Makes human life a sacred, holy thing,

Which human hands may touch not? Or will they
Whom discipline and reason could not bring

To yield their heart's obedience, fear your sway,

Because the sceptre of the grave ye wield,

And with the arms of death, yourselves from death would shield? 'No.-You have taught them to despise his power;

To brave the king of terrors in his might;

To see the shades of darkness round them lower,
Nor shrink, nor quail, nor tremble at the sight:
Shewed them, how callous guilt all fear controls;
How undismayed an infidel can die,

And mock at death. How darkly on your souls
A shadow from that fearful scene would lie,
If, of yon crowd, one so hath understood

The lesson you have writ in characters of blood!

Why then this waste of life,-this law, that yields
That to the scythe, not for the gathering meet?
Are ye sent forth into your master's fields

To pluck the tares that spring amongst his wheat?
Are ye not rather told, "that both shall grow
Together till the harvest?" So decreed
The Lord of life,-He who alone can know
The seed of promise from the worthless weed:
The angels are his reapers; they shall come

To bind the appointed sheaves, and bear their burdens home.

Frail man! from you the perfect law of love

Demands that mercy which you hope to find:

Then, if you look for pardon from above,
Shew mercy to your brethren of mankind.
Salvation, not destruction, be your aim,

Knowing that "he who winneth souls is wise:"
That they who seek the guilty to reclaim,
Shedding, where ignorance or darkness lies,
That light divine, to man in mercy given,

Themselves "shall shine as stars eternally in heaven."'

We are reluctant to lessen the effect of these pathetic and powerful stanzas, by a single comment; and yet we cannot forbear to remark, that the Writer's philanthropy has trespassed beyond the line of safe or sound reasoning, when the exhortation not to resist evil', is cited as applicable to judicial punishment. To confound private retaliation with public retributive justice, is a palpable error. The inexpediency, inutility, inhumanity of capital punishments, in the greater part of the instances in which the extreme sanction of the law is had recourse to, we have always been forward to admit; but we cannot perceive that the Scriptures authorize the opinion, that they are in all cases unlawful or inconsistent with the genius of Christianity. The 'sword' of the

magistrate is recognized as among the ordinances of God, for the terror of evil-doers. But as to the effect of public executions, in hardening the spectators, there can be no question. When the public feeling is in sympathy with the criminal, which is not unfrequently the case, it is in insurrection against the laws. When, as in some recent executions, it sets in with the decision of penal justice, the effect is, the excitement and revolting expression of malignant and ferocious joy, which has in it nothing virtuous. Thus, in any case, whatever other purpose capital punishments may answer, by striking with terror those who are not yet hardened in crime, or branding certain crimes with the character of inexpiable and infamous offences, their demoralizing tendency cannot, in our opinion, be denied.

Art. VIII. The Political Duties of the Ministers of Religion in Times of great National Excitement. By the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, A.M., Vicar of Harrow. 8vo. pp. 42. Price 1s. 6d. London, 1831.

A VERY candid, judicious, and seasonable train of remark and admonition on a very delicate and important topic. Earnestly do we wish that every clergyman and minister of religion would take the faithful counsel of the much respected writer, with regard to the negative' and positive' duties which he considers as peculiarly incumbent upon them at the present critical period. Among the former are specified, -shrinking from every thing like political notoriety'; intermeddling as little as possible with the details of politics; cautiously avoiding the character of a political partisan; and guarding against being betrayed by political bias into the vindication of what is morally wrong, or the violation of what is morally right. The more positive duties insisted upon, comprise, the imperious obligation to give the strongest footing and widest prevalence to the great principles on which all true policy depends;-the duty of cherishing, amid contending political parties, a spirit of candour and kindness;—and that of labouring to qualify the people for the discharge of any new obligations which may devolve upon them.' The spirit of the pamphlet does honour to the Writer's heart. A better Charge' could not have been addressed to the clergy by any of the episcopal 'order'. We have room only for a few sentences towards the conclusion.

We cannot force men into religion; and, if we could, force is any thing but the proper instrument of our warfare-non religionis est, cogere religionem. But we may, "by preaching and argument, by charity and sweetness, by holiness of life, assiduity of exhortation, by the word of God, and prayer", hope to win men from error, and attach them to the truth. And happy is that Minister of Religion who, though no sharer of his conntry's wealth or honours, can calmly consign himself to his grave of turf, with the joyful remembrance that he has, though with much imperfection, for which he casts himself on the compassion of his God, striven heartily, honestly, and in the gentle and loving spirit of his Master, to take much from the burdens of his country, and add much to her joys.'

ART. IX. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Early in January will appear, in demy 8vo., an Essay on the Rights of Hindoos over Ancestral Property, according to the Law of Bengal. By Rajah Rammohun Roy. With an Appendix, containing Letters on the Hindoo Law of Inheritance.

Also, by the same Author, in 1 Vol. demy 8vo., Remarks on East India Affairs; comprising the Evidence to the Committee of the House of Commons on the Judicial and Revenue Systems of India; with a Dissertation on its Ancient Boundaries, and its Civil and Religious Divisions; also, Suggestions for the future Government of the Country. Illustrated by a Map, and further enriched with Notes by the distinguished Author.

Just ready, in 1 Vol. royal 8vo., illustrated with Plates, Who Can They Be? or, a Description of a Singular Race of Aborigines, inhabiting the Summits of the Neilgherry Hills, or Blue Mountains of Coimbatoor. By Captain H. Harkness, of the Madras Army.

Early in January will be published, Part IV. of India; or, Facts submitted to illustrate the Character and Condition of the Native Inhabitants, the Causes which have for ages obstructed the Improvement of the Country; with Suggestions for reforming the present System, and the Measures to be adopted for its future Government at the Expiration (in 1834,) of the present Charter of the East India ComBy Robert Rickards, Esq. This Part will complete the Se

pany.

cond Volume.

Nearly ready, in 1 Vol. demy 8vo, illustrated with Plates, A Six Weeks' Tour in Switzerland and France, giving an accurate Account of the different routes, and affording every necessary information for the guidance of future Travellers. By the Rev. William Liddiard, Author of "A Metrical Tale of Switzerland," "The Legend of Einsidlin," &c. &c.

In a few days will be published, in 2 Vols. foolscap 8vo., with a Portrait, The Records of a Good Man's Life. By the Rev. Charles B. Tayler, M.A. Author of " May You Like It," "A Fireside Book,” &c. &c.

Nearly ready, in post 8vo., Illustrated, Summer Thoughts and Rambles; a Collection of Tales, Facts, and Legends. By Henry Glassford Bell, Esq. Author of "Summer and Winter Hours," &c.

Mr. Berry and Son, (the former many years Registrars' Clerk in the College of Arms, Author of several Works upon Heraldry and Genealogy,) are about to commence publishing, to be continued monthly, a Genealogical Peerage of England, Scotland and Ireland, illustrated with very superior Engravings of the Arms, Crest, and Supporters of each Peer.

In the press, and will be published in January, in 1 Vol. 12mo., the Laws of Christ; being a complete Digest of all the Precepts contained in the New Testament, in the very words of Scripture ; with Devout Meditations on each topic of Duty: arranged for the daily perusal of the Christian in his closet, throughout the year. By Joseph Turnbull, A.B. Minister of the Gospel. The profits of the volume will be devoted to the cause of Christian Missions among the Mohammedan Nations.

In the press, A new Edition of Brown's Self-Interpreting Bible, with Marginal Notes, References, &c., and a Life of the Author, by his Grandson.

In the press, Advice to a Young Christian, on the importance of aiming at an elevated Standard of Piety, in a Series of Letters to a Young Lady, by a Village Pastor.

Nearly ready, the Mythology of the Hindus, with notices of various Mountain and Island Tribes who inhabit the two Peninsulas of India and the neighbouring Islands. In three parts;-the first part containing the Hindu Mythology; the second, Notices of Various Tribes; and the third, a Dictionary of the Mythological and religious terms of the Hindus. Compiled from the best authorities, with Plates illustrative of the principal Hindu Deities. By Charles Coleman, Esq.

On the 1st of February, 1832, will be published (to be continued regularly on the 1st of February in every succeeding year,) the Cabinet Annual Register, and Historical, Political, Biographical and Miscellaneous Chronicle for the year 1831. Strictly neutral in politics, this work aspires to present to the public a History of the Year, at once brief and comprehensive. It will comprise an impartial Retrospect of Public Affairs, at Home and Abroad-A Summary of the Parliamentary Debates-A Chronicle of Events and Occurrences-Reports of Remarkable Trials and Law Cases-Biographical Sketches of all the Distinguished Personages who have died during the year-Public Documents of value-Tables-Lists, &c. &c. It will form an exceedingly neat volume, consisting of upwards of 400 closely-printed pages, uniform, in size and appearance, with Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Library, neatly bound in cloth, and lettered, price 7s. 6d. ; or, in elegant Turkey morocco half-binding, with gilt edges, &c. 10s.

In the Press, The History of the Jews in all ages, written upon Scriptural Principles, and including a statement of the design of the Divine Dispensations to that wonderful People, the original cause of their dispersion-the fulfilment of Prophecy in the events which have affected their National condition-the declared intention of God concerning them, and the truths demonstrated by their extraordinary annals. By the Author of "History in all Ages." In 1 Vol. foolscap 8vo.

Preparing for publication, Maternal Sketches, with Minor Poems, by Eliza Rutherfoord.

The Cabinet Lawyer, an enlarged, improved, and corrected Edition, (being the seventh,) including all the recent Legal Alterations, will appear early in the present month.

In a short time will be published, Vol. II. (which completes the Work) of a Concise View of the Succession of Sacred Literature, in a Chronological Arrangement of Authors and their Works, from the Invention of Alphabetical Characters, to the Year of our Lord 1300.— By J. B. B. Clarke, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge; and Chaplain to H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex."

ART. X. WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Select Library, Vol. V. being Stewart's Visit to the South Seas. Edited by the Rev. W. Ellis. Embellished with a Portrait of Mr. Stewart, Vignette Title, and Chart of the Marquesas, &c. &c. 6s.

Sacred Imagery; or Illustrations of the principal figures of Speech from the Bible. Intended for the Instruction of young Children, by assisting them in the acquirement of the principles of language. By Joseph Fincher, Esq. Author of "The Achievements of Prayer," &c. 18mo. 1s. 6d.

Julia and her Mother; or Reading made useful. 12mo. Is. 6d.

THEOLOGY.

The Religionists designating themselves Unitarians, not entitled to the Christian Name, being a Reply to a Sermon preached in Mill Hill Chapel, Leeds, denominated, "Unitarians entitled to the name of Christians," by Joseph Hutton, L.L.D.; and a Defence of the Author from charges in the Letter appended to that Sermon, founded on certain passages in his Address to the Constituents of Airedale College. By Richard Winter Hamilton, Minister of Albion Chapel, Leeds. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

The Shaking of the Nations, with the corresponding Duties of Christians; a Ser

mon preached at Craven Chapel, Regent Street, on November 13th, 1831. By J. Leifchild. To which is added, an Appendix, containing an account of some extraordinary Cases of Enthusiasm and Fanaticism in various ages of the world. Svo.

The State of Unitarianism in England: an Article reprinted, by permission, from the Eclectic Review for October, 1830. 8vo.

The Offices of the Holy Spirit. Four Sermons preached before the University of Cambridge, in the month of November 1831. By the Rev. Charles Simeon, M.A. Senior Fellow of King's College. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Sermons by the late Rev. Edward Payson, D.D. Pastor of the Second Church in Portland, in the United States. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

A New Edition of Herbert's Priest to the Temple, or the Country Parson; his Character and Rule of Holy Life; with the Church Porch, &c., and a Sketch of his Life from Walton. Royal 32mo. 2s. 6d. in cloth, or 5s. in Morocco.

On the Miraculous Gifts of the primitive Christians, and Modern pretensions to their exercise: a Discourse delivered at Stepney Meeting, Lord's Day Evening Nov. 27, 1831, by Joseph Fletcher, D.D.

The Christian Pastor visiting his Flock, and the Flock reciprocating their Shepherd's care. By John Morison, D.D. 2s. in cloth, and 3s. in silk.