Yearly Meeting on the subject. The meetings of the Society extended over six days. Mr. Bright, M.P., was present, and spoke on some occasions. A correspondent sends us the following extract of a lecture on "The Friends' Creed" :-" If honestly considered, both within and without the pale of Quakerism, it will be found that Friends hold no principles but such as are binding on all Christians; that they accept no Gospel privileges but such as open to all. The peculiarity on which George Fox laid stress, was "to be

then in such cases it ceases to be Christian authority on the contrary, it is irritating and depressing. Some parents were continually commanding, checking, restraining; but such a course would never engender a true and loving obedience. Such harshness occasioned a feeling of despondency; and thus, many a little life which might, under proper training, have been like to that of Samuel, passed away as a loose and unregulated thing, driven about by the chances and the circumstances which surrounded it. At the same time he thought still more evil was inflicted by over-zealous in good works”—the plainness, “the ornaindulgence of children. They should always cherish a feeling of tender, cheerful confidence; for discouragement and despondency would come soon enough, and darkly enough, if they let them. As Christian parents, they were bound not to give way to gloomy feelings such as those, because it was impossible to foretel by what instrumentalities God would work. Never let them be discouraged; but let them go on day after day, always sowing the seed, and always cheerfully looking for the harvest. A second meeting of much interest, on the same subject, has also been held. The next is arranged for Wednesday, July 10, from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Store-street Music Hall.

The meetings connected with the annual assembling of the Society of Friends were recently brought to a close. The attendance was unprecedentedly large. From the census of the Society, it appeared that there were 6,474 males and 7,312 females, making a total of 13,786, being an increase of only 11 during the past year. The deaths had exceeded the births; the resignations nearly equalled the joinings. The minors admitted were 37, and the new converts from without 90. In addition to all these, there were 3,582 habitual attenders not in membership, being 40 more than in 1865. The Society was able to report favourably concerning the schools for the education of their own children. The Society again was anxious to sustain its testimony against war. It was the subject of annual inquiry whether all Friends had been consistent in this respect. In the United States the testimony against war appeared to be carried out with more practical effect than among members of the Society in England. Now that slavery had gone, the American Friends were resolved to make war the object of systematic and united attack. The claims of temperance on Friends were earnestly taken into consideration, one afternoon being devoted to the subject, and it was decided to issue a minute expressive of the concern felt by the

ment of a meek and quiet spirit”—the nonconformity, that which became the disciples of the Lord Jesus-the uniformity, that which springs from the captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. The Baptism Fox preached as that alone that doth save, was the baptism of the Holy Ghost; the washing of regeneration, by the resurrection of Christ - his priesthood was Christ-his altar, Christ; his sacrifice, Christ— his robe of righteousness, Christ; and his Communion, partaking of that living bread which cometh down from heaven."

The Weekly Register (Romish organ) commenting upon the declaration respecting the Eucharist put forth by Archdeacon Denison, Dr. Pusey, and about twenty other High Churchmen, points out that it at once disposes of the idea of any possible reunion between the English and the Romish Churches, such as was shadowed forth in the "Eirenicon;" inasmuch as the declaration rejects the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation as laid down by the Council of Trent, and accepts the Lutheran compromise of consubstantiation. The same paper says that, in consequence of the discontinuance of the Ritual which used to be observed by the late Mr. Wroth, at St. Philip's, Clerkenwell, many members of the old congregation have sought admission into the (Roman) Catholic Church.

A determined effort has been made at Birmingham to stop freedom of discussion by riots of Romanists, stirred up probably by the priests. A Mr. Murphy had advertised a series of lectures in a new hall provided by the "Protestant Electoral Union." A mob collected, and great disturbances, requiring the intervention of the military, followed. The Times and other leading papers counselled the suppression of the meetings; but the authorities, constrained by the law, have remained firm.

The John Williams has, it is feared, been totally wrecked off Savage Island. Captain Hor

ton, of the Nimrod, bound for Valparaiso, when near Savage Island, in February last, reports that he saw in the distance the wreck of a vessel, and shortly afterwards a boat put off from the island, bringing a letter from the Rev. Mr. Laws, announcing the total wreck of the John Williams, but adding the consolatory sentence that all on board were saved. A communication received through another channel strengthens this report, which is further confirmed by the fact that according to the plan of the voyage the John Williams should at the time indicated be off Savage Island. The directors had insured the ship for £8,000.

The Rev. W. Morley Punshon, the eloquent Wesleyan Methodist preacher, undertook to raise by personal effort ten thousand pounds towards building new chapels at favourite watering-places. He gave himself five years for the task, which, notwithstanding the interruption of severe and long illness, he has fully accomplished.

Scotland.

(From our own Correspondent.)

prospect of union. He speaks in most cordial terms of the spirit displayed by the United Presbyterians, which has, indeed, been admirable throughout.

Dr. Duff gave in the report of the Foreign Missions Committee. The total amount of the Foreign Mission Fund for the past year has been £31,829 8s. 9d. The number of Christian agents employed by the committee in India and Africa is 281. About 10,000 scholars were under instruction. Five young men, ordained theological students, have this year offered themselves as missionaries to the foreign fields, and would in due time be sent out if the means were supplied.

A special report was read on the condition of ecclesiastical buildings. The report was not complete; but, averaging the value of the buildings not reported on at the same rate as those from which returns had been received, the total value of the property of the churches, manses, and schools, would be very nearly £2,000,000.

An important scheme was introduced by Dr. Buchanan, the Convener of the Sustentation Fund, by means of which it is hoped to raise the incomes from that fund of ministers generally to £200. There are, however, to be certain checks as to the amount to be given proportionably to their numbers by congregations entitled to the full dividend. The scheme was approved, and Dr. Buchanan has begun already to urge it on the attention of Presbyteries.

THE subject of supreme interest in the General Assembly of the Free Church was that of union. This discussion was protracted and animated. The point at issue was the leaving, or not, as an open question, the principle of the duty of the State to endow religion. This is much the most formidable cause of difference between the A report on the state of religion and morals majority of members of the Free and United in the country was submitted. It stated that Presbyterian Churches respectively. If it had an exceedingly interesting work of grace was been decided not to leave the question open, the going on in several districts, and gave some negotiations would have been at once closed. By account of these. A report was read from the far the ablest speeches were on the side favour- Committee for the conversion of the Jews. This able to union, and a triumphant majority was Committee devotes its efforts to the continental obtained of 346 to 120. Even this did not repre- countries, missionary agents being maintained sent the force of the unionists, since the decided at several of the principal places where the anti-union motion of Dr. Begg had only 61 sup- Jews are located in large numbers. At Pesth, for porters. The movement will now, it is believed, example, the capital of Hungary, the schools go on successfully and rapidly, though an under-attached to the church are attended by 325 chilhand attempt has been made, since the Assembly, to commit members, nominally to delay, really to stop, if possible, the negotiations. This attempt has been brought to light and exposed by Dr. Candlish. It is believed that such a course as that pursued by its promoters is unprecedented in Presbyterian Churches. Dr. Blaikie, wellknown as a man of liberal catholic sympathies, has written a very able letter, giving his reasons for having changed his opinions as to the early

dren; and many Bibles have been sold among the Jews. The income for the Mission during the last year was £4,159, being £273 short of of that of the previous year. The annual financial report laid before the Assembly showed that the total sum raised for the schemes of the Church during the past year was £369,104.

The expected case of chief interest in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland was postponed for a year by the sudden illness of the

!

The

elders, 2,117; deacons, 103; members of committee, 5,439; church accommodation, 225,752 sittings; stipend payers, 68,532; manses, 241; Elementary National schools, under patronage of ministers or members, 652; classical schools available (exclusive of those in Dublin, Belfast, Cork, and Limerick), 112; young persons studying for the ministry, 316; Sabbath-schools, 1,132; teachers, 7,250; Sabbath-scholars, 57,914; Presbyterial examinations of Sabbath-schools, 145; congregational music classes, 162; congregational libraries, 227; Sabbath School libraries, 187; Missionary Heralds in circulation, 15,541 copies;

part, 1,125. Looking at the numerical strength of the various congregations it is noticeable that of their whole number 192 include less than 100 families, 188 less than 200 families, 69 less than 300 families, while 68 are composed of 300 or more than 300 families. The monetary condition of the Church is briefly presented in the following entries:-In 1866-7 the sum which she raised by way of seat-rents was £34,298 9s. 44d.; supplements to do., £1,886 19s. 3d.; contributions for buildings and repairs, £21,131 16s. 4d.; ordinary Sabbath collections, £11,721 9s. 2.; missions, £11,109 11s. 63d.; other religious and charitable collections, £2,997 13s. 2d.; Sabbath-school contributions to missions, £624 6s. 6d.; total, £83,770 5s. 3d. The Church has increased her contributions in nearly every department of her finance-the net augmentation being £2,082 4s. 9d. During the year the total congregational income of ministers has been £33,836 3s. 4d. This is £1,123 1s. 54d. beyond their emoluments for the preceding twelve months, and shows an increase of £3,757 6s. 2d. since 1864.

was unanimously chosen to succeed him, and opened the meeting with an earnest and practical address, in which he assumed that by conferring so high an office upon him, the Church only expressed in the most public and honourable way her loyalty to missions. The session lasted from the 3rd till the 12th of June, and would have lasted longer but for a resclution to hold a special meeting in Belfast on the 14th of August, when the remaining business will be considered. The important report of the Committee on Elementary Education was adopted, and the decisive attitude taken last year confirmed. The Church has pledged herself to resist the changes threat-prayer-meetings in which elders or members take ened by Mr. Fortescue; but at present these changes, both in school and college, seem to have been withdrawn. It was agreed to add £10,000 to the New Church and Manse Fund, which has now reached over £20,000; and with this supplement to attempt clearing off the congregational debt, which amounted to about £40,000. Mr. MacIlwrath, whose application was mentioned last month, was referred to a committee. reports of the various missions were encouraging. The total missionary contributions were £12,720, an increase of £1,600 over last year; and an enlargement of both the Jewish and Foreign Missions was approved. It is proposed to establish two well-equipped seminaries at Surat and Ahmedabad, and to increase the number of missionaries. They have baptized over eighty persons during the year. The spirit which pervaded the Assembly was a warrant that the increased outlay would be met, and that there was a missionary enterprise still unwrought, from which large results might be expected. But when the overtures for a mission to China had been laid before the house, and when it had heard a graphic narrative of mission life in China from Mr. Swanson, the new mission was adopted with a hearty enthusiasm, and the blessing of God invoked upon it. The Roman Catholic mission occupies fifteen stations,-all but one in Connaught; and from these fifteen, fifty lesser stations are occupied, and forty schools where more than half the scholars are Roman Catholics. The Dublin Mission carries on its own distinct work. The Church has been extending her work at home at the same time, and pushing her outposts further into the South, as well as meeting the support of her ministry in a more generous and adequate spirit. Out of 541 congregations 517 reported to the statistical committee, with the following results:-Families in connection, 81,313; communicants, 122,930;

Deputations were heard from the Free Church of Scotland (Messrs. D. Lorimer and Anderson), the English Presbyterian Church (the Moderator, Mr. Macpherson, and Mr Macferran), the Presbyterian Churches in America (Dr. Field and Mr. MacCracken), the Evangelical Society in Geneva (M. Vernier), and Mr. Barclay, from Napier, in New Zealand. Breakfasts were given every morning, in the largest hall in Dublin, to about 400 persons, who were entertained by the friends of the Church in Dublin. Mr. Henry Bewley invited the assembly to spend their Saturday evening at his country house, at Willow Park, where there were addresses by several of their own body, and by Mr. Moody, of Chicago, on the best mode of furthering the work of God. Even the Lord Mayor appeared at the meeting, and invited