pendious narrative of them with cordial sympathy. We do not know where the serious portion of society will find a volume so full of instruction, relative not only to the sacred object of the enterprising missionaries, but to the manners of the remote people, and the geographical and natural history of the regions in which they are bearing their hallowed errand. 22. Todd's Lectures to Children, familiarly illustrating Important Truth. Revised. London: Religious Tract Society. -A very pleasing and pious work, which ought to be a regular class-book in all schools, where a deep sense of the Creator is sought to be impressed upon the mind along with a general knowledge of his creatures. 23. The Young Minister's Companion; or Outlines of Eighty-five Original Discourses on the most Interesting and Important Subjects: to which are prefixed Rules for the Composition of a Sermon, &c. &c. By the Author of "Outlines of Fifty Sermons." London. Simpkin and Marshall. Such works may undoubtedly have their occasional value, but they are very apt to injure that habit of original thinking which no class of men ought to encourage and cultivate more than the preachers of the Divine word. 24. Map of Jerusalem, with its Envi. rons. Sunday School Union, 5, Paternoster Row. A beautifully executed map of Jerusalem and its neighbourhood. An invaluable acquisition to the biblical student; and, as a means of instruction for the rising generation, certainly unequalled. The principle on which the map is constructed, the distinctness and accuracy of its features, and, to say the least, the neatness of its execution, merit unqualified approval. 25. Redemption, or the New Song in Heaven. By Robert Philip. London. Forbes and Jackson. 1834.- Mr. Philip does not come before the religious public for the first time, in the little book before us, and his former productions constitute a very favourable introduction. This, like those which he has before presented to the world, is distinguished by deep piety and those other ingredients which are adapted to produce a sympathetic feeling in the minds of others. 26. Missionary Researches in Armenia: including a Journey through Asia Minor, and into Georgia and Persia, with a visit to the Nestorian and Chaldean Christians of Oormiah and Salmes, by Eli Smith and H. G. O. Dwight, missionaries from the American Board of Missions. To which is prefixed, a Memoir on the Geography and ancient History of Armenia, by the author of "The Modern Traveller." London, G. Wightman. 1834.-We rejoice to see a reprint in England of this American work, which is justly considered so highly creditable to the talents, learning, and enterprise of the American missionaries, who, in this journey, have added so much to our knowledge of an almost forgotten, but interesting, portion of the globe. It is impossible for us, in the space to which we are confined, to say any more than that we know of no work that has so completely fulfilled the expectation which it held out, or that merits a more attentive perusal by men of research, who wish to trace the condition of a country formerly so distinguished, both in general history and in the early annals of Christianity. 27. An Explanation of the principal Parables of the New Testament, intended for the Young. London, Religious Tract Society.-To the young, and probably to a very large portion of those who do not think very strongly upon scripture truths in the abstract, the parables of the gospel are the most interesting parts of scripture. In the publication before us, this bias of the human mind is made subservient to the introduction of such explanations as may gradually lead to a more severe course of thought, and to the fulfilment, in this way, of the principal object for which the parables were spoken by their divine author. 28. Anecdotes, Christian Missions. London, Religious Tract Society.-This is one of those publications that serve to prove that no one in search of amusement, need to quit the path of piety. 29. Tales of a Physician, by W. H. Harrison. London, Washbourne, 1834.The elegant style in which these short narratives are written, the intense sensibility which pervades them, and the blended tone of humanity and piety which appeals to the heart of the reader in almost every page, prove them to be the composition of a physician of the soul, well studied in every disorder by which it may be affected. We strongly recommend them to the perusal of those who know that "in the breast are pangs which drugs cannot allay.” 30. Life of the Rev. David Brainerd, Missionary to the North American Indians, compiled from _the_Memoir_published by Mrs. Edwards, by the Rev. Josiah Pratt, B.D. and now republished by his permission. London, Seeley and Sons, 1834. The melancholy enthusiasm which characterised the short but devout life of one, who may be classed among the earliest apostles to the rude aborigines of America, will always be perused with a degree of awful respect by those who are friendly to the great missionary cause. It is calculated to excite overpowering thoughts, and to force upon the mind suggestions that can only be met by submission to faith of the most absorbing nature. In fact, the mind capable of sympathizing with its contents, is necessarily subjected to a trial in which consolation can be only obtained by the sincerity of belief, through the aid of the spirit. 31. The Management of Bees, with a description of the "Ladies' Safety Hive," by Samuel Bagster, jun., with forty illustrative wood engravings. London, Bagster, 1834. This is one of the most interesting works upon the subject of bees that ever came under our notice, and will undoubtedly excite attention to a branch of natural history which involves some of the most curious facts in that variety of physical economy ordained by the great Creator. 32. Spiritual Honey from the Nutural Hives; or Meditations and Observations on the Natural History and Habits of Bees. First introduced to public notice in 1657, by Samuel Purchas, A. M. London, Bagster, 1834.-This is a pious companion to the preceding publication; and as a reprint of the instructive and devotional manuals of old Purchas, will be welcomed by the religious reader with sincere delight. 33. Japheth: Contemplations, and other pieces, by Alfred Beesley. London: Longman and Co., 1834.-There is much good intention and some good sense in these pieces, but there is little of that poetic spirit which in these days awakes the attention of the general reader. 34. Warleigh, or the Fatal Oak, a legend of Devon, by Mrs. Bray, author of "Fitz of Fitz Ford," "The Talba," "The White Hords," "De Froix," &c.&c. In three Vols. London: Longman and Co. 1834.-Mrs. Bray writes with much elegance, and her delineations of character are not inferior to those of the best writers of the present day. Her fault is that which belongs chiefly to authors of descriptive, but less dramatic, powers than her own: her page exhibits occasionally a superabundance of scenery, and her story stands still while the rocks, and groves, and sea-shores wait too long for the animation of her interesting and impassioned agents. 35. Lectures on the Atheistic Controversy, delivered in the months of February and March, 1834, at Sion Chapel, Brudford, Yorkshire, forming the first part of a course of Lectures on Infidelity. By the Rev. B. Godwin, Author of "Lectures on British Colonial Slavery," &c. London: Jackson and Walford. These admirable lectures originated in a prevalence of unbelief in the manufacturing districts, particularly at Bradford, in Yorkshire. They are written in forcible, yet moderate and conciliatory language, and will undoubtedly be more effective than those writings which too frequently display more indignation than argument in their contest with scepticism. 36. The Poetical Souvenir, a Selection of Moral and Religious Poetry. London. Relfe and Fletcher.-This is a very rich selection of the most perfect gems of modern poetry, and is presented to the public without the embellishments of the graver, justly trusting to the beauties of thought and the brilliances of genius for its powers of attraction. 37. Holy Excitements. By William Mason, Author of "Believer's Pocket, Companion," &c. &c. London: Davies and Porter. 1834.-The intention of this little work is good, but the style and manner are not in very good taste. 38. Clematis Cottage; being a Domestic Narrative of the Afflictions of Mrs. Wcaused by the Profligate Life of her Son, with an Account of his After-conversion. London: Paul. 1835.-A story founded on incidents which are but too common, and told in an easy style. 39. The Nursery Offering, or Children's Gift for 1835. Edinburgh: Waugh and Innes. 1835.-A very pleasing and instructive Christmas present, which will encourage and delight the young student. 40. The Excitement, or a Book to induce Young People to read. For 1835. Containing Remarkable Appearances in Nature, Signal Preservations, and such Incidents as are particularly fitted to arrest the Youthful Mind. Edinburgh. Waugh and Innes. 1835.-This is a volume of very captivating contents, abounding in those real events which excite astonishment or awaken sensibility in the youthful reader. Its embellishments are few, and those are very indifferently executed, but the boy of intelligent and eager mind will be too much fascinated by its literary contents to look for pictures. 41. The Church, the Dissenters, and the Wesleyans; or the Interests of True Religion endangered by its professed Friends. Salisbury: Brodie &Co. 1834. This is a covert defence of the Church establishment; and, under the name of peace, aims at the preservation of evils which are manifestly contradictory to the spirit, and injurious to the influence, of genuine Christianity. METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL at WALSALL, from Oct. 23, to Nov. 22, 1834, inclusive. The situation of Walsall is so near the Centre of England, that its Temperature may be taken as th Average of the whole Kingdom.--Latitude 52°, 34', 30" N ; Longitude 1o, 57, 0" W-Thermometer in the shade NW aspect. *Nov. 3d, (Monday) a little before 8 P. M. a luminous arch was seen, in appearance much like the Milky-Way, but considerably more brilliant; commencing between Jupiter and the Pleiades in the east, and ending near Altair a Aquila in the west; its greatest height being about 65 to 70 degree; it had a nebulous appearance, and the stars were distinctly seen through it; after a short time it separated rather rapidly, in masses-and in about twenty minutes it wholly disappeared. If it were not an electrical phenomenon it might, probably have been occasioned by an extraordinary refraction of the sun's ray, THE PROPOSED CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS' MUTUAL ASSURANCE SOCIETY." It is universally acknowledged, that professional men, of every class, in this country, are generally so circumstanced as to forbid the accumulation of property equal to the support of themselves or their families in the event of premature decay or early death. This is especially true of Dissenting Ministers, whose limited incomes rarely permit them to provide for the contingencies of human affairs, whilst the duties of their office often expose them to disorders which suddenly paralyze their energies, or extinguish life. Depression must, therefore, be frequently felt by the laborious Pastor, when he realizes the casualties of existence, and remembers that he is unable to provide for his own comfort, or that of his family, should Divine Providence disable him from the discharge of his official duties, or suddenly remove him to heaven. A Church and Congregation, too, that are affectionately attached to their Pastor, must also anticipate with gloomy apprehensions the possible failure of his physical or intellectual energies, conscious, as a poor people must be, that they should not be able, at the same time, to provide for his own comfortable support under the pressure of such a calamity, and also secure to his successor a respectable maintenance. a It is unquestionably the duty, therefore, of persons, so circumstanced, to avail themselves of that system of Mutual Assurance which philosophical observance of the usual order of nature and the common laws of mortality has suggested. Such a system, based as it now is on nice and accurate calculations of risk and adventure, confers on all the parties who engage in it, pecuniary security against the sad vicissitudes of life. To bring this method of providing for the uncertain future before their brethren, the Committee of the CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES have, under the sanction of the two last annual Assemblies of that body, already published a plan of the Congregational Ministers' Mutual Assurance Society, which has been extensively circulated. They now present to their brethren and the churches the following Tables, which have been calculated by an eminent Actuary, and will explain the various methods by which the advantages of the proposed Institution may be secured. The Rev. James Bennett, D.D. Thos. Wilson, Esq. Wm. Hunter, Esq. and The Rev. George Clayton, The Rev. Thos. James, have consented to act as Trustees, and it only remains, therefore, for the Committee to ascertain to what extent it is probable the projected Institution will be patronized. As they are only authorized to carry it into execution, when they shall ascertain that three hundred policies will be effected, they earnestly invite the immediate attention of the Congregational Ministers and Churches to the following Tables, and the explanatory examples at the foot of each, as they feel persuaded that they will awaken, in many minds, a solicitude to participate in the advantages of such a system of Mutual Assurance. TADLE 1. Showing the Single and Annual Premiums for insuring £100 on a single life. Showing the Single and Annual Premiums for insuring £100, to be paid on the demise of either of two assigned lives, A, and B. Annual £ s. d. 3 10 10 49 50 52 54 56 59 62 0 10 65 29228208 5 3 14 3 7 52 1 10 4 5 35 54 0 11 4.10 40 55 16 2 57 17 C7602 4 17 2 11 7 10 4 652700+ EXAMPLE I. A person, whose age, next birth-day, will be 30 years, EXAMPLE II. A minister may assure £500, to be paid at the death of EXAMPLE III. The Rev. John Brown, who is in the 45th year of his ཅི; 7 3 4 EXAMPLE I. What must be paid annually to assure £100, to be paid at the death of whichever may die first of two persons, whose ages are 30 and 35 years respectively, the Dayment of premiums to cease at the first death?--Ans. £4. 108, 5d. EXAMPLE II. The single payment requisite to assure £200 at the death of either of two persons, whose ages are 20 and 30, is £100. 19s. 2d. In using this Table, look for the corresponding ages of the parties to be assured in the columns A and B, and in the same line will be found the single and annual premiums, which must be multiplied or divided for greater or less sums than £100. When the ages are not found in the Table, application must be made to the Secretary for the exact premiun. |