sion of one of the chief venders, but never standing I have a few things against less than 25,000. Concerning another, thee: because thou sufferest that woman that same individual said, "we don't sell Jezebel, which callest herself a prophetso many-from 12,000 to 13,000 copies!" ess, to teach and to seduce my servants and this man supplies with these TWO HUN- to commit fornication, and to eat things DRED shops in Glasgow! You have thus, sacrificed to idols." Would to God that at least, 38,000 copies of these debasing each Christian might remember that he periodicals sold in one city, and with the has a duty to do in the world as well as proportion already given, passing into the in the family, abroad as well as at home, hands, and working evil on the minds of, in the Church as well as in the closet. at the lowest calculation, 150,000 immor- While Christ no doubt is present at all tal men, women, and children. Nor is the exercises of private devotion, and this all, we find that in country parishes blesses the dwellings of His people Jacob, the London Journal, Reynold's, and many yet He is elsewhere beside. "Behold the others of that class, are sold to a very great Master is without, and calleth for thee." extent; and not only in mining and manu- Even He who once in human form sat upon facturing localities, but in pastoral and the hallowed hill of Olivet, and, weeping agricultural districts, among farm-ser- over the devoted city at His feet, burst vants and out-door workers. into that impassioned cry, "Oh! JerusaChurch of the living God! we care not lem, Jerusalem!" may even now, reader, what be thy distinctive appellation among be standing in spirit, though not in men; ministers of the Gospel of Christ, bodily presence, in the Cowgate and elders and people-can such things be? Grassmarket of Edinburgh, and the High Church of my country, "arise-shine!" Street and Saltmarket of Glasgow, grievA voice from the heights of glory calls ing over the misery there, and rebuking thee-"Lift up thy voice with strength the Church for negligence and sloth. If -lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the sectarians would but remember that their cities of Judah, Thy God reigneth." And Church is not the Church of Scotland, or another voice, too, from the dark places of the Free Church of Scotland, or the the country is heard invoking thee in United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, shrill and solemn accents, like the trum- but the Church of THE LORD JESUS pet's call to battle amid the calmness of CHRIST, its great Head and King, what a the "stilly night '-"Come to the help difference would there be in their exerof the Lord, to the help of the Lord tions! No more wrangling, no more against the mighty!" Oh, that each strife, no more intestine broils, but Chrisminister and member of the Church of tendom would behold, and angels would Christ, imbued with the true spirit of smile on, a firm, united band of brothers, his Master, would answer the heavenly marching on through life's highway, to summons, buckle on his armour, re- the music of the songs of Zion, under the solve in the strength of the Lord to do unfurled banner of the Captain of their battle for the faith once delivered to the salvation, with one end in view, one heasaints; and, gathering together in associa- ven before them, one hell behind them, tions and councils for the invasion of the one common humanity to save. Thus realms of the prince of darkness, that the combined, what glorious results would language of each might be: "For Zion's ensue! Like the Roman armies of yore, sake I will not hold my peace, and for with resistless tread the Church would Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, till the bear down all opposition ;-her motto righteousness thereof shine forth as the that of Cæsar, "Veni, vidi, vici," her noon-day, and the salvation thereof as a ensign not the fierce eagle, but the lamp that burneth." But if this effort gentle dove; not finding happy homes be not soon made, the churches of Great and smiling fields, then leaving blackenBritain may hear a voice saying to ed dwellings, desolated lands; but finding them, in accents of thunder, what was dark, dismal, degraded dens, and leaving said to Thyatira of old: "Notwith-cheerful, joyful homes; finding perish ing mortals, leaving ransomed souls. time to discuss the doctrines of SecuSuch is the mission-such the destiny larism. Suffice it to say in one word, it of the Church. Reader, it is yours and ours to help on that glorious end. Once more, then, oh Church of the great Redeemer, in the name of thy God lift up thy banners! But, alas! each member seems disposed now to say to his fellow, "Lo! I have no need of thee." May that time be near when James Montgomery's description will be manifestly true, that "distinct as the waves, it is one as the sea." : But if we have spoken of immorality, and called the Christian Church to uprouse itself to cleanse the country from that blighting curse, we have yet another crying evil against which we needs must struggle it is Infidelity. The infidel press of this country has of late been most active and zealous in the propagation of its pernicious doctrines. In this it contrasts favourably with the zeal of the Church of Christ. That Church has not been one-half as energetic in diffusing pure and undefiled religion as infidelity has been in disseminating its souldestroying opinions. In these publications, which are circulated to a very enormous extent in our large towns, and mining and manufacturing villages, we are no longer met with the broad name of Infidelity, but the more refined and polite one of Secularism. And whom have we as our great Secularist apostles? There is that old, grey-headed man, ROBERT OWEN; would that his tottering limbs had been climbing the portal steps of heaven! There is that vigorous writer, and in many respects acute thinker, G. J. HOLYOAKE; how much good might he not have done had his pen been used for Christ, and not for Satan? Then there is ROBERT LE BLOND, who now, in shattered health, has left himself no staff on which to lean but the bending, feeble, reed of human reason? What will he not give on a dying bed for that rod and that staff which would have supported him as he went up through the dark valley? There are Newman, De la Mennais, and Parker, and, alas! time would fail to enumerate the followers of lesser note. This is neither the place nor the is-Atheism. This life, it says, ought always to have precedence over the next, because this is certain, that is conjecture. Reason and science are "the providence of man." And it says, if there was a providence He would do so and so, and because so and so is not done, therefore there is no God. Oh splendid logic! Oh omniscient and omnipresent Secularist! Again, apart and independent of Scripture authority, there are in human nature guarantees of morals. It affirms that "the majestic influence of intelligence rules millions of men now whom rage, lust, and rapine would have ruled in a former age." And Christianity, in its direct and indirect influences has no credit thereby. A writer in one of those infidel periodicals which obtain a large circulation both in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London-the Reasoner--thus in a late number characterises Christ's Sermon on the Mount:-" I am not surprised that the Jews held Christ to be mad, for surely never before was uttered so much sense and nonsense combined-much of it the most unmitigated farrago. Even the Sermon on the Mount is not free from it." Under the head of infidel, we may speak of Socialist newspapers, for they are generally of one mind. Of these the Times says, they propagate "doctrines as outrageous as the maddest ravings of furious insanity-as wicked as the most devilish spirit could by possibility have devised. Murder is openly advocated, all property declared to be robbery, the banns by which marriage is declared sacred and inviolate as the dreams of dotage; obedience of every description as criminal cowardice; law as at present constituted is asserted to be a mere device for enslaving mankind." As a proof of these just remarks, we intended to have quoted from a certain publication most startling doctrines, similar to those indicated by the Times, but we find we sent away the pamphlet. The author of a publication printed some years ago for private circulation, states that a clergyman informed him that in one manufacturing town alone in which he laboured the weekly circulation of a blasphemous paper was 23,000; the proprietor and editor both denied the existence of a God. Before the 'repeal of the stamp duty the stamp returns of three London Sunday periodicals alone amounted to 103,000 every Sunday, or 5,356,000 for the fiftytwo Sabbaths of the year. "We may view the subject in another light," remarks a writer on this point, "and safely affirm that there are from 600,000 to 700,000 Lord's day issues of these papers." The following specimen is from the paper already quoted, announcing the death of a follower of the school of which Holyoake is the acknowledged leader : fearful to the last of giving trouble. He lived and died a Deist. His life had not been without its sorrows, but it had been passed in faithfulness and love; and those who saw his last moments need never fear death. He cheerfully embraced his family, and bid them farewell within an hour of his decease. Neither doubt nor fear troubled his mind. His end was peace."" What shall we say? Truly there are no bands in their death. But oh! what must that poor man's spirit have felt when, bursting its casement of clay, it stood naked, shivering, friendless, and alone amid the bright, burning glory of the great I AM? And this is what Secularism would teach—this is the end of these things, and surely that end is death. But we close, and will return shortly to the subject next number, for it is deeply interesting to thousands of neverdying souls. (To be continued.) A. W. GLEANINGS FROM THE MISSION FIELD. GENERAL INCREASE IN THE FUNDS OF MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. ALMOST all the religious societies exhibit the gratifying result of an important increase in the funds during the past year. To show the extent of the increase, we may refer to the incomes of the three principal missionary societies in Eng. land-the Church, the Wesleyan, and the London Missionary Society. The income of the Church Society, from home sources, is reported to have been L.115,208 48. 8d.; that of the Wesleyan Society, including the sums derived from foreign auxiliaries. L.119,122 48. 9d; and that of the London Missionary Society, including also the sums collected at foreign stations, L 82,331, 128. 4d. The increase in the funds of the Church Missionary Society, as compared with the sum collected in the previous year, amounts to L.7865; that in the funds of the Wesleyan to L.8073 10s. 5d.; and that in the collections of the London Society to 1.22,646, 1s. 1d In the case of the last of these, an extraordinary effort has been made in order to the liquidation of debt. The aggregate income of these societies amounts to L 316,662 1s. 9d., and the aggregate increase to L.88,584 128 4d This result is the more gratifying since it has occurred in a year when the nation has been so heavily taxed on account of the war. It is, we hope, only the first fruits of still greater exertions in future years One of its principal causes has undoubtedly been the greater interest given to missions by the marked successes with which God, in His providence, has been pleased to crown the labours of the missionaries during the past year in some of the most extended and important scenes of operations. In Turkey, India, and China especially, the effects of the efforts which have been long made, amidst numerous discouragements, in faith and patience, become more apparent; the confidence of the masses in their superstitions begins to be shaken; and the prospect appears to increase of whole nations, as such, becoming leavened with the knowledge of Christian truthi-News of the Churches. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Report, after dwelling on the gratifying fact that the income of the society for this year is L.115,208 4s 8d., being L.7865 more than last year, and nearly L.2000 more than any previous year, glanced at the state and progress of the work at the different stations under the society's charge. The mission at Abbeokuta continues to tell very powerfully upon the people, and the king, though still a heathen himself, bears testimony to the extraordinary power of Christianity. At Jerusalem, Bishop Gobat says that the war has contributed much to soften down the pride and prejudices of the Moslems, but that the friends of Protestant Christianity are not without apprehensions for the future. In India, the mission at Tinnevelly continues as usual to take the lead. The number of converts there is now 27,140, and of communicants, 3821; more than L 70 is contributed by them to the Church Missionary Society; more than L.700 to other pious objects; while there is besides a native missionary society supported and managed by themselves, which maintains six native catechists, and a juvenile missionary association, which pays the stipend of a pilgrim missionary. From New Zealand one of the missionaries has remitted L. 100 to the society, the result of a special and very vigorous effort to make the schools of the society there self-sustaining. The report further mentions that in consequence of the kingdom of Oude being now open to the Gospel, an offer of 10.000 rupees had been made to aid in sending out missionaries there. It was resolved that a special effort should be made to clear off a debt of a few thousand pounds lying on the society, and that special contributions for this end should be asked in token of gratitude for the blessing of peace. The Rev. Mr Fox of Durham has given the munificent contribution of L.1000 to this ob. ject. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The following is a general summary of the Missionary Committee and British Couter- cuits, occupied by the Society in Chapels and other preaching places in Full and accredited church members 137 820 198 2990 61,999 2958 39,602 5 the Crimen The total issues in France were now 3,312,112 copies. The implacable aversion of the Romish priests in France to the dissemination of the Bible was as manifest as ever. In Belgium. continued the Report, the circulation within the year was 6801 copies, making the total issues 217,150. With respect to Russia, it was observed that the committee, feeling that the prosecution of the war could not supersede the obligations of Christian duty, had anxiously availed themselves of whatever facilities presented themselves for circulating the Scriptures in the Russian Empire; and the operations of the past year had, in fact, far surpassed their expectations. While England and Russia had been engaged in a sanguinary struggle, the Society had been enabled to do something to spread the sacred volume; the last year had proved the most interesting one of all in the history of the Society's operations in the dominions of the Czar. The issues within the year at St Petersburg amounted to 13,276 copies, being an increase of 6458 over those of the preceding year. At Odessa 1884 copies had been issued during the same period. The attention of the committee had been directed to Spain, in the hope that the labours of the Society might be extended to that country. In Switzerland and Northern Italy, there had been an increased appreciation on the part of the people of the value of the Bible. In Switzer. land the issues within the year were 15,374, mak549 ing a total of 100,000; in Savoy, the circulation of the year was 1278; in Sardinia, upwards of 5000. The depot at Nice was confided to the care of Francesco Madiai. The issues from the depot at Malta were rapidly increasing. Those of the past year amounted to 20,129, being 7662 in increase of those of the previous year. At Athens, the distribution of the year was 4572, being an increase of 2453. Under the head of Turkey, the committee dwelt on the openings consequent on events connected with the war. Throughout the entire year, they said the ut most activity had prevailed in the Bible depot at Stamboul, and every effort had been made to keep pace with the new requisitions which had poured in from all quarters. The agency of the Society at Constantinople had been most com prehensive, having ministered to the wants of our own countrymen, of the French, of the Sardinians, and of the various races that thronged the capital. Special solicitude had been directed to the Turks themselves; and whereas eighteen months ago it was almost impossible to induce Mohammedans in Turkey to accept the Scriptures, within the past year 1278 copies have been dis seminated among them chiefly by sale. Tens of thousands of New Testaments had been distri. buted among the allied armies, and it was believed that few Sardinians would return to their own country destitute of the inspired oracles. With respect to Abyssinia, the Bishop of Jeru. salem stated, that the king of that country was in the habit of reading the Scriptures daily. In India, the issues at Calcutta within the year were 46,000 copies; at Madras, 49,400; at Bombay, 13 406 In Ceylon, the circulation of the year was 1376 copies. In China, satisfactory progress had been made in the carrying out of the million New Testament scheme; 81,940 copies of the Scriptures had been circulated in China during the year. At the Mauritius, the issues of the year were 3874; in South Africa, 4295. issues of the Society for the year were as follow: - From the depot at home, 952,145; from depots abroad, 522,249; total, 1.474,394 copies; being an increase of 23,518 copies over those of last year. The total issues of the Society now amounted to 30,863,901 copies. The ordinary payments had amounted to L.125, 99 (s. Id. and the payments on account of the Jubilee and Chinese New Testament Funds to L.9714 0s. 98.. making the total expenditure of the year amount to L,134,813 vs. lvd. II.-Other Missions of the Society having also Central or Principal Stations called Cir- Chapels and other preaching places Ministers and assistant-missionaries, including twenty-four supernumer. aries Other paid agents, as catechists, interpreters, day-school teachers, &c. Unpaid agents, as Sabbath school teachers, &c. Full and accredited church members both the day and Sabbath schools Printing establishments LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 988 2463 399 3.9 6544 48.471 827 54,304 3 The number of ordained missionaries now employed, exclusive of nearly 700 native agents, was reported to be 154. These were distributed as follows:-In Polynesia, 29; in the West Indies 20; in South Africa and Mauritius, 36; in China 17; and in India 52. In the whole islands of the Pacific there are now upwards of 7000 members of the Christian church in connection with the mission. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. The Rev. S. B Bergne read the Report of the operations of the last year, which stated that in France 120,614 copies of the Scriptures had been circulated during the year, of which num. ber 45,293 were placed in the hands of the mili tary, and 66,266 were distributed by colporteurs in various parts of the country. Within the last eighteen months, 65,112 copies had been delivered to the French troops, irrespective of the distribution which had taken place in Turkey and The Sermon. SEEKING TO SEE JESUS-AND HOW TO SEE HIM. By the REV. THOMAS BUCHANAN, Methven. "Sir, we would see Jesus."-JOHN xii. 21. WE have reason to think that, in the first instance, this proved a fruitless gratification of curiosity. When we consider the peculiar solemnity and importance of the opportunity, we cannot but reflect with sadness on the carelessness of men to improve their best advantages. How well might these Greeks-these foreign proselytes to the Jewish faithhave profited by a Saviour's willingness, not only to shew himself in answer to their wish, but to open to them the treasures of salvation! A different result shews the necessity of considering, with what feelings we frame any similar desire to be introduced to Christ, as living men only can be introduced to Him, through the medium of that mirror which represents Him to us -in His covenant, in His sufferings, and in His glory. In all these things, He sets himself forth as the object of faith; but though He is such, in every one's opportunity who sits under a Gospel dispensation, how little is He such in every one's real estimate and experience! It becomes, therefore, a necessary and salutary inquiry-How men, who would see Jesus, or who appear desirous of gratifying such a wish, come so often to be disappointed? And it will be found that, first, their disappointment may be accounted for on the principle that human wishes are apt to melt in a vain show, and to waste themselves in a frivolous and transient curiosity. The living Christ was followed with wondering eyes by great multitudes, and, in this, he was put on the same level with others who had gained themselves a name, of whatever description of celebrity. The Great Witness, who saw into the hearts of men, could not reward such a spirit, and 5.-VIII. hence was His face so much oftener seen, than it was seen in mercy. So must it fare with those who approach the mirror of His perfections, in word or ordinances, with the same levity of thought or purpose. They come, they depart, unrefreshed-for the excited thought, the itching ear, hath verily each its sole reward in the impulse or emotion wherein it has sought all its pleasure. And it then fares with Christ as it does with meaner objects whom a temporary motive carries us to see. We account, Secondly, for disappointments among the professing, by the dangerous prevalence of sense and sight over spiritual impressions. We "seek the living among the dead." We gratify a superstitious expectation of finding ourselves among divine realities, when we are simply dealing with externals that reach not, and, from their nature, cannot reach the hidden man of the heart. How can the immortal spirit be fed with outward shows, or even outward substances? And yet, professing Christianity is apt to form unholy alliances with such things as shock us in pagan worship; and, as the idolater makes him an image because he would see God, so, alas! many of the worst corruptions of the faith have their excuse in the pretext-"We would see Jesus." The glory of the cross can scarcely serve without its fragments-Christ's one sacrifice of himself suffices not, but must be repeated in massess-the saints must be present, not alone in their example, but in their relics,-such is the hunger of human nature after things better suited to its gross perceptions than to a spiritual taste, requiring our constant prayer: "Turn thou mine eyes away from behold E |