Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

nor can "Sketches of Married Life" be pondered, without moral benefit, by those for whose instruction they were drawn.

The Little Magazine, for Young Readers of every Denomination. 1840. London: S. Gilbert. pp. 376, 32mo.

In our notices to "Subscribers, Correspondents, and Advertisers," on the cover of the Pioneer for January 1840, we said we had had an opportunity of perusing the first number of "The Little Magazine," and that we could "cordially recommend it." The first volume has now been completed, and its opening promise of excellence has been fully realised. We have looked through its pages with great pleasure. The Editor is entitled to much praise for his labours. The original articles are generally excellent, and the selections have been commonly made with judgment and taste. There is no lack of variety of interesting topics:-short descriptions of the characteristics of the months of the year; anecdotes illustrative of devotedness to human good, of pious and benevolent feeling; maxims of morality and religion; extracts illustrative of Christian truth and righteousness, moral rectitude and goodness-of the animal world, the glories of creation, the philosophy of nature; prayers; hymns,are interspersed throughout the volume; and poetry and prose alternately attract the attention, and instruct the youthful intellect.

6

In the Preface to the volume, it is said, "It is the Editor's particular desire, that The Little Magazine' may be acceptable to readers of every class and denomination. All mankind have a common origin, are under the same Divine government, have similar great duties to perform, and must appear before the same Judge. It is true, distinctions and differences exist; but they are by no means so great in reality as in appearance; and those who take enlarged views of society, will always delight to regard it as consisting of but one large family, in which brotherly love should actuate every mind." With such views and motives to prompt and direct his efforts, the Editor cannot fail, we trust, to add to the already increasing circulation of his Magazine, and to render it a

useful instrument in the great and blessed work of human improvement, virtue, and happiness.

The Works of William E. Channing, D. D. Five Vols. Glasgow: Hedderwick & Son.-Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd.-London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.

By the recent publication of the Fifth Volume, this excellent and only complete edition of the Works of Dr. Channing is now concluded. We congratulate the publishers on the termination of their arduous labours; we congratulate the public on being put in possession of such an edition of these invaluable writings. They cannot be read too frequently, nor pondered too seriously. They are filled with fruitful thought, purest principle, most elevating ideas of man, holiest conceptions of the Infinite Father. In simplicity and godly sincerity, Christ is set forth as the glory of the Creator. Could the world be induced to lay to heart the truths which Dr. Channing has so powerfully and beautifully expounded-making those truths the springs of action, the aims and ends of life-how speedily would its redemption from ignorance, prejudice, bigotry, and sin, draw nigh! The extensive circulation of his publications, cannot but prove a blessing to society.

The fifth volume contains a collection of articles fully as interesting and instructive as any of the four which preceded it. The first volume is made up of Reviews; the second, of Essays; the third and fourth, of Discourses; and the fifth presents a miscellaneous collection, consisting-besides the Miscellanies and Appendix, as they appeared in the original Boston edition-of Remarks on the Slavery Question, Lecture on War (1839), Lectures on the Elevation of the Labouring portion of the Community, a Discourse on the Death of Dr. Follen, two Charges to the Boston Ministers at Large, and one at the Ordination of the Rev. J. S. Dwight. We are persuaded, no exhortation of ours can be needful to induce all our readers, who can possibly afford it, immediately to enrich themselves, by procuring these invaluable volumes.

MONTHLY RECORD.
JANUARY 1, 1841.

UNITARIAN CHURCH, NEW-HALL HILL, BIRMINGHAM.The Ninth Anniversary Sermons, in aid of the SundaySchools of this Society, were preached in the morning and afternoon of Sunday, 26th September, by the Rev. John Palmer of Dudley. Both services were numerously attended; the most interesting feature of which was, that the audiences were mainly composed of fresh parties-new material, prospectively, for a numerous congregation. The number of pupils is about 400, male and female; of whom nearly onethird are adults. The amount of the collections, was £17: 9s. 9d.

At the close of the afternoon's service, upwards of 200 members and friends of the congregation took tea in the large school-room; after which was sung the beautifully appropriate hymn—

66 From all that dwell below the skies

Let the Creator's praise arise."

Mr. Hughes, the leader of the choir, presiding at a finely and powerfully-toned piano-forte, presented to the society by the late Thomas Gibson, Esq. for the purpose of aiding in the devotional pleasure of such meetings.

Mr. John Green, having been called to the chair, addressed the meeting at considerable length; congratulating the members and friends of the society on the increasing prospects of usefulness which were rising up to their view.

Mr. Thomas Prime moved, and Mr. James Gargory seconded, the following resolution, with many appropriate remarks:-"That the grateful acknowledgments of the congregation and schools are due, and are cheerfully given, to the Rev. John Palmer, for his kindness in conducting the religious services of this day, and especially for the excellent discourses delivered by him on behalf of the schools."

The Rev. J. Palmer responded, in a most powerful and eloquent address; contending, that a well-organised system of lay-preaching would be one of the most efficient means of diffusing Unitarian principles throughout the masses of the community. After expressing the high pleasure he enjoyed in witnessing their increasing prosperity, Mr. Palmer concluded by moving the next resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Crick:-"That this meeting is of opinion, that religious liberty, notwithstanding the existence of numerous professors, is but imperfectly understood, yet believe that an era has commenced in which the education of the people will cause its principles to be correctly appreciated and sincerely practised."

Mr. Matthias Green, after a few remarks, moved, Mr. John Hughes seconded, and Mr. Joseph Corbett and the Chairman, Mr. Dyer and Mr. Prime, supported, the following resolution:-"That this meeting rejoices in the steady progress and the encouraging prospects of this New Christian Society; and congratulates the Rev. John Palmer, on his having been the first minister of the Gospel to preach for its support in December 1834, in the day of small things, in the beginning of the society's efforts; and trusts, that the Rev. Gentleman will yet have cause, in its further progress and usefulness, to bless the day in which he first gave a helping hand."

Mr. Palmer again addressed the meeting, dwelling very powerfully on the necessity of education to the real well. being of every nation.

Mr. Lloyd moved, and Mr. George Tombs, seconded the resolution" That the thanks of the meeting are cheerfully given to the choir, for their gratuitous services, and for their excellent performances of this day; and especially to Mr. John Hughes, for his continued zeal and kindness in instructing the young people in singing." Mr. Hughes replied, in expression of the pleasure he had enjoyed in giving his services for this purpose.

Mr. Lineker, having moved that Mr. Palmer take the chair, proposed the thanks of the meeting to their respected chairman, which was seconded by Mr. E. M. Martin. The meeting was closed with singing a hymn, and a benediction.

BELFAST UNITARIAN SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE--The anniversary sermons in behalf of this valuable institution, were preached on Sunday, Nov. 1, in the Meeting-houses of the First and Second Presbyterian Congregations, Belfast, by the Rev. R. B. Aspland of Dukinfield, Cheshire. The annual meeting of the Society was held on Monday evening, in the Meeting-house of the First Presbyterian Congregation, J. Dunville, Esq. in the chair.

On the motion of Michael Andrews, Esq., seconded by George K. Smyth, Esq., the Rev. John Scott Porter opened the meeting with prayer.

The Report of the Committee for the past year, was then read by the Secretary. It commenced by stating the Committee's satisfaction in the increasing usefulness of the Society. The sales of books and tracts at their Depository, since last report was made, had amounted to £80: 16s. 4d. The Committee regret, that the objects of the Society are not sufficiently estimated by the Unitarian public, considering their importance to the welfare of those principles which

E

are dear to Unitarians, and the misrepresentations concerning their doctrines, which are prevalent. The objects of the Society not only consist in the distribution of such works as may disabuse the public mind of these erroneous impressions, but more especially in the dissemination of Scriptural views, and the establishing of Divine truth; and in giving their aid to the circulation of those works which tend to enlighten the understanding, meliorate the heart, and instil manly fortitude in religious faith. The report next referred to the resignation of the Rev. W. H. Doherty, as Editor of "The Bible Christian" (the management and proprietorship of which, the Committee had last year undertaken), owing to an increase of local engagements. The present Editor is the Rev. John Scott Porter. This publication is the cheapest Unitarian Magazine in the British Empire, being exactly half_the price usually charged for periodicals of the same size. Several gentlemen of distinguished literary and professional reputation are enrolled in the list of contributors; and arrangements have been made, for laying before its readers almost every important article of intelligence, relating to the progress of religious truth, in Great Britain, Ireland, America, and the Continent of Europe. The subscriptions, for the present year, amount to £55: 4s. 6d. In consequence of a suggestion contained in the report for 1839, the Committee turned their attention to the best means of procuring a series of family prayers, suitable for publication in a cheap form. With this view, they offered a prize of £5 for any collection which might be approved, advertisements to this effect having been published in several newspapers. The result was, the receipt of twelve manuscripts from various authors. These were submitted to the Consulting Committee; and, on examination, many were found to possess a very considerable degree of merit; but none were sufficiently applicable to justify the Committee in the adjudication of the prize, or incurring the risk attendant on publication. The Committee are glad to understand, that the Rev. J. S. Porter has in the press a work of a similar character, which, from the talents of the Author, will, in all probability, meet the wants and wishes of the bulk of their people. The Committee concluded their report by suggesting to their successors, with a view of disseminating Unitarian Christianity amongst the poorer classes of Belfast and its neighbourhood, the appointment of a Missionary, whose duty would be, to preach Unitarianism wherever an opening could be made; and to assist young and struggling congregations, in whatever manner they might have the power of doing so.

The following resolutions were moved and seconded, by

« VorigeDoorgaan »