specimens. The letter Beth, whence tube in English, signifies hollow or a house, either of which its figure may rudely represent.- denotes existence or life, and the free opening or ventilation through it, may betoken passing events.-The shape of the latter bears a manifest relation to the idea expressed by the word ts, wrapped or covered up, or as a rough wall is covered inside with laths and plaster.-The name of the letter oin may be supposed to be original. It signifies either the eye, or a spring, or fountain of water. The shape of bears a strong resemblance to the socket of the eye, with the optic nerve attached to it: and it is also not unlike to a well or spring.-The figure of naturally represents the cup and stem of a flower, especially when it is blown or fully spread forth.-The Hebrew a river, especially if there were falls in any of the streams that flowed through Paradise, will exactly suit the image or idea conveyed by the peculiar character of .

From these specimens of Dr. Andrew's subtilty and felicitous genius, we proceed to notice some other particulars which lie on the surface of his book.

When the building of the Tower of Babel was commenced, 200 years after the Deluge, the whole number of married inhabitants of the earth, according to the learned Author, could not exceed seventy or eighty couples. Of the design of the builders in erecting that edifice, he has given the following account:

The Descendants of Ham and Japheth, before they quitted Asia, agreed amongst themselves to pay some marked tribute of respect to Shem on the plains of Shinar, and to build a Tower, and call it after his name, that it might serve as a memorial to their posterity of the consanguinity of the whole human race, and that Asia was their cradle, and that when disputes and difficult contentions should arise among future generations, they might resort thither to have their differences settled, and their rights ascertained.'

A design which every judicious and sensible man must approve as a wise and salutary measure, though, as a probable and practicable expedient, he may hesitate to give it so much credence as would be necessary to the support of Dr. A.'s hypothesis. If it be less credible, however, than some other theories, it is more pleasing, and, like many other articles in this Hebrew Dictionary and Grammar, is very ingenious. The logic of the book is not less conspicuous than the philosophy of it, nor is it of inferior quality. From the facts, that the medium of our devotion, whether it be audible or silent, does not affect the acceptance of our thaksgivings and our praye.s to the Almighty, and that our benevolence may

be as useful when conferred upon an object whose speech we do not understand, as when bestowed upon a suppliant who speaks intelligibly to us, the Author justly infers, that neither the knowledge of Hebrew, nor of Greek, nor of any other language can, of itself, make us Christians, nor yet better Christians. (Preface, p. xiii.) The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament, Dr. Andrew thinks, was made about A. D. 130; and, in support of this opinion, he asks, Is it likely that Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, Origen, and others of their age, would have troubled themselves, as they did, without necessity or authority, about a new translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek, had an authorised and a publicly received Greek Version been already in common circulation? This mode of arguing is much the same as if a writer were to allege that there existed no English version of the Hebrew Scriptures in common circulation before 1790, because Dr. Geddes, Dr. Boothroyd, and Mr. Bellamy had, since that time, undertaken new translations of the Bible. Origen was not a translator of the Bible; he was only the editor and reviser of translations already in existence. Again: we are told, (p. 173,) that among the Israelites, every seventh year was sabbatical, or a year of rest and restitution, when all alienated real property returned fully, freely, and gratuitously, to the original owners or inheritors, all debts and securities were cancelled, and all bondage or personal service was put an end to. Here the worthy Hebraist blunders: these releases and immunities were enjoined by the law of the Jubilee every fiftieth year. Once more: Adam gave names to all the beasts of the earth and the fowls of heaven; and, as the learned Author is of opinion that few Naturalists now-a-days would undertake to begin and finish so serious a task as the making of a complete system of Zoology, in less than fifteen or twenty years without assistance, he concludes that Adam lived a solitary life as a naturalist or philosopher without any companion, for fifteen years and a half, and that Eve was then formed about the autumnal equinox!!

In the Dictionary, we find some definitions of words not a little curious. on, which occurs Isa. xiii. 21, is rendered by the translators of the public version doleful creatures, probably in the sense of howling monsters, which is Bishop Lowth's rendering. Dr. Andrew gives us doleful creatures;' friars, fraternities, convents. " is explained, vultures, kites; jackalls, wild cats; beggarly monastic orders, lodging on rocks and precipices. ", A crowned spreader-abroad of gifted men; that is, Antichrist, the false prophet, who has filled the world with false teachers: called greyhound, armed warrior, Prov. xxx. 31.

To the Dictionary, which comprises 100 pages, and which precedes the Grammar, is appended a series of amended Translations from the Hebrew, of certain passages of the authorised English Bible. We leave our readers to make out the meaning and to appreciate the value of such renderings as the following:-That I may remember the everlasting_covenant,' Gen. ix. 16.; To remember the world's testament.'-For a sweet savour before the LORD.' Exod. xxix. 25; For a display of leading to the appearance of Jehovah.' Exod. xxxii. 25. That there was an opposition; for Aaron had an opposition that strove with them, who rose up against them.'-' And that will by no means clear the guilty,' Exod. xxxiv. 7.; And the innocent 'shall not be exempted: plainly meaning Jesus Christ.'- And will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold they shall come with speed swiftly.' Isa. V. 26, And his planting after the end of the earth: even here quickly, in a little time, he will come."

In the Grammar, (p. 108,) the reader is told, that five of the consonants of the Hebrew Alphabet have their tails straightened, or else turned the contrary way, when they end a word in the Alphabet on the preceding page, he will find but four, which is the entire complement, we believe, of tailed letters. The form Niphal is described, (p. 132.) as prefixing a to Kal throughout, which is incorrect. In the Syntax, Rule 3, (p. 154,) that a verb or adjective following two nouns in apposition, may agree in gender and number with the noun governed, rather than with the noun governing, is represented as original; a note being added, purporting that the want of this rule has long been felt by grammarians.' If the Author had only looked into Israel Lyons's Hebrew Grammar, No. 192, he would have been admonished that he was offering no novelty to the world, in publishing the rule in question.

Dr. Andrew's Hebrew Grammar may supply the wants of a learner, but it cannot be praised as a vehicle of clear and well arranged instruction. The Dictionary is a collection of definitions which will afford him but little information or assistance; while it is altogether wanting in perspicuous and orderly arrangement. The chronological discussions with which the volume is enlarged, are ill adapted to the purpose of an elementary work. Altogether, the Author's learning appears to

exceed his discretion.

Art. VII. The New Guide to Prayer, or Complete Order of Family Devotion, containing nearly one hundred and twenty Prayers, arranged on a Plan entirely new: each Prayer accompanied with appropriate Reflections on a Passage of Scripture selected for every Day in the Week, during a Period of Two Months. By the Rev. James Hinton, M. A. 8vo. pp. 564. Price 9s. London. 1824.

IF

Fit is not impracticable, it is surely very important, that family worship should be made both a reasonable and an interesting service to all the members of the household. The mere keeping up of the observance has its use, but it would be better if the service could uniformly be accommodated to the capacities and feelings of those whose benefit, we cannot but think, ought mainly to be consulted,-our children and servants. Extemporaneous prayer is certainly by far the most advantageous mode of conducting the devotions of the family; and we should be sorry to countenance the substitution of a form in any but a case of very obvious expediency. But the mere reading of a portion of Scripture and the putting up of a prayer, are not all that are included in the idea of a family service that shall adequately answer its moral purpose. It is highly desirable that the reading and the devotional part of the service should bear upon each other; that the one should furnish materials for the other; and that children should thus be taught the use that what they hear, ought to be turned to. The difference between a formulary and an unvaried routine of customary expressions, is so slight as regards the effect, that the advantage of the extemporaneous method is almost lost, when no pains are taken to secure a proper variety. And there is scarcely less danger that he who prays should come to do it mechanically, than that they who listen should listen mechanically, where no effort is made to engage their minds, and interest their feelings in the service.

We have been much pleased with the volume before us, not so much as a book of prayers, though in that point of view it will be highly acceptable, as on account of its claims to the title of a guide to prayer. The most important feature of the work, in the opinion of the Editor, is adverted to in the following

terms.

It consists in the adaptation of some part (and frequently several parts, amounting in the whole to a considerable portion) of each prayer, to the chapter and reflections to which it is subjoined. One obvious design of this plan is, to excite a greater degree of interest in the minds of the worshippers. It should, however, be particularly noticed, that these prayers may be read after any other portion

of Scripture with as much propriety as those in similar works, with the exception of a paragraph in one or two instances, which are par ticularly pointed out in the places where they occur. But the chief design of the Writer is, to teach persons how to adapt the thoughts and expressions of Scripture to their own particular use, and how to turn the language of Scripture into the language of prayer and praise, adoration and confession. Those (persons) will most readily obtain that justness and fluency of expression which are so desirable in the leaders of devotional services, whether in the family or in public: and at the same time will be the most likely to imbibe a larger portion of that genuine spirit of devotion, without which the greatest extempore freedom must be unacceptable to God; who study with the closest at. tention those excellent examples which are recorded in the book of Inspiration, and make them their only acknowledged standard, model, ⚫ and directory. The Writer has therefore bent his attention in a particular manner to this feature of the work, and only laments that be has not been able to realize his own idea of what ought to have been done.'

In pursuance of the same object, prefixed to every prayer, are short Reflections on some passage of Scripture suitable to be read in the family, selected chiefly from Scott, Doddridge, and Henry; and a hymn is referred to, adapted to some part of the chapter, taken from Dr. Watts. This is an admirable plan of the general merit of the execution, our readers will best judge from a specimen. They will observe that every paragraph is numbered and headed, in order that the topic may be seen at a glance, and that the reader may know what to omit, if the prayer is too long.

• WEDNESDAY EVENING..

JOB CH. XXXIV. 1–23. and CH. XXXV,

• REFLECTIONS.

The Judge of all the earth cannot but do what is right, though we are often incapable of discovering the reasons of his conduct: but as we have all multiplied our transgressions against him, and as he cannot receive any thing from us which he hath not first given unto us, we can have no cause to complain of hard measures when afflicted. And as our Judge is now as a Saviour, on a mercy-seat, we can have no reason to conclude, that it would be in vain for us to repent, to seek forgiveness, and to cleanse ourselves from our iniquities. When, therefore, impatience, pride, and unbelief, suggest such conclusions, we associate ourselves, for the time, with the workers of iniquity, and expose ourselves to just reproof.

How few of the afflicted, who groan under their miseries, inquire after God, and trust in his name! The most, even of the wretched, disregard their obligations and accountableness to him, and refuse to repent and humble themselves for their sins, and seek forgiveness and gomfort from him. If pious persons are betrayed into any degree of