Price 9s. Holdsworth. The Antidote; or Memoirs of a Modern | part, we would earnestly recommend, Freethinker, including Letters and Con- that no obtrusive inquiry should be inversations on Scepticism and the Evi- stituted, not only because that after the dences of Christianity. 2 vols. pp. 526. foregoing intimation, it would scarcely be consistent with the acknowledged rules of good behaviour, but because it is more than possible that any farther denouement might injure the interest and usefulness of the performance. The principal character in the work in question is Howard Glenville; who is stated to have descended from pious and respectable ancestors. He was carefully educated, and his mind being directed to the Christian ministry, he left home at the usual time, to obtain the advantage of a university preparation. While thus prosecuting WORKS of this description are sure to obtain readers, and therefore, we sincerely wish they always combined as much solid instruction with affecting and interesting narrative as we find in these volumes. It is not against the occasional perusal of such works that there appears to us to lie any objection, but only when, by their inordinate use the tone of the mind becomes so relaxed, that more severe and serious studies are reluctantly pursued. "He that winneth souls is wise." Every endeavour, therefore, to secure so important an object, which is not at variance with the principles and the spirit of revela- | themselves to his consideration, suffition, is wise also. his studies, difficulties connected with entering into the church, presented ciently formidable to divert his attenIt is, indeed, a lamentable fact, but tion from the pulpit to the bar. On one that we suppose none will venture leaving college to reside in the metroto deny, that there are persons who, polis, he soon became familiar with perthough they cannot be prevailed upon sons whose sentiments and pursuits to read a few pages of the best book in were in direct opposition to the prinall the world, would need no persuasion ciples and precepts of revelation. The to sit down and peruse the Antidote, influence of their society induced him, from its preface to its finis, without for a time, to disbelieve and reject the suffering their attention to be inter-volume of inspiration. This alarming rupted. And if, after this, in any in-change in his principles and character stance the Bible should be consulted, greatly distressed his parents, and inas it had never previously been, which terrupted a correspondence with Lawe think far from improbable, such an vinia Randolph, a pious and amiable occurrence would prove a most ample female, with whom he had anticipated apology, were one required, for em- forining the connubial alliance. Out ploying a method to reach the con- of this state of things arise letters, conscience which, without any compromise versations, journies and incidents, which of truth, possesses at least, the advan- by divine power and goodness, are overtage of bringing the mind fairly into ruled and made effective to restore the contact with subjects infinitely moment-wanderer to an acknowledgment of the ous to its own welfare, when other truth; his union with Lavinia is happily means had been resorted to apparently accomplished, and in the conclusion without success. of the work, it is intimated that he sometimes thought of resuming the profession he had formerly chosen, and, like the apostle, he became desirous of preaching the faith he had once laboured to destroy. The respectable compiler of these Memoirs, who, on this occasion prefers retirement to publicity, in a short well written preface assures his readers that the superstructure he has reared is based upon facts; but, at the same This outline the author has filled up time, forbids any nearer approach to in a manner no less creditable to the minute discovery, which curiosity might powers of his mind, than to the devout prompt, than the history now submitted feelings of his heart, and has produced to the public may afford. For our own a book which, in our opinion, justly en titles him to the thanks of the religious betrayed me into mischief. Passionate and public, especially its younger branches; among whom particularly, we sincerely hope, it will obtain an extensive circulation and an attentive perusal, and for whose instruction we supply the following lengthened extract. "Our Sundays in particular were religiously employed. We attended divine service both parts of the day, and were afterwards required to give an account of what we had heard. The intervals were likewise occupied in an easy course of catechetical instruction, designed to store the mind with Scripture knowledge, and give us a general view of its evidences and doctrines. But there was nothing burdensome or gloomy in these engagements. It was my father's wish that religion should always be exbibited in a cheerful aspect, so as to make her most solemn duties pleasing. In short, whether he directed our attention to learning or religion, he was anxious that we should act well of our own accord, and not from the mere influence of authority or fear. We had no cause to find fault with his orders, though the levity and waywardness of childhood too often indisposed us to make a right use of them. self-willed, I frequently transgressed what "In these efforts of parental wisdom and affection, my beloved mother, now receiving her reward in glory, very largely shared. She not only approved and seconded my father's plans, but employed the tenderest Sometimes I felt the force of this sentiand most efficient means for our improvement, and a seasonable admonition made its ment. I now love to remember the wis- way to the heart. My conscience sharply dom and gentleness with which she instruct-reproved me, and I became unhappy. For ed us on a Sabbath evening, reproved us a few weeks together, at different intervals, for our faults, urged us to remember our I felt the force of religious impressions, and father's excellent advice, and offered many fervent prayers for our welfare. It was impossible to help loving her, though alas! we were so inconstant in showing it. I distinctly recollect the deep impressions her kind expostulations made upon me, and the resolutions I formed in consequence, to 'honour and obey my parents in all things in the Lord.' If then, the ties of nature entitled them to gratitude and love, how un-irreparable loss of so kind a mother, yet speakably were those claims heightened by the excellence of their character, and their unwearied exertions for our good! But notwithstanding these early advantages and resolves, I must confess that my behaviour, even in childhood, was sometimes very undutiful. My propensities soon became headstrong, and impetuous, and often promised to amend my conduct, and govern my passions. This was the case when sickness and death happened in the family, or among the young people of our acquaintance, which my father carefully improved. My mother's illness and decease, especially enforced these sentiments, and led me to form many pious resolves. For though I was scarcely old enough to appreciate the my grief on her account was sincere and ardent. Her conversation towards the close, and the affecting manner in which she embraced and admonished us for the last time, in the view of death, made a deep impression on the whole family, and for a while, checked the levity and perverseness of my disposition." pp. 75-77. LITERARY RECORD. New Publications. 1. The Existence, Nature, and Ministry of the Holy Angels, briefly considered as an important Branch of the Christian Religion, &c. Richard Baynes. 2s. 6d. Without pledging ourselves to every sentiment contained in this little work, we hope it will do much good. A larger work is still a desideratum, and it might well employ the pen of the ablest theologian of this or any other country. 2. The Bible Story Book. Second Series. By the Rev. B. H. Draper, of Southampton. Westley and Davis. 1s. 6d. We cannot too warmly recommend this little book, which is made intelligible and engaging to a child, by the happy talent which Mr. Draper has often successfully exerted for the benefit of the rising generation. 3. Elements of Arithmetic for Children, on an entire new plan. By Ingram Cobbin, A.M. Second edition. Half-bound. 6d. 4. Elements of Grammar for Children. By Ingram Cobbin, A.M. Seventh edition. 1s. 5. First Lessons in Geography, for the use of the Nursery and the junior Classes in Schools. By M. A. Allison. Id. 6. Part II, of Christ's Prophecies on his own Second Coming in the three Gospels, and the Times of the Gentiles, explained, from A. D. 33, to 1826 and 1831. 1s. 6d. 7. The Apostolic Sense of Christ's Prophecies, and Prophetic History of the present year 1828, and Future Age, from a Comparison of Daniel's Prophecy with History. 3s. 8. Cautionary Observations against the Unscriptural and Pernicious Doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration; occasioned by a Paper on that Subject recently published and circulated in the City of Lincoln: respectfully submitted to the Members of the Church of England. By John Craps. 12mo. 1s. 9. Vol. I. of the Works of the English and Scottish Reformers, edited by the Rev. Thomas Russell, A.M. 10s. 6d. 10. Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Character, Literary, Professional, and Religious, of the late John Mason Good, M.D. F.R.S. &c. with numerous illustrative Selections from his unpublished Papers. By Olinthus Gregory, LL.D. &c. his Children; with some Remarks on the Subject of Baptism, as affecting the future Prospects of the Church. By a Lay Member of the Church of England. 8vo. 2s. 6d. 14. The Balance of Criminality; or, Mental Error compared with Immoral Conduct, addressed to young Doubters. By the Rev. Isaac Taylor, of Ongar. 12mo. 3s. 6d. boards. Sacred Scriptures; with Remarks on a Tract 15. Christian Baptism as delineated in the vindicating the Sprinkling of Infants, and representing that Ceremony as Christian Baptism. By J. G. Pike, Minister of the Baptist Church, Brook-street Meeting, Derby. 12mo. 6d. 16. Observations on the Cruelty of em ploying Climbing Boys in Sweeping Chimneys, and on the Practicability of effectually cleansing Flues by Mechanical Means. With Extracts from the Evidence before the House of Commons, &c. 6d. 17. Memorials of the late Rev. Alexander Hay, Minister of St. John's Chapel, Warrington. By J. K. Foster. 3s. bds. In the Press. The Second Part of the Rev. John Morison's Exposition of the Book of Psalms, will be published on the 1st of March. The second edition of Part I. is just published. Mr. W. Garthwaite, of Wattisfield, is publishing by subscription a volume of Sermons, price 7s. 6d.; intended to be read in villages or families. Subscribers' names received by B. J. Holdsworth, 18, St. Paul's Churchyard, London. The Author of the Evangelical Rambler is preparing a Series of Papers, to be entitled The Evangelical Spectator, which will appear periodically. A Fourth Edition, in 18mo. of the Rev. John Thornton's Fruits of the Spirit. Christian Experience, or a Guide to the Perplexed. By Robert Philip. A Third Edition of Christian Fellowship, or the Church Member's Guide. By the Rev. J. A. James. To be published on the 1st of April, in one volume 12mo. with plates and maps, Private Journal of a Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, and a Residence in the Sandwich Islands during the years 1822, 23, 24, and 1825. By C. S. Stewart, late American Missionary at the Sandwich Islands, with an introduction and occasional Notes, by the Rev. W. Ellis. Hints designed to promote a profitable attendance on au Evangelical Ministry. By William Davis. 122 OBITUARY. MR. FRANCIS POLGLASE. THE Divine Being, in training up his people for a high degree of spiritual excellency in this world, and for the bright reward of a glorious immortality in that which is to come, has not unfrequently employed the discipline of severe affliction, in connection with the institutions of his grace. Withdrawing them, for a while, from immediate contact with "the evils which are in the world"—abstracting their minds from the vanity of the creature, and fixing their devoutest thoughts and regards on the solemn realities of futurity; the tone of their piety has been elevated, their gust for spiritual things has been renewed, and their hearts have acquired a mellowed and heavenly temperament, which has prepared them for the highest attainments in the divine life. Hence, however appalling the aspect may be which distinguished his youth. At length, having formed an intimacy with a young man who was connected with the Sunday school at the Baptist meeting, he was induced to identify himself with the institution as a teacher. He thus became a regular attendant on the public ministry of the Baptists; and his mind was occasionally so far arrested by the voice of truth, as to be led to reflection on the supreme importance of his spiritual interests. Those impressions which ultimately induced a decided change in the current of his sentiments and feel ings, and terminated in the renovation of his mind, were received under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Daniel, whose temporary labours in this town were occasioned by the illness of the Rev. T. Griffin (now of Prescott-street), the then resident pastor. The scripture from which Mr. Daniel preached on the occasion, was Jer. viii. 20. appears, "The har which affliction wears, it often in its consequences, to enter into the vest is past, the summer is ended, and most beneficent arrangements of our we are not saved." But feeling much heavenly Father; whose grace will eiof the power of inbred corruption, and ther strengthen the soul to endure the fearing lest the seductive allurements utmost severity of trial, or attemper the of the world might draw him aside, he fierceness of the flame to its capability was deterred from making a public proof suffering; and whose design in all fession of his faith, by submitting to the he has announced to be, "Behold, I ordinance of Christian baptism, until will refine thee; I will make thee a the year 1814; when he was united to choice one in the furnace of affliction." the church by the Rev. R. Pryce. Isaiah xlviii. 10.* The individual, of whose more than common excellency and protracted sufferings this paper is designed as an affectionate memorial, entered on the brief sojourn of life January 20, 1792. Mr. Polglase's parents resided at Falmouth. Of his father, little is known by the writer. His mother was a pions woman, for many years prior to her death; and to her kind and serious instructions the son was probably much indebted for those moral excellencies * Vide Piscator, in loc. Not long subsequently to this period, a new nomination of deacons taking place, Mr. Polglase was elected for one: an event which the church never had occasion to regret, for from the gravity of his exterior deportment, the natural benevolence of his disposition, and the scriptural character of his sentiments, he "used his office well, and purchased to himself a good degree." Some time after this, he entered into the conjugal relation with one who was a member of the same church with himself, in whom, from the congeniality of her views and principles with his own, he enjoyed an "help meet;" the con stancy of whose affection, and the ten- | I am altogether unworthy in myself: derness of whose assiduities, tended not it is sovereign grace that has made me a little to cheer his subsequently chec- to differ." One day, observing his quered course, and to lighten the bur- friends much distressed on account of then of that affliction which a wise and the nature of his sufferings, he said, holy Providence was pleased to lay on "I fear, my dear friends, that you will him. In the choice of his associate, he be tired out before I shall: I am rehonoured the revealed will of God, by signed to the Saviour's will, for 'he fixing on one who was devoted to his does all things well."" The writer of service and fear; and in return He these lines remarking to him, towards fulfilled the gracious promise of his the close of his life, that the allotments word, by rendering their union a source of God's providence towards his peoof mutual and perennial happiness. ple were sometimes both dark and painAbout the year 1822, Mr. Polglase | ful, he rejoined, “A day, a week, a was first visited with that afflictive dis-year, 'tis the same to me if my God ease (the diabetes), which, in the is- pleases, or it would glorify him, I am sue, removed him from the turmoil and resigned to suffer for four years more.” pollution of this world, to the purity Being visited by a friend who was bapand felicity of the heavenly state. Such tised on the same occasion with himself, was the virulence of the attack, that he said to him, "My dear friend, I his friends thought it must speedily ter- trust that we who were buried together minate in death. But God had other- by baptism unto death, shall rise togewise designed; and was about to sub- ther in the resurrection of the just." mit the faith and patience of his ser- When speaking of his departure, he one vant to no ordinary trial. In the seve- day remarked, "Oh, what delight I rity of these early paroxysms of the dis- feel at the thought of seeing my dear order, He did but 'signify to him by child and parent in heaven; but to be what death he should glorify God:" and for ever with the Lord- to be near him never, perhaps, at least in this respect, to be like him—this is what delights were the divine purposes more fully an- me most!" While, however, his princiswered. ples as a Christian triumphed over the During the lengthened period of pains and infirmities of nature, he felt nearly five years, he experienced al-as a man; and was not insensible to most unintermitted sufferings; but was the tenderness of those ties by which enabled uniformly to exhibit the power- he was still united to this world, as a ful support of divine grace, and to ex-husband and a father; and it was with ercise unshaken confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. At no time can it be recollected, that he complained of the severity or the duration of his afflictions; the doctrines of the cross, and the promises of divine love, sweetly supported and refreshed his spirit, and infused into it a delightful calm and settled tranquility. The hope of the Gospel rendered him wonderfully superior to extrinsic circumstances, and, in the hour of extreme pain and exigency, proved as an anchor to the soul, both sure and stedfast, entering into that within the veil." On being asked by a friend as to the state of his mind, he replied, "Very comfortable : --: He says, that I shall shortly be no small degree of feeling he once said to his dearest earthly friend, "It has been hard work to give you and my dear child up ; but I have now resigned you into the hands of a covenant God and Father: he cannot forget his promise. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. When all earthly comforts fail, his promises are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus." On the last Lord's day morning, he said to his wife, who was standing near, "I thought I should have entered on my heavenly sabbath to-day: however, I am not impatient. There is no recognising of days there; it is one eternal sabbath." When his sight was nearly gone, and the cold dews of death stood upon his forehead, he was asked |