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irreligious atmosphere of that ancient city was most uncongenial to his devout spirit and generous heart, and his unhappiness increased with his residence. The progress of events, however, at length conducted him to Edinburgh, where he found himself in his native element. Never was sphere more suited to individual, nor individual more suited to sphere. While Professor of Moral Philosophy, it is not to be understood that Dr. Chalmers had desisted from preaching; on the contrary, he preached much. Nor were his services confined to Scotland; occasionally we find him crossing the border, and, among other places, granting the benefit of his matchless eloquence to Stockport Sunday-school. This matter in itself is so important, and, withal, so characteristic, that we cannot withhold from it the circulation of our pages.

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About twelve Mr. and Mrs. Grant came in their carriage, and the former accompanied me in a chaise to Stockport. I was to visit the school at one, and the sermon was to begin at half-past five. My other friends from Manchester were to come in the evening in two carriages, and one of them a chaise and four. I reached Stockport at one with Mr. Grant. Could see a certain hard and ungracious reception of me, perhaps from the consciousness of something wrong on their part. Mr. M-, my correspondent, did not appear for some time, and when he did, there was a blush in his countenance, and a tremulousness in his voice. I was in the midst of managers, and the stairs to the different rooms of their immense fabric were crowded with scholars. I asked what they were about; and with some hesitation and difficulty they told me that they had been practising for the music of this evening. When I went to the great preaching-hall, I found that there was just this practising before an immense assemblage, on which I called out, in the distinct hearing of those about me, that there was an air of charlatanerie about the whole affair, and that I did not like it at all. I would stay no longer in that place, and went along with them to the committee-room, where there were about twenty managers and others. I said that I had come from a great distance on their account, and had therefore purchased the privilege of telling them plain things; that they should have consulted me ere they had made their arrangements— that I was quite revolted by the quackery of their advertisement-that they had made me feel myself to be one of the performers in a theatrical exhibition-that what they had done stood in the same relation to what they ought to have done that an advertisement of Dr. Solomon's did to the respectable doings of the regular faculty, &c., &c. I was firm and mild withal -they confused and awkward, and in difficulties.

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I said that still I would preach, but that I thought it right to state what I felt. On the other question of the urgency, and the pleading a promissory obligation on my part, I have as yet had no reckoning. I left there in the carriage with Mr. Grant and Mr. Marsland, for the magnificent place of the latter gentleman on the banks of the Mersey. He introduced me to his two daughters, who, I thought, had that peculiar stiffness and ceremony which I have often noticed in English ladies of high breeding. I was there shown to my room, when I got a second letter from a minister on the subject of the indecent exhibition of Stockport. I had got one the night before from another minister on the same subject. It seems that many serious people here are scandalized at it, and that many eyes are fixed upon my conduct in regard to it. Mr. Marsland told me in his carriage that he had forewarned the managers that they were carrying the matter too far, and that I would probably decline preaching altogether. My feeling is, that this would have been too violent, and I have several reasons for not carrying my resistance this length. However, I begged Mr. Marsland to send for Mr. M-, that I might hold conversation with him. Mr. M back word that he could not possibly come; and why? because he was presiding at a dinner given before sermon to the Gentlemen of the Orchestra, and he was just in the middle of a speech to them when my message came. this Mr. Marsland and Mr. Grant walked down to Stockport, and told Mr. M of my difficulties and wishes; that I would not comply with their arrangement until it was altered. They wished mysprayers and sermon to be mixed up with their music-me all the while in the pulpit. I said that I would not be present at their music at all-that my service should be separated altogether from their entertainment * -that I should pray, preach, and pray again in continuo, not entering the pulpit till the moment of my beginning, and retiring from it so soon as I should have ended. The gentlemen had their interview with Mr. M-, and he was very glad to comply. I dined at half-past two-retired for an hour to prepare-drank coffee after five. The two gentlemen walked before, to be at the music. The two ladies went down with me in the carriage at six. Will you believe it? an orchestra of at least 100 people, three rows of female singers, in which two professional female singers, so many professional male singers, a number of amateurs: and I now offer you a list of the instruments, so far as I have been able to ascertain them-one pair of bass drums, two trumpets, bassoon, organ, serpents, violins without number, violoncellos, bass viols, flutes, hautboys. I stopped in the minister's room till it was over. Went to the pulpit-prayed, preached, retired during the time of the collection, and again prayed. Before I left my own private room, they fell too again with most tremendous fury; and the likest thing to it which I recollect is a great military band on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh. I went up with the ladies

* Amongst those whose performances were to be mixed up with the sermon and prayers, the name of a Miss Cheese had been announced; and Dr. Chalmers good-humouredly reinforced his argument with the managers by telling them that in his country the cheese was never served till the solid part of the entertainment was over.

again in the carriage. They were far franker and pleasanter than before. Supped after Mr. Marsland's return. He told me that the collection was £398. Went to bed between eleven and twelve. I forgot to say that the number of my hearers was 3,500.

Monday-I am told that the Stockport people, suspicious of my dislike to exhibitions, blazoned and advertised much less than they would have done; and the interpretation given by some to this is, lest it should meet my observation too soon. Found company in David Grant's, and he kept me up till two in the morning. A kindhearted, rattling fellow.

N.B. The collection is now £101.

Behold the picture! It will be remembered by many of our readers that, a few years back, we animadverted, with proper freedom, on the periodical Exhibition of Stockport. Much truth we spoke, and great was the wrath our freedom called forth: we nevertheless had the satisfaction of doing something to stay what we held to be iniquity. If, unhappily, men of character and piety, and high position in the Church of God, by preaching, have still continued to support the abomination, yet we did somewhat to abate the evil, and to put parties on their guard who might otherwise, like Chalmers, have been caught unawares.

At the moment we had revised the above for press, we received the following from an excellent Christian minister :

I have compared with peculiar satisfaction the statements contained in the CHRISTIAN WITNESS (vol. ii., pp. 119 and 261) with the lively description given in the Journal of Dr. Chalmers (vol. iii., pp. 49-52). You were branded at the time with terms the most opprobrious that could be invented, for the mention of facts quite notorious. Some of your correspondents were ostracised, and one in particular (now a respectable teacher at Paddington) was dismissed from his situation in the vicinity of Stockport, on suspicion of being implicated. But truth cannot be overcome. Compensation will be given, sooner or later, for all the sacrifices fidelity to it involves.

Our readers now, however, will have a more perfect picture, in the one before them, than they had previously; and we cannot doubt that the verdict of a sober and Christian public will be such as not only to ratify what we then did, but to show that we should have been wanting in duty had we not done it. But this is not enough: Dr. Chalmers has recorded the strange spectacle which appeared before him-the deception which was practised upon him-the feelings under which he fulfilled his engagement, and his indignant disgust with the whole scene; and having done this, he has gone into eternity, leaving the facts for

the solemn consideration of those of his surviving brethren and fellow-countrymen whose services may be solicited on behalf of an Institution which is conducted in a manner so outrageously reprehensible. We speak as unto wise men-we speak to the Nonconformist Ministry of England. Let them judge what we say!

This is only a glimpse at the splendid volume, which it were needless further to analyze, since we trust that thousands upon thousands of our readers will have the benefit of reading the volume for themselves.

An Introduction to the New Testament: containing an Examination of the most Important Questions relating to the Authority, Interpretation, and Integrity of the Canonical Books, with reference to the Latest Inquiries. By SAMUEL DAVIDSON, D.D. Vol. III. The First Epistle to Timothy, to the Revelation. Bagster and Sons.

Ir will here be seen that Dr. Davidson has at length completed his great undertaking, and consequently given to the world a work which will hand down his name to a remote posterity. The Preface of this volume concerns the entire undertaking, and details at length his views and obligations, the sources of his information, and his object in the present undertaking. In three such copious volumes it were strange indeed if there should not be here and there an expression or a statement which one might think would admit of amendment, and another which might be deemed to require correction. There would be no difficulty in issuing page upon page of a disputative character, but we should deem it labour thrown away. Works, like men, must be judged as a whole; and if these three volumes are thus judged, exalted, indeed, will be the tribute which every right-minded and reasonably competent Critic will feel himself bound to award to Dr. Davidson. We observe somewhat of soreness in the solemn passage with which he closes his copious Preface. On this matter we deem it fair to allow him to speak for himself:

Encouraged by the favourable opinions of scholars in this land, in Germany, and in America, whose names stand in the foremost rank of learning, it is matter of devout thankfulness to God that the writer has been able to complete his arduous task. He has prosecuted his studies in the New Testament by day and by night, for several years, in the belief that though the work

to which he had committed himself was indeed most difficult, it behoved him, while life and health remained, to do something for the illustration and defence of God's holy Word, at a time when scepticism of a peculiar order prevails in the land. He can truly say that he has tried to be impartial in his inquiries, divesting himself of preconceived notions as far as they might impede research. But it is one thing for weak man to purpose, and another to carry out his purposes. Imperfection and ignorance will cleave to all his performances. The author is quite sensible of the deficiencies belonging to his work. It might have been improved by longer time and more intense study. But life is short. With the means at his disposal, and the one talent God has given, he has done what he could. He fears that some things in the volumes may not be acceptable to theologians of a certain idiosyncracy. Sorry will he be to find that he has not succeeded in giving them ample satisfaction. He must say, however, that he has no sympathy with the avowed advocates of systems, creeds, and parties. He did not write for those who are made up in all their opinions; averse to learn, because they are wise in their own conceits; afraid to think, lest they should doubt; prone to censure, where they do not understand; to dogmatise, where they have not studied; to misrepresent, where they do not even take the trouble to read. He appeals to the honest lovers of truth-to the patient inquirers after God's will in the New Testament -to the anxious and humble student of books claiming to be sacred because of heavenly origin.

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There is a spirit of hostility to systems and creeds manifested in this fine passage with which we do not sympathize. Taken with proper limitations, it may be allowed to pass; but we are afraid it will be abused. We confess to a profound respect for the Systems and the Creeds of the Protestant Reformation. We hold that they contain the essence of saving truth, and that very materially to deviate from them will be to depart from the only ground of human hope. Again, we are among those who profess to have "made up our opinions on all matters appertaining to man, to God, to Christ, to the Gospel, and to the kingdom in which it is embodied. We expect nothing new, of great importance, from the labours of Critics, Commentators, Antiquarians, Travellers, and Theologians. Compared with that which has been achieved, but little remains to be done. However, we are not in the humour for disputation with Dr. Davidson, who has performed a great public service, and deserves a meed of grateful thanks, which we doubt not cultivated men, of every Christian community, will be forward to present to him.

The Second Reformation. By A. ALISON, Esq.

THIS book, in some respects, bears a considerable analogy to the publications of Mr. Douglas, Cavers, putting one in mind of his large views and surpassing power of generalization. It consists of three parts, all connected, yet in a measure distinct. After an elaborate disquisition on a variety of subjects, touching Divine Providence, Good and Evil, the Fall of Man, Grace, and the Scriptures, -largely erroneous, and not without a sad mixture of impiety and Infidelity,he comes to deal with the Laws of Nature and of Man, and the subject of Life, to which he adds some valuable thoughts on Art. To this succeeds a comparison, somewhat elaborate, between the Churches of Rome and of England, in which the subjects of the Claims of Rome, Miracles, Predestination, Image Worship, the Sacraments, Baptism, and kindred subjects, are brought forth. He then, after a masculine thrust at the Papal Bull, proceeds to deal with the subject of Civilization, and in this lies the pith of the book. The Author descants on Churches, Schools, the Soil, Poor-Laws, Industry, and Taxation. There is a great deal in the work that might be disputed and controverted, and that probably will be so; but it would be very unfair to deny that in some points it possesses merit. It will be prized by the intelligent, and men accustomed to reflect-men who are able to work out the ideas which the Author has satisfied himself, in many cases, with merely indicating. It is, in fact, less disquisitions on the subjects than outlines, after the fashion of Dugald Stuart's Moral Philosophy; and by a large body of men it will be all the more valued, since it is a book of matter rather than of words. There are views on matters of a secular character, not unimportant, which we should feel disposed to dispute; but there is in it so much that is liberal and philanthropic, that we cannot but award to that portion of the work a modicum of praise. Our great objection, we repeat, is, its shocking impiety. The man who can talk in the following fashion of Original Sin, must look to another country than England, and another day than ours, for approbation:

The idea of Original Sin arose at a very early period, and at a time when science was unknown. The error that has been committed is, interpreting Scripture literally, where it is evidently intended to be taken in a figurative sense. There is an evil spirit, and there is original evil; and we

have explained both without either supposing an actual spirit or imputed sin, which is purely imagination.

But this is not the worst. Talking of Atonement, our Author peremptorily inquires,

What is there to atone for? Certainly for no act of creation-for having disproved Original Sin, we cannot go back upon it. To atone for sins of commission before they were committed, is no less absurd, so that there is nothing to call for an atonement!

We shudder while we quote the foregoing, and cannot sufficiently regret that a much more indignant expression of sentiment was not recorded in the BRITISH BANNER against this daring impiety. Infidelity of the old fashion was open and magnanimous-its warfare was honourable. Christians knew with whom they had to deal. But to taint a work of this descriptiona work on great secular topics, where the poison of Infidelity is not looked for-is as unmanly as it is pernicious, and forfeits, on behalf of its Author, the confidence of all right-minded

men.

The Poetic Rosary. By JOHN CRITCHLEY

PRINCE. Partridge and Oakey. MR. PRINCE has more power than pretension about him. While he has not promised much, he has done a good deal. From the fact that he dedicates his volume to Mr. Charles Dickens, somewhat may be gathered of his spirit, purposes, and associations. That Mr. Prince is imbued with poetic spirit admits of no dispute, while his muse is peculiarly pure. The volume consists principally of small pieces, with the exception of "The Winter Walk," which is rather more extended. He has a soul to sympathize with suffering and wrong wherever they occur, and hence we find him pouring out his spirit, in the person of the immortal Kossuth, in a strain worthy of William Tell. But while Mr. Prince is at home in personating heroes, he is not less so in bespeaking the emotions of a British workman. Let us hear

THE WORKMAN'S EVENING SONG.
I'm glad to see yon springtide sun
Go down, albeit I love his light;
My bread is won, my labour done,
My reason clear, my conscience right;
And as I take my homeward way,

I see, with not irreverent eyes,
The grandeur of departing day,

In the rich glory of the skies;
Whilst yet the shadowy coppice rings,
Where the brave throstle blithely sings.

To morrow, when his earliest beams
Turn to loose gold the quivering rills,-
Rekindle the rejoicing streams,-

In purple vesture swathe the hills,—
With buoyant mind, and sinews strong,
I'll go, with willing heart, to bear
What burdens to my lot belong,

Of honest toil my needful share;
And on my way see beauteous things,
Whilst the glad skylark blithely sings.
But now I seek that quiet nest,

Shut from the outward world's annoy,
My home, where I am ever blest,
The sanctuary of my joy;
There will my gentle wife with me
Partake the cheerful evening meal,-
Talk with confiding speech and free,

Sweetly and calmly, till I feel

The peace, the bliss her presence brings,
Whilst the bright kettle blithely sings.
Then will I sit me at my ease,
Absorbed in some enchanting page,
Something to teach me or to please,-
Tale-teller, Annalist, or Sage;
But chief the Poet shall instil
Into my inmost depths of heart
The lofty spirit of his will,

The essence of his tuneful art;
And lift me high on Fancy's wings,
Whilst the shrill cricket blithely sings.
When Sabbath comes, God's holy boon,-
Blest day, so dear and fugitive!—
I'll ask yon sun, which leaves us soon,
For all the light that he can give ;
I'll fly to Nature's tranquil breast,
With the same feelings as of old,
And lay me down for thought and rest
In fields of fluctuating gold;
Or murmur sweet imaginings
Where the fresh brooklet blithely sings.
I'll tread the upland's starry floors,
Climb the rough mountain's shadowy side,
Feel the deep silence of the moors-

Silence that awes all human pride;
The voice of birds 'mid forest glooms,
The lapse of waters in the shade,-
Shapes, colours, motions, sounds, perfumes,
Of Nature's making, shall pervade
My senses with delightful things,
Whilst my rapt soul serenely sings.

This is but an average specimen of the volume, and nothing more is necessary to prove that it has merit. But there is prose in the book, as well as poetry, and that prose is well written. The last piece is a copious extract from an unpublished lecture, entitled, "Changes for the Better," in which our Poet shows a considerable acquaintance with the best benefactors of his country, and pays a merited tribute to those who have contributed to emancipate mind, and to raise the people.

Home Truths for Home Peace; or, Muddle Defeated. A Practical Inquiry into what chiefly mars or makes the comfort of Domestic Life, specially addressed to Young Housewives. By M. B. H. WILSON.

THIS is an excellent book, and one of a class

So

which can scarcely be over-multiplied. The family is a matter of great moment, whether it respects the Church or State. It is the drops that form the ocean, and the character of the former must determine that of the latter. with intelligent, harmonious, happy families,there is nothing to fear for states; and all attempts to raise either the Church or the State, that leave the family unimproved, must turn out abortive. The subject has been well discussed by nearly a dozen writers in books of various sizes during the present century; but after all that has been done, and done well, there was still room for further attempts, and when a dozen more have come forth, and acquitted themselves with respectable success, there will still be room. The subject is boundless, and admits of being viewed from innumerable points. There is a dash of originality in the present work that distinguishes it from all its predecessors. It might be called the "Cottagers of Glenburnie" amplified and adapted to the Operative Classes of 1851. We have here discussions on "Muddle," a term of terri. ble significance in all houses whether great or small. Our author, or rather authoress,-for it comes out that the work is that of a lady,descants on certain anomalies and phenomena peculiar to "Muddle;" the subject is surveyed from many sides in a succession of chapters, each of which deserves to be written in letters of gold, and set in pictures of silver. The con nection of "Muddle" with habitual falsehood, is well set forth; a picture is drawn, giving an idea of what muddles are in general. Then the pedigree of muddle is traced, and this is followed by the characters that make bad housewives, succeeded by a disquisition on the forbearance and charitable feelings with which the victims of "Muddle" should be regarded. This conducts us to an interlude entitled "Muddle of Order." This interlude is a treatise, by way of homily, to wives and daughters, who will do well to con it till committed to memory. Part II. succeeds, in which we have "Muddle Defeated," under some sixteen chapters. It is here shown that prevention is better than cure, and now comes a long-linked homily on primary and secondary considerations, in which the science of managing the spare bed-room, gentleman's-room, and many other things, is developed. We have then a dissertation on the Division of Domestic Labour-the Duties of the Mistress of a Family-Service-Small Matters with Great Comforts-Contriving, Contrivers, and Contrivances-A Word for the WashHonesty-Liberality and Economy-The True and only Ground for all Improvement. To this is appended a dissertation on Comfortable People, which contains much wisdom delivered in excellent spirit. This is a book which every husband should give to his wife, every brother to his sister, and every young man to his friend. Were the principles of this book to be thoroughly carried out, throughout all the families of England, it would make it a very heaven upon earth, as compared with what the mass of houses

now are.

An Essay on Church Reform. Simpkin and Co. THE title of this performance is too vague to give an idea of its real character. The outline is large; we have nearly forty pages, descanting

on Providence, grace, free-will, good and evil, and church government, the latter part being confined to a couple of loose pages, from which it will be seen that the subject of Church Reform, so far as polity is concerned, is soon dispatched. The author clearly commenced writing before his studies were completed. He tell us "No form of church government is laid down in Scripture; hence that is left to expediency." The only cure for the blunder here enunciated, is a return to the New Testament, and a careful study of it, without note or comment. The writer holds by the principle of Church and State. He would give "the State a veto in the Legislative acts of the Church." Now we who deny to the Church itself all power of legislation, may not be expected to enter into an argument with such a writer. Not only do we deny the right of the State to interfere with the legislation of the Church, but the right of the Church to interfere with the laws of Christ. The writer says some good things about Rome, but altogether the pamphlet is greatly defective in its ecclesiastical bearings; nor is this its worst feature. It manifests the grossest ignorance in matters appertaining to the highest concerns of man. The writer tells us, that "transubstantiation is closely allied to the doctrine of the Atonement, as held by Protestants, and if we wish to escape the snares of that system, we must abjure the idea altogether. Original Sin and Atonement can only be supported by arguing in a circle. The first is proved by an atonement, and the last by original sin. This is mysticism, or argument founded on nothing." Let us hear the sage again-"The doctrine of an Atonement, special Providence, and Predestination, do all detract from the omnipotence, justice and love of God."

Do our readers want any more? In these strange times, so pregnant with incongruous medleys, should any "philanthropist," with more opulence than sense, take it into his head to establish a school for impiety and nonsense, the author of this two shilling pamphlet may stand a chance for the first mastership. Who is the author of this Essay? Is it the gentleman who calls himself A. Alison, Esq., to whose "Second Reformation," we have referred in another article? It savours very much of the same origin. The thought and the language are largely the same. We have only further to add, that bookselling is changing its character that publishing houses no longer guarantee the character of a work. Simpkin and Co., as conducting a great wholesale establishment, are to be considered as guaranteeing nothing. But it is otherwise with Messrs. Hatchard and Son, Church publishers of the highest respectability, whose name is also on the title, together with that of J. Darling, who is injured by being placed last, since as the publisher of certain lying libels some year or two back, on many of the best men of the land, he had a legitimate claim to this sulphureous lucubration.

Memoir of the Rev. E. Bickersteth. By the Rev. T. R. BIRKS, M.A. Seeleys.

THERE are few educated Dissenters to whom the name of Mr. Bickersteth was not known, and none such by whom he was not highly respected; but we hesitate nothing in asserting that half his value was not known either by

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