Three Lectures on the Polity and History of the Hebrews. By the Rev. John

Hoppus, M.A. 12mo. Sunday School Union. pp. 190.

THESE Lectures were delivered at the request of the members of the Sunday School Union Library and Reading-room, and are published for the benefit of their Institution. They contain an admirable compendious view of the religion, polity, and history of the Jews, from the time of Moses to the Advent of the Messiah and would form an excellent text-book for more elaborate discourses to a public audience, or more enlarged investigations to the private student.

We wish these Lectures an extensive circulation, and the Institution before which they were delivered an increased measure of encouragement and support.

Temper Sweetened, essential to personal and domestic Happiness. By John Thornton. 18mo. London. 1836.

THE subject of this volume was suggested to Mr. Thornton by a christian friend, and who, convinced that "temper is every thing," has given the work an extensive circulation.

The profits of the book are to be devoted towards the erection of a new chapel at Billericay, for the use of the author and his congregation. The purchaser and reader of this little work will both "get good and do good;" will combine personal improvement with public usefulness. He can scarcely rise from its perusal, without finding his temper already improving, and feeling determined to attempt its further improvement, till, if it be a bad one, it shall be made good, or if good, shall become better. We feel pleasure in recommending both the book and its subject to our numerous readers, assured that, in so doing, we are promoting the cause of " personal, domestic," and public happiness.

Thoughts on Religious Subjects. 12mo. Longman. 1837.

THESE "Thoughts" indicate a reflecting mind; but they are not characterized by much originality or point. The author is a good Christian, but neither a very sound divine, nor a very charitable man. What was his object in publishing his fifty random thoughts, we cannot conjecture: what will be the fate of his book, it is easy to predict.

THE EDITOR'S TABLE.

The Christian Keepsake, and Missionary Annual, 1838. Edited by the Rev. William Ellis. Green morocco, 16 plates. Fisher, Son, and Co.

Tholuck's Exposition, Doctrinal and Philological, of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, according to the Gospel of St. Matthew; intended likewise as a help towards the formation of a pure system of Faith and Morals; translated from the original, by the Rev. Robert Menzies. Vol. II., being the XXth volume of the Biblical Cabinet. 12mo. Clark, Edinburgh.

The Golden Pot of Manna; or, Christian's Daily Portion; containing Three Hundred and Sixty-five Exercises on the Person, Offices, Work, and Glory of Christ. By J. Burns, Minister of New Church Street Chapel, St. Marylebone. 2 vols. 12mo. London: Wightman.

Pictures of Private Life. Third Series. By Sarah Stickney. Smith, Elder, and Co.

Fisher's Drawing-room Scrap Book, 1838. By L. E. L. handsomely bound. London: Fisher, Son, and Co.

The Great Teacher: Characteristics of our Lord's Ministry. Harris. Seventh Thousand. Crown 8vo. Ward and Co.

12mo. London:

4to. 36 plates,

By the Rev. J.

Form recommended for the solemnization of Matrimony, according to the New Marriage Act. By the Rev. W. H. Murch and J. E. Good. With an Abstract of the Act. London: Ward and Co.

The Primitive Doctrine of Justification investigated: relatively to the several definitions of the Church of Rome and the Church of England; and with a special reference to the Opinions of the late Mr. Knox. as published in his Remains. By George Stanley Faber, B. D. 8vo. Seeley and Co.

Anti-Mammon or an Exposure of the unscriptural Statements of "Mammon," with a statement of the true Doctrine, as maintained by sound Divines, and derived from Holy Scriptures. By the Rev. Francis Ellaby, M. A. and the Rev. A. S. Thelwall, M. A. Third edition, crown 8vo. Nisbet and Co.

The Hebrew Wife: or the Law of Marriage examined in relation to the Lawfulness of Polygamy, and to the extent of the Law of Incest. By S. G. Dwight. With an introductory recommendation by Ralph Wardlaw, D. D. 12mo. Glasgow: Gallie.

Fisher's Oriental Keepsake-Syria, the Holy Land, Asia Minor, &c.; illustrated in a series of views drawn from nature. By Messrs. W. H. Bartlett, W. Purser, &c.; with descriptions of the plates, by John Carne, Esq. 4to. Second Series. 37 Engravings, handsomely bound. London: Fisher, Son, and Co.

St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans; explained in simple and familiar language. By G. B. 12mo. London: Nisbet and Co.

A Collection of Hymns, for Public and Private Worship. Compiled by John R. Beard. London: Green.

Compulsory Assessments for the Support of Religion proved to be Unscriptural, in Three Letters to the Rev. James Morant, Curate of Alverthorpe. By Ebenezer Miller, M. A. 8vo. Wakerfield, Stanfield.

A Glance into the Kingdom of Grace. By F. W. Krummacher, D.D. Author of Elijah the Tishbite. Translated from the German by the Rev. M. Geneste, M.A. 12mo. London: Nisbet and Co.

The Britons and the Saxons: or, a History of England from the earliest times, to the Norman Invasion 1066. 18mo. London: Tract Society.

Fisher's Juvenile Scrap Book, 1838. By Agnes Strickland and Bernard Barton. 8vo. 16 Engravings, handsomely bound. London: Fisher, Son, and Co.

The Peace Maker: Laying forth the right way of Peace in matters of Religion. By Joseph Hall, D.D. successively Bishop of Exeter and Norwich. 18mo. London: Seeley.

Memoir of Mr. John Stephenson, late of Tottenham. With extracts from his Diary, &c. 12mo. London: Ward and Co.

The Bible and Spade: or, Captain Brenton's Account of the Rise and Progress of the Children's Friend Society; showing its tendency to prevent crime and poverty, and eventually to dispense with capital punishment and imprisonment. 18mo. London: Nisbet and Co.

Jairus: or, the Home Missionary, a Narrative of Facts. By the Rev. John Young. 12mo. London: Houlston and Son.

The Diocesan Statutes of the Roman Catholic Bishops of the Province of Leinster: Exactly reprinted, with Translations and Notes on the Confessional and Priest's dues; also demonstrating their adoption of Den's Theology, as the standard for the instruction of the Roman Catholics of Ireland. By the Rev. R. J. M'Ghee, A.B. 12mo. Seeley.

The Life of William Farel, the Swiss Reformer. From the German of the Rev. M. Kirchhofer. 12mo. London: Tract Society.

A Farewell to Acton; consisting of Pastoral Addresses to the Flock, written at the commencement of each of the seven closing years of the author's ministry in that parish. By the Rev. John Bickersteth, M.A. 18mo. London: Seeley. The Present State and Prospects of the World and the Church. By a Clergyman of the Establishment. 12mo. Seeley.

Christ in the Wilderness. By F. W. Krummacher, D.D. Translated by the Rev. M. Geneste, M.A. 12mo. Nisbet and Co.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES,
AT HOME AND ABROAD.

DEPARTURE OF THE REV. TIMOTHY ATKINSON, LATE OF HOUNSLOW, FOR QUEBEC.

Mr. Atkinson and family embarked on Saturday, October 7th, in the "Westminster," New York Packet, on his way to the important city of Quebec, to commence a faithful, evangelical ministry among its thirty thousand inhabitants. He will find there a small, but faithful band of Congregational Christians prepared to hail his arrival, and to lay the foundation of a church which, it is hoped, will grow into a numerous, influential body. The time is propitious, and many circumstances favour the effort. On Tuesday, the 3d of October, a solemn valedictory service, to testify Christian affection to our devoted brother, and lively interest in his holy enterprise, and to implore the divine blessing, was held in Tacket Street, Meeting House, Ipswich, where Mr. Atkinson's father had been for many years the faithful and beloved pastor. So that on this solemn occasion, Mr. A. found himself amidst the scenes of his youth, and surrounded by his own and his father's friends. The Rev. W. Sprigg, M.A., Baptist minister, Ipswich, commenced the devotions; Mr. Atkinson then explained, in a very simple and touching, but at the same time firm and manly way, his views and purposes in undertaking his mission. The Rev. W. Ward, of Stowmarket, offered up a most appropriate designation prayer; the Rev. A. Wells combined in one address an account of the Colonial Mission Society, in whose service Mr. Atkinson was going forth, and of his particular mission, with some fraternal counsels and encouragements. This latter service had been undertaken by the Rev. Dr. Morison, of London, but to the regret and disappointment of all, a sudden attack of illness prevented Dr. M. from fulfilling his engagement. The Rev. W. Notcutt, minister of Tacket Street, concluded with solemn prayer. The Rev. Messrs. Whitby and Harris, also took part in the service.

THE LABOURS AND PROSPECTS OF THE COLONIAL MISSIONARY

SOCIETY.

The Committee of the Colonial Mission, with much gratitude and encouragement, rejoice that God has enabled them to send forth two able, devoted ministers, Messrs. Roaf and Atkinson, this autumn, to the important cities of Torento and Quebec; thus not only increasing the number of gospel ministers among their numerous populations, but opening the way for further and more extensive operations. The following extracts from the communications of that invaluable agent of the Society, the Rev. H. Wilkes, of Montreal, will serve to show the destitution and anxiety of the people in Canada, and the duty of the committee to act with the utmost promptitude and energy. Under date of the 4th of August 1837, Mr. Wilkes writes, "Delay in supplying them, much discourages the people. It is now nearly twelve months since I led the people at Guelph, to expect a minister. 'Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.' The New Glasgow people are becoming very impatient indeed. They are still destitute. O brethren, let there be no delay in sending us men! I had hoped New Glasgow would have had a labourer this spring. Should there be much longer delay, it is to be feared that the field will be injured by disunion. Darlington, between Cobourg and Toronto, ought to have a labourer this autumn without fail, besides Toronto and Quebec. Applications to visit different quarters multiply. You may expect a series of new claims, some of them exceedingly urgent, ere

long."

Mr. Wilkes makes application, with similar urgency, for a minister to be sent immediately to the town of Cornwall; so that there are four most important stations, Guelph, New Glasgow, Darlington, and Cornwall, to which labourers

ought to be sent at once. At two of them, Guelph and New Glasgow, the people have been for months expecting in vain the fulfilment of promises made to them by Mr. Wilkes, in the name of the Colonial Committee, who in their turn are looking to the support of British Christians. But the Committee want men. There are noble openings for usefulness in the four rising towns, with their surrounding districts, mentioned above, for young ministers of vigour, talent, and devotedness. May God move the hearts of such men to devote themselves to this work! Nor have the Committee shrunk from incurring pecuniary obligations, already heavy, and which must be still further increased, if the work is to be proceeded with, in a just confidence that their Christian brethren will sustain them with wonted and ready liberality. There are already twelve faithful servants of Christ gone forth, or actually in the field of labour, who, though not deriving their entire support from this Society, yet cannot retain their stations, and proceed with their labours, without a measure of aid from it, apportioned according to their several exigencies. The necessarily heavy charges connected with sending out several valuable agents and their families, have exhausted the funds hitherto obtained; and it is believed that not less than a thousand pounds will be required to meet the obligations of the Society, before its next annual meeting.

To show the necessity of the efforts now making by the Colonial Society, to send missionaries to our emigrant countrymen, the following passages, selected from long letters, all to the same purport, will not be without their value and force. Of one district our correspondent writes, " It would appear that there is complete deadness in regard to the concerns of the soul, among nearly the whole population. No week evening meetings whatever. I was informed by one, who had known the population of the country around, thirty-five years ago, that there was a most marked deterioration. The young people had been left to a great extent without instruction in the things of God, and they had grown up ignorant, profane, drunken, licentious. There is too much palpable evidence of the truth of these statements. It is a melancholy spectacle. Fine lands and farms in many instances, if not neglected, most wretchedly worked, and the proofs of dissipation made visible in dilapidated houses, barns, and fences. But then, their souls, immortal, accountable, capable of incalculable enlargement and enjoyment, or of enduring untold miseries for ever, are unenlightened and in imminent danger of perishing. The evil spreads, families arise with heads thus debased, and who can calculate the ultimate amount of ruin ?”

In one station, Mr. Wilkes arrived on the Saturday evening, when “it was too late to attempt any thing, but early next morning notices were sent round the country for a mile or two; and at eleven o'clock, I had a school house, in which there had been no sermon for a long time, quite crowded. Some stood, others sat on planks brought in for the occasion; others stood at the door. About seventy persons were assembled. I had to lead the singing myself. They listened with deep attention, and apparent interest, to as full and simple an announcement of the glad tidings of great joy unto all people,' as I could give them in three quarters of an hour. If tears are an evidence of feeling, such was not wanting. The day was lovely, the people were well attired, and well behaved. They listened with feeling, and altogether I was cheered, and disposed 'to thank God and take courage.' May the seed sown on that occasion not be lost. Brethren, pray for us!" "In the evening I went," he continues, "to another place, according to appointment. The room was excessively crowded. Between eighty and a hundred heard, though all of them could not see the preacher. The attention was, if possible, still more rivetted here, than in the morning, and the feeling deeper. I preached on the new birth. It was a solemn and affecting season. Several were in tears. On leaving the house, a poor man, whom I detected by his dialect to be an Englishman, seized me by the hand in passing, and said, farewell, we shall meet again, I know where. His heart seemed full. Retiring for half an hour to a house in the neighbourhood, I found two intelligent, respectable, and I hope decidedly pious Indepen

dents. I mentioned to them my intention of going into the interior in the course of the autumn, and that, on some week evening, I hoped to preach at a place nearly twenty miles from them. They begged as a favour, that I would write them word by post what evening I should be there, as they would ride over to enjoy the opportunity. One of them said, 'Ah Sir, where there is a famine of the bread of life, we are willing to go far to obtain a little of it.""

NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, HAMILTON, UPPER CANADA. The Rev. David Dyer, who was ordained as a Missionary to Upper Canada, under the auspices of the London Missionary Society, at Wandsworth, June, 1835, has succeeded in collecting a Congregational church at the important town of Hamilton, in that province, who have erected a neat and commodious chapel, in Hughson Street; as the sphere of his ministerial labours.

This edifice was opened for public worship on Lord's day, June 18, 1837, when Mr. Dyer, preached in the morning, (in the absence of the Rev. Henry Wilkes, of Montreal, who was expected) from 1 Sam. vii. 12. In the afternoon and evening, the Rev. Adam Lillie, of Brentford, preached from 1 Cor. i. 22— 24. and Zech. iv. 6-9. The progress of this congregation in the short period that has elapsed since its formation, has been highly gratifying. The Editor of the Hamilton Erpress, referring to this event, says, "Every day gives proof of the growing intelligence of the age, and we anticipate the day, when the voluntary principle will be " the dominant principle in this province."

CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF IRELAND.

Our Irish brethren, though widely scattered over their interesting country, maintain the district associations of their Union with a zeal and perseverance, which is quite exemplary to our brethren in this more favoured land. Without the facilities of intercourse or the excitement of numbers which we possess, they appear, from the following accounts, to attend their little meetings, at a sacrifice of time and money, which the members of many English associations, who have not to journey a tenth part of the distance, would do well to emulate.

The annual meeting of the ministers and delegates of the Congregational churches in the southern Association, was held in Cork, on Wednesday and Thursday, 4th and 5th of October.

On Thursday, a public meeting was held in Georges Street Chapel; G. Bruce, Esq., in the chair; when the following resolutions, expressive of the nature and objects of this Association, were passed.

1st. That being convinced of the scriptural character and divine authority of the principles upon which Congregational churches are constituted, and having the sanction of a lengthened experience to prove their efficacy in preserving Christianity in its purity, we deem it our duty to employ our exertions and prayers for their maintenance and diffusion.

2d. That the advantages already derived from the Association of the pastors and members of our churches, convince us that it is our sacred duty to seek the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, by endeavouring to strengthen the bonds which now happily bind us to each other.

3d. That we earnestly recommend to the ministers and brethren connected with this Association, more devoted efforts for the increase of the church of Christ in this land; and more fervent prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our labours, and the cultivation of unfeigned love to the followers of the Redeemer of every denomination.

In the evening, a sermon was preached by the Rev. W. H. Cooper, of Dublin. This discourse was eminently calculated to animate Christians to the discharge of their duties in the present circumstances of the church of Christ. These meetings have served to show, that the independence of particular churches is perfectly consistent with the maintenance of brotherly love, and the exhibition of the pleasing spectacle of brethren dwelling together in unity.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 11 and 12, the annual mectings of the 5 B

VOL. I. N. S.