1145 Review-Eternal Punishment. 1146 particular term, such as election, redemption, grace, faith, or hope, happens to be found in them. Such an arrangement of terms wears a formidable aspect towards the unlearned, among their polemical adversaries. The more non-existence. Archimedes could not heave the world, unless he could find a fulcrum on which to rest his lever; but our metaphysical theorists have contrived to annihilate all existences, and, by the friction of their logical milstones, they have ground us to non-considerate, however, will smile at entities. Whether the human soul be any thing more than the result of mere organization; whether it be a substance physically capable of subsistence distinct from the body; whether it be an accident or a quality of matter; or a something superadded, the author has not informed us; neither can we gather from his book, whether it possess the properties of matter, or whether it may or may not be ranked among the entities of being; and even admitting it to exist under any modification whatever, we are at a loss to know whether its existence be positive or negative. Of one point, however, the author appears to be fully confident; namely, that immortality is the result of spiritual regeneration; but the simple possibility that moral influence may produce a physical change in the essence of this substance, or accident, or result of organization, is a point which the children of credulity are invited to receive without inquiry or examination. If the author can only establish his credit with the public, there can be no doubt that he will make many converts. To a person who has no conception of the author's theory, some parts of his preface will appear rather obscure, but to those who are acquainted with it, it will appear in perfect accordance with his book. The abstract of the contents runs through nearly thirteen pages, and nearly as much information may be gathered from the perusal of this syllabus, as from that of the volume itself. It cannot, however, be denied, that the author has made copious appeals to the book of God; but nearly ninetenths of the passages he has quoted, have no more connection with the subject in hand, than if he had cited the first chapter of Genesis, or the last of the Revelation. Some writers have been accused of taking a commonplace book, and of inserting passage after passage, mentioning chapter and verse, to show that the scriptures are strongly in their favour, because some No. 34.-VOL. III. these petty artifices, and ask, For what purpose is such a mighty phalanx marshalled? We do not, however, intend to. insinuate that this method has been adopted by our author. He has the happy art of accomplishing his purposes without using such dexterity. He quotes chapter after chapter, and book after book, to prove that the doctrine which he opposes is not mentioned in the passages he has introduced. If he had pursued this method with spirit, he might have stretched his publication to an extent as voluminous as Doddington on Gingerbread, and alarmed the world with two ponderous volumes in quarto. Against the doctrine of eternal misery, the author advances many of the old objections and arguments, which have been often urged, and as often refuted; but finding himself beset with difficulties, from which he can discover no way of retreating with honour, he compels the incorrigible, who are unfit for heaven, and whom it would be unjust in God, he conceives, to punish with eternal misery, to dive into the whirlpool of annihilation, and to disappear for ever. To prove that the doctrine of endless woe can furnish no motive to obedience, the author thus argues: "God having been pleased to make man a moral agent, he deals with him as such, and offers to his understanding blessings and threats, as motives to enforce the law he has promulged. These can operate no further than the understanding can embrace them: but the understanding can form no idea of infinite; it is therefore no moral motive. Now, since God can do nothing in vain, eternal torments cannot be proposed as moral motives, for they must be infinitely more than can operate, because the highest idea we can form of them must be essentially different from, and infinitely less than, the thing threatened d; therefore the largest part must be in vain." p. 11. 1147 Review--Eternal Punishment. 1148 cannot be eternal, because there can | which at length they have not even be no proportion between crime and faculties to discern."-p. 42. Depart, punishment on such a supposition. ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared With equal propriety it might be con- for the devil and his angels. "That tended, that happiness cannot be eter- those who have misused a temporal nal, because we can trace no propor- existence, shall then be made eternal, tion between obedience and reward. who can believe?"-p. 53. The On points which involve Deity, Mo- wicked, after death, are neither of ral Government, Justice, Infinity, and him, nor through him, nor to him: Eternity, we doubt the propriety of they are nothing.”—p. 103. introducing earthly analogies. But if these must be introduced, we would recommend to the author's serious examination this important questionWhether it be utterly impossible for a finite being to perform an action, or a series of actions, that shall involve moral consequences, which may continue during the existence of the actor? If this be admitted possible, on the ground of justice, the consequences will be interminable, if existence be immortal; and consequently both will be lengthened into infinity. Of the author's adroitness as a commentator, and the facility with which he can remove difficulties, the preceding passages and expositions furnish fair specimens. Nor can he be accused of viewing his exertions with suspicion. The following passage is strongly marked with his opinion of his own success. "As he (the apostle) has exhibited it, (the destruction of death) it is a consummation devoutly to be wished; that a veil has so long dimmed its glory, and that I, who am less than the least of the lights of the earth, should have pierced its gloom, I scarcely dare believe, though I know the more apparent the divine agency. Having humbly taken his seat on this exalted eminence, the author proceeds to prove, that man is naturally mortal; and after quoting various passages of scripture, which have no connection with the subject, and drawing inferences from others, which few besides himself would have the ingenuity to discover, he assumes his conclusion, and, "wrapped in" literary immortality," 66 The author informs us, that the doctrine of eternal misery, which he opposes, instead of pervading the Chris-it: but the weaker the instrument, tian system, rests on detached passages of scripture; and these he finally reduces to two. There are, however, various others which appear before him, with an aspect not altogether smiling on his theory, but these he dispatches with admirable dexterity. The parable of the unmerciful servant is thus explained: That he should be delivered to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. "It is clear, that the principle proceeded on is, that he should be made to part from all that he possessed: now existence is a possession, a talent, a blessing, and when it is surrendered, full payment is made."-p. 37. The parable of the wicked husbandmen, we are told, is to the same effect; and the guest found at the marriage feast shares the same fate. "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away:" (ill furnished he must be for eternity.)-p. 38. On the parable of Dives and Lazarus, we are told, the rich man is tormented in the flame; "that is, to dissolve the vessels of wrath, fitted for destruction."p. 40. And in continuation we are furthermore informed, that "the conduct and motives ascribed to God, are perfectly irreconcileable with dooming to eternal misery poor, weak, blind, perishing sinners, for preferring the gratification of the senses which God bath given them, to spiritual joys, "Sheds generous tears on wretches born to die." The well-known passage, Matt. xxv. 45. "These shall go away into everlasting punishment," &c. the author explains by comparing it with 1 Thessalonians ii. 7. "taking vengeance on them that know not God,-who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord," &c. On quoting these passages, he asks, Do not these words explain those of our Saviour's, to which they plainly allude,-destruction from the presence of God? What can that be but extinction, since our existence depends on his Spirit animating our mortal bodies? And as no person contradicts him, he triumphs in a victory that he has 1149 Review-The Imperial Almanack. earned without a contest, and concludes that everlasting punishment means everlasting destruction, and that everlasting destruction means extinction of being! 1150 the other gospels were the only record of the word of God!" The author begins with declaring, that the doctrine of eternal misery does not pervade the whole Christian system; secondly, that it rests on detached passages; thirdly, that these are but two; fourthly, that these two are only one; fifthly, that this one is only a solitary clause; and sixthly, that this clause means something else. After making a few remarks on some passages in the Revelation, from which it appears, that they all accord with his views, and confirm his theory, our author comes "to the consideration of those words whereon the doctrine of eternal misery, in an especial man- One point, however, with the auner, must be seen to rest; the whole thor, will admit of no doubt; namely, course of scripture else admitting an that "man depends as much for his harmonious construction." These pas-knowledge on his organization as an sages are Matt. v. 29, 30. and Mark ix. 42-50. "Of these passages," he observes, "it is only the words, where their worm dieth not,' that imply eternal duration; because, although the fire is everlasting, and never shall be quenched, yet it cannot be imagined that it confers immortality; therefore the, duration of the substance to be cast in must be limited by its own nature: if that therefore is mortal, its duration cannot be eternal."-p. 201. "That the words now under consideration had not, in our Saviour's mouth, the meaning ascribed to them, is proved almost to a demonstration, by one of the two evangelists omitting them when he records the rest of the sentence; while that which he retains harmonizes with the rest of scripture; yet is materially, most materially different from that which it would convey, if these words were added in their usually received meaning. Now, if we will assume this as their real meaning, one of the evangelists, who on two occasions records the to which they are attached, misrepresents his divine Master. Since St. Mark records the passage on which the doctrine rests, it was not revealed to those to whom the other gospels were the only record of the word of God. If we will accept our Saviour's own words as a paraphrase, no difficulty remains."-p. 202. passage oyster, for such as it is capable of: destroy organization in either, then all his thoughts or sensations perish." p. 220. "There can be no immortality, then, but on the Christian principle of regeneration, or being really and truly born again, seeing our existence, as derived from Adam, depends on our organization, of which death deprives us; and spiritual life, or immortality, which consists in the knowledge and love of God, he imparts to those only who seek him in his own aspointed way." Ibid. Such are the principles which the author developes in his theory, and such are the modes of reasoning by which he supports them. The whole process reminds us of an observation of Mr. Locke, on a similar occasion, "He knows a little, presumes a great deal, and so jumps to conclusions." REVIEW.-The Imperial Almanack, or Annual Compendium of Astronomical, Statistical, Scientific, and Interesting Information, for the year of our Lord 1822. p. 72. London. Printed for the Company of Stationers." THE title of the Imperial Almanack, of which we have given but an epitome, is sufficiently long and comprehensive to promise much, and to excite considerable expectation; but we have no conception that those who peruse its pages with attention, will either leave it with disgust, or complain of disappointment. On the reasonings contained in this paragraph, it seems unnecessary to make any comments. It contains a strong insinuation that the assertion of one apostle is not much worthy of Unaided by the sanction which credit, unless the others have repeated names celebrated for talents, and digit in their writings;-that the omis-nified with titles, might confer, it apsion of Matthew is an indirect im- pears before the public without an peachment of Mark;-and that the owner, and, like the eggs of the doctrine rests on a passage which ostrich, 66 was not revealed to those to whom Borrows life from an in ulgent sky.” 1151 Review-The Imperial Almanack. For reasons not known to us, the author has concealed his name. This, however, he must have been well aware, would be of little consequence in the estimation of the judicious and scientific; and it is only from these that a favourable opinion is worth obtaining. Men of this description will always form their judgments by the intrinsic merit of what is offered to their consideration, without being influenced by the delusions of prejudice, or biassed by the claims of friendship. It has been intimated, that the Imperial Almanack claims Dr. Olinthus Gregory, of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, for its legitimate parent. We are not aware that Dr. Gregory has any where made this public avowal; but there is strong presumptive evidence in favour of the fact, arising from external circumstances; and the conclusion is corroborated by those internal marks of mathematical precision, accurate calculation, and scientific research, which the work almost every where contains. Differing from most of his cotemporaries and predecessors, the author so far compliments the understanding of his readers, as to imagine that they will be able to form a tolerable calculation respecting the seasons of the year, without receiving information through his pages. Hence, he has not even intimated, that the weather will be warmer in July than in January; and he has left them to infer from their own observations, and from analogy, whether they may expect frost and snow in June, or December. On the same principle, we presume, he has onitted those astrological consultations of the stars, on which the prognostics of Almanack-makers are in general founded, and has substitated science and common sense in the room of dragons, monsters, and terrible hieroglyphics. To those who are in love with the marvellous, and who are never so well pleased as when they can take a peep into futurity, this may occasion some disappointment; but where reason and philosophy hold the dominion of the mind, the event will be hailed as an important era, in which this department of science sees its shackles fall. The table of contents which follows, gives an accurate, and a comprehen 1152 sive outline of what this Almanack comprises, and under each head the reader cannot fail in having his sanguine wishes gratified.— The Calendar; Eclipses and Transit of Mercury; Chronological, &c. Notes; Jewish Calendar; Mahometan Calendar; Roman Calendar; Elements of the Solar System; Terrestrial Latitudes and Longitudes; General Survey of the Earth; Population of Great Britain; Principal Places in Ditto; Colonies and Dependencies; Royal Family; Number of British Peers, at different dates; Number of Members of the House of Commons; Amount of Revenue at different Epochs; National Debt at Ditto; Syllabus of Employments; Exports and Imports; Bishops, Deans, &c. with the extent and numbers of Prebendaries, Canons, Livings, &c. in each Diocese; Dimensions of Cathedrals; Table of Probabilities of Life; Uses of the said Table; Table for Valuation of Annuities on Lives; London Bills of Mortality: Classification of Diseases; Altitudes of Mountains; Altitudes of Perpetual Snow; Altitudes of Editices; Dates of Geographical Discoveries; Dates of Astronomical, Dates of Astronomical and Nautical Inventions; Tables of Specific Gravities; Thermometric Criteria of interesting Chemical Phænomena; European Itinerary Measures; Historical Table of English Coins; Results of Computations and Experiments. But although a glance at the preceding articles will inform the reader of the additional matter this Almanack contains, and in some degree to appreciate its value, from the various branches of scientific and useful knowledge which are presented to his view, it is only by a more intimate acquaintance with its pages, that he will be able to form an accurate estimate of its worth. The neatness with which it is printed reflects much credit on the tradesman's abilities, while its correctness entitles the learned editor to the thanks and support of his scientific readers. But with all the excellencies which an Almanack can possess, and all the recommendation which its merit can command, the heavy impost levied by Government in its stamp, necessarily tending to enhance its price, must, we fear, considerably impede the extent of its circulation. 1153 Memoir of the Life of John Rennie. MEMOIR OF THE With a Portrait. THERE is a tribute of respect due to the memory of every man, who has enriched his country by the efforts of his genius. Mr. John Rennie was born near Linton, in the county of East Lothian, Scotland, in the year 1760. His father, George Rennie, who was a respectable farmer in that neighbourhood, and whose family consisted of three sons, of whom John was the youngest, died when he was about seven years old, in consequence of which his early education devolved on his mother and his elder brother George. After some time, he was sent to a neighbouring village school, where he merely learned the rudiments of arithmetic, in connection with reading and writing, nothing bigher being professed by the master. Contiguous to Mr. Rennie's farm, was a house, which for many years had been occupied by Mr. Andrew Meicle, an ingenious millwright, to whom that branch of machinery is indebted for many important improvements. Mr. Meicle, who had long been intimate with the family of Rennie, on finding the children deprived of their father, to evince his attachment, undertook to instruct the younger son in a knowledge of his profession. Whether the lad at this time manifested any dawnings of superior genius, which attracted the attention of Mr. Meicle, we have not been informed. Be this, however, as it may, the offer was deemed advantageous, as Mr. Meicle was at this time in the zenith of his popularity, and was considered as one of the first practical millwrights that either England or Scotland could produce. A bargain being made, young Rennie entered on his employment, and continued with his master about six years, during which time he applied himself with so much assiduity, that on the expiration of the term, he was completely master of his trade. In addition to this, as modelling was taught by Mr. Meicle, young Rennie had also made a considerable proficiency in this branch; and so ardent was his desire to obtain a complete knowledge of its scientific principles, that he was 1154 rarely to be found without a wheel, or some section of one, in his pocket. On quitting his master, he commenced business on his own account; but finding that Scotland afforded no inviting prospect to a mere practical millwright, his eyes were turned in various directions to watch the movements of science; and his ambition prompted him to seize the first favourable opportunity that should present itself, in which he might display his talents, and procure a more ample reward for his labours, than Scotland at that time could promise. Prior to this period his countryman Mr. Watt had formed a connection with Mr. Bolton, and fame and fortune were beginning to reward his ingenuity with honours and with wealth. In 1783, Mr. Rennie having attained his 22d year, on learning that Bolton and Watt were applying their steam engines to millwork, and that the Albion mill, at Blackfriars' Bridge, had been projected, applied to them for employment; and on being accepted at the fixed salary of one guinea per week, he shut up his trade, and immediately repaired to London, to try his fortune under the auspices of Bolton and Watt. Shortly after his arrival, the Albion mill was undertaken; and as his employers were unacquainted with its management, and particularly so with the grinding department, which Mr. Rennie perfectly understood, the superintendence of the whole devolved on his integrity, attention, and abilities; and it was finally completed by him to the satisfaction of his employers. Shortly after the Albion mills were finished, the machinery of Whitbred's Brewery was undertaken, and finished also under Mr. Rennie's direction. These works gained him a considerable degree of fame; and as his reputation was now becoming somewhat established, he thought this a favourable moment to commence business for himself in the metropolis of the British empire. To render this crisis the more inviting, several circumstances at this time concurred; among which, the recent death of Mr. Smeaton, the celebrated engineer, was one of much importance, his death having left a vacancy in this department of science. A new power had also been just discovered, and applied to machinery; but being in its infancy, the extent of its influ |