а Art. XI. A Brief Statement of the Reasons for Dissent from the Church of England: being the Substance of an Address delivered at the Ordination of the Rev. John Woolridge, at Bristol. By the late Rev. Samuel Lowell. 8vo. pp. 48. Price 1s. London. 1823. THIS HIS production, which bears the impress alike of sound sense and genuine candour, was the last effort of the highly respected Author in the service of his heavenly Master. It * was undertaken while health and strength afforded a cheering prospect of many future years of labour; but he was unex•pectedly arrested by death in his course of honourable use fulness, and his purposes were broken off.' The concluding part of the Address has been supplied by the Rev. Mr. Crisp, to whom he consigned the unfinished manuscript, from the short notes which were used by Mr. Lowell in delivering it. • It is a fact,' Mr. Crisp very properly remarks, • which ought to be stated, as giving peculiar fitness and propriety to the selection of this subject at such a season, that far from being frequently brought forward in Dissenting Congregations, it is in general scrupulously avoided, so as seldom to be even slightly touched upon in the ordinary exercises of the pulpit.' We believe that this is all but universally the case, and we applaud the motives which lead our ministers to avoid such topics in addressing a mixed audience. If they neglect other opportunities of conveying instruction to their flock on this subordinate but still most important subject,-in the parlour, or in the vestry, we commend them not. The ordination of a minister is, however, a fit occasion for the public declaration of the principles of Dissent; and it is to be regretted that ordination services do not excite more general interest. • I shall be forgiven,' said Mr. Lowell, . if I so far venture to speak of my own ministry, as to state, that being now in the twenty-fifth year of my residence as the pastor of a church in this city, I have in no instance made our Dissent the subject of even a branch of any single Discourse. But on an occasion like the present, I persuade myself that no candid person will be surprised, much less displeased, by your attention being directed to this topic, especially as, from ignorance of the principles of Nonconformity, trivial and insufficient reasons are not upfrequently assigned for our conduct as Dissenters. And as we think that we are adopting the rules prescribed by Him who is “the head over all things to the church,” we“ beseech you to hear us patiently." If a man be a good man, it is often said, it does not signify whether he be a Churchman or a Dissenter. Most true, and yet a most untrue. It does not signify, as regards the claims of the individual to our cordial esteem and regard ; nor, if he be conscientious and consistent in the maintenance of his principles, can it ultimately signify to himself. But it may not be such a matter of indifference, and cannot be, if truth is important at all, whether a man should turn Churchman or turn Dissenter, as it may suit his caprice or interest, without examining the principles of either party, or in spite of the misgivings of his own mind. This discourse will shew that a firm attachment to the principles of Nonconformity involves no breach of the law of candour. We hesitate to decide whether even a bigoted Episcopalian is not in some points of view more respectable than the trimming, compromising Dissenter. Strange to say, none are less truly charitable than the ultra candid, none more censorious than the latitudinarian. . I wish, I ardently wish, to cultivate whatever deserves the name of Christian candour; but do not conceive that amiable virtue to consist in concealing whatever is comprised in our own views of truth, but rather in making all possible allowance for what we deem the mistakes of others, and in conducting ourselves in the spirit of meekness and love towards those whose religious investigations have not terminated in agreement with our own. By this kind of standard I hope I shall never be unwilling to be tried. I think it is not possible for the human mind to be more clearly or more strongly convinced of the truth of any proposition, than I am convinced of the firmness of the ground, the scriptural ground, on which we rest the cause of our Dissent, and which I conceive to be the cause of God and of truth. Still, brethren, all Dissenter as I am, if I could not embrace with affection á pious Churchman, if I could not with Christian ardor press him to my heart, and hail him as a brother in Christ, I should think my own Christianity to be extremely doubtful,' p. 36, 37. ART. XII. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION. Preparing for publication, now first collected in 6 vols. 8vo. (uniform with the Works of Bishops Taylor and Beveridge) The Whole Works of Edward Reynolds, D. D., Lord Bishop of Norwich. With a Life of the Author, by Alexander Chalmers, Esq, and a finely engraved Portrait. Preparing for publication, The Sermons of the Right Rev. Hugh Latimer, Lord Bishop of Worcester. A new edition, in which the passages suppressed in the reign of Queen Elizabeth are restored, and the whole carefully corrected according to the first editions; with Notes illustrative of Obsolete Phrases, Particular Incidents referred to, &c. To which is prefixed, an Original Memoir of the Author, from the most authentic sources, and an Account of the Manner of Preaching common in his time. With a finely engraved Portrait, by Warren. In 2 vols. 8vo. On the 1st of March will be published, Part I. (containing Palestine) of a new Work, to be entitled The Modern Traveller; or, a Popular Description, Geographical, Historical, and Topographical, of the various Countries of the Globe, compiled from the latest and best authorities. The work will appear in monthly parts, price 2s. 6d, each. It will be printed in the best style, and will correspond in size (though with a fuller page) with Sharpe's edition of the Poets, and the Percy Anecdotes. Two parts to form a volume. Each country will occupy a part or parts, according to the interest of the subject, so as to form a distinct work. Every number will be illustrated with a map of the country, compiled from the best and latest authorities, or some other elegant embellishment; and occasionally, when the subject requires it, additional plates will be given, without charge. The countries / will not be given in strict geographical order; but directions will be given, together with general titles, at the conclusion of the work. Preparing for publication, in 1 vol. 8vo., a Short History of the Christian Church, from its first erection at Jerusalem to the present times; designed chiefly for the use of schools, and for those persons with whom the size of Milner's Church History (should that very valuable publication ever be continued) would be an objection. By the Rev. John Fry, B. A., late of University College, Oxford; and Rector of Desford in Leicestershire; Author of " Expository Lectures on St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans;" of "A New Translation and Exposition of the Psalmus ;" and of the “Second Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ," "Present to the Convalescent," &c. &c. Preparing for publication, a Series of Lectures on the Hebrew Language, so arranged as to form a complete and easy system of Hebrew Grammar, and to be adapted to the use of learners, as well as of others who have made some progress in the language. By the Rev. S. Lee, A. M., and professor of Arabic in the University of Cambridge. This work is intended to comprehend what is most valuable in the publications of Schultens, Schroederus, Storr, Gesenius, Glasius, and others, with such original matter as the compiler shall deein it necessary to give Preparing for publication, Memoirs of Eminently Prous Men: containing Lives of the Confessors Reformers, and Martyrs, of the English Church, emineut Clergymen, and Laymen. Intended as a companion to the "Memoirs of eminently Pious Women of the British Empire." In 3 vols. 12mo. with por traits. In the press-Six Months Residence and Travels in Mexico. By William Bullock, F. L S., with a map and many plates. The Latin Grammar of I. J. G. Scheller, translated from the German, with notes, by George Walker, M. A., head master of the grammar school, Leeds. Printed uniformly with Matthiæ's Greek Grammar, in 2 vols. 8vo. The Conchologist's Companion. By the Author of "The Wonders of the Vegetable Kingdom," &c. The Life of Jeremy Taylor, D. D. Bishop of Down, Connor, and Dromore. By the Right Rev. R. Heber, D. D. Lord Bishop of Calcutta. In 2 vols. post 8vo. with portrait. An Anglo Gaelic and Gaelic and English Dictionary; to which will be prefixed, a Graminar of the same Language. By Robert Archibald Armstrong, M. A. Deputy Secretary to the Highland So ciety of London. Demy 4to. To sub scribers 21. 12s. 6d. A Memoir of the late Rev. Joseph Hinton, A. M. of Oxford. By his son, the Rev. J. Hinton, of Reading, is pre paring for publication, in 1 vol. 8vo. In the press, the second edition of the New Guide to Prayer; or complete Order of Family Devotion, containing 126 prayers, each prayer accompanied with appropriate reflections on a passage of Scripture. By the Rev. J. Hinton. M.A. 1 vol. 8vo. The publication of the Rev. Mr. Platt's new Self-interpreting Testament, will shortly be resumed; and, as the whole of the copy is in the printer's hands, its completion may speedily be expected. Part IV in 4to., and Part V in 8vo. will be ready in the course of the month. Mrs. Lanfear has a small volume nearly ready, entitled, Letters to Young Ladies on their first Entrance into the World; to which will be added, Sketches from real Life. Preparing for publication, Biographia Poetica; or, Lives of the British Poets, from Chaucer 10 Cowper, in 4 vols. 8vo., including every poet in the collection of Chalmers, Campbell, &c; and in those of the early bibliographers, whose writings or whose names retain sufficient interest to be comprised in an historical collection. Vol. I is nearly ready. Count Pecchio has in the press, a Diary of Political Events in Spain during the last year. This work, like his Letters on the Spanish and Portuguese Revolutions, is interspersed with anecdotes of public men, and on the Manners and Customs of the Peninsula. In the press, "Scurry's Captivity under Hyder Ali and Tippoo Saib." This little volume contains a simple unadorned statement of the horrid cruelties and insults exercised on himself and his companions in misfortune, by those two Easteru despots. ART. XII. LIST of works RECENTLY PUBLISHED. BIOGRAPHY. The Scottish Wanderer; or, Patience and Contentment in Humble Life exem. plified: in an interesting memoir of Thomas Hogg. By the Rev. W. Read, A.M. Stone Easton Lodge, near Bath, Domestic Chaplain to his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence. 8d., or 7s. per doz. A Sketch of the Life of the Rev. Jules Charles Rieu, pastor of the Reformed Church, Fredericia, in Denmark; with Practical Remarks and Illustrations, and an Introduction, containing an Account of that Colony, and Anecdotes of some of the most eminent Protestant MinisIn 1 vol. 18mo. ters on the continent. with an engraving. 1s. 6d. The Naval History of Great Britain. By W. James, (now completed). 5 vols. 8vo. with 2 of tables, 41. Sir Robert Naunton's Court of Queen Elizabeth, her Times and Favourites. A new edition, with biographical illustra tions and 9 portraits. 8vo. 12s. 6d. MISCELLANEOUS. Original Letters in the Times of Henry VI, Edward IV and V, Richard III, and Henry VII. By various persons of rank and consideration, with portraits, fac-similes, &c. With notes, &c., by the late Sir John Fenn. 4to. 21. 2s. Adventures of Hajji Baba, 3 rols. fc. 8vo. 21s. A Philosophical Treatise on Malting and Brewing. By George Adolphus Wigney, of Brighton. 8vo. 12s. Rational Stenography, or Short-hand made easy: founded on the principles of the late Rev. John Byrom, with nume rous improvements. By the Rev. J. Nightingale. 2s. 6d. Graduati Cantabrigienses; or, a List of Degrees from 1659 to 1824. 8vo. 12s. Youth Warned: a sermon to young men. By the Rev J. A. James. 6d, The Preacher. Vol. VI. 12mo. 4s. The Works of Dr. John Owen. Vol. IX. 12s. A plain Address on the Fear of the Lord, adapted to children. By a Minister of the Established Church. 4d., or 3s. 6d. per dozen. The Anti-Swedenborg; or, a Declaration of the principal Errors contained in the Theological Writings of Emannel Swedenborg. By G. Beaumont. 12mo. 2s. 6d. TRAVELS AND TOPOGRAPHY, Researches in the South of Ireland, itlustrative of the Scenery, Architectural Remains, Manners, and Superstitions of the Peasantry; from personal observations, ancient authorities, and original manuscripts. By T. Crofton Croker. With 16 engravings, wood-cuts, &c. 4to. 21. 2s. Information and Directions for Travellers on the Continent. By Mariana Starke. A fifth edition, thoroughly revised, with important additions. In a portable volume, post 8vo. 15s. Sicily, and its Islands. From a complete Survey undertaken by order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, by Captain W. H. Smyth, R. N. With 14 plates, beautifully engraved by Daniel. 4to. 21. 12s. 6d. Letters from the Caucasus and Georgia. With maps and plates. 8vo, 15s. The Title, Contents, and Index, will be given in the Number for March. Our Readers are requested to excuse the postponement. |