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was immediately complied with. During the prayer his spirit was evidently spreading her wings for flight, and he exclaimed, as the prayer was closed, O yes, it is true, all true, and all precious. Then you find the Lord, your Redeemer, still near you,' said Mr. M'C. Yes,' was his reply, as his faith rose in its full triumph,

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the eternal God is my refuge, and underneath me are the everlasting arms.'-The same day he called his dear wife-she was near him-putting his arms round her, he said, My dear Joanna, I want you to be near me while passing through the valley, and to comfort me with good words, O my dear wife let me go!' Shortly after, I want the brightness of my Father's glory to take me home, and I want a dear wife to let me go.' She said the Lord's time best, and whatever is his will I trust I shall be enabled to submit to.-' Yes,' he replied, but still, but still'- Supposing that he alluded to her praying for his recovery, she said, 'My dear love, I am willing, since you desire it, to give you up to your Saviour.' He seemed relieved, and again putting his arm around her, said, You have always been a dear, kind wife to me.' Mrs. B. mentioned the names of some Christian friends, and asked him if he wished to see them :' he replied, "The dear Shepherd's face is all I wish to seebut tell them all to pray for me; it is consoling to me to think they are praying for me: I want their prayers to help me through the dark valley. During the night of Friday, he kindly remembered all under his care in the counting-house. On the morning of Saturday, a youth, his apprentice, came to see him; he took him by the hand, and said, Dear Edward, I thought to have trained you for this world and the next; but the Lord will take care of youseek the Saviour!' About eight o'clock, he said, I am perfectly satisfied, I am perfectly satisfied!' and thus closed his testimony to the truth of the promises and the preciousness of the grace of his blessed Saviour, and immediately the work of dissolution began.

The character of Mr. Bethune is thus briefly and accurately summed up in the funeral sermon by his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Romeyn,

With almost every society for the promotion of religion and the melioration of human misery in this city, he has been connected since he professed the name of Christ, and his life has been that of a devoted follower of his Lord and Master in the different relations which he has sustained. Few laymen ever appeared in our judicatories who commanded more respect and possessed more influence. He was listened to with attention by all, and how ever diversified might be the opinions amongst them, his word and his judgment rarely failed to command their merited tribute. His perception was quick, and

his judgment, when called into exercise under his conscious responsibility, solid and substantial. A kinder man never lived; one more open to advice-more forbearing towards others. Who among those that knew him did not greet his visits? You found him the Christian decided, and the worldly gentleman acknowledged. Few, very few, had the talent of commending the Gospel and its truths to others in a way more attractive, and powerful from its attraction.'

The closing scene corresponded with the tenor of his life. The uniform and distinguishing characteristic of his dying exercises was, an entire absorption of spirit in the view of the glory, and in the feeling of the preciousness, of the grace of the Lord Jesus. They strikingly displayed the importance of early religious habits, of thorough scriptural knowledge, and of a consistent Christian life. The fruit of these he found in the clear, calm, and firm operations of a living faith, and a hope that did not make ashamed; affording to all around him the visible and audible proofs that he had 'arrived at the fulness of the stature of a man in Christ Jesus.' His prayers were heard; his passage through Jordan was calm and easy; and without a groan or a sigh he fell asleep on the bosom of that Redeemer whom he loved to serve during life, and whom he longed to see eye to eye, and face to face in the upper sanctuary.

"Night dews fall not more gently on the ground,

Nor weary, worn-out winds expire more soft,"

than this follower of the Lamb passed from his pilgrimage on earth to his loved home in pared for him. the skies, the mansion his Master had pre

From a very excellent letter of Mrs. Bethune, now before us, we learn that Mr. B. has left two daughters, both married to "excellent young ministers, who have been eminently successful in their Master's work." His only son is studying for the ministry, and there is also an adopted son engaged in the same employment. Speaking of her loss, Mrs. B. says, in language and feeling worthy of such a mother and such a husband, "Twenty-nine years did we go hand in hand on our journey through the wilderness - never having a thought unknown to each other, or ever differing scarcely in opinion. But

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[It is our intention to furnish a much more extended monthly list of publications that was included in the former series of this Magazine. Much delay often occurs, both unexpectedly and unavoidably, in the department of reviewing. Many works of great value do not require a lengthened critique; and the space usually allotted to reviews in this work is necessarily brief. We are therefore compelled to omit altogether the notice we would gladly take of a large number of excellent works. It has been deemed desirable to furnish our readers with a list, including brief notices of such works as we may have had an opportunity of perusing. It is our wish to give immediate notice of the publication of good and useful books. Authors and publishers will oblige us by the communication of early intelligence, and they may depend upon prompt attention on our part. No work, however, can be inserted in the List which is not sent, or some notice of it, before the 22d of the month.]

THE COTTAGE BIBLE AND FAMILY EXPOSITOR: Containing the Authorized Translation of the Old and New Testaments; with Practical Reflections and Explanatory Notes. Part I.

18.

We have been much gratified in the perusal of this first part of the Cottage Bible. The notes are excellent; and the illustrations of oriental customs, and explanations of difficult passages of scripture, will render the work valuable, not merely to cottage readers, but to those of a higher order. To students and young ministers, as well as to families whose circumstances will not allow the purchase of a larger commentary, we cordially recommend this. The first number displays considerable industry, care, and research, which we hope will be maintained through all the successive

parts.

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Year 1768. To which are added, Sup plementary Notes, Corrections, &c. Sc. By Nathaniel Higgins. 8vo. 5s.This work has already received high commendation from persons capable of forming a correct opinion of its merits. There may be some points upon which we differ from them; yet we think the paraphrast gives a correct idea of the connection of the sacred book, and clears up several difficulties. The notes by Mr. Higgins will be found a useful addition.

THE LEPER; or, an Attempt at the In Six Parts. By Owen Morris. 4sMoral Improvement of Nauman's History. This volume comprises within a small compass much interesting and important it contains are pious and evangelical, and matter. The sentiments and principles are expressed in a neat and correct style. The design of the author is evidently like that of his divine Master, to do good, and we cordially wish him encouragement.

ON PERSONAL ELECTION AND DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY, a Discourse, with an Appendix, containing Notes and Observations on collateral Subjects. By Joseph Fletcher, A. M. Third edition. 8vo. 35.

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION VINDICATED, a Discourse, by Joseph Fletcher, A. M. Second edition. Sd. or 6s. per dozen for distribution. H

TALES FROM AFAR. By a Clergyman, 4s. 6d.―The contents of this volume are, My College Friend-The Village Pastor The Missionary-The Drooping Lily -The Surprise-The Thunder-storm. The sentiments which pervade the volume are pure and good; occasionally the style is inflated, and the colouring too high; but the work apparently proceeds from a young pen, and will be found entertaining to young readers.

The author is evidently in earnest to promote the salvation of those for whom he writes. We think him entitled to the gratitude of his fellow-labourers; and we earnestly recommend his work to their attention and use.

SACRED FUGITIVES, in Prose and Verse. By E. Dermer. 2s. 6d. We can recommend this neat little volume to pious young persons, for whose benefit it is particularly designed, and we are much mistaken if, in its perusal, they do not find both amusement and instruction.

TWENTY-TWO DISCOURSES ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, delivered in St. Michael's Church, Gloucester. By Rev. B.S. Clarson, M.A.

HUMBLE FLOWERS. By J. S. Harvey. 3s. 6d. THE poems contained in this volume were published in compliance with the wishes of the author's friends, and were composed amidst the hurry of business. If the volume has defects, it has also many excellencies; and the sentiments are so excellent, that we shall at once recommend it to the attention of our poetic readers.

ELEAZAR; an interesting Narrative of one of the Jewish Converts on the Day of Pentecost; supposed to be related by Himself. By Thomas Bingham. 4s.The design of the author is excellent to stir up the inconsistent professor of Christianity to a consistent life, and to enable the sincere inquirer to distinguish between the religion of the Gospel and its counterfeits. We earnestly hope that the volume may fall into the hands of the descendants of Abraham, as we think it peculiarly calculated to be useful to

them.

THE OFFERING OF A SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER to his Fellow-labourers, Vol. 3. 2s 6d. This, like two preceding volumes by the same author, consists of fifty-two short addresses to the children of a Sunday-school. It contains a few passages, which, in the event of a second edition, the writer would perhaps see reason to qualify but as a whole, it is entitled to great commendation. The subjects are well chosen. The style is commendably simple. The substance is always good, and sometimes striking; fully imbued with evangelical doctrine, and agreeably relieved by the introduction of anecdote.

PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS for Young Communicants, &c. By the Rev. John Barr.-In this admirable little manual the young communicant is furnished with a plain, concise, and scriptural view of the sacred Supper. We can cordially recommend these excellent instructions to pious young persons, as affording them suitable direction upon a very important subject, and exhibiting, in a striking manner, their obligations to observe their Saviour's command.

DUNALLAN; or Know what you Judge; a Story. By the Author of The Decision, Father Ciement, &c. &c. 3 vols. 12mo. 18s.-Public report ascribes this production to the pen of Miss Sinclair, daughter of Sir J. Sinclair.

DR. JOHN EVANS'S DISCOURSES ON THE CHRISTIAN TEMPER; with Life. New edit. complete in one handsome volume 8vo.

THE MINISTER'S LAST APPEAL TO HIS PEOPLE: a farewell Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of Louth, Lincoln, Sept. 12, 1824, by the Rev. R. Milne-affords another instance of the

Two

hostility which some of the dignitaries
of the Church of England maintain
against many of their pious and efficient
clerical brethren. The evangelical mi-
nistry of Mr. Milne attracted crowds to
the parish church, and produced, under
the divine benediction, on the minds of
many, the happiest results. Yet for some
supposed irregularity, some trivial breach
of canonical order, this laborious minis-
ter is torn, by episcopal authority, from
his attached people, and left to seek a
maintenance where he may.
thousand six hundred of his parishio-.
ners subscribed an affecting declara-
tion of their unavailing regrets for his
removal, and six hundred united to pur-
chase a present of plate, which they pre-
sented to him " as a small token of their
esteem for his character as a Christian,
a minister, and a man." These proofs
of their regard must at once have alle-
viated and embittered the separation.
Were we influenced by sectarian feel-
ings, we might thank these "LORDS Over
God's heritage" for the good services so
frequently rendered to our dissenting
churches by these unnatural and impoli-
tic separations; but we are more anxious

for the extension of the kingdom of Christ than for the growth of a party, and therefore view with unaffected regret the exercise of an authority which oppresses the ministers of Jesus, and impedes the progress of his spiritual kingdom within the pale of the National Church.

THE BOOK OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, in a Series of Letters addressed to Robert Southey, Esq. LL.D. on his "Book of the Church." By Charles Butler, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn. 8vo.

HISTORICAL NOTES RESPECTING THE INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA; with Remarks on the Attempts made to convert und civilize them. By John Halkett, Esq 8vo 10s. 6d.

SIX MONTHS' RESIDENCE AND TRAVELS IN MEXICO, by W. Bullock, F.L.S. -is not a work which strictly comes under our literary surveillance, but as it contains much interesting information, illustrative of the sanguinary idolatry of the ancient Mexicans, which their Spanish conquerors abolished, and also describes the splendour of the antichristian system which they established in its place -a splendour which even exceeds the gorgeous exhibitions of Rome itself; we insert a notice of it, that our readers who wish information on these subjects, in connection with the natural productions, peculiar habits, and lovely scenery of this new republic, may be directed to this interesting volume. Eighteen shillings will be thought by many rather too much for one octavo volume, only containing 532 pages; it is, however, embellished with eighteen neatly-engraved maps and plates, several of which are coloured, and the work is handsomely printed.

THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER, by Hannah More. Selected and compiled by her self from various Portions exclusively on that subject, in her published volumes. 1 vol. 6s.

THE ITINERACY OF A TRAVELLER IN THE WILDERNESS, addressed to those who are performing the same Journey. By Mrs. Taylor, of Ongar.

THE CHRISTIAN GLEANER AND DoMESTIC MAGAZINE for 1824, 296 pages, with a Frontispiece. 2s. 6d. -This is the first volume of a cheap monthly work, published at two-pence a number, designed for the instruction of an important, but frequently neglected class of the community-domestic servants. Every well regulated family can estimate

the value of servants who possess good sense and good principles. To promote these is the object of this little periodical; and many of the papers in the present volume contain hints which are calculated to be alike advantageous to servants and their employers. In its present form it is well suited for a new year's gift, and we sincerely wish its future numbers may be characterized by the same adaptation for usefulness, and may be taken and read in every family where piety and order are esteemed valuable.

THE EVANGELICAL DIARY, a Religious, Historical, and Literary Almanack, &c. for 1825. 2s. 6d.-The sheer nonsense which is often incorporated with Almanacks, and the mischief which results from allowing young people and servants to peruse the impious predictions contained in them, makes us feel it a duty to recommend this very excellent and useful Diary to our readers. Besides all the necessary information of an Almanack, it contains many lists and tables useful and interesting to religious families.

MEMOIRS OF THE AFFAIRS OF EUROPE, FROM THE PEACE OF UTRECHT. 4to. £2. 10s.-This work, though anonymous, is from the pen of Lord John Russell, whose work on the English Constitution has no doubt passed through the hands of most of our readers.

WORKS PREPARING FOR THE PRESS.

On the Prophecies concerning Antichrist; a Discourse delivered at the Monthly Meeting, in the Rev. John Clayton's Weigh House, Dec. 9, 1824. By Joseph Fletcher, A. M.--In the press," and will be Thomas Young, of Margate, a Collection re-published shortly, edited by the Rev. of Texts of Scripture, with short Notes, and some other observations against the Written by a principal Popish Errors.

Divine of the Church of England, A. D. 1688.--Dr. J. P. Smith's Letter to the People of Geneva, in Reply to the Rev. J. J. Chenevière, Pastor and Professor of Divinity at Geneva, occasioned by his "Summary of the Theological Controversies which of the late years have agitated the City of Geneva."--On the Advancement of Society in Science, CiviliEsq. of Cavers. zation, and Religion. By James Douglas, In one volume 8vo. --In a few days, will be published, a Volume of Plain Sermons, chiefly for the Use of Seamen. By Rev. Samuel Maddock, Vicar of Bishop's Sutton and Ropley, Hants.--Thoughts on Antinomianism, by Agnostos, Author of Thoughts on Baptism, &c.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

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Í. STATISTICAL VIEW OF DIssenters.

Wishing to make this department of our work as complete as possible, we earnestly beg our Correspondents to furnish us with all documents and information relating to it, addressed to the Editors, at the Publisher's.

DEVONSHIRE.

ABBOTSKERSWELL-A small village to the west of Newton-Abbot, in which the Gospel is regularly preached, by some members of the church at Newton. The attendance is very encouraging.

APPLEDORE. -A considerable village and sea-port, in the parish of Northam, on the north coast of Devonshire, and situated at the junction of the rivers Taw and Torridge. It contains about 1300 inhabitants. From the parish church of Northam, Mr. ANTHONY DOWNE was ejected, in 1662, He had two brothers also ejected by the same act, all three eminent in the ministry, and in piety." Of Mr. ANTHONY DOWNE, Calamy says, he was remarkable for neatness and exactness of expression. He died, at about fourscore years of age,' at Exeter. In the year 1699, the dissenters at Appledore erected a place of worship, capable of containing about 350 people. At this period they enjoyed the ministerial labours of Mr. WILLIAM PEARD, afterwards minister of Castle Meeting, Barnstaple. Mr. PEARD was succeeded by Mr. BENJAMIN WILLS, who first gathered a church at Appledore, the dissenters here having, previously to his time, communicated with the neighbouring church at Bideford in breaking bread. Mr. WILLS was ordained by the presbytery, as pastor of this church, on the 17th October, 1705. He published several separate sermons; one on the commemoration of the 5th of 'November, one preached before the assembly of ministers at Exeter, two preached at Bideford, on the Sabbath after the interment of Mr. William Bartlett, the minister of that place, and another at the ordination of Mr. Aaron Pitts, at Torrington. Mr. WILLS was seized with an apoplectic fit, whilst on his knees at family prayer, and deceased on the 25th of December, 1747, much beloved and esteemed by his people. His son, Mr. BENJAMIN WILLS, jun. was then chosen to the pastoral office, and ordained Oct. 23, 1751. He died, of consumption, in November, 1754. An account of him is to be seen in his funeral sermon, preached by the celebrated Mr. Lavington, and printed in the collection of his sermons, vol. 2. To him succeeded Mr. WILLIAM WATKINS, a native of Wales. He, however, was never ordained here, but removed, in a short time, to Puddington. After his removal, the pulpit was supplied, for some mouths, by students from the academy at Ottery, and in 1759,

In

Mr. RICHARD EVANS, a student from that seminary, was chosen pastor. He was or dained in August, 1760, and continued in the relation of pastor until 1819, when he relinquished that situation on account of the infirmities of age, he being in his eighty-third year. Mr. Evans died in August, 1824, having been for some time the father of the dissenting ministers of Devonshire. He was much respected by all who knew him. During the period of Mr. EVANS's ministry, the church and congregation considerably increased. the year 1811, it was found necessary to erect an additional gallery. Shortly after this, Mr. EVANS's infirmities not permitting him to carry on all the services of the Sabbath, Mr. CHARLES SMITH, from Axminster Academy, was chosen as his assistant, and to him Mr. EVANS generously relinquished the whole of the salary, though he still contintied to preach once on the Sabbath, and to administer the ordinances. About this period, the congregation presented him with a handsome piece of plate, as a tribute of their respect and affection. The congregation still increasing, and the old building being considered too feeble to justify any alteration, a new meeting-house was erected, and opened August 21, 1816. It is capable of seating six hundred people, and is respectably filled. After Mr. EVANS's resignation, in 1819, and Mr. SMITH'S removal to London, the church was for some time destitute of a pastor, the pulpit being supplied from London, or by the services of neighbouring ministers. In 1820, Mr. HENRY BROMLEY, from Hoxton Academy, became the pastor of this ancient church, in which station he still continues.

ASHBURTON. The origin of dissent in this place is attributed to Mr. JOHN NOSWORTHY, the ejected minister of Manaton, in this county. Of him Calamy gives the following interesting account.

He was born at Manaton, Nov. 15, 1612, of religious parents, who put him to the grammar-school, where, at first, he did not make the progress that was expected; upon which his parents were for breeding him up to a trade, to which he was greatly averse, and there upon applied himself to his book with such diligence, that Mr. William Nosworthy, at that time master of the high school at Exon, hearing of his capacity and industry, took him under his own

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