318 INTELLIGENCE. FOREIGN. AMERICAN REVIVALS. In a letter from the Rev. Mr. Carlisle to return, I received from the Baptist Church and Society in Portland, after a missionary discourse, twenty-nine dollars for the mission at Burmah. On my tour, I obtained more than one hundred dollars, due from a brother in Newport, dated Marion, Janu- agents for the American Baptist Magazine, ary 28, 1828, it is said and endeavoured to promote the circulation of that valuable publication. I hope our brethren in Maine will feel under obligation to give it a much more general circulation than I find it now has among the churches of that State.* In Warren, the Lord was manifestly dis"I found but few revivals on my journey. playing the riches of his grace. The meat "We are enjoying at present a very powerful work of God in this place. For about two weeks I have been almost surrounded, day and night, with souls mourning for their sins. Sometimes when I called to visit families, they would be crowding in, till many times we had quite an assembly together. And to hear their groans and cries, O, pray for us!' O God, be merci-ing of the Lincoln Association in this town last September, was the means of the reviful to me a sinner!' was enough to melt a val. Brother Fogg had since been successheart of stone. These groups of mourners fully labouring among the people. would sometimes get together early in the morning, and many times there would be ten or fifteen of them following from house to house they were principally youths from ten years old, to twenty-five. This work is going on. We believe there have been upwards of sixty hopefully converted." The following pleasing account was given by Mr. Freeman to the Editor of the American Baptist Magazine, in a letter dated Lowell, March 12, 1828 : “I have the pleasure to inform you that the good work of grace is still going on in this place. The church is well united. The spirit of grace and supplication is, I trust, granted to christians in a very desirable degree. Since I came to this place (which is five weeks) thirty-two have been baptized. A number more are anxiously waiting the return of the Lord's day, that they may follow their Redeemer in this precious ordinance. Last Sabbath was to me a solemn and joyful day. Six were baptized; one of them a little girl, twelve years of age, who gives the most undoubted evidence of piety." The Rev. G. F. Davis, in furnishing a brief account of his agency in Maine, under an appointment of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, writes as follows: "In Addison, I once lived two years with my parents, and in Jonesborough, a town adjoining, four years. My visit at these places, after an absence of more than fifteen years, was peculiarly interesting. I had the privilege of greeting many of my former associates, and of learning that some of them, like myself, had indulged a hope in the precious Saviour, since my residence among them. Blessed be God!' On my "Their former minister, brother Wakefield, has been laid aside from active service by sickness for two years; but they still afford him support. I consider this a praise-worthy example. Indeed, the Warren people appear to be ready to every good word and work.' I spent several days among them very pleasantly, and, I trust, profitably. "Twenty-five persons, many of whom are heads of families, had been baptized in Warren, and several others were expected and a few other places, the saints were ensoon to ' go forward.' In Thomastown, joying seasons of refreshing from the prethought, some indications of an extensive sence of the Lord,' and perceiving, as they work of grace. The Lord hasten it in his time!" " The communication is dated from South Reading, March 13, 1828. GERMANY. The recent change in the state of religious sentiment in Germany, is described by Mr. Kurtz, in an interesting letter dated from Erfurt, Kingdom of Prussia, Augustin Monastery, Luther's Cell, May 14, 1827. "From the heading of my letter, you will perceive that I have selected a very in< teresting place to write in. Yes, it is a * We hope our readers will know how to improve this recommendation of our American brother in reference to our own Magazine, which has similar claims to their patronage and encouragement.-Ep. men to be found in the world, who are selfish and cold hearted enough to withhold their support from those societies whose object it is to spread abroad among the heathens that blessed gospel which alone is able to infuse such humane principles in the minds of men, and to call them so effectually into action! nay, who are such enemies to the comfort and happiness of the human family, that they even oppose those societies and exert all influence to retard their progress and defeat their object! But let them rage, it is all in vain, they are kicking against the goads, and in spite of their opposition, the gospel will, and must prevail, and the time will soon arrive when its victories will extend from pole to pole, and when from the rising to the setting sun the fact that I am at present in the Augustin Monastery, in Erfurt, seated in the monastic cell of the immortal Reformer, at the same table at which he so often sat and wrote, with his Bible lying at my left hand, his inkstand to my right, and manucripts of him and Melancthon his coadjutor, suspended in a frame to the wall, in my front, and several other Lutheran relics, which are carefully preserved in the cell, to gratify the curiosity of strangers and travellers, who when they come to Erfurt never fail to visit this little room with one window, and record their names in a book which is kept here for that purpose. It was within a short distance of this town where, in a promenade, that eventful act of Providence occurred, which proved fatal to Alexius, the friend and companion of Luther, and in-earth will be full of the knowledge of Jesus duced the latter solemnly to renounce the world and its vanities and become an Augustin monk. Modern historians (and among others Milner) doubt the truth of this providential occurrence, and attempt to disprove it; but here in Erfurt, where I should suppose the people ought to be best qualified to determine the matter, it is universally believed; and what at once puts an end to all scepticism is the fact, that I read a letter shown to me in the monastery, in which Luther himself relates the circumstance to his father, and offers it as an apology for his becoming a monk. It was also here that Luther in the Providence of God, for the first time, found and became acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, and thus discovered the fallen and corrupt state of the church, and the indispensable necessity of a radical reformation. The monastery is at present occupied in part as an Orphan-house, and in part as a school for reclaiming, and educating poor, neglected and wicked children. The latter institution is under the direction of Mr. Reinthaler, a pious, wealthy, and intelligent gentleman, whose whole life is devoted to the laudable work of reforming and instructing children, and whose wealth enables him to preside over this institution gratuitously, and to do a great deal of good at his own individual expense. Indeed no country abounds more with benevolent institutions than Germany. Infirmaries, hospitals, orphan-houses, asylums for poor widows, for clergymen's widows, for superannuated and sick servants, institutions for the benefit of the deaf and dumb, for curing those who have been born with any bodily defect, with contracted limbs, crooked backs, &c. for the punishment and reformation of juvenile criminals, bettering houses of every description, &c. &c. &c. are to be met with in all directions and neighbourhoods. This excellent state of things is evidently owing entirely to the influence of Christianity; and yet there are Jehovah. In Germany the religion of the Redeemer is gaining ground. Rationalists, so called, by which is meant a large and learned class of people in this hemisphere, somewhat similar to our Unitarians, yes, whose principles are often even more objectional than those of the rankest Socinians, are beginning to be ashamed of themselves, and though they formerly gloried in the name of rationalists, they now entirely disclaim the appellation, and their ranks (a few years ago so formidable,) have of late been considerably thinned by the increasing and overpowering influence of true evangelic religion. In Berlin, the metropolis of Prussia, a very populous and splendid city, where I spent seven weeks, and therefore had an opportunity to become acquainted with the state of religious matters, the cause of Christ is triumphant. A few years since this great city was in a most deplorable condition both in a moral and religious point of view. Christ was banished from the pulpit as well as from the desk of the professor,* unbelief and scepticism were the order of the day, and he who dared to declare his belief in the Scriptures as the inspired word of God, was laughed at as a poor ignorant mystic; and now the very reverse of all this is the fact. In no city have I met with so many humble and cordial followers of the Lamb; in the University a mighty change has taken place, and from almost every pulpit the cause of the Redeemer is ably vindicated, and the efficacy of his atoning blood is held forth and proclaimed in strains at which the very angels cannot but rejoice, and which the stoutest heart is often unable to resist. We also meet with Bible Societies all over *There is a flourishing university in Berlin with about sixteen or seventeen hundred students, and a proportionate number of professors. Germany, and in Saxony the Lutheran church is at this moment forming a missionary society for the evangelization of the North American Indians." DOMESTIC. Recent Deaths. Died on the 23d of November last, the Rev. W. Arbon, for several years pastor of the Baptist Church, Salt-house lane, Hull; having laboured under severe affliction for for four years previous to his death. A widow and eight children are left to mourn his loss. Died March the 27th, 1828, in the 76th year of his age, the Rev. W. Wade, who for 15 years sustained the pastoral office over the Baptist Church, Salt-house lane, Hull. Thus, two Ministers who succeeded each other in the pastoral office over the same church, have been called within the short space of a few months to rest from their labours, and to enjoy the reward which the great Lord of the harvest will bestow on all his faithful servants. BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Annual Meeting of this Society was held at the City of London Tavern, on Tuesday evening, June 17, 1828. Thomas Thompson, Esq. in the Chair. The Report of the Society's operations in various parts of the country was gratifying and encouraging. The following anecdote excited a very strong sensation in the Meeting, and was followed by an enthusiastic burst of applause : "As the circumstances attending the introduction of the Gospel to the village of Berwick, are peculiarly interesting, your Committee venture into some detail, believing that in them will be traced with admiration and gratitude the finger of God. The first seal to the ministry of your Missionary was a poor woman, the wife of a day labourer. Previously to this time they had lived very happily together; but now the husband became a bitter persecutor, and because his wife would not relinquish the service of God, he frequently turned her out of doors in the night, and during the winter season. The wife being a prudent woman,' did not expose this cruelty to her neighbours, but, on the contrary, to avoid their observation, she went into the adjacent fields and betook herself to prayer; and often in a subordinate sense it might be said of her :- "Cold winter and the midnight air, Witnessed the fervour of her prayer; The desert her temptations knew, Her conflict and her victory." Greatly distressed, but not in despair, her only encouragement was that with God all things are possible; she therefore resolved to set apart one hour every day to pray for the conversion of her persecuting husband. This she was enabled to do without missing one day for a whole year. Seeing no change in her husband, she formed a second resolution to persevere six months longer, which she did up to the last day, when she retired at about twelve o'clock as usual, and, as she thought, for the last time. Fearing that her wishes, in this instance, might be contrary to the will of God, she resolved to call no more upon him; her desire not being granted, her expectation appeared to be cut off. That same day, her husband returned from his labour in a state of deep dejection, and instead of sitting down as usual to his dinner, he proceeded directly to his chamber. wife followed and listened, and, to her grateful astonishment, he who used to mock, had returned to pray.' He came down stairs, but refused to eat, and returned again to his labour until the evening. When he came home, his wife affectionately asked him, 'what was the matter?' 'Matter enough,' said he; 'I am a lost sinner. About twelve o'clock this morning,' continued he, I was at my work, and a passage of Scripture was so impressed upon my mind, which I cannot get rid of, and I am sure I am lost.' His wife encouraged him to pray, but he replied, His O wife, it is of no use, there is no forgiveness for me.' Smitten with remorse at the recollection of his former conduct, he said to his wife. Will you forgive me?' She replied, O yes.' Will you pray for me?' 'O yes, that I will.' Will you pray for me now?' That I will with all my heart.' They instantly fell on their knees and wept and made supplication. His tears of penitence mingled with her tears of gratitude and joy. Soon afterwards this pious couple agreed to have their house registered as a place of worship, and the scene of solitary intercession became a house of prayer. In vain did the parish clergyman visit them, to reprove and menace them, and order them to hold no more meetings for prayer. Their house was under the protection of the law, and their hearts under the influence of the Gospel. Like the two blind men that followed the Saviour, saying, have mercy on us,' when the multitude said they should hold their peace, they cried the more a great deal. The consequence was, that their little habitation soon became too strait for the attendance; and having by great economy, saved out of their scanty earnings, the sum of five pounds, they resolved to expend this their little all, in the enlargement of their dwelling for the accommodation of those who wished to hear the Gospel. Accordingly, the wall of their house was carried back into their garden, and rebuilt with the wood and stone which their neighbours carried to them for that purpose; and in a little time the enlargement was completed and paid for. There was not a horse or cart used upon the occasion; no loss of time, nor discord among the labourers; the wall was built, and the roof thereof joined together, for the people had a mind to work.' In duced by the numbers who were brought the Duchess of Beaufort, had rendered very Of this happy couple it may be recorded, that having a church in their own house, consisting of from twenty to thirty members, of which, he who once was a persecutor is now a deacon, and in the midst of which be reads the hymus every Sabbath day, they continue with one accord, eating their meat with glad-sociation, under the patronage of her Grace ness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with the people. So strong is the conviction that a larger place of worship is needed, that a benevolent lady who belongs to the Established Church, has kindly engaged to erect a meeting-house at her own expense, provided a suitable piece of ground can be obtained for that purpose. The Revs. Dr. Rippon, Mr. Goff, of Westbury Leigh, H. Townley, Thomas Winter, of Bristol, Dr. Cox, T. Griffin, Mr. Pilkington, Geo. Evans, Secretary to the London Itinerant Society, Mr. Shirley, Mr. Edwards, G. Pritchard, Secretary to the Baptist Irish Society, and Mr. Phillips, Secretary to the Port of London Society, addressed the Meeting. The receipts of the Society during the past year amounted to 14891. 8s. 6d. The expenditure to 16201. 7s. 81d. CONTINENTAL SOCIETY. The tenth anniversary of this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall, on Thursday, the 22d ult. the Hon. J. J. Strutt in the Chair. The Report, after alluding to the way in which it had pleased God during the past year to bless this Institution, proceeded to detail its foreign operations. "In France, the preaching of its agents had been attended with the most animating success, not only in the number of conversions which had taken place, but also in exciting and bringing into action the graces of those who were already attached to the church. Great benefit was frequently pro It It was mentioned by the Treasurer, that Ireland, notwithstanding her wants, has increased her contributions during the past year to the amount of 711.; having remitted in the whole 3481. to the Continental Society. The following speakers addressed the meeting -Henry Drummond, Henry Pownall, and J. Scott, Esqrs.; Revs. E. Bickersteth, Dr. J. Pye Smith, Dr. Cox, Halkeen, James Irons, J. H. Evanson, and Hugh M'Neile. The first speaker (H. Drummond, Esq.) in the course of his address took occasion to make an attack on the new London University, as being bottomed, not on the word of God, but on a system of infidelity-as calculated to diffuse its principles, and therefore entitled to the designation of an "infidel University." This drew from the Rev. Dr. Cox a manly, but temperate, defence of his connection with that literary Institution : argument, he had deemed it right thus generally to express his views and feelings; nor could he censure him for taking this public, temperate, or manly stand. Mr. Drummond assured Dr. Cox, that he did not for one moment mean to attach any impropriety of conduct to him. Notwithstanding, however, a few faint notes of dissonance on extraneous subjects, in reference to the grand object which had convened them the voice of the meeting was energetic and harmonious. "As it had been announced (he observed) that no controversy should take place upon this occasion, even though gentlemen thought proper to express notions the contrary of what others maintained, and on subjects of no little general interest, he would therefore observe neutrality; he would not convert that platform into an arena of controversy; most unwilling as he should feel to disturb the pure and hallowed joy of every mind in contemplating the progress of true religion. But, nevertheless, he considered it to be his duty, and the gentlemen could not, or ought not to blame him, if he said a word (not in the way of controversy, for he would not even state the grounds of his own opinion,) but he surely must be allowed to say a word, LONDON AUXILIARY TO THE BAPTISTS' simply to request a suspension of judgment on the part of this numerous audience, with regard to an absent friend of his (Dr. Cox's) who had been attacked. Mr. Drummond had used a very strong epithet indeed, in adverting, somewhat irregularly, to an absent friend of his (Dr. Cox's), which he had designated an infidel university, &c.; he must hope that his good sense would not wish the term to be taken in its strongest sense, especially as it was not, in fact, in any sense applicable. He trusted be should not be precluded from saying this one word HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY FOR SCOT- The Annual Meeting of the above Society was held at the Rev. J. Evans's Chapel, John Street, June 10, 1828. The Rev. Dr. Cox in the Chair. From the report we give the following extract: "In conformity with the spirit of a Resolution passed at the last Annual Meeting, your Society has changed its designation, and your funds have been remitted to the Baptist Home Missionary Society for Scotland. The distances from which many come to hear-the eagerness with which they listen to the Gospel-the success which has already attended the efforts of the Society, and the assistance which, notwithstanding their deep poverty, the people have cheerfully contributed in support of the preachers, encourage the Society, in dependance on the Lord, to persevere in their attempts to disseminate the savour of the Redeemer's in his own defence-that it never entered into his conception to be promoting opposites at the same moment; one day, by "Their exertions are chiefly directed to occupying the ministerial office, to be pro- the Highlands and Islands. The Society moting religion, and another, by a different employs one preacher in Shetland, one in conduct, to be abetting infidelity. He said Orkney, one in Galloway, besides fourteen this, because he thought it right to clear his Gaelic preachers in various parts of Scotown character, and because he had stood land, where the inhabitants are either enforward prominently in the London Univer-tirely ignorant of, or but very partially sity; and he saw no reason to repent he had acquainted with the English language. done so, though the Institution had been often denounced by some on platforms, and by others in the pulpit (looking hard at the Rev. Hugh M'Neile). He thought still he had the best reasons for his conduct, though he hesitated not to say, that while aiding the cause of general education, be should ever regard as his highest object whatever tended to the direct advancement of the kingdom of Christ. He would not submit, therefore, that opprobrium should be cast upon his name, or hereafter on his memory, for having supported any thing that could be fairly proved inimical, or justly construed as opposed to the great principles of Christianity. He maintained the contrary was the fact, and he wished gentlemen in candour to believe, that not only professing Christianity, but occupying a pulpit, as he did, he must have, at least in his own judgment, some very substantial reasons for supporting the London University; and he was sure that his friend Mr. Drummond would feel no surprise, that though precluded from entering into the name. "Your Committee would particularly call your attention to the extreme moderation of the missionaries. Their labour is truly a labour of love! Their incomes, generally, do not exceed from 351. to 401. a year, when wholly employed in the work of the inissiou. "During the past year the receipts of the Society amounted to 641. 2s. 3d. the expenditure to 717. leaving a balance, due to the treasurer, of 61. 17s. 9d. The Revs. W. Fergusson, Mackintosh, J. Ivimey, E. Carey, S. Stennett, |