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We have seen one volume of devotedness to the cause of God,

the original work by DR. GIB BONS. After attending to that, we are ready to bestow high encomiums on the abridgment, and on the judgment, taste, and pious design and diligence of its author. We shall attempt to recommend this work to the attention of the Christian public by pointing out some of the peculiar benefits, which it tends to produce, and which every careful, devout reader of it may hope to experience.

This book is a fit companion of our retired hours. It may with propriety be admitted into the closet, and used as an aid to pious meditation, and an excitement to devotion. Properly used, it would contribute much to the peculiar delight and advantage of religious retirement.

If happily displays the sameness of evangelical religion. Here we see that the diversity, which appears in the external circumstances of believers, does not alter the nature of religion. That appears the same in the day of prosperity, and in the day of adversity; the same in the palace, in the prison, and on the scaffold. Here it is manifest, that true religion is the same in different ages. The greatest diversity in the customs and manners, and in the civil and literary advantages of different times makes no change in the essential features of true piety. It is pleasing and edifying to observe in all the characters here exhibited the same apprehension of God's glory, and of the hateful nature of sin; the same regard to the divine Redeemer; the same humility, self-loathing, and dependence on divine grace; the same

and the same cheerful, unreserved acquiescence in his will. We see them all thinking, speaking and acting as children of the same Parent, disciples of the same Master, seekers of the same country, and heirs of the same glory.

This volume clearly shows, that the most elevated condition of life, the most noble birth, shining' talents, and honourable connexions, furnish no safeguard against calamity, but rather expose to trials unusually severe, and to sorrows deeper than mortals commonly feel. Who that reads the history of these exalted characters, and surveys the cares which oppressed, the dangers which threatened, and the grief which almost overwhelmed them, can envy their exalted situation ? At the same time we are here taught to admire the grace of God, which secures persons from the numerous temptations of high life, and enables them to persevere in well doing amid alk the perils to which their piety is exposed.

The volume we are now recommending is calculated to promote humility. That such heights of knowledge and piety were attained by these excellent women; that they were so meek and lowly in circumstances, which tended to nourish their pride; so penitent, where sin is commonly overlooked; so strictly religious, where so many things encouraged dissipation; to see them so diligently using for God those talents and accomplishments, which others devote to the world, surpassing the common Christian as much in selfdenial and heavenly mindedness

as in the trials of their condition; rect, intelligible, and adapted to

all this reproves our low attainments, and should fill us with emotions of humble penitence.

But while it humbles, it encourages to pious resolution and diligence. How can we despond, or indulge in sloth, when we see that moral excellence is attainable, and that the most arduous duties are practicable? In the diaries of these pious women, the Christian has the peculiar advantage of observing their most private reflections, and looking into their very hearts. Thus he finds that the spiritual trials, the inward struggles, the awful corruptions of heart, which often distress, and sometimes discourage him, have been the common lot of the saints. He learns that the excellent of the earth, those who have overcome the world and obtained a crown of glory, have experienced the very things, which now clog his devotion, interrupt his joy, and overcast his spiritual prospect. In this way he is led to admire the abounding grace of God, and is enlivened in the work of religion.

Finally, these memoirs show us, how tranquil, how victorious the death of those, who live piously, and die in the Lord; and so impress our minds with the desirableness, as well as the solemnity of the time, when the believer will rest from his labour, and receive the endless rewards of redeeming grace.

This is a brief display of the advantages, which the serious, devout reader may derive from the memoirs of these eminently pious women. Such are the leading considerations, which recommend the volume to public notice. The style is easy, cor

the subject. There is an observable sameness in many extracts from the private diaries of these worthy characters; but the sameness is not irksome to those, who love the amiable exercises of vital religion.

Rev.

Familiar Letters to the JOHN SHERMAN, once pastor of a church in Mansfield, in particular reference to his late Anti-Trinitarian treastise. By DANIEL DOW, pastor of a church in Thompson, Connecticut,

Ir is very satisfactory to enlightened Christians to know, that evidences multiply in fayour of revelation, as the sciences are improved, and human knowledge extended. Every traveller, who visits the rocks of Tyre, the cottages of Egypt, the plains of Babylon, or the hills of Jerusalem, "trodden down of the Gentiles," relates those facts, which establish the divine authority of ancient prophecies. Improvements made in the ancient languages have also the same happy effects.

Men of unscriptural opinions observing these things, endeavour to pervert the same means to support their peculiar tenets, and favourite speculations. Their Lexicons, Hebrew and Greek, have new meanings; their Bibles must be tortured with new translations, and forced to teach new doctrines. That the Uni, tarian may quote Scripture with tolerable consistency, some pas▾ sages must be altered, some enlarged; others must be shorten, ed, and others entirely erased

from the book of God. By adding and blotting they greatly support their system.

Among these divines, it seems, Mr. Sherman was ambitious to shine; he, therefore, wrote a volume. To this the pamphlet before us is a reply.

The first letter is " to Mr. Sherman, concerning his authorship. It is, indeed, a "familiar" letter. The close is serious. "But let it be remembered," says Mr. Dow," that to us it is infinitely important, that we so live, speak, and act, as that we may, eventually, have praise of God. Though it was not at all incumbent upon you, while you deemed truth so unessential, to write such a book as you did; yet I feel it incumbent upon me, 'who believe truth to be of everlasting consequence, to make a few plain, friendly remarks upon your performance."

The second letter is "to Mr. Sherman, concerning his advantages for biblical criticism.”

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In this, he certainly does not forget his title page, "familiar letters," &c. "As to the Hebrew,' " he says, you acknowledge that you know little or nothing about it yourself, and from what little attention I have paid to the language, I believe, Sir, in this instance, you told me the truth." "As to the Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, Ethiopic, &c. I presume you will readily own, that your knowledge is absolutely nothing. How then came you, Sir, by all this learned criticism? Why did you not wait till you was [were] competent to the task you undertook ?”

Letter 3d, " To Mr. Sherman, concerning the trammels of his education." In this, he reminds

him of his Deism in early life, of his change to orthodoxy, and of his change again to Unitarianism.

'Letter 4th, "To Mr. Sherman, concerning his mode of expounding the Scriptures." This letter is replete with pertinent matter. The substance of it follows.

"Being desirous of raising a stately building, you began by laying at the foundation a preposition. However, the preposition not being fit for your purpose, in its present state, you found it necessary to square it with a new translation. You indeed admit, that the preposition is sometimes rendered, as our honest translators have rendered it. But as this meaning was not to your liking, you chose to give it another rendering, which you considered as optional. The great task then was, to make all the rest of the Bible conform to it, that you might prophesy according to current of the Scriptures ran opposite, this proportion of faith. But the and now, what must be done? Why, many passages must be re-translated, many others must be considered as interpolations, and the rest explained, as being so figurative as to mean every thing, any thing, or nothing, till-it can be made to appear, that the doctrine of the Trinity, and the proper deity of Christ, is not contained in the Bible. And if, after all, neither retranslating, nor expunging, nor turning plain language into metaphor, will do the business, as much as you abhor interpolations, and would wish if possible to detect them, a few interbe inserted to make the matter out. polations πεποιηκάτουτο at least must But according to this mode of proceeding, where is the analogy of faith according to which we may prophesy? Where are the spiritual things, which we are to compare together? Where is that sure word according to which we must speak or have no light in us? If the Scriptures be so corrupt as that they may not be depended on, and principle be corrupted, they certainly are, if the foundation we have nothing left to guide us, unless it b our own fancies, or your pre-conceiv

ed sentiments. And in that case we may as well adopt the former as the latter. But the word of the Lord is settled in heaven."

Letter 5th, "To Mr. Sherman, concerning his Rabbins.”

Letter 6th, "To Mr. Sherman, concerning the fruits of his doctrines." This letter demands the very serious attention of Unitarian ministers. We wish them to inform us, why God blesses orthodox preaching "by his own energizing Spirit, while they always dwell in a dry land;" why they have so few living Epistles to recommend them. Why their flocks "are like the mountains of Gilboa, on which was no rain nor dew."

Letter 7th, "To Mr, Sherman, concerning his catholicism." This deserves a serious perusal. Letter 8th," To Mr. Sherman, concerning his present mode of de fending the gospel."

Letter 9th," To Mr. Sherman, concerning Bible corruptions." This is useful, and shows a faith, ful attention to the subject.

Letter 10th, "To Mr. Sherman, concerning mysteries," abounds with good sense, level to every capacity.

Letter 11th, "To Mr. Sherman, concerning the Trinity," contains much important truth.

Letters 12, 13, and 14, respect the person, offices, and character of Christ, and present various evidences of his divinity.

Letter 15th, "To Mr. Sherman, concerning his exposition of particular passages." This is really the most useful, and in some respects the best part of the book. In one column are passages of Scripture; in the other Mr. Sherman's exposition. But Mr. Dow has not quoted Mr. Sherman, verbatim, but

"abridged his lengthy quotations." This weakens the certainty and confidence of the reader. The following are a few specimens from a large number. St. John.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Mr. Sherman.

"The word was not really God, but only a divine property. There is some mistake also in saying the word was with God. The Stoicks knew better than this." p. 16. 19.

St. Paul.

"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power."

Mr. Sherman.

"Christ upholds nothing, for he is nothing but a creature, who is him. Whatever power Christ has, is a del. self upheld by the power of God. egated power." p. 33.

St. Paul.

"But unto the Son, he saith, thy throne, oh God, is forever and ever."

Mr. Sherman.

"Christ should not be called God in such a way as this. I had rather say, God supports him forever." p. 35.

These letters we think calculated to do good, especially in the circle for which they were particularly designed. The style is generally correct, easy, and perspicuous. Considering the customary freedoms of neighbours, and how much Mr. Sherman had provoked disrespect by shifting and changing his sentiments once and again, had these letters not been intended for publication, little in them could be thought exceptionable; but when they are considered as written for the public eye, to in: struct serious, inquiring minds on one of the most profound, and most essential doctrines of the. gospel, they are evidently def

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THE text selected for the affecting and melancholy occasion is in Psalm xviii. ver. 30. "As for God, his way is perfect."

The preacher first invites our "attention to the way of God in his providential government.". He secondly" attempts to illustrate the perfection of this way even when it clashes with our private views and interests." This he does by showing that the way of God "is the way of rectitude," the way of wisdom," and "the way of goodness." He finally improves the subject by observing that, "our knowledge of the general principles and motives of the divine. government is an inestimable privilege to beings like ourselves, perpetually exposed to the piercing shafts of adversity," by "re

commending an immediate and universal attention to this shelter," and by modestly delineating the character and worth of the departed youth.

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The tenderness and sympathy excited by the circumstances of this discourse disarm criticism, and were it even less perfect would compel us to weep with them that weep." A serious and rational piety, a heart deeply af fected with the government, and goodness of God, as well as delicate, parental affection, bleeding with secret anguish, are agreeably exhibited in this sermon. The style is plain and modest, but sufficiently elevated for the mournful and distressing occasion. As in most works of genius, its uniformity leaves us in doubt, which part to select as a specimen of its merits...

An appendix is attached to the sermon, containing notices of the death of young Mr. Homer from various publications in poetry and prose, with some extracts and compositions of his own, which further illustrate his amiable character. This compila tion is not only calculated to do good by making the most serious impressions on the minds of youth, but is a natural expression of the parents' grief and affection, and tends to sooth and console their wounded hearts.

Religious Intelligence.

State of Religion in Suabia, Bavaria, and Hungary. WE are enabled, by the favour of a Catholic (ecclesiastic) correspondent in Germany, to report, that the state of religion in the Catholic parts of that empire manifests unequivocal symptoms of improvement. The old

controversies are laid aside; practi cal religion is enforced; good morals and useful instructions are inculcated, instead of the mere frigid forms of worship. The clergy are enjoined by a solemn proclamation,

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