agrees with them in both points; and part in trying to make these points disagree in themselves. May he write again! On Mr. Petherick's "Tract for the Times," we must say a few words, if only a few words, to prevent any of our readers buying it, under the impression that it contains reasoning, or possesses relevance, on the subject in hand. Never did a more ridiculous mouse issue from a labouring mountain,—never did harder words express softer arguments,―never did greater energy of manner accompany feebler strokes. It would be preposterous to suppose that he touches or understands the question, or that he is even competent to the task of answering himself, if indeed there was anything in himself that required or permitted of an answer. We are not unnecessarily severe. For mental feebleness we would entertain no feeling but respectful pity; for a Christian spirit we should ever cherish an unaffected love and honour: but when a writer meddles with a question which he does not comprehend; when he puts himself into the posture, and uses the tones of oracular authority, with no other qualification, than an apparent sense of his infallibility; when he boldly challenges, for his own imbecility, comparison with the talents and attainments of men infinitely superior to himself, and as boldly impeaches the piety of men at least as good ;truth, justice, yea, charity itself, demands exposure and rebuke. A few specimens will suffice to show both the temper and the talent of Mr. Petherick. "Is it not high time that some one should come forward for the great purpose of justifying the high honours of Christ's atonement, when even Doctors of Divinity begin to write as if they doubted its saving power,-whether it be in itself considered sufficient to save a soul from hell? Is it not high time that the church should be called to remember that harmonious song, addressed to Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.Rev. i. 5, 6. "To speak or to write as though the atonement of Christ was so common, or so unimportant a thing, that in itself it cannot save, is plainly to contradict all those testimonies of the Holy Ghost in the revealed word relating to it; and to preach and teach, not the gospel of Christ, but another Gospel, which, as the inspired apostle has elegantly said, is not another, and which he connects with an anathema, which is enough to make the stoutest heart to tremble.—Gal. i. 7—9. "Many of those works which have lately appeared on atonement, are not adapted to exalt its worth, but to trample it in the dust, to tread under foot the Son of God, and to induce men to count the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing.-Heb. x. 29. "Some there are who tell us, that the atonement should be preached with reserve, and others that in itself it cannot save ;* but what says the inspired apostle? Be it known unto you, men and brethren, that through this person is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.'-Acts xiii. 38, 39. * "See author of Strictures on Dr. Marshall's late work on Atonement, pp. 25-31." 5 F N. S. VOL. VII. "The depreciating manner in which certain recent writers have felt it necessary to speak regarding the virtue of the atonement of Christ, in order to make it square with their extravagant notions of its entire universality, is sufficient to prove that they have unhappily embraced, in an evil hour, erroneous notions concerning it, and that they are no longer safe guides to the public mind. For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that are led of them are destroyed.'-Isa. ix. 16.”—pp. 4, 5. Thus Mr. Petherick opens his fire, and thus he continues it, until, in his own opinion, he gains a glorious victory, and in every body's else he sustains a miserable defeat-jumbling together in ridiculous and earnest confusion, personalities and dogmatisms, texts and accusations, misconceptions and appeals, contempt for his opponents, with ignorance of their meaning, and confidence in himself, with obscurity in his own. Our readers, after these citations, italics, and all, will scarcely be anxious to know, that Dr. Wardlaw and Dr. Marshall are both mistaken in his view, or be interested by being told that the “ Strictures on Dr. Marshall's late work on the Atonement" were put into his hands after a portion of his tract had been written, and that "it is possible it may require at some future time more specific attention than he can just now allot to its consideration." We would respectfully suggest to him a counsel, which may, perhaps, prevent the labour of his taking part again in the discussion, that one qualification is indispensable to a polemic-that he should know the doctrine he denies and the doctrine he defends. CURSORY NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. THE Rev. John Cockin, of Holmfrith, has lately published a volume entitled Reflections after Reading; or, Sketches Biographical, Ecclesiastical, and Historical. This gentleman has from the days of his youth been accustomed to commit to paper the results of his reading; and the book before us proves that his "Reflections" are charitable and wise, entertaining and profitable. The Biographical Sketches comprise Sir Matthew Hale-Oliver Heywood-Dr. Watts-Dr. Doddridge-Dr. DoddBurns-and Bishop Watson. The Ecclesiastical Sketches include Milner's History of the Church-The French Protestants-John Knox and the Reformation-Ebenezer Erskine and the Secession-William Penn and the Early Quakers-Baxter and the Nonconformists-Dr. Bogue and the London Missionary Society. The Historical Sketches contain The Times of the Commonwealth-Lord William Russell-Sacheverell and his Trial -- Sir Robert Walpole - Lord Bolingbroke - WashingtonBuonaparte-Spain and the True Causes of her Declension. The Appendix has two papers on the Spread of the Gospel at Home, and on Nonconformity to Ecclesiastical Establishments. It will be seen from this account of its contents, that the volume before us discusses more than a score of attractive subjects, and we can truly add, in a manner likely to amuse and inform every reader. We have not seen for a long time any book more likely to be useful to young persons, and the members of reading societies and vestry libraries. (T. Ward and Co.) A Manual of Devotion for Individuals. By an Octogenarian. The compiler of the above work being of opinion that there was "a scarcity, if not an actual want of books for the private devotion of individuals," has produced this selection of prayers and hymns with much good taste, discrimination, and piety. The book of Psalms is a standing argument for the admissibility of precomposed prayers into the private devotions of the people of God; and we cannot but think that when human compositions draw largely from these Divine sources, and express the wants and feelings of a regenerate soul, they may be profitably employed in the closet, especially in seasons of languor and mental decay. Not that the strongest are incapable of being benefited by such assistances, for there are few readers who will refuse to acknowledge that to such works as Shepherd's "Thoughts," Mr. Bickersteth's "Help to Prayer," they have felt at times indebted for aid in the discharge of that duty, from which all others radiate. We have therefore much pleasure in cordially recommending the present volume to our readers. (Jackson and Walford.) The seventh volume of the uniform edition of "The Works of William Jay, corrected and revised by himself," is devoted to "Sermons preached on various and particular occasions." These are fourteen in number, and some of them being old favourites of ours, we are most happy to welcome them in a new dress. But we regret that they "are not arranged according to their dates, or any other rule of order," which we think a rather odd confession for the venerable author to make. When Dr. Hunter republished a collection of his occasional sermons, he not only put them" in their respective order," but also "endeavoured to diversify and enliven his several subjects, by affixing short memoirs, anecdotes, and illustrations, respecting the persons, institutions, and events which gave occasion to their original discussion and publication." Knowing what rich stores of reminiscences live in the tenacious memory of Mr. Jay, we did expect to find in this volume some of the " prefatory and explanatory notes" which he promised to the public in his advertisement to this edition. The volume as it is will be regarded as an interesting and valuable one; how much more so it would have been, had the course we have named been adopted, the reader may easily imagine. (Longman, Brown, and Co.) There are now six half-crown parts of Mr. John Kitto's "Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature" published, which comprise 480 closely-printed octavo pages, with 237 wood illustrations, besides six maps and landscapes of sacred scenes. Without pledging ourselves to every opinion and interpretation in this work, yet we feel bound to say, that it promises to be by far the most valuable and complete dictionary of the Bible that has ever appeared in our language; the indefatigable editor having brought to it all that industry and skill which he has displayed in his Pictorial Bible, and also secured the assistance of the best critics and divines of our age. (Longman and Co.) We beg to recommend to our intelligent readers, “Sketches of Modern Philosophy, especially amongst the Germans. By James Murdoch, D.D." It contains sixteen chapters, that originally appeared in an American periodical, called The Congregational Observer, and is now reprinted for two shillings in "The Student's Cabinet Library of Useful Tracts." Some who are called to hear much of late about Pantheistic and Transcendental philosophy, will find a large amount of information, on that and cognate subjects, compressed into a small space. (Hamilton, Adams, and Co.) 66 "A Help to Family and Private Devotion. By the Rev. Henry Rogers, Wolverhampton." This unpretending volume very perfectly answers to its title. It consists of fifty-six prayers, adapted for morning and evening worship in a family; to which is added a variety of devotional exercises suitable for particular persons, circumstances, and occasions; and are the production of a mind that has learned to walk with God. The prayers are truly evangelical, and may be used by Christians of every name and denomination. They are alike adapted to private and family devotion; and to such as stand in need of a help, we cordially recommend the volume. (Whittaker and Co.) We noticed last month a publication of the Religious Tract Society-M'Gavin's answer to the Romish work entitled "The End of Controversy," and expressed a wish that it had been published at one shilling: we are happy to find that there is an edition issued by that Society, which may be had in neat covers for nine-pence. THE EDITOR'S TABLE. A COMPLETE View of Puseyism, exhibiting, from its own Writings, its twenty-two tenets, with a careful Refutation of each tenet. Also an Exposure of their Tendencies: viz. to exalt unduly the Power of the Clergy—to enslave the Minds of the People-to propagate a spurious Religion-to delude and destroy Souls. The Subject so treated as to involve the Scriptural Doctrine of the Church-of Uniformity in Religion-of Justification-of Regeneration-of Sanctification-of Baptism-and of the Lord's Supper. By R. Weaver. 8vo. pp. 188. London: Jackson and Walford. Memoirs of the Rev. John Thornton, Forty-one Years Pastor of the Independent Church and Congregation, Billericay, Essex. By John Thornton, Stockport. 12mo. pp. 218. London: T. Ward and Co. A Practical Exposition of the Epistle to the Philippians: in twelve Discourses delivered at Cambridge in the years 1801 and 1802. To which are added several Sermons on various subjects. By the late Rev. Robert Hall, M.A. From shorthand Notes by John Greene. 12mo. pp. xxvi. 258. "The Brother beloved:" a Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. John Guyse Kinsman, with the Address delivered prior to the Interment. By the Rev. William Spencer, Devonport. 8vo. pp. 34. London: Simpkin and Co. Prostitution in the Borough of Liverpool. A Lecture delivered in the Music Hall, June 3, 1843. By the Rev. William Bevan, Newington Chapel. 8vo. pp. 22. London: J. Snow. Eight Sermons being Reflective Discourses on some important Texts. By the Rev. Robert Montgomery, M.A. 8vo. pp. 476. London: F. Baisler. The Proceedings of the first General Peace Convention, held in London, June 22, 1843, and the two following days; with the Papers laid before the Convention, the Letters read, &c. 8vo. pp. 118. London: T. Ward and Co. The Two Kingdoms. An Allegory. 12mo. pp. 120. London: Seeley and Co. Rachel of Padan-aram, Type of the Church. A Sacred History from the Mosaic Record. By William Archer. 12mo. pp. 188. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. Traditions of the Covenanters: or Gleanings amongst the Mountains. Third Series. By Rev. Robert Simpson. 12mo. pp. 234. Edinburgh: J. Johnstone. London: R. Groombridge. Sketches of Nature: comprising Views of Zoology, Botany, and Geology, Illustrated by Original Poetry. By Jane Lucretia Guinness. 12mo. pp. 406. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. The Juvenile Harmonist: a Selection of Tunes and Pieces for Children; arranged for two Trebles and a Bass. By Thomas Clark, of Canterbury. London: Sunday School Union. Studies of the New Testament. By a Layman. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 286, 288. London Johnson and Co. Promiscuous Worship no Duty, but a Sin. Reply to a Sermon recently published by the Rev. J. Davies, B.D. Rector of Gateshead, &c. Comprising an Account of Proceedings in the Parish of Cumberworth. By George Bird, B.A. of St. John's College, Cambridge, and late Rector of Cumberworth. 8vo. London: Dinnis. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. In the Press. The Congregational Calendar, and Family Almanac for 1844; which will contain a large amount of intelligence interesting to Congregational Dissenters, and the religious public at large. Mr. Howitt is preparing a new Volume of his Visits to Remarkable Places, which will comprise his visits to the birth-places and tombs of the celebrated poets, and will be illustrated similarly to the preceding volumes. CHRONICLE OF BRITISH MISSIONS. SIMULTANEOUS COLLECTIONS FOR BRITISH MISSIONS. Ir is earnestly hoped that the Congregational churches throughout the country will unite in public collections on one and the same day, Sabbath, October 29th, in aid of their British Missions. The present is the fourth year in which this appeal has been successively made. The results of the effort in the three preceding years, have been such as, on the whole, to encourage perseverance in the plan of united effort. The following facts will illustrate its operation : On the 25th October, 1840 or subsequently in 139 Churches made Collections. connexion with the proposal 210 231 The gross amount obtained by the effort of the first of these years was £2190 7 5 The distribution made by the contributing churches has been as follows, and the statement may assist the churches in determining how far the appropriation has been in due proportion to the magnitude, expenditure, and necessities of the several Societies: There appears therefore to have been for the second year over the first, and for the third year over the second, an advance, not great indeed, yet encouraging. May the advance of the fourth over the third exceed that of the third over the second! When it is recollected that the old method of collecting by deputations probably occasioned an outlay of 25 per cent. of the amount contributed, besides the great labour, trouble, &c. connected with the arrangements, it is hoped that the economy and simplicity of this plan will, eventually, lead to its general adoption amongst the churches. HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY'S CLAIMS ON THE OCTOBER COLLECTIONS. From a Correspondent, to the Secretaries. I read with great interest the first paper in your Magazine for September, which refers to the simultaneous collection for British Missions, on the last Sabbath in October. I hope the effort of that day will draw on, in the most satisfactory manner, the hearty response of many thousand minds to the important claims of the three societies. I now write chiefly for the purpose of calling attention to one or two things suggested by that paper. One of the first things that struck me with surprise, was the comparative statement of the collections for British Missions during three several years. While I lamented in common with others, the indifference of so many churches to the important objects which these societies have in view, I was greatly concerned to observe that while the sum total had each year increased, the proportion obtained by the Home Missionary Society had each year decreased, while in the other two branches of operation, the increase is entered as nearly double since the first year's collection! Now I cannot understand this. It may be explained satisfactorily; but I confess it makes me uneasy to observe so great a disproportion, when the annual demands on |