one of the evangelists, for instance, The Retrospect, or Review of Provi dential Mercies; with Anecdotes of various Characters, and an Address to Naval Officers. By Aliquis, formerly a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and now a Minister in the Established Church. 12mo, Price 5s. he would have rendered a permanent service to the church, resembling that for which we are indebted to the pen of Dr. Dick on the Acts. One obvious advantage of the plan recommended is, that a volume on any book of Scripture, not only interests and edifies the reader in the first perusal, racter and pursuits, referred to in the THE change of professional chabut afterwards becomes a valuable title of this interesting book, cannot book of reference. Where the se fail to awaken curiosity; and the pious lection is of a miscellaneous kind, we reader will, with delight, trace in this think the reader is intitled to expect biographical sketch the progress of a something peculiarly important, or change far greater and more importpeculiarly interesting in the subject ant,- -a change from darkness to light, chosen; or, in expository lectures, from sin to holiness, and from the the elucidation of a doctrine or a vassalage of Satan to the service of passage involved in considerable dif- God. The writer does not profess to ficulty. These points might, we give a regular and unbroken history think, have been more fully secured, of the remarkable occurrences of his by the able author of the volumes life; but a selection of those circumbefore us. Still, however, we thank stances which most impressed his him for the work; and we doubt not own mind, interpersed with pious it will be peculiarly accepted in the reflections, and prefaced with ap sphere of his own ministerial exertions. The style of these lectures is perspicuous, manly, and unadorned. The following extract may be regarded as a specimen. It is from the Ninth Lecture. The subject is Matt, vii. 1—11. The injunction of our Lord, when he says, Judge not,' is directed against the indulgence of a censorious disposition. We are not unnecessarily or officiously to pry into the conduct of our neighbours, or our acquaintances, for the purpose of discovering their faults. We are not to decide against them, with out impartial consideration and sufficient evidence. We are not to dive into their secret motives, which we have not the means of ascertaining; nor to exaggerate their delinquency by suspicions which we cannot verify, and alle gations which we cannot prove. We are not to blame them with more severity than their guilt deserves—to swell their unintentional mistakes into keinous crimes to select them with uncalled for and iniquitous partiality from among their fellows, as the objects of our reproach-nor to censure them with that haish and relentless temper which delights more to condemn than to forgive, and tends rather to harden than to reform.' If the sentiments of this single pas sage be deeply and permanently impressed upon the minds of those who read these volumes, Mr. Thomson will not, in composing them, have laboured in vain. propriate mottos from the word of God. The preface informs the reader, that a considerable part of the papers which compose the publication 'have already appeared before the public in the Christian Guardian, under the signature of Aliquis.' The style of this interesting Retrospect is distin guished both by freedom and by vivacity; and we cordially recommend the pious production to the attention of our readers. A Treatise on the Law and the Gospel. By J. Colquhoun, D. D. Minister of the Gospel, Leith. 12mo, 4s. 6d. "THE immediate design of this treatise (to use the words of the author, in the Advertisement prefixed to it) is to promote conviction of sin and misery, in the consciences of sinners, and true holiness in the hearts and lives of saints.' There can be no evangelical holi ness, as he very justly observes, except it proceed from faith working by love; and no true faith, either of the law or gospel, unless the leading distinctions between the one and the other be spiritually discerned. То blend or confound them has been the fatal source of error in the Christian church, and has embarrassed many believers in their exercise of faith, and practice of holiness. Troubled consciences cannot ordinarily be quieted, except the doctrine of the gospel be rightly distinguished from that of the law. In pursuit of this important design, the pious and judicious author takes a view of the moral law in general, and as inscribed originally on the heart of Adam,—of its promulgation at Sinai, of its properties, of the gospel, and of the use of the law in subservience to it, - of the difference between the law and the gospel-and also of their harmony. He then shews how the law is established by the gospel; and exhibits the believer's privilege, as being dead to the law, and in what sense. He then concludes by pointing out the high obligations under which believers lie, to yield even perfect obedience to the law, as a rule of life; and clearly describes the nature, necessity, and gracious reward of good works. Each of these particulars is treated fully, in the course of 350 pages, accompanied with suitable Reflections. We think the present work remarkably seasonable, and trust it will be generally read, and happily prove a check to the daring spirit of Antinomianism, which disturbs and threatens to subvert many of our churches. We cordially recommend it to all our readers.. LITERARY NOTICES. Mr. Editor, As a paragraph in your Magazine, stating the expence of printing the Acts of the Apostles in China, has given rise to some erroneous conclusions, it is incumbent on me to rectify that statement. That statement was correct and faithful, as far as that first volume of the New Testament was concerned (which was a first attempt); but it was not a correct statement of the usual expence of printing in China, The charge for that volume was exorbitant, Cutting the whole New Testament in duodecimo (the edition now in circula tion) including the writing, cost 550 dolars; after which first expence, casting off on yellowish paper, and binding each copy, costs half a dollar. In the brief view of Baptist Missions (1815) page 29, there is a very exagger. ated account of the superiority of moveable metal types over wooden stereotype. It is said, that metal types for the whole Scriptures, will cost only £400. If all the experiments and changes which have been gone through be included, I should suppose this consider ably below the truth. However, admitting it to be correct, how can the writer boldly affirm, that this is only one-fourth of cutting the characters in wood. We have seen the New Testament cut for £140.; but the New TesBible; therefore, cutting the blocks of the whole will cost only £ 560, which is vastly less than £1600. It should also be noticed here, that when the blocks are cut, impressions can be made without any farther expence; whereas, the moveable characters must incur the expence of setting them up again and again; and to avoid the expence of setting them up very often, a large immain a dead stock on hand, which, in pression must be made at once, and rethe case of the blocks, is unnecessary. As to putting to press eleven or twelve corrections, it is quite puerile. Why not make those corrections before sending a sheet to press? What is true in respect of English writing and printing, does not appear to hold true in Chinese; for in the latter, the plain written hand is exactly the saine as print. tament is about one-fourth of the whole In addition to speed, correctness, and superiority of the metal moveable types, the writer says, that if, with blocks, a given number cost £15,000, with single types they will cost only £5000. How this follows, even from his own premises, does not appear, as the first cost of the blocks or types will not make that dif ference, and the expense of these does not alter the price of paper. The great difference of wages also seems exaggerated. In China, a printer will cast off about 2,000 sheets a day, for one mace five candoreens, about one shilling. Six thousand of these metal moveable types, are to supply the place of half a million (500,000) immoveable ones! He might as well have said a thousand millions, or any other surprising number that occurred to his vivid imagination; for, if bis proposition be true of the one, it will hold true of the other. It can only be on the supposition that 6000 will answer every purpose, so far as the Scriptures are concerned, that they will be equal to 500,000; and if they answer every purpose, they will be equal to an indefinitely large number of immoveable ones. The beauty of the printing is to exceed any thing seen in China itself! It may be so to his English eyes and prejudices; but whe ther it will be so to native Chinese or not, is very questionable. If he adopt the mode of illustration and proof, injudiciously exhibited in the publication above referred to, he will surely succeed; i.e. to contrast metal types with a very bad specimen of wood-blocks, cut in India. To compare themselves with themselves-their own badly cut blocks with their better cut moveable types, is certainly rather inconclusive as to the question, Whether metal types be handsomer than Chinese printing or not? and subtil of all the Polish Socinians, against the celebrated work of Grotius, on the Satisfaction of Christ; which contains an accurate statement, and most able vindication of the Scripture-doctrine of the ATONEMENT. Interspersed That writer perhaps, does not know with Notes and Reflections by the Edithat moveable single types, made of tor; to which will be subjoined, An various materials, have been known and Appendix; containing the Bishop's' used in China for centuries past; but most mature judgment on The Commu that the old way,' as he has been tation of Persons betwixt Christ and Bepleased to call the wooden stereotype, lievers, extracted from his Lorship's has generally been preferred. So early correspondence; and some additional as the 11th century, moveable types observations by the Editor, shewing the were made of clay, hardened by burn injurious tendency of incautious and ining; and about the same time, the accurate statements. in reference to that people of Pelang, in Ché-keang, used subject, and briefly opening the Scriplead moveable types. The Emperor ture-doctrine.concerning it. The whole Kang-he about A. D. 1690, had a large will be comprised in one vol. 8vo; and fount of types made of copper; and as very few more copies will be printed Kien-lung, had a fount of wooden move than shall answer the subscription, those able types made, which consisted of who are disposed to encourage the work, 250,000 characters. Placed by these, are requested to signify the same by the that writer's 6000 would make but a 1st of November next, either to the poor figure. I have now before me an Editor, at Chapel en-le-Frith, Derby imperial Chinese work, printed by shire; or to Mr. Josiah Conder, Bookmoveable types; but is not equal in seller, St. Paul's Church-yard, London. beauty to the best wooden block print. ing. Some characters appear to have been longer than others, and whilst one made a strong impression, others were faint, The character on the head of some types appears cut away. The excellence of wooden stereotype is, that it requires, on Chinese paper, no pressing, and the characters appear to the eye pleasantly laid on the surface of the paper, instead of being thrust by force half through it. I must yet remain of opinion, that for standard classical books, stereotype, whether metal or wood, is preferable to moveable types. However, if any real advantage shall be found to result from single moveable types, the Chinese mission will be able to avail itself of them; as a member of that Mission (Mr. Milne, at Malacca) is there forming a fount of Chinese types for printing a monthly tract, of a religious and moral nature, for the benefit of the Chinese colonists on the islands of Java, Borneo, &c. It is intended there also, as circumstances may require, to print further editions of the New Testament, or other parts of the sacred Scriptures. SELECT LIST. Modern Judaism; or a brief Account of the Opinions, Traditions, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Jews in Molern Times. By John Allen. One vol. 8vo, with a plate. Sermons, by the Rev. Daniel de Superville, late Pastor of the French Protestant Church at Rotterdam. Trans lated from the French by John Allen. One vol, 8vo, with portrait. Anecdotes, Religious, Moral, and Entertaining. By the late Rey. C. Buck. Third and last vol. 5s. Conversations on Religion and Mo rality, by a Lady (Author of the Antidote to Misery). New edit. 12mo, 5s. Talents improved, by ditto, 5s. Richmond's Annals of the Poor, New edit. 12mo, 3s. 6d. Cottage Scenes, 12mo, 3s. Youth encouraged to seek the Lord; a Sermon to Young Persons, at the Rev. Mr. Evans's, Mile End, by R. H. Shẹpherd. 8vo, 2s. Reciprocal Obligations of Ministers and People: a Sermon at the Designation of the Rev. T. S. Britain, by W. R. Collyer, D. D.; with the Introductory Discourse, by Dr. Winter. 8vo, is 6d. Life the Time of Hope: a Discourse occasioned by a late distressing Event at Clerkenwell (see p 360) by key, S Pigott, A. M, Cura'e, 1s. A Sermon on the Death of the Rev. A. Austin, of Elim Chapel, by T. Hutch ings, with a Portrait, 1s. A new edit. of Rev. J. Bennett's Sermon on the Holy Spirit. 2 2 1s. 354 RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. FRENCH PROTESTANTS. Paris, May 24 In the night of the 14th of this month, new troubles broke out at Nismes, on account of a wedding, ceIn the lebrated by some Protestants. course of the 14th, the populace had threatened some persons, who were going to the house where the marriage was to be solemnized, that it should not take place; and it was scarcely dark, when a crowd repaired to the place, and began to commit various excesses. The people within soon saw. that they must provide for their safety, and left the house, which was soon after broken open, as well as another near it, and plundered. The prefect has sent to the Minister of the Interior an account of the event; but made it appear as if the mob had gone to a house where there were some adherents of Bonaparte, and committed Some excesses. It is affirmed, that the Minister, M. Laine, having had the affair more closely examined, has obtained a promise from the Minister of Justice, that those who have been guilty of those disorders shall be punished.[From the newspapers.] Horrible Effects of Infidel Principles. A LETTER from Paris states, that, on Friday, July 5th, a school-boy, of 14 years of age, having been pu nished for a trivial offence, hanged himself; before which rash action he wrote a paper in the form of a will, bequeathing his son to the manes of Voltaire and Rousseau, who had taught him to despise superstition and the arts of priests; and declaring that he should appear before the Supreme Being without any charge of guilt, - This foolish lad pretended to die happy, when it is evident that selfmurder was the effect of pride, and mortification at being punished. Such is the effect of French educa tion and French philosophy; yet France, guilty France! is the country which so many thousands of Englishmen are visiting. May we not justly fear the disastrous effect upon the manners and morals of this country? WELCH CIRCULATING SCHOOLS. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. T. Charles, of Bala, Merionethshire, North Wales, to a Member of the Society for the Support of Gaelio Schools, dated Jan. 4, 1811. THE important intelligence which your letter brought me, of the benevolent intention of charitable persons in the north, of forming a Society at Edinburgh for the design of encou raging Schools in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, to teach the poor Inhabitants to read their native Gaelic tongue, appears to me highly laudable, and gives ine very great satisfaction. I pray the Lord to prosper the benevolent design, and crown your labours with abundant success? In compliance with your request, I shall here attempt to give you a comprehensive and succinct account of similar insti tutions with us in this principality, their nature, and the success of them. The Rev. Griffith Jones, a clergyman of the establishment, about 1730, made the first attempt of any importance, on an extensive scale, to erect schools for the instruction of our poor people to read their native language. Before that time, the whole country was in a most deplorable state, with regard to the acquisition of religious knowledge. After the decease of this very pious and laborious minister, 1761, the schools were continued on the same plan by a pious lady of fortune, an intimate friend of Mr. Jones, and a constant attendant on his ministry: her name was Mrs. Bevan. In her will, that lady, who lived several years after Mr. Jones, left 10,000l.; the interest of which was to be applied for ever towards perpetuating those schools. Her executrix, a niece of her's, disputed the validity of the will, so far as it applied to this money. It was thrown into Chancery, where it continued for 30 years before a decree was obtained. About two years past, a decree was granted in favour of this charity; and the interest of the 10,0007. with the accumulation of it by interest all the years it was in Chancery, is to be applied, under certain specific regulations and restrictions, to the support of Circulating Charity - Schools throughout the whole principality. This was a consummation devoutly to be wished' indeed!-and the more so, as we had all despaired of ever seeing the money applied to the proper object. There are now 40 schools erected in different parts of the country, and the number is continually increasing. In the course of a few years after the cessation of these, on the demise of Mrs. Bevan, the country gradually reverted into the same state of stupor and ignorance in which Mr. Jones found it, when he first thought of those institutions. Besides, tho' Mr. Jones's schools increased to the amazing mumber of 206 before he died, yet there were many districts in this mountainous country, never visited by his schools, or but once, and that for a very short time. In one of these districts, it pleased the will of Providence to place me. I attempted to instruct the rising generation, by catechising them every Sunday afternoon; but their not being able to read, I found to be a great obstacle to the progress of my work. This induced me to enquire into the state of the country, in this point of view. I soon found the poor people to be in general in the same state of ignorance. Two or three of the children of the wealthiest were sent to the next town to learn English, and this was all-the generality were left totally destitute of any instruction. As Mr. Jones's schools had ceased to circulate, no relief could be obtained from that quarter. A thought occurred to my anxious mind, for so it really was, that, by the charitable assistance of some friends, I might be able to obtain means of employing a teacher, and to remove him from one place to another to instruct the poor ignorant peoplc. When I had succeeded in obtaining pecumiary aid, the great difficulty of obtaining a proper person to teach occurred. The difficulty was removed by instructing a poor man myself, and employing him at first near me, that his school might be, in a manner, under any constant inspec tion. The next difficulty was to obtain proper elementary books. In this 'point Mr. Jones's schools were very deficient, as the books used in his schools were little better than the Eng lish battledores, and very ill calculated to forward the children in their learning. This obstruction also was gradually surmounted. I composed three elementary books, besides two catechisms, which are now used in all our schools, and very essentially assist the progress of the children. My teachers, as my funds increased, multiplied gradually from one to 20; but of late the number is decreased, as the necessity of the week-day schools is su perseded by the increase of Sundayschools, and my attention is drawn to the extension of them as wide as possible. The Circulating Day-Schools have been the principal incans of erecting Sunday-Schools; for without the former, the state of the country was such, that we could not obtain teachers to carry on the latter; besides, Sunday-schools were set up in every place where the day-schools had been. My mode of conducting the schools has been as follows:- My first greatest care has been in the appointment of proper teachers. They are all poor persons, as my wages are but small; besides, a poor person can assimilate himself to the habits and mode of liv ing among the poor, as it is his own way of living. It is requisite he should be a person of moderate abilities; but, above all, that he be truly pious, inoral, decent, humble, and engaging in his deportment; not captious, not disputatious, not conceited, no idle saunterer. no tattler, nor given to the indulgence of any idle habits. My care here has been abundantly repaid, for my teachers in general are as anxious as myself in the success of the work, and the eternal welfare of those they are employed to instruct in their most important concerns. In introducing the school into á place, I pay a previous visit there, after conversing a little with some of the principal inhabitants on the subject: I convene the inhabitants together, after having sent a previous message to them, intimating my intention of visiting them, and specifying the time of my coming. When convened together, I publicly address them on the vast importance of having their children faught to read the word of God; and afterwards I inform them of my intention of sending a teacher, to assist in instructing their children; and also grown up people who cannot read, who will attend him on Sundays, |