ever the account has been widely circulated, and some notice of it inserted in our own volume, we have deemed it advisable to omit it, though the whole narrative is painfully interesting. Our extracts from this volume are chiefly of a religious character; it contains, however, much information as to the civil and political state of Abyssinia, and is closed by some very appropriate general remarks. In the main it strongly confirms Mr. Bruce's statements, though of course very considerable changes have taken place in the sixty years which have elapsed since his return. We are happy to understand that Mr. Gobat is returning to Abyssinia, and pray that his labours may be crowned with abundant success. The AUTOBIOGRAPHY of a DISSENTING MINISTER. 12mo. Pp. viii. and 288. Smith: THIS is a very striking and melancholy portraiture of the evils of the dissenting system. Of its accuracy no doubt can be entertained. The same scenes have been enacted again and again; and with trifling variations, the work before us may be described as the Biography of Fifty or Five Hundred Dissenting Ministers. At the same time, while fully convinced of its general accuracy, we have strong doubts whether it is the actual production of a dissenting minister. The minister may have told his tale to another, and the ideas may have been taken down from his lips and recorded by another pen-but the style is not that of a dissenter; it is clear, pure, common, every-day English; nor are we aware of any dissenting minister who can write so well. We therefore very much doubt whether it really proceeds from a disseuting pen. At the same time, it is a very clever, lively sketch; it paints the voluntary system to the life; is every way deserving of extensive circulation, and will no doubt be honoured with no small portion of dissenting indignation and rebuke. A SERIES OF CHARTS, delineating the Rise and Progress of the Evangelical Christian Dispensation, from the commencement of the Gospel Narrative to the Ascension of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. From MIMPRISS'S Historical Chart. London, 1834. Royal 4to. Wertheim. THE object of these charts is to assist young persons, especially in obtaining a correct acquaintance with the order of the gospel narrative of our Lord and Saviour's life and ministry. Skeleton charts of the Holy Land are printed on different coloured papers, corresponding with the years of our Lord's ministry, and tabular co lumns of the same colour are provided, containing references to the Gospels in which the several events alluded to are recorded. The same charts, &c. are printed on white paper, at a somewhat lower rate; while directions are given, by which the attentive student may speedily attain a considerable acquaintance with the gospel history. MEMOIRS of the Life and Writings of CLAUDIUS BUCHANNAN, D.D. late Vice-Provost of the College of Fort William, in Bengal. By HUGH PEARSON, D.D. M.R.A.S. Dean of Salisbury. Fourth Edition. Royal 18mo. Pp. xvi. and 438. Seeleys, Entelligence. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. WEST INDIES. THE Clergy Law of the Island of Jamacia, authorizing Proprietors of Estates to appoint to them private or domestic chaplains for the instruction of the black and coloured population thereupon; several Proprietors have applied to the Church Missionary Society, for the services of Missionaries under the local clergy law above mentioned, and in consequence the Committee have appointed Messrs. Bernan and May, with their wives, to be placed on different properties in Jamaica. The Bishop of Barbadoes has also expressed his readiness to co-operate with the agents of the Society in his diocese; but the Committee are unable at present to avail themselves of this opening, having no Missionaries disposable for that purpose; while the funds of the Society are at present inadequate to the unavoidably increasing expenditure which the enlargement of their West Indian Missions must occasion. We trust therefore that those who desire the spiritual benefit of the emancipated negroes will not withhold their hands, but step forward and cheerfully contribute to the support and extension of the labours of this valuable Society. We have no desire to draw invidious comparisons, but we feel it our duty to say, that the Church Missionary Society is most justly entitled to far greater support than it has ever yet received, and that it ought to be preferred by Members of the Church of England to any other Missionary Institution in existence; and we are fully convinced that all who carefully examine its proceedings, and more especially those who observe the labour and the expence employed in selecting, educating, and sending forth the most approved characters as Missionaries must adopt a similar conclusion. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. Ar the January meeting of this society, it was proposed that the Committee of General Literature and Education, should direct their special attention to the provision of books and tracts, suitable for the use of schools and lending libraries, and for rewards to children and young persons; that they should not put forth hereafter works of a decidedly religious character; that their publications should form a second supplemental catalogue of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; and that in cases of doubt as to any book or tract being of a decidedly religious character, it should be referred to the standing Committee. An amendment was proposed to these resolutions, declaring that the Committee of General Literature and Education was in all respects subject to the controul of the society; but this amendment was, after some discussion, rejected. It appears therefore possible, that a work may be rejected at Lincoln's Inn Fields, and yet published by the Committee of General Literature, with the Society's name in the Strand. This is something of an imperium in imperio, which must eventually lead to mischief; the discussions however, of the society's meetings, are either very unfairly reported in the public prints, or they evince a melancholy want of temper, and a disregard of the usual modes of transacting business which are any thing but creditable to the institution. We strongly recommend the friends of the society, and especially the President for the time being, to take these defects into serious consideration. Certainly the society is far from being in a healthy state, and if more order is not introduced into its meetings, serious mischief must necessarily ensue. CAMBRIDGE DEGREES. The following Two HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SEVEN Gentlemen were, after the usual examination, admitted to the Degree of B. A. at Cambridge, on Saturday, January 24. We understand about SEVENTY others were rejected. THE public attention has been principally, and almost exclusively directed during the last month to the progress of the elections; and there is now every reason to conclude that the results will be such as to enable the present administration to proceed with confidence in those plans which they may deem advisable. The House of Commons will be materially changed, and, we doubt not, very considerably improved. The returns indeed for the Metropolis, are as bad as can well be conceived, and clearly evince the absurdity of communicating the elective franchise in these boroughs to the occupiers of a ten-pound cottage or lodging. Throughout the country however the changes are decidedly in favour of the Conservative Interest; and many more members of that description might have been returned, had either suitable candidates offered, or had the leading electors thought it on the whole advisable. We trust this display of public feeling will not be lost, and that many who have hitherto appeared favourably disposed to extensive changes, will be induced to labour for the preservation, rather than the destruction of our existing institutions. When the elections are completed, the ministry will be able to form some opinion on whose support they can depend, and what alterations and concessions are indispensable. Till that period it were vain to conjecture the line of conduct which they will adopt; though it is obvious that they can only become in any degree permanent by honestly endeavouring to correct acknowledged defects and abuses. It is confidently said indeed that an extensive plan of Church Reform is already prepared: and repeated interviews have taken place between Sir Robert Peel and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and other leading Clergy; Sir Robert has also been conferring with some Dissenting Ministers, and those conferences have been viewed with considerable, though as we conceive, very groundless jealousy: it is obvious that until the administration understand what the real views and feelings of Dissenters are, they must be utterly unable to suggest any remedy; while the crudities and absurdities which have been poured forth in Dissenting Magazines and meetings about their grievances and oppressions, can scarcely be read by any man not of their party, without provoking a smile. We believe the feeling is almost universal, 'Let the Dissenters baptize, marry, bury, register as they like, only do not endanger the prostitution of a sacred ordinance, expose character and property to needless hazards, or inflict burdens and services upon others to which they are averse, and for which they receive no remuneration. Some very impertinent resolutions have been addressed by a few Dissenting Ministers at Birmingham to Sir Robert Peel, expressing an absurd determination not to receive any redress of their alleged grievances from the present administration. These resolutions have met with a calm and dignified reply from Sir Robert; and have called forth very decided reprobation from the Dissenters of Dublin, &c. It is melancholy to observe that while the political opponents of Sir Robert disclaim any factious opposition and declare their intention of affording the present administration a fair trial; any professedly religious persons should so far forget their principles as to proscribe and reject every measure of reform and conciliation which may be proposed. Such determinations are alike repugnant to sound policy and true religion. 6 The parliament is summoned to meet on Thursday, February 19th; we earnestly intreat all our readers fervently to unite in prayer to Almighty God, to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of his glory, the good of his church, and the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and his dominions; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations.' The following is a list of the New Administration. NEW MINISTER. } IN THE ROOM OF First Lord of the Treasury, and Lord Viscount Melbourne. Right Hon. Sir R. PEEL, Bart. {Chancellor of the Exchequer ..... ..... ..Lord Privy Seal .... Right Hon. H. GOULBURN..... Secretary for Home Department Duke of DORSET ........ Secretary for Colonies Master of the Mint .......... {President of Board of Trade.. .... President of Board of Control........ .Marquis of Lansdowne. Right Hon. J. Abercromble. Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster.... Lord Holland. .Secretary at War. Master-General of Ordnance Lord Chamberlain.. Lord Steward ...... Master of the Horse ................Earl of Albemarle. Sir EDWARD KNATCHBULL.... Paymaster of the Forces. Sir J. BECKETT (Not filled.) Mr. PRAED Sir GEORGE CLERK Sir THOMAS FREMANTLE.. Lord MAHON.... .......... ..... .. Lord John Russell. Commissioner of Woods and Forests.. Rt. Hon Sir.J. C. Hobhouse. Right Hon. G. R. DAWSON .... Secretary to the Admiralty Sir HENRY HARDINGE........................ Chief Secretary to Lord Lieutenant.. Mr. Littleton. .Right Hon. F. Blackburn. Some apprehension is entertained of a rupture between France and America. The Americans claim compensation for damages under the Berlin and Milan decrees to the amount of 25,000,000 Francs; the French government have allowed the claim, and agreed to pay the amount; but the Chamber of Deputies refuse the money, and hence the Americans threaten reprisals. Notices and Acknowledgments. We have not at present an opportunity of ascertaining the accuracy of CORRECTOR'S statement; but are obliged by his communication, though it is perhaps not advisable to take any further notice of the subject. We shall be happy to receive the observations of ISRAEL REDUX on MARBURG'S Sermon in our last; and if such as we anticipate shall give them a prompt insertion. We cannot however engage to print articles we have never seen; nor can we promise to publish them without abridgment. If however they appear to us unsuitable, we shall be ready to return them as directed, provided such intimation is given when the communication is forwarded. Received-VIATOR. |