self will be fully gratified. On some such occasions, indeed, it is possible to cherish hopes which can only be rewarded with disappointment, but nothing of this kind is to be apprehended from the perusal of the volume before us. Into all the branches of doctrine included in the general terms of his title, the author fully enters; and, with much learning and ability, he investigates the various questions that are either immediately or remotely connected with this momentous-subject. It is scarcely possible for us either so to analyze the author's reasonings as to do justice to his publication, or to select any passages that will set his laborious researches in a proper light. The work must be attentively examined, for its importance to be justly appreciated, and nothing short of this can communicate an adequate idea of its profundity and various excellencies. The result of Mr. Smith's inquiries is, that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission,-that the attributes of God, and the condition of man, required an expiatory sacrifice-that the atonement of Christ was every way adequate for all these purposes,—and that through this, God could be just, and yet the justifier of him that believes in Jesus. Between this volume, and Dr. Magee's work on the atonement, there is, in some places, a striking similitude, but in others there are considerable variations, and in several respects each has touched on topics, on which the other has made no observations. This acknowledgment the author expresses in one of his notes; and in reference to their common bearing and character, we beg to add, that those persons who have been pleased with the production of the archbishop of Dublin, are sure to find for it a valuable companion in these discourses of Dr. John Pye Smith. REVIEW.-A Daily Expositor of the New Testament, in which the Text is divided into Sections, with a practical Exposition, intended as Morning and Evening portions. By the Rev. Thomas Keyworth. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 492, 430. R. Baynes. London. THESE Volumes add another valuable work to the many expositions already sent into the world. Among those that have lately issued from the press, we rejoice to find, that by far the greater number are of an experimental and practical tendency. On certain occasions, and to various persons, commentaries which include criticism, etymology, and various readings of the sacred text, may be, and undoubtedly are, essentially serviceable, but a far greater number simply want to be instructed in the way to heaven; and expositions suited to these, we are glad to find, have been more abundantly supplied. Of this latter character, almost exclusively, is the work before us. Both the text and the exposition are divided into sections, and parcelled out in portions well adapted for family reading, and, we may add, for family edification. These portions the author has prudently confined within a narrow compass, than which, with the great mass of mankind, nothing is more likely to ensure a constant and uninterrupted reading. To persons immersed in the varied concerns of life, a long section would prove an intolerable burden, and ingenuity would soon invent contrivances to put off the reading to a more convenient season. This will always be the case, when the task imposed appears long and heavy. We very well know, that nine-tenths of the reading community would much rather have five articles than one, in the same number of pages, and that they would be much more frequently perused than the long one, even though in point of interest and importance they should be much the same. For the profitable reading of the scriptures, the author has laid down twelve excellent rules in his introduction. These also are brief in their expression, and can therefore be the more easily remembered. We think if they were committed to memory, that the acquisition would be found advantageous, especially as they are simple in their nature, and universal in their application. So far as we have had an opportunity of looking through this exposition, we rejoice to find, that no prominent ground is occupied by any peculiarities of the author's creed. These have prudently given place to subjects of far greater moment, it being his primary aim not to make his readers either Calvinists or Arminians, but genuine Christians. To this system of proselytism we wish all imaginable success. To promote it, we think the volumes before us admirably adapted, on which account we shall rejoice at their extensive circulation. REVIEW.-The Balance of Criminality, or Mental Error compared with Immoral Conduct, addressed to Young Doubters. By Isaac Taylor. 12mo. pp. 178. Westley. London. 1828. By making the distinction that is here assumed between mental error and im 759 Review.-Balance of Criminality.-Popular Philosophy. moral conduct, the author seems inadvertently to admit that immoral conduct is not the necessary consequence of mental error, and that correct principles cannot always ensure purity of behaviour. This admission may be easily impressed into the service of antinomianism, and adopted as a mantle to shelter vice. We have no thought that Mr. Taylor, whom we highly respect, had any such intention, but we know not how he can repel these consequences of what he has advanced, should any one be disposed to urge them against his theory. We view mental error, when applied to the leading and fundamental principles of the gospel, as of fearful magnitude, and we view immoral conduct, such as he has selected for reprobation, as too malignant to be rendered compatible with any orthodoxy of sentiment that the mind of man can ever conceive. Both belong to the family of Satan; but we cannot avoid thinking, that to weigh their degrees of turpitude, requires an accurate balance, and a steady hand; and that the localities of preconceived creeds, ought not to give the least preponderance to the scales. The enormity of mental error might have been fairly established, on grounds independently of the comparison that has been made; but from the method which the author has pursued, we can hardly avoid giving a new meaning to the poet's words, and exclaiming "Let subtle schoolmen teach these friends to fight, More studious to divide than to unite." To the doctrines of Socinianism, our views are not less adverse than those of Mr. Taylor, but we are not aware that either truth, or justice, or charity, has given to us a commission to anathematize those who hold them. In his arguments and reasonings against mental error, we readily allow that Mr. Taylor has made out a strong, a commanding, a conclusive case; and here we think he should have stopped. He has gained nothing by making the comparison, which he might not have obtained without it, but has opened a door to evils that may follow in the rear, when, to prevent them, may not be in his power. That the characteristic and direct application of his observations on mental error may not be deemed invidious, he tells us, that "it is not uncharitableness, but charity of the sweetest and most energetic kind, which has dictated these suggestions." We are not disposed to impugn his motives, but we regret that charity had not put on a more suitable attire. 760 REVIEW.--Popular Philosophy, or the THE articles brought before the reader in these volumes are so numerous and diversified, that we cannot even attempt an analysis. At the close of each, we have a copious index, referring to the pages in which the phenomena of nature, either in their most simple or most complicated forms, are either described or discussed. Throughout the whole of these the author invariably keeps in view the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, in the forma tion, appointment, and adaptation of all things which we perceive. This work is not confined to any particular branch of science, nor does it enter into those minute and argumentative details, which might have been expected, had the design been local in its application. The author seizes on things always obvious to the senses, gives their history, and descants upon their more striking peculiarities, and then introduces another subject. By proceeding thus, he causes novelty to keep alive attention, and gives an additional importance to his work, by rendering valuable information highly entertaining. Combining the discoveries of science with the phenomena of nature, the latter are divested of their obscurity, by the light which the former impart, and we are led to perceive harmony, beauty, and design, where repulsive confusion appeared previously to preside. This is conspicuous in geological researches, in the vegetable kingdom, in the animal tribes, but above all in man, that gives completion to the climax. In these volumes we have a beautiful display of nature in all her varieties; and, above all, a more exalted exhibition of the great First Cause to whom the laws of nature are indebted for their existence, as well as for their power to produce the effects we are daily called to witness. When lectures are delivered by some eminent professor on natural philosophy, he is generally well attended by a crowd of listening auditors, who pay for their admission, and think themselves amply re munerated by what they hear. By taking these volumes, a reader can enter a more copious field, and a listening audience by his fire-side can acquire five times the information that can be obtained from at tending a course of lectures, and that at a fiftieth part of the expense. In this case, care, he may hereafter produce something that shall place his name among the respectable bards of his country. the subject can be chosen for the evening's | creditable, and by cultivating them with amusement and instruction, and we doubt not that all would be highly gratified, if the experiment were once made. On some occasions, the reading might be interspersed with conversation arising from the ideas suggested, and this might be discontinued when it ceased to be interesting. We have been much pleased with a perusal of these volumes, and would strongly recommend them, as containing a valuable compendium of useful knowledge. REVIEW. Poetical Researches, and Thoughts in Rhyme, on Sacred and Miscellaneous Subjects. By Charles Augustus Hulbert. 12mo. pp. 140. Longman. London. 1828. THE pieces which compose this volume are about fifty in number, written in various kinds of verse, and exhibiting different degrees of merit. In the following lines, entitled, "The Lovers' Grave," there are some tender sentiments. "When evening's cautious hand had shut the rose, I saw Consumption's lovelier daughter hie, Where the long grass o'er Henry's bosom grows, It seemed, indeed, the hour and place to die. "She came to pour her last and holiest sigh, O'er him she loved her latest tear to shed, And yet she wept not that she there must lie. And pillow soon with his her aching head. "She cast one flower, a wounded lily, there, It was not meant to bloom, but to decay; For scarce she deemed its leaf might wither, ere Her blighted form should be the death-worm's prey. "A murmuring zephyr wandered o'er the leaves, And seemed to kiss their lingering bloom away, "It is,' she cried,' his spirit which receives My offering, and reproves my long delay ' "She sank upon the turf, the flower she pressed With lips that scarce returned love's fancied kiss, Ere death had breathed upon her lily breast, And borne her stainless soul away to his. "Their grave is hallowed by Affection's tears, And pride intrudes not on their lowly rest; There village maidens blend their vows and prayers, To love as faithfully, and die as blest."-p. 90. Another piece, entitled "The Grave of Napoleon," expresses much genuine pathetic feeling, and it would be easy to select several others on which similar observations might be made, but our limits forbid us to give any more extracts. To the pure tendency of all the pieces, we readily bear our unequivocal testimony; several of them are founded on scripture subjects; and those that are not, contain no expression or sentiment which can cause modesty to blush. From some remarks in the preface, we learn that the author is a young man. His muse has not yet taken any elevated flight, but he displays talents that are highly 116.-VOL. X. REVIEW.-Life of Mary Queen of Scots 12mo. pp. 195. Smith and Elder London. 1828. WERE a work, recording nothing but the misfortunes and disasters of royalty, to be sent into the world, the life of this unfortunate princess would occupy a considerable number of its pages. Ill-omened stars seem to have hovered over her cradle; in the zenith of her exaltation they shed on her splendour a malignant lustre; and, following her through life, they only sunk beneath the horizon when she ex. pired on the scaffold. The outline of her history is soon told. Carried to France almost in her infancy, she was bred a Roman Catholic, at an early age was married to the dauphin, was soon left a widow, returned to Scotland, was married to Darnley, and became the mother of our King James I. Darnley being murdered, she was married to Bothwell, by whom the bloody deed is said to have been perpetrated. After various vicissitudes, she was carried to England, and after an imprisonment of nineteen years, was beheaded by order of Elizabeth. The causes, consequences, and connective circumstances of these leading incidents, have been variously related by historians, from whom her character has received a colouring according to the political opinions of the writers. By some she has been painted as a monster, while others have ascribed to her almost "every virtue under heaven." It was from this contradictory mass that the author of this volume had to select his materials, and arrange them for the public eye. This he seems to have done with an impartial hand. He has not concealed either her prejudices, faults, or infirmities, but they are not placed in an aggravated light. To her virtues he has not given any unnatural lustre; and without being disgusted with the former, or dazzled with the latter, we can easily perceive how the whole might blend in the same individual character. But, notwithstanding her indiscretions and errors, it is impossible to read this memoir without feeling sympathy for the royal sufferer, and indignation at the conduct of Queen Elizabeth. The misfortunes of the former seem to have arisen more from the complexion and character of the times, than from any other cause. She 3 B had scarcely any one in whom she could confide. Both Darnley and Bothwell were unprincipled wretches; and her alliance with them, instead of giving energy and stability to her power, tended to accelerate her fate. Into the plots and intrigues of courts, the author has not presumed to enter. This would have led him into a field of speculation from which no satisfactory harvest could be reaped. He has just given so much of general history as was necessary to introduce the incidents of her life, which he has contrived to render pathetic, perspicuous, instructive, and interesting. All beyond, is a region of darkness and confusion, involved in clouds that will, perhaps, never be penetrated, until the earth and the sea shall give up their dead. This REVIEW.-Scott's Continuation of Milner's Church History. Vol. II. Part I. 8vo. pp. 336. Seeley. London. 1828. IN our Number for January, 1827, we reviewed the first volume of this Continuation of Milner's History of the Church of Christ, by John Scott, A. M., and spoke favourably of its intrinsic merits. part embraces a period of about seventeen years, commencing with the Smalkaldic war, and bringing down the history of the Lutheran church to the peace of Religion in 1555. It also includes the remaining part of Melancthon story, to his death in 1560, and contains a review of some of his principal works, and details the most interesting portion of the proceedings of the council of Trent, from its commencement in 1555, to its dissolution in 1563. The scenes unfolded in this part are exclusively confined to the continent, but in the operation of the principles called into view, we behold the seeds of many important changes which will be hereafter displayed. For the task which he has undertaken, Mr. Scott possesses a mind every way adequate. His sources of information are various, and of the highest authority; and, from the mass of materials presented to his view, he has shewn much judgment in making his selections. With mental powers sufficiently expanded to embrace the numerous objects presented to his contemplation, he ranges through the whole with spirit and ability, and traces with precision their immediate connexions, and their remote influence upon distant consequences. The style is masculine and vigorous, every way suitable to the dignified 764 march of history. The stream pursued, though short, is both wide and deep, which in every respect renders this part a proper companion for the preceding volume. REVIEW.-The Cheltenham Album, and Quarterly Magazine of General Literature. No. I. July 1828. 12mo. pp. 94. Chance and Co. London. THIS is a new publication, which we understand is intended to be periodical. might be naturally expected from the title Its contents are miscellaneous, such as it has assumed. Throughout its pages we have a fair proportion of original matter, those articles that are somewhat antiquated, both in prose and verse, and several of have been tastefully dressed out in modern fashion for their visit to Cheltenham. It contains several tales which will be read with interest, and some biographical sketches that are worthy of being preserved, and thrown into general circulation. Of this Album, sprightliness and vivacity are the more prominent characteristics, but we have found nothing in its liveliest sallies wit and humour disfigured with low offensive to delicacy, nor are its strokes of buffoonery, or disgraced with vulgarisms or profaneness. Some of its records are avowedly of a local character, but this circumstance, though diminishing its interest home. The Cheltenham Album is, on the at a distance, will tend to increase it at whole, a decent enclosure of innocent amusement, where an hour may be agreeably spent by all who delight in literary recreation. BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS. 1. The Anti-Pauper System, exemplifying the Good realized by the Relievers and the Relieved, under the frugal Administration of the Poor Laws. By the Rev. John Becher, M. A. (Simpkin, London,) seems to enter with spirit and impartiality into the investigation of this very impor tant subject. So far as we have had time to follow the author in his calculations and arrangements, they appear to carry with them much plausibility, and to hold out great promise of success. At Southwell, and in the neighbouring districts, a trial has been made, and the most bene→ ficial effects have been found to result from the system. posed seem simple and rational, and we The regulations prowould strongly recommend the perusal of this pamphlet to all who have an interest in providing for the poor. 2. The Astronomical Doctrine of a Plurality of Worlds irreconcileable with the popular Systems of Theology, but in perfect Harmony with the true Christian Religion, by the Rev. Samuel Noble, (Simpkin, London,) carries in the title-page what is developed in the pamphlet. The author is a minister of the New Jerusalem Church, or, in other words, is a follower of Emanuel Swedenborg. He admits the doctrine of a plurality of worlds in its fullest sense, but thinks that no system of theology, except that which he has embraced, can ever reconcile the fact with genuine Christianity. He has displayed much ingenuity in what he has advanced, but has been more successful in demolishing other systems, than in establishing the pretensions of his own. 3. Marriage the Source, Stability, and Perfection, of Social Happiness and Duty, by the Rev. D. H. C. O'Donnoghue, A. M. (Simpkin, London,) places this important subject before us in a fair and rational light. It is not treated with levity, nor have we found a single expression of which the author need be ashamed. It contains six chapters:-1. On the design and institution of marriage; 2. On the motives to marriage; 3. On marriage, as the means of happiness; 4. On love and courtship; 5. On the reality of marriage happiness; 6. On the duties of married life. The topics of the above chapters, the writer has investigated in an honourable manner, and has pointed out the sources of connubial happiness and misery; and we are fully persuaded, if what he has advanced were duly appre. ciated, that many just causes of bitter complaint under the nuptial tie would cease to exist. 4. Papers on the Question recently agitated in the Baptist Missionary Society relative to Serampore, (Holdsworth, London,) will be found chiefly interesting to the members of the above community. Many topics are, however, involved, which will apply to missions and missionary establishments in general. They are well written, but we cannot decide on the points at issue between the parties. 5. Original Hymns, adapted for Social Prayer Meetings, Missionary Services, Sunday Schools, and Christians in general, by John Mann, (Simpkin, London,) are introduced to our notice with a modest preface, which seems to have been written in a spirit bordering on despondency. We have read several of them with attention. They certainly take no very exalted flight, but they have a smoothness in the versifi cation, and an innocence and simplicity in their expressions and character, which in a great measure compensate for the absence of elevated sentiment, and brilliancy of idea. 6. La Pia, or the Fair Penitent, a Poem, (Booth, London,) is an old pathetic Italian tale, wrought into decent harmonious verse, with some alteration of the original facts. For this last we are sorry, as it will tend to give the whole narrative the character of fiction. These changes, however, have not destroyed its interest. It is full of pathetic touches, and will, on this account, we conceive, have many readers. 7. The Report of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, for the Year ending December, 1827, has only just made its appearance, but its fulness of detail amply compensates for its past delay. It contains a full and satisfactory statement of the Wesleyan Missions in every part of the world, and also of the means by which they are supported. It is a report that will bear the most rigorous examination, and we strongly recommend it to every one who wishes for information on the subject. 8. The Englishman's Polar Star, (Rivington, London,) is simply the reprint of an interesting preface written by the Rev. G. Croly, to a new interpretation of the Apocalypse of St. John, with which are connected some introductory and concluding remarks by R. H. M. It is decidedly against Catholic emancipation; and the author has adduced many striking facts to prove, that our parliaments and ministry have invariably been attended with some adverse circumstances, in proportion as they have favoured papal measures,-and have been vigorous and prosperous, while setting their faces against papal demands. It is a warning voice, which seems at once admonitory, ominous, and prophetic. 9. The Spirit of the Serampore System, as it existed in 1812 and 1813, by W. Johns, M. D., &c. (Wightman, London,) is the same subject that is agitated in the fourth article of this brief survey. It consists of a series of letters, which enter into a lengthened detail of historical circumstances and facts; but, like the former, it may be said to be chiefly interesting to the Baptist community, and yet to contain many things that will apply to missions in general. It is only to persons intimately acquainted-with all the particulars of the difference subsisting between the contending parties, that either of these articles can be fully intelligible. |