Canadian Scenery Illustrated, from Drawings by Bartlett. The Literary Depart. ment by N. P. Willis, Esq. 4to. Parts 20, 21. George Virtue. Fox's Book of Martyrs. Edited by the Rev. John Cumming, M.A. Imperial 8vo. Part 12. George Virtue. The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland, illustrated from drawings by Bartlett. The Literary Department by N. P. Willis, Esq. 4to. Parts 11, 12. G. Virtue.

Reasons Why I, a Jew, become a Catholic, and not a Roman Catholic. A Letter in reply to the Rev. R. W. Sibthorp, B.A. By Ridley H. Herschell. 8vo. Unwin. Two Beasts in Purple, and Two Witnesses in Sackcloth; or Spurious Churches Armed with Power, and Apostolic Churches Suffering for Truth. By Robert Hudson. 8vo. Renshaw.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Just published, Victory over Death; a Sermon preached at Maldon, on Sunday Morning, Dec. 26th, 1841, on occasion of the Death of Mrs. Ann Horrocks May, relict of Mr. John May, of Maldon, Merchant. By Robert Burls. Jackson & Walford.

In the press, a New Missionary Work on South Africa. By the Rev. Robert Moffat.

Preparing for publication, and to be ready early in March, the Essay on Missions, by the Rev. Richard Winter Hamilton, to which the second prize, in a recent competition, was adjudged.

Just published, in 8vo, A Visit to the United States in 1840. By Joseph Sturge.

CHRONICLE OF BRITISH MISSIONS.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

CHANGE OF THE OFFICE OF THE HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The Directors beg respectfully to intimate to the friends of the Society, that after the term of Lady-day next, the Office of the Society will be removed from 11, Chatham-place, to the Congregational Library, Blomfield-street, Finsbury Circus, where communications, as usual, can be addressed to the Secretaries. The Committee of the library having suitable rooms at their disposal, offered them on advantageous terms to the Directors, who considered that, in accepting them, they were consulting the convenience of their friends who visit London, and who have business to transact with them.

FUNDS PRESSING NECESSITIES OF THE SOCIETY.

Last month, the pecuniary difficulties of the Society were pressed on the attention of its friends. It was stated that it was in debt £1000, and had, besides that sum, about £2000 to pay to its agents at the term of Lady-day. Since the 21st of January, to the 22nd of February, the sum of £600 has been received from all sources. This sum includes two liberal donations-one of £150 from a friend who has often assisted the Society in its difficulties; and £50 from Joseph Trueman, Esq., Walthamstow. The friends of the Society cannot but perceive that a large amount is still required to meet its exigencies. The Directors expected a larger return from the New Year's Cards than has yet been received. They still cherish the hope, that before Lady-day, they will obtain from these auxiliaries, and from other sources, an amount adequate to their expenditure. They would urge their anxieties no further on their friends, but leave the subject to their kind and Christian consideration.

DEPUTATIONS-MR. FORD'S AGENCY.

The Directors are happy to state, that Mr. Ford is at present actively promoting the important objects for which he engaged in the service of the Society. He has already visited the Home Missionary stations in the counties of Kent, Surrey, Suffolk, and Norfolk, and is, at present, on a visit to the stations in Lincolnshire, and the East Riding of Yorkshire; after which, he goes as deputation from the Society to the churches of Somersetshire, where he commences his labours on the 18th of March, and closes them on the 5th of April. While making collections in that county, in aid of the funds, he will also have an opportunity of visiting the stations of the Society, which the ministers and churches have long actively and liberally assisted the parent institution, in sustaining. Already we have satisfactory proofs of the usefulness of Mr. Ford's visits to the stations of the Society. The missionaries have been refreshed and encouraged, while the people have been made anxious to do more in aid of the Society than they had formerly done. In Kent, several pulpits were opened to Mr. F. and collections given to assist the Society.

The Rev. Dr. Redford, and the Rev. John Robinson, have kindly engaged to visit the churches in Northamptonshire this month, as a deputation from the Society.

DEATH OF REV. C. N. DAVIES, OF BRECON.

The Directors of the Home Missionary Society deeply lament the loss of Mr. Davies, to the church at Hereford, to the cause of Christ in general, and to the Home Missionary Society in particular. Mr. D. had not only agreed to become the pastor at Eign Brook Chapel, but had also entered into an engagement with the Directors, to prepare a select number of young men for Home Missionary service, in addition to those educating for the same work, in Bedfordshire. After mature deliberation, this plan was adopted as the best, in the present deplorable circumstances of the county of Hereford. Mr. Davies felt the deepest solicitude for the spiritual improvement of that dark portion of England, and he was prepared, when the young men had been collected, to introduce the preaching of the Gospel into as many villages and towns as were accessible. If his valuable life had been lengthened, it was arranged that in a few weeks he should have commenced his duties of tutor, and co-operated with the Directors in seeking the religious improvement of a county, to which he had devoted his best wishes and energies.*

POOR AND OPPRESSED MEMBERS OF HOME MISSIONARY CHURCHES.

The Directors have much pleasure in referring to the prompt and liberal assistance rendered by several of the London churches, to the poor and oppressed members of some of the Home Missionary churches. The facts published last month in the Home Missionary Magazine were of a most painful description. Copies of the statement were sent to most of the London ministers before and since the first Sabbath of February. Several of those who received them at the earlier period, named the facts to their people. The result has been very gratifying. At the table of the Lord, on the 6th February, additions were made to the usual contributions for the poor. Christian sympathy and benevolence were excited. So that, besides supplying the wants of their own poor, the churches have forwarded to the secretaries of the society, nearly £250. In addition to this sum, the distressing statements in the Magazine have led various individuals to send about £40 for the same object. The list of contributors is published in the Home Missionary Magazine for this month. It would have been much larger, had not a number of churches previously engaged to collect for the suffering poor in Paisley. Many Christians are already rejoicing in the help they

* A full and accurate account of our deeply lamented brother is being prepared for the pages of this Magazine, by one of his earliest religious friends.-EDITOR.

have received. A considerable portion of this sum has been sent to eighteen missionaries in ten different counties, where the wants of the people are most pressing. The churches on the above stations contain 700 members, one-half of whom need the help of Christian brethren. Fresh facts are daily received, so that the sum already obtained, liberal as it is, will soon be exhausted, especially if similar distress should be found to prevail in the seventy-five churches, the pastors of which receive grants from the society.

Regret is felt because of the necessity that appears to exist, for publishing fresh cases of deep poverty, and of unchristian oppression. In no other way can Christians know the real condition of their fellow-believers in country districts. There is not the least intention of exciting angry feelings against any class of men, because of the harsh and unfeeling conduct of some of their number. Along with the cases of suffering and oppression, some of a different and more pleasing character are given in the Home Missionary Magazine for March, and in a separate form at Mr. Snow's, 35, Paternoster Row. Subscriptions will be gratefully received by the Secretaries, 11, Chatham Place, in further aid of the poor members of the Home Missionary churches.

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNALS OF REV. S. G. MORRISON, OF ARMAGH.

Sept. 25th, 1841.-The great Head of the church has given us a little reviving in this city, so that the congregation in the Tabernacle is greatly increased. We have been visited occasionally by some of the respectable inhabitants of the town, whose report concerning our principles and simple services has been extremely favourable. On some occasions our chapel has been crowded. It is no new thing to see it thus on special occasions; but on ordinary occasions to see a full chapel, is as new as it is encouraging. Knowing, as our people here do, that character is all we have to recommend us, we are very cautious in receiving members into the church, and hence the paucity of the numbers in fellowship. But deep impressions have been made upon many of our young people. And even popery's Cimmerian darkness has been streaked at least with light, as a blessed token of its final dispersion before the gathering, spreading "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Animated by any tokens of success, your agent, notwithstanding having suffered much in constitution by cut-door exertions, resolved to go to the highways. I selected the market in front of the gaol, and standing under the drop, or place for execution, I gave out my hymn. Brother Carroll, of Rich Hill, read the Scriptures and prayed, and I preached from John xvi. 8. I had a very attentive audience, and was told that six unfortunate females heard the Gospel then. O how was I doubly blessed as I saw the big tear steal down the manly cheek, and heard the sigh, doubtless of penitence and prayer, as if the Spirit was putting life and power into his own word! Several strangers pressed through the crowd, and shook me fervently by the hand, and entreated me to preach next market-day. I promised to comply, should my health not suffer from the exertion. Accordingly, on the next Tuesday, I took my stand on the same remarkable spot, and surrounded by hundreds, declared the nature, necessity, and plan of justification. Should the Lord permit, I will follow up good, emphatically good, plan.

this

In my country stations, there is every thing I can wish. We have large congrega tions, attentive hearing, and, in many instances, good results from the Gospel preached, if we may judge from the effects produced on the life. To all my stations, I have been permitted and privileged to attend, without a single disappointment during the quarter. I mention this, because I think it due to your Committee, that

the proceedings of its agents should be known; lest enemies should say, what has been said, of idleness and apathy, as attributed to our brethren.

Dec. 28th.-I have, with one or two exceptions, caused by affliction, regularly supplied all my missionary stations, twenty-four in number, during the last three months. The congregations, generally speaking, are very much increased, and I am satisfied, real piety is more sought after, enjoyed, and exhibited, than ever. Indeed, the spirit of hearing the Gospel, is extraordinary. In addition, I have visited from house to house, every family attached to my ministry, endeavoured to discover the state of each family and each person; visited and examined schools, and made efforts to engage teachers. I have had seventy-eight stated services, together with a number of occasional ones, during the quarter. Agents here have long deplored the want of persons to aid them in prayer-meetings. We have now ten, whose spirit and prayers instruct and delight our assemblies, and about fifty persons who attend the meetings. My heart bleeds to think what time, and talents, and money, have been generously lavished upon Armagh, for twenty years by your Committees. If mine be the lot to reap the fruits of the precious seed sown by my laborious predecessors, I will rejoice. The reception of a person into the church has been no common thing with us. Each candidate for fellowship has undergone a lengthened probation, and a searching examination, touching public character and private life. Thus, if we receive few members, they are those we can depend on, as likely to do us good, by the efficacy of their prayers, and the influence of their example. I have now a fact to record, which is unprecedented among us in this place. There are no fewer then ten applications for membership in the last ten days. I make no comment upon this fact; but leave it to produce the same feeling upon your mind, and the minds of our brethren, which it has not failed to produce upon my own. I bless God and take courage. I look forward to the day when of the Tabernacle it shall be said, seeing it filled with consistent and zealous disciples-" What hath God wrought!"

S. G. MORRISON.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

FACTS RELATIVE TO BRITISH COLONIZATION.

The territorial possessions of Great Britain are immense. They include more than a fifth of the habitable surface of the globe. Nothing in the history of mankind is more astonishing, than the rapid growth, and vast extent of British dominion and influence in the world. The Christian mind-the contemplative mind-cannot fail to see in it indications of some mighty purposes of God. The character of the people to whom this wide dominion is given-free, commercial, naval, enlightened, Christian; the period in the world's history, as developed in prophecy, at which this commanding position has been assigned to the English people, when the appointed term for the permitted prevalence of tyranny, idolatry, and paganism, is drawing to a close; the nature of the dominion itself, which being spread out in various parts of the world, remote from each other and from the ruling power, entirely precludes any attempt for the construction of a universal tyrannous empire, but opens the utmost facilities for beneficial influence; the kind of institutions which the British people must carry with them wherever they settle, and more or less establish wherever they all these considerations, and others, too numerous for mention, point significantly and plainly, to the present dominion of England in the world, as designed for the most beneficent influence on both the secular and spiritual interests of mankind. Let the extent of these possessions be considered. British India is not properly a colonial, but a conquered territory. It is not a region to be possessed, and peopled

govern;

by settlers from the parent and ruling state. Our Saxon institutions can never probably be made to take root, among the ancient and numerous races occupying those immense and fair regions. Our extensive possessions in Africa, and the West Indies, are not strictly colonies-regions to be occupied and peopled by settlers from the parent and ruling state. The coloured tribes will be the people of those regions, yet probably more imbued with British sentiments, more moulded by British institutions, than can ever be the case in the East, because our dominion over them has commenced while they are yet in primitive barbarism and ignorance.

But the Canadas are properly a colony. Vast as are the countries comprised under that designation, they are still chiefly to be occupied and peopled by emigrants from the British Isles. The native tribes that once roamed over their wide solitudes, and hunted through their noble forests, are hastening to final extinction. Long ere the Canadas are as densely peopled as are now Great Britain and Ireland, they will contain and support a population of fifty millions. More than the first and parent million-the nucleus round which the rest will gather, the spring from which they will flow is already in possession of its inheritance, not only subduing and forming the face of the country, but struggling for free, wise, just institutions. A mighty nation is there planting its forms and usages, receiving its impress and character. And how many faithful men are labouring there, in connexion with the Colonial Missionary Society, to sow the seeds of truth, liberty, and religion? Not more than twenty-five.

The British North American Colonies on the Atlantic-Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, are again properly Colonies-regions to receive a British population. Already nearly four hundred thousand of our countrymen have established themselves in those fine countries. Three of their cities-Halifax, in Nova Scotia; St. John's, in Newfoundland; and St. John's, in New Brunswick-contain each more than thirty thousand inhabitants! And how many missionaries has the Colonial Society in those cities and provinces ? Not one!

The British possessions in the regions of the Pacific are properly colonies, countries to receive a population of British origin. Wonderful! At our antipodes-in extent exceeding twenty-fold what can hardly be called, in relation to them, without a smile, the parent state!-possessed by England without a battle-thinly sprinkled with rude or feeble hordes sufficient only to aid our colonization, or to exercise our justice and humanity-advancing us into contiguity with the great pagan empires of the East-India, Burmah, China, Japan-salubrious, productive, maritime, through almost their entire extent. And in these regions are there also to be empires of British origin, speaking our language, perpetuating our institutions, diffusing our influence? Let facts speak. In 1831, the sale of lands in New South Wales realized £3618. In 1840, it produced £339,713. The imports of British manufactures into New South Wales in 1835, amounted to £707,000. In 1840, to £2,260,000. Three years ago, there were probably five hundred vicious and desperate vagabonds of Brtish extraction--runaway sailors, escaped convicts, and similar outcasts-roaming about the noble islands of New Zealand. Already there are there probably five thousand enterprising settlers, employing capital, enterprise, skill, and virtue, in the establishment of some of the most hopeful colonies in the world. Van Diemen's Land, Port Philip, Adelaide, the Swan River, are all, though not with equal progress, working their way successfully through the difficulties inseparable from colonization, and in the result most beneficial to such enterprises, to strength and permanence. They contain probably eighty thousand British settlers. And what is the share and part borne by the Congregational Churches of England in impregnating with the leaven of pure Christianity the vast beginnings of their country's colonization in this Australian world? Not worth naming-not to be spoken of but with a blush. With six