Memoirs of the Life of Cowper;plicity, which show he considered written by himself. Cox and Son, St. Thomas's Street, Borough. 12mo. pp. 94, We have always felt confident that many persons have suffered more real honour than fiction has ever described. Of this we have a proof in one part of the life of Cowper, who pourtrays his own feelings, not with a view to render the picture more fearful to gaze on than it really is; but with all the faithfulness of a man who had felt the truth of the proverb, "The spirit of a man will sustain bis infirmity, but a wounded spirit who can bear?" We had before seen in MSS. those lines which are to be found at the end of this volume, in which he describes his situation as more agonizing than even hell itself: and had often been astonished at the poetic fire, and the dreadful conflict of soul, that had given utterance to feelings which had their birth in the darkest recesses of the bosom. But our wonder in part ceases, when we discover that feelings, so acutely sensible as his to the terrific, were long preying on himself, while under the influence of imaginations, which if not the production of insanity, were to him worse than madness itself. the recital might be productive of benefit to others. He had been appointed by his kinsman, Earl Cowper, to the offices of Reading Clerk and Clerk of the Committee of the House of Lords: but harrassed with the dread of appearing in public, he relinquished these for the less profitable one of Clerk of the Journals, the business of which was transacted in private. Here, however, a greater difficulty arose; the right of nomination to the office was disputed, and he was to appear at the bar of the house, that his qualifications might be examined. Conscious of the insufficiency of his knowledge on the subject, and even more persuaded that what he did know would forsake him at that period, he felt what few have experienced; while his timidity in public, connected with the dread of injuring his benefactor, by relinquishing the situation altogether, preyed so heavily on his mind, that he declares, “be now began to look on madness as the only chance remaining; he wished for it earnestly, and looked forward to it with impatient expectation." He was bent on self-destruction, as the only method of preventing his examination; frequently did he attempt it, and frequently almost succeed; but the protecting hand of God, who had prepared a better portion for him, as often interposed. Hitherto we find Cowper ignorant of the righteousness of Je The timidity of our poet is known to every one: but none who have not heard from himself the particulars of his life, could have imagined the extremities to which it often carried him. Over this part of his life, a veil has al-sus Christ, and making no proways been drawn by his biogra- fession of religion. Those men, phers; but Cowper relates every however, who are willing to find thing with a minuteness and sim. any trifling excuse for not seek this happy frame of mind we find him continuing till the close of these Memoirs, at his removal to Mr. Unwin's family; and, as we learn from his biographers, to a much later period." In perusing the latter part of this production of Cowper, our emotions were very different from those which we felt during the former part. Every thing he relates is so exact a transcript of what actually passed in his own breast, that the reader almost imaginés he is reading the history of himself; feeling almost an agony while he relates his own anguish, and a holy serenity, or rapturous joy, when these, happily, take possession of the au thor's mind. The whole was written at a period when he felt the value of the gospel, as the source of present and eternal happiness; and a strain of the most devotional feeling, therefore, pervades it. Of its authenticity, we need scarcely add, there can be no doubt, as various MSS. copies, derived from the best sources, have been in circulation; while the internal evidence would, at once, point to Cowper as as its author. ing their own eternal happiness, allege, that religion was the cause of his gloom and despondence. Happy are we, from his own recital of facts, to be able to contradiet such malicious aspersions. Cowper was, indeed, the child of melancholy-melancholy which neither a Warton, nor a Kirke White would have hailed; but his natural temperament was melantholic, and early occurrences and associations increased, in no small degree, this disposition. When -about six years old, he was singled Coub at school by one nine years older than himself, as an object on whom the utmost cruelty might be exerted; and such was the brutalityranny of his oppressor, that Cowper says, he "well remembers being afraid to lift his eyes upon him higher than his knees, Land: that he knew him better by this shoe buckles, than by any other part of his dress." This gloom ripened with his years, and strengthened with his strength; and that which at the age of six kept him aloof from every playmate, and brooding over various misfortunes, drove him, at the sage of thirty-one, to the most poignant anguish of despair, and led him to seek his own destruction. So far was religion from being the cause of his dejection of spirits, that we discover him, at no period of his life, entirely free from it, except when under the most lively religious impressions. As soon, indeed, as the full beams of the Sun of Righteousness shone upon him," to use his own expression, his dejection and mental derangement departed, like darkness at the morning's dawn." He could only look to CHRISTIAN biography, or the heaven," he says, " in silence, lives and sayings of eminent deoverwhelmed with love and won- parted characters, when conductder; while his joy was joy un-ed with a discriminating judg speakable, and full of glory." In ment, forms one of the most im 1 A To this edition, two poems, never before published, are added. Another edition, at double the price, has, we understand, made its appearance, with some poetical extracts from Mr. Hayley's Life of Cowper, and a portrait, but without these original pieces. Memoirs of the late Rev. Andrew Ful- " portant branches of instruction; | one of the most useful servants of and takes faster hold of the heart Christ. than even the living examples The first chapter is occupied themselves, while passing before by a sketch of the history of the our eyes. We are led by the his- Particular Baptists-the govern tory of the man, into the closet of ment of their churches-their anthe soul. We hear his com-nual associations, &c. &c. This plaints, and learn his joys; and naturally introduces the account are sensibly touched with both. of the "modern question," as it We see him mingling with his fa- has been called, viz. "Whether it mily, and bending to all the en- be the duty of all men, to whom dearing, though apparently trifl- the gospel is published, to repent ing, concerns of domestic life. We and believe in Christ." The enhear of his parentage and birth, deavours of Mr. Fuller, and and become acquainted with the others, to interpose a check to the scenes of his youth, and the strug-prevalence of what they considergles, the conflicts, and the con- ed false, or hyper-Calvinism, as quests of maturer days. We fol- taught in the writings of Dr. Gill low him through the increasing and Mr. Brine, are distinctly nolabours of advancing years, down ticed. We were gratified to find to the chamber of sickness and the following quotation from Mr. the grave. Death; also, having ex-Brine, in reply to a writer, in 1743, tracted the sting from envy, which who, Dr. Ryland admits, had is often found rankling in the bo-verged towards Arminianism : soms of the best of men, we are disposed to give that just and ample testimony to distinguished names, when departed, which our depraved natures yielded so reluctantly, while they were actually, though unconsciously, weaving their wreath, or forming their coronet, full in our sight. Solomon "I considered that for every right work, a man shall be envied of his neighbour." Besides, in thus holding intercourse with friends whose faces we shall see no more, we feel a sweet and tender melancholy stealing over the mind: our spirits are softened, and filled with awe: we seem to touch the invisible world: and the impressions made upon our hearts, are more powerful and direct than on ordinary occasions. says, These reflections were suggested by the name at the head of this article; and we consider. Dr. Ryland as deserving well of the Christian world, for, having presented as with the portraiture of "Had not this writer," (says Mr. minianism upon the foundation of the Brine,) "attempted to build up Aropinion of evangelical repentance, and special faith, being the duties of unregenerate men, I had not given you, and the world, this trouble; for though I apprehend that opinion is not to be supported by scripture, to me to be of such consequence, and the analogy of faith, it seems not but that persons differing in this point, may fully agree about the doc trines of the grace of God." p. 7. The spirit which Mr. Brine dis plays is amicable: we wish it may be imitated by all our ministers, whatever side they may think it right to take, as it relates to the "modern question." We give another quotation from this chapter, to show the boun-dary of the sentiments of those who opposed that principle," our author," always abhorred, as “These ministers, however," says the very essence of Antinomianism, the notion that the law is not binding upon believers, as a rule of conduct. The second chapter contains a most affecting account of Mr. necessarily occupied with an aecount of Mr. Fuller's engagements as the Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society; but his character in that important office, is too familiar to our readers to require any further information. Dr. Ryland will not be offend Fuller's early religious impres-ed, by our suggesting, whether sions, and of his conversion. Young converts will find much here to instruct and edify them. The limits of our work preclude our making extracts from Mr. Fuller's letters, relating to his call to the ministry, and the difficulties he experienced while pastor of the church at Soham: especially as to the exercises of his mind, previous to his removal to Kettering. Dr. R.'s remarks on this part, are too important to pass over: upon "On reflecting," says he, " what. I knew in early life of our ministers and churches, I have been ready to suspect, that some of our best ministers carried their scruples to an extreme; and were more averse the plan of the work does not involve the history of Mr. Fuller Would it not have been better to in some degree of obscurity?have given in each successive year the events of that period: in stead of dividing the memoir into parts, descriptive of the pastoral; tions, in which Mr. F. was enliterary, and missionary transac gaged? There also appear a few marks of haste, which we hope will not be found in a second edition. All these things, however, are of minor importance; and we sincerely thank Dr. R. for undertaking and accomplishing a work of so much interest. The to leaving a people with whom they letters and documents which it had once been settled, than the gene- contains, will give it a lasting varal good of the church required. Yet lue, as long as boldness, strength, I have been ready to fear, that our and perspicuity of language, are young ministers are in danger of admired; or exalted piety, purity verging too far the contrary way, and of motive, and unwearied zeal for of deserting stations of importance, God and his cause, are held in es as soon as they meet with any unpleasant occurrence. I have had teem. We could easily fill up our occasion, within these few years, to pages with numerous extracts remind some, that the British army from this work, that would in in Spain would soon have been dri-terest every heart, but we rather ven out of the Peninsula, if every choose to refer to the work itself. officer had deserted his post, so soon We only add, that an excellent fire at him. Not that I would too posi-eugraving of Mr. F. accompanies tively determine for others, but I it: the original painting, by Med would guard them against a coward-ley, in the possession of the family, ly abandoning of important and diffi- we have seen and admired. It cult stations; aspiring after posts of was taken in the meridian of hig honour and ease, when God is bless- days and his labours. ing them with usefulness, in the midst of many privations and hardships. He that findeth his life, shall lose it; but he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it, is a maxim of the highest authority, and of very extensive application." Page 70. as the French were so uncivil as to A large part of the volume is JUST PUBLISHED. The Efficacy of the Gospel exemplified, in the Conversion and happy Death of Charles Whitfield; for many years professed disciple of Voltaire, who died in London, August 15, 1816. Missionary Retrospect and Foreign Intelligence, BAPTIST MISSION. We extract the following pleasing testimony to the character and conduct of one of our missionaries in the East, from an interesting work, entitled, Sketches of India," just published by Messrs. Black and Co. and which is Currently ascribed to a gentleman of no less eminence than Dr. Ainslie. "During the greater part of this fair, (at Hurdwar,) which lasted nearly three weeks, a Baptist missionary, (Mr. Chamberlain,) in the service of her Highness the Begum Sumroo, attended, and from an Hindostanee translation of the scriptures, read daily a considerable portion. His knowledge of the language was that of an accomplished native; his delivery impressive, and his whole manner partook much of mildness and be. nignity. In fine, he was such as all who undertake the arduous and painful duties of a missionary should be. No abuse, no language, which could in any way in jure the sacred service he was employed in, escaped his lips. Having finished his allotted portion, on every part of which he commented and explained, he recited a short prayer, and concluded the evening by bestowing his blessing on all assembled. At first, as may be expected, his auditors were few; a pretty convincing proof, when sixty thousand people were collected, that it was not through mere curiosity they subsequently increased. For the first four or five days, he was not surrounded by more than as many hundred Hindoos; in ten days(for I regularly attended) his congregation bad increased to as many thousands.→ From this time, until the conclusion of the fair, they varied; but never, on a rude guess, I should fancy, fell below eight thousand. They sat around, and listened with an attention which would have reflected credit on a Christian audience. On the missionary retiring, they every evening cheered him home, with May the Padre (or priest) live for ever!' "Such was the reception of a missionary at Hurdwar, the Loretto of the Hindoos, at a time when five lacks of people were computed to have been assembled, and whither Brahmins, from far and near, had considered it their duty to repair. What was not, the least singular, many of these Brahmins formed part of his - congregation. They paid the greatest deference to all that fell from him'; and when in doubt, requested an explanation. Their attendance was regular, and many, whose countenances were marked, were even the first in assembling. Thus, in stead of exciting a tumult, as was at first apprehended, by attempting conversion at one of the chief sources of idolatry, Mr. Chamberlain, by his prudence and moderation, commanded attention; and, I have little doubt, ere the conclusion of the fair, effected his purpose, by convert ing to Christianity men of some charac ter and reputation." Letters have recently been received from India. The following is a brief outline of their contents: At Gomalty, the station has sustained a loss, by the somewhat sudden death of Manika Chund, a valuable native brother; Krishna, always indefatigable, gone thither to supply his place. Mr, W. Carey, and his native assistants, are proceeding with their accustomed diligence and hopeful success, at Cutwa, and various places in its neighbourhood, Similar accounts, varied by interesting details of incessant labour, are furnished from Jessore and Berhampore. The churches at Serampore and Cal cutta, are favoured with considerable additions. Much good appears likely to result in the latter city, from the appointment of brethren Lawson and Eustace Carey to the joint pastoral office there. They appear to have entered on their labours with the determination and zeal so desirable in the ministers of Christ. Brother Yates, who, while in England, evinced remarkable skill and aptitude in the acquisition of languages, is proceeding, under the immediate direction of Dr. Carey, in pursuit of these studies, and is already of considerable service in forwarding the great business of the translations, Brother Smith preaches to crowds of attentive hearers in different parts of Calcutta. The Shiks in this city were greatly delighted at receiving the gospels in their Gooro-mookhee dialect, putting their books on their heads, and attering aloud their joy at the gilt. Sebuk-rama is indefatigable as an itinerant in his own village; where Roop-aasa, a police officer, and his family, have avowed their reception of the gospel. A pleasing instance of the effect of the |