We are concerned to see throughout of his motives, and are willing to believe this little volume, a manifest leaning in him actuated by the desire of serving the the author's mind towards the system of interests of Christianity. We ardently Hutchinsonianism. A considerable por- wish, however, that he would allow his tion of the book (we should think at least fears for the latter to go quietly to sleep. one half of it) is made up of extracts from The gospel is in no danger from the writers of that school; and in an Adver- | Newtonian system, or from Dr. Chalmers's tisement prefixed to it we notice" Pro- eloquent discourses! The ark is perposals for publishing, by subscription, a fectly secure from falling, even though translation into English of Mr. Catcott's Uzzah should forbear to lift up his arm Veteris et veræ philosophiæ principia." in its defence. And in taking leave of The object of which work is " to attempt him, which we do with sincere respect, to recover the rules of the ancient philo- we know not how to testify our good sophy, first gathered from the Holy Lan- will better, than by warning him to be guage, Now lately explained by the emi- upon his guard, lest his fondness for Mr. nent John Hutchinson, Esq." We do Hutchinson's writings, should lead him not deny that his quotations are apposite insensibly to imbibe, with his philoénough to his immediate purpose, and sophico-theological dogmas, something that they indicate an extensive acquaint- also of that writer's bitter and persecutance with books; but he has enlisted ing spirit. An author who could maintain himself in the defence of a theory that is that " a man, who is not a real Christian, as much at variance with the sacred is not qualified to be a member of sociwritings, as it is with sound philosophy ety," must be a dangerous guide to follow. and common sense, and we lament to We hint these things to him, because we see talents, such as he unquestionably perceive an acrimonious spirit, breathing possesses, (pardon the expression) so throughout his pages, which is not at all vilely prostituted. We have already in unison with the benevolent spirit of said that we give him credit for the purity the gospel.

*As there seems to be an anxious desire, on the part of this author and a few others, to revive that exploded and almost obsolete system, which in our humble judgment ought to be forgotten among the many vagaries of the human mind, we shall next month furnish our readers with a concise and compendious view of the tenets of Mr. Hutchinson.

Religious and Literary Entelligence.

MR. HALL'S SPEECH. [Concluded from page 319.]

In addition to what has been said, it is also proper to remark, that translations of the sacred book were early made, for the benefit of the unlearned, in the vernacular language of the countries into which Christianity had spread; that various versions in the Latin were published in the West, and the Syriac in the East, either during the lives of the Apostles, or in the period immediately succeeding: nor was it ever made a question, during the first centuries, whether the inspired writings should be laid open to universal inspection. The Christian Fathers were well known to have inculcated their perusal on all sorts of men; nor are the most celebrated of them, St. Austin and St. Chrysostom, ever more eloquent than when engaged in

unfolding their excellence, and expatiating on their utility, to persons of every description.

"It was not till "the man of sin" had placed himself in the temple of God, and exalted himself "above all that is called God, and that is worshipped," that a different policy prevailed, and the people. were told that they must be content to derive their religious information only through the medium of priests.

Is it possible to conceive a greater insult? If we should resent the attempt to disturb an ancient possession, and to remove the landmarks which bound and ascertain the inheritance of our fathers, what ought we to feel when a scheme is set on foot to deprive us of the record of our salvation, of the charter of our immortality? Who are they who pretend a right to sit in judgment on the contents of revelation,

to determine what is proper to be communicated, and what withheld, as though they were sifting the chaff from the wheat? Is it come to this, that the medicine of life is to be dealt out with a sparing and cautious hand, and mixed with foreign ingredients, like arsenic or hemlock, which are only safe when administered in a diJuted form, and in small quantities? What is it which has lifted these pretenders to such an envied superiority over their fellow-creatures, while the whole species, sick and infirin, are consigned to the skill of the same great physician, and are either in a state of spiritual death, or under one and the same process of cure?

and the roar of his Bull (if I may be allowed a pun on so serious a subject,) is but the instinctive cry of a beast which feels itself goaded to madness by the operations of the Bible Society. To commit the custody of the Bible to men who have so deep and vital an interest in its suppression, would be to commit the lamb to the care of the wolf. No! my countrymen, the situation of his Holiness possesses nothing in common with ours: and our feelings accord to our situations. He calls for darkness, (and well he may,) to prevent the detection of his errors! we, for light, to conduct us in the pursuit of truth. He courts the shade, to conceal his enormities: we ask for illumination, to enable us to perform our duties. The book, which we are employed in circuim-lating, sufficiently solves the problem:'He that doeth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved; he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God." When the Romish church found she had deviated too far from the religion of the New Testament to render a reconciliation practicable, she pro. ceeded to take away the key of knowledge, by opposing every possible obstacle to its progress; and, having availed herself of the ignorance of the age and the apathy of the people, to establish her claim to infallibility, she became a standard to herself.

Apprehensive as I am of exhausting your patience, there are yet two considerations, to which I would direct your attention, sufficient to demonstrate the portance of not relinuqishing that right with which God and Nature have invested you.

Thus she rendered detection impossible; nor did she ever feel herself safe, till the stage was completely darkened, till every chinck and crevice was closed, through which a ray could penetrate. Thus was the reign of superstition established; but, were we to attempt a recital of a thousandth part of the fearful impieties she was guilty of, and the bloody tragedies she acted in the dark, her impostures, oppressions, cruelties, and murders, we should detain you till midnight, and leave the tale half told. Suffice it to observe, that this Mystery of Iniquity was founded on a prevailing ignorance of the Scriptures, and was completed by reducing them to a monopoly.

First, The great mass of mankind have no possible motives to tempt them to pervert the dictates of inspiration. The Bible is safest in the custody of those who have no temptation to abuse it, by forcing upon it a language foreign from its original intention. Such is the precise situation of the great body of the people. Their concern in religion is of the purest and most unsuspicious nature, since the only advantage, which it is conceivable they can derive from it, is assistance towards holy living and dying. If it fail to put them in possession of a share in the common salvation, there is no subordinate end to be answered, no private emolument attainable by its means, to compensate for their loss. If it be ineffectual to enlighten and to save them, there is no other benefit which they can flatter themselves with the hope of deriving from it. You, in this assembly, who sustain no clerical character, possess this advantage, at least, over the ministers of religion, that you have no temptations to make a gain of godliness. Your religion either promotes your eternal welfare, or it is nothing to you. How far this is from being the case with the Romish hierarchy, through all its ranks and gradations, from his Holiness to Secondly, The next remark to which I the meanest ecclesiastic, few of you need would request your attention, is, that hereto be informed. The loftiest pretensions sies have seldom or never taken their rise to universal empire, the prostration of from the mass of the people. Look at the Christendom at their feet, a plenary history, trace the origin of the principal power of absolution, of opening the gates corruptions of Christianity which have of purgatory, and of paradise; this gigantic prevailed at different periods, and you dominion, extending to the living and the will uniformly find, that they commenced dead, founds itself entirely on a perverted in the higher classes, among men of leisure interpretation of the Scriptures: and and speculation; that they were the prowere they laid open to the people in their duct of perverted ingenuity and of untrue intent and meaning, the whole fabric sanctified talent. Adapted to observe would melt and disappear like a cloud. the purposes of avarice and ambition, When we remember this, we cease to be they were the invention of spiritual wicksurprised at the extreme animosity which edness in high places. The commonalty, his Holiness has evinced to the free cir- tenacious of the habits of thinking and culation of the Scriptures. Their circu-acting to which they have been trained, lation is the sure presage of his destruction; are slow in adopting novelties, and the

last to be misled by the illusions of hypothesis, or the false refinements of theory. The progress of opinion is from the higher to the lower order, and it is as unnatural for it to begin at the bottom, as for water to ascend from the vallies to the hills. The doctrine of transubstantiation is too much at war with common sense to have originated with the common people, any more than the doctrines of purgatory, auricular confession, the worship of the host, or the infallibility of the Pope; all of which were gradually obtruded on the laity by the artifices of a designing priesthood, whose interest and ambition they promoted. Far from running into these absurdities of their own accord, the people, harassed, confounded, and dismayed, were hunted into the toils by men who made merchandize of souls. Let but the great body of the people be enlightened by the word of God, let them comprehend its

flow freely, in opposition to the narrow and mischievous policy, which would confine them in artificial pools and reservoirs, where they become stagnant and putrid. Let us join our prayers with our efforts, that the word of God may have "free course, and be glorified," whatever opposing force it may sweep away in its progress: and should his Holiness the Pope, while he is buffeting with the waves, and attempting to arrest the current, be thrown down, and his tripple crown totter and tumble from his head; instead of feeling the smallest concern, let us rejoice and exult in the sure presage it will afford of the speedy arrival of that longlooked-for moment, when, at the decree of the eternal, at oath the of the Archangel, Babylon the Great shall sink like lead in the mighty waters.

SOCIETY.

About three weeks ago Baron Strandman a Russian gentleman with four Russian youths, left this Country for Paris.

truths and imbibe its maxims, and they BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL will form the firmest bulwarks against the encroachments of Popery, as well as every other erroneous and delusive system. It is in a virtuous and enlightened population, and especially in a yeomanry and peasantry, informed and actuated by the true spirit of religion, we look for the security and preservation of its best interests. It was among them that Christianity commenced its earliest triumphs; among them the Reformation begun by Luther found its first and fastest friends: and, as it was in this deparment of society our holy religion first penetrated, should the time arrive for its disappearance in other quarters, it is here that it will find its last and safe retreat.

An ingenious allusion was made, in your Report, to Catholic emancipation, a subject on which the public mind is much divided. To agitate the question of the expediency of that measure, on the present occasion, would be highly improper; but I may be permitted to remark, that, however our sentiments may vary on the subject of emancipation, considered in a political light, we are unanimous in de siring to bestow that moral emancipation which is of infinitely greater value, and which will best insure the wise improvement of the liberty Catholics possess, as well as of the power they aspire to. We are most solicitous to emancipate from them that intolerable yoke of superstition and priestcraft, under which reason is crippled and made dwarfish, conscienee is oppressed, and religion expires. We are perfectly convinced that nothing will so essentially contribute to raise our fellow-subjects in Ireland to their just, intellectual, and moral elevation, as the wide and unimpeded circulation of the sacred Scriptures.

Let us, then, proceed with unabated ardor in this glorious career. Let us endeavour to give as wide an extension as possible to the waters of life: let them

The Baron has resided in this Country four years by order of the Russian Government, in order to acquire information respecting the state of this Country in regard to education and agriculture. His assiduous attention to the objects of his investigation, will enable him to carry home with him the means of rendering the most important services to the Emperor, and all true Philanthropists must rejoice that the extensive dominions of Alexander may enjoy the benefits of instruction and civilization.

The four youths were instructed in the British system of education, and their talents were such, that in five months from their landing in England they were able to conduct the Central School in the Borough Road, and to pass their exami nation in the most satisfactory manner. As they could not speak a word of English on their arrival, it is evident that the British System is most admirably calculated to teach foreigners the language, for at the expiration of that time they were able to conduct the School with correctness, and to address the Russian Ambassador and the gentlemen present in good English.

The Baron with his pupils have since made a tour through England and Scotland, they have investigated the Madras system, and visited all the schools in their way, making the most minute enquiry. They will proceed through France, Switzerland and Germany on their way home. The Baron is a man of intelligence and amiable manners. The youths are chosen, two from the Greek church and two Lutherans, from which circumstance it may be presumed that the enlightened mind of the Emperor is disposed to ex

tend the benefits of education to all de- spectable assemblage of Ladies and Gen. nominations of his subjects.

or upwards at one time, shall be considered a governor for life; such governors shall be entitled to attend and vote at all meetings of the Committee. The smallest subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, Joseph Fry, Esq. St. Mildred's Court, in the Poultry; by the Secretary, Mr. Samuel Dennis, 17, King's Street, Commercial Road; and by the following gentlemen of the Committee; Mr. Thomas Smith, No. 19, Little Moorfields; Mr. Charles Bowdler, Wardrobe Court, Doctors' Commons; Mr. Samuel West, Billiter Lane; and Mr. W. F. Lloyd, Mariners' Hall, Basinghall Street.

DESIGNATION of MISSIONARIES. On the evening of Tuesday the 23rd ulto. Messrs. Adam and Sutton were designated to the service of the East India Mission, at the Baptist Meeting House, Shortwood, Gloucestershire.

We are sorry, it will not be in our power to give more than a very imperfect sketch of the proceedings on that interesting occasion.

upon the course of a Missionary, and the doctrines he intended to enforce in his future ministry.

Mr. Adam followed in reply to the two second Queries. It was said of Charles Fox that "in the management of a party, he showed himself equal to the government of an Empire." We would say of Mr. Adam that in the simple proceedings of that evening, he evinced powers of mind, that under favourable circumstances would bid fair to place him in the first ranks of literary eminence, combined with a deep feeling of piety, that insures the devoteduess of those powers to the best objects.

With a rapid but commanding glance he touched upon the moral state of man, its debasement every where, its extreme degradation amid the heathen world; he considered the perfect adaptation of the Gospel as a remedial system, and com bining with their considerations a feeling of obligation to the Saviour, the urgent nature of his command, and the certainty of the ultimate triumph of his cause, he urged these as the motives that have induced his matured reflection to determine upon the choice of a Missionary Life.

In replying to the third Question he The subject was introduced by Mr. said, the doctrines inculcated by the light Winterbotham in a short address, in of nature, or a consideration of the which, (after stating the object of the Works of God, might form an essential Meeting) he vindicated the adoption of part of the topics of his future discourses; the plan they were about to pursue in he should however most constantly bring solemnly setting apart the present Can- forward and inforce the evidences of the didates for the Ministerial and Missionary Christian revelation as the sole standard Office; insisting particularly upon the of religious sentiment and moral cha example of the church of Christ in res- racter. He should endeavour to illustrate pect to Paul and Barnabas-at the same the perfection of the divine nature, from time decidedly deprecating the idea of both of the sources, and insist upon the thereby conferring any gifts or aposto- unity and spirituality of the Deity as oplical powers-with the happiest effect be posed to the systems of Polytheism and endeavoured to interest his audience in Idolatry prevailing among the heathen ; the grand object of the Mission—he dwelt he should likewise claim their reception particularly on the relative situation of of the doctrine of the Trinity, as however India and this Country-he pointed out incomprehensible it was to him, he bethe proceedings of Providence that had lieved it to be taught in the Scripplaced the whole Indian Continent more tures. These, with the moral government or less under the dominion of British of God, and responsibility of man, his influence, and by every feeling of patri- rebellion and liability to punishment, the otism, of benevolence, and of attachment depravity of his fallen nature (acknowto the religion of the gospel, he conjured ledged in their own ablutions and sacrihis hearers by their most strenuous exer- fices) the insufficiency of human means to tions to support a cause so deservedly conciliate the favour of God and to find dear to every heart that desired to pro-acceptance in his sight, would lead him mote the best interests of its country- to point the attention of his auditors to the welfare of the world, or the honour the subject of the great atonement as the of the Saviour. He likewise particularly centre around which all these doctrines claimed their sympathies on behalf of would arrange themselves, and by an inthose who had now offered themselves forterest in which alone the sinner could the important cause of the Mission; he ever realize the salutary tendencies of touched on the sacrifices a Missionary the gospel. was called to make; the dangers to which he might be exposed, and the privations which he would have to endure.

Mr. Sutton then proceeded, in reply to three several interrogations, to give an interesting account of the means that led to his conversion, his motives for entering

Dr. Ryland then offered the ordination prayer.

In his address to the Missionaries, Mr. Dyer (of Reading,) directed their attention to the xvith of Acts 16 and 17 verses, which he stated to contain a just inti mation of their character, and of the