Oct. 26, to Mrs. F. on taking leave, with great energy she said, 'Farewell: give my dying love to Mr. Black's family: tell them we shall meet in heaven.' At another time I asked, Is God still with you? With a half-reproving look she replied, 'Did you ever read of God's forsaking any who put their trust in him? O no, quite the reverse; neither does he forsake me. He is still with me, to support and comfort me.' Being asked the state of her mind, she answered, My trust is now placed upon a very different foundation to my poor frames and feelings. I am resting on the unalterable word of God, which shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.' From this time she enjoyed uninterrupted peace, and the full assurance of hope, always affirming that this or that promise was fulfilled in her happy experience."

RECENT DEATH.

REV. DR. NICHOL.

death of the Rev. Dr. Nichol, who
WE have to notice the lamented
has been for more than twenty-five
years the respectable minister of the
Scots' Church in Swallow-street,
London. He died Feb. 9, at his
house in Hans-place, Sloane-square,
Dr. Nichol was
aged sixty years.
a pious, evangelical, catholic, useful
minister of Christ. His death will
be regretted not only by his congre-
gation, but also by those ministers
especially with whom he was con-

nected in the Western District Mis

sionary Prayer Meeting, and to whom the urbanity of his temper, the seriousness of his conversation, the devotional spirit which breathed in his petitions, and the evangelical sentiments which composed his addresses, justly endeared him.

SUDDEN DEATH.

REV. DR. LINDSEY.

ON the 14th of February, a Ge

About an hour before her death, after praying with her, that she might have a safe and easy passage through the Jordan of death, I asked if the Lord was now blessing her. She answered, "With the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace." A little after, I remarked, that death is called a dark valley, but that to believers in Christ it is light; add-neral Meeting of the three Denomiing, Is it dark to you now? She replied with great fervour, "O no, no." A few minutes after, she turned her face to her mother, on her left hand, and said, "God bless;" then to her husband, on her right hand, and said, "God bless." She was too weak to say 66 you." These were her last words. She was then seized with convulsions, which deprived her of her faculties. The vio-pired. The ministers, of whom there lence of the struggle gradually subsided, and she calmly fell asleep in Jesus.

North Shields.

J. W.

nations was held at Dr. Williams's Library, Red-cross-street, to consider of a Petition against the projected Bill of Mr. Brougham on the education of the poor. Dr. Lindsey, who, for thirty-five years, had been pastor of the Presbyterian congregation in Monkwell-street, had delivered his sentiments upon that subject, and soon after suddenly ex-,

were upwards of one hundred present, were deeply affected with this solemn event: Dr. Waugh offered up a solemn and appropriate prayer. Dr. Lindsey was in his sixty-seventh

year.

VOL. XII.

N

Review.

A Defence of the British and Foreign defended." We feel impelled, while School Society against the Remarks looking at this picture, as it were in the 67th Number of the Edin-involuntarily to exclaim, "Cease burgh Review. London, Hatch- | from man, for wherein is he to be ard & Son, Pp. 48. Price 1s. accounted of?"

Observations

on Mr. Brougham's Bill "For better Providing the Means of Education for his Majesty's Subjects;" showing its Inadequacy to the End proposed, and the Danger which will arise from it to the Cause of Religious Liberty. London, Arch, Cornhill. Pp. 32. 6d. Inquiry into the Operation of Mr. Brougham's Education Bill, as far as regards the Protestant DissenBy a Nonconformist. Sher

ters.

The conductors of the British and Foreign School Society are now accused, on account of their expressed dislike to Mr. Brougham's projected Bill," Of objecting to Government taking this business into its own hand, lest it should thereby acquire too much influence." P. 7.

It is smartly replied; (the insinuation would have justified an indignant auswer.)

"But why introduce the Government wood. Pp. 24. here, when the question relates solely Plain Thoughts on the Abstract of point, whether a new set of disqualificato the Hierarchy, and turns upon this Mr. Brougham's Education Bill. tions shall be created by Act of ParliaBy a plain Englishman. Riving-ment for those who are not members of the ton. Pp. 28. Establishment ? The proposed Bill, if

These

A Letter to a Member of Parliament, unfortunately it be carried, will levy a showing (in these Days of Infidelity tax upon a body of Englishmen for an and Sedition) the serious and dan-object in which they are alike interested gerous Defects of the British and with the rest of the community, while it Foreign School, and of Mr. Brough- excludes them from having any share in am's Bill (now pending) for the the management or control." general Education of the Poor. By R. Lloyd, A.M. Rector of St. Dunstan's in the West. Rivington. Pp.56. THE author of the first of these pamphlets writes in reply to the Edinburgh Review, with similar feelings to those expressed by David, "If it had been an enemy, then I could have borne it!" &c. feelings will be accounted for, "when it is known that the very last article in the preceding number is an eulogium upon the Society and its proceedings;"-that "the Bill which is to place the whole business of the Education of the Poor under the control of the hierarchy," is brought forward in the House of Commons "by one of the most distinguished contributors to the Edinburgh Review;"-and that "the promoter of the Bill has deemed it expedient to sacrifice his old friends, and to abandon the broad and liberal principles of education which he once so nobly

As a proof of the inadequacy of the proposed Bill "better to provide," as its title purports, "the means of education for His Majesty's subjects," it leaves out of its consideration entirely all the poor girls in the kingdom; and leaves no room for the kind superintendence of a Ladies' Committee to exercise their benevolence towards the female sex, which has been found so highly beneficial in having fitted girls who appeared doomed to wretchedness and vice, for decent servitude, and other honourable employments. We wish all could witness the surprising effects of this kind which have been produced by the kind superintendence of Ladies in the Irish Free School in St. Giles's. The force of the following remarks cannot be resisted.

"When we consider the influence of the female sex in forming the character of children, we shall soon perceive that

are sedulously occupied during the week in earning the means of subsistence, find their sweetest employment on the day of rest, in teaching those who would otherwise receive no education at all, and in encouraging them in a course of morality and virtue. For if this Bill pass, there is no doubt but that these noble exertions will become paralyzed, if not annihilated.

the education of girls, is of equal, and perhaps of more consequence, than that of boys. If the soundest lessons of morality be engraven upon their minds by the constant reading of selections from the Holy Scriptures-if they are trained to habits of order and cleanliness-if they are inured to the attendance of public worship on the day set apart by the common consent of Christians for that duty-if they are taught to fix their attention-to reason to reflectDetermined to connect the cduall of which the British System is pecu- cation of the poor with the Hierarliarly adapted to effect; what may we chy, Mr. Brougham has made the not expect from such children, when influence of the Clergy the very soul they shall have become women and of his system: without the consent mothers? Who can calculate the good of the officiating Clergyman, no perthat may be produced from their influson in the parish of those who will ence on the tender minds of their off-be compelled to support the school spring?"

will be suffered to enter it, no, not
even the Lord of the Manor in which
it be situated;
may
and as for com-

"In our opinion, the present Bill, so far from hastening the period when every poor child shall be able to read its Bible,' would protract it consider-plaining, should any infractions of ably. The whole concern would be the liberal enactments of the Bill take made the source of patronage and fa- place, why these must be made to vouritism; might become an instrument the officiating clergyman, who has of oppression; and would most certainly perhaps appointed his parish clerk to withdraw support from many of the ex- be the schoolmaster: and if he will isting schools. It would have another not hear, why then it must be told baneful consequence. Benevolent feel- to the bishop of the diocese!! and if ings may be checked, but cannot be he will not hear,-what then? created by Act of Parliament: but this

Bill, if it become one, will powerfully tend to diminish them; it will discou. rage that attention which is now increasingly given by many worthy persons to the concerns of the poor. Surely, if there is one thing more than another which one would wish to promote, it is that the upper and middle ranks of society should inquire into the state of the manufacturing and labouring poor, with a view to remove from about them as

that every
It is proposed by this Bill,
"scholar shall attend
the divine service of the Church of
England," &c. under the care of
the master, unless he be satisfied that
they do attend such worship under
the care of their parents," &c. "Pro-
vided nevertheless that the parents,"
&c. of any scholar, “shall notify to
the said master, that he or she desires
such scholar not to attend the worship
of the Church of England: but will

much as possible all circumstances which tend to encourage vice; should concert take care that the said scholar atmeasures for improving their morals; and should consider of what may be done to tends some other place of christian better their condition every way. The worship." In such cases, and in such great feature in all this is Education. only, "such scholar shall in no wise There are hundreds and even thousands be obliged to attend the public worof benevolent persons who subscribe their ship of the Church of England, &c. property, and give up their time, to the nor be punished, rebuked, adteaching of the poor, who, if this Bill monished, nor in any manner mopasses, would in all probability be ob- lested for not attending the same." liged to relinquish their useful labours-But we ask, Suppose the master, useful labours indeed, when we consi- notwithstanding the poor Dissenter, der, beside the good effects produced after having been impelled, rather upon the children, how much they are than violate his conscience, to " nocalculated to improve the hearts of the members of the Committees who are thus tify" (we suppose in writing) that he striving to confer one of the greatest desires his child may not be obliged benefits upon the poor-of those excel- to attend the Church of England lent young men, the Sunday School-suppose the said master should Teachers, many of whom, while they gently "rebuke" the child for re

fusing to come with the other boys to learn the catechism; or tenderly "admonish" him of the guilt of heresy and schism; or should the young nonconformist be "in any manner molested" by the other scholars for continuing obstinately a schismatic in return for so many favours; where is the poor father to lodge his complaint? Why, to the officiating clergyman, who is bound by oath to discourage Conventicles by every means in his power: or to (forlorn hope) the bishop of the diocese! If this be the only liberality of the measure, what will its severity be?

The severe operation of the Bill, should it pass into a law (which we hope that gracious Being who alone preserved our forefathers from the schism-bill in the reign of Queen Anne will mercifully prevent) is most judiciously exposed in this pamphlet.

From the "Observations," &c. we extract a summary of the objections which Dissenters have to the measure. "1. Because they are convinced that by discouraging the exertions of the public; by impeding the progress of every plan for promoting education now in active operation; by neglecting to call forth the energies of the poor; and by omitting the use of those means which are absolutely necessary to ensure the instruction of the most indigent classes; this Bill will not only fail to realize the hopes it holds forth, but will retard the very object for which it is enacted.

"2. Because, by imposing a tax for the support of the schools to be established, it will prove practically oppressive to those who desire to promote universal instruction, as they must maintain other

schools for children whom this Bill will not benefit, viz-a large proportion of the most indigent of the population; those who can receive education by means of Sunday Schools only; and others who may be driven from the "established" schools by mismanagement and oppression.

"3. Because, while it commits the proposed schools to the sole management of the Clergy and Dignitaries of the Established Church, to the entire exclusion of the public at large, it provides no adequate check on the undue exercise of the power thus granted; which power, experience justifies the Dissenter in apprehending will be a dangerous instrument, liable to much abuse,

4. Because it will prove injurious to the interests of religious liberty, by adding to the number of those civil disthe Church Establishment at present laabilities under which Dissenters from bour; thereby recognizing and legislating upon a principle which is the basis of all religious persecution, and which Christianity and enlightened policy unite to condemn."

The third pamphlet is elegantly and admirably written, for the purpose of exposing Mr. Brougham's plan of exclusive and hierarchical education. The following paragraph is a specimen of its style and spirit.

"It may be still a question how far it is desirable that general education should be forced by public authority. The interference of governments with private concerns has been often mischievous, and as the world is managed, their patronage is always suspicious. All the beneficial moral changes that have taken place in society have been effected by private activity and benevo lence, and commonly in opposition to political power. Governments follow rather than lead the public mind. They cannot go before the general intellect without endangering their own safety. It is well perhaps when they are content to move in the path which the people have already made common, and to assist rather than to institute schemes of public benevolence. Scope is thus allowed for the exercise of private benevolent genius, the encouragement of which is of happiness of a nation, than the execution more importance to the character and of any works of magnificence, or the establishment of any institutions, however specious and imposing.

We were struck with the following just remarks:

"Let not the Dissenters be alarmed. The Education Bill will in all probability experience the usual fate of schemes involving a compromise of principle; its author may alienate the Dissenters, but he has not yet gained over the Highchurchmen: and the mass of the nation, standing between the two parties, will look with suspicion upon the political tendency of a project, the immediate and certain effect of which would be the promotion of clerical ascendency.

"Are not then the people to be education of the lower orders is now going cated? is the question of Mr. Brougham forward quite as fast as any prudent and his Edinburgh advocate. Undoubt- man can desire, and quite as rapidly as edly, they must be educated to fit them is consistent with the general peace and for the times in which they live: and in safety of the country. The object is acthe present eagerness of the public complishing in that gradual and progresmind it is not probable that universal sive manner which is the most likely to education can be long delayed. But, produce good and permanent effects. It be it observed, that the alternative is not is not desirable to employ any steambetween this Bill and no national educa- engine to work up the whole disposable tion at all. Other plans may be devised materials at once-let it go forward as it by which this great blessing may be se has done for the last five or six yearscured, without bringing in such enor- and though some impatient enthusiasts mous evils as would render it a doubtful may be disappointed, we shall soon argood. Of these, the foundations must rive at such a state of society, that no be placed in the opinion, the affections, man, however poor, may not command and the power of the people. And when such an education as is fitted to his conany schemes of this liberal and com- dition." prehensive character are brought forward, it will be found that the Protestant Dissenters are not more jealous of their own rights and privileges, than anxious for the diffusion of all the means of knowledge and respectability and free-ful reasoner: should, however, this dom amongst all classes of their country

men.

The "Plain Thoughts" will be found very sensible and important suggestions on the same subject. After some remarks on the probability that sufficient evidence has not been produced to authorize the Legislature to agree to any measure of such a general and universal nature as that which is now proposed," the writer adds,

"There is great harshness, not to say positive injustice, in the principle, that every man shall be compelled to contribute towards the education of another man's child, whether he is willing or not so to do. The duties of Christian charity are not the proper subjects for legal assessment: and why should I be obliged to pay my quota towards the building of a Parish School, if I feel persuaded that such a school is more likely to do harm than good in my neighbourhood? As for the manner of moving the question by complaints,' we know that complaining' people will never be wanting in any parish, and it would be strange, indeed, if five householders' could not be found, in any neighbourhood, to make themselves of importance, by mooting such a question at the Quarter-sessions."

We feel truly sorry that we cannot find room for more extracts from this energetic writer and power

lead them to resolve to purchase the impossibility to gratify our readers pamphlet itself, they will be thankful that they have had an opportunity of perusing one of the most powerful and luminous exposures of Mr. Brougham's anomalous measure for laying the last grain of sand upon the landholder, by such an enormous increase of the poor-rates, and for working education by a steamengine.

The design of all these Pamphlets is to stir up Dissenters throughout the kingdom to adopt moderate, but firm and energetic means; to protest against this measure, by petitioning the legislature to prevent it from passing into a law, not because they disapprove of a National System of Education for the Poor, nor because they object to contribute towards such an object, but because they cannot consent to a sectarian and exclusive mode of education, though that mode should be the creed and catechism of the sect which happens to be endowed by law.

We cannot but consider this as a matter, if not "devised against the quiet of the land," yet as most degrading and vexatious to Protestant Dissenters; as act their labours in educating the tending most banefully to counterchildren of the poor; and as laying a snare in the way of their own offThe fact is, however, that the Edu- spring, to draw them away from the

To show that there is no necessity for the proposed measure, the author siates,