"Priests exalt with wayward zeal "Priests their idol church will sing, "Priests invoke in hour of need "Jesus, moved by love divine, Thou thy wandering sheep hast sought; By thy cross and passion bought. "Saved by thee from death and shame, "Thee I will with joy obey, Honour those whom thou dost love; "Saviour, make thy servants know Wisdom, courage, zeal, and strength. "So may Romish falsehoods cease, A Sermon preached in St Andrew's Free Church, Edinburgh, Nov. 24, 1844, being the Sabbath succeeding the funeral of John Abercrombie, M.D., &c. By the Rev. J. BRUCE, A.M. Edinburgh: J. Johnstone. 1844. Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit! Seldom has that old oft-quoted line been more fully verified than in the case of Dr Abercrombie. Well-known and much honoured, not only in Scotland, but throughout Europe for nearly forty years, the intelligence of his death has awakened a deep and most extensive sympathy. The loss in his own professional circle will be heavy, but not less so in the more sacred circle where he moved so long,-the Church of Christ. There he adorned the doctrine of his God and Saviour, in a way which for unobtrusive modesty, united to zeal and decision in the cause of Christ, was peculiar to himself. He shone as the man of faith, and love, and Christian liberality during all his career of usefulness. His death is a great public ca lamity. Mr Bruce's sermon is quite characteristic of its author,-original, Scriptural, and full of spirituality. He speaks as a man looking solemnly into eternity, yet also as a man who has lost a much-prized friend. Historical Collections relating to remarkable periods of the success of the Gospel. Compiled by the Rev. J. GILLIES, D.D. Published originally in 1754, and now reprinted, &c. Parts 6 and 7. Kelso: J. Rutherfurd. 1844. This republication has now reached its seventh part, or nearly one half of what it is intended to be. A large amount of original matter has been interspersed throughout, taken from several old sources omitted by Dr Gillies. It might be of great service to the poorer classes in bringing them acquainted with the more spiritual part of our church history, for which general historians have no room. The Presbyterian's Armoury; an Apologetical Relation of the particular sufferings of the faithful ministers and professors of the Church of Scotland. By the Rev. JOHN BROWN, minister at Wamphray, 1660. Edinburgh: R. OGLE. 1844. The church is greatly indebted to Mr Ogle for this admirable series of republications. The present one has been long in high repute, but had become scarce. It well deserved republication, and it no less deserves extensive circulation. We hope to notice some more of this series in our next. Memoirs of the Life of Mr Robert Blair, in Two Parts, reprinted from the Edition of 1754, with additional notes. Belfast: W. M'Comb. 1844. Mr M'Comb could not have done a greater service not only to the Presbyterian Church, but to the whole Church of Christ, than in republishing the life of Robert Blair. It is one of those rich biographies of the older days of Scottish history, which have been for nearly 200 years the household literature of our peasantry. The present is a cheap and excellent edition; and as the old editions are rather scarce and dear, it will, we doubt not, be welcome to many a Christian reader, both in Ireland and in Scotland. Would that we had many Blairs, Welshes, Bruces, and Livingstons, in these days of overflowing iniquity! Memoir and Remains of the Rev. R. M. M'Cheyne. By the The present generation will not soon forget the "man greatly beloved," of whom the above is the memoir; nor will other generations cease to praise the Lord for having raised up such a man. He is in heaven and we are still on earth, but his bright example remains behind, to quicken our languid souls in their heavenward course. Our age needed many such, and they are few. Yet it pleased God to take that one away, whom we thought we could least have spared. We look to him who took away, to raise up a band of others no less faithful, and even more abundantly successful, in the ministry of the cross. The darkness of our clouded sky,-the death and desolation that prevail,—the multitude of oppressors, all combine to make us lift our eyes to the hills whence cometh our help, and who alone can call forth and anoint a living ministry, and gather in thousands through their voice. This is a new edition of Mr M'Cheyne's life, in one volume. It is both neat and cheap. It has already found a large sale, and promises to find a still larger. God spoke effectually to souls through that living voice, which is now silent here; and it may be that he means to speak still more effectually and extensively, through the story of his life and the records of his much-blest labours. South Indian Sketches, containing a Short Account of some of the Missionary Stations connected with the Church Missionary Society. Parts 1 and 2. 2 vols. London: J. Nisbet. 1843. Protestant Missions in Bengal illustrated: being the substance of a Course of Lectures on Indian Missions. By J. J. WEITBRECHT. 2d Edition. London: J. F. Shaw. 1844. In the year 1599, a few British merchants received permission from Queen Elizabeth to trade with India. Having obtained a royal charter, they despatched a fleet in the succeeding year. And out of this feeble (man would say accidental) beginning, has arisen the mighty empire of British India. Previous to this, the Dutch, the Portuguese, and the French, had each in turn made the attempt; but all had failed. God had another nation in reserve to do his work in that vast region. Since that period, the merely civil and secular history of India has been full of interest. To the statesman, the student, the philosopher, the merchant, the annals of these two centuries and a half, present much that is attractive and instructive. The records of an empire whose population now approaches two hundred millions must be worth the searching into. The manners too and private life of such a people, must present matter for interesting research. A brief historical sketch of India is presented to us in the first chapter of Mr Weitbrecht's work, comprising an account of all that is worth knowing about it: productions,-food,-furniture,-dwellings,―manners,--character,--commerce, and all similar topics. In the other work before us, these sketches are more minute and extensive,-written especially for juvenile readers, but in a style and manner which renders them attractive and profitable to all. These two works combined, furnish us with a concise yet ample view of India and Indian life. Indeed we might pretty confidently aver that a thorough reading of both would put one in complete possession of the general state of India, and give as full an insight into the customs of its inhabitants as one could desire to have. In this respect alone then they are valuable, even apart from the Christian spirit which pervades them, and the missionary intelligence of which they are full. The subsequent part of Mr W.'s work takes up the subject of missions, after laying before us a fearful but well-drawn picture of the real condition and nature of Hindoo idolatry. It is admirably executed in every way,brief, yet full, and presented to us in a style of great purity and elegance. The Life of Isaac Milner, D.D., F.R.S., Dean of Carlisle, &c. By his Niece, MARY MILNER. 2d Edition. Abridged. London: Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley. 1844. This is a second and condensed edition of a very valuable work. Were we entering into a lengthened review of the volume, we might suggest some amendments, and perhaps hint at some faults, but taking it as a whole, it is an The excellent biography of a truly eminent, able, learned, and pious man. names of Joseph and Isaac Milner, are familiar to our readers, and both of them are names to be held in everlasting remembrance. They are to be numbered among the great no less than the good; for though humbly born, their natural gifts soon raised them to no common eminence among their contemporaries, and obtained for them not only private veneration, but public honour. Both the nation and the church owe much to both of them. The Calcutta Review. No. 2. 1844. This second number is more entirely devoted to the secular affairs of India than the first, and as such, is full of interest, both to the reader of history and the politician. It is ably conducted, and with much impartiality. M'Comb's Presbyterian Almanack and Christian Remembrancer for 1845. Dublin, W. M'Comb, 1845. Full of various information, well-selected, and well-digested. It is really an almanack worth having. We give a specimen of its contents, that our readers may judge of the different kinds of information comprised in it. It is regard. ing the Welsh Church. "The last Synod of this Church was held in Bangor, North Wales, in September 1844, when there were about 300 ministers and elders present. Ou Tuesday, delegates from the different monthly meetings or Presbyteries met to arrange the business of the Synod, and in the evening two sermons were preached to a very crowded congregation, in their largest church in Bangor, which is a very fine building, and capable of containing from 2000 to 3000 people. "On Wednesday morning, the ministers and elders met at six o'clock, to consult on the subject of their missions, and afterwards, with deep seriousness discussed such questions as the following:-What are the prevailing sins of the present day in Wales? And what remedies should be employed to eradicate them? This day, three ministers were ordained with great solemnity; and after great faithfulness had been exercised in examining them on the Confes sion of Faith. The house was crowded to overflowing, and the ministers and people were deeply affected. On this evening, the deputation from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland had the privilege of addressing the Synod. After resolutions expressive of great affection and cordiality had been passed, two ministers were appointed as a deputation to the Assembly, which is to meet in Dublin, in July 1845. "Thursday was principally devoted to preaching, and certainly such a day of solemn religious services, it never was the writer's privilege to witness before. As many more were expected than the largest place of worship can contain, a field had been selected, and in this a wooden shed was erected for the preacher, and which accommodated many of the more aged ministers. At six o'clock in the morning the services commenced, and even at that early hour, the roads leading to the place were thronged with people, many of whom were covered with dust, and had been travelling all night. It is not unusual for large numbers to come thirty or forty miles to these solemn assemblies. The service was over at half-past seven, and the office-bearers returned to synodical busiAt ten o'clock, the field presented a most imposing appearance, being lined on each side by a large number of vehicles full of people, and the intermediate space in front of the preacher being densely crowded with an immense multitude of eager listeners, packed together almost as close as they could staud. Means were taken to ascertain the number present, and the calcula ness. tion gave from 18,000 to 22,000. The people were all respectably dressed and seemed peculiarly sober-minded and intelligent, and exceedingly like an assembly of Ulster Presbyterians. At the commencement, all stood calm, and motionless, and silent; but, as the preacher proceeded, it soon became evident that the truth was piercing its way to the hearts and consciences of the hearers, for the tears were flowing fast, and falling in many a stream upon the ground, and, when occasionally the preacher paused in his argument, and lifted up his voice in a short ejaculatory prayer, the solemn but loud and united amen of the many thousand worshippers told how deeply their inmost souls were moved. There was often, also, the expression of intense delight on the countenances of both ministers and people. At the conclusion, when they sang the high praises of their redeeming God, it was truly like the sounding of many waters. They sang with remarkable sweetness and fervour, and to the obtaining an accurate knowledge of the science of sacred music many of them devote much of their spare time, and are not satisfied without employing first-rate teachers. During all that day, there was not the least appearance of irreverence or indecorum, and, after each short interval of rest, the people returned as though still thirsting to drink deeper of the river of life, and, at the conclusion of the services, late in the evening, so far from being wearied, many seemed as though they would gladly have continued hearing, and praying, and praising all night. On these great occasions, it is not unusual to witness very large numbers of individuals brought under deep concern for their souls, and to the sermons delivered at these synodical meetings, many in Wales owe, under God, their saving conversion, and through eternity will praise God for them. Never before did the writer of this short report witness such a vast congregation assembled for the simple but sublime object of worship,— never did he, in one day, hear so many sermons,-never did he look on more earnest preachers,-never did he observe more perfect decorum in any place of worship,-never did he witness such deep impressions made, such holy joy enkindled, and never did he retire from any solemn service with more excited feelings, or with a more delighted heart. Once such days and such scenes were not unusual in Ulster. Oh that they were come back again! The Synod closed with a solemn service on Friday. Very great advantages may be anticipated to the Church in Ulster from the intercourse now commenced with the Presbyterian Church of Wales. " Pp. 65, 66, A Tract for the Times. Edinburgh: W. P. Kennedy, 1844. A simple, but useful tract, regarding the present circumstances of the church of Christ, more particularly with reference to the Free Church. Its opening sentence will give an idea of it. "Dear Christian Friends,-A day, dark and fearful, is at hand: the dawn has begun. The called, the chosen, and faithful see it, and prepare for it. The day has come in the which all human institutions are crumbling away—and because their time is limited, no man can stay them; but the pure Word of God, or as it is emphatically called, The truth as it is in Jesus,' shall endure for ever; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; not one jot, nor one tittle of all that he hath spoken, shall fail; Hath the Lord spoken and shall he not do it?' and to him all human authorities shall shortly render a true and faithful account of their stewardship, whether they will or not. 6 "We are not led to believe that the impending judgments will be arrested or retarded as in the former days, through the intercessory prayers of God's believing people; therefore, it is of the deepest importance for our own souls' sake, that we be found on the right side when the Lord shall begin his controversy with us.' Let us then lay aside all prejudice, all pre-conceived no ་ |