MRS. ANN CROWTHER.

MEMORIALS of the deceased can be useful only to the living; and if faithful, however brief, they may always become so. Mrs. C. was mother of David C. whose holy life and early removal to a better state were commemorated in our Magazine for March 1811. Her father, the late Mr. Samuel Rhodes, of Morley, near Leeds, was left, with eleven more orphans, to the care of a kinsman, whose misconduct deprived them of considerable property. By industry, frugality, and prudence, several of them, like him, attained to respectable situations in life; and still more of them, by faith in the Gospel, to the hope of a far better inheritance. He was father also of the late Rev. Josiah Rhodes, who studied under Mr. Scott of Heckmondwyke, and preached several years, with much prospect of usefulness, had not the state of his health compelled him to relinquish his ministry,

Ann Rhodes was born at Morley in September 1757, and was named after her youngest aunt, who married in London, and was mother of the Rev. Samuel Greatheed. Trained in the way she should go, Ann never departed from it; and she very early acquired clear and impressive views of the Gospel, under the ministry of the Rev. John Parish, of the new chapel at Morley, where he commenced his labours in 1765. To such persons as knew her, the poet's language might naturally be applied

"Too happy! if their happiness they knew:"

but the subject of this memorial, by following a misguided though truly tender conscience, withheld, to the 48th year of her life, her obedience to the dying command of our Lord, to "remember him" at his table. Apprehending it to be designed only for the regenerate; and connecting with that state the powerful feelings that are manifested by many who are, and by many who never are, converted; it was not

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till 1805, when her eldest son joined the church at Morley (then under the charge of Mr. Clough,) that she took courage to do so, as intimated in our Magazine for 1811, p. 102. How many, who would dread to disobey any other command of Christ, remain to their last hour the prey of this delusion!

From that time, Mrs. C. appears to have exercised a lively hope in him whose dying love she constantly commemorated. Without it, she would have been ill prepared to sustain a series of heavy afflictions, though these were not unmixed with earthly consolations. She had married in 1786 Mr. John Crowther, of Morley, who, after an affectionate union of more than 34 years, survives to lament deeply her loss. Her brother died at New York before her father, of whom she was also deprived in 1807. Of her two sons (their only children,) the eldest, already mentioned, was taken from her in 1809, the 21st year of his age. From that time she committed to writing reflections that daily occurred to her; from which (some in artless but heartmany profitable and affecting extracts felt verse) our limits oblige us reluc tantly to suppress. They intimate that her mind was more in heaven than on earth. The failure of her health concurred with her bereavement of persons so dear to her, to difuture and better world. Sire solemnly rect her thoughts and affections to a deaths; which she found so profitable, recognised the anniversaries of their that she added similar memorials of deceased members of the church, with whom she had enjoyed communion in the ways of God. Without murmuring at her lot, she longed to share in theirs. She was desirous, if it might please God, that her removal might be sudden; for her spirits shrunk from the apprehended pains of death, though she dreaded nothing beyond it. But it behoves us to cast this with every other care on him who careth for us." We cannot, by present anxiety, prevent the morrow from bringing

The Christian Temper; or Lectures on the Beatitudes. By the Rev. John Leifchild. 8vo. 7s. 6d. Holdsworth. We have just risen from the perusal of this very interesting volume, in reading which we have felt ourselves both humbled and encouraged; humbled under a deep sense of our want of conformity to the sublime genius and exalted purity of Christianity as it is here set forth, yet encouraged by its gratuitous rewards, its precious promises, its signal triumphs and its final results.

The excellent author informs us that "he was led to publish these discourses by a conviction that the sentiments they contain need to be pressed upon the religious world, and by the hope that in some instances they may be beneficial to those who peruse them. The subject of Christian morals is yet, he fears, but improperly understood, or at least by no 'means receives its due attention. He values the doctrines of Christianity as the life and source of all true morality; but he is of opinion, that the inculcation of these, apart from their legitimate and practical influence, is calculated to make but indifferent Christians."

With these sentiments we most cordially agree, and consider the present age of the Christian church distinguished more by a general profession of Christianity, public attention to benevolent institutions, and attachment to certain doctrines, than by the cultivation of Christian tempers, or the influence of divine truth on the heart, the affections, and the conduct; and, therefore, a volume of sermons on the Christian Temper, in which several prevailing evils are detected, and the vital principles of divine truth in their nature, their consolation and transforming energy, are discussed and illustrated, is an invaluable treasure.

This volume consists of nine discourses, founded on the Beatitudes. The introductory discourse contains a developement of the author's plan, and is a fair specimen of his capabilities for the undertaking; in which he principally dwells on the pre-eminence of Christ as a teacher, in reference to the extent of his knowledge, the adaptation of all his instructions to the circumstances of his hearers, and his dignity and authority as one sent from God. In the discussion of other important subjects,--The blessedness of the poor in spirit-The mourner comforted -The portion of the meek-The nature and excellency of evangelical righteousness

-The merciful man's character and re

ward-Purity of heart-The peace-maker's

office and reward—and, Persecution for righteousness' sake. There is such a summary of rich sentiment, just delineation of character, important distinctions, warm ap peals, sound reasoning, faithful declarations and solemn warnings, as shews Mr. L. to be well acquainted with the whole system of Christianity, the philosophy of the human mind, the right use of reason, and the suitableness of the Gospel of Christ to the circumstances of man as a creature, and as a depraved guilty sinner.

Mr. Leifchild is not the servile adherent of any system, nor does he tread the beaten path of any other author; but evidently thinks and writes as one who has" searched the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things are so." From this very interesting volume, did our limits admit of it, we could give ample extracts, illustrative of these remarks, in which the scriptural nature of conversion is described-the insufficiency of self-righteousness is detected-the important doctrines of justification and sanctification are distinguished-the baneful influence of Antinonianism is exposed-the spirit of meek ness and the constant exercise of mercy is strongly recommended-the necessity of progress in religion-and the sacred excel lence of an aged Christian at death is beautifully illustrated. The concluding passage of the sermon on "The nature and excel lency of evangelical righteousness," will justify this opinion :

"Progress in piety is limited to no period of life, but may be co-extensive with our mortal existence. The increase of spiritual strength is in striking contrast to that which is natural; the one reaches its per fection, and ever afterward declines; but the other may continue on the advance, even to the hour that lays all our mortal energies in the dust. The aged Christian finds every thing in which he is concerned diminishing, but his piety: his devotion glows with a new ardour as he approaches the hour that shall introduce him to immediate intercourse with its object, and his hope kindles into new animation as he comes within sight of home. He resembles a pilgrim having behind him the scenes of his toils, his perils, and his fears, and gaining a summit whence he be holds the place of his birth, and the residence of endeared and expectant friends. One little brook only remains to be crossed; it is the last effort, and he is at home. Hitherto

he hungered and thirsted, now he is filled. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.'" Should a second edition of these Sermons be called for, we would suggest to the author the propriety of parting with several words, not generally used in plain sermons, such as, largesses, piacular, peccant, &c. Also the importance of being verbally correct in Scriptural quotations, as well as avoiding some peculiarities of expression which we could wish to see removed in a future edition. We most earnestly recommend the volume to the serious perusal of our numerous readers.

Sermons adapted for Parochial and Domestic Use. By the late Rev. J. P. Hewlett, M. A. Chaplain of Magdalen and New Colleges, and Curate of St. Aldate's, Oxford. 8vo. 12s. Simpkin and Marshall.

THERE is perhaps no character more truly valuable and respectable than that of a laborious and faithful Parish Priest, who, by his doctrine, precept, and example,

*Allures to brighter worlds, and leads the way."

Such was Mr. Hewlett, who officiated several years, not only as Chaplain of the above colleges, and Curate of St. Aldate's, but also as Chaplain to the Workhouse and the City goal; in all which situations we understand that "he conducted himself in the discharge of his duty with exemplary diligence, regularity, and piety." His income, arising from these various sources was, it seems, barely sufficient for the decent maintenance of himself and family: he has therefore been unable to leave more than a small pittance to provide for a widow and five children."* This volume is, in consequence, published with the double view of assisting them and instructing others; and in both respects merits our encouragement. It may be thought, + and has been said, that we are too free and 5 too general in our recommendations of works of this nature; for many readers (though not many of ours we hope) are better pleased with minute and severe criticism, than with that liberal commendation to which we think every author intitled who, without any important defect, aims to en.. lighten the understanding, and impress the heart with the great practical truths of evangelical religion.

We are too sensible, however, of our duty

*Mrs. Hewlett is already known to our readers as a valuable writer for young persons, &c.-See Evan, Mag. 1819, p. 513, and 1820, p. 164.

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to eulogize any work on the ground of charity only; and truth would have demanded all we shall say of this work, independent of any benevolent motive. The volume before us contains 29 Sermons in the compass of 432 pages, consequently they are not longa considerable advantage, in our humble opinion, to the reader: for, however the vivid eloquence of a speaker may reconcile us to a long discourse, yet when it comes to be read in the family or the closet without that advantage, it cannot fail to weary the attention. It may also recommend them, and we hope it will, to some pulpits in the establishment, where long sermons are unfashionable. It is probable, however, that Mr. H. enlarged

them in the delivery; and if he did not, it was very excusable in a clergyman who had often four or five services on the Sabbath. The subjects of these discourses are quite miscellaneous, but none of them trifling or uninteresting. We can merely enumerate them:

Consideration and prayer-Importance of the ministerial office-The minister's commission-Christ the object of supreme regard-Predictions of momentous events The Saviour's legacy-Christ crucified The rainbow-The Messiah's embassyAcquaintance with God-The important inquiry-Genuine and delusive hope-The consistent Christian-A refuge in trouble, 2 sermons- The Christian pilgrimage, 2 sermons - Improvement of time-Call to early piety-The sleeper in harvest-The consolations of a faithful minister-The Christian's song in exile-Consolation under spiritual darkness-The happy effects of the Gospel-The grateful retrospect· Pious youth commended to God-The servant of God-The returning Saviour welcomedThe pastor's valedictory address.

Among so great a variety, it was not easy to fix on any one as affording a sufficient specimen of the preacher's style and manner; but we were struck with some remarks in the 8th Sermon, as peculiarly suitable to the present season. It was preached in the autumn of 1817, after a wet summer, and a harvest supposed at first to be very unfavourable. The subject is The Rainbow, and the text Gen. ix. 13. "I do set my bow in the cloud," &c. After a short introduction on the faithfulness of God to his promises, notwithstanding our unworthiness, Mr. H remarks-God's "reasons of mercy are all drawn from himself, not from any thing in us; and therefore it is, that we sinful sons and daughters of Adam are not consumed; and that the promise of divine mercy is still extended to us, that while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease.'