priesthood, or a regularly ordained ministry, but by an enlightened, well-ordered, and all-embracing system of lay agency. And into the character and merits of such a system they enter at great length, and with great discrimination, exposing the prejudices which have hitherto opposed its general adoption, suggesting safeguards against the evils to which it is liable, and developing its capabilities to meet at once the utmost exigencies of our hitherto neglected population, and to raise our churches to the high standing and splendid attainments of primitive times. So full of enlightened and comprehensive views, indeed, are these volumes, expressed in the earnestness of truth and the freshness of heartfelt conviction, that we conceive ourselves not to be too sanguine in expecting from them results of the bappiest and most extended description. The merits of both the works, in a literary point of view, are by no means inconsiderable. Dr. Matheson's Essay is, perhaps, the more chaste and tasteful in style; Jethro's is the more eloquent, impassioned, and earnest; the one writes with the patient calmness, which bespeaks a nature not given to excitement, or distinguished by imagination; the other writes with an emotion which bespeaks the throbbing pulse and burning thoughts; his style is distinguished frequently by a living and magnificent redundancy so as to be at the utmost possible distance from the cold, measured, and rounded Johnsonian diction, which is so foreign to all genuine feeling and good writing as a specimen of this, we refer our readers to the eloquent and glowing appeal, at the close of the volume, addressed to Congregational churches, on the duty of avowing and defending their principles. We trust that no recommendation will be necessary to induce our pastors and churches, to make these volumes their text-books in all their plans for benefiting our home population, and giving a fresh impulse to religion in our congregations. They are eminently fitted for this purpose by the affecting and striking details which they contain, and the enlightened and comprehensive plans of operation which they recommend. : CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP; or, the Church Member's Guide. By JOHN ANGELL JAMES. Ninth and enlarged edition. 12mo, pp. 238. Hamilton, Adams, and Co. The YOUNG MAN from HOME. By JOHN ANGELL JAMES. 18mo, pp. 152. Tract Society. THE first of these publications has been many years before the public, and has ob tained a wide circulation both in this country and America. Few, we believe, have candidly perused the volume, without deriving benefit from it. It contains a very faithful exhibition of scriptural truth on the subject to which it is professedly devoted; and is replete with counsels eminently adapted to strengthen and mature the graces of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all true believers. As it discusses the entire subject of Christian fellowship, it is a work claiming the particular attention of all who unite themselves with God's people in a public profession of their faith. It enters at large into the nature of a Christian church, unfolds the divine intentions in reference to Christian fellowship, exhibits the privileges of those who are members of Christ's church, and urges the several duties arising out of union to the church, both personal and relative. Besides these, it treats of a number of subjects, closely connected with the general theme of the volume: such as, church power; the supposed democracy of Congregational churches; the validity of the Dissenting ministry; the mode of conducting church meetings; the admission of members; discipline; the removal of members from one church to another in the same town; the persons entitled to vote in the election of a pastor; the conduct to be pursued by churches in choosing their ministers; the causes of schism; and prayermeetings. All these topics are examined by our author in the simple light of scripture, with much clearness of statement, great candour and frankness, and eminent piety and devotion. In its present enlarged and corrected form, the work contains almost all that a professing Christian needs to know on the grand subjects of his relation to Christ and his church. In the preface to the present edition, Mr. James has very properly rebuked those disingenuous critics, who have availed themselves most uncandidly of his honest avowal of the imperfections of Congregational churches, for the purpose of levelling a deadly blow at the system of nonconformity itself. The very circumstance which should have entitled Mr. James to the credit of stern honesty, has been bandied about in church publications, as a proof of the utter inconsistency and worthlessness of dissenting churches. Had Mr. James described nonconforming churches as without spot and blameless, he would have represented a state of things which we do not find existing in the societies of which we read in the New Testament, and would have too much imitated a large class of churchmen, who speak of their truly apostolic church, as they are wont to call her, as the beau ideal of all perfection. Mr. James has ably defended Congregationalism from the unfair attacks made upon it through his medium, and has shown the broad line of demarcation which exists between the evils which spring from a wrong system, and those which, under any system, arise from the corrupt bias of the human heart. The advice which he tenders in his preface to pious Dissenters is eminently judicious and seasonable. It resolves itself into seven distinct branches. 1. While they rejoice and give God thanks, as they should, and as he believes they do, for the increase of truly evangelical and pious ministers in the Church of England; for the multiplication of places of worship, built for them by voluntary contributions; and for the consequent increase of true piety, as the result of their devoted and successful labours; they are still to remember, that this in no sense affects the question concerning the propriety of religious establishments. 2. They are ever to bear in recollection, that the question at issue between the Church of England and Dissenters, is mainly a religious and not a political one, and should be discussed by them, in a religious, rather than in a political spirit. 3. They should study the subject of ecclesiastical polity, with its collateral topics, afresh. 4. They should continue to maintain and cultivate a spirit of charity towards those from whom they conscientiously separate, and by whom they are so virulently reviled, and so shamefully misrepresented. 5. They should ever continue to show a disposition to co-operate with the pious part of the Church of England in all matters which belong to our common Protestantism and Christianity, and where union without compromise can be effected. 6. They must endeavour to keep up the spirit of vital piety, and attachment to scriptural sentiment. 7. They must, with the healthful spirit of pure piety, unite an intelligent, liberal, ardent zeal for the extension of their denomination. These several topics are fully and forcibly illustrated, and well deserve the attention of Congregational pastors and churches. The second work, entitled "The Young Man from Home," we firmly believe will be a blessing to thousands. It supplies a desideratum, even in this age of productive literature. The very conception of the work is ingenious, and its details are replete with interesting appeals to the class at whose benefit it aims. It consists of thirteen chapters on the following subjects:The time of a young man's leaving home always a critical period; the sources of danger to young men away from home; the same subject continued; the progressive manner and successive steps by which young men are led astray; the danger of young men away from home, proved and illustrated by two examples; dangers of a minor kind to which young men away from home are exposed; the means of safety for young men away from home; religion considered as a preservative from sin; religion considered as leading to comfort and happiness; religion viewed as a means of promoting the temporal interest of its possessor; religion considered as a means of usefulness; religion considered as a preparation for superintending a home of their own upon earth, and for going to an eternal home in heaven; several classes of young men especially addressed-the tra veller by sea or land-the orphan-the pious youth-and the prodigal. In the last chapter occurs a striking narrative of the sad effects of youthful depravity and the casting off of parental restraint. As it cannot fail to interest our readers, we select it as a fair specimen of the pathetic manner in which the volume at large is written: "The motives," observes Mr. James, "which lead young men to sea are rarely laudable, and often criminal, as the following fact will prove : “Two young men, the children of pious and wealthy parents, felt themselves erceedingly displeased at being constantly refused the family carriage on the Lord's day. It was in vain they urged their confinement during the week, as a sufficient reason why they should be thus indulged on the Sunday. It was the father's settled rule, that the authority which commanded him to rest included also his servants and cattle; he therefore turned a deaf ear to their entreaties and remonstrances. In their mad. ness or in their folly, they determined to resent this refusal, by leaving their situations and going to sea. Intelligence of this step was transmitted to the Rev. John Griffin, of Portsea, and he was requested to make diligent inquiry, and on finding them to use every possible means to induce them to return home. After some search he found them in a rendezvous house, and introducing himself, he stated his business, and urged their return. He, however, urged in vain; for, bent upon the fulfilment of their design, they thanked him for his advice, but determined to reject it. Among other reasons for their return, he urged the feelings of their parents, and especially those of their mother. "Think," said the good man, “what must your mother's situ ation be, after years of anxious watching and fervent prayer; after looking forward to this time, when in your society and in your welfare she hoped to meet a rich reward for all that she had suffered on your account: yet in one moment, and by one imprudent step, she finds you plunged into misery, the depths of which you cannot conceive of, and herself the subject of a wretchedness she has never deserved at your hands." In the heart of the youngest there was a sense of gratitude, which answered to this appeal; and bursting into tears, he expressed his sorrow for his conduct, and his willingness to return. Still, the eldest remained obdurate. Neither arguments persuaded him, nor warnings alarmed him. The carriage had been repeatedly refused; he had made up his mind to go to sea, and to sea he would go. "Then," said Mr. Griffin, "come with me to my house; I will get you a ship, and you shall go out as a man and a gentleman." This he declined, assigning as a reason, that it would make his parents feel, to have it said that their son was gone as a common sailor; as a common sailor, therefore, he would go. "Is that your disposition?" was the reply. "Then, young man, go," said Mr. Griffin, "and while I say, God go with you, be sure your sin will find you out, and for it God will bring you into judgment." With reluctance, they left him; the younger son was restored to his parents, while all traces of the elder one were lost, and he was mourned for, as one dead. After the lapse of a considerable time, a loud knocking was heard at Mr. Griffin's door. This was early in the morning. On the servant's going down to open the door, she found a waterman, who wished immediately to see her master. Mr. Griffin soon appeared, and was informed that a young man under sentence of death, and about to be executed on board one of the ships in the harbour, had expressed an earnest desire to see him, urging, among other reasons, he could not die happy unless he did. A short time found the minister of religion on board the ship, when the prisoner, manacled and guarded, was introduced to him, to whom he said, "My poor friend, I feel for your condition, but as I am a stranger to you, may I ask why you have sent for me? it may be that you have heard me preach at Portsea." "Never, sir. Do you not know me?" "I do not." "Do you not remember the two young men whom you, some years since, urged to return to their parents, and to their duty?" "I do! I do remember it; and remember that you were one of them." "I have sent, then, for you to take my last farewell of you in this world, and to bless you for your efforts to restore me to a sense of my duty. Would God that I had taken your advice; but it is now too late. My sin has found me out, VOL. XVII. and for it God has brought me into judgment. One, and but one consolation remains; I refused the offer of going to your house until I could be provided for, assigning as a reason, that it would make my parents feel to have it said their son was a common sailor. A little reflection showed me the cruelty of this determination; I assumed another name, under which I entered myself; and my chief consolation is, that I shall die unpitied and unknown." case. What the feelings of Mr. Griffin were at this sad discovery may be more easily conceived than described. He spent some time with him in prayer, and offered him that advice which was best suited to his unhappy The prisoner was again placed in confinement, and Mr. Griffin remained with the officer who was then on duty. "Can nothing be done for this poor young man?" was one of the first inquiries made after the prisoner was withdrawn. "I fear not," replied the officer; "the lords of the admiralty have determined to make an example of the first offender in this particular crime. He unfortunately is that offender; and we hourly expect the warrant for his execution." Mr. Griffin determined to go immediately to London, and, in humble dependence upon the Lord, to make every effort to save the criminal's life, or to obtain a commutation of the sentence. It was his lot, on the day of his arrival in the metropolis, to obtain an interview with one of the lords of the admiralty, to whom he stated the respectability of the young man's connexion, his bitter and unfeigned regret for the crime which had forfeited his life; and, with that earnestness which the value of life is calculated to excite, ventured to ask, if it was impossible to spare him. To his regret, he was informed that the warrant for his execution had been that morning signed, and was on its way to the officer whose melancholy duty it was to see it executed. With compassion the nobleman said, "Go back, sir, and prepare him for the worst. I cannot tell what is to be done; but we are shortly to meet his Majesty in council, and all that you have urged shall be then stated; may it prove successful." Mr. Griffin returned, but discovered that the morning of his reaching home was the time appointed for the young man's execution. Joy, and fear, and anxiety, by turns, possessed his mind, as, within a few minutes after his arrival, came a pardon, accompanied with the most earnest request to go immediately on board, lest the sentence of the law should be executed before he could reach the ship. Upon the issues of a moment now rested the life of a fellow-creature, and perhaps the salvation of an immortal soul. The minister reached the harbour, and saw the 2 U yellow flag, the signal of death, flying, the rigging manned, and, for aught he knew to the contrary, the object of his solicitude at the last moment of his mortal existence. He reached the ship's side, and saw an aged man leaving it, whose sighs, and groans, and tears, proclaimed a heart bursting with grief, and a soul deeper in misery than the depth of the waters he was upon. It was the prisoner's father! Under the assumed name, he had discovered his wretched son, and had been to take his last farewell of him. Yes, it was the father who had brought him up in the fear of the Lord; who in his earliest days had led him to the house of God; and who, when lost, had often inquired in prayer, "Lord, where is my child?" Fearfully was he answered; he had found him, but it was to part, never in this world to meet again. Such, at least, must have been his conclusions in that moment, when, having torn himself from the embrace of his son, he was in the act of leaving the ship. The rest is told in a few words with Mr. Griffin he re-entered the vessel at the moment when the prisoner, pinioned for execution, was advancing towards the fatal spot, when he was to be summoned into the presence of God. A moment found him in the embrace, not of death, but of his father; his immediate liberation followed the knowledge of his pardon; and a few days restored the wanderer to the bosom of his family." ANTIPOPOPRIESTIAN; or, an attempt to liberate and purify Christianity from Popery, Politikirkality, and Priestrule. By JOHN ROGERS. Popery. 8vo. Pp. 374. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. We should regard it as little short of a calamity to the interests of truth, were the very formidable title of this volume to operate as a hindrance to its extensive circulation. Strange as it may, at first sight, appear to be, we are disposed to think that, upon examination, it will be found to be etymologically correct and appropriate. But whatever judgment may be formed of a name consisting of seventeen letters, and forming an entirely new coinage of the author's own, we beg to assure our readers, that the work itself is one of the most original, elaborate, searching, and conclusive exposures of Romanism that has seen the light in modern times. It is hopeless, perhaps, to suppose that Catholics will read it; but this we will say that an unprejudiced Catholic could scarcely rise from its perusal the dupe of Romish superstition. But the value of the work, at the present juncture, as a weapon in the hands of Pro testants, is great beyond what we can well express. Those who will determine to surmount the prejudice which certain features pertaining to Mr. Rogers's style may possibly create, will soon find that they are holding converse with a mind of the first order, and that Rome in his hands is tossed about upon the horns of a thousand dilemmas. The author possesses great powers of logical discrimination, and knows how to select the weak point in his antagonist's argument, and to bear down upon him with almost annihilating force. There is, moreover, nothing prolix, nothing verbose, nothing weak or trifling in Mr. Rogers's mode of attack. He opens a broadside in every instance, at once, upon the enemy, and trusts the victory to great principles rather than to minute and feeble details. He uses very strong language indeed in portraying the horrible abominstions of Popery; but as he speaks not politically, we like his honest and uncompromising denunciations of "the man of sin," who is "the son of perdition." Those who wish to see a thorough dissection of Popery, in all its hideous deformity, as the direct antagonist of the gospel, and the inveterate enemy of human kind, will find in Mr. Rogers's work a mental feast equally refreshing and invigorating. What will Papists do with this book? We predict that they will either pass it by in dignified silence, or misrepresent all its arguments and details by that jesuitical sophistry for which their best writers are shamefully notorious. If Mr. Rogers is spared, we cannot help thinking, from this specimen of his pen, that he is destined to be the troubler of Rome. We trust he will watch Dr. Wiseman and the Dublin Review, and make them feel his withering touch. He is fit to grapple with them, and he should know it, and not shrink from the task, at a time when Popery is stalking abroad in the land with a boldness and an effrontery unknown of late years in Great Britain. The FATHERS and FOUNDERS of the LoxDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY, &c. By JOHN MORISON, D.D. 8vo. Parts 6, 7, and 8. Fisher, Son, and Co. Eight numbers of this valuable and delightful work have now appeared, and we regret to add, there remain only two more to conduct it to its termination. Its more recent numbers, in all respects, support the estimate which we formed of it at the first. The historical notice of the several Protestant missions is replete with interest; it presents a popular and comprehensive view of all the great missionary institutions and of their precursors in the field which they occupy; it brings together, in a condensed form, a mass of important information not always accessible to the general reader, and at the same time refreshing to those whose sources of intelligence are more extensive; and it is written with a spirit of genuine Christian philanthropy, so free from sectarianism and partizanship, that it might seem as if the mantle of the very fathers and founders of the society had descended on their biographer. If we were to select any one of the memoirs contained in these numbers as most peculiarly deserving of notice, it would be that of Dr. Waugh. It is a production which none could have written but one who fully understood and appreciated the character which he drew. The lives of Dr. Love, and Mr. Burder, are also in the author's happiest style, and like those of Dr. Haweis, Mr. Hill, Mr. Roby, and Mr. Parsons, abound with interest. When the work is completed it will supply a great desideratum in the history of missions, and will claim a place in the libraries of all who love to cherish the memory and trace the proceedings of those =who contributed to the establishment of those institutions which constitute the true strength and real glory of our land. The The seventh number is embellished with a beautiful engraving of Mr. Hardcastle, the first treasurer of the society. original portrait was painted by Etty, when Mr. Hardcastle was enfeebled by paralysis a short time before his death, but the painter, who reckons it one of his finest productions, has contrived to throw into it much of that sweet serenity which beamed in his every look, and amidst his sinking energies continued, even to the last hour of his mortal existence, to light up a countenance, in which intelligence and acuteness of perception were finely blended with all that was most amiable and benevolent in feeling. X. This is not a book of mere amusement; but a solid and instructive companion to the reading of the Holy Bible. It is a valuable condensation of all that modern travellers have produced in illustration of that particular kind of evidence which the face of nature and the monuments of antiquity supply of the truth of Scripture. The work is carefully and well written, and will be particularly acceptable to the young. Every page breathes a spirit of devout reverence for the word of God, and evinces more than ordinary talent for the illustration of history, geography, and prophetic The engravings and maps announcements. are numerous and well executed. EXTRACTS from HOLY WRIT and various AUTHORS, intended as HELPS to MEDITATION and PRAYER, principally for SOLDIERS and SEAMEN. By Captain Sir NESBIT J. WILLOUGHBY, R.N., K.C.H., 8vo. pp. 198. J. H. Coe, Old Change. This volume, we doubt not, agreeably to the prayer and aim of the excellent compiler, will be a great blessing to soldiers and sailors, for whose more immediate benefit it has been written, and is now in a process of gratuitous circulation. The extracts from Scripture are judiciously selected; and the quotations from even uninspired authors are in general pungent and striking, much calculated to leave a salutary impression upon those whose stock of books may be scanty, and whose leisure for reading may be much interfered with by the pressure of other engagements. The worthy knight has well employed the evening of his days in compiling this pious and useful work. |