has conduced to this. Its Committee has long refrained from publishing anything but official documents, and has scarcely done anything to aid the independent efforts of its members or friends to furnish subsidiary information. "Journal of a Tour in Ceylon and India!" Such a work would have no more chance of publication by the Baptist Missionary Society than a treatise on algebra. "Undertaken by the request of the Baptist Missionary Society." Be it so; then it was proper to go; but as to a narrative of what was seen and heard, there are only two ways in which it is possible for it to see the light. It may be brought out by some society which will carefully expurgate it from everything peculiarly baptist; or it may be brought out by the writer at his own cost, with the probability of losing a good many pounds sterling by his cnterprise.

We feel greatly indebted to Mr. Russell therefore for this volume. We earnestly recommend it to the perusal of our friends, whether minors or adults. It has afforded us much pleasure, and raised our estimate of the usefulness of missionary labours in the east. There is a freshness about the description of scenes by a visitor, that does not belong to the official statements of a resident. We seem to realize the facts as we accompany the traveller. A few specimens will illustrate this. At Ceylon, after attending worship at the English chapel in the Pettah, Mr. Russell went with Mr. Allen to the Singhalese chapel in the Grand Pass. "A sight more gratifying than the finest scenery presented itself—a native congregation. One could not help being struck with that which met the eye, the coloured skins, the white dresses, the lace jackets and ornaments of the women, and the fine forms of the men, and the tortoise-shell combs which adorned their heads. There were about

ninety persons present, most of them members of the church; and when the thought occurred, These are converts from Budhism and Devil-worship, and our brethren and sisters in Christ; and when the service began, and they joined in singing the praises of the true and living God, through Christ Jesus, the effect was overpowering, and tears of joy and gratitude started to the eye. Ranesinghe, the native preacher, began the service by reading and prayer; and then was kind enough to interpret the short discourse which I gave."

In the interior of the island, Mr. Russell visited a place called Kottigawhatta, where he found a good chapel.

There is also a preacher's house and garden. The pastor is Isaac Whytoo Naden, now fifty-one years of age. He was a heathen lad, and heard the gospel from Mr. Chater and Mr. Siers; he afterwards travelled with Mr. Daniell; a fine grave earnest man he is. In the course of conversation he said, 'It is my wish to die in the work.' 'My great difficulty is to convey to the people a notion of sin.' The church consisted of eighty-three members; and there are connected with it no less than seven schools. We conversed with the members; gave addresses; and examined the children of six of the schools: a tolerably hard day's work, but very gratifying.”

"Another day we visited Byamville, also in the Jungle, about ten miles from Colombo; and where also there is a chapel, preacher's house and garden. John Melder, the native preacher, is a fine handsome man, speaking English well; we were told that he is diligent and persevering in his work. There is a church of a hundred and seven converted natives. Many of the members met us on our way. We examined the children of the schools connected with the place; they looked very neat and answered very well. Here and at the

other stations, we had religious worship and conversation with the converts; and were fully convinced by what we saw and heard, that their piety is intelligent, and that they are well instructed in the great doctrines of the gospel. Both men and women assist in the distribution of tracts; and most of those who have families keep up worship at home. The answers to our questions were given without hesitation, and much to the purpose. One was asked, 'Do you love Christ?' He replied, 'I forsake everything for Christ and flee to him. I seek my own salvation in the first place, and with love I ought to seek the salvation of others.' 'If any one offends you, what ought you to do?' 'I must love him,' he said, 'and try to win him.' They are generally very poor, getting their living by the cultivation of a small plot of ground, or a little merchandise. They give, however, when they can. 'That woman,' said John Melder, pointing to one, 'gives a dollar a-year.""

Of Agra, Mr. Russell writes:-" The native city is a large, dirty, busy place, inferior to Delhi; but the English quarters stretch far beyond it, and it being the seat of government for the upper provinces, there are numerous handsome bungalows with large compounds. There are two baptist churches; Mr. Williams was still acting as pastor of one, Mr. Lish was pastor of the other; neither of them derive any pecuniary support from our society."

There are different ways of convincing men, but that which a Mussulman took in order to convince Mr. Heinig will seem to have something of novelty about it. "Our missionary, Mr. Heineg, mentioned to me, that soon after he began his career at Patna, a Mussulman, to whom he spoke of the gospel, struck him in the head and face with a long stalked fruit, which he had in his hand, so violently, that the fruit

was broken into pieces; he then took off one of his shoes and continued to strike him with that. "Why do you do this?' Mr. Heinig exclaimed. "To convince you to convince you," was all the answer he could get. Seeing a tanna (police-office) near, he went towards it; on which, the Mahommedan fled. He went and asked the police to take him up; but afterwards countermanded it, thinking it better to forgive. The following evening he went to the chouk (market) to preach. The people had heard of the assault, and were inquiring, 'What will he do?' He stood up and preached Christ, fully and firmly, without once alluding to it. The Mahommedans, however, took it up themselves, and said, 'As the aggressor had acted without any provocation, he should have a guard for two months; and when he saw Mr. H. or any European, should put his finger into his own mouth till he had passed.' Mr. H. met him accidentally a fortnight after; when he put his finger into his mouth accordingly. They were not interrupted afterwards."

We commend the following account of an eastern custom to the special attention of those pado-baptist writers who have wearied themselves with vain efforts to discover how or where the parties obtained change of raiment in New Testament baptisms. At Dinapore, Mr. Russell found the weather very pleasant; "the mornings and evenings rather cool, notwithstanding which, both men and women were bathing every day in the river. It must be a cold business at this time of year; and they do it in the coolest manner imaginable, as if they were amphibious. They vary indeed greatly in the modus operandi; some just splash the water over their face and limbs, and are off in a minute: others go through a regular washing, and carefully finish the toilette. They never

going in, except sometimes that which covers the shoulders; and they usually walk away with their wet clothes on, occasionally covering them over with dry ones."

We will not give any more specimens, as our readers, if they take our advice, will purchase the book:

Notes and Reflections on the Epistle to the Hebrews. By ARTHUR PRIDHAM. Bath: Binns and Goodwin. London: Whittaker and Co. 12mo.

SOME months since, we reviewed Mr. Pridham's Notes on "the Romans," and commended the volume to the attention of the Christian student. The hope was then expressed that Mr. Pridham might be encouraged to publish similar comments on the Epistle to the Hebrews. This hope is now fulfilled, and we have pleasure in noticing his work. It possesses the same qualities as its predecessor, is written in a tone eminently spiritual and child-like, and abounds in evidences of competent acquaintance with the inspired original. The two epistles on which these Notes

are written are as remarkable for their differences as for their agreement. In truth they are identical, in proof and illustration they are entirely dissimilar. Their common theme is justification and holiness, their common order is, doctrine the foundation of practice, faith of morality; and their common contrasts, God's justice and mercy, Christ's dignity and tenderness.

On

the other hand, the Epistle to the Romans builds the gospel on the guilt and helplessness of man, the Epistle to the Hebrews draws out the gospel from the religious observances of the Jew; the first proves it from the facts of history and consciousness, the second illustrates it from what had long since

man who has mastered the one epistle may be said to understand the gospel, the man who has mastered the other may be said to understand the law. And the man who has mastered the two has the fullest evidence of the truth and glory of both, which human nature and divine dispensations, reason and fancy, realities and types, pictures and facts, can supply. In both epistles, moreover, are found innumerable touches, both of character and of doctrine, such as afford the best materials for brief impressive exposition.

In these Notes, it must be admitted, the peculiar views of the author come more prominently before us, than in his Notes on the Romans. He thinks the common faith, that brighter and better times are setting in upon the world," a "presumptuous imagination" that sacrifices commemorative of the (p. 259). He deems it not improbable offered in the earthly courts (p. 188). one great atonement will again be And the reign of the Messiah which most believe to have commenced, when he ascended up on high, Mr. Pridham postpones till his second coming. These

views have of course influenced the interpretation put upon some passages, but they are never given at length, nor are they advocated but with brotherly love. There is so much moreout the volume, that with this warning, over that is true and spiritual through-! we cordially commend it to our readers.

The Gospel and the Great Apostasy; or,

Popery contrasted with pure Christianity, in the light of history and scripture: especially with reference to its present character and pretensions. Prize Essay. London: Religious Tract Society. 12mo. pp. 262.

THIS essay obtained the prize of £100, which, about eighteen months since,