Mr. Gibbs has, throughout, conducted his "Defence" in a very able manner. His style is clear, correct, and manly. Avoiding all matters that do not immediately relate to his subject, he has produced a work which contains a refutation of almost every thing that can be advanced in support of the various species of pædobaptism. A book like this, which embraces in a small compass all that directly bears upon this muchcontested point, and in which is con by a divine appointment, to include both in its special blessings. Secondly: The new covenant was to be introduced and established among men by the death of Jesus Christ, and not by a sacrifice of birds and of beasts as was that which Abraham offered before God. It is upon this grand and acknowledged principle, that it is spoken of as founded in the blood of Christ; and the blood of Christ is, on this account, styled the blood of the new covenant; but the propriety of such language might be justly dispated, if it be affirmed that the dispensation under which we live was in full and active operation among the Jews; for what condensed the subject-matter of many vosistency could there be in the Apostles telling us that the new covenant came in with the death of Christ, when according to the principles laid down by our opponents, it had been established with a whole nation nearly 2000 years before in the blood of an animal sacrifice. Thirdly: This notion, "that the Abrahamic covenant was the covenant of grace, the same under which we live," introduces confusion into the revealed order of the divine operations, and renders all that the Prophets and Apostles have said respecting the distinct nature of the two dispensations contradictory and unintelligible; and this is the real cause, we believe, why so much confusion exists in some men's minds on this subject." pp. 300-2. lumes, cannot fail to be an acceptable offering to those of our brethren who desire "to be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh them a reason." Powers like those of Mr. Gibbs cannot, we think, long remain unemployed; and taking our leave of him for the present, we indulge a hope that we shall ere long be called to the perusal of some other work which may fully establish the reputation he has already acquired. Believing unto Salvation; a Discourse oc- The remaining part of the volume is devoted to an exposition of the design of baptism, as a solemn profession of faith in the triune Jehovah, and as a typical exhibition of the great truths of the gospel revelation, and so much have THIS serious and affectionate discourse we been gratified by the perusal of the is founded on the last words of the amiwhole, that we cannot refrain from add-able friend whose departure it laments, ing to our already copious quotations, taken from Heb. x. 32. “Of them that one more extract from Mr. G.'s con- believe to the saving of the soul." cluding observations :- “Does this ordinance evince our faith in the triune Jehovah-does it set forth the work of the Spirit and the purifying efficacy of the blood of Christ-does it illustrate his bitter sufferings, deep humiliation, and complete triumph over sin and death-does it euforce a spiritual conformity to his example-does it prefigure our death, and direct our hopes to that blissful period, when these bodies shall rise to immortality in the perfect likeness of their Redeemer? What manner of persons then ought we to be, in all holy conversation and godliness, who profess to believe these truths, to enjoy these privileges, and to anticipate this blessedness!" p. 358. Mr. Pritchard inquires "What they believe who believe to the saving of the soul?" They believe that the mediation of Christ is indispensable; that Christ is perfectly equal to his undertaking; that his mediation was efficient; and that it is the source of every present and future enjoyment. The second inquiry is—in what manner such persons believe? And the preacher shews that their faith must include knowledge, affection, obedience, and perseverance. The last inquiry is-in what does their believing result? Here also our esteemed friend shews, in language neat and per spicuous, with all his usual suavity of manner, that the soul is saved from its perilous condition, from its deep debasement and degradation, from all the diversified and violent opposition to which it is exposed, and from every kind and degree of imperfection by which it is now oppressed, to the enjoyment of the highest elevation of which human nature is capable. The Duties of the Office of Deacons Ex- THE office of deacons in congregational The excellent character of Mr. S. is then delineated, and a short account of his last experience is given, which will claim attention far beyond the circle of his immediate connexions. We conclude our notice of this discourse by the following extract:— "The saving of the soul is further illus-deacons ; in this instance, however, we trated, in its preservation amidst the diversified attacks and violent opposition to which find the pastor of another church, and that a Baptist, officiating in addressing the deacons of an Independent community. This is "lovely and of good report:" as it proves the union of sentiment and affection that prevail in these neighbouring churches, an example worthy of imitation. It is a good motto for Christians, "Unite wherever you can, differ only where principle prevents it is exposed. However varying the instrument or method of assault, the design, on the part of the adversary, is invariably the same, seeking whom he may devour.' His art, his malignity, and his power, are in full and continual operation to destroy the soul; and though we may not be altogether ignorant of Satan's devices, yet the extensive and complicated agency he is permitted to exert, in attempting to accomplish his diabolical purpose, is to us truly inconceiv-it." able. The most eminently pious have in all To those who are acquainted with the ages been the subjects of his most implacable hatred, and his most determined oppo- character of the author of this discourse, sition, whom he has repeatedly endeavoured it is not necessary to say that his judgto overcome by his deepest stratagems, and ment and experience fitted him for the against whom he has hurled his most infu- work which he was requested to perriated and envenomed shafts. But let not form. He has judiciously pointed out the believer be dismayed; he may be-be "the duties which belong to the office must be tempted; but he shall not be forsaken. More are they that are with him of deacons in the church of Christthan all that can be against him. Remember the qualifications essentially necessary the Saviour has said, Fear not, little flock, for the useful performance of those for it is your Father's good pleasure to give duties"--and "the motives which should you the kingdom.' The formidable and pro-influence those who have been called to tracted hostility encountered, shall but afford the more ample scope for the vigorous that office, to their conscientious disactings of a living faith, and a more en- charge." larged occasion for the development of the divine faithfulness, in performing whatever has been promised concerning the protection and final salvation of every one who believes. For of such it is emphatically declared, Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.'" There are some very appropriate remarks on the essential qualifications for the deacon's office, such as "devotedness to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the welfare of his church;" "humility, an enlarged liberality, compassion and tenderness, wisdom and sound discretion, and unimpeachable integrity." The concluding address to the members of the church, as to the affectionate treatment which good deacons ought t receive, in return for their devoted and | portant, and stirring pamphlet to the disinterested conduct, is deserving of general attention. As "You, my Christian friends, the members of this church, will not forget that there are duties you owe to those among you who sustain the office of deacons. They have been called to that office by your suffrages, and if they use it well, they will be entitled to your distinguished esteem, unsuspicious confidence, and unfeigned gratitude. they execute the office without any temporal reward, and exert themselves for the welfare of the church and the comfort of its distressed members, they ought to be held in reputation. Their duties are numerous, and require considerable sacrifices and much labour; you will therefore see the propriety of laying no unnecessary burthen on them, but of rendering their work as easy as you can, and of encouraging them by your fervent prayers for them; by attending to their exhortations to liberality with a willing mind, and by meeting their endeavours to accommodate you in the house of God, with a peaceable and christian demeanour. It is much to be regretted, that some members of Christian churches discover a fastidious and uncompromising spirit on this point, which occasions much needless trouble and anxiety to deacons, and which reflects no credit on their own Christian character. If your minds are deeply impressed with a sense of the importance of real religion, and of the peace and prosperity of the church, it will be comparatively a matter of little moment what place you occupy in the house of God, if you are able comfortably to hear pastor, and unite in the exercises of divine worship." pp. 22, 23. your It will afford us pleasure, should our approbation of this faithful address procure for it a circulation beyond the locality of the town and neighbourhood of Nottingham. Ghaut Murders in India. An Appeal to British Humanity and Justice respecting the practice of Exposing the Sick on the banks of the Ganges: to which are added, Humane Hints for the amelioration of the State of Society in British India. By J. PEGGS, late Missionary at Cuttack, Orissa; Author of the "Suttees' Cry to Britain," &c. Svo. pp. 66. Price 1s. sewed. London: Seeley, Wightman and Cramp, and Mason. WE are sorry that we have lost even an hour in introducing this cheap, im notice of our readers. We have gone through it with astonishment and shame. Astonishment, that a practice like that on which this work principally treats, and those of suffering the immolation of widows, and of reaping pecuniary advantage from idolatry should be al lowed by the British Government; and shame, that Christians, so much alive to the very name of oppression in England, should not have risen as one man to "appeal to British humanity and justice" in the senate of our land. We implore Christians to make a determined effort on this subject, and we entreat Mr. Peggs to allow the Christian public no rest till the great object of his desires is accomplished. By this means he will secure honour far supe rior to any conqueror who ever stained the earth with human blood. We hope we have not a minister in our Denomination who will not obtain a number of copies of this work for circulation among his friends; and we predict that the result will be the presentation of several hundred petitions on the subject to the Legislature of our country, for the abo lition of practices at which humanity shudders, and over the perpetration of which Christianity weeps. By the way, there was no necessity for Mr. P. to insert the same note twice. See pages 56 and 64. Extracts from ancient and modern Authors, arranged so as to form a History or Description of Man, in his Natural, Moral, and Spiritual Character; embracing nearly all the most important Subjects of the Christian Religion. Price 14s. Wightman and Co. THE anonymous compiler of this huge volume, appears to be a pious and sensible man, whose multifarious reading has induced him to fill up his commonplace book; and whose benevolent zeal has prompted him to shew all its contents to the public. He has laid under contribution more than three hundred writers, chiefly theological, on all the principal topics which are usually found in a body of divinity; to which he has prefixed a large number of valuable | peculiarities of the Christian system are extracts relating to the anatomy of the made prominent, and their purifying and body, and the philosophy of mind. His consoling innence are laminously and own sentiments, wherever they appear forcibly exhibited. 901798.ga 16.21399 able portion of these follmesis accu od with a masterly defence of Nonconfor mity and the rights of conscience. Nor has he forgotten our, Bible Sociales, Togeni Schools, and Missions; particula employment of female agents by un Bible Society is vindicated in a very spirited style. the are decidedly evangelical, and the reader: The reader will see that considerwill find, to whatever denomination he may belong, some flower plucked from the garden of his own favourite author. The book is very cheap, and if rightly used, will furnish not only a fund of entertainment of the noblest kind, but the materials also of meditations that may under the divine blessing be ripened into holy purposes and works of faith, and labours of love. the If this had been of the class of novels, we should have passed it by unnoticed ; for we think with Boileau, that “nothing is beautiful but truth." We are happy to find, from the first sentence of the preface, that "the Modern Martyr is not a religious novel, but a tale founded on facts which have fallen under the observation of the author." Our own sentiments are given (vol. i. p. 53.) on all those works of imagination which, like a pestilence, destroy multitudes all around. The of an unamos la mwibom "I am happy, my dear Charlotte, that you are come to such a decision. You know my opinion of the character and of the tend! ency of works of fiction. Some few may be read with advantage, but by far the greatest number are most fatal in their influ ence. If they do not actually corrupt the path of life with flowers that never grew mind, they impose on it. They strew the they scent its air with a fragrance that has never been emitted; they combine events and incidents in a regular train of history which never came to pass; delineate characters which have no prototype in the social system; and hold up before us a scene of bliss which they sketch from fancy; and thus, by misleading the judgment, they induce us to anticipate a mode of existence which, when we have made the experiment, we find cannot be realized." 710) Vaig to AMONG the innumerable volumes which have been recently published for the instruction of the young, this, we can safely predict, will hold a distinguished place. The popularity of the author and the intrinsic merit of the work, will insure for it a multitude of readers; and this we must wish to be always the case, when genius and eloquence are consecrated by evangelical piety to the noblest services which can be rendered to mankind. The author's taste for rural scenery, and his talent for description, are already well known to the In the second volume pp. 18-21, public, by the various productions of there is something like an attack which his entertaining pen. In this new work we did not expect from such a quarter, also he has adopted the most engaging on the common forms of admitting modes of address, which, in the hands members to communion in dissenting of a skilful writer, never fail to please. churches. But we have neither time Narratives, dialogues, and letters, will nor space at present for any discassion always be interesting. Above all, Mr. or defence. We shall be happy to see E. appears to feel strongly that he is a in subsequent editions, that the author minister of Christ; and therefore, as has revised and qualified these statemight have been expected, the grandments in some particulars.5502 599m of The Last Supper, or Christ's Death kept | fessedly written by an Evangelical miRemembrance. By the Author of nister. the Morning and Evening Sacrifice, and "Farewell to Time." Post 8vo. pp. 453. Price 7s. 6d. boards. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd London: b Thittaker. #1828. mir THAT the ordinance of the Lord's Supper is an institution of the very highest importance, and binding on all his gentine followers, is a fact which by far the larger portion of Christians very readily admit; nor will it be denied that many mistakes are prevalent in the world as to its precise nature, the persons who are entitled to the privilege, and the benefits which result from it. The work is divided into five parts; the first of which is a Discourse expla natory of the Christian Sacraments; the second is a Sacramental Catechism, the third consists of Devotional Exeron the plan of the preceding discourse; cises preparatory to Sacramental Communion; the fourth contains Sacramental Addresses, or the Communion Service as it is celebrated in the Presbyterian Churches; and the last is entitled the Imitation of Christ. About ninety pages of "Notes and Illustrations" close the volume. On the whole we cannot admire either not regret the circulation of this volume, we should far sooner hear of Mr. Orme's excellent work on the same subject, reviewed in the first volume of our present series, being preferred to it by our friends. We hail with pleasure whatever pro- the Presbyterian notions of our author, ceeds from the press, adapted to extend correct views on so interesting a sub-infant baptism; and though we shall or his remarks on the "Ceremony" of ject, and ardently pray that Christians may increasingly feel the importance of its celebration, and the obligations under which it lays them to obey fully the will of their Great Sovereign, as well as to enjoy the blessings which it is the medium of communicating. We greatly lament that many persons, of whose piety in the general we hope well, are found greatly deficient in the discharge of their duty in reference to this appointment of their Redeemer; and cannot but suppose that one reason for their neglect may be found in the subject not being more frequently presented forcibly to their view from the pulpit and the press. Entertaining views so far in accordance with the author of the volume now on our table, it would afford us a high degree of pleasure, could we speak highly of his work. But though we are ready to admit that it breathes a spirit of piety, corrects some mistakes that are prevalent on the subject of the ordinance, and points ont the feelings with which it should be attended to, and sometimes does all this with beauty and force; yet we have been disappointed. We have not found those direct appeals to the Scriptures, those illustrations of the great doctrine of the atonement, or those warm and glowing feelings of holy love to the Saviour, which we expected to meet with in such a volume, pro Village Plans and Domestic Sketches; or, a Visit to the Rectory of Milbourne Dale. THIS is a very entertaining book, and calculated to afford many useful and valuable hints. It is evidently the production of one attached to the Established Church; but, what is infinitely better, of one who is a member of the church of Christ. It appears to be a fiction, feigned for the sake of communicating plans and sentiments of practical utility. Thus speaks the author in the preface: "In presenting this volume to the public, the author hopes that it will be annecessary to explain to those who may favour it with to which every thing has been made subsera perusal, that the great view throughout, vient, is usefulness; and that the story has been employed merely as a vehicle for conveying the sentiments and plans which it details. sistance to those who may wish for the "Should this little volume prove any asguidance of experience in objects of parochial usefulness, the principal aim will have been attained," |