Strictures on Dr. Arnold's Pamphlet, entitled "The Christian Duty of Granting the Claims of the Roman Catholics." By the Rev. H. TOWNSEND POWELL, M. A. Curate of Stretton-on-Dunsmoor, Warwickshire.

London: Rivingtons. 1829. pp. 26.
Price 1s. 6d.

We have read with much pleasure the able pamphlet of Mr. Powell in answer to the liberal production of Dr. Aruold, which was lately put forth, charging all with injustice and wrong who did not give their suffrage in favour of the claims of the papists. The arguments in this pamphlet are severally brought forward by Mr. Powell, and by him severally answered in a short, but, we think, convincing manner. Dr. Arnold is proved to be mistaken in his facts-confused in his reasoning-and wrong in his principles. In proof of the latter we quote the following, which will show how far even a clever man may mistake his path, when wedded to the popular liberalism of modern times.

His pamphlet has had a wide circulation, and we have even heard talk of a second edition; but we should hope that Mr. Powell's observations will be as weighty with the Dr. as they have been with us. To his readers we recommend, in justice, a perusal of Mr. Powell's reply; after which, if they do not rise quite so liberal in their views, we are assured they will be more sound in their ideas.

John Huss; or the Council of Constance : a Poem, with Historical and Descriptive Notes. London: Rivingtons. 1829. pp. xii. 118. Price 4s. 6d.

Ir would much gratify us to be able to do justice to this unpretending but admirable little book in a more enlarged and comprehensive review of its contents. But our readers may take our word for it, that though prevented by want of room from quoting in proof of our assertion, our inclination would induce us to extract some of those beautiful passages which have earned for their author such praise as we feel great satisfaction in conferring on the score of justice, and which, we doubt not, will be echoed by our brethren of the craft whenever the volume shall have found its way, as we hope it soon will, into the good graces of the critical world. We have not read such a poem for many a day; and in offering the meed of our approbation, we beg to include not alone the mechanical and imaginative portion of the work, but the moral and religious tone which runs throughout it,-the dignified defence and pleading in behalf of the deserted ark of Protestantism,and the correct historical detail of that time of iniquity which has cast such a halo of terror around the memory of "the Council of Constance." We cannot, however, forbear quoting the introductory lines as a specimen of the author's powers as a poet, and the concluding ones as a proof of his cha

racter as a man :

I stood on LANGENARGHEN's leafy shore, The Schwartzenwald behind me, and before

neron,

Poured forth the pathos of Helvetian songThat' Song of Liberty,' whose quickening spell

Can rouse the frozen chase and forest dellAnd heard on Freedom's hills, what heart but owns

The more than magic thrilling in its tones!

But who may tell what strong and mystic charm,

Melts the warm heart, or nerves the warrior's arm,

Moulds the young wanderer of these mountains wild,

In deeds a hero, and in heart a child?
But oh! if bought by foreign bribe he roam,
Breathe-breathe not in his ear the songs
of home!

For once in foreign camp their rapture

The guide to glory when our course is run! A pharos, in the whelming breaker's roar, Lighting the weary to a welcome shore ! Oh, thou art more than human thought can frame

Than worlds can purchase-more than tongue can name!

Thou light'st thy torch at life's expiring breath,

And plum'st thy wings upon the bed of death!-Pp. 74, 75.

These verses are, indeed, sweet; and they lack, moreover, that alliteration and antithesis which are prominent in other places. The notes are instructive and entertaining, and, withal, authentic. Our readers will not repent the purchase.

A Sermon preached in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, on Thursday, May 14, 1829, at the Festival of the Sons of the Clergy. By the Rev. CHARLES WEBB LE BAS, M.A. Rector of St. Paul's, Shadwell; Professor in the East India College, Hertford; and late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. London: Rivingtons. 1829. 4to. pp. xxiii. 19.

John xvi. 33. From the source of consolation here offered by our Lord to his disciples, so unlike what would naturally have been offered by any human teacher, and so unlikely to be available to the end proposed, the preacher first deduces an argument of the divinity of him who uttered it. The truth of both parts of the proposition being then established, he proceeds thus emphatically to apply the subject to the more immediate purpose of his discourse.

And why is it that I presume to dwell upon these things, surrounded as I am

are

by numbers, from whom it would better become me to learn them, than to urge them on the remembrance of my brethren? Why is it, but because the solemnities of this day bring forcibly to our thoughts the need and value of the consolation here administered by our Lord! Why, but because the very labour of love which has called us together bears witness to the tribulation which still, as ever, is the lot of Christ's ministering servants, and against which, in his strength, they are appointed to contend? Why, but because we met to cherish and to succour the widows and the children of those who have fallen in the ranks of that warfare, and who, we would humbly hope, have entered into the joy of their Saviour's victory? I cannot imagine a more solemn and affecting commentary on his words, than the sight of helpless orphans, whose fathers were doomed to poverty, and to care, and to a stern conflict with the world, and this in the service of Him who came to teach them and us how to overcome the world!Pp. xi. xii.

A masterly discussion here ensues, in which the origin of the extreme indigence of many of the parochial clergy is traced to the appropriations which were continually made at the time of the dissolution of religious houses; and, after drawing an affecting picture of the struggles which a Christian minister frequently encounters, while honestly discharging the work of an evangelist, in keeping his family from utter destitution, Mr. Le Bas sums up with this animated appeal :

None, surely, are now present who can endure the thought of such things. None are now present, but will be ready to stretch out their hand to avert such calamity, and such disgrace: and not only so, but to lift up their voice in this sacred cause, and to speak honourably and kindly of it, among their neighbours, their relatives, and their friends. They will show that they esteem the Christian ministry very highly in love for their work's sake; and they will show it by forbidding, so far as their good offices can forbid, that the children of the righteous labourer should be forsaken, or their seed left to beg their bread. They will ask themselves, what would the Saviour of the world pronounce, if he were now personally and visibly present upon earth, and were to see the orphans

of his consecrated ministers deserted by those who call themselves the members of his Church? What would be the countenance wherewith the Lamb of God would look upon such a sight? And how, then, can we bear that such a sight should present itself to him, sitting, as he now is, at the right hand of the Eternal Majesty? We cannot, surely, but remember that, by the travail of his soul, the Saviour overcame the world for us. How then shall we abandon the widows and the orphans of those, whose office was to point to the glories of that triumph; and who, as good soldiers, have known the bitterest hardness of the warfare?-Pp. xxii. xxiii.

Towards the advocate of a work of Christian benevolence, criticism must necessarily be disarmed of her proverbial severity, even where the topic is weakly discussed, and the application less energetic and forcible than we might be led to desire. In the present instance, however, the best friends of the noble Institution, in support of which this sermon was delivered, could scarcely have wished for a more powerful pleader, and would have found no little difficulty in procuring one.

A

The Excellency of the Liturgy. Sermon, preached at All Saints' Church, Southampton, on Wednesday, April 22, 1829, in aid of the Societies for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. By the Rev. WILLIAM DEALTRY, B.D. F.R.S. Chancellor of the Diocese of Winchester. London: Hatchard and Son. 1829. 8vo. pp. 32.

THIS sermon was preached from Philippians iii. 16. from which the great general principle is deduced, "That the whole Christian Church should, as far as circumstances will allow, be of one accord, of one mind,' not merely as it respects the chief doctrines and precepts of the Gospel, but in reference to every matter which affects the religious character of the Christian, and the purity of his holy profession." The author then proceeds in the way of hypothesis-That if there does exist a system of public worship, venerable for its antiquity, and apostolical in character, that the

general use of such a service would be highly advantageous, and that the benefits resulting from it would be,

Additional security for the maintenance of Christian truth :

A termination of many of those divisions which now distract the Christian world :—

A depriving of the infidel and scoffer of one of the greatest objections to Christianity-the division of its subjects:

And, lastly, an increased happiness, arising from the sympathy of kindred spirits, while offering common supplications at the throne of grace, and joining in the same ascriptions of thanksgiving and praise.

Having shown the benefits that would arise from such a system of public worship, our author undertakes to show that the Liturgy of the Church of England is exactly such as he has described. And this he does by appealing to the experience of its members, whether a due attention to her ritual does not excite devotional feeling, and instruct us in the knowledge of ourselves, and of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. Our veneration is then demanded for the Liturgy on account of its antiquity; and the advantages derived from it in the different regions of the globe, under the dominion of Britain, where our countrymen may yet enjoy the religious privileges of their native land.

Mr. D. then shows, that in the conversion of the heathen a formulary is indispensably necessary to meet their prepossessions. In conclusion, an appeal is made to the members of the Church for their support of the two excellent Societies, from the great good that has been derived, and may still be experienced from their active exertions both at home and abroad. This is the general outline of the discourse; and, although the arguments used are not new, yet they are worked up in a popular manner, and well calculated to make a powerful impression upon the heart.

A Letter from the Vicar of Bexley to the Churchwardens of that Parish. Printed for the use of the Parishioners. 8vo. pp. 49.

THE main design of this letter is strictly local; urging upon the parishioners of Bexley, through the medium of the churchwardens, the necessity of enlarging the parish church, suggesting the best means of effecting that purpose, and proposing a scheme for raising a fund adequate to the undertaking. We know not whether Dr. Goddard contemplates a circulation beyond the circle of his own living; but from the clear and lucid manner in which the law is laid down, as it touches the right of faculties and prescriptions, and the letting and sale of pews, it could not fail to be useful in other quarters.

Questions and Answers relative to Confirmation. 8vo. pp. 23. price 6d.

THIS tract also is from the pen of the Vicar of Bexley; being a plain and scriptural exposition, under the form of interrogatories proposed to a National School Boy, of the rite of confirmation. It is divided into two parts; the nature of which will be easily seen from the table of contents :

PART I.-Privileges of Baptism-Difficulty of Infant Baptism-How got over for the present-Parents not excused by Sponsors-Baptismal Vows-Divine Grace -Confirmation, active and passive-Not a Sacrament.

PART II.-Confirmation an Apostolic Rite-Resemblance to ours— Difference from ours-Time of Performance-Reasons of it-Twenty-fifth Article-Office for Confirmation-Explanations of itManifold Gifts-Laying on of HandsReserved to Bishop How to be assured of Grace-Relation it bears to Baptism-to the Lord's Supper - Unbaptized cannot be properly confirmed-Confirmation only once-Causes of this Rite being misunderstood-Confusion that sometimes attends Administration Neglect of Churchwardens in the Church and on the Road.

IN THE PRESS.

A New Edition of Dean Graves' Lectures on the Pentateuch, complete in one very large volume, 8vo.

An Analysis of Bishop Burnet's Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles, with Notes, by Thomas Newland, A.B. T.C.D. One thick volume, 12mo.