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nothing in the world for it; we dare not call God to reckoning, as if we had him in our debt books; our continued suit to him must be to bear with our infirmities, and pardon our offences.'

In adjusting the Gospel balance then, to prevent, by placing the due portion of weight in each scale, that preponderancy on either side which might defeat the purpose for which this balance has been committed to our care; in plainer language, to lay deep and broad the foundation on which Christianity stands, and at the same time to provide that gold, silver, and precious stones be built upon it, not wood, hay, and stubble, which will not endure the fire; to the end, that the Christian professor may, under grace, become, so far as human infirmity will permit; that consistent character which the Gospel was designed to make him, hic labor, hoc opus est; this is that important work which the preacher of the Gospel ought at all times to have before him; a work to the complete execution of which, more learning, discrimination, and judgment are, I conceive requisite, than in these times are usually employed upon it. But never, I believe, were learning, discrimination, and judgment more necessary to preserve a sound and consistent interpretation of the sacred Word, that valuable deposit which the bright luminaries of our Church have left with her faithful sons, and to counteract that flimsy, partial, and in some degree erroneous system of divinity, which is confidently obtrud ing itself on the public mind, than in the times in which we live." P. 27.

The clear and just view in which the Archdeacon has presented this object of needless controversy and dispute, cannot fail to convince the calm and unprejudiced reader how simple and rational are the doctrines of Scripture, and how wilful is the perversity, and how inexcusable the ignorance of those, who, by mutilating and disguising these sacred truths, have plunged the Christian world into the opposite extremes of error and delusion.

ART. VIII. A Sermon preached in the Church of Oundle, on the Anniversary Accompt-day of Mr. Latham's Charities. By the Rev. Joseph Heath, M. A. 24 pp. Is. Riving

tons. 1815.

THOUGH apparently upon a local subject, this discourse embraces a question of very considerable general importance; viz. the appropriation of those charitable funds, which exist in many parishes for the education of a few children, according to the wills of the various donors, to the furtherance of the grand objects of the National Society. We must confess that the question appears to us to be comprehended in a very short Y compass.

VOL. IV.SEPT. 1815.

compass. The children whose education is thus provided for, will in most instances be far better instructed under the Madras system, than in the muddling miserable method in which private. parish schools were formerly conducted. The spirit therefore of the donor's will is much more justly preserved, than by a cautious adherence to the actual forms which it might prescribe, not from any preference to them, but because they were the only method of attaining the object in view at that time of day. Of the civil effects arising from an obstinate adherence to the drowsy inefficiency of the old plan, Mr. Heath speaks in the following just and animated terms.

"But, besides this, Children absent themselves almost at pleasure, certainly at the desire of their unwise parents. And it is a fact well known, by many indeed undisguisedly avowed, that admission is solicited merely for the sake of the clothing:-This will be readily credited, when it is stated, that after a professed attendance at school for five years, participating in its benefits so far as the wearing of its livery, many boys may be instanced, who have attained neither the first rudiments of learning, nor the ABC of religion; who can neither read the Testament, nor repeat the Church Catechism! Occasional instances of native dulness may perhaps be produced; but some more active cause must be in operation to insure the frequency of such lamentable effects.

To this want. of discipline I cannot but ascribe, in a great degree, the disgraceful prophaneness and ferocious insubordination, which characterize our Youth. What else indeed could be expected? These are the natural products of such a system: nor could infidelity itself desire a more active Minister. Would we, my Brethren, check this torrent, how must we proceed? Let us seek the fountain head; when this is pure, pure and wholesome will be the waters. I conjure you then most solemnly to give this subject the consideration it deserves. Experience and revelation promişe you success. When the minds of youth have been duly trained to regularity and obedience, when they have been early impressed with the importance of being religious, no doubt should be entertained of their general happiness." He, that gathereth instruction in his youth, shall find wisdom till his old age."" P. 18.

The liberty which can fairly be allowed and can conscientiously be taken by the trustees, of engrafting their several funds for particular instructions upon the general stock, is thus stated both with clearness and ability.

"We turn then to this question, Is a liberty of conduct permitted to those, who have the management? No depth of casuistry is requisite to answer, that, if an exercise of judgment was justifia ble in the cases already instanced, or if the approval of that exercise be justifiable in pursuance of the same, then are the trustees at full

liberty

liberty to consolidate the schools, and henceforth so to conduct them as may be thought most useful. In order however, that the question may not be determined rashly, let us try it by our Saviour's golden rule-How would we, if blessed with the ability,-How indeed would the judicious LATHAM himself, now, model a School for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church? For this, be it remembered, is the basis upon which he built; it is this noble structure to which he would give firm and goodly pillars. His sentiments are recorded in his own words, that he was willing his poor labours should relieve as many as might be ; and your own opinion stands proclaimed in your admiration and support of the MADRAS SYSTEM.-By this all useful knowledge is imparted in the readiest and most efficacious manner, and the true principles of Christianity, as professed by the Church of England, at the same time inculcated to an extent almost indefinite." P. 22.

Mr. Heath appears practically to understand his subject, and enforces his observations with that judicious zeal, which proves him to be actively engaged in the promotion of the good cause. We trust that his hints upon this important part of parochial policy will be generally adopted.

ART. IX. Sermon preached at the Visitation of the Archdeacon of Rochester, by the Rev. G. Mathew, A.M. Vicar of Greenwich. 4to. 32 pp. Rivingtons. 1815.

THE name of Mr. Mathew, as a sound and impressive preacher, has been long established, and we are happy to find that the character which he had established in the pulpit, he has maintained in the press. Mr. Mathew considers the state of religion in the country, as it regards the character of the clergy, and clearly shews that the evils which exist in the religious world, whether in the extremes of infidelity or enthusiasm, are not to be charged upon the neglect or the insufficiency of the clergy. Mr. Mathew considers the existence and the prevalence of infidelity, of irreligion, and of sectarism distinctly, under each of which head he clears, in a most satisfactory manner, the character of the clergy from the imputation too often cast upon them. The following is the mode adopted by Mr. M. with respect to the first of these charges.

"Having now traced infidelity through its different gradations to this dreadful crisis, I may safely appeal to the infidel of the present day, to shew in what manner it involves the character of our Clergy. If I were addressing him in those gloomy periods, when the Bible was closed from the eyes of the people, and they were

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made implicitly to believe what the lips of the priest pronounced; if he saw us imposing on him, from our own authority, a blind submission to sealed and secret oracles; if he saw the body of the clergy, (for I will not allow that an isolated instance or two of bad courage or bad life will avail him) if he saw the body of the clergy, amidst the bold or subtle attacks of the enemies of Christianity, either timid in meeting the attack, or ignorant in encountering it,I might be inclined to listen to his plea. But he knows that I address him in the most enlightened days, and in the most enlightened country of the world; where not only is knowledge high and universal, but freedom of enquiry is unlimited, and even pressed upon him by us. He knows that we urge him again and again to "search the Scriptures, whether these things are so." He knows that we refer him to no hidden, no mystic, powers; he knows that we appeal to God the searcher of all hearts;-and I fear no contradiction when I assert that, if ever there was a subject on which irrefragable evidence was adduced,-if ever there was a time when it was most forcibly adduced,-the subject is the Religion of Jesus Christ, and the time is the time in which we live. Whether it be the external proofs, in demonstrating the completion of prophecy, in vindicating the reality of miracles, in tracing up, to the very hour of our Redeemer's existence on the earth, the establishment of his Religion; or whether we enter into the more interesting, and, I may almost say, the still more satisfactory, proofs from its internal evidence, its harmony, its sublimity, its purity, its adaptation to the state of man, in all ages, in all climates, in all circumstances, I will affirm that not an argument against Christianity has been left unrefuted, not a remonstrance left unenforced. If the understanding required to be addressed, it has been addressed with all the powers of human reason and human eloquence. If the heart required to be touched, it has been urged in the name of Heaven to "try the doctrine," and by an obedience to its precepts, and the consequent promised influence of the Holy Spirit on the soul, to learn whether it be of God." I will affirm that on every point the press has teemed, and, notwithstanding the alledged coldness of English preaching, the pulpit has almost burned with answers and appeals. The great truth of Christianity is incontrovertibly established; and, if ever the assertion could be made, it may now be emphatically said, "If the Gospel be hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost." P. 13.

Upon the second and third heads Mr. Mathew argues with equal success; but if we were inclined to disagree with him, it would be upon the last; where we must confess that too much of the prevailing spirit of fanaticism must be ascribed to the neglect of some portion at least of the parochial clergy in former days. But a spirit of activity and zeal in their holy calling is now gone forth, which we trust will, under the blessing of Providence, repair the evil, and recall the scattered sheep of the house

9

house of Israel. To the few, the very few as we hope, who still live in negligence and apathy, we could not address ourselves in more energetic language than that of Mr. Mathew.

"Let us, however, my brethren in the ministry, (for I will now de tain you no longer) let us endeavour, as much as in us lies, to "cut off occasion from those who seek occasion, whereof to accuse us." Our station is on an eminence, and our actions will be watched. The Bible is open to all, and discussion on it will bè free. If our Church be true, Christ will be with us to the end. Grand, momentous, and eventful, is our charge: ceaseless its duties, and deep our responsibility. To us is committed the gracious word of reconciliation between sinful man and his offended God. Think how precious is the value of an immortal soul, how awful is human redemption! Let the high concern of heaven-the everlasting interests of man-be our first concern, to whom through Christ they are entrusted here. In purest fervour of Christian charity, let us bear with all men; yet in an earnest zeal for the faith once delivered to the saints, let us "think it a small thing to be judged of man's judgment: knowing that he that judgeth us is the Lord, let us hold fast the profession of that faith without wavering," and never want firmness to stand against the obloquy, to which integrity exposes us.-But, however pure we believe our faith to be, however guarded our actions, however unfounded may be the calumnies against us, or wilful the sins of many, to whom we preach in vain, let us from hour to hour remember the solemn account which we must one day give of our charge: with the everlasting world constantly before us, let us contemplate the millions that will be assembled at the bar of Heaven, and let each of us think, how many of those souls, for whom Christ died, will on that day be required at our hands! P. 30.

ART. X. Original Lines and Translations.

pp. 106. Murray.

Small 8vo.

WHEN we have mentioned the name of the author of these poems, it will be unnecessary to add, that, in point of morality, they are unexceptionable. They are by Mr. Granville Penn, the author of the Bioscope, and other valuable works; and though he modestly calls them only "lines," they are such lines as a poet need not be ashamed to have written they have both spirit and elegance. The first three poems in the book are Gratulatory Addresses for May, 1814, addressed to the Prince Regent, the Emperor Alexander, and the Duke of Wellington. We should not wonder, if the first of these wore to call down on the writer the sneers and abuse of those patriotic

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