Nine Young Men is to that Union a heavy loss, but a substantial gain to the Christianity of Scotland. The theological extravagances of the "New

Lights," will, at length, pass away; while the happy effects of their zeal, energy, and self-sacrificing toil will continue. There has not, in the annals of Magazine literature, been anything to compare with the organ of the Scottish Congregationalists. Under divers names and aspects, and with a succession of very able Editors, and respectable Publishers, from the culpable apathy of the churches, it has always been on the brink of destruction; and at the close of its fiftieth year it was in a state of insolvency, while the earnest men of the New Light, for their Day Star, have actually obtained a monthly issue of 12,000! But it is very small and very cheap. Well, so much the more praise is due to its originators. Its sale demonstrates its adaptation.

Why was not this movement anticipated by the Old Body? Then comes the Christian News, a weekly paper as large as the London Patriot, the thirty-ninth Number of which is now before us-substantial, respectable, -well got up and well-conducted, and rejoicing in a circle of readers computed at 7,000, which, allowing six readers to each paper, implies an issue of some 1,000, or 1,200. Then comes a Printing Office, issuing in the course of nine months some five million pages! And all this not by a community with a history of a century, with hundreds of thousands of adherents, and with millions of property; no! but an infant sect of yesterday-few, feeble, and every where spoken against! We blush for British Nonconformity! It is an extended region of inexhaustible fertility, hardly yet begun to be broken up. How vast its power, were it but developed! Come Minutes of Council-come Popery-come Prelacy-come poverty, pressure, persecution, evils in all shapes, and of every name-come each or all, and now-if thereby we shall only be awakened to a sense of our duty to truth, to England, and to human kind!

CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF

SCOTLAND.

THE proceedings of the thirty-fifth annual meeting of the Scottish Congregational Union were held this year in Dundee. On Tuesday evening a public meeting of the friends of the Glasgow Theological Academy was held, when the Rev. HENRY WIGHT, Edinburgh, occupied the chair.

Mr. DAVID RUSSELL, Glasgow, read the thirty-third Report of the Committee of Management; from which it appeared, that "at the close of last session there were seven students on the roll, three of whom had since been ordained to the pastoral office. Four students were received into the academy at the beginning of the session. In terms of a resolution come to at last annual meeting, a circular had been issued to the different churches on the subject of a simultaneous collection in aid of the academy. The Report regretted that this appeal had not been responded to in many cases. Had there not been a balance in the Treasurer's hands at last year's account, there would have been a deficiency up to the present time of £90, and before the close of the current year the deficiency Iwould not be less than £150. It was manifest from this that the churches were not fully alive to the value of this institution. Many of the churches were without pastors, and many im. portant fields of labour were unoccupied, and must continue so unless supplied by the academy. The Committee also desired to call the attention of talented young men in the church to the smallness of the number of labourers." Had the young men reported, it is probable they would have "called attention to the smallness of the number" of engagements. To starve is not the way to multiply.

Mr. A. W. KNOWLES, Linlithgow, moved the adoption of the Report; and in the course of an excellent speech, said, "This academy, as every such institution should be, is entirely under the control of the churches." [Does this control extend to those churches which have been culpably deficient in yielding their proportion of support? We hope not. Control follows, does not precede, money]

Mr. JOHN BAXTER seconded the resolution, which was unanimously agreed to.

Mr. THOMSON, resident tutor-a man of very high accomplishments for his honourable officeexplained the reasons which had induced him to accept it. In his view it was more essential that a young preacher should have good sound stuff in him, and understand how to bring his subject home to the hearts of his hearers, than that he should be a learned man. He did not wish to see them either declaimers or drivellers, but men earnest in their purpose, with something to say, and knowledge how to say it-men with treasure in their hearts-fire in their souls-Christ for their message, and the glory of God for their

end.

Dr. REDFORD, delegate from the Congregational Union of England and Wales, rose to propose a resolution impressing upon young men the duty of devoting themselves to the work of the ministry. He referred to the origin of the Theological Institution, thirty-three years ago-he having been then a student in Glasgow -as what was considered then the only hope that remained in the churches of retaining their position. It had more than answered all their expectations. Mr. Knowles had alluded to the South drawing away the Scottish pastors. This he attributed to the little attention which was paid by the laity in Scotland to the comforts of the ministers; and when this was the case, they could not blame the half-starved pastor for going to England. Let them pay a proper attention to the comforts of their pastors, the same as they did in Eng land, and he would engage that they would not

be able to draw them away. A return had also been given by the South, inasmuch as their excellent junior tutor came from there. He referred to the manner in which the earth was to be brought under the knowledge of the Lord -a prophecy which had not yet been accomplished. This was not to be done by some extraordinary or miraculous way, as some seemed to think; but by the reading of the word, and by the preaching of the cross. The reading of the word alone would not do it; preaching alone would not do it; but these combined would prove the effectual means. To do this was the church's duty and privilege; no help could be from the world. It could not if it would, and it would not if it could. He then pointed out the great necessity for prayer, for the pouring out of the Spirit. Without this, all their efforts would be vain. They would be as a ship without wind; as a piece of machinery without a motive power; as a beautiful statue, which, though perfect in every limb, was a piece of lifeless clay. They should pray earnestly and frequently for this outpouring of the Divine spirit. The Doctor concluded, by impressing on young men to take up the work of the Lord-to devote themselves to the ministry. It was a work requiring and finding employment for the highest talents. It was a work which, when the fruit of all others had perished, would still be coming to fruition.

Dr. ALEXANDER seconded the resolution. He congratulated his friends on the circumstances and prospects of the academy. He was rejoiced to hear the clear views expressed by Mr. Thomson as to the requirements for a Christian preacher. He should not let his words drop at his feet like lead, or fly away like a feather, but he should endeavour to strike home to the hearts and the consciences of his hearers. They should come forth from the academy year after year, thoroughly furnished for every good work. Like Gideon's men they should come forth, shouting, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon." Dr. Alexander concluded by predicting, that if such a spirit was manifested, it would prove, through Divine influence, the means of chasing away the darkness before them.

Mr. J. D. SMITH, delegate from the Irish Congregational Union, seconded the adoption of the list proposed. The names on the list suggested to him the sunny days of his youth, when certain of their fathers, then in the heat of their blood and in the zenith of their youth, stood up for certain great principles. Among these was Dr. Wardlaw-a name well known to the world, and an illustrious descendant of the time-honoured Ralph Erskine. There was also the name of Dr. Russell; whose early history, if told, would show that there were giants in those days. The principles which the fathers and founders had sustained they would still maintain, even the Voluntary principle-about which the scorpion power of the press was aroused against Dr. Wardlaw, Mr. Ewing, and Dr. Russell. That principle had now been taken up by those very men who trampled it in the dust in their younger days.

WEDNESDAY.-A meeting for prayer was held this morning in Ward Chapel, at seven o'clock. At eight o'clock a public breakfast was served up in the Thistle Hall, Union-street. About one hundred and fifty were present. Rev. W. H. HANNY, Dundee, in the chair. After breakfast,

The Rev. Mr. CULLEN, Leith, gave a very interesting Report of the Fund for Widows and Orphans and Decayed Brethren. There have been relieved by the fund, during the past year, ten widows, four decayed brethren, one family of orphan children, and two cases of children whose fathers are deceased. This was a larger number of cases than had ever before come upon the funds, and it is very probable that most of those now receiving the benefit will continue for many years depending on the provision thus made for them. Mr. Cullen also mentioned that it might reasonably be expected that the number of applicants will now rapidly increase, and the demands on the funds be suddenly multiplied. This was likely to arise from the age and circumstances of a great proportion of the members. There are two funds connected with the same object-an equitable and a charitable. By the regulations of the former no discretionary power is left with the Committee. The charitable fund is expressly contributed with the view of supplementing those cases which cannot be fully met by the equitable. Mr. Cullen impressed on the meeting the duty of having regular collections for this fund, and mentioned instances of the great benefit that had resulted from its operation. The grants altogether for the last year amount to £183; being £125 charged to the equitable account, and £58 to the charitable.

Dr. ALEXANDER then introduced the subject of the continental churches. During the past year £81 10s. 8d. had been given, as aid to weak Congregational churches on the continent; and the bestowal of this money had been already productive of much good. He referred to the contests in which these churches were engaged with Romanism, and the conversions which they had, through the Divine blessing, been the means of making. He stated that the brethren in Switzerland had very little faith in what was called the Free Church of the Canton de Vaud; neither have they any faith in the results likely to follow from the position they have assumed in an evangelical point of view; and that the announcement that they had made, that their communion was not to be called "a pure communion," was quite enough to shake their confidence.

Mr. Low, Forfar, proposed that a petition should emanate from them against the government education scheme.

Mr. EDWARD BAXTER seconded the motion, and read an extract of a letter from Mr. Duncan, M.P. for Dundee, stating that the government were determined to proceed with the educational measure. After detailing the plan of operation of the education scheme now proposed by the government, and the probable results as to the way in which it would influence the mind of the youth of the country, he concluded by stating, that if national schools had been opened to the children of all sects without religious tests, the plan might have been beneficial as well as comprehensive; but, being hedged in by religious tests, it is unjust and unfair as a system of national education. Added to all this, it pledges the country to the religious endowment of the children of all sects, whether true or false, and cannot stop till all religious denominations be endowed by the state.

Mr. D. RUSSELL then introduced the subject

of American slavery. For a series of years they had sent out remonstrance after remonstrance. These had produced comparatively little effect; and it was now resolved to take a decided step -to send a final remonstrance, and to declare that, all others having failed, they could hold no fellowship with slavery. He concluded by moving the following resolution :-" That this meeting, composed of ministers and members of the Scottish Congregational churches, assembled on the occasion of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Congregational Union of Scotland, being much impressed with the unscripturalness and abomination of slavery, feel themselves called on to remonstrate again with the pro-slavery churches in America, and to embody in their remonstrance an unequivocal declaration, that they never can hold fellowship with churches whose members are knowingly permitted to buy, sell, rear, or retain slaves, &c."

Dr. ALEXANDER also explained, that although there had been no express resolution on the subject till now, still no slave-holding minister would have been admitted to their pulpits, or slaveholding member to their communion-table.

to.

The resolution was then unanimously agreed

The Rev. Messrs. Cullen and Wright and Mr. Edward Baxter were appointed as a deputation from the Union to the Anti-State-Church Conference.

SOIREE. In the evening a soirée was held in Ward Chapel, which was well and respectably filled on the occasion.

Mr. RUSSELL, Glasgow, delivered an address on the religious education of the young in sabbath-schools and Bible-classes.

Mr. THOMSON, Glasgow, took for his theme, "Spirituality essential to Congregationalism,” not to the well-being only, but to the very being of the Congregational churches. He then showed what spirituality is-to raise the soul from sin to God-from the low region of earth to heaven. He went over some of the principles of Congregationalism-its pure community, its simplicity, and showed how beneficial these were in a congregation; how the fact that all the members constituted the church, and who alone could decide on any matter, was the means of encouraging each other to good works, and of strengthening and supporting the church. In a church, however, where spirituality did not exist, this would lead to her decline, as discussions and divisions would ensue. He stated that he had been at one time a constitutionmonger, he had thought to make improvements in the constitution; but now experience had made him wiser, and he recanted his error. The institution of the Union, its wonderful simplicity and its strength, was a most beneficial thing. He concluded with a few remarks against those who could profess to be members of the church, and yet pursue worldly pleasures.

Dr. REDFORD complimented the Scotch on being a glorious people, with a propensity to argument. He believed the Union in England owed its existence to the establishment of the Scottish Union. There was a great disinclination in England to form a Union. All our senior ministers were opposed to it; but there were a good many rising into some influence among the brethren who had been in Scotland, and had a good deal of intercourse there, who said such a Union would be highly useful; and there it is.

The Union in England had been the means of doing a great deal of good, and will be more so. The churches may now amount to 1800 or 2000 in all; not all in the Congregational Union, but nearly all, working with some effect, in a spirit of union. Combination is now found to be a good thing, and isolation ascertained to be weakness. Their combination does not detract from their independence of mind-their independence as churches. Usefulness should be the grand object of all in the church. A working church was always a prosperous church.

Mr. SMITH saw in the present meeting cause for rejoicing. Let them look back for a few years. What a mighty change for the better has come over the church of God! We have to thank God that we have now men who can preach Christ and him crucified; and this is not only the case among the Congregationalists, but in the Established Church, the Free Church, and those noble bodies, the United Secession and the Relief. There was but one thing they wanted in their body. They had the beautiful statue, but it needed to be breathed upon. Unless that was the case, it were a useless clod. He recommended earnest prayer for the Spirit. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting separated.

THURSDAY.-At eleven a sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Redford, of Worcester, in Princes street Chapel, to the brethren of the Union.

PUBLIC MEETING-The public meeting of the Congregational Union was held in Ward Chapel in the evening-Edward Baxter, Esq, in the chair. The house was crowded in every part.

The Chairman explained the object of the formation of the Congregational Union. It was to extend the gospel of the kingdom of Christ throughout the Highlands and Islands and destitute places of our own land, and to assist poor churches that have not the means of supporting the preaching of the gospel, and maintaining the ordinances of religion among them. He was sorry to say that the ordinary revenue had never been sufficient to accomplish the purposes of the Society. They were generally one or two hundred pounds short each year, and this had been supplied by legacies left by benevolent individuals. He did not think such a state of matters was very creditable to a denomination brought up in the very cradle of Voluntaryism; and when they saw other denominations that had not been so brought up far outstripping them, they had some reason to be ashamed. He alluded to the Secession Church, and more especially to that body of Christians which, in the sustentation of her ministers, and in spreading the gospel both at home and abroad, he could not sufficiently admire-he referred to the Free Church, whom they had great reason not only to applaud, but to endeavour to follow their example in this respect. Since 1837 the income had by no means increased in proportion to the increased means of the churches. He trusted that next year the income would be increased from £1700 to £3000.

Mr. SWAN, Secretary, read the Report for the past year, showing that £829 7s. 6d. had been distributed among twenty-five churches in the Lowlands, and £701 1s. 10d. among eighteen churches in the Highlands and Islands, and upon itineraries £53 6s. 2d. The sums given

had exceeded in each case those of former years by ten to fifteen per cent. This was a step in the right course, as the assistance hitherto given had been very inadequate. Mr. Swan gave some interesting details as to the labours of the preachers in the Highlands and Islands-the extensive emigration that might be expected this year from some of the districts, and the great desire that had been evinced by some who had gone from the islands to Canada to have a preacher among them.

The Treasurer also explained the state of the funds, and mentioned that he had been much struck with what Dr. Redford had said on the previous evening as to the great good that had been accomplished in one church by two young ladies. He might be permitted to suggest to the female friends the propriety of using their influence in this way. It would be far from his purpose to encourage either man or woman in obtrusiveness; but much might be accomplished by going about it in the right way.

Mr. FRAZER, Glasgow, proposed that the Report should be printed and circulated. He pointed out the scriptural basis of Congregationalism, showing that in the New Testament there was no mention either of Episcopalian tyranny or Presbyterian rule. It was still, however, their duty to fraternize for every good work, and to stand fast in one spirit and mind. They were bound to maintain that piety is the paramount and exclusive test of admission to membership.

Mr. CAMPBELL, Edinburgh, moved, that the meeting should express their sympathy with the churches in those districts where, owing to the scarcity and the high prices of food, many often had been in great distress. He then referred to the state of the pastors in many of those poor districts, to whom this had been a year of peculiar suffering, in consequence of the more than ordinary inability of their people to support them. This had soon become so apparent-although no complaint had been made; they were suffering in silence-that a committee had taken up the matter, and subscriptions had been poured in upon them so liberally, and from very unexpected quarters-from England to a large extent-that they were now able to meet these pressing claims. He expressed his gratitude to his brethren in the south for their liberality on this occasion.

Dr. RUSSELL expressed the pleasure which they all felt in seeing Dr. Redford and Mr. J. D. Smith among them, as the representatives of their respective Unions. He proposed that the thanks of the meeting should be conveyed to these gentlemen, which was agreed to by acclamation, and performed by the Chairman.

Dr. REDFORD said he had received very much pleasure and gratification since he came among them, and he hoped they had not only shaken hands and hearts, but that all their hearts had been cemented by Christian love. He came to the land of John Knox from the land of John Wycliffe, and he hoped they were all united to maintain the principles of these great Reformers so far as they maintained the principles of the word of God, and no farther. (Applause.) They were great lights in their day, and great blessings in their age. He could assure them of the fact, that the brethren in England loved the churches in Scotland. Some of them had stolen your pastors. They will steal more if you do

not take care. If you starve your pastors, we will take them; but while you have churches destitute of pastors, and pastors, too, willing to take the charge of these churches, never let it be said that they were driven from the churches for want of sympathy, and for want of those comforts you can give them. It is said, "If any man love father and mother, or children, more than me, he is not worthy of me." Jesus Christ says that to you. Jesus Christ is not here personally, but he is present in your poor members or your poor churches; and he says, "Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of my brethren, ye do it unto me." There was not a Scottish man or woman but would open the door and give the best cheer to the Saviour, and would they not do it to his poor representatives?

Mr. SMITH gave some interesting details of the condition of Ireland-of her great lack of spiritual food-of there being 160,000 who knew nothing but the Celtic tongue-of there being three millions who preferred the gospel preached to them in that tongue, not properly understanding English-of the little that had been done to meet these wants, there not being twelve preachers of all denominations who understood or could speak in that tongue. He acknowledged with gratitude the assistance which the Congregational Union in Ireland had received from the churches in Scotland, amid the difficulties with which they had to struggle.

Dr. ALEXANDER proposed a resolution to the effect that the claims of the Union had never been stronger than they were this year; that the experience of the past year more than ever impressed upon them the necessity of an influence from above upon their labours. He alluded to the contributions which had been made by the Congregationalists to various objects, and held that if these were taken in the aggregate, they would bear comparison with what had been done by the Free Church-at least they would not be far short. He had no desire to undervalue the exertions of that body; but he wished that the Congregationalists should have justice too. He did not say they had done enough; far from it. It was their duty to do much more. He impressed on them also the absolute necessity of an influence from above upon their operations. Without that they would labour in vain.

This report of what seems to have been a very pleasant and business-like Assembly is condensed from the Glasgow Examiner, a very able and enlightened Weekly Journal, originated and conducted by a gentleman of the Congregational body.

A THEORY OF CHEAP PUBLICATION. SIR, A short time since I observed an advertisement announcing that the Life of the late deeply to be lamented Mr. Knibb would be published.

As a young man I am desirous of forming a library of my own of good standard worksuseful to the man, the citizen, the Christian, and the Sunday-school teacher. It immediately occurred to me that the above would be a suitable book; but being possessed of limited means, I must abandon the idea, as the probability is that it will be published at the same price (128.) as

the "Missionary Enterprises," "Moffatt's Africa," "Williams's Life, &c., too dear only to lie upon the tables of the aristocracy, or wedge their way into a few book societies, when they ought to be found side by side with the WITNESS and the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, circulating only by hundreds where they ought to be by tens of thousands.

Sir, you have done much towards giving us a cheap periodical literature, for which I tender you my hearty thanks; but are periodicals to be the only cheap literature of this day? The novelists issue their cheap Standard Libraries, and men of the world their Information for the People; and will not Christians awake and send forth their works good, without charging too exorbitant a price? True, they are doing something: the Tract Society are publishing some cheap editions, and Nelson the works of the Puritan Divines, &c. I hail with joy the publication of "D'Aubigné's Reformation" at a moderate price, and trust the 148. edition will soon find a place upon my bookshelves; but has any one thought or expressed a doubt whether these will not repay the publishers? Is it not most probable, though Messrs. Oliver and Boyd have paid a good price for the copyright, (and good authors deserve to be well paid,) that their 148. edition will bring in the most profit? When the sale for the "Missionary Enterprises," at 128., was somewhat over, and it was reduced to 8s., and eventually to 2s. 6d., have not numbers made up for the price? And now the sale for "Moffatt's Africa" at 12s. has come somewhat to a stand-still, will any one entertain the idea that the 3s. edition will not repay the speculation?

Under the supposition that all words are of equal literary merit, and that the number of words in a book is a better criterion of cheapness or dearness of the same than the number of pages, to show the relative value in seven books, I have made the following calculation, setting down the average number of words in a page, the number of pages, and price of each volume:

Words. Pages. Price. 8. d. Christian's Penny Magazine 718 336 1 0 Christian Witness 3 2

941

608

a book is the time required to set up the type. These figures will plainly show that the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE gives 18,275 more words for a penny than "Williams's Missionary Enterprises."

It may be urged, that most of the above works are NOT copyright; "Chambers' Information" is, and, I believe, they paid a liberal sum for each of those articles, which are not considered mean as to literary merit: they give 10,870 more words for a penny than the "Missionary Enterprises."

Literary merit does not, I think, become less valuable by being sold at a low price. Has the author of Jethro" lowered himself in public esteem since he became the editor of the WITNESS? Are his writings less valuable, or less useful, in a penny monthly publication than they were in twelve shilling octavos ?

-a "

Mr. Knibb was in every respect a popular man, and literally the "People's Friend," whether as going forth in the character of the missionary; on his return pleading and giving evidence before a Committee of the House of Commons, with a view to the abolition of slavery, or its apprenticeship system; lifting up his voice against the tyrannical encroachments of a state-made church; or advocating the claims of missionary enterprise before thousands assembled in Exeter Hall. Of all our missionaries, his life should not only be written in a popular style, but published at a popular price 'People's Edition" should be the first edition. It may be replied, that the higher classes would not purchase the work if it was too common: to suit that class, it might be elegantly bound, to become a handsome volume on their bookshelves or the drawing-room table. ton's Poetical Works," with Stebbing's Notes, may be purchased for 3s.; but do not the guinea edition of the same WORDS find their way to the palace and the mansion? The negro would hail with joy a Life of their (I may say) Liberator, and the opportunity of placing the same on their shelves and its contents in the hearts of every freedman in the island of Jamaica; which can only be effected by publishing the work at a low price.

"Mil

The Patriot is about to give to its subscribers a Missionary Portrait Gallery, and it suggests the idea of a Missionary Standard Library: there are an ample number of works to form one,-"Williams's Life," ""Medhurst's China," "The Martyr of Erromanga," "Maritime Discovery," "Phillips' Jamaica," "Campbell's Africa," "Morrison's Life," "Carey's Life," &c. &c.

Three considerations present themselves as reasons for publishing these missionary works: 1. Remuneration to the author or the family. If I have not been misinformed, £100 was offered by the Missionary Society to the gentleman who would undertake to compile the Life of the late **** ****; that this is somewhere about the value of the copyright of such a work; and that it is necessary to publish the volume at 12s., to reimburse that sum. Now, supposing the "Missionary Enterprises" at 28. 6d. will only just repay the publisher, without leaving any profit for the author, then charge 3s. 6d. for it; allow 6d. on each for the extra per centage, &c.; then 6d. a volume might be reasonably expected as clear profit for the author upon every copy. If, because of the difference of the price, 30,000 only had been sold instead of