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Euclid, give place to Peter, John, and Paul,
And pagan planets to the sun of truth.
If steeple-house (permit a word profane)
To meeting give the hand of fellowship,
And reading-desk and pulpit both agree,
Then, were the present year a jubilee.
Yes, 'twere indeed a year of Sabbath rest,
If learned clerks and gownsmen, simple grown,
And, childlike in demeanor and address,
Would from the altitude of cleric pride
Stoop down, the humble minister embrace,
Concede the points at issue, own the claim
To shape his creed upon the truth alone,
And make his ritual simple as his mind.
So bigotry, that bloated murderess,
Fac-simile of hell, would yield the ghost,
And they who part in form, unite in love.

Joy to the "Church's head," this opening year! Muse, say " Long live in peace our noble King !" O may his court become a "house of prayer!" And garter'd nobles lowly bend the knee, Saying "Amen" to George's orisons. From out the palace may a flame proceed, To burn the dross and tin of all the land, And purify the altar and the priest.

Peace to the Senate! Peers and Commoners
All hail ye legislators of the land!

Intrench'd in barrier strong of ancient rights,
With the new year may you convene in peace,
Nor fish for power or place, nor mock at sin,
Nor deem fanatic who adores his God.

might your skill the remedy find out,
Nr find alone, but skilfully apply,
To heal those running ulcers of the state,
Election bribes, and rotten borough sores:
Make foul corruption wash her dirty hands;
And charity, diverted from its bed,

(To bloat and fatten some unrighteous drone,)
Find its first channels dug by piety.

Let those who hoe in grief yon Western Isles,
Who plant our sugar-canes, and reap despair,
In whips, & stripes, & groans, & goals, & chains,
Find mercy in your sight, as ye would find
Rich mercy when your audit-day arrive!
From wasting caterpillars free the court;

From clouds of darkening locusts purge the state;
Clear the foul bottom of our leaky ship
From shoals of barnacles, that, fastening there,
Impede her progress through those troubled seas.
Repeal each tax that grinds the poor man down
To pauperism, misery, and dust;

Reform the state, do more, reform the church;
And let the gay who flutter in the sun

Of southern climes, pay for their foreign whims.
Let your own treasure fly abroad as dust;
But oh be careful of the public purse!
It is not yours-when palaces are built,

And favourites paid their thousands, think of men
Who pine in misery, yet pay their mite.
Tax funded treasures, tax them to the full,
Hounds, horses, chariots, livery men, and plate;
But spare the poor, and, saved from perishing,
Their golden blessings will enrich your head.
Bid merchant kings who claim our Indian realm,
And bring its jewels and its treasures home,
Pay for the privilege of being great;
Or wave their right when senators demand
The charter back that gives them half the East.

Peace to the Law, I would not lawless live!
"On all our glory this is a defence,"
And well deserves a new year's compliment;
Though I could wish the Augean stable clean,
And that made simple which is complicate,
A thorny maze, which whoso dares to walk,
Shall smart with briers in the wilderness,
And hardly find a path to lead him out.
Ye learned jurists, yield the wretch relief,
Who has no golden fee to pay for law;

And those redress whom equity has wrong'd!

With the new year may streams of knowledge flow To gladden every heart, and make the land A moral Eden mid Europa's states. May they who cater for the mental feast Baptize their pens in the pure font of truth,

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As thine, O friendly Drew! has always been.
The muses chant the cross in strains divine,
Taking a leaf from the "sweet singer's" psalms,
A spark from that pure Spirit's holy flame
"Who touch'd sublime Isaiah's lips with fire;"
Then pour the minstrelsy o'er all the land,
Till every heart reverberate the sound!

All hail my country's charities benign!
With the New Year I wish you tenfold health;
Tracts, Bibles, Missions, Sabbath Infant Schools,
All golden billows rolling in one tide
Of pure benevolence around the land,
Around the world say rather,-wider flow
And circle all the "purple Isle" of Man.
O could I in the aspect of the stars,
Planets and signs, that hail the new-born year,
But catch a ray of that which in the East
Beam'd over Bethlehem with celestial light,
And bade the pagan world arise and shine!
Come! come! Messiah, in the Spirit come!
And ere the new-born year has walk'd the skies,
And quench'd his dying spark in Capricorn,
Bid light and truth thy harbingers go forth,
Swift as the tempest's wing or morning beam
O'er all the swarming East and woody West,
"Upon the mountains let the morning spread!"
Raze the strong-holds of old Idolatry!

Dash the proud Crescent from the Turkish skies!
Plant truth triumphant on the Koran's throne !
Teach" Africa to stretch her hand to God!"
Bid weeping Salem from the willows take
Her silent harp, and sing Messiah's reign!
And last! O how my labouring bosom swells!
Let Heaven to prophecy give loud Amen!

And earth be fill'd with knowledge, truth, and love!
Northampton.
JOSHUA MARSDEN.

"WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN WE LOVE." (1 Peter, chap. i. verse 8.)

SPARKLING supremely bright,
Ye starry geins on high,

Hung like ten thousand lamps by night,
To light the lofty sky;

Ye only gild the floor above,

Of Him whom tho' unseen we love.

Thou sun whose dazzling shine
Creates our brightest days,
From light ineffable divine,
Thine are but borrowed rays;
Such is the radiancy above,

Of Him whom tho' unseen we love.

Ye heavens of hallowed light,
All holiness within,

E'en in your Maker's glorious sight,
Ye are impure and dim;

Such is the purity above,

Of Him whom tho' unseen we love.

Monarchs of royal birth,
Think whence your crowns are given;
Dominions, sceptres, powers on earth,
Are from the King of heaven;
Such is the majesty above,

Of Him whom tho' unseen we love.

And hast thou, sinner, known
There's wrath that none can tell,
And vengeance from the Almighty throne
To those who dare rebel?

Such is the awful power above,

Of Him whom tho' unseen we love.

And yet, delightful thought,

By humble fervent prayer

The broken contrite heart hath sought, And found redemption there;

Such is the pardoning grace above,

Of Him whom tho' unseen we love.

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Angelic hosts on high
Who prostrated adore,
Who Holy, Holy, Holy cry,"
Unceasing evermore;

Blessing, and honour, power above,
To Him whom tho' unseen we love.

We worship here below

And try your themes divine,

In feeble, humble strains, but, oh!
We would your praises join;
And" face to face" behold above,
Him whom tho' now unseen we love.
E. P. GARDNER.

THE VISION OF ELIJAH AT HOREB.
(1 Kings, chap. xix. ver. 9-13.)

WITHIN the cave the prophet stood,
At Horeb's holy mountain side,
In anguish looking for his God,
Whom impious Israel had defied;
Wrapt in a bright ecstatic trance,

He lingered waiting for that long-wished glance.

First came a great and mighty wind
With restless and infuriate shock,
Wide spread, oblivial, unconfined,
It rent the mountain and the rock;

He looked-and poured the voice of prayer
Sublimely, yet in vain-God was not there!
Then while the prostrate prophet bent,
An earthquake clave the trembling steep,
He looked-in deep amazement blent,
Spell-bound, too awed to pray or weep;
He gazed-'twixt terror and despair,

But thunders echoed forth, God was not there.
Next blazed around the holy seer
The consecrated fire of heaven,
His was the agony of fear,

Of all but faith and patience riven;
Far seen the arm of power was bare,

Yet vainly fixed the eye-God was not there.

Gone was the blast-the earthquake o'er
And Horeb rocked in peace again,
The fiery pillar blazed no more,
When on the prophet's ear a strain
Came softly from the flowery plain;

A still small voice, on breezes light as air,

He rose-creation chaunted, God was there!

WHILE your hearts in joy abounding,
Beat with rapturous ecstasy;

While the strains of mirth are sounding,
Songs of sweetest minstrelsy;
Deign to take a poet's blessing,
On your hymeneal day;

May the fiend of cares distressing
Never mark you for his prey,
May your days of sinless pleasure,
Sweetly glide in purest joy;
May you prove to each a treasure,
None can steal, and none destroy.
If misfortune should o'ertake you,
Passing through life's chequered scene,
May this comfort ne'er forsake you,
Still remain as you have been,-
Each to each the other's centre,
Boldly dare the ills of life;
Loving still, as now ye enter,

Free from all discording strife.
As the lark in vernal morning,
Brushing off the earliest dew,
As bright sun beams are adorning,
Nature in her loveliest hue ;-
Tries his first-born notes of gladness,
Mounting up on lightsome wing;
Sings departed winter's sadness,
Hails the first return of spring:

As the growing year advances,

So his songs of love increase; While his infant brood entrances All his powers in rapturous peace; Hear his warblings to perfection, While his youngsters learn to sing; Say, what is a bird's reflection

As he tempts them on the wing? Sav'd from the devouring ermine, From the schoolboy's luckless play; Glad the fell-destroying vermin, Pass'd his brood some other way; So may you, like joys possessing, Sing corroding cares away; Realize the self-same blessing, During life's uncertain day. Grimsby.

76

G. HERRING,

REFLECTIONS AT MIDNIGHT.

'Tis sweet beneath the slowly waving shade
Of this dark elm, to sit and ruminate.
And now the world and its deceitful joys
Are lost midst nature's never-dying charms,
For here, pre-eminent in luxury,

She reigns. Here the swift flowing rivulet
Impels her foaming stream, while all is hush'd,
Save that its own delightful cadence falls
On the pleased ear. Save that the nightingale,
(Sweet chorister of night) with plaintive note
The senses lulls. Now sweetest melancholy
Steals o'er the enraptured soul;-and, oh! methinks
In such a place, in such a pensive hour
There cannot be a mind that will not think.-
Now, buried in seclusion, I have left
The downy pillow, drowsiness shook off;
Heedless of sleep, forgetful of its power;
While calm-eyed contemplation o'er the soul
Hath flung her mantle; revelling in thought,
And fancy, towering to a boundless height,
Though tempered by religion, leads the mind
To nature's God. Here I would meditate
On this gay world, its evanescent horrors,
Its boasted pleasures, and its empty joys,
All, all are vain ;-and sure some mighty spell,
Some viewless fetter, must enthral the soul
That bows submissively to this world's god!
"Tis the innate corruption of the heart,
'Tis Satan's power, that leads us captive on
To our destruction. O immortal men!
(Tho' vested in the garb of frail mortality,)
Know ye not that ye stand upon the verge
Of a deep precipice, and cannot see,
By the dread prince of darkness blinded,
The horrid gulf beneath. And why forget
That the intent of this, our mortal life,
Is but to prove us worthy of another,
Eternal in the heavens!
Kington, 1829.

M.

REVIEW.-Two Dissertations on Sacrifices:-first, on all the sacrifices of the Jews; secondly, on the sacrifice of Christ. By William Outram, D. D. Translated from the original Latin, with additional Notes and Indexes. By John Allen, Author of Modern Judaism, &c. 8vo. pp. 412. Holdsworth. London. 1828.

THAT men who disbelieve the Bible should deny the divine origin of sacrifices, and treat their supposed efficacy with contempt, is not a matter to excite any surprise; but that any persons who admit the authenticity of revelation, should attempt to expunge this doctrine from either the Jewish or the Christian system is truly astonishing. Viewing this subject

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in a calm and dispassionate manner, we are led almost necessarily to conclude, that if the numerous and varied declarations of Scripture, in which this doctrinė is asserted, contain it not, the sacred writings are better calculated to deceive mankind than to lead them to happiness and heaven.

It will perhaps be exceedingly difficult to find any doctrine more frequently and explicitly inculcated in the sacred volume, than that of a vicarious sacrifice for sin; and, as a natural consequence, the same degree of ingenuity which can prove this to be fallacious, could expunge every doctrine, precept, and moral truth from the sacred code, or so far invert the import, order, and meaning of all, as to give an entirely new aspect to the whole book of God, and render another revelation from heaven needful for the instruction and salvation of mankind.

Nearly two hundred years have elapsed since the author of this work trod the stage of mortal existence. He saw the inroads which Socinianism was then making, and composed and published this treatise, to counteract its influence. Like many other works of unquestionable merit, having performed its office in a Latin garb, it retired from public notice, to slumber on the shelves of theological libraries, scarcely known to exist by the great mass of modern readers. From this long repose it has recently been awakened by Mr. John Allen, and sent forth in an English dress, once more to visit the church of Him, whose great sacrifice for sin it advocates and defends, with admirable skill, and consummate ability.

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which are found to concentrate in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The latter of these dissertations contains seven chapters, which relate to his priest hood, his vicarious sacrifice for sin, the efficacy of his obedience unto death, and the atonement made by his expiatory sufferings. These truths the author has placed in a commanding light, and proved by irrefragable arguments drawn from scripture, that through this medium God has revealed himself as accessible to repentant sinners.

There can be no doubt, that many curious questions may be asked on this momentous subject, which, reasoning from earthly analogies, it will be difficult to answer; but these, even if they were more numerous and more formidable, cannot invalidate a doctrine that is clearly revealed. That God must pardon sin before he can admit the transgressor into heaven, is admitted on all hands; and the primary question is, shall this pardon be effected with, or without an atonement. Now if God can pardon without an atoning sacrifice, the appointment of an atoning sacrifice can never take from him the power of pardoning sin through that medium. He who can pardon without it, can pardon through it; and then it becomes a question of fact, not what God can do, but what he has done, and on this point the language of scripture is decisive in favour of the

atonement.

On the subjects of the numerous chapters contained in these two dissertations, the translator has introduced many appropriate notes, written with much acuteness, and tending in their general character to elucidate, to confirm, or to correct the author's reasonings. In these notes Mr. Allen has given proof that he is well acquainted with the design, the bearing, and the value of the work which he translates, that he is alive to the momentous doctrine which it advocates, and to all the consequences which either its adoption or its re

Since Mr. Outram's work was first published, the doctrine of the atonement has been rigorously investigated both by friends and foes. By these it has been placed in various lights; and examined in new attitudes, combinations, and bearings. Of the light which modern controversies have imparted, Mr. Allen has availed himself. This he has embodied in his Own reflections, and considerably enhanced the value of the treatise, by bringing down a comparatively antiquated work, and adapting its arguments and rea

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sonings to the habits of thinking adopted in modern times.

On some minute particulars, respecting this important doctrine, the views of men, who all admit the fact, may very naturally be expected to vary. This is an almost necessary consequence of independent thinking, which will always continue while men are men. To every sentiment advanced by Dr. Outram, Mr. Allen does not subscribe, and from a few things advanced in his own notes some will probably dissent. But taking these discrepances in their utmost latitude, the translator has rendered to the church at large an essential service, by rescuing from demi-oblivion a treatise that is deserving of being transmitted to posterity.

REVIEW.-Historical Sketches of the Introduction of Christianity into England, in two Volumes. By J. B. Holroyd. pp. 400-400. Mason. London. 1828. To an Englishman, who seriously believes that he has an interest in eternity, the introduction of Christianity into his native land is a subject of no common importance. He looks back on its earliest dawn with pleasing retrospection, watches its progress with the most intense solicitude, and at every step feels a personal concern in all the vicissitudes of its eventful history. Between his own condition and that of his barbarous progenitors, he perceives a most striking contrast, and traces the superiority which he enjoys, to the prevailing influence of that system which has brought life and immortality to light.

In his preface to the first volume, Mr, Holroyd justly observes, that "The value of Christianity may be estimated from the benefits it brought to our heathen ancestors. It reformed their barbarous habits,-subdued their ferocious tempers,-reclaimed them from roaming in the woods in quest of prey, with scarcely any covering,-to be formed into society, clothed, and in their right mind."

The work commences with a brief sketch of Druidism, and proceeds to develop the latent circumstances which co-operated in effecting the mighty change, noticing the difficulties with which Christianity in its early stages had to contend, the causes which either retarded or promoted its progress, and, in advancing through its subsequent chapters, leads us to the star of the Reformation, when a new and steady light beamed upon the moral world.

Respecting the primary instruments employed, various opinions have been enter

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| tained, and in the twilight of ancient history, much obscurity may naturally be expected. The places also where the Christian standard was first unfurled, appear involved in great uncertainty, and in many cases fact can hardly be distinguished from fable. Mr. Holroyd has explored, with commendable industry, the sources of information, and without entering on a discussion of the merits or demerits of the theories which he rejects, inserts that which, in his view, has the strongest claims to credit.

In these delineations the compiler disclaims all pretensions to the giving of "a complete history of Christianity in England." He confines himself to the leading facts, the more active instruments, and the prominent events, which rise on the stream of time. These follow in succession at stated

distances, rather than in immediate consecutive order, being linked together by intermediate ties which frequently do not appear. Enough, however, is stated for general purposes, to give the reader the leading ideas of this important subject, struggling into formal existence, amidst hosts of opposition and clouds of ignorance, until the Sun of righteousness rose in all its splendour on the British isles.

Much as Christianity had to encounter from the persecutions of pagan Rome, its greatest enemy was lodged in the papal hierarchy. This appears as a deadly foe, always hostile to vital godliness from the essential ingredients of its character, and rendered still more formidable from assuming the garb and habiliments of a friend. This antichristian monster, the author has traced in many of its detestable meanderings, and followed it to that eventful crisis, where further submission ceased to be a virtue. Its gigantic enormities, too glaring to be either palliated or concealed, furnished its assailants with weapons which could neither be evaded nor withstood; and when the vizor was torn from its hideous face, many of its former friends, terrified at its frightful appearance, fled both through fear and shame, to escape the moral pestilence with which it had infected Christianity. Too bad to be either mended or endured, the providence of God took occasion to work its overthrow through the means which had been adopted to secure its immutability; and, after some arduous struggles to hurl the demon from its throne, confined it in chains, and consigned it to a dungeon, that the nation might be deceived by its sorceries

no more.

Awfully dark as the picture may appear, the authorities to which Mr. Holroyd ap

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not overcharged with shade. Much of the malignity which is displayed, may, perhaps, be attributed to the general character of these ages of darkness; but a still greater portion must be traced to the fatal influence of the papal system, which holds the mental energies in fetters, puts restraints on the advancement of knowledge, and cherishes, under the character of orthodox zeal, the ferocious passions which the pure gospel was intended to eradicate from the human heart.

As an historical sketch of the introduction of Christianity into England, these volumes contain a large portion of useful matter. With disputable points, which belong rather to antiquarian research than to historical narrative, the reader need not perplex his mind, especially as those who have devoted much of their time to these obscure reinquiries, can at best obtain only the sanctions of probable conjecture, and scarcely any two concur in the same opinion. To him who simply wishes to notice the commencement and progress of Christianity in England, prior to the Reformation, these volumes will be found a valuable acqui

sition.

REVIEW.—The Pulpit, Volume Twelve. 8vo. pp. 464. Harding. Paternoster

Row. London. 1829.

THE sheets which compose the Pulpit being regularly published in weekly numbers, at three-pence each, a considerable portion of its articles obtain an extensive circulation while the volumes are incomplete. At the end of each year, however, the whole is neatly put up in a kind of half-binding, for the accommodation of such as prefer having them together. The volume now before us, has a handsome exterior, which promises to be as durable as it is elegant.

The Pulpit has rendered itself chiefly conspicuous by giving the substance of discourses delivered in the metropolis, accompanied with literal extracts, and followed by brief remarks on their distinguishing peculiarities. Although in general the dissenting chapels furnish the most ample harvest, they do not enjoy a monopoly of favour. The churches, whether graced with the presence of prelates, rectors, vicars, or curates, and also the places of worship occupied by the Methodists, claim a share in the general notice. The aim of those who cater for its pages primarily is, to find men of talent who preach the gospel, without regarding the

133.-VOL. XII.

long. The outlines given are in general characterized by fidelity, and the remarks on them are drawn with an impartial hand. The other portions of the volume are composed of little dissertations, essays, reviews, aphorisms, sententious expressions, anecdotes, incidents, and scraps of poetry. All, however, are either decidedly of a religious character, or of a strictly moral tendency. These varieties are calculated to relieve the apparent monotony which mere pulpit effusions would otherwise impart, and, no doubt, they induce many to peruse the sketches of sermons, on which the Pulpit must ultimately rely for its permanent reputation.

A considerable portion of the discourses embodied in this volume, having been delivered extempore, would have been lost to the world, but for the accommodation which the pages of the Pulpit afford. Through this medium they gain a wider circulation, and obtain an opportunity of being rendered more extensively beneficial. Many also of our more popular preachers, knowing that what they deliver may probably be taken down from their lips for the press, are silently admonished to be careful in the arrangement of their thoughts, and also of the doctrines they

their sentiments are expressed. advance, as well as of the diction in which

By whom the Pulpit is edited does not appear from its title-page, but it is obvious from its varied contents that the articles must flow from different sources. For although the epitomized sermons which it contains are chiefly derived from the metropolis, this is not exclusively the case. Many have been delivered in distant towns, and in villages unknown to fame, and not a few among them at precisely the same time. The volume must therefore be indebted to numerous contributors, whose communications, transmitted to the editor, owe their appearance to his sanction and approbation. In this department he has acquitted himself in a manner highly creditable to his talents, and to the reputation of the work which he superintends.