RELIGIOUS.

Interesting sentiments uttered by the late Lord Edward O'Brien, Captain of the Royal Navy, on the near approach of death. Also a letter to an only brother, written in the prospect of dissolution. 18mo. price 6d.

Conversations on the Shorter Catechism, with the Scripture Proofs, for the use of Children. By a Lady, author of the Child's Manual and Scripture Lectures for Children. 18mo. price 1s. 6d.

A New Church of England Psalm Book" has recently appeared, from the pen of the Rev. Raun Kennedy, A.M. of St. John's College, Cambridge, and Minister of St. Paul's Chapel, Birmingham; the author of a work entitled "Thoughts on the Music and Words of Psalmody as at present in use among Members of the Established Church of England." The object of the editor in this Selection has been to embody the principles laid down in that work. In order to adapt it to the requirements of various classes of purchasers, it has been prepared in four distinct forms, the cheapest of which is for the use of Sunday Schools, and for gratuitous distribution among the poor.

Mr. Greatorex, the conductor of his Majesty's Concert of Ancient Music, has composed a Collection of 'salm Tunes, purposely for Mr. Kennedy's Book of Psalms.

No. IX. of the Edinburgh Sacred Harmony, price to Subscribers 3s. 6d. and to Non-Subscribers 4s. and containing Music by Sebastian Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Rev. C. J. Latrobe, (Original) Mozart, R. A. Smith (Original) Spatzier, J. Thomson, (Original) Wyvill, and Rev. Dr. Young, (Original): The words by Cooper, Mrs. Steele, Montgomery, Newton, Turner, Kelly, Moore, Cuningham,

&c.

Five Sermons on the errors of the Roman Catholic Church, preached in St. Peter's Church, Dublin; by the Rev. Robert Maturin. Svo. 5s.

Early Piety exemplified in a brief Memoir of Miss Mary-Ann Mabbs, of Mountnessing, near Billericay, Essex, with Extracts from her Devotional Papers; by the Rev. J. Thornton. 18mo. 1s.

Massillon's Thoughts on different Moral and Religious Subjects; extracted from his works, and arranged under distinct heads; translated from the French, by Rutton Morris, English minister at St. Pierre and Calais. 12mo. 5s. boards.

The Holy Life of Mrs. Elizabeth Wal

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Self-Justified Sinner; written by Himself, and found in his Grave 112 Years after his Death. With a short detail of Historical Facts, by the Editor. 12mo. 10s. 6d. boards.

The Christian armed against Infidelity, for the Defence of all Denominations of Believers. 12mo. 5s. boards.

Ingenuous Scruples, chiefly relating to the Observance of the Sabbath, answered in Eight Letters, forming a supposed Series from a Father to his Daughter; by Alicia Catherine Mant. Post 8vo. 5s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Select Views in Greece, by H. W. Williams, Edinburgh. No. II. Imperial 8vo., 12s. Proofs, royal 4to. L. 1, is. Proofs, imperial 4to. L. 1, 11s. 6d.

Remarks on the intended restoration of the Parthenon of Athens as the National Monument of Scotland. 8vo. 5s. boards.

The Buccaneer, and other Poems. By John Malcolm, late of the 42d Regiment. Foolscap 8vo. 6s. boards.

System of Anatomical Plates, with descriptive letter-press. By John Lizars, F. R.S.E. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Lecturer on Anatomy and Physiology, Edinburgh. Part V. (Muscles and Joints of the Upper and Lower Extremities.) Plain, 10s. 6d. Coloured after nature, L. 1, 1s.

This part is accompanied with two Supplemental Plates to Part IV. illustrative of Hernia, from Dissections by the hand of Sir Astley Cooper, Bart. Surgeon to the King, kindly presented to the Author. and preserved in his Museum at Edinburgh.

Tranquillity: a Poem. To which are added, other Original Poems and Translations from the Italian and Spanish. Second edition. By Miss Edgar. 8vo.

A Practical Guide to the Composition and Application of the English Language. By Peter Smith, A.M. Teacher of English Composition, &c. Edinburgh. Post 8vo. 10s. 6d. boards.

Hints respecting the Improvement of the Literary and Scientific Education of Candidates for the Degree of Doctor of

Medicine in the University of Edinburgh, humbly submitted to the consideration of the Patrons and Professors of that Institution. By a Graduate of King's College, Aberdeen, 1s.

An account of the Bell Rock LightHouse; with a circumstantial detail of the operations carried on during the progress of its erection, &c. ; by Robert Stevenson, F. R. S. E. Civil Engineer. Royal 4to.. with frontispiece by J. M. Turner, 51. 5s.

Some account of the life of Richard Wilson, Esq. R. A. with testimonies to his genius and memory, and remarks on his landscapes. Collected and arranged by J. Wright, Esq. 4to. 11. 7s. boards.

The Odes of Anacreon of Teos; translated into English verse, by W. Richardson, Esq. with notes. 8vo. 6s. 6d. boards.

Smith's Translation of the Anabasis of Xenophon, accompanied with copious Critical and Historical Illustrations; and, in a neatly printed column in juxta-position, Hutchinson's Greek Text, with Zeune's Criticisms. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 1s.

The Paidophilean System of Education applied to the French language; by J. Black. 2 vols. 12mo. 6s. 6d. boards.

Advice to young Mothers on the Physical Education of Children; by a Grandmother. 12mo. 7s. 6d. boards.

On June 9, the Rev. Robert Yule, one of the ministers of Kirkwall and St. Olay, presbytery of Kirkwall.

On June 11, the Rev. Archibald Bruce, one of the ministers of Stirling, Presbytery of Stirling.

On June 29, the Rev. Lewis Gordon, D.D. one of the ministers of Elgin, in the 76th year of his age, and the 55th of his ministry.

On July 5, the Rev. David Johnston, D.D. minister of North Leith, in the 90th year of his age, and 66th of his ministry. He is succeeded, of course, by the Rev. Dr. Ireland.

On July 9, the Rev. James Jeffrey, minister of Balfron, presbytery of Dumbarton, in the 75th year of his age, and 37th of his ministry.

July 19, the Rev. Thomas Fleming, D.D. minister of Lady Yester's, Edinburgh, in the 70th year of his age, and 45th of his ministry.

July 31, the Rev. Alex. Irvine, D.D. minister of Little Dunkeld, presbytery of Dunkeld.

Ordination. On 22d July, Mr. John Henderson was ordained minister of Carmunnock, Presbytery of Glasgow, vacant by the removal of the Rev. P. Clason to St. Cuthbert's Chapel of Ease.

Presentation.-The Crown has presented Mr. John Kerr, preacher of the Gospel, to the church and parish of Polmont, Pres.

lation of the Rev. Mr. M'Farlane to Glas

gow.

The Earl of Rothes has presented Mr. James Nicol to the church and parish of Leslie, presbytery of Kirkcaldy, vacant by the translation of the Rev. C. Greig to St. Ninians.

The King has presented the Rev. Alex. Stewart to the church and parish of Cromarty, presbytery of Chanonry, vacant by the death of the Rev. Robert Smith.

The Earl of Kinnoull has presented Mr. Alex. Niven to the church and parish of Balfron, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Jeffrey.

Mr. Erskine of Balhall has presented Mr. Wm. Cron to the church and parish of Menmuir, presbytery of Brechin.

The King has presented the Rev. Wm. Logie to the church of Kikwall and St. Olay, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Yule.

July 15, Mr. Robert Allan was ordained assistant and successor to the Rev. Andrew Gibson, minister of Muckhart, presbytery of Auchterarder.

Admissions.-On 29th July, the Rev. Principal M⚫Farlane was admitted minister of St. Mungo, Glasgow, vacant by the death of the Rev. Principal Taylor.

On the 29th July, the Rev. P. McFarlane was admitted minister of St. John's, Glasgow, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Chalmers.

THE REV. MH. JAMES HOG,

CARNOCK.

THIS learned, evangelical, and emi nently holy minister wrote an account of his own experience; from this we extract the following hints. "The Lord began his saving work on my soul, with a deep conviction of my singular and unparalleled sinfulness and guilt. Apprehensions of my being chargeable with the guilt of Adam's first sin, and of the corruption of my nature, so impressed my mind with a sense of my loathsomeness and danger, as filled me with strong fears lest the Lord should make me, even in time, a terror to myself and all around a monument of his dreadful indignation, and an awful warning to future generations against their abus ing such advantages, and other valuable mercies as I had enjoyed. These advantages preserved me, even when very young, from the common irregularities of children,

VOL. XXIII. NO. IX.

me;

and made me diligent in using the Lord's instituted means of grace, public, private, and secret. Amid these sad confusions, which proved of long continuance, I had many pleasant intervals, in which I was encouraged to expect that the Lord would in due time deliver my soul from death, and put an end to my dreadful vexations. Sometimes transient views of the glory and beauty of the Lord's dispensations towards me humbled my spirit; and these Scriptures, 1 Sam. iii. 18, It is the Lord; let him do with me what seemeth good;' Psal. iii. 3, His work is honourable and glorious;' Psal. cix. 9, I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it; these Scriptures refreshed my heart.

that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,' encouraged me much. I was persuaded that it belonged to me more than to any other on the face of the earth, as I found myself only and altogether ungodly in the highest degree; utterly destitute of, and absolutely incapable to attain, righteousness. I also saw that the Lord will not break the bruised reedwill not destroy a poor sinner, to whom he hath given an humbling and heart-breaking discovery of his sinfulness and wretchedness; nor quench the smoking flax, which giveth no light, but a noisome smell, Isa. xlii. 3. I saw myself to be such, and wondered how the earth could bear me. I thought my loathsomeness was perceivable to all around, especially to such as had any fear of God, and so was ashamed to set up my face among them. These texts, Isa. xii. 13, 'Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted and far from righteousness; behold I bring near my righteousness, and my salvation shall not tarry;' Luke xix. 10, The Son of man is come to seek and save that which is lost; Matt. xi. 28, Come unto me, ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,' were strengthening to me. I saw that I was called, and that it would be reasonable for God to save such a poor self-condemned wretch; and I found some powerful and comfortable influences drawing and causing me to come willingly, as one who had heard and learned of the Father; and in so doing found rest to my soul. I had read nothing on conversion, and had little inclination to converse with any about my case; such as did converse with me, also, either took my case to be no more than a natural melancholy, or thought too favour ably of me. None except Mr. Thomas Hog, minister of Kiltearn,

Ross-shire, whom I met with in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, among others persecuted for righteousness sake, searched me in answerable. ness to my real condition. I afterwards, when in great distress of mind, endeavoured to have access to him when he was prisoner in the Bass, but was refused; nevertheless, I got a letter conveyed to him, to which he returned a most clear and comfortable answer. When matters had thus continued long with me, sometimes a little enlightened, and then overclouded with darkness, melancholy, and temptation working on my humour and inward lust, I was sent to Holland to prosecute the study of divinity at one of their universities, as, on account of the persecution, I had no access in Scotland. I reckon not myself among the exiles, though a sharer of that persecution of which my parents, and, by consequence, the family, had their deep share. After I had lived here for a considerable time, when I was not so much as thinking on my case, light suddenly broke into my heart. O how sweet the light was to me, who had long been shut up in a dark dungeon! For sometimes I could do nothing but cry, "Send out thy light and truth;" and, after I had thus cried, not without some experience of a gracious answer, and expectation of more, I quickly found my soul brought out of prison, and breathing in a free and heavenly air; altogether astonished at the amazing mercy and grace of God.

"All probable appearance of our future external support being gone, through the persecution of our friends in Scotland, the Lord stirred up the Dutch to show us kindness, and what was especially comfortable to us, gave me and my brother an opportunity of earning our bread by our own labour, in teaching the younger students; and,

contrary to my fears, I found myself much profited in my studies, by labouring to instruct others.

"I had no small struggling of mind concerning that eternal life, and immortality brought to light by the gospel; and whatever assurance I had of a future eternal state, I never obtained any victory over the temptation but by believing the plain testimony of God in his word. "In preaching the Scriptures, I have found the following rules very useful to my soul. 1. No part of Scripture appears mean if it be rightly understood, 2. Though there be a most lively and alluring simplicity in the true explication of Scripture, yet nothing but spiritual experience can make that evidence rightly understood. 3. As a passage of Scripture truly understood, under the illuminating influence of the Holy Spirit, doth, by its own light and power, manifest itself to be the true mind of God, it is not safe to deal too much in criticisms, as they are apt to lead men into uncertain speculations. 4. If a truth be manifested to our conscience as clearly taught or enforced in many places of Scripture, we ought to hold it fast, notwithstanding many apparent difficulties, still waiting on the Lord till he solve them in his own time and way. Prov. xi. 1-7. 5. Though every adult child of God be in his own measure enlightened in the knowledge of the Scriptures by the Holy Ghost, all of them ought earnestly to seek for more and more of his illuminations. 6. As we must carefully beware of imposing a meaning of our own upon any text of Scripture, so we ought to beware of confusing its sense, and so neglecting to dig further into its meaning. In many cases a proper association of parallel texts will be found of great use in explaining the Lord's word, which is exceeding broad.

"By a searching discourse of Mr. Thomas Hog, I plainly perceived that mine eyes had seen the Lord Jesus Christ, and that I had no reason to raze foundations, though I had much reason to mourn before the Lord, that I had built so much hay and stubble on the foundation. I secretly and improperly looked on myself as having a stock in hand, and thus fell into a legal way of acting from and for self, with little believing dependence on Christ the fountain of life. I was now enabled more clearly to discern a legal spirit, doctrine, or book; and I earnestly beseech my friends to avoid to the uttermost whatever is of a legal strain. Such doctrines are not the channel of kindly convictions or sanctifying comforts. My soul being more revived, began to learn a more excellent way. Some time after this, the Lord provided for me at the Hague the charge of instructing two most agreeable young noblemen. Here I lived in an agreeable family, and had access to converse with persons of quality and others who were travelling heavenward. Many of these met in religious societies for spiritual conference and prayer, in which I enjoyed no small pleasure. Some time after I went to Rotterdam to converse with Mr. Thomas Hog. Notwithstanding his confinement to his bed by sickness, he tenderly communed with me, and gave me many useful directions and cautions. The hot persecution in my native country having forced many faithful ministers from their public work, I was advised and entreated to think ofexercising my ministry in Holland, or to a Dutch congregation in England, but my conscience did not permit me to comply with some things required of entrants to Dutch congregations.

There being so little prospect of