That portion of the Apocalypse which Mr. W. has selected for exposition, is admirably adapted to the great purposes of pastoral instruction. We agree most entirely with the opinion he has formed of the design of these solemn addresses to the church; as not intended to represent the different state of the universal church through seven successive periods, extending to the end of time;" but as describing the existing state of the Asiatic churches, and affording such warnings and instructions as their condition and circumstances required. Under this natural and obvious view of their object, Mr. W. considers them as admirably adapted to the great ends of practical and experimental godliness, and as suggesting the most important principles for the regulation of Christian churches, and the formation of Christian character. His discourses are well fitted to secure these results, under the blessing of the great Head of the Church. They are characterized by an affectionate spirit, and by searching and impressive addresses to the conscience and the heart. They are uniformly perspicuous in diction, and sound in argument; and while their tendency is eminently practical and spiritual, they are invariably connected with the maintenance and exhibition of the essential principles of the Christian system. Mr. W. has, indeed, proved himself a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth;" and we cordially and unequivocally commend his work to the attention of the British churches.

NATURE AND GRACE; or, a Delineation of the various Dispositions of the Natural Man, contrasted with the opposite Character of the renewed Mind. By Mrs. Stevens. 12mo. pp. 474. Seeley. 6s.

This elegantly printed volume contains a series of Essays on various subjects, illustrative of the state of man, under the influence of depraved affections on the one hand, and holy principles on the other. They are evidently the productions of a pious and cultivated mind; and on some topics exhibit considerable force and originality. The general tendency of the work is spiritual and practical; and at the close of each section there is an appropriate citation of scriptural authorities. There is, however, a want of definiteness and precision in various parts of the volume; the arrangement of subject is not of the most logical order; and though the sentiments of the author are evangelical, there is a frequent confusion and obscurity in the statements of doctrinal sentiment, which are by no means favourable to a clear perception of scriptural truth. There is too much of that abstract and distant generalization, which prevents a direct and powerful impression of the facts and principles of the gospel. In the practical application of these principles, there is, however, much more of

work, as intended for the young especially, would have been rendered far more attractive and beneficial, if the author had availed herself of historical and biographical illustrations, both from Scripture and other sources. Something is wanted to relieve the attention of the reader; and on each topic ample materials might have been easily provided.

LONDON IN THE OLDEN TIME; or Tales intended to illustrate the Manners and Superstitions of its Inhabitants, from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century. London: Longman and Co. 1827. 8vo. 10s.

History, through its long and shadowy vista, gives us, in dim perspective, the grand outline and prominent objects of the generations that are past; it exhibits mankind in the mass and human nature in the aggregate; the sympathies of our common nature lead us to wish for a nearer approximation and more minute survey. The historian pursues the high and public way, and narrates the march of armies, the conflict of battle, the duplicity of political negotiations, and the cabals and the pomp of courts. It is to other sources we must look for the living manners, for those passions and pursuits which interest the individual and agitate society. The chronicler steps aside and exhibits the rusticity of the cottage, and the revelry of the village hostel; while the memoir and the diary unfold to us the domesticities of life, and lay open "men's business and bosoms." It is from these rivulets of history that we obtain a view of social life, under all the varied modifications which the advance of knowledge, the influence of religion, the municipal and political institutions of the period impress. From them we learn the appalling superstition and the potent charm; the phantoms of science which captivated the youthful student, and the intensity with which they were pursued; the oppression of the forest laws, and the bold daring of the outlaw; and the serf and the burgher, the wimpled dame and the boddiced damsel, arise before us in all their nativeness and simplicity.

Although works, purely imaginative, but rarely receive notice in our literary columns, yet we cannot hesitate to admit them, when that brilliant power is invoked to explore scenes of by-gone glory; to exhibit to us, in faithful and vivid colouring, the peculiar superstitions, the popular notions, the prevailing habits, and the general manners which characterized the conditions of society in the earlier stages of our history. Rich, beyond most cities as is London, in antiquarian remains, we view with somewhat of a pensive feeling their gradual decay, and with indignation the sweeping hand of modern improvement and commercial cupidity ruthlessly sweeping away almost every vestige. While the buttressed wall, the clustered column, and the lofty hall awaken an interest in the days that are past, the men who there reasoned or revelled, planned the chase, or ordained the tournament; recounted their warlike achievements for the cross in the Holy Land, or for the rose at home; frightened each other out of their wits with the midnight

the holy spell, arise in shadowy indistinctness before us, and we wish to invest them in a more palpable form, to mark their dialect, catch their sentiments, partake their feelings, and, in the illusion of the moment, to be contemporaries with our remote progenitors.

With a view to the realization of such scenes, and such a delineation of the tone and feeling of society between the twelfth and sixteenth century, the Tales before us appear to have been written. They discover a very intimate acquaintance with the manners, the modes of thinking, and the peculiar phraseology of the period which they embrace. We must also add, they are creditable to the moral feeling, as well as to the intellectual power of the writer, who, we understand, is a lady.

AN ESSAY ON SECRET PRAYER, as the Duty and Privilege of Christians. By Joseph Entwisle, Minister of the Gospel. Seventh Edition. 24mo. pp. 60.

It

This useful little work, having already passed through six editions, can need no recommendation from us to give it a favourable reception among religious people. We must, however, bear our testimony to its excellence. breathes throughout a spirit of deep and earnest piety. The arrangement of its topics is good, and the style clear and unaffected. The whole forms an excellent manual, and will be repeatedly read by the truly pious with great advantage. It cannot fail to quicken the devotion, and to assist the private religious exercises, of the sincere Christian. We cordially recommend it to all who are desirous of living in the enjoyment of communion with God; and especially to young persons, who are commencing a course of serious godliness.

REMARKS ON THE MUSTARD-TREE mentioned in the New Testament. By John Frost, F.A.S., F.L.S., F.H.S., of Emmanuel College, Cambridge; Lecturer on Botany at St. Thomas's Hospital, London, &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 22. Ls. 6d.

The Mustard-Tree mentioned in the New Testament, and there described as a "great tree," springing from "the least of all seeds," has been generally represented by Critics and Commentators to be the plant which Botanists call Sinapis nigra. The learned author of the tract before us contends that this is a mistake; and that most probably Phytolacca dodecandra is intended by our Lord and the inspired writers. His arguments are, that the seed of the former, in point of fact, is not the smallest of all seeds, and can never produce a tree; and that the latter is one of the largest trees indigenous to the country where the observation was made, that it is the smallest seed of any tree in that country,—that it is both used as a culinary vegetable and medicinal stimulant, which common mustard is also,-that a species of the same genus is well known in the United States by the term Wild Mustard,—and that the ultimate chemical elements of the seed of Sinapis nigra, and Phytolacca dodecandra, are the same. For the information of the reader, the author has added the generic characters of

seen botanically to be very distinct families. It is highly honourable to scientific men, as in the case before us, when they attempt to elucidate the Sacred Volume, without compromising any of the momentous truths which it contains, or the facts by which its divine authority is attested.

THE RECENT SUFFERINGS OF THE AMERICAN MISSIONARIES IN THE BURMAN EMPIRE DURING THE LATE WAR, with their signal Deliverance, by being conveyed to the British Camp. From Authentic Documents. Edinburgh: Waugh and Innes. Glasgow: Ogle. Dublin: Tims. London: Duncan, Nisbet, Westley. Price 1s. 6d.

None of our readers, we presume, can be unacquainted with the American Baptist mission in the Burman empire, or with the very interesting account that has been lately received of the sufferings of Dr. Price and Mr. and Mrs. Judson, during the late war. The object of the tract we have announced is to bring together the leading events in the history of this mission. This we consider a very useful kind of publication, as it is often desirable to be able to refer to such a work, many persons who would not take the trouble of becoming acquainted with them, either by reading various annual reports, or by examining the different communications which are scattered for a series of years throughout periodicals. We are

happy to see another tract, entitled "Otaheite," of the same description, giving a connected account of the various missions to the South Sea Islands, and contrasting very happily the state of the inhabitants while living in heathenism, with what it is now under the influence of the Gospel.

The particulars contained in the "Recent Sufferings of the American Missionaries" are the following:-1. The origin of the mission, and the very providential circumstances which led Mr. and Mrs. Judson to the Burman Em

pire. 2. The visit of Mr. Judson and Mr. Coleman to Ava, with their interview with the Emperor. 3. The distress of the native converts when the missionaries proposed to leave Rangoon. 4. Mr. Judson and Dr. Price's visit to Ava, when, in consequence of Dr. P.'s medical character, they were invited to reside in the capital. 5. The voyage of Mr. and Mrs. Judson up the Irrawaddy, and their settlement at Ava. 6. The sufferings of Mr. and Mrs. Wade, and Mr. and Mrs. Hough, at the attack of the British on Rangoon; and lastly, the almost unexampled sufferings of Dr. Price, and Mr. and Mrs. Judson, during the war, with their deliverance, by being sent to the British camp.

These incidents are happily wrought into one continued narrative, and in addition to the communications directly sent to this country, there are some that have been received from America. On the whole, this little book is highly fitted to give a connected view of the principal events in the history of this mission. It is an excellent publication, to be used as a reward book in Sabbath schools, or for village and juvenile libraries, as it is so full of striking

incident, that the youthful mind cannot fail both to be interested and improved by it.

OCCASIONAL

ORIENTAL OBSERVATIONS AND CRITICISMS, more or less illustrating several hundred Passages of Scripture. By John Callaway, late Missionary in Ceylon. Holdsworth. Price 3s. boards.

The Bible is an Oriental book, and every European and every American needs light from the East, to elucidate the opinions, laws, customs, manners, and ceremonies, to which there are numberless allusions in the sacred volume. We are indebted to Mr. C. for a large portion of valuable information in a condensed form. It reminds us of good old Thomas Fuller's exclamation-" Oh, what a feast of knowledge will it make, when both Jew and Gentile shall jointly bring in their dishes thereunto; the former furnishing the first course, with many Hebrew criticisms and Rabbinical traditions (some of them gold among mere dross) on the Old Testament; the latter supplying the second course, on the whole Scripture, with solid interpretations out of fathers, schoolmen, and modern divines. Oh, happy day for such as shall behold it! and we all ought to pray for the speedy dawning thereof." -Pisgah Sight of Palestine, p. 201. edit. 1662.

APOLOGY FOR THE MODERN THEOLOGY OF PROTESTANT GERMANY; or, A Review of the Work, entitled, "The State of the Protestant Religion in Germany, in a Series of Discourses preached before the University of Cambridge, by the Rev. Hugh James Rose, M.A." By Dr. Karl Gottlieb Bretschneider, Chief Counsellor of the Consistory, and Superintendent General at Gotha. Translated from the German by the Rev. William Alleyn Evanson, M. A., Lecturer of St. Luke's, Old Street, London. 8vo. pp. 88. 3s.

The apostasy of a large body of the Lutheran Ministers in Germany from the truth, and their adoption of sentiments subversive of all that is peculiar and vital in Christianity, are facts which are well known and deeply regretted by sincere Protestants throughout Europe. The irreverent manner in which they have treated the Holy Scriptures, and the speculations in which they have indulged on the subject of religion, have driven several Protestants to the Church of Rome, and others into scepticism and infidelity; and in many places have occasioned an almost total neglect of even the forms of Christianity. These facts are verified and accounted for, with great ability and research, by Mr. Rose in his Discourses, which contain a seasonable admonition to the learned body before whom they were preached, and especially to the Theological Students in a course of preparation for the ministry. Bretschneider, who is one of the German Liberales in theology, and a most accomplished scholar, has undertaken a refutation of Mr. Rose's statements and reasonings. In this, however, he has completely failed. His pamphlet is very declamatory, and has apparently been written in a state of great irritation; but instead of disproving the allegations of Mr. Rose, he has substantially confirmed them to the

fullest extent. The respectable translator of Bretschneider, disclaims all sympathy with him in his heterodox opinions. Mr. Rose has inserted an able and temperate reply to his learned antagonist, in the Christian Remembrancer for October and November last.

AN EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF PSALMS, Explanatory, Critical, and Devotional.' Intended chiefly to aid Private Christians in the Enlightened Perusal of Compositions, in which the National History of the Jews, and the Personal Experience of David, are often blended with the Spirit of Prophecy. By John Morison, Author of an Exposition of Part of the Epistle to the Colossians;" and "Lectures on the Reciprocal Obligations of Life." Part First. 8vo. pp. 176. 4s.

This is the commencement of a work of considerable importance, intended to be published in successive parts, and to form two handsome volumes. The plan is good, and the execution thus far is highly creditable to the talents and piety of the Author. To each Psalm are prefixed introductory remarks, occasionally of some length, which serve as a key to the whole. They refer to the author of the Psalm, the circumstances under which it was written, and the subjects of which it treats. Each verse is succeeded by an exposition, which aims to give the sense of the inspired writer; and at the same time is of a devotional character. The critical notes, which are concise and judicious, are not very numerous. They are partly original, and partly selected from the best writers, and are placed at the bottom of the page; so that they offer no interruption to the unlearned reader. The author's sentiments are those of a moderate Calvinist; but as he has not given particular prominence to the peculiarities of his creed, the work will be generally acceptable to evangelical Christians. It is well adapted to family reading, and to the use of the closet.

THE PARENT'S MONITOR; or, Narratives, Anecdotes, and Observations on Religious Education and Personal Piety: designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Parents, Guardians, and Teachers. In Three Parts. By David Barker. pp. 380. Second Edition. R. Baynes.

The pious and laborious compiler of this most useful volume has, with no ordinary discrimination and care, gathered a greater mass of most excellent and almost invaluable matter than we ever remember to have seen in a compass so limited. We are not surprised that the first edition (which we understand was large) was called for by the public in a few months. It is impossible to express with too much cordiality our entire approval of the work. It is a most suitable present, at this season of the year, to young persons; and we trust the pious prayers of the compiler will be abundantly answered, that it may tend to the increase of domestic piety and social happiness, and thus be rendered an especial blessing both to parents and to the rising generation.

It is most judiciously divided into three parts. Contents. Part I.-showing, by many

examples drawn from real life, the happy ef fects of religious education, in leading to early piety, to great usefulness, and to final salvation. Joshua Rowley Gilpin, William Friend Durant, Richard Hooker, Thomas Reader, Peard Dickinson, Mary Genotin, Hannah Hindmarsh, Philip Henry, Matthew Henry, Sarah Savage, John Belfrage, JSSamuel Davy, Timothy Dwight, Mary Pedley, H. H. Cooper, James Kidd, John Bailey, George Bell, Scott, J. S. Smith, Sarah Trenfield, Anthony Crole, Mary Owen, Sarah Blackburn, John Brown, Mary Rose, Mary Bate.-Part II-showing, by examples also from real life, the blessing which has finally attended the patient labours and fervent prayers of Christian instructors, after great anxiety, fear, and disappointment. Saint Augustin, James Gardiner, John Newton, Richard Cecil, Claudius Buchanan, Thomas Bateman, Robinson, Thomas Browning, Edward Dudley Jackson, Henry Longden, Samuel Hill, James Saunders, John Jones.-Part III.-showing how a Christian education ought to be conducted: here the sentiments and directions of the best writers on this interesting subject may be found: the rules are given which were adopted by wise and holy parents in the instruction and government of their families; and a variety of anecdotes and suitable examples are interspersed. Miscellaneous articles and an address to parents.

WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

THE Antidote; or, Memoirs of a Freethinker. 2 vols. 12mo.

An Oration delivered before the Medico-Botanical Society of London, October, 1827. By John Frost, F.A.S. F.L S. and F.H.S.

A Sermon preached at the opening of the Scotch National Church, London, May 11, 1827. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D.

A Sermon preached at the opening of the New Presbyterian Chapel in Belfast, September 23, 1827. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D.

Rudiments of Music. By D. E. Ford. History of the Waldenses, from the earliest to the present time.

Apology for the Modern Theology of Protestant Germany.

Part I. of an Exposition of the Book of Psalms, explanatory, critical, and devotional. By John Morison.

The Young Servant's Friendly Instructor. By Esther Copley, (late Hewlett.)

Poems and Hymns. By Jane Kidd.
Deep Things of God. By Sir Richard Hill,

bart.

Notes of a Bookworm; or, Selections from the Portfolio of a Literary Gentleman.

Apostacy of the Roman Catholic Church, Socinian, Unitarian, Antinomian, and other Heresies.

The Printer's Manual.

A new volume of Tales, by the Author of May you Like it."

Part III. of Richard Baynes's Catalogue for 1827-8 of Theology and General Literature, 1s. 6d. and R. B.'s Catalogue complete for 1827-8, three parts in one vol. 8vo. bds. 6s.

The second volume of Allen's History of London, Westminster, Borough of Southwark, and parts adjacent; with numerous elegant and rare engravings.

Ventris's Improved Primer. Illustrated by forty-nine engravings.

A Fireside Book; or, the Account of a Christmas spent at Ald Court. By the Author of "May you Like it." Foolscap 8vo. 6s.

The Child's Commentator on the Holy Scriptures, made plain and familiar to meet the infant capacity. By Ingram Cobbin, A.M.Monthly.

A Course of Morning and Evening Prayers for one Month, with occasional prayers, and an index of scripture for family reading. By Charles Williams. 12mo.

Two Letters to the Rev. Isaac Keeling. By a Member of the Methodist New Connexion. Summary of the Progress of Reform in the Slave Colonies of Great Britain, since May, 1823.

Extracts from the Report of the British Protestant Reformation Society.

The Process of Historical Proof Explained and Exemplified. By Isaac Taylor, junr. 8vo.

Selections from the Works of John Howe, M.A. By the Rev. W. Wilson, D.D. The second volume, which completes this author. 18mo.

The Elements of Astronomy treated in a familiar manner for young persons. By the Author of Astrarium Improved.

An Elegy on the Death of Joseph Butterworth, Esq. late M.P. for Dover; and other Poems. By H. R. Griffiths.

WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION, AND IN THE PRESS.

In one volume octavo, with a portrait,speedily will be published, Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Character, Literary, Professional, and Religious, of the late John Mason Good, M.D. F.R.S., &c. &c.: with numerous illustrative selections from his unpublished papers. By Olinthus Gregory, LL.D. &c. &c.

The Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and the Doctrine of Spiritual Influence, considered, in several discourses. By W. Orme. 12mo.

The Life and Opinions of John de Wycliffe, System, and of the state of the Protestant DocD.D.; with a preliminary view of the Papal trine in Europe, to the commencement of the 14th century. By Robert Vaughan.

A second edition, in royal 12mo. of "The Revolt of the Bees," dedicated to the Emigra tion Committee.

OR

From the Christian Observer.
MEMOIR OF MARTIN BOS.

I SEND you a memoir of Martin Bos, the Protestant Catholic, which I think will greatly interest many of your readers. The life of Bos has been written by Gossner, who, like him, has suffered much persecution for the cause of Christ. It contains a number of letters written at different periods of his life; and it well merits to be translated into English. Gossner has it also in contemplation to publish a volume of Bos's sermons. The following narrative is translated from an account of Bos which has since appeared in a French Protestant publication, the "Archives du Christianisme." There may possibly be in it a few expressions which may appear to some readers open to the charge of mysticism, or at least of not being altogether clear or judicious; but the whole narrative is replete with interest, and every true Christian, every Protestant especially, must rejoice to find in the very precincts of the Church of Rome such powerful attestations to the great Scripture doctrines of the corruption and spiritual inability of man, of free justification solely by faith in Christ, and of the necessity of the converting and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. F. C.

Germany is, perhaps, that country in which, of all others, Roman Catholic Christians are most engaged in religious discussion. There is at present amongst them a spirit, widely in operation, which has for its object to free religion from all alloy, and to restore it to that primitive purity which it once enjoyed. Numerous conversions to Protestantism have in some places attested this spirit of religious inquiry; but there are a much greater number of places in which the necessity of modifying external forms has not been felt, and where the fruit of true piety has been developed without having burst the outward shell in which it was concealed. External forms are more or less favourable, more or less contrary to truth and piety. The necessity of changing them, and of giving to interior sentiments or articles of faith a new visible expression, may in some instances be irresistible; yet it is also conceivable, that there may be persons, and even many persons, in a country where the dominion of the imagination is so extensive as in Germany, who, though they be already arRel. Mag.-No. 4.

rived at the true liberty of the children of God, do nevertheless consent to submit to ancient practices and usages, which they have learnt to spiritualize, and to make harmonize with their convictions and religious temperament; in a word, to restore them to that emblematical signification which they perhaps were in most instances intended to convey, before they had become, by gross errors, mournful and insignificant ceremonies, which reduce the service of God to exterior and corporeal observances, and in which those faculties of the soul the most calculated to glorify the Almighty have no part. It is not the object of the present remarks to discuss whether it would not be better entirely and openly to reject all this fabric of pretended acts of devotion; but merely to establish one fact-namely, that there exists in Germany a multitude of Christians, of the Roman Catholic persuasion, who are distinguished from others of the same communion, not only by this tendency to spiritualize the ceremonies of their church, but also by a profound acquaintance with the Gospel, and a sincere attachment to the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.

It is more particularly in Bavaria that persons of this description are most numerous. This may perhaps be caused by the circumstance, that a religious awakening has not only taken place amongst the members of the flocks, but also amongst their pastors. It was there, that, forty years ago, Feneburg and Winkelhofer taught; it is there that Bishop Sailer teaches at present; and there, in a less elevated station, many priests, his disciples, preach, whom the fear of being deprived of the means of doing good sometimes forces to avoid great publicity, but who never depart in their instructions from that truth which they desire to spread.* From Bavaria sprang Lindl, Gossner, and Bos-those three faithful witnesses, who were driven by persecution from place to place; and who, wherever they turned their steps, did not hesitate to proclaim that Gospel which had caused them to be proscribed. They were not proscribed for having taught particular doctrines; but for having declared, in all their force, the fundamental truths of Chris

In 1824, there were thirty-seven priests who were persecuted in Bavaria on account of the testimony which they had given for the Gospel.

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