CONSOLATION for the AFFLICTED CHRISTIAN; or, the Presence of the Lord with his People, in their greatest Troubles, Distresses, and Dangers. By the Rev. THOMAS BROOKS, Minister of St. Margaret's, New Fish-street, London. Originally published in the year 1675. Abridged by the Rev. RICHARD SHEPHERD, M.A., Minister of St. Margaret's, near Ware, Hertfordshire, 18mo.

Wertheim and Macintosh.

WE are much gratified to find a young Clergyman, the son of a very old friend, devoting a portion of his time to the abridgment of a work from the pen of the immortal Thomas Brocks. The work, thus abridged, is one of the scarcest and best of this famous Puritan Divine; and the abridgment seems to have been effected with great care, so as to preserve the spirit and sentiments of the writer. We augur well of a young Clergyman whose tastes lie in this direction. If

he had edited an Edition of the Greek and Latin Fathers, he might not have done so much good. This little volume will be welcomed into many a sick chamber; and will soothe many a broken and bleeding heart.

In the press, in one volume, foolscap 8vo, The HARMONY of HISTORY with PROPHECY. An Exposition of the Apocalypse. By JOSIAH CONDER.

NUMEROUS as are the works upon the Prophecies, there are few complete Expositions of the Book of Revelation. A compendious commentary, in a popular form, bringing down the historical interpretation of fulfilled prophecy to the present time, and combining the results of modern criticism with practical instruction, will, it is presumed, be regarded as not a superfluous or unacceptable undertaking.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LATE MR. THOMAS WILKS MONDS ;-FOR NEARLY FORTY YEARS ONE OF THE DEACONS OF • THE CHURCH AT STEPNEY.

It does not enter into the design of the Saviour's mediation to exempt his followers from death. The fact is universal-" Dust thou art:" and universal is the decree,-"unto dust thou shalt return." The decree is based upon the fact. As partakers of a common humanity, we must go down to dissolution. There is no exception. We forget not that Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and that Elijah was caught up in a chariot of fire; but in the translation of the one, and in the ascension of the other, there was a change tantamount to death. It is the distinct utterance of Revelation, that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." If we do not all sleep, we must all be changed. In what this change shall consist we say not. Myriads of the redeemed have passed through it; but in tasting death they have come to realize the sublime and supernatural truth, that "to die is gain." We deny not that our funeral solemnities, even for pious and holy men, are dull and gloomy spectacles, considered in the retrospect; but when we connect death with the future, and with the entrance of the spirit into an immortality of life and perfection and blessedness, in our very tears there will come forth the beamings of an inward joy.

The subject of our present sketch was

born in 1770, and at a very early age was the subject of frequent religious impressions. A sermon which he heard in Sion Chapel, from the words,-" What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul,"-powerfully affected him. The preacher was the Rev. George Ford, who was subsequently settled as the Pastor of Stepney. The settlement of this gentleman in that locality drew our friend thither with great frequency; and in 1799 he preferred an application for admission into the church, and was received. That he was then the subject of Divine grace we cannot doubt. Regeneration is the subjecting of the soul to God. We have only to look into the heart that has been renovated and conformed to the Divine will, to see how all its powers are harmonized and attuned, and beat in unison with the great central heart of God himself. If in common with others we have to look out on a world full of discord and disquiet, sweet are the harmonies which rise up from the deep recesses of the soul. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. The peace of God which passeth all understanding keeps their heart and mind.

During the fifty years in which he stood in immediate relation to the church, he so maintained his profession of Christianity as to adorn the doctrine of God his Saviour. His character was dignified and consistent. We say not that the breath of slander never assailed it, but it passed as from a bright and polished surface, and left it clearer and

more attractive than before. He loved the doctrines of grace, but he was no Antionmian, either in spirit or in practice. He held to our practical Christianity. He rejoiced to see religion embodied in others, and he aimed to embody it in himself. His was an active piety. Ten years after his reception into the church of Stepney he was chosen to the deaconship; and for nearly forty years did he meet the responsibilities and the duties of the office with promptitude and zeal. With the most scrupulous fidelity did he serve. He was conscientious in the extreme. He left nothing undone which could by any possibility be accomplished. No man was ever more solicitous for the comfort and happiness of his pastor. He loved the peace of Zion, and he sought it. He was forward to mediate between contending parties. He delighted to adjust the little differences which unhappily arise, even in the church and family of God. He was somewhat rough in manner, but always bland in spirit. There was something of fire in his temper, but his heart was full of love. He was affectionate to the young, and tender to the aged. He was kind to the poor, and marked in his attention to the afflicted and bereaved. His highest enjoyment was to do good;-not that he was anxious to be seen of men. He was a man who was far removed from the little and the mean. His principles were deep-seated and mighty; he acted from the loftiest and purest mo tives. The glory of his Saviour absorbed his soul.

It is the language of a devout and cheerful piety," I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Our departed friend tasted the purest sweets of religion. His inner man was familiar with its mightiest joys; he ardently loved the house and the service of God. With what unspeakable feelings did he worship in the sanctuary, and commune at the table of the Lord! Intense was his devotion. He was a man of prayer. We remember with what fervour and power he poured out the great utterance of his heart, in the weekly concert for prayer, as well as in the more social and domestic circle. Nothing but positive and severe affliction could keep him from the assembly of the saints, whenever and wherever they met. He drank of every brook by the way, and lifted up his head.

It is a fact, confirmed by the experience of the whole church, that the nearer the soul is carried to heaven, and the more vivid are its apprehensions of future glory, the more strongly is the light of that world reflected back on the cross of Christ. Hence the delight with which the more matured Christian dwells on the Saviour, and his great work of mediation. In grasping the

crown he does not let go his hold of the cross. As a sinner saved by grace, our revered friend's sole dependence was on the atonement. He gloried in the cross; his soul was filled with its saving mysteries. Having clung to it through life, he yielded not his grasp in death. To him Christ was all in all!

He was not exempted from the common ills of life, he was called to drink the cup of sorrow in more than one form. Personal and domestic afflictions, losses, reverses, and bereavements, entered into his lot,but his spirit was meek and submissive. The soul which has found the one only centre of rest and happiness, is not soon to be distressed, because it does not find everything around it reduced to order and harmony. The peace and tranquillity of the believer are independent of external circumstances. If our departed friend was called to drink the waters of affliction, his life supplies the fact, that he had more frequent occasion to take the cup of salvation. There are streams in the desert. There are flowers on the very margin of the everlasting snows. There are sunny spots in the history of every man. The Christian delights to gather up the great memorials of Divine faithfulness. Gratitude is the memory of his heart. Happy and contented was the state of mind enjoyed by the deceased. He was satisfied with the arrangements and distributions of Providence. His was a filial disposition,-it was the child confiding in the Father. He looked to God for all needful supplies, and in partaking the promised good, his heart thrilled with joy. He traced every stream of earthly comfort up to its great eternal source; and in God he rested with the confidence of faith.

After a long life of almost uninterrupted health and activity, it pleased God, about eleven years ago, to weaken the strength of our departed friend, and reduce him to comparative feebleness and inefficiency. Thus impaired in health and energy, he continued, with little variation or change, for some years. About two years ago, disease made fearful havoc with his whole physical system. He became enfeebled, and almost helpless. His speech was strangely and unaccountably affected. This he felt most deeply. In the presence of friends, with whom he had been wont to enjoy holy communion, it moved him to tears. He could read but little. But who will reveal the deep and secret workings of his mind? Who can describe the mighty process which was going forward in his soul? His protracted affliction supplies a most instructive chapter in his history. Shall we speak of his faith? It was firm and invincible. Shall we speak of the object of his trust? He knew whom he had believed, and was persuaded that he was able to keep

that which he had committed to him against the last day. Shall we speak of his fortitude? He was strengthened with all might, according to the glorious power of God. Shall we speak of his tranquillity? It was the peace of God. Shall we speak of his meekness and resignation? It was the submission of a little child. Shall we speak of his patience? He was a great sufferer, but he murmured not. He gloried in his infirmity, that the power of Christ might rest upon him. Shall we speak of his joy? It was not ecstacy, but the sweet assurance of his interest in Christ. Shall we speak of his prospects? In the very depth of his weakness he could lift his voice and say: "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

"Yet a season and we know,

Happy entrance will be given;
All our sorrows left below,

And earth exchanged for heaven."

Shall we speak of his departure from us? It was full of peace. Not more serene is a summer's eve, when the sun sets in unclouded brightness. Not more placid is the bosom of the lake, on whose bank not a ripple is to be heard. Not more gentle is the fall of the leaf, when the wind is laid to rest. He fell asleep, he sleeps in Christ. He departed this life on Friday afternoon, September 15th, 1848, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. In a full age has he come to his grave, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.

On the day of the interment, at the request of the family, and in consequence of a long and somewhat intimate friendship, the Rev. Dr. Ferguson, of Stratfordle-Bow, delivered the funeral addresss, in Stepney Chapel, whither the corpse had been conveyed in proceeding to the burialground. The body was followed to its final resting-place by the deacons of the church, several members of the congregation, and by a large concourse of spectators, and was committed to the dust-" Dust to dust, and ashes to ashes, in the sure and certain hope of a blessed resurrection unto everlasting life."

On the Sunday-week following, the Rev.

John Kennedy, A.M., the esteemed pastor of the church at Stepney, improved the mournful event, by a very appropriate sermon, from the words "the spirits of just men made perfect ;" in which, after a general view of his subject, he briefly pourtrayed the character and course of life of our departed friend. His portraiture was in every point in perfect keeping with the sketch which we have now furnished. "Mark the perfect man; and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace!"

Finish, O God, the number of thine elect, and gather thy redeemed into one!

REV. WILLIAM MADGWICK.

R. F.

THE Rev. William Madgwick was a native of Romsey, descended from pious parents, who were both members of the Church of Christ in that town, and their son became an early disciple of the Lord Jesus; and anxious to promote the conversion of others, he obtained admission to the Baptist College in Bristol, then under the superintendence of the venerable Dr. Evans. When his time there expired, he received a unanimous call from the church at Foulmire, a village near Cambridge, and preached with much acceptance several years; but in consequence of severe illness he gave up his charge, and removed to his native place. For many years he was usefully employed in preaching, wherever Providence opened the way. He was particularly useful in visiting the sick, praying with them, and reading the Scriptures; and, to his utmost ability, kindly administering to their necessities. He spent mnch time in prayer and meditation, and was, indeed, a man who "walked with God." He had been declining in health for some months "but only confined to his home a few weeks. As he lived so he died,relying only on the merits of his Redeemer. He breathed his last on the morning of the 14th Oct., 1848. He was interred in the burying-ground, Thomas's-square, Hackney. A. funeral sermon was preached in the Rev. J. Viney's chapel, Bethnal-green, by the Rev. J. W. Morren, from Acts xx. 24-"But none of these things move me," &c.

CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SUBJECT OF SEPARATE SERVICES FOR SUNDAY - SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Ir was with a sincere and earnest concern for the growing success and prosperity of the Sunday-school Cause, and with the

best and kindest feelings towards Sundayschool Teachers, that we uttered our protest, in the December Magazine, against the proposed plan for the removal of our Schools from the stated ministry of our Pastors. Had there been any doubt on our minds that we were advocating a sober,

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"Dec. 12th, 1848.

My dear Friend,-I have read your paper regarding the proposed withdrawment of Sunday-school Children from our Ministry on the Lord's-day, with deep interest and thankfulness, that you should be led to take up and handle the subject in the way you have done.

"I have been a Pastor of the same church upwards of forty years, and have felt much for the welfare of our Sundayschools. I believe the idea of withdrawing the Children from the House of God, and the Stated Ministry of the Word, never entered into the minds of the Teachers themselves until very recently. Our Childdren never gave me any trouble, and I think very little to those who sat with them in the Sanctuary; and my own impression is, from a frequent Examination of the Children in the School, the following day, that they were able to give as good an account of the Sermon as many of the Teachers themselves.

"All my experience and observation, therefore, goes directly against the idea of their not deriving any benefit from the ministrations of the word by our stated Pastors. I believe they are capable of deriving benefit at a very early age, and that to keep them from the house of God and the regular ministry of the word would be most injurious to themselves, to their Parents, and to their Teachers. Our young friends last named may not see this at present; but I am sure they will find it out ere long. The Children will grow up indifferent to the House of God, not having been accustomed to be taken there; the Parents will not see its importance, and will gladly follow their inclination to go elsewhere; the Teachers themselves will find their own attachment diminished and their spiritual growth retarded; while the Congregation, not having the Children before them, will cease to remember them in their prayers. and eventually in their support. I look, then, at such a movement as one of the devices of the great Adversary to injure and check religion, and to overthrow the Sabbath-school System. In my view, and I am no novice, having been

FROM THE PASTOR OF A LARGE AND
INFLUENTIAL CHURCH,

"Dec. 7th, 1848. "My dear Friend, I cannot refrain from sending you my very cordial thanks for your most seasonable and excellent article in the Magazine, for this month, on Separate Services for Sunday-schools. It is so judicious and weighty, that I hope it will produce a powerful impression. I am much gratified to learn that your paper has been so well received. There is, however, a powerful opposition, in some quarters, to the sound views which you have advocated. "Yours affectionately,

No. III.

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FROM AN INFLUENTIAL PASTOR IN ONE OF OUR LARGEST CITIES.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. "Sir, In these days of Educational Quackery, it is truly refreshing to meet with so sensible an article as that with which you open your Supplement. Things are come to a crisis with the Sunday-school Question; and, unless the break is speedily applied we shall soon have a fearful collision. Our schools are already too little under the influence of our Churches; and the measure which is now proposed, if carried into effect, will sever them altogether.

"I know from experience, that the things which are said about the disinclination, or inability, of little Children to feel any interest in our public religious services, are utterly untrue. It has pleased God to bless me with a numerous household; and, though I have no reason to think that my Children are more clever than others, or less exposed to the infirmities of our fallen nature, this I can testify, that I have never had a child, from three years old and upwards, who did not consider detention from the public services of the Sanctuary as the greatest punishment that could be inflicted; or, who was not in the habit of bringing home some account of the sermon.

"If Sunday-school Teachers would thoroughly Examine their Classes, as to all the particulars of every Discourse, the Children would soon be ranked among the most attentive hearers. I have never known an instance where this plan has failed; and the only reason of apparent non-success, is that it is so infrequently attempted.

"The plan of holding Separate Services for the Children is nothing new. In some of our manufacturing towns, where the Chapel accommodation is insufficient for

"Dear Sir,-I write to thank you for your article in the Evangelical Magazine, on the Sunday-school Movement, with regard to Separate Services.

"I trembled for the issue. Depend upon it, our Churches are in peril from our Schools. I was very much afraid none of our organs would try to check the tendency there is setting in to establish Separate Services.

"My gratification is very great to find one of our Periodicals on the side of common sense and good order.

"I am so much pleased with your manly and fearless article, that I could not but congratulate you.

"I am, dear Sir, yours truly,

No. VI.

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Sanctuary Services more interesting to the young.

"1. Much depends upon the Minister. In some of our Congregations, Children outnumber adults. That every one has a right to his portion will be admitted. The question is while those are supplied who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil,' what is to be done with the babes? Are they to be turned out? I submit that it is both unnatural and unnecessary. The great bugbear seems to be the Sermon. Then let the Preacher observe the due season; and, pausing, address himself occasionally to the School-Gallery.

"2. A Correspondent of the Patriot complains of dull formality.' Such persons may recollect that a certain official connected with the ancient scapegoat,' was commanded to wash his own clothes. There are such things as Sermonizing Sundayschool Addresses. Let the Classes in the School-room be interrogated on the last Sermon in the Chapel, and Teachers will be furnished with Addresses, and Children will be more attentive to Sermons.

"3. Prizes might be distributed to those Children who give the best account of Sermons.

"I fully concur, however, in the statement, that habit is second nature;' and if our young people are to be taken away from all the public ordinances of the sanctuary, sure I am that, when they leave school, most of them will go away entire strangers to the House of God, and be like lost sheep, without a shepherd, wandering