The last report of this Society closes thus:

"It has been the mission of Baptists, in every age, to proclaim the supremacy of God's word in all its integrity, freed from human additions and variations, and also to claim for conscience the freest action in all that relates to the religious well-being of man. Past examples of fidelity, the success which has followed the sorrowful and painful labors of our martyred ancestors, are calculated to strengthen us in the same noble work, which, if differing in the circumstances attending it, has yet to be fought for and wrought out into a full and complete victory."

At the meeting of the Baptist Union, London, April 25th, 1851, Edward B. Underhill, Esq. one of the Secretaries of the Baptist Foreign Mission, delivered the annual address, and discoursed most powerfully upon the mission of Baptists. After exhibiting the departure of Papists and Protestants from the law of the Lord, he remarks: "Our testimony, then, brethren, on the fundamental principle of Scriptural authority is still required. Our denominational position on this topic is simple and decisive. We have still to maintain and advocate in all meekness and charity, the great truth of the absolute dominion of Scripture over faith, and in the church of God. May God grant that in the future our testimony may be as clear and steadfast as in the past! Brethren, you are summoned by the providence of God to the defence of the Bible. It has ever been your endeavor to embody all your Lord's instructions in a practical and living form. You have found His word sufficient for every purpose of religious and ecelesiastical life, and by it you are prepared to stand. And should another flood of tribulation again overwhelm the churches of God -should our principles again undergo the fiery trial, doubtless now, as in all past ages, many amongst us will be counted worthy to testify with their blood to the pure word of our God, assured that, in the beautiful and striking language of Hubmaier, who, in 1528, at Vienna, laid down his life at the stake: Divine truth is immortal: it may, perhaps, for long, be bound, scourged, crowned, crucified, and for a season be entombed in the grave; but on the third day it shall rise again victorious, and rule and triumph for ever.""

And we have, besides, no little help on this side of the Atlantic. The American Baptist Publication Society is a fellow-laborer. What think you of their Tract, No. 173? "THE IMMERSION OF THE SON OF GOD!" Read it. "In what manner, and by what act, did Christ come out from his privacy and enter upon the discharge of the great object of his mission?" The answer is, "By immersion. This puts a high honor, and stamps peculiar dignity upon this Christian institution." Look at the reason why Jesus desired to be immersed. "Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Immersion being a part of God's will, attention to it is essential to the fulfilling of all righteousness. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were present upon this solemn and interesting occasion; the Son to be immersed, the Holy Spirit to descend, and the Father to bear witness.

What an interesting ordinance is immersion? How paltry, how insignificant, how unmeaning, is sprinkling! The one is human-the other divine. Immersion is from heaven-sprinkling is of men. We conclude by earnestly entreating every one to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES on this important subject; to call no man master-remembering that "one is our Master, even Christ." How important that baptize should be faithfully rendered immerse, that when any in accordance with the closing exhortation of this tract shall search the Scriptures, they may not be led astray by words in an unknown tongue.

More recently the same society has published Dr. Gill's celebrated tract— INFANT BAPTISM, a Part and Pillar of Popery - in which the doctrines of our Bible Union are asserted and maintained against Popish doctrines, transfers, and traditions; the learned author not only clearly proving that "baptism by immersion was first changed into sprinkling by the Papists," but that "immersion belongs to the very essence of baptism, and without it there is no baptism." All this is vindicated by the learned editor, Dr. Ide, who kindly adds a chapter to enlighten and confirm the reader. His words are emphatic. He believes that Christ "will be acknowledged the one Lord and Head of the church-and not the Pope, whose power will then be ended-there will be one baptism, which will be administered to

ing of their children. "And these words | which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deut. vi. 6-7.) And certainly the obligation on Christian parents is not less weighty. Paul, indeed, enjoins it upon them, that they bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and he gives us a beautiful example of training in the person of Timothy, who from a child had known the Holy Scriptures. Parents are unquestionably bound to give their offspring religious instruction, but what if they will not or cannot?

It is often the case that both the parents are irreligious; or, if one be religious, that his or her influence is greatly impaired by the irreligion of the other. Or the parents are lukewarm professors, and take no interest in their children. Or they are ignorant, and cannot. Or they have not the capacity to instruct, if they had the information. All these cases may exist, to say nothing of those unfortunate children who are orphans and destitute. For such, Sunday schools are absolutely indispensable, if you would save them from ignorance and crime. Nor are they without benefits even for the children of those whose houses are houses for prayer, and the study of God's word. When well-regulated, they afford advantages not always enjoyed in the most pious households. But there is another view of this subject. It will not do for us to depend on any Sunday school that may chance to exist, or that may be convenient. We must have our own Sunday schools, or lose all in our children that we have gained for ourselves. Have we gained anything? Has the Reformation of the 19th century done anything for us? Have we received any light, any liberty, any religious enjoyment through its instrumentality? Do we rejoice to be free from the dominion of superstitions to which we were once in bondage? And are we willing that our children shall, Sunday after Sunday, be taught these superstitions?-that they shall receive in the plastic years of childhood, a yoke which their fathers were not able to bear? God forbid! If we have gained religious liberty, let us transmit it unimpaired to our children, and so

instruct them that they will commit the same precious boon to their children's children to the remotest generations. We must have, then, our own Sunday schools. If we have not, our children will naturally seek those of other denominations. Let us summarily consider the ADVANTAGES OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

1. They afford a means of securing for our children, that sort of religious instruction which we believe to be in accordance with the Word of God.

2. They present to members of the church an opportunity for exercising the noblest charity, the most unmixed benevolence.

3. They present a field for the employment of much talent that would otherwise rust for the want of use. All cannot preach, but many who cannot may do much for truth by faithfully teaching in a Sunday school class.

4. They may be, and often are, the nurseries of the church. It frequently receives from them its most valuable accessions.

5. They may, and ought to foster, the spirit of family religion.

6. They may be, or ought to be, charity-schools for the degraded and poor: thus exemplifying one of the most important features of our holy religion.

7. They offer both for teachers and pupils employment for the Lord's day, during hours which would be otherwise mis-spent. How much is the Lord's day perverted from its right uses where there are none?

8. They inspire in youthful minds tastes for reading and devotional exercises which are invaluable.

9. They may be made to exert an indirect influence through the children on parents who are careless or wicked. But time would fail us to tell of all their benefits. We proceed briefly to dispose of CERTAIN OBJECTIONS.

It is sometimes objected to Sunday schools that they take out of parents' hands, duties which they only can discharge. This is a mistake they cooperate with parents. But it is also a notorious fact, that many parents will not discharge the duty.

"They are sectarian," I hear some one say. If this means that they are used by the different religious denominations, it is sufficient to say, in reply, that the sects read the Bible, pray, sing, &c. Shall we therefore refuse to read the Bible, &c.?

"But we have no libraries," is another objection not unfrequently made. But we feel convinced that out of books already published by various Sunday school establishments, libraries may be selected, every way superior to any library likely to be published for many years by a new organization. Too much care, it is true, cannot be exercised in the selection of a library; for if the library inculcate false views of religion. the teachers will have hard work to counteract its influence. Still, we repeat, libraries may be selected free of sectarian theology; and, indeed, the writer has recently demonstrated this to his own satisfaction in the selection of libraries for two neighbouring Sunday

schools.

We conclude by asking, Shall not all our churches have Sunday schools?

J. E.

ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST.

OUR readers may remember the name of Pastor Robinson, of Leyden, who had charge of the congregation of pilgrims who set sail in the May-flower, to seek religious liberty in the wilds of America. The following is a part of his address to the zealous exiles prior to their departure :

saw.

"I charge you before God, and His holy angels, that you follow me no further than you have seen me to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has more truth yet to break forth out of his holy word. For my part I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are come to a period in religion, and will go at present no further than the instruments of their first reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther Whatever part of his will our good God has imparted and revealed unto Calvin, they will die rather than embrace it; and the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all things. This is a misery much to be lamented; for though they were burning and shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God. But were they now living, they would be as willing to see further light as that which they first received. I beseech you to remember |

it. It is an article of your church covenant, that you will be ready to receive whatever truth shall be made known unto you from the written word of God. Remember that, and every other article of your most sacred covenant."

CHANCE.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE TERMS CHANCE, ACCIDENT, LUCKY, UNLUCKY.

To all who acknowledge Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as set forth in the Scriptures, as Creator, Ruler, and Governor of all events, seen and unseen in heaven and earth, and throughout all space known and unknown, the following reflections are submitted, at the close of a year, during which numerous calamitous events have occurred, and fearful apprehensions as to coming events, in relation to the religious state of the professing Christian people upon the globe.

From the numerous awful eventsthe burning of steam and other vessels, railroad cars, buildings, deaths, loss of limbs, and other heartrending occurrences, daily brought to view, attributed generally to chance, or accident, while those who escape, generally attribute their so escaping to luck, or fortune-I have been led, in hope that those more competent may be induced to take up the subject, and draw the attention of all who fear God (in the Scripture sense of the term fear) to examine their

course.

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Let such consider a few of the general expressions in use in reference to such events. "Oh! how fortunate the wind did not blow in another direction, as most awful would have been the extent of the conflagration.” By mere accident, when the wall fell and killed so many, I escaped by jumping out of the window." "Oh, by mere chance I caught the rope, which saved my life.' "How lucky, we laid hold of the boat and escaped, while so many were drowned." "By mere accident a branch turned off the gun when pointed toward me, or I should have been shot." Some add, "How merciful was our escape, as the lightning struck the next tree to that under which we took shelter." The term merciful, mentioned without a deep

sense of gratitude uniformly following deliverance, is awful. I need not add more of such expressions as to the calamitous events of which we have daily accounts. We see churches of various denominations burned, and public edifices destroyed; while neither those who escape, nor those who sustain loss, publicly or privately acknowledge the hand of God in saving those who escape, or view it in any as a chastisement from God, designed not only to punish, but to lead to repentance and amendment of life.

From a careful examination of the Scriptures, I cannot learn that since the creation there has been any thing like chance or accident in the government of the world, or as to persons coming into or departing out of it. Life and death are under the control of God (Rev. i. 18); and viewing all the calamities of life as the result of sin-even those which are permitted to befall the children of God, designed as chastisements to lead to repentance, by reason of their departure from the Lord's commandments, as required and set forth in the Scriptures-I conclude, did we see whence sufferings and calamities arise, and the course pursued by those who suffer, that all who are not so visited, are admonished not to think those who suffer as sinners above others (Luke xiii. 2); but should lead all who fear the Lord to repentance, and to flee to the cross, the only refuge for sinners. Were the sins of those who so suffer known to man, as they are to God, a solution would be found; but the day of judgment will reveal it.

God is not unjust, nor does he willingly afflict, while wrath is revealed against ungodliness (Rom. i. 18). The Christian is admonished, by every calamitous event, to examine himself, and in a particular manner, whether, morning and evening, special prayer and supplications are offered to God, through the Lord and Saviour, for guidance and protection, and at the same time keeping in view walking uprightly in the sight of God and man.

I have heard it asserted in relation to those awful judgments referred to, that such never befall any who fear the Lord, if on the day of calamity such had, in solemn prayer, committed themselves to God.

O! my fellow-sinners, never go to bed, nor go forth in the morning, until, alone

or with your family, you prostrate yourselves in humble prayer, through the Lord Jesus Christ to be upheld, preserved, and guided in all your ways, and that you may walk uprightly before God and man! The converted sinner will acknowledge God in all his ways. Independent of his daily, family, and private praver, he never will allow any of his family to depart on a journey without entreating, by their united prayer, protection and preservation; and on their return, duly all assembled, will ascribe praise to God for their safe return. O! how such a course secures confidence in the Lord, when we, as sinners, depend on the intercession and preservation of the blessed Saviour and Redeemer. To whom, with the Father and Holy Spirit, be praise, honor, and glory for ever. Amen. In the spirit of the publican,

J. BUCHANAN.

P.S.-The following passages are submitted for the consideration of all who may be desirous of examining this subject further: Amos iii. 16; Psalm ciii. 4, cxxxix. 1-12, lxviii. 20; Matt. x. 29; Acts xvii. 28; Psalm cxxi. 4; Isa. xlv. 7; Dan. x. 10-19; and Rev. i. 18. Many more might be added-but the reader will please keep in mind that a sparrow cannot fall unknown to God, much less a living soul. It may be that we see children suffer. Accountability rests on parents. Did they, before departing, commit themselves and children to God? Was such their daily practice? The parents shall answer.

Numerous children are "taken away from the evil to come.' Children incapable of being instructed in the knowledge of God, suffer death of the body from their connection with Adam, but not having committed actual transgression, are saved through the Lord Jesus, the second Adam. The abounding mercy and love of God is seen in removing by death, so many children from wicked parents, by whom they would, if spared, be brought up in sin, (see Matt. xviii. 14,) which proves that children, even infants-whether Christian, Turk, Jew, or descendants of Infidels-are among the triumphs of the Lord Jesus in glory. J. B.

REMARKS BY A. CAMPBELL.

THE above is from the pen of the late Consul Buchanan, Canada West, a man who feared God and worked righteous