cess.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE GENERAL BAPTIST COLLEGE, NOTTINGHAM.-At ten o'clock on Thursday morning, the 26th of August, the students commenced the session. The young men assembled in the dining-room. Mr. Stevenson, the Classical Tutor, gave out a hymn, and read a portion of scripture. He then presented prayer to God on behalf of the young men and the Tutor residing amongst them. Mr. Underwood, the Theological Tutor, then gave the students a very suitable address as to their manners, the importance of simplicity and earnestness in their preaching, and making the salvation of souls the great object of their ministry. Mr. Stevenson then gave a short address on the importance of cultivating a spirit of seriousness, at the same time blending it with cheerfulness. I said a little to the young men on the same subject, but especially on the importance of private prayer, having seasons set apart for this holy and hallowing exercise. I then concluded with prayer. The meeting, altogether, was exceedingly interesting. There were seven students present. May the Great head of the church smile upon the Institution, and bless both tutors and students. Amen. H. HUNTER.

2, Peel Street, Nottingham,

Sept. 8, 1858.

The Melbourne Evangelical Alliance. PRACTICAL EXHIBITION OF CHRISTIAN UNION.-The writer of the following has entered into particulars because he has been repeatedly requested to do so. Some three months ago, a few of the leading friends of religion in Melbourne, impressed with the importance of Christian union, and the necessity for the outpouring of the spirit and the revival of religion, confered together on the best means of attaining these ends. Their views were found to be in hopeful harmony; and, after seeking the divine guidance and blessing, it was agreed unanimously to commence forthwith in the Melbourne Athenæum, a weekly "UNITED PRAYER MEETING," to be held on Tuesday evenings at eight. And also a weekly "OPEN AIR PREACHING SERVICE," to be held on the Sabbath at five

P.M.

A small committee was formed of ministers and others representing the Wesleyan, Independent, and Baptist churches |

the two weekly services were commenced immediately, and are still continued with cheering results. The devotional meeting conducted by a minister or layman occupies one hour; the large room is generally filled, sometimes crowded. After opening himself, the leader gives out one or two verses at a time, and two brethren pray between the singing; the exercise being left to the spontaneous willingness of those present, the only condition being, that they do not occupy more than three or four minutes each. Thus, besides hearing the song of praise some six or seven times, from eight to ten on the average_pray within the hour. In the Lord's Day service three persons engage, the preacher being provided by the different churches in rotation-and in these delightful exercises, deacons, regular ministers, class readers, and occasional preachers are interchangeably and happily engaged. At both the weekly services the congregations are uniformly large, and the attention marked and serious. Many are brought together who have not been accustomed to meet with Christians in their social gatherings, some of these from among the least hopeful sections of the community, and we doubt not, that besides the large augmentation of spiritual enjoyment already realized by Christians, many will be converted from the error of their ways.

Encouraged by evidences of divine approval and the increase of brotherly attachment, the committee arranged, a short time ago, to hold a "UNITED ORDINANCE SERVICE." From the various pulpits in the town it was announced that on Lord's Day, August 22nd, the Lord's Supper would be administered in the large room of the Athenæum, and that all members of Christian churches in the town and neighbourhood were eligible to attend. The plan was successful. The place was full. And at three o'clock, P.M., on that Sabbath, as one of the speakers observed, "such a scene was presented as had never before been witnessed in the history of religion in Melbourne." Mr. John Adcock, Wesleyan, prayed at the commencement, and afterwards assisted in the distribution of the elements; the Rev. T. Gill, Baptist, read the Scriptures, and gave a suitable_address on "Brotherly Love;" the Rev. J. Fletcher, Independent, prayed, and spoke feelingly on "Christian Obligations and Fellowship;" and Mr. J. Earp and the Rev. J. Lewitt, of Nottingham, afterwards prayed. A rich "Unction from the Holy One" pervaded the entire service, and all present seemed happy and

Tears of joy started into many eyes when the large assembly rose to sing the parting hymn, beginning thus

"Come, Christian brethren, ere we part,
Join every voice and every heart,
Our solemn hymn to God we raise,
One final song of grateful praise."

wise!

The reviving of "the Confessional" by puseyite clergymen is awakening indignation and alarm throughout England. The poor salaries of curates also has been the burden of several leaders in the "Times." Another daily paper seems involved in an interminable controversy about marrying a deceased wife's sister.

Several Independent ministers have already sailed for Australia. The need for spiritual help in those distant colonies is very pressing.

The British correspondent of the "Morning Star," the paper belonging to our American brethren, reports the General Baptist Churches in England as "Free Communion." The practice is spreading among our churches, but all have not adopted it.

GENERAL.

News is slow. A very great dearth is complained of in the papers. France has been compared to a smooth lake, the touching of whose surface with a wild fowl is "an event!" Yet there are many things that deserve jotting down in our monthly notes. Our harvest, and that of Europe, is "above an average." There is less than this in America, but the last year's stocks are far from being

exhausted. There is "bread enough and to spare," thanks to a munificent providence! The Atlantic cable has been feeble and silent in its utterings. Whether the "fault" is occasioned by the peculiar construction of the cable or not rican friends are frantic with joy at the remains to be proved. While our Ameunion by the telegraph, alas! its words

cease.

But the thing will be done now. Both governments must take it up and do it. Let them construct several lines, and go on till the work is perfect. Money is nothing in comparison with such a work.

The "Great Eastern" will, it is hoped, soon be fitted up, £640,000 have already been spent on her building. £300,000 more are wanted to complete her fittings. When done, she will take, it is supposed, some thousands at once as smoothly over the ridges of the Atlantic waves, as if she were sliding over a level surface; her great length enabling her to cross three waves at once. The hint given last month Peace is about China is confirmed. made with the Emperor, which provides "Braves" at Canton are yet giving great for religious freedom, &c. But the trouble to the English. It may be that the full power of the Emperor has not yet been conveyed so far south. A bronze statue to Sir Isaac Newton, the great philosopher, was inaugurated at Grantham on Tuesday, Sept. 21. a most learned, Brougham delivered affectionate, and eloquent speech on the occasion. It was a grand occasion. Several men of great "mark" were present, and the inhabitants of Grantham felt that the honour of being the cradle of the greatest of men was no mean thing. The news from India is, on the whole, good. The country is becoming pacified. Nana Sahib is still in the field. The report has been rife that Lord Derby was selling off his racing stud, and that the premier was leaving the turf for politics. The sale is represented as a "sham" to get rid of his rubbish; his best horses being "bought in" at sporting prices. Toxopholite, to wit, at £3,000 guineas! If the premier

Lord

an, and two hundred and fifty Pundahs have as usual been on their pilgrimages to the north, but they have met with no success, and the whole of the two haudred and fifty have returned without one pilgrim, being themselves driven from place to place by the villagers.

A Brahmin said to Paul the other day, when preaching at Pooree, "Oh there will soone b no religion but yours." God grant that time may speedily come, then will all this distress, and anarchy, and bloodshed be done away with, and righteousness, peace, and happiness reign

supreme.

13th. Old Juggernath seems to be in a terrible state, fast sinking into decay. Government have withdrawn all connection, and this year the police usually allowed by them to keep peace in the temple are not given, and the poor leprous Rajah held responsible. He does not like this because the people do not care for him. He does not at all like having a piece of land in lieu of the government donation. He found it much pleasanter for the money to be put into his treasury than to have the trouble of collecting rents, &c., and his mother lays claim to the estate.

There are many incidents in connection with the preparations for the Jattra most encouraging to Christians, but just the opposite to the deluded votaries of idolatry.

The heat is indeed fearful, we dare not go out to try the thermometer in the sun, but the other evening it stood at 107° in the shade. Going to bed at times seems almost a mockery, for it is only to toss from side to side and get up to change our wet things for a repetition. Last night it thundered and lightened fearfully, and the rain seemed as though it would deluge the earth. Directly after there was a complete lull, and so close it seemed almost impossible to breathe. Again another tremedous storm and other lulls; thus our nights pass away, and you may be sure how the morning finds us all. We are obliged to be in-doors by six o'clock, and by a little past seven all the doors are closed and as much light excluded as it is possible to do without. To day the hot winds have been almost suffocating, at eight o'clock our thermometer stood at 115° degrees in what we consider the coolest room; it might have gone higher but that is the limit.

All the Mission operations are going on as usual. Mr. Brooks is getting on with his Industrial School. I never came near a harder working man in my life. cannot tell what we shall do without him.

I

He ought to have had his furlough before now, he sadly needs it. Mr. Stubbins sits near me preparing a book for the press, He looks much better than he really is, he frequently suffers very much and his complaint will not allow him to sit and think or write many minutes together, and he cannot engage so actively in anything as he ouce did. I am glad to leave so soon. We hope he may be able to manage with tolerable comfort during the rains, it is then we feel most anxious for him.

Although my letters were finished this afternoon my pen and heart still lingers. Several subjects have been pressing heavily on my spirits and I have longed to make them known to you, for I know you will sympathise. All have reference in one was or other to the spread of the gospel in this dark land. We feel, my dear father, that the seed of religious truth which for so many years has been scattered far and wide has taken root, and the green blade is appearing. Minds which for centuries have been slumbering in ignorance dark as the grave are beginning to shake off the fetters which have so long bound them. Fears are awakened and enquiry excited with regard to those things which have been hitherto looked upon as verities. Reason is exerting her sway, and judging between the artful inventions of man and those truths which appeal to the heart and the understanding. The leaven which has long been silently working is rising here and there in all directions, shewing that there are mighty under influences at work which are razing to its foundation every system of false religion. We feel, my beloved father, that God is working by and through His labourers in this land; that His kingdom, which is the earnest longing of every Christian heart, is coming; that the heathen, which He hath declared should be His possession, are preparing to lay down their arms of rebellion, and own our God as the rightful Lord, the "God over all blessed for evermore." The feelings of thankfulness and gratitude which fills the hearts of all those engaged in this glorious work can not be expressed, "in ascribing the glory and the power to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb for ever." But we feel that the work might be accelerated; that the word, which is quick and powerful, might pierce still deeper; that the light of "the glorious gospel of the blessed God" might be diffused to a much greater extent if churches, if individual Christians could feel more deeply their responsibilty and the all-prevailing means each one pos