t CATHOLIC COMMUNION. Dr. Mason, of America, thus eloquently writes:-"The memory of an observer who only glances over the scenes which pass before him can furnish many examples of passions excited, principles sacrificed, and efforts wasted, for the sake of party baubles; while interests of primary importance to the glory of earth and heaven are neglected and thrown aside. It is inconsistent with the nature of our faculties and He who affections to pursue great and little things with equal ardour. is occupied with the little, cannot rise to the great. He who rises to the great, cannot sink down to the little. A candidate for empire will not fight for toys. He who can fight for toys is unfit for empire. The man of broad phylacteries' will give himself no trouble about the robe of righteousness.' The self-applauding tither of mint and anise and cummin,' has not room in his soul for judgment and mercy and faith. Therefore it happens, that in proportion as the spirit of sect gets into a church, the spirit of the gospel goes out. Anxiety about her peculiarities becomes a substitute for the power of personal religion. The noisy champion of her pre-eminence, the proud observer of her ritual, will be a singular exception to a general rule, if he do not contribute little to the prosperity, and less to the ornament, of the church of God. It is a terrifying truth, that living godliness languishes and decays in some of the straightest sects of our religion,' their own members being judges; and is succeeded by hard-faced formality. Instead of awakening to a just sense of their sin and folly, they love to have it so;' and hold as their enemies, and as the enemies of good order, all who endeavour to cease from their janglings;' and who, laying greater stress upon the bond of their union in him, than upon the party-coloured thread of ecclesiastical faction, stretch out the hand of fellowship to them who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation."-Plea for Catholic Communion in the Church of God, pp. 375–377. 6 THEOLOGICAL TRANSACTIONS. To the Editor of the Scripture Magazine. 11 SIR-Dr. Campbell's language (Lectures on Sytematic Theology, &c. p. 2) is, I fear, still deplorably true; and the sentiment demands circulation, were it only for purposes of "correction and instruction in righteousness." "Theology is now very rarely, if ever, in this country, studied like other sciences, purely for its own sake, as a part of general education, which (abstracted from its utility) is both ornamental and entertaining. Why it is not, though we may trace the causes, no good reason that I know of can be assigned." With the design and character of the Scripture Magazine the recommendation of this object is most accordant, and, therefore, it is now requested to be employed for this purpose. We have long had "Philosophical Transactions," and transactions or proceedings of various societies; and why cannot we have also transactions on behalf of the best and most important of all sciences? I mean, an impartial and comprehensive record of what is actually doing in the world, affecting theology in any respect, whether by colleges, schools, publications, &c. The object enquired for is, the current actual state of theological science in every part of the universe. Now, for this purpose, all the periodicals, especially those of a religious complexion, should be diligently examined and gleaned, and every accredited source of intelligence must, of course, be brought into requisition. Were there any Theological Societies, properly and philosophically so called, their proceedings would supply important articles of intelligence; and why might there not be such societies formed, quite irrespective of the peculiarities of party or of name? Are there not topics sufficiently ample, on which to expatiate without the clashing of individual sentiments; and are not the adversaries of our common cause mighty enough to demand a cordial and catholic combination? The undertaking would probably seem novel, and might prove difficult of execution in a manner satisfactory to all parties; but let the attempt be made, on catholic principles, and with a sacred view to the general good, and it may possibly become unexpectedly successful. 66 Since the Scripture Magazine" is the only periodica! I know, sufficiently anti-sectarian, I request the insertion of this suggestion in one of its early numbers; and hope it may be deemed worthy of practical attention by the candid and liberal editor. We are decidedly of opinion, that the formation of such societies as those contemplated by our correspondent would be most beneficial to the cause of Biblical and Theological Learning, and should therefore rejoice most heartily to see his suggestion carried into effect. Our readers will recollect that we some time ago stated, that a society had been formed in the metropolis for the investigation of biblical subjects. Our pages have from time to time been enriched with the fruits of its labours. We regret to learn, however, that this society has not obtained the encouragement which its important object merits; and there is reason to apprehend that it will soon expire. Is not this a reproach to a Christian community? Does it redound to the honour of our land, that while societies connected with every other branch of science and literature are patronized and supported, no halfdozen of individuals can be found who will come forward and foster a society, whose object is as interesting as it is important? Yet such is the fact! And will it be believed, that while a society of such a description as the one we have referred to is suffered to grow up, and languish, and expire, in the metropolis of the Christian world, unheeded by the friends of revelation, the disciples of Paine are, in the same place, purchasing, for a sum of several hundreds of pounds, a large building, in which a society is to conduct its operations, in hostility to the Christian system? Such a fact, if known, will doubtless arouse the activity of the disciples of the Saviour, and induce them to unite in furtherance of the object which we wish to recommend. The principles on which Christians of every denomination are unanimously agreed, will afford a basis of sufficient strength and magnitude on which to raise a superstructure which shall command the admiration of the kingdom. We shall receive with much pleasure suggestions for the adoption of any measures likely to lead to the consummation of an object so devoutly to be wished for.-ED, Biblical Gleanings and Intelligence. Circumstances of the Primitive Christians.-The Christian Observer for April, contains a paper, the object of which is to meet an infidel objection which has been urged against the gospel histories, from the supposed incompetency of the first believers to investigate the claims of the religion which they espoused. The writer has shewn, that although it holds as a general truth, that there were not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, called," there were, nevertheless, not a few among the early Christians who were capable of forming a sound judgment, and who had at least some little at stake in the world. 66 Chinese College and Mission at Malacca.-Dr. Milne's "Commentary in Chinese on St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians," and also his "Essay on the Soul of Man," have been published. A tract, forming a small Chinese volume, intended as s "Help to a Heathen Reader of the Scriptures," together with a “ Christian Tract for the use of Schools," consisting chiefly of selections from Holy Scripture, have been composed by the Rev. D. Collie, and are highly spoken of by Dr. Morrison. Thousands of Bibles, Prayer-books, Homilies, and Christian Tracts, have already issued from this press. The blocks for the Commentary were cut at the expense of the London Missionary Society; those for two of the tracts, at the expense of the Religious Tract Society; a “Friend of Youth " has paid the cost of the schoolbook; and the Prayer-book and Homily Society has defrayed the expense of Prayerbooks and Homilies. Mr. Collie has made a free translation into Chinese of Dr. Bogue's" Essay on the Divine Authority of the New Testament ;" and a " Friend to the Heathen" has promised to defray the expense of cutting a set of blocks for it, after it shall have been submitted to the inspection of Dr. Morrison, on bis return to China, for which country he and his family are now embarked. The Accumulation of blocks, and the great expense of constantly engraving new characters, render very desirable a set of punches for Chinese characters, that they may be founded, and as easily multiplied as alphabetical letters are. Dr. Morrison, in particular, has been very urgent in pressing this important suggestion on the friends of Oriental literature and Christian missions. In the College there are twenty-six native Chinese students; sixteen of whom are on the foundation, and eight more are candidates for admission: one Chinese youth is supported by an individual; a Dutch youth pays his own expences. A Chinese missionary is residing at the College, for education. A gentleman has procured and given to the College, a valuable unedited manuscript on the grammar and idiomatic phrases of the Chinese language, written in Latin by a learned Catholic missionary, and has supplied funds to print it at the College. Scarcity of the Scriptures in Italy.-A writer in the Congregational Magazine for May, p. 275, who resides at Naples, states that the Bible is a thing unknown there; that he lately tried to procure an Italian Bible, but without success. There is a little book, which contains a sort of history of the Old and New Testament, and this he states to be all the people are allowed to read. Rev. Joseph Jefferson, of Attercliffe, near Sheffield.-The cause of Biblical Literature has sustained a considerable loss by the death of this gentleman. This lamentable event took place on the 26th of the last month, at the early age of twentythree. The pages of this Magazine have been enriched by his valuable communications; and, both for our own sakes and that of the public, we most sincerely deplore the circumstance of his early removal. The following honourable testimonials were presented to Mr. Jefferson on closing his studies at Homerton College : : "Hac literæ commendatitiæ omnibus quibus in manus pervenerint testimonio sint Josephum Brown Jefferson Hantoniensem Ædibus Academicis Homeropolitanis sản quintum annum, literis humanis, doctrinarum liberalium disciplinæ, rerumque divinarum scientiæ, ductu et cura virorum venerandorum Johannis Pye Smith, S. T. P. et Gulielmi Walford, Literarum Humaniorum Professoris, operain dedisse, ac per id temporis indicia mentis pietate imbutæ, solertiæ laudanda, morum bono7 rum, et facultatis ad ministerium evangelicum rite fungendum idonea, satis præbuisse, eum quoque hodie coram pastoribus selectis ecclesiarum aliisque viris admodum colendis concionem sacram habuisse necnon alia dotium et indolis exercitatæ documenta edidisse: cujus in rei fidem eundem hac testificatione honorifica Vexornandum merito arbitramur : Numen denique O. M. precibus demisse rogamus, saut juveni eximio res omnes per totam vitam CHRIsti Sospitatoris cultui addicatam ex voto, cedant. Dedimus Homeropoli, die Martii xvj. Annoque J. PYE SMITH, S. T. P. ROBERTUS WINTER, S. T. P. Mr. Jefferson, we are informed, has left a variety of very interesting papers, which his relative and friend, the Rev. John Whitridge, of Manchester, has engaged to arrange for immediate publication; and we doubt not they will form the materials of a work highly gratifying to his friends, and useful to the public. Characteristic Notices of Biblical Publications. RECENSIO SYNOPTICA ANNOTATIONIS SACRE; being a Critical Digest and Synoptical Arrangement of the most important Annotations on the New Testament, Exegetical, Philological, and Doctrinal: carefully collected and condensed, from the best Commentators, both ancient and modern, and so digested as to form one consistent Body of Annotation, in which each Portion is systematically attributed to its respective Author, and the Foreign Matter translated into English; the whole accompanied with a copious Body of Original Annotations. By the REV. S. T. BLOOMFIELD, M. A. of Sidney College, Cambridge, Vicar of Bisbrooke in Rutland, and Curate of Tilton and Tugby in Leicestershire. 3 vols. 8vo. pp. 1972. London; Rivingtons, 1826. 21. 2s. boards. THAT a critical digest of the most important annotations on the Holy Scriptures which have been furnished by the united labours of British and Foreign commenta tors has long been a desideratum in biblical literature, is well known to every theo logical student. The qualifications to produce such a work, however, are of such a character, as to be possessed by few among that class of persons who would be most likely to submit to the toil and labour which are indispensable from it. We therefore hailed with much pleasure the announcement of the publication before us, for which we have since waited with some degree of impatience, as supplying, in part, at least, a want which has been universally felt. Nor have our expectations been disappointed in its perusal. Not that we have read through the volumes of Mr. Bloomfield; but we have read enough to justify us in saying, that he has succeeded in a most felicitous manner in the execution of his arduous task, and furnished to the student the most ample stores of exegetical and philological anno tation, altogether free from that dangerous alloy which is so frequently presented to him along with the precious metal, in the works of those eminent scholars who have been laid under contribution by Mr. Bloomfield. In the prosecution of his studies, preparatory to holy orders, Mr. Bloomfield had been compelled to seek the assistance of the German divines, in consequence of the great paucity of materials which marks the theological literature of our own country, in the exegetical and philological species of sacred annotation. In the works of these indefatigable scholars he found the information for which he sought; but the laxity of opinion, and latitudinarian spirit of interpretation, which marked their investigations, determined him to have recourse for himself to the fountain-heads of all sure interpretation, as they are found in the ancient versions, fathers, and interpreters,―in the earlier commentators of the modern school, and, above all, in a diligent study of the phraseology of the sacred text itself. Forcing his way, therefore, through the complicated difficulties which environed him, he |