no less effectually arrested Augustine Johnson, and gave unto him the word of reconciliation, to testify unto the heathen the Gospel of the Grace of God.

"Saturday evening [A. D. 1817], became a time strongly marked at Regent's Town, by instances of deep conviction of sin and awakening of heart to God; and then tidings reached the missionary that the holy men who sent him and his fellow-labourers forth, had been and still were devoting one hour of that evening in united supplication to God in behalf of Africa. By means so direct was the missionary encouraged and strengthened in looking up to God.

"The Doctor, son of the Bullom king, filled the office of clerk on Sunday; and continuing to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, he proved a great help in the work of the Lord. One evening the missionary was detained unexpectedly at a neighbouring station; at the fall of day two hundred of the negro people assembled as usual for 'family prayer' in the church, but their teacher was not there; then the Doctor came forward and took the teacher's place. Mrs. Johnson, who was present, says that he gave a most affecting exhortation; persuading the people to give their whole hearts to Jesus Christ: so quickly did 'the planting of the Lord' bud and blossom and breathe heavenly fragrance on its native air!

"At this time, Tamba, one of the liberated slaves, was brought in repentance and prayer to his divine Redeemer's feet; he afterwards became so faithful a 'fellow-labourer unto the kingdom of God,' that it is most interesting to mark him as one of the first-fruits of that mountain-valley, before the ministerial office invested the faithful schoolmaster.

"At this time also, one of the children from Mrs. Johnson's school was called away by death; three hundred of the negro people followed the black girl to her grave, over which many tears were shed by them, for she was beloved of all who knew her, and the missionary could look heavenward and rejoice in hope that his departed scholar was gathered to the skies.

"It had now become evident to all, that the schoolmaster of Regent's Town was called of God to do the work of an evangelist.' Therefore the Committee of the Church Missionary Society in England expressed their desire that the ordained German missionaries should confer with Mr. Garnon, an English clergyman, then Chaplain at Freetown, the capital of the colony; and, if it appeared expedient to them all, ordain Augustine Johnson as a Lutheran minister. These servants of God assuredly gathering that the Lord had called the schoolmaster of Regent's Town to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, he was ordained to the sacred office by his three German brethren, Renner, Butscher, and Wenzel, on the 31st of March, 1817, eleven months from the day of his landing on Africa's shore; while Mr. Pratt expressed, by letter, the joy of the Society at home in the success of his labours; and the hope they felt from such cheering evidence of the Lord's presence and favour, that a brighter day was dawning for Africa than she had yet seen. Many anxious questionings and sorrowful thoughts had oppressed the heart of the missionary as he looked on the responsibility he was about to enter upon: 'But,' he finally says, with that beautiful simplicity, that adorned his Christian life, '1 Cor. 1:25, 26, removed all!'

"On Easter Sunday, April 6th, 1817, Augustine Johnson first preached the Gospel of Christ as an ordained pastor. It pleased God to pour out the spirit of grace and supplication so powerfully upon the listening people, that many among them, unable to restrain the overwhelming sense of feelings so strangely new, wept and prayed aloud. This continued through the services of the day, and in the evening prevailed to so great an extent, that the newly-ordained pastor, quite unable to restrain his own or his people's feelings, was compelled to leave them in the church; he retired to the solitude of his home, but still his ear and his heart were penetrated with the cry of his weeping people. Blessed be God, it was not now the groan that but a short time before broke on the merciless ear of the man-stealer from these children of captivity; no, it was a cry to the Father of mercies, who is rich unto all who call upon Him! Only a few months before, the missionary's anxious eye had sought in vain for one tear of contrition, vainly had he listened for one sigh of repentance, and now he sees his people prostrate, arresting the prayers of their pastor by their own agonized supplications to VOL. VI. NO. 10.

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Heaven. Well may it remind of the promise, 'Prove me now herewith, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.' These outward manifestations of feeling continued at times for long after; the missionary used every suitable method to restrain them, and the door-keepers were ordered to convey at once from the church, every one so overcome, in order to prevent interruption to the congregation. Africans -accustomed from their birth to express every feeling with vehement emotion, poor captured slaves, whose every sense and every affection had been pierced, wounded, and torn-hearing from their pastor, on Easter-day, of the love that passeth knowledge, of One who died for our sins and rose again for our justifica tion, can we wonder that the weight of a love so great overcame the negro-or that sometimes the mention only of the name of JESUS, woke their hearts' response in strong crying and tears! May we not rather wonder that the declara tion of infinite love often falls so lightly on our ears, so coldly on our hearts, as if our ears could not be penetrated, our hearts could not be moved! Tears and lamentations were not the only proof given of awakened souls. So eager were these poor Africans to hear the Word of Life, the Gospel of their salvation, that on Sundays when the church-bell sounded out its summons, it called to those already come, the church being filled an hour before the time of service! The bell was needless, but still it woke the mountain echoes, and filled the valley with the only sound, save that of prayer and praise, that broke the Sabbath stillness. The gallery built by the Governor's order was finished, and accommodated two hundred; but still there was not room; therefore a large addition to the church at the eastern end was now resolved upon. The schools were flourishing. By May, 1817, six men and three women had learned to read the New Testament; their minister asked one of the men how he liked his new book? He replied, 'I cannot thank the Lord Jesus Christ enough for this good Book, for I HAVE SEEN MYSELF IN IT.'

"On the 4th of May, Augustine Johnson, for the first time, administered the holy communion of the body and blood of Christ to above fifty of his people, all of whom only a year before were in heathen darkness-all of whom had received the knowledge of their divine Redeemer through him-all of whom looked up to him as their father in Christ."

TRADE AND LETTERS: THEir JourneyinGS ROUND THE WORLD. Three discourses delivered before the Mercantile Library Association of San Francisco, and published, at the request of the Association. By W. A. SCOTT, D.D., New York. Robert Carter & Brothers, 1856.

Whilst the California merchants and miners are busy in worldly enter prises, Dr. Scott is aggressive in his literary and religious schemes. He is bound to do all he can for California-this is his motto. His discourses are on the following subjects. I. Homes of Trade and Letters. II. Trade and Letters-their connection and influence on the Progress of Nations. III. Hints on the Commercial Spirit of the Age. A large number of interesting notes form a valuable Appendix. Dr. Scott brings out many fine thoughts for the literary and mercantile communities, and shows how a minister, without making letters his trade, may do a profitable business outside of the pulpit.

NOTES ON THE GOSPEL, CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY. Incorporating with the Notes, on a new plan, the most approved harmony of the four Gospels. By MELANCTHON W. JACOBUS, Professor of Biblical Literature in the Western Seminary, at Alleghany City, Pa. JOHN. Published by Robert Carter & Brothers. New York, 1856. The two previous volumes of Notes by Dr. Jacobus, the first on Matthew, and the second on Mark and Luke, are well known and highly

appreciated. The present volume on John fully sustains the reputation of the author as a ripe biblical scholar. The notes are brief, but perspicuous and satisfactory. They are the happy combination of the critical and historical, doctrinal and practical. The harmony exhibits at a single glance where the same narrative occurs in one or more of the other Evangelists; or if it is not found there, this is also indicated by blanks, thus: the Pool of Bethesda, the Healing of the Impotent Man, and our Lord's Discourse.

All the Gospels are rich in matter, and they mutually illustrate each other. It is therefore a valuable aid to the reader to be able to refer without inconvenience to the parallel passages in which the same incidents are recorded. In this respect, Dr. Jacobus's Notes on the Gospels are superior to any work of the kind which we have examined. For the use of Sunday School teachers this feature is of special importance, and affords a sufficient reason why they should purchase these Notes in preference to any other.

But the richest portion of John's Gospel is occupied with those precious sayings and discourses of our blessed Lord, which are recorded nowhere else. These furnish a golden mine for the labours of a commentator; and Dr. Jacobus has not failed to explore it. He has not only brought to view this precious metal, in order to gratify our eyes with its unparalleled lustre, but has brought us into personal contact with it, has placed it in our hands, that we might handle it, and proffered it to us as a glorious treasure, which by faith we may appropriate to our use and enjoyment forever. John was called the disciple whom Jesus loved; and one instance of his love is found in this, that he made him his amanuensis, to record those passages of Sacred Scripture which have been the favourite readings of God's people in every age of the Church.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A BLIND MINISTER. Including Sketches of the Men and Events of his Time. By TIMOTHY WOODBRIDGE, D.D. Boston, published by JOHN P. JEWETT and Company; pp. 312.

The author of this work is a descendant of John Woodbridge, of England, who, with many other distinguished men was ejected from their pulpits and living, for non-conformity. His mother was a daughter of President Edwards, one of "the three great lights of America." He was born in 1784; and this autobiography takes note of men and things from that day to the present. The writer is still alive. His blindness was induced by inflammation in the eyes, while pursuing his college course; after which time his acquisitions were made under this serious disadvantage. But being possessed of fine natural talents, and great industry and perseverance, he acquired, after leaving college, a considerable knowledge of the law, intending this as his profession; subsequently, having experienced religion, he studied theology at Andover Theological Seminary, and became a highly respectable and useful minister of the Presbyterian Church, in the State of New York. His autobiography gives of course some account of his personal labours, trials, and successes. But he has narrated much that is interesting concerning others, many of them men of

mark both in church and state, and in a style that is agreeable and often sprightly. We can commend it as a very readable, entertaining, and useful book. May our excellent brother enjoy a green old age and a peaceful departure to a better world.

HINTS ON MISSIONS TO INDIA; with Notices of some Proceedings of a Deputation from the American Board, and of Reports to it from the Missions. By MIRON WINSLOW, Missionary to Madras. New York, published by M. W. DODD, and sold by the Messrs. Martien, Philadelphia; pp. 236. 12mo.

This small volume is highly valuable as a directory to one who is about to embark as a missionary to the Foreign Field. There are many particulars which such a person will desire to know with reference to his passage, arrival, preservation of health, forms of labour, &c. &c., which he cannot learn beforehand from any other source, so well as from one who has been engaged for years in the work of Foreign Missions. Mr. Winslow has also some judicious remarks on the call and qualifications of a Missionary, and on the best mode of conducting missions. In the latter he expresses modestly his views concerning the proceedings of the deputa tion from the American Board, which have been discussed in the Board and elsewhere since their return. His remarks, however, were penned prior to the discussion which occurred in the Board, and contain his own individual sentiments, uninfluenced by the views of others. We ought to add, however, that he gives also in some instances the views of other missionaries in the Foreign Field, corroborating his own, but adverse to the policy proposed and carried into effect by the Deputation. We commend these statements to the careful perusal of the Christian reader. The best mode of conducting Missions is a matter which equally concerns all churches, and ought to be decided with serious and prayerful deliberation.

THE WORLD AND ITS INFLUENCES. Written for the Board of Publication.

This neat little volume, published by the Presbyterian Board, consists of four chapters, viz.: The World as seen by its Votaries before Trial; the World regarded in the light of Revelation; the World as estimated by its Votaries after a Trial of its Pursuits; and, the World in comparison with the Better Way. These several points are well presented, and in a style calculated to interest and impress intelligent young persons, who are under special temptations, particularly those who belong to families that move in fashionable life, to make this world their chief object of pursuit, to the neglect of their immortal welfare. It is also adapted to benefit older persons of the same class, whose experience corroborates and confirms the positions and illustrations of the author concerning the vanity and uncertainty of this world.

THE SOWER AND THE SEED. By JOHN HALL, D.D. Philadelphia. Presbyterian Board of Publication.

This is a brief exposition of the Parable of the Sower. A chapter is appropriated to each of the four cases mentioned by our Lord, to show the different kinds of Gospel hearers. The explanation is clear and

satisfactory, the language simple and appropriate, and the application discriminating and forcible. We hope it will be introduced into every family, and be attentively read by each of its inmates. It is highly commendable, nay, it is a positive duty, for persons to attend the house of God; and the condition of such is far more hopeful than of those who neglect public worship. Yet, the hearing of the word does not of itself save the soul; and hence our Saviour's injunction, "Take heed how ye hear," is of vital importance. Those who desire to learn this lesson will find this small book a valuable aid to their inquiries.

ELLEN SINCLAIR, OR THE EARNEST INQUIRER. A True Narrative. Presbyterian Board of Publication.

This little book relates the personal experience of the writer; her religious impressions; the difficulties which she met with; the means employed by her teacher to bring her to a speedy decision, and her ultimate hope and comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is well suited to assist inquiring souls who are asking the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, and also to encourage Christians in their efforts to secure the salvation of their unconverted friends.

ZION, THE PERFection of BeautY; or, the Truth, Order, and Spirit of the Presbyterian Church, briefly considered. A Sermon, preached at the opening of the Synod of Iowa, at Oskaloosa, Thursday, October 11, 1855. By the REV. JOSHUA PHELPS, President of Alexander College, and Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Dubuque. Published at the request of the Synod.

The design of this sermon is to show the pre-eminent excellence of the truth, order, and spirit of the Presbyterian Church. This is done in a courteous manner towards other denominations; in which respect it is in striking contrast with the language employed by some of them, particularly in the more newly settled portion of the West, towards the Presbyterian Church. It is probable that this circumstance created a demand for such a discourse; and its publication by the request of Synod shows that they deemed it important to have it circulated in that section of the country. The sermon does credit to the author, and to the Church to which he belongs.

THE DEATH OF SAINTS PRECIOUS. A sermon, preached in Hopewell and Orange, Churches, upon the death of their Pastor, REV. SAMUEL MOODY. By REV. JOHN' ROBINSON, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Ashland, Ohio.

This excellent and appropriate sermon pays a just tribute to the memory of a worthy and useful minister, and whose sudden death by drowning, in April last, spread an unusual gloom over an affectionate and bereaved congregation.

THE NATION BLESSED OF THE LORD. A sermon, preached in the First Presbyterian Church, New Albany, Sabbath morning, July 6, 1856. By E. D. MACMASTER.

This is an able discourse, and is adapted to the times. It does not discuss party politics, nor even allude to them; but it lays down principles which ought to be practically adopted by men of all parties, who desire the prosperity of our country.