however, we do know (for the prophetic | and around our churches, must be decid Look, again, at the following exquisite allusion to the labours of Wickliffe : "The fourteenth century was a morning-hour in the history of man. Just in that twilight the disconsolate disciples | of Christ, after witnessing the outrageous triumph of His enemies in the destruction of the Albigensian churches, and despairing of help, had gone as if to hide their tears where their hopes were buried. Bearing the spices of faith and love, they had come very early in the morning,' even before it was yet day,' to the sepulchre of their Lord; but He had already astounded the 'watch' that had been set; the great stone was already rolled away; and they, hastening hither and thither, proclaimed to all the world the happy news, 'He is risen indeed!' "—(Page 24). The following is the last of these pictures, for which we can make room : "Scarcely a page in the theological writings, even of the long wintry times of the church, can be opened, in which the Saviour of the world does not appear; but He so appears as not to quicken the soul. Penances come between the troubled conscience and His atoning merits; the virgin and the saints stand crowding in front of the throne where He sits, as the Mediator between God and man. The priest frowns upon the love that would bring the sinner to the Saviour's feet; and the troubled spirit finds no consolation. It has been wounded; but it is not healed!" (Page 26). The work is printed in bold, clear type, on good paper; and, having a broad page and a narrow margin, contains a great deal of matter in its hundred leaves. edly prejudicial to the congregations, and to all who may be dwelling within the sphere of their influence, no one can look without shuddering at the dismal and dingy burial-grounds, pent up in the heart of a large city. Our neighbours, the French, have been before hand with us, in this work of mingled taste and convenience. We remember wandering with a kind of pleasing melancholy among the shady avenues and classic templelooking tombs of Pere la Chaise and Montmatre. Since that time, these "cities of the dead" have been imitated by us; and though at present they have something of the rawness of novelty, yet time will rapidly add to the stature of the trees, and death (alas!) will still more rapidly bring tenants to the graves. All this Mr. Collison's handsome volume, gives (very appropriately) an account of the modes of interment practised by the ancients; together with a description of the various cemetries of France, America, the East, and our own country. is introductory to an account of the Abney Park Cemetery, recently established at Stoke Newington; a place respecting which many particulars are giver, culled from various sources, ancient and modern. It is chiefly interesting to us from its association with Dr. Isaac Watts. view of the house where he passed so many years, is given; accompanied by some interesting notices. A MEDICAL NOTES and REFLECTIONS. By HENRY HOLLAND, M.D., F.R.S. Second edition. Longman and Co., Paternoster Row. THESE "Notes and Reflections" are culled from the observations made during twenty years extensive practice in London, by a physician moving among the higher circles. The objects principally kept in view by the author, are, first, the relation which diseases bear to each other, and to the healthy state of the body; secondly, the correction of doubtful or erroneous plans of treatment; CEMETERY-INTERMENT. BY GEORGE COL- thirdly, suggestions as to particular re LISON, Solicitor. Longman and Co., Paternoster Row, FEW improvements of modern times, have given us more pleasure than the introduction of cemetries. They recommend themselves, both on the score of health and of ornament; for while the unwholesome exhalations rising within medies; and, lastly, a new arrangement of certain physiological facts and inferences. It will be evident, from this sketch, that the volume is primarily intended for professional readers; but there are many facts and elucidations which will prove interesting to intelligent inquirers of every class. The first chapter, on "Medical Evidence," should be perused by all members of the legal as well as of the medical profession; for all are liable to be engaged in trials, in which the principles laid down should be borne in mind; although it is not the evidence given by medical men, but the evidence attainable in medical cases, that the author has principally in view. subject, however, we turn to another of more practical interest. The following observations on the connection between diet and sleep, are of daily importance to all : "Whatever of wholesome change in diet may have been made in this country of late years, there is cause to think that we deal injuriously with the night, by bringing the time of dinner so closely upon it. The interval of four or five hours, between the heaviest meal of the day and the time of going to bed, is by no means that most favourable to sound rest. The early stage of digestion, during which there is a natural tendency to As chapters of general interest, may be mentioned those on hereditary disease; the effects of mental attention on the bodily organs; the points where a patient may judge for himself; the epidemic infilnenzas of late years; dreaming, insanity, and intoxication; diet, and disorders of digestion; sleep; the influ- repose, is passed over; and we seek it ence of the weather; Phrenology; and at a time when the system, as respects insect-life, as a cause of disease. The the influence of food, is again taking up last-mentioned subject, although new to a more active state; and when exercise, most readers, is by no means a new spe- rather than the recumbent posture, is culation; having been frequently discus- expedient in forwarding healthily the sed during the last century. But atten- latter stages of that process. The old tion to it has recently been revived, and method-supper at bed-time, as a sequel (it is to be hoped) will not be allowed to to dinner in the middle of the day-was sleep, till satisfactory conclusions shall better in regard to the comfort and comhave been arrived at. The hypothesis, pleteness of rest at night; and the started by the Germans (rather given to habit of good sleep may often be retrieved speculation), is, that certain diseases, by adopting a plan of this kind, when especially some of an epidemic and con- every soothing medicine has failed of tagious character, are derived from ani- effect."-(Page 449.) malcules, floating in the air (at the time We highly approve this plan of giving, these diseases prevail), and attacking in a small compass, the essence (as it the body, either externally (on the skin), were) of the experience gained by a meor internally (in the lungs or digestive dical man, in large practice. The work organs). A striking fact, which seems is much of the same character as the very to favour this theory, is, that cholera interesting one by Dr. Millengen-" Cusometimes spreads in a direction contrary riosities of Medical Experience." We to the course of the wind, and to places are happy to find that another volume is not visited by persons from an infected in preparation; and we hope such vodistrict. Instead of dwelling on this lumes will be abundantly multiplied. Religious Entelligence. THE COURT. On the 15th December the "church CHURCH OF ENGLAND. ing" of the Queen took place at Buck-churches have been recently opened :— ingham Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating. On Sunday morning, December 20, Her Majesty and Prince Albert attended Divine service at the private chapel in Buckingham Palace, the Rev. Dr. Short officiating; and on Sunday morning, December 27, at the private chapel in Windsor Castle, whither the Court has removed for the Christmas holidays. Burtle (Bath and Wells diocese). Oct. 9. Stainland (Ripon diocese). Oct. 26. St. George, Sowerby (Chester diocese). Oct. 27. Sunnighill-dale, Old Windsor (Oxford diocese). Oct. 29. St. James, Emsworth (Winchester diocese). Nov. 10. 11. Bossington (Winchester diocese). Nov. St. Mary, Ashted, Birmingham (Worcester diocese). St. James, Sutton (Chester diocese). St. Nicholas, Newport, Lincoln. Nov. 24. Collection £122. COLONIAL BISHOPRICS.-It has been determined to proceed, without further delay, with the plan proposed in the Bishop of London's letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, for providing a fund for the endowment of Bishoprics in our colonies and foreign possessions. Her Majesty, the Queen Dowager, has announced her intention of contributing the munificent sum of £2,000; the Archbishop of Canterbury, £1,000; the Bishop of London £1,000 the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge has voted a grant of £10,000; the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, £5,000; the Church Missionary Society has declared its intention of contributing liberally to the same object; the Colonial Church Society has subscribed £400. We have reason to believe, that the first objects to which the fund will be applied, will be the endowment, or part endowment of Bishoprics in Malta and in New Zealand. COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S CONNEXION. ADELPHI CHAPEL, STRAND. This Christchurch, Black friars' Road. Rate carried. chapel was re-opened, in Lady Hunting REGISTRATION ACT.-The following Entry is in the Register Book of Births in the Belgrave District : 1840. BIRTH IN THE DISTRICT OF BELGRAVE, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. THE EVANGELICAL REGISTER. FEBRUARY, 1841. THE STUDY OF THEOLOGY. BY DR. CHALMERS. THERE are two ways of ordering a theological course. The one proceeds chronologically, in the order of the Divine administration; from the being of God to the consummation of all things. The other proceeds chronologically too, but in the order of human inquiry; beginning with the doctrine of depravity; pasing on to the remedy, to its application, and to holiness; then to death, judgment, and eternity; finally to the constitution of the Divine nature; and so ending where the other began. We were all along suspicious of the first of these methods; though it is the order, so far as we know, of all the catechisms and confessions of Europe; and we may now say, that we give a decided preference to the last. The difference between these two orders, may be illustrated by the difference between the analytic and synthetic sciences. The synthetic (such as geometry) require perfect acquaintance with first principles; lest a flaw should gain admission into the process. The analytic method, on the other hand, is more applicable to a subject, in which, instead of principles to set out with, we have principles to seek. This is surely better fitted for a science, that is beset with mysteries behind and before. And theology is pre-eminently such a science-a science, the first principles of which we cannot pluck out of the dark obscurity behind, and the final results of which are lost to our view in the deep obscurity before. Now we cannot but feel it to be a violation of principle, to give the synthetic treatment to such a science as this; and having, by a transcendental flight, achieved our station at the top of the ladder, to descend it, instead of beginning at the foot, and feeling our way to the summit. We are not in possession of the "surd," which might enable us to march, with a look of command and an air of demonstration, to the subordinate "places" around us. It gives an a priori character to the argument. These considerations are strengthened by the relation which exists between Natural and Christian Theology. It is wrong to say the one is the basis of the other: but under the promptings of the one we find our way to the other. There is enough in the one to awake the consciousness of guilt; but here Christianity takes up the difficulty in which Natural Theology lands us; and gives the counterpart solution. This is the place where Natural Theology breaks off, and where Christian Theology takes up the inquirer, and leads him forward in practical preparation for the joys and exercises of heaven. Between the desideratum of the one Theology, and the counterpart doctrine of the other, there ought not to be imposed the doctrine of the Trinity. We well remember, that after two months' treatment of it, we felt the comfort of having recovered that path, along which the desires of man and the remedies of the Gospel move in harmony. You will remember, that at the beginning of the course on Natural Theology, we stated our opinion that every man has been visited by some imagination of a God; and that to this imagination a corresponding duty attaches. There is, at the outset, this impellent principle, by which Natural Theology may be pushed to its utmost limit. Now I like to connect the desires of Natural, with the responses of Christian Theology. This less ambitious way of it is more fitted for us; and many of the difficulties are owing to the synthetic mode of treating the subject. The doc VOL. XIII. G trine of the Trinity, when made the subject of scientific treatment, belongs not to the first, but to the last part of the course. We cannot conceive a topic better fitted for a concluding examination. There is great clearness of scriptural evidence for the four simple propositions which the doctrine includes-that the Father is God; that the Son is God; that the Spirit is God; and that yet God is one. But few theologians know where to stop; and to separate scriptural information from gratuitous speculation. From its discussion, the pupil cannot fail to learn much of the way of settling controversies by biblical interpretations; and we must now declare our determination, in all time coming, to advance it to a far later, or even to the last place in the course. Let it not be imagined that we overlook the moral importance of the doctrine. But long before its scientific demonstration, we have, in the general testimony of Scripture, sufficient ground for believing it. This we do on the ground of those patent proofs, which, for all important doctrines, may be gathered from almost any translation. We have formerly said, that biblical criticism is not an instrument of discovery but of defence; and we may avail ourselves of discoveries now, and defend by and by. We hold it incumbent on us to defend all the doctrines of Scripture: but that is no reason why man's moral nature should not occupy the first, and God's mysterious existence the last place in the course. It may be thought, that the effect of these observations, is to pass a censure on ourselves; since the former is the plan we have hitherto followed. To mitigate this charge we must observe, that Professors have to feel their way, as well as other men. It took Ferguson twenty years to complete his course; and Adam Smith gives an admirable account of the way in which a Professor's course of lectures is amended. Besides, we could not, without a previous trial, venture to differ from every system and every course, with which we are yet acquainted; and so it was, that by a transcendental movement, we lifted ourselves up to the most transcendental topics. We felt the violence of the moral disruption; and-what was worsewe had the conviction that our hearers felt it along with us. It was quite an ungainly introduction to Christianity, to begin with that doctrine which is an impracticable enigma. We used to feel the horrors of this "middle passage ;" but it will be a middle passage no longer. This is the greatest change we at present contemplate; but it is impossible to say what new lights may break in upon us; not as to any change inChristian doctrine, certainly; but as to the order of treating it. Were a Theological course to be gone through in two or three years, a life might be spent in a series of easy promenades over this simple course; but it is different, when one is determined to give up, to this most important and unwieldy of the sciences, the remainder of his days. It is well, however, that the subject was completely gone through; for had we attempted an innovation at first, it might have been called an innovation of ignorance. A man is not entitled to innovate in what he does not know. But the misfortune is, that the labour spent in acquiring this knowledge, is apt to work us into a disproproportionate sense of its value; and it is a rare philosophy, which enables a man to pronounce on the insignificance of that, which it has cost him so much to acquire. There is a Society among you (from which we augur much good) for the study of Church forms. With these, we are ashamed to say, we are very little acquainted; much less than a Professor of Theology should have the face to acknowledge. But we would advise you to study them; and we hope you will thereby acquire a right to knock one half of them on the head. When discussing the doctrine of the Trinity, we felt the transition to be as great as possible in passing to other topics, after the hideous speculations hatched in the middle ages. On making our escape from them, we felt that we were breathing a delightful atmosphere. We were glad to quit the region of transcendentals; and instead of holding converse with Christianity, in dark cabalistic phraseology, about the inaccessible secrets of heaven, we were glad to descend to the duties of our species. We have already discovered how vain is the attempt to explore the constitution of God; and we shall proceed to a more hopeful subject, the character and constitution of man. * Substance of a Lecture delivered in the University of Edinburgh by Dr. Chalmers. |