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LITERARY RECORD.

New Publications.

1. The Infant Scholar's Magazine. Vol. II. We are glad to find from the preface to this volume, that its circulation has been double what it was last year. For cheapness and the neatness of the wood-blocks, it is, we suppose, unrivalled; we cordially recommend it as well adapted for its professed objects-amusing and instructing children. 2. Scripture Natural History for Youth. By Esther Hewlett (now Copley), with numerous illustrative engravings. 2 vols. Fisher, Son, and Jackson. The pious author has turned her general knowledge of natural ob. jects to a good account for the illustration of the Scripture. These neat volumes, with the handsome coloured engravings, make them very suitable as a Christmas present in religious families or boarding-schools.

3. The Schoolfellows, or the Influence of Character and Connexions displayed. By Esther Hewlett (now Copley). Second edit. We do not recollect having seen the first edition of this useful book: we are glad to have seen it now, as it gives us pleasure to recommend it.

8. The State of the Curates of the Church the Archbishop of Canterbury, in consequence of England; a letter addressed to his Grace of the publication of the Rev. W. S. Gilly's Hora Catechetica. By a Purish Priest.

tive to certain statements, published in three 9. Letters from the Rev. Dr. Carey, relaPamphlets, by the Rev. John Dyer, Secretary to the Baptist Missionary, W. Johns, M.D., and the Rev. E. Carey, and W. Yates. The third edition, enlarged from seventeen to above thirty Letters, which contain his ideas respecting the Mission from the Rev. Andrew Fuller to the present time.

10. European Series of the periodical accounts of the Serampore Mission. No. I. ** The New Edition of Dr. Rippon's Selection, containing 800 hymns, is sold by him for the use of schools or for distribution among the poor, (as it has been for several years past) at 2s. 6d. per copy. Dr. R. will on the application of any one of our pastors, present him with a copy of the " Supplementary Hymns," at 6d. each; and for poor members of the church gratis.

In the Press, &c.

4. The Life of Robert Leighton, D.D. A Help to the Private and Domestic Archbishop of Glasgow. By Thomas Murray, F.A.S. Scot. with a portrait. 18mo. pp.231. Reading of the Holy Scriptures; comprising If our readers are unacquainted with the addresses on the subject as a duty, and the history of the National Church of Scotland best manner of performing it-on the inspiration of the sacred writers-on the symduring the reign of Charles I., the protecto-bolical language of prophecy-on the collecrate of Cromwell, and the reign of Charles II., tion of the sacred books-a digest of the and think it desirable to know it, they may books of the Old Testament, with the method find a pretty good account of it in this small volume. As it regards Dr. Robert Leighton (a son of Dr. Alexander Leighton, whose sufferings under Laud are so well known), it is very evident his high-toned piety rendered him unfit for any ecclesiastico-politico station. We do not wonder that so good a man as he should find such vexation in being associated with persecutors, whether presbyterian or episcopal, as to have resigned his livings in the one establishment and his dignities in the other! He died at an inn in Warwick-lane in 1684, aged 74.

5. An Examination of Scripture Difficulties, elucidating nearly seven hundred passages in the Old and New Testaments, designed for the use of general readers. By William Carpenter; author of A Popular Introduction to the Study of the Scriptures: a Scripture Natural History, &c. 8vo. 10s. boards.

of the Old Testament to the New-of the

of reading them in chronological order :—an epitome of the Jewish history from the time life of Christ-of the labours of the apostle Testament; and an analysis of Mr. Mede's Paul;-arrangement of the books of the New Leifchild. To be published January 1, 1829. scheme of the Apocalypse. By the Rev. J.

The Rev. I. H. Kingdon, B.D. Vicar of Bridgerule in the county of Devon, has a tract in the press, entitled "Confirmation by the laying of hands considered as an Ordinance of the Church of Christ, especially in relation to the Church of England."

Morning Exercises for the Closet for every day throughout the year, by the Rev. William Jay, of Bath, in 2 vols. 8vo. will appear early in January. Also, the eleventh edition of "Family Prayers, or the domestic Minister's Assistant," by the same author, who has likewise lately published a fourth edition of

6. A Guide to the Study of the Book of Revelation, in 1 vol. 12mo. By the Rev. Mr. Hutcheson, of Warrenford. Northumberland." The Christian contemplated."

7. An Address to Christians on the pro

Popular Lectures on Biblical Criticism

priety of Religious Fasts. By J. Hargreaves. aud Interpretation. By William Carpenter.

564

OBITUARY.

DR. JOSEPH HENRY COOKE. Joseph Henry Cooke, M.D. was born at Northampton about the year 1768. His excellent mother was a member of the church over which the great Doddridge presided, and being anxious to instil into the mind of her son religious principles, she put him under the tuition of the Rev. John Ryland. When he arrived at a suitable age, he commenced the study of medicine, and subsequently was placed with the great Dr. Hunter of London. His attainments and skill in his profession were considerable; but as he entered more into the world, he became more and more a man of the world, and whatever might have been his religious views or impressions when a lad, they were obliterated; all sense of religion was banished from his mind, and he became gay and dissipated.

church stands, and the evening service having commenced, curiosity (or rather the invisible hand of God) led him up to the door, where the Rev. W. Giles, now of Chatham, but at that time pastor of the church in Lymington, was preaching; the word arrested and riveted his attention to that degree, that he could not leave the door till the close of the sermon. He then returned to his companions, who were still sitting over the bottle, but his mind was too much affected to join in the conviviality of the table, and he returned again to the Island, but with feelings to which he had been, till now, a stranger. From this time he became decidedly pious; and that he might enjoy the ministry of Mr. Giles, he removed from the Island and took up his residence in Lymington. He was afterwards baptized in the Baptist chapel at Wellow, in the Isle of Wight, but united as a member with the church in Lymington. He now became very active and zealous in the cause of

Possessing a great deal of wit and vivacity, his company was courted by those whom the world call respectable and gay. After a time, he was appointed family physician to Lord Robert Sey-Christ, and being a man of a fearless mour; this introduced him into the company of the Prince of Wales, Charles Fox, Sheridan, and many other gentlemen of the Whig Club, and he became, what is generally called, << a man of

fashion."

After some years he removed to the Isle of Wight, where he became acquainted with some of the most respectable | inhabitants of the island, but still pursued the same thoughtless course, living without God and without hope in the world, until about the year 1810, when it pleased God to stop him in his career, and turn bis feet into the way of peace.

He had made an appointment to dine with a party at Lymington, in Hampshire; it was on a Sabbath day, when, after dinner and wine, he felt disposed to take a walk, and retiring for a short time from the society of his companions, he walked alone through the fields, and passing New-lane, where the Baptist

spirit, he met the sneers of his old forsaken friends with christian courage.

After some years he removed from Lymington to practise in Portsea, where he took part in promoting several of the benevolent institutions which abound in that highly-favoured town. In this new situation, many of the poor derived advantage from his professional skill, as he was accustomed to give his advice gratis two days in the week; on these occasions he generally spoke to his patients on the great things of eternity, warning those who appeared insensible to their danger, encouraging the timid and fearful, and directing the inquiring.

He occasionally exercised his gifts in preaching and exhortation, as well as speaking at public meetings. Though his natural temper was irritable, and he sometimes displayed a high and overbearing spirit, which rendered him at times unlovely, and prevented much of

his usefulness, yet he often discovered the evening of November 3, 1828, when much spirituality of mind and devotion the immortal part, the deathless prinof spirit, especially when supplicating ciple, redeemed and purified by the a throne of grace. During his affliction, blood of the Lamb, took its flight to the which was an affection of the chest, by realms of unclouded day, to mingle with which he was confined some months, he the spirits of the just made perfect, and showed much tranquillity of mind and to join with them in resignation to the will of God. He was much indulged during a long and painful affliction, and his joys increased almost "to Him, who hath loved us and washed to rapture as he drew near the closing us from our sins in his blood, to whom be scene; the clouds which sometimes hover glory for ever and ever, Amen!” over the valley of the shadow of death were mercifully removed, and he could "Read his title clear

To mansions in the sky."

"The rapturous songs Which warble from immortal tongues,"

His remains were deposited in the burying-ground connected with Ebenezer Chapel, and his death was improved at the chapel in Meeting-house Alley, Portsea, by his constant friend,

Thus, while the outer man decayed, the inward man gained strength, until the Rev. I. Millard of Lymington.

A MIRROR.

GLEANINGS.

An Extract from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Pro-
"with notes explanatory and
tical." Stereotype. 8vo. edition.

gress,

prac

malignant persons generally act upon the maxim, "Throw a great deal of dirt, and some will be sure to stick!" Thus hatred to well-doing is the cause of their enmity. Because the brethren of Joseph hated him, "Then they (the shepherds) had them they could not speak peaceably to him; and to another place, called Mount Inno-to the same malignant disposition the infacence. And there they saw a man clothed mous reports which were raised against Mr. all in white; and two men, Prejudice Banyan are to be traced. Evil reports may and Ill-will, continually casting dirt upon for a little time sully the reputation of even him. Now behold the dirt whatsoever an innocent man, but it is only like dirt they cast at him would in a little time fall off again, and his garment would look as clear as if no dirt had been cast thereat. Then said the pilgrims, 'what means this?' The shepherds answered, 'This man is named Godly-man, and the garment is to show the innocency of his life. Now, they that throw dirt at him are such as hate his well-doing; but as you see the dirt will not stick upon his clothes, so it shall be with him that liveth THE YEARLY EPISTLE OF THE SOCIETY innocently in the world. Whoever they be that would make such men dirty, they labour in vain; for God, by that little time is spent, will cause that their innocence shall burst forth as the light, and their righteousness as the noonday.'

Note. "Many a godly man of blameless and upright conversation has been aspersed and defamed by prejudice and ill-will. Such

sticking to his clothes. It will not injure his character; for God will interfere by his providence, and will ultimately bring forth his judgment as the light and his righteousness as the noon-day'-Psalm xxxvii. 6. The history of Joseph, with that of Mr. Bunyan and of thousands beside, proves that charges against a godly-innocent man, arising from the prejudice, ill-will, and malice of his enemies, shall eventually turn out to his honour and to their confusion."

OF FRIENDS.

DEAR FRIENDS, IN thus offering you our annual salutation, not as a customary act, but because we feel the renewed current of gospel love, we are called upon to acknowledge that the Lord has been again gracious to us, and has united our hearts in the fear of his holy name; so that our coming together has tended to the edifying of the body in love.

We feel thankful in reflecting, that ever

since the gathering of our Society, it has pleased our heavenly Father, in his mercy, to grant to us from one period to another, when thus collectively assembled, the manifestation of his power. Through the efficacy of his grace, he has, from one generation to another, preserved amongst us those who have laboured in unity and harmony for the defence of the Gospel, and the spiritual welfare of the church. This precious harmony is experieuced by those only who become united in Christ Jesus as their Head, and know that all their strength proceeds from Him; who are sensible that they are called inone hope of their calling,*-the hope of eternal life through Him, their gracious redeemer.

to our usefulness in the church, is a dan gerous state of mind, and offensive in the sight of God. Let none think, because their situation is obscure, or their services are less conspicuous than those of others, that their labour is useless. We may all individually contribute, through the help of the Holy Spirit, to the furtherance of the Lord's work on the earth; at the same time bearing in remembrance, that we are instructed to submit ourselves "one to another in the fear of God,"* and in lowliness of mind each to "esteem other better than themselves."+

He who desires to advance in the Christian life should frequently examine himself, and honestly endeavour to know whether he is right in the sight of an omnipresent God. Our spiritual progress is greatly aided by frequent retirement from the cares of this life, for a longer or shorter time, to wait in reverence and fear upon the Most High. The convictions of truth, and the visitations of heavenly love, are often known at such times to instruct and animate the

sense of the Lord's power and goodness, to offer praise and thanksgiving unto Him.

In the warmth of Christian love, we earnestly desire that all our dear brethren and sisters may become partakers of this unity, and of this blessed hope. Bat, beloved friends, it is only as we are brought to the feeling of our utter insufficiency to effect our own salvation, that we can look availingly unto Him who taketh away the sin of the world,t and be redeemed from the con-humbled soul; and it is enabled, under a sequences of the fall of our first parents. We all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Be persuaded then, we entreat you, to seek to be set free from the guilt and power of sin;-to come in faith unto Christ "as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious;" remembering that gracious promise, which applies with unabated force to us, and to all men individually, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." He is the mediator between erring, transgressing man, and that pure and holy Being who created as for a purpose of his own glory.

It is therefore highly important, it is indeed indispensable, that we do not frustrate the purposes for which we were created, by seeking in any way our own glory. By so doing, we oppose our true interest, and interfere with the right occupation of those gifts and graces which the Lord has bestowed upon us. If in all simplicity and integrity of heart, we are each concerned singly to know and to do the will of God through the help of his transforming grace, our real happiness in this life will be promoted, and the unity and fellowship of the Gospel will increase and abound amongst

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We continue to believe that our disuse of set forms of prayer is founded on a correct view of the spiritual nature of the gospel dispensation. At the same time we are persuaded, that all who have a just sense of the value of their immortal souls, and of their own great need of help from above, must rejoice with thankfulness, in knowing and in feeling that they may pray unto our Father who is in heaven. Oh! then that every one may avail himself of this great privilege, and with a sincere and believing heart, and with reverential awe, approach the throne of grace; trusting in the mediation of Him through whom we "have access by one spirit unto the Father." But having thus asked in faith and submission, may we all be concerned so to walk before the Lord, that our prayers may be heard with acceptance. Let noue, however, be discouraged from the performance of this duty by a sense of their transgressions; bat in humility and sincere repentance, let them implore the forgiveness of God, who, as they patiently wait before him, will in his own time supply all their need. And if there be any, who, if they deal honestly with their own hearts, must acknowlege that they do not pray, may these deeply reflect upon the danger of their situation, and be alarmed at the great loss which they sustain by not thus availing themselves of the high privilege of drawing nigh unto God, and par

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taking of the assurance that He will draw nigh unto them.*

We are glad to know that the daily reading of the Holy Scriptures in the families of Friends, is so prevalent as it is, and we earnestly desire that this practice may be observed by all our members, and that those who neglect the performance of it, would seriously consider the great injury which they and their families suffer by such omission. The more we become acquainted with the true nature and worth of these inspired writings, the more highly we shall esteem them; the more we rightly know and comprehend the truths of the Bible, the more we shall find that they contribute, under the power of the Holy Spirit, by their practical application to our moral and religious conduct, to lead us forward in the way of life and salvation. We therefore earnestly recommend to all, the diligent private reading of the sacred volume, in addition to the practice already alluded to. As we seek, in humility and the fear of the Lord, to have a right understanding of what we read, and in faith to accept this revelation of the will and purposes of the Most High, the force and excellency of the Scriptures become increasingly obvious; we are more ready to acknowledge their divine origin, and their concurrent testimony to that redemption which cometh by the Lord Jesus Christ.

the converse of the day be not such as to dissipate any religious impressions which may have been received. The households of Friends ought to be assembled at least once in the course of the day, for the public reading of the Holy Scriptures, and for retirement in spirit before the Lord. - And we wish particularly to call the attention of those who are in remote and country situations to the purport of this advice.

In these days of religious liberty, and in which our intercourse with those of other Societies is widely different from that which obtained in the times of our pious predecessors, it becomes us to be especially careful that we do not in any way compromise our ancient principles and testimonies. We believe that it is equally incumbent on ns as on those who were made instrumental in the first gathering of our Society, to maintain those views and practices by which they were distinguished. And we feel desirous that both in the performance of our civil duties, and in associating for objects of benevolence, all our dear friends may be concerned not in any way to forfeit the character of consistency, but in all things to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.* It is, we believe, alike important to our own benefit, and that of the universal Church of Christ, that we do not shrink from filling that station in it which divine wisdom has assigned us, but in singleness of heart give ourselves up to what it may be our individual duty to perform.

The accounts of the sufferings of our

support of our well known testimony against tithes and all ecclesiastical demands, including a few distraints for military purposes, together with the charge incurred, amount to upwards of fourteen thousand eight hundred pounds.

When the mind is truly awakened to a sense of the necessity of divine help to work out the salvation of the soul, a due attendance of our meetings for public wor-members, as reported to this meeting, in ship naturally ensues. In silent, reverent, waiting before God, for a renewal of spiri tual strength, an advance is made in the life of religion, and an increase is known of that faith which giveth the victory. Being led from a dependence on the teachings of man, our own experience proves to us the blessedness of coming immediately unto Him, who, praised be his name, still remaineth to be the spiritual teacher of his people: And, though a very humiliating sense of their condition may render some fearful of thus coming before the Lord, yet, as they faithfully abide under these convictions, He will, in his great mercy, enable them to trust in Him.

And whilst the remembrance of our Creator ought at all times to be present with us, we have been again concerned that the day more especially set apart for religious duties, may be rightly observed amongst us. Let those hours which are not passed in attending our meetings, be so occupied as to strengthen habits of piety and devotion. It is good to exercise an especial care that

* James iv. 8.

We have received an Epistle from Ireland, and one from each of the Yearly Meetings of Friends on the American Continent except Virginia; no communication from the last mentioned Yearly Meeting having yet reached us. It is a comfort to us to know that there are on the other side of the Atlantic, many faithful and experienced friends, who are steadfast in their attachment to the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ; sincere believers in his propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and in the sufficiency of his grace to all who receive and obey it.

The important and affecting subject of the continuance of Slavery in the British Colonies, has again occupied our attention. A deep conviction of the extent and enormity of the evil, and of its utter inconsis

*Tit. ii. 10.

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