Sermons and Lectures on Important Practical Subjects. By Andrew Swanston, late Preacher of the Gospel, Vol. I. 12mo. 35. bd.

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The Preface to the first volume of these Discourses, by the author's intimate friend, the Rev. Mr. Greig, of Lochgelly, informs us, That they cle written by a young man much exercised to godliness, and highly respected by all who had the pleasure, either of attending on his public ministrations, or of enjoying bis acquaintance in private. does not appear that he ever had a fixed charge. Some doubts which arope in his mind respecting several Pots of church order, led him to decline an invitation from the As sociate Burgher Congregation in Perth; and issued in his withdrawing from the communion of the Secession Church; and not long after, he fell into a decline, which cut him off in Novenber, 1784, in the thirty-third year of his age.

The former volume was pubished upwards of two years ago; and the favourable reception which it has met with from the public, has induced his surviving friends to perform their promise, by presenting them with a second. Both volumes are so similar in respect of the style of execution, that such of our rea ders as have perused the one, can easily anticipate the character of the other. They are scriptural, perspicuous, and accurate. The au thor never labours in order to discover learning or depth; never attempts to surprize by novelty, or charm by eloquence; his only object seems to be, to express, with all possible simplicity, what he reckons the doctrine of Scripture on the particular subject under his consideration; and to impress on others those convictions of its importance, which he himself felt. Yet, though he rather avoids or. nament than goes in quest of it, there is in general an accuracy of

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arrangement and a propriety of expression which will please those who are not too fastidious in their taste, while the vein of strictly evangelical sentiment and serious piety, which runs through the whole, will recommend these vo lumes to those who peruse sermons; in order to their edification.

The second volume contains

eighteen Discourses. It begins with a short lecture on 1 Tim. i. 12, 15; which is followed by these Sermons on the last verse of that passage, which are entitled "The Sum of

the Gospel; Salvation to the Chief of Sinners; and the Gos pel a faithful saying," &c. The remaining Sermons are from Acts xiii. 38. on the Forgiveness of Sins; three from Romans v. 11. on Joy springing from Faith; — and one on Paul's Prayer on Onesiphorus, 2 Tim. i. 18. We have remarked, in this last Sermon, a very striking coincidence in the general division, between our author and Orton's discourse on the same subject, which satisfies us that he must have seen Orton; but the discourses themselves are so dif ferent, that we cannot accuse him of plagiarism. The reniainder of the volume is occupied by lectures on Luke vii. 36, 50. on Hosea xiv. on 2 Corinthians i. — and on the latter part of Isaiah xl. We do not hesitate to recommend both volumes to the perusal of serious persons, hoping, with the writer of the Preface, that they will be acceptable to the saints, and conduce, through the blessing of God, to promote pure and undefiled religion.

An advertisement prefixed to the second volume, intimates, that the author's manuscript still contains as many Discourses as would fill a third volume, written in the same spirit, and with the same ability; the publication of which will depend on the reception which shall be given to these.

passes most that have gone before it; yet, paradoxical as it may seem, as to national crimes and public de pravity, we are arrived at a height never before attained."

The Sentiments proper to the Present Crisis, preached at Bristol. By R. Hall, A. M. 8vo, 1s. 6d.

THE former Discourses of Mr. Hall, of Cambridge, have excited no common interest in his future works; and the public expectation will not be disappointed by the present Sermon, which is full of eloquence, energy, and sentiment. — Mr. Hall selects Jer. viii. 6, as a passage very appropriate to the occasion; and, considering the principle of the divine government the same with respect to Britain as to Israel, he endeavours to rectify several mistakes, too commonly adopted; and to cultivate more proper sentiments. Here he re, proves, 1. Those who trace national judgments to natural causes only; 2. Those who repose only on an arm of flesh; -3. Those who in dulge in wanton and indiscriminate censure of our rulers; 4. Those who rely on our supposed superiority in virtue to our enemies; 5. Those who rest in general lamentations of the corruptions of the

age.

After rectifying these mis takes, the author points out the peculiar duties of the times; namely, Humiliation, confession, and a return to the faith, as well as the obewhich we have most awfully dedience, of the gospel; from both parted.

Did our room permit, there is no part of the present discourse which would not furnish an interesting extract; but we shall advert to one passage only, recommending the whole to the perusal of our readers. Some of Mr Hall's brethren have drawn comfort in the present crisis, from comparing our moral character with the far worse qualities of our enemies. Not to enquire whether the portraits have been fairly drawn, Mr. Hall observes, that "Such a conduct betrays inattention to the actual conduct of Providence, Wherever there is conscious guilt, there is room to apprehend punishment; nor is it for the criminal to decide where the merited punishment shall first fall. Judgment often begins at the house of God; and he frequently chastises his servants with severity, before he proceeds to the destruction of his ene mies." Instances are given in the History of the Egyptians and the Assyrians.

fue, 25.

8vo,

Memoirs of the Persecution of the Pro testants in France. By M. Marolles. With his Essay on Providence, &c. Translated by J. Martin. New Edition, 8vo, 3s. 6d.

Methodism Displayed, &c. A New Edition, 8vo, ed.

Pattrick's Help to Prayer. A New Edition. 6d.

Witsius's Economy of the Covenants A New Edition, Two Vols. 8vo, 14s. Robinson's (R.) Occasional Sermons. 8vo, 6s. boards.

Account of the Proceedings of the Scots Society for Propagating the Gospel ag Home 8vo, 6d.

A Religious School - Book. In Two Parts. By J. Whitehouse. 2d.

A Collection of Hymns for the Walworth Sunday-Schools. 3d.fine, 64. Henry's Method of Prayer. A New Edition, 12mo, 25. 6d.

Minutes of the Questions put to the Rev. Mr. Kicherer; and, through him, to John, Martha, and Mary (the first fruits of the South African Mission) at the Scots Church, Swallowstreet, Monday Evening, Nov. 21, 1803.

PREVIOUS to the questions, Mr. Waugh delivered an Address; at the conclusion of which he said, "It has been suggested to the Hottentots, that the questions should be shewn them beforehand, that they might not be taken unawares." The answer was, ' No; for it shall be given us in that hour what we should say, and what we should speak.' Rev.Mr. Nicol went into the pulpit,

and the three Hottentots were placed before him in the front. Mr. Kicherer rose, and stood upon the seat of the table-pew. Mr. Nicol. I am desired, by my brethren, to put a few questions to our much-esteemed brother Kicherer, an honoured instrument in the hand of God; honoured in bring ing these three persons now present to the knowledge of the truth: and the first question that I shall beg leave to put, Sir, is this: -In what part of Africa did you labour? Mr.Kicherer. Sir, about 500 miles from Cape Town, near Zak River (north-east from Cape Town) in the midst of wild Hottentots, called Boscheme: a place where no Christians, no farmers, no Dutchmen live, only wild waste land, where wild people live in the holes

like beasts.

N. How long did you labour there, Sir?

K. About four years. N. How did they support themselves when you went among them? K. Support themselves? For body do you mean, Sir? They had nothing at all; they live by hunting, they go hunting wild cattle: therefore, when I would have them together, then I must take care of them, give them victuals. Farm

ers help me; they give them sheep, so I help them: help them as much I could to support, else people could not live together. They eat serpents, any thing. When, therefore, I would have them together, I must help them. They never work, not in the least; they don't love work. Dutch settlers did not live near me, they knew people could not hear if they did not help them.

N. Did the Dutch settlers under stand the gospel?

K. Some, Sir, but many people, who are baptized, live as Heathen. Many love the gospel, but cannot hear, live so far from church: they travel weeks before they get to church, such great distance.

N. When you first went to that part of the country, Sir, how did you proceed? What were soonę of your first subjects?

K. Sir, so soon I came there, I will tell you, the Government as sist me: they send papers to farm. ers, that they must bring me where I would go. I went to the last farm, that I found was the place to wild Hottentots; then there came to me about thirty. The first means I use, I give to them to bacco: then the Boschemans come. Then we tell to them, they see what great difference between us and them: we have dress, vice tuals: -we have house, they have nothing; no, nothing at all. Then we tell them, because we know God, all this difference; because we know him, it is that we have what we have. That was fust means we use, After, I shew to them more, from degree to degree; but first reason they came was, for tobacco; then after, they come to know God. I hope you understand me, Sir? I can't explain myself.

N. Yes, Sir; very well.

K. I began at first to preach to them systematically. That, I afterwards found, would not do; - all the means I use that way could not help the least. They would say; "This is for Christians, not for Hottentots" then they would run away. Then after, I pray to God instruct them. Once, I told jo

them how happy I was when I felt love of Christ in my soul; and When man experience love of Christ, never man more comfortable than that man. Then they ask me, "What shall I do? What way shall I go?" Then I say, Christ is the way. Yes; but we nothing do with Christ, we are sin ners." Go to Christ." "But how? We know nothing!" He will teach you then you see fulness in Christ when you come as sinners.' Then afterward I see that God blessed the word. They sayWe pray to God, that if that was the way, Christ would bless it." Once, they never would be lieve, they say, that that was the way; and now they feel that it is the way and now they fall down as worms at feet of Christ. We could do nothing, they say, but he do all. I hope you understand me, Sir? I thought to preach at first systematically; but I see clear, that all I speak about it, they say, We have nothing to do with that Gentleman, we are Hottentots. We live before comfortable, what have we to do with work?" Then afterward I see, when God work upon the heart, then afterward they understand me. Do you understand me, Sir?

N. Yes, Sir. Did you begin then to convince of sin i

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K. When I tell them that, they say, they have done what they could. Then I tell them, Go to Christ; ask of him, Whether they are sinners, or not? and that the Spirit should learn them, if they would ask him; and I begged them, go to the Spirit, ask him, if what I preach was the truth? saw that I could not too soon bring them to Christ; and told them, that Christ must teach them: Then afterward, when he work upon their heart, then they believe, Before they make objection, how could Jesus Christ and God be to. gether; but when they feel power of Christ, then they say, “Oh, Sir, one word do more good now than ten thousand do before!"

When I speak of civilization, and not to live as the beast, "Yes, Sir, they say, that we feel in our heart; when we feel the peace of God,

then it is so; but I think that 'tis for Missionary."

N. When the Spirit of God first began to crown your labours with any succes, how did you feel in your own mind, Mr.Kicherer?

K. Yes, Sir; that I am not able to express, because that was so great. I could say, when I give me to the Lord with soul and body, that I might serve him, that was only my wish; that were it only one sinner that he would give me, nevertheless, if it was not one sin ner, that he would give me power to be faithful, and not be slothful. I have nothing to do with the blessing: I must work, and God must give the blessing; but when I see God give me many, many fall down in the fields, and cry,“ O what must I do!" Many, who were like stones under the word, they would not believe, now so happy under the word. Sometimes, when I come out of the field, many, with tears in their eyes, cry out for mercy; and sometimes, whether I preach or sing hymn, it was all the Same; the power came, and they cry for mercy. O this was so great time! chiefly when I considered myself what poor instrument. Like dirt, in my own eyes, then I say, "Lord, with all the trials and dangers you bring, O I will go on! OI will go on!" and there is no happier time in my life than when I was in the work of God. Othe wilderness was often a paradise to my soul! I wish I could speak in my own language; I can't explain myself as I wish; and when trials came, and Satan came, and dangers came, and make me low spirited. Many times, when I was not comfortable in my own soul, then something happen, that I must come out, and go into the field. Then I see such men as I never expected, lie down in the field, cry: ing to God for mercy! So God used me to make me comfortable, and shew me his grace sufficient for all! — Yes, Sir, and in parti cular, it was great for me when I saw the way God used to give the blessing. Sometimes I thought I spoke with such power, that I must convert them.' I told them the happiness which it was ty bạ