have been exceedingly useful wherever it has been attentively read. The Spirit and Manners of the Age. Vol. 1. Evo. To impart just views of men and manners; to form a correct taste for literary pursuits; to advocate the cause of humanity, of virtue, aud of genuine Christianity," are the professed objects of this miscellaneous work. It is published weekly; and thus furnishes, in small portious, and at a moderate price, mental entertainment and moral profit to that large part of our reading population who from their circumstances must consider a great book, in more senses than one, a great evil. The work is conducted with ability, and in a candid and liberal spirit; and its religious principles are at once evangelical and catbolic. The volume is dedicated to Mr. Wilberforce, and ornamented with a portrait of that distinguished and successful advocate of the enslaved Africans. This is welltimed, and shows the views entertained by the conductors, of the efforts now making for the ultimate abolition of slavery throughout the British dominions. Nor have they been content with this silent and indirect intimation of their sentiments on a subject so interesting to us, both as Christians and as Britons. On that important point, as well as others, they have openly shown themselves prompt to advocate the cause of humanity. The Christian and Civic Economy of Large Towns. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of St. Andrews. Volume Third. 8vo. pp. 408. 9s.--The present volume concludes this very impor tant publication. We have only room at present to specify the topics which it comprises, without entering into an examination of the Doctor's reasonings upon them. It is divided into eight chapters, on the wages of labour,-the effect of a poor-rate when applied in aid of defective wages, savings banks,the combination of workmen for the purpose of raising wages,-certain errors and misconceptions which are fostered by economic theories, and are fitted to mislead the legislature in regard to labour and the labouring classes, the effect which the high price of labour in a country has upon its foreign trade,--and mechanic schools, and political economy, as a branch of popular education. An Inquiry into the grounds on which the Prophetic Period of Daniel and St. John, has been supposed to consist of 1260 years, by S. R. Maitland, Perpepetual Curate of Christ Church, Giou cester. 8vo. pp. 81.-Without pretending to give an opinion on the point in dispute between the author of this pamphlet, and Mr. Faber and others, who suppose that the period in question is 1260 years, while he judges that it is only as many days, we may observe, that the argument is conducted by Mr. Maitland with great temper and candour; and his reasons deserve the consideration of those who are engaged in the important, though difficult, study of the prophecies. If Mr. Maitland is wrong, (to adopt his own language,) and the doctrine which he opposes is well founded, such an inquiry as the present will undoubtedly lead to its further confirmation, and it will not continue to rest on evidence which may be deemed unsatisfactory. It is of the highest importance, in order to the right understanding of the prophetic Scriptures, that all our principles of interpretation should be undoubted.. If they are erroneous, we cannot expect to arrive at any satisfactory termination of our investigations. Having set out wrong, the greater the vigour with which we pursue our course, the greater will be our distance, every step we take, from the end of our journey. Richard Baynes's Catalogue of an extensive Collection of Books in every Department of Literature; including the valuable and entire Library of the late Rev. John Davies, of Hare-Court, London; containing an excellent Assortment of Theology, Sermons, History, Miscellanies, Rare Tracts, &c.; with a select portion of the Libraries of two other Divines, and other recent Purchases. 8vo. pp. 230. The Story of the Cross; or the History of Jesus, the Saviour of the World, Adapted to the Understandings of Chil dren, and designed for the Use of Schools. By Robert Newstead, Author of “ Ideas for Infants," &c. Second Edition. 18mo. pp. 35.-This small and beaut ful tract contains a concise history of the life and death of Jesus Christ; with sonfe introductory paragraphs on the fallen state of man, and the consequent necessity of the incarnation and sacrifice of the Son of God. It is drawn up with great simplicity and affection, and is well adapted to promote the spiritual benefit of the rising generation, for whom it is designed. Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Lindley Murray: in a Series of Letters, written by Himself. With a Preface, &c. By Elizabeth Frank, 8vo. pp. 279.9s. The Old Testament, arranged on the Basis of Lightfoot's Chronicle, in Historical and Chronological Order, in such manner that the Books, Chapters, The History of the Inquisition in ment to the Reign of Ferdinand VII. Abridged and Translated from the Original Works of D. J. A. Llorente, formerly Secretary to the Inquisition. Evo, pp. 505. An Historical Defence of the Waldenses or Vaudois, Inhabitants of the Valleys of Piedmont. By Jean Rodolphe Peyran, Lute Pastor of Pomaret, and Moderator of the Waldensian Church. With an Introduction and Appendixes, by the Rev. Thomas Sims. M.A. 8vo. 15s. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MERCHANTS' SEAMEN'S BIBLE SOCIETY. [FROM the Eighth Annual Report of this admirable Institution, we lay before our readers the following abridged extracts, in the hope of increasing the interest which now happily exists in favour of promoting religion among British Seamen. At the last Auniversary of this Society, Captain Parry bore a noble testimony to the beneficial effects of religion in the British navy. He stated, that during his voyages to explore the north-west passage, whenever any service involving peculiar peril and responsibility became requisite, he uniformly selected for it the religious seamen belonging to the expedition, and that they never disappointed the confidence which he reposed in their courage and fidelity. He also stated, that if he should be employed again by his country, in a similar undertaking, and might have the selection of his associates, he would choose none but such as were under the influence of true religion. EDIT.] It is truly lamentable to conceive that in a Christian land, so replenished with the riches of the world, and enjoying all the blessings which a beneficent Providence can bestow, there should still remain any number of persons who are unconcerned about the moral cultivation of that class of society to whom, under God, the country at large is so much indebted. What can appear more reasonable to a reflecting mind, than that those to whose instrumentality we owe so much of our commercial and political greatness, and who from their habits of life are cut off from many of the religious and social privileges we enjoy, should participate with us in that boon which Heaven has so freely bestowed? If to God has made a revelation to man, " guide his feet into the way of truth,”— it must be a duty for those who possess that revelation to communicate the blessed gift to others. Let us be consistent in our principles: either let us discard the Holy Scriptures altogether, and with the heathen world give ourselves up to the guidance of unassisted reason, and to the dictates of our passions; or, holding the Scriptures to contain a revelation from Heaven, let us read them for ourselves, and yield to the benign and generous influences they impart; and then, as the best evidence of our gratitude to Almighty God for making us happy here, and holding out" a sure and certain hope of happiness beyond the grave," let us cheerfully proffer the inestimable boon to all mankind. Besides which, it is now no longer doubtful whether that large and interesting class of society for which we plead, will receive your bounty. They have manifested a most earnest desire to possess the Sacred Scriptures; and if what is represented by numerous witnesses may be credited, they already prove, that the liberality of this Society has not been bestowed upon them in vain. But your Committee are happy to pass on to those who have by their contributions evinced a lively interest in the moral and religious welfare of our Merchant Seamen. Without impeaching the sincerity of that interest, they are aware that unless the actual state of the case is kept constantly in view, it will be difficult for them, amidst the surrounding appeals of other benevolent Societies, to maintain the ardour of their zeal in this noble cause. Could those who are friendly to Religious Intelligence. this object share with your Committee Much as may be gathered from the brief observations which are recorded Besides this, to know that those who are constantly exposed to innumerable perils on the sea, and to the vicissitudes of climate, have within their reach the chart of life and the antidote of death, is surely a gratifying consideration to every generous mind. With these feelings your Committee proceed to furnish a few extracts from the Reports of the Society's Agents, which if they be not drawn out into detailed arguments, will be no less convincing to candid persons of the good already effected, and the hopeful ground of encouragement to still further exertion. Extracts from the Reports of the So ciety's Agent at Gravesend. "No. 1. When I made known my errand to one of the owners, he said to another gentleman, his partner, think we ought to have a few Bibles for the ship; it appears to me that nothing can be more necessary.' To which he replied in the affirmative, and requested to be supplied with two dozen Bibles and Testaments for which "No. 2. Pass the word there, fore "No. 3. I am delighted,' said the Captain, in seeing Sailors now-a-days reading their Bibles, especially on Sundays, instead of spending their time as they used to do. Many Sailors are the An excellent crew. better for reading their Bibles; some are quite altered,' Sold three Bibles. "No. 4. God forbid that I should go to sea without a Bible,' answered one of the crew, who was asked whe'What is man withther he had one. out a Bible? What is a ship without a compass? And what would England have been without the Bible?' Sold three Bibles to the crew." "No. 5. The Second Mate appeared quite the Christian. He said, I have been taught, how to value the Bible; it has done me good. I feel the want of Christian society. I was happy in my last ship; each man there possessed a Bible, and all were under its influence. I never was so happy before, or since; and I fear I shall never get into such a vessel again, where the Bible was, as it ought to be,-revered by all.' "No. 6. An excellent crew. Sold three Bibles. One of the purchasers said, How glad I am to fall in with you. It is true, we sailors are thoughtless fellows in general, but we cannot help thinking sometimes. When we are at sea, we have plenty of oppor tunities to reflect and read our Bibles. I am now glad to get one; and I shall, if life is spared, consider it well this voyage.' No. 7. The Captain ordered all his men aft, with the view of learning who had a Bible, and who had not; telling the crew that he would let them have money to pay for any books I sold six Bibles; they might want. and the Captain informed me that his former crew had derived considerable benefit from the religious instruction which they had received." No. 8. The Captain said, I would not change my crew for any other whatever, they are steady, read their Bibles, and give part of their pay to their aged relatives. Sailors, in my opinion, are much reformed.' " "No. 9. The Captain said, What a change has been wrought upon the ninds of Sailors within the last few years; at least, I find it to be the case with those I have had to deal with. We have a fresh crew every voyage, because we cannot afford to keep them idle in the docks. I have served in a King's ship; there they were obedient, because they were obliged to be so but in Merchant ships they can do or say almost what they please: and yet I never found men so much under command. They were formerly most ungovernable; but now, no doubt owing to the religious instruction which they receive, they are obedient, and I trust will be more so still.'"' "No. 10. One of the hands appeared well acquainted with his Bible. Having been taken prisoner in the late war, he lost every thing but his Bible. This he took with him to prison, and it was the only book which he had during his long captivity. He read it through repeatedly, and said, 'I do pronounce it to be the finest and the best book in the world; but had I never been taken prisoner, in all probability I should never have known any thing of its sacred contents." " "No. 11. 'I am going a long voyage,' said one of the crew, and I want a Bible, for I am led to believe it can make a mau confortable when nothing else can.' Another said, I cannot read a word of the Scriptures, having never been taught to read; but let me have a Testament, and I will find some one on board to read it to me.' This poor man seemed deeply to lament not being able to read the Scrip tures." "No. 12. The Captain said much to each individual under his command ou the excellency of the Bible, the privilege of possessing it, and the happiness of being under its influence, and that he expected no one on board would proceed to sea without one. Sold seven Bibles. The Captain had purchased a volume of sermons addressed to Sailors, which he said he intended reading to his crew; and he added that he should subscribe a sovereign annually to the Society. "No. 13. I would sooner spend my money for a Bible than any thing else going,' said one of the crew; but I will first pay my debts, and then if I have enough left I will get a Bible.' He then left me, and in a short time returned again, saying, 'I have paid all I owe; and as I have some money left, I will have a Bible.' A second said, 'I'll have a Bible, if it is the last money I have. What more necessary in the ship than a Bible? A third said, I'll have a Bible likewise, and, by the blessing of God, I will begin a new life, and change my sinful course.' "No. 14. I commanded the a vessel supplied by your Society,' said the Captain. The books were of the most important service to the crew; they were amongst the worst of cha racters when they joined, as bad as they well could be, addicted to every kind of vice so unhappily prevalent amongst Seameu. I put the Scriptures into their hands after we sailed, said a little to them myself, and ere we separated they were wonderfully altered for the better." "No. 15. A pleasant set of Officers and men. The First and Second Mates and two of the Seamen, purchased a Bible each. A Frenchman, a man of colour, expressed a strong desire to have a Bible in his owu language, on sceing others providing themselves with the Scriptures. "But, he said, in broken English, I have got only two shillings, and that I have saved to buy some gin to take to sea, but now I think it better for me to buy a book; I cannot buy a Bible, but I will buy a Testament. It will be better for me to spend my money that way, for I am getting an old man; I must die, and I think it time to pull up a little that way, because I think it the right way. I thank you for the Book, and I will read it much.' " "No. 16. On visiting this ship one man only expressed a wish to have a Bible. I afterwards visited her again, and invited the crew a second time to purchase the Scriptures. Sold six Bibles. One man who bought said, I have been long convinced there is nothing to be gained by swearing, and other bad habits; but much to be lost. I will therefore have a Bible, and try to leave them off, for they answer Do purpose that is good. The Captain was much pleased at witnessing so many of his Crew buying Bibles." "No. 17, One of the crew, a Portuguese, was much pleased on hearing that I had Eooks in his language; and immediately purchased a Testa nent. Two others of the crew (Eng lish) bought a Bible each; one of them could not read. One of his ship mates said to him, What do you mean to do with a Bible? you cannot read." He replied, Never you mind that; I suppose it is not impossible to learn; it is my intention to try hard for it, and to practise with this book." "No. 18. An old intelligent Sailor, in the forecastle observed, "Some have said, If you put a Bible into a Sailor's hand, and he becomes religious, you spoil him for his profession. Now I say it has the contrary effect. He does not any longer live at random; he now acts from principle; that principle is love to God and love to man; and he becomes a better member of society in every respect.' "No. 19. I bought one of your largest Bibles, when I sailed for the South Seas,' said the Mate, and a Missionary got it from me for the use of his Church. He was getting old, and they had no book among them of so good a print, or that he could read so well.'" bought one also. One of the men said, 'These are blessed books indeed. Since your Society was formed, much good has been done by their circulation.' A Coal-meter who was present, said, I see much of Sailors; and do assure you, that within the last six or seven years they have improved wonderfully. I do not often now meet with a swearing, blackguarding crew; whereas before that period, there was nothing but wickedness of every description." "No. 6. I have just arrived, after two years' absence from England,' said one of the hands, without ever being able to attend any of the public ordi- · nances of religion. I will now buy a Testament, and hope next Sabbath-day to join with the people of God in his worship.' This pious young Sailor I found had not been without a Bible Extracts from the Report of the So- conversation, I was led to conclude during his long voyage; and from his ciety's Agent in London. "No. 1. A mán belonging to this sloop, who bought a Testament, said, that he had not had one in his hand for the last five years;' and appeared very glad that I went on board, and gave him an opportunity of providing himself with one." "No. 2. The Master gave me a very friendly reception, and expressed himself very much pleased that I had come on board to supply his crew, After one of his men had chosen a Bible, another came soon after for the same purpose; and then followed a third. The Master paid for all, as the men had no money." "No. 3. The Master said, 'We have unfortunately left our Bible which we had for general use at home; I will therefore buy one of yours. One of his men observed, "Ah! Master, you have got us the Chart for Heaven! We now want the Holy Spirit to teach us how to use it.'" "No. 4. Well,' said one of the crew, you are the very person I have been wishing to see, for I want a Testament for my little boy; I will get one also for my girl,' said another; and we will get one for our child," said the Master's wife. They were all extremely well pleased with their books." that it had been his chief delight in the absence of the public means.' "No. 7. A very civil little crew. One of them said, I am no scholar, but I intend giving my children all the education I am able, and now wish to buy a Bible for my eldest boy." Another immediately said, And I will have a Testament for one of my children." I have sold,' writes the Agent, great number of Testaments to poormen for their children; and have observed an increasing desire among the crews of the coasting vessels to put the Testament into the hands of their children in preference to any other book.'' a "No. 8. One of the sailors whom I first addressed said, with great indifference, We do not want any Bibles here.' I told him that I concluded they were already provided with them. 'No, indeed,' he replied, we are not, nor do we want any. I then left him, and called to the others who were below at dinner, and met with a very disrespectful and coarse reception from them. After I had left them, and was going over the side of the vessel, the man to whom I first spoke said, 'I have resolved to have a Testament of you.' Just at that time his shipmates came upou deck, and as I left my waterman to supply him while I visited another vessel, I found on my return that he was inclined to retract. I begged of him in the hearing of them all,' not to allow his companions to shame him from getting that best of books, which instead of slighting, they ought to revere and show the most eager de sire to obtain. He then appeared to recover himself, and said, "Twill have 3 I "No. 5. One of the men who was at work on the bowsprit, hailed the boat as it was passing, to come alongside and bring him a Bible. After this man had suited himself, he called to another man who was at work with him, telling him what good books they were. He then left his work, and VOL. V. Third Series. NovEMBER, 1826. |