CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.

WARD'S LIBRARY OF STANDARD DIVINITY.

LECTURES ON CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY. BY GEORGE CHRISTIAN KNAPP, D.D., Professor of Theology in the University of Halle. Translated by LEONARD WOODS, JUN., D.D., Abbot Resident at the Theological Seminary in Andover, Massachusets. Reprinted from the American Edition of 1831. Medium 8vo. pp. 500.

London:-Ward and Co. Paternoster-row.

We congratulate the students of divinity on the materials which continue to be furnished them, in this series, for the prosecution of their inquiries, in every department of biblical and theological science. If they can but command the time which is necessary, faithfully to read and investigate these works, as they issue from the press, their minds will be replenished with much valuable matter, and of great service in discharging the functions of their sacred office. Many of the volumes which have hitherto appeared, are possessed of genuine merit; nor have the public failed to appreciate their value. If we are rightly informed, the sale of the series has been good and encouraging,—such, at all events, as to encourage the publishers to continue it; and we should have a sorry opinion indeed of the theological and religious character of our country, if there ever should be wanting, either the patronage or the support necessary to sustain such an undertaking.

The work of Knapp is not generally known among the theological academies of our country. German literature, whether sacred or profane, is much more freely introduced into the schools beyond the Atlantic. The Americans are a more enterprising and persevering people, and they spare no pains to elevate and enrich their country; nor are they disposed to refuse any aid, in whatever direction it may be offered. The present work has existed among them, in the form of a translation, for some years; and now this translation comes as an importation into England. It is not the worse for wearing an American dress, and may serve the cause of truth as well here as there.

We are not altogether strangers to the work, and may therefore give our opinion with freedom. On the whole, then, it is a work of no ordinary merit; but it is valuable rather for the extent and variety of its critical research. In several instances, its exigesis is not to be received; not so much, perhaps, in reference to the great fundamental doctrines of revelation, as on distinct passages of scripture, which, more or less, affect these doctrines. As in all human compositions, the student must think, examine, and determine for himself. These works are but auxiliary to his own efforts, and as such, they are to be highly estimated. We are happy to find some other works announced, which will go still more to enrich the series.

THE CHRISTIAN OFFERING:-LYRICAL POEMS AND PROSE PIECES, SACRED AND MISCELLANEOUS. BY GEORGE B. Scott, Author of "The Beauty of Holiness," and other Poems, etc. Cloth, gilt edges. pp. 302.

London ;-George Virtue, Ivy Lane.

This is one of the unnumbered annuals with which the press positively teems at this season of the year, and which crowd the table of the drawing-room. There is a taste for such works; and when we see such effort to combine the perfection of art with the materials of thought, or the records of history, too much cannot be said in their commendation. While the senses are attracted and gratified, the mind is informed, and the moral feelings refined.

Whatever estimate may be formed of the literary character of the work now before us, no one will dispute the author's deep religious feeling. He has drank at the fountain of divine inspiration; and, were his style more masculine, his conceptions bolder, and his imagination a little more daring,-some of his poetry would obtain more than a common meed of praise. As a whole, it wants strength. Even beauty does not compensate for vigour. Still we are not disposed to depreciate the volume. It is not destitute of excellence. The tone of evangelical piety which pervades the whole, with the constant aim of the author to imbue the heart of his reader with the great sentiments of our holy faith, will render it a better offering than many others which may fairly lay claim to superior literary talent.

THE PRAYER MEETING :-ITS ORDINATION AND ITS OBSTACLES. 12mo. pp. 36. London:-Gardner and Son, Prince's-street, Cavendish-square.

This little tract seems to be the production of a pious member of the Society of Friends, and reads some wholesome lessons to professing christians. It has some features which may be said to be peculiar ; still, it cannot fail to correct many evils, as they now exist, in the church of Christ. On no one duty do christians require to be more thoroughly informed, than that of attendance at the weekly concert for prayer. There is little vitality, because there is little devotion. If it is the Spirit that quickens, how is this Spirit to descend? Let a church abandon prayer, and the Spirit will abandon her.

A SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATION OF GENESIS 1. 26, 27;-OR THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST'S INCARNATION DECLARED BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE FIRST ADAM. Addressed to Man. By A LAYMAN OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. Cloth, 12mo. pp. 244.

London :-Fisher and Son, Newgate-street.

It is difficult to pronounce a judgment on this work. The author's view is one with which some of his readers will no doubt coincide; but we must leave them to determine for themselves.

Monthly Chronicle.

REPORT OF BELL WHARF SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

In submitting a report of the proceedings of the British & Foreign Sailors' Society Sunday Schools, during another year, the teachers have every reason to be unfeignedly thankful for that measure of prosperity and blessing with which their feeble efforts have been crowned by the God of all grace; and sincerely trust, that what they have told the children regarding their never-dying souls will not be easily forgotten. The teacher holds the responsible office of a spiritual guide to the children, just as ministers of the gospel do to their congregations.

The teachers of this school have classes composed of children whose parents gain a livelihood upon the great and mighty deep; and it very often happens, that when they muster their classes, they find some of their scholars gone to sea with their parents, where, it is feared, all the good they have received is soon forgotten. The teachers wish it were in the hearts of individuals to do more for the children of seamen, that, as they rise up to manhood, our fleets and navy might be composed of pious, God-fearing men.

The teachers have to lament, that the funds are quite exhausted, and that they are now indebted to the treasurer. The state of their funds is as follows:

Disbursements
Receipts

....

....

£. 8. d.
14 0 10

11 16 74

Leaving a Balance due to the Treasurer.. £2 4 21

They, however, trust, that this meeting will render them all the assistance which the urgency of this interest requires, in this low and depraved neighbourhood. There are now on the books, 63 girls and 81 boys-total 154. The numbers in attendance vary according to the state of the weather. There are only five regular female teachers and one monitor, and the occasional assistance of another female. There are six male teachers, and two monitors, and one occasional teacher, three of the male teachers attending only once on the sabbath; consequently, the schools are not so prosperous as could be wished. They therefore appeal to this meeting for assistance, and hope that some will come forward to aid in this all-important work. In making this statement, they do not in any way depreciate the services of their friends, but highly esteem them for their kind and valuable assistance. There is a small library in circulation, which might be enlarged; therefore, any little works would be thankfully received.

A serious loss has been sustaiued in the death of their dear friend and wellwisher, Mrs. Edwards, who always manifested a great interest in the school's prosperity. One of the assistant teachers has composed appropriate verses, which are to be seen in the magazine for the month of November. The teachers would continue to labour in dependence on the promises of an all-seeing God, who has said, that his word shall not return unto him void, but shall accomplish that which he pleases. May it please him to bless that word, sown in

weakness, that it may be raised in power by him! Jesus himself always manifested a regard for children, saying, 'Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ;' also in the breaking out of the christian dispensation, children bore a prominent part in the entry of the Saviour into Jerusalem, they being the first to pay that worship and homage due to Christ, in the carrying out of his divine mission, in their exclamation of— Hosanna! blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.'

Holding the responsible and important situation of servants of the living God, in aiming to advance that period when no man shall have to say to his neighbour, - Know the Lord; but all shall know him, from the least unto the greatest ;’— they would pray that the time may soon come, when teachers and taught shall join in the songs of the ransomed, and cast their blood-bought crowns at the feet of the Redeemer, ascribing unto him all the praise and glory.

AGENTS' MEETING:-HELD ON FRIDAY EVENING, 12TH NOVEMBER.

Nothing can be more satisfactory than the review which is sometimes taken, at these monthly conventions, of the operations of the Society, both at home and abroad. The past is encouraging, and the future is big with promise. The sphere of our exertion might, at this moment, be enlarged to an almost indefinite extent, could we but command the necessary resources. We implore the christian church to lend us her aid.

AGENTS' REPORTS.

CAPT. PRYNN.-It is of no little importance to know, that the Lord continues to bless his own work. A day of spiritual light has dawned upon the mind of the wandering sailor; and the voice of mercy and salvation has reached, not only the ears, but the heart, of many that were once far off by wicked works,-strangers to the truth as it is in Christ. Sailors are now found, in every part of the habitable globe, as were the men of old, seeking for Jesus; and, praise the Lord! he is found by those who dili. gently seek him.

My daily intercourse with sailors is most encouraging; I can mark the progress many are making in the divine life. Many proofs might be given. Some short time since, when visiting ships in the lower pool, a sailor on the main-topsail yard, eyed me passing over the teir; he hastened down, and

coming on board the ship where I was,
said, “I wish to speak to you, sir."
I said, "Well, my lad, what can I do
for you?" At this the tear started in
his eye, and heaving a sigh, he said,-
"I have been in deep distress since I
last saw you, on account of my soul;
but, thank God, I have obtained de-
liverance, even the pardon of my
sins. I now can love God,─I now will
love God! Oh! come on board our
ship; I've more to tell you." On
coming on board the vessel, he, being
mate, conducted me to the cabin, and,
after a few minutes conversation, called
down two other sailors, and informed
me those men had very recently been
brought out of the prison-house of sin,
and had experienced the glorious li-
berty of the gospel. 'Come, tell Capt.
Prynn what God has done for your
souls, since you last saw him.' The
youngest, a lad about nineteen years,