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LECTURES ON THE DISPENSATIONS OF GOD WITH ADAM. By RALPH WARDLE, of Thatcham, Berks. 12mo.

Holdsworth and Ball.

THE excellent author of these Lectures has laboured, with considerable success, to produce an instructive volume on a subject but little understood, and but seldom discussed. We do not by any means consider the polemic merits of this work to be equal to those of an essay, on the same important subject, published, some years ago, by our highly esteemed friend, the Rev. David Russell, of Dundee; but we can assure our readers that Mr. Wardle is a writer of no mean powers, and that he has supplied a volume of great practical utility, and by no means deficient in those qualities which render a theological treatise valuable to those who are anxious to penetrate somewhat beneath the mere surface of things. But the highest recommendation of these lectures is their evangelical sentiments and their pious reflections. We trust the author will realize the gratification of finding that they are well received by the public, and that they are useful to the souls of men. As they have been published for the benefit of a large and interesting family, we must be forgiven if we deviate from our usual course, and urge this circumstance as a motive with the benevolent public for the purchase of the work. We particularly beg that those who are kind enough to fall in with our suggestion, will request their country agents to order the volume of Messrs. Holdsworth and Ball, St. Paul's Churchyard.

WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

1. Early Discipline Illustrated; or, the Infant System Progressing and Successful. By SAMUEL WILDERSPIN. 12mo. 5s. This is really a work of extraordinary interest. We hope soon to be able to point out its characteristic excellencies.

2. Scripture Principles of Education. By CAROLINE FRY, Author of "The Listener," "Scripture Readers' Guide," &c. &c. 18mo. 2s. 6d. The author of this volume is already advantageously known to the public; and these admirable essays, founded upon several passages of Scripture adapted to the young, will tend to enhance her reputation as an instructor of the rising generation.

3. The Messiah; a Poem, in Six Books. By ROBERT MONTGOMERY. 12mo. 8s. 6d. We think more highly of this poem than of the one entitled "Satan.' There is an adherence to Scripture in its general outline, which must impart satisfaction to the minds of those who look to the Bible for the character and pretensions of their Redeemer.

4. The Rose of Four Seasons; a Selection of Pieces in Prose and Poetry, designed chiefly for Young Ladies. By the Editor of "The Parting Gift," &c. 13mo. 2s. 6d. This is a selection of poetry reflecting great credit on the taste and piety of the individual who has taken upon himself the labour of compilation.

5. Some Thoughts on Personal and Family Religion, and the Means employed for their Revival. By the Rev. GEORGE TOD, Minister of St. David's, Dundee. 18mo. 1s. 3d. There is more useful matter contained in this little volume than in many large works. The author makes his appeal to the word of God, and to the conscience of his readers.

6. An Offering of Sympathy to Parents Bereaved of their Children, and to others under Affliction; being a collection from Manuscripts and Letters not before published; with an Appendix of selections reprinted from the American edition. 18mo. 2s. 6d. This is an excellent present for the Afflicted.

7. Gathered Flowers; chiefly from the works of the British Poets. 18mo. 2s. We sincerely thank the amiable individual who has furnished this selection, for the great industry, piety, and excellent taste which he has displayed.

8. Lectures on Infidelity, and the Evidences of Christianity; delivered at the Baptist MeetingHouse, Luton. By HENRY BURGESS. 12mo. 4s. 6d. Our author thinks very clearly, and expresses himself with simplicity and precision. We think his work very suitable for the perusal of the young.

9. A Biblical and Theological Dictionary ; Explanatory of the History, Manners, and Customs of the Jews, and Neighbouring Nations. With an account of the most remarkable Places and Persons mentioned in Sacred Scripture; an Exposition of the principal Doctrines of Christianity; and Notices of Jewish and Christian Sects and Heresies. By RICHARD WATSON. Imp. 8vo. 25s. This is the production of a great mind, and will be found an invaluable assistant to Biblical students.

10. The Christian's Family Library. No. I. -Luther and the Lutheran Reformation. By JOHN SCOTT, A. M. 5s. 6d.

11. The Christian's Family Library. No. II. -A Memoir of the Rev. Edward Payson, D. D., late Pastor of the Second Church in Portland, U. S. Second English Edition. With an Introduction. By the Rev. E. BICKERSTETH. 5s. 6d.

12. Select Essays on Various Topics, Religious and Moral. By HENRY BELFRAGED. D. 5s. 6d.

13. The Naval, Military, and Village Hymn Book; being a Selection of Psalms and Hymns from the most approved Authors, designed to aid the public and private Devotion of Christians of all Denominations. Compiled by RICHARD WEYMOUTH, Commander, Royal Navy.

PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

1. The Harmony of Religious Truth and Human Reason Asserted, in a series of Essays. By JOHN HOWARD HINTON, A. M. 1 vol. 12mo.

2. The Christian Warfare Illustrated. By the Rev. ROBERT VAUGHAN, Author of "The Life and Opinions of Wycliffe," &c. 1 vol. 8vo. This volume will include preliminary chapters on Human Depravity, Justification, and Spiritual Influence; and a View of the Christian Warfare as connected with Believing, Repentance, Private Devotion, Public Duty, Persecution, Religious Declension, Despondency, Occupation, Retirement, Prosperity, Adversity, and the Fear of Death. Conclusion-The Claims of the Christian Warfare.

VOL. X.

2 F

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The thirteenth anniversary of this important and useful society was holden on Tuesday Evening, May 15th, 1832, at Exeter Hall. THOMAS THOMPSON, Esq. presided.

It is highly gratifying to be able to announce the continued and advancing interest which the public take in this long-needed effort to disseminate the gospel of Christ at home. The simple and unadorned narrative of facts, stated from month to month in the records of the society, must approve itself to every impartial mind, and to the heart of every one who truly and in a scriptural sense loves his country. Here are no sectarian views displayed-no party interests to serve ; but the one undisguised and permanent principle of action is, that Christ may be preached to, and worshipped, and loved, and served, and glorified by, every inhabitant of our beloved but much-neglected country. The report of the society is pre-eminently Catholic, and breathes the spirit of the gospel of peace.

The receipts of the society for the last year were £4673, and the expenditure £5273.

The Rev. Dr. Cox, the Rev. J. Blackburn, the Rev. William Thompson, A.M. of St. Barnabas, the Rev. Dr. Fletcher, the Rev. Dr. Bennett, the Rev. John Clayton, the Rev. John Campbell (Tabernacle), and others, addressed the meeting, which was most numerously and respectably attended. We cannot but cherish a hope, that the religious public in general will feel the great necessity-yea, the call of duty-to support a society whose extensive and salutary operations are so interwoven with the welfare of the country, and the salvation of Britons.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

The first anniversary of this interesting society took place on Tuesday, 22d of May, in the large room at Exeter Hall, and was attended by an overflowing and highly respectable audience; the BISHOP of LONDON, the patron, in the chair. One of the Secretaries read an abridgment of the report, by which it appears that 200 public meetings have been held, with the assistance of deputations from the parent society, besides many others throughout the country; that more than 55 auxiliary societies have been formed; and that nearly 1,000,000 of its publications have been printed in London alone. The report also stated that, in the island of Oahu, a society of 1000 natives have abandoned spirits; that 700 Hottentots on the Kat River, having joined in a Temperance Society,

have petitioned the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope not to grant them any licences for canteens in their new settlement. Several regimental societies have been formed; and 400 Greenwich pensioners have given up their grog, influenced by the example of the two gallant admirals, governors of that establishment. The report holds out the hope of producing, in fifteen years, a saving to the country of £300,000,000 sterling.

Upon the platform we observed four or five prelates, who took part in the proceedings of the meeting, together with some of the most popular of the dissenting ministers, the Solicitor-General for Ireland, Sir J. Webb, Captain Brenton, R.N., and Mr. Broughton, the magistrate. On the bishop's retiring from the chair, it was occupied by Lord Henley. About £150 was collected.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

We regret that, in our number for May, through a pressure of applications, we neglected to insert a notice of this invaluable institution. Its annual meeting was held on the 30th of April, at Exeter Hall, which was crowded in every part long before the chair was taken. After prayer by the Rev. George Marsden, president of the Conference, LANCELOT HASLOPE, Esq., one of the Treasurers of the Society, was called to preside. The Report was then read by the Rev. Messrs. BEECHAM and JAMES; which contained most animating intelligence from almost every quarter of the globe, more particularly from the West Indies, from Ireland, and from Ceylon. Indeed, we greatly doubt if any missionary society existing can point to more manifest tokens of the divine benediction than the mission belonging to the zealous followers of Mr. Wesley (a body of people every day becoming more and more active, both at home and abroad, in diffusing the knowledge of Christ). The meeting was addressed with great effect by Dr. A. CLARKE, John Dyer, Esq., the Rev. JOHN CAMPBELL, of the Tabernacle, the Rev. J. BOWERS, the Rev. RICHARD WATSON, the Rev. JONATHAN CROWTHER, the Rev. W. M. BUNTING, the Rev. JOHN M'LEAN, the Rev. STEPHEN KAY, the Rev. W. BLOOD, the Rev. GEORGE MARSDEN, and ROBERT MIDDLETON, Esq.

The Society is altogether in a very prospe rous state, both as it respects funds and missionary success; and the Resolutions passed at the meeting were admirably adapted to express the Christian feelings of the friends assembled.

LONDON FEMALE PENITENTIARY, PENTON

VILLE.

The Twenty-fifth Anniversary of this charity was held at the institution, on Friday,

June 8; the Right Hon. Lord Henley presided. The Report was read by Apsley Pellatt, Esq., one of the Secretaries; and stated that, in the year ending March 31st, there were 225 applications for admission, of whom 89 were received. During the same period, 79 females quitted the institution; viz.: 30 to go into service; 17, who were reconciled, and restored to their friends; 9 had withdrawn at their own request; 12 had been dismissed for improper conduct; 5 from ill health; 4 having proved to be pregnant; and 2 had been sent to their parishes; the number remaining under the care of the institution was 110 but, since the year's accounts were made up, 42 of these had embarked for the colony of Van Dieman's Land, under the care, and at the entire cost, (except for clothing) of his Majesty's government. At the suggestion of the Committee, a suitable Chaplain and Matron were appointed to the vessel which conveyed these, and other female emigrants, and the Governor has been requested by the Colonial Secretary, the Right Hon. Lord Goderich, to form a Committee of ladies, to receive and direct them on their arrival. The Report gave much satisfaction to the company; the testimonies to the good conduct of several who had been inmates, were very encouraging; and the expressions of gratitude for the advantages they had de rived, from them and from their relatives, were numerous and pleasing. The most convincing proof of the good management and efficiency of the system on which the institution is conducted, is the receipt of £783 5s. 3d. for needle-work and washing, done by the inmates during the year; the produce, not of skilful and experienced persons, but of a school of instruction, in which the neglected and the ignorant have to be taught and disciplined. This cheering fact refutes the objection which has been sometimes made to such institutions, that they afford a retreat to the indolent, by shewing that the design of the charity is kept steadily in view, viz.: to restore those, by religious instruction, and the formation of industrious habits, to a reputable station in society, who have unhappily forsaken the path of virtue. The means employed are exactly adapted, and are adequate, by the divine blessing, to accomplish the proposed end. Religious instruction, both private and public, the regular use of the means of grace, habits of order, of concord, and of cheerful industry, are the proper means by which to cease to do evil, and to learn to do well. In the London Female Penitentiary, they are used in a constant dependance on the assistance and blessing of Him, without whom nothing is wise, nothing is holy, nothing is good; and, by the grace of the divine Spirit, they have been made effectual to the salvation of many of the inmates. A most encouraging instance is related in the appendix of a female from Cheltenham, who resided

but two months in the institution, and was, from ill health, removed to Guy's Hospital, where she recently died, rejoicing in God her Saviour, and commending him to all around her. On entering the Penitentiary, in January last, she manifested a strong dislike to the reading of the Scriptures, prayer, and public worship, but soon found that they were not a dead letter, nor the mere routine of engagements. Her attention was awakened, her solicitude to understand these things was excited; and her declining health pressed the subjects with much interest on her mind. The good seed, thus sown, brought forth fruit unte salvation; and the light she received was not put under a bushel; for on her sick bed she earnestly

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testified to all around,

How great a Saviour she had found." The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Dr. WINTER, Dr. BENNETT, DAVID RUELL, A.M., THOMAS GREENWOOD, A.M., JOHN YOUNG, A. M., JOHN BLACKBURN, JOHN CAMPBELL, INGRAM COBBIN, A.M., THOMAS WILSON, Esq., JOHN PITMAN, Esq., and JOSEPH MAITLAND, Esq.; who advocated the interests of the Institution, and pressed its claims with much force, on a very respectable auditory. The income of the year had not been equal to the expenditure, and the want of further support induced several ladies and gentlemen to become annual subscribers. The house was, as usual, open to the inspection of the company, and its excellent arrangements, and remarkable cleanliness, as well as the specimens of needle-work in each ward, and the display of elegant clothes, washed and got up, with which the commodious laundry-rooms were filled, called forth the approbation and commendation of all the visiters. We regret that the state of the weather caused a smaller attendance than has been usual on these occasions. On Thursday evening, June 7, the Rev. HENRY MELVILL, A.M., preached on behalf of the Charity, at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row, a very forcible sermon from 1 John v. 5; and on Thursday evening, June 14, the Rev. Dr. FLETCHER preached an impressive sermon, at Paddington Chapel, from the 119th Psalm, the first clause of the 158th verse.

ORDINATION.

On Wednesday, the 6th of June, Rev. William Kelly, formerly student at Wymondley College, and late of Ringwood, Hants, was ordained pastor of the church at Old Gravel Lane, London. The Rev. T. Russel, A.M., commenced by reading suitable portions of Scripture and with prayer; the Rev. Professor Hoppus, of the London University, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Dr. Collyer asked the questions; the Rev. Dr. Fletcher offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. T. Morell, of

Wymondley College (Mr. K's tutor), gave the charge; the Rev. A. Reed preached to the people, and the Rev. T. Binney conIcluded with prayer.

The hymns were given out by the Rev. Messrs. Hyatt, Drake, Robertson, Rose, Mason, and J. Brown, of Wareham, Dorset.

ACADEMY AT NEWPORT PAGNELL.

Newport Pagnell Evangelical Institution for the education of young men for the Christian ministry. The annual meeting of the friends and supporters of this Institution residing in London and its vicinity will be held at the Rev. J. Dean's Meeting House, Aldermanbury Postern, on Wednesday Evening, the 11th July. The chair to be taken at 6 o'clock.

The Rev. N. M. Harry, of Banbury, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church in New Broad Street, to the pastoral office in that place, and intends to commence his stated ministry there on the first Sabbath in August next.

REMARKS ON A RECENT NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

Oakington, near Cambridge, June 9, 1832. DEAR SIR,-In the account of the last anniversary of the London Hibernian Society, in the Evangelical Magazine for June, 1832 (p. 249), it is said, the condemnation in the report of the system of education proposed by Lord Grey's administration called forth that measure of disapprobation which might have been expected. Now the fact is, that there was no such condemnation in the report at all; and that, consequently, the disapprobation said to be called forth is altogether a mistake.

I read the report at the meeting myself. A passage which appeared in the proof sheet of the report (which it has been the usual practice of the committees of the Society to prepare before the anniversary) was withdrawn, by direction of the committee, prior to the meeting, and so obliterated in the copy which I used on the occasion, that it was utterly impossible for me to have delivered the passage by mistake.

The matter is in itself of small importance; at the same time, it is desirable that the comImittee of an old and valuable institution should not be represented as having adopted a line of conduct which they deliberately determined to avoid. The letters of some distinguished personages who were unavoidably absent, and the speeches of several of those who were present, animadverted very fully on the government plan; but the only slight instance of disapprobation I heard during the day, occurred at a strong expression in a letter from that distinguished Christian patriot, Lord Roden; but that expres

sion was received with such a rapturous burst of applause from the meeting in general, as left no doubt of the views entertained on the government plan by an immense majority of the multitudes present. How far their views are correct may be a subject of controversy; but it is a decided mistake or misrepresentation to intimate that any disapprobation was expressed at any part of the report read at the anniversary; and still more so to declare (as has been stated in the Patriot, the Record, &c.) that, in consequence of such disapprobation, a paragraph had been withdrawn by the committee.

I trust you will kindly admit this explanation, and believe me to be, Dear Sir, Yours most truly, THOMAS WEBSTER.

We were in error, perhaps, in saying that the meeting showed disapprobation of the report; but that it was displeased with some of the speakers, and on the grounds stated by us, is certain. We have no wish to indulge a spirit of controversy; but we must take the liberty of reminding our old friends in the Hibernian Society, that such violent politicians as the Earl of Roden will do the excellent cause no good in these times. And we will add, that the noble lord's Christian patriotism would have been quite as demonstrable to our minds if his lordship had shown less zeal in the preservation of nomination boroughs. We happen to consider such boroughs as standing on an immoral basis, and refuse to regard the question as one of party politics. We do not speak hesitatingly in making these assertions; we are satisfied they are founded in truth.-EDITOR.

WILL THE REFORM MEASURE PROVE A BENEFIT TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE AGES? Yes, will be the reply of multitudes whose passions have been excited during the discussions which have taken place, and who, under the full influence of hope long deferred, predicted that the restoration of our invaluable constitution to all its pristine vigour and beauty would be the precursor of the adoption of a variety of improvements and social benefits which the altered circumstances of the age indisputably require.

Yes, will be the reply of the demagogue who has eagerly embraced the period of pas sion and agitation to raise himself to honour and fame, and who, in the path of notoriety, has been seizing the moment for aggrandizement and renown; the weal of his country, its advancement in all the associated dignity of well-regulated laws, and in all that elevates a nation in the republic of mind, are no further interesting to him than as a means to the end which he has thus steadily pursued, and as the pivot round which his busy life revolves.

Yes, must be the response of the true con

servatives of the state. The ministers and members of our churches throughout the realm must see to it, that we have indeed a reformed House of Commons; to them instrumentally, as the guardians of the British ark, the world must now direct its attention; on them the responsibility rests, whether the mere politician shall, without reference to Him by whom kings reign and princes decree justice, regulate the affairs of this mighty empire-whether all the abuses of church and state shall be rectified without endangering or destroying either-whether the excellencies of a venerable establishment shall be preserved, and its corruptions, and discrepancies with apostolic models, be alone destroyed, and its future support rendered, as it should be, dependent only on the free-will offerings of a generous and grateful peoplewhether the church shall have a commanding influence in this Christian nation, its Sabbaths become a day of rest for the whole population, the ignorance of the multitude exchanged for a Scripturally, and, therefore, well-educated, community-the dangerous, property-absorbing, and peasant-degrading poor-rate system, prepared for early abatement and final extinction-our laws present a richer admixture of mercy, and our national crimes diminished by a richer diffusion of Christian remedies among us ;-or whether those evils shall continue, flourish, and extend, in all their malignant power and luxuriance.

The crisis in which we live-the nineteenth century of the Christian era-sterling patriotism, and inviting opportunities, all urge that we should be up and doing. The children of this world exhibit examples of activity unparallelled by the heirs of a blissful immortality. Let the vigour, the animation, the zeal, the perseverance they manifest, be ours in the purest of causes; let the Ministers of our Congregational Board remember the exalted rank they sustain in the commonwealth for on them it will greatly depend whether the intentions and expectations of a paternal and enlightened government shall succeed, and the oft-expressed fears of miscalled conservatives be dispersed to the four winds, as having been formed on the baseless fabric of a vision. Let the ministers and the truest friends of their country assemble forthwith; let them act under the deep conviction that the eyes of their country, the subjects of the despotic monarchs of old Europe, the West Indian slave, and of the world, are upon them; let them call out the busy, the retired, the influential, the talented, the enlightened, and the benevolent, to their country's aid; let them insist on their acquiescence in whatever sacrifices of ease, of leisure, or of retiredness of character, may be required from each; let committees be formed, without a moment's delay, to secure the return of suitable persons to the councils of the state; and the question will soon be an

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LONDON SOCIETY ORPHAN ASYLUM, FOR THE DAUGHTERS OF DECEASED GOSPEL MINISTERS, INSTITUTED 1830.

Of all the appeals to Christian benevolence urged by a suffering world, the claims of the orphans are among the most powerful and interesting; and of all classes of the fatherless, the children of departed Christian ministers are often found in circumstances the most helpless and affecting. The "good minister of Jesus Christ" has seldom any treasures to bequeath but those of unwearied zeal and unblemished reputation. How many an apostolic labourer has been called by his Lord, in the noontide of life, to enter into rest, leaving, in a world of toil and sorrow, an infant family, whose anticipated destitution and dependence (but for the strong consolations of religion) must have destroyed the peace of his departing hours.

And while dependence, and even poverty, the fruit of disinterestedness and self-denial, shed a lustre on the memory of such faithful men, surely the exercise of Christian sympathy is due to their bereaved families; and no services of love and pity can be more in unison with His designs, who cheers his dying servants with these gracious words :--"Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me!" Still the powerful claims of this interesting class of orphans have been seldom felt; for though many and splendid monuments of charity adorn the metropolis of Britain, hitherto no adequate provision has been made for their education and support.

To this general and criminal neglect, an honourable exception has recently appeared in the person of a venerable Christian lady, who has invested a sum exceeding two thousand pounds in the public funds, in the name of trustees, the interest of which is to be appropriated for the maintenance and instruction of female children of departed gospel ministers, who are placed (under the sanction of the committee) in an establishment conducted by a lady* of acknowledged piety and talent, for board and education, where they enjoy all the advantages of a private seminary, and are instructed in such things as are calculated to fit them for future usefulness. In addition to which, the Committee are authorized (should the conduct of the children be satisfactory) to expend a limited sum for placing them in eligible situations.

While the Committee honour this rare act of Christian munificence, they trust it will prove only as the foundation of a capacious and lasting superstructure. Five children are enjoying the advantages of this institu

* Mrs. Greenhow, Park Street, Islington.

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