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to withdraw from him that countenance, without which all his exertions will avail nothing. The qualifications of human learning are not of trivial importance to a priest. From a letter addressed to a friend (who appears to have had a desire to enter the ministry without being able to conquer an idle disposition, or study with resolution and steadiness) we make the following extracts, and recommend the whole letter to all young candidates for holy orders.

If you are sincere, and really serious in your wishes to become a Minister of Christ, and if you are convinced it is God's will you should enter that sacred office, you will from this time forward, until you enter orders, live a life of constant, resolute, and confirmed study. You cannot, dare not, offer yourself as a candidate for the priesthood under the consciousness of mental

unfitness, arising from indolence and volatility of disposition; and remember, that indolence and shiftness are not constitutional evils, but such as every man has it in

his power to cure. If you ardently long to become a public helper in the vineyard of Jesus Christ, you must think that office worth labouring for; and he who does not think it worth labouring for, is not worthy to

have it. ***** You have room for every duty, but none for negligence, procrastination, or unsteadiness. Excuse my plainness, but think your situation critical; and if, as I have my fears, you are yet trifling, I do solemnly assure you, that I consider your trifling as criminal. To leave talents like yours uncultivated, through an aversion to application, is a gross abuse of God's blessing, and an insult to his goodness. I conceive the fact to be indubitable, that you may prepare yourself fully and completely for the ministry within the usual time, if you choose; and it remains with you to determine whether or not you will

sacrifice your own ease and your own evil babits to the ministry of God.—

I solemnly, my dear friend, exhort you to consider what are your views and pur

poses, and what you are about. The end you aim at is most important; let your preparation be in proportion. Surely it is no small thing to gather in the harvest of the Lord; and no one would refuse to undergo a few personal privations and inconveniences for it. I grant, to toil through the rudiments of languages, at your age, is irksome; but if it were necessary to be chained to the gallies for seven years, in order to be admitted to so blessed a change -who, that had a heart really affected, would hesitate to undergo the proba

tion?

Be of good cheer: if at your believing prayers God shall give you resolution to study, and bless you in it, the ruggedness of the road will soon disappear. The recollection of the end for which you labour will sweeten your most disgusting tasks, and cast a charm even over the uncouth rudiments of languages. There is, indeed, nothing so soothing, so exquisitely delightful,

as study, when we feel we have God's blessing, and that we are labouring for his glory. No human gratification can equal this; no peace can equal that which a Christian enjoys, while he is daily and constantly pursuing the attainments of godly knowledge, and informing his mind with the things which pertain, either immediately or remotely, to eternal life. That this may be your lot, may God in his mercy grant! Think deeply! Think seriously!-Pp. 42 to 45.

If we were to estimate the character of H. K. White by the effects which his example has produced, favourable indeed must be our decision. The number of pious young men who, at the present moment, are anxious to take upon themselves the duties of Christian Ministers in the Church of England, is very great. In many of them the sacred flame was first kindled, in others the already vital spark was nourished, by a perusal of "The Remains of Henry Kirke White." They now humbly endeavour to follow him as he followed Christ; and many of them (who, with his fervent piety and a portion of his genius, have also his poverty) faithfully trust that the same ever gracious God who was pleased to direct and to bless him, will also open a way for them; and, in his own good time, fulfil the desires which he has implanted, by calling them to be "the humblest among those who minister to their Maker." Many there are, who, though repressed and chilled by poverty and neglect, though often discouraged by the indifference of those to whom they may have applied for direction and assistance, yet persevere in their unassisted studies (rendered perhaps doubly irksome by the pecuniary disadvantages under which they

struggle), animated by the example of a White, and cheered by the hope that they "who sow in tears shall reap in joy;" that their present discouragements are but the test of their sincerity and zeal, and that their efforts shall at length be crowned with success. For the blessing of God upon the studies of these young men, every Christian should offer up his fervent prayers; as the future glory of the Messiah's kingdom may, in a great measure, depend upon their successful labours: nor can the wealthy Christian more piously devote a portion of his riches, than in aiding those who, possessing natural talent improved by severe and conscientious study, are anxious to devote themselves to the work of the ministry. To encourage and assist such is more than a duty-it is a privilege! a privilege which we would earnestly call upon those who have it in their power diligently to culti

vate.

We cannot close this review without remarking, that the high price of this volume must very materially impede its circulation. Nine shillings for 206 loosely printed pages is surely an extravagant demand; especially as several of the Poems contain very little that can be generally interesting.

The Christian Watchman; a Sermon by John Cawood, A. M. of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford; and perpetual Curate of Bewdley, Worcestershire. Pp. 42. Seeley, &c. London.

THE limits of our work do not usually allow us to notice, in our Review, the publication of single sermons; but we think the Sermon before us is of such a character as to require a deviation from our general practice. The Discourse was preached in consequence of the death of the late Rev. Thomas Best, Minister of Cradley Chapel; and the author has not been more happy in the selection, than in the discussion of his subject. The text is

Hos. ix. 8, "The watchman of Ephraim was with my God;" and these words are considered, most justly, as "descriptive of the faithful and devout pastor; of his public conduct among men, and of his secret communion with heaven." We wish we had space for the insertion of all the excellent and impressive sentiments recorded in this Sermon ; but we have not. We cannot, however, withhold from ourselves the pleasure of presenting our readers with the following striking passage. The author is speaking of "the qualifications of the Christian watchman for his important services; and these he considers to be "biblical learning and personal piety."

If I am silent on merely human qualifications, it is not because I undervalue them, but because I suppose them all to be adequately present in every Christian pastor. If I advert not to classical learning, it is because I cannot conceive how any one will presume, without a competent acquaintance with the learned languages, to aspire to that high vocation in which the most extensive and profound requirefind their most useful and hallowed exercise. ments, both literary and scientific, will If I do not dwell on the art of teaching, and the powers of elocution, it is because I cannot imagine how any man, who is not

66

apt to teach," or who has not a clear function of a divine teacher, and to read alenunciation, will dare to take upon him the most daily the most important and sublime service in the world. If I say nothing of studious habits, or of the faculty of ready composition, it is because I cannot divine how any person, who dislikes study, or is unpractised in composition, will be bold enough to enter into that sacred office, in which the minds of the most diligent students will sometimes despond, and the pens of the readiest writers sometimes fail. Give me, then, the man who is solidly learned; whose enunciation is sufficiently loud and distinct; whose habits are decidedly studious; whose mind is ready to conceive, his tongue to express, and his hand to write; give me such a man, and even then you give me, if I may so speak, only the unformed substance out of which the Christian pastor must be made. Still there is needed the hand of God to form the divine image in his heart. Still there is divine life into his soul. Still there is needed the Spirit of holiness to breathe needed the almighty energy of divine grace" to make him a new creature in

Christ Jesus." For, however various, profound, and splendid his merely human qualifications may be, yet, allow me to repeat it, biblical learning and personal piety are absolutely indispensable in the Christian pastor. His biblical learning will appear in the doctrines which he inculcates, and in the morals which he teaches. His personal `piety will be seen in his example.

The author is unquestionably a deep thinker. He does not allow his subject to float lightly and loosely on the surface of his mind. Every part of it is touched with a master's hand; and no part is left unexamined. We confess, sincerely wish this Sermon to be read: every page will give instruction, and ought to press with all

we

instances, very objectionable. Take for instance the twenty-third Psalm, so admirably rendered in many versions.

The Lord is my shepherd, no want shall I know;

I feed in green pastures, safe folded I rest;

He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,

Restores me when wandering, redeems when opprest.

Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray,

Since thou art my guardian, no evil I fear; Thy rod shall defend me, thy staff be my stay,

No harm can befall, with my Comforter near.

spread ;

With blessings unmeasur'd my cup run

neth o'er;

With perfume and oil thou anointest my head;

O what shall I ask of thy providence more?

its weight on the mind of every In the midst of affliction my table is member of the Christian priesthood. We should be happy to have the opportunity of recommending a volume of such sermons. From the ripeness of thought and judgment, we do not suspect the writer to be a young man, though, perhaps, new to publication. The evidences, however, of piety and ability which this Sermon discovers, are such as to raise a wish for more examples.

I. Songs of Zion: being Imitations
of Psalms. By James Montgo-
mery. Longman. 1822. Pp. 154.
II. Hymns, adapted to Family and
Village Worship. By Mrs.
Washbourn. Holdsworth. 1822.
Pp. 162.

III. Stanzas, addressed to a Mis-
sionary, with other Poems. By
William Marshall. 1821. Pp.130.
IV. Serious Poetry. By Caroline
Fry. Pp. 116.

I. WE have been grievously disappointed in Mr. Montgomery's Songs of Zion. The character of the author, and the reports of some of our contemporaries, led us to expect, if not majesty and sublimity, yet at least pathos, simplicity, and seriousness.

But

in all these respects many of the versions before us are exceedingly deficient; and the measures which Mr. M. has chosen are, in various

Let goodness and mercy, my bountiful God,
Still follow my steps till I meet thee

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above;

seek-by the path which my forefathers

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Through the land of their sojourn―thy kingdom of love.—Pp. 15, 16.

Nor when he attempts more ap-
propriate measures does he by any
means succeed so well as many of
his predecessors. Take as a spe-
cimen a few verses of the fifty-first
Psalm, so admirably rendered by
Watts in his first version.
Have mercy on me, O my God,

In loving-kindness hear my prayer;
Withdraw the terror of thy rod;

Lord, in thy tender mercy spare.
Offences rise where'er I look *;

But I confess their guilt to thee;
Blot my transgressions from thy book,

Cleanse me from mine iniquity.
Whither from vengeance can I run?

Just are thy judgments, Lord, and right;
For all the evil I have done,

I did it only in thy sight.-P. 48.
So again the ninety-third Psalm:
The Lord is King; upon his throne
He sits in garments glorious;
Or girds for war his armour on,
In every field victorious;

"My sin is ever before me."

The world came forth at his command;
Built on his word, its pillars stand;

They never can be shaken.

The Lord was King ere time began,

His reign is everlasting;
When high the floods in tumult ran,
Their foam to heaven up-casting,
He made the raging waves his path:
The sea is mighty in its wrath,

But God on high is mightier.
Thy testimonies, Lord, are sure;

Thy realm fears no commotion,
Firm as the earth, whose shores endure
The eternal toil of ocean.
And thou with perfect peace wilt bless
Thy faithful flock; for holiness

Becomes thine house for ever.

Let this be contrasted with the following, taken from the New Version:

With glory clad, with strength array'd,

The Lord, that o'er all nature reigns, The world's foundation strongly laid,

And the vast fabric still sustains, &c.

One more quotation of a similar nature, and we take our leave of Mr. M. regretting that we cannot give a more favourable opinion of his present performance.

Be joyful in God, all ye lands of the earth,
O serve him with gladness and fear;
Exult in his presence with music and mirth,
With love and devotion draw near.
For Jehovah is God,—and Jehovah alone,
Creator and ruler o'er all;

And we are his people, his sceptre we own;
His sheep, and we follow his call.

O enter his gates with thanksgiving and song,

Your vows in his temple proclaim; His praise with melodious accordance prolong,

And bless his adorable name.
For good is the Lord, inexpressibly good,

And we are the work of his hand;
His mercy and truth from eternity stood,
And shall to eternity stand.

Psalm C. Pp. 88, 89,

II. The Hymns by Mrs. Wash

bourn are stated to have been composed with an earnest desire to interest the feelings and aid the devotion of those villagers especially, to whom the Gospel is new as well as glad tidings. A design of this nature must always meet the approbation of every pious mind; but in the case before us, the ob

ject is defeated by the expense of the publication. Few of our villagers can afford three shillings for a little volume in boards, which, when bound, ought not to exceed half the money. We do not, however, impute this fault to Mrs. W. since she has most probably only followed the advice of those to whose judgment she would naturally defer. The sentiments of the volume are correct. Of the poetry, the following may be considered a fair specimen.

Come, let us seek our Father's face,
And this short hour improve;
He sends to us the means of
grace,

As tokens of his love.
Mercy invites us to his throne,

And faith forbids our fears;
There Jesus, his eternal Son,

Our Advocate appears.
Our cheerful hope and trust relies
On his atoning blood;
We need no other sacrifice

In our approach to God.
May all our hearts indeed obey

The voice that calls us nigh;
For many only know the way,

And far from Jesus die.
Lord, may we seek the joy that flows
From thy forgiving love;

The portion and the bliss of those

Whose treasure is above.-P. 102.

III. The third article is a small volume of what the author modestly calls poetical trifles, which he informs us were composed for the use of the children of a Sunday school, who were accustomed on particular occasions to recite short pieces publicly; and they are now printed, partly to comply with the wishes of the author's friends, and partly with the hope of promoting the interests of the school, to whose enlargement the author devotes any profit which may arise. The poems are very simple and of an useful tendency. We take the following as a specimen, almost at

random.

HUMAN LIFE. Life is a changing scene, An ever-varying sky;

Sometimes 'tis cloudy, then serene,

And thus it passes by.
No joys it gives are sure,

Nor can we make them stay;
They but for one short hour endure,
And then-they glide away.
Its sorrow-transient too,

Like pleasure, passes on;
A little time its pow'rs undo,
And we behold it flown.
To-day before the breeze,

Our prospects proudly swell;
While ev'ry object seems to please,
And all our plans go well.
To-morrow-troubles low'r;
Our former comforts fled,

We pine beneath misfortune's pow'r,
And mourn our pleasures dead.-
Life's end, life's use, is this,

To fit us for the sky,

By teaching us the love of bliss,
And joys that never die.
Then they but waste its space,

Whate'er their hearts pursue,
Who running life's uncertain race,
Keep not this point in view.

IV. The author of the last article we can notice at present, requests that her little work may be received as the serious reflections of a Christian, who only wrote because she felt. She has, however,

scarcely any need to deprecate our severity. Genuine feeling, expressed in the language of a refined understanding, is sure to awaken the chords of sympathy, in the heart of every one whose good opinion would be regarded as an object of any interest. We extract the following trifle, not because it is the best, but because it is most suitable to our narrow limits.

THE DAWN.

Pensive as I watch'd the night,
Many a star was glitt'ring bright;
While their gay, but warmthless rays,
Wak'd the thoughts of other days;
Like the joys I knew of old,
They were bright but they were cold;
Parting with the parting shade,
One by one I saw them fade;
Duly as the morning clear'd,
One by one they disappear'd.
So before celestial light,
Sink the joys of nature's night;
'Twas but folly made them dear,
'T was but darkness made them fair.
As the dawn of grace increases,
Earth's delusion fades and ceases;
Joys that once were all my bliss,
Fading into nothingness,
Take them wings, and pass away,
Lost in everlasting day.

THE YOUNG COTTAGER AND DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER. A TRIBUTE of affection has recently been paid to the united memory of the Young Cottager and Dairyman's Daughter, by raising a subscription and putting up gravestones, on which the following verses are inscribed. The narrative of the Dairyman's Daughter, which originally appeared in this Magazine, has been translated and published in eighteen different languages, and above three millions of copies are known to have been circulated.

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