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Families of religious professors ;" it is with propriety, therefore, that he avoids discussing those obstacles which are of universal operation; such as the depravity of human nature, and "the powerful, though not omnipotent, influence of an invisible evil spirit on the mind." He nevertheless exposes and condemns the perversion of these tenets, which is but too common among sluggish and narrow-minded professors; "the bad soil," he justly observes," calls for more diligent attention on that account. The exposed field should be guarded with increasing and unremitting care. It is an abuse, therefore, of these doctrines, when they are made apologies for indolence; for their native tendency is to alarm us into vigilant and habitual attention."

The obstacles enumerated are these:-1. The superficial and subordinate regard which is paid to religious instruction in families where it is not wholly omitted ;--2. The relaxation of domestic discipline :-3. The opposite extreme of undue severity;-1. The Imitation of religious instruction to principles, whilst their influence on the heart and character are disregarded ;-5. The unsuitable temper and conduct of parents and heads of families, who impart the best of instructions ;-6. The neglect of young persons in religious assemblies; under which article, Mr. W. strongly directs the attention of ministers to this important branch of their pastoral duty;-7. The unrestrained habits and customs of the present age, which greatly weaken the sanction of parental authority, and the influence of domestic obligation. As there are scarcely any instances of ill success in the tuition of youth which may not fairly be referred to one or more of these impediments, the enumeration, adopting a liberal explanation of its terms, may be considered as sufficient; some of them, however, include impediments that might with more propriety be ranked as principal, then mentioned as subordinate. The neglect of the evidences, as well as of the application of Christian Truth, while its several doctrines are inculcated, might justly form an additional article nearly connected with the 4th. The subject of unsuitable marriages, though virtually included under some of the prior divisions, and specially noticed under the last, is an evil sufficiently important to merit a separate consideration. The lamentable perversion of what are called the "doctrines of grace," in certain connections, is also worthy of particular attention.

Each of these topics is so fertile of matter for remark and illustration, that the preacher has found it necessary to avoid every kind of detail and of ornamental amplification. His discourse is replete with hasty notices of important truth; but he must have found it impossible, with all his efforts, to introduce more than a scanty proportion of the remarks which occurred to his consideration. His observation of life appears to have been so extensive, yet so accurate; his principles are so liberal, yet so scripturally just; and the slight sketch of domestic discipline, copied, we are inclined to think, from an original within his own walls, is so deserving of general imitation, that we consider it as a debt which he owes to the public to expand his Sermon into an Essay, in which he may investigate the subject to a greater extent, explain his opinions much more in detail, and enforce his advice with suitable copiousness and energy. We must be contented, in the mean while, with referring our readers to the present publication, which is equally intitled to their notice by the importance of its subject, and to their approbation by the merit of its contents. There are a few blemishes in the composition, which it is unnecessary to specify.

Art. XV. The Character and Commendation of a Faithful Minister. A Sermon, preached January 2, 1808, at the Church of the United Parishes of St. Mary Woolnoth, and St. Mary Woolchurch Haw, Lombard Street, on the death of their late Rector, the Rev. John Newton, who departed December 21, 1807, in the 83rd year of his age. By Richard Cecil, A. M. Rector of Bisley, Vicar of Chobham, Surrey, and Minister of St. John's, Bedford Row. 12mo. pp. 43. Price 1s. Hatchard. 1808.

"THE Author of this Discourse," as we are informed in the Advertisement, "has endeavoured to meet the request of the executors and friends of the deceased, by publishing all that his notes and recollection will supply. He hopes that his having Memoirs of the late Rev. Mr. Newton, now in the press, will account for so little having been said in the Sermon, respecting the circumstances of the life and death of that eminent character. He has often had occasion to remark how spiritless a Sermon appears when printed, which, in a more free delivery of it, is felt impressive; but in both instances, he trusts it will suffice, that under great bodily pain and infirmity," he hath done what he could." This Sermon, however, cannot appear spiritless or uninteresting to any, who feel the truth and propriety of its references to the venerable man of God whose example and reward it illustrates; or who are capable of relishing evangelical sentiment, exhibited with Mr. Cecil's characteristic simplicity and ingenuity. There are several well-conceived local allusions; and the ap. plication to the feelings of different classes of hearers is fervent and impressive. The text is Luke xii. 42, 43.

We are happy to find that a memoir of Mr. Newton's eventful life and admirable character has employed the pen of so worthy a Biographer. Art. XVI. Observations on Seduction, and the evil consequences attending it, extracted from Matthew Henry's Exposition of the Old and New Testaments; by Mary Smith, a Penitent, late of the Magdalen Hospital, and published for her benefit: to which is added, a Poem, by Mr. Pratt, on the same subject. 8vo. pp. 68. Price 1s. 6d. Wilson. 1808.

DESIROUS as we certainly are of promoting the object of this publication, we cannot very warmly approve the plan. Whatever may be the merits of Matthew Henry as a practical expositor for serious Christians, he is by no means the writer to win the attention of modern youth, to convince their judgement, or even to obtain their respect. The claims of the publication, in our view, are simply of an eleemosynary kind: and it is but a small proportion of the sums thus contributed that will reach the author's hands. Mr. Pratt's poem is far from being a recommendation to the pamphlet.

Art. XVII. A Letter to Mr. D. Cox, on the Subject of his "Address to the Dissenters." 8vo. pp. 34. Price Is. Drakard, Stamford; Burditt. 1807.

WE

WE have not seen the "Address" referred to in this title; but we are warranted, by the extracts from it contained in the Letter before us, in saying, that nothing could justify an intelligent Dissenter, ag

the author of this Letter appears to be, for wasting his strength on so miserable an adversary as Mr. D. Cox, except the "rumour" of his labours being applauded by some of the clergy, and his Address considered " as an excellent popular defence of the Church of England" The object of the present writer is to expose the glaring ignorance and folly of the "excellent defence ;" and this he has accomplished in a manner, which will induce all rational friends to our ecclesiastical establishment to regret that it had not found a more suitable advocate..

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Art. XVIII. The New Pantheon, or an Introduction to the Mythology of the Ancients in Question and Answer. Compiled principally for the use of Young Persons. By W. Jillard Hort. (Bristol) with Plates. 12mo. pp. 161. Price 4s. bds. Longman and Co. 1808. WITH the help of a few alterations, this elegant little work would

entirely supersede the concern we lately expressed, (Vol. III. p. 922.) that the juvenile library was still unprovided with a decorous introduction to Classical Mythology. The "New Pantheon" is scrupulously delicate; it is also, for the most part, well arranged and well written. We do not perceive the traces of deep research into the primary origin of the Greek fables, nor uniformly assent to the author's historical explications; but it is evident that he has taken considerable pains to exhibit, in a definite and consistent form, those parts of the subject which properly come within the limits of his task.

We must notice some of the alterations that appear to us advisable. Mr. Hort, who we believe is an Unitarian minister, informs his young reader that Moses "seems to have given the Jews so large a number of ceremonial precepts, in order to remove them as far as possible from the absurd and idolatrous rites of the Egyptians." Whether this was, or was not, in point of fact, any object of the Levitical institutions, and certainly it was not the sole object, they are constantly represented by Moses, not as originating with himself, but as the express dictate of a Superior Power; of this, Mr. H. can have no doubt, as he seems to admit, in other places, the miraculous endowments of this lawgiver, and consequently his divine legation. Our objection is against such an exclusion of truth as amounts to an assertion of error.

The following remark appears to us equally injudicious. "We find this ornamented style of writing (the Eastern) in the books of the Old Testament, which abound in fables, and historical events disguised or embellished by fiction." If this maxim were correct, in any considerable degree, or even to the large extent implied in the terms, we should still deem it a very dangerous general principle to be laid down in the educa tion of youth, insulated as it is from all explanatory and definitive examples. We cannot but protest against any design, or inadvertence, by which, in the heedless estimate of youthful readers, the authenticity of Revelation itself is likely to be invalidated. The next edition of this useful work will be rendered, we hope, unexceptionable, in these respects; and will also be more carefully printed.

The plates, furnished by Mr. George Cooke, of whose talents they afford a very favourable specimen, are numerous and truly ornamental; the designs are graceful and ingenious, though not faultless in the drawing; and the engraving, in outline, is remarkably neat and delicate.

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Art. XIX.

An Address to the Public, from the Society established in the Town and Neighbourhood of Hull, for giving effect to the Laws made for the Suppression of Vice and Immorality, where friendly admonition has failed of success, &c. &c. 12mo. pp. 24. Hull, Ferraby. 1808.

ONE of the measures for promoting a reformation of morals, recommended in Mr. Scott's Sermon (Ecl. Rev, IV. 91) before the municipal authorities at Hull, has, we are happy to find, been carried into effect; the sound and enlightened principles on which this Society has been formed, is the best pledge for the propriety and utility of its labonrs. The small pamphlet now before us contains" His Majesty's Proclamation," and a neat, impressive, and convincing Address, on the motives and purposes of this laudable Institution. A convenient " Abstract of the Laws against Vice, Profaneness, and Immorality" is subjoined.

Art. XX. Remarkable Particulars in the Life of Moses; including the interesting History of the Israelites from their state of Bondage in Egypt until their Arrival at the Borders of Canaan. By John Campbell, 12mo. pp. 213. price 4s. fine 5s. Burditt. 1808.

MR. C. has so well established his character as an author for ingenuity

and rectitude of sentiment, as to render it unnecessary for his reviewers to take much pains in stating the quality of his productions. We hope he will be cautious not to risk that respectable situation which he has obtained in the opinion of the serious public, by affording any pretence for accusing him of negligence in his useful labours. There are some instances to justify this hint, in the present work; he had many opportunities, which he has overlooked, of diversifying his subject, and instructing his juvenile readers; some parts of his style also might have been benefited by another revision. We really did not think Mr. Campbell would have written such a sentence as this: "well may this place be termed the Wilderness of Sin, for much sin was committed by Israel there." p. 75.

The narration, however, is faithful and impressive; the reflections copiously introduced, are pious, useful, and usually pertinent. There are a few notes, geographical, and explanatory, at the end of the book, to inform the inquisitive youth, and several copper-plate engravings to amuse him.

Art. XXI. Designs for Villas and other Rural Buildings; by Edmund Aikin, Architect, 4to. with Plates. Price 11. 11s. 6d. bds. J. Taylor. 1807.

THE designs which constitute the principal part of this volume, are thirty one in number, and engraved in aqua tinta; they deserve the attention of students, and of the wealthy who are disposed to ornament their estates. The theoretic opinions advanced by the author, in an introductory Essay, discover, in many instances, a liberal and cultivated mind.

Art. XXII. A Compendium of the most important Particulars of Na tural and Revealed Religion, written chiefly for the Improvement of the Middling and Lower Classes of Society. By D. Watson. 12mo. pp. 120. Price 2s. 6d. Hatchard, Williams. 1807.

To furnish an abstract of theology, so concise, clear, and convincing, as to be of much value to the inferior classes of society, is far less easy than desirable. It is only in the first of these qualities that we think Mr. Watson particularly excels. His views of divine truth appear, essentially, to be consistent with the Scriptures; and the sources from which he has derived a considerable part of his work, are safe, though rather antiquated. There is great room for improvement in the method; the evidences and the doctrines of Christianity should be treated more dis. tinctly and systematically. About half the pamphlet is occupied with three chapters, thus remarkably distinguished, 1. A Serious Address to those who cordially believe in the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures. 2. An Address to Christian Believers. 3. An Address to Established Christian Believers. A great part of the "important particulars" contained in these three Chapters, should be arranged under distinct heads. We should have been pleased to find the opinions rested more constantly on scriptural proofs.

Art. XXIII. Practical Observations on Gypsum, or Plaister of Paris, as Manure. 8vo. pp. 121. Price 3s. 6d. Longman and Co. Harding. 1808. MR. Parkinson is of opinion, in opposition to Bergman, and Kirwan,

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that gypsum, or plaister of Paris, (sulphat of lime) is not a manure; it affords no pabulum to vegetables. Its use is to keep off the sun from crops on light, dry, hot lands, either sandy or loamy: he seems to admit, however, that it yields moisture as well as shade, to the plants. It is exceedingly beneficial on clover, and also on turnips; it may be of service to flax, hemp, and rape; he thinks it may be useful on sainfoin, but not at all on white corn, maize, peas, or beans. On wet, heavy clays, it is of no use. It should be sown in a state of powder, as a top-dressing, and should especially be applied when the land is wet, a☛ after rain; the sowing may be repeated two or three times. From two bushels to six, is the proper quantity in general; Mr. P. advises trials to be made from one to sixteen. It will not supply the want of other manure, but should be used in addition; it never does harm. Mr. P. is uncertain whether the Patent Plaister, sold by the Gypsum Company, ia better than gypsum, alone; it "is composed of 1000 bushels of pow dered gypsum, 100 bushels of oyster-shells, and 5 cwt. of pulverised baroselenite." Its efficacy, he thinks, is much exaggerated by the Com-pany. If, in addition to this information, the reader wishes to possess a large quantity of contradictory reports and conjectures, stories, jokes, and repetitions, agricultural details, and anecdotes of success and failure, England, Ireland, and America, he may buy Mr. Parkinson's gossiping pamphlet.

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