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This must tranquillize the troubled soul, and fill it with "the peace of God which passeth all understanding." This is landing from a tempestuous sea on a safe and tranquil shore. When the storm is over, the time of the singing of birds is come." The soul, when his feet are on the rock, sings a new aud melodious song of thanksgiving unto the Lord his deliverer. Pardoned sinners may be severely tried, tempted and distressed, yet in all their conflicts and trials, they may meet them all with a quiet mind, yea, with joy and triumph, while they recollect that they are in a state of pardon.

All true penitents are in a state of pardon, and when pardoned, they are reconciled to God. The war is over for ever, and peace is established on the strongest of all foundations, the mediation of Christ Jesus. God's quarrel with the sinner is, because he holds fast his sins and will not let them go.

Let the sinner turn away from his iniquities, the Lord will turn away from his anger. When man comes to hate sin, God will no longer hate him. Who among the sons of men will confess that he is at war with his maker. This they will deny, let them be ever so rebellious, and their hearts full of enmity. I would say to the servants of sin, there are the strongest proofs against you, which shew clearly that you are enemies unto God by wicked works. You love that which God hates, and hate what he loves. You live after the flesh instead of crucifying it. You relish the vain and sinful pleasures of the world more than the spiritual and refined pleasures of drawing nigh to God, and worshipping him in spirit and in truth. You must know what your heart prefers. And you cannot but know that you relish and enjoy carnal things, more than spiritual things, that you prefer the polluted ways of the flesh before the holy ways of the spirit. Yes, you prefer the world to Christ, and earthly gratification, to communion with God. And where your heart is, there are your treasures, and that is your God. Hear the infallible testimony of divine truth. "If any man love the world, or the things that are in the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Without more, these alone are sufficient evidences to prove, that the carnal mind in you, which is enmity against God, is not slain, but that you are to this moment at war with God. Most tremendous state! O sinner, why will you die an eternal death, rather than be reconciled to the

God of all grace. This is nothing short

of satanical delusion, and the worst of all madness. "Return unto the Lord, and he will return unto you." Agree with thine adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him, lest he cast you into the prison of hell, from whence there is no release. On what ground can you hate

the God of salvation, and how dare you continue the war with the Almighty? Submit or die the death. If you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Surrender yourselves to him who in infinite love and compassion hath redeemed you with his precious blood. I beseech you by the mercies of God, be ye reconciled unto him, that you may live for ever. Then you shall hear the sweet voice of the Saviour saying to your soul," Peace be unto you, my peace I give unto you." Then shall you rejoice with the redeemed of the Lord, and say triumphantly, "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Those that are at peace with God, are adopted into his family and made his sons and daughters. The ways of grace are ways of wonder, and the very nature of grace is to exalt. And when once it begins to exalt the soul, it never ceases, till it takes men from the mire and clay to the throne of glory. God finds them in Satan's kingdom, and brings them to his own, and the moment he finds them there, he pardons all their sins and iniquities. When their sins are taken away, he is quite reconciled unto them. And when he is at peace with them, he makes them his children, and when children, they are his heirs also. Higher they cannot go, and happier they cannot be. But how comes he to advance them so very high? He finds them in his beloved Son. Finding them there, he never thinks he can do too much for them, nor advance them too high. He acts now towards them according to his love to Christ, when he finds them one with Christ. How very little can saints and angels understand of the strength and fervour of God's affection to the eternal Son of his love. Well, it will be according to this love that God will deal with all in Christ. They that have this hope in them may well cry out with rapturous joy, like John, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!" Should we publicly profess this before the world, the world would call us fanatics. Our answer would be, "The world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God!" What higher privilege can possibly belong to any human beings!

We trust that many of our readers will procure this volume, and peruse it for themselves, and we strongly recommend it as a suitable present to persons in the middling and lower walks of life, plain, pious, judicious, and every way deserving of the most serious attention.

CELESTIAL SCENERY: or the wonders of the Planetary System displayed; illustrating the perfections of the Deity, and a plurality of worlds. By THOMAS DICK, L.L. D. 12mo. Pp. xvi. and 560.

Ward.

THE SIDEREAL HEAVENS, and other subjects connected with Astronomy, &c. By the Same. Pp. xvi. and 584. Ward..

12mo.

THESE two productions of Dr. Dick evince considerable industry, are well calculated to attract attention and communicate instruction, abound in apt illustrations and clear engravings, and above all display that devout reverence for the word of God, which is especially to be desired in the Christian philosopher, and the want of which has not unfrequently compelled us to pass over in silence works of a scientific nature, which otherwise we might be disposed to recommend.

The Celestial Scenery relates principally to our own solar system: after noticing the general appearance and apparent motion of the starry heavens, Dr. D. points out the arrangement of the planetary system, the magnitudes, motions, and other phenomena of the sun, and the primary and secondary planets, and enlarges on the perfections of the deity as there displayed.

The Sidereal Heavens, treats of the arrangements of the stars, their distances, magnitudes, numbers, variations, groups, and clusters,

nebulæ, aberrations, &c, it contains an interesting account of comets, shooting stars, and other meteoric appearances, and a very useful and instructive summary of the phenomena and positions of the planets, &c., for the years 1840 and 1841. By this summary, together with the plans of the stars by which it is illustrated, young persons may with great facility, learn the principal constellations.

The Celestial Scenery may be considered as introductory to the Sidereal Heavens, but we could wish to see both volumes in every school library; for though we are not quite clear that our author has succeeded in proving a plurality of worlds from divine revelation, yet we think he has made out a strong case in favour of his position, and his arguments, and reasonings, at once display considerable talent and devoted piety.

Perhaps in a subsequent edition, the volumes might without any material loss, be somewhat abridged; though we doubt not, that both works will in their present form meet with extended circulation.

THE CHRISTIAN VISITOR; or Select Portions from the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles, with Expositions and Prayers: designed to assist the friends of the sick and afflicted. By the Rev. WILLIAM JOWETT, M.A: late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. 12mo. Pp. iv. and 222. Seeleys, 1840.

THIS volume is prepared on the same plan as the Christian Visitor on the four Gospels, with which, we doubt not, many of our readers are already acquainted. acquainted. That work being now out of print, Mr. J. has selected ten of the portions it contained, and reprinted them, together with forty-four additional portions prepared for the present

volume. Each portion consists of a passage of Scripture, an explanation or address founded upon it, and an appropriate prayer. The whole are admirably calculated to assist the young and inexperienced in visiting the sick or the poor. While, however, such avail themselves of Mr. Jowett's labours, we should strongly recommend them

to follow his example, and prepare for themselves meditations, addresses, and petitions on appropriate passages of Scripture; an exercise which they will find at once improving to themselves, and beneficial to others.

The following extract from Mr. Jowett's work will, we doubt not, prove generally acceptable.

FREEDOM FROM CAREFULNESS.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."-Phil. iv. 6, 7.

The life of man is laden with many burdens; and beside this, we have a natural inclination to increase our burdens by anxiety, fretfulness aud grief. As our Saviour, therefore commands us, "Take no thought for the morrow; so here the Apostle bids us dismiss from our minds all sinful care-" Be careful for nothing."

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That carefulness which leads to diligence, is by no means forbidden. But what St. Paul here points at, is, anxiety springing from worldliness or unbelief.

1. The causes of worldly anxiety are very numerous.

Some people are pinched by poverty; others are weighed down by family burdens. Some are thrown back in the world by their own imprudence; some, by the folly or fraud of others. Some meet with broken limbs, or long and severe sicknesses, and are thus thrown out of em. ployment. All these are real and great trials.

But there are likewise many persons, who seem to trouble themselves and others for trouble's sake; expecting afflictions that never come-at least, long before they do come. They seem to be always looking on the dark side of things.

It is plain that anxiety is sinful, when it draws away our heart from enjoying sweet communion with God. Perplexing cares also frequently interrupt plain duties. Sorrow, when excessive, weakens the hand, and unfits it for labour; and this may lead to a habit, a very lamentable habit, of much complaining and little working. Moreover, when sinful carefulness gets the mastery over us, we may easily be tempted to follow crooked devices in order to get out of our troubles.

Surely it is a bad sign, when unbelief has so far taken possession of our hearts, that we cannot enjoy those delightful words of David-" The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

2. But you will now ask for the cure of anxiety. You say, How can we dis

miss anxiety? Our fears and griefs come rushing upon us, like an army; how can we dispossess these enemies, and scatter them? What can calm a troubled mind? The Apostle gives us a remedy: it is twofold-Prayer, and Praise.

He bids 66 us, by prayer and supplication, make our requests known unto God." If, instead of crying to the winds, we at once turned to the throne of grace, God would deliver us from thousands of real troubles, besides the ten thousand vexations of our own making. He would increase our faith; and with it, our comfort. We go about complaining to one neighbour and another; O why is God the last thought of! Why do we not go forthwith, and tell him all our fears, and all our wants ?

With prayer, praise should always be united. Indeed, there is something lacking in our prayers, if they do not lead to praise. If you would only study to cultivate holy cheerfulness, you would be amazed to see how many causes of thankfulness you have. Let me mention a few of them; and let us pause a little on each, and reflect:

The following are some of our merciesThat we were not long ago banished to eternal punishment.

That free and full salvation is offered to us through Christ Jesus.

That we may at all times ask for the great blessings of pardon, peace, holiness; and obtain them.

That we may feed upon the promises of God.

That we may cast our burden upon the Lord; assured that he will sustain us, and that he will never leave, never forsake us.

That God has made former afflictions profitable to our souls.

That if the worst come to the worst, yet we have hope! Hope is the "anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast." We may look forward to "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

Surely these are infinite reasons for contentment, joy and thankfulness!

Perhaps you mourn over friends who are living an ungodly life. Remember, however-Are there none to whom you have been made useful? Perhaps you have been the means of converting some one, or you have helped forward the salvation of many immortal souls. Surely, if any of us have done this, we have cause for joy and gratitude to all eternity.

Then, at once renew your prayers and your praises. There are comforts for you, far exceeding all that you ever could have hoped for. "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding" is promised to you. The world cannot give you peace : your own heart cannot create peace: but God can. He promises, through Christ

Jesus, to keep your heart like a fortified city, into which no enemy shall enter. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."

PRAYER.

Blessed Lord, who in thy Son Jesus Christ hast opened to us the fountain of everlasting joy; We thankfully acknowledge this thine unspeakable gift. And we pray thee to establish our hearts by faith in Him, and grant us a peaceful assurance that Jesus is ours, and we are His for ever.

But, O Lord, we must confess, that, through the infirmity of our sinful nature, we cannot always rejoice in thee, or praise thee as we ought. Many times our souls are grievously bowed down by sorrow,

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SERMONS ON THE CHURCH; or the Episcopacy, Liturgy, and Ceremonies of the Church of England. Considered in Four Discourses, preached in the Cathedral of Derry. By ARCHIBALD BOYD, A. M. 12mo. Pp. viii. and 216. Seeleys.

EPISCOPACY, ORDINATION, LAY ELDERSHIP, AND LITURGIES, considered in Five Letters. By the Same.

THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND are of Divine Authority, &c. in answer to a Tract entitled 'Are the Institutions of the Church of England Human or Divine. By the Rev. JOSEPH BAYLEE.

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between the Church of England and the Presbyterians, and does not enter so largely into the general question as some other publications; but we can confidently recommend his productions as every way deserving of serious perusal, and doubt not that they will prove extensively useful.

Mr. Baylee's Institutions contain clear and explicit answers to FOURTEEN Questions proposed in the Tract to which he refers; and these Answers are followed by an Appendix, containing additional proofs and illustrations of the matter in hand. Both in his replies and his Appendix, Mr. Baylee displays considerable acuteness, and his small volume will be found very useful in guarding the minds of the young and inexperienced against the assaults to which they will in all probability be exposed from the enemies of our church.

Entelligence.

IRELAND.

ANNIVERSARY MEETINGS.

We are happy to hear that the Anniversary Meetings of the religious Institutions of Ireland, held in Dublin during April, have been numerously attended, and of a highly interesting character. We have only indeed been favoured with reports of a few of the meetings, and shall have occasion to refer to the same societies, if spared to another month. We gladly, however, avail ourselves of the opportunity of inserting the following extracts relating to that important and valuable institution, the

LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

The total number of schools of every kind which have been on the society's list for the year ending the 29th of February last, is 2,242; and the scholars, after deducting such of the Sunday pupils as were also enrolled in the Day School, amount to 114,170, of whom 8,760 were adults, either attending the Night or Sunday Schools, and all reading the word of God. The number of the Day Schools for the year, is 1,140, and the scholars 88,336, of whom 55,130 were Protestants, and 33,206 Roman Catholics, showing a small diminution as compared with the former year; while the decrease has arisen, not from lack of opportunities to keep up the previous numbers, and to go far beyond them, but from the circumstance, (a painful one indeed,) that the funds have not enabled the committee to fill up even the vacancies which must be continually occurring in so extensive a machinery; and it may be most correctly stated that the schools might as easily have amounted to twelve hundred, as to the number specified. In addition to the usual persecuting spirit of those who are more ready to make their appeal to any authority than to the law or testimony,' there have been other things in the course of the year combining to render the attendance at school more thin than usual-such as a long-continued rain, the lateness of the harvest, want of fuel during the winter, and the prevalence of sickness; but, amidst all these difficulties, it is a gratifying fact that the number of Roman Catholic pupils nearly equals those of last year, and is considerably larger than in 1838, amounting, with the Adults and Sunday Scholars, to about forty thousand, so that far from repining at the

LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

results of the past year's labour, the managers of this institution see abundant cause for thankfulness to Almighty God for the great things which he hath wrought; and much ground of encouragement for persevering endeavours as respects the future.

Of the 1140 Day Schools, which have been on the society's list during the

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CIRCULATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

The circulation of the word of God has always formed a prominent part in the proceedings of the London Hibernian Society; and, whether considered in relation to the great mass of the people, or to the children in the schools, must be viewed as highly important in the matter of instruction, as regards both time and eternity. It is chiefly, however, through the schools that the institution disseminates the holy volume; although, as every child supplied with a Bible or Testament becomes a scripture reader at home, it will be impossible to calculate the immense benefits which shall accrue, when in answer to the prayer of faith, God is pleased to make this sword of the spirit powerful unto salvation. Many gratifying proofs of a desire to hear, read, or possess a Bible on the part of adults and children, are given by the patrons or inspectors.

The number of copies issued from the society's office for the past year, is 23,181, being 4,750 Bibles, and 43,481 Testaments, and since the commencement of the society's operations, no less than 468,680 copies of the Bible or Testament have been sent forth, without any admixture of error or curtailment of truth, to tell of redeeming love in Christ Jesus throughout Ireland by this institution alone; while its managers rejoice in the fact that still large numbers have been distributed by our fellow-labourers.

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