Hyatt's Sermons at the Tabernacle. Thou wilt be hurled to the dismal abodes of everlasting despair."-P. 50. But this is feeble, compared with the following address to an ungodly sinner," [words which could not be associated, with propriety, under any system but Calvinisn] in Sermon III., entitled, "The Christian's Desire of Heaven :" “Ungodly sinner, if you die in your present state, when absent from the body you will be present with the devil and innumerable fallen spirits in the world of endless misery. Thoughtless sinner, did you see how near death is to you, and how thin is the partition between death and hell, how would you tremble !—how terrible to die in your sins, and sink into everlasting darkness. You may now indeed enjoy health and vigour; and anticipating many years in this world, nothing that we can say concerning death and eternal misery alarms you; but your days apon earth may be fewer than you expect years—yes, to-morrow, or before tomorrow, death's cold hand may press hard upon you, your countenance may be distorted, your pulse irregular, and HORROR STARING FROM YOUR EYES, TERRIFY THOSE ABOUT YOU; sad state, unable to live, and most reluctant to die. Your friends may erowd around your bed and weep bitterly, but alas! they will not be able to afford you the least relief; your unwilling soul at length may be forced out of her earthly, house,' then with a dismal, groan she will leave the world, TO GROAN IN HELL FOR EVER."-Pp. 71, 72. Enough of this outrageous rant! fit only for Bedlam or the Court of In quisition. We gladly turn to the following amplification of a pleasing image of Scripture, occurring in Sermon VIII., entitled, "The Redeemer's Sympathy," from Isa. Ixii. 9: "Ye have seen (said God to the children of Israel) how I bare you on eagles wings, and brought you unto myself.' The Lord's portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desart land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange God with him.' What a fine description of the tender care of Jehovah towards bis speople! The maternal eagle perceiving that her young ones are in danger from VOL. XI. 4K 613 an enemy, is auxions to preserve them; she flutters over her nest, thus exciting them to fly by her example; but the nestlings are not sufficiently fledged for flight. What then will she do? will she forsake her helpless brood, and leave them all exposed to the merciless foe? No, finding that they cannot by their own strength avoid the danger which threatens them, she takes them upon her wide-spread wings and bears them away to some place of safety. Thus the Almighty secures his people from the cruel designs of all their potent and inveterate adversaries. O ye persecuted and tempted saints, fear not! While the eternal God can afford you support and protection, you shall not perish. He will bear you as on eagles wings' to the world of perfect and everlasting felictiy."-Pp. 203, 204. In Sermon III., "The Christian's Desire of Heaven," is some appearance of argument in favour of an intermediate state of conscious existence between death and the resurrection; and this is almost the only passage we have observed in which there is any argument: the preacher has stated pretty strongly and tolerably well the lar scheme. He concludes with rescriptural proofs in favour of the popupelling the interpretation put by the Materialists on our Lord's address to with this burst of fanaticism and intothe penitent malefactor; and finishes lerance, which, we are happy to remark, is not countenanced by any similar passage in the volume :- -in this way is Scripture tortured and distorted, with a view to make human souls sleep. One wonders that the wrath of God sleeps-that it is not roused to resent such daring insolence in presumptuous man."-P. 59. Apostrophe is a favourite figure with is something ludicrous in the followthe preacher of the Tabernacle-there ing use of it, S. III. p. 73: "Precions Bible! I love thee, because from thee I have received direction in many difficulties, &c. &c. TABERNACLE, I love thee, because within thee I have often enjoyed the presence of my muchloved Saviour; here have I beheld his goings, &c.” The Sermons are fourteen in number, but it is observable that there is not one on a practical subject. This may be mentioned as another feature on Wednesday, June 5, 1816, before of modern "Evangelical" preaching; which is indeed explained to be preaching up the DOCTRINES of grace. "HoJiness" is insisted on in several of these Discourses, as we suppose it is in most discourses bearing the Tabernacle stamp, the mint mark of orthodoxy; but westgree in the Unitarian doctrine fear the common people would not understand by this term, "doing justly and loving mercy." It imports something done for them, rather than any thing which they are to do. We shall not, however, here borrow the language of the alarmists on the subject of the anti-moral teachers, partly because we believe that it is commonly unjust, and therefore mischievous, but principally because Mr. John Hyatt has not provoked censure by a single remark or expression, that we have met, in disparagement of good works and moral worth. These Sermons considered as the official homilies of the Tabernacle or "Evangelical" party, present us with the idea of a sect not far advanced in knowledge and refinement; they can be relished only by persons of little inquiry and of mediocrity of talent. as the truth of Divine revelation, there should be any division of opinion with regard to the duty of avowing it openly and promoting it to the furthest possible extent. Such division of opinion however exists, though it is lessening daily; and Mr. Broadbent's Sermon will, we trust, increase the number, already great, of those that think that to hinder the truth when it may be furthered, is a species of unrighteousness." Mr. Broadbent argues the subject coolly and charitably, and we see not how the argument can be opposed by such as admit the truth of Christianity. If divine truth be revealed, it must be esteemed of supreme importance to the happiness of mankind, and neither piety nor benevolence can allow us to be indifferent to its success. The same principles that in former times made martyrs, will at all times form zealous proselytes. ART. VI.—An Open and Fearless Rom. i. 18. See Wakefield's Trans POETRY. Inscription on a Tombstone in Cheshunt Whilst Friendship's joys expansive and Church-Yard. THIS STONE 18 ERECTED IN MEMORY OP THE REV. JEREMIAH JOYCE, Who was Born Feb. 24, 1763, And Died June 21, 1816, Ye who in solemn contemplation tread HIS cold remains, who erst, with daunt- Firm in his Country's and in Freedom's cause, Brav'd the dread peril of perverted laws. Though bold, yet gentle, his well cultured mind Glowed with a generous love of human kind, sincere, And bliss domestic crown'd each passing year, Swift flew the bolt that sped him to the tomb: But check the bursting tear that mourns The task perform'd to humble mortals giv'n, From the Portuguese of Bocage. When midst the busy world I found me For a silent couch and a peaceful home; So I smiled contempt and I sought the Poetry-The Philosophy of Evil. From the Italian of Pellegrino Gaudenzi. Brightest of spirits! proudly thron'd on high Midst the gold flames that flash from star and sun, 615 "Each from me some strong instinct draws, Which towards its kin engenders strife ;* "Birds, fishes, yielding to my laws, "Prey upon life. "Have you not heard in distant wood, "How greedy beasts pursue their way? "By turns, each drinks some creature's blood, "By turns the prey. "Have you not mark'd the busy world, "Where reason forms its wisest plan? "How man, by furious passions whirld, "Preys upon man? ""Tis mine-I stir the active thought, "I rouse the passions, urge the deed; "And there I feast, where thousands fought, "And thousands bleed. "'Midst storms and fires I sit and sing, "Most pleas'd where least I see of form; "I sail upon the whirlwind's wing, "And guide the storm. "When Etna belches flame around, "I gaze and gaze with greedy eye, "Where cities, late with plenty crown'd, "In ruins lie. "Does ocean rave? I look and think "Unruffled on the sounding shore, "And rise with joy, as thousands sink, "To rise no more. "Do earthquakes growl beneath the land? "I wait expectant of the sight; "And grow, as earth's wide jaws expand, "Wild with delight. "Of life their babes when Hindoos spoil, "The pious deed I loud proclaim, "And of their widow's funeral pile, "I light the flame. "Tis mine-all mine-I boast the deeds "And call myself the friend of man→→→ ""Tis mine- and see the work proceeds ""Tis nature's plan, "On man what crowding ills attend! "See how creation pants for room! "Ah! wretch-I haste, that wretch's friend, "To build his tomb." The Persian Magi held two princi ples, one the author of good, the other of evil; the latter was called Arimanes. This personage is called in the Chaldaic oracles by different names, Hecate, Cao Tημa xaxŋs vAYS, Dæmon; other bar OBITUARY. Died, Sept. 9, at her house, in Sidmouth, Mrs. ELIZABETH CARSLAKE, the eldest sister of John Carslake, Esq. of the same place, whose death we recorded fourteen months ago [X. 522.] She had completed the 78th year of her age, and for some time past had been evidently in a declining state. She had a large circle of relatives and friends, and was deservedly esteemed by them. She was a steady Dissenter, but had not the smallest dislike to any who conscientiously differed from her; the liberty she claimed for herself in religious matters, she freely accorded to others. She was entitled to still higher praise than this: her faith was practical, as well as liberal, it led to good works. She was well aware that the mere calling of Christ Lord was barous names, as it is there expressed, are given it by God. The Indian mytho logy paints it under different forms, more particularly as Seera. By the northern nations it was called Surtur, who is described in the Edda as making war upon Odin. In the Funeral Song of Hacon, it appears as the wolf Fenris, chained now, but who will break loose hereafter, and destroy the world. In the Greek and Roman poets, particularly Ovid and Claudian, it is conspicuous in the Battle of the Giants against Jupiter, and has thence passed into the poetry of Milton. Pindar, after describing the confinement of these Giants in Etna, represesents them as belching out streams of fire. (Pyth. 1.) απλατο πυρος αγνόταται παγαι. Mars is made by Homer a fierce malicious being, destructive to men and delighting in blood, Άρες, Άρες, βροτολοιγε, μιαιφονες not sufficient to prove her his true disciple, and to fit her for that eternal life which he is appointed to bestow. This venerable and amiable wo'nan supported through the whole of her long life, a blameless and lovely character. She was placed by Providence in very favourable circumstances; and she was neither insensible of the advantages she enjoyed, nor an unfaithful steward of them. Her friendship was not lightly given; but when once imparted, it was steady and durable, nothing but worthlessness of character could shake her attachment. Her virtues were all of the mild and unobtrusive kind: her mind was serious, but not at all gloomy. Her natural temper was good, and the views she entertained of the paternal character of the Almighty, and of the wisdom and goodness of all his dispensations, led her to acquiesce in all his appointments and satisfied her that every thing was tending to good. The great Christian doctrines of a resurrection from the dead, a future re-union with her beloved relatives and friends, and an intercourse with all the virtuous of mankind in the kingdom of their common Father, were frequently the subject of her thoughts and conversation. These doctrines gave her high delight, and no wonder that they should, they are full of consolation, and fitted to cheer and support in all the calamities and decays of mortality. Like her aged and good brother, she was eminently a child of peace, and nothing upon earth gave her so much satisfaction, as when she witnessed a just and peaceful temper in those about her. Her life being thus goodness, it was in the natural order of things that her end should be peace. "Mark the perfect man," says the Psalmist," and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." This was fully verified in the subject of this account. Her last illness was ful; she retained her senses to the not very long, nor was it very painlast. About an hour and half before her death she swallowed a liule milk, and then gradually, and tranquilly, resigned herself to the sleep of death. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." B IN Obituary-Mr. Richard Reynolds. Memoir of the late Mr. RICHARD REYNOLDS. N our Obituary of last month, (p. 554) we briefly noticed the death of MR. RICHARD REYNOLDS, of Bristol. Various memoirs of that excellent mau have already appeared; and it is hoped that the public will ere long be favoured with a minute and correct narrative of his useful life by one who knows how to appreciate his worth, and has been conversant with many of the more secret acts of Mr. Reynolds's benevolence. We should however regret that our readers should not be informed of some of the more prominent features of this pious and venerable Christian. A knowledge of his plans may induce the well disposed to go and do likewise. 66 617 But his deeds were not done to obtain the praise of men: he sought the means of conferring a favour in private, and redoubling the obligation by not seeming to have bestowed one. A striking instance of this kind occurred when a lady applied to him in behalf of an orphan, whom he had liberally aided: "When he is old," the lady said, "I will teach him to name and thank his benefactor." "Stop," said the good man," you mistake; we do not thank the clouds for rain; teach him to look higher, and thank Him, who giveth both the clouds and the rain." So great was Mr. Reynolds's modesty, that he seemed wounded if his praise were sounded, or if his deeds of kindness were brought before the public eye. Partly with a view of concealing the author, and partly to give a wider diffusion to his beneficence, he employed persons in different parts and men of all professions and religious persuasions, to relieve objects deserving of assistance, in the places in which they resided. One method was lending sums of money to the deserving, permitting them to repay the amount by instalments; if they were able to pay interest, it was received, if not, it was not demanded. The same money to be again and again applied to similar. cases. Expectation was not awakened and then disappointed. But the advice accompanying the aid bestowed was frequently found of the highest utility. Mr. Reynolds gave to public charities with munificence; but to his own name only such sums were affixed as others might easily imitate, who were well disposed to the cause. "A Friend," or "A Friend by ditto," contributed what awakened admiration. To give instances would be endless: suffice it to refer to the records of the Committee for relieving the Germans-to those of the Spital-fields Weavers-of the Bible Societies to those of the African Institution-and to those of the various charities in Bristol. Mr. Reynolds held it to be a duty that each one should as much as possible be his own executor— not only to avoid giving trouble to survivors, but also, because our talents are required to be faithfully used, whilst we ourselves are in the body. On this ground, during his life, he purchased an estate for £10,000, the interest of which is to be appropriated, at the discretion of the trustees whom he Mr. Reynolds was a native of Bristol. His father was an opulent tradesman, and a minister among the Society of Friends. He was solicitous that habits of early industry should be implanted in his children. These were properly applied by his son, who at no advanced age became a proprietor and conductor of very extensive iron works in Shropshire. Perseverance and skill were accompanied by integrity; and the consequence was the great improve ment of the concern and the accumulation of an ample fortune by Mr. Reynolds. This he used in a manner becoming the philanthropist and the Christian. He ascribed all his blessings to the Giver of all good, and considered himself only a steward of Divine bounty. He regarded his talents, whether of money or ability, as treasures for which he must hereafter give a strict account-hence his self denial was uniform, his circumspection great, and his generosity without partiality, either as to sect, party, or country, Piety was his ruling principle, and pride was a stranger to his actions. The good effect of his religious principle, was strikingly shown in the government he acquired over a temper naturally irritable. Benevolence is often the offspring of feeling: in Mr. Reynolds it was the consequence of faith, working by love. A discretion rarely to be found, was the companion of his zeal to do good. But a willingness to search out the case he knew not, was not its only feature: there was a penetration in his mode of proceeding that discovered the clearness of his judgment and the acuteness of his observations. |