proportion as his graces are blended more perfectly into the simplicity of "moderation," will he be the less admired by the generality of the "religious world," whose eyes are too often caught by a shewy pre-eminence in one or two favourite graces.-Notices of A. and D. Brown. When Christ is habitually and conspicuously elevated, as the sun of the religious system, and all the graces and qualities which constitute religion are made to emanate from him, and to revolve around him, then there will be light; while darkness will prevail, in a greater or less degree, in proportion as that sun is hid behind a cloud.-Bishop J. B. Sumner. The young Christian is like a green fruit; it has perhaps a disagreeable austerity, which cannot be corrected out of its proper course; it wants time and growth: wait awhile, and by the nourishment it receives from the roots, together with the action of the sun, wind, and rain, in succession, from without, it will insensibly acquire that flavour and maturity, for the want of which an unskilful judge would be ready to reject it as nothing worth. FEELINGS TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH.Let us then rejoice, ministers and people, in our mutual happiness, that we are born and nurtured in the bosom of this Church, where we are entered by baptism, instructed in her catechism, sealed by confirmation, nourished by the holy and blessed sacrament, taught by the preaching of the word, honoured and comforted by her public worship. But what returns can we make to our holy mother for all those benefits she hath done unto us? What but to love, honour, and obey, and to defend her against all her enemies? In the camp of Israel, the tabernacle, with the tribe of Levi, was placed in the middle of the encampment, and all the other tribes encamped round about; and thus, in our Israel, all orders, professions, and ranks of men, resembling the several tribes, should, in their proper stations, encamp about the Church and the clergy, to guard them from the adversary. We who wait at her altars, besides the common ties of other Christians, have peculiar obligations, as ministers, to love and defend her to the uttermost. For my own part, I believe, and am persuaded from the heart, that our Church, of any in the world, approximates the nearest to perfection, in as great purity and beauty of holiness as can be attained to in this mortal state-that she is holy and apostolic in all her articles and doctrines. I firmly believe, that the government of bishops, priests, and deacons, established in her, in which other Protestant Churches are deficient, was appointed by Christ himself, and every where ordained by his apostles. And I humbly trust, that every true member, much more every one who Las received the ministry of reconciliation, is ready and willing to join with me in this persuasion; and, being thus persuaded, to join with me also in this profession, with regard to our Church, that by God's assistance (for, without that, all our professions are but presumptuous), by God's assistance, if we should die with her, we would not deny her in any wise.Dr. Bisse. ADVENT. That Christians should comfort one another, is an important duty connected with the coming of Christ. Christians are now companions in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. They have to suffer for well-doing, they have to bear the scorn of the world, and the mistakes and misrepresentations even of brethren; but let us attend to the Divine direction, and let the coming of Christ be viewed, not as a matter of controversy, but of comfort. "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 0. if we were oftener regarding this glorious hope, and speaking of it with glowing expectation, surely our hearts would be more knit together in love, and we should rise to a higher point of devotedness to God our Saviour. What'consolatory hopes on the death of our brethren; what exceeding joy in the presence of the Lord; what a gathering together of the general assembly and church of the first-born, does the coming of the Lord set before us! Surely here is the Christian's most effectual topic of consolation amid all his trials and sorrows. Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.Bickersteth. Poetry. AFRICAN MOTHER AT HER DAUGHTER'S GRAVE. BY MRS. SIGOURNEY. Some of the African tribes visit the burial-places of their departed relatives with offerings of food and drink. Mothers have been known, for a long course of years, to bring, in an agony of grief, this annual oblation to their children's grave. "DAUGHTER, I bring thee food- Dates, and pomegranates bright; Fresh from the favourite tree, Year after year I tread Thus to thy low retreat; But now the snow-hairs mark my head, Hath dimmed thy spot of birth, Flames from our hamlet rose; By tyrant force away; I watched for their return Till night's red planets ceased to burn, A ripened fruitage bore: Why didst thou leave thy mother's side, Long o'er the hopeless grave Where her lost darling slept, Invoking gods that could not save, That pagan mother wept, Oh! for some voice of power To soothe her burning sighs"There is a resurrection-hour, Thy daughter's dust shall rise." Christians! ye hear the cry From heathen Afric's strand; Haste! lift salvation's banner high O'er that benighted land; With faith that claims the skies Her misery control, And plant the hope that never dies Deep in her tear-wet soul. Miscellaneous. BISHOP PORTEUS.-The following anecdote is taken from Sermons on the Dangers and Duties of a Christian, by the Rev. Erskine Neale. "There are parts in our professional career," said the venerable Mr. L-y, "which teach us great humility and deep distrust. Talking of a clergyman's experience, there is a fact connected with my own, which has often recurred to me, and never without creating painful reflections. I was, for many years, curate of a church near London. One of our congregation, a lady of boundless benevolence, and of the most genuine, though unobtrusive piety, had a son, who was a prisoner at Verdun. She was a widow, and he an only child. It was her wish that he should be statedly remembered in the prayers of the Church; and for thirteen years, after that beautiful petition in our liturgy, that it may please thee to shew thy pity upon all prisoners and captives,' did I offer up a special intercession for him. During this interval, Bishop Porteus came to the church. The circumstance struck him, and he inquired into the particulars. On learning them, he observed, If the young man ever returns, I should like much to know his character and fate.' After an interval of three years, the bishop again visited our little sanctuary, recollected the circumstance, observed that the clause was omitted, and inquired the reason. I gave it with pain. This child of many prayers had been restored to his early home, a thoughtless, selfish profligate; he had wasted in debauchery and excess the means of that mother, whose every thought, and prayer, and hope, and wish, had had a direct reference to his return; and, finally, had compelled her, in the evening of her days, to throw herself upon the bounty of her friends. Of the intermediate stages of wretchedness that the son passed through, I can say nothing; but this I well know was his end; he was found dead one Sunday morning on a brick-kiln. How often,' was the bishop's reply, do we pray for what proves a curse, and not a blessing! How many amongst us are Israelites! They, dissatisfied with God's governance, asked for a king. With what chastisements, penalties, sufferings, and scourges, was their darling desire accompanied! You speak, however, of the mother as still living. Give me her address.'" Solitude and society may be illustrated by a lake and river. In the one, indeed, we can view the heavens more calmly and distinctly; but we can also see our own image more clearly, and are in danger of the sin of Narcissus: while, in the river, the view both of the heavens and of ourselves is more broken and disturbed; but health and fertility are scattered around. -Wolfe. MUSIC. The lawfulness of music, when used with moderation, and in its proper place, is unquestionable; but I believe that wine itself, though a man be guilty of habitual intoxication, does not more debauch and befool the natural understanding, than music, always music, music in season and out of season, weakens and destroys the spiritual discernment. If it is not used with an unfeigned reference to the worship of God, and with a design to assist the soul in the performance of it, which cannot be the case when it is the only occupation, it degenerates into a sensual delight, and becomes a most powerful advocate for the admission of other pleasures, grosser, perhaps, in degree, but in their kind the same. It is recorded of the Rev. Mr. Cecil, that, being passionately fond of playing on the violin, and finding that it engrossed too much of his time and thoughts, he one day took it into his hands and broke it to pieces.-Grimshawe's Cowper. SWEDISH LAWS WITH RESPECT TO INTOXICATION. -The laws against intoxication are enforced with great rigour in Sweden. Whoever is seen drunk, is fined, for the first offence, three dollars; for the second, six; for the third and fourth, a still larger sum, and is also deprived of the right of voting at elections, and of being appointed a representative. He is besides publicly exposed in the parish church on the following Sunday. If the same individual is found committing the same offence a fifth time, he is shut up in a house of correction, and condemned to six months' hard labour; and if he is again guilty, to a twelvemonths' punishment of a similar description. If the offence has been committed in public, such as at a fair, an auction, &c. the fine is doubled; and if the offender has made his appearance in a church, the punishment is still more severe. Whoever is convicted of having induced another to intoxicate himself, is fined three dollars, which sum is doubled if the person is a minor. An ecclesiastic who falls into this offence loses his benefice; if it is a layman who occupies any considerable post, his functions are suspended, and perhaps he is dismissed. Drunkenness is never admitted as an excuse for any crime; and whoever dies when drunk is buried ignominiously, and deprived of the prayers of the Church. It is forbidden to give, and more explicitly to sell, any spirituous liquors to students, workmen, servants, apprentices, and private soldiers. Whoever is observed drunk in the streets, or making a noise in a tavern, is sure to be taken to prison and detained till sober, without, however, being on that account exempted from the fines. Half of these fines goes to the informers (who are generally police-officers), the other half to the poor. If the delinquent has no money, he is kept in prison until some one pays for him, or until he has worked out his enlargement. Twice a-year these ordinances are read aloud from the pulpit by the clergy; and every tavern-keeper is bound, under the penalty of a heavy fine, to have a copy of them hung up in the principal rooms of his house. ON THE DEALINGS OF GOD WITH NATIONS. Gop has informed us, in the Scripture, that he has "appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness." Every thing secret will then be revealed, and his justice will be manifest to the whole universe. It is because this judgment is coming, that the Lord often leaves wicked men unpunished in this life. He does not overlook their crimes; he is not insensible to the claims of equity; but he reserves, to a more solemn occasion, the judging and condemning of them, if they continue impenitent. This, however, refers merely to individuals. Bodies of men,-for instance, nations, cannot be so dealt with. They cannot, as nations, be judged hereafter, because no such distinction will remain in another life, and because many persons, who have partaken largely of national guilt, have individually repented and sought forgiveness, while yet the mass of the nation have continued in their evil deeds. Since, therefore, nations cannot be judged hereafter as nations, God usually deals with them now according to their conduct. He thus lets it be seen through all the earth that he is a just God, who will by no means clear the guilty." He thus gives proof that "righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." 66 We see this remarkably exhibited in the history of the Jews. Immediately on their departure from Egypt they rebelled against God, and they were punished by severe judgments being repeatedly inflicted on the nation. The book of Judges is little else than a narrative of such rebellions and such punish VOL. I. NO. III. ments. PRICE 14d. On their sin, neighbouring princes were permitted to invade their land, and reduce them to slavery; and, on their repentance, God raised up some deliverer to free them from their misery. And while they were governed by kings, the Jews were happy and prosperous, just so long as they feared God and maintained his worship; they were unfortunate and oppressed, whenever they turned aside to the service of abominable idols. Their repeated sins caused their captivity for seventy years in Babylon; their penitence there was followed by their restoration to their own country. And, finally, for their national sin of crucifying Christ, their city was destroyed by the Romans; and they have ever since been wanderers upon the face of the earth. The state in which we behold the Jews now is not the effect of accident; it is, we are distinctly told in Scripture, in consequence of their national guilt, a punishment from that Judge who only doeth right. It is sometimes said, that the Jews were a peculiar people, and that God's dealings with them are not to be taken as a general standard of what he will do to others. But we shall find the same lesson in the history of other nations. The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, for instance, suffered a terrible infliction of Divine vengeance, being made "an example unto those that after should live ungodly." The Egyptians were plagued because of their wicked oppression of the children of Israel. The land of Canaan was given to the descendants of Abraham, to conquer and possess, because of the crimes of those that dwelled therein; and it is a remarkable fact, that not till the trespass of the Canaanites and of the other tribes had grown D may fairly argue from his revealed will, is, that he will have his justice known, his name glorified, as of old, when he said to Pharaoh, for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth." 66 Modern history might also be appealed to; but I shall enter no farther into that wide field, than to point to the condition of France and Spain. Few countries have suffered more than these two within the last forty or fifty up even unto heaven, did judgment come upon them. The Israelites were stayed in a distant country, and not permitted to claim their promised inheritance, so long as the conduct of those they must drive out could be borne with. It was distinctly announced to Abraham, thy seed" in the fourth generation shall come hither again; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." In later ages, we find that the Assyrians and Babylonians were the instruments of God's justice upon other nations; but after they had executed his pur-years: and when we'remember that in the poses, an equitable recompense was meted out to them also. "It shall come to pass," we read in the prophecy of Jeremiah, "when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations." This sentence, as every traveller assures us, has been most literally put in force. I might bring other examples from the sacred writings; but perhaps I shall be told, that all nations, as well as the Jews, were in those times, especially before the establishment of Christianity and the ceasing of miracles, under some peculiar superintendence of God: let us see, then, if we cannot find the same rule observed in other histories, in later days, and in widely distant lands. Let us first look at the Romans. Every one knows that this people rose by degrees to unexampled power; that their empire was afterwards torn by intestine commotions, and finally crumbled under the attacks of certain barbarous tribes, who founded new kingdoms on its ruins. It is also well known, that historians, who little intended to illustrate the providence of God, have described the later ages of the Roman empire as ages of degeneracy and vice. The stern probity which, according to them, anciently characterised the Roman people, had gradually departed, and yielded to the worst forms of sensuality and luxury. Now, when this is allowed on all hands, is it reasonable to imagine that ruin was a mere consequence of depravation of manners, and not rather a judicial punishment proceeding from Him who keeps so carefully to himself the sovereignty of the world, that not one sparrow falls, without his permission, to the ground? And if even it be granted that national ruin is but the natural consequence of national viciousness, it must then be asked, Who has so disposed events as that the one should naturally lead to the other? Must not the answer be, He, whose will is nature's law, and whose just and authoritative word has linked throughout the universe the orderly succession of cause and effect? God permits not this order without some reason for it; and the reason we one, France, licentiousness has ranged unfettered, and infidelity assumed its most gigantic port; and that in the other, Spain, the Inquisition had quenched most ruthlessly in blood every spirit which dared to testify against the worst superstitions of Popery; we can hardly, when we look upon the woes those lands have endured and are enduring, help acknowledging, that verily, there is a God that judgeth in the earth." I make no reference, as I might do, to our own country: other pens have traced, in her history, the connexion between national devotedness and prosperity, and national sin and misfortune. 66 It is no real objection to urge that national calamities are indiscriminating, visiting alike those who have, and those who have not shared in the national guilt. For,-not to say that all, in some measure, partake of a national crime who do not protest against it, and, as far as they properly can, resist it; and that such protesters God may protect, as he protected the Christians at the destruction of Jerusalem, watering them, like Gideon's fleece, with blessing, in the midst of sterility and curse, and removing them from the approach of evil,-it is sufficient to reply, "the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." That fire which consumes the evil-doers may be made to his people a precious trial of faith-a needed correction-a purifying furnace; just as in Babylon the three Jews walked, not merely unhurt, but strengthened and comforted, in the midst of the flame which had slain their enemies. The same pillar which was a cloud and darkness to the Egyptians, was to the Israelites a propitious light. But those who bear rule in any land ought hence to recollect, that they may bring trouble on many besides themselves. There was a famine over Israel, because Saul had slain the Gibeonites; there was a pestilence over Israel, because David had numbered the people. For a nation to be prosperous, it must collectively, governors and subjects, serve the Lord. And the laws which promote his honour, and maintain his service, are most for the welfare of that nation: "for (the Lord saith,) Them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." His protection is a far surer defence than the mightiest armies; his frown more to be dreaded than the fiercest foe. Let the lessons, then, of worldly expediency be cast to the winds; they are like broken reeds, upon which if you shall lean, they will go into your hand and pierce it. Let it be remembered, that the religious man is the truest patriot; and that he cannot serve his country better than by serving his God. And just as, if ten righteous men had been found in Sodom, that guilty city would, for ten's sake, have been spared; as the Lord gave Paul the lives of those that Voyaged with him; so, many times, the ungodly may owe their temporal security to the men they despise. Let every one, therefore, according to his sphere, the poor as well as the rich, in the exercise of the rights he possesses, seek chiefly the glory of God. Were we, indeed, a people fearing him, and working righteousness, did we really, as a nation, discountenance sin, and maintain, purely and zealously, the truth, we might then become, what we shall never properly be, for any worldly advantages, the envy of surrounding lands. Lo! these are they whom the Lord hath blessed. C. Biography. THE LIFE OF DR. ROWLAND TAYLOR, Who was burned at Hadleigh, in Suffolk, Feb. the 9th, 1555.* THIS excellent man was a native of Rothbury, in the county of Northumberland. At the University of Cambridge he lived in much intimacy with his countryman, William Turner, subsequently Dean of Wells, through whose instructions, and by the sermons of Bishop Latimer, he was led to embrace the Protestant religion. He afterwards became chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer; and was appointed, in the reign of King Edward VI., one of the commissioners for drawing up a body of ecclesiastical laws. Being presented to the living of Hadleigh, he left the archbishop's household to reside among the people CoLamitted to his charge. Here he was very diligent in tending his flock: so that not on Sundays and holydays only, we are told, but whenever he could get his hearers together, he preached to them the word of God, the doctrine of their salvation. In his life and conversation, also, he was a notable example of Christian holiness. He was so free from pride, that the poorest person might resort to him as to a father; he was so bold, that he would faithfully, though kindly, rebuke the richest and most powerful. He was of mild temper, void of all rancour, and willing to forgive his bitterest enemies. To the sick and needy he acted like a tender nurse, urging his parishioners to works of charity; while he himself, almost beyond Lis means, was ready to relieve their necessities. His • Vide Fox, Strype, and Burnet. On the death of King Edward VI. the Popish religion was again set up in England. The godly bishops and ministers were put in prison, or obliged to fly; and a general persecution raged against those who would not deny the faith. Dr. Taylor, however, boldly stood his ground: he persisted for several months in retaining the Protestant service in his Church, and faithfully preached against the corruptions of popery. Enraged at his zeal, two Papists, who lived in his parish, persuaded the minister of Aldham, a neighbouring village, to come to Hadleigh, without Dr. Taylor's knowledge, and celebrate mass. And so one day, while the good doctor was sitting in his study reading the Bible, he heard the church-bells ring. Hastening to see what was the matter, he found the intrusive priest, guarded by armed men, just ready to begin his idolatrous service. He boldly protested against it; but with his wife, who had followed him, he was forcibly turned out of the church, the doors were locked against him, and the mass was said. In a few days information was laid against Dr. Taylor before Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester and lord high chancellor of England; who sent him orders to appear before him, and answer for his conduct. His friends upon this persuaded him to fly. But said he, "I am old, and have already lived too long, to see these terrible and most wicked days. I am fully determined, with God's grace, to go to the bishop, and to his beard to tell him that he doth naught. God shall well hereafter raise up teachers of his people, who shall with much more diligence and fruit teach them, than I have done. For God will not forsake his Church, though now for a time he trieth and correcteth us, and not without a just cause. As for me, I believe, before God, I shall never be able to do God so good service as I may do now; nor shall I ever have so glorious a calling as I now have, nor so great mercy of God proffered me as is now at this present. For what Christian man would not gladly die against the Pope and his adherents? I know that the Papacy is the kingdom of antichrist. Wherefore, I beseech you to pray for me; and I doubt not but God will give me strength, and his Holy Spirit, that all mine adversaries shall have shame of their doings." Then, his friends, weeping, commended him to God; and he, leaving his dear people to the charge of a faithful pastor, in a day or two set forward on his journey. His servant, who accompanied him, counselled him on the road to change his mind, and not go to the bishop. But Dr. Taylor would not be moved. worldly persuasion, and leave my flock in this danger? "O, John (said he), shall I give place to this thy Remember the good Shepherd, Christ, which not alone fed his flock, but also died for his flock, Him must I |