This biography most impressively teaches one lesson of very high importance to every minister of Jesus Christ, to all the sons of the prophets. It is this-that the utmost diligence in study, the largest amount of preparation for what is perfunctory in our office, is not incompatible with the highest attainments in personal piety. In the cultivation of our mental faculties, in our literary, scientific, and theological acquirements, who is not compelled to retreat before him? But did he not also as far outstrip us in the christian race? He did not forsake the oratory for the study, nor need we. His communion with God was intimate, frequent, protracted. If it is neglected by us, it matters little how active we may be in public life, what amount of information we may possess, or how carefully we may study and elaborate our discourses. These things will prove no substitute for the spirit of prayer and of faith; they will form no compensation for the loss of the heavenly mind; they will not bring down upon us the Spirit of the living God. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you," is the preceptive assurance of an apostle. It is the irrevocable law of the sovereign Ruler; and though his own good pleasure may at times move him to invert it, the most costly oblation at our hands cannot obtain its repeal. The student, the minister, the missionary, may bring his life to the altar, and in "labours more abundant" die at his post, but if the incense of devotion be wanting, the sacrifice will be accounted an abomination in his sight. To our brethren, then, we say with affectionate earnestness, be ye followers of this "Israelite indeed," in the simplicity, the sincerity, the lowliness, the seraphic fervour of your devotion. It would afford us great satisfaction to see the narrative part of Dr. Raffles's discourse, or the closing twenty pages of Dr. Wardlaw's Memoir, printed in a cheap form for general circulation. There is no class of the community, not even the children of our families and Sabbath-schools, to whom it might not be made eminently useful. We hope there are few of our brethren who have not had the opportunity of reading both the Life and Sermons. Yet we fear while we express our hope. The cost to many is a serious consideration; and it really becomes our churches and congregations to see that such works find their way to the hands of their pastors. We had marked numerous passages in the discourses, for the perusal of our readers, with the view of illustrating the author's varied powers; but we dare not trespass further, and we are the more disposed to forbear, because we remember the great disappointment we have sometimes felt in perusing the choicest extracts, torn from the context, and mutilated as they necessarily must be. If our readers had no access to the edifice, they might thank us for conveying to them but a part of a column or capital; as it is, however, they can survey the magnificent structure itself, and relieve us from the unsatisfactory as well as troublesome task of carrying away the "disjecta membra." We would merely, therefore, direct their attention especially to the discourse on God's glory in the Sanctuary; on Christ crucified; the Redeemer mighty to save; and the Royalty of the glorified Redeemer; they will here see his soundness in the faith. The sermon on the Death of the Rev, W. Roby, that on Parental Duties, and on the Desirableness and Means of spiritual Excitement in the Churches, will, if we mistake not, place bis personal piety in a very interesting light. Several of his charges to Ministers and Missionaries are of a high order; nor do we recollect having seen our distinctive principles as Congregational Dissenters placed in a more lucid, attractive, or convincing form than in the introductory discourses with which these volumes are enriched. But we heartily commend the whole to the perusal of our friends, reminding them that to converse with the mighty and especially with the sanctified dead, is an employment as beneficial as it is delightful. THE EDITOR'S TABLE. The Book of the Prophet Isaiah, translated from the original Hebrew, with a Commentary, Critical, Philological, and Exegetical: to which is prefixed, an Introductory Dissertation on the Life and Times of the Prophet, the Character of his Style; the Authenticity and Integrity of the Book; and the Principles of prophetical Interpretation. By the Rev. E. Henderson, D. Ph. 8vo. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. Christ's Discourse at Capernaum, fatal to the Doctrine of Transubstantiation; on the very Principle of Exposition adopted by the Divines of the Roman Church. By G. Stanley Faber, B.D. Master of Sherburn Hospital, and Prebendary of Salisbury. 8vo. London: R. B. Seeley. Michael Smith, a Memoir for Sunday School Teachers. By W. Davis, Minister of Croft Chapel, Hastings. 12mo. London: Ball and Arnold. A Key to the Bible, containing a Summary of Biblical Knowledge, and a Dictionary of all the principal Words in the Old and New Testaments. By the Rev. T. Timpson. Illustrated with maps and 124 engravings. 8vo. Loadon: W. Smith, Fleet Street. Vox Veritatis, or the Voice of Truth. By J. E. Cullen, formerly intended for a Romish Priest. 8vo. 2d edition, considerably enlarged. London: Nisbet and Co. Religion in Connexion with a National System of Instruction. By W. M. Gunn, Rector, Burgh Schools, Haddington. 12mo. London: Simpkin and Marshall. The Training System, established in the Glasgow Normal Seminary, and its Model Schools. By D. Stow, Esq. 12mo. A new edition. London: Blackte and Son. The Church at Work, an Essay on the best Means of promoting the Increase of Places of Worship, of Congregational Hearers, and of Members in Church Fellowship. By E. Leighton. 12mo. London: Ball and Arnold. Memoirs and Remains of the Rev. J. Griffin, of Portsea. By his Sons. 8vo London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. The Illustrated Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, being a republication of the Notes of the Pictorial Bible, of a size that will range with the authorized editions of the sacred text. Vol. I. 8vo. London: Knight and Co. Mental Culture. Hints on the best and shortest Way of cultivating the Mind. By a Student of University College, London. With an Introductory Recommendation by the Rev. A. Fletcher, A. M. of Finsbury Chapel. 12mo, London Ward and Co. Dipping not Baptizing. By the Rev. W. Thorn, Winchester. 12mo. London: Jackson and Walford. Infidelity contrasted with Christianity. 12mo. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. A Letter to the Right Hon. Lord Brougham, and to the Educated and Intellectual Classes, on the Excellencies and Consolations of " Divine Philosophy." 12mo. London: Nisbet and Co. The History of the Jews, from the taking of Jerusalem to the present time. 12mo. London: Simpkin and Marshall. The Ministry of the Gospel, the Service of Christ. A Charge addressed to Mr. J. Hodgens, and Mr. J. D. Smith, late Students in Dublin Theological Institution, in York Street Chapel, Dublin, on Wednesday Evening, June 10th, 1840. By Ralph Wardlaw, D.D. 8vo. Dublin: J. Robertson. Illustrated The Book of Quadrupeds, or Outlines of a Popular History of the Class Mammalia, with particular Notice of those mentioned in Scripture. by upwards of 30 engravings. 8vo. London: Religious Tract Society. The Recreation for 1841. 12mo. London: Tilt and Bogue. Symons's Popular Economy. 8vo. London: Henry Hooper. Consolation for Christian Mourners; Discourses occasioned by the Death of Friends and other Afflictive Dispensations. By Adam Thomson, D.D. Coldstream. 12mo. London: John Snow. Cruden's Explanations of Scripture Terms. Taken from his Concordance. 12mo. London: Religious Tract Society. The Philosophy of Christianity, or the Genuine Christian proved to be the only real Philosopher. By P. Dixon Hardy, M.R.I.A. 12mo. London: Ball and Co. Cemetery Interment; containing a Concise History of the Modes of Interment practised by the Ancients; Descriptions of Père la Chaise, the Eastern Cemeteries and those of America, the English Metropolitan and Provincial Cemeteries, and more particularly of the Abney Park Cemetery at Stoke Newington, with a Descriptive Catalogue of its Plants and Arboretum, By George Collison, Solicitor. 12mo. London: Longman and Co. The Illustrated Watts's Hymns. Edited by the Rev. A. Fletcher, of Finsbury Chapel. 8vo. Part I. London: Orger and Merryon. Narrative of the late George Vason, of Nottingham, one of the first Missionaries sent out by the London Missionary Society in the ship Duff, Captain Wilson, 1796. By the Rev. J. Orange, Derby. 12mo. London: John Snow. Anna, the Memoir of a School-Girl. 12mo. London: Simpkin and Marshall. Eastern Arts and Antiquities, mentioned in Sacred Scriptures, with illustrations. 18mo. London: Religious Tract Society. The Spirit of Popery, an Exposure of its Origin, Characters, and Results, in Letters from a Father to his Children. 12mo. London: Religious Tract Society. The Old Oak Chest. By the Author of Charlie's Discoveries. London: Harvey and Darton. TRANSACTIONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES, AUTUMNAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION AND HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY, AT BRISTOL. It is with heartfelt gratitude to the God of peace and love, that we now record the proceedings of our brethren in the city of Bristol, who, in their solemn convocation, were so remarkably favoured with the spirit of peace and charity, of mai and union, that we anticipate the most blessed results to our churches and to our country from their devout and affectionate deliberations. The business was commenced by a public service, on Tuesday evening, October 6th, at the Rev. H. J. Roper's chapel, Bridge Street, where a most respectable and crowded auditory assembled, and indicated by their presence the deep interest which the occasion had excited in their minds. Fervent prayers were offered for the presence and blessing of God upon the meetings of the brethren, by the Rev. Messrs. J. Edwards, Brighton; J. Reynolds, Romsey; and C. N. Davies, Brecon. The Rev. J. Blackburn delivered an address explanatory of the nature and design of the Congregational Union; and the Rev. Dr. Matheson, on the claims of the Home Missionary Society. On Wednesday morning the Assembly of Delegates met in the spacious room attached to Brunswick Chapel, at nine o'clock, at which the following ministers and gentlemen were present: Rev. Messrs. J. Adey, Southwark, London H. J. Bunn, Abergavenny S. Evans, Rangeworthy W. Ellson, Pill, St. George's W. Gear, Bradford, Wilts J. C. Gallaway, Westbromwich J. Hargreaves, Morecombelake J. Hunt, Brixton J. Hopkins, Weston-super-Mare Rev. Messrs. R. E. May, Clevedon F. W. Meadows, South Moulton J. Pyer, Devonport G. Pinkstone, South Petherton G. Redford, D.D. LL.D. Worcester II. Richard, London J. Smith, Hasketon, Suffolk G. Stevens, Totton, Hants Messrs. James James, Birmingham J. Nowington, Barnstaple J. Sexton, Westbury, Wilts T. Thompson, Poundsford Park The Rev. Dr. BENNETT having taken the chair, commenced his address with a few prefatory remarks, and proceeded to refer to the constitution of the Union, and observed, that it is impossible to violate the independency of another without shaking the stability of our own. We, therefore, are all agreed upon that point. But, nevertheless, though we maintain that each separate christian society is a church in the sense of the Scriptures, independently of the authority and controul of others, we never pretended that we were independent of each other's counsel, or affection, or co-operation. We are all equally dependent upon the Sovereign Lord and Head of the whole church and equally dependent upon the co-operation and the mutual affection and prayers of our brethren and each church. While we are deeply sensible of this, we consider that Independency is not merely a theory, that it is a practical good, and that the church of Christ was made independent by him who has done every thing for his own glory, and his church's good, and that the independency of the churches is like all the rest of N. S. VOL. IV. 5 G |