find ample explanation in his ready and neverfailing philosophy. He allows no sanctification of the vessel for the Master's use, and no interposition of the Master's hand to fashion it to his own design, and to apply it, so fashioned, as the instrument of his own purpose. With him the instrument is all-it is selfmotive and self-efficient. This would be consistent enough, if Mr. Southey considered religion an opinion, and a ceremonial. I do him the justice to allow, that there are passages in his work which embody higker conceptions of its nature. He allows that, by the preaching of Mr. Wesley, 'drunkards were reclaimed, sinners were converted, the penitent, who came in despair, were sent away with the full assurance of joy; the dead sleep of indifference was broken; and oftentimes his eloquence reached the hard brute heart, and opening it, like the rock of Horeb, made way for the living spring of piety which had been pent within. I will not make a man an offender for a word,' nor stop now to show, that eloquence was not adequate to produce such effects, and that the spring of piety, pent in the hard brute heart, is rather a poetick imagining, than a truth of experience. It is enough, that Mr. Southey allows, this passage, a change in the hearts of men, produced by the preaching of a zealous and holy minister of Christ, a change, as he elsewhere expresses it, in the habits and moral nature of the proselytes.' But in all this, divine agency is not allowed. Mr. Southey has bis collection of causes under command, and, at the given signal, they fail not to place themselves at the head of every remarkable result of this kind, and to assert an exclusive claim to its origination." p. 33 -35. great and persevering efforts in doing good, can escape this charge. Every virtue which shines in the conduct of men, devoted to their Saviour and his religion, must be darkened by the same shadow; and every holy feeling, which glows in their hearts, be considered as deriving its warmth, rather from the artificial fermentation of earthly principles, than from the fire of the altar." pp. 54-55. We forbear to make further extracts, because we think the author extremely unjust and uncandid. Let any one of our readers compare the expressions of Mr. Southey, as they occur in his work, with the distorted and garbled form in which they appear in this review, and it will be at once seen, how much of the art of a controversialist is The author asserts there exhibited. that the doctrines of methodism are the doctrines of the church of England; and he is guilty of that common errour in disputants of begging the quesBecause the tion at the very outset. church teaches the doctrine of justification by faith only, therefore she teaches it in the sense in which the methodists choose to understand the terms. Because she speaks, continually, of the necessity of being renewed by the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, therefore she teaches the doctrine of the methodists. her writers often speak of that assurance of faith, which the pious Christian enjoys, when the Spirit of God beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God, therefore they meant, by these expressions, exactly what Whitefield and Wesley meant. In this way it is certainly very easy to prove any thing. The justifying faith of Mr. Wesley, to use his own words, is a sure trust and confidence in God that through the merits of Christ the sins of the particular individual are forgiven, and who has this faith, he reconciled to the favour of God. It is that faith which no one can have without knowing that he hath it, though many imagine they have it, who have Whosoever hath this faith it not. Because "The charges of enthusiasm, which our author fixes upon certain irregularities which appeared in the early part of methodism, and which now occasionally appear, shall be presently examined. With respect to these circumstances, a rule less severe is to be applied to the remarks of the author. There are considerations, connected with them, with which he can scarcely be supposed to be familiar; and considerable allowance may, and ought to be made for his opinions, though even here he has not always argued so fairly as his own principles, defective as they are, would have warranted. But no such concession is to be made, when he resolves into enthusiasm, all those hallowed feelings of zeal for God, and tender compassion for man, which shone so conspicuously in the great instruments of the revival of religion in this country in the last century. If Mr. Southey be correct, then I know not what man, in any church, distinguished by more than ordinary ardour of religious sentiment, and for is freed from sin; the whole body of 66 sin is destroyed in him; he is freed from fear, having peace with God through Christ, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God; and he is freed from doubt, having the love of God shed abroad in his heart, through the Holy Ghost which is given unto him, which 'Spirit itself beareth witness with his spirit,' that he is the child of God." This freedom from sin, and fear, and doubt; this perfect confidence, in the mind of each individual, that he is accepted with God, is what the methodists mean by justifying faith; and assuming this to be the faith spoken of in the scriptures, and in the articles of the church of England, the author of the work before us maintains, that Mr. Southey not only does not possess it himself, but that he is at war with the church of which he professes to be a sound and orthodox member, and is in fact an unbeliever. To enlarge upon this head would lead us into an investigation of the distinctive tenets of methodism, for which we have neither space nor inclination. We shall, therefore, exhibit only a few extracts, which will at once show our readers to what we object. "I am one of many witnesses of this matter of fact, that God does very frequently (give the divine call) during a representation (how made I know not, but not to the outward eye) of Christ, either hanging on the cross, or standing on the right hand of God." Wesley as cited by Hampson, vol. ii. p. 55. "I saw the fountain opened in his side we have often seen Jesus Christ crucified, and evidently set forth before us." Bishop Lavington, vol. i. "Be51. ing in the utmost agony of mind, there was clearly represented to him Jesus Christ pleading for him with God the Father, and gaining a free pardon for him." Coke's Life of Wesley, p. 329. "A young man, as he was going to receive the sacrament, had God the Father come to him, but he did not stay with him but God the Son did stay, who came holding his cross in his hands." p. Jour Mr. Wesley's Letters, published by Dr. Priestley, p. 70. "I myself have been a witness to the Holy Ghost falling upon Mr. Whitefield and his hearers, oftener than once. Gillies' Life of Whitefield, p. 94. Those who expe. rienced " the pangs of the new birth," fell to the ground, like persons struck by lightning, and lay grovelling in unspeakable agonies, till they suddenly sprung up full of joy, and possessed with the assurance of salvation. nals passim. Sometimes they were seized with horrid fits of involuntary laughter, "sometimes screaming out that they were damned, and, grinding their teeth, they longed to tear their preacher to pieces, and thus made their meeting-house resemble the habitation of apostate spirits." There were occasions on which they asserted that the blood of Christ ran down their arms and throats; or that it was poured like warm water on their breasts and hearts." Hampson's Life of Wesley, vol. ii. p. 70. 74. "I dwell in Christ, and Christ in me; he frequently manifests himself in such a manner, that it throws me into an agony." Whitefield. Lett. 229. See bishop Lavington's Enthusiasm of Methodists and Papists compared. passim. And Nott's Bampton Lectures, p. 241 to 254. Mr. Watson admits, that "certain irregularities appeared in the early part of methodism," and that they appear now, "occasionally," p. 54; and again, that "too great an encouragement to noise and clamour" has " occasionally” been given "in their religious meetings," and "too much stress" has been laid not but excite, in every serious and sober mind, the most painful sensations. We happen to have lying before us a letter, from a respectable physician in the state of Illinois, of as recent a date as the twenty-fourth of last October, in which he gives the following narrative of the state of religion in that quarter. With regard to the religion and morals of the inhabitants, nothing favourable can be said. I did not think that any part of our happy country was so destitute of men who had any regard for these important subjects. All, who belong to any sect, are either presbyterians or methodists. The presbyterians have nearly the same notions, and resemble the Calvinistick congregationalists of New England. The methodists are more superstitious than any people I ever before saw. I attended a meeting on the sabbath; but the wild and frantick actions of these poor deluded people, excited in my breast the strongest emotions of pity and disgust. During the sermon, many females, particularly those possessed of a sympathetick or nervous temperament, were affected with the genuine hysteria. Others were thrown into convulsions, or affected with what is here called "the jerks," involuntarily throwing their heads backwards and forwards, with so much rapidity, that no feature of their countenance, nor even the figure of their head, could be distinguished; and they are often so much exercised by the Spirit,' as they term it, on these occasions, as to labour under bodily indisposition for a considerable length of time afterwards. Many, who are apt to be affected with the jerks' sometimes abstain from publick worship, so great is the pain accompanying these convulsions. When any persons are exercised by the Spirit,' they are generally affected in the But all are not exercised' in the same way. Some dance and leap about the floor, and at length they commence whirling upon their heels, until they fall, as if dead, upon same manner. the floor, often bruising their heads and faces. And the hair of the females, thus affected, which was before put up in the smoothest manner, now points in ten thousand directions; and the cambrick gowns, which, before, were as white as snow, are now covered with the dust which has been collected from the floor. Others have the laughing exercise.' They are affected with an involuntary laughter, so loud as to drown the stentorian voice of the preacher, who occasionally stops in his discourse, to offer thanks to the supreme Being for the special influence of the Holy Spirit,' which is then demonstrated among his pious hearers." We need hardly ask whether this looks like the religion of the scriptures, or like the sobermindedness displayed in all the devotional services of the church. The effects attributed by Messrs. Wesley and Whitefield, and their followers, to the operations of the Holy Spirit, Mr. Southey has chosen to resolve rather into a morbid excitement of the mind, operating upon a partial derangement of the animal functions. The question between them is not conceruing the truth or falsehood of alleged facts, but concerning the motives of agents, and the causes of actions. The parties, therefore, are completely *The following remarks, in continuation, on the state of religion, not being connected with the subject of methodism, could not with propriety be inserted above; but we think them too important to be omitted. "There is not a single congregational or presbyterian minister settled in the state! There is one presbyterian missionary, who receives a small compensation from the Connecticut missionary society; but even he thinks of soon removing from the state. The people of New England contribute their money to support the gospel among the distant inhabitants of Asia; while fifty thousand people, in the single state of Illinois, are wholly destitute of the preached word.". What a field is here opened for the exertions of Christ will refuse to contribute, as God of the benevolent; and what zealous disciple hath blessed his store, to extend to his brethren the privileges which he himself enjoys! Refuse t' uphold ye, at that hour of dread, The blood of God shall drag ye down to nought; And, though created deathless, ye would end. Translated from the original German of The all-eternal ceas'd: And wond'ring Klopstock. (Continued from p. 99.) Eloa rose, Walk'd pensive forward long, and then re- Close by the golden pillars, stand reveal'd Of powerful winds are opened; and I see clasp'd Their guiltless hands th' immortals. God look'd down Where Eloa stood. The seraph saw, and read The words upon Jehovah's front depict, Children of holiness, long chosen just, And crown'd with blessing; each one to par- Rejoice ye spirits, heaven's Sire is here, take The joys of immortality: 'Tis like The books of the world's judgment. Like That standards of embattled seraphs cause, Earth's just Creator! Urim! how enwrapp'd, Sits armed for the guilty. Lo a blast The first, the last, the all-compassionate; Yon distant mysteries had spoke themselves, Seraphs, begin the endless strain to chant; 2 Race after race shall greet you in their turn, But now depart, ye angels of the Highest, Now mouldering into dust, and ripe to ascend That he, who God and man is, doth spring forth Anew to life immortal. Hasten all : From every circle there shall ye behold The far-spread nature teem with newer charms; For God hath sworn, that when the finish'd course Of the now passing century hath revolv'd, And heaven's bright Son, will mightier deeds perform. Haste ye to tell his creatures, a new day RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTICK. On Sunday the twenty-fourth of March, the right reverend the bishop of the eastern diocese, administered the apostolick rite of confirmation, at St. Paul's church, in the afternoon, to twenty-one persons; and at Christ church, in the evening, to eight. Missionary Meeting at Boston. On Monday evening, the fourth of February last, a meeting of the friends of the church, of both sexes, was held at the Marlboro' hotel, in this town, for the purpose of taking measures to enable the Massachusetts episcopal missionary society to go promptly into vigorous operation. The meeting was called at the request of that society, and, although the weather was somewhat unfavourable, it was well attended. After some discussion of the subject, votes were passed expressive of the importance of the object in the opinion of those present. It was also voted that a subscription be opened to obtain funds for the society, and to request each church in the state to form an auxiliary society; and likewise to invite the churches in Laine to unite with us. Committees were appointed to carry these votes into effect. On the eleventh of March, an adjourned meeting was held, at the same place, when the subject was further discussed. At each meeting, papers were circulated, and a little more than four hundred dollars, annually, were subscribed. Further subscriptions have since been obtained by the committee, the amount of which we are not able at present to state. General Missionary Society. The board of directors of the domestick and foreign missionary society of the protestant episcopal church in the United States of America, have, at a late meeting, passed the following resolution: "That the reverend Jackson Kemper, reverend Benjamin Allen, and Richard Dale, esquire, be a committee to ascertain the most important stations, to which our attention can be directed for missionary purposes, and make report at the annual meeting, May 23,] for the consideration of the board; and likewise to inquire for missionaries, and report the names of those they may deem fit for that office." In compliance with this resolution, the committee abovementioned solicit communications upon every subject connected with the objects of the society. They wish to ascertain, what are the states, territories, or vicinities, which demand the earliest attention of the board; what prospect there may be of the practicability of establishing a mission among the aborigines of this country; and what clergymen, or candidates for holy orders, are willing to devote themselves to missionary labours. With regard to those who may be disposed to become missionaries, they require satisfactory testimony respecting their qualifications; and with respect to the stations to which their attention should be directed, they request to be informed of the number of those who profess to belong to the church-their ability to support a clergyman-their desire to be supplied with the ordinances of the gospel-the probable num |