Independent churches in Ireland are few, and the introduction of our peculiar views was comparatively recent. A Congregational Union has been formed, under whose direction some missionaries, and the students of the Dublin Theological Institution attempt to diffuse the light of Divine truth through the country. The receipts for 1840, were £308. 6s. 8d., but the receipts for 1841 amounted to £928. ls. 9d., and there is every prospect of increasing usefulness. Timothy Turner, Esq., Royal Bank, is Treasurer; the Rev. W. H. Cooper, and the Rev. Dr. Urwick, Secretaries.

Congregational Unions have also been formed in Van Dieman's Land, and in Upper and Lower Canada. Independent chapels are also found at Rotterdam, Paris, Hamburgh, St. Petersburgh, and in the colony of Demerara.

Ever since the arrival of the "Pilgrims" in America, the principles which they cherished and diffused have been gradually extending their influence. The Independents or Congregationalists, as they are generally called, are principally found in the New England States. Although they jealously maintain the completeness of every Christian church, yet they have carried out the principle of association to a greater extent than prevails in our own country; hence the subordinate associations of churches unite in the state associations, which are known as the General Conference of Maine, the General Convention of Vermont, the General Associations of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and the Evangelical Association of Rhode Island.

"In addition to the churches in the six New England States which are organized into state associations, there is the Mendon Association, in the Southern part of Massachusetts, the Essex County Association, in the North-eastern part of New York, (which is connected with the General Convention of Vermont,) and various independent, individual churches

scattered throughout the Northern States and Ohio." In the Quarterly Journal of American Education Society for 1830, it is stated, that the number of communicants amounted to 120,000; but the latest information from America informs us, that they now amount to 160,000. The members of these churches evince considerable anxiety for the education of the ministry; the number of their collegiate institutions, and the distinguished ability of their professors, argue well for the continuance of a faithful, learned, and successful exposition of Divine truth among the people.

From this brief review we may gather reasons for gratitude, that men were enlightened to perceive, and qualified to defend, the truths which we esteem highly valuable and important. If our ancestors toiled and suffered to bequeath us the precious inheritance we enjoy, it becomes us to blend our admiration of their faith and perseverance, with efforts adapted to the times in which we live. If they were called to suffer, we are called to act; and if incentives to exertion were needed, we might point to the effects of our principles in the churches which maintain them, and the condition of the world which imperatively requires them. They have now, for more than two centuries, secured a happy uniformity of doctrinal views: they possess unrivalled facilities for the diffusion of truth, and an inherent vigour of which nothing can deprive them. They resemble the Jewish lawgiver, of whom it is written, that after an arduous and prolonged ministry, "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated;" or they remind us of the faithful veteran who, after the wanderings and battles of five-and-forty years exclaimed, "As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me : as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out and to come in." Josh. xiv. 11.

DOCTRINES.

THE following statement of the origin of the Declaration of Faith, Church Order, and Discipline, is extracted from "The Congregational Calendar" of 1842.

"In the year 1658, was held, by the permission of the Lord Protector, at the Savoy Palace, London, a general meeting of the churches in England, of the Congregational way, to draw up a confession of their faith, and a declaration of their order,' &c. The messengers of about a hundred churches assembled, and after observing a day of fasting and prayer, they appointed a committee, consisting of Dr. John Owen, Dr. Thomas Goodwin, Joseph Caryl, William Greenhill, Philip Nye, and William Bridge. These distinguished divines prepared from day to day the heads of doctrine and discipline which were presented to the assembly every morning; and after some discussion upon words and phrases, there was found, a union of their spirits and judgments beyond expectation;' and 'a declaration of the faith and order owned and practised in the Congregational churches in England, agreed upon and consented to by their elders and messengers in their meeting at the Savoy, October 12, 1658,' was therefore published in quarto, with a preface that is usually attributed to the pen of Dr. Owen. No other 'declaration' was put forth by the Congregational churches, of their faith and order, until the second meeting of the ministers and delegates of the Congregational churches, held in London, May 11, 1832, when a

draught of such a document was produced, and the following resolutions adopted: ‹ That this meeting respectfully invite the opinions of the associated ministers and churches, on the following questions. Whether in accordance with the example of our Nonconformist ancestors, it be desirable to present to the public, a declaration of our faith and discipline; and whether, if it be deemed desirable, that declaration should be made by such a statement as the following; which has been read, but not discussed in the meeting of the Union, subject to such modifications as may be suggested and generally agreed on, at the next annual meeting.'

"The draught was accordingly printed, and widely circulated amongst the churches, and at the meeting in May, 1833, it was reported that the Declaration had met with the general approbation of the churches, and after having been referred to a committee, consisting of the Rev. Joseph Gilbert, Rev. Dr. Wardlaw, and the Rev. George Redford, with the secretaries, for final revision, was brought up and unanimously adopted."

As the subjoined scheme of their opinions was not intended to be critical and scholastic, so it was never designed to be a form to which the members of their churches should subscribe. It is a general exposition of their views, and it is hoped that the texts of Scripture appended to each article, will be found fairly to support them.

PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION.

I.

The Scriptures of the Old Testament, as received by the Jews, and the books of the New Testament, as received by primitive Christians from the Evangelists and Apostles, Congregational churches believe to be Divinely inspired, and of

supreme authority.

These writings, in the languages in which they were originally composed, are to be consulted, by the aids of sound criticism, as a final appeal in all controversies; but the common version they consider to be adequate to the *ordinary purposes of Christian instruction and edification.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.—2 Tim. iii. 16, 17.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.-Prov. xxx. 6, 7.

Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life : and they are they which testify of me.-John v. 39.

II.

They believe in one God, essentially wise, holy, just, and good; eternal, infinite, and immutable, in all natural and moral perfections; the Creator, Supporter, and Governor of all beings, and of all things.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.-1 Tim. i. 17.

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?-Dan. iv. 35.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.Gen. i. 1.

Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?-Isa. xliii. 10-13.

:

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear