NOTICES AND REVIEWS.

Miscellaneous Sermons. By the Rev. F. Close, of Cheltenham. Vol. II. Hatchards, London. 8vo. pp. 438.

THE subjects selected are remarkably interesting, and there is much power of expression in the sermons themselves.

Sermons. By H. F. Fell, A.M., of Islington. London: Seeley and Burnside. 12mo. pp. 399.

THESE are plain and earnest sermons, which will be acceptable to all who agree with the author's opinions.

Letters to a Member of Parliament on the present State of Things. London: Nisbet. 8vo. 1834.

WITH five-sixths of this pamphlet the reviewer agrees most cordially, and must say that there is great strength of feeling and vigour of expression. From the other sixth he would dissent as strongly as he would agree with the rest. The author himself is aware that his church reforms could never be carried; but if they were, they would do far more harm than can be done at present.

If room can be found shortly, there is so much power and truth in the passage shewing that the public men who talk about church reform have no other view than the money part, and can, by consequence, never do any real good to the church, that it shall be extracted.

A Dissertation on the Reasonableness of Christianity. By the Rev. John Wilson, A.M., Minister of Irvine. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1834. 12mo. pp. 198.

THE design of Mr. Wilson is to shew that, in what are called the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, there is nothing which can give any offence to those who diligently weigh the intimations of the Divine character conveyed in nature and in providence. In other words, he shews the analogy of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity to what is passing around us in the world of nature. There are probably few tasks which require more discretion on the one hand, and larger views on the other, than this field of argument. It has this peculiar danger, that men differ as to what the exact nature of some of these doctrines is, and that, consequently, we may often be tracing analogies in the case of doctrines which other Christians may believe to be wholly false. For example, Mr. Wilson here maintains, that as God's certain purpose to give us the return of harvest in due season ought not to make the husbandman relax in his efforts, so the doctrine of predestination ought not to make the elect careless and sluggish. The effect of this argument on those who do not agree with Mr. Wilson in the use of it, must be rather to make them doubt its value altogether; or, at all events, to consider it wholly as a matter of individual fancy. The great Butler saw clearly how far we may go on this ground, how necessary it is to reason on no peculiar views of doctrine,-but simply to touch those points which all admit. He shews, for example, how much vicarious suffering there is, in fact, in daily life, and hence justly argues, that the atonement, however mysterious, contains no principle which, on reasonable grounds, we ought to reject.

VOL. VI.-Oct. 1834.

3 к

The Philosophy of the Evidences of Christianity. By James Steele. Edioburgh: Whyte and Co. 1834. 8vo. pp. 298.

THE author's object is, without going into minute discussions of the separate portions of the evidences, to give an idea of the impression created by the unity of the whole, as he thinks that this is the view which the true believer takes of the subject. "He rather feels their cumulative force than their separate power. The various elements act together in such a way, that the energy of the whole in combination, rather than the identity (?) and separate force of each, is perceived, as tributary streams are overlooked in the grandeur of the river into which they empty themselves." Besides this, Mr. Steele thinks it only right to notice, that the great doctrines of Christianity augment the forces of the evidences, and he therefore takes them into account. Mr. Steele, in pursuance of this design, after a chapter to shew that man is accountable for his belief, dwells on the proofs of Messiahship given by our Lord himself, the evidence from the apostles as witnesses, and the internal evidences. Every part of the book shews great anxiety for the truth, and wish to promote it, as well as great diligence in the study. But there is a looseness in Mr. Steele's writing, and an ambition in his language, which prevent the reader from always ascertaining exactly at what he is aiming.

The Apostleship and Priesthood of Christ; being a Practical Exposition of St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews. By Archdeacon Parry. London: Rivingtons. 1834. pp. 270. 12mo.

In a former Number some account of Archdeacon Parry's Exposition to the Romans" was given. He is proceeding in the same useful course,-that, namely, of presenting a connected view of the subject of the Epistle on which he is commenting, and a practical exposition of the text. No service can be offered to readers of the epistles of greater moment than this, as these are the two great points, and the points most neglected. It is only due to Archdeacon Parry to say, that his work goes far to fulfil his intentions, being clear and well arranged, as well as of a size adapted to general readers.

Authentic Report of the Discussion on the Unitarian Controversy between the Rev. L. S. Porter and the Rev. D. Bagot, in the Presbyterian Meeting-house, Belfast. Belfast: Simms and M'Intyre. 1834. Svo. pp. 203. PUBLIC discussions of difficult questions in theology before mixed audiences seem, to the reviewer, full of evil. Every temptation is afforded to the indulgence of evil passions, to a love of display, and to the struggling for victory at the expense of truth. If the arguments are really what they should be-comprehensive, the fruit of much labour and thought,-how can an ordinary and mixed audience comprehend them? Would not diligent inquirers do much better by considering written than spoken arguments? The present volume supplies no grounds for changing their opinions. There is a great deal of very strong personal attack, especially by the Unitarian champion. Both seem to have exerted themselves, so that the volume presents a tolerable conspectus of the common arguments on both sides. Not a single Socinian fallacy is omitted at all events.

The Mosaic and Christian Sabbath Contrasted and Explained. By J. L. Chirol, A.M., one of his Majesty's Chaplains, and Minister of the Church called Le Quarré. London: E. Wilson. 1834.

MR. CHIROL has here stated, to the best of his ability, the arguments in favour of the Fourth Commandment relating only to the Jews. He is anxious that provisions should be sold on Sunday till nine or ten o'clock, and states his

belief, that the public evils complained of by many do not arise so much from the non-observance of the Sabbath as by its observance without reformation. He seems to be a very respectable man, and very zealous for good morals. It would, therefore, be painful to speak harshly of his book, which contains nothing that has not been said very often before, rather more strongly than by Mr. Chirol.

A Vision of Fair Spirits, and other Poems. By John Graham, of Wadham College. London: T. and W. Boone. 1834. 8vo. pp. 123.

A VOLUME exhibiting considerable power and promise.

The Natural Influence of Speech in raising Man above the Brute Creation. London: Whittaker and Co. 1834. 12mo. pp. 223.

THIS writer states very truly, that, by means of speech, principles of virtue and religion are promoted, knowledge of arts and sciences spread, &c. &c.; but it is impossible to say with truth, that he is very clear in explaining how all this is effected, or that there is any very strong connexion between the parts of his argument. His language, too, is far too fine and flowery for a subject like this.

Helps to Repentance; in Six Lectures. By A. Westoby, A.M. London: Hatchards. 1834. 12mo. pp. 152.

THESE are very plain, well-intentioned, and unobjectionable discourses, urging common topics with earnestness.

A Short Exposition of the Creed &c. By John Woodward, Esq. London: Hatchards. 1834. 12mo. pp. 260.

NOTHING can be more creditable to a layman than to devote so much of his time, as Mr. Woodward has done, to the study of the most important of subjects, and nothing can be more gratifying than to find the gentlemen of the country shewing so strong and deep-rooted an attachment to our church. Mr. Woodward's work is intended to convey, in a plain form, the substance of the writings of the great commentators on the Creed.

The Deity; a Poem, by Thomas Rugg; with an Introductory Essay, by Isaac Taylor. London: Longmans. 1834. 12mo. pp. 330.

THIS poem is dedicated, by permission, to Mr. Montgomery, of Sheffield, and the names of Isaac Taylor and Montgomery would alone ensure attention for the work, which it well deserves. It is really a very extraordinary production, the work of a mechanic without any advantage of education, for many years an unbeliever, and still a very young man. The versification is remarkable for its flow, strength, and harmony. The extraordinary range of thought and reflexion on difficult subjects, shews a vigorous and comprehensive mind; and the tone and temper demand great praise.

Memoirs of the Life and Correspondence of Mrs. Hannah More. By W. Robarts, Esq. London: Seeley and Burnside. 1834. 4 vols. foolscap 8vo. THESE Volumes will give great pleasure and amusement to various classes of readers. In the first place, Mrs. More was probably the last person who was in intimate connexion with the great literary circle once so famous,-Johnson, Reynolds, Langton, and the persons of fashion who cultivated their acquaintance. She, too, was intimate with the female wits,-Mrs. Carter, Mrs.

Chapone, Mrs. Montagu, &c. She was intimate with Lord Orford, and with many of the most distinguished prelates of that day. From all these persons we have many letters which bring back those times in a most lively manner. In spite of some great names, we cannot help being impressed with the notion that that was an inferior age as to literature. The letters of that day are filled with an elaborate trifling, and often with what must be called twaddle; they speak in raptures about the most common-place works,—are anxious to excess about some poetical elegy by Mr. A. or Lady B., on a dog's running away with a work-bag, or some other equally important matter; and, where they praise justly, they praise so strangely, that one can hardly get on the same ground of feeling with them. Bishop Porteus, for example, calls the "Cheap Repository" a "sublime and immortal work." The whole world was agitated about a poem by Mrs. More, called "Sir Eldred," of which this will probably be the first notice to most readers. And Mr. Pitt, we are told, was in raptures with Mr. Carlile's "Arabic Translations," and could say most of them by heart. The expressions of adulation both to and from Mrs. More, are another of the peculiar features of that day. Angels could hardly be eulogized in such strains as these poor mortals use about one another. Still this part of the book is full of interest. It does not contain a word which can hurt morals or decency; while it contains a great deal of very amusing and original anecdote.

The religious world, too, as it is called, will be deeply interested in a work full of letters from Newton, Cecil, Porteus, Wilberforce, and many other eminent persons; while it is curious to find how little, in the outset of Mrs. More's course, was known of that party spirit which has since divided the church so much and so lamentably. Bishop Tomline and Mrs. Trimmer were among Mrs. More's friends and flatterers thirty or forty years ago, and she seems to have been very ardent in her admiration of them.

The thousands again who have read and benefited by Mrs. More's works, will naturally desire to know all that can be known of their excellent author; yet the reviewer cannot but express a doubt whether these volumes will add to Mrs. More's reputation. In some cases, as that of Cowper, the careless unpremeditated letter delights one more than the most laboured composition of the same author. But many of Mrs. More's early letters were too much in the style of the laborious trifling common in her day; and, afterwards, the lighter parts of them only occasionally rise above mediocrity, which is very remark. able in one whose wit and liveliness were obviously of a very high order. The serious part of her letters is uniformly the best; and in that part there is much well worth close attention, and much just and valuable reflexion on books and authors. But there is one thing which is not pleasant in these letters. Mrs. More seems to have kept up a close and unhesitating intercourse with persons perfectly antichristian, (Lord Orford, for example,) while she speaks of them and their future condemnation in her private journal, or in her letters, in the harshest and most unqualified terms. Indeed the hard and almost coarse words which she there uses of all whom she does not like, are surprising."Jacobin and infidel" curates, two bad clergymen, the worldly and Socinian clergy, (iii. p. 149,) as a description of those who disagreed with her views about the schools; the treachery of the Editor of the Anti-jacobin; the thick-headed Lord who writes her long-winded letters about doing good (p. 234); these " fiery polemics, (the high churchmen,) read only one side of the question, and if, through natural mildness, they should ever be disposed to relax, the monthly appearance of the Anti-jacobin new braces their slackening bigotry, and rekindles the smouldering embers of immortal hate." Enough has been here given to justify the remark, and the writer was unfeignedly surprised to find it called up to his mind by so many of these expressions coming from so eminent a Christian.

Mrs. More's character, as gathered from many of these letters, is very much

that described by herself, (vol. iii. p. 449,) when she says that "her temper is naturally gay, and that even time and sickness have not much impaired it." There is a constant-more than cheerfulness-gaiety at the tip of her tongue and her pen, and, as it would seem, this was one of the qualities which, in her very early life, enabled her to attract so many distinguished persons before her writings had fixed her in the good opinion of the thoughtful, and her life in the esteem of the religious. Her works called "Christian Morals" and "Practical Piety," are alone sufficient, by the great abilities which they display, and the temper which they exhibit, to demand for her the very highest respect and esteem; and her long and indefatigable exertions in the cause of charity, and of every thing which she believed to be to the glory of God and the good of man, confirm her claims. It would be vain for the writer to pretend that he could agree in all her opinions, or that he thinks all her works are entitled to the indiscriminate applause which they received. His judgment of her works, especially of Colebs, and of her opinions, coincides as nearly as possible with that of Bishop Jebb and Mr. Knox in his latter years. But it would be impossible not to feel with thankfulness how much good has been done by a large portion of her writings, and how much respect the talents and the Christian graces which they display must always command.

The Voluntary System. By a Churchman. Part I. & II. London: Rivingtons, &c. THESE letters first appeared in the Gloucestershire Chronicle (a most excellent paper), and part of one of them was reprinted in this Magazine. The reviewer is sincerely sorry that the whole cannot be so reprinted, for these letters contain by far the best commentary on the Voluntary System which has yet appeared. It comes obviously from one who has known it intimately, and who appeals to irrefragable documents in proof of what he says. The spirit of the style, and the shrewdness of the observations, as well as the right temper of the writer, makes this work most valuable.

The Divine Commission of the Christian Ministry, and the Principle of Church Establishments, &c. By the Rev. A. M'Caul. London: Wertheim. 1834. MR. M'CAUL has here handled the question of the commission of the clergy on a new and very ingenious ground,-the higher glory of the Christian than of the Jewish ministry,-which could never be allowed if it was a mere human appointment, while the Jewish ministry was divine. This topic is treated very clearly and powerfully; and the third sermon argues the duty of all in power to use that power for God's glory with great force and clearness. This little tract does Mr. M'Caul great credit, and should be generally known.

Illustrations of Modern Sculpture. Part VI. London: Rolfe and Fletcher. THE first number of this work was noticed before. The present number completes the first volume; and it is only justice to say, that probably no work of the day combines such beauty of execution with such cheapness as this. It ought to be on the table of all interested in the progress of art in this country.

MOST of the newspapers are, of a truth, the very worst teachers of morality imaginable: for, if they suggest nothing evil themselves, they repeat all the folly and wickedness of others without a remark. Ordinary readers thus become