few hours expired.' Let the impugners of the evangelical clergy, of every rank, read this discourse, to know the character which the, gospel forms; and if they have any eye to perceive, or taste to relish its moral beauty, let them begin to learn at the cross the elements of the same doctrine; and let candidates for the Christian ministry in every church, keep such models perpetually before them, then will our priests be clothed with salvation, and enlarging congrega tions will shout freely,-How beautiful upon the mountains are the the feet of them who bring glad tidings!' &c. An Address to Candidates for Communion with a Christian Church, illustrating the Nature of such a Society, the Import of uniting in Communion with it, and the Obligalions of its Members. 6d. A TRACT of this description was much wanted, and the religious public are indebted to the Rev. Mr, Harris, of Cambridge, who has produced one which is much to the purpose. Mr. H. observes, in his Advertisement, that the conversation which usually takes place between the minister or other officer of a church with a candidate, is seldom sufficiently explicit,and often proves exanescent; and as he could not find any tract suited to the object in view, he wrote this; and judging that some of his brethren in the ministry might find it useful, he has published it. This is a very proper tract to be put into the hands of a person who desires to be proposed to a church. Sermons on the leading Doctrines of the Gospel. By G. More. Sr, 58. This volume presents us with thirteen discourses upon the most interesting subjects, by an author who has evidently made them his study, and who appears to be familiar with them. Upon the leading doctrines of the gospel, so much has been said- and written, that there is indeed very little scope for originality left for mo. dern writers; and we are certainly indebted, in no small degree, to those good men who endeavour to set Truth before us in a suitable dress, though it should be one that she has been accustomed to wear. Mr. More pretends neither to be original, nor to give us any thing uncommon, while his discourses exhibit a good account of the topies he has taken up. A fine style is certainly not an indispensable ingredient in a great discourse un a serious subject, and is still less necessary to the formation of a good one. Our author is an unadorned writer, and is not free from verbal inaccuracies; but these are by no means of a serious nature, and are not sufficient to detract in any degree from the merits of the work. Upon the whole, the language is suitable, perfectly clear and intelligible, conveys distinctly the meaning of the author, and inarks a mind firmly persuaded of the truth of what is delivered. The author's methodic mode of treating his subjects, renders his discourses free from confusion, and will ea able the reader to follow him with ease through the variety of poss tions which he generally illustrates. We apprehend that those who purchase the present volume, will be ready to welcome the other with which the author proposes to favour the religious world. The subjects are, Man's Origitał Uprightness, The Disobedience of the First Man, -The Obedience of Jesus Christ, - Death, and its dire ful Source, - Being made alive in Christ, - Imputed Sin, and I'mputed Righteousness, - Christ's Mediatory Office and Work,-Christ's Pre-eminence, - Election, - The Call of the Gospel, - Regeneration, Effectual Calling, Redemption and Forgiveness of Sins. We cannot take leave of the atthor without observing, that the profits arising from the vale of the work are destined in aid of the British and Foreign Bible Society: and we congratulate many readers on the opportunity thus presented to them of adding a good brook to their libraries, and thereby assist ing to promote the knowledge at that blessed gospel of which it treats. - IN, this publication the Committee call the attention of the Society to three particulars:-1, The transactions of the past year; 2. The objections and difficulties they have had to combat; and, 3, The additional plans now prosecuting for the furtherance of the great object of the Society. It appears that, since the commencement of the institution, 63 children have been admitted; four of whom have died, and five have been removed by their parents. Three of the children, now under the care of the Society, have been put into the printing-office; and a fourth is educating to be a teacher. Three have been put under the care of a clergyman, with a view of fitting them for the office of Missionaries to the Jews. The rest are all receiving suitable instruction. At the last Annual Meeting 10 persons were baptised. A manufactory for spinning cotton has been established, in order that the necessitous may maintain themselves. A printing-office has also been established, in which Mr. Frey's new edition of Vander Hooght's Hebrew Bible, &c. are printing.The Report then states the measures adopted for the diffusion of sacred knowledge, particularly the Lectures to the Jews in their chapel. A monthly lecture is also preached at Ely Chapel, and Demonstration Sermons at the Jews' Chapel. Several new tracts (making in all 13) have been pub. lished; some of which have been translated into German and Hebrew, and sent to various places abroad. Several Auxiliary Societies have been established during the past year; and many persons of respect ability added to the List of their Subscribers. A Lecture has also been instituted at the west end of London, more effectually to promote the object of the Society. An Auxiliary Committee, com posed of Ladies, is likewise formed in that part of the metropolis. The Committee have undertaken to print Leslie's Short and Easy. Method with the Jews; and Basnage's History of the Jews; but the principal work intended is, The New Testament in pure Biblical Hebrew, for the use of the Jews. This is to be executed in the best practicable manner. The Society think it desirable to have a chapel of their own, within the pale of the Established Church, and to build a Cotton Manufactory, Printing Office, &c. on the same spot: for which purpose they have taken five acres of ground near Bethnal Green, not doubting the liberality of the public will enable them speedily to begin their buildings. They purpose, however, to continue public service at the chapel in Spital Fields. The Appendix includes a variety of papers, one of which contains a correspondence respecting a proposed public disputation at Cambridge, on the points at issue between Jews and Christians. Mr. Frey, with the concurrence of the Committee, accepted the challenge of Mr. Crool, the Jew; but some unreasonable demands being made by Mr. C. to which the Committee could not assent, Mr. C. made their refusal a pretext for declining the discussion-which he himself proposed. The receipts of the Society, from April 13, 1810, to March 31, 1811, amount to about £ 6000; and their Expenditure, during that period, to nearly the same sum. The Evils of Persecution, and the Advantages of the British Constitution: a Sermon on the Death of Mr. J. S.Charrier, of Portsmouth, who fled from Persecution in France, in the year 1764. By John Griffin. Price 1s. 6d. Ar a time when, even in Britain, Persecution attempts to rear her frightful head,-when attempts are made to obtain laws to restrain religious liberty, and when magistrates appear ready to enforce penal statutes which disgraced even the reign of the Stuaris, a discourse on the Evils of Persecution is remackably seasonable. Mr. Griffia has embraced a suitable occasion for such a discourse, in consequence of the death of a Mr. Charrier, late French Master of the Royal Academy in his Majesty's Dock Yard, Portsmouth. Mr. Charrier, it appears, was bred to the sea, and was taken prisoner by the English. Having tasted the sweets of religiBus freedom in this country, he was unwilling to return to his own. He appears to have been brought to a knowledge of the gospel, in its power, under the ministry of Mr. Romaine, and continued to the time of his death, at the age of 73, a professor of the truth as it is in Jesus. Mr. Griffin takes for his text Matt. x. 23: When they perseente you in this city, flee ye into another;' from which he directs the attention of his readers, 1, To the baleful subject of persecution; 2, To the interesting subject of religious liberty; and, 3, To the useful .considerations which these subjects suggest. Some readers will be surprised to find that persecution continued in France till the time of the Reyolution. So lately as the year 1762, Mr. Roche, a Protestant minister, and three gentlemen who were brothers, were executed at Toulouse; and a most tragical scene was exhibited in the saine town in the la mily of Calas, who were most wickedly persecuted, and Mr. Calas, then 70 years of age, was cruelly tortured and broken on the wheel; while he cited the parliament that persecuted him to the tribunal of God. The Bishops of the Romish Church, not satisfied with the blood that had been shed, applied to the king in 1755 and in 1771, for stricter measures, that so there might be no more Calvinists in France!- A pious wish truly, imitated elsewhere by certain persons! Mr. Griffin fully exposes the impiety, cruelty, and mischievous ef fects of persecution; and displays, on the other hand, the blessings of religious liberty as the source of individual happiness, -as favourable to the advancement of genuine religion, affording an asylum to the persecuted,-an example for the imitation of other nations, — and as the ground of encouraging expectation of the security and prosperity of the country in which it is allowed. We wish that the just and liberal sentiments enforced in this sermon, may be imbibed by every Britos, and especially by the rising generation; and therefore cordially recommend the perusal of it to all our readers. LITERARY NOTICES. "The Life and Remains of the late Rev. R. Cecil (extracted from the 1st and 4th volume of his Works) is just printed, and will be shortly published, in one vol. 8vo, by the Rev. Mr. Pratt, the Editor. A Second Volume of Bogatsky's Golden Treasury, revised by the Rev. Mr.Steinkopff, is nearly ready for publication. A 12mo volume of Sermons, by the late Mr. Boston, from his MS. will be shortly put to press. PUBLICATIONS. The Trial of W. Kent, for praying in an Uninhabited House, 2s. SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS The Select Works of Bishop Hall; containing the Contemplations, Devotional and Practical Works, with a Life and Portrait of the Author, and a Complete Index and Glossary, by the Rev. Mr. Pratt. Five vols. Svo, £ 2. 10s. Serious Enquiries on important Questions; with Reflections on ortality. By the Rev. C. Buck. 110, 38. Russell's Letters, Essays, and The Doctrines of Calvinism defended. By W. Ellerby. 1s. 6d. Duty of bringing Children to Christ: a Sermon at Hornchurch, by the Rev. Melville Horne. 15. Sermons, on Select Subjects. By J. Hyatt. 2d edit. 8vo, revised, 8s. Lectures on the Pastoral Character. By the late G. Campbell, D.D. F. R. S. &c. Edited by J. Frazer, D. D. Svo, 75. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Directors have received several Letters from the Cape of Good Hope, containing much interesting intelligence. MR. THOMPSON, a Missionary to the East, who sailed from Portsmouth, April 26, 1811, arrived safely, after a good voyage, at the Cape; he designs to proceed to the place of his destination by the Isle of France. We have also the satisfaction to state that the Missionaries who were last sent out to strengthen the African missions, are safely arrived at the Cape. The German brethren, Helm, Schmelen. Messer, Ebner, and Sass, with the wives of two of them, and J. Corner, the Negro-Missionary, sailed from Portsmouth, in the Lady Barlow, June 21, 1811, and arrived at the Cape. Sept. 14, 1811. A short note, written on the day of their arrival, informs the Directors that the former part of their voyage was pleasant; but the latter rough and dangerous. On Wednesday, Oct. 30th, Mr. Bezalcel Bloomfield, of the Seminary at Gosport, was ordained to the Missionary work, at the Gravel-Pit Meeting. House, Hackney. Mr. Tracy prayed, &c.; Mr. Waugh briefly introduced the service, &c.; Mr. Burder offered up the ordination prayer; Dr. Smith gave the charge to Mr. Bloomfield; and Mr. Collison concluded. The destination of Mr. Bloomfield is to the Greek islands. He first proceeds to Malta, and will endeavour to promote the knowledge of the gospel by distributing the Scriptures in the Greek and Arabic languages, by Religious Tracts, and by every other means with which the providence of God may furnish him. He sailed for Malta in the Ship Quiz, Nov. 11. Mr. Wray, of Demarara, who has been on a visit to England for some months, with a view of procuring further liberty for the Negroes to be instructed in the gospel, sailed on Tuesday, Nov. 12, for his former residence. His visit, we trust, has not been in vain. SOUTH AFRICA. A LETTER has been received from Dr. Vanderkemp, dated Sept. 1, 1811, at Cape Town, where he and Mr. Read had been for a considerable time, on important business. Dr. Vanderkemp still persists in his intention, if possible, to commence a mission in the great island of Madagas car; and was expecting Mr. Pacalt at the Cape from Bethelsdorp, to accompany him. Mr. Ulbricht, who intended also to go, has been obliged to decline the undertaking, on account of the ill state of his health. The Doctor intends to go to Madagascar by way of the Isle of France; to the Governor of which, he hopes for a letter of recommendation from the (new) Governor of the Colony of the Cape, Sir John Craddock, who had not arrived when this letter was written. Au Auxiliary Society has recently been formed at Cape Town in aid of the Missionary Society in London. This has been promoted by tho zealous effects of Dr. Vanderkemp, Mrs. Smith (who has been such an eminent friend to the cause) and several other persons, among whom is a Britisk soldier from each of the three regiments of the garrison. His Excellency Governor Craddock, arrived September 5. A very interesting Leller from the Missionary Read, has been received by expedient they should see, has not been in vain. They have had an opportunity of preaching twice a day, in Dutch, in their own hired house; and also three times a week, when health would permit, to the English; and, they trust, with a divine blessing. The Sunday School, instituted for the Slaves, flourishes, and is likely to be very useful. Several friends there have made a subscription for its support. I am happy to say, for the encouragement of the Directors (says Mr. Read) that the Lord is raising up here a number of warm-hearted friends, who are ready to sacrifice some of their property to spread the gospel among the poor benighted heathen. I hope, therefore, that they will not slacken their hands, while God is shewing that the silver and the gold is his. The short visit of brother Thompson (on his way to the East) was very agreeable. He preached with much acceptance to the British troops. He sailed for the Isle of France on the 29th of August.' Mr. Read confirms a report which had reached the Directors, that the notorious African, who had committed so many outrages for several years past, had visited, or was expected to visit, the settlement at Warm Bath, in the Namaqua country, where Mr. Albricht laboured; in consequence of which Mr. and Mrs. Albricht had been obliged to withdraw for the present; and were at Cammicsberg when Mr. Read last heard of them. It may be hoped that they will soon be enabled to resume their important station, and that their hands will be much strengthened by the accession of the band of Missionaries last sent out. Mr. Head says that the accounts received from Eethelsdorp, while Dr. Vanderkemp and himself were detained at the Cape, are of the most pleasing nature, and afford great cause for thankfulness. Several pious persons from England, who now reside at the Cape, have expressed a strong desire to accompany Mr. Read, to Bethelsdorp, to assist the mission there. We are sorry to find that the health of this useful Missionary is impaired. I have been,' he says, for about three months past, indisposed in body, and an still unwell; but hope, if the Lord spares me, to leave the'! Cape; the country air may be of use to me, if there is more work for me to do. The Lord Jesus has all power in his hands. Life and death, sickness and health, must obey him. Extract of a Letter from the Directors of the South African Society, daled Cape Town, June 28, 1811. (TRANSLATION.) WE rejoice to be able to inform you that the word of God is at this time more highly valued among us than ever. Almost every evening in the week we have religious meetings. Many seem to regard the salvation of their immortal souls as the first concern. The assemblage, as well of Heathen as Christians, is so numerous, that many houses and buildings are often too small. This extraordinary sensation is certainly to be attributed to the frightful earthquakes with which it has pleased God to visit us; for besides the first, which happened on the 4th day of Dec. 1809, which we cannot recollect without awe, we have lately felt two others; one on the 7th inst. at noon, and the other on the 19th, about 10 in the morning; but, thanks to God's mercy and goodness, we have been preserved again, and have not experienced any disagreeable consequences, although we have doubly merited them, on account of our manifold sins. We pray that the Lord may be pleased to cause the present apparent change in the minds of men to be directed to the glory of his name and the salvation of immortal souls.' |