simplicity of the gospel. And he the happy influence of revision and clearly points ont their tendency correction upon accuracy of stateto produce the divine, the social, ment and propriety of expressiand the personal virtues. It will on. soon be perceived that the writer is familiarly acquainted with Hartley's "Observations on Man," of the philosophy of which, and sometimes even of it's phraseology, we observe that he avails himself. (163-180.)

After having given definitions of knowledge, of virtue and of vice, Mr. B. observes, (183:)

From the whole of his ments he infers that

argu

"The character of an enlightened and consistent christian is a sublime, a dignified, and an eminently useful character; and that the tendency of christian principles is to conduct the mind to the highest attainments in wisdom and virtue, and to elevate human nature to its happiest and most perfect state.'

"It is true," he adds, " that this effect is not completely produced in any human character, and the history of the world supplies us with ONE example only of consummate virtue. But, though human frailty, under the best culture, falls short of absolute perfection, it is, nevertheless, evident that the direct tendency of christian principles is to meliorate and exalt the character, and that, in proportion as they prevail, they greatly improve the condition both of individuals and society; though, by countervailing influences, they are prevented from producing all those beneficial effects to which they naturally tend." (178, 179.)

"The objects of knowledge are various and though all are in some degree connected with each other, yet, as the human mind is contracted in its comprehension, no individual can embrace the whole compass of science, and indeed very few can comprehend any considerable variety of subjects. It is not then kind of knowledge which is proevery ductive of virtue, but chiefly that of which virtue is the principal topic, the seience, as it may properly be called, of theology and morals: the sublimest of all sciences, and perhaps not the most easy of attainment, at least if we may judge by the gross errors into which many persons, and those not always the most ignorant and illiterate, fall upon these subjects. It is a vulgar error that knowledge has little or no connexion with virtue and piety: for men who excel in abstract or physical science sometimes appear to be sceptics in religion and defaulters [defi cient] in virtue. This, however, is not a fair conclusion; for how profound soever the speculations of such persons may be upon other subjects, they are often, mere novices in the science of morals, and stripings in the truest and the best philosophy. But that a person who has paid the same attention to the e interesting subjects which is directed by others to those branches of science in which they are ambitious to excel, and who, in consequence of impartial and laborious inquiry, has attained just sentiments of region and morals, should, at the same time, be practically vicious, is, I believe, a very uncommon case. that it has never happened. But it is most certain that persons of this descripKnowledge the foundation of tion must have been placed in circumVirtue:" he appears, however, stances peculiarly disadvantageous, if with superior advantage in the these cicumstances were capable of counpresent publication of it; and some teracting the valuable impressions which are the natural result of [which are natu of our readers will, probably, belly made by the steady, habitual congratified and instructed by com- teniplation of moral truth.” paring for themselves, the two

The title of the sixth and last discourse is, "The subserviency of knowledge to virtue," (John xvii. 3,) and is the same, we perceive, in substance, with a ser mon which our author printed in 1795, and which he entitled

I will not say

Some valuable observations fol. compositions, and by observing low on credulity and scepticism;

(184-189.) and Mr. B. remarks Mr. B. has entitled his work, "A that to the latter of these extremes summary view of the evidence and there is, in the present age, a

peculiar tendency.

"There is, sometimes" he says, "in mind an inertia similar to that of matter. When it has once taken a direction, it is with difficulty stopped."

He adds

"To believe nothing, all that is necessary is not to think, nor to inquire about any thing: and I have no doubt, that scepticism is much more frequently the resut of indolence or inattention, than of inquiry. One thing, however, is selfevident that unbelief is not knowledge"

Mr. B. proceeds to state the nature, importance and difficulty, of the question discussed in this

Sermon:

“What are the best means of securing

to every individual his own greatest ultimate felicity?" (189—191.)

And he informs us that, for this purpose, it is necessary to attain correct notions concerning the existence, the character and the government of God, the evidence of a future life, and the most efficacious means of obtaining the divine favour both at present and hercafter. (191.)

Under the second of these heads the preacher takes occasion to enlarge on the unspeakable value of the christian revelation, as the only solid basis of our immortal hopes. The whole passage is particularly deserving of perusal : but we cannot quote it, without exceeding our proper limits. (198–201.)

This discourse, the ablest and most original in the volume, exhibits the reasoning and spirit of the best philosophy, and, though addressed immediately to young persons, may be read, in general, with advantage and delight.

On the whole, notwithstanding

practical importance of the Christian revelation," it contains an assemblage of information and arguments which we have rarely seen brought together in so small a compass; and, in truth, it is more ample, profound and satisfactory, than many larger treatises on the same subject. Nothing of main importance appears to be omitted: nothing is discussed carelessly and superficially. If no notice is taken of some collateral and subsidiary points of reasoning, (and, under this class, we should have been happy if the author had favoured us with his opinion, respecting the famous passage found in Josephus) it is evidently because it was inconsistent with the limited scope of the publication.

By no qualities, however, is this volume more honourably distinguished than by the spirit of candour and ingenuousness which it uniformly breathes. Objections are fairly represented: concessions, when concessions are thought to be called for, are readily and handsomely made. Those bitter invectives, those intolerant denunciations, those hateful insinuations which disgrace many professed advocates of revelation have no place in these pages.

The author is a firm, but, at the same time, he is a liberal, defender of the gospel. His manner bespeaks his sincerity and benevolence; and we trust that, combined with his theological information and intellectual ability, it will effectually recommend this summary, &c. to the attention of unbelievers.

We hope to take early notice.

of his intended discourses on in- The style of our author is, in spiration, upon their appearance general, easy, perspicuous, flowfrom the press. With pleasure ing and energetic; and this in a and gratitude we anticipate the degree that will give him some wider diffusion of accurate theolo- claim to distinction even as a gical knowledge, by means of his writer. But it is occasionally lectures on the evidences, doctrines disfigured by learned words (e. g. and institutions of religion. Will generate, meliorate,) and by long those of our readers who attend or by ill-divided sentences; and it upon them permit us to suggest would probably gain in correctness that something beyond mere atten- and precision, without losing in dance is requisite, if they wish to elegance, by more of the lime lado justice to these instructions? bor. After all, its faults are tri Proper books must be perused, vial, its excellences, solid; nor and reflection and thought must should we have deemed it an be seriously exercised. Without advantage to point out what these, lectures may make them we consider its blemishes had conceited, but will never make the writer been of inferior methem wise.

rit.

ART. III.-The Wants of the People; and the Means of the Government; or Objections. to the Interference of the Legislature in the affairs of the Poor, as recommended by Mr. Whitbread in the House of Commons, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 1807. By John Bone. 8vo. pp. 105. 3s. Jordan and Maxwell. 1807.

The condition of the English Poor Laws. He here terms the poor is confessedly bad: this is an Pauper System "a Bill of Inable and spirited attempt to shew dictment against the whole pe that the only thing which parlia- ple and their posterity." ment can do for their relief is to repeal all past acts of interference and to let them alone for the future.

"It will be recollected that the Thirty-nine Articles and the Pauper system were cast in the same mouk; and let every reasonable Mr. Bone is, in his leading being ask himself, whether the principles, a disciple of Dr. Adam sovereigns, the lords, the bishops, Smith; and his speculations evince much of the sagacity and judgment, much of the power of generalization blended with faithful attention to detail, which characterized that eminent master of Political Economy.

In this and former publications Mr. B. contends for the inexpediency and perniciousness of the

or the senators, who were anxious to prove that God had made the majority of his creatures for the sole purpose of consigning them to endless damnation, would be peculiarly solicitous about finding the best means of saving them from temporal starvation." p. 52.

Our author dares to take the field against a philosopher, strong

Dr. S. Stillman-Sir E. Harrington.

in popular opinion and great au- one arises out of the impossibility thorities-Mr. Malthus. He de- of Government interfering with nies both the necessity of po- this plan, without throwing all verty forming any part of our po- its advantages into the hands of litical system, and the necessity of the established church in a short checking our population." He time. I am satisfied that Mr. says that "the whole amount of Whitbread can have no such deMr. Malthus's argument is, that sign, and there can be little reathe world will be filled with misery son to doubt, but that, in the outa thousand years hence; and there- set, every care will be taken to fore we ought to begin to be miser- give the children of dissenters the able in good time." same advantages as the children of

The pamphlet however, is churchmen. It is not, however, principally designed to point out in the nature of the thing, that the impolicy of Mr. Whitbread's whilst all the appointments must projected Poor Bill; and it cer. necessarily be made by churchtainly deserves the serious atten- men, the feelings of dissenters will tion of all such as feel interested continue long to be consulted. in that great and important mea- The consequence will be, that sure. One conséquence of the dissenters will be obliged to withBill, should it pass into a Law, draw their children from those is here exposed, which has, we confess, from the first alarmed us; though there is reason to apprehend it will be little regarded in the House of Commons: we mean the tendency of the proposed plan of parish education to aggravate the power, already oppressive, of the established church.

schools, and bear the expense of educating them themselves; but the system will then be formed, the taxes will be settled for its maintenance, and the whole nation will be obliged to pay for a large and unnecessary Institution, that will be supported as the estab lished church now is--FOR ONE "Beside these objections (says PARTICULAR SECT ALONE." p. the author,) I think a very strong 102.

OBITUARY.

ment, what the particular Baptists of this country are- -Calvinistic. His funeral sermon was preached to an immense auditory by Dr. Baldwyn, pastor of the second Baptist Church in Boston."

"March 13, in the 70th year of his age, Dr. SAMUEL STILLMAN, of Boston. He was born at Philadelphia, Feb. 27, 1737; educated at Charleston, South Carolina, and ordained there in Feb. 1759. He first settled in the ministry near Charleston, but soon left it on ac- "March 18, at his lodgings in Loncount of his health; and in Jan. 1765, don, aged 54, Sir EDW. HARRINGwas fixed over the first Baptist Church TON, only son of the venerable Dr. H. in Boston, of which he continued pastor of Bath, and a member of the corporato the day of his death. His character tion of that city. He was the author was excellent, his talents respectable, of Travels through parts of France.' his services popular. He was in senti-A skezzio on the Gepius of Man:'

Mrs. M. Austin More-Mrs. A. Ferningbam-Rev. E. Owen-Rev. S. ThomasC. Dily, Esq.- Mrs. S. Porter.

"Mar h 23 at Bruges, in Flanders, dese vedly honoured by her whole community, and reat y re pected by all who knew her, Mrs MARY AUSTIN MORE, Superioress of the Convent of En lih Nuns there, and many years esident at Hengrave, near Bury. She was the last lineal descendant of the celebrated Sir Thomas More. Likew se in the same Convent, in her 20th year, Mrs A. JERNINGHAM, a near relation of Sir Wm J. Bart. well known by his poetical produ tions."

and a small volume of the ludicrous handsome property, he suddenly relinkind dedicated to the late Lord Thur- quished business, but does not appear to low, when Chancellor." have thus added to his enjoyments." Having no family, and probably having never derived from his intercourse with books, that easy and agreeable use of them, which might ufficiently occupy his solitude, he was in danger of becom ing one of the numerous class of men of leisure, such as the celebrated Lord Fa kland used to pity, especially in rainy weather. He is indeed described as having acquired an alarming dejection of spirits." He was now "persuaded to adopt in Brunswick Row, the sociability if not the employment of the Thus Poultry." he was in a great mea ure roused from his melancholy'; and continued to enjoy a few years of real comfort; distributing, not unfre quently, a portion of his large property in act of the most disinterested benevo lence;" thus adopting the poet's remedy against ennui, to do some gen'rous good'

April, at Warrin ton, the Rev. E. OWEN, rector of that place, and master of the Fice Grammar-School. The Rev. Gilbert Wakefield, who for some time was classi al tutor to the Warring son Academy, became acquainted with Mr. O. whom he describes aa man of most elegant learning, unimpeachable veracity, snd peculiar benevolence of heart;" known by several sermons and tracts; and more distinguished by a translation of Juvenal and Per-ius, with a preface and disputations relative to his author highly meritorious and instructive."

"April-at Hambrook, near Bristol, after a short illness, the Rev. SAM. THOMAS, many years minister of the Dissenting congregation at Frenchay."

May 4, at Rams ate, aged 68, CHA, DILLY, Esq. of Brunswick Row, formerly an eminent Bookseller in the Poultry. Mr. D. was born in 1739, at Southhil, Bedfordshire, of a respect. able family who were Protestant Dissenters. His elder brother, Edward, having established a considerable t ade in Books, by exportation to Ameri a, and especially by the publication of the Works of the Dissenting Divines, took Mr. C. D. into partnership on his return from a hort tour in America. Mr E. D dying in 1779, the whole of that lucrative concern came into his brother's

hands.

"Mr. D. arrived at Ramsgate, on Saturday the 2d of May on a visit to Mir. Cumberland, in whose Memoirs he is noticed with great regard. On Sunday evening he was attacked by an oppression of breath, which took him off on the following morning." In the disposal of his ample fortune, leaving the bulk of it to relations, he has not been unmindful of some usefu public charities, and several of his literary friends.

She

May 9, at Portsmouth, Mrs. SA RAH PORTER, aged 71 year; 56 of which she was member of the General Baptist Church at that place, of which her husband the late Mr. Matthew Porter was many years deacon. was sister to John Brent Esq. of Blackheath, and pos essed all those virtues which render possessors objects of love and esteem. A generous warmth of friendship towards those he e teemed worthy objects; a forgiving christian disposition, a faithful dis harge of the conjugal, relative, and social duties, a most scrupulous attendance on public worship, a brality of entiment wor thy the eatest character, and a constant practice of benevo nce, in which had her circumstances permitted her a ful er indulge ce few would have her superio s, form the mo t p ominent features of her amiable character. En 3 F

Mr. C. D. was, like his brother, a liberal purchaser of copy-right, and kept an hospitable table for the entertainment of authors and literary friends. He has honourable mention on this score, in Boswell's Life of Johnson, "After 40 years application, having acquired a

VOL. II,

een