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counsel; the man wishes to be religious, but is not Christian. What fruit will you derive from a religion which knows no subordi nation or rule? The most deplorable consequence is, that these, to all appearance, good men have the greatest scruples in omitting a sermon, a communion, a form of prayer; but their conscience slumbers over the slanders which they spread, and their palpable neglect of primary and relative duties. Is it not to such that the Saviour addresses those threatening words of his Gospel, Woe unto you who pay with sound exactness your tithe of mint, auis, and cummin, but forget the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and truth; who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel? These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Vol. iv. pp. 225-229.

In the application of the Scriptures cited in the above extract, there is a deviation from the immediate intention with which they stand connected in the sacred text: but it is not so considerable as to induce us to omit a passage so useful and practical. With equal strength does our author in the sequel of this discourse, describe and condemn that spirit of captious enmity which preys upon the healthy and consistent graces of the true Christian, and by the distorting powers of its own misrepresentations converts them into its own disease. The men of the Saviour's and of the Baptist's day were the same. The straight appeared to them crooked, the plain rough. This enmity begets in those who feel it, a reluctance to resemble, in the remotest degree, the objects of their censure and locks them up therefore in the security of a selfconfidence, which unhappily may terminate only when the unsealing of the spell will be of no avail.

Brydayne's description of this spirit, and his exposure of its tendency, are full of point, but we cannot quote them, nor is it neces>> sary; for such a state of mind almost carries its own folly and sinfulness on its very surface.

The last of the volumes contains various shorter papers, which the author, or the editor*, has denomi

It is rather surprising that the editor has not given the public any particulars

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The principal subjects of the former of these letters are purity of heart and life, marriage, the cross, (considered more, we regret, in its visible appearance, as an object of sense, than in the clear development of its vital doctrines), and some excellent remarks on the perils attendant on relapsing into sin, and on occasioning scandals in the church or the world, with the inevitable effect and influence which every individual example must have, in a direct or indirect manner, on the heart and conduct of others. "No man liveth unto himself."

We have no space for any extracts from this volume, and indeed feel the less inclined to make them, since although occasionally there are fine passages in it, many of them are either quoted, or adopted with some slight alterations, from the fathers; for whose writings, particularly those of St. Augustine and St. Bernard, Brydayne appears to have entertained a warm and reasonable par tiality. We have another reason for passing over this volume with slighter notice than the others; that it is more fully impregnated with the exceptionable peculiarities of Rome. The faults of Brydayne's style of oratory are also brought into greater prominence; one in particular, of which, from its repeated adoption, he seems to have been by no means conscious as a fault, but which obscures and weakens some of the brightest and strongest passages in his sermons: we allude to his selection of some brief sentence

respecting the discovery or the authenticity of Brydayne's manuscripts, which had long been considered as lost. There can be no doubt, we think, of their authenticity, but the circumstances of their discovery ought to have been mentioned.

condensing probably several of the thoughts in his own mind; and his opening or closing his paragraphs with it, not once or twice, which is often done with great effect, but with a wearisome repetition, as many as nine or ten times, till his sermon quite echoes with it. The reader will discover, among other examples, three instances of this blemish, where it has peculiarly impaired the best parts of his composition. One occurs in vol. ii., where Brydayne is describing the deep agony of David on account of his lamentable fall; an agony of mind which could be assuaged neither by the glories of his kingdom, nor the pleasures of his court, nor altogether renounced even by the consolatory voice of the prophet declaring his pardon. This passage is in other respects forcible and striking, but is weakened even to puerility by the often repeated exclamation, "Thy sin ever before thee!" with the continual and close recurrence of the expression "What prince!"

Another occurs in vol. iv., where sixteen pages are occupied with a sort of running comment on these few and simple but majestic words, which revcal, while they shroud in solemn obscurity, the incommunicable name of the self-existent and eternal Jehovah,-"I am that I am." The sublimity of this passage is altoge-, ther frittered away by the fault of the orator. This last volume furnishes another instance of the same kind, where the statement of St. John, "Even now are there many antichrists," is made the ten-times repeated motto for an exposure of the evils of modern days, which is by no means written with the author's usual spirit.

But all these are trifles:our quarrel with Brydayne, in this last volume particularly, but which extends more or less to them all, is the display which he makes amidst all his exhortations to the "caritas, esque, fidesque" of the Gospel which he preached, of the intolerent spirit of his church. He brands the

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 287.

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two chief reformers of Germany and France, as the two arch-heretics, ("les deux fameux heresiarques") who had seduced so many souls, spread so much misery, and occasioned such abounding and eternal ruin, (see the sermon on scandals or offences), vol, v. p. 173. He even advances against Martin Luther, (not specifically on account of his marriage, but generally against his character), a charge of licentiousness, and classes him with the most abandoned profligates of his age. Surely this is an awakening specimen of the possible excitement of temper, in some at least, of the most enlightened of the ministers, and missionaries too, of the alleged "true church," when any secession from its ranks, or any assault on its tenets, or any inquiry into its discipline, or any doubt of its authority, is avowed, or even indicated.

In short, the principles which pervade many of his reasonings are such as to compel those who adopt them to a habit of persecution towards the members of other reli gions, and of indefatigable proselytism as respects their own. This fact has recently been illustrated by the statements of Mr. Blanco White, and we need not enlarge upon it. But there is one little specimen in Brydayne of this exclusive spirit, which we deem too curious. for its logic, and too explicit in its temper, to be passed over. He enumerates four points of faith as indis pensable in every saving creed. The first is the being and unity of God, comprehending all his attributes and perfections; the second, that as there is but one God, so there can be but one religion; the third, that that religion must be the religion of Christianity, because God has revealed it: so far all is well; but then comes the fourth, that that single available religion, being the Christian, cannot be any other than the Catholic. All others are excluded, and in them none can be saved. (See vol. iv. p. 382.)

But while we justly censure the 4 Y

intolerant spirit of the Roman-Catholic Church, let us not forget that intolerance is not the vice of that church alone, but of human nature itself. Has our own church been always free from this antichristian spirit? and do we not owe it far more to the growing freedom of our political institutions, than to the liberality of some churchmen, that we have not in this age to lament the scenes which darkened the days ⚫ of Charles the Second, of Laud, and even of Elizabeth? Have we not heard divines of our own times at

tributing to the Church of England prerogatives little short of those claimed by Rome; and charitably consigning the Dissenters from it to "the uncovenanted mercies of God"? And are we sure that in the temper and conduct of that party which in this and the sister kingdom assumes to itself emphatically the designation of Protestant, there have not too often been displayed the worst fruits of that proud, exclusive, and persecuting spirit, which constitutes the lasting reproach of Popery?

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE, &c. &c.

GREAT BRITAIN. PREPARING for publication: - Bibliotheca Biblica, by the Author of Biblical Gleanings;-Heads of Lectures in Divinity, by the Rev. J. B. Hollingsworth ;Devotional Exercises, by the Rev. R. Morehead ;-The Cottager's Family Altar, with Scriptural References for Daily Reading;-(by subscription) Narrative of a Tour, by a Party of the Missionaries in the Sandwich Islands, around Hawaii, by the Rev. W. Ellis.

In the press-A Parting Memorial, consisting of Sermons preached in China, Singapore, &c., by the Rev. Dr. Morrison;-Moral Hebrew Tales, translated from ancient Hebrew Works, by H. Hurwitz;-Limborch's History of the Inquisition, re-modelled and enlarged, by C. Mackenzie;-Essays to illustrate the Mode of Education pursued in Sunday Schools, and to remedy their most important defects, by A. H. Davis;-A Book of Martyrs for the Young, by the Rev. Isaac Taylor, illustrated with upwards of fifty engravings.

Professor Barlow has found that the magnetic power may be imparted merely by rotation. Circular plates made of iron, copper, zinc, and other metals, being set in rapid revolution, all possessed more or less influence in deflecting a needle from its true position; but the iron plate in a much greater degree than the other metals.

A patent has been taken out, both in London and Paris, for a process for reducing straw into pulp for making paper, and in extracting from it the colouring or other matter. The straw is boiled with quick-lime and water, to extract the colouring and separate the fibres. The fibrous substance is then submitted to the action of hydro-sulphuret, to get rid of the mucilaginous and silicious matters. The fibrous material is then washed, pressed, bleached, and introduced into the ordinary rag-engine employed for making paper.

Cambridge.-The Seatonian prize for the present year has been adjudged to the Rev. J. Overton, M. A. of Trinity College, for his poem on " The Building and Dedication of the Second Temple."

Captain Manby, recently arrived in Europe, is stated to have brought a report, supported by presumptive evidence, that the spot where La Perouse perished forty years ago, with his crew, is now ascertained. An English whaler, it is said, discovered an island between New Caledonia and New Guinea, at nearly an equal distance from each of these islands. The inhabitants came on board the whaler, and one of the chiefs had a cross of St. Louis hanging as an ornament from one of his ears. Others of the natives had swords, on which the word " Paris" was engraved, and some were observed to have medals of Louis XVI. One of the chiefs, aged about fifty, said, that when he was young a large ship

was wrecked in a violent gale on a coral reef; and that all on board perished, and that the sea cast some boxes on shore, which contained the cross of St. Louis and other things. During his voyage round the world, Captain Manby had seen several medals of the same kind, which La Perouse had distributed among the natives of California. It is added, that the cross of St. Louis is now on its way to Europe.

An institution has been formed in Edinburgh, through the bequest of a lady, amounting to some thousand pounds, for the purpose of endowing an Episcopalian Theological Professorship, to be filled by Master of Arts of Oxford or Cambridge, subject to the control of the Scottish Bishops.

FRANCE.

At the last annual sitting of the French Academy, the prize of 10,000 francs, for "merit and virtue," was awarded to Pierre Martin, a poor day-labourer, who, having married a poor girl, who had three blind brothers, and an infirm father, maintained them by his labour, and would suffer none of them to ask alms, though he had three children of his own to support. He worked night and day, depriving himself of sustenance, that they should not want, till he frequently fell down from over exertion, and want of food. The second prize, of 3,000 francs, was given to a poor girl named Hermitte, who took a poor deaf and dumb child under her protection, and, without any knowledge of the methods in use, succeeded in teaching her little protegé to read and write. Various other rewards were distributed on similar grounds. The prizes, for publications conducive to morals and virtue, were awarded to the Baron de Gérando, for a work "On Moral Improvement, or SelfEducation," and to the work of the late Madame Campan, "On Education.".

RUSSIA.

In the Russian empire, there are six Universities; namely, in the cities of Mos cow, Petersburgh, Kasan, Dorpat, Charkow, and Wilna. The subjects of that empire are not suffered to go into foreign lands for education, till they have studied,

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at least three years in one of these insti tutions. The professors' chairs are few ;' many branches of learning are entirely interdicted, and a jealous watch is exercised even as respects those that are allowed. The emperor has prohibited the schools throughout the empire from using any foreign linen or cloth, and has established annual markets for the sale of native woollens. SARDINIA.

A royal edict, it is stated, has been lately issued, directing that, in future, no person shall learn to read or write, who cannot prove the possession of property above the value of 1500 livres, about 607. sterling.

NEW YORK.

A steam-boat, composed wholly of sheet-iron, intended for a passage-boat, is being constructed at New York. It is intended to be much lighter, and at the same time stronger, than if built of wood. BRAZIL.

Orders have been issued in Brazil for the establishment of botanic gardens in all the provinces; and the attention of the planters has been called to the cultivation of the tea-plant, of which one proprietor has already 4,000 on his estate.

INDIA.

At a late meeting of the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, various articles from Nipal were laid on the table. The Secretary read a paper, by Mr. Hodgson, on the literature of Thibet. Some progress has been made in the collection of Bhoteca works; and Mr. Carey is about to give to the world a grammar of that language. Five works, procured by Hodgson, are from the archieves of Swogoombhoc Nath: various others were procured from poor traffickers and monks, who annually visit Nipal. It is a matter of surprise, that in such a region as Bhote, literature should be so widely diffused as to reach persons covered with filth, and destitute of any of those advantages which usually precede the luxury of books. Printing, however, is in general use among the Bhoteeas. They make use of wooden blocks for types, which are often beautifully engraved.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THEOLOGY.

Essay on the Writings of St. Luke, from the German of Dr. Schleiermacher: with an introduction by the translator, containing an account of the Controversy respecting the Origin of the three first

Gospels since Bishop Marsh's Dissertations. 1 vol. 8vo. 13s. bds.

Man responsible for his Belief; two Sermons occasioned by a Passage in Mr. Brougham's Glasgow Inaugural Address: by the Rev. R. Wardlaw, D. D. 2s.

A Review of Nonconformity; a Discourse: by the Rev. J. Ely.

Divinity; or Discourses on the Being of God, the Divinity of Christ, and the Personality of the Holy Ghost, and on the Sacred Trinity; being improved Extracts from a System of Divinity: by the Rev. W. Davy. [For some curious memoranda respecting this publication, see C. O. for 1823, p. 654.].

Wesleyana; a Selection of Extracts from the Writings of the Rev J. Wesley; arranged to form a Body of Divinity. 6s. Bagster's Comprehensive Bible, (Parts I. and II.); adapted for Pulpit, Study, and Family Use, is now in the course of publication; with Notes, philological or explanatory. 1 vol. 4to.

The Ordinance of the Lord's Supper

illustrated: by W. Orme, author of the "Life of Dr. Owen."

MISCELLANEOUS:

The Poor Man's Preservative against Popery: by the Rev. B. White. 3s. 6d.; or a cheap edition, Is 6d. or 16s. per dozen. Cottage Comforts, with Hints for promoting them, gleaned from Experience: by Esther Hewlett. 2s. 6d.

The Amulet, or Christian and Literary Remembrancer. 12s.

The Literary Remains of Lady Jane Gray: by N. H. Nicolas., Post 8vo. 7s. 6d. Royal 8vo. 15s.

The Life of the Right Hon. R. B. Sheridan: by T. Moore. 4to. 3.3s. An Attempt to establish the First Principles of Chemistry by Experiment: by T. Thompson, M. D. 2 vols. 8vo. 30s.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. THE last Report of this Society, recently distributed among its members, contains many interesting facts, the substance of which we shall lay before our readers, confining our attention in the present Number to that part of the Report which refers to India.

We cannot however avoid adverting, before we proceed with our extracts, to the manner in which the Society's Reports are drawn up, which with a little care might be rendered much more inviting. The style of printing also is much too expensive. The names of the "twelve members by charter," for example, occupy two whole pages; two benefactors by legacy of 100%. each engross two more; the short list of "incorporated members" occupies twelve, and the other subscribers one hundred and thirty. The whole volume is at once redundant and deficient. No list of Vice-Presidents is given: District Committees are put down which do not exist; and Subscribers are inserted in as many places as they have livings. Dr. Gaskin's name, for example, appears no less than five times in pp. 195, 53, * 60, * 66, * 86! Dr. Walmsley, four times; Archdeacon Browne, twice in one page, &c. &c.

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We regret to observe the very little public interest excited by the anniversary sermons preached before the Society; and that no collection is made on those occasions. Might they not be rendered more attractive to the well-disposed part of the

public, and be made also a means of increasing the funds of the Society? One of the best measures perhaps for rendering the Society better known, and more highly valued, would be either to throw open its committee-room to all its members; or, if that were inconvenient, to appoint a representative board elected by the subscribers at large. At present its affairs being conducted by a self-elected, and irresponsible, though most highly respectable and venerable, corporation, the public take far too little interest in them. The sister Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, most wisely fixes no restriction as to the number of its members all who wish to subscribe a guinea annually to its objects, if their character will stand the ballot, may be elected members, and attend and vote at the monthly board. In most other societies, where this "universal suffrage" would be inconvenient, a representative system is adopted, the subscribers annually electing their own committee and other officers, and virtually voting through them. But in the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, the great body of the subscribers have no voice either personal or representative in the procedings of the institution, or the administration of its funds; a circumstance which, we fear, greatly weakens the interest of the public in its behalf. Could no remedy be discovered to obviate this inconvenience?

We feel ourselves called upon to add, that we cannot wholly approve of the spirit in which the Report is drawn up;

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