sed to the levying of church rates, e his refusal to sign the warrants. worthy magistrate, however, was ered from his dilemma by the ence of Sir John Kerle Haberfield, having no conscientious scruple in matter, signed the required docu s." Hume, Pellatt, Miall, Collier, and Bright, joined in demanding the entire abolition of the present mischievous and disgraceful system. Woe Very briefly we state our views of this question. We are opposed to church rates on principle, and have had much to do personally in excluding them out of every parish in Leicester, where, twenty years ago, they were in full force; but we would not, for the sake of getting rid of the impost, as Mr. Phillimore proposed, forfeit our right to meet in parish vestry on all parochial questions. We regard such meetings as normal schools of liberty and self-government. will betide England if they are broken up, and Whig centralization thrust in their place. Besides, church property is our property, and we claim our right to have a voice in its management and appropriation; and never until the episcopal establishment is swept away altogether shall we relinquish our claim. In the mean time if we permit episcopalians to occupy our national buildings rentfree, the least they can do is to be thankful for the favour, and keep them in proper repair. 66 " THE BAPTIST"-HIS NAME AND e Stamford Mercury, a few weeks gave an outrageous case, the subce of which was, that a pony worth was taken from the Rev. Mr. on of Market Deeping, baptist minisfor a rate of 1s. 44d., and sold for Os. From one of Mr. T.'s friends sheep were taken worth £4, for a of 6s. 1d., and sold for £2, after all ng a deficiency of three shillings and apence in the charges of expenses! magistrates ought to have interfered prevent such exorbitant charges. ely Sir John Trollope was not cognt of this shameful affair. he above are given as specimens of y other cases of a similar character. such legalized robberies as these what Lord John regards as the age of the nation to religion! Some lemen have very singular notions of ion and the homage due to it. We, our simplicity, imagined that the nce of homage was the perfectly and willing spirit which led to the on. But how long is this vexing THE discussion on this subject having stion to disturb the nation? Ever been brought to a close in our last e the passing of the Reform Bill we number, we have now a remark or two e had hopes held out of its speedy to offer respecting it. When Mr. Fryer final settlement. But they have all ventured, in his first letter, to impugn the ved delusive. A few weeks ago, positions which Mr. Lancaster had asy 26, the subject was again discussed sumed in his published discourse from he House of Commons. Mr. Philli- which we gave extracts in January, we e proposed to relieve dissenters from looked over his letter with some interest, impost on certain conditions. Sir and finding on inquiry that he was not, Clay offered an amendment pro- like "George King"'—a dissembler, but ing their abolition, recommending a reality, and occupying a responsible y rents and a better use of certain position in the city of Exeter under its rch property as a substitute. But famous bishop-observing too, that he 227 against 185, and 220 against 172, displayed some knowledge of ecclesiash motion and amendment were re-tical history- -we deemed him an antagoed. Sir Robert Inglis, like a true nist worthy of some regard; and we tory, would have neither; and Lord admitted his letter, though in some parts an was again inconsistent and insult- scarcely civil and much too arrogant, He is reported as saying that having no doubt that Mr. L. would be rch rates were not necessary to an both able and willing to defend himself. ablished church, but there ought to This Mr. L. did, and his reply produced a more strict enforcement of the pre- a second letter from Mr. F., which, with t law! Mr. Peto seconded Sir W. Mr. L.'s reply to it, appeared in our last. y's amendment, avowing his princi- Our readers can now judge for thems distinctly, and proving how little selves between the combatants. We Peggity existed for compulsion Messrs had nothing to fear from the first and have less now, for really Mr. F. must have felt his ground untenable, or he never would have resorted to such attempts at evasion as appeared in his last letter. We trust this taste of baptist controversy which Mr. F. had the temerity to indulge, will teach that gentleman that the people nicknamed "anabaptists" have really after all got something to say for themselves, and that it is far easier for him to dictate among a number of boys in a national school, than sustain himself with credit as a controversialist in the pages of a baptist periodical vauntingly says, "I defend the doctrines Church of England a of your correspondent is this challenge; b Mr. F. better reflect begins, for he may expose himself and dangers; nay, he m junction from his diod impetuous courage. fight, let him "lay on Christian Activity. Samuel Prichard is a resident of Brecon, South Wales a little town much frequented on account of its proximity to several excellent trout and salmon rivers. He is a fishing tackle manufacturer, and, in addition, is a professor of the art of angling. In the fishing season he is almost constantly out with some member of the aristocracy, gentlemen resident in the neighbourhood, or officer from the military depôt in the town. This association with men who are more prone to laxity than correctness of life has by no means vitiated him, but, it is to be hoped, has had a beneficial tendency upon them. Oaths, so general with sporting gentlemen, are never allowed in the hearing of Prichard without a word of remonstrance; and this, instead of causing him to be avoided, has only made him the more courted; so that he is almost indispensible in any fishing excursion. So much for the discharge of duty in business. Samuel Prichard is of very humble origin: necessity has compelled his working all the days of his life for a subsistence. This he has done cheerfully. But it has deprived him of the opportunities of mental cultivation, which would doubtless make him a shining as well as a useful man. In his younger days some thoughts were entertained of his going into the Haverfordwest or some prevented; perhaps a when he came to man He t who knows? might be useful in the Lord, and therefore opportunity which p being of service to thos came in contact. Not opportunities presented in the streets and cott more extended field o door preaching, which for many years with re During the last two o has formed a little chu cottagers in the worst A large cottage which than a hundred people, up with convenient furni at stated periods for the gospel. On Sunday ev is always filled, somet ently, with attentive and ers; and these, of cou want of proper clothin other cause, are rarely found in a place of wors happy has been the labours, that it is admitte preaching has worked al converted the worst a into the quietest and neighbourhoods. Every month, someti publicly baptizes in the verts who are the result And of course, large spectators - including amusement seekers, are al ese occasions Prichard's energy of eter is strongly brought out. His sses at these times are forcible etermined statements of principles. ings to his aid no bated breath, ngs before his audience the strong is of his faith, inviting all who will amine and prove his positions, er they are sound and tenable, or er they are insufficient and not ed upon scripture testimony. Who may not make an effort? and however humble it may be, who can say that that effort will not be recorded at the "Great Day" as the means of some erring wanderer being brought home? Who can say ? Reader: MAKE EFFORT. AN over texts of scripture strongly favouring infant sprinkling, Prichard renewed the offer of a prize to adults-offering for one text, either in the New or Old Testament, as handsome and suitable a book as could be bought. The prize has not been claimed yet-nor is it likely to be. But this has been done-considerable enquiry has been instituted the minds of the children have been informed, and it may be that many adults have been st month, upon one of the occasions, convinced of the exceedingly untenable er gathering than ordinary assem-position of infant sprinkling-it may be to witness the interesting service, that upon their minds the conviction has , probably, to the fact that three come-however tardy, that it matters ers were to be immersed. Prichard little what the Prayer Book says; what ving a considerable number of ingenious theologians have written, if en present made an offer of two they speak not according to the revealed to any Sunday Scholar, of any will of God, their prayers and teachings nination; the first prize being given are vain. y boy or girl who should bring the est number of passages of scripture matory of Believers Baptism. The d prize was to be given to any boy rl who should bring the greatest er of passages sanctioning Baby ism. The prizes were to be two somely bound books. A consideramount of interest was manifested e young folks as the day approached he distribution of the prizes ard having adopted various means WHAT a remarkable personage was ake his offer known-which caused Jesus of Nazareth! The world never e town considerable conversation on saw his like before-nor since. Unubject. At the time appointed the questionably he was, to say the least, was filled, and lots of the little the greatest philanthropist, the most le anxiously anticipating carrying beneficent benefactor, that ever trod our one of the books. The first list earth. Always labouring for the good à in contained thirty-seven, the of man and the glory of God. And yet ad forty-seven, and the third forty- the world despised him, spat upon him, passages in defence of adult or crucified him; brutally murdered its vers' baptism. Other lists were best friend; persecuted his followers; ved, but none contained more than and endeavoured to exterminate his hird list: the boy handing that in cause. But, alas for human policy and ved the prize. But when a request carnal wisdom! Christ's cause was of made for the lists of passages con- God," and therefore could not " come to tory of infant sprinkling, a pause nought." From the day when three ediately ensued-no list appeared. thousand publicly avowed allegiance to n the question being asked if no boy the despised Nazarene until now, Christ's come prepared with one, another kingdom has been making steady and e ensued; at last, one of the boys sure progress. "He must reign till he e the solemn silence with-"Please, hath put all enemies under his feet." it is not in the Bible, but it is in But how is it that christianity has not Prayer Book, if that will do?" Of extended wider than it has? We think se it was explained that the Prayer the answer is obvious. Because chrisx would not do. The second prize, tian influence has been criminally limited: efore, remained unclaimed. How because those who have professed the as many of the older people might name of Jesus have not imitated Christ k that children, not understanding so much as they ought to have done. ON CHRISTIANS IMITATING CHRIST. 66 ITA OVORY disciple more stronnonolu "followed Christ" in going about doing good, we must think the world would by this time have been better than it is. Brethren, these things ought not so to be. If we are supine, satan is not; if our energies lie latent, those of evil minds do not. No, truly it may be said, satan "goeth about seeking whom he may devour." With a view to incite to greater usefulness, permit me to remind my fellow christians that Qus. Opportunities to" do good," are numerPerhaps there never was a time when a well-disposed, rightly actuated man, might do more good than now. "Now" is, indeed, "the accepted time." Fields are extensive; crops are large, ripe already to harvest; seeming, almost audibly, to call for labourers. And will not labourers volunteer? Young man: you who profess to love Jesus, who form one of his church, what are you doing for christianity? Cannot you do more than you have hitherto done? Try. Is there not some village or hamlet near your residence where the people are perishing for lack of knowledge? Really, there is. Cannot you go, on some of these beautiful sabbath evenings, and if there be no in-door place, stand up in the open-air, and tell those poor sinners about Him who came to save them; and who is so willing, so able to save them? Christ has promised to be with and assist you. Go then, and may God bless you with success. Young woman; you too can work for Christ. Yes, all who love Jesus can and may labour for him. Do you inquire for your sphere of action? You can distribute those little " messengers of mercy"tracts. You can invite others to accompany you to God's house. Indeed, there is much which you may do better than others for Christ. Go then, labour whilst you live for him who hath bought you with his blood, whose you are, and whom you ought to serve. The time is very short. Now or never! Soon we must quit earth, and render up our accounts to our Master in heaven. Will it be there our happiness to receive these words of commendation:-"Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Surely we think not wrongly when we say, our happiness in heaven will be augmented in reflecting that we lived and laboured for our Lord on earth. We should live We dare not perm during the season w or two at least to our friends on this We therefore fill up ing how much we that in various plac Christ's holy gospel greater numbers to service. We shall tion in receiving any be forwarded to us o publication in our p others may be stirre to engage in this goo We said above th more coming forward in our own locality work going forward lect seeing before. gathered in our stred sabbath, but on w early morning and cl the " 'Primitives,' lead, and generally numbers. We have addressed their co when the most desira But what we wish t zation, in every pla ministers who would turn in conducting th from each congregatio lead the singing, giv preserve order. [Since the above was Narratives and Anecdotes. APE FROM THE THUGS.-Mohar, native christian, was formerly a piland had visited all the shrines on estern side of India. He now proto leave his home near Meerut sit the city of Oude, Ram's birthLeaving Lucknow he came to a, a village with a small bazar. he fell in with a man dressed as a i, who told him his mahant (abbot) camped in a lone place three kos ; that he was very famous, being 1 by pious people from a distance, at great merit was to be obtained interview with him. On this, gave him some pice and a blanket. an then said, "You have shewed ich kindness that I will certainly uce you to my abbot, who does rmit every body to approach him." und them in a dense jungle of trees about evening. Now provilly a Musalman friend had, in a forourney, told him of the practices of hugs. The first thing there that atd his attention was several graves, as those made by these murderers. first awoke his suspicion. Next w about fifty stout fellows, who o his companion, in the disguised age of Thugs, "Have you met with wealth? Kuchh sampat Ram mile?" an understood this, and all doubt of eal character of these men instantly peared. He became very agitated, elt convinced that his life was in ment danger. He, however, knew ould not flee then in the dark, as was no village in any direction for kos. He wished to sleep separate the rest, but they insisted on his ing in the midst of the tent surded by all their beds. After this, worshipped their idol, and thanked in their language that he had sent ■a victim. As he had a cold in his , they pretended great kindness, and ared some dál for him. When y, one asked him to partake of it. liscovered, then, from the questions put to each other respecting the oning of this dál, that poison was ed with it. He heard them ask if aras was put in, which he knew poison. They besought him to take About ten o'clock they spread his bed, on which he sat in a state of the utmost agitation with his long axe in his hand; the perspiration pouring from him, though nearly unclothed in a December night. After a time he heard a small scratching noise in the bushes for half an hour, and afterwards the person who had been making it, appeared. He was asked by the fakirs, "Have you made that traveller's bed ?" i. e. the grave of their victim. To this he replied, "Yes." Mohan then knew his fate was sealed. As he kept looking round him, he at length saw a man stealthily approach to within a few feet of him, whom he challenged, and ordered to keep at a distance, or he would kill him. Mohan then plainly told them they were Thugs, and had dug his grave; but they were welcome to his money and clothes, if they would save his life. On this he threw them his pice-bag and all his clothes but his dhoti. This he tightened as a man preparing to fight, and stood with his axe on the defensive. They said, "Don't be agitated, we will take all you have soon." He defied them to approach and pick up the money he had thrown in front of him. They then urged each other to go in pairs; but had not the courage to approach. The next order given was, "All at once seize him." Each urged the others to begin the attack; but a merciful God restrained them. Poor Mohan began then to think of his sins, and that he was about to die, not having attained that salvation for which he had visited so many places of pilgrimages. In his distress, he then mentally prayed to God, and besought forgiveness and deliverance from impending death. Thus the night passed in a state of watchfulness on all sides, and terror with him. At dawn, Mohan heard the shouting of cartmen passing in the distance, but feared to shout or run to them, lest the Thugs should murder him forthwith. The murderers, at sunrise, said, "Quickly despatch him." He was standing erect, intently listening to what they said, when a Thug approached him from the right, he having lost the sight of the eye on that side. In an instant Mohan turned, caught a glimpse 11 |