Walter Bernard; a Wesleyan Methodist's inquiries as to 2d Edition. Willmer & Smith. Manchester; We have long wished for a series of publications presenting the essential principles of the Christian faith as held by Unitarians, in pleasing narrative or biographical form. We are persuaded such publications would render good service to truth and righteousness. Often would they find readers, who by no means could be induced to study, at first, elaborate works addressed only to the understanding. Man is a compound being, and must be reached and influenced through his affections as well as by his judgment. Unitarian writers, partly, perhaps, from the position in which they have usually been placed, have paid too little attention to this fact. They have acted as if supposing man to be only an intellectual being; they have apparently forgotten that his moral powers also need careful cultivation, and that they constitute, after all, the most important elements of human character. We are glad to perceive that this truth is becoming more and more recognized. To its recognition we are indebted for "The Recollections of Jotham Anderson," by the late deservedly honoured Henry Ware; and to the two interesting and instructive volumes, published under his superintendence, entitled, "Scenes and Characters illustrating Christian truth," of which "The Sceptic," by Mrs Follen, is pre-eminently worthy of notice. We know that her work led many to serious thought and ultimate conviction of the divinity of the religion of Christ, who previously could not be induced to read on the subject. "Walter Bernard" is a work of this class, and an excellent work it is. A Methodist Sunday-school teacher, shocked by witnessing the harsh conduct of a mother to her boy, has suggested to his mind the conduct of the Deity to his children, as depicted in the sermons of Wesleyan preachers. He struggles with the suggestion, as if of Satan, but human affections prove more powerful than his theology. He turns from Benson and other Methodist writers, to the discourses, character, example, and spirit of Christ. Increasing light is the consequence. He sees that humanity and Providence are not opposites, that benevolence is the actuating principle of the divine government, as well as the law of life and happiness to the creature. Persecuted by his associates, Bernard draws more closely to the Saviour. Terrified by being nicknamed a Socinian, yet has the terror not power to stay his inquiries after religious truth. His former religious prejudices prompt him with shuddering anxiety to ask, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth ?" but he does not stifle the scruples of conscience by the question; he goes to see and judge for himself. The impressive sermon of the Unitarian preacher, the hymn-book, the prayer, show him at once the falsity of the current accusation. He introduces himself to the minister, holds conversations on the great subjects at issue, goes over in detail the Scriptures having reference to the sufferings of Christ, is convinced by patient and faithful examination that vicarious sacrifice is not a doctrine of Christianity, arrives at full persuasion and assurance of the essential, infinite mercy of the Father of mercies, preaches this faith in God and Jesus to his fellow-villagers, casts in his lot with "the sect every where spoken against, and adorns his profession by a blameless and godly life. This brief and imperfect sketch will give some idea of this work to onr readers. The execution is admirable. Most important instruction is conveyed in simple and intelligible phrase. Nearly two hundred passages of Scripture receive their rational explanation. "Walter Bernard" cannot but do good. We thank the author for this contribution. We are glad that a second edition of his work has already been called forth. He must look back on his connection with Tavistock with unfeigned satisfaction. Short though it was, it was filled by zealous exertion, and fraught with successful results. Many Wesleyan Methodists joined the Unitarian congregation, under the faithful and devoted ministry of Mr Solly; and we trust and pray that he may find his removal and connection with the congregation of Shepton Mallet conducive to his lasting comfort and happiness. MISCELLANIES. DIED at Glasgow, June 26, aged sixty-three, Mr James Hedderwick. "Mr Hedderwick was born in Edinburgh on the 29th of March 1782. He removed, when very young, with his parents to Glasgow, and after an ordinary education, was placed for a short time in the employment of Messrs Brash and Reid, booksellers. He afterwards served an apprenticeship to the printing business; on the expiry of which he returned to his native city, where he was for some time engaged in the King's printing-office. In 1807 he commenced business as a master printer in Glasgow; and we believe it will be acknowledged by his professional brethren, that during the thirty-seven years which have since elapsed, he contributed, in no inconsiderable degree, to the advancement of the typographical art in the West of Scotland. Previous to the improvements effected by Earl Stanhope and others on the printing-press, any approach to fine printing was unattainable except by the nicest workmanship, and it is not, therefore, too much to say that he was eminently successful at a time when the art was, generally speaking, in a very backward state. Among the works which issued from his office, and which were regarded at the time as specimens of clear and excellent letter-press, we may enumerate the Greek and English Lexicon of the late Rev. Greville Ewing; a volume (understood to be by the present Principal of our University, then minister of Drymen) on the Agriculture of Dumbartonshire; a series of pamphlets by the late Rev. Dr Fleming of Neilston; Essay on the Inspiration of the Scriptures by the late Rev. Dr Dick, &c. &c.; and in later years, Dr Chalmers's Astronomical Discourses; Dr Cleland's Annals of Glasgow and Enumeration Tables; Mr Ewing's History of the Merchants' House; The Attic Stories, a fortnightly periodical; Motherwell's Poems; Mr Strang's Germany in 1831; Dr Channing's Works, &c. &c. ; but it was in job and fancy printing-a department rendered increasingly important by the rapid growth of our trade and commerce that his taste was chiefly displayed. We may mention, also, in proof of the estimation in which his profesional abilities were held, that Mr Hedderwick was selected by several eminent type-founders as the printer of their Specimen-books. In 1822, he emigrated with his family to the United States, but all returned in a few months, from dislike both of the climate and the country generally. He shortly afterwards printed, for distribution amongst his friends, a short and well-written account of his tour. In early life, he wrote and published various pamphlets, chiefly of a controversial character, and in several minor effusions gave evidence of some poetical talent. A hymn which he wrote on the illness of one of his family, afterwards found its way into a respectable English collection. His style of writing was severely accurate, and manifested a thorough knowledge of the structure of the English tongue; but the constant demands of business interfered with the prosecution of his literary tastes. In 1811, he assisted in the typographical arrangements of the Glasgow Chronicle, at the re quest of the projectors of that journal. At a later period, he was employed to print the Argus during the first year of its existence. With the Citizen he was still more closely connected; and we believe it may be said, in reference to all these journals, that they were, at the period of their starting, in advance of most of their predecessors as regards beauty of typography. In 1839, when the monopoly so long enjoyed by her Majesty's printers in Edinburgh was, in some degree broken down, Mr Hedderwick received the appointment of Queen's printer for Glasgow. The last few years of his life were spent in the enjoyment of comparative leisure, rendered necessary by declining health, and which was finally interrupted by a painful and lingering illness, in which he was sustained by the hope and resignation of the Christian. While he will be deeply lamented by his family and immediate friends, he will be long remembered, we are assured, by many (some of them now respectable master printers), who trace a portion at least of their success in life to the training and instruction received in his service." During the half of his lifetime, we were acquainted with Mr Hedderwick. For sixteen years our intercourse was constant, and ripened into a friendship as firm as lasting. We shall ever retain its pleasing remembrance. Enjoying opportunities of intimate knowledge of his character and mercantile transactions, we bear a willing and grateful testimony to his scrupulous fidelity and accuracy. From 1826, when this magazine commenced, till the removal of its editor to Edinburgh in 1841, it was printed by Mr Hedderwick. In all that time, not one circumstance occurred to throw a passing shadow over their connection. Punctual in his attendance on the services of the house of prayer, entering with earnestness into the interests of the Christian denomination which he had joined, from thoughtful and scriptural inquiry; strong and affectionate in parental feelings, training his children to industrious and virtuous habits, happy in seeing their happiness; prospering through daily labour, and frugality, and honourable persevering enterprize, Mr Hedderwick gave proof that he had not in vain studied the Christian law, but that it was the prevailing desire of his heart to make it the rule of his daily life and conversation. The estimation in which he was held might, in some measure, be judged of by the attendance on his funeral of many of the most influential of his fellow-townsmen of every varying shade of political and religious faith. The services were conducted by Mr Watson, pastor of one of the Baptist churches, his relation and friend, the Rev. James Forrest of Greenock, and Mr Harris. THE CHRISTIAN PIONEER. No. 220. DECEMBER 1844. VOL. XVIII. SLAVERY IN AMERICA. IN the January number of the Christian Pioneer, p. 18-27 for the present year, we inserted the Address of the Unitarian Ministers of Great Britain and Ireland to their American brethren, on the subject of the Slavery existing in their country. The signatures to the Address were also appended, with a few introductory remarks on the important subject to which it related. The following Reply and Letter have lately been received : LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN COMMITTEE TO THE REV. DR HUTTON. Boston, Sept. 30th 1844. REV. AND DEAR SIR,-The accompanying letter, engrossed on parchment-a reply to the communication addressed by some of the Unitarian clergy of Great Britain and Ireland to their brethren in the United States, upon the subject of Slavery—was prepared by a committee appointed at a meeting of Unitarian clergy, held at the Berry Street Vestry, in this city, April 1844, and was reported and adopted at an adjournedˇmeeting, held at the same place, on the of the same month. [The days of the month have not been supplied, but are unimportant.] The subscribers, neither of whom was present when the vote adopting the letter was passed, were at the same meeting appointed a committee to procure signatures to the reply, and despatch an engrossed copy to England. We attended to the first part of the duty assigned us immediately. A printed copy of the reply was sent to every clergyman of our denomination in the United States, with the request, that he would return his signature to it, if so disposed. |