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If a similar plan was adopted in other counties, the difficulty arising from this third rule would be removed. And in a case like this, I see no objection whatever to devote the moiety, or even the whole of one collection at the Lord's supper to the object, providing a fund cannot be raised by individual subscriptions.

Hoping that through the divine blessing some successful effort will be made to meet the urgent cases of all our poor brethren, I remain, dear Sir, Yours sincerely, JOHN EYRES.

Uley, Gloucestershire, Jan. 15th, 1842.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR, AS some of your readers may feel anxiety in regard to the safety of the funds of the society for the relief of aged and infirm baptist ministers, in consequence of the insolvency of the late treasurer, I beg to inform you that the capital stock of that society is invested in the funds, in the names of Mr. Robert Leonard, Bristol-Mr. William Lepard Smith, Camberwell-Mr. Henry Kelsall, Rochdale and my own; and that the small balance in hand stands at the bankers to the credit of the said trustees.

No loss whatever, therefore, will accrue to the society from the above lamented circumstance.

I take this opportunity of enforcing the claims of this society on the laity of our religious body. It is intended to soothe the sorrows and to alleviate the infirmities of the declining life of those who have devoted their best energies to our spiritual welfare.

A donation of ten guineas constitutes an honorary member for life; and a subscription of one guinea per annum an honorary member during its continuance.

At the last annual meeting I think the honorary annual subscribers were only six. The smallness of the number I have no doubt has arisen from the society not being sufficiently known.

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Subscriptions will be thankfully received by Mr. E. Tucker, the secretary, Bridge-street, Bath, or by any of the trustees. I am, dear Sir,

Yours very truly,
J. L. PHILLIPS.

Melksham, Jan. 22, 1842.

ON GRANTING DISMISSIONS.

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR, A correspondent in your January number solicits a reply to the following question:-"Should a member of any of our churches request a dismission to another

church of the same faith and order, is it the duty of the church of which he is a member to give him a dismission, provided his conversation be as becometh the gospel?"

Without assuming that my remarks may be satisfactory to your correspondent, D., perhaps you will allow me a few words in reply. The solution of the case appears to my own mind clear and simple. Our churches are voluntary, professedly organized and sustained, not only on the principle of voluntary support, but also of voluntary association. When persons unite with us in membership, they do so by their own spontaneous act, without any compulsion or constraint, and undoubtedly with the full understanding that their continuance in the communion of the church shall involve no sacrifice of their Christian liberty; that, as they voluntarily join the church, so they shall be under no compulsion to continue members of it, contrary to their own will, but have the same right peaceably to withdraw from the church, when their conscience constrains them, as they first had to unite with it. Any other principle seems to me an interference with free agency, and a subversion of Christian liberty. Compulsion to remain is as much at variance with the voluntary and scriptural character of a Christian church as compulsion to join it; the individual, while he should be careful not to separate on insufficient grounds, ought to be as much at liberty to make his own choice in the one case as in the other. If his fellow-members think he is doing wrong, they should endeavour to convince him of his error, and persuade him to remain, but they have no right to refuse his dismissal, in case he feels it his duty to leave them, and requests a dismission to the fellowship of another church. Let us remember, as dissenters, what furious ecclesiastics are so willing to forget, or do not care to know, that schism is dissension in a church, not peaceable separation from it. I fear some dissenters, and even baptists, have yet much to learn on this subject, as well as the haughty episcopalian.

Some churches do not give a dismission to another church, but merely "a recommendation." Their reason for this I do not comprehend, unless it is that they wish to enjoy the absurd gratification of swelling their recorded numbers by still retaining those who withdraw, as nominal members on their books. I hope it does not proceed from any narrow and unchristian principle. The distinction, however, is a trivial affair as it respects the individual so recommended; and I should accept the recommendation precisely the same as if it came, in the form of a regular dismissal. Should he then stand as a member of two churches at the same time, the fault would attach to neither himself nor but to those who gave a recommendation instead of a dismission.

me,

Should a church, in the case supposed, still persist in refusing a dismissal, I should advise the individual to send in his resignation to the church, and should advise the church with | which he wished to unite immediately to receive him, supposing them to be satisfied of his Christian character and consistency. I am, Sir, yours truly, GULIELMUS.

Jan. 6, 1842.

DEAR SIR,-On reading the letter from your correspondent (D.) in your Magazine for this month, I could but feel sympathy with him; and I hope some of our brethren will take up the question, as I am certain there are many more interested in the question than the parties on whose behalf he has written.

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BIBLE TRANSLATION SOCIETY.

MY DEAR SIR.-The overland mail, which arrived a few days ago, brought me a letter from our missionary brother, Mr. Wenger, dated Calcutta, Nov. 20th, 1841. After stating that the funds devoted to translations were nearly exhausted, and requesting a further grant from the Bible Translation Society, he adds,—

It often happens (especially in churches where the pastor has contracted views) that if any person among them whose mind has been led to objects which have not that place in the mind of the pastor they ought to have, and who is desirous to be found engaged in aiding so far as he can those measures which are set on "Our new edition of the New Testament foot for the advancement of the Redeemer's in Bengali, of 5,000 copies, (with 2,500 of kingdom, he is looked on coldly, and thought Gospels and Acts extra) is at length finished. It to be an innovator, and spoken of as declining has been revised throughout, and although we in sentiment; and this is often carried so have been very sparing in making alterations, I far that the person so situated is very uncom- believe there is scarcely a chapter in which fortable; the communion which ought to sub- one or more passages have not been brought sist betwixt him and the church to which he nearer to the original than they were before. belongs is destroyed. Under such circum- Isaiah is completed, and Daniel, which is to stances he wishes to withdraw, and join ano- be bound up with it, has advanced as far as ther church who are of a kindred spirit with the end of the third chapter. A new edition himself. But he now finds an obstacle. It of the Proverbs has been commenced. The is at the pleasure of the pastor and deacons Bible Society purchased 300 copies of the (I know it is said to be the voice of the church, first, and Dr. Duff sold about 200 more to the but it is very rarely the case, the pastor and pupils of his institution at a very reduced deacons being the ruling party) to give him price, not covering more than a fraction of the his dismissal, or refuse it. The individual original cost, but yet affording a contribution thus circumstanced must either still appear the more pleasing as it arises from the first among them, although fellowship be a mere systematic and practicable attempt, I believe, name, or he is driven to absent himself from ever made, of making the natives pay for the them, contrary to that bond of relationship in scriptures. The Proverbs are in very great rewhich he stands as a member, till by such acts quest as they are so admirably suited to the of disobedience he is visited, and in the end Oriental taste. A small sized but otherwise excluded, and thus his character is branded large edition of Genesis and Exodus down to with the stamp of disgrace as much as if he ch. xx. is likewise immediately required, and had been guilty of a breach of the divine law, would have been commenced ere this but for and had disgraced his profession; when in want of funds. The Bible has advanced to reality he has been forced into an act of dis- the middle of 1 Kings, and is steadily advancing. obedience, and then punished for that act of which those who visit him with the punishment have been the cause.

At the meeting of theheld at was made by the Rev. to insert in the tabular view of churches belonging to the Association another line, in which the names of persons might be inserted as having withdrawn; thus providing in some small measure a remedy for the foregoing in

Association, in June last, a proposition of

"The support of the Bible Translation Society has all along been pleasing to us on account of the material aid it has afforded to the distribution of the word of God; but infinitely more because it was a pledge to us of the deep interest which is felt at home in our work,-a work attended with many trials, but in its object and results the most glorious of any in which mortal man can be engaged. May it continue to be prayed for and laboured for in England, and may the blessing of our

heavenly Father rest upon all who take a part in it."

Since the receipt of this letter, the committee have voted £500 in aid of the translations in Calcutta. At their meeting in Oct. they also made a grant of £150 towards a new edition of Mr. Sutton's version of the four gospels into the Oorea language.

In my last communication I mentioned that the committee had been so happy as to engage the services of the Rev. John Green, of Norwich. I have now the pleasure to state that Mr. Green has entered upon the duties of his office as travelling agent for the society. In the month of February he is invited to visit Liverpool, and he will take the opportunity of going to Manchester, Rochdale, and other adjacent places, where he is affectionately commended to the friendly attention of the brethren and churches.

Contributions may be sent to the Treasurer, J. H. Allen, Esq., Old Trinity House, Tower Street, London; or, to the secretary, who is, My dear sir,

Yours faithfully, EDWARD STEANE.

Camberwell, Jan. 21, 1842.

QUERY ON SECURITIES FOR MONEY. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-The following case is one on which considerable anxiety is felt, and the writer would feel highly obliged by a satisfactory answer from some of your judicious correspondents. A is the son of a gentleman or nobleman resident at a distance from home. His remittances prove inadequate to meet his liabilities. He is pressed by his creditors, and consequences very unpleasant and disgraceful are apprehended. He applies to B, who is accustomed to money transactions. B is aware that there is much risk, and cannot be expected to advance on the terms which perfect security would dictate. A offers to give a bill at six months, and to the sum advanced, say £50, to add, as a bonus, ten, twenty, or thirty pounds; and according as the risk may appear to B, he takes the bill, with this sum added, as the security for his money. How far A may be determined to act honourably is uncertain to B. A may be a minor, or he may quit the place before the bill becomes due, or is paid; he may go abroad; he may die; he may not be found. Now, on the principle of insurance-the greater the risk the greater the premium-is B, as a man of business, acting inconsistently with the Christian character in such a transaction ?

G.

EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT.

FROM the numerous letters received this month respecting the Bath Society for aged and infirm ministers, we have selected for publication three, which comprise the principal suggestions, and have the advantage of bearing the names of their respective writers.

If the course described in the first article of Correspondence, respecting the sale of the Magazine, were adopted generally by the deacons of our churches, we have reason to believe that it would be in the power of the proprietors to prefix to every number a handsome engraving, and to distribute among widows of the ministers of

our denomination such sums as would afford to them very material advantage.

The Rev. J. E. Giles has declined acceptance of the office of Co-Secretary to the Baptist Missionary Society, believing it to be his duty to remain in his present important sphere of labour.

A "Baptist Continental Aid Society" has been formed in Yorkshire. The information transmitted to us was too late for insertion in this number; but inquiries respecting it may be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, James Richardson, Esq., of Leeds.

The Committee of the Baptist Union have agreed to an Address to be presented to the king of Prussia during his visit to this country, acknowledging the kindness which he has displayed to our brethren in Berlin and in other parts of his dominions. Since his accession, in June, 1840, he has done every thing in his power, we believe, to secure liberty of worship to his subjects of all denominations, and the baptists in his capital no longer assemble in obscurity, fearing the interposition of the authorties; they meet in public, in the heart of the city, and arrangements have been made by the government to secure to them the same civil immunities as are enjoyed by the members o the state church.

Church of England," for his vindication of the Our thanks are due to "A Member of the baptists from the recent attack upon them in "The Times;" but its malignant and un. principled character was so manifest that we cannot think it necessary to notice it in our pages. It is the party that writes and prints such articles which suffers from them, not the party they are intended to vilify.

We are informed that the Rev. E. Hunt, pastor of the baptist church at Deal, Kent, having for some months laboured under much affliction, has been compelled to resign his charge, and has taken his leave of it, assured of the warmest affections of the people.

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SOUTH AFRICA.

GRAHAM'S TOWN.

THE annexed engraving presents a view of the Baptist chapel now in the course of erection at Graham's Town. The foundations were laid on the 14th of October, 1840, in the presence of ministers of the Wesleyan, Congregational, and Episcopalian denominations, who kindly assembled to sanction the undertaking, and take part in the devotional and social pleasures of the congregation for whose use it is designed. By this time we hope that it is nearly or quite completed. The dimensions of the building are seventy-five feet by forty. About fifteen feet at the back are separated from the part appropriated to worship, having a ground floor with vestries, and above, a school-room, the whole width of the chapel. Our esteemed friend, Mr. Aveline, the minister, gives the following encouraging account of his position and prospects:

I wish a better opinion were entertained at home of this colony, and that steady, especially pious, mechanics and labourers, would resort hither, as certain employment and ample remuneration would be obtained. This town is daily increasing in wealth, extent, and I hope I may add in intelligence too. We are now engaged in establishing a permanent library, and have raised in 57. shares a sum for that purpose, which will render about 800l. immediately available for the purchase of books. The colonial chaplain, one of the Wesleyan missionaries, and myself, are on the committee.

Both Mrs. Aveline and myself are not only satisfied, but thankful for those leadings of Providence which conducted us to this distant land. I am constantly and laboriously, and I hope usefully occupied, and my health is mercifully good, as, with the exception of an accident in treading on an iron hoop which by its rebound cut my leg, and produced serious inflammation and illness, I have had no occasion for medical attendance since leaving England, in September next three years ago. Our congregations are still good, with every prospect of a large increase on removing to our new chapel. Our Sunday school, both European and native, contains about a hundred children, and as an instance how well such objects are supported here, nearly 401., both this year and last, were raised for its furtherance.

Last summer Mrs. Aveline and myself visited in a pretty extensive tour, in the customary South African mode of transit, a bullock-waggon, with saddle horses to ride occasionally, the Kat River Hottentot settle

ment, and various missionary stations in Kafirland connected with the Scotch missions and the London society, and we were not a little gratified with what we saw and heard. We were absent about three weeks, and on every occasion that presented itself I was happy to speak to groups of my own countrymen, assembled at the solitary farm house from the surrounding, but not near habitations; and to the Hottentots and Kafirs on the missionary stations, through an interpreter. One of the farms was that occupied by Mrs. Albutt, and amidst surrounding solitudes of the wastes, it was delightful to see the goodly number that had come to listen to the word of life:what Dr. Johnson said of family worship in one of the Hebrides, was true here, "Paradise was opened in the wild." It was often necessary to bivouac for the night with no covering but our waggon tent, and we slept as securely by the hut of the Hottentot, or in the howling wilderness, as in any spot of our native land.

We have been expecting to hear something of another missionary, in whose coming out Mrs. Albutt has taken much interest, and about which Mr. Collett, a wealthy farmer, and myself, wrote some time ago. We could have no difficulty in obtaining for him a sphere of labour either amongst the Dutch colonists, or the native population, within or beyond the boundary; but at first, at least, it is indispensable that the Society should ensure his support, and I much fear that this is the great obstacle to the realization of our wishes. It would to me be a high gratification to welcome to these shores a brother beloved.

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