PASSING LITERARY NOTES.

THE CHURCH, 1845; VOL. II. 8vo, pp. 196. Simpkin and Marshall, London: John Heaton, Leeds.

"THE Church" is a periodical by no means so generally known as it deserves to be. Originating amongst our brethren in the West Riding of Yorkshire, already have its own merits secured it a considerable circulation; but we venture to affirm that there are hundreds of pastors who have never seen it, and still more congregations that have never heard its name. This limited knowledge of an excellent publication we deeply and unfeignedly regret. With some slight modifications which experience will dictate "THE CHURCH" might become THE Baptist Penny Magazine, circulated by fifties in our congregations, to the great assistance of our pastors, the universal benefit of our religious societies, and the general promotion of piety and intelligence throughout our borders. We earnestly recommend our brethren in the ministry to use every exertion to increase a taste for reading amongst their people, and not to be contented until every family under their influence is provided with a periodical suited to their habits, capacities, and requirements. The objects of this periodical are1. To diffuse those blessed truths which pertain unto life and godliness; 2. To exhibit the nature of that church which constitutes the kingdom of the Son of God; 3. To direct the attention of Christians to public duties and public events; 4. To maintain scriptural and oppose unscriptural views of the ordinances of the gospel; 5. To furnish biographical notices of eminent Christians, both in our own and other denominations; 6. To supply early intelligence with regard to Home and Foreign Missionary proceedings; and, 7. To collect such other information relative to public religious services, Sabbath-schools, deaths, &c., amongst members of churches, as may be deemed generally interesting. "The Church"-sixteen pages for a penny-is exceedingly cheap; its appearance is remarkably neat; its literary department is well conducted and well sustained; utility and interest characterise its articles; and in all respects it deserves to be universally known and circulated in our churches. We confidently expect the sale will reach 20,000 monthly by the end of the year 1846.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN BUNYAN, by the REV. GEORGE B. CHEEVER, D.D. With a Preface by the REV. INGRAM COBBIN, A.M. Royal, 32mo. pp. 212. Aylott and Jones, London.

MANY memoirs of Bunyan have been given to the world, yet the interest of the theme appears to be by no means exhausted. At all events Dr. Cheever has invested the subject with new attractions by exhibiting Bunyan himself as the pilgrim of his own inimitable allegory. In the five Lectures of which Dr. Cheever's work consists, the ways of Divine Providence are beautifully unfolded, and the formation and discipline of his character in a most instructive manner traced out. "The detailed biography of this man," says the author, "I shall not attempt to present, in so short a sketch as that to which I must necessarily confine myself. But there are points in his life, where Divine Providence is unfolded so gloriously, and junctions when the Divine grace comes out so clearly and so brightly, that nothing could be more simple, beautiful, and deeply interesting than their illustration." The topics of the Lectures are Bunyan and his Times; Bunyan's Temptations; Bunyan's Examination; Bunyan in prison; providence, grace, and genius in Bunyan, and the Pilgrim's Progress. It is truly an excellent and valuable work.

HEBREW READING LESSONS, witl. a Grammatical Praxis and an Interlineary Translation. London: Bagster and Sons.

We cannot conceive of a work better adapted for those who are about to commence the study of the Hebrew language; even without the aid of a teacher, many, by means of this volume, would be able to attain a useful acquaintance with the language of Moses, and David, and Isaiah. The first four chapters of Genesis have been selected as containing specimens of a sufficient variety of construction and a large number of words. To these are added the 8th of Proverbs, as an example of the poetic books. Rules and Examples for Pronunciation-a

careful Grammatical Analysis-and an interlineary Translation-will be found of material service to the student; still, a beginner, making his way alone, must have been much embarrassed with the words, or portions of words, prefixed and affixed, had not his difficulties been met by the adoption of a black letter in the root portion of the word, and an open letter in the prefixes, suffixes and inflections. The volume, like everything that issues from Mr. Baxter's press, is beautifully got up. We can most cordially commend it, as a very excellent aid to the study of the Hebrew tongue.

The CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE and FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE, under the sanction of_the_Congregational Union of England and Wales. January, 1845. Snow, London.

DR. CAMPBELL deserves the gratitude of all intelligent Christians, for his strenuous and unswerving endeavours to benefit the religious population, by means of the press. The establishment of the "Christian Witness" was the signal of our entrance on a new epoch in the history of Periodical Literature; the setting on foot a penny magazine for the people, is one step further in advance-a step, the necessity of which cannot be too deeply felt, and the wisdom of which will soon be distinctly perceived.

In this, his very first number, Dr. Campbell appears to us precisely to have hit the mark of what a cheap religious magazine for the masses should be. We wish it great success.

INTELLIGENCE.

DEATH OF THE REV. WILLIAM KNIBB.-It is our painful duty to record this week the death of a man, who, for a series of years, has been one of the most celebrated characters in Jamaica. The Rev. W. Knibb has been called by his Divine Master from this, " to another and a better world." Mr. Knibb died at his residence, called "Kettering" on Saturday last, at ten o'clock, a. m., in the 42nd year of his age, twenty-one of which had been spent in this colony. On Sunday the 9th instant, he baptised at the chapel in Falmouth, forty-two persons, to each of whom he gave the solemn warning as to the necessity of being "faithful unto death." In the evening of the same day he preached an eloquent and impressive sermon, from part of the 11th verse of 1st Timothy, chapter 1st, taking as his text the following words- -"The glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." On Monday morning, he left the Mission-house at Falmouth, for his country residence, apparently full of health, but on Tuesday he was seized with a severe fever, from which, alas! he

was never to recover.

Several of the Baptist missionaries were at Kettering during the illness of their esteemed friend and brother, and many were the fervent prayers offered to the throne of grace for his recovery. During the progress of the disease, Mr. Knibb was perfectly calm: he bore his pain with the fortitude of a Christian, and expressed his readiness to submit without a murmur to the will of the Most High. On Thursday, he felt assured that his mortal career was near its close, and summoning his beloved and afflicted wife and children to his bed of death, he spoke to them in the most affectionate terms on the subject of his approaching dissolution, and counselled them to bear his loss with pious humility. On Friday, the 14th instant, the fever continued to increase, and on the evening of that day expresses were dispatched to Falmouth, Montego Bay, and other missionary stations, with the sad intelligence that he would soon be numbered with the dead. On Saturday morning he asked his brethren to join in prayer; the request was immediately complied with, and at the conclusion of the heartstirring service he bade farewell to all, and exclaimed, "all is right." These words he continued to repeat until a few minutes to ten o'clock, at which hour his soul winged its flight to the mansions of eternal bliss.

At seven o'clock on Saturday evening, the body, accompanied by hundreds of the members and followers of the Baptist Church, was brought to the missionhouse in Falmouth. On its entrance into the town persons of all classes joined

the mournful procession, and the cry of lamentation that was raised afforded a convincing proof of the estimation in which the deceased was held, even by those who were strongly opposed to his political movements. The necessary preparations were made for the interment of the body on Sunday morning, at eleven o'clock. By day-light, the streets were crowded with persons from all parts of this and the adjoining parishes. Sorrow was visibly depicted on the countenance of each individual: magistrates, merchants, and other respectable inhabitants attended the funeral, and the Baptist Chapel, and adjoining yard, were filled with human beings, among whom were members of the Established Church, the Presbyterian Kirk, and Wesleyan Chapel. There were present on the occasion, between seven and eight thousand individuals. The pulpit, platform, and gallery of the chapel, were covered with black cloth, and as the bearers entered the gate, the organist commenced playing a funeral anthem. The coffin having been placed in the vestry room, the Rev. Walter Dendy commenced the services of the day with an appropriate prayer. This was followed by the singing of a hymn, the reading of the 90th Psalm, and various portions of Scripture, by the rev. Messrs. Cornford, Dutton, Abbot, Henderson, and Pickton. The Rev. Mr. Burchell then preached a short sermon, which did credit to his head and heart, taking as his text the 4th verse of the 21st chapter of Revelations. The Rev. gentleman, and the greater part of his hearers, were deeply affected during the delivery of his discourse, at the conclusion of which the Rev. Mr. Hutchins gave out a hymn, and the Rev. Mr. Hewett offered a prayer, in which the whole congregation devoutly joined.

At one o'clock precisely, the body was removed to the grave, where the Rev. Mr. Kerr (Wesleyan Missionary) addressed the assembled people on the shortness and uncertainty of human life, and the necessity of preparing for eternity. He was followed by the Rev. Walter Thorburn (Presbyterian Minister), who with great feeling invoked the Divine blessing on the congregation, family, and missionary brethren of the deceased. The Apostolic benediction was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Edmonson (Wesleyan Missionary,) and with this the religious services of the day concluded. On Thursday next a funeral sermon will be preached at the Baptist Chapel, by the Rev. Thomas Burchell.-Falmouth Post.

GREAT MISSENDEN.-The Rev. George Ashmead has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Baptist church in this place, and will enter on his engagements as pastor forthwith.

SALFORD.-A number of friends connected with the Baptist church, Great George-street, desirous of displaying their esteem for the character and services of the Rev. J. Voller, who has recently resigned the pastoral charge, met to present him with a copy of the Works of President Edwards.

BISHOP BURTON, NEAR BEVERLY.-The Rev. J. Voller has accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation from the Baptist church here, and entered on his labours amongst the people on the first Sabbath in December.

DERBY.-A public meeting to set forth the principles and advocate the claims of the Anti-state-church Association, was held in the Mechanics' Hall, Derby, on Wednesday, 17th instant. The Revs. John Burnet, of London; J. P. Mursell, of Leicester; and D'Arcy Irvine, Esq., attended as the deputation. The Revs. J. Gawthorn (in the chair), J. Corbin, W. F. Poile, R. Stanion, and others were present. The attendance was very numerous, and the whole proceedings appeared to give general satisfaction.

BONNYRIG.-A Baptist church having been formed in this village, the following public services took place on Monday, 17th of November. The Rev. James Clark, of Edinburgh, presided over the recognition of the newly-formed church; the unanimous choice of their pastor, the Rev. James Johnston; and the appointment of their deacons. The Rev. Mr. Innes, of Edinburgh, delivered an appropriate discourse to the pastor and the church, and the devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Clark, Hislop of the Free Church of Scotland, and Johnston. The church is formed upon the terms of free communion and is open to all Christians.

John Hasler, Printer, 4, Crane court, Fleet street.

MORLAIX, BRITTANY.

The town of Morlaix, containing about ten thousand inhabitants, and being the centre of a district in which the Breton language is spoken by five hundred thousand, has been naturally chosen as the residence of our friends, Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Jones, and the immediate seat of their operations. A chapel is now nearly finished, which has been erected for their use, partly by a grant made from the Jubilee fund two years ago, and partly by contributions collected by Mr. Jenkins in France, in Wales, and in the western part of England. The sum still deficient is, we believe, under fifty pounds. May a rich blessing attend the labours of our brethren in the midst of a benighted population, for which no exertions have been made by protestants till recently! Morlaix is beautifully situated near that part of the French coast which is opposite to Plymouth, in a narrow valley, the rocks rising immediately behind the houses of the two principal streets. An account of a visit paid to it in 1843, may be found in the Missionary Herald for January, 1844.

CALCUTTA.

Our friends in Calcutta have suffered another painful bereavement, the particulars of which are contained in a letter from Mr. Wenger, dated October 6th, 1845.

good men and women from offering themselves to be baptized for the dead, by coming to this country.

Your Herald for August, containing notices of the death of Mr. Mack and Dr. Yates, the two greatest men of our denomination engaged in direct evangelical labours in this country, Mrs. Evans had been ailing for some time, has just come to hand. Alas! a few hours and rather more than a month ago suffered before it arrived, the grave had closed over much from diarrhoea, and from unaccountable the mortal remains of Mrs. Evans, the most excruciating pains in the region of the stomach. lovely ornament, perhaps, of our missionary She, however, was relieved of the former combanu in Calcutta, whose loss will be deeply plaint, and the latter symptoms also became felt, not only by us here, but by a large num- more moderate. But on Tuesday evening, ber of friends in England. She was ripe for the 23rd ult., she was taken ill with fever, heaven, and on her account we have no reason and gradually a tumour was formed on the to grieve; but it is saddening to those on the pit of her stomach, which, notwithstanding spot to see the most gifted and the most lovely the efforts of her medical attendants, increased among their number removed from their to an astonishing size, until it became as large midst in such rapid succession. On the 4th as two moderate fists. She died, suddenly of October, 1839, just six years ago, a few and without a struggle, and also without days after my arrival, I was present at a being able to speak, about a quarter past meeting of ten baptist missionaries, viz. Yates, eleven at night, on Friday last, the 3rd inst. W. H. Pearce, Thomas, Ellis, Bayne, G. Her remains were consigned to the tomb at Parsons, Tucker, Phillips, Morgan, and my-half-past five on Saturday evening. Her self; and Mrs. W. Pearce (now Mrs. Yates), Mrs. G. Pearce, Mrs. Penney, Mrs. Thomas (not the present one), Mrs. Ellis, Mrs. Bayne, Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Tucker, Mrs. Phillips, and Mrs. Morgan were then at Calcutta. Since then there have died, Mr. Yates, Mr. W. Pearce, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, Mrs. Bayne, Mr. and Mrs. Parsons; and out of the twenty persons I have enumerated, only eight are in India now. I fear it is this mortality which keeps many

medical attendants, on examining her, found three abscesses on the liver, one of which bursting appears to have been the immediate cause of her death, and several more on the inside of her stomach, besides the one that had been developed to such an enormous size. Her lungs, also, were found to be attached to the surrounding membrane, so that had she survived, her whole future life would have been an almost uninterrupted series of unspeakable suffering. Now she is free from