of this description shall have become obsolete; when ignorance shall be
entirely dissipated, and the "true light" universally shine: for the
knowledge of the Lord shall have covered the earth, as the waters cover
the sea; and man shall no longer say to his neighbour, Know ye the Lord:
for then, all shall know him, from the least to the greatest.
_The Great Case of Tithes truly stated, clearly opened, and fully
resolved. By Anthony Pearson, a Justice of Peace in Westmoreland, in the
time of the Commonwealth. Harvey and Darton._--This very cheap and
seasonable tract is No. 63, and is printed for the Tract Association of
the Society of Friends. It cannot fail to excite attention.
_Suggestions on National Education, with a View to the Advantage, not
only of the Poor, but of all Classes of Society. By John Smith, Lecturer
on Education, Liverpool. Simpkin and Marshall._--This very sensible
writer maintains that Government ought to do that which no individual
has power to do, namely, to show the public what education really is,
and the best modes of carrying it forward--that the teachers of the
millions have yet to be created. He urges the necessity, the
practicability, and the benefit of his plan. We hope ere long this great
subject will have a free, full, and fair discussion in the House of
Commons.
_Reasons for Dissenting from the Church of England; showing that the
Ancient Jewish Theocracy is no Authority for an Ecclesiastical
Establishment, &c. &c. By a Country Farmer and Minister of God's Word
and Ordinances. Simpkin and Marshall_--Though we dissent from this
Dissenter in various particulars, we think every reader will see that
the "Country Farmer" is quite an overmatch for the clergyman who paid
him a visit.
_The Life of the Rev. Jean Frederic Nardin, Pastor of the Church at
Blamont: Translated from the French. By the Rev. Robert Blessley. Ward
and Co._--We have perused this little tract with the liveliest interest;
and cordially thank Mr. Blessley for translating, and Mr. T. Lewis for
recommending it. It contains an excellent example for pious young men;
and especially for those of them who are students in divinity, pastors,
itinerant preachers, and missionaries.
_The Spirit of Holiness: Four Sermons. By James Harrington Evans,
Minister of John Street Chapel. pp. 168. Griffiths._--These plain,
evangelical sermons are entitled to serious perusal. We think them well
calculated to instruct, to reprove, and to console.
_Memoir of the Rev. Basil Woodd, M.A. By the Rev. S. C. Wilks, M.A._--An
excellent Memoir, published by the Religious Tract Society.
_Puritan Farm; or Old Ways kept up in New Times. By a Puritan Family.
Ward and Co._--A very entertaining little work. We hope it will be
continued. The "spoundings" of the female labourer on the burial of
Christ are charming, and the character of the great Dr. Owen is
developed with much judgment and taste.
_A Manual of English Grammar, Philosophical and Practical, &c. &c. By
the Rev. J. M. McCullock, A.M., Minister of Kelsoe. Second Edition,
revised. Simpkin and Marshall._--We are glad to see a reprint of this
excellent "Manual," the first edition of which we recommended to the
public not many months since.
_Memoirs of a Sergeant, late in the Forty-third Light Infantry Regiment,
previously to and during the Peninsular War; including an Account of his
Conversion from Popery to the Protestant Religion. pp. 278._ Mason.--Of
its kind, this is certainly a very respectable work; but the sieges, and
battles, and wounded, and slain, are so many, that it was quite a relief
to arrive at the end of the terrible detail. Perhaps some would choose
to call it interesting; and we do not mean to say that there are not
connexions in which it may be properly so contemplated. The pious
reader, however, cannot fail to have his mind so deeply affected, as his
eye glances over these pages, by the consideration of that which is the
cause of war, and of every other calamity which has desolated the earth,
as greatly to qualify his gratification arising from martial sounds,
glittering arms, or military evolutions.
Towards the close of the volume there are some observations which
deserve attention from the members of the Peace Society; and all serious
persons will read with pleasure the author's account of his conversion.
We hope he may live long to fight the good fight of faith, and finally
die more than a conqueror.
_Essay on the Habitual Exercise of Love to God, considered as a
Preparation for Heaven. By Joseph John Gurney. pp. 165. Seeley & Co._ No
one whose mind is under a sacred influence, can rise from the perusal of
these pages without a consciousness of having been admitted into
privileged society. The principles, spirit, and tendency of this work,
are eminently important. Were they but permitted to exercise that
practical dominion over the judgment and conduct of men generally, to
which they are fully entitled, a change as marvellous as beneficial
would be the result; in the evidence of which its divine nature and
origin would be abundantly manifested. The work is divided into the
following sections:--"General Remarks on Meetness for the Heavenly
State--On the Contemplation of God in Nature and Providence--On the
Contemplation of God in Redemption; the Father, the Son, the Spirit--On
Communion with God--On Submission to the Will of God, and Conformity to
his Attributes--On Love towards Man--Conclusion." Our sincere wish is
that this work may obtain a very extensive circulation.
_Helen of Coquetdale, or the Fair Bondager; a Tale, in two Cantos: with
a few other Fragments, in Verse. By a late Fellow of Oriel College,
Oxford. pp. 140. Oliphant._--The principal article in this small volume
contains many pious and some excellent passages; yet, as a whole, we
fear it is not destined to be a favourite. We scarcely know what to say
as to public taste, in relation to poetry, in the present day, except
that we are apprehensive it is too refined to be attracted with the
versification, &c. of "Helen of Coquetdale." We were ourselves much more
favourably impressed with two or three of the minor pieces.
_Illustrations of the Bible, &c. Part 12. Churton._--The continuation of
these admirable engravings is entitled to, and we hope is receiving,
enlarged public attention and support. The following are the
illustrations contained in the twelfth part: "Belshazzar's Feast--The
peaceable Kingdom--Esther kissing the Sceptre--Death of
Absalom--Solomon's Charge--The Death of Sampson--Jonah cast into the
Sea--Hezekiah beholding the Sun-dial."
_1. Fruits and Flowers. By the Author of the "Wheatsheaf." pp. 212.
Darton._
_2. The Garden. By the Compiler of "Fruits and Flowers," and the
"Wheatsheaf." pp. 263. Darton._--These elegant little volumes cannot but
be highly acceptable, especially to our pious young readers; they
contain such a selection of prose and verse, presented in a form so
attractive, that we may fairly presume upon their becoming favourites to
a very great extent.
_Sober Views of the Millennium. By the Rev. Thomas Jones, of Creaton,
Northamptonshire. Seeley and Burnside._--This little work answers to its
title in a very great degree. Let the Millennarians be induced soberly
to read and consider its contents.
_The Christian Journal. Conducted by Members of the Relief Church._--No.
27, for March last, contains a Review of Mr. Anderson's Funeral Sermon
for Dr. Carey, and several other highly interesting articles.
OBITUARY.
MR. H. H. FREEMAN
Henry Hawkins Freeman was born at South Sydenham, in Devonshire, in the
year 1767, where he resided under the parental roof until he attained
the age of sixteen, when he was placed as an apprentice to a
ship-builder at Plymouth, whom he faithfully served; during which time
he occasionally, with worldly companions, sought pleasure on the
Lord's-day; but has declared he found no gratification therein: but on
the contrary, his conscience witnessed against him when so engaged, and
left him miserable. His cousin, Mr. Henry Hawkins, Baptist minister of
Stroud, Gloucestershire, then residing at Plymouth, exhorted him to
attend the means of grace, and seek the salvation of his soul. While
attending the Baptist chapel, How's Lane, under the pastoral care of the
late Philip Gibbs (for whom he cherished a strong affection), the Lord
was pleased to meet with him. The sermon blessed to his conversion was
from Numb. xxiii. part of the 10th verse: "Let me die the death of the
righteous," &c. The observation of the preacher, that unless he lived
the life, he could not die the death, of the righteous, fastened upon
his mind. He felt he was a sinner before God, and was led to cry for
mercy, which he obtained through Christ. He united himself to the people
of God, and, through divine grace, was enabled to walk consistently, so
that the enemies of religion have acknowledged him to be a good man. He
was a friend to peace, and possessed a meek and quiet spirit. For many
years he filled the office of a deacon. In 1820, he was removed by
Providence to Honduras; and during his stay there, it may be said of
him, "He was a light in a dark place." He felt much pleasure in
directing the negroes to the Lamb of God; and, although for four months
at a time, in the interior of the country, and with no companions but
the sons of Africa and his Bible, he was quite happy, and declared that
"the word of the Lord was precious to him in those days."
Towards the end of 1822 he returned to England, and united himself with
the Baptist church in Little Prescot Street, London. In the kind
affections of many of its members he still lives. He often rejoiced in
spirit that God had called nearly all his children, and made them
partakers with himself of like precious faith.
The Lord was pleased to remove by death, July 16, 1833, the partner of
his life, after a union of thirty-seven years, which he severely felt;
from which period he rapidly declined. He was not fond of speaking of
himself; but feeling a lively sense of love to his Redeemer, he was
constrained to speak of it, and would often say he could appeal to his
Saviour as Peter did, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that
I love thee." About a month before his decease, he observed to a
minister, "Though the earthly house of this my tabernacle be dissolved,
I have a building of God," &c.
He was seized with epileptic fits on Tuesday, August 26, 1834, while on
a visit to his daughter at Aylesbury. After the first fit, he became
sensible for a few minutes, when a pious friend, sitting at his
bed-side, asked him if he was happy. To which he replied, "Yes." The
friend expressed a hope that the gospel, which had been his support
through life, would be his comfort in his extremity. To which he
emphatically returned the same answer. On being asked if he would give
up his hope for ten thousand worlds, he replied, "No, Sir." On referring
to a sermon he had heard on the Sabbath previous, the good man said,
"You know Christ is an ever-present Friend. He will not leave you now. I
hope you will still look to him." He said, "There is no other refuge."
These were his last words. A return of the fits came on; and, after
lying until Thursday morning, the 28th, at 5 o'clock he fell asleep in
Jesus, to wake no more until the morning of the resurrection.
He was removed to London, and interred in a vault under Wycliffe Chapel,
September 2nd, and his funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Stovel the
following Sabbath, from the portion of sacred writ blessed to his
conversion.
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.
* * * * *
FOREIGN.
CANADA.
_Extract of a Letter from Mr. John Edwards.
Clarence, Jan. 5, 1835._
In alluding to the work of grace in Breadalbane referred to in Mr.
Fraser's letter, inserted in April number, he says: "Since (it began)
the work has been progressing in a manner quite unprecedented in these
parts. From August to November nine persons who had been in a
backsliding state were restored, and eight new converts were baptized
and added to the church. During last month (December) forty-one have
also been baptized, making a total of fifty-eight, added since August. I
left the settlement last Friday, when Mr. Fraser assured me there were
twenty-two, in addition to the above number, whom he had good reason to
believe were converted characters; besides a number under convictions.
Among the subjects of this work is the man of grey hairs nearly eighty
years of age, and the child of thirteen, and many younger, under deep
convictions. The most astonishing feature in this work of grace appears
amongst the youth at school. There are more than forty children
attending it, and instead of vanity and trifling, sedateness and
seriousness now mark their behaviour. When spoken to of divine things,
they are all attention, and so eager to be instructed, that it is with
difficulty they can be prevailed on to leave school. Mr. F. told me,
that when passing the school one evening at ten o'clock, he found a
number of the boys holding a religious meeting; it was the second time
they had met for this purpose, unknown to any body. He now devotes one
evening of the week to their peculiar benefit. He farther assured me,
that he was satisfied six of these dear youths had experienced a change
of mind, and nearly all the scholars seem deeply concerned for the
salvation of their souls. So general has been the awakening, that very
few of the hearers remain unconcerned about their souls.
Referring to the means of this awakening, he says,--"They set apart a
day for fasting and prayer: they humbled themselves before God, and he
was entreated of them. In the month of November one of their number went
to Montreal, and told our brother the state of things. He immediately
wrote to a devoted and worthy brother, who is pastor of the Baptist
church at Fort Covington, New York (near the boundary line). They met,
the following week, at Breadalbane, and spent four days faithfully and
affectionately stating the truth. All secular affairs were laid aside,
and one concern occupied the attention of old and young, which was the
"one thing needful."
Of several interesting incidents connected with this work, I will
mention one. Mr. Gilmore, on his way to the settlement, called on a
pious lady, who lives fourteen miles from it, and told her of the
intended meeting. Her servant is the daughter of an Irish Catholic, who
lives at Breadalbane. The lady told her she must go to the meeting; and
directed her to ask permission for her sister, who lives in a place of
service adjoining, to accompany her. Leave being granted, the lady took
the girls into her room, and prayed for them most earnestly, that the
means of grace they were about to enjoy might be blessed to their
conversion. They attended during the meeting, and on going home from one
of the services they were accompanied by one of their former associates,
who had been lately converted; on their way she pressed on their minds,
with much earnestness, the truths they had been hearing; and before
parting with them, took them a little off the road, kneeled down on the
snow, and prayed fervently for their conversion. This, to them, was an
additional proof of the reality of the solemn truths they had just
heard. Before leaving the settlement, they called on Mr. F., and told
him the state of their minds, and he believes they returned to their
places converted characters.
* * * * *
+DOMESTIC.+
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
WESLEYAN METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The annual meeting of this Society was held on Monday, May 4th, in
Exeter Hall. John Hardy, Esq., M.P., in the Chair.
The business of the day was opened, with singing and prayer, by the Rev.
J. Taylor, Chairman of the Conference.
The hall was crowded to excess, and hundreds sought admission in vain.
The Rev. Dr. Bunting read the Report, which, though described as an
abstract, was of very great length. It commenced by stating that the
society had twenty-four missionaries and six scripture-readers in
Ireland. They had established schools, at which 7,000 children were
receiving daily instruction, many Roman Catholic families preferring to
send their children there rather than to schools of their own
persuasion. In Sweden, much good has been achieved, and much more might
reasonably be expected, as schools had been established. A society had
also been founded for the purpose of opposing the doctrine of the
heathen; this society had received the Royal sanction, as well as the
support of the principal Bishops, who employed a Wesleyan Missionary as
their Secretary. In Germany also much progress had been made. There was
one society, consisting of 395 persons, and many others were in a state
of probation. In France also the cause of true Christianity was rapidly
advancing. Last year there was in one district a Wesleyan Society
consisting of 268 members, but this year it had increased to 464
persons, of whom only 70 were English. In Paris seven schools had been
established, and there was an ample opening for five more. There was
also in Paris an Auxiliary Society, by whom 25,000 French tracts have
been circulated, in addition to which 400_l._ had been collected there.
In Spain also the circulation of the Scriptures was making considerable
progress. At Gibraltar a chapel has been built on ground furnished by
Government, and was fully attended by the military. A school was
likewise established, at which 30 children attended daily. The
missionary in Spain wrote 35 letters to the booksellers and others of
the principal towns, calling upon them to become venders of the Holy
Scriptures on commission. One bookseller replied that he should feel
honoured by executing such a commission, not only in his own town, but
on any part of the Peninsula. The missionary having travelled into
Spain, described the moral condition of the great mass of the people as
most deplorable, the light of the Scriptures being altogether hid from
them. In Seville there were 90,000 Roman Catholics, 70,000 of whom
attended neither mass nor confession. Many of these had fallen back upon
infidelity and free-thinking as a refuge from the mummeries of popery.
One Spanish prelate had distributed 3,000 Spanish Bibles in his
district, observing that the battle was not now against Luther or
Calvin, but against Antichrist. Protestants and Catholics, he said, had
an equal hope of salvation, as they both professed the essential
doctrines of Christianity. At Malta, the society was progressing, but at
Alexandria the missionary was withdrawn for the present, it being quite
hopeless for one person to make any progress, particularly when the
ravages making by the plague were taken into consideration. In the South
Seas, particularly in New Zealand and the Friendly Islands, the
missionaries had made the most astonishing approaches to the general
establishment of Christianity. Much good had also been effected both in
Southern and Western Africa, and the West Indies; in the island of
Ceylon they had 10 missionaries, and the Scriptures were translated and
circulated, and schools were established at which 4,000 children were
receiving daily instruction. The prejudices of the people had been
boldly met, and idolatry had been shaken to its foundation. In the West
Indies they had 76 missionaries, but it was hoped they would be
increased to 100, for whose labours there was an ample field. They were
preaching God's holy word to 800,000 of their fellow-creatures just
emancipated from that sin and shame and curse of the country--slavery.
After some details, the Report went on to say, there were 260
missionaries divided between 170 missionary stations. There were 48,304
members, and 37,965 children were educated by the body. The amount of
the year's revenue was 53,437_l._ 15_s._ 2_d._, being an increase on the
former year to the amount of 1,204_l._ 8_s._ 2_d._ This did not include
the splendid legacy of Horatio Cock, of Colchester, which was one-eighth
of his whole fortune, amounting to 5,274_l._; this, with special
contributions, raised the year's revenue to 60,865_l._ 15_s._ but the
average would be about 54,000_l._
Lord Mountsandford, Sir Andrew Agnew, Bart., the Rev. J. Clayton, the
Rev. Theodore Drury (Vicar of Keighley), the Rev. J. Dixon (of
Liverpool), the Rev. Dr. Codman, (one of the Deputation from America),
the Rev. Professor Tolock (of Berlin), the Rev. Mr. Williams (a
missionary from the South Seas), the Rev. Dr. Humphry (President of
Amherst College, in the United States), the Rev. W. Reilly (of Dublin),
the Rev. R. Newton (who was loudly applauded), Henry Pownall, Esq., W.
G. Scarth (of Leeds), Thomas Palmer, Esq., the Rev. John McLean, the
Rev. R. Alder, and the Rev. M. Wilson, addressed the meeting, which
lasted from 11 until a quarter past 5 o'clock: after which thanks were
voted to the Chairman.
* * * * *
CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.
The subscribers and friends to this Institution held their tenth
anniversary at Finsbury chapel, on Tuesday, the 5th of May. Long before
the time appointed for taking the chair, this spacious building was
crowded by a most respectable audience.
At six o'clock the Earl of Chichester took the chair, and the services
were commenced by praise and prayer.
The Secretary read the Report, from which it appeared that, during the
past year, 566 copies of the Holy Scriptures had been circulated, 1662
cases of distress had been relieved, and 2976 children had been induced
to attend various schools. At the present time there were 75
Associations, having 1630 visitors, attending 40,666 families, and
holding 91 prayer-meetings. To supply the increasing appetite for
religious and moral books apparent in the lower classes, the Committee
had provided a series of Loan Libraries. There were now fifty such
libraries, each containing fifty volumes. Several interesting facts,
showing the benefit which had resulted from local prayer-meetings, the
loan of tracts, and open-air preaching, were adduced. The mission to
resident foreigners, announced at the last meeting, and conducted by Dr.
Giustiniani, had been attended with the most salutary benefit. Repeated
attempts had recently been made, with considerable encouragement, to
visit the jails and poor-houses. Supplies of tracts and other
publications had been granted to several country Associations.
Thomas Challis, Esq., then stood forward and presented his accounts as
Treasurer, from which it appeared, that the balance due to the Treasurer
at the last Anniversary was £126 2s. 9d.; the total receipts during the
past year amounted to £1,041 19s. 4d.; the expenditure to £1,024 0s.
1d.; leaving the balance now due to the Treasurer £108 3s. 6d.
The Rev. J. Leifchild, T. Binney, J. Burnet, C. Stovel, J. Williams, T.
Morell, J. Blackburn; also C. Lushington, Esq., M.P., and H. Dunn, Esq.,
in animating and appropriate speeches urged the claims of this Society
on the attention of the Meeting.
* * * * *
ECCLESIASTICAL KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY.
The sixth anniversary of the Society for promoting Ecclesiastical
Knowledge was held in Finsbury chapel, Moorfields, on Wednesday evening,
the 6th of May. Dr. Brown was in the chair.
After prayer by the Rev. A. Fletcher, and some introductory remarks by
the Chairman, the Rev. Dr. Bennett read a report, which consisted
chiefly of an exposition and defence of the principles and operations of
the Society. It excited deep interest, and drew forth repeated
expressions of applause.
The receipts by subscriptions, donations, and collections, amounted to
£180 4s. 6d.; and the sale of books, to Dec. 31, 1834, amounted to £128
11s. 8d. The disbursements were, printing, publication, paper, and
copy-rights, £254 2s. 7d.; postages, advertisements, books for review,
&c., £26 4s. 5d.; commission and advertisements for publications, £28
8s. 8d.; balance in hand, £3 8s. 10d. Their new monthly publication, =The
Ecclesiastical Journal=, had more than paid its expenses, and the Society
was not in arrears, either to printers, or to other tradesmen. The only
arrear was the remuneration which, in honour, was due to those who had
furnished important communications.