volting expressions would be found. We cannot, also, but animadvert on the bald and degrading style in which the Bishop translates the neat and terse Latin of Calvin: it is such as would deserve castigation in a school-boy. Surely, it would not have been inconsistent with Mr. S.'s meekness and tenderness, to have exposed this delinquency; especially as it is sometimes connected with real unfairness of construction. For example, in page 543 of his Lordship's book, is an extract from Calvin's Institutes, lib. iii. cap. xxiv. sec. 12. On this Mr. S. remarks: unreservedly give up some expressions in this quotation to his Lordship's reprehension. Now, had Mr. S. compared the passage as quoted with the section in the original, he would have found it unfairly rendered, and garbled by the omission of whole periods material to the sense; so that, if he had not seen reason wholly to rescue the passage from his Lordship's reprehension, which we really think an upright judge might do, he must have observed that the rebuke proceeded upon ex parte and corrupt statements.

ings, and freely expresses his dis-
sent from such expressions as appear
to be unauthorized by Scripture.
Neither Augustine nor Calvin had
been tutored to exactness, after the
manner in which moderns are, by
passing through the ordeal of con-
troversialists and reviewers of all
descriptions.' Vol. ii. p. 633. It is
gratifying to hear his lordship al-
Low Calvin to have been a man of
piety: but a man of piety could
never intend to ascribe to the glori-
ous God a decree which he consi-
dered as horrible, in a moral point
of view, and implying any thing
contrary to perfect justice and
goodness; and it is much easier
to say that Calvin's attachment, to
his system was blind,' than to re-
fute that system. Probably, Calvin
spent more years in studying the
Scriptures, with constant prayer for
the promised teaching of the Holy
Spirit, than many who exclaim
against him and his doctrine have
done months, nay weeks. To select
passages in a measure exception-
able from such copious works as
those of Calvin, may not be very
difficult; but to follow him in his
train of argument, from one end to
the other, even of one of them,
and satisfactorily to answer him,
Hic labor, hoc opus est. Vol, ii. 530.
On this part of the subject, jus-
tice requires us to make one or two
remarks. In so voluminous a writer
as Calvin; and, considering the age
in which he lived, and the Hercu-
lean labours of his not very long
life, it is certainly remarkable that
so few unguarded and objectionable
passages have been discovered by
the acuteness and industry of his
adversaries, in the course of 250
years; and these are chiefly in a
work he composed before he was
27 years of age. Surely, it is reason
able that against these should be
set his many thousand pages, rich
in masterly thought and diction,
strong reasoning, just criticism, and
PRACTICAL PIETY. How few writ-
ers are there whose works, if inade
to pass through such an ordeal,
would furnish proportionably so,
little matter to gratify envy and
malignity! In the writings, for
instance, of LUTHER, we fear that
a larger number of rash and re-

I must

Did our limits allow, we could fill many pages with valuable and useful citations; but the plan of the Evangelical Magazine obliges us to be sparing in that respect. We doubt not that many of our readers will attentively peruse the work itself; and they will find it a rich feast.

We trust it will not be deemed disrespectful, or savouring of partyfondness, if we observe, that Mr. S. has attributed that judicious and sober Calvinism which he so ably defends, too exclusively, to the evangelical clergy. We assure him that the majority of Calvinistic dissenters, so far as our opportunities of observation have extended, are not discordant from his views, except, perhaps, on the mode of stating the extent of Redemption: and it is particularly owing to the writings of the most distinguisheddissenting divines (Charnock, Edwards, Witherspoon, &c.) that those views have been presented in a clear and convincing manner.

includes valuable directions respecting the conduct of a church to their minister.

of his early Life and subsequent Character. By Joseph Fletcher, A. M. Price 18. 6d.

THE occasion on which this discourse was delivered, was peculiarly distressing and impressive. Only a short time had elapsed since the author delivered the funeral

In a Note subjoined to this discourse, the preacher descends to some minutiæ, rarely mentioned, but not unimportant. With regard to the duty of deacons, he says, may I be allowed to suggest two things:-1, The propriety of keep-oration over the grave of the ing distinct accounts. The voiuntary subscriptions,' as they are commonly termed, belong to the minister; and as he casts his eye on the page of the book in which they are arranged, he has an opportunity of knowing his friends. The collections at the sacraments, and on some other extraordinary services, are appropriated to the poor. There are other periods (either monthly or quarterly) when a gathering is made for the secular expences which remain. Surely, all these accounts should not be blended together, as I know they are in too many places; the frequent consequence of which is, that both the minister and the poor are robbed of their righteous dues. 2, I would recommend regularity in the payment of the minister's salary. To withhold it, or to retail it in dribblets, after it is receiv ed, is it not to violate the law?

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.'

The Last Enemy destroyed: a Sermon preached at New Windsor Chapel, near Manchester, Nov. 10, 1811, on the Death of the Rev. George Phillips, A. M. with an Appendix, containing an Account

amiable and lamented Spencer; and on that mournful occasion his attached friend, Mr. Geo. Phillips, stood at his side. How soon has this valuable young minister also been called away from a station of high importance (for which he was eminently qualified) to rest from his labours! The biographical sketch which Mr. F. has given us, is interesting in no small degree, as it exhibits the outlines of a character distinguished by much that is great and much that is good.. The discourse itself is entitled also to our warm commendation. It is founded on 1 Cor. xv. 26, and indicates a mind elevated by the feryour of religious feeling, cultivated by the pursuits of literature, and alive to the refined and exquisite endearments of Christian friendship.

6

LITERARY NOTICES.

MR. Cox, of Hackney, will publish in a few days his Sermon on Apostacy, preached before the Baptist Association, London. Mr. Moseley is about to publish the Second Part of his new Token —--A new edition of Brown's Catechism, and a plan for grafting Religious Instruction on the Lancastrian method of Education,

SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS
Lectures on Miracles. By W. B.
Collyer, D. D. 8vo, 12s.

Butterworth's Concordance. New edition, by Dr. A. Clarke 8vo, 15s,

Defence of Modern Calvinism, in Answer to the Bishop of Lincoln. By E. Williams, D. D. 8vo, 12s.

The Christian Reader's Guide. Part I, 8vo,

The Preacher's Manual (See the Coyer) 12mo, 3s. 6d.

On the Discouragements and Supports of the Christian Minister. A Discourse delivered to the Rev. J. Robertson. By R. Hall. 2s.

PUBLICATIONS.

The Dreadful Sin of Suicide. A Sermon at Dr. Winter's, by G. Clay

ton. 2s.

The Deity of the Saviour the Riches of Christianity. A Sermon at Reading. By R. Davies, D.D. 1s. 6d.

An Oration on the Perverse Imitation of the Old Economy. By J. H. Verschuir. Translated by J. Birt. 12mo, Is.

Quarles's Emblems, new edition, 2 vols. 24mo, by Whittingham, with many Cuts.

6s.

Proceedings of the Norfolk and Suffolk Bible Societies. 1s.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

AFRICA.

A VERY interesting letter has been received by the Directors from their venerable Missionary, Dr. Vanderkemp, who, with a zeal unchilled by advancing age, it appears has, in all probability, embarked ere this, on a Mission to our newly acquired conquest, the Island of Madagascar; and with such a concurrence of favourable circumstances as would induce the hope that his way thither was marked by the finger of God.

The Doctor thus expresses himself, in a letter from Cape Town under the date of October 31: The morning of yesterday a forded us abundant materials both for thanksgiving and prayer. Brother Pacalt arrived from Bethelsdorp with Verhoogd and the young Caffree Captain, Tjaatzoe, fully determined to proceed with me by the first opportunity to Madagascar. The same moment I received two letters, one from Mr. Bird, the Colonial Secretary, informing me that the new Governor, Sir John Craddock, would forward my views, and those of my associates, in proceeding to Madagascar by such means as might be in his power, whenever I should have decided upon carrying the projected Mission to that island into execution :-the other from brother Thompson, at the Isle of France, containing interesting news of Madagascar; that he got at Bourbon a Catechism in the Madagascar language, with a Latin translation: that he had not yet seen Governor Farquhar; but his Secretary informed him that His Excellency was very desirous that a Mission should be established in Madagascar; and would not only give a free passage to the island, but presents for the Chiefs. The Madagascar Tongue, it appears, is a corruption of the Arabic; and the letters of the Catechism were Arabic characters.

ISLE OF FRANCE.

A LETTER has been received from Mr. Thompson, dated Oct. 9, 1811; from which we present our readers with the following extract: By letters and my journal, which I left at the Cape to be forwarded to England, I judge you are acquainted with the reasons that induced me to take this circuitous route to India. I left the shores of Africa Aug. 29, in the brig Charles, with all the expressions of affection which it was possible for friendship and piety to produce. My parting with the soldiers, and with the venerable Dr. Vanderkemp and his amiable colleague, Mr. Reed, was very trying. I arrived here on the 5th inst. after a very unpleasant passage, from the violence of the weather, which was most tremendous. At times our vessel was literally covered with the waves. Till we made the Isle of Bourbon we had nothing but gales; and were so much out of our reckoning as to come to leeward of that Island, when we supposed we were to windward of this. I went on shore at the Isle of Bourbon, and was carried through the surf on the beach, by some Madagascar slaves. "No man careth for my soul!" appears written on every forehead. In no one did I see the least appearance of religion, except in a native of India, who, as we returned to the beach to go on board, in a most graceful manner, begged to be excused from assisting us to the boat, pointing to his turban, to indicate that his religion forbade him to work on that day. Our captain, to try him, offered him a great present; but without avail. Shame on many professors of Christianity!

-

Having a letter of introduction to the Secretary of Government, I waited on him, and was received very kindly. He expressed himself particularly desirous of establishing a Mission at Madagascar; and had collected many interesting particulars, preparatory to publication, with a Grammar and Dictionary of the anguage. He kindly furnished me with an abridged Catechism in the Madagascar language, with a Latin Translation. They use the Arabic characters; and the language partakes very

much of the Arabic. A Mahomedan Mission from Arabia, on the north of the island, extended its influence both on their religion and language to the south. On my arrival at this place I was sorry to find that Governor Farquhar was indisposed, and out of town. The agents to whom the vessel was consigned, kindly offered me accommodations. My first night was sadly disturbed by the muskitoes; and, on the second day (the Sabbath) I was shocked to see all the shops open, the negroes at work, and the market crowded. The place used by the French Catholics for a church is a store-house, which was given to them by the Government. The former church was a noble building; but when the revolutionary phrenzy arrived from France, the people, frantic to manifest their liberation from all former shackles, temporal and spiritual, demolished the church, but have left the walls standing as a monument of their folly. At the further end of the store is a picture of the Virgin, an altar, crucifix, wax candles, and artificial flowers. The priest, in pontificals, was performing mass to a very small and inattentive congregation. From this specimen of the Roman Church I do not wonder that infidelity is the result. How remote from the simplicity of the Gospel! Our troops are without a chaplain. Business, I was glad to find, was not transacted at the Government offices. In the evening tout le monde parade in the Champ de Mars, the heat of the day being found oppressive. In the course of the day I called on a French family, whom I found at cards.

On the road I entered into conversation with a Madagascar slave: he was torn from his parents when young, and had been baptized in the Roman Church: a privilege not granted to them in general, unless at the point of death. He spoke with affection of the Virgin Mary: I endeavoured to explain to him the principles of Christianity.

Hitherto I have enjoyed good health, and have been remarkably favoured by the leadings of Providence.- Putting in for a few hours at Bourbon I do not consider of small importance, as it may lead to the setting on foot Dr. Vanderkemp's long intended Mission to Madagascar.

The

A LETTER has been received from the Rev. Mr. Wray, dated Demarara, Dec. 26, 1811. He had a good voyage, of only five weeks, from England (whither he had been for a few months, on business relating to the mission) and found his family well. On the passage the Russia Company, the vessel in which he sailed, fell in with a SLAVE SHIP, which had brought from the coast of Africa One Hundred Slaves; ten of whom had died, and were thrown over board. Three of the whites were also dead; the captain was ill, the whole appearance of the vessel miserable, and in so leaky a state that it was thought she could scarcely reach land. captain pretending he was a Spaniard, and bound to Cuba, hoisted Spanish colours; but there was every reason to think he was an Englishman, or an American, and was smuggling the slaves into some American port. Mr. Wray mentions, that when the mate went on board the slave.ship, two of the poor negroes, supposing probably that he was come to release them, lifted up their shackled hands and exclaimed, 0 King George! King George! The ship, however, was suffered to proceed with her miserable and unlawful cargo, either to perish in the waves, or to be sold in the market like beasts! May the almighty God of mercy interpose, to put an entire period to these horrible acts of oppression!

MR. BLOOMFIELD, a Missionary, on his way to Malta, &c. writes, that he arrived in the Bay of Gibraltar, December 4, and expected to pursue his voyage on the 9th. He visited the Methodist Minister there, who preaches in a chapel recently built. It is remarkable, that a Catholic gave 607. towards the building; and several Jews also contributed! A few Arabic Testaments were lately distributed when the above minister was at Ceuta. If that place should continue to be garrisoned by the English, it will afford a favourable opportunity for the distribution of Testaments and Tracts in the Arabic language.