tion, and, secondly, of contempla- ral, vigorous, just, and well mation, he says, p. 206, tured, by that retirement which he recommends to others. To three classes of men the philosophy of this book may be peculiarly useful. 1. To the country gentleman; -2. To those who meditate a retreat after a course of years spent in public. It will teach them the proper qualifications for such a change; and that many things, be sides hounds and horses, murmuring streams and shady groves, sumptuous houses and large estates, are necessary to form a comfortable retirement. Above all, it may tend to direct them to those inward resources, without which every condition of life is inevitably subject to vanity and disappointment; and without which some, after a few years consumed in vacancy and wearisomeness, have trod back their steps, and again mingled in dissipations, which they seemed to have entirely relinquished. 3. It may likewise be of service in the case of those to whom an interchange of business and retirement is prefer. able to either of them separately, and who wish to continue them both to the greatest advantage. A poet, towards whom Mr. Bates, perhaps, is not impartially just*, will furnish our English readers with no bad motto to this book. "Wisdom's self "He who has spent his days in some laborious employment within the bounds of his own parish, which is the case of multitudes, is not likely to feel much interest in what passes at a distance, though in his own contracted sphere he may dis play a high degree of moral worth. The same observation may be extended to every man who is trained up to active life; his principles may be just and pious, but their exercise, however exemplary, will commonly be limited by his exterior circumstances. On the other hand, he who has been bred up in a contem lative retirement is less restricted by time or place; he can more easily transfer his attention to every period and region of the globe we inhabit, and, through the medium of history or prophecy, receive the impression of every interesting event from the beginning to the end of time; and soar aloft with a less obstructed wing above this sublunary state and all contingent exist nce, to the contemplation of objects immutable and eternal. Thus it appears, that neither an active nor contemplative institution of life is so absolutely complete in itself, that each of them may not derive considerable assistance from a partici pation with the other. Happy then is he who can properly unite them both; who can" behold the face of his Father in Heaven," while he ministers to the welfare of his fellow creatures upon earth; and whose virtue bears at once the impression of man and of the universe." The last section of this part points out, with fidelity and judg. Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude: ment, the evils to which a retired life is particularly incident, viz. idleness, humour, conceit, incivility, and churlishness. In the second part of the work, retirement is considered as promoting human happiness, in the engagement of agriculture, literature, and religion; and a common objection against a life of retirement answered. The work concludes with some pertinent remarks on the application of the principles laid down by the author, in guiding us in the choice of life. Mr. Bates appears, through the whole of this book as the Christian, the scholar, and the philosopher. His thoughts are, in gene Where, with her best nurse, Contem❤ plation, She plumes her feathers, lets grow her That, in the various bustle of resort, Periodical Accounts of the Missions of the United Brethren among the Heathen. (No. 39.) Price is. THE first paper in this Number is a letter from Labrador, giving an account of the Esquimaux congreThe second is a gation at Okkah. letter from Nain, lamenting, as the former, the renewal of war; and expressing their desire that the ene, Compare Dr. Johnson's Critique on Milton's Satan with a Note in this Book P. 271. Tt2 my may not effect a landing in England. The third letter is from Hopedale. The arrival of the Brethren's ship the Resolution, at Okkah and at Nain, occasioned much joy and thanksgiving *. This vessel has been remarkably preserved for many years in its annual voyage. The writers of this letter also lament the renewed miseries of war; and add, "As it appears that England is, as it were, a wall of defence, screening the other countries from being over-run by the enemy, our prayers are the more fervent for the preservation of that nation." It is highly gratifying to British Christians thus to perceive that their brethren, in many distant countries, are intercessors for our guilty and threatened land. This is succeeded by an account of the last illness and happy departure of Benjamin, a convert, at Hopedale. en The next paper is an extrict from the Diary of the Mission at Surinam, which is entertaining and interesting. The labourers countered many dangers, but were rewarded with success. An account is also given of the Missions at Fairfield, in Canada; Goshen, on the Muskingum; on the river Wabash; among the Chippeways, in Canada; and the Cherokees, at Esthernally. A letter from Graceham gives a pleasing account of the visit of a company of Tuscarora Indians, who were treated in a most hospitable manner by the Christian brethren at Graceham, and who, in return, thanked them for their kindness; and declared they rejoiced to find a people who had Christianity not only in their lips, but in their hearts and lives. These Indians belong to a tribe among whom Mr. Holmes resides as a Missionary from the New York Society; of whom they spoke with much esteem. A letter from Lewis Rose, a Mis. sionary among the Hottentots, at Bavians kloof. The writer expres. ses regret at the loss of the British Governor Dundas, Mr. Barnard, and others; who, they say, "have approved themselves just men, and have been fathers to this Mission." The work of God prospers among the natives. In six months eleven adults and thirteen children had been baptized; twenty-eight ad mitted candidates for baptism; four admitted communicants; and fitty. six persons had come to reside. They express much thankfulness for a box of medicines which had arrived safely; for, say they, "among one thousand persons and upwards, there are always some sick: they are too poor to buy medicines; nor can we bear to see them perish for want of them.” A letter, written with sweet simplicity, by a converted Esquimaux, closes this Number. Transactions of the Missionary So ciety. (No. 10.) Price 15. THE Complaints which was formerly made, by some individuals, that the public was not sufficiently apprized of the proceedings of the Missionary Society, are now com pletely done away, by the accounts now published of every material event, in the Transactions before us. This Number contains, 1. The Journal of a Tour made by two of the Missionaries at Otaheite, thro' a considerable part of that island.2. A Report of the Labours of the *The Resolution left London June 7, and proceeded, with the Hudson's Bay convoy, to the Orknies, and from thence to Labrador. After transacting the usual busi ness in the three settlements, Captain Fraser hastened back to the Oiknies to take the convoy; bet was disappointed, being driven back by contrary winds; but these proved the means of deliverance from the enemy. On the 18th of November he was chaced and brought to by a Fren h frigate; but the sea ran so high that the enemy could not board her. The Resolution escaped, but had the mortification to meet the frigate again two days after. The Lord again interposed; for the wind was so violent that the French could not put out a boat to board her. During the following night the Captain crowded all his sail, and finally escaped. Many were the prayers offered up on this trying occasion, and many praises since, for the Lord's goodness, who has enabled the Society to preserve an uninterrupted communication with the Mission in Labrador for more than thirty years. 3 Missionary Society at the Cape, and of the state of the Missions in Africa under their direction. Extract of a Letter from Mr. J. Irwin, a Missionary in Africa. 4. Extracts from the Journals of Dr. Vanderkemp, which are highly interesting. 5. Letters from the Doctor to a Relation in Holland. 6. An account of the Death of Mr. Matthys. 7. An Account of the Missions in Canada and New Brunswick.-8. Mission to Newfoundland. The whole furnishes useful information; and presents an encouraging view of the diligence with which missionary efforts are now made. and the extent to which they are carried. Objects of still greater magnitude are, we are told, in the immediate contemplation of the Society; and new Missionaries of piety and talents havĉ lately been engaged. Remarks on a Charge delivered by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Lincoln, at the Triennial Visitation, in May and June 1803. By an Old Member of Parliament. 800, 35. 6d. THE worthy author of these sensible remarks has secreted his name; but those who have read Pietas Oxoniensis will easily recognize the venerable champion of the doctrines of the Church of England, whose able and satirical pen has often chastised the opposers of them. The Right Reverend author of the Charge assures us, that the Established Church is in danger, from what is called, or rather miscalled Evangelical Preaching. That the church is in danger, the writer of the Remarks adinits; but differs from his Lordship as to the quarter from whence the danger arises; conceiving, that the peril to be dreaded is from "men of an externally moral, pharisaical cast; decent formalists, and self-justiciaries, who are, for the most part, greater enemies to sound doctrine and pure experimental piety, than the openly profane and careless." The principal doctrine in the system of Calvinism, against which his Lordship brings his attack, be. ing that of personal, unconditional, and limited redemption, the writer of these Remarks enters copiously on that subject; and successfully combats the Bishop's arguments. He very properly reprobates the method his Lordship adopts, "of dressing up those whom he is pleased to call Calvinists, in a most frightful garb; and then, by way of defeating them, you overturn," saith he, "a system which they do not hold; nay, which (as charging God himself with injustice) they abhor !" The author of the Charge thought proper to affirm, "That the introduction of Calvinism, or rather its prevalence in any considerable degree, was subsequent to the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's days; and that when the Homilies were written and published, Calvinistic opinions had made very little progress in England." To these assertions of the Bishop, the Member of Parliament opposes indisputable facts. He shews, that the very year after the Articles were first ratified by King Edward, Cranmer was assiduous in spreading through the kingdom that excellent Catechism, ascribed to Ponet, Bishop of Winchester, which is fully Calvinistic; quotation from which is subjoined in a note. also, That during this whole reign, Cranmer kept up a corres pondence with Calvin; by whose advice and assistance the English Liturgy was revised; he likewise invited Bucer and Peter Martyr to. reside in England; and read Lectures in our universities." fers also to the Calvinistic writings of the excellent Bp. Jewel and of Bishop Ridley, who wrote a treatise on Predestination. He quotes the authority of the historian Strype, whose words fully confirm the point: also the testimony of Dr. Whitaker, in 1589; of Bishop Carlton, and of Dr. Ward. He observes He re Our author having disproved the assertions before mentioned, pro perly introduces a highly distinguished Bishop, Dr. Sanderson, who once graced that very cathe dral in which Bishop Prettyman is now enthroned; and who, in his days, judged the church to be in danger; not from Calvinism,-but from Arminianism. He laments that two learned Prelates of the same cathedral, and filling the same high station, should not have been more agreed in their religious opinions. And could we suppose," saith he, "a dialogue to take place between the dead and the living, it is to be feared there would not be so much harmony between the two Bi hops of Lincoln as there was between the two Kings of Brentford, who are introduced as both smelling the same nosegay." The writer then steps forward to defend those excellent and useful men, who are the subjects of animadversion in the Charge: "That I have the happiness of being par ticularly acquainted with several of the clergy, whether rightly called, or miscalled, Evangelical, I glory in avowing; and the more so, as I know them to be men of real grace and true humility; attached, by every principle, to our excellent constitution, both in church and state; men who have strained, and are willing to strain, every nerve for the defence and preservation of both, and who only want to be known, in order to be loved and respected yet these are the persons who are now held up to public odium, - branded with names of reproach, equally unjust and ignominions; insomuch, that whoso ever ventures too near them, is sup posed to be in danger of catching the infection of Puritanism, Me. thodism, Schism, Enthusiasm, Fanaticism Jacobinism, and every other ism that can be thought of." "Without laying claim to the spirit of prophecy, it is easy to foresee, that if this phantom of prejustice be suffered to stalk throughout the land, that the church will, indeed, be purged; and melted down too, with a witness; but it will be in such a crucible as will let out all the gold, and retain only the dress. The Dissenting interest will, of course, continue to gain grond in every part of the nation, as now does in a very great degree: Sir, LITERARY NOTICES. To the Editor. LATELY perusing the works of Ab. Leighton, I was highly gratified by their truly pious, evangelical, and savoury strain, expressed in neat language, quite superior to the age and country wherein he lived. I was led also to wish his works more known; and that his produc tions, still remaining in manuscript, were published. I see, by what his former Editors, Messrs. Fall and Wilson, have said in their prefaces, there was an Exposition of the Ephesians, and various religious letters among these. As a new edition of his works has been lately announced by Messrs. Ogle, with the addition of some of his manu script lectures, &c. it is very desirable that the above should be also included; and as your Magazine goes through a multitude of hands, it may lead to such a discovery. We understand that the Editor of Calmet has put to press a new work, intended as a Companion to the Holy Bible. The first part is the Geography of Scripture, with Excursion, treated on principles The second part is entirely new. the History of the Sacred Books, their origin, writers, style, &c. The fine paper in 4to; common paper, 8vo, pocket size. A new edition of Dr. Wither spoon's Works is proposed to be published by subscription, one vol. per month, price 3s. 6d. SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. The Nonconformists Memorial, 3 vol. reviewed in our last, should have been marked price 1. 11. 6d. instead of 11. 7s. 6d. Sermons, chiefly Practical, by J. Erskine, D. D. Vol. II. 8vo, 7s. Memoirs of Lydia Gladman, late Teacher of the Sabbath School, Gravel Lane, Southwark. Price 2d. or 12s. per 100; fine paper, 3d. Memoirs of eminently Pious Wo. men, who were Ornaments to their Sex, Blessings to their Country, and edifying Examples to the Church and World. By Thomas Gibbons, D. D. in 1 vol. To which is added, a zd vol. by the Rev. G. Jerment, with 15 Portraits. Price, common, 18s. ; fine, il. is. Spiritual Characteristics; represented in an Account of a most Curious Sale of Curates by Public Auction. By an Old Observer. 8vo, is. 6d. Britain's Echo! or the King's Prayer and the Subjects' Amen: a Sermon, preached on the Day ap pointed for the General Fast. By G. Phillips. 8vo, 15. The Antidote of Fear, a Sermon, preached at Kensington on the 25th of May, being the Day appointed for a General Fast. By John Clayton, jun. 8vo, is. A Funeral Sermon for the Rev. Joseph Priestly, LL. D. F R. S. To which is added, a True Statement of many Important Circum stances relative to those Differences of Opinion between the Brothers Joseph and Timothy, which have greatly been misrepresented by different Parties. By the Rev. Tim. Priestly. 8vo, 15. Salvation to be obtained only through Christ: a Sermon preached before the Society in Scotland, for Propagating Christian Knowledge in the Highlands and Islands. D. Savile, A.M. Canongate, Edin burgh. 8vo, Is." By God a Consuming Fire: a Sermon, by the Rev. J. Chamberlain, Bath. 8vo, 6d. Sermons, by S. Charters, D. D. Minister of Wilton, vol. 2d. 8vo. Appeal to Facts to Justify the Conduct of Dissenters. By a Lover of Truth. 12mo, 4d. An Attempt to Rescue the Holy Scriptures from the Ridicule that the many Incorrect Translations occasion the Inconsiderate to fall into, &c. By R. Tomlinson, C. R. N. Bonaparte, Emperor of the Gauls, considered as the Lucifer and Gog of Isaiah and Ezekiel, &c. By L. Meyer. Svo, Is. 6d. Lectures on the Prophecies of Isaiah. By the Rev. R. M'Cul. ̧ loch, Minister of the Gospel at Dairsie. vol. 4, which completes this valuable work. Discourses on the Whole Book of Esther. By the Rev. G. Lawson, Selkirk. 12mo. Harmony of the Four Gospels; in which the Natural Order of each is preserved; with a Paraphrase and Notes. By James Macnight, D. D. To which is prefixed, some Account of the Lite and Character of the Author. A new edition, 2 vols. 8vo, boards. Sermons (chiefly Occasional) on Important Subjects. Containing the Funeral Sermons occasioned by the Deaths of the Right Hon. Lord Leven and Wilhelmina, &c. By S. Martin, D. D. Minister of Mo nemail. I vol. 8vo. The Duty of Family Worship, urged and recommended on the Principles of Reason and Scripture. By S. Gilfillan, Minister of the Gospel at Cowes. 12mo. An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Secession. By the Rev. Mr. Brown. 8th edit. much enlarged, 12mo. The Four Gospels, translated from the Greek, with Preliminary Dissertations, and Notes Critical and Explanatory. By the late Rev. George Campbell, D. D. Aberdeen. A new edition, with Additions and Corrections from tlfe Author's Manuscripts. 4 vols. 8vo. A Lecture on Part of the XVth Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. By Greville Ewing, Minister of the Gospel at Glasgow. 8vo. |