Severely to criticise any publication which conveys sound religious instruction, but especial'y a publication consisting of a selection from the private papers of departed and unambitious excellence, would be quite repugnant to our feelings. Still, as the pious writer of this volume is no longer in a state either to tremble before our censure, or to be gratified by our approbation, and as the living public reasonably expect a just account of whatever demands their patronage, we shall endeavour to discharge the duties of criticism. Every reader will be best able to judge how far it may be likely to suit his purpose to procure it, and acquit us of all undue partialities, if we simply state the contents and pretensions of the volume. It is a selection of thirty-four sermons, principally from the Discourses which were delivered during the latter period of the Author's ministry, many of which are gratefully recollected by the people to whom they were addressed." (Pref. p. 7.) These sermons possess a remarkable brevity and conciseness, in which view they are well adapted to "Domestic Reading." They are simple and unadorned; sometimes ingenious, often affectionate, always evangelical. They possess a pleasing power of putting the thoughts in motion upon religious topics, and suggest useful hints for meditation. They are very methodical, and generally relate to short passages or phrases, such as, "Only believe"" I thirst" "It is finished"-" The simplicity that is in Christ"— "He knew what was in man." It seems to us as if the person of Mr. Evans (judging from the portrait prefixed to the volume) and his mind were strikingly similar; neat -upright-engaging - betraying no marks of negligence, and few of passion. It is a volume which might at any time, usefully occupy a leisure ten or fifteen minutes, which is probably the longest time that any of these sermons would require to be deliberately read. We shall abridge the first into our pages, as illustrative of some of the qualities we have described, and a fair specimen of the whole. 1 Sam. xvii. 42. "He was but a Youth." Goliath despised Davidhe despised him for three reasonsfor his youth, for his delicate and fair complexion, and for his coming against him unarmed. He was but a youth -No; and yet not such a youth as the Philistine took him to be, which he soon found to his cost. He was not a youth to be disdained, but a youth to be esteemed, a youth full of amiable qualities, so far, at least, as his character was already formed. I. The youth mentioned in the text was worthy of the imitation of you who are young. He was but a youth, and yet, 1. He was possessed of sincere and profound reverence for God. The impiety of the Philistine had offended and shocked him; a proof that he revered God. My young friends, you can never be truly amiable, unless you truly reverence God. If you reverence him who is the greatest and the best of beings, we may anticipate great things respecting you. 2. David was but a youth, yet he cause of God and Religion. If the openly took a decided part in the flame of piety burn with vigour in your bosoms, it will cast a lustre all around you, it will warm and animate you in early life, in the service of the Lord. 3. He discovered great self-comis very unamiable in young persons to mand and a peaceable disposition. It be hasty and quarrelsome in their tempers and to be given to angry disputes with their connections. The master whom Christians profess to follow, when he was reviled, reviled not again. 4. He followed the directions given him by the will of God, in all matters of duty. 5. He exercised a firm confidence II. The advantages connected with the possession of such a character as that referred to in our text. 1. If you, my young friends, are pious and amiable in your early days, you will attract the esteem and love of the wise and good, and probably be indulged with the purest pleasures of life-the pleasures of true friendship. 2. If you are made the subjects of piety and virtue, your immortal interest is secure in early life. Had David fallen in his combat with the Philistine, he would only have exchanged earth for heaven. 3. Early piety generally lays a foundation, where life is spared, for future eminence of character. 4. If you who hear me this evening are pious while young, the Lord will be with you in your early youth, and through every future stage of life. Are there any of you, my young friends, who are seriously and deeply concerned about your eternal interests, and yet are discouraged while seeking for pardon and eternal life? Be assured there are no insurmount able obstacles in your way. God is more ready to give what you need, than you are to ask. The Saviour invites you in accents of love, and will joyfully receive into the arms of his mer cy. But this volume is not in any sense profound. It makes no pretensions to deep research, critical acumen, or elaborate composition. In many cases, indeed, the sentiment becomes somewhat obscure for want of expansion, or, if the meaning be obvious, the idea does not strike with sufficient force, and the reader half hesitates to admit it, through the defect of appropriate illustration. In a word, the volume contains neat and pretty sketches of sermons which the pious reader may easily fill up with his own meditations, and which, probably, the pious writer enlarged upon when they were delivered from the pulpit. If a second edition of these pleasing discourses should be demanded, we would suggest to the editor the propriety of printing them in a smaller type, and with far less waste of paper, that we might be favoured with the insertion of a larger number. It would be no disadvantage to the work to run his pen through some quaint and enfeebling phrases: for example, "When his countrymen had forsaken him, when his disciples had forsaken him, when the blood of his veins had forsaken him, then his father forsook him too." Studies in History, containing the History of Rome, from its earliest Records to the death of Constantine, in a series of Essays, accompanied with references to original authorities, and historical questions. By Thomas Morrell. Vol. II. Gale and Co. We have expressed our cordial approbation of this author's former volume of "Studies in History," and those who have perused with attention the "History of Greece, will, we are persuaded, need no additional inducement to gratify themselves with the perusal of the "History of Rome," and will perceive, as the author observes, “that the plan upon which they are conducted is exactly similar, except that in the present volume," and we deem it a great improvement, somewhat larger proportion of narrative has been introduced." The rapid sale of the former volume, requiring a second edition, needs no other proof of the public's favourable opinion of the work; and we make no doubt but this volume will meet a similar reception, to which we consider it justly entitled. 66 a As a specimen of the author's stile and manner, we make an extract of the concluding paragraph, If the whole of the preceding history be compared with the brief hints which have been occasionally introduced respecting the progress of christianity; it will appear most evident, that the spiritual kingdom of the Messiah is widely different from those empires which are temporal and worldly. We have seen the Roman empire, like a boisterous torrent, rushing forward with desolating fury, till it inundated the world, and made it a dreary waste. In tracing a series of more than 1100 years, we have seen that gigantic monarchy, founded in rapine and murder, extended by carnage and oppression, and finally dismembered, and crushed by the same ponderous engines which it had employed for the destruction of others. But not such was the manner in which the empire of the Son of God was introduced and established in the earth. When he appeared, "the mountains brought peace to the people, and the little hills righteousness." The benign and fertilizing influence of his government is beautifully compared to the silent descent of rain upon the mown grass, and of showers that water the earth. Christianity, like a pure and chrystal stream, has quietly, but rapidly, glided along from age to age, from land to land, dispensing, through all its majestic course, the richest blessings; nor will it cease to flow, till it shall have visited, refreshed, and fertilized, the whole earth. 66 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God; the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High." Button. Letters addressed to a person bap- The first of these letters is introductory; the second is, On the Profession of Christianity; the the third, On the Obligations arising from Baptism; the fourth, Ou Social Religion; the fifth, On consistency of character; the sixth, Conclusion. In each of these letters there are very judicious remarks, which, we trust, will be Vol. VII. extensively useful. We select a stinging passage from the fourth, which those of our readers who are members of churches will read with interest. Should a fellow Christian be in danger from any snare most subtilly spread in his way; though the whole community may discern the temptation, how seldom do we find a faithful man who will admonish in time. And if any should be overtaken in a fault, the love of many will wax cool.-tokens of their displeasure may not be wanting, but where shall we look for him that is spiritual who wih restore such an one in the spirit of meekness? If any communications take place in either of these cases, the admonition or the reproof is too often conveyed in, such a manner as to indicate a far greater degree of concern for the honour of the body, than for the welfare of the individual. The spirit which animates their proceedings seems to be that of jealousy rather than love. No wonder that it produces irritation and hardness, instead of melting the offender into tender watchfulness and humble contrition. But frequently, nothing is attempted; the Christian finds out his danger by feeling his feet in the net, and knows not that his brethren noticed his falling till he learns it by their shyness and reserve. Sometimes even these have no place, and providing the reputation of the Church do not suffer in the eyes of the world, the spiritual prosperity of a professor is utterly disregarded; as if such exhortations as Warn the unruly -exhort one another daily-looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled, and such like, had been expunged from the New Testament. The Prayer of a Christian Pastor under a long affliction. The substance of a Discourse, in part delivered at Maze-pond, Southwark, Nov. 29, 1814. By James Dore. Button. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the spirit which breathes in every page of the discourse which we now announce to our R readers. There is such a visible, desire to do good, such incontestible proofs of a mind deeply influenced by the subject, that it is impossible to read it without being deeply interested. The text is, Ps. xc. 15, 16, 17. After a few preliminary and judicious observations, on afflictions, the author considers, 1. The petition, "Establish thou the work of our hands," as comprehending-Human instrumentality Divine Operations -and the importance of fervent prayer for the influence of the Spirit to attend the means. 2. The important particulars specified-three requests, "Let thy work appear unto thy servants-let thy glory appear unto the children of thy servants-let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us." 3. - The felicity hence resulting, "Make us glad." This is a brief outline of Mr. D.'s plan; the several parts of which are largely and ably discussed, and with a wonderful variety of illustration. To these particulars are subjoined several appropriate and important reflections, by way of application, eminently adapted to cherish the best feelings of the heart. The impression left on our minds of the utility and excellence of this discourse, disposes us most earnestly to wish that it may be attentively perused, especially by all the young people in our respective congregations, whose spiritual and eternal welfare it is highly calculated to promote. In the narrow limits necessarily prescribed to our review, it cannot be expected that we should be able to gratify our readers with large extracts. One paragraph, however, we cannot omit: How wonderfully are circumstances balanced! How is one thing set over against another! In the midst of much personal affliction, what has been my social joy! As afflictions have abound. ed, consolations have much more abounded. I know not whether at any period of my long and happy connexion with you as a church, God has rendered my ministry more apparently useful, than since it has been confined to a few, partial, and short services. For, though I have seldom been prevented from administering the Lord's Supper, and addressing the spectators in the gallery, yet till now I have not attempted to preach. Since the original formation of the church, I do not find a year in which so many have joined it, as, through the tender mereies of our God, will be added to it this year." p. 72. A note at p. 66, informs the reader of a most interesting particular relative to its author: "More than once, when, to all human appearance, he (the author) was on the verge of the grave, he has been wonderfully restored, through the divine blessing, &c." We will only add, that our worthy friend and brother is now preparing for the press, Essays on very important Theological Subjects, the publication of which we hope to have the pleasure soon to an nounce. The Theology and Mythology of the Ancient Pagans, written particularly for Female Education, By Miss Hatfield. Robinson. Miss H. appears fully aware of the objections of parents and instructors of youth to the study of Fabulous History, on account of the danger of corrupting their imagination; and that the books, for the most part, extant on the religion of the heathens, are so exceptionable a source, that it is unsafe to refer young persons to them. We are of opinion, however, that from the perusal of this little vono danger is to be apprehended lume, but that the manner in which the knowledge it communicates upon the subject is so carefully guarded as to be subservient to the honour and support of the purest religion and morality. Evangelical Hope. An Essay. By Daniel Tyerman. Burton. In this well-written Essay, the reader will find the nature of Evangelical Hope clearly defined, its true foundation clearly established, its genuine influence correctly represented, and the discrimination between it and a false hope, judiciously pointed out. The conclusion is peculiarly forcible and appropriate. We take the liberty, however, to recommend to the worthy author, in another edition, a revisal of pp. 81 and 82, respecting Paul. We have not been accustomed to consider Paul as "at some happy periods of his life, rising superior to doubts, and, at other times, in great fears, lest after preaching to others, himself should be a castaway." The apostle, we apprehend, might properly use the latter expression, to intimate, that notwithstanding his ministerial gifts and usefulness, yet without the exercise of self-denial, &c., he could not expect the future approbation of his Lord; but such language did not imply a doubt of his personal interest in the Saviour. Missionary Correspondence. Containing Letters from the late Mr. Samuel Pearce, and Mr. John Thomas, to the Missionaries in India. Received from Serampore, and never before printed; and being chiefly written by Mr. Pearce, they will be found a valuable addition to his Life, already published. ST. Gardiner and Son. 2s. 6d. If all our readers were acquainted with the character of the late Samuel Pearce, or had read the excellent Memoirs of his Life, published by Mr. Fuller, it would be quite sufficient to say of the Letters written by Mr. P. which appear in this volume, semper eadem, still the same. Written at a period when the mind of Mr. Pearce was agonizing to "jeopard his life" with his friend, Mr. Carey, in "the high places of the field," they breathe benevolence the most tender, and piety the most ardent. That such a man as Pearce, so eminently qualified for missionary employment in India, and so passionately desi rous of devoting his life to promote the salvation of the idolatrous Hindoos, should have been prevented from realizing the desires of his heart, is a circumstance that can only be referred to the sovereignty of Him "who giveth to none an account of his matters." But the spirit which animated Pearce did not die with him. His falling man. tle, through the publication of his memoirs, has descended upou others; and we know there are some young men, both in England and India, now in the ministry, whose thoughts were first directed to the sacred employment by reading the letters of Samuel Pearce. May similar beneficial effects attend the present publication. History of the Propagation of Christianity among the Heathen since the Reformation. By the Rev. William Brown, M. D. in two Volumes, 8vo. pp. 623 and 634. Ogle. Price £1 5s. Review of Dr. Brown's History of the Propagation of Christianity among the Heathen, since the Reformation; from the "Edinburgh Christian Instructor," for October and November 1814. Containing brief Sketches of the Moravian, Baptist, and London Missionary Societies; with Strictures on the Review of the same Work in the Evangelical Magazine for August 1814. Ogle. Price 6d. It afforded us considerable pleasure to see the Title of these Vo |