more be the bulwark of protestant liberty, and the pole-star of the world. Then it will be no profanation to say, "The voice of the people is the voice of God." "And that voice shall arise To scatter her enemies, And now, my brethren, I leave this subject with God and your consciences. MISCELLANEOUS. THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, OR SEMINARY, AT CHICHESTER. AN important step has lately been taken to provide a course of theological instruction for candidates for holy orders, in the diocese of Chichester, which is not yet sufficiently known. It has been established under the direction of the Bishop, but is generally understood to owe its existence principally to the suggestions and exertions of the Dean of Chichester. It is attached to the cathedral, and is established in one of the residentiary houses. It is intended chiefly for candidates belonging to that diocese, but others will also be received. The expenses will be very moderate. It is placed under the superintendence of the Rev. Charles Marriott, M.A., of Oriel College, Oxford. The following account of this institution is extracted from a Charge lately delivered to the clergy of his peculiar jurisdiction, by the Dean of Chichester: "Neither perhaps shall I find a more convenient opportunity than the present for adverting to a point which it would be unpardonable to pass by in silence on the present occasion, as being one in which this diocese as yet stands single. In the course of education for one, and that the most important of all professions, the sacred ministry, it has long been a matter of observation and regret that when our universities have done all that they profess, or, indeed, are able to do, by laying deep and strong the foundations of general instruction, and by imparting a certain amount of knowledge in theology, there still was wanting a course of more directly professional instruction for the future ministers of the Church, and that the interval of time between their taking their degree and receiving holy orders, while it afforded a season peculiarly fitted for studies, and for exercises exclusively theological, was seldom spent in a manner the most advantageous or the most appropriate. It is to supply some remedy for this deficiency, that we have recently opened an institution, where young men, under these circumstances, may find, at an easy rate of expense, a quiet asylum and an able instructor, for the prosecution of their theological studies, with the advantage of episcopal superintendence, and further aided by such means and appliances as a cathedral, with its library, with its daily srevices, and, more than all, with its elevating and sanctifying associations, can hardly fail to afford to the student in divinity. The present attempt can be considered only as an experiment made in a small way, and in a temper of modesty and diffidence. I trust, however, that, with God's blessing, it will continue and flourish, and, by its valuable effects, prove an incentive to other dioceses to pursue a like course, but on an ampler scale, and by more effective processes. "I trust, too, that I may be allowed here to remind you of another of our recent arrangements, not merely connected with the last-mentioned institution, but also calculated, I trust, to prove beneficial, especially to the clergy resident in this immediate neighbourhood: I allude to the greater facility now given for the use of the cathedral library. The difficulty of access to volumes rich in the learning and piety of former times has often been felt to be an obstacle to the improvement of clergymen, whose local residence has placed them at a distance from the great national or academic libraries, and whose pecuniary means forbid them to purchase such works for themselves. With a view to this inconvenience, I hope that the arrangement now made by the dean and chapter will prove generally acceptable and useful, especially at a time like the present, when the reviving taste for the study of our elder and more solid theologians is deserving of all praise and all encouragement." LONDON DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION. Ar a preliminary meeting, convened by the Bishop of London, his Lordship being in the chair, the following resolutions were proposed and carried : I. That it is expedient to form a Board of Education for the diocese of London, under the presidency of the Bishop. II. That the board consist of the president, and a certain number of vice-presidents, and other members to be named by the president. III. That the following clergymen and laymen, having signified their consent to the president, be members of the board. [Here follow a long list of names of persons of much influence and standing in the country.] IV. That the board direct its attention to the following objects:1. To form a medium communication and mutual suggestions between the clergy and other persons of the diocese interested in the cause of religious and general education, in accordance with the doctrines and discipline of the Church of England. 2. To collect and circulate information as to the state of education in the diocese, and the obstacles which impede its progress or efficiency. 3. To take measures for the extension and improvement of education in connexion with the Church of England throughout the diocese. 4. To bring into union with itself as many as possible of the schools existing in the diocese, on the terms adopted by the National Society. 5. To establish an effectual system of inspection and periodical examination of the schools in union with the board, with the concurrence of the managers of such schools, and under the sanction of the Bishop. N. B. With regard to the objects of the board, a peculiarity is to be observed, which distinguishes the diocese of London from the other dioceses of the kingdom. Two among the principal objects of the other diocesan boards, are:-1st. To institute schools for the training of masters; 2d. To establish, or take into union, middle or commercial schools. But, in London, the former of these objects is about to be accomplished by the immediate establishment of a training institution under the superintendence of the National Society; and the latter has been already in some measure accomplished by the Metropolitan Commercial Schools Institution, which has a central school in Rose-street, Soho, and local schools in union. It is probable, however, that one or both of these objects will hereafter be brought under the attention of the Diocesan Board, which will put itself in immediate communication with the Committee of the Metropolitan Commercial Schools Institution. V. That, in furtherance of its designs, it is desirable for the board -1. To promote the formation of local or district boards in different parts of the diocese, which shall be in connexion and communication with the General Diocesan Board. 2. To enter into union with the National Society, and transmit a periodical report of the inquiries and transactions of the board, so far as relates to the education of the poor; as also to invite the cooperation of other societies or institutions for education, established in the diocese on the principles of the Church of England. The Rev. Dr. SHORT rose to move the first resolution, which was to the effect, "That this Report be adopted, and that a Board of Education for the diocese of London be now formed in accordance with its recommendations." He considered that the establishment of the proposed board would tend to the diffusion of a universal benefit. Lord RADSTOCK seconded the resolution, which, having been put from the chair, was unanimously carried. Mr. POWNALL then came forward to move a resolution to the effect, "That subscriptions be entered into to meet the expenses necessary to the carrying out the several propositions set forth in the Report." On the part of the laymen, he was prepared to say, that that body would be ready to respond to the call of the clergy for support. The resolution having been briefly seconded, was agreed to. The REV. J. LONSDALE moved, "That Sir W. Farquhar be appointed treasurer, and that the Rev. J. S. Boone be appointed secretary to the board." Mr. J. H. MARKLAND seconded the resolution, which was carried. Major Wood then, in an eulogistic speech, moved, "That the cordial thanks of the meeting be given to the Right Rev. Prelate in the chair, for this fresh instance of the unwearied interest he entertained, and the exertions he had made for the welfare of his diocese, and the cause of religious education." Mr. ACKLAND seconded the proposition. The resolution was carried with loud cries of" hear, hear." The CHAIRMAN returned thanks. A subscription was then commenced, and the meeting separated. CHURCH SOCIETIES. MR. EDITOR, The last published Report of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, is lying before me. It is a highly interesting document, and cannot, I think, be perused by any faithful son of the Church of England, without exciting in his mind an earnest desire to cooperate with an institution so wise, so prudent, so zealous, and above all, so rightly constituted as that Society is. It is satisfactory to hear that forty-five new committees have been formed within the last year, and that the "receipts up to the end of 1838, show a material increase upon those of the preceding year." I trust that the time has at length arrived for the establishment of committees to an extent commensurate with the length and breadth of the land, and that the effect of their institution will be, the securing to the Society, as the sole accredited missionary agent of the Church, the affections, prayers, and offerings of every right-minded individual among her children. I rejoice to observe that a beginning has been made to interest the inhabitants of the metropolis in the sacred cause, and I confidently trust that the incipient efforts which have been made in the parishes of Fulham, Hackney, and Bloomsbury, are but an earnest of what is yet, by God's blessing, to be effected. With this hope we are reconciled to the statement, that the whole diocese of London produced to the Society last year, only 558l. 16s. 9d. It is scarcely too much to say, that the populous and wealthy parish of St. George, Hanover Square, ought yearly to contribute a larger sum than this. In the metropolis, properly so called, there are, it is lamentable to observe, only two committees-those of Bishopsgate and Bloomsbury; the latter being only of this year's formation. But why, Mr. Editor, should there not be a committee established in every parish? Why, in the city, where the parishes are very small and lie contiguous, should there not be a committee for each ward, comprising an union of parishes? Why should not the sacred objects of the Society, and its exceedingly strong claims upon christian sympathy, be set forth from the pulpit of each church every returning Epiphany? I would direct particular attention to the suggestions given by the Society for the promotion of parochial associations, and would entreat churchmen generally, and those of the metropolis especially, to exert themselves in the way pointed out, and to further the Society's interests by every discreet mean in their power. It is obviously better to have parochial committees than decanal and archidiaconal; for in the former case, no well-disposed individual is likely to be overlooked, (and no consistent churchman would wish to be,) whereas, in the latter, only a comparative few are taken in, and those chiefly clergymen. I would instance the associations for Lewes deanery, and for the dioceses of Carlisle and Ely, as being much too large. If those committees were divided into as many associations as there are parishes within the respective districts, and each association had its own secretary and treasurer, the result, I am persuaded, would be tenfold more beneficial to the Society's interest than that at present shown. If people were encouraged by their own pastor to join the Society, and were invited to cooperate with him and their immediate neighbours, they would, I am sure, be far more ready to exert themselves in their different degrees, than they are now that associations are miles in circumference, and local stimulation is wanted. I venture to offer the above remarks to the attentive consideration of every churchman who reads them. We are all, clergy and laity, deeply interested in the matter; but if not for our own sakes, yet surely for the sake of our brethren, for the sake of the Church of England and of "the truth," we are bound upon principle to support and strengthen the Society, and to seek by its means the realization of our daily prayer, that God's name may be hallowed, his kingdom come, and his will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Yours, Mr. Editor, faithfully, July 5, 1839. X. BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER. SIR, Having stated my views on adult baptism, in the June number of your valuable magazine, will you permit me to say a few words on infant baptism? First, it may be observed, that in one sense no infants can be worthy receivers of this holy sacrament, for they can exercise neither faith nor repentance; whereas in another sense they must be all alike worthy partakers, inasmuch as they are all equally clear of actual transgression, and as far as regards the first mentioned qualifications, their sponsors are accepted in their stead till they shall be of age to ratify the original covenant made in their names. We may therefore fairly assume that all infants are worthy partakers, because they are all as much so as their condition admits of; and the following great benefits I conceive result to them from its administration. First, they have a full assurance of salvation in case of death in infancy, for their original sin is through Christ's atonement remitted, and this remittance is assured and ratified to them in this holy sacrament, although it must be observed, that though remitted, it is never entirely effaced in this life, for "the infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerate," as our article says, and as actual matter of fact experience too surely proves. Infants are regenerated also in baptism, and considered, as it were, new creatures by their figurative new birth from the wicked world into the Holy Church, and by having the seed and earnest of future effective sanctification implanted in their hearts, although I think at the same time it must be admitted that there may be a difference of opinion among the most wise, pious, and learned men, regarding the precise nature, quality, and extent of this seed implanted in the heart of infants at baptism, because it presents nothing tangible to our apprehension, until it becomes more fully developed in after life by that effectual sanctification and conversion of the heart, soul, and affections to the love and service of God, which infants it should seem, are by their very state incapable of. These then, are, I think, the benefits conferred by infant baptism :— Regeneration, or the figurative new birth into the Church, with the seed of future sanctification implanted in the heart, original sin remitted, and salvation assured in case of death. I trust, therefore, Mr. Editor, you will not think that I hold low ideas regarding baptism. I need scarcely make any remark on the letter of your correspondent, F. W. who grants all that I desire, by allowing that in the case of |