class will feel a desire to bend their way on the Sabbath to the obscure and forbidding localities which most of our metropolitan chapels occupy, and the sombre and uninviting appearance of the places when they arrive there; and can it be any tribute to the honour of Christianity, or credit to the age in which we live, to continue occupying from choice those localities into which we were driven in the days of persecution; or can it be any advantage to our cause to enforce a tribute of humility on all who come within the sphere of our example or instruction? It is gratifying to perceive, that if the Baptist denomination has been regardless of this large class of the inhabitants of London, other denominations have not been equally remiss in their duty. It is not, if we know any thing of the working of our hearts, that we refer to their example in a spirit of envy, but to provoke to honest and praiseworthy imitation. Other denominations have found their reward in their labours. They have proved a nursery for suburban and more distant country churches. Attracted in the first instance by convenience, or a variety of external motives, many of this class have received spiritual benefit; have attached themselves to the connexion as well as the church; and, on retiring from the metropolis, as most persons do in advanced life, have fostered churches in the localities which they have chosen, and thus spread the knowledge of the truth as effectually as if they themselves had been the preachers of it. In how many instances has this been the true history of churches, especially in the neighbourhood of London; but it is a mode of operation of which, as a denomination, we have never availed ourselves, simply because we have never had an inviting central chapel, which should attract that class of men from whom such benevolent endeavours might be expected. What may have been our loss through this neglect it is impossible to say; nor is it any relief to suppose, that if we have failed in our duty, that duty has been discharged by other Christians. It has not been done by any, or by all, to any thing like to its full amount. The labours of others are only just enough to point out our duty; not to supersede our labours. If they have been useful in a few instances, still they have left the many without spiritual benefit; and no body of Christians is discharged from labouring in a field so inviting for its fruit. fulness, and so beneficial in its ultimate results. We are not insensible to the difficulties and the onerous responsibilities of such an undertaking; but, surely, if the pious, and wealthy, and benevolent portion of our denomination could be brought to estimate the importance of such a design, it would not be permitted to sleep under cold and lethargic wishes; and when it is recollected, that not only an individual church, but the denomination itself, and what is more, the interests of religion at large, would be essentially promoted by such a step, and that it is one in which the country, as well as town, might be appealed to in its behalf, may we not hope that prompt and vigorous efforts will yet be made for its accomplish ment. Permit me, then, Mr. Editor, before I close, to ask, Is there no aged member of our denomination, who, instead of bestowing his property on thankless heirs, will do in favour of such an undertaking in his life time, and while he may witness its appropriation, what the late Mr. Taylor of Newgate Street did for the Stepney Institution, bestow such a substantial testimony of his regard for our denomination as may at once stimulate the activity of others, and guarantee the ultimate accomplishment of the design. Such an individual would do more to benefit posterity, and to extend the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, than if he were to bestow his wealth for the relief of tempo. ral or physical evils in any of their various and complicated forms; and, even if posthumous recollections formed any subordi nate place in his motives, his name would live fresh in the memory and hearts of unborn generations, who might be benefited by his liberality, and who might meet him with their congratulations and rejoicings in a brighter and a better world. I am, &c. J. HADDON. A well written Letter on the same subject, signed "A Mother," contains the following remarks: "As the head of a rising family, worshipping in another section of the Christian church, yet retaining very early preferences for, and full persuasion of the truth of our peculiar views, I am, in common with many others, exceedingly desirous that my children should be able to set out in their christian profession amongst our own body. Yet to do so, will interfere greatly with the regularity and order which should be observed in every religious family. They may be useful and interesting christians elsewhere; but their energies are exerted, and connexions are formed, and our own denomination loses the benefit thereof. "It was proposed at our annual meeting, to endeavour to raise the income of our Missionary Society. Think you that those members of our denomination, who through the force of circumstances have entered the circle of our Pædobaptist friends, do not throw their subscriptions and donations within the same enclosure ? Assuredly they do. And though the amount may not be large, scattered as they are in these congregations, it would tell to more account if sent into its own place." EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT. When a Christian traveller falls casually into the company of a Romish priest, and a conversation on religious topics ensues, it is not uncommon for him to suppose that the unknown disputant with whom he has been talking is an infidel. The reason is that the priest has been endeavouring to undermine the foundation of the Protestant's faith, having the ulterior object of showing that it can only rest safely on the authority of the "Holy, Roman, Apostolic, and Catholic Church." A similar course is that which the writers commonly denominated the Oxford Divines are now pursuing. The design of their most recent publications is to produce a conviction that ecclesiastical authority is the only legitimate basis of Christian faith. A stranger finding a loose sheet of one of their performances might be at a loss to decide whether it belonged to the book of a Romanist or of an Infidel. The last number of the "Tracts for the Times," is thoroughly sceptical in its tendency. Setting out with the position that "if it be a good argument against the truth of the Apostolical Succession, and similar doctrines, that so little is said about them in Scripture, this is quite as good an argument against nearly all the doctrines which are held by any who is called a Christian in any sense of the word," it proceeds to enlarge on "the external difficulties of the Canon," and "the internal difficulties of the Canon," and to show that "were it not for our happy reverence for the Canon of Scripture, we should make exceptions to many things in Scripture;" and that God "has given us doctrines, which are but obscurely gathered from Scripture, and a Scripture which is but obscurely gathered from history." The leading article in the British Critic, published in July, is on "The Study of the Evidences." It occupies sixty-six pages and is elaborately written. Care is taken to avoid such assertions as might be adduced to bring home the charge of an absolute renunciation of Protestantism, and to insert detached sentences which might be brought forward in a defence of the writer. But the tendency of the whole is to decry the study of the Evidences of Christianity. Much that it says of the writings of Paley, whom it calls "the Joseph Hume of Theology" is true; much that it alleges respecting the insufficency of external evidence to produce influential faith is important; yet the evident design of the article is to discountenance the study of the Evidences, as a part of education, and to teach that the Scriptures, and scriptural doctrines, should be received and inculcated as deriving their sanction from "the Church." It tells us that "The Roman Catholic communion, whatever else it was or did, must be allowed this praise, that it was ever distinguished as a pillar of the truth. Its awful unity seems to have preserved it from the infidel temper of recent ages, as much as from the vast apostasies of the Eastern Church. Bacon, in his Advancement of Learning, reviewing with no small exactness all present and past theology, never once notices the Evidences of Christianity as a branch of learning, either existent or desired. The Romanist, therefore, can hardly fail to think it a decisive condemnation of our system, that, after having enjoyed our liberty for three existence of Him after whose name we call ourcenturies, we are now employed in proving the selves; and have dropped so far to the rear of in the instruction, not merely of the contheology, as to make this a prominent feature troversialist, not of the Church's professional advocate, but of the general student. He must think it an admission, that, severed from the Roman Communion, we have no authoritative Bible in the name of the English Church; and voice in our own, and cannot put forth the therefore are driven to make the Bible stand by itself, by a curabrous apparatus of Evidences, He must then conclude that we have gained voice of Rome, and by loosing from her comthis harm and loss by not hearkening to the munion." This and much more of the same kind the reviewer does not "linger to answer :” he is content to leave him who argues thus driven from it by the following single sentence: in possession of the field, unless he should be 66 We need not linger to answer the Romanist, who is as responsible for our separation and its his own attempt to make the Church all sufficonsequences as we are, except to observe that cient without the Bible is producing the same unhappy retrogression, the same scepticism, and the same necessity for laying again the first foundation of faith, as the Protestant attempt to dispense with the Church, and to base the genuine ness and authenticity of the Scriptures on history and criticism." Thus, while the advocates for scriptural religion and scriptural freedom are charged with an unholy alliance with infidels abetting the delusive systems of which infidels and papists, the highest class of churchmen are and papists are the prey. Whether such statesociety, to promote popery more than infidelity, ments as these are adapted, in the present state of or infidelity more than popery, it is difficult to determine: but, doubtless, they will produce a state of mind in many whose sentiments and characters are yet unformed, which will predispose them for either, and will issue in the one or the other, according to the circumstances into which they may be cast. An overland letter from the Rev. C. Lacey, General Baptist Missionary in Orissa, brings the gratifying intelligence that orders have been received by the resident Commissioner, from the Supreme Government, that the Pilgrim. Tax is to be immediately and entirely abolished.. "Congregational Union of England and Wales," a Preparing for publication early in November, by the CONGREGATIONAL CALENDAR for 1840;" this work will contain, besides the usual Almanack and various matters essential to such a publication, a mass of information most important to all our Congregational churches, including those of the Baptist denomination, It will be adapted for families, and be continued annually. Shortly will be published in 1 vol. post 8vo, Memoirs of the Rev. W. Milne, D. D. of China, with Biographical Annals of Asiatic Missions from Primitive to Protestant Times. By Robert Philip, author of Life and Times of Bunyan and Whitefield. N.B. The materials of Dr. Milne's Life have been supplied by his family and friends. 3 FD MISSIONARY HERALD. Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the Funds of the Baptist Missionary Society will be tha nk fully received by the Treasurer or Secretary, at the Mission-House, 6, Fen-court, Fenchurch-street, London; in Edinburgh, by the Rev. Christopher Anderson, or H.D. Dickie, Esq.; in Glasgowby Mr. Joseph Swan; in Dublin, by John Parkes, Esq., Camden-street; at the Baptist Missionpress, Calcutta, by the Rev. James Thomas; at Kingston, Jamaica, by the Rev. Joshua Tinson and at New York, U. S., by W. Colgate, Esq. PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE OF A FAMILY OF NATIVE CHRISTIANS IN INDIA. OUR engraving this month represents the pro- | was therefore particularly exposed. He saw the vidential deliverance of a family of Native flood rapidly advancing, and could perceive no Christians, which occurred in the month of means of removing his family to a place of safety. May, 1833. At that time a destructive gale At last, it struck him, that, by getting on the took place, which, in its effects, greatly injured top of his house, they might remain uninjured the villages of Mukerjea-Muhal, Khari, and till the waters abated. With this view, he asBamanabad,--mission stations which are situ- sisted his wife, mother, and two children in ated on the borders of the Sunderbunds, or ex- mounting the roof; and, following them himtensive forests, which skirt the province of Ben- self, determined there to wait the subsiding of gal on the south. These forests are intersected the flood. The waters, however, rose much by various arms of the sea, the water of which higher than he expected, and seemed to threaten rises and falls with the tide. The villages are every moment to wash them all away. He situated at the head of one of these creeks; and, looked on with anxiety and distress, when, to at the time of which we are speaking, the wind, his surprise, he found that the force of the water which had blown most furiously from the south had broken the strings which fastened the roof all one night, had prevented the water from the to the posts, and, raising it from the latter, was creek from receding at the ebb, so that it had carrying himself and family away upon it, as remained nearly level with the bank till the upon an inverted boat, towards the jungle. In coming in of the tide on the following morning. these novel circumstances he felt still more The wind still blowing with great strength in the alarmed for the safety of the party; but, through a same direction, the sea soon rose above the kind Providence, they were all carried for two bank, and rapidly formed a body of water seve- miles, till they reached the jungle, on the brushral feet high, which, impelled by the wind, wood of which they and their conveyance were crossed the country from the south-east with securely deposited. After a little time they maawful grandeur, making a noise like distant naged to climb a tree, in which the whole party thunder. Deer, wild hogs, and other inhabit- remained till the morning; when Subal found the ants of the jungle, washed from their retreats, flood sufficiently abated to allow him to proceed mingled together in wild confusion, and were to Khari, from whence the brethren soon came many of them drowned. to his assistance, and brought his family in safety to their ruined habitation. A subscription was raised to aid himself and other sufferers in the flood, in rebuilding their houses, and they were soon again in possession of a quiet home. Some persons on the spot, who were watching the progress of the storm, feared what the consequences would be, and gave immediate notice to their neighbours. In the course of a few minutes their fears were verified, -the swelling surge arose, carrying destruction with it. At all the villages most of the houses were washed down; while at Khari the mud walls round the burial-ground were completely levelled; and the large chapel, and the houses of the native preachers, raised several feet from the ground, were greatly damaged; and had not the people, heathens as well as Christians, found refuge in the latter buildings, many of these villagers (as was the case in the surrounding ones) would doubtless have been washed away. Though Subal was thus wonderfully preserved in this calamity, we regret to say that it was only to meet death in another unexpected form. A few months afterwards he went a little way into the jungle, with three other native brethren, to cut the dry grass which grows there, and which is used in the roofing of houses. As he was engaged in this employment, a tiger stole upon him unperceived; and, seizing him in a moment, carried him off into the surrounding jungle. The other brethren had but a glance of him as he was carried away; and, knowing it to be hopeless to attempt to rescue him, and dangerous for them to stay any longer in the neighbourhood, they gave up their employment, and poor man was never heard of again; and, doubtless, fell a victim to the furious beast. The missionaries trust that he was a sincere and humble believer in Jesus, and that to him "sudden death" was "sudden glory." It was in this inundation that the family of Subal, before referred to, was exposed to danger, and rescued in the following singular manner. The huts in which the peasantry of Bengal re-made the best of their way to the village. The side are generally very slightly built. A bamboo post is erected at each of the four corners, to which mats are attached, so as to join the walls. The roof, which is constructed of straw or leaves, fastened on a frame-work of split bamboos, and in shape like the roof of a barn, is We are happy to add that one of the children laid on the four bamboo posts before men-preserved from the flood was afterwards admitted tioned, and securely fastened with twine. into Mr. Ellis's boarding-school at Entally, The house of Subal was situated on a spot of and is now a promising pupil in that instituground almost surrounded by the jungle, and tion. CALCUTTA. 391 THE following communications respecting several of our Indian stations were forwarded us by our brother Ellis, of Calcutta, under date of 12th of February last. It will be seen that they consist of letters and journals supplied by the missionaries themselves; some of whom-Gunga Narayan Sil, for instance— in writing English, use a foreign language. we conceive the interest of the communications will be increased; and feel When this is taken into account, persuaded our readers will rejoice in the evidence they afford of persevering evangelical labour carried on by these humble servants of the Redeemer in the various and distant stations to which they refer. Calcutta, Jan. 15th, 1839. On the first Sabbath in the year, two women, the wives of native Christians, were added to the native church by baptism: they had long given satisfaction to the members by their conduct. The congregation of the native church is on the increase; and we hope that there are many indications for good. Sujatali continues active and useful. The members all seem to look up to him with respect and affection. There are two inquirers in daily attendance on Sujatali. hence. And whenever I had occasion to hear expected to return in three or four months their prayers, I observed that they seldom forgot to beg the Lord on his behalf; and, as a particular instance of this, I shall mention the following circumstance :-On the New Year's day a great number of us met together at the chapel, for the purpose of spending the day in meditation and prayer for the general outpouring of the Holy Spirit, when a portion of the word of God was expounded, and twelve prayers were offered up to the throne of grace. Though I do Two candidates were proposed for baptism at those who prayed, or the subject-matters of their not think it necessary to mention the names of our last church meeting. We need a revival. prayers (which were indeed suitable to the ocAlthough the congregation continues steady, casion,) but what I chiefly intend to do here is, there are few under serious impressions,-few to set down the expressions made use of in their inquiring the way to Zion with their faces prayers, relative to Mr. G. Pearce's welfare, as thitherwards. No thirsty desert needs the show-well as I can remember them. ers of rain from above more than we need the outpouring of the Spirit. Lord," cried Circular Road Chapel. hear one of the brethren, "have mercy on our beloved pastor; remove his afflictions; take care Luckhyantipore.-Mr. F. DE MONTE. of him on the great deep of water; and safely Ever since my arrival here I have enjoyed back to us again in the full enjoyment of health.” conduct him to his dear relations, and bring him good health, and have been employed as usual Another earnestly entreated the Lord thus:in the work of preaching. About a week ago, I“ O Lord, let us see his face and rejoice; visited the Khari station, and found the brethren his word and be instructed." And a third adpretty well here, as it regards their health. The dressed the throne of grace in these words:eleven persons that were lately baptised by Mr. C. C. Aratoon, at this station, seem to walk as for the good of the poor and needy." I think, my "O God, bring our pastor back to us speedily it becometh the Gospel of Christ; and also dear tutor, it would occupy too much time and eighteen other persons have offered themselves space to give here all the words that have been as candidates for baptism, and I hope they will uttered on the occasion respecting Mr. P., and, be received into the church when Mr. A. visits therefore, I shall pass them over in silence, and the station next time. Some of the people made shall only observe that these few expressions many inquiries about Mr. G. Pearce, and par- evidently show us the great and unfeigned love ticularly Nilu, Bhunie, and Muchiram Sing are which the people have for him. Perhaps you very anxious to hear whether he has wholly got are aware that during the months of September rid of his affliction, and expected to return to and November last, eighteen persons were bapCalcutta in a short time. Kalachand Mandal tized by Mr. Aratoon here, and I hope in time observed to me on a certain occasion, "Indeed, they will prove to be useful members of the I cannot but remember, sir, Mr. Pearce's kind-church. We have also four candidates for bapness to me with gratitude; for when I was quite a blockhead, he took me into his own house, and, as an affectionate father, taught me to read and to write, and subsequently encouraged me to make myself useful in the mission." Many of the brethren of Luckhyantipore likewise often inquire of me whether Mr. P. is well now, and tism in this station, and of course when we are Luckhyantipore.-GUNGA NARAYAN SIL. xvi. 13. "Thou, God, seest me." The number |