and experience under circumstances of peculiar difficulty and trial. Nor is the merit of this little volume confined to a narration of what is painful in the past, but is extended also to efforts for the future, as the profits arising from its sale (amounting already, we believe, to several hundred pounds) have been, with a noble generosity, devoted by its authors to defraying the expenses of an enterprise, which one of them is at the present time crossing the ocean to execute, and which, it is hoped, will result in the deliverance of some who are now daily in expectation of the most cruel death that an infernal ingenuity can devise.* After what we have said, we are convinced we need not recommend all our readers to buy and to read it; and we shall, therefore, not attempt the difficult task of selecting an extract. These painful events may have, however, a most beneficial influence on the future history of Christ's kingdom in Madagascar. Those who have some acquaintance with the earlier history of the mission in that island, well know that the superstitious opinions and practices of the Malagasy are all, more or less, connected with their civil government, and when Christianity was first offered to their notice, it was not only conjoined with European arts and civilization, but was also intimately associated with feudal authority, in what to us Congregationalists must appear a very untoward alliance. It is needless to speculate on what might have been its history had the government continued favourable, but if any evils are to be apprehended to the Redeemer's kingdom from such a connexion as this, they would doubtless have sprung up in the course of time from the seeds already sown; but the civil revolution which took place, brought a storm of persecution which not only dispersed all the chaff which had thus been mingled with the wheat, but also told the Malagasy, in accents which neither they nor their children will forget, that the genuine spirit and influence of Christianity do not depend on earthly princes for their power and efficacy, nor are fitted for a reliance on the approbation of chieftains, or the smile of kings.

Notes on the Pentateuch; selected from the exegetical paris of Rosenmüller's Scholia, and of Dathe's Notes to his Latin Version; also from Schrank, Michaelis, Le Clerc, Ainsworth, Poole, and other Authors. By T. Brightwell. London: Ball and Co. 12mo. pp. 396.

MOST of the errors of the Roman church may be traced to two sources. One of these is the adoption of another standard of doctrine and duty, professedly in addition to the Holy Scriptures, but practically in their stead. The other is the supposition that the study of the word of God is the exclusive privilege of a class. From the time of the Reformation, these false and pernicious principles have been gradually losing their influence in every christian community, though we fear there are few that are entirely freed from them. In the Church of England we see in what is called Anglo-Catholicism the growth of the seeds of superstition which the reformers injudiciously allowed to remain. It

Since this article was written we grieve to learn that Mr. Johns' benevolent efforts have not been successful, and that fourteen christian exiles have fallen into the fangs of the tigress who reigns in Madagascar, nine of whom had been publicy executed, and five were expecting every hour to be called to seal the truth with their blood.-Editor.

seems probable that many of that religious society will be induced again to place the writings of the half-christianised fathers of the second and third centuries on a level with the writings of the inspired apostles of our Lord, and to seek relief from the labour and anxiety of searching for the truth, by taking up the short and easy method of believing whatever the clergy believe. There are, however, some "signs of the times" from which we may hope that this superstition will not have a very wide or lasting prevalence. Whatever may be done to lessen the value of the Bible, by representing it as unintelligible, it is circulated and read now to a much greater extent than ever; and many find, to their great surprise, that though the word of God, like all his works, exhibits much that they cannot grasp and account for, instead of being obscure and mystical, it is in its most important parts so plain that a child will delight to read it. It is free from the unmeaning and presumptuous dogmas which have been so often a stumbling block to the infidel, and a matter of pitiful contention among believers. The books of the Bible, like the wonders of creation, require to be set forth and illustrated by human study, but, like them, they will not allow of any thing being put in their place. The number of works explanatory of the sacred Scriptures, published and re-published of late years, shows that not a few are determined to follow the example of the Bereans, to search the Scriptures for themselves. "To the law, and to the testimony." " Prove all things, hold fast that which is good."

The little volume which suggested these remarks is the composition of a layman, a member of a profession which has furnished several efficient and illustrious labourers in the field of biblical learning. It is a work of modest pretension, but it is very useful and excellent of its kind. It consists of selections from the works of some of the most eminent biblical scholars. Whatever was found most pleasing and instructive has been taken out, condensed, and, in a clear and orderly manner, is set before the reader. The original works, though known by name to many, are accessible to comparatively few; and we think it a very useful undertaking (the more to be commended in that it generally receives little honour) to bring the most precious portions of several books, admirable in their matter, but folios in size, or foreign in language, and to present these in the form of a neat duodecimo, all in the vernacular. The author has endeavoured to give information, rather than to dictate opinions; to aid, rather than to supersede reflection. His book contains what a commentary should containthat which no thinking could discover, and that which a little thinking may turn to good account. The style is correct, native English, and not the Latinized or Germanized diction too often met with in translations. All that would be offensive to a christian mind has been omitted, and though the work is of an exegetical, and not a practical, character, yet it is not that exegesis which can draw all things out of the Bible but matter for devout sentiment. Almost every page furnishes something fitted to profit as well as to instruct; and the whole displays that serious, candid, benevolent temper of mind which every student of the Scriptures ought to cherish. It is adapted to its endthe promotion of the intelligent study of one of the most interesting portions of the sacred volume.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

The Congregational Calendar, and Family Almanac, 1841. London: Jackson and Walford. 12mo. pp. 133.

WE hail the second appearance of this most useful and meritorious manual. From the first, we augured that this attempt to serve the Congregational body would meet with general acceptance, and have reason to know, that in this anticipation we have not been disappointed. There are various improvements introduced into the present number. The monthly correspondence of the Jewish Calendar with that in present use, is pointed out. The enumeration of the days of the year is given in a column parallel with that for the days of the month. All the information for general and civil purposes, usually given in almanacs, will be found complete and accurate. There are interesting articles on ecclesiastical and educational statistics. We may be inordinate in our wishes, but we should have been glad to have met with, at least, the totals of the Registrar General's report of births, deaths, and marriages for the last year, and a comparison of them with those for the preceding year, particularly under the head of marriages. We are anxious to keep that subject before our churches, and to promote, as far as possible, the feeling that, having now the liberty of so doing, the marriages of our friends should be performed by their own pastors, among their own people, amidst the scenes of all their own religious associations and solemnities. The denominational intelligence is various, interesting, complete-except statistics. Where are our statistical returns? As yet they are unattainable We greatly deplore the repugnance of our body, at present insuperable, to furnish the requisite returns. We advise every Congregational family to provide itself with a Congregational Calendar. The book is so much too large and too expensive in execution for the price of a shilling, that only a very greatly extended circulation will secure the Union, under whose auspices it is published, from serious loss. At p. 106, the subject of Congregational Benefit Societies is introduced, the importance of which at this juncture is such, that it ought to engage the immediate attention of all our pastors and most intelligent and influential brethren. We invite attention to the information given, page 122, relative to Dissenting registers; and we earnestly desire every purchaser of the Congregational Calendar to read the last article it contains. When he has complied with this advice, he will perceive why it was given.

Fisher's Historical Illustrations of the Bible; principally from the Old Masters. London: Fisher, Son, and Co. 4to. Parts I. to V.

THIS is a beautiful work, adapted alike to interest the lover of fine arts and the student of the Scriptures. The mother of Doddridge was obliged to resort to the grotesque representations of Scripture facts which were rudely sketched on the Dutch tiles of the chimney corner, to illustrate to her dear Philip the Bible stories he delighted to hear from her lips: but the mothers of our age may, by the aid of this and similar works, refine the taste while they inform the understandings of their youthful charge.

Each part is embellished with three highly finished engravings, accompanied with Bible extracts in the English, French, and German languages. Where all is beautiful, we cannot particularize, but bear cheerful testimony to the high merit of the whole.

Abridgement, or Summary of Historical Facts, &c. 12mo.

Stoneman.

Houlston and

THIS is an interesting little volume; and to those who have not the opportunity of reading larger works, it will be found a great acquisition, as it contains the substance of many large and valuable works. The writer has evidently bestowed much time and pains upon its compilation, and though it is not faultless, yet it is well suited to convey important information to a numerous class of readers, on subjects that cannot fail to interest the Christian.

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistle to the Romans, designed for Bible Classes and Sunday Schools, by Albert Barnes. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 12mo.

In these Notes-as we are informed by their esteemed author in his preface to the work-"The design has been to state what appeared to him to be the real meaning of the epistle, without any regard to any existing theological system; and without any deference to the opinions of others, further than the respectful deference and candid examination which are due to the opinions of the learned, the wise, and the good, who have made this epistle their particular study-rather to exhibit the results of critical enquiry than the process by which these results were reached."

The writer has, we think, realized the object thus described to a very large extent. His plan, so judiciously conceived, has been executed with much more than ordinary success. As the result, we have a work better calculated, probably, than any other single volume that could be named to furnish a correct and competent acquaintance with that important part of Scripture of which it treatsand one that may be safely recommended to all classes, not only on this particular ground, but also on its general merits, as a manual both of christian doctrines and of christian ethics of experimental and practical godliness. We should like to see it in the hands of all our young people, and are glad it has been published at a price to place it within their reach.

The Pastor's Pledge of Total Abstinence. By the Rev. William Roaf, St. Paul's Chapel, Wigan. Fifth Thousand. London: New British and Foreign Temperance Society, Bull's Head Court, Newgate Street.

ALTHOUGH we have not become bound to the "total abstinence" principle advocated in the "Pastor's Pledge," yet we cannot withhold our warm recommendation from the pamphlet bearing this title. Be the result whatever

it may, we would urge it on pastors and churches, parents and teachers, to listen to the author of this "Pledge," as he "reasons upon temperance." It is most desirable that great questions such as that now before us, should be discussed with calmness and intelligence, and that they should not be left, as they too frequently have been, to those who have little qualification for the work beyond their fiery zeal. Mr. Roaf has evidently thought much on the question he has undertaken, and has brought to his aid much variety of learning and felicitous illustration; and, without being brought over to the ranks in which he deservedly holds a conspicuous place, we have no hesitation in stating that his pamphlet has afforded us much pleasure and instruction.

We of the Congregational Magazine feel that this little work has the stronger claim to our notice, as it is addressed specially and directly to the attention of christian churches.

"Let it be therefore, dear friends, understood distinctly, that I address you on christian principles. While there is much in the temperance cause which may well secure the approbation of the patriot, the statesman, the philosopher, the physician, it is on christian grounds that I address you. I believe it is your duty, as churches, to sanctify yourselves from the accursed thing, and your privilege, as churches, to engraft on your holy system every beneficial plan that can be invented. The church of God is undoubtedly to gather within itself all the virtues of the universe. Unless total abstinence be connected with the church, it is difficult to tell how it can live. The church alone is permanent, all cther institutions are changeable and dying. Let total abstinence become a component part of the church's piety, and it will instantly partake of the church's immortality."-p. 8.

In illustrating his first position," that every person exerts an influence for good or evil," the author gives us the following passage, which we quote, not only as a specimen of the style in which he writes, but as a valuable enunciation of a truth of great importance and of general application.

N. S. VOL. IV.

5 U

"Who can be, in this breathing world, so isolated, as to have no observers, no imitators; and so obscure, as to have no influence? No man liveth to himself.' * * Our every act, our every thought, wish, purpose, and word, influences ourselves, and through ourselves, influences others. Every thing we do confirms us either in what is good or what is bad; contributes to the forma tion of either a holy or unholy character. A particular idea or sentiment within us may die, but it has contributed to the formation of a habit, and habits outlive all sentiments, yea, they multiply themselves by influencing the habits of other persons. Every prayer breathed by Payson, aided in the forming of his seraphic piety, and it is now producing itself again in the power of his Memoirs on our hearts. It is impossible to read them without resembling the man who was pat into the prophet's tomb, and who, on touching the prophet's feet, was made alive. What I am anxious to impress on your mind, is that you cannot be neutral in any thing, however remotely pertaining to the kingdom of God. Not a tone escapes our lips to die at our feet, it rather creates a corresponding modulation upon the air we occupy, and continues thus to rise till it sounds in the third heavens. So far as our successors and imitators are concerned, we ought to regard ourselves as the persons walking across the field immediately after it has been ploughed. The path we mark, the footsteps we form, are to be the line by which, perhaps, myriads will regulate their movements.”—p. 9.

The following positions are also fully illustrated. II. That every Christian is responsible for the influence he exerts. III. That the law of God condemns the use of intoxicating liquors. Under this head we have three statements. 1. The common beverage of scripture characters was water. 2. The wines mentioned in Scripture were different from ours, and very various. 3. The practice of total abstinence from wines was enjoined upon all persons seeking eminence in the service of God. IV. That intemperance is a great foe to the church. V. That moderate drinking is the chief cause of intoxication. VI. That the pledge of total abstinence is a matter of christian expediency.

Particular attention has been bestowed on the third position, which is enriched by a large collection of testimonials from eminent physicians, on the value of simple liquids.

We find that this excellent little production has already reached a fifth edition, and as we anticipate for it a circulation far wider than it has yet received, we would refer the attention of the author to pages 28, 29, where he will find a few typographical errors which he has not yet noticed.

It gives us much pleasure to be able to testify to the excellent spirit which breathes through these pages. There is a "total abstinence" from the “bad spirit" in which some intemperate advocates of teetotalism have judged and condemned all who do not adopt their practice. Mr. Roaf pleads with seriousness and affection, and deserves to be heard with attention and respect.

Religious Parties in England; their Principles, History, and Present Duty. By Robert Vaughan, D.D. Professor of Ancient and Modern History in University College. London: Ward and Co, Second Edition. pp. 186.12mo. HAVING recorded our opinion of this admirable work, we chiefly notice this new and greatly improved edition, in order to direct the attention of our readers, to the valuable preface by which it is introduced.

We shall transcribe from it two passages, the justness of which, we believe, will strike our readers as much as it did ourselves.

"When the ground chosen by Dr. Chalmers happens to be clearly tenable, and nothing is wanting besides illustration and embellishment, his genius ministers to his purpose with admirable effect-in short, with a luxuriance which seems to have no end. But to distinguish between true and false, even in cases not involving the most profound investigation, is often beyond his power; and to strike upon a single vein of sound original thinking, such as might promise opulence to the times to come, has never been his felicity-nor can there