we could not avoid sympathizing with such persons.

"These words contain a prophecy which is as yet unfulfilled. It is much to be regretted, that the attention of the Christian church has been so little turned for many centuries to the subject of unfulfilled prophecy. Unfulfilled prophecy is the true test of faith. It is comparatively easy to believe a history, and to acknowledge a doctrine; the one being authenticated by a variety of external evidences, and commending itself to us in a natural way, on the concurrent testimony of our fellow men; the other resting upon the interpretations of language, and corroborated by the experience of our own hearts. But in the case of unfulfilled prophecy, faith is put upon her essential trial, having nothing natural to assist her, but being called to rest wholly upon the bare word of God, without any collateral voucher. This is difficult. And here lies the true reason why the study of unfulfilled prophecy has been so generally neglected. With all our boasted profession, our faith has been standing on the testimony of man, rather than on the power of God; and therefore when we come to that point, where human testimony is of no avail, and can be of no avail, we are found unbelievers."—pp.

52, 53.

From the illustrations which follow, it appears, that by "unfulfilled prophecy," we are to understand divine warnings. It may be suspected that some other terms in the above passage are employed in significations equally unusual. The text is interpreted as follows:

"This then is the meaning of the words of our text; that the God of heaven will set up a kingdom on the earth; that as the Medes and Persians subdued the Chal

deans, and the Greeks subdued the Medes and Persians, and the Romans subdued the Greeks, each, in succession, establishing their own kingdom, so the God of heaven will subdue them all, and establish

his kingdom. It will be an actual, visible, territorial subjugation; the powers of the earth will be broken in pieces before the power of the Lord, even as the chaff of the summer threshing-floors is scattered before the wind. (ver. 35.) Then shall the stone (the Lord's kingdom) become a great mountain and fill the whole earth. This is the revelation of God, the as yet unfulfilled prophecy of Jehovah concerning his kingdom generally.”—p. 60.

We have marked by italics, that part of the preacher's hypo

thesis which there is reason to suspect he is peculiarly desirous of establishing. But no attempt at the proof of it appears, beyond the deduction above given; and whether that is conclusive, our readers can easily judge for themselves.

The author attempts not "to examine the revealed chronology respecting" the time when this kingdom shall come; but as it is to be established, "while the component parts of the ancient Roman empire have each their separate 30vereignty," he concludes, that it may be at hand; indeed, according to the note on page 59, to which he refers, it might have been so considered at any time since A. D. 379. As it seems, moreover, that the less that period is expected, the more likely it is to be nearly approaching; we are tempted to ask, whether the worthy author is not retarding it, by endeavouring to awaken the expectation of judges, and barristers, and clergy, and all the hearers of an assize sermon, to this great object; and whether the diligent and zealous study of what he denominates" the true test of faith," is not in contravention of our daily prayer, "thy kingdom come."

If this discourse may be considered as exhibiting a fair average of the advantages to be obtained by a pious and intelligent mind, from the study of "unfulfilled prophecy," it may operate usefully, as a check to pursuits, that notwithstanding the position with which it sets out are in the reckoning of many, at best questionable, in a moral point of view; and may induce others to postpone their researches, till they have exhausted subjects, confessed on all hands to be of primary importance to the spiritual kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the extension of his glory in the salvation of perishing men. All the holy purposes of the Christian ministry may be attained, without even cn

tering on the inquiry, whether the kingdom of Christ is ever to consist of " an actual, visible, and territorial subjugation" of the existing forms of human government; but souls may perish with all the knowledge that the studies of unfulfilled prophecy can produce; and even evangelical ministers may divert the attention of their

congregations from "the things that accompany salvation," by exciting curious inquiries into "the times, and the seasons, which the Father hath reserved in his own power."

"The profits arising from the sale of these sermons will be given to the Surrey Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders."

LETTERS ON THE MORAL AND RELIGIOUS STATE OF SOUTH AMERICA, written during a Residence of nearly Seven Years in Buenos Aires, Chile, Peru, and Colombia. By James Thomson. London: Nishet. 1827. 12mo. 5s.-Mr. Thomson

went to South America chiefly in the service of the British and Foreign School Society; he was, however, exceedingly active in promoting the interests of the Bible Society, in whose service he has now returned to Mexico. The letters now published are replete with interesting information respecting that country from which they were addressed, and discover the good sense and sound observation of the writer in every page. All who feel interested in the progress of knowledge, liberty, and religion in South America, will read them with the highest satisfaction, and rejoice that such a man is again employed in that quarter to promote the circulation of the word of God.

THE SYSTEM; a Tule of the West Indies. By Charlotte Elizabeth, Author of Consistency, Perseverance, Allan M'Leod, &c. London: Westley and Davies. 1827. 12mo. 5s.--The author of this little work is already advantageously known by the other publications referred to on the title-page; and we are sure the present volume will not detract from the fame already acquired. We prefer history to novels at all times, and on all subjects; but fiction has its advantages as well as faults. "The System," contains much that is true, and the notes supply some information respecting the treatment of slaves, which is no fiction. The aim of the author is most christian and benevolent. The principles inculcated are those which we believe to be founded on the word of God; and we trust the

concluding appeal to the people of England, on the necessity of abolishing slavery utterly and for ever, will not be in vain.

THE HISTORY, Constitution, Rules of Discipline, and Confession of Faith, of the Calvinistic Methodists in Wales. Drawn up by their own Associated Ministers. London: Hughes. 1827. 12mo. -For the Calvinistic Methodist body we entertain a very high respect. To them the country owes many obligations, which are not likely to be soon discharged. In the Principality their la

bours have been most abundant and successful; and from the depth of their poverty, we are often called to witness the riches of their liberality. The history is interesting, but much too brief and summary. We have not the same views of the constitution and order of the churches of Christ with those expressed in this document; but the parties are undoubtedly entitled to judge for themselves. We have no objection to the publication of a Confession of Faith; but every thing depends on the use intended to be made of it. The articles in this Confession are forty-two in number. We do not object to much that they contain; but they are too numerous, and far too minute. But we dare not enter on the subject.

SELECTIONS FROM THE WORKS OF BISHOP HOPKINS; to which is prefixed a brief Sketch of his Life. By the Rev. W. Wilson, D. D. London: Holdsworth. 1827. 18mo. Price 3s. 6d. extra boards and lettered.—This beautifully printed little volume is a continuation of selections made by the same author, from the works of Owen, Doddridge, Leighton, and other eminent divines of former periods. Hopkins was a holy

and excellent man, though inferior to Leighton and Owen, and some others of that school. His sentiments, however, as extracted in these selections, are always excellent. His style was rich and harmonious; his illustrations, apt and forcible; and his applications, awakening and persuasive. We cordially recommend this additional vade mecum to the lovers of serious piety and solid instruction.

A PLAIN STATEMENT OF THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY, divided into short Chapters, with Questions annered to each, designed for the Use of Schools and Young Persons. By Francis Knowles. London: Wightman and Cramp. 1827. 12mo. 1s. 6d.

THOUGHTS ON PUBLIC WORSHIP, chiefly Practical and Devotional. By Joseph Morison. London: Holdsworth. 1827. 12mo. 4s. 6d. If "Sabbaths at Home" have been generally read and admired, we are sure that this volume on Sabbaths in public, ought to be no less attended to. Such a work was much needed, and Mr. Morison has treated his subject uncommonly well. In twelve chapters, he has illustrated the design of public worship-its character when genuine-the nature of preparation for it-its devotional improvement-the evidences of being benefited by it-the cause of unprofitable attendance on itand various other collateral topics. In every part of the work, we are pleased with the scriptural views of the author, the judiciousness of his remarks, and the easy and correct style in which he expresses himself. We should have been happy to give a more extended review of the volume had our limits permitted; but convinced of the utility of the work, and pleased exceedingly with its execution, we most cordially recommend it to our readers.

THEOLOGY; or, an Attempt towards a consistent View of the whole Counsel of God. With a Preliminary Essay on the Practicability and Importance of this Attainment. By John Howard Hinton, A. M. London: Wightman and Cramp. 1827. 12mo. 4s.-The subject of this volume is much too profound and momentous to be discussed in a short notice. We had seen the article in the Oxford Encyclopædia, in which it was first published. We then chiefly regretted its brevity, and though it is now somewhat enlarged, it is yet too much condensed. It requires to be treated N. S. No. 27.

in a volume of larger calibre, which we hope Mr. Hinton will yet be induced to attempt. Many of the positions are at first rather startling; there is a good deal of originality in the mode of treating some of the topics, and several of them would require to be very maturely re-considered. Much thought has evidently been expended on the subject already; and to say that the work has afforded us pleasure, would convey a very inadequate idea of the impression which it has made upon us. It has compelled us to think, which our readers must be aware is not always the effect of modern publications. We sincerely thank Mr. Hinton, and trust he will be encouraged to prosecute his theological pursuits with increased success.

A MEMOIR OF MISS FRANCES AUGUSTA BELL, who died in Kentish Town, May, 1825. By the Rev. Johnson Grant, M. A., Minister of Kentish Town. London: Hatchard. 1827. 12mo. 3s. 6d. This excellent young lady died in the sixteenth year of her age, after giving very decided proofs of her piety towards God. The specimens of her composition are very respectable for her years. We think the editor of her papers might derive a useful lesson from the simplicity of her style of composition.

SECOND THOUGHTS, on the Person of Christ, on Human Sin, and on the Atonement, containing Reasons for the Author's Secession from the Unitarian Communion, and his Adherence to that of the Established Church. By Charles A. Elton, Author of an Appeal to Scripture and Tradition, and other Tracts in Unitarian Controversy. Bristol. London: Baldwin, 12mo. 1827.

UNITARIANISM ABANDONED; or Reasons assigned for ceasing to be connected with that Description of Religious Professors who designate themselves Unitarians. By James Gilchrist. London: Hunter. 8vo. 1827.-To these important documents we hope to be able to devote our attention at some length in our next number.

A new and copious General Index to the Edition of Calmet's Dictionary, edited by the late Mr. C. Taylor, is in the press. Shortly will be published, the Ordination Services of the Rev. J. W. H. Pritchard. The Introductory Discourse by the Rev. R. W. Hamilton; the Charge to the Minister by the Rev. J. Gilbert; and the Sermon to the People by the Rev. W. Eccles.

2 N

STATE OF RELIGION IN THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.

Extract of a Letter lately received from
New York.

After speaking of the declension of trade, and the distress which prevailed in the commercial world, the writer proceeds.

"It seems as if God had been working to humble the pride of man, and prepared the way for the progress of the church. In the midst of this wide-spread desolation, the church of Christ has been raising its head. Temples are every where multiplied for worship, institutions for preparing young men for the Gospel ministry are establishing in various parts of our country. Missionary, Bible, Tract Societies are becoming more and more popu lar. Every year seems to execute new interest in evangelical institutions. But that which I consider the strongest mark of the divine blessing upon us, is the continuance and increasing frequency of revivals in our churches. Thirty years ago, they were hardly known; but in the records of history, when they began again to appear, they were looked upon with an eye of distrust. Now, they are regarded by our most godly and well-informed men, as effusions of the Holy Ghost. The churches rejoice in them, and pray to be visited by them. They have produced a happy influence on the minds of Chris tians; every one in his proper sphere works to promote them. The ministers have become more faithful, pointed, and pungent in their discourses. Instead of general disquisitions on religious topics, they aim at pressing the simple truths of the law and Gospel on the consciences of their hearers. Prayer-meetings are established in all our churches, in which the Minister and people successively address the throne of grace. Private Christians are every where establishing society meetings in the lanes, alleys, and highways, to pray with and instruct the ignorant in Gospel truths. These and many similar institutions, which we consider the fruits of revivals, we consider also as the necessary means of promoting them. God is work ing in a wonderful manuer in this land. Every day seems to bring forth new marks and evidences of the advancement of the cause of God. For a number of years past, we can say, that every new year has afforded us stronger marks of this than that which preceded. At this time, the intelligence from various quarters is of the most cheering and animating charac ter. I have no document before me, giving the state of the churches through

the United States; but from sources on which I can lay my hand, I learn, that the work of God has been powerful in thirty towns in New Hampshire, in more than half the counties of Vermont, in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, during the last year. We hear from many other places, in almost all the States, what is calculated to rejoice the hearts of the Lord's people. In my trip to V, I was present at two revivals; one in a church at P—— where the work was just commenced, and many were in great anxiety inquiring what they must do to be saved; the other in R, where in a small town I witnessed the joining of 43 persons, for the first time, to the church. I would here remark, that almost universally it is our custom strictly to examine the candidates for communion on their evidences of a change of heart, and without this change we do not consider them proper subjects for admission. At this time, in our own city, we hope a considerable work of grace is going on in many of our churches, though in no case amounting to what we call a revival of religion. A considerable anxiety has manifested itself of late among our young people, and in some instances, it has issued in hopeful conversions. All around us indicates the rapid accomplishment of God's promises to the church. Christians ought to be up and doing. The success which has followed prayer, combined with active exertion, is sufficient to encourage all in their respective spheres to be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as they know that their labour is not is vain in the Lord.""

persecuted DISSENTERS IN THE CANTON OF VAUD.

It may appear to the public, from the want of any further announcement, that the operations of the Committee for the aid of the Exiled Swiss Ministers have slumbered for some months. Yet this would be a mistaken inference. We have been in active correspondence with those excellent men, on the method of proceeding to a final distribution of the little sum remaining in our hands. It was their earnest desire that a part, at least, of our remaining funds, should be applied to the relief of many pious sufferers, who, though not banished, have beco thrown into great distress, by the diversified modes of persecution which they have endured, and are still enduring. We felt it our duty to assent to this proposal. In consequence, our correspondents and their friends have