as to worship, man no longer acts for man; no human being comes in between God and his creatures,-transacting the concerns, and representing the persons, of one or many-the individual or the multitude. The clergyman or minister does not act for the people, but with them. In the Christian temple none are excluded from offering sacrifice: All have access, through one Spirit, unto the Father.'* The proper idea of the priestly, vicarious, official worship, of the Jewish church, finds, therefore, its realization, not in any similar sacerdotal orders of Christian pontiff, priest, or Levite; but first, in the exclusive, real high priesthood of Christ; and then, in the universal participation of a spiritual priestly function by Christians. The result is, in relation to psalmody, that while, in the Jewish church, it was official and representative, it is to be in the Christian church, emphatically, CONGREGATIONAL. All the faithful, without exception; the entire mass of the Christian commonalty, equally with any official persons, are possessed of the privilege, endowed with the right, and called to the duty, of celebrating the service' and swelling the song.'

We take our leave of Mr. Binney's "Service of Song in the House of the Lord," with a very pleasing and grateful sense of the good it is likely to effect. Such a biblical, tasteful treatise on the subject of psalmody, was a desideratum which we are happy to see supplied. We have no objection to the idea of its being a Christmas book, if its principles are examined throughout the year, by all who ought to take interest in the decorum of Zion's songs of praise.

We have accidentally too long neglected this masterly defence of Bible truth against human assumption. But we are the less concerned for the delay, as the Lectures before us may be regarded as a standard work, for permanent reference. Never was the exposure of an ecclesiastical fallacy more complete and triumphant. Will Churchmen who cling to the succession do themselves the justice to examine Mr. Stratten's volume ? We believe that very many of them cling to the fiction, because they have never fairly and honestly looked the his* Eph. ii. 18.

torical question in the face. As the Romanizing party in this country daily increases, we think it well that such works as Mr. Stratten's should obtain a wide circulation. Nothing can effectually preserve us from the dominion of Popish error but the wide-spread influence of Christian and Protestant truth. We have a battle to fight far more severe than anything that has hitherto marked the present age. The clouds portending the coming storm are overspreading the horizon; and only those will be found worthy to encounter the foe who reject the fables of a corrupt antiquity, and stand fast by the inspired and legitimate antiquity of Holy Scripture.

Believing, as we do, that the doctrine of apostolic succession, as held by episcopal writers, drags after it the whole mass of Romish error, we would contend earnestly against it, as a most pernicious and dangerous theory, the effect of which upon every mind embracing it must be to destroy every remnant of genuine catholicism.

Is it true? or, is it false? To this we reply that, after having spent much time in investigating its claims, we are deliberately of opinion that no greater delusion was ever urged upon the belief of mankind. Irrespective of its historical untruthfulness, which a very tyro may discover, its direct tendency to support the Popish doctrine of Peter's supremacy might guard all truehearted Protestants from the reception of it, or from any sympathy with the monstrous implications it involves.

Mr. Stratten's four Lectures deal with the whole subject in an argumentative and scholarly manner. His Lectures are:-I. The Fabulous Nature of Ecclesiastical Genealogies shown, by comparing them with the True Genealogies of the Old Testament; II. The Fabulous Nature of Peter's Supremacy laid open, by comparing it with the Personal Priesthood of Aaron; or, the Uses and Abuses of Aaron's Call and Service; III. The Permanent Orders of the Christian Ministry reduced to their Scriptural Standard-their Dual Number; or, The Model Church at Philippi, with its Bishops and Deacons; IV. "The Layingon of Hands"-the Rite explained, and its more frequent Use advocated.

We can assure those who may wish to have their minds set at rest upon the subject of apostolical succession-which has been so much talked of and written about, since Tractarianism reared its head in this country-that they will find in Mr. Stratten's volume the marks of correct reading, logical precision, gentlemanly bearing, and Christian courtesy and kindness. We recommend the volume earnestly to the intelligent youth in all our families: it will amply repay a careful perusal.

and Facts illustrative of India, its People,

and its Religion. By the Rev. WILLIAM ARTHUR, Wesleyan Minister.

8vo.

PP. 572.

Partridge and Oakey.

Small

THE present state of India entitles it to the profound consideration of Protestant Christendom. A mighty breach has been

made upon the strong battlements of its ancient idolatries; and, with well-defined liberty of conscience for the Christian missionary, it invites to a scale of labour and sacrifice proportioned to the extent of its territory, and the vastness of its population. In no country have Christian missions reaped a richer harvest than in British India; yet in no country were the original discouragements so formidable as in this. Acute worldly men once looked on and smiled at the enthusiasm of the Church; but even they have been compelled to withdraw their ridicule, and to own that there is power in Christian schools and Christian teaching, to destroy caste, to sap the foundations of idolatry, and to weaken and abolish the priestcraft of a thousand generations.

To our missionaries we are largely indebted for an intimate acquaintance with the moral and social condition of India. They have greatly enlarged the circle of our knowledge in this most interesting department; while they have consecrated all the labours of their pens to the great work of melioration to which they are engaged. If any one should wish to make himself acquainted with the present state of India, he could not accomplish his object without having recourse to the literary productions which have issued from the missionary press.

We are happy to announce a most valuable addition to the works already extant upon the subject of India. It is the production of a mind of more than ordinary acuteness and refinement; affording proof in every page of original thinking and philosophical observation. Mr. Arthur was a Wesleyan missionary to the Mysore country, and prosecuted the duties of his mission until his health fell a prey to the influence of climate. But he did not enter India in vain, if it was only to enable him to write the volume which we now introduce to our readers. It is, indeed, a very masculine production; as full of useful suggestions as it is of vivid and striking delineations. There is nothing timid or trimming about it. It gives expression to truths the most unwelcome, whenever conscience demands their utterance. The author appears to have overlooked nothing in the condition of European or Indian society; and nothing has he omitted to touch upon which pertains to the Christian missionary, and the labour which he is

chantment about the volume, which did not suffer us to lay it aside till we had perused every page. This, doubtless, is owing in part to the spirited and correct style in which it is written; but its subjectmatter entitles it to the careful notice of the Christian world, and especially that part of it which bears upon the subject of Christian missions. Every missionary proceeding to India should have this volume put into his hand. We offer our hearty thanks to Mr. Arthur for the instruction and gratification he has afforded us, and venture to hope that this labour of his pen will introduce him with advantage to the Christian public of this country of all denominations.

THIS volume will prove a valuable companion for the young in all our family circles. It is a book well calculated to cherish thought, and to foster noble and generous sentiments. The subject selected by the author is an admirable one; and he has handled it with more than ordinary tact and ability. The delineations of character are vivid and realizing, and the thread of inspired history is traced with an accurate and discriminating hand, so as really to present to the eye of inquisitive youth a full-length portrait of one of the finest specimens of sanctified humanity that ever graced the annals of our fallen world.

We can hardly conceive of "The Jewish Exile" being read without advantage. It is so enriched by a variety of apt illustrations, some of them scriptural and some classical, that the narrative never flags, and the mind is never suffered to become weary, or to relinquish its pursuit, until the mau 66 greatly beloved" has been distinctly contemplated in all the phases of his remarkable character.

The plan of the volume is well arranged, so as to afford scope both for a practical and popular treatise. We have Daniel's Youth-the Trial and the Decision; the Dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, and the Feast of Belshazzar-with Daniel's Character elicited. We have Daniel in Honour and Power, and in Adversity. We have Daniel at Home, and in Rest. We have the Theology of Daniel, and the connection between Daniel's Creed and his Character. And then the whole is followed up by "an argument for the Bible," and by certain "final lessons," which cannot be too deeply pondered by the youth of the present day.

We are glad to see such a work of promise from the successor of Dr. J. Fletcher. Were he in the midst of us, he would hail Mr. Kennedy's "Jewish Exile" as an admirable specimen of the manner in which Bible truth should be inculcated upon the minds of our rising youth. "I offer you," says Mr. Kennedy in his Preface, 110 contribution to the prevailing hero worship, for many of its cultivators seem to me to be only Pantheists of a new order: I offer you no tale of unearthly or factitious interest; but I have endeavoured to delineate the character of one of the best of men, and to draw from his life some lessons of universal and undying interest." In this endeavour our author has admirably succeeded.

The LIBERTY of ENGLISH CHURCHMEN: A Letter to the People of England. By the Author of " Trevor: a Tale for the Times." Small 8vo. pp. 32.

Longman and Co.

an

THIS is a Letter to the People of England from an acute pen, and contains many remarks well worthy of being considered at the present moment. The author is no Puseyite, no admirer of the doctrine of apostolic succession, and no friend of that "ecclesiastical despotism which Chillingworth and Tillotson long since overthrew. We are glad to find a Churchman giving up the monstrous fiction of independent Church of England, preserved without spot or blemish from the primitive times." According to Anglo-Catholics, "The Church of England has held an independent course from before the days of St. Austin. Previous," say they, "to the Reformation, she was in qualified obedience to, and in communion with, the Church of Rome. On the occurrence of that event, she departed from the obedience without being guilty of schism; she continued, and still continues, in the communion." All this stuff and nonsense our author rejects with indignation. "Who would argue," says he, "with a lunatic, maintaining that his keepers are his servants? Not I. And, preferring historical facts to any man's theory, I am compelled to believe that the Church of England had no visible independent existence before the Reformation."

Our author, however, is evidently greatly irritated, not only by the superstitions and doctrinal errors of the Tractarians, but also by their lordly assumptions, and by the risks they are now running for the Church-and-State connexion. Yet we do not see, in his theory of the English Episcopate, any breakwater against AngloCatholicism. "In this," says he, consists the uniformity of the English Church,

66

that her members are required to join in one form of worship; they are at liberty to interpret that form as their own reason, ruled by Scripture, may dictate." If this be the true explanation of the case, we cannot see what fair reason of complaint can be urged against the Tractarians. If they join in the one national form of worship, they may Romanize as they please. Such an enlarged platform, if it be the true one, may afford great licence; but what security does it yield to the true lover of his country, that the semi-popery which now stalks abroad in all our cities, towns, and rural districts, may not become the triumphant element of the Establishment? If the Church of England, as by law established, be, in principle, such a Noah's ark as this, it is surely high time to raise the question as to the Reformation settlement, and to see to it that that which was intended, beyond doubt, to rescue us from Popery, does not throw us once more into its arms.

NEW SERIES of CHILDREN'S REWARD Books. 32mo. With handsome Engravings, from One Halfpenny to Threepence.

W. Kennedy, Edinburgh; and W. Allan,
Paternoster-row, London.

WE have carefully examined this series of Reward Books for Children, are well

acquainted with the parties who have been occupied in preparing them, and can speak of them in strong terms of commendation. They are far superior to the ordinary class of works to which they profess to belong, being calculated to elicit mind, as well as to convey clear and precise scriptural knowledge. Among the thirty different little volumes we have looked at, we cannot say that we have found one inferior. We beg to call the attention of parents and Sunday-school superintendents to this interesting series.

The volume before us is calculated to do immense good, by the Divine blessing. May its author have reason to feel that it has not been written in vain!

BRIEF NOTICES OF BOOKS.

1. Congregational Independency in contradistinction to Episcopacy and Presbyterianism: the Church Polity of the New Testament. By RALPH WARDLAW, D.D. Small 8vo. pp. 396. James Maclehose, Glasgow.-A volume on church government from the calmest and clearest controversialist of the age is indeed a desideratum. We have only just time to say, that the expected volume has made its appearance, and that it is likely to sustain, in all respects, the venerable author's well-earned reputation.

2. A Wayfarer's Notes on the Shores of the Levant and the Valley of the Nile; with a Sketch of the Religious Features of Syria; a Supplement on Italy; and an Appendix on the Site of the Holy Sepulchre, &c. By CUTHBERT G. YOUNG, B.A. Small 8vo. pp. 532. Hamilton, Adams,

and Co.-A modest book, full of merit; and in a high degree amusing and instructive. It contains a mass of well-digested information in reference to all the countries upon which the author professes to write.

3. Scriptural Views of the Sabbath of God. By the Rev. JOHN JORDAN, B.A., Vicar of Enstone, Oxon. Small 8vo. pp. 236. Partridge and Oakey. -We hope soon to be able to review this truly seasonable volume, which displays a knowledge of the whole question touching the sabbath highly creditable to the esteemed author.

4. The Mirror of Sunday-school Teachers; containing Biographical Memoirs of One Hundred Eminent Sunday-school Teachers. With Two Essays: 1. On the Importance of Sunday-schools; 2. On the Office of Sunday-school Teaching. By the Rev. THOS. TIMPSON. 18mo. pp. 384. Book Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge.-Mr. Timpson is a diligent collector; and this is one of the best samples of his skill and industry in this department. We very cordially recommend the volume to every Sunday-school teacher who can afford to purchase it.

5. The Wilmot Family; or, "They that deal truly are His delight." By Mrs. DRUMMOND, Author of "Lucy Seymour," "Peace for the Dying Christian," &c. 18mo. pp. 298. Hamilton, Adams, and Co.-When an editor can read a child's book through, it is a test that it is not without interest. This volume is one of the best-written works for children we ever glanced at. And its great lesson, which is truthfulness, is so admirably enforced, and with such adaptation to the youthful mind, that we recommend its introduction to every juvenile circle.

6. The Anxious Inquirer after Salvation Directed and Encouraged. By JoпN ANGELL JAMES. 32mo. pp. 190. Religious Tract Society.-This is a new and cheap edition of a work upon which God has put signal honour in the conversion of souls. May it still be employed for good to thousands and tens of thousands of the human race!

7. The Will-Forgers; or, The Church of Rome. By the Rev. C. B. TAYLER, M.A. 18mo. pp. 102. Religious Tract Society.-This is a very cutting, seasonable, and well-written exposure of Tractarianism and Popery, from the pen of one who well understands his subject, and who, like ourselves, has had ample opportunities of tracing the deadly steps of the Anglo-Catholic party in this country, at the present moment. They are Papists in disguise-the more injurious by reason of the un-English mask they wear.

8. Pastoral Letters addressed to his Parishioners during absence from them on account of ill-health. By the Rev. DAVID PILCAIRN, author of "Perfect Peace," &c., &c. Second edition. Small 8vo. pp. 168. Jackson, Islington; and Seeley, Fleet-street. -We can earnestly recommend these Letters as a cordial calculated to refresh and invigorate the Christian's heart. Some of them we have read with extraordinary delight and profit.

9. Popular Natural History; or, The Characteristics of Animals portrayed in a Series of Illustrative Anecdotes. By Captain THOMAS BROWN, F.L.S., M.W.K., and P.S., &c. Vol. I. Small 8vo. pp. 312. A. Fullarton and Co.-This work cannot fail to be popular, because it deserves to be so; and the subject is very attractive to young people. Though it is highly amusing, inasmuch as it is drawn up in the anecdote form, it is at the same time conducted on strictly scientific principles, and will instruct while it delights. The engravings, which are all coloured, are executed in the first style of art. The moral tendency is unexceptionable and excellent.

10. The Caves of the Earth. 18mo. pp. 192. Religious Tract Society.-This is one of the Society's Monthly Volumes, with a title somewhat obscure and uninviting; but it is obviously from the pen of one possessed of a well-cultivated and richly-endowed mind, who has collected a vast amount of interesting information upon a subject but little studied.

11. Eminent Medical Men. 18mo. pp. 192. Religious Tract Society.-We have here a very competent sketch of the lives of ten pious medical men, who adorned their profession, and were not ashamed of the cross of Christ.

12. The Six Days of Creation. A Series of Familiar Letters from a Father to his Children, describing the Natural History of each Day's Mercies, with particular reference to the Illustration of Scriptural Truth. By W. G. RHINE. Third edition. Samuel Bagster and Sons.-This popular volume, which has reached a third edition, is of excellent tendency, and cannot fail to awaken interest in the youthful breast. Few works breathe a more fervent or enlightened piety. It contains, at the same time, much useful knowledge, both scientific and scriptural.

13. The Pilgrimage: How God was found of him that sought him not; or, Rationalism in the Bud, the Blade, and the Ear. A Tale of our Times. Translated from the German of C. A. WILDENHAHN, by Mrs. STANLEY CARR. 12mo. pp. 404. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.-We hope a blessing is in this volume for many who have suffered the sad blight connected with a partial religious scepticism. The history of many an unhappy wanderer from the truth of God is here depicted. We earnestly recommend the perusal of the volume.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. CHRISTMAS

EVANS, CAERNARVON.

THIS extraordinary man was born at Esgairwen, in the parish of Llandyssil, Cardiganshire, on Christmas-day, 1766. His father, Samuel Evans, was a shoemaker, in very humble circumstances. His mother, whose maiden name was Johanna Lewis, was, however, descended from a respectable family of freeholders in the same parish. In consequence of his father's poverty, and the small number of schools in the neighbourhood, the education of Christmas Evans, in his childhood, was utterly neglected. In the ninth year of his age, his maternal uncle, Mr. James Lewis, of Bwlchag, undertook to feed and clothe him, for such work as he might be able to do on his farm, as his father had been removed by death, and his mother left in such a situation as to need the assistance of her relatives. With him his nephew remained about six years, during which time no attention was paid to his education, or the propriety of his moral conduct. In this neglected state he left Mr. Lewis, and spent a considerable portion of his youth in a servile condition, at various places, the last of which was Castlehowel, where he had an opportunity of attending Dissenting worship at Llwynrhydowain, under the ministry of the Rev. David Davies, one of the most eminent men of his day, especially as a bard and a schoolmaster

Up to this time Mr. Evans knew nothing of books, and had no acquaintance with persons of general intelligence, being, in every sense, the uncultivated farmer boy. It appears, however, that, from the ninth year of his age, he was frequently troubled with the fear of death, which eventually led to serious reflection, and issued in his joining the church of which Mr. Davies was pastor. In reference to himself at this period, Mr. Evans says: "I was disturbed with certain operations of mind, which, I believe, were not common, from my ninth year upwards. The fear of dying in an ungodly state affected me, and this apprehension clung to me till I was induced to rest upon Christ. At first this was accompanied with but little knowledge of the Redeemer; and yet now, in my seventieth year, I cannot but believe that this concern was the dawn of the day of grace in my spirit, although mingled with much darkness and ignorance. During a revival, which took place in the church under the care of Mr. Davies, many young people united themselves to it, and I amongst them.

One of the fruits of this awakening was a desire for religious knowledge. Scarcely one person out of ten could, at this time, read at all, even in the language of the country. We, therefore, bought Bibles and candles, and were accustomed to meet together in the evening, in a barn; and thus, in about one month, I was able to read the Scriptures in my mother tongue, and was vastly delighted with so much learning. This, however, did not satisfy me; but I borrowed books, and learnt a little English. Mr. Davies, my pastor, understanding that I thirsted for knowledge, took me into his school, where I remained for six months, and went through the Latin Grammar; but so low were my circumstances, that I could stay there no longer."

About this time he lost his right eye, being unmercifully beaten by some young men who fell upon him unawares, in the darkness of the night. It is not true that Mr. Evans was, at any time, 'a noted boxer.' So far was it otherwise, that he never fought in that way during his whole life. On the night after the accident, he had a dream, in which the day of judgment was represented to him. He saw the world in a blaze, and enjoyed great confidence in calling out, "Jesus, save me!" On this the Lord appeared to turn towards him, and to say, "It was thy intention to preach the gospel; but now it is too late; the day of judgment is come." This he regarded as a reproof for not yielding to certain promptings of spirit which he had previously experienced, and with which he conceived that he ought to have complied. This dream continued in his remembrance, and powerfully affected his mind; and it was always his belief, that he had received some intimations of the future course of his life in dreams; nor could he ever be persuaded to the contrary.

To preach the gospel to his fellowsinners was now his prevailing desire; but it was a rule in the church to which he belonged, that no member of it should preach until he had received academical training. Of this rule Mr. Davies is known to have complained, saying, it had deprived his church of two of the greatest men it had ever produced, namely, Christmas Evans and the Rev. David Davies, afterwards minister of Mynydd-bach, near Swansea, eminent for eloquence and zeal, and the publisher of a useful Welsh Bible, with brief notes on each chapter. These young men commenced preaching, contrary to the rule above-mentioned, about the same time, in a cottage, in the parish of