763 Review.-Sermons on several Occasions. assault, with a prodigious slaughter of the garrison. Ten thousand were slain on the site of the temple of Solomon; more were thrown from the tops of houses; many were put to death after resistance had ceased. Terrible as were these excesses, they arose from the boiling passions of an undisciplined multitude, and therefore bore no likeness to the license granted by a civilized commander to obedient soldiers when a city is taken by storm. These passions, composed by the union of all that is kind with all that is fierce, of the basest with the grandest elements of our nature, produced a corresponding but a prodi gious variety of deeds. It is hard for a writer or a reader, more separated by opinions, by manners, by situation, than by an interval of eight centuries from the victorious crusaders, to form a faint conception of their state of phrenzy, when, sore with wounds, heated by bloody conflicts, and flushed with success, they came to see and handle the ruins of the temple, the holy sepulchre, and all the scenes of sacred story, dear and hallowed in their eyes from infancy; and at the same moment beheld at their mercy the men who had defiled these holy places and spoiled those innocent pilgrims, whose offence was that of worshipping God where he most abundantly had poured out the treasures of his goodness. The gentleness and humility of a religion of forgiveness had on their distempered, yet not, perhaps, depraved hearts, more than the power of the loudest cry of vengeance for long indiguities and outrages. What wonder, then, if, maddened by confused emotions, in which, perhaps, rising compunction began to swell, they rushed reeking from slaughter to raise their bloody hands in prayer, and to pour forth tears of contrition and affection prostrate before the shrine of their God! The power of the feelings excited by those places which call up the remembrance of revered men, and their noblest actions and sufferings, never could be greater than it was to the deliverers of Jerusalem; and the subtile links which combined good and bad passions could hardly ever have been stronger."-p. 121. REVIEW.-Sermons, on several Occasions. By the Rev. Henry Moore. A. M. with a brief Memoir of his Life and Christian Experience, from his Birth to the Death of Mr. Wesley, 8vo. pp. 454. Mason, London. THESE Sermons, seven in number, are of an experimental and practical nature, and aim not to amuse the fancy by tropes and figures, or to dazzle the imagination by the brilliancy of words. They are calculated for a widely different meridian, namely, to alarm the conscience, to affect the heart, and to reform the life. The language, however, though not ornamental, is strong and masculine, and possesses that perspicuity of expression, for the want of which nothing can atone. Truth, in its various branches, appears so to have engrossed the author's attention, that to place this in an auspicious light, mere diction and phrases have been deemed matters of minor impor tance. Several of these discourses are of an occasional character, but no peculiarity of time or circumstance has drawn the author away from the precepts, doctrines, and duties, he intended to inculcate. About one half of this volume delineates 764 the life and experience of the author from his birth, about 1750, to the death of Mr. Wesley, in 1791. Independently of the exercises of mind which this sketch imbodies, it is rendered particularly interesting by the numerous incidents, narratives, anecdotes, and occurrences, which the author was called to observe, and in which he was destined to bear a part during the latter half of the eighteenth century. Mr. Moore has been, we learn from the introductory paragraph, a regular member of the Wesleyan connexion upwards of fifty years, and during nearly the whole of this period has officiated among this body of Christians as a regular itinerant minister. He is now nearly the oldest preacher in their connexion, but though far advanced in years, his appearance is hale, his health good, his vigour but partially impaired, and he retains his mental faculties almost entire. From the situation of Mr. Moore during his journey through life, it may be easily inferred, that the circumstances and events which he has recorded, relate almost exclusively to Methodism, its infancy, early struggles, opposition, increase, success, vicissitudes, and present prosperity. these, this biographical sketch enters into no lengthened details, but we may easily gather from occasional incidents, the nature and character of the prevailing spirit which distinguished those early days. Of Narrow as these confines may appear, they embrace both England and Ireland, at production of persecution, and a harvest that period remarkable in fertility for the of vices which dishonour human nature. To the influence of these, Mr. Moore was sometimes exposed, but his narrative embraces what others saw and heard, as well as what he experienced. We can have no doubt, had the author been so disposed, that he might have enlivened this memoir with a much greater number of anecdotes than he has inserted, but his aim being rather to edify than amuse, they have yielded their place to facts and occurrences more immediately connected with the prosperity of the work of God. To the guidance of an overruling Providence, this sketch bears ample testimony, without entering into any formal dissertation on the subject. The evidence seems to arise from undesigned occurrences, and on this account it commands a more profound respect. In some instances the operation of natural causes may be deemed sufficient to account for existing phenomena; and in others Mr. Moore may be thought by many to have tinctured his views with 765 Review.-Evangelical Biography. visionary ideas. The facts, however, to | which these observations refer, are before the world, and from their character, and the evidence by which they are supported, the reader must draw his own conclusions. But after making all due allowance for some questionable passages, the redeeming qualities are more than sufficient to atone for these aberrations. The sermons are fervid and evangelical, and the memoir contains an interesting survey of God's gracious dealings with the author's soul. THE great question discussed in this volume involves a considerable portion of local feeling, in which every individual of the human race is deeply interested. Few persons who follow the mortal remains of their departed friends to the house appointed for all living, but indulge the hope of again meeting and recognizing them in another world, where the friendships formed in this, will be renewed, and perpetuated for ever. It cannot be denied, that these feelings are congenial with the best sympathies of our nature, and all will rejoice on finding the evidence cogent and convincing on which the fact is founded. The three sources of argument to which Mr. Muston has applied are-prevalence of opinion, the intimations of revelation, and the decisions of rational inquiry. That this belief prevailed among the ancients, both civilized and savage, will admit of no dispute. The author has furnished many examples, and the reader will be able to augment the number from his own recollection. It is a general assent, amounting almost to universality of testimony. On this point the language of the sacred writings is by no means so decisive as to place it beyond all possible doubt; but it abounds with intimations on the affirmative side of the question, and lays a foundation for inferences which place the desirable fact on an almost immoveable basis. In direct terms it will be exceedingly difficult to find in the bible any positive assertion that we shall know each other in a future state, but the presumptive evidence is strong and varied; and the numerous passages which Mr. Muston has adduced, leave little or no room for reasonable doubt. On the ground of reason, the probabilities are equally strong and convincing. The 766 analogy of nature, the physical constitution of man, and the reflective powers of the human mind, all unite their testimony to assure us, that in a disembodied state, as well as when this mortal shall put on immortality, friendships shall be renewed with continued consciousness, and most probably remain for ever. We cannot, however, presume to infer that all the evidence derived from the above sources will amount to any thing like demonstrative proof. Each furnishes its portion of testimony, and the probability resulting from the whole, if taken in the aggregate, will fall very little short of moral certainty. Whatever has a bearing on the subject verges to the affirmative side of the question, and nothing can be adduced of any weight to militate against the conclusions to which these probabilities lead. Mr. Muston has investigated the subject with much fairness, and displayed in the inquiry a considerable share of ingenuity; and if the evidence is not absolutely conclusive, the fault lies not in the man, but arises from the obscurity and silence in which the question is involved. For our own parts we feel perfectly satisfied with the strong intimations which reason, scripture, and the general concurrence of opinion, afford, and have no doubt that nothing but an unreasonable demand of evidence will prevent a similar conviction in the minds of others. REVIEW.-Evangelical Biography for Young Persons. Howard, Newton, Wilson. By Ingram Cobbin, M. A. 24mo. pp. 191. Vol. I. Westley. London. 1830. THREE such men as Howard, the great philanthropist, Newton, the reclaimed sailor, and Wilson, who carried the first missionaries to the South Seas, can hardly find a parallel in the whole range of christian biography. The incidents which mark their lives place them in a light which nothing can eclipse, and elevate them to an eminence which no fogs can envelop, no clouds can obscure. Of these three eminent servants of God, it would be scarcely possible to write a biographical sketch that should be devoid of interest. No writer need be at a loss for materials. Their lives abound with incidents of the highest order, on which we look with reverence, without aspiring to the honour of imitation. Although the more conspicuous of these incidents are not overlooked by Mr. Cobbin, his aim has rather been to mark the economy of God in various results, than to 767 Review.-Evidence of the Christian Religion. expatiate on what might be termed their | enterprises and exploits. The remarkable events and occurrences of their lives he connects with the overrulings of providence, and the more powerful influence of divine grace operating upon their hearts. To these the attention of the reader is uniformly directed, and occasions are never wanting to place the interpositions of Almighty power and goodness in a commanding and an auspicious light. The stile of this volume is adapted to the capacity of the youthful reader. Sometimes indeed, the illustrations appear unnecessarily familiar; and perhaps the sketches would have been more pleasing, and not less instructive, if the reflections had been confined to the great events which marked the career of these extraordinary men. To almost every circumstance Mr. Cobbin_has | given a religious turn. His remarks indeed are always judicious in themselves, but it may be doubted whether reiteration has not a tendency to weaken their force. His intentions, however, are at once obvious, and worthy of respect; and his book merits a shelf of honour in every juvenile library. REVIEW.-The Anthology, an Annual Reward Book for Midsummer and Christmas, 1830, consisting of Selections adapted to the amusement and instruction of Youth. By the Rev. J. D. Davy, Cambridge. 12mo. pp. 337. Whittaker. London. THIS volume is neatly printed, and most delicately put out of hand. With the exception of an attractive frontispiece, it has no engravings, but in all other respects it belongs to the splendid family of Annuals, which regularly bloom about the winter solstice. Perhaps the Anthology has more native vigour working at its root than any of its rivals or associates can boast, since both Christmas and Midsummer are invited to behold its splendour, and enjoy its fragrance. "On the score of variety, (the editor informs us,) it may be incidentally remarked, that it contains direct extracts (besides numerous references to others) from about eighty authors, and translations from eleven different languages. The age to which the selection has been expressly adapted, is the period between ten and fifteen years."-Preface, P. vi. The numerous articles which this volume contains, the compiler has judiciously classified under general heads, according to their respective characters. Hence, under "Voyages and Travels, including natural history," we find selections from Bruce, Belzoni, Forbes, Lyall, Burchell, Clarke, Heber, and various others, who have visited 768 distinct portions of the globe, and interested the public with the result of their observations and researches. The second class comprises tales, apologues, and fables, extracted from numerous authors, both English and foreign. With some of these, many readers have been long familiar, others are less generally known, and several have rarely, if ever before as. sumed an English dress. The third class consists of moral and eloquent extracts selected from authors of long established celebrity. One of these is from the German, but all besides are of British origin. The fourth class is poetical. The pieces are numerous, and of varied merit. Of several authors whence they have been extracted, the names are well known in the regions of Parnassus, and this, independently of their intrinsic worth, will furnish them with a passport to respect, if not to admiration. Taken in the aggregate, its prose and poetry form a pleasing group, which cannot fail to amuse as well as to instruct the youthful reader. The historical extracts are particularly interesting. They introduce us to foreign scenery, habits, and customs, which charm by their novelty, and invest human nature with features of character which occasionally astonish, disgust, and please. The Anthology is a book of instructive and innocent amusement, in which nothing appears either to offend the eye or taint the heart. Its external appearance is delicately attractive, and its contents derive vivacity and interest from the energy and fidelity with which the incidents, characters, and productions of art and nature, are happily described. REVIEW. A brief Outline of the Evidences of the Christian Religion. By Archibald Alexander, D. D. America. W. 32mo. pp. 192. Whittaker, London, 1830. WE cannot give a more correct idea of this little work than by quoting the contents of its chapters, which are as follows: "The right Use of Reason in Religion. "It is impossible to banish all religion from the world; and if it were possible, it would be the greatest calamity which could befal the human race. "If christianity be rejected, there is no other religion which can be substituted in its place; at least, no other which will answer the purpose for which religion is desirable. 769 Review.-American Revivals. "There is nothing improbable or unreasonable in the idea of a revelation from God; and consequently nothing improbable or unreasonable in such a manifest divine interposition, as may be necessary to establish a revelation. “Miracles are capable of proof from testimony. "The miracles of the Gospel are credible. "The bible contains predictions of events which no human sagacity could have forseen, and which have been exactly and remarkably accomplished. "No other religion possesses the same kind and degree of evidence as Christianity; and no other miracles are as well attested as those recorded in the bible. 770 The instruction and cautions which these tracts contain, relate not only to this life, but to that which will follow. The duties of both worlds are, indeed, so judiciously blended together, that their separation is rendered impossible. Time and eternity are linked together by indissoluble ties; while religion, giving birth to all the moral virtues, and cherishing them to maturity, furnishes an immoveable basis, which no physical convulsion of nature, or revolutions in the opinions of theorists, shall ever be able to destroy. The life and character of the late Joseph Cowley, by Mr. Holland, though essentially biographical, places before our view the genuine picture of a man, whose "The bible contains internal evidence time and talents were devoted to the inthat its origin is divine." On the preceding subjects the author reasons with much candour and impartiality. He places what he has to advance in a clear and commanding light, but never loads his conclusions with a weight that the premises will not legitimately bear. Within a narrow compass he has concentrated the essentials of evidence which we sometimes must wade through many volumes to collect. The importance of this book must not be estimated by its magnitude. Sold for two shillings and sixpence, it may easily find its way to many hands which could not reach more voluminous publications. It contains strong evidence, to fortify the mind against the plausible sophistries of infidelity, and he who makes himself master of the arguments it imbodies, need not fear the attacks of common assailants. It has already passed through three editions in America, and its fame having stretched across the Atlantic, it is now deservedly circulated on English ground. terests of Sunday-Schools. His active exertions have erected many living monuments to his memory, and this memorial will instruct survivors by his example. By whom the other tracts were compiled or written we are not informed, nor is this a matter of any moment. They furnish internal evidence that the task has not been consigned to unskilful hands, nor executed without due attention to the condition of those for whose use they are designed. The topics embraced are numerous and comprehensive, but no observations are extended to an immoderate length. The precepts inculcated are simple but important, and in every sentence they sustain a prominent character. No chain of reasoning is required, to render their propriety apparent, or to make them intelligible to those who read. Their truth and utility are alike perspicuous; and if all who assent to their principles were as ready to reduce them to practice, as to allow their value, the moral world would speedily undergo a favourable revolution. REVIEW. The true Character and probable Results of American Revivals. A Discourse delivered at Maberly Chapel, Kingsland, London. By John Blackburn. 8vo. pp. 48. Holdsworth. London. 1830. IN our Number for October last, a work much larger, but avowedly on a similar subject, passed under our notice. In that volume, by President Edwards, the cause of revivalism was openly defended, against the sneers of those who rejected it as fanatical and enthusiastic, merely because it was attended with some irregularities. Similar revivals having lately taken place in America, of which confused and indistinct accounts were circulated, Mr. Black 3 c 771 Review.-Prayer, a Poem. burn, in the discourse before us, brings forth all the legitimate evidence he was able to collect respecting them, and, at the request of the congregation, the result of his inquiries and reflections, is here presented to the world. We can readily conceive, that on the occasion and delivery of this discourse, the situation of Mr. Blackburn was peculiarly arduous; and that this was felt by him with no small degree of acuteness, may be inferred from the extreme caution associated with many of his expressions. His belief that the work was of God he most readily avows; but the wild excesses which many under deep awakenings manifested, would seem to be irreconcileable with the ordinary operations of the Holy Spirit on the souls of men. Through these difficulties, Mr. Blackburn contrives to pass with much prudence and ingenuity. The facts themselves he gives in the words of others, and in reflecting on them, he assigns the various effects to distinct causes, but vindicates on scriptural authority, and example, numerous deviations from what falls under our immediate observation, although many serious persons have been disposed to abandon them as defenceless operations of passionate excitement. Among the means by which Revivals have been produced, Mr. B. enumeratesthe preaching of the gospel,-fasting and prayer,-Christian visitation of families, scriptural instruction of the young, -special meetings for christian advice, and a faithful exercise of church-discipline. These, however, are but means in the hands of God, to whose agency all that is good, though marvellous in our eyes, must be ascribed. 772 and we happen to live in an age when This volume contains many beautiful pieces, and, perhaps, not one which any reasonable person would wish to see expunged. The names of their respective authors furnish them all with passports to public attention, and, having already passed the ordeal of examination, exonerate them from paying the tribute which criticism might otherwise exact. REVIEW.-Prayer, a Poem, in Four Cantos, by Frederick Edwards. 8vo. pp. 230. Hurst and Chance, London. 1830. Ir pious motives and a good design were a sufficient passport to poetic fame and immortality, the laurel wreath should, in justice, be voted to the author of this volume. These, however, will not shield a writer from public censure, if his composition be deficient in propriety of language and metrical effect; since his piety and good in. tentions might operate in a field of exertion, not less useful, than the champagne valleys of poesy,-where he would stand aloof from auctorial vanity, and the strictures of reviewers. "Prayer, a Poem," is a very discursive But although Mr. B. vindicates, ex-flight of a very intractable Pegasus, whose plains, apologizes, and defends, in a manner that is creditable to his piety as a christian, and to his understanding as a man, there appears to be a want of tangibility running through the whole discourse. We look with solicitude for something definite on numerous topics, but when it seems to lie within our reach, it flits away and eludes the grasp. Revivalism is a delicate subject, and as Mr. B. has handled it with much delicacy, it would be indelicate in us to extend our observations. REVIEW.-The Poetical Cabinet for Youth. A New Edition. 12mo. pp. 266. White. London. To copy extracts from the writings of others, is an easy method of book making, path is as difficult to be determined as the windings of the Cretan labyrinth. Leaving regularity of design, however, out of question; we seem to want more power of description, more beauty of pathos, more strength of language, and more felicity of verse, to redeem the character of this metrical essay. It is a composition, in which bad rhymes, broken figures, and feeble expletives, too frequently appear, to the disadvantage of the muse in her more fortunate excursions. The volume contains also some miscellaneous pieces, among which, lines written on seeing the tomb of Marshal Ney, claim the pre-eminence. "How many drink the cup * Of these, and all the thousand nameless ilis |