Such facts-largely used by Lord Brougham long ago-one would" think, should be adapted to stimulate the application of the most lethargic, and to promote, in an eminent degree, the taste for reading works of solid information. We shall be glad to meet "Onesimus again in his new vocation.

The Evangelical Clergy of the Church of England. By the Rev. WILLIAM THORN, WINCHEster. London: WILLIAM FREEMAN,

Fleet-street.

This is a work in which the venerable William Thorn professes to try the superior claims to Christian confidence of the Evangelical Clergy of the Church of England, by "the Word of the Lord." The examination is carried on in a letter to a Dissenting gentleman. Our Author's work is divided into four sections. Under the first, he examines the motives which induce certain Dissenters to worship occasionally with the Evangelical Clergy. Under the second, he shows the anti-Scriptural position, assumptions, teachings, and doings of the Evangelical Clergy. He considers, under the third, the apologies usually made to extenuate the unscriptural teachings and doings of the Evangelical Clergy, together with the usual excuses of enlightened Churchmen for regularly attending the State worship. The fourth and last section is devoted mainly to the discussion of the following questions:-1st. Were an Independent Minister to teach, act, &c. like the Evangelical Clergy, how would he be treated? 2nd. Were the like apologies to be made for him as for the Evangelical Clergy, how would he be regarded? Mr. Thorn's Tracts on the State Church are thorny productions. His work on Baptism has also been thought, by our Baptist friends to be somewhat thorny; but we imagine his investigation of the superior claims of the Evangelical Clergy will be felt by the parties alluded to, to be most thorny of all. There is a certain matter-of-fact character about nearly all Mr. Thorn's writings which must make him a peculiarly disagreeable antagonist. Some things in this work will not command the unqualified approval of the general reader; but, on any matter connected with State Churchism in any of its aspects, Mr. Thorn is 'entitled to be heard with deep respect. The book will be perused by our readers with considerable interest.

The Shekinah. By William Cooke. London: J. B. Cooke, 21, Paternoster-row.

Our readers will remember that we bestowed a passing glance on this work a few months ago. Want of space at that time prevented a more extensive notice. We now gladly return to the subject. The purpose of the Author is to discuss "the Presence and Manifestation of Jehovah under the several dispensations, from the Creation of Man to the Day of Judgment." He discusses this great subject under five heads. First, the Shekinah as manifested in the Antediluvian Age. Second, the Shekinah under the Patriarchal and Jewish dispensation. Third, the Shekinah in the Incarnation and MediaFourth, the Shekinah in the Person Fifth, the Shekinah in the Future

torial work of the Son of God. and Offices of the Holy Spirit.

World. To the Author's able Treatise on "the Shekinah," he has appended Dissertations on "the Cherubim," and "the Urim and Thummim." We scarcely know, to which, of these treatises the highest merit attaches. The whole volume bears marks of a mind of considerable originality and force, and of a heart earnestly in sympathy with the great verities of our most Holy Religion. We have not often perused a work adapted to awaken a deeper or more enduring interest. We cordially recommend it to all our readers, as adapted to enlarge their minds and to improve their hearts.

NOTES OF PROGRESS IN THE EAST.

A Railway Journey in India.

We

That brief whistle, that strong, silent pull, that gradual glide, that monotonous rattle, have nothing in them, here in the plains of Bengal to distinguish them from the same sounds and sensations so often experienced amid the factories of Lancashire, the red cliffs and blue, sounding waves of South Devon, the vine-bearing plains of France, the rugged passes of Styria, the tropical hills of Havannah, or the wild jungle of Western America. The train travels at a rate varying from fifteen to twenty miles an hour. About every eight miles occurs a station with some uncouth name. look out as we pass one of these; the long straight line of iron rail still retains its familiar look of civilisation, but all its circumstances have become entirely Oriental. The station is a little white bungalow, with green open doors; its name "Hooghly," is written in those three characters which suggest at every turn to the most careless traveller the strange fate of India: the English, plain, business-like capital letters, looking as if they were conscious of belonging to the conquering people; the graceful Persian curling from right to left, emblematic of the politeness, the facile dexterity, perhaps, too, of the intrigue and instability, of Central Asiatics, powerful enough to impress on a susceptible people a manner which makes every peasant of Hindostan more or less a gentleman, but unable to cope with the plain, honest force which is represented by the Roman capitals; and lastly, the mystical Bengalee, the vernacular of the province, closely allied to every vernacular tongue all over India, which here at the Hooghly station, is read by thousands; while of the two conquering languages one is read by hundreds, the other by units; the language of the conquered million, yet containing in it the roots of more than half the words spoken by conquering English, close akin to the ancient Sanskrit, that source beyond which the stream of human language has not yet been traced. the train moves on, and, so far as it is concerned, the conquering English has it all its own way. The ancient Sanskrit is still represented by every one of the dull objects which meet the traveller's eye. The ungraceful palm, so strangely associated in European minds, with Oriental beauty; the green, melancholy plain; the occasional glimpses of the yellow, sluggish, corpse-bearing river - these are the witnesses to the fact, so strange, yet so forgotton-that where the English steam-engine now travels, there, just one century ago, the Nawab of Bengal was marching down on Calcutta to perpetrate the Black Hole massacre-that tragedy from which the Anglo-Indian empire took its birth. Here, centuries ago, the Hindoo walked and sat and smoked, worshipping his god Permanence, even as he walks and sits and smokes and worships the same god to-day. Fraser for December.

But

The Chinese Language in Roman Characters.

Bishop Boone, of the American Episcopal Missionary Society, who is settled at Shanghai, states that books are in preparation to teach the natives to read their dialect by means of the Roman alphabet. The books written in the literary style, which requires a knowledge of some three thousand characters to read and write it with any degree of facility, are quite inaccessible to the masses. A large number of the converts are illiterate, and, from want of early culture, could never be induced to attempt to master the difficulties of the written language. By means, however, of the substitution of the Roman letters, they may learn to read the Gospel in a few months. When such assistance is obtained, it is, Bishop Boone states, much easier to learn to read the Shanghai dialect of Chinese than a European language, since there are only six hundred and fifty different spellings, which are made up of a few final syllables, varied by a change of initials, as, for instance, b, d, f, h, j, k, as initials applied to the finals ang, ong, ung. The pupil has, therefore, only to learn such words as bong, dong, fong, &c., without being troubled with difficulties in spelling. The American Bible Society has furnished the type necessary for carrying out this new method of printing in China.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

LEEDS CIRCUIT.

The opening services in connexion with our new Sabbath-school and Preaching Room, in East-street, Far-bank, Leeds, took place on Thursday evening, August 27th, when a sermon was preached by the Rev. Henry Tarrant, of Manchester. On the Sunday morning following a public Prayer Meeting was held at seven o'clock, and in the forenoon at half-past ten, and in the evening at six, sermons were preached by the Rev. S. Sellars, of Barnsley. Also in the afternoon, at half-past two o'clock, by our newly appointed Minister, the Rev. E. Watmough. A delightful and gracious influence pervaded the whole of the meetings, and many were led to exclaim, "It is good to be here."

On the Thursday evening an aged individual, one of the contractors for the building, was deeply convinced, under the Word, of his state as a sinner, and the next day, whilst his son, who is superintendent of the school, and another of our friends were engaged in prayer with him, he experienced the pardoning love of God. Also, at the Prayer Meeting at the close of the Sunday evening service, many were found seeking, and several obtained mercy through the blood of our Redeemer, in the forgiveness of their sins, and thus God, at the very first services, has owned our humble endeavours.

On Monday evening, August 31st, a public Tea Meeting was held, when nearly four hundred persons sat down and partook of an excellent repast, the trays having been furnished gratuitously by the Ladies. After tea, Robert Plummer, Esq. (in the unavoidable absence of Edward Baines, Esq.) was called to the chair, who, in a very neat and encouraging speech introduced himself to the meeting, and then called upon the Secretary to read the Report, which stated that the school was commenced about the year 1827, in a room in the Steander-bank, where it remained until the year 1842, when, in consequence of the dilapidated state of the building, they were obliged to leave. From there they removed to a room in Cross Mill-street, which they occupied until August, 1855, when notice was served upon them to quit, the premises being required for other purposes, and again the teachers were obliged to look out another refuge, which was found in the third story of a mill, ascended to by wood steps outside, both dangerous and difficult, and, when entered, nearly

altogether unadapted to their purpose. In the whole of these rooms they never had accommodation for infant or select classes. The teachers had long felt these disadvantages, they had talked over them and prayed over them, and at last they resolved, by the help of Almighty God, to make an effort to build a new school. Preparations were commenced a year and a half ago, and the result is, we have got a large and spacious School Room, sixty feet long by thirty feet wide, with kitchen, bedroom, scullery, three vestries, and an infant class-room, with other conveniences attached, at a cost of £830. The undertaking was a great one for a few humble individuals; but, nothing daunted, they went forth, knowing that "the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, the gold and the silver are His, and the cattle upon a thousand hills," and that He hath the hearts of all men at His disposal, and could inspire them to give liberally towards this noble object. Nor did we trust in vain, or spend our strength for nought, for by the subscriptions of our friends and the proceeds of a Bazaar got up by the Ladies, with collections at the opening services and surplus of tea meetings, we have already raised the sum of £530. After the reading the Report the following Ministers and Gentlemen addressed the meeting-Rev. W. Dawson, E. Watmough, E. Irwin, Esq., J.P., M. Johnson, W. Rinder, J. Horton, J. Sedgwick, J. Cliff, and Wm. Danby. Also, at intervals in the course of the evening, a selection of sacred music from the Messiah and Creation was performed in a masterly style by a choir of upwards of thirty voices (who gave their services gratuitously), under the leadership of Mr. William Tetley; his son, Master George Tetley, presiding alternately at the harmonium and pianoforte. The effect produced by some of the choruses was really magnificent; but the last, the Grand Hallelujah Chorus, appeared almost to electrify the people. After a vote of thanks had been given to ladies, singers, and chairman, the meeting was brought to a close by singing the Doxology and prayer being offered up, and thus ended one of the largest, best, and most exciting meetings ever held in the Leeds Circuit.

In the course of the week following a note was received by Brother Horton, one of the superintendents, from a gentleman whose name we have a longing desire to mention, but who forbids it, enclosing a further subscription of £20, the donor having previously given £10. The teachers earnestly hope that this example may be followed by others who have the good things of this world at their disposal; and by their own continued efforts they expect to see the building free from debt. Towards the accomplishment of this object the Ladies intend holding a Bazaar as early as convenient, when any article from friends in the other parts of the Connexion will be thankfully received.

Preachings have been established on the Sabbath evenings, the congregations have been large almost to overflowing, a stand has been made against Popery and its twin sister Puseyism, which has made such rapid progress in that part of the town and neighbourhood of late years; the Word has been preached with might and power, the influence of the Holy Spirit has been felt, souls have been saved, the name of our dear Redeemer glorified, and our humble endeavours crowned with abundant success.

To God be all the praise.

WILLIAM WEET.

GROSVENOR ST. CIRCUIT, BRADFORD NEAR MANCHESTER.

It will be gratifying to many of the readers of the Large Magazine to know that the cause of God is still progressing at Bradford. Eight eventful years have rolled away since the chapel was erected and the school-room opened (temporally for preaching) and religious instruction. During that time we have not been idle. There has been a gradual progress in every department. The society has increased both in numbers and status. At our last quarterly meeting they were reported by the superintendent preacher as sixty-nine full members and three on trial. The chapel was opened in December 1849. The congregation and pew-holders have been continually improving, the first years receipts for pews and sittings were 4l. 13s. 9d., the last year ending December 1856 amounted to 157. 8s. 3d., and by the close of the present

year we hope to realize 207. In order to increase the number of pew and seat-holders, the trustees resolved to have the chapel beautified and some of the pews altered so as to give them an equal elevation. The chapel was closed for two Sundays, service being conducted in the school-room, and on Sunday Sept. 27th the chapel was re-opened, when the Rev. W. Beckett of this Circuit preached two excellent sermons during the former part of the day, and the Rev. A. Gilbert our superintendent preached in the evening. The collections at the three services amounted to 77. 12s. 3d. Monday evening following was chosen for a public Tea-party, which was attended by a large number of the forgemen and their families employed at the Bradford Ironworks. Mr. W. Johnson, one of the proprietors, having engaged to let his men have the tickets at 9d. each instead of 1s. the regular price-he paying the difference which amounted to 30s. A greater interest was excited on this occasion on account of the loss of eight persons lives, four caused by the explosion of a boiler at the forge, and four by the falling in of earth in the shaft of a new coal-pit belonging to the same firm. Some of the bereaved relatives were present. Tea being over the friends adjourned from the schoolroom to the chapel. After singing and prayer, W. Johnson, Esq. was called upon to preside. The secretary to the trustees read a short report giving a rapid review of the origin and progress of the chapel and society, and stating that independent of 2007. borrowed on the chapel, a sum of about 30%. was required to wipe off the debt due to the treasurer and meet the expenses incurred in altering and beautifying the chapel. The meeting was then addressed by the Rev. A. Gilbert; W. Beckett; and R. Harley and by Messrs. Gault, Cleasby, Murray, Moreland and Whiteley. The secretary waited upon various friends during the speeches, and obtained subscriptions, which with the profits of the Tea Meeting, the Sunday services, and 51. from Adan Murray, Esq. one of the speakers, amount to 271.

The 3rd resolution moved by Mr. James Moreland, and seconded by Mr. J. Whiteley, created a deep and earnest feeling in the Meeting, and deserves the attention of the Connexion at large as showing the lively interest which true masters take in the spiritual welfare of their work-people and their families. Resolved" That owing to the large increase of population, the dangerous nature of the employment of many of the people, and the want of true religion so evident on every hand, this Meeting deeply feels the need of a resident Minister in this township, who shall visit from house to house and care for the spiritual wants of the people, and considering that Messrs. R. and W. Johnson of the Bradford Iron Works have so nobly and liberally given 30%. per annum for three years towards the support of such resident Minister, this Meeting resolves to raise by subscriptions and otherwise, a further sum of 301. annually, to meet the expence of employing a home missionary without delay."

The adjourned quarterly meeting of Grosvenor-street Circuit held on Monday evening, Oct. 12th, came to a unanimous decision, "to engage the services of a Circuit Missionary, who shall reside at Bradford, and devote his energies for the best moral and spiritual interests of that township." Thus far God has prospered the work of our hands in this locality, and our earnest prayer is that He would send us the "right man " that he may be in his right place."

་་

I conclude this account by stating that the Sabbath-school numbers more than 300 scholars, that nearly all our teachers and office-bearers are members of the Church, and that during the nine months of our Missionary year we raised 18. towards the Home and Foreign Missionary Society.

TAVISTOCK CIRCUIT.

CALSTOCK.

WM. FLETCHer.

The first anniversary of our Sunday-school here, was held on Sabbath, September 13th, 1857, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. E. D. Green, and a gracious influence attended the delivery of the word.

On the following day the juveniles were regaled with tea-cake, after which a public tea-meeting was held, about a hundred sitting down to "the social cup."