tures.” As it has been with them, CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARIES.
so it was individually with the Jews To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine.
and Pagans of antiquity: and so it

DEAR SIR,
is now with the great body of man- Being about to attempt the es-
kind who “ receive not the testi- tablishment of a Congregational
mony" of Christ. Surely it is Library, and wishing to profit by
matter of serious interest, and can- the experience of others in the up-
not but be attended with improve- dertaking. I shall feel obliged if
ment to inquire into the character some one of your correspondents,
of this morbid apathy of the soul who has directed his attention to
to its own vital interests, which the subject, will supply me, through
thus induces it to listen to the your excellent Miscellany with such
truths of revelation with cool in- information as he may consider
difference, while those of com- important to the success of such
paratively trifliny importance are an institution.
approached with eagerness

and Information is especially solicitexamined with minute attention. ed as to the rate of subscription

The cause of this fatal darkness most approved, the periods of of soul is declared in the Scriptures attendance, the most effectual meto be sin; but how has it produced thods of enforcing the return of this awful effect ? By what mys- books at the time prescribed, and terious process does it thus com- the proper care of them while in pletely close the mind and harden the subscriber's possession; and as the heart against the pure doctrines to the most eligible plan of settling of the Gospel? How is it that those and securing the property of the capable of the loftiest intellectual institution. pursuits, who often astonish us by If your correspondent, who may their sublimity of thought, and kindly reply to this note, can furothers who search the secrets of nish a copy of some approved material nature and unveil her ope- regulations, he will confer an adrations with surprising (we were ditional favour. almost tempted to say superhuman) Considering the immense advanacuteness, are, with the pages of tages which may arise from exciting inspiration before their eyes, as and supplying a demand for useful ignorant and unconcerned about and religious reading among the their immortal welfare as the weak members of our congregations, esest and most imbecile? How is it pecially the young, and the importthat they, who are “ wise in their ance of guarding them against the generation” and providently lay up pernicious works which are in conearthly wealth, care not to seek stant circulation, it is most earnestly eternal treasure? How is it that to be desired that an extensive and mankind in general, with the Bible well-chosen library may be conin their hands and in the certain nected with every congregation, as prospect of approaching death, the best means of accomplishing with one consent flee to the mad those valuable objects. whirl of folly and vice, “ as the Your insertion of this letter, and unthinking horse rusheth into the the reply which I hope will be battle.”

promptly afforded, may probably (To be continued.)

remind many

of
your

readers of the importance of the subject, and stimulate them to establish libraries in their respective congregations. Truro.

E. C.

POETRY.

REVIEW.

Pædobaptism E.xamined ; with Replies to as it may not have been known to many

the Arguments and Objcctions of Dr. of our readers, having been some years
Williams and Mr. Peter Edwards. By out of print, we shall give the Contents
ABRAHAM Booth. In three vols.
Price 11. 108. Palmer.

in an abridged form. To many it may appear strange, that

“ Vol. I. Part 1. The Mode of Adminis.

tration. this baptismal controversy should con

The nature, obligation, and im

portance of Positive Institutions - Thie tinue to be agitated, even in the 19th signification of the terms Baptize and Bapcentary, more than a quarter of which tism-The design of Baptism; or the facts has already run out. No difference of and blessings represented by it, both in reopinion to such an extent could have gard to our Lord and bis disciples—The obtained among Christians on any moral practice of John the Baptist, of the apostles,

and of the church in succeeding ages—The question ; but it must ever be remem- present practice of the Greek and Oriental bered, that baptism and the Lord's Churches—The design of Baptism more fully Supper (which has been equally fruitful expressed by immersion, than by pouring or in controversies, if not more so,) are sprinkling. ritual observances. We have no light

“Part 2. The proper Subjects. No exwithin to appeal to, as in a question of press precept nor plain example for Pædo

baptism in the New Testament-No evidence morals : our only appeal is to the law, or Pradobaptism before the latter end of the and thus it becomes a question of inter- second, or the beginning of the third cenpretation. Now, unhappily, all Chris- tory— The high opinion of the Fathers contians are not agreed on the canons of cerning the atility of Baptism. interpretation; educational prejudices

“Vol. II. The modern grounds of Pædoand submission to human authorities baptism; namely, Jewish proselyte Baptism, will be mingled with our most sincerecision, Particular passages 'of Soripture,

External Covenant relation, Jewish Circuininquiries, and hence it is not so marvel- and apostolio tradition. lous as it might appear at first sight, “ The Scriptures are, Matt. xxviii. 19. that we arrive at different conclusions.

Gen. xvii. 7. Ezek. xvi. 20, 21. Matt. xix. We think it is evident, that the con- 33. 1 Cor. i. 16. Rom. ii. 16. 1 Cor. vii.

14. Joba iii. 5. Acts ii. 39. Acts xvi. 15. troversy respecting the mode of baptism 14. must be interminable, unless the con

Apostolic tradition, and the impracticatending parties can be brought to agree bility of pointing out the time when Pædoon the nature of positive institutions. baptism commenced—Infant baptism and And the controversy respecting the Infant communion introduced about the samo proper subjects will be equally so, till

time, and supported by similar argaments

General remarks. we understand better the difference

“ Part 3. The title of Dr. Williams's between the two economies, or what book, bis professions, and bis conduct relathe apostle to the Hebrews designates tive to this controversy—The little regard the old and the new covenant.

Dr. W. pays to quotations produced from Under this impression, we cannot but Pædobaptists, and his disposition to extort

concessions from the Baptists—Dr. W.'s wish that the first chapter of the inva- pretence that his book inoludes a fall reply luable work before us was published to · Pædobaptism Examined.' separately, and deeply studied by all "Vol. III. Positive institution and apawhom it concerps. And what minister, logous reasoning—The meaning of the words what church, what individual believer Baptism, and Baptism as represented by is there whom it does not concern?

Dr. W. The general principles on which The late venerable Abraham Booth Communion and Infant Baptism compared

Dr. W. founds tbe right of infants Infant was no ordinary writer. This work -The utility and importance of Baptism, was the greatest labour of his life, and as represented by Dr. W.

“Part 4. Mr. Dore's Preface--The Re- | A Memoir of the Rev. Legh Richmond, ply to Mr. Peter Edwards.

A.M. Rector of Turvey, Bedfordshire,

and Chaplain to kis Royal Highness the A few days before Mr. Booth's death, late Duke of Kent. By the Rev. T. S. he gave one of our ministers a manu GRIMSHAWE, A.M. Second Edition. script, which we have seen, from which

8vo. pp. 662. with a portrait. Seeley. it appears that he was occasionally mak. We rose from the perusal of this exceling additions to this work as long as he lent Memoir with the impression strong lived.

upon our mind—“a good minister of The first cdition of "Pædobaptism Jesus Christ,” a character of all others Examined' was published in 12ino, in the most dignified, because the most 1784. The second, greatly enlarged, useful; promoting, as it does, the best came out in 1787, and we are glad to interests of men in both worlds. find this third edition includes the au

Mr. Grimshawe's estimate of the late thor's Defence in reply to the late Rev. Mr. Richmond's labours is thus given : Dr. Edward Williams, and also his Reply to Mr. Peter Edwards, with an " Among those who have contributed to elegant preface by the late Rev. James the revival of religion in the present day, Dore.

the subject of the following memoir stands The paper and the type are very too long associated with every exertion to

bighly distinguished. His name has been good, and the correctness of the reprint promote the growth of piety, both at home has been secured by the careful super- and abroad, not to have excited a very geintendence of John Satchell, Esq. whose neral solicitude for whatever may illustrate habits of precision and accuracy are

the history and character of a man, who has well known. Mr. Ebenezer Palmer,

so often delighted the pablic by his elo

quence, stimulated it by his zeal, and edithe publisher, bas 'spared no expense lied it by his example." in rendering this edition worthy the patronage of the public.'

Mr. Richmond, on leaving the uni. The first volume is adorned with an versity of Cambridge in 1798, settled excellent representation of a mural ta as a curate at Brading in the Isle of blet, which stands over the vestry door Wight, and removing from that station of the meeting-house in Little Prescott in April, 1805, he became the minister Street.

of the Lock Hospital in London, and Without undervaluing the publica- in October of the same year he entered tions of Drs. Gale, and Gill, and Sten- upon the living of Turvey in Bedfordnett, and others, we venture to affirmshire, where he continued till his death, that no library can be complete in the May 8, 1827. article of Baptism without this work. When Mr. R. commenced his minis. We cordially recommend it, therefore, try in the dark village of Brading, he not only to our own ministers and stu- was an unconverted clergyman, though dents, but to all candid inquirers among of a respectable character as to morals, our pædobaptist brethren, who may find and apparently of upright aim in the here what they may seek elsewhere in discharge of the duties of his office. vain.

Soon after this, his heart was renewed We have heard with pleasure, that by the Spirit of God, and this by means the Particular Baptist Fund bas taken which at once displayed the sovereignty a hundred copies. Our opulent friends, and riches of divine grace. But he must we hope, will compassionately consider himself be heard in relation to this that many of our ministers who might momentous change wrought in his charead these volumes with great pleasure racter and sentiments. He is assigning and advantage, cannot afford to pur- his reasons for calling his son by the chase them. It will afford us great name of Wilberforce, and says, p. 26. satisfaction to know that they have multiplied their donations in this way, I owe to God and to man, to take this af

“I feel it to be a debt of gratitude which which will be at once highly acceptable fecting opportunity of stating, that to the and useful.

upsought and unexpected introduction of

Mr. Wilberforve's book of Practical Chris- some trifling article, wrapped up in a leaf of tianity' I owe, through God's mercy, the Bishop Jewell's Apology. His attention first sacred impression which I ever received was directed to the wrapper by one of his as to the spiritual nature of the Gospel family, who jocosely remarked, this looks system, the vital character of personal reli- as if it would suit you, Legh. He read gion, the corruption of the human heart, the leaf, and instantly set off for Newport, and the way of salvation by Jesas Christ. to inquire after the remaining pages. The As a young minister, recently ordained and grocer, smiling at the anxiety of his clerical just entrusted with the care of two parishes customer, replied, 0 yes, sir, bere they in the Isle of Wight, I had commenced my are, and I bave a whole hogshead of these labours too much iu the spirit of the world, worthies : they are much at your service, and founded my public instructions on the for twopence a pound.' The treasure was erroneous notions which prevailed among speedily and joyfully secured ; and to this my associates. The scriptural principles incident, trivial as it may appear, Mr. Richstated in the Practical View convinced mond owed bis extensive and profound aome of my error, led me to the study of the quaintance with the authors of the ReforScriptures, with an earnestness to which I mation. had bitherto been a stranger, humbled my heart, and brought me to seek the love and blessing of that Saviour who alone can afford

A great part of the volume is made a peace which the world cannot give.- up of accounts concerning Mr. R.'s traThrough the study of this book, I was in- velling and preaching for the Church duced to examine the writings of the British Missionary Society, and for (that which and Foreign Reformers. I saw the coinci- was originally formed among the Dis. dence of their doctrines with those of the senters) the Society for the Conversion Scriptures, and those which the word of of the Jews. His animated extempore God taught me to be essential to the welfare of myself and my flock. I know too well manner, and his evangelical preaching, what has passed within my heart for now a well fitted him for such an employment: long period of time, not to feel and to the funds collected by him, it appears, confess that to this incident I was indebted,

were very considerable. originally, for those solid views of Christianity on which I rest my hope for time and

But it was in his character as the eternity. May I not, then, call the bonoured pious village rector that he excelled. author of that book my spiritual father, and How distressing to the flock must it have if my spiritual father, then my best earthly been, when such a shepherd was refriend ? The wish to connect bis name with moved, to have had no choice in the my own was jastifiable. It was a lasting selection of his successor; but either to memorial of the most important transaction of my life ; it still lives amidst the tender; be compelled to sit ouder the uninte- Dess of present emotions, as a signal of resting harangues of a blind guide, eodearment and gratitude, and I trust its where “the hungry sheep look up and character is imperishable.”

are not fed,” or to use their liberty It was in this village and neighbour secured by law to British Christians !)

(who can properly estimate the liberty hood that those incidents occurred which led to his celebrity as a writer; here of fitting up a barn to perform spiritual he met with the “Dairyman's Daugh- worship, and to enjoy an evangelical ter,” and “Little James,” and the ministry. How descriptive is the fine “Negro Seryant.” It was here too

alliteration employed in the “Velvet that he compiled a considerable work,

Cushion,” when viewed in such a situawhich he entitled “The Fathers of the tion! O the “ Dissenterism of Barns !" English Church." Our author speak

how infinitely more valuable than either ing on this subject, says

the “ Protestantism of Churches,” or

the “ Popery of Cathedrals !" « The circumstance to which Mr. Rich

Mr. R., it is said by his biographer, mond was indebted for his superiority on was “a faithful son of the Church of tbis subject is singular, and deserves inser- England ;” and we are happy to add, tion. While be resided in the Isle of Wight, that as one of its ministers, he never and shortly after his perasal of Wilber,“ slandered his own mother's children," force's ‘Practical View, which bad effected 80 striking a change in his own sentiments considered in the higher character as and character, a grocer at Newport sent bim members of the Church of Christ. In