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England is a special object of the prayers of these associated millions of the worshippers of the Virgin. A long, and of course authentic and impartial, history of the rise, progress, and infamy of heresy in England, has been inserted in the publications of the archiconfrérie; and all the associates are urged to unite in prayer to the Virgin for the deliverance and conversion of that fine portion of Europe." To this "pacific and holy crusade against the spirit of lies and darkness is promised the certain destruction of heresy, the return of Divine mercy to those three great kingdoms that infidelity has rent from the church,—and, in a word, complete victory. Daily prayer for the conversion of England is enjoined on all the members, and especially when they recite the AveMaria, in celebrating the divine sacrifice of the mass, at the moment of consecration, then they are to demand the conversion of England. To stimulate the faithful, examples of successful supplication (of which, more hereafter) are not wanting.

To those who are associated in the

belief that "not a single grace has ever been, or ever will be, granted to the world but by the solicitations of Mary, and that has not passed or will not pass through her hands," the duty of thus attempting the conversion of heretical kingdoms of three hundred years growth is quite evident, as it is

very easy.

Such is the state of the Roman Catholic movement in this city and kingdom, from whence priests were glad to escape with their lives, and in which the goddess of Reason was adored. Is there no lesson to be deduced from these facts? Is such a country not to be prayed for? Are these multitudes to be left uninstructed, the victims of superstition, and the agents of mischief in every part of the world? Is this new form of Jesuitism to pass unnoticed and unopposed? While costly efforts are multiplying to seek out and to overthrow pagan idols, is no attention to be bestowed on antichristian idolatry, united with ceaseless proselytism?

Yours, ever sincerely,
M. W.

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"Fear thou God"—with reverence deep Come before his awful throne; Firmly his commandments keep,

Though reviled, thou stand alone: "Fear thou God"-nor other fear Shall disturb thy tranquil breast; Life's worst ills will disappear,

Death will lead to endless rest.

Y.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

The LIFE of ROBERT POLLOK, Author of "The Course of Time." By his Brother, DAVID POLLOK, A.M. With Selections from his Manuscripts. 12mo., pp. 458.

William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London.

The author of "The Course of Time'' has left behind him a memorial of worth and genius that can never perish. From his infant years he gave promise of that mental power which afterwards developed itself, in various forms of intellectual preeminence. The simple piety of his early home, and the beautiful landscape which daily stretched itself before his youthful eye, exerted a powerful influence in the formation of his religious character, and in calling forth that latent poetic feeling which indicated itself in his boyish years.

He was born on the 19th Oct., 1798, and died at Shirley Common, near Southampton, on the 15th Sept., 1827. The place of his birth was North Moorhouse, in Renfrewshire, ten miles from Glasgow. His parents belonged to the class of husbandmen in Scotland, known by the name of small farmers, and distinguished often by

their superior virtue and intelligence. On his mother's side he was sprung from an Ayrshire family, whose ancestors shared largely in the sufferings of the Covenanters, from 1660 to 1688. Some of them were compelled to flee their country, some were driven into slavery, in the West Indies, and some were actually put to death. The Gemmells of Horsehill are noticed in all the works which record the sufferings and fidelity of the Covenanters.

Pollok's grand-parents and parents belonged to the Secession Church, and were much respected for their unostentatious piety and good sense. Beneath the domestic roof he had been trained to habits of reading and reflection; and though the family library was but scanty, yet he so thoroughly possessed himself of its contents, that at an early age he was distinguished by a keen-sighted intelligence, and by an ardent thirst after growing knowledge. his childhood he was full of wit and humour; and was noted especially for restless activity." "He was remarkably amiable, attractive, and engaging, and was thus a favourite with the whole family.' 'His feelings were very intense; for, at the age of

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seven, when he lost his youngest brother, a child of two years and seven months, he almost fell a victim to his grief.

The scenery of Mid-Moorhouse, amidst which his youthful years were spent, told powerfully upon a mind given to contemplation, fond of the beauties of nature, and disposed to the indulgence of moral sentiment. His home, too, was eminently happy. In the bosom of a tender mother he found a centre of attraction to his warmest affection and confidence. She was his preceptor in the Shorter Catechism and in the Bible, and became the instrument of instilling into his youthful breast the grand lessons of revealed truth.

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At an early age he was sent to the parish school of his district, where he showed proficiency in the branches of education into which he was initiated, and where he was distinguished among his school-fellows for "the perfect fearlessness" and intrepidity of his character. In one of his feats of running he caught an affection of the chest, from which he never perfectly recovered. His temper was excellent, but he was sensitive in the highest degree, and could not bear to be made the subject of ridicule. One of his favourite amusements was shooting, which probably became a snare to him. the age of fifteen a great change was perceived in his mental habits, as, from that period, he assumed a great command over his temper, and became "calm, collected, and self-possessed." In after years he attributed the change to the careful perusal of the gospels. He was struck with "the meekness and calm dignity of the Saviour under provocation; and he resolved thenceforward to command his temper." Referring to this eventful era in his history, he said, "Though I may feel and express righteous indignation, nothing ever puts me into a passion."

His first "taste for solid writing and good composition" was derived from Scott's Lessons; and to these, with the Bible readings of the family, and the excellent sermons of his pastor, he was wont to attribute much of his future success in literary pursuits. In his ninth or tenth year, he made some rude attempts at rhyming, but with slender success; in prose writing he evinced greater skill, and attempted to imitate some of the papers in the Spectator.

Young Pollok was first sent to learn the trade of cabinet-making, but soon relinquished it for the farming occupation of his forefathers. But a higher destiny awaited him; and, at the age of seventeen, he determined on devoting himself to the ministry of the gospel in the Secession Church. With this view, he commenced the study of Latin, at the parish-school of Fenwick, and made such rapid progress, that all who knew

him were surprised at the phenomenon. About this time he began to read Pope and Milton with avidity, and composed one or two pieces, by no means devoid of merit. In Nov., 1817, when he had completed his nineteenth year, he entered the University of Glasgow, where he acquired for himself, by hard labour, a very respectable standing, especially in the knowledge of the Greek language. In the recesses of College he took great delight in visiting the scenery of his native spot, and especially those parts of it where the Covenanters sought shelter in the hour of cruel suffering. Many of his college essays were masterly performances, giving large promise of future proficiency; but close study began to impair his health, aud made his vacations desirable as opportunities for relaxation. He closed his college course in 1822, much to the satisfaction of all the professors, and then entered upon the study of theology, the favourite pursuit of his future life. His divinity course was pursued under the able professorship of the late Dr. Dick, for the ordinary term of five sessions. The first discourse he delivered in the Hall, from Rom. v. 19, excited an extraordinary sensation among the students. It was a composition sufficiently florid, though partaking largely of Pollok's genius. But the students behaved indecorously, and occasionally laughed at the top of their voices. Pollok, however, proceeded calmly, and with dignified selfpossession, and while describing negatively "the effects of Adam's disobedience," he raised himself to his full height, clenched his fist, fetched a heavy blow upon the pulpit, and looking with righteous indignation upon his irreverent audience, exclaimed, "Had sin not entered our world, no idiot smile would have gathered on the face of folly to put out of countenance the man of worth." The effect was petrifying in the

extreme.

In the summer of 1823, Pollok's "Helen of the Glen" made its appearance, which it is said he composed in one week, and for the copyright of which he received only the small sum of fifteen pounds. Towards the close of the same year he began to collect the materials of his two other prose works, "Ralph Gemmell" and "The Persecuted Family;" in order to which he visited some of the principal scenes where the Covenanters suffered and bled. In 1824 they were given to the public.

In Dec. 1824 he began his great work, "The Course of Time," and proceeded in it with surprising vigour and excitement of mind, till, in the beginning of July, 1826, in his twenty-eighth year, and nineteen months only after he entered upon it, he brought it to a close. In his correspondence with his brother, David Follok, we

have the entire history of the composition in all its stages. And no one can read his letters without feeling that he was a man of high intellect, and, for his years, of extraordinary literary resources.

In Oct., 1826, he finished his course of study at the Divinity Hall, having acquired for himself the decided reputation of a man of genius and sterling worth, and now set himself to prepare his poem for the press, and to arrange with Mr. Blackwood for its publication, which proved to him a most exhausting though delightful process.

Meanwhile he was passing through his trials as a candidate for the ministry in the Secession Church; and, on the 24th March, while engaged in preparing his fourth trial discourse, from Ps. Ixxii. 17, the last he ever wrote, "The Course of Time" was published. On the 2nd of May he was licensed by his presbytery to preach the gospel. His first public sermon was preached in Dr. J. Browne's church, on the day after license, to a large and deeply edified audience, from 1 Kings xviii. 21. He evinced, at first, some degree of hesitation, but perfectly recovered himself towards the last.

Soon after this, alas! symptoms of debility and disease developed themselves, which speedily deprived the Christian church of one of its brightest luminaries. "My mind," he said, "has just become too vigorous for my body, and has worn it out. If my body would bear it, I could at this moment write more rapidly and energetically than ever I did in my life." Every thing that medical skill, change of air, and private friendship could effect was done for him; but all was in vain. It was proposed that he should make trial of the air of Italy; and pecuniary resources were promptly supplied; but upon his reaching London, his medical adviser distinctly assured him that he had not sufficient strength remaining for the intended journey. It was finally resolved to try the air of Southampton, where he only survived a few days.

We have thus sketched the outline of a history marked with features of extraordinary interest. Very rarely has it fallen to our lot to peruse a memoir so full of touching incident. The documents intrusted to the biographer are not always used with the greatest skill, but they speak for themselves, without any of the aids of a vivid and delicate colouring. Mr. Pollok's letters and essays introduced into the volume are of imperishable worth. And his unpublished poems, in the appendix, will be read with melancholy interest by all who think of him as we do,-that he was one of the finest spirits of his age.

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The name of Dr. Huie has been familiar to our readers for a long course of years. His pen has enriched our pages with several of the most exquisite pieces of sacred poetry which have been produced since the commencement of the present century. And we congratulate the lovers of sacred song, that the elegant and accomplished author has, at the solicitation of his friends, given to these fugitive pieces a lasting form. We were familiar with many of them, having committed them to a faithful memory, but we sometimes grudged having to turn over the volumes of a magazine ere we could lay our hand upon some one which we were desirous of re-perusing. And, except a few which had found their way into collections, most of them were lost to all save those who could take the trouble of ransacking a dozen volumes of a periodical. But now they are rendered accessible to all, and we are certain that the most fastidious taste will be pleased with the chaste and simple exterior of this little work.

Dr. Huie is acknowledged by all to rank high among his brethren in Scotland* as a man of professional science. To many he is better known as a philanthropist. His frequent public appearances on behalf of the religious institutions of our land are known and appreciated far and near. To us he has been long familiarly known as a man of faith and prayer, -as one whose steady eye was habitually fixed on the great realities of eternity, and who, in his visits of beneficence from house to house, never forgot that the soul as well as the body had need of a physician; and who, when called upon to administer to the one, did not fail to let drop a word which might be healing to the other. Several of the most touching pieces with which this volume abounds were suggested by scenes at the bed of sickness or death. Similar scenes are witnessed every day by professional men, but how few regard them with the compassionate eye of the Christian; and of those few is there one who can perpetuate his impressions in strains like those of Dr. Huie?

One striking characteristic of Dr. Huie's poetry is its tenderness. His feeling heart imparts to his hand a gentle touch. When he addresses himself to the truly Christian office of causing the widow's or the orphan's heart to sing, he does not mock its sorrow by the pompous gait of a rhetorical condolence, but he finds an entrance into the de

* A fact sufficiently indicated by his occupying the place of President of the Royal College of Surgcons.

solated bosom by his simple lay, and creates a gladness; he sympathises-and his is the sympathy of a fellow-mourner. He has the poet's sensitive regard to the beauties of the external world. We may instance "The Heath-Bell," 66 The Pine," "The Lily," &c.; and the Christian's spirit who views every object in Christ, and who draws a lesson of "Confidence," " 'Resignation," or "Human Frailty," from every separate appearance of" Sunshine" and of "Home."

Our limits do not admit of enlargement. We trust that enough has been said to recommend the "Sacred Lyrics." Every lover of sacred poetry would do well to add this volume to his collection, and those who are desirous of presenting a friend with a work of sterling merit, one which will bear a frequent perusal, will not err if they select it; and, best of all, should any one be induced to possess himself of it and be brought to imbibe a spirit akin to that which breathes in every page of these sacred songs.

TEN THOUSAND THINGS relating to CHINA and the CHINESE; an Epitome of the Genius, Government, History, Literature, Architecture, Arts, Trade, Manners, Customs, and Social Life of the people of the Celestial Empire, together with a Synopsis of the Chinese Collection. By WILLIAM B. LANGDON, Esq., Curator of the Chinese Collection. Royal 8vo. pp. 274.

Chinese Collection, Hyde Park-corner.

We take blame to ourselves that we have not, before this, called the attention of our readers to the highly interesting and scientific collection of Chinese curiosities, now exhibiting at the newly-erected and splendid hall, near Hyde Park-corner. A more rational or instructive exhibition does not exist in the British metropolis. The collection is on a vast scale, and comprehends almost every thing necessary to illustrate China, in her religion, arts, and modes of social existence. Mr. Langdon deserves the highest credit for the skill he has displayed in arranging this admirable exhibition. In a single morning, with a catalogue in his hand, an intelligent visitor may see more of China than he could in two or three years by an actual visit to its shores. The catalogues, which have all been prepared by Mr. Langdon, have been drawn up with great skill and intelligence, and are very unlike catalogues in general. The volume before us is, in point of fact, a full catalogue of the Chinese collection. As a guide to the exhibition it is invaluable; but as a sketch of Chinese life and manners, it may be read with interest and advantage by any one at his own fireside. At the present

moment, when China is so much an object of interest to politicians, philanthropists, and Christians, we cannot but regard the volume before us as a most seasonable publication.

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We are sure that all right-thinking Christians will agree with Mr. Langdon, when he says "Alas! for missionary effort, so long as the grasping avarice of the countries whence our missionaries come sets nought every Christian obligation before the eyes of the people whom it is sought to convert." It is indeed a horrible fact, that "fifteen or twenty millions worth of opium has been for years, in defiance of the law and known wishes of the Chinese government, annually emptied upon the shores of China by Christian (so called) merchants."

The BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Vol. I. 8vo. pp. 888.

Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans.

This may be regarded as a grand national undertaking; and, from what we know of many of the contributors, we have reason to believe, that it will be a credit to the literature of our country. The two parts before us, which form the first volume, appear to be distinguished by commendable accuracy and research; and by an impartiality which cannot but be gratifying to the friends of religion. The articles, Christian Albrecht, and Christian Africaner, distinctly show that it is not intended to exclude from this work either the record of Christian men, or the spirit in which their history should be told. As the volume before us is one only of thirty, and as it contains one thousand six hundred and one memoirs, our readers will be prepared to form some faint estimate of the vastness of its design, and also of its real value to the community when it shall be completed. Considering the dense mass of letter-press contained in every page, and the quality of the paper and print, the volume cannot be pronounced to be dear at twenty-four shillings.

The undertaking has our most cordial approbation, and we sincerely trust that it will be conducted throughout with a marked regard to the interests of revealed religion.

MICHAEL SMITH. A Memoir for Sunday School Teachers. By W. DAVIS, of Croft Chapel, Hastings.

London.

We have seen some sentimental narratives of both Sunday-school teachers and children too fine for our taste, and hardly

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