former age, and seemed in their reasonings on the subject of church government, to leave Dissenters to the uncovenanted mercies of God." In the estimation of this writer, the general consistency of these miserable men as ministers of the established communion, seems to have been meritorious enough to induce him to regard them with esteem, notwithstanding the selfishness, tyranny, and ungodliness, which his own representation just given fastens upon them. The man who could represent a spirit so satanical, and record attempts so antichristian, without rising into feelings of powerful indignation, must have been forgetful, if he ever knew them, of the leading doctrines of the New Testament and principles of Christian liberty, or a total stranger to the generous emotions of holy benevolence. It is sufficiently obvious, that if the Dissenters were entirely under the crated Dr. Coke, a clergyman who had served the cure of South Petherton, in Somersetshire, to the office of a Bishop, who himself subsequently consecrated Mr. Astbury." The writer goes on to say: "It is not surprising that such assumption of episcopal power should have been animadverted on by the regular clergy of the national establishment, who could not understand how the greater was blessed of the less."" Does this historian really believe that any man, in any church, can invest a fellow-mortal with the office of minister of the gospel, and communicate virtue to him for the discharge of its duties; so that the pious and competent believer who wishes to instruct the ignorant around him, who has not submitted to such a service, and received such a regular blessing, is not duly qualified to preach? If he really do, which we do not affirm, we wish him better success in studying the New Testament, and better to un-power of the regular and consistent derstand from whom his own authority to teach others the way of life was communicated. At present, we have not to defend Mr. Wesley, but we fully believe that every man who fears God, understands the way of 'salvation, and wishes to teach it to others, has a right to engage in this good work. A right which no bi-follow the example of the apostles, shop can confer, and which no ma- and are, generally, as superior to gistrate can take away. A right the supercilious priests who affect which he is to maintaiu in his prac- to pity them, in unbought loyalty tice, as good opportunity arises, in and piety, as they are in gospel opposition to the opposing opinions knowledge. The husbandman who of all the bishops in Christendom. should avow it as his expectation, Has Mr. Middleton forgotten the that the rain of heaven would visit words of his Lord? He will find his own, but not refresh the fields of them in the 10th chapter of Mat- his neighbour, would be deemed a thew, and the 16th, 17th, 18th, 27th, lunatic; and, if the men we have and 28th verses. Perhaps he will thought it just to chastise, really say these were ministers appointed believed their own frantic assertions, by Jesus Christ: we should ask, if they should be put in the same class. Those who possess grace, talent, a desire, and good opportunity to preach, are not such also. In the thirty-first page of the volume now under consideration, the class of clergymen denominated orthodox, is highly extolled for consistency. It is, however, admitted that some in this body, "in their zeal against schismatical principles and practices, revived the high Tory spitit of a ecclesiastics above described, the tenderest mercies of these men towards them, would be cruelty. It would be well if those who manifest such a spirit against the Dissenters, would recollect, that in refusing to conform to human institutions of religion, these enlightened men "Our Creator is love," and has declared, that " in every nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness, is accepted of him;" and it is not to be endured, that any man should insinuate concerning the pious who are out of his church, that their salvation is doubtful. He had better by far, entertain some doubt respecting his own interest in the Divine favour. We think our author should not have said, as he has done at page 254, that "by the captious and conceited among the Dissenters," Mr. Newton 66 was disliked because he valued his Prayer Book next to his Bible, and sought to make his people good Churchmen, as well as good Christians:" for this, dislike was not improper in such a case, and we doubt not that every intelligent Dissenter in the kingdom lamented, if he knew the fact, that so good a man should have thought and acted in this manner.—We are of opinion that the epithets, conceited and captious, would better fit the regular and consistent priests, who look down upon and calumniate Dissenters, who, in all ages, have been the best friends of their country, and the benefactors of the world. In noticing the Rev. David Simpson of Macclesfield, who so nobly avowed his determination to secede from the establishment, our historian is so good as to inform us, when accounting for it in his way, "that there entered into Mr. Simpson's moral composition, a certain fancifulness, better suited to the atmosphere of Methodism, than the temperature of the national church."At this charge of fancifulness, we smiled, because we recollected that all the consistent and regular clergy teach children, that in baptism they were made members of Christ, children of God, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. The work too, of Mr. Simpson, in which his reasons for the measure he intended are given, is represented as affording traces of "morbid sensibility, acting on à judgment weakened by frequent strokes of paralysis." Now, as we wish to make as many as we are able good Dissenters as well as good Christians, it is our wish that Simpson's Plea for Religion may be universally read, and, as there can be no fancifulness in facts, we wish every reader to contine himself to these, and avoid nonconformity if he can. Let the want of method and moderation in the arrangement and tone of the performance be admitted, we say mind the factsweigh well the facts. Having already exceeded the usual limits of such articles as the us. present in a work of this nature, we cannot notice other evidences of that sectarian spirit which very much disfigures the volume before We wish to live in peace with all men, and to cherish affection toward Christians in every community, but cannot be tame and silent when feelings are indulged, and seutiments expressed, which are hostile to christian liberty, and destructive of true religion. There is but one true church, of which Jesus Christ is the only head, believers in him the only members, and scripture the only law. We must not, however, in paying attention to the defects of our author, forget to give some account of the general contents of his book. It certainly communicates pretty full information respecting the state of religion in the episcopal church, and the talent, piety, and labours, of her best ministers during the period it embraces. It is written in a style of considerable elegance and dignity, not, however, entirely free from stiffness and pomposity. And, if we except such deformities as we have noticed. and lamented, the author generally writes like one who is concerned about the preva lence of virtue and religion. Tales and Dialogues, in Prose and Verse. By Jefferys Taylor, Author of Harry's Holiday, Esop in Rhyme, and Ralph Richards the Miser. 116 pp. 3s. IT is with no small pleasure that we again introduce to our young friends an old acquaintance, who is desirous of paying them another visit during the Christmas holidays, a visit which will afford them instruction united with amusement. It will teach them not to talk faster than they think; the importance of not offending CONSCIENCE; the folly of attending to vulgar superstitions, in a poetical tale; and the wisdom of providing for the future state of existence. The attention is kept up from the beginning to the end. It is ornamented with six beautiful and interesting engravings. scarcely know a more pleasing little book for a Christmas present. We LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. Just Published. Defence of the Deity and Atonement of Jesus Christ, in reply to Ram Mohun Roy of Calcutta. By Dr. Marshman of Serampore. 8vo. 7s. Bds. Conder on Nonconformity. Abridged. 5s. 6d. Roses from the Garden of Sharon. Is. or 10s. per dozen. Sketches of Sermons, Vol. IV. 4s. The Little Stucco Image Merchant. By the Rev. Cæsar Malan. 3d. The Little Christian. By Ditto. 3d. Bonar's Religion the best Friend of the People. 1s. Gleanings &c. to assist the Memory of Youth. By a Parent. Is. By Mrs. Sherwood;- Charles Lorraine, 1s. 6d.-Monthly Tracts, 1d. each-Eliza: or Humble Life. 1s. 6d. -Providence and Grace. 2s.-Veteran Soldier. 10d. Tales and Dialogues. By Jefferys Taylor. 3s. Romaine's Life, &c. of Faith. With an Introduction by Dr. Chalmers. 2 Vols. 9s. Hughes's (Rev. J.) Sermon for Rev. J. Owen. Is. 6d. Ivimey's History of the Baptists: Vol. III. 14s.; to Subscribers 12s. Thomas Johnson's Further Reasons for Dissent. 4d. Snelgar on Early Rising. Second Edition. Dr. Steinkopff's Speech at High Wycombe. Catalogue of Books for 1823, on Miscellaneous Subjects, and in Theology. By James Rusher of Reading. Scholefield's Second Letter to the Earl of Liverpool. Booker's Euthanasia. 4s. 6d. In the Press. The Rev. John Birt of Manchester, is preparing for publication, five Lectures on the Pretensions and Abuses of the Church of Rome. 1. Her Claim to the Appellation "Catholic." 2. The Connection of the Papal Usurpation with Ecclesiastical History. 3. The Genius and Characteristics of the Papal Ascendency. 4. The Church of Rome at present viewed with reference to the past. 5. The Prospects disclosed to the Christian by the actual State of the World. Truth against Falsehood. By Lefevre. Letters on Faith. By the Rev. James Dore. Second Edition. 2s. Bds. Character of Charles II. By John, Duke of Buckingham. Essay on the Resurrection of Christ. By Rev. James Dore. The Precious Gift: Extracts from Doddridge, Cowper, &c. &c. Is. Travels in the Northern States of America. By Timothy Dwight, LL.D. with Maps. 4 Vols. 8vo. about 500 Pages each. Comprising Topography, Natural History, Religion,Institutions, Character of the Inhabitants, Lives of remarkable Individuals, Events, Manners, &c. of the Indians, &c. &c. Lectures on Scripture Comparisons. By Dr. Collyer. Vol. VII. and last of his Evidences of Christianity. The six former Volumes contain Scripture Facts, Prophecy, Miracles, Parables, Doctrines, and Duties. Dr. Chalmers's Economy of Large Towns. Published Quarterly. No. 13, 1s. A Volume of Sermons. By Rev. Samuel Clift of Tewkesbury. Bristed on the Anglican and American Anglo Churches. Rev. Hugh Worthington's Sermons. Intelligence, &c. Conversion of two young Jews. MR. EDITOR, I have been highly gratified to hear from a Dutch gentleman at the Hague, connected with the Bible and other Religious Societies in Holland, that two young Jews, educated at the University of Leyden, and whe have distinguished themselves by their literature, and their general good character, have, by consulting the scriptures, been led to embrace Christianity, and are about to be publicly baptized in the reformed church. The uncle of one of them, who is very rich, informed him how much this step FEB. 6, 1622, a ministers' meeting was held at WALGRAVE, near Northampton, when the Rev. S. Adams (late of Kislingbury) was recognized pastor of the Particular Baptist Church asMr. Chater of Kibsembling there. worth (Independent) began with reading suitable portions of scripture, and prayer. Mr. Blundell of Northampton, and Mr. Hall of Kettering, preached Mr. Barker on the occasion. Mr. Scott of Roth- ing-house was opened in Clement'sApril 16, a Particular Baptist Meetlane, Strand, called ENON CHAPEL, for the use of the church under the THE friends at the Old Baptist Meetang, South-street, have been under the necessity of leaving their place of worship, and it is now shut up. About thirty years ago, the south wall gave way: twenty-five years since, four ribs, or cross pieces, were found necessary, to prevent the roof from falling. Seven years back, long substantial props were passed through the adjoining houses, as buttresses, and within the last few weeks, nine other props have been found necessary to preserve the neighbourhood from destruction. In the year 1814, the Western Association declared that a New Meeting House was necessary at Exeter. The friends at Exeter (as all who really know their circumstances, are convinced) are exerting themselves to the utmost, and more than any other occasion would justify.They are obliged to solicit the aid of Christian benevolence, and they pre-pastoral care of Mr. William House. sent their petition upon the following grounds. First. For more than a century, they and their fathers have never refused one case of any Denomination of Christians, and NEVER solicited public benevolence on any occasion. Secondly. The absolute necessity of the case: it is the hand of God. Thirdly.nisters engaged in the services of the They are doing the utmost to help themselves. Dr. Ryland thus writes at the head of their case. "I was at Exeter immediately after our friends were obliged to leave their old Meeting House, and I am so assured of the goodness of their case, and so well in formed of the diligence of the pastor of the Baptist church, in his daily labours for the good of souls; that I cannot forbear recommending it with peculiar earnestness, as highly deserving the assistance of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ." Dr. Rippon, who was present at the same period, adds this Three discourses were preached: in the morning by Mr. Pritchard of Keppel-street, from Isaiah lx. 7; in the afternoon by Mr. Stephens of Yorkstreet, from Acts v. last verse; in the evening by Mr. Upton of Blackfriars, from Acts viii. 5. Several other mi day. The congregation assembled on the occasion expressed their satisfaction, by giving liberally to the collection, for which the church take this public opportunity of returning them their sincere thanks. July 18, a small neat place of worship was opened at SWERFORD, Oxfordshire. Two sermons were preached on the occasion. The Rev. W. Woolley of Deddington (Independent) preached from Zech. viii. 23 and the Rev. S. Taylor of Shipstone, (Baptist) from Ephes. iii. 8. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Styles of Wroxton, Nunwick of Bloxham, Richards of Hook Norton, Dorney of Swerford, West of Long Compton, and Ward of Stepney. Messrs. Dorney (Baptist) and West (Independent) regularly supply this little sanctuary, which is exceedingly well attended. August 27, a new Baptist Meetinghouse was opened at WESTCOTT, a hamlet to Waddesdon, Bucks, when three sermons were preached by Messrs. Tyler (Ps. xxvi. 8), Wiffin, Independent (1 Cor. i. 22—24), and Williams (Ps. xlix. 8). Devotional exercises by Messrs. Sparkes (Independent), D. Walker, Quainton, and Piggott their constant preacher. A considerable number of children receive instruction every Lord's-day, and good is done. Sept. 3, a new Meeting-house was opened at MARSH-GIBBON, in connexion with the Home Missionary Society. Messrs. Aston (Buckingham), James, and Peter Tyler preached. Messrs. Woolley, Adey, and Sparkes prayed. The attendance was numerous, and the prospect is encouraging the evening, from Matt. x. 32. The services were very interesting and profitable. Oct. 9, a large and commodious chapel was opened for public worship, in LAKE-LANE, PORTSEA; when for the Baptist congregation meeting two sermons were preached in the morning, one by the Rev. D. Miall of Portsea, from Exod. xxv. 8, and the other by the Rev. B. H. Draper of Southampton, from James iii. 5. In the evening the Rev. S. Bulgin of Poole, preached from Is. xlv. 23. Mr. Draper preached the preceding evening in the old place of worship, from Neh. ii. 20. The devotional parts of the service were conducted by Messrs. Shoveller, Brand, Mileham, Franks, Young, Keen, Headden, Arnot, and Neave. This new interest was raised, by the blessing of God on the joint labours of Messrs. Tilly and Clay of Portsea, who commenced preaching in a large school-room (which had been built by a worthy individual) at the close of 1818. The population being large, many people attended, some of whom were deeply affected with the truth. members of the church at Forton (unAt the same time there were several had removed to live in the neighbour der the pastoral care of Mr. Tilly) who hood of Lake-lane. They were recomSept. 25, a General Meeting was mended to form themselves into a disheld at LOUGHWOOD, Dorset; the tinct branch of that church, which they object of which was to make collec- did, and immediately received into tions, and to offer united supplica- their communion those who appeared tions to the God of all grace on behalf to be the subjects of a divine change; of the Home and Foreign Missions. these now amount to more than seThe services of the day commenced venty. Mr. Clay was then invited to with reading, and an introductory become copastor with Mr. Tilly, and prayer by Mr. Basfett of Swansea. was ordained accordingly (in Mr. Mr. Toms of Chard prayed; Mr. Baines Miall's chapel, Portsea, which was of Wellington preached from Mark lent for the occasion) to take a part in xvi. 15, 16; and Mr. Horsey (late of the oversight of both branches of the Taunton) concluded. In the after-church. The branch of Lake-lane benoon Mr. Hine began with reading and prayer; Mr. Wayland of Lyme preached from Isaiah lx. 2; and Mr. Lush of Honiton concluded. The congregations were large and very attentive. Association, for the ISLE OF ELY and its vicinity. The Baptist and Independent Ministers held their halfyearly meeting at Barton-Mills, on Thursday, Oct. 3. Mr. Dewhirst of Bury preached in the morning, from Prov. xix. 2; Mr. Sheppard of Burwell in the afternoon, from 2 Thess. iii. 5; and Mr. Ellborough of Thetford in ing increased, both in members and congregation, it became necessary to enlarge the place, or erect a larger one; and, as there was sufficient land for the purpose, the latter measure was adopted, and a place, fifty-seven feet by thirty-four, with a large gallery, has been built. The old place is to remain for the use of the Sunday School, in which about seven hundred poor children are taught gratuitously.* *These poor children raise fifteen pounds per annum to support a native school in India, which is called the Lake-lane School. |