selected from his Diary and Letters. By Jacob Kirkman Foster, of Cheshunt College. 12mo. pp. 195. Wightman and Cramp. London: 1828.Mr. Hay was a respectable, but not distinguished, minister in the Countess of Huntingdon's connexion. His biographer is occasionally lavish of panegyric; and to some of his sentiments, (not theological,) we cannot subscribe. To the friends of the deceased the book will afford gratification, and we hope that it may prove useful. THREE QUESTIONS PROPOSED AND ANSWERED, concerning the Life forfeited by Adam, the Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Punishment. By the Rev. David Thom. Svo. pp. 110. Liverpool. 1828. That the "death with which Adam was menaced, in case of disobedience, and which he actually incurred, was death in the ordinary acceptation of the term; that is, the termination of the animal existence, which God, at his creation, had conferred on him, followed by the dissolution of his body;" (p. 9.) and not "spiritual and eternal death," appears "clear" to Mr. Thom, and "to all who take a plain, scriptural, and impartial view of it." (p 9.) We, however, have adopted a more "romantic system of divinity," (p. 7.) and are content to rank among that class of "men, dignified with the title of theologians, who have fancied, and written treatises to prove, that, besides the loss of natural life, Adam was threatened with, and actually incurred, spiritual and eternal death." (p. 9.) Mr. T. also contends, that when "our Lord and his Apostles speak of a future day of judgment," they cannot "intend a judgment be yond this present life, or after this present system of things shall have come to an end;" (pp. 85, 86.) which, of course, is as "abundantly clear," as is the erroneousness of that "popular and profitable system," the "doctrine of eternal punishment hereafter." (p. 84.) Mr. Thom, (is he a descendant of the great Tom Thumb?) is evidently a man of war; he has published "Remarks on a Series of Charges preferred against him, before the Reverend the Presbytery of Glasgow;" he has attacked the Rev. Mr. Pope, "on some important mistakes committed by him in his recent con troversy with the Rev. Thomas Maguire;" and, in the pamphlet before us, he "reflects severely upon the partiality a artiality and want of candour, evinced by the translators of the authorized version. Correct, and even slavishly literal as they are, where no party purpose is to be served, and no favourite theory is to be supported, the moment some popular dogma crosses their path, or the voice of royal authority is interposed, truth and fidelity are, without hesitation, sacrificed at their shrine." (p. 11) How, then, can we venture to the combat with an Hurlothrumbo like this? with one THE VISION OF THE HEAVENLY and we cordially recommend them to the attentive perusal of our young friends. The profits of the work are to be appropriated to the Baptist Mission Fund for Widows and Orphans. AN ADMONITION AGAINST INJURIOUS EXTREMES; occasioned by the recent Agitation of the Baptismal Regeneration and Antipædobaptist Controversies, in this City (Lincoln). By Benjamin Byron pp. 47. Lincoln. 1828. The former part of this pamphlet, is wholly controversial, relating entirely to two other pamphlets published in Lincoln. The latter part, entitled, "the Scripture Doctrine of Baptism stated," is free from personal controversy, and has been judiciously printed in a separate form. Mr. B. considers baptism as an overture of mercy, not a test of character; as an emblematical exhibition of Gos-pel grace, not a personal profession of having received that grace; as a teaching ordinance, and a means of salvation, not restricted to those who are already taught, and are already in a state of salvation; as an ordinance administered by inspired men to various classes of people, and not to be restricted to believers only; and as not restricted to any one mode. We are informed that Mr. B. intends to reprint it in a smaller and cheaper form, should he be deemed successful in his attempt to make the pædobaptist argument more intelligible and convincing to the plain members of Independent churches. Without pledging ourselves to all the writer's views, particularly as regards the extent of the administration, we recommend his tract as well calculated to effect this object; and we wish it an extensive circulation. WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. Mr. Planché, the Author of "Lays and Legends of the Rhine," has in the press his "Descent of the Danube from Ratisbon to Vienna, during the Autumn of 1827; with Recollections, Historical, and Legendary, of the 'T'owns, Castles, Monasteries, &c., on the banks of that River," in one volume, 8vo. Forty Views on the Danube, in illustration of this volume, will also speedily appear, lithographed by L. Haghe, from Sketches made on the spot by Mr. Planché -Six Sermons on Isaiah ix. 6; or Jesus Christ set forth as most wonderful in the constitution of his person, and the discharge of his offices. By the Rev. William Notcutt, formerly Congregational Minister at Ipswich. Edited by the Rev. E. Davies. 12mo. 1s. 6d. -Carpenter's Introduction to the Study of the Scriptures, with Maps and Plates. Part I. Price 1s. to be continued monthly. -The Juvenile Forget me not; a Christmas and New Year's Gift, or Birth-day Present for 1829. The work will be beautifully illustrated, and will contain contributions from many distinguished Authors, particularly those who have written most successfully for the young.-An Exposure of Civil and Religious Despotism, in explaining Parts of the Prophecies of Daniel, Paul, and John; with an Answer to Mr. Irving's Letter to the King. By T. Parkin. The Abomination of Desolation; or Proofs that the Destruction of Jerusalem was not foretold in the 24th Matthew, 13th Mark, and 21st Luke. By T. Parkin. Scripture Illustrations. Series the First. Scripture Difficulties examined, with a View to their Solution. Publishing in Weekly Numbers, containing eight pages in 8vo. price 1d., and in Monthly Parts, with a wrapper, price 6d. -The Evangelical Rambler, a Series of Weekly Papers, by the Author of the Evangelical Rambler, will be commenced on the 2d of August next.--The Chronological Guide; Part I. comprehending the Chronology of the World, from its Cre Empire of Rome, A. D. 476, accompanied with a Chart, and a series of Historical and Chronological Questions; to which is added, an Appendix, containing Explanations of Terms employed in History, and of the principal Grecian, Roman, and ation to the Destruction of the Western Jewish Measures and Coins.--The Most Easy Greek Exercises for the use of the Lower Forms; with a Greek and English Lexicon of every Word: or an Introduction to Huntingford's, Neilson's, Dalzell's, Sandford's, Valpy's, &c. Exercises. By the Rev. Wm. Moseley, A. M. LL. D. Author of Dictionary of the Latin Quantities of every Syllable in the Language, with Authorities, &c. &c.--The Rev. James Bass, of Halstead, has in the press the first of a series of Letters on Baptism, advocating the universal administration of the rite to all willing to receive it. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. CHINESE FEMALE SCHOOLS. www It will afford our readers much pleasure to learn, that owing to the advantages derived by the Rev. Samuel and Mrs. Dyer, from their assiduous attention to the study of the Chinese language, during a period of two years previous to their departure from England; they were enabled, in a few weeks after their arrival at Pinang, to commence schools for Christian instruction, which were well attended; and that in November last, Mrs. Dyer was preparing to open one on the 1st of December, for fifty girls upon the Royal British System. This will afford to Christian females in Britain the opportunity of promoting the spiritual welfare of children of their own sex, born of heathen parents, by the employment of their needle upon (or otherwise preparing) useful or fancy articles for sale in India, for the benefit of such schools. Mrs. Dyer writes as follows: "Fancy and useful articles sell well here. Although some are much more saleable than others, I think if a supply of them could be sent out to me every year, it would, in a great measure, if not quite, support a female school. The most saleable are baby's caps, and all kinds of children's apparel; composition (not wax) dolls, toys of every kind, emery pincushions, needle-books, with needles in them, and table pincushions. "I ventured to pay the Chinese schoolmaster of the female school, out of the money received for such articles as abovementioned, brought out with me, in the hope that the friends of missions, in my native land, will enable me to continue to do so; and I do not think I shall be disappointed." It has been suggested, that, in some instances, quantities, more or less, of fancy articles are left undisposed of after public sales, which might be beneficially bestowed for the above purposes. We understand that contributions of her husband, and it is very desirable that petitions should be sent to Parliament from every part of the country, praying for the abolition of this unnatural custom. Some idea may be formed of the extent of the evil from the following official returns of Suttees, under the Bengal Presidency. 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 378, 442, 707, 839, 650, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 597, 654, 583, 675, 572. 6,632* The evil is great. but not too great for the British power in India, to remove with ease and safety. Numerous official documents attest the propriety and facility of the suppression of this most unnatural custom; opposed to the dictates of nature; unknown in the Institutes of Menu; and subversive of the true principles of Hindooism. T. F. Buxton, Esq. M.P. purposes to have a discussion on the subject of its abolition, in the House of Commons, in the present session, and to move for the latest information upon the subject. He stated, in conversation with the writer, that petitions to Parliament were desirable, as showing the sense of the country upon Petitions have been sent from Liverpool, Birmingham, &c. and other places are preparing to move. The insertion of this brief call, to plead the cause of the poor injured widow in India, will much oblige an eye witness of the murderous rite of Suttees. the subject. APPEAL ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABO. the above description, will be thankfully stroyed, and its inhabitants reduced to received by Mrs. Dyer, 4, Lower Lisson Street, Paddington; Mrs. Tarn, 8, Park Place, Islington; and Mrs. Wm. Tarn, 76, Goswell Road. PETITIONS FOR THE ABOLITION OF Attention has of late years been excited to the horrid practice in British India of burning the widow with the dead body of Mr.Bowring, the poet, has requested us to insert the following affecting statement :"The dreadful conflagration by which the town of Abo was lately totally deinconceivable distress, has been already made known to the British public, who, with their wonted benevolence, have subscribed between £800. and £900. for the relief of these distant and destitute sufferers. This amount has been judiciously distributed, and most thankfully received. • See Suttees Cry to Britain, second edition, p. 13. "When I visited Finland a few years ago, the University of Abo was in a most prosperous and improving condition. It had many distinguished Professors, and was the seat and the source of the civilization of the whole country. A fessor Storch, (whose works on political economy are so well known,) 269. Many other useful and generous donations have been received; and I confidently trust that examples so honourable will find many imitators here. Messrs. George Cowie and Co., of 31, Poultry, have kindly undertaken to receive and forward any works, instruments, &c. which may be liberally given to the Abo University Library. I shall be most happy to communicate any particulars I possess; and if information be desired from the spot, the venerable Archbishop of Finland, Dr. Tengstrom, or M. John Julin, will, I am sure, be most happy to furnish it. ** "JOHN BOWRING." "Transactions of learned and literary Journal was established there, and almost all the works published in Finland issued from the press of Abo. Attached to the University were a valuable museum of natural his tory, extensive philosophical apparatus, and a library consisting of more than thirty thousand volumes, rich in records and unpublished manuscripts, relating to the history of Finland and Sweden. With the exception of about eight hundred volumes, of which not more than two hundred form perfect works, the whole of scientific societies will be particularly acthis interesting collection perished in the ceptable." flames; and the circumstances were so much the more distressing, as the library funds had been wholly exhausted, and even anticipated for years in order to gain possession of works which were then obtainable, and which were deemed of great importance to the establishment. In a country like Finland, so little visited, so far removed from the attention and sym. pathy of the civilized world, the destruction of the only large public library is a calamity, the greatness and extent of which can hardly be estimated here. "I have been addressed by some valuable Finnish friends on the subject, and have been requested to ascertain whether many of the literary and scientific individuals of our country would not probably contribute their own writings or those of others, to repair the dreadful loss with which Finland has been visited. And I have ventured to say, that I feel persuaded numbers would be found cheerfully to assist in the re-formation of their library, The inhabitants of Finland are almost universally poor, but as universally desirous of instruction; and of late many men have appeared among them, who have done no inconsiderable services to science, philosophy, and the belles lettres. So much have even the Finnish peasants been touched by the destruction of the Abo library, that in some places, where money is little known, they have subscribed the produce of their farms towards its restoration; and among them the villagers of Wichtis sent fifty barrels of rye; the University of Dorpat has contributed 394 scientific works, besides many philosophical instruments and collections in natural history. One liberal Russian bookseller (Mr. Hartman, of Riga,) has presented books to the value of 5357 silver rubles, or nearly £800. sterling. His townsman, Mr. German, sent 193 volumes. Dr. Hassar, of Petersburg, 995: and Pro THE RELIEF OF POOR DISSENTING While it is generally understood, that a large proportion of the laborious Ministers of the Gospel are subjected to painful privations through inadequate means of support; it is not less obvious, that such a conviction alone has too little influence either upon the judgment or feelings, to effect extensively the amelioration of individual suffering. Hence it belongs to the operations of public Societies to elicit those affecting details, which by awakening, through a sure process, the common sympathies of our nature, lead to general and effective co-operation. The Associate Fund, a Society for the relief of the above class of Dissenting Ministers, has existed about five years, during which period it has been the honoured medium of extensive benefit, in almost every county in England; but such are the constant demands upon its resources, that although the grants are generally limited to the sum of £5., and have never exceeded £10., the Treasurer, is now considerably in advance, and the Committee must necessarily withhold füture assistance, unless this renewed appeal to the friends of the Redeemer should induce them " to devise more liberal things." One of the late applicants writes as follows:--" Seven years ago, when I first turned my attention to the ministry, I had some powerful and wealthy friends who pressed me to enter the Church of England; but after duly stating the subject, and asking Divine instruction, I found I could not conscientiously comply, and those friends have since treated me with comparative neglect. I preach in seven villages, but for the last three or four years I have experienced great inconvenience from the narrowness of my income. Indeed, such is my poverty, that I am frequently without a shilling for many days together. I am expecting an increase to my four children in a few weeks, and you will conclude, under these circumstances, my mind has been severely exercised, and my faith sharply tried." This case comes with the most satisfactory recommendation, together with the assurance, that, from all sources, the income of this individual does not exceed £40. per annum. Another minister, acknowledging the receipt of £10, after expressing an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the providential supply, thus continues : "My dear wife, who has lately been a great sufferer, and I, had just been talking over our trials and mercies, and were thinking when we should be able to pay the doctor's bill, when the post knocked at our door, and presented your very valuable and welcome letter. You may guess the effect it _ produced on our feelings; and we were constrained to fall upon our knees, to thank God as the efficient cause, and your Committee, as the medium of supplying our immediate wants; and I think, if ever we were sincere in our approaches to the throne of grace, it was then. What shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies." Donations and Subscriptions will be most thankfully received by the Treasurer, Joseph Procter, Esq., No. 18, Cheapside; by the Secretaries, the Rev. Thos Lewis, Compton Terrace, Islington; and the Rev. John Yockney, Highbury Terrace, Islington; and by the Members of the Com mittee. PUBLIC DINNER TO COMMEMORATE THE ABOLITION OF THE SACRAMENTAL TEST, AT FREEMASON'S TAVERN, LONDON. We regret that the crowded state of our columns will only permit us to present to our readers a very brief report of the important and deeply interesting meeting, 'held at the Freemasons' Hall, on Wednesday, June 12th, to celebrate the triumph of religous liberty in the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, and to express to the Noble and Honorable Parliamentary Advocates of that measure, the gratitude of 'the dissenting community, for their eloquent and successful efforts. His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex condescended to take the Chair: and W. Smith, Esq. M. P., for many years the Chairman of the Dissenting Deputies, was Croupier. Upwards of four hundred noble. men, ministers, and gentlemen, were pre sent; amongst whom we noticed Lords Holland, Dacre, King, Durham, Carnarvon, Howick, Althorp, Nugent, Stafford, Clifford, Stourton, and Lord John Russell, Sirs F. Burdett, J. Newport, H. Parnell, and R. Wilson. Messrs. Brougham, Byng, Baring, Grattan, F. Palmer, Hume, Hobhouse, Phipps, Rice, Harvey. Aldermen Wood and Waithman, Members of Parliament. The Rev. Doctors Winter, Rippon, Newman, Rees, Cox, and Styles. The Rev. Messrs. J. Fletcher, J. Stratton, J. Arundel, Yockney, J. Blackburn, T. James, J. Cootes, Davidson, Porter, Aspland, W. Chaplin, T. Adkins, T. Harper, Richards, Patten, of New York, J. Black, W. Broadfoot. The Committee of Stewards resolved not to employ professional singers; a blessing was implored by the Rev. Dr. Winter, and thanks were offered by the Rev. W. Broadfoot with appropriate solemnity. The toasts and sentiments which were proposed by the Royal Chairman, had been prepared by a Committee of the Stewards, with the exception of two, which His Royal Highness volunteered on the occasion. "The King," "The Duke of Clarence and the rest of the Royal Family," having been proposed, the Chairman gave "Every man's right, and every nation's best interest-Liberty of conscience," which was received with immense applause. Mr. W. Smith, M. P. then rose to propose "His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, and the principles which placed his august Family on the British Throne." This sentiment was hailed with loud acclamations, when His Royal Highness spoke as follows: "I rise, I assure you, under feelings of considerable emotion to return to you my thanks for the kind manner in which you have received the toast which has been proposed to you by my honourable friend, and to whom I am much indebted for the warmth of feeling which he manifested in announcing it. If I were to say that I do not feel proud and gratified by the way in which you have received it, I should be both ungrateful and utter an untruth, for I do feel a pride, a real satisfied pride, in seeing myself surrounded with so many warm hearts, so many strong minds, and expressly collected together to stand upon sound constitutional principles, to claim what is their right; and I am satisfied that claiming that right for themselves, they will never forget that that which they seek for themselves, they are in duty bound to claim for others. When I look round me and see of "what stuff" this Meeting is composed, I am not talking of articles, but of matter; and when I see of what materials this Meeting is composed, and see |