A Sermon Preached before the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, Feb. 15, 1822, by the Right Rev. William, Lord Bishop of Llandaff; together with the Report of the Society for the Year 1821. 8vo. 4s. Brooks.

THE Incorporated Society for the propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, was originally instituted for the purpose of furnishing the colonial possessions of the crown of England with ministers of the established church." Such is the first sentence of the Report before us: p. 49. Such also is the import of an abstract of the Society's charter, given by King William III. in 1701. The occasion for such an institution is obvious for emigrants, unless expelled by persecution, are of all classes the least likely to maintain any form of religion; and we are not aware that the defect could be supplied by any other existing institution. That object, nevertheless, is so distinct and different from the conversion of heathens to Christianity, that we were startled by its avowal after our attentive perusal of Bishop Van Mildert's sermon, preached before this venerableSociety, which he addresses throughout as a Missionary Institution, and labours to exalt as such by the disparagement of all other associations for the conversion of the heathen.

Such a mode of recommendation is discreditable to any Institution; yet to this step his Lordship has condescended, and proved himself unequal to the task.

We

could hardly have supposed any person to remain so grossly mistaken about modern missions to the heathen as he discovers himself to be. He appears absolutely to imagine, that they are conducted by Socinians, and by others who preach a faith unproductive of good works; and, on these grounds, he earnestly dissuades churchmen from contributing to their support. We cordially agree with him, that if there were such missions, they ought to be discountenancednot indeed by the censures of those who neglect the sa'vation of the heathen, but by the superior zeal and exertion of those who profess a purer faith. We are utterly át a loss to conjecture the occasion of such mistakes as his lordship has committed. He may very easily correct them.

Let him

read the public testimonies, which are continually accumulating, of the practical effects of missions at Sierra Leone, and in the South Sea Islands, where they have become the most conspicuous. "By their fruits ye shall know them." If he finds that the converted Africans or Islanders deny the deity of Christ, or reject his commands, then let him ratify the censure he has passed. If not, let his lordship blush, for having uttered from the pulpit, and the Society for having circulated from the press, what all may ascertain to be a preposterous calumny.

We think his lordship equally mistaken, though more excusable, in opposing the promulgation of the doctrines of the Gospel, til the heathen shall have been convinced

We have

of what is called Natural Religion, and the obligations of the moral law. never heard of Missionaries that did not (like the apostle Paul) avail themselves of the works of creation, to incite heathens to inquiry after the Maker of all; or that did not charge them with offencing Him, by their profligacy and ido atry. But neither they, nor the inspired apostle, waited til the heathen should be convinced of sin, before they proclaimed salvation by grace through faith in Christ, in connexion with repentance towards God. Such, indeed, is found to be the intellectual and moral state of the heathen world, that if it were desirable to bring them to repentance without preaching the Gospel to them, it would appear to be hopeless. Accustomed, from childhood, to the universal practice of theft, murder, and prostitution, and habituated also to notions of spiritual agency, the readiest (if not the only effectual) way to convince them of sin, is to assure them that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and has forbidden these practices. Myriads of the most barbarous of the human ace have thus been brought "under the law to Christ."

It may seem presumptuous to express our opinion, that his lordship has erred in his interpretation of the Scriptures, hardly less than in his views of missions to the heathen. His text is, I Cor. xix. 22. "I am made all things to all men," &c. which he accommodates to the ministry, instead of the manners of the apostle. His lordship supposes

a truth which Peter discovered only by means of a vision, that "in every nation he who feareth God, and worketh righteousness, is accepte by him," to have been understood in every age, and "laid as the ground-work of the whole." p. 18. It is evident, on the contrary, from the connexion of the passage, that the apostle, who had before preached the Gospel only to circumcised persons, then discovered that it was also to be a idressed to persons who had previously renounced idolatry and immorta ity, though they still remained uncircumcised. That it should be preached al o to unreformed heathens (like the gaoler at Philippi) was not at that time understood, neither (from the sermon before us) does it appear to be generally known to this day. But we apprehend the Lord Bishop of Llandaff to have committed a farther, and greater mistake, in representing the apostles as only "disclaiming the necessity of circumcision to the Gentile converts," and especially St. Paul, as "forbidding it to Titus," because "a compliance with it would have offended the heathen." p. 5. How different is this from the motive which the apostle ⚫ himself assigns for his conduct-" that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you!" "Behold, 1 Paul say unto you (Gentiles), that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." "Christ is become of no effect into you, whosoever of you are jus tified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.' Gal. ii. 1-5, ch. v. 1-4. His "compliance with circumcision." instead of "of fending the heathen" converts to whom he wrote, would apparently have gratified them: but instead of disclaiming the necessity of it to them," he prohibits it on the penalty of forfeiting the hope of salvation. How are we to account for such opposition of judgment, between the apostles and those who claim to be their successors?

The Report annexed to the Sermon is embellished and illustrated by neat maps of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, and New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, with the adjacent islands; (the provinces to which clergymen have been sent) and by a perspective view of "Bishop's College at Calcutta, the Missionary Establishment of the incorporated Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign parts." This Society contributed, jointly with others, to the expense of founding the College; it furnishes the salaries of two professors; and it proposes to send thither two Missionaries, and to support ten clerical and ten laical scholarships. To this undertaking (almost the only one of a decided Missionary character in which the Society appears ever to have engaged) we cordially wish the utmost

possible success; and we take encouragement to hope for its usefulness, from the impartiality and judgment which the Society has exercised in its appointment of the professors. To an interesting communication from the Reverend Principal, Mr. Mill, we would recommend the attention of our readers, having already much exceeded our usual limits.

A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of London, at the Visitation in July 1822. By William, Lord Bishop of London. 4to. 1s. 6d. Rivingtons. A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Gloucester, at the Third Visitation f that Diocese in the Year 1622. By Henry Ryder, D. D. Bisop of Gloucester. 4to. 2s. Payne.

THE publication of an episcopal Charge differs so greatly from its delivery, that it may reasonably demand the exercise of candour in the perusal. Its subject and its style must be ecclesiastical. Its auditors are addressed, not according to the diversities of their personal characters, their talents and their general relations, but in common, as discharging the clerical office. Much that is merely external, and that may be of little interest to the public, may be proper, and even indispensable, to a series of triennial addresses. How suitably, notwithstanding, such occasions may be improved to the most important purposes, is evinced by the exordium of the latter of these Charges, the insertion of which can require no apology to our readers.

"The interval of three years has been amply sufficient, in the ordinary course of the administration of Providence and of Grace, for the accomplishment of a momentous change to any individual amongst us, in his state and character, in his hopes or fears of eternity. It has been sufficient to exhibit a considerable moral and reli. gious advancement in the flocks committed to your care; or a proportionate declension of piety, increase of apostasy, and overflowing of ungodliness. It has been sufficient to show how far, under God, your ministry has had a share in the former, or how far (but God forbid!) it has been implicated in the lutter. The interval has been sufficiently long to remove many among those, for whose souls you had to watch and will have to answer, from their scene of trial, and to secure them as witnesses for or against you, at the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ. It has, lastly, been sufficient to withdraw some of our brethren in the diocese from amidst their colleagues,

and perhaps contemporaries, and to summon them from "man's judgment, which is (according to St. Paul) a very small thing," to that judgment of the Lord, which is according to perfect truth; and the sanctions of which are weighty beyond description or conception." P. 5.

This quotation will probably remind our readers of Archbishop Leighton's plea, that, when so many of his brethren preached suitably to the times, he might, for one, be allowed to preach suitably to eternity. We cannot but approve the choice: but we do not, therefore, censure any prelate who deduces, from times like these, motives for diligence and circumspection to the clergy. To this effect, the Bishop of London argues forcibly from the present state of society, in its immediate bearings on religion. His Lordship ascribes the French Revolution to the degree in which the diffusion of knowledge, in that and the neighbouring the countervailing countries, exceeded

powers of religion and morality. So, he considers the state of the papal clergy at the epoch of the Reformation, to have been by no means inferior to that of the preceding centuries: but they had not risen in 'character during the revival of literature, so as to retain, their former superiority to the attainments of the laity. "It is incumbent on us," he adds, p. 12. " to advance with the progress of the times; and every individual should act as if the whole interests of religion depended on his personal character, and the faithful exertion of his powers within his allotted sphere." His Lordship expresses a laudable desire, at the same time, for the general diffusion of education; with a due concern for its subserviency to religious instruction, and a natural anxiety that it should be superintended by the parochial clergy. We doubt, however, whether another topic to which he adverts will not greatly counteract his wishes to promote their respectability and usefulness. He thinks that the alarm excited by some enactments of the Curate's Act has proved altogether groundless. It may be so in his Lordship's diocese; but facts, sufficiently public, have elsewhere demonstrated the reverse. We doubt whether any age or country ever witnessed more flagrant ecclesiastical despotism, than such as has been perpetrated under this sanction, in spite of the strongest, yet humblest, remonstrances from curates, incumbents and parishioners. Under such degradation, how can the clergy continue to be respectable?

The Bishop of Gloucester's Charge forms a profitable sequel to the preceding. Hav. ing, in two former addresses, discussed the

public ministry and offices of the clergy, he presents them with pas oral advice on those kinds of business in which they may be necessarily engaged, or of relaxation which may be expedient for them; enforcing his admonitions by the prospect of eternity and the love of Christ, and recommending to search and meditate on the Scriptures, with prayer for divine guidance, as means of forming and improving dispositions worthy of their calling.

An Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. By Thos. H. Horne, M. A. Illustrated with numerous Maps and FacSimiles, of Biblical MSS. 3d edit. corrected. In 4 large vols. ¿vo. 31. 3s.

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Supplementary Pages to the Second Edition of Mr. Horne's Introduction (with a new 4to. Plate); so ranged as to be inserted in the volumes to which they belong. 8vo. 3s. 6d. Cadell.

WHILE we congratulate the author on the growing popularity of his work, we might also congratulate the public on the unwearied assiduity and singular liberality of the author. The former appears in the numerous and important improvements introduced into the successive editions of his work; and the latter, in the accommodation afforded to his early purchasers, by furnishing them, as far as possible, with his subsequent improvements, on terms so easy as to insure to himself a certain loss.

The laborious nature of this work is, indeed, such as no one can conceive who has not attempted something of the kind; and can only be balanced by its great utility to Biblical students The author having now stated, that it is not his intention to print any "further additions," we may safely recommend this as a standard work; and those who may have purchased the former editions will do well to avail themselves of his liberality in procuring the Supplementary pages, while attainable, as we understand only a very limited number has been printed.

As to these additional pages, they contain answers to some objections against the Scriptures, with illustratious of various passages from very recent authors; critical information as to MS. Versions and Commentaries, sacred antiquities, &c.; and, in the form of an Appendix, a Symbolical Dictionary, which, though very concise, is the best thing of the kind which we have

seen.

Psalmo-Doxologia; a New and complete Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, equally adapted for Public Worship or Private Devotion. Simpkin and Marshall. 12s. half-bound, (and not 10s. 6d. as stated in our last Dec. Mag.)

In the beginning of last year we stated the plan of this work, and expressed our approbation of the specimens we had then seen : we have now the pleasure to state, that the work has been completed according to that plan, in 12 Nos. at Is. each.

The work contains, we understand, 347 tunes, (many of them original or little known) in 282 pages; besides a brief introduction to Psalmody: complete Indexes of the Tunes and Metres, and a Biographical Index of the Authors, which in six full pages, comprizes short notices of above 100 musical composers, from whom tunes are here inserted; including Arne, Arnold, Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Pleyel, &c. besides the authors of the Lock Collection, and other popular psalmodists. The tunes are all adapted for three or four voices, and the chords of thorough bass are expressed in small notes under the melody. We hope this will be found a valuable addition to the stock of hymn tunes, both for the parlour and the chapel, and supersede much of the trash now in use, by the compositions of the above highly celebrated masters. The size of the book agrees with Dr. Rippon's.

A Letter to the Rev. Solomon Hirschel, D. D. Chief Rabbi of the German and Polish Jews in London, from the Rev. G. Hamilton, M A. Rector of Kil. lermogh, 8vo. Is. 6d. Ogle & Co.

THE author shows "that the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is as credible a fact as the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and that the account of the resurrection in the Tract, intitled Toldoth Jesu, is no more worthy of credit than that which Tacitus has given of the Exodus." We cannot doubt that every serious and unprejudiced reader will admit that Mr. H. has fully established these propositions. Our only fear is, that he will not find such readers among the Jews. In reply to all arguments founded on the miraculous evidence of Christianity, they allege the prohibition, (Deut, xiii. 1-5), against following, and serving any other God, even though attested by signs and wonders. We apprehend, therefore, that until they can be convinced by their own sacred writings, that Jesus is the professed VOL. I.

Messiah, and that he was in the beginning with God, and was God," we must not expect their conversion.

Mr. H. has sufficiently accounted for the comparative privacy and circumscription of the direct testimony to the resurrection of Christ and it might have been added, that every miracle performed by his disciples, or by others, to whom the apostles imparted the gifts of the Holy Spirit, rendered the certainty of that event more general and conspicuous. In rejecting, therefore, these innumerable and indisputable supernatural attestations to the Gospel, the Jews obviously subvert the foundation of their own faith in the Mosaic covenant. We have never found a Jew who could evade the force of this argument, except by betraying the fact (which we suspect to be very common) that he no more believed the Pentateuch than the New Testament. The extreme ignorance of the vulgar, and the sceptical habits of better informed Jews, best account for the very defective influ ence of Christianity on their conduct, and its very slight hold on the profession of most, in either class, who profess to be convinced of its truth.

The benevolence, piety, and talent, combined in this pamphlet, are highly creditable to the author. He has our most cordial wishes, though we cannot say our very sanguine hopes, for its success.

Daily Bread; or, Meditations for every Day in the Year, by more than 100 popular Ministers, &c. T. Williams, Edi2d, edit corrected, 7s. 6d. Simpkin & Marshall.

tor.

HAVING explained the nature and object of this work, and recommended the use of it to our readers in reviewing the first edition. ·(vol. 29, O S. p. 151.) we have only here to notice the improvements now introduced; viz. literal errors have been corrected throughout-some of the longer papers have been cautiously abridged-ten or a dozen of those found too similar have been superseded by others, from living preachers of the first respectability-a table has been subjoined of the authors' names-and (which is an improvement not very common) the price has been reduced one shilling, "toive ta more extensive circulation," which is exactly in accordance with our wishes.

Serious Poetry. By Caroline Fry, Author of the Poetical Catechism, 12mo. 3s. 6d.

THESE are beautiful poetical sketches on a variety of serious subjects, partly in rhyme

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and partly in easy blank verse. Among the former, we are particularly pleased with the lines in p. 5, and the "Harp of Judah," (p. 111,) and among the latter with "Poll Peg," a most interesting, and we expect, a true tale, with a forbidding title, but a charming theme. But, perhaps, we do wrong to particularize when all are excellent. The man of taste may read them for their poetic excellence; but the experienced

Christian will be too much absorbed in the piety of the sentiment to think about the poetry. Take a few lines from "Poll Peg," p. 60.

"O happy happy!" was her ceaseless cry!
"O how delightful!" was her only plaint.
"What is delightful?" said the eager lip,
While the eye turn'd on the revolting scene.
"My God, my Saviour, and the life I lead "
Hear it all ye who in a better state

Have sought for happiness, and found it not:
Hear where it habits when it flies from you ;-
Hear who has found it. It is even she,
Who, through a life of poverty and toil,
Has reach'd an age of want, and found her God.
Wrant in bright visions of celestial bliss,
She cannot feel the miseries of a lot

She would not change for any thing but heav'n.
Tell her she's poor and wretched, she will say,
There has been One afflicted more than she;
Talk of her suff'ings, she will tell you His,
Who, by the agony and death He bore,
Purchas'd for her this beasted happiness,-
Her present peace, and her expected heav'n.

A Treatise on the Sabbath; or Illustrations of the Origin, Obligation, Change, Proper Observance, and Spiritual Advantages of that Holy Day. By the Rev. John Glen, Minister of the Chapel in Portobello, near Edinburgh. 12mo. 5s. Whittaker.

HAVING in our late Series (March 1821) recommended a treatise on this subject by Mr. Thorn with a title very similar, our readers may surmise that Mr. Glen's book was scarcely wanted. Upon examination, however, we have found that the two authors, though coinciding in their views of the subject, differ considerably in their style and

manner of treating it; and each is excellent in his way. Mr. Glen's use, here and there, of the words "will and would," prove him to have been born on the north side of the Tweed; while the lucid arrangement, sound argumentation, and correct language, which (with few exceptions) pervade the work, prove him to have undergone the intellectual discipline of a Scottish Cullege.

An Abridgment of the Prophe cies, as connected with Profane History, both Ancient and Modern. In Question

and Answer. By Mrs. Smith, Warren.

7s. 6d.

THE motive which induced the authoress to undertake the work, is thus stated in the Preface. "A knowledge of the leading prophecies contained in the Old and New Testament, must, unquestionably, be considered a branch of literature of which no Christian ought to be ignorant. But as the productions of those authors, who have principally written on this important subject, are too voluminous to be perused by persons in early life, it appeared to me that a work which should embrace, in a small compass, the substance of their valuable labours, would prove useful in the education of youth." She adds, "that the utility of the work was evinced in private use before she ventured to commit it to the press."

While we cannot but approve the motive in which the book originated, we can also bear testimony to the respectable manner in which it is written. We have observed some instances of incorrect expression. The word "incidental," which oc curs in every section of the Table of Con tents, is not so proper in that connexion, as either of the terms 66 explanatory," or 6 illustrative," would be. In page 2, the first promise respecting the Saviour is classed among the prophecies," which were delivered without allegory, and with the utmost degree of minuteness." In page 4, the phrases," hieroglyphic symbols," and "hyperbolical language,' are represented as of identical import. Other little inaccuracies might be mentioned. The first section of the book is justly said to consist of "Desul. tory Remarks on Prophecy," &c.; but it seems to us, that the utility of the work would have been considerably promoted, if, instead of those desultory remarks, a more full and exact account had been given, both in which it has been communicated. While, of the design of prophecy and of the way however, justice required that we should throw out these hints, we are not disposed to retract the commendation we have already book will have an extensive circulation, and expressed We hope and believe that the that the publication of a second edition will allow the authoress to remove the slight blemishes which we have noticed.