suitable present; and may warn them against those hasty and intemperate charges which lay the foundation for so much future misery; while to those who may be suffering from the obloquy of others, it presents some useful cautions and salutary comforts.

We hope the author will receive that encouragement which the importance of the subject, and the truly Christian Spirit which pervades his book, well deserve; and that, in some future edition, he will be enabled to correct the verbal inaccuracies which we have noticed in his Essay. His work merits, and will, we hope, receive a careful revision, which will doubtless extend its usefulness. We would also recommend the entire omission of the scraps of Latin, which are rather blemishes than ornaments.

Juvenile Friendship, the Guide to Virtue and Happiness; in Dialogues between two Student Friends. London: Holdsworth. 12mo.

1819. 3s.

THERE is a very important question that requires investigation, before the merits of this work, and abundance of others, of nearly the same character, can be adjusted: viz. how far the excellence of an author's in

tention may be allowed to operate against defects in literary composition; and where the balance may be supposed to rest in equipoise between the praise that an attempt to enforce the claims of religion, however weak and jejune may be supposed to deserve, and the reprehension, which a book, displaying an entire failure in the necessary qualifications for public approval, requires, in this age, when nothing but superiority of talent, or originality of thought can be allowed to add to the number of our already multiplied publications. In the present instance, we are unwilling to apply this severe standard; nor, indeed, would we intimate that the volume is altogether destitute of a merit, independent of its moral and religious character. There are some excellencies in it, and on the whole, perhaps, it rises above mediocrity. On one point, we can award it our entire approval; it manifests a de

cided friendliness towards the great duties of religion and piety, and if there is not much interest excited by its dialogues, nor much instruction to be gained in its perusal, there is no danger of an insidious attack on the principles and virtue of those who read it. We feel, however, that something more is requisite, in a work intended for popular usefulness, and consequently, that our praises must be wholly negative; and though we most cheerfully do justice to the design, our regard to truth will not allow us to command the execution,

The Nature, Manifestation, and Cultivation of Brotherly Love, a Sermon, by Thomas Pinchbach, of Holdesdon. Staughton. 8vo.

THIS sermon, which is founded upon 1 John, iv. 7, was preached before the ministers and churches of the Middlesex and Herts Union, in April last. In elucidating the subject of discourse, the preacher has, FIRST, Defined the principle of brotherly love; as distinguished from pity to the destitute, and other feelings with which it is often confounded; as a divine principle, and one that has its seat in the heart, and influences the conduct. SEeffects is considered; under which CONDLY, the manifestation of it in its head are ranked the prayers of Christians for each other; their bearing one another's burdens; sympathy in trials; mutual forbearance with each other's faults; checking improper curiosity. THIRDLY, the preacher obligations to cultivate brotherly love; proves that Christians are under great by the command of Jesus Christ; by Christ's example; by the near relation in which they stand to each other; it is the badge of discipleship; affords the shows its vast importance. most refined satisfaction; its utility

The sermon is concluded with. whole, we consider this discourse some judicious reflections. On the to be highly creditable to the author's talents and character; It is a neat and usefu! summary of the lead to a practical approval of arguments and motives that should this great Christian duty; we heartily give it our recommendation.

The Lisbon Inquisition.-Lisbon, Oct. 24, 1821.-On the eighth of October, the palace of the Holy Office was opened to the people. The number which crowded to see it, during the four first days, rendered it extremely difficult, and even dangerous, to attempt an entrance. The edifice is extensive, and bas the form of an oblong square, with a garden in the centre. It is three stories high, and has several vaulted galleries, along which are situated a number of dungeons, of six, seven, eight, and nine feet square. Those in the ground floor, and in the first story, having no windows, are deprived of both air and light, when the door is shut. The dungeons of the next story, have a kind of breathing hole in the form of a chimney, through which the sky may be seen. These apartments were allotted to prisoners who, it was supposed, might be set at liberty. In the vaulted wall of each dungeon, there is a hole of about an inch in diameter, which communicates with a secret corridor, running along by each tier of dungeons. By this means, the agents of the Inquisition could, at any moment, observe the conduct of the prisoners, without being seen by them; and when two persons were confined in the same dungeon, could hear their conversation. In these corridors were seats so placed, that a spy could observe what was passing in two dungeons, by merely turning his eyes from right to left, in order to look into either of the holes between which he might be stationed. The spies wore list shoes, that they might make no noise in walking over the vaults of the dungeons. A familiar of the Inquisition was often shut up in the same dungeon, with a prisoner from whom it was wished to draw confessions, to be afterwards used against him. Human skulls and other bones have been found in several of the dungeons. On the walls of these frightful holes, are carved the names of some of the unfortunate victims buried in them, accompanied with lines or notches, indicating the number of days of their captivity. One name had beside it the date of 1809, and 500 lines; which marks a confinement of more than sixteen months, terminated probably by the execution of the prisoner. The doors of certain dungeons, which had not been used for some years, still remained shut; but the people soon forced them open. In nearly all of them human bones were found; and among these melancholy remains were, in one dungeon, frag

ments of the garments of a monk, and his girdle. In some of these dungeons the chimney-shaped air-hole was walled up, which is a certain sign of the murder of the prisoner. In such cases, the unfortunate victim was compelled to go into the air-hole, the lower extremity of which was immediately closed by masonry quick lime was afterwards thrown down on him, which extinguished life, and destroyed the body. In several of these dens of misery, mattrasses were found, some old, others almost new,--a circumstance which proves, whatever may be said to the contrary, that the Inquisition, in these latter times, was something more than a scare-crow. The ground on which this palace of the Inquisition stands, was covered with private houses before 1755; whence it is plain, that the victims who have suffered here, must all have been sacrificed within less than sixty years. Beside the dungeons which the people have already visited, there are subterraneous vaults which have not yet been opened.-Courier Français.

Recantation of an Infidel.-Monsieur L'Archer, who in 1786 published an

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edition of Herodotus, in which he had inserted many notes of an infidel complexion, and calculated materially to injure the cause of Christianity; in a more recent edition of that work, published at Paris, has made the following recantation. Being at length thoroughly convinced of those truths taught by the Christian religion, I have retrenched, or altered all those notes which might seem to impeach it. Consequences which I disapprove, and which are far from my conceptions, have been drawn from some of them; and others, I must acknowledge with candour, and to relieve my conscience, contain things, which a more mature examination, and more profound researches, have convinced me, rest on too slight foundations, or are absolutely false. Truth must gain by this avowal. It is to her alone that I have consecrated all my studies. I have been constrained to return to her, ever since 1 thought that I had comprehended her more fully. May this homage, which I pay her in all the sincerity of my heart, absolve me from all those errors which I may have held, and which I have endeavoured to propagate.

Home Missionary Society.--The Home Missionary Society now employ about five and twenty Missionaries, besides other

agents, who receive aid from their funds. The expences which they annually incur, are much beyond their stated income, arising from annual subscriptions. For the rest, they must look to new subscriptions, donations, and collections, and especially to auxiliary societies. At the commencement of another year, they earnestly invoke attention to this statement, and call upon all liberal Christians, to afford them their aid. It is with pain that they have come to a point, at which they fear, that notwithstanding the number of pressing claims on their funds, they must, for the present, stop, unless they are speedily encouraged by large augmentations of their list of subscribers. This alone is wanted to enable them to employ a hundred Missionaries. But the countenance which they have hitherto re.. ceived from a generous Christian public, and the success which has attended the labours of their Missionaries, encourage them to hope, that they will not make this appeal in vain. The object at which they aim, is noble, and deserves the support of every Philanthropist, and true Patriot. The salvation of the souls of their countrymen, who are yet in darkness, is one of the first and most interesting duties. And, while the most dreadful profligacy finds its way among the poorer orders of the community, the efforts employed by the Home Missionary Society will, assuredly, under the Divine blessing, prove the best means of stemming the torrent of infidelity, which is still running through our country, and of effectually crowning all the other exertions which are used for ameliorating the condition of the lower classes. Sub

scriptions will be thankfully received every Wednesday at the Rooms, 18, Aldermanbury, by the Treasurer, Thos. Thompson, Esq. Brixton Hill, Surry; Mr.Dawson, sen.Collector, Camberwell; or by either of the Secretaries--the Rev. I. Cobbin, 9, Mansfield Place, Kentish Town; the Rev. E. A. Dunn, Upper Belgrave Place, Pimlico; the Rev. Francis Moore, Vauxhall; and Mr. G. G. Stibbs, Camberwell. Signed in behalf of the Committee.

1. COBBIN.

E. A. DUNN. F. MOORE. G. G. STIBBS.

Suppressed Monasteries in Spain.--The following is an authentic account, published in Spain, of the number of monasteries and convents suppressed in the Peninsula, in pursuance of the law of Sept. 6, 1820.

The Jesuits possessed, in the provinces of Toledo, Castile, Arragon, and Andalusia, 124 colleges, and 16 houses

of residence, which, if not completely occupied at the time of the suppression, would soon have been so in consequence of the activity of the new Propagandists. "The monks of St. Benedict held in the congregation of Valladolid and in La Tarraconense, 63 of the suppressed monasteries. The monks of St. Bernard had 60 in the congregation of Castile and Leon, and in that of the Cistercian of Arragon and Navarre. The Carthusian monks had 16 in the provinces of Arragon and Castile. The monks of St. Jerome had 48 in six circuits of eight monasteries each. The monks of St. Basil had in the provinces of Andalusia, Castile, and El Tardon, 17. The Premonstratensians had 17 of the suppressed convents; the Military Orders, 14; the Hospitalars of St. John de Dios, 58; those of Sancti-Spiritus, 8; and those of San Antonia Abad, 36. Making in all, 477."

State of Ireland.--The Protestants in various parts of Ireland are in a state of the greatest alarm. "At first, the denunciations were directed against tythes and clergymen of the established church, and oppressive landlords, or their agents; but, as anarchy and rebellion increase, the peaceable Methodist preacher, the poor half-pay officer, and the humble cottager, are all equally involved in the horrid proscription. At first, it did not appear that religion had any concern in the system, but now it appears developed in its hideous, bigoted, and exterminating aspect. Notices are posted in various places, threatening Protestants with destruction, if they do not conform to popery. A Baptist chapel has been demolished near Thurles, which has stood these hundred years. A Methodist preacher was attacked near Limerick, but escaped through the speed of his horse. A church has been burnt near Killarney. The Roman Catholic priests have, in many instances, denounced the peace-breakers, but, in fact, the authority of these well-dişposed men is much lessened, and their influence has little effect, which is a bad omen."

Deaths of Ministers, &c.-On November 8th, the Rev. Isaac Gardner, Pastor of the Independent Church at Pottersperry, Northamptonshire; where he had laboured for many years with much

success.

On the evening of the 23d of November last, at the house of the Rev. John Hunt, Chichester, (deeply lamented,) Mr. John Walker, a native of that city, and late a county student at the Theological College, at Gosport, in the 24th year of his age, and only brother to Wm. Walker, Esq. Solicitor, Arundel, Sussex. His decided piety, and popu

far talents, rendered him an object of no common interest to those who appreciate the union of moral and intellectual worth. His remains were, on Thurs.. day, conveyed to the grave in the Cathedral church-yard, by six of his fellow students, six others supporting the pail, and the Rev. J. Hunt, (his pastor) who improved his death, Sabbath evening, December the 2d, from Numbers xxiii. 10. Let my last end he like his;" at the Independent. Chapel, Chichester, to a crowded and affected congregation.

་་

Death of Mr. W. F. Durant.- It is with feelings of the deepest regret, that we record an event which has probably already excited the grief and sympathy of most of our readers-an event, which has added another name to the list of eminent individuals of the human race, who have been " only shown, then snatched away to heaven." On the 27th of November last, died, at the house of the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw, Glasgow, in the 19th year of his age, after an illness of five days, Mr. William Friend Durant, only son of the Rev. Thomas Durant, of Poole. This extraordinary youth, not less beloved by those who had the happiness of knowing him for the dispositions of his heart, than admired for the astonishing powers of his intellect, had just entered upon the fourth session, which was intended to complete a course of study at the University of Glasgow, in the previous years of which he had attained the highest distinctions. His late fellow-students of the natural philosophy class, expressed their deep sense of the mournful event, and their respect for the memory of their lamented friend, by unanimously voting an address of condolence to his agonized parent; and the eulogies which have been publicly passed upon him, since his decease, by the professors of the several classes in which he had distinguished himself, one of whom declared, that

46

by his death, not only had the college lost one of its brightest ornaments, but the nation, and the world, may be said to have sustained a very considerable loss," show the high estimation in which his powers were held by those who were most competent to appreciate them. The disorder which terminated his short, but brilliant career, was suffusion on the brain, (attended by paralysis on the right side,) induced, as we believe there is reason to suppose, by intense application to study.

His friends derive comfort from the recollection, that his last moments were cheered by the promises of that gospel which he loved, and by the influence of which, all his endowments and at

tainments were consecrated; and they delight in the assurance, that he has been removed to honours more exalted than the highest which earth can confer, and to engagements more pure and blissful, than the most rational and ennobling which can occupy the human mind in the present state.

He was intended for the English bar, and no one who knew him, entertained a doubt, that had his life been spared, he would have attained the highest eminence in the honourable profession to which he was about to de-. vote himself.

While our readers mourn over the removal from earth, of one who promised to be so great a blessing to it, they will deeply sympathize with the feelings of a widowed father, bereaved of an only child, and of SUCH a son. But we need not refer them or him to the sources of consolation, or the reasons for acquiescence in this mysterious dispensation of a providence which, in all its dealings, is like its author, holy and wise, and just and

GOOD.

Good when he gives, SUPREMELY good,
Nor LESS when he denies;

E'en crosses from his sov'reign hand,
Are blessings in disguise.

We trust that the public will shortly be gratified by the publication of some of the literary remains of this lamented youth.

Rev. S. Newell.-In India, recently, Rev. S. Newell, one of the American Missionaries at Bombay,and joint author. with Mr. Hall, of that interesting pamphlet, "The Conversion of the World."

Mrs. Morrison, wife of Dr. Morrison, of Canton, who lately visited England for the restoration of her health, and who, after an absence from Dr. M. of six years, had returned with her two children, fell a sacrifice to the cholera morbus, June 10, 1821, aged thirty.

See

Interesting Case to Dissenters. vol. 4, p. 613.-We understand that a King's Bench, last week, on the appli. Mandamus was granted by the Court of cation of the Corporation of York, commanding them to elect a Sheriff of that city, in the room of Mr. Oswald Allen, who is EXEMPT AS A DISSENTER.Leeds Mercury, Dec. 8, 1821.

The Aberdeen and Banffshire Itinerant Society was instituted at a meeting of the ministers and messengers from the Congregational denomination in Aberdeenshire, held at Aberdeen, on Tuesday, April 7, 1808.

The object of this Institution is solely to promote, by every proper means, the dissemination of religious knowledge in the two counties. The means employed

are, the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, by pious and devoted men, as Itinerants; establishing Sabbath evening schools; erecting meetings and societies for prayer; and the extensive distribution and circulation of select religious tracts and books, &c.

From the limited state of the funds, the Society has hitherto been able to employ only one Itinerant; but three or four could be very usefully employed, did the funds admit. Mr. Gibb, of Banff, was first engaged in the work of itinerating, in 1807 and 1808; and during the last twelve years, Mr. Wil liam Brown has laboured through the

summer.

It is not the design of this Institution to propagate, in the most distant way, the peculiar tenets of any party or sect; but simply to promote the spiritual welfare of immortal souls, and advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ, by the preach ing of evangelical doctrine, and the dissemination of scriptural knowledge.-To this abridged account of the Society, we add a few extracts from a "Short Statement," by Mr. Brown, " of what has been done by the Association in the way of itinerating."" It is an infinitely greater object to get one soul truly turned to the Lord Jesus, to whatever denomination of Christians he may attach himself, than to see a hundred become warm, noisy advocates for a party, while they may give little evidence of being born again by the Spirit of God. In itinerating excursions, we should uniformly endeavour to strengthen the hands of all gospel ministers of every denomination." Mr. Brown then recommends to Itinerants to" visit the afflicted--pay much attention to children--to plant Sab. bath-schools--encourage believers to form themselves into a meeting for prayer--make vigorous efforts to get reading societies formed, both for chil. dren and adults--distribute tracts, and do every thing in their power to spread information relative to the attempts making to diffuse gospel knowledge through the world." I have," says Mr. Brown, "preached, less or more, in sixty-seven parishes in Aberdeenshire, and in six in Banffshire. Some may be ready to ask, Well, after all your journeying, and preaching, what real good have you done? On that subject I wish to speak with the utmost caution. One ought always to recollect, that he is an unprofitable servant,' and, of course, should speak of his labours with the utmost modesty. When a young inexperienced preacher sees numbers flocking to hear him-

sees tears flowing from the eye, under his sermons-a -and hears frequently, per. haps, how acceptable his labours are-he is apt to think some great spiritual work is going forward. But growing experience teaches me how to estimate these things. He begins to learn that these are often as the morning cloud and the early dew, which passeth away." In the course of my excursions, I have seen people hot and cold,' and hot and cold' again. But, though I thus speak, I hope the Lord has kindled, in the hearts of a few at least, a flame of love to the Lord Jesus, that will never be extinguished. When any movement takes place, it is of prime importance to ascertain how far it grows out of the knowledge of the Son of God, or how far it is merely the temporary effect of adventitious circumstances; such as a new party, a new preacher, or a new plan of usefulness. It cannot be too much recollected, that no favourable impressions will be permanent, except such as are produced by faith in Jeho vah's testimony respecting his Son. Not a few Sabbath schools are found in different parts of the county. In the judgment of thinking people, who truly feel for the salvation of children, the utility of schools, when well conducted, is becoming more manifest every year. In various places, meetings for prayer have also been set on foot. Those who approve of such institutions, in the country, are much scattered; which circumstance is considerably against them Not a few libraries have sprung into existence. I have heard many pleasing little anecdotes connected with them, which compel me to believe that they are not altogether without effect. Many thousands of tracts have been dispersed under the direction of the Association, and also a great many interesting books for children and others. In order to diffuse information respecting the vast plans which are in operation to evangelize the great world, a variety of Magazines, Reports of Societies, &c. have been distributed; and I know, from certain facts, that these means have not been altogether without effect."

Widows' Fund.--The Annual Sermon, recommending the useful purposes of the Society for the relief of the necessitous widows and children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers, is expected to be preached by the_Rev. John Clayton, jun, at Old Jewry Chapel, removed to Jewin Street, Aldersgate Street, on Wednesday, the 3d day of April, at noon.