wished the meeting to adjourn, it was not because he was afraid of the result of an inquiry, but because the mode of trying the merits or demerits of the Society was inexpedient. The fair way of appealing to public opinion, was through the press, which was open to every body. Through this channel an appeal was made to the understanding.

Mr. Williams.--Yes, but you must have money.--(Order, order, chair, chair.)

Mr. Hinton continued. The whole subject would then be exposed to the cool and dispassionate consideration of all who read it, and at a comparatively small expense. But the mode now adopted was not so much an address to the understanding as to the feelings; nor could it be expected that the Bible Society could be prepared at the instant to answer the charges that might be brought against them. (Mr. Williams -How at the instant, when they have had notice of the charges?) Leaving out of the question whether they were right or wrong, he thought the present an unfair and inexpedient mode of trying their conduct, and therefore hoped the meeting would adjourn.

Mr. Williams then begged to say a few words, "but was obliged to sit down amid cries of "Spoke, spoke," and "order, order."

Mr. Richman supported the adjournment, on the ground of it being probable that many, like himself, had heard nothing of the meeting till this morning. He did not fear discussion, for the more the Society was examined the better. It would come out of the fire unsullied. But this was neither the proper time or place for the inquiry. Mr. Williams would lose nothing by delay: he would rather gain.

It

Mr. Jones rose, amid cries of "Name, and who are you?" I am a fellow-countryman of Mr. Williams.--(A laugh.) was remarked by somebody that Mr. Williams was in a state of irritation, and if he continued so he was afraid it would go abroad that Welchmen were too hot in their tempers. He would, therefore, do himself and the Institution more credit, if he deferred his charges to a time when they could be discussed with more coolness and deliberation than they could be discussed now.

Mr. Williams.--Where are my books that were on the table? Don't take away my property. I gave two months' notice of these charges-they can't complain on that head.

The Rev. G. Mutter was sorry, that all this discussion had unnecessarily taken place; for, if Mr. Williams had been heard at the beginning, it would have been all over now. If this meeting adjourn, it will leave the impression that the Society were not able to meet the charges. (Hissing.) It was not very honourable in that body N. S. No. 22.

of gentlemen in the corner, who came from the Bible Society, to attempt to put down discussion by hissing. (Great uproar and confusion for some minutes.) As soon as order was restored,

The Chairman rose--I hope gentlemen will speak without indulging in personalities.

Mr. Mutter resumed.--He equally disapproved of the spirit of Mr. Williams and of the counter-spirit of the other party. He wished they had chosen between both, and showed more of the christian spirit. Let them hear Mr. Williams for five minutes, and then decide whether it would be expedient to hear him further.

The Rev. J. Blackburn, who had been sitting in the corner alluded to, said, though he had been residing in the metropolis four years, he had been but once in the Committee-room; and on the subject that engaged their attention to-day, he had not communicated with any person. He hoped the good sense of the meeting would support the question of adjournment.

The question was then put, when the whole meeting, with a very few exceptions, held up their hands for the question.

The thanks of the meeting were returned to the Rev. Dr. Cox, for his very proper conduct in the chair.

The Rev. Dr. Cox hoped, that the Bible Society would give an explanation, at the proper time, satisfactory to the meeting, and creditable to themselves; after which he left the chair, when the greater part of the audience retired, but a few remained to listen to the incoherent harangues of the Rev. Mr. Williams, who proved by his conduct, if farther evidence were necessary, that his mental infirmities rendered him an object of pity rather than of censure. We rejoice to learn, that a strong disposition existed in the minds of the audience to defend the Committee from ungenerous imputations.

THE BISHOP OF SALISBURY'S
REGULATION.

As reference has been frequently made amongst Dissenters to a singular exception, made in favour of Dissenting ministers, by his Lordship of Salisbury, in his Letter relative to Candidates for Orders: we insert the extract, feeling perfectly tranqual as to its influence on the minds of our brethren in the ministry.—“ To my rule of admitting none but graduates as candidates, I make one exception, and that is, in the case of Dissenting ministers of orthodox persuasion, who were precluded from an university education by their dissent from the Established Church, but who, having renounced their former ministry, and made a public declaration of their reasons for so doing, can bring sufficient testimonials to their moral character, from respectable persons of 4 B

their former connection, and from beneficed clergymen of the Established Church."

SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE EXILED SWISS MINISTERS.

Amount, from the last state

ment

118 17 2 William Skinner, Esq. Bristol 20 0 0 "Miss Atkin and Friends, Mor

peth

0 12 6

£139 9 8

The accounts of distribution given in 'our last Magazine, do not include the balance above stated, which the Com'mittee are waiting to apportion, as soon as they shall receive the necessary information. They are greatly disappointed by the delay of the expected communications, which they have, by repeated letters, urgently requested from their coadjutors at Paris. They suppose that this hindrance is occasioned by the difficulties experienced in arranging the emigration to New Orleans, which has been proposed to some of the exiles. Of any further information upon the state of the Canton of Vaud, they are thus left destitute. The following facts they have derived from the Archives du Christianisme.*

The Monthly Missionary Prayer Meeting, held at Bex, on April 3d, was invaded and broken up by the police; and it was expected that prosecutions would be instituted against those who were principally engaged in it.

"The Missionary Society of GENEVA, held a general meeting, on April 12, in one of the churches of the city, which had been granted for this purpose. Mons. Peschier, one of the pastors and professors, presided on the occasion. The attendIance was very numerous; and there was a considerable number of ministers from the Canton of Vaud, who took a part in this Christian solemnity. Messrs. Peschier, Coulin, and Gaussen delivered addresses, which greatly interested their hearers, in

* An excellent and truly evangelical magazine, published at Paris, and which would be a very useful and pleasing work for the readers of French in this country. This, and other French works, founded on scriptural principles, and which have been published within the last few years at Paris, Geneva, &c., should be employed in our Ladies' and other Boarding Schools, instead of the tales and stories, often of an injurious moral tendency, which are generally used! They may be obtained in London, of the French booksellers; and the prices are very moderate. The Archives, like all French periodical publications, require to be subscribed for by the year, 9s.

favour of this best of causes."—Archives, for June.

In the Archives for July, we find a large "Declaration against the Intolerance of the Canton of Vaud," drawn up by Mons. Gardes, one of the pastors of NISMES. It argues powerfully against the conduct of the Lausanne government, from the principles of natural right, from sound policy, from the odium which their conduct has brought upon them in France, England, and Germany, and from the nature of religion. A shorter declaration or protest is annexed to it, and signed by twenty Protestant pastors in the South of France, of whom five are Presidents of Consistories. For the Committee,

London, Sept. 12, 1826.

J. PYE SMITH.

THE RELIGIOUS OPINIONS OF THE

MOMIERS.

(To the Editors.)

GENTLEMEN,-It must be known to alviolent persecution has for some time most every reader of your Magazine, that a been carried on in the Pays du Vaud, in Switzerland, and a Protestant State, against certain Dissenters from the established faith, who read their Bibles, and expound them to one another, and whom they stigmatize under the name of Momiers. As a specimen of the doctrine they are taught, I beg to send you a trai slation of a letter from one female to another; from the introductory remarks, which I omit, it appears that the writer is in the working class of society.

16th October, 1825.

Dear Cousin,-It is a long time since I received any of your letters, and I was almost led to believe you had ceased to write me; when your last, which I received some weeks ago, undeceived me in this respect, it gave me joy, by bringing good accounts of you and your family; but above all, in letting me know that the Lord gives you grace to continue to walk in his ways, which alone lead to life; for there is but one way which conducts us to eternal happiness: if we have believed the word of our God, if we have had that true faith in our hearts, which alone can save the soul from eternal perdition, which we have all merited, since the wages of sin is death," and, as the Scripture says, we are all born in sin, that our hearts are wholly evil, deceitful, and desperately wicked above all things; seeing then our nature is under condemnation, ought we not unceasingly to bless God with our whole heart, that he hath of his infinite goodness made us acquainted with the only way of salvation which is given to man? Yes; his goodness has been so great, that he has given his Son, the express image of his person, by whom all things were made. He willingly left the realms of glory, to descend into this vale of misery, and to

needful directions; it should be a lamp to our feet, and a light to our paths; it alone contains all the nourishment which our souls need; and the more we draw from that pure fountain, the more riches we shall find. I have remarked, with pain, dear Cousin, that you appear to lay aside this good word of our God, and to study the writings of men, where error is always to be met with; even the best are not without alloy. I have read, at least in part, those which you recommend, but I have found that they withdraw from the simplicity which is in Christ, and plunge into reasonings unprofitable for salvation, and it may be into errors in matters of faith. Again, I pray you, dear Cousin, employ the little time your employment leaves you to read the word of life; it is the hammer that breaks the rock; it is a two-edged sword that pierces to the division of joints and marrow; it will cause you to make more progress in the christian life than thousands of thousands of volumes of the works of men. But you

surely are not ignorant that we ought to read it with a spirit of prayer, that God would grant his Spirit to enable us to understand his word. Let us pray before we read, while we read, and after we read. This is the way to understand what we read; for unless the Spirit of God apply it to our hearts, we may read for years, and not find its quickening influence in ourselves. You will perceive the more you read the more will your desire increase, and you will consider time spent in other reading as lost.

I regret that the distance is so great between us; I would have much pleasure in corresponding often with you on these subjects; and if we could talk face to face, I would have yet more to say to you. But seeing this is impossible, I trust you will write me as often as opportunity occurs; and object freely, if you are not satisfied with any thing I have said. Tell me how your soul prospers. Have you perfect peace? Are you assured that your peace is made? that you are saved? I hope you bring up your daughters in the knowledge of the truth. Do not teach them fables, teach them hymns or psalms. My nephews have been taught, since they were six years of age, to commit to memory passages of God's word: it is of importance to form the young mind, in the very entry of life, to the knowledge of God. I have no doubt you will give this all your care; but if you cannot attend to them yourself, beware you do not trust them with persons of whose piety you are doubtful; I would wish only to confide them to a true Christian. I should have much pleasure in taking the charge of them, if you were near, and my occupations would permit ; but I hope the Lord

will enable you to do what is needful. You have no doubt been informed of the death of your aunt * * * she was a very long time badly; I trust she was made ready for her passage to the eternal world. God had granted her grace to understand his word; and when we saw her, she appeared to seek her salvation in Jesus. But a death-bed conversion is very difficult; then the pains absorb all our thoughts. It is a long time since we have seen your sister * * * *. The last time she was here, this summer, she appeared decided not to come to you, and I was not too anxious to disengage her from her masters, who seem attached to her.

All our family are well, thanks be to the Lord, who blesses us with all sort of benedictions. He vouchsafed to move us for a time to draw us to himself. These trials have been blessed to every one of us, whom God has called to himself by his grace; so that I, with my brethren and sisters, march in the same road, being bound together by the bond of peace which is found in Jesus.

Our God has given us also the grace, that our house serves as a rendezvous to those souls whom he has awakened, in calling them out of darkness into his marvellous light. We unite to edify one another by the word of our God, and singing his praises; we are then happy, as you may judge, after what I have told you. We prefer the reproach which the love of Jesus brings, to all the riches and honours of Egypt. We have, moreover, cause to bless the Lord, because he advances his kingdom in our country, in spite of the opposition of Satan, who raises persecu tions against the children of God. There is a remarkable awakening; conversions are made on every side. We see that the Spirit of God bloweth where he will; and although we understand not the sound, it is known by its effects; he enables his faithful servants to speak with boldness, and he does wonders by their means. My dear mother, whom God preserves in good health, wishes much love to you, as do also my sisters. Give our love also to all your family; entreat your sisters, in my name, to attend to their souls, which are immortal, and may be every moment called to appear before a severe Judge, if they are not reconciled by the blood of Jesus. If, on the contrary, their peace is made, tell them how pleasant the moment of death will be, seeing it will be the commencement of eternal happiness, that happiness which Jesus merited by his death for the elect. Let them not omit to occupy themselves with the one thing needful, which they may do without neglecting their household or their children.

That our good God and Father may continue to bless you with all spiritual