enactor of her own laws, and regulations, and canons. The Convocation, the legitimate legislature of the Church of England, and the high grand inquest of the Church, has not exercised its functions for more than a century. And the only body that legislates for a Church thus bound by the state and stripped of her legitimate authority, is Parliament, with unlimited powers --a House of Lords, where the presiding officer may be, and it is said to have been, a dissenter--a House of Commons, where many are avowed dissenters, and where, whenever church topics are discussed, ample evidence is afforded that the greatest statesmen are not always the greatest theologians. "Let me not be misunderstood-I am not speaking disrespectfully of dissenters, nor entering into the question of the propriety of their participating in the civil government of England. But what business have dissenters with legislating for a Church, from which they dissent, and to which they are conscientiously opposed? "I need not remark to you how superior are the arrangements of our ecclesiastical constitutions. These provide in Diocesan Conventions, consisting of the Bishop, the Clergy, and the delegates of congregations; and in a General Convention of the Bishops, the Clergy, and the representatives of the Laity, with a negative on each other, for the full, efficient, and vigorous exercise of the legislative, executive, and judiciary powers of the Church; and at the same time secure in every department, and in every officer, that responsibility which is essential to a zealous and correct administration of ecclesiastical affairs. "The principle of our ecclesiastical polity we derive from the Church of England. It is the principle which its ablest champion, styled, in olden time and in olden phrase, the judicious Hooker,' enforces and vindicates-that all orders of men affected by the laws, should have a voice in making them. In the theory of the ecclesiastical constitution of England, the Bishops and the clergy legislate in the upper and lower house of Convocation; and the laity in Parliament, whose assent, or that of the King, is necessary to all acts of the Convocation. But though the Convocation is summoned and meets at every opening of Parliament, the prerogative of the King is immediately exercised in dissolving it. Hence Parliament-a lay body, with the exception of the Bishops who sit in the House of Lords, and whose individual votes are merged in the great mass of the Lay Peers--becomes in its omnipotence the sole legislature of the apostolical and spiritual Church of England. And the plan has been agitated, of altering, by authority of Parliament, the marriage service of the Church, so as to compel the Clergy to dispense with those parts which recognize the doctrine of the Trinity, in accommodation to the scruples of a certain class of dissenters. Thanks to that good Providence who hath watched over our Zion, no secular authority can interfere with, or controul our high ecclesiastical assembly. The imposing spectacle is scen there, of her Bishops in one house, and her Clergy and Laity by their representatives in another, (analogous to the mode of our civil legislation,) exercising legislative, aud by the Bishops, admonitory authority over the whole Church, and co-ordinately enacting the laws that her exigences demand. mony, union, vigour, zeal, like the lifeblood of the human frame, are thus scut from this heart of our system, into every part of the spiritual body--through all the members of our Church, which is destined, we humbly trust, to exhibit, not only as under the most discouraging circumstances she has always done, in its purity, but in the strength arising from increasing numbers, the primitive truth and order which the apostles proclaimed and established, and for which they, and a noble army of martyrs, laid down their lives."--pp. 1729. Har These are the faithful wounds of friendship; but Dr. Hobart must not anticipate that they will be received in the spirit of the Psalmist, when he said, " Let the righteous smite me," &c. No; twenty pages of eloquent abuse have already been hurled at him, charged with contemptible sneers at democracy, and malignant predictions of the eventual dissolution of those republican institutions, which are found virulent enough to corrupt a Bishop! Other reverend and learned reviewers will follow in the same strain, Dr. Hobart has been too frank, too independent, too faithful to escape reproach; but while he will doubtless be assailed from various quarters, he will have the calm satisfaction of knowing that he has done his duty to the parent church, and the very resentment he provokes will increase his affectionate solicitude, when he reflects on that solemn declaration, "He that being oft reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall be suddenly cut off, and that without remedy.", LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS, WITH SHORT NOTICES. ་་་་་་་་་་་་་ THE DUTY OF SPREADING A SCRIP TURAL RELIGION: a Sermon preached at the Half-yearly Meeting of the Sussex Congregational Society. By Joseph Turnbull, A. B. 12mo. pp. 36.-We are always happy to hear of the union of congregational churches in the different provinces of our country; and are persuaded, that all the principles of scriptural independency are in perfect accordance with the association of churches, not only for the general interests of religion, but even for the subordinate objects of their own mutual advancement and consolidation. While the separate jurisdiction of the churches is maintained, and every approach to interference is disclaimed, this state of insulated dignity is quite compatible with their social communion. As individuals lose not their personal rights by association in one church, so churches lose not their particular prerogatives by a general association for the promotion of each other's prosperity. County unions, founded on such principles, are of high importance to the prosperity of the whole body, by the development of those energies and sympathies, which tend to the promotion of "pure and undefiled religion." We trust, that in a short time we shall be able to report, that the congregational churches and ministers of the metropolis are relieved from the reflection which has often been thrown upon them, by the adoption of measures for a "London Congregational Union." Long have there been efficient associations for all the general and distant objects of Christian benevolence; but as the members of a particular section of the great commonwealth of the church of God, they have not been "keeping their own vineyards" as they ought! If they believe in the scriptural character and practical efficiency of their own principles, it ought not to be a matter of indifference to them, to circulate and increase their influence in every direction; this is incumbent on them, not from motives of mere sectarianism, but with a view to the general interests of Christianity. Then, if in every thing else union is strength, it ought to be so in our churches collectively; and the various districts are bound to seek its cultivation. In Scotland, the land of jealousy itself, amongst our Independent brethren there is a general and most prosperous union. There are similar unions in the principal counties; and the most zealous Independents are active members. Why should there not be one in the metropolis? A union, not to manage the concerns of separate churches; not to include churches out of their own locality; but a union to an extent that may be convenient and practicable of all the churches and ministers of the Independent denomination, so as to constitute an efficient London Association, would be of incalculable advantage. We have embraced this opportunity of referring to the subject; but hope to enter into a more elaborate consideration of it in another number. The sermon by Mr. Turnbull is one that does not relate to this specific topic, though its title page has suggested these remarks. It is a plain and judicious discourse, on a text which does not appear to us very appropriate to the object he had in view, except indeed on the principle of contrast. The passage (Gal. i 9.) pronounces an anathema on those who spread a false religion, and Mr. Turnbull's sermon respects the duty of spreading "a scriptural religion.” Apart, however, from this inappositeness, there is much of useful remark and beneficial exhortation in the dis course. It is chiefly deficient in unity and concentration, though it embraces a variety of important and interesting points; and as such, we commend it to general attention. John Clunie, LL.D.; and a Sermon by A CHARGE, delivered by the Rev. nation of the Rev. John Swindell, on the the Rev John Hayter Cox, at the Ordi 28th of June, 1826, at Aldborough, Suffolk. pp. 34. Longman and Co.These discourses are distinguished by their general adaptation to the interesting occasion on which they were delivered, and contain much of useful and instructive exhortation on the duties of christian pastors, and the corresponding obligations of christian societies." THE ACTIVELY BENEVOLENT MAN A PUBLIC BLESSING: a Sermon, occasioned by the Death of James Myer, Esq. of Enfield. By the Rev. William Brown. 8vo. pp. 22.-This is an affectionate and impressive memorial: of one who appears, from Mr. Brown's eulogium, to have been a truly christian philanthro pist. Such friends to their country and the world" grow not thick on every bough;" and their removal is indeed a calamitous dispensation. We have had many recent instances of the mysterious conduct of Providence in this respect; few, comparatively, are rising up to fill the places of the departed elders of our congregations. We use the term in the unofficial sense, and often reflect with depression on the ravages of death amongst the respected and efficient laity of our churches, as well as amongst those "who have been their guides." Our only solace is in the presence and power of HIM, "over whom death has no more dominion!" an THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST: a Discourse at Bury Street Chapel. By J. Rees. 8vo. pp. 30.This sermon appears to have been " introductory discourse delivered at the opening of a weekly lecture." It is characterized by its tone of impassioned feeling on a theme eminently calculated to inspire it, and worthy of all the ardour and emotion that can be expended upon it. If all the discourses at this "weekly lecture" be in perfect and entire accordance with the principles advanced in this sermon, we have no doubt of its subserviency to the interests of pure religion. We trust "the whole counsel of God" will be exhibited; practical as well as experimental religion be illustrated; and sinners be as freely exhorted to repent and believe the Gospel, as saints will be reminded of their privileges and consolations. RURAL PICTURES AND MISCELLANEOUS PIECES. By J. W. Slatter. 12mo. pp. 138. 3s. 6d. Holdsworth. 1826.This is a neatly printed volume of what is called poetry. We presume that its author is a youthful votary of the muses, and has a strong penchant for ramblings about the foot of the Parnassian Mount. Whether he has ever met with any of the fair ones of that enchanted region, we are not able to decide: that he has been visited by a far higher influence than was ever felt there, we have reason to hope, from the indications of pious and devout feeling which appear in various parts of his compositions. He possesses, however, considerable powers of versification, and there are many passages of tenderness and beauty in the sketches of rural life which he has presented. MY EARLY DAYS. By Walter Ferguson, Esq. 18mo. pp. 160. 2s. EdinN. S. No. 22. burgh. 1826.-The name on the titlepage of this volume is, we presume, fictitious; and the "recollections" of its author are rather the efforts of imagination than of memory. It is, however, a highly interesting and well written sketch, abounding in lively descriptions of character and incident. The prin ciples it inculcates are directly conducive to the cultivation of filial piety, reverence for the Sabbath, and a watchful regard to the dictates of conscience in the formation of early habits. A higher degree of talent in the delineation of character is evinced in this volume, than in most of the publications of this order; and though we could have wished for a more decisive indication of regard to spiritual religion and evangelical principles, we think it may be read with advantage and profit by all classes of our youthful readers. We also venture to add, that few of maturer years, though like ourselves growing grey " in the service of the public, will begin this volume without finishing it. We would recommend to its author a wider range and a loftier aim in his future attempts at "recollection." THE NEGRO'S FRIEND; or, the Sheffield Anti-Slavery Album. London: Longman and Co. 1826. pp. 204. 5s. "This volume is edited by two members of the Sheffield Anti-Slavery Committee; and, though the general purpose of the publication is to expose the unlawfulness and enormities of slavery itself, and thereby excite the friends of justice and humanity to promote, by all constituthe profits, if any, are to be specially detional means, its early and total abolition, voted to the objects of a Society in London for the Relief of Distressed Negroes in Antigua."-Preface, p. 1. In addition to this, it will scarcely be necessary to say more than that some parts of the volume are from the pen of Mr. Montgomery. The different papers of which the work is composed are certainly of unequal merit, but we could point out a few at least, which, in our estimation, would more than redeem a rather ponderous volume of indifferent ones. We refer particularly to "The Discarded Negro," and "The Voyage of the Blind." In the Introduction to. the latter of these papers, we find a spirited and justly-indignant exposure of that pusillanimous concession made by the British Plenipotentiary in his negociation for peace with France, after the fall of Bonaparte in 1814. Having quoted that part of the definitive treaty 4 A which relates to the subject, the writer observes "This article acknowledged the iniquity of the slave-trade, and yet authorized its practice by the French government for five years. Innumerable have been the instances of injustice sanctioned by treaties of peace; but surely this was the first time injustice had been avowed and yet sanctioned. In the cabalistic jargon of diplomatists, the most flagrant usurpations of predominant villainy are wont to be coloured over with pretences of forbearance; and the most reluctant concessions of humbled impotence are declared voluntary acts of independent power. It is an established homage which vice pays to virtue, in courts and cabinets, (as well as elsewhere,) to assume her character, and to do every thing in her name in this case, however, she violated her own etiquette, and, confessing her infamy, stipulated for an indulgence to riot in a crime so multiform, that no single term in human language comprehends the hundredth part of its atrocitythe slave-trade alone can do this. The licences granted by the police of Paris to harlots to carry on their profession unmolested, are venial in comparison with the turpitude of the licence in question demanded by France, and granted by the Ambassador of Great Britain, to carry on-no, to commit the slave-trade; for, to commit the slave-trade, is to commit fraud, violence, perjury, sacrilege, robbery, murder, treason, and every sin that is involved with, or incidental to the traffic in the bones and muscles of living men. As a deliberate recognition of wickedness in the principle of an article in a public treaty, between two nations professing Christianity, had thus far been unexampled in past ages, it is devoutly to be hoped, that this profligate precedent will never be copied in ages to come; but that whatever wrongs monarchs may be disposed to attempt, or diplomatists to confirm, all may be done, as heretofore, under the decent cloak of honesty; for the very affectation of virtue is a restraint upon vice, while enough of her disposition will inevitably appear to betray her hypocrisy. But the African slave-trade by France was not the continuance of a system already established, as in the case of Spain and Portugal-it was the creation of a new slavetrade. France had not, at the time, a foot of ground on the habitable globe to be cultivated by the toil and blood of a single negro; she had not a farthing embarked in that commerce of human misery; all her colonies had been conquered, and in all those colonies the slave-trade had been actually abolished by the irreversible decree of Great Britain, the absolute pos sessor of them; so that our cabinet had no more right to give back to France her West Indian islands, and her African factorics, with leave to revive the slave-trade there, than that cabinet had to revive the slave-trade in our own settlement, by a mere order in council: while, on the other hand, France had no more right to renew the horrid traffic where it had been annihilated, than she had to legalize the in any part of her empire, whether in crimes which the slave-trade comprehends the heart of Paris, or on the shores of Guinea."--pp. 81--83. The subsequent part of this energetic and interesting paper contains a poem founded on the imaginary fate of a slaveship, agreeably to the tragical circumstances described in the "Fifteenth Report of the Directors of the African InThat Report, it stitution, in 1821." will probably be recollected, contains an extract from "Bibliotheque Ophtalmologique, ou Recueil d'Observations sur la Maladies des yeux," &c. "Avec des Notes par M. M. Depuytreu Pariset,” &c. published at Paris, in which we have a most affecting account of the ship Le Rodeur. About fifteen days after the time of her leaving the coast of Africa, with hold, symptoms of opthalmia began to 160 negroes crowded together in the make its appearance. This frightful dişease, having spread rapidly among the Africans, began to attack the sailors, so as to create the utmost alarm and consternation. The number of the blind increased daily, eventually creating the fearful apprehension that, should the only sailor who had escaped the contagion become blind like the rest, the ship would not be able to make the West Indies. This calamity had actually befallen the Leon, a Spanish vessel, which the Rodeur met with on her passage, the whole of whose crew, having become blind, were under the necessity of altogether abandoning the direction of the ship. The Leon, it should be remarked, has never been heard of since. On this affecting narrative are founded the beautiful stanzas to which we have already alluded, and from which we will make a short ex tract. "A murmur swell'd along the gale; Help! help!' our beckoning sailors cried; Help! help!' a hundred tongues replied: Then hideous clamours rent the air, Questions and answers of despair : Few words the mystery clear'd; He, wild with panic, turn'd away, Woe past, woe present, woe to come, "It is not in the blood of man, But virtue, perishing unknown, "What were the scenes on board that bark? The keel went blindfold through the surge, Where stream might drift, or whirlwind urge: Plague, famine, thirst, their numbers slew, The floating tomb of its own dead, The object of the volume before us, and the near relation which the abo lition of slavery bears to the real spirit of Christianity, fully justify our warm approbation of this interesting volume. Country. By an Anglo-Chinese. 18mo. 1s. 6d. Nisbet.-This is an interesting little volume, containing important information respecting the language, manners, history, and moral state of the Chinese. The subjects are well introduced, and simply and clearly explained. The conversations are natural. and sprightly. The historical dates are: associated with the date of remarkable events in the sacred and profane histories with which our young friends are familiar. By this means, the various events in the Chinese history will be more easily remembered. We most cordially recommend this little volume, not only as suitable for schools, but also for young people in every situation of life. Indeed, as supplying a condensed and interesting view of Chinese history and manners, it may be read with profit by those who have attained to riper years. It may be a recommendation of the volume to some persons, as it is certainly a pledge of the truth of its statements, that it is written by the Rev. Dr. Morrison, of China. He composed it for the press during the voyage from China to England, in the year 1824. Independently of the benefits they' themselves will derive from its perusal, we recommend it to our friends as a means of doing good to others. The profits of the work are devoted to the support of the Anglo-Chinese College at Singapore. This College was established by the joint labours of the Rev. Drs. Morrison and Milne. Chinese youths are educated therein, in the various branches of education, and in the principles of Christianity. The College promises fair to be a most important means of disseminating the truths of the Gospel throughout the vast empire.' The youths educated will, we trust, under the blessing of Heaven, become catechists, and readers, and preachers, among the people of their own nation. We hope, therefore, that this little work will have an extensive circulation, and that by its means a deeper interest will be felt in the welfare of China, and that abundant means will be furnished towards the support of the AngloChinese College. HORE ROMANE; or, an Attempt to elucidate St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by an original Translation, explanatory Notes, and new Divisions. By Robert Cox, M. A. London: 3s. 6d. pp. 88, |