as infinitely exalted and perfect,-as that Being in whom all excellence centres and every glory shines, they can also tell, with an authority which the rejecter of inspiration can never assume, that he "so loved the world, as to give his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." When they speak of sin, and endeavour to depict its meanness, its malignity, its loathsomeness, they can illustrate and enforce the sentiment by allusion to the scenes of Gethsemane and Calvary. While he who appeals to "inward and spiritual evidence only" will utterly fail on such grounds to bring peace to the bosom of the awakened and trembling sinner, he who follows in the true apostolic track can point to the cross, and assure the penitent, on an authority which he is convinced is infallible and Divine, that "God is in Christ, reconciling the world into himself, not imputing unto them their trespasses." Mr. Newman's only authority for what he teaches about the work of the Spirit in regeneration and sanctification is, that good men in past ages, who were liable to mistake, thought and felt so, and that he, as liable to mistake as they were, thinks and feels so too! We would not reject this sort of evidence, but we would add to it the firmer proof which we have in the writings of men who were divinely inspired. On Mr. Newman's hypothesis, it altogether uncertain that there is another state of existence beyond the present. He tells us (p. 191), that he would put the belief of it on a spiritual basis, and on none other;" that "it seems to him a sort of first principle, that such a belief cannot justly arise out of anything but insight into God's mind, gained by a full sympathy of our spirit with God's Spirit:" that "confidence there is none, (regarding a future state,) and that aspiration is her (the soul's) highest state;" that "if her Lord, infinite in love and wisdom, sees that it cannot be, she herself could not wish it,” (p. 194.) The religion which he would teach us is thus altogether uncertain whether death be not annihilation, and whether the soul, as she advances in holiness and becomes more radiant with the image of God, is not about to cease altogether and for ever to exist. For our part, we prefer to such teaching as this, that Gospel by which "life and immortality have been brought to light," and which assures us that Christ has gone to prepare a place for his people, and will come again to receive them, to be for ever with himself. We think, however, we have now gone far enough in our notice of this volume. It was not our intention to go through it, but merely to present our readers with a few specimens of the sentiments advocated in it, that they may see clearly the direction in which this school of writers would lead us, and the necessity of being on their guard. In Mr. Newman's mind, as in his brother's, there is evidently a tendency to the extreme. We have seen the one advocate principles which pointed directly to Romanism, and he has followed them till they have led him into that apostate church of which he is now a priest. And here is the other advocating principles quite as extreme, though in the opposite direction,-for the goal to which they point is infidelity. The one, we think, is quite as unsafe a guide for the public mind as the other. Let us then take our stand on first principles. While we maintain the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures, and their sufficiency in themselves as the guide to our feet and the lamp to our path, and repudiate in spiritual things the teachings of a fickle and changing age, we have our anchor cast as it were within the veil: and happen what may, we shall not be greatly moved. While those who give up the Word of God must be driven either to Romanism on the one hand, or to infidelity on the other, least to be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of opinion, without any resting-place at all,-that same Word will be to us "a light shining in a dark place," guiding us quietly and securely on. or at Critical and Historical Essays, contributed to the Edinburgh Review. By THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY. Sixth edition. In 3 vols. 8vo. Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans. THE wide circulation which these splendid essays have already realised, first in the Edinburgh Review, and now in six large editions, in their present form, renders it quite superfluous, on our part, to say anything respecting them. They gave promise originally of that historical genius possessed by Mr. Macaulay, which has since been so admirably developed; and, as critical inquiries into certain portions of our national history, they will live when the gifted author's pen has been arrested by death. Considering that they were composed, in the first instance, as Reviews, it is not a little remarkable that they should be such perfect dissertations on the persons and events to which they refer. They are about the most readable productions we ever met with; and contain so many just and enlightened sentiments, that we have but little inclination to touch on points upon which we differ slightly from the author. In some of the articles Mr. Macaulay has done noble service to dissent, though he is no dissenter. We might instance his review of Mr. Gladstone's Church and State, in which he has utterly demolished the argument for establishments, A BIOGRAPHICAL sketch from the pen of Dr. Hamilton, from the great power which he has of delineating character, is indeed a precious gift to the Church. With even an ordinary subject, he could not fail to interest his readers; but with such a fine theme as that of Lady Colquhoun, nothing short of great things was to be expected. Few modern biographies are to be compared with this touching narrative. The materials are somewhat scanty; but they are of the best quality, and they are admirably managed. Lady Colquhoun was one of a thousand. Her piety was deep, and settled, and active; and, from her elevated rank in society, she was enabled to do much good, through a wide and influential circle. What a blessing to society are such "holy women' as the late Lady Colquhoun! May God multiply their number! Mamma's Lessons on the History and Geography of Palestine, and other places mentioned in the Bible. In simple and familiar conversation. By ANNA MARIA SARGENT, Author of "Tales of the early British Christians," "Tales of the Reformation," &c. Snow: London. We have had much pleasure in giving favourable notices of the former works of this highly gifted writer. The work before us is in every respect equal to the other productions of the same pen. It is remarkable for its valuable information, lucid arrangement, and clear and pleasing style. To interest the very young mind in the geography of the Bible is no easy task; but Miss Sargent, we think, has performed this task well. The wood engravings are executed in the best style of that greatly improved art. These are adapted to please and instruct the class of minds for which the book is intended. Christian parents who desire that a taste for studying the Bible should be cultivated in the minds of their children will find this book an invaluable help for that purpose. It is well suited for a present to the young. It ought to be used in every family. If its real value become known, it will rapidly pass through several editions. Inspiration in conflict with recent forms of Philosophy and Scepticism. A Lecture delivered at the opening of the United Presbyterian Divinity Hall, Session 1849. By JOHN EADIE, LL.D., Professor of Biblical Literature to the United Presbyterian Church. 12mo. pp. 42. Hamilton, Adams, & Co. WE sincerely congratulate the United Presbyterian Church upon the pre-eminent ability of their Professor of Biblical Literature; and not on his ability and learning alone, but on his enlightened soundness in the faith, and his determination to contend earnestly against that form of scepticism which would confound inspiration with the ordinary workings of the human mind. Dr. Eadie well understands the vulnerable points of this dangerous school, and in his inaugural Lecture to his students he has done more, in a brief essay, to expose its folly and worthlessness, than has hitherto been accomplished in any department of our popular literature. In Dr. Eadie's hands, Parker and Emerson, and Schleiermacher and Morell, and Newman and the whole class of writers to whom he belongs, are but as children in the grasp of a giant. We take courage when we find such champions in the field. It is time to speak out, and to draw a definite line between the believers and the rejecters of inspiration. We shall, in a future number of the Magazine, furnish our readers with some extracts from Dr. Eadie's pamphlet; but meanwhile we venture to express an earnest hope that it may circulate in the length and breadth of the land, and that the tutors of our Colleges will put it into the hands of all our young brethren who are looking forward to the work of the ministry. It is, indeed, in our calm and deliberate judgment, a most precious document. REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. The CHRISTIAN EMIGRANT: containing Ob- Religious Tract Society. WHO can think of the tide of emigration ebbing daily from the shores of Great Britain, and not hail with delight this benign attempt of Dr. Leifchild and his talented son to place in the hands of the self-exiled this silent instructor, this faithful monitor, this guide-post to the wonders of creation, this witness for God among those who may have ceased to acknowledge Him in all their ways! The Christian father, anxious to provide things honest in the sight of all men-the devoted mother, pondering in her heart the proverb, "That a wise woman buildeth her house”the friends at home, anxious to give or send some proof of their loving remembrance,-will find "The Christian Emigrant" a most suitable counsellor. It is scarcely possible to read the former part (the physical) of this little work without being struck at the amazing condensation of interesting matter-things to excite the imagination, to induce research, to lead the thoughtless and the sceptic to say, It is indeed, "the fool that says in his heart, There is no God." The first chapter presents the claims of each colony in its climate, area, population, distance, &c. The author then wanders with his companion in those long hours which intervene when passing from his fatherland to his new inheritance: he places the panorama of the world before him, its continents and its islands, its mountains and its valleys, its teeming herbage, and its pent-up riches, its wealth above the soil and its wealth below the soil, and its diversified operations. Again, he leads him to the contemplation of that ocean over whose storehouse of wonders he is quietly floating, explaining to him the enigma of its tides and currents and gales, showing him its delicate beauties in the formation of coral islands, its phosphorescent light, its myriads of animalcula. Night comes on, and he is invited on deck, bade to look at the pale moon, showing him with telescopic eyes its mountains and their burning craters, its caverns, and its plains of brilliant light. With him, his eyes wander from star to star, amid planets and their satellites, tracing the comets in their eccentricity, and the constellations in their immensity. Nor is the wanderer left on the arrival at his new destination: the author sympathises with his lonely wanderings over the mountains, in the valleys, along the rugged road, and by the shining rivers; causing him to forget the sorrows of the way, by plucking the wild flowers as they blow, bidding him lightly tread upon their bed; calling to the gigantic trees, the graceful shrubs, the lone caverns, the forest of * "Ah! but in the dreary wild Shall I be thy favoured child? * There, my God, art Thou, and there "As the traveller enters his vessel, he is The Christian Emigrant will pass on to the second part as to the hidden treasure, feeling jealous lest, while seeking a lodging on earth, he should be induced to consider himself no longer a stranger and a pilgrim: even his successes will make him feel that God may be granting his request, and sending leanness into his soul." To counteract this tendency, the larger part of the volume is occupied by short essays, discourses, meditations, and prayers. The second part furnishes the new settler with arguments for the being of a God, the Divine authority of the Bible; shows him the wonders and completeness of creation, the minute care of God in his providence, the doctrine of a future state; enstreats him as a father to remember that, whenever he pitches his tent, he should, like Abraham, erect an altar for the worship of Jehovah. The third part contains ten short, pithy, and spiritual discourses, suitable to be read on the voyage, or at the new settlement in the family, or to larger groups. That nothing might be omitted for the proper commencement of Divine worship, a few prayers and hymns are appended. From the first address we subjoin the following wise counsels: May it not be feared that many who have left their native land to better their condition have done it at the expense of damaging their characters? Well may the mariner dread the shore which he sees to be covered with wrecks. What condition of life can be any compensation for deterioration in moral worth and religious excellence? The transplanted tree may exhibit a flourishing foliage in the new soil where it is fixed; but, if its fruit become dwarfed, insipid, and tasteless, the change is one that will ever have to be deplored. Let your piety, on the contrary, take a deeper root, and strike out wider its fruit-bearing branches in the locality where you may be destined to spend the remainder of your days. I trust that, by help derived from above, you will be able, not only to stand without the human aids and props by which you were here surrounded, but to support others; providing for them some house of worship, or leading them, as their instructor and guide, to the throne of heavenly mercy, in the worship of the family or of the little sanctuary. I cannot think that you will suffer the little ones who may be intrusted to your care to run wild in their notions and practices, by abandoning them to the tuition of chance associates, or failing, with the more unremitting diligence, to impart to them all kinds of useful knowledge, from their destitution of the advantages for this purpose which abound in our highly-favoured land. All, under God, depends on the right training of the youthful population of our Colonies. Upon them it will depend whether they shall be your blessing or your curse in your advanced years; and also with respect to those who may succeed you, as well as the generations yet unborn." We have only to add, that " The Christian Emigrant" being published by the Tract Society, is a pledge for its orthodoxy and unsectarianism: for its literary and scientific merit, its adaptation and deep-toned piety, we need no other name than that of Leifchild. WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. 1. Youthful Devotedness; or, the Youth of the Church instructed in the Duties of Practical Religion. By THOMAS HOUSTON, D.D., Author of "Parental Duties," &c., Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Kockbracken. With Recommendatory Preface, by Professor Symington, D.D., Paisley. Small 8vo., pp. 340. Houlston and Stoneman. 2. Jacob's Well. By the Rev. George ALBERT ROGERS, M.A., Vicar of Leominster, and Domestic Chaplain to the Right Hon. Viscount Lilford. 18mo., pp. 198. Religious Tract Society. 3. Foot-Prints of the Creator; or, the Asterolepis of Stroness. By HUGH MILLER, Author of "The Old Red Sandstone," &c. Small 8vo., pp. 330. Johnstone and Hunter. 4. Lives of Illustrious Greeks. For schools and families. 12mo., pp. 418. Religious Tract Society. 5. A Defence of Infant Baptism. Being a Reply to " A Review of the Proceedings of the Free Presbytery of Aberdeen in the case of the Rev. Alexander Anderson." Small 8vo., pp. 78. Paisley: Alexander Gardner. 6. The Local Preacher's and Home Missionary's Assistant; or, Heads of Fifty-two Sermons. 18mo., pp. 108. Ward and Co. 7. Prize Essays by Working Men, on the Benefits, Temporal and Spiritual, resulting from City Missions. Being the Essays for which the highest Prizes were awarded, at the last Annual Meeting, by the Edinburgh City Mission. 12mo., pp. 58. Fullarton and Co. 8. Puseyism and its Tendencies. With an Examination of Official Claims depending on Administrative Functions. By RICHARD KEYNES. 8vo., pp. 66. Whittaker and Co. 9. Aunt Anne's History of England on Christian Principles, for the use of Young Persons. Small 4to., pp. 408. James Nisbet. 10. A Necessity of Separation from the Church of England, proved by the Nonconformists Principles. By JOHN CAVE, Pastor of the Ancient English Church in Amsterdam. Edited for the Hanserd Knollys Society, by the Rev. Charles Stovell. 8vo., pp. 460. Printed for the Society, by J. Haddon. 11. The Life of Alfred the Great. 18mo. Religious Tract Society. 12. Church and Chapel Architecture, from the earliest period to the present time. With an account of the Hebrew Church, to which are added one thousand authenticated Mouldings, selected from the best examples which the country contains. By ANDREW TRIMEN, Architect. 12mo., pp. 294. Longman and Co. This volume has made its appearance at a seasonable time, when so much is being accomplished in improving the style of our chapel architecture. |