were published immediately after the Restoration, and devoutly do we wish that a crisis is at hand, in which, as at that period, the heart of all faithful and loyal subjects may be cheered with a reviving hope of the peaceful enjoyment of those blessings, which the enemies of their country would annihilate at a blow,

We have taken so great a fancy to this delightful little volume, that we are almost induced to visit the publisher with a 66 puff direct," and review his catalogue. We have been, ourselves, thereby tempted to a stroll into his back shop, and eased withal of some of the loose sovereigns which had chanced to stray, for the purpose, into the corner of our pockets; and it is but fair that we should bring our friends into a like scrape. Let them proceed then, forthwith, to the Aldine Repository, in Chancery Lane; and request Mr. Pickering to favour them with a sight of the Diamond Greek Testament, the Holbein Bible cuts, the Thomas à Kempis, Walton's Lives, and some few other standard works which are there enshrined; and if they do not come out poorer -we should perhaps say richer-than they went in, all we have to say is, that they have more resolution than taste, and are altogether strangers to the sublime conceptions which arise in the mind while contemplating a specimen of typographic elegance and accuracy. These are the distinguishing characteristics of the several valuable reprints of standard authors, upon which Mr. Pickering has ventured; and not only does his enterprise deserve, but the interest of the purchaser will, we should think, ensure encouragement.

Friendship's Offering; a Literary Album, and Christmas and New Year's present, for 1832. London: Smith, Elder, & Co. 12mo. Pp. xi. 384.

AN early copy of this beautiful little volume has reached us; and therefore, according to annual custom, we shall go a little out of our way to introduce it to our readers. At present, however, we have neither time nor space to do justice to its merits; and as none of its brethren have yet made their appear

ance, we shall dismiss it, for this month, with the simple statement, that it is equal at least, if not superior, to any of its predecessors. Of the Amulet and some others, we have been led to augur highly; and we hope, in our next number, to speak of the forthcoming Souvenirs, Keepsakes, Gems, Wreaths, et id genus omne, in terms of due respect and commendation.

Considerations on the condition of the Soul in the intermediate State between Death and the Resurrection, with reference to the Arguments advanced in a work entitled "A View of the Scripture Revelation concerning a Future State; by a Country Pastor." By the Rev. FREDERICK RICKETTS, A.M. Rector of Eckington cum Killamarsh, and Domestic Chaplain to the Earl of Liverpool. London: Rivingtons 1831.

THAT "there is nothing new under the sun," is proved in the world of books beyond doubt. Indeed we have a project for employing a few winter evenings and amusing our readers with drawing up a cycle of dogmas, doctrines, and discoveries, shewing how regularly, in the course of years, each recurs in its order, with all the air of novelty. Our readers will suppose that we do not, after this introduction, attribute much originality of idea to the reverend author of the pamphlet above quoted; but we owe it to him to say, that he has shewn both a pains-taking research, and a talented ingenuity in the execution of his task. If we have a future opportunity of returning to this subject, we may avail ourselves of it, to state Mr. Ricketts' views in contra-distinction to those of recent as well as ancient writers.

A Text Book of Popery: comprising a brief History of the Council of Trent, a Translation of its doctrinal Decrees, and copious Extracts from the Catechism published by its authority; with Notes and Illustrations: the whole intended to furnish a correct and complete View of the Theological System of Popery. By J. M. CRAMP. London: Holdsworth and Ball. 1831. 12mo. Pp. xv. 439.

IT has of late been a frequent complaint with the papists, that doctrines have been attributed to them, which they do not profess to believe. Though we are not aware that there has been any just ground for this complaint, we are by no means surprised that they should endeavour to blink some of the thousand absurdities and impieties, of which their creed has always been supposed to consist. There is one test, however, by which their tenets may at all times be tried, without the possibility of a charge of misrepresentation and unfairness. The decretals of the Council of Trent are held sacred by every member of the Romish Communion, without exception or reserve; and they cannot, therefore, refuse to be tried by the decisions of that assembly. Upon the basis of these decisions Mr. Cramp's useful little volume is founded; and we recommend it as a Text-Book to those who would wish to form a complete and correct estimate of the doctrines of the Romish Church. The originals of the "Decreta et Canones Concilii Tridentini;" the "Acclamationes Patrum,"

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Regulæ Indicis," and the Creed of Pope Pius IV. are added in an Appendix; and are valuable as a means of verifying the premises from which the author's conclusions are deduced.

The Life of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M., sometime Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, and Founder of the Methodist Societies. By RICHARD WATSON. London: Mason. 1831. 12mo. Pp. viii. 379.

Ir schism can be justified only by unscriptural observances of the National Church in matters essential to salvation, the sin is of course exaggerated in proportion to the weakness of the alleged causes of separation on the part of nonconformists. Respecting therefore, as we do, the Wesleyan Methodists, from the fact of the very minute shades of difference between their doctrines and our own, we cannot forbear to express our deep and unfeigned regret, that a few comparatively unimportant forms should cement the wall of partition which excludes them from our communion. Let the unbiassed reader

peruse the life of their founder, now before us, and he will find little therein from which he would be disposed materially to dissent, and nothing which is not equally advocated by what is called the Evangelical party of the Church of England. In fact, there are many of this party whose Calvinistic tenets are far more repulsive than those of Wesley; nor are the divisions which they cause within the pale of the Church much less dangerous than open schism. In Mr. Watson's biography of Wesley, allowance must of course be made for the prejudices of a professed disciple of the subject of his memoir, and we should, doubtless, recommend the work of Southey, as infinitely superior both in literary merit and candid statements; but we should be apprehensive of no unfavourable result from an unbiassed examination of Wesley's opinions and practices, as represented even in the partial picture before us.

The Layman's Appeal for the Church; with Animadversions on Mr.Beverley's Letter to the Archbishop of York, and Tombs of the Prophets. By ROBERT BAXTER. Doncaster: Whites and Brooke. London: Nisbet. 1831. WE regard the labours of the laity in defence of the Church with a double portion of gratitude, respect, and admiration; they acquire additional force and value from their admitted independence, their freedom from the imputation of professional bias, and of views narrowed by interest, or confined by the prejudices of education. Of Mr. Baxter's pamphlet we cannot speak more highly than we think; but the value and importance we attach to it will be understood from our admission of the difficulty of submitting to the judgment of our readers one passage in preference to another, where every argument, every sentiment, every line meets with our perfect accordance. It should be, it must be read as a whole, and we want language to express our earnest desire, not only that every staunch Churchman may peruse it to confirm his principles, that every wavering member of our body may study it to satisfy his doubts and

establish his belief, but that every candid dissenter may learn from these pages the value and the authority of those forms, ceremonies, institutions, and doctrines, which he now undervalues. In short, in the unassuming form of a pamphlet, this work, most creditable to its author, in its object, its arrangement, and its diction, contains the substance of a goodly volume. We commend it to general circulation, as a perfect manual in defence of the constitution and principles of the Church of England, apostolical as she is in her origin, and scriptural in her

tenets.

The Sunday School Teacher. A Sermon preached for the Benefit of the "General Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union," in the United States of America. By the Rev. G. W. DOANE, M. A. New-York, 1831.

WE are not surprised that the Board of Management of the above Institution should have been desirous to see this excellent discourse generally circulated throughout the country; nor that their wishes have been so readily seconded by the religious periodicals of the United States. We are, ourselves, indebted to "The Family Visitor" for a copy of it, and have great pleasure in recording our opinion both of the purity of its doctrine, and strength of its reasoning. The office of the Sunday School Teacher is exhibited in a light not only highly honourable to the individual, but as one essentially connected with the progress of the Gospel, and the "maintenance of pure religion and virtue;" its dignity, its responsibility, and its importance to the country, to the Church, and to immortal souls, are eloquently insisted upon; and an appeal founded upon these essentials is made to the Clergy, which we strongly recommend to the serious consideration of the Ministers of the Established Church in the united kingdom, should they ever be called upon to exercise their judgment in appointing a proper individual to discharge the duties of the office. "Can we," says Mr. Doane, "feel too strongly the necessity of selecting for

its duties, the most intelligent, the most experienced, above all, the most religious of the people of our cure?— Can we apply ourselves too diligently to the interesting work of instructing those who are to be, with us, the teachers of our children in the Church? -Can we be too constant, too assiduous, too prayerful, in our oversight of this precious portion of our fold; the lambs of our Saviour's flock? The Sunday School is not designed to release us from duty, but to enable us to do our duty better. It is a wise and prudent application to the service of the Church, of a principle, which, in the affairs of human life, is most useful and effective. It is the division, but let us all remember, not the delegation of labour! If we do it not ourselves, we must see that it is done well."

Our limits will not allow us either to make further extract or extend our remarks; but we cannot help congratulating the American Episcopal Church upon the possession of a Pastor, who, although, as we have been informed, in the enjoyment of considerable wealth, is indefatigable in the discharge of his clerical duties, and a real blessing to the neighbourhood in which he resides.

Letters on the Physical History of the Earth, addressed to Professor Blumenbach: containing Geological and Historical Proofs of the Divine Mission of Moses. By the late I. A. De Luc, F.R.S., Professor of Philosophy and Geology at Gottingen. To which are prefixed, Introductory Remarks and Illustrations, together with a Vindication of the Author's claims to original views respecting fundamental points in Geology. By the Rev. HENRY DE LA FITE, A.M. of Trinity College, Oxford, and Member of the Royal Society of Literature. London: Rivingtons. 1831. Pp.

viii. 284.

A VERY proper and well-timed publication. Geology has so many difficulties for the fearful-minded Christian, rendered more difficult by the controversies of its teachers, that book any which serves to disabuse the public mind, at the same time that it enters upon the subjects with which the

science is conversant, cannot but be acceptable to both the Christian and the geologist. The chief object of Mr. De La Fite, in thus re-publishing the clever letters of his late learned friend, De Luc, is to vindicate his claims to those laurels with which different societies have been pleased to decorate the brows of gleaners in those fields which he so skilfully reaped, and to assert his right to be considered the original author of certain views and theories appropriated by later students in that particular branch of science which he so successfully cultivated. It detracts nothing from such men as Lyall, and Buckland, and Sedgwick, whose talents and researches, all who have read their writings must acknowledge, to permit an elder brother to take that place of dignity in the temple of fame which is his due by priority of age, and equal, or greater, maturity of judgment; nor can it impede the march of geology, still young and incomplete, to point out whence it started, and to whom its early direction is to be attributed. The great

merit of De Luc was his simpleness of purpose and design; he had no favourite, no fanciful theory to support, but was content to read the page of nature as it was spread before him, and always ready to seek the interpretation of its difficulties in the volume of light, which was written for his instruction by the God of nature. He was neither too conceited to think himself always right, nor too proud to be corrected where he might be wrong, for he knew that the most accurate observer may sometimes err; but he also knew, that, however accurately he might observe, however carefully he might investigate, if he once lost sight of the pole-star of divine truth, he was abroad on the dark waters of a troubled philosophy, and without a guide to direct him, or a harbour to receive him. His researches, therefore, must always be interesting; and though he has, on some points, trusted more to faith than to sight, no one can gainsay his general accuracy of investigation, or deny him the merit of having been an original and profound thinker. Since his time, the science of geology has greatly progressed, and multitudes

of facts, with which he was, from necessity, ignorant, have been brought to bear upon the chief doctrines in which almost all (at least, all logical) geologists agree; but the great data from which his successors reason must be confessed to have been in great measure, if not altogether, established by the individual study and labour of one, who, but for this friendly endeavour of Mr. De La Fite to do him honour, might, before many years, be forgotten in the brilliant circle of names that are familiar to many, who know not why they are so much honoured, or where they acquired their renown.

Religious Principle a Nation's Safety: a Sermon, preached at the Triennial Visitation of the Right Rev. John, Lord Bishop of Lincoln, in St. Martin's Church, Leicester, on Wednesday, July 13, 1831, by the Rev. ANDREW IRVINE, R. D., Vicar of St. Margaret's, Leicester. London: Rivingtons. 1831. 8vo. Pp. 31.

MR. IRVINE preaches from Ephes. v. 15, 16. Adverting to the twofold interpretation which commentators have affixed to the latter clause of the text, he observes, that in either acceptation of the words redeeming the time, the reason assigned for so doing, because the days are evil, applies with full force at present. He then glances rapidly at the fearful signs of the times, and, tracing the evils which threaten us to the prevailing thirst for knowledge unsanctified by religion, and the unholy readiness with which the demand is satisfied, proceeds to point out the means, under Providence, by which they may be averted. In opposition to that heathenish system of education which excludes religion from its plan of instruction, he enforces the duty of the Clergy to be instant in training up the young in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to superintend diligently the schools, to preach earnestly in the sanctuary; and not only so, but to keep up a constant intercourse with their flock in daily visitations at their respective dwellings. We are sure that the appeal of Mr. Irvine will not be lost upon his hearers. The Clergy are now sensibly alive to the

duties of their profession; and there was not one, we are persuaded, who heard the able discourse of their clerical brother, whose heart did not anticipate every suggestion so justly and affectionately advanced.

Observations on the History of the Preparation for the Gospel, and its early Propagation; from the dedication of Solomon's Temple to the end of the first Christian Century. By the Rev. I. COLLINSON, M. A. Rector of Gateshead, Durham. London: Rivingtons. 1830. Pp. xii. 448.

THE object of this work appears to be of a complexion similar to that of Mr. Rose's on the Progressive Character of the Gospel (vide Christian Remembrancer, vol. xii. p. 91); though confined to the periods before, or immediately connected with, the dawn of Christianity. The introduction considers the necessity for religion, the arguments for a revelation, and the superior claims of that of the Gospel; and sets out with stating the author's design to be a consideration of the best means of its propagation; the duty of which is then demonstrated from the command of its founder, and the beneficial effects which flow from it. An historical detail, developing the divine scheme for the introduction of Christ's religion, forms the body of the book, which is divided into chapters, each embracing a certain period, and gradually establishing the different claims which the subject has on the good offices of the professing Christian. There is much to interest, as well as to instruct, in this undertaking; and it has not diminished the pleasure we have had in its perusal, to find the tone of the writer's mind so congenial with the sentiments which it has been our wish and aim, in the pages of our Remembrancer, continually to enforce. He

has alluded forcibly to the certain and unerring effect of silent labour in the spirit of Christianity for the furtherance of God's kingdom, and has shewn that, as far as the experience of history can determine it, the voice of God is generally more plain in the still whisper of humble confidence than in the earthquake of popular

clamour, or the whirlwind of uneducated and opinionated declaimers. No one can certainly deny, that, even in the present age, conversions do take place, (for if they did not, what hope could any man have of preaching the Gospel at all?) but it is not always the less certain, that in the asserted conversions, with the accounts of which certain publications abound, there is oftentimes to be traced more the evidence of opinions changed for temporal gain, than of convictions wrought of the necessity of spiritual advantage. The silent and unobtrusive march of the Gospel, from the day when it first broke through the darkness of heathenism to the present hour, points out the course which it is likely still to pursue, if success is to be expected; and the instruments which were employed by the Holy Spirit no less clearly demonstrate, that a course of preparation is to be attended to if Missionaries hope for the attainment of their object; that it is not the noisy display of pharisaical ostentation, but the quiet steadiness of devoted diligence, which is best able to attract the regards of the worldly-minded caviller at revelation; and that the combined efforts of those who profess" one faith"

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one Lord," taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the progress of the arts and the influence of power, are, when directed to the only legitimate end of all religion, the sole honour and glory of Jehovah, almost certain of securing the benefits at which they aim, to those whose interests they profess to serve.

A Letter to R. M. Beverley, in answer to his Address to his Grace the

Archbishop of York. By MARK ROBINSON. London: Seeley; Longman. 1831. 8vo. Pp. 54.

IN a former number (July) we briefly noticed a small pamphlet, by the Rev. W. T. Wild, in reply to Mr. Beverley's letter. We did not then anticipate the pleasing task of noticing so able an answer by a layman, as that put forth by Mr. Robinson, to the revilings and slanders of the Beverley madman, the very counterpart of Solomon's "madman who casteth fire