The Rise and Progress of Religious Life in England. By Samuel Rowles Pattison. London: JACKSON, WALFORD, & HODDER. 1864. MR. PATTISON, in sending forth this comely volume, has done a good work, and done it well. His views of Religious Life are Evangelical, and he traces its development, in this country, from the earliest period of which we have authentic records, to the close of the eighteenth century, in a style at once pleasing and impressive. His notices of the sects and individuals who, in the long range of centuries over which he travels, were the most eminent conservators and examples of spiritual life, are necessarily brief; but they contain a vast amount of information, gleaned from many fields, and of which no Englishman or Christian should be ignorant. Religion has long been a powerful agent in this country, and has exercised a mighty influence on our national manners and institutions. In the present century it has taken a firmer hold of our population, than at any previous period, and it will be a happy day for old England when all her sons and daughters become experimentally acquainted with the nature and blessedness of "Religious Life." Such a people, guarded by Omnipotence, would be secure even against a world in arms." 66 The Divine Treatment of Sin. By James Baldwin Brown, B.A. London: JACKSON, WALFORD & HODDER, 1864. THE demands made on our space this month prevent our now bestowing that attention on this, in most respects, excellent book, which it deserves; we intend giving it a more ample notice in our next Number. Methodism as It Is. Parts X., XI., XII. London: W. REED, 15, Creed Lane, Ludgate Street. THIS exposé of Conference Methodism holds on its career with unabated boldness and point. In its pages the Wesleyan rulers. may see themselves as others see them; we wish they would avail themselves of the privilege; the sight of their mental and moral portraiture might do them good. The work, when complete, will be a rich repository of facts which, as illustrating principles, should not be forgotten. Hymns for the United Methodist Free Churches' Sabbath Schools. No. 1.-For the Little Ones. Price One Penny. No. 2.-For Anniversary Occasions. Price One Penny. London: W. REED, 15, Creed Lane, Ludgate Street, E. C. THESE Hymns and Tunes are well selected, admirably executed, and marvellously cheap. They should be introduced into all our Schools. Congregational Chants and Anthems: a Supplement to all Tune Books. Being Part II. of Congregational Church Music. London: JACKSON, WALFORD, & HODDER. Congregational Church Music. Second Supplement: containing twenty Anthems and thirty-five Tunes, with new Titles and Indexes. Full Score, Price Sixpence. London: JACKSON, WALFORD, & HODDER. GOOD and cheap, suitable both for the family and the congrega tion. BRIEF MEMOIR OF THE LATE MR. JOHN WARREN OF THE THIRD LONDON CIRCUIT.* JOHN WARREN was born at Chellaston, a small village near Derby, and from his early childhood was remarkable for his thoughtfulness. Delicate in health, he did not join in the rude sports of the children around, but was studious, fond of reading, and of hearing from his mother, who was a pious woman, the truths of the Gospel and Bible narratives; and there is no doubt some of the good seed was sown by her in his heart, when he was little more than an infant. Many instances are remembered, in which the bias of his mind was displayed, and it is now evident that the good Spirit of God was even then leading him onward, and preparing him for future usefulness, and that even in very early life he was by no means insensible to religious considerations; an encouragement to pious mothers to early commence the training of their little ones for God. He grew up and took part in the labours of the farm, still continuing the same thoughtful character, and was very regular in attendance upon the services of the little Wesley an community in the village; as yet, however, although constitutionally amiable, he was without God; but, at length, in his sixteenth year, on one Sabbath morning, during some revival services, and whilst the hymn 189 in our hymn book, commencing, "Now I have found the ground whereon," &c., &c., was being sung, the Spirit Himself took of the things of Christ and revealed them unto him. From that moment he was a new man in Christ Jesus. The "great change" had passed; thenceforward his motto was, "For me to live is Christ;" and so unhesitating and entire was his reliance upon the Saviour, that during his after-life, a doubt as to his salvation seems never once to have troubled him. He had the love that casteth out fear. He joined the little society at his native place, and, with his characteristic energy and zeal, at once sought opportunity for usefulness, taking part in the work of the Church, occasionally supplying the lack of pulpit service on the part of the preachers, and engaging in any labour that had for its object the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. At this period, 1849, the Wesleyan Reform movement originated, and meetings were held at Derby, some of which being attended by Mr. Warren, he became interested, at once proceeded to study the question, We experience a mournful pleasure in inserting this memoir. We knew Mr. Warren, and can testify that he was all that his biographer states him to have been; we always found him to be the Christian and the gentleman.--EDITOR. and immediately, on understanding it, took the side of right against oppression. He now entered into a situation at Derby, but another having been offered him in the metropolis, he soon afterwards, in the year 1855, removed to the east end of London, connecting himself in September with the Church at Devon's Road, Bromley. His intelligent piety, consistent life, and regular attendance on all the services, soon proved him to be a valuable accession to the Society there. Identifying himself with the Sabbath-school, he passed through all the grades from teacher to assistant Superintendent, which latter office he held at his death. The Church at various times elected him to (with one exception) all the offices at its disposal, and in them all he sought to acquit himself with fidelity. Other arrangements obliging the employers of Mr. Warren to part with him, he entered into another engagement, the duties of which were very harassing, the labour long and tedious, and it was while sickened of this state of things, that he said, he used to think that "if God would only permit him to find employment where he could have all his evening hours, he would devote them all to His service." In the order of God's providence this happened, and he sought how to carry out most effectually his pious resolutions. For some time his desires tended towards preaching, but the Secretary of the Third London Circuit needing aid in the discharge of his official duties, Mr. Warren was elected assistant Secretary, and ultimately, on the resignation of the Secretary, he was unanimously elected in his stead, and continued to perform the duties of the office with increasing ardour and efficiency until his last illness, a period of nearly seven years. In this department of service he was, perhaps, unsurpassed for skill, method, and dispatch,-labouring con amore, no sacrifice was too costly, no effort too great to ensure success. He was, in fact, the beau ideal of a Secretary, and the Circuit is largely indebted to his thoughtful, earnest, vigilant and discriminating zeal. Nor was it alone in connection with the Church of his choice that Mr. Warren laboured; every movement at the east end of the Metropolis for the spread of truth, or the uprooting of error, whether spiritually, mentally, or politically, had his hearty sympathy, and in many instances his active co-operation. But the time was now at hand when active service was to become exchanged for patient endurance, and when Christian graces, already possessed, were to shine with a heavenly radiance. Towards the end of the year 1863, Mr. Warren's health became more than usually delicate, and, whilst attending an appointment on Circuit business in December, he took cold which resulted in illness. Fatal consequences were not at first apprehended, and, under skilful treatment, there appeared for some days prospect of his recovery. At the commencement of his illness he suffered much from sleeplessness; his own business, the Church, and other matters, caused him great anxiety. He was desirous that nothing should suffer through his inability to attend to his duties, and sending for some of his friends he surrendered up various matters into their hands, with sufficient directions, and thenceforward seemed to feel that he had acquitted his conscience. The ruling desire throughout his life was, to use his own frequent expression, "to be quite right in everything." This principle he applied to spiritual matters, and hence, thoroughly examining the evidences of his faith, he became remarkably clear in his religious views. He had built his hopes upon the rock and all was firm; with unwavering trust he would say,-"Jesus is mine." To a dear friend who put the question, "How is it with your soul ?" he said, with much of his usual fire and emphasis,-"It's all right; when I was in health I could argue this question out, but now I am brought to this, that if ever I get to heaven, it will be through the merits of my dear Saviour. But I feel it's all right; Jesus is mine." The patience of Mr. Warren under his suffering was most exemplary; resigning himself into the hands of his Covenant God, he was desirous that the Divine will should be accomplished in him. His petitions to be saved from impatience were answered, and to a visitor he remarked, "When I was in health God said to me-Work, now He says to meEndure." One night he was heard fervently to supplicate, that if God spared his life it might be "to work more earnestly for Him." At a time of intense pain he said, "Oh what ills flesh is heir to, and what an amount of woe through the sin of one man!" and then, in a few seconds, his whole countenance lighting up with rapture, and, as if for a while he had triumphed over his suffering, he uttered in a voice full of emotion, and he continued to speak in glowing terms, and anticipatory strains, of the happiness awaiting the redeemed. The closing hours of Mr. Warren's life were passed in apparent unconsciousness; but although his friends were not permitted to accompany the conscious spirit to the verge of "death's cold flood," and store in their memories the last earthly testimony to gracious promises fulfilled, or to listen to the faint but triumphant expression of joyous realization; yet as surely as if this had been the case, does faith whisper that he is now with those who have overcome through the blood of the Lamb. Taken at the early age of twenty-nine years from the midst of his usefulness and the love of friends, leaving behind him an affectionate wife and infant son, our friend sleeps; having finished his course and kept the faith, he rests from his labours. Remarkable for ingenuousness, anxious that his motives should be clearly seen, affectionate in disposition, of deep-toned piety, always actuated by thorough principle, possessing mental powers of no common order, and discharging all the duties confided to his care with conscientiousness and consummate ability, there can be no wonder that Mr. Warren acquired the confidence of his brethren in the Church, and that in the world men of opposite beliefs delighted to honour and to trust him. To his praise it may be said, that having to do with men of different textures of mind, and various shades of opinion, he conciliated all. The best eulogy that can be pronounced upon Mr. Warren is contained in a remark made by one who knew him well, "He was one of the best preachers of the Gospel I ever knew, his life was a living sermon." He was buried on the 15th January, 1864, at Tower Hamlets Cemetery, and was followed to the tomb by the Circuit Ministers and Stewards, with other officials, and many of his friends, anxious to testify their respect to his memory. The Rev. Robert Bushell delivered an impressive address on the occasion, and on Sunday evening, 24th of January, Mr. Chipchase, to whom Mr. Warren had been first introduced on coming to the Circuit, preached a thoughtful sermon from Ps. xxxix. 9, improving his death to a crowded congregation. Many of the members of the Circuit, desirous of perpetuating the remembrance of Mr. Warren's services, have raised a monument over his grave, an act alike worthy of them and honouring to his memory. bears the following inscription: THIRD LONDON CIRCUIT, THEIR AFFECTIONATE REGARD AND ESTEEM And to mark their high appreciation of the valuable services rendered by him as CIRCUIT SECRETARY FOR THE PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS. "The Memory of the Just is Blessed," J. C. ESSEX. It MEMOIR OF MRS. LUCY BROWN, OF SUTTON MILL, IN THE CROSSHILLS CIRCUIT. LUCY BROWN, was the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Brown of Lothersdale, at which place she was born on the 7th of June, 1802. Little is now known of the religious experience of her parents. They were connected with the Society of Friends, and manifested, at least, strict outward morality; scrupulous integrity, and truthfulness being prominent features in their character. While under the influence of parental authority, Lucy was regular and punctual in her attendance at the sanctuary of her parents; but as she arrived at years of maturity she, from a restless, rather than a rebellious spirit, threw off the gentle yoke, and began to neglect, to a certain extent, the house of God. At the age of twenty-one, she was united in marriage to Anthony Cryer, of Glusburn, about four miles from her native village. They subsequently removed to Liverpool, and it was while residing there that those deep religious impressions were made upon her heart and mind, which resulted in her conversion to God. Shocked by the wickedness of the town in which she dwelt, and especially by the reckless desecration of the sabbath day, which, to one brought up on the thinly peopled moors of West Yorkshire, must have appeared in all its hideously gigantic proportions, her thoughts were powerfully and irre Z |