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REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

The Poet's Day; or Imagination's
Ramble: 4 Poem in Four Books;
with an Eulogy on Britain, Second
Edition, 12mo, 4s. boards,

POETRY is so fascinating to young minds, and so capable of leading astray, that we feel obliged to those few writers who furnish this literary honey without a sting; and, among the rest, we are sorry that we have so long omitted our acknowledgments to this fair author. The subject of this poem is indeed, not strictly religious; but all the topics introduced have so strong a bearing in favour of piety and virtue, that we think the effect more prominent, since with too many admirers of the muses, a religious title is repulsive.

The four books relate to the four

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parts of the day; and to such of our readers as can enjoy the pleasures of a solitary walk, we can hardly wish a companion more agreeable or more instructive. Every part of the day suggests its lesson; but midnight naturally introduces the awful scene of a future

judgment. Though this lady does not
possess the sublimity of Milton, nor the
strength of Young, her strains never
sink into the bathos, but often rise
above mediocrity. In the last book
her style is considerably elevated by
her subject; and her farewell of the ex-
piring world has some bold and origi-
nal ideas. From this part we shall
extract a few lines, which we hope will
lead our poetic readers to a farther ac-
quaintance with the book.

Sink then, ye stars; and thou frail world expire:
No trace surviving, and no tribute paid!
Far other themes command my soul to rise,
Forget her clay, and climb sublimer heights,
In search of wonders through this solemn day,
Which stand the prelude to eternity.

Here rest thy foot,-survey this mighty void,
This chasm in creation, amply 'd
With the full glories of Omnipotence.
Admiring angels from the realms of bliss

Stoop down in extacy to see enlarg'd

The bounds of Heav'n, and Nature's gap supply'd
With this effusion of transcendent grace,—
The presence of the Deity!"

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Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Mary Dunkin; preached at Jamaica Row, Bermondsey, Feb. 9, 18~6. To which are added, Extracts from her Diary, and an Account of her Happy Death. By J. Townsend, 8vo, 2s.

Ir is certainly wise in the Christian minister to improve events that make a strong impression on the public mind, and to lead his hearers from temporary objects to those which are eternal. We had doubts, however, whether the subject of the first of these discourses

was suited to pulpit discussion; and at
first sight we protested against the
text (Acts. viii. 2) as unappropriate.
As the preacher proceeds, however, we
were pleased to find ourselves disap-
pointed, and that, instead of fanciful
allusion, he gives us solid and serious
truths. He divides his subject into

three parts.
1. The Funeral of Ste-
phen, who became a martyr to Chris-
tianity. 2. The Funeral of a Brave
Man, who fell a Sacrifice to his Zeal
for his Country; and, 3, Some general
Reflections upon each.

The subject of the second discourse was an amiable Christian Lady, who closed a long, pious, useful, and consistent life, with a death the most triumphant that can be imagined. About seven o'clock, in the evening of her death, a friend called in to see her, to whom she said, “God bless you, Mr. G. I am just going to my Jesus :" and in about five minutes after Mr. G. left the room, and about two or three minutes before she departed, she asked for some drink, took the cup in her own hand, and drank what she wished; then took her pocket-handkerchief, wiped her mouth, closed her own

eyes, and laying her limbs and her hands straight, she said, "Now, Lord Jesus, come and fetch me:" and with the above sentence on her lips, she fell asleep in the arms of her beloved Jesus, without a sigh or groan.

The Cottage Library; a New Series of Religious Tracts, Part I and II. each 6d. Fine Paper, 8d.

THE novelty of this plan chiefly consists in publishing Tracts in small parcels of sixpence each, which, when read, may be cut asunder and distriAs to buted among so many persons. the tracts themselves, they are chiefly narrative, and designed to instruct by example as well as precept. Of those before us, two are taken from ancient martyrology. Several are biographical, one allegorical, and two poetical, &c. it appearing to be the editor's design to introduce as much variety and entertainment as possible. Two of them are particularly adapted for distribution among the Jews, among whom a spirit of enquiry has lately been excited; and the whole of them will be acceptable in Sunday-schools, villagelibraries, and among the poor in general. In No. I, which is an original, the author, by an agreeable and instructive fiction, shews into how many channels of usefulness even a single

tract may fall, and the probable recep. tion it may meet with from different characters and tempers. That the whole, however, may not rest on fiction, the author has subjoined a short sketch of the history of religious tracts, with many pleasing instances of their utility under the divine blessing.

We shall only add, that the tracts in this collection are intended to form voJames, four parts in each; notwithstanding which, they may all be had singly, at seven shillings per hundred, for general distribution.

The New Token for Children, or a Sequel to Janeway's; being an authentic Account, never before published, of the Conversion, exemplary Lives and happy Deaths of Twelve Children. By W. Moseley. Second Edition, 8d.

THE Memoirs of each Child, in this little Work, were put into the hands of the Editor, either by the parents of the children, or by some friend acquainted with the family. The Editor, therefore, assures the public, in his Preface, that the whole, however extraordinary some things may appear, is strictly true. Matter of fact is of great importance in publications of this nature; and we are glad to find a Sequel to Janeway's Token so well attested.

SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

The Temple of Truth; or the best System of Reason, Philosophy, Virtue, and Morals, 8vo, 8s. boards.

Hall's Works, vol.4, 95.; Royal, 128. Bibliotheca Sacra, Part II, and III. each 25.

The Apocalypse: a new Translation, with Notes. D J. C. Woodhouse, M. A. Royal 8ve, boards 18s.

An Harmony of the Epistles. By the Rev. P. Roberts, M. A. 4to, 168. bds.

Systematic View of Revealed Wisdon. By the Rev. R. Williams, Royal 8vo (with fourteen plates) 128. boards.

A complete and uniform Edition of the Publications of the Religious Tract Society, No.1 to 77 inclusive; to which is prefixed an Accorit of the Origin and Progress of the Society; and interesting Extracts of Correspondence, Foreign and Domestic, in 2 vol. 12mo, tine wove paper, 1080 pages. To Subscribers, 6s. boards; to Non-Subscribers, Es. boards. An Edition of the same in 8vo, to Subscribers 9s. to NonSubscribers, 128. boards. (See the Advertisement on the Cover of this Mag.

Missionary Transactions, No. 14, 15. Village Sermons. By G. Burder. New Ed. 5 Vols. each 1s. 6d. ; 8vo, 29 td Pirie's Works, Vols. IV, V, each 45. Poems on Religious Subjects. By J. A. Knight, crown 8vo, 1s.

Union among Christian Societies: a Sermon, at the First Meeting of the Associate Congregations. By J. Bail. With an Address prefixed, 8vo, 15. Memoirs of a Female Vagrant, writ ten by Herself.

Is. 6d. Harper's Christian Teacher. 20 Ed. improved, 18. bound; fine paper, 18. 3d.

Cottage Library, Part II and IV, each 6d. also Vol. I, 2s. ; or 2s. 6d. neatly half-bound; fine, 3s. extra hds.

The Stone laid before Joshua: a Sermon, by G. White. 8vo, 1s.

Infant Baptism: an Extract from Witsius. By G. White, 12mo, 3d. Restoration of the Jews, ditto, ditto. The Picture and Duty of Britain: a Fast Sermon. By C.'Dewhirst, 8vo, 15.

A Serious Address on certain Evangelical Doctrines and Duties. By J. Upton, 12mo, éd.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE Annual Meeting of this Society will be held in London on Wednesday, May 14, and the Two following Days. The various Services are arranged as follow :

Ar Six o'clock, on Tuesday Evening (May 13) the Directors will assemble at the Rev. J. Brooksbauk's Meeting, Haberdashers' Hall, Staining Lang; at which they request the presence of all the Ministers from the Country who shall come up to this annual solemnity; also of those Ministers residing in Town, who are in connection with the Society.

SURRY CHAPEL

Wednesday Morning, May 14. The Rev. Mr. BRADLEY, of Manchester, to preach.

TABERNACLE.

Wednesday Evening. The Rev. Mr. BOGUE, of Gosport, to preach. The intended subject, An Address to Christians in behalf of the Jews.

The Society will devote the whole of Thursday Morning, from Ten o'clock, to the General Business of the Institution, at Haberdashers' Hall Meeting, Staining Lane, Wood Street.

TOTTENHAM COURT CHAPEL,

Thursday Evening. The Rev. Mг. CHARLES, of Bala, in Wales, to preach. ST. LAURENCE'S CHURCH,

KING STREET, NEAR GUILDĦALL.

Friday Morning. The Rev. Mr. WHITTINGHAM, Curate of Everton, Bedfordshire, to preach.

Friday Afternoon. The Society will meet for Business at Four o'clook, at Sion Chapel School-Room.

SION CHAPEL.

The Society will close the Solemnities of the Annual Meeting on Friday Evening, by partaking of the Lord's Supper, at Sion Chapel; when, to prevent the inconveniences formerly complained of, no Person will be admitted to the Communion without a Ticket; which any Stated Communicant (and no other) of any Denomination, may receive, by applying to one of the Ministers in the Direction, or to any other Minister who desires to be furnished with Tickets. The whole of the Area of the Chapel below will be appropriated to this service: other Persons to sit in the galleries.

Country Ministers who wish to have Tickets for their Friends (who are Stated Communicants) will be pleased to apply on Thursday Morning, at Haberdashers' Hall; but Ministers who reside in town are requested to apply earlier.

A Collection for the Benet of the Institution will be made at each of the places of worship. — The Morning-Services to begin at Half past Ten, and the Evening at Six o'clock precisely.

The Annual Meeting of The Religious Tract Society will be held at St. Paul's Coffee-House, on Thursday Morning, at Seven o'clock,

A Letter from the Rev. Mr. Marsden, dated Paramatta, New South Wales, July 20, 1805, has just been received. It appears that no opportunity had then oceurred of forwarding to Otaheite the Letters and Stores which had been sent from England by the Argo, in 1804; but that such an opportunity was soon expected.

Mr. Marsden mentions, that many natives of Otaheite had visited Port

Jackson; and that the civilization of the island is likely to be thereby promoted. He also expresses the satisfaction he had derived from conversing with some of them; finding that they had acquired a considerable degree of knowledge from the labours of the Missionaries; and more, it should seem, than the Missionaries themselves were aware of. On the whole, he thinks much has already been done, considering the vast difficulty of the undertaking.

Governor King has also favoured the Society with a Letter; in which he kindly assures them that no means in his power shall be omitted, that may tend to the benefit of the Mission. His expected successor, Governor Bligh, had the goodness to make a similar promise to the Society, before his departure for the colony.

EDINBURGH

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE Directors of this Society have received accounts from Karass of a very encouraging kind, concerning their Mission at that place. Three natives, who have given the most satisfactory evidence of their having embraced the gospel in sincerity, were baptized by Mr. Brunton, on the 19th of November last; and some others, it was expected, would soon be qualified for receiving the same privilege.

The attention both of the Heathen and Mahometans, in that quarter, has lately been much turned to the subject of religion; and there is reason to think that many of them will join the Missionaries as soon as the return of peace shall enable them to do it in safety.

The printing-press which the Directors sent out last summer, has been set to work; and a tract against Mahomedanism begun. The Society are educating three young men for Missionaries at Edinburgh.

We are sorry to find that the funds of this Society are much reduced. Contributions, which are much needed, will be thankfully received by J. Tawne, Esq. Treasurer; or the Rev. W. Buchanan, Secretary, Edinburgh.

Dr. John Grieve, principal Physician to the Emperor of Russia, died suddenly at St. Petersburgh, Dec. 13, 1805. fis death, which is much lamented by the Emperor, will be a great loss to the Missionaries at Karass, to whom he was a warm and able friend.

Mr. Brunton and his companions are eager to begin printing the Scriptures in the Turkish language; but are waiting for paper, which must be procured from Petersburgh, or Moscow, at a great expence. The friends of religion, it is hoped, will not suffer this important work to fail for want of peassistance. cuniary

BENGAL.

The Rev. Claudius Buchannan, Vice Provost of the College of Fort William, is about to proceed to Cochin, on the coast of Malabar, for the purpose of examining the ancient Hebrew manųscripts preserved in the synagogue of the Jews at that place. These manuscripts are represented to be of a very high antiquity, being supposed to contain that portion of the Scriptures which was written before the first dispersion of the Jews. A collation of them with the European copies, has been long desired by the learned. Another object of Dr. Buchanan's mission will be, to enquire into the state of the native Christian churches in the provinces of Travancore and Malabar; particurly of the thirty-five congregations, denominated by the Roman Catholics the Schismatic Churches. These Christians refuse communion with the Romish church, and adhere to the simple ritual of an early age. They are noticed in history as early as the fourth century; and are supposed to have emigrated from Syria and Chalden. At this day the Syro-Chaldaic language is used in their churches; and their liturgy is composed in that language and character. Agrecably to instructions received from the ecclesiastical authorities at home, a report is to be inade on the constitution and doctrine of these churches, with a view to ascertain how far it may be the duty of the English church to recognize the Christians of Malabar, now that they have become subjects of the British empire. churches have been governed for 1500 years by a regular succession of bishops, whose ordination (by the patriarch of Antioch) is acknowledged by the church of England.

The

Another subject of literary research offers itself among these ancient Christians. When the Portugueze first arrived in India, they burned the writings and records found in the Christian

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

churches; and amongst them, says a Romish author, some apostolical monuments, in order that they might destroy the evidences of their antiquity, and force them to an union. But it has

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been stated recently, by a respectable authority, that certain ancient manuscripts, in the Chaldaic language, are yet preserved in the country of Tra

vancore.

HOME INTELLIGENCE.

NORTH WALES.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. T.
Charles, of Bula, to the Committee
of the Beligious Tract Society, dated
March 23, 1806.

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THOUSANDS of young people, all over the country, have at this time their attention wholly engaged about divine things They are learning Catechisms, and chapters out of the Bible, with wonderful facility. It has been my delightful work, since I left London in December last, every Sunday to catechize publicly, and hear them repeat chapters before thousands of people; besides preaching twice generally every Sabbath, and sometimes thrice, in different places. In order to give you some idea of the work, I would just mention the following parficulars, which are strictly true: Whole families, young and old, the governors and the governed, learn the Catechisins together, and chapters of the Bible: they have appeared publicly together, and repeated alternately what they have learnt. All the grownup young people, in some of our Societies, have done the same. Boys and Girls, from eight to sixteen years old, learn whole books of the Scripture; and repeat what time will permit us to hear, such as the whole epistle to the Ephesians, Hebrews, &c.; others learn select chapters to an astonishing number, such as 10, 20, 30. One little girl learnt seventy-two psalms and chapters; and another the astonishing number of ninety-two, the list of which I have in my possession. Now, we want to feed this fire, so happily kindled in their minds, by putting into their hands a few useful Tracts in the Welch language. The 500 ScriptareExtracts which you sent, were nearly all disposed of in one day; and our young people are busily learning the whole out. I am just come from our chapel, where I heard two chapters of the Scripture-Extracts repeated publicly. In the course of a few weeks our children will learn the whole of the tract.

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I HAVE read with considerable terest and increasing pleasure the patriotic and pious Address of the Hibernian Society in your excellent Miscetlany; and as every rivulet helps to swell its proximate river, I wish to contribute my mite of observation, reflection, and indigenous knowledge to the general stock of means about to be employed in ameliorating the situation of our Irish brethren.

About the time of the late rebellions, I applied in a proper channel for an Itinerating Evangelical Ministry to emanate from Great Britain: and, in succession, to visit every part of the sister kingdom, alleging, that the Sword of the Word and the Spirit ware more likely to tranquilize, reform, and conciliate the affections and loyalty of the Irish than any coercive measures that could be devised. My reasoning was admitted to be just; but insuperable legal disabilities were stated as preventives to its adoption; an I found that career of glory was reserved and destined for the Hibernian Society, and which I now strongly press on their consideration, while I earnestly pray that the little leaven thus introduced may leaven the whole mass of Catholics and Nominal Protestants. A few isolated stands are already made in and out of the Establishment by men of talent, piety, and zeal; but unaided, unsupported, and at a great distance from each other, they call for prompt and efficient assistance to keep alive the spark of vital Christianity their instrumentality has excited.

The manners and prejudices of a people should be carefully marked, and assiduously turned to advantage. It is well known that the irish peasantry annually emigrate to this country to harvest our hay and corn: their ignor ance, especially of true religion, is deplorable; yet who among us can say that the poor Irish haymaker has been an object of care and solicitude? Yet what a field is opened for exertion!

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