tion to us all that we hold to be implied in the name and character of God. "It is possible, that without the voluntary interposition of the Son of God, this world would have been lost; and that it would not have been consistent with the inscrutable counsels of Divine Wisdom, with the essential attributes of the Divine nature, with the relations in which we may stand to the rest of God's spiritual creation, and with the effect to be produced throughout the various classes of intelligence, that it should have been saved and restored to immortality, without this magnanimous humiliation, this heroic condescension of that exalted Spirit."-P. 289. own Freely as we have animadverted upon these Sermons, we cannot drop this Review without expressing our respect for the author, and our hope that his volume will attract public attention, and particularly in Ireland. We are not wicked, we hope; but we confess that we should like to see Dr. Bruce called out into the field of controversy by the "orthodox" of his "island of saints." Theological warfare is necessary to make logical, critical and, in the true sense, sound divines; and nothing but this appears to us to be wanted to rouse the Protestants and Presbyterians of Ireland from the apathy, which, with regard to political as well as religious questions, has, with some fitful exceptions in the former point of view, prevailed in that country, and proved its bane. TH ART. III-A Letter addressed to the King, by Thomas Thrush, on Resigning his Commission as a Captain in the Royal Navy, on the Ground of the Unlawfulness of War. 8vo. pp. 32. Harding. 1825. THIS is in every point of view an interesting letter. The writer is actuated by pure Christian motives, and proves his sincerity by making large sacrifices for the sake of conscience. We enter not into his argument against all war, as well defensive as offensive, grounded upon phecies of the Old Testament and the precepts of the New; our object being merely to exhibit to our readers this singular case of Christian integrity. The writer is known to our readers as an able advocate for Unitarianism; and we may be permitted to add that the pro his conduct in resigning his popular and gainful profession gives weight to his declaration of faith in a reformed system of Christianity. His Letter is as respectful to the High Personage to whom it is addressed as the rules of courtesy can be conceived to require. He thus relates his conversion to a pacific creed : "With much zeal and sincerity I entered into the Naval Service of your Majesty's revered father, and swore allegiance to him. This allegiance is now, of course, due to your Majesty as his lawful successor. When I entered into this solemn contract, I entertained no apprehension that I was acting in opposition to the principles of the Christian religion; nor did any apprehension of this kind ever arise in my mind during the time I was actively employed in the service of my country. Nay, so far from suspecting that I was departing from Christian rectitude, it appeared to me almost certain, if I should lose my life in the service of my king and my country, that this would serve as a kind of passport to the favour and acceptance of God. This opinion, ministers of the Gospel of Peace, as well which has been frequently inculcated by as by Pagan writers, is, I believe, generally entertained by those who think at all when they enter the naval or military profession. "Those, Sire, who live much in the world are imperceptibly led to think, and act, upon the principles of those with whom they associate. Though, in the busy scenes of naval service, I never enirreconcilable with the religion of Christ; tertained an idea of my profession being tirement bordering on seclusion; and yet, after passing several years in a reafter more closely inspecting the Christian precepts, and reviewing my past life, it appears to me that while I have been serving my king and my country, if not brilliantly, yet faithfully, I have been - acting in open disobedience to the plain and positive commands of another and a superior Master,-a Master whose claims upon my allegiance are prior, and paramount, to those of your Majesty, or of any earthly sovereign."-Pp. 7, 8. "When the first impressions, Sire, were formed in my mind concerning the unlawfulness of Christians entering into or remaining in the military profession, I cannot exactly recollect. To my shame, seriously on the subject till within the may, I believe, say that I never thought last four years. Whenever I heard feelings of disapprobation expressed concerning war, I was led to regard them, as Bishop Horsley did, as a species of puri tanical cant; so fully was I satisfied that war, and consequently my profession, was perfectly consonant with the precepts of Christianity. About the time I have mentioned, owing to circumstances which I need not state, I began to entertain doubts on this subject. These doubts gradually gained strength; aud early in the year 1822 I came to the resolution to investigate the subject more closely than I had hitherto done; and if, after such investigation, it should appear to me that my profession was irreconcilable with the precepts of Christ, I determined to resign my naval rank and halfpay, although I placed a high value upon the former, and the latter forms a large portion of very limited income; and I was thereby subjecting myself, and not myself alone, to a very considerable change in my mode of living, and this at an advanced period of life, when its comforts and conveniences are most wanted. "To take a step so highly important to me in many points of view, but particularly in a religious one, upon the first impression of my mind, would have been highly improper; for even the best informed persons frequently change their opinions, and see the same transaction in different points of view at different periods of time. From the very novel nature of the act I contemplated, I thought it possible that this might happen to myself; and that, in my ardour to do what I deemed an act of religious duty, I might hastily take a step of which I might hereafter see just cause to repent, and when repentance could not avail me. I was also aware, that what I proposed doing, being so much at variance with established custom, might be attributed to vanity, or an affectation of singularity -motives by which, as far as I know myself, I have never been greatly influenced. Added to these cousiderations, I felt much difficulty as to the manner in which I should withdraw myself from my profession. It appeared to me, (though it may savour of vanity thus to express myself,) that the measure I contemplated was one of very great importance both in a political and religious point of view. "Under these perplexing circumstances, I came to the resolution to retain my half-pay three years longer, should my life be so long spared, and to dedicate that time to serious inquiry on a subject constantly pressing upon my mind. This delay I considered as likely to cure me of any false notions that either ignorauce, fanaticism, or vanity might generate. It has, Sire, pleased the Divine Disposer of events to grant me these years; and I hope they have not been passed unprofitably. After every inquiry and consi. deration on one of the most important subjects that can occupy the human mind, as far as my abilities and opportunities have enabled me, and after frequent and earnest prayer to that Being who alone has power over the minds of men, that I might do nothing dishonourable to Christianity nor injurious to society, I have seen no reason to regret the resolution I then formed. Some may blame me, and with seeming justice, for taking so long a time for consideration, on what I now speak of as so very clear a point. I do not, however, regret this delay, as it has effectually convinced me that I have acted not only from pure motives, but also on correct principles; and I feel the fullest confidence that I shall never repent of the step that conscience has dictated. This delay has also enabled me to correct the false views I have entertained till within the last twelve months concerning what is called defensive war. On this subject I have, indeed, changed my opinions."-Pp. 24-26. "The moment a man sells himself to his sovereign, or to his country, for the purpose of human destruction, he loses caste (if I may be allowed the expression) as a Christian. He forfeits that liberty, that freedom to think, to speak, and to act, ou moral and religious principles, which, as a Christian, it is his privilege, as well as his duty, to maintain. "If a subject may be permitted to make the remark, your Majesty appears to entertain opinions similar to these. In confirming the sentence of a Court Martial held on a foreign station on two officers for disobedience of orders, your Majesty most justly observes, that "IF RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES WERE ALLOWED TO BE URGED BY INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS AS A PLEA FOR DISOBEDIENCE OF ORDERS, THE DISCIPLINE OF THE ARMY WOULD SUSTAIN -AN INJURY WHICH MIGHT BE DANGEROUS TO THE STATE.' Surely, Sire, this is equivalent to saying that men who are imbued with RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES, or Christians, are unfit for the military service. Of the justice of your Majesty's remark, or of the equity of the sentence of the Court, no one conversant in military discipline can entertain a doubt. Thinking men, who believe that their professional duty interferes with their duty to God, ought not to halt between two opinions."-Pp. 9, 10. We have room for only another passage on the political consequences of the predicted universal diffusion of the gospel, in its moral spirit and power: "When Christians, Sire, shall subdue the anti-christian spirit of ambition, of resistance, and revenge,—or, in the words of St. James, those lusts from whence wars arise,-aud, instead of emulating the heroes of antiquity, to which the present course of education propels them, they shall take Jesus Christ for their pattern: when, like him, men shall think it more honourable to submit with patience to a blow, than to return it with interest-when men shall prefer the approbation of God, to the admiration of their fellow-men; or, in a word, when they become Christians :-then will they beat their swords into ploughshares; and nation will not rise up against nation, neither will they learn war any more.' This, Sire, is the language of prophecy; and in the application of it, and of the precepts of Jesus, I trust that I have spoken forth the words of truth and soberness.'”-P. 30. POETRY. STANZAS OCCASIONED BY THE EXECUTION OF GENERAL RIEGO. Ungrateful Spain! Riego's gone Can lives like his be given in vain ? The last of Spaniards, died for Spain?- Forget, forgive, a realm undone, The stranger's sword, the vassal's chain ! But no, wrong'd land! it cannot be→ Thou wert not made the clime for slaves : Or proudly rest in freemen's graves. What though along their lovely land The venal Gaul his steed has driven, To bind again with ruthless hand Her chains, for one bright moment riven ? A thousand scenes to glory given, Riego's gone-and Spain once more The right to wrong the world of God:- On God's free world to scourge it trod : The blood that stains a despot's rod ! شت It was, I believe, C. Cassius, who was called Ultimus Romanorum. Crediton. As die the brave, Riego died→ With freedoin's martyrs lives his name;- And Wallace met the tree of shame :- Riego's sword is broke but not In future fields of happier war: His praise shall wake the sweet guitar. Were they not pil'd to fence the free? Of woes and wrongs for years to be?— HYMN OF MARY MAGDALENE. These lines are founded on the supposition, that, previously to her acquaintance with our Lord, Mary Magdalene had been an erring woman. They contain only allusions to the Jewish Scriptures, with which she might have been familiar, and to the discourses of our Lord, many of which she had heard. These four lines are allusive to the appearance of Esther in the presence of Ahasuerus. VOL. XX. 2 R Crediton. Never more in pleasures idle Light my steps and cheer my way! POETICAL VERSION OF A PASSAGE FROM MILTON'S PROSE. COME, therefore, Thou who holdest the seven stars In Thy right hand, appoint Thy chosen priests, As order'd and appointed in old time, To minister to Thee, and duly dress To this great end, and stirred their hallow'd vows, Art standing at the door. Come forth, come forth, Imperial. Take Thy glorious sceptre now; A. OBITUARY. 1825. March 26, Mr. THOMAS BIGGIN GASKELL, aged 28, at the house of his father, Roger Gaskell, Esq., of Warrington. This excellent young man inherited from his mother a pulmonary complaint, and although deprived of the benefit of her valuable instructious, as she died when he was only nine months old, his mind was a transcript of his amiable and pious mother's. His constitution received a cruel shock, about a year ago, which considerably impaired his health. He appeared, however, gradually to recover; and in November he removed to Glasgow in order to attend some of the College Lectures, having passed a session there in the winter of 1820. It is presumed the climate of Scotland was too bleak for his delicate frame. He took a severe cold soon after he was settled in Glasgow, |
