4. Medical Portrait Gallery. Biographical Memoirs of the most celebrated Physicians, Surgeons, &c. &c., who have contributed to the advancement of medical science. By THOMAS JOSEPH PETTIGREW, F.R.S., F.A.S., F.L.S., &c., &c. Vol. I., imperial 8vo. Fisher, Son, and Co.-This volume is extremely well written, and will be highly instructive to many beyond the limits of the profession for which it is more immediately intended.

5. The Works of the Rev. John Berridge, A.M., late Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge, Vicar of Everton, Bedfordshire, and Chaplain to the Right Honourable the Earl of Buchan. With an enlarged Memoir of his Life, numerous Letters, Anecdotes, Outlines of Sermons, and Observations on Passages of Scripture, and his original Zion's Songs. By the Rev. RICHARD WHITTINGHAM, Vicar of Potten, Bedfordshire. Svo, pp. 508. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

6. Queen Esther's Solicitude for her Kindred; an Argument in Support of the British and Foreign Temperance Society. Delivered in London in the form of a Lecture, first on Nov. 8th, and again, by request, Nov. 16th. By SAMUEL BLAIR. 32mo. Hodson, 112, Fleet-street.-This is a very powerful tract, well worthy the attention of all who are striving for the reformation of society, in the matter of the use of intoxicating liquors."

7. Panorama des Enfans. La Morale, La Religion, La Science, et les Arts, mis a La Portee des Enfans. Par M. L. DE TOURREIL, Auteur de plusieurs ouvrages l'education, collaborateur du

Dictionnaire de la Conversation, et Membre de l'Institut Historique. 12mo. Fisher, Son, and Co. This little volume, beautifully embellished, will be a very suitable present to young people learning the French language.

8. The Little Picture Bible and Testament. By ISABELLA CHILD. 2 vols. Tilt, Fleet-street.With their numerous illustrations of Bible History, these two beautiful little volumes will be useful to children, from five to ten years of age.

9. The Christian Almanack for the Year 1839, being the Third after Leap Year. Also, The Tract Society's Penny Almanack for 1839. Tract Society. -These almanacks are most useful to the public; and we believe them to be very accurate.

10. An Encyclopædia of Geography, Comprising a complete Description of the Earth, Physical, Statistical, Civil, and Political; exhibiting its relation to the heavenly bodies, its physical structure, the natural history of each country, and the industry, commerce, political institutions, and civil and social state of all nations. By HUGH MURRAY, F.R.S. E., assisted by the following gentlemen in their re spective departments of science: Astronomical and Mathematical Geography, William Wallace, A.M., F.R.S.E., Professor of Mathematics in the University of Edinburgh; Geology and the Distribution of Minerals, Robert Jameson, F.R.S. E., Regius Professor of Natural History, Lecturer on Mineralogy, &c., in the University of Edinburgh; Botany and Distribution of Plants, Sir W. J. Hooker, LL. D., F.R.A., L.S., Regius Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow; Zoology and the Distribution of Animals, William Swainson, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. &c. Illustrated by eighty-two Maps, drawn by Sidney Hall, and upwards of one thousand other Engravings on Wood, by R. Brauston, from drawings by Swainson, T. Landseer, Sowerby, Shutt, &c., representing the most remarkable objects of nature or art, in every region of the globe. In 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 1,568. Longman and Co.-This work, which we shall have occasion to notice in our next, is one of the most valuable compendiums of knowledge, on the subject to which it relates, in the English Language.

11. The Child's Own Book for 1838. The profits to be devoted to Sunday-school objects. Sundayschool Society. 32mo. A very good Sunday-school reward book.

LONDON.

ON THE INCREASED CIRCULATION OF THE EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

Permit me to inform you that our esteemed pastor and minister, the Rev. H. L. Adams, has brought before his church and congregation the subject to which your circular, addressed to ministers, referred. And, on Thursday evening, the 22nd inst., preached a sermon from the words suggested in such circular, and showed in the most clear and forcible manner the identity there existed between that of the text and

The

the extended circulation of the Evangelical Magazine, by reason of its profits being devoted to the noble purpose of relieving the distressed and bereaved widows and orphans of those ministers who have been called from their labours, in connexion with the church on earth, to the reward associated with the church in heaven. powerful appeal, I am happy to inform you, was not made in vain, as many have already intimated their intention of taking (at the commencement of the new year) this very cheap and highly interesting periodical. The superintendent and teachers of the Sabbath-schools in connexion with the Independent chapel have determined to take thirty copies a month. Hoping, there

fore, that this noble example will stimulate others to do likewise, I venture to send you this statement.

I ought to inform you that the Evangelical Magazine will, I have no doubt, be read by many in the surrounding villages, where, until very lately, such a work has been totally unkown; and I trust, that ere another year has passed away, instead of there being only twelve or fourteen copies circulated in Newark and neighbourhood, there will be at least as many hundreds. I am, dear Sir,

DEAR MR. EDITOR,-There are several kinds of prosperity in the church of God: 1. There is the addition of converts: 2. There is the progress of piety in believers:

3. There is consecration of young disciples to the public service of the sanctuary: 4. There is the multiplication of splendid offerings on the altar of benevolence.

It is the third of these that I am going to mention, for there never were so many young men offering themselves for Missionary service as at the present time.

The Rev. J. Angel James, in one of his powerful speeches at Exeter Hall, in 1836, made the great assembly thrill by the following sentence :

"Come the day when he should go to the Mission-house, and see fifty missionaries saying,Send us,' and hear the Directors reply 'Gentlemen, we have no funds, you must go back; the church does not feel it necessary to employ you!' This scene should become the text of a thousand sermons; it should make the subject of a thousand speeches; it should thrill through the country, it should awaken and kindle a burning eloquence, that would, if no other means could be found, melt down the plate off their sideboards, draw the gold chains from the necks of the ladies, the brooches on their bosoms, and the rings,-all but the dear, sacred pledge of connubial lovefrom their fingers, and bring all into the treasury of the Lord!"

Now, Sir, that day is come. We have a hundred instead of fifty, who are all on tip-toe, waiting to be received by the London Missionary Society, but we cannot receive them for want of funds; and yet, Sir, the plate stands on the sideboards not melted down-aye, and the gold chains and the necklaces, &c. are put where they were, and we do not want them, no!-there are

many other ways and means in order to do the work. But perhaps you are unbelieving, and are ready to say, "Is it really true that there are so many young missionary candidates as you state?" Oh yes. It is true; and let the following letter bear witness:

"MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,—I am instructed by the Board of Directors most respectfully to decline, for the present, your application. The Society has such an unexampled number of applicants, that the Directors have resolved to select those which are the most eligible for their service, in which the age of the individual, his standing in religion, and his education, are taken into account. Among the applicants are several men of education, senior students in our academies, ministers engaged in the work, or ready to go forth; and in the present state of our funds, there being an excess of 6,0007. or 7,000l. in the expenditure over the contributions, such must be preferred to those who require an education entirely.

It is well, my dear young friend, that it is in your heart thus to serve God; but it appears that you are only about twenty years old, and of but limited education, and therefore I am charged by the Board to recommend you to endeavour, by some means or other, to have your education advanced; and if at the expiration of one or two years, you still find your heart burning with missionary zeal, and should renew the application, the Directors will most assuredly pay to it their best attention. We have, at this time, forty-two approved accepted candidates, in a course of preparation, and several more in correspondence, so that in the present state of our funds, are obliged prudently to pause and consider. I shall be happy to hear from you, and believe me, ever yours,

we

26th July, 1838.

JOHN ARUNDel.

This letter was given to me by a youth with tearful eyes. He was weeping, yes, weeping, because he was kept back. I read this letter to a public meeting at Bath, and I should like to show it to the whole ransomed church of God. But what is to be done? Just what dear Mr. James said would be the case-it must become the text of one thousand sermons-the subject of one thousand speeches, which should thrill through the country, and kindle a burning eloquence; and whose voice would be heard with more pleasure than Mr. James's, and who would be more likely to do the work than Mr. James? We want him-and men like-minded and like-gifted; and we must have them. Oh, who will help? I propose to the consideration of ministers,

that one thousand sermons be preached on this subject during the month of January, and remain, your very obliged servant, RICHARD KNILL.

PROVINCIAL.

RE-OPENING OF INDEPENDENT CHAPEL,

ROCHFORD, ESSEX.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28th, 1838, the above place of worship, after having undergone a very considerable enlargement, was re-opened for divine service, when three sermons were preached. That in the morning, by the Rev. Alexander Fletcher, of Finsbury Chapel, London, from Haggai ii. 9. That in the afternoon, by the Rev. Robert Burls, of Maldon, from Acts ii. 37. And that in the evening, by the Rev. Edward Parsons, of Bow, from 1 Cor. x. 33. The following ministers took parts in the services of the day:-Rev. Messrs. J. Thornton, of Billericay; J. Pilkington, of Rayleigh; G. Garrington, of Burnham; J. Norton, of Maldon; R. Fletcher, of Southend; J. Jacob, of Wakering; and E. Temple, minister of the place. The ground on which the enlargement is carried out, was the generous gift of Miss Lambirth, daughter-in-law of the Rev. Alexander Fletcher. The expenses incurred by the enlargement amount to 6001., towards which 3507. were received previously to the day of re-opening. The amount of collections and extra contributions, during the day, was 1077. leaving only 1437. to be defrayed.

MOUNT ZION CHAPEL, SHEFFIELD.

This place of worship having, by exchange and purchase, been secured for the use of the greatly augmented congregation of the Rev. John Thorpe, was re-opened on Wednesday the 21st of November; and on the following Lord's-day, sermons were preached by the Rev. Drs. Raffles, of Liverpool, and Harris of Cheshunt; the Rev. R. S. Bayley, F.A.S., of Sheffield; and the Rev. W. M. Bunting, (Wesleyan,) of Manchester. The congregations were very large, and the collections, exclusive of nearly 7007. subscribed privately, amounted to 2711. 148. 11d. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the Rev. James Boden, the Rev. Francis Dixon, (Mr. Thorpe's predecessor at Lee Croft chapel,) the Rev. T. Smith, A. M.; and the Rev. Mr. Speakman. All the Congregational ministers in Sheffield and around favoured us to generosity. Mr. Thorpe's friends dined together in the school-room adjoining the

chapel, on Wednesday. Mr. Thorpe presided, and addresses were delivered by the Chairman, the Rev. Drs. Raffles and Harris, Bayley, M'Lean, (Wesleyan,) Allein, (New Connexion,) W. H. Stowell, (Theological Tutor of Rotherham College,) Dixon; and James Montgomery, Esq. On Wednesday evening, a social meeting was held in the Music Hall, when the Rev. J. Thorpe again presided; and the meeting was addressed by the Chairman; and by the Rev. Dr. Harris, W. H. Stowell, W. M. Bunting, C. Larom and D. Rees, (Baptists,) and other ministers.

All the meetings were deeply interesting, and will be long remembered.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,-As the beneficence of the Christian public may be reasonably claimed, in the cause of evangelical instruction, when local efforts have been carried to their utmost extent; I beg permission to insert the subjoined appeal in your impulse-giving Magazine, and with the assurance, that could I but adequately describe the pious devotedness of the worthy individuals who from Sabbath to Sabbath, and in every kind of weather, leave the sacred retirement of their houses for the sake of instructing the poor children of "Sutty's Village" in the knowledge of Christ, I am convinced the small sum required to complete the good work would not be implored in vain; and I know, dear Sir, you will not deem it a trouble to receive any contributions for that purpose.

An Appeal on behalf of the Poor Children of Sutty's Village, near Tunbridge Wells.

The village so named, situate on the borders of Krant Forest, contains about two hundred inhabitants, who are at a considerable distance from any place of public worship, and, until lately, have been destitute of any Sunday-school or other means of religious instruction. During the last fourteen months, a few benevolent persons in Tunbridge-Wells have, with exemplary piety and diligence, succeeded in establishing a Sunday-school there, and have already nearly sixty children under a course of religious instruction in the afternoon of every Lord's day. Hitherto the children have been taught in the room of a cottage hired for the purpose, but which is so small and inconvenient as to endanger the health both of the children and the teachers. It is now proposed to build a commodious room, which may not only serve for the Sunday

school, but may be let during the week as a day-school; and may likewise be occasionally employed for the preaching of the Gospel to the villagers. The cost of the building, with the needful fitting-up, is estimated at £60-of which one-half has been already, by great exertion, collected at TunbridgeWells. The erection will commence as soon as the deficient thirty pounds can be obtained. The building to be placed in trust. The Rev. B. Slight, and Thomas H. Burder, M.D., of Tunbridge-Wells, will also gladly receive any sums that may be transmitted for this good work.

OPEN AIR PREACHING, IN SOUTH DEVON. DEAR SIR,-As the diffusion of the Gospel among our village population is what every Christian must desire, I make no apology for addressing you on the subject.

At the annual meeting of the ministers and delegates constituting the South Devon Congregational Union, in July last, the spiritual destitution of the rural districts was brought under consideration. We have already, in connexion with the Union, four Home Missionaries, who supply religious instruction to a considerable number of villages. But there are yet extensive portions of the county in which the Gospel is never heard. It was thought, therefore, by the brethren and friends assembled, that some extraordinary efforts should be made to meet the necessities of the case, and a resolution was unanimously agreed to, recommending the plan of open air preaching, in the hope that, under the Divine blessing, the evil deplored may be, at least, partially removed. Several of the brethren at once arranged to carry the plan into execution; different districts were assigned to them, and we confidently trust that if we are spared until our next annual meeting, we shall be able to report, that the Gospel has been faithfully proclaimed, at least once, in nearly every village and hamlet in the south of Devon !

Many of us began our interesting labours almost immediately. As some truly Christian people regard such movements with timidity, if not with jealousy, I have thought it not undesirable to send you a brief account of my own proceedings, as a proof that the plan of preaching in destitute places in the open air is not more practicable and delightful to ministers, than acceptable to the people they may visit. The method adopted by my brethren and myself has been, to send a few small handbills to the village or place which we intended visiting, announcing, that in the afternoon or evening, (as the case might be,) a sermon would be preached in the open air, and speeifying the name and residence of the

preacher. Within the space of three weeks, I had the pleasure of thus preaching the Gospel of Christ in ten different places; employing for the purpose those evenings of the week which were not occupied by my regular engagements at home. I generally had the company of some of my friends to aid in the singing; and our reception everywhere was most cheering. On the 1st of August, I preached in two very small hamlets (about a mile or two apart) in the evening. At W, a little after five o'clock, on account of the rain coming on, I was invited to occupy a large school-room where about sixty persons assembled, and attentively heard the Saviour's invitation, in Matt. ii. 28. Thence I hastened to C, where, at seven o'clock, I preached again from Psalm cxliii. 2, to nearly a hundred people, under the shade of a large tree. Such was the interest apparently felt by the audience, that only one individual moved away before the service closed, although it was actually raining during the whole time! They stood, some with umbrellas, and others sheltered by the tree, eagerly listening to the words of eternal life, in a place where, I believe, the Gospel had never been preached before. On the 7th of August, I went to H-, (a village about two or three miles distant from the town in which I reside,) and there I preached at five o'clock, to nearly one hundred and fifty people, from Ezek. xxxiii. 4, 5. As soon as the service closed, I proceeded (many of the people accompanying me,) to H Ford, about a mile further, where, from Heb. vii. 25, I addressed an audience of quite three hundred. Here, too, persons from several other villages in the neighbourhood begged and intreated that I would soon come, and in like manner preach to them. What could I do but promise that, if life were spared to me, I would? The next evening, Aug. 8th, I went to S, (four miles distant,) where I addressed about a hundred and fifty people, taking as my text the prophet's inquiry, "Is there no balm in Gilead?" &c., Jer. viii. 22. On the 10th, I preached at D-, (about six miles distant,) a village in awful spiritual darkness. There, although the people are wicked almost to a proverb, being devoted to vulgar and debasing sports, I was received in the kindest manner, and listened to most attentively by more than a hundred and twenty individuals, notwithstanding the rain, which descended all the time. I next preached at North H—, a hamlet whose inhabitants are similarly dark and degraded, on the 14th of August, to an audience of eighty persons, from Zech. ix. part of 12th verse. On the evening of the 15th, in company with several of my friends, I went to R, (about five miles off,) where we experienced peculiar gratification.

About two hundred and fifty persons listened, apparently with intense interest, while I proclaimed the glad tidings of mercy from Acts xiii. 38. One circumstance deserves to be recorded. After the service we were informed, that when the notices of our visit were distributed in the morning, some of the "sons of Belial" in the place resolved to oppose us, vowing, in an awful manner, that I should not be allowed to preach. They arranged, therefore, to create a disturbance, and drive us out of the village; some pledging themselves to come with fiddles, some with drums, and some to play at skittles, wherever we might attempt to carry on the service. How it was occasioned I cannot tell; but not the shadow of opposition presented itself to us! On my arrival at the spot, finding persons already waiting, (some of them respectable farmers who had come a distance of two, three, and four miles,) I proceeded to some elevated steps, one of my friends gave out a suitable hymn, the people joined in the singing as if with heart and soul, and throughout the entire service, evinced that fixed attention, which led me confidently to hope that, by the Divine blessing, the word spoken would not be in vain. On the 17th, I went to BP, (about a mile and a half distant,) where I had an audience of a hundred, although the place contains only a few scattered houses. The 21st of August saw me at T-, where, although the husbandmen had begun to be busy with the harvest, I had a congregation, most attentive and grateful, of about a hundred. Here, however, on account of the harvest, I was compelled, for the present season, (and I believe my brethren too,) to suspend these operations. We propose, if life be continued to us, resuming them next spring, on a much more extensive scale.

I confess, Sir, I cannot review the engagements just specified without feeling peculiar pleasure. How delightful to have had the opportunity, by the above plan, of preaching the Cross of Christ in ten villages, in about seven of which the glad tidings of Redeeming love are scarcely, if ever, proclaimed at all! In these ten villages and hamlets, during my visits, between 1400 and 1500 immortal souls heard "words whereby" they may be "saved!" In nearly all these places, too, we distributed large numbers of tracts. Everywhere the people were delighted at our coming, and entreated (most of them) with the utmost earnestness that we would come again. Not a single insult was offered to us; not an improper word was uttered! On the contrary, in many of the places the gratitude of the people was unbounded: and I cannot but hope that the best results will follow.

Did your valuable space permit, I could relate many additional circumstances connected with my "Open Air Preaching" excursions, which would be peculiarly gratifying and encouraging; and I doubt not that several of my esteemed brethren could do the same. Enough, I trust, has been said, however, in the account I have given, to show the value of such efforts.

I rejoice that some other associations of ministers and churches have adopted the plan. It is my sincere prayer that it may have universal adoption; as I am firmly convinced, that it is not more scriptural in its sanctions, than adapted in its influence, to promote (by the Holy Spirit's blessing) the good of souls, and the glory of the Lord.

I remain, Dear Sir,
Yours respectfully,

ON MINISTERIAL EDUCATION.

It is gratifying to behold, among the many other improvements of the present day, the increasing solicitude of Christians for a well-educated ministry.

That the existing system of education for Dissenting ministers is very defective (notwithstanding its undoubted improvement of late) admits of no doubt; but there is much hope for still greater amendment, when the tutors of our colleges are not averse, but favourable, to prudent alterations.

I cordially rejoice, therefore, in the article which appeared in your November number, signed

"A Tutor ;" and fully agree with him that some decided changes are needed to prevent us from falling behind the demand and the spirit of the times. I do not, however, so entirely approve of the plan of reform which he proposes as I concur in his object. It is not so much my intention to find fault with his proposition in this communication, as, with all humility, to explain a scheme which, I think, would better answer our common purpose. I may still remark that, although his plan is better than the present in the main, it can only mitigate existing evils, but will not remove the bad principles