pied an unfruitful field of labour since Missionary Society. They have five SOUTH SEAS. Letter from the Rev. George Turner, Missionary.-On board the John Williams, Dillon's Bay, Iramanga, Tuesday evening, 29th April 1845. A second time the boat went-all seemed shy. We feared something was wrong. Then Mr Murray and I went off in the boat-found all on shore armed and concealed behind the rocks and stones. I shouted for our teachers, but could get nothing but vague and contradictory statements. We had our worst fears for our poor teachers. Determined to run across to the Island of Aneiteam immediately-did so, and in the morning were there. Got offour teachers at once, and, alas, heard the mournful tale that the Futuna teachers were all killed about the time we left Tanna, upwards of two years ago. An epidemic was raging at the time-they blamed the teachers as causing it, and it ended in the massacre of the two teachers, the wife of one of them, and their daughter-four persons in all. "Father, forgive them, for they knew not what they did." The teachers were good men, and, doubtless, they are MY DEAR FATHER,-Before this reaches now in glory. They died as they lived, you, you will doubtless have heard from men of peace-and like Stephen, did Samoa of the voyage among these islands not raise a hand to injure any one. which Mr Murray and I are now carrying Cannot ascertain whether the Futuna out. We cast anchor here this morning, people repent of what they have done, and propose leaving early to-morrow and shall not at this time think of landmorning. There is a little vessel here in ing teachers there. At Aneiteam-all quest of sandal-wood, and finding that cheering-left other two teachers. Found she is likely to go soon to New South there a party of white men. They have Wales, I embrace the opportunity of purchased a small island off the mainletting you have a few lines to let you land-have fortified it. There they have know that thus far all is well with us. a jetty, flag-staff, houses, &c. Say they The Lord hath done great things for us, mean it for a store to supply whalers. whereof we are glad. We left our friends Collect sandal-wood from the adjacent at Upolu, Samoa, on the 1st April, and islands. We have stationed two teachers cleared that group on the 3d. Tuesday on the main-land, close by this settlethe 7th, cast anchor at Rotumah. Acment. They were received with joy by cording to instructions and arrangements the chief there. The sooner we have a made in England between the Wesleyan white missionary or two there the better. and the London Missionary Societies, Had a gale of wind here, but was all we have removed our teachers from snug at anchor. Were detained till the Rotumah, and given up all interest and 22d; then got out, and that evening influence we had there to the Wesleyan were at anchor once more at Port Reso lution, Tanna. And here I cannot tell | from any thing we knew. We gave them you a thousandth part of what we saw to presents, showed them all over the ship cheer us, and form a striking contrast to the time when even we were driven with heavy hearts from the island. Our house is still standing, and good-not a plant stolen from the garden-all just as we left them-and the people, even our greatest enemies the priestcraft, with open arms to receive us. Soon after we cast anchor we went on shore. Next day had a great meeting in our houseall parties anxious for teachers, and im plore our return. Have left three teachers where we were, two among a people who were our enemies, and two at the head-quarters of the priestcraft people, that seat of Satan called Kasiwumeul. When the teachers went to their stations, all received joyfully-pigs killed for them, houses immediately put up, &c. &c. Soon after we were expelled, two years ago, a great many died of dysentry. All supposed it was the judgment of heaven. So many died in the land of the priestcraft that they could not bury them. They say many who stole from us are dead-some who attempted to take fruit from our garden after we left, are dead. These things are striking facts to us as well as to them. The Lord seems to be at work, and it appears as if he was putting the fear and the dread of us into the hearts of the people. Our old friend Kirannan, who promised to count the days, and assemble the people for worship every Sabbath, actually did so. Twelve months ago a Nina teacher visited them-found them with an exact knowledge of the Sabbath, and regularly holding public worship. And now, when I got the old man on board, I asked him ·when Sabbath was, and he told me correctly. There has been a powerful reaction in our favour. We had a strong conviction that it would be so. Lord hath done great things here-praise | Little Martha, too, quite well. Our tenhim together with us. Left Tanna early derest love to all at home. Pray for us, yesterday morning. Have two Tanna and may every eternal blessing be your chiefs with us and their wives. We take and our portion through Jesus our Lord them to Samoa, and bring them back to and Redeemer. Yours, with all filial show their countrymen what the gospel affection. has done for Samoa. Yesterday landed two teachers at Nina. Came to anchor here this morning. We are at anchor close to the place where our Williams fell. Four natives swam off soon after we cast anchor. We showed them kindness-gave them food and presents, and took them on shore in the boat. Could not get hold of a chief. After dinner nine others swam off. Could not communicate with them. Dialect very different showed them the portrait of Mr Williams, and made them understand that it was him they killed. Tried to explain our intention to leave teachers, and then begged them to go and fetch their chiefs-sent them on shore in the boat. Mr Murray and I have been twice in with the boat. Gave presents to natives on the beach; all very shy there, especially the last time we were in, just a little before sun-down. We cannot see it our duty now to land teachers. We have succeeded, however, in showing them much kindness. They will now know the vessel that gives presents, &c. &c. and does not take sandal-wood; and when we return, we may be able to get some Tanna or other man who knows a little of the dialect. We tried hard to get a Tanna man to come with us the other day, but he would not. They are afraid of Iramanga. Many sandal-wood vessels have been here lately, and at other parts of the island. We have had sad accounts of fighting, massacring, and other mischief, on other parts of this island; and perhaps this is as hopeful a point as any for gaining admission. We leave in the morning for Sandwich Island. Have just got the name of a place there where there are some Samoans and Tongans, who were drifted there many years ago. The vessel alongside of us has come from that placefound all quiet, a fine people, and these Samoans and Tongans imploring for native teachers. Then we purpose going to Mowe and Lafa of Loyalty group, the Isle of Pines. It is said that a Roman Catholic bishop and some priests are at New Caledonia, and we also hear that some of them have been killed. We are all well. My dearest Mary has been The very well of late; her all but well. (Signed) GEORGE TURNER. CANTON DE VAUD. THE Ministers and Elders of the United Secession Presbytery of Edinburgh, in connexion with the United Secession Church of Scotland, to the Ministers and Elders who have separated themselves from the National Church in the Canton de Vaud: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and and therefore entirely distinct from the Jesus Christ our Lord. kingdoms of this world-that the civil magistrate, as such, has no right to interfere with the church in any formmay not dictate what men may believe or not believe-may not presume to superintend, or interfere with, her constitution, her discipline, or the administra tion of her ordinances. We also hold, that if the church be free of the state, the state should be free of the church; that it should not be burdened with the support of her ordinances, but that, in accordance with the law of Christ, they should be maintained by the free-will offerings of Christ's own people. We hold, in one word, that any alliance between the church and the state is for bidden by the authority of the Lord of the church, and that such alliance is in every instance productive of incalculable mischief-that it divides, enfeebles, enslaves, and secularizes the church, while it injures, weakens, and impedes the action of the state in its legitimate province. These results, we are persuaded, can be easily traced in the history of every established church; and are felt at the present time in all the ecclesiastical establishments in the kingdoms of Europe. These principles we hold to be the principles of the Bible. It is not surprising, then, dear brethren, that we contemplate their extension with gratitude and joy. Their universal diffusion, we believe, will be the era of the emancipation of the world from spiritual thraldom; and we congratulate you that you have had the grace given you to assert and practically maintain them in the face of the strong arm of power, and of the difficulties and dangers to which in consequence you may be exposed. DEAR BRETHREN, Although the greater number of us who now address you are, so far as regards personal acquaintance, strangers to you, and you to us,-though you are separated from us by country and by language,-we yet feel joined with you by the bonds of our common christianity: and our interest in your welfare, and our affection towards you, are still farther increased, by the noble stand which you have been enabled to make in behalf of the independence of the christian church of the control of the civil power. So far as we are acquainted with the particulars of the disruption which has taken place in your ecclesiastical establishment, we are disposed to congratulate you on the position which you now occupy; while, at the same time, we fully appreciate the difficulties of your present situation, and with emotions of profound interest address to you this token of our affection. You are now practically occupying the position which the church to which we belong has held in this country for upwards of a century. Although no formal authoritative declaration has been made by our church courts upon the point, we are, in principle, dissenters. Our church originated, above a hundred years ago, in the expulsion, by a corrupt majority of the General Assembly, from the Established Church of Scotland of four of her most worthy and venerated ministers, not for error in doctrine-not for immorality of conduct-not for unfaithfulness in the discharge of their ministerial functions, but for their fidelity in asserting the prerogatives of the Lord Jesus, as the sole Head of his church,- We are not acquainted with all the in vindicating his truth against prevailing causes which have led to the late moveerror,-and in maintaining the right of ment in the canton. But this we have the christian people to a voice in the learned, that upwards of one hundred call and appointment of their ministers. and fifty ministers of Christ Jesus, rather From this small beginning we have than submit to the encroachments of the increased to a great multitude, there civil power upon the liberties of Christ's being connected with the United Se-church, have abandoned the National cession Church upwards of four hundred congregations, having in their communion nearly 130,000 members, and administering the ordinances of the gospel to about 300,000 of the population. We have all along firmly held the principle for which you are now contending-that the Lord Jesus is the sole Head and King of his church-that his -kingdom is spiritual in its constitution and laws, its ordinances and privileges, establishment, with all the temporal advantages connected with it, and have thrown themselves and their families on the providence of that God who has said to all his own children, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." We congratulate you, brethren, on the testimony which you have thus been honoured to give in behalf of Christ's truth, and the spiritual independence of his church. You may be subjected to difficulties and trials on account of the step which one body. stimulas to the movement which is now our sceroW. you have taken; bat wI not all that you bore the Lord Jesus: and we beg that may be called on to entre be more in you will receive from us the expression compensated by the infuence when your wich we now senter of our deep and enristian heroism may exert upon the afectamase regri As members of interests of genaine region, and the Christ # 117stick Joy, we would rememprosperity of the churen, not only in your ber them that are in bonds, as bound ows canton. DOS MYSUROns Switzer with them: and them that suffer adver land and the whole continens of Europe? sity, as being ourselves also in the body. Your example will cheer the hearts of all. We would feel as baptized with you into the Protestants in France, and impart a Four sorrow we would make We would weep with you in your day of trial, as well as rejoice with you in your season of prosperity. We feel that the region of Jesus is of no country that his disciples are of no land. We would not, therefore, confine our affections and our sympathies to those of our own denomination, or our own country. We feel that we are one with the people of God scattered over the world; and therefore one with youhall you as brethren in the Lord, and offer you our christian sympathies amid the diffinities under which you now labour, and the trials to which you are exposed. But we feel united to Switzerland, and sympathise with her people on another grond. We never can forget that your country afforded an asylum to our own Knox and other ministers of Scotland, when driven from their native land by the strong arm of persecution. Nor can we be unmindful of what we owe to your own Calvin and others; and, if necessary, we are prepared to recipro · cate your kindness, by opening our arms to receive you to our protection. agitating Germany. It will pass over the Alpe, and be feis in the very place where Antichrist has his throne. But it on the other hand, you had tamely sub mitted to the dictation of the civil power, the effects would have been most disas trous. Erastianism would have rivetted her chains more securely around the church—the liberties of Christ's people would have been still more en dangeredtheir faith in the stability and influence of christian principle would have been staggered-while the inndel would have been confirmed in his infidelity, and a wicked world have rejoiced. But your stedfast adherence to the truth, and the testimony which you have given to its power, will not only prevent these melancholy consequences-it will excite the attention of all-will lead the thoughtless to reflect-will strengthen the hands of genuine believers, ani, by the blessing of God, may bring many to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, as well as to more scriptural views of the constitation of his church. We cordially hail you as another band of that great In the meantime, brethren, we exhort army which the Redeemer is every way gathering together to sustain the standard of religious liberty, and to diffuse among the nations that spiritual freedom which Christ Jesus has purchased for his church with his own blood. you to be firm-to be faithful in the maintaining of the principles which you have avowed, and rather suffer the loss of all things than submit to a course of procedure, which we believe to be deeply disgraceful to the Government, and in direct violation of the sacred name of ments to strengthen your faith and stimulate your courage. You are suffering for the testimony of Jesus, and the word of God; and he never calls any one to maintain his testimony, without saying to him, "Fear not; I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive The course which you have followed may have been, in many respects, pain-liberty. You have many encourageful to flesh and blood. Many of you have left homes endeared to you by a thousand delightful associations, and been separated from flocks which you tenderly loved, and among whom you hoped to live, and labour, and die, and your ashes to repose among the ashes of your fathers. You may have to endure many | for evermore, Amen; and have the keys temporal privations; even persecution may be your portion. You may not be allowed to labour publicly in your Master's cause. You may be imprisoned, or even banished from fatherland. But you will be sustained, amid all you may be called to endure, by the testimony of a good conscience; and you will draw towards you also the sympathy of all who of hell and of death." "The Lord of hosts is on your side;" and "He who is with you, is greater than all they that can be against you." He can turn the designs of your enemies into means of promoting both his cause and your comfort. He can, and will give you enlargement if it be for the good of his kingdom. But if he permit the enemy to We understand that there appears a want of sympathy, so far as the movement has yet gone, on the part of the people. This we deplore. But we would say, let not that discourage you. We are persuaded, that the effect of your noble stand upon the people will be, that they will be led to ponder and reflect. We know that there has been a remarkable revival of religion among the ministers of the canton. Many, for the last few years, have been preaching the gospel faithfully and zealously; and though the fruit of such labours have not yet appeared very abundantly, it may be, that in the providence of God, the very event of your secession may be the means of carrying home the truth, and giving power and place you in still greater difficulties, we trust that you will have grace given you to trust in his name, and to account it an honour, that it is "given you in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Remember, brethren, that that God in whom you trust is faithful, and you have his own promise, that he "will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able; but will, with the temptation, also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to hear it." What you have done is for conscience sake, and for the sake of the Lord Jesus; and need we remind you of the words of the Lord, that "no man shall leave house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundred-effect to the ministrations in which you fold now in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life." We point you to the crown of glory-to the "inheritance which is incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away"-to the throne and the kingdom that await the faithful disciples of Jesus in the kingdom of the just; and animated by the prospect, we say, in the name of our common Lord, "Be thou faithful unto the death, and ye shall receive the crown of life." have been engaged for some years past. We say, then, "Wait patiently on the Lord." Depend upon his promise, and it may be, that the dark hour that is now passing over the Church of Christ in the land, shall be that which precedes and ushers in the dawn of a joyful day. "They that sow in tears shall reapin joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing preci.. ous seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.-DOMESTIC. PROPOSED EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. THE measures suggested by the Conference on Christian Union, held at Liverpool in October last, are testing the catholicity of Christians in all evangelical denominations. By many they have been hailed as the harbingers of millennial amity and concord; from not a few others, we regret to see, they are finding little favour. Meetings have been held in London, Liverpool, and Manchester, as well as in Edinburgh and Glasgow, for the purpose of taking into consideration the resolutions and documents agreed upon at the Conference of the 1st, 2d, and 3d October; and on all of these occasions a hallowed enthusiasm pervaded the immense assemblages which convened to manifest their concurrence in the movement. It has been bitterly opposed by the Christian Observer, understood to be the organ of the evangelical party in the church of England, and by some of the periodicals which represent the views of the high church party in England. A controversy has arisen on the subject between Sir Culling Eardley Smith and Dr Campbell, editor of the Christian Witness, in which we do not see that either of the parties is in the right. On the one hand, Sir Culling Smith, who is comparatively a recent convert to non-conformist principles, appears inclined to discountenance, for the sake of union among good men of all denominations, every aggressive movement by the enemies of church and state alliance, against that unscriptural system,-a compromise of conscience which no thorough dissenter will feel himself at liberty to make, and which the fundamental principles of the evangelical alliance do not require; and, on the other hand, Dr Campbell maintains, in opposition to the deliberate declarations of the Liverpool Conference, that "an essential, an unalterable condition of the formation and maintenance of this alliance, is silence on the subject of church |