On a subsequent occasion her mother, referring to some conversation with her on religious subjects, says, "She expressed her firm belief in the divinity of Christ. The perfections of his character, its beauty and holiness, excited her admiration; while the benevolence which prompted the sacrifice of himself to save a lost world filled her with the most enthusiastic gratitude. It was a source of regret that so much of her time had been spent in light reading, and that her writings had not been of a more decidedly religious character. She lamented that she had not chosen scriptural subjects for the exercise of her poetical talent, and said, 'Mamma, should God spare my life, my time and talents shall for the future be devoted to a higher and holier end.' She felt that she had trifled with the gifts of providence, and her self-condemnation and grief were truly affecting. And must I die so young; my career of usefulness hardly commenced? Oh, mother, how sadly have I trifled with the gifts of heaven! What have I done which can benefit one human being?' I folded her to my heart, and endeavoured to soothe the tumult of her feelings, bade her remember her dutiful conduct as a daughter, her affectionate bearing as a sister and a friend, and the consolation she had afforded me through years of suffering. Oh, my mother!' said she; I have been reflecting much of late upon this sad waste of intellect, and had marked out for myself a course of usefulness which, should God spare my life"-Here her emotions became too powerful to proceed. At times she suffered much anxiety with regard to her eternal welfare, and deeply lamented her want of faithfulness in the performance of her religious duties; complained of coldness and formality in her devotional exercises; and entreated me to pray with and for her. At other times her hope of heaven would be bright, her faith unwavering, and her devotion fervent. Yet it was evident to me that she still cherished the hope that her life might be prolonged. Her mother had lingered for years in a state equally hopeless, and during that period had been enabled to attend to the moral and religious culture of her little family. Might not the same kind providence prolong her life? It would be vain to attempt a description of those seasons of deep and thrilling interest. God alone knows in what way my own weak frame was sustained. I felt that she had been renovated and purified by divine grace, and to see her thus distressed when I thought that all the consolations of the gospel ought to be hers, gave my heart a severe pang. Many of our friends now were of opinion that a change of climate might benefit, perhaps restore her. Heretofore when the suggestion had been made she shrunk from the idea of leaving her home for a distant clime. Now her anxiety to try the effect of a change was great. I felt that it would be vain, although I was desirous that nothing should be left untried. Feeble as she now was, the idea of her resigning the comforts of home, and being subject to the fatigues of travelling in public conveyances, was a dreadful one, yet if there was a rational prospect of prolonging her life by these means, I was anxious to give them a trial. Dr. Davidson, after much deliberation on the subject, called counsel. Dr. came, and when, after half an hour's pleasant and playful conversation with Margaret, he joined us in the parlour, oh! how my poor heart trembled. I hung upon the motions of his lips as if my own life depended on what they might utter. At length he spoke, and I felt as if an icebolt had passed through my heart. He had never thought, though he had known her many years, that a change of climate would benefit her. She had lived beyond his expectations many months, even years; and now he was convinced, were we to attempt to take her to a southern climate, that she would die on the passage. Make it as pleasant as possible for her at home, was his advice. He thought that a few months must terminate her life. She knew that we had confidence in the opinion of this, her favourite physician. When I had gained firmness enough to answer her questions, I again entered the room, and found her composed, though she had evidently been strongly agitated, and had not brought her mind to hear her doom. Never,.oh! never to the latest hour of my life, shall I forget the look she gave me when I met her. What a heartrending task was mine! I performed it as gently as possible. I said the doctor thought her strength unequal to the fatigue of the jour ney; that he was not so great an advocate for change of climate as many persons; that he had known many cases in which he thought it injurious; and his best advice was, that we should again ward off the severity of the winter by creating an atmosphere within our house. She mildly acquiesced, and the subject was dropped altogether."-Pp. 148-151. About three weeks before her death she placed in the hands of her mother a folded paper containing the following lines: As when in days of health and glee The torch of earthly hope burns dim, And fancy spreads her wings no more; And, oh! how vain and trivial seem The pleasures that I prized before. The pathway to eternal life! I said that hope had passed from earth : Of sinners saved and sins forgiven. When mine are washed in tears away, Then shall my spirit swell my lay. When God shall guide my soul above, By the soft cords of heavenly love, When the vain cares of earth depart, And tuneful voices swell my heart, Then shall each word, each note I raise, "It was long," her mother writes, "before I could gain sufficient composure to return to her. When I did so I found her sweetly calm, and she greeted me with a smile so full of affection that I shall cherish the recollection of its brightness until my latest breath. It was the last piece she ever wrote, except a paraphrase of four lines of the hymn, I would not live always,' which was written within the last week of her life: I would not live always, thus fettered by sin, Temptation without and corruption within, With the soul ever dimmed by its hopes and its fears, And the heart's holy flame ever struggling through tears.'" Pp. 158-160. She departed this life on the 25th of November, 1838, aged fifteen years and eight months; a victim of that insidious malady which she apostrophized justly when she wrote "Consumption! child of woe, thy blighting breath BRIEF NOTICES. Books of the Old Testament (or Covenant), Translated from the Hebrew and Chaldee: being the Authorised Version revised, and compared with other Translations, ancient and modern. By the Rev. ALFRED JENOUR, Rector of Pilton. Vol. II. Part I. London: 8vo. pp. 61. Price 3s. 6d. This portion of Mr. Jenour's work contains the book of Job, and is apparently published in a separate form as a specimen of the whole. The plan which he has adopted is to place an amended version in the upper part of the page, divided into verses, as in our common English bibles, and subjoin at the foot of the page, in a smaller type, as notes, the words or phrases of the common English translation that have been superseded. The reader is thus enabled at a single glance to see the passage as it was, while he has the advantage of reading it as Mr. Jenour thinks it ought to be. We do not profess to have examined his performance critically, but a cursory perusal of it has afforded us great pleasure: he has evidently given it much attention; and the train of thought is rendered clear in many passages in which in the common version scarcely any meaning is discernible. Moral Agency; and Man as a Moral Agent. By WILLIAM M'COMBIE, Author of “Hours of Thought." London: 18mo. pp. 230. "There are two great inquiries," Mr. M'Combie states, "embraced in the following treatise, viz., 1st. What is moral agency, considered in itself? and, 2ndly. What are the powers and condition of man in relation to it? Under the first, the author has endeavoured to ascertain what the nature of moral agency is, and what are the indispensable conditions of its being exercised; in doing so, he has been led to inquire what the kind of knowledge is which forms properly the basis of moral agency, and how it is obtained; and has endeavoured to meet the difficulties which arise from the divine foreknowledge, and to subvert the position that mind in its actings is subject to the law of causation, or that in choosing and willing it is not free. In the second part of the treatise, the writer has entered on the inquiry, what the powers, and capabilities, and resources of man are, considered as a moral agent: in what respects, and to what extent he has, considered in this light, been affected by the sin of Adam or the fall, and in what respects and to what extent by the work of Christ." These important subjects are discussed with great ability. The powerful mind of the author of the "Hours of Thought" is here employed in correcting prevalent misconceptions, and vindicating the ways of God to man. Without pledging ourselves to all his statements and conclusions, we can assure our readers that they will find in this volume abundant excitement to mental exercise, and matter for grave and prayerful consideration. To the young men of our congregations, especially, we recommend its careful perusal. An Essay on the Supremacy and Glory of Messiah. By J. J. POULTER. London: 12mo. pp. 320. Price 4s. Three reasons are assigned for the publication of this work, viz., 1. The infinite importance of the theme. 2. The prevalence of error, meaning thereby, Puseyism, Mormonism, Irvingism, and semi-Arianism. 3. The scarcity of works written expressly on the subject. We admit the force of the first reason; we doubt the applicableness of the second; and with regard to the third, we are compelled to say, that if before Mr. Poulter wrote there was a scarcity of works "so written" as "to comprehend a connected analysis of the holy scriptures relative to the person, character, and work of Messiah," and "to grapple with the hydra-headed antichrist of the nineteenth century," that scarcity still exists. The volume before us has by no means supplied the deficiency. It is not denied that it contains some good passages: but clearness of conception is not always apparent; lucid arrangement is wanting; incongruous thoughts are often jumbled together; and the style needs a thorough revision and correction. Mr. Poulter is a sensible man; he will doubtless receive these hints in a friendly spirit, and take care that his next production shall be free from the defects we have pointed out. Dora Melder: a Tale of Alsace. By META SANDER, A Translation. Edited by the Rev. CHARLES B. TAYLER, M.A., Author of "May you like it," "Records of a Good Man's Life," &c. London: Foolscap 8vo. pp. 278. Price 7s. The preface informs us, that though Meta Sander is an assumed name, assurances have been received from Leipsic, where inquiry has been made by some German friends of the translator, that Dora Melder and her family are not fictitious personages. The tale is exciting, but the moral is good. It is the autobiography of one whose outward walk was almost blameless, and in many respects amiable; but whose heart was under the influence of pride, vanity, and envy, till afflictive dispensations of providence and evangelical instruction were sanctified to its renewal. Fisher's Historic Illustrations of the Bible. Divisions V., VI., VII. London: Fisher, Son, and Co. 4to. Cloth. diminished splendour. The class to which it This work proceeds with regularity and unwhich we do not profess to belong, the admirers will afford the greatest gratification is one to of the scripture pieces of the great continental masters who flourished in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. We are not insensible to the liveliness of imagination possessed by those eminent artists, to their skill in depicting emotions, or to their power of giving the aspect of reality to the creations of their fancy; but the incompleteness of their scriptural knowledge, and their deference to Romish traditions, have imparted mislead rather than instruct. to many of their performances a tendency to Some designs from modern painters are interspersed ; but some of these also are, in our judgment, open truth. Our quarrel however is solely with the to the objection, that they deviate from historic designers; the engravers are deserving of the highest commendation. To those who can relish the originals, nothing can be more acceptable than these beautifully executed plates, of which there are twelve in each division. Chronological Pictures of English History, from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria. By JOHN GILBERT. London: Imperial folio. Part III. Price 7s. 6d. tinted; 15s. coloured. The nature of this publication was explained lustrated in this part are those of Edward III, in our number for October. The five reigns ilRichard II, Henry IV., Henry V., and Henry VI. In the later plates we observe the appropriate addition of the monarch's autograph. As an auxiliary to the study of English history, this work will be invaluable. The Family Choir; or Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs for Social Worship. The Music selected from Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Righini, Romberg, Croft, Webbe, Burney, Mehul, Hiller, Arnold, Ritter, Rink, Abbe Stadler, Latrobe, Nageli, L. Mason, Hastings, Silcher, &c., &c. Arranged for Four Voices and the Pianoforte or Organ. The Poetry from Watts, Wesley, Newton, Doddridge, Steele, Toplady, Logan, Heber, Montgomery, Sigourney, Hastings, S. F Smith, &c. Part I. London: 12mo. pp. 36. Price 1s. Here are fifty-six hymns, many of them very suitable for family and social use, with eighteen appropriate tunes. Neither the words nor the music can be found in the books most commonly used in congregational worship. To musical families the work will be a great acquisition. If they will so far defer to our opinion as to purchase Part I., we are greatly mistaken if they do not afterwards determine to procure the five other parts, by which it is to be followed Christian Happiness Considered in its Relation to Man, Families, and Churches. By E. MANNERING, Holywell Mount Chapel. London 18mo. pp. 169. Price 2s. In the preface we are told that "the author's aim-his only purpose-is usefulness; and though, should he have erred, this will be neither an excuse nor a shield, he ventures to request that it may be borne in mind by the critical reader." Upright critics need not hesitate to certify that he has adhered to his purpose very steadily, and that his work is adapted to promote both individual and social happiness. Hereditary Claims to the Covenant of Grace, considered and rejected. A Tract addressed to the Pædobaptist Churches. By C. STOVEL. London: 24mo. pp. 48. Price In this tract, Mr. Stovel adduces language of respectable ministers among our independent brethren, in which they have taught that the children of believers were born members of the church, and "were baptized because they were members;" that "they receive the seal of the covenant because they were already in covenant by virtue of their birth;" and that "infants are to be baptized solely on the ground of connexion with their parents." By preferring this hereditary claim to the covenant of mercy, he argues that they interfere with the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, placing a vital and physical birth where God requires personal faith and a spiritual change of heart. That this is not their design, he fully allows; but he shows that it is the tendency of their doctrine. Respecting the unconverted he them only have this shadow of an hereditary claim to the covenant of grace on which to lean, and they will find in the holy writings no intimation of danger to any whom that covenant includes. Instead of that, they will be exhorted to confidence, and peace, and joy unspeakable, as children of God and heirs of eternal glory. By this fatal step, the supposition of a physical and vicarious piety is united with the distinctive inheritance of this age." There is much in this tract which it would be well if our evangelical brethren of other denominations would seriously ponder. says, "Let The Glorified Body. A Sermon preached in the South Parade Chapel, Halifax, on Sunday, October 16, 1842. To which are added Memorials of the Rev. Richard Treffry. By SAMUEL DUNN. London: pp. 24. Price 6d. Mr. Treffry, who was known for some years as the Rev. Richard Treffry, sen., till death removed his talented son and fellow-labourer, was an intelligent and useful minister in the Wesleyan connexion. He was the author of several volumes; and in 1838 was appointed governor of the Wesleyan Theological Institution. He died Sept. 19, 1842, aged seventyone. His life and character are described in these pages. The Missionary of Australasia and Polynesia: or the importance of entire Devotedness to God, illustrated from the Character and Labours of the late Rev. John Waterhouse. A Sermon preached and published at the request of the Wesleyan Stewards, Leaders, and Trustees in Halifax. By SAMUEL DUNN. London 12mo. pp. 16. Price 6d. Mr. Waterhouse, the General Superintendent of the Wesleyan South Sea Missions, died at Hobart Town on the 30th of March, 1842. A delineation of his character and brief Sketch of his life will be found in this discourse. The sermon itself contains some details respecting the future world which surprise us. The preacher says, "All the saints will not have bodies of equal brightness, souls of equal capacity, enjoyments of equal richness and depth. They will not have crowns of equal splendour, mansions of equal magnificence, seats of equal elevation, nor be sent on errands of equally distinguished honour. But the brightness of their bodies, the capacity of their souls, the depth of their enjoyments, the splendour of their crowns, the magnificence of their mansions, the elevation of their seats, and the distinguished honour of their employments, will be in proportion to their devotedness to God while on earth." In all this the author appears to wish to be understood literally. He adds, "Should you behold a brother with a brighter crown than your own, no improper feeling will be awakened, for you will be fully convinced that he wears it in consequence of his having been more devoted to God on earth than you were. If you see a sister in a mansion more magnificent than the one you occupy, you will not attribute it to any partiality, but to her having secured, while here, a larger measure of holiness than you obtained." 4 Book about Pictures. Intended for the Young. London: (Religious Tract Society) 24mo. pp. 192. A book containing pictures, as well as about them, which will be acceptable to juvenile students. It explains North American picturewriting and Egyptian hieroglyphics, pictures on seals, coins, monuments, and ancient manuscripts, and dilates on kindred topics, blending amusement with instruction. Wealth not Happiness; or, vain Expectations destructive to Peace. By Miss MARY ANN EVERRITT. London: 12mo. pp. 233. We are quite sure that wealth will not confer happiness. We are not quite sure that Miss Mary Ann Everritt acted wisely in writing a book to prove it. The substance of the volume might have been comprised in a four-page tract; but that would make sad havoc with love-scenes, sentimental descriptions, and long speeches that were never spoken,-all which are essential to a modern tale. London: Letters to Various Friends, by the late Mrs. Stevens. Edited by her Sister. Seeley and Burnside. Royal 12mo. pp. 687. Letters from a person of whom nothing is told but the name, to persons of whom nothing is told but their initials, must possess greater intrinsic excellence than these to be interesting to the public. Sabbath Studies, upon Life, Death, Incorporeal Existence, the Resurrection, Providence, and Prayer. By the Author of a "Synopsis of the Evidences of Christianity." London: Macardy and Co. 24mo. pp. 91. Results, we presume, of the author's meditations on sabbath days;-suitable enough to be minuted for his own use, but not such as we should have advised him to publish. Poetry of the Seasons, and of the Kingdoms of Nature. Edinburgh: Oliphant. 32mo. pp. 384. Above three hundred extracts from the works of our most popular religious poets are brought together in this neat volume, and arranged under different heads. Something is to be found on almost every topic connected with the works of creation, providence, the heavenly bodies, the seasons of the year, land, sea, air, vegetation, animals, and local scenery. RECENT PUBLICATIONS Approved.* Lecture delivered at the London Tavern, on Tuesday, 11th October, 1842, before the Baptist Missionary Society, on the Completion of its Fiftieth Year, by the Rev. J. PYE SMITH, D.D., F.R.S., &c., &c. London: 8vo. pp. 36. Price 18. Two Sermons preached in London, October 11th and 12th, 1842, before the Baptist Missionary Society, at a Special General Meeting, held to celebrate the Completion of the Fiftieth Year. London. 8vo. pp. 83. Price 28. 1. Consecration to the Lord. A Sermon preached in Finsbury Chapel, London, October 11, 1842. By the Rev. JAMES ACWORTH, M.A. 2. The Propagation of the Gospel, with Encouragements to the Vigorous Prosecution of the Work. A Sermon preached in Surrey Chapel, London, October 12, 1842. By the Rev. ALEXANDER CARSON, LL.D. Memoirs of Miss GRANE, late of Heathcote Street, Mecklenburgh Square; illustrative of the Nature and Effects of Christian Principles. Compiled principally from her own papers. Second Edition. London: Nisbet. 12mo. pp. 146. Price 3s. 6d. The Dew of Hermon or the True Source of Christian Unity. By the Rev. JAMES HAMILTON, Minister of the National Scotch Church, Regent Square. Tenth Thousand. London: 12mo. pp. 35. Price 2d. The Sunday School Teachers' Class Register and Diary for 1843. London: (Sunday School Union) 12mo. Cloth, gilt. A Pattern for Sunday School Teachers and Tract Distributors, and a Word for All; in a brief Memoir of Elizabeth Bales. By J. A. JAMES. London: 32mo. pp. 88. Price 6d. The Path to the Bush, an African Missionary Fact; illustrating the Duty of Reciprocal Christian Watchfulness and Reproof. Addressed to Professors of Religion, by J. A. JAMES. London: 32mo. pp. 48. Price 3d. *It should be distinctly understood that insertion in this List is not a mere announcement: it expresses general approbation of the works enumerated. |