ministers; we hear much upon the congregations are now dispersed; subject of revirals; would that separated from their beloved pasministers felt more deeply the tors, and cut off from their accusnecessity of imploring the Spirit's tomed privileges, they wander up teaching, and would adopt that and down in search of pasture course of preaching calculated to where their souls may be fed and awaken and arouse the dormant nourished with the bread of life ; consciences of their hearers! it is they cannot pass from one street to not enough that the judgment be another without witnessing the convinced, and the understanding awful profanation of the Sabbath, enlightened ; this may be, and yet buyers and sellers on the right stop short of conversion; the heart hand and on the left, meet their eye must be affected, and nothing short and sadden their hearts; with their of heart religion will suffice; it is feelings thus painfully excited, they God's prerogative alone to convert enter a strange place of worship, the soul, but surely He will honour but instead of hearing a text and that minister as his instrument who discourse suited to their case as most earnestly prays for the Spirit's sinners in a world of sin and sufferinfluence, and who delivers his ing, too often they hear some discourses with devotional ardour, laboured discussion, some point of affection, and simplicity. Such a doctrine controverted, which howman, even with inferior talents, but ever just and scriptural, leaves the possessing solid judgment and piety, heart cold and unaffected, and they will have more souls for his hire return unfed-unedified.* than one of more splendid attain. These remarks are not intended ments, who is ever treating on deep to wound the feelings of any and mysterious points, and indulg- minister personally ; blessed be God, ing or promoting in his hearers a there are many both in and out of spirit of curious, rather than of the Establishment to whom they do profitable inquiry; alas! those will not apply. We must admit that prove in their effects barren and preachers of the class alluded to, unprofitable, for what amuses and have crowded congregations, while gratifies the outward ear may never plain, solid, and practical ones, are reach the heart. but too thinly attended. The evil We cannot but notice with deep wants a corrective; let the minisregret the closing of two places of ters take heed how they broach worship at the west end of the town, sentiments and opinions which in which for many years past the savour too much of speculative pure doctrines of the gospel had notions; let them repress rather been faithfully and effectually than indulge this spirit in their preached ; * of each it may be said, hearers ; in a word, let them unfurl * This and that man was born far and wide the banners of the there,” judgment seems indeed to everlasting gospel; then will the have begun at the House of God; Lord revive his work, and the surely this circumstance speaks corresponding cry of sinners pricked loudly to ministers : “ Be instant to the heart will be, as in days of in season, out of season, reprove, old, “ What shall we do to be rebuke, exhort with all long suffer- saved.” ing and doctrine.” Two large A-A. • Percy Street and Tottenham Court Chapels.But since our Correspondents letter arrived, we have been informed that the latter place, after long suspense, has at length been reopened. * We cannot but hope that our correspondent expresses himself in the last three paragraphs somewhat too strongly. We are aware of one or two instances to which the observations may apply, but trust that this is not generally the case. EDITOR. AN ADDRESS TO THE CHILDREN OF A SUNDAY SCHOOL, AT MANCHESTER, ON THE DEATH OF MISS W "He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down.” Job xiv. 2. Death, my dear children, under whatever form we contemplate it, naturally excites feelings of solemnity and awe. A trembling fear creeps over the spirit at his threatened approach; so that, generally, when our friends are snatched from our side by the grasp of his icy hand, our hearts shrink within us, and, for a while at least, we cannot resist the impression that it is truly important for us to prepare for his visit to ourselves. But alas ! too often these thoughts pass from the mind without producing any change for the better. We return to our former scenes and engagements, and our departed friends are forgotten ; and with them the impressions their removal have excited. We need again and again to be reminded that we are dying creatures, and although we hear from day to day of numbers being carried to the chambers of the grave, we heed it not until, in the providence of God, the stroke of death once more falls within the circle of our friends, and takes away one of those we love. You, my dear children, have bad many warnings ; first one and then another of your school-fellows or playmates has dropped into the grave, and then you have felt that you also might shortly die. Occasionally also you have had to mourn the death of some of those who had taught you to read the word of God, and instructed you in the way of salvation. Their labours of love soon came to a close, and death, by removing them, showed you that he spares neither age nor rank. The high and the low are alike subject to his withering touch, and the passage I have just read is as true in this day, as it was when first uttered by the mouth of Job. Indeed, it is one strong proof that the Bible is the book of God, and contains the words of unerring truth, that its declarations are adapted to every period and country. Truly, my dear children, we do come forth like a flower, springing from our mother earth so tender and feeble, that our existence is threatened with every blast of disease; and as the flower derives its support from the root on which it grows, so we in our infancy were dependant on the constant care of our fond parents, who fed us, fondled us, and watched over us without being weary. God having kindly ordained, that in the eyes of those to whom we owe our existence, we should appear lovely as the flower in the eyes of the gardener. Nor has the likeness between us and the flower ceased since we have been able in some measure to provide for ourselves; we are still weak, feeble, and liable to decay; requiring every moment the supe porting arm of Jehovah. For as the flower is easily broken from its stem, withered by a noisome wind, or parched by a scorching sun; so we are constantly liable to the sudden stroke of death; to have our beauty faded by pining sickness, or consumed by burning fever. Under no circumstances, are we secure against the attacks of disease and death; their approach is uncertain, but their aim is sure, How important is it to keep this subject ever in our thoughts. It would tend to weaken our affection for the present world, and to fix our heart upon that land where there is no decay. Where the flowers bloom in never-fading spring, and send forth their fragrance around the throne of God. An Address on the Death of Miss W. 265 My dear children, they who de.. leave her post until urged to do so rive sap from the stem of Jesse, by her medical attendant. Soon and are grafted into the Rose of after this event her health declined Sharon, the Lord Jesus, are indeed so rapidly, that it was deemed ad. such flowers. They have been viseable for her to return to her united unto Christ by faith; their parents' house, in the hope that her old nature has been renewed, and native air might be of service, they are born again of the Spirit. There every measure was employed Their desires, pursuits, and affec- for the recovery of her health, which tions have undergone a change the tenderest affection could sugWicked and worldly companions gest, while success appeared for a are forsaken, and their delight is in time to attend their efforts. the people of God. They love his In this stage of her illness, she word, his ways, his service, and manifested a strong (perhaps somecount the Sabbath a delight, holy what impatient) desire to recover, of the Lord, honourable; and they that she might return to her friends honour him in all their doings. in Manchester ; but the Lord had Before, they were as noxious weeds, ordered it otherwise. The hopes and unfruitful boughs in the garden of her parents were painfully disof the Lord ; now, they are healthy appointed, and her disorder assumed plants yielding the fruits of righte- a form which could not be mistaken. ousness, which shall endure unto Consumption preyed upon her vitals, eternal life. It is true, they are not and she was soon confined to the exempt from the penalty of a house. Her desires and prospects natural death, but death to them is of recovery were checked, but not a only a removal from the earthly murmur escaped her lips. She lay vineyard, to bloom for ever in the placid in the hands of her maker. celestial Paradise. The clergyman who kindly attended Such was the life, and such the her, during her protracted illness, happy death of Miss W. A few one day asked her whether she years ago, she came amongst us a would now rather recover or die, stranger and unknown ; but early She replied with a smile, I wish indicated that she was not a stranger to have no will of my own, but to to God and his ways; she delighted submit to the Lord's will; yet if I in doing good and glorifying His might choose, I would rather die name. Her course, indeed, was and go to Jesus.' not like that of a mighty river, The graces of repentance and forcibly breaking down every ob- ' faith seemed to be in lively exercise, stacle, but resembled the gentle nor did she ever express a doubt as brook, which, winding its way to her final triumph over death. It through hills and vallies, carries was a pleasure to witness her firm fertility on its waters. By the reliance on the promises of God, steady practice of unassuming piety and comfortable assurance of her she won the esteem of all who interest in Christ. Her conversaknew her. She was the means of tion was spiritual and edifying; and inclining many to tread the courts the clergyman before alluded to, of the Lord, who had heretofore used to observe to her mother when too frequently neglected His wor- taking leave, that his happiest hours ship. Her attendance as a teacher in the week, were those he spent in in this school was as punctual and converse with our lamented friend. regular as her health and circum- She viewed the approach of death stances would permit; and her la as the visit of a friend; and the bours were continued under many everlasting arms which were spread personal privations; nor did she beneath her on the bed of languish JULY 1829. 2 M ing, were not withdrawn in the the Lord Jesus Christ; if therefore, trying hour of nature's dissolution. when you come to enter that valley, No, her latter end was peace; and your path is not lighted by the she sunk quietly into the grave. beams of this only Sun of RighWhen entering the valley of the teousness, you will find it darkshadow of death, she said to her dismally dark, and wbat is worse, mother, who was supporting her in the end thereof darker still; even bed, while a sweet smile played on "the blackness of darkness for her countenance : • It is not dark, ever." Would you then wish in Jesus is there, and makes the dying circumstances, to be able to valley beautifully light; yes, mo say with our departed friend, 'It is ther, beautifully light.' About an not dark, but beautifully light;' hour before she expired, she re come now, while in the vigour of peated those expressive lines, health, to Jesus the source of spiritual light, and He, by his Spirit, “ 'Tis religion that can give, Sweetest pleasures while we live: will enlighten your understanding, 'Tis religion must supply, “ that you may know Him, whom Solid comfort when we die." to know is life eternal." After which she was evidently en In Miss W.'s removal from gaged in mental praver, at the last amongst us, we.have another affectfaintly uttering “Come Lord Jesus, ing pro ing proof of the uncertainty of life; come quickly:" and. while the like the flower of the field we are word quickly, was quivering on her soon cut down. A flower, you lips, her eyes closed in the sleep of know may be seen smiling in all its death, and her spirit fled to the loveliness in the morning, but beregions of eternal day. fore the approach of evening, it Children. would you not like to may wither and fall, and be trodden die as she died? Would you not under foot of men. Your life may wish your latter end to be like hers? be similar. Now you are in the O then be it yours to copy her bud of life, and the flower of health; example in life. Seek early the ere long you may droop, and sicken, God whom she sought. Pray for and die. And ob ! if death find you a new heart and a right spirit-for without faith in Christ, with your the grace of repentance, that you sips unrepented of, and your hearts may forsake sin, and for faith in unchanged, shall you go to heaven? Jesus Christ, that you may live a you may live a Ah no! 401 The Bible assures us, you life of piety. Remember. Miss W. , shall be cast into hell, that dreadful will be a witness against you when abode of wicked and lost spirits. called to stand at the bar of God. Let me advise you then, my dear She can testify that you have had children, to be wise to-day; to“ line upon line, precept upon pre morrow may be too late. To-morcept,”-that you have been warned row's sun may never shine upon to flee from the wrath to come, some of you; before it arises on the and have been exhorted, yea, per earth, the tender stalk of your life suaded to fly to Cbrist for salvation. may be cut by the icy hand of death, And, O my dear children, if after and your precious souls be sunk all this teaching and entreaty you into endless ruin. Seek religion should perish, how deep will be to-day, and rest assured, you will your misery! Your privileges will find true religion of the heart, a only sink you lower in the pit of comfort and support through life; destruction. and what is infinitely better, it will Remember further, that the only conduct you to the realms of eternal light which shines into the valley happiness in the world to come. of the shadow of death, comes from ANODRIN. REVIEW OF BOOKS. Memoirs of the Reformers, British moderate price. We trust therefore, and Foreign. By the Rev. J. W. they will receive from the public, approbation which they have already The Life of Archbishop Cranmer. received while scattered through By J. A. Sargant. 12mo. Pp. our pages. is every way deserving of notice Memoirs of John Frederic Oberlin, and commendation. He remarks Pastor of Waldbach, in the Ban in his Preface, de la Roche. 8vo. Pp. xx. and The life of this celebrated Prelate, 352. Holdsworth. 1829. has been undertaken at different times by various authors; but none of his The study of Biography, at all biographers, except his two earliest, Fox times interesting, derives increasing and Strype, have, perhaps, represented importance from our present cir him as he deserves. Excellent, howcumstances; we now look back and ever, as their works are, they are too voluminous for common use; and many ask, What were the personal char others are too controversial to be geneacters and conduct of our reformers, rally acceptable. Gilpin only is calwhat were their peculiar views and culated for extensive circulation ; but sentiments ? were they the rash, his narrative, is cold; and in his desire the weak, the intolerant and pre to be impartial, he is, frequently, unjust. judiced men which some would He commends, but it is in the manner of one who is little interested in securing insinuate, or were they not rather the commendation of others, and though men who rose above the ordinary an able and elegant, is by no means a standard of their day; who were guarded writer. The virulence of Cranliberal in an intolerant age, and mer's avowed enemies, has probably only chargeable with severity by per been less injurious to him, than the insons whose latitudinarian principles difference which marks both the praise would blot out that Article of our and the censure of this author. Church which condemns, and justly Avoiding the prolixity of the former, and the apathy of the latter, an attempt condemns those who maintain' that is made, in the present instance, to pre• every man shall be saved by the sent the reader, in as concise a manner • law or sect which he professeth, as possible, with the principal occur• so that he be diligent to frame rences only of the extraordinary career ,'his life according to that law and of this great man, and to rescue his memory less from the opprobrium of *the light of nature.' professed adversaries, than of injudicious We therefore hail with great friends. Justice, therefore, to the resatisfaction the appearance of these membrance of one who was in every lives of our Reformers, and earnestly respect an ornament to the age in which recommend them to the attention he lived, to the profession which he of our readers. We need not en- embraced, and to the country which Jarce on Mr Middelton's Memoirs gave him birth; whose private and pubThey were originally written for lic character alike claim our approbation and reverence; and whose exertions and this publication, and have appeared sufferings in the cause of religion, entitle as the leading article of every month, him to the distinction of the Apostle since January, 1822. They are and Martyr of the English Reformation consequently well known to our -is the sole aim of the following pages. readers; and are now collected, Preface, Pp. vi-vii. reprinted neatly, correctly, and in This design of the author has a portable form, and published at a been well executed—the leading |