lonely heart; so that I said to this orange boy, "I suppose you pray to God to bless you ?" "I pray to him,” replied he, "to help me to sell." I was somewhat startled by this reply; and after receiving from me a little advice, he walked away shouting most lustily, "Oranges, oranges, fine oranges."

This orange boy is the type, I fear, of many who know and profess much better things than he did. "I pray to God to help me to sell oranges," was his candid reply. Of this, his worldly avocation, his heart was full; hence the peculiar character of his prayer. To him" gain" was "godliness." How much to be lamented! How much to be condemned!

Never do I see a young man with little or no mental or moral qualifi cation, perhaps almost incapacitated from any secular profession, preparing at "school" or "college" to 'take orders" in the "Church," conning with serious face his gold-edged Prayer Book," but I think he is one who says, "I pray to him to help me to sell."

Whenever I hear of a dry, orthodox "curate" exerting an ingenuity worthy of a political trickster, to get "inducted into a good fat " tory," or of the "rector" scheming

rec

66

And when "a little bird" flies and tells me of such a tradesman slyly conjecturing which "chapel" will bring the most grist to his mill," which " congregation" is likely to prove the best customer" at his shop;" or when I hear a 66 member of the church" threatening to cease "meeting in class, or to "give up his sittings," or to withdraw his "contributions," or to "leave the chapel," because Mr. Soand-So, or Mrs. So-and-So, who worship in the same place, never or very seldom transact business at his " counter," I cannot help seriously thinking that if he were as candid as the orange boy, his daily acknowledgment must be, "I pray to God to help me to sell."

JACOB, JUN.

66

A POOR Woman one day was walking along a road, with a heavy burden on her back. A gentlemen overtook her, and pitying her situation, thus accosted her: "My good woman, your load seems heavy, and oppresses you very much." Ah! sir," said she, in reply, "it is light -light compared with another burden, which I once carried day after day, and year after year-that burden was my sins. An awful load of guilt rested upon my spirit, and threatened to crush me to hell; but now, through the blood of Jesus, that burden is removed. Now there is no condemnation to my soul. My sins are all forgiven; I am free; and now I feel every burden I need to bear light and easy." That woman has been laid upon a bed of sickness.

For six long years she has been a great sufferer; but she declares that never for one moment has God forsaken her. Her peace has been like a river; her soul has overflowed with joy and love. She has dared death to do its worst, to her it has no sting. Sweetly her soul reposes in Jesus. She is often heard, when able to speak, praying, Come, Lord Jesus, come and take me to thyself!" Her only anxiety is, that her relatives and neighbours should be led to that Saviour whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light.

My beloved reader! You are a sinner. You have broken the law of God. Innumerable sins are recorded against you in the book of God's remembrance. You cannot palliate your guilt. Although, at

FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS: A Complete and Authentic Account of the Lives, Sufferings, and Triumphant Deaths of the Primitive and Protestant Martyrs, in all parts of the world; with Notes, Comments, and Illustrations, by the REV. J. MILNER, M.A., assisted by Original Communications from Learned and Eminent Ministers. A new and corrected Edition, with an Essay on Popery, and Additions to the Present Time by the REV. INGRAM COBBIN, M.A. 8vo. pp. 1074. London: Partridge and Oakey.

We hail with unmingled pleasure the appearance of this noble volume at the present time. At a period when our privileges are so little valued, and recreant Protestants are abjuring the faith of the reformers, profanely despising the ashes of Christian martyrs, and compassing sea and land to propagate their semi-papal dogmas, we regard the publication of this work as an opportune event. At such a time it behoves the friends of evangelical religion to diffuse the truth with an unsparing hand, and to expose the deformities of error with unflinching fidelity. We are not of those who, either out of affected moderation or for political considerations, would deal gently with the papal system, or compromise a single fragment of that precious truth which Popery seeks to undermine. Popery is the enemy of God and of mankind; it is an odious caricature of the Christian religion, and

its tendency is to deceive and destroy the souls of men. It is the devil's masterpiece, as an organized system of delusion, destruction, and blasphemy. It should, therefore, be abhorred, and our abhorrence of it will always be just in proportion to an enlightened and ardent love for the truth of God. The abhorrence for Popery was much more decided, energetic, and healthy in the days of our Puritanic forefathers than it is in the present day. We blush for the laxity, the timidity, and the timeserving spirit of the age, which pets and strokes the seven-headed monster as a harmless lamb. Such a spirit is antichristian. The Gospel, mild and benevolent though it be, is as hostile to Popery as Heaven is to Hell, fulminates against it the fiercest denunciations, and bids prophets and righteous men to exult in its fall. No truce to Popery, No conciliation with the man of sin, No relaxation of efforts for his overthrow, should be the watchwords of Protestants. Then let the abominations, the cruelties, and atrocities of the man of sin be fearlessly exposed to the gaze of all. Let our children, our servants, and all to whom our influence can reach, be made acquainted with the dark and bloody reign of Papal as well as Pagan Rome. With such views and sentiments, we heartily wish an extensive circulation for this volume.

There are other considerations which

prompt this wish. The experience of dying martyrs unfolds the doctrines of the cross, ex hibits the Divine origin, the practical power, the consoling influence, and triumphant energy of true religion. The blood of the martyrs thus becomes the seed of the church, propagating its doctrines, multiplying its disciples, and extending its influence. Here departed worth is registered, the tears of saints are preserved as in a bottle, their example depicted, and their memory, always precious in the sight of God, is rendered fragrant and beneficial to man. We know not any human production more calculated to rebuke the spirit of persecution, to expose the heathen character of Popery, to encourage the believer under suffering, and to exemplify the Divine reality, excellence, and power of true religion, than such biography as is here recorded.

The present edition is enriched by numerous superior engravings, a valuable Essay on Popery, and by additions which bring the history of martyrs down to the sanguinary persecutions of the Queen of Madagascar, in 1836. We earnestly recommend the work to our readers, and should rejoice, could it find its way to every family in the realm.

TRANSLATION OF HERMANN VENEMA'S INEDITED INSTITUTES OF THEOLOGY. By the REV. ALEXANDER W. BROWN. 8vo. pp. 532. Edinburgh: T. T. Clark; London: Hamilton and Adams.

Hermann Venema was a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, and succeeded the younger Vitringa, as Professor of Theology, in the university of Francquer, in Friesland. While so much spurious theology, and equally spurious philosophy is imported from the Continent, we gladly hail a volume which does righteous homage to revealed truth, and maintains the doctrines of evangelical religion. The author was a powerful thinker, a correct scholar, an acute reasoner, and an able theologian; and the work before us is worthy of his reputation. The work is not distinguished for fervid eloquence, but for clearness, purity, and strength. Calm argumentation, logical arrangement, searching analysis, profound thinking, and extensive learning are manifest throughout, and the author pursues his inquiries into each important topic with a devout reverence for the supreme authority of the sacred volume. On some doctrinal points we should differ from the learned and talented author; but in general, his views have a remark

able coincidence with our own published sentiments. The volume is a valuable accession to our theological literature, and while we thank the translator for presenting the work in an elegant English costume, we wish for it an extensive circulation.

LUTHER; HIS MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL HISTORY; WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS EARLIER PERIODS, AND THE OPENING OF THE REFORMATION. By BARNES SEARS, D.D., Secretary of the Massachusett's Board of Education. 12mo. pp. 422. London: The Religious Tract Society.

The issuing of this volume is another boon conferred upon the public by the Religious Tract Society. It is stated in the preface, that Dr. Sears, with ample resources, and after years of personal research into the history, written and traditional, of the times and places in which Luther lived and acted, and with a long cherished admiration of his character and deeds, has accomplished the work without constraint. While he has aimed throughout to confine himself to Luther's personal history, he has traced fully the circumstances under which his character was formed, and by a free use of his various correspondence with intimate friends, his interior life has been laid open, and the freshness and reality of life have been given to the picture. The work fully sustains the title. Pourtraying as it does the religious character of a most distinguished man, and illustrating, in an eminent degree, the power of Divine grace and the interpositions of Divine Providence, it is well calculated to strengthen the faith and foster the piety of the christian, to rebuke the abominations of Popery, and excite our gratitude for deliverance from its dark, cruel, licentious, and idolatrous maxims. We hope the work will have an extensive circulation in both hemispheres.

THE IMPRISONMENT AND DELIVERANCE OF Dr. GIACINTO ACHILLI, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS PREVIOUS HISTORY AND LABOURS. By Sir C. E. EARDLEY, Bart. 8vo. pp. 178. London: Partridge and Oakey.

The events recorded in this book are full of interest, especially to the thoughtful Christian, who marks the signs of the times. Dr. Achilli was a Romish Priest, of distinguished attainments as a scholar, and honoured, while in comparative youth, by successive elevations to high dignities in the Papal church. By reading the Holy Scriptures he becomes enlightened, and brought to a saving knowledge

of Christ. He renounces the Papacy, with all the dignities and emoluments of his station. He publishes to his benighted countrymen the truths which he has found unto salvation; and to do this more effectually, locates himself in Malta, pursuing his labours under the protection of the British sway, and from thence pours a stream of light upon Italy. At this time the Pope flees from his throne. Dr. Achilli then hastens to Italy, and issues the Holy Scriptures in the Italian language, being the first edition ever printed in Rome. Meanwhile a situation is offered him under the Republican government, which he declines, solely because he wished to pursue his sacred vocation apart from secular politics. The priesthood take the alarm at his evangelical labours, and at the hour of midnight he is arrested in his own dwelling by a ruffian police, and hurried to a dungeon in the Inquisition. The Evangelical Alliance take up the subject, and send a deputation to remon⚫ strate with the French government. The French authorities disclaim all participation in the persecution, and employ their political authority for the rescue of Dr. Achilli. The devoted man is finally delivered from the fangs of the destroyer, in spite of the Pope's mandate to the contrary. In the whole affair, there is such a display of the grace of God in the conversion of Dr. Achilli and his heroic labours; such a display of the providence of God in raising him up, qualifying for his work, and delivering from the power of the lion; and such an exhibition, too, of the resistless might of moral influence when exerted by a combination of Christian men, as cannot fail to inspire the heart of every Christian with admiration and praise. We carnestly recommend the volume to our readers, and should rejoice to see a cheap edition issued for the information of the myriads.

The profits of this book are devoted to the benevolent objects of the Evangelical Alliance.

PLAIN LETTERS TO PARENTS OF SUNDAY SCHOLARS; being Vol. IV. of the Sunday chool Library. 18mo, pp. 126. London: B. L. Green. We are glad that the publisher of the Sunday School Library has hit upon a topic too much and too long neglected. It is as requisite to bring the truth home to the parent of a Sunday scholar as to the scholar himself; for if the efforts of the teacher be counteracted by the pernicious example and counsel of the parent, there must be an awful drawback upon

the success of the pious teacher. The object of this little volume is to render parents the most effective co-workers with Christian teachers—or rather, principals and leaders in the important office of training the young. When this end is gained it will usher in a happy era for our world. The subjects embraced in this volume are the following: I. An introductory letter; IL The absentees; III. The first item in home training; IV. Co-operation, and home influence the Lord's day; V. Home influence-temperance; VI. Home influence-industry, propriety of language, truth, honesty; VII. Home influenceperseverance, propriety of behaviour, society, recreations; VIII. Readingthe home library, the Bible, &c.; IX Happy homes-contentment, conjugal affection, gentleness, impartiality, cleanliness, &c., religion. These important subjects are set forth with clearness of style, and illustrated by fact and anecdote, and faithfully impressed upon the conscience and heart. The work is eminently calculated to do good, and we wish for it a wide circulation.

PROCRASTINATION; or the Vicar's Daughter. A Tale. Third edition, pp. 198. London: J. Snow. The design of the work is to set forth the awful possibility of possessing and exemplifying many amiable and attractive qualities, while the heart is habitually alienated from God; and to illustrate the solemn fact, that a soul, even under a sense of the importance of religion, may continue to postpone its realization; until, deceived and beguiled by its vain hopes and desires for a future day of salvation, it finally passes the threshold of eternity unprepared for the solemn change. The portraiture is graphic and faithful to the life; it presents a perso nification of thousands of our deluded fellow creatures. The work is one of the best of its class, written in a beautiful style, in the spirit of genuine and earnest piety, and is adapted to probe the conscience, and confound and convert the formalist. We cordially recommend it to our readers.

MENTAL AND MORAL EXCELLENCE; AND THE WAY TO ATTAIN IT, EXHIBITED IN MEMOIRS OF THE REV. J. HESSEL, consisting chiefly of Extracts from his Journal and Correspondence. By the REV. JOSHUA PRIESTLY. 18mo. pp. 252. Third Edition. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

We have not space to do justice to this volume, but we can unhesitatingly state that it is a rich treasury of Christian

experience. Its subject was an eminently pious, intelligent, and devoted minister of the Gospel, cut off at the age of twenty-four. But a short time before his death he embraced Methodist doctrines, in consequence of which he resigned his connection with the Independents, and identified himself with the Wesleyan body. The work is already in its third edition, and if its circulation equal its excellence, it will pass through many

more.

OUTLINE OF A NEW MODE OF CLASSIFICATION OF THE NAMES OF PERSONS MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTURES; with Introductory Observations on the Origin of Language and Proper Names. By W. G. HIRD. 12mo. pp. 48. London: Hamilton and Adams. We very much approve of Mr. Hird's etymological plan of scripture names. It is simple and well adapted to guide the general reader to an acquaintance with the meaning of the proper names employed in the sacred writings.

INDIA AND THE GOSPEL; OR, AN EMPIRE FOR THE MESSIAH. By Rev. W. CLARKSON, Missionary in Western India. With Prefatory Remarks by Rev. T. ARCHER, D.D. 12mo. pp. 330. London: John Snow.

Whoever wishes to have a bird's eye view of India, its natural scenery and productions; the moral, social, and religious condition of its immense population, and its powerful claims to missionary exertion, should read this volume. Its style is perspicuous, graphic, and elegant; its facts are deeply and often painfully interesting; its spirit is

thoroughly Christian, and its appeals for British sympathy and aid are truly eloquent and powerful. We wish for the volume an extensive circulation, and that the anxious wishes of the worthy author may be gratified.

THE YOUNG WIFE; OR, HINTS TO MARRIED DAUGHTERS. By a Mother. 18mo. pp. 234. London: The Religicus Tract Society.

An invaluable manual, full of judicious counsels and practical suggestions, to render home the scene of virtue, contentment, and happiness. If such a volume could be put into the hands of every bride just at the close of the nuptial ceremony, it would have a happy effect.

THE SILENT DISSOLUTION. An Appeal to the Congregational Churches of the West Riding of Yorkshire. The Case and Correspondence between Messrs. Bean, Martin, Glandenning, Oddie, Hotham, Mc. Millan, Skinner, and Bateman, Independent Ministers in the Heckmondwike and Huddersfield Ministerial Association; and Messrs. John Morris, Independent Minister, Morley, and Edward H. Weeks, Independent Minister, Dewsbury. 8vo. pp. 28. Leeds: H. W. Walker, 26, Briggate.

Nos. 1 and 2 of THE DOMESTIC WORSHIPPER, Consisting of Prayers for Morning and Evening, Selected Scripture Portions for Reading, and Hymns and Sacred Songs; the whole adapted for general use in families. 12mo. pp. 48. London: B. L. Green, 62, Paternoster Row.

BENJAMIN BATES

Was born in the year 1788, at Bradshaw, in Ovenden, near Halifax.

His parents were poor, but pious, walking in God's commands, showing an example of Christian character to the world, and training up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. His father was a member of the Methodist body, but his mother was united with the General Baptists.

The latter dying when Benjamin was about five years of age, he with three more infants were left to the sole care of their father, who, anxious for their interest in both worlds, regularly conducted them on the Lord's day to the Sabbath school and to the house of God. He relates in a paper he has left

behind him, that on one Sabbath evening he was left in care of the rest of the children at home, while his father went to the chapel. He left his charge, and wandering into the fields, he climbed up into a tree, and falling down, dislocated his shoulder. "This," says he, "deeply impressed my mind with the dreadful sin of Sabbath breaking and its awful consequences." This circumstance had a restraining influence on his conduct for some years. Afterwards he and his brother were sent to a school where writing was taught on the Sabbath day; but he often regretted this, for though he received some instruction, he found the tendency of the practice was to alienate their affections from the house of God, and lower their estimation of