although, as Mr. Watson justly observed, "Methodism now stands in a different relation to the Establishment than in the days of Mr. Wesley, dissent has never been formally professed by the body, and for obvious reasons: the first is, that the separation of the greater part of the society from the Church, did not in any degree result from the principles assumed by the professed Dissenters, and which are usually made prominent in the discussions on the subject of Establishments; the second, that a considerable number of the Methodists actually continue in the communion of the Church of England to this day; and the third, that to leave that communion is not in any sense a condition of membership with us; our position, with regard to the Establishment, is that of friendliness. The spirit of Methodism contains no ingredient of hostility towards her. Deploring, therefore, as we do, the blemishes with which she has been, and still is, defaced, and recognising several points connected with her constitution and discipline which we cannot conscientiously support, we hope the day, anticipated with so much apparent glee by Dr. Durbin, is far, very far distant. In concluding our remarks on these volumes, and differing from the author so widely as we do on some most important points, we have been pleased with the good temper he has invariably displayed. As a literary production, the work has greatly disappointed us: we therefore hope, that if Professor Durbin resolve to carry out his project of "inflicting a book of travels" in the eastern world" upon the patience of his friends in the western," as he terms it, it will bear more marks of careful research, and appropriate selection and arrangement of facts, than the volumes now on our table can boast of. Our earnest wish is, that in this attempt Dr. Durbin may successfully follow in the wake of those oriental travellers, whose published records have added so much to our stores of biblical literature and general information.

The Congregational Lecture. Tenth Series. An Inquiry into the Nature of the Symbolic Institutions of the Christian Religion, usually called "the Sacraments." By Robert Halley, D. D. Part I. Baptism. 8vo. pp. xii, 620. Jackson and Walford.-On the several volumes of this Series we have generally given our opinion as they have appeared. Differing on various subordinate points both of doctrine and discipline from the lecturers, yet we have seldom failed to derive both pleasure and profit from the

Lectures themselves. The Series, as it advances, by no means diminishes in value; and if it does not evince the same solidity and extent of learning which the well-drilled Bampton Lectures manifest, at all events it shows, what is immeasurably more important, the clearness and power of evangelical truth. If there be somewhat less of Athens and Rome, there is far more of Jerusalem and Antioch. Dr. Halley has given us a volume of which to say that it is worthy a place in the Series to which it belongs, is no slight praise. He has found, however, that the entire subject which he proposed to consider the sacraments-is too extensive to be exhausted in one set of Lectures, and too momentous to be discussed superficially. The present volume, therefore, refers only to one sacramental rite, and this is considered fully and minutely. On some branches of the question he has discoursed with successful clearness and power. On the paramount obligation of the institution, as against the views taken by the descendants of the disciples of GeorgeFox, Robert Barclay, and William Penn, and on the right of infants to this mode of initiation into the visible congregation of the Christian Israel, to which God has given the covenant of promise; Dr. Halley, we think, argues the subject well, mildly, but triumphantly. Some of his remarks on the writing of the late Dr. Carson are specimens of the proper style of controversy,-respectful, well-considered, but fearless and searching. On the principle on which he is led to include infants among the proper subjects of the ordinance, he is not, in our opinion, equally happy. He is correct as far as he goes. That infants are included in the gracious provisions of the covenant of redeeming love, constitutes one part of their right to its visible symbol and seal; but this is not the whole. Their relation to believing parents, by whose instrumentality they may be trained up in the character which baptism gives,that of disciples of Christ,-must never be overlooked. But Dr. Halley's Lectures are not for the mere sciolist in theology; and the careful student, while he will find some things of which he will at least stand in doubt, and others from which he must firmly dissent, will find much more for which, on account of the valuable instruction derived from it, he will be grateful to the lecturer. To all such readers as Dr. Halley would wish his volume to find,-equally removed from indolent servility, and self-conceited dogmatism,-readers who combine

manly independence, and ability to trace an argument through all its stages, with a reigning love of truth, and devout submission to the Scriptures of truth, we cordially recommend these Lectures.

HE PASA EKKLESIA. An original History of the religious Denominations at present existing in the United States. Containing authentic Accounts of their Rise, Progress, Statistics, and Doctrines, written expressly for the Work by eminent Theological Professors, Ministers, and Lay-Members of their respective Denominations: projected, compiled, and arranged by J. Daniel Rupp. Imperial 8vo. pp. viii, 734. Philadelphia.-The history of this work is given in few words. The compiler, having heard numerous complaints by Ministers and lay-members of different denominations, that books professing to contain a history of all religions had unjustly represented the faith which they both held and taught, imagined that a volume, similar to the one now before us, was not only desirable, but much required; he then conceived a plan of obtaining the history of each denomination from the pen of some individual who was one of its most distinguished Ministers or professors, and thus affording to each sect an opportunity of d tailing its own history, &c.

The Rev. Nathan Bangs, D.D., is the writer of the Article on the "Methodist Episcopal Church." Each piece is both comprehensive and yet compact, and duly authenticated by the name of the author. With regard to America, the work is free from those defects which are easily discovered in Adam's "Religious World displayed," the "Dictionary of all Religions," and the "Book of the Denominations." A work giving in detail a genuine and authentic account of the numerous religious sects on the other side of the Atlantic, has long been a desideratum. This book of Mr. Rupp, associated with that of Dr. Baird, will supply a vacuum which we have long lamented, as connected with the ecclesiastical history of the new world.

Elementary Education: the Importance of its Extension in our own Country. With a Sketch of the State of elementary Education on the Continent. By Henry Edwards, Ph. D., D.D. 8vo. pp. iv, 182. Longmans and Co.-This work is deserving of a close and thoughtful perusal by all who feel interested in the inviting, and, at present, all-engrossing, subject of elementary education. The writer enters into the subject with the ease and adroitness of an individual

who feels himself to be at home, and discusses various points of importance with a freedom and independence of thought highly to be admired. With many of his positions we are pleased, and judge the volume calculated to be extensively useful.

The Lascars' Cry to Britain. An Appeal to British Christians on behalf of the Asiatic Sailors who resort to the Ports of London, Liverpool, &c., more particularly addressed to the Directors of the Missionary Societies. By the Rev. James Peggs, &c. 8vo. pp. 44. T. Ward and Co.-To the philanthropic around us we hope this appeal will not be made in vain. Several thousands of these mariners annually visit this country, and while here are the victims of great extortion, poverty, and wretchedness. The term "Lascar" is defined, in an Indian Vocabulary, to be an Indian sailor, or one who is employed under European gunners in the management of artillery. The great majority of them are Mahometans: those who are of Portuguese extraction are Roman Catholics. The objects contemplated by Mr. Peggs in this Appeal, embrace a depôt, asylum, or refuge, which should combine comfort with economy: they are generally slender men, thinly clad, uninured to cold and inclement weather, especially the severity of our winters; and hence the necessity of a warm, comfortable place of residence during their sojourn. Medicine for the sick, clothing for the destitute, legal advice and protection relative to their little property and concerns, are of the utmost importance to these poor, destitute, and often cruelly oppressed and neglected, foreigners. Directions in procuring vessels to return to their own country, and entering upon these duties under the eye of their new European friends, might be attended with important results both to the men and to their employers. The preservation of their money, papers, books, clothes, &c., till their embarkation, must be to them an important subject. confer these and similar temporal benefits, is not unworthy the attention of the benevolent Christian. We heartily wish Mr. Peggs success.

То

The Bible entirely self-illustrated by select Marginal References to the authorized English Version, with appropriate Questions. Peculiarly designed to assist in the Attainment of pure scriptural Truth. By the Author of "Visits of Familiar Instruction." Part I., Genesis. 8vo. pp. 71. Simpkin and Co.We have only seen this part of the work:

the second was intended to have been published in August; but not having reached us, we take it for granted, that the work has been discontinued. This we regret, inasmuch as the plan on which the Bible was designed to be illustrated, was exceedingly valuable, and admirably adapted for Bible classes in general, and the senior classes in our Sunday-schools. We thought so highly of the work on its first appearance, that we determined to give a specimen of the schemes employed to cast light upon the word of divine truth, that our young Teachers, being impressed with its simple and scriptural character, might at once possess themselves of the Parts as they came from the press. We are sorry that the designs of the author have proved abortive.

A Tract for the Times: being a Plea for the Jews. By Samuel Alexander Bradshaw. 12mo. pp. 47. Edwards and Hughes. A powerfully-written pamphlet ; but, on many topics, enthusiastic and visionary.

The System of late Hours of Business, and its moral, intellectual, and physical Evils, considered. By the Author of" Mental Culture." Second Thousand. 12mo. pp. 36. Ward and Co.-Most sincerely do we join in the wish, that the oppressive late-hour system for the transacting of business were altogether abolished nevertheless, we wish to know what ample and satisfactory provision is being made to meet the case of perhaps forty thousand individuals who, from seven o'clock in the evening until a comparatively late hour, will be thrown upon their own resources for amusement or improvement. Many are married, and have families, to which they may be expected to resort. Thousands are single men, who have no domestic circle with which to unite, &c. We looked to the tract before us for some satisfaction, but found it not other writers have been equally defective. We should be glad to see the question fairly met and disposed of.

Essays on some of the Prophecies in Holy Scripture, which remain to be fulfilled. By Edward G. Marsh, M. A. Essay the Fourth: On the Language of Symbols. Essay the Fifth: On the Chronology of Prophecy. 8vo. pp. 32, 31. Seeley and Co.-These Essays maintain the character which we gave of the preceding, for much sound thinking, and a laudable acquaintance with the language and spirit of that "more sure word of prophecy, whereunto we do well to take heed."

The Qualifications and Encouragements of the Christian Ministry. Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Stowmarket, May 6th, 1844, at the Visitation of the Venerable the Archdeacon of Suffolk. By the Rev. C. Bridges, M. A. 8vo. pp. 24. Seeleys.

Sound

-Most sincerely do we desire that discourses similar to this and the one preced. ing vibrated on the ear of the Clergy of the Church of England, throughout the length and breadth of Great Britain, at what are technically termed "Episcopal or Archidiaconal Visitations." Protestant principles would be revived in the minds of the senior Clergy, while the junior would be deterred in their attempts to secure a pitiful notoriety, by imitating the ridiculous practices of such fanatics as Dr. Pusey and Mr. Newman. The following passage may be taken as a fair specimen of the whole discourse, which we recommend, with but little hesitation or reserve:"Take heed unto the doctrine. For in truth the whole Gospel is only one doctrine, comprising, indeed, divers and well-proportioned parts, yet all knit together in indivisible unity. It describes the sinner perishing in sin. It sets forth Christ the one foundation of his hope, the ground of his acceptance, the source of his life, the principle of his holiness. Here, then, lies the weight of our office, -the full manifestation of Christ. It can be no light sin in the Father's sight to give an imperfect, clouded exhibition of Him who is the brightness of his ' ineffable 'glory.' A most serious hurt must it be to the souls of sinners, to darken the only way of access to God, to cover though it were but the hem of that garment, whence the healing virtue flows. Let Him be in our ministry the all that is in the sinner's salvation. setting out the ordinances of the Church,

In

we must show them as channels, not as sources, of grace; having no innate power in themselves, but deriving all from Him; all, therefore, profitless to us, without a living union with Him, an entire dependence upon Him," &c.

The Path of God. By the Rev. E. E. Adams, M. A. 12mo. pp. 51. Hamilton and Co.-The substance of a discourse delivered in Poplar, near London, relating to certain disasters which had occurred at sea. To all who recognise the doctrine of divine Providence, and who believe that the Most High "is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works," this pamphlet will abound with comfort and instruction.

Ince's Outlines of English History: with a genealogical Chart, and other Engravings. 24mo. pp. 108. Gilbert. --A very cheap and well-executed manual, admirably adapted to the public, or more private domestic school-room.

Thoughts on Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, suggested by an Examination of Rom. ix. 13. 12mo.

pp. 22. Fisher and Son.-A clever, sensible tract, truly scriptural, and likely to be extensively useful to those who may be in doubt with regard to that important section of holy writ, the ninth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. On this subject John Goodwin should be carefully read and digested by every biblical student.

The

The Gospel before the Age: or, Christ with Nicodemus. Being an Exposition for the Times. By the Rev. Robert Montgomery, M. A., Oxon. 8vo. pp. xxxii, 394. Baisler. This is confessedly one of the best, because one of the most useful, works of which Mr. Montgomery is the author. title is somewhat inappropriate, not giving a clear and distinct idea of the nature of the work, the grand object of which, is to show the supremacy of the claims of vital Christianity, that it comes from God, and leads to him. The basis of the discourse is our Lord's conversation with Nicodemus; and the important principles which it contains are brought to bear upon the Church; on the actions of Government, whether Conservative or otherwise; on the general proceedings of men of the world; on the various relations of civil society; and also on the duties and obligations of the domestic constitution. With reference to the Romanistic party in the Church of England, our author speaks in the language of a true Protestant, and also with power; the principal features of which he describes as follows:-"1. They

depreciate the Reformers and the principles of the Reformation. 2. They repudiate and reject the name of Protestants. 3. They palliate the enormities, and eulogize the character, of the Papal Church. 4. They personify the sacra ments into a kind of mystical Christ; imprison the Holy Ghost in certain absolute rites, ceremonies, and forms; put an ill-defined and ambiguous tradition in parallel influence and sometimes paramount authority over the simplicities of the divine word; and a parricidal spirit of treason and disloyalty to the Church discovers itself wherever they allude to the protesting elements of the Reformation in England, with regard to purgatory, the Virgin Mary, transubstantiation, and praying for the dead. 5. There are yet three remaining characteristics, which distinguish the Romanistic party :-First, the promised guidance of the Holy Spirit is treated either with studied neglect, or, when introduced into discussion, is so confounded with fanaticism, folly, and presumption, as to leave an ignorant reader almost to doubt whether there be any Holy Ghost at all. In the second place, they exalt one divine ordinance in order to depress another: we allude especially to their pompous anathemas and lofty denunciations against preaching, in order to magnify prayer. Thirdly, and in conclusion, the rationalistic spirit in which our Anglican Romanists have often treated the Bible, has been scarcely surpassed by the Socinian heretics themselves." On the whole, we have been pleased with this volume; and could our author prune the redundancy of his style, and manifest greater simplicity in his compositions, he would be more generally read, and more extensively useful.

Jewish Christian's Appeal in behalf of his Brethren according to the Flesh. By A. D. Salmon. 12mo. pp. 16. Sherwood and Co.-An energetic address, grounded on the word of God, and the present unhappy condition of the Jewish nation. We hope it will be widely circulated.

The History of the London Missionary Society, comprising an Account of the Origin of the Society, biographical Notices of some of its Founders and Missionaries; with a Record of its Progress at home, and its Operations abroad. Compiled from original Documents in the Possession of the Society. By William Ellis, late Foreign Secretary of the Society, &c., &c. Vol. I. 8vo. pp. xvi, 579. Snow.It is with

pleasure that we direct the attention of our readers to the first volume of this important work, which is intended to contain an authentic history of the London Missionary Society, and forming a most valuable companion to those works which have lately appeared on the same absorbing topic, the History of Christian Missions we allude to Dr. Campbell's work entitled, "Maritime Discovery, and Christian Missions ;" and to that of Dr. Morison, designated, "Fathers and Founders of the London Missionary Society." Besides the notice of the events which led to the formation of the Society, and of the proceedings connected with its establishment and early movements at home, "the first volume records the progress and results of its labours in the South-Sea Islands, and among the Ultra-Ganges nations, from their commencement to the present time, thus completing the first era in the history of these important Missions.

The

recent events which, in the arrangements of divine Providence, have changed the political relations of both those countries with European nations, will impart a character to future Missionary operations amongst them, as altered from the past as they are in aspect different from each other. The second volume will contain an account of the proceedings of the Society in Africa, India, and other parts of the world, with a view of the indirect effects of its labours, and the collateral advantages it has conferred on the cause of civilisation and civil liberty abroad, as well as on the public opinion, literature, science, and commerce of our country.' We have read this volume with deep interest. Mr. Ellis has thus far discharged the duty imposed upon him in a manner which is as honourable to his literary character as it is beneficial to the interests of that important Society whose history he is attempting to record. We shall, with pleasing anticipations, await the appearance of the concluding volume.

The Christian Almanac for the Year 1845. Tract Society.

The Pocket-Book Almanac for 1845. Tract Society.

The Tract-Society Penny Almanac for 1845. Tract Society.

The Fathers and Founders of the London Missionary Society. A Jubilee Memorial. Including a Sketch of the Origin and Progress of the Institution. By John Morison, D. D. A new Edition, with twenty-one Portraits. 8vo. pp. xxxvi, 580. Fisher and Co.-With regard to the intrinsic merits of this

valuable work, we can only refer to a former Number of our Magazine, in which we spoke favourably and at large respecting them. The history of the London Missionary Society would not have been complete without this volume; and we heartily congratulate Dr. Morison on the appearance of a second edition.

The Influence of Education upon the human Mind, in the Government of the Passions and the Tempers. By James Waymouth. 18mo. pp. xii, 69. Hamilton and Co.-A tissue of nonsense and absurdity. Who Mr. Waymouth is, we know not; but, from the character, style, and contents of this pamphlet, we think a few weeks' instruction in some one of the Wesleyan day-schools would do much toward enlightening his mind, which appears to be fearfully dark on topics of vital importance, essentially connected with that education which alone can govern "the passions and the tempers." If Mr. Waymouth were a believer in the doctrines of the Gospel, as defined in the page of holy writ, he would not have committed to writing this sentiment: "Education, though it does not exalt human nature to a state of grace and favour with God, it is a sort of preparatory qualification for it ;"-if not, then he is utterly unfit to write upon the subject expressed on the title-page of his book. The foundation on which he is attempting to build his pretty but dangerous hypothesis, will assuredly sink underneath him, because it is in direct opposition to the testimony of God's word. We confess our inability to understand our author when he says, "The first receivers of the effects of extreme sensibility are the nerves; for the sentient, or group of nerves, closely surrounds the mind, and must therefore suffer from immoderate action; and fixed thought, especially of a distressing nature, shipwrecks the whole family of nerves, (!!) and makes awful ravages upon the constitution." If this pamphlet be a specimen of the abilities and opinions of Mr. Waymouth, we sincerely hope that the "series of corresponding essays he intends to "inflict," to use Dr. Durbin's phrase, upon his readers, will be detained in the writer's desk, until he read more extensively, and think more correctly on subjects which seriously affect the eternal welfare of mankind.

The Salvation of Israel. A Sermon on behalf of the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews, delivered in Weigh-House Chapel, London. By the Rev. George Smith.