The ministers of the Anabaptists, in many places, but especially in North Holland, and Friesland, are chosen from among the best qualified members of a church, and generally receive but a small salary. Hence they must follow some temporal occupation to support their families. This is the reason why there are so many ministers in some congregations, not very large. In other places, young men are prepared for the ministry by suitable teachers. The united Flemish and Waterlandish congregation of Amsterdam, have erected a seminary, in which they have established a professor of theology and philosophy, at a salary of 2000 guilders a-year. To this seminary their young men resort, in considerable numbers, for instruction in theology.

The ministers are chosen by the deacons, with the approbation of the congregation. The deacons, who in some places continue in office for life, in others for a number of years, are chosen by the members of the church convened for that purpose, by the ministers and the deacons in office. In some congrega-tions there are deaconesses, chosen as the deacons are. In several, they have orphan and alms-houses richly endowed.

>The Anabaptists are generally respected by the government, and have, from time to time, received particular marks of favour. They are permitted to make a declaration, instead of taking an oath. At their request the States General have, at different periods, granted them letters of recommendation in behalf of their persecuted brethren in the Palatinate, and Switzerland. In many cities they fill offices of honour, such as governors of hospitals and the like. Their marriages, as well as those of the other dissenting denominations, are celebrated in the of the magistracy of the place where they reside. Some few of their congregations have the privilege of celebrating marriages in their own assemblies,

presence

The Rhinsburghers, or Collegiants, are the followers of John, Adrian, and Gysbert Vander Kodde. These three brothers, though their occupation was husbandry and tanning, were well acquainted with sacred literature. Gysbert was an elder in the Remonstrant congregation of Warmond, when the Remonstrant ministers, in 1619, were banished from the country. He, and some others of the same congregation, resolved to instruct and edify each other in public worship, without a minister, by mutually reading and explaining Scripture, and by prayer. They were joined by the other two brothers, with some inhabitants of the neighbouring towns, and soon removed their meeting to Rhinsburg. In this place they still hold their solemn assembly twice a-year From hence they are called Rhinsburghers. The name of Collegiants they have acquired from this circumstance, that they call their religious assem blies colleges.

Their usual colleges, or assemblies, are twice as week, viz. on Sundays and Wednesdays. In these meetings, every person, except females, has a right to speak and perform any part of the worship. Every one may also freely express his opinion of whatever is said by any of the members. They are all on an equality, no one having any authority over the other They reject all creeds as unlawful, and consider every person to have a right to explain scripture as he pleases. All who only acknowledge the divinity of the scriptures, and endeavour to live according to their precepts, are received as their brethren; are admitted to the Lord's table; nay, more, are permit ted to speak and lead in their worship, as well as themselves.

Their colleges are held in some places, in particu lar houses in others, in the churches of the Anabap tists. The number of them is about eighteen or twenty throughout the country.

Their semi-annual meetings, which are held at Rhinsburg, are conducted in the following manner: They come together on Saturday, to prepare themselves for celebrating the Lord's Supper. After prayer, some one of the persons present is requested to edify the rest by a discourse drawn from God's word. This is almost always done by one who has prepared himself for it. Sufficient time is given, and liberty also, for any one to add what he pleases; and the meeting is generally closed with singing, and always with prayer. On Sunday morning they celebrate the Lord's Supper. First, an exhortation is given to stir up their minds to a suitable participation of this rite. Then one of the company is requested to distribute the bread and wine. Whoever feels disposed and qualified, goes to the table, describes the nature of the meeting, and generally adds that he, because he administers the ordinance, is not to be considered as worthier than the least of those who participate in it. During, and after the celebra-` tion of the Supper, alms are collected for the poor of the place. The Supper being ended, they separate. In the evening they meet again to quicken each other to thankfulness. On Monday morning, after an address exhorting them to brotherly love, to steadfastness and growth in religion, they return to their respective homes.

At these great meetings they also administer the sacrament of baptism. This is done on Saturday morning, by immersion in a bath prepared for that purpose, in the garden of a spacious house erected for the reception of strangers. The persons who are to be baptized, make a public confession of their faith, in one of the rooms of the abovementioned house. This confession is a general one, of belief in God and Jesus Christ, and a determination to walk in the ways of divine appointment. When this is

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ended, an address is given, in which the reasons for administering baptism in this way are unfolded; then the men, or women, in a room provided for that purpose, change their dress, and go to the bath; in which, kneeling down, they are plunged under the water, with the usual words, by one who has prepared himself for the ceremony. He who baptizes, generally declares before the administration, that on this account he is not to be considered more worthy than the rest. After the ceremony is performed, the baptized persons, resuming their usual dress, come into the room where they made their confession, and there receive an exhortation to walk in a manner consistent with their baptism. The whole service is closed with singing, prayer, and thanksgiving.

It is proper to observe, that they who are thus baptized, are not on that account to be considered as members of this denomination. They are baptized only as members of the church universal; and may afterwards connect themselves wherever they think proper.

The whole number of this denomination it is diffi-cult to ascertain. The most of them belong to other denominations of Christians, whose places of worship they attend, as well as their own colleges.

The Quakers, or Friends, are few in number. In Amsterdam, where they have a society, they are not above twenty; and perhaps throughout the whole country, not above one hundred.

The Armenians, who are Eutychians* in princi-. ple, have also a congregation in Amsterdam, who publicly celebrate worship according to their peculiarities. Though they are independent of the Roman see, yet they very much resemble the Roman Catholics in doctrine and ceremonies. In their

Eutychius held that there was but one nature in Christ.

church, however, there are no images, and in the Lord's Supper wine is administered to the laity..

The Jews enjoy liberty of conscience in Holland, as also the same rights with the other inhabitants. They are not, however, in some places, particularly in Amsterdam, admitted to any guilds or corporations. In marriage they are obliged to conform to the laws of the land, both as to the nearness of relationship which is proper, and the number of wives.

In Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and the Hague, they have costly synagogues: and in these cities, they are mostly to be found. In the other parts of the country their number is few. They are divided into Portuguese and German, of which the latter more strictly conform to the customs of the Rabbins.

ANECDOTE OF THE REV. MR. VENN.

THE following anecdote is related by Sir Richard Hill." When that faithful minister of Christ, Mr. Venn, was vicar of Huddersfield, in Yorkshire, he told me, that a neighbouring clergyman, the Rev. Dr. L, one day addressed him nearly in the following words: "Mr. Venn, I don't know how it is, but I should really think your doctrines of grace and faith were calculated to make all your hearers live in sin, and yet I must own that there is an astonishing reformation wrought in your parish; whereas, I don't believe I ever made one soul the better, though I have been telling them their duty for many years." Mr. Venn smiled at the doctor's ingenuous confession, and frankly told him," he would do well to burn all his old sermons, and try what preaching Christ would do."