and size, have been found to have been entirely disorganized, yet no single power of the mind was impaired, even to the day of the patient's death. It would be difficult to find any one portion of the brain that has not, in some case or another, been found wanting, without any injury to the mind. It is not, however, by extreme cases, but by much more common facts, that the flimsy theories of these German illuminati are to be demolished. It might have been expected, that the eminent physiologists of the day would have come forward in a body, to expose the absurdities of a system which was at one time gaining ground in the country; especially when they were all in possession of those undoubted facts which would have levelled it with the ground. Excepting in a very few instances, this masterpiece of empiricism appears to have been treated with peculiar delicacy.' p. 45.

To this uncourtly language of the Christian Advocate, the medical Advocate replies: If the physiologists have not come forward to expose the absurdities of this system, you would be led to conclude that they are not all of them convinced of the existence of these absurdities. Whatever may be the merits of the craniological theory, Drs. Gall and Spurzheim are, at least, acute anatomical observers, and men of original and ingenious thought. I can speak of only one of these gentlemen from personal knowledge. Dr. Spurzheim is a very honest man, and very zealous for what he considers the cause of truth.'

In a note, the letter-writer says,-'Let the German illuminati here be heard in their own defence, for they are likely to suffer, if defended against an enemy by one who is no partizan. 'When our antagonists maintain that we are Materialists,' says Dr. Spurzheim, 'they ought to prove that we teach that there is nothing but matter. The falsehood of this accusation is very obvious by the following consideration. The expression-organ, designates an instrument by means of which some faculty manifests itself. The muscles, for instance, are the organs of voluntary motion; but the muscles are not the moving power. We separate the faculties of the soul or mind from the organs, and we separate the cerebral parts as the organs of these faculties. Even the adversaries of our doctrines must so far admit the dependence of the soul on the body.'

The author of this letter, professing himself an immaterialist, fears lest Dr. Rennell's mode of attack on the Craniologists should, instead of deterring Christians from adopting their system, drive the admirers of Craniology from the

Christian doctrine of the soul. To us, it appears, that it is merely the novelty of the doctrines of Drs. Gall and Spurzheim that has created alarm. Some good people, who were accustomed to regard thunder as the voice of God, in the crudest sense, have been alarmed at the supposed impiety of accounting for thunder and lightning on the principles of electricity. But the Christian philosopher sees no impiety in this solution of the grand phenomena of nature; and thinks he hears the voice of God in the peal of thunder, as devoutly as the most ignorant person that ever trembled at a thunder storm. The first time that the use of the brain itself was laid open to some persons, it would create feelings similar to those which are now produced by a developement of its various compartments; and if we can, without any suspicion of materialism, maintain that the whole brain is the ultimate organ by which the soul exerts its faculties in the present state, where can be the hazard of maintaining that the several parts of the brain are the organs by which the soul exerts its several faculties? Surely we have not yet to learn, that the whole contains as much as all its parts; and that all the parts are no more than the whole! And if, in spite of the materiality of the organ, we could formerly cultivate our minds, supposing that, either in a good or a bad sense, 'mens agitat molem,' and the organ might be managed by the presiding mind; why should we not continue to treat the various parts as we have formerly dealt with the whole?

Until Dr. Gall or Spurzheim discoyer something more nearly allied to thought than they have yet laid open to view, in the brain, we need not be much alarmed at the system of the materialists. The most central portion of the cerebral organ is no more fit to make a soul than the external covering of the frame, which meets every eye; as a lump of curd is as far from intellect as a bullock's hide. Let us, then, continue to study our mortal frame, till all our bones cry, O Lord, who is like unto thee? Let us still commit the keeping of our souls to him as to a faithful Creator."

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THERE is a strength of reasoning, and a force of language in Mr. Fosters writings, which make him a desirable advocate of any cause in which he may engages at the same time, it must be confessed, that

none of his works can be considered as light reading; nor is his style remarkable for perspicuity. It requires the closest attention of the mind, which it generally well rewards.

Mr. Foster has chosen for the motto of his discourse, Judges v. 23; and while he powerfully advocates the cause of Missions, more than insinuates reproaches on the cold manner in which this subject has been treated by Christians in general till within the last few years. They came not to the help of the Lord against the mighty.' And he does not spare remarks on what he considers censurable, even among his best friends, whom he charges with inscribing the banner of their cause with the petty label of a particular denomination. (p. 97.) It is not, however, our business to reply to this; nor shall we notice some passages which appear to us to have a political aspect, very foreign to his grand design. We have all our prejudices and our weaknesses, and the ablest writers sometimes betray theirs without being aware of it.

TWO DISSERTATIONS ; the first, An Enquiry into the Kind of Evidence on which Men believe in the Christian Revelation, and how far divine wisdom appears in connecting Salvation with the belief of a Testimony. The second, On the principal design of the Law of Moses, and the relation it bore to the Covenant made with Abraham. By Wm. Innes, of Edinburgh. 12mo. 3s. THE first of these Dissertations presents a very important and interesting view of the nature and value of that internal evidence of the divine origin of the Scriptures, on the ground of which the gospel testimony is embraced by the great majority of Christians, and by which Christianity is adapted to produce conviction, when exhibited to unenlightened and heathen nations. In evincing the wisdom which appears from connecting Salvation with the belief of a testimony, Mr. Innes ably illustrates the following ideas:-That it is a practical condemnation of that principle of unbelief which first introduced Sin into our world-that it is the way in which, from the nature of man, truth operates on his mind, and produces effects on his character-that it is the only way in which a revelation, given at a particular period, can operate on mankind in general, as it is the only way in which what is distant, past or future, can affect us;-and that the effects which faith produces, form a striking contrast with those produced by Pagan superstition, even on the supposition that the votaries of both are actuated by equal sincerity.

This Dissertation is rendered additionally valuable, by copious extracts, amounting almost to an abridgment, of a treatise by Dr. Owen, now very scarce, on the Divine original, authority, and self-evidencing light and power of the Scriptures.'

The second Dissertation contains also many valuable and judicious observaions, which are concluded by some interesting extracts from the writings of Luther.

EARLY BLOSSOMS; or Biographical

Sketches of Individuals distinguished by their Genius and Attainments, who died in their youth; with Specimens of their respective Talents. By J. Styles, D. D. 12mo. 5s.

THE commendable design of the author in this publication is to direct, to encourage, and to chasten an emulation of excellence in those who are endowed with the requisite abilities to distinguish themselves in the walks of literature; and, at the same time, to exhibit the charms of moral virtue.' (pref. page iii.) For this purpose he has given us the memoirs of four young men of genius, whose early blossoms' promised abundant fruit: The first of these is John Bowdler, Jun. Esq. a young barrister, of excellent talents, who completed his career in the 32d year of his age. Of him the Edinburgh Reviewers say, 'He was a religionist of the strictest school; one whose principle it was, that Christianity ought ever to be present to the mind-to be an habitual feeling of the heart, as well as a general doctrine adopted by the understanding.' -A wonderful eulogium from such a quarter!!

A brief memoir of Mr. Michael Bruce is next in order. He appears to have been an amiable youth of very considerable parts. His Remains' were published by the Rev. Mr. Logan; and his poetry (of which Dr. S. gives us some specimens) highly commended by Lord Craig.

The third memoir is that of Daniel Parkin, Esq.; who had just begun to practise at the Bar. He was for about three years the editor of that respectable and useful work-The Eclectic Review. Of his excellent qualifications for conducting such a work, the author gives us many specimens at length, which display much erndition and taste. His epistolary writings are full of sprightly wit.

A brief memoir of Mr. William Isaac Roberts, of Bristol, concludes the volume. This was drawn up by another hand. The specimens given of his poetry exhibit the blossoms of genius, but we should have been glad to have seen fuller evidences of solid piety. ↑

On the whole, we consider this volume as a pleasing production, calculated for usefulness to young persons of reading and taste, and such as we hope may induce them, while they admire the talents and acquirements of the deceased, and lament their early removal, to imitate chiefly those excellencies of character, which composed their brightest ornaments, and were the source of their hope in the prospect of eternity.

The author informs us in his preface, that the present work will be followed up by two more volumes, but perfectly distinct and independent. The first will consist of the Biography of young men, who, in life and death, displayed remarkable evidences of piety; and the second will contain Memorials of departed talents and virtues which adorned and elevated the female character.

An Episcopal Church the legitimate foundation of Christian Missions; a Sermon, at the Parish Church of Lexden, Essex, on Whitsunday, 1819; by G. Preston, M. A. Rector. 8vo. 1s. 6d. THE advertisement prefixed to this Sermon, announces, that several attempts having heen made in the author's parish, to promote the objects of the Missionary Society, by the distribution of its tracts, and papers, among the children of the National Schools, and by other obtrusive and unjustifiable methods, which he deemed it incumbent on him to resist, he gladly availed himself of the King's letter to explain his views of missions.

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The text is, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.' The sermon reminds us of one lately preached by a Catholic priest, in the centre of the kingdom, in which he asserted, that Protestants might send missions as they pleased, but no heathen country ever had been converted, or ever would be, but by the labours and ministry of the Catholic church.' This preacher says, that most of the schemes that have been hitherto devised for the conversion of heathen nations, have unavoidably proved abortive or insufficient,' and have been more calculated to disgust than to convince the ignorant, to bewilder than to enlighten the funderstanding, and to intoxicate than to strengthen the mind.' p. 7. Again, 'To expect, therefore, that by the mere distribution of the scriptures, even to the most unlimited extent; or by the mere preaching of the Word of God by unaccredited, unauthorised and uninformed enthusiasts, either a savage or a bigotted people can be converted to Christianity, is to expect little less than a miracle, and

to hold out promises and hopes which cannot be realized.'

But, against the melancholy resemblance between these two priests, we comfort ourselves by reflecting that they are not prophets. For the heathen have been converted by some modern missionaries whom Mr. Preston stigmatizes as more calculated to disgust than to convince,' &c. We pity the man who can talk at this rate, after the intelligence that we have received of what God has wrought by these unaccredited missionaries, without episcopal sanction; when even Balaam the prophet, who ran mad after the reward promised for cursing Israel, could not behold their tents stretched along the borders of the heathen, without exclaiming, According to this time, it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!'

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But, as the Divine goodness has preserved these unauthorised Missionary Societies, from all that' envy, hatred, malice, and uncharitableness,' which leads men to view with an evil eye the exertions of others, they rejoice that the King's letter has, at length, convinced many, who would yield to nothing less than royal arguments, that missions to the heathen are so far from being an enthusiastic, dangerous, and criminal interference with the innocent superstitions of people, who may please God as well in their way, as we in ours; that they are on imperative duty. It was, indeed, high time to produce this conviction. For Mr. P. says, it is lite known, perhaps, that an association has existed in this country, for more than a century, for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts. What! is this the only authorised society? the only real instrument for the conversion of six hundred millions of the heathen, and has it slumbered over its work for a hundred years! Mercy on them! If they believe what Mr. Preston says, they must be of all men most miserable!'

But the preacher lets out the secret, disgraceful as it is at this period of the Christian history, that the affairs of missions are to him new and strange. He says, that before we can convert the nations-we must humanize them by the arts of civilization, and convince them of the necessity and the benefit of good government, and of impartial laws. Mr. P. professes to pay humble deference to apostolic authority; where then, we would ask, do we find the apostles waiting till other men had prepared the soil, before they opened their commission, and disseminated the seed of the kingdom-the Word of God? And while our missionaries are teaching the heathen to plough

and to weave, shall they be dumb concerning Christ and his love; and let the heathen die around them, ignorant of the true God and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent? The fact is, that when judicious well informed missionaries arrive at their field of labour, they will soon learn by experience, more practical wisdom concerning the propagation of the Gospel among the heathen than Mr. Preston can teach them, and they will make civilization and evangelization go hand in hand.

The approved Servant of God dismissed in peace; a Sermon occasioned by the lamented Death of the Rev. Thornhill Kidd, preached at Clapton, Oct. 10, 1819. By Robert Winter, D. D. with the Oration delivered at his interment, by the Rev. H. F. Burder, M. A. 1s. 6d.

8vo.

THE title of this discourse evidently refers to the text, (Luke ii. 29, 32.) and which, with great propriety may be applied to the peaceful departure of Mr. Kidd; including a dismission from the hardship and difficulties of service-from the arduous duties of service; and intimating an honourable idea of Divine approbation; the text further includes, that the approved servant of God meets the approach of his final hour in peace;' that the expiring believer derives the tranquillity of his mind from that word which has discovered the great salvation and that he entertains a joyful hope of the universal diffusion of the gospel.' A sketch of the life of this valuable man is

then given, with interesting particulars of his peaceful departure.

*The Oration at the grave contains reflections adapted to the solemn occasion, directing the hearers to that blessed state of immortality into which the deceased had entered, and including a just but modest eulogium on this amiable and pious servant of Christ.*

We shall feel much pleasure in presenting to our readers a Memoir of the deceased, if surviving relations will favour us with it.

The best means of Preventing the Spread of Antinomianism: a Sermon delivered at Hoxton Chapel, at the Anniversary of Hoxton Academy, June 28, 1819; before the Associated Ministers educated

* Mr. Kidd has left behind him a valuable specimen of his preaching talents, in two volumes of Sermons, designed for the use of families (for which they are admirably adapted) and for village instruction.

in that Seminary. By J. Hooper, A.M. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

THE text of this excellent Sermon is Jude, verse 3. Earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered unto the saints! After an appropriate introduction, Mr. Hooper enters on a brief examination of the opinions, the spirit, and the moral conduct which distinguish the advocates of Antinómianism. He then

proceeds to point out the means which he deems most efficient in restraining and He resubduing this pernicious error. commends a full and a fair exhibition of the Gospel; the diffusion of Scriptural knowledge; the provision of a liberal education, for those who are candidates for the Christian ministry; a vigilant inspection of the state of our respective flocks, and a perpetual care to guard them against the encroachments of error; an exhibition of the holy, active, and trated in their influence on our own spirit benevolent principles of the Gospel, illus and conduct; and fervent prayer to God for the out-pouring of his Spirit. We cordially and strongly recommend this judicious discourse to the attention of our readers, as well calculated to answer the end designed, by exposing the true character of Antinomianism, and suggesting the best means of counteracting the zeal of its abettors.

We agree with Mr. Hooper in the opinion that this system, under a specious pretence of exalting the grace of God, bursts asunder all the bonds of moral obligation; undermines the interests of personal holiness; renders nugatory all the means of grace; destroys all the social affections; locks up all the sympathies, and paralyzes all the moral energies of man; induces supercilious pride and gloomy selfishness; and either amuses with barren speculation on a few abstract points, or, if the inclination chooses rather, suffers to wallow in the mire of sensual gratification; and if it deigns either to look down from the dreary regions of speculation, or to look up from the depths of carnal enjoyment, it is only to indulge an idle gaze on those who have not soared so high, or to pour the foulest abuse on these who have not sunk so low.'

blessings for which we are eminent. Of these he enumerates and ably exhibits the following: The frame of our political constitution; the freedom of the press; religious liberty and signal deliverances; especially the discomfiture of the Spanish Armada; preservation from the danger of the gunpowder treason; the glorious revolution of 1688, and present peace Under the second division of the discourse, Mr. Hawksley considers the religious influence which these national blessings ought to exert upon us. We are called upon, he justly observes, to a grateful acknowledgment of the providence of God; to maintain adherence to our constitutional rulers; to employ fervent supplication for the continuance of these blessings; and to union of affection and effort; the topics of the sermon are important and appropriate, and they are discussed with a sound and discriminating judgment, and in a style manly and animated.

Sunday School TRACTS, Religious, Moral, and Entertaining, written and compiled by H. G. Watkins, M. A. Rector of St. Swithin, London-stone, 3 vols. boards 10s. 6d.

THE first volume of these Tracts was noticed by us at some length in our 19th Vol. P. 109, and we see no reason to abate in our commendation. There is a happy simplicity and perspicuity in Mr. W's style, mingled with a vein of Evangelical piety well suited to the composition of Religious Tracts; and though a minister of the establishment, he appears to have judiciously avoided every thing which could give offence to serious Christians of other denominations. The tracts are sold in volumes, or singly, for distribution; and some of them, for presents, are done up in little pamphlets (seven for fd.) selected for different classes of readers, as the Anti-sceptic; a Guide to the Bible; the Anti-papist, and a Present for the New Year, &c.

The Evil and Danger of Neglecting the Souls of Men; a Sermon, preached at a Meeting of Ministers, at Kettering, Oct. 15, 1741. By Philip Doddridge, D. D. New edition, price 6d. THIS discourse is one of the most impressive and affecting which we have ever read; and one of the most interesting effusions of a heart overflowing with love to the Redeemer, and compassion for the souls of men. It is difficult for a Christian, whether in a public or private station, to read it without self-reproach

for

a deficiency of holy zeal in the noblest cause, and without feeling some

additional excitement to promote with redoubled energy the advancement of the Saviour's kingdom, and the salvation of our fellow-men. Most earnestly we recommend this valuable and animating discourse to the attention of young ministers and students in our Theological seminaries. It is with the hope that they, and many others, will become purchasers and distributors of the sermon, that the Editor (Mr. Burder) has reprinted it in a cheap form, and presented it to the public at the price of 6d. The Editor's preface contains some information highly interesting, in reference to the occasion on which the sermon was delivered, and the benevolent plans and purposes of Dr. Doddridge..

The impartial testimony of a Layman, in favour of the Holy Scriptures; a Speech delivered at the 5th Anniversary of the Southampton Bible Society. By Jn. Bullar, one of the Sec. 8vo. 4d. THE enemies of Christianity are continually alledging that its clerical advocates are paid, and therefore not entitled to attention. This certainly is very inconclusive reasoning; for argument depends not on the character or the talents of those who use it its intrinsic strength, or weakness is the same, by whomsoever it may be employed. We are glad however to see laymen of talent bearing their impartial testimony again and again to the Christian cause, and feel it our duty to recommend their labours. Some account of Mr. B's speech at the preceding Anniversary will be found in our Supplement for 1818,

Sunday School and other ANECDOTES; Catechetical Exercises from Scripture, &c. &c. By George Russell. 12mo. Price 3s. 6d. COLLECTIONS like this are not without their use; they furnish useful amusement for leisure moments, afford agreeable matter for conversation; and supply the teachers and friends of Sunday schools and other benevolent institutions, with examples of usefulness, even in the most unpromising circumstances, which may support the patience of the teachers and excite their hopes of ultimate success in their praise-worthy labours. The Catechetical Exercises may also be useful in directing parents and others to similar methods of instruction.

It is an affecting circumstance, that the author of this small work, though in the prime of life, died, as we understand,) before his literary offspring could appear before the public, and left at the same time, a young family to lament his loss.