rianism, or by the peculiarity of their own preaching give it encouragement, is truly excellent.

"If there be amongst us," says Mr. Gordon, "who can view with unconcern the arts so diligently used to draw off their flocks from the Established Church, and instead of endeavouring to recall the wanderers, can give countenance to such secessions, either in word or deed, by their conduct or their preaching, deeply as such an event must ever be lamented, it surely cannot be from any evil will they have at this our Zion; it cannot befrom any design to subvert the establishment which they have sworn to defend; but because they see not that danger from such practices, which men of the most temperate minds and of the coolest judgment find too much reason to apprehend. Without any inclination whatever in favour of sectarism, there are many, who feel no alarm at its growth, and persuade themselves, that all extraordinary caution against it is unnecessary; thinking that if left unresisted, it will die away of itself, and, what in many cases is confessedly true, that the opposition, which is always in action, loses much of its weight, by spending that force on trifles, which ought to be reserved for occasions of serious importance.

"But what is to be considered as an occasion of serious importance, if this be not one, which affects most directly the dearest interests, nay the very existence of the church? ~ And is it not a maxim as true as it is common, that through the want of timely care, diseases, however trifling in their origin, may be suffered to grow to such a height, as ultimately to admit of no cure and to yield to no resistance? Under the influence of considerations such as these, it is hardly possible to look at the present circumstances of the church, without seeing the more than usual importance attached to the conduct of its Clergy. As the appointed guardians of the Establishment to which we belong, it cannot fail to be a charge against us of the heaviest kind, if we are designedly instrumental in disturbing that unity, which we are bound by our very office to protect; nor can it be without much offence, if even by our indolence we afford the adversary an advantage, which our exertions might prevent him from obtaining."

The whole of this discourse is equally judicious, and abounds with valuable observations, well worthy the con-. sideration of Christians in general, and of the Clergy in particular.

Vol. XI. Churchm, Mag. for Aug. 1806.

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A Sermon, preached at Holy-Rhood Church, Southampton, on Sunday, August 10, 1806; on the Duty of Humanity. toward the Irrational Part of the Creation, By the Rev. CHARLES SLEECH HAWTREY, A. B. Curate of Holy-Rhood Parish. 8vo. pp. 20.

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HE duty of humanity to all God's creatures is so important a branch of religion, and of so much moment to the good order of society, that it cannot be made too frequently and particularly the subject of pulpit exhortation. We recommend the example so laudably set at Bath, Southampton, and other places, of stated sermons on the sin of cruelty to the brute creation, as being calculated to remove many barbarous practices which still exist among us; and wherever the inhuman sports of bull-baiting and cock-fighting are still prevalent, it would be a sad defect of duty in the parochial clergy not to set forth in strong terms the enormity of those crimes. And should the hardened admirer of such inhumanities remain unconvinced and unreformed, it is to be hoped that by these remonstrances, the rising generation will imbibe hereby, just and humane' sentiments. The sermon before us, is a very suitable and pathetic discourse on the occasion, from the appropriate passage of our Lord (Matthew x. 29,) "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father."

The following argument is forcibly urged, and will afford a good specimen of this discourse, which does great credit to the abilities and benevolence of the author.

Our own minds, if we would listen to their impartial dictates, are sufficient to convince us, that, in tyrannising with unfeeling cruelty over the irrational creation, we assume a right which was never conferred on us. "That indeed it belongs to man to have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, over the cattle, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, is clearly evinced, by a comparison of their relative conditions and endowments. The superiority of reason over instinct, is too glaring and manifest to be questioned by any. But it is equally evident to every unbiassed understanding, that if the subordinate animals were intended by Providence to yield their services and obedience to man, that he, on the other hand, is equally required to afford security and protection to them.

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"What an object of universal detestationis the man, who, being entrusted by his fellow creatures with the important charge of government, changes the right of legal and salutary dominion into an unjust and tyrannical despotism.

"But let us for a moment reflect how small is the shade of difference between the character of such an one, and of those who wilfully abuse the power with which they are endued over the creatures below them; and instead of treating them with the kindness of masters, exercise towards them the cruelty of despots. This, far from being an abuse of a more justifiable nature than the former, is in one point of view marked with a deeper malignity. For he who oppresses and injures his fellow creatures, at least incurs the risk of opposition and punishment; but he who torments with inhuman rigour the irrational species, violates the rights of those who cannot resist him, destroys the happiness of beings who have neither capacity to oppose nor power to avenge his injustice.

"How strikingly does this remark verify an assertion which has passed into a proverb,---that there is a close alliance and affinity between cowardice and cruelty."

A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex, at the primary Visitation in May and June, 1806. By GEORGE OWEN, Cambridge, A.M. F.A.S. Archdeacon of Middlesex, and Prebendary of Ely. 8vo. pp. 27.

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N this charge the attention of the clergy is directed to the condition of their churches, church-yards, parsonage-houses, and the state of the timber that may be growing on the glebe. Many excellent observations, and much good advice, are given on these subjects, well deserving the consideration of the parochial clergy in ge neral, as well as of those who were particularly addressed, The following remarks and cautions on the improvement of parsonage-houses are of considerable moment:

"It is reasonable to suppose that every Incumbent, who has the means of doing so, will be desirous to render the habitation in which he resides so large a portion of the year, as comfortable and convenient as the circumstances of the benefice, and the state of his finances, will admit. But in so doing, he will see the propriety of adverting to the income of the Preferment, and feel a considerable scruple, whilst he is consulting the accommodation of himself, and of his own family, in extending the buildings beyond 'what may suit the scale of the living; for

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without

without proper regard to this, heavy and burthensome expences may be unjustly entailed on his successors. In cases where this error has already been committed by former Incumbents, and buildings have been erected which are manifestly disproportioned to the Living, or the probable wants of the Possessor, I shall always be ready to assist those who may desire it, in the measures requisite for reducing them within more suitable bounds, and applying the superfluous materials to the repair of the remaining parts.

"Under the head of Repairs I may observe, that the great increase which has of late years taken place in the price both of building materials, and of labour, is a subject of very serious concern to the Clergy in particular, and ought to excite in them a constant and watchful attention, that their houses, and all the other buildings for which they are responsible, should be maintained in so correct and entire a state, as will most effectually prevent their suffering injury by the vicissitudes of weather, or the improper admission of moisture. This sort of attention is as much an act of prudence towards themselves and their families, as it is an act of justice due to their successors."

The following account of the munificence of the venerable bishop of the diocese, must have excited the most lively and pleasing sensations in the minds of the hearers, and will, we are sure, prove equally gratifying to our readers.

"Before I conclude, I must mention a circumstance, which, though not connected with the preceding subjects, it is my duty officially to impart; and the communication, I am confident, will be received with feelings of peculiar pleasure; not only on account of its great importance to such of our Brethren as are struggling with, or may hereafter suffer under, the pressure of pecuniary distress; but also, as it affords a gratifying token of the parental care, and affectionate regard, of the excellent and amiable Prelate, who has for near twenty years presided over this extensive Diocese, anxiously endeavouring to advance the temporal happiness, as well as the spiritual welfare, of all committed to his charge. Not satisfied, however, with the daily exercise of that beneficent spirit which bas long been widely, though secretly, indulged, and prudently anticipating the period, a period we may hope still very remote, when the hand now so freely extended to relieve distress, shall no longer perform this Christian labour of love, he has provided a permanent Fund for the assistance of such members of the Established Church, within the Diocese of London, as may stand most in need of it. For this purpose a sum of money, sufficient to produce a clear annual income of two hundred pounds, has been vested in the Public Funds, and given in trust for ever to the Archdeacons of

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the Diocese, who are directed to distribute the dividends yearly, as they arise, among such indigent Clergymen belonging to the Establishment, as reside in, and are connected by the discharge of professional duties with this Diocese, and who shall be selected from the candidates which may offer, with strict reference to their respective merits and distresses.

"I shall not expatiate," adds the archdeacon, on the gratification it afforded me to commence the course of my official duties by assisting at the first distribution of this very useful and liberal donation: nor will I detain you by dwelling on the influence such an example is calculated to produce in us all; more particularly by exciting us zealously to promote, according to the means and opportunities with which Providence has blessed us, the several establishments that are instituted in the Diocese for relieving the Widows, and educating the Children of our distressed Brethren."

The archdeacon declares his intention of holding a personal visitation for the purpose of examining into the condition of the ecclesiastical buildings within his jurisdiction, which is a measure so laudable and necessary, that we could wish to see it adopted in every diocese.

Observations addressed to the Public, in particular to the Grand Juries of these Dominions, 8vo. pp. 73.

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HIS pamphlet is the production of an intelligent and patriotic person, whose observations on the state of the country, and the evils which prevail among us, are deserving of serious attention. He says,

"For forty years have I been an attentive observer of mankind in most of the gradations of society; and it is painful to add, that during this period I have seen a great and deplorable change in the religion and morals of the British people. An ab sence of some duration in a remote country, afforded me, on my return, the opportunity of observing in these points a difference so striking from what I had been accustomed to view, that it fixed an impression on my mind, so strong as to attract my immediate attention, and it has ever since been principally devoted to the subject."

The author draws a strong picture of the times, but we dare not say that it is an unfaithful one. We fear, however, that it will be disregarded, and pass away without making a due impression upon those to whom it is, from the purest of motives, addressed.

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