THE volume containing the Debates and Proceedings of the National Council is completed, and we suppose now in the hands of many of our readers. Our own subscribers, certainly, need the book for the same shelf as the volumes of the Quarterly. As a part of the historical record of the denomina tion, as well as for its discussion of principles, it is, in our opinion, the most valuable work issued since the 17th century.

Among its elaborate papers are thorough treatises upon Ministerial Education, Ministerial Support, Benevolent Societies, Church Building, Home and Foreign Missions, Parochial Evangelization, Religious Publications, and Evangelization in the West and South. Each of these papers, elaborately prepared by men whose names are a guarantee of ability and judgment, is worthy of publication as a distinct treatise. The collateral relations of the Congregational churches are also ably discussed. The Declaration of Faith, in its various shapes, is of prime importance; and the platform of Church Polity, endorsed as it was, will have great weight as a standard of reference.

Hardly less important than these decisions upon the great questions before our churches, are the discussions, which are reported verbatim in this volume. They exhibit the opinions and arguments of many men whose years of service, as ministers or laymen, have made them proficient in every detail, and whose ability puts them on a par with the best statesmen of our country. Those reports will afford the best study possible to the young men of the denomination; and the best exhibit, to those outside our order, of the views held by our experienced and leading

men.

As a record of the doings of the first National Council held for nearly two hundred years, and held in a great public emergency, this volume possesses immense value. It is a time when old forms are shaken, and the foundations have to be sought. Principles are now reshaping the nation. The Congregational churches are doing their part, with fidelity to freedom, to right, and to God.

The formal initial step finds its record in this report. We believe that the circulation of this volume, so complete as to embrace every Congregationalist in the land, would be of incalculable advantage to the interests of religion. As to the book itself, the indexes of topics and names are complete, even to perhaps needless fullness. Everything which could make it entire, as to preliminary proceedings and the like, is included. The book is also printed in handsome style. We hope that it will have a circulation equal to its impor

The book is for sale by the following persons, at $3.00, or by mail, postpaid, $3.25 :— E. F. DUREN, Bangor, Me.

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STATISTICS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. The following table has been prepared by the Secretary of the Massachusetts General Association; the reports after 1830, mainly from the tables published by that body from year to year.

It has been compiled with great care, - the reports of each year having been thoroughly analyzed, in most cases summed up, and with a collation of the
reports of the several years. Defective returns have been supplied in each case, by calculation, from the reports of specific churches for other years, and
from other dates in the writer's possession. Earlier than 1830, any investigation which should seek for the items specified, is hopeless; and, in some items,
it is hopeless still later. Prior to 1830, however, the number of churches is attainable, and is inserted, assuming that the churches which became Unitarian
were substantially so in 1800.

The census is taken on the first of January annually, of the year specified, and the additions, removals, and baptisms, cover the year next preceding.

Including 18 temporarily absent, and missionaries.

Churches Formed.

At MOUNT PLEASANT, Minn., 9 members.

Nov. 26, 1865. In AGENCY CITY, Io., 16 members.

Mar. 29. Rev. EDWARD EBBS, over the New England Ch. in Aurora, Ill. Sermon by Rev. Wm. W. Patton, D. D., of Chicago. Installing Prayer by Rev. Joseph E. Roy, of Chicago.

members.

"3.

In MIRABILE, Mo., 8 members. "10. In GREENFIELD, L. I., 24 members. "12. In SEDALIA, Mo., 10 members. "15. In NEW ORLEANS, La., 28 members.

"17. In MAYSVILLE, Mo.

"17. In EAGLEVILLE, Ct., the Union Cong. Ch. 14 members.

"20. In HILLSBORO', Or.

May 1. In LEAVENWORTH, Kan., the 2d Ch. 7 members.

"6. In GALLATIN, Mo., 9 members. "8. In DEPERE, Wis., 11 members. "27. In CHICAGO, Ill., the Tabernacle Ch. 100 members.

Jun. 4. In CLINTON, Io., 15 members.

"5. In WEST WARREN, Ms., 23 members.

"12. In BROOKLYN, N. Y., the Fifth Avenue Cong. Ch., 28 members.

over the New England Ch. in Detroit, Mich. Sermon by Rev. Franklin W. Fisk, D. D., of Chicago Seminary. Installing Prayer by Rev. Adin H. Fletcher, of Pontiac.

3. Rev. S. A. BAKER, over the Ch. of the Pilgrims in New York City. Sermon by Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, D. D., of New York. Installing prayer by Rev. Alexander H. Clapp, of New York.

"4. Rev. JOHN SAFFORD, over the Ch. in Bellevue, O.

4.

Rev. JAMES P. LANE, over the Free Ch. in Andover, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Edward N. Kirk, D. D., of Boston. Installing Prayer by Rev. Cyrus W. Wallace, of Manchester, N. H.

66 4. Rev. WM. R. EASTMAN, over the Ch. in Plantsville, Ct. Sermon by Rev. Charles R. Palmer, of Salem, Mass. Installing Prayer by Rev. Elias B. Hillard,, of Kensington.

66 10. Rev. CLARENDON WAITE, over the Crombie St. Ch. in Salem, Mass. Sermon by Rev. Wm. M. Barbour, of So. Danvers. Installing Prayer by Rev. Seth Sweetser, D. D., of Worcester.

Rev. HOMER N. DUNNING, over the Ch. in So. Norwalk, Ct.

"6 18. Rev. WILLIAM CARRUTHERS, over the Maple St. Ch. in Danvers, Ms. Sermon by Rev. John J. Carruthers, D. D., of Portland, Me. Installing Prayer by Rev. Alonzo B. Rich, of Beverly.

66

18. Rev. FRANK P. WOODBURY, over the Ch. in Meriden, N. H. Sermon by Rev. Samuel P. Leeds, of Hanover. Installing Prayer by Rev. Henry Cummings, of Newport.