Review.Lay Testimony to the Truth of the Sacred Records. 23 God, which taketh away the sin of the from disappointed hope; and " religious "Be-truth" may be expected, in a manner befitting its sacredness, to indicate displeasure, on account of the indecorum with which its paramount claims have been treated. As to the second, and much smaller work, whose title is also placed at the commencement of this article, whether it be wrought by the same hand or not, it cer tainly sustains the distinctive features impressed upon that which we have more largely noticed. Lay Testimony to the Truth of the Sacred Records, extracted from the works of the most celebrated Historians, Philosophers, Statesmen, Orators, and Poets, of all Nations; establishing the Divine Origin, of Revealed Religion. To which is added the Concessions of the most distinguished Sceptics. Chronologically arranged. By a LAYMAN.-London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. world?" So do we. Does he say; lieve in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved;" So do we. And, if it be further objected, as is not uncommon, "I perceive myself to be undone; I can neither repent nor believe :" we reply, not in direct contradiction both to scripture and experience, you are capable of performing every requirement of the law and the gos. pel. And that “This is what God requires you to do in order to deliverance from his wrath; and except you do it, without regard to any communication of his Spirit, he leaves you to perish." But that original and actual transgression has brought every individual of our race into a state of awful ruin and condemnation, from which deliverance can only be effected by the exercise of sovereign grace and infinite power to which we subjoin, in the words of the faithful and true witness, what the author's sentiments necessarily excludes: "And I say unto you ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him." In short, whatever difficulties may be supposed to attend our views, the author's hypothesis exposes him to still greater; for while, on his own principles, The object of the work before us (the he does and must admit that, in the elect-long title page of which we have copied ing love of the Father, in the atoning above), is to present, in a narrow compass, grace of the Redeemer, and in the renew- the sentiments of some of the most illusing influence of the Spirit, that has been trious men, in reference to the Bible. It purposed and accomplished for the eter- consists of numerous “memoranda,” made nally saved, which has not been done, and by the compiler, during a long and extennever was intended to be done, for those sive course of reading. They were, origiwho will be finally lost,all pretension to su- nally, only intended for private use; nor, perior advantage, on the ground either of as he observes in the preface, "would the appeal or benefit to sinners, evaporates; for- following selection have attained its prebidding, at the same time, such reference sent extent, but for the bold assertions unto the use of instituted means as, on mil-blushingly put forth, by the Christian relions of occasions, have received the seal negade who lately held his nightly orgies of Divine approbation. in the modern Pandemonium; representOur conclusion from the whole, there- ing the sublime truths of Christianity as a fore, is, that the author will find his at-tissue of fables, indebted solely for propatempt a complete failure. "Human gation and support, to the credulity of reason" will not fail to discover indubitable fools, and the interested advocacy of the symptoms of severe mortification, arising priesthood." WE are always pleased with well-directed But its The Claims of Society on Young MenThe Dangers of Young Men-The Importance of Established Principles-The Formation and Importance of Character-and Religion the Chief Concern-A Supplementary Lecture on Reading closes the work. To show the folly of such statements, we have to thank him, and we hope it the editor has published the "Testimony" will prodnce those effects which are conof illustrious laymen to the truth of the templated by its excellent author. The Sacred Records. We have extracts from subjects treated of in the volume indicate the Writings of nearly 300 distinguished its nature and tendency. Its usefulness men in favour of them; and the conces- can only be gathered from the manner in sions of some score of equally distin- which they are handled. They are as guished sceptics. The lives of these per- follows:sonages extend from 1396 to 1827. The book is, therefore, a curious one, apart from its value. It is certainly a sort of multum in parvo production. Every one who loves the truth must be pleased with it. It cannot fail of doing good, and the compiler, Mr. East of Chard, has well employed his time in editing it. We have made no extracts, for that would be useless from such a diversified mass of "Tes. timony." It is neatly got up and the price reasonable, and is dedicated to our gracious Queen We cordially recommend it to our readers and hope it will have a most extensive circulation. Lectures to Young Men on the formation of Character, originally addressed to the Young Men of Hartford and New Haven, and published at their united request. With an additional Lecture on Reading. By JOEL HAWES, D.D. Pastor of the first church in Hartford, C. T.; with a Preface, by the Rev. RALPH WARDLAW, D.D.—Glasgow, George Gallie; London: Hamilton, Adams and Co.; Holdsworth and Ball; Westley and Davis, pp. 160. THE present and future character of the rising generation is of the last importance to the welfare of the community. It must therefore be highly desirable that it be formed after right models and swayed in a right direction. As a general spirit of inquiry is abroad, that man who presents suitable objects unto, is conferring a lasting benefit on, his fellow-creatures; for he not only satisfies the present demand but keeps the desire for improvement alive. He contributes a truly valuable addition to the means already in operation to effect the moral improvement and elevation of the character of the rising race. The publication of Dr. Hawes is a work of this nature. It is a benefit for which We cannot better state our opinion of this work than by quoting the language of Dr. Wardlaw in the excellent preface he has written for it. His opinion will have its due weight with our readers, and as he speaks highly of the book, they will feel assured he would not lend his name and sanction to a production of doubtful or inferior merit. "These all-important subjects," he observes," are here treated in no common place style. The counsel is judicious and salutary, vigourously conceived, and happily and forcibly expressed. The discussions are occasionally enlivened by illustrative anecdote and classical allusion. They are full without tediousness, and concise without obscurity-evangelical without extravagance, and deeply serious without enthusiasm." eulogy we cordially concur. In this The Excitement, or a Book to induce Young People to read, for 1833: containing Remarkable Appearances in Nature, Signal Preservations, and such incidents as are particularly fitted to arrest the Youthful Mind. pp. 394.-Waugh. THIS is unquestionably an age remarkably characterized by "excitement;" and, though we can by no means approve of it can be subordinated to the preservation every effect it produces, yet, so far as of important principles, and the prospects of true knowledge, it is abundantly more entitled to encouragement than suppression. We think that opposition to injurious excitement, should be as unqualified and interminable as the cause which produces it, but where, as in the present instance, the object is to induce in youthful minds the habit of attentively considering the beautiful phenomena of nature, and the astonishing events of Providence, to check such endeavours, would no less indicate the absence of sound dom than of genuine benevolence. The Religion of Taste, a Poem. By CARLOS WILCOX appears to have been wis-distinguished by the possession of early This work, of which the present volume is the fourth in the series, aspires, and we see no reason why it should not, to "take its place among the regular annuals of the day." Our young friends will find, in the numerous articles comprised in this volume, amounting, we believe, to fiftytwo, many remarkable appearances of nature, striking interpositions of providence, awful instances of cruelty, and terrible conflicts of adversaries. In such a work, as plates are introduced, perhaps, six are not sufficient to gratify expectation; and we should like to meet with brief remarks and reflections, to enable the juvenile reader distinctly to draw the line between that which should be approved, and that which should be condemned. An Affectionate Address to the King and his Government. By THOMAS SHILLITOE, pp. 13.- Harvey. THE author of this Address is very much concerned, as we should suppose every considerate and conscientious person must be, that the recent visitation of cholera should have wrought so partial and ineffectual a repentance. He, therefore, lifts up his voice, and we sincerely wish it may not be in vain, "to the king and his government," to discountenance more effectively playhouses, borse-races, bull and bear-baiting, cock-fighting, slavery, Sunday trafficing and travelling, Sunday newspapers and Sunday news-rooms,drunkenness, &c. No doubt he might greatly have enlarged this list of national offences, some of them against reason, and all of them opposed to religion; but, if these evils were suppressed, they would sweep away many others in their train, and we should then be making a much nearer approach to that moral eminence to which the judgments and mercies of God are so manifestly adapted to raise us. and eminent piety. From a brief memoir of him prefixed to this poem, we find that he was born at Newport, in New Hampshire, in the year 1794; that having for some years engaged in the Christian ministry occasionally, in his thirtieth year, under circumstances peculiarly promising, he was ordained pastor of a church at Hartford, but, alas! was permitted to survive the formation of this important connexion scarcely three years; dying May 29th, 1827. The reason of his writing this poem is stated in a manner that we think is adapted to impress and instruct. "The author, himself gifted with a considerable measure of the poetic temperament, had made, in his own person, the experiment of the effects of what he denominates the religion of taste. Hence arose his anxiety to impress on others the result of this experiment. He had found that the visions of the imagination cannot confer that inward principle of reverence towards the great Supreme, of humility, of resignation, of universal obedience to his revealed will, without which religion may indeed be decorated with the rapidly fading garlands of eloquence, but it must fail to impart its proper influences to the heart and life, or to make any due provision, for that day when every illusion shall vanish before the solemn realities of eternity." The deceased certainly was not one of those persons who, being destitute of taste himself, became enviously indignant at the discovery of it in others: for the work before us supplies many unequivocal proofs that the author possessed this qualification in a very high degree. The only passage we have space to introduce is the following : "With thoughts sublimed and yet chastised by truth, "'Tis sweet to see from our maturer years "How vain the fond imaginings of youth,"'Tis sweet to see, while faith the bosom cheers, E "The withering of the flowers that fancy rears, "The fading of her visions once so bright, "And when her bubbles burst, to smile in tears, "That we could trust so much in things so light, "So sure to lead astray, and then' to take their flight." p. 50. A new and complete Edition, revised and corected, with an Accompaniment for the Pianoforte, of the Vocal Music of the late C. W. Banister. Edited by HENRY J. BANISTER. IN the commencement of this year we are desirous of calling the attention of our readers, especially those who are lovers of devout poetry as combined with vocal harmony, to the progress of this excellent musical publication. It has now reached its eighteenth number; and, if we are not misinformed, several more are yet to follow. It must be obvious, to every person of musical taste and science, that, in discharging this debt of filial affection, the Editor spares neither cost nor labour to render the work worthy of the departed, and interesting to the public. At the solicitation of friends, selections have been sung on different occasions, under circumstances which have made a strong and decided impression in favour of its claims to extensive patronage. In one instance we had the pleasure of being present, and though we are fast approximating to that period of human life when it may be said "Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and of singing women," yet we cannot do less than embrace the present opportunity of stating that we were highly gratified. 1. The Christian Ladies' Union Pocket Book for 1833, for all Denominations, pp. 127.-Penn and Son. 2. Ruffy's improved Series of PocketBooks: The Gentleman's New Pocket Book for 1833, pp. 189.-Thorp and Burch AFTER an examination of these articles, we cannot do less than state to our readers, is compensated by an enlarged quantity of that kind of information which is always desirable for the numerous class of persons on whose account it is thus annually collected and published. 1. An earnest Address to Parents and Teachers on the right Training of Children. pp. 67. 2. The Character of a good Minister considered, in a Sermon. pp. 53. 3. The Way of Peace and Safety made plain: two Sermons on the Forgiveness of Sins and the Spirit's Witness. By VALENTINE WARD, Minister of the Gospel. pp. 55.-Mason. THESE four tracts, written by Mr. Ward, may be had either separately or together. Their general design and execution are truly excellent; and so cordial is our concurrence in the main objects contemplated in the publication, that, notwithstanding our conscientious objections to some few of their statements, we heartily recommend them to the perusal of all our readers. The Child's Book on the Soul By the Rev. T. H. GALLAUDET, late Principal of the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb. Part 11. pp. 138.-Seeley. THESE attempts to convey important instruction to infant minds have to encounter considerable difficulty; arising from the elevated nature of the subjects introduced, and the deep anxiety of the instructor not so to simplify them as to conincorrect notion of their nature. In provey to the youthful pupil an unworthy or undertaking, is the encouragement due to portion, however, to the difficulty of the those who successfully conduct it; and, on this principle, we sincerely wish well to" the Child's Book on the Soul." Narrative of the Conversion (by the instrumentality of two ladies) of James Cook, the Murderer of Mr. Paas: in Letters addressed to a Clergyman of the Established Church. By MRS. LACHLAN, Authoress of the "Poor Girls' Help," &c. pp. 355.-Simpkin. that they appear to us exceedingly well- | OUR readers can be at no loss to conclude arranged, and adapted for usefulness. The first contains several engravings, a text of scripture for every day in the year, poetical extracts, &c. And though the second has but one engraving, the disparagement what must be our opinion concerning this publication, when we state, that, apart from a few excepted passages, it is characterized by weakness, delusion, and extra vagance. MRS. SOULE. OBITUARY. God, as preached by the Rev. J. Thomas, of Highgate, then supplying in the town, accompanied with the energy of the Holy Spirit, produced deep conviction of mind on account of sin, and constrained her to seek for mercy through the blood of Christ. Having obtained peace and joy through believing, and being persuaded that her spiritual growth and happiness were inseparably connected with obedience to the commands of the Saviour, she publicly avowed her attachment to him by baptism, and a profession of her faith; and united herself to his people in christian fellowship. She first became a member of the church assembling for worship at the Tabernacle, Lewes ; and often mentioned with pleasure and gratitude the benefit she derived from the public ministrations of those ministers who occasionally laboured among that people. She considered, however, a constant change of ministers less calculated to meet the exigencies of a congregation than the labours of a stated person; and felt it also her duty to attach herself to a people whose views coincided with her own on the ordinances of the New Testament. soon as she could, therefore, consistently with the regard she paid to her edification and comfort, she removed her communion to the Baptist church in that town, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Denham. With this people she walked in VARIOUS are the methods by which the religion of Christ is presented to our notice, but in no point of view does it appear more lovely and attractive than when embodied in the life of a consistent and devoted christian. It is there its adaptation to our circumstances is discovered, in the renovation of the heart, in securing peace to the mind, in directing and supporting its possessor through the intricacies and trials of life, and enabling the soul to triumph in the hour of death. Thus the theory of religion is brought to a test by a series of experiments, which proves the omnipotency of its principles, the boundless love and compassion of God; affords the greatest encouragement to the faith and diligence of Christians, and furnishes a powerful stimulus to others to make application to the same heavenly source for the bestowment of similar blessings. It is partly for these reasons that the biographical sketches of those who have lived and died in the faith are so often read with such deep interest and spiritual profit. Under the impression, therefore, that the power of Divine truth, as exhibited in the life and experience of the believer, is eminently calculated to benefit others, and to extol the grace of the Lord Jesus, the writer begs permission to give a brief account of one of the excellent of the earth, who, in her life and death, bore a delightful testimony to the value of re-love, adorning the doctrine of God her Saligion. As viour in all things, till it pleased him to remove her to the church above. Mrs. Soule, the subject of this memoir, Mrs. Soule delightfully exemplified the was the daughter of Mr. J. Button, of Lewes, and niece to the late Rev. W. benign and holy influence of genuine reliButton, of London. Being privileged gion in her christian profession. But it with a religious education, she discovered will not be consistent with the design of from her childhood a reverence for the this paper to give more than a brief outworship of the sanctuary, and was merci- line of the leading traits of her character. fully preserved from those paths of im- And the intention is not to eulogize the morality in which the young are so often dead, but to exhibit the glory of God in found walking, to the grief and distress of the riches of his grace, for the encourageDeeply did she feel her their pious friends. She did not, however, ment of others. give decided evidence of a real change of obligations to Divine grace for whatever heart till she attained the twentieth year she possessed acceptable to God, either in of her age. About this time the word of heart or life; and the consciousness of her |