BODY AND SOUL. 12mo. pp. 391. This work is dedicated to FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY. From its general tenor, the author might, however, with as much propriety, have dedicated it to the WORLD, the FLESH, and the DEVIL.' It is certain that the Faith he would describe is not that which ' overcomes the world,' for by yielding to all its blandishments, it leaves nothing to overcome. Nor is his HOPE that which teaches us to purify ourselves, even as God is pure, while it allows us to go to the resorts of dissipation. Nor is the CHARITY he cultivates very manifest in his pages, when they are designed to vilify and misrepresent the whole body of Christians denominated EVANGELICAL.' The author entitles his work BODY AND SOUL.' He very properly puts Body first, for the indulgence of the animal appetite is one of his highest gratifications, and he more than intimates, that the pleasures of the world are what give a zest to religion, and better prepare for it. 6 In his Preface he states, that it is the fashion of the age in which we live, to mistake the outward show of seriousness and gloominess of deportment, for the effect of true religion.' Something of this kind might, perhaps, have been the case in the days of Cromwell, though we believe that many accounts of those times have been distorted by the enemies of religion, but as to the present day, when religion walks in silver slippers,' we do not think that it is common for those who call themselves Christians' to err on the side of gloom; and it is a gross libel on the Evangelical world,' when the author asserts, that it excludes from the pale of genuine religion all who have a cheerfulness of manner, and a liveliness of spirit; because they say, these are signs of a carnal and unconverted mind.' This unfair charge against the friends of Evangelical religion has been repeatedly denied, and is now become almost too stale to be worthy of notice, and it needs no other contradiction, than a proper acquaint ance with the parties accused. Because they will not go with the writer to the same excess of riot, he speaks evil of them.' This is, indeed, the secret of his accusation. We would readily consent to balance accounts with the votaries of pleasure, and we are persuaded, that we shall find them much in our favour. Instances may and do occur, where people who profess Evangelical religion, discover a melancholy turn of mind, but are there none constitutionally melancholy too, who profess what is called Orthodoxy, and who profess no religion at all? These charges should, however, operate as a warning to any who really mistake gloom for piety, and who imagine that a devout heart and a cheerful demeanor are incompatible with each other. Such cases are eagerly seized as precedents, and are highly injurious to the cause of truth. In like manner,' says the author, they are anathematized as strangers to the heritage of God, who conform with those necessary usages of the world, and comply with those innocent amusements and customs of society, which give a zest to the more serious “things which belong to their peace." These necessary usages' and 'innocent amusements,' the author afterwards explains in his work, when he vindicates the theatre and the card table, to which we shall by and by pay attention; mean time, we only put it to his conscience faithfully to comment on the words of the appstle- Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.' We remind him, also, of another passage-Lovers of Pleasure more than lovers of God.' We ask him whether that conformity is meant merely to express, a conformity to the vices of the world, or to its pleasures? and if he can have any doubt, whether the latter passage will not reprove him? We know that he will say there is an inordinate and a moderate love of pleasure, and that the former only is intended, but we say that there is a broad line of distinction between the world and Christians, and that the friend of the world is the enemy of God; and that our choice is to be that of Moses, who chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.' What were these pleasures of sin? does the writer merely imagine they intended notorious vices? then, no doubt, the strong language often used to express vice would have been employed. No, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; he refused the gay follies of a court; he refused the pomps and vanities of this wicked world,' which, in our Church Catechism, are distinctly mentioned, while they are coupled with all the sinful lusts of the flesh.' The clergy are also accused with conceding, 'by piece-meal, the good and wholesome doctrines of primitive times.' If the Evangelical clergy are meant, which we suppose is the case, they are shamefully misrepresented; for we need only refer to their writings, and those of the Reformers, to prove, that their doctrines are those of the Established Church, nor indeed is it possible to evade this concession, but by doing the utmost violence to the thirty-nine articles. The author further cries out, It is an alarming truth, that every year witnesses some attempt to undermine the establishment, which, however, built upon the rock of ages, must crumble away, unless duly and properly defended.' We can only say, that whatever is built upon THE ROCK OF AGES, is in no such danger: even that which is built with wood, hay, and stubble, shall only have the worthless materials consumed. The Church of Christ-the 'body of faithful men,' wherever they are found- and all that is 'orthodox, venerable,' and excellent, in our establishment, can never perish, for we have the pledge of immutabilityUpon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.' In the concluding exhortation of this preface, we cordially unite and hope that the author will himself think seriously over it, that all who value the establishment, in the spirit of Christian charity, will not only hold fast their faith, but evidence to others its effects upon their hearts and conversation.' (To be concluded next Month.) THE CONSECRATED MUSE. Procul, O! procul este profani. Original Poetry. This and the Article following appeared last Month in the Gentleman's Magazine; but as they may be new to most of our Readers, and it is wished they should accompany the Sketch, p. 131, with which we alone have been obliged, we have thought proper to insert them. LINES, Suggested while proceeding by Stanwell towards Richmond, and frequently looking back upon Eton College, after the interment of an amiable Son. BY HIS AFFLICTED FATHER. As one who travels o'er a lengthening vale, In the fresh-cover'd grave of thee, my son! Alas! not length of days forms life mature: And these were thine: which, as the fragrant breath And piety, which hoary age might shame, Clothe my now-sainted Child, where ruthless death May thy now-sorrowing sire, enraptur'd, clasp LINES On the Death of Edward Luke Booker, who was accidentally drowned, in the eleventh year of his age, at Eton College, December the 9th, 1822. BY AN AFFECTIONATE BROTHER. There is a tear of holy sorrow, That's dropt upon the humblest grave,- To know that anxious friends were nigh. But-when away from friends that cherish'd Such hopes-as, EDWARD! now have perish'd, Tho' amid smiles and joy surrounding, |