THE invasion of the Roman States by Garibaldi has failed, but it has not left Rome nor Europe as it found them. Italy has been stirred to its depths by the presence of foreign troops on its soil, and is so humiliated and so irritated by this new indignity, that the popularity of Victor Emmanuel has been shaken, and the monarchy itself is in peril. It was easy for the Emperor of the French to launch his battalions upon Civita Vecchia and Rome; but now that he is there events overmaster him, and he feels that he can neither remain nor withdraw with dignity. In this dilemma, he has proposed a Conference of all the States in Europe, large and small-some accounts went so far as to say that he had included the Sultan in his invitation--to confer together on the position which the Pope should occupy for the future, and the relation which he should hold to the Italian kingdom. As we write, the fate of this proposition is uncertain. Our own Foreign Minister informed Parliament the other day, that he had signified to France he did not see what good would come of a Conference where no basis of negotiation was laid down, and where it was not certain that the parties principally concerned would accept of the arbitration. Since then it has been said that Italy has agreed to abide by the award of the Conference. Some accounts state that the Pope has accepted the Conference too; but others aver that it is only upon condition that the States of the Church are restored to him-a basis of negotiation which the Italian people would certainly not assent to, whatever might be the counsels of their Government. Austria has consented, and so has Spain. Prussia holds aloof, and so does Russia, taking up substantially the same ground that our own Minister has done. It is possible, however, that Louis Napoleon may finds means to overcome their disinclination, for his heart is set upon the Conference-as well it may be, as it presents the only honourable escape from complications which press upon him with ever-increasing force.

In the midst of these perplexities, it may well be supposed that the Emperor and his Ministers have little leisure to attend to ecclesiastical details. This is the more to be regretted, as it appears from our French Correspondent's letter that Evangelical Protestantism in France stands-such is the constitution of Church and State there-sorely in need of his aid. The Evangelicals in France have, for the most part, come to the conclusion that a General Synod is the best, if not the only remedy, for the evils and confusions that distract their Church. But the Rationalists, who feel that their best chance of continuance lies in the present absence of all regulations, are engaged in getting up petitions to the Government, praying that no such Synod may be summoned; and as the hands of Ministers are at present full of what are to them weightier matters, it is probable that from that cause alone the prayers of the Rationalists may, for the present at least, prevail.

The alarm of war between France and Prussia, which was lately so prevalent, has now passed away. The speech of Louis Napoleon, on opening his Chambers, is read as a final relinquishment of his jealousy against the increase and consolidation of Prussia, and an acceptance of the inevitable. It is true that the work of arming proceeds on both sides, but that is justified by the alterations in military armament which recent progress in the science of war renders necessary. The King of Prussia has taken advantage of this breathing-time to give assurance to the Protestants of his new dominions that the allegiance they now owe to him shall not in any way affect their ecclesiastical relations. The Lutheran Churches in the annexed provinces are not to be compelled to enter into union with the United or

National Protestant Church of Prussia, but are to maintain their present independence, and any union that may hereafter be effected will be with the free and cordial consent of both sides. It is matter of satisfaction that the King and his counsellors have thus risen to the true idea of unity, and they will find their new kingdom all the more strengthened by it.

The United States of America are in the course of one of those violent oscillations of feeling which from time to time occur, and transfer the power of the country from one party to another. Last year the Republican majority began to fall; this year they have been beaten in all the principal States, and the Democrats now look forward to assured victory. Whether their victory will last long enough to give them a President at the end of next year, remains to be seen. In the distractions of politics it is satisfactory to find that the unity of the Churches prevails. A meeting of representatives of all the various Presbyterian bodies in the Northern States has been held, at which it was agreed that they should all be united under the common name of the United Presbyterians. What is still more remarkable and gratifying is, that in the midst of their discussions Bishop M'Ilvaine, of Ohio, and several other members of the Episcopal Church, attended one of their meetings, and addressed them in terms of fraternal love and Christian confidence, and expressed their hope that the bars which now divide the Churches would be entirely broken down.

HOME.

The Fenian conspiracy, which has so long disturbed the three kingdoms, has at last brought about the stern retribution of justice. For more than a year successive groups of criminals have been found by juries of their own countrymen worthy of death, but ever the clemency of the Crown was interposed between them and the scaffold. At last the murder of a policeman at Manchester satisfied the country that leniency was only an encouragement to crime, and that true mercy to these misguided men called for condign punishment on murderers. Yet even in this case most anxious care and discrimination were exercised. of five men convicted, one was pardoned unconditionally, from the belief that a mistake had been made in his identity; of the others who were taken "red-handed," one had his sentence commuted, because it was not proved that he had used deadly weapons. For the other three no plea of mercy could be offered except that which made light of the shedding of blood, or that implied approval of the conspiracy in which they were engaged. And to these the applications for mercy were limited. It became the painful duty of the Home Secretary to refuse these requests; and on Saturday, the 23rd, the sentence of the law was carried out against them. The event produced a great sensation. The lower classes of the Roman Catholics in most of our great towns--and especially in London-held public processions on the Sunday following, partly of a religious, partly of a seditious character. authorities did not interfere in any case, and the peace was not disturbed. In Birmingham, however, and in some of the other midland towns, demonstrations in favour of the convicts were met by counter-demonstrations of the English labourers, and riotous proceedings took place, which the police had some trouble in quelling. This is but one of many symptoms that a feeling is growing up in England against these disturbers of order that may lead to serious and deplorable collisions between the two races.

The

The report of the Ritualist Commission, mild as it was, and to this hour unfollowed up by any practical steps, has produced great commotion among the Ritualists. Like the Fenian sympathisers, they attempt to intimidate the Government from doing their duty by loud threats of what will happen if their proceedings be interfered with. On the 19th of last month a meeting was held in London, which we were told was not to be a gathering of Ritualists, but of men who were the champions of liberty of conscience within the pale of the Establishment. The liberty of conscience was to allow every clergyman to do as he thought right; which, in the face of the Act of Uniformity, is a rather strong course. However, in the end, the meeting stood confessed as out-and-out a Ritualistic assembly. Earl Nelson, who was placed in the chair, declared that he had no love for high Ritualism, though he did not define the degree to which he went; and Archdeacon Denison said that, having used the surplice for twenty years, he was not going to abandon it now for vestments of another colour and fashion. But Ritualism, he said, was symbolic of doctrine, and the doctrines he avowed left little of the principles of the English Reformation. The name of Protestant was repudiated; the Bible could only be interpreted by the Prayer-book. The corporeal presence" was strongly asserted. The other speakers were still more decided. The audience, which consisted entirely of men, was very enthusiastic; but if we except

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those we have named, there was scarcely any one in a public position that countenanced the proceedings.

The reason that Parliament happens to be sitting at the present unusual season is, as our readers are aware, the necessity of obtaining its sanction to the Abyssinian expedition. At the time we write, the question has not yet been brought formally before the Commons; but, from what has already transpired, no opposition is anticipated. The Queen's Speech in opening the session stated that the expedition was for the purpose of rescuing the prisoners, and for that purpose alone. Limited to such an object, no one can object to it; though the difficulties of the expedition cannot be concealed, while everything connected with its issue is uncertain, except its enormous expense.

It is said that there is no tribunal before which an English bishop can be brought for heresy. Lord Portman endeavoured on Friday, the 22nd, practically to convert the House of Lords into such a tribunal, and to bring the Bishop of Salisbury before its bar. He presented a petition, signed by many persons within the diocese, complaining of the Popish doctrines which that prelate had put forth in his last visitation charge to his clergy. It will be remembered that the Bishop, in his charge, enunciated more distinctly than has ever been done before the presence of Christ's body and blood in the Eucharist. The Bishop was present, and entered upon his defence, stating that all subsequent reflection had made him more convinced of the truth of these doctrines than ever. But he added that there was no diocese in the kingdom where there was less Ritualism than in the diocese of Salisbury; and it was admitted by Lord Portman that, notwithstanding his strong personal opinions, the Bishop administered the functions of his office with strict impartiality to persons of all shades of doctrine. The matter ended with a discussion on the propriety of adapting the Ecclesiastical Courts so as to make them more qualified for the cheap and speedy trial of ecclesiastical offences.

We deeply regret to announce the death of the Rev. Dr. James Hamilton, of the Regentsquare Presbyterian Church, in the fifty-third year of his age. The mournful event took place at three o'clock on the morning of Sunday, the 24th ult., and was announced to his sorrowing congregation at the forenoon service of that day. It was not wholly unexpected. For several months past the Doctor had been laid aside from service, and for the last few weeks he had been given up by his physicians. But, though cut off in the midst of his years, he had been honoured to do much for the cause of Christ. He had occupied the pulpit in Regent-square somewhat over a quarter of a century, succeeding to the celebrated Edward Irving, the circumstances attending whose expulsion from the Church of Scotland had left the chapel at Regent-square nearly empty. The coming of Dr. Hamilton soon caused it to wear a different aspect; and though he did not immediately attain popularity, he steadily acquired influence and authority second to no other Nonconformist minister of London. He was, in the true sense of the word, a representative man; and his counsels in his own Church were affectionate and catholic-minded, and seldom disputed. He was also the author of several popular works, and during the last four years has been the principal Editor of this journal, the pages of which have often been enriched by his pen. The short period which has elapsed since his death forbids us to say more, but regard for his memory would not allow us to say less.

A new religion has been announced, with some pomp, in certain of the London papers. The new sect, however, turns out to be nothing more than a meeting of Unitarian ministers and people who have resolved to cast off the last rag of Christian doctrine, and to make the basis of their community love to God as their common Father, and to all men as brethren. One of their ministers, a Mr. Solly, made an effort to have the name of Jesus Christ recognised as the highest pattern and the purest teacher of the principles that united them; but even this was rejected. It was agreed to erect a church upon these principles in the heart of London.

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Evangelical Alliance.

WEEK OF PRAYER THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

JANUARY 5-12, 1868.

Our Gracious God lends an attentive ear to the supplications of His people. The records of individual, family, and Church life abundantly prove that believing prayer is followed by results that call forth gratitude and praise, and encourage renewed requests at the Throne of Grace.

In every land, and in most of the leading cities, the annual invitation of the Evangelical Alliance to observe the Week of Prayer at the commencement of the year has been largely and increasingly responded to. Multitudes have united with one accord to implore, in the name and relying on the merits and mediation of our Divine Lord, that the New Year may be crowned with the goodness of God, and special blessings conferred both upon the Church and the world.

The Evangelical Alliance, by its British and Foreign Organisations, renew their invitation for the opening of the year 1868. In doing so, they express their profound conviction that passing events are more than ever furnishing motives for a closer union among all true followers of Christ, and for the offering of faithful, importunate Prayer for things pertaining to the spirituality and spread of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fellow-Christians of every land and language-in the prospect of the weighty interests and great responsibilities of the New Year, let us again draw near to the Heavenly Throne, that common centre for Universal Prayer, and prove the Lord of Hosts according to His own Word, wherein it is written:

"See if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

The following topics, amongst others, are suggested as suitable for exhortation and intercession on the successive days of meeting :

Sunday, Jan. 5.-Sermons. Subject: The Person, Work, and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus

Christ.

Monday, Jan. 6.-Thanksgiving for special and general mercies during the past year, to Nations, Churches, and Families: and Confession of Sin.

:

Tuesday, Jan. 7.-Prayer for Nations for Kings and all in authority: for the observance of the Lord's-day: for the removal of obstacles in the way of Moral and Religious Progress: and for Internal and International Peace.

Wednesday, Jan. 8-Prayer for Families: for Schools, Colleges, and Universities: and for Sons and Daughters in Foreign Countries.

Thursday, Jan. 9.—Prayer for Christian Ministers, and all engaged in Christ's Service: for God's ancient Israel, and for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Friday, Jan. 10.-Prayer for the Sick and Afflicted: for Widows and Orphans: and for the Persecuted for Righteousness' sake.

Saturday, Jan. 11.-Prayer for the Christian Church: for increase of holiness and activity, fidelity, and love: and for grace equal to the duties and dangers of the times. Sunday, Jan. 12.-Sermons. Subject: Christian Charity-1 Cor. xiii.