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pretation, adopted by the author, is such number for August, 1826, in proof of

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apostolic precedent in favour of the first-day being the Christian Sabbath, and must therefore let the reader decide as to the replies to those arguments: we do not certainly consider them as furnishing a "refutation," much less a "complete refutation !" There is an attempt by a kind of special pleading to evade the force of the Scriptures adduced, but in our opinion it contains no argument.

The Authority of Jehovah asserted; or a Scriptural Plea for the Seventh-day Weekly Sabbath as the only Sabbath In this part of the pamphlet is a note, eter given by God to Man, &c. &c. By which we conclude was written by Mr. J. B. Shenstone. London. Richard Shenstone. It is in reference to a stateBaynes. 8vo. pp. 47. Price 18. 6d. ment of Mr. Burnside, that the words It has been whispered to us that this in Rev. i. 10. " on the Lord's day," were pamphlet should be treated as if it were an interpolation. "Mr. B." says Mr. S. anonymous, and that it contains abun-" informed me that he had a copy of the dant internal evidence that the ostensible is not its real author; but whether this suspicion be correctly founded or not, we have no means of deciding.

New Testament which did not contain the passage, and expressed his regret that he had omitted to mention that fact in his work on the Sabbath!" The executors of Mr. B. are respectfully

The author, for the purpose of vindicating the Seventh-day weekly Sab-intreated to produce this copy of the

bath, says,

"My object is to place this subject in a clear and Scriptural light, and to shew that in regard to a Sabbath, which is on all hauds allowed to be of such importance to man, there exists no such apostolic example; that no civil or ecclesiastical authority, however great, can be binding on the consciences of men like the express command of God; and that he has instituted the Seventh Day, with a view to its universal and perpetual observance by mankind." p.8.

New Testament! It must surely be an unique-printed, doubtless, from some manuscript more ancient than the Alexandrine in the British Museum, which, rior date, contains the passage! It is as also all other manuscripts of postenot wonderful, admitting that the mo mory of Mr. S. has not misled him, that Mr. Burnside should have regretted that he had omitted to mention his having such an invaluable New Testament in his library!

We need not reply to the truism, that nothing in religion enjoined by civil or We are not of Milton's opinion, quoted ecclesiastical authority is binding upon p. 27. that "no one day is appointed men's consciences like the express com- for Divine worship in preference to mands of God! The assertions, that another, except such as the church may there exists no apostolic example for the set apart of its own authority for the observation of the Lord's day, or the voluntary assembling of its members." first day of the week, as the Christian We consider that as the apostles, in Sabbath; and that God has instituted every thing which they taught the the Seventh day with a view to its uni-churches, whether by precept or exversal and perpetual observance by mankind, are the only points of debate in this controversy. A considerable part of this pamphlet consists of what the author calls " a complete refutation of all the arguments in favour of the first-day claims brought by the Editor of the Baptist Magazine." We have nothing to add to the statements in our

ample, acted in obedience to the directions of their Divine Master and Lord; that as there is no instance of Christians ever assembling on the seventh-day after the day of Pentecost, and an explicit mention of their meeting on the first day for preaching and administering the Lord's Supper; and an exbortation to the churches to attend to actions of

benevolence when they assembled on also of the Sabbath-day," to vindicate his conduct against the charges exhibited against him for having violated the law of the Sabbath, he intimated that the Sabbath day under the Gospel would be of another description.

that day; as also from its being designated" the Lord's day;" that the principles and practices of inspired men point out the first day as the Christian Sabbath, and furnish us with authority equal to a divine command, for observing it to the Lord: and thus to "Remember the Sabbath," (but not now the seventh) “day to keep it holy."

Our author says, in reply to these arguments, and respecting the universal and perpetual obligation of the Jewish or Seventh-day Sabbath: (his assertions are sufficiently confident)—

"There never has been any command, or any intimation or example produced from Scripture, in which it could be fairly inferred that the First day was substituted in the room of the Seventh. There is something in the Fourth Commandment as a circumstance peculiar to it alone. It is evident by the manner of expression, that it was not to the Jews a new command. They had known the Sabbath from their earliest infancy, but it had been by them, and especially by other nations, shamefully neglected. God here afresh commands them to REMEMBER it: reminding them of the manner in which it should be sanctified; and of the origin of its institution. All the rest of the commands, except the Fifth, are prohibitory. This Fourth is as old as the creation, and had been enjoined on all the posterity of Adam, and must be of perpetual obligation as much, if not more so, than the rest. The ceremonial law, as consisting of types and shadows, of course would fade away when the substance was come. But there is nothing in the law of ten commands but what must be eternally binding on the children of men. James speaks of the law of command as a royal law (chap. ii. 8.) and plainly teaches its perpetuity and obligation on man, which our Lord also strongly enforces in his sermon on the Mount. 'Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all; for he that said Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill: now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.' And thus we may reason respectiug the Sabbath."

Our limits prevent us from giving our reasons at present for concluding that the Fourth Commandment was given to the Jews as a nation, as part of the Sinai Covenant; that its peculiar regulations as to their servants, strangers, oxen, asses, &c. related to the Israelites alone; that as this Sabbath is repeatedly called a sign, even as the rite of circumcision also is, that it was as Paul expressly calls it, a shadow of good things to come; but the body is of Christ." Col. ii. 17.

66

The Pastor's Sketch-Book; or Authentic
Narratives of real Characters. Edited
by George Redford, A.M. London.
Holdsworth. 1826.

IT has been often said, and we believe truly, that real life presents almost as many remarkable scenes, as the writers of fictitious narratives fetch from the resources of their own imaginations. The truth is, there is less of the inventive faculty employed in the composition of such narratives, than is generally presumed. Stripped of a few embellishments, of a little of the drapery of style, the theatrical management of a few incidents, and the surprise of a final denouement or little out of the course of human events, catastrophe, a most of these productions are actually taken from real life, and many of them derive their deepest interest from this circumstance. We have no doubt, that were any person of even moderate observation, and possessed of the power of writing with accuracy and elegance, to compose a volume of mere facts, with which he had been himself conversant, This last sentence is jumping to a and veiling only incidents, places, and conclusion with a vengeance. Had our personages, in the garb of other names, Lord said, "whoever shall offend by he might without difficulty produce an not keeping the seventh-day as the interesting narrative: and although it Sabbath," the argument would have may be a sentiment not exactly in unison been conclusive. On the contrary, by with the received opinions on the subhis asserting, "The Son of Man is Lord |ject, we have no hesitation in affirming

that the interest, as well as the value of able. They rise above mediocrity; but a fictitious narrative will increase in the do not aspire to extraordinary excelratio of its approach to the truth of lence. They may be safely recomended character, and the habits of life. We for their piety, if not highly extolled for always feel most strongly what is true their superiority. In a word, they may to nature; and we feel it most perma- be read with advantage in the domestic nently. If professedly conducted into circle; and will, we hope, do much the regions of fancy, there it is never- good, even if they should not acquire theless necessary to any deep or lasting extensive fame. If we were in a critiimpression, that we are presented with cal humour we should find fault with the essential features of domestic and of the editor, who might have corrected social existence. some inelegant words and phrases, and who might possibly have improved the composition of the preface.

The little volume before us, however, is only fictitious in the names assumed: the characters are all real, and there is the super-addition of a more than moral, a direct and powerful religious tendency. The very title itself, indeed, might well lead us to anticipate the general nature and design of the book; and we have not been misled in this respect. It contains many internal evidences of truth, and the whole is fully and satisfactorily authenticated by a responsible editor.

On the Power of Christ in the Administration of the Affairs of His Kingdom By Thomas Mann. Baynes. London. IN an Advertisement prefixed to this Sermon, the Author says, "The intelligent reader will perceive, throughout, that it might easily have been enlarged.” We are of opinion such readers will feel It is not improbable, were a consider- no wish that it had been enlarged. He able number of works of this descrip- adds, "There were reasons for contion to be produced by competent densation in the delivery, and there are writers, that religious novels would be others for a similar attempt in the pubsuperseded; a result which without lication of the Sermon." Whatever pronouncing upon them as illegitimate other talents are displayed, the author modes of communicating instruction, we has certainly failed in the power of should nevertheless hail. For if truth" condensation." We cannot imagine, can be substituted for the pictures of if the Hampshire Association, before imagination, and exhibited in a form whom it was preached, did not request equally inviting, an important end is its publication, why he should have secured; the mind being thus familiar- complied with the wish of "the Miised with history, instead of merely fas-nisters and Deacons of Christchurch cinated with description, becomes pos- in their separate capacity." The pubsessed of the most substantial materials lication of such a Sermon was not necesof improvement. In fact, there is a sary for any valuable purpose of which similar difference between the one and we can conceive. There is a sentence the other, to that which is so palpable in p. 41, which, perhaps, was intended between the fine paintings of an original to be a beautiful antithesis! which in master, and the mere imitations of the our estimation is an horrible conception. artist, who, however skilful, must fall If the author wished to regard the pubinexpressibly short of those inimitable lishing this sermon as a suitable occasion graces and touches which bespeak the for literary display, and, he should have master hand, and make the canvas glow given the above sentence in Latin! with a kind of living reality.

With regard to the particular merits of this compilation, it is not necessary that we should minutely investigate them. Our general opinion is favour

LITERARY RECORD.

New Publications. 1. Bagster's Comprehensive Bible, with large and clear Type, being the only edition of the Holy Scriptures, which contains in One Volume, the Authorised Version, with the essentials required for pulpit, or study, or family use; having copious Prefaces and Indexes, and more than 4,000 Explanatory Notes, and above 500,000 Parallel Passages. It is our intention to review and give an account of this valuable work in our next number.

2. Old English Sayings newly expounded, in Prose and Verse. By Jefferys Taylor, Author of Parlour Conversations, &c. 12mo.

Price 4s.

3. The City of Refuge. By Thomas Quin, Esq. Second edition, with corrections.

12mo. Price 4s.

4. The Fortunate Employ; or, the Five Acres ploughed. A tale of real life. 18mo. boards, Price 2s. 6d. We had intended noticing this little work among the Juve nile Publications" below, but have been so much interested by the perusal, that we cannot help giving it a distinct place in our columns. The tale is skilfully told-the interest is well kept up- the style is always correct, often elegant- and the tendency is decidedly good, combining the entertaining and the useful.

5. Juvenile Publications: viz.

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Accusations of Piracy and Plagiarism exhiPreparing for publication, A Reply to the bited against the Author, in the January Number of the Christian Remembrancer, in a Review of "Horne and Carpenter's Introductions to the Study of the Holy Scriptures." This pamphlet will contain some curious information on the art and mystery of book-making, as exemplified in the Rev. T. H. Horne's Critical Introduction to the Study of the Scriptures. By William Carpenter. The author regrets that it should be found necessary to defend himself against the disingenuous attacks of Mr. Horne, by the adoption of such a course as the one now proposed; but a regard to his moral, as well as his literary character, renders it imperative upon him to do so.

The Rev. J. H. Hinton, A.M. of Read

(1.) Sabbaths at Home. A present føring, has in the press a work, entitled, Thesick Sunday Scholars. Price 6d. ology; or an Attempt towards a Consistent View of the whole Counsel of God. With passable.

Very

(2.) A Present from my Teacher. Price 18. Neatly printed, with a beautiful engraving. It contains three interesting tales, suitable for Sunday Scholars.

(3.) Alexander Himkof; or the Russian Mariner. Price is. 6d. This is very likely to be a popular book among our young friends. The narrative is highly interesting, and is founded upon the authenticated adventures of four Sailors, who sailed from Mesen, in 1743, and returned to Archangel in 1749," having been shipwrecked on a desert island, where they had resided in the interval.

(4.) Affection's Memorial; or the Tomb embalmed. A brief Memoir of Jemima Thurgood Higgs, youngest daughter of the Rev. James Higgs, of Cheshunt. Price 6d. The family and connections of the deceased will be gratified by the perusal of this tract. For ourselves, we are stern critics, and should point out some blemishes-perhaps say something on the importance of sim

a Preliminary Essay, on the Practicability

and Importance of this Attainment.

Shortly will be published, a volume of Essays on Literary Subjects. By T. Hathaway.

A Poem on Idolatry, in Four Cantos, by the Rev. W. Swan, Missionary, and author of the Memoir of Mrs. Patterson.

A New Poem from the pen of Bernard Barton, to be entitled "The Widow's Tale," and founded on the melancholy loss of the Five Wesleyan Missionaries, in the Mail Boat, off the Island of Antigua, will shortly be published.

Death on the Pale Horse, by the Rev. John Bruce, will be ready for publication on the 1st of March. The author regrets that it should have been delayed by an unforeseen occurrence. The engravings and plate which were duly forwarded by the Edinburgh mail, never reached the publishers, so that they have been obliged to wait the execution of a new plate.

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SEVERAL sorts of material were anciently used in making books. Plates of lead or copper, barks of trees, brick, stone, and wood, were originally employed to engrave such things and documents upon, as men desired to transmit to posterity. Josephus speaks of two columns, one of stone, the other of brick, on which the children of Seth wrote their inventions, and their astronomi- Paper, papyrus, is a kind of reed which cal discoveries. Porphyry mentions pillars grows in the Nile. The stem of this plant preserved in Crete, on which were recorded is composed of several coatings, lying one the ceremonies practised by the Corybantes on the other, which are taken off with a in their sacrifices. Hesiod's works were at needle: they are afterwards spread on a first written on tablets of lead, in the tem- table, and so much is moistened as is equal ple of the Muses, in Boeotia. God's laws to the size which it is intended the leaves of were written on stone; and Solon's laws on papyrus shall be of. This first bed of leaves wooden planks. In Job xix. 23, 24, there is covered with a layer of fine paste, or with is mention made of writing in a book, en- the muddy water of the Nile, warmed; graving on lead, and cutting on a rock. In then a second bed of paper leaves is laid Ezek. xxxvii. 16, 17, we read of writing upon this paste, and the whole is left to dry upon a stick, a practice which was in use in the sun. Such was the Egyptian papyrus, among the Greeks, and other ancient na- whence our paper takes its name, though its tions. Tablets of box and ivory were com- composition be so very different. Varro mon among the ancients: when they were observes, and Pliny from him, that the use of wood only, they were oftentimes coated of papyrus, for writing on, was first disover with wax, which received the writing covered in Egypt, at the time of Alexander's inscribed on them with the point of a style, building Alexandria. The kings of Egypt or iron pen; so that what was written having collected a great library at Alexanmight be effaced by the broad end of the dria, the kings of Pergamus proposed to style. Afterwards, the leaves of the palm-imitate their example; but the Egyptian tree were used instead of wooden planks; monarchs, either from envy, or some other

also, the finest and thinnest bark of trees, such as. the lime, the ash, the maple, and the elm: hence, the word liber, which signifies the inner bark of trees, signifies, also, a book. As these barks were rolled up, to be more readily carried about, they were called volumen, a volume; a name given likewise to rolls of paper, or of parchment.

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