FEMALE BENEVOLENCE EXEMPLIFIED. (Extracted from Mr. Jay's Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Berry.) SHE promoted no less than three charitable Institutions in her own neighbourhood, and was Secretary to them all. On giving up her books, her countenance was a true index of her mind. When the different ladies were retired, she exclaimed Blessed be God for this. I should not have liked my husband or children to have been reproached with unprincipled or inaccurate accounts. Religion is with me a sacred cause, and concern for its honour in every thing, little or great, a sacred duty. Indeed, there is nothing about religion little, because it all regards God. She examined all her papers, destroying those she did not wish to have preserved, and neatly folding up all the rest. An inventory of all the household furniture, and of all the children's apparel, was written and given to her husband. She had cut with her own hand, and laid by in the order in which it was to be used, work for her dear little girl for 12 months to come; but how am I going on! Yet I have much more I wish to notice. Her prudence was pre-eminent. She seemed intuitively to perceive all the proprieties of action. This quality is to be chiefly noticed in her as the wife of a minister. This I have always considered as one of the most difficult spheres for a female to fill up properly; but she filled it up without censure and without envy. She had no heralds to carry and bring news respecting households and individuals;-she had no familiars into whose possession she completely put herself; though she had her select friends, they were chosen after slow and judicious observation; and, in all her intercourse even with them, remembering her peculiar relation, she maintained a degree of dignified reserve. Often, when sounded respecting the characters or actions of others, she would say You forget that I am a minister's wife; she may tell her husband what she thinks and hears, but she must only tell his flock what is calculated to promote their peace.' She never embroiled her husband in ecclesiastical contests; never urged him to look abroad after a more popular sphere; never stimulated him to exact more prerogative; never made him discontented by intimations that the respect shewn him was not equal to his claims.' JUVENILE DEPARTMENT. TOO LATE! 6 ABOUT two years ago, a pious young man was called to visit an aged person (between seventy and eighty) who was dangerously ill. He found him sitting in an armed chair, supported by pillows. My first enquiry,' says he, was into the state of his mind; which I found to be very dark and ignorant. I endeavoured, in my poor way, to direct him to Jesus, as the way to salvation, and as the perishing sinner's only Friend. I exhorted him also to prayer; earnestly intreating him to suffer no delay in this most important concern. For a few minutes, he listened with serious attention till, all at once, he burst out into a flood of tears, and exclaimed with a loud voice,-Ah! my young friend, had I thought on these things thirty or forty years ago, what a happy man might I now have been: but now (wringing his hands) IT IS TOO LATE! Hell must be my portion for ever!' These words made an impression on my mind, which, I think, will never be erased; and should their insertion in your valuable work produce, by the power of the Holy Spirit, a good effect on the mind of any one of your numerous readers, we shall have cause to rejoice in the heavenly world, that a soul was saved, before it was TOO LATE.' · JUVENIS. MRS. HUBERT. DIED on Monday, the 19th of November 1810, at the house of her son-in-law, Mr. Thomas Cundy, of Pimlico, aged 81, Mrs. Hannah Hubert, relict of the late Mr. Henry Hubert, of Westminster, whom she survived 38 years; and in that long period, lived to see a large family of nine children comfortably settled around her in London; as also several of her grandchildren, the number of whom born amounted to 83, of whom 55 now survive her, as do eight of her great-grandchildren. Mrs. Hubert was born at Mousham, near Chelmsford, in Essex, Oct. 3, 1729, and married in April 1755. After spending 17 years of uninterrupted happiness with an amiable partner, God saw fit to take him home November 25, 1772. She was early taught of God; and possessed an uncommon firm ness of mind, which, under sanctifying influence, enabled her to trust in the name of the Lord,' who supported her thro' all the chequered scenes of her subsequent life. Her constant care was to inculcate on the minds of her offspring the truths contained in God's holy word; and many times she has been heard to praise God for his kindness in permitting her to live to see her family professing themselves a seed to serve him. Some years after the decease of her husband she suffered a severe attack of the pleurisy, the effects of which remained on her, in some degree, to the day of her death. She enjoyed a serene and happy state of mind, and free from much bodily pain, till six days previous to her demise, when her old malady seized her with great force, and an inflammation, terminating in mortification, put a period to her life; but perhaps she may be said to have glorified her God more in this furnace of affliction, by her patience and resignation,than in her long well spent life. In the course of this painful trial she was reminded by one of her children, that the God who brought the martyrs to the stake and through the fire, could bring her through the valley of the shadow of death, and not suffer the waters to overflow her ;-she ex claimed, with great confidence, I know he will It was also observed to her, it was a mercy that her affairs for eternity were settled, and her interest secured; she replied, If it were not so, it would now be too late.' The pain of body was so very extreme, that she could not attend either to reading or prayer; and the intervals of ease were so short, that it was distressing to her to converse with her dear children, who surrounded her dying bed;-but being reminded that she knew most of the Scriptures by heart, she replied, with thanks to God, that she could then ponder over them. · O (said she) afflictions are not joyous, but grievous; altho' they last but for a moment, and work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' Within two days she was so overpowered with pain that convulsive fits came on; yet at intervals she was heard in feeble accents praying for her children; at other times quoting passages of Scrip · ture. Her agony seemed to make her rather impatient, as she said, Why are thy chariot-wheels so long in coming?' but this was immediately followed with a petition, that the Lord would forgive her impatience, and grant her resignation to his will. Her last whisper was, ' Lord Jesus receive my spirit.' She expired without a struggle or a sigh in the. midst of her affectionate children. Her remains were deposited in St. John's Burial Ground, Westminster, attended by her nine children, three of her sons-in-law, and by a long train of her grandchildren and relatives. It is Eighty-six persons are now living out of the 114 who may call this venerable woman their mother, including wives and husbands of her children and grandchildren. remarkable that all her nine children were alive at the time of her decease; so that no death happened in her family for 38 years; and that although the youngest is 37, they were not so dispersed but that they could meet at their parent's funeral. REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. A Defence of Modern Calvinism: containing an Examination of the Bishop of Lincoln's Work, entilled a Refutation of Calvinism. By Ed. Williams, D. D. 8vo, 12s. Ir is pleasing to contemplate the diversity of holy and valuable talents with which the everlasting Spirit has, in all ages, replenished the church :—a well-adapted sufficiency, without material defect; and a rich profusion, without waste. The varying circumstances, habits, and mental tastes of men, are suited from the heavenly treasures of wisdom and knowledge; truth is placed in new lights, and shines with a fresh and more pleasing Justre; the exigencies of the church are supplied; and the cause of Christ is strengthened and advanced. These thoughts are excited by the perusal of the work which we now introduce to our readers, in comparison with the volumes of the venerable Mr. Scott on the same topic. The common subject of both is the same, and the sentiments of the learned and pious authors on almost all points of minor explication remarkably coineide: and yet it is scarcely possible to conceive of two books more different in the plan and method of execution. Each has its appropriate character and excellence: and not only is there no semblance of rivalship, but neither can one be considered as superseding the other. Mr. Scott follows his adversary through all the dark meanderings of ignorance and presumptious dogmatism, and, with the meekness of wisdom, holds them up in detail to the light of truth. Dr. Williams, with the same liberality and meekness, first confers a generous boon on the Bishop of Lincoln, by collecting his disorderly paragraphs and incoherent assertions, into a Fucid method and then he pours forth the energies of his comprehensive mind, his profound and accurate, knowledge of divinity, and his forcible logic, upon the strength of his adversary when marshailed : to the best advantage. In the undeviating amiableness of their manner, spirit and both these authors furnish a rare model of controversial writing: and if the Bishop has any sense of justice, or feelings of gratitude, as we trust he has, he cannot avoid being sensible of deep obligations to his kind and merciful antagonists. The close method in which Dr. Williams has composed this work, gives him, no doubt, great advantages in respect of perspicuity, conciseness, and conclusiveness. The book is divided into seven chapters, each of which is again distributed into sections; and the plan, briefly detailed, is as follows: Chap. I. II. and III. An Examination of the Bishop's avowed Sentiments on the subjects of Original Sin, Free-Will, the Operations of the Holy Spirit, Regeneration, Justification, Faith, Good Works, Redemption, and Predestination. Chap. IV. Sentiments ascribed by his Lordship to Calvinists, which are not applicable to them; being either things which belong to no existing sect of Christians, or adduced in a sense notoriously disowned by Calvinists, or which are totally foreign to Calvinism and peculiar to other sects. In Chap. V. His Lordship's quotations from the Fathers are examined. Of these, some arc shewn to be perfectly irrelevant to the points in question, others to militate against the Bishop's own principles; some to be doubtful in expression but not in meaning, and others to be grossly unscriptural, both in language and sentiment. - Chap. VI. An Inquiry into the Grounds of the Inconsistencies apparent in the Bishop's avowed sentiments, and in his quotations from the Fathers. In this chapter the author calls forth his great powers of mind to most important exercise. Those who are delighted with close thinking, luminous exposi tion of abstruse and perplexed subjects, and masterly argumentation, will find them here. In Sect. i, the Bishop is convicted of loose, inconsistent, and sometimes absurd, application of the Terms which denote the chief ideas in the whole controversy; such as Power, Ability, Cause, Salvation, Election, &c. On this species of sophism (for the employment of which the infidel Tindal was pre-eminent) Dr. W. well remarks: While men consider themselves privileged to use equivocal terms in an undefined sense, instead of candid controversy, for the purpose of investigating and ascertaining truth (its legitimate end) their contest will invariably degenerate into unprofit able and irritating logomachy. Were theologians and writers on moral science to imitate the laudable example of mathematicians and judicious writers on natural philosophy, by fixing either unequivocal or defined terms to specific ideas, their lucubrations would be far more honourable to themselves, and useful to the public.' P. 478. Sect. ii. That the Bishop assumes certain principles as the grounds of the obligation of man to comply with the will of his Maker; which are demonstrably false, or flatly inconsistent, or destructive of all rational religion, by subverting the very nature of a divine moral goverument. Sect. iii. The Bishop's very unreasonable and unscriptural notions respecting the supremacy and prerogative of God, are exposed and confuted and it is shewn that God, in the exercise of his sovereign prerogative, is no respecter of persons; that, without its exercise, the salvation of a sinful creature would be a hopeless and impossible case; and that its exercise, while the source of holiness and happiness to all the saved, is injurious to no part of the intelligent creation. Sect. iv. The wrong notions which the Bishop assumes, and which widely prevail, on the primary sources of virtue and vice, are subjected to examination. Sect. v. It is shewn, that, from a want of acquaintance with reconciling and harmonizing principles in theological science, the Bishop entangles himself in endless inconsistencies: such as confounding physical powers and moral pro Cottage Poems; by the Rev. Patrick Brontë, B. A. Minister of Heartshead cum Clifton, near Leeds, Yorkshire. 3s. 6d. WE are always happy to see evangelical writers devote their talents to the poor. A thousand Cottages have received wise and salutary instruction from the tracts of Mrs. More :-instruction which seasonably and with considerable effect, antidoted the most pestiferous sentiments, both in politics and religion. Since the happy effect of Sunday and Lancasterian Schools, and other charitable institutions of a similar nature, in giving to the children of the poor the elements of knowledge, tracts, essays, magazines, and sermons adapted to the condition and capacities of the poor, have been read with pleasure and improvement, we trust the day is not far distant when the paternal wish of our venerable king will be accomplished: That every poor child in his empire will be able to read his Bible. The author before us, has pressed sweet poesy' into this important service. He writes, he tells us, for the lower classes of society; - and for their convenience he has endeavoured not to burden his subject with matter; and, as much as he well could, has aimed at simplicity, plainness, and perspicuity, both in manner and style. His subjects are twelve in number;-six of which, viz. The Happy Cottagers, - The Rainbow, The Irish Cabin, The Cottage Maid, —-Epistle to the labouring Poor,-and the Cottager's Hymn,-relate immediately to his design; To shew (the poor) that he who would be · truly happy must be truly religious.' On rural and cottage scenes he is quite at home and must have taken some of his pictures from real life. His sentiments are evangelical and his poetry interesting. He often unites the feeling of Burns with the piety of Cowper. Our readers must be contented with a short specimen or two in his epistle to the labouring poor. All you who turn the sturdy soil, "Attend, and gather richest spoil To soothe your care The happy cottagers are a poor old man, who survives all his family except a pious daughter. The aged man with tears Spoke of the lovely maid, How earnestly she strove To lend her father aid." And as he ran her praises o'er, She gently ope'd the cottage door. With vegetable store, the table soon she spread, And press'd me to partake, whilst blushes, rosy red Suffus'd her face. The old man smil'd, Well pleased to see His darling child. With venerable air he then look'd up to God, A blessing crav'd on all, and on our daily food; Then kindly begg'd I wou'd excuse Much as we approve of the author's design and of its execution, we think the book will be found too dear for the poor. If the Irish Cabin, and some others of a similar nature, were reprinted and circulated as cheap tracts, they would far more extensively accomplish the pious author's intention. Scripture History, in 12 Parts. 3s.bd. small volume altogether. The work appears to be written by a person well acquainted with the scriptures and the instruction of youth, particularly in Sunday Schools; and the author has taken pains to adapt it to their capacities, and to refer on every part of the History to the authority of the Scriptures. We can therefore safely recommend this work to Sunday Schools, and to young people in general. The History of the Holy Bible, in easy Verse, with occasional Notes. By J. Fellows. New edit. 2 vols. 24mo, with 104 Cuts. 10s. IT is, perhaps, the greatest advantage of Rhyme that it makes a strong impression on the memory of young persons; for which reason Verse has been so often made the vehicle of Religious Instruction; and the impression of the facts of Sacred History is certainly made much stronger by the aid of Cuts, when those are well executed, as is certainly the case in these little volumes. With respect to the Poetry, though it has not the elegance and ease of Cowper, it is generally superior to works of this kind; and these are passages of superior merit. Upon the whole, we think it an elegant and pleasing present to young people who are fond of poetry. Emblems, Divine and Moral. By F. Quarles. 24mo. 79 Cuts. 6s. QUARLES, and his poetry, are too well known in the religious world to need our encomium. His sentiments are evangelical, and his poetry is full of points of wit. The present edition is beautifully printed by Whittingham, and embellished with very pretty engravings on wood, in the same manner as the preceding article. Patriarchal Times; or, The Land of Canaan: a Figurative History, in Seven Books. Comprizing Interesting Events, Incidents, and Characters, founded on the Holy Scriptures. By Miss O'Keeffe. In Two Vols. 12mo. 93. THIS work is on a scale somewhat smaller than Dr. Watts's, and is in the narrative, instead of the catechetical form; but its peculiar feature is, that it is divided into 12 parts, each containing a distinct portion of history, which may be given separately; and will form a lumes has employed her fertile in THE Authoress of these vo |