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"But further; the next effect of this miraculous manifestation upon Saul, was, that he fell to the earth,' overwhelmed with a consciousness of the greatness of the Saviour who appeared to him, and of his own guilt, and vileness, and nothingness. Mark, here, the second step in a true and spiritual conversion, a lowly, humbling, self-abasing view of your own heart, and life, and conversation; a view which throws all your thoughts of self-righteousness into the very dust; which lays you there yourself with all your virtues, and all your amiable qualifications, as one utterly poor, and blind, and naked, waiting the will of your Divine Master. My brethren! are there any feelings in your own hearts, answering to this effect of converting grace? Are you thus humbled, thus lowly, thus conscious, that you dare not so much as lift up your eyes towards heaven; but must be content with the publican's humiliation and the publican's prayer, God be merciful to me a sinner?' If you have ever possessed one saving view of the Lord Jesus Christ, this must have been, for this invariably is, the blessed effect of it.

"The lower we lie in self-renunciation, and self-abasement before God, the more certainly, and the more highly, will God exalt us in spiritual graces, and in eternal felicity. pp. 19-22.

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Mr. Blunt proceeds in his own simple, natural, but very forcible manner, to point out other lessons to be derived from the incidents of the Apostle's conversion. We can well understand from these discourses, connected with the affectionate interest arising from the vigilant and exemplary discharge of the duties of a pastoral life, in a most important parochial sphere, the secret of that large acceptance-call it, if the phrase may be used without being absurd, extensive popularity-which has carried Mr. Blunt's former volumes on Abraham, Jacob, and St. Peter, into numerous editions ; and caused them to be read with much interest and edification in hundreds and thousands of families. They are written with much single heartedness and absence of parade; they are affectionate and spirit-stirring appeals, which cannot be read or listened to, without feeling how much the preacher has at heart the immortal interests of his hearers. It would be strange indeed, if while such matters are discussed in such a manner, churches were not overflowing, and audiences interested; and, with reverence be it said, it would be stranger still, remembering whose is the word thus uttered, and the promises that it shall not return to him void, and that faith shall come by hearing, if many were not impressed with the solemn truths thus brought before them, and did not return to their homes to search the Scriptures, whether these things are so. This is a preacher's true success and best reward; and this, we doubt not, by the blessing of God on his labours, the much respected writer of this volume largely enjoys. His former volumes are so widely circulated, and so highly valued, that the present needs not a single word of recommendation at our hands. It was from no disrespect to the author, or his publications, that his former works have not been reviewed in our pages; but because we cannot notice one in many of the volumes of sermons, now so rapidly published, and those which have recommended themselves, and have obtained wide circulation, can best spare extraneous recommendation. A very appropriate discourse, by Mr. Blunt, on the observance of the Lord's day, has just been published, at the request of the society for promoting that important object. We mention it, for the sake of urging other clergymen to adopt the course pursued by Mr. Blunt, who, after delivering this discourse upon the subject, followed it up by procuring a committee of gentlemen and tradesmen to go round the district, two and two, to prevail upon the shopkeepers to refrain from selling their wares on the Lord's day; and with such success, that in almost every instance, we are informed, the shops began to be closed on the succeeding Sunday. Efforts like these are of infinite importance, and justly endear an affectionate and faithful pastor to the people committed to his charge. Bad as are the times in many respects, never, perhaps, were such efforts more extensively, more zealously made; never were institutions for the benefit of the sick and the

poor more multiplied, or Bible, education, tract, and visiting societies more efficient; and we doubt not that all the four clergymen whose names are now before us, as well as hundreds, and we would hope and believe thousands, of their brethren, are diligently engaged in promoting them in their parishes. These things cheer us amidst much moral desolation; and we do and must augur well for our country, our religion, and our national church, while such signs of the times are prominent, notwithstanding all the scepticism, infidelity, and blasphemy of the age. These enormities we fully believe have been pushed into a notoriety far beyond their actual prevalence, of which we have a notable instance in the division in the house of commons, on Mr. Hume's God-rejecting proposition; for which, after all the vapouring of the infidel party, all the outcry that fast-days and recognising the hand of God in national visitations were mere "humbug" (Mr. Hume's own word), all the auxiliary efforts of radical and blasphemous newspapers,-there were but ten votes in the house of commons; while not only the vast mass of the members espoused the Christian side of the question, but the great body of the people proved by their conduct on the fast day that religion has even in this licentious age a hold upon the public mind, upon which infidelity had little reckoned. The irreligious party in the house of commons has been much more measured in its language since the fast day, and we believe that it has learned a lesson which it will not easily forget. Should any scoffer or Deist ever

venture to talk in parliament of the English people regarding the observances of religion as priestcraft or humbug, the friend of Christianity will have in the observance of the fast day a popular argument which the objector will not feel much satisfaction in confronting.

But to return to our topic; what, we would ask, is there in the style of preaching of which these volumes are among many specimens, that distinguishes it from that which some persons are accustomed to call "the good old orthodox style," but which we should stamp by far different epithets ? for though it may be as old as the days of queen Anne, or even Charles the Second, it is certainly not as old as the Reformation; and as to its goodness and orthodoxy, these must be decided by scriptural comparison, and not by names, numbers, or human authorities. We would say then, at once-and we submit our assertion to the candid consideration of the supposed inquirer or objector-that the style of preaching currently called evangelical deals more with the souls of men than with merely outward morals; that it gets at the latter through the former, and, by the blessing of God, most powerfully and effectively so; but still this object is not the whole, it is but one effect or consequence: its leading topics are the fall of man, and the atonement of Christ; the exceeding sinfulness of sin; the need of pardon; the way of pardon; repentance, grace, faith, regeneration, adoption, justification, holiness, love, joy, peace in believing, the affections, the consolations, and the duties of the believer, time and eternity, the world and God, heaven and hell. Compare the list of topics in any of these volumes, or, we would rather say, compare the topics in our homilies or the writings of our oldest and best Protestant divines, with a hundred volumes we could name, from the first consonant in the alphabet, Blair, Blackall, and Balguy, to the last, Zouch and Zachary Pearce, ranging in a series of "much approved writers" from the days of William the Third to those of William the Fourth, and do we not instantly perceive a striking difference? It is not a matter of Calvinism or Arminianism, in any proper sense of those terms, or of any particular school or habit of thinking. The theologians to whom we refer, differ among themselves in a variety of points; but amidst all their minor differences there is essential unity, so much so that take up half a dozen volumes of this character, and as many of the mere "virtuous-conduct'

school, and the veriest tyro in divinity could explain, the most unlettered Christian can feel, the difference. There has been, indeed, of late years, a sort of "waverers;' men who admit as scriptural certain doctrines, which it was once accounted quite orthodox to resist, but who in practice do not make them strikingly prominent; and who, without being heterodox, are not in effect endeavouring to bring their hearers to Christ, are not leading them into a practical acquaintance with the real character of the Gospel-do not, in one word, preach-what lies at the root of all efficient, all saving" preaching-conversion; in other words, repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and renewal of heart by the Holy Ghost. They admit these things; they allude to them; but their discourses are not practically and prominently formed upon them.

Are we, then, pleading for party; for rival schools; for names of applause or reproach? Far from it; our object is just the contrary; our wish is to send ourselves, our readers, and the candid inquirer whom we have been addressing, to the word of God. If, after reading over the above extracts and titles, it is found that the subjects discussed in them, and the leading sentiments on those subjects, with whatever imperfections, whatever mistakes, whatever minor varieties of opinion or habits of thought and writing, are in the main consonant to Scripture, must not a scheme of preaching which omits, sets aside, or softens down, these principles, be defective in the most important features of a scriptural address? It were preposterous to select the discourses of any score, or hundred, or thousand, individuals, as specimens of what Christian preaching ought to be; the standard is far higher: to the word of God is our only appeal; but when the fact is obvious that serious differences of preaching do exist, and that all cannot be right, it is an inquiry of infinite moment both to ministers and their flocks, What is truth? What, as regards man, is the great object of the Christian revelation? Is it reformation of manners, or is it conversion of heart? Is it morality, or is it spirituality? Is it the pardon of sin, the transformation of man into the image of God, the mystery of the Cross, and the salvation of the soul, or is it something less specific? Why are we not to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? Is it for those subordinate reasons which certain divines seem to urge as its chief claims, such as its moral tendency and beneficial spirit; or is it that "it is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe?" Let us answer these questions honestly and in the sight of God, and we shall obtain a clue which, by his guidance, will lead us to the very spirit and intent of the Gospel.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

"The Apostolicity of Trinitarianism." By the Rev. G. S. Faber. 2 vols. 17. 6s. "The Psalms translated into English Verse." By the Rev. E. G. Marsh. 12s.. Sermons on the Decalogue and Fast-day. By the Rev. E. G. Marsh. 6s. Ministerial Devotedness. A Sermon preached at the Consecration_of_the Right Rev. Daniel Wilson. By the Rev. W. Dealtry, D.D.

Submission to the will of God. A Sermon by the Rev. T. T. Haverfield.
Village Lectures. By the Rev. J. D. Parmeter.

3s. 6d.

Parochial Sermons. By the Rev. C. Girdleston. 5s.

The Biblical Cabinet, Vol. I. Ernesti's Institutes. By the Rev. C. Terrot. Remarks on the Principles adopted by Bishop Lowth for correcting the Hebrew text. By the Rev. J. Rogers.

"The Scripture Garden Walk." 10s. 6d.

"The Best Match." By the Rev. E. Pierce. 1672, republished by the Religious Tract Society. 1s. 6d.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ANNIVERSARIES OF RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE SOCIETIES.

WE have reason, upon the whole, to be well satisfied with the aspect of the late annual meetings of our religious and charitable societies. The immense extent of the great room at Exeter Hall may have given an appearance of desolation to some meetings which would have seemed crowded at Freemasons' Tavern ; besides which it is much to be regretted that the ball itself is ill contrived for seeing, hearing, and speaking, so that much of the interest of many excellent addresses is lost. We mention these defects, because it is not too late to remedy them, by a new arrangement of the seats upon more scientific principles.

There may, however, be other causes which have given an alleged "tameness," so we believe runs the phrase, to some of these meetings. There is certainly a want of sufficient variety in the speakers and the speeches; and it is lamentable to see by how comparatively small a number of persons those great institutions are actively supported, which ought to rank among their zealous friends the great mass of our nobility, prelacy, clergy, and gentry; but till a more enlarged anxiety is felt for the welfare of immortal souls, till, in short, men are more anxious for their own salvation and that of others, we cannot expect that a Bible, Missionary, or Education Society, should thus revel in magnificent patronage. It is well, however, if it have the blessing of God, and the exertions of many attached friends; a few in the higher, many in the middle, and some in the humblest ranks of life.

We may attribute also something of the alleged "tameness" to the absence of that wildness which on some occasions has of late been displayed. It is not in the human mind to keep up long together a powerfully sustained interest; and the stimulus, at some former meetings, of controversy, debate, and excitement, may therefore have left a re-action, a languor, which was felt in comparison with foregoing scenes of warmer agitation. But if this only mean that our Societies have returned to their proper sphere, and that politics and controversy have been banish ed from them, we rejoice to accept this spirit of peace and love as much wiser, safer, and more Christian, than those stimulating discussions to which we allude.

The Reports of various Societies certainly were not deficient in interesting and important information; the leading portions of which will come before our readers CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 366.

in the usual course, and therefore need not be anticipated.

The Church Missionary Society is flourishing in the best sense, but needs increased funds; its resources having considerably declined, while the claims on it are daily increasing, and the providence of God is opening important channels for its operations.

The Bible Society, notwithstanding all the ominous forebodings of last year, has increased in its funds, (with the exception of legacies, which no Society covets in place of living friends ;) but what is far better, it is now proceeding in peace, after its late perils, and its most valued friends, of the few who quitted or seemed about to quit it, are returning with renewed affection to its bosom after their temporay disruption. The diminution of confidence in our religious Societies, which ensued in some quarters in consequence of the charges urged against the Bible Society, may have been one of the causes of the alleged relaxed attendance at some of our religious meetings; the spell seemed broken; tender spirits were distressed; and Christian feeling revolted from scenes of agitation and controversy, where all should be union and peace. But the spell has now been restored; the meeting of the Bible Society was not only overflowing as to numbers, but remarkable for brotherly union and mutual rejoicing in the great work in which its members are engaged. We do not enlarge on the subject, as our readers will find the speeches appended to our Number. That of the Rev. G. Noel would especially deserve to be pointed out for its manliness, simplicity, and Christian spirit, in retracing his steps in regard to this Society, did we not think it better to forget the whole matter, and begin anew in unity of spirit as if nothing had occurred; or such things only as have cemented in fresh bonds of unity the great body of the faithful servants of Christ of all persuasions for the circulation of his holy word.

The Naval and Military Bible Society has not prospered under its new regulation, either in an increase of friends or funds; but as it was conscientiously formed, we have no wish to interfere with those who take that view of the matter, provided they will cease from censuring those of their brethren who conscientiously differ from them in opinion.

The Anti-slavery Society was thronged, as might be expected at this crisis of that great question, by an overflowing and animated assemblage of friends to the abolition of slavery. One of the topics of the speeches, was the disastrous appointment of the House-of-Lords' Committee, 3 K

which elicited such expressions of public sentiment, as must prevent any influence which the report of a committee so formed, and for such purposes, can have upon the nation. But a much more powerful topic was the blood-thirsty persecution of the missionaries, which excited a most intense feeling thoughout the assembly.

The Hibernian Society is stated not to have been well attended, in consequence of its hostility to the government plan of education; and an allusion to that topic which occurred in the Report, was struck out by the committee, in consequence of having excited some disapprobation in the meeting. We mention it as indicative of the signs of the times. We said at the first introduction of the notice of the intended plan of education, that the question ought to be kept totally apart from politics, and placed wholly upon a religious basis; but instead of this, it was made a party weapon to annoy Government. Orange and Cumberland clubs, newspapers, and speakers, mixed up the question of scriptural education, and not mutilating the word of God, with vehement attacks upon parliamentary reform, "the atrocious ministers, and their atrocious bill:" and though the Hibernian Society did not interfere with the political question, it has, we fear, suffered from the supposed identification. But we trust that the friends of scriptural education will not thus be turned aside from their object.

Among the newer Societies, (we have not professed to go through one quarter of the list,) we are glad to notice that for the Observance of the Lord's-day, at which the Bishop of Calcutta, one of the founders and warmest friends of the Society, presided. His lordship's presence was hailed with much sympathy and many prayers at various public meetings; and we trust that in this new but important institution he has laid the foundation of an edifice, which, by the blessing of God, will be of most essential importance to the best interests of religion, and of his native land.

The District Visiting Society is another important institution, which we hope to make better known to our readers. We rejoice to learn that it is extending its effects widely in various parts of the kingdom.

The British and Foreign Temperance Society was crowded to excess; and its cause was powerfully pleaded by various speakers, and among them several prelates, the Bishop of London taking the chair on the occasion. We purpose returning again and again to the object of this Society, which, though in its infancy, is one of the most important in the British dominions. The first account we believe which reached this country of the formation of a Temperance Society in America was sent to us in the spring of 1826; and we took the earliest opportunity of laying it before

our readers. We saw in it the germ of mighty benefits; and though, on communicating the subject to a variety of persons, it met with little but ridicule, we determined to do all in our power to gain a hearing for the question. So greatly have Temperance Societies increased, and so powerful has been their efficacy, that in the United States they bid fair to banish from the land the curse of ardent spirits; and even in Great Britain they have already effected much, and are rapidly advancing. We strongly urge our readers, especially clergymen, to make themselves masters of the question.

The friends of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge have adopted a plan for circulating, by means of a committee, cheap publications, religious, moral, scientific, and generally interesting; so as to counteract the baneful effects of many of the popular publications, and to supply the religious defects of others. We shall revert to the subject when the plan is fully digested. It is a most important measure.

The anniversary sermon for the oldest of our religious societies that for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts-was preached this year in May instead of February, and transferred from the morning to the afternoon service; but still with a very scanty attendance, except of persons connected with the ecclesiastical and civic procession. The Bishop of Rochester, who preached on the occasion, is stated to have expressed himself in a manner which forbids the hope of any speedy effort on the part of the Society to emancipate its slaves. His lordship augurs danger; but, whatever he may have to say to that question as a senator legislating for 800,000 persons (though even there we would meet him), it is totally another question in the case of a religious society with about 300. Danger from liberating 300 slaves! Let his lordship refute if he can what has been printed and proved on this subject. Let him also disprove the truth of the Government declaration, That no ill effect has followed the liberation of the crown slaves. Let him reply to the following recent statement, which happens to have fallen into our hands at this very moment. The South-African Advertiser, a paper conducted with eminent talent and integrity, says; "Three thousand Prize Negroes have received their freedom-400 in one day; but not the least difficulty or disorder occurred: servants found masters masters hired servants; all gained homes, and at night scarcely an idler was to be seen. In the last month, 150 were liberated under precisely similar circumstances, and with the same result. These facts are within our own observation; and to state that sudden and abrupt emancipation would create dis

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