Imatges de pàgina
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coming the inheritance of the Son of God, and the uttermost parts of the earth have long been his possession. Some Bel or Nebo of idolatry is daily compelled to bow down at the rising of the Sun of Righteousness, and to stoop his proud forehead to the very dust at the procla

mation of the gospel. The many corruptions that have so long impeded the march of Christian truth, are giving way before the influence of extended inquiry; and as the vain traditions of men pass on, one after another, to that grave of oblivion from which they shall experience no resurrection, the pure Christian religion continues gradually to assume in the eyes of men that form of heavenly beauty and splendour by which it shall finally captivate all minds, and establish its righteous dominion in every heart.”—Pp. 27, 28.

The preacher concludes this unpretending, but interesting and excellent sermon, with modestly stating the ground of the Christian duty which he recommends:

"Persuaded that, in the course of Divine Providence, it has fallen to our lot, owing to the wise dispensations of God, and not to any merit of our own, to be favoured with more correct views of Christian truth than generally prevail, we shall feel that we are discharging at once a duty of piety and a duty of benevolence, when we unite to employ our utmost means for diffusing this truth and its attendant blessings."-Pp. 32.

We cannot dismiss our brief notice of Mr. Acton's sermon without ex

pressing the conviction which we have felt in perusing it, that in the new and important charge which, in the course of Providence, he has been called to undertake, that of one of the ministers of the respectable Unitarian congregation at Exeter, he will be eminently useful in maintaining and promoting the cause of Christian truth.

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congregations in the celebrating of that truly Christian, but too much neglected rite, have long been a desideratum among Unitarians; and the body is, we think, obliged to Mr. Fullagar, for having endeavoured to supply this deficiency. For the observance of this institution, Mr. F. appears to be a strenuous advocate. In his Preface he says,

"It is possible, that, without being aware of it, I may attach more than proper importance to it, from my feeling, what some may regard, an undue preference for revelation over natural religion. The more I reflect on the subject, the more am I convinced that the admirers of the latter owe their knowledge of the Deity, and of human duty and expectations, almost entirely to the former. The natural man receiveth not the` things of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually_dis

cerned."

The Addresses contain a great variety of sentiment and remark. Suitable prayers are subjoined to them, breathing a highly devotional spirit, and also hymns, which are judiciously selected. We certainly would recomties among us, where recourse is fremend this publication to those sociequently had to lay-preachers; for we see no reason why such persons should not administer the ordinance, and we do not know that we can urge upon forcibly than by the description of it, congregations to attend to it more contained in the third service:

"This ordinance recalls to our minds all that Jesus did, all that he suffered for us, and thereby tends to awaken our grato fix our obedience to his precepts. In titude, to fan our love, and consequently, sitting around this board we appear not like the Corinthians, to drink or to riot

to excess: we come not like the Catho lic to partake of a wafer disgraced by priestly mummery: we are not come to not come to weaken our minds by mysindulge our lusts or our palate: we are tery, or to make our appearance here our passport to worldly emolument : neither do we come, as some of our Dissent

ing brethren, with the idea that the individual brought to our minds by this ordinance was ordained to receive the weight of the vengeance of an infuriated We come, as Unitarians, to dwell for a God, hurled against our devoted heads. while in grateful meditation on the love of our heavenly Father, who remembered

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us in our low estate, and sent into a sphere of public action, Jesus, to call sinners to repentance, to urge them to be at peace with their offended Creator. We come to celebrate, the love of Jesus, who for us men and for our sal vation endured the cross and despised the shame, that he might open the king

dom of heaven to all believers. It was

for us, that, according to the purpose of Infinite Wisdom, not indeed always clearly to be understood by us, his forehead was mangled with thorns, his body was pierced with the spear; it was for us that innocence was oppressed by cruelty and in famy, and suffered in agony on the cross. While, then, our supreme gratitude is due to that Being who laid the wondrous plan which was to issue in bringing many sons unto glory, from the depths of sin and woe; let us not withhold our gratitude from him who endured every suffering and every privation, to accomplish the errand of mercy on which he was sent. As often then as we are enabled to partake of this ordinance, let us repair with pensive pleasure to the feast; and

while we recall to our minds the dread abyss from which we have been rescued by Jesus; while we think on the glory which he has set before us, and contemplate the means for our progress and security on our Christian journey to wards the eternal city of habitation, lets our hearts be expanded wide with affectionate emotions towards our leader,"

We fully agree with the author of this tract, that love to Christ ought to be the principle of union with Christians around their Master's ta ble; an union which should not be interrupted by difference on doctrinal or speculative subjects; which difference of sentiment, or a supposed mystery belonging to the ordinance, keeps nine-tenths of our congregations from communicating.

C.

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like a master-key which fits all wards, able to reconcile the flattest contradictions, we should imagine that the argument in this discourse could not be withstood. The preacher in the first part of it, argues the inferiority of Jesus to the Supreme Being, from the title Father, which our Lord applies to God, and in the course of his reasoning we meet with this animated passage:

"Not only has our Lord not assumed the title and the attributes of God, he hath here shewn, and in other places expressly declared, that his FATHER was the ONLY TRUE GOD. To him he was always obedient, to him he gave thanks continually, to him he taught his disciples to address themselves, and to him he prayed frequently before the performance of miracles; so cautious was he that the by-standers should not rest their regards on him, but carry them beyond himself, the feeble instrument of good, to the Giver of every good, and of every perfect gift. This, said he, is life eternal, to know-what? Me in all my attributes, the God of nature, the appointer of Moses, the Redeemer of Israel, now incarcerated in flesh, having left my seat of glory vacant, and the affairs of the uni verse to take their chance?-No,-but to know THEE, the only TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom THOU HAST SENT.",

Mr. F. then notices the objects of Christ's mission, the salvation of man, the revelation of a future judgment, the perfecting of himself through suffering, for the office of judge, and the upholding of his Father's honour; which last particular the preacher considers is done by our book societies, the members of one of which he was addressing: and after urging the members to go on in their good work, he hopes he may without offence, earnestly request his fair countrywomen to second the endeavours of the other which they have some peculiar to sex, by seizing every opportunity, of themselves, of advancing the sacred cause. "Theirs," he remarks, "is the custody and care of the infant mind; theirs it is to turn, by winning accents, the sternest hearts in alliance with them. Let them not lose these

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ornaments, can be betrayed by their countenancing religious meetings with their presence, not the temple, but wherever they may be holden."

from all further practice, and pass the remainder of his days in entire seclusion from society.

"Thus were the worldly prospects of his family suddenly clouded, and all their flattering anticipations of the future for ever destroyed." (Pp. xvii. xviii. of Prefatory Remarks.)

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friends of the late Dr. Underwood, and more especially those in the profession, who are acquainted with the estimable works which he published on the Diseases and Disorders of Children,' &c., 98 will feel an interest in the case of his widowed daughter, who now stands in human life. Dr. Underwood, who need of the benevolent exertions of her had been many years a surgeons friends. She is in her fiftieth year, and "having," as his biographer informs is borne down by an accumulation of us," changed his line of practice, troubles, arising partly from the loss of and evinced great skill as Physician-l relatives and friends, and partly from serious mental debility, which frequently Accoucheur, gradually rose to emi- incapacitates her for the humble and nence in that department, and was so precarious employment of needle-work, fortunate as to enjoy the friendship of in which she is at other times engaged. the late Dr. Warren, who, shortly Thus reduced, she has at length conafter the marriage of H. R. H. the sented to make an appeal to the liberality Prince of Wales (now George IV.) of her friends, and humbly to solicit kindly introduced him at Carlton their kind support of the publication now House, on which he received the high projected which she hopes will enable appointment of Physician to the Pring her to raise a small sum to provide her V with a few comforts in the decline of cess of Wales, and in January, had the honour of presiding as A coucheur, at the birth of the much lamented Princess Charlotte,

"Having been brought thus conspicuously into notice, his practice rapidly increased in the higher circles of the metropolis, and the road to wealth was opened before him with all its allurements. og 10 "While thus basking in the sunshine of prosperity, an accumulation of domestic afflictions, excited a high degree of nervous irritation, which, acting on a frame naturally weak, produced a dreadful depression of spirits; he imagined himself incapa ble of discharging the arduous duties of his profession; and in the year ear 1801, resolved to withdraw himself

life. The situation, of the applicant is the more painful to her feelings from the recollection of those enjoyments, and even indulgences, which, in the plenitude ness to ether's fame, she had the happibar abo 10

The work before us shews that Dr. Underwood, whether depressed by feelings of despondency or animated by joyous sentiments, whether subjected to the trials of adversity or the still more dangerous trials of prosperity, was a man of sincere and deep piety. His creed was highly Calvinistic, but the inconsistencies which appear in various passages prove the difficulty of keeping an ingenuous of system, mi b'aior ba mind completely under the trammels Prabuere,914 F Dorm surge of b'rq-l vigues bsd or 77 anco onge baA wa god as done wil

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POETRY.

LINES,

By the late Dr. John Aikin, to Mr. Wakefield on his Liberation from Prison, with Mr. Wakefield's Reply.

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[From Memoir of John Aikin, M. D. By Lucy Aikin. 2 Vols. 8vo. 1823. Vol. I. sad vid to show pp. 236-238.]

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1 38 5 TO GILBERT WAKEFIELD, A. B.

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usbow Pure light of learning, soul of generous mould, feh erestory Ardent in Truth's great cause, erect and free, bswubi eid to Welcome, O welcome! from thy prison gloom,do&f 07.qq To open air and sunshine, to those boonsgotouboni au Which Nature sheds profuse, while tyrant Man,malo stil 1 baste "Drest in his brief authority," and stern do 19 of d to error In all the little jealousy of pow'r, boo719bu II 1.1894 Restricts the bounty of a Father's hand, Boitelo And scants a Brother's bliss.

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VASTS need b. : 'tis o'er, as nived Beol 9d And social friendship and domestic love quil eid bexasdo ying Shall pour their healing balm; while conscious worth boonivs b. namper With noble scorn repels the sland'rous charger, A DE idm That brands imprudence with the stamp of guiltab tad of 990Meantime disdain not, learned as thou art, vojas of ER G To scan this world's great lesson: high-raised hopes 918! ** Of Justice seated on the throne of Pow'r to samem sdr 19: Of bright Astrea's reign reviv'd, and Peace, vou) esle to son:17 aoist With heavenly Truth and Virtue by her side, bubonylbrid dens lliw Uniting nations in a band of love, da bovine out abide nogen !! obivor Have faded all to air; and nought remainstay to onion sailosh But that dire law of force, whose iron sway of bas este W 10 & insoulgas The sons of men through every blood-stain'd agenda. mort eau Has ruled reluctant. When that sage benign, id edt 18 Tudor so 8109 The Man of Nazareth, preach'd his gentle law, 9h bat Cisl And listening crowds drank honey from his tongue niva gad sdy When Mars, Bellona, and the savage rout ton otni vispense... Of Gods impure and vengeful, shrunk to shades, hostni pljes 41 sada aw And rescued Man adored a common Siren iloguer ad

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Who could refrain to hail the blessed time ad bonago un dili « Of swords to sickles turn'd, of general good 12 1979 Pour'd in full streams through all the human tribes, how soon 43 10 in And shared alike by all? But ah ! how

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The glorious prospect darken'd! When the cross abusol. de 79 16 ob bna 51 Gleam'd direful 'mid the host of Constantine, And took the eagle's place-when mitred priests Mimick'd the flamen in his mystic pomp, utbsarba And proudly bent around a despot's thrones ont Then, whilst the name at Antioch first rever'd porgsdnsib to Ran conquering thro' the world, it lost its sense, or id And join'd in monstrous league with all the crimes o That force, and fraud, and lawless lust of sway

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Inspir'd to plague mankind. Then, Gospel-rules

Were held an empty letter; and the grave
And specious commentator well could prove
That such an holy, humble, peaceful law
Was never meant for empire. Thus relaps'd,
The human brute resumed his native form,
And prey'd again on carnage.

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Cease then, my Friend, thy generous, hopeless aim,
Nor to unfeeling Folly yield again

Her darling sight, of Genius turn'd to scorn,
And Virtue pining in the cell of guilt.

Desert no more the Muse: unfold the stores

Of fertile Greece and Latium; free each gem

From the dark crust that shrowds its beauteous beams,
And fair present them to th' admiring eye
Arranged in kindred lustre. Take serene
The tranquil blessings that thy lot affords,

And in the soothing voice of friendship drown

The groans, and shouts, and triumphs of the world.
TO JOHN AIKIN, M. D.

Next to that first of comforts to the soul,

The plaudit of a conscience self-approv❜d, ' vol
AIKIN! I deem the gratulation sweet

Of sympathising friendship, and a Muse
Terse, uncorrupt, ingenuous, bold and free;

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A Muse from whom nor titled grandeur bribes, yo
Nor pamper'd wealth, a sacrificial strain.

Hence, with sensations bland of conscious pride
I feel the manna of thy tuneful tongue

Drop medicinal influence on my breast,
Ruffled, not torn, by Persecution's blast.
Thus, after chilling frost, morn's genial ray
Invigorates, cheers, expands, the shrivell'd flower:
Thus the broad mountain flings his cooling shade
O'er the faint pilgrim in a thirsty land.
Oh! may thy friend, as in the noon of life,
Responsive to the calls of Truth and Man,
Self in benevolence absorb'd and lost,
Thro' the short remnant of his closing day,
With brave defiance, or with calm disdain,
Front the grim visage of despotic power,
Lawless, self-will'd, fierce, merciless, corrupt;
Nor, 'midst the applauses of the wise and good
Lose the fond greetings of a Muse like thine!

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10 CL

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LINES, ** ** 90

On reading some Poetry by a Young Lady, now no more.

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Before the touch of the Autumn's breath
The fairest leaves are the first to fall;
And before the blight of the breeze of death,
Bright spirits wither the first of all.
Green and fresh as the spirit may seem,
No evergreen bore the graceful leaf;
And the life of the lov'd is a golden dream,
From which the sleeper awakes to grief.
Yet, Oh, let us think, while with tears we see
The young heart droop to an early grave,
That it falls like the bloom from Eden's tree,
In "the pearly waters" of bliss to lave.
Sweet spirit! from scenes of care and pain
Thou hast flown to the beautiful bowers above,
Where the loving shall meet the lov'd again,

And dwell with the God whose name is Love.

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