locality, and among any people, have commanded unusual attention, and ensured respect; for men with their spirit must have been fired with a holy and ardent desire, to attempt something more than a performance of the customary duties connected with their own particular charge. They would have shone, not as a lamp that flings a soft and mellow radiance immediately around, while all beyond lies in obscurity and gloom; but as a burning and blazing light, whose rays not only illuminate proximate objects, but, like those gleaming from a beacon, reflect their brightness upon an extensive district. Yet still their influence would have been restricted to their native country, and the religious world at large, would, probably, not have heard of their existence.

But he who holds the stars in his right hand, and who fixes them where most they shall reflect his glory, bade them go forth from their own land. Protected by him, they crossed the waters of the great deep, and unfriended and alone, save that the Invisible was near, they trod a heathen soil, dwelt among "a people of strange language," and after indefatigable exertions, at length mastered its difficulties, and proclaimed to barbarians in their own tongue, "the glorious Gospel of the blessed God." One by one, the idolaters forsook their temples, threw down their altars, and renounced their gods; gradually the number of the faithful increased, until "the little one became a thousand, the small one a strong nation ;" and as the clouds of ignorance, error, and superstition, rolled away, the pure light of truth arose, and again was heard from adoring thousands, the cry that echoed among Carmel's rocks and glens, "The Lord, he is the God, the Lord, he is the God." The gladdening sound invited to the spot whence it came, the eyes of the Christian church, and the instruments of so great a change stood forth, invested with a grandeur of character, which worldly greatness cannot confer, while the glorious results of missionary labours abroad, gave a new tone of feeling to piety at home, and quickened the pulses of Christian liberality and holy zeal.

The interest which the subject of this memoir awakened, was not, however, of this order. It was not as a missionary, but as the first missionary traveller, through a country comparatively unknown, that Mr. Campbell acquired a popularity among the churches of Great Britain, which, if we mistake not, the work before us is destined to perpetuate and increase. It was not from the absence of a desire to be an active and laborious missionary-to live and die among converted heathens-that he became the pastor of a flock in England, but from providential circumstances, which are detailed in the life, and which plainly indicated the will of the great Head of the church. To the last, his heart yearned over the heathen, and his dying thoughts and prayers were concerning Africa. But we must not anticipate our narrative, and therefore proceed to give a brief outline of his life.

Mr. Campbell was born at Edinburgh, in 1766, and losing both parents at an early age, was educated under the fostering care of an uncle, "a pious and judicious Christian." He was apprenticed to a goldsmith and jeweller; but, subsequently, on the death of his eldest brother, carried on the business of an ironmonger, which the latter had commenced. It was now that his attempts to be useful began, and in connexion with a few spirited friends, he engaged in various philanthropic and Christian enterprises, a bare outline of which would occupy more space than we are able to afford. We must refer our readers to the book itself.

His association with the Messrs. Haldane, soon after which he relinquished business, led him to take an active part in the religious movements that distinguished the close of the eighteenth century in Scotland. A spiritual torpor had fallen upon almost all the sections of the Christian church in that country; and the efforts of the devoted band that started forth to rouse the slumbering energies of the people, as they were not unnecessary, so neither were they ineffectual. The fires they kindled, like those seen in the days of border chivalry and song, when after the first signal had shone on "height, or hill, or cliff," soon another and another gleamed through the midnight gloom, as stars on the brow of night, and awoke the churches and their teachers from their apathetic repose, until all Scotland was aroused.

When subsequent movements of his leading friends led him to fear that their measures would prove unwise, however well meant, he embraced the opportunity afforded him of settling in London, and thus escaped the dilemma in which he would have been placed, of either acting in opposition to his old associates, or of submitting to share in the censure attaching to the paternity of certain acts, the wisdom and prudence of which were somewhat problematical. Mr. Philip has touched this subject with an impartial hand. We happen to know how very correct, is his statement of Mr. Campbell's final opinions of those early friends, with whom he had co-operated, and that his respect for the men, had often to struggle hard with his convictions of the impolicy and inconsistency of some of their movements.

Mr. Campbell's settlement at Kingsland, in 1803, brought him into close connexion with the "Fathers and Founders of the London Missionary Society," and with the projectors or friends of other noble institutions. His proximity to the capital of the literary world enabled him, also, to carry out the designs he had contemplated in Scotland, and which were partially effected while there the formation of a literature for the young. An interesting anecdote is related, pp. 186-8, detailing the circumstances which led to the writing of "Worlds Displayed," a little book, of which he was enabled to say, at the close of his life, "About twenty-five years ago, I had eight Gospel ministers, and more than that of ministers' wives, upon my list, who told me that their first

serious impressions about religion, arose from reading that book, and many more have told me the same tale since that time." Until the publication of that little volume, there was scarcely a book written for the young, of a religious character, except Janeway's Token, and Watts' Divine Songs. Mr. Campbell, by his juvenile works, and by the establishment of magazines for the youthful portion of society, has a high claim to their respect and veneration. For since he began, many and able writers have devoted their talents to the instruction of the rising race, and, now, juvenile publications bid fair to rival in number, interest, and variety, the more ponderous volumes intended for their seniors.

But, although Mr. Campbell was well known by the productions of his pen, the chief interest he awakened, as we have already observed, arose from his travels in Africa. Entrusted with a commission from the Society at home, to inspect the stations that had been formed in the southern parts of that continent, Mr. C. bade farewell, for a season, to his flock at Kingsland, and embarked at Gravesend on midsummer-day, 1812. During his two years' absence, he gathered materials for publication, of the most novel and stirring character. He never aimed at effect in his manner of description, and yet there was a certain naïveté in all he wrote or spoke on the subject of Africa, that had a charm for most minds. He liked to tell his tales in his own way, and had he been necessitated to polish his diction, or correct his style, it may be fairly supposed, that what was gained in elegance, would have been lost in freshness and graphic simplicity. A second visit to that continent was paid in 1818, and the details were given to the public after his return home. They are full of interest.

The present work contains an epitomized account of both visits. While some have complained of this, we cannot but think that Mr. Philip has done wisely in inserting it. Another edition of the "Travels" will, most probably, not be called for, and the biographer has, therefore, rescued from forgetfulness, that in them which is most interesting and striking.

The principal part of the volume is occupied with the narration of the events, in which Mr. Campbell took a part, in Scotland and Africa. All that relates to England, and especially to the scene of his customary labours, is comprised within a very small compass. His life, with the exception of those parts of it which were spent in his native country, and among the wild Bushmen, presents nothing peculiar, beyond the usual engagements of a pastor. Subsequent to his return home, after his second visit to Africa, he retired, in a great measure, from public observation, and, with the exception of acting as an occasional deputation from the London Missionary Society, his labours were confined to his own people. Mr. Philip has, we think, very judiciously, placed his old friend in precisely that point of view in which he is most

likely to attract and interest; he has adjusted the picture so that the light falls upon that portion of it, which will best develop to the beholder, the peculiarities, mental and moral, of the subjects before him.

There was one feature in the character of Mr. Campbell's piety, which often struck us during our intercourse with him, and which remained to the last-the utter absence of anxiety about his personal interest in Christ. His faith appeared the most simple and relying of any with whom we ever conversed. We were not, therefore, unprepared to find, that he had, in his earlier years, passed through a severe conflict of feeling. He did, and it was terrible, torturing. He was alternately elated and depressed-now rejoicing in hope, and now writing the most bitter things against himself, and writhing in despair. The whole account from pp. 103 to 112 is deeply interesting, but we cannot do more than refer our readers to the memoir itself. That portion of it will not fail to affect and profit.

To select from a work which has, in almost every page, something anecdotical and illustrative of character, is not very easy. Perhaps the following extract from a letter, addressed by Mr. Campbell to Sir Walter Scott, who was his school-fellow at Edinburgh, may present a fair specimen of the writer's powers and peculiarities. Very opposite were the pursuits of the two men, and as opposite will be the estimate of posterity concerning them. Mr. C. always admired the "prodigious talents" of his countryman, but he sincerely lamented their frequent prostitution. He thus writes

"I think it will be natural for you to ask, in reading some of the many letters that must be written to you, What right has this man to address a letter to me? To make the way clear for admission to mine, I shall state circumstances which have encouraged me to expect a hearing.

"1. I am an old schoolfellow of yours. I was in Nicoll's class at the same time that you were, at the High School. Though I have never seen you or your brother, since leaving that initiatory seminary, yet, were I painter of portraits, I am confident I could draw a correct likeness of you both.

"2. I sat under the invaluable ministry of Dr. Erskine, in the pew of George Grindlay, leather merchant, West Bow, which was only a few seats from your father's pew, and saw you regularly attending there; and I can trace the effects of it in various of your publications, from the patness with which you quote many Scripture phrases. When I meet with them, I say, 'There is the fruit of Dr. Erskine's labours !'

"3. I was intimate with relations of yours-the Miss Scotts, at one time resident at Laswade, who used to lodge at our house, back of the meadows, when they came to visit your father.

"4. I have had the pleasure of frequently conversing with your father, especially about the time that Tom Paine was poisoning the minds of our countrymen, in convincing them that they were miserable; a thing of which they were ignorant till he made the discovery to them. Hundreds of publications did your father purchase, and send to different parts of the country, to convince the people that Tom Paine was in the wrong.

"But you ask, Pray who are you? I am John Campbell, of whom I dare say yon have never heard. I have gone twice out to Southern Africa for a society here. The first time ascended up 1000 miles from the Cape of Good Hope; the second time I went 1300; and have been twenty-four years minister of Kingsland chapel, near London.

"I do not say, Forgive me for the length of the introduction; for it has surely taken me more trouble to write than you to read. Now, my dear Sir, the object that I have in view in addressing you, is your own and the public benefit. You have got prodigious talents, and also the ear of the public to an extent few have ever had. These talents, of course, you have from the God of heaven; and must know it, from the advantages you had in your youthful days. I think you might use them to better purposes than I have observed you to do. You might interweave with your publications more of the important truths of the Gospel, of which you are not ignorant, and in a way likely to be useful. I suppose you will say, That will blast my publications among the higher circles. You are, I think, mistaken if you think so. There are more serious thoughts about eternity among many of the great now, than perhaps even Sir Walter Scott is aware of; and more of wholesome Bible-truth is current among the higher circles in the present day, than many are aware. I know from indubitable information, that most serious inquiries are made regarding these infinitely important concerns, among very prominent characters in the political circles. Men of eminence are not so brutish as they used to be, to put off thoughts of an unending state till they get into it; which you will allow must be the perfection of ignorance and folly. I trust that in the retirement and stillness of Abbotsford you think more seriously, my dear Sir, than you make known to all the world. Your constant allusion to, or making use of Scripture terms, has led me to hope so. You have got, Sir, to the pinnacle of fame in this passing world; which I dare say you feel to be a poor thing, unable to cure either a head or a heart-ache. I think, could you turn fine talents more to the honour of God, and the immortal interests of mankind, you would not only amuse but benefit the world.

"If my hints are considered intrusions, I hope you will forgive me on the score of good intentions. They cannot do you any harm. I stand up for you as a quondam schoolfellow. Though I have been long from Auld Reekie, with all her faults, I love no place in the world with the same kind of affection. To come in sight of Arthur's Seat would make me leap a yard high at any time. I cannot tell you the reverence with which I looked to Blackford Hill, when last in Edinburgh, where I used when a boy on Saturday afternoons to seek for birds' nests. Sir, you know well that you look to no no spot in the world, with the same eyes,' as we say in the North, as where you spent your boyhood."--pp. 10-12.

Mr. Campbell's correspondence with the Countess of Leven, is very interesting, and reveals the influence which he possessed with persons high in station, and eminent for piety, and to an extent but little imagined by his southern friends. Mr. C. was not the man to talk about it.

His last days were spent in the bosom of his people, with whom he had been connected thirty-seven years, and by whom he was held in the most affectionate esteem and veneration. His labours towards the close, were shared by a co-pastor, an arrangement of no small importance, especially to the junior minister. We are glad that this subject is engaging the attention of our brethren in the ministry, at the present