Part 4

_The Works of William Cowper, his Life and Letters, by William Hayley, Esq., now first completed by the Introduction of Cowper's Private Correspondence; Edited by the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe, A.M., Rector of Burton, Northamptonshire, and Vicar of Biddenham, Bedfordshire; Author of the Life of the Rev. Legh Richmond. Saunders and Otley._--We have received the early volumes of this admirable publication. The manner in which it is brought out is highly creditable to all the parties concerned in the undertaking; and we have no doubt of its being in very extensive demand by readers of almost every description. It is our purpose to watch its progress, and, at the close, to present our readers with a more enlarged account of its peculiar claims to their attention.

_The Posthumous Letters of the Rev. Rabshakeh Gathercoal, late Vicar of Tuddington; now first published, with Explanatory Notes, and dedicated to the Lord Bishop of London. p. 288. Westley._--There are many passages in these letters which, in the keenness of their satire, and the pungency of their wit, cannot be exceeded by any thing in the writings of Butler, South, or Swift; with this further commendation, that their edge and point are directed exclusively against error and arrogance. On the subject of dissent we have seen no recent publication which can be compared with this in clearness, copiousness, and power; combining so many important facts of history with so much of interesting and practical influence. In the presence of such a writer the advocates of superstition and intolerance must quail; but the admirers of the uncorrupted Christianity of the New Testament, of every denomination, will hail him, in this labour of his hands, as the intrepid friend of freedom and religion.

After all, we are praying and anxiously looking for a period, when works of this description shall have become obsolete; when ignorance shall be entirely dissipated, and the "true light" universally shine: for the knowledge of the Lord shall have covered the earth, as the waters cover the sea; and man shall no longer say to his neighbour, Know ye the Lord: for then, all shall know him, from the least to the greatest.

_The Great Case of Tithes truly stated, clearly opened, and fully resolved. By Anthony Pearson, a Justice of Peace in Westmoreland, in the time of the Commonwealth. Harvey and Darton._--This very cheap and seasonable tract is No. 63, and is printed for the Tract Association of the Society of Friends. It cannot fail to excite attention.

_Suggestions on National Education, with a View to the Advantage, not only of the Poor, but of all Classes of Society. By John Smith, Lecturer on Education, Liverpool. Simpkin and Marshall._--This very sensible writer maintains that Government ought to do that which no individual has power to do, namely, to show the public what education really is, and the best modes of carrying it forward--that the teachers of the millions have yet to be created. He urges the necessity, the practicability, and the benefit of his plan. We hope ere long this great subject will have a free, full, and fair discussion in the House of Commons.

_Reasons for Dissenting from the Church of England; showing that the Ancient Jewish Theocracy is no Authority for an Ecclesiastical Establishment, &c. &c. By a Country Farmer and Minister of God's Word and Ordinances. Simpkin and Marshall_--Though we dissent from this Dissenter in various particulars, we think every reader will see that the "Country Farmer" is quite an overmatch for the clergyman who paid him a visit.

_The Life of the Rev. Jean Frederic Nardin, Pastor of the Church at Blamont: Translated from the French. By the Rev. Robert Blessley. Ward and Co._--We have perused this little tract with the liveliest interest; and cordially thank Mr. Blessley for translating, and Mr. T. Lewis for recommending it. It contains an excellent example for pious young men; and especially for those of them who are students in divinity, pastors, itinerant preachers, and missionaries.

_The Spirit of Holiness: Four Sermons. By James Harrington Evans, Minister of John Street Chapel. pp. 168. Griffiths._--These plain, evangelical sermons are entitled to serious perusal. We think them well calculated to instruct, to reprove, and to console.

_Memoir of the Rev. Basil Woodd, M.A. By the Rev. S. C. Wilks, M.A._--An excellent Memoir, published by the Religious Tract Society.

_Puritan Farm; or Old Ways kept up in New Times. By a Puritan Family. Ward and Co._--A very entertaining little work. We hope it will be continued. The "spoundings" of the female labourer on the burial of Christ are charming, and the character of the great Dr. Owen is developed with much judgment and taste.

_A Manual of English Grammar, Philosophical and Practical, &c. &c. By the Rev. J. M. McCullock, A.M., Minister of Kelsoe. Second Edition, revised. Simpkin and Marshall._--We are glad to see a reprint of this excellent "Manual," the first edition of which we recommended to the public not many months since.

_Memoirs of a Sergeant, late in the Forty-third Light Infantry Regiment, previously to and during the Peninsular War; including an Account of his Conversion from Popery to the Protestant Religion. pp. 278._ Mason.--Of its kind, this is certainly a very respectable work; but the sieges, and battles, and wounded, and slain, are so many, that it was quite a relief to arrive at the end of the terrible detail. Perhaps some would choose to call it interesting; and we do not mean to say that there are not connexions in which it may be properly so contemplated. The pious reader, however, cannot fail to have his mind so deeply affected, as his eye glances over these pages, by the consideration of that which is the cause of war, and of every other calamity which has desolated the earth, as greatly to qualify his gratification arising from martial sounds, glittering arms, or military evolutions.

Towards the close of the volume there are some observations which deserve attention from the members of the Peace Society; and all serious persons will read with pleasure the author's account of his conversion. We hope he may live long to fight the good fight of faith, and finally die more than a conqueror.

_Essay on the Habitual Exercise of Love to God, considered as a Preparation for Heaven. By Joseph John Gurney. pp. 165. Seeley & Co._ No one whose mind is under a sacred influence, can rise from the perusal of these pages without a consciousness of having been admitted into privileged society. The principles, spirit, and tendency of this work, are eminently important. Were they but permitted to exercise that practical dominion over the judgment and conduct of men generally, to which they are fully entitled, a change as marvellous as beneficial would be the result; in the evidence of which its divine nature and origin would be abundantly manifested. The work is divided into the following sections:--"General Remarks on Meetness for the Heavenly State--On the Contemplation of God in Nature and Providence--On the Contemplation of God in Redemption; the Father, the Son, the Spirit--On Communion with God--On Submission to the Will of God, and Conformity to his Attributes--On Love towards Man--Conclusion." Our sincere wish is that this work may obtain a very extensive circulation.

_Helen of Coquetdale, or the Fair Bondager; a Tale, in two Cantos: with a few other Fragments, in Verse. By a late Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. pp. 140. Oliphant._--The principal article in this small volume contains many pious and some excellent passages; yet, as a whole, we fear it is not destined to be a favourite. We scarcely know what to say as to public taste, in relation to poetry, in the present day, except that we are apprehensive it is too refined to be attracted with the versification, &c. of "Helen of Coquetdale." We were ourselves much more favourably impressed with two or three of the minor pieces.

_Illustrations of the Bible, &c. Part 12. Churton._--The continuation of these admirable engravings is entitled to, and we hope is receiving, enlarged public attention and support. The following are the illustrations contained in the twelfth part: "Belshazzar's Feast--The peaceable Kingdom--Esther kissing the Sceptre--Death of Absalom--Solomon's Charge--The Death of Sampson--Jonah cast into the Sea--Hezekiah beholding the Sun-dial."

_1. Fruits and Flowers. By the Author of the "Wheatsheaf." pp. 212. Darton._

_2. The Garden. By the Compiler of "Fruits and Flowers," and the "Wheatsheaf." pp. 263. Darton._--These elegant little volumes cannot but be highly acceptable, especially to our pious young readers; they contain such a selection of prose and verse, presented in a form so attractive, that we may fairly presume upon their becoming favourites to a very great extent.

_Sober Views of the Millennium. By the Rev. Thomas Jones, of Creaton, Northamptonshire. Seeley and Burnside._--This little work answers to its title in a very great degree. Let the Millennarians be induced soberly to read and consider its contents.

_The Christian Journal. Conducted by Members of the Relief Church._--No. 27, for March last, contains a Review of Mr. Anderson's Funeral Sermon for Dr. Carey, and several other highly interesting articles.

OBITUARY.

MR. H. H. FREEMAN

Henry Hawkins Freeman was born at South Sydenham, in Devonshire, in the year 1767, where he resided under the parental roof until he attained the age of sixteen, when he was placed as an apprentice to a ship-builder at Plymouth, whom he faithfully served; during which time he occasionally, with worldly companions, sought pleasure on the Lord's-day; but has declared he found no gratification therein: but on the contrary, his conscience witnessed against him when so engaged, and left him miserable. His cousin, Mr. Henry Hawkins, Baptist minister of Stroud, Gloucestershire, then residing at Plymouth, exhorted him to attend the means of grace, and seek the salvation of his soul. While attending the Baptist chapel, How's Lane, under the pastoral care of the late Philip Gibbs (for whom he cherished a strong affection), the Lord was pleased to meet with him. The sermon blessed to his conversion was from Numb. xxiii. part of the 10th verse: "Let me die the death of the righteous," &c. The observation of the preacher, that unless he lived the life, he could not die the death, of the righteous, fastened upon his mind. He felt he was a sinner before God, and was led to cry for mercy, which he obtained through Christ. He united himself to the people of God, and, through divine grace, was enabled to walk consistently, so that the enemies of religion have acknowledged him to be a good man. He was a friend to peace, and possessed a meek and quiet spirit. For many years he filled the office of a deacon. In 1820, he was removed by Providence to Honduras; and during his stay there, it may be said of him, "He was a light in a dark place." He felt much pleasure in directing the negroes to the Lamb of God; and, although for four months at a time, in the interior of the country, and with no companions but the sons of Africa and his Bible, he was quite happy, and declared that "the word of the Lord was precious to him in those days."

Towards the end of 1822 he returned to England, and united himself with the Baptist church in Little Prescot Street, London. In the kind affections of many of its members he still lives. He often rejoiced in spirit that God had called nearly all his children, and made them partakers with himself of like precious faith.

The Lord was pleased to remove by death, July 16, 1833, the partner of his life, after a union of thirty-seven years, which he severely felt; from which period he rapidly declined. He was not fond of speaking of himself; but feeling a lively sense of love to his Redeemer, he was constrained to speak of it, and would often say he could appeal to his Saviour as Peter did, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." About a month before his decease, he observed to a minister, "Though the earthly house of this my tabernacle be dissolved, I have a building of God," &c.

He was seized with epileptic fits on Tuesday, August 26, 1834, while on a visit to his daughter at Aylesbury. After the first fit, he became sensible for a few minutes, when a pious friend, sitting at his bed-side, asked him if he was happy. To which he replied, "Yes." The friend expressed a hope that the gospel, which had been his support through life, would be his comfort in his extremity. To which he emphatically returned the same answer. On being asked if he would give up his hope for ten thousand worlds, he replied, "No, Sir." On referring to a sermon he had heard on the Sabbath previous, the good man said, "You know Christ is an ever-present Friend. He will not leave you now. I hope you will still look to him." He said, "There is no other refuge." These were his last words. A return of the fits came on; and, after lying until Thursday morning, the 28th, at 5 o'clock he fell asleep in Jesus, to wake no more until the morning of the resurrection.

He was removed to London, and interred in a vault under Wycliffe Chapel, September 2nd, and his funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Stovel the following Sabbath, from the portion of sacred writ blessed to his conversion.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

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FOREIGN.

CANADA.

_Extract of a Letter from Mr. John Edwards. Clarence, Jan. 5, 1835._

In alluding to the work of grace in Breadalbane referred to in Mr. Fraser's letter, inserted in April number, he says: "Since (it began) the work has been progressing in a manner quite unprecedented in these parts. From August to November nine persons who had been in a backsliding state were restored, and eight new converts were baptized and added to the church. During last month (December) forty-one have also been baptized, making a total of fifty-eight, added since August. I left the settlement last Friday, when Mr. Fraser assured me there were twenty-two, in addition to the above number, whom he had good reason to believe were converted characters; besides a number under convictions. Among the subjects of this work is the man of grey hairs nearly eighty years of age, and the child of thirteen, and many younger, under deep convictions. The most astonishing feature in this work of grace appears amongst the youth at school. There are more than forty children attending it, and instead of vanity and trifling, sedateness and seriousness now mark their behaviour. When spoken to of divine things, they are all attention, and so eager to be instructed, that it is with difficulty they can be prevailed on to leave school. Mr. F. told me, that when passing the school one evening at ten o'clock, he found a number of the boys holding a religious meeting; it was the second time they had met for this purpose, unknown to any body. He now devotes one evening of the week to their peculiar benefit. He farther assured me, that he was satisfied six of these dear youths had experienced a change of mind, and nearly all the scholars seem deeply concerned for the salvation of their souls. So general has been the awakening, that very few of the hearers remain unconcerned about their souls.

Referring to the means of this awakening, he says,--"They set apart a day for fasting and prayer: they humbled themselves before God, and he was entreated of them. In the month of November one of their number went to Montreal, and told our brother the state of things. He immediately wrote to a devoted and worthy brother, who is pastor of the Baptist church at Fort Covington, New York (near the boundary line). They met, the following week, at Breadalbane, and spent four days faithfully and affectionately stating the truth. All secular affairs were laid aside, and one concern occupied the attention of old and young, which was the "one thing needful."

Of several interesting incidents connected with this work, I will mention one. Mr. Gilmore, on his way to the settlement, called on a pious lady, who lives fourteen miles from it, and told her of the intended meeting. Her servant is the daughter of an Irish Catholic, who lives at Breadalbane. The lady told her she must go to the meeting; and directed her to ask permission for her sister, who lives in a place of service adjoining, to accompany her. Leave being granted, the lady took the girls into her room, and prayed for them most earnestly, that the means of grace they were about to enjoy might be blessed to their conversion. They attended during the meeting, and on going home from one of the services they were accompanied by one of their former associates, who had been lately converted; on their way she pressed on their minds, with much earnestness, the truths they had been hearing; and before parting with them, took them a little off the road, kneeled down on the snow, and prayed fervently for their conversion. This, to them, was an additional proof of the reality of the solemn truths they had just heard. Before leaving the settlement, they called on Mr. F., and told him the state of their minds, and he believes they returned to their places converted characters.

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+DOMESTIC.+

PUBLIC MEETINGS.

WESLEYAN METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of this Society was held on Monday, May 4th, in Exeter Hall. John Hardy, Esq., M.P., in the Chair.

The business of the day was opened, with singing and prayer, by the Rev. J. Taylor, Chairman of the Conference.

The hall was crowded to excess, and hundreds sought admission in vain.

The Rev. Dr. Bunting read the Report, which, though described as an abstract, was of very great length. It commenced by stating that the society had twenty-four missionaries and six scripture-readers in Ireland. They had established schools, at which 7,000 children were receiving daily instruction, many Roman Catholic families preferring to send their children there rather than to schools of their own persuasion. In Sweden, much good has been achieved, and much more might reasonably be expected, as schools had been established. A society had also been founded for the purpose of opposing the doctrine of the heathen; this society had received the Royal sanction, as well as the support of the principal Bishops, who employed a Wesleyan Missionary as their Secretary. In Germany also much progress had been made. There was one society, consisting of 395 persons, and many others were in a state of probation. In France also the cause of true Christianity was rapidly advancing. Last year there was in one district a Wesleyan Society consisting of 268 members, but this year it had increased to 464 persons, of whom only 70 were English. In Paris seven schools had been established, and there was an ample opening for five more. There was also in Paris an Auxiliary Society, by whom 25,000 French tracts have been circulated, in addition to which 400_l._ had been collected there. In Spain also the circulation of the Scriptures was making considerable progress. At Gibraltar a chapel has been built on ground furnished by Government, and was fully attended by the military. A school was likewise established, at which 30 children attended daily. The missionary in Spain wrote 35 letters to the booksellers and others of the principal towns, calling upon them to become venders of the Holy Scriptures on commission. One bookseller replied that he should feel honoured by executing such a commission, not only in his own town, but on any part of the Peninsula. The missionary having travelled into Spain, described the moral condition of the great mass of the people as most deplorable, the light of the Scriptures being altogether hid from them. In Seville there were 90,000 Roman Catholics, 70,000 of whom attended neither mass nor confession. Many of these had fallen back upon infidelity and free-thinking as a refuge from the mummeries of popery. One Spanish prelate had distributed 3,000 Spanish Bibles in his district, observing that the battle was not now against Luther or Calvin, but against Antichrist. Protestants and Catholics, he said, had an equal hope of salvation, as they both professed the essential doctrines of Christianity. At Malta, the society was progressing, but at Alexandria the missionary was withdrawn for the present, it being quite hopeless for one person to make any progress, particularly when the ravages making by the plague were taken into consideration. In the South Seas, particularly in New Zealand and the Friendly Islands, the missionaries had made the most astonishing approaches to the general establishment of Christianity. Much good had also been effected both in Southern and Western Africa, and the West Indies; in the island of Ceylon they had 10 missionaries, and the Scriptures were translated and circulated, and schools were established at which 4,000 children were receiving daily instruction. The prejudices of the people had been boldly met, and idolatry had been shaken to its foundation. In the West Indies they had 76 missionaries, but it was hoped they would be increased to 100, for whose labours there was an ample field. They were preaching God's holy word to 800,000 of their fellow-creatures just emancipated from that sin and shame and curse of the country--slavery.

After some details, the Report went on to say, there were 260 missionaries divided between 170 missionary stations. There were 48,304 members, and 37,965 children were educated by the body. The amount of the year's revenue was 53,437_l._ 15_s._ 2_d._, being an increase on the former year to the amount of 1,204_l._ 8_s._ 2_d._ This did not include the splendid legacy of Horatio Cock, of Colchester, which was one-eighth of his whole fortune, amounting to 5,274_l._; this, with special contributions, raised the year's revenue to 60,865_l._ 15_s._ but the average would be about 54,000_l._

Lord Mountsandford, Sir Andrew Agnew, Bart., the Rev. J. Clayton, the Rev. Theodore Drury (Vicar of Keighley), the Rev. J. Dixon (of Liverpool), the Rev. Dr. Codman, (one of the Deputation from America), the Rev. Professor Tolock (of Berlin), the Rev. Mr. Williams (a missionary from the South Seas), the Rev. Dr. Humphry (President of Amherst College, in the United States), the Rev. W. Reilly (of Dublin), the Rev. R. Newton (who was loudly applauded), Henry Pownall, Esq., W. G. Scarth (of Leeds), Thomas Palmer, Esq., the Rev. John McLean, the Rev. R. Alder, and the Rev. M. Wilson, addressed the meeting, which lasted from 11 until a quarter past 5 o'clock: after which thanks were voted to the Chairman.

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CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.

The subscribers and friends to this Institution held their tenth anniversary at Finsbury chapel, on Tuesday, the 5th of May. Long before the time appointed for taking the chair, this spacious building was crowded by a most respectable audience.

At six o'clock the Earl of Chichester took the chair, and the services were commenced by praise and prayer.