had attacked him were carried to the watch-house; a measure, the nature of which he could never be made to comprehend.

He was seized with an inflammatory complaint; and, during his illness, he said that the exertions to cure him were vain, for his sister, who had been dead some time, had appeared to him, and desired him to come away. His friends had carefully instructed him in the Christian religion; in which, during his illness, he experienced much consolation. He died on 14th February, 1819, most sincerely regretted; and his funeral was attended by many gentlemen of great respectability of Leith and Edinburgh, to whom he had endeared himself by his personal worth, and the unaffected kindness of his nature.

How unfortunate was it that those two excellent youths met such untimely fates! Had they lived, they might have formed connecting links between this and far distant lands; been the means, under Providence, of facilitating the introduction of Christianity into the most remote regions; and contributed to the happiness of millions.

No. II.

TERMS of the REVIEWS and NOTICES of those of the Essays which were formerly given to the world, now annexed here by the Publishers of this Volume.

ON THE ESSAY, No. II., originally published under the title of "A Father's Gift," it was said in the CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTOR-" Its conciseness and perspicuity, as well as the comprehensive view it takes of its subject, are calculated to make it useful; and we have no doubt that it will have a beneficial influence on the minds of those who peruse it, particularly of the young, for whom it was primarily intended, and of those who have not leisure or inclination to peruse larger Treatises."

In the Review of it in the EDINBURGH MAGAZINE, it was said "The study of Christianity, and of the evidence by which it is supported, ought to form a prominent part in every system of education. In the docile and unsuspecting years of childhood, the heart is easily impressed with the great truths, and obligations, and motives of religion,-and is readily moulded to obedience, or kindled into devotion. But when curiosity begins to be awakened, and the reasoning powers to expand, when temptations multiply, and

are seconded by the growing strength of natural propensities, doubt begins to succeed to the happy confidence of our earlier years, and the conviction of the understanding becomes necessary to control the tendencies of the heart. At this critical period of life, it is of ineffable importance that the mind should be engaged in an earnest and candid investigation of the origin and authority of that religion, which, while it is the only infallible rule of faith and practice, is the source of all our best consolations, and our most animating hopes. None can estimate more highly than we do the labours of Paley, Campbell, Hurd, Powell, Jenyns, and other eminent champions of Christianity. In several respects, however, we regard this little work as better adapted to the ends for which it is designed— for establishing the religious principles of the young on the immovable basis of conviction, and for attracting the attention, and confirming the belief of general readers. It is better fitted to these ends by its brevity; for, as the author himself very justly remarks, 'to those who are young, and not accustomed to extensive reading, discussions of much length lose great part of their value by their seeming tediousness; while the mind, in such a case, becomes fatigued with the minuteness and number of the subordinate observations, it is apt, in some measure, to lose sight of the general reasoning, and finds itself often perplexed with the disquisition as a whole.' In truth, there are few long discussions on subjects of

mere opinion which would not admit of much compression; and when science is so widely extended, and so many things are to be learned, to say much in few words, provided it be said distinctly, is the most valuable talent which a writer can possess. The kind of evidence which, in his practice as a lawyer, the author is accustomed to sift, is in many respects exactly similar to the evidence for the truth of the Christian religion; and the illustrations which he sometimes draws from his profession, are equally apt and convincing."

In the CHRISTIAN REPOSITORY of Edinburgh, it is said, that "the arguments in it are briefly but remarkably clearly stated-and that an excellent spirit of rational piety runs through the whole." It is added, that "the note on the credibility of Christian miracles is excellent;"* and with allusion to another manuscript, which the writer in his preface mentioned having also given to his children, those Reviewers say-" We beg leave to hint to the worthy author, that if the other paper he refers to in his work, is of equal interest and value as that which he has now published, the sooner he gives it to the world the better."+

In the BRITISH CRITIC of June 1818, it is mentioned as an "excellent manual of the evidence," and

This now makes part of Essay II. from p. 80 to p. 88 of this Volume inclusive.

This is now published, being Essay III. of this Volume.

remarked for the "clear arrangement of its materials, and the simplicity of its style," and then the Reviewer observes" Among all the legacies, memorials, and gifts committed to the hands of youth by pious relatives, we know none more deserving of a place in the juvenile library, than the little volume now before us; for it contains the substance of all that has been written on the evidences, expressed in suitable language, and urged upon the attention with all the earnestness of a parent."

The subsequent publication, called "The Second Present," the CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTOR pronounced to be "Excellent," and "the Author's method of conducting his argument," is there said to be "beautiful and ingenious."

In the EDINBURGH Magazine, it is remarked, that "there are many deep and sound observations in this Book," and that" it contains a useful summary of natural and revealed Religion. Bred to the profession of the Law," it is added, "the Author naturally applied, to the enquiries on Religious evidence, the habits of illustration and reasoning in which that calling had reared him-a peculiarity which appears in many parts of his writings. Their most distinguishing characteristic, however, is the impression which they bear of a sound and honest mind, finding its own direct path in the midst of the sophistry and cavillings with which the literature of his age and country was formerly but too much beset. Taking them in