and saves the Imperial Government from the irretrievable disgrace of covering over such atrocities as he and they had perpetrated. Of course, Mr. Eyre is dismissed from the governorship of the island. As to the adoption of any extreme measures by other parties, with a view of obtaining fuller justice, we much doubt their expediency or propriety.

Attempts of a most ridiculous character have been made by the Fenians to invade Canada. The result will be the death of the absurd and preposterous thing called Fenianism. The true loyalty of Her Majesty's subjects in Canada has been most strikingly and unmistakably developed and demonstrated. It would harily be possible to view these insane proceedings of the Fenians with serious feelings, but for the sacrifice of human life involved.

The Primitive Methodist Conference commenced its sittings on Wednesday morning, June 6th, in the Music Hall, Chester. The Rev. George Lamb, of Hull, was elected president, and the Rev. T. Bateman, vice-president; the Rev. Thomas Jackson, of Aylesbury, was chosen secretary. The Conference is spoken of as having been a happy one, and the Connexion, in most of its departments, as being in a state of prosperity. The following are the statisties of the body:-Members, 151,307, being an increase of 2,007 on the year; travelling preachers, 880-increase, 12; local preachers, 13,727increase, 149; class-leaders, 9,103— increase, 140; Connexional chapels, 2,992-increase, 135; rented chapels and rooms, 3,183-decrease, 85; Sabbath-schools, 2,835-increase, 119; Sabbath-school teachers, 40,203— increase, 1,355; Sabbath scholars, 227,476-increase, 11,699. The book-room concern was reported as in a satisfactory state, and there had been an augmentation of the missionary income. Of the young men trained in the institution at York, eight had the governor's recommendation. We unfeignedly rejoice in the prosperity thus reported, and fervently pray that it may not only continue but be greatly increased.

On Monday afternoon, June 11th,

the foundation-stone of the new Bible-house, in the line of the new street from Blackfriars Bridge to the Mansion House, London, was laid by II.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The weather was remarkably fine, and the entire proceedings were marked by the greatest interest and joy. The arrangements were very complete, and such as befitted the auspicious occasion and the high rank of the personage who was to take a conspicuous part in the ceremony. The Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Sheriffs of London, the Archbishop of York, Dean Stanley, the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rev. Thomas Binney, Lord Charles Russell, the Hon. A. Kinnaird, &c. &c., were present. After the singing of a hymn and the reading of suitable portions of Scripture, the Rev. S. B. Bergne, the secretary of the society, read to His Royal Highness an address, containing an able, comprehensive, and clearly-expressed statement of the history and objects of the society. His Royal Highness made a very proper and graceful reply, claiming, in well-chosen terms, an hereditary association with the society. He then proceeded to lay the foundationstone, which bore an appropriate inscription, and the interesting ceremony was afterwards brought to a close by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Winchester. We are exceedingly glad that the eldest son of our beloved and gracious Queen, and probably the future King of England, has been engaged in so good a work. May that blessed Book, to promote the circulation of which, in all languages and countries throughout the world, is the great object of the British and Foreign Bible Society, ever be the rule of his faith, the guide of his life, and his most highly-prized treasure! The new Bible-house will cost about £30,000.

Dr. Colenso has published a hymnbook. There is nothing in it, however, to heal a wounded conscience, or to bring peace to a troubled heart. Of the blood of Christ it speaks not. About the atonement it is dumb.

It is like a body without a soul. Will the reader believe it? the name. of the Saviour is never once mentioned in it from beginning to end. It literally ignores Him who" bore our sins in his own body on the tree." What will the doctor's defenders and apologizers say now? And yet this man professes to be a bishop in an orthodox Church, and resorts to legal means in order to recover his income as such!!

It appears the Central Committee of the Conference of Christians from All Nations, which it was proposed to hold in Holland next month (August), have come to the decision to postpone the meeting, "in consequence of the fearful war that has broken out in the centre of Europe, which would, it is feared, impose an insuperable difficulty to the attendance of numerous foreign brethren. In addition to this, the cholera has appeared in several towns in Holland." The secretaries of the Evangelical Alliance inform us that at the meeting of the London Committee, recently held, a resolution was unanimously passed, concurring in the reasons for postponement.

It is exceedingly gratifying to learn that the work of God still goes on in the States of America.

The

power of Divine grace is manifested, and many churches experience enlargement. The important question of Christian union is also advancing in a most delightful manner, both among the different sections of the great Methodist family and among the Presbyterians. The aspect presented by the American Churches at the present time is of a most pleasing character. We hope shortly to recur to these matters,

The Free Church Mission at Nagpore, India, reports that twentyeight adults were last year added to the Church by baptism, on their profession of faith-a larger number than had been received in any previous year. There is daily preaching of the Gospel at Nagpore, and occasional itinerations are made,

A missionary of the London Society, who has been labouring for upwards of twenty years in the Caddapa districts, writes, as follows:

"Cuddapa is now a great mart for cotton and indigo, and during the last few months has presented quite a bustling scene in this department of commerce. A Christian mission has been established at this town for the last forty years by the London Missionary Society. During the last twenty years of our labours in the town and district, there has been a steady increase in the number of our converts. In the year 1844, when I first came into the district, there were about 150 native Christians in connection with our mission. At the present time we number upwards of 900 professed Christians, and about 200 catechumens, who are preparing for Christian baptism by the instruction of our catechists. The number of our out-stations twenty years ago was one; we have now twelve out-stations, where our agents are labouring for the spread of the Gospel, some by preaching, and others by the instruction of Hindoo youth in our schools. About twenty years ago we had about eighty children under Christian instruction; we have now upwards of 350, the great majority of whom are boys. At the time we entered upon our labours we had four or five native evangelists; we have now four educated native evangelists, one ordained native pastor, and four catechists, besides seven Christian schoolmasters, who are useful in instructing the rising generation in the great truths and facts of our common Christianity. Through their efforts we have now upwards of 140 boys and thirty-five girls able to read the Word of God in their own tongue. We have now three ordained European missionaries instead of one. Since the year 1844 the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel have also established a mission in the district of Kurnool, and have now three ordained missionaries labouring in the north and north-west of the town of Cuddapa. I believe they number upwards of 1,000 native converts in their mission. We solicit an interest in the prayers of all true Christians, that the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified amongst us." This is very cheering, and shows that

the leaven of the Gospel is working in India. May the time not be distant when the teeming myriads of its population shall embrace Christ as their Saviour!

66

The Rev. J. Richardson writes encouragingly of the continued success of the mission at Sedamak, Borneo, where, four years ago, there was not a single Christian, and now there are above sixty, not merely baptized Christians," he observes, "but people who make considerable sacrifices in order to discharge the new duties devolving upon them as Christians. Many of them leave their fields, and walk miles to attend service." The successful establishment of a boarding-school on a small scale for Dyak children he considers the greatest evidence of the value the Dyaks place upon the teaching of the mission, as each child is to a Dyak a source of income. The Church, towards which the Dyaks have contributed liberally, according to their means, is progressing. The spread of Christianity is exercising its influence upon the whole tribe. Dyak heathen customs and savage rites are gradually disappearing, and the light of truth is asserting its power in that stronghold of heathen and Mohammedan darkness.

From Japan the missionary tidings are favourable. A missionary, writing from Yokohama to the Presbyterian, observes:-" There are now Protestant missionaries, representing three or four branches of the Church of Christ, in this country. Two of these are at Nagasaki, and the remainder at this port. They see marked changes in many things since their arrival. Four years ago, when copies of a book entitled 'The Christian Reader' were bought of a missionary by some young men who were desirous to learn English, they at once erased the word Christian' from the title-page and cover, for fear it should be noticed by others, and bring them into trouble. Now, a considerable number of those who have been under instruction have purchased copies of the Scriptures for their own use. In the schoolrooms and in our houses there is no

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reluctance to speak; and many do speak from day to day of God, of Christ, and of Christianity. The name of Jesus is no longer uttered with bated breath. Some of the wives of missionaries also have interesting classes of Japanese boys under their instruction in English, with great success." The writer also informs us that a medical missionary has a dispensary thronged with patients from day to day, where the Ten Commandments and passages of Scripture in Japanese are hung upon the walls, and read with evident attention and interest by those who attend. We are likewise informed that by many of the most intelligent young men, the Buddhist creed and the Buddhist priests are despised. This is clearly an improved state of things in Japan, and we trust it will be but preliminary and introductory to something still more cheering and gratifying. We regret that the Government of the country seems to have but little idea of the true nature of religious liberty, and but little disposition at present to guarantee its full enjoyment. In these respects the missionary from whom we have quoted—the Rev. C. S. R. Brown, of the Reformed Dutch Church in the United States -earnestly entreats the prayers of all Christians.

The report of the London Missionary Society contains some cheering facts with respect to Madagascar. There are, it appears, in the capital, in a population of 30,000 souls, eight congregations and churches; seven of them under the care of the missionaries. In the churches, when the last returns were sent in, there were about 1,800 communicants, with nearly 300 waiting for admission to one of these churches. Sixteen churches have been gathered in the villages, connected with two of the churches in the capital. These village churches, together with those in Fianarantosoa, contained 822 communicants. Had returns been received from the villages to the west, as well as from those in the north-east, the total would have exceeded 3,000 communicants and 15,000 converts. In no single year

since the society commenced its operations in Madagascar, the report states, has a more abundant measure of success been granted to its labours than during the last one. The accessions to the churches in the capital, nearly 500 in number, include individuals of high rank, and just entering upon their early manhood. These facts, and others equally pleasing, embraced in the report, must gladden the hearts of the supporters of the society, and give joy to all who love the Saviour.

There is interesting intelligence as to the progress of Christian truth in other lands, but it must lie over for the present.

July 7, 1866.

L. S.

THE REV. H. W. BEECHER'S

CONVERSION.

THE Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, a short time since, gave his church the following interesting account of his conversion:

He

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He was a professor of religion before he was a Christian. Family influence led him into the church. Once in, he tried to do his duty. He had no true knowledge of Christ-no joy in his service. Whilst in Amherst College, a powerful revival broke out. He was deeply moved. had no one to lead or guide him. He was in deep darkness. He passed days in agony, and kneeled in prayer by the hour at the side of his bed, but obtained no relief. He was as one alone in a dark and lonely castle, and wandered from room to room, sick, cold, in doubt and terror. resolved to call on Dr. Humphrey. It was a great cross, for he was known to be a member of the church. But he wanted to find the Saviour. He told the President his condition, and he shook his head gravely and informed Mr. Beecher that he was under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and he dared not interfere. Home Mr. Beecher went no better, but rather worse. Collegians did not think much of the village people. Mr. Beecher went down to the village church to see if he could find Christ there. They were invited to stop. He took up another heavy

cross. He allowed his college friends to go back, and remained among the inquirers. An eminent clergyman began to converse with those who remained, and came within a pew where Mr. Beecher sat, deeply anxious for religious conversation. He came no further, but went back into the pulpit, spoke of the evident presence of the Holy Ghost in the meeting, and sent home the congregation. Mr. Beecher completed his college course, and was not converted.

At Cincinnati he began the study of theology. He was not only not a Christian, but was sceptical. The influence of his father decided him to study. One of the sons had swung off into scepticism, and should another follow it would break the old man's heart. He did not intend to be a minister. The study of theology would not hurt him, and he need not go into the work when the course was completed. Without conversion, and without believing in Christianity, he became a student of theology.

While in the seminary, some ladies belonging to the first families of Cincinnati, connected with the second Church, urged him to become their teacher in a Bible-class. What could he do? He who was not an experimental Christian, but was sceptical, how could he teach in what he did not know, and how could he instruct in what he did not believe? He was a member of the Church, and a theological student. He accepted the trust that he could not honourably decline. All he need do was tell the class what the Gospels contained. He need not tell them what he thought of them. So he began his work. He studied and collated the Gospels. He took all passages, scraps, hints, and facts that bore on the character of Jesus, and his relations to guilty and lost men. Jesus appeared to him in those Scriptures. He smote the rock, and the waters gushed out. He saw the Saviour in all his love and compassion, and fell at his feet to adore. "Never till I get home," said Mr. Beecher, "will I have brighter visions of my Redeemer. I saw Jesus in all things-in the flowers, in the fruits, in the trees, and in the

sky, and, above all, in the Gospel." Oh," said he, "years ago, in my deep anguish at Amherst, had Dr. Humphrey said to me, 'Young man, behold the Lamb of God!' I should then have found the Saviour, and been spared years of darkness and sorrow." While relating this, Mr. Beecher was deeply affected, tears coursed down his cheeks, and his emotion forbade utterance. This experience was new to his people, who were most deeply impressed by his utterances.

CONVERSION OF D'AUBIGNE. THE distinguished historian of the Reformation gives the following account of his own conversion :

"When M. Monod and I attended the University of Geneva, there was a professor of divinity who confined himself to lecturing on the immortality of the soul, the existence of God, and similar topics. As to the Trinity, he did not believe it. Instead of the Bible he gave us quotations from Seneca and Plato; Saint Seneca and Saint Plato were the two saints whose writings he held up to admiration.

"But the Lord sent one of his servants to Geneva, and I well remember the visit of Robert Haldane. I heard of him first as an English or Scotch gentleman, who spoke much about the Bible, which seemed to be a very strange thing to me and other students, to whom it was a shut book. I afterwards met Mr. Haldane at a private house, along with some other friends, and heard him read from an English Bible a chapter from Romans, about the natural corruption of man, a doctrine of which I had never before heard. In fact, I was quite astonished to hear of men being corrupt by nature.

I remember saying to Mr. Haldane, Now I see that doctrine in the Bible.' 'Yes,' he replied, but do you see it in your heart?' This was a simple question, but it came home to my conscience. It was the sword of the Spirit: and from that time I saw that my heart was corrupted, and knew from the Word of God that I can be saved by grace alone."

OLD TREES.

THE dragon-tree of Teneriffe is said by some writers to be the most ancient of all known trees. Humboldt, when he saw it, computed its age at one thousand years, but I have read that the cypress of Soma, in Lombardy, is the oldest tree of which we possess any record; that there is a chronicle extant at Milan which mentions its being in the time of that unbeliever in omens who fell on the ides of March (Julias Cæsar), a full-grown tree-forty-two years before our Saviour came upon this earth. Both the Bull oak of Wedgenorth Park and the Courthorpe oak of Colburn are said to be as ancient as the Norman Conquest. We have likewise Gospel oaks the "Four Evangelists and the Twelve Apostles," so called because portions of the Gospel were formerly read under them on Holy Thursday. The Bentley oak and the Winfarthing are believed to have been 700 years old when William came over to conquer us; therefore Dryden's allotted period of 900 years has been considerably exceeded by them. There is a famous chestnut tree in Gloucestershire, at Tortworth, which has been standing since the reign of Stephen (1150), and others at Dorking, in Surrey, planted in 1377. Our yew trees, likewise, are venerable. The Ankerwyke yew, on the banks of the Thames, opposite Runnymede in Surrey, was an old tree when Magna Charta was signed in 1251; it yet, I believe, flourishes; at any rate, it was living and in green leaf a few years ago. Olive trees are deemed old by modern writers; I ought, probably, to say longlived, for in the environs of Nice there is one considerably over 900 years old; and some authors assert that a few of the trees on Mount Olivet are 2,000 years of age; nay, more, they say that many of them stood there eleven centuries before the Christian era. There is no doubt that olive trees still thrive on the rocky mountains of Palestine, on the very spot called by Hebrew writers "the Mount of Olives," yet I do doubt their being the self-same