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a part of worship, therefore they are worship, and worship uncommanded is forbidden, the analogy warrants the use of the metaphor,-it is strange fire. The ritual consecration of places and things," and might not the author have added, of persons-i. e. infants?" is clearly no part of the circumstantials of obedience; it has no relation to any positive commandment, and must be classed with those palpable corruptions of Christianity by human invention, which the scriptures pointedly condemn. It

is not in the power of man,' it has been well remarked, to determine of any such religious or holy place, because he can make none so." Here Protestants are called upon to make a stand, and to reiterate the famous declaration of Chillingworth in terms somewhat modified; the New Testament, the New Testament only is the religion of Christians."

P. 347-350.

These arguments breathe the very soul of Protestantism; and for their reflex operation on the rite of Infant Baptism we are not responsible. But Mr. C.'s defence of that rite in the same volume, we confess, does not appear to us like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Tea-table Chat; or Religious Allegories told at the Tea-table in a Seminary for Ladies. By Robert Burnside, A. M.

Vol. I. 193

Pages. 12mo. Bds. 3s. 6d. "The Religion of Mankind," by the same author, reviewed pp. 419 -422 of our last volume, was better suited to the hours of study; this little work, to the hours of relaxation. The object of both, however, is to promote the best interests of their readers.

"The substance of these tales, with the exception of one or two, was delivered at a respectable seminary for ladies in the neighbourhood of the metropolis. They were taken from a multitude similar to them, not as being the best, but because they presented themselves first. The reason of their recital was, that the author deemed it his duty, in maintaining the character of a tutor, not to lose sight of that which belongs to a Christian minister. He therefore took advantage of the few moments that were set apart for refreshment at the tea-table, when business was suspended, to remind his fair pupils, in a manner which might be somewhat pleasing as well as instructive, that it was of im

portance to be amiable and happy, not in time only, but also in eternity. For the sake of insuring variety, the story was usually founded on one of the texts that had been preached from the preceding Sabbath; and two or three questions relative to its meaning, with the answers, terminated the affair. To what use, if to any, the narrative was applied the relater is ignorant; but this he knows, that when he was in danger of deviating from the custom through press of business, the young ladies always took care to intimate, in a manner sufficiently intelligible, though respectful, that they had not had their tale." ADVERTISEMENT.

We rejoice to see our venerable and esteemed friend thus usefully employed. It is of great importance, not merely that "what is written be upright, even words of truth," but also that "the preacher seek to find out acceptable words," given in the sacred oracles to him thus deserving the commendation We pray

that his valuable life may be long "that winneth souls." spared as a blessing to the rising generation, and that his labours to do good may be crowned with emi

nent success.

Our opinion of the work cannot be more correctly given than in the following extract of a letter which we have just seen, written to person who resides above sixty miles from the metropolis, and with which we shall conclude.

"I have lately read with very great pleasure Mr. Burnside's Tea-table Chat. This minister seems to be in the habit of preaching his sermons twice over;once in the pulpit; and the second time, worked up into entertaining and very edifying allegories, at the tea-table, between the lessons which he is in the habit of giving to his fair pupils. Not knowing what more acceptable present to make you, I have purchased and now send one, of which I beg your acceptance."

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. Just Published.

WHAT is Life, and other Poems. By Thomas Bailey. 3s. 6d.

Plain Truths, or Conversations on Baptism, Confirmation, &c. 4d.

Miscellaneous Thoughts on Divine Subjects; together with Extracts from some of the best religious Authors.

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Intelligence, &c.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Dr.
Staughton of Philadelphia, to Mr.
Ivimey, dated Nov. 11, 1820.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

By the ship Jartine, I have the plea sure of sending you a line, and with it some of our recent publications. These will inform you of the state of things among us in a missionary point of view. We have many trials, but the palm-tree can sustain pressure. The cause is the Lord's, and his kingdom must come.

Brother Ward has arrived in America.

I have received a letter from him, dated New York, but have not yet had the pleasure of seeing him. I hope he may do something in these States that shall amply repay his visit.

We have a fine building rising in Washington city-four stories high, 117 feet by 50, for the accommodation of a national, Baptist, theological institution. Twenty young men are now studying in Philadelphia, some of whom are persons of considerable promise. These will, in all probability, be removed to the federal city, at the close of the next summer, when it is expected the building will be ready for their reception. Mr. Ira Chase, a professor in the Institution, is a young man, whose habits of study are laborious, and whose talents are of a superior order. The education, like the mission concern, meets with considerable opposition; but I trust it will exceedingly grow and increase.

What a painful reverse has occurred at Burmah You will be pleased with the manly, godly temper that breathes through Mr. Judson's journal. Let us hope that all these scenes, unpropitious as is their aspect, will yet terminate in the furtherance of the gospel.

The Lord bless you. Ever yours,

W. STAUGHTON.

for permission to propagate Christianity in his Empire.

January 27-We left the boat, and put ourselves under the conduct of Moung Yo. He carried us first to Myaday-men, as a matter of form; and there we learnt, that the Emperor had been apprized of our arrival, and said, Let them be introduced. We therefore proceeded to the palace. At the outer gate, we were detained a long time, until the various officers were satisfied that we had a right to enter, after which we deposited a present for the private minister of state, Moung Zab, and were ushered into his apartments in the palace-yard. He received us very pleasantly, and ordered us to sit before several governors and petty kings, who were waiting at his le

vee.

We here, for the first time, disclosed our character and object-told him, that we were missionaries or "

pro

pagators of religion;" that we wished to appear before the emperor, and present our sacred books, accompanied with a petition. He took the petition into his hand, looked over about half of it, and about our God and our religion, to which then familiarly asked several questions we replied. Just at this crisis, some one announced, that the golden foot was about to advance; on which the minister hastily rose up, and put on his robes of state, saying, that he must seize the moment to present us to the emperor. We now found, that we had unwittingly fallen on an unpropitious time, it being the day of the celebration of the late victory over the Cassays, and the very hour when his Majesty was coming forth to witness the display made on the occasion.

When the minister was

dressed, he just said, " How can you propagate religion in this empire? Bat come along." Our hearts sunk at these inauspicious words. He conducted us through various splendour and parade, until we ascended a flight of stairs,and entered a most magnificent ball. He directed us where to sit, and took his place on one side; the present was placed on the other, and Moung Yo, and another offi The scene to which we were now introcer of Mya day-men, sat a little behind.

The following Extract from the Journal of the Rev. Mr. Judson, contains the account to which Dr. Staughton alludes. It is copied from an American Quarterly Publication, entitled "THE LATTER DAY LU-duced, really surpassed our expectation. MINARY for November, 1820." Application to the New Emperor of Burmah by the American Missionaries,

The spacious extent of the hall, the number and magnitude of the pillars, the height of the dome, the whole com

punishment, and enjoy, without decay or death, the eternal felicity of heaven,— entreating that royal permission be given, that we, taking refuge in the royal power, may preach our religion, in these dominions, and that those who are pleased with our preaching, and wish to listen to and be guided by it, whether foreigners or Burmans, may be exempt from government molestation, they present themselves to receive the favour of the excellent king, the sovereign of land and sea."

The emperor heard this petition, and stretched out his hand. Moung Zah crawled forward and presented it. His majesty began at the top, and deliberately read it through. In the mean time, I gave Moung Zah an abridged copy of the tract, in which every offensive sentence was corrected, and the whole put into the handsomest style and dress possible. After the emperor had pe

pletely covered with gold, presented a | most grand and imposing spectacle. Very few were present, and those evidently great officers of state. Our situation prevented us from seeing the further avenue of the ball; but the end where we sat, opened into the parade, which the emperor was about to inspect. We remained about five minutes, when every one put himself into the most respectful attitude, and Moung Yo whispered, that his majesty had entered. We looked through the hall, as far as the pillars would allow, and presently caught sight of this modern Ahasuerus. He came forward, unattended-in solitary grandeur-exhibiting the proud gait and majesty of an eastern monarch. His dress was rich, but not distinctive; and he carried in his hand, the gold-sheathed sword, which seems to have taken the place of the sceptre of ancient times. But it was his high aspect and command-rused the petition, he handed it back, ing eye, that chiefly riveted our attention. He strided on. Every head, excepting ours, was now in the dust. remained kneeling, our hands folded, our eyes fixed on the monarch. When he drew near, we caught his attention. He stopped, partly turned towards us-"Who are these?" "The teachers, great king," I replied. "What, you speak Burman-the priests that I heard of last night? When did you arrive? Are you teachers of religion? Are you like the Portuguese priest? Are you married? Why do you dress so?" These, and some other similar questions, we answered; when he appeared to be pleased with us, and sat down on an elevated seat-his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and his eyes intently fixed on us. Moung Zah now began to read the petition, and it ran thus:

We

"The American teachers presentthemselves to receive the favour of the excellent king, the sovereign of land and sea. Hearing that, on accouut of the greatness of the royal power, the royal country was in a quiet and prosperous state, we arrived at the town of Rangoon, within the royal dominions, and having obtained leave of the governor of that town to come up and behold the golden face, we have ascended and reached the bottom of the golden feet. In the great country of America, we sustain the character of teachers and explainers of the contents of the sacred scriptures of our religion. And since it is contained in those scriptures, that, if we pass to other countries and preach and propagate religion, great good will result, and both those who teach and those who receive the religion, will be freed from future

without saying a word, and took the tract. Our hearts now rose to God for

a display of his grace. O have mercy on Burmah! Have mercy on her king!' But, alas, the time was not yet come. He held the tract long enough to read the two first sentences, which assert, that there is one eternal God, who is independent of the incidents of mortality, and that, beside Him, there is no God; and then, with an air of indifference, perhaps disdain, he dashed it down to the ground! Moung Zah stooped forward, picked it up, and handed it to us. Moung Yo made a slight attempt to save us, by unfolding one of the volumes, which composed our present, and displaying its beauty; but his majesty took no notice. Our fate was decided. After a few moments, Moung Zah interpreted his royal master's will, in the following terms:-"Why do you ask for such permission? Have not the Portuguese, the English, the Mussulmans, and people of all other religions, full liberty to practise and worship, according to their own customs? In regard to the objects of your petition, his majesty gives no order. In regard to your sacred books, his majesty has no use for them, take them away."

Something was now said about brother Colman's skill in medicine; upon which the emperor once more opened his mouth, and said, "Let them proceed to the residence of my physician, the Portuguese priest; let him examine whe ther they can be useful to me in that line, and report accordingly. He then rose from his seat, strided on to the end of the hall, and there, after having dashed to the ground the first intelligence he

had ever received of the eternal God, his Maker, his Preserver, his Judgé, he threw himself down on a cushion, and lay listening to the music, and gazing at the parade spread out before him!

As for us and our present, we were huddled up and hurried away, without much ceremony. We passed out of the palace gates, with much more facility than we entered, and were conducted first to the house of Mya-day-men. There his officer reported our reception; but in as favourable terms as possible: and as his bighness was not apprized of our precise object, our repulse appeared, probably, to him, not so decisive, as we knew it to be. We were next conducted two miles through the sun and dust of the streets of Ava, to the residence of the Portuguese priest. He very speedily ascertained, that we were in possession of no wonderful secret, which would secure the emperor from all disease, and make him live for ever; and we were accordingly allowed to take leave of the reverend Inquisitor, and

retreat to our boat.

MR. BROUGHAM's EDUCATION

BILL.

It is understood that Mr. Brougham is determined to press forward his obnoxious bill for erecting another establishment, in connexion with the episcopal church, under the entire direction of the parochial clergy, and towards the expense of which the Dissenters must contribute, should it pass into a law, notwithstanding the insult offered by it to them and their principles. It is the most oppressive measure that has been attempted since the "Occasional Conformity Bill," in the reign of Queen Anne. We are happy to learn, that the leading persons among all classes of Dissenters in London are resolved

to

oppose this injurious, exclusive, and impolitic measure, by every means within their power.

*

Chapel, Hanley, Staffordshire. Eight persons, resident in Hanley, who were members of the Baptist Church at Burslem, received their dismission for that purpose.

Rev. J. Newland, Independent, began with reading the scriptures and prayer. Rev. J. Hinmers described the nature of a Christian Church, from 1 Cor. ii. 9-17: and implored the divine blessing upon the union thus publicly recognized. The Rev. W. Farmer, Independent,exhorted the church from Phil. i. 27, and concluded with prayer. It gives us pleasure to announce that this house of prayer, which has so long remained in a desolate state, has been repaired, and is regularly supplied. Still it is regretted, that notwithstanding the liberality of the friends who have exerted themselves for the revival of this cause, there remains a debt of three hundred and forty-four pounds upon the chapel, it having cost four hundred and fifty pounds, and one hundred and fifty pounds having been expended in repairs. The burden rests principally upon an individual, who has in this case already exerted himself to the utmost, which renders an appeal to the liberality of the Christian public indispensable, and from the nature of the case it is earnestly hoped it will not be made in vain.

Sermon for the Relief of Protestant Dissenting Ministers' Widows.

THE Annual Sermon recommending the benevolent purposes of the Society for the relief of necessitous widows and children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers, is expected to be preached by the Rev. W. J. Fox, of Parliament-court, Artillery-lane, Bishopsgate, at the Old Jewry Chapel, removed to Jewin-street, Aldersgate, on Wednesday noon, the 4th day of April next.

PORT OF LONDON SOCIETY

FOR

The Editors feel great pleasure in obliging the Committee of the "Protes tant Society," &c. by inserting the following Documents upon the above sub. ject, (see Page 89 ;) though from their Promoting Religion among Seamen. being sent so late, it has required an additional quantity of letter-press.

NEW CHURCH FORMED.

HANLEY, STAFFORDSHIRE. ON Friday, December 1, 1820, a Church was formed in the Baptist

A PUBLIC MEETING will be held at Free-masons' Tavern, Great Queenstreet, Lincoln's-iun-fields, on Tuesday, February 13, 1821.-The Chair to be taken at twelve o'clock.

* See an account of the re-opening of this place of worship in our Number for June, 1820, page 251.

TO THE MEMORY OF MRS. HANNAH CHAMBERLAIN, The Wife of one of the Missionaries at Serampore,

WHO DIED AT CUTWA, Nov. 14, 1804.

Occasioned by reading the affecting Narrative of her Decease, in Mr. (now Dr.) Marshman's Letter to Mr. Sutcliffe; in the 3d Volume of the Periodical Accounts of the Baptist Mission.

The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." Psalm exii. 6.
HEARD ye that sigh? It breath'd from Serampore—
The wife, the mother, sister, is no more!
She, to the will of God supreme resign'd,

Cross'd the wide sea, and left her home behind;
Her father, mother, kindred, country, all,—
Save one lov'd object. To the heavenly call
Not disobedient. See! see her leave
Her native land, and tempt the briny wave,—
Where soon her first-born finds an early grave!
The veil we draw o'er that affecting scene,
The feeling mind knows what such partings can
Born on the sea, her infant's voyage ends,
The mother childless-distant from her friends-
Yet is she still supported, and she sees
A Father's hand, though veil'd in mysteries;
Yields up her babe, nor at her fot repines,
Mourns, but not murmurs, at his wise designs.
See her safe landed on a heathen shore-
See, and with her, the Christian's God adore!
His God in Christ, in India's fervid clime,
Sov'reign of earth, air, sea, eternity, and time !

How shall a stranger tell the mournful tase,
Franght with unusual interest? How paint
Her blest departure from this tearful vale-
The sweet experience of the dying saint?
Ah, Chamberlain! for thee, for thee I weep!
A widow'd husband! Motherless thy child!
Methinks I bear thee, when she fell asleep-

Hear thee address her clay, in accents wild,*
"Speak, my lov'd Hannah! let me hear thy voice!
Those tones affectionate, repeat once more!
Oft have they made this anguish'd heart rejoice-
Speak, dearest woman!" but-" the struggle's o'er!"
Marshman! Of men most feeling-thou wast there;-
Sure, never mourner had a kinder friend!

Such proofs of love-Ah! would they were less rare-
In which the brother and the Christian blend!

Oft have these eyes thy tender page bedew'd,
And oft these lips pour'd blessings on thy name,
When, in idea, I that scene have view'd,
Which lays to sympathy so strong a claim.

The mother now has left her babe behind,
And lies at Cutwa, solitary-low :--

But their blest spirits round the throne have join'd,
To sing and love, as angels cannot do!

Written in Bed, 13th May, 1812, by the severely afflicted Author of "Spiritual
Recreations in the Chamber of Affliction."

See the interesting Narrative, Vol. III. Periodical Accounts, Page 68—74.

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