MISCELLANEOUS, To the Editor of the Christian Observer. To the fifth edition, just published, of Mrs. Hannah More's "Hints on Forming the Character of a Young Princess," are prefixed a few remarks relative to the royal personage for whose use they were intended, and over whose early tomb an affectionate Nation has not yet ceased to weep. As 'those numerous readers who al ready possess copies of the "Hints" are not likely to purchase the last edition, for the sake of these few remarks, it may not be unacceptable to them, to add Mrs. More's testimony to those which have al ready appeared in your pages, relative to that lamented Princess. I have, however, another object in calling the attention of your readers to the subject. The much revered author states, in her advertisement to the fifth edition, that having been lately solicited to write something of a general arrange ment of useful reading, and to point out and remark upon such books as are most proper for the 'study of young persons, who have nearly completed their education, she finds that the "Hints" contain the substance of what she has to say upon this subject; and that, were she to write again, she could only repeat what she had before advanced. She adds, that she has received the most consolatory assurances of the utility of the work in the education of young persons of rank and station, to whom it will be found scarcely less applicable than to the illustrious individual for whom it was originally designed. Mrs. More states, on the authority of the Bishop of Salisbury, the preceptor of the muchlamented Princess, that her Royal Highness read this work with his lordship a few months before her marriage, and expressed herself much gratified with it, particularly with the observations on history. Y. Z. for correction, it was, doubtless, sent to her whom we lament, in the prize without running the race. mercy. She has, we trust, obtained She has escaped the cares and perils inseparable from an earthly crown'; and she has, we humbly hope, through Him who loved her and gave himself for her, obtained an fade not away. She had lived long imperishable crown, whose glories enough to taste as much happiness its highest condition, has to bestow. as this world, in its best forms and Youth, beauty, talent, royalty, all conspired to make her singularly which made her life great, availed distinguished; but this combination, not to make it lasting. She lived to have tasted the overflowing cup of the most perfect human felicity, she lived long enough to shew without any infusion of bitterness that the highest elevation of rank and happiness did not intoxicate her youthful and ardent mind. So far from it, her principles were more fully drawn out, and her character was "If the visitation was sent to us more beautifully developed by those very circumstances which have betrayed so many into forgetfulness of their awful responsibility. of the highest human prósperity, world was at her command, do- * Such a remark, I fear, is not justly applicable to any human being. Preeminently happy as was the lot of the shew, were it necessary, that it was not lamented princess, it would be easy to without a very perceptible" infusion of bitterness." sure where she found her duty-in the practice of domestic virtuesin the enjoyment of domestic happiness in the reciprocation of conjugal tenderness. These pure delights more than made up to her all that she had voluntarily sacri ficed to them. "The warmth, affection, and frankness of her disposition were admirable; and it is not wonderful that these indications of a character purely English, should so powerfully attract the affections of the country to its Princess. "Her naturally fine understanding, and the care which had been taken in its cultivation by the Right Reverend Prelate who su perintended her education, gave every expectation that her public worth would not have been inferior to her private virtues. "Her conduct illustrated this important truth, that the most fair and simple methods for acquiring true popularity, are the most successful means for obtaining it. It was gained without being sought. "Her life furnished an illustrious example to youth, rank, and dignity, of the right use to be made of such advantages; her death, of the short time that may be granted for their possession. "Regular in the discharge of her religious duties, exemplary in her charities, personally kind and condescending to all about her, she shewed how many excellencies may be comprised within a short space, while they serve to augment the regret that it was not longer." of New York, a member of the Unitarian body, containing some extracts from Robert Barclay's celebrated Apology, attempting to prove that Barclay had justified defensive war. In reply, I addressed a letter to the editor of the Repository, the purpose of which was to draw an inference directly the reverse of what Christie had laboured to prove in his selection from the venerable apologist; and to assure the public, that the Society of Friends had never so understood their worthy predecessor. I conceive it is impossible that the passages Christie selected from the Apology can really be so interpreted by the most perverted powers of reasoning. Before I sent the reply, I shewed the identical copy transmitted to the editor of the Repository, to several respectable aud intelligent friends (not Quakers), who would quickly have discovered and corrected an error: and it is more likely they would have done so, had they seen the unintelligible jargon that afterwards appeared in the Repository under my signature. As I am a total stranger, the editor can feel nothing against me, as an individual; but that he has imbibed some dislike to the society of which I am a member, seems very clear. May not the following extract from a letter signed B. Y., in the Repository for June, in some degree explain the cause ? "Permit me to add, that I cannot believe the Society of Friends will ever flourish, while their intellectual and religious darkness is so great, as to prevent them from To the Editor of the Christian Observer. seeing the extreme impropriety of Respected Friend, I AM compelled to appeal to the public, in order to clear myself from the aspersions of the Monthly Repository. I should observe, that this work is edited by an Unitarian minister. An article appeared in that publication in March last (p. 149), written by William Christie, disowning and ceasing to have church-fellowship with such sincere, such amiable, such exemplary Christians, as Hannah Barnard, Thomas Foster, and William Rathbone." I shall make no other comment on these names, than that they were members of the Society of Friends; and were disunited from that so ciety for preaching and publishing doctrines in accordance with Unitarianism. The religious principles of the Society of Friends being grounded on a firm belief in the Divinity of Christ, they cannot unite in church fellowship with any persons who publicly impugn this foundation of our most Holy Faith; or who propagate sentiments tending to invalidate the miraculous conception and expiatory death of our Redeemer, whom we believe to be "God over all blessed for ever." This is true Quaker doctrine. We dare not rob Christ of his honour; and we feel persuaded, that on no other basis can the Christian Church be built. Attempts have been made to connect the Quakers and Socinians in religious faith; and passages have been selected, for this purpose, from some of the works of that great character William Penn. One extract from him is, I apprehend, sufficient to rescue his memory from the charge. "They (the Quakers) believe in the Holy Three, or Trinity, of Father, Word, and Spirit, according to the Scripture, and that these Three are truly and properly One; of one nature, as well as will," &c.-I have collected together a few short extracts from Fox, Penn, Barclay, and several other of our ancient writers, that are equally explicit on this point, which, with authorities from their time to the present, if it be necessary, I will publish. These extracts will, I trust, completely absolve us from all charge of Socinianism. I have only to add, that repeated applications have been made to the editor of the Repository for the genuine letter; but it is not forthcoming. Let him produce the manuscript in the state in which he published it, and I will acquit him of evil intentions. I have in vain endeavoured, through the intervention of friends and by other means, to obtain some explanation or apology for the unwarrantable liberty taken with my paper. If any person will SAMUEL FENNELL. To the Editor of the ChristianObserver. A WORK is advertised as speedily to be published, entitled, “A Companion to the Bible, published under the Direction of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge; for the Use of Families; comprising a Classification of the Psalms, according to their several Subjects: together with a Series of Sermons, beginning at Advent, and adapted to each particular Ecclesiastical Season, with four Family Prayers: by the Rev. Shallcross Jacson, Rector of Somersall Herbert, Vicar of Rostherne, and Domestic Chaplain to the Lord St. Helens." A work of this extent and importance ought unquestionably to receive the most careful examina tion, before it issues from the press under the sanction of the venerable Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. In proof of the utter incompetency of the reverend author or compiler to fulfil the task he has undertaken, I would refer the public to a sermon recently published by him, and to which is affixed the advertisement which I have just copied. The sermon purports to be one preached at "Tissington, at the Well Dressing, on Holy Thursday." Whoever will take the trouble of reading this production, will, I doubt not, come to the conclusion, that a more incompetent person to prepare 66 a companion to the Bible, with a series of sermons adapted to every particular ecclesiastical season," could scarcely have been found, or one less deserving (on this ground alone I speak) of the sanc 586 On a projected Work entitled, “ A Companion to the Bible." [SEPT. tion of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. I will only give two or three short extracts. The sermon is dedicated to Sir Henry and Lady Fitz-Her. bert, who are entitled “pure and perfect models of the virtues which the author endeavours to inculcate." How will such a writer comment on those numerous passages of Scripture, which point out our sinful condition by nature and practice, teaching the imperfection of our best deeds, and the sins of the holiest characters? To the sermon is prefixed a note describing the festivities at the Well Dressing at Tissington. "Psalms are sung, and strains of sacred music performed by an excellent band formed of the best looking and best behaved men of the village. This happy and virtuous institution brings together a gay, interesting, and well-ordered assemblage of the blooming beauties of the Peak, attended by their stout and active shepherd lads, which frequently gives occasion to pure and sweet connexions, productive of the most delicious domestic happiness!" The following apostrophe to the Almighty, in the body of the sermon, appears to be a return of thanksgiving to God for the plea sures of field sports! "Amid every object and every instance of thy bounty and thy power, whether I refresh myself with the limpid rill, or support my strength by the nutritious grain; whether I taste with delight the joys of social and domestic happipess, or descend to animal feelings of gratification, to exult in the vigour and docility of the bound ing steed; to admire the sagacity of the noble animal so well disciplined to be the instrument of our most active and animated sports; whether I stand awe-struck under the cloud, big and black with Al mighty vengeance, or steal in peace ful safety through the quiet yale, cheered by the blessed influence of a genial sun, still may I exclaim, These are God's works: in wisdom and goodness hath he made them all: the earth is full of his blessings. He is present every where: whither can I fly from his Spirit ?" The whole sermon consists of but seven short pages; from which I shall give one passage more, which the author doubtless intended for sublime; but it is with the theology and not with the style, that I have any concern. "Each rill that sparkles down the mountain-steep, bearing health and freshness in its course; each breeze that sweeps contagion from our pure elastic atmosphere, which gives blooming beauty to the fair, and vigorous activity to the strong; which tinges the maiden's cheek with the rosy blush of purity; which nerves the giant-stride that braves the mountain which lifts its bold aspiring breast to heaven; the mountain storm-the mountain torrentthe mountain precipice—the mountain energies, all call and animate us to imbibe the elevating spirit of the country wherewith we are blessed, and emulate our rocks and mountains in their sublime aspirations after heaven!" The Quarterly Reviewers very justly censured the sanction given to Mr. Bellamy's Bible-a sanction given with no knowledge of the principles of the translator. Is not the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge justly censurable for the sanction which I am to conclude, from the advertisement above quoted, has been given to Mr. Jacson's work? Has the manuscript been submitted to the Society? I have reason to know that it has not. On what justifiable ground, then, can it have directed the pub. lication? Possibly there may have been some mistake in the business. I should not be surprised to find that there has; but the advertisement is public, and has appeared in the papers, as well as on the pages of the sermon, It would be satisfactory to myself and others to receive a distinct disavowal of the sanction arrogated in the above advertisement. None, I believe, who have read the sermon, though it professes to have been published at the request of the audience, have foreborne to express their surprise and regret, that a companion to the Bible, by the same author, is " speedily to be published under the direction of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge." CLERICUS DERBIENSIS. To the Editor of the Christian Observer. IT would seem that the author of the Whole Duty of Man still continues to elude the inquisitive research of my ingenious friend, G. C. G. (Christ. Observ. 1816, p. 157). Allow me, through the medium of your publication, to convey to him a notice on this subject, which, if it have not already met his eye, may open an avenue for new, and possibly successful, investigation. Extract from the Diary of John Evelyn, Esq. Author of the Sylva, &c. lately published: 66 July 16, 1692.-Went to visit the Bishop of Lincoln (Tenison, shortly after Archbishop of Canterbury), who among other things told. me, that one Dr. Chaplin, of University College, Oxford, was the person who wrote the Whole Duty of Man." I find no memorial of Dr. Chaplin in any biographical compilation which has come under my eye; nor indeed does the Archbishop's mention of him (one Dr. Chaplin) or the character of the book itself lead us to class him with " the giants of former days." Although it must appear a little uncourteous to attempt to tear aside the veil under which this author has so studiously endeavoured to CHRIST. OBSERV. No, 213. spare conceal himself from the public eye; yet it must be regarded as an interesting point of bibliographical research. I only wish I could the remark that the obscurity of evangelical truth which pervades the system of duty, seems to correspond with the mystery that hangs over its authorship. Though, in the absence of clearer summaries of the Christian faith, it may not have been without its use in awakening the attention of a profligate age to external religion, yet it must be considered as sadly defective in laying a solid foundation for our present or everlasting peace. It would reduce us again to be in bondage to the "weak and beggarly elements" of the world, instead of leading our weary footsteps into the glorious liberty of the children of God." And indeed experience must have shewn us the futility of amusing ourselves, after the manner of this author, with grave remarks upon the nature of sin and holiness, which, however correct in themselves, and highly important "according to the proportion of faith," have served to exclude, from his proper place in the Christian system, HIM who is "The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, the Author and Finisher of our faith." Unless Christ be "all in all," he will "profit us nothing:" he must be aut totus aut nullus. To "fear God and to keep his commandments," is indeed the whole duty of man. It is not, however, sufficiently considered that this OldTestament direction necessarily involves the main doctrines of the Christian dispensation," repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ;" since, without the former, we never could obtain the pardon of our sin, and that affectionate, reverential, godly fear consequent upon it; and without the latter, our hearts could never be purified to that love of God, which would incline us to 4 G |