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Art. XIII. Paris, during the Interesting Month of July, 1815. A Series of Letters addressed to a Friend in London. By W. D. Fellowes, Esq. 8vo. pp. v. 165. Price 7s. 6d. Gale and Fenner,

1815.

THE attraction of this volume consists in four plates: the first contains the profiles of His Most Christian Majesty, Monsieur, the Duke and Dutchess d'Angouleme, and the Duke de Berri. The likenesses are, we believe, accurate. We cannot speak so favourably of the vignette portrait of Buonaparte. It may be faithfully engraved from the miniature original, but it does not convey the character which is expressed, by the eyes and mouth especially, in the best portraits of the Usurper. The other engravings are, coloured prints of a grenadier, and of a Mameluke of the Imperial Guard.

Art. XIV. 1. The Claims of London on the Zeal of Christians: a Sermon, in behalf of the London Association, for extending the Knowledge of the Gospel in the Metropolis. By James Bennett. Svo. pp. 45. Price 1s. Conder. 1815.

2. A Sermon preached April 9, 1815. On Occasion of the Death of Joshua Walker, Esq. of Clifton, near Rotherham, Yorkshire, the Beneficent Treasurer of the Rotherham Independent College. By James Bennett, Theological Tutor of the College. Svo. pp. 34. Price 1s. Conder. 1815.

3. The Influences of the Holy Spirit explained and defended: a Sermon. Preached at Wakefield, Yorkshire, Sept. 20, 1815, before the Southern Association for the Diffusion of the Gospel. By James Bennett, of Rotherham. Svo. pp. 46. Price 1s. Williams and Son, &c. 1815.

THESE publications have no other connexion with each

other, than as proceeding from the same Author, whose productions, in general, deserve to be distinguished amid the vast number of occasional sermons that are daily issuing from the press. Of these it is scarcely possible for us to notice more than an inconsiderable proportion: our selection may, therefore, seem arbitrary, when it is only restricted. It is seldom that a single sermon can be supposed to interest beyond the sphere of private intimacy. It may serve to perpetuate the effect, which, on delivery, it produced on the minds of the audience; it may form a memorial of personal attachment, or it may answer the purpose of advertising a laudable institution: but the novelty which constistutes the charm of other ephemeral publications, less deserving of attention, is neither to be expected nor desired in a composition intended for the pulpit. The limits to which the Author is confined, are insufficient for the development of any subject; and the occasion is seldom important enough to excite a man to put

forth the utmost strength of his faculties. On this account, wo think that the average character of the sermons that issue from the press, must be allowed to be very respectable, as they are for the most part only fair specimens of the usual weekly exertions of the stated minister.

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The first of these sermons is, however, entitled to particular attention, from the subject to which it relates; namely, the religious wants, and the peculiar claims of the metropolis, arising from the immense increase of its population, unattended with the increase of the means of instruction. So lamentably great is the deficiency, that it is calculated that the places of worship of every description within the city, even were they filled to the utmost, would not contain a third of the inhabitants; and if such be the deficiency of mere church room,' adds Mr. Bennett, what must be the want of evangelical instruction?' pressed by the unwise and culpable neglect which has existed in reference to this important object, a few benevolent individuals have formed themselves into an association for the purpose of introducing the preaching of the Gospel into those parts of the metropolis and its vicinity, where it appears to be most needed, and to open suitable places for that purpose.' The various topics connected with the subject, on which the preacher very freely and pointedly animadverts, claim the serious consideration of the religious public, especially of the London dissenting ministers; but they do not fall under our discussion.

Mr. Bennett has chosen for his text, in his discourse on the Influences of the Spirit, 1 Cor. xii. 3. "No man can say that "Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." He justly remarks, in illustrating the practical influence of the doctrine,

that

It is wise in those who reject the influences of the Spirit, to abstain from attempts to convert the heathen. The castes of the Hindoos, the barbarism of Hottentots, and the prejudices of the Chinese, are insuperable but by Divine power.'

Art. XV. Christian Courtesy. A Sermon delivered at a Monthly Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches in con'nexion with the Old College, Homerton, at Dr. Collyer's Meeting House, Peckham, April 6, 1815. By James Knight. 8vo. pp. 32. Price 1s. 6d. Conder. 1815.

SIMPLICITY and terseness of style sometimes bordering upon quaintness, practical wisdom, and energy of feeling, characterize this Sermon. We think it particularly calculated for usefulness. The subject is one of a class which receive too little attention, in proportion to their importance, because reputation does not depend upon them. No splendour of achievement

attaches to the performance of these silent duties, nor is the validity of a person's claim to the Christian character, absolutely nullified by a neglect of them. They are left, therefore, to the consistent, the humble, and the sincere, whose aim is to adorn the doctrine of their Saviour in all things.

In comparing the politeness of men of the world, with that of the Christian, Mr. Knight remarks that the former is still but ⚫ an improved manufacture of art,' the latter, the genuine fruit of nature-the new nature:' he adds, the functions of life 'will always be distinguished by inimitable ease.'

The professed disciples of Jesus, are "a spectacle to the world." Many eyes are upon us. I would have the men of the world to know that we are not ashamed of our Gosp, but that we are ashamed of not a few who profess that Gospel; ashamed of their notorious want of conformity to Him whose name they bear; ashamed of a temper and behaviour, which remind one of the dragon rather than of the dove-of the characteristic qualities of the wolf or the bear, rather than of the gentleness and meekness of the LAMB of GOD. But, even in this lamented class of professors, the Scriptures are fulfilled. (2 Tim. iii. 1-6.) "This turns for a testimony" to the faithful followers of the Lamb; and should not be an occasion of stumbling to the men of the world.'

Mr. Knight's address to ministers and students is peculiarly striking.

The spiritual overseer must be a person of well-adjusted, (or shall I say?) of ornamental manners. (Kojo, 1 Tim. iii. 2.) A want of courtesy is a manifest and gross incongruity in a minister of the Gospel. The Gospel is a message of peace and reconciliation. It should be our concern to shew the world that the real minister of Jesus Christ is neither a cringing levite, (Judges vii. 10.) nor an assuming priest; that he is neither a contemptible gossip, nor an unsociable, speculating recluse; neither a rude enthusiast, nor a faithless, time serving flatterer.' In our public ministry there should be an humble imitation of the very manner of Christ.' But let us beware, in the pulpit especially, of that courtesy, which Christ neither exercised himself, nor will ever approve in any of his servants. Have we been setting forth the character and end of the wicked? Let us not conclude with an unrestricted intimation to a promiscuous assembly, that we are persuaded better things of them, and things which accom"pany salvation, though we thus speak.

Art. XVI. The Power of God in the Soul of Man; a Sermon, preached at Masbro', near Rotherham, and published by Request. By Joseph Gilbert. 8vo. pp. 34. Price 1s. 6d. Conder. 1815.

THIS may properly be called a disquisition, in the form of a

Sermon, on the inefficiency of moral inducements to produce a saving change in the soul of man, and on the necessity of the

sovereign exertion of a Divine power working within us, to regenerate the heart.

Mr. Gilbert insists on this Divine power-as limited in its objects; it being a fact as awful as it is indubitable,' that a part of mankind remain without the circuit of its holy energy;'-aş necessary to salvation, but not necessary to accountability :its exercise forms part of the great scheme of redemption; it is an object for which we should humbly pray and believingly wait.' Though we cannot control its sovereignty,' adds the preacher, yet we may be assured of its operation, if we proceed in a right ' use of means: we can know the influences of this power only by their effects :'-finally, these changes are not instantaneously, but gradually developed.'

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Mr. Gilbert illustrates the eminence' of this Divine Power; and concludes by deducing from the subject the important practical inferences which it involves. The style both of thought and of composition, which is sustained throughout this Sermon, entitles it to be classed much higher than the fugitive productions of pulpit oratory.

Art XVII. Report of the British and Foreign School Society, 1815, with an Appendix, &c. 8vo. pp. 96. price 2s. (gratis to Subscri bers.) Longman and Co. Royal Free School, Borough-road. OUR readers will not suppose that we liave selected this article as the subject of criticism. Not that Reports of the progress of beneficent Institutions are, in our judgement, either above or below the standard of compositions; but, that the objects to which they relate, are usually of so great moral importance, as to render critical investigation comparatively futile. The Report before us is one of peculiar interest: it regards no less a subject than the education of the human race, without any limitation but that to which the Society, formed to promote this purpose, is restricted by the extreme disproportion of its fund!

By expressing ourselves so briefly and so broadly on this occasion, we apprehend that a just idea of the magnitude and necessity of the case may best be conveyed; but, provided this impression be produced, we shall willingly allow every drawback that fact or reason may demand, without fear of neutralizing the effect. We will first admit Education to include much more than the best school can impart; next, that very much which may be acquired at schools, cannot be attempted by any plan of so extensive application as that of the Society to which we now refer; and lastly, that this plan may not only be still capable of essential improvement, but that it may lie open to serious and candid objections, not merely in its present stage,

but perhaps in the utmost improvement to which it can be raised. We can hardly conceive that its most determined opponents will claim stronger ground for their disapprobation, than what we have thus conceded; yet, in opposition to all argument drawn from such premises, we maintain that this plan, such as it now is, deserves the applause, and urgently demands the assistance, of every real friend to humanity.

Could the use of letters (independently of the small, but important measure of moral and religious instruction, which is necessarily imparted by the plan of this Society) be made universal to mankind, to what happy results would it not naturally and essentially conduce! To the dawn of illumination which would thus rise on innumerable tribes that now "walk in "darkness, and have no light," may reasonably be added, at least, the partial reformation and proportionate melioration of countless multitudes that are now the burden, if not the pest, of nations which enjoy many advantages of civilization, and even make a general profession of Christianity. And we confess ourselves at a loss to conceive, why so incalculable a benefit might not gradually be extended to the whole human race, provided that adequate support be given to the munificent aims and arduous efforts of the BRITISH and FOREIGN SCHOOL Society.

We do not mean that this Institution alone can be expected to accomplish so vast an object, what assistance soever may be rendered to its exemplary labours. To induce barbarous nations to learn, something of due interest for them to read must be furnished; and they must be persuaded that such a reverse of their inveterate habits, such a restraint of their wild dispositions, are needful to their real welfare. For these indispensable purposes, all the astonishing operations of the British and Foreign Bible Society, all the devotion, enterprise, and patience of Christian Missionaries, are requisite. But, unless to these inestimable labours be superadded a universal and unremitted attention to the rudiments of education, among the rising families of countries hitherto unenlightened, the blaze that is produced, how bright or fervid soever, must be transitory, and ineffectual to general utility.

It is, therefore, not independent of, much less in opposition to, Bible and Missionary Societies, but rather in co-operation and connexion with them, that we consider the British and Foreign School Society as claiming, in the strongest manner possible, the public attention and support. It may usually best attend, or follow the steps of its fraternal-not rival institutions: but it may not seldom be their useful precursor, especially in nations already partially civilized, and bigotedly attached to their established superstitions, whether Mahometan, idolatrous, or of