Last Easter, the pastor Brummelkamp visited a church on the frontiers of Russia. He stayed at the house of Mr. Haastert, pastor of the reformed church of Wertherbruch, in the Prussian territory. On the invitation of the latter, Mr. Brummelkamp twice officiated for him. The Christians of Holland, being informed of this, came in great numbers to the place, where, by the hospitality of this foreign minister, they were enabled to attend the preaching of the gospel without disturbance or molesta

tion.

Herroynen, Sunday, May 21. At a meeting held this day, a policeman presented himself in the name of the burgomaster, and commanded those who composed it to separate immediately. On their refusal, he threatened to send the soldiers. "Our arms not being carnal," we replied, "we shall be compelled to yield to force." This menace was speedily realized. The burgomaster arrived with five dragoons, who thrust all the persons present out of the house, not excepting the owner himself, and struck them with the flat part of their sabres, uttering the most shocking imprecations. These unhappy soldiers passed the remainder of this holy day in excesses and debauchery, in the same house from which, a few hours before, sounded the praises of the Lord. In the afternoon these Christians united in another house, where their devotion was not disturbed by their enemies.

In the province of Over-Yssel, all the soldiers have been withdrawn from the villages. They content themselves for the present with taking depositions. In consequence of this increased liberty, pastor Van Raalte has preached eight times in the space of three weeks, before one thousand five hundred auditors.

Amsterdam, Sunday, May 28.-Eighteen persons met in the house of Mr. Hiddes. Towards nine o'clock a mob assembled before the house, insulted the inmates, and knocked very loudly at the door. Two hours after, they broke the windows with stones. On information being given by the neighbours, a registrar, accompanied by two police agents, entered the house. He twice counted the number of the persons present, and only finding eighteen, he went out to tell the people, who had collected with hostile intentions, that the assembly did not exceed the legal number, and that consequently their worship could not be disturbed. A party of soldiers soon stationed themselves before the house. From one to five o'clock nothing occurred; but from five to eleven the people were again in a state of excitement, without the soldiers endeavouring to disperse them. It appears, however, from what we learn, that they will proceed

to prosecute some rebels, whose names they have obtained; and among others, a woman who said that they ought to burn the scholtiens, an epithet which is applied at Amsterdam to separatists. The churches of Oudloosdrecht and Bunschotten, whose meetings have been for several months disturbed by the soldiers, have just obtained, by a providential incident, the privilege of hearing the free preaching of the gospel.

Friday, June 9.-Mr. Schoole has visited the church of Oudloosdrecht. Immediately on his arrival, two soldiers were set to follow him by night and by day, to observe narrowly all his movements. If he went into a house where there were children to be baptized, they accompanied him to prevent it. Perceiving that it was impossible to perform their worship on land, the separatists conceived the idea of meeting upon the water. Mr. N. Gos, one of their deacons, prepared his boat for this purpose. On Lord's-day, at seven o'clock in the morning, several persons went on board. Towards half-past seven, the soldiers ran to

arms.

At eight, the boat put off from the shore. The soldiers, with their guns loaded, followed the boat by land as long as the road permitted. They were at length obliged to stop, and abandon their pursuit. God suffered the wind to retain near the shore a large boat, in which the soldiers were to have embarked, to molest the Christians in

their worship. Other boats soon joined them, in one of which was the pastor. The church, which had so long been deprived of the means of grace, had this day the happiness of hearing two sermons, and baptized three children. The Monday and Tuesday following, preaching and the administration of baptism took place at Onkoop and Kocking without interruption, because there are no soldiers in these places to oppose it.

He

Sunday, June 18.-Mr. Scholte has held services of a very novel description on the Zuyder-zee, in a boat belonging to a pious man of the province of Drenthe. preached twice, and baptized two children. On landing, Mr. Scholte was again followed by a patrol, who stationed himself before the house which he visited, to prevent those who wished to see him from entering, after there were as many as twenty persons in the house. While these precautions were taken outside, a soldier kept watch within, that no worship or religious ceremony might be performed. The burgomaster of Bunschotten had sent a policeman to report to him their proceedings. This circumstance induced us to fear another examination, the pastor having preached and baptized on the sea.

Zwolle, May 31.-Three members of the dissenting church have been imprisoned, because the fines to which they were sen

tenced, for assisting at religious meetings, have not been paid.

Hoorn, June 2.-On the 13th of July, last year, Mr. H. de Cock, a dissenting minister, ordained elders and deacons in the island of Urk. For this act he has been summoned to appear before the tribunal. The examination and accusation lasted five hours, from ten in the morning to three in the afternoon. The defence, which was postponed till five o'clock, lasted till eight. The separatists were not long kept in suspense as to the decision. It is conformable with the demand of the attorney-general, condemning Mr. De Cock and Mr. Smitt to two hundred francs penalty, the elders and deacons to fifty francs, and the widow in whose house the meeting had been held, to one hundred francs. Before the judges had sanctioned this sentence, the mob was quiet; but as soon as their decision was known, it became greatly excited, and pursued the dissenters with hooting, stones, and mud. The police did not oppose these insults. The crowd assembled before the house of Mr. Van de Velde: the policemen, instead of dispersing it, or preventing these riots, kept out of the way. Mr. Van de Velde then went to ask the protection of the commissary of police; not finding him, he entreated the officer of justice to assist him. The latter sent some soldiers, who drove away the mob, and re-established order. At half-past ten all was quiet.

APPEAL OF THE PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS IN HOLLAND ΤΟ THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST IN OTHER LANDS.

"The ministers of Jesus Christ, and the elders of the afflicted reformed church in Holland, have invited their flocks solemnly to consecrate the 20th of September next as a day of thanksgiving, fasting, and prayer; thus manifesting openly, though they are unknown to the world, their confidence in their Lord, their King, and their Saviour. The persecuted church has, during the last two years, derived much consolation from the fact, that the Lord has heard the prayers of his own elect. Our earthly king has manifested his displeasure towards us, by his decree of July 5, 1836. Nevertheless, these Christians have obtained the approbation of their eternal King, in this work of faith, of hope, and of love.

"Direct application to the throne of the God of armies is their only resource, amid all the sorrows of their earthly pilgrimage. The Christians of all countries, who acknowledge with us our Lord Jesus Christ our Prophet, Priest, and King, are invited to unite with us, in bowing before the throne of the Lord, earnestly to implore the effusion of the Holy Spirit upon the church

militant, that all its members may be more united under their supreme Head. We believe and confess that the church of Jesus Christ, though scattered abroad over all the earth, is united in heart and will, in the same Spirit, by the bonds of faith. The sufferings of the members of this church in Holland, should be felt by the whole body. Thus we request, as a proof of their Christian compassion, the communion of the prayers of our brethren in Christ Jesus, our God and Saviour.

"H. P. Scholte, Minister of Christ, Correspondent of the afflicted church in Holland."

LETTERS TO THE KING AND THE CLERGY OF HOLLAND FROM THE CHURCHES IN SWITZERLAND.

The following letters have been addressed by the pastors and ministers of the national the king of Holland, and to the clergy of church of the canton of Vaud to his majesty the reformed church of that kingdom. Letter to the King.

SIRE,

Ancient bonds of Christian fraternity exist between Switzerland and the Low Countries. When the illustrious ancestors of your majesty fought for the cause of truth and religious liberty, they deserved the gratitude, not only of the people over which God has placed you, but ours also, and that of all reformed Christians. When they received into their provinces the bleeding remnant escaped from the religious persecutions in France, Great Britain, and other countries, they conferred an obligation on us also, by thus benefitting our brethren. Your majesty has taught us to regard you with confidence as a true successor of these princes, and a friend of that everlasting gospel for which Holland has shed its blood. Sire, we, the undersigned ministers of the national church of the canton of Vaud, presume, then, with respectful boldness, to express to your majesty the desire of our hearts with regard to the measures adopted in your kingdom against Christians separated from the reformed church, acknowledged by the state. We would be neither the judges nor the advocates of our brethren in particulars with which we are little acquainted; for we know that according to Scripture, "in many things we all offend;" but we know also that the faults of men cannot destroy the eternal principles of justice and truth.

We come, then, with respectful confidence, to beseech your majesty to grant to these Christians entire liberty to serve God in a manner agreeable to their convictions. We ask it, Sire, because it is that religious liberty which we find written in glorious characters, not only in the word of God,

but also in the annals of your house and nation; because we are convinced before God, that a man should be free in the exercise of his faith, and that, according to a celebrated saying, the power of kings ends where that of conscience begins; and, in short, because, as ministers of a national church, in a country where dissent has been prosecuted and punished by law for several years, we know by experience that few things endanger, weaken, and disturb a church connected with the state so much as such prosecutions; while the contrary course of toleration and liberty, conduces powerfully to render it peaceable, prosperous, and honourable in the eyes of all.

Permit us, therefore, Sire, from the bosom of our now tranquil mountains, humbly to deposit at your feet our earnest request. Grant it, Sire, with that goodness of which your ancestors have given so many proofs to our fathers.

May the God of your fathers and ours, the everlasting God, shed the richest of his blessings on your person, your family, your church, and your people; and may peace and prosperity dwell in those provinces, dear to all Protestants, which, for nearly three centuries, have been the refuge of those who have suffered for the faith of the pure and glorious gospel of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Lausanne, August, 1837.

The signatures of 173 pastors and ministers are here affixed.

LETTER TO THE CLERGY OF HOLLAND,

Gentlemen, our honoured brethren and companions in the work of Christ,

The word of God, which we preach, tells us that when one member suffers, all the others suffer with it. It is not, then, without great grief that we have learnt, that a certain number of our Dutch brethren have, for some time, suffered for their faith in the truths of the gospel of salvation.

Although too little informed to pretend to justify all the proceedings of these brethren, or to condemn any one, we cannot but feel deeply grieved at the persecutions of which they are the objects; and believing that you can, by your influence with the authorities of your country, contribute to the amelioration, or even to the complete cessation, of a state of things, so contrary to that love which Christians should entertain towards each other, remembering the numerous fraternal ties which bind your churches to those of our canton; and, in short, in obedience to the words of our Master, who exhorts us to consider one another, to excite to love and good works, we come, honoured brethren, to entreat you, in the name of Him who loved us and shed his blood for

us, to consider seriously if it is not in your power to obtain liberty for these persecuted brethren, to serve God according to their conscience, and to profess their faith in the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in that country in which so many faithful Christians formerly found refuge from the persecutions which banished them from their own countries.

Believe us, honoured brethren, that if the prayer we address to you has been dictated by the interest we take in those who suffer, it is so also by the love which unites us to you and your churches. We shall be delighted to hear that you have understood our intentions, yielded to our wishes, and that a great number of our brethren, now disturbed in their worship, may henceforward lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

In this hope, we beg you, honoured brethren, to receive the assurance of our respect and brotherly affection in Christ Jesus.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means!

Lausanne, August, 1837. This letter bears nearly the same sign tures as the preceding, 164 in number.

"The

The latest intelligence which we have received, represents the persecution as unabated. On the 4th of September a Dissenter was fined, by a tribunal at Amsterdam, a sum equal to twenty-five pounds sterling; and the pastor, Van Velzen, was fined about four pounds, because more than twenty persons had been present at their religious meetings. The fines which had been imposed for such offences, in Amsterdam alone, amounted, in the beginning of October, to more than £150, while their petitions for relief remained unanswered. distresses to which we are exposed," say the sufferers, "have proved a salutary trial to us; but how terrible will be the judgments of God upon those who persecute his church! The just who lives by faith may support persecutions, knowing that better treasures are reserved in heaven for him. Should it even be necessary for us to leave our relatives and country on account of religion, because we are here deprived of our daily bread, He, without whose will a single hair does not fall from our heads, will not abandon us."

dangerous place for professors of the gospel, yet we have now a Christian band, and, as I trust, the love of Christ is shed abroad in our hearts. I believe we shall be enabled to be in New South Wales, and yet be delivered from the evil of it. I have written to G. to come, if he thinks fit. The agent for emigration in London will pay his passage, or help him. Mechanics, labourers, shepherds, are in great demand. The result is, that emigration schemes of every kind are proposed; and, among the rest, the introduction of labourers from Bengal, and of Chinese artizans from Singapore. I believe 300 of the latter are now on their way. As to the former, the plan is in agitation. The proposal is for Bengal Coolies, and the Hill people, who come into the plain country of Bengal at a certain season. By these Hill country people, I suppose to be meant the natives of Rajhmahal. I am anxious in some measure to anticipate this scheme, by preparation for Christian instruction. My chief desire, with regard to India, was, to labour, in conjunction with Leslie of Monghyr, in Rajhmahal. I therefore feel a special wish to be his coadjutor in this colony. I intend to write to Calcutta, to show the bearing of this emigration upon the brethren's missionary labours there, and to ask for information as to the language and people. Should the emigration take place to any extent, say two or three thousand, I should recommend a Bengali missionary to be stationed here. So, also, I should advise the society to bear the expense of a native Rajhmahal missionary in this colony. The expense would be small, could such a man be found. Leslie might recruit here at any time, and Anderson (of Stepney), who has, I believe, been obliged to abandon India, labour in Bengali, if he knows the language.

"You see the rising importance of this country, not only in a commercial, but a missionary point of view. Perhaps China is to be entered from Australia: perhaps the hills of India are to be cultured by husbandmen in New South Wales. I send you a paper containing intelligence; and let the Society be the first to occupy this important station, when the plans of our government are matured. Should any Baptist brethren inquire about emigration, I would say that two or three competent schoolmasters would do well. A minister, who would come out depending upon a school, and willing to take his chance of ministerial support, would be very useful; but all would have to endure hardships at the first, and none should come who are doing well in England. God is graciously raising this colony in morals: he will doubtless give us more help. We must wait for him. We have formed a Home Missionary Society

here, in correspondence with the Congregational Colonial Mission. When the Baptists deign to notice Australia, it will be my duty to carry out their designs. Is there no stir to send a Baptist minister to Van Dieman's Land?

JAMAICA.

THE following petition from eight Baptist missionaries, stationed in the western part of Jamaica, has been presented to the House of Commons, by Mr. Pease, and a similar one, with the same signatures, to the house of Lords, by lord Brougham.

To the Honourable the House of Commons of Great Britain, in parliament assembled :

The humble petition of the undersigned Baptist missionaries resident in the western part of the island of Jamaica, showeth :

That your petitioners humbly approach your Honourable House, for the purpose of laying before it the state of the apprentice population of this island, and of imploring that your Honourable House will at once devise such measures, as you in your wisdom may see fit, to effect the termination of the apprenticeship system in August, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, and thus relieve the prædial apprentices from the grievous and oppressive bondage in which they are now held.

That your petitioners feel a deep and lively interest in the prosperity of the island in which Providence has fixed their abode, and are firmly convinced that the present state of the apprentices is inimical to the welfare of all parties therein, and that the Abolition Act has totally failed in producing the object for which it was framed by the Imperial Parliament; that it has been made the engine of gross and continued oppression, and created disgust in the minds of the labouring classes to the cultivation of the soil; which feeling, your petitioners are firmly persuaded, is daily increasing, and which your petitioners fear will lead to the total abandonment of many properties, should perfect freedom be withheld from the prædial apprentices after the non-prædials are fully emancipated, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.

That your petitioners most humbly record their unqualified opinion, that the prædial apprentices, on whose behalf they implore the boon from your Honourable House, are fully prepared for that freedom which is the birthright of every man; that their conduct under accumulated wrongs, and bitterly disappointed hopes, has been uniformly such as to entitle them to the favourable consideration of your Honourable House; and that granting the prayer of your petitioners, while it would be performing an act of jus