present Annual Session of the Union, our attention has been directed, with serious thoughtfulness, to the condition of the churches, as partially represented to us by the latest Association returns, and as somewhat further known to us by personal observation. During several preceding years we have been rendered anxious by the facts presented to our view, and we have expressed our sentiments in documents which we trust have not altogether failed to engage your attention. On the present occasion we have pursued a similar method, and have agreed to the utterance of our hearts in the following terms:

I. That the Union, taking into serious consideration the state of the denomination as far as it is exhibited by the Association returns of last year, cannot but feel deeply humbled and severely pained by the fact thus ascer tained; viz., that in 964 churches whose state was reported, there was for the year a clear increase of only 1,325 members, or, on an average, less than one and a half to each church.

II. That this fact is the more painful, because there is no reason to think that the state of the churches not associated is materially better; because so low an average increase necessitates the conclusion that many of the churches must have suffered actual diminution; because it is another step in a descending course which has now been unbroken for a period of six years; and because there do not appear any favourable indications among the churches, adapted to mitigate the conclusion towards which it leads.

III. That the Union consequently deem it urgently incumbent on themselves, and on all their brethren, to humble themselves before God on account of the languishing state of his cause among them, and to search out and confess the iniquities to which it may be ascribed; as also to be instant, in season and out of season, in the work of the Lord, and fervent in prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

We cannot, however, content ourselves any longer with our customary method, nor can we satisfy ourselves with even this additional effort, by which our resolutions are communicated directly to yourselves. Our feelings respecting the state of religion amongst us are now deeper, more anxious, more sorrowful, than they have ever been; and after having opened our hearts on the matter before God, we feel constrained to pour them forth in sincere and earnest affection towards you. Hearken to us, for the Lord's sake.

Permit us to say in the outset, that we are fully aware of the drawbacks to which a painful estimate of our condition is liable. Some churches, we thank God, are both numerically and spiritually prosperous. Not all are languid. Nor are we yet arrived at a state of things so depressing that, on the whole, there is a diminution of our numbers. On the contrary, it may be computed that the denomination received during the year ending with the last Associations, a clear accession of about 2,500 members. For this also we feel called on to be truly grateful. We remember in addition, that numbers alone are by no means a decisive, or even a satisfactory test of the condition of a church, or body of churches; and we are prepared most gladly to do justice to all kinds of evidence which may have a more favourable bearing. Our satisfaction on the whole subject is, that we appeal to

you on a matter which lies in part under your own immediate observation, so that our views may be checked, and if you should think them erroneous, corrected, by your own.

To us, then, (with grief of heart we confess it,) the state of the churches generally appears to be languid and drooping. Allow us to set before you some of the proofs which convince us of it.

The rate of increase, although not of itself decisive, is by no means to be excluded from our regard. And we notice it, in the first place, as the element most capable of being presented in a distinct expression.

The resolutions already inserted in this address have acquainted you that the average increase of the churches during the year was less than one and a half members for each church. Now, from a record of the statistics of British Baptist Associations, which has been kept by the Union for the last fourteen years, it appears that this is the smallest rate of annual increase known through the whole of that period; that it is less than one sixth of the annual increase of one year; and that it stands at the bottom of a series of numbers constantly diminishing for the last six years.

This general statement, however, deserves to be examined a little more in detail. The returns of 22 English associations, containing 569 churches, the state of which is reported, exhibit the following facts: Of these 569 churches, 259 had no clear increase; of these 259 churches, 207 suffered actual diminution, and this diminution, exempting from the calculation two cases in which more than two hundred members separated to form other churches, amounted in the whole to 1,042 members. If this number be further reduced, by making allowance for instances in which members who were lost to the Associations may not be lost to the denomination, and for other instances in which long-neglected church books were revised, the number can scarcely be taken at less than 800. To this it must be added, that of the 569 churches, 77 received no addition at all.

If, as we probably may, we take these churches as a sample of the denomination at large, we shall arrive at the following conclusions:— That nearly one seventh of the churches had during that year no addition at all; that nearly one half (four ninths) of the churches had no clear increase; and that more than one third of the churches suffered actual diminution. Let the value of the numerical argument be estimated as it may, it is at all events fearfully against us. Such a state of things is, as far as any of us know, without precedent, and it must be admitted, we think, to afford matter of just anxiety. Let the declension which has been in uninterrupted progress for the last six years but continue through another six years, and the churches will have sustained a diminution far too painful to be contemplated.

Other elements illustrative of the condition of the churches are, as we have already said, incapable of numerical expression; but, as far as they can be appreciated, we confess that we do not see the general prevalence of any encouraging indications. If the churches were evidently penetrated with deep humility and searchings of heart; if

they were manifestly characterised by eminent spirituality and deadness to the world; if on every hand there were crowded meetings for prayer, and a spirit of wrestling supplication; if the churches universally, walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were edified, although not multiplied, our anxieties might be greatly relieved. But such a state of things, we are sorry to say, is neither known by us, nor reported to us. On the contrary, we find much reason to deplore a general inefficiency of the gospel ministry among us, and a wide spreading languor of individual piety. Be entreated, beloved brethren, to compare this result of our observations with that of your own. Respond to us, if it be possible, in more cheering terms: but, if it be not possible, concur with us in the cultivation of sentiments befitting so serious an occasion.

Far from us all, in such circumstances as these, be indifference. It is surely about the cause of Christ in our midst that our warmest affections gather. This is to us all the most intense and commanding of all interests. Painful as it might be, and as it is, to behold the decay of industry and of commerce, it is unutterably more painful to witness the declension of piety, and a progress towards extinction in the churches of Christ. Not yet unapt to a Christian's lips has become the fervid language of the Hebrew bard,-"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." If peradventure any of us have slept, and have become comparatively insensible to the importance of our religious interests, must we not feel that it is now high time to awake out of sleep?

And let us all ask ourselves, beloved brethren, with earnest and solemn faithfulness, what part of the evil we have occasioned, and what part we may remedy. The extended mischief we deplore, is a whole made up of very small parts, and in these parts it comes very close home to ourselves. Every church member has had something to do with the condition of all the churches through the church to which he belongs, and may do something towards making it better than it is. Each of you inquire, dear brethren, what kind of influence you have exercised, and what the condition of the churches would have been if it had reflected exclusively your own image. If such an examination supplies you with matter for regret-if you find reason to acknowledge that your walk has not been so consistent and ornamental, that your habits have not been so devout and separate from the world, that your love to the brethren, and co-operation in effort and in prayer, have not been so cordial and so constant as they should have beenhumble yourselves before God on account of these things; and not before God only, but before your brethren also. Confess such faults one to another, and unitedly abandon them. Such an effort would commence a new state of things, and might happily turn the tide of our calamity. We are sure that our beloved brethren, the pastors of the churches, will take their full share in such a process of self-examination. Although, in respect of instrumentality, all does not depend upon us, much does, and more, undoubtedly, than upon any other individuals.

That much imperfection, and much sin, attends our ministrations, which of us does not know? And how often has it lain heavily on our hearts that the success of a work so glorious should be impeded by our infirmities! How largely do all our labours need to be forgiven, as well as to be blessed! Peradventure we too may demand an exercise of deeper heart-searching and humiliation. How readily will the blessed Master whom we serve vouchsafe to his broken-hearted servants the consolations of his forgiving love; And do we really think he will refuse to them that ask it, a more copious unction from the Holy One?

We know, indeed, that while graciously encouraged to expect, we cannot command, the outpouring of the Spirit from on high. That glorious God, who keeps in his own hands "the times and the seasons,' retains there no less "the residue of the Spirit.” He has taught us that we occupy a place and a time, although but a point and a moment, in a system of vast extent, and of long duration. On a large scale, and for inscrutable purposes, there have been, and there are to be in his ways, sometimes more copious and sometimes more restricted communications of his grace. It is possible-we say it without any pretensions to prophetic sagacity-that we may live in an age which is destined to be a time of spiritual barrenness in England. Be it so. We are not, however, called upon to admit this without evidence; still less are we required to create such a condition for ourselves. Nothing in any part or aspect of divine dispensations can be held to prevent any man from doing his own duty, or to withhold from him the reward of it. On the other hand, if a period of general declension be impending, it is the more necessary that every man should be found awake at his post, and should acquit himself faithfully. The neglect of appointed means is on all grounds incapable of justification. If God, in finishing the mystery of his ways, shall see fit in any measure to withhold the blessing, that lies with him; but even then there will be a reward for the faithful steward, and he that has constancy to serve, and patience to wait in such a season, shall not be less acceptable or less honoured than the labourers of a more felicitous era.

Come then, beloved brethren, let us act our part, and fulfil our duty. It is possible that the God of Zion may even now be saying to us, "Try me now herewith, and see if I will not pour you out a blessing." And how shall we know, unless we make the experiment? "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord."

For the sake of giving definiteness and unity to the effort which we recommend, we propose that on Lord's day, the 11th of June, a part of the public services be appropriated to the consideration of the state of religion in the churches. We doubt not that some solemn devotional exercises will be held in connexion with such an appropriation; but we desire to leave the arrangement of these entirely in the hands of our brethren, as no one plan could be supposed to be universally convenient.

May God grant to you all, beloved brethren, a large measure of his

most gracious presence! And may he make every assembly, if, on the one hand, like Bochim, a place of weepers, on the other, to those who have shed tears of godly sorrow, like the valley of Achor, “a door of hope!"

Signed by order and on behalf of the Annual Session, assembled at London, April 26, 1848.

VI.-CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.

BY PROFESSOR BAUMLEIN, OF MAULBRONN.*

CHAP. i. 28, 29. The baptism of Jesus must have place between these two verses. That the testimony given (verses 19-28), is not to be placed after the baptism, is plain, from the words, [άvròs eσTIV] ὁ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος. As no one will deny that έρχεσθαι corresponds with φανεροθῆναι τῷ Ισραὴλ, and this with the baptism, so again épxóμevos can be understood only of an event still impending, not of one accomplished. Verse 30 alsoὀντὸς ἐστιν ὑπὸ δῦ ἐγὼ ἔἶπον· ὀπίσω μov eрxeπai avèp, which furnishes an authentic interpretation of v. 27,shows that that ἐρχόμενος, as well as this έρχεται, is used of something about to take place. One cannot infer from ὃν ὑμεῖς ουκ οίδατε, that John at that time already knew Jesus as the Christ, since no emphasis lies necessarily upon uês; it is simply introduced by the preceding uov. The Baptist declares his conviction that the Messiah is already among the people, although he himself, as yet, does not know him. On which the baptism took place, whether on that to which verses 19-28 refer, or that to which verses 29 et seq. belong, may remain undecided. It is enough that, grammatically, there can be no doubt that in verses 1928 the έρχεσθαι=φανεροθῆναι =βαπο τισθῆναι is yet a thing future.

Chap. iii. 2, 3. The question of Nicodemus appears to have been, whether the baptism of John would suffice for an entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus therefore says : ἐὰν μὴ τις γεννηθῇ, ἐξ ὕδατος Kaι TνεÚμаTOS; and without further noticing the first thing mentioned (ύδωρ), holds up to view πνευμα and ἄνωθεν. This last expression must be taken in the sense of ἐκ τοῦ ουρανοῦ, οι ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ, not simply because such is John's usage, or because of the parallel with èk véυμaros, but because no second birth of any kind can be named, without the necessity of defining its character.

Chap. iv. 44. Expositors are again, of late, inclined to understand the idia Tarpís of Judæa, and Wieseler ('Chronol. Synopse der vier Evangelien, s. 43, et seq.) considers the passage accordingly as

* From 'Theologische Studien und Kritiken.'