enough after the fleete and they say of late he is got so fat, that he can scarcely squeeze himself into the pulpit, because of his big belly; and his poor curate is so thin, that he could almost creep into a mouse-hole.

Mr. Littleworth. Aye, master, I remember what you say is very true. I was there to hear him; and I thought he had better been upon something else.

Farmer. Why, if such men as Rector Filpot are to go to Heaven, it is impossible to suppose that Demas, who loved this present evil world, . should ever have been sent to Hell. Why, they think we countrified plain folk are so ignorant, as that we don't know a good man from a bad one. But, dame, can you remember what was the text?

Mrs. Littleworth. I remember it was a very short one, "The labourer is worthy of his hire."

Farmer. Why then, according to that doctrine, the curate, who did all the labour, should have all the rector gets, and the rector all the curate gets; and I'll warrant this would soon bring down his fat belly for him.

Henry. Well, well, I must confess, nothing hardened me in my wickedness like the conduct of such ministers. When I was going on in the most vile ways, and with the most wicked company, we could laugh at all religion, because it was preached by such sort of ministers as we knew had no more of it than ourselves.

Mr. Steadyman. Indeed, Henry, I am as much ashamed of such men as you can be. If I had known Mr. Meek had been so good a man, I should have been glad now and then to help him out.

Mrs. Steadyman. I shan't like that, Nathaniel, without your letting me know it. I am afraid, you'll soon be of Brother's religion; and I shan't like that neither. I have no notion of chopping and changing about one's religion in this manner. You know that Mr. Dulman, our minister, when he thought you seemed that way inclined, and when he heard you was coming to see brother, came on purpose to advise you against all these new notions; for if we are all wrong now, what is become of our fathers and grandfathers, who went on in the same way with ourselves? But I don't see what business we have to find fault with the clergy.

Farmer. Well, well, sister, I shall never think of trusting the concerns of my precious soul to that man who takes no care of his own; but no man living for twenty miles round, can love and honour such of the clergy whose lives properly square with their doctrines more than I do; but while we hear, both in the Old Testament and the New, how the Lord declared his wrath against all the false prophets, and scribes, and pharisees, though we should pity and pray for them, yet, I am sure, we do wrong to be their followers. You know, if the blind lead the blind, we shall all fall into the ditch together. But, brother, would you not like to have another glass of ale? (To his wife.) Dame, pour our sister another glass of currant wine before we put away the things, and then fetch the Bible, and let us go to prayer; it is best not to sit too long by the drink.

Mrs. Steadyman. But, brother, mayn't we go up stairs and pray to ourselves, if we like that best?

Mr.Steadyman. It is not so late but that we can stop a little while longer. (Mrs. Steadyman submits.)

The marked Bible is placed before the farmer, who reads the first part of our Lord's Sermon upon the Mount, (Matthew v.) and then said what good minds feel, and are naturally inclined to say of the blessed state of those real Christians our Lord describes as thus blessed in him: and

as it was the custom of the family, that when Henry read the farmer prayed, and when the farmer read Henry prayed; so Henry offered up a very suitable and affecting prayer. This so immediately attracted Mrs. Steadyman's notice, that she was not a little surprised how well he could remember to say his prayers without book; and begged to know where the book was to be bought, out of which he had learnt his prayers. The farmer made anfwer, that the prayers were written upon his son's heart by the pen of Doctor Experience. The family wished to retire, which prevented all further enquiries about Doctor Experience, though the common guest of every humble praying sinner's heart. The writer also, at a late hour in the evening, begins to find his own mind flag, and, therefore, wishes to conclude the present dialogue, that he may undertake another upon a more profitable and interesting subject, which took place on the Sunday evening, after the family's return from Brookfield church.

Surry Chapel.

R. HILL.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

Oriental Customs, or an Illustration of the Sacred Scriptures, by an Explanatory Application of the Customs and Manners of the Eastern Nations, and especially the Jews, therein alluded to. Together with Observations on many difficult and obscure Texts, collected from the most celebrated Travellers, and the most eminent Critics. By Samuel Burder. 8vo. 416 p. besides indexes, 95. Williams, Button, Conder, Chapman, &c. THE Bible, as it comprises the whole that God has revealed of his will, is invaluable; and the estimation in which the serious and intelligent believer will hold religious publications, will be proportionate to the degree in which they illustrate or enforce the word of God. Practical and experimental treatises are likely to be perused with the more immediate pleasure and benefit; but the application of Scripture to our own circumstances, should always be regulated by its genuine literal sense and pri mary design. These are unavoidably obscured, in some measure, by the idioms of the languages in which the Scriptures were written, varying greatly from our own; and by the diversity of manners and circumstances which must have existed in countries and periods of time remote from ours. Critical commentaries on the language of the Scriptures are nu merous, although room is yet left for addition to them but we know not any exposition of the Bible, previous to the volume before us, of which the leading and professed object is to illustrate the sense of revela tion by an investigation of the customs of those countries in which it was first dispersed. The want of such a comment has long been felt, and often acknowledged; and the religious public are much indebted to Mr. S. Burder, both for having undertaken so needful and laborious a task,: and for having executed it with great diligence of research, as well as with no small share of judgment.

On the late Mr. Harmer's four volumes, which alone can be regarded as similar in their purport to the present work, the author makes the following just remarks in his preface: "His observations on divers pas sages of Scripture are well known and highly esteemed. It must be acknowledged to his praise, that he led the way in this department of literature, and has contributed as much as any one man to disseminate the true knowledge of many parts of Holy Writ. But his work is too copious for general utility: it will never fail to be read by the scholar; but it cannot

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be expected that the generality of Christians can derive much benefit from that which, from its extent, is almost inaccessible to many persons. It must also be admitted, that some of the subjects which are there discussed may be dispensed with, as not being of much interest or importance." It might be added, that Mr. Harmer's arrangement of his observations is neither adapted to interest persons who seek for entertainment, nor to assist the Biblical student. The latter object is the most important; and Mr. Burder has arranged his subjects in that mode which is evidently best suited to promote it; that is, in the form of a regular commentary on those passages of Scripture, which the extracts and observations he makes have a tendency to illustrate. He has subjoined an index of such texts as incidentally derive explanation from remarks which principally relate to other passages; and another index of the subjects which are discussed. These are valuable and necessary additions to a work of this nature. A third index, though not absolutely indispensable, would be very useful to expedite references; we mean, one which would immediately, and at one view, direct the reader to any of those texts on which observations are professedly introduced, forming a table of contents to the work.

Although a considerable part of this volume is very properly occupied with selections from the more copious work of Mr. Harmer, it is very far from being a mere abridgement of his labours. Various publications have appeared since the date of his last volumes, which throw light upon subjects that he was obliged to leave unattempted; and the author seems zo have neglected no advantage, either from printed books or manuscripts, that was attainable. A very copious list might be formed of the Travellers, Historians, Critics, and Classics, whose writings have contributed to the substance and value of the present volume. We cannot suppose that any student of the Bible will omit to avail himself of so useful a selection. The author has not, however, limited his views to the assistance of students alone. He has carefully explained quotations in other languages, for the advantage of merely English readers; and has reduced the information afforded, as much as possible, to the capacities of serious persons in general. We hope that the same piety which has prompted the author to so much labour for their benefit, will both lead them to make use of his work, and assist them to apply it to purposes of spiritual profit.

Sermons; with a Help to Prayer, by the Rev. George Pattrick, LL. B. To which are prefixed, Memoirs of the Life of the Author. p. 594, with a Portrait. gs. Williams.

THE sudden and unexpected removal, by death, of the ministers of Christ, in the midst of a laborious, honourable, and useful career, is among those mysteries of divine providence which we, short-sighted mortale, are unable to fathom; but which we dare not but believe are founded in wisdom and mercy; and are to be reckoned among the all things which work together for the good of the church.

The man, whose Life and Sermons are now under our review, was highly esteemed in the Christian world, and was very numerously atrended in most of the places where he ministered the Gospel of the blessed God; and promised fair, long to continue " a burning and shining light" in the established church, of which he was both an honourable and useful minister. The Memoir, prefixed to this volume, contains an interesting and detailed account of Mr. Pattrick; and as we are not acquainted with the writer, we cannot be charged with flattery, if we say it is well executed. It exhibits, indeed, such a portrait of Mr. Patznick as should always be drawn of mortals,-not as an angel without

fault,

fault, but as a man of like passions with ourselves. It appears from this Memoir, that Mr. Pattrick sustained the clerical character some years before he had any sense either of its importance or responsibility. No sooner, however, did he feel and act under the conviction of those, than he began to feel the venom of slanderous tongues, and the persecution of formalists and self-righteous Pharisees. He was expelled from one pulpit; and unjustly kept out of others, to which he had been honourably elected, only because he firmly believed and faithfully preached those very doctrines which he had subscribed, and which are every Sabbath-day announced from the reading-desks.

--

The Sermons are eighteen in number; and are founded upon the following Scriptures: John xiv. 6. three sermons; i Tim. i. 15. Cant v. 10. Psalm lxviii. 18. Eph. iv. 15, 16. John xiv. 26. James ii. 22. 1 John iv. 11. 1 Pet. iii. 8. Matt. xxii. 21, Luke xviii. 14. 2 Kings vi. 15. Luke xiii. 8, 9. Psalm cix. 12, 13. Psalm vii. 12. 2 Cor. i. 13.

One cannot always judge of a preacher by his printed sermons, espccially those which are not prepared for the prefs by his own hand. Those sermons may be highly impressive in the pulpit, and be abundantly blessed to souls, which, when printed, will not be esteemed as perfectly excellent by good judges. We think this remark applies in the instance now before us.

Mr. Pattrick's Sermons contain a rich body of evangelical truth, discover an animated and ardent mind, and urge upon the hearers, in a strong and forcible manner, most of the doctrinal, experimental, and practical branches of religion; yet we have read many sermons which would be esteemed more judicious: but every man has his proper gift; Mr. Patrick had his, which was peculiar to himself; and it is sufficient to say, that God did both honour him and make him very useful in the churches where he ministered.

We think the remarks of the Editor upon the subject of preaching, by way of accommodation and allegory (page 70-75) are peculiarly just; and we strongly recommend them to the attentive perusal of our young brethren already in, or training up for, the ministry, as tending to guard them against a very prevalent and injurious practice.

A Collection of above Six Hundred Hymns; designed as a New Supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns. To which is added, a Musical Engraved Index of near Two Hundred and Seventy Tunes. By the Rev. Edward Williams, D. D. and the Rev James Boden. 18mo, price 6s. 6d, calf, or gs, morocco. Williams, Chapman, &c. London.

THE importance of psalmody, as a part of divine and social worship, lays us under obligation to every judicious attempt for its improvement. Though the labours of Dr. Watts have immortalized his name, as "the sweet singer of our Israel," he certainly never intended to establish a standard of perfection, or preclude the improvements of succeeding authors. On the contrary, we have no doubt, but his candid mind would have rejoiced in such an appendage to his labours as is offered in the present work; of which the following is a brief analysis :

The first part consists of a new methodical arrangement of Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns, according to their subjects, under the five general heads (each subdivided into a variety of particulars) of Christian Doctrines -Experience-Duties-Social Worship-and Miscellanies.

As Dr. Watts's Hymns and Psalms are restrained to a few metres, and are found deficient on several subjects, included in the above arrangement, in

the

the second and principal part of this work is given " a Supplementary Collection of above 600 Hymns, in a great variety of Metres, many of which were never before printed, arranged according" to the above plan, with reference to Dr. Miller's Tunes. Of these Hymns we have the pleasure to find that the Collection is judicious, and that the originals are equally respectable in point of poetical composition.

To these is subjoined, a Musical Index, on a new plan, corresponding with Dr. Miller's Book of Tunes for this work, just published.

In this engraved Index is contained the first part of the air; whereby any one who has but the slightest notion of the notes, will be enabled not only to find a tune suitable to the words, but also, by means of a pitch-pipe or fork, to set the tune in a proper key.

Prefixed to this Index are Engraved Musical Hints, calculated to excite the curiosity of young people in reference to sacred music.

With respect to Dr. Miller's Tunes, here repeatedly referred to, though musical compositions do not properly fall within our department of review, yet we think it proper, on account of its connection with the above Hymn-Book, to say that we understand it is a popular work, of much respectability, and, as published by a regular professor of music, more correct, in point of harmony, than most similar publications.

The title is," Fifty New and Original Melodies or Tunes, in Three and Four Parts, adapted to All the Psalms and Hymns of the Rev. Dr. Watts; in which a style is attempted not so formal as the mere counterpoint of many of the old tunes, nor so light and indecorous as a number of those of modern date. Composed by Ed. Miller, Mus. Doc. of Doncaster. To which is added, a copious Appendix consisting of about 100 of the most favourite Tunes now in use, among which are a great number never before printed, properly corrected and adapted to the Supplementary Selection of the Rev. Dr. Williams and the Rev. Mr. Boden. Also, a short Introduction to Psalmody." This publication is also adapted for private use on the organ or piano-forte.—Price 10s. 6d.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE Pilgrims Progress, with original Notes, by T. Scott, Chaplain to the Lock Hospital, 2d edition, with Eleven Engravings, Svo, demy, 115, royal, 18s. Seeley.

A Vindication of the Dissenters against the Charge of Democratic Scheming: Three Letters to the Rev. Author of a Candid Inquiry into the Democratic Schemes of the Dissenters. 2d edition, considerably enlarged. By Ed. Parsons, 8vo, 1s. Leeds: printed by Baines, and sold by Chapman and Williams, London.

The Difficulties and Supports of a Gospel Minister; and the Duties incumbent on a Christian Church. A Charge by J. Ryland, D. D. and a Sermon by J. Hinton, at the Ordination of T. Coles, A. M. at Bourton on the Water, 8vo. IS. Button and Son.

A Summary View of the Nature and Tendency of Sunday Evening Lectures in Parish Churches. 2d edition, &vo, 6d. Crosby and Co.

LITERARY NOTICE.

WE are informed by a stated correspondent, that the public may expect an Historical Account of the State of Christianity in China, Cochin-China, and Tonquin, from 1782 to the Close of the past Century. It is com prised in a series of letters from the Roman Catholic Missionaries, sent to

those