and we doubt not many have blessed the day it first entered the author's mind. It is highly calculated to instruct, encourage, and comfort the pious; and also to awaken and convert those who yet know not the truth. To these ends it employs a variety of instruments-prose and poetry, fact and anecdote, hymns and prayers. The work well entitles its author to the distinguished appellation of the "Mother's Friend."

Light from the Sanctuary for the Dark and Cloudy Day. Instruction to Mourners. Square. London: Whittaker.

As life is a journey-from the cradle to the tomb-beginning in tears, and ending in groans; to the ears of suffering and sorrow the voice of comfort will always be welcome. This book, while it will add to the variety, will increase the value of the stock of such works already existing. It offers consolation on just principles, and that consolation with a tender hand. The book will be very useful to those who aspire, with Job, to "comfort the mourners ;" and may be used either as a supplement to personal visitation, or as a substitute, where precluded by distance or other circumstances.

A Guide to a Scientific Knowledge of Things familiar. By Dr. BREWER, Head Master of King's College School, Norwich. Second Edition. 18mo, pp. 477. London and Norwich: Jarrold and Sons.

THIS is a species of production which deserves great praise, and all possible encouragement. We are very glad to be apprised that the first impression, amounting to 2000 copies, was sold in the brief space of four months, with a demand for an equal number while the second edition was printing. Surely such a circumstance speaks well with respect to the public desire for such information as the book professes to impart. It may be proper to state, that this is no mere catchpenny affair got up, not to feed the mind of the rising race, but to gain somewhat with which to stay the cravings of hunger. In this second impression every sheet has been revised by two gentlemen distinguished for scientific attainments; so that, so far as the work goes, such a measure of correctness may be presumed to have been attained as will render any other material alteration unnecessary-a point of great importance in educational publications. It is much to be wished that Dr. Brewer would go on till he has travelled the whole course of science. The work deals only with two subjects -Heat and Air; so far then all is well-admirable; but let us have more. We have only further to observe, that, unlike most books, the title comes very far short of the contents. We most cordially commend it to our youthful readers, and all that have to do with the subject of Education.

Life and Times of Philip Henry, M.A., Father o the Commentator. Post 8vo, pp. 288. London and Edinburgh: Nelson.

THIS is an excellent production. It is not, however, a reprint of the admirable life of this remarkable man by his son, Matthew Henry, which has been so excellently edited by Sir John Bickerton Williams; but a new-or, at least, greatly

the following:-The life by Matthew has been taken as the basis, and implicitly followed on all points of a personal nature; but the whole is revised, expanded, and illustrated, so as to adapt it to the present generation in a word, the professed object of the writer has been, not to produce a better life than that by Matthew, but such a life as, if he were now alive, he might be expected to give to the world. So far the object is laudable; and to this extent we think the author, or emendator, has succeeded. The work consists of thirty chapters, which will be read with unflagging interest. To the extraordinary excellence of the personal subject, there are added some of the greatest events in the history of the period-such as the Restoration St. Bartholomew's Act, the Oxford Act, the Indulgence, Titus Oates' and the Popish Plot, the direful doings of Judge Jeffreys of infamous memory, the Rye House Plot, the Duke of Monmouth's Insurrection, King James's Indulgence, his Toleration; and points of like interest. The work is a valuable addition to our biography; while the beautiful manner in which it is executed, and the trifling price at which it is sold, entitles Mr. Nelson to high praise.

Life and Memoirs of Mrs. Savage. By Sir JOHN BICKERTON WILLIAMS, Knt., F.S.A. 18mo. pp. 228. London: Tract Society.

THIS choice production has been duly appreciated since it first appeared in 1818; and it bids fair to be in favour for many ages to come: since those qualities by which it has hitherto so captivated the present age, will lose none of their power over the human heart by the lapse of time. We may state for the benefit of such as have not had the means of knowing the fact, that Mrs. Savage was the daughter of Philip Henry, mentioned in the previous notice, and sister of the great commentator, Matthew Henry. The work was originally introduced by a very copious preface from the pen of Mr. Jay, which is richly marked by the characteristic beauties of that most tender and touching of our living religious writers. Sir John Bickerton Williams, the lineal descendant of the Henry family, did excellent service when he gave to the public this piece of Christian biography; and he has added to the obligation by allowing the Tract Society to send it forth in its present form. Praise of this work were not merely needless, but impertinent; we have only to state, that it is now published in pocket size, in a fine type, and so cheap as to bring it within the reach of all.

A New and Easy System of Vocal Music. By ROBERT PLATT. 8vo, pp. 90. London: Aylott and Jones.

MR. PLATT deserves great praise for this publication, which cannot fail to be useful. In a modest preface he gives the history of the work, and the reasons which led to its publication. If the words on the title-page, which announce it to be "new, easy, and correct," be within the compass of truth, nothing more can be required to establish its claims to praise and popularity. The claim of being "new" must, of course, be taken with due limitation; such, indeed, as the author himself would not object-"easy" is a

very indefinite term, and it is also to be viewed as comparative; since what in the estimation of one is perfect ease, may in that of another be severe toil; but where there is an ear, a taste, and a very moderate share of perseverance, this manual will not be by any means difficult, much less so than the bulk of its predecessors; and as to accuracy, it seems laudably correct. We commend it to those who take an interest in such matters.

Scriptural Perfection unfolded. By WILLIAM BATES, D.D. Pp. 342. London: Tract Society.

THE name of Bates, "the silver-tongued Bates," is sufficient passport for anything which emanated from his singularly polished pen; and we cannot sufficiently thank the Society for giving such a gem as this, the "Spiritual Perfection," to the world for a few pence. It is one of the finest pieces of Theology ever issued, even by the Tract Society; and sold in such numbers as it will reach under their powerful auspices, it cannot fail mightily to help them that have believed through grace. It is really cheering to live in such times as those which behold the issue of such works, on terms which bring them within the reach of all.

Memoir of Mr. William Posnet. 18mo, pp. 78. London: Mason.

A CONVERT of a worthy minister, now in London, who is making a great noise, and, we have reason to believe, doing much good-the Rev. Mr. Rattenbury. The excellent youth at once began to labour in every possible way to bring souls to God; and while a thorough Methodist, he had yet the good sense to look abroad into other fields, and to take a morsel of wholesome food wherever he could obtain it: hence we find him reading Brooke's "Unsearchable Riches of Christ," M'Cheyne's Life, Payson's Memoirs, and the Memoir of that lovely youth, E. Birrell. He became a local preacher; and laboured with all his might, till he returned to the bosom of his God in the eighteenth year of his age. He well deserves the brief memorial here awarded to him.

Magic, Pretended Miracles, and Remarkable Natural Phenomena. 18mo, pp. 192. London: Tract Society.

THIS is a rare book, and stands a good chance of being sadly soiled; for the boy who gets hold of it, will not be willing to let it go till he has read it from the first to the last page; and having read it once, he will probably be tempted to read it again; and no sooner has one got it out of hand, than another will seize it. It is a little vessel full of wonders; but it is not simply curious, amusing, and instructive; it is, in the last chapter, after the manner of the Tract Society, turned to good account in connection with the miracles of the Gospel. The volume is altogether a most charming one.

The First English Reader. Edited by Rev. GORHAM D. ABBOTT, Author of "The New English Spelling-book." 18mo, pp. 143. London: Taylor and Walton.

THE primary object of this book is to aid children in learning to read; and the teacher will

find his account in the use of it. The business of spelling and definition is managed with tact and judgment. The moral sentiments are excellent, and the subject generally well-chosen. The stories that illustrate and enforce the Ten Commandments, and other narratives here arranged, will make suitable and pleasant reading for the nursery and fire-side. The book is interspersed with pretty cuts illustrative of some given subjects.

The Leader of the Lollards, his Times and Trials; with a Glance at our own Age. By A. M. BROWN, Cheltenham. 12mo, pp. 93. London Partridge and Oakey.

THIS is a book very much to our mind; eleThere gantly written and elegantly printed. are in it eight points which comprise a chapter, thus enunciated:-The Epoch-the Hero-the Change the Characteristics-the Martyrdomthe Evil-the Progress-and the Remedy. Mr. Brown's avowed object is to render more prominent and interesting a short period of history too frequently passed over as little deserving of notice. He has been impelled to his task by the stupendous events which are occurring around us; from a desire, in connection with these events, to remind the church of those grievous errors which have wrought such mischief in times past, and he is anxious to fix public attention upon those examples of attachment to truth which distinguished their days. The first six chapters are historic and biographical; and the great hero of the scene is "the good Lord Cobham." In Chapter VII., on "Progress," the writer begins to look very seriously at the present condition of the English nation with respect to Popery; and sets forth, with great spirit and vigour, the true state of things amongst us. He treats, as was proper, the false and perilous security of those who please themselves in the belief, that the country is now far too wise and too enlightened to be gulled by the imposture of Popery; and, as an example, cites a case in Paris, concerning which he says: "Within a few years, too, the Society of the Heart of Mary' has grown up from a poor church in Paris, headed by a poor priest, and a few poor followers, till now it numbers its million members, and spends, in propagating the faith,' more than £100,000 annually."

The last chapter, on the "Remedy," is the best in the book, and one of no small worth; setting forth, with much clearness, force, and feeling, the only cure for existing evil: so much do we approve it, that, did space permit, we should like to copy the whole. The volume is so sound in principle, and so truthful in tendency, that we cannot but wish for it extensive circulation.

The Medical Student: A serious narrative, which young men may profitably read.-Misery and Mercy, exemplified in the History of several Unfortunate Females: The narrative is one of horror. --The History of FS: A child of poverty, and a victim of villany, but a sinner saved.-The History of Sarah S: A wretch who died as she had lived-impenitent and miserable.-An Account of Eliza K: A touching record of mercy.

*** All by the Tract Society, and much adapted for distribution.

My Sabbath-School Class. Designed to assist Junior Teachers. By J. F. SERGEANT. 18mo, pp. 212. London: Nesbitt.

THIS is a book of merit, and calculated to be highly useful. The junior teacher, who shall go carefully through the volume-if he is not dull, indeed-will rise up with vastly increased qualifications for his work. The Lessons, by way of illustration, are twelve,-not too numerous, but sufficient to illustrate the object of the writer. They are specimens of superior skill in

Sunday-school tuition. The illustrations are preceded by a copious and excellent introduction.

A Sermon on the Occasion of the Death of Edward Baines, Esq. By JAMES PARSONS. London: Hamilton and Co.

WITH such a preacher, and such a subject, the result could not be other than it is-a sermon of extraordinary value. Those that read will wish they had heard it; but reading is next to hearing. We cordially commend it.

THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.

BY ROBERT MORRIS.

LIKE a gently gliding river,

Or a cloud upon the sky,
Or a chain unwinding ever,
Steadily old Time goes by.
Hark! I hear a distant footstep!
List! a sigh upon the air!
Ah! the parting is a sad one-
See the pale and fading Year!

See! amid the deep'ning shadows

Moves a form all thin and wan;
Dim the eye-the cheek how bloodless!
Youth is wasted-life is gone!
Like a ghost, all cold and icy-

Like a being of the past,
By the heartless world deserted,

Death's damp garment round him cast. Yet, how well do I remember,

Only a few months ago,

And the wide world rang with welcome,
When, as from a couch of snow,
Young and rosy as the morning,

All his nature in a glow,
The fresh YEAR awoke to being,
Like a wild, but startled doe.
Ah! how changeable are mortals,
Creatures of the passing hour,
Bowing to the moment's idol,
Worshipping each dream of power!
Like the ripple on the river,

Changed by every passing air;
Like the down upon the zephyr,
Floating, dancing everywhere.

He was young, and all exulted,

Plaudits came from every lip;
Pleasure gaily danced before him-
Goblets tempted him to sip.
Beauty's arms were thrown around him,
Childhood clasp'd about his neck;
Garlands gay were all that bound him-
Flowers did his form bedeck!

Like an heir, or crowning glory-
Like a son, who, years away,

Has return'd to tell his story,
All his fears from day to day:

Like a ray of rosy morning,

After a long night of storm:

Such the shoute-the peals of welcome,
When the fading Year was born!
VOL. V.

Cannon roar'd-and merry music

Thrill'd upon the ear of night;
Many an eye shone out with rapture-
Many a heart with joy was light!
'Mid the dance the timid lover

Utter'd vows half-breathed before;

Hands were clasp'd and press'd-how gently! Hearts and heads with bliss ran o'er.

Thus it was upon thy advent;
Thus to thee in life's young hour;
Ah! how changed thy morn and even,
Thy rising and thy sinking power!
Like a gently gliding river,

Or a cloud upon the sky,
Or a chain unwinding ever,
Steadily old Time goes by.

Fare thee well! departed spirit,

Soon, alas! thou 'lt be forgot;
Few will bend above thy ashes,

Few will care to mark the spot!
O'er thy grave no weeping widow,
Wrung with grief, will kneel in prayer;
Few, alas! will miss or mourn thee,
Thou art but a thing of air.

A passing sound-a viewless being--
A measure in Time's mighty sea-
A dream-a leaf in life's great record;
A thing of mist and memory!

A story told-a volume finish'd

A glass whose sands have ceased to runAn actor in this wide world's drama,

Whose part is play'd-whose goal is won!

And yet and yet, thou 'It live for ever!
A link in life's eternal chain;
Thou wert-thou hast been-never, never,
Can chaos claim thee all again.
Science has thy name engraven
Deep within her deathless rolls,
And thy records will be given
To the chancery of souls!

Fare thee well! thou fleeting shadow,
Gentle be thy future life,
Gentle as the sigh of summer,

Free from storm, and pain, and strife!
If it be thy fate to wander
New-born to another sphere,

May it be a better, brighter,
Than awoke thy being here!

UNITY IN PRAISE.

SIR,Of the several departments of public worship, it will, perhaps, be at once conceded, that none so much needs improvement as singing the praises of God. It is too often the case that that which ought to form the most delightful part of worship, and call forth the best feelings of the heart, is rendered painful and ridiculous to the devout Christian, who desires thus publicly to unite with his fellow-members in praise to Him "from whom all blessings flow," by the manner in which it is conducted; and must be highly offensive to the Great Being professedly worshipped, but thus, indeed, mocked. That "the conductors of our choirs, and our organists, who ought to know better," are in some in stances the cause of this, I am willing to admit ; such conduct as that described by A Congregationalist," in the WITNESS for July, is highly censurable, no doubt; but that such individuals are principally to blame, and the most responsible for such a state of things, will, at least, I think, admit of a question. These persons are, or ought to be, elected by, and under the control of, the church, and chosen on account of their general fitness for the office, so that the devout worshipper may be best assisted in his devotional exercises; and consequently none should be appointed to the office, however other

66

wise competent, who have not, at least, given evidence that they possess such a sense of the spiritual nature of their work as to prevent any improper exhibitions in its performance, if they are not actually members of the church, and any indecorous behaviour or unbecoming levity should lead to their removal. It is, however, to be feared, that professional skill to conduct the singing, has been considered as the primary and most essential qualification, and a heart tuned by Divine grace but of secondary or trifling importance; and can it, therefore, be surprising, that such results as those depicted by your correspondent too frequently follow.

There appears to me considerable blame attaching to the members of our churches generally, for leaving this part of worship, in which all should join, so much to organists, choirs, and leaders. How frequently may it be observed, that out of a congregation of several hundred persons, scarcely any beside the choir and school-children are found uniting in the singing; and especially among those who by their education might be supposed best qualified to take a prominent part in the service, as though their praises were performed by proxy, or they felt no interest in the matter beyond the beauty of the composition and the skill of the performers. I cordially agree with your correspondent that "these things ought not so to be;" and trust,

at the present time, when so much more attention is being given to this part of worship, a decided improvement will be effected. Let our churches take this matter into their own hands; let them select leaders of known piety and worth, whose only aim is the glory of God, even though their musical talents are not of first-rate order (and such men surely are to be found in most of our congregations); let them feel individually that they have voices as well as hearts to praise, and meet as many as possible on some evening in the week to cultivate their musical powers; let the hymns for the sabbath be in the hands of the leader as early as possible in the week, and not a few minutes before the service commences; and on the sabbath let none fold up their arms in the corner of the pew, but feel it both a duty and privilege to

"Stand up and bless the Lord their God,

With heart, and soul, and voice;"

and we should soon see a better state of things existing our congregational psalmody would rapidly improve; and the evils justly complained of by "A Congregationalist" prevented; and though there should be no great musical talent displayed, the humble and united praises of grateful hearts ascending up on high from such a congregation, would be far more acceptable in the sight of God than the loudest strains of the organ, or the finest performance of a choir un. accompanied by grateful hearts. Wishing you every success in your efforts to promote the prosperity of our Congregational churches, I remain, yours,

ANOTHER CONGREGATIONALIST.

HINTS TO CONGREGATIONS RESPECTING CLERKS.

SIR,-Knowing that you take a lively interest in the improvement of Congregational singing, I think that, without apology, I may beg the favour of you to insert in your widely-circulated Magazine the following remarks, which are intended to show how a remedy may be applied to the prevailing imperfection in the performance of that sacred service, appointed, in the infinite wisdom of God, as a means for promoting his own glory and the spiritual good of his church.

I imagine that few will be disposed boldly to contend, that, in the public singing of hymns, melody ought to be dispensed with. But while it is generally acknowledged that the Lord's song should be sweet to the ear, the mode in which some join in this exercise would seem to indicate their holding a contrary opinion.

The means of improvement which have been adopted by those who have at heart the better performance of Congregational psalmody, are the organ, the trained choir, classes for practice, and the choice of a clerk with a powerful voice. I do not object to such means; I am rather persuaded that each and all of these have often proved highly beneficial; but I cannot learn that they have been hitherto found to produce that "singing together" which is desirable, and to which, I believe, there is rarely any necessary obstacle.

It will be generally admitted, that the usual faults in Congregational singing are errors of time rather than of tone. At the same time I hold, that to sing according to a uniform duration of bar throughout a verse, is so pleasing an

exercise, that most persons would gladly conform to so excellent a method, if they did not hear very many around them singing without any reference to bars, and according to no particular division of time.

In endeavouring to explain the cause of this irregularity, I must not shrink from mentioning a practice which is unfortunately too commonI mean that of individuals, who may be spoken of as good singers, attempting with their own voices to correct errors in public devotional singing, to which they may consider, with probable justice, that the leader and the congregation are liable. From my own observation, and the result of my inquiries, I am prepared to assert, that many persons are in the habit of lagging a little when they think that the leader or organist proceeds too rapidly; while others of a different taste are more apt to consider the strains as too much prolonged in duration, and are, therefore, prone to hasten the leader, and to cut short as tedious the final semibreves of some passages. Such persons, doubtless, mean well, and they think or hope that their respective tastes will ultimately prevail; but the results of their conduct are most pernicious. We know that the highest and most cultivated tastes do not always agree together; and it is evident that such a practice as I have described, if followed even by a company of the most able professors, would only produce discord.

Another class to which I must allude, consists of persons who are of too modest vocal pretension to admit of our accusing them of attempting to correct the leader; but situated as they are in the midst of conflicting voices. and sensible of their ignorance of the correct time of the tune, instead of attending to the direction of the leader, they suffer themselves to be guided by some bold singer in their immediate neighbourhood.

From these remarks you will perceive that the oversight of which I would accuse members of congregations in general, and to which I trace the general imperfection of the singing, is that they are not careful to observe the method of the leader, and to take up each note simultaneously with him. Some say that they "follow," but they ought to accompany; and persons who do not accompany the leader, are not likely to accompany each other. Neither the old nor the young, the learned nor the unlearned, will ever be satisfied with music to which regular time cannot be beaten.

With the view, therefore, of remedying so great an evil, I would desire to impress upon each individual the duty of singing with the leader. This should be made a matter of conscience. If any one thinks the singing too slow or too rapid, let him speak privately to the leader or to the office-bearers, but in the church let all things be done in order; let each individual watch the intention of the leader, and neither sing before him, nor drawl the words after him. The regular division of the tunes into bars facilitates this agreeable duty; and when any note does occur, of which the correct duration is not known, it should be sung staccatto until its proportionate length has become familiar to the ear of the singer. The leader is usually selected on account of superior musical ability; and when the congregation show a cheerful confidence in his guidance, he will be encouraged to exert himself in correcting many