greatly increased of those who view this state of things with deep concern. At no period have more able, judicious, and zealous efforts been made from the pulpit and the press, by individuals, and by associated bodies, to stem that torrent of infidelity, irreligion, and licentiousness, which has threatened to overflow the land: nor, perhaps, since the first ages of christianity has there been a time when Christians in this and other countries have felt so forcibly the obligation to impart the knowledge of divine truth, to the nations which still "sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." May God give success to the exertions of those who are thus labouring to extend the kingdom of our Redeemer; and may he multiply their number ten thousand fold. The cause of missions to heathen countries has seldom found a more able and energetic advocate than the author of the sermon before us, which we have perused with lively feelings of satisfaction. His text taken from Isaiah xl. 3. " 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord," affords him an occasion of adverting to the moral state of the heathen, the means of their recovery, and the motives to attempt it. Through these different divisions of his subject, which he has discussed with great ingenuity and ability as well as piety, it is impossible for us to follow our author. We shall transcribe, however, a few passages for the gratification of our readers; and these, we doubt not, will excite a desire to peruse the whole sermon. The author gives an affecting view of the state of religion in the heathen world, to which he subjoins the following just and spirited remarks. "But if the theology of the heathen be so gross, what can be expected from their 'morality? Even where little more of christianity is found than the name, yet so has it raised the standard of morals, that pagan licentiousness is found intolerable in Christendom. Take a late instance of this in the conduct of our neighbours the French: these people, after making the boldest experiment in profaueness ever made by a nation in casting off its God; and who, for a time, seriously deliberated whether there should be any God at all; who after madly stamping on the yoke of Christ, attempted to establish order on the basis of a wild and profligate philosophy; yet even this nation was at length obliged to bid an orator tell the abused multitude that, under a philosophical religion, every social bond was broken in pieces, and that christianity (or something like it) must be re-established to preserve any degree of order or decency." (p. 184.)) In reply to those indolent and lukewarm objectors, who can see nothing in the attempt to christianize the hea then except its difficulties, he pointedly enquires, whether there be not reason to think that we should have remained heathens to this day, had the first missionaries made similar objections. missionary to the heathen that did not "I know of no difficulty now before a meet the first missionary to this nation. We had our human sacrifices as well as others: our hearts as hard, our prejudices as great, and our situation more insulated and unapproachable than most of theirs." (p. 190.) In describing the persons proper to be employed in the capacity of missionaries, Mr. Cecil gives some useful cautions, which we earnestly recommend to the serious consideration of every Missionary Society. It would have been well had they obtained a more early attention. "It may be necessary, perhaps, to caution a sanguine and inexperienced zeal to pay more attention than is usually paid at this day, to the words which follow, "how how can it be expected that they should shall they preach except they be sent?” i. e. succeed in such a work, till God has called and qualified them for it." "Good Men, like Moses, may be so sensible of the greatness of such an undertaking and of their own inability and infirmities, that, even when really called, they may err in standing back; but there are others whom the apostle would have rejected as novices, lest their elation should end in their falling. Such have a zeal, indeed, but without knowledge, either of themselves, or the "Some work they would undertake." "But what result can be reasonably expected from such an experiment? Evidently, as the fact has too often declared both at home and abroad, (and I am led to speak thus much more from what has been observed at home than abroad) that the Gospel itself, under such an exhibition of it, has been rendered suspicious, if not ridiculous and abortive." (p. 191, 192.) "On the contrary, brethren, we should endeavour to find for our messenger, a man of God-instructed, experienced, holy, patient, laborious. This work peculi arly needs an apostolic spirit, and for instances of it, we need not ascend to the time of the apostles. Look at the Missionary Swartz, one who has but lately been called to rest after half a century spent in traversing thousands of miles, and that in a burning climate. Blessed with innumerable seals to his ministry, this man had acquired such a character among the heathen, that, when among a barbarous and lawless banditti, hordes that live by war and plunder carried on against one another, and all around them. This man, I say, as one evidently engaged only on a heavenly design, was suffered to pass with his catechumen through contending parties of them, unsuspected, unmolested. They said, "Let him alone, let him poss; he is a man of God." This apostle of our own day has saved the inhabitants of a fort from perishing by famine, when the neighbouring heathen have refused to supply it with provision on any other assurance than that of his word. Even that tyrant Hyder Ally, while he refused to negotiate in a certain treaty with others, said, "Send me Swartz-Send me the Christian Missionary," said this Mahometan; "I will treat with him, for him only can I trusi." "I make no apology," he adds, "for stating these facts: I embrace them to demonstrate the importance of character in a missionary." (p. 194) The following seasonable advice is as applicable to ministers of the Gospel at home, as it is to those who may be employed in missions abroad. "Among other means, let us recommend to our missionaries to dwell on such truths as are simple and essential; that they carefully avoid positions which remain doubtful even among real Christians; and that, while others only amuse or distract the flock, they should labour to feed it. Certainly, says a great author*, as those wines which flow from the first treading of the grape, are sweeter and better than those forced out by the press, which gives them the roughness of the husk and the stone; so are those doctrines best and wholesomest which flow from a gentle crush of the scripture, and are not wrung into controversies and common-place." (p. 195, 196.) The various motives to attempt the conversion of the heathen are impressively stated. In proceeding to enforce them "What strange revolutions," he asks, has taken place in the Christian world, that its first converts should be more ready * Lord Bacon, to lay down their lives for the Gospel than we to enter into a plan for its propagation? Verily the zeal of some of the dark ages of christianity will, in this respect, put us to shame. "Found among the oaks of our ancient Druids, with our painted bodies and bloody rites, if some Christian Missionary, pitying our wretched state, had not prepared the way of the Lord among us, we had probably remained in darkness to this very day. But God hath caused a great light to shine among us-freely we have received, let us freely give. Let us endeavour to remove that great stumbling block to the heathen, I mean, the conduct of those Christians in name only, who appear on their coasts merely for traffic. Let us shew them the effects of real christianity. Let us prove that, like its author, it will spare neither cost nor pains to seek and to save them that are lost. Instead of offering violence to their persons or property, let it appear that we seek not theirs but them." (p. 200, 201.) We shall content ourselves with one more extract. It is part of the author's reply to an objector, who enquires, "What have we to do with the is our design," he asks, "in these "What religion of other nations ?" missions? Is it not to bring immortal souls from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins sanctified by the faith of Christ? And and inheritance among them which are does any one ask, "what have Christians to do with this." "I see a poor Hindoo driven by a guilty conscience to enquire after an expiation: I see a bramin directing him to cross a desert of a thousand miles to the temple of Jaggernaut in Orissa; and there, after the practice of severe austerities, to offer the costliest gifts he can present. He does all this; and, on his return, he receives a little consecrated rice: he attempts to subsist upon this, till famished he perishes on a plain, white, to this day, with the bones of such deluded pilgrims. Is this romance? nay, it is a well attested fact. But who among us that knows the virtue of that blood which cleans th from all sin, but would rejoice to seize the hand of this wretched' votary, and say, Behold the Lamb of God!" (p. 203.) The Notes to this Sermon contain some valuable and authentic information respecting the moral state of nexed to the Sermon, we mean to Heathen nations. The report annotice in another place. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE, &c. &c. GREAT BRITAIN. THE British press has never exhibited such universal and unequivocal proofs of patriotism as it has done of late: more than a hundred different placards, besides tracts and pamphlets, have been published in all forms and sizes, both in prose and verse, and calculated, by every variety of manner-by reasoning and by eloquence, by details of the past and by predictions of the future, to depict the real character and views of the enemy with whom we have to contend, and to rouse thereby the energies of the nation. The design of most of these pieces, and the execution of some of them, we hearty approve; we, nevertheless, severely condemn the practice which prevails, in too many instances, of putting oaths into the mouths of our sailors, soldiers, &c.; and thereby countenancing those classes of men in a practice, which is in all cases highly criminal and disgraceful, but which is peculiarly unsuited to the state of constant peril in which these men, by their very profession, are placed. We disapprove equally of the unchristian spirit of coarse invective and bitter execration, which pervades many of these papers. We could wish too, to see a greater distinction made between Bonaparte and some of his followers, whose personal views have forced the two countries into war; and the nation which he has enslaved. Multitudes, doubtless, among the French have been wrought up to a spirit of inveterate hostility to this country, by the grossest falsehoods; but their guilt certainly bears no proportion to that of those by whom they have been wickedly deluded. Many of these papers have besides a tendency to inspire a contempt of the enemy. If this feeling should gain ground, it may prove a serious evil. The hardiest and best disciplined of our enemy's forces, conducted by the first military talents in France, will, no doubt, be employed in the attack upon us; and that he has numerous hardy and well-disciplined troops, as well as able generals at his command, is well known. We should, therefore, prepare to meet this formidable adversary with a discipline equal, if possible, to his own. That, as our motives are infinitely nobler and more powerful than those with which his troops are actuated, we shall meet them with a courage proportionably superior, there is no room to question: but discipline is indispensable-that discipline which is only to be acquired by unwearied application and constant use, and which discovers itself, not merely by dexterity in the manual exercise, but by prompt obe dience, by silent attention, by firmness and steadiness in the ranks, by rapidity and accuracy in the various movements: this Gught to be the determined study of every man who voluntarily comes forward in defence of his country. The government will provide for the instruction of the regulars and militia; and of this description of force we shall probably soon have in the field not fewer than 200,000 men, equal, it may be hoped, to any troops of the enemy. But the discipline of the volunteers, of whom about 300,000 it is thought will be soon enrolled, must depend, in a great measure, upon themselves. Let them then choose officers for their zeal, industry, and talents; let them discard all unnecessary finery and parade; let them seriously, conscientiously, and laboriously apply themselves to acquire perfect discipline; and then we may confidently say, that, under God, we are safe. We earnestly recom mend to every volunteer throughout the united kingdom, to furnish himself with a copy of "A Letter to the Volunteers," published by Stockdale, price one penny, or sixpence per dozen. It contains weighty truths, which all of them ought seriously to consider, and resolutely to act upon. We could have wished also to see, in these pieces, a more general acknowledgment of the sins of this highly favoured but ungrateful nation, and of the utter insufficiency of all human effort without the divine blessing; as well as more frequent calls to repentance before God, and to a firm reliance upon his almighty arm. We are happy, indeed, to perceive a portion of this spirit in some of these papers, in the resolutions of public bodies, and in addresses to his Majesty; but we should have been more encouraged to expect success in the awful contest which is now pending, had this spirit been deeply and universally prevalent. While we follow with energy the path of immediate duty, in defending all that is dear to us as men; let our piety be discovered in dependance upon the God of Hosts, and in submission to his righteous will; and our charity in praying for the conversion of our enemies. If defeat await them, let us remember that from God alone cometh the victory; and if success, that it is to accomplish the inscrutable purposes of his holy will. The booksellers, &c. in general have, we understand, given every assistance in their power to this patriotic exercise of the press. The following are, however, to be distinguished from the rest, for their zeal and activity in this cause. HATCHARD, GINGER, and STOCKDALE, Piccadilly; ASPERNE, Cornhill; SPRAGG, King-street, Covent garden; DowNES, Temple-bar; HIGHLEY, Fleet-street; DwYER, Holborn; BURNS, Tottenham Court-road; POTTS, Newington, Surry; and WALLIS, Ludgate street. The design of these publications is beyond our praise. It may, however, be a gratification to such of our readers as live at a distance from the capital, if we point out to them those which appear to us the best calculated to attain their object. 1. Address to the People of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Price 3d. or 2s. 6d. per dozen. Of this tract we have already evinced our cordial approbation, by its entire insertion in our last number. 2. The Prospect; or, a brief View of the Evils which the common People of England are likely to suffer by a successful Invasion from the French. Price 2d. or 1s. 6d. per dozen. This tract being written in a plain colloquial style, and, at the same time, with much force of argument, is well calculated for effect, especially among the lower classes of the community, for whom it is chiefly intended. The miseries which would befall the poor, in case the French should succeed, are well described, and the reasoning by which the disaffected would dissuade them from uniting their exertions with those of the government ably exposed. The author, in conclusion, piously exhorts his countrymen not to forget that there is no protection like that of the Most High. "Let it be our main care," says he, "that we do not provoke that God to give us up, who has hitherto stood by us. May we have grace to repent of our sins; for, undoubtedly, they are great and many. May we humble ourselves before him, and obtain that mercy, which our Bibles teach us to implore in the name of his blessed Son, the friend and advocate of penitent sinners. If God do not forsake us, all will yet be well. We may be shaken; but shall not be overthrown. I have no doubt that there are many amongst us who fear his holy name: and I have on that account a good hope for my country. There is, moreover, strength enough in this kingdom to meet the intended attack, if that strength be combined and exerted. And I trust that the ambition, the cruelty, the rapacity, and the insolence, which the enemy has shewn heretofore when victorious, will serve to call it forth. "For you, my countrymen, who have not been bred to the profession of arms, I trust there will be no occasion to draw the sword. I have a hope, that God Almighty will bless our arms by sea; and that the inhabitants of this is and will only have to view the defeat of the invaders from our shores. "Nevertheless, let us be prepared for our enemies, in case they should effect a landing. Let the first sight they get of our coast, discover to their view, an excited and determined people. Should they have reason to think, that, could they but make good a landing, England would be theirs, that thought alone might animate them to sustain all the dreadful fire of our ships. But of this they will not be so ready to hope, if they see our shores lined, as far as their eyes can reach, with thousands and ten thousands of the natives, all armed, all ready to give them a warm reception, and to finish what our brave sailors and marines began. "Such a sight may complete their despair; and there may be nothing left for those who are stationed on the land to do, but to fall on their knees, and with eyes lifted up to heaven, to give God the praise who gave the victory." 3. An Address to the People of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on the threatened Invasion. 16 p. 2d, or 12s. per 100. After having exhibited the justice of the cause in which we are at present engaged; the perfidy and lawless ambition of the First Consul, who aims at the very extinction of the British name; the innumerable motives we have to a vigorous and unanimous resistance, drawn from the blessings we should forfeit and the miseries we should endure, in case the French should succeed; the author calls upon his countrymen to emulate the deeds of their ancestors, and to maintain the recent renown which our naval victories, the heroic defence of Acre, and the no less heroic conquest of Egypt, have obtained for us. The author reminds us, and we ought never to forget, that the present contest is to decide, whether we are to be protected by a British king, a British constitution, and British laws; or to have a Corsican blood-thirsty tyrant for our ruler, and Frenchmen for our masters," and we trust with him, that "let them attempt to come when they will, they will find us ready to receive them." The following remarks merit the deepest consideration of every individual in the kingdom. "In stating the inexpressibly dreadful consequences which are sure to attend the conquest of your island by the French, there is one of so horrible a nature, as to deserve distinct notice. This barbarous, but most artful people, when first they invade a country, in the conquest of which they apprehend any difficulty, in order to obtain the confidence of the people, compel their troops to observe the strictest discipline, and often put a soldier to death for stealing the most trifling article. Like spiders they artfully weave a web round their victim, before they begin to prey upon it. But when their success is com plete they then let loose their troops with resistless fury, to commit the most horrible excesses, and to pillage, burn, and desolate, without mercy, and without distinction. But the practice to which I particularly allude, will make your blood freeze in your veins. These wretches are accustomed, whenever they prevail, to subject the women to the most brutal violence, which they perpetrate with an insulting ferocity, of which the wildest savages would be incapable. To gratify their furious passions is not, however, their chief object in these atrocities. Their principal delight is to shock the feelings of fathers, and brothers, and husbands! Will you, my countrymen, while you can draw a trigger, or handle a pike, suffer your daughters, your sisters, and wives, to fall into the power of such monsters? "One word more. Suffer not yourselves to forget that all human affairs are subject to the controul and government of that Great and Awful Being who created the universe, and whose power no creature is able to resist According to his pleasure states rise, flourish, and decay; and battles, on which depend the fate of empires, are gained or lost. Sometimes he grants victory in displeasure to the vanquished, and sometimes in favour to the victors. Often he specially interposes to punish guilty nations; and, whether by war or famine, He turneth a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.' He often, in the course of his providence, makes the worst of men the instruments of his justice, before he utterly destroys them. "It is, alas! impossible to deny that this country has, by its vices, irreligion, and impiety, most justly merited the Divine vengeance; and it is a great aggravation of our guilt, that we have slighted the example of piety and virtue which, for upwards of forty years, has been displayed from the throue. If for these things the Deity be preparing to visit us with heavy calamities, who shall dispute his justice, and who shall resist his almighty arm? There is no safety for us unless we can appease his wrath, and regain his favour, He is ready to forgive those who turn unto him with repentance and prayer. Let us therefore humble ourselves before God, and beseech him to have compassion upon us. Let us sincerely repent of our sins, and resolve with steady purpose of heart, to forsake our evil ways, and to live in future according to his commands. We may then hope that he will be merciful unto us in this time of our danger; that he will go forth with our fleets and armies, appear for us in the day of battle, and overwhelm the implacable enemy who seeks our utter destruction." 4. The Choice, at 3d. per dozen. This little poem contains a judicious application to the present times of an ode translated from the Arabic by Mr. Carlyle: the following lines will convey an idea to our readers of the spirit and energy which characterises it. "Hast thou not seen th' insulting foe These empty threats around? 'Make now YOUR CHOICE! The terms we give, Desponding Britons, hear! Resign the empire of the sea; Amid their yielding bands! Then as they writhe in death's cold grasp, ONE NATION still is brave and free." 5. Sheridan's Address to the People, sold by Asperne at 1d. or 6s. per 100; so appropriately describes the motives which, in the present contest, animate the minds of our enemies as well as those by which we ought to be influenced, that we do not hesitate to lay the greatest part of it before our readers. "THEY, by a strange frenzy driven, fight for power, for plunder, and extended rule-wE, for our country, our altars, and our homes. THEY follow an ADVENTURER whom they fear, and obey a power which they hate-WE serve a monarch whom we love, a GOD whom we adore. Where'er they move in anger, desolation tracks their progress! where'er they pause in amity, affliction mourns their friendship! They boast, they come but to improve our state, enlarge our thoughts, and free us from the yoke of error!-Yes-THEY will give enlightened freedom to our minds, who are themselves the slaves of passion, avarice, and pride. They offer us their protection-Yes, such protection as vul tures give to lambs-covering and devouring them! They call on us to barter all of good we have inherited and proved, for the desperate chance of something better which they promise. Be our plain answer this: the throne we honour is the PEOPLE'S CHOICE, the laws we reverence are our brave fathers' legacy, the faith we follow teaches us to live in bonds of charity with all mankind, and die with hope of bliss beyond the grave. Tell your invaders this; and tell them too, we seek no change; and, least of all, such change as they would bring us. R. B. SHERIDAN,” |