To hear sounds so foreign and strange coming from lips so long idolatrous, embodying the worship of the living God, will often bring tears of thankfulness into the eyes of christians; and some have expressed great satisfaction from attending services of which they understood only the spirit and object. THE SOLDIERS' FRIEND SOCIETY.-This Society employs agents to visit barracks, converse with soldiers, and distribute religious tracts, and copies of a quarterly magazine, entitled, "The Christian Sentinel." Its special work just now is to send scripture readers to Turkey; two of whom are about to embark for Constantinople to read the word of God to our troops, and converse with them on religious subjects. Mr. J. F. Sparke, who has recently resigned his charge as minister of the baptist chapel, Waterloo Road, London, is now the travelling agent of the Society. with the New Testament, and will remind, American churches. ROMANISM AND THE BIBLE.-The refusal of the Roman Catholic population to receive the bible, says the last report of the New York City Bible Society, are uniform and persistent, in proportion to their ignorance or their bigotry: the authority of the Roman church is paramount over the conscience and faith of the Romanists; nor is it to the Protestant bible only that they object, but to their own Douay version also. Rome wishes the people to have the bible in no version, but if they will have it, she consents to their having it only in connection with her own sophistical comments upon it. "I'll not have your bible," said an Irish woman to a missionary; "I dont believe it—I have better books-my priest gives them to me-and if he should see me with a bible he would not pardon my sins till I burned it, or threw it away." Afterwards, however, this same woman bought a bible, and says she now begins to feel that it is the only rule of faith, and able to make wise unto salvation. Prayer meetings are now held in her house. ANOTHER PAPAL EMBARGO.-Since the annexation of Texas and New Mexico to the United States, it seems that protestant bibles, by some means or other, find their way over the line into Mexico, where they are becoming troublesome to the Archbishop, who, in order to prevent further damage to the church, and to check future invasions of these much-dreaded bibles, has addressed a circular letter to all the clergy, in which he recommends them to observe the greatest vigilance in preventing the circulation and reading of protestant bibles, which are being introduced from the United States in Tamaulipas across the Texan frontier. CHINESE IN SAN FRANCISCO.-Rev. Mr. Speer writes to the Presbyterian board of Foreign Missions of the evening prayer meetings conducted in the Chinese language, and of the regular family worship in the morning. On these occasions, the prayers made by the Chinese church members are often spiritual and edifying, indicating a clear comprehension of the scripture system of redemption, and a careful and minute study of the word of God. Our habit is to read an appropriate chapter, and call on some of those present to lead in prayer, accompanying our exercises with singing also, in which two or three are quite proficient, and for which they have some taste. It is doubtful whether the shrill artificial POPERY BREEDING CRIME.-P. Mason, screeching of the Chinese ever can be adapted city missionary in Boston, stated, as a fact to christian hymns. Our music consists that should startle us into redoubled activity wholly of the well-known tunes of our in our missionary work, that a few days since, on visiting the House of Correction in South Boston, out of forty boys confined there for crime, but two were from under Protestant influence; the remaining thirtyeight were Romanists. GENERAL. THE NEW CRYSTAL PALACE at Sydenham, was to be opened on the 24th of May-the Queen's birthday-but not being able to accomplish this, the Managers announced that the opening must be later in the month. The Queen and Prince were ex. pected to be present. Though not nearly finished, we are told that many wonderful objects are ready for inspection. PRINCE ALBERT, it appears, has wisely declined the proposal for the erection of a monument of himself on the site of the late Crystal Palace; but recommends that the money, together with the surplus fund of the late exhibition, nearly £10,000, be appropriated to the promotion of the arts. THE ROYAL ALBERT, 121 gun ship, has been launched safely. The Queen was present to "christen" the vessel. Thousands were present. She will rival, if not excel, the "Duke." Her length is 272 feet above, 193 below; breadth 61 feet, depth 66 feet; 3726 tons. MORE GOLD is said to have been found in Australia in new places. In an old hole a party of seven persons found one nugget of solid gold nine inches long and seven broad, in the form of a tortoise, and weighing fifty-two pounds one ounce. THE JEWS AT JERUSALEM are said to be suffering dreadfully, in consequence of their usual supplies from their brethren in Russia being cut off by the war. CHINA.-The latest news we have seen represents the insurgents as not only unchecked, but as advancing on Pekin with certainty of final success. A SUBMERGED TELEGRAPH is about to be laid down in the Mediterranean Sea to Alexandria, and, it may be, to Constantinople. REVIEW OF THE PAST MONTH. Wednesday, May 24. AT HOME.-Parliament has voted the war taxes. The richer classes are to pay their share by a positive increase of the income tax, from which there is no escape - the working classes are to pay their share chiefly in the beer or spirits they consume, from which they can escape if they choose. We expect to hear a shout of "Hurrah for Teetotalism!" raised by the abstainers. But be that has it may; we guess few will be found who will be so loyal as to get drunk on patriotic principles. How admirably did Cowper hit off this kind of taxation— "Ten thousand casks, For ever dribbling out their base contents, Drink, and be mad then; 'tis your country bids! Gloriously drunk obey the important call! Her cause demands the assistance of your throats: Ye all can swallow, and she asks no more." Sir W. Clay's motion for the entire abolition of Church Rates was carried last evening in the House of Commons, by a majority of more than two to one-129 for, 62 against. Lord John, as is his wont, opposed the motion, apprehending unto what such things would grow the separation of church and state! And he is right.-Another veteran warrior, the Marquis of Anglesea, has gone the way of all the earth, at the very advanced age of 84. ABROAD. The Russians have not been able to make any further advances upon Turkey. Their armies are said to be suffering and wasting from sickness. They have Sir also sustained loss both in the Black Sea and the Baltic. A fort at Odessa, having fired on an English boat with a flag of truce, the place was bombarded by the English and French war-steamers, which did extensive damage to the forts and shipping. Charles Napier is said to have taken a Russian Fort in Finland, with 1,500 prisoners. There is a report that an English warsteamer of sixteen guns, the Tiger, having run aground, has been taken and destroyed. The rising in Greece appears to be supThe commanders of the allied pressed. armies have arrived at Constantinople, and they are preparing to enter the scenes of action. Austria has ordered an immense army to her northern frontier, which indicates antagonism to Russia. There are also indications of Sweden joining the Western powers. The latest reports represent Russia as willing to treat for peace, now she finds Europe arrayed against her. We should rejoice to hear of an honourable termination of war; but the Northern Despot ought to be bound over in recognizances to keep the peace, by the surrender of the Crimea and the mouths of the Danube as guarantees, or all this vast expense will be wasted. Marriages. April 15, at the General Baptist Chapel, Burnley, by Mr. Batey, Mr. J. Thistlethwaite, to Miss Mary Smith. April 19, at the General Baptist Chapel, Eyre Street, Sheffield, by Mr. Ashberry, Mr. G. H. Hiegold, to Miss Anne Strender. April 25, at Bloomsbury chapel, by Mr. William Brock, James Alexander Campbell, Esq., of Glasgow, eldest son of Sir James Campbell, of Stracathro, Forfarshire, to Ann, second daughter of Samuel Morton Peto, Esq., M.P., of 12, Kensington Palace Gardens, and Sumerleyton Hall, Suffolk. April 25, at Dover Street baptist chapel, Leicester, by Mr. Pike, Mr. W. Cotton, to Miss M. A. Clarke. April 27, at the baptist chapel, Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, by Mr. F. H. Roleston, Mr. W. Williams, Primitive Methodist minister of Hawkesbury Upton, to Miss Mary Reed, of Tormarton. And, May 17, Mr. Thomas Trotman, to Miss Mary Ann Parker, both of Chipping Sodbury. April 29, at Dacre Park chapel, Blackheath, by Mr. D. Jennings, Mr. Samuel Barrow, to Miss Elizabeth Browning Pledge. This being the first marriage solemnized in this place, an elegant copy of the "Oriental Bible" was presented to the newly married couple by Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker, two of that little band in whose zealous efforts the baptist cause at Blackheath had its origin, and by whom the neat and convenient chapel has been erected. April 30, at the baptist chapel, Gildersome, Yorkshire, by Mr. Sergeant, Mr. W. Bennett, to Miss R. Thrippleton. May 1, at Westgate baptist chapel, Bradford, Yorkshire, by Mr. Dowson, Mr. John Hartley, of Leeds, to Miss Harriet Smith, of Bradford. May 2, at Stoney Street baptist chapel, Nottingham, by Mr. Hunter, Mr. John Trivett, to Mrs. Mary Williams. May 2, at Broad Street baptist chapel, Nottingham, by Mr. Stevenson, Mr. W. B. Saunders, to Miss Fanny Fish. May 3, at Bridlington, by Mr. B. Evans, Barber, of Nottingham, to Miss Eleanor baptist minister, Scarborough, Mr. John Beilby, of Bridlington. May 6, at Charles Street baptist chapel, Leicester, by Mr. Isbell, Mr. W. Ward, of Belgrave, to Mrs. Meres. May 9, at Dover Street baptist chapel, Leicester, by Mr. Stevenson, Mr. R. B. Earp, to Miss. E. Wood. May 9, at the baptist chapel, Rugby, by Mr. Angus, Mr. T. Flavell, to Miss A. Muir. May 11, at Heneage Street baptist chapel, Birmingham, by Mr. John Angell James, Mr. C. Flint, to Miss Louisa Truman. May 14, at Grimsby baptist chapel, by Mr. Colcroft, Mr. R. A. Snell, to Miss C. Lusby. And on the next day, Mr. T. Hanson, to Miss E. Smith. May 16, at Cannon Street baptist chapel, Birmingham, by Mr. Swan, Mr. E. Checkland, of Leicester, to Miss M. A. Johnson, of Birmingham. Deaths. April 19, aged 70, Mrs. Sarah Hudspeth. Baptized fifty years ago at Hindley, she first joined the church at Cold Rowley, and then removed to Middleton. She was a woman of a superior mind, to whom the Lord gave great largeness of heart, as her works, which follow her, testify. She died in faith and peace. She was buried at Hamsterley, Durham, April 23, in the grave of her grandfather, Isaac Garner, a former minister of the church there. May 1, aged 60, Mr. John Wallis of Lenton, near Nottingham, formerly of Loughborough, and brother of Mr. Joseph Wallis, Tutor of the General Baptist College, Leicester. Our departed friend was universally esteemed for the equanimity of his temper and the kindness of his heart. He | was one of those christian men whose loss will not only be felt in the family circle, or the church of which he was an active member, but by the connexion whose interests for many years he had honourably laboured to promote. May 2, at the baptist college, Pontypool, in the 20th year of his age, William, the second son of Mr. Thomas Thomas, the president of the college. He was a young man of no ordinary abilities, of genuine piety, and of great promise, on account of which, added to his most generous disposition, he was much endeared to his family, and respected and beloved by all who knew him. May 5, aged 80, Mr. John Vernon, Tarporley. Baptized in 1817, he maintained to the end a consistent profession, and was respected by all denominations of born at Woolaston, Northamptonshire, in christians. May 17, Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, for many years a very active and esteemed member of the General Baptist church, Archdeacon Lane, Leicester. May 21, at Bromsgrove, in the 89th year of his age, Mr. John Seroxton, formerly (for upwards of forty years) the pastor of the baptist church there. He was 1766; baptized at Irthlingborough, near Higham Ferrars, when but a boy; was admitted a student in Newport Pagnell College, March, 1786; left Newport, 1791, and assisted Mr. S. Greatheed, Independent minister, at Woburn; and came to Bromsgrove in 1798. He was enabled to maintain a christian profession from his boyhood, and died universally esteemed. WE close our present record of the departed in this form, that we may not only attract the attention of our readers to the two distinguished christians whose decease we have now to mention, but as a tribute of respect to their memory. On the same day-and that day was a sabbath day - April 30th, they entered into rest. Many a time had they met together in the earthly courts of the Lord; on the same day, no doubt, to their mutual surprise and joy, they met each other again in the courts of Mount Zion which is above. ROBERT NEWTON—we give their names in the simple dignity of their distinctiondied at Easingwold, in Yorkshire, after, we write from personal recollection, more than fifty years laborious service in the cause of Christ. No man, we venture to affirm, during the first half of this century, travelled more miles, and preached more sermons, and spoke at more meetings, than Robert Newton. And he always preached the gospel-plainly, pointedly, efficiently. His last words were characteristic"Farewell sin and death! Praise God! Praise God!" The tidings of his death reached London during the Annual Meeting of the Wesleyan Missionary Society in Exeter Hall, and, as might be expected, when announced, deeply affected the large assembly. All honour to his memory! JAMES MONTGOMERY died at his own house in Sheffield, at the advanced age of 82. So universally esteemed was this most amiable of men, that the people of Sheffield determined to give him a public funeral. The shops were closed, and the inhabitants in thousands followed his remains to the romantic cemetry outside the town, the pall of the coffin being borne by Clergymen and Dissenting and Wesleyan ministers. "Sheffield might weep for its Poet," was once said as a sneer; but Sheffield never did until the day when she buried his loved form to be seen no more on earth! This is not the place to speak of him as a poet; but who, acquainted with his life and writings, will fail to notice how his early prayer was fulfilled when, pleading for the poor African, he wrote: "Lamented Cowper! in thy path I tread; O that on me were thy meek spirit shed! Many of the hymns which James Montgomery has left us will continue to be sung with joy in earthly worship to the end of time. At the grave, the following, written by himself, were sung: "Go to the grave; though, like a fallen tree, At once with verdure, flowers, and fruitage crowned; Thy form may perish, and thine honours be Lost in the mould'ring bosom of the ground. Go to the grave; which, faithful to its trust, Go to the grave: no, take thy seat above; |