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evil utterly incurable by human means;" in God, before the foundation of
the world, designing the manifestation of his Son in the flesh for our
salvation, to attain eternal salvation for us. They believe that the
Holy Spirit is given to quicken and renew the soul of man; that all who
will be saved were the objects of God's electing and eternal love; in the
perseverance of the Saints; in the perpetual obligation of baptism and
the Lord's Supper; in the coming of Christ to judge all flesh; that the
righteous will receive life everlasting, and that the portion of the
wicked will be everlasting punishment. As I have stated, such is a rough
outline of the common belief in Congregational and Baptist Chapels. It
is to be questioned, however, whether it would receive the unanimous
assent and consent of Baptist and Congregational ministers.

As regards Church order and discipline, I may attempt the following
summary, which I believe is as true of Baptist as of Congregational
Churches.

A Church, according to them, is a society of believers meeting
voluntarily together to observe religious ordinances; to promote mutual
edification and holiness; to perpetuate and promulgate the Gospel in the
world; and to advance the glory and worship of God through Jesus Christ.
The New Testament exclusively is their authority for Church customs, and
Christ is their only head; they elect their own officers, whether bishops
or pastors, and deacons. They believe that no person should be received
as members of Christian Churches but such as make a credible profession
of Christianity; are living according to its precepts, and attest a
willingness to be subject to its discipline. They believe that the power
of a Christian is purely spiritual, and should in no way be corrupted by
union with temporal or spiritual power.

In London there are 220 Congregational churches and 210 Baptist; some of
the latter being very small, and the ministers illiterate and
narrow-minded more than is usually the case. The Congregationalists are
chiefly incorporated in a body known as the Congregational Union, which
meets twice a year to deliberate; once in London, and once in such
provincial city or town as shall previously have been resolved on.

In London the Congregationalists have two or three Colleges for educating
young men for the work of the Ministry--the principal one being the New
College, St. John's Wood. This College is in connexion with the London