ley, whose method of teaching adults" is stated to be “a work of great labour, and much valuable information." "Old age in spectacles appears, Bending beneath its weight of years, To learn the A, B, C.” We rejoice to learn from this tract that already this British system has travelled through the greater part of the known world. Many very interesting anecdotes are related, which display in the most touching manner the gennine effects of this labour of love. The writer has inserted, at page 35, a fac simile of an ingenious attempt to chalk on a board the first letter in each word of a passage in a book which he wished to read correctly. Prefixed is a beautiful poem on Adult schools, by Montgomery, from which we extract a few stanzas. "Though earth no lovelier prospects show Than children walking in thy ways, It is very encouraging to hear that upwards of four hundred learners of both sexes, and all ages, have been admitted into the Adult schools in Gainsborough, and the adjacent villages, within eighteen months. mestic life have often been the theme of song. It requires more than a mediocrity of talent to render the lay interesting, upon a subject on which every one thinks he can write poetry. Mr. Holland has successfully executed his adventurous task, and in the course of his poem has presented the reader of taste While the unhallowed lines of many with some very beautiful passages. modern writers contribute so much to pollute the public mind by arraying vice in a fascinating garb, we are ready almost to regret that we cacy to the following antidote. cannot impart a supernatural cfli "Shame on that Bard, whose wanton muse can dart Insidious mischief through a guileless heart; Perish the strain, and fade that Poet's fame, How just is woman's scorn-the scorn of all his friends! This be my lot, should song of mine ere prove To female honour false, or virtuous love." Such is the pledge given by Mr. Holland, that however tender his strains may sometimes be, the guileless heart shall not be polluted, nor the modest cheek suffused with an indecent blush, by him: nor is it necessary to demand a purified edi̟tion before we give our cordial recommendation, though one two alterations might be made. Poets generally dress up the picture of connubial bliss, as if free from all the sorrow and care of common life. or "Yet oft may sickness threaten or destroy Unblest, unmix'd, unsanctified by Heaven," This elegant poem is divided into three parts; "Youth,”“ Manhood," and " Age." The first part of course treats of "Love and Courtship;" The Hopes of Matrimony: a Poem. the second of " the Marriage State By John Holland. 12mo. Bds. pp 76. 3s. 6d. and Domestic Happiness;" the third of "Offspring and Posterity;" and THE hopes and pleasures of do- did our limits permit, we might IT is not because we think the above articles unimportant that we have hitherto omitted to notice them, but entirely on account of other claims, which could not be delayed. If our readers have examined these small unpretending publications, they are prepared to participate in the pleasure we feel in their appearance, and we have no doubt will cheerfully unite with us in testifying the most cordial approbation of all such endeavours to direct and form the infant mind. With much more than silent satisfaction we behold the increasing seed of moral and religious instruction thus prepared and dispersed, and though in the far greater number of instances it "lie bury'd long in dust," yet who can presume to estimate the influence of its secret operation, or venture to predict the aggregate advantage of the final result? We hail these patient but effective labourers, whose work of mercy is not unblest, and shall not be unrewarded: the ample field into which they have entered, importunately solicits their persevering exertion. Let the condition of the destitute young supply stimulus, and the hope of enlarged success animate their advance. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. Just Published. Brown on Religion, and the Means of its Attainment. 1s. Gd. Brown on the Lord's Supper. 5s. Strictures on the Eclectic Review and Edinburgh Christian Monitor. By Rev. James Carlile. TWO ORATIONS delivered at Albion Hall on occasion of its opening, Aug. 27. The one on Knowledge in general, especially the Connection between Science and Religion, by the Rev. F. A. Cox, A. M.; the other on the general Objects for which the Hall was erected, by the Rev. A. Fletcher. History of George Wilson and his Friend, or the Attempt at Tidiness; a simple Story; showing that Godliness is profitable for all Things. By the Author of Jane and her Teacher; with a Plate, Price 1s. 6d. Boards. A Remonstrance against certain Inconsistencies now practised by many Societies of Protestant Dissenters. By Benjamin Hanbury, Author of the enlarged Series of Williams's Diary. 1s. Sketches of Sermons. Furnished by their respective Authors. Vol. VI, 12mo. 4s. Address to the Sabbath-school Chil- dren at Uley. By Wm. Address to Deists. By a Dissenter. Is. Betts's Bible Anecdotes. 4s. Hooper's Memoirs of Rev. Wm. Evans, 3s. Gd. Sermon at Bridgewater. By Rev. J. Baynes of Wellington. Romaine on Faith. Introduction by Gambold's Works. 3s. 6d. Howe's Redeemer's Tears. Intro. duction by Rev. R. Gordon. 3s. Adam's Private Thoughts. Intro duction by Rev. Daniel Wilson. 3s. Alleine's Alarm. Introduction by Rev. A. Thompson. 48. Witherspoon on Justification and Regeneration. Introductory Essay by W. Wilberforce, Esq. 3s. 6d. Choice Pleasures for Youth 4s. In the Press. Gleanings from pious Authors, and original Poems. The New Trial of the Witnesses; or the Resurrection of Jesus considered, on Principles understood and acknow. ledged equally by Jews and Christians. The Young Convert: a Poem, by S. Deacon. New Edition, by J. Millard, Intelligence, &c. REGISTERS OF DISSENTERS. MR. EDITOR, Whatever doubts may have been entertained respecting the legality of the Registers of the Dissenters, I must declare my firm belief, that in a court of law or equity they will be found legal. This conviction is founded on the following facts and reasonings, which I shall feel obliged to you to communicate through your Magazine to the religious public. At the same time I conceive it highly expedient, that on a case of such magnitude the very best legal opinion should be had. Some years since a stamp-duty was imposed on the registers of Dissenters, whether those registers related to births, burials, or christenings. Now, is not the affixing of this stamp-duty by the Government a legal recognition of those registers to which it is affixed? Why did our rulers thus publicly recognize them, if they are not to be considered binding in a court of law or equity? Not many years ago, the Dissenters were relieved from this duty, and permitted to register their births, burials, &c. without stamps; but as this was a privilege, and not a penalty, may not the question be fairly asked, whether as their registers were legally recognized by the stamp-duty, they are not equally admissible now the duty is removed? If not, we are materially injured by this slight pecuniary remission. In the Register-book for Dissenters in this place, there are many registers, both of burials and births, to which a government-stamp, of the amount of three-pence is affixed. The last entry which is stamped, bears date February 6, 1790. Since that time all entries have been made without stamps. In all other respects the form of the registry is exactly the same. I would add, that pasted on the inside covering of the book are two very important documents, which appear to me to have a bearing on the case. The one is a printed letter, addressed by Andrew Kippis, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, and James Bogle French, Chairman of the Joint Committee of Ministers and Deputies, to the Minister of Luton, from which I make the following extract. "Reverend Sir, "It having been thought advisable to obtain the above act, by virtue of which the Register of Protestant Dissenters will be admitted as legal evidence in our courts of law; for rendering it of the most extensive and permanent benefit, it is recommended by the General Body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers, of the three Denominations, in and about the cities of London and Westminster, and by the joint Committee of Ministers and Deputies, to the several congregations in the country, to provide a book duly stamped, to be used as the Register of Births, Baptisms, and Burials, by the Minister of the congregations for the time being." Where the act referred to is, I do not know. But, doubtless, there must be an act legalizing these registers, which no opinion of counsel can put aside. It is certainly expedient that some person in London, versed in such business, should examine this act, and see how it bears upon the case in hand. The other Document is perhaps still more important. It is a kind of license, or Government-permit, to one of my predecessors, which authorizes him to register births and burials, provided the Register is brought forth when called for to be stamped. The following is a verbatim copy of it. "I, Richard Leach, by virtue of the power and authority granted to me by His Majesty's Commissioners, appointed to manage the duties charged on stamped vellum, parchment, and paper, do hereby give and signify unto the Rev. Thomas Pilley of Luton, in the county of Bedford, license and authority, to enter and write, or cause to be entered and written, in the Register Book or Books of the Dissenting Congregation there, all entries of any burial, birth, or christening, without any stamps or marks affixed thereto or thereupon; subject, nevertheless, to the payment of the duty imposed thereon by an Act for granting to His Majesty a stamp-duty on the Registry of burials, births, and christenings,' and for the payment of which sufficient security hath been given by bond to His Majesty: and I do grant this license under this particular condition, that the said Thomas Pilley shall, whenso ever thereunto required, from time to time, produce and show the said Register to me, or to any other officer or agent, duly authorized by the Commissioners of the Stamp-duties, or the major part of them, for the purpose of inspecting and viewing such Registers, and the entries made therein; provided always, that the license shall continue in force until the Commissioners for the time being appointed to put the several Stamp-laws in execution, or the major part of them, shall revoke the same, and give notice thereof in writing, and no longer.Given under my hand the first day of October, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight. "R. LEACH." After these documents are considered, if the registers of Dissenters are not deemed legal proof in any court of this kingdom, it is not only harsh and cruel towards the persons concerned, but likewise at variance with law and fact. As this is a subject of very deep interest to Dissenters, it behoves us to take every method to ascertain the situation in which we are really placed; and if the result of our investigation be, that our registers are not acknowledged by the laws of the land, it behoves us, as a body, speedily and universally to apply both to Parliament and His Majesty's ministers, to take our case in hand, and to afford us the relief we need. Luton, Oct. 1823. APPEAL. E. DANIEL. THE NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY having for some years past been greatly restricted in their efforts to afford the brave defenders of our country requisite supplies of the scriptures; and, from their reluctance to reject altogether the many pressing demands on them, have incurred a debt of £1200; the Managers of this Institution have, at length, in compliance with the wishes of several judicious and warm friends to the Society, determined to submit a brief statement of their case to the notice of a benevolent public, and with confidence solicit their aid to extricate them from their present difficulties. To this measure they are encouraged, from a persuasion, that our seamen and soldiers, forming a large and most interesting part of our population, will never cease, whether in peace or war, to be dear to their fellow-countrymen, for whose protection and welfare they have ever been ready to sacrifice their own comforts, and expose their lives to the most imminent dangers.-It has pleased Almighty God, in this our day, to excite among mankind in general (especially in our own happy land) a more than ordinary desire for religious instruction; and accordingly we see Institutions daily forming to meet the necessities of our fellow-men perishing for lack of knowledge. Foremost amongst these, the Naval and Military Bible Society has been labouring with varied success for forty-three years, to convey the glad tidings of salvation to that long neglected, but most important class of our countrymen who man our fleets and armies. During the continuance of a long and sanguinary war, many individuals, constrained by feelings of gratitude to those who, under Providence, were the instruments of protection from the multiplied evils which deluged the rest of Europe, were ready to admit their claim as paramount to all others, and admitted it most liberally. But in latter years this spirit, to the prejudice of our brave seamen and soldiers, has greatly subsided; and many and painful have been the occasions, when, through want of funds, the Managers of this Society have been compelled to pause, and, to a certain extent, withhold the word of Eternal Life from those who were earnestly beseeching the boon at their hands. It might be imagined (and that not unreasonably) that on the arrival of peace, and the consequent reduction of a large naval and military establishment, the demands on the Society for the Scriptures would be proportionably diminished; but that this is an erroneous assumption is evident, as will appear from the abstracts of issues and receipts hereto annexed for the last three years of the war, 1812, 1813, 1814; and those of recent date, 1821, 1822, 1823. These abstracts demonstrate, that in the war the demands for Bibles were fewer, whilst the receipts of money were considerably greater; whereas in the latter years of peace, above cited, the demand for Bibles has been much augmented, and the annual receipts of money greatly diminished. The solution of this fact is to be sought for in the formation of regimental schools, and an increased desire in the Navy and Army to profit by the comparative leisure they now enjoy, in searching the contents of that volume which they had not the means of studying with sufficient diligence under the extremities and constant occupations of actual service. To those who love their Bibles, and hail this growing thirst for religious knowledge, this statement will not appear strange, nor this appeal unnecessary to them, and to all wellwishers of our Navy and Army, (and where is the family that has not immediately or remotely some connexion in one or other of the services?) the Committee would say, "Whilst you are contemplating the conversion of a world, let not your brethren at home, especially your soldiers and seamen, remain neglected: their numbers are still great, and their claims inferior to none. "The liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things he shall stand." By Order of the Committee, J. M. CLOSE, Major, and Secretary. Committee-room, 113, Jermyn-street, London, 18th Sept. 1823. Receipts and Issues during the last three Years of the War. 9378 Bibles, 9908 Testaments; Cash paid by seamen and soldiers for books purchased, £117 5s. 10d.; Aggregate net receipts, £10,051 19s. 11d. Receipts and Issues during the last three Years of the Peace. 15,323 Bibles,12,869 Testaments ;Cash paid by seamen and soldiers for books purchased, £1121 128. 8d.; Aggregate net receipts, £6317 11s. 3d. Copies of the Scriptures issued during the last three years of the peace, more than during the last three years of the war. No. 8906. Contributed by sailors and soldiers themselves, towards the purchase of the Scriptures during the last three years of the peace, more than during the last three years of the war, £1004 Gs. 10d. Total Cash received during the last three years of the peace, less than during the last three years of the war, £3734 88. 8d. IMPROVEMENT OF THE FUNDS. The Committee of the Naval and Military Bible Society beg respectfully to recommend the following plans for adoption (according to circumstances) for the improvement of the Society's funds, viz, -- 1. By donations, life, or annual subscriptions.-2. By clergymen and other ministers, and especially naval and military chaplains, making congregational collections in aid of the funds. 3. By officers commanding ships, regiments, and corps, sanctioning and encouraging a general subscription, or a contribution of one day's pay, or the institution of small weekly subscriptions, by the officers and men under their command.-4. By the la dies generally, and especially those connected with the navy and army, undertaking to raise small weekly or other subscriptions.-5. By the establishment of Auxiliaries and Associations in various places, especially at naval and military stations. Contributions received by the fol lowing Bankers, &c.-Messrs. Whitmores and Co. Lombard-street; Dorien, Magens, Dorien, and Mello, Finch-lane, Cornhill; Pole, Thornton, and Co. Bartholomew-lane; Hammersley and Co. Pall Mall; Hatchard and Son, 187, Piccadilly; Hoare, Fleetstreet; Nisbet and Co. 21, Bernersstreet; Mr. Mortlock, 250, Oxfordstreet; and at the Committee-room, 113, Jermyn-street, where attendance is given daily from eleven to four o'clock. services JULY 30, the Baptist Meeting-house at STONY STRATFORD having been rebuilt, was opened. Mr. Cox of Hackney preached in the morning, Mr. James of Arnsby in the afternoon, and Mr. Clarke of Guilsborough in the evening. The devotional were conducted by Messrs. Simmons of Olney, Barker of Towcester, Crudge of Fenny Stratford, Tift, Gilbert (Independent) of Stony Stratford, and Simmons, late of Wigan, Lancashire. The meeting was numerously and respectably attended, and handsome collections were made after the services. The writer takes this opportunity of noticing an unfavourable report which has been industriously circulated respecting this little reviving interest. It has been said that the rebuilding of the Baptist Meeting-house is nothing else than direct opposition to the Independents in the same town, whose interest has sprung up in the decay of that of the Baptists; and that if the Independents had not built, they would not have rebuilt. In answer to which the public are informed, that the Trustees of the Baptist Meeting had agreed to rebuild their old Meeting-house at least twelve months before |