2. Arrangements to reserve at least the latter two years of the collegiate course, in all instances, principally for theological and cognate studies; and in particular to prevent efforts for literary honours from being ever prolonged into those two years. 3. Some effectual methods for retaining the students in the colleges during the full term appointed.

4. The desirableness and practicability of appropriating some one seminary for students, to whom a sound English and theological training might be obviously preferable to a more learned education; or to whom such a knowledge of the original languages of sacred Scripture might also be imparted as is attainable without previous classical studies.

5. The propriety of an agreement and common practice among all the colleges, in respect to an examination of students at the end of their academical course, and to testimonials of character, learning, and other ministerial qualifications to be thereupon given.

6. Some plan to secure assistance for pastors in deciding whether to encourage the first proposals for entering the ministry made by any young brethren, and to insure a more extended and effectual testing of their qualifications previous to their appearance before the committees of the colleges as candidates for admission.

7. Whether, to obviate, in many cases, a premature entrance on pastoral responsibilities, a further term of residence and study in college could be allowed after the completion of the usual curriculum; or assistance given for a period of study in some continental or American university, or of preparatory ministerial service in connexion with a senior pastor.

8. Whether, in the several colleges, increased attention might not be given, with great advantage, to our church principles, and to the wisest methods of pastoral superintendence in harmony with them.

9. Whether, in some of the colleges, young men of approved character, not intended for the ministry, might not be received, with many advantages, to unite with the ministerial students in branches of study common to both.

10. The desirableness of a central committee of correspondence among the various colleges, on matters of concernment common to them all, such as plans of finance, openings for the settlement of students in the pastoral office, &c.; such central committee to be formed of representatives appointed by the committees of the several colleges.

11. What plans of finance can be adjusted to secure for the colleges in general, and without collision in their several appeals to the churches, an adequate and regular income.

The Committee of the Congregational Union received instruction from the Autumnal Meeting recently held at Norwich, to take immediate measures for bringing this important proposal under the favourable consideration of the tutors, committees, and officers of the several colleges. This duty the Committee has endeavoured to perform, by communicating to all the brethren engaged in the management of the colleges, copies of the necessary documents, from which may be at once seen what are the views of the Committee as to the functions and uses of the proposed conference. The proposal is now in the hands of the wise and good men by whom the education of the rising ministry of our churches is conducted. If they approve of the conference, if they anticipate advantage from it, the meeting will be convened. Should it be convened, it seems impossible but that great and lasting benefits should result. The importance of the great work of training the youthful ministry will be more than ever seen and felt by the churches. A powerful impulse will be given to it in the bosom of each college. Valuable thoughts will be communicated, and deep impressions produced in the minds of the assembled brethren. A mutual under

standing on many important and practical points will be gained. The whole work in its details will be better understood, and, as a consequence, will be better done. It is obvious that the present is a crisis in the educational system of our colleges : they have been brought into a new position by the affiliation of many of them with the London University. The times are momentous. Our ministry needs to be raised, and our preaching to be improved. Our whole position requires to be examined, and every department to be conducted with vigour, wisdom, and large views.

Perhaps, above all, the young brethren receiving education in our colleges have a strong claim on much more regard and attention, in many ways, from both the pastors and the churches, than they have hitherto received. Churches should receive their early occasional ministrations with much candour, affection, and prayer; and elder brethren, and sisters too, should often cheer them with words of blended encouragement and advice. Pastors should seek their society, in order to animate and counsel them; should gain opportunities to hear them preach, in order to commend the excellences, and to point out the blemishes, of their performances. Whereever they worship, they should hear themselves prayed for. They should be so treated altogether, as to make them feel that a deep interest is felt in them, as the hopes of the churches, and the expected lights of another generation.

If the desired conference should take place, there will be, no doubt, many morlifications made in the plan as sketched in the outline presented; and many other important subjects will be discussed, in addition to those indicated by the committee, as suitable to receive consideration. It will be a meeting of brethren, to deliberate on an affair of vital importance, in a spirit of freedom and candour; and the results arrived at will be submitted for adoption so far only as they are approved, and voluntarily concurred in by the brethren entrusted with the management of the several colleges.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

REVIVAL OF EVANGELICAL RELIGION IN FRANCE.

Ir is just half a century since the infidels of France, having gained the ascendency in the middle scenes of the great drama of the first Revolution, undertook to abolish Christianity throughout that powerful nation. And beneath their blows, welldirected and rapidly repeated, it seemed as if every vestige of the religion of Christ must be speedily and utterly destroyed.* The churches were shut up, or desecrated,

"The first attack of the infidels, headed by Marat, Robespierre, and Danton, was directed against the Sabbath, which was abolished in 1793, but a little while before the death of the first-named of these three monsters. With the abolition of the Sabbath, and the substitution of the Decade, was connected the entire change of the year, and all its component months. The year was made to commence on the 22nd of September, and the months were made equal, and new names assigned to them.

"It was in the month of November however, of that year, that the work of destroying Christianity was carried to its acme. On or about the 7th of that month, Christianity was openly abjured by the municipality of Paris, the apostate constitutional bishops and clergy of the Assembly, with few exceptions, joining in the measure, headed by the infamous Gobet. On the 10th the churches were plundered, and their valuable silver ornaments and utensils carried to the Mint to be converted N. S. VOL. VIII.

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