sensibility is in great danger of having his attention diverted from the subject to the preacher; from the concerns of eternity to a sympathetic feeling for the minister, accompanied, perhaps, as in my own case, with the distressing excitement of an accumulated charge of mental electricity, rising higher and higher with the progress of the discourse. Permit me also to state, that, from the limited dimensions of your chapel, I could not resist the conviction that one-half of the exertion employed would have been OBITUARY. MRS. HIGGINS. hence many domestic arrangements were made in contemplation of this issue, with a calmness which indicated the composure with which she anticipated the change of worlds. Shortly after the last painful trial of child-birth, her affectionate partner saying, "God has again been gracious to you," she replied with peculiar de On Saturday, July 31, 1819, died Mrs. Higgins, wife of Mr. W. Higgins, of Chatham. This amiable woman, the object of pious maternal instructions, was habituated, from her tenderest years, to an attendance on the means of grace; and the blessing promised on such exertions was graciously bestowed. Though no particular pe-votion, "Oh, he has indeed!" and "I iod can be assigned, as the commencement of a gracious change, her mind being imperceptibly and gradually enlightened; yet in very early life she exhibited an amiable tenderness of conscience, and was much pleased in a regular attendance on the ordinances of Divine worship. About the year 1806 she became a member of the church of Christ, under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Slatterie, whose ministry was greatly blessed to her, and for whom she ever held a most affectionate regard. In the year 1807 she was united in marriage to Mr. Higgins, a deacon of the same church. With him she lived in the highest state of connubial felicity, their hearts being united by the bonds of mutual affection and sincere piety. She became successively the mother of seven children, the last of which was born only ten days prior to her removal from the present world. For a considerable time previous to her last confinement, her mind was impressed (as is not unusual) with the consideration that she should not recover; and have much cause to be thankful that I Give me thy precious love." prospect of an eternal state, she replied, "I want a fuller assurance of my interests in Christ." But you can say you have no other hope, than what is fixed upon Jesus Christ? "Yes," said she, "I have no other, Other refuge have I none," &c. The morning of her decease her anxious and distressed partner approached her bedside, and asking her how she was, she exclaimed, "Oh, my dear babes!" He said to her, "He that is your God will be the God of children;" her reply was, your Oh, may he be so!" and calling her mother, she said, "Oh, my mother, keep your spirits up, he is your God, Oh that he may be the Ged of my father;" and then repeated, 66 "My God, permit my tongue This joy, to call thee mine." These were the last words she uttered, for in a few minutes she suddenly expired in the arms of her beloved parent, and her happy spirit took its flight to the mansion of the blessed. Thus died, in the 31st year of her age, leaving a mourning widower and six children, one whose memory will long be dear to all who had the happiness of her friendship and acquaint-ance. An appropriate and impressive discourse from Ezek. xxiv. ver. 16, 17, and 18, was delivered on the sabbath evening after her funeral, by her much loved pastor, to a numerous and sympathizing audience. G. S. MISS H. HOBSON. WHEN We see the talents of property, leisure, and activity of mind, consecrated to the glory of the Redeemer by doing good to men, we must rejoice in the rare combination, and ascribe the glory to Him, "whose they are and whom they serve." One of these highly-favoured individuals we contemplate in the late Miss H. Hobson of Sheffield. She was born in 1788. Under the care of a pious parent, she received those instructions, and was led to the enjoyment of those public means, which the Spirit of God rendered effectual for early conversion. She was much impressed under a funeral sermon from Num. xxi. 10. "Let me die the death of the righteous," c. In the year 1810 she joined in church communion, and sealed her covenant with her Redeemer at his own able. XXIX. She acknowledged the good she had derived from sanctified afflictions, emphatically saying, “I desire to give up myself unreservedly to the Lord; may he graciously accept the poor surrender!" This sacred pledge she was enabled faithfully to redeem in after life; for she was much devoted to do good as a faithful, affectionate, and unostentatious agent in several public charitable Institutions. The Sunday and Lancasterian Schools-the Female Missionary and Bible Associationsthe Society for bettering the condition of the poor-all had her willing and steady assistance; and in each of these benevolent establishments her removal is deeply felt. May her amiable example induce others, of her own sex and age, to aspire to the same honourable situation in works of faith and labours of love. She was called away, Jan. 21, 1820, at the age of 32, just in the meridian of life and usefulness-at a period in which it appeared to observers, it was most important and desirable that she should still live: but the Lord's ways are not as our ways, neither are his thoughts as our thoughts. From the beginning of her last illness, she expressed entire resignation to the will of God, whether the result should he life or death. She frequently declared, that she would not part with her interest in her Redeemer for ten thousand worlds; and that on him her confidence and hope were fixed for eternal salvation. One of the last transactions of her life was to call her relations and medical attendants to her bedside, and to take a solemn and affectionate farewell of each. The scene was highly impressive, and will, we hope, be long and profitably remembered. She sent her kindest salutations also to each of her absent friends- to her ministerthe church with which she was united, and to all the teachers and scholars of the Sunday-school, which had been the scene of her pious and profitable exertions. Thus lived and thus died this truly excellent and exemplary Christian, of whom it might be justly said, She was clothed with humility, and the grace of her Redeemer shone in her temper, profession, and conduct, with a beauty and a lustre which reflected the glory of his endeared and venerable name. Sheffield. C J. B. REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. The History of Religious Liberty, from the first propagation of Christianity in Britain, to the death of George III. By Benjamin Brook. 2 vols. 8vo. 17. 4s MR. BROOK is known to the Christian world as the biographer of the Puritans, and our readers will find a brief character of his valuable work in our Magazine for 1814, p. 60. We are glad to meet him again on a subject with which he appears particularly conversant, that of Religious Liberty, in the discussion of which he has endeavoured to trace, with unbiassed fidelity, the actual state and successive progress of liberal principles, with their meliorating influence on society and the church of God." Mr. B. commences his work with "the first propagation of the Gospel in Britain," which he traces up to the times of the Apostles, about A. D. 59 or 60; and having shewn that the Apostolic churches were formed on the most liberal principles, he dates thus high the origin of Religious Liberty: his next object is to shew its oppression by the imperial powers the usurpations of the papacy and the check given to those usurpations by the doctrine of Wickliffe. Thus far the first chapter, which brings us to the dawn of the Reformation. Chap. II. shews "the diffusion of liberal principles in the reign of Henry VIII," and the temporary rejection of the Papal yoke. Chap. III. considers the basis of the Reformation as laid in the reign of Edward VI. who evidently intended a farther reformation, had his life been spared. In the reign of Queen Mary the nation returned to popery and arbitrary power, notwithstanding which an illustrious band of Protestant martyrs made 66 a noble defence of Christian truth and liberty." Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth our author considers the attempts made to establish uniformity in religion" as clearly unfavourable to religious freedom; ecclesiastical supremacy as an Antichristian usurpation; and subscription to articles and other episcopal proceedings as utterly subversive of religious liberty, which had, notwithstanding, very able advocates in some of the reformers of this reign. James I. though brought up a Pres byterian, became the champion of epis- The parliament had no sooner put down Prelacy than Presbyterianism became the religion of the state, and shewed itself equally hostile to religious liberty; "but though formally established, it was completely crippled in its operations." The thing however was in itself the same, and as Milton says, [large." "New Presbyter is but Old Priest wrote "The oath of fidelity to the Commonwealth was now the only condition of churchmanship; consequently the terms of communion were less rigid than at any former period. The oppressive statutes were in general relaxed or not acted upon, and the covenant was laid aside without prescribing any other legislative qualifications. This was extremely galling to rigid Presbyterians, who could see no religion but through the medium of their own established sect; and though the episcopal divines were forbidden to read the liturgy in form, they might frame their publie prayers as nearly resembling it as they pleased, and upon this principle many of them complied with the government. (p. 494.) Still this was not religious liberty, nor even toleration. "When a nation is agitated with internal com-motions, especially when liberty is the object of dispute --- If there be a soul that has a spark of energy in it, that energy will be called into active operation, and will frequently give birth to ideas of the first importance to the happiness of individuals and of society, which would not have been produced in a season of repose. Oliver Cromwell, who had so much distinguished himself in the army, refused to join any party, but declared [himself] to be for the liberty of all. His army was an army of reasoners. They disputed about religion, each man with his Bible in his hand: and since they had all been formerly under the compulsive yoke of intolerance, they now broke their bonds asunder, threw them indignantly away, and began to argue, that every man had a right to think for himself, without constraint of priest or king." (p. 497.) The last section shews that both the Protector and the Protectorate (though a manifest usurpation) were evidently favourable to religious liberty. But we are now come to the close of the first volume of this work, which has increased in interest as we have proceeded, and must reserve our observations on the second volume for our next Number. Lectures on Scripture Parables, Collyer, D.D. F.R.S. Svo. 14s. each. WE cannot but sincerely congratulate the Author on the accomplishment of a plan of that magnitude, that it made his best friends tremble for its completion; and when they consider the circumstances under which he has persevered, his severest critics must, we think, allow him the merit of great energy and uncommon industry. The circumstances we allude to are, the many interruptions of his health, and his numerous avocations as a popular preacher on continual duty, and as the patron or promoter of every object of Christian philanthropy and benevolence. In looking back on our former volumes, we see with regret that our diligence in review has fallen far short of our indefatigable author: to bewail or to explain the circumstance, would be less useful than the tardy act of justice we now offer to his merits. The first volume of these Lectures on Scripture Facts was published in 1807, while the author was a young man and a young writer, and is reviewed in our 15th vol. p. 416. The second was on Prophecy, 1809, and is reviewed by us, vol. xix. p. 25 The third volume, on Miracles, 1812, will be found reviewed vol. xx. p. 25. On looking back to our notices of these volumes, we see no occasion to revoke our favourable opinion of the writer, and are happy to find in the subsequent volumes the fulfilment of our prediction; of the improvement of his style with increasing years: as it has become less ornamented it has be come more truly eloquent. We proceed now to notice the remaining volumes; but as we have in those reviews given specimens of Dr. C's style and manner, we shall not find it necessary to add farther extracts, as indeed in present circumstances would be impracticable. The volume on the Parables, dated 1815, contains two previous Lectures on the figurative language and types of Scripture-two on the peculiar character of Scripture Parables-and the rest on the following distinct parables—The Sower; the Debtors; the Good Samaritan; the Unjust Steward; the Barren Fig-tree; the Marriage Feast; the Prodigal Son; the Rich Man and Lazarus; the Pharisee and Publican ; the Good Shepherd; the Labourers in the Vineyard; the Talents; the Husbandman; and the Ten Virgins. On such a multitude of subjects it is impossible to pass a distinct judgment; but we run no risk in saying the Dr. is most at home on those which are in their nature most pathetic, as the Prodigal Son, &c. The volume on Scripture Doctrines was published in 1818, and is a most important one. The subjects brought forward are the following: The Authority and Claims of Revelation;-the Being, Attributes, and Unity of God;-the Trinity;-the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ;-the Deity and Influences of the Holy Spirit;—the Fall ' and its Consequences;-the Atonement;-Election and Adoption;-Justification; Regeneration; -- Salvation through Faith;-Sanctification; - Perseverance;-Providence; - the Resurrection of the Dead;-Future Punishment; - Glorification;-the Duty of submitting System to the Bible. Of these discourses, we feel our judgment and taste most gratified by the following:-On the Fall and its Consequences; on Providence; on the Resurrection; on Future Punishment, Glorification, and the concluding Lec ture. on The sentiments, we need hardly add, are truly evangelical, and enforced with an earnestness, a pathos, and an unction, with a close and practical application to the conscience, which render these discourses highly valuable. The last volume (for we are not informed there is to be another) is devoted to Scripture duties, and is thus arranged: Revelation the only standard, the only "basis of Morals; the practical tendency of Faith in revealed Truths; Love to God; the Worship of God; Submission to Providence; Magistracy and Subjects; Masters and Servants; General Intercourse of Society; Husbands and Wives; Parents and Children; Ministers and Churches; Self-Preservation and Self-Cultivation; Government of the Tongue, and of the Temper; Benevolence, Humility, &c. Dr. Collyer would despise the flattery as much as we ourselves abhor it, were we to pretend that in six large 8vo. volume, there are no defective arguments - no mistaken applications of Scripture—no defects of style—no slips of memory-no errors in quotation: but we can truly say that, all circumstances considered, they are fewer than could reasonably have been expected: and we doubt not, as the volumes fall under his revision for reprinting (as some of the first volumes already have) but that they will become a standing work, not for reference of the learned, it may be, who have access to more elaborate works, but for general reading. Indeed we know not any work of equal extent, that better deserves a place in every Christian library; and to young persons in particular, who have a taste for eloquent composition as well as sacred truth, we believe there are very few works in all respects its equal. Studies in History: containing the History of England, from its earliest Records, to the death of George III.; in a series of Essays, accompanied with reflections, references to original authorities, and historical questions. By T. Morell. 2 vols. 12mo. 11s. 8vo. fine paper 17. 2s. 6d. WE briefly noticed the publication of the first of these volumes in our Magazine for Sept. 1818: the former volumes of the Series we announced and recommended about the time of their publication: they contain Essays accompanied with reflections on the History of Greece and Rome. We hesitated not on the commencement of this work to express our persuasion that it would be well received, and our hope that the author would accomplish his proposed plan. (Evan. Mag. vol. 21. p. 426.) we are happy to say that persuasion and that hope are realized, The cheap edition of the preceding parts of this work is introduced into many of our respectable schools, and the conclusion of the work is now before us. This volume, to which we shall confine our attention, contains the history of our native country, from the beginning of the reign of James I. to the end of the reign of George III. The same judicious selection of facts, and the same concise, perspicuous, and elegant manner of narrating them, which we have before observed, still claim our commendation. Some readers will, perhaps, think that too cursory a notice is taken of the splendid deeds of modern heroism, but the author avows that it is part of his plan to give a less degree of prominence to these military transactions than they have usually been allowed to occupy; nor does he “affect to feel an enthusiasm, of which he professes to be wholly unconscious, when under the painful necessity of adverting to the most boasted martial achievements." (p. 334.) He takes considerably more delight in tracing the origin and progress of science; or in describing the moral and religious condition of his country. We could have wished, however, that our author's commendable love of peace, when it led him to praise the pacific disposition of James I. which our some have attributed to constitutional timidity and native indolence," had not induced him to include in the subjects of his commendation "the feeble and heartless effort which that Monarch made, towards the close of his reign, to recover the Palatinate from the Austrian usurpation." (p. 34.) In opinion, his generous love of toleration has, shortly after, misguided him (p. 36) in charging the Puritans with "strange inconsistency, in strenuously maintaining the impolicy and danger of extending toleration to their Catholic brethren," (such brethren were Cain and Esau to Abel and Jacob) "while they claimed for themselves the rights of conscience, and the free exercise of that mode of faith and worship which they deemed most scriptural." Without referring to the question of Catholic emancipation as agitated in the present time, surely when papal Rome was following up" her avowed principles of intolerance by anathematising, torturing, and consigning to the flames all those who refused to submit to her usurped authority," (p.46.) there might be consistency in desiring toleration for themselves, while they wished it to be withheld from the most bitter enemies of toleration. It is well known that the most distinguishing feature in Mr. Morell's work, is to unite lectures on morals and religion with historical studies, in the form of reflections at the close of every essay. Every means that can be used with suecess ought to be employed to counteract the insidious poisons of scepticism, infidelity, and we will add indelicacy, which are diffused by some of the most laborious, accurate, and popular of our modern historians. One method which we would recommend to future historians is, to write as much like Christians as Hume and Gibbon have written like |