ground upon this deviation, a charge against his opponent. In doing so, he alone was apparently deserving of blame; but as he now chooses to distinguish his own hypothesis by the terms of universal restoration, rather than those of universal salvation, which he formerly used in the same, sense, the reviewer might, perhaps, properly have adopted this correction in the title page. So little is said on the occasion in Mr. Fuller's letters, that, by some persons, Mr.Vidler's doctrine has been stated to be that which has acquired the ugly title of Destructionism. Be it known, therefore, to all whom it may concern, that Mr. Vidler does, or lately did, profess to believe, that impenitent sinners will not be wholly exempted from future misery; but that after having endured a punishment proportioned to their respective degrees of guilt, they will all be admitted to positive and endless happiness. We cannot say restored, because that term implies that they must previously have enjoyed such a state. Mr. Vidler has, therefore, yet to seek a proper deno, mination for his system; but we apprehend it will be still more difficult for him to reconcile his opinion with that of our Lord Jesus Christ, who solemnly asserted, that "it would have been better" for Judas "had he never been born." The future endless felicity which Mr. Vidler promises to impenitent sinners, cannot then surely be universal. We have already alluded to these letters in our review of Mr. Fuller's, and referred our readers to them for farther satisfaction; but the talents of the writer, and the importance of the subject, induce us to notice them as a distinct article. The first Letter investigates the propriety of Mr. Vidler's conduct as a controversialist, and exposes, with just severity, his pretensions to critical learning, on which he laid considerable stress. The second Letter gives a general statement of the controversy, and the nature of the question at issue.-The following Letters (being twelve in all) exa mine the respective merits of the arguments used both by Mr. Vidler and Mr. Fuller, in which the author constantly gives the palm to the latter; but as Mr. Fuller modestly declined, in some measure, arguing from the learned languages, Scruta tor particularly examines Mr. Vidler's criticisms, and exposes their futility. So that these Letters may be considered as a kind of appendix to the former; and both together, as giving a very complete and satisfactory view of this awful, but interesting subject. It may be proper to add, that though this writer displays considerable learning, as well as critical acumen, for the accommodation of English readers, he has translated all his learned quotations, in the margin. Private Thoughts, in Two Parts, com-plete. By the Rev. W. Beveridge, D.D. late Bishop of Bath and Wells. 12m0, 38. 6d. THE reviewer of this article can recommend this book with pleasure, as one of the first that was made useful to himself (and he believes life; and he is glad to see a new many others) in the early part of edition, so worthy of the author, and the book, which indeed comprizes a little body of divinity, doctrinal, practical, and experimental. short account of the author is prefixed. A Minutiae, or Little Things for the Poor of Christ's Flock; including a Visitation Sermon. By J. W. Peers, LL. D. Vol. II. 12m0, 33. boards. THE character given of the first volume of these little meditations, applies equally to this: "They are uniformly evangelical, experimen tal, and savory" to the true Christian. (See Evan. Mag. vol. VII, p. 162.) The modest title, chosen by the anthor, shews sufficiently that he did not aim at great things, nor write for the entertainment of the wise and learned; but he has aimed to be useful to the serious and humble Christian; and readers of this class, especially such as have little opportunity for reading sermons, or treatises on divinity, will here find a great number of short, pious, and useful reflexions, on as many passages of Scripture, which for their brevity, as well as spiritu ality, will well recommend themselves to their perusal. The hasty traveller, who cannot stop to take an ample meal, will be glad to catch at any comfortable refreshment by the way. Miscellaneous Pieces of Poetry. By a Mechanic. 70 pp. 18m0, 15. THE best recommendation we can give of these verses, is in the We should add, that the Visitation Sermon appended to these Minutia, which is founded on Rom. viii. 3, 4, is a manly and able de fence of the Scriptural doctrines of human depravity, and the impossi-puted to him for presenting to the bility of salvation by the law. public verses, which he himself con- The Seaman's Preacher: being the ualized. The Crucifixion of Christ, or Good established in this city," i. c. The Use of Sacred History; rope- 12 5. THE respectable author of these, volumes is already `well known by his learned and evangelical writings. In an advertisement prefixed to the first volume, he informs us, "That it had often occurred to him that, as it could not be without a special design that so great a portion of the Holy Scriptures was cast into an historical form, the principal reason af this must be, that it appeared to Him, "who knoweth our frame," the most proper mode of conveying instruction, even on those subjects in which we are interested for eternity; and that, under the forcible impression of this idea, he engaged in this work." The work itself is divided into three parts : Part I. contains, A general View of the Use of Sacred History, in three sections:-Sect, 1. A genuine View at Sacred History: the Origin of all Things, of Man,- of Evil, of the Arts, &c.. 2. On the Beauties of Sacred History: its Simplicity,-Conciseness,-Fidelity,-Dignity, Unity, &c - 3. On the Advantages arising from this Mode of Writing Truths made more level to the Understanding, calculated to arrest the attention, influence the affections, memory, &c. Part II. On the History of Israel: their government, covenant, insti tutions, ceremonies, &c. as 211 ample source of instruction to the Christian church. Part III, which begins the second volume, we consider as peculiarly embracing the object of the author. Sect. 1, considers Sacred History as illustrating and confirming the Being and Unity of God; 2. The Doctrines of the Trinity ;-3 and 4, The Perfections of God;-5 and 6, Divine Justice; 7 and 8, Divine Sovereignty; 9, Divine Providence; 10, The Natural Depravity of Man;-11 and 12, The Incarnation of the Son of God; 13 and 14, The Doctrines of Substitution, Atonement, and Imputation; 15, Necessity of Almighty Power for changing the Heart; 16, The Doctrine of particular Redemption; -17, The Conservation of Believers. We have chosen to present our readers with this analytical view of the book, to enable them to form a more perfect idea of the whole design; and this must suffice at present. In our next, we propose to give some specimens from the work itself, which well deserves a particular attention. SELECT LIST OF NEW History of the Origin and Transactions of the London Missionary Society. No. I. to be completed in six Numbers, price is. The Life and Posthumous Works of W. Cowper, Esq. By W. Hayley, Esq. Two Vols. 4to, zl.12s. 6d. Calista, or a Picture of Modern Life; a Poem. By Luke Brooker, LL.D. 4to, 2s. 6d. Minutia, vol. II. By J. W. Peers, LL.D. 12mo, 38. boards. Bp. Beveridge's Private Thoughts. New Edition, 1зmo, 38. 6d. The Saints Everlasting Rest. By R. Baxter; abridged by Mr. Faw. cett. New Edition, 12m0, 35. Od. A Saint Indeed. By the Rev. John Flavel. 18mo, 15. 3d. boards, 13. 6d. bound,-32m10, 15, 6d. bds, PUBLICATIONS. Fawcett's Grand Inquiry, "Am I in Christ or not?" New Edition, 12mo, 6d. Ditto, with Mr. Fawcett's Funeral-Segnon, 15. Ditto, 32mo, 15. 6d. boards. An Explanation of our Blessed Saviour's Sermon on the Mount. 6d. Miscellaneous Poems. By a Mechanic. 11mo, 15. An Appeal to Reason, on the Subject of Daniel's Prophecies. By L. Mayer. 8vo, 15. Early Piety Recommended: a Funeral-Sermon for G. Griffiths, of Bristol. By S. Lowell. 8vo, 15. A Probationary Sermon, preached at the Lock Hospital, by the Rev. W. B. Williams. Svo, Is. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE: We understand, the following Ministers are engaged to preach the Annual Sermons before the Misssionary Society, on the Second Wednesday in May, and Two following Days; viz. The Rev. S. Bottomley, of Scarborough; the Rev. Greville Ewing, of Glasgow; the Rev.T. Young, of Ebley. The Name of the Fourth Minister, with the Places and Times of Worship, in our next. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. FROM the variety of interesting intelligence contained in the dispatches recently received from South Africa, which will be detailed in the "History of the Transactions of the Society," now publishing, the Directors have selected the following brief Extracts, from the Letter of the Missionary Bakker; not doubting that the Religious Public will feel a lively interest, and abundant cause for gratitude to God, on the perusal of them: Conversion of Hottentots. "I VISITED a Hottentot woman, hamed Martha, who was confined by sickness: I found her better in health, and her soul very lively. She told me, that she was in a dark and unbelieving state before, and in the beginning of her sickness; but that, when very ill, it had pleased God to visit her with his Enlightening grace, and to shew her that he was only love in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; and that he was that to her. Believing this, she was filled with joy and peace through the Holy Ghost. Being thus united to the Lord, she was willing to depart; or, if it should please the Lord to recover her, she wished to live for Him, by his grace. She admonished her husband, who was full of sorrow, saying, that he ought not to murmur, but submit to the will of the Lord; because God's doings were wise, good, and only love; and that she would not change her situation for a thousand worlds. Sunday, July 4th. After public worship with seventy or eighty natives, I asked one, named Styn, If she had no reason to shew forth the praise of the Lord? She ans wered, that she had much reason; because the Lord had shewn to her her own wickedness, and the danger in which she was by nature,-being dead in sin, and, therefore, in a state of condemnation before God. He had also shewn to her, that redemption by Christ is the only way of salvation; and, therefore, she had embraced him, through faith, as her Redeemer, in whom she had forgiveness of sins, and a right to eternal glory;-and it was now her only desire to live according to his will. "Afterwards I conversed with Resina, who directly began to speak of the love of God which she saw for herself. She was astonished that such a sinful creature should be preserved till now, though she had long ago deserved to be cast into Hell for her sins; but especially, that the Lord had made known to her, by his word and Spirit, her lost state by nature, and had enabled her to flee to the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, who bore the punishment due to sinners, and obtained for them ever. lasting life; wherefore she sought in him all her salvation, and desired now to live for him in thankful "Visiting a sick man, named Jephta, I asked him, if the Lord should call him to die, upon what ground he should enter eternity? He answered, he did not know. I enquired, if he did not think that his frequent attendance on the worship of God, and his not being so wicked as other Heathens, was not a good ground to trust that God would be gracious to him? He replied. No; this ground is not good. — I then asked him, if it was not better to seek, as a lost condemned sinner, his salvation only in the Lord Jesus, who came to seek and to save that which was lost. He answered, he believed that was the right ground; and that it was through grace that he had a desire to seek his salvation in that way." Extract of a Letter from a respectable Friend in one of the principal Cities in France. "In consequence of the very high price which the bookseller who possesses Protestant books, demands for them, the minister has obtained about 100 New Testaments from Geneva, and is about to order an equal number of Old Testaments.— If the English-Missionary Society would make an offer of that kind in favour of the French churches, it would have a most astonishing effect towards the spread of the Gospel amongst them (whether it were by giving away or selling at low prices) by sending to the ministers of the reformed churches a proportionate number of Bibles and other edifying books,-since almost the whole were burnt when the decree was promulgated against divine worship; and fcarcely any are now to be seen in France, but such as are procured from Flanders, Switzerland, and Geneva," INDIA. A LETTER has arrived from India, dated as late as Aug. 31st, 1802. The intelligence it contains, in addition to what has been received before, is, that applications have been made to the Missionaries by messengers forty miles off, requesting them to visit their part of the coun try:-that this request was complied with, and that great numbers of people were found to have thrown off their cast; 200 in one place, and as many as 2000 in another, and that on conviction of the wickedness of Hindooism and Mahomedism; yet without any knowledge of the right way that when they heard of the Gospel, they sent to enquire after it; and on hearing of one of the Missionaries coming, were all assembled to welcome him. There is every appearance of their receiving the Gospel with all readiness; but the result must be left to the Lord. At present, there seems to be an open door. A. F. P. S. The following passage is in Mr. Marshman's Journal of May 5, 1802, "Received a most affectionate letter from Dr. Vanderkemp, dated Nov. 2, 1801, in answer to one we He had sent him in February. mentions many particulars which you must receive another way, before this can reach you. He was then at Graaf Reinet, in a state of blockade, the Christian inhabitants around him having risen, to avenge on him the pollution of the church by the admission of Hottentots! He promises a continuance of his correspondence, and requests the same on our part; with which we shall joyfully comply." New York. Those friends of the Rev, J. M. Mason, who have expressed some anxiety to hear of his safe return to America, will read with much pleasure the following Extract of a Letter from a Lady at New York to a Friend at Walworth, dated New York, Oct. 20, 1802. "Mr. Mason and five other ministers have arrived safe in this city; where he found his family and friends in general well. |