A letter came to hand from Br. Piper, Dec. 4th, dated Oct. 29th, when they were all well. They had received great kindness from the Captain and his wife, but their progress had not been rapid, though their ship was a fine sailer, owing to contrary winds.

UNION OF THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION AND THE BIBLE CHRISTIANS.

THE Bristol Conference directed "the Connexional Committee to prepare a statement on Union for publication in the Magazine. The Committee, at its meeting in October, requested us to attend to the matter. Nearly

the whole case, as far as our Denomination is concerned, has been already made public by the copious extracts from our Document incorporated in the "circular" of the Methodist New Connexion which we reprinted last month. Only a few supplementary remarks are therefore now required.

All candid persons will probably admit that the desires and efforts for Union have already had a good effect on both Denominations. The results of the cultivation of a loving spirit by the followers of Jesus must be necessarily healthful and blessed. It has been clearly shewn that a more intimate fellowship and a more hearty co-operation can be enjoyed by the different sections of Methodism, than which nothing is more likely to promote the prosperity of our churches, and increase the glory of our common Saviour and Head.

It may be truly affirmed that none among us have ever sought, or even desired, formal incorporation with any other section of the church, unless it could be effected on a safe and honourable basis, and our friends generally were convinced that it was in the order of a gracious Providence. The final decision in any case must rest with them. To quote from the Document to which we have already referred. "It would be much better to remain apart than for the United Connexion to be only as large, or but little larger, than either of the Denominations is at present, a large number of our friends, on both sides, standing aloof from the movement." All hitherto done has been merely preparatory, having no other object than that of eliciting and guiding the views of our friends.

But we ought not to conceal the opinion we strongly entertain, that some progress has been made towards Union, which is so desirable, as, by husbanding our resources, and concentrating our efforts, we might do a greater work for Christ and souls. That is the grand issue to be decided, and our hope is that the people of both denominations will, when called upon to do so, exercise the truest wisdom and charity in giving their verdict. If we desire above everything else to know and do the will of God, he will not leave us in ignorance and doubt. That will is to be known not by any direct revelation from heaven to our souls, but by the honest use of our judgment on all the facts of the case, guided by the principles of Holy Scripture. How necessary then is prayer for Divine illumination that we may properly understand our divine rule of faith and practice, and that we may clearly discern the leadings of God's Spirit and the movements of His hand in the events of His Providence.

The great, perhaps the only real, difficulty in the way of Union is the difference in the stipends of the ministers in the two Denominations; to some this difficulty may appear insurmountable, while to others it is only formidable; and only formidable if they choose to make it sc. If our ministers as a Body insist if Union be effected, on their Salaries at once, or within a short time, being made equal to the Salaries of the Methodist New Connexion ministers, or if these decline to unite with a body of ministers receiving a lower stipend than themselves, then, and then only, is Union impracticable. But surely it is not necessary (perhaps it is neither just nor wise) to secure absolute equality, however desirable it may be to make "continuous efforts to lessen the inequality that now exists."

The question we raised, Whether most of the substantial benefits of Union could not be secured without actual amalgamation, our Methodist New Connexion friends appear inclined to answer affirmatively. Some remarks have been made about the caution observable in the Resolution of their last Conference. The real explanation of that probably is, that Union for the first time came then before them in a definite form. But later Connexional action conclusively proves that the Resolution was not intended to quietly dispose of the question. The matter has been since repeatedly referred to in their Magazine, the official "circular" has been widely distributed, and a very important issue is to be discussed at their January Quarterly Meetings. That issue is, in our view eminently worthy

of consideration by the ministers and members of both denominations, who must, we think, regard it favourably. On this point, we cannot do better than reprint an address of "The Annual Committee to the Ministers and Friends of the Methodist New Connexion."

"DEAR BRETHREN,-The Annual Committee, at a meeting held in Manchester, December 1st., had their attention called to the fact that the 15th Resolution of the last Conference on the subject of Union between our Body and the Bible Christians, required the Committee to offer on this subject such suggestions as may be deemed necessary or desirable;' and that therefore it was our duty to give a statement of our views as to the safest and most practicable mode in which the question of Union may be entertained by our friends, when submitted for their deliberation.

“After a free conversation, it was the unanimous opinion of the Committee that, without prejudice to amalgamation at a future period, but rather in the hope of preparing for that desirable event, whenever Divine Providence shall clearly open the way, the present action of the Connexion should not proceed beyond the accomplishment of a FEDERAL UNION,' which the distinct localities occupied by the two Denominations, and their special interests, render feasible and practicable.

"The FEDERAL UNION' which the Committee contemplate embraces the following as its main features :—

"FIRST.-ONE NAME FOR THE UNITED BODY, as recommended by the conjoint Committees in March, and reported to the last Conference.

SECONDLY.-ONE BOOK-ROOM. Our own cheap and incomparable Hymn Book, it is thought, might well serve the two Bodies when united; and the same periodicals and general literature meet the requirements of the people of the same Denomination. This arrangement would secure a great saving in the expense of management and in the production of literature, and thus double the amount of annual profits.

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THIRDLY.-ONE COLLEGE. Each Body recognizes a separated ministry as God's ordinance, and feels the importance of a collegiate training for its candidates, and our own college, being spacious, would afford accommodation for twice the number of students, and in proportion thereto, save a large amount of expenditure.

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FOURTHLY.-ONE COLONIAL AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY ORGANIZATION. Each Body having important and flourishing Missions in Canada and Australia which are longing for Union as a means of mutual strength and consolidation; and both Bodies being desirous of extending the Gospel among the heathen, one fund supported by both, yet directed by one organization, would be likely to secure concentration, unity, vigour, and economy in our operations.

"FIFTHLY. THE HOME CIRCUITS OF THE UNITED DENOMINATION TO BE WORKED IN TWO SECTIONS. The two Bodies occupying for the most part distinct geographical spheres of labour, present obvious facilities for distinct working in two sections, under the jurisdiction of Two CONFERENCES. This arrangement interferes not with the status, salary, or funds of existing ministers, and leaves the question of interchange open for mutual convenience, without necessitating any pecuniary embarrassment.

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SIXTHLY.-MODE OF SECURING UNITY OF CONNEXIONAL ACTION. This may be provided for by united Book-Room, College, and Missionary Committees; also, if need be, a Connexional Committee, chosen in equal numbers from both sections, to deliberate on matters of imperial interest; also by an Annual deputation from each Sectional Conference; and further, by a General Conference composed of Representatives from both Conferences, to assemble every fourth or fifth year.

"This programme is not presented as a perfect scheme, but suggested by the Annual Committee as a practicable one worthy of calm and prayerful deliberation; and its practicability is recommended by the example of the American Methodist Churches, where a similar system prevails in both

the Parent Body and its offshoots, and where Methodism has flourished with continuous and unparalleled success for more than a century.

“Further, as the 15th Resolution of the last Conference contemplates a response from our people, and as the April Quarterly Meetings are much occupied with local matters, the Annual Committee have fixed upon the approaching January Quarterly Meetings for considering the important question of Union.

"Commending this matter to your serious and prayerful consideration, and fervently looking to God for his guiding spirit, etc."

This proposal of a FEDERAL UNION" will, we think, commend itself to the judgment of our friends generally, whether favourable or opposed to organic Union. JAMES THORNE,

F. W. BOURNE.

It is only right to state that I had drawn up a Paper before I heard of this Address of the Methodist New Connexion Committee, embodying most of the propositions above, but I am bound frankly to state that the tone of the paper was perhaps rather too reserved for publication.

F. W. B.

MONTHLY RETROSPECT.

THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL IN ROME is the foremost ecclesiastical event of the month. As a spectacle, we can think of none more magnificent, in most other respects, perhaps it would be difficult for any other ecclesiastical assembly to make itself so contemptible. According to all accounts, the Ultramontane party are to have everything their own way. It is sad and humiliating to know that English and American prelates are amongst the most servile and obsequious in their devotion to the Holy Father. Nobody seems able to assign any sufficient reason for the assembling of this Council. The most probable is, that it is for the purpose of authoritatively proclaiming the infallibility of the Pope. The church has long claimed to be infallible, but where infallibility dwells has not yet been decided. But, as Mr. Binney says, if the present Pope is infallible, all past Popes must have been infallible too. It will indeed be marvellous if the faithful are required to believe this dogma on pain of eternal damnation; it would be terrible too, to quote Mr. Binney again, if the Popes had not damned one another! As they have done that without harm, so they may damn other persons without harm either. Sometimes we are half afraid that the Pope and his Cardinals will not set up this preposterous claim, but we still hope that they may, because, judging from one passage in the Pope's introductory speech, he is in a proper frame of mind for asserting his infallibility. "The Church," he declares, "is greater than Heaven itself," which is either the veriest nonsense or the most daring blasphemy, and so an authoritative declaration of the Pope's infallibility would be. His curse has always been a blessing, but let him proclaim his infallibility, and his curse would be a greater blessing than ever. Another effect would be, that the church of Rome would be split into factions, and her boasted outward uniformity a thing of the dead past. Protestantism must inevitably be the gainer. While waiting, now patiently, then anxiously, for further information, we note with satisfaction that hundreds of bishops who were expected have staid at home, evidently having no ambition merely to register the decisions of the Sovereign Pontiff, or knowing beforehand that they could not even consent to do that; and that the power of the Papacy has so declined since the days of Luther that Catholic Sovereigns of the most powerful States do not care to be present, royalty being worthily represented by the ex-Queen of Spain and others as unfortunate and helpless as she.

DR. TEMPLE'S APPOINTMENT TO THE BISHOPRIO OF EXETER has aroused much opposition, known, however, to be ineffectual from the first, and which soon became ridiculous as it became evident that concerted action between High Church and Low Church was impossible, they being as much opposed to each other as both are to that section of the church represented by Dr. Temple. It having been legally determined that the Broad Church party has a recognized and rightful position in the church, it is only fair that some of their number should be raised to the Episcopal Bench. We cannot therefore sympathise in the out-cry made about this appointment, though Dr. Temple is not, his eminent ability and high character notwithstanding, a theologian after our own heart, and the wisdom of the Premier in nominating him to succeed Dr. Phillpotts may be seriously questioned. Dr. Temple seems, however, to be in high favour with the laity, and too much importance must not be attached to the noisy and furious opposition of a small knot of ecclesiastical bigots, led by Bishop Trower, Dr. Pusey, and Archdeacon Denison. Their virulence, yea, their impotence, is shown by their demanding proof, between his election by the Dean and Chapter and his legal confirmation, that the Bishop was born in holy wedlock! To what straits must they be reduced before they would think of using such a weapon! If Dr. Pusey's threats have any meaning, Dr. Temple's election is just one of those events, and there are many of them just now, that will hasten the separation of the Church from the State. Another probable result, and for that we shall not have to wait long, will be a modification, a total change, doubtless, in numberless instances, of the political views of the clergy in the two counties. At the time we write Dr. Temple has not been consecrated, but the Bishops are too wise in their generation to create any fresh obstacles at this stage, whatever their wishes or predilections.

THE RESULTS OF THE TWELVE DAYS' MISSION, (hardly an event of this month, but we could not speak of it before), which secured beforehand episcopal sanction, possibly more easily obtained then than later, seems to have satisfied its promoters. It was a movement of the High Church party, though a few clergymen of different views took part therein. From much that we have read, and a little that we saw, we judge that the Church of England is in less danger of dying of dignity than formerly. The sincerity and earnestness of the clergy engaged, however much we may deplore some of their views and practices, cannot be doubted. Both Churchmen and Nonconformists must arouse themselves, if the masses in our large towns are to be reclaimed from their indifference, degradation, and ruin. The lesson that Methodists have specially to learn is, that the modes that they, for some reason or other, are beginning to cast aside, the clergy are adopting to increase their popularity and extend their influence among their countrymen. Revival services, in which extempore preaching and praying, and the singing of simple Gospel hymns to lively tunes, are the most conspicuous features; meetings for inquirers; and the large employment of female agency, will, in our view, be always necessary, if sinners are to be awakened in any considerable numbers, and the church receive any large accessions.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE is now acknowledged by all parties in the State. Rival schemes are being expounded with great ability and zeal. If a system of compulsory Education be established, it is clearly the duty of all Nonconformists to insist on its being undenominational. This is their duty for many reasons, chiefly because else in many places, in rural districts particularly, the clergyman will have almost unlimited power, which cannot work satisfactorily, however liberal a conscience clause we may get. Again, if the denominational system be adopted in England it must be extended to Ireland, which would be to entrust the education of the people of that country to the Romish priests almost