rable. Not that it was supposed these truths were unknown, but that as yet they had not been clearly expressed in any public declaration. Nothing on this head seems now to be required. So recently as last August, on leaving London, M Czerski and a brother minister published in their confession of faith."We acknowledge the comfortable doctrine that Jesus Christ, in whose name alone salvation and blessedness are given to man, has through his incarnation—his life-his innocent sufferings and death-and through his resurrection and ascension into heaven, and his exaltation to the right hand of the Father, wrought out everlasting redemption. Through a living faith in Jesus Christ, through union with Him in his spirit, we, by the help of Divine grace of the Holy Ghost, become partakers of this redemption, and receiving forgiveness of sin, are considered as righteous before God. The true and living faith works by love, and reveals itself in us and around us through a life consecrated to God."

In harmony with these interesting statements of doctrine, we find the evangelical leader in a protest against the miserably defective Leipsic confession addressing the Churches of Western Prussia, in such language as "Confess the crucified One with boldness, according as we too frankly and freely confess with the Apostle Paul, (1 Cor. ii. 3, and Acts ii. 36.) Let us strengthen ourselves when the world mocks at our faith, with the words of Christ, 'Whosoever shall confess me before men,'" &c. Nor, after this, do we wonder to hear that the congregation of which he is pastor, on giving in an account of their faith to the Prussian Government at a later day, should have declared, in regard to the great Lutheran symbol, "that, after having carefully examined and tested the Augsburg Confession, they find it in all essential points so conformable to their own views, that they have no hesitation in avowing themselves one in faith with the Lutheran Church in the main, even as they hold in all points with the Catholic Church, save and except in regard to the abuses and errors which Rome has introduced."

Ee

p. 163. Who can fail to mark the contrast between the leaders of the two parties—the one is becoming without any external temptation more neological as he advances: the other, in the face of strong temptation to be unfaithful, grows in evangelical clearness and determination.

Nor is it only evangelical symbols and public addresses which can be appealed to. It is matter of high satisfaction, that already proofs of progress can be quoted. About a year ago, Czerski, writing to a friend with whom he had no temptation to exaggerate matters, says, "I will only state in general terms, that the blessed truth, that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe, receives its confirmation in the hearts and lives of those in this region who have fixed their hope and trust in Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God. In this belief and avowal of positive Christian doctrine stand firm the Churches in Schneidemuhl, Posen, Rawiecz, Bromberg, Thorn, Grandenz, Nackel, Polichno, Chodziesen, Freystadt, Schwedeens, Lipor, and Reipen; while I rejoice to add, individuals are from day to day brought to join this profession from seeing that whosoever forsakes Christ forsakes all, and will him. self be forsaken, and become an orphan, being deprived of his Heavenly Father. In regard to the writer's tour through Prussia Proper, though not attended with the circumstances of outward triumph which marked the footsteps of Ronge, there were not wanting indications of outward respect from influential parties, while it is distinctly stated by those competent to judge, that his preaching "had given an astonishing impulse to the cause throughout the whole province." Even at Berlin and Leipsic, where the unsound views might have been expected individually to prevail, it appears that there is a protesting minority, and that their declarations are full of appeals to the word of God.

Besides the directly evangelical influences which are at work, we may fairly reckon among the favourable features of the case, the stir and awakening which will naturally be

imparted to many minds, courage in following out religious convictions, the freedom from the thraldom of Rome, which will be secured for parents and children, and the increased reading and circulation of the Scriptures of truth. With multitudes, these advantages may come to nought—they may even be perverted; but their position can scarcely be worse than it is at present, while it would be contrary to all the past analogies of God's providence and grace, to doubt that many will be enabled to improve their new privileges to God's glory, and their own highest good, as well as to the advantages of after generations. False views of inspiration may prevent very many from yielding to the word of God the homage which is due; still it is surely matter of no small congratulation that one of the first proceedings of the reform has been to translate the New Testament Scriptures for the use of the flocks-a translation which bears the sanction of Czerski as well as the other leaders, and which able German scholars and sound divines of this country have pronounced not only trustworthy, but in point of modern style much superior to general use to the old version of Luther. It is delightful, too, to hear an excellent priest of thirty years' standing, and most estimable character, M. Licht, who, for conscience sake, has recently abandoned the Romish Church, and now, in connection with the evangelical part of the movement, labours in Elberfeld, say, "Let us oppose to our enemies a fearless front, and meet them with corresponding, although more powerful weapons, as far as the distribution is concerned, but above all by bringing the Bible into every house to which we have access." We must blush as Christians if, in any house belonging to our people, the Christian code be wanting. The Bible societies aid us nobly; but we must ourselves unite in the work to the utmost of our power," (p. 393). In accordance with this spirit, it is stated that two of the new pastors, who are masters of the Polish tongue, are about to translate the Scriptures into that language, the language of one of the hitherto most inaccessible Popish kingdoms of the world.

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Compared, with the higher matters to which we have been referring, sound views of Church government and discipline may seem a thing of small consideration; and yet, remembering that all Divine truth is precious, and that the external organization of a Church, as the history of Popish and Erastian Churches can testify, holds a strong connection with doctrine, we cannot help regarding the Ecclesiastical order and rule which have been adopted in the new German Church among the favourable omens of the movement. They are much more propitious than the opposite would have been. Though educated in all the superstition and despotism of prelacy, the leaders have adopted some of the substantial principles of Presbytery-there are elders as well as pastors; the election of both is vested in the members, the ordination of office-bearers belongs to the ministers; the Erastian rule of the State in the Church is disowned, and spiritual independence maintained. Ordinances are administered, not on the ground of previous connection with Rome, but of the inherent rights of the Church of Christ. Dr Theiner has ably shewn that no supremacy was granted by the Master to Peter over his brethren, and hence that all the usurpations of the Pope are as anti-scriptural as they are monstrous; while M. Czerski, and his friend, M. Port, have recently stated in London, that the ground why heavy charges of unsound doctrine have been preferred against them, is their resistance to efforts we believe English efforts! "to alter the formula of baptism, and to introduce Episcopal government as exclusively of Divine institution.” These faithful men add, we have firmly resisted every attempt to impose human institutions upon us, and, by the grace of God, shall continue to do so, committing our cause to him who judgeth righteously, p. 459.

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And this leads us to notice as a favourable omen, the disinterestedness of the leading men, and the irreproachableness of their general character. This may not, in the circumstances, be entitled to great weight, but it is deserving of attent. ɔn. Most of them have made worldly sacrifices by the

change some of them serious sacrifices have abandoned for instance the status and emoluments of professors in universities. With regard more particularly to the Evangelical party, M. Port, though his means of livelihood were very limited, indignantly spurned an offer which would have compromised his principles. M. Licht, sooner than retract, at three days' notice quitted a fine parsonage house for a sorry dwelling; while M. Czerski not only gave up fair prospects for poverty and straits, but refused the well-meant aid of a friend, lest the purity of his motives should be exposed to any suspicion; on the same ground he refused collections which friends would have been glad to make in London.* It is creditable to the whole party, that "one of the fundamental novelties of the infant reformation is the abrogation of all perquisites for burials, baptisms, marriages, &c., which have hitherto formed the chief part, not only of Catholic, but of Protestant pastoral income, and are felt in the Lutheran Church itself as not merely a very irksome, but a most injurious arrangement," p. 201. Such disinterestedness may seem small to us, but it is something worthy of remark in men fresh from the mercenary spirit of the Church of Rome.

We conclude the favourable signs by noticing the enmity which has been provoked on the part of the Romish Church.

Knowing on what a friendly footing superstition continues to live with scepticism, this surely speaks well to the Evangelical character at least of many engaged in the work. There can be no question that Rome, and particularly the Jesuits, with all their professed indifference, are really

alarmed and enraged.

In

They have shewn this in ways too clear and varied to be misunderstood. Czerski's safety has been repeatedly endangered. Bribes, as we have seen, have been again and again presented. A highly respectable party in the Romish Church have, as in the days of the earlier Reformation, got up earnest petitions to their ecclesiastical superiors for a reform of abuses. a rural deanery of 37 parishes, not less than 32 of the clergy presented such prayers, and the more they discussed the questions brought before them, the more comprehensive became the reformation which they sought. In Baden it is stated that "the answer which is now expected to the address demanding the revival of synods, and which Dean Kunzer signed with the rest, will bring matters to a crisis. For if the petition be negatived, Rome will lose at one blow 50,000 disciples who now but await the result of the legitimate means they have tried for effecting reform within the Church, before resorting to the ultimate step of separating from its communion. The fate of Rome, in a thousand instances, now hangs in the balance." &c., p. 314. Another petition, signed by 280 of all classes, though chiefly the influential, has been addressed to the Archbishop of Freiburg. Meanwhile other means are employed by the old bigotted priesthood. "In addition to all fair means of stopping the torrent, such as counter publications,

counter associations, formation of reading societies, in which carefully selected Roman Catholic books are furnished gratis, they add the institution of new religious orders-such as, "the Order of the Heart of Mary," "the Order

of the Rosary." High privileges are bestowed on those who distinguish themselves in this good work.

It is pleasant to see the stir which has been called forth, and to behold the German mind so minute and laborious in penetrating into the past, exploring the relics and antiquities of Popish Rome. If we may augur from the searching exposure of the two professors at Bonn, into "the history of the coat of Treves, and the twenty other coats," we may expect a dissection of the pretensions of Popery, as curious as complete. There cannot be a better field for German learning. Here it will be safe

and useful.

We might have referred to the probable influence of the present religious movement on the political feeling and prospects of Germany, as fitted to give courage in the war against despotism; but we have detained the reader too long.

Surveying the whole, we cannot help feeling and saying that the great want for Germany at the present day, as for many years past, is a just value for the inspired Word of God. In the Reformation of the sixteenth century the Word was everything; all other agencies were accounted despicable in comparison. Luther fought the great battle with the Bible, received and disseminated in all its integrity as the Word of God. Strange that a country where this conviction was predominant, and which shared largely in the benefit, should, for more

once

than a hundred years, have treated the Scriptures with dishonour and neglect. We are persuaded that nothing extensive or effectual for good will be accomplished for its many millions, whether Popish or Protestant, till the Word is restored among them to its ancient seat of authority. What is it which gives us so much more confidence in the stability of the religious awakening which is appearing in many quarters of France and Belgium, over what we are able to cherish in regard to Germany, endeared to us by many associations? It is because the colporteur and the Bible are the great instruments in the one, while they are comparatively unknown in the other. Let Christian men, and Christian Churches at home-let "German correspondents" from abroad, seek to awaken the German people to a more just estimate of the inspiration and authority of the Word of God-let them seek to reduce vaunted but delusive reason to its proper place, and give to the Spirit what is His due. If, by God's blessing, successful in this work, they will have opened up the way to the most glorious prospects.

We were forgetting, but is right and pleasant for us to acknowledge, that the volume which we have been reviewing abounds in important documents, translated from the German-a department in which the author peculiarly excels. The present state of the Protestant Church of Germany which, is full of interest, we find we must postpone to a subsequent paper.

ONE night towards the end of November, in the year 1761, a man, who looked like a sort of gamekeeper, was waiting at the door of a house in the vicinity of the small town of Strehlen, in Silesia. The night was very cold, and the man appeared to feel the cold

greatly, and to be getting extremely impatient in his uncomfortable stand. To judge from certain uneasy glances which he cast from time to time towards another house at a little distance, before which a sentinel was pacing up and down, there appeared to be other

causes for his impatience besides the cold.

At length the hour of midnight sounded from the neighbouring steeple, and almost immediately after a person with something of a military air issued from the door of the house, and ordered the man who was standing there to bring the horse. He disappeared, and returned in a few minutes leading two horses. The master and servant (for such they appeared to be) mounted and rode off at a brisk pace.

Crossing a small stream by a wooden bridge, they passed the footpath leading to Troppendorf, where some of Zastrom's dragoons were posted, and soon found themselves in the open country. The master now slackening his pace, and beckoning to his servant to come close up, suddenly asked him if he had not observed that the king was very much exposed in his quarters, having no other protection but about thir. teen men of his guard; adding, that no Austrian general was so ill protected as the king, and that if the Austrians knew this, they might come and carry him off with the greatest ease.

"Who's to tell the Austrians that?" replied the man, rather bluntly.

"Dont you suppose that they have spies ?"

"Even though they may have spies, Sir, unless God gives them the power, they will not get hold of the king."

"Dont be such a fool, Kappel," rejoined his master, as to imagine that God cares about the king. God leaves great personages like him to take care of themselves.'

"For heaven's sake, Sir, dont talk so loud. Somebody near, patrols, sentinels, may overhear us, and then we may get into trouble."

arrived at the outer gate of what ap peared a house of considerable size and importance. On the servant's ringing a bell, the gate was opened by a porter. The master dismounted, and throwing his bridle to the servant, and ordering him to give the horses to a groom who was waiting, and go to bed, as he must have been long enough in the cold, entered the house. The man Kappel seemed to be of the same opinion as his master on this point, that he had been long enough in the cold, and quickly disappeared by a door in another part of the building.

When Mathias Kappel, the gamekeeper, entered his room, he received from his wife the by no means agreeable information to a man cold, tired, and somewhat hungry, that before he went to bed he must deliver to his master, the baron, a letter which had been left by the curate, Schmidt, with a particular charge that it should be given to his master when he came home, be it ever so late. The letter was without address, and Kappel's wife, as she handed it to him, asked what was the meaning of the letter's having no direction; adding that Schmidt had been half the day, till late in the evening, with the baroness, and might have given the letter to her. Kappel made no reply to his wife's observations, but took the letter and proceeded with it to his master's bedchamber.

Kappel having reached his master's room, knocked at the door, and being desired to enter, found the baroness sitting there, as well as the baron, and delivered the letter to the latter, with the curate Schmidt's compliments. The baroness was very angry that Schmidt should have been with her half the day

The man rode close up to his master's side, who thus continued—

"Haven't you noticed how often we have rode from the head-quarters at night, without ever seeing a single patrol, or even a sentinel on the hill? It is very cold; they are all in their quarters they have no fear that the Austrians will come and attack them."

After riding about two hours, they

The baron ordered her to go to her chamber, as it was time to be in bed, and added, that she had nothing to do with his letters. He then desired Kappel to go to bed.

It appeared, however, that the weary gamekeeper was destined to have little rest that night, or rather morning. In about half an hour he heard the voice of the baron at his door, who ordered him to go to him immediately. The