lead, under the blessing of God, to the restoration of that harmony throughout the Society, which had so long distinguished its proceedings."

In a pamphlet just published in Scotland, from the united pens of the Rev. Messrs. Gray, Brown, Craig, and Wardlaw, and John Campbell, Esq. of Carbrook, the London committee has been ably defended against the imputations of the Edinburgh committee. Of this pamphlet the Evangelical Magazine says,-" We are not a little pleased to find the committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society so manfully defended at the very head-quarters of imputation. As the authors of this seasonable appeal are all members of the Edinburgh committee, and at the same time anti-apocryphalists, we do hope that it may do somewhat to stay that rage for strife and division which seems of late to have infatuated our brethren in the North. One thing we will venture to say, that the document before us is far more creditable to the genius of a Christian committee than the statement we lately had occasion to notice-a statement partaking as much of the spirit of the world, and as little of the spirit of Christ, as any one we ever read on a similar subject. We most earnestly entreat all who have allowed themselves to be influenced by the intemperate conduct of the Edinburgh committee, to procure this well written, dignified, and (upon fair grounds) unanswerable pamphlet. We are happy to believe that calm reflection is every where bringing back the alienated affections of the public to the noblest and best of human institutions. We beseech Scotland to pause ere she severs an union which has been as propitious to herself as it has been useful to mankind. We cannot but hail certain symptoms of moderation, with unfeigned gratitude to God."

Mosaic Account of the Creation.-The Christian Observer for April contains a well written paper on the Mosaic account of the creation, the object of which is to remove those difficulties which attend the generally received opinion, that Moses refers to the original creation of our system. The following is the author's theory. "The first verse I consider to be introductory, asserting generally, that God was the Creator of all things, whenever or however they were made. The second verse informs us of a period when our earth was covered by the waters of the ocean, and was destitute of all that could inhabit or adorn it. The atmosphere was so loaded with clouds, obscured by fogs, and darkened by rain, that the light of the sun, moon, and stars could not penetrate to its surface; and, to a being placed where man was destined to reside, the day and the night would have been both alike. Time now commenced on this station, from the period when the Holy Spirit caused a great commotion on the surface of the inundated globe, which I assume to have taken place at noon, and by the instrumentality of the wind, the effects of which on the atmosphere and on the waters, would produce the appearances recorded by the inspired penman. Thus we are informed, verses 3-5, that God willed that there should be light; and accordingly, the clouds being partially removed by the wind, the fog clearing, and the rain beginning to abate, the light of day became visible. From noon, therefore, to the next noon, was the first day of the new world; and so of the other succeeding days. We are next told, verses 6-8, that God willed that the clouds above should no longer mingle their torrents with the face of the deep: the wind, therefore, continuing, rendered the atmosphere still more absorbent; the rain ceased; and the atmosphere, though still clouded, was rendered fit for its future inhabitants. We next learn, verses 9-13, that, the great deep subsiding and collecting into seas, the mountains and the dry land appeared, an effect resulting from the continued operation of the wind. The creation of the herbs, plants, and trees, (probably in full perfection,) on the third day, can be attributed to no natural cause; but, lastly, the wind, by dispelling the clouds on the fourth day, ver. 14-19, caused the sun, moon, and stars to become visible." The writer then proceeds to anticipate and reply to the objections which may be urged to this exposition, which he does with much ability. We are not quite sure that we understand the meaning of his concluding remarks: to us they appear somewhat strange.

Biblical Gleanings and Intelligence.

Naval and Military Bible Society.-The committee has lately issued a circular, sketching the history of this Society's proceedings, and appealing to the public for more efficient help and support. It is painful to learn, that the annual subscriptions do but little exceed 6007.; and that the whole income, arising from every source, does not, on an average, exceed 20007. per annum; "leaving the committee throughout their arduous duties, from year to year, the painful alternative of plunging the Society into debt, or of refusing the bread of life to their hungering companions in arms." We trust that this appeal will not be in vain.

Christian Knowledge Society.—The number of Bibles issued by this Society during the past year amounts to 50,402; of Testaments and Psalters, to 68,652; of Common Prayers, to 133,459; of other bound books, to 110,847; and of small tracts and papers, to 1,110,707; making a total of 1,474,067. The issue has exceeded that of the preceding year by 5,812 Bibles, 8,377 Testaments and Psalters, 7,028 Prayer-books; but has fallen short of it in 17,673 small tracts and papers. The receipts for the year have been £61,158:0:1; and the expenditure has amounted to £61,515:9:6. We are happy to learn, that this Society has been consulting the wants and dispositions of the mechanical classes of society, in the adoption of two scientific works of well-known character and merit," Conversations on Chemistry," and "Conversations on Natural Philosophy;" the catalogue has also been cleared of some works with which it has been for many years encumbered. At the request of the Chaplain General of the army, the Society has been induced to co-operate in supplying the soldiers with Bibles and Common Prayers, which are now in a course of delivery.

Apocryphal Controversy.-The resolution of the committee of the 21st of November relative to the Apocrypha, not being thought by some bodies, particularly in Scotland, sufficiently explicit to secure its avowed end, the committee, anxious to unite on this important and vital subject to the utmost practicable extent the wishes and feelings of the members and friends of the Society, have taken further measures with this view, which will be explained in the following minute and resolutions; which resolutions were passed at a special meeting of the committee on the 21st of April, and were confirmed by another special meeting on the 25th. "The committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society beg leave to state, for the information of its members, that, having sent a deputation to Scotland on the subject of the resolution of the 21st of November last, relative to the Apocrypha; and having also received various communications on the same subject from different auxiliary societies throughout the kingdom; they have, on full consideration and discussion, adopted the following resolutions.-(1.) That the fundamental law of the Society, which limits its operations to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, be fully and distinctly recognized as excluding the circulation of the Apocrypha. (2.) That, in conformity to the preceding resolution, no pecuniary aid can be granted to any society circulating the Apocrypha. (3.) That in all cases in which grants, whether gratuitous or otherwise, of the Holy Scriptures, either in whole or in part, shall be made to any society, the books be issued bound; and on the express condition, that they shall be distributed without alteration or addition. The committee, in communicating these resolutions to the members of the Society, cannot but express their confident hope that the above resolutions will

lead, under the blessing of God, to the restoration of that harmony throughout the Society, which had so long distinguished its proceedings."

In a pamphlet just published in Scotland, from the united pens of the Rev. Messrs. Gray, Brown, Craig, and Wardlaw, and John Campbell, Esq. of Carbrook, the London committee has been ably defended against the imputations of the Edinburgh committee. Of this pamphlet the Evangelical Magazine says,-" We are not a little pleased to find the committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society so manfully defended at the very head-quarters of imputation. As the authors of this seasonable appeal are all members of the Edinburgh committee, and at the same time anti-apocryphalists, we do hope that it may do somewhat to stay that rage for strife and division which seems of late to have infatuated our brethren in the North. One thing we will venture to say, that the document before us is far more creditable to the genius of a Christian committee than the statement we lately had occasion to notice-a statement partaking as much of the spirit of the world, and as little of the spirit of Christ, as any one we ever read on a similar subject. We most earnestly entreat all who have allowed themselves to be influenced by the intemperate conduct of the Edinburgh committee, to procure this well written, dignified, and (upon fair grounds) unanswerable pamphlet. We are happy to believe that calm reflection is every where bringing back the alienated affections of the public to the noblest and best of human institutions. We beseech Scotland to pause ere she severs an union which has been as propitious to herself as it has been useful to mankind. We cannot but hail certain symptoms of moderation, with unfeigned gratitude to God."

Mosaic Account of the Creation.-The Christian Observer for April contains a well written paper on the Mosaic account of the creation, the object of which is to remove those difficulties which attend the generally received opinion, that Moses refers to the original creation of our system. The following is the author's theory. "The first verse I consider to be introductory, asserting generally, that God was the Creator of all things, whenever or however they were made. The second verse informs us of a period when our earth was covered by the waters of the ocean, and was destitute of all that could inhabit or adorn it. The atmosphere was so loaded with clouds, obscured by fogs, and darkened by rain, that the light of the sun, moon, and stars could not penetrate to its surface; and, to a being placed where man was destined to reside, the day and the night would have been both alike. Time now commenced on this station, from the period when the Holy Spirit caused a great commotion on the surface of the inundated globe, which I assume to have taken place at noon, and by the instrumentality of the wind, the effects of which on the atmosphere and on the waters, would produce the appearances recorded by the inspired penman. Thus we are informed, verses 3-5, that God willed that there should be light; and accordingly, the clouds being partially removed by the wind, the fog clearing, and the rain beginning to abate, the light of day became visible. From noon, therefore, to the next noon, was the first day of the new world; and so of the other succeeding days. We are next told, verses 6-8, that God willed that the clouds above should no longer mingle their torrents with the face of the deep: the wind, therefore, continuing, rendered the atmosphere still more absorbent; the rain ceased; and the atmosphere, though still clouded, was rendered fit for its future inhabitants. We next learn, verses 9-13, that, the great deep subsiding and collecting into seas, the mountains and the dry land appeared, an effect resulting from the continued operation of the wind. The creation of the herbs, plants, and trees, (probably in full perfection,) on the third day, can be attributed to no natural cause; but, lastly, the wind, by dispelling the clouds on the fourth day, ver. 14-19, caused the sun, moon, and stars to become visible." The writer then proceeds to anticipate and reply to the objections which may be urged to this exposition, which he does with much ability. We are not quite sure that we understand the meaning of his concluding remarks: to us they appear somewhat strange.

A PARTING MEMORIAL; consisting of Miscellaneous Discourses, written and preached in China; at Singapore; on Board a Ship at Sea; in the Indian Ocean ; at the Cape of Good Hope; and in England. With Remarks on Missions, &c. &c. By ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. F.R.S. M.R. A.S. &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 411. London: 1826. 10s 6d. boards.

THESE Discourses are sufficiently interesting in themselves, from the important nature of their subjects, and the pleasing and instructive manner in which they are discussed, yet they nevertheless derive an additional degree of interest from the circumstances under which many of them were written and originally delivered. The author modestly remarks, that "although he does not assume that these discourses possess, irrespective of the circumstances connected with them, intrinsic excellence, sufficient to call for their being published; he still thinks, that they may prove instructive to some individuals, and not an unedifying memorial to many among whom he has travelled, occasionally preaching the gospel.” Preface.

We sincerely congratulate Dr. Morrison on the publication of this volume, as furnishing us with the most satisfactory proofs of his qualifications for the great work upon which he is again about to enter. Not that his principles, or his scriptural attainments were before doubtful; but that he has, in these discourses, given us a fresh pledge of his devotion to the interests of the gospel, and of his determination to diffuse its truths. We read the following remarks on salvation by faith with much pleasure, shewing as they do that the strife of words among Christians, is giving way to a better spirit and employment. If we mistake not, it is precisely the language held upon this point, by what is called the Arminian School.

"Therefore the true way of salvation is by faith in Christ; and by faith alone; without the deeds of the law; the works prescibed by any law, either ceremonial or moral. But the act of faith is not a meritorious thing, for which salvation is granted to us as a reward. It resembles somewhat the act of a beggar's stretching out his open hand to receive an alms; only the one is a physical act, the other a mental operation. It resembles a drowning man's grasping the outstretched arm of a humane friend, who is anxious to save him from death. It resembles the act of a man's running from imminent destruction to a place of refuge and of safety. But the alms are gratuitous, not given because the beggar stretched his hand out. The attempt to save the drowning man was generous humanity, that preceded the grasp of the sinking person; and though the offer would have been unavailing had he not caught hold of the saving arm, still his salvation from temporal death was not the reward of any act of his. And so of every other illustration of this subject; they all shew, that whilst salvation is by faith in God our Saviour it is not the reward of faith. Salvation is by the free grace of God; it is perfectly gratuitous, and excludes from the creature every imaginable ground of boasting. Salvation is granted-by what law? asks the Apostle, by the law of works?— nay, but by the law of faith; for if salvation be by works, it is no more of grace, but of debt: but it is by faith, that it might be by grace. Therefore, in the language of St. Paul, we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us." pp. 10, 11.

Preparing for Press. The MOSAIC PRECEPTS elucidated and defended; by Moses Ben Maimon or Maimonides. Translated from the "MORE NEVOCHIM;" and accompanied with Notes and Dissertations, and a Life of MAIMONIDES. BY JAMES TOWNLEY, D.D. Author of Illustrations of Biblical Literature, &c. &c.

The Scripture Almanack

FOR 1826:

PURPORTING TO EXHIBIT

SOME OF THE MEMORABLE EVENTS AND SACRED SEASONS

OF THE BIBLE,

TOGETHER WITH

An Arrangement of the Scriptures, in Chronological Order,

TO BE READ THROUGH THE YEAR,

WITH THE RESPECTIVE

PORTIONS OF EACH DAY,1

WITH pleasure we prosecute the daily exercise of ranging in the fields of Divine revelation. What high enjoyments are thus experienced, and what corresponding practice is demanded!

The increasing developements of prophecy are hailed with emotions of delight and gratitude, though the history of these times must be read with varied sensations.

What eventful scenes are exhibited this month, and what important prospects are presented to our view! May every reader "follow on to know the Lord"!