The System; a Tale of the West Indies, | Is he captivating to your spirit? Then he BY CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH. Author beholds you as all beauteous, arrayed in his of Consistency, Perseverance, Osric, own comeliness."

Allan M'Leod, &c.

THE author of this volume has already appeared before the public with honour, and will suffer nothing in reputation from the publication of "The System." We are among those who think, that of late mankind have been greatly injured by fictions. We admire and hate those northern novels which paint to us demons beautiful, and make upright men resemble fallen spirits; and we are reminded by them of what we once heard uttered by a plain man- "I would rather," said he, "hear a rough truth, than a pleasant lie." The work before us is, however, in no degree like the false productions we have mentioned, except that it is nearly as fascinating. "The System" contains a considerable portion of facts, and its imaginations are not at war with veritable narrative. We have never read a work that was more likely to inspire benevolent sentiments toward mankind; that was better fitted to excite pity toward the slaves, and the mass of the people of colour in the West Indies; and that more impressively exhibited the oppressions, the impurities, and the torments that the slave trade and slavery have produced.

Now we ask, what is there in this passage that discriminates holy character and evangelical experience? We ask if it be not truly pernicious thas loosely to assure of an interest in the true salvation? Should the concerns of immortal souls be treated as matters in which caution is unnecessary, and error not injurious?

It is also very common for that class of preachers to which our author belongs, to ascribe to Satan the wickedness in which their followers indulge; and thus they are effectually preserved from godly sorrow for their offences. Exhorting to prayer in this way, the preacher says, "Resist Satan, who will attempt to mar thy comfort when drawing near to a throne of grace. Then will the tempter attack thee with languor in prayer." Would it not have been much nearer the truth, to have attributed this want of devotion to the unholiness of the heart, and have exhorted its subject to repentance and prayer for pardon and sanctity?

These Sermons much too often assure

of possessing privileges without describing character, and speak of sin without blaming the sinner. Examples abound; but we have not space for them. The style of these discourses is also very faulty. There are many passages written in a slang between prose and flashy poetry, of which the following is an example. When intending to describe the agony of Jesus, he says

"Now flew the darts of Satan thick at the Captain of our salvation; bucklers, and

THESE discourses contain objectionable statements, and the style in which they are composed is far from good. Of the former we give a few instances in this place. We have often noticed with deep sorrow, that consolation is administered so flippantly by some preach-helms, and javelins, were opposed to Jesus ers, that the unconverted and unholy can enjoy comfort under their ministry, which is on that account popular. A specimen of this we find in the 201st page of the volume before us :—

of horror played around him, and at the in mystic and invisible war; the red flame moment he felt all the malice of the world, as it should fall personally and severally upon his church to the end of time, all the force of sin in the form of its most baleful but insinuating temptations, all the violence of Satan and his legions; for probably the infernal pit could scarcely furnish even a subordinate fiend who did not at that time hurl insult upon him."

Can any man be in earnest, as a minister of the Gospel, who preaches

thus? Is it possible to be rightly affected | handed down from age to age, without ques

with the subject of the Redeemer's agony, and treat on it in this manner? And when we lose sight of particular passages, and speak of the Sermons generally, we are obliged to describe them as destitute of connection of parts, progress of thought, and distinctness of meaning. And, so far as their influence is felt, the sinner will be left without remorse, and true dependence on the work of Jesus Christ; and the saint without stimulus to holiness of heart and righteousness of conduct.

tion or examination; and the instances are far from being uncommon, in which fancimake the word of God more spiritual and ful and ridiculous attempts are made to edifying than it was ever intended to be by the Holy Spirit. Passages are very frequently adduced in proof of doctrines, which, when carefully examined, are found to refer to subjects totally different: the or expositor becomes the object of pity and consequence of which is, that the preacher contempt; and the doctrines which, in such an injudicious manner, he has attempted to defend are regarded as suspicious, or rejected as untenable, because unsupported by the scriptures alleged in their favour. There is also gone abroad a spirit, which treating with disdain the ordinary rules of the exegetical art, and indulging in favourite

Elements of Biblical Criticism and Inter-notions, hastily adopted, and audaciously pretation. Translated from the Latin stamped with the impress of divine authoof Ernesti, Keil, Beck, and Morus; rity, tends to unsettle the minds of the simand accompanied with notes; by Moses ple, and lead them to place their faith in Stuart, associate Professor of Sacred authoritative and dogmatical assertions, inLiterature in the Theological Seminary stead of confiding in the unerring record of at Andover, North America. Repub- God, soberly and consistently explained, lished, with additional observations, by according to approved principles of sacred E. HENDERSON, Theological and Re-philology. Though not professedly lifted sident Tutor of the Mission College, up as a standard against such a spirit, this Hoxton, &c. &c. 12mo. pp. 152. Lon-work of Ernesti's, greatly enhanced in value don: Holdsworth. Price 4s. by the translator's notes, must, to the extent of its operation, check its progress, and lessen its maddening and pernicious influence.

THIS small volume furnishes much useful advice on the subject of which it treats. It contains general rules of criticism — remarks on the moral and literary qualifications of an interpreter of Scripture-rules of interpretration, general and special-observations on translating the Scriptures, &c. &c. Apposite illustrations are given, and reference is made to authors whose works may be advantageously consulted. Dr. Henderson remarks in his preface,

"The present editor has been induced by two reasons to republish the work in this country. First, because of the difficulty and expense connected with the obtaining of copies from America; and secondly, because he is deeply convinced that the subjects of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation have not engaged that degree of close and attentive study to which, from their importance, they are entitled. There still exists, to a very considerable extent, a disposition to acquiesce in certain received modes of interpretation, which have been

Ministers and Biblical Students in general may derive valuable aid from this cheap and unpretending work.

Three Discourses: the Jews God's Witnesses; the Pharisee and the Publican; the Green Tree and the Dry. By J. A. Haldane.

THESE sermons abound with references

to the sacred volume, give continual explanations of Scripture, and are truly evangelical. They contain no passages of brilliant eloquence, and many readers would deem them rather heavy ; but by all who reflect on their sinfulness, and honestly desire salvation, there are not a few statements in this volume that would be powerfully felt.

OBITUARY.

GEORGE WILLIAM STRONG.

greater part of one (contained in the Extracted from the Gentleman's Magazine. «Hark! my gay friend, that solemn Magdalen collection) commencing with DIED, at Woodbridge, Suffolk, aged 7, toll." The tone of his mind not being George-William, youngest son of the then so well known, so soon as his conRev. W. and Susanna Strong, of Stor- tinual recurrence to it was observed, ground, Hunts. It is seldom that even the book was removed; but the verses parental affection can find an apology acquired remained indelibly engraved, for obtruding upon the uninterested and the sound of a passing bell never reader its reminiscences of so short a failed to draw forth an emphatic repecareer; but there was a peculiarity in tition of the first line. From his earliest the character and conduct of this child, infancy the Bible had been to him what which seems to render it a duty that the the story-book is to children in general, influence of such an example should the most unfailing source of amusement; not be confined within the narrow circle he had long been pursuing a voluntary of his own family, or the span of his plan of reading it regularly through. earthly sojourn. With an uncommon This natural bent had been indulged by strength of intellect, and unusual man- permitting him to commence his acliness of disposition, he combined quaintance with the ancient languages. an acute perception of moral recti- With the Hebrew his progress had been tude, and a scrupulous attention to such as no talents, however great, could all the proprieties and delicacies of have secured, unless the heart had been more advanced age. His character was deeply engaged in the pursuit. A note entirely of a religious cast, but unsha-written to his father, nearly a twelvedowed by the slightest tincture of me- month since, in that language, had earnlancholy. Prayer was his pleasure, ed him a Hebrew Bible; and this scarcely less than praise. After having copied a part of "Patrick's Devotions," he had at length begged to have the book, and the good use which he made of it cannot be better exemplified than in the two following instances. On the morning of the last anniversary of his birth, no sooner had his father quitted the room, than he hastened from play, in which he was briskly engaged, and entreated his mother to join him in of fering up the prayer recommended for such an occasion. He had also selected for private devotion the "prayer for a student," contained in the same book; this he used daily, until his studies were in some degree interrupted by a visit into Suffolk. Thither the volume was carried, at his particular desire. Of hymns he had spontaneously committed to memory a considerable variety; before he was four years old, uninvited and unencouraged, he had learned the

possession was in his estimation invaluable. He had for some time before his decease, been importunate to acquire a knowledge likewise of Greek, from an ardent anxiety to read the New Testament also in the original; and his advancement in that of Hebrew justifying a division of his attention, had obtained a speedy promise of gratification. Insatiable as his thirst for learning was, the Latin, not being a primitive language of the sacred Seriptures, stood much lower in his esteem; but a work connected with his biblical researches having been chosen, he had begun the attainment of it with apparent satisfaction. He had acquired an useful habit of noting down, or requesting others to note for him, in what he termed his “journals," any piece of instructive information which his reading presented, and had commenced an onomasticon of the Bible.

Such is a brief notice of his literary humour, but on the slightest indication hours of those of exercise, the far of misconduct, reproving her with a greater number were devoted to the tone of gentle authority, which was garden; in the spots allotted to himself never resisted. One beautiful instance not a weed was to be seen, and he en-of his mode of control should not be tered with all the emulation of a prac- omitted. When he had not long comtitioner into a friendly competition with pleted his third year, she was stooping the gardener, for the production of the in the wantonness of infancy to pluck a first flower and the earliest vegetable. primrose: he rushed forwards and His ardent love to God was necessa- checked her, saying that the flower was rily accompanied with a corresponding not hers, but papa's; she cried in conlove to man. At a fair which occurred in sequence, and he proceeded in his reaOctober last, of a number of shillings soning-"though papa cannot see you, with which he had been presented, he God can ;" and enforced this observaexpended only one sixpence for himself, tion with a quotation from Wattsin the purchase of a watch-key, which he really wanted; and returned laden, not with toys and trifles, but with a suit of clothes, for the son of a labourer in « the village. To a sister, one year younger than himself, he was a friend, a guide, and a guardian; bearing all her little fancies with imperturbable good

"There's not a place where we can flee, But he is present there."

Besides," he added, "you should not pull flowers :"

"There's not a plant or flower below, But makes his glories known."

GLEANINGS.

ANECDOTES OF THE REFORMATION IN send to hell by their excommunications.

ITALY IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

The following extracts are taken from Dr. M'Crie's " History of the Progress and Suppression of the Reformation in Italy in the Sixteenth Century."

There are no crimes for which pardon cannot be obtained from the monks for money they grant to renegades and usurers that sepulture which they deny to the poor who have nothing to pay. To live at ease, to buy good fish, fine wheat-bread, and exqui"The poets of the middle ages, known site wines, is their great object during the by the name of Troubadours, had joined whole year. God grant me to be a monk, with the Vaudois in condemning the reign- if salvation is to be purchased at this price!" ing vices of the priests; and several of the "If God (says another troubadour,) save superstitious notions and practices by which those whose sole merit lies in loving good the clergy increased their power and wealth cheer, and paying their court to women-if were assailed in those lively satires, which the black monks, the white monks, the were written in the ancient language of Pro- templars, the hospitallers, gain heaven, then vence, but read by the inhabitants of Italy St. Peter and St. Andrew were great fools and Spain. It is a curious circumstance, to submit to such torments for the sake of and may be considered as reflecting honour a paradise which costs others so little.” on a sect which has been so unmercifully traduced by its adversaries, that the Noble Leycon, and other religious poems of the "A scene which was exhibited during Vaudois, which are among the earliest and the siege of the castle of Rome, will conrarest monuments of Provençal poetry, con- vey an idea of the indignity shown to all tain few of those satirical reflections on the which had been held sacred in the Roman clergy, which abound in the writings of see. A party of German soldiers, mounted their contemporaries who remained in the on horses and mules, assembled one day Romish church. "Indulgences, (says one in the streets of Rome. One of them, of the latter,) pardons, God and the devil-named Grunwald, distinguished by his maall, the priests make use of. To some they jestic countenance and stature, being attired allot paradise by their pardons: others they like the pope, and wearing a triple crown,

was placed on a horse richly caparisoned. | dispute of considerable length ensued beOthers were arrayed like cardinals, some tween the youth and the preacher. Prowearing mitres, and others clothed in scarlet voked at the pertinent replies of his juveor white, according to the rank of those nile opponent, and at the favourable recepwhom they personated. In this form they tion which the audience gave them, 'Get marched, amidst the sounding of drums and you gone, you young rascal! (exclaimed fifes, and accompanied with a vast concourse the monk) you are but just come from the of people, with all the pomp and ceremony cradle, and will you take it upon you to usually observed in a pontifical procession. judge of sacred things, which the most When they passed a house in which any of learned cannot explain?'-' Did you never the cardinals was confined, Grunwald bless-read these words, Out of the mouths of ed the people by stretching out his fingers babes and sucklings God perfects praise?' in the manner practised by the pope on such rejoined the youth; upon which the preachoccasions. After some time he was taken er quitted the pulpit in wrathful confusion, from his horse, and borne on the shoulders breathing out threatenings against the poor of one of his companions on a pad or seat boy, who was instantly thrown into prison, prepared for the purpose. Having reached where he still lies," says the writer of the the castle of St. Angelo, a large cup was letter, which was dated on the 31st of Deput into his hands, from which he drank to cember 1544." the health and safe custody of Clement, in which he was pledged by his attendants. He then administered to his cardinals an oath, in which he joined; engaging, that they would yield obedience and faithful allegiance to the emperor, as their lawful and only prince, that they would not disturb the peace of the empire by intrigues, but, as became them, and according to the precepts of scripture and the example of Christ and his apostles, would be subject to the civil powers. After a speech in which he rebearsed the civil, parricidal, and sacrilegious wars excited by the popes, and acknowledged that Providence had raised up the emperor Charles to revenge these crimes, and bridle the rage of wicked priests, the pretended pontiff solemnly promised to transfer by testament all his authority and power to Martin Luther, that he might remove all the corruptions which had infected the apostolical see, and completely refit the ship of St. Peter, that it might no longer be the sport of the winds and waves, through the unskilfulness and negligence of its governors, who, intrusted with the helm, had spent their days and nights in drinking and debauchery. Then raising his voice, he said, "All who agree to these things and are willing to see them carried into execution, let them signify this by lifting up their hands;" upon which the whole band of soldiers, raising their hands, exclaimed, "Long live Pope Luther! Long live Pope Luther!' All this was performed under the eye of Clement VII."

"An Observantine monk, preaching one day at Imola, told the people, that it behoved them to purchase heaven by the merit of their good works. A boy, who was present, exclaimed, That's blasphemy! for the Bible tells us that Christ purchased heaven by his sufferings and death, and bestows it ou us freely by his mercy.' A

"In spite of the keen search made for them, many protestants still remained in the city of Venice. In the year 1560, they sent for a minister to form them into a church, and had the Lord's supper administered to them in a private house. But soon after this, information having been given of their meetings by one of those spies whom the court of Rome kept in its pay, all who failed in making their escape were committed to prison. Numbers fled to the province of Istria; and after concealing themselves there for some time, a party of them, amounting to twenty-three, purchased a vessel to carry them to a foreign country. When they were about to set sail, an avaricious foreigner, who had obtained a knowledge of their design, preferred a claim before the magistrates of the place against three of them for a debt which he alleged they owed him, and failing in his object of extorting the money, accused them as heretics who fled from justice; in consequence of which they were arrested, conveyed to Venice, and lodged in the same prisons with their brethren. Hitherto the senate had not visited the protestants with capital punishment; though it would appear that, before this period, the inquisitors had, in some instances, prevailed on the local magistrates of the remoter provinces to gratify them to that extent.

But now the senate yielded to those counsels which they had so long resisted; and acts of cruelty commenced which continued for years to disgrace the criminal jurisdiction of the republic. Drowning was the mode of death to which they doomed the protestants, either because it was less cruel and odious than committing them to the flames, or because it accorded with the customs of Venice. But if the autos da fé of the queen of the Adriatic were less barbarous than those of Spain, the solitude and silence with which they