Referring to the example of the first Preachers of the Gospel, he says,"If it be not a great duty to follow it, it was not a great virtue to set it." Of a church benumbed by petty controversies he thus speaks, with terrific irony: How can it find time, amid its grave disputes, for things so light as Christian Missions and heathen millions? What would these paragon societies care, did a generation perish while they deliberated on the powers of an Elder-did they violate every feeling of charity in debating the obligations of its kiss-did they embroil every temper of kindness, and suspend every instalment of bounty, in discussing the nature of the fellowshipor did they hold back the cup of salvation from thirsting nations, while they agitated the solemn problem, whether they should lift, ere they drank, the sacramental chalice? One solace arises from the fact that these systems cannot be Missionary. Their evils and follies are stationary. This last extract will strike a sympathetic chord in our own Connexion, exciting either a sad or a guilty response: guilty, in their hearts who have allowed petty discontents and trifling differences to interfere with a cause, the very name of which ought to have forbidden their existence, or annihilated them as soon as they arose; sad in us, who mourn over these tokens of the destroyer, and remember former days. The glory of our community before God and man, is its warm fellowship with the Saviour in His love to the Heathen. Among the very first vital acts of its independent corporate function, were prayer and labour for the world. From that time till now, as God hath blessed us, the world has had our strength. And our Missions have been blessed with tokens of Divine approbation, such as (let persecution bear the folly of our language) no other section of the church can rival, and such as the voice of words could scarcely make more plain. Alas! how can any, who have a right estimate of the stupendous controversy which is pending between God and sin, find time to hesitate or suspect, while the echoes of God's approval are reverberating through every part of the earth? There is much indignation, but more sorrow, in our complaint. Many among us still cease not to expect that the outpouring of a larger Missionary spirit will be an Elias to modern Methodism, restoring all things. The Lord hear their prayers! (To be concluded.) SELECT LITERARY NOTICES. [The insertion of any article in this List is not to be considered as pledging us to the approbation of its contents, unless it be accompanied by some express notice of our favourable opinion. Noris the omission of any such notice to be regarded as indicating a contrary opinion; as our limits, and other reasons, impose on us the necessity of selection and brevity.] do not quickly find its rank, on both sides of St. George's Channel, among our most popular biographies. Memoirs of Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw, Bart. By Thomas M'Cric, D.D., LL.D., Author of "Sketches of Scottish Church History," &c., &c. Johnstone and Hunter.—A tribute justly and gracefully paid to virtue of no common order. Shortly after the death of the excellent Baronet, it was our happiness to insert a sketch of his life; and we hasten to join other friends of the Sabbath-cause in thanking Dr. M'Crie for these ampler illustrations. All who love Sir Andrew's memory will be gratified by tracing here the beautiful features of his childhood, and the hopefulness of his youth; the visitations of grace, the yielding of early prejudices, and the disenchanting of an ardent mind from the influence of fashionable gaieties; the brightening of religious views; the increasing glow of deepscated fires, which surely though silently consumed the dross of worldly conformity; the retirement of Lochnaw, in which Sir Andrew was trained for his special work; and the consecration of his powers to that worthy object. The resolution once taken, he laboured, and fainted not. Yet humility was the companion, and no less the guardian, of his zeal; sustaining it in many a trial, and insuring its permanence by a communion with the Source of all good.-The biographer, aware of the main difficulty which besets his task, has yet drawn into the volume a larger variety of incident than might have been expected. Opinions may differ as to the policy of certain parliamentary courses which are here detailed; but few Christian men will withhold their admiration, or even their reverence, from the fidelity and consistency which these were the occasion of displaying. "I am resolved," said Sir Andrew, as reported by Sir George Sinclair, "not to compromise, in any degree, the great principle for which I have undertaken to contend. I cannot consult expediency, or be influenced to swerve in the path of duty, by any hope (probably a vain one) of obviating opposition; and if I can get but one Member to second the motion for the introduction of the bill as it stands, believing, as I do, that its provisions are in strict accordance with the word of God, I would rather be the author of such a bill, and ste it rejected, than substitute a less efficacious and scriptural measure, though I were sure of its being carried." (Page 147.) For ourselves, we heartily sub scribe Dr. M'Crie's judgment: "It were unfair to measure the value of Sir Andrew's services by what he was able to effect during his brief lifetime. Symptoms are not a-wanting on the Continent of the principles for which he contended. The hearts of Christian churches at home have been stirred to their depths in sympathy with his sacred mission. He has, moreover, succeeded in linking the Sabbath to the advancing causes of freedom, of temperance, of education, of moral and civic improvement. Henceforth the Sabbath will, without fail, take its place in the heavenly train along with those schemes of beneficence which, aiming at 'glory to God in the highest,' breathe peace and good-will toward man;' and which, scattering blessings around them as they advance, may usher in the glories of the latter day." (Pp. 418, 419.) Missionary Addresses delivered before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in the Years 1835, 1837, 1839. With additional Papers on Female Education, and the Danish or Earliest Protestant Mission to India. By Alexander Duff, D.D. Johnstone and Hunter. Also, by the same author, Home Organization for Foreign Missions being the Substance of an Address delivered before the Commission of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, on Wednesday, November 20th, 1850.-Eloquent, instructive, and spirit-stirring. The paper on the Danish Mission, which is reprinted from the first Number of the Calcutta Review, is peculiarly interesting. Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords appointed to consider the best Means which Great Britain can adopt for the final Extinction of the African Slave-Trade. Presented in Session 1850.-The first of a series of small publications arranged by an influential Committee, including a number of the best friends of Africa. The object of this movement is dear to humanity; and for the reasons suggested by the Lords' Committee,-as well as for other and higher reasons, several of which are well stated in a late "Circular,❞—the tribute of our humble advocacy cannot be withheld. It is plain that the attention of the country must be at once directed to the subject; and we take leave to mention a powerful article in the Edinburgh Review, July, 1850,-of which the conclusions were briefly given in our own Number for November. That paper merits the attention of all who seek the weal of our common race; and especially, (we may add, in prospect of a most important session of Parliament,) of our statesmen and senators. That arguments for reversing our past policy, and, in particular, for recalling the squadron, should be put forth by any leading portion of the press, is to us matter of serious regret; but, we believe, everything will be gained, for the right side of this question, by a thorough investigation of facts. How far partial statements have contributed to mislead the public mind, and how much of the feeling in certain quarters is due to political bias, it is not for us to decide. But the closing passages of the Select Committee's Report shall be put before our readers :-"We have taken evidence upon the chief objections urged against Our present system, and especially against the maintenance of the squadron. These objections have been:-1. The assertion that the maintenance of the British cruisers enlists the national honour of Brazil against the suppression of the trade. From the best evidence we have been able to collect, we believe that this opinion is wholly unfounded, and that, on the contrary, the AntiSlavery party in Brazil, and a large and increasing party in Cuba, are unanimous in desiring the maintenance and success of our cruisers. 2. The assertion, that an unrestricted Slave-Trade would soon extinguish itself, through the fears which would be excited in Brazil and Cuba by an unlimited importation of Africans. This opinion, so far as it applies to Brazil, the great market for slaves, appears to us to be wholly unsustained by the evidence we have taken. The vast tracts of virgin land as yet uncultivated in Brazil allow of the scattering of an unlimited number of new hands; and it is only the combination of newly-imported Africans which is dreaded. 3. The allegation, that the existing squadron increases the sufferings of the transported African. Even if this had been established, we do not conceive that it would have been a sufficient reason for withdrawing the squadron, since the sufferings of the transported Africans, fearful as they are, form the least evil of a system which fills the populous continent of Africa with intestine war, insecurity, and bloodshed. But, further, we cannot conclude, from the evidence before us, that these sufferings are increased by the presence of the British squadron, when compared with the horrors of the middle passage, even under the regulated trade. The presence of the squadron has led to the employment of faster transports; it has greatly increased the value of the living cargo; and the withdrawal of the cruisers would, in the judgment of some, even of the witnesses most favourable to such a course, lead to the employment of a worse class of vessels than those now used in the trade. Finally, we would report, from a full examination of all the evidence brought before us, that, in our opinion,-1. The past efficiency of the cruising squadron has been greatly undervalued. 2. That its cost has been much exaggerated. 3. That, with proper precautions, it is not an unhealthy service. 4. That to withdraw the cruisers in part, and to administer a regulated slavetrade, (as has been suggested,) would be impossible of execution, no material saving of the cost of the present system, and utterly at variance with every past profession of Great Britain on this subject since she abolished the British slavetrade. 5. That against the present cost of the squadron should be set the advantage of nourishing and maintaining a valuable and increasing lawful trade, which must be utterly extirpated if the cruisers were withdrawn, and which might be developed to an unlimited extent if the slave-trade were suppressed. 6. That to abandon the suppression of the trade, to which, in the face of the whole civilised world, Great Britain is solemnly and repeatedly pledged, would be a fatal blow to her national honour. 7. That there is every reason to believe that the present system is susceptible of a large and immediate increase of effi. ciency by the adoption of such improvements as we have recommended; and that, if these improvements be adopted, aided by the other measures recommended, there is reason to believe that this great object may be speedily and certainly obtained." Outline-Charts of General History, in large Type adapted to Class-Teaching, and for general Use. By T. Watton, Author of "Historical Centuries," and Master of King Edward's Gem-Street School, Birmingham.-These charts, ten in number, exhibit-Leading Events of Ancient and Modern History; Scripture History; Grecian, Roman, Eastern Empire, English, Scottish, French; and a General View of the principal European Monarchies. They are carefully prepared, and likely to render good service. A Plea on behalf of Drunkards and against Drunkenness. By Thomas Guthrie, D.D., Edinburgh, Author of "Pleas for Ragged Schools." Johnstone and Hunter.-Worthy of the benevolent author; and auspiciously commencing a series of pamphlets, to be issued by the "Scottish Association for the Suppression of Drunkenness." Psalms and Hymns. By Joseph Sutcliffe, A. M. Second Edition, improved. John Mason: Seeleys: Hatchards.Two hundred psalms and hymns from the pen of one of the most venerable among living Ministers. Nearly fifty have been lately added, including many for little children. It is truly refreshing to see such alacrity of mind, joined to such warmth of heart. Here is a glow of feeling, of imagination, and (best of all) of holy love to God and man, which the snows of hoary age cannot quench. Mr. Sutcliffe's lyre is always in tune for the praise of Christ. In a wide range of evangelical topics he is quite at home; as if rehearsing the everlasting song in which he hastens to join. We cannot resist the inclination to give an example or two-one from the version of Psalm Ixxii., and another from a hymn which may be called The aged Preacher's Soliloquy. The former may better illustrate Mr. Sutcliffe's manner; but those who love touching simplicity and fine feeling will acknowledge that the latter is not without a special charm. Give the King Thy judgments, Lord, He shall cause the truth to reign, He shall judge the meek, the poor, He descends as gracious rain, Watering all the sultry plain; Multiplied shall be the just, While His rebels lick the dust. Boundless shall His kingdom be, Unconfined by shores or sea; Where the ships of Tarshish sail, Every land His name shall hail. Afric's stores of shining gold, He shall live with length of days, Every age His name shall praise; Kings shall bow the willing knee, Hail the Son that makes them free. * For, though I die, the cause shall live; And start with joy to win the prize: Family Prayers, adapted to Portions of the Holy Bible, and chiefly based on the Commentaries of the Rev. Thomas Scott. By William Burt Whitmarsh, one of Her Majesty's Coroners for the County of Wilts. :-Volume I. Genesis to Deuteronomy. II. Joshua to Esther. III. Job to Ecclesiastes. IV. (In preparation.) Isaiah to Malachi. Ward and Co-The Rector of Aston Sandford is so well known by means of his principal work, that it cannot be needful to characterise at length these forms of prayer. They reflect many of the Commentator's sterling merits; while, it may be permitted us to add, there are points on which we desire a more adequate expression of the glorious hope of our calling. Mr. Whitmarsh's plan is excellent; and it may be copied with advantage by Christians generally, whether they avail themselves or not of such helps as he is providing. To those who wish to show due reverence for ALL holy Scripture, and to secure an edifying variety in family devotion, the following passage will commend itself:-" The author may be allowed, without questioning the excellence of many [former] collections, to remark that a character of monotony attaches to the generality of them, tending, after awhile, to induce something like formality and tediousness. He has been led to conclude, that this evil may be remedied by more particularly connecting family prayers with family reading; so that the precepts and promises of the latter may furnish motives and pleas to the former." Popery in Power; or, The Spirit of the Vatican: to which is added, Priestcraft, or the Monarch of the Middle Ages. By Joseph Turnley. Illustrated with Engravings. Effingham Wilson. -A piece of literary mosaic. Mr. Turnley gives us prose and verse; historical truth, and scenic varieties of description; an interfusion, now of excellent argument, and then of highflown meditation; innumerable episodes, of most various merit; an Appendix, containing much good information; and a long dramatic sketch of priestcraft in the middle ages. In regard to the last part of the volume, it is hardly needful to say that it does not meet our taste. But the representations are believed to be, in the main, strictly historical; and they fearfully illustrate the tendency of Romish doctrine. Proof enough is given, in the more important sections, that Rome is the natural antagonist of civil power and good government; that its "secret energies and mystic agencies are directed to the destruction of every element which has denied its infallibility or su premacy.” The reigns of Henry II. and Richard Coeur-de-Lion are selected for review; and the Crusades lead the author to imagine certain resemblances (while, however, he omits the points of contrast) between the religion of the False Prophet and that of the Seven Hills. The book is addressed "to wavering Protestants who seem captivated by the cymbal and dulcimer of Tractarianism." In the author's just esteem, this is "a foe in the camp of Protestantism, constantly using its alliances and sympathies for the diversion of the minds of Protestants." A few prefatory sentences may be transferred to our pages, as being most seasonable, and meriting grave attention: ་་ "How many unsteady Protestants have become Tractarians, and, when perfect Tractarians, have been deemed presentable to the court of the Papacy! From that moment they become alienated from Protestant England and England's beloved Sovereign, for they acknowledge another Sovereign.' "The rubric [of the Church of England] may require alterations in common with other books, such as statute law and pandects of science: but where is the true lover of his profession, and of his fellow-men, who would take up the most obsolete and objectionable parts of those books as most worthy of practical use? The rubric, like many statutes of civil matters, was made under special circumstances; which a good Churchman would freely take into consideration, and not attempt to justify the practice of exciting novelties from the mere fact of their having been permitted by Churchmen who had just cast off the rags of formality and self-righteousness...... Why should sober Protestantism be dressed in the frippery of a formal religion ?" Spiritual Heroes; or, Sketches of the Puritans, their Character and Times. By John Stoughton. Second Edition, revised and enlarged. John Snow. - In repeating our favourable notice of this volume, we are happy to draw attention to an additional chapter respecting Baxter at Kidderminster, which Mr. Stoughton has compiled mainly from unpublished MSS. in Red-Cross-street Library. Expostulations and Admonitions: an Address from the Wesleyan Ministers of the Bristol North Circuit to those who have lately left the Methodist Society. Bristol: N. Lomas.-Earnest, affectionate, and most faithful. These appeals (made to the misled, not to the unscrupulous misleaders) deserve to be widely circulated. The Bath Fables: on Morals, Manners, and Faith. With Illustrative Prose, from many Writers of Celebrity. By Sheridan Wilson, F.S.A., &c. Second Edition. Longmans. Bath: Binns and Goodwin.-The fabulist displays considerable ability. He is zealous in the cause of those whose watchwords are, "Free Trade," "AntiDraco," "International Arbitration," &c.; but still more zealous in his hostility to all-grasping Romanism. The warfare of this day demands Protestant artillery; but it needs not disdain the occasional use of lighter weapons. The influence of popular verse is proverbial. Myth, or fable,-being (according to Suidas) "a fiction imaging truth,"may serve to arrest attention, and to fix in the memory great practical lessons. Secret Prayer, and its accompanying Exercises. By the Rev. James M'Gill, Hightae, Lochmaben. Third Edition. Glasgow: Bryce. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co.-A very good practical book. Elements of Physical Geography, with Outlines of Geology, Mathematical Geography and Astronomy, and Questions for Examination. By Hugo Reid. Oliver and Boyd: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. King Alfred's Poems, literally translated, from the Anglo-Saxon, into thirty English Metres. By Martin F. Tupper, D.C.L., F.R.S., Author of "Proverbial Philosophy," &c. A. Hall, Virtue, and Co. |