leaven of Christ's Gospel be introduced into the corrupted mass of China. If by our imperfect notice we can induce our readers to consult Mr. Gutzlaff's work for themselves, we feel assured that we shall have in some degree contributed to advance this important end.

We commend to the Christian public the small work of Dr. Parker. Like the other, it has enjoyed the careful revision of Dr. Reed, and is thus presented to the world under the most favourable auspices. "It contains the first attempt made by a religious party to enter Japan, since the expulsion of the Roman Catholics." That attempt proved unsuccessful, but the information conveyed by Dr. Parker regarding the Loo Chovans and Japanese, will much encourage all friends of Missions. We see, indeed, "the kings of the earth setting themselves, and the rulers taking counsel together against the Lord, and against his Anointed;" but we see, at the same time, " people being made ready, prepared for the Lord."

a

The BIBLE, and the BIBLE alone, the RULE of FAITH: Remarks on the Rev. H. E. Manning's Visitation Sermon, preached in the Cathedral Church, Chichester, June 13th, 1838. By CLERICUS CICESTRIENSIS. 8vo. pp. 32.

Seeley.

While the new Oxford school is sending forth its Popish tracts and clerical emissaries through the length and breadth of the land, proclaiming the insufficiency of Scripture as the rule of faith, the authority of the fathers as interpreters, the efficacy of sacraments, in imparting remission of sins and regenerating grace; it is most refreshing to find that a host of able and devoted men have sprung up within the pale of the Church of England, as by law established, to bear their faithful testimony against these dangerous errors, and to contend, with fervent zeal, for the doctrines of the Bible, and for the standard principles of the Protestant Reformation.

Among these noble champions, we are happy to introduce to the knowledge of our readers "Clericus Cicestriensis," a man evidently of sound judgment, and of fervent godliness, and deeply affected by the sad phenomena which present themselves in the Episcopal Church of England at the present moment. His tract, entitled "The Bible and the Bible alone the Rule of Faith," was occasioned by a visitation sermon preached in the cathedral church of Chichester, last June, by the Rev. H. E. Manning; in which the preacher, while standing on the very ashes of the immortal

66

Chillingworth, endeavoured, after the fashion of the new Oxford school, to do away with the sufficiency of Scripture as a rule of faith, by setting up the authority of the Church as its sole interpreter. "I have been, in truth," observes our author, surprised at the frequent identity of phrase displayed in the productions of the modern Oxford school, and those of the standard Popish theologians. There is the same nebulousness of concep tion; the same love of mystery; the same delight in viewing every object through the dim maze of by-gone ages; the same jealousy of all modern theological science; the same prostration of reason and intellect, not before the oracles of eternal truth, where all ought to be meekness, humility, and submission, but at the shrine of ecclesiastical authority; the same inordinate importance attached to ritual and sacramental observances; and, finally, the same ideal vision of unity, not of faith, and love, and holiness, but of a species of genealogical descent and sacerdotal orders as essential to an apostolical church."

Speaking of Mr. Manning's ridiculously confused and unscriptural notion of the rule of faith, as found in the institutions of the church, and the delivering of the holy sacraments and Scriptures, together with the universal creed of antiquity, as traditionally conveyed to us through the medium of existing records, our author well observes, that Mr. M. "considers the truths of the Gospel, not as so many beams of light radiated from the great luminary of revela tion, with equal clearness upon every age, in which that luminary is visible; but as some remote emanation, which is liable to become dim to the view, just in proportion to the distance through which it has tra velled; and he expresses an undefined feeling' of apprehension that particular doctrines may so have lost, as evening shadows, their original proportions, lengthening as they fall about us, on whom the ends of the world are come."

In opposition to this childish assumption, "Clericus Cicestriensis" offers the following admirable remarks :

We have no idea that Scripture, in respect of its external doctrines, can lose any thing whatever by this remoteness of transition. On the contrary, we consider those doctrines as standing out as clearly and distinctly at this moment, as when they first fell in characters of imperishable light and warmth from the immediate pen of inspiration. We regard the Holy Scriptures,the great depository and the perennnial fountain of these doctrines, not as a remote star, which glimmers in the distance of by-gone ages, and requires to have its rays taken up' (a phrase of Mr. M.)

It

by a kind of chemical absorption, into other media of communication, in order to be distinctly visible to us; but rather as a sun, which rises in undecaying, in newborn light and glory, on every age in the world, and on every morning of human existence. In the grand essentials of truth, its evidence is rather progressive and accumulating than waning and diminishing. Mr. Manning asserts, indeed, that 'however clear Scripture may seem to be, it can be no clearer to us than it was to themthe early church-at the beginning. does not acquire clearness by indefinite transmission through ages and generations, but is rather darkened by a series of conflicting expositions,' &c. And while we unequivocally assert, that in many most important respects Holy Scripture has received a great accession of clearness by being transmitted through successive ages and generations; we also hold, that in all ages and generations it has been sufficiently clear to make those who read it in a teachable spirit wise unto salvation.

"It is palpable that the whole argument from prophecy, and from the successive development of God's purposes of grace towards Jews and Gentiles, as so wonderfully pourtrayed on the pages of revelation, is entirely derived from the evolutions of time. It is the atmosphere of successive ages and generations alone, which is capable of re fracting and giving back, so to speak, those rays of truth, which had hitherto floated in undefined visions over the dim scenery of human thought. While the primitive Christians enjoyed the advantage of beholding as it were the first burst of light over a desolate and benighted world, it was nevertheless only in its first expansion that they beheld it-something like that which spread over the face of chaos, ere yet it was embodied in a fixed luminary. We, on the contrary, enjoy the privilege of contemplating the mellowed radiance of that luminary, after it has traversed and illumined the firmament of the church for nearly two thousand years. The remark of Bacon is to a certain extent applicable to the religious as well as to the secular department of knowledge, that antiquity is the youth, not the mature age of the world.' It might not be amiss, therefore, if our friends of the Oxford tract system were to bear in mind that primitive antiquity was the infancy, not the manhood of the church."

We only give one additional extract, and earnestly commend the entire pamphlet to the perusal of the Christian public at large, and especially the younger clergy of the Church of England.

"One of the most dangerous and groundless errors embodied in this sermon-an error which forms a strong-hold of the

Popish superstition, is, that we receive the Scriptures-in other words, Christianity itself on the "witness" and authority of the church. How gratifying to the infidel! He regards the church as the offspring of priestcraft, a system of collusion; and if he is told that the inspiration of Scripture can be ascertained only through the church's testimony, he will sit down relieved from that measure of doubt and uncertainty which its external evidences cannot but occasionally awaken in his mind. Nor with him can you have any common ground of argument. He rejects at once your plea, as having its origin in priestly fraud; and you virtually reject, by this position, the only course by which he deems you can arrive at truth in the points under debate. Besides that this notion supersedes in a degree the whole array of external and collateral evidence, it bears with peculiar force against what has frequently been found still more effective-the internal evidence."

We are not surprised that the first of these works has reached a third edition in this country, and that it is exciting equal, if not greater attention, in America. It is excellently adapted to answer the end at which it aims; and we are happy to learn that a blessing from above has evidently rested on its perusal. If there be any thing," says the Preface, "requiring distinct specification in the plan of the following work, it is the order pursued in laying down the series of evidence in support of the claims of revelation. Whether right or wrong, I have wrought my way from the interior to the outworks; and have made my first attack on the citadel of the heart, by endeavouring to point out the adaptations of Christianity to the known and admitted condition of human nature." We think the author is right in the order he has pursued. We think the heart and conscience are the most assailable and vulnerable parts of human nature, and that this should be kept in mind in dealing even with the infidel. Proceeding on this principle, Dr. Morison first gives a portraiture of modern scepticism, and then a view of the truth and excellence of Christianity. He shows that the evidence in its favour admits of being brought home individually, with convincing power, to every man's

heart, and then enters on the various branches of the internal evidence. This is followed by a compendium of the external evidence. He reserves for the concluding chapters the subject of the inspiration and of the uncorrupted transmission of the sacred books. We are happy to express our entire agreement with the author in maintaining the full and verbal inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, regretting, with him, that lower views have been advocated by many defenders of our common faith. We trust this little manual, which contains so much valuable discussion and appeal, will be extensively circulated and studied, especially by the young.

The Thoughts on the Office of Deacon" originated in an address delivered by the author in Fetter-lane Chapel, at the ordination of certain Christian brethren to that office. They are now published, in compliance with the request of the minister and deacons of that church. The subject is one of great importance to churches of the Congregational order. Next to the wise choice of a pastor, follows, in point of importance, the judicious selection of deacons. Whatever may be the opinion of our readers on the subject of church order and government, they must admit that the various references in the New Testament to the office of deacon require very thoughtful and prayerful consideration. Dr. Morison enters, in distinct chapters, on the origin of the office; on the qualifications of those who are fitted to sustain it; on the mode of electing them; and on the nature of the service devolving on them. On all these points the reader will find the result of scriptural research and judicious observation. Without concurring with the excellent author in every opinion and every remark of a subordinate character, we can satisfactorily and cordially unite with those who requested the publication, in recommending its perusal.

TWENTY-ONE plain SERMONS, Doctrinal and Practical, originally preached before a Country Congregation. By E. EDWARDS, Perpetual Curate of Marsden.

These discourses are on the most useful and important topics,-the ministry of the word, the evil of sin,-repentance,--the atonement,-justification,-the Spirit's influences, the Christian's obedience and trials, repentance, &c. They are the production of one who watches for souls, and knows the only way in which they can be saved. Not sectarian, but catholic; these discourses would edify the evangelical Churchman or the Dissenter. The author, though attached to his own communion, evidently loves his Saviour better than his sect; and

is justly alarmed at the tendency to revive traditions, fictions, and errors. The simplicity and purity of the discourses inspire the hope that his auditors are deriving from his ministry such blessings as the Dissenter would wish every parochial congregation to enjoy; at least, if they do not, their blood is on their own heads, for the preacher is clear. The printed volume was probably intended to add the advantages of the press to those of the pulpit, for the benefit of his own charge; and as this may not be highly intellectual, nor far advanced in knowledge, to such a state of things the volume is wisely adapted. We were particularly pleased with one of a series of lectures on the Holy Spirit, delivered by the clergy in the neighbourhood: it is entitled, "The Holy Spirit the Author and Giver of Ministerial Gifts, and the Edifier of the Church." It is well for that neighbourhood in which the clergy meet together, to edify each other and their flocks with such discourses.

CHORAL PSALMODY. By J. J. COBBIN.

Bates.

This is a work of considerable merit, though, in our opinion, it never will be popular. Mr. Cobbin shines more in his harmonies than in his melodies; and even in the former we have found some combinations which lie on the utmost verge of propriety. Still his vagaries are those of a sound musician; though we question whether he does not sometimes introduce the ninth under circumstances in which his sober judgment would disallow it. Many of these compositions are surpassingly sweet: we instance No. 9, Version 71, as a specimen. The transition from C sharp major by F sharp minor, to the original key, is a master stroke of beautiful simplicity. But, after all, there is a sameness, a want of variety, throughout the work. That ignorant persons have disgraced our psalmody by the introduction of ridiculous catches and imitations, miscalled figures, is no reason why composers, who know better, should take the old psalm tunes, such as St. Ann's, and the Old Hundredth, for their exclusive models, and invariably give the same syllable to each part simultaneously. Imitations, when well introduced, greatly relieve the ear from that feeling of weariness which naturally accompanies the repetition of a melody some six or seven times, in the course of a single hymn, without the slightest variation. There is one thing in Mr. Cobbin's arrangement against which we enter our decided protest; we mean the almost invariable retardation of the third at the close. It may be tolerated now and then for variety, but its constant introduction is exceedingly unpleasant.

The first of these volumes, with its two predecessors, may be justly regarded as a valuable contribution to the Biblical literature of the nineteenth century. Irrespective of the numerous and beautiful illustrations which it contains of the scenery of Palestine and Asia Minor, the historical, topographical, critical, and other information which it presents to the student of revelation, is such as to render it worthy of a place in every well selected library. The third part is got up with much care, and at vast expense; and does equal credit to the artists, the editor, and the publishers.

The second volume is an elegant specimen of the class of volumes to which it belongs, and is rich in works of art and tasteful poetic compositions.

The third volume is well fitted to answer the object proposed by its amiable and respected authors; to amuse the young without corrupting their principles, or vitiating their hearts. The literary portions of the work far surpass in merit the engravings which adorn its pages, though they are far from being inferior.

A DICTIONARY of ARTS, MANUFACTURES, and MINES: containing a clear Exposition of their Principles and Practice. By ANDREW URE, M. D., F. R. S., M.G.S., M.A.S., Lond.; M. Acad. N.S., Phil.; S. Ph. Soc. N. Germ.; Hanov. ; Mulh., &c., &c., &c. 8vo. Parts I. and II.

Longman and Co.

Such a work as this, in the present position of practical science in this country, may be regarded in the light of a desidera. tum: from the pen of so distinguished a philosopher it will be highly estimated by all proper judges, and will be found of immense service to all those engaged in conducting the several arts and manufactures of this great commercial country. The work contains a mass of well digested information, divested of that pedantry and technicality which so often disfigure works of the class to which this dictionary belongs.

The SUCCESS of the PASTOR DEPENDENT on the CHARACTER of the CHURCH: a Sermon. By the Rev. J. G. GALLAWAY, A.M., West Bromwich. 12mo. pp. 32.

Rann, Dudley; Ward and Co., London.

This is a seasonable and affectionate appeal to all Christian churches, upon a subject much overlooked. We often hear of the failure of the Gospel ministry, by reason of the incompetency of the pastor, but more seldom of its failure by reason of the character of particular churches. Yet it must have struck and impressed all attentive observers, that some churches are always unsuccessful, whoever may be their pastor. It is vastly important that such a subject should be brought before the public mind; and we are extremely obliged to Mr. Gallaway for the able manner in which he has done it. In a spirit of great kindness and forbearance he has touched upon many points well deserving the attention of all true Christians.

WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

1. Thoughts on the Office of a Deacon, as exercised in the Congregational Churches of England. By JOHN MORISON, D.D., author of "Counsels to Young Men on Modern Infidelity and the Evidences of Christianity," "Church Manual," &c. &c. 12mo, pp. 32. 9d. Ward and Co.

2. The History of Protestant Nonconformity in England, from the Reformation under Henry VIII. By THOMAS PRICE, D.D. In 2 vols. 8vo, pp. 1,226. W. Ball.

3. Vol. XVII., Part II. Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature. Seventh Edition, greatly improved, with Supplement to the former editions incorporated. Illustrated by an entirely new set of en

gravings on steel. Edited by PROFESSOR NAPIER. 4to. A. and C. Black, Edinburgh; Simpkin and Co., and Hamilton and Co., London; and Cumming, Dublin. This popular and valuable work is fast hastening towards its completion. We are happy to say there is no falling off in the part just published. The articles-Philosophy, Phrenology, Practice of Physic, Physical Geography, Physics, Physiology, &c., have evidently been got up with great care and at vast expense.

4. Aids to Memory; or, the Principal Facts and Dates of the Old Testament, and of the subsequent History of the Jews, to the period of the Incarnation. Embodied in short mnemonic sentences. On the plan of Mrs. J. Slater's "Sententiæ Chronologica." By MRS. JUKES. With A Recommendatory Preface, by PROFESSOR VAUGHAN, D.D. 18mo, pp. 96. J. Snow.

5. Recollections of a Minister; or, Sketches drawn from Life and Character. By the Rev. J. BARR. 8vo, pp. 132. J. Snow.

6. Christian Beneficence contrasted with Covet

ousness. Illustrating the means by which the world may be regenerated. By THOMAS DICK, LL.D., author of "Celestial Scenery," &c. 12me, pp. 368. Ward and Co.

7. The Field, the Garden, and the Woodland; or, Interesting Facts respecting Flowers and Plants in general. Designed for the Young. By A LADY. 18mo, pp. 324, elegantly bound in cloth, gilt edges, with numerous plates. Charles Knight and Co., Ludgate-hill.

8. Delineations, Physical, Intellectual, and Morel, Exemplifying the Philosophy of Christianity, and its application to the improvable nature of the human species. By SARAH RENOU, author of "Village Conversations; or, the Vicar's Fire-side," "The Ionian; or, Women in the Nineteenth Century," &c. &c. 12mo, pp. 222. Second Edition. H. Cunningham, St. James's-square.

9. The Youthful Sufferer Rejoicing. A Memoir of Miss Edith Luke. By S. J. WILKINS. With an Introduction, by the Rev. JOHN BLACKBURN, of Claremont Chapel. 18mo, pp. 120. Ward and Co.

REV. JOHN BARTON.

DIED at Exeter, on the 17th of November, 1837, in the 74th year of his age, the Rev. John Barton. For the last few years the deceased had lived in comparative retirement at Exeter, although formerly well known as the pastor of churches in Great Yarmouth, Sheffield, Wincanton, &c., as well as an occasional supply in London and other places. He continued till his death to exercise the ministerial office to the remnant of the church assembling at the Tabernacle at Exeter, which place had been the sphere of his labours from 1815 to 1818. In the latter year he was removed to Wincanton, but returned to Exeter in 1826; and in 1828-9 was requested to resume the oversight of the little flock. He preached his last sermon in the month of June, 1837, and administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, at his own residence, to the church twice, between this and the time of his decease, and had the happiness of admitting two new members on one of these occasions. His last illness was painful and protracted, and the enemy of souls was permitted at times sorely to harass him; but he was sustained in the conflict, and was enabled to rely on the finished work of the Son of God for his soul's salvation. He dropped many expressions declarative of his own vileness, his uselessness, his hardness of heart, &c.; but he also uttered some sweet sayings indicative of his confidence and hope. The chief themes upon which he dwelt were "his own wretchedness as a sinner," and the "fulness of Christ as a precious Saviour,""the free grace of God in Christ Jssus."

To a ministerial brother, he said, "Tell the church of God that in my dying hour I am obliged to come to Christ on exactly the same footing as did poor Jane of Scotland." To a medical friend, he said, "My dear sir, let me tell you, as a dying man, that nothing short of a personal interest in the blood and righteousness of Christ will do for either doctor or patient to die by." When scarcely able to articu. late, he exclaimed, "Matchless!" Although he continued to talk he was not understood. The last words of spiritual import he was heard to utter were, "Broad rivers and streams-precious streams of blood!" lay for some hours in a tranquil state, and then, with scarcely a sigh, his spirit escaped from its worn-out tabernacle, doubtless to join that ransomed throng who "have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." His remains were interred in the same grave with those of his former wife, in the burying-ground attached to Castle-street Chapel; the Rev. Mr. Bristow kindly officiating on the occasion.

J. M. R. B.

He

THE REV. THOMAS SHARP, M.A. This minister of the Gospel departed this life, on the 24th of September, 1838, aged forty-six years. His studies for the ministry were prosecuted at Cheshunt College, and he had been for the last few years pastor of the church assembling in Crownstreet-Chapel, Soho, formerly under the care of the late Rev. John Rees. His last hours were peace. He has left a widow