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paper, with a new fount of the Leipsic type, and the whole, when ready, will form one of the most splendid Biblical works in existence. The texts quoted have been collated according to the best editions of the Hebrew Bible; the errors of Buxtorf emended; the masoretic marks inserted; the books, chapters, and verses indicated by Roman letters and our ordinary numeral ciphers; many words, such as

and in, which had been omitted by Buxtorf, have been inserted; and the Keris and Kethibs have all been carefully marked. What greatly adds to the value of the work, is its comprising a Lexicon as well as a Concordance. The Lexical part, which of course takes the lead under each of the words, examples of which are to be given, is double in its structure; the articles being first presented in Rabbinical Hebrew, and then in Latin. It is a most important accession to the best modern Lexicons; and, besides going into the etymology of the words, and furnishing the different significations which attach to them, exhibits the Greek renderings of the LXX. Aquil. Symm. Theod. &c. As a specimen we select the first article: N.

אב

n. m. (c., vetustus ille et forma obsoletus, semel ad similitudinem formæ, sequente Magef, c. suff., pl. nia, pl. c. ni) pater, genitor, trop: antiquus, primus, de quibuscunque majoribus in linea adscendente, etiam remotioribus, avo, proavo, abavo, Adamo utpote patre generis humani (ie, syn. ji), de primo cujuspiam rei auctore et inventore, de nutritore, ac sustentatore (Versorger) de doctore vel educatore, de principe tanquam populi patre, de sacerdote, concilario eoque, qui in gubernanda provincia dignitate secundus est (pater regis, TN, Lutherus: des Landes Vater, DEUTEDOC Tarp, de Hamane, Wizirorum Artaxerxis secundo Gr. Est. 13, 6. 16, 11. 1 Mac. 11. 32.), et similiter, usu a capite ingenitæ significationis diffuso latissime. Gemarice de unaquaque re principali, radicali, fundamentali, veluti DIN (OPP), y, de specie syllogismi. Arab. abu sequente nomine, sicut, cujus significationis vestigia etiam in nmm. propriis hebraicæ linguæ exstant. Est vero hoc nomen patris primitivum linguarumque tum occidentalium tum orientalium commune. Quare magnopere false sunt, qui, forma constructivi inanique opinione seducti, in verbo nominis hujus originem quasiere. LΧΧ. πατήρ, πατρία, πατρικός, πατρῶος, ὁ πλησίον; τα, πατρία; τα πής, ομοπατρία; -, ἐξουσιαστής; nine τη, πατριάρχης, ἀρχιπατριώ της; ν ου μὴν δὴ ἀλλά.”

To the Concordance is to be appended, a list of all the Hebrew words, arranged according to the order of the roots and the letters of the alphabet, with reference to the pages where they will be found in the work; a list of words, the origin of which is unknown; an alphabetic syllabus of all the particles; an explanation of all the Aramæan, Talmudical, and Rabbinical words which occur in the lexical parts of the Concordance; an index of proper names; the verbal roots systematically arranged and compared with the cognate verbs in the Semitic and other languages; a collection of masoretic fragments, illustrative of the history of grammar among the Jews, and its critical application to the interpretation of the Old Testament; and, finally, a Chronological Table of the books of the Old Testament.

The stereotyping of the work is far advanced, and each of the following parts will appear after an interval of about two months.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

Spiritual Crumbs from the Master's Table. By Gerhard Tersteegen. lated from the German, by Samuel Jackson. London: John F. Shaw.

Trans

12mo.

THE Life of Tersteegen has met with a favourable reception from the religious public, so that a third edition has already appeared. The chief excellency of these discourses will be found to consist in the spirit of deep and fervent piety which pervades them, and which will communicate its unction to the hearts of the readers. The quaint title conveys no idea of the nature of the work. It is not a composition of pithy maxims, or detached fragments; but contains the substance of thirty sermons, on five texts of Scripture. The discourses are deficient in clearness of method, closeness of argument, and power of appeal; but there is a savour in the matter, and a plainness in the language, which will render the work acceptable to the simple-hearted Christian, who is athirst for spiritual improvement.

Some Account of the Life of the Rev. F. A. A. Gonthier, Minister of the Gospel at Nimes and in Switzerland. From the French of L. and C. Vulliemin. With a Preface, by the Rev. C. B. Taylor, M. A. The Religious Tract Society. 12mo.

WE think it scarcely possible to read this interesting narrative without being touched, and deeply affected. The talents of Gonthier were of a high order; his heart was the seat of glowing zeal, and his life was eminently devoted to the cause of Christ. It is not wonderful, that the relatives who give us this account, and were warmly attached to the subject of it, should have been enamoured of so much excellence, but perhaps there is too much of eulogy. The sacred historians, in the portraits which they give of the pious, faithfully blend shades with the lights, and record faults and blemishes as well as virtues, and in this are models worthy of imitation. Mr. Gonthier himself had a deep sense of his own deficiencies. His last address from his death-bed, to the assembled members of his church, is full of pathos and humility.

"My beloved brothers and sisters,-This church has never known, and never can know, my deep affection for it. My heaviest cross during the last few years, has been my want of power to give some proofs of this, and my inability to perform the public service among you. But it was the Lord who deprived me of the means and strength to do so. I had only to bow myself and adore him. I may at least tell you, that I have never passed one day without offering up prayers for this beloved church at the throne of grace; unworthy prayers I confess they have been, and so very languid, that I have need to be deeply humbled on account of them: the Lord however knows, that they have at least been sincere.

"But I have to speak to you about things of much higher importance. I am addressing you, in all human probability, for the last time. It is true, that God above can number our days; he can restore me yet, but I do not think he will. Let me, therefore, at this awful moment, when my earthly career is in all likelihood well nigh ended, and when I must soon appear before the tribunal of my Judge at this moment, when disguise becomes impossible, when I see eternity full before me-let me declare to you most solemnly from my very heart, and before God who hears me, that nothing, absolutely nothing in myself, can give me the least confidence, or the least security, for the future. What the world might be tempted to call my righteousness, (pardon me, O my God! that such a word should have passed my lips,) is in my own eyes but as filthy rags; and in thy sight, O Lord most holy, how infinitely more vile and offensive! But blessed be God, yea a thousand times blessed! I know in whom I have

believed; I know Him who left heaven, with all its happiness and all its glory, to come down to earth, to seek and to save those who were lost."

The whole address, from which we have above given a brief extract only, is calculated to make every chord of sympathy in the Christian heart to vibrate.

An Essay on the Efficiency of God, the Source of Human Happiness; intended as an Antidote to Infidelity. By J. J. Poulter. Wightman. London.

12mo.

Ir a second edition should be called for, we would recommend the worthy author to shorten and simplify the title, to condense and new model his matter, and to revise and improve his language. In the introductory address Mr. Poulter says, "The greatest talents this country ever produced, have been directed to the collecting and publishing of evidence on natural and revealed religion; but the intellectual splendour with which some have appeared in these works, has sometimes rendered them unintelligible to common minds; a sun is lost in the midst of the effulgence of its own brightness, while the little twinkling star, more distant and inferior in brightness, imparts instruction and affords guidance to the wandering mariner; so it is presumed, this Essay will unostentatiously move in its own sphere." Though sceptics of late have lowered their crests, and lost much of their influence, yet An Antidote to Infidelity, combining the excellencies of Paley, Leland, Chalmers, Wall, and Dwight, would be a valuable present to the community, and must be welcomed by every friend of religion and virtue.

Parental Duty. Five Sermons. By the Rev. John Newlands. Perth. 12mo. "TRAIN up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." On this text, Mr. N. has given us a small volume of discourses, which earnestly and ably inculcate parental duties. Happy were it for coming generations, if the sage counsels and solemn admonitions of our author swayed the minds of all who are placed at the head of families! A few slight inaccuracies of language, peculiar to our northern neighbours, such as will for shall, ought to be corrected in a new edition; we think too, that a few facts interspersed in the work would render it more interesting and useful.

Pastoral Recollections.

Edited by the Rev. J. Belcher. Ward and Co.
London. 18mo.

WE agree with the pious author, in deprecating the mass of fictitious publications, bearing a religious character, which are now sent abroad; they have a manifest tendency to captivate the imagination and corrupt the taste. The book before. us contains indisputable and unvarnished facts. The effect of Antinomianism, as given in the narrative here furnished, is but a sample of the deadly bane. Oh! that it may supply a salutary warning! The aged deist, too, may stand as a beacon, to point out the danger of sceptical notions.

"It was a favourite topic with this unhappy man, that pleasure is the only object worthy of pursuit, and that the gratification of our desires, of whatever kind, constitutes the secret of happiness. Hence he urged the importance of seeking to enjoy ourselves now, as death would soon lay us in eternal sleep; thus saying with the ancient heathen, Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die;' and hence the pleasures of the table, the conversation of the scorner, and the commission of awful sins of other kinds, went to characterize his life. And was he happy? Nay, I have heard him admit, in some of his more serious moments, when away from his companions, that he durst not think of deaththat he felt the possibility of religion being true-that certainly those who lived under its influence were far happier than others-and that if his hopes of its falsehood failed him, his disappointment would be great indeed."

We sincerely recommend the work, and think it calculated for usefulness.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES, AT HOME AND ABROAD.

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF SCOTLAND.

Our Scottish brethren held the annual services of their effective Union, at Dundee, on Tuesday, April the 25th, and the two following days. The evening of Tuesday was occupied by an introductory exercise, at Dr. Russell's Chapel, when Mr. Russell, of Haddington, led the devotions, and Dr. Wardlaw, of Glasgow, preached a sermon, in every way worthy of its gifted author, from Psalm cxxii. 7, "They shall prosper that love thee," which, though of unusual length, was listened to with the deepest attention by a numerous auditory.

On Wednesday morning, a numerous and respectable company of the friends of the Union attended a public breakfast at the Thistle Hall. Dr. Russell presided, supported by Mr. Greville Ewing, Dr. Wardlaw, Mr. Watson, and Dr. Paterson. After breakfast the assembly was addressed by several speakers on topics previously selected for them. Dr. Wardlaw spoke on the consistency of the Congregational Union with scriptural principles; Dr. Paterson communicated information respecting the London Missionary Society; Messrs. Wight and Stirling spoke on City Missions; and Mr. Greville Ewing on the best means of promoting the prosperity of churches. Mr. Cullen, of Leith, submitted the plan of an equitable and benevolent fund for the relief of superannuated pastors and the widows of ministers.

The evening of Wednesday was occupied by a public meeting of the subscribers and friends of the Theological Academy, Glasgow. Dr. Russell presided. Mr. Cullen read the Report; and Messrs. Mackray, of Dumfries; M'Kenzie, of Elie; Knowles, of Linlithgow; Campbell, of Greenock, proposed or supported the principal resolutions. In reading the addresses delivered on that occasion, it is pleasing to observe the estimation in which the academy is held, and the many testimonies which were borne to its usefulness. A senior minister, who described himself as one of the old school, said, "he remembered the time when it was a subject of serious thought to many of the pastors, what was to become of the churches when they were gone, or how the deficiencies caused in their numbers by death were to be supplied. They felt the want of an academy, but then who were to be their tutors? and whence were to come the funds? Both these difficulties had been removed; the churches had supplied the funds, and for tutors, we had found two men whose character, attainments, and talents made them the property of the whole christian church.” Mr. G. Ewing and Dr. Wardlaw acknowledged the vote of thanks that was given them for their effective and disinterested services, and joined with the other speakers in bearing a decided testimony to the growing importance of a learned and a picus ministry.

The services of Thursday, April 27th, were commenced with the usual prayermeeting, at seven o'clock; the attendance was unusually large, and a deep feeling of devotion seemed to pervade the assembly. In the forenoon, the second annual sermon of the society was delivered by Mr. Hill, of Huntley, from 1 Cor. iii. 6-8. Mr. Murdoch, of Anstruther, conducted the devotional service.

On Thursday evening the public meeting was held, at which Dr. Paterson presided. Mr. Watson, of Musselburgh, read the report, narrating the missionary operations of the Union, an abstract of which we hope to publish in an early number.

The resolutions were proposed by Mr. G. Ewing, Dr. Russell, Mr. Cullen, Mr. Campbell, of Montrose, Dr. Wardlaw, Mr. Kennedy, of Inverness, Mr. Massie, Mr. M'Niel, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Pullar, Mr. Fraser, G. Thompson, Esq. and Mr. Watson. The speeches delivered indicate much grateful satisfaction in the progress of the work of God, through the instrumentality of the Union, and

VOL. I. N. S.

4 H

the assurance that faithful ministers will find the people ready to listen to their instructions.

One of the most interesting transactions of the evening, was the adoption of a memorial to the Congregational Churches of the United States of North America, on the subject of slavery. That able and faithful document was presented to the meeting by Mr. Alexander, of Edinburgh; and we trust that it will promote the cause of abolition amongst our churches in that republic.

The increased business of the Union requires the undivided attention of Mr. Watson, the Secretary, who has, therefore, resigned his pastoral charge, that he may give himself entirely to the furtherance of the objects contemplated by the Union. We have collected this brief account from The Scottish Congregational Magazine, whose esteemed editor has devoted eighteen pages to a report of the proceedings of this happy anniversary.

KENT ASSOCIATION.

The forty-fourth Annual Meetings of the Congregational Association for the county of Kent, were held at Wingham, on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 4th and 5th: the Rev. J. Tippetts, of Gravesend, preached on Tuesday evening, from Ezek. xxix. 21; and the Rev. W. Hope, of Lewisham, on Wednesday morning, from 1 Cor. xi. 19. The brethren met in committee on Wednesday, at nine A. M., and the general public meeting was held at three P. M, when the following resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Resolved-"That this Association would thus give expression to the deep sense of obligation which it feels to her Majesty's Government, for introducing to the Imperial Parliament the New Marriage and the Registration Acts, and for sustaining and advocating them until they became law: the former intended for the relief of her Majesty's subjects dissenting from the Episcopal church; and the latter calculated to be of general benefit, by providing a better system of Registration of Births, Marriages, and Deaths than had ever previously existed; whilst both, in the judgment of this Association, are the result of those enlightened views of government and legislation, which must eminently subserve the interests and well-being of the entire community.'

Resolved-"That this Association cordially approves the principle on which the measure for the abolition of Church-rates, recently introduced into Parliament by her Majesty's Ministers, is founded, as removing one of the grievances of Dissenters, and securing the claims of the adherents to the Episcopal church."

Resolved-"That this Meeting renew the expression of their attachment to the Congregational Union, and request the Rev. Messrs. Jenkings, of Maidstone, and S. E. Toomer, of Winghain, with Mr. George Shirley, of Chatham, and Mr. Thomas Tame, of Woolwich, to accept the delegation from this Association to the Annual Meeting of the Union, in 1838."

The Rev. Thomas James having informed the brethren that it was the intention of himself, with three other friends, to proceed on the morrow to visit the town of Boulogne, (at their own charges,) in order to ascertain if it be practicable to establish a church of the Congregational order, for the benefit of the English residents and visitors in that town; it was

Resolved-"That this Association cordially approves the proposed mission of the Rev. Messrs. James and Cresswell, and Messrs. Gauseley and Tame, to the town of Boulogne; and without pledging the Association to render pecuniary contributions in its united capacity for the accomplishment of their proposed object, does with much pleasure sanction their brethren in their undertaking, and trust the blesssing of God will accompany them."

The Treasurer reported there was a balance due to him of £15. 12s. 8d., in addition to which the sum of £50 was granted to assist in defraying the expenses incurred in preaching the Gospel in several villages in the county, thus leaving the sum of £65. 12s. 8d. to be provided during the current year. Subscriptions, or Congregational collections, are requested to be forwarded to Edward Brock, Esq., Treasurer, Chatham; or the Rev. H. J. Rook, Secretary, Faver

sham.

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