ful condition, when the Rev. Mr.

-, curate of the parish, being informed of his state, resolved to call on him; and while ordering his horse for that purpose, received a message from the sick man's fa mily, requesting a visit. On his first interview, he endeavoured to display the fallacy of all infidel systems, and the insufficiency of philosophy to afford consolation to a dying sinner; contrasting therewith the solid foundation of joyful hope proposed in the gospel, and its suitableness to the case of every sinner, even of the most vile and profligate. During this address his countenance evinced the most lively interest and attention; and the expression of his features varied with the subject. When the sceptic's vain hope of an eternal sleep was disproved, and his charges against revelation refuted; when the awful punishment which awaits such scoffers in an eternal world was portrayed, his expressive countenance seemed to say, 'All these things I have felt, and know the representation to be just.' When the grace and mercy of the gospel were exhibited, as free to every guilty soul, even the vilest of the vile, and he was invited in the name of the Lord Jesus, to lay down the arms of his rebellion, and to trust in his blood and righteousness for pardon and life, hope seemed to dawn in his heart, and a glow of satisfaction succeeded to the gloom of despondency diffused over his features, and his eyes, glistening with joy, seemed to say, Yes; I am vile indeed; but God is good and gracious! I trust there still is hope! Encouraged by these favourable appearances, the speaker pointed the attention of the apparently humbled sinner to those clear and explicit passages of God's word, in which the Redeemer invites sinners to look unto him and be saved; to believe and live; to behold Him who is not only able but willing to save to the uttermost all those who come unto God by him,' assuring him that no supplicant was ever driven from his throne, or sought relief from him in vain. Hi that cometh to me, I will

He exhorted

in no wise cast out.' him to flee to this gracious Deliverer, this Friend of sinners; to attend to his endearing declaration,

The same

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Nothing could be more aplicable to the wretched condition of this paralytic, nor better adapted to administer relief. Revived by these assurances, his joy seemed to increase; and he being asked if he would join in prayer with those present, he acquiesced with much apparent satisfaction. frame of spirit was manifested in the subsequent interviews of the minister with him. His anxiety to hear the word of life was evident to all around him; for the neighbours assembled on every such occasion, and appeared to be much impressed. He never manifested any weariness; but, on the contrary, seemed uneasy when the minister talked of withdrawing. — A short time before his death it pleased God to favour him with a restoration of his speech, that the tongue once employed in blasphemy, might now speak forth the praises of the Redeemer. He then called his wife and family around him, told them he was about to leave them; but desired that they would not be grieved on this account, as he humbly trusted that the Saviour would receive him to mercy. He acknowledged himself the chief of sinners, and testified his assurance of the important truths which the minister had. declared to him: he earnestly entreated that his family might be educated in the knowledge of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ; and exhorted them to live and die in this faith. He frequently declared that he was not afraid to die, as he trusted that the Lord Jesus was both able and willing to save him, though he had been a most vile and rebellious signer. His only plea was the blood and righteousness of the adorable Jesus, Having commended his family to the divine favour, and his wailing soul to the hands of the Redeemer, he entered, it is hoped and believ-. ed, into rest, to unile with all the ransomed of the Lord in that de

lightful song, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.'

I cannot conclude without expressing my earnest desire for the salvation of the reader; and, whether he will hear, or whether he will forbear, reminding him that the Redeemer is merciful. He can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them who are out of the way. The door of mercy is not yet shut, Jesus waits to be gracious; the arms of his mercy are ever extended for the reception of sinners. Having therefore such an almighty and compassionate Saviour, let me entreat you to flee to him for free pardon and complete redemption. Oh, do not hesitate! Let not sus pense engross the moment that comes winged with mercy. Every thing which, as a sinner, you can want, is graciously provided in the Gospel; a free pardon, through the atonement of Jesus! - a full justification through his righteousness!and the promised aids of his Holy Spirit to purify your heart and reform your life.-Now, therefore, is the accepted time; this is the day of salvation. But if you still continue hardened against him, you may find, to your cost, that the abuse of mercy gives an edge to justice; and that to be crushed to atoms by falling rocks, or buried in oblivion at the bottom of mountains, were rather to be chosen than an exposure to the wrath of the Lamb. And you will have this beside to aggravate your misery in the doleful regions of hell, that a way of escape was set before you, but you obstinately persisted in despising that Saviour who is the only door to happiness and to God. ADOLESCENS.

Dublin.

times, poisonous medicines, procured, as she said, by her seducer, but unsuccessfully, for the purpose of procuring abortion; and the last unhappy offspring was the fifth child. For several days previous to her dissolution, she appeared to struggle under the most violent convulsions possible for any human being to endure, and exhibited all the horrors of imagination arising from a mis spent life. A few moments before death closed her eyes, she declared she could not die until she had unburthened her conscience. A clergyman was sent for; but to him she would say nothing, but called out for a Mrs. Mackay, who had given her nourishment during her illness. This miserable creature then related how she had falsely sworn her first two children (now alive) to an innocent man; and how she had disposed of three others since. The first, a boy, she destroyed as soon as born, and buried it under a tree in a garden; the second, a girl, met with a similar fate, and she buried it behind a public-house; the last child, a girl also, shocking to relate, she buried alive in a field near Tottreidge. After this disclosure the unhappy wretch appeared more resigned, and expired almost immediately. The circumstance had such an ef fect upon the people in the neighbourhood, that no one would stay with the corpse during the nights previous to burial. May sinners hear, and fear, and turn unto the Lord!

A melancholy accident occurred on the river Thames a few Sundays since. Eleven persons, all married men, engaged a sailing boat of the wherry kind. The wind, which had been very high, becoming more moderate in sea-reach, they made fast the main-sail to the side of the boat; soon after which a sudden gust of wind upset the wherry, and six of the unfortunate men were drowned. Another account states that nine lost their lives. Most of the deceased were of the neighbourhood of Rotherhithe and have left large families.

The Christian's Survey of all the Primary Events and Periods of the World; from the Commencement of History to the Conclusion of Prophecy. 12mo, price 7s. 6d.

THE astonishing events of the present age have naturally induced pious and inquisitive persons to look into the sacred Scriptures, and especially into the prophetic parts of them. The author of this work (reported to be a descendant of the venerable Penn) has ventured to think for himself; and differs considerably from most of his predecessors in the illustration of prophecy. His work is divided into three principal parts: 1. Time Past, including ancient and modern history. 2. Time Present, respect ing particularly the French Empire, which he considers not as a fifth Empire, but as the last predicted power of the fourth or Roman Empire. 3. Time Future, in which he contemplates the fall of the last great power, and the conclusion of the present state.

The author considers the empires of Babylon, Persia, Macedon, and Rome, as four separate, and substantially distinct bodies of empire, represented by Daniel (vii. 8. 20, &c.) under the symbols of four different animals. Upon the head of the fourth and last of these, the Roman einpire, there appeared a small, or newly-budded HORN, which increased into supreme and paramount authority, speaking great things, wearing a look more stout than his fellows, and thinking to change times and laws. This prediction he applies to Napoleon; and quotes some remarkable passages from Chrysostom and Jerome, which seem to favour such an application. Bellarmine, also, speaking of the last Tyrant of the Churck, says, 'He is the last king who shall possess the Roman empire, but yet without the name of Roman Emperor. The author considers the New Power as derived from the Roman, like the predicted Ilorn, growing out of the

body of an aged animal, and not likely to survive the body from

which it drew its life. The next great event to be expected is, that this last tyranny shall fall, and introduce that period when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, that period which will put an end to all further distinction of secular and religious interests; the great concluding scene, and final transmutation of the present earth.

The author differs from most commentators on this part of the subject, for he apprehends that there is no solid ground for thinking that the Jewish nation shall be restored to Palestine, in which he concurs with Jerome and Chrysostom, who affirm that the present captivity of the Jews shall undergo no change until the end of the world.' He dissents also from the general opifion of the establishment of the gospel all over the world, judging that the prophecies, so interpreted, signify only that it shall be preached in all nations, as a witness, before the end shall come.' He apprehends it has been already preached in all nations, and that the end is at hand, which shall come as a thief in the night,' and as 'a snare upon all,'-just as the deluge came in the days of Noah. Of this he judges that the signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars,' or the great changes now occurring in church and state, are sufficient prognostics. The New Power, so suddenly erected, he says, has extinguished the papal monarchy, has overthrown the dynastics of Spain, Naples, Savoy, and Sweden, and the states of Venice, Genoa, Tuscany, and Holland; has dissolved the Germanic Confederacy; and has planted new tributary kingdoms in Europe. The result of this survey is, he says, 'to awaken in our hearts that wise question of self-interrogation, Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be

We have thus given our readers a general view of this sensible and curious production. We cannot concur with the author in all his conjectures, yet think that, in such a crisis as the present, his work deserves a place in the reading of persons of intelligence and leisure, who wish to' discern the signs of the times

Four Serraons preached in London, at the Eighteenth General Meeting of the Missionary Society, May, 1812. By the Rev. Messrs. Wilks, Love, Steil, and Gillbee. With the Report of the Directors, &c. Price 38.

THis is now the Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the Missionary Society; but its vigour is not impaired by years. In the discourses at the General Meeting, as much of ardour, of affection, and energy of soal, as much of zeal for the propagation of the gospel is displayed, as on any former occasion.

The first sermon was preached by Mr. WILKS, from Jer. vii. 18. The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women ad their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings unto other gads. The text when announced to the numerous assembly at Surry Chapel, appeared uncommon, and to many strange; but the preacher shewed that it was appropriate, and bore on his subject; and he illustrated it with singular ingenuity, felicity, and effect. Glancing at the idolatrous worship of the queen of heaven, the ardour of the worshippers, and the persons employed in it, I will,' says he, contrast your objects, compare your ardour, and muster your agents.Yours is the cause of the only living and true God, of the wonderful Saviour of the precious sonls of men, and of the most exalted benevolence.'

The preacher then compares the ardour of the worshippers of the queen of heaven in their vows of fidelity, and the courage with which they stand forward in the cause; in the constancy with which they

XX.

brave every difficulty; and in the liberality with which they contributed to the support of their idolworship.

With

He then proceeds to muster the agents. Men, women, children, all are employed in the idolatrous rites of ancient Paganism. singular ingenuity and force, the preacher calls on young men and maidens, on widows and matrons, and on men in every walk of life, to exert themselves in propagating sion consists of appropriate adthe gospel of Christ. The concludresses to the Society, to the Directors, to Ministers, and to Missionaries. It is a great commendation of this discourse that it is a sermon of business, and most powerfully tends to raise the hearers to action; for it will influence them rather to propagate the gospel, than to commend the preacher, altho' he is entitled to a high degree of praise.

The second sermon was preached by Mr. Love, who formerly, when he resided in London, was one of the Secretaries of the Missionary Society. His text is Rom. x. 13 to 17. For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be sav ed,' &c. A passage which, in the fullest manner, establisheth the necessity and importance of exertions for the conversion of the heathen by the preaching of the gospel.

Mr. L. first, considers the important exercise of calling on the name of the Lord, in a saving manner; as exemplified in the case of an individual heathen; and afterwards as spreading extensively among a multitude, or in a district of some dark polluted land.' Both these he illustrates in his peculiar and steady manner. In the second place, he enquires into the cause of such a change as is expressed in the text, and is led to discourse on faith, its nature, its object, and the power which produces it on the soul. The third head consists of an enquiry into the means by which that faith is excited. The word of God, he observes, is the grand in strument which he employs, and this word presented by the instru mentality of Teachers, opening

3 A

and bringing home the truths of the Bible: and with great ingenuity and force he assigns several reasons why the preaching of the gospel has been ordained by Christ as the most proper method of spreading the knowledge of the gospel through the world. (Psa. lxxxi. 2.) In his application of the subject, which is appropriate and impressive, he again resumes the subject, and expresses his sentiments in the following words :

'I solemnly bless God for the formation of so many Bible Societies; I rejoice to see the glittering sword of the Almighty Spirit unsheathed, and the fatal scabbard wherein it had been hid for ages, cast away. The circumstances attending their commencement have been auspicious and surprising. Hitherto, however, the success is chiefly experiment: the ultimate desired effect in the illumination and conversion of the nations sitting in darkness, is not yet attained: to boast of success in that view is premature; perhaps that may require stronger cries of supplication than have yet been offered up..

That I may do full justice to the cause which I now plead before God, angels, and men. I must call the pub lic mind seriously to contemplate, that the utmost exertions of all the Bible Societies in the world, detached from the living labours of enlightened and faithful Missionaries, would entirely fail, as to the effect of introducing and establishing the kingdom of the Saviour in any one heathen country. The Bible may be translated, and zealously conveyed into such countries: it may be received and looked at for a while as a curiosity; it may operate even to create a prejudice in favour of Christianity it may even be the instrument of conversion, in a few singular cases, by the more unusual sovereign agency of the Holy Spirit ;-but where any extensive bad permanent effects are to be accomplished, living interpreters and publishers of the truths of the Bible, and examples of their power, must be prepared and sent forth, that "the eyes of the heathen may see their teachers." This is the way wherein, according to all the past history of the church, according to every statement which the Bible itself exhibits, we are authorised to expect the coming of the kingdom of Him * who ascended on high, leading captivily captive, and gave gifts to men :

and he gave some apostles, some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the work of the ministry, for the perfecting of the saints, till we all come in the unity of the faith," &c.

the heathen world is to be subdued and 'Let it not then be imagined, that

converted by the Bible alone. Though it were at this moment full of Bibles, still, from the throne of adorable "Three who bear record in haven," would sound the voice "Who shall I send, and who will go for us?" The voice would still proclaim, "i Depart; I will send thee far hence among the Gentiles" Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Against our Missionary exertions, Bible Societies furnish no argument; but in support of it, they hold out the highest encouragement; they are preparing the field; they invite, as reapers of the great harvest of the world, those honoured ambassadors, by whose living voice, by whose holy labours, by whose wrestling supplica tions, and, should it be necessary, by whose martyred blood the God of glory shall effectually beseech and persuade men to be reconciled to himself."

[The other Sermons in our next.]

Report of the Sunday School Union, with Extracts of Correstence, and an Account of the meeting held May 13, 1812. Price As.

THIS is really a very interestting publication, and we wish it were in the hands of all ministers, teachers, and others who patronize Sunday Schools. It would doubtless animate them to persevering and increasing labours; but we wish most of all, that it were in the hands of those who have hitherto neglected to encourage Sunday Schools in their respective circles; they would blush for shame, and immediately endeavour to retrieve their credit.

The Report of the Committee states the objects of the Union, which are, to increase the number of Schools, to improve the methods of instruction, to print suitable books for the use of schools, to correspond with ministers and others at home and abroad, with regard to Sunday Schools, and to foria Unions for similar purposes in the country.