THE late eminent Mr. Bradbury, when preaching one day in Salter's-hall, London, upon the divinity of Christ, was hiffed at by feveral who were prefent. The good man's friends were much affected with fuch daring infolence, and afterwards expreffed their forrow to Mr. Bradbury: To which he very ingenioufly replied, "I have been bruising the head of the old ferpent, and no wonder you heard the hiffes of the generation of vipers."-It is well when wit can be employed in the fervice of religion. THE late Dr. Gifford, as he was one day fhewing the British Museum to ftrangers, was very much vexed by the profane converfation of a young gentleman who was prefent. The Doctor taking an ancient copy of the Septuagint, and fhewing it to him-"O" faid the gentleman, "I can read this," "Well," said the Doctor, "read that paffage," pointing to the third command. Here the gentleman was fo ftruck, that he immediately defifted from fwearing." A word, fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in pictures of filver." Prov. xxv. 11. And, And, "A word spoken in due feason, how good is it !" Prov. xv. 23. THE RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. HE Rev. J. Boden, of Hanley-Green, has taken upon himself the charge of the Independent Church, at Sheffield, late under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Brewer. LONDON. The Rev. W. Goode, rector of St. Ann's, Blackfriar's, is chosen lecturer of St. John's, Wapping. The Rev. J. Pattrick, vicar of Averley, is appointed one of the joint-lecturers of St. Leonard, Shoreditch. The Rev. J. Newton, of St. Mary Woolnoth, has engaged the Rev. W. A. Gunn, lecturer of St. Mary Somerset, to be his curate. The Rev. Mr. Bury, of West-Bromwich, succeeds the Rev. Mr. Fell, in the capacity of classical tutor, at the Independent Academy, Homerton. On December 11, at the meeting-house of the Rev. T. Beck, Bury-street, was opened a Sunday evening lecture, to the Jews. Dr. Haweis, the Rev. Mr. Greatheed, the Rev. J. Eyre, Dr. Hunter, the Rev. J. Love, and the Rev, Mr. Cooper, have engaged to deliver the six first discourses, in the order in which they stand; and should any of that long-neglected people attend, other ministers will be requested to assist in a course of lectures upon subjects suited to their condition. The Rev. Mr. Fell has engaged to deliver, on the third Sunday evening in every month, for one year, at Dr. Hunter's, a lecture on the evidences of Christianity. OBITUARY, OBITUARY. Peaceful Departure of Mr. Stafford Atkinfon. N Saturday, Nov. 12, 1796, died, at Swanland, near Hull, Mr. Stafford years past, complaint, which in winter generally confined him to the house, and frequently to his chamber. He was an eminent Christian, clear in his views of divine truth, deep in experience, and lively in his affections. His daily walk was upright and exemplary. Truly it might be said of him, that he was an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile. His speech was seasoned with grace, ministering caution, instruction, or consolation to all around him. His conversation savoured of heaven and of heavenly things, with which he was much conversant. To young people in his addresses he was remarkably tender and affectionate, encouraging and exhorting them to attend to the things that made for their peace. The character given of Barnabas, Acts, xi. 24. was peculiarly applicable to him, for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith; and, by his affectionate assiduity, much people were added to the Lord.In prayer, he was full and fervent, like Jacob wrestling with God; and in all his addresses to the throne of grace you beheld the sinner cloathed with humility---a believer full of faith in audience with a Being, who would pardon sin, and exceed expectation. He had been a member of the church at Hull, under the pastoral care of Mr. Lambert, 27 years, and had filled the office of a Deacon in it about 16, in a manner which had purchased to himself a great degree of respect, both from the Minister and people, and much boldness in the faith. Whenever his health would permit him, he never was absent from the ordinances of God's house; and it was evident that he loved the courts "where his honour dwelt. He had the greatest veneration for the Bible, and was often heard to say, "Precious book! I have the witness in myself that it is founded upon truth; none but God could give such a description of what I am, or a discovery of what I want. It reveals a precious Christ to a poor, guilty, and perishing sinner." At last, like a shock of corn fully ripe, he was gathered into the heavenly garner; his end, like his course, being peace. When the great change was taking place, to a person who stood by, and asked how he found his mind? lifting up his hands and eyes, with great emphasis he said, "I have a friend in heaven." After this he said nothing, but gently breathed out his soul into the bosom of that Saviour whom he loved. Tranquil Departure of Mrs. Wheeler. ON Saturday, December 3, 1796, died, at Hull, Mrs. Sally Wheeler, aged 30, wife of Mr. John Wheeler. She was a woman of cheerful and eminent piety, and greatly esteemed by all who knew her. Her conversation was truly an ornament to her profession as a Christian. Born of godly parents, and trained up under the ministry of the Gospel, she early discovered a concern for the eternal interest of her precious and immortal soul. When about the age of 21, she made a solemn profession of her faith in Christ, and united the church-meeting, in Fish-street, Hull. Her dependence---her entire dependence was upon Christ, for all---for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption: Nor was her hope deceived, nor her confidence shaken to the end The disorder by which she was removed, was, in its effects, as afflictive, as in its nature it was unusual; but this, with the trial that preceded it, she bore with the patience and fortitude of a Christian*. An intimate friend, who ❤ A short time before she was brought to bed, her husband, going into Lincolnshire, through some alarm, jumping out of a single-horse chaise, broke his leg. It proved a complicated fracture; which being improperly managed, the bones never united, and he remains still confined in very unfavourable circumstances. A few days after she was delivered, an abscess was formed upon her body, which grew to such an enormous size, that, when first opened, it discharged five pints and a half of matter, and continued running till her death. continued continued with her the whole time of her confinement, remarked, that though she had been detained so long from public ordinances, it had been made a very profitable season to her own soul. At seasons, through the medicines necessarily administered, to abate the violence of the pain, her mind was kept in a degree of torpor; and though her soul was still preserved, confidently stayed upon her God, those elevated comforts, which perhaps her heavenly Father saw would be too powerful for her weak frame, were for a season withheld. But in her most languid situation she often repeated those words: At another time, following verse: Jesus, lover of my soul, Hide me, O my Saviour! hide, addressing herself to an intimate friend, she repeated the If Jesus is our's, we have a true friend, Whose goodness endures the same to the end: "Yes," said she, "If Jesus be our's, he is your God and my God, and will neither forsake you nor me. He is a friend that sticketh closer than all friends." At another season she exclaimed, "My greatest burden is that I cannot love and glorify Jesus more than I do." After which, looking earnestly to the person she addressed, with some degree of anxiety she said, "Do you really think that Jesus loves me?" The answer returned, was, "Look into yourself, and see whether you love Jesus." "Yes, O yes," said she, "I do love him dearly." "Then," replied her friend, "You know that he loved you, before you loved him.” "True," said she," and he will love me to the end. I dare not, I will not doubt his grace." Through the great oppression that one evening there was upon her lungs, the Minister that attended her, apprehending that she could not live till the morning, remarked to her, " That it was highly probable Jesus was then pleading for her in heaven, that she might be with him where he was to behold his glory." Her reply was, "May his will be done! That will satisfy, and nothing short of it. Often has my soul been greatly refreshed with those words, I shall behold thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I awake up in thy likeness. That will be a bright day, without any night to close it, and happiness without either mixture or end. O! if it were his will, that he would grant me an easy passage." A friend remarking that she evidently changed, and hoped that it would be from glory to glory; "Dear !" said she, "you have caught the very words that I was just going to mention: And when that shall be the case, we shall meet never more to part." The evening before she expired, she told several of her friends, that there would be a glorious company to meet her upon her passing through the valley of the sha tow of death, and probably the dear babe, that had been taken from her long before, would be one of the first to welcome her to heaven. Towards the close she frequently repeated the syllable, Je Je-. The nurse, inquiring if she was calling upon Jesus, her strength rekindled so far as to enable her to say, " Yes; and I will call upon him as long as I live." Shortly after this, the power of speech failed her, and she lay, panting for breath, till at length the spirit departed, leaving a smile upon the countenance of the deserted body. In her may we mark the perfect, and behold the upright; for the end of such is peace. VOL. V. F REVIEW REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. The Calvinistic and Socinian Systems examined and compared, as to their Moral Tendency; in a series of Letters, addressed to the Friends of Vital and Practical Religion. The Third Edition. By Andrew Fuller. 12mo. Pages 347. Price 3s. 6d. boards. Gardner, Button, Matthews. WE VE are happy to begin the year with announcing the re-publication of a book, that may safely be pronounced one of the most sensible, judicious, and interesting, which the present century has produced. The rapidity with which it has passed into three editions, if not a presumptive evidence in favour of its contents, is certainly a proof to what extent it has already attracted public attention. It is a perfect model of controversial writing. It treats respectfully those whose tenets it opposes. It speaks the truth in love, and uses no weapons but such as are spiritual. If it has not convinced the contrary party, it has certainly lowered their tone. Socinian writers of the firft abilities, famous for embracing every opportunity of entering the list with those who differ from them in religious sentiments, have hitherto declined the contest; and those gentlemen who have come forward, and written against it, that it might not be said to remain altogether unanswered, have strongly indicated their fears, by studiously evading Mr. Fuller's arguments; for, instead of fairly meeting the question by candidly comparing the two systems, their replies consist of an idle, unsupported, and fulsome panegyric upon their own. Religion, a Monitor to the Middle-aged, and the Glory of Old Men: In several Discourses. To which is added, by particular Request, an Aadress, delivered before the Missionary Society at their Public Prayer-Meeting, July 4, 1796. By the Rev. George Jerment, Minister of the Scot's Church, Bow-lane, Cheapside. Pages 373. Gray, Matthews, Chapman, Trapp, Dilly. THE discourses to the middle-aged, and the old, are part of a series of instruction delivered to the author's own congregation, immediately after those on Early Piety, noticed in our Review of Publications towards the close of our first volume. Through the whole many useful hints are suggested, to which those to whom they were addreffed, and whoever may be induced to peruse them in their present form, would do well to take heed. But our opinion is the same respecting this, as it was of the former volume, that had there been a new text to each of the sermons, they would have appeared to greater advantage. With great propriety the middle-aged are warned against an improper attachment to the things of the world, and particularly the immoderate desire of riches, by a faithful application of the caution which our Lord once gave to some of his audience, Luke, xii. 15. Take heed, and beware of covetousness. This, Mr, J. introduces by remarks on the preceding verses of the chapter; then notices the evil Jesus warns them of, and the manner in which he does it. Afterwards, he proposes, as "the method of handling the subject," to explain the nature of covetousness; to illustrate and enforce the warning against it; to deduce a few inferences from the whole. Each of these divisions, copiously ramified in the discussion, is made the subject of a separate discourse. The attention of old men is drawn to the wise and beautiful observation of Solomon, that the boary bead is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. This subject Mr. J. distributes into four parts, which, being subdivided into several particulars, furnish matter for as many discourses. In the first he considers, in general, what it is to be found in the way of righteousness. In the next, he points out some steps in the way of righteousness, peculiarly proper for the aged. In the third, he shews in what respects the hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. And, in the last, he deduces some inferences, and offers, particularly to the aged, "a few advices.” His next discourses are on the concluding verse of the seventy second Psalm, The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. The first is occupied with the following general observations on the text: That the genuine saint is a man of prayer; that the modest and humble account the Psalmist here gives of himself, as the son of Jesse, is remarkable and instructive; that prayer is an exercise peculiar to the saints on earth; that a life of prayer is naturally concluded with prayer; and that the prosperity of the kingdom of Christ on earth lay near the heart of the Psalmist, and was a principal subject of his supplication, even when death approached. In the three subsequent discourses, Mr. J. shews, that the noble and enlarged spirit, which the prayer of David breathes, respecting the prosperity of Messiah's kingdom on earth, "is not a single solitary instance to be wondered at, admired, and extolled," but is common to all his genuine subjects; assigns the reasons of this temper; mentions the qualities of such a prayer; and deduces several inferences. We are informed in the preface, and reminded in a note, tha these discourses were delivered in November, 1794, "soon after the first meeting of the few ministers who were honoured to lay the foundation of the Missionary Society ;" and an apology is made for publishing them after the excellent discourses of Mr. Graham and Mr. Jay, on the same subject, have appeared. But we are persuaded no reader will think an apology necessary, or regret the delay of their publication, as they have probably received some enlargement and improvement since they were preached. This we F 2 conclude |