eased sections of society,-all was frustrated by a miserable squabble about the appointment of trustees,' and some other matters of detail, in which the dissenters conceived that some undue advantage was given to the church! Surely, if even an inspired apostle, whose claims to deference, and even to submission, were wholly, and beyond all comparison, above those of all other men,-if he could rejoice' at sectarian teaching, and say, 'Some preach Christ of envy and strife,—nevertheless every way Christ is preached, and therein I do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice,'-it must have been some spirit far removed from the primitive and apostolical one which roused itself to oppose and withstand an effort to supply education to the people, merely from a fear that some rival religious body might be the gainer by the improvement. Can it be, that a feeling so low, so petty, so disgraceful, can long endure in English minds? Must we not hope that a few months of calmer reflection will moderate, if not entirely remove these petty jealousies, and permit that which concerns all, to take precedence of that which only concerns this or that sect?"-pp. 223, 224.

This is an illustration of the one-sided way in which it is so easy to apply sound sentiments and scriptural precedents. Without committing ourselves to any general opinion on the subject of state interference with education, a subject on which they who think it most free from difficulties, are least competent, generally, to think at all with accuracy, we may well assert, that if blame rests anywhere in reference to the frustration of the late government attempt to legislate upon it, that blame rests not with those who resisted its unrighteous clauses, but with those who originated and approved them. If the "squabble" was "miserable," they who caused it cannot expect to preserve all their dignity. If the feeling was "low, disgraceful, petty," that refused to take the measure with its obnoxious provisions, what must the feeling have been that would not give up those provisions? In proportion to the littleness and the wickedness of standing out against the "petty" details, must be the littleness and wickedness of standing up for them. The things which the dissenters opposed, were just as great as those on which churchmen insisted. But lo, it is the dissenters only that violate the apostolical spirit! It is the dissenters only, that obstruct, on selfish and sectarian grounds, a great national blessing! It is the dissenters only, of whom it is to be hoped that "a few months of calmer reflection will moderate, if not entirely remove, their petty jealousies!" We can tell this writer, who seems to study the Scriptures only in the light of his sect, and not his sect in the light of the Scriptures, that dissenters are not to be moved by such puerilities as these. They think education is good, but that justice is better; and so long as churchmen are mean and bigoted enough to insist on national funds being appropriated to the purposes of sectarian education, they will be mean and bigoted enough (if it must be so called,) to resist them. But learn we not a lesson hence? If this is the way in which a writer, who differs vastly from many others of the same school, in bitterness and bigotry, can represent what we feel bound to do by a regard to the principles of simple truth and equity, can we expect

that our interests will be safe, but as we guard them? Let us not be deceived or beguiled. Let our opponents be honest or dishonest, conscientious or reckless,-whether they act from policy or principle,whether they understand the principles of religious right and liberty, or not, the moment we permit the loss of our privileges, and the violation of our just claims, that moment they are lost and violated!

We have not entered into the general contents of the book, or we might have found much to commend. We like the spirit in which it is written. We relish greatly the preference of principle to expediency, which it displays, even though we may believe the mode of its display, erroneous. It is not common in these days. With the general counsels addressed to the various classes of society, we altogether agree. They could not be more sound. Our difference is just this: he is a churchman, we are not. He is a conservative, we are not. As to the two kinds of evil and peril from which the nation suffers, and to which it is exposed, we have no controversy about their existence, but only the method of their removal. There is poverty breaking the spirits and ruining the morals and the souls of men, but we have no hope from any quixotic attempt to make people give more than is necessary for what they want, or ask a price for things they cannot get. The only thing to raise wages, is to increase the demand for labour. The law that ordains it, is as sure as any law of the universe. Again, we differ not from our author as to the awful spiritual destitution of the country, but we are sure the certain and the righteous way is not to tax dissenters for the increase of a great overgrown establishment, half worldly, and half popish.

CURSORY NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE eighth volume of "The Works of the Rev. William Jay" contains, besides the interesting Memoirs of the late Rev. J. Clark, twelve essays and discourses, of great beauty and usefulness. We sincerely trust that their venerable author may be spared to complete this valuable edition of his invaluable writings, which should form a part of the devotional library of every Christian family that can afford their purchase. (pp. 536. London: C. A. Bartlett.)

Our learned friend, Dr. William Smith, of Highbury College, is proceeding with his" Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology," the fourth part of which is now before us. As the plan of this work includes "the names of all persons of any importance which occur in the Greek and Roman writers from the earliest times down to the extinction" of the Western and Eastern Empires; so it will contain biographies of the Christian Fathers. The present number has two admirable articles on Athanasius and Augustin, which possess additional interest as they are, perhaps, the last literary compositions of the learned and lamented J. Morell Mackenzie, of Glasgow, whose affecting loss in the Pegasus, last year, occasioned such deep sorrow throughout an extensive circle of literary, religious, and personal friends. (pp. 128. 8vo. Taylor & Walton.)

Our Calendars and Almanacks increase in number, intelligence, and cheapness, and thus supply another illustration of the importance of abolishing all taxes on the labours of the press. Time was when a heavy stamp duty of fifteen-pence was imposed on each Almanack, and thus works very inferior to those now offered to the public, were sold at half-a-crown! Now we have "The Penny Almanack" of the Tract Society, for a penny. "The Complete Suffrage Almanack" for sixpence. “The Christian Almanack” for eightpence, and “The Congregational Calendar” and "The Catholic Directory," for a shilling each. To begin with the last, it will supply much information to those who are curious to know the position and prospects of the Roman Catholics in Great Britain. 66 The Congregational Calendar" is embellished with a pretty engraving of the Lancashire College, and supplies a large mass of information relating to the Independent Churches, to be found nowhere else. Christian Almanack" is very learned in astronomy, and has much plain and pious matter, for plain and pious people. "The Complete Suffrage Almanack" is very cheap, and exceedingly well edited; and "The Penny Almanack" is well worth a penny. Mr. W. J. Bakewell, who has been successively pastor of the Unitarian congregations of Chester, Edinburgh, and Norwich, and since then of one at Pittsburgh, U. S., has published "A Letter" to the people formerly under his care, entitled, Unitarianism Untenable," explaining the grounds of his embracing orthodox opinions. The following paragraph will be read with satisfaction by every friend of "the truth as it is in Jesus."

• The

"Long before I resigned my last pastoral charge, I had often reflected with no little perplexity on the present state of Unitarianism, and the little success which has attended all the means which have been taken, in this country and in England, for the dissemination of its doctrines. And after I had ceased to officiate in the pulpit, my perplexity increased. In England, except where a popular preacher attracts, the Unitarian congregations have been for many years decreasing, and in many places the chapels are nearly empty. To adopt an expression somewhere used by Dr. Chalmers, they are rapidly dwindling from observation.' Before I left my native land, I was encouraged by the flattering accounts which we received of the progress of Unitarianism in America. I knew that at Boston there were more than twelve Unitarian churches, and heard of its very extensive and irresistible progress in the west. A residence of a few years in this country, has fully convinced me of the erroneous impression which exists on this subject in England. One or two congregations, indeed, may be brought forward which have increased of late, but others have diminished, I am led to believe, from what I have seen, heard and read, in greater proportion; and the wild notions that many Unitarians have lately adopted, will not advance the cause." (12mo. pp. 60. Hamilton & Adams.)

We are happy to announce that the Rev. George Redford, D.D., of Worcester, has written, at the suggestion of his friend Mr. James, of Birmingham, and for the Tract Society's press, a most valuable little book, entitled, “The Great Change; a treatise on Conversion,” which is now published with “ An Introduction, by the author of The Anxious Inquirer." He truly remarks, that a work "on the most momentous of all subjects, and written by no obscure or unskilled author, needed not to be heralded into public notice by him or any one else." Still it must be known in order to be circulated, and we therefore express our decided opinion that it is an important addition to our practical theology, and its style and price alike fit it for extensive circulation. (18mo. pp. 180. Tract Society.)

Dr. James Hoby, of Birmingham, who was so unceremoniously sent out of Copenhagen last summer by the Danish authorities, has published a "Narrative of a visit to Christian brethren in Hamburg, Copenhagen, &c." which contains affecting illustrations of the low state of religion and religious freedom in those places, and many

other interesting particulars. It appears (p. 101) that the proselyting zeal of the Mennonites, the old Baptists of Germany, "is by common consent discontinued;" and Dr. Hoby, observing thereon says, "An aggressive movement may be found essential, if not to stability, at least to healthfulness." (18mo. pp. 140. Houlston & Stoneman.)

At a period when church matters form the question of the age, and when the writings of the early fathers are quoted to sanction many partial and arbitrary opinions, it is of great moment that the real sentiments of the ante-Nicene writers should be accurately ascertained. To this work the Rev. Charles Semisch of Trebnitz, Silesia, has given himself with truly German diligence and learning; and a translation of the first work of a series, that on "Justin Martyr; his Life, Writings, and Opinions," has been made by Mr. J. E. Ryland, and published in the Edinburgh Biblical Cabinet, vols. xlii. xliii. Justin Martyr is the earliest of the ecclesiastical as distinguished from the apostolic writers, and hence great importance has been attached to his opinions. This work is divided into four books-the first, in three chapters, treats of the life of Justin Martyr-the second, in seven chapters, on his writings, genuine and spurious-the third discusses the general characteristics of Justin-and the last, which occupies the close of the first, and all the second volume, relates to the doctrines of the Martyr. Our readers will perceive that this work is of a standard character, and examines the subject far more extensively than Bishop Kaye has done in his work entitled "Some account of the Writings and Opinions of Justin Martyr." We hope that these learned and instructive volumes will be extensively circulated. (2 vols. 12mo. pp. 348, 388. Edinburgh: T. Clarke. London: Hamilton & Co.)

Great inroads have been made on our old English institutions by a tendency to centralization in police, the relief of the poor, and more recently, general education. Our statesmen appear fascinated by continental systems. To counteract this, a very able and instructive work, entitled "France, her Governmental, Administrative, and Social Organization, exposed and considered in its principles, working, and results," has just appeared from the pen of a gentleman long resident in that country. It is an instructive and admonitory work, derived from original and most authentic sources, and which we trust, will excite salutary alarm at that course which has been taken by the leaders of both our great parties. We shall probably recur to it again. (8vo. pp. 236. Madden & Co.)

The Rev. Thos. Stratten, of Hull, has published a discourse he recently delivered at Beverley, entitled " Baptism at Corinth, and by Paul," &c. which possesses two qualities by no means common in books on that vexatious subject,-novelty and charity; while the conclusions to which he has come are perfectly scriptural. He draws the following from the Baptism at Corinth, and by Paul:

I. A conclusion against the zeal which makes peculiar views of Baptism the ground of denominational distinction.

II. A conclusion against the practice of giving public exhibition and eclat to baptismal services.

III. A conclusion against limiting the administration of Baptism to adults only.
IV. A conclusion against linking together Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
V. A conclusion against administering the rite by immersion.

These conclusions are well sustained; we should have liked the third to have been more amplified and pithy; but the spirit in which it is written, especially considering the local circumstances which gave rise to it, does credit to the head and heart of the author. If our wishes could be realised, we would have this fourpenny tract in the hands of every teacher of the schools and every hearer of the Gospel. (12mo. pp. 38. J. Snow.)

THE EDITOR'S TABLE.

THE titles, &c. of all books and pamphlets sent to the Editor are inserted in this monthly list, and many of them are made the subjects of critical notices and reviews; but he cannot hold himself engaged to give an opinion on the merits of every work that he receives, though it will be acknowledged under this head as a matter of

course.

The Protestant Reformation in all Countries; including Sketches of the state and prospects of the Reformed Churches. A Book for Critical Times. By the Rev. John Morison, D.D. 8vo. pp. 528. London: Fisher & Co.

France: Her Governmental, Administrative, and Social Organization, exposed and considered in its Principles, in its Workings, and in its Results. 8vo. pp. xiv., 236. London: Madden & Co.

Christian Consolation; or, the Unity of the Divine Procedure a Source of Comfort to afflicted Christians. By the Rev. Edward Mannering. 12mo. pp. 310. London: J. Snow.

Woman's Worth; or, Hints to raise the Female Character. 12mo. pp. 226. Clarke & Co.

"The Faith once delivered to the Saints" considered in its Distinctive Principles and Sure Results; in Six Discourses. By the Rev. Joseph Ridgeway, M.A. 12mo. pp. 286. London: Seeley & Co.

Psyche; or, the Legend of Love. By Mrs. Tighe. Imperial 32mo. pp. 164. London Clarke & Co.

The Church and its Ministers. By John Burder, M.A. 12mo. pp. 48. London: J. Dinnis.

Methodist Quarterly Review, for October, 1843. Edited by George Peck, D.D. Imp. 8vo. New York: G. Lowe. London: Wiley & Putnam.

The Complete Suffrage Almanack, for 1844. 12mo. pp. 72. London: Davis & Hasler. The Indians of North America. With cuts. pp. 296. London: Religious Tract Society.

The Mothers of England, their Influence and Responsibility. By Mrs. Ellis, Author of "The Women of England." pp. 390. London: Fisher & Co.

A Series of Compositions from the Liturgy. By John Bell, Sculptor. 4to. Parts I. and II. London: Longman & Co.

The Great Change; A Treatise on Conversion. By George Redford, D.D., LL.D. With an Introduction by the Author of "The Anxious Inquirer," &c. 12mo. pp. 162. London: Religious Tract Society.

The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland, Illustrated from drawings by W. H. Bartlett. The Literary Department by N. P. Willis, Esq. 4to. Parts XXIX. and XXX., which complete the work. London: G. Virtue.

By

The Teacher's Manual; A Repository of Practical Suggestions and Biblical Illustrations. Vol. I. 12mo. pp. 406. London: G. & J. Dyer. Narrative of a Visit to Christian Brethren in Hamburg, Copenhagen, &c. James Hoby, D.D. 12mo. pp. 140. London: Houlston & Stoneman. Fox's Book of Martyrs. Edited by the Rev. John Cumming, M.A. Imperial 8vo. Parts LV. to LVIII. London: G. Virtue.

Learning to Think. 12mo. pp. 180. London: Religious Tract Society.

A Blast from the North against Church Rulers. The Claims and Authority of Ecclesiastical Courts Examined and Considered in Relation to the new Free Church of Scotland. By a Primitive Presbyter. 12mo. pp. 12. London: T. Ward & Co. The Baptisms of Scripture Unfolded. In Two Parts. By Sarah Bull. 12mo. pp. 66. London: W. Aylott.