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of communicating it, will readily, under the directions of the minister of his parish, apply to the formularies of the Church, that leaven of Scripture truth and evangelical feeling, which invests them with light and life. And the more thoroughly versed he is in his duties as a Christian teacher, the more valuable will he be as an instructor in the genuine, Protestant, Scriptural principles of the Church of England.

"It is because this Society looks pre-eminently to the teacher's qualifications as a Christian, and seeks to build him up in pure evangelical truth, and then to send him forth to impart it to the children of the labouring classes, that it claims the support of those who love the truth, and Him who is the way, the truth, and the life.' And I verily believe, brethren, if we desire effectually to grapple with the errors that are stealing into the ministrations of our beloved Church, and gradually converting it, in some localities, from a living portrait of its great and glorious head, into something like an ‘image of the beast,' we must give our most cordial and liberal support to Societies founded on pure evangelical principles, and aiming to produce evangelical fruits. Especially if we would not hand over to Romanism-modified or unmodified, open or concealed-the labouring class of the next generation, we must provide evangelical teachers and evangelical schools for the children of the present day. We must, in fact, largely support Societies such as the Home and Colonial Infant and Juvenile School Society. I would not derogate from the value of our Societies, founded on the broad basis of Church of England principles; I counsel no man to withdraw from them the support he has been accustomed to give but as their very constitution precludes them from offering any decided opposition to errors springing up within the Church itself, we must look to Societies exclusively Evangelical, to fight the great battle of the Lord in this our day, and to meet the peculiar exigencies of these times. And, whatever view we may take of legislative measures, in actual preparation, or not distant prospect; as Protestants, as Christians, we must feel, that in proportion as the shield of earthly power is withdrawn from Protestant truth, in the same proportion must the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God,' be wielded with increasing energy and determination against Papal errors. Raise then throughout our land the cry of 'the sword of the Lord and of Gideon,' to remind men that God must give the might and the victory; but that they must shew the energy of Christian devotedness, and exercise the munificence of Christian love. The hand is theirs, the sword, O Lord! is thine.

"And now, brethren, what does the minister of the Gospel look for at your hands, Verily, we seek not yours, but you.' We do not point to the cross and remind you of a Saviour, suffering and dying in your stead, and then bid you in return cast your silver and your gold into the plate. Oh no! it was not with silver and gold ye were redeemed; it is not with silver and gold that ye can pay the debt you have incurred. We beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's.' Come like the wise men from the East, first cast yourselves at the Redeemer's feet, and then offer gifts; not gold only, but frankincense, and myrrh, grateful and devoted hearts, pure and beneficent lives. Look around you that you may lay yourselves out, as best may promote your Saviour's glory, in the salvation of your fellows. If the Society, for which I plead, seems in your judgment an efficient instrument in promoting that end by helping to bring the little ones to Christ: if you believe its aim to be holy and pure, viz., the inculcation of Gospel doctrines and Gospel precepts in the spirit of love, then support it liberally by your contributions. Be fully persuaded in your own minds: but what is more, be devoted to Christ in your hearts. I invite you to the blessed privilege of counting all things but loss that you may win Christ.' Surrender to

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Him your all, and you will enjoy all things in Him. What a glorious exchange! these vile bodies, these weak wandering hearts, these limited powers, these perishing riches, for Christ our wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.' Oh may your hearts respond to this call and say, Lord, all that I have is thine.' Then shall you hear the whisper of His Spirit, 'All things are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.'

The following is the Committee's appeal :--

"At a special meeting of the Committee, held this day at the Institution, that part of the Report of the Society for the present year which relates to finance having been read and considered,

"It was unanimously resolved,-that whilst the Committee view with satisfaction the greatly increased efficiency of this Institution, and rejoice that from the recent enlargement of its premises it now instructs annually more than 120 Teachers, thus providing for the instruction of from ten to twelve thousand children; and, at the same time, in its own Schools brings under moral and religious training from 250 to 300 children; and whilst the Committee gratefully acknowledge the liberality with which their appeals for donations have from time to time been met, they nevertheless feel that the permanent financial position of the Society, with an expenditure of from £1,200 to £1,500 per annum, and an income arising from subscriptions not equal to half that sum, is a source of great anxiety, and one which urgently calls for an immdiate remedy.

"Resolved,―Secondly, that founding the application on the acknowledged Christian usefulness of the Society, as evidenced during the past year in England, Ireland, the colonies, &c.,—on its admitted efficiency—and on its great importance, especially in the present times; an earnest appeal be made to those benevolent individuals who have already been donors to the Society, to become annual subscribers to such an amount as they may deem the circumstances to warrant; or if for any reason they are unwilling to pledge themselves to do this, to allow it to be understood that, without any special application, the Collector may be at liberty to call on them about the same period annually, with a view to their giving a donation, if then so disposed. Resolved,-Thirdly, that a similar appeal be respectfully made to those subscribers who have so kindly given their aid, annually to increase, and, if possible, to double their present subscriptions, and at the same time to interest themselves with other friends of moral and religious training to induce them also to become subscribers.

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Resolved,-Fourthly, that a similar appeal be forwarded to those who have had teachers from the Institution, or teachers trained there, and that those who do not already subscribe be earnestly requested to contribute something annually, however limited the amount, to assist in placing this Society in a situation to continue unimpeded its exertions for the improvement and extension of early education on Christian principles.

"Resolved,-That Mr. Lewin, Mr. Eneas Mackintosh, Mr. Herbert Mayo, and Mr. Wigram Money, be a Sub-Committee for the special purpose of carrying these Resolutions into effect, and that they be also requested to apply to any other persons they may deem fit, for assistance in the important work in which the Committee are engaged.

“July 9, 1845."

"Gray's Inn Road, near King's-Cross.

1. THE LIFE OF JULIUS CÆSAR. London: Religious Tract Society. (Monthly Series.)

2. LIVES OF ALFRED THE GREAT, SIR THOMAS MORE, AND JOHN EVELYN. London: Burns. (Fire-Side Library.)

3. HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF STATESMEN WHO FLOURISHED IN THE TIME OF GEORGE III.; to which are added Remarks on Party, and an Appendix. By HENRY, LORD BROUGHAM, F.R.S., and Member of the National Institute of France. London: Knight. (Weekly Volume. Copyright Miscellanies.)

"IF wisdom were to be found in the multitude of books," says Sir Thomas More, in Southey's Colloquies, "what a progress must this nation have made in it since my head was cut off!" And again, "All classes are now brought within the reach of your current literature,.... that literature which, like a moral atmosphere, is, as it were, the medium of intellectual life, and on the quality of which, according as it may be salubrious or noxious, the health of the public mind depends. There is, if not a general desire for knowledge, a general appearance of such a desire; authors of all kinds have increased and are increasing among you." Right true, Sir Thomas! See here! . . . . since your ghostship last appeared, we have got your own life and two more for a shilling: the life of Cæsar for sixpence, and sketches historical of emperors, kings, and statesmen, heroes, lawyers, savans,-fifty or more,-four volumes for four shillings. What a progress truly must this nation now be making, if progress in wisdom be proportioned to the cheapness and multitude of books: but then, as the said Sir Thomas has well observed, "Of all the devil's laboratories, there is none in which more poison is concocted for mankind than in the inkstand!" Let authors remember this, and ever be mindful "that men hold under an awful responsibility the talents with which they are entrusted. Kings have not so serious an account to render, as they who exercise an intellectual influence over the minds of men!" It is a lamentable truth as regards not a few " who brew for the press," to quote again our sapient Mentor: " that, like some of those who brew for the publicans, they care not, if the potion has but its desired strength, how deleterious may be the ingredients which they use: horrors at which the innocent heart quails, and the healthy stomach leaves in loathing, are amongst the least hurt

ful of their stimulants." It is therefore matter of high commendation when individuals or societies make it their study to provide wholesome food for the people: books cheap and good, for "all readers." A monthly series, we would inform, or remind our readers, is now issuing from the press of the Religious Tract Society, which, to judge from the specimens we have already seen, will well repay the purchasers. A better life of Julius Cæsar than we had ever read is the first specimen. It is drawn from the best authorities, Greek and Latin: the execution is highly creditable to the author, and we need not say that it is written throughout upon Christian principles. The concluding chapter on "Cæsar's greatness-heartlessnesspride-crimes crime of his murderers-their imprudence-the frailty of ambition-true greatness of character-doing good-advantages of our country and times," &c., is an admirable summing. up, and affords convincing proof that sketches of this description may be so written as to furnish "fire-side" reading of a really useful as well as interesting character. We give a single specimen of the style and spirit of the work from the concluding reflections.

"By the energy and prowess of that wonderful people," (the Romans) observes the author," the nations of Italy, of Europe, of parts of Asia, and Africa, were successively brought into one political body under one head. By these means the seeds of civilization, literature, and the arts of war and of peace, were gradually spread over the greater part of the known world. Whatever other purposes of Providence may have been secured by this process, the Christian reader will not fail to mark how the nations were thus prepared for abandoning their several idolatries, and for embracing the only true religion. Rome became the centre of human society, the mistress of nations, the lawgiver of the world. The superstitions of every people were present, by their symbols, and their images, in the imperial city. None of them had proved a defence from the power of Rome. There-all were alike honoured, and alike despised. The feeling of mistrust in imaginary gods was slowly but surely diffused from the centre to the utmost circle. Britain, Gaul, Spain, Africa, Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt, all the countries washed by the Mediterranean Sea, became the same as Italy. One effect of this subjugation was the prevalence of universal peace.

"After the death of Cæsar the reins of this vast government passed, before long, into the hands of his adopted son, Octavius Augustus. The temple of Janus, which had been open since the beginning of the second Punic war-a period of a hundred and eighty-eight years-was at length closed. Augustus was succeeded by his son-in-law Tiberius, in the eighteenth year of whose reign the great sacrifice for the sin of the world was offered in the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary.

"After his resurrection from the dead, the ascending Saviour revealed to chosen witnesses that he had "all power in heaven and in earth," and he sent them forth as his ambassadors, to claim the obedience of all nations, as their Saviour and their Lord. These faithful men travelled through the chief provinces of the empire, and in a few years after their Master's ascension, they succeeded, by the grace of Him who had promised to be with them always, in establishing his spiritual dominion in the chief cities of the empire, and even at Rome itself.

"We see how the entire history of Rome, and especially the supremacy which had been founded mainly by the ambition and the power of Cæsar, had

been preparing the way for the spread of the gospel. The access of Roman citizenship was claimed by the apostle of the Gentiles, both in Asia and in Europe. The force of the truth, the examples of fortitude and holiness, and the patient endurance of persecution and of death, for the sake of the new and hated religion, gained entrance for the gospel into the minds of men in every rank, until the emperors themselves, and the empire, were, professedly at least, subjected to the authority of Him, who, half a century after Cæsar's death, was ignominiously executed as a malefactor, among the despised people of a distant province which had been subdued by Cæsar's great rival Pompey. And the vast structure reared by such amazing efforts of power, and strengthened by so much policy and skill, faded away at length in the shadow of that religion which it had attempted to stifle in its birth. Little did Cæsar dream of the connection of his conquests with the grander victories of the Son of God, and with the spread of that kingdom which shall not be destroyed. As little did his successors dream that the empire which he bequeathed to them was to moulder away beneath the silent progress of the kingdom of a crucified Jew. But we see, in the course of events, the wisdom and power of the most High God. We behold in them the fulfilment of the ancient prophecy, which foretold the destruction of the Assyrian empire by the Grecian-of the Grecian by the Roman-of the Roman by the northern invaders-and of every human empire, by the peaceful reign of Him whose right it is to rule over all nations and all worlds."

We wish we could speak with equal satisfaction of the specimens of Burns' "Fire-side Library," and Knight's "Weekly Volume," which we have classed with this first specimen of the Tract Society's "Monthly Series; " but, in truth, we cannot. The "Lives of King Alfred, More, and Evelyn," is certainly a wonderful production for the money: but then its bias is manifest, and that bias, we need not say, is semi-popish. Alfred and Sir Thomas More were good Romanists. This is enough. There is no censure or caution; though both are required: and, in fact, such a halo is thrown around them, as to recommend their superstitions, and give an attractive charm to their religious character, where the sound Protestant would see reason to put his readers on their guard. It would be easy to illustrate this--but our space will not permit.

Mr. Knight's series, the "Weekly Volume," we have more than once taken occasion to notice. That Lord Brougham's brilliant Sketches should now form part of the series is indeed a phenomenon. Sketches of George III., Chatham, North, Loughborough, Thurlow, Mansfield, Gibbs, Grant, Burke, Fox, Pitt, Sheridan, Windham, Dundas, Erskine, Percival, Grenville, Grattan, Wilberforce, Canning, Romilly, Franklin, Frederick II., Gustavus III., Emperor Joseph, Empress Catharine, George IV., Eldon, Stowell, Lawrence, Francis, Tooke, Castlereagh, Liverpool, Tierney, St. Vincent, Nelson, King, Horner, Ricardo, Carrol, Neckar, De Stael, Mirabeau family, Carnot, Lafayette, Talleyrand, Napoleon, Washington-all this for four shillings! Reading for the people! What have we come to! whither are we tending?

But what shall we say of the Sketches themselves? They are

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