The paragraph which speaks of the longing for Union in Canada and Australia refers, we suppose, more particularly to our Methodist New Connexion friends in the Colonies; but Resolutions in favour of Union have, if we are not mistaken, passed our own District Meetings in Australia, and our Canadian Conference, though Mr. Barker knows of only a few "who have spoken favourably of Union with some other branch of the Methodist family."

The objection to the Home Circuits of the United Denomination being worked in two sections is, that the "flower of the Bible Christian Ministry would very soon be found in good fat Circuits in connection with the one Conference, [the Methodist New Connexion Conference, of course, is meant,] which would monopolize the talent of both denominations." If that be an inevitable result of the scheme, it would indeed be a suicidal course to adopt it; but why these changes must follow, and how they are to be effected, we confess our inability to understand, until every spark of Christian manliness and honour has been extinguished in both denominations. We will not presume to anticipate what answer the Connexional Committee may return to the claim which Br. Barker sets up in behalf of our Canadian friends, but, with a slight exception, the right insisted on, seems unquestionable, viz., that as our Canadian friends are financially independent of the English Conference, "they have a right to be consulted, even in the preliminaries of a movement of so great moment as this." That exception is, when, as in this case, "all that has been done is merely preparatory," having no other object than that of guiding and eliciting the views of our friends, when it is surely unnecessary. "Federal Union " proposal was launched by our Methodist New Connexion friends without consultation with our Committee, and that appears to us to be a mistake, but it is attributable probably to the opinion many persons had felt and some had openly expressed, that their action at the last Conference was retrogressive in its character, and intended to prepare the way for quietly dropping the subject at no distant date.

The

We have received other communications taking for the most part the same line as that on which we have now commented. It is thought by some that it would have an unhappy effect on the minds of our young men if they were fellow-students with those whose prospects on entering the ministry would be much better than their own. It is also considered by several correspondents that the fusion of our Missionary organizations is impracticable so long as our Home Mission Circuits form so large a proportion of the whole, and after mature reflection we incline to that opinion. Some brethren have requested that the proposals we had committed to paper before "Federal Union" had been formally mooted should be made public; but this course would, for many reasons, be inexpedient. It would appear as if we were opposed to the scheme already made public, when the truth is, our opinion is that it might be so modified as to obtain general approval, and that when thus modified, it would be, if heartily adopted, of immense benefit to both denominations. Our paper made proposals in the same direction, far less bold and decisive. "Federal Union," without the actual incorporation of any of our institutions, but to include the amalgamation of societies, on the principle of exchange, in places where any considerable saving would be effected, is what some think the best and the only safe course at present.

Discussion, if conducted in a proper spirit, can do no harm, and may do much good. The subject cannot be ventilated too much, if angry passions be not thereby excited. Many circumstances seem providential and hopeful; and we can only again express our earnest desire and hope that the Lord's will may be done in the matter, and that He may direct our steps, The position we have from the first taken up as a Denomination has been, we believe, the right one. Union to be of any value cannot be forced, it must be a growth. Come it may, come it will, if in the order of God's

Providence; and those who will be grateful if it be, will surely be content if it be not. Let us be careful to avoid the extremes into which all are liable to be betrayed, either thinking too little of the advantages of Union, or expecting too much therefrom.

MONTHLY RETROSPECT.

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT was again devoid of the interest which always attaches to the presence of Her Most Gracious Majesty among her noble Lords and faithful Commons; and the regret inevitably felt at the absence of the Head of the State from a ceremonial of so much importance, or rather significance, in a Constitutional State is heightened at this time by the intelligence that the Queen's indisposition renders it unsafe for her to take the exertion of opening Parliament in person. The Queen's Speech, however, is almost everything that could be desired. The Government, trusted and we had almost said beloved, as never Government was before, has amply redeemed its pledges, at least so far as the programme for the session is concerned.

THAT THE LAND QUESTION IN IRELAND is not to be treated as a party question every lover of his country must rejoice at. But touching, as it must do, so many principles in relation to landed property hitherto held sacred by the proprietors and Constitutional Statesmen it cannot fail to provoke keen investigation and sharp discussion. It will hardly excite so general an interest in England as did the great instalment of justice paid to Ireland last year; yet it ought to be narrowly watched by all parties in England, for unless we misread the signs of the times, a measure affecting the holding and acquisition of land will some day be necessary here as well as there.

None

EDUCATION is the next most prominent topic of public interest. can deny the existence of ignorance or the necessity of urgent effort to overcome that ignorance, but we still hold to the traditional reluctance of Englishmen to admit the premature interference of government in domestic and social questions. We have always consistently opposed State-aided Denominational Education. We are equally certain that Education unaided by Religious influences will not overcome the social evils which its advocates predicate of it that it shall. And, again, we have no sympathy with the handling of the Bible as a mere text-book, expounded for the Head, with no reference to the Heart. National Education must come to us in a scheme workable; reasonably economical; embracing the public charities, now so often misused, in its resources; and above all things secured from the danger of becoming an engine of priest craft, or ministering to the interest or the self-importance of dominant Religious Bodies. thing is tolerably certain, the Romish priesthood of Ireland is bent on obtaining the control of Education in Ireland. The Government will need their assistance to carry their Land Bill, and cannot now afford a rupture with them on any other question. The question is of sufficient importance to demand a national verdict at the polling booths of a General Election; and Public Opinion is not matured in England. On these grounds it may not be a matter of regret if Mr. Forster's measure is shipwrecked before Easter.

One

For the rest numerous, varied, and important as are the subjects to be dealt with what shall we say but that our trust is in the all-wise Disposer of Events, the gradual yet perceptible preparation of the means of access to all parts of the earth for the Christian missionary, the triumph of the Christian Faith, and the consequent glorifying of Christ in the peace, prosperity, and salvation of the world.

Several paragraphs in our Monthly Retrospect have been unavoidably crowded out.