Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

5. Lectures to Young Men, on the Formation of Character, &c., by Joel Hawes, D.D. with a Preface by the Rev. Ralph Wardlaw, D. D. (Holdsworth, London,) is a book of American origin, reprinted in, Glasgow, and now circulated throughout the British empire. The subjects are, "The claims of society on young men ; The danger of young men; The importance of established principles; The formation and importance of character, and, Religion the chief concern." We cannot more accurately express our opinion of these lectures than in the following words of Dr. Wardlaw. "These all-important subjects are here treated in no common-place style. The counsel is judicious and salutary; vigorously conceived, and happily and forcibly expressed. The discussions are occasionally enlivened by illustrative anecdote and classical allusion."

6. Paternal Advice, chiefly to Young Men on Entering into Life, (Groomsbridge, London,) has a beautiful exterior, but the gilding and silk without, suffer an eclipse from the sterling gold that is lodged within. Aphorisms, anecdotes, and principles, illustrated by examples, entitle this book to particular attention. It can scarcely fail to prove very interesting to every youthful reader; and we pity him to whom it does not prove beneficial.

7. A Sermon occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Mary Skinner Stockton, by Theophilus Lessey, (Mason, London,) illustrates in its subject that momentous truth, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." The solemnity of death is inferred from several topics; but victory over sin and its consequences, extracts the tyrant's sting and renders the departure of all true saints triumphant. This discourse unfolds many sources of terror and of consolation; but the necessity of regeneration is invariably kept in view. Mr. Lessey is a workman who needs not be ashamed.

8. The Moral Obligations connected with Talent and Science, a Lecture, by John Davies, B. D. (Williams, Chichester,) is replete with sound sense, and fair argument, deduced from historical fact and undeniable principles. The influence of talent and science, he considers to be stupendous, and hence he infers the moral obligations which all able individuals are under, to devote their abilities and acquirements to the real benefits of mankind. The lesson thus inculcated, the author has happily enforced by his own example.

9. Assurance and its Grounds, a Sermon, at the Ordination of the Rev. John Laurie, as Minister of the Church, at Row, with

a Charge; by Wm. Fleming, D. D. (Longman, London,) few persons, we presume, can peruse with indifference. The ordination of a minister is a solemn work, and on such occasions the preacher generally exerts himself to meet the claims of expectation. This, Mr. Fleming has done in the discourse before us, and the charge which follows sustains a correspondent interest.

10. The Islington Popular Library of Religious Knowledge, Nos. 1, 2, & 3, (Hughes, Islington,) is a cheap periodical, containing useful articles, chiefly in prose. They are exclusively of a religious character; but more animation would be a valuable acquisition. In its future numbers we hope to see this invigorating spirit diffused through its pages, without beholding any deterioration in its character.

11. Portrait of Robert Raikes, Esq., (Sunday School Union, London,) is handsomely executed, and surrounded with numerous expressions, all having some relation to this immortal founder of Sunday-schools. He was born Sept. 14th, 1736, and died April 5th, 1811. In 1831, Great Britain contained 10,000 schools, 100,000 teachers, and 1,250,000 children. This picture is quite an ornament.

12. The Trial of the Rev. Edward Irving, M. A. before the London Presbytery, by W. Harding, (Harding, London,) is a subject that has excited a considerable degree of interest in the metropolis. This has arisen from the great popularity of Mr. Irving, and the strange cause for which he has been called to an account, and finally excluded from the Scottish Church in which

he had uniformly officiated. On the cause of his expulsion, the fairness or unfairness of his trial, or the justness or injustice of his sentence, it is not our province to decide. The thick, closely printed pamphlet before us professes to detail the whole proceedings with impartiality, and we perceive no reason for impeaching the author's fidelity. The whole affair seems to have been conducted with stern and uncompromising resolution; and nothing less was to be expected; for he who anticipates lenity from a Scotch Presbytery in London, must have crude conceptions of a throne of mercy.

13. The Voice of Humanity No. VIII. (Nisbet, London,) advocates with much feeling the cause of mercy towards the animal tribes, and proposes several humane regulations to mitigate their sufferings.

14. The Work of a Christian Pastor, a Charge to the Rev. John Gipps, Essex, by James Hargreaves, (Holdsworth, London,) enters with due solemnity into the duties of a christian pastor; and we doubt

not that it was deeply impressive on the mind of Mr. Gipps, and proportionally interesting to all who heard it. It contains a fund of very wholesome instruction and advice, which cannot be too strongly recommended, or too generally adopted.

15. The Diamond Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, (Simpkin, London,) is a beautiful little book, which comprises a large quantity of matter within a narrow compass. The general character of gazetteer is too well known to require any elucidation. This little volume embraces all the common topics included in such works, but the accounts are brief, and the print is too small for aged eyes. The population, according to the late census, in 1831, adds much to its value.

16. The Missionary Church, by W. H. Stowell, (Westley and Davis, London,) though somewhat superficial in its details, contains a comprehensive survey of the diffusion of Christianity. It is an outline which every reader may fill up at leisure. The author's great object is to promote the missionary cause, by enforcing its advantages and necessity, and answering objections urged against the noble efforts that are now making throughout the christian world.

17. An Anglo-Saxon Grammar and Derivations, &c., by William Hunter, Professor of Moral Philosophy, Logic, and Rhetoric, Anderson's University, (Longman, London,) will be found a pleasing work to all who delight in tracing the English language from infancy to its present state of maturity, and in contemplating the cradle where it was cherished, and whence it arose to gigantic strength. To students of etymology, this volume will be of essential benefit, throwing light on terms that are involved in obscurity, and re-establishing an affinity which time seemed to have almost obliterated.

18. Maternal Sketches, with other Poems, by Eliza Rutherford, (Holdsworth, London,) is entitled to more attention than three-fourths of the rhyming publications which issue from the press; or than we can find either time or room to devote to an analysis of its merits. In the first canto, much exquisite feeling is displayed towards the new-born infant, and many delicate touches appear that can only be supposed to emanate from a mother's heart. The second canto has a deeper sound, and darker shades; it is also more dignified in thought, and more vigorous in expression. The third Canto is at once pathetic and interesting, and the incidents which it contains are quite in keeping with the general character of the book. The fourth Canto

brings us into the regions of royalty, where the dictates of ambition too frequently stifle the voice of nature, but in which some happy exceptions appear. The minor poems have excellencies in their respective depart

ments.

19. A Solemn Appeal on the Subject of Church Communion and Evangelical Ordinances, by an Ordained Minister of the Church of Scotland, (Holdsworth, London,) will be perused, we expect, with

more interest on the northern than on the southern side of the Tweed. It appears to attach more importance to the subject than it has a right to demand, and, by agitating a doubtful question, is more likely to excite discord than to promote peace.

20. The Novelist's Library, vols. I. II. edited by Thomas Roscoe, Esq. (Cochrane and Co., London,) have a beautiful exterior, and all the filth of Sterne's Tristram Shandy within.

21. An Investigation into some of the Causes of Commercial Distress, considered upon Christian Principles, (Hamilton, London,) traces calamity to vice, and infers that, until the cause be removed, the effect may be expected to continue.

22. The Latest Heresy, or Modern Pretensions to Miraculous Gifts, &c., by the Rev. Thomas Greenwood, B. A. (Harding, London,) is a pamphlet which drives hard at Mr. Irving, who is viewed as a theological Ishmael, against whom every one is bound to lift his hand. We do not conceive that Mr. Irving's aberrations partake so much of heresy as of delusion; and if left alone, there can be little doubt that they will die away, and be almost forgotten. We readily admit that Mr. Green has been successful in his attack on the unknown tongues, and in his exposure of their pretended divine inspiration, nor are we aware that he has used on the occasion any unbecoming language.

23. Two Sermons preached at the New Tabernacle, Plymouth, by Thomas Wood, A.M. (Westley, London,) contain clear views of salvation by Christ, and place good works on a scriptural foundation. To the self-righteous and the antinomian, they afford no shelter. The author justly argues, that the only way in which faith and love can be proved to exist in the heart is, by an appeal to the life and character.

24. Remarks on the New Bible Society, (Ellerton, London,) might have been spared, for we much doubt if it will survive the explosion it has lately received in the disunion of its members.

25. British Chronology made easy and entertaining, by Thomas Keyworth, (Holds

worth, London,) proceeds upon much the same principle that the promoters of artificial memory have adopted. It may have less obscurities than some other systems of a kindred nature, but we are not altogether satisfied that this will furnish a passport of its real utility.

27. A Call to Professing Christians on Temperance. By the Rev. Austin Dickinson, M. A. (Bagster, London,) is of American origin, but it is pungent, powerful, and commanding. The evils resulting from the use of ardent spirits are pointed out with a masterly hand, and supported by authorities which none but drunkards will controvert. The author gives no quarter; his language is stern and inflexible, and in some instances is rather intemperate.

28. An Introduction to Goldsmith's Grammar, by J. Dowling, (Longman, London,) is deserving a place in every school, and among the early acquirements of every pupil.

ANNIVERSARIES OF BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS IN THE METROPOLIS.

(Resumed from page 294.) London Hibernian Society.-This is an old establishment, the present anniversary being the twenty-sixth from its commencement. It was held in Exeter Hall, on Saturday May 5th, 1832, the Marquis of Cholmondeley in the chair. The object of this society is, to promote scriptural education in Ireland, taking the Word of God as the basis of what is taught. The finances were stated to be in a respectable condition.

The number of schools were 2,569, which contained about 94,000 scholars. Of these pupils, very many were the children of Roman Catholics, and among the members of this communion, the wish for additional instruction was almost every where apparent. So far as human means were concerned, the prospects of the society were cheering, and from past success they took encouragement to renew their exertions.

The chief speakers were Lord Mountsandford, the Rev. Horace Townsend, Lord Radstock, Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, Rev. Dr. Burton, Rev. Mr. Robins, Hon. and Rev. Gerard Noel, James Lefroy, Esq. M. P. Rev. Mr. Bradwith, Rev. Mr. Blood, and Rev. Mr. Webster.

Of the above gentlemen, the speeches were animated and appropriate, and the vast assemblage present furnished evidence on several occasions, that they were not inattentive hearers.

2D. SERIES, NO. 19.-VOL. II.

British and Foreign School Society.On Monday, May 7th, the twenty-seventh anniversary of this institution was held at Exeter Hall, Lord John Russell in the chair. The appearance of this nobleman called forth the warmest plaudits from the several thousands who filled the spacious hall.

The report took a general survey of the society's operations throughout various parts of the world, and detailed with perspicuous brevity the obstacles they had to encounter, their disasters, and their successes. The funds, it was stated, were not equal to the magnitude of the great object which they had in view. It was a gigantic undertaking, which aimed at the instruction of the human race.

Among the speakers were William Allen, Esq., treasurer, Rev. Dr. Bennett, Rev. J. Dixon, Hon. and Rev. Gerard Noel, Rev. Dr. Cox, Lord John Russell, Rev. John Campbell, Rev. Robert Redpath, Henry Pownal, Esq. Dr. Wahlin, chaplain to the Swedish embassy, and several others.

This was an interesting meeting. The occasion was patriotic and philanthropic. The object was calculated to raise the mind from sectarian trammels; and the wellknown character of the chairman nobly harmonized with the general feeling.

At the conclusion of many pointed and pathetic observations, respecting the condition of poor children in our manufacturing towns, Mr. Allen quoted the following passage from a speech delivered by Mr. Sadler, in the House of Commons; and its effect on the assembly may be easily conceived.

"It is impossible to furnish any uniform account of the hours of labour endured by children in these factories, and I am unwilling to represent extreme cases as general ones, although it is the bounden duty of parliament to provide against such, as it does, for example, with respect to atrocious crimes, which are extreme cases in civilized society. I shall, therefore, only give one or two instances of the extent of oppression to which the system is occasionally carried. The following were the hours of labour imposed upon the children employed in a factory at Leeds last summer:-On Monday morning, work commenced at six o'clock: at nine, half an hour for breakfast; from half-past nine till twelve, work. Dinner, one hour; from one till half-past four, work. Afternoon meal, half an hour; from five till eight, work rest for half an hour. From halfpast eight till twelve, (midnight,) work: 163.-VOL. XIV.

2 U

an hour's rest. From one in the morning till five, work: half an hour's rest. From half-past five till nine, work: breakfast. From half-past nine till twelve, work : dinner. From one till half-past four, work. Rest half an hour; and work again from five till nine o'clock on Tuesday evening, when the labour terminated, and the gang of adult and infant slaves was dismissed for the night, after having toiled thirty-nine hours, with brief intervals, (amounting to only six hours in the whole,) for refreshment, but none for sleep. Wednesday and Thursday, day-work only. From Friday morning till Saturday night, the same prolonged labour repeated, with intermissions, as on Monday, Monday night, and Tuesday; except that the labour of the last day closed at five. The ensuing day, Sunday, must, under such circumstances, be a day of stupor; to rouse the children from which would only be to continue their physical sufferings, without the possibility of compensating them with any moral good. Clergymen, Sunday-school masters, and other benevolent persons, are beginning to feel this to be the case; physicians, I find, have long observed it; and parents, wishful as they are that their offspring should have some little instruction, are yet more anxious that they should have rest. Sunday-schools have long been rendered appendages to the manufacturing system, which has necessarily emptied the day-schools of the poor wherever that system prevails: not content with monopolizing the whole week with protracted labour, the Sabbath itself is thus rendered a day of languor and exhaustion, in which it is impossible that due instruction can be received, or the solemn duties which religion enjoins duly performed; in fact, it is a mere fallow for the worn-out frame, in order that it may be able to produce another series of exhausting crops of human labour. If some limits, therefore, are not prescribed to these constant and cruel encroachments, our labouring population will become, ere long, imbruted with ignorance, as well as enslaved by excessive toil."

Port of London and Bethel Union Society. The thirteenth anniversary of this society was held at the City of London Tavern, on Monday May 7th, Lord Mountsandford in the chair. The object of this society is, to furnish spiritual instruction to the many thousands of seamen who visit the port of London. For this purpose, a floating chapel has been provided, schools for their children have been established, and books are lent and distributed to a very

large amount. It was stated that the floating chapel was well attended, that during the past year there had been 10,168 hearers, of whom more than half were sailors; that twelve meetings had been held weekly on various parts of the river; and that the exertions of the society had been rendered spiritually beneficial to many

souls.

The Rev. J. Clayton, Rev. J. Robinson, Rev. T. Luke, Robert Humphrey Marten, Esq., W. Cook, Esq. Rev. Dr. Styles, Rev. Anthony Brown, Rev. Calvin Colton, Lieut. A. Browne, R.N., Rev. Dr. Bennett, with some others, severally addressed the meeting.

London Itinerant Society-This anniversary was held in Finsbury Chapel, on the evening of Monday, May 7th, the Rev. Dr. Collyer in the chair. The object of the society is to carry the gospel to those who will not come to hear it preached in places of public worship. The necessity of such an establishment, it was justly argued, arose from the great mass of crime and profligacy with which London and many other places abounded. The cause was warmly advocated by several well-known speakers, and sanctioned by the concurrent approbation of the assembled audience.

Irish Evangelical Society.-On Tuesday May 8th, Thomas Walker, Esq., president, in the chair, the eighteenth anniversary of this society, was held in Finsbury Chapel. The attendance was large, and highly respectable.

The design of this institution is, to diffuse evangelical religion in various ways, among the population of Ireland. For this purpose, readers, expounders, school establishments, and preachers, have been appointed to promote the great and important end. The interests of this society were advocated with much pious zeal, and with considerable ability. The speeches were long and animated, and perhaps nearly every influential motive was urged, that could be supposed to operate in its favour.

Among the advocates of this society, or rather the object which it has in view, we find the names of Rev. A. Tidman, Rev. J. Liefchild, Rev. Dr. Burder, Rev. Dr. Fletcher, Rev. J. Burnett, Rev. Henry Townley, and the Rev. Noble Shepheard. It was a meeting highly gratifying to all who had the spiritual interests of Ireland at

heart.

Congregational Union.-The anniversary of this association commenced on Tuesday. May 8th, and was adjourned to the Friday following, when resolutions were passed on various subjects, among which a most ob

servable one was, "that it is desirable to present to the public a declaration of the leading articles of our faith and discipline." The Book Society.-The anniversary of this society, now eighty-two years old, was held in Exeter Hall, on Friday, the 8th of May, and, prior to its commencement, much interest was excited, by an expectation that the venerable Rowland Hill, still several years older than the society, was, as usual, about to preside. Age, indisposition, and bodily infirmities, however, prevented his attendance, to the no small regret and disappointment of many present, who had frequently been cheered with the sallies of his wit, instructed by his wisdom, and animated by his piety. In consequence of his absence, the chair was occupied by Mr. Alderman Wilson.

The distribution of useful books, either by gift or sale, at very low prices, is the great object which for nearly a century this society has pursued. The sphere of its operation is, however, very contracted, compared with that of others, and its means are confined within narrow limits. Several ministers, and other gentlemen present, addressed the meeting, which was concluded with a vote of gratitude to the Rev. Rowland Hill, who had been a member upwards of sixty years.

Religious Tract Society. The anniversary of this powerful engine on the public mind was held at the City of London Tavern, early in the morning of the 8th of May. The chair was taken by W. B. Gurney, Esq., at six o'clock.

The report was very long, but it was exceedingly interesting, and we scarcely know how it could be curtailed without doing it a serious injury. The whole world is the field of its operation, and no human ingenuity can describe the circumnavigation of the globe in a few words. The aggregate amount of its contents may be comprised in the following statement:

The receipts for the present year amounted to £31,376, being an increase of £4,315 on the preceding year. The publications during the same period were 11,714,965, being an increase of 624,706, beyond any preceding year, without adverting to numerous tracts published in foreign countries at the society's expense. The total circulation of the society, since its commencement, at home and abroad, in about seventy different languages, amounted to nearly 165,000,000.

Naval and Military Bible Society.-The fifty-second anniversary of this useful society was held in Exeter Hall, on Friday the 8th of May, the Marquis of Cholmondeley in

the chair. In general character and principle, this institution resembles the British and Foreign Bible Society. The chief difference is, that its distribution of the scriptures is confined to soldiers and sailors. This anniversary was numerously attended, and the interests of the society were ably advocated by Lord Mountsandford, Capt. Harcourt, R.N., Rev. Mr. Polk of Virginia, Mr. W. Marshall, Surgeon, R.N., Viscount Mandeville, Lieut. Simmons, R.N., Hon. and Rev. G. H. Curzon, Rev. J. Davis, Colonel Phipps, Lieut. Brown, and Rev. George Washington Phillips.

The distribution of the society, during the year, was stated to be 12,432 bibles and testaments; making a total, since the formation of the society in 1780, of 264,560 copies among soldiers and sailors, in various parts of the world.

London Missionary Society.-On Thursday, 10th of May, the thirty-eighth anniversary of this important society was held in Exeter Hall, which was filled at an early hour, to the exclusion of some hundreds who could find no room to enter. To furnish these with accommodations, another meeting was opened in the small Hall, which was also filled to overflowing. In consequence of the resignation of their former treasurer, W. A. Hankey, Esq. John Dyer, Esq., Secretary to the Admiralty, was called to the chair.

The report, which was voluminous, took a general survey of the various parts of the world, in which the society had established Missionary stations, and in a luminous manner detailed the proceedings and progress of the society. The stations were one hundred and thirteen, and the number of missionaries ninety-two. The contributions during the year amounted to £35,568, and the disbursements to £39,240, thus leaving the society a considerable sum in debt to the treasurer. The principal speakers on this occasion were, Rev. J. Clayton, W. A. Hankey, Esq., J. Conder, Esq. Rev. W. Swann, Rev. J. Liefchild, Rev. W. Jones, Rev. J. Dyer, Rev. J. Dixon, Rev. J. A. James, Rev. Dr. Wahlin, Chaplain of the Swedish Embassy, and the Rev. Dr. Bennett. These gentlemen were heard with the deepest attention, but our limits will not allow us to follow them in the range of thought and strain of eloquence which they displayed. The principal occurrence, which excited the deepest interest was, the account given of the indignities and persecutions to which the Baptists had been exposed in Jamaica, and the christian sympathy which manifested itself in their behalf.

This amiable feeling was suitably ac

« ForrigeFortsæt »