the present day, of the early Anglican Reformers. The country owes much to Lord John Russell for placing at the head of the Church one of the ablest defenders and expounders of its genuine principles, one whose theological soundness is supported by the evangelical purity of his life. But the great event of the day, the issues of which none can foresee, though, that issues of most important magnitude and extent it will have, all must acknow. ledge, is the Revolution in France. A Reform Banquet at Paris had been proposed: the King prohibited the assembly. Rioting commenced, which soon became insurrection. The National Guard sided with the people; and though the troops at first defended the Government, they soon ceased to do so. The Tuilleries were taken literally by storm, and many lives were lost. The King dismissed his Ministers; but the cry was, "It is too late;" and, on the 24th of February, he abdicated in favour of his grandson, and, with his Queen, left Paris, his example being followed by the whole of the Royal Family, nearly all of whom have sought refuge in England. In Paris, a Provisional Government was organized, monarchy declared to be abolished, and France to be a Republic. This Provisional Government consists of nine persons, among whom are Lamartine the poet, and Arago the astronomer. It has been recognised throughout France; and having formed a new plan of representation, by which the number of Representatives (all in one Assembly) will consist of nine hundred persons, to be chosen by universal suffrage, the qualification for being a Deputy being the same as that for being an elector, it administers the necessary func tions of the State till the National Assembly shall meet. The elections for this will take place in the course of a month. Hitherto, with the exception of the first movements, all has been comparatively peaceful. The Foreign Minister in the Provisional Government, M. Lamartine, in an official note to the French Ministers at foreign courts, has strongly expressed the desire of the Republic to maintain amicable relations with all. We trust that no other nation, by any hostile movement, will incur the dreadful responsibility of rousing a contrary passion. In the British House of Commons, Lord John Russell embraced the first opportunity of stating explicitly, that as the British Government acknowledged the right of every people to regulate their own affairs, Her Majesty's Ministers should not at all interfere with the exercise of that right by the French. This statement, delivered in an honest and manly tone, breathing peace and goodwill, met with the approbation, we might call it the acclaiming approbation, of all parts of the House. In fact, we believe his Lordship expressed what is the general national feeling. Without inquiring into the wisdom or rightfulness of the actual proceedings, as having no authority so to inquire, the universal wish of England is for peace with France; the universal hope, that France will reciprocate the feeling: so that whatever the form of Government may be, peace shall be maintained. We rejoice, therefore, to find, that the German and Austrian Governments have also taken the ground occupied by England, and likewise expressed their determination not to interfere. On the proceedings of the Provisional Government, it is too early to offer any remarks, even should there be any call for them. And as to the questions at issue between the late Monarch and the people who placed him on the throne whence they have now removed him, even if we understood them, it would not be our place to examine them. Least of all, would we press on those who are suffering under a reverse as complete as it was unexpected. For years, we admired the wisdom of the conduct of LouisPhilippe in his performance of the duties of his arduous task. We have often been thankful, even upon public grounds, for his preservation, acknowledging in it the evident care of an overruling Providence. Of late we have deeply regretted to see a change in his conduct. Of the "Spanish marriages" we say nothing, both because we could not examine the case as a right judgment demanded, and because the public press, whether rightly or not, yet severely censured him. But his proceedings in reference to the British Protestant Missions in the islands of the Pacific we could not overlook. Men of God, supported by Christian zeal, went there at the hazard of their lives, and, foregoing all the comforts of civilized society, and by His blessing whose Gospel they preached, turned many from idols to serve the living God, and to wait for his Son from heaven; so that the desert places rejoiced, and the wilderness blossomed as the rose. To pacify the stirring animosity of the Jesuits in France, the aid of the French marine was lent them to disturb Protestant Missions abroad; and the uncaused, unreturned hatred against England, cherished by too many in France, was gratified by allowing French power to be directed against the pious labours of England in foreign lands. The political press thought the destruction of Exeter-Hall-supported Missions a subject too trivial, if not too contemptible, for their indignation; but from the time that the King of the French afforded undisguised aid to the emissaries of the Man of Sin in their bitter hostility against Protestant Missions, deeper shadows have rested on his path, and from the gather" ing clouds the tempest has at length burst forth. Pomare was, as to him, an independent Queen; but his officers were allowed to trample on her rights, and on those of her subjects. Himself and family exiled, thankful to find refuge in Protestant England, does the image of Pomare, virtually deposed and exiled, insulted and persecuted when most, as a woman, she required respect and protection, never rise before him? Is no lesson taught to other Governments who, whether from sceptical indifference, or political expediency, allow themselves to be deluded by Romanist subtlety, and to ally themselves with the Babylon foredoomed of God? These are indeed eventful times. Happy are they who know how to obey the solemn admonition, never more applicable than at present, "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." March 18th, 1848. POETRY. HOPE FOR THE MOURNERS. "But it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light." (Zech. xiv. 7.) WE journey through a vale of tears, Not to the last! Thy word hath said, "Though earth-born shadows now may Thy thorny path awhile, God's blessed word can part each cloud, Only believe, in living faith, His love and power divine; "When tempest-clouds are dark His bow of love and peace Betokening storms shall cease. *From "Household Verses," by Bernard Barton. on VOL. IV.-FOURTH SERIES. 2 K WESLEYAN MISSIONS. ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 1848. THE Committee of this Society respectfully invite the attention of their friends in town and country, and of the Christian public generally, to the following announcements connected with the ensuing Anniversary in London. They have the pleasure to state, that the Rev. Samuel Jackson, President of the Wesleyan Conference; the Rev. William Urwick, D.D., of Dublin; the Rev. Robert Young, of Truro; and the Rev. Samuel D. Waddy, of Sheffield, have kindly engaged to preach the sermons before the Society, for the present year. In addition to the Ministers already named, the Rev. Robert Newton, D.D., of Stockport; the Rev. Thomas Waugh, of Ireland; the Rev. John Hannah, D.D., of Didsbury; the Rev. John Lomas, of London; the Rev. John Nelson, of Windsor; the Rev. Robert Spence Hardy, of Ceylon; and the Rev. William Arthur, of Paris, have also consented, on the invitation of the Committee, to afford their valuable assistance to the Society on this occasion. The times and places of the Week-day services, in connexion with this Anniversary, will be as follows: Tuesday evening, April 25th, at seven o'clock, St. George's-in-the-East chapel, Cannon-Street Road, the Rev. Robert Young. Wednesday evening, April 26th, at seven o'clock, City-Road chapel, the Rev. Samuel D. Waddy. Thursday Morning, April 27th, at eleven o'clock, in the Large Room of the Centenary-Hall, Bishopsgate-Street-Within, the Rev. Samuel Jackson, President of the Conference. Friday morning, April 28th, at eleven o'clock, Great Queen-Street cha el, Lincoln's-Inn Fields, the Rev. William Urwick, D.D. : The following are the arrangements made for Sunday, April 30th : City-Road chapel, at half-past ten, the Rev. Dr. Urwick; at half-past six, the Rev. Dr. Newton. Great Queen-Street chapel, at a quarter before eleven, the Rev. Samuel D. Waddy; at three, the Rev. William Arthur; at half-past six, the Rev. President of the Conference. Spitalfields chapel, at half-past ten, the Rev. Robert Spence Hardy; at half-past six, the Rev. John Nelson. Southwark chapel, Long-Lane, Borough, at half-past ten, the Rev. Dr. Hannah; at half-past six, the Rev. Robert Young. Lambeth chapel, at half-past ten, the Rev. John Nelson; at half-past six, the Rev. Samuel D. Waddy. Hinde-Street chapel, Manchester-Square, at eleven, the Rev. Dr. Newton; at half-past six, the Rev. John Lomas. Sloane-Terrace chapel, Chelsea, at half-past ten, the Rev. Robert Young; at half-past six, the Rev. Robert S. Hardy. Liverpool-Road chapel, Islington, at half-past ten, the Rev. William Arthur; at half-past six, the Rev. Dr. Hannah. N.B.-The time of commencing the evening services, on Sunday, April 30th, will, for that day only, be half-past six, (instead of the usual hour of six,) with a view to more general convenience. The Annual Meeting of the Society will be held in Exeter-Hall, Strand, on Monday, May 1st, at eleven o'clock precisely. James Heald, Esq., M.P., has kindly promised to preside. A COLLECTION, in aid of the Society's funds, will be made after each sermon, and in the course of the public meeting. In compliance with the recommendation of the Committee of Management of the two last years, and with a view to the greater comfort and convenience of such of our friends as may be able to attend the Anniversary Meeting, the opening of the Hall doors will be postponed from NINE until TEN o'clock. With the greatest earnestness do the Committee once more invite and urge a numerous attendance of their friends, not merely at the General Meeting, but also at the Preparatory Religious services, and especially at the sermons to be preached before the society on the preceding Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The Ministers who shall officiate in the London chapels on the foregoing Sunday, April 23d, are respectfully requested distinctly to announce those services, and the names of the Ministers engaged, from their respective pulpits. The Committee are solicitous to prosecute that enlarged course of usefulness which is now opened to the Society, in a spirit of humble piety, and of devout dependence on Him "without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy." They feel more strongly than ever the necessity of united supplication for the blessing of Almighty God; and are deeply anxious that all their proceedings, and especially those connected with the Anniversary, should be marked by a religious tone and character, and should be "sanctified by the word of God and prayer." And they hope to be favoured and encouraged by the presence of many of the country members of the Society, who, they are sure, will not fail to derive much spiritual pleasure and benefit from meeting their friends in London, in the sanctuaries of God, on an occasion of such universal interest, and from uniting with them in those sacred ordinances by which it may be most effectually hallowed, and rendered permanently advantageous to the great cause of Missions. Why should not every principal Auxiliary or Branch be represented, at the ensuing General Anniversary of the Society, by some one or more of its officers or members, who may be kindly induced to undertake such a service, from a feeling of deep interest in the advancement of our Saviour's kingdom, and in the salvation of the Heathen "perishing for lack of knowledge?" A large assemblage of the Society's active and liberal friends, from various parts of Great Britain and Ireland, on the ensuing occasion, would be at once an encouraging pledge, and a powerful instrument, of future prosperity and success. Such an assemblage at the London Anniversary of the Parent Institution, is, in various ways, highly beneficial and important to the common cause. The Society is thus advantageously seen and recognised in its more collective and aggregate character; and its friends go forth, with increased information and zeal, to resume, in their several spheres of distinct and particular labour, their advocacy of its claims, and their exertions in behalf of its funds. This is at all times useful, and at present more than ordinarily desirable. JABEZ BUNTING,General JOHN BEECHAM, ROBERT ALDer, ELIJAH HOOLE, Secretaries. PLAN OF ADMISSION TO THE ANNUAL MEETING IN 1. THE mode of admission will be that by ticket. Each ticket will admit one person only. 2. The tickets will be divided into three classes; admitting the parties holding them to the platform,-the central seats, and the raised seats and western gallery,-respectively. (1.) The platform tickets (which are not transferable) will be sent by the Secretaries to the speakers,-to the Committee and Officers of the Society, to those Ministers in or near London who are members of the Society, to the representatives or leading friends of kindred institutions,— and to such other persons, in town and in the country, as it may be deemed proper specially to invite, with a view to the promotion of the Society's interests, or in respectful acknowledgment of particular services which they have rendered to it. (2.) One ticket for the central seats will be furnished on application, as hereinafter specified,— To any Lady or Gentleman who is an annual subscriber of not less than two pounds, or who represents a family which annually subscribes not less than two pounds: To any Lady or Gentleman who has collected not less than four pounds for the Society in the course of the year: And one additional ticket for these seats will be given to such Ladies or Gentlemen in respect of every additional sum of two pounds annually subscribed by themselves or by the family which they represent, or for every additional four pounds collected by them for the Society, in the course of the year. N.B.-These tickets are to be presented at the large central door, leading to the middle part of the Hall, which will be opened for their admission at ten o'clock. The number of central-seat tickets, issued on the plan of some former years, having been greater than the space could contain, and much incon |