our tempers in a discourse which turns upon

every thing that is dear to us. breaks out in the finest tropes

Though our zeal and figures, it is

not able to stir a limb about us.' Sameness and stillness are, accordingly, the defects of Mr. Burder. His sermons are judiciously arranged, perfectly reasoned, and satisfactorily scriptural; but, defective in variety of illustration and energy of application, they do not, however otherwise meritorious, come with irresistible efficacy to the heart.

His voice naturally wants force. When the preacher falls short in this respect, he would do well not to weaken the effect of the voice he might have; by keeping his notes, perhaps his Bible, as distant as possible from his lips, instead of raising up either, which, when it is done, obstructs the sound.

Action he does not affect; thinking, it may be, with Addison, that, unless we can make use of such only as are graceful and expressive, we ought to lay aside all kinds of gesture, which,' adds this critic, seems to be very suitable to the genius of our nation.'

The reverend Samuel Burder's chief publications are, first, Oriental Customs, or an Illustration of the Sacred Scriptures, by an Explanatory Application of the Customs and Manners of

the Eastern Nations, in two volumes; and, secondly, The Scripture Expositor,-a New Commentary, Critical and Practical, on the Holy Bible.' Useful, but not striking, is Mr. Burder's style of preaching and of writing.

THOMAS CLARE, M. A.

THEOLOGIANS have now their old and new schools, much in the same way as our politicians. The twins strive in the womb,-high-church with lowchurch, but strive to no good end. Experience has acquainted us with the miseries of philosophism; and experience will develope, perhaps shortly, the effects of those religious dissentions which are beginning to predominate. Christianity is of itself full of benignity. Glory to God in the highest' was destined to be (it is yet to be!) the harbinger of Peace and good-will towards Men;' but human motives unhappily led men to pervert the design of this religion, and human passions have lamentably impeded its benign operation. Men mix their interests and their inclinations with its truths. Hence conten

tion still deforms and divides the religious world. Christianity has not therefore diffused its full benignity.

Thomas Clare, M. A. has for some years held the vicarage of St. Bride's, near Fleet Street. Considering the operative importance of this church, together with the respectability and intelligence of its present vicar, it may be regretted that he should have recently entered into the unhappy contention between evangelicism and episcopacy. Censures on Evangelical schismatics are, indeed, rather remarkable on the part of him who annually throws open the doors of his church to their prominent Institution, and permits their advocates to plead its cause in his pulpit.

Reflecting on the injudicious zeal which seems exerted with the view of disparaging the preaching of what are styled evangelical clergymen, an impartial christian professor would be led to suppose that the former complaints respecting the established ministers were utterly forgotten, or, at any rate, in no possible danger of being renewed. Really one would suppose, that Bishop Burnet was entirely ignorant of the state of his own church, when he lamented that, during his whole life, he saw so little true zeal among the clergy, who always appeared dead and lifeless ;' and, instead of animating one another, seemed

to lay one another asleep!' Really one should think that Bishop Warburton, undefiled as he was by evangelism, had not described the common way of sermonising as most wretched,-neither sense, nor eloquence, reason, nor pathos!' And, finally, one might conclude that Archdeacon Paley utterly misrepresented the churchmen of later times, hearers as well as preachers, when, referring to the divine raptures enjoyed by the first christians, he was constrained to confess that 'much of that spirit is fled;' and that there is a coldness in our devotions, which argues a decay of religion amongst us!' Burnet, and Warburton, and Paley, then, were all wrong; or, unavoidable seems the alternative, some of their established successors appear to be in danger of falling into an error infinitely more pregnant with mischief.

Pastoral dignitaries may find occasions, perhaps, upon which to caution the Church against what are termed instinctive expounders of morality and religion;' but then they should first ask themselves, before they exert the power of censure, whether the evangelical clergymen are fairly to be classed with such instinctive expounders, either as to the knowledge which they acquire, or the doctrines which they inculcate? Surely such preachers as Milner, Decoetlogon, Scott, Robinson, Biddulph, Simeon, Buchannan, Faber,

Gisborne, Horne, Owen, Wilson, Goode, Lloyd, Burder, Pratt, and Cunningham, with many more, —surely, one would think, such preachers as these, however otherwise diversely estimated, demand no common portion of intellectual and ecclesiastical respect!

The reverend Mr. Clare, however, dislikes the evangelical school. But is it not surprising to find any christian teacher, who, closing his sermon, can implore God, saying-Leave me not destitute of thy spiritual gifts!' is it not surprising to find this very man, with the same breath, censuring the evangelical clergymen for relying upon the particular influences of the Holy Spirit, in the arduous discharge of the ministerial work? Astonishment will follow, should we hear this same teacher, although he solicits spiritual influence for himself, speaking of preachers, who do this, as though they were enthusiastic teachers,' promulging erroneous doctrines,' and deserving only of reprobation. Perfectly aware of the grounds on which it is customary to charge men with enthusiastic minds, this imputation does not deserve the least attempt at serious refutation. Patriotism still may glory in enthusiasm-enthusiasm is only bad for religion. Enthusiasm forms not, however, our great misfortune. Although there seems good cause to doubt the assertion, roundly though