the glorious doctrines of the gospel and the Reformation.

It was under such instruction that Dr. Merle pursued his studies for the sacred ministry. But it pleased God to send a faithful servant to Geneva, about the time that he was completing his theological training. This was Mr. Robert Haldane, of Edinburgh; a wealthy and zealous Christian, who lately closed a long and useful life, spent in the service of his Master. This excellent man, deploring the errors which prevailed in the theological department of the academy, endeavoured to do what he could, during the sojourn of a winter, to counteract them. For this purpose, he invited a number of young men to his rooms in the hotel in which he lodged, and there, by means of an interpreter at first, he endeavoured to teach them the glorious gospel. In doing this, he commented on the Epistle to the Romans, at much length. God blessed his efforts to the salvation of some ten or twelve of them.

Seldom has it happened that an equal number of young men have been converted about the same time, and in one place, who have been called to perform so important a part in building up the kingdom of Christ. One of these men was the excellent Felix Neff, of blessed memory. Another was the late Henry Pyt. The greater part of them, however, still live to adorn and bless the church in France and Switzerland. none of them have become more celebrated than the subject of this notice.

But

Not long after his ordination, Dr. Merle set out for Germany, where he spent a number of months, chiefly at Berlin. On his way to that city, he passed through Eisenach, and visited the castle of Wartburg, in the vicinity, famous for the imprisonment of Luther. It was whilst gazing at the walls of the room which the great Reformer had occupied, that the thought of writing the History of the Reformation" entered his mind, never to abandon it till its realization should put the world in possession of the immortal work whose existence may be said to date from that dav.

From Berlin, Dr. Merle was called to Hamburgh, to preach to an interesting French Protestant Church, which had been planted by pious Huguenots, when compelled to leave France, upon the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and which has been continued by their de

scendants. In that city he spent five years, diligently employing his time in amassing information on the great subject upon which he had resolved to write.

From Hamburg he was invited to Brussels, by the late king of Holland, to preach in a chapel which he had erected in that capital, for Protestants who spoke the French language. At that time, and down till 1830, Belgium (of which Brussels is the capital) was united to Holland, and formed a portion of the kingdom of the Netherlands.

In the year 1830, a revolution took place in Belgium, occasioned as much by religious as by political causes. The priests, in order to deliver the country from the Protestant influence which a union with Holland diffused in it, joined De Potter and the other "patriots" in their revolutionary measures. The enterprise succeeded. The Dutch were driven out; and all who were considered friendly to the king, or intimately connected with him, were in no little danger. Among those who were in this predicament was Dr. Merle. At no small risk of his life, he escaped from Belgium to Holland, where he spent a short time, and thence went to his native city.

The return of Dr. Merle to Geneva was most opportune. The friends of the truth had been steadily increasing in number since the year 1816, and had begun to think seriously of founding an orthodox school of theology, in order that pious Swiss and French youth, who were looking to the ministry of the gospel, should no longer be forced to pursue their studies under the Unitarian doctors of the academy. The arrival of Dr. Merle decided them for immediate action. The next year, 1831, the Geneva Evangelical Society was formed, one of whose objects was to found the long-desired seminary. In this movement Dr. Merle took a prominent part, and was placed at the head of the new school of theology. His intimate friend, the excellent Mr. Gaussen, so favourably known in this country for his Theopneustia, and in Switzerland for many other writings,-took an equal part in this enterprise, and was chosen Professor of Theology. Mr. Gaussen is one of those in Geneva who have had to endure much of the "shame of the cross,' and he has endured it well. For the noble stand which he had taken in behalf of the truth, he was, by the government, turned out of the church of which he was for years a pastor. A man of fortune, as well as of rich gifts and attain

ments, he has devoted himself, without a salary, to the infant institution which he and Dr. Merle, sustained by some distinguished laymen-among whom I may mention Col. Tronchin, Ch. Gautier, and M. Boissier-have been the instruments, under God, of founding and of raising up to its present respectable standing. Commencing with some three or four young men, it has steadily increased, till it has now forty students, including both the preparatory and the theological departments.

This seminary has enjoyed the talents of other valuable and distinguished men. For several years, M. Galland was a professor in it. The late and still muchlamented Steiger, the pupil and friend of Tholuck, was a professor in it during some years; and at present, it enjoys the services of Messrs. Pilet and La Harpe,

who are worthy colleagues of Merle D'Aubigne and Gaussen.

It may be insignificant to remark-but it will answer some inquiries which have been addressed to me-that Dr. Merle D'Aubigne is a large, fine-looking man, of most agreeable manners; and personally, ally, as well as mentally considered, he would be pronounced by every one to be altogether worthy to speak of Martin Luther, John Knox, and the other giants of the Reformation. Nevertheless, I am pained to say it, his health does not correspond with the robustness of his frame, nor the vigour of his appearance. He suffers much at times from complaints of the chest. I am sure that in making this statement, I shall secure the prayers of many a reader, that his valuable life may be spared many years to bless the church and the world.

THE LABOUR AND PECUNIARY ASPECTS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. NEXT to the Irish Church Establishment in point of waste, corruption, and inefficiency, stands that of England. The former institution, indeed, to no small extent forms a breakwater to the latter. This is felt by the clergy, and confessed by Statesmen. It is avowed by both, without fear or shame, that these two systems, or rather portions of the same system in two kingdoms, must stand or fall together. This fact alone explains the reasons of the policy of each successive government towards the Irish incu

bus; it is not denied to be bad in itself, but still it must be preserved for the sake of its English sister, which, it is alleged, is better. The former stands in much the same relation to the latter as a foreign war to a bad Home-government, diverting the attention of an injured people from its wrongs through the oppression, peculation, and other misconduct of its rulers. So long as the Irish Established Church exists, we have but little hope of fixing the mind of the country on the enormities of her English associate; and till that attention be fixed, of course, the iniquity of the system can neither be seen nor felt. But most assuredly so soon as the strong sense and penetrating reason of Englishmen shall be applied to that portion of the social fabric, it will awaken feelings

which nothing can allay, and kindle flames which nothing can extinguish, but either a most searching inquiry and a sweeping reform which for a season may prolong its existence, or else an entire dissolution which will rid British society of a grievous nuisance, and deliver true religion from an intolerable calamity. The institution called the Church is invested with such attributes, and arrayed in such a garb of obliquity and rapacity, that the moment men begin to reflect and inquire, nothing can save her from one or other of these events. Her foundation is injustice; her shield is darkness. When mankind, once enlightened, shall draw near, surround her, fix their eyes upon her, survey the bloated mass, and commune together concerning her, from that hour her days will be numbered, and the number soon told! Men of all classes, of all views, and of all tastes,men of true religion, whatever their sect, and men of no religion, whatever their party, each on his own ground, but all as one man, will unite against her as a common enemy! The poor and the rich, the statesman and the saint, each on his own grounds, will have a long indictment to present against her. On that solemn day she will stand alone and friendless; neither reason, nor religion will have one word to offer in her defence. Justice will demand her overthrow, and she will find the mercy of

mankind clean gone for ever! It will then be found, that, in the Church of England alone, there is incalculably more corruption than in all the Protestant churches and Protestant governments in Europe united. That she has been endured so long is a fact to be accounted for only on grounds which are not very complimentary to the intelligence, morality, and religion of the country. As she owed her being to popular superstition, so she owes her preservation to popular stupidity. When England awakes she will perish!

The old pension-list, which for so long a period, from year to year, called forth so much Senatorial sarcasm and social indignation, was marked by angelic purity, an emanation from heaven itself, compared with the injustice and corruption of the Established Church. In no department of civil life would it be for one moment tolerated; the whole land would at once be up in arms against it. The thing requires only to be seen, in order to excite in the breast of every virtuous and patriotic man loathing and execration. From a return lately laid before the House of Commons, and printed, we collect the following particulars concerning the staff of the Church of England:

We

Of the non-resident incumbents, there are absent from their livings 1632 from residing on other benefices; 360 from infirmity or illness of the incumbent or his family; 421 from want or unfitness of the parsonage-house; 969 absent without license or exemption, (though some of these "performed the duties of their respective parishes;") and the remainder absent from miscellaneous causes. have only to conceive of such an order of things as this in the army or navy. Only conceive of the same man being a lieutenant in one regiment, a major in another, a captain in a third, a general in a fourth, pocketting the pay of all, and doing the duties of none! Only conceive of 1632 such officers in the British army ! Conceive again of 969 officers of the navy "absent from their ships without leave," leaving the war to

go as it may, but still regularly drawing their emoluments.

The number of glebe-houses is 7589.

The number of curates serving benefices on which the incumbents are nonresident, is 2711. The number of curates assistant to resident incumbents is 2032: Total number of curates, 4743. Think again, then, of 4743 of the East India Company's servants serving by deputy, and receiving from the Company, ten, fifteen, or twenty times the sum they paid for their substitutes! What would the Court say to such a system?

It is not possible to ascertain from this paper the number of the clergy, because it is not stated how many of the incumbents hold more than one living; but at least 1632 do so, because they are resident on other benefices; but others of the non-resident clergy are also pluralists. Perhaps the 3736 benefices where the incumbents are not resident may have 1736 clergymen belonging to them, (2000 of them being assumed to be held by pluralists.) Was there ever corruption like this corruption? Then the number of the clergy would be 13,178.

It ought to be mentioned, that a considerable number of the benefices where the incumbents are not resident, are of small value; 467 of them are of the value of £100 a year or under, and 312 of them are of the value of £50 or under. Even were we to concede the principle of Church and State, it would not at all affect our views of the inexpressibly unjust, the unparalleled monstrosity of the system. Great inequality. prevails among the revenues of the bishops; and it is infinitely increased among the clergy. The state of more than one-half of the curates is one of great hardship. A number of curates larger than that of all the Congregational pastors in England, that is to say, 2521, have not a salary amounting to one hundred pounds a year!

sory principle done for them? Surely these men's eyes are not blinded by their interests; why then will they not see the essential injustice which is inherent

in the unholy system? How long till they be sick of their serfdom? How long till they vindicate their claim to reason, and act as Christian men?

CHRONICLE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES: OF THE BOARD FOR GENERAL EDUCATION: AND OF THE THREE SOCIETIES FOR BRITISH MISSIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNION. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE SIXTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION, HELD IN THE CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY, SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1846.

The

REV. DR. VAUGHAN resumed the chair. opening prayer was conducted by the Rev. James Gawthorn, of Derby.

The Report of the Board for General Education was read by the Rev. Robert Ainslie, and adopted on the following motion proposed by Edward Baines, jun., Esq., and seconded by the Rev. Henry Townley:

XI. That the Report now read be adopted, and printed and circulated, under the direction of the Board.

Second Report of the Board for General Education, presented to the Contributors, and to the Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union, Saturday, May 16, 1846.

It is felt that the present meeting is one of great importance on the subject of education in relation to Congregationalists. Nearly two years and a half have elapsed since the great meeting was held in the Congregational Library to commence a subscription to aid in the advancement of education in England and Wales. Since then some circumstances have been unfavourable to the prosecution of the work with the vigour and uniformity which its importance and the necessities of the rising population have required; and some arrangements were made at that meeting, especially as to local operations, which have made a wrong impression as to the general results of the efforts of Congregationalists throughout the kingdom.

In advocating the religious education of the children of Britain by the freewill offerings of the people, without statute law, compulsory attendance, or money raised by taxation, the Congregationalists never arrogated to themselves the power nor the purpose of educating all the neglected children in our cities, towns, and villages. As on the religious education of adults by ecclesiastical Establishments, so on the religious education of children chiefly under the control of such Establishments, largely aided by grants from the Consolidated Fund, they protested against what they considered to be an unsound principle, inculcated what they deemed to be in accordance with justice, freedom of conscience, and the Holy Scriptures, and expressed their willingness to prove by their contributions the deep interest they took in the universal advancement of education. In this protest they

were joined by many members of the Established Church, by the Presbyterians of England and Scotland, by the great Methodist bodies, by the Baptists, and by other denominations. What has been effected by others it is not in the power of the Board to report; nor can it do justice to the Congregationalists, because the returns are yet incomplete. It will, however, be seen that under all the disadvantages of this novel movement, and under many discouragements, the good work has been advancing. The first proposal to raise £100,000 in five years, by Congregationalists, for an unsectarian and religious education, has been accomplished; and if the heart of the Congregational body can be stimu lated to a yet more healthy action, and its pulsation become regular and vigorous to its extremities, unimpeded by palsied or paralytic members, then the £200,000 which some of the more sanguine and liberal contributors suggested as the minimum amount to be raised in five years, can be raised; and thus a lesson be read to statesmen, to churches of all denominations, especially to the wealthy and richly-endowed Established Church in this kingdom, and to all the friends of education, teaching them that if they will go and do likewise according to their ability, schools may be thickly planted over the kingdom, not national in name, but national in their spirit, embracing every ignorant child that will cross their threshold, forcing upon none of them a catechism untrue in some of its statements, and inapplicable to the circumstances of many of the children; nor compelling their attendance at any particular place of worship on the Lord's-day, as the condition of their receiving daily education.

If it were necessary to disclose facts to such an assembly as this, as to the ignorance and debasement of the neglected portions of our popu lation in towns and rural districts, both adult and juvenile, it could easily be done. Private information communicated to the Board, personal observation and investigation of various localities, with the published documents of the Registrar-general, and the Reports of the state of prisons in England and Wales, published by order of the House of Commons, would furnish enough to make us modest in speaking of what has been done for the humbler classes, and make us ashamed that England-the sons of the soil of England-should have been so long neglected, and should present to the enlightened traveller from other shores such a sad spectacle of neg lected cultivation, lost mental power, and spiritual degradation. But the time of this assembly need not be occupied by dwelling upon such facts. The condition of the humbler classes is too well known to Congregational ministers, and the necessity for schools too deeply felt, to render it necessary at the present moment. The Board will therefore proceed to answer the question, as far as it is able, What has been done by Con