has done for you, O talk not of your baptism-talk not of your baptism, unless you are baptized with the Holy Spirit; talk not of having given your hearts to Christ, unless you have a portion of your property to give to him. In the year 1792 the Baptist Missionary Society was formed. Then began to be kindled the holy fire which burnt so vigorously, and spread with such splendour among other denominations of Christians. Other denominations are more numerous, or more opulent in their circumstances, consequently, they have more ample means at their command, and they have far, far outstripped us. We will cheerfully give to them the meed of praise which they so richly deserve. We highly esteem their activity, and we rejoice in their success. The world is the field, and it is abundantly large both for them and for us. It is true we need not despair for ourselves. We are few in numbers, but we are unworthy instruments. It becomes us to confess that our exertions have not been equal to our privileges; but at the same time it becomes us to acknowledge that according to the means we have used, God has blessed our Society with as great success as any institution on the face of the earth. I refer not merely, though I include it, to the work of translations, the praise of which has been echoed throughout the world. I refer not merely to Sunday school instruction, but to the actual number of persons both in the East and West Indies, who have personally professed their attachment to Jesus. We rejoice that God works by others, but shall he not work by us also? We must tell you the truth-our Society is deeply in debt, we owe at the very least £4,000.-The demands made upon us are heavy. The Committee have had offers to occupy some very important stations, and at the present moment they have zealous and faithful agents who have devoted themselves to the missionary work, but for want of funds are actually waiting to be sent to their appointed spheres of labour. Under these circumstances what are we to do? Are we to recede? I hope you will set an example worthy of being followed by the congregations to-night and to-morrow. A gentleman present, desirous to promote the object of the mission, has said he would give fifty pounds toward it, if the congregation would subscribe. five hundred pounds toward liquidating the debt; if not, he would only give ten per cent. upon what was contributed. Let us remember what Jesus did for us; YE KNOW THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THAT THOUGH HE WAS RICH, YET FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR, THAT YE THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BE RICH. BIBLICAL ESSAYS. NO. X.-CHRONOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE SCRIPTURES. "Let all things be done decently, and according to order." For the principal divisions in the following synopsis, we are indebted to the Rev. John Whitridge, in his new and improved edition of Watts' Scripture History; the psalms, prophecies, &c. we have arranged, for the most part, upon the authority of the Rev. J. Townsend, whose new editions of the Old and New Testaments form a valuable accession to our biblical library. The world before the Deluge. Gen. i. viii. 1-12; 1 Chron. i. 1-4. The Times of the Patriarchs. Family of Noah, and Deluge. Gen. viii. 13 to end; ix.-xi. 1-9; 1 Chron. i. 1-23. Connections of Abraham. Gen. xi. 10 to end; xii.-xxv.; 1 Chron. i. 24-34. Jacob and his Family. Gen. xxvi.—xxxvi. ; 1 Chron. i. 35 to the end. Job and associates in Idumea. Job i.-xlii. Joseph in Egypt. Gen. xxxvii.-l.; 1 Chr. ii. 1-4. Moses and his Contemporaries. Exod.i.--xv. The Sojournings of Israel to Canaan. The presidency of Moses. Numb. xxxiii. 1-49; Exod. xv.-xl.; Lev.; Numb.i. xiv.; Ps. xc.; Numb. xv. to end; Deut.; 1 Chron. ii. 5-41. The succession of Joshua. Josh. i.-xxiv. ; Judg. i.—iii. 1-4; xvii.—xxi.; 1 Chron. ii. 42 to the end. The Government of the Judges. Judg. iii. 5 to end; iv. v.; Ruth i.—iv.; Judg. vi.-xyi.; 1 Sam. i.-viii. Monarchy of the Hebrews. The reign of Saul. 1 Sam. ix.—xviii. 4; Ps. ix.; 1 Sam. xviii. 5—xix. 3; Ps. xi. ; 1 Sam. xix. 4-17; Ps. lix.; 1 Sam. xix. 20-xxi. 15; Ps. lii. xxxiv.; 1 Sam. xxi. 16-xxii. 1; Ps.cxlii.; 1 Sam. xxii. 2-19; Ps. xvii. lii. cix. xxxv. cxl.; 1 Sam. xxii. 20-xxiii. 12; Ps. lxiv.; xxxi.; 1 Sam. xxiii. 13-23; Ps. liv.; 1 Sam. xxiii. 24-xxiv. 22; Ps. lvii.; Iviii.; lxiii; 1 Sam. xxv.-xxvii. 1 ; Ps. cxli.; 1 Sam. xxvii. 2-xxxi. 13; 1 Chron. X. The reign of David. 2 Sam. ii. 1-v. 3; 1 Chron. xiii. 1-4; Ps. cxxxix. ; 1 Chron. xii.; 2 Sam. xxiii. 8-12; 1 Chron. xi. 2047; 2 Sam. v. 4-10; 1 Chron. xi. 1-14; 2 Sam. xxiii. 18-39; v. 11-25; 1 Chron. xiv. 1-17; 2 Sam. vi. 1-11; 1 Chron. xiii. 5-14; Ps. lxviii.; 1 Chron xv. 1-14; Ps. cxxxii.; 2 Sam. vi. 12-19; 1 Chron. xv. 1--xvi. 43; Ps. cv. cvi. xcvi. ; 2 Sam. vi. 20-vii. 29; 1 Chron. xvii.; Ps. ii. xi. v. xxii. xvi. cxviii. cx.; 2 Sam. viii. 1-12; 1 Chron. xviii. 12-17; 2 Sam. viii. 13-18; 1 Kings, xi. 15-20; Ps. lx. cviii.; 1 Chron. xviii. 1-17; 2 Sam. ix. X.; Ps. xx. xxi; 1 Chron. xix. 1-xx. 2; 2 Sam. xi. 1-xii. 15; Ps. li. xxxii. xxxiii. ciii.; 2 Sam. xii. 15-23; 1 Chron. xx. 1; 2 Sam. xii. 26-31; 1 Chron. xx. 2, 3; 2 Sam. xii. 24, 25; xiii. 21-xv. 29; Ps. iii.; 2 Sam. xv. 30-xvi. 14; Ps. vii.; 2 Sam. xvi. 15-xvii. 29; Ps. xlii. xliii. lv. iv. v. lxii. cxliii. cxliv. lxx. lxxi.; 2 Sam. xviii. 1-xxii. 51; Ps. xviii.; 1 Chron. xx. 4-9; 2 Sam. xxiv. 1-9; 1 Chron. xxi. 6,7; xxvii. 23, 24; xxi. 1-5, 8-16; 2 Sam. xxiv. 10-17; 1 Chron. xxi. 17-30; Ps. xxx.; 2 Sam. xxiv. 18-25; 1 Chron.xxii.; 1 Kings, i.; 1 Chron. xxiii. 1; xxviii. 110; Ps. xci. cxlv.; 1 Chron. xxiii. 2-32 ; xxviii.-xxix. 25. The following Psalms, which are thought to belong to this period, cannot be arranged with certainty:-xl. xli. lxi. lxv. lxix. lxxviii. vi. viii. xii. xix. xxiii. xxiv. xxviii. xxix. xxxviii. xxxix. lxxxvi. xcv. ci. civ. cxx. cxxi. cxxii. cxxiv. cxxxi. cxxxiii. lxxii. The reign of Solomon. 1 Kings ii. 1-9; 2 Sam. xxiii. 1-7; 1 Chron. xxix. 26-30; 1 Kings ii. 10-12; 2 Chron. i. 1; 1 Kings, iii. 3, 4; 2 Chron. i. 2-6; 1 Kings, iii. 5-28; 2 Chron. i. 7-13; 1 Kings, ii. 1338; iv. 1-25; 2 Chron. ii. 1, 2; 1 Kings, v. 1-12; 2 Chron. ii. 3-16; 1 Kings, v. 13; 2 Chron. ii. 17, 18; 1 Kings, ii. 3946; iii. 1, 2; 2 Chron. iii. 1; 1 Kings, vi. 1; 2 Chron. iii. 2-9; 1 Kings, vi. 48, 15-28; 2 Chron. iii. 13, 14; 1 Kings, vi. 29-36; 1 Kings, vii. 13-22; 2 Chron. iv. 1; 1 Kings, vii. 23-45; 2 Chron. iv. 11-16; 1 Kings, vii. 46-50; 2 Chron. iv. 8-10; 1 Kings, vi. 9-14, 51, 37, 38; 2 Chron. iv. 17-22; v. vii. 4-7; vi. 1; 1 Kings, viii. 1-21; 2 Chron. vi. 12-39; 1 Kings, viii. 50-61; 2 Chron. vi. 40-42; vii. 1-3, 8-10; 1 Kings, viii. 22-50, 62-66; Ps. xlvii. xcvii. xcix. c. cxxxv. cxxxvi. ; 1 Kings, vii. 1-12; 2 Chron. vii. 11-22 ;* 1 Kings, ix. 1-14; 2 Chron. viii. 1-11; 1 Kings, ix. 24; Canticles; 1 Kings, ix. 15, 16; 2 Chron. viii. 12-16; 1 Kings, ix. 25-28; 2 Chron. viii. 17; 1 Kings, x. 14-29; iv. 26-34; x. 1-13; 2 Chron. ix. 1-12; Proverbs; 1 Kings, xi. 1-14, 2340; Ecclesiastes; 1 Kings, xi. 41-43; 2 Chron. ix. 29-31. The Kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Contemporary reigns of Rehoboam and Jeroboam. 1 Kings, xiv. 21; xii. 1-15; 2 Chron. x. 1-15; xi. 5; xii. 1; 1 Kings, xiv. 22-24; 2 Chron. xii. 2-12; 1 Kings, xiv. 25-28; 2 Chron. xii. 13-16; 1 Kings, xiv. 29-31; 1 Kings, xii. 16-24; 2 Chron. x. 16-xi. 4; 1 Kings, xii. 95—xiii. 34. The reigns of Abijah, Asa, and others, to Ahab. 2 Chron. xiii. 1-22; 1 Kings, xv. 1-8; 2 Chron. xiv. 1-15; 1 Kings, xv. 9-15; 2 Chron. xv. 1-15, 18, 19; xvi.; Kings, xv. 16-24; xiv. xv. 25-xvi. 34. The successive reigns of Jehoshaphat and Jehoram. 1 Kings, xxii. 41-47; 2 Chron. xvii. 2-xviii. 2; xix. 1-7; Ps. lxxii.; 2 Chron. xix. 8-xx. 26; Ps. cxv. xlvi. ; 2 Chron. xx. 27-30; 2 Kings, viii. 16; 2 Chron. xx. 31-34; 1 Kings, xxii. 45— 50; 2 Chron. xxi. 1, 5-7, 2-4, 11-15; 2 Kings, viii. 17-19; 2 Chron. xxi. 8-10, 16-20; 2 Kings, viii. 20-24; 1 Kings, xvii. 1-xxii. 41; 2 Chron. xviii. 3-34; 1 Kings, xxii. 51-53; 2 Kings, i. 1— viii. 6. The reigns of Ahaziah and others, to Jehoash. 2 Chron. xxii. 1-9; 2 Kings, viii. 2527; ix. 27-29; 2 Chron. xxii. 10-12; xxiv. 7-11; xxiii. 1-15; 2 Kings, xi. 116, 21; xii. 1-3; 2 Chron. xxiii. 16, 21; xxiv. 3-61, 2; 2 Kings, xii. 4-21; 2 Chron. xxiv. 1, 2, 15-27; 1 Kings, viii. 7-15; ix. 1-27, 30; x. 36; xiii. 1-10, 14-21. Reigns of Amaziah, Uzziah, and Jotham. 1 Kings, xiv. 1-6; 2 Chron. xxv. 5-16; 2 Kings, xiv. 7-14; 2 Chron. xxv. 27, 28, 25, 26, 1-4, 17-24; 2 Kings, xiv. 19, 20, 17, 18; 2 Chron. xxvi. 1-15; 2 Kings, XV. 1; Joel, 1-3; 2 Chron. xxvi. 16-21; Isa. i. 1; vi. ii. iii. iv. v. ; 2 Chron. xxvi. 22, 23; 2 Kings, xiv. 21, 22; xv. 2-7, 32, 35; 2 Chron. xxvii. 1-iv.; Micah, i. ii. ; 2 Chron. xxvii. 3-9; 2 Kings, xv. 33-38; xiii. 22-25, 11-13; xiv. 15, 16, 23-27; Hos. i. ii. 3.; Amos, i.—vii. 9; Jonah, i.-iv. ; 2 Kings, xiv. 28; Amos, vii. 10-17; viii. ix.; 2 Kings, xiv. 29; Hos. iv. 1-19; 2 Kings, xv. 8-29; xvi. 1-5; Isa. viii.-x. 4; xvii. xxviii. ; 2 Chron. xxviii. 4-19; Isa. i. 2-31; Obadiah; 2 Kings, xvi. 6-18; 2 Chron. xxviii. 2025; Hos. v. vi.; 2 Chron. xxviii. 26, 27, 1-3; 2 Kings, xvi. 19, 20; Isa. xiv. 2832; 2 Kings, xviii. 1-6; 2 Chron. xxix. 3-xxxi. 21; Isa. xv. xvi.; Mic.iii.-vii. 2 Kings, xviii. 7, 8; Isa. xviii. xix.; Nahum, i.-iii.; Isa. xxiii. x. 5-xiv. 27; xxiv.-xxvii. xxii. 1-14; xxi.; 2 Chron. xxxii. 1-8; 2 Kings, xviii. 13-16; Isa. xx. xxix. 1—xxxii. 26; 2 Kings, xx. 119; Isa. xxxii.—xxxv. xxxviii. 9-21; 2 Chron. xxxii. 9-23; 2 Kings, xviii. 17-xix. 7; Ps. xliv. ; 2 Kings, xix. 1837; Ps. lxxiii. lxxiv. lxxv. lxxvi.; Isa. xl.-lxvi.; 2 Chron. xxxii. 27-33; xxix. 1,2; Isa. xxxvi.-xxxix.; 2 Kings, xx. 20, 21;xv. 30, 31; xviii. 1, 2; xvii. 3, 4; Hos. vii.-xiv.; 2 Kings, xvii. 5-23; xviii. 9-12. Successive reigns of Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah, over Judah. 2 Kings, xxi. 1-16; Isa. xxii. 15-25; 2 Chron. xxxiii. 11-20; 2 Kings, xxi. 17, 18; 2 Chron. xxxiii. 1-10; 2 Kings, xvii. 24-41; xxi. 19-26; 2 Chron. xxxiii. 21-25; xxii. 1, 2; 2 Chron. xxxiv. 3-7; Jer. i. 1-iii. 5; 2 Chron. xxxiv. 8-32; Zeph. i.-iii.; 2 Kings, xxiii. 4-20; 2 Chron. xxxiv. 33; xxxv. 1-19; Jer. iii. 6-25; iv. v. vi.; Habak. i.-iii.; Jer. vii.-xii.; 2 Chron. xxxv. 24-27; xxxiv. 1, 2; 2 Kings, xxii. 3-20; xxiii. 1-3, 21-24, 28-30. Concluding reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoi akim. 2 Chron. xxxvi. 1-4; 2 Kings, xxiii. 31-37; Jer. xiii.-xxii. 23; xxvi. xlvi. 1-12; xxxv. xxv. xxxvi. 1-8; xlv.; 2 Kings xxiv. 1; 2 Chron. xxxvi. 6, 7; Dan. i. 1-7; 2 Kings, xxiv. 3, 4. ON THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN IN CIVILIZED LIFE. THE Mahometan dogma, that women have no souls, and consequently no promised participation in the future joys of Paradise, is fatal to intellectual and moral improvement. This is verified in the degraded condition of women wherever the religion of Mahomet prevails. It is a subject fraught with melancholy reflections, that the ambition or fanaticism of one individual should have the power to enslave for ages, the intellects of whole nations, to render reason a dead letter, and its redemption scarcely to be effected but by miracles. But the victims of this false belief, whose enjoyments are of the lowest order, frivolous and vicious, may be the means of exciting our thankfulness, while they share our commiseration. After reflecting upon their condition, we are naturally led to the comparison of the superior privileges of Christianity, and its attendant civilization. These hold forth no such degrading and depressing notions of inequality between the sexes: on the contrary, their tendency has been throughout their progress, to enlarge the sphere of woman's influence; to yield her an equal share of every hope and promise that stimulate the intellect, and incline the heart to virtue.-Man and woman are equally the children of God, and equally the heirs to immortality. Yet, possessed of these high privileges, and having within their grasp the key of wisdom, are not Christian women too often supine to their best interests? Although in a state of mental emancipation, do they not voluntarily abandon themselves to almost Mahometan ignorance, uselessness, and degradation? Do they not, whether they are "the busy or the gay "But flutter thro' life's little day?" Are they aware of the important rank they have to maintain in civilized life; of the moral influence they possess over society; of the real value of their existence? A stranger in this great city, frequenting places of public resort, the tables of the great, or the humbler scenes of dissipation, would he not describe the characteristic features of the sex to be, pride and vanity, ignorance and folly? And yet, to affirm that there is no female excellence would be as untrue as to say, that the moon never enlightens the night with its mild lustre, nor sheds a calming influence over the human mind. Happily, an opposite description would be often more full when given from a different point of view. Walking within the domestic sphere, woman might in such scenes be pourtrayed, as promoting the best interests of society, in the judicious nurture of the youth, growing up around her; as neglecting no proper impulse of warm but well-governed affections, and as regulating the conduct of her family, as well as her own, on the basis of christian morality. To this class of women, admonition and advice would be presumptuous and needless. They themselves practically unfold moral precepts, demonstrate their beneficial effects, and, by example, inculcate instruction more permanently than the pen of the moralist can ever do. Yet how many there are, whose aspirations are virtuous, but whose resolutions are weak; and who with reluctance would yield up the pleasures of sense, for those of a less alluring, though of a more intrinsic value ! How many there are, who are plunged in a vortex of worldly delights, forgetful of the ends for which life was imparted to them, and the means by which only those ends are attainable ! Perhaps their thoughtless career might be checked, could folly, in its proper garb, be exposed to their view, and rational thoughts be excited. To think justly on our conduct, "to ponder our ways," is the first step towards the formation of a virtuous character. In speaking of the influence of women in their various spheres, it must not be supposed that a desire of domination is recommended. The only power worth having, is not to be gained, either by an imperative temper, or by the management of an artful spirit; but it is to be secured by good humour, good sense, and virtue. By an overbearing love of power, a domestic circle may, perhaps, be ruled but its subservience will be neither willing nor permanent; its habits may be rendered conformable to the strictest rules of propriety, but its morality will be defective, if it be influenced by constraint, fear, suspicion, and secret disapprobation of the governing power. Obedience to the head of a family, from its junior and inferior members, is an essential principle; but the influence arising from affection, and from a sense of superior virtue, will establish it more firmly than imperious and arbitrary measures. As national virtue has its origin in the morality of private life, and as the seeds of that morality may be sown as early in the human mind as the period when infancy first grasps at some glittering object of its desires, the conduct of domestic life is a subject which comes home to the feelings of every member in a civilized state. It is a science of more importance to its well-being than many of those which are fondly and eagerly pursued, and rewarded by the applause of the world. It seems a trivial pursuit, to aim at the acquisition of a science which enables you to rank in its class and genus some unknown specimen of a lichen or a fern or, after the sportive business of kidnapping butterflies, to place them in their right station in the cabinet of the naturalist. And yet, such achievements have given celebrity and duration to the names of men, who would, on all other subjects, have remained unknown and undistinguished. How far more worthy of having her name enrolled on the lists of fame, would that woman be, who should discover the minute, but important, diversities in the characters of the members of her family, and so apply her knowledge as to advance each of them to their full measure of improvement? How justly might she claim the applause of society, could she, from beneath her maternal shelter, usher into the world a vigorous and well-trained offspring, calculated equally to impart and to receive happiness. But one specific characteristic of virtue is, its unobtrusiveness: it shuns display, and, in retirement-in the recesses of the mind, it seeks its reward, and covets no other. This may be considered as one of the principal advantages in the science of domestic wisdom; the happiness it bestows, is independant alike of praise and of censure. CRITICAL NOTICES OF BOOKS. THE DEBATES IN BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIA MENT, RELATIVE TO THE REPEAL OF THE CORPORATION AND TEST ACTS, with a Preface. By JOEN BURDER, M.A.: to which are added, a list of the Majority and Minority in both Houses, and a copy of the new Act. The second edition, revised and corrected, containing a history of the Penal Laws respecting religion. By RICHARD WYATT, Attorney at Law; and a copy of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill. Stroud, W. A. Baylis: London, Baldwin and Cradock; and Holdsworth and Ball. 1829. We have much pleasure in announcing the second edition of this compilation. In doing this we cannot refrain from offering our congratulations, not less to the Dissenters generally, than to the editor in particular: to the former on the readiness with which they have supplied themselves with the work; and to the latter on the success of his judicious and public spirited speculation. There are several additions made in this edition, which, we doubt not, will render it more acceptable to the public. Of the compilation, as a whole, we must speak in terms of approbation. It has been got up in as tasteful and elegant a manner as its limited price would allow; and the debates, extracted from the "Times," and afterwards corrected by the different speakers, will, of course, be found extremely accurate. While we have great pleasure in recommending the volume to public attention, and in demanding for it the encouragement of the Dissenters, we cannot avoid expressing a hope that no respectable member of that body will suffer so great a defect in his library as the absence of this compilation, and our conviction, that the wastes of time, to the latest generations, will be replenished by new editions of the work. It is the record of one of liberty's brightest triumphs, and the Magna Charta of dissent. It is a page in the register of the accelerating march of freedom, and a point in the dial that marks the progress of intellect's bright and ascending luminary. HE IS RISEN, an Easter Offering. Second Edition. London: Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper. pp. 16. POETRY is almost a drug in the literary market; few, indeed, are the names which are now able to command attention,and still smaller is the number of those, who, gifted with great powers, have consecrated the effusions of their Muse to religion. It therefore becomes those who wish to see Poetry and Religion combined, to praise men who have endeavoured to unite the two together, in order that others may be induced to follow their example. It is for this reason that we notice the short Essay we now introduce to the notice of our readers. It is a religious poem, on a Scriptural subject; but it is neither distinguished by lofty sentiments nor splendid versification. The ideas are clearly stated, and in some instances the author has succeeded in making his verses flow with a tolerable degree of harmony. There is not, however, originality either in the ideas, or in the structure of the verse; the former are borrowed from Scripture, and the latter is an imitation of Milton and Cowper. That we may not be accused of injustice, we present the following lines from the poem, which will afford our readers an idea of the style and sentiments of the author. Rapt into future time, on Seraph's wing Upheld, Isaiah soars; his strains divine With mournful inspiration tell the woes Messiah must endure; accomplish'd all When on the Cross the fainting Jesus said, "'Tis finish'd," -bowed His sacred head -and died. But soon that Sun, so dimly set in clouds, Rose more resplendent than the orient morn, Of adamantine strength, O Grave! nor gates With iron spells fast bound, could captive hold The Lord of life victorious, in whose train Lift up your heads ye everlasting gates! The world absolv'd, and Paradise restored. Till the lost sheep of Israel's wandering flock Shall hear their Shepherd's voice, and join the fold. O! may this sacred day in every breast Accordant join in universal praise: For in those words of comfort, "He is risen," We build our stedfast faith, we rest our hope, As on a rock of adamant secure. RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY FOR IRELAND. The Annual Meeting of this important Society, which was most numerously attended, was held in the Rotunda, Dublin, on Wednesday, April 15th. In the absence of the Earl of RODEN, the president of the Society, the Dean of ST. PATRICK'S was called to the chair. The report of the Committee for the last year, which was very encouraging, was read by HARTSTONE ROBINSON, Esq. one of the honorary secretaries to the Society; from which it appeared, that, during the last year, the income of the Society, including sales of books, amounted to £4,106; about £2,200 were received from England and Scotland. Among the sums received from England, were included £234 subscribed by the teachers and scholars in Sunday schools. The Society had granted and sold, during the year, 11,864 Bibles, 24,294 Testaments, and 44,361 Spelling Books. The number of Bibles and Testaments issued during the year, exceeded that of the preceding year by upwards of 10,000 copies. The Report gave a gratifying statement, as to the beneficial effects of the system of instruction pursued by this Society, and concluded by an appeal to the benevolence of the public, that the blessings of a scriptural education may be diffused throughout Ireland. |