Page images
PDF
EPUB

have taken for certain, if not the right, the wrong way, and to have passed an interval "long enough to give the final decisive bent and sway to their thoughts and disposition;" we doubt whether the Dean does not limit both the operations of the human mind, and also of Divine Grace upon it, beyond the proper bearing of the case. The question put by the Prophet was, "How long halt ye between two opinions?" intimating, that it may be very long; and that no limits, shorter than life itself, can be set either to the indecisive reasonings of men, or to the patient long-suffering of God. If Agrippa was hardened in a day, which, indeed, we have not a sufficient warrant in Scripture to assert, still Felix, who had before trembled on the same judgment-seat, sent frequently for Paul, during the space of two years, and communed with him. We cannot tell how often in that time he may have trembled again, nay, have been "almost persuaded to be a Christian."

In this, however, as in most other points, we are willing to defer to the highly respectable and judicious author of these sermons. As a further proof, however, of our opinion of his candour, perhaps, also, of our own unseemly disposition to take advantage of it, we shall beg permission to make one or two other free observations upon these compesitions as they lie before us.

The general style of doctrine exhibited in them, we cannot but in the highest degree commend, as strictly conformable to our own views of Christian truth. We should be most sorry to think it possible that there should be actually two opinions amongst the successors of that great Teacher who was " the friend of publicans and sinners," as to whether those out of the pale of Christ's flock, considered as yet unregenerate and unconverted, should be addressed at all, or not, by the Christian pastor. Yet we cannot but apprehend that the views of dif

ferent ministers are somewhat different on this point. The bent of some, and those eminent and distinguished preachers, seems to be rather that of addressing "the elect people of God" as the class for whom more especially, if not exclusively, the word of this salvation was sent, and who alone have, or can have, an ear to listen to its instructions. Our notion, we confess, strongly is, that the Word of God is directed to man, as man, that is, as a corrupt fallen creature, to whom, even in proportion to his corruption and his "wretchlessness of unclean living," all its provisions, and the endless store of its warnings, examples, precepts, doctrines, promises and threatenings, are adapted. We conceive that the representations of the Gospel truly made, in all their just proportions, are exactly that which is most suited to the cure of our corrupt nature; the wedge just calculated, when driven home by Divine Grace, to penetrate the hardest heart. Consequently, it is always our most earnest desire to see that wedge set point blank, and with arguments of weight urged home" upon the most obdurate and stiffnecked. And, to change the comparison, the contrary conduct has always seemed to us as absurd as it would in the physician, possessed of a panacea for every disease of human nature, to plead his conviction that only certain persons are intended for the benefit, as a reason for passing by a very large proportion of the most diseased and plague-stricken of his charge, and applying his care and his medicine almost exclusively to those who already give symptoms of improvement and convalescence.— This is a wide subject. We cannot in a short space do justice to our own views, or to the importance of the question. We shall, therefore,only add, that the plan of the Dean of Wells, as far as we may consider it to be developed in these sermons, has our most cordial and decided approbation. We could wish, after his example, to

see, we speak boldly perhaps, the largest portion of every sermon appropriated to the largest portion, confessedly the ignorant and careless, of the audience. We could wish to see in this regard, as well as in every other, no respect of persons, in the professed followers of an impartial Saviour, the children of that beavenly Parent "who maketh the sun to shine alike on the evil and the good, and who sendeth rain on the just and the unjust." The Dean bears in the frout and forehead of his preaching this most animating and inspiring of all principles; "I would that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were not only almost, but altogether such as I am." Even to the hardened and confess edly almost hopeless Agrippa he would not refuse the personal and hearty appeal," King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest."

That this mode of constant, earnest, and well-digested address to the different classes of ungodly hearers, has no tendency to diminish the effect, or lower the standard, of the purest evangelical doctrine, the most cursory view even of these specimens will convince us. On this subject we have only to congratulate the world, and, more than all, himself, on the deep and fundamental sense of the power and grace of the all-sufficient Saviour, which pervades the whole structure of doctrine adopted by the Dean of Wells.

Of the clear and measured style of these sermons we have already dealt out our humble dole of commendation. But may we here be permitted to suggest, whether, notwithstanding the general correctness of the style, (excepting some few individual slips, through haste or inadvertence), there is not, in their general plan and construction, something which may be considered as faulty, and in that same proportion, as it generally happens, inefficient,

We confess that we have ac

quired such a love of order in the distribution of the subject-matter of a sermon intended for popular instruction, that we can scarcely set our important imprimatur of absolute perfection upon any which we see deficient in this respect. The difference, we own, with us, both in reading, and more especially__in hearing, a well and an indiffer. ently arranged discourse, is no less than that of remembering by far the larger part of it, or of really remembering little or none at all. We are greedy enough to wish to carry much away from the spiritual feast of the Gospel; and that householder who reduces his large and substantial mass into the most easy and portable form not only for present use, but for honest theft, we think most considerate, most hospi table, and on the whole most likely to nourish his hungry and but occasional guests. Not that we should therefore recommend them to be fed upon dry bones;" very far from it. But while we wish the several parts of the sermon to be well filled out, and to abound with the richest as well as the most diversified matter, we still covet " the fair form and just proportion" of each part as making up one regular and consistent whole. We desire to see the several members and sections of the composition to stand out in just relief, and to bear a definite and decent relation to all the rest. An unbroken, though. smooth and rotund, mass does not satisfy us, although we are told of a concealed method within the skin. Neither do we think that any but a lucid, transparent, and visible, arrangement, at least in this species of composition, in general either portends or conveys the "bene provisam rem."

[ocr errors]

Now on this point we do not mean to bring any heavy charge of delinquency against our valuable preacher. Perhaps we use his dise course, somewhat unjustly, as a stalking horse to our observations. At least, to tell the honest truth,

we are somewhat betrayed into them by what can scarcely in fairness fall under our cognizance at the present moment as reviewers, the style adopted by him in those most able and striking exhibitions of eloquence and good sense to which we have before alluded as lately delivered in the metropolis. We confess we were much disappointed in our after endeavours at recollection, for the benefit of friends, to find how much of his valuable matter had fled and left no traces in our brain from the very want of prominent order to which we have just adverted. We cannot help thinking also, there may be some want of artificial, which in the end may prove the most natural, arrangement of his subject in the present discourses. We allude, for example, and shall only just allude, to the doctrinal part of the first of the two. The second, as containing only a series of affecting addresses to several consecutive classes, scarcely becomes in this respect the subject of criticism. If it had become so, by the addition of some little doctrinal discussion, it would certainly have seemed to possess more stamina in its constitution. We have sometimes observed two or three well arranged and striking deductions, at the close of such a sermon, to have been exceedingly well placed, and to have been attended with a good practical effect on the minds of the audience. But we beg pardon for these observations, and fear that in reference to the very reverend and experienced Christian pastor under review, our criticism will be found to have proceeded far "beyond the last." A little more or a little less careful arrangement, or studied elevation of style, are points of minor importance indeed, when compared with the high and eventful duties of the Christian ministry. Critical, doubtless, these must ever be, and more so in proportion to the importance of the CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 151.

sphere in which they are to be exercised. At a time when the agitations of religious opinion seem likely to take the place, and with the same doubtful issue, of the late national conflicts; when too much tendency appears on all sides to vindicate their peculiar notions from neglect by carrying them to excess; and when, amongst a large class many of the most fundamental doctrines of Christianity and Protestantism come, strangely enough, to be considered as errors" earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints;" to rescue it at once from neglect and perversion; to" lift aloft the blazing torch of Revelation, and to convince the world that the same humble lamp which cheers the dwelling of the humble villager, may also gild in majestic brightness the dome of the cathedral and the canopy of the palace; to watch it in its progress, unextinguished, unsullied, over distant seas and mighty continents; and, whilst Jews and Turks, Infidels and Heretics, feel the remote influence of these labours of love, to bless the nearer flock of surrounding Christians with the edifying example of a prudent zeal, an humble life, and godly conversation;-these are the solemn calls with which the high and deseryed elevation of the Dean of Wells seera most peculiarly to mark his lot;-this is the awful, though honourable responsibility, compared with which, we should expect him to " leave all meaner things," all inferior motives and considerations, to their native littleness. Action more than expression, and things rather than words, we should refer to his extended department in the stage of life;-and seeing him encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, ready to profit, we fear, no less by his errors in conduct, if any, than by his adherence to the path of sound wisdom, we should

[blocks in formation]

wards the mark" as to carry multi- the highest prize of his high calling todes in his train along the same of God in Christ Jesus," career, and "to obtain at length

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

'GREAT BRITAIN. PREPARING for publication:-A Philosophical History of the European Languages, by Dr. Alexander Murray, late Professor of Oriental Languages in the University of Edinburgh, accompanied by a Memoir of the Life of the Author;-Illustrations of Ireland, or a Topographical, Antiquarian, and Philosophical Survey of that Island, with Engravings:-a complete edition of the Poetical Works of the late Rev. C. Wesley; -a History of the Town and Port of Dover, and of Dover Castle, with a short Account of the Cinque Ports, by the Rev. John Lyon, one of the Ministers of Dover;—ary Account of the most celebrated Public and Private Libraries, with Bibliographical Notices, Anecdotes, &c.

The Rev. Robert Morrison, Missionary at Canton, has ready to print, a Chinese Grammar, with Chinese and English Dialogues, and is preparing a Dictionary of the Chinese Language, in three parts; in the first, the Chinese and English, arranged according to the Chinese Keys; in the second, the Chinese arranged alphabetically with English; in the third, English and Chinese.

The number of Country Banks in England and Wales, for which Licences were taken out to issue Promissory Notes in

1813, were 689.

The sub-committee, to whom it was referred, by the committee of the intended London Asylum for the Care and Cure of the Insane, to obtain information relative to the state of the insane in the places for their reception within the bills of mortality, have prepared their report, by which a variety of facts relative to the treatment of lunatics have transpired. It appears, that the patients in workhouses, with the exception of a few, who, on being first afflicted by the disease, are sent there for care and custody, and paid for by their friends, are parish paupers; and these are generally kept in gloomy and comfortless confinenient. The sub-committee not being in

vested with authority, their inspection has been in a great measure superficial; but they have been enabled to obtain an inspection of the major part of the houses for the reception of the insane within the bills of mortality. At three houses they were' refused admittance, viz. at Gore House at Kensington; at Miles's Receiving Houses at Hoxton; and at Brook House. The larger private houses for the reception of the insane are, in their construction, essentially bad; generally having several beds in a room, and frequently two patients in one bed. In the women's galleries of Bethlem Hospital, one of the side rooms contained about ten patients, each chained by one arm to the wall; the chain allowing them merely to stand up by the bench or form fixed to the wall, or to sit down on it. The nakedness of each patient was covered by a blan ket-gown only. The blanket-gown is a blanket formed somewhat like a dressinggown, with nothing to fasten it in front. This constitutes the whole covering; the feet even were naked. Que female in this side-room, thus chained, was an object remarkably striking: she mentioned her maiden and married names, and stated that she had been a teacher of languages. She entreated to be allowed pencil and paper, for the purpose of amusing herself with drawing, which were given to her by one of the committee. Many of these unfortu nate women were locked up in their cells, naked and chained, on straw, with only one blanket for a covering. One, who was in that state by way of punishment, the keeper described as the most dissatisfied par tient in the house. In the men's wing, in the side room, six patients were chained close to the wall, five handcuffed, and one locked to the wall by the right arm, as well as by the right leg, who was very noisy. All were naked, except as to the blanketgown, or a small rug on the shoulders, and without shoes; one complained much of the coldness of his feet. Chains are universally substituted for the strait waist

coat.

In the men's wing there were 75 or 76 patients, with two keepers and an assistant; and about the same number of patients on the women's side.-In one of the cells, on the lower gallery, the committee saw William Norris, who stated himself to be fifty-five years of age, and that he had been confined about fourteen years. A stout iron ring was rivetted round his neck, from which a short chain passed to a ring, made to slide upwards and downwards on an upright massive iron bar, more than six feet high, inserted into the wall; round his body, a strong iron bar, about two inches wide, was rivetted; on each side of the bar was a circular projection, which, being fashioned to and enclosing each of his arms, pinioned them close to his sides. This waist-bar was secured by two similar bars, which, passing over his shoulders, were rivetted to the waist-bar, both before and behind: the iron ring round his neck was connected to the bars on his shoulders by a double link; from each of these bars another short chain passed to the ring on the upright iron bar. He was enabled to raise himself, so as to stand against the wall, on the pillow of his bed, in the trough-bed in which he lay; but it was impossible for him to advance from the wall in which the iron bar is soldered, on account of the shortness of his chains, which were only twelve inches long. It is conceived to have been out of his power to repose in any other position than on his back; the projections, which, on each side of the waist-bar, enclosed his arms, rendering it impossible for him to lie on his side, even if the length of the chains from his neck and shoulders would permit it. His right leg was chained to the trough, in which he had remained thus encaged and chained more than twelve years. He informed the committee, that he had for some years been able to withdraw his arms from the manacles which encompassed them. He then with drew one of them: and observing an expression of surprise, he said, that when his arms were withdrawn he was compelled to rest them on the edges of the circular projections, which was more painful than keep ing them within. His position, we were in

formed, was mostly lying down, and that, as it was inconvenient to raise himself and stand upright, he very seldom did so; that he read a great deal books of all kinds-history, lives, or any thing that the keepers could get him; the newspaper every day; and conversed perfectly coherent on the passing topics and the events of the war, in which he felt particular interest. On each day that the committee saw him, he discoursed coolly, and gave rational and deliberate answers to the different questions put to him— In consequence of the discovery made by this committee of the situation of William Norris, and of a drawing which they pro cured to be made of him in his irons, he was visited by Messrs. Home Sumner, Lord Robert Seymour, William Smith, Hon. G. Bennett, R. J. Lambton, Thos. Thompson, and other Members of the House of Com mons; but the committee have now to state, that at their last visit they observed that the whole of the irons had been removed from Norris's body, and that the length of chain from his neck, which was only twelve inches, had been doubled. In the public hospitals it is customary to lock up the patients in their cells at dusk; this, in winter, is soon after four o'clock; and the cells are opened at seven o'clock the next morning.The committee conclude this document by stating, that, if they have been pained by the remarkable contrast in management between one of our great public hospitals for the insane and the larger private houses generally, they have have been as forcibly impressed by contrasting the practice, of even such houses, with the general economy of the "Friends' Retreat," near York; where neither chains nor corporal punishment are tolerated on any pretext; where the conveniences provided, within doors and without, are suitable to patients in any station. of life; where every appearance is avoided that can afflict the mind by painful recollections; and where regulation and controul are governed by the experienced efficacy of the important principle, that whatever tends to promote the happiness of the patient increases his desire to restrain himself.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THEOLOGY.

The Substance of a Discourse delivered at the Abbey Church, in Bath; by the Rev. Charles Daubeny, Archdeacon of Sarum. 1s. 6d.

The Christian Minister's Address to Pere

sons bringing a Child to be baptized; by the Rev. J. Scott, of Hull. Price 14d.

A Sermon addressed to the British Prisoners of War lately returned from France; by the Rev. J. Scott, M. A., of Hull. 1s. fine; 6d. common.

« PreviousContinue »