An inquiry, conducted on any candid principle, and with any just regard to the difficulties of the case, would, I think, shew, that, from the very first hour of the existence of Christianity, to the present, there has been a progress, sometimes indeed slow, but still a constant progress, either in extent, or, what is of equal or greater importance, in moral influence. The stream has been sometimes stayed in its flow, by some tremendous barrier; sometimes broken by more petty obstacles; but it has struggled over all, and holds its onward and irresistible course to the ocean. The characters of this progress during the first ages, as we have seen in the last chapter, were, indeed, written so strongly and clearly, that he who runs may read; and the very enemies of the cross are compelled to own the undeniable truth. They endeavour, however, subsequently to wrest the argument from our hands; to use it as a weapon against us; and to infer positive failure from the comparative slowness with which the religion has advanced in later times. But the progress of Christianity, since its early ages, is, in fact, almost equally wonderful. Of its most difficult conquests, indeed, a large portion is overlooked by the human eye. While the evil done in its name is seen by all, and dwelt upon in triumph by the adversary, its pure and holy conquests are often effected in stillness and silence; in the abode of poverty, in the obscurity of humble and retired life. Who is there, that has seen a true Christian in his life and his death? Who, that has seen the holy calm that sheds itself over that soul, where grace has triumphed over passion, where envy, and hatred, and pride, are sounds unknown? Who, that has seen the bright and holy glow of devotion diffused over the countenance? Who, that has heard the fervid accents of a Christian prayer? Who, that knows the joy of a Christian's communion with his Maker, the devout aspirations of a soul which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, adorned and sanctified by his best and richest gifts and graces? Who, that has seen the Christian struggling with the storms of life, though cast down, not destroyed; though perplexed, not in despair; submitting, with humble resignation, to the correction of his heavenly Father; and gathering the peaceable fruits of righteousness, from the seed which was sown in tribulation and tears? And yet more, who, that hath seen that sight, on which angels look with joy; that hallowed bed, where a Christian renders up his soul, as to a faithful Creator; where, with no vain display, no idle rapture, the dying saint, knowing, of a truth, that he is faithful who promised, relies, in the last awful scenes of life, with humble confidence on that hand which has borne him up through all the storms and struggles of his earthly pilgrimage, and which will now cheer and comfort him, in his passage through the dark valley of the shadow of death! This is, not what Christianity can do, but what it does, day by day; not what it does for the learned and enlightened Christian only, but what it does to shed light and joy over the humble abode of the lowly and ignorant. I appeal to the conscience of many a minister of God's word, to bear me witness, how often he has stood beside the dying bed of feeble age, or of youth in all the withered blossom of its beauty; stood, not to teach, but to learn; not to offer comfort, or supply confidence, but to gather strength, and hope, and courage, against his own hour of need, and his own great and awful change. This all is the praise of the Gospel; this all is the triumph, the glory, of the religion of Christ.-Pp. 84, 85, 92, sqq. From the past and present state of Christianity, Mr. Rose proceeds to consider its future prospects. When God shall finish his work, and all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ; it is not for man's presumption to search out. He has promised, that this glorious consummation shall eventually be accomplished: and there are signs of the times, which indicate the steady, though gradual approach, of its accomplishment. Already have the banners of the cross been expanded in the East; and the energies of British piety are actively employed in diffusing Christianity through the world. Let us not relax in our exertions; and who shall tell the success which the Almighty will vouchsafe to the work which his Son has enjoined his followers faithfully and perseveringly to perform? ? A work on an important infidel objection, such as that which is the subject of Mr. Rose's publication, cannot be without its use; and, in the hands of our excellent Christian Advocate, it may be fairly expected to produce more than an ordinarily beneficial result. The arguments, which have been repeatedly urged in reply to the cavil which had been in the mouth of unbelievers of every age and denomination, are stated in a concise, yet comprehensive, sketch, with a view to a more detailed investigation of some new features in the question, which had been previously overlooked. At the same time, the different bearings of the objection itself, and the answers which have been returned to it, are given at length in the " Notes and Illustrations;" in which much valuable matter from foreign sources will also be found. We know not, indeed, whether the mass of information contained in the notes, which occupy half the volume, is not full as valuable as the dissertation itself. Together, they form an excellent manual for the Christian, a support for the wavering, and a barrier around the fortress of the Gospel, which the infidel will assault in vain. Before we take leave of Mr. Rose,-whom we congratulate on his presentation to the living of Hadleigh: a parish in which there is ample scope for the exercise of his well-known pastoral zeal,-we are bound to thank him for the revival of an office, which has laid almost dormant in the hands of his predecessors. The appointment of Christian Advocate has been generally a sinecure. Mr. Hughes, it is true, published one or two dissertations; but a publication is annually due; and gladly should we greet such answers as the present, to the many *often refuted, but still repeated, objections to the truth of the Gospel. We should like to be informed, also, of the fate of the Hulsean Lectures? Are we to be deprived of the entire benefit of this institution: and because the labour imposed by the letter of the founder's will renders it impossible that the whole should be performed, are we, therefore, to be debarred from the good that might be derived from a part? If twenty sermons exceed the annual amount of a Lecturer's capability, why not let us partake of the instruction which eight or ten would afford? It is true, that the courses last delivered do not contain much to make us wish for a repetition of the same quantum of Astronomical Dissertation; but a reduction of the task, within reasonable bounds, would tempt deeper theologians into the field; and the deficiency in quantity, would be amply compensated by the quality, of the spiritual food, with which we might expect to be supplied. VOL. XII. NO. II. LITERARY REPORT. A Scripture Gazetteer: or Geographical and Historical Dictionary of Places and People mentioned in the Bible with Maps, Tables of Time, Weights, Measures, Money; and a copious Chronological Table. By JOHN GRIFFITH MANSFORD. London: Hamilton. 1829. 8vo. pp. viii. 527. Price 18s. THE nature of this work is sufficiently set forth in the title-page; and we have no hesitation in recommending it as a most useful companion to the Theological student. It has been given to the world under circumstances of peculiar interest, and such as entitle the author to the highest meed of praise. Prevented by sickness from the performance of the arduous duties of the medical profession, Mr. Mansford employed his leisure of affliction in the study of the Book of Life, and in throwing light upon a most important branch of biblical literature. His materials have been collected from an immense mass of ancient and modern writers; and he has digested into a comprehensive detail all the most interesting and important facts connected with sacred history and geography. The chronological table is very full and complete; the maps, as far as we have been able to examine them, sufficiently correct, and well executed. We wish the work all the success it deserves; and the author a restoration of health for the prosecution of his useful labours. The Leaven of the Pharisees: a Sermon. By the Rev. WILLIAM HARNESS, A. M. of Christ's College, Cambridge, Minister of the St. Pancras Parochial Chapel, Regentsquare. London: Taylor. 1829. 12mo. pp. 36. THE object of this sermon is to trace the analogy between the pharisaical tenets of the Jews in our Saviour's time, and those of modern religionists, with a view to expose their unchristian tendency and demoralizing effects. It was in that principle of separation, from which their name was derived, and which kept them aloof from any intercourse with their brethren, that all those enormities originated, which provoked those severe denunciations of wrath against them, recorded in the Gospel. Their ideas of God, and of his attributes, and their general notions of religion, were far more correct than those of their rivals, the Sadducees; and yet our Saviour's reproofs were directed with greater pointedness against them. The piety of modern times is sadly tainted with this exclusive character; the evils resulting from which, and more especially that hypocrisy, so analogous to the pharisaical leaven of old, are deprecated by Mr. Harness in powerful language, and held to the just aversion of his hearers. The distinguishing marks of a true Christian, which he has forcibly contrasted with the ungenial spirit of the modern Pharisee, we subjoin for the edification of our readers: up The true convert may be distinguished by infallible signs. The society among whom he has habitually lived will be assured of his conversion, not by his avoiding, but by his holier conversation among them: his relatives will be instructed of it by his gentle and unremitting offices of duty and affection: his friends and companions will learn it from his being more considerate of their welfare and less of his own: his neighbours will discover it in the scrupulous integrity of his transactions; in the truth that directs his words; in the inviolable temperance of his life; in his fear of committing wrong; in his patient endurance of injury; in his liberality of opinion; in his generosity of heart; in his unenvying sympathy with their prosperity, and his sincere commiseration with their sorrows. All men will see, in his change of life, the testimony and the proof of his change of heart while they are directed to trace the gradual improvement of his conduct and his disposition to its right source by his unostentatious observance of the duties of private and public devotion; at home, : by the regularity of his domestic prayer; abroad, by his undeviating attendance at the church and sacrament. Such appear to me to be the outlines of a truly christian character-drawn, as I believe, in strict correspondence with the precepts and examples of the Saviour and his Apostles-as it would exist in the centre of society, conciliating and attaching the admiration and affection of mankind. We may aim after a pitch of enthusiastic and imaginary purity, but we shall only fall by attempting to soar above our appointed flight: we may endeavour to find a more perfect security for ourselves, by acting as the Pharisees did, and retiring from the temptations of the world within the circle of an exclusive religious society; but by so doing we abridge the influence of Christianity; we conceal the light which we are bound to set aloft, that its beams may be generally diffused we expose religion, by our rigid and uncommunicable virtue, to invidious attacks; while, for ourselves, we derive infinite evil from the measure, by incurring the danger of that reprobation which attends pharisaical dispositions. : The sermon, we observe, is published for the benefit of the Infant School in Regent-square. Henry and Antonio: or the Proselytes of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. Translated from the third edition of the German of Dr. C. G. Bretschneider, by the Rev. M. MORGAN, Chaplain to the British Residents, Gothenburg. Loudon: Rivingtons. 1829. 12mo. pp. xx. 260. Price 6s. 6d. In the present state of German Theology, it is truly cheering to meet with a work, in any degree connected with religion, and emanating from that quarter, which is untainted by the current notions of the day; and when we see the neologian dogmas of foreign divines gaining credit in our own country, and even among the principals of our universities, such an unlookedfor gratification is more than doubly welcome. The little tale before us exhibits a complete exposure of the fallacy of the Roman Catholic doctrines; and may be recommended, without any drawback on the score of rationalism, to the perusal of the young, and indeed of the young and the old indifferently. The outline of the story is extremely simple, and may be told in a few words: Henry, the son of a Protestant merchant, of a wavering and unsettled disposition, proceeds to Italy for the purpose of completing his education as an artist, and is there converted to the Romish faith, by the intriguing sophistry of a popish priest. After some stay abroad, he returns, in company with Antonio, a young orphan of an amiable disposition, whom he had chosen as an assistant in his profession, and to whom he was greatly attached. Antonio was of the Roman Catholic persuasion by birth, and so completely devoted to his faith, that he deemed it sinful to enter a Protestant church. At Frankfort, however, he ventured to strain his conscience in this manner; and returns to his inn with some misgivings as to the purity of the Romish doctrines. Under these impressions he borrows a Bible of the host; and enters upon a minute investigation of its contents. Upon their arrival at home, Henry's apostasy, as might be expected, is a source of melancholy regret to his family; and a series of conversations ensue, in which the papal religion is canvassed, and its errors and superstitions are so fairly and fully exposed, that Henry is eventually reclaimed. Antonio, in the mean time, has studied the Bible with earnest and unprejudiced solicitude; and the result is his renunciation of popery, and reception of the Protestant faith. Such is the story, which is, in fact, merely the means of introducing the conversations, in which the marrow of the volume lies. They are a calm and dispassionate, but complete and solid, refutation of the errors of the Romish church. The work was written, it should seem, in consequence of the unhappy conversion of the reigning Duke of Saxe-Gotha to popery in 1822; and the author, fully and personally aware of the machinations which the Jesuits employ to gain proselytes, has ably and effectually exposed them to the world. An unbiassed perusal of the tale cannot be unproductive of the most beneficial effects; and we sincerely recommend it to all who are unfortunately inclined to the liberal tenets of the day. Three editions of the original were disposed of in Germany in the space of two years. 1. A Map, illustrating the Ministerial Journeys of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, constructed from the design of the Rev. J. C. Crosthwaite, A.M. by A. ARROWSMITH, Hydrographer to his Majesty. A. and S. Arrowsmith. Price 4s. 2. A Map, illustrating the Travels of St. Paul, constructed from the design of the Rev. J. C. Crosthwaite, A.M. by A. ARROWSMITH. A. and S. Arrowsmith. Price 4s. THESE two maps are highly creditable to the Rev. Mr. Crosthwaite (a clergyman of the church of Ireland), by whom they were originally designed, and they form a useful supplement to the atlasses to the Bible hitherto published; for though almost all of them have maps of Judæa adapted to the evangelical history, yet in no one of them do we recollect to have seen the several routes of our Saviour, and of the great apostle of the Gentiles, so clearly laid down as in Mr. Crosthwaite's maps. The addition of references to the various passages of the four Gospels, in which the ministerial journeys of Jesus Christ are narrated, and to those parts of the Acts and Epistles, in which the routes of St. Paul are either mentioned or described, greatly enhances the value of these maps, which are neatly engraved by the eminent hydrographer, Arrowsmith. An Apology for the Established Church in Ireland; being an Attempt to prove that its present state is more pure than in any period since the Reformation; in a Series of Letters addressed to the Earl of Mountcashel. By the Rev. HENRY NEWLAND, B.D. Vicar of Bannow. Dublin: Curry and Co.; London, Hurst, Chance, and Co. 1829. pp. 264. Price 5s. As the ecclesiastical affairs of Ireland will most probably be discussed in parliament before the publication of our next number, we cannot close this department of our journal for the present month without recommending are Mr. Newland's important volume to the attentive perusal of all who take an interest in the welfare of the sister island. A large portion of his work is devoted to proving how very little the Protestant church in Ireland has benefited by her connexion with the state; and how LARGE A PORTION of her revenues was alienated by the ministers of the crown, in former times, which is now the property of laymen, who are actually in the receipt of tithes collected from six hundred and eighty parishes, to the amount of THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS per annum; while the entire income of all the Protestant bishops and clergy does not exceed that sum. Besides the amount of property just specified, laymen have become possessed of ONLY fourteen hundred and eighty glebes belonging to the church!!! Among many other interesting statements (and all Mr. Newland's statements founded on facts), we may notice the truly gratifying circumstance, that the Protestants have not decreased, as the advocates of popery insinuate; but on the contrary, for nearly the last huñdred and sixty years, that is, ever since the year 1672, they have kept, upon an average, the same proportionate ratio with the Romanist population, viz. as one to two and twothirds. Not fewer than six hundred and eighteen new churches have been erected since the Union of Ireland with Great Britain, besides ninetynine which have been enlarged in the same period; so that, in the short space of twenty-nine or thirty years, the bishops of the Protestant church in Ireland have accomplished almost as much as had been effected in the space of nearly three centuries. The important subjects of the diminution of unions of livings, the state of curates, and the various efforts made by the clergy for the diffusion of education in Ireland, are severally discussed by Mr. Newland; who writes with the warmth of a man convinced of the goodness of his cause, and conscious that the conduct of the bishops and clergy of the Irish Protestant church needs only to be investigated, in order to be approved by every candid and dispassionate person. |