Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

CURSORY NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

OUR readers who take an interest in the rise and progress of the Independent denomination will be gratified to learn that Mr. Benj. Hanbury has, by the publication of the third volume, completed his laborious task of compiling "Historical Memorials relating to the Independents or Congregationalists from their Rise to the Restoration of the Monarchy, A.D. MDCLX." The whole work is comprised in seventy-five chapters: the first volume records the events from 1549 to 1637; the second volume those from 1637 to 1645; while the volume now before us records those from 1646 to 1661. We shall have occasion to notice this most important work at length, and therefore now only give this passing announcement of it, that all who have the means may possess themselves of this great repertory of facts and principles relating to our denomination, and which till now were quite inaccessible to general readers. (Jackson & Walford.)

The third and fourth volumes of the new and uniform edition of The Morning Exercises at Cripplegate, St. Giles in the Fields, and in Southwark, are now out, and fully sustain the promise of their predecessors in the beauty of their typography, and the care of their editor. As this edition will be the most handsome and accurate that has yet appeared, so we would respectfully suggest that it should be made as complete as possible by the compilation of extensive indices of texts and subjects. (T. Tegg.)

Dissenting ministers do not frequently possess the learning or the leisure which are required for the study of local antiquities. "Windsor in the Olden Time," we confess, was an attractive subject; and a residence of eleven years amidst its right royal scenes, was enough to stir a man of less poetic taste and scholar-like attainment than "John Stoughton." A most attractive volume from the pen of that gentleman, entitled, "Notices of Windsor in the Olden Time," is now before us, and we must confess that we have read it with deep interest and real pleasure. It is comprised in five chapters-Windsor in its earliest days-in the fourteenth century-in the fifteenth-in the sixteenth-and in the seventeenth century. A mournful procession of the courtly votaries of wealth, honour, and delight, is made to pass before the reader; and it is impossible to resist the sad but salutary reflections which crowd upon the mind in the review. It gives us satisfaction to say, that Mr. Stoughton has not spared censure, nor has he withheld praise, where he thought it due; and our readers will find that he does not shrink from the avowal of his principles, doctrinal or ecclesiastical. The volume is inscribed "by His Royal Highness's gracious permission," to Prince Albert ; and we have reason to know that it has obtained no small favour in the royal circle, a favour which we are sure it will command wherever it is read. (D. Bogue.)

Mr. Kitto has published the fifteenth part of his very valuable Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature, and which extends from " Levites" to Mediator." The list of "the scholars and divines" who assist him in the production of this important work, attests the variety and soundness of the knowledge and learning which is made to bear upon it. Since Charles Taylor first edited Father Calmet, such stores of critical, archæological, and scientific lore have been discovered illustrative of the sacred writings, as fully to justify the publication of a new and original dictionary of the Bible. (A. & C. Black. Longman and Co.)

We announced the publication of Dr. Halley's important volume on the Sacraments in our last, by transcribing a valuable paper "On the Service of the Synagogue." Such a volume requires to be reviewed with care, and therefore our readers will not desire an extempore judgment upon it. This, however, we are at once prepared to say, that whatever variety of opinion may exist upon some of Dr. Halley's positions,

none will be felt respecting the great and varied learning-the acute and eloquent argumentation, and the admirable Christian temper by which it is distinguished. (Jackson & Walford.)

The interest which is increasingly felt respecting the state and opinions of the ancient people of God, is to our minds a hopeful circumstance. "The Jew, in this and other Lands," is a pleasing little book for young people, embellished with numerous wood illustrations, that will promote the feeling of compassion for their present desolations. (Tract Society.)

The prolific pen of our friend, Dr. Campbell, has supplied us with another piece of instructive biography. The founder of city missions deserves a record; and Memoirs of David Nasmith: His Labours and Travels in Great Britain, France, the United States and Canada," are an ample one. We regret that we can only glance at it now, but it involves principles and suggests topics which require a more lengthened notice. (J. Snow.)

The ninth volume of "The Works of William Jay, collected and revised by himself," contains twenty-four sermons, which their author published forty years ago, in two octavo volumes. 66 They passed through five large editions in a short time. This encouraged him to advance in his course of authorship far beyond what he could originally have intended." Although our venerable friend modestly says, "he now sees more imperfections in them than he once saw," yet they contain so many excellences, that we sincerely trust they may have that circulation in their present economical size which the last generation gave to them in the costlier form of two octavos. (C. A. Bartlett.)

THE EDITOR'S TABLE.

The History of the London Missionary Society; comprising an Account of the Origin of the Society, Biographical Notices of some of its Founders and Missionaries, with a Record of its Progress at Home, and its Operations Abroad. Compiled from Original Documents in the possession of the Society. By William Ellis, late Foreign Secretary of the Society, &c. Vol. I. 8vo. pp. 580. London: Snow.

Illustrations of the Law of Kindness. By the Rev. G. W. Montgomery; with a Prefatory Address to the English Reader. 12mo. pp. 184. London Wiley and Putnam.

The Jew, in this and other Lands. pp. 152. London: The Religious Tract Society.

The Hebrew Martyrs, or the Triumph of Principle. By John Waddington. 18mo. pp. 72. London: J. Snow.

The Morning Exercises at Cripplegate, St. Giles in the Fields, and in Southwark ; being Divers Sermons, Preached by several Ministers of the Gospel in or near London. Fifth Edition. Carefully Collated and Corrected: with Notes and Translations. By James Nichols. Volume IV. 8vo. pp. 616. London: Tegg.

Sermons Preached in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Plymouth. By the Rev. Hinton C. Smith, B.A. Minister. Post 8vo. pp. 234. London: Hatchard, Adams and Co.

Hints to Mothers for the Management of Health, &c.; with an Exposure of Popular Errors in connexion with those subjects. By Thomas Bull, M.D. Fourth Edition. Revised and considerably enlarged. Post 8vo. pp. 368. London : Longman.

Laodicea; or Religious Declension. Its Nature, Indications, Causes, Consequences, and Remedies. An Essay, by David Everard Ford. 18mo. pp. 118. London Simpkin and Co. 1844.

The Working Man's Wife. By the Author of the Family Book. 18mo. pp. 176. London: Religious Tract Society.

The Missionary Jubilee; a Poem for the Young. By Jubal. 18mo. pp. 36. London: J. Snow.

Hymns for the Chamber of Sickness. By James Edmeston. London: Religious Tract Society.

The Baptisms of Scripture Unfolded. In Two Parts. By Sarah Bull. Post 8vo. pp. 66. London: W. Aylott.

The Presbyterian Review, and Religious Journal. No. LXVI. 8vo. London: Marshall and Co.

The Antichrist of St. John, St. Paul's Man of Sin, and the Little Horn of Daniel identified in their Application to the Papacy, and its present Aspect. By Charles Richard Cameron, M.A. 8vo. pp. 64. London: Houlston and Stoneman.

Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature. By John Kitto. 8vo. Part XV. Edinburgh : A. and C. Black. London: Adams and Co.

Essays on Some of the Prophecies in Holy Scripture which remain to be fulfilled. Essay the Sixth, On the Scheme of Providence. By Edward Gerrand Marsh, M.A. 8vo. pp. 32. London: Seeley.

The Pictorial Sunday Book. Folio. Part X. London: Knight and Co.

An Appeal to Young Christians on behalf of the Jews. Address on Prayer for the Jews. A Word to Jews and Christians on the Future Prospects of Israel. 12mo. British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Jews.

The Calcutta Melodies; comprising Twenty-six original Psalm and Hymn Tunes, in a variety of measures. By the late Rev. John Lawson, Missionary to the East Indies. Arranged with a separate accompaniment for the Organ, Pianoforte, or Seraphine, by G. Mather. London: Houlston and Stoneman.

TRANSACTIONS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH AUTUMNAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION, HELD AT NORWICH, ON THE 15TH, 16TH, AND 17TH DAYS OF OCTOBER, 1844.

[To meet the wishes of our readers, we present them at the earliest moment with an abstract of the whole proceedings of this most happy meeting, and intend in the next number to report the speeches of our brethren who proposed or sustained the respective resolutions.]

[ocr errors][merged small]

The sermon was preached in the Old Meeting-house, the Rev. Andrew Reed's, by the Rev. JOHN BURNET, of Camberwell, to a crowded congregation, from Phil. i. 27. Although the evening was wet, numbers went away unable to gain admittance. Prayer before sermon by the Rev. J. ALEXANDER, of Norwich; after sermon, by the Rev. E. PROUT, of Halstead.

WEDNESDAY MORNING, October 16th.

The first meeting for conference assembled at nine o'clock. The Rev. Dr. BURDER, of Hackney, presided, and opened the proceedings with solemn worship, and a very appropriate address.

The Rev. HENRY RICHARD, of London, who, with the Rev. J. Blackburn, of Pentonville, was a deputation to the churches of South Wales, in June last, presented a report of that visit, and of the state, wants, and prospects of our

interests in the Principality; on which the following resolution was moved by the Rev. RICHARD ELLIOTT, of Devizes; seconded by the Rev. JAMES SHERMAN, of London:

I. That the report of the deputation to South Wales be received and entered on the proceedings of this Assembly, with instructions to the Committee of the Union to adopt all practicable means for assisting and encouraging the brethren and churches in the Principality. Also that this Meeting receives the report now presented, às an interesting illustration of the advantages to be derived from bringing the Independent churches of various and remote districts into union and intercourse.

The Rev. J. BLACKBURN then read a memorial on the History, Position, and Prospects of the Independent Colleges,-on which the following resolution was moved by the Rev. J. A. JAMES, of Birmingham; seconded by the Rev. J. ALEXANDER, of Norwich; and, after an interesting discussion, unanimously adopted :

II. That the paper now read be received, and recorded among the proceedings of the Assembly. Also, that in the judgment of this Meeting, a conference of representatives from the managing committees and tutors of the several colleges, on the matters discussed in the paper now presented, and on other points touching their efficiency, would be highly beneficial; and that the Committee of the Union be therefore instructed to submit, in the most respectful manner, to the consideration of the authorities of the various colleges, the expediency of convening such a conference of their representatives.

In connexion with the foregoing subject, the Rev. WILLIAM LEGGE, of Fakenham, invited the attention of the Meeting to the efforts in which he has been for some years engaged, for training candidates for the ministry, with a view to their entering the colleges adequately prepared for the studies pursued in them; and to the necessity of some public, permanent support, to enable him to continue these most useful labours;-on which, the following resolution was submitted by the Rev. J. STOUGHTON, of London; seconded by the Rev. ANDREW REED, of Norwich; and unanimously adopted :

III. That in the judgment of this Meeting it is, in many instances, not only of important advantage, but of absolute necessity, that young brethren of good abilities, but of slender educational advantages, should receive instructions preparatory to their entrance on the studies pursued in the theological colleges. And this Meeting, persuaded that the Rev. Wm. Legge is eminently qualified to impart preparatory instruction in such cases, very strongly recommends, that any judicious proposals to sustain him in this important work, which may be submitted to the public, should receive liberal support. Also, that the paper read by Mr. Legge be communicated to any conference on the colleges that may be convened.

As the third subject for consideration, an appeal to the churches, and to their pastors and deacons, on the important duty at this time of increased efforts for the religious good of the British people, was read by the Rev. A. WELLS, of London. And the following resolution on this document was moved by THOMAS BRIGHTWELL, Esq., of Norwich; seconded by the Rev. R. ROBINSON, of Witham; and unanimously passed:

IV. That the appeal on the duty of increased efforts for the religious good of the British People, now read, be adopted by this Meeting, and entered on its proceedings; also, that the Committee of the Union be instructed to give it as wide a circulation as possible.

Prayer having been offered by the Rev. Dr. MATHESON, the Assembly adjourned for refreshment. After which the Rev. JAMES SHERMAN occupied the attention of the brethren with details of a plan for the formation of Congregational Benefit Societies.

WEDNESDAY EVENING, October 16th.

A public meeting, to promote the interests and objects of the Congregational Union, was held in Princes-street Chapel; THOMAS BRIGHTWELL, Esq., of Norwich, in the chair. The proceedings commenced with worship, conducted by the Rev. WILLIAM HOLMES, of Wisbeach. After the CHAIRMAN'S opening address, a short paper, explanatory of the constitution, objects, and proceedings of the Union, was read by the Rev. A. WELLS, one of the Secretaries. The following resolutions were then submitted, and adopted :-

V. First resolution, moved by the Rev. Dr. BURDER; and seconded by JOSIAH CONDER, Esq., of London :

That the present Meeting is deeply impressed with the value and excellence of Christian union in general-and in particular distinctly recognises the eminent advantages to be derived from an extended confederation of churches of the Congregational faith and order for mutual improvement, combined strength, and common objects, provided such union be so constituted as to give entire security that the several independency of the united churches will be in no way invaded by it. And this Meeting, believing the constitution of the Congregational Union of England and Wales to be such as will both secure the advantages and avoid the dangers of confederacy among Independent churches, gives to that Union its cordial approbation and support.

VI. Second resolution, moved by the Rev. J. A. JAMES, of Birmingham, and seconded by the Rev. J. W. MASSIE, of Manchester :

That this Meeting regards with peculiar satisfaction the proposal to appropriate the entire profits of the publications of the Union as a fund in aid of aged ministers; and in order to promote this excellent design, the pastors and deacons present engage to use their best influence with their respective churches for securing to the Union a contributed income adequate to its current expenditure, that the profits of publications may be appropriated, without any deduction for that object, entirely to the fund for aged ministers; and in order both to render that fund as large as possible, and to diffuse intelligence and a public spirit throughout the churches, this Meeting will exert itself to give the widest circulation possible to the several publications of the Union.

VII. Third resolution, moved by the Rev. J. BLACKBURN, of London; seconded by the Rev. A. REED, of Norwich :—

That this Meeting would remark with peculiar interest, that it is assembled in a district of our favoured country, sacred to Independents, as the scene, more than two centuries ago, of some of the earliest churches and sufferings of their fathers, whom persecution drove from the neighbouring coasts to seek an asylum in Holland; and while the Meeting rejoices exceedingly in the advance made by religious freedom and the rights of conscience in these days, as compared with the stormy times in which conscientious Christian confessors of every name were found faithful unto death, it would also devoutly bless God that He has preserved the Independent churches of Britain, and of the East Anglian districts in particular, sound in the great doctrines of the Christian faith, and stedfast in their testimony for primitive church principles, through so long a tract of time, and so many changing and trying scenes.

The Rev. J. ALEXANDER dismissed the Assembly with the benediction.

THURSDAY MORNING, October 17th.

A second meeting was held similar to that on the previous morning, commenced and closed at the same hours, and in the same manner. The Rev. Dr. BURDER

« ElőzőTovább »