We rejoice that the Lord has enabled us to forward the interests of the society, but acknowledge it is a subject of regret that in taking such a position as upholders of the truth, and openly avowing that our views of God's most holy word, are different to the sentiments commonly received and promulgated by the religious world, we should have to endure the invidious remarks of those who falsely imagine we assume to ourselves more than we have a right to claim; but although our endeavours may be contemned, and the spirit with which we would pursue our design be misinterpreted, we conceive it to be our high privilege and a necessary duty, to maintain that position, believing, we ought particularly to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, remembering, that it is not by the wise or mighty of the earth, that the Lord is pleased to accomplish the everlasting decrees of sovereign grace in the salvation made manifest to the objects of eternal electing love. Rather would we, in common with all the Lord's people, gather encouragement from the dislike of the nominally religious, it being a testimony to us that we are not of the world, for the world heareth us not.

Your committee have to state, that although the increasing success of the society has in some measure been hindered by want of a greater number of new tracts, yet we have the pleasure to report that there have been more tracts dispersed through the medium of your society in the last, than in the former year: 9982 tracts have been sold, and delivered to the subscribers during the past year, which with the 9176 circulated the year preceding, make the whole number issued from your depository from the commencement of your society to amount to 19158.

From the report of the parent society it appears that many auxiliary societies have been established since the formation of the institution, and it is humbly anticipated by your committee that the Lord will manifest his good pleasure in the efforts of the society, by adding a greater number of supporters to the cause. We trust, however, that the society will never, through an unscriptural spirit of accommodation, deviate from the unerring standard of eternal truth, in order to win the approbation of those who know not the Lord; anxious to have the estimation of the called of God alone.

Your committee lament that the increasing infirmities of the Rev. Dr. Hawker, who has so ably and faithfully advocated the constitutional principles of the society, indicate, that the society may ere long be deprived of his services; that the church militant may at no distant period lose the advantage of his continued labours, which through the grace of God, have hitherto so materially promoted the edification of the Lord's Zion. Your committee would adore the goodness of the Lord in making manifest the spirituality of his sentiments by the spirituality of his life, proving thereby that the doctrines maintained by himself, and the society, are not inimical to morality of conduct.

In closing the second report, we would urgently press upon you the necessity of renewed exertion in supporting the cause we have undertaken to espouse, believing as we do, the cause is of God. While VOL. III.-No. 26.

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the Prince of Peace is pleased to manifest his glory in our camps, shall not the shout of a King be among us? It is our privilege to support an institution which interferes with no private judgment in forms of worship non-essential to salvation. It is our happiness that in this society the faithful follower of the Lord, let him be termed a Baptist, Independent, or Churchman, can join hand in hand with others who may not be of the same external fold, and while assisting in giving publicity to the everlasting truths of the gospel, bear mutual testimony of fellowship in, and with, the one Eternal Jehovah, three Persons in the one glorious, co-equal, undivided Trinity!

The following resolutions were then unanimously passed.

1. That we, the friends of truth, connected with this society, sensible of the necessity there is for a zealous regard to the word of God, amidst the manifold inventions of mankind, to evade and suppress the same, do earnestly intreat the subscribers and friends of the Gospel Tract Society to promote as much as possible the interests of the institution; do approve the report now read; and as there will be no report of this auxiliary society printed this year, do recommend that a copy thereof be sent to the committee of the London Society.

2. That we are desirous of attributing to the eternal Jehovah, the glory due unto him for the benefit arising to his people in the dissemination of truth through the various channels of the Gospel Tract Society, and while ascribing to him alone the praise, would implore his continued blessing upon the united endeavours of the called and faithful, in their attempts to promote the edification of the church of God through the medium thereof.

3. That we acknowledge the exertions of the committee in support of the cause; resolve that five pounds be sent to the parent society as a donation; that 3000 tracts be placed at the disposal of the committees of the past and present years for gratuitous distribution, in order to render greater publicity to the operations of the society; that in future the anniversary be on the second Thursday in April.

The Rev. W. Nunn having then addressed the meeting on behalf of himself and coadjutors, and a hymn being sung, offered up a prayer. The meeting then concluded with impressions of christian benevolence and fellowship, mutually prevailing throughout the assembly, which was considerably larger than on the preceding anniversary. W. NUNN, Sec.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Dr. HAWKER'S WORKS.-On Saturday, the 10th Inst. will appear, No. I. of a handsome uniform edition of the Works of the Rev. ROBERT HAWKER, D.D. Vicar of Charles, Plymouth; to be published in Numbers every Saturday, price 6d. each. A few copies will be printed on Royal paper, price 1s. each.-Prospectus containing the conditions of publication, &c. may be had (gratis) of the Publisher, E. PALMER, 18, Paternoster Row, and of all booksellers.

The REV. SAMUEL EYLES PIERCE has in course of publication, a cor. rected and considerably enlarged edition of his 'FORMS OF PRAYER,' which will be published in a few weeks.

REVIEW.

Babylon and Infidelity foredoomed of God; a Discourse on the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse, which relate to these latter times, and until the second Advent. By the Rev. E. Irving, Minister of the Caledonian Church, London. 2 vols. 1826. Whittaker.

THE writings of this popular minister, on the prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse, are worthy the closest attention, by those whose minds are directed to a scriptural view of the government of Jehovah in the church and in the world. His powerful mind has taken in the vast survey, nor shrunk from the numerous obstacles which multiplied before him, and which have deterred many of his predecessors, or caused them grossly to err, in the same pursuit. The present state of the church of Rome, and the alarming strides the demon of infidelity is making over our highly-privileged land, call forth the solemn consideration of all who fear the Lord, and demand, by every argument that weighs on the spiritual mind, the exercise of uncompromising faithfulness and unceasing watchfulness. But, be it borne in memory by our readers, that by the rapid march of infidelity we do not, we cannot, allude exclusively to the despicable band whose exertions are employed in this metropolis, for the dissemination of profaneness and blasphemy. For when we come to note Mr. Irving on the subject, we shall be found fully to coincide with his views on the march of INTELLECT, as connected with the present spread of infidel delusion; though we may not approve his system as a whole.

While the signs of the times forebode an issue widely differing from the anticipations of the religious world in general, it behoves the enquirer humbly and prayerfully to seek information from the holy records, that he be not tost to and fro by every wind of doctrine, nor driven without helm or compass on the turbulent sea of conflicting opinions. Probably very few of the Lord's people enter deeply into a consideration of the prophecies concerning these, the latter days of the church, and, consequently, by neglect of the momentous predictions against "the mother of harlots," and "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit," they cast a closer veil of mystery over the Lord's word than the inspired penmen were instructed to do. But, surely, the voice of God at the present juncture is unusually commanding, and louder than ten thousand thunders," urges his people to the contemplation of his marvellous doings and designs!

It is a circumstance requiring our highest admiration, that the faithful Guardian of the church hath at various periods in her history, sent forth his servants who understand and interpret, by the wisdom he alone furnisheth," the parables and dark sayings of old." This

has been, and we rejoice in the thought, continues to be a distinct and an invaluable part of the divine administration. For among other unrevealed, and it may be, never to be fully revealed advantages, resulting from an elucidation of the obscure predictions of holy writ, this is not of small moment,—that thereby the faithful, who are earnestly looking out for the appearing of the Lord, are kept continually and with strong confidence on their watch-tower, each one with exulting triumph prepared to exclaim on the dawning of his auspicious approach, BEHOLD HE COMETH ! And himself

hath said, in allusion to his second advent, when he shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe:-and he hath said it for the consolation of all who are called, and chosen, and faithful,'-Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants!

But we must return to our author. The two volumes are very conveniently divided into various parts, under the following heads: the introduction-the opening of the subject-the papal period-the judgments of the papacy which have come-the scheme of the Apocalypse-the six vials-the judgments of the papacy which are still to come the progress of the infidel power the battle of Armageddon-the sign of Christ's coming fulfilled-the improvement to the British nation.

The spirit and design of the publication are well traced by the writer in his preface, from which we make but one short extract, as we want all the space that can be spared for quotations from the body of the work. Mr. Irving with great faithfulness toward his brethren in the ministry observes :

"Furthermore, believing as I do, all the things which are written in this discourse, I cannot conclude the preface without entreating my brethren in the ministry of the church of Christ, to take it into their most serious and solemn consideration, whether these things are so; for the agreement on these matters, among the interpreters of prophecy, is now sufficient to have made out a case to the most sceptical; and if the approach of our Lord be so near at hand; if, of his kingdom, the first thirty-three years have already been running their unobserved course, and preparing the way for the great event of his appearing; holding out to us all the signs of his coming; what manner of servants are we? what manner of stewards of his house, if we be found careless ourselves, and careless in admonishing his flock? The years of omen are nearly at an end, and the day of his coming approacheth: blessed is he that watcheth."

It would have afforded great pleasure to ourselves, and, we are persuaded, to many of our readers who may not have the greater advantage of perusing the work, did we prepare an analysis of the whole of this powerful writer's system and argument; but to do Mr. Irving, justice would supply matter too voluminous for our

narrow limits. We must be content to direct attention to those passages which more particularly attracted our attention on the perusal.

The following bold and nervous appeal, on noting the tremendous havoc of the rival powers, papacy and infidelity, obtains our decided approbation :

“ At present there is a rest, during which the spirit of infidelity is playing its part most successfully, and hath obtained the mastery of every thing but the tyrant thrones, and the superstitious altars, for which the terrible contest is about to be holden. The whole science of Europe serveth infidelity. I know not one name of note, who is not a trust-worthy champion of his. The whole philosophy of Europe serveth infidelity; for there is no philosophy but the philosophy of expediency. The whole morality of Europe serveth infidelity, which is also grounded only upon utility. The spirit of freedom and liberty, which is smouldering beneath her thrones and governments, ready to toss them on high, and shiver them to atoms, serveth infidelity, and hath no end but to destroy that which is established having no longer any reverence for constitutional charters, or royal promises, it is crying deep in its breast, raze it! raze it! away with them! The spirit of the reformed religion over Europe serveth infidelity; for it hath set aside faith in the scriptures, and builds upon the common sense or reason of mankind, and were better to acknowledge Paine's Age of Reason, than the gospel, for its standards. The spirit of poetry in Germany, where alone any powerful poetry exists, hath bowed to infidelity in the two bright and potent stars of Goethe and Schiller; and our Byron is becoming the poetical idol of foreign nations; and all over Europe, from Russia to the Isles of Greece, and from the Isles of Greece to the rock of Lisbon, our Bentham, the apostle of expediency, hath the upper hand of the lawgivers. And what is left I know not, but that these, the chief and sovereign influencers of the destinies of men, religion, morality, philosophy, science, poetry, and law, who have joined themselves to infidelity, should dispense and disseminate their proclamations to the body of the people; which now they are doing, by the wonderful extension of education, and circulation of the scriptures; for as satan can convert himself into an angel of light, he will use the scriptures also, to show the people the monstrous superstition; and, when the people have seen it, and signify the same by any audible voice, or sensible sign, then the superstition will lay upon them its heavy hand, and lash them into madness. Oh! who, that hath an eye to behold the signs and causes of events, can fail to observe what a storm is brewing in the heavens, is ready to burst over all the earth!"

"Seeing what I see at home, and hearing what I hear, and knowing what I know, I conceive far more powerfully than I can describe how it must be in those foreign parts which have none of the restraining forces, and reclaiming graces, and meliorating influences of our blessed land. The noisome sore is spreading again over all the men of the earth, and is about to run in blood. I dread its effusion even among ourselves. I fear not for the church which Christ hath planted amongst us, whose gates are adamant, and her walls fire. But for our nation 1 not a little fear, lest she should also go down under the evil influence of this horrible star, which is to rule the bloody ascendant of the bloody time. They positively laugh you to scorn for propounding any other ground or basis of human action, or political government, than utility; and I have lived to hear the statesmen of this protestant nation declare, in the hearing of those walls where heretofore the religious liberties of the land were established by two centuries of debate, that "there is little or no difference in creeds,"