Page images
PDF
EPUB

labours, and his political turmoils, he could have found little leisure for the endearments of private life, but there is no intimation on record that he was negligent of its duties. During his last years his health failed him, and he was much afflicted with the stone and asthma. The following letter to a friend, dictated by him the day before he died, discovers what was the state of his mind in the prospect of that solemn hour.

"Although I am not able to write one word myself, yet I am very desirous to speak one word more to you in this world, and do it by the hand of my wife. The continuance of your entire kindness, knowing what it is accompanied with, is not only greatly valued by me, but will be a refreshment to me, as it is even in my dying, hour. I am going to Him whom my soul has loved, or rather who has loved me with an everlasting love, which is the whole ground of all my consolation. The passage is very irksome and wearisome, through strong pains of various sorts, which are all issued in an intermitting fever. All things were provided to carry me to London to-day, according to the advice of my physicians; but we are all disappointed by my utter disability to undertake the journey. I am leaving the ship of the church in a storm; but while the great Pilot is in it, the loss of a poor under-rower will be inconsiderable. Live, and pray, and hope, and wait patiently, and do not despond; the promise stands invincible, that He will never leave us nor forsake us. I am greatly afflicted at the distempers of your dear lady: the good Lord stand by her, and support and deliver her. My affectionate respects to her, and the rest of your relations, who are so dear to me in the Lord. Remember your dying friend with all fervency; I rest upon it that you do so, and am yours entirely." P. 447.

On the morning of the day on which he died, August 24, 1683, in reply to a friend, who called to tell him that he had just put to press the "Meditations on the Glory of Christ," which Owen had entrusted to his care, he said, "I am glad to hear it; but, oh, brother Payne! the long wished-for day is come at last, in which I shall see that glory in another manner than I

have ever done, or was capable of doing in this world."

Such was the conclusion of the mortal careèr of this eminent man. He died in his sixty-seventh year, and was buried in a vault in Bunhill Fields, where his epitaph is still in perfect preservation.

We have exceeded our bounds, but will not lay down our pen without giving from our author a few particulars respecting Dr. Owen's personal appearance and deportment.

"Dr. Owen was tall in stature, and toward the latter part of his life inclined to stoop. He had a grave majestic countenance; but the expression was sweet rather than austere. His appearance and deportment were those of a gentleman." p. 455.

"There was little of pride or overbearing in his manner. The tendency of his talents and honours to elate him, was counteracted by the deep insight which he had into the character of God, and the interior of human nature."

"He was very affable and courteous, familiar and sociable; the meanest persons found easy access to his conversation and friendship. He was facetious and pleasant in his common discourse, jesting with his acquaintances, but with sobriety and measure ;-a great master of his passions, especially that of anger." p. 458.

"His talents, as a public speaker, were of the first order. His voice was strong, but not noisy; sweet, but exceedingly manly, with a certain sound of authority in it. His gesture was far removed from theatrical affectation, but always animated, and adapted to his subject. His personal appearance aided most powerfully the advantages of his voice, and all were supported by a presence of mind which seldom forsook him even in the most trying circumstances." pp. 463, 464. And thus, as honest Walton would "draw the curtain" upon say, we a man, whom, whatever his faults, posterity must continue to revere. What has struck us as particularly observable in his history, is that greatness of character which made him master of himself, and enabled him to live, as it were, in his own uninvaded world, in the midst of scenes which would have utterly absorbed and distracted all the pow

ers of an ordinary mind. Though he spent much of his time in courts and in camps, amidst the agitations of party and the busiest scenes of public life; yet he was daily breathing the atmosphere of a brighter world, and knew how to escape from all the perturbations of this "visible diurnal sphere," to drink, silently and unseen, at the purest fountains of heavenly light and love. As his biographer beautifully remarks, it was while governing the contending spirits of Oxford, surrounded by the turbulent elements of the Commonwealth, and discussing the intricacies of the Arminian and Socinian debates, that he wrote on the Mortification of Sin, and on Communion with God. While struggling with oppression, and sometimes concealing himself for safety, he produced his Exposition of the 130th Psalm, and his work on the Hebrews. When racked with the stone, and "in deaths oft," he composed his Defence of Evangelical Churches, and his Meditations on the Glory of Christ. The change of subject, or of circumstances, appears to have

effected little change on his spirits, or on the state of his mind. The secret of this enviable attainment, as Mr. Orme also justly remarks, was to be found "in the extraordinary measure of Divine influence which he enjoyed." When he describes "the mortification of sin," it was what he himself daily practised. When he exhibits the nature and advantage of communion with God, he tells us unconsciously what was passing in his own breast. When he enforces the duty of spiritualmindedness, he illustrates what, amidst all the distractions of his many-coloured life, he daily studied to enjoy. His example has left to posterity the double admonition, that a man may be, to the highest pitch of devotion, a Christian, in every possible scene of life; but that, at the same time, it is with extreme peril that he mingles unnecessarily in the conflict of secular or ecclesiastical contentions, from which even an Owen did not escape without many a dangerous and unsightly wound.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE,

&c. &c.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Connexion of Christianity with Human Happiness, by the Rev. W. Harness.

The following subjects are proposed for the Chancellor's prizes at Oxford, for the ensuing year, namely,-For Latin Verses, "Babylon; "-For an English Essay, "Athens in the time of Pericles, and Rome in the time of Augustus; "-For a Latin Essay, "Coloniarum apud Græcos et Romanos inter se Comparatio.”

From a late official enumeration it appears that the Library of the British Museum contains 125,000 volumes, and the Royal Library 65,000.

The following extract from a letter written in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, shews the scrupulous nature of the forms imposed by her ecclesiastical injunctions in the marriages of the clergy:➡

"After my very herty commendac'ons, the berer herof, beyng the minister of the p'ish where I dwell, beyng in wante of a wife, is very desyrous to marry a mayd dwelling within the same p'ish, and for as much as by her Maties Injuncions a minister cannot marry but by the examinac'ons and allowance of the Bishopp of the Dioces and two Justices of the Peace nere unto the place where the s4 minister and woman do dwell, I am for hym to desyre yo' assent therunto. The man is of honest and good conv'sac'on, and the woman ys of good yeres, towards xxx. and a very sober mayd and honest, and so rep'rted of by the substantiallest men of this p'ish, where she hath dwelled almost seven yeres. He hath the good will of the mother, the father beyng dede, and of the master wh whome she last dwelled, and of her frends, and of the p'ish wherein he serveth. I sent for dyv's of them to know their opinions of the matter before I would wryte. I besech you signify your assent to my Lord Bishopp."

It has been doubted by some persons, whether the use of oaths and indecencies on the stage is legally punishable. The following quotation from an unrepealed Act of the 3d James I. cap. 21, shews that such a surmise is quite gratuitous; and it would be well if the enactment were duly enforced :

66

[ocr errors]

It is enacted, that if, at any time or times, any person or persons, do or shall, in any Stage-Play, Interlude, Shew, MayGame, or Pageant, jestingly or prophanely, speak or use the holy name of God, or of Jesus Christ, or of the Holy Ghost, or of the Trinity, which are not to be spoken but with fear and reverence, he or they shall forfeit for every such offence Ten Pounds. One moiety thereof to go to the King's Majesty, and the other half to him that shall sue for the same."

About the year 1701, when Jeremy Collier's book had drawn people's attention to the abuses of the stage, several performers being indicted under this Act, Betterton and others were fined.

A numerous body of artists have formed themselves into a Society, for the purpose of erecting an extensive suite of rooms for the exhibition and sale of works in painting, sculpture, architecture, and engraving. The exhibition is to open immediately after the close of the British Institution in April. The exhibition-room is being built in Suffolk Street, Charing Cross, and is to be the largest room for the purpose in London.

An Institution, for teaching mechanics the scientific principles of their several

trades, has been lately established in London, under the guidance of Dr. Birkbeck, the founder of the first institution of the kind at Glasgow. Similar plans are in progress at Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, and Birmingham. The plan of these institutions will include lectures on the arts and sciences, a library of reference and circulation, a reading-room, a museum of models, a school of design, and an experimental workshop and laboratory. We most heartily wish well to such institutions, which are well calculated not only to increase the knowledge, but to improve the habits, and to better the condition, of our mechanics; and also to cut off many sources of vice and temptation to which they have hitherto been exposed. The ultimate benefit also of such institutions to the country at large will be great, if due care be taken to prevent their degenerating from their original intention.

FRANCE.

A new French periodical work is announced under the title of "The Christian Philanthropist," which is intended as a record of the operations and success of religious and other benevolent societies throughout the world, and especially in England, with a view to assist the formation of similar institutions. Most joyfully shall we hail the increase of works of this character from the French press.

The Academy of Sciences of the Institute intends, in its general sitting, every year, to receive a summary, reporting the universal progress of science. No discovery of any importance, no useful application of science to the arts, will fail of public announcement in the series of these annual reports; which will include, not only discoveries made in France, but those communicated to the Institute by its foreign correspondents. The first report has been made by M. Fournier. We copy from his memoir a few passages, as a specimen of the details.

[ocr errors]

'Light is transmitted with an immense velocity, through all parts of the universe. It traverses, with a uniform motion, about 210,000 miles in a second; becomes reflected on the surface of bodies, and some parts of its rays penetrate transparent bodies. In decomposition, it falls into coloured homogeneous rays, refrangible, but unequally. When a ray of light passes through certain crystals, it divides into two distinct parts; it is this which constitutes double refraction. Each of the two refracted rays acquires, in the interior of the crystallized medium, a peculiar

[ocr errors]

disposition, which has been designated by the name of polarization, and which keeps up a singular but constant relation with the situation of the elements of crystals." "A practical illustration of some of the properties of light appears in the establishment of dioptric light-houses. In these, the light is not reflected, but transmitted through glass lenses, which render the rays parallel. The flame is placed in the centre of eight similar lenses, and the whole turns on an axis, so that all the points of the horizon are illuminated. To render the flame uncommonly ardent, Messrs. Arago and Fresnel have invented a lamp with concentric fires, the light of which is equivalent to that of 150 wax candles. From late trials, it appears that even in dusky weather these lights may be seen at the distance of more than eight leagues. Such is their lustre, that even before the close of day they may serve as signals in geodesic operations, and have been employed as such by Messrs. Arago and Mathieu, and by Messrs. Kater and Colby of the Royal Society of London. A telescope will discover these signals at more than sixteen leagues' distance, an hour before sunset; and, an hour after sunset, the naked eye will distinguish them at the same distance."

"From some recent experiments of M. Seeback, of the Academy of Berlin, we learn that the contact of different metals, and the inequality of temperatures, will be sufficient to produce very sensible magnetic effects."

"The French academicians, in 1738, made some experiments for measuring the velocity of sound; the Board of Longitude renewed them, in the month of June last, with all possible precision. It has been found that the velocity of sound, in the air, at the temperature of 55 deg. Fahrenheit, differs very little from 1044 feet per second."

"In the year 1822, four comets appeared; the first of which was discovered by M. Gambard, at Marseilles, and two others by M. Pons. For one of these, there have been only two observations, so

that the elements of its orbit have hot been calculated. These elements have been ascertained for the other two comets. They differ considerably from those that appertain to preceding comets; hence we may judge that they are stars different from all those that have been hitherto observed."

"Our marine observations on the configuration of the lands, the position of rocks and shoals, new methods of sounding, &c. are progressively augmenting every year. Our vessels have been employed in scientifically examining all the shores of the Mediterranean, of the Black Sea, the Western Coasts of Africa, those of Brazil, &c. The results of their discoveries are published, at a vast expense, by the French government, that all maritime nations may profit by the knowledge so imparted."/

"Two enlightened governments have announced their intention to concur in the publication of the great Logarithmic Tables of M. de Prony, from which spherical geometry will derive immense advantages."

"Grand geodesic operations are now carrying on in France. Researches of this description are highly interesting to the mathematical sciences, as they conduce to the correct ascertaining of the figure of the globe. In India, Colonel Lambton is proceeding, annually, in his geodesic operations. By comparing the measurements made in India and in Europe, the excess of the equatorial diameter above that of the axis that passes through the poles, is computed to be equal to the three hundred and tenth part of the polar axis. A sort of cordon of geodesic operations has been formed between those in France, England, the Low Countries, Hanover, Denmark, Bavaria, Switzerland, and Upper Italy. mense network, or connexion gles, has been hereby established, and one and the same science has extended its peaceable empire over the greatest part of Europe."

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THEOLOGY.

Eighteen additional Sermons on Doctrine and Practice; by the Author of the former Volume. 12mo. 5s.

A Second Series of Sermons, doctrinal and practical, adapted to the Service of particular Sundays; by the Rev. J. Aspihall, A. M. 8vo. 8s.

Austria, An imof trian

[blocks in formation]

Religion the true Source of Happiness. 18mo. 2s. 6d.

A Treatise on Religious Fasting, being an Attempt to examine the Authority, explain the Nature, consider the Design, and recommend the Observance of that Duty; by E. R. Lloyd. 12mo. 2s.

A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Derby; by the Rev. S. Butler, D. D. 4to. 3s. 6d.

The Duty of Self-Resignation to the Divine Will; by the late Dr. Worthington. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

The Christian Philosopher, or the Connection of Science with Religion, &c.; by T. Dick. 12mo. 7s.

The Connexion between the Laws and Religion, an Assize Sermon; by G. H. Law, D. D. Lord Bishop of Chester.

Mental Discipline, addressed to Students in Theology. Part III. By the Rev. H. F. Burder, M. A. 8vo. 4s.

The Divine Authority and Political Expediency of Ecclesiastical Establishments, a Sermon, preached at the Visitation of the Archdeacon of Middlesex; by the Rev. J. H. Browne, M. A. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

Short Prayers adapted to the several Chapters of the New Testament; by the Author of "The Family Commentary," (Part I. The Gospel of St. Matthew.)

Hints on the Nature of a Christian Church; by J. Hargreaves. Is.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Memoirs of the late Mrs. HenriettaFordyce, Relict of James Fordyce, D. D.; to which is added a Sketch of the Life of James Fordyce, D. D. Post 8vo. 6s.

First Steps to Botany; by J. L. Drummond, M. D. 12mo. 9s.

Lectures on Chemical Science; by G. Gurney. 8vo. 13s.

The Edipus of Sophocles, literally translated; by T. W. C. Edwards, M. A. A Geognostical Essay on the Superposition of Rocks in both Hemispheres; by M. De Humboldt; translated into English, under his inspection. 8vo. 14s.

Supplement to the Comparative Estimate of the Mineral and Mosaical Geologies; relative to the Phenomena of the Cave at Kirkdale. 8vo. 5s.

A translation of all the Greek, Latin, French, and Italian Quotations, in Blackstone's Commentaries. 8vo. 9s.

The Ancient Laws of Cambria, translated from the Welsh; by W. Probert. A Dictionary of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences; by W. Mitchell, LL.D. A Catalogue of Modern Books published and sold by Hatchard and Son.

An Essay on Apparitions, in which theirAppearance is accounted for byCauses wholly independent of Preternatural Agency; by J. Anderson, M. D. post 8vo. 2s.

[ocr errors]

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

FROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY IN

THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. THE following are interesting extracts from a letter, dated March 10, 1823, from Mr. Ellis, the missionary in the Sandwich Islands. "We approached these shores, destined to be the scene of our future exertions in the great Redeemer's cause, with feelings of peculiar interest and delight. On landing, we were kindly received by our dear brethren and sisters, the American missionaries, who have hospitably entertained us beneath their friendly roof, till provided with a house to go into. The king and chiefs also greeted our arrival with pleasure, and seemed to have been waiting for our return, according to our promise made on a former visit in company with the deputation. I was happy to find the good work had gone on more encouragingly since our departure. The king and principal chiefs of all the islands we found very favourably disposed towards the religion of Jesus Christ, and diligent in the use of the means of instruction; several of them having made a very re

spectable proficiency in reading and writing, being able to write intelligibly, and read the small spelling-book published in their language. The Sabbath-day is kept as a holy day, by all the chiefs and many of the people, who to a great degree abstain from labour, barter, and other worldly occupations. Every Saturday night, the king's crier is sent round to proclaim throughout every part of the village, that the morrow is the sacred day; that they must not plant their gardens, build houses, make canoes, beat cloth, sell sandal-wood, shoot birds, or follow any of their games or play, but go to the place of worship and hear the word of God. Few public criers have such commissions! We have very good congregations on the Sabbath-days, and also on Wednesday evenings; frequently about one thousand attend, though not more than five hundred can be accommodated inside the chapel; but this is not perhaps one-fifth of the population of the village of Honoruru, where for several Sabbaths past we have had a meeting in the evening, either at the king's large house

« PreviousContinue »