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LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

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Exposition of the Psalms of David, &c. By Dr. E. Hengstenberg, Professor of Theology in the University of Berlin. Translated by the Rev. Patrick Fairbairn.

us,

CHRONICLE OF BRITISH MISSIONS.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

ENCOURAGING SUCCESS.

THE year which this month brings to a close, has been one of trial and conflict to

but many instances of Jehovah's faithfulness and benevolence have been vouchsafed. On the first sabbath in January, eight members were added to our ranks, and since that time, five others have united in church fellowship, making a total of thirteen this year; and it is with sincere pleasure we record the fact, that they are walking worthy of their high vocation. Much interest is felt and exhibited by many; three are candidates for fellowship next church-meeting, and we have reason to believe that about twenty are under sincere concern for their souls' welfare: our morning congregation has lately much improved, (a pleasing symptom,) and our chapel in the evening is crowded. Considering the wealth and influence opposed to us, we may in admiration and gratitude exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" In

the month of May, 1842, we provided a school-room for sabbath instruction, at an expense of more than £70; during the past six months we raised about £30 towards the amount, and this year we have entirely cleared off the debt. Taking into account the proceedings of the State church and the large school funds at its disposal, the number of our scholars is exceedingly encouraging, averaging from uinety to one hundred, and many more could be obtained if our circumstances allowed us to supply them with shoes and a few outer garments; this we have done in some cases, but my church and congregation are poor, and we are unable to do it to anything like the extent required. If your committee could supply us with a bundle of clothing of any kind, it would be most gratefully received. I am sorry to say, that much of the distress witnessed in this town and its neighbourhood, is the result of intemperance, but it gives us pleasure unfeigned to state, that by means of the Total Abstinence Society, a number of wretched victims to that peace and soul-destroying vice, have been reclaimed; many of them attend my ministry, and some of them already assume a very altered and respectable appearance: to this pleasing fact our school is in part indebted for its increase of scholars. The children of such want but very little assistance; indeed, except in cases of extremely large families, none at all. It is the wife and offspring of the drunkard that are in the most wretched plight; but is it not worth a vigorous effort and some sacrifice, to mitigate their deplorable condition, and to instil into their minds, feelings of abhorrence for the scenes they are called to witness, and the conduct which is the chief cause of all their sufferings? The plan we have adopted with regard to the upper clothing already supplied, is to give it out every sabbath morning, and have it returned on the following day; this we find to be troublesome, but it is the only way to be safe.

I am happy to say some of my people are feeling more adequately their responsibility, to seize opportunities of visiting from house to house, for conversation, reading, and prayer, and some good has already resulted from their efforts; habitations have been made to assume a more cleanly appearance, parents have been induced to attend the house of God, and about fourteen children brought to our sabbath-school. Oh, if all our churches were as devoted and active as they ought to be, what a vast amount of vice would speedily be removed-misery relieved-and glory brought to our blessed Redeemer !

CASES OF PERSECUTION.

The free churchmen of Scotland are doing well in exposing the heartless conduct of their landlords, who interfere with the rights of conscience. They probably think this opposition confined to Scotland. Had the deputations to England, however, visited the rural districts, as well as the cities and towns, and become acquainted with the persecutions directed against preachers of the Gospel, not belonging to the endowed sect, they would have found many cases displaying the same spirit, if not presented to the public in such an aggravated form, as those in Scotland. There are owners of large estates in this country, including whole villages, who will not allow preaching in any of their cottages,-who drive their tenants from their farms and houses if they encourage dissent in any form. The following instances, which have occurred within the last few weeks, will show the uncertain tenure by which the people of England hold their religious liberties, when they come into collision with an aristocracy acting under the influence of a bigoted priesthood. The first case refers to a village in Somerset, the owner of which had hitherto successfully prevented the Missionary from preaching in his village. The Missionary thus writes:My heart still yearns over the inhabitants of S—. I cannot get a room for preaching; but you will rejoice to hear that we have succeeded in obtaining a room in which to hold "one prayer-meeting," and I expect it will be but one, in consequence of the house being the property of the "squire," and who, on being applied to, positively interdicted my preaching in any one of his cottages.

However, God willing, on Thursday evening next I shall be there, surrounded with "round hats," "smock-frocks," and "fustian jackets." In the midst of this motley group, with round table, farthing candle, and Cottage Hymn-book, I hope (not to preach, but) to "teach Jesus Christ."

You will perceive that here we have ample scope for the exercise of well-directed zeal, Christian prudence, and believing prayer. May the great Author of all good, communicate unto us these graces of the Holy Spirit, and open unto us an effectual door, so that at length we may be able to "preach the kingdom of God, and teach those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding us."

I have commenced teaching some of our poor children, reading, writing, and arithmetic, for an hour previous to preaching, and giving them lessons to be attended to at home during my absence.

A most disgraceful scene took place in a village in this neighbourhood a few days since. The Wesleyans have of late been preaching in the open air; and at length a poor man opened his house for them to preach in. A set of hired ruffians entered and molested a young man who at the time was engaged in prayer, and actually rent his clothes from his back. The parties have been summoned, but, I blush to speak it—a verdict has been returned in favour of the persecutors. I believe, were the whole world searched through, a more dark spot could not be found. They hate every thing bearing the name of morality even, to say nothing of Christianity. Oh that those who profess to be the disciples of Jesus, and are still unconcerned, and deaf to the claims of Britain, could for one month only be placed in the centre of this moral contagion; and if their apathy still continued, they would then betray a lamentable deficiency of that love which constrained the Saviour to weep when he looked on Jerusalem. May the universal cry of the British churches be-O Lord, evangelise Britain!

POVERTY AND SUFFERINGS OF CHRISTIANS ON SOME OF THE STATIONS.

The following extracts are from the letters of Missionaries, received during the last few days. They describe the present condition of some of their afflicted people. It seems impossible to read of their situation without being deeply affected and desiring to relieve them. The generous and Christian interposition of some of the London and country churches two years ago, when an appeal similar to this was made, saved some hundreds of afflicted believers from the extremity of suffering. Last year no appeal was made, as the circumstances of the people were not so deplorable as they are now; and it was not considered safe or prudent to encourage even good people to depend too much on foreign aid, except in peculiar cases. The present appeal is unknown to the persons on whose behalf it is made: if successful, it will gladden many hearts.

"I beg to say there is great distress prevailing. It was very bad last season, but much more this; what the end will be, it is impossible for me to say-numbers are out of employment; the farmers have work to be done, but they have no money to pay for it. Our people not only suffer from the badness of the times, but they have to endure the frowns of the clergy and gentry. We have some fine characters here; they would sooner suffer any privations than give up what they believe to be the truth-they dare think for themselves in matters of religion. I subjoin a case or two.

B. T. She is a member of our church at D—, and a poor afflicted creature. She receives one shilling and ten-pence weekly from the parish, and has to pay sixpence rent out of it. This woman has stood nobly against the threats and intimidations of the clergyman.

At G- there are four men above eighty years of age, who attend our chapel; they all receive parish relief: one of them is quite a missionary; he visits the people, reads and prays with the afflicted. The clergyman has cut them off from all favours. Last Christmas a bribe was offered to one of them to leave the chapel, but he told the person he was not to be bought.

I could fill your Magazine of next month with similar cases, but these will serve as specimens of the poverty and persecutions our people endure. I shall be delighted if some of the Congregational churches of London show their sympathy this year, as they did two years ago, towards their poorer brethren in the villages of our country. In the village of M- resides a poor but pious labouring man, who has opened his house for preaching, in which souls have been saved. This individual, zealous for the cause of Christ, uses all his energies to induce the people of the village to listen to the word of life beneath his humble roof, for which he is now deprived of privileges hitherto enjoyed. In this parish, the poor hire allotment land at threepence per perch, and during the winter months purchase coal at ninepence per cwt. instead of paying one shilling and two-pence, the usual price in the village. Till now this individual has rented forty perches of land, which has produced about twenty sacks of potatoes on an average, which has enabled him to keep his family tolerably comfortable; and purchasing coal at the reduced price, the inclemency of the past seasons has not been so much felt. But alas! these favours are not to be continued; he is not a proper character to be countenanced; he harbours fanatics; schism is his sin; the curse of God rests upon him; he is warned out of the land, and deprived of the privilege of purchasing coal. How does he act under such circumstances? I will give his own language. He addresses the clergyman as follows: "My object, sir, is that God may be glorified and sinners saved; I can testify before God and man that I did not open my house to please man, neither do I intend to give it up that I may be in favour with man, but while Christ and him crucified is preached, 'I do rejoice, yea I will rejoice.' 'I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he will keep that which I have entrusted to him against that day.'" Another individual, in whose house a prayer meeting is occasionally held, has notice to the same effect, that coal is not to be sold her at the reduced price. A greater piece of petty tyranny for conscience sake cannot be found. But the grace of Christ is magnified, and especially in the man-he is a living witness that "man does not live by bread alone," and can testify that he can "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." May he have grace and strength to continue faithful unto death!

J. S. a poor woman with an afflicted husband and four small children, is living on two shillings per week and three loaves. No charities are allowed, because the "conventicle" is visited. The poor creature had neither money, food, nor fuel, a few days since, and was literally starving until I supplied her with money to purchase

necessaries.

E. C. a member of a Christian church for upwards of twenty years-a most exemplary character. I can bear witness that her average income does not exceed one shilling and sixpence per week. No favours received from the clergyman.

B. F. a poor man who walks twelve miles every Lord's day to the house of God, the village in which he resides being three miles distant from a chapel; wages 68. per week; wife and three children. No favours, and ordered by the squire, his landlord, to leave his employ and cottage unless he will consent to leave the "meeting-house;" he is quite determined not to do so. I never witnessed a more delightful exhibition of the power of the Gospel than in this man.

In another village, the clergyman and squire have given notice to all the poor, that no one who visits the meeting-house is to be allowed the benefit of the clothing

club; and further, should any one be known to carry their tickets to the shop of a dissenter, their money is to be forfeited, their cottages left, their coal taken away, and no farmer renting under them (the clergyman and squire) is to be allowed to employ them.

I could easily multiply cases, but suffice it to say, that all, without exception, who attend on our chapels, are deprived of every privilege. It is really distressing to visit them in their abodes of poverty and wretchedness, and to see the finger of scorn pointed at them, and no relief granted, solely because they will not sacrifice their principles. The wages of the poor average from five shillings to six shillings per week; many have families of seven or eight children, and I am quite certain that meat is not tasted by many of them for months together.

J. K. is a village blacksmith, a truly pious man, and a member of our church at O. His trade was formerly prosperous and flourishing; but since the grace of God has brought him salvation, and taught him to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly and righteously in this present world, favours have been withdrawn, persecution has followed, and he is now in a state of comparative indigence. I believe he told me a short time since, that his earnings did not amount to five shillings per week. He has a wife, (who is also a member with us,) and three children, and this is all their living. His family afflictions have been very great; during the past summer, himself and three children have been laid aside for many weeks in the scarlet fever; not an individual would come near to lend a helping hand, some fearing the contagious disease, others looking on them as those who had lost caste, avoiding them as a Jew would a Samaritan or a leper. Just at that time, our afflicted brother was informed that one of the few employers he had left, had been threatening to remove his work, " because K. was a methodist."

His wife is expecting confinement every hour. My heart aches for them. O may the Lord give them supporting grace! I preach in their house, and notwithstanding all the loss and persecution our dear brother has met with, he has told me, with the tears rolling down his cheeks, that he "will not close his door," that he " would rather go to prison and to death."—Devon.

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

THE Committee of the Irish Evangelical Society think that circumstances have arisen in the history of its proceedings which call upon them to address the Congregational churches of Great Britain, and to state clearly and firmly their conviction, that it is entitled to the unshaken confidence and increasing support of Independent dissenters. This institution has existed nearly thirty years, and has been much owned of God in the conversion of sinners from the errors of Popery, and from a mere formal profession of Protestantism to the faith of the Gospel. It has been the instrument of calling into existence the majority of the Independent churches now found in the sister isle; while a still larger number have received from it such support as was indispensable, to prevent their falling into decay or dissolution. In the revival of evangelical religion in the Irish Episcopal church, and in the efficient stand made against Arianism, on the part of many ministers and churches of the Presbyterian order, this society has been privileged to share an honourable part, as no person well acquainted with the ecclesiastical history of Ireland during the present century, can doubt that its influence has been advantageously employed in effecting this favourable alteration in sentiment and feeling.

For many years, this society occupied a neutral position on all questions of church polity, and consequently received a mingled support from different sections of professing Christians. Nearly four years since, it was deemed desirable to make its