sactions and notoriety, but of private and personal history.

But, putting myself wholly out of the question, as to the present case, I cannot forbear to express again my strongest aversion to what has in recent times grown to a violent excess-the making a book of every respectable and valuable man after his removal from the world. For many years I have constantly pro tested against this in such particular instances as have come in my way, and sometimes generally, in print. Volume after volume, to a prodigious amount, has called for public attention, when the writers and the prompters to the writing of them had done far more wisely to let it alone. In the greater number of instances it is a sad miscalculation of relations and friends, under the excite. ment, partly of their affection, and partly of their vanity-often of the latterthey are desirous of gaining some distinction for themselves, in setting forth the merits of an ancestor, or other relation; and they fondly and mistakenly imagine that what is called the public' will take a share in the interest in which they have so many reasons for feeling, which the public cannot have; and when, besides, the thickening crowd, and rapid succesion of public affairs and literary varieties leave no room for subjects comparatively private except men's own private interests. There are many persons highly valuable and useful in their own peculiar sphere, who were not, and never sought to be, of that kind of note which attracts what may be called public attention; men who, while their 'record is on high,' are sure of a long and affectionate remembrance among those to whom they have been known and been useful; but have no desire of an extensive notoriety, and would deprecate, in anticipation, the officious endeavour of friends to obtain it for them; knowing, besides, that such endeavours would be but very partially successful.

Something like this is what I have said in various instances in which I have happened to be more or less con

sulted on biographical projects, and have alleged, together with divers other reasons, for declining any co-operation. In venturing to dissuade altogether, I have said as for myself, that it would be strongly against all my wishes while alive that any, even the very briefest thing of the nature of memoir, should be written about me when I am dead.

If I may advert to the case of the late Mr. Hall, (who, however, was a person that very extensively interested the public,) it was with the utmost reluctance, and not till I began to feel that some unfavourable interpretation would be put on my persisting to refuse, that I yielded to take a share in the biography of him. And I wish, (but I had little responsibility or control) that the biography and works had not been so much loaded and overdone with letters and scraps of every sort.

From what I have thus attempted to say, you will see, both that I am obliged to decline for myself, the office which you suggest, and that any opinion I could venture to intimate would be against such a thing being done at all. Surely I need not asseverate the cordial regard I have always felt for my early and excellent friend; and shall, the little time I may survive him, have for his memory, together with most friendly wishes for his family. But I think that on consideration you will agree with me that his position, and the long unvaried tenour of his life, not including striking incidents, nor admitting remarkable displays and prominences of action, cannot form a record to excite extensive inquisitiveness and interest, in a season when all the passion is for novelty, variety, and strong stimulus.

What you say of my other old friend Greaves, makes me fear that he has felt those 'infirmities of age' more sensibly than when I saw him, and was highly gratified in spending a day with him last summer. To write to him has long been among my procrastinated purposes. I am, dear sir, yours with good wishes, J. FOSTER.

all that is required-(see chapters xxi. xxiv.)

In the twenty-sixth chapter we read

his eloquent and thrilling defence before king Agrippa; and in chapters twentyseven and twenty-eight his journey to Rome, and the manner in which he employed himself during the two years of his confinement there, arrest the attention. Here, then, we see Paul in Rome. To this place he had long wished to come. Rome was at that time the metropolis of the world. In her Pantheon were collected gods from all nations; and the apostle seemed anxious to stand at the door of that edifice, and with the gospel in his hand, to denounce the whole mass of their gods, and direct their idolatrous worshippers to the only refuge from the wrath to come. He longed to tell them that the gospel, and the gospel only, is the power of God unto salvation. The sphere of his labour was, however, contracted. He was confined to his own hired house. Here indeed he received all that came to him, preached to them the kingdom of God, and taught them those things which concern the Lord Jesus, no man forbid ding him.

Here the sacred historian closes his account respecting Paul, and what transpired in his history afterward is very uncertain. He his supposed during his imprisonment to have written several of his epistles, and it is the concurrent testimony of antiquity, that he had his liberty for ten years, and preached the gospel in several parts of Europe and Asia. Whatever was his subsequent career it is almost certain that he ended his days in Rome as a martyr. If the words in 2 Tim. iv. 6-8, were uttered by him a short time before his departure from this world, we have a vivid idea of the thoughts which occupied the mind of this great and good man at the period of his death. He reviewed the past: he summoned before him every event of his life. One scene after another passes before his mind-the most trying, as well as the most pleasant. Each one he examines with the scrutiny of a dying man, but he is able deliberately to come to the conclusion, I have fought

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He looked forward to the future. What was his prospect? Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me at that day. How insignificant would appear, while contemplating such a reward, all the trials through which he had passed!

In closing our notice of the life of this eminent preacher, apostle, and christian, we would do so by commending his example to the imitation of the readers of this periodical. Perhaps some are at once ready to say, 'His excellencies, both in kind and degree, are beyond our reach. We can and do admire, but shall ever despair of resembling him.' Was Paul, then, more than mortal? If your more intimate acquaintance with him terminates only in a greater admiration of him, the writer will consider that he has laboured in vain. You may, however, and ought to imitate him. You may not possess his strength of intellect, nor his high attainments; but may you not imitate him in his faith, and love, and unwearied zeal for God? There were some in his day that imitated him. 'Ye became followers, (or imitators,) of us, and of the Lord.' What was the consequence? 'So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place, your faith to God. ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.' 1 Thess. i. 6-8. Our earnest prayer is, that all our pas tors and ministers may resemble Paul, and that all our churches may resemble the Thessalonian church. The church would then occupy its true position, and exert its proper influence. Longford.

W. CHAPMAN.

AN EARNEST MINISTRY, the Wunt of the Times. By JOHN ANGELL JAMES. Third Edition. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co., Paternoster Row.

Tats work is the expansion of a sermon preached by Mr. James before the professors and committee of Cheshunt College at their last anniversary. Mr. James seldom writes

without introducing a considerable amount of excellent and useful matter. The topics dis. cussed in the present volume are:-'the character of the apostolic ministry-the na. ture of earnestness-specimens of earnestness -earnestness in the pastorate-motives to earnestness-and the means of obtaining an earnest ministry.' 'Perhaps,' says the author, 'there is scarcely one single phrase more frequently employed in the sphere of human activity, or better understood, than this-"BE IN EARNEST." What distinctness of aim, what fixedness of purpose, what resolute. ness of will, what diligence, patience, and perseverance of action are implied, or expressed in these three words. He who would stimulate indolence, quicken activity, and inspire hope; he who would breathe his own soul into the soul of another, and kindle the enthusiasm which glows in his own bosom, says to his fellow, Be in earnest!" and that short sentence, uttered by his lips, has often been like a scintillation flying off from his own ardent mind, which, lighting upon the spirit of the individual whom he was anxious to move to some great enterprize, has lighted up the flames of enthusiasm there also. And what else, or what less does Jesus Christ say to every one whom he sends into the work of the christian ministry, than-'Be in earnest.'

'There is something in the aspect and power of earnestness, whatever be its object, that is expressive and commanding. Earnestness implies, the selection of some one object of special pursuit, and a vivid perception of its value and importance. It is next to impossible for the mind to be intently employed, or the heart very deeply engaged, on a multipli. city of objects at once. Our feelings, to run with force, must flow pretty much in one channel: the attention must be concentrated, the purpose settled, the action directed to one thing, or there can be no efficiency. We are now prepared to understand what is the nature of real earnestness in a minister of Christ; a distinct, explicit, practical, recognition of his duty to labour for the salvation of souls as the end of his office. Such a man has settled with himself, that this is his vocation and business. He has looked at every thing else which could be presented to his mind has weighed the claims of all, and with intelligence and firmness has said, and is prepared to stand by his affirmation, "I watch for souls." Earnestness implies also, that the subject has not only been selected, but that it has taken full possession of the mind, and has kindled towards it an intense desire of the heart-it is accompanied with the studious invention and diligent use of all appropriate means to accomplish the selected object, and subordinates everything it meets with, or engages in, to its attainment.'

Mr. James refers to earnestness in matter and manner, and makes several appropriate and excellent remarks. In reference to the

latter he says:-'It is true that a good voice is necessary to good speaking, but not always to earnest speaking. Nature must do much to make a graceful and finished orator; but still, in the absence of this, an ardent mind, burning for the salvation of immortal souls, can, by an impressive earnestness of manner, be a more intense and effective speaker, notwithstanding naturally weak and unimpressive organs of speech, than the possessor of the finest voice who is destitute of a vivacious and ardent enunciation; just as an exquisite performer can bring better music out of a bad instrument, than a bad musician can out of a good one. What may be done, when the mind is resolutely bent upon accomplishing it, for supplying deficiences and correcting faults in elocution, Demosthenes has taught us.' 'It is impossible not to observe how much the popularity of some preachers depends upon their manner; they do not say better or more striking things than other men, but they say them in a better and more striking manner. There is a pathos in their tones-a power in their looks-a gracefulness in their gestures -which other men have never studied, and therefore have never acquired. This was eminently the case with Whitfield, the greatest of preachers. Much of the wondrous power of that extraordinary man lay in his voice and action. What oratory must that have been which extorted from the sceptical and fastidious Hume the confession, that it was worth going twenty miles to hear it ;which interested the infidel Bolingbrokeand once warmed the cold and cautious Franklin into enthusiasm ?

'In those discourses which roused a slumbering nation from the torpor of lukewarmness, and breathed new life into its dying piety, you will find no profound speculation, no subtle reasoning, no metaphysical disquisition-for these never formed, and never can form, the staple of pulpit eloquence-but you will find thoughts that breathe and words that burn, and which when enunciated with the magic of his wondrous voice, spoke, by the blessing of God, life into thousands dead in trespasses and sins.'

The means to obtain an earnest ministry are thus enumerated by Mr. James :-'1. It is imperative to have the truth deeply en. graven upon all hearts, that the church is the conservator of the christian ministry, and that it is her business, to see that she discharge well her duty in this momentous affair. 2. Let the subject be thoroughly considered and universally admitted, that this is the ministry we want and must have. 3. There must be much earnest prayer presented to God for such a blessing. 4. A revived state of the church would produce a ministry such as that which has been described. 5. We should, as pastors of the churches, look round our respective flocks, and see what devoted youths of ardent piety and competent abilities, we

have within our circle, who are likely to be useful as ministers of Christ, and should call them out to the work, without waiting for the first impulse to come from themselves. 6. Much depends on the professors of our colleges. 7. Churches must provide the means for the education of our young ministers.'

We feel convinced that on the whole, there has been no class of ministers since the apostolic age more efficient and useful, than the pastors of the dissenting churches at the present moment. Great and distinguished men as many of the nonconformist fathers were, a mere glance at their labours in contrast with those now sustained by the ministry, will at once evince the truth of this remark. A similar observation may be made in reference to our immediate predecessors. If sterling good sense, if high attainments, if pointed and pungent addresses, if conversions to God, if devotedness to the best of causes be any citeria by which to form an opinion, most assuredly the balance turns in favour of our contemporaries. We are not referring to individuals-we embrace the entire body of the ministry. And if reference were made to individuals, there are those in our day, who, on many accounts, may be put side by side with any uninspired man. Still, we are far from thinking that ministers are as efficient as they might be. There are, we are persuaded, powerful causes in operation which seriously interfere with their useful. ness, and causes which many of the churches might easily remove, were they more influenced by love to God. Consider the poor, miserable pittance in the shape of salaries which the majority have doled out to them. We talk about the efficiency of the voluntary principle; why the very salaries of our pastors ought at present, at least, to close our mouths. Many a warehouse clerk, a just able to write a fair hand, with a modicum of common sense, receives more for the support and comfort of his family than the great est number of our ministers, though endowed with piety, talents, and learning-and in not a few instances of high order too.

man

What is

the result of this state of things? Some are necessitated to have recourse to school teaching, or shopkeeping, others depend on a little private fortune, and perhaps annually are constrained to spend portion even of the capital. The mind is thus harassed, the attention becomes divided, and the efficiency of the ministry lessened. This does not arise from poverty. We know churches containing mem bers worth their thousands, whose ministers could not possibly live if they had no other resource than their annual stipends. Is it possible that God can view such covetousness with complacency? We write with shame and grief. Let these facts, however, be seriously pondered.

There is another matter which this volume VOL. 9.-N. S. 2 Y

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suggests. It relates to the visiting department of a minister's labours. There is scarcely any subject on which such undefined and vague notions are entertained. We know of but few men who are efficient preachers, and pay proper attention to mental cultivation, who do not lie under the reproach of not visiting their people.' If indeed by visiting be understood, running from house to house, and door to door, weekly or fortnightly, to remind persons of the prayer meeting, or lecture, and keep them in good humour, the class of men to whom we are referring, are probably guilty; but if by visiting we are to understand proper attention to the sick, calling on the friends as often as due regard to other important duties renders it at all possible, to enquire after their spiritual welfare-they are not guilty. And are they not always ready to give admission to members or inquirers to the privacy of their studies, and converse with them on divine realities? We are perfectly convinced of two things:first, that no man can be an earnest minister who squanders his time in gossipping from house to house. He may indeed wonderfully please certain parties for a while, but he is sure ultimately to descend as rapidly as he ascended. The entire history of our churches abundantly proves this. Secondly, the parties thus courted, have actually in many instances seemed as though they were conferring a favor by attending the means of grace. Religious duties have not been regarded as requiring our undivided attention, and arising from our solemn engagements to God. These things have contributed not a little towards bringing the churches into their present languishing condition.

If some men had their will, the pulpit would soon become a byeword, and ministers' heads and hearts as barren as the sandy desert. Besides, if many are so anxious to see their pastors, why not more frequently invite them to their houses, and collect their families together, that they may derive some instruction from the observations and prayers which might be offered. Ah! there are many parties formed, but the minister is seldom thought of.

Having made these remarks to the churches, we shall conclude our review by recommend. ing to our brethren in the ministry a careful and prayerful perusal of Mr. James' volume. We are sure they cannot read it without great pleasure and profit.

THE BENEFIT OF CHRIST'S DEATH, or the glorious riches of God's free grace which every true believer receives by Jesus Christ and him crucified. Originally written in Italian, by Aonio Paleario; and now reprinted from an ancient English translation; with an introduction by the Rev. John Ayre, M. A., Minister of St. John's

THERE are several interesting and affecting circumstances connected with the history of this book. Antonio dalla Paglia, or as he is more generally called, Aonio Paleario, was born about the year 1500, at Veroli, in the Campagna di Roma. He studied under eminent masters, and was soon noticed as an accomplished scholar. He acquired the friendship of many of the learned of his age, and also of those dignified ecclesiastics whose religious views were esteemed the most moderate. Among these may be mentioned, the cardinals Sadolet and Pole, who were thought, especially the latter, to favour the Reformation. After passing several years in Rome, Paleario removed to Sienna, where he was appointed professor of Greek and Latin, as well as of Philosophy and the belles-lettres. His diligent study of the scriptures, imbued his instructions with a spirit very different from the lectures of his colleagues. His conduct was therefore watched, and every stratagem employed to fasten the crime of heresy upon him. The charges against him were brought to a point by the publication in 1543, of the present treatise, 'the Benefit of Christ's death.' The vast reputation in which the work was held, and the eagerness with which it was read, increased the virulence of his opponents. He defended himself with such strength of argument before the senate of Sienna, that his enemies were for the time foiled. From Sienna be removed to Lucca, and from there to Milan. Here, he was seized by the inquisitor, Angelo di Cremona, conveyed to Rome, and committed a close prisoner to the Torre Nona. After three years incarceration, he was condemned to be suspended on a gibbet, and his body to be committed to the flames. Many of the works of Aonio Paleario are extant, but this treatise was thought for some years to have been lost. Macauley in a paper in the Edinburgh Review says, It was not on moral influence alone that the Catholic church relied. In Spain and Italy the civil sword was unsparingly employed in her support. Whoever was suspected of heresy, whatever his rank, his learning, or his reputation, was to purge himself to the satisfaction of a severe and vigilant tribunal, or to die by fire. Heretical books were sought out and destroyed with unsparing rigour. One book in particular, entitled, the 'Benefit of the death of Christ, was proscribed, and is now as utterly lost as the second decade of Livy.' Such was the general opinion for a considerable time, but ultimately a translation of it from the French made by Arthur Golding during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was found, and the present volume is a reprint of this translation. The

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work well deserves a perusal. It abounds with striking and important truths, and contains a clear exposition of the doctrine of justification by faith.

A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE LATE SARAH MARTIN, of Great Yarmouth; with extracts from her writings and prison journals. A new edition, with additions.

London: Tract Society.

MISS MARTIN was an extraordinary woman. Her self-denying and unwearied labours on behalf of prisoners were eminently blessed, and her memory will ever be held in high esteem. This sketch of her life will, we are persuaded, be read with much interest.

THE HOLY BIBLE, according to the authorized version, arranged in paragraphs and parallelisms; with an entirely new selection of copious references to parallel and illustrative passages, prefaces to the several books, and numerous notes. Job to Malachi. London: Tract Society.

THIS Bible is beautifully printed. The references and notes are very valuable. The division into chapters and verses which disfigures our common Bibles is here laid aside, and the whole is arranged in paragraphs. The chapters and verses, however, may be easily ascertained by the small figures in the margin. The poetical portions of the inspired word have, as ought to be the case, by the arrangement here adopted, a poetical appearance.

A BRIEF MEMOIR OF MISS SARAH SAUNDERS, with Nine Letters Addressed to her During her last Illness. By JOHN FOSTER. London: Tract Society.

MIND attracts mind. We have an interesting instance of this fact in the memoir before us. Miss Saunders was a young lady of strong intellect, and great quickness of perception At an early period she attracted the attention of the late eminent John Foster, and we have reason to believe that the friendship of this excellent man led to results in her history for which she will ever have to adore the Author of all good. The letters are in Foster's usual style-replete with powerful argumentation, solid and stirring advice, and brilliant conceptions relative to the future destiny of man. May our young friends solemnly ponder the contents of this small volume. Miss Saunders' last words are worthy of their special notice. 'Within a short time of her death she requested her aunt to enforce it as from her on her younger sisters, "That they should apply themselves to the great concern while,-" Here she was stopped by cough and extreme difficulty of breathing, and her aunt finished the sentence for her by saying, "while in their youth." As soon as she recovered the power of speak