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sion, I beseech you to bear in mind your covenant with God to be the Lord's people. Seek his face through faith in Jesus Christ; take Him for your portion, and live nigh to Him in holy obedience, in a firm dependence on his grace and Holy Spirit, to strengthen you in the inner man. Under this persuasion, I would earnestly entreat you to be much in prayer for your young Queen. Consider her sexconsider her tender years-consider the immense pressure of business, the vast load of cares, the numerous difficulties, the deep responsibility, which is attached to her high station;-consider, too, the temptations to which that high station necessarily exposes her, the dissipations of a court, the means of indulgence continually within her reach. Consider all this; and if you have any feeling of loyalty,

any love for her person and government, any regard for your country, yea, any self-interest,-then offer up to the King of kings your fervent supplication that the Lord may indeed bless, protect, and keep her in all her ways; that He may give her a faithful senate, wise and upright counsellors, a loyal nobility, a dutiful and obedient people; and that in her days mercy and truth may meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other. In a word, that the glorious majesty of the Lord our God may be upon her; and bless her with all temporal and spiritual happiness in this world, and crown her with glory and immortality in the world to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen and Amen. E. A. H.

ON PERFECTION. BY MATTHEW HENRY.*

THOUGH they were meek, and were pronounced so by Him that searches the heart, yet they must seek meekness; which teaches us, that those who have much of this grace have still need of more, and must desire and endeavour after more. He that sits down content with the grace he has, and is not. pressing forward towards perfection, and striving to grow in grace -to get the habits of it more strengthened and confirmed, and the operations of it more quickened and invigorated, it is to be feared has no true grace at all; but though he sit ever so high and ever so easy in his own opinion, yet sits down short of heaven. Where there is life, one way or other there will be growth, till we

*The following remarks on a difficult subject are taken from Henry's Discourse on Meekness. They occur in some observations on Zephaniah ii. 3.

"Seek ye

the Lord, all ye meek of the earth-seek meekness."

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Review of Books.

THE SOVEREIGN'S PRAYER AND THE PEOPLE'S DUTY. A Sermon delivered in the Church of the United Parishes of St. Edmund the King and Martyr, and St. Nicholas Acons, Lombard Street, on Sunday, July 1, 1838, the Sunday after the Coronation of her Most Gracious Majesty. By the Rev. THOMAS HARTWELL HORNE, B.D. Rector of the said Parishes, Prebendary of St. Paul's, &c. 8vo. pp. 36. Cadell.

MR. HORNE has here produced a very interesting and seasonable discourse. The text is 1 Kings iii. 7-10, on which he offers some reflections on the devout prayer of Solomon, and on the divine answer given to it, and then deduces from it some considerations for our mutual improvement, more particularly in reference to our present duty towards our youthful Queen.

This improvement is especially summed up under the following heads :

1. That spiritual blessings are to be sought with the greatest importunity, and that temporal blessings are to be referred to Infinite Wisdom.

2. That next to the possession of that divine wisdom which alone can make us wise unto salvation, the ability for performing our duty aright is the most desirable of all blessings, and must be sought only from God.

III. Such were the prayer of Solomon and the divine answer to it. The Almighty not only conferred upon him unprecedented prosperity, but also imparted to him intellectual, political, and religious wisdom, in order to fit him for the exalted station, to which he was raised. Let us now, in the last place, endeavour to collect from the subject we have been considering a few observations for our mutual edification, more particularly in reference to our present DUTY TOWARDS OUR YOUTHFUL QUEEN.

1. We learn, then, that spiritual blessings are to be sought with the greatest importunity, and that temporal blessings are to be referred to Infinite Wisdom.

Although we are not called to the like advancement, and ought not to expect any such revelation as Solomon received; yet there is not a single individual, however humble his circumstances may be, who is not bound to worship the Almighty, and to pay a serious regard to all the ordiAUGUST, 1838.

nances which he has appointed. And as none are exempted from the obligation, so there is the strongest encouragement for all to seek that divine and heavenly wisdom, whose ways are ways of pleasantness, and all whose paths are peace. Godliness has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Through the all-prevailing intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ, the throne of grace is always accessible, not merely to sovereigns, but to persons of the meanest rank: and the same offer which was made to Solomon, is in effect made to each of us:-" Ask what I shall give," (1 Kings ii. 5.) "Whatsoever (says our Redeemer) ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you," (John xiv. 14; xvi. 23.) "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you," (Matt. vi. 33.) For "if God spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Rom. viii. 32.)

2. Further, we learn, that next to the possession of that divine wisdom which alone can make us wise unto salvation, the ability for performing our duty aright is the most desirable of all blessings, and must be sought only from God.

Though education may improve our talents, it never will confer that wisdom which cometh from above, from the "Father of lights;" who, "if any one ask wisdom of him in faith, nothing wavering, giveth unto all liberally, and upbraideth not," (James i. 17. 5, 6.) Let us then beseech Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom,' to give unto each of us that wisdom which is profitable to direct us in the way of our duty and especially let us implore of him, in behalf of our Sovereign, 'the spirit of wisdom and government, the spirit of knowledge, and of true godliness.' And there are several considerations, which concur to enforce such supplications upon us as A SACRED DUTY, in order that she may be enabled to rule aright over the millions, who, in various parts of the world, are subject to her sceptre.

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day of her accession, Her Majesty stated that this awful responsibility was imposed upon her so suddenly, and at so early a period of her life, that she should feel herself utterly oppressed by the burthen, were she not sustained by the hope, that Divine Providence, which called her to this work, would give her strength for the performance of it.'

ii.] Listen also to the deep concern expressed by our youthful Sovereign for the maintenance of our religion, laws, and liberties. 'Educated in England, under the tender and enlightened care of a most affectionate mother, I have learnt from my infancy to respect and love the constitution of my native country. It shall be my unceasing study to maintain the Reformed Religion, as by law established; securing at the same time to all the full enjoyment of religious liberty. And I shall steadily protect the rights, and promote to the utmost of my power the happiness and welfare, of all classes of my subjects."

[iii.] Once more: in the proclamation against vice and immorality, which was one of the very first acts of her reign, her Majesty acknowledges before God and the world that she cannot expect the goodness and blessing of Almighty God, by whom kings and queens reign, and on which she entirely relies, without a religious observance of God's holy laws,' and thereby declares her royal purpose and resolution, to discountenance and punish all manner of vice, profaneness, and immorality, in all persons, of whatever degree or quality, within her realm, and particularly in such as are employed near her royal person; and that, for the encouragement of religion and morality, her Majesty will, upon all occasions, distinguish persons of piety and virtue, by marks of her royal favour.'

[iv.] Finally, as professing Christians and members of the Reformed Church established in these realms, it is our sacred duty to offer fervent petitions to the Throne of Grace for our sovereign, in accordance with the apostolic exhortation, that supplications, prayers, and intercessions be made for all men, especially for kings. Loyalty to the throne is a distinguishing feature of that Church to which it is our happiness to belong. 'She meddles not with the politics of the day, nor troubles herself about abstract questions respecting civil compacts between the prince and the people, nor upon their respective privileges under the various forms of government that may exist; but satisfies herself with the simple facts, as they rest upon apostolic authority, that the powers that be are ordained of God, and that subjects are to submit themselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. Desirous to lay the foundation deep of cheerful submission to the

sovereign, the magistrates,. and the laws, she is studious to imprint on early childhood the valuable lesson 'to honour and obey the king, and all that are put in authority under him; to submit themselves to all their governors; to order themselves lowly and reverently to all their betters; and to do their duty in that state of life unto which it shall please God to call them.' And in the daily service of our Church, prayers are offered up for the welfare of the sovereign, both temporal and eternal; whilst we and all her subjects' are reminded of our obligation, 'faithfully to serve, honour, and humbly obey her;' and the monarch at the same time is kept in recollection, that her authority is derived from the King of Kings, to whom she is accountable, ' and is given to her for the great ends of promoting the glory of God and the happiness of her people; and, that she may employ her authority for these ends, is made the subject of a special petition from her people.'

What now remains, and what can be more becoming in us, on this interesting and solemn occasion, than to offer our most fervent supplications that God, in whose awful presence our youthful sovereign, and the whole British nation by their representatives, have declared and ratified their mutual engagements, would pour into every heart a sincere desire to promote their mutual happiness, and unite them in the strictest bonds of affection. May the sacred oath which our Queen has taken at the altar of the King of Kings, that she will govern the British nation' according to the statutes in Par. liament agreed on, and the respective laws and customs' of her dominions; that she 'will cause law and justice, in mercy, to be executed in all her judgments;' and that she will to the utmost of her power maintain the laws of God, the true profession of the gospel, and the Protestant religion established by law;'-may this solemn oath and promise ever recur to her mind, as the genuine intention of her heart! And may the allegiance, which we pay her in all truth and faithfulness, be bound upon our hearts and minds with the ties of duty, gratitude, and love!

May 'the Lord protect her in all her ways, preserve her from every evil thing, and prosper her in every thing good! May He give her a faithful senate, wise and upright counsellors and magistrates, a loyal nobility, and a dutiful gentry; a pious, learned, and useful clergy; an honest, industrious, and obedient commonalty. May 'the glorious majesty of the Lord our God be upon her: may He bless her with all temporal and spiritual happiness in this world, and crown her with glory and immortality in the world to come. Amen.'

THE PLAIN MAN'S GUIDE TO HEAVEN. 1. Teaching him to become a true Christian. 2. Teaching him to live as a true Christian. 3. Teaching him to die as a true Christian. In conversation between a Teacher and a Learner. Taken from Baxter's Family Book, A. D. 1672.

THIS is a reprint, with some modifications of one of Baxter's valuable treatises. A few obsolete expressions are changed, and some short sentences are occasionally added, to connect the different subjects together; these are enclosed within brackets, so that the reader will easily distinguish them. The numerous digressions of the original work are omitted.

It is, of course, unnecessary to enter into a detailed examination of a work that is only a reprint. In giving the title, and in saying that it fulfils its promises, we have done enough. We shall merely add a few passages, taken from different parts of the volume.

A man is not converted and sanctified indeed, by any change that is made by fear alone, till love come in, and win his heart, and repair his nature.

Darkness naturally feedeth fears. But time and patience in the light will overcome them.

It is counterfeit repentance which reformeth only some open shameful sin.. and still keepeth up a worldly mind, and the pleasing of the flesh in a cleanlier way. No one sin is rightly killed, till the love of every sin be killed.

In Luke xiv. 26, he thus explains the word hate

That is, love them not so much less than me that he can cast them by as we do things hated, when they stand against

me.

And in verse 33, the words "forsaketh not all that he hath," he explains, "biddeth not farewell

to."

Of all plagues, O save me from the plague of a heart forsaken by thy Spirit, and left in death, and darkness, and disaffection.

Had I asked for riches, and honours, and the pleasures of sin, no wonder if my prayer had been denied, or granted with a

curse.

The foregoing remarks deserve the attentive consideration of those

who cherish any idolatrous wish, and presume to urge it in prayer.

Do you not know, that every sin, and every delay, and every resistance of the Spirit, doth tend to the greater hardening of your heart, and making your conversion less hopeful and more hard? Psalm cxix. 60.

The following sentence contains a distinction, which is calculated to be of use to many anxious souls:

The faithful are not delivered from sin altogether when they are converted to God; only set free from its DOMINION, SO that they no longer habitually consent to it, or delight in it.

This is one of the passages which have been added for sake of connection.

The following passage may also be of use to tender consciences :

The truth of your consent is one thing, and your certainty of it is another.

Take heed of turning your religion and zeal to opinions and parties instead of the life and practice of faith, hope, and love. For a wrangling, conscientious zeal is as destructive of true holy zeal, as a fever is of natural heat and life.

In reading the foregoing words, we are naturally struck with the advantages which Christians in the Established Church possess, from being less exposed to those party feelings, objects, and shibboleths, by which dissenting Christians are so liable to be actuated, in a grea. ter or less degree.

The following passage is particularly deserving of attention at this time.

Many call for church-reformation, and state-reformation, who yet are the plagues of the times themselves, and will not reform one little family. If men would reform their families, and agree in a holy education of their children, church and state would soon be reformed, when they were made up of such reformed families.

The preceding extracts are sufficient to shew the nature and usefulness of this little volume.

Entelligence.

INDIA.

BISHOP OF CALCUTTA ON EAST INDIAN IDOLATRY.

THE following extract from a letter of Bishop Wilson to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge confirms in striking terms the statements so often made on the encouragement given to Idolatry in the East Indies.

'These thoughts are naturally suggested by two paragraphs of your letters, of March 20th and August 10th, of this last summer. In the one you favour me with the account of the unanimous resolution of the General Meeting in June, to present a memorial against the continuance of the Pilgrim Tax in India; the other, in which you are good enough to pass a vote for the support of our Mission Schools near Calcutta, and propose certain inquiries to me connected with the subject.

'The connexion of the British Protestant authorities with the patronage of the basest and most degrading system of Idolatry and pollution which the lost spirit of darkness ever perhaps imposed on a fallen world-a system which has contrived an entire code of religious usages, and rewards and punishments, without any one consistent reference to moral good or evil-a code minute, inquisitorial, all-pervasive, in which the anti-social principle of caste condemns one half of the human race to be perpetual slaves and menials, and depresses nine-tenths of both sexes into an irrevocable and grinding exclusion from hope-a system founded in an ignorance of the God who made, and the Saviour who redeemed mankind, and going on its course by means of oppression, cruelty, and lust; the support of such a system by the greatest and freest of the Christian nations of Europe, is an anomaly of the most deplorable and glaring character. I scorn to advert to mere argument after the incomparable despatch ascribed to Lord Glenelg, of Feb. 1833. It is a case which requires no argument. Let the fact of British governors, counsellers, commissioners, magistrates, countenancing, by voluntary measures the misery and

barbarism, and premature and exaggerated ruin of their prostrate subjects, be established (and I believe they cannot be denied) and the duty of a Christian people to protest against the national guilt of such a conduct speaks for itself.

'I am not master of the subject in all its details. I am not aware of the particular objections to an immediate abolition to the pilgrim-tax, which are raised here as I suppose they are, by the subordinate local authorities. These matters are as much secrets, and very properly so, in India as at home. I proceed on these too broad, and plain, and irrefragable points. The countenance of idolatry, with its attendant horrors, in a Christian state, is, per se, immoral and sinful. The delay in executing the positive orders from hence embodied in the dispatch of February 1833, if such delay was not inevitable, augments the sin.

'It would be wrong in me, perhaps, altogether to conceal what I hear in conversation with gentlemen who lived many years in the vicinity of Pooree and the Temple of Juggernaut, and on whose veracity no doubt can for a moment be cast. They inform me, that of one hundred and fifty thousand pilgrims who resort annually to the spot, nearly one third perish from various causes, and never return to their homes.

"They inform me that the bands of the pilgrim-hunters, as they are termed, swarm over all India, even to the most distant provinces, to collect and drive in before them the deluded pilgrims.

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They state, that almost every year the pilgrims of the adjoining provinces are lessening, especially the men; and that the supply is now very much from the more remote places, and chiefly of women.

'They tell me, that one practice which does not appear in any public documents, and which may therefore not be generally known, is of the most atrocious injustice-the compulsory assemblage of two thousand poor wretches each year to drag the idol car. If this one op

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