tians. This, at least, has a tendency to stimulate to greater diligence in the work of evangelizing the world in the present day. The duty plainly lies with the churches of Christ; and the more they enlarge their acquaintance with the genius and tendency of the economy of grace, the more will they feel encouraged to come forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty. The more they become influenced in their exertions by the truth, that Paul may plant, and Apollos may water, but that God alone can give the increase, the more abundantly will the spirit of grace and supplication be poured out upon them; and the more abundant testimony will the Lord give to the word of his grace. Long were the nations left without a revelation, to prove the insufficiency of human reason to guide men to the knowledge of the true God. Is it at the expense of the eternal ruin of millions, that he is now teaching the churches, that even the truth of God, when revealed, will fail, of itself, to convert the soul? Has this doctrine never yet had that prominency given to it in the minds of professing Christians in general, which it ought to have had? Is that honour not given to God, along with the use of the means of his own appointment, which ought to have been given to him? Surely it is high time to examine ourselves; and for all the churches to unite in earnest supplication for the copious effu sion of his Holy Spirit, that the wilderness and the solitary place may be made glad, and that the desert may rejoice and blossom as the rose. We close our remarks upon Mr. Hogg's volume, by expressing our earnest wish that it may meet with an extensive circulation, and that it may, by the Divine blessing, contribute to remove the apathy of those who may have been indifferent to the cause of missions, and to give fresh energy to their supporters. There are a few typographical errors to be met with, which we should not have mentioned, had not some of them obscured the sense, and one, at least, we apprehend, completely reversed the author's meaning. Page 54, line 11, "While this is not its final issue," should surely have been "while this is its final issue." Page 143, line 4 from the bottom, "faith in this world, and sight in heaven, are consistent (conversant), with the same things. It has struck us, that if the third and fourth chapters had been transposed, the unity of the work would have been more complete, as the subject of the scond chapter is more closely connected with the subject of the fourth; while that of the third seems more nearly allied to that of the fifth. We offer this hint for the author's consideration, who may have had reasons for placing them in the order in which they now stand, which have not suggested themselves to us. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS, WITH SHORT NOTICES. THE PASTOR'S SKETCH BOOK; or, authentic Narratives of real Characters. Edited by George Redford, M. A. : Holdsworth. Second Edition. 12mo. 5s. As these sketches appeared in the volumes of our own work, we, at first hesitated, whether we should notice them; but as some of our readers might think that our omission implied disap probation, and as we had ourselves little to do with their preparation, we think it right to bring them before the public with the testimony of our confidence in the truth of the statements contained in them, and the religious tendency of the whole. The narratives are twentyone in number. Several of them possess very considerable interest; and all of them record some lesson of instruction, some hint of encouragement, or some tale of warning, which, by the divine blessing, may be productive of good both to Ministers of Christ and to others. We are glad they have been collected together, as we think a book of this sort is frequently wanted to put into the hands of persons to whom some of the narratives may very correctly apply. STATEMENT OF THE CASE OF THE PROTESTANT DISSENTERS under the Corporation and Test Acts, published for the United Committee appointed to conduct their Applications for Relief. 8vo. 16 pp. 6d. Holdsworth. CONVERSATIONS ON THE CORPORATION AND TEST ACTS, by an Old Servant of the Public. 12mo. pp. 24. 3d. Holdsworth. THE CASE OF THE ENGLISH DISSENTERS: respectfully submitted by the Dissenters of the City of Lincoln, to the consideration of their Fellow Citizens of the National Church; with a View to impart Information, excite Attention, and to secure a general Concurrence in any Application that may be made to the Legislature for their Restoration to equal Rights in the Community. 8vo. W. Brooke, Lincoln. 16 pp. The first of these publications coutains the case of the Dissenters, as prepared by a United Committee of Deputies of the Three Denominations in London, Presbyterian, Independent, and Baptist, with representatives of the general body of Ministers, and of other Societies interested in the desired repeal. It is well printed in a full octavo page, and discusses the following important topics:-Origin of Exclusion-Corporation Act-Original design of the Test Act-Proposed Exemption of Protestants-Occasional Conformity Effects of Test Laws-Legal State of Dissenters -their Conduct-Effect of Toleration and Indemnity Acts-Grievance practically felt-Relief sought as Right--on Religious Grounds, as a matter of policy-Appeal to experience and to consistency. Our readers will find the facts stated with clearness, and argued with great dignity of principle, and with considerable energy of style. "The Conversations" present a very fair view of the facts and arguments, and convey, in a popular form, the pith of the question, which will, doubtless, be warmly discussed throughout the kingdom during the approaching Ses sions. "The Case of the English Dissenters," was published by an active Committee for the Repeal of the Test Act in the city of Lincoln, with a view to inform their fellow citizens of their sufferings in past times, of those unjust restrictions under which we still groan. Its character is historical, and some notes are appended to illustrate the statements. Effectually to diffuse information on this subject, the Committee have distributed it, we understand, from house to house throughout the city, by which they hope to excite the attention and sympa thy of their neighbours to the equity of our claims, and to the extent of their wrongs. We cordially commend their spirited conduct to the imitation of the Dissenting Body throughout the kingdom, and we hope that their liberal and gratuitous distribution of "the Case," will, to a certain extent, at least, be followed by the United Committee. It cannot be expected, that newly formed dissenting congregations possess much information, or in fact feel very lively interest in the repeal question. Such persons will not purchase, and perhaps scarcely read, lengthy pamphlets on the subject. Some short, plain, conclusive reasons for the repeal, published as a small tract of four, or at most eight pages, should be supplied by the Committee for gratuitous distribution amongst those congregations which need information. And we beg to recommend every intelligent Dissenter to be prepared for the approaching discussion. The subject is too political, we conceive, to be fully examined in the pulpit; platforms are not often used for such discussions, and the only other modes of access to the public mind are by the public press and parlour conversation. Let Dissenters be prepared to state their strong reasons, for the time is at hand, when the combined influence of all lawful means will be necessary to promote this question, both in Parliament and with the country. mécians, in addition to a fine one by Vandyke, are finished in the most exquisite style, and reflect much credit on the several artists engaged. Among the literary contributors, we find the names of Montgomery, Hemans, Daniel Wilson, Dr. Adam Clarke, Dr. Raffles, Bernard Barton, Dr. Cox, Dr. Collyer, William and Mary Howitt, Mr. and Mrs. Conder, and several others with whom we are well acquainted. Among the prose articles, there is an interesting essay on "Ancient Coins and Medals, as illustrating the progress of Christianity," by the Rev. R. Walsh, LL.D. The author is in error, however, in supposing, that "no one has thought it worth his while to make the study of coins and medals subser vient to the more interesting details of the spread and progress of Christianity among mankind." The late editor of CALMET'S DICTIONARY of the BIBLE, Mr. Charles Taylor, has bestowed great and laborious attention on this branch of science, for the very purpose to which it is so interestingly applied by Dr. Walsh, as may be seen in the fragments, especially in the plates and explanations in the fifth volume of that work. THE COTTAGE BIBLE AND FAMILY EXPOSITOR; containing the authorized Translation of the Old and New Testaments, with practical Reflections, and short Explanatory Notes. By Thomas Williams. Part 40. Price 1s. or 1s. 6d. fine. Simpkin and Marshall.-We have much satisfaction in announcing the publication of the fortieth, and concluding part of this very respectable and useful family Bible. In our judgment, an exposition of the whole Scriptures, which combined in a cheap form as much popular criticism as would eluci date those passages, which are really difficult and obscure, with concise prac tical reflections, has long been a desideratum. We are thankful that the life of the venerable author of the work before us has been spared to complete an undertaking which we hailed with satisfaction, and which, while in the course of its publication, we have often read with pleasure; and now it is happily completed in three octavo volumes, with four valuable maps, chronological and geographical indices, historical connexion, &c. presents, we conceive, all that the ordinary readers of the Sacred Scriptures can wish for their elucidation, and at a price which the economy of religion will enable even poor Christians to pay. " SCENES OF LIFE; or the Influence of Religion. By Mrs. Barber, Author of the Daughter, &c. Nisbet. 12mo. 6s. We have been much pleased with this little work; there is a great deal of character and truth in the description of many of the scenes which it depicts. The writer of it evidently understands the nature and importance of religion, as well as the powerful and the finer workings of the human heart. The style of it is not always to our taste; but it is difficult to write fiction without being a little inflated. The tendency of the work is good, and we hope that some of the parties into whose hands it is likely to fall, may be led by it to that Saviour of whom the author speaks, in the conclusion, with much affection and propriety. ESSAYS ON THE FOLLOWING SUBEducation, Reading, Study. ConversaJECTS; Pleasures of Literature, Leisure, tion, Decision, Enterprise, Success, Philosophy, Classical Learning, Religion, and Learning united. By T. Hathaway. lume may be safely put into the hands of educated young persons. The author's constant endeavour is to make literature subservient to the higher ends of moral and religious improvement. The subjects are well chosen; and though the style of discussion is neither profound nor eloquent, it is generally neat and useful. The errors of the press are very numerous, and certainly will not recommend the printer. We should be happy to find that the success of the volume would afford the author an opportunity of careful revision. 12mo. 5s. 6d. Holdsworth.-This vo WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. tution, wishes to announce, that he is in Mr. W. Upcott, of the London Instipossession of a Series of Original Letters of the celebrated Philip Doddridge, which he intends to publish the ensuing season; and being desirous to enlarge and perfect, as far as possible, this very interesting Collection, he will feel grateful to any of our numerous Readers holding documents of the same kind, of sufficient interest for publication, who may favour him with the loan, or with copies of them. In the former case, every care shall be taken in transcribing them, as well as for their safe return with his acknowledgments.--In the press, and speedily will be published, Memoirs of the Life and Ministry of the late Rev. John Cooke, of Maidenhead, with copious Selections from his Manuscripts and Letters, in one vol. 8vo. By George Redford, M. A. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. LETTERS FROM ITALY. Popish Corruption of Christianity--A Political Device--A Sermon on the Virgin Palpable Idolatry--The want of Education --Italian Translation of Cobbett's History of the Reformation--His Canonization anticipated. August 17, 1827. The people of this and the neighbouring villages consider me a monster of infidelity, because I do not bow down to the Madonna, nor sing litanies to St. Dunstan and St. Bridget. Popery here is in all its purity and glory. The name, office, and sacrifice of Christ are lost in the adoration of his mortal mother, the influence of the Holy Spirit is changed into patron saints and guardian angels, and the triune Jehovah seems to be banished from all their thoughts. I have a little compendium of Christian instruction before me, which contains the catechism, and of which I will copy the commandments for your information, as I think I have seen it stated by some wise member of the British Parliament, that they are not altered from the Bible. Question.--What must a Christian believe that he may go to heaven? Answer. All that is believed by the Roman Catholic church. Q-What must he do to obtain salvation? A.--Keep the commandments of God and the church. Q. How many, and what are the commandments of God? A.--Ten. 1st. I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other God before me. --2d. Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain.--3d. Remember to keep holy the appointed feasts-(Note, days of festival, in which the Sabbaths are included, but they are not specified or distinguished from the other feasts of the church.)4th. Honour thy father and mother.-5th. Thou shalt not kill.-6th. Thou shalt not commit fornication.--7th. Thou shalt not steal,- 8th. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.--9th. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife.-10th. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods. Q. How many and what are the commandments of the church? A.--Six. 1st. To hear mass every Sunday, and other commanded festivals.-2d. To fast in lent on the appointed Vigils, and the four ember weeks, and not to eat meat on Fridays and Saturdays.3d. To confess at least once every year.4th. To communicate at least on the feast of Easter.--5th. To pay punctually the tithe to the church.--6th. Not to marry N. S. No. 35. at forbidden times, that is, from the first Sunday in Advent until the Epiphany, and from the first day of Lent until the 8th after Easter. Then follows the account of the seven sacraments, of which complicated inventions I will spare you the recital. I need not point out to you the alterations made in the commandments, nor the ingenuity with which they are adapted to prop up and support the inventions of popery. I am willing to grant, that as a political scheme, popery is deserving of much admiration; its end is the subjection of the human mind, and its means the ignorance of the people; but I have not patience to hear emancipators talk of its being a form of Christianity. As a code of Penal Laws keeps people in a state of negative morality, so may these inventions of popes and councils keep the people from outward sin, but it is blasphemy against God to say that Christianity has any part in the composition, except as it is the lie in their mouths, and the mask by which they hope to gain their ends. The great source of gain to the priests is purgatory; whatever pope or cardinal invented this part of the farce, deserves to have his monument made in gold. I am not sure whether I once told you of a sermon I heard on this subject; for fear of a twicetold tale, I will not repeat it. I heard a discourse the other night, in a neighbouring village, on the Virgin Mary, which was the most ridiculous assemblage of fancies, principally founded on the revelations which the Virgin, in person, made to St. Bridget; indeed, it is on these revelations of Madame Bridget, that all they have of the history of the Virgin rests, though, on such slender materials, they have made volumes of the lives not only of her, but her father and mother, St. Gioachim and St. Anna. At the climax and winding up of the sermon, the preacher exclaimed, "who is it that aids you in coming into the world; that supports your infancy and childhood, and brings you to maturity?-the Virgin Mary. When arrived at man's estate, who preserves you from temptation, succours you when you fall, and is the mediator for all your sins?—the Virgin Mary. Who supplies all your wants, heals all your diseases, and crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies?—the Virgin Mary. And is there one of you that will dare to pass her image without bowing the knee? Let such impiety never more be heard amongst you. There she is (pointing to a flounced and furbelowed figure that stood near the altar). There she stands, after all your insults 4 K and neglect, smiling with grace and mercy. Down, down, fall upon your faces, and humbly implore her forgive ness, while there is time for pardon; follow with your hearts and your lips the supplication that I will dictate." Here the whole congregation fell down according to his orders, while he dictated a prayer to the lady in white satin. A young English friend, one of the cloth, who was with me the last time I saw St. Januarius' miracle, whispered in my ear, "Do you think the Apostle Paul ever witnessed grosser idolatry than this? And I confess, when I heard this priest calling on his congregation to worship the Queen of Heaven, as be repeatedly called his goddess, I was on the point of crying out," Great is Diana of the Ephesians; but the joke might have cost me dear, though it would have been understood only by the priests. I heard lately another sermon on confession, in which the priest told the people, that if they committed one mortal sin, (you know sins in the Catholic Church are regularly divided and classed, some are venal, and some mortal,) and did not confess, and get absolved of it, God would take away from them the merit of all the good actions of their former lives; but when they sincerely confessed their sin to the priest, and performed the ordained penance, their good works would be again brought back to the account, and allowed to tell as before. Now I would ask, is there any thing of Christianity in these doctrines and observances? 66 As ignorance is considered by the Papal Church, the mother of devotion," they take good care to prevent the people from obtaining information. There is nothing in the shape of a school in any one village round the whole district; so much learning as will enable any one to read and write, is only to be got at the market towns, and there with no few restrictions and difficulties. Yet the priest told me, with the confidence of empiricism, that nothing was neglected to make the people good Christians, non ci niente trascurato;" that is, they are taught to say as much Latin by rote, (not one word of which they understand,) as is necessary to secure their salvation. It is really wonderful to see with what vigour the whole system of catholicism is re-established; with those who can read, Cobbett's book is the great engine made use of. The Pope has had it translated into Italian, and circulated not only through his own states, but whereever he has influence. The priests circulate it amongst the people; indeed, it is the only book they ever lend to their parishioners, for their principle is not to encourage reading of any kind; it is said, Cobbett is to be proposed in the next batch of saints, and though the devil's advocate may have something to say against him, yet he has rendered such essential service to the cause of ignorance, superstition, and tyranny by his book, that there is little doubt Saint William will be added to the calendar in holy triumph. It was my intention to have given you one letter from this lovely country, in which the church should not have found a place; but my evil genius has ordered it otherwise; in truth, this church presents itself in so many disgusting shapes, it is difficult to avoid it. It is like the dragon in the fables of antiquity, that swallowed up every thing good in the country, and laid desolate the whole face of nature. Where will be found the Knight able to destroy it with one thrust of his enchanted spear? or what panoply shall avail against a monster of snch overwhelming magnitude and destructive power? CASE OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN SCOTLAND. A paper has recently appeared with this title, containing the following state ments: same "The members of the Episcopal communion in Scotland profess the Articles of Faith, make use of the same Liturgy, are subject to the same system of church government-and in all respects agree with the Established Church of England. Their clergy derived their ordination and spiritual character from te same source as the clergy of the Church of England. For a long course their religion, recognised in law and ancient custom, was the established religion, and their clergy were maintained by the State. At the Revolution in 1688, when the Presbyterian religion was established in Scotland, as the religion of the State, the clergy of the Episcopal communion were expelled from their cures, their legal provision was withdrawn, and from that time they have been maintained by voluntary contributions alone. The number of those who compose the Episcopal communion in Scotland, may amount to 60,000 and upwards, divided into 80 charges, or 100 congregations, many of which are situated in remote parts of the Highlands, at a great distance from each other, and consist of individuals possessed of very little property. Their church establishment consists of six bishops, and seventyfour inferior clergy. All of these perform professional duties. The bishops besides, make triennial visitatious of their dioceses, and many of the clergy have charge of two and several of three congregations. This meritorious body of men derive their subsistence solely from voluntary contributions, with the addition of the income of a very small landed estate, and |