accounts from other quarters, and which could not be disproved, though evidence was brought to counterbalance it. It does appear critic could not overlook the opportunity it afforded him of displaying his "truth and candour," as well as the anxious attention it cost him to give a fair "report." I am, how-to me, sir, that instead of blaming the ever, at no loss to find in the conduct of the reviewer himself the faithful exhibition of the unworthy and unchristian character he attempts to fasten on Mr. Noel. These misrepresentations of the essay could only have proceeded from the pen of a "special pleader," or have been employed by "the most reckless champion" of a losing cause. He knows nothing whatever of honourable controversy." Unwittingly the reviewer portrays his own dishonourable procedure. 66 I write these things in sorrow. It is no pleasure to me to mark the faults of brethren. I deeply mourn over the rivalry and competition of the various sects, and see in it one of the causes of our loss of piety and spirituality. But while we must "walk humbly with God," we must likewise "do justly." Among the many things that need immediate correction and repentance, is that licence of suppression, misstatement, and misrepresentation, in which a large portion of the religious periodical press constantly indulges. It is not the first time by many that the Evangelical Magazine has thus acted. Good service would be done to the cause of truth and righteousness were these censors themselves more often criticized; and their unfairness, their want of "truth and candour," more frequently castigated. I remain, your's, &c. PHILALETHES. Nov. 16, 1849. A PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-I am not a member of the same church with A. B. C. D., yet being well acquainted with the facts of their case, you will perhaps kindly allow me to rectify a little misapprehension into which Eipnveroiós has fallen, and then to say a few words on the general question, for it appears, unhappily, that the case of your correspondents is by no means a singular one. Ειρηνοποιός seems to take for granted a feeling of alienation between A. B. C. D. and the other members of the church. If such exists, there has certainly been no manifestation of it; they have acted up to the spirit of your judicious suggestions, they have regularly filled up their places on the sabbath, and have shown no wish to withdraw themselves from the communion of their brethren. Another misapprehension is, that the church in question, or rather a part of them, suffered themselves to be influenced by unfounded, or at best uncertain "reports." Intelligence, not vague report, reached the deacons in answer to official enquiries addressed to another churchintelligence which was confirmed by similar churches for listening to reports respecting persons whom they may be likely to select as pastors, a man of experience and standing, as your correspondent claims to be, should rather commend them for taking every precaution before they enter on a relation so sacred and so important in its results. There cannot be a happier sight than a faithful, devoted minister placed in a sphere suited to his qualifications, and where, as a consequence, his talents are profitably employed, and affectionately appreciated; but how seldom this is the case the distracted state of many of our churches will show. No doubt in many instances, previous enquiry and deliberation might avert much mischief; it would have done so, I believe, in the case of A. B. C. D. and their fellow-members, had their enquiries been made a month earlier. Leaving however this particular case, will you allow me to ask a question that I own appears to me a difficult one? The law of decision by a majority certainly obtains in our churches,-but in what cases is this binding?-in matters of expediency only, or in matters of vital importance? Where the contested subject is not one intimately connected with the glory of Christ, the extension of his cause, or the growth of spiritual religion in the hearts and lives of Christians, I can conceive it right and beautiful for the smaller number of church members to give way to their brethren in a spirit of love and cheerfulness; and if the decision of the church is formed after united and earnest prayer for divine guidance, they may even be justified in supposing that the will of God in the matter is thus made known to them. But supposing, (and the supposition is not a mere hypothesis, but based upon facts,) supposing the church-meeting to be conducted in an unchristian spirit, begun and ended without prayer; supposing the matter to be decided upon has never been made the subject of collective prayer by the church at all, are the minority in such a case bound to regard the decision of the church as obligatory upon them, especially if the point at issue be one in which their consciences are deeply concerned? Love, and meekness, and humility, ought at all times to characterize the conduct of Christians towards each other: but are there no circumstances which would justify even a small minority in maintaining and acting out their opinion, though it has been negatived by the greater part of the church? I have heard of instances, and one very recently of a neighbouring church, in which the law of Christian love prevailed over the law of majorities. The matter to be decided was the choice of a minister-both parties felt very strongly, and the difference in num bers was small. In this case the majority said virtually to the minority, "We have the power to carry our point, but, rather than wound your minds or lose your co-operation we will consent to waive our claim." Ought there not to be brotherly love enough in every Christian church to induce similar conduct? There is a strong tendency to democratic feeling in some of our churches, which requires vigorous as well as kind control; but while guarding against this, let us not give up that liberty whereby Christ has made us free -not a liberty to dictate to our brethren, to please ourselves at their expense, to make our own will our law,-but a liberty of conscience from all jurisdiction but that of Christ. This liberty will never lead to insubordination; the more we all study the will of Christ, the more likely shall we all be to feel if not to see alike. In some cases ministers err, in some cases churches err, in some they re-act upon each other. Would not more decided personal subjection to Christ, and more habitual Christian humility and love cure many evils, and prevent more? I remain, Dear Sir, Yours truly, FRATER. EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT. or three causes of decline which have ceased to exist; the great pressure on the commercial interests of the country two years ago was particularly injurious to the sale of periodical publications generally, and of this among the rest. The present is, on some accounts, a favourable opportunity for urging baptists to do as much to give efficiency to their own Magazine as is done by some other denominations on behalf of theirs. If the officers of our churches undertake this cordially, they will undoubtedly be successful, as past experience demonstrates. It may be well, whenever it is mentioned publicly, either to name some one who will supply it to subscribers, or to advert to the fact that any bookseller will readily furnish it to any one who orders it to be sent to him regularly, or, indeed, who gives a few days' notice of his desire for a single number. To the number for January will be prefixed a portrait of the Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel; and it will contain some interesting articles which are already in the editor's hands. A judicious letter in our present number contains, with remarks on the case propounded by A. B. C. D., some general suggestions deserving the attention of other churches. It appears that our correspondent is acquainted with the locality in which A. B. C. D. reside; we have no knowledge of it ourselves, and nothing which has appeared in our rages could lead a stranger to conjecture in what county it is situated. May we hint that as much has now been said on this particular case as is necessary, and that more might be injurious. With regard to the more general question we agree with the present writer that it is sometimes wise and kind for a majority to wave its own preferences in deference to a minority. A minority cannot reasonably demand this, and perhaps no general rule can be laid down showing when it should be done; but there are cases in which the results of such a course, if adopted spontaneously by the majority, would be productive of highly beneficial and A few days ago, we received a letter from a brother of long standing in the ministry, residing many miles from the metropolis, in which he says, "Let there be a request in your December number for pastors to urge on their people the duty of more extensively taking the Baptist Magazine, for the sake of the widows aided by its profits. I and others shall be glad to avail ourselves of the opportunity of reading such an appeal, that orders may be increased for the Magazine for the coming year." In compliance with this suggestion we have written a paper which appears in the Essay Department, entitled, "A Page which may be read from the Pulpit." The kindness of many of our brethren will doubt-permanent results. less lead them to lay it before their congregations; others will probably select from it portions that appear to them to be appropriate; and some will perhaps do yet better, by making it the basis of an address of their own. The most powerful reason for the procedure is, in our judgment, the adaptation of the Magazine to promote the spiritual interests of the churches, and on this account, as well as on account of the important object to which its profits are consecrated, we trust that a great number of pastors, deacons, and private Christians, will urge it on the attention of their friends. Its amount of circulation has not recovered from the effects of two Mr. Foster's sermon, a sketch of which is given above, was preached at Downend, it is believed, in the year 1830. It was communicated to us by the Editor of his "Life and Correspondence." We are sorry to learn that ill health has rendered it necessary for Mr. Dovey to retire from the pastorate of the church at Midhurst. [For the remainder of the Postscript see the last page of the Supplement.] Supplement. DECEMBER, 1849. PRINCIPAL BAPTIST SOCIETIES. Baptist Missionary Society, Formed 1792. OBJECT:-"The diffusion of the knowledge of the religion of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world, beyond the British Isles, by the preaching of the Gospel, the translation and publication of the Holy Scriptures, and the establishment of Schools.' SPECIAL GRANT OF £6000 TO JAMAICA. Paid in the year from the BALANCE due to the Treasurers on this account £23,846 169 23,559 9 2 4,946 17 10 £500 0 0 1,554 14 1 Treasurers, WILLIAM BRODIE GURNEY, Esq., SAMUEL MORTON PETO, Esq., M.P. Secretaries, Rev. FREDERICK TRESTRAIL and EDWARD B. UNDERHILL, Esq., Baptist Mission House, 33, Moorgate Street. Committee. Mursell, Rev. James P., Leicester. Trend, Rev. H., Bridgewater. Tritton, Joseph, Esq., Battersca. Webb, Rev. James, Ipswich. Winter, Rev. Thomas, Bristol. In these numbers Jamaica is not included, the churches there, consisting of about 30,000 persons, being no longer aided by the society. VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES. 5 н Baptist Home Missionary Society. Formed 1797. OBJECT: "To encourage the formation and growth of Baptist churches, both in the agricultural and manufacturing districts of Great Britain, particularly in large towns." Treasurer, JOHN R. BOUSFIELD, Esq., 126, Hounsditch. OBJECT:"The diffusion of the gospel of Jesus Christ principally by the employment of Missionaries and Readers in Ireland, the establishment of Schools, and the distribution of Bibles and Tracts." Treasurer, JOSEPH TRITTON, Esq., 54, Lombard Street. Beddome, Mr. William. Cubitt, Mr. William. Green, Rev. Samuel. Low, Mr. James. Lowe, Mr. George, F.R.S. Committee. Overbury, Rev. Robert W. Peto, S. M., Esq., M.P. Stevenson, G., Esq. Swinstead, Mr. William. Trestrail, Rev. Frederick. Watson, Mr. Samuel. Young, Mr. Thomas. Average attendance about two-thirds. The average number in each school is above 70, and of these the children of Romanists are to those of protestant parents, as 5 to 2. General Baptist Missionary Society. INCOME, year ending June 30, 1849 BALANCE due to the Treasurer Formed 1816. £1,980 2 2 2,579 12 5 473 19 2 Roberts, Mr. T., sen. Stevenson, Mr. William. Trueman, Mr. George. Wilkins, Mr. William. Winks, Mr. J. F. Bankers, Messrs. Smith and Co., Derby; Messrs. Smith, Payne and Smith, London. Bible Translation Society. Formed 1840. OBJECT:-"To aid in printing and circulating those translations of the Holy Scriptures, from which the British and Foreign Bible Society has withdrawn its assistance on the ground that the words relating to the ordinance of baptism have been translated by terms signifying immersion; and further to aid in producing and circulating other versions of the word of God, similarly faithful and complete." INCOME, year ending March 31, 1849 BALANCE in hand Treasurer, G. T. KEMP, Esq., Spital Square. Allen, J. H., Esq., Brixton. Birrell, Rev. C. M., Liverpool. Birt, Rev. C. E., M.A., Wantage. Burls, C., Esq., London. Burns, Rev. J., D.D., London. Cox, Rev. F. A., D.D., LL.D. Murch, Rev. W. H., D.D., Watford. Committee. Travelling Agents. £1,472 8 6 1,546 9 10 40 12 9 Mursell, Rev. J. P., Leicester. Pewtress, T., Esq., Gravesend. Pike, Rev. J. G., Derby. Pryce, Rev. E. S., B.A., Gravesend. Rev. George Francies, 61, Walnut Tree Walk, Lambeth; Roy. Manoah Kent, Shrewsbury |