precepts, and which declare the sin the precise character which you are and danger of neglecting this required to maintain, and the office revelation of mercy.

which you are sent forth to fulfil, 2. You are carefully to avoid all namely, that of a Reader of the assemblies of the people at fairs, Word of God. You are not sent or markets; confining your atten- out as a Preacher, nor as a Disputer, tion, as much as possible, to but simply as a Scripture Reader. families and individuals; endeavour. You are, therefore, to set before ing to impress upon travellers your hearers the plain testimony of whom you meet with on the road; Holy Writ, in the very words of the or labourers during their season inspired volume. You are, as far of rest or refreshment, or on sick, as possible, to answer the questions afflicted, or distressed persons, to which may be asked by your hearers whom you may obtain access, the in Scripture language; referring to inestimable value of that revelation the Bible itself, quoting chapter of mercy which proclaims forgive. and verse, and endeavouring affecness of sins, and admission to ever- tionately to impress upon every lasting life to all who, with true inquirer, that the expressions you repentance, and humble faith, seek use, are the very declarations of the for pardon, through the all-atoning word of God, and not any private sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. opinions of your own. You will

3. You are diligently to improve be supplied with the sacred volume any opportunities which may offer in the English and Irish languages; of reading the Holy Scriptures at and in case you discover that the wakes,* carefully selecting such English version is not understood, portions as may best improve the or does not excite the attention of solemn scene of mortality presented the hearers, you are to try how far to your view, by exhibiting the evil they may be induced to listen to the and consequences of sin :—the Irish version. You are to endeashortness and uncertainty of life :- vour to reply, in a mild and affecthe duty of seeking the Lord while tionate manner, to the objections He may be found :—the readiness of any who may oppose themselves; of God to receive all who return to and to “be ready always to give an Him ;-the love of God in sending answer to him who asketh you a His Son into the world to save the reason of the hope that is in you, world :-the encouragement given with meekness and fear;” but you to the ignorant to ask wisdom of are neither to commence an attack God: and the assurance that our upon the peculiar sentiments of heavenly Father will give His others, nor to attempt at any time, Holy Spirit to them that ask Him. by artifice, or misrepresentation, to But you are to take especial care induce any to suppose your chanot in any way to countenance the racter or profession to be different irrational and sinful practices which from what it really is. You are so often prevail on these mournful frankly to avow, on all proper occasions; and in case you are pre- occasions, that you are a Scripture vented from bringing the word of Reader, belonging to the London Life before the persons present, Hibernian Society, and to embrace you are meekly and quietly to , all fair opportunities of explicitly withdraw.

stating, that the sole objects of that 4. You are ever to keep in view Society, are the establishing of

Schools, and circulating the Holy

Scriptures in Ireland; that the * Assemblies of persons who meet together in Ireland at the house of a deceased

conductors of that Society are desiperson, to wake or watch before the rous of giving instruction to every funeral.

class of the community, without any distinction of party, or senti- service to which you are appointed, ment; and that the only books they in dependence upon the Divine provide for their Schools, are Eng- assistance and blessing, and as in the lish and Irish Spelling books, and sight of Almighty God. You are English and Irish Bibles and Tes- ever to remember, that a light and taments; and you will endeavour careless frame of mind-an angry to obviate the objections which are and unsubdued spirit and tempermade to the Society;—to encourage or an unholy walk and conversaparents to send their children to the tion, will defeat the very object for Schools, and adult persons to attend which you are appointed, and will the evening or Sunday Schools; eventually, if indulged in, remove and in case any breach of the you from your employment. Be Society's rules shall come to your very diligent, therefore, in cultiknowledge, you are to report the vating personal religion ; be regular same to your immediate Superior, and fervent in prayer to Almighty that it may be corrected.

God, to pardon your past transgres5. You are at all times to con- sions, for Jesus Christ's sake, and sider yourself under the controul to give you His Holy Spirit, that of that person, under whose super you may understand his wordintendence you are placed, and embrace His promises --and walk obey those directions which you according to its precepts. Let that from time to time receive from blessed Book which you are sent to him : you will receive from him read to others, be the subject of such copies of the Holy Scriptures your own daily study ; carefully as he shall think you ought to dis- compare one part of Scripture with tribute, and will account to him another, and examine your own for such distribution : you will con- heart, and life, by that unerring sult him upon all important occa- rule. Make a point of attending sions,-obey his directions as to the on public worship, regularly, on the district in which you are to travel, Lord's day; and join with the peo--submit your Journal regularly to ple of God, in partaking of the his inspection, requesting him to Lord's Supper. Whenever you peruse the same, prior to its trans begin to read the Holy Scriptures mission to the Society's office, and to any, adopt the words of the accompany it with such observa- Psalmist, and pray either openly, tions as he may think proper : you or secretly, “Open thou mine eyes, will regularly insert in your Journal that I may behold wondrous things each day's proceedings, recording out of Thy law,” and close your the places where you read the Holy reading with some similar short Scriptures—the portions read on address to Almighty God for his each occasion-the conversation blessing. In this spirit of faithexcited—the names of the parties of prayer—and of holy industry, present and any other circum- you are to go forth, day by day, stances, either of an interesting or remembering that you, and those discouraging nature; remembering to whom you read the word of God, always to state facts and circum must shortly all appear before the stances exactly according to truth, judgment seat of Christ, to give that in case it should ever be deemed account of the deeds which are necessary, you may be able solemnly done in the body : often meditate to affirm, before proper authority, on the solemnities of that day, live the truth of the statements which in habitual preparation for its apyou have recorded.

proach, “be steadfast, unmoveable, 6. You are diligently to take always abounding in the work of heed to your own personal religion, the Lord, knowing that your labour and to go forth to the work and is not vain in the Lord.”

REVIEW OF BOOKS.

A Memoir of the Rev. Legh Rich- wrote, and taught, and died, is mond. A. M. By the Rev. T. here exhibited in lively colours,

S. Grimshawe, A. M. Pp. xii. and in a most interesting and and 662. Seeleys, 1828. instructive manner, by extracts

from an extensive correspondence, The office of a Biographer, like that by private papers of the deceased of a Reviewer, is at once arduous and his affectionate friends, and by and untbankful. Those unac- impressive and weighty observaquainted with the subject of his tions of his valued biographer, Mr. labours are ever ready to charge Grimshawe, to whom we conceive him with eulogy, while the intimate high praise is due for his faithful friends of the deceased are apt to and disinterested labour of love. complain of faint praise, and say, We pass over all Mr. R's early that the half has not been told history and correspondence ; referUnder such difficulties, the safest ing our clerical readers especially way clearly is to make the best use to his plans and proceedings at of the documents which can be col- Turvey, which are every way lected; to allow the deceased as deserving of their most careful and much as possible to speak for him. repeated perusal. We will not self, and only to connect his obser. stop to discuss his mode of preachvations with such remarks as ing and speaking, but hasten at may supply what is wanting, and once to the middle and the latter enable every reader suitably to parts of the volume. Our departed appreciate the facts and circum- friend has been most extensively stances which are brought before known as a preacher and a speaker. him.

His little tracts have circumnaviThis line of conduct is especially gated the world, and been most important in cases like the present, extensively useful. His conduct as where the character of the deceased a parish priest deserves most serious stood very high-where his labours attention and careful imitation, but have been extensive and eminently it is the wise and affectionate father useful, and yet where the events —it is the holy and dying saint of his life lie in narrow compass. which must occupy our pages :-in The outline of Mr. Richmond's these characters he has been hitherHistory may be comprised in a to little known-in these characters few lines. He was born at Liver- he was eminently distinguishedpool, in 1772—was admitted at and with reference to them we Cambridge in 1789—proceeded would say especially, “be ye followB. A. and M. A. at the regular ers of him as he was of Christ." times—was ordained and married During his frequent journeys in 1797-supplied a few weeks at from home he was ever feelingly the Lock Chapel, and was presented alive to those who were left behind; to Turvey in 1805-published three corresponding with all his children, Sermons, edited “ The Fathers of and especially endeavouring to imthe English Church”-wrote three prove every interesting opportunity Tracts—travelled and spoke for the on the return of a birth-day, &c.— Bible, Church Missionary,' and Take the following extract from a Jews' Society-brought up a nu letter to his daughter on an occamerous family-lived highly res- sion of this kind :pected, and died deeply lamented,

“My dear Child–This may proMay 8, 1827. This is all ;—but bably reach you on your birthday. It how he lived, and preached, and is a day which should remind you of the importance of time, and the swift but not light; conversible, but not approach of eternity. It bids you trifling. remember your Creator in the days 4. Keep ever in view, that you are of your youth. But have you ever supporting my character and credit, done so aright? Have you seen your- as well as your own. self a sinner, and gone to the blood 5. Shew a marked preference to such of Christ for pardon ? Forms and conversation, remarks, persons, discusnotions never yet saved a soul; and sions, and occupations as may tend to have you, indeed, ever gone further than essential good. forms and notions ? My child, be in 6. Always think before you speak; earnest; it is no trifle whether you have say and do neither hastily nor unadreal grace or not: it is every thing to visedly. ascertain this point, and to act upon it. 7. If any proposal is ever made to Do you feel a burden of sin for daily you, in which you hesitate how to act, offences !-do you repent ?- do you first say to yourself-how would God pray from the heart ? Suppose God have me to act ? Secondly, what would were to see good to bring you to a bed my parents have me to do, if they were of death, where are your evidences that here to advise me? you are really his child? Think in how 8. Never lose sight of this : that the many ways you have offended him in more public my name, character, and thought, word and deed! What but a ministry, is become, the more eyes and Saviour's blood can wipe it away? ears are turned to my childrens' con

“ It is full time, my dear F- , that duct; they are expected, in knowledge you shew a decision of character, in and circumspection, in religion and that humble yet determined separation morals, in opinions and habits, to shew of life, which distinguishes a common where they have been educated ; and to (alas! too common) nominally Christ- adorn, not only their Christian proian child, from a child that believes in fession, but their parents' principles. Christ, loves God, and is taught by the 9. In music, prefer serious to light Holy Spirit.

compositions; and in vocal, keep close “ Secret, free prayer, is a great testi- to sacred words. mony that a work of grace is begun. 10. Pray much for your affectionate But do you thus pray? Have you father,

LEGH RICHMOND.” found out the sins into which you are the most liable to fall, and most easily “To my Daughters.-With a heart tempted to commit? These are your full of affection, I sit down to express bosom foes, and must be resisted in a a few sentiments and intimations of my different strength from any which you wishes, as connected with your conduct, naturally possess. That strength is only in the course of any journey or absence to be obtained in Christ, and by believing from home. I wish each of you to in him and him alone. Grace, free preserve a copy of it, my dear children, grace, reigns in every step of the Christ- and often look at it; take it with you ian progress. Do you ever feel these when from home, and keep it safe when things as a matter of uneasiness, or at home. desire, or hope, or fear? It will not “ Independently of my anxious satisfy me, and I hope it will not satisfy wishes for your secret, spiritual welfare, you, that you have had so many advan- I have much to feel on my own account, tages of a Christian education, unless in point of credit and character, as conyou prove to yourself and me, that there nected with your deportment, in every is a work of the Spirit in your heart. house and company into which I may So on leaving home:

introduce you.--P. 276. “ My dear M- , I leave you, in “ The friends of religion will grieve, much love, a few fatherly hints. and those who are otherwise will rejoice,

1. Be constant in private prayer. if you could be drawn into compliances,

2. Be wise in the choice of books; and expressions of sentiment, at varishun every thing of the romance and ance with your father's; always, therenorel kind; and even in poetry, keep fore, keep in remembrance, whether you to what is useful and instructive, as well are in company with decidedly religious as pleasant.

and consistent Christians, or with those 3. In company, shew that the prin who are only partially so, or with those ciples of your father's house and minis- who are not so (unhappily) at all,--that try are your rule of conduct, and your you have not only your own peace real delight. Be consistent-cheerful, of conscience to maintain, but the estiOCT. 1828.

3 D

mation and honour of your parent people are very imperfectly, if at all so; also.

in such cases you may, from equality “ Many temptations will occur, to of age, be thrown much more into the induce you to yield and conform to light, frivolous and objectionable conhabits and principles, the very reverse versation of the younger, instead of the of those which you hear me supporting, more useful communications of the both in the pulpit and the parlour. Be elders of the family. Here often, there not ashamed of firmly, though modestly, is danger; ever prefer and choose those, in such cases, resisting them. State of whatever age, in whom you think you what mine and your principles are, and discover a holy, serious, benevolent, heed not the momentary unpleasantness consistent way of acting and speaking. of appearing singular, when conscience and duty require it. You may easily

He then proceeds to enlarge on say, "My father does not approve of amusements, books, music, dress, such and such things, neither can I.' behaviour, journeyings, prayer, &c. No person whose estimation is worth

&c.—We cannot but wish that, in having will think the worse of you, for

addition to the tracts of Little such instances of mild but decisive firmness; and without it I should be

Jane, the Negro Servant, and the disgraced.

Dairyman's Daughter, another were "All descriptions of public amuse- published entitled Legh Richmond's ments, novels, popular amorous poems, advice to his daughters. plays, songs, vanities, and finery, and His views on oratorios exactly all the sad tribe of poisonous and

coincide with our own;dangerous pursuits, should be regulated by this principle; and 0, that your own No man was ever more truly fond of simplicity and love to Christ, may never music than himself, and especially in its give way to one sad influence of false application to devotional purposes. It sentiment, even amongst those whom,

is, therefore, the mode in which Oratorios on other accounts we may esteem and are generally conducted, that excited regard. The half-religious are often the apprehensions of Mr. Richmond, more dangerous than those who are less as to their possible influence on his own so; because we are more on our guard children. On this subject, we feel in the latter case than the former. The happy in exhibiting Mr. Richmond's great number of instances in which I sentiments, in the following letter to his have seen the young people of religious

wife. families deeply injured in their spirits “My very dear Mary—The approachand habits by much visiting with per ing grand musical festival, to be held at sons of different views and customs Edinburgh, about the same week with from those of their own household, has that at Northampton, occasions almost made me, I confess, from pure motives

daily discussion in every party where of conscience and prudence, very averse we are visiting; and there is but one to much of that sort of visiting in my feeling amongst all our Christian friends own children's case, which I know to --that no serious and consistent Christhave been productive of bad conse ian will go. Mary, * of course, hears quences in others. And the difficulty nothing from either her father's lips, or of drawing the line has always appeared

from those of all his estimable friends very great with my numerous friends on this side of the Tweed, but deterand acquaintance. Still I wish to make mined objections to the whole plan, its you happy in every reasonable way; accompaniments, its gaiety, its dissiand I am glad when I can give you the pation, its ensnaring character, and its advantage of new scenes and company, inconsistency with every principle of when it is of the right kind. But as in nonconformity to the world. Neither my journeys extensive intercourse takes she nor I could appear again in Scotland, place, a great variety of characters will in a religious, and much less a missionfall in your way; and I wish for all ary character, if we were to be present your sakes that you may be provided at these amusements. How, then, can with sober, discreet, and religious cau- I do otherwise, which from my heart I tions, that the natural ardour of youth sincerely, seriously, and deliberately may not lead you into unbecoming or must, than condemn the same thing, as sinful compliances. I know many famin it concerns dear Flies, and you know a few, where, perhaps,

• His eldest daughter, who accompanied bim the parents are religious, but their young during this tour to Scotland.