likewise continue to visit Roman Catholics at their own homes, read the Scriptures and pray with them, and distribute tracts; and though they have nothing of great importance to report, yet they trust that one day they will see the good seed opening up to the glory of that Saviour whose love impels them forward in the good work. The priests are very active in this neighbourhood, and have ordered the people in some cases to return the Testaments that have been lent them to read. A service is continued to be held once a week, at the room in Winks Buildings, when many Roman Catholics attend, and listen with very great attention to the word that is then delivered. WESTMINSTER OPERATIVE AUXILIARY. Mr. W- Mr. S, Secretary. having met Mr. C, who had just come out of the Roman Catholic Chapel, he entered into conversation, and shewed as far as lay in his power, the sufficiency, beauty, and simplicity of the Gospel message, to ruined man, the necessity of justification by faith, &c. Mr. C seemed to feel the truth of what Mr. W said, but there still appeared to be a clinging to good works, as a ground of justification. He then introduced the worship of the Virgin, which Mr. W shewed to be unnecessary; as Christ did all we could need as a mediator. Mr. W- also proved, that being man he could sympathize with our infirmities, and listen to our requests, and being also God, he could present our petitions to His Father, which would be heard and accepted through his merits. After a long conversation on these subjects they parted. The Committee of the AUXILIARY of HAMMERSMITH have great pleasure in laying before the Parent Committee the following labours of the tract distribu tors. No. 1. The Rookery consists of about sixty houses. In some houses two families live-some even three The whole of these houses are regularly visited every Sunday, and in general the tracts have been well received. The number of Catholics in this district are about 35-it may be more. The last tracts we had are liked very much indeed. In this district a Roman Catholic has taken a Protestant Testament; another has one which seems to have been well read. The distributors have had some long conversations with the Catholics. 2nd District, the Bay: there are about thirty houses and about fifteen Roman Catholics here. Our tracts have been well received. One man came to one of our meetings, as he said, to learn, but we found out it was only to beg. Some of the Catholics in these two districts are inclined to take our part. In these districts we have met with little opposition. They are well worked, and already some pleasing results have arisen out of our Auxiliary. The first instance is of a man and his family giving up attending the Romish Catholic church, who now regularly attend a gospel preacher, and have done so for some months. Secondly, through some of the tracts being sold, a servant girl, a rigid Catholic, got hold of some, and was at once struck with them; she determined to search for herself, and is at the present time diligently engaged in reading your tracts and a Protestant Testament. Thirdly, another Catholic has come to the determination of praying to Jesus he says, he will no more pray to the Virgin, or tell his beads, and count his paters and aves; these are but dumb idols, who cannot hear. The Operatives are determined to proceed yet more vigorously in their work of faith and labour of love. They are encouraged by these few examples of success. We have another district, near Chiswick; there are about seventy houses, and thirty Catholics, the rest are Protestant, who have been visited about three months: the distance is great, and we can find work nearer home. The Committee beg me to remind you of the Dr.'s promised visit to Hammersmith: I should like to report at our next meeting, which is July 29th, when we may expect him. NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. THE CHURCH of ROME proved to be Idolatrous, Superstitious, and Persecuting, from her own books: a Lecture delivered before the friends and supporters of the British Society for promoting the religious principles of the Reformation, in Penrith, March 25, 1846, by the Rev. W. S. SARgent, B.A. An admirable lecture, clear, convincing, eloquent, and well calculated to do good. We strongly recommend it. AWFUL DISCLOSURES: or Extracts from St. Liguori, by the Rev. R. BLAKENEY, A.B., Nottingham. This volume is now complete, and forms one of the most important additions to Protestant literature. We think it of even greater value than the writings of Dens, and far more effective as an exposure of Jesuitism in all its immoralities. PRACTICAL SERMONS on the Character and Work of the Holy Spirit, by WILLIAM MUIR, D.D., Minister of St. Stephen's Church, Edinburgh. These discourses are a precious memorial of the labours of one of the most eminent and honoured servants of God. Our readers will perceive that we have added half a sheet to this number, without increasing the price, in order to insert a series of important Lectures by the Rev. J. Cumming, D.D., entitled " Is Christianity from God?" Price One Shilling. THE CAMPAIGN on the SUTLEJ, and the WAR in the PUNJAUB; with Official Lists of the Killed and Wounded. London: C. EDMONDS, 154, Strand. Price One Shilling. THE DESPATCHES of the BRITISH GENERALS during the CAMPAIGN on the SUTLEJ; with authentic Copies of the Treaty of Peace, &c. London: C. EDMONDS, 154, Strand. Printed by GEORGE NORMAN, at his Printing Office, No. 29, Maiden Lane, in the parish of St. Paul, Covent Garden, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex; and published by CHARLES EDMONDS, of No. 154, Strand, in the parish of St. Mary-le-Strand, Westminster, in the said county, Bookseller, at No. 154, Strand aforesaid. THE BRITISH PROTESTANT. No. XXI.-SEPTEMBER, 1846. THE TWO PRINCIPLES. THERE are increasing signs of an approaching conflict between the essential principles of Protestantism and the inveterate heresies of the Romish church. Development to the utmost possible results has seized on every section of the Church, reformed or unreformed, and as soon as each process of development is complete, parties will be fully arrayed, classified, and ready for action. The minor processes are scarcely worthy of notice. Schisms and disputes on discipline have been since the existence of the church of Corinth, and will be probably till the church of the Millennium. These create a momentary irritation, which keeps off, rather than produces disease. They act on the surface only. The two great principles in the visible church that are steadily giving to every member thereof his polarity, are the Protestant and the Popish principles-or, the word of God and the word of man-the voice of Scripture and the voice of the Church-the priest governing the Bible, and shaping its truths to his taste, convenience, and creed, and the Bible, subjecting the priest to its standard, as the final and decisive tribunal of appeal. These are the two conflicting principles-to one or the other of which every man will soon attach himself. Let us not hesitate, nor let us fear the issue. All creeds and confessions must coincide with the Bible or perish what it rejects is false-what it condemns is heresy-what it records is truth-and what it prescribes is holiness. The Bible alone is the religion of Protestants. PERSECUTION IN SWITZERLAND IN THE "EVERY thing was moving forward at Zurich; men's minds were becoming more enlightened, and their hearts more stedfast. The reformation was gaining strength. Zurich was a fortress in which the new doctrine had entrenched itself, and from within whose enclosure it was ready to pour itself abroad over the whole confederation. The enemies were aware of this; they felt that they must no longer delay to strike a vigorous blow. They had remained quiet long enough. The strong men of Switzerland, her iron-sheathed warriors, were up at last, and stirring; and who could doubt, when they were once aroused, that the struggle must end in blood? "The Diet was assembled at Lucerne. The priests made a strenuous effort to engage that great council of the nation in their favour. Friburgh and the Forest cantons proved themselves their docile instruments. Berne, Basle, Soleure, Glaris, and Appenzel hung doubtfully in the balance. Schaffhausen was almost decided for the gospel; but Zurich alone assumed a determined attitude as its defender. The partisans of Rome urged the assembly to yield to their pretensions, and adopt their prejudices. Let an edict be issued,' said they, |