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can do no harm, and must be productive of good, when the sketches of such men as Hall and Forster, if we mistake not, enrich its pages.

The following short article on reading sermons in public, contains some bints which those who must read their sermons will do well to regard.

"The public reader of sermons should be especially careful to avoid a manner and tone of utterance which are not natural to him. Good reading differs from conversation only in being more distinct, słow, and grave; but there should be just the same inflections of voice, variations of tone, and ease of utterance. It is remarkable what propriety is usually observed in conversation, with regard to intonation, emphasis, and action. Intent only on conveying our meaning, and impressing our sentiments upon the auditor, we use just so much effort as is necessary for that purpose, and no more. We give to every word its proper accent and force. Declamatory, pathetic, and cheering strains, so far from being delivered in the same monotonous cadences, are expressed in the most suitable and easy manner, with all the appropriate variety of tone and gesture. "A grace is snatched" here," beyond the reach of art." But the endeavour of the reader of sermons should be to deliver the discourse that lies before him with all the simplicity of natural feeling. Let him transfuse his own emotions into it, and let these uniformly direct his own manner and form of expression. For this purpose, it will be advisable for him to make himself well acquainted with it beforehand; that his eye need not be continually kept fixed upon the book, but occasionally turn with expression upon the auditors, and allow the ideas he is advancing to be aided by the exhibition of the emotions that correspond with them, in his own countenance. Let him not begin in a key which he cannot sustain throughout, but with great effort, and so inflict upon the hearers a painful feeling, when they perceive the difficulty under which he labours; but let him commence only sufficiently loud to be heard, and in the natural key of his voice, so as to allow for all the necessary variations of tone; then let him rise by degrees, warming with the subject, and glowing as it proceeds, till, in the application, when instruction has performed its office, he may allow all the feelings of his heart to flow forth in the stirring, or persuasive, or pathetic strains with which it closes. The following quaint but brief directions, by an author of considerable experience, will commend themselves to our readers :

Begin low,
Proceed slow;
Take fire,

Rise higher;
Be self-possess'd,

When most impress'd.

"These observations apply also to Preachers. The association of certain gestures and tones of voice with the pulpit, which are not employed on any other occasion, detract, in the case of many excellent ministers, from the acceptableness and efficiency of their addresses. All metamorphoses of this kind should be avoided. We must be ourselves; that no peculiarities or eccentricities may keep us so before our hearers, as to interfere with the absorption of their nind in our subject. That only is true oratory which makes the orator himself to be forgotten in the interest he throws around the topics he is discussing. They who come to see or hear the man, should be sent away talking only about his theme."

Thoughts on Academical Education, and Degrees in Arts; occasioned by the
Grant of the Royal Charter for the Incorporation of the University of
London. By John Hoppus, M.A. Professor of the Philosophy of the Human
Mind and Logic, in University College. Taylor and Walton. pp. 56.
This pamphlet has been called forth by the arrangements which are in progress
for the direction of the course of study to be pursued by those who may seek to
obtain literary honours from the new Incorporation of the University of London.
It discusses a matter of great interest, since, as the author observes, “ the effect

which an event of such magnitude in the republic of letters (fixing the course of study,) will produce on the general studies of youth, as pursued in seminaries of various kinds and orders throughout the community, is almost unlimited; especially in those institutions of the highest class, the students of which are to be candidates for the proposed distinctions. The course of education, therefore, that will be necessary as a qualification, is a matter of no trivial moment.”

The author's suggestions are worthy of the calm consideration of the Senate of the London University, and will be read with deep interest by all who have learned to estimate the evils and benefits of the prevailing plans of education. The principal matter discussed is, whether the field of discipline in the new arena of academical education should be confined or extended-that is, whether the system of the old English universities should be followed, as at Oxford and Cambridge classics and mathematics are respectively held up as the chief objects of study, or whether the promotion of a more general acquaintance with the various departments of knowledge should be aimed at. Our author advocates an extensive plan of education. By encompassing it, "the course of education," he observes, "will approve itself to the practical spirit of the age; the road to literary honours will be more nearly than it frequently has been, in a line with the path of life; and the advice given to parents by Locke will be in some manner acted on, that their children's time should be spent in acquiring what may be useful to them when they come to be men." "

Independently of the value of these remarks, taken abstractedly, it may be observed that the New University stands on peculiarities favouring an expanded course of instruction.

"When a youth enters on a course of academical education, it may frequently happen that his friends have not determined how long he shall continue his studies. Circumstances partially anticipated, or quite unforeseen, may occur to launch him, perhaps somewhat prematurely, into the ocean of life. His academical career is thus arrested in the midst, before he has had time to complete his course. This obstacle to an extended period of education is probably as likely to occur amongst such a population as that of London, as in any city of Europe. Scholastic habits are by no means characteristic of our metropolis. The English are a remarkably practical people; and they imagine their worldly wants to be great."-" It is probable that many students may not have time allowed them for taking a degree; others will not be animated with the requisite perseverance and ardour of pursuit. To some, perhaps, it may appear no object. All indeed should undoubtedly be encouraged to make this distinction their aim if possible; as in this way there will be the best security for proficiency; but it is too much to expect that the bulk of students will proceed even to the first degree in collegiate institutions for higher education, which do not, like the ancient universities, derive a marked character from a special connexion with the clerical profession.”

After stating that all the branches of general learning which, in the present state of knowledge, are likely to be taught in an academical institution, may, without affecting a rigid method, be comprised or distributed under philological, mathematical, natural, and moral sciences, comprising under the latter philosophy of the mind, which include logic and the inductive method; ethic, or moral, and political philosophy, our author observes, that in "order to render an academical education really practical and useful, we may venture to say that arrangements should be made for securing to the student a sufficient initiation in each of the above four grand branches. Whatever latitude be permitted as to the subjects which may give a character to the first degree, a certain acquaintance with the elements of these leading departments should, at all events, be made a condition. If one common road, formed out of these materials, be travelled to a given point, the future course may, with less objection, admit of divergency, and be shaped with some regard to the option of the student himself. Let him have an ample introduction to knowledge; and though he be allowed a choice as to

his superstructure, let him be required to build on a foundation not less wide than some previous study of LANGUAGE; an acquaintance with the elements of MATHEMATICS; with the general arrangements and laws of nature, as exhibited in the MATERIAL world; and with the LAWS of MIND.".

This is rather a departure from our ancient plans, but the alteration is strongly supported by the quotation of the able judgments of Sir John Herschel and Dr. Arnott, both of whom are decidedly men of the age. If such a procedure is adopted, and youth are introduced round the boundaries of learning, instead of being penned up in some one province, the study of the laws of mind will necessarily come under attention at an early stage. And if any one department has peculiar recommendations, it is this which unlocks to us at once" the knowledge of human nature, is closely allied to moral and political philosophy, education, jurisprudence, and political economy," and above all, which, by turning the youthful attention to the world of invisible realities within, acts as a counterpoise to the materializing effects of natural studies, and to the sceptical error as to evidence bred by the demonstrations of mathematics.

The Daily Companion. By John Allen, Author of the Daily Monitor. 24mo. pp. 258. London, 1837.

Turs little work comprises a portion of scripture, an anecdote, and a verse of poetry for every day in the year. The author's former book, which is on the same principle, has met with general acceptance, having passed through three large editions. We regard his present production as superior in many respects to that, and doubt not but it will be widely circulated, and be rendered a blessing to the rising generation. It is well adapted to the nursery and to the sabbath-school, and if brought into daily use, it will be the means of conveying, in the course of a year, a considerable amount of religious truth, in a very inviting form, to juvenile minds. We furnish a specimen of the work by quoting the following portion :

"Sept. 15.-God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm x. 4.-A child instructed in a sabbath-school, on being asked by his teacher if he could mention any place where God is not, replied, He is not in the hearts of the wicked;' that is, they do not think of, or love him.

His hand is my perpetual guard,

He keeps me with his eye;

Why should I, then, forget the Lord,
Who is for ever nigh.'

It is right to add, that the work is neatly got up, and is remarkably cheap at one shilling. The profits will in part be devoted to the erection of school-rooms in the town of Chudleigh, Devon, where the benefits of scriptural education are much needed.

THE EDITOR'S TABLE.

The Politics of another World. By Mordecai. 8vo. E. Wilson, Jun. London.

The Wrongs of the Caffre Nation: a Narrative. By Justus. With an Appendix, containing Lord Glenelg's Dispatches to the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. 12mo. London: 1837.

The English Martyrology; abridged from Fox. Vol. I. Seeley. 1837.

By Charlotte Elizabeth.

Memoir of the Last Illness and Death of the late W. Thorp Buchanan, Esq. by the late W. Shephard, Esq. London: Religious Tract Society. 1837. The Works of Thomas Chalmers, D. D. and LL. D. 6th Vol.

Collins.

Glasgow:

VOL. I. N. S.

30

The Church of the Middle Ages. A Sermon preached at the Visitation of the Archdeacon of Gloucester. By J. G. Dowling, M. A. 8vo. London: Rivingtons.

The Obligation of the Church to prosecute the Missionary Enterprize, to which it is committed. A Sermon preached before the London Missionary Society, May 10, 1837. By John Ely, Minister of Salem Chapel, Leeds. 8vo. London: Fisher and Co.

The Christian Church, as it stands distinguished from Popery and Puritanism. By the Rev. Thomas Griffiths, M. A. Part I.-the Nature of the Church. 12mo. London: Burns.

Party Spirit, in Religion and Politics, considered on Christian Principles. A Sermon by the Rev. C. N. Wodehouse, Prebendary of Norwich. 8vo. Norwich: Stacey.

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Text of the common Translation arranged in Paragraphs, and illustrated by rhetorical Punctuation. With Tables of Quotations, and an Appendix. In two Parts. Part the First. By Alexander Bell, Professor of Elocution. London: 12mo. S. Holdsworth.

The Mother's Practical Guide in the early Training of her Children: containing Directions for their Physical, Intellectual, and Moral Education. By Mrs. J. Bakewell. Second Edition, corrected and enlarged. 12mo. London: Hamilton and Co.

Speech delivered in Exeter Hall, on Wednesday, May 3, 1837, at the Anniversary of the Church of Scotland's Foreign Missions. By the Rev. Alexander Duff, D. D. 8vo. London: Nisbet and Co.

Investigation; or, Travels in the Boudoir. By Caroline S. Halstead. 12mo. gilt, with 13 Engravings. London: Smith, Elder, and Co.

Letters from an American. 8vo. London: Ward and Co.

God's Instrumentality for the moral Redemption of the Human Race; and God's Controversy with Britain. Two Sermons. By George Legge, A. M. 12mo. London: Leifchild and Bulgin.

The Christian Professor addressed, in a Series of Counsels and Cautions to the Members of Dissenting Churches. By John Angell James. 12mo. London Hamilton and Co.

An Address on Temperance. By William E. Channing. 8vo. London: Green.

Thoughts on the Religious State of the Country, with Reasons for preferring Episcopacy. By the Rev. C. Colton. 12mo. London: Hodson.

Letters to Earl Fitzwilliam, upon the Power of compelling the Assessment of a Church Rate by Proceedings in Courts of Law. By James Manning. Second Edition, enlarged. 8vo. London: Ridgway and Sons.

Thoughts on Religious Subjects. 12mo. London: Longman and Co. On Rejoicing in the Lord Jesus in all Cases and Conditions. By R. Asty, of Norwich. First printed A. D. 1683. 12mo. London: Tract Society.

The Progress of Creation, considered with reference to the present Condition of the Earth. By Mary Roberts. With Engravings. 12mo. London: Smith, Elder, and Co.

The Morning Walk: published on behalf of an Orphan Family. Fourth Edition. 18mo. London: Ward and Co.

Conversation Cards, on intellectual and moral Subjects. By Mrs. Bakewell. London: Hamilton and Co.

Remarks on the Speech of Serjeant Talfourd, on moving for leave to bring in a Bill to consolidate the Laws relating to Copyright, and to extend the time of its duration. By Thomas Tegg, Bookseller. 8vo. London: Tegg and Son.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES,
AT HOME AND ABROAD.

ADDRESSES ON THE NEW MARRIAGE AND REGISTRATION LAWS.

The following papers have just been issued by the Committee of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, for the information of the ministers and people of our denomination, respecting the new enactments. The explanatory address is printed in an octavo tract of four pages for general distribution. The paper of suggestions to the ministers will be also inserted in the forthcoming Report of the Union.

To the Congregational Dissenters of England and Wales.

The time has now come, when all classes of the people may enjoy the benefits which these recent Acts of an enlightened Parliament are intended to

secure.

The utmost notoriety should therefore be given to their provisions, that the public at large, and Protestant Dissenters in particular, may avail themselves of the advantages they were enacted to afford.

The following brief and familiar account has accordingly been prepared, which will form the basis of a few practical remarks especially addressed to Congregational Dissenters.

MARRIAGES.

1. Marriages can be solemnized in such dissenting places of worship only as are expressly registered for that special purpose. Marriage Act, sect. 18.

2. Such marriages may be solemnized by the minister on whom the parties usually attend, or by any other whom they may select.

The Registrar of Marriages for the district is to attend only to witness that the parties make the following declarations, which the Act requires, and to record the marriage according to the appointed forms. Each of the parties in some part of the service is to repeat the following:

"I do solemnly declare, that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, A. B., may not be joined in matrimony to C. D."

"I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, A. B., do take thee, C. D., to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband.")

The rest of the service is left to the discretion of the minister. M. A. sect. 20. 3. The marriage cannot be performed, unless the parties deliver to the Registrar of Marriages in attendance, the Certificate or Licence of the Superintendent Registrar. Before marriage one of the parties must give notice to the Superintendent Registrar of the district within which both have lived, not less than seven days next preceding, or if the parties live in different districts they must give notice to the Registrar of each, that marriage is intended by them. M. A.

sect. 16.

Forms of the notice will be supplied at the Superintendent Registrar's office, in which must be inserted the names, conditions, and dwellings of the parties, with the name of the chapel or meeting-house where the marriage is to be solemnized. M. A. sect. 4.

At the expiration of twenty-one days, if the parties are to be married by Certificate, the Superintendent Registrar, if the marriage be not forbidden, will, on request, issue a Certificate, setting forth the particulars, which is to be delivered, as already stated, at the time of marriage to the attendant Registrar. M. A. sect. 14.

If the parties intend to be married by Licence, besides the usual notice, one

* They are published at 3s. per hundred, and sold by Messrs. Jackson and Walford, 18, St. Paul's Church Yard.

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