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other." Of this statement we cordially and throughout approve; but comparing it with that by which it is preceded, it seems to follow, that if a person who is able to preach becomes a deacon, he must forfeit his right, and relinquish his duty; he must forfeit his right to a higher service, that he may discharge a lower; and he must relinquish a superior duty that he may accomplish one which, though important, is confessedly inferior.

We may possibly misunderstand the meaning of the passage to which we first adverted; but to us it seems to imply, that a man is to be the judge of his own qualifications for the weightiest employment which can be accomplished by man: a position which many practically take, but which, for the sake of the interests of religion, we should regret to see sanctioned by Dr. Bennett.

We do not pretend to determine with whom a call to the ministry rests, whether according to the Independent principle with the church, or according to the inore general Independent practice, in their case at least, who receive an early education for the ministerial employment, with them who are already in the ministry; but it does seem important, that there should be a call somewhere. It seems important, not because the New Testament has absolutely decided on the necessity of such a call, but because, as Dr. Bennett says, "the Scriptures speak to us as wise men, capable of following out the general principles revealed; and not as to children, who must be told every thing, however minute." We serve a Master, who on earth was meek and lowly, and in them, who are especially his servants, he requires qualities similar to his own. Seldom has he permanently blessed the labours of any in the Christian ministry, whom nature has not endowed with modesty, and divine grace with humility. The really excellent, the men whom God has destined to usefulness, though they may have a strong inclination to the ministerial employment, are found to require solicitation and encouragement to induce them to engage in it; while the men who push themselves into sacred employment are usually found the burden of the pastor, and the pests of the flock, the grand instruments in preventing the vigorous and healthy religion which their absence would almost infallibly secure.

Chapter III. consists of a few judicious and pious remarks on "The Spirit in which the Scriptural Principles of Christian Fellowship should be studied and practised." The Congregational denomination is indebted to Dr. Bennett for a very able illustration and defence of its distinguishing principles. His genius has thrown a charm around an apparently dry subject, a charm which few would be able to give it: while the unaffected liberality and piety, which are conspicuous on every page, will obtain, for this little work, an acceptance with the enlightened and devout, which genius alone can never secure.

FOREIGN THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE.

Joseph and Benjamin: a Series of Letters on the Controversy between Jews and Christians; comprising the most important Doctrines of the Christian Religion. By Joseph Samuel C. F Frey, Author of a Hebrew Grammar, a Hebrew, Latin, and English Dictionary, and Editor of Vander Hooght's Hebrew Bible. New York. 1837. Two vols. 12mo.

The Jewish Intelligencer. A Monthly Publication. Vol. I. By the same Author. New York. 1837. 8vo.

THE former of these two works forms an important body of divinity, which will convey to the Jews, for whose use it is specially designed, sound instruction on all fundamental doctrines of revealed religion, and cannot fail to interest and instruct Christian readers who wish to make themselves more fully acquainted with the points in controversy between the two parties, and the bearing of the Old Testament predictions on the condition and prospects of the Jewish people. We can evidently trace the doctrinal views of the author to the groundwork which he found in the theological lectures of his late venerable tutor, the Rev. Dr. Bogue, of Gosport, under whom he pursued his studies for some time, after leaving the Missionary Seminary at Berlin. The letters are rich in illustrations from the Jewish Rab bins, both ancient and modern, and furnish admirable materials for pressing a Jew with the argumentum ad hominem. On a few subjects we cannot subscribe to the creed of the writer. We do not believe that the ten tribes have any longer a separate existence. Every attempt to discover them has failed; and as we may be said to be sufficiently acquainted with all the different portions of the human family, to determine whether any of them are descended from the ancient Israelites or not, it is not likely that any future attempts will prove more successful. There appears, in fact, to have been a re-union during the Babylonish captivity; and several of the prophecies which have been wrested to make them apply to a future restoration, obviously describe that which took place before the birth of Christ, and expressly mention Judah and Ephraim as once more constituting a theocratic polity. That the Jews will yet be restored to the land of the covenant," we think exceedingly probable; but whether in a converted or unconverted state, we have no means of deciding. Mr. Frey thinks that their conversion will take place after their return. He also avows his belief in the visible personal reign of Christ at Jerusalem, referring his readers, however, to another work for a full development of his views on the subject. The Jewish Intelligencer" is a volume of great interest, containing a vast variety of matter relating to Jewish antiquities, the history of the Jews, singular instances of conversion, the efforts which have been made, and are still making to effect their conversion, and the means to be employed for that purpose.

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We would only add, that copies of the above works have been im

ported into this country, and are to be had of the London booksellers. The profits, we understand, will go to support Mr. Frey while engaged on his present mission to Europe, which has for its object to excite renewed attention to the deplorable condition of his brethren according to the flesh, and particularly to provide for the publication and circulation of these and similar books in the German language for the use of the many thousands of them who reside on the Continent, and understand that language. Still we would pray: “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles."

CRITICAL NOTICES.

Temptation: a Treatise on Satanic Influence. By Samuel Ransom, Classical Tutor in the Theological Academy at Hackney. 18mo. pp. 192. London. 1837. Ward and Co.

WE scarcely deem it fair, either to the author or the public, in noticing any particular work, to dismiss it with general commendation or general censure. If it deserve either it ought to undergo a critical analysis, that the reader may form his own judgment without depending upon the unsupported dictum of a reviewer. Yet, we confess, that the multitude of new books loading our tables and almost sickening our hearts, and whose authors all and equally protest against delay, has sometimes compelled us to do summary justice, as unsatisfactory to ourselves as to the parties more especially interested. The truth is, that comparatively few works are entitled to any critical notice whatever. They are a sad waste of paper and print. In the department of theology, taking it in its most comprehensive sense, this is remarkably the case. The sterling massive gold of our illustrious forefathers is stolen and attenuated, if not corrupted and debased. We have many pretty essays, in pretty elegant duodecimos, but few high arguments sustained by lofty eloquence like those which filled the mighty tomes of other days; and were it not for the big bulky volumes of the Bungay press which now and then make their appearance, we should imagine that the race of giants was extinct, and that we had fallen upon a generation of pigmies. While, however, we feel justified in making these remarks, we are not insensible to the advantages arising out of the change, which, upon the whole, we are constrained to deprecate. All that appears light in form and size is not therefore superficial. If there are few broad rivers, there are innumerable streams flowing in channels where they irrigate and fertilize immense pastures of the moral waste, that but for them would continue arid and unfruitful. The waters both of the rivers and the streams are the waters of life; and while the former flow on in their majestic course, and answer their great original purpose, we hail with delight the canals and the rivulets which from these sources bend their way through the length and breadth of the land, like the vital fluid from the heart which sustains the animal economy, by pouring life and health through all its myriads of veins and arteries. With these we have no wish to dispense. What we want to get rid of are the little elegant toys, which, by way of distinguishing them, we may call watering pots, soon filled and soon exhausted; whose contents may glitter for a very brief space on the surface of a bed of flowers without descending to their roots. But a truce to metaphor, and to general observations, produced, we scarcely know how, why, nor wherefore, by the perusal of Mr. Ransom's book, which we wished earnestly to recommend to our readers without imposing upon ourselves the task of writing a lengthened article such as it justly merits; but against which our consciences protested. The volume, indeed, is a modern petit, but its contents are full and substantial. Had its author been intent on

book-making, with such a subject and such materials he might have given us a royal octavo. Temptation, or Satanic influence, is a subject which has in these days the air of novelty. It seems, as if by tacit consent, to have dropt out of our range of theological inquiry and disquisition. Mr. Ransom has restored it to its just importance, and treated it with the solemn seriousness it is so calcu lated to inspire. We could wish, indeed, that his style possessed more vigour, that occasionally at least he would breathe more fervour into his appeals and warnings, and that these were more frequently introduced. But no Christian can rise from the perusal of this work, and say, that he is ignorant of Satan's devices, and that he has not been taught the precise nature of the danger to which he is exposed from the malignant agency of this wicked spirit. In his introduction the author pertinently remarks

"Whether or not there exists a superhuman influence or agency, understood by the term temptation, and, if it do exist, what it really is, it is of importance for us to know; for if it do not exist, we may spare ourselves any apprehensions respecting it; but, if it do, we may, by a knowledge of the fact of its existence, and of its power and extent, and mode of operation, proceed to fortify ourselves against it. Ignorance of any evil disqualifies us for meeting it. For meeting the evil in question, ignorance deplorably disqualifies us. For if Satan be ever watching opportunities of obtaining an advantage over us, and we be ignorant of or disbelieve the fact, and thus have recourse to no measures for defeating him, he will, in all probability, easily, and at his pleasure, prevail

over us.

On a subject which belongs so entirely to revelation, and to speculate upon which without an infallible guide would lead to many dangerous errors and fanatical extravagances, affecting even the existence of God and the responsibility of man, Mr. Ransom has laudably made the Scriptures the source of all the doctrines and opinions which he has advanced.

In the first chapter he inquires what temptation is, and in answering it, he "examines the instances of temptation recorded in the Scriptures, and the statements and directions respecting temptation contained in the Scriptures.”

The subsequent chapters are devoted to the following interesting and momentous topics:-The Character of the Tempter-the Mode of TemptationTemptations peculiar to the Children of God; or especially affecting themConsiderations tending to strengthen the Christian under Temptation-Resistance of Temptation-Triumph over Temptation-the Existence of Temptation reconciled with the Moral Character of God. Each of these chapters has its peculiar attractions according to the tendencies of the various minds that may read them. To us the last appears of great value, and we recommend its careful perusal to those who may be tempted, by a view of the evils abounding in the mind, and the evident agency of malignant power, to question the moral government of an infinitely wise and gracious Being.

There are two classes to whom Mr. Ransom's work is especially adapted, and whom he thus describes-Those who assign to temptation an almost unlimited influence over their animal spirits, the disposition of their enemies towards them, and their own purposes and resolves, and from whose profession and conduct it would appear, that the being that has by far the greatest power over our character and happiness, is, "the wicked one." And those who, though “by no means despisers of spiritual religion, in practice at least, almost deny the very existence of Satanic agency."

Essays, Letters, and interesting Papers of the late Rev. Thomas Charles, A.B., Bala, Merionethshire. Edited by the Rev. Edward Morgan, A.M., Vicar of Syston and Ratcliffe, Leicestershire. 12mo. pp. 478. Seeley. 1836.` THE Memoirs of the late Rev. T. Charles were received with acceptance, widely circulated, and very generally approved. His eminent and devoted piety, the success which attended his labours, and the fact of his having been the occasion

of the origin of the British and Foreign Bible Society, make every thing which proceeded from his pen interesting. His doctrines, moreover, were purely evangelical, his mind like that of his Lord and Saviour, and his manner of conveying scripture truth at once faithful to all, and most consolatory to the sincere Christian. His style, though simple even to plainness, is forcible, and not unfrequently dignified. He can dwell on the minute, and rise to the vast. He has not a few passages that deserve to be termed sublime; and the perusal of the volume before us will, we are persuaded, give satisfaction, and tend to the edification of the man of piety. His intimate acquaintance with the subject, and the experimental strain that pervades all his compositions ensure this.

The volume before us consists of essays, letters, and miscellaneous papers. The latter, however, form only a very small part of the volume. The essays are twenty-six in number, of various length, from three or four to twenty or thirty closely printed pages. Of the letters twenty five were addressed to Miss Jones, afterwards Mrs. Charles. They are decidedly religious, chiefly on experimental topics. There are a few to his brother, the first two of which are peculiarly valuable. They relate to two most important points, "the entirely free and full salvation of Christ, and the duty of incessant labour to obtain spiritual blessings." The miscellaneous papers consist of part of a preface to a hymn book intended for the chapel at Chester, of which Mr. C. was a trustee, some addresses to Sunday-schools, and some minutes of discussions held at quarterly meetings, or as they are called, Associations of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists. They were drawn up by Mr. Charles, and published in the Magazine which he edited.

The following extract from a letter is all that we can transcribe, which will enable the reader to determine as to the general character of this volume :

"No abstruse things in sermons, &c.

"Bala, May 28th, 1814. "Do not bring any intricacies into your sermons or catechetical instructions. They will do your hearers no good, and it is only trifling with souls. Let our instructions be clear, solid, and important. We should not so much aim at being ourselves great divines, or making others so, as to be and to make others real Christians. The different appellations attributed in scripture to regeneration, if properly understood and explained, will enable your people and children to obtain a tolerable knowledge of the important change wrought by the Holy Spirit in all that are saved. The names describe the thing, and by viewing it under its different appellations, we shall obtain a more enlarged and comprehensive view of the subject than by considering it under one only. Catechising the children has taught me more divinity than any other means whatever."pp 399, 400.

The Exangelist, consisting of Outlines of Sermons, Short Discourses, and Hints on Preaching, adapted to assist young Preachers, Itinerants, and Christian Families; destitute in whole or in part of the Advantages of an Evangelical Ministry. Edited by the Rev. J. Leifchild, of Craven Chapel, and the Rev. Dr. Redford, of Worcester. Nos. I. and II. 12mo. London: Leifchild and Bulgin.

THIS new periodical, we doubt not, from the talents of its esteemed editors, will prove a valuable acquisition to an increasing class of useful labourers in different parts of the country, and furnish them with very convenient illustrations. At the same time we must own, that we view that order of books, of which this work is a species, with extreme jealousy, as we fear they may be too often described as "helps for the lame and the lazy." Every work that calls off the teachers of others from the vigorous study of the word of God for themselves is alike injurious to them and to their people.

Restricted to the classes described in the title, we think, however, this work

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