SERMONS, by the late Rev. John Russel, Minister of Muthil: with a Prefatory Address and Biographical Sketch, by Thomas Chalmers, D.D. And a few Sermons by the late Rev. John Russel, of Stirling. Glasgow. London: Hamilton and Co. 8vo. 1826. 12s.-Of these Discourses, twenty are by the son, who died in the prime of life, and the midst of his usefulness; and four are by the father, who died after having attained to a good old age, a few years ago. They were both very excellent Ministers of the Established Church of Scotland, and eminently devoted Christians. The volume is printed, partly at least, we believe, for the benefit of the son's family. The sentiments which pervade the discourses are highly evangelical and practical; and show how deeply interested both father and son were in the spiritual good of their hearers. The prefatory address and notice by Dr. Chalmers, contain some admirable thoughts on the law, considered in two aspects, "as that by which, when we imbibe the virtues which it enjoins, we build up and beautify a personal character; or that by which, when we satisfy the demands that it prefers, we acquire a title both to the full enjoyment of its rewards, and to a full exemption from its penalties." In prosecuting this distinction, the Doctor shows, in a manner peculiarly his own, how the law thus proves "a safeguard, both against the errors of legality, and the equally pernicious errors of Antinomianism." We recommend a special attention to the prefatory address, and consider the sermons well entitled to general patronage.

DISCOURSES ON THE DUTIES AND

CONSOLATIONS OF THE AGED. By Henry Belfrage, D. D. Falkirk. Edinburgh. London: Whitaker. 12mo.

1827. 8s.-Dr. Belfrage is already advantageously known as the author of several useful works, "The Monitor to Families," "Discourses to the Young," &c. In this volume, he addresses himself to a class of persons perhaps too much neglected, and whose attention it is in many instances difficult to secure to religion. The volume contains twenty discourses on a considerable variety of subjects, all of which are treated in a very judicious and scriptural manner.

We should have been pleased had the line of demarcation between the genuine Christian and the mere professor been more distinctly and constantly marked; for much deception, we fear, is practised by many aged persons, who mistake the subsiding of the force of the passions, and dissatisfaction with the world, for the influence of religion and the hope of heaven. We wish also, that a full statement of the Gospel had been more frequently introduced. The volume is adapted to be useful.

THE CITY OF REFUGE: a Poem in Edition, with Corrections. Four Books. By Thomas Quin. Second London: Wightman and Cramp. 12mo. 1827. 4s.

ORIGINAL HYMNS AND MORAL POEMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS. Ry Richard Mathews and E. London: Wightman and Cramp. 18mo. 1827. 1s. 6d. We are glad to see a republication of the City of Refuge, which contains some very good passages. The hymns by Mr. Mathews and his friend E., are also respectable, and many of them well suited to interest and improve the minds of the young persons for whose benefit they are chiefly intended. We are increasingly convinced, that there is a vast deal of prejudice even in the religious world against religious poetry. It is quite the fashion to praise the irreligious school of the muses, and to express contempt for all the productions of those who have devoted, and some of them with very happy effect, the powers of a sanctified imagination to the service of religion. Till such men as Byron, Moore, Scott, &c. cease to be worshipped by the saints, and their works purchased by the professedly religious world; while the poetical genius of Christianity is despised and neglected -it is vain to expect that sacred poetry will flourish, or that religious poets will devote their hours to the improvement of a thankless and ill-judging ge

neration.

LETTERS, Written by S*** S* during her last Illness. Second Edition. London: Hamilton and Co. 1827. 12mo. 1s. 6d.-These letters were printed, but not published before. We were favoured with a copy of the first edition, and greatly admired the ardent and

amiable disposition of the writer-the tranquil manner in which she endured a long and trying affliction-the desire she manifested to be useful to her friends, and to comfort them in the prospect of her death; and the Christian fortitude with which she encountered the pangs of separation. We are sure our readers will thank us for bringing these letters before their notice.

ORIGINAL TALES FOR CHILDREN..

24mo. 1827.-This is an admirable little work for young persons. The good sense, sound principles, and easy manner of communication which distinguish the tales, entitle them to a prominent place in the juvenile library.

CATECHISM OF DIVINE REVELATION, and the Evidences of the Christian Religion: for the Instruction of Youth. By Richard Ayliffe. With a recommendatory Preface, by Dr. Bogue. Third Edition, 36mo. London: Westley and

Davis. 3d.-The former editions of this little work, we believe, escaped our notice. We embrace the opportunity of a third edition, to invite the attention of our friends to it. The evidences of revelation have been too long neglected in our systems of education. A better little work for Sunday-school children, and the children of religious parents in general, than Mr. Ayliffe's Catechism, we do not know. We cordially add our recommendation to that of the deceased and venerable Dr. Bogue.

NARRATIVE OF A TOUR THROUGH HAWAII, OR OWYHEE; with Observations on the Natural History of the Sandwich Islands, &c. By William Ellis. Second Edition, enlarged. 8vo. pp. 480. 14s. Hutchard. 1827.-The first edition of this interesting volume has already been noticed in our work; and we refer to this new edition with increased satisfaction. It contains forty additional pages of letter-press, and three extra plates, together with a map of the Sandwich Islands. We rejoice that the work of this esteemed and intelligent missionary has attracted so large a measure of public attention, and trust this enlarged edition, for his sake, as well as for the sake of the great cause of missions, will obtain an extensive circulation. One of the new plates contains a portrait of the author; it is, however, as a likeness, very inferior to that which appeared in the last number of this Magazine.

Street. London. 12mo. pp. 504. 73. 6d. R. Baynes. 1827.-The title-page of this volume is not its best recommendation. If we had been unacquainted with the character and principles of its esteemed author, we should have had some prepossessions not quite favourable to the work, from the ad captandum style of the announcement. On this account, we would frankly advise the removal of this prima facie objection, in the second edition, and a transfer of the greater part of it to an advertisement.

This book is a bible dictionary on a new plan, and contains a considerable portion of useful and interesting infor mation. We are scarcely prepared to say that it answers all the ends announced in the title, and therefore think, that if the promise had been less, the performance would have appeared greater. It furnishes, however, on a great variety of subjects, information that is both instructive and entertaining. The poetical selections are generally of the most appropriate character, and are sometimes introduced with peculiar felicity and effect. The sentiments of Mr. Wood are

uniformly evangelical; and though on some subjects we might feel hesitation as to the correctness of his definitions and explanations, we sincerely commend the volume, and especially to those to whom works of greater elaborateness and research may not be accessible.

THE FEMALE MISSIONARY ADVOHoldsworth. 32mo. CATE, a Poem. pp. 96. 1s. 6d. We sat down to the perusal of this little work with exceedingly moderate expectations, imagining it to be one of those productions which the partiality of friends had drawn from the obscurity in which it ought for ever to have remained. But we were most agreeably surprised to find, that, independent of all the circumstances connected with its publication, it possesses no ordinary degree of intrinsic merit. The preface, written by some friend of the author, states, that it is "the pro

duction of a poor but pious female, in the evening of life; and designed to avert the object of her acute apprehension, a workhouse."

The poem is thrown into the form of a dialogue, which is kept up with considerable interest between several females. The principal character is an aged widow, who uses many arguments with her companions, to induce them to employ their time, property, and influence, in promoting objects of benevolence, more especially those of a missionary character. The sentiments pervading the performance are most correct, the language flowing and easy, the spirit highly devotional, and its tendency of the most useful kind. We had marked several passages for quotation; but we shall, perhaps, better serve the interests of the author, by giving to her work our most cordial approbation, and urging on our readers the purchase and perusal of the book for themselves. We feel persuaded they will not regret their purchase, especially when they remember that thereby they have contributed to the necessities of a poor but most deseving female.

A DYING TESTIMONY TO THE RICHES OF DIVINE GRACE; or, Death the Believer's Gain a Sermon, delivered at Jewry Street Chapel, Aldgate, by Edward Mannering. pp. 60. R. Baynes.-Having known something of Mr. M.'s early connexions, we have always regretted that he did not enjoy the advantages of a course of academical studies, and that he entered upon his ministry, in London, under circumstances decidedly unfavourable to the respectability of his future associations; and we must confess that, from circumstances which we need not detail, fears were entertained by us that his doctrinal opinions were of the ultra-calvinistical school. We feel it therefore to be an act of justice to Mr. M. to declare, that this sermon has allayed our anxiety on that subject, as it abounds with practical and exhortatory passages, which cannot fail to be un palatable to Antinomian hearers, and which, if they present a fair specimen of his ordinary mode of address, will banish the suspicion for ever from our minds.

We wish we could say as much for the sermon, considered as a composition, for while the author has displayed considerable powers of declamation, yet it is declamation of the very worst kind. We do not wish to wound Mr. M. by

exposing any of his passages to ridicule, but we intreat him, for the honour of his Master, and for the sake of future usefulness, to abandon the vicious style he has adopted, and to study the writings of Dr. G. Campbell on Rhetoric and Pulpit Eloquence, by which he will soon discover his many violations of a correct taste in this discourse.

Rejoicing in the happy instance of his ministerial usefulness which occasioned its delivery, we recommend him "to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine"-yea, to give himself wholly to them, and then his " profiting will appear to all."

PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

Memoirs, including Correspondence and other Remains of John Urquhart, late of the University of St. Andrew's. By the Rev. Wm.Orme. This young man, after arriving at the highest literary honours of the University, and giving promise of the most distinguished future excellence, had devoted his life to the work of a Missionary, and was suddenly cut off in the nineteenth year of his age.-Part I. Vol. II. of a Daily Expositor of the New Testament. By T. Keyworth. Price 1s. 6d. (Expected to be completed in seven quarterly Parts.)-Professor Lee's Lectures on the Hebrew Language, which have been so

long in preparation, are now nearly ready for publication, and will appear in the Greville Ewing has just completed a new course of the ensuing month.-The Rev. Edition of his Scripture Lexicon, very considerably enlarged, and adapted to the general reading of the Greek Classics. A Copious Grammar is also prefixed, which may be had separate.-The Copious Greek Grammar of Dr. Philip Buttman, so justly celebrated on the Continent, is nearly ready for publication; faithfully translated from the German, by a distinguished Scholar.--A Course of Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity, delivered at the Monthly Meetings of the Congregational Union of London. By the Rev. W. Orme, Dr. Collyer, Rev. H. F. Burder, Stratten, Walford, Dr. J. P. Smith, Rev. A. Reed, Curwen, Philip, Dr. Winter, Rev. J. Morrison, and the Rev. Joseph Fletcher, A. M. in one vol. 8vo.-The Birth-day Present, By Mrs. Sherwood.-The Elements of His. tory, of Philosophy, and Science. By the Rev. T. Morell. 1 vol. 8vo.--Mrs. Gilbert, late Ann Taylor, one of the Authors of Original Poems, Rhymes for the Nursery, Hymns for Infant Minds, Original Hymns for Sunday Schools, &c. &c. is form, Original Hymns, adapted to Annipreparing for publication, in a cheap versary and other Public Services of Sunday Schools, and Sunday School Unions.

POPERY AT ROME AND PROTESTANTISM

IN IRELAND.

The recent manifestation of the spirit of intrigue and intolerance on the part of the Roman Pontiff and his vassals, are deserving of the special attention of the Protestant world. In the French journal, called the Etoile, dated December 7, 1826, the account of a new religious order is given. The papal brief was originally printed at Rome, at the office of the Apostolic Chamber. This official document is designed to ratify and confirm a new Society, entitled, The Congregation of the Oblats of the blessed Virgin Mary. The following extracts from the brief itself will best explain the avowed objects of the Institution. And adverting to the zealous defenders of the church and the Pontificate, his Holiness says:—

"Among these men, our dear sons, Pie Bruno Lantero and Jean Reynaudi, priests of Piemont, appear worthy to hold a place. Having joined with other associates, they have for some years past formed the very salutary design of devoting themselves entirely to augment the establishments of the clergy, and to evangelize the people. The great fruit with which the Divine mercy has hitherto been pleased to recompense their efforts could not remain long unknown, and several Bishops have required them to procure so powerful assistance to their flocks. Excited more and more by their celestial benedictions to prosecute and finish their work, these priests have applied themselves with new zeal to labour for its perfection, and to procure the salvation of souls. Lastly, our dear son, Pie Bruno Lantero, has come to Rome with another priest, Joseph Pogger, to ask of the Apostolic See, as well in his own name as in that of the other founder, Jean Reynaudi, and of all the associates, the confirmation of the rules and constitutions which they have thought fit to prescribe to the new congregation.

"Now the title of the new Society, as it has been chosen by the above-mentioned priests, is that of the congregation of the Oblats of the blessed Virgin Mary. By the rules and constitutions there are four simple and perpetual vows—those of chastity, poverty, and obedience; and also of perseverance in the Institute-vows which are to be pronounced by the candidates, and from which they can be dispensed by the chief of the congregation, whom they call the Rector Major, or by the Sovereign Pontiff. More strongly to maintain the Institute in obedience to the

Apostolic See, the associates have chosen St. Peter for their special protector, and have added this clause, that every year, on the day of the fete of the Prince of the Apostles, all the candidates shall make their profession of faith, and shall promise true obedience to the Roman Pontiff, according to the form prescribed by our predecessor Pius IV.

"This design must be the more agreeable to us, as a violent war is now declared by men full of malice, and who commit iniquity against this Apostolic Chair, the true supreme mistress of the faith, and consequently against St. Peter himself, since, as Chrysologus said, The blessed Peter, who lives and presides over this See, gives to those who seek it the truth of the faith.' Now this congregation, by its constitutional rules, tends to make all she associates form, by strict ties, a single body; furnishes, in particular, assistance to the clergy, either for the reception of orders or the care of souls; that they may show themselves always disposed to labour for the reformation of the people, principally by spiritual exercises in public and private, according to the method proposed by St. Ignatius, and approved by our predecessor, Paul III.; and that to prevent the great evils, which we fear to see result from the deluge of bad books, which inundate almost the whole universe, they may labour to favour the reading of books of sound doctrine, to disseminate and spread them.

"Though we did not doubt that such an Institution would honour and efficaciously succour the church in the afflicting state in which she now is, we have nevertheless thought fit to name a special congregation of some of our venerable brethren, the cardinals of our holy church, taken from the congregation, charged with the affairs and consultations of the Bishops and regulars, who, with the Secretary of the same academy, should carefully examine the Institution, its constitutions, and its rules, and should make on this subject a decree, which should be laid before us. This special congregation, after having carefully weighed every thing,. was of opinion, and decreed on the 15th of July of the present year, that we should be requested to approve the Institution and its rules, after some corrections and amendments had been made in them, according to the manner

"These amendments and corrections having been already communicated, the decree was laid before us on the 22d of August, by our venerable brother Bartellemi Pacca, Bishop of Porto, and St.

Rufine, Cardinal of the Roman Church, Prefect of the same congregation, and, in the plenitude of our Apostolic power, we have resolved to approve it in every particular. Praising, therefore, as is fitting, the above-mentioned Pie Bruno Lanteri and Jean Reynaudi, who first undertook this work, and do not cease to labour in it to our great satisfaction, and declaring them, and the others whom our letters concern, absolved from all letters of excommunication aud interdict, and other ecclesiastical censures and penalties, if they had incurred them; yielding to their urgent entreaties, and having regard to the request of our venerable brother, the Bishop of Pignerole and to the good offices of our good son in Jesus Christ, Charles Felix, the pious King of Sardinia, in whose States this Institution had its origin, we voluntarly confirm it by our Apostolic power, and allow it to take the name of the Congregation of the blessed Virgin Mary.

"Besides, we approve its rules and constitutions; and our will is that they be strictly observed by those persons who are received and shall be received into this congregation, whatever may be the functions that they hold. As for the defects of law and of fact, as they are called, which may have crept into the expressions of their constitutions and rules, we make them good by our authority. Lastly, we exhort and pray the said Pie Bruno Lanteri and Jean Reynaudi, and their associates, never to leave the feet of Mary, since they have formed themselves into a congregation under her name. By this it will be permitted to hope still more, that supported by her aid they will produce abundant fruits. She is, to employ the words of St. Barnard, in his Sermon on the Twelve Stars, She is the woman formerly promised by God to tread under foot the head of the old serpent which laid snares for her, and endeavoured in vain to bite her heel. She alone has triumphed over the malice of heresy !!!!

"We order it thus, it being our will that these letters shall be durable."

(The remainder is according to the usual form.)

"Given at Rome, near the Church of St. Peter, under the seal of the Fisherman, the 1st of September, 1826, the 3d year of our Pontificate.

(Signed) "J. CARDINAL ALBANI." The following extract shows that the same capacity and love of power which distinguished the character of many former Popes are revived in our days. A private letter from Rome, well authenticated, says

"Pope Leo XII. is about to re-establish the feudal system; the affair is settled, and a first fact will be followed by many others, which will speedily produce

the most disastrous results. His infallibility has just re-constituted, as a perpetual fief, the vast estate of Conca in favour of the Most Holy Congregation of the Inquisition; a few days afterwards, the same prerogatives were granted to the famous chapter of Saint Peter in Vaticano, by conferring on it the equally great estate, known by the name of the Campo Morto, with the entire criminal and civil jurisdiction. These two estates are in Romagna. The jurisdiction which is granted to them carries with it the right of immunity or asylum, and the criminals who take refuge there are safe against the demands of justice. The contents of this Bull, as well as those of all Papal Bulls, were known some weeks before it was published, and it has already produced its fruit. The populace of Rome were no sooner acquainted with this sovereign order, when they manifested the most lively joy. They may indulge with impunity in all kinds of excess. Accordingly, ever since the beginning of December, we hear in the streets, the cry of Asylum! asylum !" His Holiness has re-established the asylum. It is but one step between the desire and necessity of profiting by them."

We have great pleasure in inserting the following excellent remarks from one of our own daily papers :—

"The efforts which the Pope is at present making to re-establish the feudal system in his immediate territorics, is in perfect accordance with what we long since predicted. Every day makes it more certain that it is the great object of the Romish priesthood to re-produce all the superstitions of the dark ages-in short, to force back the human mind upon a state of barbarism favourable for religious imposture, and create a counter-reformation. The task of reversing the civilization of successive ages, would be too absurd for any power short of infallibility to speculate upon-but how far the decrees of the Pope, and the miracles of the church may carry it, we cannot tell. Our readers saw in the French news which we gave yesterday, that a Bull has been published in Rome, which re-constitutes as a perpetual fief the great estate of Conca, in favour of the most Holy Congregation of the Inquisition. The same privileges have been also granted to the Chapter of St. Peter in Vaticano, by investing it with the equally great estate known by the name of Campo Morto, with exclusive civil and criminal jurisdiction. To this jurisdiction is attached the right of asylum, and all criminals who fly thither from the hands of justice are protected. What can we think of the head of the Romish Church, who in the nineteenth century casts his eye back to the institutions of the fifteenth, to take examples of legislation? These franchises of civil and cri