issue of passing events, what can we say? If the breakwater gives way, what is to become of the har mencement of his Charge: "Would to God that he who has been called to preside over you, at SO momentous a period, had been an abler bour? The dying prayer of “our and a better man!" sainted Edward" ought now, if ever, to fill the mouths and hearts of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity: "O LORD God, I BESEECHI THEE, DEFEND THIS REALM FROM PAPISTRY, AND PRESERVE THY TRUE RELIGION!" could, humanly speaking, but ill spare such a man at such a time as this. Possessed of great talents, and greater acquirements, with a high reputation in his profession, and but newly appointed to an official station in the University of Oxford, he was likely to render essential service to the cause of Protestantism in the present crisis; and his sudden removal, like that of Bishop Shuttleworth under somewhat similar circumstances, is a mysterious and afflictive dispensation. "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men!" SELECT LIST OF BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED, With Characteristic Notices. {The insertion of any article in this List is not to be considered as pledging us to the approbation of its contents, unless it be accompanied by some express notice of our favourable opinion. Nor is the omission of any such notice to be regarded as indicating a contrary opinion; as our limits, and other reasons, impose on us the necessity of selection and brevity.] By Memoir of the late Rev. William Edward Miller, Wesleyan Minister. James Dixon. Foolscap 8vo. pp. 274. Mason; Hamiltons.-Those who recognise in the author of this volume the respected President of the Wesleyan Conference in 1841, as well as those who were personally acquainted with the remarkable man whose history it contains, will expect to find it somewhat different from ordinary biographies. And they will not be disappointed. Mr. Miller combined the fervour of a seraph with the simplicity of a child; and it would appear impossible for any serious reader to contemplate without edification the very clear and striking delineation of his character which Mr. Dixon has furnished. But that which gives to the volume its greatest value, is the circumstance, that the biographer has availed himself of this opportunity to propound, somewhat at large, his own views on the topics furnished or suggested by his subject. Some of these topics are of great, immediate, and general interest; and others must always be important to the Wesleyan body; and it is, therefore, no small acquisition to them to have on record the deep, broad, and philosophical views which the writer entertains expressed in his own glowing and energetic language. Here are none of the forms of book-making, neither dedication, preface, advertisement, table of contents, index, addenda, nor corrigenda; (which last, indeed, we could have wished to see supplied, as there are several "faults escaped," to the injury of the sense ;) but, what is far better, a highly interesting and useful book. The remarks on revivals and on preaching are, many of them, extremely valuable, and cannot fail to exercise a good influence in proportion as they are known; and the chapter headed "pastoral advice" is a treasure of wisdom. On one or two points treated of in the course of the volume, the writer lies open to misapprehension, chiefly, as it would seem, through his ardent admiration of his subject; but we shall not insist upon them here. It is so rare a thing to find intellect doing homage to simple piety, that we would not willingly say anything to diminish the good effect of such a spectacle; and we heartily recommend the Memoirs of Mr. Miller, not merely to those who purchase for their own perusal, but to those who have to provide a supply for the various libraries connected with our chapels. The Apostasy of the Rev. R. W. Sibthorp, from Protestantism to Popery, demonstrated in an Address to the Protestant Operatives of Great Britain. By the Rev. Daniel M'Afee, Author of "Letters to O'Connell," &c. 8vo. pp. 80. Sold by John Mason. An able and spirited address, in which the author examines not only the sophisms which have exerted such an unhappy influence on an amiable man, but the doctrines of Popery generally. A Correspondence between the Rev. W. Sutcliff, Curate of Farnworth, near Bolton, and the Rev. J. Bedford, Wesleyan Minister; relative to the Doctrines, Ministry, and System of the Wesleyan Methodists, &c. With Observations, and an Appendix. 12mo. pp. 50. Sold by John Mason.-The reader of this tract has both sides before him, and will thus be able to form his own judgment, which we need not forestall, though we think it will not differ from our own. High-Church principles are now, after a period of comparative dormancy, coming into full bloom. What will the fruit be? The Stability of the Truth and Happiness of the Gospel, contrasted with the frail Existence, and frailer Happiness, of human Life: a Sermon to young People, occasioned by the Death of William B. Carvosso, aged twenty-one, &c. By his Father. 12mo. pp. 38. Sold by John Mason.-A sermon which may be read with especial profit by the young, and from which even the aged may derive both instruction and encouragement. Sermons delivered on several Occa sions. By Matthew Richey, A. M. 12mo. pp. 289. Sold by John Mason. -The volume before us was printed in Upper-Canada, at Toronto, at the Conference Office there. The sermons are twelve in number; and are evangelical in their sentiment, and earnest in their manner. To Wesleyan Methodism, in the hour of trial, Mr. Richey was faithful; and these sermons show that he aims at being "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Purgatory Anti-scriptural and Souldestroying a Lecture delivered at a Meeting of the Finsbury Protestant Association, at Exeter-Hall. By a Protestant Operative. 12mo. pp. 36. Sold by John Mason. This Lecture is very creditable to the lecturer. He has plainly read much on the subject, and well digested his reading. He is well acquainted, too, with scriptural truth, and employs it successfully in his reasonings and applications. He knows the true purgatory for the sinner; and points out, very forcibly, not only the erroneousness, but the dangerous character, of the doctrines which he opposes. Missionary-Book for the Young. 18mo. pp. 120. Religious Tract Society. A collection of Missionary anecdotes and statements, thrown into the narrative form, for the purpose of making the whole more interesting and instructive to the young. It is a publication likely to be very serviceable. 18mo. pp. The Life of Cyprian. 150. Religious Tract Society. Panoramic View of Jerusalem, and the adjacent Towns and Villages. From a Drawing by the Librarian of the Armenian Convent. With Descriptions, &c. Square 16mo. pp. 30. Tilt and Bogue. We announce this little work with pleasure, and cordially recommend it. When the View is opened out, and looked at through a sheet of paper rolled up in the form of a tube, it almost appears to be reality. It gives the best notion of Jerusalem and the surrounding country that can, perhaps, be given by any merely pictorial representation. The Religious History of Man; in which Religion and Superstition are traced from their Source. By D. Morison. Second Edition. Foolscap 8vo. pp. x, 384. Smith, Elder, and Co.We have read Mr. Morison's work attentively; and though we think that his etymologies will not always bear out his conclusions, and that the "voice of the sign" is sometimes misunderstood by him; still, it is impossible to deny to him the praise of industrious research. Many of his statements, respecting the religious opinions of the earlier ages of the world, are both just and important. The careful student cannot easily read the work without profiting by it. A Wreath for the Tomb: an Essay and a Sermon on the Lessons taught by Sickness. With Extracts, from eminent Authors, on Death and Eternity. By the Rev. Edward Hitchcock, LL.D., Professor of Chemistry and Geology in Amherst College, &c., &c. Second Edition. 12mo. pp. viii, 262. Jackson and Walford. The volume is prefaced by a brief but earnest recommendation from Dr. Pye Smith. For the chamber of weakness and lingering affliction it is an excellent work; and as no one can tell how soon divine Providence may place him there, it is a useful book for the Christian's closet, and will assist him to make his hours of retirement more profitable. Lives of the Queens of England, from the Norman Conquest; with Anecdotes of their Courts: now first published, from official Records, and other authentic Documents, private as well as public. By Agnes Strickland. Vol. IV. 12mo. pp. xvi, 447. Colburn.-There are six memoirs in the present volume,-those of Elizabeth of York, Queen of Henry VII.; and of Katherine of Arragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, and Katherine Howard, wives of the wretched, because self-willed, Henry VIII., on whom posterity has passed a faithful judgment, to which history has given an imperishable record. Miss Strickland discovers as much ability in the fourth as in the first volume. The work, when complete, will be a deeply interesting, as well as valuable, contribution to the stock of English biographie cal and historical compositions. publisher, too, is evidently resolved that nothing shall be wanting on his part. The The Works of William Jay, collected and revised by himself. Vol. II. Morning and Evening Exercises. April to June. Large 12mo. pp. xxix, 603. Bartlett. Hints from the Pen to the Tongue. By a Lady. 12mo. pp. 92. G. and J. Dyer; E. Soul.-A collection of useful Hints on the government and due regulation of the tongue. Though a small work, it may be read with great advantage, especially by the young. The Deaconship: a Treatise on the Office of Deacon. With Suggestions for its Revival in the Church of Scotland. By the Rev. John G. Lorimer, Minister of St. David's Parish, Glasgow; Author of "Historical Sketch of the Protestant Church of France," &c. 12mo. pp. 134. Edinburgh, J. Johnstone; London, Groombridge. — Although the volume chiefly refers to the discipline exercised in the Church of Scotland, it contains many remarks which will be useful to the student of church history generally. Both for research, and for the spirit in which it is written, it is very creditable to the author. Illustrations of the Bible: principally after the old Masters. Parts XI.XXII. Fisher and Son.-The publishers keep up this admirable work with great spirit. When complete, there will be (at the rate of three to each Part) nearly one hundred excellent engravings of paintings on Scripture subjects by the old masters. As far as it can be done by engravings, the characteristics of the great founders of the modern European school of painting are given; so that the purchaser may not only gratify his love for the fine arts, at a reasonable rate, but improve his taste, and enlarge his acquaintance with the subjects which they include. We may remind the reader, that each Part contains three engravings, which are accompanied by appropriate descriptions in English, French, and German. History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century. By J. H. Merle D'Aubigné. Translated by D. D. Scott, Esq.: with Notes, from the Netherlands Edition of the Rev. J. J. Le Roy, of the Dutch Reformed Church. Illustrated with Portraits. In Parts. Each Part, 8vo. pp. 56. Parts I.-XII. Blackie and Son, Edinburgh and London. D'Aubigné's History of the Reformation has been extensively read; and, we believe, its completion is anxiously looked for. The present edition is not only well executed, but handsomely got up. The portraits are of a superior order, and are given in the proportion of one in every other Part. Those already given are, Luther, Leo X., Ecolampadius, Erasmus, Charles V., and Zwingle. The three volumes already published are to be comprised in twenty-three Parts. Apostolical Marks of the true Church: a Discourse delivered at the new Chapel, Oxford. By the Rev. B. Godwin. 8vo. pp. 19. Jackson and Walford.-A good and seasonable discourse on Phil. iii. 3. Mr. Godwin's few pages are suf ficient to show what is the truth; and this being established, the opposite error falls to the ground. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, by Dr. Tholuck, Consistorial With Counsellor, and Professor of Theology Professor Tholuck is well known as one of the most accomplished biblical scholars in Germany, and a powerful opponent of the profane Rationalism of that country. His Commentary on the Epis tle to the Hebrews is a profoundly critical work, and, without adopting all the opinions which the author has expressed, will afford the student much valuable help in his attempts to understand one of the most important books of the New Testament. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN THE NORMAN ISLES. DECLARATION OF THE WESLEYAN occurred; and, in some cases, we know MINISTERS IN THE NORMAN ISLES, been driven from other churches, by those have united with us, who have ON THE RECENT REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN THEIR SOCIETIES, AT THE CONCLUSION OF THEIR ANNUAL DISTRICT-MEETING, 1842. I. AT this District-Meeting, the gratifying intelligence has been communicated that one hundred and ninety-three members have been fully received into our societies, after the usual trial; and that eight hundred and twenty-eight remained on probation for full admission, under such an influence, and pursuing such a course of regular attendance on the means of grace, and of consistent conduct in all the walks of life, as proImise their ultimate union with us, as accredited members of a Christian church. II. The subjects of this remarkable addition during the last few months, are chiefly those of our congregations, who have long heard the truth without any decided results having followed; and the children of the members of our society, who have been trained up in an attachment to our institutions with only similar results. In other cases, those who have united with us are such as had been brought under the influences which have led to their decision of character and conduct, either by curiosity, or by an intention to persecute those whose worship they attended. In no instance, that we are aware of, have attempts been made to proselyte to our societies the members of other churches; in no case have such attempts been either advised or encouraged, even if they have what we think they justly regarded as we officially designated, the salvation of souls. III. It is equally the subject of our astonishment and regret, that the influence by which these changes have been effected should have been so misunderstood and misrepresented; that they should have been attributed to mere human sympathy, and even to satanic agency. We dwell not on the offence which we consider is offered to God, and the encouragement which is afforded to the infidel to blaspheme, and the sinner to procrastinate, by these misrepresentations; but we must assure both our friends and our opponents, that scriptural prophecy, promise, and history, lead us to very opposite conclusions; and in these obvious, numerous, sudden, and extraordinary changes, we devoutly recognise, and gratefully acknowledge, the agency of the Holy Ghost. Tuis is evident, not only in the change in the affections, and principles, and experience of those who profess to have been converted, as declared by themselves, and their conversation and conduct as seen by others; but in the extraordinary manner in which many of them were effected, some under the influence of the means of grace, and others when absent from them, and even when employed in the absorbing avocations of the world, and in the frivolous pursuit of its pleasures. In some parishes in Jersey, scarcely a house has been left destitute of these gracious influences; whole families have been led to abandon their former sin and indifference, and to unite with the people of God; and in the cases of numbers of those who had long been the most careless, their minds have been so graciously prepared, for both the public means of grace, and the private admonitions of Christians, as to place it beyond the power of those who believe the Scriptures, to attribute it to any other agency than that of "the Holy Spirit of promise." "Can men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" or can Sa tan cast out Satan ?" 66 IV. To the means used, exception has been taken; but these are such as we regard to be scriptural and unexceptionable. The modes of address to man have been, the divinely-appointed means of preaching and exhortation; those of address to God, prayer and intercession. That both, in some cases, have been ardent and long-continued, we have no * Compare Joel ii. 28-32, with Acts ii. 17-21; John vii. 37-39; xvi. 7-11; Rom. viii. 5-17; 1 Cor. xii. 13. disposition to deny; we refer our justification to Him who, when on earth, frequently "continued all night in prayer to God." Late meetings are no part of our system or practice; and, in the cases referred to, they have not been the effect of design, but of the lingering, and, in many instances, the irrepressible anxiety of those who believed themselves to be visited by the convincing influence of God's Holy Spirit, to obtain that blessing of "peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ," which is one of the scriptural evidences of "justification." (Rom. v. 1.) The collecting such penitents together at a form, in a pew, or around the communion-table, as has sometimes been the case, is a mere circumstance, and the result of there being such a number of persons thus affected and thus resolved at the same time and place. Any Minister, properly concerned for the salvation of a single penitent, would instruct and encourage him in reference to the present supply of his wants, and, requesting him to place himself in the attitude of devotion, would unite with him in devout prayer to God; and when twenty, or more, are under such convictions and sorrows as constitute scriptural repentance, why not collect them together for the same purposes? They are only invited, (and always under professions of penitence,) they are not compelled that they will thus come out from the congregation and pray, while others scoff, is surely no mean proof of their sincerity and decision; that many of them retire without the peace which they seek, is in proof that they are referred for its enjoyment to God and not to man; and that a very large majority of those who profess to be brought to that decision which constitutes an important period in their existence, persevere in the possession of the peace they thus obtain, and "bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, which are by Christ Jesus, unto the praise and glory of God," proves the reality of the work, the divinity of its origin, and the usefulness of those means that lead to such results. We solemnly protest against a few cases of early or of ultimate apostasy being pleaded as proofs of mere excitement as the cause, or insincerity as the result; but, if perseverance be allowed in proof of sincere conversion to God, we have no fears for the issue of the present revival, any more than of those, : * Compare Luke vi. 12, with John xviii. 2. See also the case of St. Paul at Troas, Acts xx. 6-12. |