Missionary Work in Africa.

MISSIONARY Work will always command the sympathies of Christian people. There is so much that is heroic, so much of the Paul-like spirit of self-abnegation, so much of zeal, devotion, and love in all true honest efforts of this kind, that the hearts of Christians are naturally touched. Missionary enterprise is the romance of Church life, and its records glow with the perils and adventures, the glories and achievements of religious chivalry. Those who give to foreign missions give in faith, and being so given, God blesses it largely. It is all very well for prosaic people to say, "We must first look at home." Doubtless that is a precept which duty enforces and urgency demands, for it would be a spurious love that could think anxiously about the distant heathen and regard the " Arabs" of our streets with complaisant indifference. But the effect of Christianity is to expand the sympathies. The true followers of our Lord are always large-hearted, and their love of Christ eagerly seeks expression in the encouragement of evangelistic efforts both at home and abroad. Many of our readers are probably unaware that in sunny Africa the Free Church of England has kindred ties. Mission churches and day schools on Free Church of England principles, using our liturgy and governed by our laws, are established in most of the towns and villages of Sierra Leone. As a missionary work, it was commenced upwards of seventy years ago, under the auspices of some devoted, earnest members of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion.

In the face of many hardships and privations, of disheartening vicissitudes, sickness and death, the work has been steadily and nobly maintained. Little indeed has been said about it, few public meetings have been convened to herald its triumphs or to parade its struggles; quietly and unobtrusively good men and true have gone to Sierra Leone, preached the unsearchable riches of Christ, and succumbed to the deadly climate of "the white man's grave," as this fatal country has been called.

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None, perhaps, has shown in this holy work such unconquerable courage as the present Superintendent of the Missions, the Rev. John Trotter, of Cheltenham. In 1857 he went out to Sierra Leone with his wife, and took charge of the churches and schools. Mrs. Trotter was seized with the African fever, and died. Mr. Trotter was ordered home to save his life. In 1862 Mr. Trotter went out a second time, again to set the churches in order and perfect the organization of the schools, but reaching the colony before the rains were over, he had two or three attacks of fever, and, weak and prostrated, he was again obliged to return. Mr. Priddy, a native missionary, then took charge, but, poor fellow! both he and his wife soon died. Mr. Niger succeeded him as chief manager of the Mission Schools, but he also died. God then put it into the heart of Mr.

S. Williams, an intelligent native and Government official, to undertake the management of this important work. Mr. Williams is still the acting agent to the Mission, and fulfils his onerous duties with commendable prudence and zeal.

But a work of this important character requires something more than native management. The Africans yearn for a manifestation of personal interest in their cause. They have the highest respect and the warmest affection for our English Superintendent, and for several years they have begged, over and over again, for a pastoral visit from the Rev. J. Trotter.

Undaunted by the calamities and perils of the past, Mr. Trotter is willing to go. His heart is in the work; he loves the African, and is zealous for his Master's cause. He learns, too, from the letters which he receives from Africa, that his personal supervision is needed. The churches require visitation; the schools, although under Government inspection, need regulating, and the Committee have at last resolved to send him on a pastoral visitation. Mr. Trotter will probably be away for some months. His own church in the meantime has to be supplied; the voyage is costly, and a large sum-3007. at least-will be required for this special object. We heartily commend this matter to the consideration of our readers.

That Next?

SINCE the Bennett judgment, all sections in the Church are asking, What next? All are agreed that we are on the eve of a great ecclesiastical crisis. The faith of English Protestants is being tried as by fire. The Ritualists not only proclaim, but act, their principles with triumphant boldness. The Evangelicals, on the other hand, are restless, vacillating, and make no certain sign. Some, of whom the religious world thought better things, pretend not to see their humiliation, and would fain find consolation in the judgment ! Their love of truth, their faith in the righteousness of their cause, seem to be bounded by prudential thoughts about the loaves and fishes. The energy and activity of the Evangelical body is just now, alas! devoted more to the maintenance of the Establishment than to the preservation of Protestantism. Some few, with stronger faith and deeper love for the great principles of the Reformation, threaten to secede rather than remain. The Rock says that "the policy of secession from the Church of England appears to be held and advocated by many who feel themselves aggrieved by the recent judgment in the Bennett case. Meetings have been held at the house of a well-known M.P., but they are of an entirely private nature, and we can, therefore, only state that there will most probably be a secession of some, but we trust not many, of the best men among the Evangelical party." The Church Times, however, treats these threats of secession with a sneer. does not believe in the unselfishness of the Evangelicals. "We need hardly say," it exclaims, "that we are perfectly at ease on this score. Not a dozen will go out of the Establishment. . . We should regret it if it were at all likely, for so long as they remain within the Established Church we can proselytize

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THE FREE CHURCH MOVEMENT IN SOUTHAMPTON.

among them!" They are doing this with great success; the Ritualists are increasing daily, and their Popery becoming more glaring than ever. The Christian World, in an article on 66 Church Property and Christian Principle,” delivers itself in strong language. Referring to the Bennett judgment, it says, "It has recently legalised and virtually established Romanism in England, thus affording-we say it deliberately-a constitutional ground for armed insurrection, stronger than those which the Puritans had when they rose, pike in hand, to declare that the Church of England should be Protestant, not Romish."

Free Church Movement in Southampton.

THE condition of Ecclesiastical matters in Southampton is thoroughly disgraceful. The Ritualists, emboldened by their strong position, have ventured upon such extravagance in Popish mummery that even the Bishop, "reading the county papers," and cognizant of the Free Church Movement, has thought it prudent to make a show of disapproval. The proceedings at St. Michael's are enough to arouse the Protestantism of the laity—that is, if there is any of the true English spirit left. If England is to be saved from Romanism and priestcraft, a bold and uncompromising determination must be shown. We look with deep anxiety to the conduct of the laity in the large and influential town of Southampton. It would be sad indeed for Protestantism if the garish Popish innovations, the scandalous mummeries, the painted effigies, processional shows, and gross idolatry of the “priests” in the parish churches of Southampton were to elicit nothing but a few letters in the local papers, and here and there a strong individual protest.

But although the tactics of "wily Winchester," in appointing a “moderate to the living of Trinity, and by the recent inhibition of the Rev. R. Wilkins, caused a little hesitancy, and lulled the activity of some, the movement for a Free Church of England is still progressing." The Committee have now taken a step which we trust will rally around them all the Protestants of Southampton. At a meeting held on July 18th, at the office of Mr. J. J. Burnett, one of the churchwardens of Holy Trinity, it was resolved:

"That, as the general condition of the Church in Southampton warrants our immediate action, and the part taken by the curates of St. Mary's in the Romish or Ritualistic services at St. Michael's fills us with alarm and distrust, we proceed without delay to take such steps as are necessary for the establishment of a Free Church of England in Southampton."

The Committee are now in communication with the District Secretary as to the immediate organization of a Free Church of England service in the town. We heartily wish success to this Protestant effort. The eyes of many will watch it with eager hope. May those engaged in its development be guided with wisdom from on high-may they be prudent, zealous, faithful, conscious of having commenced a great work in vindication of that Protestant truth, for the upholding of which in days gone by, it was the glory of England's best and noblest to die.

The Hampshire Independent, evidently the advocate of the Ritualists, has from time to time endeavoured to discourage this movement. It made good use of the Addiscombe affair, and gave it as " a warning" to those who would be "Free Churchmen." Mr. Merryweather, in his capacity as registrar, replied

to this, and explained that neither the Rev. Ben-Oliel nor the church at Addiscombe were in any way identified with the Free Church of England, and in a subsequent letter said, "Mr. Ben-Oliel's love of an ornate and Ritualistic service has long been known. He has, to use his own words, always considered himself a priest.' We have no priests in the Free Church of England. The Free Church of England is thoroughly Protestant and Evangelical, and such a scandal as that which has occurred in relation to the church at Addiscombe could not possibly have occurred in respect to a church belonging to the Free Church of England, whose doctrines are defined, and whose ecclesiastical organization is complete."

OUR CHURCH PROGRESS.

MANY have been the inquiries during the last month relative to the Free Church of England. Increased and wider interest in the movement is evident. Several clergymen of the Establishment are prepared to join it, and many influential laymen have expressed their eagerness to see the movement extend to their own immediate neighbourhoods. A general feeling of surprise, however, is expressed that a Church movement so precisely adapted to the necessities of the present day should have existed for so many years and yet be so imperfectly known. One gentleman writes that, interested as he has always been in Protestant efforts, and living in a large and populous town, yet he has never, until very recently, heard of the Free Church of Eng. land. He blames the Executive Council for this reticence, and says that the principles and objects of the Free Church of England ought years ago to have been spread throughout the length and breadth of the land, for it only requires to be known to be a bulwark of English Protestantism. We agree with our correspondent, except in his charge against the Council. The Council acted wisely in withstanding the temptation to precipitancy. The last ten years have been years of anxiety and unseen labour, but the patient labour was essential to the work of revision, and to the consolidation of the laws and organization of a great movement. The work is now complete, and the Free Church of England is fairly before the world. In these perilous days it cannot be too widely known. But lecturers, secretaries, the press, and the post, cannot be employed without means. The Council appeal to the Protestants of England. Give in faith, and give liberally, and the Free Church of England will be a power in the land to stem the tide of Ritualism and Popery!

Ecclesiastical Register.

BRIGHTON.-On Sunday, July 14, two sermons were preached at the Free Church of England, Countess of Huntingdon's Church, in this town, by the Rev. T. Dodd, of Worcester, in aid of the Society for the Spread of the Gospel at Home and Abroad. Special reference was made to the African Mission and the prospect of the Rev. J. Trotter's visit to Sierra Leone, for the purpose of extending the work of God in that colony.

HORNSEY.-A church is about to be erected in the above place, on a freehold site already purchased, to be placed in trust under the Poll-deed of the Free Church of England. Treasurer, Alfred Gleddon, Esq., City Bank (Tottenham-court-road Branch).

NEW MALDEN.-A most delightful gathering in connection with the halfyearly meeting of the congregation and friends of Trinity Church, Free Church of England, New Malden, Surrey, was held on Thursday, the 11th July, when upwards of 300 persons assembled. The proceedings were held in a field adjoining the church, kindly lent by Mr. A. Horlick for the occasion. A large marquee was erected, under which the company sat down to a "strawberry tea," which not only included strawberries, but almost every variety of fruit now in season. This tent was most tastefully decorated by ladies of the village, and the tables were furnished with all that was needful, and gracefully presided over by-Mrs. Dicksee, Mrs. Woodroffe, Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Turk, Mrs. Critchet, Mrs. Steers, Mrs. Attfield, Mrs. Pilgrim, Mrs. Himus, Mrs. Merryweather, Mrs. Horlick, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Chinnock, Mrs. Wilmot, Mrs. Klaber, and Mrs. Isaacs. After tea the company assembled under the marquee, where short addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Dicksee and Mr. Merryweather.

The Editor's Table.

The British Juvenile. Willoughby, 29, Paternoster-row.

The British Juvenile is always a great favourite. It is full of interest, variety, and instruction, and may be safely put into the hands of children.

The Little Gleaners. Houlston and Sons.

A charming little serial, full of gleanings from the choicest fields of literature, that cannot fail to please and nourish the young.

Addresses for the People. By F. HARPER, Q.C., Oxford. Mackintosh. These pure, simple enunciations of the truth give one the impression of an earnest mind eager for the salvation of souls. They are short addresses steeped in Gospel love, and preach Jesus, and Jesus only.

Sermons on Various Subjects. By Rev. RICHARD SQUIBB, of Ely. Elliot Stock. These sermons, by a minister of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion, are well selected, and of a truly Christian character, and embrace such glorious subjects as "Christ the Life and Glory of His People," "The Conquering Christian's Award," "Fallow Ground to be Fertilised," "The Sleeper Aroused," "The Multitude Healed," ," "Celestial Scenery." To the congregation attending the ministry of the author, this volume must be very precious, affording, as it does, a sample of his faithful studies for the spiritual welfare of his flock. But these sermons are deserving of wide circulation. The style is clear and uninvolved, the flow of ideas and language very pleasing, while the observations, sparkling metaphors, practical applications, and solemn appeals can hardly fail to gratify and improve. The doctrine set forth is the good old doctrine of the Gospel. The entire book is occupied with things tending to edification. Where every page is good, any quotation may be regarded as a specimen of the whole. We give the following extract from the sermon entitled, "The Source and the Streams of Superabundant Blessing": "The Saviour's love was costly. It involved the temporary abdication of His throne, the sacrifice of honour and happiness-yea, even of life itself. It brought Him from heaven to earth, from His celestial seat to a stable, from His kingdom to a cross. "Though He was rich, for our sakes He became poor, that we, through His poverty, might be made rich.' The painful steps He trod were all foreseen, yet there was no hesitation to espouse our cause. He might have said, 'I pity and would save that fallen world, but the price demanded is so immense, that I must desist from the undertaking.' But the evils to be endured He left out of His consideration. He seemed to say, 'Cost what it will, let the work be to the last degree humiliating, or involve an infinite