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sided. His opening address briefly traced the origin and progress of our missionary operations, with such explanations as the special object of that meeting appeared to require. The

Rev. W. Willan then read a list of subscriptions promised in the district towards the projected mission to China. The Rev. W. Cocker, in a neat and effective speech, moved the first resolution, which was heartily seconded by Mr. Dickson, from Newcastle, and most efficiently supported by our beloved and honoured president, the Rev. W. Cooke. The deputation spoke admirably. A collection was then made for the foreign mission. Other resolutions were passed, being first spoken to by the Rev. J. Wynne, W. Willan, and C. Mann, with Messrs. Millward, T. George, and others.

The collection was tolerable, considering the attendance, and the great efforts put forth in Dudley within the last few months on behalf of the new schools. The appeal for special subscriptions, we regret to say, was not successful. Had the meeting been allowed to stand over a little longer, as desired, it would, no doubt, have been attended with widely different results. With the exception of a few well-known friends from Oldbury and Tipton, and two from Stourbridge, not an individual was present at the public meeting from any other part of the district. The Dudley friends being thus left alone, did nothing worthy of remark; and, as our generous brother Millward said, it would be needful to embrace a more favourable opportunity for bringing the subject before them. Parties were also appointed to accompany the deputations to the ordinary missionary meeting in the respective circuits, so that they might be specially called upon to assist in this good work.

If that is done, and every circuit does its duty, Dudley district may yet take its proper position, and offer that amount of support to the proposed mission to the heathen, which will be not only honourable to itself, but highly gratifying to the friends of the Connexion.

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DEWSBURY CIRCUIT.

TEA MEETING AT BATLEY.

THE annual tea party of the members and friends connected with the Zion Chapel, Batley, in this circuit, was held on Monday, the 26th of December last. The tea was provided in the

school-room, which was decorated for the occasion with evergreens and mottoes, when about 400 were entertained with a good Christmas tea and other good things of the season; after which a public meeting was held, when the school was crowded by a pleasing and cheerful audience. The meeting was opened by the whole assembly singing a Christmas hymn; and then Mr. Joseph Parker was called upon to preside over the meeting, who, after a few introductory remarks with regard to the season and the object of the meeting, called upon the Revs. T. Smith and J. Bate, and Messrs. J. Taylor, J. Jubb, and R. Hepplestone, separately to address the meeting, whose addresses were lively, interesting, instructive, and suitable to the occasion. The proceedings were enlivened and friends entertained at intervals, during the evening, with a choice selection of sacred and appropriate music, sung by the choir, assisted by a small band of stringed instruments, pianoforte, and harmonium. The principal object of the meeting was to raise, if possible, £100 towards liquidating the debt upon the chapel. In order that this object might be attained, members and friends co-operated with the trustees and committee, and laboured most heartily in the cause; and now they have the satisfaction of having realized the object of their endeavours, as the amount raised is £125. The meeting was very enthusiastic, and all seemed to have been highly entertained and edified with the evening's proceedings, which were brought to a close at about half-past nine o'clock. ALFRED PARKER.

YARMOUTH MISSIONARY

MEETING.

ON Sunday, January 15th, sermons were preached in our chapel, in the morning, at half-past ten, by the Rev. G. Firth (Independent), and in the evening, at half-past six, by the Rev. J. Blackwell (Wesleyan). On Monday evening the Annual Missionary Meeting was held, when Garson Blake, Esq., presided. The meeting was addressed by the Revs. J. Green (Baptist), T. Brackenbury (Wesleyan), W. Tritton, W. Griffiths, A. T. Shelley, G. Firth (Independent), W. Pacey, and Z. Eastick. The meeting was one of great interest, and the collections in advance of last year.

W. PACEY.

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Notices of Books.

John Angell James: a Review of his History, Character, Eloquence, and Literary Labours; with Dissertations on the Pulpit and the Press, Academic Preaching, College Reform, &c. By John Campbell, D.D. London: John Snow. Pp.

288.

THE name of John Angell James is a household word throughout Christendom. The several qualities of fidelity and diligence as a pastor, eloquence as an orator, usefulness as an author, and philanthropy and public spirit as a Christian, were combined in him with a degree of perfection seldom witnessed. denominations loved him for his catholicity, revered him for his piety, and blessed him for the benefit of his labours; and in cherishing these sentiments they only rendered a just homage to truth and goodness

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"They glorified God in him." The present volume is not so much a consecutive narrative of his life as an able and graphic sketch of his eminent characteristics. The author assumes not to supersede the duties of the authorized biographer, but to send forth a precursor, which, while presenting an instalment to public importunity, affords a favourable occasion for calling the attention of the Churches to that important requisite, so imperatively demanded by the times we live in-a thoroughly earnest, active, and efficient ministry. Every one who reads the author's journals has observed how intensely his heart has been set on promoting this object for some years past, and with what candour and unsparing fidelity he has exposed and denounced whatever tends to corrupt or dilute evangelical truth, and divest the ministry of its full efficiency and power. The foul corruptions of Popery, the misty dreams and speculative errors of German neology, the flimsy, attenuated style that springs from a feeble conviction and a languid piety, and seeks to substitute prettiness for power, and

the artificial method of reading instead of preaching sermons, have found in him an inexorable opponent. With a giant's hand he has stricken these abuses, and called aloud for reformation. He desires to see our pulpits occupied by men of decision as to their views of truth, of earnestness in their experience of its vital power, of energy in their labours to diffuse its blessings, and of extemporaneous freedom in the proclamation of its great commission. Can we blame him for this? Rather let us honour his courage and candour, rejoice in his magnanimous efforts, and thank God for directing his powers and influence on the side of truth and vital religion. We may easily conceive the sad consequences over which we should this day have had to mourn, if the powerful hand that lifts up a "Standard" for the truth, had wielded a weapon in defence of formalism and error.

In the character of Mr. James we have a model minister-a type of the highest kind of what a Christian pastor should be. The earnestness of a Baxter, the refinement of a Doddridge, and the eloquence of a Whitfield, were, in a considerable degree, combined in him; and in descanting on his high qualities, abundant labours, and extensive usefulness, the author had an ample opportunity of developing and enforcing his well-matured views as to what is wanted for an efficient ministry. He has availed himself of this occasion, and spoken out with an earnestness that will ring through the Churches of this land. He contends for an organic reformation in the mode of ministerial training. Placing piety, earnestness, and aptness to teach, among the first requisites of a Christian pastor, he would have these qualities made fully evident to the Churches by suitable probation and initiative exercises before any one is admitted as a student for the

sacred office. He would have the curriculum of study so changed that the Bible should take the place of heathen classics, anxiety for the salvation of souls the thirst for literary honours, and attainment in the art of public speaking that of writing essays and disquisitions on science. Yet would be by no means have learning neglected, but acquired; but as a means to an end; and that end usefulness in expounding and enforcing the Gospel of man's salvation, We are free to acknowledge that we thoroughly sympathize with the great aim of the author; and we feel assured that, though some of his statistics may be disputed, the general argument of the author is sound; and his conclusions will commend themselves to the judgment and piety of the Churches, because they are founded in common sense, supported by Scripture, and demonstrated by facts. The work is written with Dr. Campbell's usual force and eloquence, and we doubt not it will have, as it deserves, a very wide circulation.

A School and College History of England. By J. C. Curtis, B.A. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.

WE regard this as a very valuable compendium of English history. It is prepared with great care, well arranged, written in a clear style, and a candid spirit. Within the space of 515 pages the author has comprised all the important facts of English history, from the earliest period when these islands were known, down to the year 1859. We can most cordially recommend this volume as a text-book for schools and a most useful epitome for the student.

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race of barbarians? and what character among the ancients more worthy of study than that of the prophet Moses-a man whose piety was illustrious, whose communion with God was most intimate, and whose public life was blended with daily miracles and astounding prodigies? This beautiful volume brings under review the leading facts in his eventful history, illustrating and confirming the same by such relics of antiquity as modern discovery and learning have brought to light. The work is written with care and judgment, and is a valuable manual, especially for the young, and those who have not access to more voluminous productions.

The Aberdare Addresses.

Papers

read at the Autumnal Meeting, held at Aberdare, September, 1859. By the Rev. George Legge, LL.D., Rev. R. Balgarnie, Rev. Robert Halley, D.D., and Rev. George Smith. London: Jackson and Walford.

THESE addresses are fraught with heavenly wisdom. Dr. Legge, on the mission of Great Britain, is erudite, eloquent, and very suggestive; Mr. Balgarnie, on the revival of religion in our Churches, is soulstirring, and encouraging to faith, prayer, and zealous effort for the salvation of men; Dr, Halley, on the duties of Churches and pastors to baptized persons, calls the Churches to a much-neglected duty, that of watchful care, and catechetical instruction; and Mr. Smith gives some valuable hints on matters of Church order and discipline.

Harry Linton; or, the Under-current of Life. A Tale for Rich and Poor. Edinburgh: Oliphant & Co.

THE design of this interesting book is to promote benevolence, to show its blessedness, and to guide in its exercise by the alleviation of human woe. Nor is it the product of the imagination merely, as many of the incidents are related exactly as they occurred, and scenes are described

H

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Female Teaching; or, the Rev. A. A. Rees versus Mrs. Palmer. Being a Reply to a Pamphlet by the above gentleman on the Sunderland Revival. By Mrs. Booth. London: T. Thickbroom, Aldine Chambers, Paternoster-row. MR. REES, we think, would have been much better employed in praying for the success of Mrs. Palmer's labours, than in issuing a diatribe against her efforts to do good. Mrs. Booth, however, has taken him to task, and shown that his attack will not win for him much pre-eminence in either manliness or wisdom.

The Irish Evangelist: a Journal of the Present, and Herald of the Future.

A VERY excellent paper, full of good theology, soul-stirring facts, and interesting intelligence.

Christian Fellowship: A Pastoral Address. By the Rev. Thomas Cartwright. London: Partridge and Co.

POPULAR in style, earnest in spirit, and faithful in the application of truth to the heart.

On Baptism: or, Who are to be
Baptized, and How? By the Rev.
Thomas Moore. London: Judd
and Glass.
CLEAR and scriptural.

Revivals in Wales: Facts and Cor-
respondence supplied by Pastors of
the Welsh Churches. By Evan
Davies. London: John Snow.
A MASS of information on one of
the most interesting, exciting, and
profitable subjects that can engage
the attention of Christians-the
work of God in the salvation of
souls.

Good Words. A Weekly Magazine. Edited by Norman Macleod, D.D. Edinburgh: Alexander Strahan & Co.; London: Low, Son, & Co. THE specimen before us is rich, diversified, and cheap.

The Union Magazine for SundaySchool Teachers. Vol. XVI. 1859. London Sunday-School Union.

Irs pages are furnished with excellent matter-original as well as selected.

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115

Memoirs and Recent Deaths.

MRS. GEORGE.

OUR church and congregation at Dudley Port have lately been called to sustain a heavy loss, in the departure of an excellent friend; and her surviving husband, a most amiable and loving partner.

Hannah, the beloved wife of Mr. T. George, of Tipton, who was born at Dudley Port, September 11th, 1828, departed this life, July 2nd, 1859, in the 31st year of her age. Her parents being pious, she had the advantage of a religious training, and was brought up in the fear of the Lord. Her parents were connected with the Wesleyans, until our own chapel at Dudley Port was erected, at which time they came

over to us.

Hannah was then going to the National day and Sunday school, and perhaps would have continued there, but for a circumstance which transpired at the time. In the parish church of Tipton there was a Puseyite teacher, who tried to instil into the minds of the scholars the erroneous notion that Methodists, and all those who do not sit under the ministry of ordained clergymen in the Church of England, would be lost. And one day, when questioning the children on the subject, endeavouring to impress their infant minds that hell would be their doom, the good sense of Hannah resented the idea; and after making known the circumstance to her parents, she asked permission to attend our school, where she continued, first as a scholar and afterwards as a teacher, until her increased duties and failing health compelled her to give up an employment in which her pious soul had felt much pleasure.

In the year 1846, the Rev. J. Caughey visited Birmingham, when, like many others, she embraced the opportunity of going to hear him, and it appears that during the service she obtained a knowledge of forgiveness by faith in the blood of Jesus, for that night she returned home rejoicing in the God of her salvation. In the month of May, 1849, she was married to Mr. T. George, of Tipton, nor can we conceive that a more happy union between man and wife ever took place. They really loved

each other, being always ready to share in each other's sorrow and joy.

The following account is furnished by the pen of her husband, to whom I am indebted for the information I have received respecting her :

In her capacity as wife I had no fault to find, except that she was too much like Martha, careful and troubled about many things. And in mauy instances, while attending to her domestic concerns, she has laboured much beyond what her feeble strength would allow.

Her natural sweetness of temper and cheerful disposition have done much to lessen the burden of life; and in thousands of instances, when my mind has been shaded by the disappointments and trials which young tradesmen generally have to meet with, either in a greater or less degree, she would sing some sweet hymn of praise, or repeat a passage of Scripture out of God's Holy Word to comfort and revive the spirit. Not anything I needed that was in her power to impart was ever withheld; and though very frequently the calls of business kept me until a late hour from home, she never but once during our union retired to rest before seeing me safely arrived; and many a time she has walked a long distance at night to meet me on the way. She attended well to her own household, and discreetly managed all things for the best. She opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness. She did me good and not evil all the days of her life. During the period of our marriage it has been our lot to have six children, four of which died in their infancy. The eldest, a son, and the last but one, a daughter, now survive their pious mother; and in the training of her children she was exceedingly careful that they should be brought up in the good and in the right way. Alexander, the son, in particular, caused her much anxiety. Frequently she was wont to take him by the hand, and, in the presence of God, confess his sins, imploring at the same time with tears Divine forgiveness, advising him to make his conscience right with his Maker before he retired to rest. Fervently and sincerely she prayed

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