his delineation of moral characters as in his favourite science of Physiog nomy. The first letter is addressed to his old Master, in consequence of his moderate proceedings against the apostles; ou which occasion, after remarking on Gamaliel's prudent speech in the Jewish Council, his zeal bursts forth, and he thus execrates the doctrine of the Cross : "The Israelite who hears it, must Consign it to the lowest pit of liell. He who listens to it, and to those who propagate it, renounces the worship of the Almighty; and he who patiently waits till God arouses himself, and makes known his abhorrence of it, wit favour it. He who cau besitate but for a moment, and admit into his breast the thought," Perhaps it is divine," forgive me, my father, is already in secret consent with it. Let me repeat, Even the listening to it poisons the soul. He who would prove it, is already lost. We must not only abjure every thing that coutes from Satan, tally and absolutely refuse to examine any thing he offers us. We must instautaneously and peremptorily reject whatever comes from him. The more he endeavours to recommend any thing, the more reason have we to suspect it. The greater miracles he exhibits, to prove any thing of Satanic origin to be divine, the more damnable should it be in our eyes. -- we must to “Pardon me, my father, for speaking my thoughts without reserve. Forgive my youth a language that would better beseen maturer years: thou Caust not suspect the purity of my intentions. What I write, I write before God, who knows my heart. Presumptuous as it may appear to warn thy riper wisdom, yet, my father, I venture to warn thee against that too cautious circumspection, which to me appears weakness; against forbearance, that to me seems unwise fear. Thy kindheartedness oversways thee. Thy mature prudence makes thee too cautious and merciful in this cause, Thou seemest not to perceive the imminent peril by which the religion we have inherited from Abraham and from Moses is threatened. I see it, and therefore must lament. It is continually before my eyes, and therefore I would move Heaven and Earth against the Nazarenes. "O Gamaliel, my master and my fa ther, forgive me if I must separate my self from thee! Thy timid, wavering, undecided conduct is to me inexplica ble, and cuts me to the heart. I dare not approach thee; for I fear thy pa.. terual looks, thy bewitching friendship, thy eloquent wisdom, might persuade me to inglorious, inexcusable moderation. Who can resist thee? "Father, whether thou forgive me or not, my conscience is sacred to me. This I learnt from thee. My couscience enjoins me, what is of all things on earth the hardest, to bid thee farewell, because thou art favourable to the Nazarenes. "I sacrifice every thing for the sake of God. What is most dear to me. would be rendered odious by the least attempt to cool my zeal against these. madmen! They must be cut off from the face of the earth like Amalek, and leave no trace behind them, like the inhabitants of Gomorrah. "God, I trust, will grant that I shall be an instrument in their destruction. Day and night I pray to him to make me witness of his truth, and to be no unprofitable servant of the true King of Israel. How different a king from him of Nazareth! "May God maintain my zeal for the good cause of religiou, and quicken thine! If thou grow cold and yielding, who shall be warm, who shall stand fast! Farewell. SAUL." After his conversion, he thus writes to the same Gamaliel :- "What shall I say, O Gamaliel, my father,— what shall I say? If my last letter gave thee pain, this will give thee joy. If thy wisdom looked on me with sorrow as one erring, aud rashly hastening on in the path of his error, thou wilt now. bless God, and behold me with thankful delight. O Gamaliel! I am no longer what I was: I am new-born, new-created! I am a Christian! Ilallelujah! I am a Christian! The God of Israel has been unspeakably merciful to me in Jesus the Messiah. Yes, all that Jesus spake and did yas the work of God,—of God, and not of man. He who strives against Him, strives against God. God is in Him, as he was not before in any of his saints, in any of the prophets. I am come to the kuowledge of Jesus, the Messiah, thro' a miracle of grace. O my father! what I believed to be impossible has actually come to pass. Jesus of Nazareth, is my Messiah, my Master, my King, my Redeemer and Jigr, iny. Pardoner and Sanctifier, my Light and my Life, my Lord and my God! How shall I find words to describe his Ma jesty, or to express his long-suffering and favour toward me, toward me who was arrogance itself? Whole days would be too short, my father, to recount to thee his infinite mercies; but it will not be unpleasing to thy paternal heart to learn at least some of them. "I was journeying, as thou knowest, from Jerusalem, with full powers and letters of recommendation from our high priests and elders. Beside a servant, I had under my command seven men of tried courage and my own way of thinking, to accompany me. We were provided with every thing that could promote the destruction of the Christians. We had concerted all our measures together, and it seemed impossible that our plan should miscarry. It was a joyful day to me; and I began it with a prayer to the God of Israel. "God of Israel, if ever thou didst hear my voice, hearken to it now, and make me a glorifier of thy name, a successful destroyer of all those who rebel against thee! Let thy holy truth be maintained through me; and let every pernicious error be extirpated by me!" In this manner I prayed. "Damascus was now in sight. My prayers were more fervent, and my eyes looked up to Heaven with greater earnestness. I strengthened myself in my duty, when I thought on the resolution it required, to accomplish with success the hard task of seizing and imprisoning the Christians. The words were on my tongue, "I hate them who hate thee, and persecute them who persecute thee!" "Instantly dazzling light from the clear sky burst on me, as if twenty flashes of lightning bad struck me at once. Damascus and every thing around me vanished from my sight." Here he enters into the narrative of his conversion, the mission of Ananias, and his baptism; all which are beautifully amplified from the book of Acts; though it must be confessed, while the story derives force and point from the glowing language of the Swiss divine, it loses the simplicity of the inspired evangelist. Upon the whole, however, we retain our opinion of the uncommon excellency of these Letters; and if there are any who can read these "thoughts that breathe, and words that burn," without emotion, we can only say, We pity them! A full and complete Analysis of Dr. Paley's Natural Theology; or the Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of t e Delty: collected from the Appearances of Nature. 8vo, 35. LITERARY men are very apt to look upon compendiums and abridgments with contempt; but there is no circum- Much as we differ in theological opini ons from both the author of the original. work and of the compendium, we cannot but commend their labours in defending the outworks of Christianity. Of the Natural Theology we gave our opinion at considerable length in a former volume (for 1803); and have only to regret, that the respectable author is now no more; and that there are few so able to combat Infidelity in its various forms. Of the Analysis, we can only say, that it appears to be drawn with considerable judgment and labour. A View of the Nature and Evidences of Christianity. Extracted from the Writings of the Right Rev. Dr. Porteus, Lord Bishop of London, 12mo, 38. 6d. bound. THIS is an abstract of a nature somewhat different, but not less useful than the Analysis of Dr. Paley's Natural Theology. Instead of analysing the works of the learned prelate, the editor has digested his most striking remarks and observations under a variety of heads, comprizing the most important branches of Christian doctrine and practice; together with a selection of the internal and external evidences of Christianity. The editor, who appears to be a man of good sense, and of evan gelical principles, has supplied a few judicious notes; and for young persons, and particularly schools, we cannot help considering it as a most useful publica racter will sufficiently screen it from the tion; particularly as the author's chasuspicion of fanaticism, to which the same observations might have been exposed from another quarter. Ss ed by the Death of the late Rev. Mar- Submission: a Sermon occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Hubbard, delivered The Faith and Duty of a Christiang digested under proper Heads, and expressed in the Words of Scripture. Taken from the Works of Bishop Gastrell. Price 3d. in stiff covers. A PIOUS clergyman in London, has at Peckham Meeting, March 31, 1805. Printed this little work for the use of By W. B. Collyer. IS. Oy the two mournfu! occasions which have produced these discourses, the young and eloquent preacher has done justice to his feelings of deserved sorrow. A godly minister, and an amiable, pious, and useful lady, both of them heads of large families, and both entitled to every regard of conjugal, filial, and Christian love, are the exceltent and righteous, whose loss should be laid to heart. We regret that the brevity, which we are compelled to observe in noticing this numerous class of publications, compels us to refrain from making any extract. The subjects of these discourses are improved in a very instructive and affecting manner. The sentiments are deeply impassioned, the descriptions are vivid, and the style possesses a correspondent tenderness and force. Our only objection to the diction is, that it appears too lofty, too florid, too highly wrought. The langnage of overwhelming sorrow, though strong, is always simple. At page 22 of the latter sermon, the author has permitted an expression to escape his pen which seems to be at variance with his known sentiments, and indeed with what he has fully expressed but a few pages before. Death was not "the principal ingredient in the cup of which the Saviour spake;" for, as Mr. C. has well observed, in p. 8, "If something more than the fear of death did not extort those groans from his bosom, and those blood-like drops from his frame, he endured suffering with less fortitude than many of his apostles." We apprehend that the word defence lessness, which occurs twice in the first discourse, is not sanctioned by any sufficient authority. Purity of style is & requisite of much higher importance than ornament; and it is greatly to be wished that all writers would stedfastly resist and discountenance any obtrusions or other innovations on the English tongue. Apart from these lesser circumstances, we would recommend these discourses as calculated to minister valuable instruction and strong consolation to real Christians in the house of mourning. schools. The editor having found, by his own experience, and repeated observation, fac great advantages of committing to memory selections of the Holy Scriptures, offers these to persons, concerned in the education of youth. His own plan is to give each child a section to learn every week, and repeat on the Sunday morning. tainly a very useful method, and may be adopted in Sunday Schools with great and good effects. This is cer Narrative of the Behaviour and Death of T. Davis, executed at Oxford. By. J. Hinton, 12mo, 6d. THIS narrative is a satisfactory addition to those monuments of mercy which excite, in an equal degree, our wonder and our gratitude. Divine Truth appears to have been let in upon the convict's mind gradually; but its final spread and influence were such as it were well if Christian ministers could trace in the conversation of all those whom they have been instructing and entreating for a succession of years. Two hours before the time of execution, Mr. Hinton entered his cell, saying, The fatal morning is come.' Grasping Mr. H.'s hand, he replied, "Blessed be God, I am ready!" Then, as if correcting himself, he added, "Ready! the laws of my country ob lige me to be, but I am willing; and God only could make willing. God will forgive me; for Christ, the surety, has died! God has accepted his sufferings, and I have fled to him for mercy: he will not now punish me — What a wonder am I to myself, that God should thus support me, and even give me rest, to enable me to sustain the trial this morning!" When he looked up to the place of execution, he, said, “I thought that sight would have sunk my heart; but God enables me to sustain that too!" Mr. H. concludes with observing "There are, I apprehend, but few instances, in which the evidences of sincerity are as strong in the same circumstancer as they were in the case here stated. I have related them not, with out a hope that, while they excite in the churches of Christ emotions of lively joy over one sinuer that repented, they may also be the means of affording instruction and consolation to some other trembling penitent, of whom it may be said, as of the subject of this narrative, "Is not this a stand plucked out of the fire ?" The circulation of this narrative in the Religious Tratt Society, would, as it appears to us, be very advisable. The Execution of a Malefactor im- THIS unhappy man was executed at Winchester for forgery, in March last. Part of his time, between his condemnation and death, was employed in reviewing the errors of his past life, and committing them to paper, as a warning to others; and that account, and Mr. K.'s Sermon, are both printed for the benefit of his distressed orphan. Literary excellence will not be looked for in the narrative of a man of narrow education, under such circumstances; but his earnest and repeated warnings, it is hoped, may have influence on young persons of his own class, and the errors he has confessed serve as way-marks to caution others. Mr. K.'s discourse is animated, appropriate, and judicious, especially as referring to the circumstances of a late repentance. As it respects the unhappy criminal, we were pleased to meet with the following passage in the Editor's Appendix to the narrative: "Although Mr. Avery spake in the strongest manner of a comfortable assurance of his interest in Christ's merits, yet there was nothing of an unbecoming boldness in his conduct or conversation. Every feeling of his mind was depicted in his countenance in the liveliest manner, at the place of execution. Deep humility from a sense of his deserts, cheerful resignation to his punishment, lamb-like meekness toward his prosecutors and the executioner, intense love to God and man, and a lively faith th the merits of Christ, combined to cast a sort of dignity over his aspect, his words, and his gestures; which caused the spectators to say, They never beheld such an instauce of compesure !" A Week's Conversation on Religion and Morality, for the Improvement of Young Minds. 18mo, 6d. THESE Dialogues, we understand, are the production of a female pen, on the subjects of Prayer, Faith, and Practical Religion. The conversations are well supported between Mrs. Davis, her nieces, and three young ladies on a visit. They are well adapted for such young persons, either at home or at boarding-school. A Child's Memorial; containing an THE following circumstance is strik- will come to see you; and when he says, How is it with the child? you may say, It is well. I am sure it will then be well with me; for I shall be in Heaven, singing the praises of God. You ought to think it well too." Mr. G. fulfilled the wish of this pious child; and we cannot help admiring the affection and simplicity with which he addresses children. -Miss Barrow's narrative, though shorter, is no less interesting and affecting. Periodical Accounts relating to the From the Diary at Hopedale, Labrador, in particular, we have a pleasing account of a revival of religion among the Esquimaux converts, during a time of scarcity, when many of them experienced considerable distress. Still Ssa 6 they came to church (says the Diary) with friendly and cheerful countenances, and some would say, If we only feel in our hearts the presence of our Savipur, who has loved us so much, and died and shed his blood, that our sins might be forgiven, we may well be cheerful and contented, though our outward circumstances are difficult, and we have not much to eat; for we trust that He will also care for us in that respect, and look to Him for help.' Their whole behaviour, during this time of trial, gave us much pleasure and encouragement. There was a general and powerful awakening among them, which first began to be perceived in some women who were baptized last winter. "One of the above mentioned women being asked, How she was first led to reflections so much more serious than formerly, she replied, That a Missionary had been speaking, at a meeting of the Esquimanx, concerning the great pains which the Lord Jesus Christ had endured for our sakes, in soul and body, and his readiness now to accept the worst of sinners, who plead the merits of his blood. "This," added she, "I had often heard before; but I never felt what I then felt. I thought, even for me, a wretched creature, who lived worse than a dog, in every kind of abomination, as our Saviour suffered so much, and he will now receive even me, and have mercy upon me! At the same time, I felt a singular joy and delight in my soul; and could not help weeping so much, that I forgot myself, and remained sitting in the church. My heart has ever since been fixed upon our Saviour alone; and I often weep for him. Now I know truly what you mean by feeling our Saviour near and precious to the soul, and experiencing his great love to sinners; and that it is not enough to be baptized, and to enjoy other privileges in the congregation, but that every one ought to be able to say for himself, "My Saviour is mine: he died for my sins: he has also taken away my sins, and received even me as his child." This I now feel in my heart, and am both thankful and humbled before him." By the Letters from St. Kitts, we are concerned to learn, that the settlement has suffered greatly from a hurricane; by which the brethrens' church was unroofed, and their houses greatly damaged or destroyed: but we doubt not, that the prayer of the brethren will be heard; and that the Lord will raise up "some who have sympathiz ing hearts, and are able and willing to help the poor negroes ;" and their be nevolence will be thankfully received by Mr. Latrobe, No. 17, Castle Street, Holborn. Another Number of this work, we understand, is published; and will be noticed in our next. LITERARY NOTICES. The Subscribers to Watts, who wish to take the whole of his Works, are requested to give the earliest intimation, Whether they will take the Commou Paper or the Fine, A small, but respectable, Periodical Work has just appeared, under the title of "The Sunday-School Miscellany,” A View of the Social Worship of First Christians, by Mr. J. A. Haldane, of Leith, may be expected in a few days. SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. Watts's Works, vol. 2, 105.6d. boards; fine paper, extra boards, 138. The Whole Works of Bp. Hall, 8vo, vol. 1, 98; royal, fine, 128. Abp. Leighton's Works (Ogle's edit.) 8vo, vol. 1, 85. The Moral and Religious Works of Sir Matthew Hale, Knt, with his Life, two vols. 8vo, 16s. Three Discourses on Prophecy. By W. Ward, M. A. late of Queen's College, Cambridge, 8vo, 18. Sacred Dramas, intended chiefly for Young Persons: to which is added, An Elegy, in Four Parts, By J. Collett, Evesham. 6s. The Christian's Peculiar Conflict: an Essay on Gal. v. 17. By J. Martin, Second Edit. 8vo, is, Reflections on Christian Liberty, Civil Establishments, Religion, and Toleration. By the late R. Robinson, of Cambridge. Is 6d. The Churchman's Vade Mecum ; designed to promote a more enlivened Devotion in the Use of the Liturgy. By a Presbyter of the Church of England. 12mo, 6d. A Sermon on Baptism and Confirmation, preached at Wellington. By H. Gauntlett, 8vo, Is. Address to Baptists and Pædobaptists. By P. Edwards, 12mo, 6d Extracts from various Authors on Baptism. By T. Westlake, 15. Thoughts on Baptism and Mixed Communion. By a Padobaptist, 8vo, IS. |