people, to show them that they could claim an equal protection in their privileges and liberties, by a right anterior to the authority conferred upon kings.* Dr. Harris adopted the manner of Bayle, as it gave him an opportunity to enter into disquisitions, and to indulge reflections in the notes, which, in the text, would have interrupted the narrative. His abilities and merits as an historian, introduced him to an acquaintance and correspon dence with some of the most eminent characters of his day; as Lord Orford, Archdeacon Blackburn [Blackburne], Dr. Birch, Mrs. Macauley, Dr. Mayhew of Boston, Mr. Theophilus Lindsey, &c. Besides the foregoing works, it is conjectured that he was the author of a tract, without his name, in answer to An Essay on Establishments in Religion;' which passed as the work of Mr. Rotherham, but was suspected to have been dictated, or at least revised, by Archbishop Secker. He was, likewise, the editor of a volume of Sermons, by the late Mr. William West, of Exeter. An ill state of health, brought on by nocturnal studies, when the mornings had been spent in relaxation, and converse with neighbouring friends, impeded his application. to further historical investigations, and terminated his life, on February 4, 1770, when he was only 50 years of age. Monthly Magazine for August, 1800.", Pp. 75---77. Note. Samuel Rosewell was the son of the celebrated Thomas Rosewell who was tried for high treason before Judge Jefferies, and found guilty, but whose condemnation was so palpably iniquitous, that even in those base times the capital part of the sentence was remítted. John Billingsley was one of the nonsubscribers at Salters' Hall. Samuel Harvey died young, but not before he had excited amongst his friends the liveliest expectation of his future usefulness in the church. The following epitaph was composed in honour of him, by his friend Dr. Watts: "Here lie the ruins of a lowly tent, Where the seraphic soul of Harvey spent Its mortal years. How did his genius shine ART. IV.-Observations on the Stute ånd Changes in the Presbyterian Societies of England during the last half Century. Also, on the Manufactures of Great Britain, which have been for the most part established and supported by the Protestant Dissenters. Tending to illustrate the Importance of Religious Liberty and Free Inquiry to the Welfare and Prosperity of a People: preceded by a Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Dr. Joshua Toulmin, in which his Character as a Member of Civil Society is attempted to be improved. By Israel. Worsley. 12mo. pp. 134. Longman and Co. 3s. 1816. FROM ROM Mr. Worsley's Funeral. Sermon we have already extracted a passage of some length, [M. Repos. xi. 194-198] containing a description of the Public Character of the late truly reverend Dr. Toulmin. But the Sermon is the least portion of the work: the Addenda are very copious, and relate to subjects of deep interest, which are well stated in the title-page. Mr. Worsley is a zealous nonconformist. He makes his boast of principles which some that hold them are disposed to hide. He puts in a large claim for his denomination with respect to patriotic services. Few readers will we think condemn him as presumptuous. However it may be explained, it is a fact that the Protestant Dissenters have been for a century and a half a very active part of the population of England. The detail here given of their labours and improvements will surprise such as are not familiar with their history. Whilst Mr. Worsley renders honour to Protestant Dissenters, he freely exposes their defects. He is the friend of Dissent, but more the friend of Truth and Liberty. In reading this amusing and in *Memoirs of Thomas Hollis, Esq. structive little work, we could not help val. i. p. 210." regarding it as the ground-work of a Review-Lay Seceder's Second Letter.-Townsend's Meditations, &c. 293 History of Nonconformists, more comprehensive, more minute and therefore more instructive than has yet been contemplated: in such a history, all that is here stated of their ability and enterprise in trade should have a place, together with much more that could be stated, but the work should likewise embrace their literary labours, their political influence and the weight of their character on public manners. We recommend this thought to Mr. Worsley's notice. He has our thanks for his present performance, and will, we are persuaded, receive the same from our readers. ART. V. - A Second Letter to the Bishop of St. David's. By A Lay Seceder. 8vo. pp. 36. Hunter. 1816. AN account of the Lay Seceder's First Letter was given in our last volume [x. 373-375]; the Second Letter is written with the same ability, and in the same temper, fear less but not uncandid. If the bishop be not too old in prejudice and bigotry to be a learner, the Lay Seceder may teach him both scriptural divinity and good manners. The following passage is a fair specimen of the Letter, which exhibits internal evidence of coming from a pen not wholly strange to our readers: "The interpretations, on which your Lordship's acquiescence in the doctrines of the Church of England is founded, appear to me repugnant to the general sense of scripture, and altogether insufficient to support the scheme. The more I examine the subject, and I have not failed as you suppose in due enquiry, the more firmly am I fixed in the ground of my reluctant, but strictly conscientious secession from that Church. But why, my Lord, in mat ters of opinion, should you require the interference of a penal law? Why should I be condemned to imprisonment and disqualification, because, finding no satisfactory solution of the difficulties which surround contested doctrines, I confine my assent to those only, which are clearly and explicitly revealed? How is society injured by my conduct; how is it benefited by your own? The honours and emoluments of your pro The article, with the exception of the conclusion of the last paragraph, was written by our respected friend, the late Dr. Toulmin, the loss of whose valuable communications we sensibly feel. VOL. XI. PP. 72. Baldwin and Co. 2s. boards. 1815. HIS is a laudable attempt to sup TH ply that want of devotional books which is so inuch felt amongst Unitarians. The " Meditations" occupy a page each, and conclude with one or hymns. Controversy is properly lost sight of in the work, which is a good companion for Tremlett's Reflections, and together with those little volumes, will be acceptable to such Christians as observe the duties of the closet, and are intent upon the acquirement of a devotional spirit. more suitable verses from well-known We observe with pleasure that Mr. Townsend is preparing for the press, "Meditations for every Day in the Year, on different Texts of Scripture, selected and arranged so as to comprise a System of Religious Truth and Duty." ART. VII.-An Essay on Miracles. In Two Parts. Pt. I. Observations on Miracles in general. Pt. II. On the Credibility of the Miracles of Jesus and his Apostl-s. By R. Wright. 12mo. pp. 24. Eaton. 6d. 1816. NONE of Mr. Wright's judicious and valuable Tracts appear to us to promise more advantage to his readers than this. It does not aspire to the praise of originality, but it condenses and simplifies the arguments of the best writers on the subject. Mr. Wright justly contends that a miracle is not a violation of the laws of nature; he dedently of the laws of nature, without fines it "an effect produced indepenthe use of natural means, by the power of God." Is not a miracle, a prophecy instantly fulfilled, of an event out of the ordinary course of nature, and not to be foreseen by human sagacity? ART. VIII-An Essay on the Universal Eaton. 1816. HIS Essay is divided into six sections, which are thus headed: The Promise to Abraham-Passages in the Old Testament-The Universal Res toration a Doctrine of the Gospel The Apostle Paul an UniversalistThe Universal Restoration a Doctrine according to Godliness-An Address to Universalists. Section IV. entitled, "The Apostle Paul an Universalist," is perhaps the best part of the argument, though the whole demands the attention of such as believe, we wish we could say fear, that Almighty God will torture some of his children for ever, or by torture reduce them to nothing. ART. IX.-The Subserviency of Free Inquiry and Religious Knowledge, among the bower Classes of Society, to the Prosperity and Permanence of a State: attempted to be shewn in a Discourse, delivered before the Unitarian Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, at Essex Street Chapel, on Friday, March 29, 1816. By the Rev. J. Joyce. 8vo. pp. 40. Hunter. 1816. OUR reporter (p. 246) has already given the character of this Sermon from the Journal of the Unitarian Society and though we think that it would for the most part have been heard with much interest before many other Societies, as well as this,* we cannot withhold our testimony of unqualified approbation to its bold and at the same time benevolent spirit, and to the unreserved declaration which it makes of the great principles of Chris gian truth. * The Unitarian Society has a benevolent and charitable object in view, but can scarcely be considered as a Benevolent or Charitable Society: much less, we appres hend, can it be regarded as established for the benefit of "the lower Classes of So ciety." Were the Sermon less excellent we should not suggest these doubts, which, however, scarcely affect its worth. With a too faithful pencil, Mr. Joyce paints the unhappy condition of the poor. In one short sentence he points out a mass of wretchedness-The voice of the poor man for peace is never heard by those who make war. Until that voice is obeyed by legislatures and courts, little will have been done for the prevention or abatement of national misery. the preacher draws an animated sketch In the conclusion of the Sermon, "The word Trinity is of human origin; and no degree of sanctity has been, it may be presumed, at any time attached to it.--The name of Almighty God is guarded in the Holy Scriptures by the most awful sanctions.---Now if there had been a Trinity of persons, and if that Trinity had included all the perfections of the Deity himself, one might have supposed that the name would have been guarded by equally used in all sorts of connexions, and no solemn sanctions. So far from it, it is one feels shocked at the profanation. In Trinity churches, Trinity corporations, our own country we have Trinity colleges, Trinity squares and Trinity lanes :---Now can it be believed for a moment that the word could have been so used, had it been originally meant to designate the attributes of Almighty God? Who would not be shocked---who could endure to hear the awful name of God attached to places of this kind and used for such purposes !? Pp. 28, 29. ART. X.-The final Prevalence of Unitarianism a Rational Expectation. A Discourse delivered at Palgrave, Dec. 19, 1815. By John Fullagar. Svo. pp. 60. Eaton. M for some years the active Secretary of the Southern Unitarian Society, Palgrave, in Suffolk, and this is his has undertaken the pastoral office at Inaugural Sermon. He lays down several weighty reasons for the expectation expressed in the title-page, and endea yours to explain why the expectation has not yet been realized. The Sermon is followed by several pages of interesting Notes. R FULLAGAR, who has been bloom, Anticipations. When shall the bell toll over me; Peace dry the eyelids that weep; Say, shall a tear softly falling there; Thoughts of the pilgrim at rest; (Visions of fancy still cherishing) Visit the spot where lies perishing Nature's fond child on her breast? And in the great desolation day," (Heaven and earth's new creation day,)* Calm 'midst the wreck-shall my eye, Fix'd on my God, and discovering Pardon and mercy there hovering, Find welcome in happier skies? A. Soliloquy of Alphonso IV. of Portugal. TRANSLATION. Proud sceptre! thou art bright and beautiful To those who know thee not;-but he who knows The curses hanging round thy treacherous form, Rather than lift thee from the damned dust Which gave thee being, with a soul of scorn Would spurn thee, trample thee indig. nantly. Dazzling, delusive, gaudy, gilded toy! But earth at best-and heaviest, dullest earth! O blissful life of the poor labourer, Sheltered in his cottage from the thorns of fate, The cares, the tumults of proud royalty! Heave the sad, soothing sigh, and dress Who less a king than he who kingdoms the clay-cold tomb. rules! And is this state, and is this dignity Whose glare all covet, but whose misery But few can tell?--- A pompous servitude! A wearying, watchful toil, misnamed repose! He is a monarch (such an one as he A court's wide circuit never held) who lives Passionless,free from hope, desire or fear; Whose hours (O blissful hours!) glide softly on, Lucid and lovely. O for hours like these What years of kingly pomp my soul would give! Kings must be leagued with vice; they hate, they fear, But cannot, dare not punish! King's can feel, And feign, and weep too! Where's the suffering slave More captive than a king? * Revelation xxi. |