tection by removing to a Christian quarter; he thinks it now unnecessary. He has a trade, and though often reviled for his new views, only replies with meekness and firmness, "I eat my bread by an honest living, and I obey the laws of our sovereign, Abdul Medjid. What more do you require of me?" and has thus far remained protected by the tolerant spirit of the government and people.

The missionary adds that they are able to disseminate superior books in the Turkish language without fear, as there are educated persons sufficient now, who are disposed to read a well-written book on Christian subjects. "We very much need," says another, "Mr. Redhouse's AngloTurkish Dictionary. The missionaries at Constantinople are pressing the Board at Boston to enter upon Bulgaria immediately."

Mr. Jones, another missionary at Aintab, under date January 6th says: "To-day a case has been brought before the Governor of Antioch, with regard to the hiring of a house in this neighbourhood for missionary purposes. The inhabitants of the village, who are chiefly Armenians, declared that it should not be occupied by the Protestants, and that they would burn it down rather than allow it to be so employed. The governor took the matter most warmly in favour of the Protestants; and, according to the statement of one of the brethren who was present at the trial, he made the ringleader turn pale by the severity of the reprimand he gave him. What!'

said he, do you not know that the Sultan has granted religious liberty to all his subjects, and that all classes have a right to hold and propagate what religious opinion they please? The Christians shall be protected, and let me warn you to be careful what you do towards these men.'

While these substantial proofs of personal freedom in the open avowal of Christianity are manifest, public efforts to disseminate the Holy Scriptures are tolerated, as appears from the following interesting fact, communicated by Mr. Benjamin Parsons of Sivas, in Asia Minor. He

says, "Our good deacon, who acts as physician's assistant and as bookseller, is doing a good work. At the shop, where he disposes of books and medicines, he has daily discussions with the Armenians, and is not a little encouraged by what his eyes see and his ears hear of the progress of evangelical doctrines. He says one or two good men should be constantly preaching Christ and him crucified in the shops and market-places of the city. The passers-by, almost without exception, will stop and listen attentively, and at almost any hour of the day, to one who holds forth the doctrines of the religion of Christ. It is questionable whether such an one is any more liable to any interruption or insult than is one who attempts what is termed streetpreaching' on Boston Commons. But, alas, where are the men? We feel deeply our need of labourers, and must be crippled in all our efforts to do good, so long as the men are wanting. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.'

"We suffer but little molestation from the Turkish population. Indeed, we can with gratitude say, we have been permitted to prosecute our work with none to molest or make afraid.' God hath guided, protected, smiled upon us; and we are encouraged by the light of his presence, and by the many exceeding great and precious promises which he hath given us, to go on our way rejoicing.

"Our work here is a blessed, a holy, a heart-satisfying work; angels would gladly engage in it. Who, then, dare say, God does not require me to engage in it?'

"With earnest prayers that the lines I have written may be used by the Holy Spirit to accomplish some good, I am, dear brethren, your servant and fellow-labourer in the gospel."

THE POPE RESISTED BY HIS OWN BISHOPS.

THE silly dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of Jesus, does not meet with universal acceptance, even by the dignitaries of the church of Rome. In Holland, one archbishop and two bishops have openly avowed their rejection of the doctrine, and their resistance to the authority which imposes it as an article of faith. In an able letter addressed to the clergy and people of their jurisdiction, they furnish an emphatic protest against the doctrine. Their language is bold and decided, and their reference to Scripture indicates a strong Protestant tendency. If these dignitaries follow the light they have, or if the Pope only exercise the authority and power he assumes, this protest is but the beginning of the end. May God speed the right! We present a few extracts:

"When we heard of the great preparations that were being made for deliberating on the point of the Conception, at Rome, in December, 1854, we found, and with good reason, that these preparations would all be found eventually to have been little more than an outward form; but we, nevertheless, hoped that the prayers of many good men, so earnestly solicited by the Holy Father, for the light of the Holy Spirit, would be so heard as to succeed in turning the counsels of Ahitophel into foolishness. The unsearchable judgments of Divine Providence have otherwise ordered. Pius, alas! the weak Pius, having once thrown himself into the arms of the Jesuits, has now again lent his name and his influence to accomplish a deed deeply grieving all good men, and causing new scandal in the Church.

"The Encyclical Letter of the 8th December, 1854, threatens the wrath of Almighty God, &c., to all who should dare to speak against, or even not to accept, the decision therein announced, respecting the Conception of the Virgin.

"How great soever may be our respect for his Holiness as head of the Church, and the centre of Catholic unity, we should dread still more the displeasure of the Almighty, if we blindly accepted such decision.

"St. Paul did not threaten the people of Berea with the displea-· sure of Almighty God, when they searched the Scripture, to see if the things which had been brought before them were so;' and St. Luke even confers upon them special honour. These were more noble than those of Thessalonica,' because they did so search. If this doctrine of the Immaculate Conception can be so thoroughly proved to be a doctrine of the Catholic Church, as in such Apostolic Letter it is declared to be, there need no fear arise from such a search; yea, rather ought an appeal to go forth, inviting such a search, that it may be patent to the whole world, that we indebted to the care and zeal of Pius IX. for this discovery.

are

"Inasmuch as we have no conviction that Pius has spoken an infallible word, when he declared the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin to be a revealed truth of the Catholic faith, we feel it to be our duty to examine the grounds on which such declaration rests."

A minute analysis follows; and the promulgation of the dogma in solemn pomp at Rome is thus touched upon:

"The dogma of the Immaculate Conception being thus entirely new, there need be no wonder that the mode of announcing it was also entirely new. Never formerly were such utterances heard from a Pope's lips; formerly it was the congregated fathers, who, after previous deliberations, &c., judged and determined. But it was on this occa

sion no Church council, although, for the eye of the world, such a colouring was attempted to be given to it. The bishops were merely mute attestators of what was solely by Pius IX., and with too good reason may the words of the prophet be applied to them: Blind watchmen! they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs: they cannot bark.'"-Isa. lvi. 10.

Oh! how did those teachers in Israel belie their character! and how was their character trampled on by the first in rank amongst them! An open contumely and spot of shame is thus thrown on the episcopal character and office, those functionaries having nullified their very position and work as judges of the faith. When the successor of St. Peter gave utterance to the lie that the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception had been revealed by God, was there no Paul to withstand and gainsay him to the face? On the contrary, they winked in the lowest cajolery when one of the French bishops looked his Holiness in the face, and said, "Holy father! thou hast not only decided the Immaculate Conception, thou hast decided thine own infallibility."

Under the fifth head of the Pastoral Instructions, reference is made to Gregory the Great, Innocent III. and Innocent V., Clement VI., &c., to show that for fourteen centuries a doctrine was held in entire contradiction to that promulgated by Pius IX., and it is then said:

"We leave it to every unprejudiced person to decide, whether we have good ground for the strictures we have made, and whether we have proved or not that the Apostolic Letter issued by Pius IX., on the 8th December, 1854, is simply a tissue of untruths, wherein the name of Scripture and sacred tradition are shamefully misapplied, to exalt into a matter of faith a mere matter of feeling or subjective impression, not even based on the lowest grade of probability.

"In conclusion, we solemnly declare before the whole world that

the maxim, Quod semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus," reaches neither in teaching nor in acceptance to this dogma of Immaculate Conception; and we say to all Catholics, Remove not the ancient landmarks which thy fathers have set.'-Prov. xxii. 28. But though we or an angel from God's heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.'-Gal. i. 8. 'Remember how thou hast received and heard; and hold fast.'-Rev. iii. 3. "(Signed) "Jons, Archbishop of

ANOTHER BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE BURNING.-Allow me, Mr. Editor, a small portion of your valuable Magazine to record another remarkable conversion, and I sincerely pray that it may afford encouragement to all who are influenced to do what they can for the good of men and the honour of the Saviour's name.

Some time ago a potter, who formerly was in my employ, was obliged to leave his work in consequence of sickness, which had all the appearance of consumption, and which afterwards terminated his life.

This individual was a Scotchman, and always stood high amongst his fellow-workmen as an intelligent man, and his general knowledge was of no ordinary character; but, alas! from the influence of sceptical company, his views on Christianity were very far from being profitable either to himself or those around him. He did not palpably deny, but he doubted or disputed various passages, especially those relating to the miraculous conception and the real incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Meeting with him one day when taking his walks, I, after conversing

"That which in all ages, and in all places, has been received with general consent."

with him on general topics, reminded him of the nature of his disease, and the rapid progress it was making on his constitution,. stating my apprehension as to the result; and he said he did not expect ever to be well again in this life. I then adverted to his state as a sinner and the absolute necessity of pardon, and how this great blessing was to be obtained. He stated death never troubled him. I then said time with him was all important, and I would not detain him by argument; but I would take his case to a throne of grace, and ask God to give him to see himself in the light of eternity. He thanked me for the interest I had taken, and bid me goodbye.

Several weeks past by ere I saw him again, and it happened to be when with my wife and family one Sabbath morning we were returning from the chapel. I very kindly inquired after his health, and finding him sinking fast, I affectionately pressed the matter about his soul, and he seemed to listen with a degree of attention. I told him I had been from home two or three weeks, but that during that time I had not forgotten to pray for him. Such news met his astonished ears with apparent gladness, and he seemed to appreciate all I advanced. The interview was pleasing, and I felt satisfied impressions were now made. On leaving him, I said, "Well, John, I will pray on until you begin to pray for yourself." He acknowledged the kindness, and we again parted.

On his arrival home he related the whole of this meeting to his wife, and remarked, "There must be something in religion that I am a stranger to; but I will know the first time I have the pleasure of seeing Mr. B

again.

A few days after this, I received an invitation to call and see him, which I promptly responded to. I found him unable to walk out, and the first words which fell from his lips (after a fit of coughing) were, "Oh, Mr. B- I

am glad to see you. I was afraid you would be offended at my cold treatment when you were speaking for my good. I have not forgotten the first interview when you said you would pray for me ; and when I think of your praying for me, when so many miles away, and I not praying for myself, I am ashamed. Sir, allow me to say, I have given up all my scruples respecting the truthfulness of

the

Bible, and I feel myself such a sinner, and wish you to teach me in order that I may be saved."

I shall never forget the time, the weeping for joy on my part, and the earnest desire and sorrow for sin on his part; truly it was a solemn time.

I, in my feeble way, pointed out the way; and he in a child-like spirit reIceived the word with readiness of mind. He joined in prayer to God, and sought diligently for the pearl of great price. After a few visits he was enabled to rejoice in God his Saviour. His once noble structure now presented a skeleton form; still he retained his intellect and his mind was as gigantic . as when in robust health.

Perceiving that time with him would soon be at an end, I wished to know, if possible, the exact state of his mind, and I asked him how he felt in the prospect of dying? With a cheerful countenance he said, "Oh, sir, I am ready for my change. I feel the love of God is in my heart, and I cannot sufficiently praise him." I related to him the circumstance of a person who had died that day, and he said, "I wish it had been I; I should have been in heaven now." I said, "Are you satisfied on that point.?" "Yes," was his reply. "I have no doubts on my mind, but I am willing to leave myself in His hands."

During the latter stage of his illness, the Rev. J. Wynne paid him several pastoral visits; and he can with emotions of delight bear his testimony to the wonderful yet glorious change wrought in the once poor blind sinner, now a happy saint of the most High God.

Feeling himself that life was fastebbing out, he gave suitable advice and counsel to his dear wife and only daughter, pressing upon them the importance of living to God, and preparing for a dying day; begging them, by all that was sacred, to meet him in heaven.

The day before he died he requested me to put his name down in my diary as another trophy to the cross, as he would in a few hours be with his Lord. And so it was; for on the following day death closed the scene.

This is the second within twelve months that I have visited under my employ. Both, during health, were more or less objectors to the truth. Each I had conversed with about his soul, yet without effect. And I had the

unspeakable pleasure of seeing them both brought to their right mind, convinced, converted, and dying in peace.

What a field opens out here for masters to watch over the spiritual wants of their servants; and if such a desirable influence could be exerted, what tongue can tell, what mind conceive, the great and lasting benefits that would result?

R. BRITTON, Hunslet.

THE SHOEMAKER AND THE BIBLE. -A minister of the gospel who resided for a time at Gibraltar, made several excursions into the Spanish territory for the purpose of distributing a few Bibles and Testaments among the benighted people of that unhappy country. At one time he visited the house of a shoemaker, with whom he held very pleasing conversation. He found this poor man of an inquiring mind, greatly dissatisfied with the existing state of things, and yet unable to see any door of hope, or any prospect of remedy for the wrongs and woes of his country. He stated that he and a number of his friends were in the habit of meeting together every week and discussing public affairs, when politics were talked over, but they generally left off as they began, such discussions seldom proving very profitable.

"Why do you not get the Bible and read that? said the minister.

"Ah?" replied the shoemaker, "I wish I could get it; but the priests take care we poor Spaniards shall not have the Bible."

“Well, now," said the minister, "I know the risk I am running; and that if the priests learn I am here distributing copies of God's Word, I shall be stilettoed before I get back to Gibraltar; but I think I can trust you. Would you really

like a Bible to read ?"

"There is nothing I should like so much," was the reply.

A copy was then given to him, which he received with evident delight, and with many expressions of gratitude. On being asked if his friends who met with him during the week would also like copies, he declared that they would be highly

prized and diligently read, and he received several more books for their use. The minister gave him a few parting words of exhortation, told him where he might be found, and after distributing the remainder of his little volumes, reached Gibraltar in safety.

Some weeks after this, the minister sat alone in his room, having told the servant that no one was to be admitted to see him, as he was engaged in study. During the day, however, a Spanish peasant, dressed in his gay holiday attire, called at the house, and asked to see the minister. He was told he could not be seen, as he had given orders that he was not to be disturbed.

“Oh! but,” said the Spaniard, “I think if you tell him that a man to whom he gave a Bible has come a long distance to see him, he will not deny me."

Struck with the earnestness of the man, the servant at length consented to go with a message to his master, and said that a person was at the door who would not be denied. The peasant was therefore shown up in the minister's room.

"Don't you remember me, sir? was the exclamation of the Spaniard, on perceiving he was not recognized; and on receiving a reply in the negative, he added, "Don't you remember, sir, calling at the house of a shoemaker, a few weeks ago, and leaving him some Bibles?"

"Yes," replied the minister; "but I really did not recognize you again in your smart holiday dress."

The man then began to tell what joy the Bibles had caused to himself and his friends, and that now, instead of meeting to talk politics, they met to read the Word of God together, and that in the volume of truth they saw the true remedy for all the ills that afflicted their country. After the heartfelt expression of many thanks, the shoemaker concluded by saying, "As a mark of my gratitude, for your coming at the risk of your own life to bring me the precious Bible, I have brought you, sir, a pair of shoes, which I hope you will accept."