Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

We have here the trial of the Rev. EDWARD IRVING in the High Court of Common Sense, in which the king at the instance of Jacob Oldstyle, clerk, prosecutes, and the Caledonian divine is the defendant. A splendid crowd of nobility, &c. are seated on the bench, ladies fill the galleries, and the editors of the periodical publications, of whom a large list is named, are called as witnesses. The list of special jurors having been called over, the case for the prosecution is duly opened, and the indictment laid on seven different counts, on the last of which Mr. I. is found guilty, namely, 'For following divisive courses, subversive of the discipline of the order to which he belongs, and contrary to the principles of Christian fellowship and charity.' Mr. I., it is said, intends to move for a new trial, by which we suppose that we are to learn, that the writer is moving a new publication.

In the one before us, we have the avowed opinions of the different editors collected, and there is some humour and skill discovered in their examinations, while the writer has the advantage of using their own precise words in their evidence. Some of the witnesses are contradictory; for instance, the editor of the Pulpit, whose testimony is taken at some length, says, that 'Mr. Irving is a man of more than ordinary talents;' and, yet, he says, 'he has a mind not wonderfully elevated above the common level. We must leave him to reconcile these difficulties. If he gave a good opinion of Mr. I. in the first case, and reversed that opinion afterwards, who can place any reliance upon a critic who decides in such haste. We hear that the editor of the Pulpit is also a Scotch clergyman-it is curious enough that his own countrymen should be the most severe on the defendant. The defence is chiefly gathered from Mr. Irving's volume, and is cleverly managed, only some parts are much too serious o be so ludicrously introduced. Mr. I. is throughout not fairly tried. The editor of the work is clearly biassed against him. It is true, he is sometimes made to look ridiculous enough, his singular phraseology,

and his incautious rhetoric, expose him to the laughter of the witling; but he is often unjustly held up to caricature; for there are Cruikshanks of the pen, as well as of the pencil; and there is scarcely any writer, detached parts of whose works may not be taken and exhibited in the most ludicrous manner; for if nothing else will effect it, it can be completely done by cross readings. A caricature, representing Mr. Irving__in five preaching attitudes, forms a frontispiece. We suspect that we shall, ere long, have the New Trial; and the editors have, in the past month's publications, furnished abundance of matter for the occasion. As long as the public will read, they will not want squibs and crackers on this popular preacher.

THE BIBLE CLASS BOOK: being a Selection of the most important Parts of the Sacred Scriptures, in the Words of the authorized Text. Forming a continuous and systematic View of revealed Religion. Designed for the Use of Schools and Families. By the Rev. A. E. FARRAR. 12mo.

WE are pleased at seeing the various plans recently adopted to render the Scriptures interesting to young people, and to bring them into more general use in elementary education: The method of classing together those passages which bear on certain topics of divinity, and arranging these in theological order, is also very excellent, and is calculated to furnish the memory with an abundance of the best treasure, to prevent the entrance of fallible systems into the mind, and to fortify it against the inroads of error. The work before us is divided into four parts: Part I. Of the Being and Perfections of God. Part II, Of Mankind. Part III. Of Redemption by Christ Jesus-and Part IV. Of Duty. The Scriptures appear to be well arranged, and the whole is worthy the attention of religious preceptors, and especially of teachers of sunday schools.

OBSERVATIONS ON PROVIDENCE, chiefly in Relation to the Affairs of the Church. By JOHN LEIFCHILD. Foolscap 8vo. pp. 133.

THIS subject is not new; but it has often been treated in so tedious a manner, that both its length and method of discussion have tended to prevent many from giving it that serious attention which it demands. Mr. L. has embraced it in a very comprehensive way, so that while he has furnished the contemplative reader with topics for enlarged meditation, he has put it into the power of all who are limited in time to give some profitable moments to regard the works of that God Who'overrules all mortal things, And manages our mean affairs.'

We have read the volume with pleasure, and cheerfully give it our warmest commendation.

THE EARLY SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL an Evidence of its Truth, and an Encouragement to Zeal for its Universal Diffusion; a Sermon, preached at Craven Chapel, London, on Tuesday, May 20th, 1823, before the Home Missionary Society; and published at the Request of its Directors. By Rev. RAlph WARDLAW, D. D. 8vo. pp. 43.

THE text is I. Cor. 1. 26-29, from which the preacher considers the facts stated-the design of God in them -and the argument arising from them for the truth of the Gospel. We could willingly make extracts, but must content ourselves with recommending this very superior discourse to the notice of our readers.

The arguments opposing the learning of the Apostles, we leave to those who have more leisure to dispute; and the society for which the discourse was preached must stand upon its own merits.

PORTRAIT of the REV. EDWARD IRVING, Drawn and Engraved by WOODMAN. 58.

We do not usually notice productions of this class; but the popularity of the preacher, and the peculiarity

No

of this publication demand of us a few lines. portrait, for which Mr. Irving has sat, has been published, at the time of writing this; but several wretched caricatures have appeared, done in lithography, of which it is difficult to say whether the drawing or the likeness is the worst performance. Mr. Woodman's is, therefore, a stolen likeness; but, we are well assured that the whole is the work of memoru, executed on five successive Mondays, after hearing the preacher on the Sabbath-day, a circumstance which greatly adds to its merit. The portrait is a very strong resemblance of Mr. I., drawn with a degree of spirit and grace, which, while it gives a faithful delineation; of his features, and marks the prominent defects, describes a very fine and interesting countenance, and one of the preacher's best attitudes. The drawing and execution are highly creditable to the rapidly-rising artist; and much skill is shewn in the exhibition of light and shade thrown into the drapery.

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

JOY IN HEAVEN.

What tongue can tell, what heart conceive
The bliss that reigns above,

When first the sinner feels his need
Of sanctifying love!

The angels clap their wings for joy,
Each host of God is glad;

Ten thousand hover round the throne,

In richest garments clad.

They shout the praises of the Lord,
Heaven rings with melody;

They cast their crowns from off their brows,
In deep humility.

The gates wide open to receive

The new-born child of heaven;

While darkness, sin, and doubt, recede,

And full admission's given.

Then once again all strike their lyres,
Till heaven's high arches ring;
With praises, tunes, and noblest songs,
To their Almighty King.

« PoprzedniaDalej »