The "Churchman" recommends the omission of the phrase, "Most religious King," as used in the liturgy; advises that the damnatory clauses in the Athanasian creed should be expunged; and submits the propriety of some slight changes in the "occasional offices" of the church. For instance, he asks, (p. 153), "Is it necessary to retain the rubric about dipping the child?" We should say, 66 not at all; get rid of it as soon as possible." With these exceptions, the author scarcely touches the religious view of the subject, but is chiefly intent on the introduction of certain alterations and improvements, which might stop the mouths of complainers, and preserve the secular advantages of the ecclesiastical corporation. Mr. Hull possesses an accurate mind, and often writes powerfully. We have been much pleased with some of his observations; they evince diligent study of Scripture and Ecclesiastical History, and considerable independence of thought. The general drift of his work is the same as that of the " Churchman's" volume. He proposes that a "Commission of Inquiry" should be immediately appointed, in order to examine the articles, creeds, and liturgy of the church, with a view to the adoption of such changes as (he hopes) might conciliate dissidents, and unite the nation in one great religious body. He is particularly severe against the Athanasian creed. gested were satisfactorily made, it is not "If some of the inquiries hereinafter sugunlikely some changes in our creed, and articles, and liturgy, would be the result. And if, after such changes, all religious tests were abolished, in respect to fitness for civil unchristian in this Christian land, without employments; and no individual presumed evidence to that effect; it seems probable that the Church of England would soon number the great mass of Protestant Dissenters among the adherents to her communion.” p.7. To this observation we are prepared to give an immediate reply. Let pluralities be abolished-residence made obligatory-the liturgy revised and curtailed-the Athanasian Creed softened "The Athanasian creed should be struck tithes modified-the canon law reout of the Prayer Book, or be disused, or should, at least, be there explained by some rubric; or be so altered, that its plain words formed-discipline restored-every pulpit in the Establishment filled by a may express its plain meaning. There is pious and evangelical preacher-and not any warrant for Christians so to declare the bench of bishops adorned with all accursed any one class or individual, Chris- the excellencies of true religion;-the tian or not Christian; and if there were, we reasons of dissent would still remain do not meet together on Sundays for such unaltered. We honour genuine godlia purpose. When it is read, every man must have seen others sit down, and shut ness, wherever it may be found; we their books; and every layman must have rejoice in the increase of faithful minisseen and heard, continually, both in church ters, and "esteem them very highly in and out of it, dissatisfied features and honest love for their work's sake;" but our complaints. Some stay away from church estimate of the system which by their on the Athanasian creed days; others leave means is upheld is the same, nor do we the church when the Athanasian creed is begun; and many sit it out, burning, rightly think error or superstition a whit less or wrongly burning, with shame and indig-criminal, because they may happen to nation, yet repeating to themselves the ne- be patronized by good men. While the We Church of England substitutes articles it to be, "the substance of a sermon and creeds for the word of God-ex- preached in the course of his ordinary changes the laws of God for Acts of ministrations." It would not have ocParliament-úsurps a lordly power over curred to us as peculiarly meriting the faith and conscience-acknowledges a publicity which is solicited by its publitemporal head-barters the simplicity cation; there might, however, have of Christian worship for a semi-popish | been local reasons, and very good ones, ritual-and maintains her alliance with for the adoption of this measure. the State-she is essentially antichris- do not, then, by any means, censure tian, and we are bound to obey the it; we should judge that a congregavoice that saith, "Come out of her, tion to whom such communications are my people." These evils cannot be common, are not ill-instructed. removed by such retrenchments and reforms as the authors of the volumes now before us recommend. The description of the Jewish community, in its corrupt state, is too applicable-sufficiently characterize the sermon.— "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint." Schemes of reformation, comprehension, and union, are utterly useless, so long as the Church of England retains her worldly and antichristian character. Till she becomes " a The second discourse, by Mr. Wood, is solid and judicious. The text is Eph. ii. 19. "the mystery of the Gospel," and the divisions will, of themselves, "Let us, I. Direct our attention to the Gospel. [The discussion answers the following queries.] 1. What difficulty can arise in the mind of a criminal, to prevent him [his] understanding the proclamation of bis pardon? 2. What difficulty can ever arise in the human mind, from the mere fact of a reconciliation between two parties who have been long standing in a state of oppo congregation of faithful men, in which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly ministered accord-sition to each other? 3. What difficulty ing to Christ's ordinance;-till she restores to divine revelation its lost honours, and to the people their just liberties;-till she ceases to be a creature of the State, a kingdom “ of this world;" till then, we are Dissenters. 66 1. The Proper Province of Religious Inquiry and Concern; a Sermon preached at Maldon. By R. BURLS. 2. The Simplicity and Incomprehensibleness of the Gospel; a Sermon preached in Jewin-street Chapel. By the Rev. T. WOOD. 3. The Pulpit, No. 341. THIS is a most prolific age in every department of literature. Hence, our readers will excuse us, if, instead of reviewing the Sermons and other minor theological publications, from time to time, one by one, we introduce several to their notice at once. can any one suppose to exist in the mere annunciation of liberty to the captive? 4. mere fact of applying the balm of consolaWhat difficulty can perplex any mind in the tion to the distressed? 5. What is there of difficulty in the mere fact of mortality being exchanged for a state of immortality? The Gospel, then, in its communication of facts, is the very essence of simplicity; but in its doctrines, it must be considered-II. As altogether incomprehensible. [By the bye, we should rather have used the term mysterious.] This applies, 1. To God himself, in the unity of his being. 2. To the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. 3. To the incarnation of Christ. 4. To the mode of the Holy Spirit's operations on the human heart. 5. To the mode of the resurrection." The Pulpit abounds with sermons. In this Number we have two; dissimilar in character, but neither of them possessing much merit. Mr. Mortimer's on Mal. vi. 13. is a specimen of the manner in which a preacher may twist his text round various points, without making any real progress in the comThe first of these discourses, by Mr. munication of instructive sentiment. It Burls, is distinguished by its generalis full of warmth and zeal; as deliverneatness and good taste. It is sensibie, but not striking. It contains internal evidence of being what the author states ed, probably it had an enlivening effect for the moment, but it is sadly defective in real matter. The preacher is throughout in a hurry. He flies from | learn how to exercise their thoughts, thing to thing. Here is all the form of and turn their inquisitiveness to a good method, but none of the reality. It is account. We do not pledge ourselves evangelical: so far, so good. The other sermon is by Mr. Simeon, on Zech. xiv. 9. The divisions and the manner, any body that had ever heard or read Mr. Simeon might almost have predicted. "I. The importance of the prophecy-1. To the world at large. 2. To the church in particular. 3. To every individual of mankind. II. The blessedness of the period to which it refers. Surely it will be a season of great temporal prosperity: then, also, shall spiritual blessings abound." We cannot help noticing that a predominance is given to the Clergy in the Pulpit, and of the denominations very few comparatively of the Baptist denomination make their appearance. The Pulpit, it appears, is about to appear in the thirteenth volume, with an enlargement of the plan. It is to assume more of the character of a Magazine, and to have a theological review, with essays, biography, poetry, &c. This, in our opinion, is no improvement. It had been better to have preserved its uniqueness of character, and have be come less, rather than more discursive in its object. Variety, it is true, is the taste of the day; but we are by no means sure it is the best taste, or the most lasting. Aids to Development; or Mental, and Moral Instruction exemplified, in Conversations between a Mother and her Children. In 2 vols. Seeley and W. Burnside. to the accuracy of all the sentiments upon religion these volumes contain, yet in general they are such as we approve, and adapted, in the manner of their communication, to the capacities of young persons, from infancy to their We fully appreciate and recommend the views of the writer, which are thus expressed :— teens. "Are there not many who are earnestly desirous of adopting some plan for their children, which may secure at once both their mental and their spiritual advancement; and who are unable, from the want of early development in their own case, to It is to such that this book is addressed. It attain, in any satisfactory degree, the object? does not presume to lay down a regular system either of scientific or of religious education; but it is designed to shew that maternal instruction, founded on the basis of ful to the subjects of it; and that it is not love may be at once interesting and delightthe quantity taught to a child, but the lity of the teaching, which makes it either qua. useful, or worse than useless. In short, that it is not by tasking the memory, bat by suggesting continual subjects for reflection faculties of the child, that the true business and inquiry, and thus eliciting the natural of instruction is to be conducted.' The Sabbath Scholar's Friend. Price 1d. WE have perused the first six monthly Numbers of this little work, which complete the first volume. Speaking geuerally, its contents are well adapted to amuse and instruct Sunday scholars. We venture to suggest, that the piece THIS very excellent work is constructed continued through several of the Numon the right principle in education, | bers, entitled "Heaven, a Vision,” is namely, that of self-instruction. A too fanciful for such a class of readers. mother holds continual conversations Such conjectures, we think, come under with her children, in such a manner as to elicit their own mental energies, and to graft her instructions upon their own natural sagacity. The work is both instructive to maternal teachers and their children; the mothers may learn from it how to conduct conversation with their children, and children may the description of "intruding into things not seen," and ought not therefore to be indulged. The work is well got up, and is certainly very cheap. We hope it will realize "profits" for the use of the objects to which they are devoted, viz. "the system of education in Ireland and the East." NEW PUBLICATIONS. 1. A Catechism of Geography; compris by which their Circumstances might be im. ng the leading Features of that important proved, and their Respectability and UsefulScience, and including the most recent Dis-ness promoted. Baynes. coveries. Second edition, carefully revised For a few pence, a person may here furand improved. By Hugh Murray, Esq. nish himself with very useful information; F.R.S.E. &c.Ed. and Lond. calculated at once to stimulate and to direct his benevolence. The position assumed, of Not so carefully revised and improved as it might have beeu. For instance, the inelegant term huge is repeatedly used, and without necessity. "Immense fields of ice, called glaciers, often slide down upon the plains." This description of the glaciers conveys a very incorrect idea to an Englishman. A field of ice suggests the conception of an extended flat surface, whereas a glacier is not only uneven on its surface, but overspread with pyramids of ice and snow. This Catechism, however, is a very pretty book, and exceedingly adapted to the little gentlemen and ladies for whom it is in tended. inadequate support,' is unquestionably correct. The state of things, both in the agricultural and commercial world, is at present against the application of the remedy; yet is it so easy, as here described, that if it were heartily attempted, it might be done without inflicting burdens on any. 5. The Sabbath Minstrel; a Collection of Original Hymns for Sunday Schools. By John Taylor. Good in sentiment; but in poetry not superlative. 6. The Commandment with Promise. By the Author of "the Last Day of the Week." There is no dearth of books both for young and old; if there were, the former class might find some instruction, seasoned with piety, in the small work before us. Christ. An interesting and cheap little volume, 7. Scripture Questions on the principal written for the same juvenile classes with the preceding, and we believe in serio with Discourses and Parables of the Lord Jesus others of a similar description, on the His-America. This is one of the publications By the Rev. Albert Judson, of tory of England, Scotland, &c. Considering the diminutiveness of its size, it is very not our recommendation. It requires only of the Religious Tract Society. It needs comprehensive in its range of subjects, and so far as we can discover, correct both in its science and theology. 3. Temporis Calendarium; or, an Almanack for the Year of our Lord 1830. By William Rogerson, Greenwich, Kent. This very comprehensive and useful publication has, it appears, been printed ten years, and although it never came under our notice before, we do not hesitate to pronounce it one of the best constructed, and upon the whole, least objectionable, of any similar work. It wears a religious aspect, and we are happy to find that the columns usually devoted to foolish predictious, contain a series of arguments by Mr. Rogerson, in proof of the existence of Deity, drawn from the book of nature, &c. Its astronomical and miscellaneous departments are important, exteusive, and interesting; and from Mr. Rogerson's connection with the Royal Observatory, their accuracy may be fully depended upon. 4. The Duty of all who hear the Gospel, to render towards it pecuniary Assistance Hints to remedy the present inadequate support afforded to many Dissenting Ministers, including Suggestions respecting the Means to be announced. In the Press, &c. Shortly will be published, Parallel Miracles, or the Jews and the Gypsies. By Samuel Roberts. Demonstrating the latter people to be the descendants of the ancient Egyptians, denounced by the Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, to be desolate among the nations that are desolate, according to the prediction, being cast out of their mighty kingdom into the open fields of all lands, there to remain without idols and without images forty years, but at length to be reassembled in their native country, under a Saviour and a Great Oue, and to be there brought to a knowledge of the Lord. Also, that the fulness of the Gentiles being come in, the Jews-during three thousand years the contemporaries, and the denounced guilty fellow-sufferers of the Egyptians, will be likewise gathered together, and elevated to their promised exaltation in the neighbouring country of Judea. On the 1st of the 11th month, 1829, will be published No. I. of the Friends' Monthly Magazine, price 1s. 471 OBITUARY MRS. SARAH SMITH, (Continued from p. 341.) The prayers of the church were of fered up incessantly on her behalf. She was visited at different times by the late Mr. Fuller of Kettering, Mr. Sutcliffe of Olney, Mr. Moody of Warwick, Mr. Hinton of Oxford, and Mr. Franklin of Coventry; who all entered into her case with true brotherly affection and tenderness, and conversed, and reasoned, and prayed with her; as did also most of the neighbouring ministers and other pious friends: no one ever left her without weeping on her account. Her whole frame was wasted with woe, the keen brightness of her eye was faded, her lively vivacity gone, the corruscations of her wit set in darkness, and her expressive countenance bore the unvarying marks of utter hopelessness; she herself called it "the fearful looking for of judgment and of fiery indignation.". Only her powers of reasoning and argument appeared in full vigour, and from the inexhaustible stores of extensive reading and a tenacious memory, she was constantly drawing forth bitter things against herself. more than one occasion it became necessary to watch her movements, to preserve her life. But here her social affections and dislike to give pain to others came to her relief, and were the cords of love in her heavenly Father's hands, preserving her. 66 With little variation, months wore away in the manner I have described, and her every look was watched with intense anxiety. On coming in one morning, I found her employed at the table in the usual way, but I observed her look was changed; the distressing hopelessness, so long written on every feature, was no longer there. I took her hand. "My dear," I said, "you feel better.', Yes, I do, my husband, and I will tell you how it was—[which, sitting down, she did, with many interruptions, our tears often flowing together]-I was standing here, and a cloud of horror and distress came over my mind, more thick and black than ever. I lamented internally my sad condition, a terror to myself and a burden to every body, and I asked, 'Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there?' and I thought of the hymn you had been On a lovely evening, the 15th of July, reading to me, and my heart said in its we walked in the garden, full of fruits distress, I'll go to Jesus—I can but perish and flowers, all glowing with verdure if I go—I am resolved to try: but as I and beauty. On leaving it, as night thought so, I felt my misery more deep. approached, she turned back at the gate, than ever-my knees trembled as I taking, as she said, a last lingering look, stood, and my hands were clasped; I like Milton's Eve, when driven from durst not move or look up; but in the Eden-she added, "This is the last bitter agony of my soul I whispered time I shall see any display of the good- my cry, 'Mercy, O Lord, mercy! It ness of God: this night my soul will be did not return heavy and cold, as it used required and to-morrow! O, where to do, at which I wondered, and thought, shall I be weeping and wailing to-mor-He will not cast away my prayer from row?" The first hour of the morning, him, he will not reject my woeful cry?? however, found her the mother of a So I continued for some time, sobbing son, and in grateful joy she called him and crying in a low whisper, 'Mercy, Ebenezer, saying, "Hitherto the Lord O Jesus, mercy!' A ray of light came hath helped me!" It was hoped she gradually over my mind—I begin to hope would now be comforted; but her dis- I shall obtain mercy. I don't think I tress returned before the evening, and shall ever despair again, but I shall increased from day to day: and on walk softly before him all my days." |