons of distinction: Stahl, v. Gerlach, v. Tippelskirch, Hengstenberg, Krummacher, &c. But the great body of those present belonged to the Right Centre-the orthodox school with a leaning towards Evangelism a school following the theological sentiments of Schleiermacher. Amongst these were v. B. Holweg, Professors Dorner of Bonn, Nitsch of Berlin, &c.

The two parties which occupy the foreground in this picture, were, till within the last six months, in an attitude of distrust, if not of hostility, to each other. It might have been expected that their differences would have somewhat troubled the harmony of the meeting. They were once or twice slightly touched upon, but quickly abandoned. It seemed as if there were a tacit agreement to ignore, if not entirely to bury, past disputes. Those parts of the resolutions which made a direct appeal to faith and love found ready adhesion. One heart and soul appeared to animate the assembly. Doubtless this happy result was owing in part to the spirit and tiet of the president, Stahl, who urged upon the assembly that their chief business was "to raise up a witnessing church against unbelief and half-faith -to repel the one and to correct the other." It is possible, too, that a real approximation of hearts may have taken place. Why should not the awful earnestness of the times awaken a new life in all those who have faith in the appearance of Christ, make them observant of his appearance in our time, and bring home to them the question, whence arise the judgments which are coming upon us.' At such times that which is little vanishes, and that which is great becomes prominent; boundaries which before seemed impassable, fall; and they who trode different ways recognise each other as brethren. A common danger has made them sensible of their common interest in the truth."