fairly reached, and must submit to the same. We understand, however, that Judge Barrett saw, or thought he saw, that the Convention, or its committee, did not keep to its own rules, but violated them palpably to that extent as to render the expulsion illegal by them; that Mr. McCarthy had no fair hearing, and so on. Assuming now the court to be right in its facts, it surely was right in this conclusion. And its decision, commanding the Convention to restore the expelled member, was quite within its power and duty. We hope, therefore, that instead of utterly disregarding the mandamus,' as some of our contemporaries advise, the Universalist Convention, like law-abiding citizens, will yield to it at once, and restore Mr. McCarthy. Then-if it remain of the opinion that he is unfit for membership-let it give him a trial so fair and honourable in its adherence to its rules, that when again expelled, if that be the end, the same judge will, by the same rules, justify them and condemn him. It can do the churches no hurt to understand that Cæsar has his eye on their doings, and that appeal to a secular tribunal is always possible against injustice within as well as against oppression without; while, of course, every church, association, or other ecclesiastical body, has the understood right, while it keeps within its own rules, to expel by them a member it deems unworthy." Home Intelligence. RITUALISM IN THE CITY OF LONDON. past eight o'clock. The Communion was celebrated by Mr. Dale, the Rector. There were two lighted candles on the communion table, when it was broad daylight. Mr. Dale wore an alb, maniple, chasuble, and a stole. On the 3rd of February the chasuble was green with a white cross on the back, and on the 10th white with a red cross. The stole was green. Mr. Dale wore a biretta on entering and leaving the communion rails. During the Prayer of Consecration he stood at the centre of the table with his back to the west. Witness could not see Mr. Dale either break the bread or take the cup into his hands; nor would it be visible to the other persons present. Mr. Dale, during the Prayer of Consecration and at the words, "This is my body" and "This is my blood," bowed his head down till it was level with the communion table, and bent his knees. The breaking of the bread had a crisp sound, resembling the cracking of a captain's biscuit. He did not see what was broken, or its shape. He saw that what was given to the communicants was a thin, round wafer about the size of a florin. He elevated the paten and the cup distinctly above his head. During the Absolution and at other times Mr. Dale made a cross in the air towards the congregation. The great bell of the church was rung three times at the words, The Dean of Arches (Lord Penzance) held a Court in a room in the House of Lords on the 10th ult., when the case of Sergeant and Others v. Dale came on for hearing. It was a proceeding under the Public Worship Regulation Act, by the churchwardens of the joint parish of St. Vedast, Foster Lane, and St. Michael-le-Querne, City, against the Rev. Thomas Pelham Dale, the Rector. In consequence of informality in the proceedings, a sentence in a former suit was of no avail. Mr. Jeune and Mr. Blakesley were counsel for the promoters (the churchwardens); the defendant did not appear, either personally or by proctor. Mr. Jeune having opened the case, evidence was given by Mr. Lee, Registrar of the Diocese of London and Secretary to the Archbishop of Canterbury, that the documents required under the Act had been sent to the Rev. T. P. Dale, addressed to the church in Foster Lane by registered letter. It was returned unopened, through the Postoffice, marked "Refused to be taken in." (The packet was now opened in court by Lord Penzance and found to contain the documents as Mr. Lee had described.) William Kirkman, an officer of the Arches' Court, spoke to serving a notice of the hearing on Mr. Dale personally. Directly he saw the contents he threw it away, but wit-"Do this in remembrance of me." Mr. ness left it with him. Mr. John Clifford Sergeant, senior churchwarden of the parish of St. Vedast, Foster Lane, said he had been a parishioner for over thirty years and a churchwarden for fourteen years. On Sundays, the 3rd and 10th of February, he attended the early morning service at half Dale gave directions that that should be done. The hymn, "Agnus Dei," was sung immediately after the Prayer of Consecration on the 10th of February, when the service was choral. Upon this evidence, Mr. Robert George Morley, another churchwarden, was called, and spoke to the mixing of water with the sacramental wine, and in other respects con- | why he should not move in the matter. The firmed the evidence of the last witness. The Lord Chief Justice granted a rule to show promoters asked for a monition against the cause, and the question whether this rule shall defendant.-Judgment was deferred. be made absolute will be argued before three of the judges of the High Court. THE NEW LECTIONARY. The use of the New Lectionary became obligatory from the 1st of January. In the course of a sermon in Westminster Abbey, the Dean called attention to the fact. The change in this matter, he said, was in itself a proof that the Church was not dead, but living, and was doing its work. The arrangements were now such as to bring what might be called an outline of the whole Bible annually before the whole congregation, and to lead to a more intelligent study of the Scriptures. There was no more potent instrument of public education than a proper selection of biblical teaching, introducing to the people the most sacred, the most human, and the most divine of all books. The grass might wither, the flower might fade, but the Word of our God contained in the best parts of this sacred Book would stand for ever. 66 THE BISHOP OF LICHFIELD COVENANT SUNDAY WITH THE The first Sabbath in the new year is a season of great solemnity with the Methodist people, as on that day they " renew their covenant with God." Mr. Wesley, in his journal for Monday, August 11, 1755, says: "We met for the joining in an act of solemn covenant at the French Church in Spitalfields (now the Wesleyan Chapel). After I had recited the tenour of the covenant proposed in the words of that blessed man, Richard Alleine, all the people stood up in testimony of assent, to the number of about eighteen hundred persons. Such a night I scarce ever saw before. Surely the fruit of it shall remain for ever." During Mr. Wesley's lifetime these seasons of consecration were held frequently, but the opening Sunday of the year has since his death been specially devoted to that purpose. The service is generally held in the afternoon, and is followed by the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Every loyal Methodist conscientiously endeavours to be present at this service; especially is this the case with the parent body in this country, and the Methodists of America and the colonies. Hundreds of thousands thus gave themselves afresh to the Lord and His blessed cause on Sunday, January 5th.-Christian Signal. A DESTITUTE DISTRICT. was recently appealed to by a number of 'aggrieved parishioners" of Wolverhampton and Smethwick. His lordship, replying to the presentments made to him, says he has requested that the use of lighted candles, except for purposes of light, shall be discontinued. He will not make any order as to the wearing of the stole. He has requested that the mixing of water with the wine during the administration of the Holy Communion, and the use of circular wafers, shall be discontinued; and he has asked that the practice of making the sign of the cross Hackney Wick lies between Old Ford towards the communicants in administering and Homerton, and has only recently been the bread and wine shall be abandoned. He reclaimed from the marshes. It is bounded refuses to prohibit the singing of the on the north by the Hackney Marshes, on Agnus Dei," and certain processions com- the east by a long line of colour, chemical, plained of, or to interfere in several minor India-rubber, and sweetstuff factories, and on grievances; and adds, that he has reason to the south by the North London Railway. believe that the several incumbents will Within this triangle live more than 6,000 loyally comply with his requirements; and souls, who are mostly without even the semhe hopes that the complainants, though not blance of religion. Through the energy and wholly satisfied, will accept his decision. liberality of a few Christian friends, a site has been purchased, and an iron mission hall having received a complaint, presented in has been erected. A minister (the Rev. W. due legal form, against the Rev. T. T. H. Booth) has been specially appointed to Carter, of Clewer, on account of his take charge of the work, and the various sernotorious Ritualistic practices, refused to vices have been held with very hopeful give the necessary sanction for judicial pro- results. One of the chief elements contemceedings being taken against him. An plated in this mission is its social and temapplication was therefore made, on the perance agency. Preparations are being 23rd ult., in the Queen's Bench Division made for the erection of a coffee palace, of the High Court, for a rule for a man- reading and recreation rooms, the establishdamus, calling on the Bishop to show causement of girls' sewing classes, working men's THE BISHOP OF OXFORD, E The Rev. A. Whitworth, Vicar of St. John's, Hammersmith, in a long letter to a member of the Order of Corporate Reunion, pointing out its schismatical character, says that certain clergymen have been consecrated secretly by a Roman Greek and Armenian prelate, and are now re-baptizing and re-confirming members of the Church of England. clubs, and the employment of a colporteur. | crease over the previous year of 39 priests Regular house-to-house visitation is being and 38 churches. vigorously prosecuted, but the men are almost inaccessible. Away from home in the day-time, they are mostly to be found at night in the public-house. About £800 has already been promised; but much more is required before either chapel, school, readingroom, or coffee palace can be commenced. Services are conducted nearly every evening in the week. Those who cannot give the time to this kind of work may wish to help it by contributions. These may be sent to W. L. Williams, Esq., 53, Bread Street, Cheapside. READING FOR BOYS. The records of our police-courts and other annals of crime are continually presenting painful evidence of the great degree in which juvenile delinquency owes its origin to the reading of pernicious periodicals, prepared expressly for the young by those who are thus poisoning the life of the nation at its very source. The Religious Tract Society has undertaken to cope with this great evil, by furnishing wholesome yet attractive reading for boys, which may supersede that which is doing so much harm. The first number of The Boy's Own Paper was issued on the 18th ult. Two numbers are now before us, which are got up in a style that cannot fail to be popular with the class for whom they are intended. While bearing somewhat of an outward resemblance to certain prints which they are intended to displace, their contents show the exercise of not a little skill in judiciously meeting the demand for that craving after the lively, the heroic, and the adventurous, which is so characteristic of the boy, wherever met with. Illustrations abound in the Boy's Own Paper, and on its list of numerous contributors are enrolled some of the most eminent writers of the day. The prompt and hearty co-operation of ministers and parents, schoolmasters and teachers, and of the friends of youth generally, is solicited by the society, and ought surely to be accorded to this praiseworthy effort. The Archbishop of York and 25 bishops held ordinations towards the close of the year; 422 gentlemen were admitted into holy orders. From the [Roman] Catholic Directory for 1879, which has just been issued, it appears that there are in Great Britain at the present time 21 archbishops and bishops of the Roman Catholic faith, 2,175 priests, and 1,386 churches. These figures show an in The Islington Clerical Meeting, which is held annually, took place on the 14th ult., in the Memorial Hall, Islington, the attendance numbering about 350. The Rev. Dr. Boultbee presided, in the absence, from indisposition, of the Rev. Prebendary Wilson, Vicar of Islington, and read an opening address which had been written by that gentleman. The addresses which followed were on the "Origin, Destiny, Redemption, and Sanctification of Man," by the Rev. J. W. Bardsley, Bishop Ryan, Canon Tristram, Bishop Perry, Canon Garbett, the Rev. Sir E. Bayley, Canon Bell, and others. The proceedings, though less exciting than they have sometimes been, were also more instructive and profitable. At the request of the congregation of St. James's, Hatcham, the Bishop of Rochester insisted upon Mr. M'Coll resigning; and on Sunday, the 5th ult., the choir and the few Ritualists who attend the church attempted to break up the service, because the officiating clergyman knelt at the north side of the communion table. The Rev. H. A. Walker, formerly a curate of St. Alban's, Holborn, was inducted as vicar, on the 15th ult. The details of the composition of the diocesan council of Gloucester and Bristol are being arranged. The council is to meet annually, and its members are to be elected for three years. We regret to announce the death, on the 6th ult., in his seventy-fifth year, of the Rev. W. Curling, for forty-four years the muchesteemed Vicar of St. Saviour's, Southwark. Mrs. Agnes Vaughan, widow of the Rev. Edward Thomas Vaughan, formerly Vicar of St. Martin's, Leicester, died in that town, a few days since, in her 93rd year, having survived her husband 49 years. The deceased lady leaves four sons, of whom the eldest, Edward Thomas, is a Canon of Peterborough, and Incumbent of Harpenden, Herts; the second, Charles John (Dr. Vaughan), is Master of the Temple; the third, John Luther (General Vaughan), is now in India; and the fourth, David James, is Canon of Peterborough, and Vicar of St. Martin's, Leicester. Monthly Survey of Missions. SPAIN. The Rev. Dr. Rule, whose missionary journeys in Spain began some fifty years ago, has lately revisited the Peninsula, and has inspected the stations of the Wesleyan Missionary Society in that country, the Balearic Islands, and Portugal. He found congregations well established, schools at work, public feeling on the side of religious liberty, and vital Christianity obtaining a lodgment in the bosom of families. Some restrictions as to the manifestation of the Protestant religion are still enforced; but the provincial civil authorities, at least in the large towns, are generally liberal and friendly. The supreme Government at Madrid is just now reactionary; but as no Spanish Government has been permanent for the last century, the next Cabinet will soon bring a favourable change. Meanwhile, the work of God advances. SYRIA. The Board of Directors of the Syrian Protestant College at Beyrout have shown their appreciation of the new era of British influence in Syria by a recent vote that after this year "all instruction in the College shall be through the English language," and that in the Arabic shall be taught only the Arabic grammar, etc.; in other words, that Arabic shall be taught like any other language. "This remarkable action," says the Foreign Missionary, "shows that, in the opinion of the most intelligent men in the country, British influence in Syria is hereafter to be not a mere diplomatic, but an all-pervading and controlling power, affecting every interest of society." The Rev. Youhannah El Karey describes the condition of the people in and around Nablous, from which place he writes to Dr. Landels, as most deplorable. Missionary tours have been rendered impossible by the unsettled state of the country. He has schools, however, a Bible-class, and mothers' meetings. "Our work is very hard," he continues; "preaching the Gospel to hungry people is very trying. It is difficult for them to listen when they are hungry. Not a house this summer has been free from illness, so that the people's minds are taken up with their misery, and they have no heart to decide on the Lord's side. Still we are in great hope of having a few decide and be baptized. Our stock of bismuth and quinine is exhausted, so that I cannot help the poor sick people in that way. We are exceedingly thankful to you, dear doctor, very thankful, for your unwearying exertions on our behalf. Ours is very hard, up-hill work, we have so many things to discourage us. Our boys' school is successful; we have thirty boys." INDIA. "A. L. O. E.," the authoress, writes from her missionary station, Batála, Punjaub: "At this lonely out-station we see with thankful joy the church of living stones gradually rising. Where two years ago (save the catechist's family) a noble Brahmin convert stood alone, facing a fierce storm of affliction for Christ's sake, we have now quite a little flock of those who confess the Saviour. This has, humanly speaking, been greatly owing to a school for native Christian boys having been established near Batála-a light shining in a dark place: In the last three months we have had six adult baptisms (besides those of children), and we are likely soon to have more. In what was a stronghold of bigotry a spirit of inquiry has been awakened. We thank God and take courage." "A. L. O. E." is collecting funds for building a church in Batála, and appeals for help to English Christians. Writing from Darjeeling, the Rev. Wm. Macfarlane, of the Church of Scotland Mission, gives facts which show that the Lord's blessing continues to be poured out on the labours of himself and his native assistants in these Himalayan slopes. On two Sundays lately the baptisms numbered fifteen in all, including old and young. CHINA. One of the most efficient and hard-working of our missionary societies is the China Inland Mission, founded about thirteen years ago. It issues a monthly magazine, entitled China's Millions, which contains the journals of its missionaries and other interesting information. From a map of China recently published in this work (the last year's issue of which appears in a handsome volume), we learn that the country has been traversed by their missionaries in nearly every direction. One narrative contained in the volume is that of a journey made by one of the society's missionaries, the Rev. John M'Carthy, right west from Chen-Kiang, at the mouth of the Yang-tze-Kiang, through the provinces of Hu-peh and Sy-Chuen, and south and west through Kwei-Chan and Yunnan to Bhâmo, in Burmah. Mr. M'Carthy describes his journey in a letter to Mr. T. T. Cooper, the late Political Agent at Bhâmo, who forwarded it to the Viceroy. Leaving Chen-Kiang in January, 1877, Mr. M'Carthy went by steamer and boat to Wan, on the eastern border of Sy-Chuen, finding the people everywhere friendly. This friendliness was especially noticeable after passing the boundary of Hu-peh, in Sy-Chuen. From Wan, Mr. M'Carthy walked across the country some 260 miles west, to the prefectural city of Shun-King, visiting many walled cities, towns, and villages by the way. Arrived at Shun-King Fu, Mr. M'Carthy found there was a strong feeling against the Roman Catholics, who had been very numerous. Coming upon the Yang-tze-Kiang again at Chung-King, Mr. M'Carthy found that Mr. Barber was in town. Mr. Barber told him that it would be prudent to continue his journey, and Mr. M'Carthy went on, walking most of the way, to Kwei-Yang Fu, in the Kwei-Chan province. Wearing the Chinese dress, and having nothing strange or novel about him, he had every opportunity of mixing freely with the people. Mr. M'Carthy states that it would be difficult to picture the desolation of a great part of the Kwei-Chan province in consequence of the many years' internal strife. Whole districts have been entirely depopulated, the people being either slaughtered or scattered. At Kwei-Yang Fu Mr. M'Carthy found the French missionaries very strong, and their converts numerous. Indeed, all through the provinces of Sy-Chuen and Kwei-Chan their followers must be reckoned by thousands. They have places of worship in all the cities and many of the larger towns, and the missionaries appear to have very considerable influence. At the capital of Kwei-Chan there are two cathedrals, and in some of the shops crucifixes and other things used in worship may be purchased, which of itself would show that their adherents must be numerous. Westwards from Kwei-Yang Fu, desolation and dilapidation were everywhere met with, the only exception being the district and city of Ngan-Shun Fu. Mr. M'Carthy continued to find everything and everybody pleasant and agreeable as he continued his journey through Yunnan province. He never found any difficulties with officials, and never had to appeal to them for help. He stayed ten days at Yunnan Fu, where he met a French missionary, who gave him a glowing account of the climate, which he afterwards proved to be correct. It seems to be the most temperate and bracing climate he has yet experienced in any part of China. At a later stage of the journey he passed through places where numbers of people were carried off by a disease resembling the plague. Mr. M'Carthy seems to have been induced to continue his journey across the frontier into Burmah solely on account of the perfect friendliness of officials and people, who seem to regard the missionaries as real friends. He was well received even by the dreaded Kak-yens, and arrived in safety at Bhâmo on the 26th of August. He intended to return, but Mr. Cooper told him that it was forbidden to enter China by Burmah. Mr. Cameron, another missionary, went right westwards from Chung-King to the very border of Tibet, and thence south to Bhâmo. To so enterprising a society one must wish all success. Their missionaries are doing good service in many ways. JAPAN. A significant token of the growth of public sentiment in favour of Christianity in Japan, is the fact that a leading printing-office in Tokio is about to issue a newspaper in the interest of Christian truth. This is purely a business enterprise, and is quite independent of the missionary organizations. CENTRAL AFRICA. We regret to learn that the Rev. J. B. Thomson, the experienced missionary, who gained the high esteem of King Lopengule, in the Matabele country, and was chosen by the directors of the London Missionary Society to conduct the mission party to Lake Tanganyika, died on the 22nd of September. The intimation which was received of the arrival of the expedition at Ujiji added that Mr. Thomson had been suffering from severe illness, but his companions believed that he was beginning to recover. Mr. Thomson, who was in the thirty-seventh year of his age, leaves a widow and children in this country. NEW SOUTH WALES. The Sydney papers report the baptism of six Chinese converts by the Rev. Dr. Steel, assisted by Mr. Ah Len. A sermon was preached by Dr. Steel, of the Presbyterian Church; after which he stated that for some time past the Chinese wishing to profess Christianity had been under the religious tuition of Mr. Ah Len, and that they had also been examined by several of the elders of the Church, who were convinced of the genuineness of their |