were present on the occasion; some of whom took parts in the services. Through the kindness and energy of the ladies of the congregation, a most elegant repast was provided in the school-room adjoining the chapel. About one hundred and fifty were present at the dinner, and two hundred and sixty at the tea. Several tickets for admission were given to the poorer members of the church, that they might share in the entertainments of the day. ORDINATION. On Wednesday, October 13th, the Rev. Samuel C. Kent was publicly set apart for the work of the Christian ministry at Brainton, North Devon. The Rev. John Bounsall, of Ottery St. Mary, delivered the introductory discourse. The Rev. R. Thompson, M.A., of Ilfracombe, asked the usual questions. The Rev. B. Kent, of Barnstaple, offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. Henry Madgin, of Tiverton, gave the charge to the pastor; and the Rev. J. Buckpitt, of Torrington, preached to the people. Several of the neighbouring ministers assisted in the services. gence which distinguishes almost every page of the works we have quoted, warrants us in anticipating a most valuable addition to the interests of pathological science in the forthcoming journal an anticipation further strengthened by the practical knowledge which Dr. Winslow must be daily deriving from the opportunities presented in his own private asylum. When, moreover, we look at the scope of the intended work, as intimated in the prospectus, that it will embrace, among other matters, analyses of works on mental derangement; abstracts of the reports of British and foreign asylums; accounts of judicial proceedings involving the question of insanity; original articles on the treatment of the insane; translations of appropriate papers from the German, French, and Italian literature-when we contemplate so wide a field of instructive lore, on a theme that comes home alike to "the business and bosoms" of the monarch and the menial, we hail the effort as deserving the loftiest patronage, and sincerely trust that such a work, needed as it is, and executed as we doubt not it will be, will enjoy a long and prosperous career; for, in our estimation, there is no public writer to be put in comparison with him whose philanthropic efforts are unceasingly directed to the hallowed purpose of "ministering to a mind diseased." LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.-MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE AND INSANITY. AMONG the many recent announcements in the literary world for the opening year, we are gratified to perceive there is one great desideratum about to be supplied in the production of a serial publication that can scarcely fail to command the attention of all classes of the community, but more especially of the medical, scientific, and legal members. A quarterly journal of psychological medicine and mental pathology, in other words, of medical jurisprudence and insanity, is to make its appearance on the 1st of January, under the editorial direction of Dr. Forbes Winslow, a gentleman whose name is already honourably known in the republic of letters by his invaluable works on the Disorders of the Mind, of which his "Anatomy of Suicide" and "The Plea of Insanity in Criminal Cases" furnish confirmatory proofs. In the medical periodicals of the present day, the important questions of psychological inquiry are, it is notorious, rarely discussed, and when alluded to, often but very succinctly and imperfectly examined. Indeed, a subject that involves the possession of personal freedom, the rights of citizenship, the acquisition of property, and all that can impart enjoyment to human life, requires professional ability of no common stamp to elucidate with a perspicuity that shall elicit general conviction. The intelli RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE CUMBER- Learning with much regret that the Rev. Robert Wilson, of Cockermouth, has seen it right to resign his pastoral charge there, we cannot allow this meeting of the Cumberland Association of Congregational Churches to close, without giving expression to our views and feelings respecting him. We are unanimously and cordially of opinion, that, during the five years he has been settled at Cockermouth, he has laboured with becoming devotedness, has adorned in his person the doctrine of God our Saviour, and has there seals of his ministry from the Lord, that will be his joy and crown upon a future day. His removal, we believe, gives satisfaction to none, but causes sorrow to all the members of the flock which he leaves behind. We are, moreover, under peculiar obligation thus to speak of him, when we reflect on the ability and assiduity he has displayed as one of the secretaries of this Association. Wherever be goes, our prayers will accompany him, and to any particular church of God we shall be happy to recommend him.” JAS. MACFARLANE, Sec. 662 General Chronicle. MISSIONS OF THE AMERICAN BOARD. (Concluded from page 606.) SOUTH AFRICA. 44 At Umlazi, near Port Natal, Mr. Bryant and Dr. Adams are labouring amidst many encouragements. 'If," say they, “we had ten tongues, they might all be well employed in teaching these ignorant people." The natives appear to be of a frank, confiding spirit, and perfectly accessible to missionary operations." "Their language, Zulu, is remarkable for euphony, and is not difficult of acquisition." Mr. Bryant's first day spent at Umlazi was the Lord's day; and his account of the scene is vivid and interesting: "The sabbath morning was as beautiful and quiet as any that ever dawned on New England. Soon after breakfast the natives were seen coming from various directions to attend the sabbath-school, their dark forms moving in silent procession, one after another, over the neighbouring hills and valleys towards the sanctuary. They first assembled in the school-room, which is under the same roof as Dr. Adams's house. There many of the females, who had come almost naked, clothed themselves in plain calico dresses, which are kept hanging up in the school-room for that purpose; and which, at the close of public worship, are again put off, and suspended in the proper place. About 200 assembled, and were taught, a few from the English Testament, but most of them from the Zulu books, which have been prepared and printed by the missionaries. In about three quarters of an hour more had assembled than the school-room would hold, and they all repaired to the chapel; where Dr. Adams spent some time in catechizing them, and hearing them repeat the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments. A few minutes were then allowed for recess; after which public service commenced. "Dr. Adams's chapel will hold about 600 persons. It was filled, and some stood around on the outside, who could not gain admission. Some were clothed very decently! some had only a shirt or pantaloons; a few were dressed in the cast-off garments of soldiers; and others were nearly naked. A portion of the men brought along their assagays and war-clubs, which they left outside the chapel door. This was almost our first view of the natives; and a singular group they were, 600 of them thus apparreled and crowded together in one long and narrow chapel. "The service commenced; and I looked around with interest, to see how such a company of heathen would conduct them. selves in the house of God. I was surprised, and happily disappointed, to find among them so much order and decorum, stillness and attention. I do not know but they were as quiet and attentive as congregations of this size usually are in New England. I saw no laughing or whispering, and but little restlessness and nodding; though the weather was warm, and some of them had walked twelve miles or more (sometimes they walk twenty miles) to attend public worship. So far as their conduct in the chapel was concerned, they certainly would not suffer in comparison with many congregations in America. Had my observation ended here, I should have gone away strongly impressed in their favour, and with too high an opinion of their civilization. "These people are little accustomed to restraint; and the task of sitting still an hour and a half at a time, is one that is seldom or never imposed upon them, except at public worship. When the service closed, therefore, their pent-up feelings seemed to gush forth with a vebemence which was the greater because of the previous temporary restraint; and many of them, on emerging from the chapel, started off on a full run, chattering and laughing like so many children just released from the confinement of the school-room. One or two minutes sufficed to give vent to their feelings; and they then retired with a good degree of silence and order. Save this one momentary outbreak, I saw hardly anything during the day that would be deemed reprehensible among the people of New England. "About three o'clock in the afternoon, the people again assembled in the school-room for instruction; but there were not so many as in the former part of the day. After singing and prayer, Dr. Adams questioned them with regard to the sermon, adding further explanations and remarks suited to press the subject home to their hearts." The labours of Dr. Adams have not been without fruit. Within a few months past, there has been unusual seriousness among the natives; and a few of them give good evidence of piety. The converts hold a prayer-meeting once or twice a week, which was commenced by themselves, without any suggestion from the missionaries. An interesting event occurred on the Wednesday after Mr. Bryant's arrival, viz., the marriage of two men, who give evidence of being truly converted, and who, of their own accord, abandoned polygamy, and desired to be married in a Christian manner. Men here commonly buy their wives with cattle; paying about ten head for a common woman, and thirty or forty head for the daughter of a chief. It is a mark of wealth. and honour to have several wives; and hence the natives are desirous of increasing the number, as they have the means. One chief, who lives a few miles distant, it is said, has eleven. Polygamy is one of the strongholds of heathenism. It is an institution which is bolstered up by two pillars-the selfishness of the people and their code of honour; and it is cheering to those who have long been toiling in this part of the missionary field, to know that some progress is made towards undermining this gigantic evil. Nothing but the gospel, operating on the heart and life, can thoroughly remove it; and men give some evidence of being truly converted, when, in defiance of the sneers and opposition of their countrymen, and at the sacrifice of their own temporal interest and honour, they renounce polygamy and begin to live according to the commandment of Christ. The men to whom I have already alluded had both had two wives. One man was married to the woman whom he had purchased first; the other to the one whom he had purchased in the second instance, because the first opposed his becoming a Christian, and had no desire to live with him afterwards. Having been duly published, according to the English laws, they were publicly married by Dr. Adams in the school-room, about eighty of the natives coming in as spectators. The occasion was improved to show them the sinfulness of polygamy, and to press on them the duty of living according to the institutions of Christ. FRANCE. OCCASIONAL REPORT OF THE EVANGELIZATION COMMITTEE OF THE CHURCH OF LYONS, FRANCE. IN our Report of the month of February last, we announced our intention to publish occasional accounts of the work of the gos. pel at Lyons, and this we have now the pleasure of doing, During the past six months the work has increased exceedingly. We mentioned in our last letter that seven agents, acting as colporteurs, or Bible readers, were labouring in our city or its suburbs. We now have fifteen agents, of different descriptions, engaged in carrying the word of truth from house to house. Several religious societies, desirous of labouring in this metropolis of popery, have met together in the most Christian manner in this vast missionary field. The Evangelical Society of Geneva has directed six colporteurs to Lyons, to the part-maintenance of which we contribute. The Foreign Aid Society has assisted us for two others. The Edinburgh Bible Society also supports two colporteurs: a lady in Scotland, a kind friend to the work in Lyons, has conveyed to us a special donation for another agent. The Free Church of Scotland entirely supports the, minister for the new chapel at the Croix Rousse. These several efforts are carried on with a harmony for which we cannot sufficiently bless God. The brethren employed in evangelization have meetings every fortnight, for the purpose of prayer and the study, in common, of the various questions which interest the work; and also of passages of Scripture which may appear to require elucidation. By means of these different agents, nearly one thousand Roman Catholic families are regularly visited, and in most of which the gospel is listened to with respect and pleasure. We wish our friends to remember this large number of persons evangelized, and to help by their prayers the brethren engaged in this great field. We have already mentioned, the work commenced at the Croix Rousse, and the difficulties we were meeting with in preparing to open our new chapel. It were too long to relate all the details of this complicated affair, which we have been pursuing for the last eight months; it will suffice to mention, that the prefect of Lyons began by absolutely forbidding our religious worship in any part of the township of the Croix Rousse. Some time after, the mayor added a special refusal with respect to the place of worship; but which we need hardly say, was based on no sincere or serious motive. We appealed from both these decisions to the minister of worship, M. Hebert; and, on his keeping silence, and after waiting patiently for two months, we informed him that we should open the chapel on the 30th of May last. We also informed the mayor of our intention; he replied by a fresh refusal to permit our worship. We persisted in our intention, and, on the day fixed, opened the chapel for public worship. We were aware that the meeting would be dispersed, but we felt that it was our duty to obtain, by any means, the recognition of our most sacred rights. We felt that we were supported by the good wishes and prayers of our brethren in Christ, of all denominations; and we were, moreover, following the directions of the Society for the Protection of the general Interests of Protestantism in France. The commissary of police made his appearance; and having, with as much respect and civility as the case would admit of, read his summons to the meeting to disperse, it broke up in the greatest order, although many persons were shedding tears. A prosecution was inevitable; but the Lyons authorities feared, apparently, to discuss the great principles of religious liberty and, instead of pursuing the mini. ster, M. Cuenod, or any of the persons present at the meeting, they attacked the landlord of the chapel, who had let it to us several months previously, and who was quite a stranger to the whole matter. But the cause of religious liberty was to be fully pleaded, and to obtain almost the victory, before the various jurisdictions of the second city of France, and in the head-quarters of Jesuitism. We succeeded in obtaining the assistance of one of the most celebrated and most estimable members of the Lyons bar, a councillor of the prefect, and who had been substitute for him. Our landlord, it is true, was condemned to the minimum of punishment, viz., a fine of sixteen francs, for having allowed the meeting to take place on his premises without permission; but the public prosecutor was forced to acknowledge, in the fullest manner, that our public worship was guaranteed by the charter itself, and that none could legally contest our right. We feel assured that this verdict, and a similar one obtained the same day, in a case which had occurred in the neighbouring department of the Ain, has greatly advanced the cause of religious liberty in France. A full account of the proceedings is to be published, and which, we trust, will preclude all further contestation as to our right to celebrate religious worship according to our own convictions. We have again applied to the authorities to authorize the premises; and, as the great principle of freedom of worship has been recognised, we trust shortly to obtain a favourable decision, which is the object of so many desires and prayers. Our chapel at the Croix Rousse, although closed, has yet been useful to the cause of the gospel. Interested by the opposition of the authorities, and the subsequent prosecution, crowds of persons have been to visit it, and, by means of tracts and suitable addresses, the keeper has had abundant opportunity to make the gospel known. The irritation at first caused by the clergy has disappeared, and the public voice has become more and more favourable to the cause of the oppressed. In the mean time, a large congregation is prepared for the final opening of the chapel; and our excellent minister, M. Cuenod, has a circle of about 250 families, who look upon him as their pastor, and who may be considered as gained to the gospel. It would be very desirable to open schools at the Croix Rousse, they are much needed; unfortunately the state of our funds does not allow us, at present, to entertain this object. While the township of the Croix Rousse is separated from the city of Lyons, by its elevated position and its steep approaches, the township of the Guillotière is not less so by the rapid Rhone; and although there are six bridges to unite it to Lyons, yet five of these take toll, which is a great obstacle to attendance at the chapel by our poor weavers. The Croix Rousse contains a po. pulation of 35,000 souls; the Guillotière contains more than 40,000, and is becoming one of the most important of the Lyons districts. Adjoining this township is the extensive village of Villeurbane, which is nearly a league in length; and the hardly less important village of Charpennes is quite contiguous. There are several members of the Lyons congregation who reside at Villeurbane, and we should have very great facilities in opening a chapel there. We have long entertained hopes for this district; meetings for edification have for some time been held there, and a regular place of worship is very much desired. Previous to undertaking this, we have been desirous of following the system pursued at the Croix Rousse, and have called special ministers to labour there. Our Evangelization Committee has obtained the services of our esteemed brother, M. le pastr. Laügt, for this important post. Nothing but the clearest indication of God's will would have induced us to take this step, at a time when our funds are so deficient. But the most unequivocal directions of Providence have traced our path, and the good hand of God has given a blessing to our determination. When M. Laügt arrived amongst us, there were 200 families in this district ready to receive him. After a residence of two months, this number had increased to 300. Having paid them a first visit, he recommenced his labours, and was much impressed by the favourable change which had almost everywhere taken place in the interval. Where he had at first been received with indifference, he was listened to with pleasure. Many persons had made notable progress in the knowledge of Divine things, and several appear sincerely converted to God. Thus has a new evangelical district or parish been rapidly formed; and we already anticipate the time when it will require more than one pastor. Have we been imprudent in establishing our esteemed brother there, while we have such a deficiency in our funds? These 300 families are there to reply. We trust our friends will hear their voice, as we have done, and will enable us to consolidate our labours in this new district. (See conclusion in Supplement.) |