Presbyterian Rights Asserted. BY A PRESBYTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. London: Burns, 1839. 8vo. P. 40. THE title of this pamphlet may probably startle some of our readers, and cause them to wonder what it can be about, and whether the writer be not really a presbyterian in the sectarian sense of the word, though a clergyman. But we are happy to give the assurance that the author is not only an episcopalian, or in other words a churchman, a sound and consistent churchman, but has given us an essay which highly interests every clergyman of the second order of the ministry. The writer tells us that he "was a zealous supporter of episcopacy at a period when, to speak of the apostolical succession was looked upon as a sign of dementation by many who are now the more able advocates of the doctrine. He may consider himself in a very humble sphere as one of those who have been instrumental in opening the eyes of the public to the scriptural authority of the episcopate. He does entirely believe that episcopacy is of divine right; and when the deference, on principle, was not paid to the episcopal office which he knew to be due to it, he not only contended for episcopal rights and privileges, but was amongst the first and foremost, by his example, to maintain them. But he did not do this from any exclusive regard to the honours of episcopacy. He was influenced only by his love for the Church of Christ. Pro ecclesia Dei, pro ecclesia Dei, was his motto then as it is now -the motto which he hopes will cling to his parched lips as he breathes his last breath. The well-being of the church requires that due honour should be paid to the episcopate; but the well-being of the church requires that more honour than is due to it should not be rendered." This will give some idea of the nature of this well-timed pamphlet, the object of which is that "each order and degree should maintain its rights, and not exceed them." The author says that most of the bishops seem “to have forgotten the authority, rights, and privileges of the second order of the ministry, which possesses authority, rights, and privileges scarcely inferior to their own."

To those

who feel greatly interested in the preservation of our cathedral establishments-and we know not what true churchman does not -this pamphlet will be very acceptable. The author contends that the presbyters are at present depressed below their proper position, which is that of co-rulers with the bishops, and that they ought to be consulted on all matters for the regulation of the church. The pamphlet is written in an admirable spirit, and contains facts and arguments which ought to be in the possession of every bishop and presbyter. We hope that

we have said enough to cause it to be widely read, assured that the well-being of the church is intimately bound up in what it brings forward. If the respectable author should see these lines, we hope he will accede to our request to send us a paper on the subject, and we will gladly give his arguments

the benefit of our wide circulation.

John Wesley vindicated by himself: an Allegory for the Wesleyan Centenary. London :

Burns. Leeds: Harrison. 12mo. P. 24. The Popery of Methodism; or the Enthusiasm of Papists and Wesleyans Compared. With an Appendix, containing John Wesley's Reasons against separating from the Church. London: Burns. Leeds: Harrison. 12mo. P. 24. An Address to the Teachers of the Wesleyan Methodists assembled in Conference at Bristol, in 1838, on the dangerous Nature of their Schism. BY J. TAYLOR. Bristol: Richardson, Clare Street. 12mo. P. 24. WE notice these three works together, because they all relate to the same subject, which is beginning mightily to stir men's minds, and to induce people to ask what all this parade about "The Centenary of Wesleyan Methodism" means? Let the question only be mooted, and the answer cannot fail to be conclusive of the novelty and the consequent unscripturalness of the Wesleyan religion. The first tract is, we rather believe, the production of an able clerical writer, who condemns John Wesley out of his own mouth. The second is chiefly extracted from Bishop Lavington's able work, and is just what its title expresses. The third tract is, like the second, the production of a layman, but also well calculated to do good. It is a pity that no London bookseller's name is attached to it, that persons in all parts of the country might obtain it. We strongly recommend these three cheap tracts for general distribution.

A Manual of Instruction in Vocal Music, chiefly with a View to Psalmody; with an Historical Introduction. By J. TURNER, Esq. Second Edition. London: Parker, 1839. 12mo. P. 199.

WE rejoice to find that this "Manual" has reached a second edition, not only because of the increased facilities for instruction contained therein, but also because it is a convincing proof of its deservedly increasing circulation and adoption. This excellent treatise is well worthy of being placed in the hands of every one engaged in teaching the delightful art of vocal harmony. Were the system, here so simply and yet so scientifically developed, universally known and used, a thorough reformation in the psalmody of our churches must follow. What well tutored ear, that has been often tortured

with the loud dissonances too frequently heard in our churches, will not hail such a desirable reformation? What well informed and judicious mind will not rejoice at the cheering prospect of having the ill-chosen jig tunes, now so often inflicted upon our flocks, exchanged for deep and solemn harmonies, alone suited for the services of the temple? Mr. Turner's system is founded on the sure Baconian maxim-"knowledge is power." He begins by giving his pupils a thorough knowledge of the scale and of all the intervals. Thus the foundation is laid

at once deep and sure. When this is perfectly acquired, it must be as easy to sing any piece of music at sight, as it is for a child, when he knows perfectly all the letters of the alphabet, with their relations and bearings upon one another, to read any book at first sight. Learning to sing merely by ear, i. e. by following an instrument or another voice, is indeed a very imperfect method at best, and always requires the assistance of an instrument or of another voice. Whereas he who can sing upon scientific principles, i. e. from a knowledge of the scale and the intervals, will, if the first note be sounded, be able to sing at sight, without an instrument, any melody placed before him. This admirable system will also, although it may seem tedious at first, in the end prove the easiest, because the surest method of instruction. We have ourselves been eye-witnesses of the great excellence of this system, and therefore have tested its value. We have seen the uncommon proficiency in singing, attained by the children in the Clergy Orphan School, Regent's Park, who have been taught entirely according to this scientific method, by the enlightened and judicious author of this little work. The Italians are most justly celebrated for their superior attainments in vocal music. This is founded upon their perfect practical knowledge of the scale and intervals, technically called Solfeggio. An interesting anecdote is related of an Italian master upon this

subject, who, it is said, kept one of his pupils to the same dull round of Solfeggio for several years. The student at length ventured tremblingly to ask his master, "when he might expect to begin to sing?" "Andate," replied the exulting Professor, "figlio mio, tu sei il primo cantator del mondo," that is, "Go my son, thou art the first singer in the world!" There are in this little book, excellent directions respecting the right enunciation of the words, upon accent, emphasis, and expression, and a highly necessary caution against exerting the voice beyond its natural powers. The latter, being so common a fault amongst children, requires particular attention. It is quite impossible in the short compass here allowed us, to say all of this valuable Manual that it deserves; but in one word, we very heartily wish to see it universally adopted. It is only justice to the excellent author to add, that independent of the intrinsic merit of the work, it derives considerable interest from the circumstance of its being the production of a layman of rank and fortune, who has, by this work, as well as at considerable expense and great personal labour amongst several of the leading institutions in the metropolis, been most diligently and perseveringly endeavouring to reform and elevate the national taste in the execution and appreciation of sacred psalmody. Philanthropy directed to such ends, we hail with delight. The Nelsons and Bonnells of good old times, though laymen, brought much honour to our Apostolic Church. Amongst the laity at home, we likewise have had the voluntary, unofficial, and therefore unsuspected Christian labours of our Newtons, Bacons, Lockes, Boyles, Miltons, Hales, Hartleys; whilst abroad, of their Grotiuses, Puffendorfs, Hallers, Boerhaves, Eulers, Zimmermans, and a host of other celebrated laymen, in various though differing ways, subserving the common cause of at least the evidences and outworks of our most Holy Religion.

CARTWRIGHT, ONE OF THE EARLIEST PURITANS. Cartwright, more than any other individual, had contributed to excite and diffuse the spirit of resistance and dissension.

Age sobered him, clemency softened him, experience made him wise, and his latter days were passed in dutiful and peaceful conformity. In controversies of this kind,' says Fuller, men, when they consult with their grey hairs, begin to abate of their violence.' At his death he lamented the troubles which he had raised in the Church, by promoting an unnecessary schism, and wished he could begin his life again, that he might testify how deeply he disapproved his former ways.-Southey.

these were gone, -Our own."

CONSCIENCE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF SELF-INTEREST.-"What makes a Church a den of thieves?- -A dean, a chapter, and white sleeves.. -And what would serve, if To make it orthodox? -The person who succeeded the Rev. William Lewis in the rectory of St. Flagan's, when that gentleman was turned out by the dissenters, was a man of the name of Ellis, to whom 100l. a year was paid by the sequestrators. This Ellis preached against tithes as unlawful and antichristian; but the rebel government, finding it troublesome to receive the profits of the livings and to pay the ministers, made an order that all persons in possession of livings worth 100.

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a year, should take the tithes. When this order was made, Mr. Ellis, who considered it too barefaced to preach for the payment of tithes after he had so vehemently preached against them, procured one Symonds, an itinerant brother, to undertake it for him. Mr. Symonds preached from Mal. iii. 10. Bring ye all your tithes into the storehouse," etc.; but Ellis kept out of the way. The parishioners were offended at this gross conduct, and looked upon the two preachers as a couple of knaves.

66

THE MASTERPIECE OF DISSENTING HYPOCRISY. A fresh instance of hypocrisy was displayed the very day of King Charles's death. The generous Fairfax, not content with being absent from the trial, had used all the interest which he yet retained to prevent the execution of the fatal sentence; and had even employed persuasion with his own regiment, though none else would follow

him, to rescue the king from his disloyal murderers. Cromwell and Ireton, informed of this intention, endeavoured to convince him that the Lord had forsaken the king; and they exhorted him to seek, by prayer, some direction from heaven on this important occasion. But they concaled from him that they had already signed the warrant for the execution. Harrison was the person appointed to join in prayer with the unwary general. By agreement he prolonged his prayer till intelligence arrived that the fatal blow was struck. He then rose from his knees, and insisted with Fairfax that this event was a miraculous and providential answer to his supplication! - Perenchief. Lloyd. Hume.

SACRILEGE.-Bid my eldest son beware to meddle not with Church livings, for that will prove a moth and canker to him in his estate. The Earl of Strafford, at his death.

IDLENESS.-A Spanish proverb says that the devil tempts every man but the idle man, and the idle man tempts the devil.

REAL RELIGION is a living principle. Any one may make a show, and be called a Christian, and unite himself to a sect, and be admired; but, for a man to enter into the sanctuary to hold secret communication with God-to retire into his closet, and transact all his affairs with an unseen Saviour-to walk with God, like Enoch, and yet to smite upon his breast in the language of the publican, having no confidence in the flesh, and triumphing only in Christ Jesus: these are the life and acts of a new creature.-Cecil.

SANCTIFICATION OF THE SABBATH.-Gen. ii. 3.-" And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it."-"It is a little remarkable," says Capt. Scoresby, now Dr. Scoresby, vicar of Bradford, Yorkshire, in his voyage to Greenland, "that during the whole of the

voyage, no circumstances ever occurred to prevent us engaging in public worship on the Sabbath-day. In a few instances, the hour of worship could not be easily kept, but opportunity was always found of having each of the services in succession on a plan adopted at the commencement of the voyage. And it is well worthy of observation, that in no instance when on fishing stations, was our refraining from the ordinary duties of our profession on the Sunday ever supposed, eventually, to have been a loss to us, for we in general found, that if others who were less regardful, or had not the same view of the obligatory nature of the command respecting the Sabbath-day, succeeded in their endeavours to promote the success of the voyage, we seldom failed to procure a decided advantage in the succeeding week. Independently, indeed, of the divine blessing on honouring the Sabbath-day, I found that the restraint

put upon the natural inclinations of the men for pursuing the fishery at all opportunities, acted with some advantage, by proving an extraordinary stimulus to their exertions when they were next sent out after whales. Were it not out of place here, I could relate several instances in which, after our refraining to fish upon the Sabbath, while others were thus successfully employed, our subsequent labours succeeded under circumstances so striking, that there was not, I believe, a man in the ship who did not consider it the effect of the divine blessing."

FATE OF PERSECUTORS OF THE CHURCH.1 Sam. xv. 33.-"As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women."-Persecutors and others who have unjustly shed the blood of their fellow-creatures, have often, in the righteous Providence of God, met with a violent death, or been visited by signal judgments.-Nero was driven from his throne, and perceiving his life in danger, became his own executioner; Domitian was killed by his own servants; Hadrian died of a distressing disease, which was accompanied with great mental agony; Severus never prospered in his affairs after he persecuted the Church, and was killed by the treachery of his son ; Maximinius reigned but three years, and died a violent death; Decius was drowned in a marsh, and his body never found; Valerian was taken prisoner by the Persians, and after enduring the horrors of captivity for several years, was flayed alive; Diocletian was compelled to resign his empire, and became insane; Maximianus Herculeus was deprived of his government, and strangled; Maximianus Galerius was suddenly and awfully removed by death, and Severus committed suicide.

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. That man is justified by faith, without the works of the law, was the uniform doctrine of the first Reformers. It is a far more ancient doctrine-it was the doctrine of the whole college of Apostles. It is more ancient stillit was the doctrine of the Prophets. It is older than the prophets-it was the religion of the Patriarchs.-Bishop Horsley.

ADIEU. In using this expression, which

habit has rendered trivial, few persons recollect its real and original meaning, and that in pronouncing it they recommend their friend à Dieu--to the protection of God.

THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.-Our blessed Lord 'himself, in the prayer which closed the last discourse he held with his disciples, enforced on them the ennobling consideration, that all his people were to be made partakers of a divine nature. "Neither pray I for these alone, but for all them that shall believe on me through their word: that they may be all one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; I in them, and thou in me." Thus is the heavenly character to be formed; thus are we to be "made meet partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" on earth; and it will be the daily business of the true Christian to be rooting out every remaining trace of his natural corruptions, and perfecting the lineaments of the divine image. For this end let him often peruse the sacred volume, and more especially the epistles of St. Paul, and the first epistle of St. Peter and St. John, with a view to fix in his mind, and maintain in his lively recollections, a just sense of the nature and extent of spiritual religion; scrutinizing, at the same time, the state of his own tempers and affections, that he may ascertain the real state of what is styled so forcibly in Scripture the inner man of the heart.- Wilberforce.

CLERICAL INTREPIDITY.-Deut. xxxi. 6.— "Be strong, and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them."-Dr. Hackett is recorded as the last man in England who persisted to read the Liturgy after it had been proscribed by the Parliament; and the following anecdote is given by his biographer, illustrative both of his attachment to the Church, and his holy courage. One Sunday, while he was reading the Common Prayer in his church, a soldier of the Earl of Essex came and clapped a pistol to his breast, and commanded him to read no further. The Doctor, not at all terrified, replied, "I will do what becomes a divine, and you may do what becomes a soldier." The tumult was quieted for a time, and the Doctor permitted to proceed.

DR. WOLFF.-By the publication of his Journal which we noticed a short while since, this indefatigable and excellent clergyman, who is kindheartedness itself, has incurred the high displeasure of two or three low church prints, which are unwilling to allow any person to differ from them a hair's breadth without exposing himself to their uncharitable attacks. Dr. Wolff has become a sound and consistent churchman, and that is sufficient to induce "The Christian Observer, and Charlotte Elizabeth in her

"Lady's Magazine," to sneer at him and measure his motives, or as they call them, reasons, by their own inclinations. But to impute to such a clergyman unworthy motives for becoming, as the Observer says, "the model of a high churchman," is at least as much misplaced, as to say that the Rev. S. C. Wilks has been for years looking out for a living from his friend the Bishop of Winchester, and is extremely mortified at not having yet received one. After wandering about with a heart full of

zeal for the cause of God, and suffering all that it was possible for human nature to bear, and desiring rest, the good Doctor accepted of the little incumbency of Linthwaite, near Huddersfield in Yorkshire, with literally less than forty pounds a year, with a house bordering on the backbone of England, and in one of the bleakest and coldest situations in the kingdom. So unsheltered is the situation indeed, as we can testify, for we knew it long before the Doctor saw it that Lady Georgiana his wife, and himself, are often so unwell that they are about to leave it as soon as the Doctor can meet with a curacy in the south to suit him. He is an excellent theologian, and preaches on faith and works, the atonement of Christ, His second personal coming to reign, the apostolical succession, tradition as explanatory and confirmatory of Scripture, the external and internal evidence of the Scriptures, and other usual subjects. As we passed through Yorkshire lately, we heard that the Doctor had been invited to preach for Drs. Hook, of Leeds, Marsh of Birmingham; for the Rev. Messrs. Fawcett of Woodhouse, Downes of Leamington, Brooks at Retford, Dugard of Manchester, and other clergymen in different parts of England, and that he was beloved by all who knew him. And having travelled throughout the Old World and the New, and lectured and spoken before kings, princes, nobles, and other people of all ranks of almost all nations, he wishes for rest in a comfortable curacy or lectureship. And yet, after all this, and with a poor incumbency in a mountainous district, and with three services on a Sunday, the Observer, possibly judging of the Doctor's motives by his own, reproaches him for having become a sound Catholic churchman. To any clergyman wishing for a most desirable neighbour, able, and we dare say willing, to teach Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Italian, or German, Dr. Wolff would be an invaluable acquisition.

THE CHURCH AND DISSENTERS AS DESCRIBED BY A DISSENTING TEACHER. -At the late dissenting gathering at Leicester, which is a hot-bed of heresy and schism, amongst other speakers, almost as malignant and scurrilous, a Mr. Legge, Reverend as some would describe him, thus relieved his tender, very tender conscience, as regards dissenters first, and then the Church, in the following paragraph::-"It may suit churchmen, great and small, who swallow the Book of Common Prayer, the Thirty-nine Articles, and the Athanasian Creed-(laughter.) It may suit them, too, to mock at the consciences of dissenters-ay, and it may suit some dissenters too-white-livered, pigeonhearted, addle-headed, power - worshipping, rank-admiring, money-loving, knee-cringing, mealy-mouthed, lick-spittle dissenters—(loud laughter and cheers)-It may suit such as they to sneer at the consciences of other

Now

dissenters; but I am sure there is not an individual here who will echo the sneer(cheers). However these may sneer about conscience, there is such a thing, and John Thorogood has rightly exemplified its power. He feared God more than man. He would not sanction a system which, calling itself apostolic, branded him and his minister as vile schismatics, guilty of a crime worse than drunkenness. He would not give his sanction to a system which, in its union with the State, is the masterpiece of hell-(loud cheers) which is pervaded by the spirit of Anti-CHRIST; which, while arrogating to itself the exclusive possession of Christianity, has left the greater part of the land in worse than heathen darkness—(hear)—the fountain of all infidel principles; the great obstacle to the progress of true religion; the fosterer of all feuds amongst the disciples of JESUS-(cheers)." this is the language of one of the gentry whom some Churchmen call their "dissenting brethren." A Mr. Miall and a Mr. Mursell, both teachers of dissent, and both with tender consciences also, used language of the same import, and much of the same kind. Mr. Binney is often spoken very harshly of for having said, that "the Church is a great National evil-that it is an obstacle to the progress of truth and godliness in the land, and destroys more souls than it saves, and that its end is devoutly to be wished by every lover of God and man.' But he only expressed the opinions of the dissenting teachers generally. Four or five years ago, a dissenter who also, no doubt, had a very tender conscience, thus spoke of the Church: "I wish to God I had this evening to preach the funeral sermon of that hoary harlot, Mother Church; which is a blast and nuisance upon the earth, both black, bloody, and useless; and I will say, blessed be those hands that shall first hurl her to dark perdition, among the fiends, there to be honouring and to be honoured by the Devil." There Churchmen, that is the character of the Church! So says a pious dissenter, with a tender conscience; and in accordance therewith, the dissenting teachers and many of their people, would act, if they had that power which they will soon possess, if you do not arouse yourselves to prevent them by all the means in your power.

THE CHELMSFORD MARTYR.-There has been lately no ordinary agitation among the "conscientious," respecting the case of John Thorogood, the Chelmsford martyr! as they call him, who is very justly imprisoned in Chelmsford gaol, with other dishonest men, for the non-payment of his share of the church-rate, amounting to five shillings and sixpence. But the hypocrisy which has just come to light through some quarreling of the parties, is of the usual cast. It seems that John Thorogood actually came up to London, to appear to the citation of the Ecclesiastical Court, when he happened to call upon a Mr. Boykett, Secretary to the