Divine Laws ordained for Blessings. A Discourse delivered before the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society, London, 1848, and published at the request of the General Committee. By William Urwick, D.D. 8vo., pp. 52. John Mason. -A more important discourse we have never read. It is, in fact, a compendious treatise on one of the most momentous subjects by which the human attention can possibly be engaged. He shows that the well-being of every portion of the universe results from that which might be termed obedience to law: at all events, from the order established by conformity to law. If we may allude to a common distinction, both head and heart must be improved by such a perusal of this discourse as it deserves, that is, a thought ful and devout one.

Rest in Christ; or, the Crucifix and the Cross. 24mo., pp. 27. Stiff covers. J. J. Guillaume. A brief but interesting narrative of one who was bewildered for a time with the notions of AngloRomanism, and felt that consistency required the whole journey to Rome itself. At this eventful crisis, a new train of thought was suggested by a pious friend. Hitherto, forms had brought neither peace nor power; and the advice was given to draw nigh to God directly by his Son, and not to employ the baseless mediation of the Church. The advice was followed; and, by God's blessing, this was the result:" One night, in the solitude of my own room, I came back, like the prodigal, to my Father's breast. I had scarcely dared to seek the wages of an hired servant, and now God himself had compassion on me from afar, and the Spirit bore witness with my spirit that I was His child. I loved Him because He had first loved me. For hours I was conscious of nothing but the absorbing joy, My Father, I am thy child!'" This is the truc, the effectual antidote to both Puseyism and Popery.

Sanctified Intellect: its Character, Work, and Reward. A Sermon, suggested by the Death of the Rev. R. W.

Hamilton, LL.D., D.D. By William Leask, Author of “ Our Era." 8vo., pp. 16. Ward and Co.-Correct and solid in thought, and truly eloquent in expression.

The Business of Life. By Catherins Sinclair, Author of "Jane Bouverie," "Journey of Life," &c. 2 vols., foolscap 8vo., pp. 364, 379. Longmans.These volumes are divided into thirtyeight sections, or "days;" and in these are given a series of remarks, almost in the colloquial style, on such portions of the Gospel of Matthew as relate to that great subject which Miss Sinclair has adopted for the title of her work,"the Business of Life." They are evidently designed for practical use. Το the philosophical or profound, Miss Sinclair does not look, but to the actual go vernment of the conduct. Pious and correct throughout, occasionally there are proofs of that clear-sightedness which enables the author to detect plausible, but real and even dangerous, errors and defects, and to point out seemingly trivial, but truly important, duties. the list of works on practical devotion, this is a valuable contribution.

Το

English Puritan Divines: Life and Times of Philip Henry. Large 18mo., pp. 288. Thomas Nelson.—An excellent narrative, of which the "Life of Philip Henry," by his son, Matthew, is the foundation. The aim of the writer seems to have been to produce such a work as if the original author had been now living, and writing for the present times. We think he has been successful: he has certainly given us a pleasing, as well as an instructive, volume.

The Closing Scene; or, Christianity and Infidelity contrasted in the last Hours of remarkable Persons. By the Author of "The Bishop's Daughter," "Self-Sacrifice," &c. Foolscap 8vo., pp. viii, 376. Longmans.-Nineteen chapters, containing the anecdotes to which the title-page refers, with judicious reflections. Altogether, it is an interesting as well as instructive volume, and

calculated to arrest the attention of the thoughtless, and to fix the thoughtful in the truth.

Christ's Intercessory Prayer: Six Discourses on the Seventeenth Chapter of St. John, preached in April and May, 1848. By the Rev. E. Scobell, M.A., Incumbent of St. Peter's, Verestreet, Afternoon Preacher at the Foundling, and late Lecturer of St. Mary-lebone. Foolscap 8vo., pp. 195. C. Hasleden.-Pious and evangelical, on principles decidedly Calvinistic.

Memoir of the Rev. Henry Duncan, D.D., Minister of Ruthwell, Founder of Savings' Banks, Author of "Sacred Philosophy of the Seasons," &c. By his Son, the Rev. George J. C. Duncan, North Shields. Foolscap 8vo., pp. xi, 379. Edinburgh, Oliphants. London, Hamiltons.-A memoir deserving a very thoughtful perusal. Dr. Duncan, though throughout life a studious and laborious man, was not, at first, under the influence of evangelical principles. These, however, he at length perceived, and practically acknowledged. To the great doctrine of the spiritual independence of the church he faithfully adhered, and was one of the noble band of confessors who, at the "disruption," now a matter of history, gave up all for what he believed to be the truth. Many valuable lessons may be learned from this narrative of his life.

Lectures delivered before the Young Men's Christian Association, at Centenary-Hall and Freemasons'-Hall, 1847-8. Issued under the Sanction of the Committee. Foolscap 8vo., pp. 336. B. L. Green.-An excellent volume,

especially for the young. The subjects are both historical, scientific, and theological; and when we mention the names of Dr. Harris, Dr. Beaumont, Mr. Arthur, Baptist Noel, &c., among the Lecturers, their high character will be at once assumed; and no reader will be disappointed.

Scriptural Teaching; or, a Pastor's Offering to his People. By the Rev. W. Blackley, B.A., Domestic Chaplain to the Right Hon. Viscount Hill; Author of "Expository Lectures on St. Matthew," &c. 12mo., pp. viii, 420. Hatchards. -We are glad to see from such a volume as this, that, notwithstanding the numerous and painful defections exhibited by the Anglican Church at the present day, "all are not lost or wandered back." Here are twenty-five sermons, which, though not at all of a polemic character, (they are decidedly practical,) are yet strongly opposed to the fatal and too prevalent heresy which is infecting and, as we think, destroying the Church of England. They are devout, earnest, and evangelical; and the writer shows himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.

Sketches of the Life and Labours of the Rev. George Whitefield. To which are added two Discourses, preached in the Year 1739. Issued by the Committee of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, for the publication of the Works of Scottish Reformers and Divines. 12mo., pp. 312. John John

stone. A volume on such a subject scarcely needs from us any particular recommendation. We are glad to have the opportunity of announcing it.

tions for the work of the ministry, and the uprightness, integrity, and kindness which he manifested in his general deportment, made his labours to be esteemed in proportion as they were known. At the last Conference his bodily health had so far declined as to render it advisable, and even necessary, that he should rest from his labours for a period. He removed to York, where he felt assured he would receive that attention from the sympathy and affection of his friends, which would tend to soothe his mind in the season of suffering, and smooth his passage to a better world. Here his heavenly Father, by a lingering and painful process of sanctified suffering, in which he had most humbling views of his unworthiness and sinfulness, and of the holiness requisite to prepare him for the vision and enjoyment of an infinitely pure and holy Being, made him meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. During his last illness he repeatedly and emphatically said, "All is right! All is right!" His faith was emboldened; and he became importunate, though not impatient, that God should cut short his work, and receive him to himself. He died July 7th, 1848, in the fiftieth year of his age, and the twenty-fourth of his ministry.

He

17. WILLIAM WILSON, 1st; who was born near Winchester, in the year 1779. He was brought to God under the ministry of the Rev. William Shelmerdine, and soon after his conversion began to call sinners to repentance. was recommended to the ministry by the late Rev. Joseph Entwisle, in the year 1810, and was actively employed in it for thirty-six years, ten of which he passed as a Missionary in the Bahama Islands. Two years ago he became a Supernumerary, and settled in Saddleworth, near Manchester. He was a man of great simplicity of manners, and earnest and diligent in his Master's cause. The chief feature in his Christian ministry was that of pastoral visitation; and in this department he was eminently useful, especially to the young. His death was sudden. It occurred July 31st, 1848, in London; where he had arrived on a visit only an hour and a half before, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and the thirty-eighth of his ministry.

II. In Ireland, four, namely,—

1. WILLIAM RICHEY, of the Youghal Mission. He was born near Clogher, in the county of Tyrone, in the year 1793, and converted to God in the nine

As

teenth year of his age. Having given satisfactory evidence of genuine piety, zeal for God, and other necessary quali fications for the Christian ministry, he was called to engage in its duties amongst us in the year 1814, and continued efficiently to fulfil them to the period of his decease. Humility, simplicity, and spirituality, united to a naturally kind and affectionate disposition, attracted the attention of all with whom he had intercourse, and greatly endeared him to the people amongst whom he exercised his ministry. His sermons were plain and evangelical, and his delivery of them was earnest and impressive. a Pastor, he was diligent, faithful, and persevering; and his visits, whether to the people of his immediate charge or to others, were well-timed, judicious, and so admirably suited to leave a spiritual and abiding impression, that by them his way was frequently opened to further usefulness. For some months before his death he was much exposed to injury from his exertions in consequence of the fever which then prevailed; but his mind was peculiarly upheld by the consolations of the Holy Spirit; and when himself seized by the disease in a malignant form, having yet perfect command of his faculties, such was his anxiety to return to his beloved duties, that he earnestly inquired of his medical attendant when he thought he might resume his labours. But his work on earth was finished, and his everlasting rest at hand. The closing scene was solemnly edifying and impressive; for, having devoutly expressed his desire to depart, and to be with Christ," with his dying breath he fervently prayed for his family, and for the church of God, and so fell asleep in Jesus on the 23d of July, 1847, in the fifty-fourth year of his age, and the thirty-third of his ministry.

2. WILLIAM STARKEY, of the Kinsale Mission. He was blessed with pious parents, who trained him up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." In early life he was awakened to a deep sense of his guilt and danger, and obtained the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Having been distinguished by consistent piety and usefulness in a subordinate capacity, he was called to the public ministry in 1830, and laboured in word and doctrine with general acceptance and success, much beloved by the people to whom he ministered. It pleased God to visit him with severe family bereavements; yet, sustained by grace, he murmured

not, but meekly submitted to the wise dispensations of his Father in heaven. He was amiable in spirit, and unassuming in manners, respectable and useful as a Preacher, diligent and punctual in attention to all his pastoral duties. His piety shone with increasing lustre in his latest sufferings: he knew in whom he had believed; and his death was not only peaceful, but triumphant. His Master's call was unexpected, and comparatively sudden. There is reason to believe that the scenes of distress through which he passed in ministering to the suffering poor, during the late famine, acting on a heart peculiarly tender, injuriously affected his constitution, and hastened his end. He died in Bandon, on the 17th of September, 1847, in the forty-fifth year of his age, and the eigh teenth of his ministry.

3. GEORGE DEERY, of the Omagh Circuit, in the twenty-eighth year of his age, and the fourth of his ministry. He was a young man of great prudence, piety, and zeal, of considerable ability for the profitable exercise of the Christian ministry, and much beloved by the people amongst whom he laboured. He died in Dublin, in his father's house, on the 18th of January, 1848, of a rapid consumption, in full assurance of his acceptance with God, through faith in the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."

4. ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. He was truly converted to God in early life; and, having experienced redemption by faith in the blood of Christ, he began to call sinners to repentance, and gave such indications of talent and promise of usefulness in our ministry, that in 1797 he was appointed to a Circuit, and continued diligently engaged in the sacred work until 1828, when he was obliged to become a Supernumerary. He was a man of good understanding, improved by general reading, and was thoroughly acquainted with, and heartily attached to, our doctrines and discipline. the year 1830 he resided in Dublin, and subsequently suffered much affliction, which he endured with Christian patience; finishing his earthly career in the faith and hope of the Gospel, March 23d, 1848, aged eighty years.

Since

III. In our Foreign Missions, three have died, namely,

1. JOHN M'KENNY, 1st. He was born at Coleraine, in Ireland, where his parents were pious and respectable members of the Wesleyan-Methodist society.

His conversion took place during a religious awakening among the young people, who had been formed into a kind of catechumen-class by the Minister, the Rev. William Ferguson. He was made happy in the pardoning love of God when about twelve years of age; and from this period until his entrance on our ministry, he was a serious and devoted disciple of Christ, having a good report of all. At the Conference of 1812 he was placed on the List of Reserve, and was appointed in the following year to accompany the late venerable Dr. Coke in the commencement of our Missions to Southern Africa and Asia. He was placed in the pastoral charge of our early society in Cape-Town; and was then removed to the island of Ceylon, where he was highly esteemed as a faithful Missionary. In 1832 he was sent to superintend our Missions in Australia; an office the duties of which he discharged most zealously, and efficiently, till, in 1846, he was compelled by growing infirmities to become a Supernumerary Minister; when the remaining portion of his consecrated energies was cheerfully expended in the service of God and of his church. He was a man of simple faith in the atoning sacrifice of God's dear Son; a faith that was most uniform in its exercise, and most scriptural in its manifestations. Both in principle and in practice, he was thoroughly Wesleyan. He well understood and faithfully pursued the special and proper calling of a Minister in our body; taking the oversight of the entire interests of the societies committed to his care, and labouring to advance the prosperity of every department of our work, the temporal as well as the spiritual. In superintending projects of church-extension, he displayed a truly correct taste and an excellent judgment; and by his wisdom and prudence he preserved our Connexional property from being involved in financial embarrassments. His own early piety led him naturally to care for the welfare of the young. He was the patron and friend of our Sunday and day schools, and of religious training in general for those of tender age. His pulpit ministrations were distinguished by respectable and cultivated talent, by an earnest and devout solicitude that sinners should become reconciled unto God, and by an habitual sense of solemn responsibility to his divine Master and Lord. Affectionate and warm-hearted towards his own more immediate fellow-labourers in the Gospel vineyard, he was at the same time a lover of good men in all the