diminished, the lives of ministers embittered, the cause of God injuued. Is this a defect in the system, or an abuse of it? If it a defect, it should be remedied; if it be an abuse, it should be corrected. You owe it to God, to your brethren, to your church, to yourself, by moderate, but firm measures, by the independence of your primciples, and the stability of your conduct, to oppose and to crush the growing evil, wherever it exists, and so far as your personal influence extends. It is a common cause; it demands the adoption of prompt, unanimous, and vigorous exertions. Such an unauthorized power is exposed and condemned by the very authority which constituted you an 'overseer; and repels the invasion of your rights. The apostle John, who had so much of the mind of Christ, threatened to remember the deeds of Diotrephes, who loved to have the pre-eminence among his brethren.' This passage, it seems, gave offence to some persons; in conseqnence of which, a long note is subjoined, in vindication of it. As we are lovers of peace, we shall take no part in the dispute, but leave the readers of the Charge to form their own conclusions. We decline also any remarks on the application of the word Clergyman to a Dissenting Minister, which the Doctor vinaicates, in a note, p. 65, 66. The sermon to the church is by Dr. Winter, formerly their paster, founded on 1 Cor. xvi. 10, 'See that he may be with you without fear, for he worketh the work of the Lord.' These discourses discover considerable ability, and are well adapted to promote the grand purposes of the Christian ministry among a Christian people. The duc observation of the advice given to the pastor and to the church, cannot fail to render them mutual blessings to each other. The Substance of an Address, delipered to the Rev. Robert Stodhart, on his settlement at Mulberry-Garden Chupel, Pell treet ; also a Sermon lo the Church, Oct. 5, 1808. By the Rev. Thomas Young, of Canterbury. 1s. BOTH the Address to Mr. Stodhart and the Sermon to the People, are founded on Colos. i. 5-7, Though I be absent,' &c. In the Address, Mr. Young directs the attention of the minister to the charming spirit by which St. Paul was actuated,' including his affectionate attachment to the church of Christ, is high approbation of church discipline, and his ardent love to evangelical truth.' In the Discourse to the People, Mr.Young notices the peculiar excellencies by which the Colossian church was distinguished, and the important maxims by which it was to be regulated.' A variety of truly evangelical and interesting practical matter is to be found in these well worthy of the attention of pages, every minister and church, as well as of the persons to whom it was originally addressed. The Pulpit; or a Biographical und Literary Account of eminent popular Preachers, interspersed with occasional Clerical Criticism. By Onesimus. Vol. I. price 8s. To name this work is to condemn it. Works, when published, become the legitimate subjects of criticism; but, we think, not discourses delivered from the pulpit; because, though nothing will compensate the want of truth, the zeal and fervour of a preacher, the excellence of his general sentiments, the purity of his motives, and the affection of his heart, may surely alone for many defects of composition or of delivery. To do justice to this writer, however, we must confess, he does not presume to judge of evangelical truth or practical energy. The Pelagian and the Calvinist are both alike to him. It is the altitude, the manner, the dress, the accent, which exercise his skill; and we readily admit his judg meut on the use of a pocket handkerchief, or the neatness of a band, the manner in which a preacher ascends the pulpit, or retires, &c.; bat it is an awful consideration, that a man should make it his business to attend the ablest preachers of the gospel for such sinister designs; and it is a pitiful thing that a bookseller should keep writers in pay for no better purpose. It may be proper to add, that this book is written by the Editor of a Sunday Newspaper, in which they originally appeared. Jude's Question Discussed; or the distinguishing Manifestations of Christ to his sincerely enquiring Disciples considered: a Sermon, by W. Kingsbury, M. A. s. THIS truly excellent discourse is calculated to excite more than or dinary attention. Though delivered on no particular occasion, it is printed at the request of those to whom it was addressed. Preached by a venerable Pædobaptist minis ter, to a respectable Anti-Pædobaptist congregation, we regard the publication of it as an amiable expression of their mutual candour. Independently, however, of every extrinsic circumstance, we consider the sermon itself as deserving the attention of our readers. Though its language and its arrangement are among its minor excellencies, yet, did our narrow limits admit it, we should gladly give a specimen of the pleasing simplicity of its style, and, by an analysis, shew the lucid order with which it is compose! ;but this discourse has superior claims to our notice. The subject is, in the highest degree, interesting. The manifestation of Christ, which is the grand object of Divine Reve lation, is intimately connected with the supreme glory of God, and with the supreme good of his disciples. It is in the face of Christ that we see the light of the glory of God; and, on a view of this glory, personal religion, in its rise, progress, and consummation, depends. The manner in which this interesting topic is discussed, displays a dis criminating judgment, and a de votional cast of mind. The peculiar manifestations of Jesus Christ, which some, by their excessive refinements, explain away; which some, by their enthusiastic rhapsodies, render completely unintelligible; and which others treat in such a culated to produce no salutary cold, speculative manner, as is caleffects, are here ably discussed, in a way that is truly scriptural, perfectly rational, and highly impres sive. LITERARY NOTICES. Preparing for the Press, by W. Female Prostitution and Indigence. Blair, Esq. The Means of preventing In the Press, and nearly ready for Publication,' Mr. Mackenzie's Life of Calvin; - Addresses to Young Persons; The Way to Ruin;-A New Edition of Dr. Gillies's Devotional Reflec tions, with the Text, 2 vols, 8vo; A Second Part of Dr. Hawker's Sailor Pilgrim; also, A Sermon on the Evil of Sin. By J. Styles.. Subscriptions are received for Mr. Howe's Works. SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS Dr. Collyer's Scripture Facts. 2d edition, 12s. Sequel to the Antidote to the Miseries of Human Life. 2d edit. 3s. 6d. Family Instructor, vol. 11. New edition, 12mo, 3s. 6d. Dr. Lowry's Essays on Select Passages of Scripture. Recommended by Dr. Hawker. 12mo, 2s. 6d. XVII PUBLICATIONS. Strictures on a Sermon by the Rev. E. Barry, M. D. at the Arch deacon's Visitation, at Abingdon. By J. Raban. 1s. - Dr. Hawker's Bible, Book X. 3s. 6d. Royal, 4s. 6d. Defence of 1 John v. 7, in Answer to the Critique in the Eclectic Review. By J. Pharez. 8vo, 4s. Dr. Hawker on Proverbs. 9d 3 X RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c. THE Directors of the Missionary Society feel themselves much obliged to several Ministers in the Country, and their respective Congregations, as well as to some generous Individuals, for Collections, Subscriptions, and Donations, transmitted since they laid before the Public the necessity of recruiting their Funds, to enable them to extend more widely the beneficial effects of the Institution. From the specimen already received, they are encouraged to hope, that they will be favoured, in like manner, by many other Congregations, as soon as it may suit their convenience. Communications may be made to J. Hardcastle, Esq. Treasurer, Old Swan Stairs; or to the Rev. G. Burder, Secretary, Hatton Garden, London. Donation by S. M. sent to the Secretary - Rev. Mr. Moseley and Friends, Hanley, for a Pair of Globes for Rev. Mr. Słoper and Friends, Beccles Rev. Mr. Raffles and Congregation, Hammersmith WE have been favoured with the Annual Report of the Directors of the New York Missionary Society, of April 5, 1809; from which we learn, That their Missionary, Mr. Andrew Gray, a man of piety and fortitude, is employed among the Tuscarora Indians; and is diligently endeavouring to dispel their mental darkness, and to win them to obedience to the truth; not only by public preaching, but also by visiting them from house to house, and conversing with those who deeline to give attendance on his ser mons. At present, Mr. G. is obliged to employ an interpreter; by which the expence of the Mission is increased, and the energy of the preacher is abated. To remedy this defect, the Directors have formed a resolution to educate some of the Indian youth in the knowJedge of the English language; and, for that purpose, have sent a young man, Mr. Crane, to the Tuscarora village, to commence a school; which is to be conducted, as far as circumstances will admit, on the plan of Mr. Lancaster. Paul Cuffee ministers to four different societies, at Montauk, ColdSpring, Puspatock, and Islip. In these places there are 56 persons in full communion. Honourable reference is made in this Report to the exertions of the Missionary Society in London, whose zeal is employed as an argument to encourage our American brethren in their *bours af love. Tract Societies. L. S. d. Ir must afford much pleasure to the first promoters of the Religious Tract Society in London, to find that the suc cess of their laudable Institution has induced their Christian brethren, in several other parts of the world, to adopt a similar plan. From an American publication, we learn that the General Convention of Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers in Vermout, have recommended, and the Missionary Society there have established, the Vermont Religious Tract Society, Dr. Hooker, of Middleburg, being their principal agent. A new periodical work is also commenced, entitled The Adviser, or Vermont Evangelical Magazine.' It is evident, from the various publications of this kind, which appear in differcat countries, that the Christian world takes far more interest than formerly in the affairs of the church of Christ; and are aware that the communication of religious intelligence is productive of the most important advantages. is peculiarly grateful to the Conductors of the Evangelical Magazine, that so many of those schemes of general utility, which now prevail in the world, owe their origin to this Publication. It We have the pleasure to add, That in Canada, also, a Tract Society has been established, by the instrumentality of the Rev. Thaddeus Osgood, a Missionary, aided by the contributions of a number of gentlemen in Montreal and other places. attention to Hints which may be suggested 2 proposed limitations in granting Licences to ert the following, as the most comprehensive among eived. Retaining, as we still do, the opinion, that if e admitted, the distinction proposed by Eusebius between Privilege would furnish the least exceptionable ground, we r with the writer of the following article, in judging that the perties of Dissenters will be best secured by leaving the Act unwithout the alteration of a single syllable; and that Dissenters and odists of all descriptions should unite to resist, by every lawful and peacee method, the least infringement of their constitutional rights,-being, froin the best information, fully assured that the complaint so strongly urged, of abuses of the Act, by a few unprincipled persons, is merely a pretext for the purpose of effectually preventing Itinerant or Village Preaching. Sir, - YOUR readers are obliged to Eusebius for a concise view of the sufferings of the Dissenters prior to the Revolution, and for an abstract of the Act of the 1st of William and Mary, usually denominated the Act of Tyleration, together with his observations upon it, in your Number for September. Lord Sidmouth's motion, at the close of the last session, was founded on a supposed fact, which Eusebius admits to be indisputable; namely, That some base persons have availed themselves of the Act in question, and have entered their names at the Quarter Sessions as preachers, who never did preach, nor intend to preach; but shamefully assumed the character of ministers, merely for the purpose of obtaining an easy exemption from serving in the militia.' Having, for more than half a century, been intimately acquainted with the Dissenters, without recollecting one instance of the kind, and having enquired of several respectable ministers, whose sphere of information far ex ceeds my own, to whom no such fact had ever occurred, I cannot but hesi tate, and must suspend my decision until the assumed and admitted charge be fully substantiated. Should any satisfactory proofs of such an abuse be produced, it will probably be found that the culpable parties are neither members of any Dissenting or Methodistic Society, as no society of these descriptions can be supposed capable of conniving at such gross duplicity in their communicants; and should they appear to belong to the Established Church, to the discipline of that Church I must leave them. I also expect that the number of such abuses, if indeed any can be proved to exist, will be found too diminutive to claim the interference of the Legislature, or to be urged as a reason for abridging our religious liberties. Were an effectual remedy for the supposed abuse of the Toleration Act the sole object of the Returns moved for by the Right Honourable Viscount, we should have no serious ground for alarm; but when we advert to the contemptuous and malignant sirit of some recent publications, the hostile and threatening tone of Visitation Charges, and particularly to the RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c. THE Directors of the Missionary Society feel themselves much obliged to several Ministers in the Country, and their respective Congregations, as well as to some generous Individuals, for Collections, Subscriptions, and Donations, transmitted since they laid before the Public the necessity of recruiting their Funds, to enable them to extend more widely the beneficial effects of the Institution. From the specimen already received, they are encouraged to hope, that they will be favoured, in like manner, by many other Congregations, as soon as it may suit their convenience. Communications may be made to J. Hardcastle, Esq. Treasurer, Old Swan Stairs; or to the Rev. G. Burder, Secretary, Hatton Garden, London. Donation by S. M. sent to the Secretary Rev. Mr. Shoper and Friends, Beccles Rev. Mr. Raffles and Congregation, Hammersmith WE have been favoured with the Annual Report of the Directors of the New York Missionary Society, of April 5, 1809; from which we learn, That their Missionary, Mr. Andrew Gray, a man of piety and fortitude, is employed among the Tuscarora Indians; and is diligently endeavouring to dispel their mental darkness, and to win them to obedience to the truth; not only by public preaching, but also by visiting them from house to house, and conversing with those who deeline to give attendance on his ser mons. At present, Mr. G. is obliged to employ an interpreter; by which the expence of the Mission is increased, and the energy of the preacher is abated. To remedy this defect, the Directors have formed a resolution to educate some of the Indian youth in the knowledge of the English language; and, for that purpose, have sent a young man, Mr. Crane, to the Tuscarora village, to commence a school; which is to be conducted, as far as circumstances will admit, on the plan of Mr. Lancaster. Paul Cuffee ministers to four different societies,' at Montauk, ColdSpring, Puspatock, and Islip. In these places there are 56 persons in full communion.-Honourable reference is made in this Report to the exertions of the Missionary Society in London, whose zeal is employed as an argument to encourage our American brethren in their labours af love. L. S. d. - 50 O 10 14 За с Tract Societies. Ir must afford much pleasure to the first promoters of the Religious Tract Society in London, to find that the success of their laudable Institution has induced their Christian brethren, in several other parts of the world, to adopt a similar plan. From an American publication, we learn that the General Convention of Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers in Vermout, have recommended, and the Missionary Society there have established, the Vermont Religious Tract Society, Dr. Hooker, of Middleburg, being their principal agent. A new periodical work is also commenced, entitled The Adviser, or Vermont Evangelical Magazine.' It is evident, from the various publications of this kind, which appear in differcat countries, that the Christian world takes far more interest than formerly in the affairs of the church of Christ; and are aware that the communication of religious intelligence is productive of the most important advantages. It is peculiarly grateful to the Conductors of the Evangelical Magazine, that so many of those schemes of general utility, which now prevail in the world, owe their origin to this Publication. We have the pleasure to add, That in Canada also, a Tract Society has been established, by the instrumentality of the Rev. Thaddeus Osgood, a Missionary, aided by the contributions of a number of gentlemen in Montreal and other places. |