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conduct of those who fill the highest places of the temple: but to acquiesce in the false pretensions of enemies who would use our charity to destroy us, or to shrink from exposing the deformities and mischiefs of a dangerous faction, is not charity, but weakness. The learned prelate is set on high as a champion to defend the truth, as well as to illustrate and adorn it, and he who, in the hour of battle, shrinks from his post, is unworthy the trust and honours of a leader.

LITERARY REPORT.

Private Thoughts upon Religion, and a Christian Life; to which is added, the Necessity and Advantage of frequent Communion, In 2 Vols. By WILLIAM BEVERIDGE, D. D., Lord Bishop of St. Asaph. With Introductory Essays, by the Rev. HENRY STEBBING, M. A. London: Hatchard. 1834. 12mo. Pp. lv. 270, 341. [Sacred Classics, Nos. X. XI.] THE" Private Thoughts" of Bishop Beveridge have been frequently republished apart from his other works; but such is their intrinsic excellency and rational piety, that they well deserve to be again presented to the christian reader as part of the valuable series for which we are indebted to the proprietor and editors of the Sacred Classics. Their devout and zealous author has been called "the great reviver and restorer of primitive piety; and though written in his earlier years, the declaration of faith which they contain, and the resolutions founded thereon, evince an acquaintance with scripture truth, and practical holiness, by which he was characterised through life. "They are founded," says Mr. Stebbing, in his able Introductory Essay," on the soundest principles of christian truth; but to be practically useful, they must be read with singleness of heart, and a spirit tractable and quiet." In this spirit we sincerely recommend their perusal again and again; as well as the tract on the Sacrament, which is appended to the present edition. To this also Mr. S. has prefixed an Essay, which will be read with profit, both before and after the words of serious advice to which it is attached. The whole series, indeed, goes on well; and we are pleased to hear

that there are thoughts of comprising among its future volumes, translations of some of the practical theology of earlier times. This will form a novel feature of no inconsiderable import

ance.

The Book of Family Worship. By the Editor of the Sacred Harp, &c. &c. Dublin: Wakeman. 1834. 24mo. Pp. 240.

The Sacred Harp. Second Series. Dub

lin: Wakeman. 32mo. Pp. xvi. 269. SELECTIONS of all kinds must of course derive their entire value from the judgment exercised by the compiler, in the performance of his task. With respect to the first of the two little volumes at the head of this notice, the prayers are derived from the best sources, and it will take its place among the many similar publications of the day. Of the poetics, several might as well have been omitted; but, upon the whole, the second series of the Sacred Harp is a pretty appendix to the first, and we trust that the possessors of the one will not fail to purchase the other.

Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnæus, with Introductory Remarks on the Study of Natural History. By W. MACGILLIVRAY, A.M., F.R.S.E. &c. Ebinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1834. Sinall

8vo. Pp. 391. [Cabinet Library, Vol. XVI.]

THE series comprising the Edinburgh Cabinet Library is highly deserving of public patronage: and the present volume adds considerably to its value. It does not, perhaps, supply

the reader with much information which might not be found in other quarters; but, from the judicious arrangement of materials dispersed over a wider surface, and the just estimate which is formed of the labours of the distinguished individuals whose me. moirs are recorded, more particularly with reference to the designs of a beneficent Creator, it has a merit far above that of originality of detail. The introduction is admirably written, and points out, with striking effect, the pleasure and advantages of natural science. Let the work proceed after the manner of its present promise, and the proprietors will amply redeem their pledge of making it "a complete and connected Library of Historical, Geographical, Statistical, Natural, and Biographical Knowledge.”

The St. David's College Calendar for the year 1834.

OUR readers, or most of them, are doubtless acquainted with the history and .ne object of St. David's College. The institution has now been in active operation for eight years; and though yet in its infancy, the particulars which are collected in the Calendar, are not only interesting in themselves, but ted to prove that benevolent and pure views with which the College was founded have been abundantly realised. We are pleased to find that the publication of the Calendar for the year 1833, had the desired effect of making these views more generally known, and thereby lessening the pecuniary difficulties with which the foundation has had to contend; and we sincerely trust that those who have the means will still continue to contribute to so good a work, and render its operations yet more effective, and more extensively useful.

The Christian Watchman: a Sermon, preached in the parish Church of Leek, at the Visitation of the Rev. George Hodson, M. A. Archdeacon of Stafford. By the Rev. ALEXANDER GOODE, M. A. Vicar of Caverswall, in the County of Stafford. Printed at the request of the Archdeacon and

Clergy. London: Rivingtons. 1833.
Pp. 28.

WE are glad to see these addresses so faithfully made to the Clergy. They prove two things; that the Clergy know their responsibilities, and that they are not afraid to be reminded of them. All this argues well for the future. Mr. Goode's sermon is also good.

The Economy of Human Life. By ROBERT DODSLEY. London: Van Voorst. 1834. 18mo. Pp. 167. A REPRINT of a very useful work, formerly published without the author's name, under the "mask of an oriental original." The subjects treated are, Duties that relate to Man as an individual-The Passions-Woman-Consanguinity-Providence, or accidental differences in men-Social Duties,

Religion. The whole is written in a very sententious style, and not unlike the language of the Scriptures.

Elegy, written in a Country Church

Yard. By THOMAS GRAY. London :
Van Voorst. 1834. 8vo.

THE peculiarity of this beautiful edition is, that it is divided into thirtytwo Stanzas, each of which is elegantly illustrated with a splendid wood-cut by our first artists, and in appearance is almost equal to copper-plate engravings. Our readers will not regret the purchase.

Jephthah's Daughter. A Dramatic Poem. By M. J. CHAPMAN, Esq. Author of "Barbadoes and other Poems." London: Fraser. 1834, Pp. xii. 118. THERE are some things in this poem which we do, and some which we do not understand, and those things concern diction and metre. Our want of intellect, we suppose, is in fault, and not the author's skill. Nevertheless Mr. Chapman has done what will save him from a charge of bare mediocrity, and there are portions of his book which have great merit. It is his intention, he says, to write a trilogy on the houses of Saul and David, and to dramatise the "history of Esther,

and perhaps the book of Job." "I have addressed myself in no irreverent spirit to these themes." (Preface.) What can be more dramatic than these histories as they are? But we do not object to the undertaking. Poets may gain little credit and less recompense for their labours; but their lucubrations do good in a commercial way.

Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, Ď.Ď. late Vice-Provost of the College of Fort William, in Bengal. By HUGH PEARSON, D.D. M.R.A.S. Dean of Salisbury. Fourth Edition, with some retrenchments. London: Seeleys. 1834.

THIS is a reprint of a well-known work for the Christian's Family Library. All that can be required in a notice of such a publication in our pages, is

express, what we have no hesitation in stating, that the choice of the work is creditable to the editor of the series, and that the publisher has done his best to place it in a cheap form before the public. The interest attached to the character of Dr. Buchanan will always obtain readers for the Memoirs of his Life.

An Essay towards an easy and useful
System of Logic.
to
By ROBERT
BLAKEY, Author of the History of
Moral Science. London: Duncan.
Edinburgh, Black. 1834. Pp. 170.
MR. BLAKEY has produced a very
excellent work, which contains some
original, and to our minds, satisfac-
tory conclusions respecting the pro-
vince, use, and usefulness of logic. He
is one of those who would not have
a logician to be a peasant; and who
would estimate science according to
its real value, as bearing upon the
great object of mental advancement--
not for its brilliancy, but for its in-
trinsic worth. He dissents from some
of the remarks in Whately's Logic,
and we think justly. He moreover
considers the question relating to
mathematical learning in a candid and
matter-of-fact way. His chapter on
religion is very commendable.

The Teacher, or Moral Influence employed in the Instruction of the Young. Intended chiefly to assist young Teachers in organizing and conducting their Schools. By JACOB ABBOTT, Principal of Mount Vernon School. Revised by the Rev. Charles Mayo, LL.D. late Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford. London: Seeleys. 1834. Pp. xii. 328. LIKE all the author's works, this book is clever and original. It gives us an insight into the usual method of teaching in America, and offers many hints that may be taken to advantage on this side of the Atlantic. Dr. Mayo has acted judiciously in bringing it before the British public, and, we trust, good will come of it.

The Christian Expositor; or Practical Guide to the Study of the Old Testament intended for the use of General Readers. By the Rev. GEORGE HOLDEN, M. A. London: Rivingtons. 1834. 12mo. Pp. 810. IN the twelfth volume of our Journal (for the year 1830), pp. 479, et seq., we reviewed, at very considerable length, Mr. Holden's "Christian Expositor; or Practical Guide to the Study of the New Testament." The ample statement of his plan into which we then entered, renders it unnecessary that we should now detail the same topics, in announcing the completion of his truly valuable biblical labours, by the publication of his volume on the Old Testament. The two volumes present, together, the most useful digest of critical annotation on the Holy Scriptures which we have yet seen. But we should not do justice to the author, if we did not recapitulate the leading particulars of the plan he has pursued, for the information of such of our new subscribers as may not have seen the volume of the CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER to which we have referred.

Mr. Holden's design is to state, as briefly as is consistent with perspicuity, the result of a critical inquiry

into the meaning of the sacred original. To each book is prefixed a concise introduction; and where a more extended discussion of its scope seemed to require it, he has prefixed copious prefaces. This is particularly the case with the book of Job, his introduction to which fills nine closely-printed pages, and leaves the reader nothing further to desire respecting the object and design of that deeply interesting portion of the Old Testament. The introduction to the book of Psalms is equally excellent: the observations on the imprecatory Psalms (as they are commonly termed) are singularly valuable. The volume concludes with various useful chronological tables, and with a copious and carefully accentuated "explanatory index" of the proper names occurring in the Bible.

We have examined various difficult passages, which have greatly exercised the ingenuity of biblical critics; and no one instance appears to have been omitted by Mr. Holden. We refer our readers particularly to the notes on the three first chapters of Genesis; on Gen. xvi. 7, 12; xlix. 1, et seq.; Exod. vi. 3; and Job xix. 25-28. Wherever our generally accurate authorized version seems to depart from the true meaning of the Hebrew, Mr. H. has subjoined what he considers to be the most correct rendering, with the modest prefix of "Rather." He has further added select references to parallel passages, which have the merit of being really parallel; so that the reader, who will take the trouble to compare them, will find his labour abundantly repaid by the light which they reflect on Scripture. Concise as many of the notes necessarily are, by the aid of a small but beautifully clear type, the author has successfully condensed the results of much learned and laborious inquiry into a small compass. Though his work is intended "for the use of general readers," yet it comprises so much information in a very compressed form, that not merely general readers, but also critical students, may gladly

avail themselves of Mr. Holden's critical labours. And we do sincerely hope that the present volume will

VOL. XVII. NO. II.

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IT would be impossible to speak of
the value of this work within the short
space of a literary notice; but thus
much we can assure our readers, that
in its plan it is novel and more com-
prehensive than any of its predeces-
sors; that the quotations from the
earliest poets, chroniclers, divines, &c.
arranged in chronological order, in
illustration of different words, sup-
ply an admirable view of the pro-
gress of the English tongue; that
reference is made to chapter and verse
for every quotation given; that it is
cheap; and that the publisher en-
gages to deliver all parts beyond thirty
free of expense.
No library should

be without it.

Veritas Christiana.

The Chief Points of a Christian's Faith severally confirmed and proved, by suitable Arguments, selected from the Works of eminent Divines and other Writers, and from the Holy Scriptures. London: Peacock & Mansfield. 1835. 32mo. Pp. 96.

A VERY original, and most successful
production. In your waistcoat pocket,
reader, you may now carry about with
you a complete digest of all that the
most eminent writers have said in
favour of Christianity - enemies as
well as friends. The selection and
arrangement are not less admirable
than the idea. Nothing can be more
clear, direct, or convincing. We par-
ticularly recommend it to the young;
but we can assure the christian reader
of any age that, if well acquainted with
the Veritas, he will never be unable
to give any man a reason of the hope
that is in him.
It is the most com-
pendious answer to the infidel we ever
saw, and not by any means the least
complete.

Primitive Christianity; or, the Religion of the Ancient Christians in the first Ages of the Gospel: to which are added, an Historical Account of Paganism under the first Christian Emperors; and the Lives of Justin Martyr and Cyprian. By WILLIAM CAVE, D.D. With an Introductory Essay and Notes, by the Rev. WM. TROLLOPE, A.M. Vicar of Great Wigston, Leicestershire, and late one of the Classical Masters of Christ's Hospital.

NEXT to the praise of writing a good book, is that of making it useful, by obtaining for it extensive popularity. To this praise the editors of the Sacred Classics are well entitled. By making the public familiar with authors who are at once masters of language and giants in divinity, they are contributing to form a purer and higher standard of taste. He who can appreciate the writings of Jeremy Taylor, of Bishop Hall, of Butler, or of Beveridge, is little likely to waste his attention upon the flimsy productions of the day.

The Sacred Classics already include select works of some of our very best writers and divines; and the volumes before us, which form the twelfth and thirteenth of the series, are not unworthy of their predecessors. After vindicating the early Christians from the slanders of their enemies, they offer a full account of their principles and practice, arranged under the general heads of "Piety towards God, sobriety towards ourselves, and righteousness towards others." Here, to use the language of the author, "the reader will find a piety active and zealous, shining through the blackest clouds of malice and cruelty; afflicted innocence triumphant, notwithstanding all the powerful or politic attempts of men or devils; a patience unconquerable under the biggest persecutions; a charity truly catholic and unlimited; a simplicity and upright carriage in all transactions; a sobriety and temperance remarkable to the admiration of their enemies; and in short, he will here see the divine and holy precepts of the christian religion drawn down into action, and the most excellent genius and spirit of the

gospel breathing in the hearts and lives of these good old Christians.”

We shall not attempt an analysis of a work whose subject is of general interest; which is so cheap that all may possess, and so clear that all may understand it. Nor would extracts do justice, where simplicity is the chief characteristic of the style, and the argument is so connected, that detached passages must suffer by separation from the context. The chapter on the Obedience and Subjection of the Primitive Christians to the Civil Government may peculiarly claim attention at the present time, when the names of conscience and religion are used to cloak hostility to the Church and disloyalty to the State. To those who ignorantly imagine that they are doing God service while they neither "love the brotherhood," nor "honour the King," we would offer for imitation the example of the early Christians, and for serious consideration the principles they avowed. All history proves that the Church achieves her deliverances and triumphs only with spiritual weapons-with prayers and tears. It shows also, that whenever a body of professing Christians have employed unhallowed means to obtain even a just end, they have seldom escaped the signal manifestation of God's displeasure.

It

The Introductory Essay, though not directed expressly to this argument, tends powerfully to confirm it. displays, with great felicity of thought and language, the benefits which Christianity has derived through the malice of her enemies, marking how their strongest assaults have only tended to establish her foundations and confirm the evidence of her Divine authority. Such arguments are always valuable. It never can be too strongly impressed upon Christians, that the Church is the care of God: that it is their duty to disregard the suggestions of expediency, and in faith and patience to commit their cause to him that it is their privilege to know that He in whose hand are the issues of all things and the hearts of all men, will never disappoint the confidence of his people, or forsake them that fear him.

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