REVIEW. Essays on Various Subjects of Ecclesiastical History and Antiquity. By the Rev. James Townley, D.D. 8vo. pp. 176. London, Longman and Co. On the ancient Christian Vigilia, still preserved in the watch-nights of the Wesleyan Methodists, we find many interesting remarks. In a few pages, Dr. Townley has traced the progress of this custom from its primitive source, (that of secrecy, to avoid persecution,) through the various windings which it has taken, while A LABORIOUS and well-written work, in three thick octavo volumes, on Biblical Literature, published some time since, and received with more than ordinary approbation, has estab-passing downward on the stream of lished the fame of Dr. Townley, as an time. Of this ancient practice, he conable critic and profound scholar; at siders our common wakes, and even once indefatigable and successful in fairs, to be surviving memorials. his researches. His name, therefore, prefixed to any publication, is always sure to command respect, and his remarks can scarcely fail to ensure reverential attention. In the work before us, the Essays are ten in number, all bearing on the Christian religion; but chiefly taking their stand on those twilight regions of ecclesiastical history, that scems to lie between light and darkness; and we cannot but admire with what dexterity the author gropes his way along "the palpable obscure." In this balf-shadowy element he appears to be quite at home; scarcely any cloud is too dense for him to pierce, and but few obstacles can retard his progress. His first essay is on the ancient Zabii, or Ante-Mosaic idolaters. These he considers as having descended from Ham,-peopled Egypt,-spread into Arabia, and given birth to the idolatrous worship of the stars and of fire, and as having laid the foundation of astrology. He conceives, that among the Hindoos, the Chinese, and even Mexicans, many of their descendants may still be found; but that in the Parsees of Persia, and the Sabians of Arabia, the direct line of descent may be most distinctly traced. The fifth essay treats of lots, in which the weakness and superstition of the human mind appear in a most deplorable state. The varieties which the pretended art of divination has assumed, are placed in a conspicuous light; and on tracing its progress, we cannot but sigh at the follies of mankind. The Agape, still retained among the Hindoo-Syrian Christians on the coast of Malabar, by the Moravians, and the Wesleyan Methodists, under the appellation of Love Feasts, form the subject of the sixth essay. This is traced, with ability and care, to that community of goods which distinguished the professors of Christianity in the apostolic age. It is supported by appeals to authority that cannot be questioned. The seventh essay is the least interesting, its application being nearly obsolete. The eighth essay relates to the Papal Congregation de Propaganda Fide, and is historical in its principle and interesting in its detail. Although, among the Roman Catholics, the success of this society has long been a subject of great exultation, it may be justly doubted whether it has not been of more mischief than benefit to manThe ancient worship of the ass, kind, by extending the name without with which the Jews and primitive the nature of Christianity, and renderChristians have been successively re-ing it contemptible in the eyes of the proached, he considers as a foul ca- intelligent, by the superstitious praclumny, of Pagan origin, founded pro- tices with which it has been assobably on some confused notions of ciated. detached passages of Scripture, both misunderstood and misrepresented. The character of Mary Magdalane, he vindicates from those aspersions with which her personal reputation has been loaded; conceiving it to be a calumny which originated with the Jews, and was propagated by them designedly to bring Christianity into contempt. 82.-VOL. VII. The prohibitory and expurgatory Indexes of the Romish Church, in the ninth essay, present us with a picture that at once awakens our indignation and contempt. In this we behold the library of Alexandria in flames, and gaze with horror on the torch of the Inquisition. From the methods adopted in the Romish Church to prevent the diffusion of knowledge, we have no 30 reason to be astonished at the ignorance that prevails in that intolerant community. They love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. overstepping the bounds of moderation and truth. In the early part of his work, Mr. Pike examines the grounds of the Christian religion, and finds solid footing; but we cannot The spread of the gospel is the sub- follow him through the lines and evoject of the concluding essay, in which lutions of his march, without passing the author argues, that notwithstand the limits of propriety. His arguments ing the difficulties with which Chris- in support of the facts to be establishtianity has had to contend, its lighted, are rather solid than profound, and and power have been gradually increasing from its commencement to the present time; and that in no stage of its progress has it ever verged towards extinction. On this and on other topics of discussion in these essays, a difference of opinion may be found in the learned Christian world; and where demonstrative evidence is unattainable, diversity of sentiment is the natural consequence of enlightened toleration. We do not mean to insinuate, that Dr. Townley's arguments are unanswerable, for infallibility, in his prefatory observations, he totally disclaims. His reasonings, however, have an imposing aspect; and, although in some instances they may be found inconclusive, his work, taken as a whole, is calculated to throw much light on some Christian rites, the origin of which, but few only have either the opportunity or the ability to trace. REVIEW.-A Guide for Young Disciples of the Holy Saviour in their Way to Immortality. By J. G. Pike. 18mo. pp. 595. London. Richard Baynes. We find, on referring to the date when this work came to hand, that it has been a long time in our possession; but we beg to assure the author, that this delay to notice his production has not arisen from negligence; and we wish to convince the public, that it has not been occasioned by any want of merit in the performance. It is solely attributable to the multiplicity of -works which press for admission into our pages, and the small portion of our magazine which we can devote to this department of literature. This Guide for Young Disciples' is well deserving the title that it bears, and if the author had extended it, to embrace many who have made considerable advances towards maturity, we should not have charged him with they command attention without claiming the merit of originality. Having laid the foundation, Mr. Pike next proceeds to erect the superstructure, and this he does with a strong and steady hand. His materials, drawn from the storehouse of God, are cemented with something more durable than untempered mortar, and though not rendered splendid by artificial decorations, the building will yield, on inspection, a valuable collection of gospel truths, arranged in consecutive order. Throughout this volume, the author aims, almost invariably, at the reader's heart; and even when he appeals to his understanding, it is done with an eye to his spiritual welfare, that his faith may stand in the wisdom and power of God, and that grace may reign through righteousness unto eternal life. The leading doctrines of Christianity are clearly stated and rationally defended; but experimental and practical godliness is the burden of its pages. In every chapter we perceive a vigorous pulsation beating, nor do we conceive that any reader can attentively peruse this book, and remain wholly unaffected. The localities of his particular creed, the author's good sense has taught him to keep out of sight, so that his appeals, unshackled with system, come home to the conscience with a double force. Many of his arguments he has confirmed by quotations from the writings of others, whose names are well known in the theological world, and much sound judgment appears in the selections that he has made. On the subject of recreations in which Christians should not indulge, the following is the concluding section: "Let your amusements accord with your character. Are you a Christian in truth, then you are a disciple of a compassionate and gentle Saviour, and gentleness and compassion should distinguish you. Any amusement that occa sions pain, even to the meanest creature, is inconsistent with your character, and disgraceful to your profession. As a Christian, you are a child of God, a member of his family, a temple of his Spirit, a member of Christ, and a citizen of heaven. And do the vain pastimes of a sinful and blinded world comport with such a character? Is the giddy ball-room, or the wanton playhouse, the midnight assembly, or the card and gaming table, suited to your situation, and becoming your profession? Did the Saviour of mankind ever frequent such scenes, or, were be on earth, would he frequent them now? Yet he left you his example, that you should follow his steps and imitate his conduct. Would any one of his apostles (unless it were Judas) have partaken of such amusements? yet if there were no harm in them, there would have been no harm in the Apostles sharing them. And if they were improper for them, they are for you. For the blood that redeemned them was shed for you, and the eternity that awaited them awaits you. Should a Christian, a child of God, be seen standing to gaze at a puppet-show? or mingle with the clamouring, shouting, swearing, drinking, gambling crowd, that frequent races and fairs, and other worldly amusements? If the amusement itself were not sinful, to associate with such men is to disgrace the sacred profession of religion. I once knew a man that professed regard to the gospel, that disgraced his profession by an apparent eagerness to witness scenes of worldly sin and folly. If even two blackguards were fighting in the street, he would be one of the first to run and stare at them. Probably he would have excused such conduct by the plea, that he took no part in what he thus beheld; but the plea would not avail. His conduct betrayed a vain carnal worldly disposition, and disgraced the character he bore. "Let your recreations accord with your prospects. You look forward to death, you have eternity before you. You hope to join the throng of the redeemed; to sing the anthems of heaven; to become every thing but an angel, among the angels of light; to worship before the eternal throne; to dwell with God; to live and praise among all the myriads of the blest. Should a dying man trifle away the fair day of life? Should one who expects to be judged for every hour, waste the hours which go so fast, and never must return? Could an angel or a glorified saint sojourn a few weeks in this world, where would you expect to find him? Not in the theatre, not in the ballroom, nor at the card-table, not employing the few days of his stay on novels or romances, be they ever so ingenious; but cheering by his presence the abodes of sickness and sorrow, or recreating his mind with admiring the works and ways and word of God. And do not you expect to be a glorified spirit soon? that your high destination? Are you not already a member of the family to which glorified spirits belong? O, let even your amusements then comport with such hopes and such a character! One simple rule, well observed, will lead you right. Let your amusements be such as an apostle might have partaken of, such as you will not regret in your dying moments, nor be ashamed of before the bar of the eternal Judge."-p. 385 to 387. Is not The subjects discussed in this volume are so numerous, that the whole may be said to be a compendium of Christianity, and, in most cases, the talent displayed by the author in the execution of his plans, is not inferior to that which appears in the specimen before the reader. On several other passages we had fixed an eye, but our limits admonish us to conclude, and we obey the summons, recommending the book as a valuable treatise on vital religion. REVIEW.-The Evangelical Minstrel. Poems on Missionary and other Subjects. By Joshua Marsden. 12mo. pp. 152. Baynes and Son, Paternoster-row. 1825. THE contents of this little volume are highly miscellaneous, the subjects being no less than sixty-five in number. They have, however, in their general aspect, one common character, and uniformly tend to the promotion of experimental and practical godliness. Both in the preface, and in many of the poems, there is a vein of innocent humour, that enlivens the pages, without lessening the dignity of the subjects presented to the reader's notice. This harmless pleasantry is happily described in the following lines from Cowper, which the author has taken for his motto. sight; Vigorous in age, as in the flush of youth, 'Tis always active on the side of truth." The name of Joshua Marsden is not a stranger to the public ear. Many of his poetical productions have been long before the world, and their merits have been repeatedly noticed with respect in several periodical journals. This past fame can, however, furnish the author with no certificate to claim approbation on the present occasion; but it is an act of justice to state, that the compositions of the volume before us will not tarnish his former honours. In all the pieces now submitted to our inspection, perspicuity of expression is one of their distinguishing characteristics. Mr. Marsden has the happy art of selecting appropriate words, in which to communicate his thoughts; nor do his resources fail, amidst the varieties of versification with which his pieces abound. His muse appears in the garb of decent simplicity, unadorned with artificial decorations, and without those wanton airs which she sometimes displays while revelling in the wild luxuriance of thought. In this plain attire, her attractions arise solely from her native loveliness, and hence, we have an opportunity of surveying her features, without being in danger of delusion from her occasional fascinations. To confirm the opinion thus given, we select the following poem, entitled, "A Hint to Christians and Ministers, suggested by reading Captain Parry's Voyage in quest of a North-west Passage." Shall PARRY brave the horrors of that tide, Shall be explore that mart of ice and sleet, O'er earth and ocean, bound in frozen chains? Invade these frigid avenues of death; Shall he, when science, honour, fame, invite, Cross the wide sea, along the desert toil, The following piece, entitled "Jonah's Gourd," will serve further to illustrate our observations; and we have made these the objects of our choice, simply because they are short. * The graduated Arch of the Quadrant. Near the proud Assyrian towers Bright its beauty, short its stay, Like the bubbles on a stream. Why should I neglect the skies, Pleasures covet, riches hoard, Every bliss that folly buys, Has a type in Jonah's gourd. Seek, O child of pain and care, Seek beneath the cross a shade; This shall fruit perennial bear, Bloom when all things earthly fade. Lasting as the reign of love, This shall flourish when the sun Quits his sapphire throne above, And old Time his race has run.-p.110,11. We could easily select from these poems, specimens, in which the author would appear to greater advantage than in the stanzas quoted; but, that he may rise in the estimation of his readers, we recommend them to the little volume itself. REVIEW.-The Club. A Series of Essays; originally printed in the Manchester Iris. 12mo. pp. 191. Smith, Manchester. 1825. MANCHESTER has lately made some strong claims to credit, for its promotion of literature and science. A new stimulus seems to have been thrown into its principal association for the diffusion of knowledge; and measures are now actively employed for the establishment of its Royal Institution, its Mechanic's Institute, and its Natural History Society. We are even assured that some steps have been taken for the formation of a Botanical Garden. A variety of other undertakings, of minor importance, have also been warmly patronized. It becomes interesting to inquire in what way, and by whom the waters were first agitated. Something, or somebody, must have given the first impulse. There is always some important moment when the taste for improvement is first communicated. In 1821, there seems to have existed no feeling of the kind. In literature, science, and the arts, things were then in the same state as they had been for years before. About this period, there was a successful attempt (the first ever made in Manchester) to establish a small periodical publication. This was a weekly journal, under the title of The Manchester Iris. In this work, which was ably conducted, may be found, suggestions for all, or nearly all, the improvements which the town has received. It also contains many other hints which may be acted upon with advantage. Among the various amusing and well-written papers which appeared in the Manchester Iris, was a series of essays, called "The Club," which were conceived to possess so much merit, and which were indeed so much admired, that the publisher of the Iris was induced, with the concurrence of the authors, to give this collection of papers to the world in a separate form. Accordingly, a small volume has just appeared, under the denomination of The Club. It contains not only all the articles which were printed with that title, but also, in the form of an appendix, a number of letters of a controversial nature, by which the papers of the club were either assailed or defended. These letters illustrate several allusions contained in the work. Some of them are worthy of preservation, on account of the style in which they are written. But, in this respect, they are, however, very inferior to the Club, which, for vivacity and elegance of style, presents specimens equal in sprightliness to any thing of the same kind which has appeared since the time of the Spectator. Addison's papers have evidently been the models of the Club; and it is, we think, one of the most objectionable points in the latter work, that the imitation is rather too apparent. This remark, however, will only apply in a few instances. The authors are persons of too much spirit, as their novel and ingenious preface will shew, to be the tame imitators of any writer. Indeed, they seem inclined to found a claim to attention by writing in a style unlike to that which, according to them, is at present the most popular. But here they are decidedly wrong. A style like that which they have assumed, and which they manage so well, has always been, and ever will be, admired; though readers, of uncultivated minds or vitiated tastes, may, for a time, extol the diction which can only find a type in the "sounding brass or the tinkling symbol." To shew that we do not praise the style of these authors more than they deserve, our readers may be able, though in an imperfect manner, to judge for themselves, by the perusal of the following extracts; which will, if we mistake not, give them an inclination to be better acquainted with the work itself.— Character of Clubs. "The first club which excited the notice of our friend was a Musical-Club, from an attendance at which, being fond of music, he expect ed to derive much gratification. But, having been admitted one night as a visitor, he was surprised to find that the usual practice of distorting the countenance, while singing or playing, had given most of the members very unseemly visages; and being himself a single man, and on his preferment, as we usually term it, be feared that to become an active member of this institution, might be fatal to his prospects in another quarter! He has, indeed, paid so much attention to the subject, that he has promised us a paper, in which he designs to prove that, in proportion as men improve features. He has lately been at the trouble of the harmony of the voice, they lose that of the going to Liverpool, in order to visit the Blind Asylum of that town, with a view of trying his theory under the most favourable circumstances; but, though it received ample confirmation in the exhibition which he there witnessed, he finds that the choicest illustrations of it might be met with at the club where it was first suggested. "He was next admitted into a Blue-StockingClub, as it is called, consisting of persons of both sexes, who profess to meet for the purpose of conversing about books, but who usaally change that topic of conversation, for one with which they are, in general, better acquainted. This club was restricted to single persons. The members, however, paired off so rapidly, that our friend, thinking himself in recollecting that they who have the first choice some danger from such frequent examples, and seldom leave the best things behind, thought it prudent to withdraw while he could do so with safety. He is still fond of alluding jocularly to this club, and of congratulating himself on his escape, the ladies, several of whom can point out the road to Gretna, having not proved to be such proficients in domestic economy, as they are in retailing tea-table criticisms on popular novels, aud in deciding upon the merits |