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Exposition of the Situation of the Empire," a document the statistics of which no French Canadian will question, and from which we gather a fact which we commend to the earnest attention of our Catholic legislators.

The crimes and offences committed by teachers, and for which the public courts recorded sentence, are thus classified :Amongst the lay teachers, 1 conviction for each 232 schools; amongst the teachers connected with religious orders (Jesuits, Friars, &c.), 1 conviction in each 64 schools. This shows that the ecclesiastical schoolmasters in France-and they are all Roman Catholic-have offended against the laws of their country and against public morals five and a half times as often as the ordinary or lay schoolteachers. But this official document of the Empire has carried the classification still further, discriminating between serious and petty offencescrimes et délits. For crime there is amongst the lay teachers only 1 conviction in 1,835 schools, but amongst the various ecclesiastical teachers there is 1 legal record of crime for every 154 schools. That is to say, the teachers, connected with religious orders, commit in proportion to numbers, twelve times more crimes that the lay teachers whom they would supplant. As to petty offences, the teaching Friars and Jesuits, &c., commit only three times as many of them as their lay competitors, the relative numbers being 160 and 435. It is in

criminal offences that they show an immense, a twelvefold, superiority.

These statistical facts must be conclusive to any man not blinded by bigotry, and satisfy him that, in spite of the holy external professions of the religious orders of Rome, there is a fearful internal corruption, which is carefully concealed from the people outside, but which the strict and impartial administration of French justice now and then brings to light. These facts are conclusive also in relation to the moral value of the so-called religious life of these men and women who have taken vows of celibacy in order to live altogether for the Church of Rome and under its hallowed influences. They commit offences, gross enough to call for the vindication of the laws, five times and a half as much as people who lead a secular life, and in criminality they so far exceed any class of society as to be beyond the reach of comparison. They simply commit twelve times as many crimes as the lay teachers, according to the statistics of the greatest Roman Catholic Empire.-Such facts are very damaging to Romanism, and, moreover, quite favourable to the cause of unsectarian education.

If such facts do not open the eyes of the people of England nothing will, short of the prostration and paralysis, the horrow and the havoc of full grown and rampant popery!

C.

Intelligence.

CONGREGATIONAL

REV. GEORGE SMITH, D.D. OUR readers will learn with satisfaction that the University of Glasgow has conferred on the Rev. George Smith, of Trinity Chapel, Poplar, the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity. As a highly efficient Nonconformist pastor, as Honorary Secretary to the Managing Committee of the Christian Witness Fund, as one of the Secretaries of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, as a religious writer, and as a public man, Mr. Smith presents an intellectual, a moral, and a social basis amply sufficient to sustain the dignity which has been alike gracefully and deservedly conferred upon him by this ancient and famous University, whose degrees possess a

RECORD.

special value from the care and the parsimony with which they are bestowed.

REV. W. J. UNWIN, LL.D. THE Senate of Glasgow University, at which the Rev. W. J. Unwin, of Homerton College, took the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts, has conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Mr. Unwin well merits this high distinction, which will prove gratifying to the large and intelligent circle in which he moves with so much respect, in the discharge of the great duties entrusted to him.

ATHERSTONE.-The Congregational church recently under the pastoral care of the Rev

Robert Massie, having cordially invited the Rev. F. J. Hoyt, of Wicksworth, to become their minister, he has accepted the invitation.

BEDFORD.-The Rev. J. Brown, B.A., of Park Chapel, Cheatham Hill, Manchester, has accepted a unanimous and cordial invitation from the Rev. John Jukes and the church at Bunyan meeting, Bedford, to become their co-pastor.

BOSTON.-On Sunday, March the 27th, the Rev. F. W. Fisher closed his four years' ministerial labour in connexion with the Grove street Independent chapel. On the following Thursday a farewell tea-meeting was held in the schoolrooms, which was largely attended. Mr. T. Thorns, treasurer of the church, having reviewed the labours of the retiring minister, in the name of the church presented him with a purse of sovereigns as a parting testimonial. Several fraternal addresses were also delivered by the other ministers of the town.

BUCKINGHAM CHAPEL, PIMLICO.-A unanimous invitation has been given by the Congregational church to Mr. H. W. Jellie, of Hackney College, to become its pastor, which he has accepted.

CARLISLE.-The Rev. J. B. French, of Richmond, who for domestic reasons has found a removal to a vigorous climate to be essential, has accepted a unanimous invitation to become the pastor of the Congregational Church assembling in Lowther-street Chapel, Carlisle.

THE CONGREGATIONAL BOARD.-The annual meeting of the Congregational Board was held on Tuesday evening, when the Rev. Dr. Vaughan was elected chairman, and Rev. Josiah Viney, deputy-chairman, for the ensuing year. The Rev. R. Ashton and Rev. I. Vale Mummery, F.R.A.S., were re-elected secretaries.

sermon;

CORNWALL CONGREGATIONAL UNION.On Monday and Tuesday in Easter week, the annual meetings of the county association were held in the Congregational Chapel, St. Austell. On Monday night the Rev. G. Orme, Portscather, preached the annual after which the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered. The communicants were addressed by the Rev. S. T. Allen, Penzance. The ministers and delegates met on Tuesday morning for the transaction of business. Larger grants than usual were made to the churches needing aid. Steps are to be taken forthwith for increasing the funds of the association, and securing the services of one or more evangelists to labour under its auspices. Dinner was provided at Mr. Tom's hotel, and tea in the chapel schoolroom, for friends from a distance. A public meeting was held in the (evening, when the secretary, the Rev. J. Bonser, B.A., Truro, gave a resumé of the workings of the association during the present year; and spirited and effective addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Moreland, Fowey, on the duties and responsibilities of the church, the Rev. S. Thomson, St. Ives, on the spiritual resources of the church, and the Rev. W. Whittley, Liskeard, on the present and future prospects of the

church.

FELTWELL, NORFOLK.-A congregational chapel has just been opened in this place by

the Rev. Mr. Lloyd, of Thetford, who preached two excellent sermons on the occasion.

HECKMONDWIKE.-The Rev. Allan Mines, B.A., has resigned the pastorate of Albion Chapel, Nottingham, and accepted a unanimous invitation to take the oversight of the church worshipping in the Upper Chapel, Heckmondwike.

HULL AND EAST RIDING CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATION.-The spring meetings of this association commenced on March 30th, in Albion Chapel, Hull, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. T. Poole, of Hornsea, on "The Kingdom of Christ;" the Rev. J. Menzies, of S. Cave, on "The Conditions of Successful Prayer;" and the Rev. T. Roberts, of Howden, on "Personal Appeals to the Unconverted." On the following morning the pastors and delegates of the association met for the transaction of business in Fish-street Chapel rooms. The condition of each of the home missionary stations was reported, and with scarcely a single exception, occasion was found for devout thanksgiving to God for success in the conversion of souls. Much has been done by the associated churches in the way of improvement, enlargement, &c., &c., during the Bicentenary period. It was reported that nearly £6,000 had been raised for various purposes; exclusive of ordinary income, and home and foreign missions, schools, &c., &c. Nearly fifty pastors and delegates dined together in the spacious schoolrooms connected with Hope-street Chapel, the Rev. H. Ollerenshaw presiding.

LANCASHIRE CONGREGATIONAL UNION.The annual business meeting of the Lancashire Congregational Union was held on Thursday week, in the lecture-room of the Great Georgestreet Chapel, Liverpool; Mr. Wm. Armitage, the treasurer, in the chair. There was a full attendance of ministers of the Union and delegates. The Rev. J. G. Rogers, of Ashton, read a resolution of sympathy, drawn up by the executive committee, with reference to the late Dr. Raffles, who for many years acted as a secretary to the Union, acknowledging the services which he rendered to this Union by his conciliatory temper, his remarkable administrative ability, his assiduity in the discharge even of the simplest details of its business; the spirit of wisdom and peace he breathed into its counsels, and the eloquence with which he ever pleaded its cause. The resolution was carried amid loud applause.

LINCOLN.-A public meeting was held in Newland Congregational Chapel, Lincoln, on the 24th of February, to present the Rev. Caleb Scott, LL.B., the pastor of the church and congregation, with a purse of gold, containing £315, and a silver salver, in token of their affectionat eesteem for his high character, and appreciation of his ministerial gifts and extensive usefulness. The Rev. William Goodman (Baptist minister), and Messrs. Ruston, Gadsby, Healey, Casswell, Silas Scott (of Bradford), and other gentlemen, took part in the interesting proceedings of the evening.

MANCHESTER.-The Rev. G. W. Conder, of Belgrave Chapel, Leeds, has accepted an invitation to become the pastor of the Congregational church at Cheetham Hill, Manchester.

LOWESTOFT.-On Tuesday evening, the 29th of March, a public tea-meeting was held in the

New Schoolroom, Lowestoft, in order to take leave of the Rev. R. Lewis, who for upwards of three years has laboured with honour, efficiency, and great success, as pastor of the Congregational church in this town. W. V. Barnard, Esq., the senior deacon, occupied the chair; and, on behalf of many friends who appreciated his worth, he presented Mr. Lewis with an elegant and costly silver inkstand, with the following inscription engraved on the shield:-"Presented to the Rev. Richard Lewis by the members and friends of the Congregational church, Lowestoft, expressive of their esteem, and affection, and deep regret on his resigning the pastorate. March 29, 1864." Mr. Lewis has gone to Upper Norwood.

PADDINGTON.-The Rev. Henry Batchelor has received an invitation to the pastorate of the church assembling in Paddington Chapel, London; but at the earnest desire of the people of his charge, has decided to remain in Glasgow.

SHEFFIELD.-The Rev. Henry Tarrant, of Derby, has accepted au invitation to become the pastor of the Wicker Congregational Church. Mr Tarrant leaves a very prosperous church in Derby, where his labours have been highly appreciated

SPRING-HILL COLLEGE.-The Rev. G. H. Bubier, of Salford, has accepted the theological chair at Spring-hill College, rendered vacant by the death of the late Dr. Alliott.

STAFFORD.-The friends of the Rev. George Swann met together in the schoolroom of Zion Congregational Chapel on Thursday, for the purpose of presenting him with a token of esteem, on his retiring from the pastorate of the church. The testimonial consisted of a purse containing upwards of £40.

STONEHOUSE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.-About three hundred persons took tea at the schoolroom connected with the Congregational chapel here on Good Friday, on the occasion of the recognition by the congregation of the Rev. J. C. Ramsey as their pastor. After tea there was a meeting, which was largely attended. Addresses were delivered by several ministers and friends. The following inscription_has been placed on a stone in the Stonehouse Congregational Chapel burial-ground, fixed in the wall of the building :-"In affectionate remembrance of our loving and beloved pastor, the late Rev. Thomas Maund, who for twenty-five years in the adjoining house of prayer proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified and risen Saviour. The Lord of the vineyard called him home on the 14th of March, 1863, after a pilgrimage of sixty-eight years.' WEST RIDING CONGREGATIONAL UNION. -The annual meeting of this body was held at Sheffield on Tuesday. The Rev. G. W. Conder, of Leeds, presided. The best means of increasing the congregations in populous districts was the first subject for discussion, and it was introduced by the Rev. W. Roberts of Halifax, who read the report of a sub-committee as to the places most urgently needing additional chapels, &c. A large number of

REVIEW OF No material change in either hemisphere has taken place since our last summary. In England, Parliament has not touched materially upon any subject affecting religion, or the

claims had been put in, but the committee selected eight districts in Leeds, Sheffield, Rotherham, and other places, as having a special claim.-In the course of a lengthy discussion it was shown that the Independents had allowed other denominations to go on before them and occupy the previously vacant ground in many places, and the Union was urged to prevent any loss of prestige in the future by taking immediate action. Mr. John Crossley, of Halifax, said the system of making free gifts for the erection of churches had been found objectionable, and it was intended to raise a sum of £50,000, which would be lent in such sums as might be required to aid in building churches, for a term of years, and without interest. It was ultimately resolved, on the motion of the Rev. R. Harley, that the report be referred to the executive committee for revision prior to publication, and that they appoint à sub-committee to suggest some practical measures by which the proposals to build new churches, &c., can be carried out. This was adopted in preference to a resolution submitted by Mr. Roberts, that the committee report the result of their deliberations to the next annual meeting.-The next subject, the formation of mission chapels in large towns, gave rise to a long discussion. The Rev. R. Skinner, of Huddersfield, read an able paper on the results already achieved in that town, and he moved:-"That it be recommended to the churches in large towns, belonging to this Uuion, to establish mission chapels for evangelising the poor in their respective localities." A suggestion was thrown out that iron chapels should be erected in various places, to give way at the proper time to suitable buildings; but Mr. Crossley said that wooden chapels could be erected of a very convenient and commodious form, for £300 each. A wealthy layman of Leeds had offered, it was stated, to give one-tenth of the cost of erecting five iron chapels at £500 each. The resolution was carried. The question of employing "evangelists" to labour in country villages was warmly discussed; a proposal being made to group the small congregations living near each other in adjacent villages, under one "evangelist," who should be under the control of this Union. Strong representations were made that the country congregations would not give up their resident pastor for an evangelist," who could only be with them occasionally. The Rev. Dr. James Campbell moved a resolution recommending the employment of "evangelists among village populations, but after a somewhat animated discussion, it was resolved "that the appointment of 'evangelists' to break up new ground amongst village populations be recommended, and the West Riding Home Missionary Society was requested to make a careful selection of one or two places in which this agency might be hopefully employed, and to institute a special canvass of the constituency to provide the necessary funds."

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THE MONTH.

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interests of the kingdom of Christ.-The grand social event of the month has been the visit of the great Italian patriot, Garibaldi. The excitement attending it has been unparalleled

within the memory of the living generation. In our eyes, not the least claim of the noblehearted Liberator was his speeches against the Pope, together with his Letters and Proclamations. No individual or society has done so much to shake the impious system in Italy as has Garibaldi by these words of his mouth. During the period of his Dictatorship, he supported the cause of free religion, and, in the heart of Naples itself, gave ground for a Protestant place of worship. His appearance amongst us has been the signal for a display of sullen hate on the part of the leaders of Romanism. While pressed to go to all parts of England and Scotland, no invitation reached him from Ireland; and even in Parliament, an Irish representative wished it to be distinctly understood, that the people of that country were not in accord with the ovations which England had given to Garibaldi, a fact which observant Protestants required not to be told. -The woeful conflict is still going on between Denmark, Austria, and Prussia. At the moment we write the representatives of the several Powers to the treaty of 1852, are meeting in London, to hold a Conference, touching the question of the Duchies and Denmark, when it is hoped that matters may be peacefully adjusted. In the meantime, however, it is matter for regret, that it has been impossible to abtain an armistice, so that blood is being wantonly shed and property destroyed.-In Africa the work of missions is steadily advancing, and all is peace throughout the colony. Public feeling in Natal, concerning Bishop Colenso, is settled. The unhappy man, need not return to his diocese, which, for the future, will decline the services of such a chief shepherd.-In Madagascar things are going on very hopefully; the report that the

King is alive has not been confirmed, and seems to have been got up to answer purposes of faction.-All is prospering throughout the Australian Colonies. The Rev. John Graham, late of Craven Chapel, is on his way to Sydney to supply the place of the Rev. Mr. Cuthbertson. The Rev. John Gibson, of Campbelltown, has arrived safe in this country, with his wife and family. In China, matters remain unchanged; but there is reason to believe that the English Government will abstain from any further participation, in the local conflicts, which have brought it neither advantage, nor thanks. The Taepings and the Empire must be left to fight it out, for there seems little doubt that the purposes of Providence are being accomplished by what has already taken place. In the United States the most notable thing is the fact that the Senate has amended the Constitution by inserting a clause for the abolition of slavery. Thus the Proclamation of the President is ratified. The Legislature has also reasserted the Monroe Doctrine, and has consequently condemned the establishment by means of European power of an empire on the foundations of a republic in Mexico. There is no prospect of any adjustment between the South and the North, but a LieutenantGeneral has been for the first time appointed by the President, and the probabilities are that the war will be carried on with increased vigour. No change has occurred in the public mind pointing to peace; and the veteran troops, so far from returning to their homes, have, to an enormous extent, re-enlisted. Men who have become inured to the idleness,license, and excitement of war, are not soon reconciled to the peaceful labours of trade, commerce, and agriculture.

Obituary.

DEATH OF THE REV. We deeply regret to announce the death of the Rev. Ridley Herschell, who had so long occupied a prominent and exceedingly useful place in the metropolis. Mr. Herschell was a Polish Jew, of very considerable talents and acquirements, who, after his conversion to Christianity, was baptized in London more than thirty years ago, and entered the Christian ministry. He could hardly be said to be attached to any particular denomination, but was much interested in promoting the diffusion of the Gospel, and especially amongst his own "kinsmen after the flesh.' His visits to the Jews in Italy, and especially at Rome,

RIDLEY HERSCHELL. were attended with very interesting and hopeful results, and it is said that his death was the result of an access of illness induced by a recent visit to Rome and Florence. His loss will be deeply felt in many quarters. His chapel, near the Edgeware-road, was remarkable for the admirable school attached to it, which is said to have been the means of very extensive usefulness. Mr. Herschell was a man of much practical talent and of an enlarged mind. We are informed that his death, which was unexpected, was brightened by a hope full of immor tality and by an unfaltering faith in Jesus Christ as the true Messiah.

Congregational Meetings.

THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE annual meeting of the London Missionary Society was held at Exeter Hall yesterday, under the presidency of the Right Hon. Lord Ebury. The hall was filled long before the hour for the proceedings to begin, and the platform became gradually crowded with ministers and leading supporters of the Society, both of town and country.

The Rev. Dr. TIDMAN, the foreign secretary, read the report, of which the following is an

abstract:

"During the year also, the directors have had to mourn over the removal by death of five devoted missionaries, and four faithful women associated with them in missionary labours. The Rev. Alexander Irvine, appointed to Polynesia, was not permitted to se the island where he hoped to spend a long life of service for his Saviour; he was arrested on his way by disease, and died at Sydney, six months after his departure from England. The Rev. William Howe, for seventeen years our faithful and indefatigable agent in Tahiti, worn out by labour and anxiety, sunk into the arms of death in the island of Rarotonga, on the 9th of June. His sound practical wisdom, united with uncompromising fidelity and the purest benevolence, secured for him, even from the French authorities in Tahiti, respect and confidence; and when the tidings of his death reached that island, the sorrow of the Queen and of all classes of the people was intense. The Rev. T. S. Hood and the Rev. William Ross, both veterans in South Africa, died in peace and honour at their posts of labour, the former on the 24th of May, and the latter on the 30th of July. The Rev. Robert Wilson, one of the first Protestant missionaries to Hankow, after two years' labour in that mighty Chinese city, fell a victim to cholera on the 11th of August. Native Christians, with his own countrymen, and other foreign residents in Hankow, followed him to the grave, and rendered to his mourning widow and her fatherless infants generous proofs of their respect and sympathy. The loss among our female friends in India has also been unusually great. Mrs. Asbury, of Mirzapore, and Mrs. Jones, of Benares, Mrs. Baylis, of Travancore, and Mrs. Rice, of Bangalore, have all been called by their Divine Saviour to enter into rest. The former two, as it was hoped, were only entering on the service of their Lord; but Mrs. Baylis had spent fourteen years, and Mrs. Rice twenty-seven years in the mission field, during which they had dilligently united with their husbands in labours of love, especially in efforts for the social and religious improvement of their own sex. But, while we mourn over this record of mortality, it is a demand for thankfulness to the Divine Head of the Church that He has enabled the Society to send forth other labourers to occupy the places of those who have fallen. During the year five new agents have gone forth to Madagascar; the Rev. Julius Kessler, R. G. Hartley, Benjamin

VOL. XXI.

Briggs, and John Pearse, with Mr. James Sibree; three, the Revs. R. J. Thomas and James Williamson, with Dr. Dudgeon, to China; the Rev. H. C. Williamson to Jamaica; and the Rev. Thomas Carter to Berbice. In the course of the ensuing autumn they also anticipate the gratification of sending forth six additional agents to India, two to South Africa, two to the West Indies, one to Madagascar, and one to China. The total number of the Society's missionaries, when thus reinforced, will amount to one hundred and seventy six. In the month of May last the Society was deprived by death of its estimable treasurer, Sir Culling Eardley Eardley, Bart., who had sustained the office with great kindness and generosity for nearly twenty years.

"The directors are thankful to state that at their earnest invitation, the Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, M.P., has consented to undertake the vacant office. The number of students for missionary service, including those now finishing their course, amounts to forty-eight: and to their Christian character, no less than their diligent application, their respective tutors have borne honourable testimony.

"THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

"INCOME, 1863-4.-For ordinary purposes: subscriptions, donations, and collections, £47,407. 14s. 1d.; legacies, £6,971. 14s. 2d. ; fund for widows and orphans, and superannuated missionaries, £3,172. 5s. 11d.; Australia and foreign auxiliaries, £2,516. 7s. 1d.; dividends, £1,003. 19s. 3d.; total, £61,072. Os. 6d. For special objects: for the extension of missions in India, £921. 03. 3d.; ditto ditto, China, £1,189. 16s. 11d.; for the Madagascar mission, £1,102. 93. 4d.; for the erection of memorial churches in Madagascar, £2,223. 17s. 5d.; contributions at missionary stations, £14,564. 4s. 5d.; total, £81,073. 8s. 10d.

"EXPENDITURE.-Payments by the treasurer, £72,021. 19s. 4d.; raised and appropriated at the mission stations, £13,778. Os. 9d.; total, £85,800. Os. 1d.

"POLYNESIA.

"In no section of the mission-field is the increasing power and extending progress of the Gospel more striking and impressive than among the various tribes of the South Pacific Islands. Every successive year brings fresh tidings of these marvellous achievements of redeeming power and grace; and, whereas our fathers bore a protracted night of toil before they beheld the dawn and gathered the firstfruits, the labourers of our own time find many of those distant isles waiting for God's law; and, after a comparative short course of faith and labour, the little one becomes a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. This accelerated progress of the Gospel must be ascribed, under the Divine blessing, to the wonderful and blessed change it has accomplished in many islands on which the shadow of death once rested-to the conviction of the

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