WORKS IN THE PRESS.

The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in the Diocese of St. David's, have awarded a Premium of 50l. to Mr. H. V. Tebbs, Proctor, of Doctors' Commons, for the best Essay on the Scripture Doctrine of Adultery and Divorce, and on the criminal Character and Punishment of Adultery by the ancient Laws of England and other Countries, which he will shortly publish.

A Second Edition of the Rev. T. Young's Three Sermons on St. Paul's Doctrine of Justification by Faith, Original Sin, and Predestination; with Notes.

A Vindication of the Authenticity of the Narratives contained in the First Two Chapters of the Gospels of St. Matthew

POLITICAL

THE financial measures for the present season may now be considered as fixed; and if the relief afforded to the landed interest is less than the sanguine had anticipated, it is nevertheless creditable to the governors, and the resources of the country, that a sinking fund of five millions should be preserved untouched, and taxes to the amount of a million and a half remitted, during a year of unparalleled agricultural distress.

The reduction of the interest upon the five per cent. stock has been effected with a facility which is sufficient to silence every objection that has been urged against the wisdom or fairness of the undertaking, and which at the same time may serve as a pretty clear indication of the approaching fate of every other public security, that bears a higher rate of interest than three per cent.

The bill which has been introduced by government for regulating salaries, and superannuations, has made us acquainted with the proposed amount of the sacrifice which the public servants are prepared to make. Ten per cent. is to be deducted from the allowances now given to the ministers, and to all the inferior officers of the crown. The king himself consents to a similar curtailment of his income; and the general establishments of the

and St. Luke, being an Investigation of Objections urged by the Unitarian Editors of the improved Version of the New Testament; with Appendices, containing Strictures on the latter Editions of that Work, and Animadversions on Dr. Lant Carpenter's recent Publication, entitled an Examination of Bishop Magee's Charges against Unitarians and Unitarianism. By a Layman.

The Second Edition of the Clerical Guide, or Ecclesiastical Directory, will appear in a few days.

A Defence of the Doctrine and Worship of the Church of England; in a Series of Letters, addressed to the Rev. John Lingard. By the Rev. N. J. Hollingsworth, M.A. An enlarged Edition.

RETROSPECT.

nation, both civil and military, are brought down to a much lower scale. than that of the preceding year. These concessions may be expected to experience two very different receptions. On the one hand, we shall probably hear that nothing has now been done which an economical administration ought not to have performed of its own accord—and that further savings might, and would yet be made, if parliament persisted in a demand for them. On the other, it will be said, that many of the reductions now proposed are inexpedient, and injurious in themselves; and can only be excused by the pressing exigencies of the moment. That government would not have been justified in disbanding so large a proportion of our soldiers and sailors, if the state of agriculture and commerce had been less precarious and alarming; and that the salaries now to be amerced were not an adequate compensation for the duties attached to them, although, as other classes are suffering under a diminution of income, ministers have consented to share the same inconvenience. Perhaps, the most correct view which can be taken of our situation, will be to borrow materially from both these representations-and it will then be regretted that ministers stood so long upon the defensive as

give to their concessions a forced rather than a voluntary character; and to their opponents a triumph of more than ordinary value. At the same time, in the events of the two last sessions of Parliament, we shall recognise the genuine spirit of the British Constitution, working slowly but surely to its point, and giving weight and efficacy to the real demands of the people. While demagogues prattle on unremembered and unheeded-the genuine voice of the nation has been heard and obeyed. National expenditure is confined within just and reasonable, limits; useless places are gradually abolished; public accounts are rendered more perspicuous and satisfactory; and the country is set at rest not by speeches or promises, but by having obtained the object of which it was in quest. It would redound more to the credit of government to have done all this of itself. And those who are anxious for the exaltation of this or that minister, will regret that such an opportunity was suffered to escape. But the vigour and prudence of the people have been demonstrated by doing it for themselves, and it is no bad omen of future prosperity and renown, that the nation can take its affairs into its own hand, and dictate with so much discretion to the administration of the day.

Every friend to religion and morality must rejoice at the re-appointment (on the motion of Mr. Secretary Peel) of the Parliamentary Committee for enquiring into the Police of the Metropolis. Whichever way we look the deficiencies of

the existing law may be perceived, and as the question is now fairly taken up by our rulers, and especially by so able and excellent a man as Mr. Peel, it may be hoped that the hour of amendment has arrived.

The state of Ireland appears on the whole less afflicting and disgraceful: and what has already been effected will necessarily encourage government to proceed on its present system. The newspapers inform us that Mr. Plunkett, the new Attorney-general for Ireland, has dissuaded the Catholic leaders from bringing forward their Bill during the present session of Parliament-but it is not known whether his advice will be followed. It is highly improbable that the cause of Catholic emancipation can have advanced during the last twelve months, since the distinguished individuals of all parties who advocated the measure have proved completely ignorant of the situation of the people for whom they were about to legislate.

A proposal has been made in the House of Lords, and is about to be renewed in the Commons, for the commutation of Irish tithes; and government is supposed to give a favourable ear to the proposal. Until something more is known of the plan which is about to be produced, we shall desist from entering farther into the question, than by asking, if it is likely that the rebels will be discouraged by hearing that tithes are to be abolished in consequence of their insurrection?

Few men know the privileges, to which as Christians they are entitled. They little think what God has already done, or what he still offers to do for their souls. Day after day, year after year, is spent in obstinate and increasing igno. rance, and then they wonder that in the Gospel they have no interest, and in its prospects no comfort.

We read in the Acts of the Apostles, that "Paul having passed through the upper coasts. came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed-and they said unto him— We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."" And now let us turn from these disciples to ourselves. How many are there in the Christian world, who, without the same excuse, must own the same ignorance. Are there not too many among us who know as little of the Holy Ghost as if in his being, his office, and his operations, they had no concern?

"What, know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” REMEMBRANCER, No. 41.

[VOL. IV.

If we know not this, we know not one of the most awful and practical truths of the Gospel-If we forget it, we forget all that can lead us to happiness here, or make us worthy

of heaven hereafter.

On this sacred day, in the services of which we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Church of God, it would be well for us to direct our thoughts to that Holy Comforter, who was promised no less to us than to them. Here then let us renew our knowledge, here let us strengthen our faith. Let those that are ignorant, learn; let those that have forgotten, remember: it is the Spirit of GOD, of whom we speak, and the Apostle has expressly de. clared, that "if any man have not the Spirit of God, he is none of his."

First let us consider then the nature of the Spirit of God, and secondly how he dwelleth in us.

In Scripture we find a clear distinction between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though united in the one great and unspeakable Godhead, to us they appear as distinct and separate persons. We cannot better understand the nature and the perfections of the Spirit of God than from the words of Christ himself, "The comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things." LI

of the Apostle, “maketh intercession for us in groanings which cannot be uttered." And here we cannot but observe and adore the mercies of God, in uniting Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in bringing poor, frail, miserable man, to penitence and to acceptance. Through Christ, says the Apostle, we have an access by one Spirit unto the Father. It is the Spirit then that, dwelling in us,cherishes every good and repentant thought, and thus brings us to a merciful, though a neglected Saviour. It is that Saviour again, by whose merits and intercession, we have access unto the Father.

The Holy Spirit also, by dwelling in us, in every temptation or trial, supports, assists, and comforts us. His blessed influence not only re. covers us after a fall, but preserves us from falling. It is the Holy Spi. rit who affords spiritual life, light, and strength, through a thousand channels, which He only, who knows us better than we know ourselves, could either open or supply.

Consider then who it is that dwelleth in us; whom it is, that many of us neglect and despise; and what will be the consequence of this neglect. The same that was before the flood, when the Almighty said, "My spirit shall not always strive with man.” The more we abandon the thoughts of God's Holy Spirit, the more he will abandon us: till at last we shall suffer that most fatal extremity of God's displeasure, a state of spiritual destitution. Sensible of no comfort, warned by no suggestion, unconscious even of the existence of the Spirit of God within us, we shall sink into the lethargy of sin and the infatuation of impeni

tence.

Consider, again, the signs of God's Holy Spirit dwelling in us. By what tokens shall we know that we have the Spirit of God? Not by any sensible feelings, or fanatical experiences, these are the delusive offspring of a heated and fanciful mind, and they generally lead to one

of two extremes, either to presumption, or to despair. These are not the "fruits of the Spirit" which the Gospel has pointed out. Obedience to the laws of God is the surest sign of the presence of his Holy. Spirit within us-" He that loveth me," says Christ, keepeth my commandments, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

"Werk out your own salvation then with fear and trembling, for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good plea sure." Think of him who dwelleth in you, and remember that he who despiseth, despiseth not man, but God. Let us meditate then in humble faith and holy gratitude, on those high privileges, with which, as children of the Gospel, we are invested. Let us remember, that our bodies and our souls are not our own, to disgrace with folly or to pollute with crime, but that they are God's: that they are temples of the Holy Ghost; and that he dwelleth in them.

Conscious, therefore, of the pre sence of such a guest, let us cultivate his influence and purify his abode. The means of grace are placed in our own hands, and at our own disposal. To the voice of humble prayer the Spirit of God will ever listen; at the holy table his feast is ever spread. These are the means by which his comfort and his grace will increase and flourish in our hearts; these are the means by which his influence will correct and purify our lives. And when God in his mercy has placed these means in our reach, let them not be placed in vain. When men are too idle, too fastidious, or too prejudiced to use these easy and simple instruments of grace, the Spirit that dwelleth in them will more and more withdraw his cheering and supporting power.

May the Almighty grant, that under these thoughts we may grow in every Christian grace and virtue, that we may be strengthened in