who think, that, after having understood. and acquiesced in Christian truth, there is an end of all they have to do with it. There is, with many, a most mischievous repose of mind upon this subject. They know that by faith they are saved; and they look to the attainment of this faith as a terminating good, with the possession of which, could they only arrive at it, they would be satisfied; and they regard the articles of a creed in much the same light that they do the articles of a title-deed, which may lie in their repository for years, without once being referred to; and they have the lurking impression, that if this creed were once fairly lodged among the receptacles of the inner man, and only produced in the great day of the examination of passports, it would secure their entry into heaven-just as the title-deed in possession, though never once looked to, guarantees to them a right to all that is conveyed by it." pp. v. vi. "To rectify this wrong imagination, let it never be forgotten, that every where in the Bible, those truths by the belief of which we are saved, have this efficacy ascribed to them, not from the mere circumstance of their having once been believed, but, after they are believed, from the cir cumstance of their being constantly adverted to." p. vii. "It is from these considerations that we estimate so highly the following_valuable treatise of Mr. Serle, The Christian Remembrancer,' in which the great and essential truths of Christianity are exhibited in a luminous and practical manner. But, it is not merely those more essential truths of the Gospel which form the foundation of a sinner's hope, that he brings to our remembrance; the operative nature of these truths, as inwardly experienced by the believer, in the formation of the spiritual life-the sanc tifying influence of Christian truth over the affections and character of the believer the whole preceptive code of social and relative duties to which, as members of society, Christianity requires our obedience-in fine, the whole Christian system of doctrines and duties is presented in a plain and practical manner, well fitted to assist the understanding in attaining a correct and intimate acquaintance with the truths of Christianity; while the brief, but distinct and impressive, form in which they are presented, is no less fitted to assist the memory in its recollection of them." pp. xxiii. xxiv. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE, &c. &c. GREAT BRITAIN. PREPARING for publication :-A Sequel to Evelyn's Memoirs; by Mr. Upcott;Hints to Churchwardens on the Repairs of Parish Churches; - Expedition to St. Peter's River, Lake Winnepeek; by W. Keating;-The Life and Administration of Lord Burleigh; by the Rev. Dr. Nares; -A Journal across the Andes; by R. Proctor;-The Public, the Mystical, and the Philosophical Religions of Ancient Greece; by W. Mitford. In the press :-The Religion of the Patriarchs, illustrated by an Appeal to the subsequent Parts of Divine Revelation; by the Rev. T. T. Biddulph ;- -Memoirs of Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia; by Miss Benger;-Classical Disquisitions and Curiosities; by Dr. Malkin ;-Pompeiana; by Sir W. Gell and J. Gandy ;An Expostulatory Letter to the Rev. E. Irving, occasioned by his Oration for Missions; by the Rev. W. Orme. Dr. Morrison attends at No. 26, Austin Friars, London, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 11 till 2 o'clock, to communicate elementary instruction in the Chinese language,and to confer with persons who may be desirous of acquiring some knowledge of it, whether for religious purposes or for objects of general knowledge and literature. He justly considers that human nature in different nations is greatly improved by an amicable interchange of thought and sentiment, of which letters must, generally speaking, be the medium; and that not only Christian truth, but much useful knowledge, subversive of hurtful superstitions, might be conveyed to the eastern hemisphere, were the language of China more studied in the United Kingdom. The written medium of thought employed by the Chinese is legible to the people of four other nations, making collectively a fourth part of mankind. A considerable part of the population of the five nations alluded to, namely, those of China, Corea, Japan, the Loochoo Islands, and Cochin China, are able to read; but they have little on which to exercise their faculties except their own pagan literature. The number of Christian books in the Chinese language is hitherto 252 France... Spain... Greece... India... North & South America. [APRIL verylimited. Although the several countries just named are not open to living teachers of Christianity, they are accessible by books, which may be written and printed in Christian states or colonies, and conveyed by natives returning from those states to their respective countries; and thus Christian knowledge may be gradually spread throughout the continent and islands of eastern Asia. FRANCE. It is stated that an unedited manuscript of Fenelon has lately been found buried among the archives of the establishment of St. Anne, in the town of Cambray. It is said to have been composed by Fenelon, in the year 1702, and is entitled, "Reponse de l'Archevêque de Cambrai au Mémoire qui lui a été envoyé sur le Droit du joyeux Avenement." SPAIN. The Spanish journals announce that the Autographic Journals of the voyages of Columbus, and of several other illustrious navigators, which have been preserved in the Escurial, and which, up to the present time, no person has been allowed to inspect, have been ordered, by the king, to be published. GREECE. Two Cypriot youths, redeemed from slavery, and sent to England in 1823, were trained, by the British and Foreign School Society, as schoolmasters, and the elder of them is gone to Greece to impart instruction to his countrymen. Nine others have been since admitted for the same purpose; and the Society earnestly solicit contributions to this department of their benevolent exertions. Mr. Waddington says, in his recent "Visit to Greece, "" that, in the midst of so many circumstances of devastation, very trifling injury has been sustained by the remains of antiquity. The Parthenon has been the severest sufferer. The Turks, having expended all their balls, broke down the south-west end of the wall of the Cella in search of lead, and boast of having been amply rewarded for their barbarous labour. But this is the extent of the damage: no column has been overthrown, nor have any of the sculptures been displaced or disfigured. All the monuments, except two, have escaped unviolated by the hand of war. INDIA. At a late meeting of the Calcutta Asiatic Society the secretary read an analysis of the Vishnu Purana, the most famous of all the Puranas, and a plan is in progress for analysing the whole of these celebrated compositions. The collective works, called the Puranas, hold an eminent place in the religion and literature of the Hindoos. Inferior in alleged sanctity only to the Vedas, and like them possessing the credit of an inspired origin, they exercise a much more practical influence upon the Hindoo community, regulate their ritual, legendary tales, materials for their credu direct their faith, and supply, in popular lity. They are of two classes; principal and subordinate. The eighteen great Puranas are said to contain 1,600,000 lines signed to inculcate the adoration of Vishnu. of verses. The Vishnu Purana appears detenth century; but it is avowedly compiled It is considered not to be older than the from older materials, and refers the histo traditionary memorials. rical portion to ancient and apparently ciety the Rev. Mr. Mill communicated a At the same meeting of the above Sowhich is stated to have escaped the obnotice of a Christian community in Persia, servation of European travellers. These Christians are said to occupy a small town near Tabreez, called Khosraven, but have churches and bishops at Jerusalem, Diared from other oriental Christians by their beker, and Mousel. They are distinguishprofessing to be of Jewish descent, and by their forming an independent community,regulated by a patriarch and bishops unconnected with any other establishments. other peculiarities; but the information yet It is added, that there may be amongst them received is of an imperfect nature, and it excite further inquiry, that the notice was was chiefly with a view to call attention to communicated to the society. NORTH AMERICA. journal of his residence at the Red River Mr. West, in his very interesting Colony, lately published, relates the following tradition current among the Northbear marks of modern interpolation. "They American Indians: it seems, however, to spoke of an universal deluge, which they said was commonly believed by all Indians. world, they say that a very great man, When the flood came and destroyed the called Wasackoochack, made a large raft, and embarked with otters, beavers, deer, and other kinds of animals. After it had put out an otter, with a long piece of floated upon the waters for some time, he shagganappy or leathern cord tied to its leg; and it dived very deep without finding any bottom, and was drowned. He unsuccessful, and shared the same fate. then put out a beaver, which was equally dived and brought up a little mud in its At length he threw out a musk rat that mouth, which Wæsackoochack took, and, placing in the palm of his hand, he blew formed a good piece of the earth. He then upon it till it greatly enlarged itself, and turned out a deer that soon returned, which led him to suppose that the earth it again its size was greatly increased, was not large enough; and blowing upon so that a loon which he then sent out of a sufficient size, he turned adrift all the never returned. The new earth being now animals that he had reserved." SOUTH AMERICA. nal affairs of South America, we observe with great pleasure the great attention which is devoted to the regulation of the prisons. The following facts, we doubt not, will interest our readers. In the prisons of South America, till lately, were to be found prisoners of every description; the innocent and the guilty, the young and the old, men and women, all confounded together, and shut up in dark, damp, and unwholesome dungeons. Torture was employed to oblige them to confess imaginary or imputed crimes: and severe punishments were made use of, such as whipping, to maintain order, and humble the unfortunate prisoners. An American writer, after the Revolution in 1817, describes as follows the pernicious effects of such a system of prison discipline. "With us a man is imprisoned not that he should be corrected, but that he should suffer; not that he should labour, but that he should be in total idleness; not that he should receive a warning, but accumulated misery. If we enter one of these prisons, we behold hundreds of men, covered with rags, or in a state of nakedness: we observe them emaciated, and looking like spectres; loaded with chains; trembling at the presence of an insolent guard, who delivers them their pittance of food, and treats them with insult." Many were stripped of every thing, and shut up in noiseme dungeons for a period almost forgotten. The business of the gaoler was to load the condemned prisoners with heavy chains, by which means the insecurity of the buildings was to be compensated for: he was to keep them totally secluded; and to introduce, at his own will and pleasure, such articles of food as the friends of the prisoners, or other charitable persons, presented at the prison. Prisoners who had no relations, or who were not fortunate enough to excite the commiseration of their companions, have been known to die from want. In Lima there were only two prisons calculated to hold about two hundred individuals, at a time when the population of the city amounted to 52,627 souls. The capital of Chili, the population of which exceeds 50,000 inhabitants, contained but one, and, that a very bad prison. At Buenos Ayres, amidst 60,000 inhabitants, there were two prisons: and in other places the proportion was, also, very deficient, in consequence of which the prisoners suffered greatly. At the commencement of the Revolution, the dungeons of the Inquisition were destined to contain persons suspected of treason. The punishments inflicted by this diabolical institution were, also, extensively adopted in the civil prisons. In those of Lima, Abascal, the Spanish viceroy, established subterranean dungeons (called "Infiernillos," or little hells,) which were so constructed, that a person when shut in them could not sit, stand, or lie down, or place himself in any natural position. Into these dungeons were thrust the victims of despotism; and if ever they came out of them, it was only to mourn over their existence, being rendered helpless for the rest of their lives, crippled, or subject to the most acute, and generally incurable, diseases. In October, 1821, General San Martin visited in person the prisons of Lima, accompanied by the ministers of state, the judges, and various other persons calculated to give solemnity to the occasion. Upon carefully investigating the state of the pending causes several prisoners were set at liberty, others were relieved from their heavy fetters, and directions were given that the trials of the remainder should be brought to a conclusion in the space of twenty days. The General also abolished all kinds of torture; and prohibited the use of the horrible Infiernillos. He further gave orders for the introduction of useful labour, that the criminal might be converted into an industrious and useful member of society. Even in the midst of the clamour of arms, and when all disposable resources were scarcely sufficient to secure their own existence, the government have made great efforts to improve the construction and discipline of the prisons. The following are a few of the beneficial arrangements which have been recently enacted in several South-American States. The city of Buenos Ayres now contains five prisons; one for debtors exclusively; a second of the police; a third for military and marines; a fourth for untried offenders; a fifth for persons convicted and condemned to the public works. In Chili, in 1818, it was established, that "no citizen shall be confined in fetters." In the same year, the senate resolved, that weekly visits shall be paid to every prison, and accounts of the results of such visits transmitted to the court of justice. In March 1822, the government of Peru established a most useful and humane code of rules, for the regulation of all the prisons of the state. Every prison is to have four separate departments; the first division to contain those accused of criminal offences; the second females; the third prisoners under the age of 15; and the fourth those committed for debt. Each prison is to have an alcaide, and an adjutant, one of whom shall constantly attend at the prison, and be subject to the strictest responsibility. In the course of every twenty-four hours, the prisoners shall be visited by the surgeon, in order that if any be ill, they may be passed without delay to the infirmary. The doors of the wards are opened at six in the morning in summer, and at seven in winter: the prisoners attend to the cleanliness of their respective wards, and are occupied in useful employments. Any prisoner who conducts himself improperly is punished by solitary confinement. The constitution of Columbia, promulgated in October, 1821, lays down as a rule, that " "every man shall be presumed to be innocent, until declared guilty by due process of law." The 162d article expresses, that no gaoler shall receive any person without an order signed by the proper authorities, setting forth the reasons of imprisonment, a copy of which shall be given to the detained person. Article 163 forbids the alcaide or gaoler to prohibit the prisoner from having communication with any person, except in cases where the order of commitment contains a clause for seclusion, and this is not to be continued longer than three days. The 168th article declares, that "any kind of treatment which aggravates the punishment determined by the the laws is a crime." It is also directed that the prisons shall be regularly visited. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. THEOLOGY. A Collection of the Promises of the Gospel, arranged under their proper Heads; with Reflections and Exhortations deduced from them; by Jehn Colquhoun, D. D. Minister of the Gospel, Leith. 4s. Hints on Christian Experience; by the Rev. Charles Watson, Minister of Burntisland. Regard to the Affairs of Others. A Discourse; by the Rev. R. Morrison, D.D. of China. A Funeral Sermon for the late Rev. S. Parr, LL.D.; by the Rev. S. Butler, D.D. Archdeacon of Derby. Memoir of Catharine Brown, a Christian Indian; by R. Anderson. 1s. 6d. Beneficial Influence of Knowledge; by the Rev. R. Keynes. Svo. 1s. The Progress of Dissent; by a Nonconformist. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Scientia Biblica. 3 vols. royal 8vo. 51. ; demy 8vo. 3. A History of the Christian Church, from its Erection at Jerusalem to the present Time; on the Plan of Milner; by the Rev. John Fry, B. A. 8vo. 12s. Calvinistic Predestination repugnant to Scripture; by the Very Rev. Richard Graves, D. D. A Caution to Protestants, and Warning to Catholics; a Sermon; by the Rev. W. Marsh. 1s. 6d. An Inquiry into what it is to preach Christ, and the best Mode of preaching Him; by the Rev. R. Lloyd. 8vo. 9s. The Liturgy of the Church of England, considered as a Summary of Religion, a Course of Instruction, and a Form of Devotion; by the Rev. Basil Woodd. 6d. MISCELLANEOUS. Historical Outline of the Greek Revolution. 8vo. 5s. History of Napoleon's Expedition to Russia; by General Count Segur. 2 vols. 8vo. 30s. The present Laws relating to Savings Banks in England, omitting repealed Clauses; with Notes, Forms, &c.; by a Barrister. 12mo. 3s. Tables of the New System of Weights and Measures. 5s. Going too Far. 2 vols. 12mo. I2s. Jerusalem regained. 8vo. 8s. Cavendish's Life of Cardinal Wolsey, with Notes; by S. W. Singer, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. 30s. Life of Schiller; with an Examination of his Works. 10s. 6d. Memoirs of the Countess de Genlis. 2 vols. 8vo. French, 16s.; English, 18s. Account of the Life and Writings of Thomas Brown, M. D.; by the Rev. D. Welsh. 8vo. 14s. Itinerary of a Traveller in the Wilderness; by Mrs. Taylor. 8vo. 6s. The Death of Absalom; a Seatonian Prize Poem; by the Rev. H. S. Beresford. 2s. 6d. The Lay of Truth: a Poem; by the Rev. J. Joyce. 6s. Remains of the Rev. C. F. Schwartz, consisting of his Letters and Journals; with a Sketch of his Life. Part I. 8s. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. BISHOPSGATE DISTRICT COMMITTEE FOR CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. WE have much pleasure in noticing the First Report of this highly useful local institution; the plans and proceedings of which we strongly recommend, especially to our clerical readers, as an excellent model and incentive in their efforts to es tablish parochial or district committees in connexion with the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. Prefixed to the Report is a list of resolutions passed at the first annual meeting; the lord Bishop of Chester, rector of the parish, and president and treasurer of the institution, in the chair. The addresses delivered on that occasion are not prefix ed to the Report; but we have understood that they were highly interesting, and well calculated to promote the excellent designs of the institution. The zeal and unwearied diligence of Bishop Blomfield in promoting education, and the circulation of the Scriptures, the Prayer-book, and other religious publications, in his parish and diocese, have met with their best reward in the practical benefits which, by the blessing of God, have followed his exertions. The Report commences with a brief sketch of the plan and proceedings of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, the particulars of which are too familiar to our readers to need transcription. The Report then adverts as follows to the operations of the Bishopsgate Auxiliary. "It is with much pleasure that the Committee request the attention of the subscribers to a detail of those operations, in which they have a more immediate and local interest, and the good effects of which are not to be judged of simply and entirely by the number of books, which appear to have been distributed. An opinion was expressed, at the first formation of this Committee, that the gratuitous distribution of Bibles, Prayer-books, and Religious Tracts was less desirable than the sale of them at very reduced prices; for it is well known, that the poor set a greater value upon that which they have purchased out of their honest earnings, than upon that which comes to them, perhaps unasked, but at all events unbought. Add to which, that their readiness to buy even at a low price, proves their desire of possessing. At the same time, regarding the word of God as absolutely necessary to every Christian who can read it, your Committee by no means approve of exacting from the poor a greater price for Bibles and Prayer-books than is sufficient to give them a certain feeling of property in the books which they buy; and therefore it was recommended, at the commencement of this undertaking, that the reduced prices of the books on the Society's catalogue, should be still further reduced, for sale amongst the poor of this district, by means of a fund formed by donations. The result has been very encouraging. The poor have evinced great alacrity in purchasing the books offered to them on these terms; and the whole number of Bibles, Testaments, and Common-Prayer Books, which your Committee have distributed, with the exception of two Bibles and two Common-Prayer Books, have been sold at the reduce prices. The smaller tracts have been in some instances sold, and in many given, to the purchasers of Bibles and Prayerbooks. The following is the account of books which have been issued from the Committee's depository within the last year :-Bibles, 215; Testaments, 126; Common-Prayer Books, 355; Books and Tracts, 890; forming a total of 1586. Of these, one Welsh Testament and four Welsh Prayer-books have been sold; four Testaments have been sold to Roman Catholics, and two Prayer-books to a Roman Catholic for his Protestant wife and child. Two hundred and eighty-three of the tracts have been issued to the Sunday schools now established in this parish for the reception of those children who are not able to attend the daily National Schools; and the Committee may be excused for taking this opportunity of expressing their anxious wish, that these Sunday schools, which are at present wholly conducted by gratuitous teachers, may be more generally known, and better supported. While "In stating the number of books which have been distributed, in a district of limited extent, the Committee wish to remind the subscribers, that, independently of the good which must always result from placing the word of God in the hands of a person who is desirous of receiving it, a great advantage accrues to the cause of religion through its ministers, when the elergy are made the instruments of conveying that blessing to the poor. prosecuting an inquiry into the spiritual wants of their flock, they become acquainted with many interesting and important facts, and find many unlooked-for opportunities of doing good. The very circumstance of their being seen so employed, is a sensible proof of the concern which they feel for the welfare of their charge, as they that must give account,' a proof which is generally appreciated as it deserves to be. It is matter of fact, that, in this district many poor persons, while taking in religious books, have directed the attention of their clergyman to cases of distress and sickness in their neighbourhood; and, what is more important still, many, who had never attended any place of worship, having been induced to purchase a Bible or a Prayer-book, have ever since gone regularly to church: indeed there has been a sensible increase in the attendance of the poor at church since the institution of this Committee. Being made acquainted with the testimonies of |