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REVIEW OF BOOKS.

cl. bds.

Religious Tract Society.

"The soldier told us of some engage- | OLD HUMPHREY'S ADDRESSES. pp. 320. ments in which he had fought; and depicted, in all their horrors, the scenes of war through which he had passed. His descriptions of a battle, of the roaring of the cannon, the groans of the dying, and the shrieks of the wounded falling around him, were very different from those I had read in books. I was allured, Sir,' said he, by the bright colours and gay dresses of the recruiting party, when I became a soldier; but I have seen them torn, and trampled on, and covered with blood in the field of battle. It was a different sight then.'"-Pages 50 and 51.

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The church-yard is a favourite resort of ours; but we suspect some readers of this tale will think the author's visits to it rather too frequent, and we wish he had married Caroline instead of burying

her. He has exhibited much skill in concealing his plot here; for we fully expected bis hero was to wed that pattern for sisters. We endeavoured to atone for his neglect, by falling in love with her ourselves; but, alas, she quickly deserted us for that happy clime, where "hearts do not grow cold!"

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The following anecdote exhibits the kind providence of God, in a light in which it is not often contemplated :

"A friend of mine, arriving at a country inn, found there an intimate and pious acquaintance, who was on his way to London. My friend, addressing him, saidI have cause to be grateful to God; for, this morning I have been preserved from almost certain death. My horse, on coming down the neighbouring hill, made a false step, and threw me with great violence. I fell with my head a few inches from an immense jagged flint-stone; upon which had it struck, I should have been inevitably killed.' 'I have still greater reason than you to be thankful,' said the person addressed; 'for, in coming dowu that same hill, I was not only preserved from death, but from any accident at all.'" -Pages 69 and 70.

The author has recently been appointed coadjutor to the Rev. John Campbell, whom, in our number for January, we accompanied in one of his delightful African journies*. We rejoice to hear of Mr. Aveling's ardent and active exertions in behalf of the young, and still more of the success which has attended them. The present effort will be equally popular; and, we hope, equally useful. The volume, in purple cloth and gilt edges, is got up with the publisher's usual good taste.

THIS Volume contains a collection of short and lively papers on miscellaneous topics. Some of them are written in a very spirited strain, and all are interesting. In number they are sixty-one; and the subjects are extremely diversified. Indeed the table of contents almost provokes a smile by the succession of singularly differing titles. These little essays, however, contain a world of instruction; and there is often quite a treasure hid under a quaint title.

We take our extract almost at random. Our eye has fallen on the following Title-" Perhaps you will think of Here is what follows:

it."

"While eating my mid-day meal, a sudden feeling of thankfulness came upon me as I called to mind the unceasing regularity with which my wants were supplied. In the frozen climes of the north, the halffamished Indian had, doubtless, wandered far for food; in the sultry regions of the east, the Arab must have roamed over spacious tracts in quest of water, while bread had constantly been given me, and water had been sure. It was a customary thing to have a table spread before me, but it was an unusual thing for me to feel truly thankful. Do you ever pass days, weeks, and months, without feeling your heart glow with gratitude for your daily food? What if the Father of mercies were to send a constant famine, wherein there should never be sufficient earing and harvest again for ever? He might do this; the very thought is enough to make us value our bits and drops. Perhaps you will think of it.'

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"It was during one of the last cold, misty, and miserable days, that I was far from my home without my great coat. mounted a coach to ride home, with the rain and sharp wind full in my teeth, so that I absolutely shivered with cold. A hundred times have I put on my great coat without any grateful emotion for the comfort of clothes, and perhaps you have done the same thing. What if the Giver of all good should, in His providence, cut off every means of supplying ourselves with clothing, by destroying the flocks and The thought is blighting vegetation! enough to make us bless God with the liveliest ardour, for our raiment. Perhaps you will think of it.'

It

"It may be that you were out in the open air the severest day of the frost. was intensely cold, and seemed to freeze,

See "The Evangelical Register," No. 123, volume xii,, page 37.

not only one's breath, but almost one's
very thoughts. Few days are more plea-
sant to those who have health and spirits,
and who can move about with alacrity,
than a fine frosty day; but for all that,
when night comes on, and the tea-kettle
begins to sing, it is doubly pleasant to
draw near a cheerful, spirit-stirring fire.
I found it so, and gratefully rejoiced in the
delightful glow that spread throughout my
frame. How many times have I warmed
myself at the cheerful hearth without
thankfulness? Has this been the case
with you?
What if the great Governor
of the universe should command the supply
of coal to fail, so that fuel should never
again be abundant for ever! The thought
almost makes me quake with cold, and
should render us more thankful for the
blessing of fire. Perhaps you will think
of it.'

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"The other day I looked at my Bible as it lay on the sideboard, and thought to myself how much 1 neglected it. What is a chapter or two in the morning and another at night, said I? why, if I looked upon it as the gift of God, given to warn me from evil, to console me in trouble, to direct me in difficulty, and to guide me to glory, I should prize it as a treasure, and commune with it continually as with a friend. Do you ever neglect your Bible? What a punishment it would be to us both, if an angel were sent down from heaven to close the leaves of the Bible for ever from our view! The thought is enough to make us value the Bible. · Perhaps you will think of it.'

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My thoughts sadly wandered yesterday morning as I sat in the house of the Most High, while the minister was preaching his sermon. Do your thoughts ever wander under the sound of the Gospel? What, if the messenger of the Most High were sent down to close God's house, and to seal up the mouth of His faithful ministers for ever! This is a solemn thought, is it not? enough to make us anxiously attentive to every word spoken by a faithful minister. Perhaps you will think of it.'

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What an overwhelming thought! how precious it seems to make a throne of grace! Perhaps you will think of it.'

"How rare a circumstance it is for us to realize, even for a moment, in our thoughts, that eternal state of glory to which all true Christians are hastening. Not an hour ago I had a delightful anticipation of the heavenly Jerusalem. The city with the golden gates, the innumerable multitude that no man can number, the saints with their crowns of gold were all before me, as well as the Lamb that was slain, seated on His eternal throne; the golden harps resounded with celestial barmony, and the heavenly hallelujabs rose in one grand chorus of thanksgiving and praise. How much do we think of earth, and how little do we encourage thoughts of heaven! at least it is so with me. How is it with you? What if the Lord of life and glory were to proclaim, with a voice of thunder, the announcement, None shall behold My glory in heaven, who rejoice not in the expectation of sharing it, while yet they are on the earth.' The thought should awaken the most sluggish faculties of our souls to heavenly anticipation. Perhaps you will think of it.'

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"We are too unmindful of what we owe the Father of mercies for the common blessings of food, raiment, and fire. are too backward to improve the means of grace His goodness has provided for us, and too worldly to encourage the hope of eternal glory. If you are of opinion that this observation is just, Perhaps you will think of it." "

REMINISCENCES OF PAST EXPERIENCE. By the late MRS. G. SOPER, of Plymouth. pp. 204 cl. bds.

are

It is

Darton and Clark, 58, Holborn Hill. VALUABLE "Reminiscences" these; the history of a soul-of its vain confidence, of its rising apprehensions, of its terrible alarms, of its deep temptations, conflicts, gloom, deliverance, light, love, joy, peace, humble serving, glad obedience, patient waiting, peace"A short time ago, I kneeled down, inful dismissal from this time-state. a burried manner, to offer up my morning a touching narrative, because in these praises and petitions at a throne of grace, several stages, though little is said, that and, after a few words, hastily rose to little seems to tell the whole truth, and pursue some worldly object which ab- keep nothing back. Hence there may sorbed my attention; but my conscience be here and there that, at which a smote me, and told me that I had offered reader may say, 'It could not be wise an affront to the Lord of heaven. Do you to take that course;' but we feel that ever hurry over your prayers? What, if there is truth in the account, and truth the high and holy One should issue forth

His unchangeable mandate, There shall deeply interests us when it concerns no more prayer and supplication find favour these high matters, and describes pasat the mercy-seat henceforth for ever.' sages of life through which we have to

follow. The awakened and anxious will prize the book much; nor ought any to read it without profit. We look with reverence upon these unveilings of the inner-man-this telling in time something of the tale that will be fully told

hereafter.

We subjoin a few sentences, further to certify the reader of the character of the volume :

when the arch-fiend returned with more rage than ever. My joys were all rent from me by the insinuation that the sweet exercise 1 had enjoyed was all a delusion, and I had better keep it from my mind altogether.

"One day, when the force of temptaWord for a moment's support, and opention came upon me, I ran to the revealed ed at the sixth chapter of Isaiah, which was an answer to it at once. Spiritual * The sermon of our dear Lord on the weapons for the spiritual fight were what mount passed through my mind, until II wanted. Now, O mine enemy,' said I, came to the end where it is spoken of building on the rock. (Matt. v., vi., vii.) I was most solemnly engaged whilst in this meditation, but still thought there was not such a one as I who ever went to heaven.

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Why, Mary Magdalene, out of whom vas cast seven devils, never sinned after the manner that I have, and she never possessed the advantages I have been faroured with; she had only seven devils, perhaps legions follow me! There was Manasseh his sin wes not like mine; Peter's, David's, Paul's, nor that of any that can be named, bear any comparison with the vile thoughts of my heart! God surely cannot justify me; His honour and attributes forbid it. When, lo! just as I came to this solemn conclusion, I thought of the request of the dying thief, and immediately I felt a degree of courage, and said, Lord here is one more vile than the dying thief-more vile than Mannasseh-than Peter, who denied Thee, or any of the human race whom Thou hast redeemed.'

what canst thou say? This Holy!Holy Holy!-filling the whole earth with His glory, is Jesus, the great and eternal Jehovah; (and here) there are three Holies! yet but one Holy!' This Scripture was made at once a healing balm to my poor soul; copying it out I carried it about with me, and when assaulted by Satan I generally found the reading of it produced a transient relief. As to the accusation of having sinned against the Holy Ghost the enemy could not make much of it; alas! I had guilt enough without a charge of this kind."

"The pangs of a wounded nature kept me in constant fear, as to what the end of this conflict might be, and often was I driven to the throne with this cry of a poor sinner

"Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask,
Mercy's the total sum;

For mercy, Lord, is all my suit,
O let Thy mercy come !'

"Deliver me from the snare of the
fowler, and let me escape, as a bird unto
her mountain; I am stung bitterly by the
and heal.'"
serpent, and none but Jesus can relieve

THE CAPTIVITY OF THE JEWS, AND
THEIR RETURN FROM BABYLON. pp.
192. cl. bds.

Religious Tract Society.
We have here one of a very deserving

"All of a sudden I was aroused as from a reverie, to consider our Savior's intercession at the right hand of God in heaven, and that His power was the same now as when He was on the cross by the side of the poor criminal. Without delay or hesitation I was enabled to cry'Dear Lord, remember Me, now that Thou art entered into Thy glory, Whe- class of books, several of which have ther by the operation of the Spirit of God, recently appeared; books that take a God only knoweth, but an immediate particular portion of the sacred history, answer I thought I received: a season of and give a chronological narrative of light, peace, love and joy ensued, and a the period selected, illustrating and addbeam from Jesus' face filled me with ing to the Scripture account from the wonder and delight. I thought I saw Him writings of profane authors and the dispointing to His bleeding wounds, with a coveries of modern travellers. There is smile of the greatest complacency, saying much popular ignorance and mistake - All this I bore for thee, followed by on the subject of the era, to which this these sonl-ravishing, God-satisfying words volume is devoted; and numbers of people Awake, O sword against the Shepherd, and against the Man that is My fel- are surprisingly unacquainted with the low, saith the Lord of hosts.' Then I order of events in the days of Jeremiah, saw that justice had enough to satisfy all Ezekiel, Nehemiah and Esther. Such its demands, and I was satisfied also. books as these ought to be welcome on this account. Besides which, they col

“Thus I was quieted for about one day,

lect a great deal of new information, and throw additional interest around neglected portions of Holy Writ. The volume is exceedingly well got up, and may be depended upon for accuracy.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD. By the Author of "The Penitent's Prayer." pp. 80. Religious Tract Society.

AN interesting Commentary on the twenty-third psalm, and the former part of the tenth of St. John; abounding with devout thoughts upon those consolatory passages, and holy uses of the doctrines they unfold.

GIFT TO A DOMESTIC. pp. 163. cl. bds. Religious Tract Society.

THIS Volume contains counsels admirably suited to the persons addressed, and relating both to their conduct in the things of this life and to preparation for the life to come. True fidelity and ready service, upon Christian motives, are commended to servants, and exhortations are illustrated by appropriate anecdotes; while the writer ever keeps

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Religious Entelligence.

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Her Majesty (echoing the Speech from the throne) having been moved in the House of Lords, on Thursday, Jan. 16, the DUKE OF WELLINGTON moved that the first paragraph of the Address be amended, so as to run thus-"We have heard with great satisfaction your Majesty's declaration of allying yourself in marriage with the Protestant Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and Gotha;" observing that the House and the public were entitled to know that the provisions of the law had been complied with, forbidding her Majesty's marriage with a a Roman Catholic. VISCOUNT MELBOURNE said, that as every one knew that the Prince and his ancestors were Protestants, the amendment was necessary, and would only create doubt upon the subject. THE EARL OF WINCHILSEA maintained that the information was needed, to satisfy the country. LORD BROUGHAM said, that the amendment implied, that the House supposed Her Majesty would break the law. The Amendment was, however, agreed to

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.-An address to without a division.

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CHURCH OF ENGLAND. FEMALE EDUCATION IN THE EAST. NEW BISHOP.-Dr. James Bowstead [The following is an extract from a has been translated from the Bishopric speech delivered by the Hon. and Rev. of Sodor and Man to the See of Lich-B. W. Noel, at a public meeting on behalf field, in the room of Dr. Butler deceased. of the City Auxiliary to the Society for And Dr. Pepys has succeeded the Bishop Promoting Female Education in the East, of Sodor and Man in that diocese. held on Monday, Dec. 30, 1839]:

NEW CHURCHES.-We continue our List of Churches opened:

Harbridge, near Ringwood, Nov. 12 (Winchester Diocese). Erected by Earl of Normanton.

Beaulieu, New Forest (Winchester
Diocese).

Sulby (Isle of Man), Nov. 24.
Rain Hill, near Prescot (Chester
Diocese); seats 375: cost £800.
Halewood, near Childwall (Chester
Diocese); seats 350; cost £900.

Bolton (Chester Diocese); seats 650; cost £2,200.

Adlington, near Standish (Chester
Diocese); seats 600; cost £1,400.

St. Thomas's Church, Preston (Chester
Diocese); seats 1,050; cost £3,500.
Holme, near Burton in Kendal
(Chester Diocese); seats 500; cost £750.
St. James's Church, Clitheroe (Chester
Diocese); seats 688; cost £1,200.
Stalybridge (Chester Diocese); seats
1,000. Cost near £4,000.
Marthal, near Rostherne (Chester
Diocese).

CALCUTTA CATHEDRAL. In addition to the £20,000 given by the Bishop of Calcutta towards the erection of this Cathedral (which will cost, with endowment, £60,000), the subscriptions in Calcutta up to Oct. 12 amounted to £15,300, and the Christian Knowledge Society have voted £5,000, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, €3,000. The first stone was laid on the ninth of October.

WESLEYAN.

"In India a sphere of labour peculiarly chosen by this society-they well knew, from the vast mass of information which had been diffused upon the subject, how cruelly the female portion of the population suffered under the severity of the laws, and from the barbarity of the opposite sex. Experience had invariably proved that, in all countries in which it existed, polygamy was a source of degradation to the female sex; and the case of India formed no exception to this rule. It was calculated that there are in India fifty millions of women; and this vast proportion of the population was systematically depressed by treatment the most cruel and inhuman. Women were there the servants and the slaves, instead of the companions and the counsellors of their husbands; at meals, the wife attended upon her husband-the mother performed the most menial services for her son; and the miserably degraded wife was not even allowed to without the express perpray, mission of her lord and master. One great and fruitful cause of the unhappy condition of females in India, was, he consi dered, the early age at which they were betrothed or married. Before they attained an age which qualified them for the choice of a partner for life—indeed, while they were mere infants, they were introduced to children of the other sex, who had been selected as their husbands, and to whom they were married. From the time of the marriage, the wife was considered as the property of her husband; she was not introduced into any society; she received no education; she had no occu

NEW CHAPELS.-The following have pation which might strengthen and en

been opened:

:

Southwell, Notts, Dec. 13.
Hunslet, near Leeds, Dec. 20.
Horsforth Woodside, near Bramley,
Dec. 22.

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large the mind; in short, no source was open to her from which she might hope to obtain happiness. How, then, was it possible that these forced marriages could be productive of the least domestic comfort or happiness? It was almost invariably the case, that Hindoo marriages conduced to the misery, instead of the happiness, of both parties; and, in fact, no Hindoo woman could expect happiness in that relation of life. The men of India were aware of this, and they well knew that their lives were not secure for an instant, unless they

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