say 77 are overruled by a Sovereign Pro- | death's shadow. The sting of vidence to accomplish a differ-death is extracted; and the ent purpose! "The battle is not shadows of his once dark valley to the strong, nor the race to the have been banished by the shinswift, nor favour to men of under-ing of the Sun of righteousness. standing." Health, and prosperity, The only sting of death is sin; and long life, are the gifts of him and if you believe in the name of who worketh all things accord- Christ, your sins have all been ing to the counsel of his own imputed to Christ, and punished will." What shall I in Christ. Look backwards to to you, my dear brother? You have been Calvary, and behold your guilt many years a man of affliction; borne by the Son of God. He you are no stranger to the sweet was made a that curse, you might and suitable promises and doc- be made a blessing. He took trines of the glorious gospel of your sins, that he might impute the blessed God. How rich and to you his righteousness. He was free is the salvation which it re- humbled, that you might be ex veals! How broad, how deep, alted. He bore the darkness of how solid that foundation of hope his Father's anger for a time, that which it discovers to guilty men! you might enjoy the light of his What must have been your con- face through eternity. In all our dition had you now no knowledge afflictions he is afflicted. Havof a Saviour! Satan may tempting himself passed through the you to question all your past exsorrows of death, he knows all perience, all that you have feared, your feelings, and will sympaenjoyed, felt he may darken thize with you, and support your your present evidences, cloud fainting soul. your prospects of futurity by unI remain, &c. believing suggestions. Let him, March 12th, 1814. make you as bad as he pleases; let him prove you the prince of backsliders, the chief of sinners, he cannot show us half of our real unworthiness. Admit all his accusations, and plead guilty to every charge. But rejoice that free grace reigns, that the Saviour lives, that the vilest of sinners is invited by him, and is welcome to him. Meditate on the dignity of his person as Jehovah, which imparts infinite worth to his obe-courage were not a little put to the dience, an unspeakable value to test in the shipwreck of the vessel his blood. Recollect the efficacy in which they sailed. Her trials of his intercession, the freeness, since have been many. Just beand greatness, and unchangeable- fore her death she said to her ness of his love. "Fear not, I nurses, "I never repent that I am with thee: be not dismayed, came to this country." Her loss I am thy God: I will strengthen, will be severely felt, especially by I will uphold thee by the right the younger part of the colonists. -hand of my righteousness." She has left behind her two chil dren under two years of age. Look beyond the valley of MRS. BUTSCHER. J. L. THE Church Missionary Society has experienced another loss in Africa, in the death of an excellent woman, the wife of Mr. Butscher, who died May 26, 1815. Before her marriage, she was a member of Mr.Wesley's societies; a woman of acute understanding, of considerable attainments, and of exalted piety. Her faith and Review. A Review of Mr. Norris's Attack on the British and Foreign Bible Society, dedicated (by permission) to the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of St. David's; by the Rev. W. Dealtry, B.D. F.R.S. Rector of Clapham, a late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, 8vo. pp. xxvii. 145. Hatchard, 1815. THE most satisfactory reply to the adversaries of the British and Foreign Bible Society, is furnished in the annual reports of the institution. The want of the sacred scriptures, which these interesting documents discover, not only in pagan or popish countries, but in the most enlightened parts of Germany, and even in England, while it demonstrates the inefficiency of all former associations for disseminating the seed of divine truth, clearly evinces the necessity of the present society. That this institution is likely to effect a general diffusion of the sacred oracles appears from the numbers of all ranks, persuasions, and climates, which the simplicity and importance of its object induce to aid its operation, and the marvellous success with which, in so many and such distant regions, its efforts have been crowned. Instead of the mischiefs which it was predicted would spring from its progress, we perceive, from the reports, that the beneficial effects, direct and indirect, which it produces, are incalculable. It conveys light, purity, and comfort into the minds of the poor; inspires the opulent with sentiments of beneficence; removes the prejudices which alienate good men from each other, and unites them in esteem and affection; excites in the breasts of Christians zeal for their common religion, and procures the prayers of the nations for the land of its origin. The reports of this noble institution, as they were sufficient to obviate objections of some weight from the ingenuity or respectability of those who urged them, might be supposed fully to refute Mr. Norris, the most absurd, feeble, malignant, and impudent of all its adversaries. But such is the lamentable weakness of men, that bold asseverations and chargés, however improbable or groundless, make a deep impression on their minds, especially if they are not formally contradicted. Accordingly, Mr. Dealtry, although he imagined that so contemptible a performance of the "Practical Exposition" might be left to its fate, found that it wrought mischief, because it had met with no "direct answer." This induced him to undertake the present work, which is divided into two chapters. In the first, Mr. Dealtry most successfully refutes the general principles of the "Practical Exposition:” viz. that thẹ reading of the scriptures without a comment can be of little advantage, and that its general circulation is likely to be injurious. The second chapter exhibits a few, about fifty, of the mistakes and misrepresentations which so profusely adorn Mr. Norris's pages. We shall extract a passage or two, as a specimen, both of the "Exposition" and the "Review." The following is Mr. Norris's account of the Dorset Bible Society: "In Dorsetshire, the most strenuous exertions to effect an incorporation have been but of small avail. The Bishop of Bristol has seen sufficient cause, and had the manliness to refuse his patronage to the last-named (Dorset) Institution ; and, at its constituent meeting, a breeches-maker, from Weymouth, in the dissenting line, was the most conspicuous orator, who made a successful attempt at declamation." The subsequent particulars, contained in the account of the above institution, communicated to Mr. Dealtry, by a most respectable beneficed clergyman, will show the temper of Mr. Norris, and the de gree of credit that is due to his statements: An advertisement, inviting a meeting, appeared, two successive weeks, in the county papers, signed by the Lord Lieutenant, two other peers, the High Sheriff, the county members, 26 beneficed clergymen, and other persons to the number of 26, of the first rank in the county. The chair was taken by the Lord Lieutenant, Earl Digby. The resolutions were moved and seconded, respectively, by Sir J. W. Smith, Bart. and High Sheriff; Sir F. Hartwell, Bart.; the Hon. and Rev. C. Strangeways; J. Calcroft, W. M. | Pitt, E. B. Portman, Esqrs. and M. P.; J. Gould, H. Seymer, G. Snow, and W. Williams, Esqrs.; Dr. Cooper, Capt. Digby, Messrs. Ball, Fisher, and Henning; nine beneficed clergymen and four dissenting ministers. This "incorporation," with its nine branches, in the principal towns of the county, raised, in the first year, for the general purpose, upwards of 1000l. and distributed 521 Bibles and 689 Testaments. Private reasons, not a want of zeal for the interests of the society, induced the Bishop of Bristol to decline the office of patron. The person, whom Mr. Norris contemptuously styles a breeches-maker, happens to be a respectable schoolmaster, whose whole life has been devoted to literary pursuits. It was after many interesting speeches, of considerable length, had been delivered, that he addressed the audience. Review, pp. 38-43. "The most celebrated" of the Bible Associations, says Mr. Norris, 66 was a square committee at the west end of the town, announced to the public under the patronage of a venerable prelate, whose name, doubtless without his consent or privity, was thus indecently brought forward to lure the servants of the neighbourhood to the meeting, who were all specially solicited to attend." "The prelate alluded to," subjoins Mr. Dealtry, "is the venerable Bishop of Durham. A letter is now before me, written by Sir Thomas Barnard to the committee, which announces the readiness of the Bishop of Durham to become the patron of the Association, with a donation from his Lordship of 10%. to promote the object." Review, pp. 90, 91. The public are under great obligations to Mr. Dealtry for the uncommon pains which he has taken to investigate and expose the calumnious statements of Mr. Norris. As our limits will not allow of further extracts from the "Review," we beg leave to recommend it to all those who wish to see to what base and disingenuous arts the enemies of the Bible Society condescend. It is certainly a most singular spectacle, to observe protestant ministers opposing a society whose sole object is the diffusion of the scripture. Every protestant, as he thinks his religious principles founded on holy writ, cannot but suppose, the more the scriptures are read, the greater is the probability that his peculiar opinions will spread. Men of reflection, indeed, when they consider the slow progress of truth, may not be sanguine that others will adopt their views; but every sincere and consistent protestant must expect his principles to prevail as the Word of God comes into general use. Some are ready to suppose, that the opposition of churchmen to the Bible Society arises from a distrust of their principles, from an apprehension that the spread of light must be injurious to their intere ests. British Pulpit Eloquence: a Selection of Sermons, in Chronological Order, from the Works of the most eminent Divines of Great Britain, during the 17th and 18th Centuries; with Biographical and Critical Notices. Vol. 1. Gale and Co. 1814. To how many volumes this selection is designed to extend, the editor, in his modest preface, does not inform us. Hitherto, we perceive, he has confined his attention to the church of England. shall be glad to see the second volume taken from the works of the Nonconformists. Most of the sermons before us are elaborate, profound, and eloquent; replete with erudition and argument. All of We them are calculated to instruct the MORE, who is commonly placed first in the class of philosophical divines. He was born in 1614: died in 1687. We give our readers one of his remarks: " Dull phlegm is no Christian patience; nor all fire, true zeal; especially if it be fed by the fat of the earth." SERMON V. has for its text, Matt. v. 16. "The Christian's Light is to shine before Men." By RICHARD ALLESTREE. This accomplished divine was born in 1619, and died in 1680. "The most striking peculiarity of Dr. Allestree's character was indifference, amounting almost to contempt, of riches; of which various instances are on record. Eton College still retains monuments not only of his prudent care, but also of his munificence." The Biographical Notices are highly creditable to the judgment and the industrious research of the editor; and the printer has performed his part admirably well. 1. SERMON I. is "A learned Sermon of the Nature of Pride," from Habakkuk, ii. 4, by RICHARD HOOKER. The author is commonly styled "The judicious HOOKER." He was born in the year 1553, and died in 1600, in the forty-seventh year of his age, "of a sickness consequent upon a cold which he took in a passage, by water, from London to Gravesend." SERMON II. is entitled "The Use of Riches," on Luke, xvi. 9, by WILLIAM CHILLINGWORTH. This great man was born at Oxford, in 1602, and died in 1644. The pas-9. sage is often cited in which he has declared, "The Bible, the Bible only, is the religion of Protestants." 5. SERMON III is on Psalm lxxxvi. "The Miracles of the Divine Mercy," by JEREMY TAYLOR. He is called the Homer of Divines. This sermon, doubtless, contains one of the first displays of genius that can be produced in our language. "Bishop Rust relates, that, at the first interview between the preacher and the prelate, after the sermon delivered by command, the Archbishop (Laud) intimated, that Taylor was too young, meaning, probably, for the pulpit, or for churchpreferment, when "the great youth," such is Rust's expression, " humbly begged his Grace to pardon that fault, and promised, if he lived, he -would mend it." Fun. Ser. p. 14.. SERMON IV. is founded on James, Pure Religion," by HENRY i. 27," SERMON VI. (in various respects the best in the volume) is “On evil Thoughts." Matt. xv. 9, by BENJAMIN CALAMY. This eminent preacher was the nephew of EDMUND CALAMY, the celebrated nonconformist. Whether he did all he could to serve Thomas De Laune (author of A Plea for the Nonconformists) may admit of a question, into which, however, we shall not now enter. He was born in 1646, and died in 1686. SERMON VII. is from Psalm exii. "The Duty and Reward of Bounty to the Poor." By ISAAC BARROW. This great man, an inexhaustible genius, both as a mathematician and a divine, was born in 1630, and died in 1677. Barrow was accounted the greatest scholar of the age, and, among his honours, this was one, that Sir Isaac Newton was his pupil. Charles the Second used to call him an unfair preacher, because he exhausted every subject, and left no room for others to come after him. The editor remarks, in a note, "that it was satirically said of Charles the Second, that he never said a foolish thing, nor did a wise one. On this saying being repeated to him, he replied, the reason was plain: his discourses were his own, his actions were the minister's?" Barrow certainly discovered a most prodigious fertility of thought, and command of language. The sermon selected by the editor, was a Spital sermon, before the Lord in his Life of Howe (1724, 8vo. Mayor and Aldermen, and took up | p. 33.) three hours and a half in the delivery. It occupies here a hundred octavo pages. SERMON VIII. is on Hebrews, xi. 26. "Hope of Reward a proper Christian Motive." By JOHN WILKINS. This, we apprehend, is by no means the best sermon that could be selected from Bishop Wilkins. He was born in 1614, and died in 1672. His maternal grandfather was the celebrated Mr. John Dod, whose sayings are extensively circulated. When not much more than thirteen years of age, he was placed under the tuition of Mr. John Tombes, "the learned Baptist," who taught in Magdalen Hall, Oxford. In 1638, he published "A Discovery of a new World; or, a Discourse tending to prove that it is probable there may be another habitable World in the Moon; with a Discourse concerning the Possibility of a Passage thither." 6 "Dr. Wilkins was ever a great enemy to rigour and severity. When he was made a bishop by King Charles II. (which was not com passed without considerable difficulty) I have been credibly informed, he waited on the famous Dr. Cosins, Bishop of Durham, among other spiritual lords, and desired his company at his consecration dinner. Upon this occasion, Bishop Cosins entered into a free discourse with him, about moderation, on the one hand, and a rigorous supporting the ecclesiastical constitution on the other. Bishop Wilkins frankly told his lordship, that, for his part, it was his apprehension, that he who wasby many (with ill-nature enough) reflected on for his moderation, was, in reality, a better friend to the church than his lordship, who was for rigorously supporting the constitution.' Bishop Cosins seeming surprised, Bishop Wilkins added this as the reason of his assertion: For while you, my lord,' said he, ‘are for setting the top on the piked end downwards, you won't be able to keep it up any longer than you continue whipping and scourging: whereas, I,' says he,am for setting the broad end downwards, and so 'twill stand of itself." SERMON IX. and the last, is on Psalm xcv. 7. "The Difference of Times with respect to Religion." By BENJAMIN WHICHCOT. This great man was born in 1609, and died in 1683. Tillotson preached a funeral sermon for him, from which we extract a few lines. "He was "The means (says the editor) which Wilkins pointed out for the accomplishment of his projected journey to the moon, were artificial wings, or, the back of a prodigious bird, called the ruck, pretended to have been discovered in Madagascar; or a flying chariot. The Dutchess of Newcastle once made this objection to the scheme: "Doctor, where am I to find a place for baiting at, in my way up to that planet?" "Madam, (said he) of all people in the world, I never expected that question from you, who have built so many castles in the air, that you may lie every night at one of your own. There is an allusion to a great encourager and kind dithis anecdote, as well as some good-rector of young divines, and one of natured ridicule of Wilkins's notion, the most candid hearers of sermons, by Addison, in the Guardian, No.112. I think, that ever was: so that After all this, however, Wilkins though all men did mightily revelived long, and appeared to be one rence his judgment, yet no man had of the greatest and best of men. reason to fear his censure. He neAbout the year 1656, he married ver spoke well of himself, nor ill of Robina, the widow of Dr. Peter others: making good that saying of French, and sister to Oliver Crom- Pansa, in Tully, Neminem alterius well. qui sue confideret virtuti, invidere; A daughter of this lady, by Dr. French, became the wife of Tillotson. The following anecdote, relating to Wilkins's consecration (to the see of Chester) is told by Calamy, that no man is apt to envy the worth and virtues of another, that hath any of his own to trust to."" On the whole, we consider this volume as possessing very consider |