EDITORIAL NOTICE. discussed during the past month. There Our venerable friend, the Rev. J. A. James, has sent out a pamphlet entitled "God's Voice from China to the British Churches, both Established and Unestablished." It is one of the most earnest and heart-stirring appeals that has ever been addressed to the Churches of Christ, whether in ancient or modern times, in this or in any other land. May that Holy Spirit who stirred up the heart of the writer to send it forth, carry its arguments and persuasions to the hearts of its readers! Mr. James asks for 100 missionaries, and for a fund to be raised to send them forth. With a charity as comprehensive as it is fervent, he honours all the Churches which have manifested any missionary zeal; and in the concluding pages addresses them all separately, calling them to this new work, and urging them all to take part in it. We wish his little, but most striking and thrilling book may be read and pondered by thousands of Christian people, and by Christian ministers in all parts of the land. Since Mr. James's pamphlet was written, England has made a treaty with another great Oriental nation; and not China only, but Japan as well, is now open to British Christianity. What we should now like to see would be the wide-spread circulation of the Word of God through these countries, and missionaries traversing them from one extremity to the other; not sitting down long in one place, waiting to build up a church in this city, and becoming pastors in others, but marching on from place to place and scattering the seed broadcast through the land. If our expectations are scripturally founded, in which we are looking for the "Spirit to be poured on all flesh," must not the seed be sown first, or else there is nothing to germinate and fructify when the gracious rains descend? **Several friends, at the beginning of last year, sent us contributions by which we were enabled to forward Evangelical Christendom to the Turkish missionaries and other devoted servants of Christ in heathen lands. We ask them kindly to repeat their gifts, and we solicit other friends to help us in the same way. The following extracts from letters lately received from missionaries will show how thankful they are for the kindness, and how much they prize the journal. One of them says: "I feel I should be doing very wrong not to take this opportunity of thanking you, in my own name and that of my companions, for your kindness in having sent us your valuable periodical. We have often been much interested in its articles; and we trust our perusal of it, month by month, will not have been without its effects in increasing our sympathy with our brethren in Christ Jesus of every name, and of stirring up our prayers in their behalf." Another writes: "I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for the copies I have had the favour to receive; the perusal of which gave me so much Christian pleasure and edification as well as instruction. I am sure the exertions of the Evangelical Alliance for the spread of Evangelical Christianity and brotherly harmony will be attended by the Lord's blessing." Postal facilities enable us to send the journal into almost all parts of the world, and we wish our friends would put us in possession of a fund adequate to supply every missionary with it in the four quarters of the globe. And we add a word to Christian brethren who receive it gratuitously both on the Continent of Europe and in other parts. BRIEF NOTICES OF BOOKS. With great labour and expense we collect the countries where you dwell. In this way, while you are instructed and edified yourselves, you will edify and instruct your brethren. Let us by love serve one another. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Brief Notices of Books. Memorial Sketch of the late Edward Bird, B.A., | We "A BOOK written by an unknown scribe about The Christian Harp. Designed as a Companion Christology of the Old Testament, and a Commen- THIS work is among the most valuable in the Evangelical Alliance. THE VOICE OF WITNESSES GONE TO THEIR REST. BISHOP JEWEL. THE Church of God is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ: it is the company of the faithful, whom God hath gathered together in Christ by His Word and by the Holy Ghost, to honour Him, as He himself hath appointed this Church heareth the voice of the Shepherd. It will not follow a stranger, but flieth from him; for it knoweth not the voice of strangers. Of this Church St. Hierome saith: Ecclesia... Christi,... in toto orbe ecclesias possidens, Spiritus unitate conjuncta est, et habet urbes legis, prophetarum, evangelii, et apostolorum. Non est egressa de finibus suis, id est, de Scripturis : "The Church of Christ, which containeth the Churches through all the world, is joined together in the unity of the Spirit, and hath the cities of the law, of the prophets, of the Gospel, and of the apostles. This Church goeth not forth, or beyond her bounds, that is, the Holy Scriptures." It is the pillar of the truth; the body, the fulness, and the spouse of Christ; it is the vine, the house, the city, and the kingdom of God. They which dwell in it "arc no more strangers and foreigners, but citizens with the saints and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner stone; in whom all the building coupled together groweth into an holy temple of the Lord." This Church "Christ loved and gave himself for it; that He might sanctify it and cleanse it by the washing of water through the Word, that He might make it unto himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blame." Such a Church was the Church of God at Thessalonica; such a Church are they, whosoever in any place of the world fear the Lord, and call upon His name. Their names are written in the Book of Life; they have received the Spirit of adoption, by which they cry, "Abba, Father:" they grow from grace to grace, and abound more and more in knowledge and in judgment: they cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light they are made absolute and perfect unto all good works: they are evermore comforted in the mercies of God, both by the Holy Scriptures, wherein God declareth His gracious goodness towards them, and by the sacraments, which are left unto the Church to be witnesses and assured pledges for performance of the promise of God's good-will and favour towards them.-Exposition of 1 Thessalonians i. 1. Works, p. 819. Parker Soc. Edition. BISHOP JEWEL. This is the unity of the Church, that the whole flock may hear the voice of that one Shepherd and follow Him. And that one Shepherd is Christ, the Son of God, and not the Pope. Therefore St. Augustine saith: Per hanc . . . potestatem, quam solum sibi Christus retinuit. . . stat unitas ecclesiæ, . . . de qua dictum est, una est columba mea: "By this power, which Christ (he saith not hath given over to the Pope, but) hath reserved only to himself, standeth the unity of the Church, of which unity it is said, My dove is one."-Defence of the Apology. Works Vol. IV., page 751. Parker Soc. Ed. BISHOP RIDLEY. The holy Catholic or universal Church, which is the communion of saints, the house of God, the city of God, the spouse of Christ, the body of Christ, the pillar and stay of the truth; this Church I believe according to the creed; this Church I EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. do reverence and honour in the Lord. But the rule of this Church is the Word of God, according to which rule we go forward unto life. "And as many as walk according to this rule," I say with St. Paul, "peace be upon them and upon Israel, which pertaineth unto God." The guide of this Church is the Holy Ghost. The marks whereby this Church is known unto me in this dark world, and in the midst of this crooked and froward generation, are these the sincere preaching of God's Word, the due administration of the sacraments, charity, and faithful observing of ecclesiastical discipline according to the Word of God. And that Church or congregation which is garnished with these marks, is in very deed that heavenly Jerusalem which consisteth of those that be born from above.-Conferences between Ridley and Latimer. Ridley's Works, p. 122. Parker Soc. Edition. MEETINGS AND TRANSACTIONS. BATH.-DEATH OF REV. J. OWEN.-At a meeting of the Committee of the Bath Subdivison, held January 4, 1859, the following resolution (in reference to the departure of the Rev. John Owen); moved by Mr. R. Carpenter, and seconded by Mr. J. W. Little, and resolved unanimously, That the committee desire to record its heartfelt regret at the decease of the Rev. John Owen, who, realising the character of a brother in Christ Jesus in an unpretending form of loveliness not frequently seen, has left a savour behind him both sweet and graceful. This committee cannot fail to miss most truly one who has from the commencement of this Alliance been an almost unfailing attendant at its meetings, and whose presence habitually tended to promote that Christian union which is the avowed characteristic of this Alliance. The Committee desire to assure the mourning widow of its lamented friend and member, of its affectionate sympathy, and its earnest prayer that the God of all consolation will enable her to look to Him with unshaken faith and humble resignation." Colonel WYNCH, Chairman. WILLIAM GIBBS, Secretary. NEW-YEAR'S MEETING FOR UNITED PRAYER. The year commenced with a devotional service on the evening of the 3rd inst., at Freemasons' Hall, which was largely attended by members of the Alliance and friends of Christian union. The Rev. W. CADMAN, Rector of St. George the Martyr, Southwark, presided, and addressed the meeting. The Rev. Dr. Graham, of Bonn, gave an account of the progress of Evangelical truth in the Rhenish provinces. Prayers were offered by the Rev. J. S. Jenkinson, of Battersea, Rev. Dr. Steane, Rev. W. Hargreaves, and the Chairman. The occasion was felt by all to be hallowed and profitable. MEETINGS IN PROSPECT.-Arrangements are made for holding public meetings in Brighton, Bristol, and other important places for the purpose of increasing the interest of Christians in the cause of Evangelical union, and extending the organisation of the Alliance. The new secretaries are receiving much encouragement in commencing their important work, and are making arrangements for their promised visitation of the several divisions throughout England and Scotland, to sustain and enlarge the operations of the Alliance, and give information of its progress and usefulness. Never was the mission of all sections of the Christian Church more distinct and emphatic than at present to express their cordial union in the grand and essential verities of the Saviour's Gospel, and forbearance in matters of lesser importance. The cause of oppressed Christians abroad, and the aid of Evangelical Churches in Germany, struggling to preserve the light where the candle of the Reformation once so brilliantly shone, present a powerful claim on our prayers, and show that there is a great work for Christians unitedly to accomplish, which no section of the Christian Church in its individuality could be able to effect. GALASHIELS.-A conference of the district subdivision was held here on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1858. The committee met privately for the transaction of business in the forenoon and at four P.M. a conversazione took place in the large room of the Abbotsford Hotel, at which were present upwards of sixty ladies and gentlemen. The chair was occupied by Mr. ELLIOT, of Wolflee. Among those present were the Revs. Mr. Murray, Melrose ; Campbell, Melrose; Robertson, Stow; Allardyce, Bowden; Lawson, Selkirk, &c. The Chairman, together with the Rev. EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. Messrs. Allardyce and Lawson, delivered interesting and earnest addresses. The meeting was in every respect a most satisfactory and pleasant one, and well calculated to advance the cause of the society. In the course of some remarks made by a Mr. T. J. Dunn, of Melrose, he read the doctrinal basis. In the evening a public meeting was held in Ladhope Church. Notwithstanding the continued inclemency and boisterous. ness of the afternoon and evening, a very respectable audience gathered together, among whom were the Chief Magistrate, Wm. Brunton, of Ladhope, Esq., and other leading men of the town and vicinity, besides a large assemblage of ladies. The chair was taken by Major BAILLIE, who was accompanied by the Revs. Murray, of the Established Church, Melrose; Campbell, Free Church, Melrose; Allardyce, Bowden; Robertson, U. P., Stow; and Mr. Elliot, Allerley; Mr. Elliot, of Wolflee; Mr. T. J. Dunn, Melrose, &c. After engaging in psalmody, The CHAIRMAN rose and said he had received a number of letters of apology from gentlemen in the district whose hearts were truly with them and with the objects of their meeting, though unable from various necessary causes to be present among them. Among them were letters from Mr. J. Elliot, of Boundary Bank, expressing strong attachment to the Alliance; from Mr. Nixon, of Lynwood, who testified to the benefit of the meeting last year at Hawick; from Mr. Dudgeon, Spyland, who recommended the circulation of Evangelical Christendom as the organ of the body; Rev. Mr. Johnston, Wolflee; Rev. Mr. Young, Teviothead; Rev. Mr. Robson, Lauder; Rev. Mr. M'Leod, Lauder ; Rev. Mr. Lumgair, Newtown. He (Major Baillie) had also to deplore the absence of Mr. Malcolm, of Burnfoot, detained by severe indisposition. He then proceeded to explain the nature and objects of the Evangelical Alliance. It was generally admitted and lamented on all sides that there was a want of Christian fellowship and sympathy in the Church. One aim, then, of the Evangelical Alliance was, to promote a better-a more scriptural state of things: to manifest the union really existing among true Christians. That the Alliance had done much good, none acquainted with the history or proceedings of the society would gainsay. Naturally there was much good done at the very outset, when such a union was inaugurated. It was no small matter for ministers of all Christian denominations to meet together on a common platform, and to agree to a standard basis of the essential doctrines of salvation. Many more have since declared their adherence to these principles at home, as well as on the Continent, where, at the Berlin and preceding similar meetings, was witnessed a spectacle the like of which had probably never been witnessed before. They not only joined in friendly and sacred converse, but sat down at the same communion table together. These surely were no slight or insignificant objects to have accomplished. Major Baillie then proceeded to urge upon his audience the great necessity of union in prayer, and spoke of the sublimity and the efficacy which might attend a great general prayer union, the prayers from all quarters of Christendom ascending at one and the same moment to the throne on high for the extension and union of the kingdom of Christ on earth. We ought to raise no barrier where Christ had raised none, and make no division where He had made none; but by all means we ought to strive to promote that unity on earth which is in heaven, and the blessedness of which we the more approach the nearer we attain to complete union here. The meeting was then addressed by the Rev. Mr. ROBERTSON, of Stow; T. J. DUNN, Esq., the Secretary, the Rev. Mr. CAMPBELL, of Melrose, and Mr. ELLIOT. We regret that want of room compels us to omit their excellent speeches. They were admirable expositions of the principles and of the practical working of the Alliance, and thoroughly imbued with its spirit. But we cannot conclude this notice without congratulating our friends of this sub-division on the efficient manner in which they conduct their business and promote the great objects of the institution. May they reap a thousand-fold blessing themselves while they thus bless others! MEMORIAL OF PROTESTANTS IN HOLLAND ON THE PERSECUTIONS IN SWEDEN. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MINISTER OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF SWEDEN AT THE COURT OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE NETHERLANDS. The undersigned Protestants of Holland, taking a deep interest in the religious condition of other countries, especially of Protestart countries, feel themselves constrained |