Go view man's proudest monuments-are they No! time with mould'ring hand shall lay them low, J. W-N. OUR HOPES IN HEAVEN. I SAW her suffer-let it pass- I saw the few sands falling fast,- I did not droop to see her die, I felt a wanderer of the waste, I wished, like her, to yield my breath, Oh, what were this dark world of ours, How could we bear the blighted flowers- But for that high and holy glow, SUMMER. (A Rural Sketch.) SUMMER in her airy dresses, On her car of thistle feather, Now she floats 'neath woodland trees; Now 'tis sweet thro' woods to ramble, Woodbine wreaths, which form the bower, O, those scenes are fraught with pleasure, Toward the sky, with song divine; Joys perchance which equal mine! Where the sun-lit waters glisten, Insects dance-'tis life's gay noon! And how sweet it is to listen To the wild-bees' murmuring tune! Like a map of varied colours, How the landscape scenes are spread! Waving wood, and stream, and meadows Bounded by yon mountain's head. Mowers' scythes 'mid ripen'd grasses Sweep along the waving plain, While a troop of rosy lasses Follows in the jovial train. Hill and dale, and winding river, Flowery meads and cornfields brown; Moors, where heath and gold-broom quiver In the breeze which fans the down Never weary-still elatedj Is the eye 'mid nature's rounds; Never weary-still unsated Is the ear with nature's sounds : For the ample scenes of nature Charm the heart-exalt the soul; Lift them to the great Creator, Him who plann'd the glorious whole. April 17, 1832, near Halifax. T. CROSSLEY. THE NAUTILUS. "Little bark on a smooth summer sea, Which the breezes but curl, as in sport." WHEN the green wave lightly curls, Where the mossy seaweeds grow, In the turtle's deepest seat, 'Mid the coral caves below, Swiftly let us divé below; Here no nets shall check our course, Here no rude hand reach us now: In the caverns of the deep Fold we now our sails, and sleep. March 22, 1832. p. 0. REVIEW.-Reminiscences of the Rev. Robert Hall, A.M. late of Bristol, and Sketches of his Sermons, preached at Cambridge, prior to 1806. By John Greene, 8vo. pp. 335. Westley and Davis, London, 1832. THERE are few words in the English language, which could more fully express the character of this book, than that which the author has adopted. It is not a memoir of Mr. Hall's life, nor a dissertation on his writings, but the recollections of a friend, who, from the year 1795, was honoured with his intimate and undisturbed friendship, until death terminated his labours in 1831. During this long period, Mr. Greene appears to have been to the Rev. Robert Hall, what Boswell was to Dr. Johnson, his companion in travel, his ardent admirer both in public and private, and occasionally his domestic associate. In each of these departments, Mr. Greene was always on the alert "To catch the manners living as they rise;" and the result of his unremitting observations, he has now embodied in the very pleasing and interesting volume before us. Accompanying the author in his various interviews, and uninterrupted intercourse with Mr. Hall, we have an opportunity of seeing this justly celebrated christian minister in his study, in his family, in company, in seclusion, in his public ministrations, in his friendly correspondence, and while surveying the beauties and sublimities of nature. We enjoy his conversation, we hear his remarks on passing events, and listen with the most intense interest to his opinion on books and anthors, and are enlivened with the anecdotes which occurring incidents afford. In short, we seem to take our stand on an eminence, whence we contemplate all his movements, and, beholding the man in most of the leading attitudes which life presents, thus obtain a more genuine picture, than can frequently be found in the laboured efforts of biographical detail. In the conversations which are recorded, Mr. Hall always appears in his own character. His observations invariably display, either the independence of his mind, the vigour of his intellectual powers, the extent of his researches, the acuteness of his discrimination, or the depth of his piety; and on many occasions these excellencies present themselves in such a happy combination, that the reader is at a loss on which to bestow the greater portion of his admiration. I have frequently heard it remarked, both by ladies and gentlemen, that until they became acquainted with him, they felt uncomfortable in his presence: he appeared to them to be a discerner of spirits. He considered himself to be a judge of physiognomy. The following is a remarkable instance of his penetration in this respect, which was much talked of at the time. I received the particulars from Mr. James Nutter, at whose house it occurred. A London dealer, in the corn trade, dined with this gentleman at Cambridge, in company with Mr. Hall. Mr. Nutter observed, that Mr. Hall was very silent at table, and looked very suspiciously at this stranger. After taking two or three glasses of wine, the stranger retired hastily. On his leaving the room, Mr. Hall said, "Who is that person, sir?" Mr. Nutter informed him that he was an eminent corndealer, in London. "Do you do any business with him, sir?" Yes, sir.' "Have you sold him anything to day sir?"Yes sir, a large parcel of corn.' “I am sorry for it, sir; that man is a rogue, sir."Oh, you are quite mistaken, Mr. Hall; he is highly respectable, sir, and can obtain credit for any amount in this market." "I do not care for that, sir; do you get your account settled as soon as you can, and never do any more business with him." Although Mr. Nutter saw no other reason for it, Mr. Hall's opinion made that impression on his mind, that when this account was settled, he refused to trust the individual any more; and in about twelve months afterwards, this very person actually defrauded his creditors, and fled the country."-p. 36. On the much-disputed points of doctrine between the Arminians and Calvinists, it has frequently been asked, what were Mr. Hall's individual sentiments? A direct answer to this question cannot easily be gathered from his writings. On all occasions they occupy a back ground in the picture, they are never to be seen but in the distance, and even then they are eclipsed by the brighter manifestations of his christian liberality. We must not, however, infer from hence, that these subjects were strangers to his thoughts. He had examined all, and examined deeply, had seen much to admire, and much to disapprove, in each system, and, therefore, could attach infallibility to none. But although the result of his inquiries, on this interesting topic, can scarcely be gleaned from his works, Mr. Greene has preserved an answer to the question, in the following portion of a detached conversation, in which Mr. Hall had been engaged, and which he thus related to the author. "There was a curious old man in the cottage where I lighted my pipe, who knows me very well; so we entered into conversation on some of the high points. He was formerly one of Mr. Vaughan's hearers, and went to Leicester every Sunday for the purpose of attending his church, but has lately left Mr. Vaughan's ministry on account of his sentiments. If what he says be correct, Mr. V. is a rank antinomian. The old man now attends the village church, and appears better satisfied. He told me, that he remembered hearing my father at Arnsby. My father, sir, was very doctrinal in his The scenes to which we are introduced by Mr. Greene, are certainly very miscellaneous; but this circumstance renders them much more interesting than they would have appeared, if diversity in topics had been excluded from his pages. Many incidents might be selected from this volume, to display its peculiar claims to public attention; but from a field abounding in rich variety, it is not easy to make an extract which shall convey an adequate idea of its fertility. The following incident, however, preaching, and more attached to Calvinism than can scarcely fail to prove acceptable to every reader. "Mr. Hall had a great insight into character; his eye appeared so searching to strangers, as to be almost insupportable: its brightness was insufferable. I am. If there are any sentiments to which I could subscribe, they are Baxter's."-p. 154. Throughout the whole, these reminiscences are exceedingly interesting; and although this volume has no connexion with the regular series of Mr. Hall's works, it may be considered as a valuable appendix to an extended memoir of his life, which is daily expected to issue from the press. We have been much pleased with the perusal, and feel persuaded that it cannot fail to gratify every reader into whose hands it may fall. REVIEW.-Church History through all Ages, from the First Promise of a Saviour, to A. D. 1830, &c. By Thomas Timpson, 12mo. pp. 550. Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge. London. 1832. THE long period of time through which this work travels, furnishes such a variety of topics, that a simple enumeration of them would be a task both tedious and difficult. Its early books and chapters relate to events that are remote in time and distant in situation. On these parts, however, the author has been as brief as perspicuity would allow; and, in general, the evidence adduced in favour of the facts and incidents recorded, is derived from the bible, which is the only authentic record of them now extant. Advancing to the christian dispensation, the author's materials become more voluminous and diversified, and the multiplicity of occurrences which are woven into historical detail, enables him to introduce something new and interesting in every page. Commencing with the christian era, he takes each century in succession, and, within its chronological limits, surveys the state of Christianity throughout the world, noticing the early contracted sphere of its operation, the hostilities it had to encounter, the causes which partially retarded its progress, its unwearied perseverance, and ultimate triumph over every obstacle. The sixteenth century bears witness to the church emerging from the sink of papal corruption, and starting from midnight darkness into the light of day. Under this and the subsequent centuries, down to 1830, the state of Christianity is traced in its various ramifications, throughout every quarter of the globe, without omitting to notice its powerful influence in the eastern regions, the West Indies, and the islands of the Pacific ocean. This department includes fifty chapters, several of which, divided into subordinate sections, describe the successful efforts of sects and communities in their respective spheres of operation, to diffuse the light and power of religion among the more unenlightened inhabitants of the earth. To each of these he 2D. SERIES, NO. 18.-VOL. II. has awarded a competent meed of praise, without either unduly exalting any one, by exaggerating their activity and usefulness beyond the bounds which the most indisputable facts fully sanction, or depreciating the zeal, indefatigable labours, and success, of their rivals and coadjutors in the same glorious cause. On the effect produced on the clergy by makes the following observations: the preaching of the Methodists, the author "The rise of the Methodists, and their evangelical, indefatigable labours, excited a spirit of inquiry among many of the regular clergy. They were generally stung with mortification to see their provinces invaded by laymen, with increasing multitudes attached to their ministry. The superior clergy generally employed every effort to check the revival of piety in the church; as they denominated it "puritanism," and "methodism." So incensed were they, that at Oxford, in 1763, six young men were expelled from Edmund Hall, being convicted, before the vice-chancellor, and some of the heads of houses, of "holding methodistical tenets, and taking upon them to pray, read, and expound the scriptures, and singing hymns in a private house." In vain did they appeal to the articles of the church in support of their doctrines, and equally vain was the ample testimony borne to their piety and exemplary lives. Many a worthy curate also, was expelled from his situation on account of his evangelical doctrines, and his pious zeal; of which we might give affecting instances worthy only of the seventeenth century. "Still the spirit of grace was shed forth upon many of the clergy from time to time: they became converted to the true faith of Christ; and having received the truth in the love of it, they of the souls of men. laboured diligently and zealously for the salvation "Mr. John Newton, an eminent London clergyman, speaking of his church in a letter to a friend, says, "I am not sure that, in the year 1740, there was a single gospel minister in the whole kingdom. Now we have, I know not how many; but I think not less than four hundred." This letter was written in 1797. In 1801, he says in another letter, "I am told there are ten thousand parishes in England: I believe more than nine thousand of these are without the gospel ;"-meaning in the establishment. "London was deplorably deficient of evangelical clergymen. In 1749, Mr. Romaine was chosen lecturer of St. Dunstan's in the West, where he laboured with remarkable success, being a man of apostolical piety and zeal: yet in that station he suffered much opposition, having not more than one regular evangelical coadjutor in the whole metropolis. He was appointed lecturer of St. George's Hanover-square, in 1750; but on account of his popularity, and the church being crowded, he was dismissed, in 1755, from his station at the latter church. "In the middle of the century, scarcely a professor or tutor of eminent piety was to be found at either university; but at its close, it was believed that, both among the teachers and the taught, men of evangelical principles and spirit were to be found in almost every college, both at Cambridge and Oxford."-p. 389-391. On reading the preceding extracts, who can wonder that the interests of the Methodists and dissenters should have increased ?· and who that reflects on the beneficial effects produced on the clergy and others, by their zeal, piety, example, and preaching, can for a moment doubt that God has singularly owned and blessed their 20 162.-VOL. XIV 290 REVIEW.-MISS BINGHAM-MR. J. BINGHAM-MATTHIAS BRUen. Of these, and other kindred topics, Mr. Timpson has taken an accurate and a comprehensive survey, and delineated his picture with a faithful and steady hand. Throughout the whole process of his inquiries and historical details, he has evinced an extensive acquaintance with ecclesiastical affairs, both foreign and domestic, in the different periods of the world. These he has divested of all extraneous appendages; and, by concentrating their essence in the present volume, has furnished to the the reader a valuable compendium of "church history through all ages,” as his title promised. REVIEW. A Memoir of Miss Mary Helen Bingham, who died in her Sixteenth Year. By John Bustard, 12mo. pp. 214, Second Edition. Mason, London, 1832. In a preceding number, the first edition of this pleasing and instructive volume passed under our review, and drew from us those terms of approbation which works of superior merit have always a right to demand. This second edition appears much improved, as well as somewhat enlarged, and places both the biographer and his subject in a very advantageous light. Of Miss Bingham we need only say, that she was blessed with a superior understanding, which, emanating from a mind deeply embued with fervent piety, shone throughout her life with a steady and distinguished lustre. Her thoughts, views, ideas, and language, always appear in a commanding attitude. Her path lies in a region more elevated than that in which common spirits walk; and, in following her footsteps, we mark her progress with feelings of solemn respect and glowing admiration. In no small degree her biographer has caught her mantle, and delineated her character in terms highly creditable to his talents, and not unworthy of the subject whose life and experience he records. From the common and hackneyed phrases with which such works generally abound, this volume is in no small degree exempt. The sentiments are expressed in plain and familiar language, without the monotonous repetition of terms which, though excellent in themselves, are worn threadbare by con stant use. REVIEW.-A Memoir of Mr. John Bingham, Jun., who died July 16th 1827, aged eighteen. By John Bustard, 12mo. pp. 110. Mason, London, 1832. MR. JOHN BINGHAM, it seems, was a brother to the young lady whose memoir appears in the preceding article, and it comes before us from the pen of the same biographer. It is distinguished by the early, the continued, and the exalted piety of the individual whose life and death it records; but in all other respects it is inferior to the former, in composition, variety, and independence of language. It consists chiefly of extracts from the diary of the deceased, who probably never intended that the entries he had made should be presented to the public. We do not intend, by this remark, to insinuate that the diary contains any thing improper for public view; but the sameness that uniformly prevails, deprives the memoir of that stimulating interest which all works are expected to possess; and the peculiarity of terms and phrases will tend much to restrict its circulation to limits less extensive than its strong and fervent piety deserves. But for all these defects and peculiarities, the ardent love to God and man, which breathes in every page, makes a more than ample compensation. It is only by those who are sincerely devoted to God, that this work will be fully relished, and with these it contains no deficiency, to prevent it from being highly prized. It will be set as a bright example, to shew the height of holiness which youth may attain; and few, we presume, will hesitate, on closing the book, to exclaim, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." REVIEW. Memoir of the Life of the Rev. Matthias Bruen, of New York, 12mo. pp. 454. Hamilton & Co. London. 1832. THIS is the memoir of a pious minister, who was called from time to eternity in the month of September 1829, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. Mr. Bruen, though of English extraction, was an American by birth, to which continent his ancestors repaired in the time of Charles II. to avoid the persecuting spirit of the times. Having received a liberal education, when about the age of eighteen, Mr. Bruen's mind became seriously impressed with the importance of eternal things. This led him to seek salvation in that Saviour, to whose ministry the subsequent years of his life were devoted. Prior, however, to his taking on him the pastoral office, he visited England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Italy, and various other parts of Europe. On each of these countries, their inhabitants, manners, morals, and general character, he made numerous observations during his journeys. These he either committed to paper, and transmitted in letters to his friends, or so preserved them in his mental storehouse, that they form no inconsiderable portion of the volume before us. The subsequent parts have a more immediate bearing on the duties of his profession, and on circumstances connected with it. These embrace preaching, congregations, revivals, missions, schools, Bible societies, liberality of sentiment, and the efficacy of prayer. On each of these, and several kindred topics, Mr. Bruen has delivered his sentiments without disguise, aud many persons will be found to admire his frankness, who will hesitate to adopt every portion of his adamantine creed On That Mr. Bruen was a man of talent, and of learning, no person who peruses this volume can for a moment doubt; and it is pleasing to add, that he has devoted both talent and learning to the acquisition of useful knowledge, which, having acquired, has been appropriated to purposes most beneficial to mankind. very many subjects, his remarks are both judicious and acute. The style of his letters is spirited and perspicuous; and in his language neither levity nor moroseness is permitted to appear. His habitual piety seems ever ready to impose restraints on the exuberance of his fancy, so that in the midst of his most vivacious excursions, and animated descriptions, his mind never wanders from its common centre. Respecting the places which he visited, and the persons with whom he held an intercourse, his observations are those of an enlightened traveller, noticing every thing of importance in his transient passage, and presenting the result to the reader in its most popular form. These remarks, made during his peregrinations, must have been both entertaining and instructive to his countrymen, when published on his return. To us, on this side the mighty water, what he has advanced on transatlantic church affairs, is perhaps more interesting than in his own country, where all the facts are publicly known; in much the same manner as our statements would be more interesting to the churches in America than to ourselves. On such occasions, we mu tually compare the Spirit's operation on each side of the ocean, and feel new motives for gratitude in proportion as the light of the gospel becomes more diffused, and new witnesses are raised up to enjoy salvation, and celebrate the Redeemer's name. ANNIVERSARIES OF BENEVOLENT INSTI. TUTIONS IN THE METROPOLIS. FROM the list of these Institutions, which we published on the cover of our last number, it will be readily perceived, that they are become far too numerous to be followed in detail. A full account of the proceedings of each, including the reports and speeches delivered on the respective occasions, would furnish a larger bulk than we could embody in our pages throughout the year, if every other article were totally excluded. The catalogue which we published was formidable in extent, and many anniversaries have taken, and will take place, that were not included in our enumeration. must therefore content ourselves with giving an outline of the more prominent, and with noticing, in general terms, the amiable spirit which pervaded these benevolent assemblies. We Baptist Missions in Jamaica.-A general meeting of the friends of this religious community was held in the chapel of the Rev. A. Fletcher in Moorfields, on Wednesday, April 25th, to take into consideration the outrages which their cause had recently sustained through the late revolt of the negroes in Jamaica. The occasion excited great interest, and multitudes attended, to obtain that information which had hitherto been received only through the distorted medium of prejudice and misrepresentation. Several speakers of other denominations attended. The discussions were temperate, though animated, but the most simple statement of facts could not repress a burst of indignant feeling, which the flagrant acts of injustice that were mentioned inspired. The chair was taken by J. B. Wilson, Esq. The principal speakers were, the Rev. John Dyer, Rev. Dr. Cox, W. B. Gurney, Esq. Rev. C. Birt, T. Pewtress, Esq. Rev. J. Burnet, Rev. A. Fletcher, Rev. T. Groser, Rev. J. Hoby, Rev. J. Ivimey. The facts elicited were a triumphant refutation of the unfounded charges against the missionaries, that had been hatched in Jamaica by the planters and friends of slavery. The mischief done to their chapels in the above island, was estimated at about £16,000. The case had been laid before the government at |