quickens the testimony of conscience. Prayer therefore most directly opposes every evil habit, and best exercises every holy one; independently of the Divine grace and mercy which it is the means of obtaining. If we would at all prosper, therefore, as Christians, we must pray without ceasing :' we must pray in the solitude of our own chambers, and in the assemblies of the faithful: and we must attempt ever to keep our minds in that humble, lowly, and teachable frame, which is the proper attitude of supplication.

"To prayer should be joined a diligent study of the holy Scriptures, with a view of examining our own habits of thought, feeling, and action, by the standard of that unerring rule. Instead of comparing ourselves with our neigh bours, or (what is a still less efficacious method of detecting our evil habits) comparing ourselves with ourselves, we shall here have the opportunity of comparing ourselves with the requisitions of the perfect law of God. Nor ought this comparison only to be general, or confined to first principles. It ought to be accurate; extending to our thoughts, words, and deeds; to our motives and to our conduct; to our behaviour in public and in private, in our families and in society. By persevering in such a course of reading, we shall indeed find that the word of the Lord is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path;' that his commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes, that his testimony is sure, making wise the simple.'

"Closely allied to the study of the Scriptures, thus explained,—or rather, indeed, a part of it,-is the duty of watchfulness and self-examination. By these terms, I would be understood to imply an actual and minute study of our character and a series of efforts in forming it; a strict attention to our prevailing tendencies of mind; a careful investigation of the probable causes of our past failures; a serious consideration of the dangers to which, from our peculiar tempers, dispositions, or circumstances, we are most exposed; and a diligent endeavour, under the Divine blessing, to fortify ourselves with additional motives and principles, on what appears to be onr weak side. In carrying this rule into effect, we should be particularly attentive to what were our characteristic sins or failings in the former part of our lives, when we paid little or

no serious attention to the concerns of religion. For it is probable that, in this quarter, our greatest danger still lies. Conversion by Divine grace, is a gradual work. What we were, therefore, before that great change which awakened us to a sense of our spiritual interests, we may be disposed in some measure to become again after it. Old sins, though broken off in the main, may attempt to revive; and they will attempt this, and will succeed in the attempt, unless by a jealous guard of our vulnerable part, and a humble reliance on the help of the Holy Spirit, we prevent them.

"Let it not be supposed that, by thus recommending to the Christian, active efforts in the formation of his own character, we disparage that Divine grace from which all our strength and all our improvement must undoubtedly proceed. To make such efforts, indeed, in a reliance on our own power or good intentions, would be highly presumptuous and unwarrantable; and this is the common fault of irreligious persons, who, desirous perhaps of quieting conscience by an aim at some moral amendment, but not duly apprehending the need of Divine grace, set about the enterprise on mistaken principles, and therefore usually fail of attaining even that limited degree of amelioration which they pursue. But not to make the endeavour at all, is evidently to tempt God to his face. Strenuous exertion and humble dependence on the Holy Spirit is the scriptural rule, and can alone lead to a knowledge of ourselves, and an actual growth in holy principles and habits." pp. 449 452.

The second passage is from the "On Temptation."

sermon

"We may proceed to notice, 2dly, The necessity of Christian vigilance. The prayer of our text implies the need of watchfulness. Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.' To pray, not to be led into temptation, and then to rise from our knees and live negligently and without a holy vigilance, is a mockery of God. We solemnly bind ourselves by prayer to do all in our power to attain the blessings we supplicate We must pray, as though every thing depended on God alone, and nothing could be done by us; and we must watch, as though all rested upon our

personal diligence, and God without it would neither bring us help, nor grant us the victory. The grace of God enables his servants to will and to do of his good pleasure;' but he works by

means, by exciting our own activity and by quickening us to humility and watchfulness. He that is born of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.'

"Every Christian, then, must be vigilant. He must deal with his heart, as a man would act towards a servant, whom he believed, upon credible information, to be secretly unfaithful. He must watch as a sentinel on his post, who knows that dangers are near, and that if the soldier sleeps, the enemy may safely make his attack. He must therefore walk circumspectly, keep under his body and bring it into subjection, and avoid even the appearance of evil. He must be sober and temperate in all things, that his moderation may appear unto all men. He must religiously examine even the things which seem the most safe. He must take the alarm the first moment he perceives any approbation of sin stealing upon his mind. He must not in the smallest thing give place to the devil, but resist him man

fully, steadfast in the faith." pp. 482 -484.

All this is just as it should be: and if Mr. Wilson should think it expedient, in the decline of life, to address a dying farewell to his people, we know not in what way be could better appeal to them than in the words of his respected predecessor. Happy would it be for the church if ministers of every class, not excluding those who venerate the name of Mr. Cecil, would follow his counsels and example! I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men: for I have not shunned to declare unto you ALL THE COUNSEL OF GOD. And what have I declared that counsel of God to be? All the curious distinctions of the schools? All the peculiarities insisted on so strongly by different sects? No such thing! I have followed the great Apostle in testifying REPENTANCE toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

GREAT BRITAIN. PREPARING for publication:- History and present State of Galvinism, by Dr. Bostock;-Tour of Africa, by Miss Hutton;-Occurrences during a Six Months' Residence in Calabria Ulterior;-Life, Ministry, and Writings, of the Rev. John Fawcett, D. D., by his Son ;-Tour through Sicily in 1815, by Mr. G. Russel;-Memoir of John Wesley, by Mr. Southey;-Transactions of the Regency, from 1811 to the Dissolution of the late Parliament, by Mr. Caulfield.

In the press "Night," a Poem, by M. E. Elliott, jun. ;-A Second Memoir on Babylon, by C. J. Rich;-Sketches of America, by H. B. Fearon;-Elements of Geology;-Narrative of the Wreck of the Oswego, by J. Paddock,

her late Master;-A History of Greenland;-The Simplicity and Ingenuousness of the Evidence of the Gospel Miracles, contrasted with the Wonders of the Christian Church in succeeding Centuries, by the Rev. Wm. Faulkner;

Sketches of the Philosophy of Life, by Sir C. Morgan, M. D.

Extent of Turnpike Roads, &c.—By a Report of a Committee of Parliament, it appears that the turnpike roads of England and Wales extend 19,755 miles, and the other highways 95,104, making a total of 114,859 miles; also, that 1,415,8337. is expended per annum on them; and that the area of England and Wales is 57,960 square miles, or 37,094,400 acres.

9,056

32,096

2,678

10,528

Of whom were executed

....

50.971

Proportion of capital convictions, to

1812. S

Proportion of execations, to the num

....

Capitally convicted

Number executed

Colonization Society. The condition and prospects of the Free Blacks in the United States having long impressed the minds of many intelligent and benevolent persons in the United States, to effect a gradual separation of the Black population from the White, appeared to them a measure likely to be attended with great advantages, though difficult of execution. The most promising step for accomplishing this object was thought to be Colonization-providing some suitable situation for the Blacks, either in America or in Africa.

Soon after the commencement of the Session of Congress at the close of 1816, the expediency of colonizing Free People of Colour became a subject of con

sideration with many gentlemen of respectability from the different States. The Legislature of Virginia had recently adopted a resolution, that the Executive of that State should correspond with the President of the United States, for the purpose of obtaining an asylum for Free Persons of Colour.

Encouraged by these preparatory circumstances, a meeting was held at Washington, on the 21st of December, 1816, for the purpose of forming Colonization Society; Mr. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, in the chair. The chair man and other gentlemen having ad dressed the meeting, with much intelligence and feeling, an association was formed for the purpose in question.

and for the colonization of the Free People of Colour of the United States.

"Art. I.-This Society shall be called The American Society for Colonizing the free people of Colour of the United States.'

"Art. II.-The object to which its attention is to be exclusively directed, is to promote and execute a plan for colonizing (with their consent) the Free People of Colour residing in our country, in Africa, or such other place as Congress shall deem most expedient: and the Society shall act, to effect this object, in co-operation with the general Government, and such of the States as may adopt regulations upon the subject."

The first annual meeting was held on the 1st of January, 1817, when the Honourable Bushrod Washington, nephew of the late General Washington,was elected president; and vice-presidents, with a board of managers, and proper officers, were appointed. The president and board of managers were directed to present a memorial to Congress on the subject of colonizing, in Africa or elsewhere, with their consent, the Free People of Colour of the United States.

The memorial was prepared accordingly, and presented to the House of Representatives on the 14th of January; when having been read, and ordered to be printed, it was referred to the Committee on the Slave Trade, who made

It was resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives, That the President be authorised to consult and negociate with all the governments where ministers of the United States are or shall be accredited, on the means of effecting an entire and immediate abolition of the traffic in slaves. And, also, to enter into a convention with the Government of Great Britain, for receiving into the colony of Sierra Leone, such of the Free People of Colour of the United States as, with their own consent, shall be carried thither; stipulating such terms as shall be most beneficial to the Colonists, while they promote the peaceful interests of Great Britain and the United States. And should this proposition not be accepted, then to obtain from Great Britain and the other maritime powers, a stipulation, or a formal declaration to the same effect, guaranteeing a permanent neutrality for any Colony of Free People of Colour, which, at the expense and under the auspices of the United States, shall be established on the Afri

can coast.

The Rev. Messrs. Mills and Burgess were appointed as Agents on a mission to explore a part of the Western Coast of Africa for the purpose of ascertaining the best situation which can be procured for colonizing the Free People of Colour of the United States.-Mr. Mills, we greatly regret to state, is since dead.

THEOLOGY.

Lectures on the principal Evidences and the several Dispensations of Re'vealed Religion; by W. Roby. 8vo. 3s. Sermons on various Occasions; by the Rev. James Knight, M. A. 8vo. 7s. Observations on the Doctrine, Discipline, and Manners, of the Wesleyan Methodists, and also of the Evangelical Party; by the Rev. L. Wainewright, A. M., &c. 8vo. 6s.

Sermons, in which the Connexion is traced between a Belief in the Truths of Revelation and the Character, Comfort, &c. of Christians; by the Rev. Miles Jackson, of Leeds. 8vo. 12s:

Sermons, on several Subjects and Occasions; by W. Hett, M.A. 2 vols.

8vo. 18s.

A plain Answer to the important Question, What must I do to be saved? With an earnest and affectionate Address to the Reader; by the Rev. Jos. Freeston. Evo.

Sermons selected from the MSS. of the late Rev. E. Robson, M. A., Vicar of Orston, by the Rev. H. C. O'Donnoghue, A.M. 2 vols. 8vo. 17. 1s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Visitor's New Guide to the Spa of Leamington Priors, and its Vicinity; including Sketches of Warwick, &c.; by W. T. Moncrieff, with map and plan. 12mo. 5s. 6d.

The Panorama of Paris and its Envi rons; with thirty-one plates, descriptive of as many striking public edifices; second edition. 32mo. 4s.

was at first furnished with one Bible, and twelve Testaments. The Bible was given to the chaplain of the regiment, and each of the twelve companies, of which it is composed, receive a Testa ment; and the chief priest of the army in forms me, that, at stated times, each com pany is assembled to hear the Testament read. Those also among the soldiers, who are capable of reading, have opportunities of obtaining copies for themselves; but, as the number of these is but small, the above regulations were thought to be the most proper in the first instance, for making the soldiers acquainted with the saving truths of the Gospel. Many of the officers have purchased Bibles for themselves, partienlarly in the French, German, and Slavonian languages. The amount of subscriptions and donations already received from different regiments, is abont 10,000 rubles.

"In the town of Skloff, which is mostly inhabited by Jews, I found them exceedingly desirous of obtaining Testaments. They told me that they had seen one in the possession of a young man, belonging to another village, but that he would not consent to let them have it. This roused their desire to obtain copies for themselves. I distributed ten Testaments among such of them as I found capable of understanding them, and was sorry that I had no more with me, as many came afterwards, earnestly begging for them. The number amoug the Jews in this country, who under stand the Hebrew, is much greater than I formerly supposed."

Some persons have represented the operations of the Bible Society in our own country as not needed. Such facts as the following will surely go far to convince every impartial person that there was no foundation for that opinion. In the Sixth Report of the Blackheath Auxiliary Society, we meet with the following statement:

"From the returns which have been made to them, the Committee of the Greenwich Association have now to report, that 779 families, comprising 2554 persons, have been visited; of whom 1898 can, and 656 cannot read. In this population, 565 copies of the sacred Scriptures were found, and 549 copies are immediated desired; toward the procuring of which, 279 persons have offered to subscribe sums, amounting to 1. 12s. 6d. per week. The Sub-Committee, however, confidently believe,

that the existing demand for the inspired volume is very considerably under-rated; and that, eventually, it will appear, that the labourers who may undertake the distribution, will find more uncultivated ground than is at present supposed to exist.

"It is now ascertained, that after the Blackheath Auxiliary Society has been instituted more than five years, there remain in two populous parishes, in the centre of its operations, at least two thousand persons, who do not possess among them a single copy of the holy Scriptures."

The Sixth Report of the Cambridge Auxiliary Society says

"Of the Town Association-the last in the order of its establishment, but not the least in its energy and usefulness-your Committee are happy to report, that it has abundantly realized the hopes excited at its formation. In something less than two years, it has distributed, by sale, at about two-thirds of the cost price, 1000 Bibles and Testaments; and, after defraying all its own expenses, together with the voluntary loss which it had entailed upon itself, it has paid to the Auxiliary Society the sum of 1001. as the first-fruits of its increase. Your Committee are authorised. to add, that it is in contemplation to extend the benefits of this Association to every part of this county; by establishing in every town and village, the same system of inquiry from house to house, which has been so happily pursued in this town and its immediate neighbour hood."

A correspondent in Ireland writes, under date of June 22, 1818

"I am happy to inform you of the pleasing prospect, which this town and its neighbourhood afford. The Bibles and Testaments, which you gave me for distribution among such of my neigh bours and acquaintances as could not easily procure them,have already proved a great benefit; for their circulation through different villages has, through the Divine blessing, been the happy means of exciting many to read the sacred word, who, in all human probability, would have remained in ignorance of themselves and of their Creator. The Sabbath-day now becomes truly a delightful scene; the Scriptures being read in the different families, and all who can go out to hear them publicly read assembling together for that pur pose. And, beside these meetings for