· After some very sensible observations on the power of prejudice, the author adverts to the prejudices entertained by many persons in Scotland against Missionary Exertion. Many of those," he observes, “who are so clamorous in their hostility against it, feel no contempt for the mere act of preaching, sit with all decency and apparent seriousness under it, and have a becoming respect for the character of a preacher. Convert the Preacher into a Missionary, and all you have done is merely to graft upon the man's preaching the circumstance of loco-motion. How comes it that the talent, and the eloquence, and the principle which appeared so respectable in your eyes, so long as they stood still, lose all their respectability so soon as they begin to move?" Again he observes, that "The precept is, Go and preach the Gospel to every creature under Heaven,' The people I allude to have no particular quarrel with the preach; but they have a mortal antipathy to the go: and should even their own admired preacher offer to go himself, or help to send others, he becomes a Missionary, or the advocate of a mission; and the question of my text is set up in resistance to the whole scheme, Can any good thing come out of it?" Mr. Chalmers then proceeds to shew, that the venerable Society whose cause he is pleading, is, in fact, a Missionary Society; and has been labouring for upwards of a century in the field of Missionary labours; and has therefore a claim to all the honour, and must submit to all the disgrace which such a title carries along with it. The author, alluding to the approbation which some have expressed of his present Majesty's wish, -"That every man in his dominions may be able to read the Bible," gives us the following penetrating passage: "Let us never forget, that in the breasts of many all this may be little better than a mere theatrical emotion. Give me the man who is in the daily habit of opening his Bible, who willingly puts himself into the attitude of a little child when he reads it, and casts an unshrinking eye over its information and its testimony. This is the way of giving effect and consistency to their boasted admiration of the royal sentiment. The mere admiration in itself indicates nothing. It may be as little connected with the sturdiness of principle as the finery of O! it is easy any poetical delusion. to combine a vague and general testimony to the Bible with a disgusted feeling of antipathy to the methodism of its actual contents; and thousands can profess to make it their rallying point, who pour contempt upon its doctrines, and give the lie to the faithfulness of its sayings. enters upon the wide field of benevo lence, and disdains those geographis cal barriers, by which little men would shut out one half of the species from the kind offices of the other. His business is with man; and let his localities be what they may, enough for his large and noble heart that he is bone of the same bone. To get at him, he will shun no danger, he will shrink from no privation, he will spare himself no fatigue, he will brave every element of heaven, he will hazard the extremities of every clime, he will cross seas, and work his persevering way through the briars and thickets of the wilderness. In perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by the heathen, in weariness and painfulness, he seeks after him. The caste and the colour are nothing to the comprehensive eye of a Missionary: his is the broad principle of good-will to the children of men. His doings are with the species; and overlooking all the accidents of climate or of country, enough for him if the individual he is in quest of be a man,- - a brother of the same nature, with a body, which a few years will bring to the grave, and a spirit that returns to the God who gave it." "Let us put you to the trial. The Bible tells us, that he who believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.' It calls upon us to preach the Gospel to every creature,' that every creature may believe it; for he who so believeth shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Such is the mighty difference between believing and not believing. It makes all the difference between Hell and Heaven. He who believeth, hath passed from death even unto life; and the errand of the Missionary is to carry these overtures to the men of all languages and all countries, that he may prevail upon them to make this transition. Some reject his overtures; and to them the Gospel is the savour of death unto death.' Others embrace them; and to them the Gospel is the savour of life unto life.' Whatever be his reception, he counts it his duty and his business to preach the Gospel; and if he get some to hear, and others to forbear, he just fares as the Apostles did before him. Now, my brethren, we have got among the substantial realities of the Missionary Cause. We. tics of either sex, of any respecthave carried you forward from the accessaries to the radical elements of the business; and if you, offended at the hardness of these sayings, feel as if now we had got within the confines of Methodism, then know that this feeling arose in your minds at the very moment that we got within the four corners of the Bible; and your fancied admiration of this book, however exquisitely felt or eloquently uttered, is nothing better than the wretched flummery of a sickly and deceitful imagination." We must indulge ourselves and our readers by transcribing another paragraph, in which the character of a true Missionary is finely depicted. "What the man of liberal philosophy is in sentiment, the Missionary is in practice. He sees in every man a partaker of his own nature, and a brother of his own species; -he contemplates the human mind in the generality of its great elements;-he DANCING REPROVED BY A HEATHEN. ability, never dance themselves. Throughout Hindoostan, &c. the magter of a feast sends for the public dancing-girls and musicians to entertain his guests. An Indian of respectability could never consent to his wife or daughter dancing in public: hor can they reconcile the English country-dances to their ideas of female delicacy. 66 - "I remember an amiable Hindoo at Bombay being taken to a veranda overlooking the assembly-room,where a number of ladies and gentlemen were going down a country-dance. On his conductor asking him how he liked the amusement, he replied, "Master, I not quite understand this business; but in our caste we say, If we place butter too near the fire. butter will mell.' I have thought of this Hindoo when present at some particular waltzing in France and Germany." Forbes's Oriental Mcm. v. iii. p. 81. REV. HENRY DAVIS. ON Tuesday, November 28, 1815, entered into rest the Rey. Henry Davis, who was 43 years pastor of the Independent Church at Great Wigston, near Leicester. Mr. D. was the subject of serious impressions in early life, through the instructions of pious parents being rendered a blessing to him. At the age of sixteen he became more extensively acquainted with the nature of sin and the evil of his own heart, under the ministry of the late Mr. How, of Weedon; and was thence led to feel the need of a Saviour's blood and righteousness, pardon and acceptance with God. Becoming acquainted with the consolations of the Gospel, and being desirous of making known to others the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the way of salvation through him, he was placed under the care of the late Dr. Addington, when he resided at Market Harborough; and in 1761 commenced his academical studies at Daventry, under the superintendence of the late Dr. Ashworth. On the expiration of his studies at the academy, he settled with the congregation at st. Neot's, Hunts. where he resided six years; and receiving an unanimous invitation from the congregation at Wigston, and wishing to follow the leadings of Providence, he removed there in 1772. In this part of the Lord's vineyard Mr. D. did not labour in vain; and there is reason to believe that a goodly number will be found as the joy, and the crown of his rejoicing, in the presence of the Lord Jesus at his coming.' The conduct of Mr. D. was admired by all who knew him, and most by those who knew him best; he was the consistent Christian, the affectionate pastor, and the constant friend of the distressed; ever ready to administer relief according to his ability. The sick bed of this aged servant of God presented a striking exemplification of the reality and importance of personal religion, by the rich enjoyment he had of those blessings which alone can support the mind in long continual affliction and the prospect of death; for he could say with confidence, "I know whom I have believed; and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." On another occasion he said, "What a delightful prospect I have! - I shall finish my course with joy!" At another time, he repeated the language of an apostle with peculiar emphasis: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the Sons of God!" and then added, "Precious passage!" His faith was firmly fixed on the atonement and righteousness of the Saviour as the only basis of hope; and during a heavy affliction of nearly five months, he possessed an unshaken confidence, was satisfied with the dispensations of Providence, and fell asleep in Jesus, having seen the salvation of God. The funeral sermon,, according to Mr. Davis's request, was, preached by his colleague, from a por-. tion of Scripture which Mr. D. chose in an early stage of his illness; Psal. cxxx. 7. MR. BRADLEY, (Newhouse, near Huddersfield) In the meridian of youth (Nov. 17, 1814) was removed by death at a time when more than ever his life. might appear desirable, did not that which rendered it so prove the best consolation for his loss. In early youth, the blandishments of the world found too easy admission into a mind ardent, sanguine, and unsuspecting. His propensities enthralled his judgment. But was he happy in their gratification? His own avowal, not many months before his death, will determine the question, "I have enjoyed," said. he," in these few months, notwithstanding the many days of suffer ing I have had, more real pleasure than I ever procured myself; or, than any flattering expectation ever afforded me." It may not be useless to remark, that the deceased had the advantage of a religious education and gospelprivileges; that he respected the truth, though not the subject of its power; and would even vindicate its doctrines if impugned by others; that he observed the Sabbath; and that the consistent Christian had ever his good-will and best services. For several years previous to Mr. Bradley's last illness, he was often a sufferer from a complaint which at length terminated his life; and might indeed be traced to his boyhood. During this period he rigidly observed the abstemiousness prescribed him, was often thoughtful; and there is reason to believe his mind had impressions of a religious nature. A few months before, a very alarming return of his complaint, with which he was attacked in the winter of 1813, in reading a sermon by the Rev. T. Kidd, entitled Knowledge and Obedience,' he was struck with a passage on the necessity of supplicating the influence of the Spirit. He committed the sentence to memory,determining to make it in future the subject of his prayers; remarking, that in asking for this, he in effect asked for every thing, for the Spirit would lead him into all truth.-Now was the time when conviction of sin flashed as lightning thro' his conscience, fully discovering his lost undone state: carnest prayer alone allayed the tempest of his soul. He viewed himself as the greatest sinner out of Hell; and felt in good measure the weight of his sinsere he found a Saviour to bear them for him:' In proportion as hope and comfort in believing was graciously afforded him, gratitude and love flowed to the Author of it. The most prevailing fear was, lest his convictions proceeded only from the prospect of death and eternity; their abiding in health, or rather the peaceable fruits of them to appear then, he knew would be the most satisfactory evidence of his sincerity; therefore he wished to recover, to prove to himself and others that they were wrought of God. God heard his request; and raised him up to the enjoyment of many months of tolerable health: the hopes of his friends were not disappointed: his views were clear: his choice decided. He often mentioned, during this respite, with a tear of gratitude, the condescension of God in afflicting him; he regarded his sufferings as the gracious chastisement of a kind and loving Father; he felt himself God's property, bought with a price; therefore he dared not, he could not knowingly commit sin. The first and latest hours of the day he devoted to the attentive perusal and study of his Bible: other books of a religious nature obtained a considerable portion of his time. In October, 1814, his disorder returned with increased violence and alarming symptoms. His sufferings became extreme; yet never a murmuring word escaped his lips: his very groans, extorted by pain, he condemned as betraying impatience. He thonght all his sufferings far less than he deserved to endure; but they proved more than his nervous system could sustain, as he was, by almost uninterrupted pain, prevented receiving any rest by sleep during many successive days and nights. Still his poor disordered mind, though lost to itself and objects dear around him, knew in whom he had believed.' This passage of Scripture he more than once emphatically repeated, and many others of similar import. Nor was he forsaken of God : lucid intervals he had; and in such moments he would say, "Let us praise God, for he is merciful, is very merciful." An affectionate friend having been speaking of the compassion of Christ in becoming the Saviour of sinners, he exclaimed, -“I cannot comprehend his love!" adding, "It is a wonderful salvation, a precious salvation, glorious salvation! It is suited for you, and you, and you" (addressing severally those around him); then clasping his hands together, he continued, - he a and thanks be to God it is for poor Joe!". His prayers were solemn and collected; they breathed the rich experience of a mind penetrated with self-abasement; and the grandeur of the Being whom he addressed. His dismission was easy, and almost imperceptible; not a sigh nor struggle gave intimation of his departure. When apparently lying in a hopeless state, in the beginning of 1814, Mr. Bradley made a solemn request to the Rev. William Moorhouse, whose ministry he attended, to improve his death from 1 John i. 8, 9. He enjoined him to warn sinners, particularly the young; which accordingly was attended to, December 11th, in a very impressive sermon to a large and attentive auditory; when Mr. M. remarked," The deceased did not wish any encomiums to be passed upon him; he did not think himself deserving of any." 2. Review of Religious Publications. A Summary of the History of the English Church, and of the Sects which have departed from its Communion; with Answers to each Dissenting Body, on its pretended Grounds of Separation. By the Rev. Johnson Grant, M. A. Two vols. 8ve, £1.6s. GENERAL history has been properly called a Common School for Mankind; we should think, therefore, that Ecclesiastical History ought to be considered as an academy of a higher order, as it is calculated to impart the most interesting lessons. What can be more instructive, more awakening, than to look back on the errors and follies, on the pride and dogmatism, on the superstition and despotism, on the oppression and violence, on the cruelty and bloodshed that the Church, the true and apostolic Church, under the garb of Religion, presents to our view? It must be a retrospect at once monitory and affecting, at once demanding our personal gratitude and sincere regret. The church-historian bas, therefore, a vast field before him; but while he surveys it, and ranges through it, let him summon into exercise his best powers of discrimination : let Candour, Truth, and Charity be his constant companions. In a word, let him keep alive all his moral energies, that, if possible, he may transfuse them into the minds of his readers. If tolerably impartial in his decisions, if decidedly moral and serious in his spirit, his work may confer innumerable benefits on society, even to remote generations. How far Mr. Grant has proceeded upon these principles, and evinced these qualifications, it is our immediate province fearlessly and faithfully to examine. Veritas non quærit angulos. their to have confined himself to a perspicuous and compressed narrative; to have spared many reflections which the facts suggested; to have avoided the fault of preceding historians, want of judgment in selection and arrangement; to have consulted nearly all the historians and biographers, and searched in every quarter for accurate and complete intelligence ;-and if he have erred, it has not been through any failure in point of diligence. Such a mighty task would have deterred many men from the attempt. We can, therefore, believe Mr. Grant to be very sincere in saying, 'I feel, on the whole, very deeply conscious of my incompetence to doing full justice to so arduous an undertaking; and it is not without a trembling, and even reluctant hand, that I now transmit to public notice my humble and feeble endeavour to fulfil it.' In replying to the tenets of the different sects, he is precluded, by the nature of his work, from descending into very minute particulars, or expanding the arguments used, by copious illustrations." In concluding his Preface he candidly observes, 'It has been my humble desire and earnest endeavour to speak of each dissenting body with perfect candour, and as much Christian charity as consists with the defences I have undertaken, and as it is proper for one fallible and imperfect being to exercise towards his brethren.' We shall see in the sequel how admirably the Author exemplifies this perfect candour! Volume the first is well divided into chapters and sections. Chap. 1 and 2 contain an Account from the first Appearance of Christianity in Britain, to the Arrival of the AngloSaxons, and from the Arrival of the Saxons to the Norman Conquest; with an Appendix on the Doctrine, &c. of the Church under the Heptarchy. This work is formed on the skeleton of a smaller production, which obtained a premium from the Ecclesiastical Chap. 3 and 4, from the Conquest Society of the diocese of St. David's; to the Reign of Henry VIII. —Ch. 5, and, under the fostering auspices of the English Church during the Reign that Society, it has arisen to its present of Henry VIII; an Appendix on the bulk and importance. It is dedicated general State of Church Government to the Lord Bishop of St. David's. from the Conquest to Edward VI.As a Summary, the Author professes Chap. 6, the Reign of Edward VI. XXIY. D |