pression in Job xv. 28. might be illustrated by many of these deserted hovels -He dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.”—p. 132.

"Further in the recesses of the mountains, are the more magnificent tombs of the kings, each consisting of many chambers, adorned with hieroglyphics. The scene brings many allusions of Scripture to the mind, such as Mark v. 2, 3, 5; but particularly Isaiah xxii. 16. Thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth a habitation for himself in a rock: for many of the smaller sepulchres are excavated nearly half way up the mountain, which is very high. The kings have their magnificent abodes

nearer the foot of the mountain; and

The

seem, according to Isaiah xiv. 18, to have taken a pride in resting as magnificently in death as they had done in life—All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. stuccoed walls within are covered with hieroglyphics. They cannot be better described than in the words of Ezekiel, viii. 8—10. Then said he unto me, Son of Man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. So I went in, and saw; and behold every form of creeping things and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pour.rayed upon the wall round about. The Israelites were

but copyists: the master-sketches are to be seen in all the ancient temples and tombs of Egypt.”—p. 133, 134.

"The earth brought forth by handfuls: Gen. xli. 47. This I witnessed. I plucked up, at random, a few stalks out of the

thick corn-fields. We counted the num

ber of stalks, which sprouted from single grains of seed, carefully pulling to pieces each root, in order to see that it was but one plant. The first had seven stalks;

the next three; the next, nine; then eighteen; then fourteen. Each stalk

I would bear an ear.

"At one place, the people were making bricks, with straw cut into small pieces, and mingled with the clay to bind it. Hence it is, that, when villages built of these bricks fall into rubbish, which is often the case, the roads are full of small particles of straws, extremely offensive to the eyes in a high wind. They were, in short, engaged exactly as the Iraelites used to be, making bricks with straw; and for a similar purpose-to build extensive granaries for the Bashaw: treasure-cities for Pharaoh Exod. i. 11.

"Our boat was ballasted with earth taken from the river-banks-very stiff

and rich soil, without stones. With this same mud the sides of the boat were plastered, at those parts in the fore-half of the vessel where moveable planks were placed, in order to raise the gunnel higher: the mud filled up the crevices, and prevented the water from gushing in, as would otherwise be the case. This mud was so rich and slimy, and when dry so firm and impervious, that, together with the strong reed that grows on the banks, it is easy to conceive how the mother of Moses constructed a little ark, which would float: she then placed it among the flags, in order that the stream might not carry it down: Exod. iii, 3.— pp. 166-168.

Abyssinia has possessed the Gospel since the year 330; but with many abstractions from its purity and simplicity, arising from the ambition and turbulence of the hierarchy. Rent by intestine divisions, and pressed by the invasions of the heathen Gallas, the situation of this interesting realm is exceedingly critical; and, unless some bold and politic chief arise to repress the violence of the priesthood, and to give energy and union to the people, it is not impossible but that ere long the very name of Christianity may be blotted out from this portion of Africa. A deep guilt lies "at the door of the Romish church," as Mr. Jowett well observes, for what its Missionaries "did in Abyssinia, and for what they neglected to do.” Had they, instead of seeking to add one more province to the extensive empire of Popery, distributed the Scriptures, and diffused the knowledge of divine truth among the people, Christianity would have flourished, and from this advantageous position, knowledge and civilization might have spread far and wide through central Africa.

Some brief notices of the Jews and Mahomedans occur, and, in particular, the details of an interview between the writer and an Englishman who had consented to become a renegade. He seemed somewhat agitated by Mr. Jowett's

appeal, but sullenly persisted in his determination. The concluding observations contain much that is valuable and suggest important measures for the counteraction of error, and the dissemination of evangelical truth; but as they embrace a wide field, and as they may be readily inferred from the previous statements, we shall close here, expressing our admiration of Mr. J.'s exemplary labours, and our gratification in the perusal of his very interesting volume.

་་་་་

Memoirs and Remains of the Rev. John Griffin, jun. late Minister of Castle-street Chapel, Exeter. By John Griffin, Minister of King-street Chapel, Portsea. 8vo. 8s. London: Hamilton, 1822. THIS is in all respects a valuable Memoir, not merely from the exhibition which it affords of the bright though brief career of talent and piety, but from the very peculiarly interesting character of the individual whose virtues it durably records. It has often been our pleasant occupation to dwell on the memorials of departed worth, and to yield a willing admiration to the evidences of knowledge and godliness furnished by the recollection of friends, or by the less partial testimony of facts and documents, but there is, in the present case, what strikes us as a singular and most attractive feature in the moral and intellectual portraiture of the deceased, arising from the noble and unsuspecting simplicity of mind and feeling by which he was remarkably distinguished. There was nothing of imbecility in this, for he was clearly a quick and shrewd observer; it seems to have originated in the purity of his motives, and in the single-heartedness with which he sought and followed the leadings of principle, and the calls of duty. Mr. John Griffin was a young man of education and literary attainCONG. MAG. 1823.

ment; and was thus enabled not only himself to occupy an elevated position, but to detect the unfounded claims of shallow pretenders; yet we find, throughout his remains, notwithstanding the entire frankness with which he speaks of himself, an uncommon absence of self-complacency; nor is there a trace of that sarcastic spirit, which delights in the detection of foibles and the exposure of presuming ignorance. He had received a legal education under a highly respectable solicitor, and of course must have had many opportunities of seeing the violent and the malignant feelings, the selfish and dishonest tendencies, of human nature, yet we find nothing of a misanthropic or suspicious cast in his letters or his diary; nothing of this seems to have impaired the frankness, or contaminated the simplicity of his character. Neither does he seem to have been elevated by his success in the ministerial profession; he never betrays a cavilling and depreciating spirit in his remarks on others; his criticisms are in a manly and liberal style, and his leaning is rather to praise than blame. He seems to have been a delightful hearer; his occasional comments on sermons which he had heard, show with what emotion and sincerity he listened to the word of life: instead of noting little peculiarities of manner or expression; instead of watching for minor flaws in arrangement or exposition, he marked the substantial excellencies of the preacher, and his observations of this kind have much weight and discrimination. It is impossible to read the memoirs of a man like this, without affectionate admiration, without deeply regretting the loss which the religious world has sustained, and without holding up his example to general regard and imitation.

The Rev. John Griffin, Jun. was born at Portsea, on the 19th of AuF

came new." His conversation, correspondence, and writings, partook of quite a new and decidedly spiritual character. His diary, before this time, was principally of a literary and scientific nature, but now it was solely a delineation of his christian experience, and such were most of his letters."-pp. 67, 68.

In his diary, under the date of Sept. 1814; when he was about 18, he writes as follows.

Oh, this is the most earnest and abiding

gust, 1796. His infancy was feeble, and sickly, and he appears never to have been of a vigorous frame. As might have been expected from the conscientious affection of his excellent parents, every effort was made by them to impress on his mind the lessons of eternity, and “it was their unspeakable mercy to see the buds and blossoms of early piety which, in time, grew and ripened into fruits of righteousness; proving, that their planting and watering had been attended with a divine increase." His education was carefully conducted, and the methods used to call out the exercise of his faculties, seem to have been judiciously devised. He began to compose very early, and there is in existence a folio MS. of some extent, containing both prose and verse on various subjects, written when he was "between seven and nine years of age." At the proper season, after much anxious deliberation, his parents determined, on grounds which fully justified their resolution, to avail themselves of a favourable opportunity which then offered for placing him, as an articled clerk, in the office of a legal practitioner. While in this situation, his diligence was exemplary, his reading on an extensive and well-arranged plan, and his conduct without reproach. But, long before the expiration of his clerkship, events had taken place, and a mighty work had been wrought, which effected an entire change in his dispositions and prospects.

"Under the first sermon his father

preached in the chapel he now occupies, which he delivered on the morning of the second Sabbath, in Oct. 1813, from Isa. lxiv. 1, 2. "O, that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,' ," he felt, as be frequently after expressed it, as “he never felt before." His heart was now fully engaged with divine subjects. Religion was "all in all:" he entered into it with all the powers of his soul. "Old things passed away, and all things be

“I have been reading the Epistles to Timothy, relative to my views and desires as to my entering into the ministry. desire of my soul, next to its own salvation, and that of my dear relatives. I have weighed many of its difficulties, temptations, and trials, yet I have not pared with what I may know—(for I even taken a glance of them, when comcannot help having something like a persuasion I shall be in it); and they appear innumerable, mighty, and at times wish I could forego the thought, but I seem so overwhelming, that I almost cannot. I do long, most earnestly long, to preach Christ crucified, to give up myself to my Lord, as his active, willing servant: I would be a faithful labourer solved to make every Tuesday a day of in word, doctrine, and life. I have reparticular prayer, meditation, and reading upon this subject, and, if possible, to set apart the evening after the busipurpose. I have done this the two past ness of the day, more especially for this weeks, and have reason to hope it will prove useful, by leading me, at these stated seasons, with peculiar earnestness, to the throne of grace.”—pp. 98, 99.

On January 29, 1815, he became a member of his father's church. The questions proposed, (in writing) were answered in a most interesting and satisfactory manner, and his father's heart must have been filled with unspeakable joy and gratitude, as he listened to the affectionate testimony rendered by the son to the sanctified instructions and preaching of the parent. Much benefit from Buck's Young Christian's was stated to have been derived Guide, Bogatzky's Golden Treasury, and from Thornton on Repentance and on the Christian's consolation.

At the expiration of Mr. John Griffin's legal engagement, a pro

posal was made by his master to take him into partnership on the most liberal and advantageous terms, but his desires had taken a different direction, and his anxious wish was that he might be engaged in the work of the ministry. The conduct of Mr. G. senior, was just what might have been expected from his well known character. He took no hasty steps, but availing himself of every opportunity of obtaining direction, and receiving from his son the most satisfactory answers to a series of searching questions relating to the ministerial character and work, "could no longer withhold his unreserved concurrence."

"The whole subject was laid before his sincere and disinterested friend, the Rev. Dr. Bogue, whose opinion fully coincided with his own, and who kindly

offered to receive John into his Academy, and afford him gratuitous instruction, till an opening should occur for his entering into an academy more distant from the scene of his nativity. The father was particularly desirous that his son should avail himself of this kind offer, especially of the great advantages to be derived from the Doctor's divinity and other lectures. Having had an opportunity, for five and twenty years, of observing the very great benefits which the Doctor's students enjoyed from his extensive range of subjects-his judicious disquisitions on the whole circle of theological truths--his deep acquaintance with the ancient and modern history of the churches of the controversies abroad and at home-and all parts and subjects of polemical divinity he felt very grateful and highly indebted to his friend, for affording to his son the advantage of hearing some, and of copying all his lectures.”—pp. 192—

193.

Of these advantages he was deeply sensible, and after leaving the academy at Gosport, we find him describing the possession of these lectures as an enviable privilege. In 1817, he entered Hoxton Academy; here, after a little temporary embarrassment and unpleasant feeling, he soon felt himself quite happy and at home; the houses of many friends in and near London were open to him, in the

first instance on his father's account, but afterwards from respect for his own excellent qualities of head and heart. We much regret that we are under the necessity of passing by all the interesting details of his academic course, but they are, of course, somewhat desultory, and were our limits more extensive, it would still be but imperfect fragments that we could afford to cite.

In October, 1819, he was sent to supply the pulpit of Castle Street Meeting, Exeter. His preaching here was so acceptable, that it excited a strong desire, confirmed by his amiable and consistent deportment, to secure his permanent services. The whole proceedings were highly creditable to the prudence and right feeling of both parties. After having, in July, 1820, delivered as one of the three anniversary sermons, a well compacted and strongly argued discourse on the personality of the Holy Spirit, which is printed in the memoir, Mr. G. entered on his charge. His ordination took place on the 14th September, when his father gave the charge, and Dr. Bogue addressed the people. But the labours of this interesting young minister were soon to close. He had undertaken to preach three times on the Sabbath-day, an exertion, we admit, on the grounds so forcibly stated by the elder Mr. Griffin, in many cases highly important, but, we are persuaded, extremely injurious to men of feeble constitutions, and not always safe to stronger frames. He failed under his task, struggling, to the last, to maintain his post. He died, in' his father's house, on the 19th of January, 1822, aged twenty-five years and five months.

"About a fortnight before he died, he was so much affected by palpitations of the heart, and difficulty of breathing, that he thought himself to be dying. He said, "Father, do you think I am going? If you do, pray tell me, for I should like to know it would not shock

me." He afterwards revived, and then said, "I really thought I was going. I have now, blessed be God! passed a point in my experience I had never attained before. I often felt pleasure in the anticipation of heaven, but have frequently feared, that when I should arrive to such a state of body, as to think myself to be really dying, that my confidence and comfort would decline; but now, I have been, in my own view and feelings, within a few moments of eternity; and 1 feel truly happy. It was very solemn indeed-indeed, my dear father, it was very solemn, but I was very happy. I bless God for this; I take it as a pledge of what his grace can do, and of what it will do when the last hour comes."

"His heavenly Father was faithful to the pledge which he had thus given him. On Saturday, the 19th of January, 1822, about three in the afternoon, as he was sitting by the fire-side, he was taken worse than before, in consequence of a rupture of some blood vessel of the lungs, which, though the discharge was not profuse, taught him that his end was approaching. He said, "Now, father, I shall go.--God bless you-and bless you all!" He offered some lively short addresses to his heavenly Father, and said to those about him, "Pray that I may have a speedy release." The difficulty of breathing became very great, and consequently, the difficulty of speaking was so; but perceiving his end very fast approaching, his father said, " My dear son, I hope you are able to trust in your heavenly Father." He said, "I am-He has been my trust from my youth. Through grace, I have a good hope-a full assurance." His father immediately said, "I trust the Lord Jesus will be with your spirit." He replied, with increased energy of expression, "He is! he is!" These were the last words, or syllables, he uttered, or attempted to utter; and in a few minutes afterwards, his redeemed spirit left the suffering body for the realms of eternal light and glory, at about half-past eight on the Saturday evening."-pp. 487

488.

If we were to insert all that we feel inclined to say of this exemplary minister of Christ Jesus, we should considerably lengthen this article, but we are compelled to brevity; and we must refer to the volume itself for much valuable and deeply interesting illustration of the Christian character. His tutors held him in the highest admiration; the following extract from the funeral sermon preached at Hoxton by Dr. Harris, contains

an honourable testimony to his worth.

"He was particularly distinguished by the vivacity and ardour of his social affections, and for a quality for which a name is yet wanting in our languagea child-like simplicity and ingenuousness that irresistibly entwines itself round the heart, combined with a manly intelligence and firmness that commands respect and admiration. While his intellectual energy was, in general, apparent, the most prominent features of his mind were, a power of firmly seizing the strong points of such subjects as came under his consideration, and a facility of decorating them with the ever ready creations of an active and vigorous imagination. Such a disposition, combined with such endowments of mind, especially sanctified as they were in him by the influence of divine grace, might be fairly considered a prognostic of much usefulness and esteem. This presumption is justified by fact. By those who knew him intimately he was generally admired, but still more entirely beloved."

-p. 497.

Beside the large excerpts from Mr. John Griffin's diary, many interesting papers, written by him on general subjects, will be found in this volume; there is a happy jeu d'esprit on a gold ring, which, if the words were dressed up in the antique garb of spelling, would give a lively representation of the rich and imaginative composition of our old writers. There occurs, at page 312, a good description of an antiquarian visit; it is but a sketch, only an admirable one, and might be hung up with the vivid pictures of Washington Irving. The three papers on Domestic Conversation, which were inserted in former numbers of this Magazine, are creditable alike to the taste and feelings of the writer. Of the poetry, we feel much inclined to extract the pleasant and con amore painting of "The Fireside," but we must desist.

We cannot, however, close without expressing our entire satisfaction with the manner in which this publication is got up. It will, assuredly, be extensively read; and more than this, it will, we doubt not, be abundantly useful,