and in the display of a catholic spirit; while at the same time, they exhibit proofs of intellect equal to any with which the public have become familiar in the writings of Mrs. Graham.

5. The Saviour's Right to Divine Worship vindicated. In Letters to the Rev. J. Armstrong, D.D. By WILLIAM URWICK, D.D. 8vo, pp. 412. Simpkin and Marshall. This is a noble and eloquent defence of the cardinal truth of the divinity of the Son of God, argued out upon a single but all-sufficient principle-the Scriptural claim of Messiah to be worshipped as God. There is much learning, much acquaintance with the word of God, much piety, and candour evinced by the amiable writer of these letters.

6. Jab and his Times; or, a Picture of the Patriarchal Age, during the period between Noah and Abraham, as regarding the state of religion and morality, arts and sciences, manners aud customs, &c., and a New Version of that most ancient Poem. Accompanied with Notes and Dissertations. The whole adapted to the English reader. By THOMAS WEMYSS, Author of "Biblical Gleanings," "Symbolical Dictionary," and other works. 8vo, pp. 382. Jackson and Walford.

7. Religion of the Bible. In Select Discourses. By THOMAS H. SKINNER. 12mo, pp. 324. Wiley and Putnam.

8. The Claims of Japan and Malaysia upon Christendom. Exhibited in Notes of Voyages made in 1837, from Canton, in the ship Morrison, and brig Hemalah, under direction of the owners. 2 vols. 12mo, pp. 432. Wiley and Putnam.

In

9. Notes, Critical and Practical, on the Book of Genesia. Designed as a General Help to Biblical Reading and Instruction. By GEORGE BUSH, Prof. of Heb. and Orient. Lit., N. Y. City University. 12mo, pp. 304. In 2 vols. Vol. I. Wiley and Putnam.

10. The Missionary Convention at Jerusalem; or, an Exhibition of the Claims of the World to the Gospel. By the Rev. DAVID ABEEL, Missionary to China. 12mo, pp. 244. Wiley and Putnam.

11. Counsels to a Christian Church, on losing its Pastor. A Farewell Sermon, preached at the Congregational Chapel, Lion-walk, Colchester, on Sunday, March 24th, 1839. By the retiring pastor, HENRY MARCH, author of "Sabbaths at Home," &c. &0. 8vo, Jackson and Walford.-This is a singularly beautiful and pious discourse, and in reading it we could not help exclaiming, "Why is such a pastor as Mr. March driven from his post of

labour?" For our own part, we think the loss of such " a man of God" a real calamity to a Chris

tian church.

12. The Animal Creation; its Claims on our Humanity stated and enforced. By the Rev. Joux STYLES, D.D. Svo, pp. 358. Ward and Co. This is the Essay on Cruelty to Animals, to which Lord Carnarvon, the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel, and Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, awarded the Prize of One Hundred Guineas. It is a very powerful production, which we shall hereafter have occasion to notice.

13. Pulpit Studies; or, Aids to Preaching and Meditation chiefly Narratives and Facts. 12mo, pp. 234. Ward and Co.-Decidedly the best book of the class to which it belongs we have yet seen. If ministers would write so much of their sermons and no more, and make themselves fully masters of their preparations, they would do more service to the church than either the reader of discourses or the memoriter preacher.

PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

1. A Narrative of the Enterprise of the Ship Duf to the South Sea Islands; with an Account of their Discovery, and of the labours of the first Missionaries there: as also of her Second Voyage and capture by Le Grande Buonaparte, with interesting extracts from the journals of the captured Missionaries, illustrative of their extreme privations and sufferings as prisoners of war. With Biographical Sketches of Captain Wilson, Dr. Haweis, and other individuals connected with this important undertaking; together with a History of the Rise and Progress of the Missionary Spirit in England, which led to the formation of the various Missionary societies. By the Rev. JOHN CAMPBELL.

2. In two volumes, 8vo, with a portrait, Memoirs of the Life and Correspondence of Robert Morrison, D.D., F.R.S., M.R.A.S., &c. &c. Compiled by his Widow. To which is appended, besides other interesting documents, A Critical Essay on the Literary Labours of Dr. Morrison. By the Rev. SAMUEL KIDD, Professor of Chinese in the University Col lege.

3. The Rev. W. Davis, of Hastings, is about to publish a second edition of the True Dignity of Human Nature. Revised, corrected, and distri buted into chapters.

4. This day is published, The Destiny of the Bri tish Empire. A Series of Lectures. By the late Rev. WILLIAM THORP, of Bristol. Second Edition.

REV. STEPHEN JOHNSON.

(Concluded from page 184.)

On leaving college he was ordained over the Independent church at Leck, in Staffordshire, where he laboured for some years with success, particularly among the young people. But after much deliberation, with fervent prayer that he might be directed, he resigned his charge in that place. On the first Sabbath in October, 1813, he preached for the first time at Wickhambrook, in Suffolk. It was here that he was united in marriage to the daughter of W. N. Bromley, Esq., of Bansfield Hall, Suf

folk. His heart was formed for domestic enjoyment, and in that circle every feeling of his soul dilated. The rural scenes of the neighbourhood in which he now resided, exactly suited his taste, and through nature his mind seemed raised to the God of nature. In this quiet retreat he often sung"Far from the world, O Lord, I flee, From strife and tumult far, From scenes where Satan wages still His most successful war.

"The calm retreat, the silent shade,

With prayer and praise agree,
And seem by thy sweet bounty made,
For those who follow Thee.'

One, who best knew him, says,
"It

would not become me to speak of the manDer in which he discharged his ministerial duties; but this I must say, his heart was much in his work; that I have had the best means of knowing how earnestly he pleaded with God for his blessing upon his labours, and how affectionately he has borne the cases of his hearers on his heart before God, at a throne of grace. He felt a paternal interest in all that concerned them, he knew how to weep with those who wept, and to rejoice with those who rejoiced. His labours were not confined to Wickhambrook, he was much affected with the state of the villages, most of them at that time destitute of the Gospel; nor did he shrink from personal inconvenience or fatigue, so that he might carry to those perishing for lack of knowledge, the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. In several of these villages, there are now chapels, and in three of them churches have been formed, where his disinterested and affectionate labours are much missed. It was when returning from one of these villages, on a very cold evening, in the close of the year 1836, that he had a seizure resembling a fit, from which time he never appeared so strong and well as before. In the spring of the following year, he visited an afflicted brother, who seemed then drawing near to the close of his ministerial labours. It is affecting to review the interesting seasons then enjoyed together, and to reflect that he, who then seemed in health and vigour, and was endeavouring to console and assist his suffering brother, has been first called to give up his account; while his senior, who had watched over all his course with deep and tender solicitude, survives to mourn his loss, and to anticipate a re-union with him in the presence of their God and Saviour. It was observed, during this visit, that a holy unction, and remarkable sperit of love breathed in all his intercourse and exercises with his friends. His deep interest for the young was evinced on all occasions, and the affectionate efforts made for their early consecration of themselves to God, will never be forgotten. There seemed a growing indifference to the world, and an increasing spirituality of mind, so much so, that a beloved relative who visited him in the succeeding summer, was much struck at it, and said, she " was convinced he was ripening for glory." It was while on a visit to this valued relative, in October, 1837, that the first alarming symptoms were observed, and, on his return home, recourse was obliged to be had to severe medical treatment. The long and painful affliction which followed, gave ample space for the display of those Christian graces, faith and patience, nor did they ever fail. All who were privileged to attend his

sick and dying bed, join in the opinion, that they never witnessed such an instance of patience and resignation to the Divine will, under such severe and protracted suffering: no murmur, no complaint, ever escaped his lips. Much, and often was his mind exercised, and many were the desires he offered for the flock over which he presided. When, from the nature of the disease, his miad occasionally wandered, it was, even then, almost invariably occupied with some scheme of benevolence or piety. During the short interval, when the hope was cherished that he would be restored, he was often engaged in devising fresh plans of usefulness. He used to say sometimes, "If it were the will of God, he could wish to be spared a little longer, to work in his Lord's vineyard, and for the sake of his family, otherwise he should wish to be released from this world of sin and sorrow." He would frequently repeat while undressing,

"How we should scorn these clothes of flesh,
These fetters, and this load,
And long for evening to undress,

That we may rest with God."

On being asked if he felt sick, he replied, "Yes, I am sick of the world-sick of sinsick of unbelief." About ten days before his decease he seemed to think it would be his last day. After speaking in a very solemn and affecting manner to those who were kindly assisting him, he requested that hymn might be read,

'Grace, 'tis a charming sound," &c. and then desired his children to think that hymn over when he was gone, and remember they once had a father who dearly loved them, and who ascribed his salvation to that grace, and to that grace only. He then, in a low, sweet voice, sang the whole hymn. After this, he requested to be read to him from the 20th of Acts, the account of the apostle taking leave of his Christian friends, dwelling on the 32nd verse, and the hymn

"Assist us, Lord, thy name to praise," &c. He then spoke of going to meeting, apparently wishing he could go once more, to take his final leave of the Christian friends there. He had before heard the hymn"Blest be the dear uniting love

That will not let us part," &c.

At another time he spoke much of the dear children in the Sabbath-school, wishing they could kneel around his bed, and repeat their hymns, &c. On one occasion, being lifted into bed, his feet rather slipped, though scarcely able to speak, he whispered, "When said, my feet slipped, thy mercy, O Lord, held me up." Once, when his beloved family were standing around his bed, every moment expecting his departure, he revived a little, and, turning his eye upon them, gently said, "Kind Intercessor!

the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!'" and continued to repeat and enlarge upon other passages on the light of the Gospel. When his medical friend came, and told him, in answer to a question he had put, that he considered him very ill, he said, "You think so: well, you are come to see me launch into the deep:

'Jesus, at thy command, I launch into the deep,' &c.

'Strangers into life we come,

And dying is but going home."

He then spoke of Christ as the only way to the Father, and had a word of encouragement or counsel for all.

In the evening, after speaking of the privilege of prayer, and pressing the question upon some present, if it had been attended to that day, in a low voice, he sweetly poured forth his soul in prayer for his family, his flock, and the children and teachers of the Sabbath-school. When scarcely able to speak he seemed to have the people of his charge much upon his heart, wishing them to be assured of his remembrance of them, and that they should well understand that his hopes were fixed alone upon Christ. He several times repeated, "I have a desire to depart." When in great pain, he was reminded the conflict could not be long,-he would soon be happy, he immediately replied, with much emphasis, "I am happy." The last night he could speak, he raised his feeble arm, saying,—

"Here I raise my Ebenezer.

My grateful soul, on Jordan's shore, Shall raise one grateful pillar more." The last words that could be understood were, "Happy! happy! glorious!

The whole of the last day and night he was unable to speak. His sufferings were very great, but nothing like impatience was manifested. From the turn of his eye, and the gentle pressure of his hand, it was evident he continued perfectly sensible, and his mind happy and composed. Indeed, when asked, if this was the case to raise his hands, he immediately did so, as high as strength would allow. For some time before his departure he lay quite composed, and apparently free from pain; and, with eyes lifted up to heaven, as if in prayer, he gently

7

breathed his life away, on the 29th of March, 1838, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. On the 4th of April the mortal remains of this faithful servant of the Lord Jesus were committed to the tomb. In reference to this affecting scene, it was remarked that not less than seven or eight hundred people were present; and the writer observes that he never witnessed more general or unfeigned grief at an interment. The whole neighbourhood seemed one Bochim-a place of tears. It was then testified how much the faithful pastor was esteemed and beloved, who had laboured among them for twenty-four years. A solemn and impressive oration was delivered by the Rev. C. Dewhurst, and prayer offered by the Rev. M. Slater. The neighbouring ministers testified their respect by bearing the pall on the mournful occasion. A funeral sermon was preached the following Lord's-day, by the Rev. M. Jeula, from 1 Cor. xv. 26, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death," to a deeply interested and affected auditory. Every token of respect was paid to his memory by the people of his charge; and to his mourning widow and children it must prove consoling, under their great loss, to have the sympathy of so many who knew and loved him, whose removal they most deeply feel, but in whose present happiness they rejoice. May they find that support which the God of all consolation can impart, while they anticipate a re-union in that blessed world where there is no more separation !

THE REV. JOHN HALL, OF CHESHAM.

We have heard, with a thrill of anguish, of the death of this eminently devoted servant of Christ. The painful event took place on Thursday the 4th ult. Few men have sustained a higher reputation for piety, prudence, and holy consistency, than the lamented pastor of the Independent church at Chesham. May his bereaved widow and only child find that our God is the husband of the widow, and the Father of the fatherless! And may his flock have wisdom to guide them in their new and trying circumstances !

THE REV. A. DOUGLAS, OF READING.

This venerable servant of the Cross, who has been a great blessing to the county of Berks for the space of forty years, entered into rest in the 76th year of his age, on Tuesday, the 26th March.

LONDON.

LEGACY TO THE MAGAZINE FUND.

It is with great pleasure and thankfulness to the Giver of every good gift, that the Trustees of this Magazine inform their readers, that a legacy has been received, under the will of the late Mrs. Bunn, of Poole in Dorsetshire, who bequeathed the sum of 2007. " to be applied and distributed by the Trustees, in the same manner as the profits arising from the publication and sale of the said Magazine are applied and distributed."

It is hoped that this example will not be without its effect on the minds of those who, in making their testamentary bequests, are desirous of giving a good account of their stewardship. It is hoped that they will not then forget the claims of the widows of those devoted servants of God who were among the most powerful advocates of our great institutions of Christian benevolence.

As the profits arising from the increased circulation of the Magazine will, in some degree, augment the resources devoted to the Widows, nothing is now wanted but the addition of a few liberal legacies to enable the trustees still further to enlarge the scale of their distribution.

MAY MEETINGS.

Is it not a matter generally admitted in private circles, that these meetings, excellent as many of them are, are protracted beyond all reasonable limits-in some instances to the serious injury of health, if not to the actual loss of life? Why not reform this glaring inconsistency in the economy of our societies, by which the real energy of all our public meetings is incalculably impaired? But it may be asked by some one, how is this desirable reform to be effected? Most easily and effectually, if the following suggestions are received and acted upon.

1. Let the Reports read to the meetings, in no case occupy more than twenty miRutes, and let the several committees see to it, beforehand, that the secretaries are tied down to this arrangement. People cannot be expected to be patient in hearing a lengthened Report.

2. Let the resolutions be confined to three, which may embrace all the business

of any society as well as a dozen. This will give six speakers only, instead of ten or twelve by the existing plan.

3. Let every speaker, on being invited to take part in the proceedings of a society, be told distinctly, so as to prevent misconception, that he must not occupy more than twenty minutes in addressing the meeting.

4. Let the Chairman be instructed, as a matter of business, to remind all the speakers, in his opening address, that only twenty minutes will be given to them, and that it will be his province to remind them if they exceed the given limits.

5. By this plan, our meetings may keep up their spirit and energy to the close. They will stand thus:-half an hour to prayer and praise, and the Chairman's opening speech; twenty minutes to the Report ;-two hours to the actual business of the meeting; and ten minutes to the Chairman's closing remarks; making altogether three hours, instead of four or five as by present arrangements.

J. P. S. IN REPLY TO BETA.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-A few sentences will be all that I request, in relation to Beta's second letter.

I shall think myself well compensated for his sarcasms, if any should be induced to the reading of Mr. Mark Wilks's Narrative of Clementina Cuvier. She died on

September 28th, 1827. The account to which I referred was in the Evangelical Magazine; but, to my great regret, I cannot find it, from an unhappy deficiency in the indexes. A most interesting Memoir of that admirable young Christian is in the Archives du Christianisme, for January, 1828.

Beta refers me to "the highest scientific authority, the National Institute of France, which, in 1804, enumerated eighty of these theories." I have carefully examined all the volumes (I. to XIII., from 1800 to 1812) of the "Mémoires de l'Institut National: -Sciences Mathématiques et Physiques :" but I can discover no memoir, report, or statement whatsoever, upon this subject. I shall esteem it a favour if Beta will give me a reference to his authority. Baron Cuvier (in his "Theory of the Earth," translated by Professor Jameson, fifth edition, pp. 44, 45) recites six or seven theo

ries, of which some are grossly romantic and absurd; and adds, "We might mention twenty other systems, as different from one another as those here enumerated." I conceive that he used the word twenty, not intending mathematical strictness, but merely to denote a considerable number. Whoever may have laid down eighty must, I apprehend, have included the old dreams of cosmogony; but which it would be absurd to reckon among Geological theories.

As Beta says so much about Cuvier, I ask attention to the following passage; though I am obliged to cite it from Mr. Gisborne's "Considerations on Modern Theories of Geology," p. 14, not having the means of consulting his reference.

"It would certainly be exceedingly satisfactory to have the fossil organic productions arranged in chronological order in the same manner as we now have the principal mineral substances. By this . . . . man, to whom only a short space of time is allotted upon the earth, would have the glory of restoring the history of thousands of ages which preceded the existence of the race."

All the rest I am content to leave to the judgment of impartial readers.

April 11, 1839.

THE LATE STORMS.

J. P. S.

Accustomed to bestow some notice on passing events, as far as those events seem calculated to suggest salutary instruction regarding any of the momentous truths of religion, we cannot omit alluding to the painful calamities which have taken place, both on the sea and on the land, during the last few months. In the south and the north, in the east and the west, storms have lately raged almost unexampled in severity, and in many instances very fatal in their consequences. In August and October last two steam-vessels were lost, on the coast of Northumberland, under peculiarly distressing circumstances. The one of them, the Forfarshire, was literally dashed to pieces, and the greater number of the passengers and crew perished. The other, the Northern Yacht, disappeared in a most mysterious manner, and to this day no authentic intelligence has ever been obtained regarding her fate, though there can be no doubt that she went to the bottom, and that every living being on board met a watery grave. Fatal shipwrecks have subsequently taken place on different parts both of the eastern and western coast. The most mournful, however, of all the casualties which we have now to deplore, took place in the beginning of January, when we

.

were visited with a hurricane, not unlike those which often occur in the western hemisphere. We cannot pretend to state with accuracy all the consequences of this dreadful storm. Suffice it to say, that in almost every part of the north and west of England, and in all parts of Ireland, it raged with fearful violence, and that an immense sacrifice of human life was the consequence.

Who can doubt that in such events the voice of God may be heard?

"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm."

And many a solemn and salutary lesson does he suggest to us by those dispensations of Providence, which regarded at first we are apt to consider as "evil, only evil," but which, when properly contemplated, are found to be among the all things which work together for good.

The dependence of man on God is one of the most obvious of the truths which are now inculcated upon us. Owing to the discoveries and improvements of modern science, the idea of our entire superiority to the elements seems to have gone abroad, and trusting to our own skill, we have been too prone to conclude that we could bid defiance to storms and tempests. Alas! how convincingly have we been shown the utter folly of such notions. Happy is the man to whom it can be said, "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in."

The necessity of preparation for sudden, death is also urged upon us. It is affecting indeed to think of one human being, and it is more affecting still to think of many human beings, called at once from time to eternity-hurried in a moment to the bar of God. We know that to the saints of the Most High, sudden death is immediate bliss. But even if they could realise the fact that they are standing on the very verge of eternity, they would doubtless be peculiarly impressed and instructed by that fact, Of the great majority of those who in this sudden and awful manner are called to the judgment-seat of Christ, it is to be feared that we have too much occasion to conclude that they are driven away in their wickedness." Dreadful thought!

May the apostolic admonition be powerfully impressed on the hearts of men, leading them to consider their latter end, and inducing them to seek an interest in the precious blood of Him who died that we might live." Go to now, ye that say, Today or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not