almost nothing towards exploring this great field of missionary enterprise, now ripe and ready for active operations on a large scale. Our societies have contented themselves with doing little more than circulating, or rather thrusting into Spain, copies of the sacred Scriptures. On the other hand, our Government has not only done nothing for the truth in that country, but has, by a systematic carelessness in the selection of its ambassadors, positively counteracted the efforts of those who seek to spread abroad the truth.

If we are asked the question, "What would you have the English Government to do in Spain?" We answer, "A very easy and a very simple thing which will cost nothing. Send out to Madrid the noble example of a Protestant family from the Court of a British Queen, the members of which shall be models of every Christian and domestic virtue; and who, by drawing around them a circle of well-conducted Christians, may afford such a specimen of society, as would find many admirers and imitators; a society whose influence might overcome unhappy prejudices, and exercise a constant, a persuasive, and an irresistible influence, the results of which should be happy and enduring." And what obstacle is there to prevent the inviolable sanctuary of the English Embassy, or even the houses of the British Consuls, from being, at once, consecrated to the Protestant worship, in which the numerous English subjects, established or resident in Spain, might join on every returning Sabbath-day?

There may be no remedy for the past. It can but serve as a lesson for our future guid ance. Let us learn that lesson. Spain is now ripe for our efforts. The public press of that country discusses, with a certain degree of freedom, all sorts of religious questions, and the chief part of the nation is ready to throw off the yoke of the last Concordat, which is vastly unpopular all over the kingdom. The clergy have reached the lowest state of degradation through their ignorance, the fruit of their pacific monopoly, persisted in ever since the establishment of their power by fire and blood, and they have now become a body of men who are treated with the greatest contempt. It only remains for us to apply the same energies to Spain that we do to other parts of the world, but without the timidity which the want of a knowledge of that country has always inspired. Let us go resolutely to the work with faith and energy, and Spain shall become the kingdom of our God and of His Christ. She cannot live longer under the weight of that species of nightmare, which, for a long night of spiritual darkness, has fettered her intelligence. She at last gives symptoms that the dawn is at hand-that she is about to awake, and get rid of the delusion for ever. El Alba, therefore, appears at the right juncture, and seems to us an instrument adapted to the end in view. Its name is happily chosen. We heartily wish it success, and trust that Spain is really about to see the dawn of a happier day.

*** The circulation of El Alba must of course, to a great extent, be gratuitous. We shall be happy to be the medium of any of our readers who may desire to aid it. Their contributions may be sent to the REV. EDWARD STEANE, D.D., Camberwell, Surrey.-EDS.

GERMANY.

HISTORICAL NOTICES OF THE EVANGELICAL MENNONITES.

IV.

dependence on his Lord, by reading, writing, and disputations, to spread and strengthen our denomination, and has enlightened us and built us up immoveably in faith and godliness, and toiled with faithful and loving solicitude for the flock committed to his care? We do this by bearing his name, and acknowledge at the same time that he remained firm to his principle, which I have already mentioned (1 Cor. iii. 11), to the end of his life although in much weakness, of which he was most deeply sensible, and which he confessed with a rare candour, mindful of the Apostle's words,

MENNO SYMONS. BY A MENNONITE MINISTER. December, 1854. Dear brother in the Lord,-I now propose to bring you into nearer acquaintance with that man who certainly desired, even more than Luther, that no party should be called by his name, but who has nevertheless arrived at such a distinction. Those who have conferred it upon him are, however, not ignorant of those words of our Lord which we find in Matt. xxiii. 8, "One is your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." They have not made this beloved man their master, but have simply, as has been already remarked, derived from him their confessional position, thus paying to him their just tribute of love, who as a faithful servant of God maintained before all, that the Baptists were following the Evangelical way, and were not in the least connected with the seditious Anabaptists. Ought we not, therefore, to bear testimony before the world that this man laboured with untiring zeal in simple

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus,” Philip. iii. 12

While thus giving you, dear brother, and your honoured readers more intimate information regarding this man, I have now to bring you into the neighbourhood of a country not

far from your own. I refer to Friesland, a country almost entirely surrounded by the North Sea, with whose peculiarities you are sufficiently acquainted. To this vigorous and simple people the Gospel was first brought, as we know, by the English Presbyter Willi brord, and after him by the famous apostle of the Germans, Boniface, who, on the 5th June, in the year 755, suffered martyrdom among this people. The strict Romish doctrine which he first introduced was dominant in these countries at the commencement of the Reformation. The Netherlands were in subjection to the powerful House of Austria, and the mighty Emperor Charles V. endeavoured, by every means in his power, to maintain the Papacy in these his hereditary lands, in consequence of which, during his reign, many Baptists and Lutherans suffered death with the most fearful tortures. It is at this period of heavy persecution and oppression that we first meet with the excellent man with whom we are now engaged-MENNO SYMONS. He was born at Witmarsum, a town between Harlingen and Bolsward, near Francker, in the year 1496, thirteen years after Luther, and a year before Melancthon. Of his parents and near relations nothing is known, except that one of his brothers perished in an insurrection at the so-called Old Cloister. Neither is anything respecting his youth or education known. Whatever we do know of his early life is what he himself tells us, and I shall not hesitate to let him speak for himself. He shall now give us his own words, which I take from his work before alluded to: "My Withdrawal from the Papacy," a work written with such candour, clear self-knowledge, and inspired power, that we cannot sufficiently admire it. What can be more interesting or more instructive than the confession of such a man? Let us, therefore, listen to him, and may the faithful Saviour who delights to glorify Himself in humble hearts, richly bless the following words to all who read them! With a short address to the reader Menno introduces his famous work:

Christ, I lie not. In the year 1524, in my 28th year, I repaired to my father's town Singjum, in the character of priest, where also two others of my own age were engaged in the same service; one was my pastor, a partially-learned man; the other was under me. Both of them had read a little in the Scriptures, I had never opened them, for I feared being led astray by their perusal. Ah, what a stupid preacher was I, and that for two years! A year after doubts arose in my mind whenever I distributed the bread and wine in the Mass, whether that was really the Lord's flesh and blood (that is to say, he doubted the truth of the Romish doctrine.)

"I regarded them as suggestions from the devil, designed to shake me from faith. I continually confessed them, sighed and prayed, but could not rid myself of these thoughts. The two young men with myself daily pursued a worldly course in drinking and similar amusements, as is, alas! the case with such idle people. And when we did converse about the Scriptures I never spoke of them but with derision; for I had no understanding of their contents, such a sealed book was God's Word to me.

"At length I came to the determination that I would diligently read the New Testament. I had not proceeded far when I perceived that we were in error, and my troubled conscience was soon freed, without any direction, from all distress regarding the before-mentioned bread; for I was encouraged by Luther's words 'that human injunctions (in which light the doctrine was acknowledged by Menno) cannot lead to eternal death.'

"Through the enlightening grace of God I continued to advance in the knowledge of the Scriptures from day to day, and was by some, although unjustly, regarded as an Evangelical preacher. Every one sought me, for the world loved me, and I the world, and yet it must be said that I preached God's Word, and was a pious man. It happened that before I had heard anything of the brethren, a God-fearing pious champion, named Sicke Snyder, was beheaded at Leeuwarden, because he had renewed his baptism. It sounded to me very surprising that any one should speak of another baptism. I searched the Scriptures diligently, and pondered them earnestly, but could find no mention of infant baptism. When I perceived this I had conversations with my pastor, and at length brought him so far as to acknowledge that infant baptism had no foundation in Scripture. But I could not depend alone on my own understanding, and therefore consulted many old writers. These taught me that children need to be washed from original sin. I examined this by the Scriptures, and saw that this would testify against the blood of Christ. I then went to Luther (i.c., studied his writings), desiring to find a reason. He told me that children must be baptised on their own faith. I perceived that this did not agree with the Word of God. I then went to Bucer; he taught me, that children were baptised in order that more zealous care might be taken to bring them up in "My readers, I write to you the truth in the fear of God; I saw that this had no founda

"Beloved readers! As we have been unjustly attacked by our adversaries, and accused of advocating the Münster doctrines, which treat of (false) kingdoms, the sword, insurrection, retaliation, and polygamy, as well as many other abominations; so be assured, my good readers, that I have never in my life agreed with the Münsterers in the above-mentioned articles, but have endeavoured now for more than seventeen years, to the best of my humble ability, to warn every one against these dreadful errors, and that I have always opposed them. I have even brought some of these people into the right way. I have never seen Münster. I have never had any communication with the Münsterers, and hope, by the grace of God, never to eat or drink with such men, as the Scripture teaches; but let them heartily acknowledge their abominations, bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and walk according to the Gospel."

He then continues as follows:

tion. For the fourth, I consulted Bullinger; he took me back to covenants and circumcision; I found that neither did this accord with Scripture.

"When I found that these writers disagreed entirely in their reasons, and that each one followed his own understanding, I candidly acknowledged that we were in error respecting infant baptism.

"A few years after I was removed to another town, Witmarsum, my birthplace. I altered my position out of greediness of gain and desire of getting a famous name; here I preached without inspiration or love, as is the case with all hypocrites, from the Word of God, and produced disciples likeminded with myself, who were mere boasters and talkers, and as little in earnest as I was. And although I had much knowledge in the Scriptures, yet it produced no fruit, for I lived a fleshly life, gratifying my lusts, and sought nothing but gain, comfort, man's favour, glory, a name, and honour, as do all who are such as I then

was.*

"Thus you see, my readers, that I came to the knowledge both of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, through the enlightening of the Holy Spirit, obtained by God's grace through much meditation and reading of the Holy Scriptures, and not by the help of seditious sects, as has been said I trust that I write the truth and seek no vain reputation; if, however, any should be profited, I will render eternal thanks

to God.

"My soul was deeply distressed, when I thought on the end, what profit would it then be to me, if I gained the whole world, lived a thousand years, and at last must feel God's anger upon me, and His mighty hand.

Accordingly, this poor wandering flock, without a shepherd, after many fearful decrees had gone out against them, and a terrible destruction and murder of them had taken place, assembled in my neighbourhood, and acting upon the unrighteous doctrine of the Münsterers, entirely opposed to the Spirit, Word, and example of Christ, took the sword in their defence, concerning which Peter received a command from the Lord to put it in its sheath.”‡

When this occurred, the shedding of their blood, although of a deceived people, fell so heavily on my heart that I could not bear it, and found no peace to my soul. I considered my impure and fleshly life, also my hypocritical teaching and idolatries which I daily exercised for appearance sake, although without any satisfaction, and indeed in contradiction to my soul. I had seen with my own eyes how willingly these infatuated people sacrificed their goods and their blood for their principles and their faith, although in an unrighteous cause; while I was united with those who perpetrated on some of them the cruelties of Popery. But I nevertheless continued in my ungodly life and deliberate hypocrisy, merely that I might preserve my fleshly ease uninterrupted, and be spared from bearing the "In the meanwhile, after I had lived there cross. When, however, I thus looked upon nearly a year, it happened that many began to myself in this light, I was so vexed in my soul, advocate adult baptism, but where this doc- that I could no longer endure it. I thought trine originated, and who they really were who within myself 'I, wretched man, what am I maintained it, I remain to this hour ignorant, doing? If I continue in this course, and and have never in my life seen them. The do not give myself up to God's Word as I sect of the Münsterers appeared, and many acknowledge it; if I do not condemn from pious hearts in our neighbourhood were led the Word of God, according to my humble astray by them. My soul was greatly troubled, ability, the hypocrisy of the learned, the imfor I saw that they were infatuated, but I was penitence, fleshly life, perverted baptism, also holding erroneous doctrine. I did all in my sacrament and false worship of God; if I do not little power to oppose them both by preaching declare the truth being restrained by the fear of and exhortations. Twice I spoke with their man; if I do not lead the innocent and wanchief man, once privately and once in public. dering sheep, who would be so willing to do But my exhortations did no good, because I what is right if they only knew it, into the. still continued to do what I confessed to be true pastures of Christ, as much as in me lies wrong. The report spread wide that I was-ah, how will the shed blood, although of capable of stopping their mouths. From all sides I was called upon. I saw that I was the impenitent champion and guarantee, to whom all trusted, and this caused me no little sorrow, and I wept and prayed that the Lord would help me that I might not draw upon me

the sins of others.

the erring, testify against me in the judgment before the Almighty and great God, and condemn, in His presence, my poor miserable soul!'

My heart trembled within me; I implored my God with sighs and tears that He would give to me, miserable sinner, the gift of His

*This affecting self-criticism will only be understood by Christians. Menno did not write for the ungodly and unbelieving world any more than Paul wrote those words "Of whom I am chief."

1 Tim i. 15.

Because he was still in the Romish Church, and still held his former position, as also his former course of life.

We find a more minute account in the biography of Menno: "The Münsterers had succeeded in sowing the seeds of insurrection in Friesland, and even in leading away some of the peaceable Baptists. Among these was Menno's own brother. In February, 1535, three hundred men, with women and children, fortified themselves in what was called the Old Cloister, near Witmarsum, and were on the 7th April, after a brave resistance, overpowered by the Stadtholder of Friesland. The majority fell in combat; of those taken prisoners, sixty men and seventy women, besides children, thirty-nine men were executed, and many women drowned; the others were liberated, as being seduced."

grace, would create in me a new heart, would | struggle of the soul, of Luther's struggle, and graciously pardon my wicked ways and vain of that of so many who have become lights of secure life, through the merits of the blood the Lord. As little as with Luther was it of Christ, would endue me with wisdom, reso- with Menno, that such struggle was sinful lution, candour, and with a manly courage, fanaticism. It was the work of God in the that I might be enabled faithfully to preach secret laboratory of a sinner's full heart, in His adorable and great name, and to pro- order that it might be made the dwelling-place claim His truth to His glory. I began in of the Trinity, and issue in a blessing for many. the name of the Lord to preach true repent- The waves of inward trouble rolled high even ance, to lead the people in the narrow way, to till they entered the soul, but the Holy Spirit condemn by the Scriptures all sins and un- | hovered over the waters and brought them, in righteousness, all idolatries and false worship the case of Menno as in that of Luther, to a of God, and to testify openly to the true wor- separation and a blessed decision. It was on ship of God and also to baptism and the the 12th January, 1536, that Menno left the sacrament, as much as God's grace enabled Roman Catholic Church, and exchanged his me. I also faithfully warned every one against comfortable life for the cross and misery, for he the Münster enormities, such as (false) kingdoms, polygamy, the sword, &c., until about nine months after the great and gracious Lord had lent me His Fatherly spirit, His aid, power, and hand, I freely abandoned my good report, my honour, and my name, which I had (outwardly) among men, and all my unchristian cruelties, mass, infant baptism, and wanton life, and joyfully returned in all my misery and poverty to the cross of Christ my Lord. I have then honoured God in weakness, and have striven after God's honour, and have taught some, though few, in good zeal and doctrine, have conversed with the perverted, and have delivered some, by God's help and power, from the net of perdition, through the Word of God, have won to Christ, and have commended to God the stiffnecked and obdurate. Thus you see, my reader, how the gracious Lord has changed me, a miserable sinner, by His gentle goodness and His excccding grace, has touched my heart, given me a new spirit, has humbled me in His fear, has, in part, taught me, has turned my feet from the way of death into the way of life, and has called me into the participation of His holy mercy. To Him be glory for ever. Amen!"

This is, dear brother, the account of the conversion of a man of whom we may truly say, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." James i. 12. Menno, indeed, belonged to those heroes who are greater than the conquerors of cities. How are we reminded, when reading the account of such a

chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of reward." (Heb. xi. 25, 26.) Soon after his withdrawal from the papacy he was baptised at Leeuwarden. But before he quitted the Romish Church he wrote the book I have before mentioned. "A clear and satisfactory proof from the Holy Scriptures, that Jesus Christ is the true David and King, against the great and horrible blasphemy of John of Leyden, who gave himself out before all as the King of Zion." This writing he sent to "all the faithful brethren scattered abroad." And now that he had left Rome he became a faithful follower of his Lord and Master, a chosen vessel to lead many souls to righteousness. This you will see in my next letter.

When you receive this, my beloved brother, that festival will be approaching in which we afresh proclaim to men, Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Oh! that we, with all those whose holy calling it is to proclaim the joyful news, might show to our fellow-men a little of that dear man's zeal for his God, and some of the overflowing of his love!

SILESIA.

DISTRESS OCCASIONED BY THE INUNDATIONS.
The Savoy, Dec. 9, 1854.

Dr. Steinkopff presents his compliments to the Rev. Dr. Steane, and would feel peculiarly obliged to him if the accompanying translation of a letter which Dr. S. has received from Count Von der Recke, formerly of Düsselthal, near Düsseldorf, but now resident on his estates in Silesia, could be communicated through the medium of the columns of Evangelical Christendom to the friends of our common Lord in Great Britain.

Dr. Steinkopff is fully sensible how multiplied and pressing are the claims which are now being made on British benevolence, yet he trusts that there may still be found some kind Christian friends able and willing to contribute to the alleviation of the distress occasioned by the fearful calamity of which mention is made in Count Von der Recke's letter.

Dr. Steinkopff begs to add that he will be happy to take charge of any, even the smallest contribution for this benevolent object, and

to forward the same to Count Von der Recke.

(To my dear Friends in England.) "Dear Christian Friends,-In former years you so often inclined heart and ear to my appeals, when I pictured to you the wants and necessities of my poor spiritually-neglected children, and by your kindness have assisted me in educating them, thereby inspiring my mind with feelings of gratitude and praise; for which may God in His mercy reward you. "I did not think that I should have been compelled to present to you another request, but the terrible inundations with which God has visited the whole of Silesia, have also deprived the inhabitants of the four villages under my immediate superintendence, 1000 in number, of every means of subsistence; so that I look

forward to the approach of winter with deep anxiety and a sorrowful heart, when I shall be called upon to dry the tears of many sufferers, without having the power of doing so, having myself had 2000 acres of my own estate so injured that I do not know how to sustain the cattle, much less the people. And now I come with this request to you, my dear Christian friends, entreating you, for the Lord's sake, to help me to alleviate the distress which surrounds me to such an extent, that my every joy is saddened and embittered.

Asiatic Intelligence.

WESTERN ASIA MISSIONS AID SOCIETY.

The first of the following letters is from the Rev. N. Benjamin, Treasurer of the Armenian Mission, in acknowledgment of the remittance sent from England in October. No. 2 is from the Rev. J. Ladd, American Missionary at Smyrna, giving an account of the formation of an Evangelical Christian Church at Thyatira; and No. 3, Extracts from a private letter, showing how gratifying an impression has been produced on the hearts of American Christians, by the British aid rendered to their Missions in Turkey.

[Letter from Rev. N. Benjamin to Rev. C. G. Young.] EFFECT OF BRITISH SYMPATHY-EXTENSION OF NATIVE AGENCY-TOCAT, MARASH, DIARBEKIRPROGRESS AT CONSTANTINOPLE-BROOSA-THE PRESS.

Constantinople, Nov. 3, 1854.

EFFECT OF BRITISH SYMPATHY.

My dear Sir, I had the pleasure to receive, on the 26th ult., your highly valued favour of the 9th. The Messrs. Ransom and Co. have also given me a credit with the Messrs. C. S. Hanson and Co., of this city, for the amount you mention, i. e., 5817. 7s. 6d., and have credited your Society for the same.

At our weekly business meeting, on the 28th, I communicated your letter, and hardly need assure you that it afforded great pleasure to all, and that its fraternal and truly Christian sentiments met with a warm response. I was instructed by the meeting to make to you, and through you to the Society you represent, our most grateful acknowledgments for this liberal and very timely grant, and give you every assurance that these funds shall be appropriated in strict conformity with the specifications you have given. We shall aim, after these funds shall have been put to use, to give you a detailed account of individuals employed, and places or districts of country which, in the application of your bounty, shall have been supplied with Evangelical labourers. If the Divine blessing, for which we hope, is given, it will be our happiness to describe to you many precious fruits. This first offering of our Christian friends in Great Britain will enable us to send out and support several excellent and well-qualified labourers. Indeed, there are already in the

field preachers and colporteurs engaged in active labour, whom we should hardly have ventured to employ, had we not relied on the co-operative movement in England. Pressed as we are by the demands of many new fields, nothing less than a constant, and to us very painful, effort has prevented a large excess in expenditure over the limits prescribed by our Society. At the same time I doubt not that a like effort has been necessary, on the part of those excellent and large-hearted men who have furnished us our means, it must be confessed, on a very liberal and constantly increasing scale.

You can judge, then, my dear Sir, with what joy we hailed the liberal aid now coming to us through your agency. The material benefit is a large one. At the same time we cannot but feel that the generous sympathies which have found expression in this movement, and the good-will and brotherly union which will flow from it, should be contemplated by every Christian in Great Britain and America with peculiar satisfaction. We rejoice, too, in the confidence that the work of God, in Turkey, will have a place in the prayers of good people in your country. Most of all do we desire and need the gift of the Holy Spirit, without whose aid and blessing our work cannot prosper.

EXTENSION OF NATIVE AGENCY.

I have already intimated that we have re