source of all that power which is to tell upon a world lying in the wicked one. 3. We observe, finally, that if our Congregational Nonconformity is to survive the struggle which it has now to maintain, and is to pass on with honour and triumph to the coming generation, it must be increasingly seen in unequivocal alliance with the power of vital godliness. question that springs up for discussion; but to be high-minded, conscientious men, "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," is an attainment which all might covet, but which few comparatively reach. | May we not, dear brethren, look back with advantage to the spirit of the olden time? Would not the stirring zeal of the present age be greatly improved by being brought into combination with the con- We have reached a crisis in the history templativeness and profound devotion of of this country. Formerly, statesmen the generation of Nonconformists which held fast to the doctrine, that while it has passed away? We cannot read the was their duty to uphold religion, yet the memorials of our Nonconforming fore- whole weight of their authority and fathers without feeling that we are dwarfs influence was to be thrown into the scale in the spiritual life. "We have heard of one particular church. Through this with our ears, O God; and our fathers fiery ordeal Protestant Nonconformity have told us what works thou didst in has passed unscathed. But now we are their days, in the times of old." Would in a transition state, and our most enlightthat we could call up from the tombs in ened statesmen are about to make all which their ashes repose the seraphic religions, as far as they can, stipendiaries spirits of those mighty champions who of the state. The effects of this will advocated and adorned our principles in doubtless be twofold,-to increase to an evil times. We can never think of them awful extent the worldliness of the Chriswithout self-reproach; nor can we think tian profession, and to test the sincerity of ourselves in comparison with them of those who have hitherto regarded the without feeling that we have become, in kingdom of the Redeemer as a spiritual many respects, a degenerate race. We and self-sustained institution. The crisis want a mighty ministry that shall shake to which we refer has, beyond doubt, been and convulse the minds of men with the brought on by the Anglo-Catholic party power of heavenly truth. We want to in this country. By their indoctrination see our churches occupied with great of the people, and many of the clergy, realities, more profoundly enlightened, they have succeeded in weakening the more deeply devotional, less pugnacious, principles of the Reformation, and in far more instinct with the spirit of love, creating a strong feeling on the side of far more clad in the beauty of holiness, Romanism. Statesmen there have always and far more intent on a world's salvation. been, who would have gladly favoured There is a restiveness in many of the Rome, and saturated every religious churches in the present day, which we institution with the Erastian principle; long to see subdued-a tendency to differ but it remained for the Puseyite party in and contend about the veriest trifles, and this country to prepare the way for the a love of change, which makes the posi- state of things which is fast approaching, tion of our pastors, in many cases, anyand which I greatly fear will lead many thing but a bed of roses. I express it as to make shipwreck of faith and of a good my conviction, after a long deliberate conscience; when they find that not one investigation of facts, that we lack nothing sect only is frowning upon them, but all so much as an increase of vital godliness. sects which have consented to be taken Our Nonconformity cannot live, much into the pay of the State. Our Congregaless thrive, without it. It is the soul of tional Nonconformity dare not prove so our Ecclesiastical polity. It is the life of recreant to its avowed principles, nor so all our fellowships, the spring of all our ungrateful to the men of past times who action, the bond of all our union, and the | have borne the burden and heat of the day. But what is to enable it to keep its head erect above the swelling tide which is likely soon to pour in upon it, when statesmen, by reason of their new allies, will be able to treat it with contempt? My brethren, there is but one refuge to which it can betake itself; but, thank God, that is all-sufficient! Let our Nonconforming principles, which will suffer no alliance with the state in spiritual matters, be associated with the spirit and power of vital godliness, and we have nothing to fear. This will give tone and energy to all our movements for our own edification, and for the salvation of the world; while it will draw down upon our pastors and churches those copious showers of Divine blessing which will crown them with fruitfulness and peace. Sifting times, I doubt not, are rapidly approaching; but if we are true to the doctrine of Christ, and to the spirit and usages of the primitive church, we may bid defiance to all the powers of earth or hell. The brightest gem in the crown of our Nonconformity will be the growth and prevalence of the heavenly mind. For this mind, our principles themselves exist; and, in the absence of it, their public profession is the reproach of those who make it. Our pastors, however devoted, must awake to new energy in their Master's service; must stand prepared for great undertakings in the spirit of prayer; must become more thoroughly imbued with the mind of Christ; must dig deeper into the mine of Scripture; must preach with a more seraphic zeal; must watch for perishing souls with an intenser purpose to rescue them from perdition; must be more entirely absorbed in the one great purpose of labouring for eternity with death and judgment continually before them. Our churches must be abodes of truth and peace. The demon of strife must be driven from their midst. Their membership must be knit together in love. An unction from the Holy One must rest upon them. United and fervent prayer must cement their fellowship, and hallow their social intercourse. There must be no struggle for pre-eminence; no selfseeking; no petty jealousies; no secret whisperings and backslidings; but all must be humility, brotherly kindness, and charity. Such a condition of our Nonconformity would invest it with a transcendent moral force, which would make it the terror of the enemy, the boast of its friends, the joy of angels, and the glory of Christ. In conclusion, let every Congregational Nonconformist be more than ever impressed with his responsibility. Your avowed principles admit of no neutrality in religion. In professing to hold a primitive faith, you should tremble lest you should be found destitute of a primitive spirit. Your church principles require that you should know the truth, and that the truth should have made you free. Your membership in the church ought to attest the reality of your conversion and the genuineness of your faith. With the vows of Christ upon you, there should be inscribed upon your character "Holiness to the Lord." Your Nonconformity can only flourish in the element of habitual communion with God. It is a plant of celestial origin and growth, and it can only become fruitful in holiness and love, as it is continually refreshed and invigorated by the dews of the Spirit. Chelsea. J. M. ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOUNG MINISTERS TO ENGAGE IN OPEN-AIR PREACHING. I. Christ practised it. We never feel so happy as when we think our feet are just in the footsteps of our Divine Master. I appeal to all godly men, if it is not so. Well, "the Sermon on the Mount," will always remain as Christ's sanction to the important work. II. The New Testament commands it. "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind." Begin with the city, because its dense population most needs it; but do not stop there. "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in," Luke xiv. it. around, and a solemnity, becoming a sacramental feast, pervaded the congregation. One zealous man went to the parsonage, and informed the rector of it, who ought to have rejoiced that some one was attempting to awaken his sleep III. The state of our country requires ing neighbours; but he took the alarm, Multitudes are inaccessible, both from the pulpit and from the press. They will not come to our sanctuaries; they will not read our books. The people are perishing for lack of knowledge. O, I wish this were more prayerfully considered; then I am sure it would cause the preachers to go forth to the people. One minister told me "The time is past; men are so engaged, that large congregations cannot be collected now, as they used to be in the days of Whitefield and Wesley." It may be so, but it remains to be proved. Men were always much engaged. I can remember forty years ago, and then men were as busy as bees-not in railways or in steamers; but they loved the world, and were steeped in its cares or its pleasures. Men have never any time to think of God, until they are raised by the voice of some man of God. It is a great call for gratitude, that we have hundreds of chapels and ministers more than there were in former days, yet still there are multitudes in our country who need the rousing that faithful outdoor preaching can produce in them. IV. The success that attends these labours is another great inducement to go everywhere preaching the word. Here facts are of great importance, and, thanks be to God, they are not wanting. I could mention a score, but let the following suffice: When a stripling, I preached in a benighted village, under a cluster of trees. Some singers accompanied me. It was in the cool of the day, and the stillness of the evening greatly favoured my voice, while the gentle breezes wafted the sound of the singing far down the valley. Many, who wished well to that village, had circulated the intelligence of our intended meeting. The people came from miles VOL. XXV. and preached a rousing sermon about it the next Sunday morning, from the words, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing." And what of that? Was the matter quashed? O no. Two persons were hopefully converted to God, who long lived to show the sincerity of their religion; and a Sunday-school and regular preaching followed. Was not this encouraging? A few years after this, I preached one Sunday morning on Gosport beach. Several men-of-war were lying in the distance, and several regiments were in the barracks and garrisons around us. The Sunday morning generally presented an awful scene. The beach was crowded with sailors and soldiers, and a busy throng. Several dear missionaries, now in heaven, went with me. We stood on the market-house steps. One brother gave out the hymn, "Life is the time to serve the Lord," which we sung to the well-known tune of the old hundred. The singing roused the half-drunken people in the taverns, who turned out immediately, some of them with long pipes in their mouths, and tankards of beer in their hands. Many of the respectable people in the High street opened their windows, or stood at the doors, to see what was the matter. The butchers' shambles were full of buyers and sellers, who left the market, and came out to listen so that the butchers had literally nothing to do. This was too bad. It was attacking the devil in his stronghold. The hope of their Sunday gains was going. It produced a spirit-stirring effect on a gentleman connected with the market, who called on us in the course of the week, saying, "I like religion as well as any man, but I like it in the regular way; and I warn you not to take your stand again on the market-house steps." Very 2 A well; but did this stop us? Stop us, indeed! No, no! We were not to be stopped. The people heard and felt; and it will never be forgotten how some rough men-of-wars' men were seen wiping away their tears with the sleeve of their blue jacket, while others were employed in pulling away those who were weeping. O, it was a glorious sight,-enough to inspire any preacher. Here were men who had stood the brunt of war, and never quailed at the roaring of the cannon, melted into tears at the sound of mercy and salvation through a crucified Saviour. The text was, "I have a message from God unto thee;" and God blessed the labours of that day. One thing is worth recording. A young sailor, belonging to the navy, came to me weeping, and saying, "I am sure you must be thirsty after so much speaking: do take this three-shilling piece, and get something to drink," at the same time thrusting the money into my hand. I said to him, "Brave fellow, we did not come here to get beer." "O, no," he replied, "I know what you came here for; it was to save my soul. You must take the money." "Have you a Bible?" I inquired. He answered, "No." "Is there one in your frigate?" "I never saw one. "Then come with us, and you shall have a Bible for your three-shilling piece." So he walked with us to our lodgings(there was no college at Gosport)—and obtained the precious book; and as he grasped it, he put it into his pocket, and exclaimed, "There-I'll part with that book when I part with my head-not before." This work was continued long after I went to India, and the smile of heaven rested upon it. And could not large congregations be collected now? Are the people more busily employed now than they were then? "Is the Lord's arm shortened, that he cannot save" a sailor? O, no! Surely, then, there ought to be a regular Sabbath-morning attack on Satan's kingdom in every seaport in the queen's dominions. There is a beautiful part of England, where out-door preaching has led to almost all the religion that is in it. I once visited this neighbourhood, and was requested by a pious farmer to preach in his farm-yard. I did so, and God well paid the farmer for the loan of his premises, by converting one of his dear children. Ah! could all the farmers in England understand what happiness this good man feels, they would be sending for ministers from all parts to come and preach in their farm-yards. The happiest results have followed, and are still following, from the conversion of the farmer's daughter. "God is not unmindful of your work of faith and labour of love." There is a secret about service done for God, which tells upon temporal prosperity as well as spiritual good. It is often experienced now as it used to be, that "the Lord blesses the house of Obededom because of the ark." Men who see lions in the way, when an effort is to be made, will tell you, “ O it is no use to try, people will not come. A congregation cannot be collected." I never found it so. There is a greater disposition in men to hear a sermon, and a greater ability to appreciate it, than is generally supposed. If there is a spirit of fervent preaching, there will soon be a spirit of zealous hearing. A good appetite will be created; and a few conversions in the course of the summer months will create a desire to be employed in the same way next year. Thus far my facts have been connected with villages and a sea-port, now let me take you to the ancient city of Norwich. In my last preaching visit to that place, some friends promised me a congregation of ten thousand people if I would preach at "Lollard's Pit," the spot where the martyrs were burnt. Several ministers were consulted, who proInised to give me their countenance and support. Public notice was given at the missionary meeting. Many godly people offered to go with us and assist in singing. It is not too much to say "there was great joy in that city" at the proposal, and fervent prayers ascended up to God from many an anxious bosom for showers of blessings to rest upon us. At last the evening arrived. A waggon was placed as a platform for the ministers. The sides of the amphitheatre were covered with persons sitting on the grass; while people on horseback, or in gigs, or in chariots, were in the midst of the people in the plain. One minister gave out the hymns, which were sung with great power. Another minister prayed. The scene overpowered me. I had a good cry to begin with, and after having vented my feeling in tears, the sermon began. It was not long, but long enough for one preacher. The perfect decorum of the assembled multitude was truly beautiful. There were not 10,000 present, but there were thousands-and as we concluded, and were returing to our houses, the people were streaming up the sides of the hill-so that if we could have continued the service another hour, no doubt but we should have had the full complement. In such a promiscuous throng was it likely to hear of any good being done? Yes, the Lord gave testimony to the word of his grace, and there was joy in heaven in the presence of the angels of God, over at least one sinner that repented. Now, lastly, let us go to Salisbury Plain. In an old Roman fortification, a good brother and myself met a number of the shepherds and their families and neighbours. We distributed some hundreds of tracts. My brother gave out a hymn and prayed. A few people were in tears. We were just getting warm in the work, when horses and chariots came among us and broke up our meeting. We were If hooted off the Roman castle; yet even here good was done. There was seed sown that day which will bring forth fruit for ever. "Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ." Now, my beloved young brethren, let me say one word to you. Christ practised this mode-if the Bible commands it-if the state of our country requires it-and if past successes encourage it, will you not make an effort this summer? It is my intention to go; will you go? Will you go? O yes—go, and make the "inhabitant of the rock sing." Go, and make "the desert blos som as the rose." And you, dear praying people, who compose our churches, will you help us? We cannot work well without you. "When Moses stood with arms spread wide, And you must be to us what Aaron and Hur were to Moses. You must hold up our hands. You must sustain us by your prayers. I often go from home, but never without calling in the aid of those who wrestle with God-and they do wrestle for me. Dear friends, promise your ministers to help, if they will go. Consider how great your power is! Elias was a man of like passions with us, and he opened heaven by prayer; now, if one praying man could do this, what might not fifty praying people do towards the conversion of a parish, or of the world. Wotton Tabernacle. RICHARD KNILL. CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS. To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-It is too bad that your valuable time should be taxed to reply to your correspondent, "W. R. D." The common sense of your readers ought to be fully sufficient to resist the delusion of such rhodomontade. What Christian ever dreamed of the laws of the New Testament being given for the government of the world? Our Saviour and his apostles dictated directions for the church. The |