Bristol, Lord Lyttelton, the Speaker, Mr. Walpole, and Drs. Jacobson and Jeremie. The whole work is divided into eight parts, viz. :1. The Pentateuch. 2. The historical books. 3. The poetical books. 4. The four Great Prophets. 5. The twelve Minor Prophets. 6. The Gospels and Acts. 7. Paul's Epistles. 8. The remainder of the Sacred Volume. Each part has its particular editor, with contributors, and over them there is a general editor, who will, however, have to act under the committee we have named. The staff of editors and contributors, whose names we omit through lack of space, is said to embrace some of the most eminent scholars and divines of the Church of England. From such a galaxy of talent and learning we shall surely be justified in expecting a Commentary of rare excellence and value. Whether we shall really find therein every knot untied, every difficulty cleared up, every objection met, and such a flood of light, historical, scientific, theological, exegetical, critical, &c., thrown on the sacred text, as shall leave nothing further to be desired, remains to be seen. The undertaking is a very important one, and we think not without a little hazard. We shall rejoice if it furnish an effectual antidote to the poison contained in the "Essays and Reviews," Bishop Colenso's infidel productions, and all similar publications. There is one thing about the project that we do not exactly like. It is said that the work is to be ushered into the world as the "Authorized Commentary." Authorized" by whom, and in what sense? Authority it cannot have in the sense of law, nor 66 in even of respect and fluence with thoughtful and independent minds, beyond what is due to wisdom and sound interpretation; and in this respect we have as much cause to fear as to hope; and, indeed, we have serious doubts whether the project will be carried out to its completion. Thousands of good men in the Church of England are mourning over the present disastrous state of things in that Church. How lamentable that men occupying high places in the Church, who have subscribed to its Articles, who receive its pay, and who are bound by the most weighty obligations faithfully and truly to teach its doctrines, should be found propagating the deadliest heresies, denying the inspiration of the Scriptures, the Divinity of Christ, the Atonement, &c., and openly avowing and advocating the principles of infidelity! And it is still more lamentable that the Church seems to have no power to deal effectually with these cases. She appears, indeed, to be helpless. More than seven months ago, Dr. Lushington, the Judge of the Court of Arches, sentenced Dr. Williams and the Rev. H. B. Wilson, both of them vicars, to be suspended from their offices and benefices for one year, and to pay the costs of their prosecution, for what they had written in the "Essays and Reviews." This sentence, however, which most people would look upon as very lenient, has, on appeal, been reversed by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the highest legal tribunal in this country; and Dr. Williams and Mr. Wilson are restored to their parishes and pulpits, and are to be allowed the costs of the appeal. So ends this famous and long-pending litigation, and we should not be much surprised if the proceedings in the case of the Bishop of Natal were ultimately to terminate in a similar manner. We deeply deplore that religion should thus be scandalized, and occasion of triumph given to the enemies of God, and truth, and righteousness. Surely very great changes are needed in a system that permits such things to be done. In the Christian Work Magazine for the present month there is an able and deeply interesting article on the "care of the blind in London." It appears that the estimated number of blind persons in the world is not less than 3,000,000; that the number in the United Kingdom is about 30,000; and that in London there are 2,638. It is worthy of remark, that blindness is more frequent in agricultural than in manu facturing districts, and that the relative proportion of the sexes among the blind is about 113 males to 100 females. In England and Wales there are, under twenty years of age, 2,702 blind persons; and over twenty years of age, 16,647. In estimating the number who may be eligible for employment in industrial pursuits, there is a basis furnished of 6,049 under forty years of age, and 10,553 under sixty. In the United Kingdom there is one blind person to every thousand of the population. In London there are various Institutions for the blind, in which they are taught industrial occupations, the art of reading, &c.; and it is pleasing to know that in none of them is the spiritual welfare of the inmates neglected. One of these institutions, "The Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind," situated in Euston Road, is the result of the active benevolence of Miss Gilbert, a blind lady, the daughter of the Bishop of Chichester, and has been the means of doing much good. The Society for supplying Home Teachers and Books in Moon's type for the Blind” was established about eight years ago, and is running a career of everincreasing usefulness. The Earl of Shaftesbury is the president. The one great object of this institution is, "THE BIBLE FOR THE BLIND." During the last seven years, by means of six home teachers, five of whom are blind, this Society has taught nearly 700 of the blind in London to read. As they are taught at their own homes, the teachers carry their books to them. The vivid descriptions of the blind themselves can alone convey a true idea of their enjoyment. "It is new life," says one. "When they all go out and leave me alone," says another, "then I take my book, and my Saviour comes and talks with me." This movement has been extended from London to many other places. There are not less than thirty-three localities in the kingdom where the work of home teaching is now carried on, in which, including the London Society with its east and west branches, above 4,200 blind have been reached, and 2,000 have been taught to read. In the last report of this Institution, the following cheering statement was given :"From whatever quarter a home teaching report arrives, it always tells, not only of the blind reading, but of the wicked reformed, the ungodly renewed, or the fierce become gentle. Such is the power of God's Word when accompanied by His Spirit, and such the blessed work carried on in the thirty-three places on our list." Through the grace of God, and His blessing on the Word read, many blind persons have been transformed into happy and exemplary Christians, so that they have been enabled to say, in a spiritual sense at least, "Whereas we were blind, now we see." May the number of such be greatly increased! The institutions for the blind which exist in London and in provincial towns and cities, are certainly not among the least noble, philanthropic, and useful of which our country can boast. The annual meeting of the Congregational Association has been held. The report gave an interesting account of the work done during the past year. The object of the Association is to evangelize the dark places of London by means of Christian visitation, church action, and territorial missions. There is a central committee for the management of the general affairs of the Society, and district Unions for the superintendence of local action. The report stated that during the year five agents had been appointed, several new congregations formed, the Territorial Mission Chapel contracted for, and a very healthy stimulus given to the membership of the churches connected with the Association. The chairman, Mr. Samuel Morley, expressed his deep sense of the need of increased spiritual agencies for the evangelisation of London, and as he had offered to pay the third part of the cost of twelve mission chapels, and the whole expense of half-a-dozen iron rooms, it was earnestly hoped that the churches would be stirred up to prosecute the undertaking. In connexion with the efforts for home evangelisation now making by the Congregationalists, the Surrey Congregational Union has issued an important report, containing the results of special inquiries into the rural and Metropolitan districts, statistically arranged. The amount of spiritual destitution which these statistics reveal is truly alarming. In the Metropolitan district of Surrey, for example, the population in 1851, was 482,435, but in 1861 it was 579,748, being a total increase of nearly 100,000 souls. In 1851 there were for all this district, 229 churches and chapels, but in 1861 there were only 212, being a decrease of seventeen, while the increase of population had been equal to the adding of towns larger than Brighton to the south side of the Metropolis. What a call is here for Christian liberality and effort! Seventeen rooms had been opened, and special services arranged; but the rapidly increasing wants of the new populations, without any adequate provision for them, has occasioned deep anxiety, and the Surrey Union has commenced operations, in the confident hope of being able, with other denominations, to stem this tide of spiritual destitution, if it cannot turn it back. May the prospering blessing of Jehovah be signally vouchsafed! On the 16th of February the "Young Men's Christian Association held their annual meeting. The Earl of Shaftesbury, who occupied the chair, took occasion to allude at some length, and in a very able manner, to the foolish and reprehensible efforts which are being made by certain writers to bring science and the Bible into antagonism. The Earl dealt with the subject in a clear and lucid manner, and contended for the full inspiration of the Sacred Oracles. We are informed in the Baptist Reporter, that the position of the Baptist Missionary Society has materially improved. The prospective deficiency, which a while ago was reckoned at £8,000, is now hopefully estimated at considerably less than £6,000; and in every part of the country efforts are being made, not only to meet the present difficulty, but to raise the permanent income of the Society to an amount more commensurate with the duties and means of the denomination. When It appears there is to be another attempt made, during the present Session of Parliament, against the sanctity of the Sabbath, and in favour of opening museums, picturegalleries, and suchlike places, on the Lord's-day. Lord Palmerston has been waited upon by a deputation of delegates from the trade societies of the Metropolis, on this subject, and this will doubtless be followed by other measures. will these mistaken men learn that the Sabbath is among their greatest blessings, and that its sacred character is its only safeguard as a day of rest? We are sorry, exceedingly sorry, that Lord Palmerston's answer was not by any means up to the mark; and that it showed, as with a sunbeam, that whatever his lordship may be as a statesman, his views on the Sabbath question are anything but sound and scriptural. We believe, however, there is too large an amount of correct, sound, Christian feeling in this country, to allow a legalized continental sham to be substituted for the Christian Sabbath. Woe be to England, if that day should ever arrive-her glory will have departed! It behoves us all to give wakeful attention to the subject, and to be prepared to act becomingly in any emergency that may arise. It is a gratifying fact that during the year 1863 there passed through the depôts of the British and Foreign Bible Society in Italy, for sale, not fewer than 28,000 copies of the Word of God. Of these, 19,000 have been vended by the colporteurs of that Society, 5,000 by the colporteurs of the Scottish Bible Society, and the remaining 4,000 by the various religious book depôts and through the efforts of other parties. This is a considerable increase on the sales of the previous years. We are also informed that £160 worth of religious publications, belonging to the Evangelical Italian Publication Society, have been sold during 1863, at the tract depôts, and by the colporteurs of the Scottish Bible Society. It appears that religious information is being extensively dif fused in Italy at the present time, and the very best results are anticipated. Considerable opposition is offered by the priests, but the truth will win and conquer. There is good news from India. It is agreed on all hands that Hindooism is rapidly declining, and that Christianity is advancing and spreading. The Friend of India observes" Natives of the highest caste will now attend institutions where the Bible is read, and hundreds will assemble to hear a lecture from the most distinguished Missionary of the day. One native writes, no more do we see any educated Hindoo believing in the dogmas of his forefathers' religion.' In a word, the former state of things is crumbling away like a piece of rotten wood. Future missionaries will find the people ready and prepared to hear them, instead of their having to battle against prejudice and obstinate bigotry. No man expects to find his garden blooming with flowers the day after he has put the seed in the ground. The progress of missions has been, upon the whole, rapid and wonderful, when the character of the people is taken into consideration." The total number of converts, according to the Bombay Guardian, connected with all Protestant missionary Societies in India, Ceylon, and Burmah, amounted, in 1862, to 49,688. Of these, 13,490 belonged to the Church of England, 20,950 to the Baptists, 2,517 to the Wesleyans. There is also cheering intelligence from China. There are in China, at present, in connexion with Protestant missions, about 2,500 Church members. Of these 800, or nearly one-third, are to be found in Amoy, and the rural villages around it. Here the agents of the London Missionary Society, the Dutch Reformed Church, of America, and the English Presbyterians, have been very successful. The Rev. W. S. Swanson, of the Presbyterian mission at Amoy, gives a most touching narrative of a visit he paid to the village of Liong-Bun-Soo. He had been informed that four persons who had become interested in the Gospel, had so impressed their fellow-villagers with what they had heard, that the four had increased to twenty-nine, and that the whole village, with the exception of one or two persons, had renounced idolatry, and were keeping the Sabbath; that many had broken their idols, and that some had destroyed their ancestral tablets. The reception he experienced was most affecting. They were just about to commence a religious service. "Poor people!" says he, "they rushed about me, and with the most lively demonstrations of joy welcomed me. I was so struck and overcome with such a sight, that my feelings I cannot express. We met in the open air, and I preached to them from the first part of John iii. It was with the utmost difficulty they would allow me to leave them. Young and old planted themselves in the village gates, and opposed my going; and it was only when I told them that there were others of their countrymen who had claims upon us, that they were willing to let me go." Delightful scene! Very much more information of an interesting character might be given, but we must again pause for a month. In the increase and prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom may both the writer and the reader feel an ever deepening interest! Right speedily " Sway Thy sceptre, March 5th, 1864. [We call attention to the very interesting communication from our esteemed brother, the Rev. John Innocent, of China.—ED.] A VISIT TO THE MONGOL TARTARS. To the Rev. J. STACEY, Sheffield. Mr DEAR SIR, I have recently returned from a journey to inner Mongolia, or rather that part of the Chinese Empire immediately beyond the "GREAT WALL," and now included in CHINA Proper. Though accompanied by another gentleman, my object was the distribution of Bibles and religious books, and preaching the Gospel. Our destination was a large Mongolian trading-place, called by the Chinese Lama-Miaou, or Llama Temple, and designated by the Mongols Dolonor. It is distant from Peking, by the nearest road, about 250 English miles. Being particularly anxious to obtain some information about the social and religious condition of the MongolTartars, and convey to then some instruction in Christian truth, I took with me a number of the Mongolian New Testaments, and also some copies of religious tracts for distribution. The journey afforded facilities for missionary labour amongst both Mongols and Chinese, in parts of the country which have not been previously visited for evangelical purposes, and I trust may hereafter yield some fruit to the glory of God. We left Tientsin on the first day of May, and after a short detention in the imperial capital for passports, proceeded to Ku-pei-kow, an ancient pass in the Great Wall, en route to Jehol, the Emperor's Winter Palace. Beyond this point, our destination lay to the northwest. Before reaching Ku-pei-kow, the aspect of the scenery had changed from that of the dead plain of China, to that of surrounding dark and lofty mountains ; and for five days afterwards we passed through range after range of mountains, varying from 3,000 to 4,000 feet in height, which presented alternately the finest and wildest scenery I ever beheld. The road is carried along the beds of mountain-streams, which at this season are dry, and occasionally winds around, or over, a high hill, in getting from one valley to another. Sometimes we passed through a fine and fertile valley, enlivened with a village or hamlet; at other times the mountain sides were covered with wild peach-trees, all in blossom, which gave a most gorgeous aspect to the scene. We passed only one town of any importance for popula tion and trade; it is called Fang-hing, and though not enclosed by a wall, is styled a Hsien by the Chinese, which means a city of the third class. It has several good streets of shops, respectable appearance, and seems to do a good trade. The other places we a passed on the road to Lama-Miaou were small villages and farmsteads, with a small wayside inn here and there for the accommodation of travellers. The whole country is very poor, and peopled only with Chinese of the lowest class. Still the amount of travelling on this road is very extensive, and I had good opportunities at the inns of disposing well of the Scriptures to reading-men, and of setting forth the "Truth as it is in Jesus." The residents among these mountains are certainly a people dwelling in darkness. Judging from the small number of temples we saw, even the Buddhist priests don't care to enlighten them with the doctrines of Buddhism, and there are very few signs of any religion among them whatever. When within about fifteen miles of Lama-Miaou, we suddenly emerged from the rugged mountain-road into an undulating plain of sand, interspersed with white sand-hills of considerable size; the plain was covered with a coarse grass. Here we first met with Mongolians, and were told that they never took their cattle south of this place, as the mountains did not afford suitable pasturage for their herds. The plain we had now entered extends for a vast distance to the west and north, forming a most gigantic table-land, on which this nomadic people with their flocks and herds rove at large. Lama-Miaou seems to lie in a marshy situation, and on approaching it has the appearance of a few straggling streets of mudhuts, with a large temple at the head; but on reaching it, we found it to be a town of considerable size, having several lines of streets, full of good shops and warehouses and inns. There was a large open market-place, where cattle are sold every day; and hotels, where merchants from different parts of China had temporary residence, to offer their goods for sale, and store what they purchased of the natives until they could transport them. This part is only occupied by the Chinese, and they have control over all the trade of the place. The Mongol seems as ill adapted for business as the Chinaman is adapted for it; and here, where the two people reside in juxtaposition, their peculiar characteristics are strikingly developed. There is not a single Mongolian shopkeeper; his cattle and sheep and wool |