and that they ought to be men of sterling piety, of a good natural understanding, and of solid judgment. It will be utterly impossible for them to fill their places properly without the love of God in their hearts, as a sacred fire inflaming them with holy zeal for his glory and the salvation of souls; nor can they be expected to discharge their duty well any longer than they retain this principle in their own breasts. It is equally certain that they should be men distinguishing truth from falsehood, and temptation from sin; that they ought to be well acquainted with the human heart, with the devices of Satan, and with the work of the Holy Spirit; and that they should be persons of influence, arising from religion, such as eminently pious men are likely to have in Christian society, if possessed of a good intellectual capacity. No public ministrations will be sufficient to maintain the life of religion in individuals, or to preserve the purity of the body without faithful Leaders in the Society. The hedge of discipline cannot be kept up, nor proper order be enforced, without the aid of Leaders; but this aid cannot be expected from them unless they be men of God. If they be not strictly and universally conscientious, they will not help their Preachers to urge the observance of our rules. Or, if their own experience be superficial, how can they be expected to set before their brethren the deep things of God, or excite them to go on to perfect holiness? But it has been asked, are all our Leaders such as are above described? Have they now fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ? Are they all pressing towards the mark of entire holiness? Blessed be God, many of them not only answer this character, but are happy witnesses that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, and can say to their brethren, "be ye followers of us, as we are of Christ. Yet it may be greatly feared, that some Leaders are suffered to remain in office, in various places, who have left their first love, and, of consequence, their first zeal for God, and regard for souls. This is evidenced by sinful tempers, foolish desires, and worldly cares, which make them extremely unhappy in themselves, and useless in their station. Wherever, therefore, such Leaders as have forsaken the Lord in heart, are found in office, they should be faithfully admonished by their brethren, or by the Preachers who labour among them; and if they do not repent and do their first works, they should be removed, and others put in their room. No personal respect ought to outweigh with us the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom: nor should our attachment to men ever make us unfaithful to God. The more this subject is candidly and scripturally considered, the more will its importance appear to such as are zealous for the honour of their Lord. Next to faithful laborious Preachers, in importance and usefulness, are lively, active, judicious, Class Leaders. EFFORTS TO DO GOOD. TO THE EDITOR-DEAR SIR, I shall be glad if you will permit me to lay before the numerous readers of your valuable Magazine, a few of the thoughts which at present occupy my mind. In the first place let me say, that nearly twelve months have elapsed since I was constrained by a sense of duty, grounded I trust on the firm basis of genuine principle, to seperate myself from the "Conference Methodists," and join the Wesleyan Methodist Association. From the first moment of my connection with this society, I have felt and still feel, an ardent and growing desire to witness its prosperity. Nor have I failed to avail myself of every opportunity to observe its movements and mark its progress. I have perused with anxious solicitude the Minutes of the last Annual Assembly, and the Magazine for the present month, the contents of which have excited in my mind mingled feelings of pleasure and pain. are. I rejoice to know that notwithstanding the difficulties with which we, as a section of the Christian church, have had to contend, we have not unfrequently been favoured with signal and glorious manifestations of the Divine presence and blessing. And yet, at the same time I, for one, feel that there is abundant cause for sincere and heartfelt regret on account of a decrease in the number of members in our Connexion. Several reasons of this decrease have been thoughtfully assigned; and I confess that one, which to my mind, appears the most plausible and weighty, is found in the want of more faithfulness and zeal on the part of the officers and members of our church. It cannot be doubted that if we in our individual and collective capacity had put forth more vigorous exertions in the cause of that Saviour whom we profess to love and serve, our position and prospects would be far more satisfactory and cheering than they But I presume we have not to do so much with what is past as with what is to come; past time is gone, it cannot be recovered, and therefore while we humbly mourn before God because of the unfaithfulness which it records, we ought to be incited to increased activity and diligence in reference to what is future. The question then which seems to demand our serious and practical attention is, What can and must be done to promote a revival of religion in our circuits generally, and throughout the entire connexion? The answer is obvious and simple, A proper use of the means appointed for the accomplishment of so desirable and important an end. And what are they? Chiefly the faithful ministry of Divine truth, the earnest, incessant and believing prayers of God's people, together with corresponding, continuous and persevering efforts to extend the interests of our Redeemer's kingdom in the world. The ministry of reconciliation is after all the grand and main system of instrumentality, appointed by God himself, for the conversion of our apostate race, hence how important that this ministry should be plain, pointed, earnest and effective. Surely, the ambassadors of the Cross should make no compromise of truth, they should not "prophesy smooth things," to suit the caprice of one, the prejudices of another, or the inclinations of a third. O no, their motto should ever be,"Thus saith the Lord," and "all that he hath commanded we must and will speak." It is, however, quite possible that the Gospel may be clearly and faithfully preached, and yet it may be, comparatively, ineffectual, nay, it is certain that it will be so, unless the minister and the truth he proclaims be attended and backed by importunate and faithful prayer. The great apostle had seen and forcibly felt this when, addressing the church of the Thessalonians, he said, "Brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." It is only by the almost omnipotent power of prayer that spiritual and Divine influence, so essential and indispensable to the success of the Gospel can be obtained; so that the duty of the obedient servants of the Most High is at once evident. We must continue instant in prayer." Not only should we, by holy intercession, beseige the throne of the heavenly grace during the very time the Word of life is being preached, but also at our weeknight prayer meetings and in the solemn retirement of the closet. But farther, we must work as well as pray. The true church of Christwhether viewed as a whole or in its distinctive and sectional parts, is emphatically a working church; and it is only so long and in the same proportion as it continues thus, that it will be a prosperous church; able to fulfil the glorious designs of its Divine institution. It therefore behoves each member of the great spiritual family, in approaching the mercy-seat, to ask, "Lord what wouldst thou have me to do?" It is true we have too often heard persons who profess to be the servants of our Lord, carelessly assert, "we can do nothing." Such an assertion ought to be repudiated as disgraceful to our religion and insulting to our God. Would any one of the avowed servants of Satan make such an assertion, or if he made it would he act upon it? No, every one of that vast and mighty army is actively engaged in doing the work of their father, the devil, employing every agency of evil whereby they may consolidate his interests and extend his empire. Shall, then, the servants of our Emanuel excuse themselves from engaging, with all their power, in a work far more honorable and glorious, on the ground of a supposition that there is nothing for them to do? Surely not, rather let us seek the unction from above, which will enable us to exert a holy moral influence, such as shall hasten the arrival of that not far distant day when he shall come in the power of his kingdom and grace, whose right it is to reign. As to the various subordinate means to be employed, we must not now particularly speak (this subject may furnish matter for another communication), suffice it for the present to say, that where there is a sincere desire to do good, an opportunity will seldom be wanting. Another point which I would just notice, is the importance of unity of effort in our work of faith and labour of love. I was a member of the "old body of Wesleyans" a considerable number of years, engaged as a local preacher, and also in "the full work of the ministry," consequently, I have had sufficient time, and ample opportunities, to observe the general bearing of things, also the efficiency, or otherwise, of various modes adopted for the prosperity of the church; and I confidently affirm that those societies, or circuits, in which the members and the leadersthe rich and the poor-have been united in the work of the Lord, have been far the most honoured by manifestations of the Divine blessing, in the sanctification of believers, and the conversion of sinners. It is not meet that a few of the soldiers of Christ should take the field against the enemy, while, perhaps, the larger proportion remain in the rear, hoping that their companions will succeed; and yet, at the same time, doubting of their success. No; we must "In mighty phalanx joined, Then let us all "come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." Let us betake ourselves to this work in a spirit of earnestness, prayer, and faith. Let us strive to be divested of that apathy and indifference which have too long marked our feeble efforts, and seek for that holy burning zeal, that constraining principle of love which dwelt in our Saviour's breast; and we may depend upon it that our labour will not be in vain. We shall be abundantly rewarded in our own souls by increased and rich communications of spiritual blessings; our efforts may give a fresh and vigorous impulse to the exertions of others who are engaged in the same great work; and we shall have the happiness to witness more triumphant conquests of the cross. Yes, "the glorious Gospel of the blessed God" shall go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth; bearing down, by its native energy and omnipotent power, every form of opposition and error, until, at length, "every knee shall bow," in adoring humility and humble love, until "every tongue shall confess," in songs of joy and hymns of praise, "that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Leeds, September. THOMAS SWALLOW. LITERARY NOTICES. The following works have been received. We are obliged to postpone our Reviews until next month. THE HISTORY OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY, Comprising an account of the origin of the Society; Biographical notices of some of its Founders and Missionaries; with a record of its progress at Home and its operations Abroad. Compiled from original documents in the possession of the Society. By WILLIAM ELLIS, Late Foreign Secretary of the Society, and Author of "Polynesian Researches." &c. Vol. I. J. SNOW. THE HARMONY OF UNIVERSAL ATONEMENT AND UNLIMITED GRACE, with the character and Word of God, exhibited in a series of discourses. By the REV. RICHARD WEBB, Minister of Canon Street Church, Glasgow. A PRACTICAL ENGLISH GRAMMER, Containing a complete New Class of Exercises, adapted to each Rule, and constructed on a plan entirely New. By M. FLOWER, and the REV. W. B. FLOWER, B. A. SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL. THE INDEPENDENT AND YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S MAGAZINE, For September, 1844. AYLOTT ANd Jones. THE CELEBRATED DR. WATTS. THE records of nonconformity have not yet enrolled the name of a more distinguished individual than that of Dr. Isaac Watts. He was born at Southampton, on the 17th of July, 1674, and died in 1748. He was as remarkable for his benevolence as for his learning. It has recently been proposed to erect a public monument to his memory; and certainly, such an honour is much more due to him, than to the majority of those who have been so distinguished; but his literary productions are a monument, erected by his own hands, of greater glory and durability than any other which can be erected. A correspondent has favoured us with the following extract containing some interesting particulars respecting Dr. Watts, and we gladly give it insertion; for although many of our readers are already acquainted with the facts which it records, we think it proper that all our readers should be acquainted with the history of so eminent a man. The personal appearance of Dr. Watts was not such as to command remarkable attention, though by no means disagreeable, it was certainly not pre-possessing. His stature was beneath the common standard, perhaps not above five feet, or at most five feet two inches, but without anything like deformity in his frame. His body was spare and lean, his face oval, his nose acquiline, his complexion fair and pale, his forehead low, his cheek bones prominent. The expression of his countenance was heavy; in the absence of any exciting cause an indifferent spectator would never have singled out the man of genius in the crowd. His eyes were small and grey, and when attentive or eager, piercing and expressive. The anecdote is well known, that once in a coffee room with some friends, he overheard a gentleman remark contemptuously of his appearance, "What! is that the great Docter Watts !" With admirable presence of mind and great good humour he turned round and repeated one of his own stanzas : "Were I so tall to reach the pole, Or grasp the ocean with a span, But whatever might be his personal deficiences, they were amply compensated by his intellectual acquirements. The natural strength of his genius he cultivated and improved by an extensive range of reading and close application to study. He had all the qualifications which usually insure success in the acquisition of knowledge. His judgment was exact, his taste discriminating, his industry indefatigable, his memory retentive. He once repeated to Dr. Gibbons, when in advanced life, some verses from Juvenal, with the readiness of an Etonian, and acknowledged he had not read Juvenal since his younger days. In fine, the close thinking of the philosopher, was united to the rich fancy of the poet, and the sober and devout views of the divine. 66 Though that which gave him most remarkable pre-eminence, was the extent and sublimity of his imagination; yet how few have excelled or even equalled him in quickness of apprehension and solidity of judgment!" As a writer no man has a greater posthumous claim upon the respect of his countrymen, and the gratitude of the church. In little more than forty years he produced fifty-two distinct publications, some of them volumnious, and all, with one or two exceptions, the result of great labour. It is not, however, upon any one production of surpassing excellence that Dr. Watts' fame as an author rests: his name derives its chief distinction from the versatility of his genius and the variety of his attainments. His soul was too large and noble to be confined within narrow limits. He could not be content to leave any path of learning untried, nor to rest in total ignorance of any science, the knowledge of which might be for his own improvement, or might in any way tend to enlarge his capacity of being useful to others. Hence, he investigated theology in all its branches, and pursued philosophy to her profoundest mysteries. He has written for childhood, youth, maturity, and hoary hairs. "I question," says Dr. Jennings, "whether any author before him did ever appear with reputation on such a variety of subjects as he has done, both as a prose writer and as a poet. However, this I may venture to say, that there is no man now living of whose works so many have been dispersed both at home and abroad, that are in such constant use, and translated into such a variety of languages; many of which, I doubt not, will remain more durable monuments of his great talents, than any representation I can make of them, though it were to be given on pillars of brass." The estimate of his literary character by Dr. Johnson is, upon the whole, as just as it is beautiful: "Few men have left behind such purity of character, or such monuments of laborious piety. He has provided instruction for all ages, from those who are lisping their first lessons to the enlightened readers of Malbranche and Locke; he has left neither corporeal nor spiritual nature's unexamined; he has taught the art of reasoning and the science of the stars. His character, therefore, must be formed from the multiplicity and diversity of his attainments, rather than from any single performance; for it would not be safe to claim for him the highest rank in any single denomination of literary dignity, yet, perhaps, there was nothing in which he would not have excelled, if he had not divided his powers to different pursuits." As a preacher he ranked high among his contemporaries; his printed discourses establish his claim to eminence in this respect. He carefully adapted himself to the meanest capacity, yet never in such a way as to offend the educated and refined. There was always a rich vein of good sense and profitable instruction in his sermons, adorned with occasional gleams of vivid imagination. Though the Antinomians raised against him the senseless cry of legality, yet he proclaimed with unabated earnestness the duties as well as the blessings of the Gospel, and advanced the threatenings of the Lord with the free offers of his grace. He ever kept in mind the great object of his office, "to feed the church of God," not to amuse the idle, to please the curious, or to gratify the learned. "It is no wonder," says Dr. Jennings, "that a man so richly furnished with gifts and graces, was an admired preacher, such strains of truly Christian eloquence flowed from his lips, and these so apparently animated with zeal for God, and the most tender concern for souls and their everlasting salvation, as one would think could not be easily slighted or resisted." He had a highly respectable and very numerous auditory. The congregation at Bury Street, which was small at the commencement of his ministry, increased considerably under his care, |