At page 14, there occurs a comment on Numb. xxv. 8, the connexion of which with the text we are at a loss to discover. The note, in such a reference, has neither propriety nor meaning, and must, we imagine, have been appended to the passage by mistake.

ART. XI. 1. The Scripture History, from the Creation to the Birth of Christ; with Notes, Historical and Explanatory, and a set of Chronological Tables: for the Use of Schools and Families. By Andrew Thomson. 12mo. pp. 382. Price 5s. 6d. Bristol. 1826. 2. The Scripture History of the New Testament; with occasional Notes and Illustrations, and a Geographical Index: for the Use of Schools and Families. By Andrew Thomson. 12mo. pp. 174. Price 2s. 6d. London. 1827.

CONSIDERABLE pains have evidently been bestowed upon these volumes, the design of which cannot be too highly commended. They comprise an outline of the Scripture History in the form of Question and Answer. This mode of instruction has its advantages; but, to be effective as an exercise of the mind, the answer should in general be supplied by the pupil. We must confess that we do not otherwise perceive what is gained by breaking the narrative into a dialogue between Q. and A. It is impossible that Mr. Thomson could design the answers to be learned memoriter. The following is a specimen :

Q. How did Moses and Aaron open their commission to Pharaoh ?

A. They said unto him, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness:" but Pharaoh treated their message with contempt, and ordered his servants to deal more rigorously with the Israelites.

Q. How did they endure this severity?

'A. Having in vain appealed to Pharaoh, they murmured bitterly against Moses and Aaron.

Q. What was the religious state of the Hebrews at this period? A. They had forsaken the true God for the gods of the land; and, rather than depend on the arm of Jehovah, preferred their slavery in Egypt.

Q. How were Moses and Aaron encouraged under these unfavourable appearances?

A. They believed in God, who assured them of the deliverance of Israel, after He had smitten Egypt with all his wonders. "And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage."

Q. What means were subsequently used with Pharaoh ?

The

A. Moses and Aaron again went to him; and being asked for a miracle, Aaron cast down his rod, which became a serpent. magicians, Jannes and Jambres, however, did the same with their enchantments, but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. 'Q. What resulted from Pharaoh's unbelief?

'A. The Lord hardened his heart, and he refused to let the people go. Wherefore the Lord smote Egypt with ten plagues-all the waters of Egypt became blood-frogs infested the houses, beds, ovens, and kneading troughs, throughout the land-all the dust of the land became lice upon man, and upon beast-swarms of flies were sent, which devoured the Egyptians-all the cattle died-all the people, and the magicians also, were smitten with sore boils-a dreadful storm of thunder and hail was sent, which smote all that was in the field, both man and beast, and every herb and every treelocusts of an extraordinary kind followed, and ate up every thing which the hail had left-a darkness that might be felt, confined the Egyptians to their dwellings for three days-and lastly, all the firstborn of man, and of beast, were slain.

Q. What tended materially to harden Pharaoh?

'A. The imitation of the circumstances of the first and second plagues, by the magicians?' pp. 69-71.

The Notes to the Historical Questions contain a great deal of useful illustration. In a work intended for schools and families, however, many of them must be regarded as of equivocal use, and some of doubtful propriety. That the Rabbins believed the tree of knowledge to have been the vine, is information adapted only to mislead. Hypotheses ought not to be mixed up with the sacred records. At page 31 occurs a note which better information with respect to the real nature of the Hindoo triads would have led the Writer to suppress. On what authority is it asserted that Elohim signifies the covenanters? To us, the information is new. That the worship of animals was instituted as symbolical of the Cherubim, is a mere reverie. These very notes, however, will shew that Mr. Thomson has been anxious, perhaps over anxious, to explain the sacred text; the intention of his work being to excite among the rising generation a taste for sacred literature, and to promote a more 'extensive acquaintance with the Bible.'

At the end of the Scripture History is given a chronological summary, digested from Prideaux, of the Jewish history subsequent to the time of Nehemiah. To this are subjoined some additional illustrations of the Biblical History, from the works of modern travellers and commentators; and a series of very useful Chronological Tables. To the Scripture History of the New Testament is appended a geographical Index. Such terms as the third hour', the preparation for the sabbath', &c.

should have been explained. Upon the whole, the volumes do credit to Mr. Thomson, and we shall be glad to find, that he is indemnified by the sale for the labour they must have cost him.

ART. XII. Pilgrim Tax in India. Facts and Observations relative to the practice of taxing Pilgrims in various parts of India, and of paying a Premium to those who collect them for the Worship of Juggernaut at the great Temple of Orissa. By J. Peggs, late Missionary at Cuttack, Orissa. 8vo. pp. 66. London. 1827. HOW is it that we hear so much more of Popery in Ire

land, than of Idolatry in India? Does geographical distance so soften down and obscure the greater evil, that it is actually mistaken for the less? The idea of elevating six millions of Roman Catholics to the same political level as their Protestant fellow-subjects, is regarded by many persons in this country with religious horror; while these same persons manifest a supreme indifference as to the direct patronage given by the British authorities in India to an execrable idolatry, by which scores of millions are held in infernal bondage. Were this government to salary the Romish priests of Ireland, that would be horrible: their maintaining Juggernaut's priests in splendour in another part of the world, matters not. Were the House of Commons to vote a grant towards building Romish chapels in the neighbouring island, the whole country would be in a flame. What is the system pursued in India?

We have a body of Idol missionaries, far exceeding in number all the Christian missionaries, perhaps, throughout the world, going forth from year to year to propagate delusion, and proclaim, for the sake of gain, what, perhaps, not one among them believes, the transcendent efficacy of beholding-a log of wood; and all these, through a perversion of British humanity, regularity, and good faith, paid from year to year by the officers of a Christian and a British Government.'

In point of fact, the whole weight and authority of a political establishment are given to the popular idolatry. We earnestly recommend the perusal of these Facts and Observations to the consideration of the Christian public. In the words of Dr. Buchanan, the honour of our nation is certainly involved in this matter.'

Art. XIII. Interesting Narratives from the Sacred Volume illustrated and improved; shewing the Excellency of Divine Revelation, and the practical Nature of true Religion. By Joseph Belcher. 2 vols. Price 9s. London. 1827.

NOTWITHSTANDING the number of works now extant

of this description, there still remained a desideratum which we think the work before us is well adapted to supply. Something was wanted less splendid and diffuse than the "Sacred Biography" of Dr. Hunter, and not quite so prolix and sermonizing as the "Scripture Characters" by Mr. Robinson. Mr. Belcher writes in a plain and easy style, and appears to have a happy talent for collecting the leading features of the narrative, elucidating what is obscure, and shewing with brevity and clearness the pious and practical bearing of every subject. The Narratives are fifty-two in number, of moderate length and varied interest, beginning with the account of Hagar, and ending with that of Onesimus. Upon the whole, we are satisfied that these volumes will prove a very acceptable addition to the list of modern works adapted for the family, or the village library.

To enable our readers to form their own opinion upon the style of these narratives, we give a short extract from each volume. The first is taken from The Foundling.'

But alas! when three months had passed away, the parents of Moses, much as they loved him, found it impossible any longer to conceal their interesting babe. How then will the anxious mother act? A little basket that would float upon the water, is prepared and pitched within and without, and in this frail bark the infant is placed. Miriam, his sister, an interesting girl of about ten or twelve years old, is employed to place the ark on the water, and to watch at a little distance to see what will become of it.

At the moment that the compassion of Thermutis is excited by the cry of the babe, little Miriam introduces herself to the notice of the princess; and hearing her remark, that the child belonged to one of the Hebrews, she proposed to call an Hebrew woman to nurse it. In almost every other instance, suspicion would have been excited; but this does not appear to have been the case upon this occasion, for the wisdom of Jehovah had planned, and his agency transacted the whole affair. No Egyptian could have imbued his tender mind with the knowledge of God, or have instilled the leading facts of revelation into his heart. "Mothers can do great things"; and there can be no doubt that the education Moses received from his mother was eminently useful to him in after days. While his mother is bountifully provided for by the royal house, Moses is loaded with the honours of the Egyptian court, and fitted for the important part he was hereafter to act upon the great theatre of life.

'O, what a source of gratitude was this to the mother of Moses!

she could never forget her obligations to God for his kindness to her son. What a tale of delight for his father, when he returned from the slavish toils of the day! Nor can we suppose that Miriam, young as she was, could see all this unmoved. She would now probably learn the blessedness of trusting in that God whose wonderful works she afterwards celebrated in her immortal song.

The narrative, as we have now viewed it, teaches us the doctrine of a particular providence which God exercises towards his own people as Bishop Hall has remarked, "when we seem most neglected and forlorn in ourselves, then is God most present, most vigilant." This encourages us to put our trust in him under the darkest dispensations with which we may be visited; seeing that what may appear to us the greatest trials, may end in our unspeakable happiness.

"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head."

We learn further, that the enemies of God, even against their inclinations, may be constrained to do good to his people, and to contribute essentially to their happiness and usefulness. And, finally, we see the importance of infusing in early life the important truths of revelation into the minds of our children. That instruction was imparted to Moses in the years of infancy, which preserved him amidst the temptations of the Egyptian court, and fitted him for eminent usefulness in the Church of God. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."'

Our second specimen is taken from the narrative entitled, The Awful Apostate.'

'But, although the wisdom of Christ, in the selection of his Disciples, has been almost universally admired, doubts seem to have rested on some minds, as to whether or not he shewed his knowledge of the human heart, in his choice of Judas as one of the companions of his social hours. It has been asked, did he not detect hypocrisy ? and was he not acquainted with the character of Judas? In reply to this, let it be remembered, that Jesus came into the world claiming the honours due to Deity ;-that it was of vast importance to mankind, that his character should be fully known; that the real character of a man is not always exhibited in public life, but is only to be known by those who associate with him in his most private hours; and that by the conduct of Christ in selecting an enemy to his government and claims, to be a companion in his retirement, he courted the most minute investigation, gave him an opportunity of speaking against him if he could, and has stopped the mouths of those who would publish him to the world as an impostor. The conduct of the apostate Judas, viewed in this light, presents a very powerful argument for the truth of Christianity.

'Let us accompany the traitor as he returns to the chief priests