to establish our anticipation by the internal evidences furnished in this early production, if the space allotted to the review of a single sermon in this miscellany would allow; as it is, we can only offer Mr. R. our sincere congratulations on the success of his first effort; and on the well-earned encouragement which he has received. We add the outline of his plan, in the hope that many of our readers will be induced to peruse his sermon, and to judge for themselves of its merit. Four introductory propositions lead in the fifth, upon which the strength of the argument employed in the sermon is founded. 1. The Hebrew writings of the Old Testament are genuine, authentic, and divine. 2. These writings thus acknowledged by both Jews and Christians to be divine, contain a great variety of predictions, or prophecies of events in after-times to come to pass: the nature' and 'subjects of these predictions are examined.' 3. All the prophecies contained in the Old Testament, and particularly those which relate to the Messiah, must be, in due time, and in their regular precision, fulfilled. 4. When at the time appointed for the accomplishment of any given prophecy, an event occurs, or a character arises, in which, or in whom, the peculiar circumstances and features of that prophecy are found; without the possibility of successful imposition, we are bound to regard the prophecy as fulfilled in that event or character; and no longer to expect another and a future accomplishment. 5. At the period fixed in the calculations of the ancient Jews for the appearance of the Messiah; and at the time, and under the precise circumstances predicted by the prophets, an extraordinary person did arise in the land of Judea, known by the name of Jesus Christ, professing himfelf to be the Messiah, who gained in his life-time considerable credit to his testimony; which credit since his death, has been wonderfully strengthened and enlarged.' This last proposition is thus elucidated. 1. There lived in the time of Augustus Cesar a person called Jesus Christ. 2. The writings of the Evangelists contain upon the whole an authentic narrative of his life and doctrines. 3. Jesus Christ professed himself to be the Messiah. 4. Jesus Christ was born at the period anticipated by the ancient Jews. 5. Jesus Christ was born at a period when the world was in a state most favourable for the appearance of the Messiah. 6. The birth, life and death, of Jesus Christ, in all their circumstances precisely correspond with the predictions of the prophets concerning the birth, life, and death of the Messiah.' These propositions contain the argumeni of the sermon, but are by no means to be considered as a specimen of its style, which is always glowing, and often brilliant. Several animated and eloquent passages might be referred to, especially the awful description of the evils which overtook the Jews at the siege of Jerusalem. There is rather too much swell and rotundity about the sentences; but time will teach the writer to simplify and retrench whatever is turgid or redundant. The Poor Man's Evening Portion. By R. Hawker, D.D. 12mo, 48 64. THIS volume is an exact counterpart to the Doctor's Morning Portion; and will be highly acceptable to the numerous admirers of his writings. For our opinion of the Work, we refer to our Review of the former article (vol. xvi. p. 30); only we remark, That sonje of these Meditations are more lengthened than in the former volume; which, as the Work is intended for the poor, we did not consider as desirable. To those unacquainted with the Doctor's writ ings, we offer the following very short specimen, from p. 456: "And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." Matt. xxv. 6. When Jesus, the Evidegroom of his Church, first came, it was in a moment sudden and unexpected. like the surprize at a midnight hour. And when Jesus cometh to any of his people, it is unlooked for. Indeed, it is always midnight in the soul of a sinner when the try is made! But how blessed is the cry when a poor, lost, perishing sinner is advanced to the midnight of death, and on the verge of an approaching eternity, and in that season hears the voice of the Son of God, and lives! How many, like the thief on the cross, or like the jailor at Philippi, have been surprised into grace at such seasons, by the sovereignty of Him who calleth things that are not, as though they were!' Precious Jesus! in all the circumstances of life, in the midnight of nature, the midnight of carnal security, the midnight of sleep, in which even thy dear children are so liable to be found, oh! that we may hear thy voice, and go forth to meet thee! And, Lord! let the going forth of thy redeemed be, not with the lamp of a profession, but with the enlightened oil of grace, that we may meet thee with all our affections alive, to hail and welcome thy coming; so that 'at midnight, or cock-crowing, or in the morning,' when Jesus saith, Behold I come quickly,' our souls may cry out, in joyful reply, Even so; come Lord Jesus!' The Nature and Perpetuity of the Influences of the Holy Spirit: a Sermon delivered at the Monthly Association of Congregational Mimisters and Churches. By W. B. Collyer, D. D. 8vo, 28. Ir is with much pleasure we have seen in print several of the judicipus discourses delivered in these lectures; and we doubt not, should they be at any future time collected into volumes, that they will rank with the most respectable collec tions of the same nature. We are particularly pleased when topics of general and prime importance are made the subjects of discussion, as in the Lecture before us, wherein Dr. C. defends the most important fact: Of the Nature and Perpetuity of the Influences of the Holy Spirit.' The discourse is founded on John xiv. 16, 17, ́ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,' &c. From this text the preacher examines, 1st, The person whose operations are affirmed. 2dly, The na ture of his influences, and, 3dly, Their perpetuity. Under the first head the personality of the Holy Spirit is argued from the personal manner in which the Scriptures speak of him, and from the distinct offices and opera tions assigned him; and his divinity from his attributes, and the rank of equality which he holds with the Father and the Son. Under the 2d general head the influences of the Spirit are divided into ordinary and extraordinary: his miraculous powers and his gene ral influence in changing the hearts, and in the formation of Christian characters. It is to the latter of these the preacher confines himself, in shewing the perpetuity of the Spirit's Influences, which he considers, 1st, As a necessary deduction from the preceding principles; and, 2dly, As confirmed by the promise in the text, I will pray the Father,' &c. After a masterly discussion of these topics, Dr. C. very properly concludes with a solemn caution against ridiculing the work and influences of the Spirit; which he considers as awfully approaching the unpardonable sin. PUBLICATIONS. A new and beautiful pocket-edi tion of the Holy Bible, by Mr. Reeves, bds. 17s; morocco, 1. 1s SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS The Works of the late Rev. R. Cecil, A.M. Four vols. 8vo, £ 2. 2s. Two Discourses before the University of Cambridge, and a Sermon before the Society for Missions to Africa and the East; to which are added, Christian Researches in Asia. By the Rev. C. Buchanan, D. D. 8vo, 9s. Cottage Library, vol. 1v (to com plete the work) half-bound, 2s. 6d. Brief Narrative of the Rise and Progress of the Independent Church at Newport Pagnell,, with a Portrait of Mr. Bull. 8vo, 26, Gg RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF The Missionary Society, HELD IN LONDON, ON THE 8th, 9th, and 10th DAYS OF MAY, 1811. THE present is a day in which every thing proceeds on a large scale. Indifference and indecision seem fading away. The conflict is between Religion and Infidelity, between the Friends of Truth and the Advocates of Error. Men are no longer ashamed or afraid to avow their sentiments; and the zeal manifested by all parties has, at least, a tendency to diminish hypocrisy. In the political world, revolutions are effected in a single campaign of a few months, which formerly were slowly achieved in many years. In the religious world has appeared a similar promptitude and vigour. The question Who is on the Lord's side ?' has circulated through the empire; thousands have started up at the summons, and have arranged themselves under the banner of the Cross; while their opponents have fallen into their ranks under another standard. The contention is thus put to an issue; and we wait the result, not without interest, but certainly without apprehension. We believe that our fathers would have hailed these times with lively joy, notwithstanding the portentous circumstances out of which they arise; and, for ourselves, we cannot but regard the powerful struggles between the armies of our God and of his Christ, and those of Sin and Satan, when considered in their present astonishing effects, as the pledges of a complete victory, and as the dawn of that period when a nation shall be born in a day. In the meanwhile, our zeal should be redoubled rather than intermitted. Could the spirits of our Whitefields, Wesleys, Romaines, Fletchers; or, to go farther back, of an Owen, a Baxter, a Watts, a Doddridge, a Flavel, with hundreds scarcely less illustrious, participate the strenuous efforts of these latter days (and who can be assured that they do not?) with what gratitude would they advocate the Cause of our Missionary and Bible Societies! These Observations are peculiarly applicable to the Missionary Society; the late Meeting of which we record with peculiar pleasure, as displaying an increasing interest in the public mind, and a sphere of usefulness annually enlarging. The first Public Meeting of the Society was held at Surry Chapel, ou Wednesday morning. May 8. The Rev. Rowland Hill offered up the prayers of a great congregation, in the accustomed forms of the Established Church of England. The Rev. Mr. Lothian, of Edinburgh, then prayed in the pulpit. The Rev. Mr. PARSONS, of Leeds, preached from John iii. 30, He must increase; but I must decrease.' The preacher first considered the extraordinary character of John; his high office; his preparatory residence in the desert; the great subject of his ministry; the attention excited and the effects produced; his simplicity, self-denial, mortification, magnanimity, and glorious death. Mr. Parsons then proceeded to the second part of his subject: The Increase of Immanuel's. Kingdom, as including every continent, however extensive; and every island, however remote or diminutive. Here he first called the attention. of his hearers to the early and rapid spread of the gospel. That the gospel. should have been propagated so widely in so short a period, he said, was miraculous. The character of the instruments employed in this work, and of the first converts to Christianity, were ardently recommended to the imitation of Christian Missionaries. The preacher then expatiated upon the certainty of our Redeemer's increase; and finished this part of his subject with au impressive description of that period, when our desolated and distracted world shall be restored to the nearest resemblance. of primeval innocence and bliss. The third division was the spirit vir-. tually inculcated in the text; and here the preacher introduced an excellent paraphrase of his text, bearing particularly upon this part of it: 'I must decrease.' This spirit includes, 1, Genuine and supreme love to the Redeemer; 2, Clear perceptions of the nature of his kingdom; 3, A deep and abiding sense of the importance of the Saviour's increase, even in the most solitary instances and lowest degrees of it; 4, A just estimate of our own personal interest in the increase of the church; 5, An. ardent desire to co-operate in every design and labour connected with the prosperity of the kingdom of Jesus, and a willingness to endure any hardships for his glory; and, finally, The necessity of adoring submission to the will of God in all his dealings with us, as the instruments by whom he carries on his work. The whole was closed with impressive addresses. to the audience. The Rev. Mr. Innes, of Trowbridge, concluded the service by prayer. - The Collection for the benefit of the Society, amounted to £341. 12s. 8d.: a very liberal sum, when the commercial and other pressures of the times are considered. In the evening of the same day, a very large congregation assembled at the Tabernacle at an early hour. The Rev. Mr. Leifchild, of Kensing ton, prayed. The Rev. Mr. JEFFERSON, of Basingstoke, preached from Zech. xiv. 8. After a few general observations, by way of introduction, Mr. J. divided his subject under the following considerations:- 1. Au important period specified: It shall come to pass in that day;' namely, the gospel dispensation; II. A remarkable event predicted: Living waters shall go out from Jerusalem.' By these living waters the preacher understands the streams of gospel-truth and righ.cousness; III. The wonderful and extensive diffusion of those waters; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea,' - referring to the geographical situation of Judea, as having eastward the Persian sea, and westward the Mediterranean; IV. The perpetuity of these viessings: In summer and in winter shall it be.' Having illustrated these particulars, by applying them, as he proceeds, to the diffusion of the gospel, from its promulgation to the present time, and onward to the end of the world, Mr. J. applies his subject, 1st, As affording encouragement to the exertions of the Missionary Society; 2dly, Reasons for contributing. to the prosecution of their plans; and, 3dly, Encouragement to pray for their success. The Rev. Mr. Jackson, of Green Hammerton, concluded. The Collection amounted to £152. 19s. On Thursday Morning the Annual Meeting of the Society for Business was held in the commodious chapel at Silver Street, occupied by the Rev. Mr. Jones. In consequence of the absence of the Treasurer, Joseph ReyDer, Esq. was requested to take the chair. The Rev. Alexander Waugh opened the meeting, by offering up to God solemn prayer for his presence and blessing. The Plan of the Society, and the Minutes of the last Annual Meeting, were read. The Report of the Directors to the Society,, including a General Account of their Proceedings during the last year, and the state of all the Missions under the patronage of the Society in different parts of the world, was then read by the Secretary. The Report, Gg 2 : though compendious, occupied about an hour and a quarter, the Missionary stations having become very numerous. The acceptance of the Report was then moved by the Rev. Mr. Bennet of Romsey, who took occasion to speak at large, and with much animation and effect, on the numerous, extended, and useful efforts of the Society, The Thanks of the Society to Joseph Hardcastle Esq. the Treasurer, for his most useful services, were then moved by the Rev. Mr. Wilks, and seconded by W. Alers, Esq. Nothing could exceed the warmth of Christian affection and gratitude to that distinguished friend of the Institution, which was universally expressed. A suitable acknowledgement for this vote of thanks was made by the Rev. H. F. Burder, who spoke at some length, on the superior importance of this institution, compared with others, however useful and popular. The Thanks of the body to the Rev. George Burder, the Secretary, for his indefatigable and gratuitous labours, were next moved by the Rev, John Styles of Brighton, in a speech of much ability and interest. -- The Secretary acknowledged with gratitude the honour done him for the eighth time, by this vote, and warmly recommended to the Society renewed and increasing vigour in the pursuit of the grand object, the magnitude of which he maintained is such as justly to claim from the religious world a degree of support far beyond what it has yet attained, however general and liberal. On the motion of Thanks to the ministers and churches in the country who had made collections, &c. the Rev. Mr. Bogue of Gosport spoke largely, and in a manner peculiarly impressive, pointing out the duty of Ministers and other Christians to contribute liberally to the support of this Institution, the object of which, the glory of Christ and the salvation of millions of souls, infinitely transcend all other objects. The proportion of Charity' was strongly insisted upon; and the propriety of contributing very generously to the work, especially by the wealthy, was very powerfully urged. We wish we could convey to our readers a just idea of the weighty arguments by which large donations for this most important purpose were enforced. The comparative smallness of what is usually given by the rich to this object, considering its immense magnitude, was justly exposed; and it was shewn that the body of Christians in this country could easily produce £20,000 annually for this purpose, and that such a sum might easily be raised, if Christians were truly in earnest to diffuse the knowledge of the gospel universally. We sincerely hope that these hints will be duly regarded, and that by generous donations, doubled and trebled subscriptions, by annual collections, wherever they are practicable, by the establishment of Auxiliary or Assistant Societies, and by testamentary bequests, the funds of the Society will be so abundantly replenished, that the Directors may be enabled, not only to support and strengthen by additional labourers, as from every quarter they are earnestly importuued te do, the Missions already commenced, but to send out a far greater num ber of Missionaries to various and populous regions of the globe, yet covered with the dreadful shadow of death. The meeting was enlivened by letters from America, from which it appears that several young men who have been studying Divinity at Andover College (Massachusets) are desirous of devoting themselves to Missionary labours: their names are Adoniram Judson, jun. A. M.; Samuel Newell, A. B.; Samuel Nott, A, B.; and Gideon Hall, A. B. The most honourable testimony is given by the Professors of the College, the Rev. Doctors Griffin, Woods, and Stuart, and by other ministers, to their talents, ins dustry, piety, and qualifications for the work proposed. It appears that the Missionary Society by which these young men are patronized, have as yet no sufficient funds for the support of foreign and extensive Missions: it is their desire and expectation that they may obtain a suficient support in America; they have therefore opened a communication with the Society in London, requesting assistance for the present. Mr. Judson, one of the |