and fertile regions sevenfold the extent of their native islands. What a thought! What a prospect to occupy the mind of an Englishman, of an English Christian!

Colonisation is the highest destiny of a people. Commerce may move to other shores and ports, institutions may decay or fall by violence, national energy and virtue may decline; but when a nation has re-produced itself in empires young when it is old, and where its old experience is their starting-point of knowledge and fame, then indeed we may ask, When shall be born the historian of its "decline and fall?"

What Christian doubts that Providence rules the nations for the sake of Christianity? That the rise and fall of empires are equally brought about for the one purpose of subserving the interests of Messiah's kingdom ?-That the kingdom and nation that will not serve him shall perish? Indeed, it may be safely asserted that all merely human interests of security, liberty, knowledge, wealth, can be really advanced only in proportion as the triumph of true Christianity is advanced. What then is to be the religious character of British colonisation? Shall the religious history of those future empires be written in dark and bloody characters? Shall they repeat the tragedies of superstition and persecution so familiar in the past? What a question is this! Can we-the Independent churches of Britain—can we solve it? Can we assist in its solution? Can we do something, can we do our part, to write the future fair in the destinies of our colonies, and, through them, of our race?

Now who does not see that at this period of new impulse and activity, with which the mind of almost the whole world is now moved, ancient tyrannies, that had seemed for a long space to be baffled and torpid, are bestirring themselves to recover lost dominion; and that Rome aspires to a third conquest of the world? The British colonies are the theatre of these designs in their greatest activity. To render them feudal and aristocratic in their institutions, superstitious and papal in their religion; to restore there the spirit, and, as far as possible, the forms of the middle ages; or, at the least, to make new forms the channel of old dominations, is the favourite hope and enterprise of the whole class of those attached to papal and prelatical dominion in the church of Christ. This design they are prosecuting with skill and vigour. They have great resources, skilful plans, devoted agencies, and diversified means. Will they be successful? No, it is impossible; or, if possible, on one supposition only, that is, the inactive apathy of evangelical Christians. Let Congregational churches contribute their faithful efforts to deprive them of this forlorn hope of triumph.

Such are the principles of this great cause of Colonial Missions now thus feebly pleaded with the British Independent churches. What, then, are the facts as they relate to the part those churches are bearing in the great attempt to diffuse the light and liberty, the power and blessings of the Gospel throughout the colonial empire of Britain ? In part, most encouraging; in part, no less discouraging. What is done, admirable; what is neglected, afflictive. The liberal, constant contributions of some churches seem worthy of the cause, and to promise greater efforts hereafter. The deafness to all appeals of some churches which have never yet assisted-the scanty sums rarely, perhaps but once, sent from others, are very disheartening. The posts occupied, the brethren sent, the success realised, wherever the work has been entered on, are all delightful. But the thought that wherever one faithful brother has been sent, there ought at least to be two; that from many stations of great importance ministers have been applied for in vain, till applications have ceased in despair of success; that the wide extension of the work is prevented by one sole cause, the want of pecuniary means; all this is very depressing, and leads to the

inquiry, Why is the best cause the most feebly worked? Why is there the least zeal for the diffusion of the best principles ?

As to the views on which the Colonial Missions of the Independent churches are conducted, they are such as follow:

:

1. To aim at occupying, first, the principal posts, the chief towns, such as Sydney, Toronto, Montreal, Adelaide, Quebec, St. John.

2. To place in these central, influential posts, able brethren, qualified to be master-builders; which has been, by God's favour, most successfully effected hitherto.

3. To do no more for the brethren sent forth, or in aid of the people receiving them, than is really necessary; aiming to render the work, in part from the first, and, as soon as possible, entirely, self-sustained.

4. To commence early the training of a colonial-born and a colonial-educated ministry; which important design is already proceeding most favourably at Toronto and Montreal.

5. To act uniformly on the recognised principles of our churches, not exercising dominion or interference with them, but only administering public funds with faithfulness and discretion, and abstaining entirely from the acceptance of pecuniary aid from Government in every form.

As to the success which has attended the efforts already made by the Congregational churches in this interesting department of the great missionary field, it is to be traced in such facts as the following:

1. A hopeful commencement has been made. At home a strong and general impression has been produced in favour of the enterprise. In the colonies a band of faithful and able brethren has been secured. All that has been effected seems sound, and based on right principles. The standard of our distinctive truths has been raised extensively in the colonies. They have been clearly expounded, and are gaining public attention.

2. In a short period much has been accomplished. In the ninth year of operation we can enumerate about sixty churches in the colonies, containing probably about 3500 members, the erection of more than sixty chapels, the establishment of two academies, the opening of many schools. Great good has also been effected, which does not admit of statement in numbers, or even in definite facts. Influence has been exerted-a testimony for truth borne-a home for expatriated brethren and sisters provided—many souls have been converted-the cause of religious and civil freedom has been strengthened-the tone of piety and discipline in churches, and of morals in society, has been advanced. In a word, the seeds of good have been widely sown in various forms.

And then who hath despised the day of small things? In a peculiar, eminent degree, Colonial Missions are a work for the future. Colonies are new nations, young nations. In their future destiny, their future might, they will be what by present influences the elements of their institutions and character are made. If the Congregational churches cannot seize this thought and work upon it, they are not equal to a great work, and will lose irrecoverably a great opportunity. Is not Christianity itself all for the future-filled with prediction and promise of a coming dominion, a growing empire?

For this work, enlightened interest, fervent prayers, and liberal contributions are earnestly sought. It needs them. It deserves them. What should prevent this Society from securing an income of £5000 annually forthwith, and with subsequent increase? Nothing but the want of growing piety, wisdom, and zeal in the churches.

TRANSACTIONS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

CHAIRMAN OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION MEETINGS FOR 1845.-The Committee of the Congregational Union announces with much pleasure that the Rev. JOHN BURNET, of Camberwell, has engaged to act as chairman of the Annual Assembly of the Union in May next, and of the adjourned meeting thereof in the following October.

PUBLICATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE DELEGATES OF COLLEGES.-The minutes of the proceedings of this important meeting will be forthwith published; and it is to be hoped they will be extensively read, and receive candid and thoughtful attention. They will, no doubt, impress every one who peruses them carefully with a conviction that they present our collegiate education for the ministry before him with strong additional claims on his confidence and support. The unanimous conclusions of such a body of tutors and managers of colleges as was then assembled, must, doubtless, be taken as representing the spirit and sentiments of the entire class represented. And most satisfactory must such a consideration be regarded. For it will be found,

1. That an ardent and honourable zeal for learning was displayed-an enlightened conviction of its value-a fearless persuasion that sound scholarship is entirely in harmony with genuine Christianity, not only in its external evidences and literature, but also in its inward, vital spirit. It was felt and avowed that Congregational ministers must be educated men, and that there must always be among them a class, a numerous class, of deeply learned scholars. It was maintained that all our pastors should be trained and educated in the best manner possible to their respective abilities and circumstances.

2. There was also manifested a deep and active persuasion, that learning with all its importance holds but a subordinate place in the thorough furnishing of a Christian minister. Religion was felt to be the first thing in a minister of religion. Personal piety, deep, ardent, and practical, with soundness of theological views-a clear firm hold of the faith once delivered to the saints-was constantly in all the discussions of the Conference prominently advanced and maintained. There was not a tinge of the fatal error of aiming at scholarship to the neglect of spirituality.

3. The necessity that Congregational ministers should be preachers-eminent for preaching-was moreover strongly avowed. It was perceived that piety, orthodoxy, and learning must in our ministers be rendered available for usefulness, chiefly by being wrought into a public ministry, eminently adapted, both in matter and in manner, for powerful impression; as also, that education for the ministry in our colleges must be conducted with this view-not to render our brethren scholars, students, and writers only or chiefly; but to qualify them for truly successful preachers of the Gospel in reference to the views of our churches, and the wants of our country.

4. Nor was the least wish expressed to limit our ministry to brethren capable of a learned education. It was perceived and cheerfully acknowledged, that many may be qualified for great usefulness, as preachers and pastors, by whom scholarship based on a thorough training in classical and mathematical studies is quite unattainable from various causes-such as want of adaptation for those studies in their cast of mind, deficiency in early school education, or late period of life at which they enter on ministerial pursuits. The Conference felt that valuable brethren of this class must not be rejected, or discouraged on the one hand, nor on the other be introduced to public labour with no advantages of mental culture and acquired knowledge. Therefore, the judgment of the Conference was, that ministers com

petent for the work would be doing most excellent service to the churches by receiving a few such brethren into their own homes, to give them the best training possible in general knowledge, and especially in theology, through the medium of their native language.

5. The old and established doctrine of the Congregational churches, that the legitimate call to the ministry of the Gospel is from the Lord Jesus Christ, that He imparts ministerial gifts, infuses the ministerial spirit, and opens His will in providence to those whom He designs for this sacred calling-received distinct and unanimous acknowledgment from the Conference. It was owned that education for the ministry must be based on this view, and conducted in harmony with it-that there must be a constant, watchful care, to educate for the ministry, so far as human discernment can be a guide in such an affair, those only whom Christ designs for the work.

What, then, are the ends to be answered by this Conference? One principal end is to conciliate in a greater degree than ever the confidence of the churches in our system of ministerial education; to interest them in it more deeply than heretofore as an affair of the utmost importance, indeed necessity, to them; to engage the churches and their pastors to a more active discharge of their appropriate duties in this work of common concernment and serious import. And what are the duties of pastors and churches in relation to this great work?

1. Prayer, that Christ would raise up young brethren every way qualified for his ministry that the numbers of such may be greater, and their mental and religious endowments more eminent. Then, that in this thing they would watch unto prayer. Look out for the young men for whom they have prayed. That they would be faithful in this matter-faithfully encouraging every young brother of appropriate character and gifts, as faithfully discouraging every apparently mistaken or presuming aspirant to the holy ministry.

2. Prayer, frequent, distinct, and public, for the colleges-for the tutors, and for the students. Prayer so offered in faith and love as to reach the Divine throne; and so offered too, as to answer the subordinate ends of interesting more deeply the minds of Christians in the schools of the prophets, and of encouraging both the teachers and the taught in them by the thought that many prayers ascend to God on their behalf.

3. Kindness to the young brethren training for the ministry in the colleges. The kindness of pastors in noticing them, advising them, encouraging them, employing them in occasional public service. The kindness of the people in hearing them with candour; cheering them with a word of commendation when deserved; manifesting true affection in a word of wise advice, or faithful reproof if really needed. In short, making it apparent that the colleges and their students are the hope, not the dread of the churches; are regarded with affection and confidence, not with jealousy. 4. Pecuniary contributions in their support. These are greatly, very greatly needed. With scarcely an exception, all the twelve colleges represented at the Conference are crippled for want of enlarged financial means. Several are in annually increasing arrears. None are able to secure for young brethren desirous to enter, that year of previous residence and study with some wise minister, which on every ground, literary, moral, and religious, is felt to be all but indispensable to the success of our collegiate system. Now every enlightened member of our churches, to whose means it is at all possible, should be an annual subscriber to some one college at least. Every church should, once a year, collect for that college which is thought from whatever cause to have the strongest claim on the support of each church respectively. There is no mission, foreign, home, or colonial-there is no form of distress, spiritual or temporal, that has a prior or nearer claim on our

churches than this work of providing for themselves a faithful ministry in constant succession, and sufficient numbers; because every other good work will find its surest advancement in a previous care for an efficient ministry. There is no claim on public contribution that more requires public advocacy than this of education for the ministry. The annual sermon would diffuse just sentiment and just feeling on this vital interest of the churches, and the prayers of the occasion would plead both with God and His people on its behalf. Money thus obtained would realise a double blessing. The pastors and the churches must now befriend the colleges— must now make this great work and interest their own more than ever hitherto.

ORDINATIONS, ETC.

The ordination of the Rev. John Harsant, late of Homerton College, over the Independent church at Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, took place on the 7th of Nov. last. The services of the day were commenced by the Rev. J. Flood, of Melbourn, reading the Scriptures and offering prayer. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. A. J. Morris, of Holloway; the usual questions asked by the Rev. S. S. England, of Royston; the ordination prayer offered by the Rev. H. Madgin, of Duxford; the charge to the young minister delivered by his father, the Rev. J. Harsant, of Beaconsfield, from 2 Tim. iv. 5-" Make full proof of thy ministry." After which the Rev. J. Hopkins, of Newport, concluded the morning service by prayer. About a hundred gentlemen then retired to dine in a room fitted up for the occasion; after which, addresses were delivered by the Revs. A. J. Morris, J. C. Harrison, J. Harsant, sen., J. Harsant, jun., and Mr. J. Clear; and Mr. Morris was unanimously requested to publish his discourse, to which he has kindly acceded.

The evening service was commenced by the Rev. R. Forsaith, who read the Scriptures and offered prayer. The Rev. J. C. Harrison, of Edmonton, then preached to the people, from Rom. xii. 4, 5, and the Rev. S. Kent, of Biggleswade, concluded the engagements of the day by prayer. The other parts of the services were fulfilled by the Revs. A. C. Wright, of Melbourn, J. Besley, of Buntingford, G. Hobbs, of Foulmire, and J. Stockbridge, of Morden. The whole were deeply solemn, of more than ordinary interest, and produced an impression on all present not soon to be forgotten.

On Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1844, the Rev. John Martin Strongman, of Highbury College, was ordained pastor of the church and congregation assembling in the Congregational Chapel, Farringdon. The Rev. R. Tozer, of Witney, opened the services by reading the Scriptures and prayer. The discourse upon the nature and constitution of a Christian church, was delivered by the Rev. H. March, of Newbury. The Rev. W. Harris, of Wallingford, asked the usual questions, and in the unavoidable absence of the Rev. R. Frost, of Hungerford, offered the ordination prayer. The charge to the minister was delivered by the Rev. E. Henderson, D.D., Theological Tutor of Highbury College; and the morning service concluded with prayer, by the Rev. H. Larter, of Highworth.

About one hundred persons sat down to dinner, after which, appropriate remarks were made by the Rev. Drs. Campbell and Henderson, the Rev. Messrs. Harris, March, and the newly-ordained minister. In the evening, the Rev. T. Price, of Abingdon, opened the service by reading and prayer, when the Rev. Dr. Campbell, of London, delivered an appropriate and effective address to the church and congregation, and the engagements of the day were closed by prayer, offered by the Rev. H. March. Nearly twenty ministers were present. A new organ having been erected, was opened upon the occasion. The chapel was crowded during the