literally Mr. Fuller understood the surrender of their property to the society; viz. a direct proposition, in 1802, that the Society should "make a present to each missionary of one year's produce of his labours." Now was the time, then, we should think, for the missionaries to have turned round, and said, “What! make us a present of our own! Make us a present of that to which we are entitled! Make us a present of that which we never surrendered· at least, never surrendered to you! True, we have given it to the cause of God! What, then, beloved brethren, are you God? or his vicegerents on earth, that you claim [the privilege of presenting us with] what is his?" But Mr. Fuller was

alive then!

cases the conduct of the missionarles, securing the ultimate decision and government, and the property here, to the Society in England, are desirable. Missionaries here may be under temptations which can never affect the Society at home. After we have received your advice on this subject we will act accordingly. If you should think it necessary to make the great principles of our union more clear and solemn, we will draw up what we think necessary, transmit it to you, and leave it for your final amendment and ratification. After all our anxieties, we know that "unless the Lord keep the city the watchman waketh but in vain."'

"To the same purpose may also be addaced a letter from Dr. Marshman to Dr. Ryland, of June 24, 1806.

"In a democracy like ours where every member must have his weight, the temper and qualifications of the youngest missionary become a matter of serious importance, since he may one day become the most influential But surely they resented the implica- man in it, and the salvation or destruction of tion, that the product of their labours it may, in a certain degree, depend on him. was at the Society's disposal! Not they: Hence a youth having in him the seeds of Though they unanimously declined the an ambitious, a litigious, a passionate, an obstinate, or an indolent temper, although proposition, one called it "honourathese may now be hidden, may prove a curse ble," another esteemed it "lovely:" to the mission, as time and opportunity will and a third professed to "feel the kind- not fail to ripen these, and bring them into ness in the most sensible manner"!!! action. Hence we think the greatest care We believe such a proposition from the and circumspection necessary with regard to committee, after Fuller's death, would our own children; (we have the fullest reliance on you, respecting European missionhave met with a very different recep- aries) lest we should be mistaken. We tion. The wording of the proposition may mistake as to their having grace, as is copied from Mr. Ward's reply. Dr. they are brought up in the form of sound Marshman called it at the time "the words, and much more respecting their disprovision for our families, which your kind position and qualities. Hence to elect an untried youth into the mission might be solicitude for us induced you to offer." fraught with the most pernicious conseNow he calls it a suggestion from Mr.quences; while on the other hand, to deprive Fuller, that "we should set aside a year's income." These are trifling differences; but they sufficiently indicate the sentiments entertained respecting the same transaction, at different periods of time. Another proof of the intimate relation subsisting between the Society and their missionaries at Serampore, is derivable from some of their own statements, separate from the question of property.

"In August 1805, seven brethren at Serampore, viz. Carey, Marshman, Ward, Biss, Moore, Rowe, and Felix Carey, write thus to the Society:

the mission of the labours of a pious youth would be injuring the cause of God. We have therefore thought that we can very properly employ such, for a time, as assistants to the mission, principally at outstations, and let them have the same allowance as ourselves, or perhaps greater..... Nothing would be denied them but that for which they are at present unqualified, direction. If, after a course of years, they should discover talents, and a spirit for the mission, and withal choose it with all their hearts, the missionaries can elect them into their body, and request you to confirm their choice."

'

"In a letter which may be found in the "Every form of social union is liable to Periodical Accounts, Vol. II. p. 285, it is abuse and decay; and there are cases in observed: We have been thinking much which all written rules are ineffectual to about the children of our family who are growpreserve them from abuse. We are bow-ing up into life, and I am glad that we all

ever inclined to think that some regulations as great first principles, regulating in all

agree in our judgment about them.'........ "We have not yet come to any conclusion,

aries to the "Serampore Union," as it is now called; and Mr. Ward, on his visit to this country, urged the committee to confirm this choice an important concession, surely, of the right of the committee to interfere. The committee, however, though told that their recog

but have talked of some such plan as the following. 1st. That all the children be under the direction of the family till they come to a certain age, &c......... 3d. If the Lord should bless any of them with his grace, and endow them with ministerial gifts, they may be called forth by the church, and assist the mission by preaching the Gospel where a door may be opened. 4th. If after labour-nition of Mr. John Marshman would ing in the ministery a certain number of years produce great satisfaction at Seramthey shall choose to sacrifice all wordly prospects for the mission, and should be found pore, did not confirm the election; and to possess prudence, zeal and judgment, this, unless we are greatly mistaken, proper to be incorporated into the mission constitutes their UNPARDONABLE SIN! family, that we should choose them in preference to any other persons, and write to the Society recommending them as proper objects of their choice."-Vindication, p. 25,27. The above was from Dr. Carey to Mr. Fuller, dated June 30, 1802. following, from Dr. Marshman to the same friend, about a fortnight after, is equally in point:

The

It would give us great pleasure, would our limits permit, to present to our readers a few specimens of the correspond

ence on both sides. We are satisfied

they would then perceive at once, by the difference of style and expression, which party felt that they were acting righteously, and which betrayed the most anxious solicitude to make out a “While you are using the utmost caution case. But all the special pleading in at home, we are contriving a plan for the the world cannot convert wrong into previous trial of those who may be admitted from our own family; the outlines of which right. Mr. Foster has certainly strainare, That after twenty, they shall remained every nerve: but "that which is three or four years in a state of probation, crooked cannot be made straight." that their piety, talents, and natural temper may be more fully developed; after which, on being approved, a testimonial signed by all the brethren, shall be sent home to you, with a request, that they may be elected solemnly to the work of the mission, and the management of all its concerns.”—P. A. Vol. II. p. 288.

An attempt has been made to persuade those friends to the mission who are but partially acquainted with the history of the Society, that the present committee have deviated from the sentiments entertained, and the line of conduct pursued by their venerable predecessors. But nothing is more untrue. It has been trumpeted about, with all the magniloquence of a king's herald, "Fuller we knew, and Sutcliff we knew, and Ryland we knew, but who are you?" As if, on the death of the first two (the last being perchance superannuated!) a new race of men had

Now, what is this, we would ask, but a distinct recognition of the Society as a kind of "board of controul," to which the resident East India Company appealed, to confirm and ratify their proceedings? Nor were these idle professions, or sentences "dropped in affectionate carelessness." They were accompanied by a practical exemplifica-sprung up, of mushroom celebrity, to tion of their intentions, in the formal request that Felix Carey, the son of the Doctor, might be so elected- that the choice of the missionaries might be confirmed and ratified by the Society! Accordingly, at a meeting held at Kettering, the following October, their choice was confirmed: it was "Resolved That Felix Carey be considered a missionary of this society."

In course of time, another of "their own family" was chosen by the mission

revolutionize the whole concern! Happily, however, Dr. Ryland was not superannuated. "The old man, of whom they spake, was yet alive;" "neither was his eye dim, nor his energy abated.' As we shall refer more particularly in our next to his hearty concurrence with the committee, and his dying protestations against the conduct of those who maligned them, we shall content ourselves on the present occasion with the following impressive remonstrance from

the pen of good Mr. Saffery, in a letter | who differs from them shall be competent to to Mr. Ward, dated Oct. 2, 1822.

"Your letters frequently refer, in the language of invidious eulogium, to characters as dear to us, as they can be to the warmest hearts in India. Think, then, with what emotions we see the names of Fuller, Sutcliff, and Ryland, thus covertly enlisted on your side, as champions to make war on the Committee. But do you not know, my brother, that one of these men still lives lives to act and feel in concert with the Committee, while he is almost bowed to death itself with depression arising from the jarring interests of Serampore? And are you not convinced that, had the other two been living, you would not have ventured upon the line of conduct that you have pursued? Such is my conviction; and such is the conviction of all with whose sentiments 1 am acquainted. It cannot indeed be otherwise, while we recollect how frequently Fuller was telling us that all the property at Serampore was the Society's, and that he as frequently remarked, how great that property

was.

But you will say "the Society has a right of property in the premises at Serampore." Let me ask of what use this is to the Society, while you are pertinaciously pursuing measures wholly at variance with such a right? This, at least, is my opinion. You tell us that you have given up the right of property in these premises, and vested it in the Society; but what right of property has the Society in premises for which it has not the nomination of Trustees? No, not one of

elect two new colleagues. (See the twentythird Article of your union.) To set this matter clearly before you, if Dr. Marshman were to die, and you and Dr. Carey were to change your mind, and to attempt' to betray this union' by again becoming one with the Baptist Missionary Society, Mr. Jobn Marshman would be competent' to consider both of you as having withdrawn,' and at once to elect new colleagues! This is one of the many absurdities you have exhibited in your eagerness to get rid of an imaginary domination!"

In these circumstances, it may fearlessly be asked, Could the committee have acted differently? without betraying their trust to their Could they, constituents, have consented to maintain missionary stations, without any share in their direction-without even a veto on the management of a gentleman, whose appointment to the office they could not conscientiously confirm? Or could they vote away a proportion of their income to a body of men who would immediately make a further appeal to the very parties by whom the Society itself had been hitherto supported— nay, who had already been diverting the streams of Christian benevolence from their wonted channel? On the conthem, I believe that nomination is with trary, had they adopted either propoyou only—you also nominate yourselves, and sition, they would have been unworthy you are Trustees in possession. Moreover, I of their office, and have obtained the think that in the declaration of which you renown of crippling their own resources, make such a boast, you were no more dis- to make peace with a restless and disposed to obtain the concurrence of other satisfied rival. For their resolute reTrustees in India, originally put in by your-sistance of such encroachments, they deselves, than you were to confide any thing to the Committee. I believe that I am not mistaken in saying that the said instrument is not the declaration of all the persons to whom the property was first entrusted, but of the Serampore brethren only! Nay more, this perpetuated family of four persons, cannot be dispossessed, unless their successors were to become wicked enough to appropriate these premises to merely civil purposes! perhaps not then! In their choice of coadjutors, when a vacancy occurs, they cannot be controlled-they will let none interfere they only in succession are to determine who is eligible. If these four members should be reduced to three, and two of these three, thinking it right that this union should continue no longer independent, should return to the bosom of the Baptist Missionary Society, or should betray its independence to any body of men whatever,' the one member

serve, and will doubtless receive, the cordial approbation of the Christian community.

(To be continued.)

A View of Inspiration; comprehending the Nature and Distinctions of the Spiritual Gifts and Offices of the Apostolic Age. By ALEXANDER MACLEOD. 12mo. pp. 583. Price 7s. 6d. boards. Glasgow: Waugh and Innes. London: Westley and Davis.

(Continued from p. 360.)

WE proceed to introduce another extract, on the style becoming the Chris

tian ministry, from the sixth chapter | aim at truth in doctrine; lest, in regard to -On the Gift of Tongues. After the most important branch of his ministry, saying that being able to speak in he fall into the error of the wicked.' Maforeign languages was abused, to feed homet, that great impostor, rested his claims to inspiration on the beauty and sublimity the pride and vanity of many of the of his style and composition. Peter deCorinthians, and remarking on the folly scribes the corrupters of the primitive of those preachers who affect high churches, as 'speaking great swelling sounding words, though in the common words of vanity.' The false teachers who, at Corinth, beaded a faction against Paul, business of life the most accomplished were evidently men of a superior and perphysician, and the most learned and suasive eloquence. The eloquence of Paul eloquent attorney, make themselves was not of the kind which they possessed, understood by their employers, the au- and which the Greeks admired. Compared thor proceedswith his adversaries, both themselves and their admirers did not hesitate to pronounce his bodily presence weak, and his speech contemptible.' Rich, perhaps, in the eloquence which human wisdom teaches, but poor in Scripture knowledge, the man who seeks his own glory may still be heard holding forth his uninstructive effusions to an undiscerning multitude of rapturous admirers. They whose country is nourished by the king's country-whose carnal views and interests are in unison with those of their oracle, (and this may happen under any name) are ever ready to shout, as they are dazzled with the splendour of what they see and hear, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.' pp. 245–247.

"Waut of simplicity in a preacher's style arises from a deficiency in character. Per verseness in the tongue is a breach in the spirit.' Who can imagine that Paul, who had continual heaviness and sorrow in his heart for his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh,' would use an unnatural, affected, rhetorical style, in beseeching them, with many tears, to submit themselves to the righteousness of God?' Does he not even inform us, that the wisdom of words would make the cross of Christ of none effect? Alter the style, and though the doctrine be not corrupted, the effect is lost. Than the language of the Bible, nothing higher or more elaborate is intelligible, or perhaps ever will be intelligible, to the bulk of mankind. When, indeed, the style in which truth is presented to the mind is more complex and laboured than the medium through which truth is daily contemplated, the medium itself, like an atmosphere abounding with unusual meteors, becomes an object of observation and inquiry. He who eagerly desires to fix his exploring eye on a new phenomenon, wishes to behold it through a pure untroubled atmosphere; and he who would most successfully enlighten and persuade his hearers, must address them in language which they perfectly understand, however little may accrue from this to the praise of his eloquence, or of the classic purity and elegance of his expression.

"A man cannot more evidently preach himself, than by shining forth in the pomp of a highly rhetorical and splendid diction. A faithful man, therefore, however sublime and comprehensive his conceptions may be, or however rich by nature in the endowment of a commanding elocution, will, for Christ's sake, labour to acquire the habit of bringing both his thoughts and his language to a level with the apprehension of the poorest of his hearers; with the extent of whose vocabulary the practice of visiting the fatherless and widow in their affliction' has made him acquainted. He will aim at simplicity in language, for the same reason that he will

·

We must really tear ourselves from the volume, leaving nine-tenths of its beauties in perfect silence. We cannot resist the temptation, however, of transcribing one passage more; it is on the dependence of even inspired men on the Holy Spirit for the success of their ministry.

"Without the operation of God on the minds of the gifted men, the mere possession of gifts would have been ineffectual for the service of the gospel. They were as dependent on divine aid, as if they had received no gift at all. For though the kind and degree of inspiration with which any was endowed as an adequate outfit, qualified him for a specific ministry; yet the actual exercise and fruit of his gift, in all time following, were as God should be pleased to vouchsafe his grace. It has often been remarked, that the sickness of Epaphroditus and Trophimes, and the frequent infirmities' of Timothy, shew the inability of the apostles to remove diseases upon all occasions. The same facts equally prove their dependence on God in the ministry of the word. To his continued operation, accordingly, as grace distinct from the gifts which were thereby exercised, Paul often refers the ability of the gifted men to serve Christ in the Gospel. He that wrought effectu

ally in Peter to the apostleship of the cir- To the author we would tender our oumcision, the same was mighty in me to-warmest thanks for his valuable book,

wards the Gentiles.'

The mind of man is naturally weak, timorous, unstayed, disturbed by various passions, ever prone to rely upon itself, and to depart from God. Its suggestions, even in its search after truth, are liable to be modified by the emotions of the hour; as cheerfulness or gloominess, failure or success, health, sickness, temperance; while hope, fear, love, jealousy, and hatred, are apt to see in every thing what they feel in themselves. Who does not experience, even though delivered by the grace of God from the enslaving power of innate depravity, that divine things, like objects seen through a telescope, lie remote from our natural apprehensions? To discern, to grasp, to retain and feel the force and sweetness of heavenly things, lies not in the power of unaided nature. Your past experience will not suffice for future service and enjoyment. You must again apply the glass to your exploring eye, through which you formerly beheld the objects you desire to contemplate anew, as well as in order to make fresh discoveries. You must know what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead.' Inspiration required this. 'Out of weakness they were made strong.' As an expiring fire is rekindled, and its heat augmented to intensity; so the soul that had languished, cleaving to the dust, disconsolate, inert, meditating danger, failure, defeat, ruinbecame replete with joy, life, light, and energy; as when a bottle, which was shrivelled in the smoke, is now bursting out with new wine; or as when the earth, after drought and barrenness, is refreshed and adorned with verdure and beauty." pp. 323

-325.

In taking leave of a volume which has greatly pleased us, we have a few words to say to our readers, and one or

two to the author.

To our readers we would say, that if they read only for amusement, if they are fond of the light effeminate productions of the present day, and do not choose to connect thinking with reading, this work is not suited to their taste. But if they would understand the religion they profess, and aim to be well acquainted with scriptural divinity, they cannot too soon purchase, or too diligently read, the volume we have now introduced to their notice.

in the walks of scriptural literature. and say that we hope to meet him again We are glad that he has included in his present volume many of the best passages in his work which we referred to in the commencement of this article, divested of every thing like a controversial aspect. May we be allowed, with all due respect to Mr. Macleod, to say, that in a few instances his discussions are weakened in their force by their diffusiveness; and that, in the event of a second edition, which we hope will be soon published, the volume should be accompanied with an index, and the errors of the press somewhat more carefully corrected?

The Roman Catholic Claims a Question not of Religious Liberty, but of Political Expediency: an address to the Protestant Dissenters of G.eat Britain, assigning reasons why, (in reference to that subject,) they should maintain the most strict neutrality. With an Appendix, containing the Letter of the Pope to the Arch-priest Blackwell, against the Oath of Allegiance in 1607. The Protestation of the English Roman Catholics in 1790; copied from the Original in the British Museum; and Proceedings of the "British and Foreign Unitarian Association," May 28, 1828. By JOSEPH IVIMEY. pp. 48. Wightman and Cramp.

THIS pamphlet contains five sections.

I. The Question stated. II. Sentiments in relation to the Roman Catholics, at the Revolution of 1688. III. Historical proof of the Subjugation of the English Roman Catholics to the See of Rome, in the reign of James the first. IV. Historical proofs that the Roman Catholics of the present day are Subjugated to the See of Rome. V. Opinion of Lord Colchester, Lord Somers, and the Rev. Dr. Furneaux ; and concluding remarks,

The information given by the esteemed author in these sections is highly important. And though we cannot pledge ourselves to the correctness of all the inferences which are here drawn, we recommend the facts to the grave con