Imatges de pàgina
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Christians in India, some of whom are the fruits of the mission, are active in their respective spheres. Letters, in defence of Christianity, written by Mr. Cunningham, have appeared in The Oriental Star (a Calcutta newspaper) and have since been reprinted at Serampore, in the form of a pamphlet.

Three of the baptized natives have given much pain to the Mis. sionaries, by their contentious conduct; but the exercise of a strict and faithful discipline, has been the means of recovering two of them.

"God," say the Missionaries, we trust, will bring good out of this evil. It has furnished us with an opportunity of laying before our Hindeo brethren and sisters, in a peculiar manner, the necessity of universal holiness, and the impossibility of uniting the service of any one sin with that of Jesus Christ. The steps also which have been taken with the offending parties, have convinced them, more than many exhortations, of our determi nations to retain none in the church who are not willing to depart from all iniquity. We feared it would have been a stumbling-block in the way of our inquiring friends; but it appears to have operated, through the Divine Goodness, in a contrary way."

As several have lost cast for, or through the gospel, an opportunity is afforded to gather up their children. The Missionaries have accordingly established a free-school, for the board, clothing, and tuition. of twenty native youths, either children of Christian parents, or of such as are willing to lose cast. In this school they employ Christian Hindoos as teachers, though the whole is inspected by themselves. The expence is estimated at about 1701. a year; the chief of which is subscribed by the religious public of Bengal."

and to

Besides the above intelligence, the Number contains, a Letter from the Society to the Missionaries, to the Christian Hindoos; Felix Carey, who is chosen to be a Missionary; the Designation of Mr. Chamberlam; and Resolutiens of the Committee.

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N. B. We learn from the Secretary of the Society, that since the present Number has been out, other letters have arrived, of as late date as July 16, 1802, giving an account of six more having been baptized; namely, Five natives and one European. Among the former was Golook, the married daughter of Kristne; who having been forcibly carried away about a year before, and compelled to marry a man to whom she had been betrothed in childhood, after much cruel treatment for her refusal to renounce Christianity, made her escape in May last. She was, at her own repeated request, baptized in June; and, it is said, her husband does not wish her to return. Their number of members now is twenty-four; viz. Thirteen natives, and eleven Europeans.

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The writer of Mr. Thomas's Memoir, wishes the reader to draw his pen over the word “ ages,' p. 247, 1. 9.; an erratum which was too late for correction.

Correction, Instruction; or the Rod and the Word: a Treatise on Afflictions, &c. By Thomas Case, M. A. New Edition, 12mo, 25.

MR. CASE was a Non-conform ist Minister, of considerable eminence and ability. The work before us was originally "conceived by way of private meditations," when in prison for his Non-conformity. Upon his enlargement,. these ineditations were thrown into the form of sermons on Psalm xciv.

12.

The publication of them was then earnestly solicited by many, and particularly by the great and excellent Dr. Manton; who, when he perused the MS. addressed the author in a letter which concludes thus: -"Good Sir, be persuaded to publish these discourses: the subject is useful; and your manner of handling it, warm and affectionate; do not deprive the world of your experiences. Certainly my heart is none of the tenderest; yet, if heart answereth to heart, I can easily foresce much success; and that you will not repent of the publication," &c. It would be super

from the pulpit, in a course of sermons, at Wadsworth; and were attended to with diligence, and crowned with success. The first edition of this work was printed in 1775, and dedicated to the author's friends at the above-mentioned place. This new edition is dedicated to the church of Christ as

Auous, if not arrogant, to add our recommendation to that of Dr. Manton, we shall only add, therefore, that we consider it as a suitable companion in every chamber of affliction; as not only instructive to the ignorant, but the most experienced Christians; who will, we doubt not, say with Dr. Manton, when they read it, "the half hassembling in Church-lane, Whitenot been told us."

. This little work has been extremely scarce for many years, and little known. In this new edition, a few quaintnesses and repetitions are omitted, which will make it generally more acceptable.

The principal Parts of the Christian Religion respecting Faith and Practice; or an humble Attemp to place some of the most important Subjects of Doctrinal, Experimental, and Practical Divinity, in a clear and Scriptural Light. 8vo. A new Edition, cor. rected and enlarged. By D. Tay. lor, London.

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THIS volume is divided into sixteen chapters; in which are considered the following subjects:-The Character and Perfections of God; -The State of Man before Sin entered into the World;-The Moral Law; - The Fall; The Unconverted Sinner arraigned and condemned by the Law of God;-This condemned State proved to be the State of all Men by Nature; -An Enquiry concerning several Methods of obtaining Salvation, which Men often propose to themselves;The Way of Salvation by Jesus Christ; -The Operation of the Holy Spirit; The Scripture Account of Faith in Christ;-The genuine Effects of Faith;- The Nature, Extent, and Means of Evangelical Holiness; The Christian's Treasure opened, or a View of his Privileges;-Encouragement and Advice to real Christians; A short View of Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell; with a Proof of the Eternity of future Punishment ;-Addresses to several Classes of Readers.

These several parts of the Divine Will, we are informed, were more largely illustrated and improved

chapel, of which Mr. Taylor is pastor.

Although we have had several compendiums of the essential articles of religion, by different writers; yet we think the present will not be found altogether useless. An artless simplicity, and an evident design of doing good, run through the whole. The author, studiously avoiding all nice distinctions and rhetorical embellishments, adapts his style to the lowest capacity, and labours to make every subject of the notes, indeed, where the ori clear to the understanding. Some ginals are quoted, may not be of any utility to the unlearned; bit these are but few; and, not being intermixed with the text, cannot interrupt the attention of those who are not capable of understanding them. There are very few positions in the work we are disposed to controvert: there is one, however, that is not generally held by our orthodox divines, i. e. the Universality of Christ's Death; which Mr. Tay lor believes and asserts, but has omitted to bring forward the objections to that doctrine; which, we think, should not have been done, as no man is required to make up his mind on a controverted point by examining only one side of the ques tion. He refers the reader, how. ever, to his Letters to Mr. Fuller on that subject; and, in stating his own views of it, he discovers nothing of a dogmatical spirit, or a bigotted turn of mind. We applaud Mr. Taylor for making his work of a practical tendency. Thus, after speaking of the operations of the Divine Spirit, the reality, origin, certainty, and necessity of these operations, he improves it in the following manner:

"1. Let every reader carefully examine himself, whether the Spirit

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of God dwells in him. 2. Let every one beware of vexing and grieving the Holy Spirit. 3. Remember, that the Spirit in the heart is the same Spirit that teaches in the Scriptures. Thus we have always a test at hand by which we may try We are not to conourselves. 4. sider every impulse or impression of the mind an operation or influence of the Holy Spirit. Too many, alas! are, in this instance, awfully mistaken. On hearing a strange doctrine, or making, or imagining that we make, some new discoveries, which gratify a speculative and curious mind; feeling some peculiar impressions from the beauty of a preacher's style and address, or even from his tone, his attitudes, and gestures, - we have sometimes experienced those agree. able sensations which, though we have been still left under the power of a carnal mind, have been called divine operations. Thus numbers are deluded and encouraged to cry to themselves, "Peace, peace, when there is no peace." Let every reader know, that no sensation, no impression is of God, if its tendency be not to transform us after his own image, in righteousness and holiness.-5. Remember there is no inconsistency between divine operations on the minds of men and the most earnest exhortations, invitations, and persuasions, addressed by ministers both to saints and sinners. -6. This doctrine of the divine operations, furnishes abundant occasion for prayer and praise.-7. Never forget that, though the great God, by the influence of his Spirit, is the sovereign Agent in our conversion, edification, and all the good that is produced, yet he makes use of various means to ef fect his purpose. 8. That, so far from the influences of the Holy Spirit on the mind of man being reasons of indolence on the one hand, or discouragement on the other, that they are represented in Scripture as encouragements to exert ourselves, in order to our fruitful ness and comfort."

These are useful and important remarks, ably proved from Scripture, and concisely amplified by the

author; and shews us the use that
can and ought to be made of those
doctrines of grace, on the belief of
which our happiness and salvation
depend.

Reflections on the Resurrection and
Ascension of Christ, and of the
probable Consequences of a public
Exhibition of his Ascension. By
J. Bigland. Svo. 25. 6d.

THE well-known Thomas Paine,
among many futile objections to
Christianity, laid particular stress
upon the private manner in which
our Lord arose from the dead, and
on his appearing only to his own
disciples afterward. The ascension
of Christ, he thinks, ought to have
been as public as that of a balloon,
&c. This objection, which others
have more cursorily answered, Mr.
Bigland (whom we understand to
be a layman) takes up, and, consi-
dering it in all its bearings, shews,
that such a public exhibition was
by no means necessary to prove the
event; and that it would have
added little or nothing to the histo-
rical evidence we now possess; nor
would it have contributed to silence
the cavils of infidelity. Mr. Big-
land writes with much temper and
good sense; his reasoning is close,
and his language nervous. Though
the above is the leading topic of
his pamphlet, it is not the only
one; he suggests many things to
strengthen the general evidences of
Christianity; and the reader will
meet with more novelty and enter-
tainment than is usual in travelling
such beaten ground. At the same
time, this writer avoids that severe
and sarcastic language with which
some have treated Deistical objec-
tions. While they have answered
"a fool according to his folly, lest he
should be wise in his own conceit,"
Mr. Bigland has adopted the other
maxim of the wise man,
swer NOT a fool according to his folly,
lest thou be like unto him.”

"An

Upon the whole, we cannot but recommend this pamphlet, as well to young persons who wish to be well-grounded in the evidences of their faith, as to others, whose minds have been perplexed with doubts and difficulties on the subject,

The London Apprentice, or the Life and Death of N. Butler, who was executed in Cheapside for the Murder of his Fellow Apprentice; with an Account of the Three Conferences which Sir R. Titchbourn, Lord Mayor of London. had with him in Prison. Published by his Lordship's Chaplain, with an Address to the Citizens of London. Recommended by several Eminent Divines; and republished, with an Address to London Apprentices. By the Rev. J. Duncan, LL. D. 12mo. 6d.

DR. DUNCAN, some time since, introduced this pious magistrate to the present age, by the republication of an excellent sermon, which was noticed in our review. The present narrative, which is recommended to our youth in preference to the celebrated George Barnwell, will be found highly interesting and instructive. The Address bears the following great and venerable signatures: Case, Jacomb, Calamy, Doolittle, Watson, Gouge, Manton, Pool, Vincent, Brooks, Caryl, Jackson, Lye, Clarke, Dyer, &c.

Way to Wealth;-List of Bankers; - Poetry, &c. The subsequent pages are the same in both pocketbooks; and contain, besides a complete List of Chapels, &c. judicious abstracts of various branches of science, with a reference to their religious application, under the title of the Circle of Sciences consecrated by the Cross." The articles here introduced are, Anatomy, Astronomy, Botany, Chemistry, Electricity, Galvanism, Geography, Hydrostatics, Magnetism. Mechanics, Optics, Pneumatics, Natural Philo sophy, Theology.

These Diaries are sold in various bindings, from sheep to morocco, at the usual prices of gentlemen's annual pocket-books.

A New Year's Gift for the Children of Charity and Sunday - Schools, by J. Townsend. 12mo. In stiff covers, 3d.

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MR. TOWNSEND is already known to our readers, not only as a minister, but as the author of an excellent volume of sermons on Prayer, Hints in Defence of Sunday Schools, &c. To this little affectionate adChristian Preacher's Diary for dress, are added some short Narra

tives of Children, both by way of

1803. Christian Gentleman and Trades- warning and example.

man's Diary, ditto.

THOUGH We think it quite unnecessary to review the annual publication of religious pocket-books, which are mostly on one plan,-yet, as these are new and original publications, the case materially differs.

Each of these Diaries contains 106 ruled pages for memorandums and accounts; with a text of Scripture for each day. To the former are prefixed, Mr. Eyre's Abstract of Claude's Essay on the Composition of a Sermon; - Extracts from Dr. Doddridge's MS. Lectures on Preaching;-Dates of the Books of the Old and New Testament ; Principles of Grammar and Rhetoric, in Verse; - Brief Chronology, &c. &c.

To the latter are prefixed, the Character of the Christian Gentleman and Tradesman; - Franklin's

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These accounts, if not equally wonderful, are equally pleasing and encouraging with any that have been made public; and the effects of these conversions are stated to be

permanent and abiding. We could give extracts with pleasure; but the smallness of this tract induces us rather to recommend its perusal to our readers.

SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

The Spirit's Work in the Heart the great Witness to the Truth as it is in Jesus. By R. Hawker, D. D. &c. 8vo and samo.

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Apples of Gold for Young Men and Women, and a Crown of Glory for Old Men and Women. By the late Rev. T. Brooks, Author of "Precious Remedies," &c. New Edition, 18mo, 2s. 6d.

The Saint Indeed, or the great Work of a Christian opened and pressed. By the late Rev. }. Flavel. New Edit. 18mo, 15. Gd. A Sermon preached before the Book Society; containing an Historical Account of the Society. J. Rippon, D. D. Evo, 15. Simpson's Plea for Religion, &c. Second Edition, 8vo, 75.

By

WILLIAM WOOD

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Obituary.

DEPARTED this life, July 20, 1852, aged eighty years. He was a very distinguished instance of the wise man's observation: "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." Through a long succession of y fyears, his walk and conversation in the church, and in the world, justly entitled him to the exalted character of an established Christian.

He was born at Farnley, near Leeds, in the year 1722; and at the age of thirty, was first awakened to a discovery of his fallen state by nature, under a sermon preached at the Methodist chapel, in Leeds, from Micah vi. 7. He continued to attend the word of God in that chapel; and growing in love to divine things, discovered his zeal for the promotion of Christian knowledge and experience, by establishing social prayer - meetings, &c. in Wortley, Holbeck, and Leeds. But, his views of the essential doctrines of the gospel not

according with those maintained by that connection, he left it, at the same time with the Rev. Mr. Edwards; at whose death he became a member of the church of which Mr. Parsons is now pastor. Here he continued long a burning and shining light, to the unspeakable joy of many who, through his in. strumentality, were brought to the knowledge and enjoyment of evangelical truths. By his piety and usefulness he reflected a peculiar Justre upon the humble sphere in which he was appointed to move; for he had learnt the pleasing art of being content and happy in his situation.

In his little cot, slothfulness and indifference were not indulged. He had there erected an altar to the

Lord: awoke regularly at four in the morning, and rose at five; unless confined by indisposition. Naturally of a social temper, he sought the company of his Christian friends; and at every interview, would introduce, and frequently enlarge upon some of the sweetest portions of the word of God; and

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