quences sinfulness-and cure, are all touched upon with much learning, piety, and effect.

We give one or two specimens of the author's style of enforcing his sentiments. In the preface we have the following very pertinent remarks:

"The close of the last century and the early part of the present, were marked by the pouring out of awful' vials' of slaughter and desolation on the Roman earth. Events, such as had previously been wont to occur, singly, at the intervals of ages, became only so many scenes, rapidly succeeding each other, in one stupendous political drama, of a quarter of a centurytill a great part of Europe was bestrewed with the wrecks of ancient thrones, and those which were not overthrown, were made to vibrate to their foundations; so that the hearts of all men' failed them for fear.' Those days are, happily, past; and no general European war has since stood in the way of social improvements. Our own beloved country, among other nations, soon began to benefit by the merciful cessation of that appalling storm. It cannot be doubted that much progress has been made during the last twenty years, in respect to all the great elements on which human happiness permanently depends. Religion, especially, has been a gainer; and, at this moment, unprecedented efforts are made to cause it to penetrate into all the recesses of society.

"But it is deeply to be regretted, that the visible unity of Christians, as such, independently of their distinguishing peculiarities, is far from having made satisfactory progress. Of late years, especially, the breach between members of the Established Church and Dissenters, has evidently widened. The clashing claims made by these parties, have been brought more into actual collision than heretofore. The revival, too, of the doctrine of 'Apostolical Descent' in the Church of England, has tended to give to the mutually alienated feelings, on both sides, the stability of principle. The same cause has also produced a new schism within the Establishment itself. It is evident that the lamentable wounds under which Christianity is suffering from the discord and dissensions of its professors, cannot be effectually healed, but by a devout recurrence to first principles. Ecclesiastical history, properly estimated, no doubt has its use; but the final, and only authoritative appeal, must be to the law and to the testimony' of Scripture. This the author has sought to consult, not in the spirit of a partisan, but as an inquirer after truth. How far he may have succeeded, must be left with others to determine."

Dr. Hoppus has made admirable use of the fact, that God has blessed, at home and abroad, the labours of all evangelical Christians, to teach them charity, and forbearance, and love, one toward another.

"And must," he says, (p. 416, under the head,Disguises of Schism,') "the treasure of the Gospel lose its power to enrich the world, if it be not deposited in the vessels of our sanctuary! If God is no respecter of persons,' is he, then, a respecter of denominations? Has he not poured contempt on sectarian bigotry, by the blessing he has vouchsafed to the efforts of the various divisions of the professing church? Those whom you, perhaps, would exclude from Christian communion; or whom you, looking down from your airy castle of apostolical succession, and beguiled by your gorgeous visions of spiritual dominion and sacramental grace, of which apostles never conceived-would solemnly consign, by millions, to a forlorn peradventure of salvation, if not to 'eternal wrath,' as 'schismatics' from your church; while God is showing that, so far from being schismatics from his, they are actually receiving their share in the first-fruits of the great promise to the Christian Zion! The abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee; the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee:' 'I will make thee an eternal excellency, the joy of many genera

tions.'

"The diligent study of the history of Christian missions, might prove of no slight benefit towards the cure of an exclusive spirit; especially to those who say, that the fact of apostolic succession is too notorious to require proof,' (Tracts for the Times, No. VII., p. 2.) An argument of sovereign efficacy, if it be allowed that 'ignorance is bliss;' but of little avail, where it is not thought folly to be wise.' In the missionary registers, however, which contain facts that may now safely be admitted as too notorious' to need further 'proof,' we have what might be termed the second book of the Acts of the Apostles;' and a greater claim to apostolic honours might be founded on these records, than all the notorious' traditions of Rome. For, as he is a Jew, who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart;' so he is a real successor of the apostles, who has imbibed their spirit and followed their steps -as Milton describes the primitive bishop, 'unreverenced, unlorded:—with brotherly equality, matchless temperance, frequent fasting, incessant prayer and preaching, continual watchings, and labours in his ministry.' Such was a Schwartz, the apostle of the East,'-an Elliott, or a Brainerd, the apostles of the American Indians.' Such have been many missionaries: and

such are some whom death has not yet given to history; and long may he withhold their names! Have not the literary labours and self-denial of a Carey and a Morrison, moreover, left a legacy of blessing to millions yet unborn, in India and in China; though no episcopal commission ever authorized them to be divines?

"Let us unlearn the lesson of bigotry and exclusiveness, by perusing what God has done, in conferring the marks of his approbation on the missions of Moravians, Congregationalists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Wesleyans, both of Britain and America; as well as on those of Christians on the Continent of Europe. Let us learn the notorious fact,' that God has poured down showers of blessings beyond the limits of the little parterre which we have planted. Let Greenland and Africa -the Indies, East and West-the South Seas and New Zealand-let the world bear witness."

This is, to say the least of it, powerful writing; and the Essay teems with such passages. In company with Dr. Harris's incomparable essay, this volume will, we doubt not, be a great blessing to the church of Christ.

We anticipate for this volume a large measure of success. The subject of it has an imperishable hold of the public mind; and the esteemed biographer has put forth one of his very best efforts. If he has too much undervalued all former lives of Bunyan, which we rather incline to think he has done, there can be no doubt that, in point of real information, he has left them very far in the rear. "On both sides of the Atlantic," Mr. P. informs us, "he had a circle of readers, large enough for his ambition, and upon whom he could calculate, if his researches were successful. They have been so, beyond even his most sanguine expectations. He discovered much that was unknown and unnoticed hitherto, as well as much to enlarge and illustrate what is best known in the history of Bunyan." Such are the author's views of his own labours; and we really believe they will be found, on the whole, to be well sustained.

The heads of the chapters will afford a tolerably accurate idea of the course which our author has taken in order to set the character of Bunyan fully before the minds

of his readers. They are as follow:-Bunyan's boyhood-Bunyan in the army-Marriage-First reformation-Second reformation-Conversion-Conflicts-Counsellors -Relapses-Temptations-Revivals-Bunyan and Luther-Satan and angels-Bunyan's crisis-Baptism-Sick-bed-Call to the ministry-Bunyan and the QuakersExample-Ministerial position - ArrestTrial-Defence-Second wife-Bunyan and the Prayer-book-Favourite sermon-Bunyan's thunderbolts - Anecdotes-Jailor Bunyan and the Baptists-Prison thoughts -Amusements-Moral philosophy-WitConceits- Bunyan's church persecutedPastoral letters-Calvinism-Unitarianism -Catholicity-Bunyan's release- Calumnies Pastorship Bibliography - Last days-Traditions and relics of BunyanBunyan's genius.

We may truly say, after having carefully read every one of these chapters, that there is not one of them destitute of deep interest. There is a vivacity and a realization about the entire volume highly creditable to the diligence, taste, and discrimination of the author.

As a specimen of the style of the work we select the following from chap. xv., on Bunyan's baptism.

"The reader need not fear to go through this chapter. It will not touch the baptismal controversy; but merely bring out Bunyan's opinion and spirit, in a light they have never been placed before. Ivimey explains Bunyan's studied silence, in both The Pilgrim' and 'Grace Abounding,' on the subject of his baptism, by saying, that he made no allusion to the event,' because the constitution of the church at Bedford did not consider baptism by immersion, upon a personal profession of faith, as an essential requisite for communion at the Lord's table.' This is true; but it is not half the truth. He did not consider baptism as even an initiatory ordinance. He reckoned himself as a believer, to have been put to death, buried, and raised again, with Christ, representatively; and thus his having a right to Church membership, before he was baptised. This was his cardinal point; and it astounded as well as offended those of the water-baptism way,' as he calls them. They saw the meaning of Paul's doctrine of representation chiefly, if not only, in baptism. Bunyan saw it chiefly in the Lord's supper, because that plunged him deepest into fellowship with the sufferings and death of Christ. *** No one, surely, can regret that he was baptised by immersion! That was just the mode calculated to impress him, practised as it usually was then in rivers. He felt the sublimity of the whole scene at the Ouse, as well as its solemnity. Gifford's eye may

have realized nothing on the occasion, but the meaning of the ordinance; but Bunyan saw Jordan in the lilied Ouse, and John the Baptist in the holy minister, and almost the dove in the passing birds; whilst the sun-struck waters flashed around and over him, as if the Shechinah had descended upon him. For let it not be thought that he was indifferent about his baptism, because he was indignant against strict Baptists, and laid more stress upon the doctrines it taught than upon its symbolic significancy. He loved immersion although he hated the close communion of the Baptist churches. The fact is, and I mention it with more than complacency, he always looked back upon this voluntary act of obedience to Christ, just as those do upon parental dedication, who, like myself, have the high and hallowed consciousness, that we could not, by any personal submission to baptism now, exceed, in faith or devotion, the intense solicitude of a holy mother, or the solemn faith of a godly father, who with united hands and hearts baptized us into the 'one body' of the church of their 'God and our God.'"

We cannot close our brief notice of this deeply interesting biography of one of the most remarkable men that our country ever produced without cordially thanking the author for the successful effort which he has made to bring forth fully to public view, all that is valuable in his private and public history.

The PRIVILEGE of SANCTIFIED POVERTY. A Sermon, occasioned by the Death of Thomas Cranfield, a poor but laborious Servant of Jesus Christ, who departed this life, November 27, 1838. By JAMES SHERMAN, Surrey Chapel.

The text is most happily chosen. The sermon contains the most heart-stirring appeals to Christians to labour for Christ. The memoir which accompanies it is one of the most interesting of its kind we have read, and the price is very cheap.

COUNSELS to a YOUNG MINISTER, in relation to his Studies, Preaching, and Pastoral Duties: being the Enlargement of a Discourse delivered at the recognition of the Rev. PERCY STRUTT, to the Pastoral Charge of Gloucester-street Meeting, Liverpool, October 17, 1838. By the Rev. J. LEIFCHILD, D.D. Published by request. 18mo. pp. 66.

Thomas Ward and Co.

Whatever Mr. Leifchild commits to the press is always eminently fitted to sustain his well-earned reputation. Our readers must not undervalue the volume before us,

because of its limited size; for it is indeed a multum in parvo. To young ministers it will indeed be a valuable boon. The suggestions it contains on personal piety, sound knowledge, general character and deportment, are pointed and striking; and the hints on preaching and pastoral visitation, are about the best we have ever read on the same subject. If every young minister would possess his mind and heart of the contents of this little volume, it would be of immense service to him in his future ministry. Next month we hope to furnish some extracts, in our Essay department, from this invaluable compendium.

We are at a loss to determine which of these three works is most deserving of public patronage. They are all of them deeply interesting, both as specimens of art, and literary and historical monuments.

Switzerland will be examined with delight, by all who can estimate the sublime and beautiful in nature, or who take pleasure in those moral associations which connect themselves with the mountains and lakes, the cities and towns, the towers and castles, of a land where the struggle for truth and freedom has been maintained with a bravery and determination never to be forgotten in the annals of time.

The Waldenses may be regarded as a valuable addition to our means of acquaintance with a race of men of whom the world was not worthy. While we cast our eyes over the rugged steeps, the frowning precipices, the dark caverns-here so admirably dilineated-where for ages the persecuted servants of God sought shelter from the bloodthirsty designs of cruel and apostate Rome, we feel our hearts stirred with unutterable emotions.

able. With pictorial illustrations eminent for their skill and adaptation,—a commentary long established in the public confidence, and a concordance written on a new and improved principle, it is offered to families at the moderate sum of two pounds ten shillings. As a present to a newly-married couple, just entering on the responsibilities of domestic life, it may prove the means of extensive good to generations yet unborn.

PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

1. Pentecostal Christianity, by the Rev. T. W. JENKYN, Author of the "Extent of the Atonement, &c., and "On the Union of the Holy Spirit and the Church in the Conversion of the World."

2. In one handsome volume, 8vo, British India; in its relation to the Decline of Hindooism and the Progress of Christianity: containing remarks on the Manners, Customs, and Literature of the People; on the Effects which Idolatry has produced on their civil, moral, and political relations; on the obstacles which Christianity has to surmount; on the progress of Religion in former and present times; on the support which the British government has given to their superstitions; and on education and the English language, as the medium through which it should be given. By the Rev. W. CAMPBELL, Missionary to India.

EXTRACT FROM A SERMON Preached in St. Andrew's Church, Bombay, May 22nd, 1836, on the occasion of the Death of Major Miller, Judge Advocate General, Bombay Army. By the Rev. John Stevenson.

[From the "Oriental Christian Spectator," for July, 1836.]

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope," &c. 1 Thess. iv. 13-18.

It is worthy of remark, that sorrow for departed friends in every religion, with the exception of the Christian, has either been too much encouraged, or altogether prohibited. In the religions intended for mankind in general, grief has been allowed to take its full course, and even hired mourners called in to increase the gloom by their lugubrious strains. In the systems intended for more refined and philosophic spirits, all mourning has been forbidden, and the weeping relatives of departed friends commanded to dry up their tears, and consider pain and pleasure, prosperity and adversity as one and the same thing. Christianity steers a middle course. The Bible informs us that Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus. The apostle in our text permits us to mourn, but enjoins us not to mourn as those who have no hope.

I. But what is this hope inspired by Christianity which moderates our grief for departed friends? This is the subject to which, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, we are now to direct your attention.

1. Christianity moderates our grief for departed Christian friends, by giving us the assurance that they immediately enter into a state of bliss.

2. Christianity moderates our grief, by the hope of the glorious resurrection of those who have died in the Lord.

3. The Scriptures further console us, in regard to departed friends, by placing before our minds hopes of an eternity of blessedness to be enjoyed in the new heaven and the new earth, in the society of all the family of God.

II. But we must briefly advert to the character of those for whom this happiness is prepared.

&c.

1. They are believers in Jesus Christ,

2. They abound in all the duties of holiness, &c.

Day after day calls on us to mourn over one and another of those who have mingled with us, engaged along with us in all the busy scenes of life, and met with us in the house of prayer. Since we last assembled, intelligence has reached us of the removal by death of one, who but two weeks pre

viously had united here with us in our sacred worship in perfect health; in which state he continued to all appearance, till the morning on which he was attacked by a fatal disease, of which, in two days afterwards, he died.

How forcibly then ought the remark to be impressed on all our minds, which he made to a friend a few days before he was attacked; when speaking of the many who had been removed by death who were once their associates, saying "who knows which of us may be the next to follow!" Happily for him, he had learnt to depend on Jesus alone for salvation, to renounce all dependence on his own merits, and to build all his hopes of happiness on that sure foundation, which the Son of God has laid in his obedience and sufferings. Possessing powers of mind of no ordinary sort, as all who knew him can testify, he had learnt to distrust all human reasonings when opposed to the Divine reason which is revealed to us in the sacred Scriptures; and to know, that in the things of religion, the highest reason is to sit as a little child at the feet of Jesus, and receive his word; nor was he ashamed to avow his belief in the speedy fulfilment of the promise of the Lord in regard to that grand restitution of things mentioned in our text, notwithstanding the taunting question of the scoffer:"Where is the promise of his coming; for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the foundation of the world?" Though precluded, from the nature of his disease, from giving any audible expression to his hope in his last illness, he gave in other ways distinct intimation, when questioned, that his confidence was simply placed on his Redeemer and God. But he had not left the things of salvation, and the expression of his hopes to a deathbed. He had lived a life of faith in the Son of God, maintained the worship of God in bis family, and daily studied his Bible as the best preparative for all the important duties of his station. To "fervency of spirit" he added" diligence in business," actively and zealously performing all the duties of his profession, remembering that our life on earth is short, that it is emphatically denominated, in Scripture, "a hand-breadth, or a span," and that therefore we must work with diligence while it is called to-day, seeing "the night so soon cometh when no man can work."

Let it then, my Christian friends, be our aim to glorify God while we live, and to be followers of those who, through faith and patience, have gone to inherit the promises, &c.

From the regard which we entertained

for the high worth of Major Miller, and especially for his sincere and consistent attachment to the cause of the Redeemer, and the Christian graces by which he was distinguished, we have peculiar pleasure in laying the preceding sketch before our readers. The following Regimental Order shows that, while that highly respected officer "feared God," he also, in strict harmony with right principle, "honoured the king," and most faithfully discharged his public duties.

ARTILLERY HEAD QUARTERS, BOMBAY,
May 18th, 1836.

Regimental Order by Lieutenant-Colonel
Griffith.

"The Commandant, with sincere grief, announces the decease of Major William Miller, at Mahabuleshwar, on the 14th instant.

"Although a public order is perhaps not the most fit or usual vehicle of conveying the expression of private feelings, the Commandant cannot, on this mournful occasion, deny himself the melancholy satisfaction of recording his sense of the loss which the regiment in particular, and the service at large, has suffered by the sudden removal of one of their brightest ornaments.

"To professional talent of the highest order, Major Miller united a zeal which no difficulty could weary; and though latterly, by his appointment to a high office on the general staff of the army he was removed from immediate connexion with his regiment, his interest in it continued. The name of Miller is so intimately blended with the history of the Bombay Artillery, during the last twenty-five years, that it is vain to seek for any particular period of that term on which to dwell. His splendid abilities were always devoted to the best interests of the corps which he so conspicuously adorned; while his highly honourable and amiable disposition secured him the affectionate esteem of all who were associated with him in private life. Many officers have individually to mourn the loss of a sincere and attached friend. All must deplore the event which has deprived the regiment, and the service, of so much public worth.

"The Commandant feels assured that the officers will join him in expressing their united sorrow, by wearing crape mourning on the left arm for a period of one month from the receipt of this order.

(Signed) "W. M. COGHLAN. "Captain Brigade Major Artillery." Major Miller was a native of Edinburgh, and came to India as a Cadet of Artillery, in 1811. He died in his 43rd year.