scription. If the author is a minister, why need he shun to acknowledge what we presume he hath preached. If he is a layman, we should, had we been at his elbow, have suggested his presenting his cogitations in some other shape. The discourse possesses no peculiar merit either in language or in elucidation, and though not contrary to sound doctrine, contains nothing worthy of particular com mendation. Seven Sermovs, Founded on the Messages to the Apocalyptic Churches. By Edward Andrews, L L: D. Sermon II. From the Epistle to the Church of Smyrna. 12mo. pp. 24. London: Palmer and Son. TIMIDITY in reference to temporal troubles, is the particular sin which is pointed at in the present discourse. The author treats first of our exposure to trouble; secondly of our disposition to exaggerate, to rebel, to recollect in contrast former joys, to contrive schemes to avert trouble, and to forget in our trouble a God who alone can deliver us out of them; thirdly, he shews the various sources of encouragement to God's people, which should lead them to fear none of those things which they should suffer." 66 perhaps of children; the shutting of doors softly; the significant silence of medical science: the hopeless alacrity of affectionate domestics; and the mind wrought up to take, if not the last farewell, at least to enter on a conversation which admits it to be approaching. And then the pallid look, the rolling eye, and the outstretched hand; and perhaps the sobbings sobbings of conscious departure, intermixed with domestic appeals, and holy texts: and so in the death of children, the recent toy fouud in the garden carelessly left by little hands that will grasp it no more: and the imagined tomb, in the midnight hour, when the mother thinks of the pitiless rain upon the decent entablature; when she can no longer carry refreshment to the child whom she once cherished so carefully. This is one of those stings and pangs which no fortitude can evade and we unjustly declare every one to be without feeling who feels less. "Alas! but clay sinks under such difficulties. The immortal spark of piety is sometimes almost quenched by this shower . . . . this soul rain. Ah, bitter are the tears that man's aching eye sheds in the torturing hour. It is hard to tread over the wreck of twenty years, or months, or days; . . . . to invoke the departed and therefore the answering; to bend over the autumnal ruin of yellow leaves; to people vacancy with recollections as strong as life; and to find my whole day's walk only over the earthquaked spoil of all I knew to be dear and lovely, and thought likely to endure." sensible to the insulted Author of our benefits if every path were strewed with rose-buds of delight, and every whispering wind told only of prosperity!" My First Sermon. Preached, August 21. 1823, at Waterloo Road Chapel London. By Charles Drawbridge. 12mo. pp. 12. Lodnon: Higham. THERE seems something rather curious in an author raking up, after so long a repose, a sermon preached seventeen years ago, for he does not tell us it was published previously; it must therefore be the effort of a most retentive memory, or did the author preach a written discourse? These thoughts arose in our minds when reading the title, but when reading the Sermon, we forgot all about its history in its merits. It is a most excellent discourse, and the paragraph which we shall gratify our readers by extracting, reminds us of some of the energetic, soul-warming oratory of the celebrated Welsh preacher Christmas Evans. We are called with a personal call. Blessed be God there is no mistake or blunder in heaven's proceedings, God hath time and room enough to call his sons out one by one, insomuch that it never occurred in his divine manifestations, that he hath personally called those whom he hath not eternally loved, or personally loved those whom he hath not personally called; all his perfectly, wisely, and permanently done in this precious acknowledgment of saints. On Calvary Mercy called the roll, every sheep of Christ was clearly and distinctly mentioned by name, the Lamb's book of life shone with refulgent characters of grace and glory, as Mercy held it up, and read aloud to the joy of Christ, the glory of the Father and the Holy Spirit, the wonder of angels, the triumph of saints, and the confusion of devils. Justice enumerated their individval sins upon tha head of Christ, love laid them upon the heart of Christ, and name and sin met together there, there they were identified and incorporated, there they were visited and atoned for. Wisdom claimed justification for her children-Power upheld the mighty load-Faithfulness produced the bond of the covenant, seconded by Love Justice took it and steeped it in the Almighty Saviour's blood, then handed it, reeking with purity such as Jewish victim never could boast, to Mercy, who laid it upon the Lamb's book of life, even upon the names of all the election of Grace, then she shut the book in triumph, and the purple streams of blood flowed richly over the characters of Love in which the names of all the elect were then enrolled. She stretched her snowy wings and soared aloft, keeping the hallowed treasure until the King of Glory rose, then in heaven's high glory mid the smiles of our Father and the praises of our brethren, she delivered the book sealed as it was with perfection in the blood of the Lamb, unto him that sat upon the throne: from his right hand then shall Judah's Lion and Heaven's Lamb, shortly take that book, while all heaven shall join the chorus of praise, but only bloodwashed, blood-registered sons shall sing, thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God, kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” The Sunday Scholar's Book. 12mo. pp. 38. London: Hamilton and Co. THIS little work supplies the proper pronunciation of the names of persons and places mentioned in scripture, with the meanings in English, besides various useful tables. For all those who have not access to larger publications it will be found very serviceable. POETRY. THE WISH OF THE LAWGIVER. He stands on the commanding height, With glance prophetic he surveys, And from the scroll of future days, His breast some faint regrets may feel, But this wakes not the earnest prayer, No! when he urged the fervent word, Fain would he in the garden rove, The Tabor where with one bright beam, For surely when he read the scroll, This seemed the substance of the whole, In all the gorgeous pomp which filled, This gave to Canaan's land a glow, And to the Hebrew race; Which other nations never know, And gilds no other place. Saviour, like Moses I would pray, Bestow the eye of faith; Let me thy suffering scenes survey, REZENEB THE SAINT SUPPORTED IN THE HOUR OF DISSOLUTION. Oh what heights of bliss amazing, I shall spend eternity. Like a caged bird then my spirit, All impatient to inherit, And to tread the streets of gold: In the pastures of the fold. Though the passage seems so gloomy, Knowing he can all things do. Blissful truth, what more reviving, Farewell world, we part for ever Now I feel the damps of death; Though my mortal frame may quiver, Peaceful I resign my breath; In Christ was, long ere sunk in sin; In Christ when in the darksome tomb, In Christ the Lamb for sinners slain, In Christ new covenant blessings have. In Christ shall dwell with him in peace. In Christ a victory we shall shout. W. C*****LL. LEBANON LEAVES. "And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah. for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord, and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet,"-Exod. xv. 23-25. Lord, wheu at Marah and at Rephidim, Thy thirsting Israel sought a cheering draught And found the stream was bitter; when their hope, Bent 'neath the crush of an unlooked for weight Of grievous disappointment, gracious still, And who like trees beheld his fellow men- THE SPIRITUAL MAGAZINE, AND ZION'S CASKET. "For there are Three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST: and these Three are One."-1 John v. 7. "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."-Jude 3. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."1 Tim. iii. 6. 66 MARCH, 1840. LETTER TO A FRIEND ON THE CONSE- BY THE LATE SAMUEL EYLES PIERCE. concluded I could not address myself respecting the subject better than by making choice of these words, "With thy blessing let the house of thy ser"With thy blessing let the house of thy vant be blessed for ever," 2 Sam. vii. servant be blessed for ever,' 2 Sam. vii. 29. Very Dear Sir, As you spoke to me concerning the consecration of your house, and I consider you as the Lord's, and that Christ the fountain of life-the light of everlasting life the spring of everlasting consolation, is your joy and the very rejoicing of your heart, I considered what scripture might be suitable for such an occasion. A title of one of the Psalms reads thus:-A Psalm and Song, at the dedication of the house of David: which some commentators conceive was penned on the Psalmist entering on a new habitation. But as I conceive it more immediately belongs to Christ, and points at the dedication of his body, or whole person as God-man Mediator, to the performance of the work of salvation for his church and people, it did not so immediately under these views of it suit my design. I knew I had many a time requested the Lord that his blessing might be upon us, I therefore March, 1840.] 29., as they contain my whole heart for you, your spouse, your child and children as many as the Lord shall be pleased to give you, your servants, your business, your connections, your time and talents, your person-body and soul, your life, your death, and your enjoyments in an eternal state. With thy blessing, O Jehovah,-Father, Word, and Holy Ghost,-thou incomprehensible, essential, undivided, and co-equal and co-eternal Three, let the house of thy servant, Mr. F. S., at present at Ely Place, be blessed for ever. Amen, and Amen, and Amen. So be it, O Lord. In the chapter from which I have selected the words, we have an account of David being, in the enjoyment of profound peace, resolved to build an house for the ark of God; as he thought it improper that it should be lodged worse than himself. He makes known his mind to Nathan the prophet, who encourages him in this design. But the same night the Lord informed him, that though he approved his good design, yet he had H |